iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- As Senate Republicans digested the allegations that President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, had claimed the president had directed him to use campaign contributions to buy the silence of women with whom he was allegedly having affairs, they avoided commenting to reporters by making a plea of their own: ignorance of the case. A few have also questioned Cohens credibility given that the once-loyal Trump aide and confidant had turned on him. I don't know the facts. All I know is Michael Cohen has been on both sides of these issues and his credibility I think will be a major issue, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said. I think Mr. Cohen's credibility is going to be challenged, is my best guess, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., surmised. One senator who did express frustration was Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a vocal critic of Bill Clinton and a strong proponent of his impeachment and removal from office. Well, these are serious changes and they can't be ignored, Hatch said, before adding that he wouldnt go as far as calling them high crimes and misdemeanors the constitutional grounds for impeachment. On the substance of the allegations that Trump directed Cohen to pay hush money to porn stars Hatch said, I'm not very happy about it, put it that way. He added that the president should not be held responsible for the actions of people hes trusted, but walked away before he answered a follow-up question about the fact that the president himself directed the action, per Cohens plea. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats ramped up their criticism of Trump by saying the Cohen allegations, in which Trump is named as an unindicted co-conspirator, should mean a pause on the consideration of Judge Brett Kavanaugh as the next Supreme Court justice. I will be canceling my appointment with Judge Kavanaugh because I choose not to extend a courtesy to this president who is an unindicted co-conspirator, said Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii. For the record, Trump was not named in legal documents as an unindicted co-conspirator. He's been nominated by a president who's been implicated in a criminal conspiracy, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, of Kavanaugh. There is no way that his nomination will be untainted. The court itself will be stained. But for now, Democrats were keeping the notion of impeachment at bay, even as some House Democrats have already started calling for such proceedings, which would begin in the lower chamber. I don't think that we should be talking about impeachment, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said. I think that this is a time in this nation that is one where we should think about the fact that we have the president of the U.S. has essentially been named an unindicted co-conspirator. This is not a good day for this country. And we need to trust in our criminal justice system, our judiciary. We need to know the facts and the law before we decide upon a remedy. But it has to be a remedy that the American people will be supporting because ultimately the decision will be made not only in the courts but also the court of public opinion, Blumenthal said. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. China is investigating the origins of three recent African swine flu outbreaks to determinate whether they are linked, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Monday. The ministry said it will share the information with the public when it is available. The latest outbreak occurred at a pig farm in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, with 615 pigs infected, leading to the loss of 88 animals as of Sunday, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday. Local authorities have responded to the emergency with quarantine measures to prevent the disease from spreading, the ministry said, adding that the outbreak is under control. On Aug 14, a pork processing company in Zhengzhou, Henan province, was hit by African swine fever. All 30 infected animals died. On Aug 1, an outbreak occurred at a pig farm in Shenyang, Liaoning province, leading to the loss of 47 hogs. It was the first African fever outbreak in China, the ministry said. Zhu Zengyong, an agriculture analyst at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said the three cases may be related, with cross-infection occurring during transportation of live pigs. "The spread of the disease may have occurred during the transportation of live pigs from Northeast China, where the first African swine fever outbreak was identified, to Henan and Jiangsu provinces," Zhu said. "The outbreaks have caused a temporary decrease in the price of pork in many places in China, with many pig farmers anxious to sell," he said. The best way to control the disease is to slaughter any pig suspected of the disease, as there is no effective vaccine to prevent the disease, he said. "The disease can bring serious consequences to China's pork industry if not properly controlled," he said. Unlike bird flu, the disease is not transmittable to humans, he said. African swine fever, which spreads solely among pigs, is fatal, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of pork, accounting for more than 60 percent of China's meat consumption, the ministry said. Huang Guigui held two brushes - one with pigment and the other with water - in her right hand as she painted a peony flower in the Chinese realist style known as gongbi. But her hands did not look like those of a painter, and for good reason. Only two years ago she was a farmer. She quit working in the fields and sublet her contracted land to become a professional painter working for the Luxi art academy in Juye county, Shandong province. "The earnings from farmland are no more than 10,000 yuan ($1,460) a year, just a tenth of what I can earn from painting," she said. "More importantly, painting is a more decent job, and I love it." Huang, in her 30s, had worked part-time for the academy from 2011 before deciding to make it her full-time career. There are many farmer-painters in Juye, which is famous for its paintings of peony flowers. According to official data, more than 15,000 farmers practice gongbi in more than 50 villages in Juye. The market for their art has been growing rapidly, and last year their paintings sold for 500 million yuan. It all started in the 1970s, when many artists flocked to the city of Heze to paint peonies, which are viewed in China as representing elegance and nobility. Heze has a history of peony cultivation dating back 1,400 years. People in Juye, part of Heze, saw how paintings could be turned into an income. In 1974, a workshop was established to produce items such as Easter eggs decorated with hand-painted animal or scenic patterns for export. By the time it closed in 1978, the workshop had trained hundreds of people as painters. The closure of the workshop drove most of the painters back to their farms, but some founded a privately owned cooperative that produced paintings for sale in cities such as Xi'an and Beijing, where there are large numbers of tourists. The cooperative's brisk business gradually encouraged a lot of farmers to become part-time painters, and Juye county is now home to about 50 art academies, each one usually based in a single village. Luxi art academy, in Liuguantun village, has more than 600 farmer artists who paint outside the farming season, according to Xu Fengqiu, the academy's founder. They mostly produce paintings of peonies. To improve their skills, the academy invites professional painters to train the farmers. Huang was so keen to learn more she even paid for additional training courses in bigger cities. The village art academies have won support from the county government, which considers them "a good way to lift farmers out of poverty", according to He Xizhen, director of the county's poverty alleviation office. County authorities hold free painting classes for farmers and organize promotional events to help the academies expand their markets, He said. Paintings created by Juye farmers have been sold to more than 10 countries and regions, according to official statistics, and He said some of their peony paintings have been chosen as national gifts for foreign dignitaries. A recent magnum opus from Juye's farmer artists was a giant painting of peonies for the venue of the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Qingdao, Shandong, in June that has been called China's largest gongbi painting. Standing 15.5 meters tall and 4.2 meters wide, it depicts 218 peony flowers and took five artists 77 days to complete. Wang Dong, Juye's Party secretary, said it is ready to help people outside the county, in the hope that painting can also help increase their incomes. Gao Tanyin, 51, one of the five farmer painters who produced the work for the SCO summit and a member of the China Artists Association, said a painting class will be held in Juye this year for people from outside Shandong, and applications have been rolling in. County authorities are also trying to cultivate more national-class artists as well as helping local academies build their painting brands and expand markets. "The painting industry is one of our major ways to revitalize the rural area," Wang said. "We will try our best to take the industry to a higher level." Xu Lin, 55, was appointed minister of the State Council Information Office, replacing Jiang Jianguo, according to a statement published on the website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Tuesday. Xu was previously the head of the Cyberspace Administration of China. That post has been taken over by Zhuang Rongwen, who was previously head of the State Administration of Press and Publication. A Shanghai native, Xu joined the Party in September 1982 and started his career at a middle school in the city a month later. Before being engaged in managing cyberspace affairs, he held various posts including chief of Shanghai's civil affairs bureau. Xu was named vice-minister of the Communist Party of China's Publicity Department, head of the Cyberspace Administration of China and head of the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission - known then as the Office of the Central Leading Group for Cyberspace Affairs - in June 2016. Jiang, 62, rose from deputy director of the research office of the Organization Department of the CPC's Hunan Committee to become head of the provincial publicity department. He was appointed deputy Party chief of the General Administration of Press and Publication in 2008 and Party chief of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television in 2013. In December 2014, Jiang was named minister of the State Council Information Office and deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. The much anticipated, and feared, racist rally in Washington, DC on Sunday (August 12) ended up being a total flop for the alt-right and a victory for counter-protesters. No more than 30 alt-right supporters attended, and they were vastly outnumbered by thousands of anti-racist counter-protesters. A heavy police presence prevented fights from breaking out. Activist progressive and radical groups like Resist Fascism, Revolutionary Communist Party, Black Lives Matter, and Antifa had begun organizing long in advance, and they were joined by individual liberals and moderates who oppose the whole alt-right concept. It was a great disappointment for rally organizer Jason Kessler, who hoped to capitalize on the alt-right's showing at the "Unite the Right" protest on August 12, 2017. Five hundred racists gathered in Emancipation Park of Charlottesville, Virginia, waving Nazi and Confederate flags, carrying torches and brandishing firearms. They were met by over 1,000 counter-protesters, whom they attacked with improvised weapons and fists. One white supremacist terrorist even drove his car into the crowd, killing counter-protester Heather Heyer. This year, however, the racist demonstration was restricted to one side of the park in front of the White House, which the tiny group had not the slightest chance of filling, and the racists quickly left after less than an hour of speeches. Two days after his humiliating failure, Kessler recorded a video from his parent's home with the title, "Potentially hundreds of people were prevented from attending #UTR2 [Unite the Right 2]." Yet even the fact that racists would hold such public rallies in the capital is causing enough for concern. Other racist alt-right events that have taken place elsewhere in the country, including in Portland, Oregon on August 4, have also been violent. Donald Trump's open racism and policies motivated by racism have been a major reason for the alt-right enjoying some degree of popularity between 2015 and 2017. When Trump attacked immigrants and minorities so viciously, he made racists and xenophobes feel they didn't have to censor themselves any longer. Other presidents had pushed anti-immigration policies to a certain degree; however, they usually made great efforts not to appear to use any racist argumentsor tried to hide racist arguments behind an edifice, dog whistling in effect. Trump's campaign announcement speech in June 2015 accused Mexico of "sending" the United States bunches of illegal immigrant rapists. By August 2015, users of Stormfront, a white supremacist website, were comparing Trump (favorably, in their minds) to Hitler. Trump won early support from Andrew Anglin of The Daily Stormer and Jared Taylor of American Renaissance, two blatantly racist media outlets. Quickly, the presidential campaigner noticed his racist appeals were working, so he made outreach to such groups in speeches and via Twitter. He shared racist messages from Twitter users who included Nazi imagery in their biographies. The alt-right, which had once included a hodgepodge of loosely-related groups, began to work together more frequently. Anti-gay extremists joined conspiracy theorists. Racists joined sexists. Breitbart, which was considered a relatively mainstream, if not terribly reliable, conservative website when first launched, declared itself "the platform of the alt-right." Trump's 2016 campaign brought together hardcore, unapologetic racists like former KKK grand wizard David Duke and advocate of ethnic cleansing Richard Spencer with casual xenophobes who supported Trump because of resentment and opposition to "political correctness." One sign at a Trump rally in March 2016 put it like this: "Deplorables [a nickname for Trump voters] and Alt-Right Unite." "Unite the Right 2017" was supposed to be the grand coming together. In reality, it was the last hurrah. Already the alt-right was being divided by infighting among those who harbored varying degrees of racism. Some, described as the "alt-light," claimed to be trolls or "free speech supporters" and tried to distance themselves from explicit racists. Accusations flew back and forth, and alt-right personalities denounced each other. Apparently, neo-Nazis aren't very tolerant of anyone. There was so much violence and people on the street filmed making Nazi salutes that they couldn't hide behind any excuses. Participants who had been photographed lost their jobs and were socially shunned. Charges were filed in criminal and civil court. Today, most alt-right leaders don't even like Jason Kessler, and urged their followers not to attend Unite the Right 2. Unite the Right is a case study in how demagogic leaders can exploit racism to take power. It shows the dangers of citizens and political movements allying with evil for short term gains. Most Trump voters, even if they might be motivated by racial grievances and unconscious biases, do not agree with Richard Spencer. However, they helped increase Spencer's influence and others like him when they allowed an alliance of convenience to coalesce among anybody who supported Trump. They made this possible, too, by not turning away from Trump when he crossed many red lines. Surely, there must be a political cost to pay for a politician to pursue neo-Nazis. It is also a case study in how effective counter-protest can be in combating racism. There's a saying you will see on the T-shirts of some counter-protesters: "Make Nazis scared again," a play on Trump's campaign slogan. Fear of social shaming, discomfort, being outnumbered, and, yes, violence kept many alt-right supporters at home. Unfortunately, the U.S. is already seeing the grave consequences of alt-right racism. People are dead, a racist is in the White House, and toned-down versions of alt-right arguments have spread to popular news channels. Unite the Right 2 was a flop, but it will take much longer to reverse what the alt-right has already done. Mitchell Blatt is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/MitchellBlatt.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. You are here: Travel Flash Although August is a low season for tourism in Morocco, the North African nation's hot weather hasn't slowed the pace of Chinese arrivals. From Casablanca to Tangier in the north, Chinese tourists can be seen in many of the cities along the country's long Atlantic coast this month. The number of Chinese visits has risen rapidly since Morocco announced the visa exemption for Chinese citizens in June 2016, and the boom looks set to continue. Morocco has abundant tourism resources, with long Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, deserts, snowcapped mountains and ancient cities. Nearly 120,000 Chinese traveled to Morocco in 2017, according to the Moroccan National Tourism Office's representative bureau in China. The number of Chinese tourists reached 100,000 in the first five months this year. Chinese restaurants in Morocco are among the first sectors to benefit. Liu Mei, owner of a Chinese restaurant in the capital, Rabat, says that the number of Chinese tourists dining in her restaurant has increased significantly after the visa exemption. Her restaurant's revenue doubled in 2017 compared to the previous year. Huang Zhiyong, who owns a Chinese restaurant in Casablanca, says his restaurant is also doing good business. It receives an average of 6,000 customers per month, 70 percent of whom are Chinese tourists and businesspeople. There were no more than five Chinese restaurants in the country before the visa exemption. There are now 20. Morocco-based Chinese travel agency AMC Voyages is optimistic about the tourism market. Director Lin Chaoxin expects the number of bookings by Chinese tourists to double this year compared with 2017. And Lin expects this growth to continue. Morocco's tourism industry already employs hundreds of Chinese people. Zhang Kai, who studied Arabic at Beijing Foreign Studies University, has been hosting customized tours in the country for two years. Zhang also predicts continued growth. Tourism is a pillar industry of Morocco. The government hopes to make Morocco one of the top 20 global tourist destinations by 2020 and has taken steps to attract Chinese. Morocco's tourism minister Mohammed Sajid announced the target of attracting 500,000 Chinese tourists every year by 2020 at the China-Morocco Tourism Forum in Casablanca in February. Morocco will continue to improve such facilities and services as hotels and transportation, and will open direct flights between the two countries, Sajid says. Chinese ambassador to Morocco, Li Li, says the number of Chinese tourists has grown significantly, ranking first in the growth of foreign tourists to the kingdom, since Morocco's visa exemption for Chinese nationals. The old town of Zhouzhuang is located in the "Golden Triangle" among Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou. The town was included on American news agency CNN's list of the top-10 most beautiful towns in the world. The town's 14 stone bridges, from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, embody a unique structure that mesh well with the old waterway infrastructure for which the town is famous. Also boasting hundreds of old mansions, courtyard dwellings, alleyway boutiques selling traditional wares, Qunqu opera and delicacies such as Xuan rolls and Apo tea, Zhouzhuang is definitely worthy of its moniker, "The best water village in China." [China.org.cn] Flash Senior Chinese and Russian officials on Tuesday agreed to further boost cooperation between Northeast China and the Far East and Baikal Region of Russia. Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev reached the agreement when co-chairing the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Cooperation of the Northeast China and the Far East and Baikal Region of Russia, in Dalian, Liaoning province. Citing a major consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin on enhancing cooperation between the regions, Hu said the cooperation will enrich the China-Russia all-round partnership of strategic coordination. Related departments and regions of the two countries have actively implemented the outcomes of the first meeting of the commission, and achieved new progress in cooperation, Hu said. The main task of the second meeting of the commission is to implement the important consensus reached between leaders of the two countries, help solve problems, expand and deepen cooperation, and achieve more pragmatic results, Hu said. Trutnev, also the presidential envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia, said China is a major cooperation partner of the Far East and Baikal Region, and Russia is ready to work with China to promote new progress in bilateral cooperation. The two sides agreed to increase communication, enhance the planning for the cooperation, improve the business environment, facilitate customs clearance, promote connectivity, and create conditions for expanding cooperation in fields such as port logistics, resources development, modern agriculture, and equipment manufacturing. Flash Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan on Tuesday met with a Salvadorean delegation composed of Medardo Gonzalez Trejo, the first designated to the presidency, Francisco Ruben Alvarado Fuentes, president's legal secretary, and Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda in Beijing. Wang conveyed President Xi Jinping's warm greetings to El Salvador President Salvador Sanchez Ceren and welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which is based on the foundation of the one-China principle, conforms to the cardinal principle of international righteousness and the trend of the times, opens up broad prospects for the development of bilateral relations and is in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of China and El Salvador, Wang said. He called on the two sides to do a good job in follow-up work, enhance exchanges, deepen mutual trust, and plan and promote mutually beneficial cooperation at a high standard, so as to write a new chapter of bilateral relations and benefit the two peoples. The Salvadorean side conveyed President Sanchez Ceren's greetings to President Xi and said El Salvador attaches great importance to China's international position and role. Establishing diplomatic relations with China is a historic decision made by El Salvador and accords with the interests of the two peoples, it said. The Salvadorean side will adhere to the one-China principle, enhance exchanges and cooperation with China and promote the development of bilateral relations, it said. Flash Paul Manafort, former campaign chairman of U.S. President Donald Trump, was on Tuesday found guilty on eight out of 18 criminal charges of bank and tax fraud by a jury at the federal court in northern Virginia, according to multiple news reports. Manafort's conviction is the first secured at trial by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team. Five of the guilty verdicts were for filing false tax documents, and the other three involved foreign bank account registration and bank fraud. Judge T.S. Ellis III declared a mistrial in the other 10 charges on which jurors said they could not reach a verdict. The result came after days of deliberations by six male, six female jurors and weeks of exchanges of evidence and testimony in the trial. CNN hailed the verdict as "a major if not complete victory" for the ongoing Mueller probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, while Fox News called it "a highly publicized showdown" between the White House and Mueller in the past few weeks. However, the case didn't specifically address any alleged collusion between Trump associates or officials and the Russian government. Trump has repeatedly attacked the Mueller probe as a "rigged witch hunt." "I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad," Trump told reporters in the White House on Friday, saying Manafort "happens to be a very good person." Manafort, 69, was a veteran lobbyist. He joined Trump's campaign team in March 2016 and spent three months as Trump's campaign chairman until mid August of that year. However, the charges largely stem from Manafort's time working for a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine before the 2016 U.S. elections, though the trial is widely seen as a key test of the strength of Mueller's investigation. Manafort is also facing a separate trial in Washington D.C. on charges of money laundering and fraud conspiracy, which is scheduled for September. Flash Iran's first indigenous fighter jet, unveiled on Tuesday, is by no means a threat to the region but for sustainable peace, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said. The Kowsar fighter jet was designed and manufactured by the Iranian experts to be used as a defensive tool for the country, Rouhani said at a ceremony marking National Defense Day on Tuesday. At the ceremony attended by Rouhani and Defense Minister Amir Hatami in the capital Tehran, the Kowsar fighter jet was put on display and made its first flight. "We are obliged to safeguard power, dignity and safety of the nation at lower cost," said Rouhani, quoted by the official IRNA news agency. The Iranian president also said that in case the country overlooks deterrent power and does not rely on its own capabilities, there will be enemies seeking to harm Iran. "Iran's preparedness for defense does not mean warmongering but signifies a durable peace," he said. Iran has never invaded its regional neighbors and will never do so, he said. Rouhani also warned the "enemies" of the heavy costs of any military action against the country, saying that the existing unity among the Iranian people, leadership and the armed forces has made the Islamic republic unbeatable. "Any hostile move against Iran would cost the aggressors dearly," Rouhani said according to Tasnim news agency. He also pointed to the "high political costs" that some regional countries have borne to purchase foreign arms that they cannot even operate. "Those countries have to invite foreign advisers and become servants of foreign powers by giving in to the demands of the arms sellers," said Rouhani. Washington imposes sanctions on Iran, but refrains from taking military action against the Islamic republic, since it is aware of the heavy costs of aggression, he added. Hatami also hailed what he called the country's self-sufficiency in arms sphere. "We are moving towards the use of modern technologies and defense diplomacy," he said, adding that "we tried to strengthen our defense sector within the framework of our needs and priorities." "Of course, we are doing this at the lowest cost," and Iran's expenditure on defense sector is even less than that of smaller countries, he said. According to Press TV, the fighter jet is equipped with "advanced avionics and fire control systems" and can be used for short aerial support missions. It also uses digital military data networks, multi-purpose digital monitors, ballistic calculation computers and smart mobile mapping systems. The jet has an advanced radar system, enabling it to detect enemy targets. It is also equipped with a head-up display or HUD, which promotes precision targeting. The plane can be manufactured in both single and double cockpit types, the latter of which can be used for advanced pilot training missions in addition to its combat capability. On Sunday, the defense minister also put developing deterrent missile power as the country's top priority. Hatami hailed the country's military achievements, and vowed to continue enhancing missile capabilities. Bloomberg News | Aug. 21, 2018 American Airlines Group Inc. will drop a second major U.S.-China route after the flights proved to be "colossal loss makers," as the carrier shuffles international routes to cope with higher fuel prices. Direct service between Chicago and Shanghai will end in October, American said Tuesday in a statement. The company had already planned to halt flights the same month between the U.S. city and Beijing. American will retain routes connecting the Chinese destinations with Dallas and Los Angeles. The world's largest airline is rearranging its overseas network as it seeks to reverse a slowdown in revenue for each seat flown a mile, a measure of demand and fares. American has posted the biggest share decline among major U.S. carriers this year as it trails Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Continental Holdings Inc. in key yardsticks such as pretax profit margins and on-time performance. "The two China routes -- and, to a lesser degree, Tokyo -- have been colossal loss makers for us," Vasu Raja, American's vice president of network and schedule planning, told employees in a recorded interview. The airline "remains committed to Asia in the long run." Intense competition from mainland Chinese carriers, which have expanded capacity and added scores of new destinations around the world to serve local travelers over the years, has also weighed on fares and eroded passenger yields - a key gauge of profitability. Hainan Airlines, for instance, flies Beijing to Chicago, with ticket prices little more than half that offered by American Air. The pull-back from China also coincides with declining passenger traffic from the Asian country to the U.S. since March, when trade tensions between the world's two biggest economies heated up. Weekly bookings from China have dropped 8.4 percent from March 23 to August from the same period last year, ForwardKeys, a Spanish company that tracks more than 17 million travel transactions around the world each day, said last week. For the rest of the year, bookings from China are down almost 10 percent, the study showed. Shares of American Air, which bought a small stake in state-owned China Southern Airlines Co. for $200 million last year, have slid 22 percent this year in New York, the largest decline by far on a Standard & Poor's index of the five biggest U.S. airlines. Separately, Hawaiian Airlines said it would halt its thrice-weekly nonstop service to Beijing in October. "We will re-deploy our aircraft to pursue other opportunities consistent with Hawaiian's expansion plans," the Honolulu-based company said in a statement. Hawaiian said it intended to return to China at an unspecified date. It started the Beijing service in 2014. American is canceling 11 total overseas routes, including those connecting China. Philadelphia-Munich, Los Angeles-Toronto and flights connecting New York's John F. Kennedy International with Dublin and Edinburgh are among discontinued routes. American is also reducing flights between Chicago and Tokyo's Narita airport to three days a week from the current daily service. It is also adding nine. The changes include starting new service between Philadelphia and Berlin; Bologna, Italy; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. It's also opening a flight between Phoenix and London. The price of jet fuel has climbed more than 30 percent in the last year, rendering some flights unprofitable, Raja said. American will move aircraft from cities where service is being reduced primarily to its hubs in Dallas-Fort Worth and Charlotte, North Carolina, where the carrier will add gates next year and the flights will earn better returns, he said. As with the Beijing flight, American will seek approval from the U.S. Transportation Department to stop flying the Chicago-Shanghai route for now without having to surrender government approval to operate it. Because service between the U.S. and China is limited, carriers must fly routes they are awarded or lose them. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Foundation Condemns Inhumanity of Eleventh Circuit Decision Striking Down Alabama Ban on Intact D&E Abortions Contact: John Eidsmoe, Foundation for Moral Law, 334-262-1245, info@morallaw.org MONTGOMERY, Ala., Aug. 22, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Foundation for Moral Law ("the Foundation"), a non-profit legal organization based in Montgomery, Alabama, devoted to the defense of religious liberty and promoting a strict interpretation of the Constitution as intended by its Framers, condemned the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit today in West Alabama Women's Center v. Miller. The appeal came to the Eleventh Circuit after federal district judge Myron Thompson had declared unconstitutional an Alabama law banning intact D&E abortions. The Eleventh Circuit described this procedure as using "instruments to grasp a portion (such as a foot or hand) of a developed and living fetus" and "tearing the grasped portion away from the body." Consequently, the baby "bleeds to death as it is torn from limb to limb." Despite the barbarity of the procedure, the Eleventh Circuit upheld Judge Thompson's decision. Chief Judge Ed Carnes, writing for the court, reasoned that the Eleventh Circuit had to follow the abortion precedents of the United States Supreme Court, which, he concluded, required affirming Judge Thompson's decision. But the Foundation, along with two other Alabama pro-life organizations, had submitted an amicus brief in this case arguing that the Constitution of the United States required lower federal judges to follow the Constitution instead of the Supreme Court if the two conflict. Matt Clark, the Foundation attorney who submitted the brief said, "The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution says that the Constitution itself is the supreme law of the land, not the decisions of the Supreme Court." Clark added, "When the Constitution was ratified, the doctrine of precedent, according to Sir William Blackstone, was that precedents were not to be followed if 'flatly absurd or unjust,' or 'contrary to reason [or] divine law.' Roe and its progeny comport with neither the text of the United States Constitution nor the God-given right to life that the Constitution presupposes, and therefore the Eleventh Circuit should have refused to follow those precedents." Judge Dubina concurred in the Eleventh Circuit's opinion, arguing that Roe was wrongly decided but following it anyway because, "I am not the Supreme Court, and as a federal appellate judge, I am bound by my oath to follow all of the Supreme Court's precedents, whether I agree with them or not." But Kayla Moore, the Foundation's President, said, "Because the Eleventh Circuit had an amicus brief in front of it explaining why the court's duty was to follow the Constitution instead of the Supreme Court, the court knew it had a duty to disregard Roe and protect the children's right to live." Moore added, "The Eleventh Circuit cannot wash its hands of the blood of the innocent by placing the blame on the Supreme Court. The victims of the Eleventh Circuit's passivity are Alabama's unborn children, who can now be murdered by having their limbs torn from their bodies while their hearts are still beating." Share Tweet We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. Fundatia Est-Europeana anunta lansarea Programului de granturi pentru sustinerea fondurilor de antreprenoriat pentru tineri, inclusiv unul in Gagauzia CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. >> Plug Power, a locally-based world-wide innovator in fuel cell technology, on Friday opened its 38,400-square-foot manufacturing facility in town to increase the production of its hydrogen fuel cells. The company plans to invest nearly $3 million in the next five years to fully renovate the space at 620 Van Patten Drive. As the architect of the technology, the company has taken the idea from concept to commercialization. Now, it wants to manufacture the fuel cells in Clifton Park. To do this the company has renovated a warehouse at 620 Van Patten Drive. Standing in the rear of the facility, CEO Andy Marsh recalled the early beginnings of Plug Power 20 years ago and thanked the partnering organizations that helped its quest to bring the idea of clean energy to market. We started this business from scratch, Marsh said. We had a technology but there was no market. Over the years, people developed the technology so you could make a product. Then we started focusing on where this technology makes sense. The answer was found in a niche field. Marsh and the others found they could replace battery operated warehouse forklifts with ones powered by the companys hydrogen fuel cells. The company developed a technology, found a way to use it, and then created its own market. Its not just building a product, Marsh said. We had to create a supply chain and find customers. We had to figure out hydrogen. And from this facility we hope to distribute hydrogen and make it a ubiquitous fuel. It took the world 70 years to go from wood to coal. Were early on our path. That path of innovation for increasing the use of clean energy to power an array of vehicles has led Plug Power to convince Amazon, Wal-Mart, and BMW to put it hydrogen fuel cells to use. Along the way (to ubiquitous use of hydrogen) there are a lot of niche markets like the vehicles in distribution centers, Marsh said. Fuel cells make the most sense for the applications of electric motors. If you have an application that uses battery power heavily, fuel cells are the right answer. This is part of the pioneering journey. Fork lifts with hydrogen fuel cells as a power source can operate for about eight hours before needing a three-hour charge. Marsh said the cells will run around 20,000 hours or five or six years before they must be replaced. The company chose to come to Clifton Park, he said, because it found the perfect facility for its needs. Joining Marsh and other company officials at the ribbon cutting were Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, state Sen. Jim Tedisco, R-Glenville, and representatives from the governors office and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, R-Ballston Spa. Tonko, an engineering graduate from Clarkson College who sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives, was proud to see clean energy products being produced in the Capital District. This (technology) is an example of our greatness, a can do attitude, the pioneer spirit, and today, its important to us as pioneers that we utilize facts to embrace science, he said. Those are two given musts that we engage as we go forward with an innovation economy. And we have that intellectual capacity as a nation. That power to continue to grow and install a new chapter in our greatness begins with that acceptance of facts and science. Tonko said he sees a lot of science deniers from his seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee. You dont see that with the Plug Power family, he said. These are believers. They know what cutting edge technology is all about. This hydrogen center is a powerful statement for the Plug Power family. Tedisco saw the day as a great day for New York, the Capital Region, and the 49th Senate District, the one he represents in Albany. I think the potential for the fuel cells youre developing is unlimited, he said. The technology is cleaner, faster, probably more efficient, and will probably be more cost effective as we move forward. And, with 93 new jobs here, youre helping with the economy. Plug Power has received a $2 million investment tax credit from the federal Department of Energy as well as financial support through performance-based credits from the states Empire State Development. In a statement on the facilitys opening, Gov. Andrew Cuomo noted that the new location will support increased hydrogen and fuel cell production to meet industry demands while supporting New Yorks commitment to cleaner and more efficient energy sources. Clean and renewable energy producers are critical in our efforts to combat climate change and ensure the sustainability of this planet, he said in the statement. Plug Powers decision to expand in New York is a testament to the states strong business climate. Later, Tonko said he views the visits he makes to various Capital Region companies working on clean energy as great advocacy. Taking information gleaned from those visits he can discuss more clearly with his colleagues on the Energy Committee the impacts research opportunity grants are having. Theres a lot of innovation manufacturing going on thats taking us to clean water and clean air standards and thats great, Tonko said. If we can reduce carbon pollution by introducing fuel cells or hydrogen energy technology its a great way to grow jobs, get into new opportunities and think outside the barrel because that reliance on gas and fossil-based fuels that continually pollute is not the solution. Were brighter than that and we need to be stronger than that. CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. >> Plans for a 20-acre community solar farm on Ashdown Road have drawn the ire of town residents who fear an influx of more if the project is approved. The residents voiced their concerns as part of a public hearing on the proposal at the Aug. 14 Planning Board meeting. Solar farm builder Borrego Solar Systems wants to build a 5.3 MW (Megawatt) system at 25 27 Ashdown Road. The project would put 15,000 ground mounted solar panels on 20 acres of the unoccupied 89.3-acre parcel. The proposal is the largest solar project the town has seen. The system would provide enough energy to power 500 homes. Borrego project manager Emilie Flanagan told the board the company is the largest builder of community solar projects in the state. Weve built about 20 projects, 70 MW, so we have lots of experience building these in New York, Flanagan said. Flanagan and project engineer Dean Smith were at the board meeting seeking approval of site plans, the subdivision of the land, and a Special Use Permit. A community solar farm allows residents who cannot, or prefer not to, put solar panels on the roof of their homes to use renewable energy. After subscribing with the solar farm owner, the homeowners lease photovoltaic panels and the energy produced by the panels is deducted from their utility bills. The site of solar farm is on the east side of Ashdown Road about 500 to 600 feet back from the road. It will be surrounded with a seven-foot- high fence. Flannagan and Smith said there are no health concerns from the solar farm and it will produce no noise. Borrego is seeking to subdivide the property into a three-acre parcel which contains two unoccupied homes and a second parcel with 86.3 acres. Other than the homes and driveways, the land is undeveloped. The larger parcel has mature trees on three sides. This is not intrusive to the environment thats there today, Flanagan said. The land is owned by siblings Fredrick Kramer and Sheryl Rifenburg. Rifenburg lives in Rensselaer County. Kramer lives out of state. After reviewing the proposal the towns Environmental Conservation Committee noted any removal of trees will reduce the parcels Land Conservation status. The Committee recommended the town and the owners work together on having the town obtain the rest of the parcel. When the hearing was opened to the public town resident Keith Martin, an attorney and land use planner, took issue with the proposal. Martin said if the town is not careful the undeveloped areas in the western part of town could become a sea of reflective solar panels and fencing. He made note of how the areas CR (conservation-residential) zoning designation was created. Think about the benefits to the community the CR zone serves, he said. And think about what the CR zone would look like if those benefits and values were ignored and sacrificed to acre by acre of steel, glass, fence. That is what is at stake here folks. Martin reminded the board that in any application for a Special Use Permit the applicant has the burden of proving compliance with each of the SUP criteria in regulation. Fasten your seat belts folks. If the instant application is not examined very carefully the Town of Clifton Park may have a continuous belt of large scale PV farms throughout the CR Zone, he said. Town resident, Jim Ruhl, seconded Martins concerns. Ruhl noted that this particular proposal, placed in a CR zone, is a totally new concept to this type of zone. He asked the board deal with the process first before putting it to a vote. The Planning Board could be determining the future character of the CR zone with this permit, Ruhl said. Although not a strict legal precedent, approval of this project would be an example of how the Planning Board might be expected to treat ensuing future solar projects. Other residents made similar statements. One noted the project would have commercial solar panels rather than the type seen in residential back yards. Another said he was a supporter of renewable energy but was concerned that what was once a residential area was fast becoming a route for tractor trailers and the project will bring more. Several members of the board expressed concerns that part of the projects 20 acres was in a Land Conservation zone. However, board member Andy Neubauer noted that the project offered the town good benefits without residential development. Flanagan made that point on several occasions noting that the project has benefits for the town and if not a solar project, the land could become residential development. We think this is a great project for the town, she said, Theres very little noise, its not intrusive and produces taxes for the town. The board took no action on the project at the meeting. MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. >> A traveling Remember Our Fallen wall that pays tribute to New York military personnel killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan will be at Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks Club from Friday, Aug. 24 to Sunday, Aug. 26. The wall is a photographic memorial to the 306 men and women from New York state that have paid the supreme sacrifice in combat since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The wall was created by Nebraska-based Patriotic Productions, a non-profit whose mission is honoring Americas military personnel that have died while serving their country. Its important to have the traveling wall so that all people who have lost friends and family can see it, said project supporter Laurene Sandstrom, of Orange County. Not everyone can afford to travel to a permanent location and this is the best way I can keep their memories alive. Her brother, Army National Guard 1st Lt. Louis Allen, died on June 8, 2005 in Tikrit, Iraq. Patriotic Productions has created 15 different state-specific memorials and a national memorial as well. The New York Remember Our Fallen wall was first shown at the USS Intrepid in New York City, in 2016. Next weeks event is its first visit to Saratoga County. Opening ceremonies are planned for 7 p.m. Friday. The wall will remain open for viewing until 11 p.m., followed by 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Officials expected to attend opening ceremonies are U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam; state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner; and a representative from state Sen. Kathleen Marchiones office. The Elks Club is located at 300 Park Ave. in Mechanicville. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Silane Modified Polymers are predominantly used in isocyanate free and solvent free adhesive and sealant products. Silane Modified Polymers Market is expected to witness strong growth due to its significant usage in automotive as well as construction industry. Building & Construction accounted for the largest market share in 2016 and is predicted to retain its dominance over the forecast period due to the wide utilization of adhesives and sealants in construction activities. Product find application in door & window construction, sealing joints, and other interior elements of building & construction and thus raise the prominence of Silane Modified Polymer in construction sector. Furthermore, increasing vehicle manufacturing combined with demand for safety features is attributed to the growth of automotive market, which in turn is predicted to drive the demand for Silane Modified Polymers. Geographically, Asia Pacific emerged as the largest market for Silane Modified Polymers followed by Europe and North America in 2016. The Asia Pacific region accounted for largest market share in 2016 and is expected to register highest CAGR owing to continuous growth of automotive and building & construction industries specifically in China, India, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Korea. Additionally, the growth of Silane Modified Polymer is largely driven by their utilization in onsite and civil application. Increasing commercial, institutional, and residential construction activities along with rising prominence of Silane Modified Polymer in construction industry is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. Furthermore, growing investment by major operating companies and shifting of Silane Modified Polymers manufacturing units as well as end use industries growth in this region is estimated to propel the Silane Modified Polymers regional market growth. North American market is expected to witness moderate growth due to increasing concern regarding the usage of isocyanate based product. Consumer has shifted their focus for isocyanate free adhesive which in turn has increased the consumption of Silane Modified Polymer in this region. Europe is estimated to witness steady growth on account of rising demand from automotive sector. Middle East & African market is expected to register strong growth on account of increasing construction activities specifically in Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Get In-Depth Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4107 Industry/ Innovation/ Related News: April 2017- Evonik Industries AG has launched its product under the brand name Polymer ST and TEGOPAC. Company extended its product portfolio of silane modified polymers for construction and adhesive industries. With this product launch company aim is to develop its strong presence among the manufacturers of silane modified polymer globally. January 2017- Wacker Company announced to launch two new silane terminated polymers named as GENIOSILXM 20 and GENIOSILXM25. They are predominantly used as a binder in the formulation of adhesive & sealants. With this product launch, the company extend its product portfolio for silane terminated polyethers under the brand name GENIOSIL. The company will be able to meet the growing need of silane modified polymers across the globe. November 2015- Evonik Industries AG launched two new TEGOPAC reactive diluents. This product is used to decrease the viscosity of adhesive & sealant formulations to produce non-staining adhesives & sealants products. With this product launch, company strengthen its nutrition & care business segment and extend the silane modified polymer portfolio. February 2015 - Wacker Company announced to launch silane terminated polymers at the European Coatings Show. Product (GENIOSILXT) is widely used in the production of industrial adhesives and for sealing flat surfaces. This product will be used in automotive and mechanical engineering applications. With this product launch company will extend its product portfolio for silane modified polymers and will be able to meet the future. Competitive Landscape The Silane Modified Polymers report analyzes the degree of competition from the major players as well as the industry growth and market scenario. The Global Silane Modified Polymers Market includes large scale and medium size manufacturers. The prominent market players in the Global Silane Modified Polymers Industry is focusing on the growth of the association specifically by Asia Pacific as medium-scale and small-scale producers are from China, South Korea, India, Malaysia, and Japan. Furthermore, the company is focusing on extending their product portfolio by strategic acquisition and mergers, joint ventures, product launches, and exclusive agreements. Get Complete Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/silane-modified-polymers-market-4107 About Market Research Future: At the Market Research Future (MRFR), we provide our customers to unearth the complexity of our industries through our Cooked Research Reports (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR) ), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimal quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Applications, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enabling our clients to see more important questions. Contact: Market Research Future +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ILIFE, the world-renowned robot vacuum cleaner brand, will offer a striking discount on its signature lineups to celebrate AliExpress Brands Shopping Week. The cutting-edge robotic cleaners, including the recently launched model "A7", 360A PanoView navigation assisted "A8" and the smart planned 2-in-1 "V8s", will be joining this promotion with up to 50% savings. The discount will be available from ILIFE's Official Store and Spain Store on AliExpress.com beginning on the 27th of August (PST) , and will continue till the 31st of August (PST). Launched in the last month, A7 will be a highlight of Brands Shopping Week. Equipped with the exceptional CyclonePower Cleaning System, A7 can perform high-efficiency cleaning and tackle complex tasks to offer practical home cleaning solutions. Activated through a multifunctional App, or the remote control, or the button on the body, A7 meets the needs of different family members. Designed to become a part of your family, A7 thinks what you think and cares about what you care about. Those, who are looking for a high-performance and simple operation robot cleaner could take advantage of this $140 discount on A7 ($259.99 after discount). V8s, the smart planned 2-in-1 robot vacuum, will also be part of the promotion. With the floating suction nozzle and i-Dropping water tank, V8s can easily switch between dry sweeping/vacuuming and wet mopping. The smart planned cleaning system enables accurate space zoning and route planning for systematic cleaning. And those who live in a large space with multiple rooms could embrace the opportunity with a 43% discount on A8 ($280.61 after discount), which employs AI technology, CV-SLAM navigation algorithm and the new generation CyclonePower cleaning system to facilitate real-time mapping and route planning, and minimum incomplete and repeated coverage. Limited Time Deals Details: Product MSRP Promotional Price Discount A7 US $ 399.98 $259.99 35% off V7s Plus US $ 333.31 $169.99 49% off V8s US $ 430.75 $228.30 47% off V5s Pro US $ 257.13 $151.71 41% off A4s US $ 257.13 $159.42 38% off A8 US $ 492.29 $280.61 43% off V3s Pro US $ 199.99 $119.99 40% off A6 US $ 399.99 $188.00 53% off To purchase ILIFE products on the discounted AliExpress Brands Shopping Week , please visit: https://sale.aliexpress.com/__pc/brands_ilife_august.htm About ILIFEA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, ILIFE is a high-tech company specializing in robotic cleaning technology. Having successfully penetrated the global market, ILIFE's sales network reaches over 30 countries and regions, offering technologically advanced, high-quality and cost-effective robot vacuums to the consumers around the world. ForA moreA information, please visit: www.iliferobot.com. ForA mediaA enquiry, please contact:A media@iliferobot.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iliferoboticsA Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/iliferoboticsA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/iliferobotA Contact: Dreamer Fan +86-159-2649-9053 A Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/733371/ILIFE_Robot_Vacuums.jpg A Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. You have permission to edit this image. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe 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. In Season 6 of Orange is the New Black, Laverne Cox's character Sophia Burset was offered an attractive settlement if she promised not to sue prison owner MCC for the inhumane treatment she faced while locked up and she took it. Sophia's choice was a tough one, leaving some viewers with conflicting feelings. Yet Laverne herself says she's not conflicted about her character's decision, and believes it was the right move, even Though the 46-year-old has been an outspoken advocate since her rise to fame, she told DailyMail.com, 'Ideally we stand up for other people, but if you dont have something of your own then how can you?' The actress' take: Laverne Cox spoke to DailyMail.com about her character's story line in Season 6 of Orange is the New Black 'I thought it made perfect sense,' she said of Sophia's choice, while promoting her new Smirnoff campaign this week. 'At the end of the day, Sophia has been through hell and back at Litchfield and in Max, and no one has really had her back.' 'I mean, my wife got me out of solitary,' she went on, switching to speaking in first person and putting herself in her character's shoes, 'but no one in the prison has been there for me, and I have to be there for my wife and my son.' In the show, Sophia is first approached by former warden Joe Caputo while still locked up. Caputo, who has been out of a job since the riots at his prison, is now going to bat for Tasha Jefferson, aka Taystee, who is on trial for murdering one of the guards. Unable to prove that it wasn't Taystee who killed the guard, he works overtime to help her find justice another way, using other wronged prisoners to help make a case against the prison. He encourages Sophia to sue MCC, the company that owns the prison, and even sets her up with a lawyer. But MCC gets to her first, offering her a deal: Don't sue, and she walks away on early release with $300,000 an amount of money that looks particularly good to her, as she's been unable to help support her wife and song while she's been away. 'If you were in prison and you were offered $300,000 and early release, you wouldnt take it?' Laverne asks, before switching to the third person. 'Laverne believes you have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you can help everyone else,' she went on. Spoilers: Laverne's character, Sophia, pictured in season 6, was offered early release and a $300,000 settlement if she agreed not to testify against the company that owns the prison 'I thought it made perfect sense,' said Laverne, pictured in season 2 of the show. 'At the end of the day, Sophia has been through hell and back... and no one has really had her back' 'Theres an African proverb: How can I accept clothes from someone whos naked?' 'At the end of the day my family needs me. This money can help put my son through college. Sophia has fought a lot with this system, with solitary confinement, with being taken off her meds, with being assaulted in her own salon and having it taken away from her. 'She has just been broken down by the system and I think she wants out and why wouldn't she? It's horrible what happened to Taystee, but Sophia hasnt even seen Taystee forever. But she has seen solitary confinement.' While Laverne thinks Sophia's choice is completely understandable, she's in quite a different position. With the spotlight on her, Laverne has become a vocal advocate for the trans community, speaking out about what needs to change. Recently, she's tackled everything from mental health and representation in media to misgendering murder victims. Speaking to DailyMail.com, she addressed the fashion and beauty industries, and how they can strive to be more inclusive. 'I love fashion, but the tricky thing about fashion and beauty is that things go in and out of style,' she said. 'There have been moments when there have been more black women, or trans women [and moments where there aren't]. Lately, there has been a wave of trans representation on the catwalk, and several trans models took the runway at New York Fashion Week. Laverne called out Australian model Andreja Pejic, 26, in particular. More, please! Laverne also called more more inclusiveness in the fashion community (pictured modeling for Beyonce's brand, Ivy Park) Branching out: 'I think its about seeing ourselves in beauty campaigns,' Laverne, who did a collaboration with nail polish brand Orly, said But there's always room for more and it pays off for brands as well as members of the trans community. 'I think its about seeing ourselves in beauty campaigns,' she said. 'Rihanna is making so much money by being inclusive. Keep it up! She added that there has been a bit more representation lately on the runway, pointing to trans model Andreja Pejic 'Some trans women buy cosmetics, and so just having us in campaigns, having us on runways, and in print ads that goes a long way. 'Particularly in the US [where the trans community faces higher unemployment rates that other groups], we need jobs,' she explained. 'And a lot of us can walk a runway and pose in an ad campaign and be in a magazine, so we need jobs to hire us. 'And then doing outreach to the community to let us know goes a long way,' she added. 'That's what Smirnoff is doing by including me and different kinds of people in the Welcome to the Fun% campaign.' Laverne currently stars in a funny new commercial for Smirnoff alongside Ted Danson. Ted also appears in spots alongside Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness and Nailed It!'s Nicole Byer. Finally, though, it's not just about casting one or two trans models and then moving on. 'Dont just do it as a trend but stay there,' Laverne said. 'We see that and spend money.' It's the miracle product we reach for when our greasy hair needs a bit of styling in between washes. And while a number of brands are producing their own version of dry shampoo, Batiste has always stood out as a long-wearing and trustworthy source of the spray. New research conducted by the brand suggests they sell 2.25 cans every second - and at $4.95 for a 50ml can it's not likely to break the bank either. It's the miracle product we reach for when our greasy hair needs a bit of styling in between washes 'In the past year alone Australian shoppers have spent more than $40 million on dry shampoo, leaving no doubt that women are embracing this instant hair revitaliser as a way of life,' their data revealed. Batiste is one of the top favourites in Australia (holding a market share of 63 per cent) and the UK (it's their number one choice) - thanks in part to its 15 fruity fragrances - and can be used on any shade or colour of hair. 'Our brand offers a cost-effective and convenient antidote to oily, lacklustre locks and has become a staple in the beauty arsenals of celebrities and hairstylists,' the label explained. Batiste is one of the top favourites in Australia (holding a market share of 63 per cent) and the UK (it's their number one choice) Hairdressers and stylists alike recommend you only wash your hair every other day, meaning that if you're prone to grease dry shampoo might be a good time-filler 'Transforming hair since the 1970s, the brand's beautiful stable of fragrances offer a confidence-boosting scent for every woman, for hair that smells as good as it looks.' How do you use dry shampoo? 1. Shake well. Hold can 30cm from dry hair, section and spray into roots. 2. Massage thoroughly with fingertips to ensure roots are fully covered. 3. Brush through to remove excess residue and style as desired. Advertisement Hairdressers and stylists alike recommend you only wash your hair every other day, meaning that if you're prone to grease dry shampoo might be a good time-filler. Some of Batiste's shampoos include a light colouring so the wearer can feel confident their regrowth isn't showing in between salon visits. These are slightly more expensive options at $12.99 for a 200ml can. The standard products cost $9.99. You can purchase the award-winning brand from Priceline and Coles stores nationwide. Advertisement A London doctor and her French partner are embarking on a property renovation of epic proportions after purchasing a crumbling Renaissance chateau in rural France. Erin Choa and Jean-Baptiste Gois, a mechanical engineer from Burgundy who she met in 2010 in Edinburgh, are hoping to earn a living by letting out their fairytale castle as holiday accommodation after acquiring the keys in July. The couple, both 31, decided that they wanted to set up home in France - but Erin's language skills were not developed enough to enable her to work as a doctor. So the pair decided to move into the holiday letting business and began looking out for a suitable property. They admit buying the country pile - for an undisclosed amount - was a 'risky investment' and they had reservations about restoring the chateau, which is located in Bourneau in the Venee department of western France's Pays de la Loire region - as estimates have said it could cost as much as 500,000 euros (448,000), according to mysweetimmo. Jean-Baptiste Gois (left) and Erin (right) Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire which they recently purchased after deciding to move into the holiday lettings industry. The castle is thought to have been uninhabited since 1997. Abandoned during the French revolution, it was later restored in the Renaissance style in the 18th century Red roses in the grounds of the stunning Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire. The crumbling Renaissance castle was recently purchased by Jean-Baptiste Gois and Erin after the pair swapped Edinburgh for rural France. Images shared on their Instagram page reveal the hidden treasures they have discovered while exploring the buildings many rooms, from a dusty old travel chest to a rusty set of keys for the castle's library An exterior shot of the sprawling Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire. The historic building was recently purchased by Jean-Baptiste Gois and his partner Erin, who met during their Erasmus year in Edinburgh, Scotland. The moat is still filled with water and the couple have painted the bridge railings white since this photo was taken The sprawling Chateau de Bourneau and its 16-hectare grounds are built above the ruins of a medieval town square, but little is known of the family that lived there until 1789; it was abandoned during the French Revolution before being rebuilt in the 19th century. The site also served as a shelter for refugees under the Marechal de Lattre Foundation, and is believed to have housed some 528 refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in the 1970s. Hidden from view from the local village and just a stone's throw from the Mervent-Vouvent Forest, the chateau is thought to be inspired by the castle of Azay-le-Rideau, and built in the Renaissance style. Jean-Baptiste and Erin are now painstakingly restoring the castle to its former glory, most recently painting the moat bridge from green to white after finding a sepia photograph of the grounds from 1908. Images posted on the couple's Instagram page reveal the hidden treasures they have discovered while exploring the building's many nooks and crannies, from an antique travel chest to a rusty set of keys for the castle's library. Erin, who did not reveal how much the chateau cost, is originally from London but met her partner in Edinburgh in 2010 when they were both enrolled on Erasmus, the European student exchange programme. Speaking to Ouest-France, Jean-Baptiste explained: 'I had to stay [in Edinburgh] for nine months. In the end, I spent nine years.' Jean-Baptiste Gois and Erin are hoping to make money from holiday lettings and private events at the Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire. Pictured: The dinner table is laid for guests in the castle's sprawling grounds. The couple wrote: 'When the sun sets over the Chateau de Bourneau and all the candles are lit, this is the most magical place for a sumptuous dinner with family and friends. A little deco doesn't even have to be expensive' 'Life in boxes': Jean-Baptiste Gois and Erin are constantly finding hidden treasures in their recently-purchased Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire. Pictured: The chateau kitchen featuring a large stone fireplace, with boxes yet to be unpacked; the couple have been getting by without a functioning fridge despite having guests to stay 'Excited for the arrival of our guests': A dinner table in the ruined orangery is ready for summer fresco dining. The fairytale Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire was recently purchased by Jean-Baptiste Gois and Erin. The doctor, who did not reveal how much the chateau cost, is originally from London but met her partner in Edinburgh in 2010 A 'little secret hiding place' in the Red Salon of the Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire, featuring an antique curtain holdback and a musical harp. The historic castle was recently purchased by Jean-Baptiste Gois and Erin Jean-Baptiste Gois and Erin shared this Instagram snap of recently-unearthed old books at the Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire. Also pictured is a rusty set of keys to the original library of the historic castle The Yellow Salon at the Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire is described as 'a blank canvas for any kind of party or celebration'. The fairytale castle was recently purchased by Jean-Baptiste Gois and Erin, a doctor from London Jean-Baptiste Gois and Erin have been faced with the task of organising dozens of sets of keys for the Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee. They wrote: 'I'm not even sure some of the doors still exist!' The couple moved into the holiday lettings business because Erin's language skills were not developed enough to enable her to work as a doctor Sunset al fresco dining: Dinner is served in the stunning grounds of the Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire. The French castle was recently purchased by Jean-Baptiste Gois and Erin, who met as students living in Edinburgh. Jean-Baptiste said: 'Initially, we did not consider buying a castle at all. The idea came to us as we went along' An Instagram snap of a recent al fresco dinner at the Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire. It was recently purchased by Jean-Baptiste Gois and Erin, who wrote: 'This is one of the most beautiful hours of the day to watch the sun set over the chateau with candles in the waning light'. They are also taking bookings for weddings and private events Jean-Baptiste Gois and Erin recently hosted a 90th birthday party at the Chateau de Bourneau in Vendee, Pays de la Loire which they recently purchased. They wrote: 'This is a house made for family and parties!' Jean-Baptiste admits that he is far from most people's idea of the kind of person who might own a castle The couple will let the outbuildings around the castle as holiday homes and they plan to renovate the main building, which they will then rent for weddings or events. However, Jean-Baptiste reveals the investment near didn't happen. He recalled: 'Initially, we did not consider buying a castle at all. The idea came to us as we went along.' However, Erin fell head over heels for the the chateau - which is believed to have been unoccupied since 1997 - on a trip to the local area. She told Ouest-France: 'The Renaissance style, the moats, the countryside around... I immediately knew that was what I was looking for.' Jean-Baptiste admits that he is far from most people's idea of the kind of person who might own a castle; most visitors who see him in the grounds only approach him to ask where they can find the owner, he told the publication in an interview this week. With paparazzi constantly on their trail, and selfie hunters in hot pursuit, being a celebrity can be a thankless task. And very often, A-listers can quickly tire of wearing a perma-grin and let the black clouds above their head tumble into a verbal storm. Think Elton John when a fan crowds the stage, or Louis Tomlinson when a long-lens gets in his way at LAX. However, the memories below, shared by fans who'd met celebrities out and about, give hope that some stars can be as lovely in real life as they seem on screen. People from around the world who've met A-list celebrities in unexpected situations shared their stories on lifestyle siteBored Panda. In one instance, Bill Murray and his son picked up a UPS delivery person and rocked her back and forth while singing her happy birthday. A waiter found himself on first-name terms with Margot Robbie after she praised their service at a New York restaurant and decided to keep coming back. People from around the world shared memories of their nicest celebrity encounters in a thread on Bored Panda. Many people recalled the late Robin Williams (pictured at The Crazy Ones press conference in 2013) taking the time to speak to fans individually. In one instance, he cleared space for a grandmother and her grandchild to join him as he ate alone in Whole Foods A New York restaurant server claimed they built a first-name term friendship with Margot Robbie (pictured at the Terminal film premiere in 2018) after she praised the dining experience he gave her and left a generous tip. He claims Margot went on to compliment him to the restaurant manager and repeatedly returned to the establishment One person recalled Bill Murray (pictured in Los Angles in 2018) and his son picking up a UPS delivery person and singing her happy birthday during their visit to an Inuit art gallery Another praised Tom Hanks (pictured in Forrest Gump, 1994) for making conversation about films and offering to pay for their drink after they met in the queue of a supermarket. She claims the actor quoted the film Forrest Gump saying: 'Nice talking to you! You're a very nice young lady and always remember... life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what your gonna get' Renee Zellweger (pictured in Los Angeles during 2018) gave a server a hug and a generous tip in a visit wearing yoga pants, t-shirt and with three children in tow. The server claims she was unrecognizable and it was the name on her credit card that flagged who she was Jim Carrey (pictured arriving at the premiere of Pineapple Express in 2008) gave a fan a lift to the petrol station and paid for their fuel after they ran out while driving in Bel Air One woman recalled crying at age 16 when she met Marilyn Manson (pictured performing at Donington Park in 2018) and his cat. She says the 6'2'' vocalist picked up her 4'10'' sister so they could all fit in frame for a photo A former restaurant worker shared a memory of Paul and Linda McCartney (pictured in 1979) praising them for treating them like normal people. The Beatle and his late wife knew the worker was aware of who they were because she wore a yellow submarine from the Beatles album around her neck One person shared a memory of Adam Sandler (pictured at The Week Of premiere in 2018) trying to speak Spanish with their grandmother after they met in an elevator in Mexico A 5ft man remembered being complimented by Bruce Willis (pictured at the Mayweather V McGregor Pre-Event VIP Party in 2017) at a Walmart store. Speaking about finding the actor behind him after he battled to get an item from the back of a top shelf, he said: 'Bruce Willis told me that I have "some pretty cool spiderman skills"' One person recalled taking a photograph outside of an In N Out in LA with a drunk and chatty Ron Pearlman (pictured at the premiere of Disobedience, 2018) A radio contest winner thanked John Mayer (pictured at the premiere or Benjamin in 2018) for taking the time to sign their painting in 2002 despite his manager declaring photographs but no autographs. She recalls John responding to his manger with: 'Dude. She ****** painted it' One person says Keanu Reeves (pictured in New York, 2017) mimicked the bullet dodge motion from The Matrix after they did it to him after yelling 'Yo, Neo!' while walking through New York Another starstruck fan claims Patrick Stewart (pictured at the press performance of Pressure in 2018) was happy to speak to their sister after she praised his theatre work whilst she waited his table in New York Nina Hale, a marketing company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, allows employees a week of working from home if they get a new pet The US is still the only industrialized nation without government-mandated paid maternity leave but some companies with good perks are offering employees paid 'fur-ternity leave.' The New York Times reports that Nina Hale, a marketing company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, announced to its 85 employees this summer that it would officially be offering 'fur-ternity leave' to anyone who brings home a new pet. While the benefit isn't actually paid time off, it does allow new pet owners to work from home from a whole week to help their new cat or dog adjust to its new home. All paws on deck! Nina Hale, a marketing company in Minnesota, is offering 'fur-ternity leave,' in which employees with new pets can work from home for a week 'This is kind of a no-brainer,' said the company's vice president, Allison McMenimen. 'The idea of offering benefits that just help keep employees at the office, that's over.' Over the years, the company had received requests from employees about working from home with new pets. Then, in May, 26-year-old senior account manager Connor McCarthy adopted a two-month-old goldendoodle puppy named Bentley and asked to stay home with him for a week. 'It was really, really nice to be there while Im working to transition him,' he said. After his fur-ternity, the company decided to formalize the benefit and added it to the books in July 'For a lot of people, their pets are their children,' said McMenimen. 'Our employees are at all different stages of their lives.' While Nina Hale is the latest company to make headlines for offering such a benefit, its not the only one. New York data company mParticle has a program it calls 'paw-ternity leave,' which actually gives employees two weeks of paid time off if they adopt a rescue dog or get an exotic pet like an iguana.. Musti Group, a pet food company based in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, offers a three-day paw-ternity leave plan to its 1,500 employees, according to Mercury News. 'Pets always come first in everything we do, and that's why pawternity leave is a natural step in developing our culture,' David Ronnberg, CEO of the Musti Group, said a statement. 'Adopting a pet is a significant decision and changes everyday life considerably. We want to support our employees during their first days with their new family member and ensure that they can enjoy those precious moments to the fullest. 'Paying attention to a pets needs and spending time with them supports their learning, builds trust and helps prevent behavioral disorders in the future.' And according to the Society for Human Resource Management, introducing pet-friendly policies is a growing trend in workplaces. 'Over the last five years we've seen this [trend] increase,' said Steven Feldman, executive director at Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). 'Millennials are getting pets as their "starter kits." A lot of Millennials, before they have children, often end up with feline or canine children as a way to start [parenting]. 'Those [pets] are just as much a part of their families as human kids will be later on. they're looking for acknowledgement [from employers] of the important role of pets in their lives.' It may also be a way for companies to retain employees, who feel happier at work and more of a loyalty to the company with such benefits. A survey found that 90 per cent of employees in pet-friendly workplaces feel highly connected to their company's mission and fully engaged in their work. For the vast majority of people, catching a flight is a necessary evil. Flying often takes us to tropical holiday destinations and on important work trips faster than a gridlocked morning commute to the office. But convenience aside, for the most part airplanes are cramped, uncomfortable and either stiflingly hot or chillingly cold, with sub-par food offerings and a host of invisible bacteria lurking on our nearest tray table. And while it may seem as though one seat is as good as the next to get us where we need to go, an aviation professional revealed there may be a secret to take the pain out of flying - in the form of your seating allocation. Kaipo Kauka, a flight attendant with Hawaiian Airlines, recently told Insider the best place to sit depending on your preferences at 32,000 feet. A flight attendant with Hawaiian Airlines recently told Insider the best place to sit depending on your preferences at 32,000 feet IF YOU WANT TO SLEEP - THE WINDOW SEAT According to Mr Kauka, if you're planning to sleep through a flight the window seat is your safest bet. Rest your head against a pillow on the plane's outer wall for added support. While your neighbour will thank you for leaning on the window instead of them, you also gain the benefit of not being disturbed each time a row mate gets up to stretch or use the bathroom. According to Mr Kauka, if you're planning to sleep through a flight the window seat if your safest bet IF YOU USE THE BATHROOM A LOT For people who like to move around a lot mid-flight and those who take frequent trips to the bathroom, an aisle seat is the way to go according to Mr Kauka. Sitting aisle adjacent means you won't have to climb over the other passengers in your row, and if you're still concerned about proximity to the toilet, Mr Kauka recommends booking a seat close to the lavatory in advance. IF YOU FEEL THE COLD EASILY In high altitude, the human body is prone to feeling the cold more easily. Some of us even start to shiver before the aircraft takes off thanks to the recycled air in the plane. To avoid picking up a chill in transit, Mr Kauka advises against sitting near doors or emergency exit rows. 'These exits allow external cold air to seep into the aircraft,' he said. To avoid picking up a chill in transit, Mr Kauka advises against sitting near doors or emergency exit rows Mr Kauka observed that flight attendants generally start the refreshment service from the front of the plane, making the first five rows ideal for getting first pick on snacks IF YOU'RE A PICKY EATER Airplane food is rarely what you would call gourmet. Mr Kauka observed that flight attendants generally start the refreshment service from the front of the plane, making the first five rows ideal for anyone eager to get their first pick on pre-packaged snacks and beverages. 'This part of the plane is also best for those who hate turbulence,' he revealed, as the smoothest ride is always felt at the front of the aircraft. A Chinese designer with a flair for out-of-this-world fashion has created a showstopping outfit that has been designed to illuminate her silicone breasts. The unique corset - created for a stunning nightclub entrance - uses flashing red light to enhance her ample cleavage. In a YouTube clip, the tech developer, Naomi Wu, revealed she was inspired to make the garment after seeing an American star perform wearing something similar. Chinese designer Naomi Wu (pictured) explains her process, one that saw her first attempt to create the outfit using a flashlight Explaining her process Ms Wu revealed how she first attempted to place a flashlight turned up to the brightest setting directly under her bosom. 'You can see it shining through my skin,' she said. 'It looks pretty cool.' However, she quickly removes the torch saying 'it gets a little warmer'. 'It's bright enough, but it is going to burn me over time. So I have to think of something else,' she added. Her ingenious solution to create the corset of her dreams involved the use of a super-strength flashlight which she connected to two fibre-optic cables. A flashlight connected to two fibre-optic cables enabled Ms Wu to create the corset of her dreams Ms Wu's outfit was paired with knee-high lace-up platform boots, a wrist band for her smartphone and a pair of wraparound sunglasses Utilising her tech skills enabled her to 3D print a special fitting in order to connect the cables to the fashion-forward bustier. Once everything was in place, Ms Wu set the torch to flash mode and headed out to stun revelers at a nightclub in Shenzen, China. Ms Wu paired the avant-garde outfit with knee-high platform black lace-up boots and a futuristic wristband which held her smartphone in place. A pair of mirrored wraparound sunglasses topped off her one-of-a-kind ensemble. Once inside the club, her flashing red outfit, which contrasted perfectly with the neon blue, caused a stir, with many lining up to take photographs. For makeup professionals around the world, the idea of having your work featured by international beauty brand NYX Cosmetics sounds like a dream come true. But when Sydney based hair stylist and creative glam artist Jacques-Claude Sader had a makeup selfie posted to the brand's 13 million followers, he received more than he bargained for - in the form of a slew of sexist and homophobic comments. The photo received more than 21,800 comments, including one remark which called Mr Sader's look 'disgusting'. When Sydney based hair stylist and creative glam artist Jacques-Claude Sader had a selfie posted to the brand's 13 million followers, he received more than he bargained for in the form of a slew of sexist and homophobic comments 'I feel ashamed to have supported your brand. 'This is absolutely sick I will never buy anything from you again!!! Disgusting! Sickened!,' one user said. 'I'm getting tired of seeing men advertising cosmetics I love your products but this is getting way too far. 'There are talented men that can do awesome makeup but if they want to show their talent they could use a female model,' another user wrote. 'Unfollowing this pagepathetic way to show your products!!!' a further account said. Mr Sader is a talented hair stylist and makeup artist who splits time between Sydney and Los Angeles, California 'There are talented men that can do awesome makeup but if they want to show their talent they could use a female model,' a user wrote A number of users voiced their disapproval and 'disgust' at seeing a man showcasing NYX products Hitting back at the haters, NYX Cosmetics took to the comments section to voice their support for Mr Sader and told bigoted users they disagreed with their views Hitting back at the haters, NYX Cosmetics took to the comments section to voice their support for Mr Sader and told bigoted users they disagreed with their views. 'We're sorry you feel that way, but we encourage a positive space for artists. 'At NYX Professional Makeup, one of the things we stand by is artistry for all and that's artists of all races, genders and religions. 'This influencer created an amazing look and we wanted to share it with our followers.' 'We're sorry you feel that way, but we encourage a positive space for artists. At NYX Professional Makeup, one of the any things we stand by is artistry for all and that's artists of all races, genders and religions' - NYX Professional Makeup The comments are all the more shocking as this is certainly not the first male foray into the world of beauty. Ariel Tejada, aka Makeup By Ariel, is the favoured glam artist of billionaire mogul Kylie Jenner, while social media stars such as Jeffree Star and Maybelline's brand ambassador Manny Gutierrez, aka Manny MUA, have steadily blazed a trail for male creatives in the cosmetics industry in recent years. Thousands of users and beauty aficionados rushed to Mr Sader's defence, praising his stunning work and urging him to ignore jealous haters. 'Makeup is an art and anyone can use it wish I could recreate this look, it's truly stunning!' one user wrote. Another user said he thought Mr Sader looked 'stunning, a gorgeous confident man who knows how to carry himself'. 'To all my current and new followers, I am beyond grateful for the love and support I have received within 24 hours. I love and appreciate every single one of you...still overwhelmed' - Jacques-Claude Sader Taking to Instagram to voice his gratitude for the positive comments he has received in the wake on the NYX feature, Mr Sader said he is reeling from the influx of kind words. 'To all my current and new followers, I am beyond grateful for the love and support I have received within 24 hours. I love and appreciate every single one of you...still overwhelmed. 'Words can't describe how blessed I feel with all the love I am getting! 'Thank you for being apart of my journey, love you all.' Advertisement Just over a decade ago the idea of listing 'YouTuber' as your full-time occupation was unheard of. But in such a small space of time a group of Australian men and women have changed that culture, creating fame from sharing their innermost thoughts and lifestyle choices on video. And while some of them are now on Forbes' rich list and jetting around the world on paid-for sponsored trips, they all started with clunky camera equipment and awkward greetings. Here, FEMAIL takes a look back at those very first film takes that went on to launch lucrative careers. YouTubers Shani Grimmond and Chloe Szepanowski - who are best friend in real life - pose in matching outfits SHANNON HARRIS She started her YouTube channel Shaaanxo a little over eight years ago after seeing how successfully a number of American personalities were at turning a profit with their videos. And while she does live across the pond in New Zealand, 26-year-old Shannon can thank Down Under for a number of her 3.1 million subscribers. She started her career with a typical 'get to know me' video of 50 questions and uploaded almost daily with the various outfits she was wearing. Her focus turned to makeup as she began gaining traction and she now shares between two and three tutorials every week. Shannon was named one of Forbes' top influencers among the likes of Zoe Sugg and Jeffree Star in 2017. BEFORE AND AFTER: She started her YouTube channel Shaaanxo a little over eight years ago after seeing how successfully a number of American personalities were at turning a profit with their videos THEN AND NOW: She started her career with a typical 'get to know me' video of 50 questions and uploaded almost daily with the various outfits she was wearing Shannon was named one of Forbes' top influencers among the likes of Zoe Sugg and Jeffree Star in 2017 BRITTNEY LEE SAUNDERS This bubbly and bright blonde from Newcastle, NSW, has always had a penchant for sharing the unexpected online - everything from 'weirdos at her work' to 'ten dating dont's'. But with a little over one million followers at the time of writing, Brittney, 25, has cemented herself as a frontrunner in the Australian YouTubing game. She enjoys sharing makeup tutorials using drugstore and high-end labels so all of her followers can potentially unlock the look should they choose. BEFORE AND AFTER: This bubbly and bright blonde from Newcastle, NSW, has always had a penchant for sharing the unexpected online - everything from 'weirdos at her work' to 'ten dating dont's' THEN AND NOW: She enjoys sharing makeup tutorials using drugstore and high-end labels so all of her followers can potentially unlock the look should they choose But with a little over one million followers at the time of writing, Brittney, 25, has cemented herself as a frontrunner in the Australian YouTubing game LAUREN CURTIS Lauren was one of the very first Australian YouTubers to transition from it being a hobby to a full-time gig. The 25-year-old from Perth used her charismatic personality to entice followers with makeup and fake tanning tips and tricks. She now has 3.6 million subscribers to her channel and has been incredibly candid about the industry, particularly the use of Photoshop and editing apps to change the very nature of your body for a picture. BEFORE AND AFTER: Lauren was one of the very first Australian YouTubers to transition from it being a hobby to a full-time gig THEN AND NOW: The 25-year-old from Perth used her charismatic personality to entice followers with makeup and fake tanning tips and tricks She now has 3.6 million subscribers to her channel and has been incredibly candid about the industry, particularly the use of photoshop and editing apps to change the very nature of your body for a picture SHANI GRIMMOND Shani has been very open about her journey through social media - and plastic surgery - in recent years. But before the 21-year-old had her lips, breasts and teeth done she was just your average Brisbane bikini babe frolicking on the sand with her good friend, Chloe. Now 1.4 million followers later and the socialite is at the height of her success, often being paid to travel to Bora Bora, the Maldives and the USA to promote iconic makeup brands like Benefit and MAC. BEFORE AND AFTER: Shani has been very open about her journey through social media - and plastic surgery - in recent years THEN AND NOW: But before the 21-year-old had her lips, breasts and teeth done she was just your average Brisbane bikini babe frolicking on the sand with her good friend, Chloe (left) NOW: Now 1.4 million followers later and the socialite is at the height of her success, often being paid to travel to Bora Bora, the Maldives and the USA to promote iconic makeup brands like Benefit and MAC TAMMY HEMBROW Brisbane-based mother-of-two Tammy was once just a newly pregnant mum to her would-be son Wolf, posting mirror selfies and counting down the days until his birth. Now 8.5 million fans later and the bonafide fitness model runs a booming activewear company named after her daughter, Saskia, runs an app and posts weekly vlogs with her family. The bombshell has also found worldwide fame after Khloe Kardashian revealed Tammy 'motivated me on my fitness journey for longer than she is probably aware of'. THEN AND NOW: The bombshell has also found worldwide fame after Khloe Kardashian revealed Tammy 'motivated me on my fitness journey for longer than she is probably aware of' AFTER: Brisbane-based mother-of-two Tammy was once just a newly pregnant mum to her would-be son Wolf, posting mirror selfies and counting down the days until his birth DANI MANSUTTI She has now migrated to the United Kingdom where half her family is based, but for the start of her career Danielle called Melbourne home. The 23-year-old posts a variety of hair and makeup tutorials with a strong focus on body positivity and mental health. She has more than 1.5 million subscribers and while her initial pathway looked to be heading down a graphic designer path, she now calls YouTube her career. BEFORE AND AFTER: She has now migrated to the United Kingdom where half her family is based, but for the start of her career Danielle called Melbourne hom THEN AND NOW: The 23-year-old posts a variety of hair and makeup tutorials with a strong focus on body positivity and mental health She has more than 1.5 million subscribers and while her initial pathway looked to be heading down a graphic designer path, she now calls YouTube her career CHLOE MORELLO She's the hilariously honest brunette who has worked with iconic brands like Benefit, Clinique and Maybelline. The 27-year-old from Sydney's famed Bondi region started her YouTube channel when she was struggling with acne and body image issues - sharing with her small following how to solve each of these issues. But now she boasts 2.5 million subscribers and is married to her 'soulmate' Sebastian Maximiliano. The pair spend their time in between NSW and Canada, where he is from. BEFORE AND AFTER: She's the hilariously honest brunette who has worked with iconic brands like Benefit, Clinique and Maybelline THEN AND NOW: The 27-year-old from Sydney's famed Bondi region started her YouTube channel when she was struggling with acne and body image issues - sharing with her small following how to solve each of these issues But now she boasts 2.5 million subscribers and is married to her 'soulmate' Sebastian Maximiliano. The pair spend their time in between NSW and Canada, where he is from SJANA EARP She's the devoted yogi with legs that appear to never end. But this model-like YouTuber was just a sprightly teenager when she uploaded her incredible bikini collection online. The Gold Coast-based 23-year-old now works as a photojournalist documenting her bendy moves on Instagram and attending wellness retreats, with a blossoming romance with Harry Styles once the talk of the town. BEFORE AND AFTER: But this model-like YouTuber was just a sprightly teenager when she uploaded her incredible bikini collection online THEN AND NOW: The Gold Coast-based 23-year-old now works as a photojournalist documenting her bendy moves on Instagram and attending wellness retreats, with a blossoming romance with Harry Styles once the talk of the town Sjana Earp is the devoted yogi with legs that appear to never end (pictured above in a pose) MICHAEL FINCH This 22-year-old hit the scene and grew a following faster than many of those that came before him. But with 900,000 people tuning in to watch his makeup tutorials on YouTube, Michael is a force to be reckoned with. He has struck up a close friend with fellow YouTuber Shani Grimmond and they are frequently spotted at parties together in Brisbane. BEFORE AND AFTER: This 22-year-old hit the scene and grew a following faster than many of those that came before him THEN AND NOW: But with 900,000 people tuning in to watch his makeup tutorials on YouTube, Michael is a force to be reckoned with A woman battling 'incurable and terminal' cancer is refusing to give into the dreadful disease she fears will rob her children of their mother, despite the fact that she was told she wouldn't be here by Christmas. Mother-of-three Susan Cox, 33, was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer two years ago, and after undergoing a taxing double mastectomy, it returned with a vengeance for a second time. Recently, Susan shared a victorious update after visiting the hospital for a scan, where she found there were 'no active cancer cells lighting up, and no new metastasis'. 'Statistics told us I wouldn't be here this Christmas, but they sorely underestimated. My cancer may be stubborn but so am I!,' the brave woman from Brisbane wrote on Facebook. A woman battling 'incurable and terminal' cancer is refusing to give into the dreadful disease she fears will rob her children of their mother (Susan Cox pictured with one of her children) Mother-of-three Susan Cox (pictured with her family), 33, was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer two years ago, and after undergoing a taxing double mastectomy, it returned with a vengeance for a second time 'Statistics told us I wouldn't be here this Christmas, but they sorely underestimated. My cancer may be stubborn but so am I!,' the brave woman from Brisbane (pictured) said Susan's battle with cancer has been peppered with both joy and tragedy. The 33-year-old fell pregnant with her third child six months after surgery, however she lost her unborn baby girl at the five-month mark in an 'excruciating loss'. She delivered her lifeless daughter, Alivia, following a harrowing 18-hour labour and said goodbye to her little girl. Two months later Susan was pregnant with her son, Levi, and only six weeks after giving birth she was diagnosed with stage four cancer. It was found the cancer had invaded into her breastbone and crept into the outer lining of her lung and heart. Desperate to see her children grow up, the mother (pictured during radiation) has explored countless avenues to treat her cancer, including fundraising for potentially lifesaving treatment in Germany The young mum (pictured with her family) is now taking a 'more holistic approach to help with the healing' Since then, Susan and her family have been raising money on GoFundMe for her chemotherapy and the potentially life-saving treatment she can only access in Germany. Desperate to see her children grow up, the young mother has explored countless avenues to treat her cancer. This latest scan is a sliver of hope for the family. While Susan said she is 'celebrating this as a massive victory', she knows there is still a long road ahead. 'I'm INCREDIBLY high risk of the cancer returning, the next five years are the most crucial, and although the mass that remains is not currently active, the cells could merely be lying dormant, waiting for their opportunity to spread and metastasize once again,' she wrote on Facebook. But, she continued, instead of 'doing nothing until the next scan', she is working on taking a 'more holistic approach to help with the healing'. 'From organic eating, supplements, exercise and oxygen therapy, to meditation, inner healing and immune therapies, [I am trying it]. 'After further inquiries, the clinic in Germany is still significantly out of our financial reach, but we are moving forward with what we can here in the meantime, and pursuing further opportunities for small trips at other wellness clinics overseas,' Susan added. 'I'm INCREDIBLY high risk of the cancer returning, the next five years are the most crucial, and although the mass that remains is not currently active, the cells could merely be lying dormant,' Susan (pictured with her children) said 'This amazing report has given us more time, and we now diligently move forward without the same massive cloud looming over our heads,' Susan (pictured with her partner) said Susan's (pictured) family and friends remain determined to help her when they can, with her partner saying 'Suz is the strongest woman I know' Speaking about the development, the mother revealed that the 'radical treatment of radiation and chemo was as successful as the doctors could have hoped in getting ahead of this tumour. 'This amazing report has given us more time, and we now diligently move forward without the same massive cloud looming over our heads.' Meanwhile, her family and friends remain determined. 'While we don't live in denial of the fragility of life, or the very real outcome this could have for our family, we are not simply laying down and walking towards light either,' her husband, Phil, said previously. 'Suz is the strongest woman I know. She is an incredible fighter and she refuses to give up on her family and leave her babies behind without their mother.' While the average wedding cake costs around $500 in Australia, this doesn't always have to be the case. Crafty home baker, Inthu Siva, shared how she transformed a $4.50 mud cake from Coles into the middle tier of a wedding cake for a friend's upcoming nuptials. Her decadent dessert, one that is a three-layered masterpiece, couldn't look more professional - and it was her first attempt at such a creation. 'My first ever wedding cake done for a friend using Coles mud cake (middle tier),' Ms Siva wrote on social media post alongside photos of her cake. Inthu Siva revealed how she transformed a $4.50 mud cake from Coles in order to create the middle tier of this wedding cake (pictured) This mud cake from Coles (pictured) was made over using a rainbow confetti and gold dust mixed with vodka 'As a hobby cake maker [I am] quite pleased with it. First time using a store-bought cake and definitely won't be the last,' she added. Rainbow confetti from Coles (pictured) was used to create a feature on the wedding cake As to be expected, her creation generated a flurry of comments from those who'd seen the cake online with many questioning Ms Siva about how she created the gold effect. Ms Siva explained she used a combination of Rolkem Super Gold Dust and Rainbow Confetti which she purchased from Coles for $3.50. She said she mixed the gold dust with vodka in order to create a paint for the confetti and applied this to the decorations after they were put on the cake. 'But I realised I needed a generous amount of dust with the right amount of vodka to get the consistency right,' she wrote. 'Also two coats did a decent enough job.' Ms Siva's creation also inspired others to share how they had 'hacked' unfilled sponges from Woolworths to create beautiful cakes An inexpensive sponge cake from Woolworths, $5, (pictured right) was covered filled with cream and covered with white icing (pictured left) for a simple but elegant wedding cake Ms Siva's wedding creation also inspired others to share their clever cake 'hacks', ones they'd fashioned using sponge cakes which had been purchased from Woolworths for less than $5. One revealed how butter icing between layers of a double unfilled cake made for a delectable dessert, especially after it had been covered in white icing and gold and blue ribbon. Another revealed her two-tier creation, one that used the unfilled sponge as the bottom layer of a double-storied cake. Textured white icing and a trail of red roses transformed the budget buy into a cake that could easily pass for one that was professionally made. Another baker revealed how a two-tier creation could be fashioned using the inexpensive sponge as a base Jade Neil's wedding cake was the perfect minimalist addition to her dream rustic wedding - but what many don't know, is that it was whipped up using three Woolworths mud cakes Another bride-to-be, Jade Neil, revealed how after her $500 wedding cake failed to turn up on her big day, fashioned a stunning creation using three $6 Woolworths mud cakes, Betty Crocker icing and a hessian cutlery holder. The 26-year-old, who married in 2017, sent social media into overdrive with her photo of the makeshift creation after posting it on the Woolworths Australia Facebook page. 'Every week when I go food shopping at Woolworths in Townsville, Stocklands I always see the little display of what you can do with a good ol' Woolies mud cake,' she wrote alongside the image. The 26-year-old, whose $500 wedding cake failed to turn up on the big day, sent social media into overdrive with her photo of the makeshift creation (pictured with the cake makers May, left, and Candice, second from left) Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Mrs Neil, from Queensland, said when she found out her expensive wedding cake was a no-show, she was livid. 'When we arrived at the reception at 6.30pm the caterers said the cake hadn't arrived and asked me whether I was sure I had ordered it correctly,' she said. 'I spoke to the bakers weeks prior about the flowers I wanted on it and had paid them the $500. What made me the angriest though was that when I called them they told me they had no record of me at all. 'The first hint was that when we did a walk through of the reception venue before the wedding at 1pm, the cake wasn't there. But I didn't think anything of it.' Mrs Neil's sister-in-law Candice and family friend Aunty May had made their way to Woolworths while the couple were having their photos taken and purchased items Then, between entrees and mains, the duo put together the dessert and completed the impressive creation by tying a hessian cutlery holder around the middle 'My wedding was rustic country theme and it just fit in perfectly,' Mrs Neil, a mother-of-two, said As the night went on, Mrs Neil had accepted that they would have no wedding cake. But what she didn't know was that two quick-thinking family members had raced out to Woolworths to find a replacement. Mrs Neil's sister-in-law Candice and family friend Aunty May had made their way to Woolworths while the couple were having their photos taken and purchased three mudcakes, vanilla icing, fresh flowers, a knife and a wooden board for the display. Then, between entrees and mains, the duo put together the dessert and completed the impressive creation by tying a hessian cutlery holder around the middle. 'Candice and May were the real heroes of the day, I had no idea they had gone out and done that,' she said 'But now we can celebrate every year by buying a mud cake from Woolies!' She said 'My wedding was rustic country theme and it just fit in perfectly,' Mrs Neil, a mother-of-two, said. 'Candice and May were the real heroes of the day, I had no idea they had gone out and done that. 'The cake was an absolute hit too - I believe one bridesmaid actually had three or four slices it was that good.' Despite not getting her dream cake, Mrs Neil was thrilled with the result. 'The funniest part is I wanted a wedding cake so I could freeze the top tier and we could have it the next year on our anniversary,' she said. A four-year-old girl who put aside her princess costume to dress up as an assistance dog for Book Week has warmed hearts across Australia. Belle Higgins, from Sydney, shared a snap of her daughter Charlotte's costume on Facebook alongside a lengthy post detailing the reason for her outfit and the events that played out during the day. 'My daughter wanted to go as a princess to book week. She is four so naturally I could see why that was the best option in her little head to dress up like a princess for the day, but we challenged her to think about it and empowered her to think beyond the female stereotypes,' Ms Higgins wrote. 'Instead she picked a book called Next Door's Dog Has a Job, by Gina Dawson. It was given to her by her aunt who has an assistance dog.' A four-year-old girl who put aside her princess costume to dress up as an assistance dog for book week has warmed hearts across Australia Belle Higgins shared a snap of her daughter Charlotte's costume on Facebook alongside a lengthy post detailing the reason for her outfit and the events that played out during the day (pictured is Charlotte, her aunt and Thaddeus) Before they left the house, however, Charlotte 'cried her eyes out' because 'she decided she wanted to be a princess because "all the other girls would be pretty today and not her"'. A'fter she cried for 15 minutes and I cried for 15 minutes I called my sister and asked her if she could talk to my daughter to settle her on the phone,' Ms Higgins continued. 'Without a second thought my sister jumped in the car and drove an hour to meet us at the day care with her special dog Thaddeus, which I am so grateful for as I know some days just leaving the house is hard. 'My sister put Thaddeus' service vest on and took both of them into the classroom and read all the children the book.' Pictured are Ms Higgins, Charlotte, Charlotte's aunt and her assistance dog Thaddeus Ms Higgins said part of the reason she thought the costume was a good idea was that it would encourage conversation about understanding the important job that some dogs have Ms Higgins' said the teacher innocently asked whether her sister was the White Swiss Shepherd's 'trainer' as she 'doesn't look sick' - but her sister quickly intervened. 'I had a few tears in my eyes when my sister stepped forward and proudly said "No, he is my assistance dog, he is here to help me, he goes everywhere with me and helps me everyday",' she recalled. 'I can't tell you how proud I was of her.' Ms Higgins said part of the reason she thought the costume was a good idea was that it would encourage conversation about understanding the important job that some dogs have and how these special dogs help people suffering with issues that sometimes are not visible to the eye. 'She picked a book called Next Door's Dog Has a Job, by Gina Dawson. It was given to her by her aunt who has an assistance dog,' Ms Higgins said 'These include, but are not limited to, providing assistance to those with vision, hearing and mobility impairments, epilepsy, autism and mental health conditions including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and anxiety,' she said. 'Disabilities can be diverse and invisible. Assistance dogs come in many shapes and sizes. Mind dogs help people in a variety of ways and are highly trained to assist their human companions.' Ms Higgins concluded her post by saying that 'sometimes, the most helpful thing we can do for ourselves is to help another person'. 'Never give up on someone with a mental illness. I believe that when "I" is replaced by "we", illness becomes wellness. And talking about it is the first step to remove the stigma. Courage isn't having the strength to go on, it's going on when you don't have the strength. Ms Higgins concluded her post by saying that 'sometimes, the most helpful thing we can do for ourselves is to help another person' 'Did you know, four in every 16 young Aussies between 15-30 live with mental health issues every single day? One in four of those are too embarrassed to discuss the problem with anyone and nearly half are afraid of what others would think of them. 'It's OK not to be OK and it's important we reach out to our friends and family and encourage each other to talk about our mental health the same way in which we talk about our physical health because I believe they go hand-in-hand.' Ms Higgins thanked the book's author for writing the book as it has empowered her sister and given her strength to talk about mental health and educate children. 'Can you reach out and check in with someone today to see how they are really doing? I challenge you. I know I will be,' she said. 'I've had many day care teachers contact me saying they are going to encourage children not to dress up just as prince and princesses,' she said Speaking to FEMAIL, Ms Higgins said she was touched by the support the post had had, but was disappointed that it had been deleted from the original group she posted it in. 'I was a little shocked as I had over 1,000 responses from woman commenting with a sense of relief to have light shed upon mental health. I've had many day care teachers contact me saying they are going to encourage children not to dress up just as prince and princesses,' she said. 'I've had people who are struggling with mental health just thank me for helping them get though the day and a lot of people asking about assistance dogs. 'I am in the mental health industry and I want to tear down the walls around mental health, so many people are too scared to speak out.' If you or anyone you know is struggling, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Headspace on 1800 650 890 or MensLine on 1300, 78 99 78. Advertisement Breastfeeding advocates are applauding Glasgow's latest public artwork, claiming it's a celebration of women nursing older babies and toddlers. The giant mural, painstakingly painted over a week by Australian street artist Sam Bates, known as Smug, appears to depict the patron saint of Glasgow, St Mungo, being breastfed by his mother St Enoch as a young child. Many Glaswegians appear thrilled at how the tender image has transformed a bleak wall on the corner of High Street and George Street in the city. And on social media, women have been commenting on how baseball-cap wearing Smug's latest masterpiece, which also features a robin resting on St Enoch's arm, may encourage mothers in the city to breastfeed. Scroll down for video The new painting, which took Australian artist Smug a little over a week to complete, depicts the patron saint of Glasgow,s t Mungo, appearing to be breastfed by his mother, St Enoch, while a robin - said to signify one of his later miracles - perches on her wrist Urban masterpiece: Many have suggested that the latest work of the Australian photorealist artist, who now resides in Glasgow, is a celebration of breastfeeding older children On social media, many have surmised that the painting shows St Mungo being nursed by his mother and said the image offers a positive message about breastfeeding older babies On Facebook, Loren Wellburn wrote: 'I love it. I also love that it's a mother nursing a toddler and not a tiny baby.' Nicky Helmsley agreed, saying: 'That's amazing and even better that they have used an older baby rather than a tiny baby.' Charlii Thea remarked: 'Love to see it's an older child and not just a newborn'. The work is a companion piece to the existing modern-day St Mungo on High Street, and a Glasgow City Council spokesperson has confirmed that the name of the latest mural is officially untitled. According to the Life of Saint Mungo written by the monk Jocelin of Furness, in about 1185, Mungo's mother was outcast by her family after becoming pregnant. The artist is seen looking at his handiwork, which is untitled. The robin is thought to tell the story of one of St Mungo's miracles, with the patron saint of Glasgow believed to have brought the bird back to life. Right: The Scottish city continues its daily life as the artwork comes to completion We're going to need a crane for this! The baseball cap-wearing artist used a cherry picker to get close to the wall A bypasser watches the artist at work; Smug's more recent pieces have taken on a more toned-down approach from the high-octane graffiti-led pieces that made his name The mother eventually settled in Culross, Fife, after being taken in by St Serf who ran a monastery. In his early years, St Mungo is said to have restored life to the pet robin of St Serf - featured in the mural - which had been killed by some of his fellow classmates in Culross. The robin features in both of Smug's murals. At 25, Mungo began his missionary work on the banks of the River Clyde, near where he built his church which forms part of the Glasgow Cathedral. Smug's work can also be found on Ingram Street, Mitchell Street, Argyle Street and the Kingston Bridge. The world-renowned artist is said to have taken up graffiti-ing with a couple of friends as a teenager and found he was good at it quickly. Charlotte Riley was among the lucky stars to receive an invite to Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding in May. But rather than brag about her invitation the actress said she 'forgot' to mention she was going to the royal nuptials. In fact the first her family and friends knew of her attendance was when she was filmed entering St George's chapel in Windsor on the day itself. Speaking to Harper's Bazaar Charlotte said: 'I was fielding text messages from friends who didn't know that I was going - I just forgot to mention it to friends and family, so that was quite good fun!' Actress Charlotte Riley attended the nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May alongside her husband Tom Hardy (pictured arriving together) but says she had forgotten to tell any of her friends or family that she was going Charlotte says that she was bombarded with messages from friends and family when they saw her arriving on TV. Pictured: A newlywedded Harry and Meghan outside the chapel Charlotte, who is reportedly expecting her second child, previously played Meghan's sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge in BBC drama King Charles III. However, the wife of Tom Hardy said that she never crossed paths with Kate at the wedding. She continued: 'I didn't get to meet Kate on the day - it didnt really cross my mind that I've played her.' Charlotte attended the wedding alongside her husband Tom Hardy who has been friends with Prince Harry for a number of years and were spotted mingling at the Audi Polo Challenge at Coworth Park Polo Club in Berkshire in 2016. The actress said that it was 'quite good fun' receiving so many messages from people who didn't realise she was going Charlotte previously played the Duchess of Cambridge in BBC drama King Charles III (seen in character left) but says it didn't 'cross her mind' when at the wedding and she wasn't able to meet Kate (pictured left with William on their engagement announcement) The actor recently opened up about his friendship with Prince Harry, who he described as a 'f*****g legend'. Speaking to Esquire magazine this month, Tom 40, said his bond with the Duke of Sussex was 'deeply private'. It is believed that they met back in 2010 when the actor became an ambassador for The Prince's Trust. Chrlotte's husband Tom Hardy has been friends with Harry for many years and recently described him as a 'f***ing legend'. Pictured together at the polo in 2014 William and Harry also had a cameo in Star Wars alongside the actor in 2010, but the scene didn't make the final cut of the film. Hardy and actress Charlotte Riley are thought to have tied the knot in 2014 and the couple have a child together. The actor also has a son from a previous relationship. Hardy and Riley starred together in Peaky Blinders and met on the set of an adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Adorable puppies wreaked havoc in the Good Morning Britain studio on Wednesday, leaving viewers in stitches. Kate Garraway and Jeremy Kyle were interviewing experts to discuss the change in the law banning pet shops from selling puppies in a bid to curb cruel breeding practices. But a little black Labrador called King stole the spotlight from the important conversation as he fidgeted and cried while Kate held him on her lap, before trying to bite her when she attempted to calm him down. Kate then passed the pooch over to co-host Charlotte Hawkins and he began to chew on the belt of her dress. Viewers were won over by the adorable pups, with one saying: 'I want them all!' Kate Garraway was almost bitten by a little black Labrador called King on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (pictured with Jeremy Kyle) Kate passed the little pooch over to her co-host Charlotte Hawkins, before he started chewing on her dress belt (pictured) Lisa Garner, who campaigned to change the law, was advising viewers on how to look for a responsible breeder when she was interrupted by little King's cries. She said: 'I think it's really important you see the puppy with its mummy, you don't accept any excuses that the mum's not very well or they're at the vets.' As the puppy fidgeted and cried Kate asked if she should hand him back to his breeder Sussie Wiles, who was also on the show. Kate said: 'I'm a bit worried King wants to go back to his mum, he's kind of mewing a little bit. Am I allowed to put him down, is he allowed to go on the floor yet?' The adorable moment left GMB viewers in stitches, with many taking to Twitter to say they 'want all the puppies' (pictured) The puppy then settled down on her lap but clearly didn't want to be stroked by Kate, as it went to nip her hand. The rest of the dogs took turns crying during the interview, and at one point another puppy started to climb up Ms Wiles' body and fidget on her lap. To calm things down Kyle asked Charlotte to come and help, saying: 'Charlotte come grab a puppy.' Charlotte took King on her lap and stroked him, before he started chewing on her dress belt. Another puppy started to climb up breeder Sussie Wiles's body during the chaotic interview. Pictured with Kate and Jeremy and Lisa Garner, who campaigned to change the law on puppy breeders Kate was clearly smitten with the little dog as she kept cuddling and trying to stroke (pictured: Kate with King the puppy and co-host Kyle) Lucy's Law bans pet shops from selling puppies and kittens in a bid to curb cruel breeding practices. Pictured: Lisa and Sussie on the show with some of the Labrador's and Lisa's own dogs 'I don't want to let go!' Charlotte said. The moment left viewers in stitches, with one tweeting: 'Cant cope with how cute the puppies are on #GMB.' 'Can I have all 4 of those puppy labs,' another posted. A third said: 'I want all the black Labrador puppies on.' The ban on pet shops selling puppies comes after the prominent Lucys Law campaign to end the scandal of animals being bred in cruel conditions and transported long distances to be sold. The campaign was named after a cavalier spaniel who was rescued after being kept in a cage on a puppy farm. Restless King (pictured being held by Kate) was too young to be put down on the studio floor to have a run around Newsreader Charlotte was called over to help when the puppies became restless, saying she didn't want to 'let go' (pictured with Kate, Jeremy, Lisa and Sussie with the dogs) Kate seemed keen to 'give him back to his mum' as King continued to fidget throughout the interview. Pictured: Kate with Jeremy, Lisa, Sussie and the dogs on GMB The ban will include pet shops, puppy farms and other commercial dealers, according to the plans put out for consultation. Anyone buying or adopting a pet less than six months old will have to deal directly with the breeder or a rescue centre under the proposed ban. Many puppies are currently being separated from their mothers too early, so the new law will make it illegal to sell them without their mothers present. The move aims to reduce serious health problems and socialisation issues which afflict pets kept in poor conditions by unscrupulous, profit-driven breeders. Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell says Prince Harry is 'taking a leaf out of his mother's book' by freezing out Meghan's father Thomas Markle. Burrell, 60, described how the 'apple doesn't fall far from the tree' when it comes to Harry, explaining how Diana would have been 'furious' if someone had betrayed her trust. He also suggested that Meghan, 37, has 'something Diana never had' as she navigates her new role as a member of the royal family, as she has 'a man stood beside her who truly adores her.' It comes after Burrell, who previously also served as a footman to the Queen, said that 'somebody has to fix' the situation when it comes to Meghan and her father. Paul Burrell says Prince Harry (pictured with Meghan in Dublin last month) is 'taking a leaf out of his mother's book' by freezing out Meghan's father Thomas Markle Speaking to new! magazine about Harry and Meghan's approach towards Thomas Markle, the former butler said: 'I've been in similar situations where people said things about Princess Diana, and the way she dealt with it was by freezing them out. 'It looks as if Harry has taken a leaf out of his mother's book. Diana said, "Once someone burns the bridge of trust towards you it's very hard to repair it." He added: 'Harry is his mother's son and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree... 'She would be furious if someone betrayed her and the only way she could deal with it is to cut them off completely'. The former butler (pictured with the Princess of Wales in Egypt in 1992) said Diana would have been 'furious' if someone had betrayed her trust Burrell previously said that 'somebody has to fix' the situation when it comes to Meghan and her father Thomas (above, during an interview on Good Morning Britain in June) Burrell also described how life is 'not going to be easy' for Meghan, but said the Duchess of Sussex has 'something that Diana never had - a man stood beside her who truly adores her'. The full interview with Paul Burrell features in this week's issue of new! magazine It comes after he previously commented on how Meghan might have longed for the fame that her new role has brought her, but that she should 'be careful what she wishes for' as 'sometimes it is not all that it seems'. In the interview for Yahoo News weekly six-part series, he also weighed in on the Royal Family's treatment of Thomas Markle, saying there is 'no protocol' for dealing with in-laws. Burrell said: 'Poor Thomas Markle doesn't know how to behave, he is lost. 'I think the best thing he could do is stay quiet and try and reach out to his daughter. Somebody has to fix it. Before it gets more broken. 'Thankfully Meghan's mother has survived with dignity and style and that's the way forward.' The former butler also urged Meghan to 'get on with' having a baby, describing how 'time is marching on', and predicted that the duchess would fall pregnant in her first year of marriage. A once-suicidal mother who decided to try and help stop others from taking their own lives by posting notes of hope on UK bridges says the messages have been crediting with preventing 14 deaths. Lisa Barnes, from Tameside in Greater Manchester, spends her spare time writing and posting notes on bridges where people might take their lives - and says her 'Bridge the Gap' campaign is working, because some people who've read the notes and decided against suicide have contacted her. She says the diamond-shaped reassuring missives, which she posts with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers and even local police, have sparked positive feedback - and she's now crowdfunding to make the signs permanent. Scroll down for video Lisa Barnes, from Tameside, Manchester, who considered suicide herself last year, has revealed that she's been credited with saving the lives of 14 people since she launched the 'Bridge the Gap' campaign last year One of the hopeful notes that Lisa, a mother-of-two, has posted on 22 UK bridges in the north west area with the help of volunteers and even local police Lisa was told by one anonymous mother who had contemplated taking her own life that everywhere she drove to while in a distressed state had the messages on and she decided to return home to her son Lisa pictured after tying messages to another bridge in the UK's north west - she hoping to raise enough money to put permanent signs on bridges She explained to the Huffington Post: 'Its like wow, those little notes have saved 14 people. They are here now, walking around, where they possibly might not have been.' Lisa says one of the messages she has received, from an anonymous woman, praised her for the notes, saying she had almost taken her own life after driving at 5am on the M60 looking for a bridge. However, she revealed that every bridge had messages on and she reconsidered, saying: 'The thought of leaving my son without a mummy after thinking about them and knowing that the next day would be completely different led me to still being here. So thank you so much.' The mother-of-two first decided to take action after she herself was left considering suicide on a railway bridge before being talked down in 2017. Lisa Barnes, pictured here with husband Nick, daughter Molly, 18, and son Sam, 25, began placing messages of hope on high-risk bridges in June The 46-year-old manager suffered from depression from last year and was talked down from a railway bridge by a negotiator Now 22 bridges have been adorned with the diamond-shaped laminated signs and Lisa, who works full-time for is asking authorities to consider permanent versions following on from the reaction to her work. Shortly after launching the campaign in June, the 46-year-old told MailOnline: 'The message we are trying to give is that when you are on that bridge, in that really dark place, if you are looking for a sign not to do it here it is.' 'I was talked down by a negotiator, and Im here now to help other people and tell my story. 'Ring the Samaritans, ring the helplines, theres light at the end of the tunnel. What seems really bad today, tomorrow it doesnt seem as awful, and you are loved.' Mrs Barnes, who works as a manager for British Gas, named the campaign 'Bridge the Gap' because of the gap between her being talked down from the bridge and getting help. She is hoping her handwritten notes will give anyone in the same position pause to think, and potentially save a life. Mrs Barnes said: 'When I write them I really do mean what I say on them and I hope people can see that' Now Mrs Barnes is planning to expand her project through a GoFundMe page that hopes to raise money for further signs along more bridges She added: 'The NHS is amazing, every person Ive dealt with has been amazing, but theyre underfunded. People can only do so much. 'I came home and my husband was looking after me, and so it was the gap between it happening and being able to afford counselling.' After getting help Mrs Barnes found solace in mindfulness and messages such as 'suicide doesn't take away the pain, it gives it to someone else'. She is hoping that by placing similar messages on bridges she might be able to make someone pause to think, and potentially save a life. Mrs Barnes said: 'Theyre handwritten notes - its a personal note, its not just a plaque that some charity has donated. When I write them I really do mean what I say on them and I hope people can see that.' Greater Manchester Police have been working together with Mrs Barnes to put up the signs and identify other bridges to add them to. She has been 'blown away' by the support she has already received. Now Mrs Barnes is planning to expand her project through a GoFundMe page that hopes to raise money for further signs along more bridges. If you would like to donate to Mrs Barnes' GoFundMe page, please click here. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123, visit a local Samaritans branch or go to www.samaritans.org for details. A doting daughter has revealed that the real motivation behind her 55lb weight loss was to donate a live-saving kidney to her father. Dawn Muhammad, 45, from Fayetville, Georgia, secretly embarked on her weight loss journey after her 74-year-old dad, Lucious Daniels, was diagnosed with stage four kidney failure in August 2016. Although her blood type made her a potential donor match for her father, her BMI was too high for her to be a candidate for organ donation, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Selfless: Dawn Muhammad, 45, from Fayetville, Georgia, lost 55lbs to donate a life-saving kidney to her 74-year-old father, Lucious Daniels (pictured together in 2012) Life-changing: Dawn secretly embarked on her weight loss journey after her dad was diagnosed with kidney failure in August 2016. They are pictured in December 2016 (right) Lucious began dialysis at Piedmont Fayette Hospital twice a week and was put on the kidney transplant waiting list, which has an estimated wait time of five years. 'Being on dialysis was something that I had to do in order to survive. I didn't have a choice,' he told the outlet. Without telling her father her plans, Dawn hired a personal trainer in December 2016 as she secretly tried to reach a healthy weight that would qualify her for organ donation. Over the course of 16 months, she lost 55lbs and 30 inches, going from a size 20 to a size 14. In April, when her weight was a healthy level, she told her dad about her plans to be his organ donor. On July 2, she learned that she was a perfect match. Start of it all: Before her weight loss, Dawn's BMI was too high for her to be a candidate for organ donation. She is pictured in 2013 Journey: Dawn (pictured in May 2017) hired a personal trainer in December 2016 to help her lose enough weight to qualify for organ donation Success: Over the course of 16 months, Dawn lost 55lbs and 30 inches, going from a size 20 to a size 14. She is pictured in December 2017, a year after she started her journey 'I am very, very thankful to be able to help my father to have normalcy to his life again,' she told Fox 5 Atlanta. Dawn was at work when she received the life-changing phone call from the transplant center. 'It was 9 in the morning when I got the call, and the first thing they said was, "You are a perfect match with your father; you are a perfect match."' Dawn shared the joyous news with parents and loved ones at a family gathering. 'When it finally sunk in and I finally stopped crying, all I could do is give her a hug and all the other family members were there and we hugged and thanked God for his blessings,' Lucious said. Big day: The father and daughter are scheduled to undergo transplant surgery at Piedmont Fayette Hospital on August 31 Down 70lbs: Dawn's sister Dekima Daniels Leaphart happily shared the news on Facebook on August 7, and she reported that her older sibling has continued to lose weight The father and daughter are scheduled to undergo transplant surgery at Piedmont Fayette Hospital on August 31. Dawn's sister Dekima Daniels Leaphart happily shared the news on Facebook on August 7, and she reported that her older sibling has continued to lose weight. 'My sister secretly started her journey to better health and lost over 70lbs all because she wanted to become the PERFECT MATCH!' Dekima wrote. 'I am ecstatic to announce that my SISTER, the most giving person that I know, is giving of herself once again in the BEST way. 'My daddy is getting a chance at normalcy again...he is getting a kidney from my big sister because she is the PERFECT MATCH,' she added. 'This is the sweetest love story and I am so thankful. August 31st is their date. Please say a prayer for them! I love you sis! #beadonor #belikemysis #truelove #getyouaDawn #GODisgreat.' Nico Tortorella's wife Bethany Meyers has revealed that she was once called 'a disgrace to the gay community' because she's bisexual. The painful remark prompted Bethany, 28, to open up in an honest Instagram post about her 'terrifying' coming-out and the struggles she has faced to embrace her sexuality and gender identity. Bethany, a fitness instructor in New York City, also wrote about her 12-year relationship with Nico, 30, who plays Josh on the TV series Younger and who, like Bethany, identifies as gender-fluid. Opening up: Nico Tortorella's wife Bethany Meyers has revealed that she was once called 'a disgrace to the gay community' because she's bisexual Past: The fitness instructor, who grew up in the Midwest, said coming out was 'terrifying' for her due to her religious upbringing In her Instagram post, Bethany explained that as she and Nico headed to the MTV Video Music Awards on Monday, she received a comment from a person calling her 'a disgrace to the gay community'. 'Not the first time I've heard comments like these and the hurt cuts deep,' she wrote. 'Especially since they don't know me or how I have struggled with my queerness and gender identity over the years.' Bethany and Nico have openly discussed their relationship, which they have described as queer and polyamorous, as well as their own gender identities. But the fitness instructor, who grew up in the Midwest, explained she wasn't always able to be so open about her personal life due to her religious upbringing. 'The only thing I knew about queer people was that they were sinners going to hell (#notallreligions),' she wrote. 'Coming out was a terrifying experience because "love is love is love" didn't exist in my vocabulary for the majority of my life.' Bethany further opened up about her marriage to Nico, who became her spouse after they wed in a city hall ceremony in Manhattan in March this year. 'I shouldn't have to validate my queerness to any of you, I shouldn't have to explain myself, but I will,' she wrote. 'Mostly for everyone out there who feels the same. I married someone who was designated male at birth. Couple: Bethany wrote about her 12-year relationship with Nico, 30, who plays Josh on the TV series Younger and who, like Bethany, identifies as gender-fluid Speaking out: Bethany reminded her 67,500 followers that 'LGBTQIA contains a B', adding, 'Bisexuality doesn't go away just because you're in a same-sex or opposite-sex relationship' 'I married them because I trusted them more than anyone else in the world. I knew we'd never get a divorce. I knew we'd be loving parents. I knew our 12-year history had held up well. 'And I knew we would continue to have other relationships with other people and with each other. That's what marriage is about intertwining your lives while never losing yourself.' Bethany explained just how painful it is for her to receive comments claiming she's not 'gay enough', especially in light of the hurdles she has faced in her personal life. She and Nico have previously said that they weren't welcome to spend Thanksgiving with Bethany's family in 2017, due to how openly they had discussed their polyamorous relationship. 'Aside from the way my marriage may look to others, I'm pretty gay,' Bethany wrote. 'I'm attracted to women, I date women, I sleep with women, my friends are queer, I feel/think queer, I identity as gender-fluid / non-binary, my partner the same. 'What's the logic? I'm pretending to be gay for fun? My loves with women were make believe? I've paid my therapist for years to keep up a front? I thought it would be cool to jeopardize my familial relationships?' Bethany reminded her 67,500 followers that 'LGBTQIA contains a B', adding: 'It's not a pit stop. Bisexuality doesn't go away just because you're in a same-sex or opposite-sex relationship. It's real. It exists. 'Bi people often feel left without a community too gay for straight and too straight for gay or only accepted by a community based on the gender of their partner. I'm over it. My dear bisexuals, I love you, stand proud and loud for our identity.' Model Joan Smalls revealed she uses sunscreen to create a natural contour for her face, but dermatologist warn how the technique could be damaging for the skin. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican supermodel attended an event in New York City on Thursday for Bacardi National Rum Day. In an interview with US Weekly, Joan recommended using sunscreen on the high points of the face in order to create a natural contour without the need for makeup. Stunning: Supermodel Joan Smalls, 30, attended an event in New York City on Thursday for Bacardi National Rum Day Beautiful: The Puerto Rican model already has high cheekbones, but she said applying sunscreen on the apples helps heighten her contour 'It makes the skin lighter because you're not tanning as much there,' she told the publication at the event. Joan will apply the sunscreen to the bridge of her nose, cheekbones and also shoulders to create the natural contour. The application of the sunscreen also gives a highlight to those areas when out in the sun. Joan went on to explain she uses at least 30 SPF (and sometimes 50 SPF) on her face to get the proper protection, but it remains unclear if the contour areas of her face remain sans sunscreen. In a video with Vogue, Joan revealed her everyday beauty routine where she admitted to not contouring her face excessively because she naturally has high cheekbones. 'I don't need that much contour,' she said while powdering her face. 'Joan "she was born with it" Smalls.' The sunscreen hack might work well for the model, then, because she only needs a slight tan to heighten the natural contour along her cheeks. However easy to do, Joan's beauty hack goes against what most experts would consider to be healthy when treating the skin; Dr Francesca Fusco, a dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in New York, told DailyMail.com that she doesn't advise anyone to ever rely on 'selective' sunscreen application. Not recommended: While the hack might work for Joan, who is pictured on the runway in Milan in June, dermatologists insist that SPF should be applied on the entire face Sunkissed: Dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen at all times to prevent skin cancer, wrinkles and sun damage 'It is critical that board spectrum sunscreen be applied to the whole face and body to ensure adequate coverage and protection,' she explained. 'Selectively applying sunscreen will result in some areas not being covered, and therefore at risk for sun burn, sun damage, and pre-mature aging.' Dr. Whitney Bowe agreed, telling Teen Vogue, 'Most people don't realize how impactful just one sunburn can be when it comes to your overall health and risk of developing skin cancer. 'If you get one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence, you have more than doubled your chances of developing melanoma later in life.' According to the American Academy of Dermatology, everyone is recommended to cover their entire face with sunscreen no matter their age, race or gender to avoid skin cancer. One in five Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime, so the protective barrier should be used whenever someone is going out in the sun. Not only does sunscreen protect against skin cancer, but it also fights against premature aging and wrinkles along the face. The beauty hack might work well for Joan and her high cheekbones, but it is best for people to stick to the makeup when they want to sculpt their face. Coping with a parents addiction is one of the most heartbreaking situations a child can face. Family break-down, bankruptcy and living with the fear of physical harm to someone they love can become part of normal life. Its estimated more than three million people live like this in the UK, as a relative battles alcohol or drug dependency but the stigma and shame mean many hide their problems. Naomi Bacon, 29, has decided to break the taboo, prompted by the relapse suffered last year by her father, a former City broker, after years of sobriety. Its easy to assume addicts live in poverty, but this was not the case for her father. Naomi and her younger sister had a comfortable upbringing in the Home Counties, and both attended private schools. However, Naomi, who has her own PR firm, heard the word alcoholic for the first time when she was just five years old. Naomi Bacon (pictured as a child with her father in Saudi Arabia), 29, has placed much of her personal life and career on hold to care for her father who battles with an addiction to alcohol. She revealed why she believes his alcoholism could be linked to mental health problems It was Bonfire Night, and I remember Dad behaving very strangely irritable, erratic and slurring his words. He and Mum had a big row and he stormed off. Over the years, she grew used to that Dad. The one who hid bottles of vodka and made her mother sad. My friends parents would often stop them coming to our house. I grew up feeling Dads problems were something to be ashamed of. She also learned that, often, alcoholism never truly goes away. For, despite being sober for more than 13 years, her father began drinking again 18 months ago. Since then, Naomis personal life and career have often been put on hold as she helps to care for him and support her mother. Now, she wants to highlight the problems facing people in this awful situation, and particularly shine a light on the way addiction is treated in the NHS. I am convinced my dads alcoholism is a symptom of deeper mental health problems, she says. The way the system is set up means he wont get a proper mental health assessment until he is long-term sober. But I dont think he will ever be properly sober until his mental health issues are addressed. Her fathers problems, Naomi suspects, were exacerbated by his globe-trotting upbringing. The second-eldest son of a Canadian diplomat, the family had lived in embassies around the world. The flipside was they found it hard to make friends because they were never in one place for very long, she says. My grandmother once told me Dad was a sad child who worried about everything. Naomis father first tried hard drugs when he was about 14. Naomi (pictured) recalls feeling sick when she learnt her father had relapsed after being sober for 13 years. She says the NHS is causing people to fall between the gap in mental health services and addiction treatment I wonder if it was a way of coping with feelings of anxiety or isolation, she says. Her parents met and married after a whirlwind romance, but by the time Naomi was five and her sister two, their father had started drinking, and was to spend the next decade falling off, then climbing back on, the wagon. Ten years later, he went into rehab and was sober for 13 years. It was wonderful. When hes not drinking, my dads the funniest and most gentle, considerate man you could meet. So when I phoned home in March 2017 and he answered paralytic, I felt sick. This was a version of my dad I had almost forgotten existed. Dealing with an alcoholic parent as an adult has presented Naomi and her sister with a whole new set of frustrations. We have much to thank the NHS for, but the gap between mental health services and addiction treatment is so wide that people like Dad are falling through it, and falling hard, she says. How common is alcohol addiction? It has been estimated that 1.4 per cent of all adults (aged 18+) drink at dependent levels and potentially need treatment Advertisement And this doesnt only affect Naomis family. Earlier this year, a joint report by the Institute of Alcohol Studies and the Centre for Mental Health concluded that there is a major problem within the NHS. It stated: Some 86 per cent who use alcohol treatment services also have a mental health difficulty, and many people with mental health problems misuse alcohol. Yet few get effective help from either alcohol or mental health services. The report recommends an urgent review of funding and support for those suffering both alcohol addiction and mental illness. Naomi kept a diary of one challenging week in her familys life, to illustrate the uphill battle they face and the complex emotions involved when a beloved parent is in the grip of addiction. WEDNESDAY NIGHT I call my parents after work and get Dad on the phone. Its clear hes under the influence of drink and possibly other substances too. I know he sometimes buys prescription drugs online and also abuses a strong painkiller that contains codeine and can be bought in any chemist. Naomi (pictured at a child with her parents and newborn sister) says she can sense her father's shame when he relapses and tries to reassure him that she's not angry My heart sinks. He had been sober for a month. A whole month! But this has been the pattern since he originally relapsed last year. I can sense how ashamed and wretched he feels, so I reassure him Im not angry. I dont let on how sad and worried I am. This is my darling dad the man who used to make my sister and I special Saturday breakfasts and watch our favourite film, ET, on repeat with us, who still cooks lavish meals for my friends and is the most generous man I know. Hes not perfect, but I have always known how much he loves me. I speak to Mum, and we agree to let him sleep it off. Ill call in the morning. THURSDAY 8AM Mum phones in a state to say Dad is in London with his brothers, but wont answer her calls. I keep ringing and get hold of him at 9am. Its clear hes very drunk hes incoherent. As hes with family, I try not to worry, and concentrate on work, but its difficult putting on this brave face again. Naomi (pictured as a child on holiday with her parents in 1990) recalls having to put an out-of-office email on after her dad became unconscious from drinking two litres of vodka quickly I speak to my uncles in the evening and they tell me hes been passed out most of the day. At least hes safe. FRIDAY 9AM My uncle calls, very distressed. Apparently Dad is unconscious after consuming two litres of vodka very quickly, as well as a cocktail of tranquillisers. They have called an ambulance. I put on my email out-of-office, saying Im dealing with a family crisis, and head to A&E. People think alcoholics bring their problems on themselves, that its their choice to drink. But downing so much alcohol in such a short time is more like a suicide attempt there can be no enjoyment in it. Like all of Dads drinking its a form of self-harm, a cry for help. When I arrive at hospital, Dad is still unconscious. I speak to the nurse and doctor and beg them for help. Dad clearly needs psychiatric treatment. For once, this medical team are very kind to me and compassionate towards Dad. Often, hes treated like a pariah and a nuisance. People hardly can bear to look at him. Naomi (pictured as a child with her dad) says her dad becomes aggressive and angry when the alcohol leaves his system Still, when the doctor tells me Dad cannot be assessed for psychiatric treatment until hes tackled his drinking, I lose it a bit and get very angry. Im not proud of myself, but I tell her I have heard all this before and ask how he is meant to do that unless hes given proper support. She says she recognises Dad has depression and anxiety as well as addiction, but it is hard to separate which needs to be treated first. At least the doctor manages to get Dad to open his eyes. He calls me: My beautiful baby then says he wants it all to end. My heart breaks a little more. SATURDAY 2PM I go to visit Dad with my younger sister and Mum. He is aggressive and angry as the alcohol leaves his system. But the hospital staff say theyre discharging him and claim hes been assessed by a psychiatrist. Only that morning, Dad told Mum he wanted to walk in front of a bus, so how it can it be safe for him to leave? I insist on speaking to a psychiatrist myself. Five hours later, he arrives and it emerges he hadnt assessed Dad that day he was working on notes taken the previous evening, while Dad was still intoxicated. He agrees that Dad should stay another night. Naomi's father (pictured together in 1989) cries to her each day and shares his suicidal feelings I sit with my father all evening. He cries and tells me he wants to die every day. He even says he wants to be sectioned, taken into a psychiatric hospital. Hes never been to one, although he has been in rehab. He tells me he drinks and takes prescription drugs only to dull the pain he feels all the time. That night, he sees a junior psychiatrist and tells her everything. Hes never been this open before, and I feel some hope he will finally get the treatment he needs. SUNDAY MORNING I am weeping with frustration. Dad is being discharged. The psychiatrist says shes spoken to her superiors and they believe he wont kill himself because he loves his family so much. I am appalled. This puts unbearable pressure on Mum, my sister and me, effectively saying its our responsibility to keep Dad alive. He needs practical help, not thoughtless platitudes like this. Then we discover hes managed to slip out and buy a 500ml bottle of vodka, downing it in one go. Naomi (pictured) revealed her mother has to give her dad small amounts of alcohol throughout the day to help him overcome withdrawal symptoms However, we have no choice but to take him home to Sussex. Hes told he will be referred to the community drug and alcohol service hes been under for 18 months. The service does what it can, but its budgets have been slashed. It is at this point that mental health services should step in but they wont work with someone who is abusing alcohol. MONDAY My out-of-office is on again, and Im at Mums where I find Dad shaking and suicidal. Mum takes him to their GP, who brusquely tells him not to cut out alcohol suddenly as this can cause fits but doesnt provide a detox plan. Like the hospital, she suggests going to the community group or residential rehab for six months, although God knows how long the waiting list is. For private rehab, you need a lot of money, which we dont have as Dad has worked only sporadically over the past ten years. A month costs 10,000. The truth is that Dads problems affect all of us. While I dont resent it, I keep having to take time off from the job I love often at very short notice and I havent had a boyfriend in years because I feel my situation would be too much for someone else. Who would want to take all this on? TUESDAY Mum has to give Dad small amounts of beer throughout the day to ease withdrawal symptoms, including severe tremors, pain and anxiety. Going cold turkey could cause heart failure. Naomi (pictured as a child with her parents in 1989) met with a community psychiatric nurse recently in the hopes of getting her father a long-term community nurse I contact adult social services to ask them to escalate Dads case. Ive never tried this before, and wouldnt know to do it at all were it not for a friend who used to work at the council. Im amazed Dad receives a call that day. AND NOW . . . Two days later, we meet a community psychiatric nurse who chats to my dad kindly. He says he will try to set Dad up with a community nurse long-term, and we are now waiting for his call. Dad is suffering both mentally and physically but he is not using, and we are taking it day by day. If he continues to relapse, I know they will cut him off from this support. But Im glad we have at least established this small connection. There have been times when I have resented growing up with a father who is an addict. But as Ive got older, Ive realised I have so much to thank him for. I always had love, and many of my strengths are as a result of my childhood. I am resilient, optimistic and rarely daunted by problems. It may be a long journey, but Dad will be my priority for as long as he and Mum need me. I just hope we can get him help before time runs out. How addicts are falling through gaps in the system by Dr Max Pemberton Treating patients with drug or alcohol problems combined with other mental health difficulties is notoriously tricky. Drugs and alcohol directly affect the brain and may mimic or cover up important symptoms, making an accurate diagnosis practically impossible. For example, alcohol is a depressant, meaning it triggers low mood. On the other hand, many people with drug and alcohol problems start using precisely because of an underlying mental health problem. In such cases, it can be very frustrating for patients and their loved ones to be denied direct treatment for depression or other mental health issues. Naomi (pictured) claims her father will be her priority for as long as her parents need her Yet the evidence is clear that trying to treat the depression is futile because the person is still taking a substance that will keep triggering it. And whats more, the two main treatments for depression are medication and talking therapy, neither of which will work well when someone is abusing alcohol or other substances. But none of this means people like Naomis father should be left without support. Instead, the way around this problem is to offer such patients a specialist talking treatment that aims to strengthen their motivation to give up a substance. Once that is achieved, underlying issues, such as depression, can be treated. This can be time-consuming, however, and requires considerable skill and expertise. Unfortunately, the number of addiction specialists in drugs and alcohol services which these days are often run by private contractors, rather than the NHS itself have been cut in recent years. The Royal College of Psychiatrists, for example, has seen a reduction of 60 per cent in training posts in addiction psychiatry since 2006. At the drug and alcohol service where I once worked as one of six specialist psychiatrists, there is now just one GP. For those who fall off the wagon, this lack of specialist care can result in a cycle of desperately trying to stop using so they can get treatment for the mental health problems that triggered them to use drugs or alcohol in the first place. Naomi has set up an online petition to fight for addiction and substance misuse to be recognised as a mental health issue. To sign it, visit the website change.org and search for Naomi Bacon https://www.change.org/p/recognise-addiction-and-substance-misuse-in-mental-health-service-treatment When 22-year-old Sue Pumffrey went on a package holiday to Majorca with a friend in 1982, she hoped to come home with a suntan. The last thing she expected to find was a husband. But on the first day of her trip, Sue, a nurse, was swimming in the hotel pool when she met Nigel, a policeman three years her senior. 'I saw him again in the bar that evening,' she recalls. 'He and his friend asked us to have a drink with them. We ended up spending the whole week together, travelling around the island. Over the last couple of days, Nigel and I had a couple of slow dances and a kiss.' And, as with most holiday romances, that should have been that. They said their goodbyes, didn't exchange contact information and went back to their own lives he lived in Staffordshire, she in West London. But on her first morning back at home, Sue, now 58, couldn't get Nigel off her mind. Sue and Nigel Pumffrey (pictured on their wedding day in 1983) met while on holiday in Majorca in 1982 and now have two children and two grandchildren 'He was such a lovely person, and so good-looking. I realised how much I wanted to see him again. 'Knowing his unusual surname, and the area he lived in, I rang directory enquiries and got the number of the only Pumffrey in his town. 'Nervously, I dialled and when he came to the phone I said, 'Guess who this is?' He said, 'Well it sounds like Sue, and if it is it's a real coincidence because I was going to ring you tonight. I've just been to the library to get your number.' ' Three months later, Nigel proposed. The couple, who live in Sonning, Berkshire, are still deeply in love and about to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. They have two children and two grandchildren. And yet Sue says if they'd met in the ordinary course of their lives, she probably wouldn't have given Nigel a second look. 'I'd have liked him, but I'd probably have thought he was too quiet and reserved for me. Being on holiday brought him out of his shell. Christine Fiorotto (pictured right), 75, met her late husband Roberto in 1970 while on holiday in Venice. The pair were together for 45 years before his death two years ago 'I had the whole week to get to know who he was.' There's nothing like the heady rush of a holiday romance but the unwritten rule is that all that excitement, whipped up by a sense of liberation from the usual rules, lasts only as long as the trip itself. Any residual feelings quickly evaporate when you return to reality and realise you hardly know your new partner, who may live many miles away. Yet for a tiny, fortunate minority a holiday romance really can last a whole lifetime. Christine Fiorotto, 75, met her late husband Roberto in 1970, when she was 27 and on holiday in Venice. They were married for 45 years until his death from heart failure two years ago. 'Roberto was sweet-natured, generous and gentle, a perfect husband who smothered me with love throughout our marriage,' says Christine, a romance novelist who writes under the pen name Lucy Gordon. 'Hard as I try, I can't analyse it. I was meant to go on that holiday. I was fated to meet Roberto and love him.' Christine recalls her first impression of Roberto an artist who was working as a guide on her tour of a glass factory 'a tall, dark and handsome Venetian in his late 30s, who had more charm than any man has a right to have'. At first, though, she was cautious about engaging in a holiday fling. 'When he asked me to have dinner with him that night, I said 'Definitely not!' I only changed my mind when he promised it would just be friendly. 'But he didn't keep his word, and thank goodness!' Just 24 hours later, Roberto proposed, and the following year they married and settled in the UK. I was meant to go on that holiday. I was fated to meet Roberto and love him -Christine Fiorotto, 75 'I remember that our first kiss was very gentle and sweet. When he proposed, he just said: 'You will be my wife.' 'I remember not being quite sure if it was a request or an order, but luckily I was very glad to say yes. It was complete madness to marry so fast, but I was in love.' Christine adds: 'I think meeting him in that strange way helped inspire me to write romantic books the experience was so intense. 'Cynics might say Roberto only wanted to live in England. But, in fact, he'd spent several years living in the UK before we met, and had only gone back to Italy to look after his sick mother. 'It helped that he spoke fluent English we laughed at all the same things and he became my best friend. Regardless, my family thought I was bonkers, but I didn't care. Once we were married, they saw how in love we were.' Stephanie, 37, and Gareth Buckley, 37, (pictured with their children Beatrice, 5, Aurelia, 2, and Perdita, 7 months) met in 2011 while in Ibiza. The couple began a long distance relationship when they returned to the UK before marrying in 2013 Unsurprisingly, family and friends often react with concern when strangers fall madly in love on holiday. All the more so when the holiday in question is, shall we say, a little less than decorous. Stephanie and Gareth Buckley met when she was on a hen do, and he on a stag do on the party island of Ibiza in 2011. On the way home to Manchester, one friend of Gareth's advised him: 'You've had your fun, now delete her number.' Stephanie says her family, who lived seven hours away in Taunton, Somerset, were equally sceptical: 'Nobody could believe it was anything more than a bit of holiday fun. 'And once we started our long-distance relationship, some of his friends resented me for taking him away from them every weekend. Our only advocates were our two best friends, who were there when we met.' I'd had lots of ups and downs in love, but when I met Gareth it felt like my real life started - Stephanie Buckley, 37 Stephanie and Gareth, both 37, have proved the cynics wrong. The couple, who married in 2013, now run an insolvency practice together near her family in Taunton and have three daughters, Beatrice, aged five, Aurelia, two, and seven-month-old Perdita. So, what's the secret? Why do some holiday romances turn into solid, sensible relationships? Perhaps it's partly because there's no better time to meet and attract a partner. Tanned and relaxed, with a flood of endorphins, or 'happy hormones', released by spending so much time in the sun, we look and feel our best. Christine wonders if Roberto fell so quickly in love with her 'because I was in a more light-hearted mood than usual.' On holiday you're also likely to meet someone who would never usually cross your path, whether it's because they're from a different culture, another class or just live hundreds of miles away. That in itself can be a powerful draw. Stephanie (pictured right with Gareth in Ibiza) who had been abroad for a friend's hen do says her family were skeptical that her holiday romance could last long term Psychologist Dr Arthur Aron, of New York's Stony Brook University, has found that physiological stimulation like travelling and experiencing new cultures can create a strong romantic attraction. On holiday, he believes, we might fall head over heels for someone we'd never consider at home. Stephanie admits: 'Gareth wasn't my normal type, either physically or personality-wise. 'I think being on holiday made me open to meeting someone different, precisely because I wasn't looking for a relationship, let alone a future husband.' And, although the travel was exhausting, Stephanie says the slow-burn nature of a long-distance relationship actually helped turn their initial passion into lasting love. I used to write him a soppy letter every night - Pam Lewis, 61 'The fact that we couldn't see each other all the time, and didn't speak every day, meant there was no pressure. Yet we had those treasured memories of our intense holiday romance. The relationship stayed fresh and exciting, but at the same time was able to grow and deepen naturally. 'I remember ringing my mum just a few weeks in and saying to her, 'I think I'm going to marry this guy.' 'I'd had lots of ups and downs in love, but when I met Gareth it felt like my real life started.' Three months after they met, Stephanie was visiting Gareth in Manchester when they had a silly row. She suddenly realised they were really quarrelling because of unspoken feelings they had for each other, which they were too scared to confess. 'I stopped and said, 'What's going on?' and Gareth admitted he had fallen in love with me.' Stephanie confessed she felt the same, but couldn't keep travelling indefinitely. He invited her to move in. 'And that was that,' she says. 'On Valentine's Day 2012, he proposed. And that night I became pregnant.' Pam and Steve Lewis (pictured on holiday in Mallorca, 1980) met for a party after they returned to England and went on to spend every weekend together The following May, six months after their daughter Beatrice's birth, they went back to Ibiza to celebrate their marriage with their friends. 'It was lovely to be there, back in the place that changed the course of our lives although on a very different sort of holiday,' Stephanie says. 'It felt very special.' Small wonder that couples who turn holiday romance into marriage are drawn back, often many times over, to the place where they first met. For Pam and Steve Lewis, both 61, the Spanish holiday resort where they met in 1975 holds great significance. They've visited many times over the years, and in October they will return to celebrate their 40th, ruby, wedding anniversary with their three children and three grandchildren. Pam, a hospital PA, recalls that her holiday back in 1975 was an 18th birthday treat from her parents. Soon after she arrived, she saw 'three nice-looking boys walking into the hotel'. One of them was Steve. 'He looked like one of the Bay City Rollers, with a thicket of auburn hair, although he is bald as a coot now!' she laughs. Pam and Steve Lewis, both 61, (pictured at their home) met in 1975 during a visit to a Spanish holiday resort. The couple who now have three children and three grandchildren plan to return to Spain to celebrate their 40th, ruby, wedding anniversary this October 'I'm from Newcastle and he was the first Cockney I had met. I found his accent intriguing.' They spent a happy week together, but her holiday came to an end before Steve's. 'I said, 'If you're interested, drop me a postcard.' I really hoped that he would!' Once home, Steve invited Pam to London for a party. 'From then on, we spent every weekend together, taking it in turns to travel and taking the milk train home overnight. If you're interested, drop me a postcard 'My brother was disgusted to think I'd go out with a Londoner. He didn't speak to me for a month. And my mother said, 'I'll not have any Cockney barrow boys staying in my house.' 'He used to have to stay at my friend's house instead!' Keeping in touch before mobile phones or the internet was challenging, and Pam had to call from a phone box at the end of her street. But the young lovers found a way around that. 'I used to write him a soppy letter every night,' Pam admits. 'I'd buy fancy paper and put kisses on the envelopes. We've still got them in a drawer.' They married three years after that holiday and celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with the first of several trips back to the same resort. 'We couldn't stay in the hotel where we'd met because it was being renovated. 'We went to see it anyway and they wouldn't let us in. 'But Steve didn't take no for an answer. He said to them, 'I've waited 25 years to bring her back here. Get her a hard hat if you like, but she's having a picture taken at that bar.' 'It was a wonderful feeling to be back we were just the same, but almost 30 years older. And next time we went, we stayed in our old rooms.' Pam sometimes wonders how her life might have turned out were it not for that holiday. 'It's just chance we were both there. Steve's family had actually been in Australia for several years, but his brother got asthma and they had to come back to live in the UK. If that hadn't happened, he'd never have been on that holiday in the first pace. I guess it was all just meant to be.' Read Lucy Gordon's latest story in the Harlequin Dreaming of Italy collection, 6.99 A South Korean man died after drinking the contents of the dehumidifier in his home. The anonymous man endured multiple organ failure after swallowing around 300ml of liquid straight from the gadget. It contained 300g of calcium chloride - salt crystals that collect moisture from the air and helps to prevent damp in homes. The anonymous man endured multiple organ failure after swallowing around 300ml of liquid straight from the gadget (pictured) Doctors in the Asian country's capital, Seoul, revealed the autistic man 'intentionally' drank the murky solution - but it is unsure if it was a suicidal act. His death, published in a medical journal, is believed to be the first time anyone has died from drinking the contents of a dehumidifier. They wrote in the BMJ Case Reports: 'To our knowledge, fatality from commercial moisture of absorber ingestion has not been reported.' Concerned about his vomiting and nausea, the South Korean man sought medical help just 20 minutes after swallowing the solution of his trap. Doctors at the Department of Emergency Medicine at Nowon Eulji Medical Center, in the north of the city, conducted tests on the man. They revealed the patient, who had pervasive developmental disorder, was suffering from an abnormally low heart rate, known medically as bradycardia. HOW DO MOISTURE ABSORBERS WORK? Moisture absorbers extract water vapours from the air, which can often collect on windows and leave a build-up of mold. They are filled with a chemical, such as calcium chloride, that eventually dissolves. Users then discard the leftover solution. Dehumidifiers work in the same fashion, but require electricity - not just regular top-ups of crystals or other chemicals. Advertisement Calcium levels in his blood were twice as high as considered safe, an established side effect of ingesting calcium chloride. The team of medics, led by Dr Heebum Yang, decided dialysis was crucial for the patient if he was to flush out the potent chemical. However, they were forced to transfer him to a nearby hospital because they didn't have the equipment to start him on the life-saving treatment. The man was started on dialysis as soon as he reached the other hospital, which hasn't been named. But, writing in the journal, doctors explained that 'unfortunately' his symptoms 'did not improve'. He died on his fifth day of being hospitalised. 'The cause of death was announced as multiple organ failure due to complications of hypercalcaemia by the treating medical team,' they wrote. Moisture absorbers extract water vapours from the air, which can often collect on windows and leave a build-up of mold. They are filled with a chemical, such as calcium chloride, that eventually dissolves. Users then discard the leftover solution. Dehumidifiers work in the same fashion, but require electricity - not just regular top-ups of crystals or other chemicals. Women who drink a glass of wine every day have healthier hearts than those who do not touch a drop, a study suggests. Researchers found women who regularly consume up to 14 units of alcohol steadily over the course of a week had a lower risk of heart disease than teetotallers or binge-drinkers. Yet men who drink 21 units during each week about nine pints of beer had hearts no healthier than those who did not consume any alcohol. The highest heart disease risk was in men and women with 'unstable' drinking habits over a ten-year period, the British research published in BMC Medicine found. But women who did not drink were nearly 50 per cent more likely to develop heart disease than those who indulged within UK recommended guidelines. Researchers found women who regularly consume up to 14 units of alcohol steadily over the course of a week had a lower risk of heart disease than teetotallers or binge-drinkers Those who drank in moderation 'inconsistently' were 18 per cent more likely to develop the disease than women who had a regular tipple every day or two. But experts warned that while alcohol may decrease heart disease risks, people should not drink to boost their health as this would increase their risk of other diseases. Data from national studies in the UK and France was used in the study, as well as those in London, Norfolk and western Scotland. Alcohol is thought to help the heart by thinning the blood, reducing the likelihood it will clot. But Dr Dara O'Neill, the corresponding author from University College London, said the gender gap could perhaps be explained by 'some evidence that drinking alcohol may increase oestrogen levels in women, and oestrogen levels are thought to be linked to lower coronary heart disease risk'. But he said: 'There are potentially a lot of factors at play and we plan to explore this further to ensure we get a more accurate and complete understanding.' About 4.9 per cent of the 35,132 people in the study had developed coronary heart disease. Moderate drinking was considered to be within the UK's drinking guidelines at the time the data were collected the equivalent of 21 units of alcohol a week for men and 14 units for women. But since 2016, the healthy limit for men has also dropped to 14 units. Alcohol is thought to help the heart by thinning the blood, reducing the likelihood it will clot Naveed Sattar, professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, said: 'This is an interesting report but it is nothing new and a much bigger recent study published in the Lancet has shown that whilst risk for myocardial infarction may well be lower with modest alcohol, risk for other complications of the heart and brain increase with even moderate drinking.' And Ben Butler, from Drinkaware, said: 'Regularly drinking too much can increase the risk of high blood pressure, one of the key risk factors for having a heart attack or stroke. Heavy drinking also weakens the heart muscle which means that the heart cannot pump blood as efficiently.' Yesterday, television presenter Adrian Chiles, 51, urged people to track their alcohol intake after revealing he sometimes drank 80 or 100 units a week. The BBC 5 live host admitted his drink intake was 'horrifying' and he was warned by his doctor his drink habit could prove fatal. A woman whose eczema was so bad she ended up in hospital and said she wanted to 'rip her skin off' says smoking a cannabis oil in a vape pen has cured her. Cheryl Halliburton, from Elgin in Scotland, suffered with severe outbreaks of the uncomfortable skin condition for years after having her daughter, Alexis. It became so bad she took time off work, could not go out with friends and was once rushed to hospital by her husband because it became infected. Mrs Halliburton, 27, said her red, sore skin would crack open to create weeping wounds and she did not get any answers from numerous doctors' appointments. After her father suggested she try CBD oil made from the cannabis plant Mrs Halliburton began using it in an electronic cigarette. She says her skin began to improve in just two weeks, her painful flare-ups stopped and she has been able to get back to life as normal. Cheryl Halliburton, from Elgin in Scotland, suffered from severe and painful eczema (pictured left) after having her daughter and, when doctors could not cure her condition, she turned to inhaling CBD oil in an e-cigarette, which she says has made her skin normal again (right) Having suffered with the skin condition as a child, Mrs Halliburton began suffering from severe eczema flare-ups on her face and neck every few days after falling pregnant with her daughter, Alexis, four years ago. The skin condition left her with red, sore skin, that cracked open to cause weeping wounds. And after getting no successful treatment from doctors she took matters into her own hands, and began inhaling cannabidiol oil which is legal in the UK and available on the high street. Mrs Halliburton had suffered with eczema as a child but grew out of it until she became pregnant with her own daughter, when the skin condition returned with a vengeance Mrs Halliburton first noticed eczema flaring up on her back steroids prescribed by a doctor managed to cure it but could not heal the skin on her face and neck Flare-ups on Mrs Halliburton's face and neck would become so painful and itchy she had to take time off work and could not wear make up, drink alcohol or eat certain foods Mrs Halliburton says her skin rapidly improved after she began smoking the oil in an e-cigarette known as vaping. 'I would feel like I wanted to rip my skin off' The care worker said: 'It really began when I fell pregnant with Alexis when I was 23 years old. 'It started on my back and cleared up after a course of steroids but straight away it flared up on my face and neck and has been constant ever since. 'It would flare up every couple of days depending on what I was eating and it would be an uncontrollable itch and no cream I put on it would soothe it. 'In fact, it would often make it worse. I would feel like I wanted to rip my skin off. Mrs Halliburton, now 27, began to suffer from eczema when she was pregnant with her four-year-old daughter Alexis (pictured centre with mother Mrs Halliburton and father Craig) 'I felt like I couldn't go on anymore as I was just not getting any answers from the doctors. 'On bad days I wasn't even able to take my daughter to nursery or would be unable to work or leave the house and a combination of antihistamine and painkillers would make me drowsy.' Condition may have been triggered by pregnancy hormones Mrs Halliburton had eczema as a child but quickly grew out of it and believes the hormone imbalance in her body during her pregnancy kicked started the sore and itchy skin condition. Struggling to find the ongoing cause of her eczema, she attended numerous GP appointments where she was given courses of steroids, light treatment and blood tests. Mrs Halliburton was left unable to wear make-up or go on nights out with friends because she feared eating the wrong thing. Drinking alcohol would also cause her skin to react. Rushed to hospital after skin became infected It wasn't until August 2 this year that Mrs Halliburton's flare-ups got out of control and she was rushed to Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin by concerned husband, Craig, 32. At one point Mrs Halliburton's eczema made her feel so ill her husband, Craig (pictured), took her to hospital because she had open wounds on her chest that had become infected Mrs Halliburton said: 'I couldn't move my face and neck and there were open wounds on my chest that were weeping. 'I was was cold and shaky and felt like I wanted to be sick, and was placed on a drip overnight to treat the infection that had gotten into my skin. 'All my tests came back normal and doctors wanted to discharge me so I could be treated at home but I broke down to a nurse as I felt like I couldn't go on. 'It seemed there was never going to be an answer.' Father suggested trying CBD oil When her father suggested that she tried CBD oil, she came across a shop that offered the oil in a vape form. Mrs Halliburton's father suggested she try CBD oil and, after trying taking it as a liquid but not liking the taste, she began to inhale it from an e-cigarette and swears it healed her skin Mrs Halliburton was stunned when, in just two weeks, her skin began to clear and she had not suffered any flare-ups. She had even managed to get away with eating foods which would previously have caused skin reactions. Mrs Halliburton said: 'At first I tried the liquid form but found I hated the taste, but I discovered the vape shop was selling it when I walked past one day. 'I've not looked back since. 'I hope it continues to work so I can lead a normal life' 'I've been able to go shopping with my little girl, even go back to work. Alexis has noticed the difference as she always had to stay in the house with me. 'I have been able to eat bread and other things I haven't eat in a long time without flare-ups and even had a glass of wine.' 'I hope it continues to work so I can lead a normal life.' People may only need a few injections over their lifetime instead of annual jabs A universal vaccine to protect people from most strains of flu may be a step closer to reality. Scientists say they have developed a vaccine which may only need to be given a few times over someone's life, instead of a new one each year. Current vaccines, offered during flu seasons, can become outdated quickly as the virus strains mutate and protect themselves from the drug. But the new vaccine targets a part of the viruses which does not change between strains, meaning they could not become resistant in the same way. And the researchers from the University of Pennsylvania say the body's ability to stop flu actually gets stronger over time. In the study on mice the authors say they were 'blown away' by the vaccine's success and that 'the sky's the limit'. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania say of their new vaccine: 'If it works in humans even half as well as it does in mice, then the sky's the limit' The US researchers began the study because, despite seasonal flu vaccines being widely available, the virus still infects millions of people each year. Many are hospitalised and over 30,000 people die annually in the US because of the flu or complications caused by it. The vaccine developed during the study successfully protected mice from various strains of influenza. Bodies' responses to infection also grow stronger over time after being vaccinated and react more fiercely after 30 weeks than after four weeks. 'It could be something everyone uses in future' 'If it works in humans even half as well as it does in mice, then the sky's the limit,' said study author Dr Scott Hensley. 'It could be something that everyone uses in the future to protect themselves from the flu.' LONG-TERM FLU JAB COULD BE ON NHS IN TWO YEARS A single jab which protects against all strains of flu for up to a decade could be available on the NHS in just two years. The results of a UK human trial announced in March suggest the FLU-v jab created by British company Imutex is more effective than existing vaccines which target only a few types of the virus. Its creators claim it will end the scourge of flu globally, turning it into a mild illness rather than a killer. It is likely to cost between 20 to 50 per person but will need to be given once every five to ten years. Current vaccines target proteins on the virus surface, but regions of these proteins constantly change in a bid to fool the immune system. The new jab has been created to target unchanging regions of the virus. The trial involved 123 participants aged 18 to 60 being infected with the H1N1 swine flu virus and spending eight days in a room. Eighty per cent were prevented from getting flu after having the jab. Advertisement The vaccine works by mimicking a flu infection and provoking the body's immune system to learn how to attack the flu virus when it is in the body. The vaccine attacks part of the virus which doesn't mutate Pennsylvania's vaccine is different because, if you imagine the virus to be covered with proteins in the shape of mushrooms, it attacks the mushroom's stalk. Seasonal vaccines attack the head of the mushroom, but these can change shape when the virus strains mutate, meaning the vaccine becomes useless. This is why seasonal vaccines must be given every year because the nature of the virus has changed and a new vaccine is created. However, the stalk always stays the same shape as the strains change, meaning the virus cannot become resistant to a universal vaccine, meaning injections would be needed only a few times over a person's lifetime. 'This vaccine was able to do something that most other candidate flu vaccines have not been able to do,' said study co-author Dr Drew Weissman. 'It was able to elicit protective responses against a region that offers broad protection.' Scientists 'blown away' by vaccine's effectiveness Dr Hensley added: 'When we first started testing this vaccine, we were blown away by the magnitude of the [immune] response. 'The next step is to test this in primates and humans.' As well as experiments on mice the scientists also tested the vaccine on ferrets and rabbits, and hope to begin human trials within two years. Their research was published in the journal Nature Communications. A two-year-old girl with a 28-inch (72cm) head has been given a new lease of life following pioneering surgery to reduce its size. Maryam, whose family name is unknown, was born with hydrocephalus - a build-up of fluid inside her skull, which can prove deadly. The girl, who also suffers from megalencephaly - a rare defect where the brain is abnormally large, was unable to turn her head without help because of its size. However now, after her parents in Tajikistan journeyed 730 miles (1,175km) to India, Maryam's head has reduced in size to 26 inches (65cm). Maryam, whose family name is unknown, was born with hydrocephalus - a build-up of fluid inside her skull, which can prove deadly (pictured with the build-up) The girl, who also suffers from megalencephaly - a rare defect (pictured now) where the brain is abnormally large, was unable to turn her head without help because of its size Surgeons on the outskirts of New Delhi revealed they were unable to drain her head of any more fluid because her bones had already fused. Medics at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon initially turned down the request to operate on Maryam because of the high risks. They eventually accepted the appeal from her parents - and she has since had eight four-hour operations to drain 500ml of fluid each day. Maryam almost died at one point, doctors revealed, but she fought back to survive the gruelling operation. Maryam's parents travelled to India after they heard about a girl in a remote village in the country, who also had an extreme case of hydrocephalus. Roona Begum's heartbreaking plight was reported on regularly by MailOnline, after images of her condition first appeared in 2013. However now, after her parents in Tajikistan journeyed 730 miles (1,175km) to India, Maryam's head has reduced in size to 26 inches (65cm) Surgeons on the outskirts of New Delhi revealed they were unable to drain her head of any more fluid because her bones had already fused Medics at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon initially turned down the request to operate on Maryam because of the high risks Maryam's parents travelled to India after they heard about a girl in a remote village in the country, who also had an extreme case of hydrocephalus She died last year days before planned life-changing surgery to return her 37-inch (94cm) head to a normal size. Dr Sandeep Vaishya, executive director of neurosurgery at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, explained the dangers of the procedure. He said: 'This is a very challenging job in children, as multiple corrective surgeries have to be done to reduce the size of the head. 'If surgery is done immediately, it reduces the risks and normalcy can be restored. In some cases where it is delayed, the child dies. 'But in some rare cases, the size of the brain increases and the child survives. 'The head is the heaviest part of the body, and if the head becomes too big and heavy, a small child will not be able to develop enough muscles to hold the head.' He added they were 'reluctant to perform the surgery' as chances of improvement are 'extremely low' and the risk factors are 'extremely high'. Dr Vaishya said: 'We managed to reduce the size of the head, but the surgery proved to be extremely challenging. At one point, we almost lost her, but she fought back. 'Her last CT scan showed good brain development and she has started to lift her head. 'While there are chances of brain damage, it is her best chance to live a nearly normal life.' Scans show the build-up of fluid in Maryam's brain as she started treatment to reduce the size of her head Surgeons were eventually able to reduce the size of her head by draining the fluid in her brain (scans show the fluid build-up being reduced) Scans show Maryam's brain after her last operation, with little fluid remaining in her skull WHAT IS HYDROCEPHALUS? Hydrocephalus is a build-up of fluid in the brain, which can damage tissue. Aside from an abnormally-sized head, other symptoms can include headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion and vision problems. Hydrocephalus' cause is usually unknown but may be due to issues with cavities in the brain or an underlying health problem that affects blood flow, such as heart disease. It can also be acquired by damage to the brain due to a head injury, stroke or tumour. Treatment is shunt surgery, which involves implanting a thin tube into the brain to drain away excess fluid to another part of the body where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. If untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal due to increased pressure compressing the brainstem, which is responsible for regulating heart rates and breathing. A patient's prognosis after surgery depends on their age and general health. Source: Brain and Spine Foundation Advertisement Maryam almost died at one point, doctors revealed, but she fought back to survive the gruelling operation Dr Sandeep Vaishya, executive director of neurosurgery at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, explained the dangers of the procedure (pictured during surgery) A type of blue clay found only in the ground in the US state of Oregon could be used to fight antibiotic resistant bacteria. Scientists say the unusual soil can kill bacteria which are difficult to destroy using drugs, and could help fight infections in humans. Diarrhoea bug E.coli and hospital superbug MRSA could both be in the firing line as scientists managed to kill them with the clay in a lab. Clay is already commonly used in skin treatments like face masks, and for their study the scientists mixed it with liquid to test its antibacterial properties. The researchers say their findings are an 'important advance' in exploring new ways to fight infections as increasing numbers become resistant to medicine. The blue clay, which is found only in the US state of Oregon could have antibacterial properties that could kill bacteria resistant to drugs, scientists say (pictured: a researchers digging up the clay) Experts from Arizona State University and the Mayo Clinic say Oregon blue clay could help medics to fight disease-causing bacteria in wounds. In lab studies they found applying the clay to samples of infectious bacteria killed them off. These included E.coli, Staphylococcus infections and MRSA, which is immune to most common antibiotics including penicillin and amoxicillin. The use of clay could provide a new way forward for scientists who are searching for ways to overcome spreading antibiotic resistance. Experts have warned even simple infections could become deadly if traditional medicines stop working. Blue clay can kill hard-to-get sticky bacteria 'This study is an important advance in understanding how clays, specifically blue clay from Oregon, have shown medicinal properties by attaching to bacteria,' said Enriqueta Barrera, from the National Science Foundation which funded the research. As well as killing individual bacteria the clay could also destroy bacteria which become biofilms, which are created when bacteria stick together such as in dental plaque. These can be especially difficult to get rid of because they create a protective coating, according to the researchers, but are found in two thirds of infections. 'These results support efforts to design new drugs' Arizona State University's Lynda Williams said: 'We showed that these clays diminish populations of bacterial biofilms as well as bacteria common in wounds that are more resistant to drugs. 'The results support our efforts to design new antibacterial drugs using natural clays.' The scientists say it is early days for the research and more studies need to be done, but the results are promising. Robin Patel from Mayo Clinic added: 'We showed that this reduced iron-bearing clay can kill some strains of bacteria under the laboratory conditions used, including bacteria grown as biofilms, which can be particularly challenging to treat.' The team's findings appear in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. Most new mothers start phasing out breastfeeding before their baby reaches six months, a new CDC report reveals. The US recommends feeding newborns exclusively with breast milk for at least half a year - ideally up to a year - to lay the foundations for a strong and resilient immune system. Doctors were heartened to see that more than half of babies are still breastfeeding at six months. However, just 25 percent of them were being exclusively breastfed, and only a third of them were being breastfed at all at 12 months. The CDC says there is progress to get more women breastfeeding, but more needs to be done 'We are pleased that most US babies start out breastfeeding and over half are still breastfeeding at six months of age,' Dr Ruth Petersen, director of CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, said. 'The more we support breastfeeding mothers, the more likely they will be able to reach their breastfeeding goals,' she added in an agency news release. The report uses data on the four million babies born in 2015, and their mothers. It shows 83 percent of moms start out breastfeeding, and 46.7 percent are still going at three months. By six months, 57.6 percent are still going, but just 25 percent of them are doing it exclusively. At 12 months, just 36 percent of mothers are still breastfeeding their babies. The time spent breastfeeding helps develop the bond between child and mother while also providing a host of benefits for the baby. Breast milk contains antibodies, other proteins and immune cells that help prevent microorganisms from penetrating body tissue. Additionally, research has shown that breastfed babies are less likely to catch viruses. And if they do catch a virus, antibodies are produced by the mother which are then passed on to the baby via breast milk, helps colonize their guts. The adult gut is home to trillions of microorganisms which helps harvest energy from food, regulate the immune system and keeps the gut lining healthy. According to the new CDC report, 49 percent of workplaces in the US provide support for working breastfeeding mothers, such as a place to pump breast milk. The agency says more of this is needed to help more mothers protect their children - and possibly lower their own stroke risk, according to the findings of a study published today by the University of Kansas. 'To reach their breastfeeding goals, mothers need worksite accommodations and continuity of care through consistent, collaborative and high-quality breastfeeding services. They need the support from their doctors, lactation consultants and counselors, and peer counselors,' the agency said. A mother is warning others about the dangers of napping in car seats after her 17-month-old daughter died that same way. In June 2015, Lisa Smith received a call while she was at work from the babysitter watching her daughter Mia who said the toddler hadn't woken up from her nap. She later learned that Mia had been put to sleep in a car seat inside the house and had slouched forward, which cut off her airway and suffocated her. Now Lisa, from Aledo, Texas, said she hopes that by spreading awareness, she can educate parents and prevent other children from dying this way. Mia Smith, 17 months (left and right) was put to nap in car seat by her babysitter in June 2015. After she didn't wake up, she was rushed to the hospital, where she died two days later The Iowa Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death as mechanical or positional asphyxia. Positional asphyxia when a person cannot get enough air to breathe because of the way his or her body is positioned. Pictured: Mia's mother, Lisa WHAT IS POSITIONAL ASPHYXIA? It occurs when someone's position prevents them from breathing adequately It can be a common cause of death in infants who may move into a position where their mouth and nose is blocked It is also known to be a factor in the deaths of people who die suddenly during restraint by police if they are manoeuvred into an unusual position According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, researchers looked at deaths of children under the age of two that occurred in carrying devices between 2004 and 2008. Of the 47 deaths, 31 occurred while in car seats. The researchers found that 48 percent of the car seat deaths were due to positional asphyxia Advertisement Mia's death was ruled as positional asphyxia, which is when a person cannot get enough air to breathe because of the way his or her body is positioned. When a car seat is used in a vehicle, the seat is secured to a base at an angle where a child's airway is open, according to West Bend. But when that car seat is not in the car and on a flat surface, it is not at the same angle and a child in the seat could slouch forward due to the weakness of their neck muscles, cutting off their air circulation. If the child is not repositioned soon after being found slouching, a lack of oxygen could result in brain damage and, in some cases, death. According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, researchers looked at deaths of children under the age of two that occurred in carrying devices between 2004 and 2008. Of the 47 deaths, 31 occurred while in car seats. The researchers found that 48 percent of the car seat deaths were due to positional asphyxia. When a car seat is used in a vehicle, the seat is secured to a base at an angle where a child's airway is open. But on a flat surface, it is not on the same angle and a child in the seat could slouch forward due to the weakness of their neck muscles, cutting off their air circulation. Pictured, left and right: Mia The babysitter, Valerie Wackerly (pictured), was arrested and, in January 2016, she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. She was sentenced to three years' probation On June 10, 2015, certified day care provider Valerie Wackerly called 911 after Mia didn't wake up from her nap. When officer and EMTs arrived at the Smith's residence - which was in Pella, Iowa, at the time - they found Mia unresponsive and Wackerly trying to revive her via CPR. Mia was first taken to Pella Regional Health Center before she was transferred to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines. The toddler passed away on June 12 and the state Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death as mechanical or positional asphyxia. An examination later discovered that Wackerly had left Mia sleeping in the car seat in a dark room in the house, reported KCCI. But the lower strap was not buckled and Mia slid down, which cut off her airway. Lisa said that she had always assumed Mia napped in a crib and had no idea Wackerly was using a car seat. Wackerly was arrested and, in January 2016, she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. That April, she was sentenced to three years' probation and is unable to provide daycare services during that period. Wackerly is also required to record a PSA on the dangers of sleeping in a car seat at the request of the Smiths. Pictured: Lisa and Chad with Mia Lisa and her husband Chad have since moved to Aledo, Texas, where they are raising their two sons. Lisa (pictured) says she tries to educate other mothers to prevent another tragic death from occurring. She was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $750, as well as $150,000 of restitution to Mia's parents and the family's medical costs. Wackerly is also required to record a PSA on the dangers of sleeping in a car seat at the request of the Smiths. 'We can't change what happened to Mia, but we can try to protect others,' Lisa told KCCI. Lisa and her husband Chad have since moved to Aledo, where they are raising their two sons. She told WFAA that she tries to educate other mothers to prevent another tragic death from occurring. 'I walk around town and see people using a car seat on the seats at restaurants or putting them on the floor at tables,' Lisa said. 'I literally walk up to people and I say: "You know, I had a daughter who was seventeen-and-a-half months who passed away and I just want you to be really careful".' A father-of-one was tricked into handing over more than 3,000 by a fraudster exploiting security checks banks use when customers make payments online. Toby Proctor, 32, was duped by a crook posing as his bank who got him to reveal key details that would allow him to transfer money out of his account. Mr Proctor, of Epsom, Surrey, was contacted by what he thought was Natwest to query some suspicious transactions. He immediately feared he was the victim of fraud and didn't hesitate to follow their instructions. Close call: Toby with his wife Jodie and 18-month old son Lucas He was first asked to confirm his name, address and mobile phone number which the caller already knew. He was then told he would be sent a code to his mobile from a NatWest number to verify it was really him. The text appeared to come from the same NatWest number as his weekly balance updates. But after reading out the code to the man on the phone, Toby, 32, started to feel uneasy. He quickly hung up and called NatWest back using the number on the back of his debit card. But it was too late he was told that 3,108 had already been transferred out of his account. Jodie Proctor and her husband Toby, who had over 3,000 stolen from their account According to NatWest, the fraudster sent the money to a florist based in Longfield, Kent. Toby was baffled. The last time he had used that florist was when he and his wife Jodie, 32, who got married two years ago. He called the shop owner, Rebecca Franklin, as soon as the store opened the next day. Rebecca said she had already received two calls from someone claiming to be Toby Proctor. The man had told her that he'd accidentally paid 3,108 into her account when trying to move cash to his savings. He then asked if she would transfer the money back into what he claimed was his savings account. Fortunately for Toby, Rebecca immediately smelt a rat. The fraudster was then able to make the 3,108 payment without detection because the florist, Floral Explosion in Kent (pictured) was already saved as a payee on Toby's account She says: 'I was suspicious straight away. He didn't sound like one of our customers. He sounded a bit like a "wheeler dealer." When she then quizzed the bogus groom on the details of his wedding so she could match the name of the bride, the date and the venue against her database, his answers didn't stack up. 'He told me he'd got married somewhere I'd never heard of in London, which he said was in Surrey. He clearly had no idea. 'I remember every groom and every venue and what he said made no sense.' When Rebecca told him she didn't believe his story he hung up. Had she transferred the money it would likely have been lost for good. How the scam works: The fraudster would first need to have access to a victim's online bank account. After downloading the banking app, they need a six digit code to register it. To do this they pose as the victim's bank, call them and trick them into handing over the code. They then have access to the victim's account, and can see list of previous payees. Because this list of contacts has already been paid, money can be transferred without any other security measures. The conman then contacts the payee, poses as the victim, and dupes them into transferring the money back - but this time into their account. Experts say that this new way of scamming people means that fraudsters are able to bypass the security checks banks use when you are making payments online. To carry out this type of scam, the fraudster will have to have access to the victim's online bank account. In this case, the crook downloaded the Natwest banking app, and hacked into Mr Proctor's account because he knew his mobile phone number and passcode. He then needs another six digit code to register the app. This is the code the fraudster tricked Mr Proctor into revealing over the phone when he posed as his bank. They conman then has access to all transactions, and is able to search previous payees. When paying someone new, you need a new code for the payment to go through. But you can pay a previous payee without this. In this case, the fraudster saw the florists had been paid before, so he transferred over 3,000. All the crook then had to do was search for Floral Explosion's telephone number on Google which is easily found. He then posed as Mr Proctor, contacted the florists, and tried to claim he had accidentally transferred them money instead of putting it into savings. He would also have known the name of Toby's wife which would have helped him when trying to convince the florist he was Toby because the reference for the payment was 'Jodie Toby Wedding'. Luckily in this case the fraud didn't work, because the florist realised something was wrong, and Mr Proctor realised he had been tricked after the phone call. He contacted his bank and the money was soon returned to him. It was able to request that the florist's bank, Barclays, return the funds to the couple, who have an 18-month-old son called Lucas. Richard Emery, of fraud consultancy 4Keys International, says that for some fraudsters this ruse will be easier than trying to intercept the one-time passcode needed to transfer money to a new account. He said: 'This type of scam is convoluted, but could have high levels of success. In this case the fraudster tried to be too clever by posing as an existing customer without knowing all of the information. Scammed: In Toby's case, the crook had downloaded the NatWest banking app on his mobile phone and logged in to Toby's account 'This should be a warning to everyone to be more vague with payee names and references.' Toby, an account manager, says what is most worrying is how the fraudster already had so much information about him. He says: 'I don't know whether they had hacked the systems of someone that had a lot of my details about him, such as an online retailer or employer, and then used that information. 'I've had to change all my details.' A spokesman for NatWest says: 'We sympathise with Mr and Mrs Proctor and appreciate that this has been a very distressing experience for them. 'We take our responsibilities to preventing scams very seriously, and always support the victim of a scam in the recovery of their funds on a best endeavours basis. 'On this occasion, full funds have been recovered from the beneficiary bank and have been returned to Mr and Mrs Proctor.' a.murray@dailymail.co.uk We have lived in a housing association property with electric services since 1994. For much of this time I have received bills from British Gas addressed to 'The Occupier' and lately to 'South Northamptonshire Council'. At one stage, these bills were around 4,000 to 5,000 and were followed by letters accusing us of not paying. We became aware of a problem after six or seven years when we tried to buy the property and were told there had been a charge placed on it. I have been told by both British Gas and the council not to worry because I am not responsible for the bills. In December 2016, I asked to be connected to the gas supply and since then I've been receiving bills of about 50 per quarter for the gas I use. But it has added a disputed amount, pushing the bill to approximately 1,200. I. T., Northants. British Gas bills: At one stage, these bills were around 4,000 to 5,000 As you might expect from an issue that has gone on for years, your case is quite complex. The crux is that British Gas fitted a gas supply and meter to your home in October 2002, then treated it as a business account. When it did not hear from you or the local council, it began billing a 55p daily standing charge from October 14, 2011. It says you didn't respond to letters but if they were addressed to the council, you should not have opened them and you may have thrown away letters to 'The Occupier', assuming they were junk. British Gas visited the property on July 18, 2016 and confirmed no gas was being used. However, this changed when you were connected to the supply and sent a meter reading on March 8, 2017. For some reason, you were still being treated as a business customer. British Gas withdrew the 1,112.66 standing charges on October 21 last year, it says as a goodwill gesture but I cannot see where there is any goodwill if you weren't a customer! It also offered to price-match its standard residential tariff which it says has at times been its cheapest tariff. You told British Gas you would shop around and this is where things become more confusing. You say a new supplier will not take you because of the 'dispute' with British Gas but British Gas says there is no dispute. It says you have not made any payments for gas, but why should you if you were being billed in the wrong name and as a business? A bill at residential rates has now been issued, so I think the resolution is to pay what you owe and move to another supplier. Straight to the point I set up a direct debit to cover my Virgin credit card payments each month. At the start of July, I checked my online statement and noticed a 9 late payment fee and 116 in interest charges had been added to my balance because my direct debit had been cancelled. I didn't do this but both my bank and Virgin Money claim they didn't either. Meanwhile, the fees continue to accrue more interest. T. T., by email. When I contacted Virgin Money, it denied liability. But after closer inspection it admitted it had cancelled your direct debit in error. It has contacted you to apologise and agreed to refund the late payment fee and interest charges and pay you 300 in compensation for the inconvenience caused. It will also reinstate the 0 pc interest offer removed following the missed payment. Recently I found a three-year-old email from the National Lottery saying I had won a prize. I play online and the money automatically leaves my account but at 90, I don't check my emails often. Are prizes paid into my account automatically, or do I need to claim it? G. B., Telford. A spokesman for Camelot, which runs the National Lottery, says that prizes of up to 500 are paid into a player's online account automatically. For anything over that, you need to confirm where you want the prize money to be paid. The spokesman adds that if they do not hear from the winner after 60 days, they will try to contact them using the details they have on file. The onus is on the player to make sure these are up to date. When I taxed my vehicle via the DVLA website, I was charged for paying by credit card. I thought this practice was now banned. H. T., by email. A spokesman for DVLA says that it has not charged motorists to pay with a regular credit card since January 2018, when as you point out credit and debit card surcharges were banned. However, if you use a commercial or business credit card, you will be charged a 2.50 processing fee which is in line with the new legislation. There is no charge for debit cards. Is there any reason why I get only four weeks' state pension each month and then receive the balance with an extra month's payment later in the year? Since my bills demand equal payments throughout the year, this makes budgeting difficult. Presumably everyone who is paid monthly is treated the same way, which must mean the Government saves millions for the first part of the year. T. S., Huntingdon, Cambs. I understand your frustration but it is not quite as you paint it. The state pension is based on weekly, not monthly, payment. You are paid every four weeks in arrears, not every month. Therefore, the payment will edge a little further forward each month until in one month you will receive two payments, one at the start and one at the end. Malcolm McLean, of actuary Barnett Waddingham, explains: 'You can normally expect to receive 13 payments spread evenly over the course of a year.' If you are entitled to a 130 a week, that would give you 520 every four weeks or 6,760 over the course of the year. Mr McLean says that pensioners who were receiving their state pension prior to April 6, 2010 still have the right to be paid weekly in advance. From then on, payments changed to four-weekly in arrears for all new claimants. 'The Department for Work and Pensions stressed that moving to paying in arrears was not primarily a money-saving measure, while acknowledging that the system would save 10million a year by 2020,' he adds. Apparently it argued that 'paying in arrears will reduce the amount of money the department overpays and has difficulty recovering when a customer dies'. How thoughtful! Perhaps more thought should have been given to what was convenient for living 'customers'. I'm afraid the best thing I can suggest is that you look on the 13th payment as a bonus. I've got investments in an Isa with Cofunds this provides me with regular payments on which I heavily rely. Earlier this year, I was told that Cofunds had been taken over by Aegon then, in June, the payments stopped. I believe I'm owed more than 900. B. N., Hertfordshire. You're not the only one to have faced problems after Cofunds customers were transferred on May 8. According to our sister title This Is Money, around 400 customers faced issues logging on, buying and selling funds, and withdrawing money. When I spoke to Aegon, I was told the problems had been resolved. But your case shows there may still be issues. An Aegon spokesman says: 'We sincerely apologise for the delay, and can confirm that payment will reach his account before the weekend.' Write to Tony Hazell at Ask Tony, Money Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or email asktony@dailymail.co.uk please include your daytime phone number, postal address and a separate note addressed to the offending organisation giving them permission to talk to Tony Hazell. We regret we cannot reply to individual letters. Please do not send original documents as we cannot take responsibility for them. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail for answers given. The trouble keeps piling up for estate agent empire Countrywide. Embattled chairman Peter Long, who was forced to scrap a 20million bonus scheme for top management this week after shareholder outrage, was given another headache as fewer investors than expected showed interest in buying new shares. The company, which owns chains such as Bairstow Eves and Frank Innes, revealed that only 72.3 per cent of the shares it had offered to the public were scooped up. Countrywide shares: The lack of demand shows shaky confidence in the firm's prospects Countrywide's shares fell by 6.8 per cent, or 0.98p, to 13.5p, making up steeper losses earlier in the day. A massive 724million, or 91.1 per cent, has now been wiped off the company's market value since the beginning of the year. Long's woes at Countrywide come just weeks after he presided over one of the biggest shareholder revolts in British corporate history at Royal Mail, where he is also chairman. More than 70 per cent of investors voted against the postal service's pay policies, making the pay row at Countrywide even more toxic for the serial part-timer. The issues at Countrywide, which has been battling with increased competition from online competitors and a dull UK property market, came to a head earlier this month when it announced an emergency 140million fundraising to help it stay afloat. It said it would flog 1.4billion new shares to raise the money, at 10p each a massive discount to the 50p price at which the shares were trading the day before the announcement. Even with this discount, investors were steering clear. Countrywide had made 285.6million of the shares available for the public, but only 206.6million were taken up. These leftover shares will now be allocated to Countrywide's big institutional investors, the largest of which is US giant Oaktree Capital Management. But having to pick up this unwanted stock could weaken their appetite for the other 1.1billion shares which are being offered to institutional investors exclusively. The results of this larger sale are yet to be announced, but The Mail understands that Oaktree has committed to buying a sizeable chunk of the shares. Although Countrywide will get its 140million whether the stock sells or not, as its investment bank underwriters Barclays and Jefferies will pay for the remainder if needed, the lack of demand shows shaky confidence in Countrywide's prospects. Wood Group, which provides engineering and maintenance services to the energy industry, had a much stronger day. Its shares climbed 7.7 per cent, or 50.6p, to 712p as chief executive Robin Watson said performance in the first half of the year was 'at the upper end of our guidance range'. Revenue rose 13.4 per cent to 4.2billion over the first six months of the year, though earnings which deduct the cost of goods and other sums slipped 1.5 per cent to 202million. Investors seemed to be focusing on the positives, such as the ahead-of-schedule integration of Amec Foster Wheeler, which Wood Group bought last year. The company also said it was planning to squeeze more savings from the deal at least 163million, as opposed to the 132million originally planned. Wood Group added it would sell another 156million worth of its less important business units to help pay off its debt pile. The FTSE 100 closed the day down 0.34 per cent, or 25.56 points, at 7565.7 points, as there was little corporate news to sway it. On London's junior market, Marechale Capital, which helps small leisure and retail companies raise money to grow, had to reconsider its direction. Shares in the company crashed 29.5 per cent, or 0.65p, to 1.55p as it revealed its revenues were down 35.5 per cent to 675,000. Fashion and homewares retailer Laura Ashley, known for its pretty florals and patterns, has fallen victim to the challenging UK retail market, in which shoppers are nervous about splashing out on expensive items like furniture. Weak consumer confidence and 'difficult' trading caused UK sales to decline 6.3 per cent to 236million last year, and hurt the firm's bottom line too. Underlying profits dropped sharply, down a third at 5.6million for the year. And pre-tax profits, including a hefty writedown on a property sold in Singapore, crashed to a meagre 100,000, compared with 6.3million the year before. Laura Ashley's fashion sales are on the up, growing by nearly 10% like-for-like in the year The full-year plummet is unsurprising given that Laura Ashley issued three profit warnings in twelve months, laying bare its weak sales performance. Indeed, shares jumped 17 per cent in early trading today - a sign that investors had expected the numbers to be worse. The retailer, which closed seven net shops last year, and has unveiled plans to shutter another five this year, said it has suffered at the hand of tough trading conditions. Chairman Khoo Kay Peng said: 'As set out at the time of the interim results, the trading environment for the first half of the year was challenging and the board expected these difficult trading conditions to continue into the second half of the year. 'This proved to be the case and, given the softer trading environment for the year ended June 30 2018, we are disappointed to report a fall in profits.' Furniture sales were particularly weak, down 4.1 per cent like-for-like, as cautious shoppers swerved costly outlays for big-ticket items like beds and sofas. It's not the only furniture retailer to flag weak consumer confidence over the last year or so. Carpetright, DFS and B&Q all claim to have felt the pinch, while Multiyork and Feather&Black toppled into administration. Laura Ashley has struggled to shift expensive items like beds and sofas A bright spot was the group's online division, which surged 4.1 per cent and now accounts for a quarter of all Laura Ashley's sales. Fashion fared well too, with like-for-like sales jumping 9.7 per cent, despite it being an 'extremely competitive sector'. Laura Ashley, which owns 160 stores across the UK and has a market value of around 32.8million, is attempting to reduce its exposure to the fast changing retail industry. It said today it has ambitions to expand its new hotel venture, with plans for more hotels across the UK and internationally after the success of its franchised hotel in the Lake District, The Belsfield. It will also add to its fledgling tea rooms chain, which currently has just one branch in Solihull. Banks have been forced to put up posters in branches that reveal how they rank on customer service compared with rivals. But some High Street branches are using sneaky tactics to hide this crucial information, Money Mail can reveal. One TSB branch failed to display the new league table at all, while other banks printed the results on paper four times smaller than official guidelines. Tucked away: The poster in a NatWest branch showing that eight banks are ranked above it for overall service A NatWest branch in South Kensington, London, went as far as to place a large, red lamp in front of the poster it had fixed to the wall (pictured). It meant customers had little chance of noticing that eight other banks have been ranked above it for overall service. Some, such as Metro Bank, displayed the information on electronic screens that change after just 20 seconds, moving on to advertise their savings and currency exchange rates. Each year, only 3 per cent of customers switch their current account, even though they could typically save 92 by doing so, a report in 2016 by the Competitions and Markets Authority showed. To make it easier for people to compare providers, banks have been told by the competition watchdog to publish the results of a survey of 16,000 customers. Customers were asked how likely they were to recommend their bank's overall service, overdraft facilities, online and mobile banking and service in branches to friends and family. The results will be updated twice a year, in February and August. Adam Land, senior director at the CMA, says: 'For the first time, people will be able easily to compare banks on the quality of the service they provide, and so judge if they're getting the most for their money, or if they could do better elsewhere.' Royal Bank of Scotland scored joint worst with Clydesdale Bank out of 16 banks and building societies on overall customer service. Both received a score of 49 per cent. Fewer than half of the taxpayer-backed bank's current account customers said they would recommend it to a friend or relative. RBS was also ranked bottom for service by its small business customers, with just 47 per cent saying that they would recommend its business current account. HSBC-owned First Direct came top of the table, with 85 per cent of customers saying they would recommend the bank. Metro Bank and Nationwide were in second and third places, with scores of 83 per cent and 73 per cent. Royal Bank of Scotland scored joint worst with Clydesdale Bank out of 16 banks and building societies on overall customer service Just six in ten customers said they would recommend Lloyds, NatWest, which is part of the RBS group, and TSB. When it came to overdrafts, Nationwide dropped to fifth place, with Metro Bank voted top, followed by First Direct. Britain's biggest building society came fourth for online and mobile banking services. For small business accounts, Handelsbanken came top with a score of 84 per cent. All of the results must be prominently displayed in branches and on the banks' websites and mobile apps. There are nine categories in total: four relate to personal banking and five to business accounts. Banks must show the top five firms in each category, and if they're not in the top five their own position in relation to this. Official guidelines say customers must be able easily to see the information, which it would expect to be printed on paper of size A2 or bigger. The regulator said that if there are space constraints, A4 posters in frames standing on counters may be acceptable but only if most of their customers used these counters. If the results appear on an electronic screen, then they should be displayed long enough for customers to 'absorb the depth of information'. The majority of bank and building society branches that Money Mail visited had placed posters near branch entrances or in obvious places, such as on counters. But experts say all branches must play by the rules. Top for overdrafts: Metro Bank, followed by First Direct James Walker, founder of Resolver, the automated complaints system, says: 'There's a reason why banks have been told to display this information in branches. 'Many older and vulnerable customers do not have access to the internet or mobile banking apps. 'The creative ways that the banks have used to avoid prominently displaying these notifications just goes to show how reluctant some are to share the data with customers. 'It's vital we all take time to look for the posters and the information on them when we visit the branch.' New rules introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority mean banks must also publish details of what services they offer, when their helplines are available, and the number of major operational and security incidents they have experienced on their websites. Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Halifax and Bank of Scotland, for example, reported 19 operational incidents between April and June. A spokesman says the majority were minor issues which customers would not even notice. From February next year, banks will also have to publish how long it takes to open a current account and to replace debit cards. Christopher Woolard, executive director of strategy and competition at the FCA, says: 'Getting a good deal isn't just about pricing. It's also important for customers, including individuals and small businesses, to be able to judge the quality of service around their current account and to see if other providers could offer something that suits them better.' An RBS spokesman says: 'We are aware we have more work to do to improve our service standards and deliver a better experience for our customers. 'We apologise that in one of our branches the poster was temporarily obscured. This has now been rectified and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.' A Clydesdale Bank spokesman says: 'We would like to have ranked higher, as our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We are continually working to enhance our customer service.' A TSB spokesman says it is sorry for the short delay in putting up the service quality metrics in its branch, and adds they are now displayed prominently. A Metro Bank spokesman says it has taken on board the feedback and doubled the length of time the results are displayed on its digital screens. v.bischoff@dailymail.co.uk Race drivers and others have been answering the call from an 11-year-old Iowa boy who wants racing stickers to cover his casket after he dies from leukemia. Caleb Hammond's uncle, Chris Playle, told The Des Moines Register that his family brought him home to Oskaloosa, about 55 miles southeast of Des Moines, after determining the painful treatments he'd been undergoing at a Des Moines hospital weren't working and other options offered little hope. 'There were some other options left, but they were going to make him sick and do harm to his body,' said Playle. Caleb Hammond's uncle said that his family brought him home after determining the painful treatments he was receiving offered little hope Caleb has loved auto racing since the age of two, when he started visiting his uncle at his home near the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa (Caleb pictured with his father John) 'They decided to call it quits, and come home and be a kid and do the things he hasn't been able to do the last year and a half.' He says Caleb's been home for about three weeks doing things an 11-year-old normally does, but that he tires easily. Caleb has loved auto racing since the age of two, when he started visiting his uncle at his home near the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa. Caleb Hammond with racing legend Tony Stewart The two would watch as drivers parked their cars on the street before the track opened and then would head to the stands to see the colorful cars race around the speedway. 'He's my racing buddy. It was kind of our deal,' Playle said. 'I probably had just as much fun as he did.' His passion for racing is what prompted the request for stickers. Playle said the stickers have been pouring in after social media appeals, helping to keep everyone's spirits up. Playle said the family is 'just trying to do as much as we can with him while he's here.' Caleb's got to experience racing first-hand on Saturday when he suited up in driving gear and sped around a dirt track in a stock car designed for children. A 12-year-old racer sat beside Caleb to help him learn to work the stick-shift and navigate the track. Caleb's father, John Hammond, told The Oskaloosa Herald that the entire family had been looking forward to the racing. 'A goal of his was to be able to drive a race car when he got older,' Hammond said. 'It's like a dream come true. Police in Delaware are searching for the person responsible for sexually assaulting a pony at a barn. The Delmarva Equine Clinic said that the pony was at her owner's barn in Camden when she was molested on Wednesday night. Taylor Robichaud explained that when she went into the barn to feed Bella on Thursday morning, she noticed that the mare was covered in blood and in severe pain. The Delmarva Equine Clinic said that the pony was at her owner's barn in Camden when she was molested on Wednesday night Taylor Robichaud explained that when she went into the barn to feed Bella on Thursday morning, she noticed that the mare was covered in blood and in severe pain 'The horse was bleeding, all torn up, and the stall was a mess. And we have a grazing muzzle on her because if she eats too much grass it can hurt her, and they had that on her,' Robichaud explained to Delaware 1059. 'The vet ruled it as they sexually molested her, and we believe they did it with the handle of an object, like a broom. They basically tore her insides.' Robichaud's grandmother feeds the horse everyday and was trying to wrap her head around the attack. Bella, who was rushed to the Delmarva Equine Clinic, and she is expected to make a full recovery physically (the grandmother shared images of the injuries believing at first that it was an infection) Eventually she has to come to terms with the possibility that someone has harmed the family's horse Bella, who was rushed to the Delmarva Equine Clinic, and she is expected to make a full recovery physically. Mentally, however, she will likely experience trauma as Robichaud added that Bella would feel 'just like with a human, it's traumatic, it's physically and emotional abusive.' Dr. Amy Franklin at Country Roads Veterinary Service was said to have treated the small animal, according to the Delaware News Journal. Delware State Police responded to the scene on Thursday and are looking for suspects in connection to the abuse. 'It was reported that unknown subject(s) had trespassed on the property and entered a barn where the horse was sexually assaulted,' explained Cpl. Melissa Jaffe, a public information officer with the department. Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, is accused of being the Golden State Killer A former police officer suspected of being one of California's most elusive serial killers will face a trial in Sacramento County on more than two dozen charges, including 13 murder counts, prosecutors said Tuesday. Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, is suspected of being the so-called Golden State Killer who terrorized residents of six counties during the 1970s and '80s. He was arrested in April after authorities linked him to the cold case homicides using DNA. DeAngelo, who remains jailed in Sacramento, will face trial there because of the complexity of the case, consideration of the suspect's rights, the locations of the crimes and the hardship of victims and witnesses, officials told reporters. Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert (right) announced on Tuesday that DeAngelo would face combined charges in a single trial in Sacramento County DeAngelo is seen at a court appearance in May. He is set to be arraigned on the amended indictment on Thursday in Sacramento County Authorities have said DeAngelo is suspected of being the sadistic attacker who killed 13 people and raped nearly 50 women. On Tuesday, prosecutors filed an amended criminal complaint charging him with 13 counts of murder and 13 new counts of kidnapping for robbery. DeAngelo is set to be arraigned Thursday. 'This human predator, DeAngelo, took a path through all of these counties in our state and wherever he went he left the wake of terror in his path. He committed vicious, violent crimes in all of these jurisdictions,' Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said. His alleged crime spree had such an impact on residents that it made 'opening the window or walking your dog through the neighborhood a terrorizing experience,' Rackauckas said. DeAngelo's attorney, Diane Howard, declined to comment on Tuesday. The new charges filed on Tuesday include four alleging that DeAngelo is suspected of 'carrying away four women' to commit robberies in Contra Costa County in 1978 and 1979. Six prosecutors will join forces for the trial, including (left to right): Tulare DA Tim Ward, Santa Barbara DA Joyce Dudley, Ventura DA Gregory Totten, Sacramento DA Anne Marie Schubert, Orange DA Tony Rackauckas, and Contra Costa DA Diana Becton The nine other new charges are in connection with attacks committed in Sacramento County, said Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert. While prosecutors don't have DNA evidence in those cases, they are confident that DeAngelo is the suspect based on his 'signature marks,' she said. While prosecutors suspect he's committed other crimes, the statute of limitations has run out, including for the crime of rape, the prosecutors said. DeAngelo was arrested at his home in Citrus Heights in April after investigators matched crime-scene DNA with genetic material stored in an online database by a distant relative. 'We were looking for a needle in a haystack and we found it,' Schubert said. Prosecutors want to move forward toward trial quickly because some of the surviving victims are older, but she said they have to be cognizant of DeAngelo's right to a fair trial, Schubert said. 'We recognize this case will not be something that goes to trial very quickly,' she said. Prosecutors haven't yet decided whether they will pursue the death penalty against DeAngelo. 'It is a very serious, solemn process we don't take lightly,' said Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten. 'That process is quite a ways down the road on this case.' While Australia's east coast is bracing for a month's worth of rain in just two days, the country's most drought-stricken farmers could miss out entirely. Heavy showers and thunderstorms will fall on parts of New South Wales and Queensland this weekend, bringing the most significant rain in more than six months. Weatherzone told Daily Mail Australia the system will make its way across the country from Western Australia, through South Australia before reaching NSW and Queensland on Friday. This map suggests heavy rainfall (in blue and green) will fall on Australia's east coast and parts of regional NSWs including Pallamallawa and drought-stricken Dubbo The rain is expected to hit South Australia before reaching NSW and Queensland on Friday (Mareeba in Far North Queensland) 'Some parts of NSW will get their best rain in about six months or more,' meteorologist Brett Dutschke said. 'But a good chunk of far western NSW will get no worthwhile rain at all.' Mr Dutschke said Brisbane and St George in QLD and Armidale and Dubbo in NSW would be inundated with significant rainfall on Friday and Saturday. However he said drought-stricken Wanaaring and Pooncarie in regional NSW and Birdsville and Quilpie in regional QLD would likely miss out. The meteorologist said the system had already begun in South Australia and would hold its intensity as it moved east. Almost 50mm of rain is expected to fall in Sydney by Friday and the wet weather will continue into the weekend. Tamworth and surrounding areas will have between a 75 and 90 per cent chance of rain as the system passes over NSW. As much as 80mm could fall in northern parts of the state. This map suggests rain will likely fall on NSW's coastline while parts of the state's most drought-stricken areas go without Mr Dutschke said Brisbane and St George in QLD and Armadale and Dubbo in NSW would be inundated with significant rainfall on Friday and Saturday (far north Queensland pictured) Drought-stricken Wanaaring and Pooncarie in regional NSW and Birdsville and Quilpie in regional QLD would likely miss out Farmer Scott Todd feeds his sheep cotton seeds on his Brigalow Downs property near Bollon, Queensland, Australia New South Wales is set to experience downpours this weekend as a system (pictured) makes its way across the state Sydney has received only 1.4mm of rain in the entire month of August, with average rainfall for the month being 55mm. The rain comes after a cold start to the week for the east coast, with parts of New South Wales dropping to as low as -2.2C in the north. Downpours are also expected in Tasmania and southern parts of Victoria, but Melbourne is predicted to miss most of the showers. The Victorian capital will be dry but temperatures are expected to remain cold. Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe told news.com.au the system will lead to a 'big area of rain'. Sydney has received only 1.4mm of rain in the entire month of August, with average rainfall for the month being 55mm (drought affected cattle in outback New South Wales pictured) 'A front is progressing across southern parts of WA and then as that moves into South Australia, a low pressure system developing will move up and into inland areas,' he said. 'Moving with it is a fair bit of upper cold air that will lead to thunderstorms.' The rain is predicted to increase once the system reaches the east coast. 'As we move into Friday, this system will run into moisture in the east so rain will develop along the coast and Tablelands.' Meghan Markle may enlist her mother's help to sort out her issues with her estranged father, a close friend of the Duchess tells DailyMail.com. Amid reports in both the UK and US press that the former Suits actress may be making a solo visit to her native California, the source revealed that Meghan's mother Doria Ragland might be the right person to do some damage control over the drama with Thomas Markle Sr. Markle has continued to 'embarrass' his daughter by slamming the royal family and airing his grievances to the press. 'It has just become so embarrassing for Meghan. Like the elephant in the room when she's with people she doesn't know very well,' the source said. Mom to the rescue: Meghan Markle is 'open to the possibility of her mom working some magic behind the scenes' to iron things out with her father, a close friend told DailyMail.com 'What frustrates Meghan the most is that her father doesn't seem to take responsibility for any his actions, as if he can do no harm, and everyone else is to blame. 'Well, he is harming her by putting down the royal family. He's harming her by making everything public. And the more he speaks with the media, the more she wants to stay away. The more he blasts the royal family, the more she wants to stay away.' The 37-year-old's rocky relationship with her dad has dominated headlines since she cut all ties with him after he infamously pulled out of her wedding last minute. Her older half-siblings, Samantha Markle, 53, and Thomas Markle Jr, 52, have also turned on her and have publicly spoken out against their sister. Meghan has been reluctant to get her mom Doria, 62, thrown into the mess, but things may change if they are reunited in Los Angeles, the source added. 'So far, Meghan's mom hasn't gotten involved, but that may all change when they see each other in person. Meghan has been adamant that her mom not get dragged into all the drama. 'But if anyone can talk some sense into her dad, it's Doria. Meghan is now open to the possibility of her mom working some magic behind the scenes. The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly preparing for her first visit to the states since marrying Prince Harry, ahead of her official visit with the prince next year Meghan's rocky relationship with Thomas Markle, Sr, has been highly publicized since he has continued to slamming the royal family and airing his grievances to the press. Her older half-siblings, Samantha Markle (right) 53, and Thomas Markle Jr, 52, have also turned on her and have publicly spoken out against their sister 'In a perfect world, Meghan would have a reunion with her dad and he would not say one word about it. 'It's tricky because her dad will most likely tell his other children about it, and one of them will go blab about it to the world. 'When Meghan was younger she was the family people-pleaser, always trying to make others happy, including her dad. She's not the same person anymore. Of course she feels hurt. 'From the get-go, she made it crystal clear that speaking to the press was absolutely prohibited. That out of respect for Harry, this was completely taboo. Yet, time and again her dad continues to do the complete opposite. The last thing she ever wanted was a media circus starring her dad.' US Weekly reported that Meghan wants to return to her home country before becoming a mother for the first time. 'Expect to hear the pitter-patter of a little prince or princess in 2019,' a source told the outlet. She is expected to travel to New York first and then to her hometown of Los Angeles. The solo excursion will reportedly come before she and Harry embark on their first royal tour this fall. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are slated to visit Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and the Kingdom of Tonga in October. The magazine also reported that the newlyweds are planning a trip across the pond in spring of 2019, and Meghan 'is looking forward to introducing Harry to everything she loves about the US.' Serial killer Todd Kohlhepp, already in prison for seven murders, claims he has two additional victims buried in South Carolina One of South Carolina's most prolific serial killers already serving life in prison for murdering seven people has told a television documentary crew that he has two additional victims buried near an interstate, sparking a large-scale search. At 9am on Wednesday, 20 deputies with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office converged on the heavily wooded, snake-infested area near Enoree, based on the limited information that convicted killer Todd Kohlhepp had provided to a TV crew, which then notified the authorities. Cadaver dogs and an industrial X-ray machine were also brought to the location to aid with the search. The documentary makers have been given exclusive access to Wednesday's search. 'We're trying to get a game plan together to find out exactly where and what to do. Investigators have been talking to him,' Sheriff Chuck Wright told Greenville News. 'We're not going to try to keep that quiet. We're going to go search.' Kohlhepp, 47, has alleged that two unidentified victims are interred near Interstate 26 in Spartanburg County in the northwest part of the state. 'We haven't been able to confirm anything he's claimed yet,' Wright said. 'It's not to say that the details are not sketchy because it's been so long, but we're obligated to go check.' Kohlhepp is currently serving seven consecutive life sentences without parole plus 60 years at Broad River Correctional Facility in Columbia after pleading guilty to multiple charges in May 2017. Deputies accompanied by cadaver dogs and X-ray equipment converged on this area off of Interstate 26 in Spartanburg County on Wednesday to search for the two bodies Kohlhepp is currently serving seven consecutive life sentences without parole plus 60 years for killing seven people, among them Charlie Carver (left), and for imprisoning and raping his girlfriend, Kala Brown (right) Kohlhepp told Brown he killed Joe Coxie, 29, and his wife, Meagan Leigh McCraw-Coxie, 26 (pictured together), in 2015 and buried their bodies on his land His string of crimes was uncovered in 2016 after police rescued Kala Brown from a storage container where she was chained at the neck and investigators found a body buried in a shallow grave. Brown told investigators she saw Kohlhepp shoot and kill her boyfriend, 32-year-old Charles Carter, who went with her for a cleaning job on Kohlhepp's property in rural Spartanburg County. Kohlhepp raped Brown while holding her against her will, and told her he had also killed a husband and wife in December 2015, burying their bodies on his land. Johnny Joe Coxie, 29, had been killed immediately, and Kohlhepp kept 26-year-old Meagan Leigh McCraw-Coxie alive for six days before shooting her in the back of the head on Christmas, Solicitor Barry Barnette said. DailyMail.com typically doesn't identify victims of sexual assault, but Brown has spoken publicly about her traumatic experience. Kohlhepp admitted to her that he had killed four people in the Superbike motorcycle shop in November 2003, the prosecutor said. The owner, Scott Ponder, 30; Beverly Guy, 52; Brian Lucas, 30; and Chris Sherbert, 26 were killed because Kohlhepp thought they were making fun of him. Guy was Ponder's mother and worked as a bookkeeper. Lucas was a service manager, and Sherbert was a mechanic at the shop. Kohlhepp also admitted that he had killed Beverly Guy, 52 (left), and her son, 30-year-old Scott Ponder (right) in the Superbike motorcycle shop in November 2003 Also killed that day were 30-year-old Brian Lucas (left) and 26-year-old Chris Sherbert (right) Kohlhepp's crimes took place over more than a decade as he ran a real estate business. 'In Todds early statements, he said there were more victims than you could count on two hands and thats what we were going off of and thought all along that hes probably correct,' Charlie Carver's father, Chuck Carver, told WSPA after hearing of Wednesday's search. According to the plea agreement signed by Kohlhepp, he will serve seven consecutive life terms plus 60 years on kidnapping, sexual assault and other charges. Kohlhepp will not be eligible for parole, and he also agreed not to appeal the sentence. Kohlhepp moved to South Carolina in 2001 shortly after 14 years in prison for pleading guilty to kidnapping in Arizona. Authorities there said the then 15-year-old forced a 14-year-old neighbor back to his home at gunpoint, tied her up and raped her. Friends and co-workers at Kohlhepp's real estate business said he was a hard worker with some strange habits. He would watch pornographic videos during work and joked on his firm's website that he motivated workers by not feeding them. The Oz Lotto jackpot cash prize will increase to $10million next Tuesday after no winner scooped this week's Division 1 prize. Among the lucky winners whose numbers did manage to come in were three eastern Australian residents, who collectively shared the division 2 prize of $48,281.60. The remaining 43 winners from Tuesday night's draw each took home $6085.90 from one of the remaining prize divisions. Scroll down for video The Oz Lotto jackpot cash prize will increase to $10million next Tuesday after no winner claimed this week's Division 1 prize Oz Lotto is known to have the biggest jackpots, and the $10million prize comes only weeks after two people won the $70million jackpot - the biggest in five years. Both winners from NSW and Victoria took home a whopping $35million each, but the biggest jackpot that was ever won was $111,972,151 back in 2012. When Tatts Group spokesman called one of the recent winners, a 50-year-old man, to tell him about his $35million win, the man said he was 'blown away', news.com.au reported. The man, who chose to remain anonymous, purchased his winning six-game QuickPick Oz Lotto ticket from Top End Newsagency in Lithgow. Top End Newsagency owner Anna Nguyen told the publication she was thrilled that she sold one of the prize winning tickets. 'I can't think of anything to say at the moment. I'm blown away,' she said at the time. 'Congratulations to the winner.' One man recently won $35million after buying a 6-game QuickPick Oz Lotto ticket from Top End Newsagency (pictured) in Lithgow Despite the second winner initially being a mystery, it was later revealed that the winners were a six-member private family syndicate from northeastern Victoria. Oz Lotto has been around since 1994, but it used to be a six-number game, but then in 2015 another number was added, increasing the odds - and the jackpots. But before you get carried away, it's important to remember when it comes to winning Oz Lotto, you've got 1 in 45,379,620 chances of your numbers coming up. Shocking footage of two high school girls in a fistfight on campus has emerged. The brawl took place at St Michael's College in Adelaide's western suburb of Henley Beach on Tuesday afternoon, during lunchtime. In the video shown on 7 News, some students watched on in shock while others cheered them on. Two girls were filmed in a sickening fist fight at a prestigious Adelaide high school on Tuesday Several punches were thrown between the two year-11 girls. They grappled as someone in the crowd said 'oh s**t', before both fell to the ground. One girl got on top of the other and appeared to punch her rival in the head, throwing two punches before other students rushed into to separate them. One of those who intervened was understood to be the boyfriend of one of the girls. St Micheal's was contacted for comment on the fight and whether any sanctions have been handed down. The school is a private Catholic college, with annual fees of more than $9,200. Other students said the two girls did not attend afternoon classes on Tuesday. The girls can be seen throwing punches, before they fall to the ground. One girl gets on top on and deals multiple blows directly into the other girls head Police in Indiana say a brutal assault which left a Catholic priest for dead has been passed to the FBI as a possible hate crime after the attacker screamed 'this is for the kids' during the ordeal. Reverend Basil John Hutsko was assaulted Monday morning at St Michael Byzantine Catholic Church as he prayed. Hutsko told police that he believed the attack occurred at around 9am but couldn't be sure as he lost consciousness, the NWI Times reports. Merrillville Detective Cmdr Jeff Rice said the Reverend Basil John Hutsko was assaulted Monday morning at St Michael Byzantine Catholic Church According to Reverend Thomas Loya, Hustsko was taken by surprise and didn't get to even see the attacker. Loya, of Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen, Illinois, has known Hutsko for 25 years. According to Reverend Thomas Loya, Hustsko was taken by surprise while praying at the church and didn't get to even see the attacker He said: 'There's been a lot of support for him. 'He was doing what priests do. He was praying at the altar after liturgy and was mercilessly attacked and then practically left for dead.' Hutsko told him Loya his attacker said 'this is for the kids' during the attack. He added: 'He's one of the hardest working priests I know, he's very dedicated and works hard for the church and its people. 'He's completely innocent, and it's really regretful that a dedicated priest has to suffer. But God will use this for good.' Police were dispatched to the church at 11.30am. The suspect is said to be a white male who is driving a dark-colored vehicle. Hutsko's face is said to be battered and bruised. His body hurts as well, according to CBS 2. 'He's one of the hardest working priests I know, he's very dedicated and works hard for the church and its people,' Loya continued. 'He's completely innocent, and it's really regretful that a dedicated priest has to suffer. But God will use this for good' 'Mostly the bruising on his forehead, the whole front of his head went into the floor,' said Chief Joseph Petruch of the Merrillville Police Department. 'Grabbed him by the neck, threw him down on the floor and immediately started slamming his head against the floor. Both sides, front and back.' He and Hutsko are also friends. The attack came the same day that Pope Francis issued a letter condemning priestly sexual abuse and its cover-up. 'It is essential that we, as a Church, be able to acknowledge and condemn, with sorrow and shame, the atrocities perpetrated by consecrated persons, clerics, and all those entrusted with the mission of watching over and caring for those most vulnerable,' Pope Francis said in his letter. The letter comes a week after a Pennsylvania grand jury reported about 300 priests abused at least 1,000 children over the past 70 years. Hutsko isn't named in the report. 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. The former policeman who wants to be Prime Minister has proposed to scrap the GST on electricity bills and slash immigration in a bid to topple Malcolm Turnbull in a second challenge. Peter Dutton has done his first radio interview since narrowly losing his first Liberal leadership challenge on Tuesday, 48 votes to 35. The former Home Affairs Minister told a Melbourne rock station he would scrap the Goods and Services Tax on power bills, and has previously flagged cutting Australia's net annual immigration intake from 190,000 a year to 170,000 were he to become Prime Minister. Scroll down for audio Peter Dutton told a Melbourne rock station he would scrap the Goods and Services Tax on power bills were he to become Prime Minister. 'People would feel that impact straight away,' he told Triple M's Hot Breakfast show with Eddie McGuire and Wil Anderson. The Federal Government's Australian Energy Market Commission estimates an average household spends $1,424 a year on electricity. Scrapping the GST on power would therefore save consumers $129 annually. Mr Dutton has also previously proposed cutting immigration by at least 20,000, The Australian reported, but the cuts were rejected by Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison. There are widespread concerns throughout Australia that the immigration rate of 190,000 is putting too much of a strain on Sydney and Melbourne. Charging up his bid to launch a second leadership challenge, Mr Dutton also flagged a royal commission on fuel and energy companies. 'I just think Australian consumers for way too long have been paying way too much for fuel and electricity,' Mr Dutton said. Backbencher Peter Dutton's proposal would save an average household $129 a year on electricity and is being floated to bring down Malcolm Turnbull (right) in a second challenge 'A royal commission has the ability to get to the bottom of what is fundamentally wrong with the system and what could potentially help ease the pressure on families and potentially small business,' he said. The former Home Affairs Minister in cabinet argued in favour of slashing immigration by 20,000, from 190,000 to 170,000 and has pushed to have more migrants settled in regional areas instead of congested Sydney and Melbourne. Mr Dutton, a former Queensland police officer, has not ruled out another tilt at challenging Mr Turnbull, with some predicting he could strike again as soon as tomorrow. The 47-year-old member for Dickson, in Brisbane's outer north, on Tuesday quit as a cabinet minister and moved to the backbench to give him a chance to 'smile' a bit more. The man who wants to become prime minister is also proposing a royal commission in power bills 'When you're stuck in front of a camera talking about the serious issues of national security and border protection, it's pretty hard to crack a smile,' he said. However, Mr Dutton failed the AC/DC test by not being able to name his favourite of the great Australian band's songs. 'Ah, I've had about an hour and a half hours sleep last night. I haven't sorry. That'll be the gotcha of the day,' he conceded. Triple M played Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap for him later. Last year, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, an admirer of Mr Dutton's hardline stance on immigration, also struggled to name an AC/DC song during a Triple M appearance. An organisation in Victoria is urging shoppers to donate Coles Little Shop items to help disabled people with simple tasks. Distinctive Options, a disability service provider in Melbourne, wants the mini collectables to use as a communication tool, coordinator Sarah Heriot said. The miniature items, which include replicas of Vegemite, Nutella, Weet-Bix and Tim Tams, can be used by disabled people to help make choices, follow routines, and use as a tool to communicate what they want to buy or eat. Coles collectables can be more than just junk, an organisation that works with disabled kids says they are a perfect tool for communication Distinctive Options, a disability service provider in Melbourne, wants as many of the unwanted Little Shop items to use them as communication tool One way they will use the collectable minis is by using velcro on the novelty minis, creating a visual shopping list while in the supermarket, Ms Heriot said. 'You can hold a product like egg carton in mini range, then go into Coles and pick up the exact same egg carton,' she said. 'This helps a lot as entering supermarket can be overwhelming. There are so many options of egg cartons to buy. 'As well as following a routine, the shampoo bottle can signal having a shower or needing to wash your hair.' Reaction to the Facebook post asking for the items has been promising, with many people pledging to send their extras in. 'I hope all the people collecting donate them to organisations like yours and dont just dump them when the novelty wears off,' one person commented on the post. Shoppers can collect 30 iconic miniature household items for every $30 spent at the checkout. The campaign was meant to run until August 28, but overwhelming popularity has led Coles to extend the promotion for a few more weeks while stocks last. Anyone wishing to donate items can contact the organisation via their Facebook page. Almost half workers polled by YouGov were working job shares or flexible hours The traditional nine-to-five is on the way out as just six per cent of us now work these hours, a poll has found. Just six per cent of people in the UK now work those traditional hours, a YouGov poll commissioned by McDonalds has found. Almost half of workers were working flexibly in some way, such as job sharing or flexible hours. Just six per cent of people in the UK now work traditional nine to five hours, a YouGov poll revealed (file photo) Almost two thirds said ability to work flexible hours to fit their lives was a key feature of a good job. Peter Cheese, co-chairman of the UK governments taskforce on flexible working, said: This survey sheds a strong light on how people increasingly think differently about work, and how work itself is changing. Flexible working is a growing preference for lots of people and provides opportunities to work for many who have other commitments or constraints. However, more organisations need to think about flexible working as McDonalds have, as uptake of flexible working is still low and most jobs are not advertised as being open to different working arrangements. The YouGov poll questioned 4,000 adults in the UK aged over 16 and 1,000 McDonalds employees across the UK. It found that jobs offering earlier starts and a shorter working week were most appealing to jobseekers. More than half, 58 per cent, of the full-time workers questioned said they would like to start earlier than 9am and finish earlier than 5pm. Almost half said they would prefer to work a longer day in return for a shorter working week. The poll, commissioned by McDonalds, found almost half of workers were working flexibly in some way, such as job sharing or flexible hours (file photo) The poll questioned 4,000 adults aged over 16 in the UK and 1,000 McDonalds employees (file photo) Employees have the right to ask for flexible working after 36 weeks of working. Bosses must be requested for sound business reasons. Anna Whitehouse, 36, is a mother and blogger who quit her job after being refused a request for 15 minutes flexibility at the start and end of her day.. She now campaigns for more flexible working hours. Mrs Whitehouse said: Flexible working is not a nice to have, its a fundamental shift that has to happen to the fabric of the working world. We see it as a two-way relationship, businesses trusting their employees and employees taking responsibility to get the job done. This May, a report by flexible working consultancy Timewise found that 30 per cent of flexible workers felt they were regarded as less important, while 25 per cent said they had missed out on a promotion. Its research in 2017 found 73 per cent of the UK workforce were working either part-time or full-time with some form of flexible working pattern. Paul Pomroy, boss of McDonalds UK and Ireland, said: People simply dont want to work nine to five anymore. They want to work more flexibly, but that doesnt diminish ambition, desire or opportunity to progress. More people with criminal records should be made magistrates to increase diversity among the judiciary, the chairman of Magistrates Association said last night. John Bache insisted a more representative set of magistrates would make criminals feel less alienated by the system. Someone with a criminal conviction is not barred from becoming a JP, but Ministry of Justice guidance has warned against people who have committed a serious offence applying for the job. John Bache insists a more representative set of magistrates would make criminals feel less alienated by the system (pictured Westminster magistrates court) It said that it is 'unlikely' a serious offender would be taken on. It also appeared to rule out people who have committed a number of minor offences, been banned from driving in the past five to ten years or declared bankrupt. But Mr Bache defended those with minor criminal records. He told the Daily Telegraph: 'We all make mistakes, we all do things we shouldn't have done. But we want to increase diversity. 'And if we did say anyone who's done anything wrong ever isn't going to be appointed, that's no way at all to increase diversity.' He added: 'I'd want to encourage everyone, I wouldn't want to particularly encourage people who have got a criminal record but I certainly wouldn't want to discourage them from applying. 'I wouldn't want them to think that because they've got a relatively minor criminal record some years ago that they're not going to be accepted as a magistrate, because that would be completely erroneous.' He suggested having a character from a popular soap become a magistrate could raise awareness of the issue. Criminals are not barred from becoming JPS but are warned against applying for the job. Mr Bache said is it 'unlikely' a serious offend Can you become a magistrate with a criminal record? Having a criminal conviction does not automatically prevent someone from becoming a magistrate. Senior presiding judges who appoint magistrates have to decide whether candidates are people 'in whom the public would be unlikely to have confidence'. Judges making appointments will look at the seriousness of any crime committed, how long ago it took place and what sentence the would-be magistrate received. Driving offences or historic minor drugs crimes are examples of those which may be overlooked, while people with a series of minor convictions would be unlikely to join the Bench. Anyone with a record for dishonesty, crimes such as fraud or theft, is also likely to be overlooked. Official guidance states: 'Prospective applicants should note that, in view of the nature of the role, a conviction or caution for an offence which raises questions of honesty and integrity; for example, fraud or theft is liable to be taken more seriously.' Advertisement A total of 15,000 magistrates in England and Wales deal with 95 per cent of all criminal cases. But latest MoJ figures reveal the number has plummeted in the last six years by 40 per cent. It is thought the drastic drop is because scores of older magistrates are retiring. Magistrates must retire at the age of 70. Mr Bache said another 9,000 magistrates are needed to fill the void. He also agreed with Labour MP David Lammy's report last year that noted the lack of black and ethnic minority magistrates. He stressed: 'If you see three white faces, as Lammy pointed out, and you're from an ethnic minority, the perception may be that they're not on your side. 'That would be wrong, but you can understand that might be the perception.' Just 12% of magistrates are from black or minority backgrounds, while only 4% were under 40 whereas 55% were over 60. Mr Bache, who has sat on the bench since 1989, added: 'We're trying very hard to increase diversity, but it isn't as easy as you'd think. 'For a start people aren't applying from ethnic minorities to the same degree as they are from white people because they've got the idea that people from their backgrounds don't become magistrates. And that is obviously erroneous.' Passengers could soon be able to get through airport security checkpoints quicker if new scanning technology takes off. Innovative explosive detection technology could mean flyers will no longer have to remove liquids and laptops from their carry-on bags. The 3D scanners are already used to monitor what is inside hold baggage, but they are being trialled for cabin bags at three airports in London, New York and Amsterdam. The wait time at security checkpoints for international airline passengers could soon be cut significantly short thanks to the trial of new explosive detection technology The 12-month trials are taking place at London's Heathrow Airport, New York's JFK and Amsterdam's Schipol , as well as two air hubs in Boston and Baltimore, USA. The machines are similar to those used in hospitals and are believed to be worth around 199,000 each. A Heathrow spokesman told MailOnline: 'We continue to look at new technologies that can both improve the passenger experience and strengthen our security.' A Department for Transport spokesman added: 'The UK has some of the strictest security measures in the world, and we are leading the way in using new technology to improve security screening and provide a better experience for passengers. 'We already have state of the art automated screening lanes in place at many of our airports, and new X-ray technology with automatic explosive detection capability is now being trialled in the UK. 'If successful, this could lead in future to passengers no longer needing to remove items from hand luggage for screening.' Australia also stands to benefit from the tests as part of a security alliance it has with New Zealand, Canada, the UK, the US called Five Eyes. London Heathrow Airport (pictured), JFK Airport in New York and Schipol Airport in Amsterdam are all taking part in the trial The agreement involves cooperation in electronic surveillance and responses to high-level security threats. 'Advanced screening technologies are under constant review and our alliance ensures that these sorts of aviation security trials is an area of discussion we are actively involved in,' the source said. Australia's Minister for Law Enforcement Angus Taylor told Parliament he could not confirm what was being done at airports for security reasons. But he assured that Australia would always work with partners to stay ahead of emerging threats . 'The security environment is constantly evolving and as good practice we review what items can and cannot be taken on an aircraft,' the minister's spokesman said. 'Our first priority is to keep Australians safe and secure.' The global aviation ban on bringing liquids over 100ml in carry-on baggage was put in place in 2006 following a terror plot to bring down 10 transatlantic flights using explosives hidden in 500ml Lucozade and Oasis soft drinks bottles. Ministers will ban sale of puppies and kittens from pet shops and unscrupulous puppy farms following a campaign to introduce a Lucys Law. The ban on third party sales of the pets should help to drive up animal welfare standards, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said. It comes after the prominent Lucys Law campaign to end the scandal of animals being bred in cruel conditions and transported long distances to be sold. The campaign was named after a cavalier spaniel who was rescued after being kept in a cage on a puppy farm. Scroll down for video Lucy the cavalier spaniel who was rescued from a cage in an unlicensed puppy farm The ban will include pet shops, puppy farms and other commercial dealers, according to the plans put out for consultation. Anyone buying or adopting a pet less than six months old will have to deal directly with the breeder or a rescue centre under the proposed ban. Many puppies are currently being separated from their mothers too early, so the new law will make it illegal to sell them without their mothers present. The move aims to reduce serious health problems and socialisation issues which afflict pets kept in poor conditions by unscrupulous, profit-driven breeders. 'BBC Scotland Investigates: Britain's Puppy Dealers Exposed showed boxes full of pups being reared to be sold after living in cramped and squalid conditions Shot in a Scottish puppy farm, this picture shows Basset pups crammed into an enclosure BBC Scotland commissioned the show into the world of puppy farms north of the border Mr Gove said: A ban on third-party sales will ensure the nations much-loved pets get the right start in life. People who have a complete disregard for pet welfare will no longer be able to profit from this miserable trade. A petition supporting Lucys Law has been signed by nearly 150,000 people and was debated in Parliament in May. Lucy's Law campaign was started by TV vet Marc Abraham from Brighton. Speaking yesterday outside Downing Street flanked by a host of celebrities including Eamon Holmes, he said: 'For years irresponsible breeders in the UK and abroad - puppy farmers have used third parties to keep themselves well hidden from the public. 'By banning third-party sellers, Lucy's Law will ensure breeders are accountable, making it the first big step in puppy farm cruelty.' The consultation follows a call for evidence on the ban which ran from February to May. Marc Abraham, of the Pup Aid campaign, said: For years irresponsible breeders in the UK and abroad, e.g. puppy farmers, have always used third parties to keep themselves well-hidden from the buying public. Lucy's Law will ensure that sellers of puppies are accountable - in a move that combats cruelty By banning third party sellers, Lucys Law will ensure all breeders are accountable, making it the first major step in tackling puppy farm cruelty. David Bowles, assistant director of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: The RSPCA knows first-hand the misery the puppy trade causes to dogs and families. The only people who profit from this unscrupulous trade are the sellers. We believe its vital to crackdown on this underground trade to provide much-needed protection to dogs and people, and welcome an end to the third-party sales of puppies. Paula Boyden, veterinary director at the Dogs Trust, welcomed the move but said additional steps were needed to safeguard the health of pets. She said: We believe that to be effective, a ban needs to be supported by some key additional measures, such as regulating rehoming organisations. The puppy farm problem extends beyond Britain and into Ireland. This dog was shown in a programme called The Truth About Ireland's Puppy Farms These measures will close off potential loopholes and ensure a ban is the success we all want to see. New laws come into force on October 1 banning licensed sellers from dealing in puppies and kittens less than eight weeks old. The announcement follow a commitment by the Prime Minister Theresa May in December to crack down on cruel puppy farms. The new plans also aim to clamp down on young animals enduring long journeys after being sold which lead to serious health problems. Government plans are also targeting the breeding of dogs with severe genetic disorders, as well as increasing sentences for animal abusers. As Peter Dutton spent the bulk of the past four months in Canberra mounting a high-stakes challenge to the prime minister, his wife played the role of single mother while managing their two-hectare home in Brisbane's north-west. But Kirilly Dutton - potentially Australia's next 'first lady' - is no shrinking violet. The 44-year-old has made millions running and owning childcare centres, at the same time expanding an impressive property portfolio alongside the Liberal leadership contender. Kirilly, known to friends as 'Krill', lives on the Camp Mountain property with the couple's two young sons, Harry, 14, and Tom, 12 - as well as Mr Dutton's 16-year-old daughter Rebecca from a previous relationship. Mr Dutton first married at the age of 22 in 1992, but the union lasted just a few months. He later fathered Rebecca with another woman in 2002, before meeting his future wife. Peter Dutton is pictured with wife Kirilly, the couple's two young sons, Harry and Tom - as well as Mr Dutton's teenage daughter Rebecca from a previous relationship Peter Dutton met his now wife Kirilly (right) before marrying around two years later But working 14-hour days as a personal assistant for recruitment magnate Sarina Russo, Kirilly had little time to pursue a relationship - and it took time to blossom. The pair were first introduced by one of Kirilly's friends, who was in a relationship with Ross Vasta, the current Liberal Member for Bonner. Months later, Kirilly was finally wooed by what she says is Mr Dutton's mystery and sense of humour. The pair married in 2003. 'He's more romantic than me. He buys the gift baskets and the flowers. There's a perception out there that he's fairly serious and hard-line. But he loves a joke,' Kirilly told The Courier Mail this week. Kirilly (left) was finally wooed by what she says is Mr Dutton's (right) mystery and sense of humour Kirilly was working as recruitment magnate Sarina Russo's (right) personal assistant when she met Peter Dutton 'He's got a great sense of humour. When he and his mother get together, they can have tears running down their faces. It can take him about 20 minutes to tell a story because he's laughing so much.' Kirilly worked as a part-time babysitter as a young woman and would later create and expand lucrative childcare businesses. Her friends on social media tell her she looks the same today as she did in high school: 'When do you think you might start getting wrinkles? You look the same as you did in year 12.' Mrs Dutton now operates and owns the Camelia Avenue Childcare Centre in Everton Hills, as well as Bald Hills Childcare Centre, both in Brisbane's north-west. The couple live in Camp Mountain property in Birsbane's north-west with the three young children When the couple (pictured in 2010) first met, Kirilly had little time to pursue a relationship - and it took time to blossom As he mounted this week's leadership challenge, Mr Dutton was forced to deny he could be disqualified from Parliament for breaching constitutional law due to his business interests in the childcare centres. Both for-profit operations are owned by RHT Family Trust, according to ASIC documents, of which he, his wife and his children are beneficiaries. A change in the law, effective as of July 2, means the two childcare centres now receive direct grants from the Commonwealth. This replaced the old system where benefits and rebates were paid to families. Under Section 44(v) of the Constitution, any person with 'any direct or indirect pecuniary interest with the Public Service of the Commonwealth' is disqualified from Parliament. Mr and Mrs Dutton are pictured left with former Prime Minister John Howard (centre) Mrs Dutton now operates and owns the Camelia Avenue Childcare Centre in Everton Hills, as well as Bald Hills Childcare Centre, both in Brisbane's north-west Sydney University professor of constitutional law Anne Twomey told The Sydney Morning Herald the Liberal leadership contender could be in trouble. 'I think there is a reasonable case for his disqualification but he also has a reasonable defence,' she said. 'It is a real case and I would describe it as borderline.' The paper reported on Wednesday Camelia Avenue Childcare Centre has received $2.03 million in Commonwealth funding over the past four years. Bald Hills Childcare Centre reportedly received $3.6 million between 2010 and 2018. THE DUTTON'S EXPANDING PROPERTY EMPIRE Peter and Kirilly Dutton purchased this 2.3 million luxurious beach-front apartment on the Gold Coast in 2015 Peter and Kirilly Dutton have purchased a reported six properties in recent years. They include a $2.3 million luxurious beach-front apartment on the Gold Coast's so-called 'Millionaires Row', purchased in 2015. The home now yields a reported $1,300 a week in rent. The couple also paid $760,000 for a retail shopping centre in Townsville last year. They have two other homes occupied by tenants - one on the Sunshine State and another in Canberra. The couple also paid $760,000 for a retail shopping centre in Townsville last year Advertisement A spokesman for Dutton said: 'Mr Dutton's legal advice clearly states there is no breach of Section 44.' Undeterred by the supposed dangers to his eligibility - and his defeat in Tuesday's leadership spill - Mr Dutton admitted he was gathering support for another attempt. 'Of course I am, I am speaking to colleagues,' Mr Dutton said when asked if he was working on a second challenge by Neil Mitchell on 3AW Radio. His camp said they have secured 40 out of the 43 votes required to seize the Liberal Party leadership. Malcolm Turnbull could face another leadership spill as early as this afternoon, with Mr Dutton's supporters claiming the prime minister is this time unlikely to survive. Rose McGowan is under fire for urging people to 'be gentle' after it was revealed Asia Argento paid off an actor who claimed he was sexually assaulted by the Italian star. The #MeToo leader disappointed numerous supporters as she wrote that 'none of us know the truth of the situation'. 'I got to know Asia Argento ten months ago. Our commonality is the shared pain of being assaulted by Harvey Weinstein,' McGowan tweeted on Monday. 'My heart is broken. I will continue my work on behalf of victims everywhere.' Then, in a separate tweet, McGowan added: 'None of us know the truth of the situation and I'm sure more will be revealed. Be gentle.' Rose McGowan is under fire for urging people to 'be gentle' after it was revealed Asia Argento paid off an actor who claimed he was sexually assaulted by the Italian star The #MeToo leader disappointed numerous critics as she wrote that 'none of us know the truth of the situation' on Monday McGowan's remarks came hours after The New York Times reported that Argento paid Jimmy Bennett $380,000 when he filed a notice of intent to sue in November. In that notice, the actor claimed that he was sexually assaulted by Argento in a California hotel room in 2013 when he was 17 and the actress was 37. A number of critics took to Twitter to deride McGowan's statement and urge her to speak out for Bennett. 'I can imagine this must be a horrendous time for you, but please, Rose, mention Jimmy Bennett's name. He deserves to be acknowledged as much as Asia Argento. I wish you well with the #MeToo movement,' one fan wrote. 'I don't know the full story and I hope she's right in her words. But Rose McGowan excusing a sexual abuser is disgusting and hypocritical,' added Maddi Blacktop. A number of critics took to Twitter to deride McGowan's statement and urge her to speak out for Jimmy Bennett instead 'Just because the abuser is a woman shouldn't mean she gets leniency when others are undoubtedly accused.' 'Your heart better be more than broken. You should be displaying the same outrage you've displayed at men who have sexually assaulted women,' wrote Barry Leavitt. 'Can't be outraged at one and not at the other.' One woman, who identified herself as a sexual abuse victim, said McGowan's comments set the movement back '100 years'. 'Do NOT tell me or anyone to be gentle with a person who has been accused and paid off her accuser, just because she is a woman,' the survivor wrote. 'Do not tell people no one knows the story.' Many also hit out at McGowan's claim that she only 'got to know' Argento 10 months ago, frequently reposting an image (pictured) of the two women on the red carpet from 2003 McGowan has since responded to the backlash, tweeting on Tuesday night: 'Oh for f**k's sake I'm not defending' Many accused McGowan of only standing up for Argento because they were friends. 'Be gentle? Why? Because she's a woman and your friend? Your comments are a major slap in the face to everything the #MeToo movement represents. Double standards beyond belief,' tweeted Harry Cook. 'So you'll work on behalf of victims as long as your friend isn't the one accused of sexually assaulting them...just trying to clarify here what you truly believe and stand for,' another added. Christine Russo wrote that she was 'hurting so much right now' because she had looked up to McGowan. 'Are white feminists capable of supporting anyone who isn't of your caliber?' she wrote. 'You helped me gain confidence and strength as a girl, but now you make me sick.' McGowan has since responded to the backlash, tweeting on Tuesday night: 'Oh for f**k's sake I'm not defending'. Rosanna Arquette also found herself in hot water after she defended the Italian actress She suggested that Harvey Weinstein was involved in leaking the story, writing: 'The monster is at it again' and even claimed it could be a set up The controversial remarks come just two months after McGowan rushed to Argento's side after her boyfriend Anthony Bourdain hanged himself in a French hotel room. In the wake of the celebrity chef's suicide, McGowan acted as Argento's spokesperson and even released the actress' first statement on Bourdain's passing. Many hit out at McGowan's claim that she only 'got to know' Argento 10 months ago, frequently reposting an old image of the two women on the red carpet. The picture, which Argento shared on Instagram earlier this year, includes a caption that reads: 'The day we met - March 17th, 2003'. McGowan isn't the only actress to come under fire for her tweets regarding Argento. Rosanna Arquette also found herself in hot water after she defended the Italian actress on Monday. Argento first met Bennett on the set of her film The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things when he was seven years old and cast to play her son (pictured together on the film) 'I know many many rape and trauma survivors who act out sexually The wounds they carry run deep. I pray for them. the timing of this story is suspect. Asia was still raped by Harvey Weinstein,' she wrote. Arquette later reposted McGowan's 'Be gentle' tweet, writing 'That's for sure'. She also responded to a woman who stated: 'I thought we believed accusers? I get this is your friend, but you are talking out of both sides of your mouth right now.' 'I didn't say I didn't I said wait to hear the whole story,' Arquette shot back. Arquette also made a number of remarks that suggested that Bennett was not telling the truth. She called the allegations a 'set up' multiple times, writing at one point: 'Stop until you hear all the facts this is a set up. Extortion is a problem.' Twitter users were quick to call out Arquette, with one writing: 'Rosanna, Millions of sexual assault survivors manage to live their lives without victimizing others.' Bennett has not spoken since his allegations against Argento were revealed on Sunday night (he is pictured here on Monday) On the day of the alleged assault, Argento posted a note with a heart and Bennett's name on Twitter and wrote: 'I cry, I sweat, I pace, I tremble, I am alive' 'The fastest way to damage this movement is to ignore a victim when the perpetrator is a hero. There is no good reason for an adult women to get in bed with a 17 yr old boy.' Arquette in turn deleted her tweets calling the claims a 'set up' and responded: 'Who's ignoring him?' Argento spoke out for the first time since the damning expose on Tuesday, saying 'I strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article'. 'I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett,' she added. Argento claimed that Bennett went after her because of her relationship with Bourdain, a 'man of great perceived wealth' who 'had his own reputation as a beloved public figure to protect'. She also alleged that it was Bourdain who urged her to settle in exchange for Bennett's silence. Argento (pictured with Bennett) spoke out for the first time since the damning expose on Tuesday, saying she 'strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article' Argento claims Bennett extorted her because he knew her boyfriend Anthony Bourdain was a 'man of great perceived wealth' 'Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life,' Argento wrote in her statement. 'This is...the umpteenth development of a sequence of events that brings me great sadness and that constitutes a long-standing persecution.' 'I have therefore no other choice but to oppose such false allegations and will assume in the short term all necessary initiatives for my protection before all competent venues.' Argento first met Bennett on the set of her film The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things when he was seven years old and cast to play her son. Bennett's lawyer claims he was sexually assaulted by Argento back in 2013 after being dropped off by a family member at a Marina del Rey hotel for a visit. The notice, which was sent to the Times by an anonymous source, claims Argento then gave him alcohol to drink, kissed him, and performed oral sex on the teen. Argento and her alleged rapist Harvey Weinstein at the premiere of The Heart is Deceitful at Cannes in 2004 It claims they went on to have 'intercourse' before Argento asked him to take a 'number of photos'. Argento posted five photos from the pair's meet-up to her Instagram that day, starting with one of herself in which she wrote: 'Waiting for my long lost son my love @jimmymbennett in trepidation #marinadelrey smoking cigarettes like there was no next week.' In her second post she shared a selfie of herself with Bennett and wrote: 'Happiest day of my life reunion with @jimmymbennett xox.' Bennett's lawyer said his 'feelings about that day were brought to the forefront' after Argento's very public condemnation of Weinstein. He asked for $3.5million in damages, sighting intentional infliction of emotional distress, lost wages, assault, and battery. The parties agreed to a settlement in April, and one month later Argento appeared at the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. In a speech that garnered much praise at the time she said: 'In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes. I was 21 years old.' 'Even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who have still to be held accountable for their conduct against women. You know who you are,' she continued. 'But most importantly we know who you are. And we're not going allow you to get away with it any longer.' An American living in Australia has demanded his own brother be deported back to the United States as the siblings row over their mother's will. Carl and Larry Halquist currently live in the same house in Sapphire Beach, on the New South Wales North Coast, which had been their mother's before she died. The property was left to the brothers following her death in 2002, with Carl now wanting to sell the home, A Current Affair reported. Scroll down for video This home at Sapphire Beach, on the New South Wales North Coast, is currently the home of brothers Carl and Larry Halquist after it was left to the siblings when their mother died Larry Halquist (left) claimed to A Current Affair he is being 'kicked-out' of the home by his brother Carl Halquist (right) Larry is keen to stay where he is but the program reported they had sighted a legal letter which advised him he had to vacate the home by Thursday. The letter reportedly advised Larry that 'any permission you may have had to occupy the property is hereby revoked'. Carl has been made executor of their mother's estate. Larry claims he is being 'kicked out of my own home by my own brother'. Larry, who describes his life at the moment as 'hell', has now called for his brother to be the one to move out of the home, back to the United States. 'I'm sorry, he's my brother but, send him home. He's not going to be ridiculed or hassled by anybody. There's no wars going on there, I mean Donald Trump's made the country great again. Send him back,' Larry said. When asked by A Current Affair if he wanted to keep all of his mother's inheritance and kick Larry out of the home as Larry had said, Carl responded: 'You're wrong. Your're totally wrong on that'. Carl later added that Larry has 'been sponging off us for the last 35 years and that's all I've got to say'. The University of Leicester is trying to encourage academics to talk about the menopause (stock image) Repeating the word 'menopause' three times a day at work is enough to show solidarity with female colleagues, men have been told. The University of Leicester is trying to encourage middle-aged male academics to open up and talk about the taboo subject. Dr Andrea Davies, from the university's School of Business, organises the monthly Leicester Menopause Cafe, where male and female colleagues are encouraged to come together and chat about the middle-aged phenomena. She also puts together menopause roadshows at the institution and says workplaces need to become more menopause-friendly. All staff should be able to talk about it openly and without embarrassment, so saying the word several times a day would help, said Dr Davies. She added: 'We have been arguing to avoid any closeted words or acronyms and just say menopause preferably three times a day to make it "unremarkable". 'We set out that menopause should not be a women's only issue.' Last year, the university became the first employer in the UK to introduce a menopause policy. Similar schemes have since been rolled out at the University of Manchester, Severn Trent Water and Nottinghamshire Police, as employers look to support older female colleagues. In February, the institution began hosting the menopause cafes every month an informal, social meeting where male and female colleagues discuss the menopause over a drink. Last year, Leicester University became the first employer in the UK to introduce a menopause policy. Staff who experience symptoms at work are encouraged to record them in communal books in the office, in order to make colleagues aware. This allows them to record symptoms which formal meetings and deadlines can exacerbate, including headaches, hot flushes, depression and excessive tiredness. Dr Davies said the cafes allow women and men to feel more confident about discussing the menopause. She said: 'People share tips on how they are managing menopause symptoms at work and at home. 'A recent share I really liked was to have a menopause book on the work desk. 'This is a place to write lists and say how [a woman's] menopause was today. 'She wrote things herself but also encouraged her work colleagues to do the same. 'This has really helped her not to forget things that can happen if you experience intermittent forgetfulness, or what we call menopause brain fog.' Dr Davies said that male colleagues are 'keen to know more to support their family and female colleagues. 'Confidence to talk about menopause is growing. We are removing the taboo menopause is visible and in the everyday.' There are around 4.3million working women aged 50 or over the biggest increase in employment rates since 1994. The menopause occurs at the age of 51 years on average, so many women now undergo the change at work. Symptoms can manifest both physically and psychologically and include hot flushes, sweats, poor concentration, insomnia, headaches, panic attacks, anxiety and loss of confidence. On average, most symptoms last about four years from the last period. However, about one in every 10 women experiences them for up to 12 years. A report by the Government Equalities Office released in 2017 recommended that employers provide desk fans to help menopausal women manage their symptoms. They should also provide cold water fountains, places to rest, special absence policies and ensure uniforms are made from non-synthetic materials. President Donald Trump tore into the Mueller probe, calling it the 'Russian witch hunt' hours after investigators achieved their biggest conviction yet of former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort while Trump lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to charges. He tied federal investigators to the despised 'fake news' as he spoke to supporters in Charleston on one of the most dramatic days of his presidency. But Trump failed to mention either Manafort or Cohen at his rally. Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations by coordinating with 'Individual-1' as he 'worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign' prosecutors charged. Manafort was convicted by a Virginia jury on eight counts of tax and money laundering charges. 'Fake news. Fake. How fake, how fake are they?' Trump told the crowd. 'Fake news and the Russian witch hunt. We got a whole big combination,' Trump said. 'Fake news and the Russian witch hunt. We got a whole big combination,' Trump said on one of the most tumultuous days of his presidency Then he asked: 'Where is the collusion? You know theyre still looking for collusion. Where is the collusion? Find some collusion. We want to find the collusion.' Trump otherwise avoided directly speaking about the stunning developments for his White House and presidential history. As he landed in the state Trump told reporters he feels 'badly' for both Cohen and Manafort. On Friday, while a Virginia jury deliberated on Manafort's fate, he called him a 'good person,' and called the trial 'sad.' 'I must tell you that Paul Manafort is a good man, he was with Ronald Reagan, he was with a lot of different people over the years, and I feel very sad about that,' Trump said. 'It doesn't involve me but I still feel... it's a very sad thing that happened. 'Between Waters and Pelosi they're not in favor of West Virginia. They don't know that West Virginia exists,' Trump charged. 'They don't like coal.' Many audience members held up 'Trump digs coal' signs to appreciate Trump's support for coal-fired power As he landed in the state Trump told reporters he feels 'badly' for both Cohen and Manafort Trump proceeded to slash at his allies, vowing to campaign across the country and tearing into rival Democrats he said were holding up his agenda 'This has nothing to do with Russian collusion, this started as Russian collusion, this has absolutely nothing to do... this is a witch hunt and it's a disgrace.' Trump referenced Mollie Tibbetts, the 20-year-old Iowa student who was abducted and murdered. Authorities have charged Mexican immigrant Christian Bahena Rivera, 24, who is in the country illegally. 'You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly from Mexico, and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful, young woman,' Trump said. 'Should have never happened. Illegally in our country,' Trump continued. 'We've ha da huge impact, but the laws are so bad. The immigration laws are such a disgrace. We're getting them changed, but we have to get more Republicans,' Trump said. Trump lashed out at foes in all directions. He went after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has struggled to clean up comments that America was 'never that great.' President Donald Trump, left, listens as Republican Senate candidate Patrick Morrisey, currently West Virginia Attorney General, speaks during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Charleston, W.Va. Supporters cheer as President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Charleston, W.Va. End of the road: Paul Manafort stood alongside his attorneys as the six men and six women of the jury returned their verdict. He showed no emotion as they delivered guilty verdicts on eight of the charges brought by Robert Mueller's special counsel probe Longtime Trump lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to campaign finance violations 'in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office' Guilty: Paul Manafort faces up to 80 years in prison after being convicted of eight charges of fraud Trump proceeded to slash at his allies, vowing to campaign across the country and tearing into rival Democrats he said were holding up his agenda. 'The Democrat party is held hostage by the so-called resistance,' Trump said. 'Left wing haters and angry mobs they're trying to tear down our institutions, disrespect our flag, demean our law enforcement denigrate our history and disparage our great country and we're not going to let it happen.' Mocking the 'resistance,' he said: 'Their little phrase that they like, resist. That's all their good at they have no policy.' 'The Democrats want to turn America into one big fat sanctuary city for criminal aliens,' Trump claimed. 'Honestly theyre more protecting of aliens, the criminal aliens than they are of the people,' he added. Trump lashed out at foes in all directions. He went after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has struggled to clean up comments that America was 'never that great.' 'America was never great that's the democrats' new theme,' Trump said. Trump referenced Mollie Tibbetts, the 20-year-old Iowa student who was abducted and murdered. Authorities charged a Mexican immigrant here illegally Trump's rally was scheduled on a day when a jury reached a verdict on Manafort and Cohen entered his guilty plea in a federal courthouse 'He says America was never great. I would imagine that's career threatening, right? I would imagine. How do you get away with that one? Did you hear?' Trump, who compared the Mueller probe to McCarthy tactics, then said: 'He was speaking to a room loaded up with socialists and probably others, probably others. No not communists, but there could have been a couple of them, too... They couldn't even believe it.' 'Now that's job threatening. His comments are an insult to the generations of brave americans whose blood and sweat and tears built our magnificent country.' Trump tweeted Sunday: 'Study the late Joseph McCarthy, because we are now in period with Mueller and his gang that make Joseph McCarthy look like a baby! Rigged Witch Hunt!' He tried to make Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters that face of the House Democrats, who are seeking to pry the House from GOP hands. 'Nancy Pelosi with Maxine waters running the House,' Trump said, singling out the senior Black Caucus member who called to harass Trump administration members in public places. 'Between Waters and Pelosi they're not in favor of West Virginia. They don't know that West Virginia exists,' Trump charged. 'They don't like coal.' Trump went after social media for censorship after Facebook and Twitter banned 'Infowars' host Alex Jones for violating their hate speech policies. Even as he trashed 'fake news,' Trump denounced censorship. 'I would rather have fake news than to have anybody stopped an censored,' Trump said. 'We've got to live with fake news theres too many sources' in the modern media landscape, said Trump. 'You cant have censorship.' 'You cant pick one person,' Trump said. He said of 'fake news': 'That's by far the better alternative.' He went after homestate Sen. Joe Manchin, who is engaged in a touch reelection, for voting with Democrats, even as he allowed it was possible Manchin would vote for Trump's Supreme Court pick, Brett Kavanaugh. Speaking alongside Trump, Republican Senate candidate Patrick Morrisey promised to be a 'big ally of this president.' He called Manchin, among the most conservative Democrats in the Senate, a 'dishonest liberal' and cited his support for Hillary Clinton. At one point during Trump's remarks, the crowd cheered 'drain the swamp,' just hours after Cohen pleaded guilty to failing to disclose $4.1 million in income from tax authorities. 'And I like Joe but Joe doesn't vote. He just doesn't vote for us. It's a vote for Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, their new leader, Maxine Waters,' Trump said. Trump said he would hit the campaign trail 'as many days as I can and I'm allowed to.' The National Trust has asked for an 'urgent explanation' after a military re-enactment event featuring Second World War German uniforms and Nazi memorabilia was hosted on its land. One visitor to the event at the historic Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire, was left in tears when faced with displays of Nazi memorabilia - including a yellow Star of David patch that Jewish people were forced to wear. The woman said she felt sick after watching middle-aged men wander around the grounds wearing, what she believed to be, full Nazi SS uniform with knee-high black boots. The National Trust has been blasted for letting World War Two enthusiasts parade around a stately home in what was believed to be Nazi uniforms (pictured) History fanatics gathered together (pictured) to attend the event, which has been running for seven years Yet one woman said she felt sick after watching middle-aged men wander around the grounds wearing, what she believed to be, full Nazi SS uniform with knee-high black boots A swastika flag, a display of Nazi stationery, and an original yellow Star of David arm patch, were also displayed for onlookers to see, it is being claimed. The onlooker told the Sun: I was bewildered that nobody else seemed to be offended by what was going on. It was like being in a parallel universe. In Germany and Austria its illegal to display a swastika. How can it be acceptable to wear a Nazi uniform here? She added that there was no educational value in the displays that she could see and commented: It was fascist fetishism. People were posing with these soldiers. One tent had a swastika flag (pictured) adorned above its opening for onlookers to see A display of Nazi stationery, and an original yellow Star of David arm patch, were also displayed for onlookers to see, it is claimed The National Trust, which is investigating the Lacock At War event, described the displays as insensitive and unacceptable. Some 8,000 people attended the event, which has run for seven years. Organiser John Wardle, of the West Wiltshire Military Vehicle Trust, said: Everything has been taken totally out of context. Someone is trying to sensationalise the event saying were trying to promote Nazism, which couldnt be further from the truth. The MVT does not support Nazism in any way and will remove from our events anyone that tries to support Nazism. The National Trust, which is investigating the Lacock At War event, described the displays as insensitive and unacceptable. Some 8,000 people attended the event One visitor to the event at the historic Lacock Abbey (pictured), Wiltshire, was left in tears when faced with displays of Nazi memorabilia The yellow Jewish star armband on display was part of a personal collection and had been given to the collector by an elderly Jewish woman who knew he collected WWII memorabilia. It was on display but not for sale and he was mortified someone had taken offence at seeing a piece of history. He added: 'There were no Nazis at the event - there were people dressed in German uniforms but they weren't Nazis.' The National Trust said: We are aware of concerns raised over a living history event at Lacock over the weekend and have contacted the organisers for an urgent explanation. The event was organised by the Military Vehicle Trust and included uniforms and materials, which understandably caused distress and led to a complaint. We will make it very clear to the MVT that these displays were insensitive, unacceptable and should not be repeated. Optus has announced it will be cutting hundreds of jobs in the next two months. The telco said 'certain roles will be impacted' with 440 people losing their jobs as the company restructures. An Optus spokesperson said they will be speaking to affected employees first, and 'discussing redeployment opportunities where available'. Optus has announced it will be cutting hundreds of obs in the next two months 'As we continue to evolve the way we work, do business and fund future investments we are removing duplication, improving our operating efficiency and embracing next-generation technologies, like digitisation and automation to achieve this goal. 'We are structuring our organisation to become the next-generation Optus and continue to meet the needs of our customers.' Staff were told of the job losses via email and in meeting on Wednesday. Additional roles are expected to be created, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Optus chief executive Allen Lew said the changes were part of the 'IDAHO' mantra - an acronym standing for 'I Drive Accountability and a Healthy Organisation'. Optus job cuts timeline 2017: Optus slashes 320 jobs from the company over the year May 2018: 400 staff are made redundant In the same month, Virgin Mobile is closed down, resulting in 200 job losses August 2018: 440 jobs are cut as the business restructures Advertisement 'To realise our vision to become a world class, digital service provider that puts our customers at the heart of everything we do, we are making further changes to our organisational structure,' he said. 'We will also be introducing new and different ways of working to remain competitive and continually deliver game-changing customer experiences.' Optus announced in May it was to cut 400 staff from the company, and in the same month it closed subsidiary brand Virgin Mobile, resulting in 200 job losses. Another 320 jobs were slashed across the business a year ago. Awakening/Getty Images(GENOA, Italy) -- The toll-road operator that manages a highway bridge that collapsed in northwest Italy has approved more than half a billion dollars in initial funding to help those affected by the disaster and to pay for a new steel bridge. Autostrade per lItalias board members agreed on an initial list of proposed, self-funded initiatives to the tune of an estimated 500 million euros ($572 million) during a meeting Tuesday. Their commitment comes one week after a vast section of the Morandi Bridge, in the port city of Genoa, buckled, killing at least 43 people. The bridge, which connects highway traffic between Italy and France, collapsed on the eve of Ferragosto, a major summer holiday in Italy. The plan, pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation into the collapse, includes rebuilding the bridge "in steel according to the most modern technologies," which the board says can be done in about eight months, as well as bankrolling the construction of alternative roadways to mitigate traffic for the time being and establishing funds to support victims' families and displaced residents. Autostrade per lItalias parent company, Atlantia, said in a press release Wednesday that "these measures have Atlantia's full support." However, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told the Milan daily newspaper Corriere della Sera that the amount of money the firm is offering in reconstruction and compensation costs is simply not enough. "The sum allocated is modest compared to their profits," Conte said. "They could quadruple or quintuple that." Autostrade per lItalia, which is given government contracts to run Italy's toll highways, is the largest private company of its kind in the European country. Investigators are still trying to determine why the bridge collapsed, but design flaws and poor maintenance are suspected to be the causes. The Italian cabinet last Wednesday declared a 12-month state of emergency for Genoa, with Conte calling the bridge's collapse "unacceptable in modern society." Buildings beneath the bridge were damaged in the collapse and authorities are concerned that what's left of the massive structure could crumble. Hundreds of people were forced to evacuate their homes below the structure. Prosecutors in Genoa told reporters on Tuesday that they were ready to order the destruction of the remaining structure if fire services said there was "concrete danger." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Stopped in traffic, a lorry has its rear doors prised open and up to a dozen migrants try to cram themselves inside. The images show migrants charging what appears to be a Spanish removals lorry before its journey from northern France across the Channel to the UK. Some appear to stow away successfully inside. It is the latest incident to play out in the French port town of Ouistreham, near Caen in Normandy, which has become a target among migrants. Images show migrants charging what appears to be a Spanish removals lorry before its journey from northern France across the Channel to the UK Local police told the BBC, which broadcast the footage, that fortified security in Calais meant migrants are increasingly trying to get on ferries running from the north of the country to Portsmouth. Last night Frederic Aubanel, a police general in the Calvados department, said up to 200 migrants a day would attempt to breach lorries apparently in a bid to seek asylum in Britain. Mr Aubanel said: 'There are 150 to 200 migrants or between 100 and 150 it depends on the time of year who try, no matter what the cost, to get into the port, to get to the UK. 'It's every day it's every day we have people who get into the lorries.' He added that it was creating a sense of 'panic' among lorry drivers who use the port. Residents in Ouistreham, known for its beachfront codenamed 'Sword' in the D-Day landings, said they were considering leaving their homes because they felt so unsafe. Local police told the BBC, which broadcast the footage, that fortified security in Calais meant migrants are increasingly trying to get on ferries running to Portsmouth Last night they urged French authorities to allow migrants to enter Britain so they no longer had to live alongside them. Other images showed migrants who are not allowed to set up camp settling down in public spaces such as parks. One migrant from Sudan, named as Tiger, told the BBC he spent every waking moment trying to cross the Channel. He said: 'You must try every night. Maybe in a day, I will get in a car three times. If they find you they will get you out.' British holidaymakers have reported seeing growing numbers of migrants loitering around the port. One internet forum user described how he had spotted 'groups of what appeared to be migrants hanging around', adding: 'Drivers heading towards the port need to be alert as some of the people we saw were standing very close to the road and studying oncoming traffic.' One migrant from Sudan, named as Tiger, told the BBC he spent every waking moment trying to cross the Channel Local hauliers have also reported rising numbers of migrants targeting the area. Transport bosses have called for security to be improved and suggested the French military should be drafted in to provide a permanent deterrent at ports along France's northern coast. Christophe Blanchet, the MP for Ouistreham, recently warned that the situation was 'at the edge of a precipice'. Last year fewer than 17 per cent of asylum applications in the region were successful. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is considering granting diplomatic protection to free a British charity worker jailed in Iran. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was sentenced to five years in prison in 2016, accused of spying. She denies the allegations, insisting she was on holiday visiting family with her baby daughter. Scroll down for video British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran for allegedly plotting to topple the Iranian government Mr Hunt said he had been going over the case in 'enormous detail' and considering her husband Richard Ratcliffe's request to grant her diplomatic protection a mechanism under international law where a state can help one of its nationals whose rights have been breached in another country. Mr Hunt said he had not 'come to a final decision'. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 39, who works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, is facing a further hearing over an unspecified security charge. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe insists she was visiting Iran to introduce her daughter (right) to family A candle-lit vigil was held for the British mother who on her 800th day in jail - as her supporters claim she is being used as a 'political pawn'. The vigil was held outside the Foreign Office in London, where friends and family members lit the candles for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe on her daughter Gabriella's fourth birthday. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband Richard, from West Hampstead, London, said: 'Part of the reason we're here in front of the Foreign Office is just to say 'listen, this is still going on. Please find a way to solve this.'' He said they have been seeking diplomatic protection for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe from Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. He added: 'There are clearly things going on between UK and Iran's relationship. That means that we are a political bargaining chip - partly because we're so high-profile.' Her husband said yesterday that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was reaching the 'end of her patience' in the absence of any diplomatic progress to get her home to the UK. A priest in New York City said he repeatedly warned church officials about now ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick - who was suspended last month over sex abuse allegations. Father Boniface Ramsey told CBS News this week: 'I had the impression that virtually everyone knew about it. 'Archbishop McCarrick was inviting seminarians to his beach house. There were five beds and there were six people. Archbishop McCarrick arranged it in such a way that somebody would join him in his bed.' The priest, an archbishop of Newark at the time, said he was informed about the inappropriate behavior in 1986. Father Boniface Ramsey (seen above in a CBS interview) said 'virtually everyone knew' about Cardinal Theodore McCarrick's alleged sex abuse Ramsey said he wrote a letter to senior church officials in 2015 that was ignored Archbishop Sean Cardinal O'Malley (seen above at the Boston College 2017 141st Commencement Exercises at Boston College Alumni Stadium on May 22, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts) apologized Monday and said he didn't see a letter sent to his office in 2015 Ramsey wrote in a letter to Cardinal Sean O'Malley, of Boston, in June 2015: 'Some of these stories were not presented to me as mere rumors but were told to me by persons directly involved.' The letter was sent to O'Malley after Pope Francis appointed him as president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. O'Malley said Monday that he didn't see a letter sent to his office in 2015 concerning McCarrick's possible inappropriate behavior with seminarians. 'I should have seen that letter precisely because it made assertions about the behavior of an archbishop in the church,' he said. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick is seen on December 8, 2015 in Washington, D.C. McCarrick has said he has 'absolutely no recollection of this reported abuse' and believes in his innocence O'Malley said his priest secretary told the pastor a recommendation to review cases fell outside the commission's mandate. He apologized Monday to the pastor and to anyone whose concerns were reflected in the letter. Pope Francis ordered McCarrick removed from public ministry amid allegations he sexually abused a teenage altar boy and engaged in sexual misconduct with adult seminarians decades ago. McCarrick has said he has 'absolutely no recollection of this reported abuse' and believes in his innocence. Banks are dodging payouts for fraud victims by unfairly branding them 'negligent', a watchdog will say today. In a victory for customers, banks will be told to stop blaming victims of highly-sophisticated scams which exploit their own banking systems. In current law, banks can refuse to compensate fraud victims if it can prove they were 'grossly negligent'. But they are said to be interpreting this to include almost anyone who hands over personal details to fraudsters or transfers money into a criminal's account. In current law, banks can refuse to compensate fraud victims if it can prove they were 'grossly negligent' Now, the Financial Ombudsman Service has warned that 'gross negligence isn't a term to be used lightly' and cannot be used inappropriately as an excuse not to pay up. In a hard-hitting report released today, banks will be told to cover customers' losses if they cannot provide evidence to back up their negligence claim. The ombudsman, which investigates complaints about banks, says that proving a customer has been grossly negligent is 'an increasingly difficult case to make' because criminals are using such clever technology. Lead ombudsman Pat Hurley will say: 'The increasing sophistication of scams means that the bar for gross negligence is high it's more than just a test of whether someone was careless. The fact is that scams can be very convincing for example, using fake websites that look identical to banks' online systems, or text messages which to all intents and purposes look like they're from someone's bank.' Jenni Allen, managing director of Which? Money, said: 'This is a welcome intervention by the ombudsman and shows that many consumers who have been tricked out of money .. should really have been compensated by their bank.' Last year, RBS boss Ross McEwan insisted it was a not always the responsibility of banks when customers give their account details or money to online scammers Last year, RBS boss Ross McEwan insisted it was a not always the responsibility of banks when customers give their account details or money to online scammers. Asked whether the bailed-out bank, which owns NatWest, had a duty of care to victims, he replied: 'No.' He said it would be too expensive to cover all losses and customers should be more careful. But the Financial Conduct Authority says it interprets gross negligence to mean the customer showed 'a very significant degree of carelessness'. Caroline Wayman, chief ombudsman and chief executive of the FOS, said that 'it's not fair to automatically call a customer grossly negligent simply because they've fallen for a scam'. Martyn James, formerly of the ombudsman and now at complaints website Resolver, said: 'They [banks] must introduce a basic level of safeguarding for online bank transfers to ensure a customer is not being defrauded.' And Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North, said: 'Given that fraudsters are acting with increasing sophistication to cheat people out of their money, banks should take greater care in throwing around charges of 'gross negligence' at their customers.' UK Finance, which represents the banks, said last year banks' security systems prevented 2 in every 3 of attempted fraud. Idris Elba has confirmed he will not be the next James Bond after weeks of speculation. Speaking on the red carpet at the premiere of his new film Yardie in London last night he squashed fans' hopes he might be taking over from Daniel Craig. Good Morning Britain reporters asked the Luther star, 45, if he preferred shaken or stirred, in a nod to the spy character's favourite drink - a martini. He replied: 'Stir fried actually.' But then asked 'Am I looking at the next 007?', the actor responded with a firm 'no'. Director Idris Elba and fiancee Sabrina Dhowre pose for photographers on arrival at the premiere of the film 'Yardie' in London before confirming he will not be the next Bond Good Morning Britain posed the all-important question to the actor (pictured) at his Yardie premiere in London last night His confirmation puts an end to weeks of rumours that he could be the first black actor to take on the role. It comes as director Danny Boyle quit as director of the next Bond film, citing 'creative differences'. Last week, Elba posted a selfie on Twitter, captioning it: 'My name's Elba, Idris Elba,' echoing Bond's catchphrase. Elba's confirmation he will not be taking over from Daniel Craig (pictured right) comes as director Danny Boyle (left) quit as director of the next Bond film, citing 'creative differences' The actor acknowledged that 'apparently' he set off a bit of a firestorm 'by telling people my name.' His fans have campaigned for years, desperate to see him be the first black actor to take on the role. It came after writer Anthony Horowitz said he was 'too street' for the role in 2015. Yardie tells the dark story of retribution as a young Jamaican seeks revenge after he encounters the murdered who killed his brother 10 years ago. Yardie tells the dark story of retribution as a young Jamaican seeks revenge after he encounters the murdered who killed his brother 10 years ago. Pictured: Idris at the premiere Director Idris Elba is pictured left with his partner Sabrina Dhowre and right with actor Stephen Graham as they pose for photographers at the premiere of his film Yardie in London Australia's first Muslim senator has claimed in her maiden speech to parliament that 'everyone' who was not a straight, white male had been abused online. Mehreen Faruqi, who only renounced her dual Pakistani citizenship in August last year, claimed Australia had become a more racist country since she immigrated with her family in 1992. 'While I did feel welcomed when I arrived here, migrants coming to our shores today would not be able to say the same,' she told the chamber on Tuesday night. Australia's first Muslim senator has claimed in her maiden speech to parliament that 'everyone' who was not a straight, white male had been abused online 'The last 26 years have seen governments erode support for newcomers as bigotry and xenophobia have been allowed to flourish. 'A culture of online harassment, bullying and toxicity now targets everyone who is not a straight, white man.' Senator Faruqi, a 55-year-old former New South Wales upper house member of parliament, said would she would use her platform 'unapologetically' as a 'brown, Muslim, migrant, feminist woman'. 'My presence in the Senate is an affront to some,' she said. Mehreen Faruqi, who only renounced her dual Pakistani citizenship last year, claimed Australia had become a more racist country since she immigrated with her family in 1992 'They are offended that people of colour and Muslims have the audacity to not only exist but to open our mouths and join the public debate.' Without mentioning by name One Nation leader Pauline Hanson or fellow Queensland senator Fraser Anning, from the Katter's Australian Party, she had a go at them for advocating a ban on Muslim immigration. 'Some politicians call us cockroaches, some say we are a disease which Australia needs vaccination for,' she said. 'Some, if they had their way, would ban us from making Australia their home.' Senator Faruqi said would she would use her platform 'unapologetically' as a 'brown, Muslim, migrant, feminist woman' Senator Faruqi, who last year told state parliamentary hearing she was happy to be in an arranged marriage, also spoke out about how her son Osman Faruqi's mobile number was posted on Twitter by conservative Jewish activist Avi Yemini. 'If we receive death threats and speak out about it, as my son did earlier this month, we are told we have a victim mentality and this is all part and parcel of public life,' she said. The NSW senator's son Osman, who is now a deputy editor with the new ABC lifestyle website, Life, regularly posts anti-white messages on Twitter and was previously a Greens candidate. In November 2017, he tweeted: 'No one is asking white people to chime in with their hot takes about what the 'real issue' is. For once just sit down.' He also took legal action against former federal Labor leader Mark Latham in July 2017 for slamming his tweet to controversial Muslim youth activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied: 'The white people are getting f***ed Yas, it's happening.' Mehreen Faruqi, a former engineer and academic, replaced left-wing Lee Rhiannon as a Greens senator after defeating her in a party preselection challenge for the 2019 federal election. A woman was arrested on multiple charges of animal cruelty after hundreds of animals were rescued from her Texas home. The Grimes County Sheriff's Office said that Doris Bevier Clark, 75, turned herself in to deputies Tuesday morning. Clark faces four counts of animal four counts of cruelty to livestock animals and one count of cruelty to non-livestock animals, according to local broadcaster KHOU 11. The Grimes County Sheriff's Office said that Doris Bevier Clark, 75, turned herself in to deputies Tuesday morning Clark faces four counts of animal four counts of cruelty to livestock animals and one count of cruelty to non-livestock animals The hooves on this pony appear deformed or have been severely neglected over a long period of time The animals all showed signs of severe long-term neglect, with most covered in parasites and living in their own filth The Houston Humane Society said that nearly 300 animals were rescued from Clark's property on August 15 A court set her bail at $10,000. She was later released after posting bond. The Houston Humane Society said that nearly 300 animals were rescued from Clark's property on August 15. The organization said they assisted the Grimes County Sheriff's Office in rescuing 242 dogs and 49 miniature horses. Shetland ponies were also saved from the home. Doris Bevier Clark (pictured), 75, was released after posting a $10,000 bond The dogs taken from the property were all Pomeranians, Min Pins, and Chinese Cresteds. According to KHOU 11, the animals all showed signs of severe long-term neglect. Some were found extremely malnourished and covered in parasites. Most were kept in unsanitary, rusted out cages living in their own filth and feces. The HHS immediately took the animals to their own Animal Wellness Clinic and given medical attention. They continue to remain in the organization's care while proper accommodations are being arranged. Founded in 1954, The Humane Society says it is dedicated 'to, and working towards, ending cruelty, abuse and the overpopulation of animals while providing the highest quality of life to those in our care.' The non-profit organization is the 136th largest charity in the United States in its Philanthropy 400 listing. According to its website, the Humane Society's Houston branch does not receive 'federal, state, or local government funding and rely solely on donations, program services, and special events.' 'HHS is committed to creating awareness of animal welfare throughout the Houston community by providing numerous programs for Houston area residents and their pets, including pet adoption, humane education, Animal crimes investigations, and Houston's best high volume, low cost spay/neuter and wellness clinic.' The HHS immediately took the animal's to their own Animal Wellness Clinic and given medical attention Most were kept in unsanitary, rusted out cages living in their own filth and feces The organization said they assisted the Grimes County Sheriff's Office in rescuing 242 dogs and 49 miniature horses Founded in 1954, The Humane Society says it is dedicated 'to, and working towards, ending cruelty, abuse and the overpopulation of animals The HHS continue to care for the animals while proper accommodations are being arranged A Hawaii-based U.S. Army soldier accused of providing classified military information to undercover Islamic State agents in a bid to 'join the cause', will plead guilty, his lawyers have said. Sergeant First Class Ikaika Kang allegedly told a confidential informant that if he became an Islamic State member, he would be a suicide bomber and attack an Army base outside Honolulu. Kang is agreeing to a 25-year sentence for charges and will plead guilty to accusations of providing material aid to terrorists that could have put him in prison for life, attorney Birney Bervar said. Images taken from FBI video in 2017 show Kang kisseing an Islamic State group flag (left) then puts the flag to his forehead (right) after allegedly pledging allegiance to the group Alexander Silvert, an assistant federal defender representing Kang, also said the soldier has agreed to plead guilty. Court documents allege Kang provided classified military information to undercover agents whom he believed were part of the Islamic State group. Kang is scheduled to withdraw his not guilty plea Thursday, court records show. The hearing was moved from the afternoon to the morning because of concerns about a hurricane headed for Hawaii, Silvert said. A plea agreement hasn't been filed in court yet. A confidential informant told authorities Kang watched videos depicting beheadings and other violence in his room for hours every day, according to court documents. Kang told the informant that if he became an Islamic State member, he would be a suicide bomber and attack Schofield Barracks, a sprawling Army base outside Honolulu, according to an affidavit filed in court. Ikaika E. Kang's father Clifford Kang (above) poses with photos of his son. Kang is accused of attempting to support the Islamic State group and will plead guilty, his lawyers have said Kang began researching the Muslim religion in 2014, couldn't wait to move to the Middle East to 'join the cause' and was 'only in the military for a paycheck,' the informant said, according to the affidavit. When Kang met with the undercover agents at a home in Honolulu, he pledged allegiance to the group and kissed an Islamic State flag, according to court documents. Kang may suffer from service-related mental health issues that the government was aware of but neglected to treat, Bervar has said previously. Kang has been detained without bail since his arrest last year. Kang is still in the Army, but his duty status is 'confined,' said Lt. Col. Curt Kellogg, with the 25th Infantry Division. A man has been left homeless after discovering his house was contaminated with high levels of methamphetamine. When Dr Seth Nicholls moved into a community housing property in Adelaide, he immediately knew something was wrong. 'As soon as I walked into the property, within 10 or 20 minutes, I started to feel very sort of vague, spaced out, cognitively impaired with watery eyes,' he told Today Tonight. Scroll down for video Dr Seth Nicholls has been left homeless after discovering his house was contaminated with high levels of methamphetamine Dr Nicholls, who suffers from a condition called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, said his life had been a 'nightmare' ever since he discovered the home was unlivable. 'I'm effectively homeless, it's decimated me financially, resulted in massive deterioration of my health and impacted on my ability to work and earn money,' he said. Dr Nicholls said he was forced to move into the property due to maintenance at his home of 20 years. When he first reported issues to the housing commission, Dr Nicholls claimed he was given no option to move. 'They said I had to take the property otherwise I'd be evicted from my previous property,' he said. This image shows the inside of a house where the dangerous drug was manufactured before 150 litres of liquid methamphetamine was discovered MethScreen CEO Ryan Matthews (pictured) said methamphetamine residue was extremely harmful to a person's health The Adelaide man said he was 'stunned and frankly horrified' he was left in such a vulnerable position. Dr Nicholls took the matter in to his own hands and commissioned MethScreen to test the home for drug residue. When the results came back, Dr Nicholls was horrified to discover the amount of meth residue in his home was 20 times what is considered safe. This image shows 30kg of precursor chemicals and equipment found by police at a home in Brisbane MethScreen CEO Ryan Matthews said methamphetamine residue was extremely harmful to a person's health. While it cannot be seen or smelled, Mr Matthews said there were tell-tale signs to suggest a home was contaminated. He said meth residue could cause behavioural issues in children, problems sleeping, migraines, respiratory problems and irritation to the skin and eyes. Mr Matthews said the residue was absorbed through the skin and children and babies were more at risk. Since January he said MethScreen tested 342 homes and 54 per cent of them tested positive to ice and methamphetamine residue. He estimated 10 per cent of all Australian homes would test positive. Mr Matthews said methamphetamine residue needed to be taken seriously and compared it to other contaminants including asbestos, mould and lead paint. Stormy Daniels has weighed in after President Donald Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to a hush money payoff to the porn star. 'How ya like me now?!' Daniels tweeted on Tuesday night, hours after Cohen pleaded guilty in a New York court to eight criminal counts including tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Daniel's attorney, Michael Avenatti, said that the guilty plea would bolster her civil suit against Cohen - and claimed that he would now be able to force Trump to give a sworn deposition in the suit. 'The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public,' Avenatti wrote in a tweet. Stormy Daniels (seen Monday on Loose Women in the UK) chimed in with glee following Cohen's plea Cohen is seen leaving court in Manhattan after pleading guilty to eight criminal counts on Tuesday. Daniels' attorney says the pleas will allow him to depose President Trump Avenatti added: 'We. Are. Coming. We are going to end this dumpster fire of a presidency one way or another.' It is unclear whether Cohen's court testimony would in fact convince a judge to attempt to compel Trump to give a sworn deposition. Sitting presidents are normally exempt from court processes. But Bill Clinton, while in office, did give a deposition in a sexual harassment civil suit, and his sworn statements about Monica Lewinsky led to his impeachment on perjury and obstruction charges. Cohen testified that Trump directed him to commit a crime by arranging payments ahead of the 2016 presidential election to silence Daniels and another woman who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. Cohen did not name Trump in court, but his lawyer, Lanny Davis, said afterward he was referring to the president. 'Today he (Cohen) stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election,' Davis said in a statement after Cohen's plea. 'If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?' he said. Avenatti (above) said Cohen's plea and statements in court would allow him to depose Trump in an ongoing civil suit that Daniels has filed against Cohen The two payments were intended to silence two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump and were made prior to the 2016 presidential election. One was for $130,000 given to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. The other for $150,000 related to former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump has denied having affairs with the women. His lawyer Rudy Giuliani has said the payments were made to spare Trump and his family embarrassment and were unrelated to the campaign. Cohen made the payments from his own money, and then was reportedly reimbursed by Trump. Prosecutors said that the payments constituted an illegal campaign contribution by Cohen. Cohen said in court he arranged to make payments 'for (the) principal purpose of influencing (the) election'. His voice shaky as he answered questions from a federal judge, Cohen said one payment was 'in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office,' and the other was made 'under direction of the same candidate.' 'He worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate,' said Robert Khuzami, a prosecutor for the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office. Khuzami told reporters Cohen sought reimbursement for the money by submitting 'sham' invoices for legal services to the candidates company. Cohen's plea deal includes a possible sentence of up to five years and three months in prison, Judge William Pauley III said during the hearing. Cohen is currently free on $500,000 bail and is due back in court for sentencing on December 12. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull could face another leadership spill this afternoon, and this time he is unlikely to survive. Challenger Peter Dutton confirmed he is plotting a second run at the prime ministership, and claimed he only needs three more votes to take the top job. Dutton's camp said they have secured 40 out of the 43 votes required to seize the Liberal Party leadership. Undeterred by his defeat in Tuesday's leadership spill, the new backbencher admitted he was gathering support for another attempt. 'Of course I am, I am speaking to colleagues,' Mr Dutton said when asked if he was working on a second challenge by Neil Mitchell on 3AW. Scroll down for video Peter Dutton (pictured) has admitted his is plotting a second challenge for the prime ministership The admission from the former Queensland police officer comes amid rumours Treasurer Scott Morrison (pictured, left, with Malcolm Turnbull) is preparing for his own tilt at the top job After being asked how long he would respect the partyroom's decision, the former Home Affairs Minister said still believes that he offers the best chance of beating Bill Shorten at the next election. 'If I believe that a majority of colleagues support me then I would consider my position ... that's how I see it,' he said. 'The judgement needs to be what puts us in the best position to beat Bill Shorten, and I believe I have ideas and a vision for Australia ... [and] the experience to beat Bill Shorten.' The admission from the former Queensland police officer comes amid rumours Treasurer Scott Morrison is preparing for his own tilt at the top job. Mr Morrison addressed the mounting speculation hours later and said he is firmly in Mr Turnbull's camp. 'The Prime Minister has my full and total support and I want to put to rest any suggestion that an approach has been made,' he told Sky News. A Liberal MP claimed Mr Morrison does not wish to be deputy leader under Mr Dutton, and is now angling for the leadership. 'Scott Morrison is now running around to put a ticket between himself and Peter Dutton,' the MP told Ray Hadley on 2GB. 'He won't serve as deputy to Peter Dutton, he wants to be the leader.' Mr Morrison appeared in a triumphant photo after the leadership spill, pointing at Mr Turnbull in support. Mr Turnbull, who has not made any media appearances on Wednesday, has called for unity after fending off the leadership threat Alex Hawke and Ben Morton were doing the numbers in the open for Mr Morrison on Wednesday morning, several MPs told The Australian. Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne, a staunch supporter of the Prime Minister, said the Government was dangerously close to self-destruction. 'I think the government is skating close to the precipice and my colleagues need to understand that,' Mr Pyne told FIVEaa. 'People need to take stock of the destruction that they are wreaking on the government and this is actually a zero sum game. 'Stability is our watch word for the future. Instability will see Bill Shorten as prime minister of Australia and potentially very soon.' MINISTERS WHO HAVE OFFERED TO RESIGN AFTER FAILED SPILL CABINET * Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urged his challenger to stay on, but ultimately accepted his resignation. * Human Services Minister Michael Keenan. Offered resignation, but later issued statement of support for the prime minister. * Trade Minister Steve Ciobo. Offered resignation, which was not accepted. Later issued a call for unity to defeat Labor at the next election. * Health Minister Greg Hunt. Reportedly would have run for deputy had Mr Dutton won the challenge. His resignation offer has not been accepted. OUTER MINISTRY * International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells. Believes the party has moved too far away from conservative voters. Mr Turnbull accepted her resignation. * Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge. Mr Turnbull has not accepted his resignation. * Cybersecurity Minister Angus Taylor. Mr Turnbull has not accepted his resignation. ASSISTANT MINISTERS * Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar. Resignation not accepted by the prime minister. * Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister James McGrath. Mr Turnbull has not accepted his resignation. * Assistant Science, Jobs and Innovation Minister Zed Seselja. Prime minister has not accepted his resignation. Source: AAP Advertisement Contributing to Mr Turnbull's (pictured with Julie Bishop) leadership woes are a string of poor public polls and internal anger over his government's energy and climate change policies Backers of Mr Dutton believe his support levels are quickly climbing. 'Now that the genie is out of the bottle, I'm not sure we can put it back,' Liberal MP Craig Kelly told the ABC. Poll Who do you support in a leadership ballot? Malcolm Turnbull Peter Dutton Julie Bishop Tony Abbott Scott Morrison Other Who do you support in a leadership ballot? Malcolm Turnbull 423 votes Peter Dutton 324 votes Julie Bishop 403 votes Tony Abbott 193 votes Scott Morrison 42 votes Other 118 votes Now share your opinion Mr Dutton has started a media campaign to reach out to Australian voters, with migration, energy and fuel prices in his sights. He called for a royal commission on fuel and energy prices, and said he would consider removing the GST on electricity for families and pensioners. He also pledged to cut Australia's immigration intake if elected leader. 'We have to cut the numbers back [but] I haven't got a number to give to you today,' Mr Dutton told 3AW. At least ten ministers, including four from Cabinet, offered to stand down after voting against Mr Turnbull. But so far Mr Turnbull has only accepted two of their resignations, including that of Mr Dutton. He also dropped International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells after she wrote a scathing letter criticising the Liberal party for 'drifting too far to the left'. Mr Turnbull, who has not made any media appearances on Wednesday, has called for unity after fending off the leadership threat. THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF MALCOLM TURNBULL 2016 JULY * The coalition scrapes back into power with a one-seat majority, scoring 50.4 per cent of the two-party vote. NOVEMBER * Proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite is defeated in the Senate. * Government restores the building industry watchdog DECEMBER * Government passes controversial backpacker tax. 2017 JANUARY * Turnbull reshuffles cabinet after an expenses scandal forces the resignation of health minister Sussan Ley. FEBRUARY * PM hoses down reports he was berated by US President Donald Trump over a refugee swap deal. * Cory Bernardi quits the Liberals to start his own Australian Conservatives party MARCH * Small business tax cuts pass parliament, but broader plan stalls. APRIL * Turnbull unveils plans to make it harder to become an Australian citizen. MAY * Treasurer Scott Morrison hands down his second budget, announcing a gradual thaw of the Medicare rebate freeze that almost cost Turnbull the election. JUNE * New bank levy clears parliament. * Turnbull responds to Chief Scientist Alan Finkel's review of the energy market with new rules to restrict gas exports and a plan to scrap a process that allows power companies to raise prices. * Major school funding overhaul, aka Gonski 2.0, clears parliament with crossbench support. JULY * Citizenship debacle begins with Greens senator Scott Ludlam resigning. Coalition two-party position slips to 45 per cent. AUGUST * Pauline Hanson wears a burqa in parliament. Attorney-General George Brandis describes it as an 'appalling thing to do'. SEPTEMBER * Cabinet minister Fiona Nash and crossbencher Nick Xenophon referred to the High Court over their dual citizenship. OCTOBER * The High Court boots Barnaby Joyce from parliament because of his dual New Zealand citizenship, while federal minister Matt Canavan and Nick Xenophon can remain. NOVEMBER * 61.6 per cent of Australians say yes to same-sex marriage in a postal survey. * Turnbull announces a royal commission into misconduct in the financial sector. DECEMBER * Barnaby Joyce wins by-election and tells parliament that he is separated. * Same-sex marriage is legalised after new laws clear federal parliament. * Labor senator Sam Dastyari quits parliament over his Chinese donor connections 2018 JANUARY * Turnbull pledges a year of 'rewards' for Australians after two years of economic reforms. FEBRUARY * After news of his affair with a former staffer breaks in the media, Barnaby Joyce resigns as deputy prime minister and Nationals leader. MARCH * Turnbull says Liberal win in South Australian election is an endorsement of the government's energy plan. APRIL * Turnbull loses his 30th consecutive Newspoll and shrugs it off as ministers rally around him MAY * Katy Gallagher case in the High Court leads to more citizenship resignations, this time on the Labor side and crossbencher Rebekha Sharkie. JUNE * The government's $144billion personal income tax cut plan passes parliament. JULY * A 'super Saturday' of five by-elections brings no wins for the government, with four seats returning to Labor and one crossbench MP. AUGUST * Barnaby Joyce and Tony Abbott speak out over the direction of the government. * Malcolm Turnbull defeats Peter Dutton 48-35 in a party room leadership ballot. Dutton resigns from frontbench. Source: AAP Advertisement A Liberal MP claimed Mr Morrison does not wish to be deputy leader under Mr Dutton, and is now angling for the leadership 'We've got to put 25million Australians first. They hate it when we are talking about each other,' he said on Tuesday. But some Liberal MPs believe his position is terminal. PETER DUTTON'S POLICY PRIORITIES IMMIGRATION * Cut the annual permanent migration intake. * Push migrants towards Western Australia, South Australia and regional areas to reduce congestion in major cities. ENERGY * Lower power prices by removing the GST on electricity bills. * Establish a royal commission into the fuel and energy sectors. * Potentially withdraw Australia from its Paris agreement climate targets. TAX * Abandon corporate tax cuts and deliver more relief to wage earners and small businesses instead. DROUGHT * Deliver more water to drought-stricken farmers. Source: AAP Advertisement 'I think there was a shift after the partyroom meeting with the offers of resignation by a considerable number of ministers,' Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz said. Meanwhile, at least three Nationals MPs, including Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester, are threatening to quit the coalition and move to the cross bench if Mr Dutton seizes power. 'All options are on the table in a volatile environment,' Mr Chester told the ABC. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce counselled Mr Chester to remember: 'We don't have a dog in this fight, it's for the Liberal Party.' Victorian Nationals MP Damian Drum said if the Liberals do change leaders, they will need to redraft the coalition agreement. A leadership change could also trigger an early general election, which could be a hindrance for cash-strapped state Liberal branches still finalising their candidates. Mr Dutton says he ran because he believed he was the best option to head off a Shorten Labor government. Contributing to Mr Turnbull's leadership woes are a string of poor public polls and internal anger over his government's energy and climate change policies. Police are on the hunt for the killer of a freshwater crocodile, whose headless body was found washed up at a lake in north-west Queensland. The decapitated body was found nearly three weeks ago on August 5, at Mount Isa's Lake Moondarra. The crocodile's body was 2.5 metres in length and is believed to have been around 70 years old at its time of death. Body of headless 70-year-old crocodile (pictured) found washed up on shores of Lake Moondarra The killers are likely to be found in violation of the Nature Conservation Act, under which freshwater crocodiles are a protected species. Queensland Police Service have opened an investigation into the incident. After recovering crucial evidence from the scene, a forensic team are working to determine exactly how the crocodile's head was severed from its body. The Mount Isa Water Board (MIWB), who was first informed of the dead crocodile, is working with Queensland police on the investigation. 'Mount Isa Water Board absolutely condemns this sort of behaviour and I am sure the local community would agree,' CEO of the MIWB Stephen Farrelly told the North West Star. Farrelly also referred to the killing as a disgraceful and senseless act of animal cruelty. Lake Moondarra in Queensland (pictured) where the body of the dead crocodile was found Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact the police. Northern Territory drinkers will have to dig deeper into their pockets to buy booze under new legislation setting a minimum price for alcohol. The legislation, which is expected to pass Wednesday, will set floor price of $1.30 per standard drink from October. This means bottles of wine in the NT - which have about seven units - could not be sold for below about $9. The extra money from the legislation change will go to the vendors, NT news reported. Other states could follow suit in a bid to reduce-alcohol related harm. Scroll down for video The legislation means bottles of wine in the NT - which have about seven units - could not be sold for below about $9. The NT's residents are the nation's biggest drinkers and more likely to end up in hospital from related risky behaviour, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Trevor Rileys review recommended a floor price of $1.50. The legislation is expected to reduce-alcohol related injuries, Attorney-General Natasha Flyers said. She has said there was evidence from Canadian provinces with a floor price that it reduced alcohol-fuelled hospitalisations. Member for Araluen and former deputy chief minister Robyn Lambley said the plan to put a floor price on alcohol was a waste of time and would create a 'nanny state'. She told SBS News that takeaway liquor outlets in Alice Springs had voluntarily agreed for many years not to sell alcohol below a certain price but it had not stopped anyone drinking. The NT's residents are the nation's biggest drinkers and more likely to end up in hospital from related risky behaviour, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 'I dont believe in social control and this is a great example of a government policy that is intended to control all of us and how we drink and I dont believe for a minute it will succeed,' she said. The price hike comes off a new Bloomberg study that revealed Australia as one of the top most three expensive places to buy alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. A deadly disease is experiencing a resurgence in Australian tradesmen - but there is one simple question that could be key to avoiding its fatal consequences. Workers across the country have been falling seriously ill from inhaling toxic dust and developing silicosis, believed to be linked to cutting artificial stone products used to make kitchen benchtops. The illness is an irreversible lung disease caused by long-term exposure to silica dust, and can take up to 30 years to develop. Lawyer Roger Singh is calling for the practice to be banned before more tradesmen die as a result of silicosis - and imploring doctors to ask one question when treating young men with breathing difficulties. 'We are encouraging doctors to ask ''What do you do for a job?",' Mr Singh said. The material causing the disease is so dangerous it is being described as the 'new asbestos'. Scroll down for video A deadly disease is experiencing a resurgence in Australian tradesmen - but there is one simple solution to avoiding its fatal consequences Workers across the country have been falling seriously ill from inhaling toxic dust and developing silicosis, believed to be linked to cutting artificial stone products (stock image) The illness is an irreversible lung disease caused by long-term exposure to silica dust, and can take up to 30 years to develop Absestos - which contains tiny fibers which can cause health problems including cancer and asbestosis - was once widely present in the building industry but is now mostly removed. Silicosis, however, is striking down a rising number of Australian tradesmen. 'Young men who turn up at the doctor's office with persistent chest infections or ongoing breathing difficulties could be exposed to dust in the workplace and might be in the early stages of silicosis,' Mr Singh said. 'We know early detection is key to a better outcome.' Gold Coast stonemason Anthony White, 36, was diagnosed with silicosis in November after working for more than ten years. He initially thought the life-threatening disease was just a common chest infection until an X-ray revealed he had scar tissue all over his lungs. Mr White developed silicosis from dry cutting engineered stone, exposing him to the toxic silica dust. Scarring of the lung tissue occurs if too much of this dust is inhaled and deposited in the air sacs, according to a fact sheet by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. Mr Singh's firm Shine Lawyers claims doctors are not well educated in the illness, meaning it can take months before young men are properly diagnosed. Mr Singh has written to every state and territory minister calling for an immediate ban dry cutting and an enforcement program introduced to ensure the dangerous practices are stamped out. Gold Coast stonemason Anthony White, 36, was diagnosed with silicosis in November after working for more than ten years 'We are now speaking with stonemasons who tell us that despite the awareness that's been raised the dry cutting continues in their workplaces and wet cutting systems, and enforcement of proper face masks, that could prevent disease are not being installed,' Mr Singh said. He is calling for tougher penalties and fines for workshops that carry out unsafe practices. 'We know wet cutting, using water to damp down the dust, is much safer but there is no regulation of the industry to enforce this practice.' Mr White needs to undergo a double lung transplant to survive but fears the worst. 'I want to be as strong as possible. It's hard. I want to be here for a bit longer,' he told The Sunday Project earlier this month. Mr White hopes the practice of dry-cutting will be banned so others won't have to suffer what he is going through. Lawyer Roger Singh is calling for the practice to be banned before more tradesmen die as a result of silicosis (stock image) Mr White has been in intensive care fighting a viral infection. 'We could have lost him but he's still fighting on and we are just taking it day by day at the moment,' his mother Dianne said. 'We need some kind of change. We can't let this go on killing our young men. I don't care how we do it, with legislation or fines, it just needs to be done.' Ms White said some of her son's doctors hadn't even heard of silicosis. 'Unfortunately they are going to start seeing more of it if something isn't done to stop dry cutting,' Ms White said. 'Anthony's case isn't a one off, there are going to be many young men affected like this and his condition is only going to get worse.' A popular tourist town has been rated the least affordable place for renters in Australia - despite the high prices seen in Sydney and Melbourne. A report released by Compass Housing revealed that rents in Byron Bay, 165km south of Brisbane on the north coast of NSW, were the least affordable when compared to the medium weekly incomes of renters. Despite higher rental prices in Sydney, the NSW capital is considered to be more affordable due to higher incomes than Byron Bay, ABC reported. Renters in Byron Bay are forced to pay 48 per cent of their weekly income on rent, based on averages. A report has revealed that Byron Bay (pictured) on Australia's east coast is least affordable for renters Two properties for rent in Byron Bay: Renters could pay $700 per week for property on the left and $413 per week for property on the right The average rent price is $590 per week and the average household income for renters is $1,218. A comparison of percentages from other major Sydney cities prove that rent is least affordable in Byron Bay when measured against average incomes. The percentage of renters spending their income on housing is 44 per cent in Sydney, 42 per cent in Melbourne and 39 per cent in Brisbane. The Compass Housing report said that housing stress is experienced by renters who are paying more than 30 per cent of their income on housing. 'To avoid housing stress in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, a typical renting household often has to choose between living a considerable distance from the city or living in a one-bedroom apartment,' spokesperson Martin Kennedy said. While rent prices are higher in Sydney, Renters in Byron Bay are forced to spend 48 per cent of income on weekly rent (stock image) Byron bay renters could pay $660 per week for the property on the left and $570 per week for the property on the right 'Neither of those things are practical for lots of families so they are effectively forced to accept living in housing stress. 'This can have a real impact on living standards because people in housing stress are less able to pay for other essentials like food, utilities, insurance, healthcare, childcare, and debt repayments.' Byron Bay has several beaches and is a popular holiday destination for domestic and international tourists. The report, Shocking gap between renters; costs and incomes, was released by Compass Housing, an Australian based not-for-profit, community housing provider. Donald Trump's former personal lawyer is prepared to tell investigators 'all he knows' about the President and the 'conspiracy to collude and corrupt the 2016 election'. Michael Cohen is also willing to give special counsel Robert Mueller information about the DNC hack in the run up to the election 'and whether or not Mr Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on', his own lawyer said. Lanny Davis, who is representing Cohen, also accused Trump of ordering his client to make hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal over alleged affairs, claiming the President is guilty of a felony. Davis spoke out as Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations relating to those hush money payments. Minutes before Davis spoke, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight counts following his trial on tax and fraud charges. Scroll down for video Michael Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis (pictured) has suggested that Donald Trump is just as guilty as his client after he 'directed' him to make the hush money payments 'Mr. Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows,' Davis said on MSNBC's 'Rachel Maddow Show' Davis said Trump's ex-lawyer only made the payment 'at the direction' of Trump making the president 'as much guilty of a felony.' '(Trump) just hasn't owned up to it, but he tried to hide by asking his lawyer to do something he wasn't willing to do because he feared the electoral consequences,' he said. And Davis warned that Cohen had been Trump's personal lawyer for 'many, many years' and so 'knows almost everything about Mr Trump.' 'Mr. Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows,' Davis said on MSNBC's 'Rachel Maddow Show.' 'Not just about the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election, which the Trump Tower meeting was all about, but also knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on,' he added. He added that Cohen had information about Trump 'that would be of interest in Washington and New York State. In another interview with CNN on Tuesday, Davis also hinted that Cohen may have incriminating information about the Trump Foundation. The New York Attorney General has filed a civil suit against Trump and his three eldest children alleging 'persistently illegal conduct' with respect to foundation money and using the money in their own self-interest. 'We'll see if the level of corruption alleged concerning the Trump Foundation is a topic of concern for the New York Attorney General,' Davis said after being asked if Cohen could offer any new information about Trump's alleged wrongdoing or criminal activity. 'We know that the pardon power wouldn't apply in New York State.' Davis said that Trump should be prepared to see 'a liberated Michael Cohen speaking truth to power.' And that he was prepared to spill 'everything about Donald Trump that he knows.' Meanwhile, President Donald Trump looked rather pensive as he stepped off Air Force One upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on August 21 Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations 'in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office' President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort (left in his mugshot andf right in a court sketch) was found guilty on eight counts following his trial 'It's truth that Michal Cohen is committed to, and it's the truth that so threatens the president of the United States. Davis would not say whether Cohen has already been in contact with the special counsel, which is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice by Trump, but said that Mueller 'will have a lot of interest in what Michael has to say.' But even with the potential new revelations aside, Davis said that Trump could face federal charges after Cohen stated under oath that the then-presidential candidate directed him to commit a crime 'making Donald Trump as much guilty of that felony as my client Mr Cohen.' Cohen had pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance law violations. 'Why didn't President Trump do this himself? Why didn't he write or sign the check himself? Was he covering up because he knew that there was something wrong in what he was doing, so he directed his lawyer to do something that he didn't want anyone to know that he did? I think the answer to that is obvious.' He added that Trump 'didn't have the courage or at least didn't want to expose himself politically so soon before the election so he directed his lawyer to do that which he was not willing to do.' Michael Cohen's lawyer suggested that Donald Trump was also guilty of a federal crime after he reportedly directed his client to make hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels (pictured with Trump, left) and former Playboy model Karen McDougal (with Trump, right) 'So there's a cover up by our now President of the United States which is undeniable.' Davis said he had no qualms about saying that Trump had directed his client, because the president's own lawyer Rudy Giuliani had 'thrown his client under the bus' by admitting that himself. What Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to doing Five counts of tax evasion. Avoided declaring $4.1 million in income earned in 2012 through 2016, depriving the government of about $1.3 million in tax revenue. Making false statements to a bank. Failed to disclose a $14 million line of credit when taking out loans, including for the purchase of an $8.5 million summer home. Declared a net worth of $40 million when applying for a home equity loan, omitting the $14 million debt. Campaign finance violations. Helped deal with 'Individual-1's relationships with women' by identifying stories and keeping them from being published. Negotiated $150,000 payment to 'model and actress' and made a $130,000 payment to 'an adult film actress.' He caused and made the payments 'in order to influence the 2016 presidential election.' He faced up to 65 years in prison for what he is being charged with had he not pleaded guilty. Advertisement 'The word 'directed' came from Donald Trump's lawyers who wrote the special counsel and said that Donald trump directed Michael Cohen to make that payment,' he added. Davis, who said Cohen had reservations about Trump's suitability to be president, told CNN's Chris Cuomo that his client was 'motivated for his country' and 'will tell the truth.' Cohen pleaded to eight different counts, including those related to Daniels and McDougal. Although he didn't mention Trump by name, Trump's former lawyer and fixer spoke in open court about a $130,000 payment as well as a deal he helped negotiate with a publisher involving McDougal. He said he did so 'in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office,' CNN reported in an obvious reference to Trump, his former employer. Federal law bars donors from coordinating with a campaign while placing strict limits on the amount of contributions. Both women claim they had affairs with Trump, and both got payments, Daniels from Cohen directly and McDougal from a publisher. Trump said Tuesday that he felt very sorry for Manafort ahead of his Charleston evening rally speech. Yet he completely ignored Cohen's implication that he participated in federal crimes. He then failed to mention either Manafort or Cohen at his rally. But he tore into the Mueller probe, calling it the 'Russian witch hunt' hours after investigators achieved their biggest conviction yet of former Trump campaign chair Manafort. 'How ya like me now?' Stormy Daniels gloats after Michael Cohen's guilty plea as the porn star's lawyer claims plea will allow him to DEPOSE Trump in civil suit Stormy Daniels weighed in after PresidentDonald Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to a hush money payoff to the porn star. 'How ya like me now?!' Daniels tweeted on Tuesday night, hours after Cohen pleaded guilty in a New York court to eight criminal counts including tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Daniel's attorney, Michael Avenatti, said that the guilty plea would bolster her civil suit against Cohen - and claimed that he would now be able to force Trump to give a sworn deposition in the suit. 'The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public,' Avenatti wrote in a tweet. Stormy Daniels (seen Monday on Loose Women) chimed in with glee following Cohen's plea Avenatti added: 'We. Are. Coming. We are going to end this dumpster fire of a presidency one way or another.' It is unclear whether Cohen's court testimony would in fact convince a judge to attempt to compel Trump to give a sworn deposition. Sitting presidents are normally exempt from court processes. But Bill Clinton, while in office, did give a deposition in a sexual harassment civil suit, and his sworn statements about Monica Lewinsky led to his impeachment on perjury and obstruction charges. Avenatti (above) said Cohen's plea and statements in court would allow him to depose Trump in an ongoing civil suit that Daniels has filed against Cohen The two payments were intended to silence two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump and were made prior to the 2016 presidential election. One was for $130,000 given to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. The other for $150,000 related to former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump has denied having affairs with the women. His lawyer Rudy Giuliani has said the payments were made to spare Trump and his family embarrassment and were unrelated to the campaign. Cohen made the payments from his own money, and then was reportedly reimbursed by Trump. Prosecutors said that the payments constituted an illegal campaign contribution by Cohen. Cohen said in court he arranged to make payments 'for (the) principal purpose of influencing (the) election'. Advertisement 'Fake news. Fake. How fake, how fake are they?' Trump asked rhetorically. 'Fake news and the Russian witch hunt. We got a whole big combination. Where is the collusion? You know they're still looking for collusion. Where is the collusion? Find some collusion. We want to find the collusion,' Trump said. Trump said he feels 'very badly' for his ex-campaign chairman, who is now facing life in prison after being convicted of fraud. Jurors found Paul Manafort guilty today on eight of 18 charges in a financial crimes case brought by prosecutors tasked with probing Russian election meddling. 'I feel very sad about that, because it doesn't involve me, but I still feel, you know, it's a very sad thing that happened,' Trump told reporters ahead of a West Virginia rally. The president was in Charleston for a rally on Tuesday that was supposed to pump up his base and energize voters in West Virginia to support Republicans. But back to back blows in the criminal cases of Manafort and Cohen cast a shadow over Trump's travel, though, and the president appeared unusually downtrodden. Walking over to reporters shouting on the tarmac about the former Trump associates the president said: 'I feel badly for both.' In another interview with CNN on Tuesday, Davis also hinted that Cohen may have incriminating information about the Trump Foundation 'I must tell you that, Paul Manafort's a good man,' he insisted. A federal charging document lays out how Cohen helped deal with a person identified as 'Individual-1's relationships with women' by identifying stories and keeping them from being published. The documents note that the individual was a candidate for president. In addition what he did was he worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate and the campaign Cohen negotiated $150,000 payment to 'model and actress' and made a $130,000 payment to 'an adult film actress,' according to the documents stated the offenses he pleaded guilty to. Cohen caused and made the payments 'in order to influence the 2016 presidential election,' he is admitting. The White House didn't hold a press briefing amid the turmoil, instead confronting reporters only through the safer medium of conference calls. Trump didn't mention either bombshell development in his speech in West Virginia hours after they occurred. Cohen as part of the plea gets jail time of up to four years in a deal that apparently does not include cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe. Nevertheless, some legal experts were not ruling out cooperation, and he was facing more charges than he pleaded to. Charging documents lay out millions in unreported income by Cohen Documents also reference Trump as 'Individual-1' Cohen appeared in federal court on Tuesday following a series of reports he would plead guilty to federal crimes that would land him in jail for up to four years. According to U.S. attorney Robert Khuzami, Cohen failed to report income of $4.1 million, costing the U.S. Treasury approximately $1.3 million. He failed to disclose $14 million in dead when he applied for a home-equity loan he used to get funds to pay the porn star. Khuzami also laid out Cohen's campaign finance guilty plea as it related to Daniels and McDougal though he never mentioned the name of the president or the porn star. 'In addition what he did was he worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate and the campaign,' Khuzami said. 'In addition, Mr. Cohen sought reimbursement for that money by submitting invoices to the candidate's company which were untrue and false. They indicated that the reimbursement was for services rendered for the year 2017, when in fact those invoices were a sham. He provided no legal services for the year 2017 and it was simply a means to obtain reimbursement for the unlawful campaign contribution,' Khuzami said. 'There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen,' Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani said in a statement. 'It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time.' PAUL MANAFORT FOUND GUILTY OF EIGHT COUNTS OF FRAUD Paul Manafort was found guilty of tax and bank fraud by a federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tuesday, a verdict that will likely bolster special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and undermine arguments from President Trump's supporters that the probe is baseless and politically motivated. After four days of deliberation, the jury found Manafort guilty of eight counts of bank and tax fraud, which could send the former Trump campaign manager to prison for up to 80 years. The jury said it was unable to reach a verdict on the 10 additional counts, leading Judge T.S. Ellis to declare a mistrial on these items. Judge Ellis said he will not schedule the sentencing until the government decides whether to retry Manafort extra 10 charges. Manafort, 69, stood next to his team of lawyers and displayed no emotion during the reading of the verdict. He will have a chance to make a statement during his sentencing. Now what happens: Judge T.S. Ellis III will decide whether to drop the ten charges which the jury said they could not reach a verdict on. Regardless, Manafort will be sentenced on eight fraud charges which could carry a sentence as high as 80 years in prison The government has recommended to the court anywhere between eight to 10 years in prison for falsifying tax returns, bank fraud conspiracy and failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial records. The conviction is the first major court victory for Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation into the Trump campaign and Russian election tampering, a probe that has divided Americans and come under attack from the White House. The jury's verdict defies Donald Trump, who last Friday called Manafort 'a very good person' and the trial 'sad'. Manafort had initially been charged with a total 18 counts of fraud. The jury deadlocked on the majority of the most serious counts, including seven of the nine bank fraud charges which each carried 30 years maximum prison time. Manafort was convicted on all five counts of filing inaccurate tax returns for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. These each carry a three year minimum sentence. He was convicted on one of four counts, for the year 2012, of failing to disclose the existence of his offshore bank accounts. The jury could not agree on whether he was also guilty of this for the years 2011, 2013 and 2014. The single count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Manafort was also convicted of providing false financial information to obtain a $1 million loan from the Bank of California and a $3.4 million loan from Citizens Bank. These charges each carry a maximum of 30 years in prison. He was not convicted of seven additional bank fraud charges, including conspiracy to fraudulently obtain a bank loan and providing false financial information to Federal Savings Bank. It is a stunning fall from grace for the jet-setting political consultant, who once spent $15,000 on an ostrich jacket and millions on high-tech gear for his Hamptons home, but now faces the rest of his life in a jail cell. He will be sentenced by Judge T.S. Ellis after background reports and argument from both prosecution and defense over what sentence is appropriate. Advertisement Sources told NBC about the negotiations over a possible plea Tuesday morning, noting that no deal had been reached. Word of the talks followed reports over the weekend that Cohen is being investigated for a $20 million bank fraud. ABC then reported Cohen had reached an agreement with prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. Cohen surrendered to the FBI in advance of a scheduled 4 pm court appearance, according to CNN. The campaign finance violations related to the $130,000 payment Cohen made from his own funds to porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Trump. Trump said in April that he did not know about payments Cohen made to Daniels although lawyer Rudy Giuliani later said Trump reimbursed his longtime lawyer for the funds. Cohen admitted the payment was a violation of strict federal limits on political contributions. Prosecutors deemed the payment an in-kind contribution to the Trump campaign since it helped shelve potentially damaging information. Cohen agreed to jail time as part of the agreement. Despite the array of charges, jail time, and restitution, Cohen was not expected to reach an agreement to cooperate with authorities, the New York Times reported. Such a status, if maintained, would spare President Trump from having one of his closest and most knowledgable associates aiding an inquiry the president has termed a 'witch hunt.' Nevertheless, Trump faced the political prospect of seeing one of his closest longtime advisors go to jail over serious federal crimes. Just as the news broke on Cohen's plans, the White House was holding a press call on Trump's plans to travel the country in support of Republicans. Cohen pleaded guilty to a campaign finance violation in relation to a $150,000 payment that American Media Inc. made to Playboy model Karen McDougal. AMI publisher David Pecker (c) was part of the deal Prosecutors in Cohen were negotiating with a man involved in myriad business and political deals involving the president, including the negotiation of a non-disclosure agreement with porn star Stormy Daniels, and talks on an effort to build a Trump Tower in Moscow that fell through. However, the New York Times reported Tuesday afternoon that the deal did not include an agreement to cooperate. Cohen in June resigned his post as deputy finance chair of the Republican National Committee once it came out he was under criminal investigation 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 Statement to the press by U.S. Attorney Robert Khuzami 'What he did was he worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate and the campaign.' 'In addition, Mr. Cohen sought reimbursement for that money by submitting invoices to the candidate's company which were untrue and false. They indicated that the reimbursement was for services rendered for the year 2017, when in fact those invoices were a sham. He provided no legal services for the year 2017 and it was simply a means to obtain reimbursement for the unlawful campaign contribution.' 'First, these are very serious charges and reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over an extended period of time. They are significant in their own rights. They are particularly significant when done by a lawyer. A lawyer who through training and tradition understands what it means to be a lawyer, to engage in honest and fair dealing and adherence to the law. Mr. Cohen disregarded that training. Disregarded that tradition and decided that he was above the law, and for that he is going to pay a very, very serious price ...' 'Mr Cohen made guilty pleas for those campaign violations and those are core violations. These remind us that it is illegal for corps to make contributions to candidates and it is illegal to make contributions in excess of the amount that congress set for individuals. That is a strong message today and we will not fear prosecuting additional campaign finance cases ...' 'We are a nation of laws and the essence of this case is about is justice and that is an equal playing field for all persons in the eyes of the law and that is a lesson that Mr. Cohen learned today and it is a very harsh one for him.' Advertisement WHICH CANDIDATE? Cohen said he negotiated the payments 'In co-ordination with, and at the direction of' a candidate for federal office Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis tweeted Tuesday about his client: 'Today he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?' Justice Department guidelines state that a sitting president shouldn't be charged with a crime while in office, although they could be subject to a court challenge should the government decide to do so. Numerous legal experts say Trump most likely will avoid getting charged with anything while in office though he could be charged after he leaves and he could be forced to give testimony in legal matters. The charging documents describe 'Individual-1' as being closely involved with Cohen's efforts. It says Cohen 'coordinated with one or more members of the campaign, including through meetings and phone calls, about the fact, nature, and timing of the payments' to women. News of Cohen's talks came just as word broke that jurors in the trial of former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort asked the judge overseeing the case a question about how to proceed if they fail to reach a verdict on a single count. That in turn led to speculation that special counsel Robert Mueller's team might be on the verge of scoring critical conviction, even if it is on tax and fraud crimes that are not related to the campaign of President Donald Trump. Mueller's investigators prosecuted Manafort. In the case of Cohen, they handed information they uncovered during their probe to the SDNY for prosecution although any plea deal could include cooperating with the Russia probe. The report on Cohen's intentions followed a series of maneuvers by Cohen that raised the prospect he might reach an agreement to cooperate with prosecutors. These included praising the FBI agents who raided his home and apartment, and stating boldly that he would do what is best for his family. He told ABC's 'Good Morning America' last month that: 'My wife, my daughter and my son have my first loyalty and always will.' He added: 'I put family and country first.' Cohen left his apartment in New York Tuesday dressed in a dark suit and tie. His new lawyer, Lanny Davis, told NBC he couldn't comment on an ongoing investigation, having earlier sent signals that Cohen could cooperate. Cohen's hiring of Davis, who has longtime Democratic ties and advised President Bill Clinton, was one such signal. Michael Cohen, left, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, leaves his apartment building past his doorman, in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. NBC reported he was in talks about a possible guilty plea Were Cohen to follow through and plead guilty to any alleged violations, it would come as prosecutors were considering filing charges against him that include include bank and tax fraud, as well as violations of campaign finance law, against Cohen by the end of the month, sources told the New York Times. Investigators are looking into more than $20 million in loans which were made to taxi companies owned by Cohen and his family. The amounts reportedly involved only upped the pressure on Cohen, who was intimately involved with Trump as he navigated a variety of business deals in recent years. Financial statements showed that Cohen used his 32 taxi medallions, then worth around $1 million each, as collateral for the loans from Sterling National Bank. Melrose Credit Union also supplied some of the loans made to 16 separate companies controlled by the Cohens. Cohen and his wife also personally guaranteed the loans, according to public findings. Investigators are now looking to determine whether Cohen misrepresented the true value of his assets to obtain the loans. They are also looking at when the lawyer violated campaign finance laws by arranging hush money deals to secure the silence of women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. The FBI raided Cohen's home and office earlier this year as part of their investigation into his alleged tax fraud. President Trump's (left) former personal lawyer Michael Cohen (right) is being investigated for a $20 million bank fraud, according to a new report Investigators are looking at whether Cohen's income from his taxi-medallion business was underreported in federal tax returns, The Wall Street Journal reported. That income reportedly included hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and other payments over the last five years. Donald Trump has criticized the probe into his former attorney, calling the raids an 'attack on our country in a true sense.' Cohen caught the attention of the Manhattan US Attorney's Office during Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race. Prosecutors are looking into whether Cohen inflated the value of any of his assets as collateral for bank loans, the Journal reported citing sources familiar with the investigation. If convicted of tax- and bank-fraud, Cohen, who once said he'd take a bullet for President Donald Trump, could find himself subject to heavy jail time. That threat could put pressure on Cohen, once known as Trump's 'fixer,' to cooperate with prosecutors if he's charged with these crimes. Cohen was Trump's personal attorney for years and has deep ties to the Trump Organization. He is reportedly prepared to tell Mueller that the president knew about the infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting ahead of time and approved of it. That meeting was attended by Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, then-Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and a lawyer with ties to the Kremlin who claimed to have dirt on Trump's presidential rival Hillary Clinton. Trump has denied he knew about the meeting ahead of time. But that gathering at Trump Tower has become a central focus of Mueller's look into what role Russian played in the 2016 presidential election. Meanwhile federal prosecutors are taking a deep dive into Cohen's business dealings after Mueller's team handed over documents discovered in an April 9th FBI raid. They are looking closely at Cohen's relationship with Sterling National Bank, which provided financing for his taxi-medallion business. Medallions are the permits taxi drivers need to operate in the city. Federal prosecutors subpoenaed Jeffrey Getzel, Cohen's former accountant who was responsible for preparing many of Cohen's financial statements. Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, declined to comment to the newspaper 'out of respect for the ongoing investigation.' As of April 2018, Cohen owned 22 medallions in Chicago, and either he or his wife, Laura, controlled 32 medallions in New York City. Taxi medallions were considered a solid investment that are bought and sold on a secondary market. Some in New York sold for an average $1.25 million per medallion in 2013 and 2014. But their value has fallen sharply in recent years due to competition from ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Some estimate the value of each medallion has dropped to $200,000 to $225,000. As prosecutors look at whether Cohen under reported his income to avoid federal taxes they're also examining whether he overstated it in loan applications. Cohen has previously denied any wrongdoing. He worked on projects for Trump ranging from Trump Tower Moscow that never got off the ground to a non-disclosure agreement with porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Trump, and on a deal involving former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who also claimed an affair. Trump has denied both women's allegations of a sexual affair. But Cohen also had his own business dealings including real estate, personal loans and investments in taxi medallions. Evgeny A. Freidman, a Russian immigrant known as 'the Taxi King' and who partnered with Cohen in the taxi medallion business, avoided jail time and got five years probation when he pleaded guilty to tax evasion in May. As a condition, he is cooperating with prosecutors, who may find him to be a valuable witness as they investigate Cohen on potential tax, campaign finance, and bank fraud charges. His deal came after an April 9th FBI raid on Cohen's home, office, and hotel where he was staying. They scooped up 3.7 million digital documents. If Freidman is able to provide useful information, it might strengthen prosecutors hands if they decide to charge Cohen. Prosecutors are already combing through Cohen's financial records, including big payments he got from major firms as he touted his access to President Trump after the elections. Also under the microscope is his $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, who signed a nondisclosure agreement and claims she had an affair with Trump. The president revealed last week on his financial disclosure that he 'reimbursed' Cohen for expenses related to a payment of up to $250,000. Cohen is under investigation for possible bank fraud. He has said he took out a home equity loan in order to make the payment to Daniels, which he executed through a Delaware LLC he set up in October of 2016, weeks before the presidential election. Ryan Sharpe, 36, is charged with three murders in the Louisiana shooting spree An accused serial killer who confessed to killing three says he would have shot up to 12 more people to fill 'hunting tags' he claimed the government issued, it has emerged. The shocking details of 37-year-old Ryan Sharpe's confessions to law enforcement emerged last week in court documents filed in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, the Advocate reported. Sharpe was arrested in October and charged with shooting four people, killing three, after a string of seemingly random shootings left the community terrorized for months. He was caught after calling police to inform them that he had filled several 'hunting tags,' explaining that 'he is responsible for filling five tags for the Louisiana State Police and 12 for the FBI,' a report from the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Department said. Scroll down for video Sharpe (above being arrested) confessed to the shootings and offered a bizarre rationale, claiming he had to fill 'hunting tags' for the government, police say The calls immediately led investigators to Sharpe's home in Clinton, where officers saw him drive away in a white four-door Nissan Altima. They tried to pull him over but he led them on a high-speed car chase that eventually ended with his arrest, authorities said. A lever-action rifle was recovered from the car. Once in custody, Sharpe, who worked as a plumber, explained to investigators that he had already filled the five tags by killing three humans and one deer, which he said counted for two tags, according to the police report. 'He told investigators that had he not been caught on that October 2017 day, he would have been able in a couple of days to finish filling his tags and would have turned himself in,' the report continued. Sharpe's confession detailed the painful specifics of how he chose his victims, attacked them, and watched them suffer, according to the report. The first person killed was Thomas Bass, 62, in July 2017. Sharpe told investigators that he knew Bass, and ambushed him after backing into his driveway and asking for some air in tire. Thomas Bass (right) was the first person killed in the shootings. Sharpe told investigators that he knew and liked Bass, but had been told the kill him in a teleconference with the government Buck Hornsby (left) survived the next shooting, but Carroll Glynn Breeden (center with wife) and Brad DeFranceschi (right) were both fatally shot while working outside Sharpe said that Bass was a good man and that he didn't want to kill him, but that he believed Bass had been selected for the attack in a teleconference with government officials. The attacks continued with the non-fatal shooting of Buck Hornsby, 47, on September 12, and the fatal shootings of Carroll Glynn Breeden, 66, on September 19 and Brad DeFranceschi, 48, on October 12. Three of the four men who were shot were ambushed in drive-by shootings while they were in their front lawns, two doing yard work, one exercising. Last week, a judge ruled that Sharpe was incompetent to stand trial, and ordered him transferred to a psychiatric hospital. Sharpe's attorney says doctors found that Sharpe is unable to assist counsel, but they didn't determine Sharpe's mental status during the crimes. Sharpe is currently being held in the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail, records show. Prosecutors have said that they are not seeking the death penalty in the case, citing the time-consuming nature of capital murder prosecutions, and the likelihood of competency issues complicating a death penalty case. Courtesy of WAFB Director of the United States National Economic Council, Larry Kudlow, hosted the publisher of an infamous 'white nationalist' website at a social gathering over the weekend. Kudlow confirmed in a Tuesday statement to The Washington Post that Peter Brimelow, founder of the anti-immigration website, VDare, was in attendance to his birthday party. Donald Trump's economic advisor said he and Brimelow have been good friends for some time and met years ago when they both worked as financial journalists. Kudlow further claimed he had no knowledge of Brimelow's controversial website, despite having a professional and personal relationship with him. 'If I had known this, we would never have invited him... I'm disappointed and saddened to hear about it,' Kudlow told the Post. This comes days after a speechwriter for Trump was terminated from his White House position after he admitted that he gave a speech at a white nationalist conference in 2016. National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow takes part in a Cabinet meeting on August 16, 2018 in Washington, D.C. Kudlow admitted he hosted Peter Brimelow, the founder of an anti-immigration website, at a party over the weekend Brimelow, founder of vdare.com, speaks to supporters at an Alt Right conference hosted by the National Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. on November 18, 2016 (L-R) Richard Spencer, Brimelow, Jared Taylor and 'Millenial Woes' (only name provided by man) fielded questions from supporters at an Alt Right conference hosted by the National Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. on November 18, 2016 CNN Politics reported that as of last week, Darren Beattie's email account had been deactivated after his involvement with the H.L. Mencken Club Conference was revealed. 'Mr Beattie no longer works at the White House,' White House spokesman Hogan Gidley confirmed in a statement to CNN. The policy aide stood alongside Brimelow for a supporting speech at the conference. 'In 2016, I attended the Mencken conference in question and delivered a stand-alone, academic talk titled 'The Intelligentsia and the Right,'" Beattie told CNN on Saturday. 'I said nothing objectionable and stand by my remarks completely.' Trump speechwriter Darren Beattie (pictured above) was fired, according to a CNN report Brimelow shared this tweet on Sunday after learning of Beattie's termination 'It was the honor of my life to serve in the Trump Administration... I love President Trump, who is a fearless American hero, and continue to support him one hundred per cent.' Beattie had been formerly employed as a visiting professor of the political science department at Duke University before he took on the White House job. It is currently unclear whether Trump placed a specific role in his termination. The president did not remark on the matter. Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Marine One at the White House in Washington, DC, on August 17, 2018. It's unclear whether the president had a role in Beattie's firing Brimelow, however, took to Twitter to share his disappointment over Beattie's termination. 'Disgraceful that the Trump White House would fire Darren Beattie just for speaking at the same conference as me, even apart from fact I'm not a 'white nationalist,'' he wrote. Brimelow in 1999 founded the Connecticut-based, multi-million dollar VDare Foundation. He previously denied the website is white nationalist - but said his writers 'aim to defend the interests of American whites.' A popular YouTube couple have been accused of pretending they were forced to evacuate their home during the California wildfires last week. More than 20,000 people had to leave their homes as the Holy Fire ravaged Orange and Riverside counties in Southern California. Among them claimed to be Cole and Savannah LaBrant, the couple behind the popular YouTube channel Cole&Sav. The pair, who have more than 6.7 million subscribers, posted a 10-minute video documenting their evacuation from their home in Ladera Ranch. YouTube stars Cole and Savannah LaBrant (pictured with Savannah's daughter Everleigh) have been accused of pretending to be forced to evacuate their home during California's wildfires The pair, who have more than 6.7 million subscribers, posted a 10-minute video documenting their evacuation from their home in Ladera Ranch The video begins with Cole talking to his viewers, telling them there was a 'huge fire' right by the couple's house and that they 'might need to evacuate'. 'I'm actually going to drive back to the house, see what the fire is looking like and how bad it is,' he continues. 'I'm not even sure we're ever going to post [this video], but in case things get really bad I wanted to have it.' The footage, set to thumping house music, then cuts to images of the wildfires that have been burning across California for weeks and killed eight people. It then cuts back to Cole, who films the smoke out of his car window and says its 'getting close to our house'. At one point in the video Cole films the smoke out of his car window and says its 'getting close to our house' He then shows smoke from the roof as he again comments that the blaze is 'pretty close' and he's only filming in case they have to evacuate or their house burns down. He then shows smoke from the roof as he again comments that the blaze is 'pretty close' and he's only filming in case they have to evacuate or their house burns down. The video then cuts to Cole and Savannah outside their home as they claim the fire has gotten a lot closer and that they 'just got an evacuation thing'. 'Hopefully we never have to upload this, but if we do you guys saw what happened,' Cole says once again. The video then shows Cole and Savannah all packed up with their necessities before going to pick up Savannah's daughter Everleigh from her grandmother's house. They tell Everleigh in the car that they're going 'far, far away' from the fire and that she doesn't have to be scared anymore. The video then cuts to Cole and Savannah outside their home as they claim the fire has gotten a lot closer and that they 'just got an evacuation thing' It shows Cole and Savannah all packed up with their necessities before going to pick up Savannah's daughter Everleigh from her grandmother's house The rest of the video documents the family's trip to San Francisco, where they show off their hotel and the spot where the couple first began dating two years ago. At the end of the clip, Cole reveals the family returned to their house after two days 'because the fire moved onward'. 'We're exhausted, but wanted to update you guys that we're okay,' he says before signing off. Cole uploaded the video on August 13 with the title 'WE LEFT OUR HOUSE BECAUSE OF FIRES IN CALIFORNIA'. It was watched more than four million times. But the video also caught the attention of the family's neighbors, who said their community was never told to evacuate for the Holy Fire. They tell Everleigh in the car that they're going 'far, far away' from the fire and that she doesn't have to be scared anymore (pictured) The rest of the video documents the family's trip to San Francisco, where they show off their hotel (pictured) and the spot where the couple first began dating two years ago The couple later revealed they visited the spot where Cole asked Savannah to be his girlfriend two years ago (pictured) There are also no mandatory evacuations listed for Ladera Ranch on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group website. 'There was no evacuation notice to Ladera Ranch,' one neighbor told Fox 11. 'I just think it's really sad they would exploit a situation that's as serious as a fire that so many people were evacuated from, just so they could get more likes or more hits on their channel.' Another neighbor was outraged when he saw the thumbnail the couple used for the video, featuring them looking concerned in front of a background of raging flames. 'I have friends who were evacuated in a very scary situation,' he said. 'Kind of making light of that, I don't think it was proper, just to make a buck.' Critics have since been posting maps on social media to illustrate where the fire was compared to the couple's home And some neighbors were outraged when they saw the thumbnail the couple used for the video, featuring them looking concerned in front of a background of raging flames Critics have since been posting maps on social media to illustrate where the fire was in relation to the couple's home. Some have called for sympathy for the family, saying their daughter was scared and Savannah was being cautious because she is currently pregnant. But others have slammed Savannah and Cole and claimed they exploited the tragedy for more clicks and profits. 'I understand the DECISION to leave for your peace of mind and in an abundance of caution. However, no where do you clarify that it was your DECISION,' one person wrote in the YouTube video's comments. The family's neighbors said they were never told to evacuate during the Holy Fire last week Some have called for sympathy for the family, saying their daughter was scared and Savannah was being cautious because she is currently pregnant 'Instead you allow viewers to believe that you were in immediate danger and were FORCED to evacuate. That's deceitful to your viewers and a slap in the face of people who have actually been forced to evacuate.' 'Considering I live in your neighborhood and we are FAR from any evacuation notices this video saddens me,' one neighbor added. 'Hopefully you see how wrong and fake this video is and take it down (or at least give your profits to those actually suffering from the CA fires).' DailyMail.com has reached out to Savannah and Cole for comment. A father has been charged with drink driving despite not having a drop of alcohol in his system while behind the wheel of his car. Melbourne man Richard Holyman was driving home from work about 6.30pm on Friday when he was involved in a minor car accident. Mr Holyman provided his details to the other driver, checked no one was injured and drove home to Kooyong, an affluent suburb in Melbourne's inner-city. A snapshot of peak hour traffic in Melbourne's CBD - STOCK IMAGE When he arrived home, he and his wife Prue opened a bottle of wine and shared a few glasses with dinner. Three hours after the accident, the couple got a knock on the door from a policeman who wanted to breath-test Mr Holyman following the accident. When the businessman blew 0.07, above the legal limit of 0.05, he was taken back to the police station. Despite repeated attempts to explain he only started drinking after the accident, Mr Holyman was charged with drink driving. The couple said they had no idea of Victorian legislation which allowed the police to breath test a person up to three hours after an accident, which Mrs Holyman described as 'just ludicrous'. The case between Victoria Police and Richard Holyman was eventually settled out of court Mrs Holyman told 3AW she and her husband spent $5,000 on legal costs before the case was finally settled. She said the case was due to be heard by a magistrate on Tuesday, but police agreed to settle outside of court. 'They agreed to drop charges provided we didn't pursue the $5,000 expenses,' she told 3AW. Mrs Holyman said she and her husband felt powerless to the little-known law. 'It's just ludicrous,' she said. Hawaii residents rushed to grocery stores Tuesday to stock up on bottled water, ramen and toilet paper as they faced the threat of heavy rain, flash flooding and high surf from a powerful and erratic hurricane expected to churn close to the islands or directly over them. The National Weather Service at 5pm issued a hurricane warning for Hawaii island. Earlier Tuesday, the weather service issued a hurricane watch for Maui and other smaller islands, meaning tropical storm-force winds, excessive rain and large swells could arrive starting Wednesday. It's possible Oahu and Kauai may later be included in an advisory for the hurricane packing potential maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. Hurricane Lane 'is forecast to move dangerously close to the main Hawaiian islands' and bring with it a deluge of rain water and property damage The National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning at 5pm on Tuesday with rainfall expected Wednesday Taro and Taina Leong of Kekaha, Kauai, are among the customers leaving a Walmart store with supplies to prepare for Hurricane Lane The weather service issued a hurricane watch for Maui and other smaller islands with the possibility that Oahu and Kauai may later be included in an advisory Hurricane Lane 'is forecast to move dangerously close to the main Hawaiian islands as a hurricane later this week, potentially bringing damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding from heavy rainfall,' the weather service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center warned as it got closer to the state. The storm had been moving west but is expected to turn northwest toward the state Wednesday. There's some uncertainty to Lane's path whether it moves north or south, meteorologist Gavin Shigesato said. 'It is much too early to confidently determine which, if any, of the main Hawaiian islands will be directly impacted by Lane,' the weather service said. But the hurricane center said the storm will move very close to or over the islands from Thursday through Saturday. Even if the center of Lane doesn't make landfall, the islands could be walloped with rain and wind. Maui County and Big Island schools will be closed starting Wednesday, the state Department of Education said. All after-school activities statewide are canceled for the rest of the week. The east side of the Big Island has taken the brunt from previous storms and is still reeling after lava from an erupting volcano wiped out entire neighborhoods. This NASA satellite imagery shows Hurricane Lane in the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of the Hawaiian Islands at 2:01pm HST (21:01 GMT) The east side of the Big Island has taken the brunt from previous storms and is still reeling after lava from an erupting volcano wiped out entire neighborhoods Even if the center of Lane doesn't make landfall, the islands could be walloped with rain and wind (Pictured: NASA file image) But early indications showed that the south end of the island up to the western side would be taking the brunt of the storm. 'At this time, it looks like maybe Puna will be spared,' county Managing Director Wil Okabe said of the beleaguered, rural district. 'But you never know.' Officials were urging residents across the islands to prepare. 'People are getting ready, which is exactly what we want,' Maui County spokesman Rod Antone said. 'I know people are taking trips to Costco, buying ramen, rice, the usual. Toilet paper.' He reminded people to have emergency kits ready and to 'withdraw cash. Remember, if the power goes out, ATMs aren't going to be working.' Hawaiian Airlines is waiving change fees for tickets to, from, within and through Hawaii from Tuesday to Sunday. Some customers were buying cases of bottled water at Island Grocery Depot in Kahului, Maui, manager Brian Arakaki said. He planned to call in more workers to cope with an expected afternoon rush. On the south side of the Big Island, workers at Mizuno Superette in Pahala also were bracing for a busy afternoon. 'Right now, it's nice, everybody's calm,' said Carla Andrade, a store clerk. 'When everybody finishes work, they'll have time.' In this photo provided City and County of Honolulu, Mayor Kirk Caldwell, center, receives a briefing from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center on Hurricane Lane at the Emergency Operations Center in Honolulu, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018 In this Monday, Aug. 20, 2018 photo, sandbags are seen near a stairway at the west end of the Sheraton Waikiki hotel in Honolulu Leadership challenger Peter Dutton may yet topple the Prime Minister, but a new poll indicates he would be a disaster at the ballot box. A Daily Mail Australia poll revealed 80 per cent of the electorate would vote against the former Home Affairs Minister. Only Foreign Minister Julie Bishop polled higher than Malcolm Turnbull, earning 28 per cent of the vote to the Prime Minister's 27 per cent. Scroll down for video Leadership challenger Peter Dutton (pictured) may yet topple the Prime Minister, but a new poll indicates he would be a disaster at the ballot box Only Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (pictured, right) polled higher than Malcolm Turnbull, earning 28 per cent of the vote to the Prime Minister's 27 per cent Former prime minister Tony Abbott and Treasurer Scott Morrison fared even more poorly than Mr Dutton, with 14 and three per cent respectively. The remaining poll respondents - a total of eight per cent - refused to support any of the possible candidates and selected 'other' instead. The results show that even if Mr Dutton is able to convince seven Liberal MPs to join his camp he would be far from the people's choice. The 47-year-old managed 35 votes to Mr Turnbull's 48 in Tuesday's leadership spill, but has admitted he plans to challenge again if he feels he has the numbers. A Daily Mail Australia poll revealed 80 per cent of the electorate would vote against Mr Dutton (pictured are Julie Bishop, left, and Malcolm Turnbull, right) Treasurer Scott Morrison (left) fared even more poorly than Peter Dutton (right), with 14 and three per cent respectively PETER DUTTON'S POLICY PRIORITIES IMMIGRATION * Cut the annual permanent migration intake. * Push migrants towards Western Australia, South Australia and regional areas to reduce congestion in major cities. ENERGY * Lower power prices by removing the GST on electricity bills. * Establish a royal commission into the fuel and energy sectors. TAX * Abandon corporate tax cuts and deliver more relief to wage earners and small businesses instead. DROUGHT * Deliver more water to drought-stricken farmers. Source: AAP Advertisement Mr Dutton, member for Dickson in Brisbane's outer north, spent Wednesday outlining his policy priorities in a series of radio interviews. His policy platform would highlight cuts to immigration levels, a removal of the GST from power bills, abandon corporate tax cuts and deliver more water to farmers. Pictured: Results of a Daily Mail Australia Poll Ms Bishop, who was reelected unopposed as deputy leader of the Liberal Party in the spill, has been a steadfast supporter of the Prime Minister. If Mr Turnbull was to resign, however, she could win a spill with the support of the moderate faction of the party against Mr Dutton, the conservative candidate. The member for Curtin in Perth is the most likely replacement for Mr Turnbull among Liberal moderates, and has a higher public profile than Mr Dutton. After rumours he was planning a challenge of his own, Treasurer Scott Morrison then announced the Prime Minister had his full support. Only three per cent of poll respondents declared they would support him in a spill. Although he has not put his name forward as a potential challenger, Mr Abbott still has some support in conservative circles, but came in fourth in the poll. Although he has not put his name forward as a potential challenger, Mr Abbott still has some support in conservative circles, but came in fourth in the poll Facebook has identified and banned hundreds of accounts, groups and pages engaged in misleading political behavior, a far larger discovery than a 'sophisticated' effort it reported three weeks ago with great fanfare. The social network said Tuesday that it had removed 652 pages, groups, and accounts linked to Russia and, unexpectedly, Iran, for 'coordinated inauthentic behavior' that included the sharing of political material. Facebook has significantly stepped up policing of its platform since last year, when it acknowledged that Russian agents successfully ran political influence operations on its platform that were aimed at swaying the 2016 presidential election. The social network said Tuesday that it had removed 652 pages, groups, and accounts linked to Russia and, unexpectedly, Iran (Pictured: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg May 2018) The social site claimed the pages 'coordinated inauthentic behavior' that included the sharing of political material Other social media networks have done likewise, and continue to turn up fresh evidence of political disinformation campaigns. Facebook's action in late July against 32 accounts possibly linked to Russia generally involved U.S. political activity ahead of the midterm elections in November. By contrast, the latest group of apparently fake accounts appeared more intent on influencing U.S. foreign policy and regional politics in the Middle East. Shortly after Facebook's announcement, Twitter revealed that it had also suspended 284 accounts for 'coordinated manipulation,' many of them apparently originating from Iran. A day earlier, Microsoft also reported a new Russian effort to impersonate conservative U.S. websites , potentially as part of an espionage campaign. The social network said it had not concluded its review of the material and declined to say how or why the state-backed actors were behaving the way they did. But it said it has informed the U.S. and U.K. governments as well as the U.S. Treasury and State departments because of ongoing sanctions against Iran. 'There's a lot we don't know yet,' CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on a hastily called conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. 'You're going to see people try to abuse the services in every way possible ... including now nation states,' he said. Facebook said its latest action on Tuesday morning resulted from four investigations three involving Iran, one involving Russia (Pictured: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Russian President Vladimir Putin) He described the deception campaigns as 'sophisticated and well-funded efforts that aren't going to stop.' FireEye, a cybersecurity firm that alerted Facebook to some of this activity, noted that it 'does not appear to have been specifically designed to influence the 2018 U.S. midterm elections, as it extends well beyond U.S. audiences and U.S. politics.' Facebook said its latest action on Tuesday morning resulted from four investigations three involving Iran, one involving Russia. The first focused on a group called 'Liberty Front Press' that set up multiple accounts on Facebook and Instagram that were followed by 155,000 other accounts. Virginia Sen. Mark Warner (pictured), the top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee stated Friday that 'The Iranians are now following the Kremlin's playbook' The group was linked to Iranian state media based on website registrations, IP addresses and administrator accounts, Facebook said. The first accounts were created in 2013 and posted political content about the Middle East, the U.K., and the U.S., although the focus on the West increased starting last year, Facebook said. 'The Iranians are now following the Kremlin's playbook,' said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee. On Sept. 5, leaders of Facebook, Google and Twitter are scheduled to testify before the intelligence committee about their efforts to combat political disinformation on their social media networks. FireEye called the Liberty Front Press group an influence operation apparently aimed at promoting Iranian political interests 'including anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes' and support for the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal. President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from that agreement earlier this year. While that group did not appear to be attempting to influence the U.S. midterms, FireEye said its analysis 'does not preclude such attempts being made.' Several social media personas it found related to the group masqueraded as liberal U.S. activists who supported Sen. Bernie Sanders. One persona also used the Twitter handle '@berniecratss' and listed its location as the United States even though the phone number associated with it began with Iran's country code, +98. The group's activity included 'significant anti-Trump messaging,' but FireEye said in a detailed report 'the activity extends well beyond U.S. audiences and U.S. politics.' Microsoft also reported a new Russian effort to impersonate conservative U.S. websites , potentially as part of an espionage campaign The second group also had multiple accounts and 15,000 followers. The group was linked to 'Liberty Front Press' and attempted to hack people's accounts to spread malware. Facebook said it disrupted those attempts. A third group also operated out of Iran had as many as 813,000 followers, and also shared political content about the Middle East, the U.K. and U.S. In all the Iranian-linked groups spent some $12,000 in advertising and hosted 28 different events. A fourth group that attempted to influence politics in Syria and the Ukraine was connected to sources that Facebook said the U.S. had linked to Russian military intelligence. 'We're working closely with U.S. law enforcement on this investigation,' Facebook said in a blog post. In late July, Facebook also removed 32 apparently fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram that collectively had nearly 300,000 followers, including thousands that expressed interest in events they promoted. A white security guard has shocked a black bartender by ordering a 'Travon Martini', the bartender said. Michael Dargy Jr was fired from his security firm job on Tuesday, after Kansas City, Missouri bartender Alobar Bandaloop took to Facebook to describe the incident in the Buzzard Beach bar over the weekend. 'As a bartender, Im asked to make 1001 different drinks and never once has any drink like this crossed till last week,' Bandaloop wrote. 'A piece of s**t named Mike Dargy wandered his racist a** into my bar and ordered a Travon Martini.' Bandaloop continued: 'Then when he noticed the shock on my face, he decided to tell me recipe. One shot of vodka, watermelon juice, and it only takes one shot because it only takes one shot to put him down!' Michael Dargy Jr (left) was fired from his security firm job on Tuesday, after Kansas City, Missouri bartender Alobar Bandaloop (right) said he had ordered a 'Travon Martini' The shocking drink order occurred over the weekend at Buzzard Beach (above), a popular bar in the Westport neighborhood of Kansas City The drink recipe is a reference to the 2012 shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida. Neighborhood watch coordinator George Zimmerman was acquitted of murder in the shooting when a jury found he had acted in self-defense. Martin was black and Zimmerman is mixed-race Hispanic. The jury decision sparked the early stages of what became the Black Lives Matter movement. The 'Travon Martini' recipe does not appear to be original to Dargy. A 2014 entry in the Urban Dictionary calls for the drink to be made with one part Everclear, one part Arizona Watermelon, and garnished with Skittles. The recipe adds, 'Warning: One shot and you're on the ground.' Martin had just purchased Skittles and Arizona Watermelon Fruit Juice Cocktail from a convenience store when he was fatally shot in the torso. Bandaloop described his fury at Dargy upon hearing the recipe for the Trayvon Martini. 'The smug look on his face was one of the most punchable looks Ive ever seen,' the bartender wrote. Travon Martin (above) had just purchased Skittles and Arizona Watermelon Fruit Juice Cocktail from a 7-11 when he was fatally shot in the torso in 2012. A jury found the shooting justified Bandaloop refused to serve Dargy and kicked him out of the bar, he said. Although Dargy was off duty from his job at the time, Bandaloop said the incident raised questions about his fitness for his job as a security guard. 'Hes paid by the neighborhood to walk around with a pistol and police the area,' wrote Bandaloop. 'This is a huge issue with me. Who can trust this man in any interaction with an African American? How can this man make sure any mixed cultures are secure?' Dargy has not spoken out publicly about the incident and could not be reached by DailyMail.com for comment. He was previously employed with the Olathe Police Department, which said he had worked there for less than a year, and left in 2016, but did not divulge a reason for the separation. Dargy's current employer, security firm Chesley Brown International, told KCTV5 in a statement that even though their investigation into the allegations was ongoing, Dargy had been fired. 'While the investigation continues and remains active the officers employment with Chesley Brown has ended,' the statement said. 'Chesley Brown International has NO tolerance for hate, bigotry or prejudice. The company embraces diversity and inclusion as one of its core values.' Nashville police are now questioning two men they believe could be behind a string of 'cold-blooded murders' committed during a crime spree that terrorized the city. Lacory Cody Lytle, 24, and Demontrey Logsdon, 20, are being questioned in connection with the murders of Bartley Teal and Jamie Sarratonio on Friday. They are also being questioned in the slaying of Kendall Rice, who was randomly shot to death last Tuesday while waiting to catch a bus to work. Authorities said Logsdon was taken into custody at a Nashville residence on Monday afternoon by the department's Gang Unit and US Marshals. Demontrey Logsdon, 20, (left) and Lacory Lytle, 24, (right) are being questioned in connection with three gruesome Nashville murders that took place last week Lytle turned himself in for questioning hours later. The two men were selected as 'persons who need to be questioned based on certain surveillance images and recovered physical evidence', according to police. Authorities said the development came hours after it was revealed that an August 12 car robbery was connected to the crime spree. A 26-year-old man was confronted by two robbers after he stopped his car on the highway to check on a dog in the road at around 3.20am. The man told police that the dog had crossed his path while he was driving down Highway 70 South. Jaime Sarrantonio, 30, (pictured) was among the three people who were killed in the city last week by two robbers Sarrantonio had been out celebrating with Bartley Teal for his 33rd birthday when they were approached by two men and shot outside a convenience store When he turned to see if he had struck the dog, he saw another car that was traveling in the opposite direction swerve toward the animal, according to ABC. A WEEK OF TERROR IN NASHVILLE August 8, 12.30am: Woman walking her dogs is shot after being approached by two men in a dark sedan August 12, 3.20am: A man is carjacked after stopping to check on a dog on the highway August 14, 5am: Kendall Rice is murdered while waiting to catch a bus to work August 14, 5.15am: Ryan Noble and two friends are robbed by two men near The Cobra bar August 17, 3am: Bartley Teal and Jamie Sarratonio are killed during a robbery in the parking lot of The Cobra Advertisement The man decided to stop and get out of his car to check on the dog when he was approached by two men, including one who was armed. Both men ordered the man to run and then stole his car, which was later discovered in an alley on Friday. Four days before the robbery, an unidentified woman was shot in the lower back while she was walking her dogs near her home around 12.30am. Just like with the man on the highway, the woman said she was approached by two men in a dark-colored sedan. She said they shot her after she told them to leave. The woman managed to call 911 but was left paralyzed by the bullet, which grazed her spine. Two days after the robbery on the highway, 31-year-old Kendall Rice was killed around 5am while waiting to catch the bus to work. Two men demanded that Teal turn over his belongings and, after he said he didn't have anything to give, shot him and Sarrantonio before taking off in a dark Chevy (pictured) Witnesses said a dark-colored sedan drove up behind Rice and shot him with a rifle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police believe the same two men murdered Kendall Rice, 31, (pictured) who was shot around 5am on August 14 while waiting to catch the bus to work Just 15 minutes after Rice was killed, a man was shot and critically wounded in an apparent robbery just 3.5 miles away. Ryan Noble, 30, told The Tennessean that he and two friends were approached by two men as they walked by a bar called The Cobra. The men brandished guns and demanded their belongings. Jaime Sarrantonio, 30, and Bartley Teal, were likewise by The Cobra when they were approached by the two men on Friday. The friends had been out with a group to celebrate Teal's 33rd birthday when they left the bar around 3am to get snacks at a nearby convenience store. Police believe the two suspects were looking for victims at random when they approached the four friends in the bar's parking lot. Along with the three murder victims, the two men have reportedly shot and paralyzed one woman and stole another man's car. Pictured is Teal Ryan Noble, 30, and his friends were likewise robbed by two men at The Cobra, the same bar where Teal and Sarrantonio had been before they were murdered days later According to The Tennessean, they demanded that Teal turn over his belongings and, after he said he didn't have anything to give, shot him. It remains unclear why Sarrantonio was shot. The suspects drove away in a dark Chevrolet sedan and dumped the victims' belongings in a nearby alley. MNPD Spokesman Don Aaron called the murders 'senseless cold-blooded homicides.' 'Officers throughout the city are on the lookout for two cold-blooded killers who obviously have no respect whatsoever for the sanctity for human life,' he said. The family of a British woman who fell to her death from a Benidorm hotel room are begging for answers as they try and piece together exactly what happened in her final hour alive. Kirsty Maxwell, 27, plunged 100ft over a balcony on the tenth floor of the Payma Apartments in the Spanish holiday resort during a friend's hen party weekend in April last year. The events leading up to her tragic death are still unclear more than 12 months after the fateful night - with crucial details about what she was doing from 6.50am until the moment she died at 7.15am still unknown. Now, newly released CCTV footage shows Mrs Maxwell walking with friends back to her hotel room at 5.35am after their night out partying. One of the images taken of the inside of the apartment where Kirsty Maxwell was last seen alive, showing it strewn with alcohol and cigarette butts Video filmed just over an hour later by one of her hen do friends shows Mrs Maxwell fast asleep, and snoring, in bed in their room at 6.50am. But what motivated Mrs Maxwell into leaving her own room, and heading upstairs to the tenth floor to visit the flat of the so-called 'Benidorm Five' where she fell at 7.15am remains a mystery. Photos taken by Spanish police show the alcohol-strewn hotel room of the five men, with a packet of white powder pictured in the bathroom, as Mrs Maxwell would have likely found it that night. The CCTV footage, friend's video and photos were all revealed in a BBC documentary, in which her family and friends appeal for information about what happened. Her family, from West Lothian in Scotland, and friends are desperate to know why she left her hotel room, why she headed upstairs to the tenth floor, and why she ended up in the flat of five men from Nottingham it is believed she had not met before the holiday. Police also discovered what the said was a 'white substance' which they believed to be cocaine A view looking down from the tenth floor balcony on to the floor below Mrs Maxwell's family have now hired former police detective David Swindle to try and uncover exactly what happened that night on the documentary. Investigators have attempted to piece together her final movements after Mrs Maxwell and 19 friends arrived in Benidorm on Friday April 28 last year. CCTV footage from a camera in the hotel shows Kirsty Maxell (far right) arriving back to the hotel with friends at 5.35am. The time stamp on the video is incorrect by one hour The video then shows the group waiting for a lift. Ms Maxwell is on the left with her back to the camera After checking in to the hotel at 9.15pm, they headed out into Benidorm, and Mrs Maxwell returned to the apartments at 5.35am - the time stamp on CCTV was one hour out. It shows Mrs Maxwell and her friends, each wearing their hen do outfits, make their way to a lift in the building as they head back to their room. A short time later she went to sleep, and a friend decided to film her on her mobile phone because she started snoring. This video was shot at 6.50am. But just over an hour later, at 7:51am, Mrs Maxwell fell to her death from the balcony of apartment 10E, on the tenth floor. Mrs Maxwell is filmed by a friend on her mobile phone asleep in her hotel room at 6.50am. An hour later she fell to her death The men, dubbed the Benidorm Five, were all quizzed by police but were allowed to return to the UK. They deny any wrongdoing and police are still investigating the bank worker's death. It is not known for sure exactly why she ended up in the tenth floor apartment. It is believed she left her hotel room sometime after 6.50am and became locked out. Kirsty Maxwell, 27 (pictured with her husband of seven months Adam) from West Lothian in Scotland, was on a friend's hen party in the Spanish resort of Benidorm on April 29 last year when she died Her family say she had no history of sleep walking. It is believed she could then have wandered around the hotel trying to find another room where some of the group were staying. Kirsty Maxwell: A timeline of her final hours Kirsty Maxwell arrives in Benidorm with 19 friends for the hen do. The group check into Payma Apartments at 9.15pm on Friday April 28. They head out into Benidorm to celebrate. At 5.35am on Saturday April 29 Mrs Maxwell returned to her apartment with two friends. At 6.50am she fell asleep in her hotel room and was filmed snoring. At 7.51 am she fell to her death from a balcony in another hotel room on the tenth floor, occupied by five men. In the following days the men, dubbed the Benidorm Five, were all quizzed by police but were allowed to return to the UK. Advertisement The hotel corridors all looked the same and she had only spent minutes in the hotel before the group headed out for the night to go drinking the previous day. Mrs Maxwell knew some of her friends were staying on the tenth floor, so that is why she headed upstairs. But her family think she made a mistake and entered the apartment of the five British men, which was next door to her friends room. One of the statements from the men in the hotel room said she entered their apartment in a state of anxiety, and went to the bathroom, before heading to the balcony. The BBC documentary Killed Abroad, which aired in Scotland this week, also features an interview with Mrs Maxwell's family, who have appealed for new information. Her widower Adam, 28, who married Mrs Maxwell just seven months earlier, said: 'We made a promise as a family that we would leave no stone unturned for Kirsty. 'This was my Kirsty. 'The circumstances surrounding it were impossible to believe. They still are. 'It was just me and the rest of the family doing the investigation as such, which was hugely difficult. Mrs Maxwell had been drinking with friends before she left them for a different hotel room occupied by five men she did not know before falling from this balcony A picture shows where Mrs Maxwell fell to her death in April last year 'At the same time we were organising Kirsty's funeral, I was organising second autopsies to be done'. Tests have confirmed that Mrs Maxwell was more than three times the drink-drive limit when she died, but had not taken any drugs. Her family have also blasted any suggestion that she jumped. Distraught Adam Maxwell, who travelled to Benidorm shortly after the incident with her family, claimed in a newspaper interview last May 'something dark' had happened in the apartment. Blasting suggestions his wife was suicidal, on drugs, or attempting to leap into the pool of the apartment block, he said: 'Something dark happened in that room - and I won't rest until I know the truth. 'Kirsty was happy and healthy and had everything to live for. It's crazy to suggest she killed herself.' Her brother Ryan Curry told the documentary: 'She was at the happiest point in her life, and so was everyone else. Three of the men are pictured covering their faces as they came out of a court hearing 'Really content with life at that time, and it just changed overnight.' Joseph Graham, Callum Northridge, Ricky Gammon, Anthony Holehouse and Daniel Bailey were part of a group of 50 men on holiday together at the time of Mrs Maxwell's death. In a previous statement, four of the men branded the incident a 'tragic accident' and argued their names had been 'dragged through the mud'. Spanish authorities have insisted the investigation into Kirsty's death remains open. They believe Mrs Maxwell may have mistaken the apartment for a friend's flat and become disorientated. In a 39-page report published last year, police also suggested she may havepanicked after finding herself in the wrong flat and probably tried to jump into the swimming pool ten floors below after an alcohol binge because she thought it was her 'only escape route.' The report adds Mr Graham, who has not been charged with any crime, 'in his state of drunkenness and under the effects of cocaine, probably said something obscene to Kirsty and/or approached her in a way which made her feel seriously intimidated.' Officers are said to believe Mrs Maxwell's death was an accident, with no signs of any criminality. Staff at the apartment block believe she fell, possibly after leaning too far over the balcony rail. 'We do not think it was a criminal act but just an accident,' said a member of staff at the front desk said at the time. 'Accidents do happen. This is one of them.' Another of the five men is pictured covering his face as he left court left, along with Ricky Gammon, right Joseph Graham, left and Callum Northridge, are among the five men the Maxwell family are begging for answers in the investigation into their daughter's death Earlier his year her family accused Spanish police of destroying her clothes from the night she died. They said there had been some 'serious shortcomings in the investigation' and they said they had been 'let down' by officials. Mr Maxwell said: 'We got this shocking news about Kirsty's clothing. 'It's not the first instance when we've been shocked by something in regards to the case. 'It's very sad for us as a family and shocking that this is another thing we've been let down by. 'For the Spanish police to treat Kirsty's death in this way, we cannot accept it. They have not respected Kirsty.' 'It does beg the question if Kirsty was to die in the UK would this be different? And I think we are in agreement that it would.' Australia's worst female child killer, currently serving a 40-year sentence for killing her four children, will face an inquiry into her convictions. Kathleen Folbigg, from the New South Wales Hunter Valley, was convicted in May 2003 when a Supreme Court jury concluded she had killed her two sons and two daughters between 1989 and 1999. New South Wales Attorney-General Mark Speakman announced the inquiry on Wednesday, ABC reported. Kathleen Folbigg (pictured), who is serving a 40-year sentence for killing her four children, will face an inquiry into her convictions New South Wales Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the inquiry into Folbigg's (pictured) convictions was 'necessary to ensure public confidence in the administration of justice' 'I have formed the view that an inquiry into Ms Folbigg's convictions is necessary to ensure public confidence in the administration of justice,' Mr Speakman said. Mr Speakman said Folbigg's former husband had been notified about the 'immensely difficult decision' which would inevitably cause 'renewed distress and pain' for the family. 'Ultimately, my job as Attorney-General is to ensure public confidence in the administration of justice in NSW,' he said. The former chief judge of the District Court, the Hon Reginald Blanch AM QC, has been appointed to conduct the inquiry which is expected to last between six and 12 months. The 51-year-old will remain incarcerated throughout the duration of the inquiry. Caleb (left) was just 19 days old when he died in February 1989, while Patrick (right), was seven months in February 1991 Sarah (left) died aged 10 months in August 1993 while her sister Laura (right) was 18 months old when she died in February 1999 Folbigg, who was convicted based on her diary entries found by her former husband Craig Folbigg at their Singleton home, was found guilty of the murder of her three young children and the manslaughter of her 19-day son. The jury had rejected her defence the deaths were of natural causes, leading to her being sentenced to 40 years in jail with a 30-year non-parole term. Ahead of an episode of Australian Story that aired on August 13, Mr Speakman hinted the State Government was open to reviewing her case. 'Ms Folbigg's petition raises complex questions to which I am giving appropriate consideration and have taken extensive advice,' he told Daily Mail Australia in a statement. 'I hope to be in a position to make an announcement in the near future.' A New South Wales woman who murdered her new boyfriend, stabbing him in the back with a large carving knife, has called a crown prosecutor a 'lying cow' in an emotional courtroom outburst. Rachel Impson screamed the prosecutor had 'accused me of things I didn't do' after she broke down following her evidence at a NSW Supreme Court sentence hearing on Wednesday. The 42-year-old had just denied under cross-examination that she killed Michael 'Micky' Insley in anger because she believed he was involved in the death of her cat. Impson was found guilty by a jury in April of murdering Mr Insley one night in October 2014 in NSW's Lake Illawarra region. Rachel Impson (pictured) is escorted to a prison van following her NSW Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday. A jury found her guilty of killing boyfriend Michael Insley on the NSW south coast in 2014 The couple had been dating for a few weeks when she stabbed him at Windang's Picnic Island where she'd been living in a tent. While Impson always admitted killing Mr Insley, her lawyer argued at trial she was substantially impaired due to her bipolar affective disorder and borderline personality disorder. Impson on Wednesday said she 'couldn't be more sorry' for killing the 39-year-old, who was described by family members as a happy-go-lucky brother and son who was always willing to help others. Rachel Impson (pictured) called the crown prosecutor a 'lying cow' in an emotional courtroom outburst on Wednesday 'It's all I think about,' she said. 'It's part of me. It's part of who I am. It's part of who I'll be forever and I'll always be sorry.' But her evidence turned combative during her cross-examination by the prosecutor, with Impson denying she murdered her boyfriend over the death of her cat Angel. The Crown says Impson believed Mr Insley had a hand in Angel's death when she emerged from her tent armed with the knife and angrily stabbed him in the back as he tried to run away. A day earlier she'd accused Mr Insley of killing Angel in a message telling him: 'Watch your back c***.' Linda Reynolds (pictured) read out a victim impact statement read in court on Wednesday. Her brother Michael Insley was stabbed to death by his girlfriend in 2014 Rachel Impson (pictured) denied at her sentencing hearing that she murdered her boyfriend over the death of her cat Angel 'It tears my heart to pieces,' Michael Insley's sister Linda Reynolds (pictured) told the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday But Impson claims she was actually afraid that night and Mr Insley had the previous night 'footy-tackled' her. She said he was pushing her to prevent her leaving the island when she struck him. '(The cat) was my pet. Yes he was important to me, but I didn't stab Michael in the back because I suspected he may have had a hand in Angel's death,' she said. Impson denied having a history of making up allegations about people when she didn't get her way. Mr Insley's sister, Linda Reynolds, says his 'gut-wrenching' and tragic murder came the day before his youngest brother's 30th birthday and a week before her son's wedding. 'The worst part is not being able to say goodbye ... he was loved so, so much by so many people,' she said in a victim impact statement read in court on Wednesday. 'It tears my heart to pieces.' The sentencing hearing continues. Patients are facing unnecessary delays every day as doctors are faced with 51 separate hospital emergency numbers across Australia. Doctors are now pushing to have one standard number nationwide to better respond to patients who require urgent attention. The PatientSafe Network, which is led by Dr Rob Hackett, a Sydney-based senior consultant anaesthetist, is behind the charge for change. Dr Hackett said on Twitter the 'Lack of hospital emergency number standardisation leads to delays in resuscitation placing patients at unnecessary risk'. Sydney-based senior consultant anaesthetist Dr Rob Hackett said the lack of standardisation 'leads to delays in resuscitation placing patients at unnecessary risk' Dr Hackett (pictured) is leading the push for a standardised hospital emergency number across Australia through the PatientSafe Network The number is called for emergencies such as cardiac arrest, life-threatening blood clots or seizure to alert a 'rapid response' team. Dr Hackett, who works across eight hospitals, said remembering only one number would make his job much easier. 'It will make a difference; it's obvious the sooner we get help in these acute situations, the better,' Dr Hackett told The Sydney Morning Herald. Other health professionals also find the differing numbers can be hard to remember. 'From an ongoing survey in Australia we have noted 51 different numbers so far. Many survey responders noted difficulty in remembering their Hospital Emergency Number and there is overwhelming support for standardisation,' the PatientSafe Network website says. The plan is to have Australia's hospital emergency number standardised at 2222, the same number adopted by the UK's NHS in 2006 and one that other countries are also looking at implementing. A survey has found there are currently 51 different hospital emergency numbers across Australia New South Wales health minister Brad Hazzard told The Sydney Morning Herald standardisation had merit, with authorities now looking at improvements to the system. 'Senior specialists to junior doctors were telling me about this problem and they said sometimes they were wasting a minute or two or even longer trying to find the right number,' Mr Hazzard said. WHAT IS IT? 'The Hospital Emergency Number (also known as cardiac arrest or crash call number) is an internal hospital phone number which when dialled is rapidly answered by switchboard (the usual phone number for switchboard at times may take minutes to connect during times of high phone traffic). 'It is used in the event of an emergency (e.g. a cardiac arrest when no arrest buzzer exists nearby).' Source: PatientSafe Network Advertisement NSW's public health system recorded about 91,000 'rapid response' calls in 2017. In two minutes, a patient's chance of surviving a cardiac arrest falls by almost 50 per cent. The push for standardisation has the support of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, although they have no preference for the number. 'ANZCA and the Australian Society of Anaesthetists support standardisation of Australian hospital emergency numbers but not a particular number,' their website says. The proposal also has the support of other groups, including the Australian Resuscitation Council and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. A death threat letter sent to the home of a Western Australian Labor MP was opened by her eight-year-old daughter. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and Armadale MP Tony Buti both received letters this week amidst plans to compensate the taxi industry for competition from ride-sharing services. The letter addressed to Ms Saffioti, a mother-of-three, reportedly threatened the lives of her family, and was opened by her eight-year-old daughter. WA Premier Mark McGowan slammed the author of the letter, saying it is one of the most 'disgraceful and appalling' acts he has seen in his career. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti (pictured) received a death threat in the mail, which was opened by her eight-year-old daughter The letter addressed to Mr Buti reportedly said 'strange things will happen to your family' unless he 'fixed the taxi industry'. Ms Saffioti is the Transport Minister for WA, and, alongside Mr Buti, are in the process of compensating the taxi industry for having to compete with popular ride-sharing services. Under legislation introduced to state parliament on Wednesday, an added cost of up to $10 will be applied to metropolitan trips taken by passengers in ride-sharing services. The levy will be used to pay for voluntary taxi plate buybacks, as Uber and Taxify put the squeeze on the taxi industry. According to Mr Buti, most plate owners will receive a minimum of $100,000 and a few may receive a maximum of $250,000. Tony Buti (left) also received death threats for his consultion on the taxi reforms Premier Mark McGowan said the letters were shocking and if the perpetrator was caught, they would face serious consequences. 'It's people demanding a different arrangement in relation to the taxi deal,' Mr McGowan said on Wednesday. 'If people think that in some way it will get them the outcome they want, they're completely wrong.' A packed tourist plane made an emergency landing in Russia after the engine burst into flames. Footage captured by frightened passengers through the window shows the engine beginning to spark soon after takeoff. In another video the engine has burst into flames and fire can be seen billowing out of the left engine mid-flight. Footage captured by frightened passengers show a plane's engine bursting into flames forcing it to make an emergency landing in Russia Sparks were captured in one video flying through the cracks in the plane's left engine Passengers on the flight to Sochi, Russia, tried to remain calm as they filmed the alarming scene but panicked voices and a crying child can be heard. Flight attendants struggle to get passengers to sit down and put their belts on. In one video voices are heard saying: 'Wait, is it actually on fire?' with another replying 'Yes! Really on fire, yes!' One passenger said: 'It feels like my desire to fly left me.' Worried passengers filmed the terrifying moment as flight attendants shouted at them to remain in the seats Raised voices can be heard as flights attendants warn passengers to remain in their seats. A flight attendant can be heard saying: 'Don't take your seat belt off please. Don't stand up!' The crew that worried passengers remain in their seats even when the aircraft is on the ground - and a clip after the emergency landing shows spray extinguishing the engine inferno. The plane was en route to Sochi and made an emergency landing Ufa in the Urals and all 202 passengers fled the plane by emergency slides The plane was en route to Sochi, Russia's summer seaside resort on the Black Sea when the plane caught fire. Fortunately the Red Wings Tu-204 jet made an emergency landing Ufa in the Urals and all 202 passengers fled the plane by emergency slides. A source at Ufa airport said: 'There were 202 passengers on board, no injuries reported,' 'All firefighting and rescue units at the airport worked in line with the emergency plan. 'Passengers were evacuated with the help of inflatable emergency escape slides seven minutes after the landing.' The plane landed 5.06am local time, the airport website confirmed and the airline re-routed passengers to their destination with other flights. Psychologists and airline representatives were reported to be working with shocked passengers and the Russian-made plane is undergoing tests. Advertisement Remarkable photos capture a glimpse into the lives of the Inuit practice of seal hunting in Greenland - where hunters face a daily battle to survive. The hunters brave extreme conditions to provide for their community in the remote village of Akunnaaq. The pictures, taken by French photographer Theo Giacometti, 29, show the fishermen using basic techniques including spearing the animals and shooting them to land their catch. They can then be seen carving up the beasts on the powder white ice so that the flesh can be taken off and sold. The meat is traded or doled out among their friends and relatives. Despite temperatures of -35C in January the hunters Giacometti followed were able to catch four seals - although they had been hoping to catch a narwhal. The seal's liver, kidneys and pancreas were reserved for the hunter, who ate them raw. The community spirit is very strong in this village and every animal hunted is shared among all those who need it. Even the dogs get their share. Their remote settlement of 70 inhabitants, with no roads, hotel, restaurants or doctors, is almost entirely reliant on hunting as a source of food. A hunter carves off a piece of seal flesh to give to a local resident who puts it in a bag and takes it home for personal consumption Fishermen were forced to brave extreme cold and harsh sea conditions to catch a meager haul of only four seals for the whole village After a successful day's fishing and with the light drawing in fast the fishermen work quickly to carve up the stricken beast and apportion it among the villagers Two fishermen drag the carcass of a dead seal up a jetty and onto dry land after bringing in their catch for the community Fishermen use a combination of techniques to kill the seals including modern methods such as shooting them with a rifle More traditional fishermen stick to the long-standing practice of spear fishing using a large wooden pole to snare the seals The body of a dead seal floats in the water after being speared to death by a fisherman in the golden light of the early morning The hunters let absolutely none of the animal go to waste, stripping it back to the bones to ensure they have every gram of meat Some of the tools used by the fishermen lie freezing on the deck of the boat including their highly modern sniper rifle The entire community will get a share of any catch brought in by the fishermen and even the villagers' dogs will get the scraps A dog resting after feasting on the scraps of the morning's catch after the group of seals were brought in by the fishermen Advertisement Italian authorities have posted officers at Rome's landmarks after two British tourists sparked outrage when they stripped and frolicked in a fountain outside a famous monument. Police are now hunting the pair after their antics were captured on camera by a tour guide at the Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) - a monument to war dead that was originally built in honour of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy. Italy's hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini warned he intends to dish out harsh punishment to the two 'idiots' filmed posing for photos wearing only their underwear in the water at the foot of the city's Altare della Patria. 'I know how to 'educate' these idiots if they are caught. Italy is not their bathroom,' Salvini said on Twitter. Now, a number of monuments - including the iconic Trevi Fountain - will be guarded 24/7 until the end of the summer. Vice Mayor Luca Bergamo told local media: 'I can confirm for our citizens that local police have already taken 24-hour control of numerous famous sites.' As well as the Trevi fountain, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Venezia, Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, Piazza Trilussa, Campo de' Fiori, Fontana dell'Acqua Paola and the Fountain in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere will be guarded. Footage captures the moment two British tourists stripped and posed for photos in a fountain next to one of Rome's most famous monuments Bergamo said: 'This offended every one of us including our country and the dead who are honoured by the monument. 'We were faced with behaviour that demonstrated stupidity and ignorance as well as a lack of respect for the history of Rome and Italy.' In the clip, one of the Britons can be seen removing his underwear and stuffing his genitals between his legs to pose naked for photos. Others took photos as the men laughed and jokingly flexed their muscles in front of bemused tourists. An Italian who filmed the incident can be heard saying: 'This will make history. Mamma mia, it's incredible.' One of the unnamed men can be seen removing his underwear as they frolicked in the water at the Altare della Patria in the Italian capital Police are now hunting the pair after their antics were captured on camera by a tour guide at the landmark - a monument built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy The tourists bared all in the waters of the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II (Altare della Patria) built in honour of the first king of a unified Italy It is the latest example of tourists causing outrage through bad behaviour in Italy. Previous incidents have seen sightseers carving their initials into the walls of Rome's Colosseum, fighting over selfie spots at the city's Trevi Fountain and taking a bath in a Venice canal. Rome has tried to crackdown on unruly tourists in the past and even considered fencing off the celebrated Spanish Steps to protect them from 'barbarian' hordes of sightseers. Last year, the city considered barring tourists from stopping next to the Trevi fountain to crack down on illegal swimming there. Do you know the men in the video? Email mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement In Venice, stewards patrol the city looking for signs of uncouth behaviour such as sitting down on church steps and eating. And in Milan earlier this year, visitors were banned from taking pictures with selfie sticks. In the footage, two men - reported as being British by local media - are seen posing for photos in the fountain wearing only their briefs. Several people position themselves by the wall, dipping their feet into the water and taking photos. One of the men then pulls his underwear down and hides his genitals between his legs to pose naked for photos. Numerous visitors walk past the Britons as they continued to misbehave. The landmark, designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1885 and completed in 1925, is between Rome's Piazza Venezia and Capitoline Hill and holds the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which includes an eternal flame, built in memory of the fallen soldiers of World War I. The base of the structure also houses the museum of Italian Unification. In 2007, a panoramic lift was installed, allowing visitors to ride up to the roof for 360-degree views of Rome. Local authorities prohibit behaviour that damages or disrespects its famous landmarks and police are trying to track down the tourists. It has also caused outrage on social media. One Italian wrote online: 'English sons of b*****s, always playing up and attention-seeking.' Local media said that this was yet another assault on Italy's heritage. Earlier this month, police broke up a brawl at Rome's famous Trevi fountain after two women failed to agree on who could take a selfie there first. A number of monuments - including the iconic Trevi Fountain (pictured, file photo) - will now be guarded 24/7 until the end of the summer Vice Mayor Luca Bergamo confirmed that local police have already taken 24-hour control of numerous famous sites. Pictured, a file photo shows policemen patrolling the Trevi fountain earlier in August Matteo Salvini (pictured) said he knew how to 'educate' the men who are wanted by police in Rome after posing for photos in the water at the foot of the city's Altare della Patria, wearing only their underwear In April last year, a nude man was filmed jumping into the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome for a swim in front of stunned tourists The man jumped into the celebrated Trevi Fountain to the surprise of tourists. It is illegal to jump into the fountain, throw rubbish in the water or fish out coins Both families got involved after a Dutch tourist, 19, argued with an Italian-American woman, 44, in an altercation that turned violent. The women exchanged slaps and punches before relatives reacted to create an eight-person melee. In April last year, a nude man was filmed jumping into the same fountain for a swim in front of stunned tourists. Victor Emmanuel II, King of Italy Victor Emmanuel II (1820-1878) was the first king of a unified Italy after centuries of the country being split up into small states. Much of northern Italy was in the mid-1800s controlled by Austria through the Hapsburg dynasty. He inherited the small kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont in 1849 when his father abdicated after a failed independence war against Austria. Victor Emmanuel allied with Napoleon III in France in the Crimean War, which then supported him in another breakaway attempt in 1859. After a series of campaigns his kingdom gained more territory and other Italian states were allowed to have plebiscites to join him. By March 17, 1861, he had enough territory to be declared King of Italy, forming an Italian state for the first time since the Roman Empire. On September 20, 1870, he entered Rome after defeating the Papal States, completing the Italian unification. He, along with his longtime prime minister and top generals, is considered one of the fathers of Italy. Advertisement Weeks later, and in a bid to clamp down on illegal swimming, Mayor Virginia Raggi proposed banning tourists from stopping at the fountain, meaning they would only be able to visit the 18th century Baroque masterpiece by passing along a one-way route on one side. A year earlier, three female tourists caused outrage in Rome after they stripped down to their bikinis and cooled off in the 400-year-old Fontana dell'Acqua Paola fountain to escape the summer heat. Locals fumed at their apparent lack of respect for the 17th century monument, after they were caught in the act. Also in 2016, work had to be carried out to repair the famous Elephant and Obelisk statue in Rome, which was damaged in an apparent vandalism. The statue was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII and has stood in the square in front of the Santa Maria Sopra Minevra Basilica since 1667. It was also reported in that year that there were proposals to fence off the Spanish Step in Rome, made famous by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. They reopened in 2016 following an 18-month cleaning and restoration project funded by luxury jewellers Bulgari. At the time, Paolo Bulgari, the company's chairman, called for a fence to be installed of the marble staircase so the attraction can be locked up every night, adding: 'Now that it's been restored, we cannot allow it to revert to being an open-air sewer. We cannot leave it to the barbarians who eat and drink there, making it dirty.' In 2015, six Britons were charged with obscenity after they were filmed skinny-dipping in the historic fountain of the Naiads in scenes described as resembling 'an orgy in Ancient Rome'. In another act that sparked outrage in the city that year, two Californian women, aged 21 and 25, were arrested after carving a J and N into a brick wall on the first floor of the west side of the Colosseum, which is visited by more than five million people a year. Months earlier a 42-year-old man from Russia was fined 20,000 (14,000 or $22,000) and given a four-month suspended prison sentence after he used a stone to carve a 10-inch K into a wall at the ancient amphitheatre. Another incident saw a 15-year-old Canadian girl trying to steal a brick from the Colosseum, which was built nearly 2,000 years ago. She removed the brick and placed it a bag in an effort to keep it as a souvenir, but was spotted by a tourist and reported to security. Incidents of this kind are not confined to Rome. In Venice in 2015, a tourist was spotted having a bath in one of Venice's famed canals. Footage showed the man splashing around and using the water to clean his armpits, shoulders and back. In 2013, an American tourist upset locals when he accidentally snapped the finger off a 600-year-old statue of the Virgin Mary at Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Museum of the Works of the Cathedral). The 55-year-old man, from New Fairfield, Connecticut, was attempting to compare his finger to that one the statue when the digit broke off. Earlier this year, the mayor of Capri said he was planning to mimic Venice and 'experiment' with crowd control measures to stop tourists swamping his tiny Italian island. In 2015, six Britons were charged with obscenity after they were filmed skinny-dipping in the historic fountain of the Naiads in scenes described as resembling 'an orgy in Ancient Rome' In 2016, three female tourists caused outrage in Rome after they stripped down to their bikinis and cooled off in the 400-year-old Fontana dell'Acqua Paola fountain to escape the summer heat Earlier this month, police broke up a brawl at Rome's famous Trevi fountain after two women failed to agree on who could take a selfie there first Gianni De Martino said last year that Capri, a popular resort since the days of the Roman Republic, 'could explode' after warning that receiving millions of visitors a year 'is a bit too much'. His comments came after Venice - which struggles to accommodate 25 million tourists a year - introduced metal barriers to funnel tourists down less popular streets so locals could still go about their business. Other European countries have imposed rules aimed at curbing bad behaviour in popular areas. In July, Palma, the upmarket capital of Spanish island Majorca, introduced a raft of new rules to crackdown on anti-social behaviour. The city's council approved new laws that outlaw tourists walking around topless, which could result in fines of up to 3,000 euros (2,600). The rules also ban pub crawls and prohibit the sale of alcohol between midnight and 8am if it is not to be consumed within a bar. Anybody caught having sex in the street will also be fined as well as people carrying out sex acts in a place that's visible to others. The Greek government has launched a fresh bid to claw back the Elgin marbles from Britain - as Brexit negotiations reach a critical stage. Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright has been sent a letter by counterpart Lydia Koniordou urging him to open talks on the fate of the ancient statues. The timing of the missive will spark speculation as talks with the EU over the future relationship are on a knife edge. The Greek government will need to approve any Brexit deal, and it is also almost certain to require ratification by the country's parliament. Many Parthenon sculptures have been housed in the British Museum since 1816 after they were bought by the government from Lord Elgin Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright (pictured left) has been sent a letter by counterpart Lydia Koniordou (right) urging him to open talks on the fate of the ancient statues Greece has long campaigned for the repatriation of the marbles, but supporters insist they were purchased legitimately and have been painstakingly preserved in the UK. There have been warnings that giving back the artefacts would trigger requests from dozens of other countries for the return of artworks in British museums. The sculptures used to be on the Parthenon at the top of the Acropolis in Athens. They were removed by Elgin between 1799 and 1810 after he received permission from the Ottoman empire, which ruled Greece at the time. Elgin claimed he was worried about damage being done to the marbles, but their removal was criticised at the time by figures including Lord Byron. Many Parthenon sculptures have been housed in the British Museum since 1816 after they were bought by the government from Lord Elgin. According to a House of Commons briefing paper from last year, the UK government's position is that 'issues relating to the ownership and management of the Parthenon sculptures are matters for the trustees of the British Museum'. Jeremy Corbyn has said he believes the marbles should be returned to Greece. The PIlissos statue, part of the collection of marbles from the Parthenon that are in London This is the care facility that will house a 95-year-old former Nazi concentration camp guard who lived quietly in New York City for decades after he was deported to Germany. Jakiw Palij's expulsion came 25 years after investigators first accused Palij of lying about his wartime past to get into the US almost 70 years ago. But it was largely symbolic because officials in Germany have repeatedly said there is insufficient evidence to prosecute him. Acting on a 2004 deportation order, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement took Palij into custody and sent him to Germany. Video footage showed federal immigration agents carrying Palij out of his home in Queens on a stretcher on Monday. Palij, with a fluffy white beard and a brown, newsboy-style cap atop his head, was wrapped in a sheet as the agents carried him down a brick stairway in front of his home and into a waiting ambulance. Jakiw Palij was taken from his New York home and spirited on Tuesday morning to Germany Palij arrived at the care facility (above) in the German town of Ahlen where he will stay on Tuesday He ignored a reporter who shouted, 'Are you a Nazi?' and 'Do you have any regrets?' Palij was flown on a specially chartered air ambulance from Teterboro, New Jersey, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and arrived in Dusseldorf, at 8am on Tuesday. Palij's lawyer, Ivars Berzins, declined to comment. From Dusseldorf, Palij was taken to an elderly care facility in the town of Ahlen, near Munster. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said 'there is no line under historical responsibility,' but added in a comment to the German daily Bild that doing justice to the memory of Nazi atrocities 'means standing by our moral obligation to the victims and the subsequent generations.' Palij had lived quietly in the US for years, as a draftsman and then as a retiree, until nearly three decades ago when investigators found his name on an old Nazi roster and a fellow former guard spilled the secret that he was 'living somewhere in America.' Palij, an ethnic Ukrainian born in a part of Poland that is now Ukraine, said on his 1957 naturalization petition that he had Ukrainian citizenship. Jakiw Palij was arrested and deported by US immigration authorities, the White House said He did not respond to questions reporters were shouting at him as he was loaded up to go But when their investigators showed up at his door in 1993, he said: 'I would never have received my visa if I told the truth. Everyone lied.' Palij had entered the US in 1949 under the Displaced Persons Act, a law meant to help refugees from post-war Europe. He told immigration officials that he worked during the war in a woodshop and farm in Nazi-occupied Poland; at another farm in Germany; and finally in a German upholstery factory. Palij said he never served in the military. In reality, officials say, he played an essential role in the Nazi program to exterminate Jews in German-occupied Poland, as an armed guard at Trawniki. According to a Justice Department complaint, Palij served in a unit that 'committed atrocities against Polish civilians and others' and then in the notorious SS Streibel Battalion, 'a unit whose function was to round up and guard thousands of Polish civilian forced laborers.' Police stands in front of a senior home in Ahlen, Germany, where Palij will be housed Police stands in front of a senior home in Ahlen, Germany, where Jakiw Palij, a former Nazi concentration camp guard, arrived on Tuesday An old woman walks in front of a senior home in Ahlen, Germany, where Jakiw Palij will live After the war, Palij maintained friendships with other Nazi guards who the government says came to the US under similar false pretenses. Palij and his wife purchased their home near LaGuardia Airport in 1966 from a Polish Jewish couple who had survived the Holocaust and were not aware of his past. The Justice Department's special Nazi-hunting unit started piecing together Palij's past after a fellow Trawniki guard identified him to Canadian authorities in 1989. Investigators asked Russia and other countries for records on Palij beginning in 1990 and first confronted him in 1993. It wasn't until after a second interview in 2001 that he signed a document acknowledging he had been a guard at Trawniki and a member of the Streibel Battalion. Palij suggested at one point during that interview that he was threatened with death if he refused to work as a guard, saying 'if you don't show up, boom-boom.' Palij's expulsion was largely symbolic because officials in Germany have repeatedly said there is insufficient evidence to prosecute him A judge stripped Palij's U.S. citizenship in 2003 for 'participation in acts against Jewish civilians' while he was an armed guard at the Trawniki camp in Nazi-occupied Poland and he was ordered deported a year later. But because Germany, Poland, Ukraine and other countries refused to take him, he continued living in limbo in the two-story, red brick home in Queens he shared with his late wife, Maria. His continued presence there outraged the Jewish community, attracting frequent protests over the years that featured such chants as, 'Your neighbor is a Nazi!' According to the Justice Department, Palij served at Trawniki in 1943, the same year 6,000 prisoners in the camps and tens of thousands of other prisoners held in occupied Poland were rounded up and slaughtered. Palij has acknowledged serving in Trawniki but denied any involvement in war crimes. Palij's was almost entirely covered by a sheet as he was pushed along the sidewalk Last September, all 29 members of New York's congressional delegation signed a letter urging the State Department to follow through on his deportation and Ambassador Richard Grenell made it a priority after arriving in Germany earlier this year. 'Good riddance to this war criminal,' said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat. The deportation came after weeks of diplomatic negotiations. Grenell told reporters there were 'difficult conversations' because Palij is not a German citizen and was stateless after losing his US citizenship. But 'the moral obligation' of taking in 'someone who served in the name of the German government was accepted,' he said. Jakiw Palij (pictured in 2003), 95, who lived in New York, was arrested and deported by US immigration authorities, the White House said on Tuesday Palij entered the US in 1949 under the Displaced Persons Act, a law meant to help refugees from post-war Europe. Pictured, his 1949 visa photo Jens Rommel, head of the German federal prosecutors' office that investigates Nazi war crimes, said Tuesday that the deportation doesn't change the likelihood that Palij will be prosecuted for war crimes. 'A new investigation would only come into question if something changed in the legal evaluation or actual new evidence became known,' he said. However, Efraim Zuroff, the head Nazi-hunter at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said he hoped prosecutors would revisit the case now that Palij is in Germany. 'Trawniki was a camp where people were trained to round up and murder the Jews in Poland, so there's certainly a basis for some sort of prosecution,' he said in a telephone interview from Jerusalem. 'The efforts invested by the United States in getting Palij deported are really noteworthy and I'm very happy to see that they finally met with success,' he said. But given his age and questions over his health and also a possible lack of proof, it is unclear whether German authorities will attempt to prosecute the stateless pensioner. Germany has a mixed record on convicting Nazi war criminals. Critics say it let many high-ranking Nazis and SS members escaped justice only for their juniors, small cogs in the Nazi death machine, to be put on trial decades later. Palij (pictured in 1957) was born in Poland and immigrated to the US in 1949. He became a US citizen eight years later A file photo shows the home, left, of former Nazi concentration camp guard Jakiw Palij, in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens, New York This document, photographed July 16, 2018 at the National Archives at New York City, shows the Petition for Naturalization of Jakiw Palij The deportation came after weeks of diplomatic negotiations, which the White House said President Donald Trump had supported. 'Through extensive negotiations, President Trump and his team secured Palij's deportation to Germany and advanced the United States' collaborative efforts with a key European ally,' the White House said. Germany's Interior Ministry and Justice Ministry and Chancellor Angela Merkel's office did not immediately have a comment on where Palij would be taken in Germany and what exactly would happen to him. Prosecutors there have previously said it does not appear that there's enough evidence to charge him with wartime crimes. Palij's deportation is the first for a Nazi war crimes suspect since Germany agreed in 2009 to take John Demjanjuk, a retired Ohio autoworker who was accused of serving as a Nazi guard. He was convicted in 2011 of being an accessory to more than 28,000 killings and died 10 months later, at age 91, with his appeal pending. Palij served as a guard at the Trawniki Labor Camp in German-occupied Poland. Pictured, Heinrich Himmler shaking hands with new guard recruits at the Trawniki camp in 1942 Though the last Nazi suspect ordered deported, Palij is not the last in the US. Since 2017, Poland has been seeking the extradition of Ukrainian-born Michael Karkoc, an ex-commander in an SS-led Nazi unit that burned Polish villages and killed civilians during the war. The 99-year-old who currently lives in Minneapolis was the subject of a series of 2013 reports by the AP that led Polish prosecutors to issue an arrest warrant for him. In addition to Karkoc, there are almost certainly others in the U.S. who have either not yet been identified or investigated by authorities. The American public did not become fully aware until the 1970s that thousands of Nazi persecutors had gone to the US after the Second World War. Some estimates say 10,000 may have made the US their home after the war. Since then, the Justice Department has initiated legal proceedings against 137 suspected Nazis, with about half, 67, being removed by deportation, extradition or voluntary departure. Of the rest, 28 died while their cases were pending and nine were ordered deported but died in the US because no other country was willing to take them. Russia is preparing to recover a nuclear missile which crashed into the sea. Vladimir Putin boasted in March that his scientists had a created a new missile so advanced it could 'strike anywhere in the world'. But US intelligence sources said his boasts were false because four test flights between November and February all ended with the missiles crashing. Now, Russian experts are gearing up to recover one of the crashed missiles amid fears it is leaking nuclear material into the Barents Sea, US intelligence sources told CNBC. This video grab allegedly shows one of the test launches of Russia's new nuclear-powered global range cruise missile - which sources claim failed within minutes The recovery operation will include three ships, once of which is equipped to deal with radioactive material. Scientists are worried that nuclear material from the missile could damage the ocean. Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, told CNBC: 'It goes without saying that if you fire a missile with a nuclear engine or energy source, that nuclear material will end up wherever that missile ends up. He added: 'If this missile was lost at sea and recovered in full, then you might hypothetically be able to do it without pollution, I would have my doubts about that because it's a very forceful impact when the missile crashes. I would suspect you would have leaks from it.' President Putin unveiled the new missile in his annual State of the Nation speech in March. Vladimir Putin (pictured in Germany last week) boasted in March that his scientists had a created a new missile so advanced that it could fly indefinitely and 'strike anywhere in the world' Showing off: Russian strategic missiles Yars during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow He claimed: 'The low-flying, stealth cruise missile with a nuclear warhead with a practically unlimited range, unpredictable flight path and the ability to bypass interception lines is invulnerable to all existing and future missile defense and air defense systems.' He added: 'No one in the world has anything like it.' The missile was reportedly tested four times between November and February and crashed each time. The longest test flight lasted just over two minutes, flying 22 miles, while the shortest was just four seconds, taking the rocket five miles before it crashed. CBNC quoted its sources as saying that the missiles had crashed because the 'nuclear-powered heart of the cruise missile failed to initiate'. Big words: When announcing the new missile in March, Putin claimed that it would be capable of striking 'anywhere in the world', and would be able to pierce any missile defense If this report is true, President Putin would have made the announcement about the 'unlimited range' in his annual March speech despite the unsuccessful tests. The crashes came days after Putin announced that the Russian military will start receiving some of the other new weapons he spoke about in March, by 2019. Mr Putin said delivery of the new Avangard hypersonic vehicle will begin next year while the new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile will enter duty in 2020. Mr Putin, speaking on Friday in Sochi, said two other new systems unveiled in March, the Kinzhal hypersonic missile and the laser weapon called Peresvet, have already been put on duty with the units of Russia's Southern Military District. Dramatic footage shows the moment armed police finally cornered a killer who has been on the run for more than a year. Shaun Walmsley was serving life for murder before he spent 18 months on the run following an audacious escape from Liverpool's HMP Walton. But a team of armed police officers took him back into custody on Tuesday when he was captured in Leeds. Pictures from the scene show Walmsley's remarkably different appearance, after he grew a hair and let his hair grow long to evade capture. This is the moment police cornered a murderer who had been on the run for 18 months Footage of the arrest shows an Audi, in which Walmsley is thought to have been travelling, boxed in by two unmarked police cars. Armed officers are thought to have bundled the criminal on to the floor and the footage suggested either he or one of his associates was tasered. Walmsley became one of Britain's most wanted men after thugs armed with a gun and knife forced guards to hand him over outside Aintree University Hospital in February last year. He was later named on a Europol 'most wanted' list amid fears he may have fled abroad. Walmsley, who had previously had a shaved head, had shoulder-length brown hair and a full beard when he appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court via video-link today. Shaun Walmsley, pictured left, following his arrest for murder and, right, after this week's raid CCTV footage shows the moment men armed with a gun and a knife accosted the guards and forced them to release the murderer when he escaped custody last year During the brief court hearing today, Walmsley spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and that he understood the charge of escape from lawful custody. No application for bail was made and he was remanded in custody by magistrates. He will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on September 19. The 29-year-old had previously been serving life with a minimum term of 30 years for the murder of Anthony Duffy. Mr Duffy, 33, was lured to an address in Aintree in May 2014 and 'repeatedly stabbed'. The drug dealer had an appeal against his punishment rejected in late 2016 - leaving him facing the prospect of three decades behind bars. He then attempted to lose a lot of weight to give the impression he was ill and needed hospital treatment. Walmsley was cornered and arrested on this usually quiet residential street in Leeds Walmsley, 29, was freed after thugs armed with a gun and knife forced guards to hand him over outside Aintree University Hospital (pictured) in February last year The plot was supported by his criminal network of contacts, including the Vale Heads gang. Detectives hunting the escaped prisoner put up 20,000 of the inmate's own money for information leading to his capture. The reward was made up of cash which was seized by Merseyside Police after Walmsley was arrested and convicted for a murder he committed in 2014. TV chef Jamie Oliver has branded claims his new 'jerk rice' is culturally appropriating the traditional Jamaican recipe 'daft' and says 'the world's gone mad'. The celebrity cook, 43, took to Twitter today to slam his critics after Caribbean MP Dawn Butler started the debate last week. Tweeting LBC radio host Steve Allen he explained the reason for his recent social media silence, saying he has 'been quiet as you can't give oxygen to daftness'. Scroll down for video Jamie Oliver (pictured left) has been accused of cultural appropriation after he launched a 'jerk rice' that members of the Caribbean community claim 'doesn't have jerk in it' including London MP Dawn Butler (pictured right) The new rice contains chilli, aubergine and beans, which Rustie Lee claims are 'nothing to do with jerk' The celebrity cook, 43, wrote on Twitter that 'the world has gone mad' after MP Dawn Butler started the debate He previously told Sky News: 'I've worked with flavours and spices from all over the world my whole career, learning and drawing inspiration from different countries and cultures to give a fresh twist to the food we eat every day. 'When I named the rice my intention was only to show where my inspiration came from.' Today he tweeted: 'Morning @steveallenshow I'm still here mate, been listening everyday though out my family holiday in Cornwall, come back to work and the worlds gone mad?! So I've been [silence emoji] quiet as u can't give oxygen to daftness joxx' After returning from his family holiday in Cornwall he returned to work with a book signing at a Waterstones shop in Manchester. The row started on Sunday when London MP Dawn Butler tweeted him saying 'your jerk rice is not ok'. The shadow equalities minister, who describes herself on social media as 'the UK's first elected female African-Caribbean Government Minister', wrote: '#jamieoliver @jamieoliver #jerk I'm just wondering do you know what #Jamaican #jerk actually is? 'It's not just a word you put before stuff to sell products. @levirootsmusic should do a masterclass. Your jerk Rice is not ok. This appropriation from Jamaica needs to stop.' After Ms Butler's tweet, TV chef Levi Roots appeared on Good Morning Britain with fellow Caribbean cook Rustie Lee to discuss the row further. Levi Roots (pictured with the product) branded the rice a 'mistake' and accused the chef of 'getting on a band wagon' Roots admitted to hosts Jeremy Kyle and Kate Garraway: ' I do think it was a mistake by Jamie, either by him or by his team.' But Lee appeared more infuriated by the row, saying: 'It is an insult. Jerk is from the Caribbean. And as much as I love Jamie. The point is it's getting on a band wagon.' Roots, who took part in a televised 'jerk masterclass' in London a few years ago, was less incensed. He said: 'I don't think its that serious. I think for Caribbean food to go get to where we want it to get to, we have to change things and I'm a big one for that. Jamaican TV chef Levi Roots appeared on Good Morning Britain with fellow Caribbean cook Rustie Lee (pictured together) to discuss the cultural appropriation row further 'But you've got to know what jerk is. Jerk is a method of cooking and it is the actual marinade. If it doesn't have certain ingredients in it, it's not jerk. 'Not a lot of people watching this actually know what jerk is. They think it's just a word but it's a flavour. If you don't have these flavours in the food it's not jerk.' What is jerk? Jerk is a seasoning for meat and fish that originated in Jamaica. The first jerk recipes can be dated back to slavery and the year 1655. It comes in two forms, a dry seasoning that is rubbed onto meat or fish, or a wet marinade used in the same way. The two key ingredients are allspice and Scotch bonnet peppers. Other ingredients include: ginger, sat, brown sugar, garlic, thyme, cloves, scallions, nutmeg and cinnamon. Advertisement But Lee insisted that his use of marketing was offensive to her community, saying: 'Why didn't he call it pukka rice? He's taken jerk to try and be funny. It's a bit of an insult to Caribbean people.' She added that Oliver's rice, which is made with aubergine, chilli and beans, is 'nothing to do with jerk'. Trying to intervene, host Jeremy Kyle read out one definition of cultural appropriation. He said: 'Cultural appropriation is 'the adoption of elements of a minority culture by members of the dominant culture. 'It is distinguished from an equal cultural exchange due to an imbalance often as a by-product of colonialism and oppression.' But then exclaimed: 'It's a bowl of rice!' Asked why it mattered by co-presenter Kate Garraway, Lee responded: 'It does matter. 'It matters because Jerk chicken, pork and fish originates from Jamaica. And the people who have this, it's their thing. Will they be offended? They would be offended. 'She [Dawn Butler] chose a word that made us talk. Would we have been here talking about it [otherwise]?' 'At the end of the day, I've tasted it and it tastes like Caribbean rice and beans with flavours in it. 'The jerk part of it is barbecue and you can't barbecue rice. Jerk chickengoes onto meat, it doesn't go onto rice.' Jamie Oliver did not respond to GMB requests for comment. MailOnline has contacted one of his representatives. The mother of a 4-year-old girl who was killed by an oncoming train at a railway crossing in Alabama has been charged with the reckless murder of her daughter. Sharon Smith, 4, was killed when the car her mother Amy Reeves Silver, 43, was driving was struck by a train at a crossing in Alabaster last month. Sharon was pronounced dead on the scene shortly before midnight on Monday on Fulton Springs Road near Publix. Sharon Smith, 4, (pictured) was killed when the car her mother Amy Reeves Silver, 43, was driving was struck by a train at a crossing in Alabaster last month Amy Reeves Silver, 43, (left) has been charged with the reckless murder of her daughter Sharon Smith, 4, (right) after she was killed by a train at railway crossing in Alabama Her mother was arrested at her Oneonta home on Tuesday and charged in her young daughter's death by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. She was also charged with DUI, unlawful possession of marijuana and disregard of the railroad crossing, AL.com reported. Alabaster Police Chief Curtis Rigney said Silver slowed at the crossing that night, but then proceeded through and was struck. She was airlifted to UAB Hospital where she was treated for broken ribs, a deflated lung and a broken foot. Sharon (right) was pronounced dead on the scene shortly before midnight on Monday on Fulton Springs Road near Publix The scene was worked by Shelby County's Traffic Homicide Task Force, which includes officers from Alabaster, Pelham and Calera as well as the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. 'It was a pretty bad scene,' Rigney said. Silver will be be held in the Shelby County Jail with bonds totaling $154,000. Alabaster Police Chief Curtis Rigney said Silver slowed at the crossing (pictured) that night, but then proceeded through and was struck A common Australian appliance could be banned after a 62-year-old grandmother was poisoned and killed by her heater. Sonia Sofianopoulos died in her Greensborough apartment, north-east of Melbourne's CBD, from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a Vulcan Heritage heater in June 2017. Ms Sofianopolous collapsed onto her bathroom floor and was found the next day by her daughter and and son-in-law. The deadly gas is a silent killer as it has no odor, taste or colour. Those exposed to the poison can experience symptoms of headache, weakness, nausea and dizziness. Sonia Sofianopoulos (pictured) died in her Greensborough apartment, north-east of Melbourne's CBD, from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a Vulcan Heritage heater in June 2017 Victorian coroner Jacqui Hawkins found Ms Sofianopoulous's (pictured, right) heater was leaking carbon monoxide and an exhaust fan was also turned on Victorian coroner Jacqui Hawkins investigated the death and recommended that open-flue gas heaters should be phased out, ABC reported. Coroner Hawkins found Ms Sofianopoulous's heater was leaking carbon monoxide and an exhaust fan was also turned on. The dwelling was also well sealed and the poison was unable to dissipate. Open-flue gas heaters should be used in spaces with appropriate ventilation. The unit had received carbon monoxide testing two years earlier from plumbing contractors employed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It was found that DHHS had been providing heater servicing every five years despite the Victorian regulator, Energy Safe Victoria recommending testing every two years. Coroner Hawkins recommended new open-flue heaters shouldn't be sold in an effort to phase out the heater model. Coroner Hawkins recommended new open-flue heaters shouldn't be sold in an effort to phase out the heater model (stock image) Ms Sofianopoulous's daughters - Eleni and Stella - found out there mother had died from carbon monoxide poisoning three-and-a-half months after her death. They were originally notified by emergency services that she had died from a heart attack. Despite the 'heart wrenching' loss of her mother, Eleni said she was happy with the coroner's findings. 'I think that certain things could have been done but that's all now in hindsight so hopefully looking forward things will change and obviously we'll never anything like this again,' she said. 'Overall we were happy with the recommendations the coroner made today. 'We're just hoping that these changes become mandatory and part of legislation.' Photographer Elizabeth Argyll was branded a 'f****** foreigner' and told she was not welcome in Birmingham by a woman who wrongly believed she was in her seat A rail passenger was branded a 'f****** foreigner' and told she was not welcome in Birmingham during a foul-mouthed rant. Photographer Elizabeth Argyll said she was verbally abused by a woman who wrongly believed she was sitting in her seat. She tweeted during her journey: 'On a train and I've just been called a ''f***ing foreigner'' coz a numpty thinks I'm in her seat (I'm not). 'I replied: ''If Scotland gets independence then I will be a foreigner.'' 'The next 90 mins will be frosty.' After politely informing the woman she was from Scotland, Elizabeth continued: 'Can't believe these people really exist. 'She's challenged me to a fight. Yup, a fight! I've told her: ''Oh, do behave.'' Photographer Elizabeth Argyll was branded a 'f****** foreigner' and told she was not welcome in Birmingham by a woman who wrongly believed she was in her seat. She live-tweeted (pictured above) the incident Elizabeth tweeted: 'If Scotland gets independence then I will be a foreigner. The next 90 mins will be frosty' After politely informing the woman she was from Scotland, Elizabeth continued: 'Can't believe these people really exist 'She's now eating a smelly egg sandwich. I wonder if it will give her super powers?' And in a third tweet, she said: 'I raised my right perfectly plucked right eyebrow at her. 'I'm now not welcome in Birmingham. Another 78mins to go. left.' The photographer later added: 'She couldn't handle my being cool, calm and collected. She later added: 'She couldn't handle my being cool, calm and collected. Kindness is more powerful than anger.....and a raised eyebrow!' 'Kindness is more powerful than anger.....and a raised eyebrow! 'I don't know how I'm going to get over not being welcome to visit Birmingham.' Elizabeth's tweets were posted on August 20 but it was not known where she was travelling to and from. Train security has been a major issue on the Midlands' rail network and beyond. In June, a Virgin Trains passenger squared up to a rail manager and punched him in the stomach on a service between New Street and Euston. And in February, another rail passenger was kicked in the head after he asked a fellow traveller to turn his music down. The attack happened at Four Oaks station in Sutton Coldfield. Ryanair's turbulent summer has continued after a number of passengers complained cheques issued as compensation for cancelled flights had bounced. The airline said 'a very small number of cheques' processed in July had been issued without a signature due to an 'administrative error'. Angry customers took to Twitter to vent their anger at the low budget airline after what they perceive to be another failure following a series of cancelled and delayed flights following pilot strikes and annual holiday disputes. Ryanair has apologised after a number of passengers complained cheques issued as compensation had bounced. The airline said 'a very small number of cheques' processed in July had been issued without a signature due to an 'administrative error' Consumer complaints service Resolver said it was aware a number of Ryanair passengers had encountered problems with unsigned cheques issued when flights had been delayed or cancelled. It comes after the airline had to cancel flights due to striking Irish pilots in July. Ryanair said the cheques had been re-issued to customers with a letter of explanation on August 15. 'We apologise again for any inconvenience caused to customers,' the airline told the BBC. A number of passengers complained they had been delayed in receiving compensation because their cheques had failed to clear. One wrote on Twitter on August 14: '@Ryanair I have been trying to get hold of someone urgently as my bank are concerned because a compensation cheque that I received has bounced, I think that this is outrageous, the bank said the bank details provided do not exist...how is this possible with a printed cheque....' Angry customers took to Twitter to vent their anger at the low budget airline after what they perceive to be another failure following a series of cancelled and delayed flights following pilot strikes and annual holiday disputes Another passenger wrote on Facebook on July 28: 'Ryanair sent me a cheque for compensation then BOUNCED the cheque..ended up costing me 32 eu (29) for the privilege. SHAME ON YOU RYANAIR. won't respond to EMAILS and OPERATOR just put the phone down on me'. Another passenger tweeted on August 9: '@Ryanair I would love to know why the cheque you sent me for compensation has bounced... Bank assure me this is your fault, wait 1 hour 20 on hold and your 'customer services' cant help and there is no number to call to those who can? Please assure me of a call to fix this asap.' Consumer complaints service Resolver said it was aware a number of Ryanair passengers had encountered problems with unsigned cheques issued when flights had been delayed or cancelled The passenger said they were still waiting for the money 11 days later, writing to the airline: 'Have contacted your call centre numerous times and just get a generic email saying my case is being delayed because I am obviously not the only person waiting for over a month for compensation...' A strike by Irish Ryanair pilots in July saw up to 30 flights cancelled, affecting some 5,000 passengers. A spokesperson for Ryanair told MailOnline: 'Due to an admin error, a tiny number of cheques (less than 190 out of over 20,000 compensation cheques in July) were posted without a required signatory. CEO Michael O'Leary has endured a difficult year at the helm of Ryanair amid pilot strikes, annual holiday disputes and unfavourable weather impacting customers These cheques were re-issued last week and we apologise sincerely for this inconvenience which arose out of our desire to issue these compensation cheques quickly to our customers.' A spokesperson told the BBC earlier: 'Ryanair complies fully with EU261 legislation, under which no compensation is payable to customers when the (strike) delay/cancellation is beyond the airline's control. 'If these strikes, by a tiny minority of Ryanair pilots, were within Ryanair's control, there would have been no strikes and no cancellations.' Another strike in August by pilots in five European countries saw hundreds of flights cancelled. A major police operation forced a street in Sydney's southwest into lockdown on Wednesday. Officers from Bankstown and Campsie Police established a perimeter in Park Avenue, Punchbowl at around 3pm on Wednesday and were waiting for the arrival of specialist police after reports a man had been detained and assaulted. 'A man suffered minor injuries and is currently speaking with police,' a NSW Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. The police operation has since ended and the street has reopened. Heavily armed police surrounded Park Avenue in Punchbowl on Wednesday afternoon and remained at the scene for several hours Specialist police surrounded a home, where negotiators were reportedly speaking with a resident. The house was unoccupied when police entered the home just after 7pm 7 News reported that the incident involving an underworld figure who was released from prison last year. Several media outlets also reported it was in relation to a business dispute. The riot squad and heavily armed police wearing bullet proof vests surrounded a home, where negotiators were reportedly speaking with a resident inside. A negotiator was heard attempting to speak to a person inside the house, asking them to come out 'hands empty, with your hands in the air'. Park Avenue in Punchbowl was in lockdown for more than four hours on Wednesday Police warned neighbours to stay indoors and advised people to avoid the area. It's understood a man was assaulted and detained before they escaped and that their alleged attacker has been inside the home for a number of hours. Police entered the home just after 7pm to find the home unoccupied. 'The people involved are believed to be known each other and investigations continue,' a police spokesman later told Daily Mail Australia. A police source told the The Daily Telegraph that the incident isn't terror related. Roads have reopened and the crime scene was significantly reduced on Wednesday night. 'He wasn't even home so all of this for nothing,' a resident told The Daily Telegraph. A man in China had to be rescued after getting his finger stuck in a sex toy vending machine. The man, known by the pseudonym of Zhu, said he was trying to reach a product he had paid for through a small hole when his hand was jammed, according to Chinese media. Zhu was trapped for 20 minutes or so before being freed on Sunday night. A firefighter tries to break a panel on the sex toy vending machine to free Zhu in China The man became stuck after trying to reach a product he had bought through a small hole The incident took place near a clinic in the city of Cixi in Zhejiang Province, said Zhejiang Firefighting Department which rescued Zhu. Zhu claimed that he had paid for the unspecified product on his mobile phone, but the product failed to drop to the vending machine's receiving slot. He claimed to the police that he called the machine's customer service hotline, but the representatives weren't able to help, therefore he had to solve the problem by himself, reported Zhejiang Youth Daily. The customer claims that he had paid for the product on his mobile phone, but it failed to drop One firefighter uses a special polishing machine to cut through the panel in a bid to free Zhu The picture, released by the local firefighting department, shows the hole after Zhu was saved After seeing a small hole on a panel of the machine, Zhu decided to put his right ring finger into the hole in a bid to reach the product, the report said. But his finger got firmly stuck. Zhu had to call firefighters for help. The report said the rescuers used a special polishing machine to cut through the panel before using a stick to crack it. Zhu was freed after a 10-minute rescue effort. A woman was stripped naked, beaten and paraded through the streets by a mob who suspected she had killed a man in India. Police said the group burned the victim's house before they dragged her out onto the street, where they attacked her. The mob went after the woman because they believed she had killed a 19-year-old man, whose body was found on Monday, BBC Hindi reports. A woman was stripped naked, beaten and paraded through the streets by a mob in India Vimlesh Shah's body was found near a railway track in the town of Bihiyar in India's Bihar state on Monday. His neighbours thought the woman, who lives nearby in a red light district, was responsible for his death. It's not clear what led them to suspect the woman's involvement, but they decided to take matters into their own hands and travelled to her village instead of reporting it to police. Videos showing the woman being paraded naked through the streets surrounded by dozens of men began circulating on WhatsApp. Police arrested 15 men for assault after they saw one of the clips, the BBC reports. Police said the mob burned the victim's house before they dragged her out onto the street Videos showing the woman being paraded naked through the streets surrounded by dozens of men began circulating on WhatsApp The woman is receiving treatment in hospital. The mob also set fire to numerous shops, houses and vehicles in the woman's neighbourhood. Police said they are still investigating Shah's death and are awaiting a post-mortem report to determine his cause of death. EU citizens living in the UK will not be 'turfed out' if no deal is agreed with Brussels, the Brexit Secretary vowed today. Dominic Raab insisted the government would 'move swiftly' to safeguard the future of nationals from the bloc as the standoff with Brussels deepened. There was little sign of progress at a joint press conference with Michel Barnier yesterday, with the EU negotiator saying he would not compromise 'principles' of the EU single market. Ministers are due to unveil a slew of papers spelling out preparations for no-deal Brexit tomorrow. But there are claims that details of the most drastic scenarios being contemplated - including the possible need for a fleet of floating generators in the Irish sea to stop the lights going out in Belfast - are being suppressed to avoid panic. Dominic Raab (pictured left at a joint press conference with Michel Barnier in Brussels yesterday) insisted the government would 'move swiftly' to safeguard the future of EU nationals if there is no deal A single wholesale market for electricity has been operating across the island of Ireland since 2007. But it is underpinned by EU law, leading to concerns that Northern Ireland - which imports power from the Republic - could be left short. Draft contingency plans have reportedly been drawn up that would see the deployment of generators, including on barges, to fill the energy gap. However, one senior figure told The Times that the proposals were so 'incendiary' Business Secretary Greg Clark had been instructed to avoid publishing them. 'When we looked at this we found there weren't enough readily available generators in the world for what would be needed,' the source said. Speaking after his discussions with Mr Barnier in Brussels last night, Mr Raab said he was still confident of reaching an agreement in the end. But he sought to reassure those living in Britain that ministers would act quickly to secure their position if the UK crashes out of EU. 'We hugely value the contribution of EU citizens here in the UK and I am confident that in the unlikely eventuality that we don't have a deal, we will move swiftly to secure their position,' he told the BBC. The Cabinet minister said it was 'inconceivable we would do anything other than make sure that they are legally in a position where they're secure to stay'. A single wholesale market for electricity has been operating across the island of Ireland since 2007, but it is currently underpinned by EU law 'There's absolutely no question that we're going to see EU citizens turfed out - we've made that clear in the past, I've made that clear in the past, I'm happy to give that reassurance again today,' he added. His comments appear to confirm that the Government 'no deal' papers will include a commitment to give EU citizens living in Britain the right to remain. Mr Raab and Mr Barnier announced yesterday that they are intensifying negotiations amid increasingly frantic attempts to thrash out a settlement. Mr Barnier, speaking alongside Mr Raab in Brussels, said it was possible for the UK and EU to find 'common ground' and create 'a partnership that has no precedent'. But he said that relationship had to 'respect the single market and the foundations of the European project'. He also jibed that the EU would not be to blame if the talks failed. Mr Raab admitted there were still some 'significant issues' to overcome, including their future trade relationship and the Northern Irish border. Award-winning businesswoman Natasha Ahmed (pictured) has been slammed by angry bridesmaids for pocketing thousands from dress orders she never fulfilled Numerous bridesmaids have been left heartbroken after a bridal shop owner reportedly took thousands of pounds for dresses that never even arrived or were in the wrong size. Natasha Ahmed has been branded a 'liar' and told she 'should be ashamed of herself' after allegedly stripping customers out of their hard-earned cash. Despite receiving 'countless emails and texts' the businesswoman, who runs Fabulosity Boutique in Glasgow, has refused to respond to the mob of angry customers. The boutique has been inundated with negative reviews in the wake of the scandal. Instead of the blissful and stress free wedding many were hoping for, their special day quickly turned into a nightmare. Jumma Begum handed over 1,000 for a bridal gown. She received her wedding dress the day before the wedding - but it was the wrong size and colour. Speaking to the Daily Record, she said: 'It was an old worn item that clearly belonged to somebody else. It was not the colour we agreed on, I'm a size eight and the dress I received was a 14.' Jumma Begum received her bridal dress the day before a wedding - but it was the wrong size and colour. She is pictured here wearing the off the shelf dress she was forced to purchase elsewhere at extremely short notice Arissa Hoque, 23, was another customer left devastated by Ahmed's actions. Four of the bridesmaids' dresses she was expecting didn't even show up for her wedding on Sunday. Speaking to the Daily Record she said: 'What should have been the happiest time of my life was ruined by the stress of this. 'Despite demanding the money back, I've yet to see a penny. 'She's a liar who should be ashamed of herself.' In the end Ms Hoque had to shell out another 500 for replacement bridesmaids dresses. Reports first started appearing in relation to Ahmed in April last year. Issra Layal, a student nurse, claimed that her ordeal with Fabulosity Boutique had 'trashed' her wedding emotionally. She took to Instagram to share her experiences. She described how she had had the 'worst time' dealing with the company and all this while she was studying for exams and moving house. Issra Layal took to Instagram to share her experiences of ordering a dress from Fabulosity Boutique. She claimed her wedding day had been 'trashed' because of the ordeal Layal left a long message on Instagram recounting her ordeal with the business. She warned others about the problems with ordering dresses At the time Ahmed responded to rumours of her alleged failures in an Instagram post. She said: 'As soon as we were made aware of the gravity of the situation that had unfortunately arisen, yesterday morning, we took immediate action to resolve the situation. 'We set up a customer helpline straight away to allow customers to call in and have their issues resolved straight away and we have been working tirelessly through the night and all of today to ensure that each and every complaint is dealt with swiftly.' At the time she claimed that full refunds had been made to all customers affected. The Instagram post issued by Fabulosity Boutique in April last year. Ahmed claimed that full refunds would be given to all those affected She said: 'We will be taking every necessary step to ensure that we learn from our mistakes and such a situation does not arise again.' Since posting this message, however, the Fabulosity Boutique Instagram account has been deleted and the phone number for the business disconnected. Enraged customers have instead been taking to social media in an attempt to get in touch with Ahmed. One customer, who goes by the name Fch Chw on Facebook, wrote: 'Very angry with this lady I paid for a registry dress back in May 2018. No dress nothing. 'Several emails have been sent and now her Instagram page is offline. Taken 750 total thief. 'Extremely saddened by this.' This customer was left 'extremely saddened' by Ahmed's actions. She handed over 750 and is yet to receive anything for her money She also left the business a one star review. Elsewhere reviews of the business have not been positive. There are three for the business on yell.com. All are one star reviews. One user, who goes by the name of PinkCar53, said: 'She takes people's money and does a runner. 'Ordered a jacket back in October to wear at my registry. Still no jacket and no refund, countless emails and texts sent but no reply. 'Phone is either off or continues to ring.' Fabulosity Boutique has been inundated with negative reviews after scorned customers starting taking their complaints online. Many reported having lost money through the business Those affected have been finding they are not the only ones. One Twitter user, writing under the account Life Psychotherapy, has seen that Ahmed has taken money from other customers Complaints about Fabulosity Boutique have been going on for some time. Here is one from June of 2015 and another from February of 2017 While another user, who goes by the name PinkKeys43-2, wrote: 'Takes your money and then never responds. Should be arrested. Only a matter of time.' On Twitter customers have been similarly scathing. One, who was tweeting from the Life Psychotherapy account, said: 'This lady has tricked and conned a number of people. 'I am one of them paid her 750 for registry dress since May 2018 no dress and no response. 'Now finding out she has actually done it to many other customers.' While another, who goes by the handle @Katy_Lynch, wrote in September of last year: 'My friend ordered a dress from you at the beginning of the year and hasn't received it and you're refusing to refund. Why?' Ahmed also has a LinkedIn page listing herself as creative director of the business. Other than that it is blank. Mail Online tried to phone Fabulosity Boutique on the number contained on its Facebook page, but it has been disconnected. Ahmed has previously said that she is working to refund all customers who have been let down. She admitted to the Daily Record that she also planned to close her business as a result of the unfulfilled orders. She said: 'I've been trying to sort things out all by myself. It has all got on top of me and I owe people money. The business has spiralled out of control. I understand people have been let down and they blame me. I'm not a dishonest person. 'I'm taking no further orders and I plan to close the company.' A man drove his car into the town hall of the Dutch city of Bemmel, killing himself and causing the vehicle to burst into flames. The driver was found dead at the scene in the early hours of Wednesday morning. No one else was hurt in the incident in the town about 62 miles southeast of Amsterdam. A man drove his car into the town hall of the Dutch city of Bemmel, killing himself and causing the vehicle to burst into flames. Pictured, the scene on Wednesday Police said they found two gas canisters in the car, one of which exploded. The motive or reason for the incident, which happened at around 2am local time, was unclear. Police have not released the identity of the driver but said in a tweet on Wednesday that they have a 'strong suspicion' about who it is. The driver was found dead at the scene in the early hours of Wednesday morning The motive or reason for the incident, which happened at around 2am local time, was unclear Rene Bierman, a spokesman for firefighters, told national broadcaster NOS that one of the gas bottles exploded in the crash, causing the fire. Police are investigating the cause of the incident. A schoolgirl on holiday with her parents has taken 'the best picture of the Loch Ness Monster in years' after snapping the mythical creature with her iPhone. Charlotte Robinson from Leeds, who was staying at Loch Ness Highland Lodges in Invermoriston, was stunned when it popped up 50 feet from shore. 'Nessie' surfaced for about a minute before re-surfacing about ten feet further away some seven minutes later, says Miss Robinson, who had been on holiday for less than a day when she made the sighting. Charlotte Robinson from Leeds who was staying at Loch Ness Highland Lodges in snapped Nessie with her iPhone when it popped up 50 feet from shore. The mythical creature surfaced for about a minute before re-surfacing about ten feet further away some seven minutes later Miss Robinson was on holiday with parents Kat, 41, a business intelligence data analyst, and father Dave, 52, a factory worker. Ironically Mr and Mrs Robinson had stayed at the same holiday centre 16 years ago, but had not been back since. It was at around 7pm last Friday when Miss Robinson saw the creature and captured it on her smartphone. 'There was something in the water about 50 feet from the shore. I took a photo. It had a neck and head was in the shape of a hook,' said Miss Robinson. 'I just took what I saw. It was black - I just don't know how far it was out of the water. I'm not good at judging distances. 'But after about a minute it disappeared and then came back up again in a different place. It was up for less than a minute the second time. I kinda believed in Nessie, but I wanted to see the proof. I always imagined her as having a long neck and flippers. It was at around 7pm last Friday when Miss Robinson saw the creature and captured it on her smartphone. 'There was something in the water about 50 feet from the shore. I took a photo. It had a neck and head was in the shape of a hook,' said Miss Robinson 'I have seen something but I'm not sure what.' Mrs Robinson added: 'Charlotte said she had taken a photo of a creature in the loch and I said 'right, sure you have!' For weeks she's been going on about seeing the Loch Ness Monster. 'But when I saw the picture, I couldn't believe it. Something's there. With all the sightings over the years there must be something in the loch.' Nessie expert Steve Feltham - who has dedicated his life to solving the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster for the past 27 years - was astonished by the image. 'I am totally excited by this photograph - it is the best of 'Nessie' in years,' said Mr Feltham, 55, who is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records for the longest continuous monster hunting vigil of Loch Ness. There have been four official sightings this year of the Loch Ness Monster 'There is clearly a solid object in it and it is relatively clear. It warrants further study. 'There may be a mundane explanation such as a seal, but I have not heard of a seal in the loch this year. For my money it is larger than a seal or an ottter. It is a fantastic picture by Charlotte.' Mr Feltham, who lives on the shores of Loch Ness at Dores, added: 'This is just the image we have been waiting for - for years. Congratulations Charlotte. I am totally excited by it.' There have been four official sightings this year of the Loch Ness Monster. The last previous glimpse of Nessie occurred on August 5 at 9.38am when the family, regular visitors to the area, were on holiday - also from Leeds. It has now been accepted by the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings' Register. 'After travelling from Drumnadrochit to Fort Augustus they looked out at the loch and spotted a strange looking lump on the surface of the water, which was very still and quiet at the time,' said the register. 'It looked dark brown in colour and 'sort of like an upturned boat'. They revisited the area by boat in the afternoon and there was nothing like that in that area. Unfortunately because they were driving and couldn't pull in, they didn't manage to get any pictures.' In June the first sighting of the Loch Ness Monster in moonlight was recorded - and in front of an 11-year-old girl. The third sighting of the year of the legendary monster was also accepted by the official Nessie register. Natalie Hodgson and her family, on holiday from Yorkshire, took a picture of the head of an unknown creature in the water at 10.30pm on June 1 from the Highland Lodges holiday park where they were staying. The creature remained for a few minutes caught in the moonlight before disappearing. It follows a 'remarkable, feature film length' video of the Loch Ness Monster shot by a Nessie watcher from Ireland on April 30. Hospital clerical worker Eoin O'Faodhagain from Donegal took a ten minute video from the Loch Ness webcam. The creature moves from right to left and as it swam towards Urquhart Bay - a favourite haunt of Nessie - and is seen diving and surfacing with water splashes. DNA sampling recently took place to discover previously unrecorded organisms in Loch Ness. I am totally excited by this photograph - it is the best of 'Nessie' in years However Prof Neil Gemmell, a New Zealand scientist leading the project, said he did not believe in Nessie, but was confident of finding genetic codes for other creatures. Prof Gemmell of New Zealand's University of Otago said a 'biological explanation' might be found to explain some of the stories about the Loch Ness Monster. He said: 'Wouldn't it be amazing if we did find something extraordinary during our investigation. 'Is there anything else, perhaps something unusual, such as a giant catfish, sturgeon or eel, or a species unknown to science? It seems unlikely, but who knows?' Results of the project are expected in early 2019. Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster set new global records last year. Nessie's 11 accepted sightings in 2017 were the highest this century. According to Google, there are around 200,000 searches each month for the Loch Ness Monster, and around 120,000 for information and accommodation close to Loch Ness. The monster mystery is said to be worth 30m to the region. Irish missionary St Columba is first said to have encountered a beast in the River Ness in 565AD. Since then there have been 1080 officially logged sightings. Among the most famous claimed sightings is a photograph taken in 1934 by Colonel Robert Kenneth Wilson. The image was later exposed as a hoax by one of the participants, Chris Spurling, who, on his deathbed, revealed that the pictures were staged. The Home Office last year rejected a cheeky bid by a group of artists from Glasgow to grant the Loch Ness Monster permanent UK residency after Brexit. Asia Argento has pulled out of an appearance at Le Guess Who music festival in the Netherlands this weekend. 'Due to the volatile nature of the accusations surrounding Ms. Argento, she has chosen to withdraw from her curatorship of this year's edition, while these issues remain open,' said festival organizers in a statement obtained by DailyMail.com. 'Le Guess Who? supports her decision, as we consider it our responsibility to represent, to the best of our ability, the interests and integrity of all artists involved with our organization, and we strive to do this with sensitivity and respect.' The statement went on: 'Le Guess Who? still supports all curated artists and their artistic output, and intends to keep all these artists involved within the general program for the 2018 edition.' This news comes hours after the publication of text messages that were allegedly sent by Asia Argento to a friend on Monday reveal that the actress did in fact have sex with her former costar Jimmy Bennett when she was 37 and the boy just 17. TMZ published the texts, including one that reads: 'It wasn't raped but I was frozen. He was on top of me. After, he told me I had been his sexual fantasy since was 12.' One day later, Argento denied ever having sex with Bennett in a statement while suggesting the young man extorted her and late boyfriend Anthony Bourdain, who paid out the settlement. TMZ also published an image reported to be a post-coital photo of the two taken in May 2013. Scroll down for video Asia Argento and 17-Year-Old Boy in Bed in Sexual Encounter https://t.co/y6EeKOdPT7 TMZ (@TMZ) August 22, 2018 Jimmy Bennett (left) claims Asia Argento (right) slept with him in a California hotel room when he was aged 17 and she was 37 which caused mental health issues and crippled his career. Argento has denied the two ever slept together Argento's texts to a friend Friend: As in what does the public know and not know? Like which things are facts or not facts? It's an annoying question but I need to have a clear vision on what angles we have to send some folks to get good intel for us Argento: The public knows nothing, only what NYT wrote. Which is one sided. The shakedown letter. The horny kid jumped me F: So it was rape? Or an attempted secual action? A: I has sex with him it felt weird. i didn't know he was a minor until the shakedown letter. F: Either one is good enough to show You actively frowned upon his advances A: No it was all on snapchat. Disappeared I didn't report because I always felt bad for this Hollywood failed child actor, a casualty of the machine, of his parents I have 80 pages on him by a PI that Anthony hired F: Yeah we don't always think og ourselves in those time periods A: All of Anthony's emails pushing me to accept pay. My emails with Carrie where we disagreed with that Advertisement Argento also allegedly claims to have been unaware that Bennett was a minor when they had sex in 2013 in the texts, despite raving about how talented the boy was when they met in 2003 on the set of The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things on Twitter just months before their encounter. In that tweet, posted in August 2012, she wrote: 'At 7 you were already one of the most accomplished actors I'd ever met.' 'The public knows nothing, only what NYT wrote. Which is one-sided. The shakedown letter. The horny kid jumped me,' reads one text. When asked if it was rape, the person reported to be Argento responds: 'I had sex with him and it felt weird. I didnt know he was a minor until the shakedown letter.' The other person, who is not identified, then asks why she did not report the incident, which she responds to by saying she 'always felt bad for this Hollywood failed child actor, a casualty of the machine, of his parents.' Then, in a move that seems to be directly out of the Harvey Weinstein's playbook, Argento allegedly reveals that a private investigator was hired by Bourdain to follow the boy and there are '80 pages' of notes in a text. Argento also speaks of her plans should she lose work for this incident, stating that she would 'move to Africa or the Amazon forest' in one text. This alleged text conversation took place just after The New York Times published its piece on Argento's settlement with Bennett. Friend: Yeah still need to prove the money came from AB account Or affiliate account But this is looking rear for You This NYT will look like fools. You got This Argento: Carrie never wanted to do this, she wanted to go to the press first and show the extortion I was being threatened with F: Well next steps - request bank statements from Bennet that will show the account that deposited the money clearing your name as the briber And then find evidence that You rejected this person sexually at any point before Advertisement A: Yes I am thinking about leaking through a trusted friend to the Guardian If I lose my job I will move to Africa or the Amazon Forest I want to be among the 90% of the world that doesn't give a f***about this s*** Not the connivig, sick 10% of the entitles westerners Entitled* F: Africa is gorgeous and absolutely safer than people give t credit for A: Ethiopia or Senegal Mapia in Brazil Advertisement Friend: If there' anytime you've talked to your therapist about inappropriate advances before the whole thing that may be helpful Argento: Not before, during that meeting where he jumped me F: What's up with the photo taken in bed? I think that's one that will be harder to cushion. Images are annoyingly assumption nation A: You can see my tits. That's all. It Doesn't mean s*** He is standing up Advertisement A: It's beyond me. It's unfathomable F: You worked with him previously how did the age thing escape? I mean 16 is the age of consent in most countries around the world So I was actually shocked about the 17 thing A: 15 in France and Italy F: Oh whoa A: When I was 17 I wa with a 33 year old man for years I had just turned 17 Advertisement Meeting: Argento and Bennett met when they played a mother and her son in The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things 'I strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article,' said Argento in a statement on Tuesday. ASIA ARGENTO SAYS BOURDAIN URGED SEX ASSAULT SETTLEMENT 'I strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article dated 20 August 2018, as circulated also in national and international news. 'I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett. 'I was linked to him during several years by friendship only, which ended when, subsequent to my exposure in the Weinstein case, Bennett - who was then undergoing severe economic problems and who had previously taken legal actions against his own family requesting millions in damages - unexpectedly made an exorbitant request of money from me. Bennett knew my boyfriend, Anthony Bourdain, was of great perceived wealth and had his own reputation as a beloved public figure to protect. 'Antony [sic] insisted the matter be handled privately and this was also what Bennett wanted. Anthony was afraid of the possible negativity that such person, whom he considered dangerous, could have brought upon us. We decided to deal compassionately with Bennetts demand for help and give it to him. Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions into our life. 'This is, therefore, the umpteeth development of a sequence of events that brings me great sadness and that constitutes a long-standing persecution. I have therefore no other choice but to oppose such false allegation and will assume in the short term and all necessary initiatives for my protection before all competent venues.' Advertisement 'I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett.' She goes on to state that Bennett went after her because of her relationship with Anthony Bourdain, a 'man of great perceived wealth' who 'had his own reputation as a beloved public figure to protect.' Bourdain paid the settlement despite the fact that it represented almost half of his cash and savings at the time, with court papers submitted after the chef's death revealing $425,000 of his $1.2 million estate was in cash. 'Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life,' writes Argento in her statement. She says that at the request of both Bourdain and Bennett, the matter was settled privately That payout was only a fraction of the $3.5 million that Bennett had requested in the notice. 'This is, therefore, the umpteenth development of a sequence of events that brings me great sadness and that constitutes a long-standing persecution,' claims Argento . 'I have therefore no other choice but to oppose such false allegations and will assume in the short term all necessary initiatives for my protection before all competent venues.' TMZ reported on Tuesday that Argento told Bourdain she was 'too broke' to pay the settlement, and the two referred to Bennett as a 'donkey' in text messages. The New York Times broke the news on Sunday that Argento had paid actor Jimmy Bennett $380,000 when he filed a notice of intent to sue back in November. In that notice, Bennett claimed that he was sexually assaulted by Argento in a California hotel room in 2013 when he was 17 and the actress 37, a decade after he first met her on the set of The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things. Bennett was just 7 when he was cast to play the son of Argento's drug-addicted prostitute in the film, based on the popular novel by JT Leroy. The film also starred Argento's then-boyfriend Michael Pitt, Winona Ryder, and McGowan's former fiance Marilyn Manson. Argento has a daughter Anna Lou Castoldi, 17, with singer Marco Castoldi and a 9-year-old son Nicola. No comment: Bennett has not spoken since his allegations against Argento were revealed on Sunday night (Bennett above on Monday) Premiere party: Argento and her alleged rapist Weinstein at the premiere of The Heart is Deceitful at Cannes in 2004 (above) Argento has been at the forefront of the #MeToo for almost a year now after claiming she had been sexually assaulted by disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein. She was one of the first to go public with her story, telling The New York she was allegedly assaulted by Weinstein at the1997 Cannes Film Festival. Weinstein has denied these allegations. Bennett's lawyer wrote in the notice that his client was sexually assaulted by Argento back in 2013 after being dropped off by a family member at a Marina del Rey hotel for a visit. The teenager was unable to drive himself due to an eye condition which prohibits him from operating a motor vehicle. The Times, citing a copy of the notice they were sent by an anonymous source, reported that Argento then sent the family member away and was alone with Bennett in her hotel room. Argento then gave the minor 'alcohol to drink and showed him a series of notes she had written to him on hotel stationery.' 'Then she kissed him, pushed him back on the bed, removed his pants and performed oral sex,' said the report. 'She climbed on top of him and the two had intercourse,' according to the notice. 'She then asked him to take a number of photos.' Argento took a number of photos of herself and Bennett after the alleged assault, including one of the two lying naked in bed. She also posted five photos from the pair's meet-up to her Instagram that day, starting with one of herself in which she wrote: 'Waiting for my long lost son my love @jimmymbennett in trepidation #marinadelrey smoking cigarettes like there was no next week.' In her second post she shared a selfie of herself with Bennett and wrote: 'Happiest day of my life reunion with @jimmymbennett xox.' In that same post, one follower wrote: 'Asia cast him again!! xoxo.' Argento replied: 'jimmy is going to be in my next movie and that is a fact, dig that jack.' When she was then asked if the film would shot stateside, Argento responded: 'no we shoot the s*** in eye-2-ly 's @jimmymbennett's never been there - yet X.' Bennett never worked with Argento again however, and then in November filed his notice after the actress' very public condemnation of her alleged rapist, Weinstein. 'His feelings about that day were brought to the forefront recently when Ms. Argento took the spotlight as one of the many victims of Harvey Weinstein,' stated Bennett's lawyer in the notice. He then asked for $3.5 million in damages, sighting intentional infliction of emotional distress, lost wages, assault and battery. The parties agreed to a settlement in April, and one month later Argento appeared at the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. In a speech that garnered much praise at the time she said: 'In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes. I was 21 years old.' Argento continued: 'Even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who have still to be held accountable for their conduct against women. You know who you are. But most importantly we know who you are. And we're not going allow you to get away with it any longer.' The actress then said Weinstein was no longer welcome at the festival. The Italian star told the New Yorker that Weinstein raped her in 1997 at a party hosted by Miramax at the Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc. She claims the mogul led her to an empty room and asked her to give him a massage. She reluctantly agreed, and halfway through he began to perform oral sex on her after forcibly lifting up her skirt despite her repeated requests for him to stop. Argento says that she became suspicious when the party she arrived at was just an empty hotel room, but was assured that people would soon be arriving by Weinstein. Then, he emerged from the bathroom in a robe and holding a bottle of lotion says the actress, who was just 21 at the time. 'He asks me to give a massage. I was, like, 'Look man, I am no f***ing fool,'' said Argento. 'But, looking back, I am a f***ing fool. And I am still trying to come to grips with what happened.' The actress, who is the daughter of famed Italian director Dario Argento, said that once Weinstein began performing oral sex on her there was no way for her to stop him because he was so much bigger than her. 'It wouldn't stop. It was a nightmare,' said Argento, who eventually decided to pretend she was enjoying the act in hopes that it would end. When it was over, Argento said she said on the bed and told her attacker: 'I am not a whore.' He laughed at her and said he would put that on a shirt according to Argento, who said that Weinstein contacted her for months after the attack and even began offering her expensive gifts. It vanished for more than a week inside a mother-of-four's car, chewing its way through seat-belts, plastic and cushions. But the Syrian hamster which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to Amanda Johnson's vehicle in South Wales has now been found. The 43-year-old mother from St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan described her four-month-old Ford Kuga as 'totalled' after the destruction the animal left. Amanda Johnson, 43, poses with her hamster after finally catching it following a week of woe The 'inquisitive' hamster is seen back in her cage (left) after being caught in a bin trap (right) She had picked the 'inquisitive' hamster for her children, but on the journey back it appeared near her clutch pedal after escaping its containment. Unable to pull-over, the few-weeks-old escapee evaded capture for a week before being lured with a peanut butter trap into a large bin. Ms Johnson's post online about the hamster has drawn over 63,000 likes, 62,000 shares and 60,000 comments, ranging from laughter to tips on catching the critter. The mother, who owns Sam's Coffee Shop in St Athan, said: 'I was so shocked, I couldn't believe the trap worked after all of those days. The damage to the car's seatbelts by the hamster, leaving Ms Johnson with a huge repair bill 'This hamster demolished and totalled my car, trying to catch her completely took over my life to the point of obsession. 'Each time I was approaching the car with anticipation of finding the hamster but instead kept discovering more damage. 'Whenever I opened the door there was something new. Mechanics have said they will need hours and hours of labour and diagnostics work. 'I need my side impact airbag replaced, the passenger seat-belt replaced, and of course my dashboard light, then my boot lining. The damage inside the four-month-old car's boot (left) and to one of the seatbelts (right) 'Then apparently there is extensive damage to the cushion behind the plastic and the seat-belt column, which is all damaged and chewed. 'My four-month-old car is totalled, I can't believe it but I'm laughing. It feels like it happened to someone else.' Since capture, the mischievous hamster is still trying to escape, according to Ms Johnson, who plans to reinforce the cage. She added: 'I chose her because of her fun personality and I was right. She was climbing all over the cage, hanging upside down. The hamster is now finally caught - but she is still full of energy trying to escape her cage, hanging upside down 'She's not happy about being in the cage, I am going to buy some zip-ties and tie the cage together. I'm terrified she will get out and eat my house away too.' To apprehend the hamster, Ms Johnson was advised by Facebook users to make a trap using a deep bin filled with tissue paper. Then she was told to cover the top with a thin line of kitchen towel and bait it with peanut butter, so that upon trying to retrieve the food, it would fall through the paper onto a soft landing. Within two hours, Ms Johnson had caught the pet after more than a week of it being on the loose, but she says the pet remained as energetic as ever. She said: 'It's a massive relief, when I slept I was dreaming about this hamster, when I was awake I thought about concocting plans to catch her. The hamster has written off the car's airbag showed in the picture by the warning light 'She seems really active and friendly considering everything she's been through. She must be the most inquisitive hamster I've ever set eyes on. 'She's a nutter for want of a better word. She's quite chatty, she goes on her hind-legs and chats as soon as I approach the cage. 'She's listening, watching and waiting for you to feed her some more seat-belt. 'With the old seat-belt my plan is to cut it up and put it across her cage, so she can use it like a swing rope, it will be like a Go Ape experience for her.' Meanwhile mechanics have told her vehicle will require 'hours and hours' of labour and diagnostics, on top of a replaced side-impact airbag, seat-belts, a seat-belt column, boot-lining and more. Ms Johnson eventually caught the pet after more than a week of it damagint her Ford car Ms Johnson said: 'It's not amusing what happened but I have to see the funny side.I never imagined anyone would be that interested in a hamster, it's crazy. 'A lot of people say they are so sad hearing about crime and war that reading what I went through made their week. 'They were having a horrible day but were then really happy, laughing and then sharing it with their friends. 'I haven't thought about what to name the hamster too much yet, but everyone is suggesting Houdini.' The incredible heroics of a commando who single-handedly took out two German guns on D-Day can be told after his gallantry medals were put up for auction. Petty officer Ron McKinlay found himself on the wrong beach at Normandy after his landing craft was blown up and he was forced to swim to shore. He teamed up with a handful of other 'lost' comrades and set out for their original objective two miles away, only to encounter a number of enemy gun emplacements. Being the only commando in the group, Ron was nominated to destroy the 88mm guns by sneaking up close enough to hurl three grenades at them. Ron McKinlay (pictured right) won a gallantry medal after he destroyed two 88mm guns with three grenades on D-Day, before dragging a wounded comrade to safety under sniper fire Ron was one of only two men to receive the prestigious Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (far left, with several other medals) for his brave actions on D-Day Later that day, Ron distinguished himself again by braving sniper fire to drag to safety a wounded comrade who was being shot at while lying face down in the dirt. He was one of only two men to receive the prestigious Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for his brave actions on D-Day. Later on June 6, 1944, Ron was involved in a bizarre and comical moment when he thought he saw an enemy soldier coming right towards him wielding a pistol. It was only when 'both' men opened fire at the same time he realised he had shot at a reflection of himself in a large mirror that had put up in a dug-out. He went on to serve as a Royal Navy frogman under Commander Lionel 'Buster' Crabb, who infamously disappeared during a reconnaissance mission on a Soviet ship in Portsmouth Harbour in 1956. Ron also worked on the 1955 war film 'Above Us the Waves' which starred John Mills. McKinlay ispictured in uniform and proudly displaying his medals His medals have now been put up for sale at auction by a private collector for an estimated 40,000, after they were sold by Ron's family in 1990. A spokesman for London auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb said: 'Ronald McKinlay was one of the great heroes of D-Day. 'He was one of just two men who won the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal during the history-changing landing on the Normandy beaches. 'The CGM was at that time the second highest gallantry award after the Victoria Cross that the non-commissioned ranks of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines could be awarded. 'The story of McKinlay's D-Day is straight out of the movies. Finding himself on the wrong landing beach he destroyed two German strong points as he and a group of other 'lost' sailors and soldiers fought their way back to where they were supposed to be. 'The scene where he opened fire only to realise that he was shooting at an image of himself in a mirror would grace any film script. 'So perhaps it was appropriate that after the war he was one of the naval personnel who worked alongside the movie star John Mills in the film Above Us the Waves.' Ron was the son of a publican from Portsmouth, Hants, and worked as a humble Post Office messenger before the outbreak of the Second World War. He volunteered to join the Royal Navy in 1941 when he was aged 17 and in March 1943 he was sent on specialist training as a Royal Navy Commando. Ron (second from left) also worked on the 1955 war film 'Above Us the Waves' which starred John Mills (centre) Ronald McKinlay driving a 'chariot' for the film 'Above Us the Waves', which he consulted on On D-Day his task was to leap ashore on Juno Beach and erect signs to mark the beach exits for the Duplex Drive tanks rolling off landing crafts (LCTs). But as his LCT neared the shore it was hit by an 88mm shell. The damaged craft drifted out of control and Ron jumped overboard to avoid the bullets and mortar bombs exploding around it. A cassette recording of him relating his wartime experiences is included in the sale. He states: 'I was bloody mad to think that after all my training I was going to be denied my finest hour. 'We were under fire as we hit the beach and we all made for cover. 'The only other personnel on this beach were dead. I remember the bodies being washed in and out with the waves; they just rolled in and out.' Ron landed on Gold Beach instead of Juno. The small party, led by a major, trekked towards their objective when they encountered the German 88mm guns. Pictured is Ron's Royal Navy beret. He volunteered to join the Royal Navy in 1941 when he was aged 17 and in March 1943 he was sent on specialist training as a Royal Navy Commando After storming the enemy position with grenades, he recalled: 'I started weaving in and out of sand dunes; as I rounded one there was this large German pointing his rifle at me. 'At the time he looked 10 feet tall. He lowered his rifle and I lifted mine. I was not afraid, nor did I have any instinct to kill. 'I took his rifle, searched him and directed him back to our lines. Then something happened which filled me with shame. 'As he continued to walk around the dune, a single shot rang out and he fell clutching his hands to his stomach. 'As I got to him the blood was coming through his fingers. He looked up at me, and I will never forget that look; it was as if to say, "You b******". 'I found myself saying, "I'm bloody sorry, it wasn't me". But inside I was angry; there was this man surrendering with his hands in the air who had just been shot.' His medals are being sold on September 26. Facebook fuelled anti-migrant violence in Germany, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Warwick examined more than 3,300 attacks on refugees that took place in the country over a two-year period. They found that during periods of high online anti-refugee sentiment, areas with greater Facebook usage saw an increase in violence towards migrants. This turned out to be the case in communities ranging from large cities to small towns regardless of factors such as the area's wealth or general political outlook. Authors concluded social media can act as a catalyst for violence aimed at migrants. Facebook may have been a catalyst for anti-migrant violence in Germany, according to a new study (file picture) The study follows German Chancellor Angela Merkel's 2015 decision to open borders to more than a million migrants - many of them refugees from war zones in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. The study, called 'Fanning the Flames of Hate: Social Media and Hate Crime', found that 'anti-refugee hate crimes increase disproportionally in areas with higher Facebook usage during periods of high anti-refugee sentiment online. 'This effect is especially pronounced for violent incidents against refugees, such as arson and assault.' According to the New York Times, data from the study showed that in communities where Facebook use was one standard deviation greater than Germany's per-person average, anti-migrant attacks went up around 50 per cent. Study authors Karsten Muller and Carlo Schwarz wrote: 'Our results suggest that social media can act as a propagation mechanism between online hate speech and real-life violent crime.' Researchers at the University of Warwick examined more than 3,300 attacks on refugees that took place in the country over a two-year period (file picture) In their conclusion, they say their findings 'suggest that social media has not only become a fertile soil for the spread of hateful ideas but also motivates real-life action.' The study shows that 'volatile, short-lived bursts in sentiment within a given location have substantial effects on people's behaviour, and that social media may play a role in their propagation,' the authors added. The Times reports that experts independent of the study had described the findings as 'credible' and 'rigorous'. It highlighted an example in the German town of Altena where a young trainee firefighter, who had not previously displayed hostility towards migrants, tried to start a blaze after breaking into the attic of a refugee house. Prosecutors, drawing on data found from his phone, later argued Dirk Denkhaus had become immersed in an environment of anger and fear online that may have helped to encourage his actions. The newspaper said it was common in the town to see rumours on Facebook painting refugees as being a threat. A volunteer who set up a Facebook page asking for food donations for refugees in the town reported that it soon became swamped with anti-migrant remarks. She said she was not surprised to hear of a study linking Facebook use to acts of violence aimed at refugees. Facebook did not address the study directly after being contacted by the New York Times, but told the newspaper in an email: 'Our approach on what is allowed on Facebook has evolved over time and continues to change as we learn from experts in the field.' Last year, the firm's chief security officer said Facebook was shutting down one million accounts every day in its bid to banish hate speech. The same year, Mark Zuckerberg announced the hiring of 3,000 more moderaters. In April, he said Facebook will have AI tools within five to ten year capable of automatically flagging and removing hate speech before it appears. Advertisement A huge tree has outgrown a four-storey residential building in China after sprouting in the soil underneath the structure some 40 years ago. The huge tree has grown through some flats in one side of the building and was at one point much taller than the four-storey structure in the city of Guangzhou. It is believed that the tree started growing inside the building after its seed was dropped by a bird. Scroll down for video Before and after: A picture provided by a resident to newspaper Yangcheng Evening News (left) shows the leafy tree in Guangzhou, China, towering over the redbrick building before its branches were cut (right) due to safety concerns The authorities have had the tree trimmed and the building painted and strengthened due to safety concerns, according to local media. However, some residents in the area suggest the tree and the building should be turned into a tourist attraction. It is likely that a bird had eaten the seed and then excreted it in its stool, which got stuck in a crack on the wall. The seed then fell to the bottom of the building through the crack, experts told the local Yangcheng Evening News. Some people also suggest that the seed could have been blown into the crack by wind. A picture provided by a resident to the newspaper shows the leafy tree towering over the redbrick building before its branches were cut and the building was revamped. 'It was very tall and beautiful. Last year, part of it was cut down,' a local resident told China Global Television Network. The banyan tree (pictured after being trimmed) has grown inside the four-storey residential building for about 40 years Experts believe the tree started growing after its seed was spread by a bird and fell to the bottom of the building via a crack The extraordinary sight is found on Wenming Road in Guangzhou and is well-known in the area. While some people worry about the residents' safety, others say the tree has brought no issues to their life. One tenant in the building told Yangcheng Evening News: 'We have lived here for many years. We don't feel the big banyan tree causes us any safety issues, but it was too big before.' Another tenant, who is seven-month pregnant and lives on the top floor, told Nanfang Newspaper Group that she didn't think the tree had brought her and her family any problems. There are still tenants living inside the building, who told Chinese newspapers that the tree had caused them no problems The owner of the building lives overseas but has not returned to Guangzhou for many years, according to a representative of the neighbourhood committee. The representative said the authorities could not take further actions before gaining approval from the owner, reported Nanfang. It is said that the authorities are gathering opinions from experts and the residents in the building before proposing a possible solution. Advertisement A Civil War-era funeral home untouched by time for decades stands as a decaying time capsule, complete with coffins and antique furniture strewn around its rooms. Photos taken by an urban explorer in Alabama show a room filled with unused coffins, the embalming room where bodies were prepared for burial, and a house where the undertaker lived. The house is still fully furnished with many of their belongings left as they would have been when it was inhabited, suggesting the family mysteriously had to leave in a hurry. A Civil War-era funeral home untouched by time for decades stands as a decaying time capsule, complete with coffins and antique furniture strewn around its rooms Photos taken by an urban explorer in Alabama show the embalming room where bodies were prepared for burial The house was first built in the early 1800s by the town doctor who also ran the local drug store, which at the time was the only place to get medicine for miles around The house is still fully furnished with many of their belongings left as they would have been when it was inhabited, suggesting the family mysteriously had to leave in a hurry Parts of the buildings appear to have been raided by scavengers as they show signs of disturbance Both parts of the buildings appear to have been raided by scavengers as they show signs of disturbance, such as items scattered on the floor and some rooms are piled with boxes of modern rubbish. Paint is flaking on the walls and ceilings and plaster has caved in from lack of maintenance in some places. The house was first built in the early 1800s by the town doctor who also ran the local drug store, which at the time was the only place to get medicine for miles around. After the Civil War it was sold to a carpenter and furniture salesman, known for having the largest furniture store in the state at the time in a three-storey brick building in the town center. It was last used as a funeral home where the owner, his wife, and his sons lived upstairs and all had a in hand the business, and the undertaker's wife took over when he died. The house has been abandoned for so long the comforter cover is disintegrating and paint and plaster is flaking off the walls This office has been ransacked by earlier visitors but its furniture, and even an elephant ornament, is still where it was left Paint is flaking on the walls and ceilings and plaster has caved in from lack of maintenance in some places Items are scattered on the floor and some rooms are piled with boxes of modern rubbish from earlier squatters After the Civil War it was sold to a carpenter and furniture salesman, known for having the largest furniture store in the state at the time in a three-storey brick building in the town center It was last used as a funeral home where the owner, his wife, and his sons lived upstairs and all had a in hand the business, and the undertaker's wife took over when he died The living room was the most eerie of the rooms as it still had many of the items left behind by the family under mysterious circumstances The photos were taken by an urban explorer from Florida known only as Bullet, who noted the carpenter who owned the building in the 1860s was one of America's early photographers in his spare time. 'I wanted to share with people a place that they probably wouldn't believe is abandoned in such a state, especially with practically brand new coffins left behind,' he said. 'The most reactions I get are that they should turn it into a homeless shelter, without taking into account the money it costs to rehab the home. 'Abandoned buildings stay abandoned for many reasons, but the main reason is the cost associated with restoring and rehabilitating these places.' This anatomy chart is another relic of the house's former use as a funeral home The photos were taken by an urban explorer from Florida known only as Bullet An American man was arrested in Thailand on Wednesday after his blood-covered wife ran screaming into the street after allegedly being stabbed. Nicholas Hillman, 49, was found slumped next to his bed surrounded by meth pipes at his apartment in Pattaya, Thailand after police raided his home. Police were called in after his 30-year-old wife fled the room and collapsed in the street with knife wounds to her face and the side of her stomach. Nicholas Hillman, 49, was found slumped next to his bed in the apartment before being put in handcuffs by Thai police Hillman's 30-year-old wife was treated in the street by paramedics for wounds to her face and stomach Her seven-year-old son was standing next to her. The wife told onlookers that her husband had 'stabbed her while high on drugs'. Footage shows her being treated at the roadside before cops carrying a bamboo pole raided her husband's room where he had locked himself. Security guard Damrong Arjdee, 49, said he rushed to help the woman after she ran to him in tears at 5am at the Pattaya Condotel Chain. Damrong said: 'The girl is living on the 13th floor and she had been fighting with her foreign boyfriend. 'Then she came down and she was hurt. She she thought her boyfriend was drunk or had taken drugs. 'She said he took the knife and stabbed her then locked the door. Police said they believed Hillman had been high on meth at the time of the attack after raiding his apartment Cops found several meth pipes littered around the apartment when they raided the building 'I went to help her and took her to the police checkpoint.' Officers arrived at 5.30am and went to Hillman's room carrying a large bamboo pole to hold him back in case he became violent. But the American was found collapsed face down on his bed. Police handcuffed him and dragged him outside before checking his drawers. Several meth pipes and packets of pills were discovered. Police Major General Maneerank Jansanya said: 'The suspect Mr Nicholas Hillman, 49 years old, from America has been arrested on suspicion of stabbing his wife. 'Police found alcohol and evidence of drug use in his room. We are not carrying out drug tests to establish if he was using the drugs at the time of the attack. 'The injured woman is receiving close medical care and she is stable.' Paramedics treated the wife who had run out into the street covered in blood with very few clothes on A top Russian private detective has been detained after his glamorous fiancee was found with fatal gunshot wounds in his luxury St Petersburg apartment. Irina Semakova, 33, fell into a coma and died ten days later. The mother-of-one suffered serious head wounds from close range shots with a 'non-lethal' gun in the penthouse of Andrey Kostenko, 38, the owner of private detective agency Status. Russian private detective Andrey Kostenko has been detained after his fiancee (pictured with him) was found with fatal gunshot wounds Irina Semakova, 33, fell into a coma and died ten days after she was found shot in Kostenko's penthouse apartment He fled the scene after the attack and did not call for medical help, according to multiple reports. The woman was found after she had lain wounded for six hours before her worried mother came to check on her after she stopped answering calls, they stated. A criminal case for attempted murder has been launched, reported Fontanka, based on law enforcement sources. The private detective is being held under house arrest pending further investigations. The mother-of-one (pictured with her son from a previous relationship) suffered serious head wounds from close range shots with a 'non-lethal' gun The private detective (above) is being held under house arrest pending further investigations A friend quoted by the Russian media said: 'She had been waiting for him to return from work, and cooked dinner. 'Her son from a previous relationship was with her mother then something went wrong.' She was 'beaten' and suffered head wounds before the shooting, said the friend. 'She had been lying like that in the flat for six hours.' Semakova was found after she had lain wounded for six hours before her worried mother came to check on her Kostenko reportedly fled the scene after the attack and did not call for medical help for Semakova (above) After starting a relationship with Kostenko, she had changed her social media status to say 'happy as never before'. Kostenko told newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda: 'What happened between me and Irina? Nothing. It just hurts me and I feel bad.' His detective agency is well known for identifying unfaithful spouses, finding lost people, locating stole cars, and tracking down divorcees who failed to pay alimony. Peter Dutton could be just days from becoming Australia's next prime minister, as he looks set to mount a second attempt to topple Malcolm Turnbull. Over the course of his 17 years in Canberra, the MP for the Division of Dickson has not backed away from making some controversial comments. During his time as immigration minister, Mr Dutton notoriously joked about the plight of the Pacific Island nations facing rising seas due to climate change. Peter Dutton handed in his resignation on Tuesday after a failed leadership challenge against Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for Australia's top job Over the course of his 17 years in Canberra the MP for the Division of Dickson has not backed away from making some controversial comments 'Time doesn't mean anything when you're, you know, about to have water lapping at your door,' he joked to then prime minister Tony Abbot and Scott Morrison. The joke was a reference to the community roundtable they were attending running late and being on 'Cape York time.' Mr Morrison was quick to point out there was a boom microphone directed at the group. Several Pacific Island leaders spoke out against the comments saying it was a very real issue that they were facing. 'I made a mistake, I apologise to anyone who has taken offence. It was a light hearted discussion with the PM and I did not mean any offence to anyone,' Mr Dutton later told Sky News. He also told Sky News host Paul Murray in 2016 that illiterate and innumerate refugees would take Australian jobs or 'languish' on the dole, using free healthcare. The comments were in response to comments about a Greens idea to boost the refugee intake to 50,000 people. He does, however, have his fans, with one interview in particular being memorable for one of his supporters bringing the normally stony-faced minister to tears. He also told Sky News host Paul Murray in 2016 that illiterate and innumerate refugees would take Australian jobs or 'languish' on the dole, using free healthcare Steve Miller, the father of Brisbane one punch attack victim Cole, called in the Ray Hadley's radio show during an interview with Dutton. 'I'd just like to thank Peter, an accomplice to my son's death was sentenced to over 12-months jail and there was a bit of a mix up at the courthouse and he was let to walk free,' Mr Miller said. 'I got on to Peter Dutton's office in Canberra, he was unavailable at the time and he rang me back at 4.30pm.' 'He got onto the Queensland Police and Border Force immediately and that illegal immigrant was taken back into custody by 6.30pm that night and held for deportation to New Zealand.' 'I'd like to that Peter Dutton for that, he didn't know me from a bar of soap.' Julie Bishop has been left shocked with New Zealand's deputy prime minister just hours after firing back at Karl Stefanovic for his comments about Malcolm Turnbull. New Zealand's deputy leader and foreign minister Winston Peters and Ms Bishop are in Canberra for a meeting in what Mr Peters described as a 'most curious and unusual time, politically speaking'. The pair fronted a media conference on Wednesday for a six-monthly meeting, addressing questions from reporters. Scroll down for video Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (left) and Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters speak during a press conference Mr Peters described the meeting as a 'most curious and unusual time, politically speaking' Ms Bishop was answering a question on whether she was 'working the phones like Peter Dutton', who lost a leadership challenge with Mr Turnbull on Tuesday but is trying to mount a second campaign. 'I have been in a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand and Winston can attest that during that meeting I've not made one phone call,' Ms Bishop said. In her response she urges her colleagues to accept the 'majority view of the Liberal Party'. 'The PM has been endorsed as the leader, I've been endorsed as the deputy leader and now we must focus all our energy and efforts on ensuring we are delivering policies for the Australian people,' she said. Towards the end of the press conference, Ms Bishop claimed she had to leave with Mr Peters who had a 'very important speech to make'. She tapped Mr Peters on the shoulder and almost walked into him as he stayed put listening to another question from another reporter. 'I'm trying to bump you off stage,' she told Mr Peters. 'She's a female I've got to answer the question,' Mr Peters said. Ms Bishop looked gobsmacked and asked, 'Did you really just say that?' 'I'll look like a chauvinist,' Mr Peters said. Ms Bishop was left gobsmacked at Mr Peters comments about answering a woman's question This awkward clash comes as Ms Bishop was asked by Today host Karl Stefanovic how it felt 'talking to a man on death row' in a discussion of Mr Turnbull's future. Ms Bishop hit back instantly, leaving Stefanovic red-faced by responding: 'Well I am talking to you, Karl.' The crushing response may have been a reference to Stefanovic's rating woes and his breakfast show's struggles against dominant rival Sunrise. Stefanovic also got into a very public exchange of accusations with his ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn last week after she claimed that he and his family had 'practically no contact' with their children since the couple split. A Britain's Got Talent contestant dubbed Popeye for his bizarre eye-bulging act has died of a stroke aged 54. Antonio Francis died on Saturday after a stroke and brain bleed, his family said. He reached the 2011 semi-finals with his unusual routine, which saw him pop out his eyeballs to the beat of the music. A family statement said Mr Francis battled health problems in the years after the show, moving to Barbados before returning to Britain. His son Dan, who also appeared on the show in 2013, revealed he had been sleeping rough since his return to the UK and was found unconscious on the floor by a friend six days after collapsing. Scroll down for video Britain's Got Talent contestant Antonio Francis (pictured on the show in 2011) died on Saturday after a stroke and brain bleed, his family has announced His family is now raising money to fund a funeral for him back in the Caribbean so he can be buried near his mother in Barbados. His son said: 'A week ago a family friend found him in his room on the floor unconscious where he had a stroke. Pictured: Antonio Francis battled health problems in the years before his death, his son Dan has revealed 'What's crazy is he was there for at least six days so he'd survived for at least six days before we got him into the hospital and for the first two days he was breathing by himself. 'This morning we woke up and I saw him take his last breath and then he stopped breathing. 'One of my dad's wishes which he's been saying for the last two years if I pass I want to be buried in Barbados and that's going to cost a crazy amount of money so what we're doing is we're going to try and raise as much money as possible. If we can get enough then we will send him to Barbados. 'We're going to have the reception in London so anyone who's ever met my dad or who's ever had the pleasure of being around him, you can come. It's going to be an open funeral. But we would love to bury his body in Barbados.' Mr Francis Sr had suffered memory loss, a minor stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure and other organ issues, he added. Mr Francis (right) had Britain's Got Talent hosts Ant and Dec (pictured left) in stitches with his unusual eye-popping routine His son, who appeared on Britain's Got Talent with his band Luminites, also revealed: 'Over the last 10 years he's been in and out of hospital 90 per cent of the time. 'He was back and forth from Barbados where he was staying with out grandma and he started losing his memory. 'He randomly came back to London, we didn't know why because he had nowhere to stay so he started sleeping rough. 'We found out he was sleeping on buses at night and staying round friends houses and travelling up and down the country. 'We didn't really know what was wrong, because he wouldn't tell us, plus he was losing his memory. 'We managed to get him a temporary place in Harlow the problem with this is he wasn't really close to me or my brothers or my sister so we couldn't really visit him.' Mr Francis's son Dan, who also appeared on the show in 2013, revealed he (pictured) had been sleeping rough since his return to the UK and was found unconscious on the floor by a friend six days after collapsing Footage of Mr Francis's audition has been viewed 11 million times since it was uploaded to the official BGT YouTube channel. Mr Francis, who was living in Essex at the time, told hosts Ant and Dec: 'I just love performing. 'If I was able to win the competition and I was to perform in front of the Queen, I think she would enjoy it. I really do.' Before breaking into his dance on his TV debut he told judges to expect 'something you'll be surprised at, you'll enjoy.' A Go Fund Me page has been set up to raise 5,000 to fund a Barbados funeral and burial for Mr Francis, so he can be laid to rest near his mother The panel, Michael McIntyre, Amanda Holden and David Hasselhoff, screamed with laughter as Mr Francis started his skit. Hasselhoff said: 'That's the most entertaining, weirdest thing I've seen since I've been in Britain. I don't know if the Queen will like it but she may.' Asked when he realised he could bulge his eyes, Mr Francis told Holden: 'I was seven-years-old and as I was combing my hair I pulled the comb through, and as I pulled the comb through my left eye popped.' Duncan Hunter (on the left) I didn't want to let all today's wild hubbub over the two close Trump cronies-- ex-campaign manager and likely conduit between Trump and the Russians, Paul Manafort, and long-time Trump bagman, Michael Cohen-- to cause everyone to overlook the indictments of San Diego area congressman Duncan Hunter, Jr. and his wife . They were ( finally ) charged with stealing a quarter million dollars in campaign funds to use for personal expenses. I might add that Duncan Hunter was the second member of Congress to endorse Trump. The first was Chris Collins (R-NY) who was indicted last week... and has withdrawn from his reelection campaign. Hunter's mostly exurban, rural district east of San Diego was one of California's strongest for Trump. Hillary only scored 39.6% there, one of only 4 districts where she failed to get over 40%. The PVI is a daunting R+11, the second worst in the state (tied with Doug LaMalfa's hellhole, almost all of which is on fire right now... but they want less govermut). Yesterday-- we saw justice in action, as Hunter and his wife, Margaret were indicted on wire fraud, falsifying records, campaign finance violations and conspirac charges. They will be arraigned tomorrow at Federal Court in San Diego. Ted Lieu told me several months ago that he expected to see Hunter indicted and that if he were it would be possible for this safe red seat flip. The GOP agrees. CNN reported that "Republican Party leaders had long worried that with a potential indictment looming, Hunter's traditionally safe district, which makes up much of eastern San Diego County, could be at risk of Democratic takeover in November's midterm election." Airbnb guests have been banned from cheering, singing and clapping under new code of conduct laws. Mornington Peninsula Shire, in Victoria, introduced a strict code for property owners letting out their homes in the holiday destination which requires them to ensure their guests are well-behaved. Residents and property owners were notified earlier this week they would be required to pay a $100 fee to register their properties, Domain reported. Airbnb and Stayz guests are prohibited from cheering, singing and clapping amid new code of conduct laws introduced by Mornington Peninsula Council (pictured: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria) Money from the fees would be used to pay for a security company to observe the properties seven days a week. The council said controls of the code were considered necessary after significant community concerns. 'The owner must control and be responsible for the behaviour of occupants and residents at the dwelling,' the code states. Unaccaptable behaviour includes yelling, screaming, arguing, cheering, clapping and singing. A curfew also prohibits guests from using swimming pools, spas, outdoor decking and balconies between 11pm and 7am. Mornington Peninsula is the third-most popular destination for short stay rental accommodation destination in Australia and more than 1.6 million people visit the area annually for a short break. Mornington Peninsula (pictured) is the third-most popular destination for short stay rental accommodation destination in Australia Belinda Rodman, who owns a property in Safety Beach that is rented on Airbnb, said she uses her property as a holiday home and as a short-term rental. 'I think the shire has way over-reacted there were some houses down on the beaches that were party houses and there's no doubt that would have been disruptive to neighbours. But to punish everyone with short-term accommodation, I don't think that's fair,' she said. Ms Rodman questioned the curfew rule and how council will determine who is making the noise. 'How do they know it's me or it's one of my guests? What if they're just actually sitting there [on the balcony] making no noise?' she said. Brent Thomas, Airbnb's head of public policy for Australia and New Zealand, compared the new code to lock-in-laws. 'We want to partner with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to ensure our community grows sustainably and responsibly, but council's changes including a new ''lock-in law'' are a step too far,' Mr Thomas said. Dame Gillian Morgan saw stewardesses handing out stickers to children on a flight A former top Welsh government official has accused TUI Airways of giving children 'sexist' stickers that allegedly encourage gender stereotypes. Dame Gillian Morgan, 65, who now chairs trade group NHS Providers, saw stewardesses giving the children stickers on a flight from Bristol to Paphos. But when she went through passport control in Cyprus she claimed to have found all the boys had been given stickers with 'Future Pilot', and the girls' all said 'Future Cabin Crew'. Dame Gillian, of Seaton, Devon, who had been travelling with her great-niece and great-nephew said she was sure that the stickers were deliberately split by gender and called the move 'deeply sexist'. She told Metro.co.uk: 'The stickers were gender neutral but it's the way that they were handed out that makes it complicated. Dame Gillian claimed to have found all the boys on the flight had been given stickers with 'Future Pilot' (left), and the girls' all said 'Future Cabin Crews' (right) 'It happens implicitly all the time. The boys can have the Lego, the space rocket going to the moon, and the girls can have a little pony. 'We desperately need more women to do science, maths and engineering but little things like this take us backwards by providing restricting roles.' Dame Gillian added: 'In 30 years' time it might be likely that the majority of pilots will still be men but we should not be turning off the girls who are going to be the ones to walk on Mars.' Other TUI passengers have also complained about the stickers, with Linzi Walker tweeting last month: 'Lovely touch by TUI flying out to Corfu Friday by giving children TUI stickers and activity sheet. 'Not so lovely that all the boys were given 'future pilot' stickers and the girls 'future cabin crew'?! Sexist much?' TUI said that crew members hand out the stickers to boys and girls regardless of their gender And Twitter user @St_Pirran wrote in May: '@TUI your cabin crew today chose 'future tui cabin crew' stickers for the girls and 'future pilot' for the boys, no female pilots then?' TUI apologised for any upset caused to passengers, but insisted that crew members hand out the stickers to boys and girls regardless of their gender. A spokesman told MailOnline: 'We're sorry to hear a small number of customers have been upset by this. 'We think it has just been a simple mix-up since our future pilot and cabin crew stickers are designed for use for any child regardless of gender. Dame Gillian and a number of other TUI passengers have tweeted about the 'sexist' stickers 'The stickers are part of our activity packs which are intended to be used by crew to interact, engage with and create special moments for our customers on their holiday. 'The feedback we've had so far this summer has been overwhelmingly positive. 'Children fall in love with flying when they go on their holidays with us and we want to encourage their dreams of becoming future pilots and crew members.' Dame Gillian, who was once permanent secretary to the Welsh government, was the most senior civil servant in Wales for four years before she retired in 2002. TUI is a Luton-based package holiday giant which was formerly known as Thomson. Fire officials in central Ohio say five workers have been injured in a foundry explosion. Officials say the fire at Liberty Casting Company, in Delaware, was already extinguished when crews responded to the scene around 10pm Tuesday. City of Delaware Fire Chief John Donahue says four people were taken to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Officials say the fire at Liberty Casting Company, in Delaware, was already extinguished when crews responded to the scene around 10pm Tuesday One of the four had to be airlifted to the hospital, FOX 28 reports. A fifth person was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital. Donahue says the workers suffered burns, but their conditions weren't known. All were listed as being employees at the company. Five employees were burned in the foundry's explosion. Four were sent to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center According to the company's website, they specialize in 'gray, ductile and high alloy iron casting'. No further details were immediately available. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. By Chris Pleasance President Trump appeared in peril as Paul Manafort was found guilty and Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to charges leveled as part of Robert Mueller's election meddling probe. So what comes next for Donald Trump himself? Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, insists Trump is implicated in a crime because he ordered Cohen to make hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal before the 2016 election. Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked the Russian election meddling probe as a 'rigged witch hunt', but on Tuesday it delivered two guilty parties But the prevailing legal opinion is that Trump will not face criminal prosecution while in office, though there is nothing in the Constitution that strictly forbids it. The text of Article 2, Section 4, and Article 1, Second 3, when taken together imply that a president must be impeached and convicted by the Senate before he can be prosecuted, but does not outright say it. Article 2, Section 4, makes clear what the impeachment power is. 'The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors,' it says. Article 1, Second 3, sets out the existence of the Senate and says: The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. 'When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present. 'Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.' That has led to legal debate in the past and the question even ended up before the Supreme Court in 1974 during the Watergate scandal, but a ruling was never made. Justice Department guidelines say that a sitting President shouldn't be charged with a crime while in office, but that could be subject to a challenge. Even if Trump cannot be indicted on criminal charges, he could still be impeached for 'treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors'. Lanny David (left), the attorney for Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen (right), argues that Trump is implicated in the crime - but it is unlikely a sitting president would be indicted on criminal charges Impeachment requires a majority in the House to pass articles of impeachment against the president. The House Judiciary Committee then prosecutes the president in front of the Senate, with the Chief Justice presiding. There needs to be a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate to convict. As things stand the Republicans control both houses, so it is highly unlikely that Trump will face impeachment so long as the status quo holds. However, the Democrats are hoping that mid-term elections in November will hand control of both houses back to them, which would put Trump in trouble. As one Republican lawyer told Politico, Cohen's allegations that Trump forced him to make payments provides the perfect fodder for impeachment. 'It's the only excuse they'll need. And believe me, they won't need much of an excuse,' he said. On Tuesday, Trump urged people to vote Republican in the elections, warning that voting Democrat would lead to 'open borders and crime'. Two child rapists who brutally tortured an eight-year-old girl, slit her throat and left her for dead have been sentenced to hang in India. Irfan Mewati, 20, and Asif Mewati, 24, abducted the child outside her school in Mandsaur as she waited for her father. They took her to a secluded spot where they raped her and mutilated her body parts with a knife before trying to slit her throat and running off. Irfan Mewati (centre with his face covered being led by plain-clothes police), 20, and Asif Mewati, 24, abducted the child outside her school in Mandsaur as she waited for her father The girl's life was saved by locals who found her and rushed her to hospital where she remains with critical injuries. Crowds chanted 'death to rapists' after the brutal attack in the central state of Madhya Pradesh two months ago. The men were convicted in court on Tuesday under a new law allowing for fast-track trials and capital punishment for child rapists. India in April made the rape of children aged up to eight a capital offence following widespread outrage over earlier cases. The last execution for rape was 14 years ago in Kolkata in eastern India. Dhananjay Chatterjee, a building guard, was hanged for the 1990 rape and murder of an 18-year-old. Sexual violence is rife in India, with nearly 40,000 rape cases reported in 2016. Activists say this is just the tip of the iceberg. India has been the focus of international attention since the 2012 gang-rape and murder of a student on a Delhi bus sparked nationwide protests and highlighted its poor record on sexual violence. New South Wales mother Cassandra Leheny, 39, (centre) was admitted to the Dubbo Base Hospital in December of 2013 for an elbow infection but would be dead just two days later A woman's family is suing a hospital for negligence after she died two days after being admitted with a sore elbow. New South Wales mother Cassandra Leheny, 39, was admitted to the Dubbo Base Hospital in December 2013 for an elbow infection, but passed away just two days later. She left behind five children aged from 12 to 27 years old. Her eldest son, Jamie Leheny, has launched legal action against the hospital. Mrs Leheny visited her general practitioner about the elbow infection and was immediately sent to hospital. An X-ray showed Mrs Leheny's elbow had a build-up of fluid. Her pain began to worsen within a day, then her temperature dropped to dangerous levels as she developed sepsis. She died later that night after her heart stopped. The Western NSW Local Health District, which represents the Dubbo Base Hospital, declined to comment on ongoing legal proceedings. The family's lawyer, medical negligence expert at Shine Lawyers Caryn Ger, argues the mothers death was preventable and said she should have been prescribed antibiotics far sooner than she was The family's lawyer, medical negligence expert at Shine Lawyers Caryn Ger, argues the mothers death was preventable and said she should have been prescribed antibiotics far sooner than she was, news.com.au reported. 'This is a patient who fell through the cracks and alarm bells should have been ringing far sooner than they did,' she said. 'The prospect of infection was considered and treated only when the ship has sailed and it was far too late. By then Cassandra was septic and in organ failure. If she had received appropriate antibiotic therapy, that could have been avoided.' The lawyers will also allege that tests had shown a positive result for bacteria but still did not prescribe antibiotics. Mrs Ger said she hopes the family could reach a settlement with the hospital. 'Im hopeful we will be able to get them something that will make them feel like the hospital has recognised their negligence and how the damage of losing a mother affects young children,' she said. President Trump was among the first to turn talk about the tragedy of Mollie Tibbetts' murder to calls for tighter immigration laws on Tuesday after it was revealed the 20-year-old Iowa student was murdered by a suspected illegal alien. According to police, Mexican national Cristhian Rivera, 24, has been living in Iowa and working illegally for anywhere between four and seven years. His attorney Allan M. Richards stated in a court document filed Wednesday that an employer has said Rivera was in the U.S. legally. On July 18, he attacked Mollie in her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, while she was out jogging, killed her and then dumped her body in a cornfield. He was arrested on Monday after recently recovered surveillance footage led police to his Chevy Malibu. At a rally in West Virginia on Tuesday night, Trump said the 'incredible, beautiful' young woman's death should never have happened. 'You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in very sadly from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman. 'Should have never happened. Illegally in our country. We've had a huge impact but the laws are so bad. Scroll down for video Mollie Tibbetts was found dead on August 21, five weeks after she was abducted by Mexican suspected illegal immigrant Cristhian Rivera, 24. He attacked her while she was out jogging then dumped her body in a cornfield 'The immigration laws are such a disgrace. We're getting them changed but we have to get more Republicans. We have to get,' Trump said to cheers of 'build the wall'. Iowa's Governor Kim Reynolds said she and the rest of the state were 'heartbroken' by the discovery of Mollie's body. She blamed the young woman's death on the country's 'broken' immigration system, tweeting: 'As Iowans, we are heartbroken and we are angry. On social media, commentators including Iowa's governor said they were 'heartbroken' by the fact that a suspected illegal immigrant had committed the killing We are angry that a broken immigration system allowed a predator to live in our community and we will do all we can to bring justice to Mollie's killer. 'Over the past month, thousands of Iowans searched and prayed for Mollie's safe return. 'Now, we are called to come together to lift up a grieving family. The search for Mollie is over, but the demand for justice has just begun.' Former congressman Joe Walsh said: 'Mollie Tinnetts would be alive today if this nation enforced its immigration laws. 'A 20-year-old American girl was murdered by a damn illegal. A person who shouldn't have ever been in this country! Mollie Tibbetts had her whole life ahead of her. But because of an illegal, she'll never get to live it. 'First, Kate Steinle. Now, Mollie Tibbetts. Unacceptable.' Gov. Mike Huckabee said he was 'sick to his stomach'. 'Suspect is illegal immigrant. If found guilty he will be reminder why sanctuary cities and open borders are as stupid as the politicians who promote them.' Fox pundit Laura Ingraham tweeted merely: 'OUTRAGE!' and conservative commentator Tomi Lahren dedicated an entire video to the subject on her Facebook page. 'Hey liberals, you wanna talk about child separation? How about this, 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbetts has been violently and permanently separated from her parents at the hands of an illegal immigrant. 'Yet another young person has been murdered by an illegal immigrant. This time a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico who's been living in the area illegally for four to seven years. 'Yeah, we have American citizens who murder. That's true. That's why we don't need to deal with it from people who have no legal right to be here in the first place,' she fumed. U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst vowed: 'We cannot allow these tragedies to continue.' It remains unclear exactly how long Rivera, who is from the Mexican state of Guerrero originally, had been living in the US. MOLLIE TIBBETTS FAMILY STATEMENT ON HER MURDER Our hearts are broken. On behalf of Mollie's entire family, we thank all of those from around the world who have sent their thoughts and prayers for our girl. We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Mollie in our hearts forever. At this time, our family asks that we be allowed the time to process our devastating loss and share our grief in private. Again, thank you for the outpouring of love and support that has been shared in Mollie's name. Advertisement Conservative pundit Tomi Lahren fumed as she addressed Mollie's murder in a Facebook video Rivera has been living in Iowa for between four and seven years. It is not clear when he entered the US. Police and government say he was in America illegally, his attorney claims he was legal Rivera's employer Yarrabee Farms (pictured) denied hiring illegal immigrants and said the family-run firm would cooperate fully with the Tibbetts inquiry. He said Rivera passed a background check when he was employed This is the home Rivera was staying in Iowa. He lived with his baby and his girlfriend Authorities say Rivera had been living near Brooklyn, Iowa, for the last four to seven years. In 2013, he met Iris Monarrez, with whom he now has a baby (pictured). She is friends with Mollie on Facebook ICE has no record of ever trying to deport him and the Iowa farm where he worked confirmed yesterday that he had passed background checks when he was employed. Many have compared Mollie's murder to the 2015 killing of Kate Steinle (pictured) who was shot dead by an illegal immigrant in San Francisco Dane Lang, co-owner of Yarrabee Farms along with Eric Lang, confirmed that Rivera had worked there for four years and was an employee 'of good standing.' Dane's brother is Craig Lang, former president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Board of Regents, and a 2018 Republican candidate for state secretary of agriculture. Dane's statement said: 'First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mollie Tibbetts. 'This is a profoundly sad day for our community. All of us at Yarrabee Farms are shocked to hear that one of our employees was involved and is charged in this case. 'This individual has worked at our farms for four years, was vetted through the government's E-Verify system, and was an employee in good standing. Mollie was abducted while running along 385th street, in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18, and her body was discovered just over a month later in a corn field in Poweshiek County Mollie (left and right) was staying alone overnight in her boyfriend's home the night she went missing and was last seen going for a jog in the neighborhood at around 8pm July 18 'On Monday, the authorities visited our farm and talked to our employees. We have cooperated fully with their investigation.' He went to get her out of the trunk and noticed blood on the side of her head... he then dragged Tibbetts on foot to a secluded location in a cornfield, put her over his shoulder and took her 20 meters into the field where he left her, covered up in some leaves The E-Verify site allows employers to establish the eligibility of employees, both US or foreign, by comparing a worker's Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 with data held by the government. The employee is eligible to work in the US if the data matches. If it doesn't, the worker has only eight federal government work days to resolve the issue. Rivera lived in Iowa with his girlfriend, who was friends with Mollie on Facebook, and their baby daughter. The girlfriend fled town on Tuesday after his arrest. Many of those who commented on Mollie's death compared it to the 2015 death of Kate Steinle who was shot to death by an illegal immigrant in San Francisco. Her killer had been reported to ICE but was allowed to go free because he was living in a sanctuary city. On July 18, Rivera followed Mollie around Brooklyn in his dark Chevy Malibu, watching her as she jogged ahead of him. He eventually parked his car, got out and started jogging behind her then alongside her to try to have a conversation. When she refused and threatened to call the police, he attacked. Rivera told police he 'blacked out' and does not remember what exactly he did to her but that he 'came to' while driving his car with Mollie in the trunk. He then dragged her lifeless body into a cornfield 10 miles away and dumped her, covering her corpse with some leaves. s As the five-week hunt for her intensified, there was mention of a dark SUV driving around the neighborhood where she was last seen at around 7.30pm. Police were only able to link Rivera to the car by watching surveillance footage they obtained from cameras at someone's home. They discovered the cameras while canvassing the neighborhood a week ago and spent days combing through the footage. On Monday, Rivera did not resist police. He went with them willingly, made a full confession and then led them to Mollie's body. His motive remains unclear. The family were emotional as they heard that Mollie's body had been discovered Friends and family of missing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts react following a news conference In his arrest warrant, police describe Rivera's chilling confession. 'Rivera admitted to making contact with the female running in Brooklyn and that he pursued her in his vehicle in an area east of Brooklyn. Defendant Rivera stated he parked the vehicle, got out and was running behind her and alongside of her. 'Rivera stated that she grabbed her phone and said: 'I'm gonna call the police.' 'Rivera said he then panicked and he got mad and that he 'blocked' his memory which is what he does when he gets very upset and doesn't remember anything after that until he came to at an intersection. 'Rivera stated he then made a u-turn, drove back to an entrance to a field and then drove into a driveway to a cornfield. 'He noticed there was an ear piece from headphones in his lap and that this is how he realized he put her in the trunk. 'He went to get her out of the trunk and he noticed blood on the side of her head. 'He described the female's clothing, what she was wearing including an ear phone or head phone set. 'He described that he dragged Tibbetts on foot from his vehicle to a secluded location in a cornfield. 'He put her over his shoulder and took her about 20 meters into the cornfield and he left her covered in some corn leaves and that he left her there, face up. 'The Defendant was able to use his phone to determine the route he traveled from Brooklyn. An elderly priest has been arrested in Nigeria for allegedly laying a curse on the perpetrators behind a recent rise in violence. A group of young people in Ozubulu hired Anazo Ilomuanya in a bid to stop the crime in their town. They asked the 94-year-old traditional priest to lay curses on those involved in the killings in the town, according to the BBC. An elderly priest has been arrested in Nigeria for allegedly laying a curse on the perpetrators behind a recent rise in violence. Last year, 13 people were shot dead at St Philip's Church (above, file photo) Police spokesman Haruna Muhammed told the BBC that youths in Ozubulu formed a group called Concerned Indigenous People of Ozubulu. Seeking an end to the spate of violence, they consulted Ilomuanya. Police arrested the priest and others involved after locals reported them. They are due to appear in court but it remains unclear what charges they may face as it is not illegal to lay a curse under Nigerian law. A feud between rival drug gangs is thought to have led to 13 people being shot dead at St Philip's Church last year. The perpetrators reportedly believed their intended target was at the church. The chilling moment that a murderer headed to his mother-in-law's home to stab her to death after his arranged marriage with her daughter failed has today been revealed in disturbing CCTV footage. Today Muhammad Tafham, 31, was jailed for life after being convicted of the murder of 46-year-old Rahman Begum, after she helped her daughter run away to live with her long-term boyfriend. Images taken from CCTV cameras show him arriving at her Rochdale home, where he killed her and placed a knife in her hand in an attempt to blame her death on a suicide resulting from depression. He murdered Mrs Begum after she tricked him into leaving their home in Greater Manchester while his wife Aysha packed her belongings to move to Bradford, West Yorkshire. Muhammad Tafham (pictured left), 31, was jailed for life after being convicted of the murder of 46-year-old Rahman Begum, after she helped her daughter Aysha (right) run away to live with her long-term boyfriend Sentencing Tafham, Judge John Potter told him: 'Your wife had left you and was living elsewhere with another man. 'That meant your visa arrangements had been breached, leading to the prospect of deportation.' Mrs Begum had told her daughter don't ruin your life, go live it when she saw the marriage wasn't working. Footage released today showed her entering her home shortly before Tafham killed her. This is the chilling moment that a murderer headed to his mother-in-law's home to stab her to death Mrs Begum is seen approaching her house in Rochdale, where she was brutally murdered after helping her daughter get away One day later the mother-of-five was found on her kitchen floor with three stab wounds to the chest and a knife in her hand. Tafham went to Mrs Begum's house the morning after his wife had blocked his calls, the court heard. The judge said: 'What was said in the house at this point between the two of you is known only to you, but it seems clear to me that you confronted Mrs Begum. 'Enraged by what you discovered had been done, perhaps in your mind confirming your fate in the UK, you perpetrated the most dreadful attack on your mother-in-law.' Tafham changed his blood-stained clothes and sought to hide a latex glove which was also soaked in Mrs Begum's blood. When arrested he initially told police he did not know who was responsible for Mrs Begum's death, and that he had fled the property in panic believing he would be blamed. He later changed his story and claimed to the jury the death was a suicide. Judge Potter told Tafham: 'Your lies adopted a tone of pathetic desperation during your trial as you attempted to say, in my view, in a controlling and abusive way, that Mrs Begum had been responsible for her own death.' Members of Mrs Begum's family (right) were pictured leaving court in Manchester today where Tafham (left) was jailed for life In a victim personal statement, one of her daughters, Ahsia Kauser, who found her mother's body, said: 'Her loss has had a massive impact on our lives. It has torn our family apart and left us with a permanent hole in our hearts. 'Every day is a struggle and it is especially hard to see our father grieve every day.' Jurors at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester were shown footage from street cameras of Tafham entering and leaving the Mrs Begum's property on February 6, the day of her death. The Begums also had their own CCTV cameras outside the house which captured Tafham entering - but they were switched off from inside the property and did not capture him leaving. Tafham denied murder and instead claimed that Mrs Begum had stabbed herself due to depression. Mrs Begum's relatives (pictured) appeared solemn outside court today as her killer was sentenced to life He admitted that he was present at her property at the time of her death but insisted he was sat in the living room watching a family DVD. The killer said that he thought of her like a mother and that he did not blame her for his marriage break-up. But a jury deliberated for just over three hours to find him guilty of murder by a unanimous verdict today. After stabbing her to death, Tafham left his mother-in-law to bleed and fled the scene without alerting the emergency services. Tafham will be sentenced tomorrow after stabbing his mother-in-law to death in this street following the failure of his marriage When police arrested him, he was found with his passport on him and it is believed he was planning on travelling back to Pakistan. After moving from the country in September 2016, Tafham married Aysha, who became the sponsor for his visa meaning they had to live together for three years for him to stay in the country. Aysha continued seeing her long-term boyfriend - a man named Malik from Bradford - despite entering into an arranged marriage with the defendant. His wife eventually moved back to live with him in Rochdale, but they argued constantly and she asked him for a divorce, which he refused. Following months of arguments, Aysha decided enough was enough and with the help of her mother, left her husband to move back to her lover in Bradford. A few days before Mrs Begum's death there was another incident involving a knife when an argument broke out between the defendant and his wife. The defendant went into the kitchen and fetched a large knife and threw it onto the sofa where Aysha was sitting. He said that she had ruined his life and that he was better off dead. At the opening of the trial, Prosecutor Andrew Thomas said: 'The prosecution say that the defendant took his anger out on his mother-in-law and attacked her in her own kitchen. Forensics officers are pictured at the scene in Rochdale where Tafham stabbed his own mother-in-law 'He then placed the knife in her hand to make it look like suicide and he fled - hoping no-one would know that he had ever been there.' Following an examination of the house, forensic scientist Pamela Bower found blood stains in the kitchen, including splatters on the kitchen roll and dishes in the drying rack. She also said how a small amount of blood was found on the back and underside of the hot tap handle, with DNA inside matching to Tafham. Blood was found inside the toilet roll in their house next door, and on bedding in both bedrooms. The victim was found with the knife in her hand and had several stab wounds to her body, as well as defensive wounds to her hands. During the trial, the husband of Rahman Begum, Gulfraiz Sharif, told the court how he was unaware that his wife was taking medication for depression and said she was happy at the time of her death. Speaking of his wife, who was nicknamed Ruksana, he said: 'I was in Pakistan around the time of my wife's death. 'I spoke to Ruksana in the evening [the day before she died] as she takes our youngest daughter to school and she had been to mosque. She was happy at the time. She didnt say anything at all to me. 'My daughter picked up the phone as my wife was cooking. It was a video call. We were talking as usual. She said look after Asman, our son, and make sure he stays out of trouble. 'She never said she wanted to kill herself. Why would she kill herself, she never had any problems. She was very happy. It is not true that she had lots of stress at home. Mothers and fathers have stress with their children. 'She was fine, she had no problems with self-confidence. She was a housewife, she did house chores and she was happy. 'She was only suffering with diabetes, not depression. She used to be open to me, she used to tell me everything. She never mentioned any depression.' The defendant showed no reaction in the dock as the jury delivered their conclusion. He will be sentenced tomorrow. A local authority is raking in almost 100,000 a week by catching out thousands of motorists with a newly installed traffic enforcement camera. Hackney Council banned drivers from turning left at a junction in east London in June in the hopes of reducing pollution at a nearby school. 'Poor signage' and a 'difficult road layout' have been blamed by motorists for the small fortune the council has amassed. As of August 10 the authority had dished out nearly 14,000 fines. With the cost of a fine standing at 65 if paid within two weeks, the council has generated a whopping 898,235 for itself in a nine-week period. This works out at nearly 100,000 every week - or 14,000 a day. Vehicles were spotted making a now illegal left turn from Mare Street onto Richmond Road in Hackney, east London in June. A new traffic enforcement camera has been catching out thousands of motorists A car turns left onto Richmond Road from Mare Street in Hackney, east London. Vehicles are no longer permitted to make the left turn between 7am and 10am, and 3pm and 7pm from Monday to Saturday A car turns left at the junction from Mare Street to Richmond Road in east London. Motorists caught going left are handed a 65 fine. Instead they should continue forward along Mare Street A traffic enforcement camera installed at the junction of Mare Street and Richmond Road (pictured) has made Hackney Council a whopping 898,235 in just a nine-week period. Cars turning west onto Richmond Road are handed a 65 fine if they perform the manoeuvre between 7am and 10am, and 3pm and 7pm from Monday to Saturday One 74-year-old Islington Council worker - who has been using the junction for 30 years - has been slapped with 21 tickets, totalling 1,365. The country's highest earning speed camera only made a comparatively low 1.5 million - or 250,000 a month - in the six months between April and October 2016, despite being located on London's busy North Circular Road. Residents have vented their frustrations at Hackney Council's perceived money-grabbing tactics. Have you been caught out by traffic cameras? Email james.wood@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement Twitter user Baz commented: 'This restriction is poorly conveyed (judging by the amount of PCNs [penalty charge notices] issued and the number of repeat PCNs), and is definitely not in the spirit of the law, regardless of whether the signage meets the standard required or not.' Also writing on Twitter, Trajon2000 said: 'Councillors will be giving themselves a big pat on the back for that, oh and a big payrise. 'Just a thought here, if they put more of these signs around the borough to catch people out, could we have a council tax reduction please.' This Twitter user made fun over the amount of money the council was making from the new traffic enforcement camera Another Twitter user, who goes by the name Trajon2000, suggested that the council give themselves a 'big pat on the back' for the camera Some have blamed poor signage and a bad road layout for the many fines the council has been able to dish out Others have suggested that people are being caught out after years of being able to do a left turn at the junction without penalty The changes to the junction follow the introduction of a 'school street' outside nearby London Fields Primary School. The left turn ban is in operation between 7am and 10am, and 3pm and 7pm from Monday to Saturday. RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: 'While some drivers will knowingly ignore streets signs like this, the vast majority wouldn't do so intentionally. 'The number of fines being given to drivers at this junction suggests something is wrong - and it might well be that the sheer amount of signage and a difficult road layout is to blame. 'The sign is immediately past a busy pedestrian crossing and between two sections of bus lane on Mare Street. 'A driver would have just moments to read all the traffic signs and decide whether they were permitted to turn left. 'And unlike on a straight section of road, they would have no opportunity to correct the manoeuvre if they then realised their mistake. 'We would like to see the council being innovative in introducing digital bus lane signage that makes it much clearer - perhaps by means of red and green LEDs - for motorists to see if they can use a certain stretch of road. 'A review of all the street signage around the junction would also be very welcome.' A Hackney Council spokesman said: 'The changes to this junction are part of our pioneering school streets initiative which is improving air quality and making it easier and safer for families to walk and cycle to and from school. 'The notices already meet all Department for Transport requirements, and we have now added additional signage to ensure all drivers comply and help make our children's school journeys healthier. 'While it is the responsibility of drivers to read this signage and adhere to the road closures, we will of course listen to representations where a driver feels that a fine has been issued unfairly or received multiple fines during a short period.' Asked why the restrictions were also in place on a Saturday, a spokesman for Hackney Council said: 'The banned turn into Richmond Road was designed to run alongside our pioneering school streets scheme. 'It operates on a Saturday to reduce traffic at Broadway Market, making it safer on market day, and reduce general through-traffic in the area, which residents have been expressing concerns about for a number of years. 'In consultation, people in the local area supported a scheme that operated Monday - Saturday at peak hours. 66% of people who responded to the consultation supported the banned turn into Richmond Road.' This blog may be a labor of love for me, but it takes a lot of effort, time and money. For over 14 years and 30,000 articles I have been providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed. I've written hundreds of scoops and sometimes my reporting ends up making a real difference. I appreciate any donations you can give to keep this blog going. This is the harrowing moment a 99-year-old South Korean woman pounded on a bus window and mouthed a final 'farewell' to her North Korean daughters after an emotional reunion. Han Shin-ja moved her lips to say 'don't cry' as her children, both in their 70s, sobbed and chased the moving vehicle before being stopped by officials. Heart wrenching images of the last time the family members will see one another were captured at North Korea's North Diamond Mountain resort where a round of rare reunions have been taking place. Han and her daughters, Kim Kyung-Sil, 72, and Kim Kyung-Young, 71, had met after decades of separation prompted by the 1950-53 Korean War. Pictures capture the harrowing moment a 99-year-old South Korean woman pounded on a bus window and mouthed a final 'farewell' to her North Korean daughters before being driven back across the border Han Shin-ja moved her lips to say 'don't cry' as her children, both in their 70s, sobbed and chased the moving vehicle before being stopped by officials Heart wrenching images of the last time the family members will see one another were captured at North Korea's North Diamond Mountain resort where a round of rare reunions have been taking place She was among hundreds of elderly Koreans who tearfully said their final goodbyes at the end of the first round of rare reunions between separated relatives. About 200 South Koreans returned home after the end of three days of meetings with North Korean relatives at Diamond Mountain. Another 337 South Koreans will participate in a second round of reunions from Friday to Sunday. The first set of meetings created highly emotional images of relatives weeping, embracing and caressing each other in a rush of emotions in what's likely to be the last time they see each other before they die. Many of the South Korean participants were war refugees who reunited with the siblings or infant children they left behind, many of whom are now into their 70s. At their final lunch meeting on Wednesday, 91-year-old Lee Ki-soon initially seemed lost for words as he shared a glass of 'soju,' a vodka-like alcohol loved in both Koreas, with his 75-year-old North Korean son. Lee later told his son, Ri Kang Son, 'I am not your fake father. You have a father.' Ri replied: 'Be healthy and live long. Then we can meet again,' according to pool reports. An Jong Sun, a 70-year-old North Korean, carefully fed her 100-year-old South Korean father food. In the same large meeting hall, Kim Byung-oh, 88, quietly wept as his 81-year-old North Korean sister tried to calm him down. Han and her daughters had met after decades of separation prompted by the 1950-53 Korean War Han was among hundreds of elderly Koreans who tearfully said their final goodbyes at the end of the first round of rare reunions between separated relatives Nearby, Ri Chol, a 61-year-old North Korean, was also in tears as he grasped the hands of a 93-year-old South Korean grandmother he was only just getting to know. 'Don't cry, Chol,' an equally emotional Kwon Seok told her grandson. Han told her two North Korean daughters to eat a lot of 'chap-ssal,' or sticky rice, for health. She told them she would always pray for their happiness and also for the future of her North Korean great-grandchildren she never got to see. Some relatives exchanged their phone numbers and home addresses, although the Koreas since the end of the war have banned ordinary citizens from visiting relatives on the other side of the border or contacting them without permission. Shin Jae-cheon, a 92-year-old from the South Korean town of Gimpo, not far from the border, lamented that his 70-year-old North Korean sister lived about an hour's drive away all these years. 'It will take 40 minutes for me to drive there,' Shin told his sister, Sin Kum Sun, who lives in the North Korean border town of Kaesong. 'The bus that goes to my home is No. 8. No. 8. The No. 8 bus,' Shin added, expressing a wish for his sister to come visit one day. After organizers aired an announcement that the reunions were officially over, Han and her daughters broke down. South Korean Han Shin-Ja, 99 (right), meets with her North Korean daughters Kim Kyung-Sil, 72, and Kim Kyung-Young, 71, during a separated family reunion meeting in North Korea They wept, embraced each other and temporarily refused to leave their lunch table. Two North Korean officials politely separated Han from one of her daughters, 71-year-old Kim Kyong Yong, who kept holding on to one of Han's arms. After the South Koreans boarded the bus, workers brought steppers so that Han's daughters could put their hands on the bus window, with Han doing the same on the inside of the glass. After wiping off tears with a handkerchief, Kim looked up toward his sister, smiled and created a heart with his arms. His sister, Kim Sun Ok, made the same gesture outside the bus. 'Goodbye, oppa (older brother)! Goodbye, oppa!,' Kim Sun Ok cried as the bus rolled out of the resort. Nearly 20,000 people have participated in 20 rounds of face-to-face reunions held between the countries since 2000. No one has had a second chance to see their relatives. The latest reunions come after a three-year hiatus during which North Korea conducted three nuclear tests and multiple missile launches that demonstrated a potential capability to strike the U.S. mainland. Analysts say the North still has some work to do before those missiles are perfected, however. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has shifted toward diplomacy in 2018 and has met South Korean President Moon Jae-in twice and also held a summit with President Donald Trump. While Seoul has long pushed for more reunions, analysts say North Korea is reluctant because of fears that increasing their frequency will loosen its authoritarian control and relinquish a coveted bargaining chip. US President Donald Trump slammed the Mueller probe at his most recent rally, despite investigators convicting former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort and Trump lawyer Michael Cohen pleading guilty to charges. Speaking to his supporters in Charleston, West Virginia, on what has been dubbed one of the most tumultuous days of his presidency, Trump failed to mention Manafort and Cohen at the event and instead drew parallels between federal investigators and the fake news. Michael Cohen revealed he paid off Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal at Trumps request While Paul Manafort was convicted in Virginia for tax and money laundering charges, Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and revealed that he had paid off Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal to silence them ahead of the 2016 presidential election at what is believed to be Trumps request. Although Cohen did not mention the US President by name, he spoke in open court about a $130,000 (100,000) payment and a deal that he helped to negotiate with a publisher that involved, which he did 'in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office - an obvious reference to Trump. Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen As reported on CNN, Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight counts of financial crimes, but the jury were unable to reach a definite verdict on 10 charges, which Judge T.S. Ellis declared were mistrial. After being found guilty of five tax fraud charges, one for hiding foreign bank accounts and two for bank fraud, Manafort faces a maximum of 80 years in prison. This was announced at the same time that Trump lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in a New York federal court. Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple counts of campaign finance violations, tax fraud and bank fraud and after he landed in Charleston, Trump said that the charges that Manafort had been convicted of, have nothing to do with Russian collusion. Paul Manafort arrives with his wife Kathleen Manafort for an arraignment hearing Can Trump pardon Manafort? While it has been speculated that Manafort will likely appeal the verdict, it has also emerged that Trump may pardon Manafort. As Vox reported, a pardon would make sense after the former campaign chair refused to cooperate with investigators, even if this had the potential of saving him years of prison time. After Dinesh DSouza and Scooter Libbys pardons, Manaforts would be contentious and controversial because of his involvement in the inquiry into Trumps relationship with Russian collusion and influence during the 2016 election. However, if Manafort were to be pardoned, it could also deprive him of his Fifth Amendment right not to testify when subpoenaed and in turn, put Trump under more legal pressure. In addition to this, while Trump has unlimited pardon power and they cannot be undone, if a pardon is used to obstruct justice, Congress would have the power to impeach or remove the US President. Trump's attorney Michael Cohen appears in front of the media after a closed door meeting Can Trump pardon Cohen? Legal experts have also said that Trump does have the authority to grant clemency to Cohen, in addition to any other former aides who are facing a federal sentence, such as National Security Adviser Mike Flynn or Foreign-Policy Adviser George Papadopoulos - both having pleaded guilty to the FBI. As reported in The Wall Street Journal, members of Congress said that they wanted to see both Manafort and Cohen cases reach their conclusion before pardons were discussed. Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas said that a pardon is above my pay grade. Thats the presidents choice. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York also warned that Trump better not talk about pardons for Michael Cohen or Paul Manafort tonight, or any time in the near future. Donald Trump impeachment After fresh evidence has emerged surrounding accusations that he paid hush money to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, with whom he allegedly had affairs, speculation that Trump could be impeached has also been rekindled, according to BBC. While Trump cannot be prosecuted during his presidential run, the only way that the US President could be removed from his position, is through impeachment. The US Constitution states that a President shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanours. As the BBC reports, the impeachment process needs to be started by the House of Representatives and only needs a simple majority to pass and then, the trial will be held in the Senate. However, in this case, a two-thirds vote is required for removal but this has never been achieved. Trump speaks with the media before a meeting with his military leadership in Cabinet Room While the Lawfare Blog states that Trump could be impeached after being accused of violations of his oath of office to preserve, protect, and defend the US Constitution, it is unlikely that it will actually happen because Republicans control both the House and the Senate. Neal Katyal, a former Obama administration solicitor general said: This is a very big deal. The president of the United States has been directly implicated in federal crimes, and implicated not by some enemy but by his own personal lawyer and went on to say that because of the similarity of this situation and Watergate, it could launch the call for impeachment proceedings, as reported in The Week. However, if the Democrats win back control of the House of Representatives during the November midterms, impeachment proceedings could be possible, but the simple vote and two-third majority is still needed to oust the President from office. Another worry would be if the Democratic majority tried to impeach Trump, but then failed and he would in turn, become even more popular, similar to the way that Bill Clintons approval ratings rose after his impeachment proceedings. Odds on Trump impeachment Trump's impeachment odds have surged following the Michael Cohen plea deal and the Paul Manafort verdict, with the price on impeachment rising five points to 45 cents on political prediction market PredictIt, as reported on Newsweek. PredictIt allows users to buy what is referred to as shares and if the outcome is true, those who bought yes shares will get $1 back per share. The shares on Trumps impeachment have not closed at a price that high in the last three months. This is the moment a schoolteacher was paraded through the streets naked but for his underpants for allegedly raping a student and getting her pregnant. The mob justice was caught on camera by an eyewitness with a smartphone in the town of Eluru in the West Godavari district of south-eastern India's Andhra Pradesh state. The teacher, named only as Rambabu, 38, was reportedly beaten up and stripped before being marched along a busy road to a police station. The mob claimed the English teacher had raped a student in Class 10 - making her 15 or 16 - and then given her abortion pills after getting her pregnant. Dramatic footage shows an angry mob marching the man to the police station wearing only his underwear The girl's family noticed when she started bleeding heavily. She reportedly told them the teacher had been sexually harassing her for two years. Relatives of the girl and their friends caught the teacher, beat him up, stripped him and paraded him semi-naked through the streets to a police station. 'He is a teacher and lured a Class 10 student with the promise of good marks and raped her. He made her pregnant,' one of the men is heard saying in the video. 'She almost died of bleeding. We took her to hospital. Once we found out, we could not spare him.' On arrival at the police station, cops gave the man a shirt and towel to cover himself before bringing him in for questioning. Rambabu reportedly told cops: 'They called me to talk and then 15 people beat me up mercilessly.' However, the teacher was arrested after reportedly admitting the allegations. So far police have taken no action against the mob for taking the law into their own hands. A school teacher who groomed and 'sexually tortured' a schoolgirl will spend the next four-and-half years behind bars. The teacher, on New Zealand's South Island, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual connection with a young person under 16 and a charge of exposing a young person to indecent material in Christchurch District Court this week. A suppression order was imposed by the court to prohibit the publication of the name of the offender, school, and victim. A New Zealand school teacher who groomed and 'sexually tortured' a schoolgirl will spend the next four-and-half years behind bars (file picture) The court heard how the teacher and student started communicating via school email before changing to personal email addresses, and Google Hangouts. There were almost 8000 emails or messages, including nude photographs, between December 2016 and May last year, the New Zealand Herald reported. 'The email content between the defendant and complainant was extremely sexual, with graphic details and descriptions of the sexual acts they had done and wanted to do with each other,' the summary of facts states. 'It is clear through these communications that the defendant is [in] control of the relationship, he had described numerous degrading and humiliating acts he wants to do to the victim.' The court also heard the teacher gave the girl sex toys, made her wear leather handcuffs, collar and a leash, and demanded she call him 'Master' while he called her 'Pet'. The girl's parents gave victim impact statements in court, describing how the 'extremely evil and dangerous' teacher destroyed their daughter, whose mental health has since deteriorated and became suicidal. Her father told the court how she changed from a healthy A grade student to 'like a zombie with dead fish eyes'. The teacher, on New Zealand's South Island, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual connection with a young person under 16 and a charge of exposing a young person to indecent material in Christchurch District Court (pictured) A Crown prosecutor said the case was one of the more serious to reach court and described the teacher's actions as 'reprehensible, depraved, and despicable,' the New Zealand Herald reported. Judge Tom Gilbert didn't impose a minimum non-parole period, saying it would be up to the Parole Board when he would be released. He acknowledged the 'extraordinary impact' it has had on the girl and her family. 'It's fair to say you have defiled this young lady and crushed both her and her family,' the judge said. China's Jilin provincial government has fired the head of its food and drug safety body amid a scandal over faulty vaccines that triggered public outrage. The agency's two deputy heads were also dismissed, according to an article published by the official Xinhua News Agency today. The report did not state the reasons for the dismissal of Guo Hongzhi, director of the Jilin Food and Drug Administration, or the other two deputies, Zeng Xiangdong and Yan Haijiang at the agency. However, an earlier Xinhua report last Thursday stated that the decision was made over the vaccine case in a meeting among standing committee members of the ruling Communist Party. Bottles of rabies vaccines made by Liaoning Chengda are seen at a Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) station in Jiujiang in southern China's Jiangxi province. Dozens of public officials have either resigned or been dismissed in the wake of a vaccine scandal Guo Hongzhi, director of the Jilin Food and Drug Administration, was removed from his post by the ruling Communist Party Dozens of public officials have either resigned or been dismissed in the wake of scandal at vaccine maker Changsheng Bio-technology Co Ltd, which Chinese authorities said made nearly 500,000 sub-standard vaccines for children. Changsheng is based in the city of Changchun in Jilin province. Jin Yuhui, the deputy governor of Jilin province was fired from his position last week. Mr Jin had overseen food and drug regulation in the province since April last year. Liu Changlong, the mayor of Changchun and Bi Jingquan, the party secretary and deputy director of the State Market Regulatory Administration were also relieved of their duties. Li Jinxiu, the Jilin People's Political Consultative Conference and a former provincial food and drug chief was also dismissed and penalties were handed out to 35 other officials. Drug maker Changsheng was accused in July of falsifying data for a rabies vaccine and manufacturing an ineffective vaccine for babies, sparking widespread consumer anger. Regulators found that Changchun Changsheng Bio-technology had fabricated production records and product inspection records during production of its rabies vaccines The scandal has shaken public trust in the government and sparked fierce criticism online across the country. Public anger was fuelled by disclosures regulators found possible misconduct by the company last year but failed to take prompt action. 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 cooperating in the investigation. The government has set up a panel of experts to review vaccine safety in China's US$122 billion (96 billion) -a-year pharmaceutical industry. Donald Trump said the campaign finance violations his former lawyer claims to have committed at the direction of the president are 'not a crime' as he laid out his own defense on Wednesday morning in tweets. Trump pointed to his predecessor, Barack Obama's, campaign finance violations in 2012, and argued that they were 'easily settled' and did not result in jail time. The president suggested that Cohen is not very bright after his ex-attorney's attorney appeared on a sea of news programs to claim the sitting president is guilty of criminal acts. 'If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen!' the president said of the former legal counsel to the Trump Organization. The evening prior, Trump signaled that he felt 'badly' for Cohen, his longtime fixer and former lawyer, who pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud and campaign finance violations to avoid a trail that could end with a sentence of life in prison. He said he was disgusted with the judicial system that led his ex-campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, to be found guilty of eight financial crimes, as well. Trump changed his tune on Cohen, however, after his former attorney's lawyer jumped on television and said his guilty client was only following the president's orders. Cohen's lawyer claimed in multiple appearances that Trump participated in illegal acts, and his client doesn't need to offer evidence - the president's lawyers have already done that. Lanny Davis said his client's guilty plea draws on a letter that Trump's current attorneys sent special counsel Robert Mueller admitting the president 'directed' Cohen to make the Stormy Daniels hush-money payoff. Scroll down for video Donald Trump hit his former lawyer with a searing-one liner on Wednesday morning after Michael Cohen's attorney appeared on a sea of news programs to claim the sitting president is guilty of criminal acts The evening prior, Trump signaled that he felt 'badly' for Cohen, his longtime fixer and former lawyer, who pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud and campaign finance violations to avoid a trail that could end with a sentence of life in prison He said he was disgusted with the judicial system that led his ex-campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, to be found guilty of eight financial crimes, as well Trump changed his tune on Cohen, however, after his former attorney's lawyer jumped on television and said his guilty client was only following the president's orders 'Let me make 100 percent clear: the evidence was provided definitively by Donald Trump's lawyers,' Davis said Wednesday. 'It's not a dispute. It's not about credibility. It's his lawyers in a letter used the word directed.' Invoking Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, who claimed it's not a crime to lie to the American people, Davis said that it is federal crime to make illegal campaign contributions like the one that Cohen pleaded guilty to making on Tuesday afternoon. 'President Trump committed a criminal act that corrupted our democracy,' Davis on 'Good Morning America' charged. 'That's what the campaign finance laws are about.' Davis told CBS, 'He committed a crime. He should be indicted if he were not president, he clearly would be indicted and jailed for that crime. Whether he can be indicted as president of course, is not yet decided by the Supreme Court.' 'It's not about evidence, it is definitive indisputable that Donald Trump's lawyers said in a letter to the Special Counsel that President Trump directed, the same word that Michael Cohen used in court yesterday under oath, directed Cohen to make illegal payments,' he said on the network's flagship morning program. 'And why did he direct? Because he didn't want his signature on the check. Why?' Davis said. 'Because he was covering up right before the election. Or else, why didn't he do it himself?' Michael Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis says his client doesn't need to provide evidence that Donald Trump directed him to commit crimes - the president's lawyers have already done that Trump did not dispute his involvement in the hush-money payoff to Daniels on Wednesday, including the claim that he 'directed' it. Rather, he argued that campaign finance violations are not crimes and Cohen should never have plead guilty to the charges. 'Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!' he said. Trump preemptively accused Cohen of fabricating other claims he might have made to prosecutors as part of his plea deal, saying in a tweet: 'I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. Justice took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to break - make up stories in order to get a deal. Such respect for a brave man!' He went on to note that 'a large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case,' which he called a 'Witch Hunt!' - his preferred term for the special counsel probe. In his reference to Obama, Trump appeared to be referring to the $375,000 in fines the Federal Election Commission levied on the former president's 2012 campaign apparatus for repeatedly missing reporting deadlines. The then-president's campaign shrugged off the fee - one of the largest in American history - as the cost of doing business in a billion-dollar campaign that raised a record-breaking amount of money at an extremely fast pace. Celebrity attorney Alan Dershowitz suggested Tuesday evening that Trump could get himself off the hook by similarly arguing that that violating FEC rules is not akin to committing a major crime. 'Violation of election laws are regarded as kind of jaywalking in the realm of things about elections,' Dershowitz told Fox News. 'Every administration violates the election laws, every candidate violates the election laws when they run for president.' Cohen's crime was that he exceeded campaign contribution limits when he paid off a woman who said she had an affair with the president in order to influence the outcome of a presidential election. He subsequently lied about the nature of the payment to the government, claiming falsely that income he generated in 2017 was for work he was doing on behalf of the president, when he was really recouping costs from the $130,000 hush-money payoff as part of an orchestrated cover-up. In his guilty plea, Cohen says that he committed the crimes 'in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office' that was clearly Trump. Cohen's lawyer has claimed in multiple appearances since that Trump participated in illegal acts, and his client doesn't need to offer evidence - the president's lawyers have already done that. Davis also settled the debate over whether Cohen should be pardoned by the president for the crimes he says he committed at Trump's behest in another appearance, an interview on NBC's 'Today.' The attorney who's best known for his defense of Bill Clinton in the former president's impeachment scandal claimed that Cohen would neither request a pardon nor accept a get-out-jail-free card if the White House came calling. 'Not only is he not hoping for it, he would not accept a pardon. He considers a pardon from somebody who has acted so corruptly as president to be something he would never accept,' Davis said. On the attack: Trump hit out at Cohen as a liar and said the attorney;s guilty plea did not mean Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations 'in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office' earlier on Tuesday. His lawyer confirmed that the candidate referenced is Trump President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort (left in his mugshot and right in a court sketch) was found guilty on eight counts of fraud following a Virginia trial on Tuesday Davis blitzed the networks on Tuesday evening and appeared on three cable shows Wednesday morning to explain why his client turned on Trump. Cohen's attorney told ABC News that his client, who said previously that he'd take a bullet for Trump, decided 'that his family and his country were his priorities.' 'He certainly found Donald Trump as president to be unsuitable to hold the office after Helsinki,' where the the president stood next to the Russian leader and cast doubt on the intelligence community's assessment that Moscow interfered in the 2016 election. 'He worried about the future of our country with somebody who was aligning himself with Mr. Putin,' Davis stated. Cohen is prepared to tell investigators 'all he knows' about the President and the 'conspiracy to collude and corrupt the 2016 election,' Davis said Tuesday of the president's former attorney and fixer. He said Cohen is also willing to give special counsel Robert Mueller information about the DNC hack in the run-up to the election 'and whether or not Mr. Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on.' Asked to clarify Wednesday on CBS, Davis replied, 'He had matters that would be of interest to the special counsel relating to pre-knowledge of computer hacking by Donald Trump. Which if true, if true, would constitute knowledge of a crime committed by a foreign government in hacking our computers which was part of the indictment of 12 Russians that the special counsel has already published. 'So my observation is that he can speak to that and beyond that I can't go, it will have to play out with the special counsel," Among other claims, Davis says Trump ordered his client to make hush-money payments to Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal to keep them quiet about alleged affairs, which makes him similarly guilty of major crimes. Davis said Trump's ex-lawyer only made the payment 'at the direction' of the president making the president 'as much guilty of a felony.' '(Trump) just hasn't owned up to it, but he tried to hide by asking his lawyer to do something he wasn't willing to do because he feared the electoral consequences,' he said. In a Wednesday interview on NBC with talk-show host Megyn Kelly, Davis, 'There is no question having plead to a felony yesterday and saying that Mr. Trump directed him to do what he did, that Mr. Trump would be guilty of the same crime. 'One could not be true without the other being true. And there is no denying that Rudy Giuliani himself said that when Trump lied on Air Force One and said that he didnt know anything about this, he really did. He knew about it. Theres Rudy Giuliani throwing a client under a bus.' Davis has also warned that Cohen was Trump's personal lawyer for 'many, many years' and so he 'knows almost everything about Mr. Trump.' 'Mr. Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows,' Davis said on the 'Rachel Maddow Show.' 'Not just about the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election, which the Trump Tower meeting was all about, but also knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on,' he added. Davis warned that Cohen had information about Trump 'that would be of interest in Washington and in New York state in a subtle threat to the president who on Tuesday found himself unexpectedly under siege. WHERE'S RUDY? The president's current attorney was nowhere to be found on Wednesday as Trump world burned down Two of Trump's former confidantes went down on Tuesday, all within the span of a half-hour, in back-to-back announcements that they were guilty of federal crimes that could land them in prison for years. Cohen could have been assessed a 65-year term if he'd been found guilty of committing financial crimes and violating campaign finance laws. Instead, he'll be sentenced to a maximum term of 63 months. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is looking at life in prison after he was found guilty on eight counts of tax and bank fraud charges. 'This is not a great day. It's a bad day for the president, and I'm sure he understands that,' former New Jersey Gov. and Trump transition team head Chris Christie said Wednesday on 'GMA.' Christie, a former U.S. attorney himself, said that it's 'outrageous' that Davis would be asking the American people to trust his client now, considering his client acknowledged defrauding the federal government $1.3 million in unpaid taxes on $4 million of unreported income. But even the Trump friend admitted there are lingering questions that the president and his attorney's must account for. 'What we've got to know is what was the president's motive in directing these payments to be made? Was this pattern and practice that had gone on other times through the years before he was a candidate or was this specific to influence the election? Did it influence the election?' he said. 'So those are all questions we've got to get answered.' Giuliani and another Trump attorney, Jay Sekulow, were unusually quiet on Wednesday as Cohen's attorney ran roughshod all over them. Sekulow did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. The former mayor of New York, Giuliani has been a fixture on major news programs as of late as part of a strategy to pressure Mueller and shape national opinion on the special counsel case. But even he was missing in action on Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Giuliani instead released a tightly-worded statement on Tuesday evening, in response to Cohen's claims, that said: 'There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen. 'It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time.' Michael Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis (pictured) has suggested that Donald Trump is just as guilty as his client after he 'directed' him to make the hush money payments 'Mr. Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows,' Davis said on MSNBC's 'Rachel Maddow Show' Davis has hinted that Cohen may have incriminating information about the Trump Foundation, in addition to its founder and former executive. The New York Attorney General has filed a civil suit against Trump and his three eldest children alleging 'persistently illegal conduct' with respect to foundation money and using the money in their own self-interest. 'We'll see if the level of corruption alleged concerning the Trump Foundation is a topic of concern for the New York Attorney General,' Davis said after being asked if Cohen could offer any new information about Trump's alleged wrongdoing or criminal activity. 'We know that the pardon power wouldn't apply in New York state.' Davis said that Trump should be prepared to see 'a liberated Michael Cohen speaking truth to power' and that he is prepared to spill 'everything about Donald Trump that he knows.' 'It's truth that Michael Cohen is committed to, and it's the truth that so threatens the president of the United States. Davis would not say whether Cohen has already been in contact with the special counsel, which is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice by Trump, yet said that Mueller 'will have a lot of interest in what Michael has to say.' Even with the potential new revelations aside, Davis said that Trump could face federal charges after Cohen stated under oath that the then-presidential candidate directed him to commit a crime 'making Donald Trump as much guilty of that felony as my client Mr. Cohen.' 'Why didn't President Trump do this himself? Why didn't he write or sign the check himself? Was he covering up because he knew that there was something wrong in what he was doing, so he directed his lawyer to do something that he didn't want anyone to know that he did? I think the answer to that is obvious,' Davis said Tuesday. He said that Trump 'didn't have the courage or at least didn't want to expose himself politically so soon before the election so he directed his lawyer to do that which he was not willing to do.' 'So there's a cover up by our now President of the United States which is undeniable.' Numerous legal experts say Trump most likely will avoid charges while in office though he could be indicted after he leaves and can be forced to give testimony in other legal matters. Michael Cohen's lawyer suggested that Donald Trump was also guilty of a federal crime after he reportedly directed his client to make hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels (pictured with Trump, left) and former Playboy model Karen McDougal (with Trump, right) Davis told Maddow he had no qualms about saying that Trump had directed his client, because the president's own lawyer, Giuliani, had 'thrown his client under the bus' by admitting that himself. What Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to doing Five counts of tax evasion. Avoided declaring $4.1 million in income earned in 2012 through 2016, depriving the government of about $1.3 million in tax revenue. Making false statements to a bank. Failed to disclose a $14 million line of credit when taking out loans, including for the purchase of an $8.5 million summer home. Declared a net worth of $40 million when applying for a home equity loan, omitting the $14 million debt. Campaign finance violations. Helped deal with 'Individual-1's relationships with women' by identifying stories and keeping them from being published. Negotiated $150,000 payment to 'model and actress' and made a $130,000 payment to 'an adult film actress.' He caused and made the payments 'in order to influence the 2016 presidential election.' He faced up to 65 years in prison for what he is being charged with had he not pleaded guilty. Advertisement 'The word "directed" came from Donald Trump's lawyers who wrote the special counsel and said that Donald Trump directed Michael Cohen to make that payment,' he added. Davis also said Cohen had reservations about Trump's suitability to be president. He told CNN's Chris Cuomo that his client was 'motivated for his country' and 'will tell the truth.' Trump said Tuesday evening that he felt very sorry for Manafort ahead of a Charleston, West Virginia, rally speech. Yet, he completely ignored Cohen's implication that he participated in federal crimes. He then avoided mentioning Manafort and Cohen at his hour-long rally. He tore into the Mueller probe, thoough, calling it the 'Russian witch hunt' hours after investigators achieved their biggest conviction yet. 'Fake news. Fake. How fake, how fake are they?' Trump asked rhetorically. 'Fake news and the Russian witch hunt. We got a whole big combination. Where is the collusion? You know they're still looking for collusion. Where is the collusion? Find some collusion. We want to find the collusion,' Trump said. 'How ya like me now?' Stormy Daniels gloats after Michael Cohen's guilty plea as the porn star's lawyer claims plea will allow him to DEPOSE Trump in civil suit Stormy Daniels weighed in after PresidentDonald Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to a hush money payoff to the porn star. 'How ya like me now?!' Daniels tweeted on Tuesday night, hours after Cohen pleaded guilty in a New York court to eight criminal counts including tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Daniel's attorney, Michael Avenatti, said that the guilty plea would bolster her civil suit against Cohen - and claimed that he would now be able to force Trump to give a sworn deposition in the suit. 'The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public,' Avenatti wrote in a tweet. Stormy Daniels (seen Monday on Loose Women) chimed in with glee following Cohen's plea Avenatti added: 'We. Are. Coming. We are going to end this dumpster fire of a presidency one way or another.' It is unclear whether Cohen's court testimony would in fact convince a judge to attempt to compel Trump to give a sworn deposition. Sitting presidents are normally exempt from court processes. But Bill Clinton, while in office, did give a deposition in a sexual harassment civil suit, and his sworn statements about Monica Lewinsky led to his impeachment on perjury and obstruction charges. Avenatti (above) said Cohen's plea and statements in court would allow him to depose Trump in an ongoing civil suit that Daniels has filed against Cohen The two payments were intended to silence two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump and were made prior to the 2016 presidential election. One was for $130,000 given to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. The other for $150,000 related to former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump has denied having affairs with the women. His lawyer Rudy Giuliani has said the payments were made to spare Trump and his family embarrassment and were unrelated to the campaign. Cohen made the payments from his own money, and then was reportedly reimbursed by Trump. Prosecutors said that the payments constituted an illegal campaign contribution by Cohen. Cohen said in court he arranged to make payments 'for (the) principal purpose of influencing (the) election'. Advertisement Trump told reporters traveling with him to West Virginia that he felt 'very badly' for his ex-campaign chairman, who is now facing life in prison after being convicted on eight of 18 charges in a financial crimes case brought by prosecutors tasked with probing Russian election meddling. 'I feel very sad about that, because it doesn't involve me, but I still feel, you know, it's a very sad thing that happened,' Trump said from the tarmac ahead of his Charleston rally. The president was in Charleston to pump up his base and energize voters in West Virginia to support Republicans in the mid-term elections. But back-to-back blows in the criminal cases of Manafort and Cohen cast a shadow over Trump's travel, and the president appeared unusually downtrodden. Walking over to reporters shouting on the tarmac about the former Trump associates the president said: 'I feel badly for both.' 'I must tell you that, Paul Manafort's a good man,' he said. In another interview with CNN on Tuesday, Davis also hinted that Cohen may have incriminating information about the Trump Foundation A federal charging document that prosecutors made public hours earlier laid out how Cohen helped deal with a person identified as 'Individual-1's relationships with women' by identifying stories and keeping them from being published. The documents note that the individual was a candidate for president. In addition what he did was he worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate and the campaign Cohen negotiated $150,000 payment to 'model and actress' and made a $130,000 payment to 'an adult film actress,' according to the documents stated the offenses he pleaded guilty to. Cohen caused and made the payments 'in order to influence the 2016 presidential election,' he is admitting. The White House didn't hold a press briefing amid the turmoil, dealing with reporters instead through the safer medium of conference calls. President Trump's spokeswoman, Sarah Sanders, pushed off requests for comment on outside counsel and directed reporters to the president's tarmac reaction. Cohen appeared in federal court on Tuesday following a series of reports he would plead guilty to federal crimes that would land him in jail for up to four years According to U.S. attorney Robert Khuzami, Cohen failed to report income of $4.1 million, costing the U.S. Treasury approximately $1.3 million Statement to the press by U.S. Attorney Robert Khuzami 'What he did was he worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate and the campaign.' 'In addition, Mr. Cohen sought reimbursement for that money by submitting invoices to the candidate's company which were untrue and false. They indicated that the reimbursement was for services rendered for the year 2017, when in fact those invoices were a sham. He provided no legal services for the year 2017 and it was simply a means to obtain reimbursement for the unlawful campaign contribution.' 'First, these are very serious charges and reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over an extended period of time. They are significant in their own rights. They are particularly significant when done by a lawyer. A lawyer who through training and tradition understands what it means to be a lawyer, to engage in honest and fair dealing and adherence to the law. Mr. Cohen disregarded that training. Disregarded that tradition and decided that he was above the law, and for that he is going to pay a very, very serious price ...' 'Mr Cohen made guilty pleas for those campaign violations and those are core violations. These remind us that it is illegal for corps to make contributions to candidates and it is illegal to make contributions in excess of the amount that congress set for individuals. That is a strong message today and we will not fear prosecuting additional campaign finance cases ...' 'We are a nation of laws and the essence of this case is about is justice and that is an equal playing field for all persons in the eyes of the law and that is a lesson that Mr. Cohen learned today and it is a very harsh one for him.' Advertisement Cohen appeared in federal court on Tuesday following a series of reports he would plead guilty to federal crimes that would land him in jail for up to four years. According to U.S. attorney Robert Khuzami, Cohen failed to report income of $4.1 million, costing the U.S. Treasury approximately $1.3 million. He also failed to disclose $14 million when he applied for a home-equity loan he used to get funds to pay the porn star. Khuzami furtherlaid out Cohen's campaign finance guilty plea as it related to Daniels and McDougal though he never mentioned the name of the president, Playboy model or porn star. 'In addition what he did was he worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate and the campaign,' Khuzami said. 'In addition, Mr. Cohen sought reimbursement for that money by submitting invoices to the candidate's company which were untrue and false. They indicated that the reimbursement was for services rendered for the year 2017, when in fact those invoices were a sham. He provided no legal services for the year 2017 and it was simply a means to obtain reimbursement for the unlawful campaign contribution,' Khuzami said. Investigators were said to be looking into more than $20 million in loans which were made to taxi companies owned by Cohen and his family prior to the guilty please. The amounts reportedly involved increased the pressure on Cohen to plead out before he was asked to navigate a variety of business deals he helped to negotiate for Trump. Financial statements showed that Cohen used his 32 taxi medallions, then worth around $1 million each, as collateral for the loans from Sterling National Bank. Melrose Credit Union also supplied some of the loans made to 16 separate companies controlled by the Cohens. Cohen and his wife also personally guaranteed the loans, according to public documents. Investigators were looking to determine whether Cohen misrepresented the true value of his assets to obtain the loans. PAUL MANAFORT FOUND GUILTY OF EIGHT COUNTS OF FRAUD Paul Manafort was found guilty of tax and bank fraud by a federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tuesday, a verdict that will likely bolster special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and undermine arguments from President Trump's supporters that the probe is baseless and politically motivated. After four days of deliberation, the jury found Manafort guilty of eight counts of bank and tax fraud, which could send the former Trump campaign manager to prison for up to 80 years. The jury said it was unable to reach a verdict on the 10 additional counts, leading Judge T.S. Ellis to declare a mistrial on these items. Judge Ellis said he will not schedule the sentencing until the government decides whether to retry Manafort extra 10 charges. Manafort, 69, stood next to his team of lawyers and displayed no emotion during the reading of the verdict. He will have a chance to make a statement during his sentencing. Now what happens: Judge T.S. Ellis III will decide whether to drop the ten charges which the jury said they could not reach a verdict on. Regardless, Manafort will be sentenced on eight fraud charges which could carry a sentence as high as 80 years in prison The government has recommended to the court anywhere between eight to 10 years in prison for falsifying tax returns, bank fraud conspiracy and failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial records. The conviction is the first major court victory for Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation into the Trump campaign and Russian election tampering, a probe that has divided Americans and come under attack from the White House. The jury's verdict defies Donald Trump, who last Friday called Manafort 'a very good person' and the trial 'sad'. Manafort had initially been charged with a total 18 counts of fraud. The jury deadlocked on the majority of the most serious counts, including seven of the nine bank fraud charges which each carried 30 years maximum prison time. Manafort was convicted on all five counts of filing inaccurate tax returns for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. These each carry a three year minimum sentence. He was convicted on one of four counts, for the year 2012, of failing to disclose the existence of his offshore bank accounts. The jury could not agree on whether he was also guilty of this for the years 2011, 2013 and 2014. The single count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Manafort was also convicted of providing false financial information to obtain a $1 million loan from the Bank of California and a $3.4 million loan from Citizens Bank. These charges each carry a maximum of 30 years in prison. He was not convicted of seven additional bank fraud charges, including conspiracy to fraudulently obtain a bank loan and providing false financial information to Federal Savings Bank. It is a stunning fall from grace for the jet-setting political consultant, who once spent $15,000 on an ostrich jacket and millions on high-tech gear for his Hamptons home, but now faces the rest of his life in a jail cell. He will be sentenced by Judge T.S. Ellis after background reports and argument from both prosecution and defense over what sentence is appropriate. Advertisement The campaign finance violations related to the $130,000 payment were funds that Cohen paid to Daniels weeks before the 2016 election to keep her quiet about an alleged affair she says she had with Trump. The president said in April that he did not know about payments Cohen made to Daniels although Giuliani later said Trump reimbursed his longtime lawyer for payout. Cohen admitted on Tuesday that the payment was a violation of strict federal limits on political contributions. Prosecutors deemed the payment an in-kind contribution to the Trump campaign because it helped shelve potentially damaging information about the then-presidential candidate. A former lawyer to and close associate of the president, Cohen also had a role in the national Republican Party apparatus. In June he resigned his post as deputy finance chair of the Republican National Committee, however, once it emerged that he was under criminal investigation. 'This important role requires the full time attention and dedication of each member,' he said in a formal letter. 'Given the ongoing Mueller and [Southern District of New York] investigations, that simply is impossible for me to do.' Cohen pleaded guilty to a campaign finance violation in relation to a $150,000 payment that American Media Inc. made to Playboy model Karen McDougal. AMI publisher David Pecker (c) was part of the deal 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 Mueller's investigators prosecuted Manafort. In the case of Cohen, they handed information they uncovered during their probe to the SDNY for prosecution although any plea deal could include cooperating with the Russia probe. FBI agents previously raided the former Trump attorney's his home, leading Cohen to boldly state that he would do what is best for his family. He told ABC's 'Good Morning America' last month that: 'My wife, my daughter and my son have my first loyalty and always will.' He added: 'I put family and country first.' Trump has criticized the probe into his former attorney, calling the raids an 'attack on our country in a true sense.' 'They broke into the office of one of my personal attorneys, a good man, and its a disgraceful situation,' Trump said at a White House event with military leaders on April 9 just after the raid was conducted. 'Its a total witch hunt. Ive been saying it for a long time. Ive wanted to keep it down.' Michael Cohen, left, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, leaves his apartment building past his doorman, in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. NBC reported he was in talks about a possible guilty plea Cohen caught the attention of the Manhattan US Attorney's Office during Mueller's probe into Russian hacking in the 2016 presidential race. If convicted of tax- and bank-fraud, Cohen, could have been subjected to heavy jail time. Cohen was Trump's personal attorney for years and has deep ties to the Trump Organization. He is reportedly prepared to tell Mueller that the president knew about the infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer beforehand and approved of it. That meeting was attended by Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, then-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and a lawyer with ties to the Kremlin who claimed to have dirt on Trump's presidential rival Hillary Clinton. Trump has denied he knew about the meeting before it took place. The gathering at Trump Tower has become a central focus of Mueller's look into what role Russian played in the 2016 presidential election. Federal prosecutors were also taking a deep dive into Cohen's business dealings after Mueller's team handed over documents discovered in the April 9 FBI raid. They were looking closely at Cohen's relationship with Sterling National Bank, which provided financing for his taxi-medallion business. Federal prosecutors subpoenaed Jeffrey Getzel, Cohen's former accountant who was responsible for preparing many of Cohen's financial statements. As of April 2018, Cohen owned 22 medallions in Chicago, and either he or his wife, Laura, controlled 32 medallions in New York City. Taxi medallions were considered a solid investment that are bought and sold on a secondary market. Some in New York sold for an average $1.25 million per medallion in 2013 and 2014. But their value has fallen sharply in recent years due to competition from ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Some estimate the value of each medallion has dropped to $200,000 to $225,000. Evgeny A. Freidman, a Russian immigrant known as 'the Taxi King' and who partnered with Cohen in the taxi medallion business, avoided jail time and received five years probation when he pleaded guilty to tax evasion in May. As a condition, he is cooperating with prosecutors, who may have found him to be a valuable witness as they investigated Cohen on potential tax, campaign finance, and bank fraud charges. His deal came after the raid on Cohen's home, office, and a hotel where he was staying. They scooped up 3.7 million in digital documents. A second high-profile prison has come under scrutiny after a watchdog revealed 17 members of staff at Pentonville were attacked in the space of a month. The Category B Prison, in Islington, north London, has seen 114 violent incidents this year amid reports of drugs and mobile phones used openly and inmates not let out in the open for weeks on end. Crumbling Pentonville holds 1,200 inmates in a 175-year-old jail designed for 900 and has the highest number of seriously disturbed prisoners of any local prison in the UK. The Category B Prison, in Islington, north London, was slammed amid reports of drugs and mobile phones used openly and inmates not let out in the open for weeks on end (pictured: HMP Pentonville) Pictures which emerged in 2016 show the filthy conditions prisoners in Pentonville are forced to endure. Overflowing bins, dirty toilets and unsanitary facilities were pictured by two inmates who made a bid for freedom The report revealed gang fights breaking out during a prayer meeting and a prisoner being stabbed as he entered the chapel. The study said: 'There has been an increase in gang-related incidents during gatherings for prayer. On one occasion, a gang fight erupted and ministers had to run for cover. On another occasion, a prisoner was knifed as he entered.' Visiting group the Independent Monitoring Board laid many of the problems at the nick on failed service provider Carillion with the prison radio service out of action because the firm took six months to fit an aerial. In its annual report into conditions at the jail, the IMB said: 'Running a full regime hinges on having sufficient prison officers. 'There were too few for most of the year. Wings were shut down for 3 or 4 half-days a week. 'Activities and association time were restricted and some prisoners went weeks without exercise in the fresh air. Other photos show metal covered in filth and grease and mounds of rubbish piled high as well as stained toilets (photos from 2016) And in one of the most concerning pictures, a substance which looks like 'blood' was pictured caked into the frame of a bed in need of cleaning (photos from 2016) Scenes of shocking levels of filth and uncleanliness in communal areas (photos from 2016) 'Security lockdowns to search for contraband - mainly drugs and mobile phones - exacerbated the situation. 'Pentonville remains porous: old windows we first reported in 2016 are still insecure and compromise the safety of staff and prisoners. Pentonville is in the 'Top 10' of prisons most in need of investment. 'Twelve hundred men live in a building certified to hold nine hundred. Vermin is rife. Plumbing is overloaded and struggles to decently meet the needs of hundreds of men. 'There are too few telephones for prisoners (even when they are all working) which disrupts vital links to family and friends.' Crumbling Pentonville prison holds 1,200 inmates in a 175-year-old jail designed for 900 and has the highest number of seriously disturbed prisoners of any local prison in the UK The IMB said in March this year 17 members of staff were hurt in 14 incidents and in January a total of 114 violent incidents were reported in the jail. And despite a double escape in 2016, grilles had still to be fitted to windows (file image) And it rounded on failed service provide Carillion, adding: 'Carillion failed as a maintenance provider slow, expensive, sometimes clueless - and then failed as a company.' This week conditions at HMP Birmingham were described as being perilous, with inmates and not warders running the wings. Now Pentonville in London has been placed under the spotlight. The IMB said in March this year 17 members of staff were hurt in 14 incidents and in January a total of 114 violent incidents were reported in the jail. the men in the industrial cleaning workshop were covered in flea bites, cockroaches range in the lower levels, and mice in the kitchen And despite a double escape in 2016, grilles had still to be fitted to windows. The IMB said of the squalid conditions': 'Men continue to live in inhumane conditionssharing a cell 12 x 8 feet with a badly screened toilet. 'Showers are routinely found to be not working properly or providing enough hot water to allow for a decent wash. At one point in the year, it was observed that 150 men were reliant on three sub-standard showers. 'Vermin remain in evidence throughout the prison: the men in the industrial cleaning workshop were covered in flea bites, cockroaches range in the lower levels, and mice in the kitchen. 'Rubbish (including food and faeces) in the gullies below old windows is a magnet for vermin. Rentokil insisted that Carillion pay its outstanding bills before doing more work. 'Prisoners complained about no outside exercise and referred to their 'right' to at least half an hour or more of fresh air each day.' The IMB added that queues for telephones created a market for illegal mobiles, saying: 'Queues for telephones are a feature of association time in Pentonville, adding to prisoner tension and fuelling the demand for illicit mobile phones.' Shocking footage shows the moment a man is slammed face-first onto the pavement by police officers after he tried to head-butt one of them as they arrested him. The clip was filmed on a shopping street in Lanark, Scotland and posted to Snapchat by a user named shaun-kerr1. The video was posted on Monday and captioned: 'Junkies are bold as f*** and too funny.' The clip shows a handcuffed man dressed all in black being escorted by two police officers after he has been arrested. One police officer then searches the man's pockets while the other officer grips the back of his neck. The man then lunges his head at the officer who has his hand in the arrested man's pocket. The police officer continues to struggle out of his hold but regain control of the situation by sweeping the man to the ground. The officers can be seen here restraining him after they handcuff him in a shopping street of an unknown location in Scotland The man lands face-first onto the pavement as both cops crash down on top of him. The video has been viewed over 145,000 times and has prompted many social media users to comment commending the police for their handling of the arrested suspect. The man tries to head-butt the police officer on his left hand side before both of them tackle him to the ground face-first with both bobbies crashing down on him Responding to the video's caption, one wrote: 'The same junk ball that has probably robbed people to feed his habit.' The video was posted onto Snapchat and captioned: 'Junkies are bold as f*** and too funny.' The clip has been viewed over 145,000 times @marc_nisbet said: 'Only a junkie would try and stick the nut on a police.' @mcmill8219 said: 'Looks like an alcoholic to me.' Two RAF Typhoons have been scrambled to intercept Russian fighter jets which strayed into Romanian airspace in the Black Sea. Wednesday's incident is the second in a just over a week where RAF Typhoons have taken off from the Mihali Kogalniceafu air base in Romania to intercept Russian planes. Last week, six Russian Su-24 Fencer planes were intercepted flying close to NATO airspace over the Black Sea. Scroll down for video The Typhoons were sent out from a Romanian air base in the incoming Russian jets. Pictured: An RAF Typhoon intercepting a Russian SU-27 Flanker in the Baltics in 2014 [file photo] One of the Typhoon pilots from 1 Squadron, attached to 135 EAW, said in a statement: 'We were monitoring the activity from the Ops room as the Scramble was called. 'Everything went as planned with both of us, launching and heading east towards the two contacts. 'We had radar contact and shadowed the two aircraft as they flew through the Romanian Flight Information Region, but we never got within visual range to see them. 'It was a successful Operational mission, we achieved exactly what the UK Typhoons from 1 Squadron are expected to do as part of 135 EAW and the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission.' The RAF said in a statement that there had been 'significant Russian air activity through most of the night', and that the aircraft eventually turned towards Crimea. It added the operation 'was in accordance with the NATO Enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission, whereby the RAF operates alongside its NATO ally to deter Russian aggression, reassure our friends in Romania and assure NATO allies of our commitment to collective defence'. A Donald Trump-endorsed billionaire candidate lost the Republican primary for governor in Wyoming, despite the President's support. In the race for governor, State Treasurer Mark Gordon, a rancher who grew up at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, beat wealthy political donor Foster Friess by a comfortable margin. Gordon was the only candidate with experience in elected office, and beat Friess and four other challengers to claim the Republican nomination for Wyoming governor. Donald Trump-endorsed candidate Foster Friess speaks to supporters while conceding the GOP nomination for Wyoming governor to Mark Gordon Friess said Gordon would make a 'good governor' and said he would continue to advocate for issues including financial transparency in Wyoming government. Calling Friess 'Strong on Crime, Borders & 2nd Amendment,' Trump had endorsed Friess on Twitter as voting got underway Tuesday. Trump hours later walked back Obama-era environmental regulations viewed as economic warfare in coal country and told a West Virginia rally that miners were headed back to work. About 40 per cent of the nation's coal comes from Wyoming - and Trump no doubt got heard out West, but Wyoming voters had their own ideas. 'This is a governor's race. This is about the state of Wyoming,' Gordon said after winning his six-way primary. 'President Trump is doing great things that are important for Wyoming in terms of getting our economy going, and all of that. ' But in the end, I think people in Wyoming concentrated on who's got the experience, who's got the record and who's got the best message going forward for Wyoming.' Winner: Mark Gordon, the only candidate with experience in elected office, celebrates with supporters after his win Trump won Wyoming by the widest margin in 2016, but his support here may be seen as a mile wide and an inch deep. After all, Wyoming Republicans by far preferred another candidate, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, in the battle for the GOP presidential nomination that year. Wyoming could even choose a Democrat again. Attorney and former state Rep. Mary Throne, who was raised on a ranch not far from Gordon's and beat three others to win the Democratic nomination for governor, will be a formidable opponent, Gordon said. 'Traditionally in Wyoming, we focus on the person and not the party when it comes to electing our governors. And that we like our governors to be independent and thoughtful and all about Wyoming,' Throne said Tuesday. The winner will succeed term-limited Gov. Matt Mead. Like Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal, who served two terms before Mead and then on St. Louis-based Arch Coal's board of directors, Throne describes herself as pro-coal. There's no good reason to doubt it. Throne grew up in Campbell County, home to some of the world's biggest open-pit coal mines. Dignified loss: Foster Friess, a conservative billionaire GOP donor, thanks supporters after conceding the GOP nomination for Wyoming governor to Mark Gordon While Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort and attorney Michael Cohen were convicted of felonies Friday, the president did pick a winner in Wyoming. Trump endorsed Sen. John Barrasso over a wealthy opponent, Jackson Hole business investor Dave Dodson. Delayed by thunderstorms, Barrasso barely made it back to Wyoming from Washington, D.C., in time to hear he'd won the Republican primary. Busy traveling, Barrasso said he had read little about the news involving Trump's associates. He declined comment on how Trump's political and potentially legal fortunes could affect his work with the White House. 'I go to work every day thinking about the people of Wyoming. Every day I wake up I think about Wyoming, jobs, the economy, how we can make life better for the people of Wyoming. I think that the voters saw that,' Barrasso said. Barrasso faces Wilson businessman Gary Trauner in the general election. Trauner, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination, ran for the U.S. House twice and came within half a point of beating Republican Rep. Barbara Cubin in 2006. Incumbent Liz Cheney easily won the Republican nomination for Wyoming's lone U.S. House seat. Cheney beat two other Republicans, Blake Stanley of Cheyenne and Rod Miller of Buford. Stanley and Miller both characterized themselves as blue-collar conservatives and ran low-key campaigns. Cheney will run against Laramie businessman Greg Hunter, who beat attorney Travis Helm for the Democratic nomination for U.S. House. La Paz, Aug 22 (efe-epa).- President Evo Morales said Wednesday that Bolivia needs an anti-lying law to penalize public officials or media outlets found to be disseminating falsehoods. "We already have a law against corruption. I'm thinking, maybe, we need to create one against lying," he said during an event in the southern region of Chuquisaca. "How to punish the liar, be it an official or the communications media?," the president wondered aloud. "We still have to finish our constitution. We have a law against corruption, we need a law against lies." On Monday, Morales said that some unnamed Bolivian media outlets take money to spread disinformation on behalf of the right-wing opposition, without a thought for the public interest. The Morales administration has long accused a number of media organizations of constituting a "cartel of lies" aimed at destabilizing the government. Officials have reiterated that accusation in recent weeks amid opposition protests demanding that Morales, who has been in power since 2006, abandon his plan to run for another term in 2019. A family's 3,000 holiday to Mexico was ruined when their hotel flooded and the father caught a disease from allegedly eating food contaminated with human faeces. The Madleys had to paddle through water every day after heavy rain brought down part of the ceiling at the Bahia Principe Coba Hotel in Riviera Maya, Yucatan. Scott Madley, 29, needed three weeks off work after contracting cyclospora, a tropical disease usually caused by eating food contaminated with human faeces. Scott Madley, 29, his wife Tammy, 27, and their daughter Madison, nine, had a terrible holiday The ceilings flooded and caved in at the Bahia Principe Coba Hotel in Riviera Maya, Yucatan He said he only ate in the hotel's restaurants. His daughter Madison, nine, suffered a head injury after slipping on a wet floor during their two-week stay. Mr Madley also claimed the coffee machine, fridge and spa bath in their room was faulty, and the air conditioning only worked intermittently. The British Gas engineer, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, added that the beach smelt bad and bore little resemblance to the glossy brochure photographs. He and his wife, Tammy, 27, are demanding that holiday firm TUI urgently investigate what went wrong to help protect the health and safety of other holidaymakers. The British Gas engineer, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, said that the beach smelt bad Mr Madeley said the beach bore little resemblance to the glossy brochure photograph (above) The family travelled in June and complained immediately but claim TUI repeatedly ignored them. Mr Madley took to social media at the weekend to vent his frustration at the holiday firm and share pictures of the hotel. He wrote: 'Upon arrival our room was flooded. 'We reported it immediately and it was mopped out. It became apparent that the leak was coming through the ceiling and a simple mop up wasn't going to solve the issue. 'I reported it to the TUI representative who was not interested and stated everyone has room problems.' Madison, nine, suffered a head injury after slipping on a wet floor during their two-week stay He added: 'Then a few days later at 5.30am I was woken by a loud crash. The ceiling had fallen down. The same one I had been reporting.' Mr Madley added that it took a full day for the ceiling collapsed to be cleared up, and that water was still coming through the family's hotel room ceiling. 'We had to paddle through water in our room and waste all our towels daily to try to make the floor not so slippy. 'Two days before we were due to come home our nine-year-old daughter had an accident going to the bathroom - due to the flooded floor. The family used the bathroom bin to mitigate the leak during their stay at the Mexican hotel 'This resulted in a head injury caused by your neglect. The representatives were still not interested. 'Upon returning home I then have a confirmed case of cyclospora caught from the hotel. 'If this is not investigated and a full report, along with an explanation and settlements within the next week, I will be starting legal proceedings.' Mr Madley attached a photograph of the hotel corridor when the ceiling had collapsed, left debris all over the floor and a gaping hole above. The pictures show soggy towels strewn across the floor in an attempt to mop up the leaks In other images taken by the family during their stay, water can be seen dripping through the light fitting in the bathroom. The pictures also show soggy towels strewn across the floor in an attempt to mop it up. The family also used the bathroom bin to mitigate the leak. Speaking today, Mr Madley said: 'Safe to say all in all the holiday was a complete disaster. This was supposed to be a time of relaxation and making memories. 'Not mopping up water and wasting our time constantly reporting issues and waiting for people that never turn up along with accidents. The family want holiday firm TUI to probe what went wrong at the Bahia Principe Coba Hotel 'I will be looking to start legal proceedings if they do not have this investigated properly and provide me with a satisfactory response and resolution.' Mr Madley added that the family had to deal with many other problems which he believes were caused by the leaks - including constant dripping from the ceiling, intermittent air con and flickering lights. He said: 'It was interesting that all the electrical appliances within the room appeared to be faulty when water was leaking through. It was probably the cause of all this.' However, Mr Madley believes he caught the disease after eating from one of the hotel's restaurants. How the bathroom at the hotel appeared in the brochure photographs - without any leaks He added: 'There was a variety of buffets and a la carte restaurants all included in the package and where all based within the resort, as part of the hotel. 'I went to the doctors and got antibiotics, (and) took stool samples for parasites and disease. The main ones came back and nothing was found. 'The doctor advised a lot of cases of cyclospora have been reported and symptoms stemmed towards it being this. 'I had severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea and ended up taking three weeks off work. I'm still not great now. But much better than I was.' Mr Madley took to social media at the weekend to vent his frustration at the holiday firm The family were also annoyed by the pictures used by the travel company to advertise the Mexican resort against what it actually looked like, which they say was a beach covered in seaweed and 'rotten'. Mr Madley told TUI he wants a full investigation 'to be completed and compensation awarded along with acknowledgment of their neglect and an apology'. He said: 'I would like to see what they believe is a fair settlement once they have completed their investigation. Legal action will only be taken if they do not comply with a full investigation and offer a fair settlement.' A spokesman for TUI said: 'We are sorry to hear about the Madley family's experience on their recent holiday to Mexico and we will be contacting Mr Madley directly to discuss the issues raised. 'We'd like to reassure customers that we regularly audit all of the hotels we feature in respect of health and safety.' It's not your usual cat and dog fight, but two pets have been banned from running in a calendar competition. The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) competition had 6000 adorable pets in line for various prizes worth more $15000. Miss Coconut, a two-year-old Bengal cat, racked up almost 30,000 votes in the preliminary round, while competitors were left trailing with thousands less. Scroll down for video Miss Coconut, a two-year-old Bengal, racked up almost 30,000 votes in the preliminary round, while competitors were left trailing with thousands less The owner of Biggie the bulldog, Bianca Muddle, suspected there was some cheating going on following the influx of votes that Bengal received Ms Muddle said she had nothing to do with the rigged votes and wanted to see proof The owner of Biggie the bulldog, Bianca Muddle, suspected there was some cheating going on following the influx of votes that Bengal received. However, despite raising her concerns, RACQ decided to hide the tally in the final days of the competition. An audit then found most of votes for Miss Coconut and Biggie disqualified were generated by bots, which led to their disqualification, Nine News reported. Ms Muddle said she had nothing to do with the rigged votes and wanted to see proof. 'I would like to see proof of where ineligible votes came from,' she said. The winner of the competition was announced on Wednesday and $5000 (pictured other furry contestants) The winner of the competition was announced on Wednesday and $5000 was awarded to Bailey the Groodle. He won after receiving the highest number of votes for a video entry from his owner Amy Burford of his hilarious attempts at catching toys unsuccessfully. RACQ spokesperson Kirsty Clinton said Bailey was a very deserving winner, but it was bittersweet because Amy had recently announced she was now mourning the 10-year-old's passing. 'Bailey's a beautiful dog and was a hit with our judges when we were deciding on the 12 finalists. We're proud to have him represent us on the front cover of our calendar which will be available in stores later this year to raise money for the Animal Welfare League of Queensland (AWLQ),' Ms Clinton said in a statement. 'We were, however, very sad to hear that the gorgeous Bailey passed away over the weekend. We send our thoughts to Amy, his owner, and hope this win will be a nice way for her to celebrate and remember him.' Labour raked in more than the Tories and Liberal Democrats put together last year - as the party's income hit a record 55million. Jeremy Corbyns party took in just over 4.5million more than its previous high of 51,153,000 in 2015. By contrast, the Conservatives had inflows of 45,947,000, according to the latest set of accounts published by the electoral watchdog. Although around 7million of the difference is down to 'short money' handed to parties by the state when they are out of government, the financial picture will set alarm bells ringing in Tory HQ. In 2017, Labour took in just over 4.5million more than its previous high of 51,153,000 in 2015. By contrast, the Conservatives had inflows of 45,947,000 Labour both raised and spent about 10 million more than the Conservatives, with income of 55,793,000 and a spend of 54,342,000 in 2017. Accounts for Theresa Mays party show it took in a much lower 45,947,000 and spent 44,867,000. Legacy payments from dead Conservative donors were double the income from living members, with 1,697,000 paid in legacies versus 835,000 from memberships. The drop is said to be down to an accounting issue where membership fees were paid to the central party, but then transferred to local associations. Labour saw membership payments rise from 14,393,000 in 2016 to 16,165,000 in 2017. As of December 31, the party had 564,000 members. The Conservatives' accounts does not include a membership figure, but it is thought to be around a quarter of Labour's total. Only Labour and the Tories raised more than 10million, with the Liberal Democrats in third place, taking in 9,710,000 but spending 10,454,000. The SNP raised 5,800,000 and spent 5,098,000. Labour membership has surged since Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in Scotland yesterday) became leader, and according to the latest accounts stood at 564,000 as of December 31 Ukip brought in 1,739,000, but laid out 1,939,000 as its financial woes deepened. A Labour Party spokesman said: Unlike the Tories, who rely on a few super-rich donors to bankroll them, were proud to be powered by small donations from hundreds of thousands of people across the country. Spending by all political parties soared 30 per cent in 2017 compared to the year before, Electoral Commission figures show. The snap general election saw parties spend nearly 28million more than in 2016. Income for parties rose slightly less by just over 24million - a rise of 24 per cent. Video footage shows the frightening moment a police helicopter crashed just moments after taking off in Arkansas. One person was injured after the Bell TH-67 careered off the platform at a police training facility in Little Rock with its rotors turning. The helicopter and the platform start to move as the helicopter pitches and fails to gain altitude after getting caught in a gust of wind. The rotors spun, as the Little Rock Police Department pilot begins what looks like will be a usual take-off on Thursday of last week The helicopter begins to lift off the platform, however police say a straight wind had pushed it up and off As the helicopter lifts further into the air a man can be seen running out towards it A man comes out of a building, seeming to signal for the pilot to land, as the aircrafts skid catches the edge of the platform and the craft rolls. The chopper begins to lean towards the ground, before the rotors smash into it and the entire aircraft flips and crashes. The helicopters rotor can be seen touching the ground before breaking apart. Retired officer William 'Bill' Denino, who was hired in 2012 as a civilian pilot for the helicopter was injured in the crash. Another person on board was uninjured. Denino was listed in stable condition after the incident last week. Police had said a straight-line wind forced the chopper off the platform. In seconds, the wind shoves the helicopter and the skid catches on the platform The plane smashes onto the ground with the pilot and passenger inside The helicopter flips upside in a very swift span of time as people rush towards the scene A man from Texas has managed to secure himself a million-dollar payout all because of an agreement that was written on the back of a cocktail napkin. Jonathan Kolniak sued his former employer in March 2017 over a claim he was owed more than $9 million for his equity stake in his old employer. The paperwork between Kolniak and ex-boss James Ballengee was scribbled out on a tiny beverage napkin from the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek resort hotel. Jonathan Kolniak, pictured, sued his former employer for $9million He maintained that an agreement written on the back of a napkin from the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek would give him two percent equity in a company - worth $9 million in a sale His ex-boss James Ballengee, pictured, said that the agreement was 'vague and incomplete' and as a result of a 'night of drunkenness' Kolniak insisted that the agreement on the napkin gave him a two percent equity ownership in Addison-based Bridger Logistics, a crude oil logistics company. Kolniak's attorney, Brian Hail, said he was supposed to help Ballengee build the company before it was to be sold off. The sale finally happened in 2015 when Ferrellgas bought Bridger Logistics for $820 million. Kolniak worked out that he should have received a share of around $9.35 million from the sale. But Ballengee disagreed saying the agreement on the napkin was 'vague and incomplete' and as a result of a 'night of drunkenness.' He said that the agreement did not state even the name of the company that Kolniak would get equity. Ballengee claimed the '2% of option' was for a totally different company. Kolniak has now won $1 million in a lawsuit which he says he is happy with despite it being considerably less than the $9million he had originally sued for Kolniak's $100,000 salary along with his benefits and commission were also spelled on the napkin. After Kolniak went to work for Ballengee, the two then settled on a buyout of Kolniak's equity. He eventually agreed to accept $2 million and had received $400,000 when their working relationship fell apart. Ballengee decided that because there was 'no deal' in the first place, his company wasn't going to pay Kolniak anything more. The napkin came from this posh Dallas hotel, the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek It was then that Kolniak decided to launch a lawsuit. Kolniak has now managed to secure another $1 million dollars and tells the Dallas News that he is satisfied with the outcome despite it being considerably less than the original $9 million agreement. Hail said he had never seen such an agreement in the 28 years he has been working as a lawyer. 'The lesson to be learned is you need to be careful what you put down in writing and sign, no matter what the circumstance,' Hail said. A 28-year-old woman suffered a brain injury, had part of her foot amputated and her shoulder torn off after she jumped in front of a train to save her mother who was pushed onto the tracks by a stranger. Katie Wenszell was waiting for a train with her family at the Midtown Station in Atlanta on Sunday when a man suddenly pushed her mother Susan Wenszell onto the tracks. The heroic daughter jumped off the platform to drag her unconscious mother out of the way as the train approached the station. Katie Wenszell was waiting for a train with her family in Atlanta on Sunday when a man suddenly pushed her mother Susan Wenszell onto the tracks Katie wasn't able to get herself out of the way in time and ended up being dragged along the tracks by the train. She remains in hospital in a critical condition and has already endured multiple surgeries. In addition to the swelling on her brain, Katie also had part of her right foot amputated, her left shoulder torn off and will undergo facial reconstruction surgery. Her mother suffered a concussion, a fractured elbow and a hairline fracture from being pushed onto the tracks. She was treated in hospital and later released. Katie's father, Jerry Wenszell, says his severely injured daughter is a hero Katie wasn't able to get herself out of the way in time and ended up being dragged along the tracks by the train. The 28-year-old remains in hospital in a critical condition and has already endured multiple surgeries 'Had Katie not jumped onto the tracks, Sue would not be here. My wife would have been coming home in a box, quite literally,' Jerry told Channel 2 Action News. Police arrested Christopher Patrick Brooklin, 28, over the attack Jerry and Susan Wenszell were in Atlanta with their five daughters for a weekend trip away from their home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They were heading back to their hotel when the incident at the train station occurred. 'There was no eye contact, verbal contact, nothing,' Jerry said of his wife's attacker. 'The man just pushed her.' Police arrested Christopher Patrick Brooklin, 28, over the attack. He is charged with aggravated assault and battery in a public transit station. Katie's family have set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for medical treatment, surgery, and therapy. The family said they were looking for $5,000 but donations have already surpassed $10,000. The author of the book that inspired the hit film Crazy Rich Asians failed to register for national service as required, the Singaporean government said. Writer Kevin Kwan was born in Singapore and left when he was 11, having lived in the US since then. Male Singaporean citizens are required to spend two years, in most cases, in a uniformed service as young adults. The government said in a statement that 44-year-old Mr Kwan was wanted for 'defaulting on his NS obligations' for failing to register as required in 1990, and for staying abroad without a valid exit permit. Scroll down for video Author Kevin Kwan and actor Michelle Yeoh at the US premiere of 'Crazy Rich Asians' The film version of Crazy Rich Asians has been a huge success in the US grossing $35million during last weekend's opening weekened It said authorities rejected his application in 1994 to renounce his Singaporean citizenship without serving the mandatory national service. The ministry of defence said: 'Mr Kwan has committed offences under the Enlistment Act, and is liable to a fine of up to 10,000 dollars (7,700) and/or imprisonment of up to three years upon conviction.' Mr Kwan did not travel to Singapore for Tuesday night's premiere of the hit romantic comedy based on his book. The writer is descended from a wealthy Singaporean family. Much of Crazy Rich Asians is set in Singapore. The story follows Chinese-American Rachel Chu as she travels with her boyfriend Nick Young to Singapore to meet his family and discovers they are ultra-wealthy. The 30 million dollar Warner Bros film has grossed more than 35 million dollars since its August 15 world premiere in Los Angeles and topped the new releases in US cinemas over the weekend. It is opening in many Asian cities this week. The leader of a reclusive Muslim sect and one its members have been involved in a confrontation with council officers. Dr Mustapha Kara-Ali and his brother Diaa Kara-Ali were scheduled to appear in the Land and Environment Court on Monday over a dispute with Hawkesbury City Council where they are accused of carrying out illegal land clearing and earthworks. During the time of the hearing, however, the pair were filmed continuing construction work by building a shed on their property. The leader of a reclusive Muslim sect and one its members have been involved in a confrontation with council officers as they skip court to build a shed on their property Dr Mustapha Kara-Ali is the founder of the Diwan Al Dawla Muslim guild which has set up a religious retreat on the Colo River, north of Sydney. He does not recognise Australian law They have allegedly cleared a large section of their Colo property, about an hour northwest of Sydney, and have also built gates, fences, driveways, and what council describes as a boat ramp all without the relevant approvals. Dashcam footage has also been captured of the moment Mustapha Kara-Ali and one of the sects followers confronts council officers at their front gate as they try to serve legal papers. A man can be seen spitting and throwing a rock at the officers. Dr Mustapha Kara-Ali believes symbols within the Australian flag and New South Wales coat of arms are an affront to his religion and anyone bearing them is a 'Crusader'. Dr Kari-Ali, who is in a legal dispute with Hawkesbury City Council over a religious retreat at Colo north of Sydney, also refuses to attend court because he does not recognise its authority. 'It's against our religion,' the imam said of attempts to bring him before the Land and Environment Court. 'It's against our religion to be subject to any other religion.' 'Because of the religious symbolism of the court, that contradicts with my religion. For my religion to be free I can't be dictated to by another religion.' Dr Mustapha Kara-Ali was scheduled to appear in the Land and Environment Court on Monday over a dispute with Hawkesbury City Council, accused of illegal construction work Imam Mustapha Kara-Ali, pictured with one of the more than 30 Arabian horses on his Southern Chariot religious site at Colo, believes all government officials are 'Crusaders' Hawkesbury City Council says this structure is a boat ramp. The imam of the Diwan Al Dawla group says it is a walkway to the Colo River used for baptisms fashioned from an old spillway Dr Kari-Ali is the founder of the religious guild Diwan Al Dawla which bought the Colo property for $670,000 in May last year and began building what it calls the Southern Chariot religious site. The 12 hectares is home to about 30 Arabian horses which the group intends to use to help troubled Muslim youth, particularly from western Sydney, engage with God. A shed and two demountable buildings have been erected on the site and a barn is being built. There is also a grove of young trees including olives, figs and walnuts. An elaborate structure described by council as a 'boat ramp' is in fact a walkway for people to be baptised in the Colo River, according to Dr Kara-Ali. 'It's not a boat ramp because we have no boats,' he said. 'The purpose of it is religious. The purpose of the horses is religious. The purpose of everything you see here is religious.' On the other side of the road the group is carving a 1km hippodrome out of a hillside to train horses. Mustapha (right) and Diaa Kara-Ali (left) pictured when confronted by Hawkesbury City Council officers at the gates of their 12 hectare property in the Hawkesbury region last month Hawkesbury City Council has launched civil action against Dr Kari-Ali alleging the men carried out illegal land clearing and earthworks on the site. Pictured is the frame of a horse barn The Diwan Al Dawla guild is carving a hippodrome out of this hillside at Colo so it can train Arabian horses. The group did not seek development approval from council to construct it The council has launched civil action against Dr Kari-Ali and his brother Diaa Kara-Ali alleging the men carried out illegal land clearing and earthworks and built gates, fences and driveways without approval. The brothers agree they have not sought approval for the work and say they have no intention of doing so because they do not recognise Australian law. Dr Kara-Ali considers any government symbol which incorporates a version of a Christian cross - including the Southern Cross and the Cross of St George - to be an affront to Islam. He has cited a description of St George 'appearing at the head of an army of the Seven Champions of Christendom - a celestial knight who won a great victory over a Moslem host.' He believes any authority which uses such a symbol - such as the police and the courts - to be religious, rather than secular. 'Any religious symbol, if they come to us by force it is a violation,' he said. 'It is a violation of our site.' This shed on a concrete slab has been built without development approval by the Diwan Al Dawla guild at Colo, north of Sydney. The guild says it does not recognise Australian law Two portable buildings have been erected on the Colo site but Dr Mustapha Kara-Ali says no one lives in them. They are used by workers on the property or sometimes for prayer There are more than 30 Arabian horses on the Diwan Al Dawla religious site at Colo He compared anyone who acted in government interests under a religious symbol to the Christian Crusaders who fought against Muslims in the medieval period. 'Crusaders, absolutely, by virtue of their use of Crusader symbols,' Dr Kara-Ali said. 'My main issue is the interference between the secular and the religious. What we are saying in a nutshell is the country of Australia is entrenched in secular symbolism and religious symbolism that stretches back to the time of the Crusades. 'This means that this government is not secular. It is religious because it carries these symbols. 'And we refuse for pagan symbols such as crosses to be on top of our lives. 'Remove these religious symbols and we can talk about secular government. But not now. 'For us, this is religious freedom.' Dr Kara-Ali said if government bodies tried to enforce their rules upon him he would resist. 'I tell you what, people like us will say our God is supreme.' The Kara-Ali brothers were due in court on Monday but did not attend. A hearing went ahead without them or a lawyer acting on their behalf. Imam Mustapha Kara-Ali at the gates of the Southern Chariot religious site. Dr Kara-Ali says the Southern Cross is a corrupted Christian version of this celestial navigation diagram The main entrance to the Southern Chariot religious site as seen from inside the retreat The court heard the brothers had ignored repeated calls for them to stop developments on the site. Lawyer Mark Cottom for the council said to the court an officer had requested police accompany them on an inspection of the property because they might have required to force entry,' according to the ABC. 'The police appear to have significant concerns in relation to safety... wishing to have the riot squad and Polair available,' Mr Cottom said. Dr Kara-Ali said that was 'just plain ridiculous'. 'There is no need for the police,' he said. All the police would find is 'a group of people praying and a few horses.' 'We are living our life like we desire. We desire to be separate from the secular. Is this too much to ask? And the secular wants to intimidate us with military might.' 'We are more powerful than their helicopters.' No approval was sought or granted for the tree clearing and earthworks at the Colo site Dr Kara-Ali believed his guild members were being treated as 'violent ragheads that know nothing about the world.' 'We believe in our cause. We believe we are pioneers of religious freedom in this country. 'It is our way to disconnect. We want to disconnect. We want to be left alone.' Dr Kara-Ali declined on Tuesday to say how many members of Diwan Al Dawla there were. 'That's not significant,' he said. We don't have to report that to anybody. It's not a matter of numbers. It's a matter of concepts. We're not short of numbers, let me assure you.' The court has heard the conflict turned ugly last month when three council officers attended the property to serve papers on the Kara-Ali brothers. A dashcam video tendered to the court showed the pair confront the officers. 'Both men were repeatedly yelling obscenities from the other side of the gate, calling out, 'You dogs, I step on your cross', one of the council officers alleged. The horses at the Southern Chariot site at Colo have their own religious meaning to adherents However, Dr Kara-Ali said he and his brother were intimidated by the actions of the 'violent monkeys' and anyone could enter the site as long as they did not do so under a cross. 'This gate is open,' he said. Dr Kara-Ali wrote to Hawkesbury City Council in March explaining another reason why he believed government had no authority over the group. 'The Colo Wilderness site is a religious site that is owned by the members of Diwan Al Dawla for the carrying out of religious activities of devotion, self-discipline, ritual baptism, inter-community prayers, contemplation and religious study, he wrote. 'The Land with its Colo River access serves as a reclusive place of worship. 'Members of Diwan al Dawla... live as a religious guild separated from secular lifetsyles to pursue a religious mode of worship to and an ascetic lifestyle under an oath of self-sacrifice and dedication to the purpose of Diwan Al Dawla.' The planned hippodrome across the road from the religious site will be used to train horses Dr Kara-Ali contends Hawkesbury City Council has no power to tell Diwan Al Dawla what to do because it is a 'basic religious charity' registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for profits Commission (ACNC). 'Charities who meet the definition of Basic Religious Charity do not have to submit annual financial reports, and they do not have to comply with the ACNC governance standards which include... 'Compliance with Australian laws',' Dr Kara-Ali wrote. According to the imam, that also puts his guild above the law. 'Religious activities, according to our ACNC registered governing rules... must remain independent of entities that represent secular socio-economic structures and modes of living,' he wrote. '...Diwan Al Dawla, as a Basic Religious Charity, is not required to comply with Australian laws.' That claim is not supported by the ACNC. The Land and Environment Court is due to make a judgement next week. Chris Christie, who chaired Donald Trump's transition team and was talked about as his chief of staff, admitted that Tuesday was 'not a great day' for the president as even Trump's friends are conceding Michael Cohen's guilty pleas are bad news. 'This is not a great day. It's a bad day for the president and I'm sure he understands that,' Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, said on ABC News Wednesday morning He did caution against jumping to conclusions, however. Chris Christie, an ally of President Trump's, conceded Michael Cohen's guilty plea was bad news for the president Chris Christie is seen here with Trump during a White House event on opioid and drug abuse in March of last year 'But we have to have perspective on there is a long way to go here,' he added. 'What we've got to know is what was the president's motive in directing these payments to be made? Was this pattern and practice that had gone on other times through the years before he was a candidate or was this specific to influence the election? Did it influence the election? So those are all questions we've got to get answered,' Christie, a former federal prosecutor, said. Attorney Alan Dershowitz, who has argued against impeaching Trump and said his defense of the president has gotten him shunned on the liberal Democratic enclave Martha's Vineyard, argued Cohen's plea may not be that big of a problem for Trump. 'This is the beginning of a story that will unravel over time, but it's not nearly as deadly lethal as some have portrayed it as being,' Dershowitz said Tuesday evening on Fox News. He also conceded, however, that it was a 'bad day' for the president. But he argued 'every' administration commits campaign finance violations. 'They're trying to elevate this into an impeachable offense or a felony against the president,' Dershowitz said. 'Naming someone as an un-indicted co-conspirator is very unfair because he has no opportunity to defend himself or herself.' The question is what happens next. Cohen, who served as Trump's personal attorney and worked in his Trump Organization, pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight counts that included tax fraud and campaign finance violations. Lanny Davis, Cohen's attorney, said on Wednesday that the president's former fixer was prepared to talk to special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Cohen is prepared to tell investigators 'all he knows' about the President and the 'conspiracy to collude and corrupt the 2016 election,' Davis said. He also indicated Cohen had knowledge about the Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee. 'Mr. Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows,' Davis said on MSNBC's 'Rachel Maddow Show' Wednesday night. Lanny Davis, attorney for Michael Cohen, said his client is ready to cooperate with the special counsel's investigation Michael Cohen leaves a federal court house Tuesday after making his guilty plea 'Not just about the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election, which the Trump Tower meeting was all about, but also knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on,' he added. Davis says Trump ordered his client to make hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal to keep them quiet about alleged affairs, which makes him similarly guilty of a felony. Trump has denied the affairs but his lawyer Rudy Giuliani said he knew about the $130,000 payment to Daniels. Mueller, should he decide he has enough evidence to charge Trump with a crime, would need the permission of the Justice Department. That is seen as an unlikely option given that Mueller's office has told Trump's legal team that it plans to follow the DOJ's view that sitting presidents cannot be indicted, The New York Times reported. However, Mueller can write a lengthy report on his findings, which Congress could use to begin impeachment proceedings should it decide to do that. Tuesday's double whammy against the president - Cohen's guilty plea and former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort's conviction on eight federal charges - could have significant fallout for Republicans at the polls this November. Independent political prognosticators were already given Democrats favorable odds of winning control of at least one chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives. The House is where impeachment proceedings begin and Trump could be in trouble if Democrats control that process. Expecting Venezuelan women are leaving their country due to lack of prenatal care, medicine and diapers and giving birth across the border in Brazil, where three Venezuelan babies are born every day. 'My baby would have died if I had stayed. There was no food or medicine, no doctors,' said Maria Teresa Lopez as she fed her daughter Fabiola. Fabiola was born on Monday night by caesarian section in the maternity hospital of Boa Vista, the capital of Brazil's Roraima border state. Maria Teresa Lopez, 20, a Warao Indian from Delta Amacuro state, uses a syringe to feed her one-day-old baby Fabiola, at a maternity hospital in Boa Vista, Brazil Fabiola was born on Monday night by caesarian section in the maternity hospital of Boa Vista Lopez, 20, hitched 800km from her home in the Orinoco river delta to the Brazilian border five months ago. She is one of several hundred thousand Venezuelans who have fled the economic and political turmoil in their homeland, mostly to neighboring Colombia. The massive influx of Venezuelans has overburdened social services in Roraima state and led to an increase in crime, prostitution, disease and incidents of xenophobia. Births of Venezuelan babies at the Boa Vista maternity hospital surged to 566 last year and 571 in the first half of 2018, from 288 in 2016 when the flow of Venezuelan refugees began, the Roraima health department said. There were no births in 2015, it said. Jackeline, 24, a Venezuelan from Bolivar state in Venezuela, holds her four-day-old baby Sofia at a maternity hospital in Boa Vista Carmen Jimenez, 33, arrived from Ciudad Bolivar eight months pregnant and gave birth in the Boa Vista hospital Roraima health safety coordinator Daniela Souza said the state has only one maternity hospital and it is being stretched to the limit, with patients sleeping on cots in the corridors. Syringes, gloves and other supplies are running out, she said. 'There are 800 people coming across the border every day and many of the women and children need medical care,' Souza said. The number of Venezuelans attended at the state's medical centers has risen from 700 in 2014 to 50,000 in 2017 and 45,000 in just the first three months of this year, she said. The Brazilian government and Venezuela's Information Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Irene, 23, a Venezuelan woman from Santa Elena city, holds her six-day-old baby Ashlei at a maternity hospital in Boa Vista Cecilia, a Venezuelan woman holds her baby at a maternity hospital in Boa Vista, Brazil Roraima's governor has asked Brazil's Supreme Court to close the border to be able to deal with the immigration crisis. The federal government in Brasilia has ruled that out on humanitarian grounds. Carmen Jimenez, 33, who arrived from Ciudad Bolivar eight months pregnant and gave birth in the Boa Vista hospital, said she was amazed to see so many Venezuelan mothers there. 'I won't go back to Venezuela until there is food and medicine, and the streets are safe again,' she said holding her 4-day-old daughter, Amalia. Ecuador to organise regional Venezuela migrant crisis meeting Ecuador will organise a meeting of 13 Latin American countries to discuss the Venezuelan migrant crisis, the country's top diplomat said. More than two million people have fled economic collapse in Venezuela during a four-year recession, according to the United Nations, piling pressure on neighboring countries as well as others further afield. Ecuador and Peru have announced tighter entry measures to control the influx of Venezuelans, leaving many stranded on those countries' northern borders with Colombia. The latter's migration director, Christian Kruger, on Tuesday called on Colombia's southern neighbors to agree on a common strategy to address the problem. Last week, both Ecuador and Peru announced they would require Venezuelans to show passports to enter their countries, but Kruger said he was 'worried about the consequences' as around half of Venezuelans heading south through Colombia are carrying only ID cards. Kruger told W Radio that while the migrant crisis 'isn't Peru, Ecuador and Colombia's responsibility' he wants the three to 'work together in a coordinated manner, employing similar policies to address this phenomenon.' Regional giants Brazil, Argentina and Mexico were among the invitees to the Ecuador meeting, as well as Venezuela itself. Others include impacted countries such as Colombia, Peru and Chile. Ecuador's deputy migration minister, Santiago Chavez said it was important to establish policies to 'confront in the best manner and most responsible way, the unusual flux of Venezuelan citizens.' Colombia has been flooded by more than a million Venezuelans over the last 16 months and Kruger was critical of the Peruvian and Ecuadoran moves last week. 'Asking for a passport isn't going to stop migration because they're leaving their country not out of choice but out of necessity,' he said. But Chavez insisted that 'the worst thing that can happen to the country is migratory chaos in which no one knows what happens to the foreign citizens that enter.' The UN's Refugee Agency says almost 550,000 Venezuelans have entered Ecuador since the start of the year but claims that only 20 percent of those remain, with the rest continuing on to Peru and Chile. Kruger, though, said the 'worst thing that can happen to a country is having an undocumented foreign population. 'We want this migration to take place in an orderly and secure fashion and the way to do this is to identify this population.' More than 800,000 Venezuelans have been given temporary residency in Colombia since the migrant crisis began, which Kruger blames on Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro practising a deliberate 'policy of expulsion' towards his own people in order to reduce the country's population and 'improve the distribution of resources.' Source: AFP Advertisement Jasmilfer, 23, a Venezuelan from Monagas state, holds her five-day-old baby Arjunea Lismaris, 21, a Venezuelan from Monagas state, holds her three-day-old baby Cecilia Lopez, a Warao Indian of the Orinoco delta, said she would only return to pick up her first daughter, who remained behind with her grandmother because she was too young for the arduous journey to the border. Brazil has received her well and her husband found work doing odd jobs, painting and mowing lawns, Lopez said, as she fed her baby milk with a large syringe. 'There is nothing left for us there,' she said. 'I did not get an ultrasound until I got to Brazil and it was free. I want to stay.' An Austrian baker has paid 2,700 in fines for speeding on the same road 42 days in a row as he returned from work at 3am. Heimo Wallner thought the speed limit on his road home was 50km/h (31mph) but it was actually 30km/h (18.5mph). He said it took more than month for the first ticket to come through which is why he kept speeding for so long. An Austrian baker has paid 2,700 in fines for speeding on the same road 42 days in a row as he returned from work at 3am (stock image) 'I thought there would be more to come - and it would get expensive,' he said. The baker didn't see speed limit signs or an infra-red speed camera by a school, which didn't flash, because it was always dark when he drove past. Out of 50 half-hour trips to work in Klagenfurt, he was caught speeding on 42 of them. Mr Wallner said he cancelled his holiday to Greece to fork out two months' wages on the fines. He decided not to appeal because it would have been too much hassle. 'You cannot lodge an appeal against all the fines in one go, so I would have had to make 42 separate challenges,' he told Germany's Suddeutsche Zeitung: The baker said his wife did not blame him for the fines. A guest on MSNBC has apologized for downplaying the murder of Mollie Tibbetts as a 'girl in Iowa' that 'Fox News is talking about'. Christina Greer admitted that she made 'flippant' remarks on Tuesday's The Beat about the slain student and the allegations that she was murdered by an illegal immigrant. The Fordham University professor slammed Fox for prioritizing coverage of her death over the guilty verdicts of Trump allies Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen. The political scientist and author of Black Ethnics, faced a huge backlash on Twitter after she complained she had been 'ringing the alarm in this show for months'. She also said that Trump would use the fact Tibbetts was killed by a Mexican illegal immigrant to push an agenda. However, during suspect Cristhian Bahena Rivera's first court appearance on Wednesday, his lawyer Allan M. Richards insisted his client was in the country legally. It means his immigration status is unclear. Christina Greer (pictured on MSNBC's The Beat) referred to Mollie Tibbetts as 'a girl in Iowa' when comparing Fox News' coverage of President Donald Trump scandals to the murder The political scientist was pressured to apologize after Twitter users expressed their outrage when seeing her comments on the show, that seemingly downplayed the Tibbetts murder Many did not accept her apology and suggested she was using it to push her own agenda Others felt Greer did not need to backtrack on her comments about the murder coverage 'I'm sure we'll hear what he has to say about this at his his rally, but Fox News is talking about, you know, a girl in Iowa and not this, right?,' she rounded off the TV chat. 'And, tomorrow morning, we know he'll wake up in tweak and sort of, you know, besmirch the reputation of Michael Cohen and all the people around him and then go back to Mueller. And this has, obviously, been boiled down to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.' The clip from the show was immediately circulated online, with NRA life member Alana Mastrangelo sharing it with her 113,000 followers, complaining Greer 'doesn't even know her name.' Greer said Wednesday the message was 'unintended' in a Twitter apology that hasn't gone down well with many users of the micro-blogging site. 'Yesterday I said something flippant that was unintended,' she tweeted Wednesday. 'Mollie Tibbets (sic) was a promising young woman who lost her life. My hope is that her family will find peace & justice and that her murder is not used to justify a discriminatory immigration policy. #Apologiesaremyown.' NRA life member got her followers talking when she shared the clip from the show Mollie Tibbetts was found dead on August 21, five weeks after she was abducted by Mexican illegal immigrant Cristhian Rivera, 24. He attacked her while she was out jogging then dumped her body in a cornfield Social media users responded to posts of the video, calling Greer's words 'despicable' Vanzetti positioned Tibbetts' passing in comparison to children being separated at the border Shelly Castronovo suggested Greer and her peers were 'not truly human anymore' It was in response to people who expressed how appalled they were by the comment, with many suggesting she's not interested because Mollie's story doesn't fit her own agenda. 'Mollie Tibbetts wasn't just 'a girl in Iowa'-seriously? How about a beautiful young lady who was brutally killed by an illegal alien? Despicable!' JJensen wrote. On the other hand, some people on social media didn't think she needed to backtrack on her comment. 'Classy- but still it was a minor story compared to the major breaking news Fox was ignoring at the time, I think most people understood you. Nevertheless, your observations & insights re. the Trump regime were excellent,' Gipper's gravespin replied. One user wrote out a suggested apology Greer should have used instead of her own People largely agreed that Tibbetts' murder should not be played down in news coverage As Greer had predicted, President Trump was indeed among the first to turn talk about the tragedy of Tibbetts' murder to calls for tighter immigration laws on Tuesday after it was revealed the 20-year-old was murdered by an illegal alien. Mexican national Cristhian Rivera, 24, has been living in Iowa and working illegally for anywhere between four and seven years. On July 18, he attacked Mollie in her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, while she was out jogging, killed her and then dumped her body in a cornfield. He was arrested on Monday after recently recovered surveillance footage led police to his Chevy Malibu. At a rally in West Virginia on Tuesday night, Trump said the 'incredible, beautiful' young woman's death should never have happened. 'You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in very sadly from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman. 'Should have never happened. Illegally in our country. We've had a huge impact but the laws are so bad. 'The immigration laws are such a disgrace. We're getting them changed but we have to get more Republicans. We have to get,' Trump said to cheers of 'build the wall'. Iowa's Governor Kim Reynolds said she and the rest of the state were 'heartbroken' by the discovery of Mollie's body. She blamed the young woman's death on the country's 'broken' immigration system, tweeting: 'As Iowans, we are heartbroken and we are angry. It remains unclear exactly how long Rivera, who is from the Mexican state of Guerrero originally, had been living in the US. Rivera has been living illegally in Iowa for between four and seven years. It is not clear when he entered the US Rivera's employer Yarrabee Farms (pictured) denied hiring illegal immigrants and said the family-run firm would cooperate fully with the Tibbetts inquiry. He said Rivera passed a background check when he was employed This is the home Rivera was staying in Iowa. He lived with his baby and his girlfriend ICE has no record of ever trying to deport him and the Iowa farm where he worked confirmed yesterday that he had passed background checks when he was employed. Dane Lang, co-owner of Yarrabee Farms along with Eric Lang, confirmed that Rivera had worked there for four years and was an employee 'of good standing.' Dane's brother is Craig Lang, former president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Board of Regents, and a 2018 Republican candidate for state secretary of agriculture. Dane's statement said: 'First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mollie Tibbetts. 'This is a profoundly sad day for our community. All of us at Yarrabee Farms are shocked to hear that one of our employees was involved and is charged in this case. 'This individual has worked at our farms for four years, was vetted through the government's E-Verify system, and was an employee in good standing. Mollie was abducted while running along 385th street, in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18, and her body was discovered just over a month later in a corn field in Poweshiek County Mollie (left and right) was staying alone overnight in her boyfriend's home the night she went missing and was last seen going for a jog in the neighborhood at around 8pm July 18 The E-Verify site allows employers to establish the eligibility of employees, both US or foreign, by comparing a worker's Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 with data held by the government. The employee is eligible to work in the US if the data matches. If it doesn't, the worker has only eight federal government work days to resolve the issue. Rivera lived in Iowa with his girlfriend, who was friends with Mollie on Facebook, and their baby daughter. The girlfriend fled town on Tuesday after his arrest. Police were only able to link Rivera to the car by watching surveillance footage they obtained from cameras at someone's home. They discovered the cameras while canvassing the neighborhood a week ago and spent days combing through the footage. On Monday, Rivera did not resist police. He went with them willingly, made a full confession and then led them to Mollie's body. His motive remains unclear. The family were emotional as they heard that Mollie's body had been discovered A mom in Canada who saved the life of one of her newborn triplets while she was still in labor with the other two, lost her home in a devastating fire before her babies could leave the hospital. Danielle Johnston, of Saskatchewan, made headlines last month when she performed CPR on her first triplet as she waited for EMS to arrive. Johnston and her first newborn, named Karlee, were rushed to Regina General Hospital where doctors successfully delivered the other two babies, named Jack and Liam. The triplets have spent the past few weeks in the NICU and were cleared to leave the hospital on Saturday. However, before Johnston and her husband could bring the babies home they received devastating news that their home had burned down in a fire, killing a dog and two cats. Just weeks after a mom in Canada welcomed her triplets, the family's home was destroyed in a fire The triplets, named Liam, Jack and Karlee, were born early at Johnston's home in Canada last month Danielle Johnston is pictured above with one of her triplets. The babies had just been cleared to leave the hospital when the family learned that their house had burned down The house was reduced to ash and rubble. Authorities have not said what sparked the house fire Danielle Johnston and her husband Trevor are picture sifting through the rubble after their house was destroyed The blaze was so intense that only ash and rubble is left behind. Johnston's husband, Trevor, returned to the property earlier this week to try and collect some of their belongings, but could only find a few family photos. Authorities have not said what sparked the house fire. 'I mean it's just things,' he told CTV News. 'I mean, we're gonna rebuild obviously and we'll continue on raising our family. We'll get through it.' Danielle Johnston said she's just grateful none of her family members were home when the fire broke out. The couple, and their four other children, had been staying with family in Regina so they could be close to the hospital. 'We're all OK, so it's a lot to be thankful for,' she said. The news of the fire comes weeks after the risky arrival of the triplets. On July 16, Danielle Johnston had just put her four kids to bed when she said she felt a sharp pain and realized she was going into early labor. Friends launched a GoFundMe raising more than $64,000 to help the family of nine rebuild their home The house burned down over the weekend as Danielle Johnston was preparing to bring her newborn triplets home The only thing Trevor Johnson was able to salvage was family photos, like his and Danielle's wedding photo pictured above The couple said they are just thankful no one was hurt and are thankful for everyone's generosity The family was not at home when the fire broke out because they had been staying with family near the hospital as the triplets (pictured) remained in the NICU Johnston had to perform CPR on Karlee while still in labor with Jack and Liam on July 16 at her home She told HuffPost Canada in an interview last month that Karlee was born first, but was not breathing when she came out. Danielle Johnston, who was home alone with her kids, immediately started CPR on the newborn while she instructed her 15-year-old son to call 911. 'I just kept doing CPR on the baby and ... meanwhile I have two more inside me and I'm fighting contractions,' she said. When EMS arrived, Danielle Johnson and Karlee were rushed to the hospital. Doctors performed an emergency C-section to deliver the other two babies. A friend told CTV News that the family of nine is staying in a camper as they figure out what to do next. A GoFundMe was started to help them rebuild their lives. Johnston made headlines last month when she had to perform CPR on one of her newborns when she went into early labor at her home Johnston said she's overwhelmed by the support after more than $64,000 was raised to help her family Johnston has seven kids total. Pictured are three of her older kids with one of the newborn triplets A family friend said Johnston, her husband and her kids are staying in a camper until they can rebuild their home. Johnston is pictured above with three of her older kids 'Karlee was released from the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) earlier this week and the boys (Jack and Liam) were expected to come home early next week. The family was ecstatic about having everyone home under one roof. Sadly, now with the loss of the family home, that dream is once again out of reach,' the GoFundMe read. 'In an an effort to help the family with their needs at this very difficult time, please find it in your heart to give graciously to help get this family back on their feet.' So far, the GoFundMe has raised more than $64,000 of its $100,000 goal. Danielle Johnston told CTV News that she's overwhelmed by the generosity. 'I don't even know how to say thank you because thank you isn't enough,' she said. Fadil Delkic survived torture in Bosnian concentration camps and came to the US seeking a better life for his family, only to be gunned down during an argument in a Walmart parking lot, according to the victims family. Police in Snellville, Georgia, said that 27-year-old Troy Hunte fatally shot the 49-year-old Bosnian refugee in front of his wife at around 5.30pm on Sunday. According to previous reports, Delkic got into a dispute with Hunte's fiancee, who was pushing a stroller with their baby in the Walmart parking lot and thought that the man had driven his car too close to them. Troy Hunte (left), 27, has been charged with fatally shooting Bosnian refugee Fadil Delkic, 49, in front of his wife, Bahra (pictured together, right) The shooting occurred outside this Walmart located in Snellville, Georgia Delkic, Hunte and his fiancee got into a heated verbal spat, which turned physical when the woman reportedly struck the victim in the face, reported Fox 5. According witness accounts, moments later Hunte pulled out a gun and shot Delkic in the chest as his wife, Bahra Delkic, looked on. The 49-year-old husband and father-of-three was rushed to GwinneTt Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. According to Delkic's niece Emili Sabanovic, in his 20s her uncle survived a concentration camp during the Bosnian War, and later immigrated to the US as a refugee, settling in Georgia. Fadil and Bahra Delkic had been married for 27 years and had three children together. According to the description of Sabanovic's GoFundMe campaign launched to help the family transport her uncle's body back to Bosnia for burial, his eldest daughter is pregnant and is due to give birth in November. Family say as a man in his 20s, Delkic (pictured) survived torture in concentration camps during the Bosnian War Fadil and Bahra have two daughters and a son (pictured together, and their eldest is currently pregnant (center) The couple had been married for 27 years (left). Fadil's family are now raising money to send his body back to Bosnia for burial The 49-year-old man is also survived by a 19-year-old son and a younger daughter. Fadil will now never get to meet his first granddaughter, his niece wrote. He was loved by all of his friends and did anything for anyone. He touched the hearts of hundreds of people. He was a selfless character with one of the purest hearts. He was often heard singing loudly and laughing at the joys of life despite all that he has gone through and seen with the war. The fundraiser's target was $10,000, but in just one day the campaign has drawn more than $29,000 in donations. Sabanovic explained that some of that money will go towards retaining a lawyer to aid in the trial of the shooter, Troy Hunte, who has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in Delkic's killing. A judge denied his bond on Tuesday. So far, Hunte's fiancee has not been charged with any crime, but Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter told the Gwinnett Daily Post that it could change. Former Donald Trump lawyer Michael Cohen has opened up a GoFundMe account for his legal defense a day after pleading guilty to tax evasion, false statements, and campaign finance crimes. Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, announced the appeal for the 'Michael Cohen Truth Fund' in an online hours after Cohen rocked the White House with his plea, where he admitted concealing $4 million in income, depriving the U.S. treasury of $1.4 million. The government laid out a web of loans and income Cohen failed to declare in the criminal information he agreed to. Some of the information was gleaned through FBI raids on Cohen's $9 million Park Avenue apartment in April. Cohen was living in a Manhattan hotel at the time during renovations at the Trump Park Avenue building where he and his wife live. Longtime Donald Trump lawyer Michael Cohen 'needs your financial help' says his new GoFundMe appeal for help with legal costs Cohen failed to reveal a $14 million loan he took out on his taxi medallions to a bank when he secured financing for an $8.5 million summer home, the feds charged. Among the income he failed to disclose was a $30,000 profit for brokering sale of a 'highly coveted' French purse described as a Birkin bag, produced by Hermes. The bags retail for between $11,900 and $300,000, according to the charging document. Identical information about the value of the bags is contained on Wikipedia's Birkin bag page. Prosecutors also said Cohen banked $200,000 in income for 'consulting' on real estate and other projects for an assisted living facility without revealing the nature of the work or why they put the word 'consulting' in quotations. The fund raised more than $20,000 within hours Wednesday morning Cohen lives in a Trump Park Avenue apartment recently valued at $9 million Prosecutors say Cohen failed to disclose a $30,000 profit for brokering sale of a 'highly coveted' French purse. Here an employee holds a $129,000 crocodile Hermes Birkin Bag for the press to see during a private opening for the new Hermes store on Wall Street in New York in 2007 In this court room drawing, Michael Cohen swears that his statements will be truthful during a hearing at federal court in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018 In 2016 alone, Cohen had unreported income of $1.1 million, for a loss to the government of $396,000 in tax revenue. Cohen sold four Manhattan buildings in 2014 for a total of $32 million in cash, the New York Times reported. But his role at the center of the Stormy Daniels saga placed legal burdens on him. At one point the Trump campaign was assisting in his legal fees, but that ended and Trump mocked Cohen's legal chops in a sarcastic tweet Wednesday. According to his fundraising appeal: 'On July 2, 2018, Michael Cohen declared his independence from Donald Trump and his commitment to tell the truth.' 'On August 21, Michael Cohen made the decision to take legal responsibility and to continue his commitment to tell the truth,' it continues, referencing his guilty plea on eight counts. Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis announced the GoFundMe appeal Cohen negotiated a non-disclosure deal with porn star Stormy Daniels The plea for cash comes a day after Cohen pleaded guilty to eight criminal counts Prosecutors say Cohen failed to report $4 million in income 'Michael decided to put his family and his country first. Now Michael needs your financial help -- to pay his legal fees. The Michael Cohen Truth Fund is a transparent trust account, with all donations going to help Michael Cohen and his family as he goes forward on his journey to tell the truth about Donald Trump.' The fund had raised $25,000 during its first morning of operation. But porn star Stormy Daniels, who inked a non-disclosure agreement with Cohen weeks before the 2016 election, has a big head start on her fund. She had nearly $600,000 in her crowdjustice page. Michael Cohen's lawyer is calling on Congress to open an investigation into whether President Donald Trump directed his former personal attorney to commit a crime - and saying his client will not accept a presidential pardon. 'There is most certainly enough evidence now' for Congress to make such a move, Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis told Bloomberg News on Wednesday. 'That would be the first time in American history that we have evidence of a crime of a president in office, with somebody pleading guilty to a crime and saying that he was directed to commit that crime by a president,' Davis noted. Davis settled the debate over whether Cohen should be pardoned by the president in an appearance on NBC's 'Today' show. Davis, who's best known for his defense of Bill Clinton in the former president's impeachment scandal, claimed that Cohen would neither request a pardon nor accept a get-out-jail-free card if the White House came calling. "Not only is he not hoping for it, he would not accept a pardon. He considers a pardon from somebody who has acted so corruptly as President to be something he would never accept," Davis said of his client. Republicans control both chambers of Congress meaning members of the president's own party would have to agree to a congressional investigation. And GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill are largely avoiding any speculation on what will happen to Trump in the wake Cohen's guilty plea, CNN reported. 'We are aware of Mr. Cohen's guilty plea to these serious charges. We will need more information than is currently available at this point,' a spokesperson for Speaker Paul Ryan said. Davis argues his client doesn't need to provide evidence that Trump directed him to commit crimes - the president's lawyers have already done that. He says his client's guilty plea draws on a letter that Trump's current attorneys sent special counsel Robert Mueller admitting the president 'directed' Cohen to make the Stormy Daniels hush-money payoff. 'Let me make 100 percent clear: the evidence was provided definitively by Donald Trump's lawyers,' Davis said Wednesday. 'It's not a dispute. It's not about credibility. It's his lawyers in a letter used the word directed.' Invoking Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, who claimed it's not a crime to lie to the American people, Davis said that it is federal crime to make illegal campaign contributions like the one that Cohen pleaded guilty to making on Tuesday afternoon. 'President Trump committed a criminal act that corrupted our democracy,' Davis on 'Good Morning America' charged. 'That's what the campaign finance laws are about.' Scroll down for video Michael Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis says his client doesn't need to provide evidence that Donald Trump directed him to commit crimes - the president's lawyers have already done that DARKEST DAY: President Donald Trump looked pensive as he stepped off Air Force One upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Tuesday Cohen's racquet: The president's former lawyer slipped in to his apartment building in New York by a side entrance with with a tennis raquet bag. He has made no public statement since pleading guilty but his attorney has accused the president of committing a crime In the side door: Michael Cohen was casually addressed as he returned home to his Park Avenue apartment hours after the president accused him of lying in his guilty plea Davis blitzed the networks on Tuesday evening and appeared on three cable shows Wednesday morning to explain why his client turned on Trump. Cohen is prepared to tell investigators 'all he knows' about the President and the 'conspiracy to collude and corrupt the 2016 election,' Davis said Tuesday of the president's former attorney and fixer. Davis says Trump ordered his client to make hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal to keep them quiet about alleged affairs, which makes him similarly guilty of a felony. Trump has denied an affair with either women. Daniels was paid $130,000 from Cohen directly and McDougal was paid from a publisher. Davis added that Cohen is also willing to give Mueller information about the Democratic National Committee hack in the run-up to the election 'and whether or not Mr. Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on.' Russian hackers, in June and July of 2016, hacked the DNC's email system and messages were leaked via DCLeaks and WikiLeaks. The emails suggested the party's leadership favored Hillary Clinton's presidential bid over Bernie Sanders and worked to help her win the nomination. Their revelation resulted in the resignation of then DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Two of Trump's former confidantes went down on Tuesday, all within the span of a half-hour, in back-to-back announcements that they were guilty of federal crimes that could land them in prison for years. WHERE'S RUDY? The president's current attorney was nowhere to be found on Wednesday as Trump world burned down Cohen could have been assessed a 65-year term if he'd been found guilty of committing financial crimes and violating campaign finance laws. Instead, he'll be sentenced to a maximum term of 63 months. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is looking at life in prison after he was found guilty on eight counts of tax and bank fraud charges. 'This is not a great day. It's a bad day for the president, and I'm sure he understands that,' former New Jersey Gov. and Trump transition team head Chris Christie said Wednesday on 'GMA.' Christie, a former U.S. attorney himself, said that it's 'outrageous' that Davis would be asking the American people to trust his client now, considering his client acknowledged defrauding the federal government $1.3 million in unpaid taxes on $4 million of unreported income. But even the Trump friend admitted there are lingering questions that the president and his attorney's must account for. 'What we've got to know is what was the president's motive in directing these payments to be made? Was this pattern and practice that had gone on other times through the years before he was a candidate or was this specific to influence the election? Did it influence the election?' he said. 'So those are all questions we've got to get answered.' Giuliani and another Trump attorney, Jay Sekulow, were unusually quiet on Wednesday as Cohen's attorney ran roughshod all over them. Sekulow did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. The former mayor of New York, Giuliani has been a fixture on major news programs as of late as part of a strategy to pressure Mueller and shape national opinion on the special counsel case. But even he was missing in action on Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Giuliani instead released a tightly-worded statement on Tuesday evening, in response to Cohen's claims, that said: 'There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen. 'It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time.' Michael Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis (pictured) has suggested that Donald Trump is just as guilty as his client after he 'directed' him to make the hush money payments 'Mr. Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows,' Davis said on MSNBC's 'Rachel Maddow Show' Davis said Trump's ex-lawyer only made the payment 'at the direction' of Trump making the president 'as much guilty of a felony.' '(Trump) just hasn't owned up to it, but he tried to hide by asking his lawyer to do something he wasn't willing to do because he feared the electoral consequences,' he said. And Davis warned that Cohen had been Trump's personal lawyer for 'many, many years' and so 'knows almost everything about Mr Trump.' 'Mr. Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows,' Davis said on MSNBC's 'Rachel Maddow Show.' 'Not just about the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election, which the Trump Tower meeting was all about, but also knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on,' he added. He added that Cohen had information about Trump 'that would be of interest in Washington and New York State. In another interview with CNN on Tuesday, Davis also hinted that Cohen may have incriminating information about the Trump Foundation. The New York Attorney General has filed a civil suit against Trump and his three eldest children alleging 'persistently illegal conduct' with respect to foundation money and using the money in their own self-interest. 'We'll see if the level of corruption alleged concerning the Trump Foundation is a topic of concern for the New York Attorney General,' Davis said after being asked if Cohen could offer any new information about Trump's alleged wrongdoing or criminal activity. 'We know that the pardon power wouldn't apply in New York State.' Davis said that Trump should be prepared to see 'a liberated Michael Cohen speaking truth to power.' And that he was prepared to spill 'everything about Donald Trump that he knows.' President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort (left in his mugshot andf right in a court sketch) was found guilty on eight counts following his trial 'It's truth that Michal Cohen is committed to, and it's the truth that so threatens the president of the United States. Davis would not say whether Cohen has already been in contact with the special counsel, which is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice by Trump, but said that Mueller 'will have a lot of interest in what Michael has to say.' But even with the potential new revelations aside, Davis said that Trump could face federal charges after Cohen stated under oath that the then-presidential candidate directed him to commit a crime 'making Donald Trump as much guilty of that felony as my client Mr Cohen.' Cohen had pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance law violations. 'Why didn't President Trump do this himself? Why didn't he write or sign the check himself? Was he covering up because he knew that there was something wrong in what he was doing, so he directed his lawyer to do something that he didn't want anyone to know that he did? I think the answer to that is obvious.' He added that Trump 'didn't have the courage or at least didn't want to expose himself politically so soon before the election so he directed his lawyer to do that which he was not willing to do.' Michael Cohen's lawyer suggested that Donald Trump was also guilty of a federal crime after he reportedly directed his client to make hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels (pictured with Trump, left) and former Playboy model Karen McDougal (with Trump, right) 'So there's a cover up by our now President of the United States which is undeniable.' Davis said he had no qualms about saying that Trump had directed his client, because the president's own lawyer Rudy Giuliani had 'thrown his client under the bus' by admitting that himself. What Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to doing Five counts of tax evasion. Avoided declaring $4.1 million in income earned in 2012 through 2016, depriving the government of about $1.3 million in tax revenue. Making false statements to a bank. Failed to disclose a $14 million line of credit when taking out loans, including for the purchase of an $8.5 million summer home. Declared a net worth of $40 million when applying for a home equity loan, omitting the $14 million debt. Campaign finance violations. Helped deal with 'Individual-1's relationships with women' by identifying stories and keeping them from being published. Negotiated $150,000 payment to 'model and actress' and made a $130,000 payment to 'an adult film actress.' He caused and made the payments 'in order to influence the 2016 presidential election.' He faced up to 65 years in prison for what he is being charged with had he not pleaded guilty. Advertisement 'The word 'directed' came from Donald Trump's lawyers who wrote the special counsel and said that Donald trump directed Michael Cohen to make that payment,' he added. Davis, who said Cohen had reservations about Trump's suitability to be president, told CNN's Chris Cuomo that his client was 'motivated for his country' and 'will tell the truth.' Cohen pleaded to eight different counts, including those related to Daniels and McDougal. Although he didn't mention Trump by name, Trump's former lawyer and fixer spoke in open court about a $130,000 payment as well as a deal he helped negotiate with a publisher involving McDougal. He said he did so 'in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office,' CNN reported in an obvious reference to Trump, his former employer. Federal law bars donors from coordinating with a campaign while placing strict limits on the amount of contributions. Both women claim they had affairs with Trump, and both got payments, Daniels from Cohen directly and McDougal from a publisher. Trump said Tuesday that he felt very sorry for Manafort ahead of his Charleston evening rally speech. Yet he completely ignored Cohen's implication that he participated in federal crimes. He then failed to mention either Manafort or Cohen at his rally. But he tore into the Mueller probe, calling it the 'Russian witch hunt' hours after investigators achieved their biggest conviction yet of former Trump campaign chair Manafort. 'How ya like me now?' Stormy Daniels gloats after Michael Cohen's guilty plea as the porn star's lawyer claims plea will allow him to DEPOSE Trump in civil suit Stormy Daniels weighed in after PresidentDonald Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to a hush money payoff to the porn star. 'How ya like me now?!' Daniels tweeted on Tuesday night, hours after Cohen pleaded guilty in a New York court to eight criminal counts including tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Daniel's attorney, Michael Avenatti, said that the guilty plea would bolster her civil suit against Cohen - and claimed that he would now be able to force Trump to give a sworn deposition in the suit. 'The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public,' Avenatti wrote in a tweet. Stormy Daniels (seen Monday on Loose Women) chimed in with glee following Cohen's plea Avenatti added: 'We. Are. Coming. We are going to end this dumpster fire of a presidency one way or another.' It is unclear whether Cohen's court testimony would in fact convince a judge to attempt to compel Trump to give a sworn deposition. Sitting presidents are normally exempt from court processes. But Bill Clinton, while in office, did give a deposition in a sexual harassment civil suit, and his sworn statements about Monica Lewinsky led to his impeachment on perjury and obstruction charges. Avenatti (above) said Cohen's plea and statements in court would allow him to depose Trump in an ongoing civil suit that Daniels has filed against Cohen The two payments were intended to silence two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump and were made prior to the 2016 presidential election. One was for $130,000 given to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. The other for $150,000 related to former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump has denied having affairs with the women. His lawyer Rudy Giuliani has said the payments were made to spare Trump and his family embarrassment and were unrelated to the campaign. Cohen made the payments from his own money, and then was reportedly reimbursed by Trump. Prosecutors said that the payments constituted an illegal campaign contribution by Cohen. Cohen said in court he arranged to make payments 'for (the) principal purpose of influencing (the) election'. Advertisement 'Fake news. Fake. How fake, how fake are they?' Trump asked rhetorically. 'Fake news and the Russian witch hunt. We got a whole big combination. Where is the collusion? You know they're still looking for collusion. Where is the collusion? Find some collusion. We want to find the collusion,' Trump said. Trump said he feels 'very badly' for his ex-campaign chairman, who is now facing life in prison after being convicted of fraud. Jurors found Paul Manafort guilty today on eight of 18 charges in a financial crimes case brought by prosecutors tasked with probing Russian election meddling. 'I feel very sad about that, because it doesn't involve me, but I still feel, you know, it's a very sad thing that happened,' Trump told reporters ahead of a West Virginia rally. The president was in Charleston for a rally on Tuesday that was supposed to pump up his base and energize voters in West Virginia to support Republicans. But back to back blows in the criminal cases of Manafort and Cohen cast a shadow over Trump's travel, though, and the president appeared unusually downtrodden. Walking over to reporters shouting on the tarmac about the former Trump associates the president said: 'I feel badly for both.' In another interview with CNN on Tuesday, Davis also hinted that Cohen may have incriminating information about the Trump Foundation 'I must tell you that, Paul Manafort's a good man,' he insisted. A federal charging document lays out how Cohen helped deal with a person identified as 'Individual-1's relationships with women' by identifying stories and keeping them from being published. The documents note that the individual was a candidate for president. In addition what he did was he worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate and the campaign Cohen negotiated $150,000 payment to 'model and actress' and made a $130,000 payment to 'an adult film actress,' according to the documents stated the offenses he pleaded guilty to. Cohen caused and made the payments 'in order to influence the 2016 presidential election,' he is admitting. The White House didn't hold a press briefing amid the turmoil, instead confronting reporters only through the safer medium of conference calls. Trump didn't mention either bombshell development in his speech in West Virginia hours after they occurred. Cohen as part of the plea gets jail time of up to four years in a deal that apparently does not include cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe. Nevertheless, some legal experts were not ruling out cooperation, and he was facing more charges than he pleaded to. Charging documents lay out millions in unreported income by Cohen Documents also reference Trump as 'Individual-1' Cohen appeared in federal court on Tuesday following a series of reports he would plead guilty to federal crimes that would land him in jail for up to four years. According to U.S. attorney Robert Khuzami, Cohen failed to report income of $4.1 million, costing the U.S. Treasury approximately $1.3 million. He failed to disclose $14 million in dead when he applied for a home-equity loan he used to get funds to pay the porn star. Khuzami also laid out Cohen's campaign finance guilty plea as it related to Daniels and McDougal though he never mentioned the name of the president or the porn star. 'In addition what he did was he worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate and the campaign,' Khuzami said. 'In addition, Mr. Cohen sought reimbursement for that money by submitting invoices to the candidate's company which were untrue and false. They indicated that the reimbursement was for services rendered for the year 2017, when in fact those invoices were a sham. He provided no legal services for the year 2017 and it was simply a means to obtain reimbursement for the unlawful campaign contribution,' Khuzami said. PAUL MANAFORT FOUND GUILTY OF EIGHT COUNTS OF FRAUD Paul Manafort was found guilty of tax and bank fraud by a federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tuesday, a verdict that will likely bolster special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and undermine arguments from President Trump's supporters that the probe is baseless and politically motivated. After four days of deliberation, the jury found Manafort guilty of eight counts of bank and tax fraud, which could send the former Trump campaign manager to prison for up to 80 years. The jury said it was unable to reach a verdict on the 10 additional counts, leading Judge T.S. Ellis to declare a mistrial on these items. Judge Ellis said he will not schedule the sentencing until the government decides whether to retry Manafort extra 10 charges. Manafort, 69, stood next to his team of lawyers and displayed no emotion during the reading of the verdict. He will have a chance to make a statement during his sentencing. Now what happens: Judge T.S. Ellis III will decide whether to drop the ten charges which the jury said they could not reach a verdict on. Regardless, Manafort will be sentenced on eight fraud charges which could carry a sentence as high as 80 years in prison The government has recommended to the court anywhere between eight to 10 years in prison for falsifying tax returns, bank fraud conspiracy and failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial records. The conviction is the first major court victory for Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation into the Trump campaign and Russian election tampering, a probe that has divided Americans and come under attack from the White House. The jury's verdict defies Donald Trump, who last Friday called Manafort 'a very good person' and the trial 'sad'. Manafort had initially been charged with a total 18 counts of fraud. The jury deadlocked on the majority of the most serious counts, including seven of the nine bank fraud charges which each carried 30 years maximum prison time. Manafort was convicted on all five counts of filing inaccurate tax returns for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. These each carry a three year minimum sentence. He was convicted on one of four counts, for the year 2012, of failing to disclose the existence of his offshore bank accounts. The jury could not agree on whether he was also guilty of this for the years 2011, 2013 and 2014. The single count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Manafort was also convicted of providing false financial information to obtain a $1 million loan from the Bank of California and a $3.4 million loan from Citizens Bank. These charges each carry a maximum of 30 years in prison. He was not convicted of seven additional bank fraud charges, including conspiracy to fraudulently obtain a bank loan and providing false financial information to Federal Savings Bank. It is a stunning fall from grace for the jet-setting political consultant, who once spent $15,000 on an ostrich jacket and millions on high-tech gear for his Hamptons home, but now faces the rest of his life in a jail cell. He will be sentenced by Judge T.S. Ellis after background reports and argument from both prosecution and defense over what sentence is appropriate. Advertisement Sources told NBC about the negotiations over a possible plea Tuesday morning, noting that no deal had been reached. Word of the talks followed reports over the weekend that Cohen is being investigated for a $20 million bank fraud. ABC then reported Cohen had reached an agreement with prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. Cohen surrendered to the FBI in advance of a scheduled 4 pm court appearance, according to CNN. The campaign finance violations related to the $130,000 payment Cohen made from his own funds to porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Trump. Trump said in April that he did not know about payments Cohen made to Daniels although lawyer Rudy Giuliani later said Trump reimbursed his longtime lawyer for the funds. Cohen admitted the payment was a violation of strict federal limits on political contributions. Prosecutors deemed the payment an in-kind contribution to the Trump campaign since it helped shelve potentially damaging information. Cohen agreed to jail time as part of the agreement. Despite the array of charges, jail time, and restitution, Cohen was not expected to reach an agreement to cooperate with authorities, the New York Times reported. Such a status, if maintained, would spare President Trump from having one of his closest and most knowledgable associates aiding an inquiry the president has termed a 'witch hunt.' Nevertheless, Trump faced the political prospect of seeing one of his closest longtime advisors go to jail over serious federal crimes. Just as the news broke on Cohen's plans, the White House was holding a press call on Trump's plans to travel the country in support of Republicans. Cohen pleaded guilty to a campaign finance violation in relation to a $150,000 payment that American Media Inc. made to Playboy model Karen McDougal. AMI publisher David Pecker (c) was part of the deal Prosecutors in Cohen were negotiating with a man involved in myriad business and political deals involving the president, including the negotiation of a non-disclosure agreement with porn star Stormy Daniels, and talks on an effort to build a Trump Tower in Moscow that fell through. However, the New York Times reported Tuesday afternoon that the deal did not include an agreement to cooperate. Cohen in June resigned his post as deputy finance chair of the Republican National Committee once it came out he was under criminal investigation 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 Statement to the press by U.S. Attorney Robert Khuzami 'What he did was he worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate and the campaign.' 'In addition, Mr. Cohen sought reimbursement for that money by submitting invoices to the candidate's company which were untrue and false. They indicated that the reimbursement was for services rendered for the year 2017, when in fact those invoices were a sham. He provided no legal services for the year 2017 and it was simply a means to obtain reimbursement for the unlawful campaign contribution.' 'First, these are very serious charges and reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over an extended period of time. They are significant in their own rights. They are particularly significant when done by a lawyer. A lawyer who through training and tradition understands what it means to be a lawyer, to engage in honest and fair dealing and adherence to the law. Mr. Cohen disregarded that training. Disregarded that tradition and decided that he was above the law, and for that he is going to pay a very, very serious price ...' 'Mr Cohen made guilty pleas for those campaign violations and those are core violations. These remind us that it is illegal for corps to make contributions to candidates and it is illegal to make contributions in excess of the amount that congress set for individuals. That is a strong message today and we will not fear prosecuting additional campaign finance cases ...' 'We are a nation of laws and the essence of this case is about is justice and that is an equal playing field for all persons in the eyes of the law and that is a lesson that Mr. Cohen learned today and it is a very harsh one for him.' Advertisement WHICH CANDIDATE? Cohen said he negotiated the payments 'In co-ordination with, and at the direction of' a candidate for federal office Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis tweeted Tuesday about his client: 'Today he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?' Justice Department guidelines state that a sitting president shouldn't be charged with a crime while in office, although they could be subject to a court challenge should the government decide to do so. Numerous legal experts say Trump most likely will avoid getting charged with anything while in office though he could be charged after he leaves and he could be forced to give testimony in legal matters. The charging documents describe 'Individual-1' as being closely involved with Cohen's efforts. It says Cohen 'coordinated with one or more members of the campaign, including through meetings and phone calls, about the fact, nature, and timing of the payments' to women. News of Cohen's talks came just as word broke that jurors in the trial of former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort asked the judge overseeing the case a question about how to proceed if they fail to reach a verdict on a single count. That in turn led to speculation that special counsel Robert Mueller's team might be on the verge of scoring critical conviction, even if it is on tax and fraud crimes that are not related to the campaign of President Donald Trump. Mueller's investigators prosecuted Manafort. In the case of Cohen, they handed information they uncovered during their probe to the SDNY for prosecution although any plea deal could include cooperating with the Russia probe. The report on Cohen's intentions followed a series of maneuvers by Cohen that raised the prospect he might reach an agreement to cooperate with prosecutors. These included praising the FBI agents who raided his home and apartment, and stating boldly that he would do what is best for his family. He told ABC's 'Good Morning America' last month that: 'My wife, my daughter and my son have my first loyalty and always will.' He added: 'I put family and country first.' Cohen left his apartment in New York Tuesday dressed in a dark suit and tie. His new lawyer, Lanny Davis, told NBC he couldn't comment on an ongoing investigation, having earlier sent signals that Cohen could cooperate. Cohen's hiring of Davis, who has longtime Democratic ties and advised President Bill Clinton, was one such signal. Michael Cohen, left, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, leaves his apartment building past his doorman, in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. NBC reported he was in talks about a possible guilty plea Were Cohen to follow through and plead guilty to any alleged violations, it would come as prosecutors were considering filing charges against him that include include bank and tax fraud, as well as violations of campaign finance law, against Cohen by the end of the month, sources told the New York Times. Investigators are looking into more than $20 million in loans which were made to taxi companies owned by Cohen and his family. The amounts reportedly involved only upped the pressure on Cohen, who was intimately involved with Trump as he navigated a variety of business deals in recent years. Financial statements showed that Cohen used his 32 taxi medallions, then worth around $1 million each, as collateral for the loans from Sterling National Bank. Melrose Credit Union also supplied some of the loans made to 16 separate companies controlled by the Cohens. Cohen and his wife also personally guaranteed the loans, according to public findings. Investigators are now looking to determine whether Cohen misrepresented the true value of his assets to obtain the loans. They are also looking at when the lawyer violated campaign finance laws by arranging hush money deals to secure the silence of women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. The FBI raided Cohen's home and office earlier this year as part of their investigation into his alleged tax fraud. President Trump's (left) former personal lawyer Michael Cohen (right) is being investigated for a $20 million bank fraud, according to a new report Investigators are looking at whether Cohen's income from his taxi-medallion business was underreported in federal tax returns, The Wall Street Journal reported. That income reportedly included hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and other payments over the last five years. Donald Trump has criticized the probe into his former attorney, calling the raids an 'attack on our country in a true sense.' Cohen caught the attention of the Manhattan US Attorney's Office during Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race. Prosecutors are looking into whether Cohen inflated the value of any of his assets as collateral for bank loans, the Journal reported citing sources familiar with the investigation. If convicted of tax- and bank-fraud, Cohen, who once said he'd take a bullet for President Donald Trump, could find himself subject to heavy jail time. That threat could put pressure on Cohen, once known as Trump's 'fixer,' to cooperate with prosecutors if he's charged with these crimes. Cohen was Trump's personal attorney for years and has deep ties to the Trump Organization. He is reportedly prepared to tell Mueller that the president knew about the infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting ahead of time and approved of it. That meeting was attended by Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, then-Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and a lawyer with ties to the Kremlin who claimed to have dirt on Trump's presidential rival Hillary Clinton. Trump has denied he knew about the meeting ahead of time. But that gathering at Trump Tower has become a central focus of Mueller's look into what role Russian played in the 2016 presidential election. Meanwhile federal prosecutors are taking a deep dive into Cohen's business dealings after Mueller's team handed over documents discovered in an April 9th FBI raid. They are looking closely at Cohen's relationship with Sterling National Bank, which provided financing for his taxi-medallion business. Medallions are the permits taxi drivers need to operate in the city. Federal prosecutors subpoenaed Jeffrey Getzel, Cohen's former accountant who was responsible for preparing many of Cohen's financial statements. Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, declined to comment to the newspaper 'out of respect for the ongoing investigation.' As of April 2018, Cohen owned 22 medallions in Chicago, and either he or his wife, Laura, controlled 32 medallions in New York City. Taxi medallions were considered a solid investment that are bought and sold on a secondary market. Some in New York sold for an average $1.25 million per medallion in 2013 and 2014. But their value has fallen sharply in recent years due to competition from ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Some estimate the value of each medallion has dropped to $200,000 to $225,000. As prosecutors look at whether Cohen under reported his income to avoid federal taxes they're also examining whether he overstated it in loan applications. Cohen has previously denied any wrongdoing. He worked on projects for Trump ranging from Trump Tower Moscow that never got off the ground to a non-disclosure agreement with porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Trump, and on a deal involving former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who also claimed an affair. Trump has denied both women's allegations of a sexual affair. But Cohen also had his own business dealings including real estate, personal loans and investments in taxi medallions. Evgeny A. Freidman, a Russian immigrant known as 'the Taxi King' and who partnered with Cohen in the taxi medallion business, avoided jail time and got five years probation when he pleaded guilty to tax evasion in May. As a condition, he is cooperating with prosecutors, who may find him to be a valuable witness as they investigate Cohen on potential tax, campaign finance, and bank fraud charges. His deal came after an April 9th FBI raid on Cohen's home, office, and hotel where he was staying. They scooped up 3.7 million digital documents. If Freidman is able to provide useful information, it might strengthen prosecutors hands if they decide to charge Cohen. Prosecutors are already combing through Cohen's financial records, including big payments he got from major firms as he touted his access to President Trump after the elections. Also under the microscope is his $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, who signed a nondisclosure agreement and claims she had an affair with Trump. The president revealed last week on his financial disclosure that he 'reimbursed' Cohen for expenses related to a payment of up to $250,000. Cohen is under investigation for possible bank fraud. He has said he took out a home equity loan in order to make the payment to Daniels, which he executed through a Delaware LLC he set up in October of 2016, weeks before the presidential election. Facebook has deleted hundreds of Iranian state-backed accounts that were pumping out pro-Corbyn propaganda and attacking the Queen. The social media giant has carried out a dramatic crackdown on 'coordinated inauthentic behaviour' originating in Tehran and targeting countries including the UK and US. The 'Liberty Front Press' network of Facebook pages was publishing cartoons praising the Labour leader, mocking the Queen and lampooning Brexit among other material. Commons Culture Committee chair Damian Collins said he feared the haul of more than 650 pages was the 'tip of the iceberg'. The 'Liberty Front Press' network of Facebook pages was publishing cartoons praising the Labour leader, including this one 'They've found a few hundred here or there targeting the UK and US and there were 30,000 removed close to the French election, but my concern is that this would be the tip of the iceberg,' Mr Collins said. An internal investigation by Facebook found four groups across Facebook and Instagram which spent thousands of pounds on advertising and had hundreds of thousands of followers. The activity, some of which dates back to 2011, included spreading political messages and attempting to hack other people's accounts or spread malware, according to Facebook's head of cyber security policy. Writing on the company's blog, Nathaniel Gleischer said: 'We've removed 652 pages, groups and accounts for coordinated inauthentic behaviour that originated in Iran and targeted people across multiple internet services in the Middle East, Latin America, UK and US.' Separate activity from Russia which targeted politics in Syria and Ukraine was also removed, he said. Pages called The British Left and Free Scotland 2014 shared posts about Jeremy Corbyn, Brexit, Boris Johnson and the Queen while others discussed Donald Trump's presidency and the Israel-Palestinian conflict. 'There's a lot we don't know yet,' Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said on a conference call with reporters on Tuesday afternoon. 'With pages in particular it should be clear to users from which country that is being operated from,' said Mr Collins. 'Users should also know whether the person operating the page is deliberately hiding their identity,' he added. Facebook increased transparency around the history of certain pages and political advertising earlier this year after whistleblowers revealed Russian agents and controversial data firm Cambridge Analytica targeted voters during the 2016 US election and the Brexit vote. Mr Corbyn (pictured in Scotland yesterday) was praised in some of the propaganda material that has been deleted by Facebook Some of the pages removed by Facebook also lampooned Brexit, including with this image In July, the Electoral Commission fined official Brexit campaign group Vote Leave and reported senior figures to the police for breaking electoral law with Facebook adverts targeting voters in the build-up to the EU referendum in 2016. 'We'll see more of this activity between now and the US mid-term elections (in November). But Facebook has not really been investing in looking at this activity and the problem is probably much larger than we've seen,' said Mr Collins. Cybersecurity firm FireEye first alerted Facebook to a network of pages operating under the name Liberty Front Press, posing as 'news and civil society organisations'. Mr Gleischer said website data linked 74 pages, 70 accounts and three groups which targeted UK and US politics on Facebook, as well as 76 Instagram accounts, to Iran's state media. These pages hosted three events and spent more than 6,000 dollars (4,666) in advertising, he said, although he gave no details about the events and adverts or what would happen to the money paid to Facebook for promotion. 'About 155,000 accounts followed at least one of these pages, 2,300 accounts joined at least one of these groups, and more than 48,000 accounts followed at least one of these Instagram accounts,' he said. A second, smaller network linked to Liberty Front Press tried to hack into user accounts and spread malware. The oldest network was created in 2011 and largely posted about Middle East politics in Arabic and Farsi but also shared content in the UK and US, including the page Free Scotland 2014. The network spent more more 6,000 dollars in advertising on Facebook and Instagram, paid for in US dollars, Turkish lira and Indian rupees between July 2012 and April 2018. Facebook said it was still investigating the networks and has shared information with the US and UK governments. FireEye plans to release a full report into the activity but has not specified a date. Mr Collins said the fake news inquiry will release its final report in the autumn, after the Information Commissioner completes a parallel investigation into how Facebook handles users' personal information. A Holocaust survivor in New York City unwittingly sold his home to the Nazi concentration camp guard who was deported back to Germany on Monday. The Nazi guard, Jakiw Palij, who is now 95-years-old, purchased the red brick home off Northern Boulevard in Jackson Heights, Queens in 1966 from the Holocaust survivor and his wife, according to their son. 'They would have been horrified,' the son told the New York Post. If they had known, he adds: 'I don't think [Palij] would have gotten out of that house alive.' Palij had been living under false pretenses in the US since, 1949. The son of the Holocaust survivor says his deportation came '50 years too late.' Palij was sent back to Germany where he will be living in a senior home. His expulsion came 25 years after investigators first accused Palij of lying about his wartime past to get into the US almost 70 years ago. But it was largely symbolic because officials in Germany have repeatedly said there is insufficient evidence to prosecute him. Jakiw Palij was taken from his New York home and spirited on Tuesday morning to Germany The home former Nazi concentration camp guard Jakiw Palij, in the Jackson Heights, Queens, New York (pictured) was purchased from a Holocaust survivor, according to the previous owner's son. He says his father would have been 'horrified' to learn of the buyers past Palij arrived at the care facility (above) in the German town of Ahlen on Tuesday Acting on a 2004 deportation order, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement took Palij into custody and sent him to Germany. Video footage showed federal immigration agents carrying Palij out of his home in Queens on a stretcher on Monday. Palij, with a fluffy white beard and a brown, newsboy-style cap atop his head, was wrapped in a sheet as the agents carried him down a brick stairway in front of his home and into a waiting ambulance. He ignored a reporter who shouted, 'Are you a Nazi?' and 'Do you have any regrets?' Palij was flown on a specially chartered air ambulance from Teterboro, New Jersey, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and arrived in Dusseldorf, at 8am on Tuesday. Palij's lawyer, Ivars Berzins, declined to comment. From Dusseldorf, Palij was taken to an elderly care facility in the town of Ahlen, near Munster. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said 'there is no line under historical responsibility,' but added in a comment to the German daily Bild that doing justice to the memory of Nazi atrocities 'means standing by our moral obligation to the victims and the subsequent generations.' Palij had lived quietly in the US for years, as a draftsman and then as a retiree, until nearly three decades ago when investigators found his name on an old Nazi roster and a fellow former guard spilled the secret that he was 'living somewhere in America.' Palij, an ethnic Ukrainian born in a part of Poland that is now Ukraine, said on his 1957 naturalization petition that he had Ukrainian citizenship. He did not respond to questions reporters were shouting at him as he was loaded up to go Jakiw Palij was arrested and deported by US immigration authorities, the White House said But when their investigators showed up at his door in 1993, he said: 'I would never have received my visa if I told the truth. Everyone lied.' Palij had entered the US in 1949 under the Displaced Persons Act, a law meant to help refugees from post-war Europe. He told immigration officials that he worked during the war in a woodshop and farm in Nazi-occupied Poland; at another farm in Germany; and finally in a German upholstery factory. Palij said he never served in the military. In reality, officials say, he played an essential role in the Nazi program to exterminate Jews in German-occupied Poland, as an armed guard at Trawniki. According to a Justice Department complaint, Palij served in a unit that 'committed atrocities against Polish civilians and others' and then in the notorious SS Streibel Battalion, 'a unit whose function was to round up and guard thousands of Polish civilian forced laborers.' Police stands in front of a senior home in Ahlen, Germany, where Palij will be housed Police stands in front of a senior home in Ahlen, Germany, where Jakiw Palij, a former Nazi concentration camp guard, arrived on Tuesday An old woman walks in front of a senior home in Ahlen, Germany, where Jakiw Palij will live After the war, Palij maintained friendships with other Nazi guards who the government says came to the US under similar false pretenses. Palij and his wife purchased their home near LaGuardia Airport in 1966 from a Polish Jewish couple who had survived the Holocaust and were not aware of his past. The Justice Department's special Nazi-hunting unit started piecing together Palij's past after a fellow Trawniki guard identified him to Canadian authorities in 1989. Investigators asked Russia and other countries for records on Palij beginning in 1990 and first confronted him in 1993. It wasn't until after a second interview in 2001 that he signed a document acknowledging he had been a guard at Trawniki and a member of the Streibel Battalion. Palij suggested at one point during that interview that he was threatened with death if he refused to work as a guard, saying 'if you don't show up, boom-boom.' Palij's expulsion was largely symbolic because officials in Germany have repeatedly said there is insufficient evidence to prosecute him A judge stripped Palij's U.S. citizenship in 2003 for 'participation in acts against Jewish civilians' while he was an armed guard at the Trawniki camp in Nazi-occupied Poland and he was ordered deported a year later. But because Germany, Poland, Ukraine and other countries refused to take him, he continued living in limbo in the two-story, red brick home in Queens he shared with his late wife, Maria. His continued presence there outraged the Jewish community, attracting frequent protests over the years that featured such chants as, 'Your neighbor is a Nazi!' According to the Justice Department, Palij served at Trawniki in 1943, the same year 6,000 prisoners in the camps and tens of thousands of other prisoners held in occupied Poland were rounded up and slaughtered. Palij has acknowledged serving in Trawniki but denied any involvement in war crimes. Palij's was almost entirely covered by a sheet as he was pushed along the sidewalk Last September, all 29 members of New York's congressional delegation signed a letter urging the State Department to follow through on his deportation and Ambassador Richard Grenell made it a priority after arriving in Germany earlier this year. 'Good riddance to this war criminal,' said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat. The deportation came after weeks of diplomatic negotiations. Grenell told reporters there were 'difficult conversations' because Palij is not a German citizen and was stateless after losing his US citizenship. But 'the moral obligation' of taking in 'someone who served in the name of the German government was accepted,' he said. Jakiw Palij (pictured in 2003), 95, who lived in New York, was arrested and deported by US immigration authorities, the White House said on Tuesday Palij entered the US in 1949 under the Displaced Persons Act, a law meant to help refugees from post-war Europe. Pictured, his 1949 visa photo Jens Rommel, head of the German federal prosecutors' office that investigates Nazi war crimes, said Tuesday that the deportation doesn't change the likelihood that Palij will be prosecuted for war crimes. 'A new investigation would only come into question if something changed in the legal evaluation or actual new evidence became known,' he said. However, Efraim Zuroff, the head Nazi-hunter at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said he hoped prosecutors would revisit the case now that Palij is in Germany. 'Trawniki was a camp where people were trained to round up and murder the Jews in Poland, so there's certainly a basis for some sort of prosecution,' he said in a telephone interview from Jerusalem. 'The efforts invested by the United States in getting Palij deported are really noteworthy and I'm very happy to see that they finally met with success,' he said. But given his age and questions over his health and also a possible lack of proof, it is unclear whether German authorities will attempt to prosecute the stateless pensioner. Germany has a mixed record on convicting Nazi war criminals. Critics say it let many high-ranking Nazis and SS members escaped justice only for their juniors, small cogs in the Nazi death machine, to be put on trial decades later. Palij (pictured in 1957) was born in Poland and immigrated to the US in 1949. He became a US citizen eight years later This document, photographed July 16, 2018 at the National Archives at New York City, shows the Petition for Naturalization of Jakiw Palij The deportation came after weeks of diplomatic negotiations, which the White House said President Donald Trump had supported. 'Through extensive negotiations, President Trump and his team secured Palij's deportation to Germany and advanced the United States' collaborative efforts with a key European ally,' the White House said. Germany's Interior Ministry and Justice Ministry and Chancellor Angela Merkel's office did not immediately have a comment on where Palij would be taken in Germany and what exactly would happen to him. Prosecutors there have previously said it does not appear that there's enough evidence to charge him with wartime crimes. Palij's deportation is the first for a Nazi war crimes suspect since Germany agreed in 2009 to take John Demjanjuk, a retired Ohio autoworker who was accused of serving as a Nazi guard. He was convicted in 2011 of being an accessory to more than 28,000 killings and died 10 months later, at age 91, with his appeal pending. Palij served as a guard at the Trawniki Labor Camp in German-occupied Poland. Pictured, Heinrich Himmler shaking hands with new guard recruits at the Trawniki camp in 1942 Though the last Nazi suspect ordered deported, Palij is not the last in the US. Since 2017, Poland has been seeking the extradition of Ukrainian-born Michael Karkoc, an ex-commander in an SS-led Nazi unit that burned Polish villages and killed civilians during the war. The 99-year-old who currently lives in Minneapolis was the subject of a series of 2013 reports by the AP that led Polish prosecutors to issue an arrest warrant for him. In addition to Karkoc, there are almost certainly others in the U.S. who have either not yet been identified or investigated by authorities. The American public did not become fully aware until the 1970s that thousands of Nazi persecutors had gone to the US after the Second World War. Some estimates say 10,000 may have made the US their home after the war. Since then, the Justice Department has initiated legal proceedings against 137 suspected Nazis, with about half, 67, being removed by deportation, extradition or voluntary departure. Of the rest, 28 died while their cases were pending and nine were ordered deported but died in the US because no other country was willing to take them. A diner has been banned from a 3 million boutique restaurant after leaving a poor review on Facebook. Sam Chisnall, 33, from Colchester, was horrified to find the main meals were 'massively undercooked' after taking his taking clients out to dinner at the Pavilion restaurant in Essex. The businessman made a complaint to the manager who agreed to reduce the bill from 220 to 140. Sam Chisnall (pictured left), 33, from Colchester, was horrified to find the main meals were 'massively undercooked' at the Pavilion restaurant in Essex But Sam later decided to air his views on Facebook - only to be sent a direct message telling him he 'won't be welcome' back. He said: 'The four of us were just trying to have a good night out and we had some issues with the food and I complained. 'The manager was very abrupt and confrontational, disrespectful and in general an absolute disgrace. 'He clenched his fist and told us, after ruining our meal, he will not even take money off our meal that was massively under-cooked. He made a complaint to the manager who agreed to reduce the bill from 220 to 140. He later aired his views on Facebook (pictured above) and said: 'I feel so embarrassed after taking a few clients out for something other customers rant about how good it is' He received a response from Maciej Andros (pictured above), assistant manager at Elysium, who informed the 33-year-old he was banned from all of the Elysium Group Restaurants 'I feel so embarrassed after taking a few clients out for something other customers rant about how good it is. 'I thought they could be at least professional. They were completely unresponsive to our comments. 'I'm lost for words and completely thrown, I'm sorry to say.' He left the review on Facebook - moments before the same manager sent him a direct message. The response, signed off with 'kind regards' from Maciej Andros, assistant manager at Elysium, informed Sam that he was banned from all of the Elysium Group Restaurants. It read: 'Thank you for your feedback on social media. 'As a group we obviously cannot exceed your expectations. It read: 'Thank you for your feedback on social media. As a group we obviously cannot exceed your expectations. Therefore, to avoid future disappointments, I would like to inform you that you won't be welcomed in our venues ever again'. Pictured: The Pavilion restaurant in Colchester The restaurant later claimed that it was Sam's behaviour that led to him landing a lifetime ban from all Elysium Group venues 'Therefore, to avoid future disappointments, I would like to inform you that you won't be welcomed in our venues ever again. 'That includes Mimosa, Hudson and Qube.' However, the restaurant later claimed that it was Sam's behaviour that led to him landing a lifetime ban from all Elysium Group venues. Sam said: 'I did not think we would have such an issue like this when I left. 'It takes a lot for me to leave a bad review and I always try to tip and give a good review when I have had a good meal, but we were treated terribly. The Elysium Group was founded by British businessman Arash Afzalnia in 2000 and has six high-end restaurants throughout Colchester 'I have been to their restaurants many times and have mostly had good experiences in the past, but I would never go back- even if I weren't banned. The Elysium Group was founded by British businessman Arash Afzalnia in 2000. The group owns six high-end restaurants throughout Colchester and claims to provide 'exquisite intimate dining' in its bars and restaurants. An Elysium spokesman, said: 'We welcome all customer feedback, both negative and positive as it enables us to constantly improve our offering and guest experience, which is at the heart of our business philosophy. An Elysium spokesman, said: 'We have taken the highly unusual step of asking Mr Chisnall to refrain from visiting our premises in order to protect the welfare and safety of our personnel which is of paramount importance to us' 'Mr Chisnall has been asked to refrain from visiting any of Elysium Group venues due to his behaviour towards our personnel, something that we have encountered previously as well involving this individual. 'Our hard-working staff are there to provide the highest standards of service and food to our customers at all times, and on occasions that our offering does not meet with our guests' expectations, we will seek to remedy this immediately. 'As such we have taken the highly unusual step of asking Mr Chisnall to refrain from visiting our premises in order to protect the welfare and safety of our personnel which is of paramount importance to us.' A two-year-old girl battling leukemia ended up getting a special surprise from her father as he came to her hospital room to give her a surprise daddy-daughter dance. Little Phoenix from Georgia has undergone several weeks of chemo at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The youngster was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and began 'very aggressive chemotherapy' just two days after being diagnosed earlier this month. A Georgia father and his two-year-old daughter shared a special dance on her last day of chemotherapy Brett Thompson scooped up his daughter, Phoenix, and held her in his arms while dancing inside a room at the Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center of Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Phoenix will undergo four more rounds of chemo over the course of the next five months. He dad, Brett Thompson decided to lift his daughter's spirits by giving her an adorable surprise - a special daddy-daughter dance. The nurses at the hospital were also in on the treat as they came into Phoenix's room with a bunch of dresses for her to choose and try on. After putting on a yellow dress, dad, Brett, walked in wearing a suit and tie. Phoenix was celebrating the final day of her first round of chemo. She will have four more The young girl received her leukemia diagnosis on August 2 and began treatment immediately The girl will undergo four rounds of chemo that need to be completed within a five-month span Surrounded by all of his daughter's toys and stuffed animals, Brett grabbed his phone and stuck on Tim McGraw's My Little Girl before picking up his little girl in his arms and holding her close. 'I don't think I could have picked a better man for my kids,' mom Christina wrote in a Facebook posting. 'At 2-years-old this is hard on her on her family and the people that love her. These little moments make these times not so hard.' 'A nurse came in and was like a volunteer dropped these dresses off I grabbed Pheonix one I TOTALLY believed her but really Brett had brought it,' she continued. 'Brett thank you for being just what our children need. Did I mention she really loves her daddy?' Brett had been in the Army for six years until he was medically discharged four years ago. He was stationed at Fort Bragg and moved to Georgia along with their three kids. But little Phoenix came into their lives after a friend who was a drug user, found that she was unbable to look after her. Phoenix's dad surprised her by wearing a suit and tie - and together they danced to Tim McGraws My Little Girl surrounded by her colorful stuffed animals. The dressing-up and dancing was a real surprise for the little girl seen with her mom, right Christina and Brett obtained legal guardianship of Phoenix when she was just seven-weeks-old. The Thompson's have cared for Phoenix along with their four other children, ages one to 11-years-old, but Brett is out of work as he cares for their kids. 'It's extremely hard to be away from my other children,' Christina said. 'These times will get difficult but I know we will make it through.' The family have set up a GoFundMe page to help finance Phoenix's fight. A Confederate statue in Richmond was vandalized overnight with what appears to be red paint. Police spokesman James Mercante says a patrol officer observed a 'red paint-like' substance on the statue of Confederate Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday on Monument Avenue in Virginia. Mercante says police believe the vandalism happened around midnight. He says the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will clean up the statue. The monument of Confederate Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill was destroyed with red paint on Wednesday in Richmond, Virginia Vandals sprayed what appeared to be red paint on the base of the stature around midnight, authorities said The city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is responsible for cleaning the stature Hill was a US Army officer during the Civil War and one of Robert E Lee's most trusted subordinates. He died during war after he was mortally wounded by a Union soldier. Hill was a US Army officer during the Civil War and one of Robert E Lee's most trusted subordinates The incident follows the toppling of a Confederate monument at the University of North Carolina this week and the vandalism of a Robert E Lee statue in Richmond earlier this month. The city has been debating what do with other Confederate monuments that stand on Monument Avenue in a different part of the city, but the Gen Hill statue hasn't been part of that discussion. In North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper had asked last year for three controversial Confederate monuments be removed from the Capitol ground and relocated to a Civil War battlefield. On Wednesday, a committee voted not to relocate the statues because of a 2015 law which bars the permanent removal of Confederate monuments and limits where they can be relocated to. Cooper wants the law changed saying it was time residents understood that North Carolina could 'document and learn from our history without idolizing painful symbols'. The incident comes days after more than 300 protesters at the University of North Carolina knocked over a Silent Sam statue On Wednesday, officials in North Carolina voted not to remove three controversial Confederate monuments after the governor asked for them to be relocated People gather around the remainder of the monument following a Monday night rally where the Confederate statue known as Silent Sam was toppled from it's pedestal Republican senator Phill Berger praised the decision on Wednesday saying the committee followed the law and listened to members of the public who agreed the monuments 'are part of our state's history and should remain where they are'. Berger also said he agrees with the idea to build a monument to African Americans in the state on the Capitol ground. On Monday, a group of more than 300 protesters knocked down a Silent Sam statue on the campus of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. About two hours into the protest, a group surrounded the statue - which has long been decried as a symbol of black oppression and racism - and pulled it down. Once it was on the ground, demonstrators kicked it and cheered. The crowd chanted 'Tar Heels!' and 'Whose Campus? Our Campus!' Cars honked as they passed nearby on the college town's main drag. Earlier this month, a Robert E Lee monument in Richmond was defaced with red paint The letters 'BLM', apparently in reference to Black Lives Matter, was also sprayed on the bottom At least one protester was arrested and charged with concealing their face during a public rally and resisting arrest. School officials condemned the protesters' actions as 'dangerous' and have launched a vandalism investigation. Many students, faculty and alumni had called the statue a racist image and asked officials to remove it, though some argued it was a tribute to fallen ancestors. UNC leaders including Chancellor Carol Folt had previously said state law prevented the school from removing the statue. Earlier this month, a Robert E Lee monument in Richmond was defaced with red spray paint sparking an investigation by Capitol police. The vandals had also sprayed the letters 'BLM', apparently in reference to Black Lives Matter, on the base of the statue. A 135-year-old letter written by the then-Prime Minister asking that a friend's son be allowed time off school has come to light ahead of an historic auction. William Gladstone wrote to the Reverend Herbert William Sneyd-Kynnersley in 1883 asking that his colleague be allowed to take his son out of school for a week. The Liberal Party MP Arthur Hamilton-Gordon was just about to move to Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, to become governor of the island. His son would remain a boarder at St George's School in Ascot, Berkshire, meaning they would not see each other for another seven years, the length of his term. William Gladstone wrote a letter (pictured) to the Reverend Herbert William Sneyd-Kynnersley in 1883 asking that his colleague be allowed to take his son out of school for a week The Rev Sneyd-Kynnersley was not one for sentiment and refused to grant the 'indulgence' in a letter (shown left) back to the Prime Minister (pictured right) Gladstone wrote on Downing Street headed paper: 'I venture to ask a favour of you. I should be much obliged if you will give the boy an extra week's holiday.' But the Rev Sneyd-Kynnersley, the son of a magistrate and infamous for his severe floggings of pupils, was not one for sentiment. He told the Prime Minister he would not heed to his 'indulgence' and therefore would not allow the boy to have time off school. He wrote: 'I am sorry that I cannot accede to your request. I cannot do otherwise than decline to grant the indulgence for which you ask.' The letters have been put up for sale with auctioneers Sworders by the descendants of the Rev Sneyd-Kynnersley, who lived at Loxley Hall near Uttoxeter, Staffs. Boarding school where Churchill 'was abused' Sir Winston Churchill was a pupil at St Georges School in Ascot, Berks, from 1882 to 1884, at the time when the letter was written. Earlier this year it was reported that the Reverend Herbert William Sneyd-Kynnersley, who founded the school in 1877, may have abused Churchill during his time there. Churchill was aged just seven-years-old when he started at the boarding school. Novelist Lord Dobbs claimed the future Prime Minister was stripped naked aged eight by the founder of his boys school and repeatedly thrashed. Churchill was removed from St Georges School in 1884 and joined Brunswick School in Hove, East Sussex, before going on to prestigious Harrow. St Georges School was converted into an all girls school in 1904, which it remains to this day. Sir Winston Churchill (pictured) Advertisement They are part of a larger collection of 200 letters which is tipped to sell for up to 1,200. Michael Kousah, consultant at Sworders, said: 'It is an extraordinary letter and an extraordinary response from the headmaster to talk to the Prime Minister in such a way. 'He was known as a great disciplinarian and didn't care that the poor young boy was not going to see his father who was being sent to the other side of the world as part of the diplomatic service. 'Since Gladstone made the approach on behalf of his friend perhaps the friend had already spoken to the headmaster and been refused. 'The letter has remained in the headmaster's family and emerges for auction from his descendants.' St George's School in Ascot, Berkshire, was founded in 1877 and its famous alumni included Sir Winston Churchill, who began boarding there aged seven in 1882. Gladstone was Prime Minister on four separate occasions between 1868 and 1894, serving for 12 of those years including between 1880 and 1885. Last year, Jon Platt, a father from the Isle of Wight, was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay 2,000 costs and a 20 surcharge after losing a high profile legal battle over his decision to take his child out of school for a holiday to Disneyland Florida. The sale takes place on September 11. Nicky Verstappen, 11, was found dead in a forest in August 1998 A survival expert hiding out in French mountains has been named as the prime suspect in the murder of a Dutch boy 20 years ago after a major DNA breakthrough. Nicky Verstappen, 11, was found dead in a forest in August 1998, a day after he went missing from his tent at a youth camp in Limburg. The cold case, once linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, has gripped the Netherlands ever since. Police today announced they suspect former scout leader Jos Bech, who lived nearby, of sexually assaulting and killing the youngster after they matched DNA from his abandoned cabin with DNA on Nicky's clothes. Dutch and French police believe the 55-year-old - who was interviewed at the time of the crime as a witness but presumed innocent - is hiding somewhere in France's mountainous eastern Vosges region, where he owns a cabin. His family reported him missing in April after the former scout worker, who is believed to be a survival expert, told them he was going for a walk in the mountains. 'We are convinced that the suspect has gone into hiding,' Limburg police chief Ingrid Schaefer-Poels told journalists, asking the public to contact police with any information of his whereabouts. Police today announced they suspect survival expert Jos Bech (pictured), who lived nearby, of sexually assaulting and killing the youngster Nicky was found dead a day after he went missing from his tent (pictured) at a youth camp in Limburg Wednesday's announcement brings Verstappen's family one step closer to finding out what happened to Nicky (pictured) The case became linked to Madeleine McCann's disappearance in 2011 when Dutch police questioned a German child murderer, Martin Ney, over Nicky's death. Private detectives working for Kate and Gerry McCann wanted to find out if he was in Portugal when their daughter disappeared after they noticed a resemblance between Ney and a photofit of a man seen acting suspiciously hours before Madeleine vanished in 2007. McCann spokesman Clarence Mitchell said in May 2011: 'Our private investigators became aware of this man a month ago and they will be liaising with the German investigators.' Scotland Yard even liaised with German authorities before interest in Ney was dropped on the belief that he only had sexual interest in boys. Wednesday's announcement brings Verstappen's family one step closer to finding out what happened to Nicky the night he disappeared, in what became one of the most extensive murder investigations to date in the Netherlands. Dutch crime reporter Peter de Vries (right), Nicky's father Peter Verstappen, sister Femke and mother Berthie Verstappen sit next to each other during a press conference on Wednesday This timeline of the investigation shows how the number of people volunteering to give their DNA increased so police could compare it to DNA found on Nicky's clothes in a bid to find a suspect This image is believed to show the forest in the Netherlands where Nicky disappeared and where his body was found 'We now have a one-on-one DNA match with the traces found on Verstappen's body,' Detective Ferdinand Schellinkhout told a press conference in the southern city of Maastricht on Wednesday. 'We are looking for Jos Brech, 55. He was last seen in France.' Police said new digital techniques helped them to develop a DNA profile in 2008, from traces found on Verstappen's clothing, but there had been no match. Earlier this year, some 16,000 men living in the area where Verstappen was murdered volunteered to hand over DNA samples after a call by detectives. Brech who was 35 at the time, was not among the volunteers but as he was previously interviewed as a witness, police became suspicious. When his family reported him as missing, Dutch and French police searched his cabin in the Vosges region. 'We found traces of DNA on his personal belongings. It was a match,' said chief prosecutor Jan Eland. A European-wide warrant for Brech's arrest was issued on June 12. More than a dozen migrants have been rescued south of Malta as they tried to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa. The Maltese Armed Forces picked up the migrants some 68 miles south of the island nation and brought them to port in Valetta today. At least two people did not survive the attempt to journey across the sea, as bodies were seen being removed from the rescue vessel. Saved: Migrants are seen on board of a patrol boat, after being rescued some 68 miles south of Malta, earlier Wednesday Victim: The migrants are seen sitting next to the covered body of one of their fellow travellers., who did not survive the journey to Europe Arrivals: The patrol boat steers into the harbour in Valletta with the rescued The incident took place during a tense time for Malta as the small island nation is embroiled in a row over migrants with Italy. It comes just two days after Italian Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli on called for sanctions against Malta, accusing it of not rescuing migrant boats in the Mediterranean and leaving the burden to Italy. Last week, Maltese army vessels chose not to aid a boat carrying 190 migrants which was crossing international waters, saying it was not in distress. The Maltese government said the migrants refused help because they wanted to reach the Italian island of Lampedusa. Once closer to Lampedusa, the Italian coastguard vessel Diciotti picked it up. Images show more than a dozen men having been saved by the Maltese army One man makes it off the boat barefoot having been rescued among several dozen others Saved: The migrants crouch down on deck while they wait to be allowed to disembark in Malta The Diciotti has since been allowed to dock in Sicily, but the Italian government has refused to let them disembark. 'They are now on board a military vessel, which practically means on Italian soil. I expect that Italy would ask other EU states to help, it is up to them, but Malta followed international law,' Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Sunday in a radio interview. Muscat did not comment on Toninelli's call for sanctions. The row was the latest tussle illustrating how politically fraught the issue of coping with seaborne migrants remains despite a migration deal EU leaders agreed on in June. Soldiers look at the bodies of two migrants being taken off the rescue boat There have been other stand-offs between Italy and Malta. In July, Malta rebuffed Italian pressure to aid a boat carrying hundreds of migrants in the Mediterranean. Flows on one of the main migration routes into Europe - across the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to Italy - has tapered off as Libyan factions have cracked down on people smugglers. But people are still dying at sea and summer is peak season for migrants attempting the crossing, often in overcrowded, unseaworthy boats. Since taking office in June, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has led a campaign to stop the activity of humanitarian rescue ships out of Italy's ports and has toughened the stance on allowing ships to dock in the country's ports. Jeremy Hunt today praised Boris Johnson for 'changing history' with Brexit - and said his fellow Tory could still become Prime Minister. The Foreign Secretary refused to rule out Mr Johnson getting the top job in an interview on the latest stage of his US visit. Mr Hunt, who held talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington this afternoon, also said now believed Britain would be 'better off' outside the EU. And he risked a fresh row by making clear that Donald Trump was right to speak out against protectionism on trade by Brussels. Mr Hunt met Mr Pompeo on the latest leg of his first visit to America since taking over from Mr Johnson last month. However, the trip has ended up being something of a sideshow - after a court case implicated the US President in criminal behaviour over hush money payments to a porn star. Mr Trump's former personal lawyer and 'fixer' Michael Cohen admitted making payments to two women 'at the direction' of the president. Jeremy Hunt held talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington today (pictured) as the Trump administration reels from claims by former fixer The Foreign Secretary (left) was warmly greeted by Mr Pompeo on the latest leg of his first visit to America since taking over from Boris Johnson last month Asked if he agreed with Mr Trump that Boris Johnson (pictured in Westminster last week) would make a 'great PM', Mr Hunt told the Axios website: 'Boris is someone I would never underestimate.' Asked if he agreed with Donald Trump that Mr Johnson would make a 'great PM', Mr Hunt told the Axios website: 'Boris is someone I would never underestimate. 'This is a man who has changed the course of British history through his campaigning for Brexit. I don't agree with him on everything, but, you know, who knows for the future?' Mr Hunt said he viewed Mr Trump's presidency with an 'open mind', saying the US commander in chief approached things with a 'business mentality'. He also seemed to endorse US action against the EU on trade, where Mr Trump has been lambasting protectionist policies by Brussels. 'I can't justify why it is that the tariffs are different in one direction compared to the other given that both Europe and the US have similar standards of living,' Mr Hunt said. 'He's saying he wants to put it right...but he's not looking to have a world where Europe and the US don't trade with each other, and he completely gets the importance of free trade.' Mr Hunt was also due to meet chief of staff John Kelly and adviser Jared Kushner amid the fallout from Cohen's guilty plea to charges including campaign finance fraud stemming from money given to adult actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal. After the talks, Mr Hunt said: 'The United States is our closest ally and I was delighted to meet Vice President Pence, Secretary Pompeo, and other key figures in the US administration to discuss the foreign policy challenges we face together. 'The UK and US, and our joint defence of our shared values, will always be crucial to maintaining the international rules-based system that has kept us safe for decades. 'Our discussions showed real enthusiasm from the US administration, from the President down, for a UK/US Free Trade Agreement to be reached as soon as possible after we leave the EU, something that will benefit businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. 'We are enormously grateful for the solidarity shown by the US as they stood with us when a chemical weapon was inexcusably used in Salisbury earlier this year. Today I was able personally to thank US diplomats expelled from Russia in retaliation.' Deputy US attorney Robert Khuzami told reporters after Cohen's guilty plea in a New York court that he submitted invoices to the candidate's company to obtain reimbursement for the unlawful campaign contributions. Mr Hunt finds himself inadvertently in the middle of a US political storm on the second day of a three-day trip to the United States. Mr Cohen's lawyer's admission came almost simultaneously with the conviction of Mr Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort for fraud offences. The crimes pre-dated the veteran political player's time as head of Mr Trump's 2016 White House bid, although they were prosecuted as part of an investigation into Russian interference in the election. Led by special counsel Robert Mueller, the probe is investigating allegations that associates of Mr Trump colluded with Russian figures to influence the vote. Mr Trump has tried to shrug off the claims by Mr Cohen and renewed his attack on the investigation, calling it a 'witch hunt' and Manafort's conviction a 'disgrace'. Mr Mueller's probe has sought the extradition of 13 Russians indicted over interference in the 2016 election, while Washington has imposed sanctions on the Kremlin. Donald Trump hit out at his former lawyer after Michael Cohen's attorney claimed the US president was guilty of criminal acts Mr Trump looked pensive as he stepped off Air Force One upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Tuesday hours after learning that two of his former confidantes would be going to prison Mr Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations 'in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office' earlier on Tuesday. His lawyer confirmed that the candidate referenced is Trump The US has also expelled dozens of Russian diplomats following the March poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury that in July claimed the life of Dawn Sturgess. During a speech in Washington yesterday, Mr Hunt called on the EU to maintain pressure on Russia and ensure 'that we truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the US'. 'That means calling out and responding to transgressions with one voice wherever and whenever they occur, from the streets of Salisbury to the heart of Crimea,' he said. The Foreign Secretary will travel to New York tomorrow to address the United Nations Security Council on the work of the UK and the US to fight against Islamic State. Mr Hunt will also meet the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss reform of the UN and humanitarian issues. Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino and Asjley Judd spoke out for the first time on Wednesday about the allegations that Asia Argento had sex with a minor. 'Having just touched down from several weeks abroad, I am reeling from the recent news. Although hoping against hope that it is not true, here are my current thoughts,' wrote Sorvino on Twitter. 'I have been heartsick over the recent allegations against Asia Argento. Time will clarify things and perhaps she will be exonerated, but if true, there is no lens that makes it better.' She then stated: 'Child sexual assault is a heinous crime and is against all that I and the #MeToo movement stands for. I remain dedicated in the fight for all victims and change the culture that encourages the abuse of power in sexual relationships.' Sorvino has been a spokesperson for human trafficking in the past and worked with both Amnesty International and was a UN Goodwill Ambassador. Scroll down for video Impressive duo: Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd (above in April) spoke about the allegations being made against Asia Argento on social media on Wednesday Thoughts: Although hoping against hope that it is not true, here are my current thoughts,' wrote Sorvino (above) Musings: Judd wrote: ''We hold any and every abuser accountable, regardless of their gender, race, socioeconomic status, public visibility or popularity' Judd echoed this sentiment in her own remarks. 'Indeed, accountability is at the very heart of the #MeToo movement,' said Judd. 'We hold any and every abuser accountable, regardless of their gender, race, socioeconomic status, public visibility or popularity. Sexual violence is wrong, full stop.' Judd and Sorvino were two of the first women to come forward with allegations of sexual harassment againbst Harvey Weinstein. They were also two of the women he allegedly blacklisted in Hollywood by sharing stories about how difficult the women were to work with, a fact that Peter Jackson revealed in an interview earlier this year. Argento was revealed to have settled a potential lawsuit for $380,000 earlier this year in a New York Times story published on Sunday Lawyers for Jimmy Bennett wrote in the notice that his client was sexually assaulted by Argento back in 2013 after being dropped off by a family member at a Marina del Rey hotel for a visit. The teenager was unable to drive himself due to an eye condition which prohibits him from operating a motor vehicle. The Times, citing a copy of the notice they were sent by an anonymous source, reported that Argento then sent the family member away and was alone with Bennett in her hotel room. Argento then gave the minor 'alcohol to drink and showed him a series of notes she had written to him on hotel stationery.' 'Then she kissed him, pushed him back on the bed, removed his pants and performed oral sex,' said the report. 'She climbed on top of him and the two had intercourse,' according to the notice. 'She then asked him to take a number of photos.' Argento took a number of photos of herself and Bennett after the alleged assault, including one of the two lying naked in bed. Jimmy Bennett (left) claims Asia Argento (right) slept with him in a California hotel room when he was aged 17 and she was 37 which caused mental health issues and crippled his career. Argento has denied the two ever slept together Meeting: Argento and Bennett met when they played a mother and her son in The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things She also posted five photos from the pair's meet-up to her Instagram that day, starting with one of herself in which she wrote: 'Waiting for my long lost son my love @jimmymbennett in trepidation #marinadelrey smoking cigarettes like there was no next week.' In her second post she shared a selfie of herself with Bennett and wrote: 'Happiest day of my life reunion with @jimmymbennett xox.' In that same post, one follower wrote: 'Asia cast him again!! xoxo.' Argento replied: 'jimmy is going to be in my next movie and that is a fact, dig that jack.' When she was then asked if the film would shot stateside, Argento responded: 'no we shoot the s*** in eye-2-ly 's @jimmymbennett's never been there - yet X.' Bennett never worked with Argento again however, and then in November filed his notice after the actress' very public condemnation of her alleged rapist, Weinstein. 'His feelings about that day were brought to the forefront recently when Ms. Argento took the spotlight as one of the many victims of Harvey Weinstein,' stated Bennett's lawyer in the notice. He then asked for $3.5 million in damages, sighting intentional infliction of emotional distress, lost wages, assault and battery. Argento settled and then on Tuesday denied ever having sex with the boy in a statement. Text messages that were allegedly sent by Argento to a friend on Monday reveal that the actress did in fact have sex with her former costar though, when she was 37 and the boy just 17. TMZ published the texts, including one that reads: 'It wasn't raped but I was frozen. He was on top of me. After, he told me I had been his sexual fantasy since was 12.' One day later, Argento denied ever having sex with Bennett in a statement while suggesting the young man extorted her and late boyfriend Anthony Bourdain, who paid out the settlement. Argento also allegedly claims to have been unaware that Bennett was a minor when they had sex in 2013 in the texts, despite raving about how talented the boy was when they met in 2003 on the set of The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things on Twitter just months before their encounter. In that tweet, posted in August 2012, she wrote: 'At 7 you were already one of the most accomplished actors I'd ever met.' A gang of young men have been arrested for kidnapping, raping and torturing a teen girl for over a month. The 17-year-old victim was reportedly kidnapped and taken to a house in the town of Olad Ayad, in the Moroccan province of Beni Melal against her will and was tattoed with swastikas and verbally abused during her ordeal. Buchra Abdou, the founder of the Tahadi Association for Equality and Citizenship, told local media the victim was raped in turn by the gang of 13 young men. The thugs tattooed their victim with a series of tattoos including a swastika on her right hand The gang reportedly burned the victim with cigarettes and inked insults and swastikas onto her skin with a homemade device. The case was only reported to police after the victim was released by the suspects when she had been missing for a month. Abdou said the case might have been reported sooner as rural villagers in Morocco are often scared of the police. Eight suspects have been arrested while another five are being searched for, according to reports. The Tahadi Association for Equality and Citizenship have said they will act as the civil defence for the victim. Abdou said the association will also provide a psychologist for the victim as she suffered 'one of the most savages acts I have seen in my entire life'. The investigation is ongoing and no motive has been provided for the crime. Eight of the gang of 13 young men has been arrested over the kidnap and rape of the 17-year-old girl An aspiring rapper who was killed on a leafy Sydney street after an alleged home invasion and robbery may have inadvertently predicted his own demise. Jett McKee was killed, allegedly with a samurai sword, after storming the home of Hannah Quinn and Craig Davis and trying to flee with money, a court has heard. Davis and Quinn is accused of murdering Mr McKee on a street in the suburb of Forest Lodge, with a balaclava and replica pistol found nearby. Scroll down for video Aspiring rapper Jett McKee (pictured) who was killed on a leafy Sydney street after an alleged home invasion and robbery may have inadvertently predicted his own demise. Now, in a macabre case of life imitating art, it has been revealed it wasn't the first time Mr McKee had come across the balaclava and replica pistol Davis and Quinn is accused of murdering Mr McKee on a street in the suburb of Forest Lodge, with a balaclava and replica pistol found nearby Now, in a macabre case of life imitating art, it has been revealed it wasn't the first time Mr McKee had come across the balaclava and replica pistol. Mr McKee - who performed under the name Scepaz, shot a video for fellow Sydney MC Papaa Tear's unreleased track Roger Rogerson three years ago, in which he played a home invader. At the end of the video, Mr McKee is seen wearing the same balaclava and brandishing the same pistol while he died with as he bursts into an apartment. At the end of the video, Mr McKee is seen wearing the same balaclava and brandishing the same pistol while he died with as he bursts into an apartment Jett McKee was killed, allegedly with a samurai sword, after storming the home of Hannah Quinn (left) and Craig Davis (right) and trying to flee with money, a court has heard A court heard earlier this month that Mr McKee burst into the home of Quinn and Davis and demanded money. However after he was told there was no money he struck Davis and fled. After the two accused caught up with McKee, it's alleged Davis struck him in the head with the samurai sword before Mr McKee stumbled out onto the quite suburban street and died. A Philadelphia mother who made headlines for throwing a $25,000 prom send-off for her son has now hosted an over the top community giveaway just days after being charged with fraud. Saudia Shuler, 44, hosted her annual back-to-school book bag charity drive in her North Philadelphia neighborhood on Tuesday. Hundreds of families queued up for hours along the street outside Shuler's The Country Cookin' restaurant to receive free bookbags and school supplies. It comes after the US attorney's office in Philadelphia announced charges of wire fraud, theft of government funds and Social Security fraud against her on August 14. Scroll down for video Saudia Shuler, 44, hosted her annual back-to-school book bag charity drive in her North Philadelphia neighborhood on Tuesday where hundreds of families lined up for hours Shuler was charged with wire fraud, theft of government funds and Social Security fraud on August 14. She would not comment on the charges during her community event Prosecutors say Shuler applied for benefits, describing herself as disabled and unable to work, but continued working - including operating her restaurant - costing the government more than $36,000. Shuler refused to comment on the fraud charges during her community event on Tuesday. 'I'm never gonna stop doing what I do,' Shuler told CBS. 'This is what I do, everything I do is about the kids.' Shuler has become known for her lavish and over-the-top events after the prom send-off she hosted for her teenage son Johnny Eden Jr. last year went viral. The $25,000 Dubai-themed prom party included a live Arabian camel, a rented Lamborghini, Range Rover and Rolls Royce, three tons of sand and three dates all wearing custom designed gowns. Her son also donned three different custom-made outfits for the pre-prom party. Shuler has become known for her lavish and over-the-top events after the prom send-off she hosted for her teenage son Johnny Eden Jr. (above together) last year went viral Her son had three different dates wearing custom designed gowns. He also donned three custom-made outfits for the pre-prom party Shuler also threw a Black Panther-themed prom this year complete with an actual black panther for the teens in her neighborhood. The celebration had African dancers and people wearing custom costumes based on the 'Black Panther' movie. She dressed as Queen Mother Ramonda, a character portrayed in the film by actress Angela Bassett. Schuler said neighbors and friends helped pitch in for the undisclosed price of the celebration, described as costing in the six figures. Her lawyer, Tariq El-Shabazz, has previously dismissed the allegations against her as false. 'Ms Shuler suffered from a stroke and as a result of that she was in rehab and unable to do anything for two-plus years around the same time she was allegedly perpetrating this particular fraud,' he said. Shuler could face a staggering 140 years with the maximum sentence. Shuler also threw a Black Panther-themed prom this year complete with an actual black panther for the teens in her neighborhood. She is pictured dressed as Queen Mother Ramonda from the film A week ago, before her killer was arrested and made a full confession to her murder, the FBI issued a chilling warning in the Mollie Tibbetts case: the student's attacker is hiding in plain sight and we do not know who he is. It was a frightening claim which was proven true on Tuesday when Cristhian Rivera, an immigrant farm worker who has lived near Brooklyn, Iowa, for up to seven years, admitted killing Mollie and led police to her body. Now, as Rivera faces life behind bars or deportation and as Mollie's struggling family come to terms with her death, questions over where she may be have turned to how her murderer went undetected for weeks as her disappearance captivated the country. Rivera was not known to police until Friday, when investigators traced him through his Chevy Malibu which was filmed following Mollie as she went on her evening jog on July 18. The footage came from security cameras at a private citizen's home. Cristhian Rivera, 24, is shown left with Iris Monarrez, the 25-year-old who he shares a daughter with. Monarrez and Mollie Tibbetts (right) were Facebook friends Police obtained them around a week ago while conducting one of thousands of canvass interviews. They spent days analyzing the footage before finally linking the vehicle to its owner. He had no immediate link to Mollie but his ex-girlfriend Iris Monarrez was friends with her on Facebook and he told police after he was arrested that he had seen Mollie jogging before. Monarrez has not commented on his arrest. Rivera was arrested on Monday when police traced him through surveillance footage which showed his car following Mollie. He then made a full confession to killing her but his motive is not known 'He certainly wasn't known to the local police department. 'Through our interviews and conducting canvass interviews throughout the community we weren't aware of him until we were able to locate the vehicle. 'It's not like he was on anybody's radar. We weren't aware of him throughout the investigation,' Rick Rahn, special agent from Iowa's Division of Criminal Investigation told Today on Wednesday. When he was approached by police on Friday, Rivera, a 24-year-old father, went willingly to participate in an interview. He then confessed to attacking Mollie, putting her body in the trunk of his car and driving her to a field 10 miles away. Afterwards, he led the officers to her body. It was a stunning end to a five week long investigation which focused on others living in the town, including a pig farmer who was questioned three times and had his home searched. Wayne Cheney, the farmer, allowed police to search his home and land and was subjected to a polygraph test. This is the house where Rivera was living with other migrant workers before he was arrested MOLLIE TIBBETTS FAMILY STATEMENT ON HER MURDER Our hearts are broken. On behalf of Mollie's entire family, we thank all of those from around the world who have sent their thoughts and prayers for our girl. We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Mollie in our hearts forever. At this time, our family asks that we be allowed the time to process our devastating loss and share our grief in private. Again, thank you for the outpouring of love and support that has been shared in Mollie's name. Advertisement No other suspects or people of interest were ever named. Mollie's boyfriend was out of town the night she went missing as was his brother, his brother's fiancee and her father Rob. Rob said he believed his daughter had been taken by someone she knew but that he believed she was still alive. Special agent Rick Rahn said on Wednesday that the only reason Rivera was arrested was because of the footage On July 18, he was seen driving around in his black car, following the route she took. He told police that when he eventually approached her, he parked his car to get out and speak to her then attacked when she threatened to call the police. It remains unclear when exactly Rivera entered the US. He is originally from the town of Guayabillo in the state of Guerrero. There is no trace of him on property or voter records in the US but he had been working for Yarrabee Farms which is owned by Dane Lang, the brother of a prominent Republican Iowan. He passed the background check required to get a job there and had been living with other migrant workers in a farmhouse that is owned by the company they work for. He'd been living there for four years and was an employee 'of good standing'. Little is known about Rivera's background aside from the fact he moved from Guerrero to the US as many as seven years ago Police now say they are grateful for the person whose cameras caught his route on July 18 because without it, they would still be looking for the person responsible. 'We ere fortunate enough to be able to have that video. 'We spent a number of days and hours reviewing the video and subsequently were able to identify Rivera's vehicle and we were able to locate him and ultimately conduct the interview with Mr. Rivera,' Rahn said. Mollie's parents are yet to speak about the discovery of her body or about Rivera's arrest. He is due in court later on Wednesday afternoon and is also the subject of an ICE detainer. A jilted woman sobbed in court during her murder retrial on Tuesday as three of her former cellmates said she laughed after shooting her boyfriend in the face after he dumped her for Miss Ohio 2012. Shayna Hubers, 27, is accused of 'cackling' as she shot attorney Ryan Poston six times - including once in the face - just before he was due to meet Miss Ohio 2012 Audrey Bolte for a date on October 12 of that year. According to her cellmates, she boasted in jail that she gave Poston the 'nose job he always wanted' afterwards and cackled once he was dead. Their testimony was similar to that heard at her first trial in 2015, which found her guilty of murder only for the verdict to be thrown out because one of the jurors had a prior felony conviction. Scroll down for video Shayna Hubers, 27, cried in court on Tuesday (pictured) during her retrial for allegedly murdering her boyfriend Ryan Poston after he started dating a beauty queen Hubers allegedly shot Poston six times - including once in the face - at his penthouse apartment in Ohio. They are pictured together in an undated image Donna Dooley, Holly Nivens, and Cecily Miller all told the court Hubers still showed no remorse for the killing, Cincinnati.com reported. Miller said she once cracked a joke about having given him 'the nose job he had always wanted'. Hubers broke down crying during a recess on Tuesday before hugging one of her attorneys. It was the most emotion she had shown in a courtroom, where she usually sits stony-faced while flashing the occasional smile at relatives she recognizes. The former University of Kentucky psychology major, who was 21 at the time, admitted to shooting Poston at his penthouse in Ohio, but says she did so in self-defense. They had been dating on-off for one and a half years after meeting on Facebook. Hubers' cellmates presented the defendant as an unrepentant murder who still believed she was right to kill Poston for dumping her for Bolte, now 29, and also a former Miss USA. Nivens said she overheard Hubers on the phone to her mother saying Poston's family was rich enough to buy another son. Poston died shortly before due to meet Miss USA and Miss Ohio 2012 runner-up Audrey Bolte for a date on October 12 of that year. She is pictured at Miss USA in Las Vegas on June 3, 2012 (left) and in New York City on September 7 of that year 'She would get on the phone and cry and sing to her mom and say there's worse crimes than murder,' Dooley said of the defendant. Miller said Hubers would regularly talk about Poston in jail and joked that he was so vain he would be grateful for having been given 'the nose job he always wanted'. The prosecution also summoned a forensics expert, who said Poston had been shot first in the forehead, twice in the back from three feet away while still seated, and a further three times in his torso from the same distance while he lay on the floor. Details about the dysfunctional relationship between Hubers and Poston where heard in court on Monday. Highland Heights Police Chief Bill Birkenhauer said Hubers would log onto Poston's Facebook and blocked women. He also said Hubers bombarded Poston with a hundred texts for every one he send after one of their regular break-ups. Texts Birkenhauer read to the jury included several from a phone number that was not in his contacts which insulted his ability as a lawyer and accused him of lacking in sexual prowess. The number was later revealed as that of a female friend Hubers lived with. 'Lose the beer gut and get better at your job,' was one of the messages read out in court, according to Cincinnati.com. Details about the dysfunctional relationship between Hubers (left) and Poston (right) where heard in court on Monday. Photos undated Hubers is pictured watching a court hearing in 2015. The guilty verdict reached at that trial was thrown out because a juror was found to have had a previous conviction This was found as a screenshot on Hubers phone alongside a text sent from the device saying 'I texted Ryan this from a friend's phone'. After the first trial, Hubers was sentenced to 40 years in prison without the opportunity for early parole on account of showing no remorse. Campbell County Circuit Judge Fred Stine branded the killing 'as cold-blooded an act as I've seen'. A retrial was ordered after it emerged that Dave Craig, 53, who had served as a juror, had a criminal past. Proceedings have been constantly interrupted by a loud noise from courtroom speakers intended to hide discussions between attorneys and the judge from the jury. On Wednesday, the judge threw out a defense request to have the latest proceedings also declared a mistrial after prosecution witnesses referenced the earlier trial. David Eldridge requested the mistrial after two witnesses called by the prosecution referenced the prior trial, which was thrown out after it was found a juror had a prior felony conviction. The case continues. The Saudi Arabian female political activist who may be facing the death penalty has only been accused of non-violent crimes, it emerged today. Israa al-Ghomgham, 29, is currently on trial over charges relating to anti-government protests and political activism in the eastern region of Qatif. Human rights organisations have accused the Saudi regime of 'monstrous' behaviour in relation to her imprisonment and trial, saying the royal family and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman can no longer 'spin the fairy tale of 'reform'. On trial: Israa al-Ghomgham, 29, pictured as a child holding her sister, has been imprisoned since 2015, after taking part in anti-government protests in the eastern region of Qatif Fresh details of the charges were revealed today after her case was reported on Tuesday. Ms Al-Ghomgham has been charged with a series of non-violent crimes, including 'incitement to protest,' 'chanting slogans hostile to the regime,' 'filming protests and publishing on social media,' and 'providing moral support to rioters.' Prosecutors have called for her execution based on the Islamic law principle of ta'zir, in which the judge has discretion over the definition of what constitutes a crime and over the sentence. 'Any execution is appalling, but seeking the death penalty for activists like Israa al-Ghomgham, who are not even accused of violent behavior, is monstrous,' said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. 'Every day, the Saudi monarchy's unrestrained despotism makes it harder for its public relations teams to spin the fairy tale of 'reform' to allies and international business.' Ms Al-Ghomgham is a Shia activist, and had been fighting to end discrimination against Saudi Shia citizens in the majority-Sunni country. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has expressed a desire to soften his nation's image, but the number of executions has risen since his ascension Ms Al-Ghomgham and five other activists, including her husband, were arrested in December 2015, and have been imprisoned since. Human rights activists say none of them have been offered proper legal representation. During Ms Al-Ghomgham's first trial session earlier this month, the prosecution recommended that she be sentenced to death for her crimes. It is thought that she would then become the first female human rights and political activist to be executed in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia uses several methods of capital punishment, however the most common is beheading. The court has yet to convict Ms Al-Ghomgham and her five co-defendants, and the trial is not due to continue until the end of October. There have been several false reports on social media claiming that Ms Al-Ghomgham had already been executed. Images of another woman has also been spread online with commentators claiming her to be Ms Al-Ghomgham, however the only photo of her available is a family photo from her childhood where she is seen holding her younger sister, Several Saudi Arabian human rights activists have taken to social media to slam the reports, urging supporters not to share false information which could hurt her case. Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has executed seven women, on average two per year, for crimes such as murder. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has expressed a desire to soften his nation's image, but the number of executions has risen since his ascension. Last year, the hardline Muslim nation executed a total of 146 people, according to Amnesty, up from 90 in 2015. A potential constitutional law breach could make him ineligible to be the PM Questions have been raised about Mr Dutton's interests in a childcare business Peter Dutton (pictured) may be ineligible to be Australia's next prime minister if he is found to be in breach of constitutional parliamentary law Peter Dutton may be ineligible to be Australia's next prime minister if he is found to be in breach of constitutional law. Ahead of a likely second leadership spill, questions have been raised regarding Mr Dutton's interests in a childcare business that receives government funding. Attorney-General Christian Porter confirmed on Wednesday that he would be seeking legal advice from the solicitor-general over Mr Dutton's eligibility, Nine News reported. 'In doing so, I will observe the standard practice that applies to requests from the attorney-general to the solicitor-general, which includes not commenting on a matter which is the subject of a request for advice,' Mr Porter said in a statement. Labor sought answers during Wednesday's parliamentary question time relating to the former home affairs minister's interest in two Brisbane childcare centres through the RHT Family Trust. The register of MPs' interests states that Mr Dutton, his wife Kirilly and their children are beneficiaries of the RHT Family Trust. His involvement in cabinet decisions on the childcare sector has become subject to investigation. If proven to be involved, Mr Dutton may have breached section 44 of the constitution. Attorney-General Christian Porter (pictured) confirmed on Wednesday he would be seeking legal advice from the solicitor-general over Mr Dutton's eligibility Section 44 states that someone is ineligible for parliament if they have 'any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any agreement with the Public Service of the Commonwealth'. Mr Dutton is yet to comment on the claims, although sources suggested he was confident he had not broken constitutional law. The revelation comes after Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Jobs Minister Michaelia Cash were reported to have withdrawn support for Malcolm Turnbull, joining a raft of ministers who offered their resignations following Tuesday's leadership spill. A letter requesting a party room meeting circulated among Liberal MPs, who requested the prime minister call an urgent leadership vote - which is expected to take place pn Thursday morning. The letter is believed to say: 'Dear Prime Minister, we, the undersigned, request that you call a meeting of the Joint House Parliamentary Liberal Party, as soon as practicable, for the purpose of determining the leadership of the Party.' Finance Minister Mathias Cormann (left) and Jobs Minister Michaelia Cash withdrew support for Malcolm Turnbull (right) Wednesday If party rebels overwhelmingly back Mr Dutton, he will replace Mr Turnbull as Australia's prime minister. Former deputy prime minister and former leader of the Nationals Barnaby Joyce said if anyone is able to sort the Liberal Party's issues, it is former prime minister John Howard. 'I think everyone would be honest to him,' Mr Joyce told Sky News. 'He could basically phone up every person in the Liberal party, find out what their position is without fear or favour and with complete confidentiality.' Mr Turnbull narrowly survived a leadership ballot from Mr Dutton in an extraordinary Liberal party room vote on Tuesday, prevailing 48 votes to 35. Having lost support of two more liberal party room members on Wednesday, another leadership spill has become a growing possibility. Mr Dutton's team reportedly said they were confident they had the numbers to succeed if a vote were to go ahead. Having lost support of two more liberal party room members Wednesday, another leadership spill has become a growing possibility (Michaelia Cash pictured) Frontbenchers Angus Taylor, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Zed Seslja, James McGrath, Michael Keenan, Michael Sukkar, and Steve Ciobo all tendered resignations to the PM Tuesday evening after not backing him in the vote. Mr Dutton's resignation was accepted, but Mr Turnbull planned to keep the others in his team. International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells offered her resignation with a letter where she criticised the Liberal Party for moving too far to the left. Senator Fierravanti-Wells said she pushed for Mr Dutton to replace Julie Bishop as deputy Liberal leader to improve stability. Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar offered his resignation after voting for Mr Dutton in the spill, along with Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister James McGrath. Cybersecurity Minister Angus Taylor and Human Services Minister Michael Keenan also reportedly offered their resignations. Abdul Jalil, 64, raked in thousands in benefits while secretly remortgaging his house to allow his children to buy this own homes. At the Old Bailey, Jalil agreed to do community service - but only if it is 'light work' A benefits fraud who hasn't worked since 1988 and claimed to have just 50 to his name when he actually had more than 86,000 in his account has been spared jail. Bangladeshi immigrant Abdul Jalil, 64, who raked in thousands in benefits while secretly remortgaging his house to allow his children to buy their own homes, agreed to do community service - but only if it is 'light work'. Jalil, of Moorgate, east London, admitted dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances. At the Old Bailey today he was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. The fraudster, who came to the UK in 1969 but speaks very little English, exceeded the amount of cash claimants are allowed to have in 2008 when he was loaned 25,000 to buy his council house. He did not notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and continued wrongly claiming more than 28,000 over the next eight years. Jalil then lied to the DWP about his assets as he filled out his benefits review form on New Year's Eve 2012. The father-of six had remortgaged his council flat in May that year for roughly 148,000 and given the money down to his children so they could purchase their own properties keeping around 86,500 for himself. Jalil claims he cannot work because of his health, but a probation officer found the only problem he had is a slightly tender right knee. Jalil, who the court heard is illiterate, was due to stand trial on Tuesday but the court could not find a Bengali interpreter as it was the Islamic holiday of Eid. He appeared at the Old Bailey today to admit one count of dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances contrary to the Social Security Administration Act 1992, after he and his barrister had a 'man to man' chat about the case against him. Prosecutor Matthew Hardyman said: 'Mr Jalil has in fact been claiming income support from 1999 up to 2017. 'Both dates specified in the indictment, 2008 to 2016, there was varying amounts of capital in the accounts held by Mr Jalil and his wife far in excess of the prescribed amount. 'The Crown do not say that this was dishonest from the outset but on 31 December 2012 Mr Jalil was sent a review form to ensure that he was receiving the correct amount of benefits.' Jalil completed the form, informing the authorities he had only 50 when the 'true picture was they had in excess of 86,000', the prosecutor said. Sentencing guidelines recommend somewhere between 36 weeks and 21 months in prison for the offence as a starting point, but the judge, Recorder Sasha Wass QC, allowed Jalil to walk free with a sentence of 24 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years. The judge said: 'This failure, extending over an eight-year period, resulted in overpayment of 28,771 of benefits to which you weren't entitled. 'Benefits in this country are provided to those who need it and are paid out of the public purse. 'By failing to notify the authorities of your change in financial circumstances you abused that system over a long period, losing the public purse a great deal of money. 'However, I accept that you were not dishonest from the outset. I understand that you made full admissions when you were interviewed by the Department for Work and Pensions and I fully accept what has been said on your behalf - that you wanted to explore the possibility of pleading guilty while in advance of today's date.' The judge said she accepted the submissions of the probation officer, who told the Old Bailey Jalil was 'deeply ashamed' of what he had done. The judge continued: 'The sentencing guidelines, which I must follow in this case, make it plain that this type of offending at this level will normally attract a prison sentence of between 36 weeks and 21 months. 'Having heard all about you, including your personal circumstances and how this offence occurred, I propose to sentence you to 24 weeks imprisonment which in your case will be suspended for a period of two years.' Andrew Collings, defending, said Jalil 'hasn't worked himself for a number of years due to health difficulties.' Jalil told probation officers 'he would do unpaid work as long as it's light work', and the judge ordered him to complete 120 hours. Mr Collings said Jalil's 'misguided sense of loyalty to the children' was what led to the offending. 'What they were trying to do in relation to the larger sum of 150,000, having exercised their right to buy a council property, it appears they were persuaded by the children to buy their property,' he said. 'To some extent he [Jalil] is the author of his own misfortunes.' Before sentencing the judge asked Mr Collings: 'As you understand it the reason he was over the limit of capital sums was twofold: One, because of a loan, and the other is that he and his wife were given an option to buy their own council house and they obtained a mortgage?' Mr Collings responded: 'They had their own mortgage and this was a remortgage, as it were, to assist their children.' A Colorado father charged with killing his family may have murdered his two young daughters before his pregnant wife returned home from a business trip, investigators said Tuesday morning during a court appearance. Christopher Watts is charged with nine felony counts after the bodies of his wife, Shanann, and daughters, Celeste and Bella, were found on an oil field last week near their Frederick home, days after they were reported missing by a family friend. During Watt's arraignment on Tuesday, a judge recited charges against him, which indicate that detectives believe Watts killed his children first and then killed his 15-week pregnant wife. According to the documents, Shanann was killed on August 13, the same day she returned home from an out-of-state business trip. The charges allege that Watts killed Bella and Celeste 'between and including August 12 and August 13'. The charging documents contradict a statement Watts previously made to investigators saying he went into a fit of rage and strangled Shanann to death after he saw on the baby monitor her 'actively strangling' Celeste. Bella, Watts told authorities, was already dead and had started turning blue. Detectives believe Christopher Watts killed his daughters Bella and Celeste before his wife Shanann returned him from a business trip Watts, 33, was charged with nine felony counts - including three counts of first degree murder - on Tuesday morning Detectives did not believe Watts' version of events ad charged him with nine felony counts - including three counts of first-degree murder, two of murdering children in his trust, one of terminating a pregnancy and three of tampering with bodies. Watts did not have to enter a plea during Tuesday's court appearance, and faces the death penalty if found guilty. According to an arrest affidavit released on Monday, Shanann's friend and co-worker Nickole Utoft Atkinson dropped the pregnant mother-of-two off at her home just before 2am on August 13. The two had been in Arizona for a business trip for Le-Vel, the health and wellness company they sold products for. Atkinson told detectives that Shanann had not been feeling well during the trip due to her pregnancy. She said she grew concerned about her friend, who also suffered from the autoimmune disease lupus, when Shanann failed to show up for a doctors appointment at 10am. Atkinson said calls and texts to Shanann's cellphone went unanswered so she went over to her home to check on her fearing that Shanann was suffering a medical emergency. '(Nickole) went to Shanann's residence and discovered her car in the garage with car seats positioned inside of it,' the affidavit says. '(She) attempted to enter the front door, but a latch prevented it from opening more than three inches.' Watts was last week arrested for murdering his wife Shanann and their two young daughters Investigators believe Watts allegedly killed his family at home and then drove their bodies to a property owned by the company he worked for, Anadarko Petroleum If he's found guilty, Watts could face the death penalty. He has not yet entered a plea in court In an affidavit unsealed late Monday, Watts claimed that he watched on the baby monitor as his pregnant wife killed one of the two daughters but detectives did not believe him. Shanann was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed Frank Rzucek, 55, the father of murdered Shanann Watts broke down in tears as Judge Kopcow read the charges against his son-in-law At the end of the 18-minute hearing in Ruczek, pictured with his son Frankie (right) stared down Christopher Watts as he was led from the court by prison officers Atkinson said she called Watts at work and told him he needed to come home and check on his wife and kids. She also called police, who arrived to the home before Watts did. Watts let officers into the house and police discovered that Shanann's personal belongings like her cellphone, purse and wallet, were still inside. Watts said he and his wife had a discussion about separating around 4am before he left for work. He said they were both crying and emotional, but it was not argumentative. He also told detectives that Shanann told him that she was taking the girls and going to a friend's house. Over the next few days, police searched for Shanann and her girls while Watts did news interviews saying he did not know where they were and begged them to come back home. The day before his arrest, Watts pleaded for his family's safe return saying in an on-camera interview: 'I just want people to know that I want my family back. I want them safe and I want them here'. During his court appearance on Tuesday, Watts hung his head and stayed silent. Shanann's father, Frank Rzucek, wept silently but uncontrollably as the charges were read. Watts remained emotionless in court on Tuesday as the charges were read against him. He answered, 'Yes sir,' several times in a barely audible voice Shanann's father Frank Rzucek (right) spoke to reporters at a press conference thanking everyone for their prayers. Rzucek's son Frankie, 32, (left) also appeared at the press conference but did not speak Rzucek's son Frankie, 32, put his hand on his father's back in support as the older man leaned forward in his seat and cried. At the end of the 18-minute hearing in Greeley, Colorado, Rzucek, 55, stared down Christopher Watts as he was led from the court by prison officers. Watts, 33, whose hands and legs were shackled did not lift his head to acknowledge his father-in-law as he shuffled out of the third-floor courtroom. Watts answered, 'Yes sir,' several times in a barely audible voice as Judge Kopcow read the charges to him. He will next appear in court on November 19. Judge Kopcow told him that if found guilty of the murder charges he could face the death penalty and in any case will never see life outside of prison. District Attorney Michael Rourke has nine weeks to decide whether to seek execution. According to the affidavit, Watts claimed that he had been having an affair with a co-worker at Anadarko Oil and he told his wife he wanted to separate after she returned home following her trip. The case has drawn national media attention to the town of Frederick, as well as hundreds of flowers and toys from friends and strangers Mourners are seen Sunday at the family home where police say the murders were committed He claimed he then left the bedroom and when he returned he watched on the baby monitor as Shanann strangled Celeste. He became enraged, he claimed, and strangled his wife. He then bundled the bodies into his truck and drove 35 miles to a windswept plain outside Roggen, Colorado, where he buried his wife in a shallow grave and dumped his two daughters into a tank filled with crude oil. He later told police where he had hidden the bodies. Watts has been held at the Weld County Jail on the outskirts of Greeley. He is being kept away from other prisoners for his own safety, according to Fox News. Shanann's father made an emotional appearance Monday to thank everyone involved in arresting his son-in-law. 'I'd like to thank everyone in the Frederick Police Department and all the agencies involved for working so hard to find my daughter, granddaughters and Nico,' Rzucek said between sobs. 'I'd like to thank everyone for coming to the candlelight vigil and saying all your prayers. They are gratefully appreciated and keep the prayers coming for our family.' Since the bodies were found, well-wishers have left toys, dozens of flowers, candles and balloons in the front yard of the $400,000 house on Saratoga Trail in Frederick that the couple bought in 2013. Former Apprentice star Summer Zervos - who is suing Trump for defamation - is demanding the President's lawyers had over information on his other sex accusers. Lawyers for Zervos, who says Trump kissed her twice on the mouth and groped her breast without consent in 2007, say the evidence will be relevant to assessing Trump's conduct around women. Zervos filed papers on Tuesday, the same day Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort was jailed for fraud and his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations. Summer Zervos is demanding Trump's lawyers hand over information from his other sexual accusers as she sues the President for defamation Zervos, a former Apprentice contestant (pictured on the show in 2005), says Trump kissed her twice on the mouth and groped her breasts without consent in 2007 Zervos leveled her accusations against Trump during the 2016 election and he hit back, describing her as a lair at political rallies. Trump claimed she had made up the tale for fame or to help his opponents. The statute of limitations has expired on Trump's alleged crimes, but Zervos subsequently filed suit for defamation, saying Trump went too far in his denials. 'In an effort to convince the public that Ms. Zervos supposedly had lied about his groping defendant did not merely deny the truth of the specific facts she reported,' a statement seen by ABC says. 'He went further, attacking her by stating falsely that she had lied for fame or to aid his political opponent.' Trump denied the claims, telling rallies that Zervos had lied to get fame or help his opponents in the election. She is now claiming that his denials went too far Trump also denied ever inappropriately touching any woman, saying 'that is not how I've conducted my life.' In the latest filing, lawyer Mariann Wang accuses Trump's lawyers of failing to hand over evidence his other accusers gave at pre-trial hearings. Since Trump 'insisted unequivocally that he had never inappropriately touched any woman', Wang argues that the evidence will be essential in determining whether that was true. The information will also help prove or disprove whether Trump established patterns of behavior which included touching women suddenly. Trump, who denies Zervos' allegations, is trying to get the case dismissed or postponed until after his presidency. A request to delay the lawsuit was thrown out earlier this year, but Trump's lawyers also have a bigger bone of contention, saying that a sitting President can't be sued in a state court. The New York courts refused to deal with that allegation, saying it could be debated at a later date. Trump's attorneys have said that his statements were true, and also that his remarks were 'non-defamatory opinions' that came amid the heated public debate of a national political campaign. Democrats are prepared to rally the party faithful and take action from the halls of Congress to across the nation should President Donald Trump fire special counsel Robert Mueller. Lawmakers would move within minutes of such a move by the president, with their priority being saving the information Mueller and his team gathered in their investigation of Russia's role in the 2016 election and whether Trump obstructed the probe. The series of contingency plans, as reported by NBC News, include nearly a thousand rallies being prepared from the Virgin Islands to Alaska. And lawmakers would take to the floors of the House and the Senate to call for a Watergate-type of special congressional committee to pick up the investigation. Democrats' priority would be saving the information special counsel Robert Mueller collected in his investigation with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (above) working on legislation Special counsel Robert Mueller may be called to testify before Congress if he is fired Some lawmakers would immediately call for the president to be impeached and Mueller himself may be called upon to testify before congressional committees. Lawmakers are also prepared in case Trump takes other actions to impede the investigation, such as firing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein or pardoning witnesses. Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer warned on Tuesday that Trump should not suggestion pardons for his former campaign manager Paul Manafort or his former personal attorney Michael Cohen. 'He had better not talk about pardons for Michael Cohen or Paul Manafort tonight or anytime in the future,' he said. The first step of the plan would be for Schumer to consult with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as Democrat senators demand a floor vote on a bill retroactively protecting Mueller and the information his investigation collected, according to interviews NBC conducted with nearly a dozen lawmakers, congressional aides, Democratic operatives and attorneys involved in the planning. Democratic lawmakers in both the House and Senate would reach out to Republicans they see as sympathetic to their plan and who have privately signaled to them they'd be willing to act if Trump tried to squash the Russia investigation. 'We've had a lot of conversations about how exactly and who and when and where,' Democratic Sen. Chris Coons told NBC News. 'There have been several moments when it seemed imminent.' Additionally, across the country, rallies would be scheduled for 5 pm if Mueller is fired before 2 pm. If he's fired later in the day, protests would happen on noon the next day. MoveOn.org, a Democratic group, has been organizing 933 protests, with locations selected and sponsors on hand to handle logistics. More than 350,000 people have RSVP'd online to attend although there is no way to predict how many people would actually turn out. Democratic lawmakers have long harbored considered Trump could fire Mueller, his bete noire that he frequently criticizes on Twitter as leading a political 'witch hunt' against him. Other senior officials in the Russia investigation have been fired or forced out since Trump became president, including former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, former FBI Director Jim Comey and former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe. On August 1, Trump took to twitter to push Attorney General Jeff Sessions to 'stop' the investigation 'right now' - a move the White House said was the president giving his opinion, not issuing an order. 'The president's stating his opinion. It's not an order,' said White House press secretary Sarah Sanders at the time. Democratic Lawmaker Eric Swawell, who's said to be considering a 2020 White House bid, retweeted Trump's tweet with this message added: 'Fire Mueller and we fire you.' Democratic Lawmakers are also prepared if President Trump fires Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein or pardons any witnesses in the investigation Given Republican control of both chambers of Congress, any success by the Democrats in protecting Mueller is contingent on GOP cooperation. Democrats are also wary of and prepared for a 'Saturday Night Massacre' type scenario. The Saturday Night Massacre was a series of events that took place during the Watergate scandal on the evening of Saturday, October 20, 1973. Then-President Richard Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire independent special prosecutor Archibald Cox but Richardson refused and resigned. Nixon then ordered Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus to fire Cox but Ruckelshaus also refused and resigned. It took the third-most-senior official at DOJ, Solicitor General Robert Bork, to fire Cox. SARAH VINE: There is something magnificent about Alice Evans's refusal to take her betrayal lying down as she took to Twitter like a Greek Fury about her husband Ioan Gruffudd's new girlfriend Bianca Wallace. 'So it turns out that my husband, after two years of telling me I'm a bad person and I'm not exciting and he no longer wants to have sex with me and he just wants to be on set abroad has been in a relationship for three years behind all our backs,' she wrote, adding: 'Good luck, Bianca.' The raw emotion of her outburst, combined with the fact that she chose to make her distress so public, has divided opinion. Her timeline was full of people calling her a 'bitter psycho' and suggesting she should take herself off to a 'nice spa' to calm down. Many clearly felt she was making an unnecessary fuss and embarrassing herself. Many clearly felt she was making an unnecessary fuss and embarrassing herself. It is the pain of a woman who is not only dealing with the loss of her youth and her fertility, coming to terms with the fact that - in purely biological terms - there is no turning back; but also with the loss of her marriage, the person she had built her life around - and the future she thought they would have together. (Pictured: Left, Alice Evans with Ioan Gruffudd. Right, Mr Gruffudd's new girlfriend Bianca Wallace) A gay man has admitted to blackmailing an engaged man he matched with on Grindr, demanding $1300 not to dob him into his fiancee. Timothy Ruge, 34, pleaded guilty in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday after threatening to 'out' his victim following their match on the gay dating app. The victim was on Grindr to 'chat and flirt' on March 2 when he came across Ruge's profile and sent a photo of himself, according to court documents seen by The Age. Scroll down for video Timothy Ruge (pictured), 34, pleaded guilty in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday after threatening to 'out' his victim following their match on the gay dating app Ruge then replied with a photo of the man's fiancee, saying: 'She's pretty, you cheating b*****d'. After the victim apologised, Ruge went on to demand cash to keep his mouth shut, writing: 'Cardless cash me $500 now, then $500 in 30 mins ARE WE CLEAR', followed by 'And I vanish', the documents claimed. 'She (my partner) handles all my money', the victim told Ruge, who responded, 'but 'tick tock I'll ask her for it then shall I. Tick tock', court documents said. The victim attempted to transfer $200 but said his system 'kept crashing' so agreed to meet at Southern Cross Station in the city to hand over the cash. Ruge then replied with a photo of the man's fiancee, saying 'She's pretty, you cheating bastard' (pictured transcript of the text message exchange) After the victim apologised, Ruge (left) went on to demand cash to keep his mouth shut Ruge then deleted their message conversation, documents allege, but he messaged again, six minutes after the meeting, requesting an extra $1000. The man said he 'went home feeling like s***', and 'was freaking out my missus was going to find out'. He contacted police following the second request for money, and Ruge was arrested May 3 after officers searched his apartment. After his initial court appearance in May, Ruge told AAP the matter involved 'unfortunate circumstances'. Ruge, who is on bail, will appear at the County Court on November 9 for a plea hearing, ahead of sentence. The gulf in public spending between Scotland and the UK as a whole has risen to a record 1,600 per head, it was revealed today. The state laid out 13,530 for every individual north of the border last year, compared to 11,954 across the wider union. Scots also contributed less in tax, with 11,052 raised per person as opposed to 11,358 in the UK. Tory MPs said the details, released along with a raft of Scottish economic data, showed England was shoring up Nicola Sturgeon's 'Venezuelan' policies. Tory MPs said the details, released along with a raft of Scottish economic data, showed England was shoring up Nicola Sturgeon's 'Venezuelan' policies. Mr Sturgeon visited a building site in Glasgow today to launch the figures (pictured) Scotland has long benefited from a greater share of government revenues than the UK as a while, thanks to the generous way money is allocated through the Barnet formula. Critics say that is why the SNP has been able to stick to expensive policies like free university courses and free eye tests. The gap per person has risen from 610 in 1998-9 to 1,448 in 2016-17, and then hit 1,576 last year. The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures provide a detailed account of how every penny of public money is raised and spent. The latest set for for 2017-18 show: Scotland spent 13.4billion more than it raised, including a geographic share of North Sea revenues. The deficit in Scotland was 7.9 per cent of the country's GDP - down from 8.9 per cent the previous year but four times higher than that of the UK as a whole (1.9 per cent of GDP). North Sea revenue rose from 266million in 2016-17 to 1,327million while onshore tax take increased by 2billion, taking total revenue to 60billion. Public spending in Scotland increased to 73.4 billion, equivalent to 9.3 per cent of total UK public-sector expenditure, and 13,530 per person - 1,576 greater than the UK average. Scotland has also seen its welfare bill swell to a record high of 23.6billion, including a 4.5 per cent increase in the benefits being devolved to Holyrood in just one year. Trying to put a brave face on the grim figures, Ms Sturgeon said: 'Looking at the wider economic picture, these figures - along with recent labour market stats, labour productivity and GDP figures - show that Scotland is on the right trajectory.' Speaking to journalists at a briefing in Glasgow, she rejected the suggestion that higher public spending north of the border was a 'persuasive argument for the union'. Ms Sturgeon (pictrued in Glasgow today) rejected the suggestion that higher public spending north of the border was a 'persuasive argument for the union' 'There are very good reasons why public spending per head in Scotland is higher than it is in the UK, not least the rurality of our population,' she said. 'If we look at the situation in Scotland within the UK over a longer period of time, this notion that Scotland is somehow subsidised, I think, simply does not stand up to scrutiny.' The first minister said Brexit posed a 'real and present danger' to the Scottish economy. She said: 'That's one path that lies ahead. The other one is that we take more control over our own economy to put the task of growing our economy more firmly into our own hands. 'I think it's important that that's a positive debate in the years to come and these numbers as well as other information will no doubt inform that in the period ahead.' Scottish Secretary David Mundell described the level of Scotland's deficit compared with the UK figure as 'concerning'. He said the figures 'also confirm that being part of a strong United Kingdom - the fifth largest economy in the world - is worth nearly 1,900 for every single person in Scotland, which supports vital public services'. 'Simply put, Scotland contributed 8 per cent of UK tax and received more than 9% of UK spending for the benefit of families across the country,' he added. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: 'The fact is that without the support of English taxpayers money, Ms Sturgeon and the SNP would have made Scotland into a copy of Venezuela but without the sunshine.' Islamic State's media wing have released a chilling video of four young boys - one as young as 11 - that they claim are behind knife attacks on police in the name of the terrorist group. The attacks on police targets in the Russian region of Chechnya on Monday were claimed by IS. In the new footage, three of the boys brandished large knives and the youngest held up a phone with an Islamic State flag displayed on the screen as they pledged allegiance in Russian to Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In the ISIS video the boys described themselves as the 'Mujahideen of the Caucasus' and threatened attacks on 'infidels' The authenticity of the video and identities of the individuals could not be verified but the ages of the boys appeared consistent with statements by local officials who said the attackers were minors, with one as young as 11. In the attacks on Monday, which included a botched suicide bombing and a knife attack on a police station, four of the assailants were shot dead, while the fifth was hospitalised after he blew himself up but survived, Russian news agencies and officials said. In the video released by Islamic State's media arm Amaq, the boys described themselves as the 'Mujahideen of the Caucasus' and threatened attacks on infidels. The four boys can be seen in the video flaunting large knifes and showing ISIS insignia The mainly Muslim internal republic of Chechnya has been dogged by attacks and a simmering insurgency since Moscow fought two wars with separatists there following the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union. 'The oldest one who rammed the traffic police officers was almost 17, the youngest of the criminals was 11 years old, according to the information we have,' Dzhambulat Umarov, Chechnya's communications minister was quoted as saying by TASS news agency. Parts of Russia's wider North Caucacus region are also volatile with unemployment and corruption pushing some young men to embrace radical Islam. Rita Katz of Site Intel Group brought attention to the ISIS video yesterday, calling it 'surreal' Chechnya is now ruled by Kremlin-backed leader Ramzan Kadyrov who has been criticised by human rights advocates for widespread abuses, but under whose helm attacks have become relatively rare. That this attack was carried out by minors who grew up in Kadyrov's post-war Chechnya and had no personal experience of the wars themselves should be alarming for the Russian and Chechen authorities, said Ekaterina Sokirianskaia, director of the Conflict Analysis and Prevention Centre, which monitors conflicts in the former Soviet region. It is the first time such young children have been used in an attack in Chechnya, she said. The terrorism analyst and co-founder of SITE also tweeted a map of ISIS attacks in Chechnya 'This is a new generation of jihadists that we're seeing now. They have not seen war. This is the post-war generation,' she said. Radical Islamic militants, some of whom have sworn allegiance to IS, have conducted sporadic raids in Chechnya in the past, defying the rule of the Kremlin-friendly leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Monday's violence indicated the Islamist insurgency remains active in the province despite authorities' claims that it has been eradicated. It follows an attack on a Russian Orthodox church in May that left four attackers, two policemen and a churchgoer dead. Khalil Khalilov screamed 'Allahu akbar' as he opened fire with a hunting rifle before he was shot dead by police in Kizlyar, a town in the mainly Muslim region of Dagestan. ISIS claimed one of its 'soldiers of Islam', who they referred to as Khalil Daghestan, carried out the attack using his gun to 'kill five of them and wound four others'. A hurricane warning in effect for Hawaii's Big Island has now been extended to the island of Maui as residents rush to stores to stock up on supplies as the potentially catastrophic storm churns towards the state. Hurricane Lane has now become a Category 5 hurricane, which means that it is likely to cause catastrophic damage with winds 157 mph or above. The hurricane was about 465 miles southeast of Honolulu before dawn on Wednesday as The National Weather Service extended the hurricane warning to include Maui. National Weather Service meteorologist Melissa Dye said the hurricane is moving northwest at about 9 mph. A hurricane warning in effect for Hawaii's Big Island was extended to the island of Maui on Wednesday as residents rush to stores to stock up on supplies before it hits Dye said rain associated with the hurricane had started to show up on radar off the Big Island and offshore buoys were detecting higher than normal waves. The weather service said tropical-storm-force winds could begin as early as Wednesday afternoon or evening on the Big Island. A hurricane watch remained in effect for Oahu and other smaller islands, meaning tropical storm-force winds, excessive rain and large swells could arrive starting Wednesday. Hurricane Lane 'is forecast to move dangerously close to the main Hawaiian islands as a hurricane later this week, potentially bringing damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding from heavy rainfall,' the weather service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center warned as it got closer to the state. Cars line up late at night on Tuesday to fill up with gas as Hurricane Lane approaches Honolulu Hurricane Lane 'is forecast to move dangerously close to the main Hawaiian islands' and bring with it a deluge of rain water and property damage The National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning at 5pm on Tuesday with rainfall expected Wednesday There's uncertainty to Lane's path, according to meteorologist Gavin Shigesato. 'It is much too early to confidently determine which, if any, of the main Hawaiian islands will be directly impacted by Lane,' the weather service said. But the hurricane center said the storm will move very close to or over the islands from Thursday through Saturday. Even if the center of Lane doesn't make landfall, the islands could be walloped with rain and wind. Public schools on the Big Island and in Maui County are closed Wednesday until further notice. Hawaii Gov. David Ige is allowing non-essential state employees on the Big Island and Maui to go on administrative leave from Wednesday to Friday as Hurricane Lane approaches. Employees on Hawaii and Maui islands who work in disaster response as well as in hospitals and prisons are required to report to their jobs, the governor said. Longtime Hawaii residents recalled a devastating 1992 hurricane as they prepared for Hurricane Lane. Kauai resident Mike Miranda was 12 when Hurricane Iniki devastated the island 26 years ago. 'A lot of people are comparing the similarities between Iniki and Lane,' he said. Iniki's turn into the islands was sudden, he recalled. 'I remember how very little rain fell. But I remember the wind being the strongest force of nature I've ever witnessed and probably the scariest sounds I've ever heard in my life,' he said. Utility poles were down all over the island, and his 7th-grade classes were held in Army tents for several months. Miranda said his family is used to preparing for hurricane season. 'A lot of people who moved here and never experienced a hurricane . they're the ones rushing to the store,' he said. The girlfriend of a murdered male model said she has received death threats after being named during the trial of her boyfriend's killers. George Koh, 24, was obsessed with catwalk rival Harry Uzoka's success and had boasted in Instagram messages he had slept with the GQ star's girlfriend Ruby Campbell, 25. Mr Uzoka was knifed in the heart, shoulder and back after a confrontation with George Koh in Shepherd's Bush, west London, in January this year. Last week, Koh was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey. Ms Campbell did not give evidence at the trial but has spoken on social media after receiving 'multiple death threats'. Ms Campbell did not give evidence at the trial but has spoken on social media after receiving 'multiple death threats' Harry Uzoka (left) was knifed in the heart, shoulder and back after a confrontation with George Koh (right) in Shepherd's Bush, west London, in January this year In an post of herself and Mr Uzoka published on Instagram, she said she had never met Koh, who stabbed her boyfriend in the heart while she was working in Los Angeles and Sweden. She wrote: 'Harry died because a man had a jealous obsession with Harry. He came to his house with his two friends, knives and intentions to kill. 'Since this event has happened I'm so sad and heartbroken. I had finally found someone I was so happy with and he was taken from me.' Ms Campbell said the tragedy has been 'twisted' by the press and social media users 'to make it seem like I was the bad guy in this situation or this was a fight about me'. CCTV captured Harry Uzoka, being chased by (left to right) Merse Dikanda, George Koh and Jonathan Okigbo Her post continued: 'This makes me so sad. I have had a hard time this year grieving and I am still grieving. 'Harry was my love. I have never lost a person in my life and I'm receiving multiple death threats and multiple social media accounts using a tragedy as click bait.' Mr Uzoka was described during the trial as Britain's 'most famous black model', and was counted catwalk star Jourdan Dunn among his friend. He had recently returned from a holiday in the Caribbean with his girlfriend and had landed a film role shortly before he was killed outside his Shepherd's Bush home, in west London on January 11. Mr Uzoka also starred in campaigns for Zara and Mercedes and regularly modelled for clothing line Everlane. He was signed up by world renowned agent Premiere Model Management, who helped launched the career of Naomi Campbell. George Koh was found guilty of stabbing Harry Uzoka to death (Met Police/PA) Koh, a former Louis Vuitton and Paul Smith model, previously posted a photo on Instagram of David Beckham standing in front of his photo at London Fashion Week. The defendant claimed he acted in self-defence and only wanted to meet face to face for him to apologise to his rival for thinking he had bedded Ms Campbell. The court heard that Koh had falsely bragged to Paris-based model Annecetta Lafon that he had sex with Ms Campbell. Prosecutor Richard Horwell QC said: 'Koh claimed that he knew Uzoka well and then said that he had sex with Uzoka's girlfriend and that was the reason why they no longer talked.' Koh was found guilty of murder, along with machete-wielding Merse Dikanda, 24. Personal trainer Jonathan Okigbo, also 24, was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter. All three men will be sentenced on September 21. A British expat claimed his life was 'destroyed' after he was hounded and threatened by debt collectors and left homeless in Dubai. Jonathan Castle moved to the United Arab Emirates in 2002 before becoming overwhelmed with more than 500,000 of credit card debt. The expat, who was born in London but raised in Thurso, Caithness, now has a police case against him which comes with a travel ban, meaning he can't leave the country until his debt is paid. Jonathan Castle (pictured) said his life has been 'destroyed' by debt collectors after he fell into 500,000 of credit card debt in Dubai This also stops him from obtaining a work visa and he now has no way of earning the cash to pay his debt. Mr Castle said: 'I am in a hopeless state of disbelief - why can't I leave? 'I will never be able to pay if I am never allowed to leave or to work. 'I am 60-years-old with failing health. They just keep adding it on with fees and charges. 'They want me to die here.' Until 2010 Jonathan was a copywriter in an upscale UAE advertising agency. But soon after moving he was inundated with phone calls from banks offering him loans. He decided to accept some credit cards from the Emirates NBD Bank, and quickly began to fall behind with payments. His original 20,240 debt was soon inflated to an unpayable 569,000. The expat immediately scaled back his lifestyle in order to pay the debt. He sold his car, moved to a cheaper part of the city and even stopped eating as often. But this was not enough for him to meet his payments and in Dubai debt is a criminal offence punishable by substantial jail time. Mr Castle's nightmare worsened when debt collectors began to call him on the phone. Mr Castle (pictured with wife Susan) accepted some credit cards from the Emirates NBD Bank, and quickly began to fall behind with payments The expat said the debt collectors soon became more aggressive, visiting him at work and even threatening his colleages and friends But despite his pleas to restructure his loan, they refused, becoming more angry and aggressive. He even claims one said: 'You filthy defaulter, this my country. Give me my money and go home to your country.' Mr Castle said: 'The stress was horrendous. 'They cursed, insulted me and constantly threatened me with jail, explicitly frightening me with how I would be raped and beaten during my sentence, which would be for years, not months.' The expat's marriage is also under strain as his wife Susan had to leave the UAE to return to their family home in the Highlands. He cant leave the country until the debt is paid and he cant work because hes got a police case against him Jonathan Castle has a police case against him that comes with a travel ban, meaning it is forbidden for him to leave the country until the debt is paid. He said: 'It's a catch 22. Emirates NBD bank has a police case filed against me for missing credit card payments. 'The fact I have a police case against me means I can't get another visa, so I am not allowed to work, so I have no hope to earn money to meet the payments. 'The sentence for debtors is three years. But you don't get to go home after the 3 years. 'You get 30 days of freedom to arrange to pay the debt, or you go back inside indefinitely, until somehow the debt is paid.' Advertisement His 88-year-old mother has been described as 'sick with worry' while his father passed away during his time trapped in Dubai. Wife Susan said: 'They were aggressive and insulting with me too, shouting down the phone that if I really cared for my husband I would be 'standing with the prostitutes down at Bur Dubai' to help him. 'I am in total despair of ever seeing him again. Since the UAE made all VOIP services illegal we have only been able to communicate by text and the occasional phone call. 'The UAE seems to think it's perfectly acceptable to imprison someone for the rest of their lives and make it impossible for them to even try to fix the problem. 'Without a visa he can't work, have a bank account, driving license or even have a phone. 'We missed our 25th wedding anniversary, Jonathan's 60th and countless other family milestones.' Mr Castle's health is suffering and he is unable to afford a doctor - despite the fact he is need of medication for high blood pressure. He said: 'The nurses at Rashid Hospital were kind enough to treat me for my health issues even though I have no insurance or money to cover. 'If it wasn't for them I would be in a very bad way and maybe not here at all.' Mr Castle continued paying what he could and trying to restructure. But the debt collectors started calling and emailing his friends and colleagues, telling them he was a criminal and insulting them for associating with him. Before long they began going to Mr Castle's workplace and harassing him, his co-workers and even clients. The expat now lives on handouts and sleeps on friends' sofas. He said: 'Sooner or later I will outstay my generous friends' goodwill. Mr Castle (pictured right with friends) now relies on handouts from his friends and sleeps on sofas 'I do a week here, and a week there, staying with different people in rotation, but time is running out. 'My friends are gradually moving from Dubai and when that happens I'll be on the street like so many others. 'What new friend would want a 60-year-old man to live on their couch? 'I just pray that one day I can escape this city, finally visit my father's grave and live out my remaining years with my wife. 'I miss my wife, Susan, every day. The UAE has destroyed my life and will never let me go. 'My last few years will be spent penniless, with failing health, in a country that hates me. 'The official attitude seems to be "you got into debt so you are despicable and deserve everything coming to you".' Radha Stirling, CEO of the UK-based non-governmental organisation Detained in Dubai, said: 'Jonathan is still stuck there, his situation getting more desperate as time goes on. 'Cases of foreigners being detained in the UAE are common and I don't think people are aware of this terrible situation that the outdated laws create. 'People like Jonathan should be allowed to return home to work so they can repay their debts. 'What is the point in forcing them to stay in the country when they are not able to work?' Michael Cohen's lawyer was booed by Megyn Kelly's audience on Wednesday after he asked for donations to support his client. Kelly asked attorney Lanny Davis about whether or not his client, Cohen, was prepared to testify before Congress about everything his knows. Davis replied that Cohen is 'committed' to telling the truth. 'Could I take one opportunity to remind everyone that Michael Cohen has suffered a tragic and difficult experience with his family,' Davis told viewers during his appearance on Megyn Kelly Today. Michael Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis (left), was booed by Megyn Kelly's (right) audience on Wednesday after he asked for donations to support his client Davis told viewers during his appearance on Megyn Kelly Today that he's 'hoping that he will get some help from the American people so he can continue to tell the truth' 'He's without resources, and we've set up a website called michaelcohentruth.com, that we're hoping that he will get some help from the American people so he can continue to tell the truth.' That statement drew laughs and jeers from Kelly's audience. 'I dont know if theyre ready to donate, Lanny,' Kelly responded. Davis then retorted: 'I would say the reaction of your audience may be they are not as interested in getting the truth out about Donald Trump as many other people in the country,' Davis said. 'Approximately 60 per cent of the country would not have the reaction of your audience,' he added. His last comment brought on the boos from the crowd as Kelly thanked Davis for appearing on the show. Davis was referring a GoFundMe account that has been set up for Cohen. The page includes a timeline of Cohen's mission to tell the truth since July. 'On July 2, 2018, Michael Cohen declared his independence from Donald Trump and his commitment to tell the truth,' the page reads. 'On August 21, Michael Cohen made the decision to take legal responsibility and to continue his commitment to tell the truth. 'Michael decided to put his family and his country first. Now Michael needs your financial help -- to pay his legal fees. Cohen's lawyer (left) then said: 'I would say the reaction of your audience may be they are not as interested in getting the truth out about Donald Trump (right) as many other people in the country' According to the page, 'The Michael Cohen Truth Fund is a transparent trust account, with all donations going to help Michael Cohen and his family as he goes forward on his journey to tell the truth about Donald Trump.' More than 1,200 people have donated to the fund, raising more than $46,000 as of Wednesday afternoon. Cohen pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges and implicated President Donald Trump on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Trump lashed out at Cohen after his former lawyer implicated him in campaign finance violations, accusing him of making up 'stories' in order to get a plea deal. The president's longtime lawyer dealt him a bitter political blow as he admitted to felony charges in New York that included making illegal campaign contributions. At almost the same time, Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort was found guilty of tax and bank fraud by a jury in Virginia. In his first reaction to the Cohen bombshell, Trump asserted in a series of tweets that his former lawyer's campaign finance violations were 'not a crime'. 'Michael Cohen plead (sic) guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime,' he tweeted, adding that 'President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!' The 2008 Obama campaign paid a $375,000 fine in 2013 to settle violations of a rule that contributions made 20 days before an election had to be reported within 48 hours. Cohen's illegal campaign contributions involved secret hush payments he made on Trump's behalf during the 2016 campaign to two women who claimed to have had affairs with the Republican candidate. Trump contrasted Cohen's actions with those of Manafort, whom he described as 'such a brave man'. Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort (pictured) was found guilty of tax and bank fraud by a jury in Virginia on Tuesday 'I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family,' Trump wrote. 'Unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break' - make up stories in order to get a 'deal.'' 'A large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case. Witch Hunt!' Trump wrote, referring to the counts on which the jury could not reach a unanimous decision. He did not have similarly kind words for his ex-attorney. 'If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!' Trump wrote. On Tuesday, Cohen detailed how he made pre-election hush payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Both claim to have had affairs with Trump. But in a sensational twist, Cohen also pointed to the president -- or 'individual 1' -- as a co-conspirator, alleging that he acted 'in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office' in making those payments. 'I participated in this conduct with the purpose of influencing the election,' a visibly crestfallen Cohen told the judge -- an admission that puts Trump himself in legal jeopardy. Unlike Cohen, 69-year-old Manafort did not take a plea deal, choosing to leave his fate to a jury and prompting speculation that he was hoping for a pardon by Trump -- something the president has refused to rule out. Manafort's case went to the jury on Thursday after 12 days of gripping testimony about hidden bank accounts, betrayal and lavish spending on luxury homes, cars, antique rugs and clothes. After four days of deliberation, jurors found him guilty of eight counts: five of making false income tax returns, two of bank fraud and one of failure to report foreign bank and financial accounts. The guilty plea of longtime Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort's conviction is putting new pressure on Democratic leaders to rally an impeachment drive. Cohen's guilty plea in a federal court in New York to violating campaign finance law at the 'direction' of an unnamed individual Trump put the Constitution's political remedy for 'high crimes and misdemeanors' squarely on the table for political discussion. But House minority leader Nancy Pelosi cautioned Wednesday against any rush to impeach based on the current state of the Mueller probe. 'Impeachment has to spring from something else,' she said, hours after Cohen pleaded guilty to eight charges and a Virginia jury found Manafort guilty of eight charges. Pelosi, who would stand for speaker if Democrats retake the House, would oversee any impeachment that gets put forward. But it was the White House elevated the issue Wednesday when press secretary Sarah Sanders teed off on on Democrats, faulting them for a 'sad attempt' at 'cheap political stunts.' 'The idea of an impeachment is frankly a sad attempt by Democrats,' she told reporters when asked about the topic. 'It's the only message they seem to have going into the midterms and I think it's another great reminder of why Americans should support other like-minded candidates like the president that are actually focused on continuing to grow the economy,' she said. She faulted Democrats, who have seen their fortunes improve for the 23-seat gain they would need to capture the House, as having an agenda of 'nothing more than attacking the president and looking at cheap political stunts.' Her long answer contrasted sharply with the terse response she repeated to all questions about Stormy Daniels and whether Trump had broken campaign finance laws, as Cohen admitted he did. 'It's not a priority on the agenda going forward unless something else comes forward,' House minority leader Nancy Pelosi said of impeachment The Michael Cohen plea immediately ignited questions about impeachment. Justice Department rules state that a sitting president cannot be indicted 'He did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him and we've commented on this extensively,' said Sanders. In the case of Cohen, campaign finance charges he pleaded guilty to involved 'coordinating' with another individual Trump to affect the outcome of the 2016 election. That left open the possibility of Trump himself being charged with a crime though Justice Department guidelines state that a sitting president can't get indicted. 'If and when the information emerges about that, we'll see,' said Pelosi. 'It's not a priority on the agenda going forward unless something else comes forward,' she added. Here is our guide to how the next few months will play out. WILL DEMOCRATS PUSH FOR IMPEACHMENT? Former Virginia Republican Rep. Tom Davis, asked by DailyMail.com com whether it now makes sense for Democrats to start talking about impeachment, responded: ''Not yet. It certainly lays a predicate.' Democrats 'have to ask themselves if this is 1998, where Republicans overplayed impeachment and lost seats, or 1974, where anger over Nixon and the pardon led to huge gains,' said Davis, who previously ran the GOP House campaign arm and now runs government affairs at Deloitte. 'The ominous weeks will tell, but Nancy Pelosi navigated 2006 successfully to lead to a House turnover and she knows if and when to pull the trigger. There is still a lot to play out and it's August. Remember Access Hollywood?' he concluded. Tom Steyer, co-founder of NextGen Climate Action Committee, cut a new video urging people to join his drive for impeachment following the stunning courtroom developments Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said the stunning courtroom developments didn't change his view either. He chairs the Senate Democratic campaign arm, and while serving in the House chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. 'It does not change my position,' he told CNN. 'I think we should allow the Mueller investigation to play out. Look, just yesterday we had the conviction of Paul Manafort on eight counts. We had yesterday, of course, what happened in the Michael Cohen plea deal. We need to allow the Mueller investigation to take its course.' Then, rather than talk about impeachment something that is more often brought up by elected Republicans Van Hollen switched subjects and tried to put pressure on Trump to testify before Robert Mueller's investigators. 'I do think it is more incumbent than ever for the president to step up and do what he said he wanted to do for months and months, which is tell his side of the story, but tell it under oath, tell it the same way Michael Cohen did, under penalty of perjury. Here they are trying to undermine Michael Cohen, but he swore to this under penalty of perjury. The president is refusing to do that,' Van Hollen said. With the elections less than three months away, the intersecting court dockets, political calendar, an investigative timetable will all combine to keep questions of law, justice, payoffs, and alleged crimes in the news. WILL TRUMP PARDON MANAFORT AS LOBBYIST IS TRIED AGAIN? Paul Manafort, former campaign manager for Donald Trump, was convicted on eight counts Tuesday Manafort's second trial, in the District of Columbia, is set to begin next month, on Sept. 17. Prosecutors who handled his Virginia trial, in which the jury couldn't reach a verdict on 10 counts, have days to decide whether to retry him on those counts. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. A judge set Michael Cohen's sentencing hearing for December 12. There is nothing approximating a schedule for when or if Trump might issue pardons. White House press secretary Sanders said there has been no discussion of the matter. But Trump tweeted on Wednesday just a day after a jury convicted his former campaign chair on eight counts that he was a 'brave man.' Under normal circumstances, the office of the pardon attorney in the Justice Department can spend months or years gathering information. But Trump in previous pardons has gone outside of the office. He could issue a pardon at any time, either before or after a conviction or sentencing. But in doing so, he could be crossing a red line with Republicans in Congress, who have warned him it would be a bad idea. Democrats have said a Manafort pardon could play into obstruction of justice charges. WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A RED WAVE? If Democrats take take the House in November something that would fit historical patterns but is by no means certain thanks in part to redistricting that favors Republicans they wouldn't get the gavel until January. Then, once they organize committees, a new majority would be able to convene investigatory hearings on an array of matters, from Cohen to Trump's business, his pardons, or any other issues they want to probe. A restless member could also try to bring an impeachment motion to the floor of the House to get a privileged vote. If an impeachment resolution made it out of the House Judiciary Committee, where Rep. Jerold Nadler of New York was an ardent opponent of Bill Clinton's impeachment, it would then go to the Senate for the 'trial' phase. In a best-case scenario Democrats are hoping to take the Senate with a narrow majority, so they would need Republican support to get the super-majority to convict the president in an impeachment trial if it ever got that far. Trump has already been raising money for his own reelection in 2020. 'In the end, it may well come down to who Democrats choose to nominate and how the economy is performing in 2020, but in the meantime, President Trump is doing little to help his own case,' wrote political analyst Charlie Cook, noting Trump's focus on his base rather than more nuanced outreach. Democats are facing pressure from within their own ranks and from outside to do more on impeachment. Billionaire hedge funder and environmental activist Tom Steyer cut a new TV add on impeachment within hours of the Cohen and Manafort news, asCNBC reported. The ad is expected to be part of a $1 million ad buy, and is parter of his broader 'Need to Impeach' effort. Steyer tweeted: 'Our president surrounds himself with criminals. He hired criminals to work for him, he hired criminals to run his campaign, and he hired criminals to serve in his administration. How much more corruption do we need to see? Join us at http://needtoimpeach.com.' Cohen's 'admission of guilt is further proof that Donald Trump has long been intimately engaged with deceitful, lawless, and corrupt associates,' Steyer said in a statement. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) has been among those calling for Trump's impeachment, and Trump has tried to turn her into a punchline at his rallies. 'Nancy Pelosi with Maxine waters running the House,' Trump said at a rally Tuesday night in West Virginia. He said the pair were 'not in favor of West Virginia.' COULD CONSERVATIVES BACK IMPEACHMENT TOO? New York Times columnist Bret Stephens called for Trump's impeachment Tuesday. Democratic leaders face pressure from inside and outside their caucus to impeach New York Times Opinion columnist Bret Stephens tweeted Tuesday: 'I've been skeptical about the wisdom and merit of impeachment. Cohen's guilty plea changes that. The president is clearly guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors. He should resign his office or be impeached and removed from office. There are no indications that any senior Republican leader in the House intends to pursue further investigation of Trump or Cohen following the guilty plea. If Democrats were to take the House, where they need a 23-seat gain, leaders would face immediate pressure to allow an impeachment drive pushed by rank-and-file members to go forward. Cohen lawyer Lanny Davis said Trump is guilty of the same campaign violation Cohen pleaded guilty to, and that he committed additional crimes. 'Yes, I do believe that based on the law of conspiracy,' Davis told NBC's 'Today' show. 'There is no question having plead to a felony yesterday and saying that Mr. Trump directed him to do what he did, that Mr. Trump would be guilty of the same crime,' he added. Indictment or impeachment: What happens to Trump next? By Chris Pleasance President Trump appeared in peril as Paul Manafort was found guilty and Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to charges leveled as part of Robert Mueller's election meddling probe. So what comes next for Donald Trump himself? Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, insists Trump is implicated in a crime because he ordered Cohen to make hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal before the 2016 election. Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked the Russian election meddling probe as a 'rigged witch hunt', but on Tuesday it delivered two guilty parties But the prevailing legal opinion is that Trump will not face criminal prosecution while in office, though there is nothing in the Constitution that strictly forbids it. The text of Article 2, Section 4, and Article 1, Second 3, when taken together imply that a president must be impeached and convicted by the Senate before he can be prosecuted, but does not outright say it. Article 2, Section 4, makes clear what the impeachment power is. 'The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors,' it says. Article 1, Second 3, sets out the existence of the Senate and says: The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. 'When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present. 'Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.' That has led to legal debate in the past and the question even ended up before the Supreme Court in 1974 during the Watergate scandal, but a ruling was never made. Justice Department guidelines say that a sitting President shouldn't be charged with a crime while in office, but that could be subject to a challenge. Even if Trump cannot be indicted on criminal charges, he could still be impeached for 'treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors'. Lanny David (left), the attorney for Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen (right), argues that Trump is implicated in the crime - but it is unlikely a sitting president would be indicted on criminal charges Impeachment requires a majority in the House to pass articles of impeachment against the president. The House Judiciary Committee then prosecutes the president in front of the Senate, with the Chief Justice presiding. There needs to be a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate to convict. As things stand the Republicans control both houses, so it is highly unlikely that Trump will face impeachment so long as the status quo holds. However, the Democrats are hoping that mid-term elections in November will hand control of both houses back to them, which would put Trump in trouble. As one Republican lawyer told Politico, Cohen's allegations that Trump forced him to make payments provides the perfect fodder for impeachment. 'It's the only excuse they'll need. And believe me, they won't need much of an excuse,' he said. On Tuesday, Trump urged people to vote Republican in the elections, warning that voting Democrat would lead to 'open borders and crime'. Trump could be impeached, though that is unlikely to happen unless the November mid-terms hand control of the House and Senate back to the Democrats Advertisement Two women and their killer are dead following a brutal knife attack in Belgium. Police and helicopters were dispatched to the Le Ramier, a popular restaurant in Moresnet-Chapelle, eastern Belgium, at around 5pm. One witness, who gave her name as Justice, told RTL Info: 'A lady was stabbed in a restaurant. Police and helicopters were dispatched to a restaurant where the stabbing took place at around 5pm 'We are talking about a knife attack in a restaurant, there will be one dead and several wounded.' Another person known only as Elisa confirmed helicopters rushed to the scene. Mayor Thierry Wimmer told the Belga news agency that multiple people were killed in the attack. The incident is not believed to be linked to terrorism, the mayor told the news agency. Witnesses said the suspect is believed to be an ex-boyfriend of one of the victims. Photographs from outside the restaurant show a large police and ambulance presence. The Rue de la Clinique street was cordoned off. At least one victim was flown to hospital. Plombieres is a small district in Belgium within the province of Liege, and has a population of just around 9,600 people. It is 80 miles away from the Belgian capital of Brussels. Belgium lowered its terror threat level in January after three years of high alert following the Brussels bombings, but soldiers have continued to guard the key sites. Miguel C Luna, 37, of Joliet, was handed 80 years in prison for raping two women who were running along a state trail in 2015 and 2016. He is seen in a recent mug shot An Illinois judge slammed officials on Monday for failing to enforce a 2012 ICE deportation order on an illegal Mexican immigrant who went on to brutally beat and rape three women. Miguel C Luna, 37, of Joliet, was handed 80 years in prison for raping two women who were running along a state trail in 2015 and 2016. He has also admitted to raping a third woman who has since died. Addressing Luna, who remained in the United States despite ICE issuing an order for his arrest because of his illegal status, Judge David Carlson said: 'You shouldn't have been in this country. The system let the victims down in this case.' Luna pleaded guilty to the first two rapes in May, when he admitted to obscuring his face, wearing surgical gloves, and using a shirt to wipe blood off a victim's arm to remove fingerprints. The early-morning attacks all lasted around 90 minutes. Details of a third attack emerged when the victim contacted police after Luna's arrest. The 19-year-old said she was running in Joliet when she was tackled from behind by a knifeman who threatened to kill her if she turned around, reported a local news site. Luna then led her to a wooded area, secured her hands behind her back, stripped off her clothes and had sex with her. He did not receive a felony count for this third attack, which also happened in 2016. Judge Carlson said he was unable to understand why Luna had not been deported after ICE issued its warrant. 'You were free to do these acts... whether through misguided political correctness or people who do not believe in laws or borders,' Carlson said. 'One thing I can do with the sentence is show that the laws we believe in here, maybe this won't happen again, maybe that's a little bit of closure.' ICE detainers are usually issued to local authorities who can choose whether or not they comply with the request. In Luna's case it is not clear which authority received his order and why officials failed to enforce it. Addressing Luna, who remained in the US despite ICE issuing an order for his arrest because of his illegal status, Judge David Carlson said: 'You shouldn't have been in this country'. File pic Luna got 16 to 40 years on each of the two felony criminal sexual assault counts, and ordered to serve his sentences consecutively. He must stay in prison for at least 85 percent of his sentence and register as a sex offender if he is ever released. The rapist previously read out a statement to court saying he had been repeatedly sexually abused by family members. He said he was sorry for the 'terrible things I've done' to the three women. Judge Carlson said the 'horrible' sexual abuse he suffered as a child did not excuse his actions. The Democratic National Committee is calling in the FBI after detecting an attempt by hackers to get into its voter database ahead of the November midterm election. It is unclear who was behind the attempt. The cyber intruders created a fake login page in an effort to gather usernames and passwords from officials but their phishing attempt was detected by security vendors who notified party officials. The fake page was designed to look like the access page party officials and campaign officials use to log into a service called Votebuilder, CNN reported. The Democratic National Committee detected an attempted hack of its voter database cyber intruders created a fake login page in an effort to gather usernames and passwords DNC officials are said to be investigating who is responsible for the attempt but they do not believe voter files were accessed or changed. Intelligence officials have warned the foreign agents could attempt to influence this year's election. Russian hackers, in June and July of 2016, hacked the DNC's email system and messages were leaked via DCLeaks and WikiLeaks. The emails suggested the party's leadership favored Hillary Clinton's presidential bid over Bernie Sanders and worked to help her win the nomination. Their revelation resulted in the resignation of then DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The page was initially discovered late Monday by Lookout, a San Francisco-based cybersecurity firm, who doesn't work for the party but alert it to the finding. Mike Murray, the company's vice president of security intelligence, told CNN that a link to the page could have been sent via email or through other online platforms in a spearphishing operation. 'It was very convincing,' Murray said, noting that the real page and fake page were hard to tell apart. 'It would have been a very effective attack,' he said. Bob Lord, chief security officer for the DNC, confirmed that it had detected the attempted breach. 'This attempt is further proof that there are constant threats as we head into midterm elections and we must remain vigilant in order to prevent future attacks,' Lord said in a statement to NBC. 'While it's clear that the actors were going after the party's most sensitive information the voter file the DNC was able to prevent a hack by working with the cyber ecosystem to identify it and take steps to stop it.' Earlier this month the White House put on a show of force about election meddling, trotting out five national security officials to offer assurances they were working to safeguard American votes while offering few specifics on how they were doing so. 'Our democracy is in the crosshairs,' Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen declared during the early August press briefing. Earlier this month the White House put on a show of force about election meddling White House National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Sunday there is 'sufficient' concern that China, Iran, and North Korea - in addition to Russia - could be interfering in the upcoming 2018 midterm election President Donald Trump has asserted Russians are meddling in the upcoming contests to help Democrats. 'I'm very concerned that Russia will be fighting very hard to have an impact on the upcoming Election. Based on the fact that no President has been tougher on Russia than me, they will be pushing very hard for the Democrats. They definitely don't want Trump!' the president tweeted in late July. His allegation came after he came under fire for siding with Vladimir Putin at their press conference in Helsinki when the Russian president said Moscow didn't meddle in the 2016 contest. U.S. intelligence agencies claim the Russian did so. Additionally, White House National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Sunday there is 'sufficient' concern that China, Iran, and North Korea - in addition to Russia - could be interfering in the upcoming 2018 midterm election. President Trump renewed his calls for the border wall today because he claims that America's 'pathetic' immigration laws had allowed an illegal immigrant to allegedly murder Mollie Tibbetts - as her family plead for her death not to become a political tool. Trump posted the clip of him demanding tougher immigration rules just hours after Cristian Rivera, the 24-year-old suspected illegal immigrant charged with Mollie's murder, appeared in court for the first time since leading police to her body. Rivera is the subject of an ICE detainer and his legal status has been seized on by Republican critics since he was arrested. Police described him on Tuesday as an 'illegal alien' despite his employer insisting that they had verified his legal status when employing him four years ago. President Trump has since jumped at the opportunity to use Rivera as an example why the US needs a border wall and stricter immigration policies - branding the current ones 'pathetic'. In a video he posted on Twitter on Tuesday, filmed on the White House lawn, he said that Mollie 'an incredible young woman' had been killed by someone who 'came in from Mexico illegally.' 'We need the wall, we need our immigration laws changed, we need our border laws changed,' he said. 'We need Republicans to do it because Democrats aren't going to do it. Cristhian Rivera, 24, appears in Poweshiek County Courthouse on Wednesday for an initial appearance after admitting to murdering Mollie Tibbetts in a police interview 'This is one instance of many. We have tremendous crime trying to come though the borders. 'We have the worst laws anywhere in the world. Nobody has laws like the United States. They are strictly pathetic.' He added that, while the wall is 'being built' he needed more funding to continue. He also had a message for the family of Mollie Tibbets; 'All I can say is god bless you, god bless you.' It's unlikely the family will have welcomed the appeal in Mollie's name as several family members have been outspoken in their calls for her death not to be used as a political pawn. 'Please remember, Evil comes in EVERY color,' her aunt Billie Jo Calderwood wrote on Facebook Tuesday color'; her cousin attacked conservative activist Candace Owens On Tuesday, Rivera led police to Mollie Tibbetts' body. She had been missing since July 18 While her cousin, Samantha Lucas, attacked the conservative right for 'generaliz(ing) a whole population based on some bad individuals.' 'Stop... using my cousins death as political propaganda. Take her name out of your mouth.' On Wednesday, Rivera made his first appearance at the Poweshiek County Courthouse flanked by sheriffs' deputies at 1pm. He remained in the same black and white striped jumpsuit he was photographed in on Tuesday and required the services of two translators throughout the hearing. Among those in the public gallery were the mother of his child and his three-year-old daughter. At the beginning of the hearing, Rivera's attorney Allan Richards argued to ban the media from the trial and asked that it become private. He also submitted court records claiming Rivera was in the country legally and had been since he was a minor. On Wednesday, Rivera's employer walked back that claim and said they used the wrong system to check his eligibility to work in the US. Rivera, they said, provided them with a different name and someone else's social security number which is what they ran through government checks. Nonetheless, Rivera's lawyer cautioned against a desire to portray him as 'something that he is not' during Wednesday's hearing. Despite his efforts, the judge denied his requests and increased Rivera's bond from $1million to $5million cash. Rivera said nothing other than answering yes and no to his interpreter when prompted. If convicted, Rivera could face deportation or life imprisonment without parole. The judge on Thursday said he may also have to register as a sex offender. He did not understand his right to waive his preliminary hearing and conferred with his attorney for a brief moment. His privately retained lawyer said that he came to the US as a 'minor' and had been living quietly and respectably for the last several years working for a 'respectably' member of the community - the brother of a prominent Iowa GOP member. President Trump has since jumped at the opportunity to use Rivera as an example why the US needs a border wall and stricter immigration policies - branding the current ones 'pathetic' Several family members of Mollie have been outspoken in their calls for her death not to be used as a political pawn Samantha Lucas, attacked the conservative right for 'generaliz(ing) a whole population based on some bad individuals' Rivera was caught after police traced his vehicle which had been filmed on surveillance cameras following Mollie as she jogged in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18. He attacked her when she refused to talk to him and threatened to call the police. Prosecutors argued for his bond to be increased for the safety of the community. 'We think it is appropriate given the severity of the charge, what his immigration status as it's been described and the fact that what he is accused of is obviously a very heinous crime the safety of the community should be at the forefront of the court's mind,' Assistant Attorney General Scott Brown said. Judge Johnson agreed with the prosecution at every turn. She allowed the media to remain in the room and refused Rivera's attorney's request to make the hearing private. In asking that bail be set at a 'reasonable' amount, Rivera's attorney said: 'Cristhian is a young man. 'He's been working for a number of years for a respectable person in this community, he has no prior history, he sits here presumed evidence and so far no evidence has been submitted. 'When he came to this country as a minor, he had the mental capacity of an eighth grader.' After the hearing, Yarrabee Farms, where he had worked, held a press conference to say they could no longer be sure, as they once had been, that he in fact was in the country legally. While Rivera passed their E-verification check with the information he gave them, the company now says he provided a different name. The next time he will return to court is on August 31 at 2pm. Rivera had two interpreters - one provided by the court and one retained by his attorney Rivera's three-year-old daughter was in the public gallery along with her 25-year-old mother One of his relatives cried as she watched him be led away by deputies at the end of the hearing Richards also said Rivera had been treated unfairly since he was arrested and claimed the characterization of him by police in Iowa and by ICE that he is an 'illegal alien' is inaccurate and politically motivated. 'In this case, the coverage that's out there is leaning all one way and the fact the government has weighed in at the highest levels... there's a predisposition that this young man, Cristhian, is guilty. In this case, the coverage that's out there is leaning all one way and the fact the government has weighed in at the highest levels 'In our system he is entitled to a presumption of innocence,' he said. He then addressed this 'politically controversy' of 'portraying Cristhian as something that he isn't.' 'It's a political payback for what's swirling around and the media is feeding in to it,' he went on. On Tuesday, Rivera's employer said they verified his legal status when they employed him four years ago. At the end of the 40-minute session on Thursday. The man's 25-year-old ex-girlfriend was wrought with anxiety. She held their daughter on her lap throughout. Other people in the court were visibly emotional as he was led away. Minutes before Rivera entered the court, they broke their silence with a statement which read: 'On behalf of Mollie's entire family, we thank all of those from around the world who have sent their thoughts and prayers for our girl. 'We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Mollie in our hearts forever. 'At this time, our family asks that we be allowed the time to process our devastating loss and share our grief in private. Rivera is shown leaving court on Wednesday in a prison jumpsuit. He appeared to be wearing a protective vest beneath it Iris is pictured leaving the court on Wednesday carrying their three-year-old daughter MOLLIE TIBBETTS FAMILY STATEMENT ON HER MURDER Our hearts are broken. On behalf of Mollie's entire family, we thank all of those from around the world who have sent their thoughts and prayers for our girl. We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Mollie in our hearts forever. At this time, our family asks that we be allowed the time to process our devastating loss and share our grief in private. Again, thank you for the outpouring of love and support that has been shared in Mollie's name. Advertisement 'Again, thank you for the outpouring of love and support that has been shared in Mollie's name.' Within minutes of the court hearing finishing on Wednesday, Rivera's employers at Yarrabee Farms said he had not, as they thought, passed an immigration background check. What we learned in the last 24 hours is that or employee was not who he said he was. 'First when anyone applies, they must provide required government identification. In this case, the individual provided a state issued photo ID and a social security card. They are required for us to complete an i9. Our practice is to take a second enhanced step to verify. 'We ran that information through the verification process and the information came back verified. 'That means the exact name, birth day and social security number were all cross referenced. 'What we learned in the last 24 hours is that or employee was not who he said he was. 'And just within the last four hours, we have come to learn the SSN verification service is not the same as E-verify. 'They are not the same systems and we apologize for any confusion this caused with our earlier statements,' Dane Lang said. A Department of Homeland Security official also confirmed that there was no record of Rivera applying for legal status or being given it. The sister of toddler Katrice Lee, who vanished nearly 37 years ago, 'felt sick' when an online troll mocked up a Facebook profile of the missing girl using cherished family photos - and sent her a friend request. Heartbroken Natasha Lee, 44, has battled for decades to find out what happened to Katrice and suffered further despair after receiving the 'disturbing' friend request on Facebook. The British toddler vanished on her second birthday in 1981 during a shopping trip with her mother Sharon, in Paderborn, Germany, where her father Richard was stationed with the British Army. Fake Katrice Lee Facebook profile that sent the toddler's sister Natasha Lee a friend request Natasha Lee, 44, has battled for decades to find out what happened to her sister Katrice Lee Despite the best efforts of the British military and the German police, Katrice has never been found. Now Miss Lee, of Gosport, Hants, has been left horrified after receiving the request from a Facebook profile in her sister's name. The 'profile picture' on the sick page even featured an image of a toddler the internet troll wrongly believed was Katrice with her father. Miss Lee revealed the picture was in fact of her as a youngster. The profile's 'cover photo' was a picture of Miss Lee, her mother and Katrice together. Disgusted at seeing the cherished family photos snatched and used on the social media account, Miss Lee, who is due to marry fiance Mike Walker later this year, fired off a message branding the person 'despicable'. Human resources manager Miss Lee said: 'For me it's been a really tough few months and I shouldn't have to be put through this. Katrice Lee before she went missing on her second birthday. The toddler vanished in 1981 Natasha Lee (left) with her sister Katrice and their mother Sharon before Katrice vanished 'Not so long ago they were digging for Katrice's body in Germany. I am still not over that. 'The picture isn't even of Katrice, it is of me and my father together. The person behind the profile didn't even know that, they think it's Katrice. 'We look very similar as toddlers, so they have confused her for me. 'The idea was this year was going to be a positive year and I was going to think about myself and instead it's this. 'I felt sick because it was just another of those nutters setting up a fake account, but it's quite disturbing.' Event to mark International Missing Children's Day at the National Theatre , London. (left to right )Sharon Lee (mother of Katrice lee ) Kate McCann(mother of Madeleine McCann) Gerry McCann (father of Madeleine McCann, Natasha Lee (sister of Katrice lee) and Nigel Greenhalgh (uncle of Damien Nettles ) Charity, Missing People created age prossesed image (right) to mark Katrice's 28th birthday A fresh probe into the case was launched in 2012 after police admitted mistakes were made in the investigation into Katrice's disappearance. She vanished while she was shopping for party food with her mum on November 28, 1981 - her second birthday. She was last seen in a Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) shopping complex in Schloss Neuhaus, Paderborn, near to where her parents were living at the time. When her mother Sharon turned round after paying for goods at the counter, Katrice had gone and has not been seen since. Miss Lee and her parents have battled for years to have Katrice's disappearance re-investigated and in May this year, British investigators dug up a riverbank on the outskirts of Paderborn. 'Major forensic search' of a river bank in Germany was conducted to find Katrice Lee after a reanalysis of evidence gathered during the original investigation Age progression photo issued by the MOD of Katrice Lee, as she may look aged 38-years-old Sharon Lee, from Gosport in Hampshire, had been shopping with her daughter when she mysteriously vanished in Paderborn in Germany where her father was serving in the army In 2012, Miss Lee was was bombarded with hoax messages from a 32-year-old woman, of Bishop Auckland, Durham, claiming to be her sister. The internet troll received a harassment warning from Durham Police after pretending to be Katrice. Speaking of the moment she received the latest Facebook request, Miss Lee said: 'I don't know how else to explain it - it is that feeling in the pit of your stomach. 'I absolutely couldn't believe it and my first thought was 'here we go again' - when will it stop? 'I felt absolutely sick and then I felt really angry. Before, I used to feel sorry for them, but what about me? 'I am emotionally exhausted, I am really done. I have to hold down a full time job and pay a mortgage and this is affecting me now as well. 'There have been so many people contacting me telling me they believe they are Katrice or claiming to be her. I am emotionally done.' Miss Lee and her family have reported the incident to the Royal Military Police. A cousin of Mollie Tibbetts has slammed conservatives for using the college student's murder as 'political propaganda' after President Trump led the calls for tougher immigration after her killer's arrest. Cristhian Rivera, a 24-year-old suspected illegal immigrant from Mexico, was charged on Tuesday with killing Mollie and dumping her body in a cornfield in her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa on July 18. Trump was among the first to turn talk of Mollie's death into calls for tighter immigration laws when he spoke at a rally in West Virginia late Tuesday. Other conservatives, including commentator Candace Owen, also tweeted asking what leftists would do for Mollie after they 'cried when illegal immigrants were temporarily separated from their parents'. Scroll down for video Cristhian Rivera, a 24-year-old suspected illegal immigrant from Mexico, was charged on Tuesday with killing Mollie Tibbetts and dumping her body in a cornfield in her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa on July 18 Mollie's cousin, Sam Lucas, lashed out at Owen in a series of fiery tweets saying she was using the college student's murder as political propaganda. Mollie's cousin Sam Lucas slammed conservatives for using the 20-year-old college student's murder as 'political propaganda' in wake of killer's arrest 'We are not so f**king small-minded that we generalize a whole population based on some bad individuals. Now stop being a f**king snake and using my cousin's death as political propaganda. Take her name out of your mouth,' Sam wrote. 'And fyi @RealCandaceO, my whole family is hurting right now and you're not helping. You're despicable and this is so far from the loving and kind soul that Mollie was. My prayers go out to you in hopes that maybe you'll become a better person. Not hedging my bets tho.' Sam later clarified that she didn't speak for the whole Tibbetts family and was only trying to argue that they should be able to grieve without politics. The Mexican national charged over Mollie's death had been living in Iowa and, according to cops and the government, had been working illegally for anywhere between four and seven years, police said on Tuesday. He was arrested after recently recovered surveillance footage led police to his Chevy Malibu following a month-long investigation into Mollie's disappearance. Trump was speaking at a West Virginia rally when he said the 'incredible, beautiful' young woman's death should never have happened. 'You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in very sadly from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman,' he told the crowd. 'Should have never happened. Illegally in our country. We've had a huge impact but the laws are so bad. 'The immigration laws are such a disgrace. We're getting them changed but we have to get more Republicans. We have to get,' Trump said to cheers of 'build the wall'. However, M. Richards, an attorney for Cristhian Bahena Rivera, stated in a court document filed Wednesday that an employer has said Rivera is in the U.S. legally. The document names Craig Lang, a former head of the Iowa Board of Regents who is co-owner of a dairy that employed Rivera. The Lang family said in a statement Tuesday that Rivera's immigration status had been confirmed by an E-Verify electronic immigration status check. Richards argued for a gag order in the case and mentioned President Donald Trump, who he described as "sad and sorry Trump." Trump mentioned the case at a rally Tuesday night in West Virginia and said it demonstrated the need for tougher immigration laws. Richards said Trump's comments will 'poison the entire possible pool of jury members' and asked the court to prevent the government from claiming Rivera is in the country illegally. Iowa's Governor Kim Reynolds said she and the rest of the state were 'heartbroken' by the discovery of Mollie's body. She also blamed the young woman's death on the country's 'broken' immigration system, tweeting: 'As Iowans, we are heartbroken and we are angry. 'We are angry that a broken immigration system allowed a predator to live in our community and we will do all we can to bring justice to Mollie's killer. 'Over the past month, thousands of Iowans searched and prayed for Mollie's safe return. On social media, commentators including Iowa's governor said they were 'heartbroken' by the fact an 'illegal' immigrant had committed the killing 'Now, we are called to come together to lift up a grieving family. The search for Mollie is over, but the demand for justice has just begun.' Former congressman Joe Walsh said: 'Mollie Tibbetts would be alive today if this nation enforced its immigration laws. 'A 20-year-old American girl was murdered by a damn illegal. A person who shouldn't have ever been in this country! 'Mollie Tibbetts had her whole life ahead of her. But because of an illegal, she'll never get to live it. 'First, Kate Steinle. Now, Mollie Tibbetts. Unacceptable.' Gov. Mike Huckabee said he was 'sick to his stomach'. 'Suspect is illegal immigrant. If found guilty he will be reminder why sanctuary cities and open borders are as stupid as the politicians who promote them.' Fox pundit Laura Ingraham tweeted merely: 'OUTRAGE!' and conservative commentator Tomi Lahren dedicated an entire video to the subject on her Facebook page. 'Hey liberals, you wanna talk about child separation? How about this, 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbetts has been violently and permanently separated from her parents at the hands of an illegal immigrant. 'Yet another young person has been murdered by an illegal immigrant. This time a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico who's been living in the area illegally for four to seven years. 'Yeah, we have American citizens who murder. That's true. That's why we don't need to deal with it from people who have no legal right to be here in the first place,' she fumed. US Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst vowed: 'We cannot allow these tragedies to continue.' It remains unclear exactly how long Rivera, who is from the Mexican state of Guerrero originally, had been living in the US. Conservative pundit Tomi Lahren fumed as she addressed Mollie's murder in a Facebook video Rivera had been living illegally in Iowa for between four and seven years, police say. It is not clear when he entered the US Rivera's employer Yarrabee Farms (pictured) denied hiring illegal immigrants and said the family-run firm would cooperate fully with the Tibbetts inquiry. He said Rivera passed a background check when he was employed This is the home Rivera was staying in Iowa. He lived with his baby and his girlfriend Authorities say Rivera had been living near Brooklyn, Iowa, for the last four to seven years. In 2013, he met Iris Monarrez, with whom he now has a baby (pictured). She is friends with Mollie on Facebook ICE has no record of ever trying to deport him and the Iowa farm where he worked confirmed yesterday that he had passed background checks when he was employed. Many have compared Mollie's murder to the 2015 killing of Kate Steinle (pictured) who was shot dead by an illegal immigrant in San Francisco Dane Lang, co-owner of Yarrabee Farms along with Eric Lang, confirmed that Rivera had worked there for four years and was an employee 'of good standing.' Dane's brother is Craig Lang, former president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Board of Regents, and a 2018 Republican candidate for state secretary of agriculture. Dane's statement said: 'First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mollie Tibbetts. 'This is a profoundly sad day for our community. All of us at Yarrabee Farms are shocked to hear that one of our employees was involved and is charged in this case. 'This individual has worked at our farms for four years, was vetted through the government's E-Verify system, and was an employee in good standing. Mollie was abducted while running along 385th street, in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18, and her body was discovered just over a month later in a corn field in Poweshiek County 'On Monday, the authorities visited our farm and talked to our employees. We have cooperated fully with their investigation.' The E-Verify site allows employers to establish the eligibility of employees, both US or foreign, by comparing a worker's Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 with data held by the government. He went to get her out of the trunk and noticed blood on the side of her head... he then dragged Tibbetts on foot to a secluded location in a cornfield, put her over his shoulder and took her 20 meters into the field where he left her, covered up in some leaves The employee is eligible to work in the US if the data matches. If it doesn't, the worker has only eight federal government work days to resolve the issue. Rivera lived in Iowa with his girlfriend, who was friends with Mollie on Facebook, and their baby daughter. The girlfriend fled town on Tuesday after his arrest. Many of those who commented on Mollie's death compared it to the 2015 death of Kate Steinle who was shot to death by an illegal immigrant in San Francisco. Her killer had been reported to ICE but was allowed to go free because he was living in a sanctuary city. On July 18, Rivera followed Mollie around Brooklyn in his dark Chevy Malibu, watching her as she jogged ahead of him. He eventually parked his car, got out and started jogging behind her then alongside her to try to have a conversation. When she refused and threatened to call the police, he attacked. Rivera told police he 'blacked out' and does not remember what exactly he did to her but that he 'came to' while driving his car with Mollie in the trunk. He then dragged her lifeless body into a cornfield 10 miles away and dumped her, covering her corpse with some leaves. s As the five-week hunt for her intensified, there was mention of a dark SUV driving around the neighborhood where she was last seen at around 7.30pm. Police were only able to link Rivera to the car by watching surveillance footage they obtained from cameras at someone's home. They discovered the cameras while canvassing the neighborhood a week ago and spent days combing through the footage. On Monday, Rivera did not resist police. He went with them willingly, made a full confession and then led them to Mollie's body. His motive remains unclear. The family were emotional as they heard that Mollie's body had been discovered Friends and family of missing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts react following a news conference In his arrest warrant, police describe Rivera's chilling confession. 'Rivera admitted to making contact with the female running in Brooklyn and that he pursued her in his vehicle in an area east of Brooklyn. Defendant Rivera stated he parked the vehicle, got out and was running behind her and alongside of her. 'Rivera stated that she grabbed her phone and said: 'I'm gonna call the police.' 'Rivera said he then panicked and he got mad and that he 'blocked' his memory which is what he does when he gets very upset and doesn't remember anything after that until he came to at an intersection. 'Rivera stated he then made a u-turn, drove back to an entrance to a field and then drove into a driveway to a cornfield. 'He noticed there was an ear piece from headphones in his lap and that this is how he realized he put her in the trunk. 'He went to get her out of the trunk and he noticed blood on the side of her head. 'He described the female's clothing, what she was wearing including an ear phone or head phone set. 'He described that he dragged Tibbetts on foot from his vehicle to a secluded location in a cornfield. 'He put her over his shoulder and took her about 20 meters into the cornfield and he left her covered in some corn leaves and that he left her there, face up. 'The Defendant was able to use his phone to determine the route he traveled from Brooklyn. Elizabeth Warren was criticized on Wednesday for dodging a question about the murder of Mollie Tibbetts by shifting the conversation to the need to reunite immigrant families. The Massachusetts senator was speaking on CNN at just after 8.20am (ET) when she was asked whether the Iowa student's murder allegedly at the hands of an undocumented migrant meant tougher immigration laws were needed. Warren began by offering condolences to Tibbetts' family but then spoke of the need to focus on 'real problems' such as the fallout from the Trump administration's policy of detaining migrant children away from their parents on the US-Mexico border. Asked on Wednesday whether Mollie Tibbetts' murder allegedly at the hands of an undocumented migrant meant the US needed tougher immigration laws, Warren quickly shifted the conversation to criticizing the Trump administration 'I'm so sorry for the family and I know this is hard not only for her family but also for the local community and people throughout Iowa,' the Democrat said on Wednesday, a day after Tibbetts' body was found after a five week search. 'But one of the things we have to remember is we need an immigration system that is effective and focuses on where real problems are.' She then described her visit last month to the Mexican border to speak to children and mothers who had been separated. 'I met with those mothers who had been lied to and didn't know where their children were... and there was no plan about how they would be reunified with their children. 'I think we need immigration laws that focus on people who pose a real threat and I don't think mamas and babies are where we should be focusing our resources.' Her comments were slammed by Donald Trump Jr, who wrote on Twitter: 'Yea the real problem is not the murder of a young American girl... You cant make this crap up. 'Is the lefts platform really defend anyone but actual Americans? I dont know how to interpret it any other way.' Another Twitter user wrote: 'Dear @SenWarren Mollie Tibbetts family will never, ever get to see their daughter again. How utterly disgusting and tone deaf.' And Russ Elgart tweeted: 'You may want to rethink your comments on Mollie Tibbetts and your poorly timed shift to families who havent seen their kids. While I think I know what you wanted to say, your move from one topic to the next failed badly...' Tibbetts (left) was found dead on August 21, five weeks after she was abducted by Mexican illegal immigrant Cristhian Rivera, 24 (right in a recent mug shot). He attacked her while she was out jogging then dumped her body in a cornfield, it is claimed Mexican national Cristhian Rivera, 24, has been living in Iowa and working illegally for anywhere between four and seven years, it has been reported. However, Rivera's attorney Allan Richards during a court hearing on Wednesday submitted court records claiming Rivera was in the country legally and had been since he was a minor. On July 18, he allegedly attacked Mollie in her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, while she was out jogging, killed her and then dumped her body in a cornfield. He was arrested on Monday after recently recovered surveillance footage led police to his Chevy Malibu. At a rally in West Virginia on Tuesday night, President Trump said the 'incredible, beautiful' young woman's death should never have happened. 'You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in very sadly from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman. 'Should have never happened. Illegally in our country. We've had a huge impact but the laws are so bad.' Iowa's Governor Kim Reynolds said she and the rest of the state were 'heartbroken' by the discovery of Mollie's body. She blamed the young woman's death on the country's 'broken' immigration system, tweeting: 'As Iowans, we are heartbroken and we are angry. Warren has not been the only person criticized for their response to Tibbetts' death. On Tuesday, MSNBC guest Christina Greer had to apologize for calling her a 'girl in Iowa' that 'Fox News is talking about'. Christina Greer (pictured on MSNBC's The Beat) referred to Tibbetts as 'a girl in Iowa' when comparing Fox News' coverage of President Trump's scandals to the murder Christina Greer admitted that she made 'flippant' remarks on The Beat about the slain student and the allegations that she was murdered by an illegal immigrant. The Fordham University professor slammed Fox for prioritizing coverage of her death over the guilty verdicts of Trump allies Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen. The political scientist and author of Black Ethnics, faced a huge backlash on Twitter after she complained she had been 'ringing the alarm in this show for months'. She also said that Trump would use the fact she was killed by a Mexican illegal immigrant to push an agenda. 'I'm sure we'll hear what he has to say about this at his his rally, but Fox News is talking about, you know, a girl in Iowa and not this, right?,' she rounded off the TV chat. The political scientist was pressured to apologize after Twitter users expressed their outrage when seeing her comments on the show, that seemingly downplayed the Tibbetts murder Many did not accept her apology and suggested she was using it to push her own agenda Others felt Greer did not need to backtrack on her comments about the murder coverage 'And, tomorrow morning, we know he'll wake up in tweak and sort of, you know, besmirch the reputation of Michael Cohen and all the people around him and then go back to Mueller. And this has, obviously, been boiled down to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.' The clip from the show was immediately circulated online, with NRA life member Alana Mastrangelo sharing it with her 113,000 followers, complaining Greer 'doesn't even know her name.' Greer said Wednesday the message was 'unintended' in a Twitter apology that hasn't gone down well with many users of the micro-blogging site. 'Yesterday I said something flippant that was unintended,' she tweeted Wednesday. 'Mollie Tibbets was a promising young woman who lost her life. My hope is that her family will find peace & justice and that her murder is not used to justify a discriminatory immigration policy. #Apologiesaremyown.' NRA life member got her followers talking when she shared the clip from the show Social media users responded to posts of the video, calling Greer's words 'despicable' It was in response to people who expressed how appalled they were by the comment, with many suggesting she's not interested because Mollie's story doesn't fit her own agenda. 'Mollie Tibbetts wasn't just 'a girl in Iowa'-seriously? How about a beautiful young lady who was brutally killed by an illegal alien? Despicable!' JJensen wrote. On the other hand, some people on social media didn't think she needed to backtrack on her comment. 'Classy- but still it was a minor story compared to the major breaking news Fox was ignoring at the time, I think most people understood you. Nevertheless, your observations & insights re. the Trump regime were excellent,' Gipper's gravespin replied. One user wrote out a suggested apology Greer should have used instead of her own People largely agreed that Tibbetts' murder should not be played down in news coverage It remains unclear exactly how long Rivera had been living in the US. ICE has no record of ever trying to deport him and the Iowa farm where he worked confirmed yesterday that he had passed background checks when he was employed. Dane Lang, co-owner of Yarrabee Farms along with Eric Lang, confirmed that Rivera had worked there for four years and was an employee 'of good standing.' Dane's brother is Craig Lang, former president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Board of Regents, and a 2018 Republican candidate for state secretary of agriculture. Dane's statement said: 'First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mollie Tibbetts. 'This is a profoundly sad day for our community. All of us at Yarrabee Farms are shocked to hear that one of our employees was involved and is charged in this case. 'This individual has worked at our farms for four years, was vetted through the government's E-Verify system, and was an employee in good standing. Rivera has been living illegally in Iowa for between four and seven years. It is not clear when he entered the US. Photos undated This is the home Rivera was staying in Iowa, pictured on Monday. He lived with his baby and his girlfriend Mollie was abducted while running along 385th street, in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18, and her body was discovered just over a month later in a corn field in Poweshiek County Mollie (left and right) was staying alone overnight in her boyfriend's home the night she went missing and was last seen going for a jog in the neighborhood at around 8pm July 18 The E-Verify site allows employers to establish the eligibility of employees, both US or foreign, by comparing a worker's Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 with data held by the government. The employee is eligible to work in the US if the data matches. If it doesn't, the worker has only eight federal government work days to resolve the issue. Rivera lived in Iowa with his girlfriend, who was friends with Mollie on Facebook, and their baby daughter. The girlfriend fled town on Tuesday after his arrest. Police were only able to link Rivera to the car by watching surveillance footage they obtained from cameras at someone's home. They discovered the cameras while canvassing the neighborhood a week ago and spent days combing through the footage. On Monday, Rivera did not resist police. He went with them willingly, made a full confession and then led them to Mollie's body. His motive remains unclear. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department received a June call from the group of friends in regards to an experience with driver Mark Filanov, 36 A California Uber driver was detained after he was accused of kidnapping three women, according to local officials on Tuesday. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department received a call from the group of friends in regards to an experience with driver Mark Filanov, 36, on June 15. They claimed that the Rancho Cordova resident refused to let them exit his vehicle while driving in south Sacramento when he picked them up. Theadora Fuerstenberg, speaking to KCRA, said: 'He said, "OK, now you're going to tell me the real story or we're all going to die." 'None of use knew what he was talking about, obviously.' Fuerstenberg said the group were leaving a Friday night book club at approximately 9.45pm. She said that Filanov hadn't spoken much when they started the journey, but as they got on Interstate 80, things took a turn for a worse. 'He said, "OK, now you're going to tell me the real story or we're all going to die,"' said Theadora Fuerstenberg, the woman who ordered the ride. 'None of use knew what he was talking about, obviously.' Fuerstenberg shared that the group had been leaving a Friday night book club at approximately 9.45pm on June 15 'He pointed his car at the cement divider on the freeway and said, "Which way?"' Fuerstenberg explained. 'We all said, "Left." He made us basically scream left at him.' But as Filanov continued driving, the trio noticed that he kept passing exit after exit. Fuerstenberg said: 'Katie (O'Neil) said, "We're just three women who want to go home." 'He said, "No, that's not the real story. We're all going to die now."' O'Neil then took initiative and dialed 911 from the back seat. 'The disturbing behavior the riders reported will not be tolerated. We removed this driver's access to the app shortly after we learned of the incident and stand ready to help with the investigation,' Uber said in a statement 'Shortly after I got on the phone with 911 is when he took that exit that was way past our exit,' O'Neil detailed. Detectives spoke with witnesses and the victims while conducting their investigation. They also looked over both physical and electronic evidence before issuing the warrant for the man's arrest. Filanov was arrested on Friday in north Sacramento on charges for kidnapping. He is currently being held on bail for $375,000 at the Sacramento County Jail. Uber released a statement condemning the behavior, asserting that Filanov no longer had access to the app. In a statement the company said: 'The disturbing behavior the riders reported will not be tolerated. 'We removed this driver's access to the app shortly after we learned of the incident and stand ready to help with the investigation.' Asia Argento has been plastered across the streets of Los Angeles in posters created by the artist Sabo while the Italian press has mercilessly gone after the actress after it was alleged that she had sex with her underage co-star. Sabo, who has previously gone after Caitlyn Jenner and Sacha Baron Cohen, put an image of Argento giving the finger at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival with a red bar over her eyes and the hashtag '#SheToo.' The poster has popped up outside the popular Chateau Marmot in West Hollywood and near the Dolby Theater. Meanwhile, back home in Italy, the press has been relentless in their attacks on Argento. Under attack: The street artist Sabo has put posters with Asia Argento on them around Los Angeles with a bar over her eyes and the phrase '#SheeToo' (poster above by the Chateau Marmot) Middle finger up: The actress (above) has been under fire since The New York Times revealed she agreed to a $380,000 settlement after her former costar sent a notice to file a lawsuit In one story published after The New York Times first reported on the scandal, Argento was compared to the man she accused of sexual assault, Harvey Weinsetin. Another ran the headline 'Asia Argento Grottesca,' and underneath that read: 'The molested molests a minor.' This attack is nothing new for Argento, who has long been a target of the press in Italy. Even after she first came out with allegations against Weinstein she was attacked by some papers, who slut-shamed the actress and questioned her silence on the matter for 20 years. The actress responded to the Times story by releasing a statement on Tuesday denying the claims made by Jimmy Bennett. 'I strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article,' stated Argento. 'I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett.' She went on to state that Bennett went after her because of her relationship with Anthony Bourdain, a 'man of great perceived wealth' who 'had his own reputation as a beloved public figure to protect.' Argento also claimed that it was Bourdain, who took his own life back in June, that urged her to settle in exchange for Bennett's silence. Bourdain also paid the settlement despite the fact that it represented almost half of his cash and savings at the time, with court papers submitted after the chef's death revealing $425,000 of his $1.2 million estate was in cash. These claims were questioned however when on Wednesday TMZ published what they reported to be a post-coital image of Argento and Bennett and texts they claim the actress sent to a friend. 'It wasn't raped but I was frozen. He was on top of me. After, he told me I had been his sexual fantasy since was 12,' Argento allegedly wrote in one text. One day later, Argento denied ever having sex with Bennett in a statement while suggesting the young man extorted her and late boyfriend Bourdain, who paid out the settlement. TMZ also published an image reported to be a post-coital photo of the two taken in May 2013. Argento has now pulled out of an appearance at Le Guess Who music festival in the Netherlands this weekend. 'Due to the volatile nature of the accusations surrounding Ms. Argento, she has chosen to withdraw from her curatorship of this year's edition, while these issues remain open,' said festival organizers in a statement obtained by DailyMail.com. 'Le Guess Who? supports her decision, as we consider it our responsibility to represent, to the best of our ability, the interests and integrity of all artists involved with our organization, and we strive to do this with sensitivity and respect.' The statement went on to state: 'Le Guess Who? still supports all curated artists and their artistic output, and intends to keep all these artists involved within the general program for the 2018 edition.' Her position on The X Factor Italy could be in jeopardy as well if Bennett's claims are confirmed. 'We want to be very clear: if the allegations reported by the New York Times today were to be confirmed, the issue would be absolutely inconsistent with Skys ethical principles and values and thereforein full agreement with FremantleMediawe would have no choice but to take note of it and put an end to the collaboration with Asia Argento,' stated Sky Italia on Monday. Argento has yet to comment since releasing her statement on Tuesday. The former MI6 agent who penned a dossier linking the Trump campaign to Moscow has won a legal battle against three Russian oligarchs. Christopher Steele's case was thrown out by judge Anthony Epstein after Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman, Petr Aven and German Khan claimed he had defamed them for saying the trio tried to influence the 2016 US election. Mr Steele's lawyers successfully argued that the legal action was a frivolous attempt to silence him and ruled he was allowed his opinion under the First Amendment right. Christopher Steele (pictured) had his case was thrown out by judge Anthony Epstein Lawyers for the Russian businessmen had tried to argue Steele was not entitled to free speech protections under the first amendment of the US constitution as he is not a citizen in the US. In his ruling, judge Anthony Epstein said that 'advocacy on issues of public interest has the capacity to inform public debate, and thereby furthers the purposes of the First Amendment, regardless of the citizenship or residency of the speakers'. The judge also cited Washington DC's anti-SLAPP law (or strategic lawsuits against public participation), which prevents parties from filing lawsuits to tamp down on opposing political views. Speaking of the dossier, the judge said it 'plainly concerns' public interest as to whether the Kremlin interfered in the 2016 US presidential election. He wrote: 'The Steele dossier generated so much interest and attention in the US precisely because its contents relate to active public debates here.' Mr Steele's American lawyer, Christy Hull Eikhoff, said the court had shown support for the first amendment and the 'profound national principle' that debate should be 'uninhibited, robust and wide open'. Steele has maintained his silence following a barrage of abuse from Trump and his supporters Steele has maintained his silence following a barrage of abuse from Trump and his supporters. Earlier this month, the US president called Steele a 'lowlife' on Twitter and described the dossier as 'phony'. Despite his success on Monday, Steele still faces a libel claim in London brought by Russian technology businessman, Aleksej Gubarev, who appears in the dossier. Gubarev owns Webzilla, a Florida-based web company. 43-year-old Darold Wayne Bowden has been arrested on suspicion of rape dating back more than a decade Police in North Carolina say they used online genealogical data to identify and track down a suspect in a series of unsolved rapes dating back a decade. The Fayetteville Police Department issued a news release Wednesday saying that 43-year-old Darold Wayne Bowden has been charged with multiple rape counts related to six assaults from 2006 to 2008. Lt. John Somerindyke said at a news conference that police submitted crime-scene DNA evidence to a company that compared it with online genealogical data. A Virginia-based company ran genetic genealogy testing on DNA samples from the Ramsey Street Rapist investigation, and 'they did their magic with it,' Fayetteville Lt. John Somerindyke said during the press conference . He says that company narrowed it to Bowden as a person of interest, and they obtained a current sample of his DNA to confirm his link to the crimes. 'They were able to triangulate and figure out a strong person of interest for us,' Somerindyke said. 'We were able to obtain his DNA, get it off to the state crime lab, and we got a match yesterday. We got the guy. Bowden has been charged with multiple rape counts related to six assaults from 2006 to 2008. Police say they used online genealogical data to identify and track him down 'For three years, I've poured my heart and soul into these and a lot of our other cases,' Somerindyke said, becoming emotional during the press conference according to the News Observer. 'All these cases are important to us. Our victims, more importantly, are important to us, and we're going to do whatever it takes to get them justice.' The sexual assaults instilled fear among residents in the area who were afraid of becoming victims. Police declined to say how they obtained the current sample however it's believed that one of Bowden's family members sent their DNA off to an ancestry site. From there, a lab in Virginia cross-confirmed the DNA and gave police a name. A police spokeswoman didn't know if Bowden has an attorney. Bowden is in jail under $18.8 million bond and has been charged with 1st Degree Forcible Rape, 1st Degree Forcible Sex Offense, 2nd Degree Forcible Rape, 2nd Degree Forcible Sex Offense, 1st Degree Statutory Rape, Indecent Liberties with a Child, 1st Degree Kidnapping, 1st Degree Burglary, Felony Larceny, Felony Possession of Stolen Goods. 'We are committed to getting justice for each and every one of the victims in these cases and to holding this defendant accountable for his actions that really startled and rattled our community years ago,' Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West said in the press conference. 'This individual has been in our community, walking around our streets for the last 10 years, probably smirking, thinking he got away with this. Well, he didn't.' An Illinois mother-of-two says she had been investigated by child services for allowing her eight-year-old daughter to walk the family dog by herself in their neighborhood. Speaking to the Chicago Tribune, 48-year-old Corey Widen, of Wilmette, said earlier this month, someone called the police on her after seeing her child outside with her Maltese puppy, Marshmallow, without an adult around. Police interviewed the mother and decided not to pursue criminal charges, but the incident trigged a two-week investigation by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Corey Widen (right), 48, says someone had called police and child services on her for allowing her 8-year-old daughter (left) to take their puppy (pictured) on a walk around the block Widen says she can see her daughter from the windows of their house in Wilmette, Illinois (pictured) for most of her route For something like this to happen to me, theres something really wrong, Widen told the paper. The mom-of-two, who in the past had operated a consignment boutique catering to parents, has been home-schooling her daughter and says her walk around the block with Marshmallow is the only time during the day the girl is briefly unsupervised. The mother added that she can see her daughter out of the windows of her three-bedroom house for most of her route. After Widen's daughter safely returned home with the puppy on August 2, the family were visited by officers from the Wilmette Police Department, who asked how long the eight-year-old had been outside on her own. Police quickly cleared Widen (pictured with both her kids) of any wrongdoing, but DCFS caseworkers spent two weeks grilling the family before closing the case Widen (pictured with her daughter as a toddler) says the child neglect investigation has caused her family undue stress After hearing Widen's response, the officers left without charging her with child neglect. Under Illinois state law, child neglect is defined as leaving a minor younger than 14 without supervision for an unreasonable period of time without regard for the mental or physical health, safety or welfare of that minor. The anonymous tipster who called the police on Widen then reached out to the Department of Children and Family Services. Caseworkers from the agency visited the Widens' home, interviewed her 17-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter, as well as their pediatrician and other family members. WHAT IS FREE-RANGE PARENTING? Free-range parenting is the name given to a style of raising kids in opposition to so-called 'helicopter parenting'. 'Helicopter parents' are named for their habit of hovering over their offspring, micro-managing their lives in an attempt to keep them safe. However, critics believe this creates under-confident, over-reliant children, while also causing the parents stress. Free-range parents advocate a more hands-off approach, where children are allowed to go out and experience the world on their own. Instead of constantly monitoring activities to make sure children are safe, the emphasis is put on adults assessing risk ahead of time, and equipping children with the skills to deal with danger themselves. Advertisement Two weeks into the investigation, the DCFS informed Widen's attorney that officials have found nothing to suggest child neglect and closed the case. Widen says the entire process has caused her family undue stress, but officials with child services point out that they have an obligation to the public to look into all complaints. There are all these other cases where we say, if only someone had called us, DCFS spokesman Neil Skene told the Tribune. There has been a string of news stories in recent years about parents being investigated for allowing their kids to play alone in the park, or walk home from school unsupervised. Vocal 'free-range parenting' advocates Danielle and Alexander Meitiv, from Silver Spring, Maryland, made national headlines when they allowed their then- 0- and six-year-old children to walk home from a park in December 2014, and then again in April 2014. After months-long investigations by Child Protective Services, both cases against the Meitivs were dismissed without child neglect charges. Families who practice 'free-range parenting' encourage their children to be independent and explore their surroundings. The Argentinian police officer who breastfed a 'malnourished and dirty' baby that was brought into a hospital where she was stationed received a promotion for her selfless action. 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 hospital staff called the baby 'dirty,' but the kind mother-of-three didn't care and instead put the baby's needs first. Ayala was promoted from officer to sergeant for her heroic, love filled gesture. Cristian Ritondo, Buenos Aires provincial security minister took to Twitter to share the announcement, along with a photo of himself with a warmly smiling Ayala. Police Officer Celeste Ayala (pictured) breastfed a malnourished baby who hospital staff described as 'dirty' that was brought into a hospital where she was on guard duty The officer was promoted to sergeant for her selfless and loving gesture towards the baby 'We wanted to thank you in person for that gesture of spontaneous love that managed to calm the baby's cry. That's the type of police we're proud of, the police we want,' he said. When the baby was first brought into the hospital, the officer asked the doctors for permission to cuddle and feed him because she could see the baby was hungry and hospital staff were overloaded with work. 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.' Permission was given and Ayala held the baby and started to breastfeed him, after which he stopped crying immediately. A friend of the police officer, Marcos Heredia, 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. The busy mother-of -three was also commended by the fire brigade she volunteers with 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 the busy mother volunteers for in her spare time also 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.' John Cowell, 27, was charged with murder and attempted murder for killing 18-year-old Nia Wilson and injuring her sister The man accused of fatally stabbing an 18-year-old northern California woman and injuring her sister last month could face the death penalty after prosecutors added charges. John Cowell, 27, is charged with murder for the death of Nia Wilson and attempted murder for wounding her 26-year-old sister Letifah Wilson when he stabbed both women as they were waiting at an Oakland Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station on July 22. On Wednesday, Cowell made his first court appearance where prosecutors added the special-circumstances enhancement of 'lying in wait' to the charges Cowell previously faced. He didn't enter a plea during the court hearing. His attorney, Brendon Woods, said the new charge could mean Cowell may face the death penalty. He told reporters outside the courtroom that he was concerned prosecutors will seek execution because Cowell is 'someone that has severe, severe mental illness.' Woods also said there's no evidence supporting prosecution's added charge of lying in wait. 'Based of what we have, based on what's been presented to us there's no evidence of that at all,' he told reporters outside the courtroom. BART police have not established a motive for the July attack, but said it was a random attack. During a court appearance on Wednesday, prosecutors added the special-circumstances enhancement of 'lying in wait' to Cowell's charges. Pictured is Nia in a Facebook photo from her account Authorities said Cowell approached Nia (pictured) and her 26-year-old sister Letifah at Oakland Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station on July 22 and started stabbing them The attack happened just before 10pm at the Oakland Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station in Oakland, California as the sisters were waiting for a train Nia's family has suggested that it may have been racially motivated but Woods denied that saying Cowell had recently sought help and suffered from 'severe mental illness'. According to authorities, Cowell approached Nia and her sister just before 10pm on July 22 and began stabbing the girls in their necks and backs. Police have since obtained video showing the vicious attack. Cowell is reportedly seen on the video fleeing the station platform after the stabbing. He allegedly ditched a backpack and his sweater in the station's parking lot, which was later recovered by police. Authorities said some of the items in the bag contained a name and birth date. Police said the attack was caught on camera and Cowell was seen ditching a backpack and sweater he was wearing. Cowell is pictured above in surveillance grabs released last month Nia's parents Ansar El Muhammad and Alicia Grayson are pictured at a press conference. Muhammad said he wants justice for his daughter Authorities have not released a motive but said the attack appears to be random Cowell was arrested nearly 21 hours after the attack after a bystander recognized him on the bus and alerted police. He was arrested at the Pleasant Hill Station in Walnut Creek without incident. During an interview with KTVU, Nia's father said he wants justice for his daughter. 'I want justice for my daughter. Please help me get justice for my daughter,' he said, crying. 'I work at Highland Hospital, I see this every single day. I never imagined myself going through nothing like this.' The victims' cousin, Ebony Monroe, said Wilson was a 'beautiful, sweet person' who loved her cousins, makeup and fashion. 'She needs her justice,' Monroe said. 'She was just an innocent kid, and she didnt deserve this. And he did this for no reason.' At the reception (Photo: HNMO) He made the remarks at a reception for heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad term 2018-2021 on August 20th. During the reception, he gave the guests an overview on the citys development over the past time, adding the city had always identified foreign affairs as an efficient tool for the citys socio-economic development. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam expressed his thanks for the precious support of the city in foreign activities, especially people-to-people diplomacy, as well as reception for international guests. Stressing that Hanoi is the image of the country in international friends eyes, ambassadors and consuls general showed their desire to help Hanoi become a centre of large international meetings, an attractive destination for healthcare, education and training, and tourism./. Kevin Spacey may soon find himself under investigation by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. A spokesperson for the organization spoke with DailyMail.com on Wednesday and said: 'A sex assault case was presented yesterday to our office by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department involving Kevin Spacey. It remains under review.' This news comes almost one year after the two-time Oscar winner was accused of sexually assaulting a then-underage Anthony Rapp at his Manhattan apartment. Spacey responded by coming out as gay and entering a rehab facility in Arizona, where he remained for weeks. This is now the second case under review by the special task force that was set up by the agency earlier this year. That case remains under review. Under review: The Los Angeles County District Attorney is reviewing a sex assault case against Kevin Spacey (above at the 2017 Tony Awards) that they were given by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept Spacey has denied almost all of the allegations that were made against him, and remained out of the public eye for months. He also lost two major roles as a result of the allegations. Netflix chose to remove Spacey from the final season of House of Cards and permanently shelf the biopic Gore he starred in about Gore Vidal, while director Ridley Scott cut the actor from his finished film All the Money in the World. Scott then replaced Spacey with Christopher Plummer just six weeks before the film hit theaters, earning Plummer an Oscar nomination for his efforts. That plan also required all of Spacey's scenes to be reshot, something that his co-stars Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams both agreed to, with the pair flying to Europe to participate in filming over Thanksgiving. The one film Spacey did remain in, Billionaire Boys Club, tanked at the box office. It opened to just $618 earlier this month, a record low for the actor. The incident that spurred Spacey's downfall allegedly took place at Spacey's apartment in 1986 when the actor invited Rapp to a party while they were both appearing on Broadway. In an interview with Buzzfeed, Rapp said that he found himself alone in the apartment at the end of the night and that Spacey then began to make his move. 'He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold. But I don't, like, squirm away initially, because I'm like, 'What's going on?' And then he lays down on top of me,' said Rapp, who detailed being pressed up against the bed before being able to squirm away and ultimately leave the house without being assaulted by Spacey. Spacey made the decision to come out of the closet in a statement apologizing to actor Anthony Rapp, who said in an interview that the actor attempted to sexually assault him in 1986, an incident Spacey says he does not remember. Rapp was 14 at the time while Spacey was 26. Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has called on ISIS's followers to persevere, in newly released audio claiming to be his first speech in nearly a year. In the audio, al-Baghdadi - whose whereabouts and fate remain unknown - urges ISIS's 'holy warriors' to continue fighting the group's enemies across the world. The 54-minute audio entitled 'Give Glad Tidings to the Patient' was released by the extremist group's central media arm, al-Furqan Foundation, on Wednesday evening. Islamic state leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has called on followers to persevere. Stock picture A man's voice is heard saying: 'For the Mujahideen [holy warriors] the scale of victory or defeat is not dependant on a city or town being stolen or subject to that who has aerial superiority, intercontinental missiles or smart bombs,' The audio's authenticity could not be independently verified and there were no clues as to where it was recorded. The question of whether al-Baghdadi is dead or alive has been a continuing source of mystery and confusion. The extremist group has lost around 90 percent of territory it controlled in Iraq and Syria in 2014, when IS declared its so-called 'caliphate.' He is believed to be hiding somewhere in the desert that stretches across the Syrian-Iraqi border region. His last audio message was on Sept. 28, 2017 in which he called on his followers to burn their enemies everywhere and target 'media centers of the infidels.' In Wednesday's recording, al-Baghdadi congratulates followers on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Ada and makes references to current events, including Turkey's row with the United States over its detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson. If the voice on the audio is confirmed to be that of al-Baghdadi, this would date the message to this month and disprove reports of his death. 'America is going through the worst time in its entire existence,' al-Baghdad says, adding that Russia is competing with the U.S. over regional influence and clout. He also criticizes surrenders by the rebels in southern Syria to President Bashar Assad's forces, calling them traitors and urges fighters to join the Islamic State group instead. He also urges patience, perseverance and continued jihad, or holy war. Al-Baghdadi has only appeared in public once in 2014 in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. There have been recurring reports of his death or injury, including reports by Russian officials last year who said there was a 'high probability' that al-Baghdadi was killed in a Russian airstrike on the outskirts of the Syrian city of Raqqa. U.S. officials later said they believed he was still alive. Its legs flailing in agony, a sheep is punched six times as it is sheared before the summer heatwave. This is only one of several harrowing scenes captured by an undercover investigator who worked at 25 farms in England in May and June. Contractors were also filmed pinning sheep down by standing on their necks, slamming the animals' heads against hard wooden floors and stitching up wounds on the spot with no anaesthetic. The footage was recorded by an investigator from animal rights group Peta Asia, as he worked with two shearing contractors The nine-and-a-half minute video has been sent to the RSPCA, which is investigating At one farm near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a sheep has what the shearers described as a heart attack while it is being handled. The farmer drags it to a shed where it dies. The footage was recorded by an investigator from animal rights group Peta Asia, as he worked with two shearing contractors. The nine-and-a-half minute video has been sent to the RSPCA, which is investigating. The investigator, who did not want to be named, said that at each one of the 25 farms he worked on with the contractors he saw abuse of the sheep, often witnessed by the farmer. The investigator witnessed one sheep suffer what he believes was a heart attack - the sheep later died 'The shearers are paid between 85p and 1 per sheep, so they are incentivised to work as quickly as possible,' he said. 'The sheep don't like being sheared so they struggle a bit. When it's a hot day and they are really tired the shearers would often completely lose it and take it out on the animals. 'It was extremely common to see that; workers punching or kicking sheep, throwing them around or stamping on their necks to pin them down. 'If the sheep were cut while they were being sheared then the worker would just get a needle and thread out and sew the wound up as quickly as possible with no anaesthetic. 'By stopping to do that he was losing money so it was always rushed and you could see the animal was in huge pain. 'And not once did anyone ever say anything.' At the farm near Newcastle, on May 6, the investigator witnessed one sheep suffer what he believes was a heart attack. 'The worker was shearing one of the sheep then suddenly its head went floppy so he slapped its face and hit it on the chest a few times. Its legs flailing in agony, a sheep is punched six times as it is sheared before the summer heatwave 'They told me it was a heart attack which I believe was brought on by the trauma of the way it was being shorn,' he said. 'The farmer eventually dragged the sheep off and left it by the side of the shed. The sheep died in there.' The investigator said workers could normally shear about 250 sheep a day, which would earn them about 200. The contractors charged 1.20 a sheep, he added. Britain produces nearly 40,000 tons of raw wool a year, with the UK wool clothing market worth 1.25billion annually. Sheep have to be regularly shorn to avoid health problems such as flies laying eggs in their wool. But Peta Asia spokesman Andrew Butler accused the industry of ignoring animal welfare. 'They are prey animals and as soon as you isolate one from the flock to shear them or transport them that causes immediate distress to that animal,' he said. 'They need to be calmed down and secured, not with a worker standing on their necks or pummelling them until they submit.' In a joint statement British Wool, the National Farmers Union, National Sheep Association, National Association of Agricultural Contractors, and Farmers Union of Wales said: 'Having not had access to the footage taken by Peta we are unable to comment on this specific claim. 'However, farmers and contractors in the sheep industry take animal welfare very seriously and any behaviour that is found to fall below that standard is not tolerated.' They said shearing was 'absolutely necessary' to protect sheep from heat stress and disease, and that every year more than 1,000 people attend a two-day training course 'tailored to their existing level of experience'. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: 'Where welfare regulations are breached, appropriate action will always be taken.' The young actor who received a $380,000 payment after his lawyer filed a notice of intent to sue with is speaking out for the first time since it was revealed that he had allegedly been sexually assaulted by actress Asia Argento. 'Many brave women and men have spoken out about their own experiences during the #metoo movement, and I appreciate the bravery that it took for each and every one of them to take such a stand,' said Bennett. 'I did not initially speak out about my story because I chose to handle it in private with the person who wronged me. My trauma resurfaced as she came out as a victim herself.' He continued: 'I have not made a public statement in the past days and hours because I was ashamed and afraid to be part of the public narrative.' Meanwhile, Bennett's lawyer Gordon Sattro told DailyMail.com that the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has been in contact to discuss the incident. Coming forward: Jimmy Bennett has released a statement to The New York Times about why he chose to keep quiet for years about his alleged sexual assault (Bennett and Asia Argento in May 2013 on the day of the alleged assault) Back in the day: 'I have not made a public statement in the past days and hours because I was ashamed and afraid to be part of the public narrative,' said Bennett (Bennett in 2003 with Winona Ryder and Argento on the set of The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things) On the line: Bennett's lawyer told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has been in contact to speak about the incident with his client (Bennett above on Monday) 'I was underage when the event took place, and I tried to seek justice in a way that made sense to me at the time because I was not ready to deal with the ramifications of my story becoming public,' explained Bennett. 'At the time I believed there was still a stigma to being in the situation as a male in our society. 'I didnt think that people would understand the event that took place from the eyes of a teenage boy. I have had to overcome many adversities in my life, and this is another that I will deal with, in time.' He then added: 'I would like to move past this event in my life, and today I choose to move forward, no longer in silence.' Bennett first shared his statement with The New York Times, who broke the news of Argento's payment on Sunday. The actress responded to the Times story by releasing a statement on Tuesday denying the claims made by Jimmy Bennett. 'I strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article,' stated Argento. 'I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett.' She went on to state that Bennett went after her because of her relationship with Anthony Bourdain, a 'man of great perceived wealth' who 'had his own reputation as a beloved public figure to protect.' Argento also claimed that it was Bourdain, who took his own life back in June, that urged her to settle in exchange for Bennett's silence. Bourdain also paid the settlement despite the fact that it represented almost half of his cash and savings at the time, with court papers submitted after the chef's death revealing $425,000 of his $1.2 million estate was in cash. Speaking out: 'I did not initially speak out about my story because I chose to handle it in private with the person who wronged me. My trauma resurfaced as she came out as a victim herself' Helping hand: It was revealed on Tuesday that Argento's boyfriend Anthony Bourdain paid the $380,000 to settle the notice brought against his girlfriend by Bennett (pair above earlier this year just weeks before Bourdain took his life) These claims were questioned however when on Wednesday TMZ published what they reported to be a post-coital image of Argento and Bennett and texts they claim the actress sent to a friend. 'It wasn't raped but I was frozen. He was on top of me. After, he told me I had been his sexual fantasy since was 12,' Argento allegedly wrote in one text. One day later, Argento denied ever having sex with Bennett in a statement while suggesting the young man extorted her and late boyfriend Bourdain, who paid out the settlement. TMZ also published an image reported to be a post-coital photo of the two taken in May 2013. Argento has now pulled out of an appearance at Le Guess Who music festival in the Netherlands this weekend. 'Due to the volatile nature of the accusations surrounding Ms. Argento, she has chosen to withdraw from her curatorship of this year's edition, while these issues remain open,' said festival organizers in a statement obtained by DailyMail.com. 'Le Guess Who? supports her decision, as we consider it our responsibility to represent, to the best of our ability, the interests and integrity of all artists involved with our organization, and we strive to do this with sensitivity and respect.' The statement went on to state: 'Le Guess Who? still supports all curated artists and their artistic output, and intends to keep all these artists involved within the general program for the 2018 edition.' Her position on The X Factor Italy could be in jeopardy as well if Bennett's claims are confirmed. 'We want to be very clear: if the allegations reported by the New York Times today were to be confirmed, the issue would be absolutely inconsistent with Skys ethical principles and values and thereforein full agreement with FremantleMediawe would have no choice but to take note of it and put an end to the collaboration with Asia Argento,' stated Sky Italia on Monday. Argento has yet to comment since releasing her statement on Tuesday. Families are being offered a $15,000 incentive to relocate to the Northern Territory for work. The cash carrot is part of a new strategy to create 21,000 jobs and funnel an additional $10 billion in to the economy in the next 10 years. Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner has announced $3,000 for individuals, $6,000 for couples and $7,000 for families who move to the NT to work in 'high priority jobs'. The government has announced a $15,000 incentive for families that move to the Northern Territory for work (the wave lagoon at Darwin Waterfront is pictured) 'Just about every regional centre in Australia is trying to grow their population. It's a national trend, Mr Gunner told the ABC. He hoped the monetary incentive would 'remove the barriers that stop people taking the plunge... moving costs are an example'. Mr Gunner said the monetary incentives did not stop there, and promised all new residents a further $1,250 bonus if they stayed in the NT for two years. He said this money could be spent on child care, car and licence registrations and at any local business. If people stuck it out for five years, he said they would receive another cash bonus to the same value. He said the second $1,250 amount could be spent on anything the recipient wanted. Over a five year period, he said a family would receive more than $15,000. Chief Minister Michael Gunner (pictured) promised $3,000 for individuals, $6,000 for couples and $7,000 for families that move to the NT to work in 'high priority jobs' Over a five year period, a family could receive more than $15,000 if they move to the NT (boats are pictured at Darwin Marina) High priority jobs: The monetary incentive will be offered to people moving to the NT for high priority jobs including, but not limited to: Engineers Accountants Pilots Early childhood teachers Pharmacists Hotel managers Chefs Hairdressers Probation officers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers Property managers Advertisement Mr Gunner said the funding was not limited to Australians but also immigrants. The NT Government pledged a total of $14 million towards the incentive. When registration opens on November 1, participants will need to update their details on Medicare to be eligible. Mr Gunner said he expected the incentive to create up to 21,000 new jobs in the NT within 10 years. With small businesses prospering, he expected it could also add about $10 billion to the local economy. He hoped the money would be an incentive for skilled migrants from across the world, not only Australia, to make the NT their new home. 'We're comfortable taking anyone from anywhere when it comes to humanitarian schemes, refugees, anyone coming into Australia should feel welcome here,' he said. Mr Gunner said he expected the incentive to create up to 21,000 new jobs in the NT within 10 years (Darwin pictured) A Montana mother who used to be a former supreme court judge has opened up about how she became an online terrorist hunter by going undercover in jihadi chat rooms. Shannen Rossmiller, 48, helped to bring down several US citizens who were trying to plan terror attacks or give information to al Qaeda with her cyber-sleuthing skills. The mother-of-three told CNN's Declassified series this month that her life hasn't been the same ever since she took it upon herself to start posing as a terrorist online a decade ago. Scroll down for video Montana mom Shannen Rossmiller, 48, has helped to bring down several US citizens who were trying to plan terror attacks or give information to al Qaeda with her cyber-sleuthing skills Rossmiller, who was working as a judge in Conrad, Montana at the time, said she started investigating after 9/11 because she was curious about the terrorists responsible for the attacks. She said before she chose a law career she was interested in behavior profiling. 'I initially wanted to understand how 9/11 could have happened and what kind of people would ever do this,' Rossmiller told CNN. She signed up for online Arabic classes so she could understand what jihadis were saying in various online chat rooms. Rossmiller went on to create dozens of online personas to be part of her fake network of jihadis. Her main profile was a terrorist named Abu Zeida from Balochistan, Pakistan. She would use Zeida to order her other personas around. Her plan worked and she started getting a following from would-be terrorists who were eager to be part of any future al Qaeda plots or be of assistance. Rossmiller (pictured in 2006) said her life hasn't been the same ever since she took it upon herself to start posing as a terrorist online a decade ago She helped bring down National Guardsman Ryan G. Anderson in 2004 (left) and Michael Curtis Reynolds in 2006 (right) Rossmiller, who ended up publishing a book 'The Unexpected Patriot' in 2011 about her cyber-sleuthing, was chatting to the would-be terrorists while her children were at school. Her first break was National Guardsman Ryan G Anderson who ended up being convicted of trying to provide information to the the terrorist network. He had signed onto extremist chat rooms and tried to offer Rossmiller information on US military capabilities and weaponry. She took the information to her local FBI field office but they initially tried to dismiss her. 'I finally got mad and slapped down my supreme court credentials and said I'm dead serious,' Rossmiller said. She had tried to keep true identity secret from the public, but her name was released as part of Anderson's trial in 2004. She had tried to keep true identity secret from the public, but her name was released as part of Anderson's trial in 2004. She is pictured above being escorted to her car after testifying Rossmiller said her once quiet life as a judge, mother and wife was over. She went on to keep working as an intelligence asset regularly until 2011 and was able to pinpoint other credible threats to security. In 2006, Rossmiller also helped to bring down Michael Curtis Reynolds who was trying to with al Qaeda in a potential terror plot to blow up pipelines in Alaska and Pennsylvania and a refinery in New Jersey. Rossmiller says she still works with the government and helps with investigations to this day. 'I can't talk specifically about the work that I'm doing, but I can spot pedophiles like nothing,' she said. 'I came along at a time where it was new territory that hadn't really been broken yet. Now there are sufficiently trained intelligence officials doing these kinds of things.' Police are on the hunt for two southeast Kentucky felons who escaped from jail by spraying a bleach concoction in the eyes of one jail worker and physically attacking another before making their break. David Mosely, 41, and Matthew Price, 45, escaped Tuesday night from the Bell County jail, Kentucky State Police said. Master Trooper Shane Jacobs said dispatchers had taken numerous calls about the inmates, but police hadn't located them yet as of late Wednesday morning. Both jail workers were treated at a hospital and released, said deputy jailer 1st Lt. Josh Collett. Jailer Gary Ferguson said the escape happened while an officer was passing out medicine to inmates. Police are on the hunt for David Mosely and Matthew Price who escaped from the Bell County jail in Kentucky near where the state meets Tennessee and Virginia Tuesday night. They attacked two jail workers before running off The men escaped from Bell County jail (pictured) on Tuesday night after attacking on worker with bleach and pummeling another, Kentucky State Police say Video courtesy of LEX18 He said Mosely and Price, who were cellmates, made a plastic device that wedged into their cell door and they were able to open it when they heard the control room door open. He said the inmates then squirted the bleach concoction in the eyes of the female officer and took her keys, and then hit a male officer in the head, knocked him to the floor and kicked him in the ribs. 'As unfortunate as it is, I'm hoping for a full recovery for my officers and I'd like for everyone to keep them in their prayers,' Ferguson said. Police described Mosely as a 6-foot-1, 200-pound white male who's bald and Price as a 5-foot-9, 170-pound white male with blondish brown hair. Both men are from Middlesboro, Kentucky, and have multiple tattoos, including on their chests. Collett said Mosely was in jail on various drug and theft charges while Price was serving time for various counts including burglary, wanton endangerment on a police officer and driving under the influence. The men are both heavily tattooed according to police and they are both from Middlesboro Mosley has a distinctive hand tattoo. Do not approach the men if you see them, call 911 Both were convicted felons who had been at the jail for more than a month and had previously served time there. Bell County is in the state's southeastern tip, where it meets Tennessee and Virginia. A description on the county's website says much of it is thickly forested, rugged terrain including two mountain ridges, Pine Mountain and Cumberland Mountain. Anyone who sees the inmates shouldn't approach them but should call authorities, police said. An escape from an institution doesn't happen often and it's rare for deputy jailers to get assaulted during such an attempt, said Brad Boyd, president of the Kentucky Jailers Association. While it's common for inmates to walk off while they are on work release, Boyd said inmates don't usually escape from lock-up. He said jail employees are typically underpaid, underappreciated and overworked due to a statewide shortage of workers, and security measures vary across the state depending on the age of the jail. Assaults are commonplace when people are brought into a jail, he said, because many are emotional, dealing with mental issues or on drugs and jail is the last place they want to be. 'It's a very dangerous job without a doubt,' he said. Jeremy Corbyn has demanded that the BBC should publish 'equality date' on the social class of everyone who works for it The BBC would be forced to publish 'equality data' on the social class of everyone who works for it under plans to be set out by Jeremy Corbyn today. The Labour leader will call for 'complete transparency' on the corporation's workforce in an attempt to boost 'diversity'. He will also suggest putting the BBC's board appointments to a public vote and demand that it sever all ties with government to make it 'freer'. And under radical plans on BBC funding, Mr Corbyn will say that he would make technology giants such as Amazon and Netflix hand over a slice of their cash to pay for its programmes. He is expected to set out his plans at the Edinburgh Television Festival in a speech that would in effect be part of his manifesto if he gets into power. He will also take a swipe at the media in the wake of the Labour anti-Semitism row by urging journalists to break free of 'unaccountable billionaires' who 'control huge swathes of our public space and debate'. Damian Collins, chairman of the Commons digital, culture, media and sport select committee, questioned the timing of Mr Corbyn's attack. 'It is always highly questionable when senior politicians who are being investigated by media start complaining about the way the media is being run,' he said. He warned the Labour leader's proposals for the BBC could 'politicise' the broadcaster and plunge it into 'class warfare'. Under Mr Corbyn's proposals, the BBC would be forced to publish the social class, ethnic origin and other details about everyone who contributes to its programmes, whether they work for the corporation directly or for one of its suppliers. A new independent body would set the TV licence fee, rather than the Government, and it would be slashed for the poor. The BBC would also have many more directors, including a minimum number of women and ethnic minorities. In his speech today, Mr Corbyn will praise the BBC as a 'great institution' but insist it should be 'democratised' so it is 'more representative of the country it serves'. 'If we want an independent BBC, we should consider setting it free by placing it on a permanent statutory footing, with a new independent body setting the licence fee,' he will say. He will also argue that 'we should consider whether a digital licence fee could be fairer and more effective way to fund the BBC'. He will tell the conference: 'A digital licence fee, supplementing the existing licence fee, collected from tech giants and internet service providers could allow a democratised and more plural BBC to compete far more effectively with the private multinational digital giants like Netflix, Amazon, Google and Facebook. The Labour leader wants complete transparency on the corporation's workforce in an attempt to boost 'diversity' 'This could also help reduce the cost of the licence fee for poorer households.' Mr Corbyn will also lay out plans for a shake-up of the wider media, which he believes is 'failing'. He will call for a second tax on technology companies to pay for public interest journalism. Journalists and media workers need to be 'set free to do their best work, not held back by media bosses, billionaires or the state', he will say. Mr Corbyn has come under mounting scrutiny from the Press in recent weeks. The Mail exposed how he laid a wreath in a Tunis cemetery where the ringleaders of the 1972 Munich Olympics terror massacre are buried. This newspaper also revealed this week that he had welcomed Hamas-linked extremists to Parliament. His critique of the media also comes at a time when he has been accused of letting anti-Semitism run rife in the Labour Party. He has been rounded on by his own MPs, with Dame Margaret Hodge telling him that 'for Jewish people to vote Labour was becoming exceedingly tough'. Mr Collins described the Labour leader's proposals as 'a sort of finger pointing, putting class warfare into the organisation which I don't think would help anyone'. The BBC is also likely to object to being forced to reveal class details of all of its contributors. It currently publishes information about its own employees including what percentage went to private school, whether their parents worked in professional jobs and whether they were degree educated. But it routinely resists forcing its suppliers to make the same level of disclosure. The broadcaster declined to comment yesterday. The pressure from Mr Corbyn comes as new research by Dr Sam Friedman, of the London School of Economics, said staffing in the TV sector is 'highly skewed towards privilege'. n Mr Corbyn yesterday refused six times to answer a question about whether Britain would be better off out of the EU. It came during his tour of Scotland when Channel 4 News was permitted to ask one question of the Labour leader, which he repeatedly failed to do directly. A Florida man snapped photos that show the unusual moment a crocodile cruises across a canal on a pool noodle. Victor Perez shared an Instagram post August 6 from Key Largo that read: 'Crock on a float #keylargo #rockemnreelem #floating #keyslife'. He followed up in another post Monday to write: 'Another pic of the same Crock on a noodle #keylargo #keyslife #croc' The photos instantly attracted attention from his followers and went viral, as social media users were curious to know how the crocodile got on the float and why. This crocodile was seen catches a ride on a pool noodle August 6 in Key Largo, Florida Victor Perez snapped the photos. He wrote in this Monday post: 'Another pic of the same Crock on a noodle #keylargo #keyslife #croc' Perez spoke to the Miami Herald this week to explain what he witnessed. 'Im on my balcony... and all of a sudden, I see this noodle and theres a crocodile hanging off of it. I had to get my phone,' he first told the Herald. 'It was just cruising along, and I was like, "OK, wheres the swimmer?"' he laughed. 'What happened to the guy with the noodle?' Perez said on Instagram the photos were taken at the mile mark 105 at the Overseas Highway and that the 113-mile roadway connects the Florida Keys. Australia is set to get a new Prime Minister after Malcolm Turnbull was deserted by his most loyal lieutenants, who tendered their resignations and urged him to step aside for the good of the country. Scott Morrison will run in a leadership ballot against Mr Dutton, with Greg Hunt replacing him as treasurer. The former Health Minister has also been flagged as a possible deputy leader under Mr Dutton. A member of Mr Morrison's camp claimed the Prime Minister intends to step aside to allow a two-way contest, but Mr Turnbull is yet to resign. Mr Morrison has emerged as a potential consensus candidate, a former immigration minister like Mr Dutton who could appeal to both moderate and conservative Liberal MPs alike. Mr Dutton's supporters believe the Treasurer has been planning his own shot at the leadership since Monday, when he was tipped off about growing support for the former Home Affairs Minister. In order to put himself in prime position for the top job, Mr Morrison then urged the Prime Minister to call Tuesday's spill, a senior Liberal MP told The Australian. The House of Representatives has been adjourned by the government amid the battle over the Liberal leadership, and will return on September 10. The government won the vote to adjourn Parliament early by 70 votes to 68, meaning there will be no Question Time this afternoon. The Senate will not be adjourned. Mr Dutton, the former Home Affairs Minister, remains the frontrunner to take over as leader The resignation of three senior ministers effectively sounds the death knell for Mr Turnbull's leadership after days of chaos in Canberra Scott Morrison (pictured, right) will run against Mr Dutton, with Greg Hunt replacing him as treasurer In a devastating blow to Mr Turnbull, senior ministers Mathias Cormann, Michaelia Cash and Mitch Fifield, who voted for the prime minister in the first spill on Tuesday, announced they had withdrawn their backing. The resignations of Health Minister Greg Hunt, Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge and Cyber Security Minister Angus Taylor, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo and Justice Minister Michael Keenan followed within hours. The flurry of Cabinet departures effectively sounds the death knell for Mr Turnbull's leadership after days of chaos in Canberra. WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE LIBERAL LEADERSHIP? * Liberal partyroom meeting is needed to decide on future leadership. * The winner of the Liberal partyroom ballot will become parliamentary party leader. * Malcolm Turnbull would then tender his resignation to the Governor-General. * The Liberal leader would be recommended to the Governor-General to become Australia's 30th prime minister. * In parliament, Labor could move a 'no confidence' motion to test the government's majority. The Liberal-National coalition has a one-seat majority. But some Nationals MPs have pledged to sit on crossbench if the prime minister changes. * The government already has budget 'supply' until July 2019. * The Governor-General would issue the instrument of appointment and oath of office to the new prime minister, and most likely swear in a handful of key cabinet ministers including Treasurer. Advertisement A total of 13 Cabinet ministers have now tendered their resignations and are calling on the Prime Minister to hold a leadership ballot in the interests of an orderly transition. 'It's with great sadness and a heavy heart that we went to see the prime minister yesterday afternoon to advise him that in our judgment he no longer enjoyed the support of the majority of members in the Liberal Party party room,' Mr Cormann told reporters at Parliament House. 'And that it was in the best interests of the Liberal Party to help manage an orderly transition to a new leader.' Peter Dutton demanded a new leadership spill on Thursday morning after telling Mr Turnbull he no longer had majority support. A new ballot is likely to be held today at which point a new leader of the Liberal Party and therefore Prime Minister will be elected. 'I became aware yesterday that it was very clear that the Prime Minister no longer, in my opinion, had the confidence of the party room,' Ms Cash said. Mr Cormann said the Prime Minister had declined his resignation from the ministry on Wednesday. 'We are very conscious of the seriousness of the decision that we've made,' he said. 'In my view it would be in the interests of the Liberal Party and in the interests of the country for a partyroom meeting to be called swiftly for the issue of the leadership of the Liberal Party to be resolved.' The Finance Minister said it was a difficult thing for him to do and praised Mr Turnbull. 'I believe that Malcolm Turnbull has been and is a great prime minister. I believe that he will go down in history as having secured amazing achievements for Australia,' he said. Key Cabinet ministers Mathias Cormann (pictured, right), Mitch Fifield and Michaelia Cash (pictured, left) tendered their resignations and called on the Prime Minister to hold a leadership ballot Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is desperately clinging to power despite his most loyal lieutenants tendering their resignations Mr Dutton lost a challenge 48 votes to 35 on Tuesday, but now believes he has the numbers required to win a second spill. 'A few minutes ago I spoke with Malcolm Turnbull to advise him I believed the majority of the party room no longer supported his leadership,' Mr Dutton tweeted on Thursday. 'Accordingly, I asked him to convene a party room meeting at which I would challenge for the leadership of the Parliamentary Liberal Party.' The ex-Home Affairs Minister then recapped his statement while addressing reporters at Parliament House on Thursday morning. Mr Turnbull has so far declined the request to hold the meeting. Minister for Jobs Michaelia Cash (pictured, left) Finance Minister Mathias Cormann (pictured, centre) and Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield (pictured, right) depart a press conference after announcing their support for former Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton Peter Dutton released the legal advice which he says makes clear he is eligible to sit in parliament The ex-Home Affairs Minister confirmed he had demanded a second spill while addressing reporters at Parliament House on Thursday morning 'A few minutes ago I spoke with Malcolm Turnbull to advise him I believed the majority of the party room no longer supported his leadership,' Mr Dutton tweeted on Thursday TURNBULL MINISTERS WHO HAVE RESIGNED AND OFFERED TO QUIT TURNBULL MINISTERS WHO HAVE RESIGNED: * Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urged his challenger to stay on, but ultimately accepted his resignation. * Finance Minister and conservative heavyweight Mathias Cormann. Tendered resignation on Thursday morning, effectively ending Mr Turnbull's prime ministership. * Jobs Minister Michaelia Cash. Joins Senator Cormann in announcing the withdrawal of her support for Mr Turnbull and resigning from the frontbench. * Communications Minister Mitch Fifield. Announced his resignation on Thursday beside senators Cormann and Cash. * Health Minister Greg Hunt. Announces he tendered resignation with prime minister on Thursday morning amid speculation he will run as Dutton's deputy in a leadership spill. * Human Services Minister Michael Keenan. Offered resignation, but later issued statement of support for the prime minister. Resigns with a "heavy heart" on Thursday. * Trade Minister Steve Ciobo. Offered resignation, which was not accepted. Later issued a call for unity to defeat Labor at the next election. Resignation confirmed on Thursday. * Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge. Resigns on Thursday saying there is no longer support for Turnbull. * Cybersecurity Minister Angus Taylor. Quits citing concerns about the direction of the government on Thursday. * International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells. Believes the party has moved too far away from conservative voters. Mr Turnbull accepted her resignation. * Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister James McGrath. Resignation initially not accepted by Mr Turnbull. But the senator insisted and he stepped down on Wednesday. * Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar. Tendered resignation on Tuesday but not accepted. Resignation confirmed on Thursday. * Assistant Science, Jobs and Innovation Minister Zed Seselja. Offered on Tuesday but not accepted. Resignation confirmed on Thursday. MINISTERS WHO OFFERED TO QUIT: CABINET * Human Services Minister Michael Keenan. Offered resignation, but later issued statement of support for the prime minister. * Trade Minister Steve Ciobo. Offered resignation, which was not accepted. Later issued a call for unity to defeat Labor at the next election. * Health Minister Greg Hunt. Reportedly would have run for deputy had Mr Dutton won the challenge. His resignation was not accepted. OUTER MINISTRY * Cybersecurity Minister Angus Taylor. Resignation not accepted. * Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge. Resignation not accepted. Source: AAP Advertisement Mr Dutton also released legal advice which he said makes clear he is eligible to sit in parliament after questions were raised over his family's business interests in two childcare centres. Questions have been raised if Mr Dutton could be in breach of section 44 of the constitution, which bans from parliament anyone who has 'any direct or indirect pecuniary interest with the public service of the Commonwealth'. Mr Dutton's confirmation of a second leadership challenge follows the formal resignations of two more federal government ministers in support of his bid. Assistant ministers Michael Sukkar and Zed Seselja refused the Prime Minister's offer to stay in their positions, throwing their weight behind Mr Dutton ahead of a second leadership challenge. The pair have followed Mr Dutton, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and James McGrath from the front bench. 'Accordingly, I asked him [Mr Turnbull - pictured] to convene a party room meeting at which I would challenge for the leadership of the Parliamentary Liberal Party,' Mr Dutton said Peter Dutton (pictured) said on Thursday he believed Mr Turnbull had lost majority support Mr Dutton also released legal advice which he said makes clear he is eligible to sit in parliament Wednesday evening was marked by planted rumours of betrayal, an ominous letter circling among MPs and accusations of aggressive tactics. Female MPs reportedly felt intimidated by members of Mr Dutton's camp pressuring them to sign a letter forcing a partyroom meeting. 'They've been running the halls and bursting into offices and attempting to intimidate people to sign their letter of support,' a senior Turnbull government figure told The Daily Telegraph. The letter read: 'Dear Prime Minister, we, the undersigned, request that you call a meeting of the Joint House Parliamentary Liberal Party, as soon as practicable, for the purpose of determining the leadership of the Party.' The same government figure accused Mr Dutton's supporters of spreading false rumours about resignations of key backers of Mr Turnbull. Peter Dutton is demanding a new leadership spill after telling the Prime Minister he has majority support During the evening Mr Turnbull met with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (pictured), Treasurer Scott Morrison and Mr Cormann for crisis talks 'We've got to see this off. They are just hell bent on blowing the joint up and we can't bow to that. We have to fight it, he said. 'We're trying to get a sensible outcome so that MPs do not make decisions in a panic.' During the evening Mr Turnbull met with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Mr Cormann for crisis talks. Christopher Pyne, Craig Laundy, Christian Porter and government whip Nola Merino were also in attendance. The moderate Liberal Party MPs discussed possible next steps should Mr Turnbull lose in a spill or decide to step down. The rumours of Mr Cormann's defection reportedly left the Finance Minister (pictured, left) furious Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Jobs Minister Michaelia Cash were among those rumoured to have resigned and withdrawn support from Malcolm Turnbull (Michaelia Cash pictured) Either of those scenarios could see one or both of Ms Bishop and Mr Morrison put their hands up for the leadership, although if both ran they would likely split the moderate and centre-right vote, with conservatives backing Mr Dutton. PETER DUTTON'S POLICY PRIORITIES IMMIGRATION * Cut the annual permanent migration intake. * Push migrants towards Western Australia, South Australia and regional areas to reduce congestion in major cities. ENERGY * Lower power prices by removing the GST on electricity bills. * Establish a royal commission into the fuel and energy sectors. TAX * Abandon corporate tax cuts and deliver more relief to wage earners and small businesses instead. DROUGHT * Deliver more water to drought-stricken farmers. Source: AAP Advertisement Both Ms Bishop and Mr Morrison confirmed they would not stand challenge Mr Turnbull themselves. Mr Morrison has emerged as a contender who could unite the warring factions and steal conservative votes away from Mr Dutton, unlike Ms Bishop who is seen as too moderate by those on the right. The Treasurer backed Tony Abbott during the 2015 leadership spill, and voted against same-sex marriage. Mr Turnbull narrowly survived a leadership ballot from Peter Dutton in an extraordinary Liberal party room vote on Tuesday, prevailing 48 votes to 35. Mr Dutton's team reportedly said they were confident they had the numbers to succeed if a vote were to go ahead on Wednesday night, but no spill was called. His eligibility for the top job has been called into question, however, having been referred to the Solicitor-General over financial interest in two childcare centres that were the recipients of Commonwealth government subsidies. Ten ministers offered their resignations to Mr Turnbull following Tuesday's leadership spill. Only the resignations of Mr Dutton and International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells were accepted by Mr Turnbull. Mr Dutton's (pictured) eligibility for the top job has been called into question however, having been referred to the Solicitor-General over financial interest in two childcare centres Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Kawamura Takeo, Chairperson of the Japanese House of Representatives Committee on Budget (Photo: VNA) He made the remarks while receiving Kawamura Takeo, Chairperson of the Japanese House of Representatives Committee on Budget, who is on a visit to Vietnam, in Hanoi on August 22nd. Vietnam and Japan are enjoying booming relations in all fields with increasing high-level exchange and political trust, he said. The PM described Japan as Vietnams top economic partner as it is the largest provider of ODA and the second biggest investor in Vietnam. The government of Vietnam highly appreciates Japanese ODA; and has put great efforts into fulfilling commitments on ODA-funded projects agreed by the two countries and making effective use of the ODA, he noted. Phuc also spoke highly of the Vietnam Japan University, a key project between the two countries, saying the Vietnamese government will provide all possible conditions for the universitys operation. To take the two countries strategic partnership to a new height, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked his guest to back the expansion of the bilateral economic ties and FDI flow from Japan to Vietnam as well as support the continued provision of ODA to the Southeast Asian country, particularly in projects in infrastructure, high-quality human resources training and response to climate change. He affirmed that his government has consistently worked to facilitate Japanese investors doing business in Vietnam. The PM also suggested that the two countries continue fostering cooperation in education and workforce training. He welcomed the pilot implementation of Japans KOSEN vocational training model in Vietnam and proposed Japan to accept more Vietnamese trainees. The two countries also need to accelerate exchanges between their people and localities, especially when they are celebrating the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic ties this year, to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. Kawamura Takeo, for his part, conveyed thanks from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Vietnam for the support for the Japanese people at a time when they suffered from natural disasters recently. He went on to say that the Japanese PM backed the view of promoting a close cooperation with Vietnam on bilateral and multilateral issues. The Japanese House of Representatives Committee on Budget looks forward to tightening partnership with Vietnam at large and the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentary Alliance in particular, said Takeo, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance. He appreciated the Vietnamese governments policy on facilitating the Vietnam Japan Universitys operation, noting he is happy to see Japanese language widely taught in Vietnam. He also unveiled that Japan is seeking more Vietnamese trainees. Japan is looking forward to PM Nguyen Xuan Phucs visit to Japan for the upcoming Mekong-Japan Summit, the Japanese parliamentarian said./. A tourist who captured the final family vacation photo of the murdered pregnant mom with her two daughters, and the husband who killed them, says she recalled him acting strangely. Michele Greer, from North Carolina, says she met Shanann and Chris Watts, and their two children, Celeste and Bella, while on vacation at Myrtle Beach earlier this month. Just a few days later, she was stunned to learn that Shannon and her daughters had been murdered, and that Chris was the prime suspect. Chris has since tried to claim, in court documents, that it was Shanann who killed their children. But Greer dismissed his claims, saying she does 'not believe it one bit.' 'The person I saw interacting with her kids is not the person who would have killed her children,' she told WCNC of Shanann after the two families met while waiting in line for the bungee trampolines at the beach. The photo, which Greer describes as 'very eerie', shows Shanann taking a photo of her four-year-old Bella. Shanann's father is sat to her right in the photo, while her husband Chris is sat behind her Another photo showed one of their daughters bouncing on the bungee trampolines at the beach 'She was very sweet and very lovable with the girls; it was all about the girls,' Greer recalled. 'She told me she was expecting; she was very happy. She was very engaged with her little girls.' Meanwhile, she said she noticed Chris was acting rather oddly. 'He didn't seem engaged at all,' she said. 'There wasn't any affection. She (Shanann) was very engaged with the girls, and he was just kind of standing there.' Greer snapped the final photo of the family on vacation which she now calls 'very eerie'. It shows Shanann taking a photo of her four-year-old Bella who was on the trampoline. Watts, 33, was charged with nine felony counts - including three counts of first degree murder - on Tuesday morning Christopher Watts (above on Friday) was formally charged with three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree murder of a child under 12 while in a position of trust and three counts of tampering with bodies on Monday in Greeley, Colorado Shanann's father is sat to her right in the photo, while her husband Chris is sat behind her. Chris Watts has since been charged with nine felonies over the murders of his wife and two children. Another photo showed one of their daughters bouncing on the bungee trampolines at the beach. Their bodies were found on an oil field last week near their Frederick home, days after they were reported missing by a family friend. During Watt's arraignment on Tuesday, a judge recited charges against him, which indicate that detectives believe Watts killed his children first and then killed his 15-week pregnant wife. According to the documents, Shanann was killed on August 13, the same day she returned home from an out-of-state business trip. The charges allege that Watts killed Bella and Celeste 'between and including August 12 and August 13'. Watts was last week arrested for murdering his wife Shanann and their two young daughters The charging documents contradict a statement Watts previously made to investigators saying he went into a fit of rage and strangled Shanann to death after he saw on the baby monitor her 'actively strangling' Celeste. Bella, Watts told authorities, was already dead and had started turning blue. He claimed Shanann killed the kids as revenge after he told her he wanted a separation. Detectives did not believe Watts' version of events ad charged him with nine felony counts - including three counts of first-degree murder, two of murdering children in his trust, one of terminating a pregnancy and three of tampering with bodies. Watts did not have to enter a plea during Tuesday's court appearance, and faces the death penalty if found guilty. After a two-day investigation, police discovered that Watts 'was actively involved in an affair with a co-worker' - something he had initially denied. His claim that it was Shanann who killed his daughters is likely the reason that his court-appointed defense lawyer Megan Ring had asked for DNA swabs to be taken from the girls' necks. Police had originally been notified that Shanann was missing by her workmate Nickole Atkinson, who had been on a business trip to Arizona with her, returning early in the morning on August 13. Christopher was formally charged Monday with nine felony counts - including unlawfully terminating a pregnancy. Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke speaks at a news conference at the Weld County Courthouse on Monday. He said he had not decided on whether to seek the death penalty He was also charged with three counts of first degree murder, two counts of first degree murder of a child under 12 while in a position of trust and three counts of tampering with bodies. District attorney Michael Rourke said he had not decided on whether to seek the death penalty in the case that has shocked the nation. Watts, 33, is due in court in Greeley, Colorado, on Tuesday morning. The charges come exactly one week after Watts had reported his wife and children missing. Shanann Watts, 34, and her two daughters Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, disappeared from their home in Frederick, Colorado last week. He even went on local television to plead for them to return home even though he already knew they were dead, police say. Since then, as inmate number 18-12255, he has been held at Weld County Jail on the outskirts of Greeley. He is being kept away from other prisoners for his own safety, according to Fox News. Shanann's body was discovered on Wednesday two days after she disappeared from the family's five-bed, four-bath home in Frederick, Colorado, 30 miles north of Denver. She was 15 weeks pregnant with a boy the couple intended to call Nico. She was in found in a shallow grave dug on land owned by the oil company Anadarko, where her husband worked as an operator. The bodies of the couple's two daughters, Bella and her younger sister Celeste were found the following day submerged in cans of crude oil nearby. Shannan's father made an emotional appearance Monday to thank everyone involved in arresting his son-in-law. Shannan's father Frank Rzucek (right) spoke to reporters at a press conference. Rzucek's son Frankie, 32, (left) also appeared at the press conference but did not speak In an affidavit unsealed late Monday, Watts claimed that he watched on the baby monitor as his pregnant wife killed one of the two daughters she had struggled so desperately to conceive Frank Rzucek teared up as he spoke briefly to reporters at a press conference in the courthouse in Greeley, Colorado. 'I'd like to thank everyone in the Frederick Police Department and all the agencies involved for working so hard to find my daughter, granddaughters and Nico,' Ruczek, 55, said between sobs. 'I'd like to thank everyone for coming to the candlelight vigil and saying all your prayers. They are gratefully appreciated and keep the prayers coming for our family,' added Rzucek. Rzucek's son Frankie, 32, also appeared at the press conference but did not speak. Since the bodies were found, well-wishers have left several hundred soft toys, along with dozens of flowers, candles and balloons in the front yard of the $400,000 house on Saratoga Trail in Frederick that the couple bought in 2013. The case has drawn national media attention to the town of Frederick, as well as hundreds of flowers and toys from friends and strangers Despite the image of a blissfully happy marriage that Shanann projected through frequent Facebook posts, in which she called her husband her 'rock', friends of the couple, who are both originally from North Carolina, have suggested they were having marriage problems. Nick and Amanda Thayer said Shanann had told them she thought her husband was cheating and on Monday Atkinson, who had dropped Shanann off at her home after the two had been on a business trip to Arizona told Good Morning America that after his wife had disappeared, Christopher had told her they were planning to separate. Atkinson, 37, said in the weeks previous to her friend's murder the couple had not seemed quite so loving, but that Shanann had not told her they were considering splitting. 'I didn't find out that they were going to separate or anything like that until I called Chris that morning. When I called him and asked him where she was, that's when he told me and I basically told him that that wasn't my (concern) at that particular moment.' Shanann's friend Nickole Atkinson told Good Morning America that she wasn't surprised when Watts was taken into custody because he didn't appear to be concerned Atkinson, who believes she is the last person apart from the killer to have seen Shanann alive, said she thought all along that Watts had killed his family as he did not seem concerned after she couldn't get in contact with her colleague and friend. 'He just kept saying that he didn't know where she was and that she was on a playdate,' she told ABC's Clayton Sandell. 'But he couldn't give us the name of the friend. 'I knew he had something to do with it the day I was at his house with him, but I didn't want to think that. 'Anyone in their right mind will start piecing things together and think something had happened, but you don't want to go there. You want to believe the best in people,' added Atkinson. 'He was defending himself, but it just didn't make sense. Like in that moment it is kind of surreal. He was just sitting there waiting for something to happen; it just didn't seem right to me.' Mourners are seen Sunday at the family home where police say the murders were committed Chris and Shanann Watts were also known to live well beyond their means and have had money problems. They filed for bankruptcy in 2015 owing some $70,000, and were due in court on Friday this week after their homeowners' association had sued them for an unpaid bill of $1,533.80. Shanann suffered from lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own healthy cells. Her brother Frankie said on Facebook that because of the disease she had had to 'beat the odds' to get pregnant. But things had started to look up for them after Shanann landed a well-paid job with Le-Vel, a nutrition supplement company, which involved her making frequent business trips, leaving her husband at home with their children. Investigators have said all along that they believe the 5ft 10in, 225lb, Watts had killed his family in their home and transported them to the windswept high prairie land that he had intended would be their final resting place. The former wife of Michellin star chef Albert Roux has been advised to move out of her house after being tricked into renting out part of her 5million home. A fake letting agency managed to convince Cheryl Roux, 61, to rent out the top two storeys of her mews house to a bogus tenant. Since June, the three-bedroom property in Knightsbridge, west London, has been sub-let to as many as eight tenants at a time for a cost of 835 a night - with Ms Roux not getting a penny. The locks have been changed on her 5million home and the rental scheme, which has been advertised on Airbnb and Zoopla, has forced Ms Roux to move out of the ground floor of her property. Cheryl Roux (left, with her ex-husband Albert Roux) has moved out of Knightsbridge home following the sub-let scandal The locks have been changed on her 5million home and the rental scheme, which has been advertised on Airbnb, Zoopla and Booking.com, has forced her to move out of the ground floor of her property in Knightsbridge (pictured) The reception room on the first floor of the property, which leads into the dining room The 5million house has been sub-let to as many as eight tenants since June. Pictured: The dining room Ms Roux said: 'I'm clearly a victim of crime but the police do nothing and these crooks are still renting out my home. 'They changed the locks so I couldn't get in and nailed shut the garage doors. I'm at my wits' end.' Police told The Sun: 'Once a property is let and there is a contract between two parties it is a matter for the civil court not the police if a dispute arises.' Cheryl Roux is Albert's second wife, and the pair tied the knot in 2006. They began divorce proceeding in 2014 but spent two years locked in unpleasant and often acrimonious battles. Cheryl Roux was tricked into renting out the top two storeys of her mews house. Pictured: the reception room One of the bedrooms in the property. Ms Roux has been forced to move out of the ground floor Ms Roux says the bogus tenant has changed the locks so she couldn't get into the top two floors of her house A floor plan showing the top two storeys of the property in Knightsbridge The kitchen inside the house that has been sublet to as many as eight tenants at a time for a cost of 835 a night The Mail On Sunday estimated in 2016 that Ms Roux's fortune was valued at 10million, built up through her own family inheritance and business acumen. Mr Roux was the first chef in the UK to gain three Michellin stars at his Mayfair restaurant Le Gavroche. Albert's son, Michel Roux Jr, took over the day-to-day running of the Le Gavroche in 1991. Michel also went on to be a judge on BBC2's MasterChef. Albert was also integral in helping to launch the careers of Gordon Ramsey and Marco Pierre White. Albert Roux was the first chef in the UK to gain three Michellin stars Albert's son, Michel Roux Jr (pictured) took over the day-to-day running of the Le Gavroche in 1991. Michel also went on to be a judge on BBC2's MasterChef The son of a charcutier from Burgundy, Mr Roux originally wanted to be a priest and once said: 'On reflection, I would have made a very bad priest. Because I am was a philanderer. And imagining myself visiting a nunnery... that would have been bad.' Airbnb said today that the listing was removed from Airbnb and they never had any reservations made through the platform. It also said it is the responsibility of the hosts to certify they have permission to list their space. In a statement it said: 'This listing has never been booked on Airbnb and we have removed it from our platform.' A spokesman for Zoopla, said: 'The property is a legitimate listing on Zoopla. 'We have spoken to Hamptons, the agent who are instructed to rent it out, and they have confirmed this.' Hamptons have been approached for comment. Tom Hanks joined more than a thousand others around the world to grant the birthday wish of a young girl and aspiring world traveler battling leukemia. Aspen, a 12-year-old girl from Oklahoma, is set to celebrate her 13th birthday on September 1 and dreams of exploring the world. Aspen isn't able to explore much however until her blood cell counts are up. She told her mother that her birthday wish is to receive postcards from others around the globe who are able to see the places she cannot. Mom Vanessa Kelly hoped by sharing her daughter's wish to social media, she could get the word out and make Aspen extra happy on her special day. Vanessa shared a picture post to Facebook about a month ago, which showed Aspen smiling while on a shopping trip. In the picture post, Vanessa shared her daughter's wish. Aspen is set to ring in her thirteenth birthday on September 1. For her special day, the aspiring world traveler wished for postcards from at least one person from each of the 50 states and six continents Vanessa was shocked when her daughter received this postcard from Tom Hanks Hanks' thoughtful postcard read: 'Aspen - I hope this arrives in time for your Happy 13th Birthday! Love you!' The post said in part: 'So, as many people know my daughter Aspen has been fighting Leukemia since November, 22, 2017. 'Her birthday is September 1st and she will be turning 13. She can't really do anything or go anywhere for her birthday like she used to so she has a special request. She would like to receive post cards for her birthday.' Vanessa wrote further: Since she can't really travel unless her counts are up, she is hoping that maybe people can send her a post card from where they live in the United States or all over the world. 'She would love to see a beautiful place, or something cool and exciting from other places she's never been to before. 'It would be awesome if we could get one from each of the 50 states and 6 of the continents. Not sure if Antartica is an option lol.' Mom Vanessa shared a picture post to Facebook about a month ago, which showed Aspen smiling happily while on a shopping trip. In the picture post, Vanessa shared her daughter's wish Vanessa boasted about the cool surprise on Facebook Monday morning Vanessa is placing the cards received in a box for Aspen to open on September 1. The mother, who is an author, was shocked by the overwhelming response her post received. Vanessa said her daughter thus far received more than 1,000 post cards - which included one from Tom Hanks, who stars in You've Got Mail, and a local politician. Hanks' thoughtful postcard read: 'Aspen - I hope this arrives in time for your Happy 13th Birthday! Love you!' Hanks is seen in a photo he included of himself smiling while waving from the island of Antiparos in Greece. The actor is seen on January 15, 2018 in Milan, Italy. Hanks was just one of more than a thousand to send Aspen a postcard for her birthday Vanessa boasted about the cool surprise on Facebook, writing: 'This postcard is too awesome not share, and I'm totally geeking-out right now! But Tom Hanks took the time to send Aspen a postcard from Greece! 'Wasn't sure it was really him, but we compared his writing to a letter a fan got online and his picture. And he's in Greece right now How cool is that?!? 'Thank you so much Tom Hanks for taking the time to send Aspen a postcard!' Aside from Hanks, Aspen received a post card from the Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin. 'I've been collecting them and storing them in a box until Sept 1st. But then this one came today and she couldn't help herself, when the Governor of Oklahoma sends you a card in the mail, you open it,' Vanessa added. Vanessa told CBS her daughter already received one from each of the 50 states as well as 49 countries. A faceless senator who did the numbers for Malcolm Turnbull to bring down Tony Abbott as prime minister three years ago is now working the phones for Peter Dutton. James McGrath, a Queensland Liberal senator, resigned as assistant minister to the prime minister on Tuesday after his boss prevailed against Mr Dutton, 48 votes to 35. The 44-year-old former solicitor's resignation was not initially accepted by Mr Turnbull, but he insisted and formally quit his junior post on Wednesday. Queensland Liberal senator James McGrath, who did the numbers for Malcolm Turnbull to bring down Tony Abbott as prime minister in 2015, is now working the phones for Peter Dutton RESIGNATIONS NOT ACCEPTED, SO FAR CABINET * Human Services Minister Michael Keenan. Offered resignation, but later issued statement of support for the prime minister. * Trade Minister Steve Ciobo. Offered resignation, which was not accepted. Later issued a call for unity to defeat Labor at the next election. * Health Minister Greg Hunt. Reportedly would have run for deputy had Mr Dutton won the challenge. His resignation was not accepted. OUTER MINISTRY * Cybersecurity Minister Angus Taylor. Resignation not accepted. * Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge. Resignation not accepted. ASSISTANT MINISTERS * Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar. Resignation not accepted. * Assistant Science, Jobs and Innovation Minister Zed Seselja. Resignation not accepted. Source: Australian Associated Press Advertisement Senator McGrath was Mr Turnbull's chief numbers strategist in September 2015, helping the then communications minister beat Mr Abbott 54 votes to 44. Sydney radio 2GB broadcaster Alan Jones hated his intervention so much he called him the chief of the 'bed wetters' in July 2016 during the Seven Network's coverage of the federal election. 'There were a lot of bed wetters in the Liberal Party and you seem to be the captain of the bed wetters,' he said. 'You were the person who got panicked by polls and so on and repeated the Labor experiment within the Liberal Party.' This week, just two days after Mr Dutton fell seven votes short of being prime minister in his first Liberal party room challenge, the senator is helping a fellow Queenslander with the numbers for his second challenge. Mr Dutton, who quit as Home Affairs Minister on Tuesday, this morning announced he would challenge Mr Turnbull again. Senator McGrath is one of nine ministers who have quit or offered to quit as a Turnbull Government minister, following Mr Turnbull's 38 consecutive Newspoll loss to Labor. So far, only three resignations have been accepted by the prime minister. This morning, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, Jobs Minister Michaelia Cash and Communications Minister Mitch Fifield held a media conference at Parliament House, where they said Mr Turnbull did not have the Liberal Party's support and resigned from cabinet. Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull (left) was forced to accept the resignation of his assistant minister James McGrath, after he insisted it be accepted. He is now doing the numbers for Peter Dutton New South Wales senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells on Tuesday quit as International Development Minister. Mr Turnbull accepted her resignation after she wrote an open letter accusing the prime minister of taking the Liberal Party 'too far to the left' and 'losing our conservative base'. Three cabinet ministers, two junior ministers and two assistant ministers resigned but their offers to quit were not accepted. In Britain a decade ago, Senator McGrath was forced to quit as Boris Johnson's chief political adviser, in his run to become London mayor, after he was caught on tape suggesting that older African-Caribbean people should emigrate from the U.K. if they are unhappy living in a Tory-controlled London. 'Well, let them go if they don't like it here,' he said. He became a senator for Queensland in 2014, after being elected on the Liberal National Party ticket at the 2013 election that brought Tony Abbott to power. Wyse, a mother to an eight-year-old daughter, was ordered to remain in jail on a $75,000 bond The woman, who remains unidentified, was rushed to a nearby Houston hospital and remains in critical condition Video footage shows one of the men jump into a car and back over the woman as she struggles to fend off the thieves One of the men - Travoon Johnson - is Wyse's boyfriend Shocking footage captured by a surveillance camera shows two African-American men ambush the woman outside a gas station Shelby Wyse, 25, appeared in court Wednesday charged with aggravated robbery for her part in an alleged daytime attack on a woman carrying $75,000 A Texas bank employee accused of being an accomplice to a violent armed robbery appeared in court Wednesday to face charges. Shelby Wyse, 25, was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery on Tuesday for her alleged part in a brazen daytime attack on a woman carrying $75,000 in Houston. The mother-of-one appeared before a judge Wednesday, wearing a Whitney Houston tank top with her hair scraped up in a top knot. Court documents state that security footage captures Wyse watching the woman while she conducted her business at the bank. She then allegedly sent a text message to her boyfriend Travoon Johnson, one of the men arrested in the robbery, immediately after the woman left with the large withdrawal. 'Presumably a go signal,' the indictment reads. Scroll down for video The mother-of-one appeared before a judge Wednesday (above), wearing a Whitney Houston tank top with her hair scraped up in a top knot Prosecutors say that Wyse rented the vehicle used in the attack. She appeared in court Wednesday (seen above) and was ordered to remain in jail on a $75,000 bond Prosecutors say police are getting a search warrant on Wyse's phone to confirm what the text said. Shocking footage captured by a surveillance camera shows two African-American men ambush the woman outside a gas station after following her from the Wallis State Bank off FM 1960 where Wyse was employed. The clip, released by the Harris County Precinct Constable's office, shows one of the men jump into a car and back over the woman as she struggles to fend off the thieves. The woman's husband can be seen rushing out of the store as she continues tussling with the suspect and soon all three are stuck in a battle over the purse. The woman, who remains unidentified, was rushed to a nearby Houston hospital and remains in a critical condition. Wyse (pictured left in her mugshot and right in an ID) was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery Wyse told detectives that the car had been stolen during questioning, but authorities say that they have no record of the complaint Cellphone records also show an exchange of text messages between Johnson, 27, and 31-year-old Davis Mitchell The woman, who remains unidentified, was rushed to a nearby Houston hospital and remains in a critical condition. Prosecutors say that Wyse rented the vehicle used in the attack. According to Click2Houston, Wyse told detectives that the car had been stolen during questioning, but authorities say that they have no record of the complaint. Cellphone records also show an exchange of text messages between Johnson, 27, and 31-year-old Davis Mitchell, the other man charged in the attack, about the robbery. Mitchell was arrested shortly after the robbery and the stolen cash was recovered. Officials have identified the suspects Travonn Johnson (R), 27, and Davis Mitchell (L), 31, as the men responsible for the alleged robbery Accused: Wyse's boyfriend Travoon Johnson is seen above in court today The two men were charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and are being held at the Harris County jail. 'These criminals out there, they are watching and they are looking for easy targets,' police spokesperson Mark Herman told KPRC-TV. Investigators said they are still looking for a fourth person who was involved in the crime. Wyse has an eight-year-old daughter and was ordered to remain in jail on a $75,000 bond. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477. Queensland parliament have introduced new laws to decriminalise abortion, leaving New South Wales as the only Australian state where it remains illegal. Women will be able to terminate pregnancies up to 22 weeks and 'safe zones' of 150 metres will be established around clinics to stop women, their loved ones and staff from being harassed. Health Minister Steven Miles announced the decision Wednesday morning, saying there had been some extreme misconceptions around abortion. Medical groups including the Australian Medical Association Queensland and women's rights advocates have welcomed the laws. Abortion has been a big issue this year. In May, Ireland voted to repeal its ban on abortion Religious groups are strongly opposed to the measures, with anti-abortion organisations already conducting polling to support their position and holding prayer vigils outside Deputy Premier Jackie Trad's electorate office. Labor MPs will be allowed a conscience vote on the emotive issue, while the Liberal National Party opposition says it will wait to see the bill before deciding whether its MPs will be free to vote with their conscience. The bill is expected to be debated and passed before the end of the year. An online fact checker about abortion will also be launched today to clear up misunderstandings around the issue, the Cairns Post reported. Health Minister Steven Miles said there had been some extreme claims publicised around abortion. 'Members of the public and even MPs will be able to submit things they have heard or they have seen and Queensland Health will provide a response from a qualified medical expert,' he said. Queensland Health also announced it is launching an online fact checker for abortion to debunk misconceptions around pregnancy terminations. Abortion has been a big issue this year. In May, Ireland voted to repeal its ban on abortion. Many women had been visiting Britain to get an abortion. Abortion is still a criminal offence in NSW and punishable by 10 years imprisonment. A bill to decriminalise abortion was introduced by Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi, in NSW parliament last year but it was voted down by in NSW parliament. Abortion pro-choice supporters rally outside the Queensland Parliament in Brisbane in 2016 The procedure is legal in Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT, and legal for some medical reasons in South Australia. One of the Queensland government's election commitments was to introduce the abortion laws during this term of office, after moves to introduce the changes last term were derailed by Independent MP Rob Pyne. Mr Pyne introduced his own legislation to decriminalise abortion which had to be dumped due to a lack of support because the bills would have introduced legal complications for women and their doctors. The government then sent its own legislation to the Queensland Law Reform Commission, which made several recommendations to the government in July. A loved-up couple have tied the knot in the most unusual some might say least romantic of places, under a motorway bridge. But Llewellyn Jeneker and Cecilia Absolom have a good reason for marrying under the concrete structure. Their romance started 30 years ago when they were homeless and forced to roam the streets of Cape Town, reports the Cape Times. Llewellyn Jeneker and Cecilia Absolom married under a motorway bridge after 30 years together in Cape Town, South Africa Happy union: the couple have their first kiss as a married couple, as guests watch on The wedding party included fellow homeless people from the city's Culemborg Safe Space Cecilia Absolom's smitten husband Llewellyn described his new wife as 'stunning', saying he could not take his eyes off her And now, thanks to the city council and a generous benefactor, they have enjoyed a heart-warming union in the port city they first met, on South Africa's south-western coast. More than 100 guests turned up to celebrate the marriage of Jeneker and Absolom which was presided over by pastor Manuel Benans. The wedding party included fellow homeless people from the city's Culemborg Safe Space. One particularly special guest was the couple's 12-year-old son, Dylan. A video shows the couple saying their vows and sharing a loving kiss. They can then be seen having their first dance as a live band sings 'Save the Last Dance for Me'. According to safe space manager Wilfred Fredericks, the city council helped to organise the couple's big day. The wedding was also made possible by benefactor Jill Jeftha, who donated the wedding dress for the blushing bride. The newlywed's son, Dylan, 12, also attended the celebration in Cape Town The couple now wants to live as a family and have a place of their own that they can call home Thanks to the city council and a generous benefactor, they have enjoyed a heart-warming union in the port city they first met Fredericks said that the couple now wants to live as a family and have a place of their own that they can call home. She added: 'I was touched and I am very happy for them. They deserve to feel and look beautiful.' The bride, who has been homeless most of her life, said that the dress 'stole my heart'. Her smitten husband Llewellyn described his new wife as 'stunning', saying he could not take his eyes off her. Apple could soon say goodbye to one of its highest-grossing apps on the App Store. Netflix is said to be testing a new system that would allow it to bypass the signup fees associated with Apple's App Store, according to TechCrunch. Instead of subscribing via the App Store, users will be directed to sign up on a mobile webpage, effectively removing the need for Netflix to pay Apple a cut for subscription fees. Scroll down for video Apple could soon say goodbye to one of its highest-grossing apps on the App Store. Netflix is said to be testing a new system that would let it to bypass the signup fees on the App Store WHICH COUNTRIES ARE PART OF NETFLIX'S BILLING TEST? Netflix confirmed that it's testing a new feature that would direct users to a separate webpage when they want to subscribe. That's instead of being able to subscribe directly through the App Store, which results in Apple taking a cut of revenues. Here's where the feature is being tested: Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada Colombia Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Ecuador Finland France Germany Great Britain Hungary India Japan Korea Mexico Norway South Africa Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand Advertisement The firm is running the test in 33 countries across Europe, Latin America and Asia until September 30. Users there won't be able to pay using iTunes, but will be redirected to the mobile site, where they can enter their payment information. This is bad news for Apple, which takes a nearly 30 percent cut from developers when users subscribe to a service for the first time, then 15 percent when they renew their subscription. The App Store is one of Apple's biggest cash cows, generating $11.5 billion in annual revenue for the company last year. What's more, Netflix is currently the third-highest grossing app on the App Store, bested only by the top grossing app, Fortnite and followed by Pokemon Go, according to Apple's website. Netflix wouldn't be the first firm to do this, as Spotify has also taken similar steps to limit Apple's cut of its subscription revenues. TechCrunch pointed out that this could be because Apple has recently been expanding its reach in the music and video subscription streaming markets, making them competitors. Many users appreciate the convenience of being able to subscribe to an app or service with just their fingerprint or facial recognition, so by moving the subscription process to a separate browser, it could result in some complaints. This is likely the reasoning behind Netflix's decision to start off with a limited trial of the new system. The App Store is one of Apple's biggest cash cows, generating $11.5 billion in annual revenue for the company last year. Netflix is currently the third-highest grossing app in the App Store 'During this time, customers in [10] countries may experience any of the following when launching the Netflix app on an iOS (mobile or tablet) device: 1. Ability to sign up in app with only iTunes Mode of Payment. 2. Ability to log into Netflix but not sign up (sign up only via mobile browser),' a Netflix spokesperson told TechCrunch. 'We are constantly innovating and testing new signup approaches on different platforms to better understand what our members like. 'Based on what we learn, we work to improve the Netflix experience for members everywhere,' they added. Netflix had previously prohibited users from subscribing or renewing or their subscription using Google's Play Store. It comes as Netflix has made some other incremental changes to its app. Netflix on Tuesday announced that it will remove all of the reviews on its site, citing 'declining use' of the feature. Users will no longer be able to leave reviews as of the end of this month. The reviews feature was only available on Netflix's desktop website, not the app, so it's likely to go unnoticed by the majority of users. Tinder is launching a students-only version of its popular dating app. Called 'Tinder U,' the app will only be available to college students at four-year, accredited, not-for-profit universities in the US, the firm announced in a blog post. Students can use the app for more than just dating, with the ability to find new friends, study buddies and more. Scroll down for video Tinder is launching a students only version of its popular dating app. Called 'Tinder U,' the app will be available to students at four-year, accredited, not-for-profit universities in the US It's now available on iOS devices, according to Tinder. 'Tinder U is a new feature that makes it easier to connect with other students around you - putting their profiles first as you swipe,' the firm said. 'This is your ticket to the coolest crowd on campus.' The app looks almost exactly the same as the regular version of Tinder, but it now shows a badge associated with your university at the top of your profile image. Additionally, in order to log in, users must have a .edu email address and be located on campus when they sign up. After users restart the app, they'll be loged into Tinder U. From there, users can swipe as they normally would through romantic prospects. The Tinder U app looks almost exactly the same as the regular version of Tinder, but it now shows a badge associated with your university at the top of your profile image Users can also toggle between Tinder U and the regular Tinder app. If users want to view profiles from people outside their university, Tinder noted that the app allows them to swipe on students from nearby schools. For example, a student at New York University might also be able to see profiles from Columbia University, Fordham University and others. The move comes as Tinder will soon start letting users send Bitmojis to their matches. For now, it's only available for users in Mexico and Canada, but Tinder may eventually launch Bitmojis in the app globally. US users are expected to gain access to Bitmojis in the app by the end of this summer, Tinder told Engadget. 'We know it's not always easy to express yourself with just words,' Tinder wrote in a blog post. Tinder is giving its users new ways to flirt. The dating app announced on Tuesday that it's testing a feature that will let users send Bitmojis to their matches 'That's why we've taken the necessary steps to let you be you, because being witty, fun, and cute shouldn't be a full time job - now you can send your own personal avatar on Tinder. 'And trust us, Bitmoji is worth a thousand words,' they added. Tinder matches won't see a user's Snapchat handle, just their Bitmoji sticker. Users have to log in to their Snapchat account in order for the feature to work. That functionality is powered by Snap Kit, which launched last month, and allows users to share their personalized Bitmoji stickers in other apps, among other features. Tinder and Postmates were a few of the first apps to partner with Snapchat on Snap Kit. To use Bitmojis in Tinder, users tap the green Bitmoji icon next to GIF in the app. From there, they click 'Connect to Snapchat,' which will prompt users to confirm that they want to chat on Tinder using Bitmoji. Tinder started letting users send GIFs as part of a partnership with Giphy that launched in 2016. It also launched looping GIF profile pictures earlier this year Users have to log in to their Snapchat account in order for the feature to work. To turn on Bitmojis, users tap the green icon next to the GIF icon in the Tinder app After that, users should be able to tap on the Bitmoji icon on Tinder to send their personalized avatar whenever they want. 'With our Bitmoji integration, we're giving users a playful new way to engage with matches,' Brian Norgard, Tinder's chief product officer, said in a statement. 'This is just one way we work with partners to add features that encourage users to experiment with more personalized ways of chatting; in this case, it's the freedom to get creative with avatars.' Tinder started letting users send GIFs as part of a partnership with Giphy that launched in 2016. Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Tran Ngoc An (Photo: LDO) Reporter: What are the sectors in Vietnam that UK businesses pay attention to? Ambassador An: The two countries have reported impressive growth in economic and trade cooperation. In 2017, the two-way trade reached USD6.1 billion. The UK is one of the 15 largest foreign investors into Vietnam, with a capital of some USD3.7 billion. There is huge potential for the two sides to expand cooperation. Many Vietnamese groups have called on investment from the UK and gained active response. Large UK businesses consider Vietnam one of the regions most attractive markets. Being Europes 2nd largest and the worlds 5th largest ecomony, the UK cares for service, finance, insurance, hi-tech consultancy, information and technology. A UK business investing in Vietnam in information and technology hires up to 6,000 engineers. Reporter: Could you please share about the defence cooperation between Vietnam and the UK? Ambassador An: Defence cooperation is a new area in our relationship and is developing well. Apart from deploying military attache offices, the two sides exchange military delegations and have defence deputy ministerial level meetings. Vietnam is one of few countries with which the UK has set up the deputy ministerial level defence consultancy mechanism. Additionally, they have worked very closely in peacekeeping activities. Recently, the UK has transferred to Vietnam the operation of a field hospital in South Sudan. Since the beginning of this year, dozens of military delegations have paid visits to exchange experience, while the deputy ministerial level defence dialogue is expected to be held in final months of this year. Reporter: Do you have any intentions to boost the bilateral relationship during your working term? Ambassador An: Vietnam and the UK have opportunities for expanding and deepening the strategic partnership. The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK will continue to promote high level visits. In the second half of this year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh will lead a delegation to visit the UK for bilateral consultancy and carry out activities marking the 45th year of diplomatic ties. Meanwhile, UK Royal Family members will visit Vietnam. We should witness visits to Vietnam by UK ministers, economic ministers of state, and Government representatives in trade and investment. Vietnam wants to increase economic, trade and investment cooperation with the UK. Although over the past 10 years, bilateral trade turnover has grown rapidly, at USD6.1 billion in 2017, the figure does not account for even 1% of the UK total import. The UK investment into Vietnam is small compared to its direct investment of up to USD500 billion in foreign countries. Reporter: Thank you Mr Ambassador./. Moreover, the bilateral cooperation in education, tourism, defence and the coordination at international forums will continue to be promoted in the upcoming time. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has a vision for renewed and 'sustainable' human exploration of the moon, and he cites the existence of water on the lunar surface as a key to chances for success. 'We know that there's hundreds of billions of tons of water ice on the surface of the moon,' Bridenstine said in a Reuters TV interview in Washington on Tuesday, a day after NASA unveiled its analysis of data collected from lunar orbit by a spacecraft from India. The findings, published on Monday, mark the first time scientists have confirmed by direct observation the presence of water on the moon's surface - in hundreds of patches of ice deposited in the darkest and coldest reaches of its polar regions. Scroll down for video Direct proof of frozen water has been found on the surface of the moon, thanks to high tech satellite scans. Experts say they have detected ice in areas of permanent shadow in the moon's polar regions (stock) The discovery holds tantalizing implications for efforts to return humans to the moon for the first time in half a century. The presence of water offers a potentially valuable resource not only for drinking but for producing more rocket fuel and oxygen to breathe. Bridenstine, a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and Oklahoma congressman tapped by President Donald Trump in April as NASA chief, spoke about 'hundreds of billions of tons' of water ice that he said were now known to be available on the lunar surface. But much remains to be learned. NASA lunar scientist Sarah Noble told Reuters separately by phone that it is still unknown how much ice is actually present on the moon and how easy it would be to extract in sufficient quantities to be of practical use. 'We have lots of models that give us different answers. We can't know how much water there is,' she said, adding that it will ultimately take surface exploration by robotic landers or rovers, in more than one place, to find out. Bridenstine, a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and Oklahoma congressman tapped by President Donald Trump in April as NASA chief, spoke about 'hundreds of billions of tons' of water ice that he said were now known to be available on the lunar surface. Most of the newly confirmed frozen water is concentrated in the shadows of craters at both poles, where the temperature never rises higher than minus-250 degrees Fahrenheit. Although the moon was long believed to be entirely dry or nearly devoid of moisture, scientists have found increasing evidence in recent years that water exists there. A NASA rocket sent crashing into a permanently shadowed lunar crater near the moon's south pole in 2009 kicked up a plume of material from beneath the surface that included water. A study published the following year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that water is likely widespread within the moon's rocky interior, in concentrations ranging from 64 parts per billion to five parts per million. HOW DID SCIENTISTS DISCOVER WATER ON THE SURFACE OF THE MOON? Experts from the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, used near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to find surface water at the moon's polar regions. NIRS makes use of the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, from about 700 to 2,500 manometers. By measuring light scattered off of and through a sample, NIRS can be used to quickly determine a material's properties without damaging it. They used an imaging technique that can tell apart different types of water, including that on the surface, absorbed into the soil, or bound in minerals. This images shows the distribution of water ice bearing pixels (green and cyan dots) overlain on a mosaic from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter for the (a) northern and (b) southern polar regions It can also distinguish between different types of water, including surface, ice, surface adsorbed, liquid or bound in minerals. The data was acquired by the Moon Mineralogy Mapper instrument on the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, India's first lunar probe. Ice in the form of H20 was detected in areas of permanent shadow in the moon's polar regions and only in around 3.5 per cent of the moon's shadow covered area. Advertisement Bridenstine spoke to Reuters about making the next generation of lunar exploration a 'sustainable enterprise,' using rockets and other space vehicles that could be used again and again. 'So we want tugs that go from Earth orbit to lunar orbit to be reusable. 'We want a space station around the moon to be there for a very long period of time, and we want landers that go back and forth between the space station around the moon and the surface of the moon,' Bridenstine said. NASA's previous program of human moon exploration ended with the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Trump last December announced a goal of sending American astronauts back to the moon, with the ultimate goal of establishing 'a foundation for an eventual mission to Mars.' The Trump administration's $19.9 billion budget proposal for NASA for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 includes $10.5 billion for human space exploration. The budget supports development of NASA's new Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft designed to carry a crew into space. The administration envisioned a SLS/Orion test flight around the moon without a crew in 2020, followed by a fly-around mission with a crew in 2023. As part of the budget proposal, NASA also is planning to build the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway - a space station in moon orbit - in the 2020s. NASA said the power and propulsion unit, its initial component, is targeted to launch in 2022. In May, NASA canceled a lunar rover that was under development, a project envisioned as the first mission to conduct mining somewhere other than Earth. A gold-plated bronze horse head from a Roman settlement deep inside German barbarian territory has been brought back to its former glory after a ten-year legal battle. The head is thought to have been part of a large statue that weighed around 900 pounds (410 kg) and featured Roman emperor Augustus abreast the beast. It was discovered at the site of the ancient civilisation of Waldgirmes, near modern-day Frankfurt. Rider and steed are thought to have been destroyed after a revolt from the local German 'barbarians' in the year 9AD saw 15,000 Roman soldiers meet a grisly end. It is known as the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest and triggered a sequence of events that resulted in the eventual demise of the basic settlement. Prior to this battle the two societies co-existed and traded with one another for decades, scientists say. The golden head has been valued at almost $2 million and is now on display at the museum in Roemerkastell Saalburg near Bad Homburg in Germany. Scroll down for video A gold-plated bronze horse head (pictured) that stood on a pedestal in a Roman Forum in the year 9AD has been brought back to its former glory after a ten-year legal battle The 55-pound (25 kg) head was discovered at the bottom of the well as part of by the German Archaeological Institute's Roman-Germanic Commission in 2009. The head has been extensively restored to highlight its gilded exterior and decorative details. Siegmar von Schnurbein, an archaeologist and director of the German Archaeological Institute's Romano-Germanic Commission, told Smithsonian Mag that the statue was probably thrown into the well as part of a water sacrifice commonly seen in Germanic areas at the time. It was wedged underneath eight millstones and an array of everyday items such as wooden buckets, sticks and fence posts. More than 160 bronze fragments, mainly consisting of minuscule splinters, indicates the Germans probably recycled the bronze sculptures for their own use. Prior to this excavation, archaeologists believed the Roman Empire had very limited interaction with German people. The project turned this theory on its head when it unearthed wood buildings dating back to the year 4BC - 13 years before the battle - and other signs of a relatively advanced civilisation. It included a multistory administrative building, Roman-style residences, pottery and woodworking workshops and a classic Roman forum. 'Realising there were civilian buildings in there was really a surprise,' says Sebastian Sommer, an archaeologist at the Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection in Munich who was not involved with the excavation told Nat Geo. 'Waldgirmes shows an exclusively civilian approachand maybe a misconception by the Romans about how easy it would be to settle these people.' A courtroom tussle prevented the relic, which was discovered at the bottom of a 33-foot (10 metre) well at Waldgirmes, an ancient settlement near modern-day Frankfurt, from being refurbished It has now been refurbished completely and is on display at the museum in Roemerkastell Saalburg near Bad Homburg in Germany. It is now worth an estimated $2 million The ancient settlement of Waldgrimes is located near what is now Frankfurt and covered nearly 20 acres of land. It had a defensive wall but no military buildings, indicating the Romans and the Germans had a civil relationship for a period of time The settlement covered nearly 20 acres of land and had a defensive wall but no military buildings. Experts speculate that the Romans and the Germans were co-existing in relative harmony, likely living and trading with one another in close proximity. Archaeologists also identified the presence of five pedestals that would have housed the to-scale equestrian sculptures. According to Karen Schousboe of Ancient History Encyclopedia, a battle that took place in the year 9 AD shattered the delicate relationship between the two factions. German warriors ambushed three legions of Roman soldiers led by general Publius Quinctilius Varus. The statue and the settlement of Waldgrimes, near modern-day Frankfurt, revolutionises the thinking around how the Roman empire interacted with 'Germanic barbarians' The settlement covered nearly 20 acres of land and had a defensive wall but no military buildings. Experts speculate that the Romans and the Germans were co-existing in relative harmony, likely living and trading with one another in close proximity The golden horse head is thought to have been part of a large statue that weighed 900 pounds (410 kg) and featured Roman emperor Augustus abreast the beast The outnumbered Germans won the battle and decimated the Roman ranks, killing 15,000 men in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest and forced them to retreat to the Rhine River. The fallout from the battle lasted for several years and the site was eventually evacuated as a result of heightening tensions. Waldgrimes was then razed to the ground to prevent Germanic tribes salvaging anything. 'In the final fire, everything was wiped out, ground down to the earth,' lead researcher Gabriele Rasbach told Nat Geo. 'You can see burning along the entire wall.' The face of an indigenous Canary Islander who lived more than 600 years ago has been recreated using forensic techniques and 3D scanning. Guanche people inhabited the archipelago between the first and 15th centuries, until the arrival of the Spanish empire. Settlers invaded the islands and the aboriginal people slowly went extinct and little trace of their civilisation was left behind. The woman died more than 600 years ago, before the Canary archipelago was invaded by Spanish sailors. The civilisation went extinct soon afterwards and little traces remain of the Gaunche people Karina Osswald, of the University of Dundee, has now recreated the face of a Guanche woman using her skull. She said: 'The true identity of the Guanche people has long remained a mystery with the literary accounts of invading Spaniards being some of the only real information left about these intriguing indigenous people. 'During this project, I ended up learning so much about the Guanche and I hope her image will inspire others to find out more about this ancient population.' The exact age of the skull remains unknown but it predates the extinction of Guanche people 600 years ago. It was found in an unknown burial site on the Canaries around the 19th century and then donated to the University of Edinburgh Anatomical Museum. Ms Osswald created the craniofacial reconstruction for her MSc Forensic Art and Facial Identification degree by taking 3D scans of the skull during a visit to the Anatomical Museum. WHAT WAS GAUNCHE SOCIETY AND WHY DID IT GO EXTINCT? Statue of a Guanches chief Anaterue at Candelaria, Tenerife, Canary Islands Guanches were the aboriginal inhabitants of the Canary Islands. They were hunter-gatherer tribes who lived a lifestyle much like it is supposed that people lived in the Stone Age. In 2017, the first genome-wide data from the Guanches confirmed they were of North African origin. There are suggestions that the light-skinned people descended from the Berbers of North Africa, possibly Libya. It is believed that they migrated to the archipelago around 1,000 BC from North Africa. What we do know of the mysterious people is derived from the work of Spanish Chroniclers and from archaeological discoveries. They were believed to have lived in caves and huts and had few tools due to the absence of ore to make metal on the volcanic islands. The native people had knowledge of basic farming and also made pottery. Quite like ancient Egyptians, the Guanches were known to embalm and mummify their dead. Dead Guanches of a higher social standing were left in caves whilst more lowly people were buried in the ground. Also like the Egyptians, although it is not known for sure, the Guanches may have made the mysterious pyramids strewn throughout Tenerife. There are several, with six in the town of Guimar. Guimar pyramids in Tenerife, Canary islands. It is believed the Guanches built these It is very possible the Guanches were responsible for the building of the structures as it is known they had basic knowledge of geometric shapes through their pintaderas, which were some form of artistic seal made of pottery. The Guanches of Tenerife were split into nine kingdoms with a king known as a mencey for each of these. The Guanches were the only native people known to have lived in the Macaronesian region before the arrival of Europeans, as there is no evidence that the other Macaronesian archipelagos (Azores, Cape Verde, Madeira) were inhabited before Europeans arrived. After the Spanish conquest of the Canaries they were ethnically and culturally absorbed by Spanish settlers, although elements of their culture survive to this day, intermixed within Canarian customs and traditions such as Silbo (the whistled language of La Gomera Island). Advertisement The exact age of the skull remains unknown but it predates the extinction of Guanche people 600 years ago. It was found in an unknown burial site on the Canaries around the 19th century and then donated to the University of Edinburgh Anatomical Museum The student said: 'What I've created is a best-guess estimate as to how one of these islanders would have looked. 'However, recent literature suggests that the appearances differed between each island of the Canary archipelago. 'This could mean, with further research, we may one day get a clearer idea of the individual differences between each Guanche island group.' Her work is currently on display as part of this year's Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design Masters Show. An Indonesian volcanic eruption so massive it 'short circuited' Earth's atmosphere, may have been instrumental in helping the Allied army defeat the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo. Electrically charged volcanic ash short-circuited Earth's atmosphere in 1815, causing global poor weather and changing the course of European history, a London team says. Historians have long known that rainy and muddy conditions helped the Allied army defeat the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo, with the wet ground stalling troop movements. Scroll down for video Dr Matthew Genge from Imperial College London found electrified volcanic ash from eruptions can 'short-circuit' the electrical current of the ionosphere the upper level of the atmosphere that is responsible for cloud formation. Now they believe a volcano named Mount Tambora that erupted on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa two months before the battle, killing 100,000 people and plunging the Earth into a 'year without a summer' in 1816 was to blame. Dr Matthew Genge from Imperial College London found electrified volcanic ash from eruptions can 'short-circuit' the electrical current of the ionosphere the upper level of the atmosphere that is responsible for cloud formation. This brought heavy rain across Europe that contributed to Napoleon Bonaparte's defeat. Electrically charged volcanic ash short-circuited Earth's atmosphere in 1815, causing global poor weather and changing European history, Imperial researchers say. Pictured, men dressed as soldiers fight in a recreation of the battle of Waterloo The Battle of Waterloo pitted Wellington (left) with his British and Allied army, and Napoleon (right) with his French Imperial Guard against each other in a decisive battle that changed the course of European history, ending France's domination in Europe The findings, published today in Geology, could confirm the suggested link between the eruption and Napoleon's defeat. The paper shows that eruptions can hurl ash much higher than previously thought into the atmosphere up to 100 kilometres above ground. Dr Genge said: 'Previously, geologists thought that volcanic ash gets trapped in the lower atmosphere, because volcanic plumes rise buoyantly. This detailed astronaut photograph depicts the summit caldera of the Mount Tambora, which is 6 kilometres in diameter and 1,100 meters deep. It formed when Tambora's estimated 4,000-meter-high peak was removed, and the magma chamber below emptied during the 1815 eruption. Estimated depth of volcanic ashfall during the 1815 eruption: the outermost region (1 cm) reached Borneo and the Sulawesi islandsThe 1815 Mount Tambora eruption. The red areas are maps of the thickness of volcanic ashfall. 'My research, however, shows that ash can be shot into the upper atmosphere by electrical forces.' A series of experiments showed that that electrostatic forces could lift ash far higher than by buoyancy alone. Dr Genge created a model to calculate how far charged volcanic ash could levitate, and found that particles smaller than 0.2 millionths of a metre in diameter could reach the ionosphere during large eruptions. The findings, published today in Geology, could confirm the suggested link between the eruption of Mount Tambora and Napoleon's defeat He said: 'Volcanic plumes and ash both can have negative electrical charges and thus the plume repels the ash, propelling it high in the atmosphere. 'The effect works very much like the way two magnets are pushed away from each other if their poles match.' The experimental results are consistent with historical records from other eruptions. WHAT WAS THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO? The Battle of Waterloo, which took place in Belgium on June 18, 1815, marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. It pitted Wellington, with his British and Allied army, and Napoleon with his French Imperial Guard against each other in a decisive battle with the potential could end 20 years of bloody conflict on the continent. Napoleon rose through the ranks of the French army during the French Revolution, seized control of the French government in 1799 and became emperor in 1804. Through a series of wars, he expanded his empire across western and central Europe. The Battle of Waterloo, in which Napoleon's forces were defeated by the British and Prussians, marked the end of his reign and of France's domination in Europe. Wellington was outnumbered approximately 68,000 Allied troops versus Napoleon's 72,000 Advertisement Weather records are sparse for 1815, so to test his theory, Dr Genge examined weather records following the 1883 eruption of another Indonesian volcano, Krakatau. The data showed lower average temperatures and reduced rainfall almost immediately after the eruption began, and global rainfall was lower during the eruption than either period before or after. He also found reports of ionosphere disturbance after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, which could have been caused by charged ash in the ionosphere from the volcano plume. In addition, a special cloud type appeared more frequently than usual following the Krakatau eruption. Noctilucent clouds are rare and luminous, and form in the ionosphere. Dr Genge suggests these clouds therefore provide evidence for the electrostatic levitation of ash from large volcanic eruptions. Dr Genge said: 'Vigo Hugo in the novel Les Miserables said of the Battle of Waterloo: 'an unseasonably clouded sky sufficed to bring about the collapse of a World.' 'Now we are a step closer to understanding Tambora's part in the Battle from half a world away.' A massive asteroid estimated to be double the size of a Boeing 747 is headed toward a close approach with Earth next week. Asteroid 2016 NF23 is expected to skim past us on August 29 at just over 3 million miles away, or about 13 times the distance between Earth and the moon. The huge space rock is traveling more than 20,000 miles per hour (32,400 km/h) and is considered to be a potentially hazardous object given its proximity but, its trajectory should see it soar safely by in the early days of September. Scroll down for video A massive asteroid estimated to be double the size of a Boeing 747 is headed toward a close approach with Earth next week. But, it's expected to make a safe pass at 13 times the distance between Earth and the moon. Artist's impression pictured According to NASA, asteroid 2017 NF23 is about 230 to 525 feet wide (70-160 meters). That means even low-balling, the object is about as wide as the length of a Boeing 747 and on the high end of the estimate, it could be double that. At 525 feet, it would be taller than Egypts Great Pyramid of Giza, which stands at about 455 feet. NASA tracks this and other near-Earth objects (NEOs) to keep track of any potential incoming threats. This particular space rock is classified within the Atens group, named for asteroid 1862 Atens, because of its Earth-crossing orbit and smaller semi-major axis. A diagram from NASAs Jet Propulsion Lab shows just how its orbit intersects with Earths, with the asteroid getting closer and closer to our planet in the days leading up to August 29, when it reaches its closest point. At this time, it will be about .03 astronomical units (au) away or about 3 million miles. The huge space rock is traveling more than 20,000 miles per hour (32,400 km/h) and is considered to be a potentially hazardous object given its proximity but, its trajectory should see it soar safely by in the early days of September. Its close approach to Earth is circled above Astronomers are hunting for asteroids larger than 450ft as they can cause 'catastrophic damage' Researchers have discovered most of the asteroids that are about a kilometers in size, but are now on the hunt for those that are about 459ft (140m) - as they could cause catastrophic damage. Although nobody knows when the next big impact will occur, scientists have found themselves under pressure to predict - and intercept - its arrival. Artist's impression pictured 'Sooner or later we will get... a minor or major impact,' said Rolf Densing, who heads the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt It may not happen in our lifetime, he said, but 'the risk that Earth will get hit in a devastating event one day is very high.' 'For now, there is little we can do.' Source: AFP Advertisement Asteroid 2016 NF23 also falls within the category of potentially hazardous objects, which are those that reach a minimum distance less than .05 au from Earth and have an absolute magnitude (H) of 22.0 or brighter. Asteroid 2016 NF23 has an absolute magnitude of 22.9. In recent years, NASA has turned its focus to finding near-Earth objects estimated to be larger than 140 meters, as 90 percent of those larger than 1 kilometer have already been located. In comparison, just 10 percent of these smaller but still potentially catastrophic objects are thought to have been found to date. Scientists have discovered a species of ancient giant turtle that had no shell and roamed Earth's oceans 228 million years ago. The unusual reptile was dug up in China and had a unique beak and a flat, 'disc-like' body. Named Eorhynchochelys sinensi for 'first turtle with a beak', it was bigger than the leatherback - the biggest sea turtle alive today. Scroll down for video Scientists have discovered a species of ancient giant turtle that had no shell and roamed Earth's oceans 228 million years ago. The unusual reptile was dug up in China and had a unique beak and a flat, 'disc-like' body Measuring 8ft 2in in length (2.5 metres) the giant marine reptile lived during the Triassic period at a time when the earliest dinosaurs were diverging into a range of species that took over the Earth. Co-author Dr Olivier Rieppel, paleontologist at Chicago's Field Museum, described it as 'very large.' He said: 'This creature was over six feet long. It had a strange disc-like body and a long tail - and the anterior part of its jaws developed into this strange beak. 'It probably lived in shallow water and dug in the mud for food.' The fossilised remains were dug up in China and provide the first evidence of a turtle with a toothless beak. Recent research has suggested turtles evolved shells not for defence but for digging. The shells helped to anchor the powerful arm strokes needed to shift soil and sand. For a long time the oldest known turtle was a creature called Proganochelys - which already had a fully developed and very spiky shell. Everything changed in 2008 when Chinese members of Dr Rieppel's team discovered a 220-million-year-old turtle with a shell that covered just its belly and not its back. They called it Odontochelys semitestacealiterally, the 'toothed turtle in a half-shell.' This provided the scientific community with a perfect example of an intermediate fossil that bridged the gap between the stages of evolution. The Eorhynchochelys specimen was collected from sediments in Guizhou in south western China about 25 feet (7.5 metres) below where Odontochelys was found - indicating its older age. The turtle is called Eorhynchochelys sinensi for 'first turtle with a beak', and measures more than eight foot long - bigger than the leatherback turtle which is the biggest sea turtle living today The unique combination of the unusual beak and the lack of a shell sheds fresh light on the evolution of modern-day sea turtles. Biologists have argued over the murky origins of turtles for over a century as viable specimens became hard to find. Dr Rieppel said: 'The origin of turtles has been an unsolved problem in palaeontology for many decades. 'Now with Eorhynchochelys, how turtles evolved has become a lot clearer.' The fact that this turtle species developed a beak before others did but didn't have a shell is evidence of a phenomenon known as 'mosaic evolution.' This is the idea traits can evolve independently from each other and at a different rate and is the reason not every ancestral species has the same morphological traits. Modern turtles have both shells and beaks - but the path evolution took to get there wasn't a straight line. Instead some turtle relatives got partial shells while others got beaks. Eventually, through natural selection, the genetic mutations responsible for these characteristics became widespread and occurred in the same animal. Co-author Dr Nick Fraser, a specialist in vertebrate palaeontology at National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh, said: 'This impressively large fossil is a very exciting discovery giving us another piece in the puzzle of turtle evolution. 'It shows early turtle evolution was not a straightforward, step-by-step accumulation of unique traits but was a much more complex series of events that we are only just beginning to unravel.' The Eorhynchochelys specimen was collected from sediments in Guizhou in south western China. The unique combination of the unusual beak and the lack of a shell sheds fresh light on the evolution of modern-day sea turtles Modern turtles have both shells and beaks - but the path evolution took to get there wasn't a straight line. Instead some turtle relatives got partial shells while others got beaks Fine details in the skull of Eorhynchochelys solved another mystery - showing turtles are related to modern lizards and snakes. For years scientists weren't sure if their ancestors were part of the same reptile group - known collectively as diapsids. It was thought they were anapsids, a similar group of primitive reptiles that lack these openings in the skull but the new species has disproved this idea. Dr Rieppel said: 'With Eorhynchochelys's diapsid skull, we know that turtles are not related to the early anapsid reptiles, but are instead related to evolutionarily more advanced diapsid reptiles. 'This is cemented, the debate is over.' The findings published in Nature will change how scientists think about this branch of animals. Dr Rieppel said: 'I was surprised myself. Eorhynchochelys makes the turtle family tree make sense. 'Until I saw this fossil, I didn't buy some of its relatives as turtles. Now, I do.' Unbeknownst to scientists, two parasites have been battling it out in the oak scrub habitat of South Florida. An evolutionary biologist has discovered the first known example of a bizarre interaction between gall wasps and a wispy orange plant called the love vine. The love vine, researchers found, latch onto the egg-containing growths deposited by wasps onto the underside of oak leaves and feed off the contents as the larva matures, eventually leaving behind the mummified carcass of an adult wasp. Researchers gathered samples along a 1,000-mile stretch through Florida for study in the lab, and noticed something unusual: S-shaped twists of love vines growing between the galls (as seen above). When they cut these open, they found the mummified remains of wasps inside I had never seen this, said Rice University evolutionary biologist Scott Egan, who has studied gall-forming insects for 17 years. But the fact that no one, as far as we know, had ever documented this was incredible because biologists have studied each of these the vines and the insects for more than a century. Basically, you have a parasitic plant attacking a parasitic insect inside of another host, a host they share, Egan said. Egans team first saw the phenomenon in the lab, before later confirming it in the wild. Gall-forming wasps lay their eggs on the underside of newly growing oak trees, laying own a mix of venoms and proteins alongside it to promote the growth of a smooth brown sphere around the egg. The love vine, researchers found, latch onto the tumor-like growths deposited by wasps onto the underside of oak leaves and feed off the contents as the larva matures, eventually leaving behind the mummified carcass of an adult wasp Inside this growth, the larval wasp feeds on nutrients drawn from the tree and grows to maturity, when it finally emerges. Galls are like tumors in many ways, Egan said. The wasps induce them to grow at the site where they lay their eggs, but the galls are part of the tree. The cells there have the same DNA as any other cell in the tree. Theyve just been reprogrammed to grow and behave in a way that is ultimately harmful to the tree. Last year, the team gathered samples along a 1,000-mile stretch through Florida for study in the lab, and noticed something unusual: S-shaped twists of love vines growing between the galls. Gall-forming wasps lay their eggs on the underside of newly growing oak trees, laying own a mix of venoms and proteins alongside it to promote the growth of a smooth brown sphere around the egg. File photo WHAT IS A PARASITOID? Parasitoids are insects with parasitic larvae that eat their host - usually another insect - from the inside out. They often employ a sharp tool known as an ovipositor to deposit eggs under the skin or exoskeleton of unsuspecting hosts. After a short gestational period, the larvae hatch and begin consuming their host, normally reaching adulthood when the host has died. Parasitoid species are mostly types of bee, wasp and ant, though some species of fly also employ the gruesome technique. The biology of parasitoids has inspired several science fiction authors and scriptwriters to create parasitoidal aliens that kill human hosts, including the infamous Xenomorph in Ridley Scott's 1979 film 'Alien'. Parasitoids are insects with parasitic larvae that eat their host - usually another inset - from the inside out. Pictured is a parasitic wasp that injects larvae into spiders and then sews the host into its nest to pin it down Advertisement While there were doubts as to what could be happening at first, a closer examination confirmed the unusual behaviour. I cut it in half, and right in the center was a fully mature but mummified adult wasp, Egan said. The team dissected 51 samples of the galls that had been attacked by love vines, and found that 23 contained the mummified remains of adult wasps compared to just two dead wasps found among the 101 galls that had not been attacked. Not only does the discovery have implications for pest control, but the researchers say it could even pave the way for more precise cancer treatments. If we can find out how the vines identify the galls, Egan explained, how they zero in on them, it could potentially provide new clues for targeting and fighting cancer. Tourists hiking in Nepal's Himalayan mountains are being pressured into costly helicopter evacuations at the first sight of trouble by guides linked to powerful brokers who are making a fortune on 'unnecessary rescues', industry insiders say. Dodgy operators are scamming tens of thousands of pounds from insurance companies by making multiple claims for a single chopper ride or pushing trekkers to accept airlifts for minor illnesses, an investigation has revealed. It also found evidence of guides putting baking soda, which acts as a laxative, in food to give tourists diarrhoea and then pressuring them to be airlifted. A group of tourists trekking in the Himalays. Industry insiders say they are being pressured into costly helicopter evacuations at the first sight of trouble by guides linked to powerful brokers who are making a fortune on 'unnecessary rescues' In other cases, trekking guides, promised commission if they get tourists to return by chopper, are offering helicopter rides to tired hikers as a quick way home, but billing them as rescues to insurance companies. The practice is so rampant helicopter pilots are reporting 'rescuing' tourists who appear in perfectly fine health. Trekking outfits stand to make more in kickbacks from evacuating a hiker by helicopter than the cost of the trek itself, contributing to an alarming rise in rescues from Nepal's biggest tourist attraction: the fabled Himalayas. One manager of a Kathmandu-based helicopter company said it paid $500 to brokers for each rescue flight. 'If we don't pay the commission, we can't get the business,' the manager told AFP on condition of anonymity. UK-based Traveller Assist said 2017 was the most expensive year on record for travel insurance companies covering tourists in Nepal due to a startling number of helicopter rescues - though this year is on track to beat it. Jonathan Bancroft of Traveller Assist, which carries out medical evacuations in Nepal on behalf of global travel insurance companies, said: 'It's a racket that's tantamount to fraud, and it's happening on a large scale throughout Nepal.' Trekking outfits stand to make more in kickbacks from evacuating a hiker by helicopter than the cost of the trek itself There is no centralised dispatch centre for helicopter flights in Nepal making it difficult to know precisely how many evacuations are carried out. But over the past six years the skies of the Everest region have turned into a helicopter highway, with a six-fold increase in the number of choppers in the air, each logging over 1,000 flying hours per year, according to industry data. Thanishwar Bhandari, who works at a small clinic in the Everest region, said: 'We used to see maybe one helicopter in two or three days. Now we are seeing 10 or so in a day. TREKKER CLAIMS SHE WAS EVACUATED DUE TO COMMON COLD Australian trekker Jessica Reeves was urged by her guide to be evacuated by helicopter from near Everest base camp in October 2017 when she complained of a common cold. 'He kept telling me to get a helicopter,' Reeves told AFP. 'They said if I keep going it would be really risky so it was better to leave now instead of risking it.' She said nine or 10 hikers in her group ended up returning to Kathmandu on three helicopters but were instructed to say they were alone on the flight back. She alleged the company, Himalayan Social Journey, billed each of the tourists' insurance providers for the whole flight - pocketing around $35,000 in the process. 'They told us all to lie to the insurance company and say there was only one person on the helicopter when there were three or four of us on each,' she claimed. Reeves' insurance claim was in any case rejected because her policy had expired. The company owner, Ram Sapkota, denied that the insurance companies were each billed for the full flight. '(They) claimed insurance on a sharing basis and we received money from (the) insurance,' he said, dismissing allegations as 'fake'. Sapkota blamed the rise in helicopter rescues from the Himalayas on lazy hikers and hypochondriacs. 'When one client gets sick, then the group they say "I feel unsafe and just want to go'",' he said. Advertisement Meanwhile, one foreign pilot, who requested anonymity, said he rescued trekkers on a near daily basis in April and May this year, peak trekking season. 'I think I took three people the whole season who appeared genuinely ill,' he told AFP. Australian trekker Jessica Reeves also told how she was urged by her guide to be evacuated by helicopter from near Everest base camp in October 2017 when she complained of just a common cold. Some hospitals in Kathmandu also have a stake in the rescue business. Company registration documents reviewed by AFP show that many large trekking outfits have financial ties to hospitals and helicopter providers, creating a conflict of interest. Ram Sapkota of Himalayan Social Journey said his guides received a commission from some hospitals if they take a tourist there, saying he allowed it because his company needed to 'maintain relations' with medical providers. He also bought a 10 per cent stake in helicopter firm Altitude Air last year, he told AFP. A German trekker hiking in the Everest region in April told AFP that a broker offered him a return helicopter flight to Kathmandu - with the cost billed to his insurance provider. 'He said he knew a doctor who would sign it off as a rescue,' the tourist said, requesting anonymity. The majority of rescues in the Himalayas are related to 'acute mountain sickness' caused by low oxygen levels at high altitude. The symptoms are vague - headaches, nausea, loss of appetite - and the only treatment is to descend. But once the patient is at lower altitudes the symptoms disappear, making it impossible to tell if the evacuation was medically necessary. International insurance companies are beginning to wise up to the rampant fraud. And now these firms have set a September 1 deadline for Nepal to clamp down on fraudulent helicopter rescues of tourists or they will stop giving cover, industry sources say. Insurers have demanded all helicopter rescues are pre-approved and capped at $4,000 per flight. There are an estimated 2,000 trekking companies in Nepal promising to whisk tourists into the Himalayas, but many are unlicensed, operating from scruffy, cramped offices in the dusty backstreets of Kathmandu They also want an inquiry into business permits after it emerged that some trekking outfits, charter companies and helicopter owners were operating with forged documents. The fraud became so acute that Nepal's government, which relies heavily on tourism, launched its own probe in June in a bid to keep insurers from pulling out altogether. It investigated 36 trekking companies, 10 helicopter companies and six hospitals, finding there had been more than 1,300 helicopter rescues in the first five months of the year, costing insurers over $6.5 million. But Danny Kaine of Traveller Assist said the probe was a 'PR exercise'. 'I don't believe that the ministry has run an investigation of this scale before and I think they are under quite a lot of pressure to show that they are doing something about the fraud,' he explained. And other industry insiders have warned that the investigation has only revealed the tip of the iceberg, amid allegations that some businesses pressured the ministry to look the other way. Insurance firms have set a September 1 deadline for Nepal to clamp down on fraudulent helicopter rescues of tourists or they will stop giving cover, industry sources say The cost of the 14-day trek to Everest base camp varies wildly between the outfits, but many offer the tour for less than $1,000, below cost price according to multiple industry sources 'I know that there are some companies that are involved in the fraud that they haven't even spoken to,' a source close to the investigation told AFP. A mass pull out by the insurers would seriously dent Nepal's vital tourism industry, which the government is banking on to revive the economy. Ministers have set an ambitious goal of attracting two million tourists a year by 2020 - double the number who visited last year. There are an estimated 2,000 trekking companies promising to whisk them off into the mountains, many of them operating from scruffy, cramped offices in the dusty backstreets of Kathmandu. The cost of the 14-day trek to Everest base camp varies wildly between the outfits, but many offer the tour for less than $1,000, below cost price according to multiple industry sources. They've been dating since July 2016. And on Monday, The Young And The Restless' Hunter King said 'yes' to boyfriend Nico Svoboda when he got down on one knee. 'I love you FIANCE!!!! I CANTT BELIEVE I GET TO MARRY MY BEST FRIEND!!! Thank you for making yesterday the best day of my entire life!' the 24-year-old actress wrote on Instagram following the surprise beach proposal. Engaged! On Monday, The Young And The Restless' Hunter King said 'yes' to boyfriend Nico Svoboda when he got down on one knee She added: 'I cant wait to marry you and spend our future going on endless adventures together. I am one lucky lady.' After an impromptu photoshoot, the couple gathered for a party with their closest friends and family. 'What an amazing night! My insanely amazing perfect fantastic sister/best friend got engaged to one of the absolute greatest guys in the world!' sister and fellow actress Joey King wrote. 'I love you both so much!' 'I love you FIANCE!!!! I CANTT BELIEVE I GET TO MARRY MY BEST FRIEND!!! Thank you for making yesterday the best day of my entire life!' the 24-year-old actress wrote on Instagram following the surprise beach proposal Going to the chapel! After an impromptu photoshoot, the couple gathered for a party with their closest friends and family King's mom also took to social media to congratulate the couple. 'I am over the moon happy for my girl Hunter and Nico! You both have found your soul mate, your true love and it has been an absolute joy watching the two of you grow and blossom because of each others love!' she wrote. 'You two are honestly the perfect couple, and as a mother there is no greater gift than the joy the two of you bring me! Congratulations on the engagement my two love birds!' Three generations: Hunter was joined at the party by her grandmother, mom, and two sisters King is best known for her role as Summer Newman on The Young And The Restless. She's been apart of the soap series on and off since 2012. Hunter is also a supporting character on CBS' Life In Pieces. Their long-distance relationship is successful despite living over seven thousand miles apart. And former Bachelor star Noni Janur was recently reunited with hunky model and former Bachelorette reject Samuel Johnston in America after a highly anticipated four-month wait. The 27-year-old busty blonde took to Instagram on Tuesday to capture a romantic moment shared between the pair. Scroll down for video Reunited at last! Former Bachelor star Noni Janur recently joined LA-based beau Samuel Johnston in America after spending four months apart in a long-distance relationship In the photo, Noni was pictured cuddling and passionately smooching Sam in front of a stunning sunset backdrop in San Diego, California. Noni looked gorgeous in a scarlet mini dress adorned with frills on the edges and white florals and she fastened her tresses up into a ponytail with a scrunchie. Meanwhile, Sam dressed for the sunny LA weather, looking dapper in a tropical Hawaiian-style shirt and loose black jeans. Long distance: The reality TV couple have been doing long distance after Sam relocated overseas a few months ago 'I only get to have couple photos for a limited time, so imma make the most of it,' Noni captioned the sweet snap. Earlier this month, Noni shared a snap of the couple being affectionate at the beach in Malibu, penning a nostalgic caption. 'Just me and boo in Mali boo boo 4 months overdue,' she wrote. It's been too long! Earlier this month, Noni shared a snap of the couple being affectionate at the beach in Malibu, penning a nostalgic caption After announcing their romance in February last year, Sam moved to Los Angeles six months later to chase a career in acting and modelling, as Noni remained in Sydney. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia earlier this year, the bikini model revealed: 'Long distance is something you have to plan - plan to see each other, plan to make that phone call every day. It's majority trust, obviously, and effort.' 'I guess this day and age you can use your phone and see each other and it's pretty much like you're in the same country anyway and then it's more exciting when you see each other,' she confessed, adding they see each other every two or three months. Trust is key: Speaking to Daily Mail Australia earlier this year, the bikini model revealed: 'Long distance is something you have to plan - plan to see each other, plan to make that phone call every day. It's majority trust, obviously, and effort' An art item performed at the event (Photo: vov.vn) The first event was organized in 2016. According to Chau Van Cuong, Deputy Chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Branch in Jihlava, since the branch was established seven years ago, apart from consolidating the organization and taking care of the overseas Vietnamese, the branch has always paid attention to the organization of events to introduce the Vietnamese culture. This year's Vietnam Culture Day in Jihlava also created opportunities for Vietnamese people to exchange and integrate into the local people. Mr. Rudolf Chloupek, Mayor of Jihlava city, said that he is impressed by the life and working style of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic in general and in Jihlava in particular. The administration of the city always supports community activities of Vietnamese people there. Hundreds of local people in Jihlava enjoyed Vietnams traditional dishes such as noodle soup (Pho), vermicelli noodles with grilled pork, spring roll, which were prepared at site, and cakes, fruits and refreshers transported from Vietnam. In addition, the participants also enjoyed traditional and modern art programs and watched documentary film introducing the land, people and tourism development potential of Vietnam./. Blessed with gorgeous looks, Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) was crowned Miss Universe Australia back in 2010. But a leading plastic surgeon believes the 27-year-old may have made some minor aesthetic tweaks to her face in the years since. Dr. Randal Haworth told Daily Mail Australia on Monday that he 'strongly suspects' Jesinta has had a brow lift and that it 'appears as if she has had a rhinoplasty' in order to enhance her natural beauty. 'She has gone from being pretty to being a stunner': Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Randal Haworth believes Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) may have had a brow lift and a rhinoplasty to enhance her natural beauty. Pictured left: Jesinta in September 2010. Right: In June 2018 'Pretty as she was in 2010 winning the Miss Universe Australia title, Jesinta graduated from being pretty as a girl next-door type to being a stunner in the role of a top model,' said the Beverly Hills surgeon. Dr. Haworth observed that Jesinta 'now possesses a near-perfect classical balance of facial features' and believes a subtle brow lift may be behind the change. 'I strongly suspect that she had a brow lift of some sort, either done with strategic Botox injections or, more likely, with surgery,' he claimed. Observations: Dr. Haworth observed that Jesinta 'now possesses a near-perfect classical balance of facial features' and believes a subtle brow lift may be behind the change. Pictured left: Jesinta in February 2011. Right: Earlier this year Dr. Haworth explained that, if Jesinta has indeed gone under the knife, the results are striking yet subtle. 'What I like about the change is that it is subtle without a surprised appearance,' he remarked. Meanwhile, the celebrity surgeon believes that from certain angles 'it appears as if Jesinta had a rhinoplasty to define her tip and narrow her nasal bones'. However, he added that it could simply be the result of 'artistic makeup contouring'. 'It appears as if Jesinta had a rhinoplasty to define her tip and narrow her nasal bones': Dr. Haworth explained that, if Jesinta has indeed gone under the knife, the results are striking yet subtle. Pictured left: Jesinta in November 2010. Right: In May 2018 Daily Mail Australia contacted Jesinta's management for comment, who described the claims as 'ridiculous'. The former David Jones ambassador has previously spoken about her decision to have a breast enlargement as a teenager. Jesinta confirmed to The Sunday Telegraph in 2013 that she underwent surgery which took her from a natural AA cup to a 12B in size. 'It's a personal choice and completely up to the individual,' she said at the time. 'When I was young I had a small procedure done to become a 12B.' Ronnie Ortiz-Magro didn't join his Jersey Shore castmates at the MTV Video Music Awards on Monday night. But the New York native was sure to combat rumors that he'd 'quit' the reality show, taking to Instagram to set the record straight on Tuesday. 'Everyone keeps asking where Ive been. Ive chosen to take some time off to be a father to my beautiful daughter,' the 32-year-old TV personality said. MIA: Ronnie Ortiz-Magro took to Instagram on Tuesday to combat rumors that he'd 'quit' Jersey Shore after opting out of a public appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards on Monday night Ronnie continued: 'Thank you for all the love & support and no I have not quit Jersey Shore. I am just choosing to take time so I can watch my daughter grow and be apart of her life not just in her life. 'I rather be there for her in person than have to watch her grow through text messages & IG posts. I can give her everything in the world but if I cant give her a relationship or a bond then all of this is for nothing at the end of the day.' Ortiz-Magro shares his four-month-old daughter with ex-girlfriend Jen Harley. 'Everyone keeps asking where Ive been. Ive chosen to take some time off to be a father to my beautiful daughter,' the 32-year-old TV personality said. 'Thank you for all the love & support and no I have not quit Jersey Shore' Co-parenting: Ortiz-Magro shares his four-month-old daughter with ex-girlfriend Jen Harley Ronnie and Jen despite being an explosively on-and-off couple, recently returned from a family vacation in Puerto Rico. The pair had apparently reconciled following Harley's Vegas arrest in June. Jen was taken into custody for domestic battery after she reportedly 'beat up' Ronnie and 'dragged him with a car.' According to Us Weekly, Ortiz-Magro and Harley got into an argument on the way home from a friend's barbecue. Reunited: Ronnie and Jen, despite being an explosively on-and-off couple, recently returned from a family vacation in Puerto Rico 'Jen hit Ronnie in the face during the argument, and he asked [her to] pull over and let him out of the car,' a source told the media outlet. 'She stopped, and Ronnie tried getting out and got caught in his seatbelt. Jen started driving away, dragging Ronnie. Ronnie's face was bloodied and bruised, and he's got a nasty road rash.' The domestic violence charges have since been dropped 'due to insufficient evidence.' Jersey Shore Family Vacation will premiere its second season Thursday August 23. She is taking the US by storm after relocating to America to further her modelling career. And Aussie bombshell Natalie Roser has now headed to Cancun, Mexico, to join a slew of other beauties for Modeliste Magazine's Mode Around The Globe Influencer Getaway. The 28-year-old former Miss Universe Australia showed off her stunning curves in a floral string bikini as she celebrated day one in paradise. Scroll down for video Caliente! Blonde bombshell Natalie Roser turns up the heat in a floral string bikini as she joins a slew of other models in Cancun for magazine event Clearly pleased to be there, Natalie captioned her snap: 'Woke up in Mexico with @modellistmagazine! So excited to be here!!' Natalie has also been joined by fellow Australian beauty, Emma Rose, who also posed in a bikini at the Marriott Cancun Resort. Natalie has worked prolifically overseas, and was one of a handful of Australians walking the runway at Miami Swim Week in July this year. Beauties on board: Natalie has also been joined by fellow Australian beauty, Emma Rose, who also posed in a bikini at the Marriott Cancun Resort Speaking with The Sunday Telegraph at the time, she revealed why she believes local models are so in-demand at the US swimwear event. 'I think a lot of the designers are looking for good energy so I like to think we bring that for them,' she said. 'I also think the designers of Swim Week respond really well to a fit and healthy body shape, which so many Australian girls have.' Taking the country by storm! Natalie is taking the US by storm after relocating to America to further her modelling career Popular: Natalie has worked prolifically overseas, and was one of a handful of Australians walking the runway at Miami Swim Week in July this year Meanwhile, Natalie's personal life is also blossoming following her move to LA with her boyfriend Harley Bonner, 27, earlier this year. Before the move, the model shared a loved-up snap of herself and boyfriend Harley, where she admitted they are 'ready for our next chapter.' 'Today we are re-locating to Los Angeles!' Natalie, who was previously based in Melbourne, said. She continued: 'I'm so excited to watch this man chase his dreams while I chase mine - could not be more excited to take this journey with you, @harleympbonner. The blonde bikini model finished: 'Look out L.A. we are coming your way.' The pair first announced they were together in March of last year, and have been going from strength-to-strength since they debuted their romance. She's known for her witty one liners. Yet it was one of Charlotte Dawson's unintentional gaffes that left viewers in hysterics during Tuesday's episode of Celebs On The Farm. The 25-year-old Ex On The Beach beauty sent Twitter into meltdown when she mistook an alpaca for a giraffe during their latest task - which saw the celebrities tasked with clipping the alpacas nails. Scroll down for video Hilarious: She's known for her witty one liners. Yet it was one of Charlotte Dawson's unintentional gaffes that left viewers in hysterics during Tuesday's Celebs On The Farm Upon spotting the furry beasts grazing in a meadow, the daughter of the late Les Dawson queried 'is that a llama?' before asking 'is that a giraffe?' Taking to Twitter to express their delight, viewers posted: ''Is it a giraffe?' I'm dead @CharlotteDawsx #CelebsOnTheFarm'; 'Charlotte Dawson asking if that alpaca is a giraffe #CelebsOnTheFarm @CharlotteDawsx 'Actually crying with laughter at @CharlotteDawsx @louiespence @theSandiBogle , #CelebsOnTheFarm has to be the best show on tv right now'; 'Best line from @CharlotteDawsx on #CelebsOnTheFarm so far..'oh my god is it a llama, is it a giraffe?' I can't cope a GIRAFFE - I'm dyin' 'I need a friend like @CharlotteDawsx she gives me so much joke!! Bellyache with laughter #CelebsOnTheFarm'; 'Well done @CharlotteDawsx for touching the alpaca I wouldn't do it #CelebsOnTheFarm'. Dangerous: The celebrities were tasked with clipping alpacas nails on the farm, but the first challenge for Charlotte was identifying what is an alpaca Spot the difference: The 25-year-old Ex On The Beach beauty sent Twitter into meltdown when she mistook an alpaca (right) for a giraffe (left) during their latest task Hilarious: Taking to Twitter to express their delight, viewers were left in stitches after the show Despite Charlotte eventually getting into the swing of things and successfully approaching the alpacas, it was Pineapple Dance Studio's Louis Spence who was awarded the Best In Show rosette by farmer Chris Jeffery. It was little surprise Louis won the prize, as the star even sacrificed his trousers during his day on the farm, ripping them at the seams after showing his excitement through vigorous twerking. The competition to be the best farmhand is serious, as after the fourth day, the person whos done the worst job each day will be eliminated until the final show, when a winner is chosen. Congrats: Despite Charlotte eventually getting into the swing of things, it was Pineapple Dance Studio's Louis Walsh who was awarded the Best In Show rosette by farmer Chris Jeffery Twerk it out: Louis had sacrificed his trousers during his day on the farm, ripping them at the seams after showing his excitement through vigorous twerking Hard at work? Meanwhile Megan and Charlotte had seemed more concerned with posing for pictures rather than doing any kind of farmhand work Joining Charlotte and Louis on the farm has been TOWIE's Bobby Norris and Megan McKenna and Gogglebox's Sandi Bogle. Also mucking out in the Sussex countryside is former Strictly Come Dancing professional Gleb Savchenko, actress Lorraine Chase and British Judo Champion Ashley McKenzie. Celebs On The Farm airs weekdays at 10pm on 5Star. It first appeared on Australian TV screens in the form of 'Taken Out' in 2008. And now British dating game show phenomenon Take Me Out is finally returning Down Under a decade later. Hosted by stand-up comedian Joel Creasey, the highly anticipated Australian version of the show will officially premiere on September 3rd at 7:30pm on Channel Seven. We have a date! Highly anticipated Australian version of British dating game show Take Me Out set to air next month with Joel Creasey as host Joel, 28, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a promotional snap of the show, in which he is pictured posing in front of 30 stunning girls who will appear on the program. 'Well I am so excited to announce we have a date! Take Me Out arrives on Australian screens on Monday September 3rd at 7:30pm!' Joel captioned the post. He wrote: 'So pop the Yellowglen on ice, grab some ice-cream (that you can totally pretend you are going to serve in a bowl and not annihilate straight from the tub in one sitting) and watch me attempt to find dates for these 30 hilarious women. So soon! The Australian version of the show will officially premiere on September 3rd at 7:30pm on Channel Seven Bigger and better: The program first appeared on Aussie TV in the form of 'Taken Out' all the way back in 2008 'We can't wait for you to see it. Strap in, strap up and strap on, Australia! We'll see you on Channel 7,' he added. The series was a massive success overseas and was the number one rated show in the 16 to 34-year-old demographic in the UK. In a new way to find love, the show will feature 30 women who will be introduced to potential dates at one time, with each woman in possession of a switch to indicate whether they are into the said bachelor or not. Wow! The series was a massive success overseas and was the number one rated show in the 16 to 34-year-old demographic in the UK To express their interest, they will switch their lights on, and if they are not interested their lights remain off - waiting for the next guy in line. The Chinese version of Take Me Out, titled 'If You Are The One,' has gone viral this year thanks to their contestants' brutal honesty. It's a show as synonymous with its innuendos as much as its culinary offerings. Yet the new season of Great British Bake Off has removed all of its double entendres in favour of more family-friendly skits featuring presenters Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding. The first episode of the upcoming series features no tongue-in-cheek remarks from the judges, with Paul Hollywood revealing it was a conscious decision to cut back on famous phrases including including the infamous 'soggy bottoms'. No more innuen-doughs: The new season of Great British Bake Off has removed all of its double entendres in favour of more family-friendly skits with the presenters Speaking at a Q&A for the new series, the 52-year-old bread connoisseur confessed: 'I think innuendo is funny. 'I suppose it's been part of Bake Off for a few years, but it's not the be all and end all in Bake Off. Maybe we should do an outakes thing after 11pm.' Fellow judge Prue Leith, 78, added: 'We don't cook them up, they just happen.' Reining it in: The first episode of the upcoming series features no tongue-in-cheek remarks from the judges, with Paul Hollywood revealing it was a conscious decision Saucy double entendres from over the years include soggy bottoms when referring to undercooked pastry, 'phallic' cakes and 'stiffening peaks' addressing perfectly whipped meringues. Paul also revealed he has 'reined back' the technical challenges for this year so the public can keep up. The show's judge said they have included clearer instructions when the 12 amateur bakers are faced with the programme's tricky tasks to make it easier for viewers to follow at home. He said: 'I wanted to go back to basics to a point because I think leading up to last year's technical challenges people were saying to me, 'I couldn't do that'. Which is fair enough but we want the general public to actually bake, that's the point.' No more soggy bottoms! Undercooked pastry spawned the iconic phrase on the show Oh dear: This 'phallic' shaped snail cake last series left Paul in stitches Back to basics: Paul also revealed he has 'reined back' the technical challenges for this year's The Great British Bake Off so the public can keep up Hollywood added: 'Some of the challenges are very challenging, and some of the challenges we just reined it back a little bit. 'What we often do on the technical challenges is we give them a method and recipe and sometimes we take some of the lines out of the methods, so for instance we will give them the temperature to bake at but not the time. 'So this time we have flipped it around, we have given them a little bit more information on some of the more challenging ones, so it's finding that level.' Hollywood, the only one of the original BBC line-up to have followed the programme to Channel 4, also said the upcoming series included vegan week to reflect the growing trend in the UK. Keeping it simple: The celebrity chef said The Great British Bake Off is 'going back to basics' Meanwhile, Prue Leith, 78, revealed she has become a tougher judge now she has had a year to settle into the role. She said: 'I think because I am more relaxed, and a little bit more confident, I think I have been straighter. 'Last series I would say lots of things that were nice before I would ever say anything nasty.' The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 on Tuesday. She's the Hollywood superstar who always looks picture-perfect. But Nicole Kidman looks worlds away from her usual glamorous self in a promo shot from her new film. The 51-year-old is completely unrecognisable in the image from upcoming thriller Destroyer, where the actress portrays a detective. Scroll down for video What a transformation! Nicole Kidman looks completely unrecognisable as she swaps her glamorous style and blonde tresses to play a dishevelled detective with darker locks in upcoming thriller Destroyer For her transformation into LAPD detective Erin Bell, Nicole swapped her flawless blonde tresses for dishevelled darker locks. Normally all smiles on the red carpet, Nicole sported a more subdued, weary expression for her new role. And instead of the designer dresses and fancy attire the Australian native usually dons, this time around, she wore a simple grey shirt with no distinguishable details. Flawless: The actress looked worlds away from her usual stunning appearance In the upcoming movie, Nicole's character is traumatised after going undercover in a criminal gang. Of the transformation Nicole had to undertake for the role, director Karyn Kusama told Vanity Fair that she wanted that character's trauma to be evident in her appearance. 'We always knew that what we wanted her to look like was a real middle-aged woman with a past that she wears on her face,' she told the publication. 'With sun damage and sleep deprivation and stress and rage, just in her whole physical body.' Heartbreaking message: Meanwhile, earlier this week Nicole and husband Keith Urban donated $100,000 to support struggling Australian farmers Meanwhile, away from Hollywood film sets, Nicole has been making headlines for another reason. This week, the Big Little Lies star and her musician husband Keith Urban donated $100,000 to support struggling Australian farmers who have fallen victim to the country's devastating drought. The A-list couple made a desperate plea for others to dig deep in a video message played during Today's Farm Aid Telethon on Monday. Nine's Fighting For Our Farmers Drought Relief Appeal has raised more than $4 million so far as farmers across New South Wales endure the driest conditions in half a century. Eddie Murphy has fathered nine children to five different women since 1989. And it appears the Hollywood star, 57, is preparing to welcome baby number 10 with his younger girlfriend Paige Butcher. The Australian model, 39, was seen flaunting what appeared to be a burgeoning bump in Los Angeles last Monday. Something to tell us? Eddie Murphy, 57, could be set to welcome his TENTH child after his model girlfriend Paige Butcher, 39, was spotted with an apparent baby bump in LA last week Private: The couple, who started dating in 2012, are known for keeping a low profile and don't have public social media accounts. Pictured: Paige and Eddie in November 2016 in LA Paige, who shares two-year-old daughter Izzy Oona Murphy with Eddie, looked radiant as she dressed her stomach with a loose-fitting white frock. The floral-printed maxi dress clung to her growing tummy as she stepped out of a salon in West Hollywood. She completed her casual chic look with a simple pair of sandals and her only accessory was a gold wristwatch. She's glowing! Paige, who shares two-year-old daughter Izzy Oona Murphy with Eddie, looked radiant as she dressed her stomach with a loose-fitting white frock Enjoying the mild summer weather, she sipped on a cold drink from Starbucks. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Paige Butcher and Eddie Murphy's management for comment The couple, who started dating in 2012, are known for keeping a low profile and don't have public social media accounts. History: Eddie and Paige first met on the set of the film Big Momma's House 2 in 2006. Pictured at a basketball game in April 2018 in Los Angeles Only married once! Eddie shares five children with his ex-wife of 13 years Nicole Mitchell. Eddie and Nicole are pictured in July 2005 in Los Angeles They first met on the set of the film Big Momma's House 2 in 2006. In addition to his daughter with Paige, Eddie has eight other children from previous relationships. He has five children with his former wife Nicole Mitchell and one each with exes Mel B, Tamara Hood Johnson and Paulette McNeely. Craig Zadan - a prolific producer of film, TV, and stage - passed away, age 69, at his Hollywood Hills home on Monday night. NBC chair Robert Greenblatt wrote in a statement to Broadway.com that Miami-born, Manhattan-raised music man 'died of complications following shoulder replacement surgery.' Zadan and his producing partner since 1976, Neil Meron, were the creative minds behind big-screen versions of Broadway musicals Chicago in 2002 and Hairspray in 2007. RIP: Craig Zadan - a prolific producer of film, TV, and stage - passed away, age 69, at his Hollywood Hills home on Monday night (pictured May 21) Tragedy: NBC chair Robert Greenblatt wrote in a statement to Broadway.com that Miami-born, Manhattan-raised music man 'died of complications following shoulder replacement surgery' (pictured June 2) Over the years, the Smash twosome amassed six Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, 17 Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and two Tony Awards. Neil Patrick Harris - who hosted the 2015 Oscars they produced - tweeted that he was 'stunned and saddened' about the loss of his 'wonderful, kind' friend Craig. Golden Globe winner Kevin Bacon - who starred in Zadan's first film Footloose in 1984 - tweeted that he had 'music and dance in his soul.' Gone too soon: Zadan and his producing partner since 1976, Neil Meron (2-L), were the creative minds behind big-screen versions of Broadway musicals Chicago in 2002 and Hairspray in 2007 Decorated duo: Over the years, the Smash twosome amassed six Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, 17 Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and two Tony Awards Love of his life: The Hofstra University grad is survived by his life partner, Emerging Markets, Inc. managing director - Elwood Hopkins (pictured L in 2004) 'My sincere condolences': Neil Patrick Harris - who hosted the 2015 Oscars they produced - tweeted that he was 'stunned and saddened' about the loss of his 'wonderful, kind' friend 'RIP Craig and Cut Loose!' Golden Globe winner Kevin Bacon - who starred in Zadan's first film Footloose in 1984 - tweeted that he had 'music and dance in his soul' 'Heartbreaking': Other touching social media tributes were tweeted from Katie Couric, Michael Chiklis, Sean Maher, Gale Anne Hurd, The Academy, The Tony Awards, and GLAAD Other touching social media tributes were tweeted from Katie Couric, Michael Chiklis, Sean Maher, Gale Anne Hurd, The Academy, The Tony Awards, and GLAAD. Craig appeared to be in great spirits when he and Neil sat for their final interview together at Julie James' On Broadway SiriusXM podcast last Wednesday. The Sondheim & Co. author was equally ebullient in his final footage - celebrating his recent Emmy nominations with Queer Eye's food and wine expert, Antoni Porowski on June 30. Farewell: Craig appeared to be in great spirits when he and Neil sat for their final interview together at Julie James' On Broadway SiriusXM podcast last Wednesday Sad: The Sondheim & Co. author was equally ebullient in his final footage - celebrating his recent Emmy nominations with Queer Eye's Antoni Porowski (R) on June 30 Zadan's last live televised musical NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar Live! scored 13 nominations including an acting nod for John Legend. When the NBC ceremony airs September 17, Craig will also compete for the outstanding made-for-TV movie trophy for their Lifetime drama Flint starring Queen Latifah. The Hofstra University grad is survived by his life partner, Emerging Markets, Inc. managing director - Elwood Hopkins. The music's over: Zadan's last live televised musical NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar Live! scored 13 nominations including an acting nod for John Legend She welcomed her second child, daughter Gia, just seven months ago. And on Wednesday, it was clear that Nicole Trunfio has bounced back to her pre-baby baby as she posed for a glamorous Instagram snap. Flaunting her slender waist in a Zimmerman frock, the 32-year-old looked every inch the globetrotting supermodel. Scroll down for video Bouncing back! Nicole Trunfio showed off her incredible post-baby body and slender waist on Instagram this week, just seven months after welcoming her second child This isn't the first time the Australian model has flaunted her recent slim-down. Last week, the brunette stripped down to a bikini during a romantic vacation with her musician husband Gary Clarke Jr. in Spain. She flaunted her washboard abs and toned legs in a skimpy two-piece by Matteau Swim as she soaked up the sun in San Sebastian. Wild thing! Nicole flaunted her figure in a leopard print bikini while on vacation last week The loved-up couple appear to be enjoying a romantic getaway without their children - Zion, three, and baby Gia. Nicole captioned one of her picture perfect snaps, 'Postcard for the babies'. The entrepreneur also wore gold necklaces from her own line, ERTH Jewellery. Romantic vacation: Nicole is currently enjoying a romantic getaway with her husband Gary Clark Jr. in San Sebastian, Spain Nicole recently revealed that she feared she would lose her modelling career after giving birth to Gia in January. She told Stellar magazine she was concerned the industry would see her as a 'family woman'. 'Being a woman with two kids, you take on the role of family woman,' she said. 'And I thought people would just see me that way now.' Nicole, who hails from Western Australia, tied the knot with Gary in 2016. Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Ngo Van Ich, said seafood is one of Vietnams key economic sectors, contributing about 4% of the countrys total export revenue. In 2017, Vietnamese seafood enterprises tried to overcome many difficulties and challenges to realise the export target of US$8 billion, he said, adding that in the first six months of 2018, seafood exports reached US$4 billion, up 10.5% over the same period last year. Vietfish 2018 is the largest exhibition since the event was launched 20 years ago. It will feature 374 stalls; an increase of 3.6% compared to last year, with firms from 14 countries and territories, 66% of which are Vietnamese. There will be a wide range of products on display, including aquaculture and services, machinery, chemicals, additives and cold storage equipment. A series of activities also took place on the sidelines of the exhibition, including a cooking show, launches of new products and an aquaculture seminar. Audrina Patridge's ex-husband Corey Bohan is concerned their two-year-old daughter Kirra will be 'shown & exploited' on the upcoming reboot, The Hills: New Beginnings. Bohan, a 36-year-old Brisbane, Australia native, took to Instagram on Tuesday to decry the idea of Kirra appearing before the cameras on the show. 'I refuse to think it's ok for our 2yr old daughter Kirra Bohan to be shown & exploited on Reality TV,' Bohan said. 'Not just my child by anyone's for that matter.' Scroll below for video Trouble: Audrina Patridge's ex-husband Corey Bohan (R) is concerned their two-year-old daughter Kirra will be 'shown & exploited' on the upcoming reboot, The Hills: New Beginnings Bohan, a BMX rider, said that he stands up for what he believes in, as his post was not intended as 'an attack or negative rant. 'This is about our daughter Kirra Bohan,' he said on his private Instagram page, according to US. Audrina, 33, appeared at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City with her castmates on the show - Heidi and Spencer Pratt, Jason Wahler, Justin Bobby, Stephanie Pratt and Frankie Delgado - amid the news that the series would return to the air next year. Audrina and Bohan were married for 10 months before parting nearly a year ago, and are in an ongoing custody battle over the child. Happy mom: Audrina posed with Kirra at an event in LA last fall Better times: The couple was snapped in LA in March of 2016, months before their wedding Audrina received a temporary restraining order amid accusations of domestic violence and has since asked it be made permanent, as well as raising concerns about his parenting competency. 'I am more afraid of him now than ever, and fear for the safety of our daughter Kirra when she is in his care,' she said in court docs, according to the outlet. 'I do not believe, under the current circumstance, that visitation is in Kirra's best interest until Corey obtains professional individual therapy for an extended period of time.' Stephanie Pratt has announced she will be returning to the upcoming reboot of The Hills. The 32-year-old, who is the sister of series villain Spencer Pratt, announced she would be appearing on The Hills: New Beginnings by posting an Instagram snap of herself attending the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. 'I am so excited to start filming #TheHills #NewBeginnings #MTV with my friends & family! its going to be EPIC @mtvthehills,' she announced in the caption on Tuesday. 'It's going to be EPIC': Stephanie Pratt has announced she will be returning to the upcoming reboot of The Hills While many fans were thrilled to learn one of the original stars would be heading back to the reboot, several couldn't help but remark on her appearance. 'Does she look different?' one of the fans inquired, while another remarked, 'Your face looks different.' Stephanie was in her early twenties when she joined the cast of The Hills in 2007. From 2007 to 2010, Stephanie starred opposite series regulars Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge, Whitney Port, her brother Spencer, and his now-wife, Heidi Montag. Big news: Pratt announced she would be joining the upcoming reboot cast by posting an Instagram photo on Tuesday Throwback: Stephanie was in her early twenties when she joined the cast of The Hills in 2007 Family affair: From 2007 to 2010, Stephanie starred opposite series regulars Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge, Whitney Port, her brother Spencer, and his now-wife, Heidi Montag (pictured 2015) The beloved MTV series helped launch Stephanie's career on reality television. After appearing on The Hills, Stephanie joined the cast of the UK reality series Made In Chelsea, which she starred on from 2013 to 2017. She has also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, Reality Bites, Celebs Go Dating, and Drunk History: UK. MTV announced during the VMAs on Monday that they would be debuting The Hills: New Beginnings by reuniting much of the old cast at the NYC awards show to share the news. But noticeably absent were 32-year-old Lauren the face that launched the show back in 2006 Whitney Port, 33, and Kristin Cavallari, 31. And now a source has confirmed to People that LC is definitely not coming back. They're back: MTV announced during the VMAs on Monday that they would be debuting The Hills: New Beginnings by reuniting much of the old cast at the NYC awards show to share thew news She's been locked in a bitter divorce battle with ex Brad Pitt for two years as they fight over custody of their six children. But since returning to Los Angeles from London with the kids, Angelina Jolie has been proving herself to be a hands-on and doting mom. On Tuesday, the Maleficent actress, 43, was spotted out shopping with her two eldest daughters, Shiloh, 12, and Zahara, 13, as she appeared giddy and happy - beaming and laughing as they strutted their stuff. Hands on mom: Angelina Jolie, 43, was spotted out shopping with her two eldest daughters, Shiloh, 12, and Zahara, 13, in Los Angeles on Tuesday With her mind far from her legal woes, Angelina enjoyed her time with her two daughters, who looked equally pleased to be hitting the town. The trio were stylish in black ensembles. The Maleficent star opted for a low-cut dress with a floaty skirt and patterned cape bodice. Jolie wore her hair tied back from her face and sported over-sized sunglasses and diamond stud earrings. She went bare-legged in shiny pale pink heels and carried a black purse with gold clasp. Shiloh wore her favorite gray cargo shorts paired with a Billy Joel Stadium Tour baseball jersey over a white tee. Happier days: She's been locked in a bitter divorce battle with ex Brad Pitt for two years as they fight over custody of their six children Flawless: Jolie opted for a low-cut dress with floaty skirt and patterned cape bodice. She wore her hair back from her face and sported oversized sunglasses and diamond stud earrings Having fun: The girls giggled as they walked along beside their famous mother Sisters: Shiloh, left, rocked a pair of pink tinted glasses while Zahara, right, had on gold tortoiseshell shades Always stylish: The Maleficent star went bare-legged in shiny pale pink heels and carried a black purse with gold clasp The teen stepped out in flip flops and wore her cropped blonde hair with an off-centre parting. Zahara's hair was styled into a bun on top of her head. She was dressed in a short-sleeved top and sweatpants along with trainers. Not on the shopping expedition were the girls' siblings - Maddox, 17, Pax, 14, and 10-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox. Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt in September 2016 and sought custody of their children. Pitt countered by asking for joint custody. Teen: Shiloh wore gray cargo shorts paired with a Billy Joel Stadium Tour baseball jersey over a white tee and stepped out in flip flops Casual: Zahara's hair was styled into a bun on top of her head. She was dressed in a short-sleeved top and sweatpants along with trainers Girls trip: They headed to a department store laughing and chatting Spent some money: Shiloh was seen carrying a purchase in a store bag as they left the retail outlet Happy: She seemed to be having a brilliant time Their divorce battle recently exploded in public with Jolie accusing her ex of being a deadbeat dad and Pitt revealing he has paid millions of dollars to the actress including money to buy a new home in LA. On Monday, sources revealed exclusively to MailOnline that Jolie is hoping to find an amicable resolution to her divorce from estranged husband. A source close to the star told MailOnline that Jolie's 'anger is dissolving' and far from an emotional war being on the cards, she now wants to reach 'a peaceful truce' with Brad - but only 'if his side are keen.' Missing: Not on the shopping expedition were the girls's siblings - Maddox, 17, Pax, 14, and 10-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox Break-up battle: Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt in September 2016 and sought custody of their children. Pitt countered by asking for joint custody Seeking a solution: On Monday, sources revealed exclusively to MailOnline that Jolie is hoping to find an amicable resolution to her divorce from estranged husband Coco Austin put on quite the curvaceous display as she attended WE TV's Braxton Family Values promo party in NYC on Tuesday night. The 39-year-old TV personality, who was accompanied by husband Ice-T, stunned in a colorful bodycon dress that she teamed with orange pumps. Coco spent most of the evening chatting with former Real Housewife of New York City, Kelly Bensimon, 50. Reality TV babes: Coco Austin and Kelly Bensimon attended WE TV's Braxton Family Values promo party in NYC on Tuesday night Gal pals: Coco spent most of the evening chatting with the former Real Housewife of New York Austin arrived at The Skylarka Manhattan cocktail loungewearing a bright red lip and sporting pale pink nails. As for Bensimon, she looked chic in a LBD that featured a plunging neckline. She paired the simplistic ensemble with silver sandals and a cross necklace. Strike a pose: Austin stunned in a colorful bodycon dress, while Bensimon looked chic in a LBD Ice-T, who cuddled with his wife, was dressed in an all-black outfit for the soiree. He palled around with Flavor Flavone of the only other men in attendance. Unlike Ice, the 59-year-old rapper commanded attention in a bedazzled skull t-shirt, blue pants, and a large clock necklace. Lovebirds: Coco was accompanied by her husband Ice-T Common thread: Ice-T palled around with Flavor Flavone of the only other men at the premiere party Guest list: Jersey Shore's Angelina Pivarnick walked the red carpet in a keyhole LBD and sky-high heels, while Flavor Flav commanded attention in a bedazzled skull t-shirt, blue pants, and a large clock necklace Jersey Shore's Angelina Pivarnick walked the red carpet in a keyhole LBD and sky-high heels, while Traci Braxton and Phaedra Parks hammed it up in black jumpsuits. Both Parks and Flavor Flav made a cameo in season six of Braxton Family Valuespremiering August 23. Traci was the only sister from the family present at Tuesday night's party. Guests of honor: Traci Braxton and Phaedra Parks matched in black jumpsuits Her 1989 World Tour previously held the record for highest-grossing U.S. tour by a woman. But it seems that Taylor Swift has managed to break her own record, as her current Reputation Stadium Tour has surpassed the 2015 concert series. 'Across the 27 domestic dates that have been reported to Billboard so far, Swift (28) has brought in $191.1 million, with an additional $11.1 million earned in Canada,' reported Billboard. Smashing: Her 1989 World Tour previously held the record for highest-grossing U.S. tour by a woman The Reputation Stadium Tour is accumulating more than $7 million per concert, and has had 1,489,904 attendees over the course of 27 shows. The $202.3 million earned so far does not include the six concerts she played in the U.K. earlier this year. Swift still has 11 remaining dates to play in the United States, with the next two set for Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 31 and September 1. She rounds out the North American leg with two dates in Arlington, Texas on October 5 and 6. In the end, the concert series will consist of 53 shows. records: It seems that Taylor Swift has managed to break her own record, as her current Reputation Stadium Tour has surpassed the 2015 concert series Number 1 & 2: 'Across the 27 domestic dates that have been reported to Billboard so far, Swift (28) has brought in $191.1 million, with an additional $11.1 million earned in Canada,' reported Billboard After that, Swift will head to Australia and New Zealand in late October and early November for five shows. She will complete here Reputation Stadium Tour with two shows at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Swift's 1989 World Tour grossed $181.5 million domestically, and pulled in a total of $250.7 million worldwide. 2.28 million people attended that concert series over the course of 85 shows. Best ever: The Reputation Stadium Tour is accumulating more than $7 million per concert, and has had 1,489,904 attendees over the course of 27 shows The Hills fans were thrilled this week when it was announced that the hugely popular reality show is getting a reboot. And now Australian viewers will no doubt be happy with the news that Justin 'Bobby' Brescia is heading Down Under. The 36-year-old's band BobbyrocK will be touring the country over the next weeks. Rock on! The Hills star Justin Bobby Brescia is coming to Australia on tour... after it's announced the hit reality show is getting a reboot (pictured are eight cast members on the VMAs carpet this week) Bobby is the lead vocalist, guitarist and percussionist for the group. Justin will be performing in Melbourne, Byron Bay, Sydney and Newcastle, with his first show in Melbourne on Thursday. He will then perform in Sydney at Frankie's Pizza on 2nd September. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Justin shared a short clip of himself flying business class to Australia from the US. Doing his thing: The 36-year-old's band BobbyrocK will be touring the country over the next weeks Coming to Oz! Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Justin shared a short clip of himself flying business class to Australia from the US He had just come from the VMAs, where eight former cast members walked the red carpet as MTV announced the The Hills reboot. The new show, entitled The Hills: New Beginnings, will include Justin, his ex, Audrina Patridge, 33, Heidi Pratt, 31, Spencer Pratt, 35, and others from the original cast. Frankie Delgado, Jason Wahler and his wife Ashley, Whitney Port and Stephanie Pratt are also appearing in the reboot, set to be released next year. The show's star Lauren Conrad, as well as Kristin Cavallari and Lo Bosworth, will not be appearing on the reboot, it's been reported. It's back! He had just come from the VMAs, where eight former cast members walked the red carpet as MTV announced the reboot Young love: After Justin Bobby and mother-of-one Audrina reunited on the VMAs red carpet this week, fans were buzzing on social media about the two possibly getting back together (The pair are pictured in 2008) After Justin Bobby and mother-of-one Audrina reunited on the VMAs red carpet this week, fans were buzzing on social media about the two possibly getting back together. Audrina and Justin dated on and off with the bad boy making appearances on the show between seasons three to six. 'Unless I get a guarantee that Justin Bobby and Audrina will get back together, Im not interested,' one user wrote on social media. 'TOO excited at the prospect of #TheHillsNewBeginnings and is it just me or does Audrina look like shes still in love with Justin Bobby in this pic? #TheHills,' another person wrote alongside a photo of the cast on the VMAs red carpet showing Audrina looking over at Justin. Aquaman actress Amber Heard unveiled her Queen of Atlantis action figures crafted by Mattel and Funko during a promotional event in Burbank on Tuesday. The 32-year-old actress plays Mera, a Xebel warrior possessing hydrokinetic and telepathic powers, who serves as love interest to Jason Momoa's Arthur Curry. James Wan's DC Comics flick - also starring Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, and Dolph Lundgren - hits UK theaters December 14 and US theaters December 21. Queen of Atlantis! Aquaman actress Amber Heard unveiled her Mera action figures crafted by Mattel and Funko during a promotional event in Burbank on Tuesday Unveiling: The 32-year-old actress sat down for an interview with 15-year-old DC Kids starlet Analei T. Song at Machinima Studios The Texan-born blonde sat down for an interview with 15-year-old DC Kids starlet Analei T. Song at Machinima Studios. Amber - who boasts 1.3M social media followers - flaunted her taut tummy in a Hiraeth ensemble and jewelry by Anita Ko and Beladora selected by stylist Karla Welch. Heard dressed her 5ft7in figure in a grey sleeveless crop-top, black leather Capri pants, and matching patent leather Oxfords. Superheroine: The Texan-born blonde plays a Xebel warrior possessing hydrokinetic and telepathic powers, who serves as love interest to Jason Momoa's Arthur Curry BTS: James Wan's DC Comics flick - also starring Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, and Dolph Lundgren - hits UK theaters December 14 and US theaters December 21 Make-up artist Helen Phillips brought out the L'Oreal global ambassador's natural beauty and hairstylist Robert Vetica tousled her flaxen lob. The bisexual beauty is reportedly romancing gallery owner Vito Schnabel following her acrimonious 2017 divorce from Johnny Depp after only 15 months marriage. Amber is 'proud' to serve speaking duties on behalf of UN Human Rights at the Social Good Summit taking place September 23 at Manhattan's 92nd Street Y. Insta-story: Amber - who boasts 1.3M social media followers - flaunted her taut tummy in a Hiraeth ensemble and jewelry by Anita Ko and Beladora selected by stylist Karla Welch Couch hopping: Heard dressed her 5ft7in figure in a grey sleeveless crop-top, black leather Capri pants, and matching patent leather Oxfords Glam squad: Make-up artist Helen Phillips brought out the L'Oreal global ambassador's natural beauty and hairstylist Robert Vetica tousled her flaxen lob 'Had a blast today!' The bisexual beauty is reportedly romancing gallery owner Vito Schnabel following her acrimonious 2017 divorce from Johnny Depp after only 15 months marriage 'For me, as an actor, it's not good enough just to be an actor,' Heard told Mashable last week. 'It's not good enough to just change my life and it hasn't ever really been. I really want to see the world a little bit better.' Next month! Amber is 'proud' to serve speaking duties on behalf of UN Human Rights at the Social Good Summit taking place September 23 at Manhattan's 92nd Street Y His new movie To All the Boys I've Loved Before has quickly become one of Netflix's biggest hits of the summer. But it's not all good news for Israel Broussard, who is now apologizing for past remarks and likes he made on Twitter. The 24-year-old actor Tweeted his apology on Tuesday night, after reports surfaced that he had made 'inappropriate and insensitive' comments on the social media network. Apologies: But it's not all good news for Israel Broussard, who is now apologizing for remarks and likes he has made on Twitter in the past Learning: The 24-year-old actor Tweeted his apology on Tuesday night, after reports surfaced that he had made 'inappropriate and insensitive' comments on the social media network 'I am deeply sorry for my inappropriate and insensitive words and likes on social media,' wrote The Bling Ring actor. 'I take full responsibility for my actions and I sincerely apologize. This has been a pivotal life lesson for me. 'I am dedicated to becoming a more informed and educated version of myself. Israel.' Controversial tweets from Broussard included writing, 'Black Lives matter has one goal. Division.' He also liked a number of contentious posts, including one that suggested 'the Sandy Hook massacre was staged to traumatize and disarm the public,' reported Just Jared. Better luck next time: Controversial tweets from Broussard included writing, 'Black Lives matter has one goal. Division' To All the Boys I've Loved Before premiered on Netflix on Friday August 17. The film has been been met with positive reviews across the board, and currently holds a 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The flick follows a teenage girl whose secret love letters are exposed and wreak havoc on her love life. It stars Lana Condor as well as Noah Centineo, Trezzo Mahoro, and King Bach. Troy Delmege has reportedly moved back to Sydney in the wake of his 'split' from Melbourne-based girlfriend, Carly Bowyer. And it seems the Married At First Sight groom, 35, is relishing being back on the single scene, after being brutally dumped by his co-star. On Wednesday, the eccentric IT worker was seen flirting up a storm with a female sandwich artist at a cafe in Mosman, drawing the attention of onlookers. Moving on already? Upbeat Troy Delmege [pictured] flirted up a storm with a female sandwich artist on Wednesday, just WEEKS after his split from Married At First Sight co-star Carly Bowyer Waiting for his lunch to be made, Troy cut a casual figure in navy pants and a beige jacket. An onlooker claimed the reality star was 'very loud' and 'in a jovial mood' as he chatted away with the lady behind the counter. According to the source, he even remarked on her youthful looks and leaned over the counter to show her something on his phone. Split? Troy and Carly [pictured] reportedly split earlier this month, with a source telling Daily Mail Australia that their relationship has been troubled for months Troy and Carly reportedly split earlier this month, with a source telling Daily Mail Australia that their relationship has been troubled for months. Troy relocated to Melbourne earlier this year to be with Carly, but their romance quickly headed south. 'He hasn't even tried to get work [in Melbourne]. He hasn't sent out a single application. He wanted a job in media and is convinced it will happen,' the source stated earlier this month. Kiss goodbye: Last week, a source close to Troy and Carly confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that their relationship was 'over' Last week, a source close to the couple confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that their relationship was 'over'. 'He officially moves back to Sydney in two weeks,' said the insider. 'They sleep in separate rooms and have for three months.' Apparently, Troy's ambitions for a career in media contributed to their split. 'He hasn't even tried to get work [in Melbourne]. He hasn't sent out a single application. He wanted a job in media and is convinced it will happen,' the source added. 'Carly is fed up with it. He just lays about all day.' Reports have suggested some Bachelor contestants were far from enamoured with Nick Cummins' apparent lack of leading-man looks. But bombshell Tenille Favios appeared lovestruck as The Honey Badger swept the beauty off her feet with a Hollywood embrace, during a romantic motorcycle date in Darkes Forest, south of Sydney. Clad in a brown leather jacket and tight jeans, the former Wallaby player, 30, cut a handsome figure as he embraced his inner Easy Rider. Riding off into the sunset! A leather jacket clad Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins enjoyed a steamy embrace with bootylicious Bachelor contestant Tenille Favios during a romantic motorcycle date Hollywood embrace: Tenille appeared lovestruck as The Honey Badger swept the beauty off her feet in leafy Darkes Forest, just north of Wollongong Love connection: And as the pair took a break from their two-wheeled jaunt on the grassy roadside, Nick felt compelled to gather up the petite brunette in his arms, passionately swinging her around in circles Gathering his unruly curls inside a black helmet, he shielded his gaze from the sun with a pair of wraparound sunglasses. And as the pair took a break from their two-wheeled jaunt on the grassy roadside, Nick felt compelled to gather up the petite brunette in his arms, passionately swinging her around in circles. Flight attendant Tenille flaunted her curves in a figure-hugging black T-shirt and tight jeans. Easy Rider: Gathering his unruly curls inside a black helmet, Nick shielded his gaze from the sun with a pair of wraparound sunglasses A-list style: Bearing a striking resemblance to actor Matthew McConaughey, Nick looked comfortable as he got to grips with the heavy duty chopper High-octane romance: After their steamy embrace, Tenille threw on a black leather jacket before jumping on the back of Nick's light green Indian motorcycle He's got your back: Tenille appeared more than happy for the former rugby star to take control Speed-addicts: Clinging on tightly to Nick's buff frame, Tenille flashed a blinding grin as the pair roared off into the sunset Allowing her raven locks to cascade beyond her shoulders, the 25-year-old appeared to shriek in delight as the reality hunk picked her up with the greatest of ease. After their steamy embrace, Tenille threw on a black leather jacket before jumping on the back of Nick's light green Indian motorcycle. Clinging on tightly to his buff frame, she flashed a blinding grin as the pair roared off into the sunset. Look of love: The amorous pair took another break on the side of the road as it seemed Tenille lost her nerve momentarily Body language: Removing her jacket and helmet again, the flight attendant giggled and pretended to push away Nick's advances while taking a breather from the high-octane date Back in the saddle: While stretching the fabric of his white T-shirt with his rippling muscles, Nick concentrated as he attempted to convince Tenille to hop back in the saddle Bearing a striking resemblance to actor Matthew McConaughey, Nick looked comfortable as he got to grips with the heavy duty chopper. While Tenille appeared more than happy for the former rugby star to take control. However, sat on luxe brown leather saddles, the amorous pair took another break on the side of the road as it seemed Tenille lost her nerve momentarily. Biker babe: Flight attendant Tenille flaunted her curves in a figure-hugging black T-shirt and tight jeans Behind-the-scenes: The stunner is seen looking into the distance while a film crew caught her every move Attention to detail: Nick focused his gaze while attending to Tenille's motorcycle helmet, making sure it was on right Secure: Nick appeared to tenderly assure her that she was completely safe in his arms Removing her jacket and helmet again, she looked like she needed a breather from the high-octane date. While stretching the fabric of his white T-shirt with his rippling muscles, Nick grinned as he attempted to convince Tenille to hop back in the saddle. Removing his shades to give eye contact, the reality star tried to calm his companion while Tenille looked a little apprehensive to continue the date. Need for speed: Tenille smirked as she got tactile with the former Wallaby star Taking control: The petite brunette grinned while Nick appeared to point out some must-see sights Nick appeared to tenderly assure her that she was completely safe in his arms. The loved-up display comes after it was revealed the stunner is no stranger to dating reality stars. Last week, Tenille admitted to NW magazine that she once dated Michael Turnbull, 37, not long after he was dumped by Sam Frost on The Bachelorette. Maneater: The loved-up display comes after it was revealed the stunner is no stranger to dating reality stars The Wild One: Nick embraced his inner Marlon Brando as he took the chopper out for a test drive earlier in the day 'He was running a competition on his Instagram account to win a Valentine's Day date with him and he was donating money to charity,' she told the publication. 'He had been liking some of my pictures on Instagram, so I asked my friend, "Should I apply for this?", And I did.' Support: A crew member holding bottles of water looked on as Nick surveyed the impressive vehicle Lothario: Despite rumours contestants were less than enamoured with the Honey Badger's lack of leading man looks, Nick appeared to have no problem charming a mystery blonde on set To her delight, Tenille won the competition and was whisked away for a romantic dinner with the suave real estate agent. However, things became awkward when a group of onlookers decided to press their phones against the restaurant window, showing them pictures of Sam Frost. He made the request at a meeting of key government members on August 22 to discuss the preparatory work for the event. PM Phuc emphasised the imperative of leaving a good impression of Vietnam on the forum participants from the moment of welcome at the airport to accommodation, food, the environment and the hospitality of the Vietnamese people. He also called for efforts to ensure safety and security at the event, step up communication about the event both at home and abroad and facilitate media coverage of the forum. According to the organisers, eight heads of state and government have confirmed their participation in the WEF ASEAN, which will also welcome dozens of ministers, and hundreds of business leaders and representatives of international organisations. The opening session chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the WEF Chairman is expected to be attended by 800-1,000 delegates. Following the agenda for the WEF ASEAN, which includes nearly 60 sessions, the Vietnam Business Summit will be held on September 13 with the participation of more than 1,000 delegates, who are representatives of major Vietnamese and foreign companies. Netflix has released a dramatic trailer for Outlaw King - the historical drama starring Chris Pine as Scottish outlaw-turned-king Robert The Bruce. The film - which is set for release in November on the streaming site - sees a bearded and gruff-looking Pine, 37, worlds away from his iconic role as the clean-cut Captain Kirk in the Star Trek film franchise. Based on the real-life - and lesser told - story of Robert's battle to regain control of Scotland, the trailer sees him leaving his wife and child in order to lead a rebellion - which resulted in him becoming the King Of Scots. High drama: Netflix has released a dramatic trailer for Outlaw King - the historical drama starring Chris Pine as Scottish outlaw-turned-king Robert The Bruce The trailer opens with Robert's family being questioned over his whereabouts. His wife [Florence Pugh] is being threatened by guards, who violently demand to know where her husband is. His brother is hanged when he refuses to tell them, leaving Robert to exact revenge. 'Revenge: it tears at the soul. But it can also be a weapon,' is uttered, as Robert sits on the boat, looking out to sea. 'I'm done with running. And I'm sick of hating. We must unite Scotland!' he cries, before he launches into battle. Telling tales: Based on the real-life - and lesser told - story of Robert's battle to regain control of Scotland, the trailer sees him leaving his wife and child in order to lead a rebellion Action-packed: The historical drama is jammed with a plethora of fight scenes Dramatic: The trailer opens with Robert's family being questioned over his whereabouts. His wife [Florence Pugh] is being threatened by guards, who violently demand to know where her husband is Blood-lust: 'Revenge: it tears at the soul. But it can also be a weapon,' is uttered, as Robert sits on the boat, looking out to sea National treasure: The real Robert the Bruce is today revered as a national hero The real Robert the Bruce [later Robert I] was one of the most famous warriors of his generation, and eventually led a revolution in the First War of Scottish Independence against England. He was able to regain Scotland's place as an independent country and is today revered as a national hero. At the time, the King of England, Edward I, had a price on his head. In the trailer, he is heard saying: 'Any man or woman who gives shelter to him or his ranks will be executed without trial.' The real deal: Robert The Bruce was born in 1274 and died in 1329, while still on the throne Let battle commence: 'I'm done with running. And I'm sick of hating. We must unite Scotland!' he cries, before he launches into battle Rebellion: The real Robert the Bruce [later Robert I] was one of the most famous warriors of his generation, and eventually led a revolution in the First War of Scottish Independence against England Reunited: Pine is seen reuniting with his wife later in the trailer Fighting for their country: 'I don't care if you do it for God, country or family. I do not care, as long as you fight,' Pine declares But a defiant Robert declares: 'We will take the land back castle by castle.' He adds: 'I don't care if you do it for God, country or family. I do not care, as long as you fight.' What follows is a bloody montage of Pine leading his men to battle - throwing axes at enemies on horseback, battling throngs of English soldiers and reuniting with his wife. Leader: The rebellion resulted in him becoming the King Of Scots On location: The production first started filming in August last year in Linlithgow, West Lothian Co-stars: Hunky actor Pine is seen on horseback alongside the likes of Avengers star Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the medieval drama [L] Storm troopers: A defiant Robert declares 'We will take the land back castle by castle' Hunky actor Pine is seen on horseback alongside the likes of Avengers star Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the medieval drama. Much of it was shot, over the course of 2017, at Glasgow Cathedral. The 800-year-old building was one of a number of historic locations used for filming across Scotland. The production first started filming in August last year in Linlithgow, West Lothian. Chris looks every inch the fierce leader as he rounds up the troops on horseback in the teased battle scenes. Co-starring: The film also stars Billy Howle, Tony Curran and Stephen Dillane Tension: The film focuses on the life and death of the King At the helm: Outlaw King was co-written, co-produced and directed by David Mackenzie Costume-clad: Chris showcases his muscular frame in slinky chain mail armour for the medieval tale Costume-clad Chris showcases his muscular frame in slinky chain mail armour for the medieval tale. It was co-written, co-produced and directed by David Mackenzie, and also stars Billy Howle, Tony Curran and Stephen Dillane. The film is set to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6. Star Wars actress Kelly Marie Tran explained that she deleted her Instagram account because of racist trolls in an op-ed for The New York Times, stating that she will no longer by marginalised or shamed for her Vietnamese heritage. Kelly Marie Tran, who is currently shooting Star Wars IX, said that she decided to get rid of her social media profile because she had started to believe what the trolls were saying to her and confirmed how she had felt. 'Their words seemed to confirm what growing up as a woman and a person of colour already taught me: that I belonged in margins and spaces, valid only as a minor character in their lives and stories. And those words awakened something deep inside me - a feeling I thought I had grown out of. Star Wars actress Kelly Marie Tran explained why she decided to delete her Instagram account Who is Kelly Marie Tran? Born Loan Tran on January 17, 1989 in San Diego, California, now professionally known as Kelly Marie Tran is renowned for her roles as Rose Tico in the 2017 film Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi in addition to other short films and television appearances. As reported in The Huffington Post, her father grew up homeless as a child and after moving to the US as refugees, he worked at a Burger King to support the family, while her mother worked in a funeral home. Kelly worked at a Golden Spoon yogurt shop to earn money for head shots and went on to graduate from UCLA with a BA in Communications. Her acting career started when she starred in a web series called Ladies Like Us in 2013 and later, went on to appear in CollegeHumor videos. In 2015, Kelly Marie Tran was cast as Rose Tico, a rebel mechanic who joins Finn (John Boyega) Star Wars In 2015, Kelly was cast as Rose Tico, a rebel mechanic who joins Finn after her sister Paige is sacrificed. Speaking to Variety, she said that she was not allowed to tell her parents that she had got the part for months. I told them I was doing an indie movie in Canada. At one point, I actually got some maple syrup so I could bring it back to them so they actually thought I was in Canada. However, after the film was released in December 2017, Kelly started to be abused online. Attorney Anthony Nguyen said: Kelly Marie Tran is the first woman of color to be cast in a leading role in the Star Wars franchise. Instead of applauding the diverse addition to the cast, some viewers have chosen to insult and degrade Tran with racist comments about her appearance and intelligence. People of color, especially Asian-Americans, are grossly underrepresented in TV and film. Sadly, its comments like these that show why Hollywood may be hesitant to depict more diverse characters. Although Tran had to endure horrific racial abuse online, many others spoke up in her defense. Hopefully, these positive voices will be loud enough to drown out the others so more people of color can get the chances they deserve in Hollywood. Kelly Marie Tran and John Boyega seen here in a scene in the latest Star Wars, released 2017 Kelly Marie Tran abuse In August 2018, Kelly Marie Tran addressed the abuse that she had received from online trolls in a feature in The New York Times and explained why she felt that she was forced to delete her Instagram account. 'It wasn't their words, it's that I started to believe them. Their words seemed to confirm what growing up as a woman and a person of colour already taught me: that I belonged in margins and spaces, valid only as a minor character in their lives and stories.' Kelly added: 'And those words awakened something deep inside me - a feeling I thought I had grown out of. The same feeling I had when at 9, I stopped speaking Vietnamese altogether because I was tired of hearing other kids mock me. 'Or at 17, when at dinner with my white boyfriend and his family, I ordered a meal in perfect English, to the surprise of the waitress, who exclaimed, "Wow, it's so cute that you have an exchange student!" Their words reinforced a narrative I had heard my whole life: that I was other, that I didn't belong, that I wasn't good enough, simply because I wasn't like them. 'And that feeling, I realise now, was, and is, shame, a shame for the things that made me different, a shame for the culture from which I came from. And to me, the most disappointing thing was that I felt it at all.' The actress then said: 'I want to live in a world where children of color don't spend their entire adolescence wishing to be white. I want to live in a world where women are not subjected to scrutiny for their appearance, or their actions, or their general existence. 'I want to live in a world where people of all races, religions, socioeconomic classes, sexual orientations, gender identities and abilities are seen as what they have always been: human beings. This is the world I want to live in. And this is the world that I will continue to work toward. 'These are the thoughts that run through my head every time I pick up a script or a screenplay or a book. I know the opportunity given to me is rare. I know that I now belong to a small group of privileged people who get to tell stories for a living, stories that are heard and seen and digested by a world that for so long has tasted only one thing. I know how important that is. And I am not giving up.' Kelly will be appearing in Star Wars IX alongside Daisy Ridley and John Boyega; there are also rumours that Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill will be involved in some way as well. In fact, Mark Hamill took to Twitter to praise Kelly Marie Tran for speaking out and used her real name Loan in the tweet. "I said it before & I'll say it again: WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE? I love you, Loan... we don't deserve you & you ARE just getting started, he said. She rose to fame after appearing on reality series Dance Moms. And on Wednesday it's been reported that Maddie Ziegler has split with her Australian boyfriend Jack Kelly, 16, after 18 months of dating. According to Confidential, a close friend of the couple said the US-based dancer is 'taking a break' due to their work schedules. Split: Dance Moms' Maddie Ziegler has reportedly split from her Australian boyfriend Jack Kelly [both pictured] 'They still talk and there has not been a defining reason behind it, just that it's becoming more difficult to maintain the relationship between the distance and both their schedules,' the insider told the outlet. 'They have not made an announcement because I don't think they know what will happen and could just as easily resume come the summer,' they added. The couple had been dating for 18 months, having met in Los Angeles five years ago. It's over: According to Confidential, the US-based dancer is 'taking a break' due to their difficult work schedules Maddie enjoyed a trip Down Under for two weeks in January to celebrate the couple's one-year anniversary. Maddie and Jack have not posted anything together on social media over the last month. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Maddie's representatives for comment. Claims: 'They still talk and there has not been a defining reason behind it, just that it's becoming more difficult to maintain the relationship between the distance and both their schedules,' the insider told the outlet The news comes after Maddie, landed on the New York Times Best Seller list with her 2017 memoir The Maddie Diaries. She was also named by Time magazine as one of the '30 most influential teens of 2015' and made the list again in 2016. She has a younger sister Mackenzie, 14, who also is a dancer. Danny Boyle has walked away from directing Bond 25 because of creative differences, the producers of the multi-million pound James Bond 007 franchise revealed on Twitter earlier this week. While no further information has been revealed about the new James Bond film, it is still in production and is scheduled for release in November 2019. Danny Boyle was announced as the director back in May 2018. The Oscar-winning director for Slumdog Millionaire was due to direct from John Hodges original screenplay to produce Daniel Craigs last appearance as Bond. But what is Danny Boyles net worth? Danny Boyle arrives for a press conference hours before the start of the 2012 Olympic Games Who is Danny Boyle? Born in Manchester on October 20, 1956, Danny Boyle is a film director, known for his work in a number of films including Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, The Beach, 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours and Steve Jobs. His debut film, Shallow Grave, won the BAFTA for Best British Film and in 2008, Slumdog Millionaire, went on to be nominated for a staggering 10 Oscars and won eight, including the Academy Award for Best Director. Danny was also the Artistic Director for the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games and as a result was offered a knighthood in the New Years Honours, which he declined. He has also worked as a producer, screenwriter and theatre director, according to The Sun. He was in a relationship with Gail Stevens and while they never married, they had three children together: Caitlin, Gabriel and Grace. Danny Boyle is known for his work in many films including Shallow Grave and Trainspotting Danny Boyle Bond It was announced that Danny Boyle would no longer be directing the new James Bond film because of creative differences. The official statement read: 'Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25.' It is unclear who will be directing the untitled film now, but the Bond spy franchise film owned by MGM is currently in production. The film is scheduled for released in November 2019, but this could change because of Boyles departure and because filming was due to start at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. Danny Boyle net worth Danny Boyles net worth has accumulated to approximately $60 million (47m) and is known to be one of the highest-paid directors in the world, according to Celebrity Net Worth. As stated on Finapp, his car collection is small but he resides in Beverly Hills in a house worth around $3.9 million (3m). She is still riding high on the joy of marrying her long-time love Hugo Taylor. Yet it was business as usual for Millie Mackintosh on Tuesday as she threw herself back in to work while posing for a chic new photoshoot, in which she preened and pouted on the streets of London while sporting a stunning Rixo dress. The former Made In Chelsea star, who tied the knot with Hugo in a lavish fairy tale ceremony back in June, nailed the high fashion look as she slipped into the silk dress which boasted the trademark clashing patterns of the UK-based brand. Chic: Yet it was business as usual for Millie Mackintosh on Tuesday as she threw herself back in to work while posing for a chic new photoshoot, in which she preened and pouted on the streets of London while sporting a stunning Rixo dress Millie was glowing for the shoot, as she displayed her lithe frame with the midi dress boasting dalmatian print sleeves, a polka dot chest and red leopard print skirt. The Rixo Billie Mixed Polka Leopard dress hung on her frame while the mismatched patterns helped add a cutting edge touch to proceedings. With her expert knowledge, the blonde beauty was not only posing in front of the camera, she also teamed up with the photographer to get the best shot. The fashion designer and make-up artist married at his uncle's country estate, Whithurst Park, in West Sussex on June 22 in front of a host of famous faces. Stunner: The former Made In Chelsea star, who tied the knot with Hugo in a lavish fairy tale ceremony back in June, nailed the high fashion look as she slipped into the silk dress which boasted the trademark clashing patterns of the UK-based brand Chic: Millie was glowing for the shoot, as she displayed her lithe frame with the midi dress boasting dalmatian print sleeves, a polka dot chest and red leopard print skirt The couple dated in 2011 while on Made In Chelsea, but split when it emerged Hugo had cheated on her with her friend Rosie Fortescue, who attended the wedding alongside a bevy of their other co-stars including Caggie Dunlop and Jamie Laing. They reunited in May 2016 shortly after Millie's split from first husband, rapper Professor Green. Millie was married to the musician, real name Stephen Manderson, 34, for two-and-a-half years. The couple announced their split in February 2016 and finalised their divorce in May 2016, the same week that Millie went public with Hugo. Hugo then popped the question during a holiday in Mykonos, Greece, in July 2017. Talking about his bride, Hugo told Hello! magazine at the wedding: 'I knew she was The One within about five minutes of us getting back together.' The happy couple: The couple dated in 2011 while on Made In Chelsea, but split when it emerged Hugo had cheated on her with her friend Rosie Fortescue, who attended the wedding alongside a bevy of their other co-stars including Caggie Dunlop and Jamie Laing Millie concurred: 'But if we'd stayed together when we were younger, we wouldn't be together now. We had to go away, do our separate things and grow as people. We needed that time apart.' After years of partying, it is not surprising that the couple injected details of their wild child ways into the day as they revealed they had named tables after nightclubs they held dear to their hearts - with them sitting on the 'Boujis' table. Speaking of the big day, Millie said: 'The whole day has felt like an out-of-body experience. Even in my wildest dreams I didn't imagine it would be this perfect. I am so excited to finally be married to Hugo - he's the love of my life.' TOWIE have swapped their usual holiday stomping ground for Sardinia. And Amber Turner kept her look classy as she joined forces with the rest of the TOWIE stars including Georgia Kousoulou while shooting scenes in Italy on Tuesday. The Only Way Is Essex blonde went braless as she proudly displayed her surgically-crafted cleavage in her low-cut mini dress. Pin-credible style: TOWIE's Amber Turner showed off her surgically-enhanced cleavage in a revealing mini dress as she filmed with Georgia Kousoulou in Sardinia on Tuesday Amber's little orange dress had a ruffled hem which grazed the top of her thighs to show off as much of her legs and tan as possible. The TOWIE star accentuated her hourglass shape by tying the string detailing at the waist and she had all the eyes of the cast thanks to the bold floral design. Making glamorous appearances ever since she sauntered in front of cameras for the show, it is no wonder Amber made an impression in her nude studded platforms. Forever friends! Georgia put on an equally ravishing display as she ensured the focal point of her looks remained well and truly on her legs in her little denim shorts Leggy lady: Amber's little orange dress had a ruffled hem which grazed the top of her thighs to show off as much of her legs and tan as possible Georgia put on an equally ravishing display as she ensured the focal point of her looks remained well and truly on her legs in her little denim shorts. Tommy Mallet's girlfriend plumped out her pout with a striking shade of red lipstick, complimenting her neutral tones of make-up. The TOWIE beauty added to her lean frame by following the trends of the catwalk and stepping out in perspex heels. She's so stylish: Making glamorous appearances ever since she sauntered in front of cameras for the show, it is no wonder Amber made an impression in her nude studded platforms Hot right now: Tommy Mallet's girlfriend plumped out her pout with a striking shade of red lipstick, complimenting her neutral tones of make-up Amber was also joined by her love Dan Edgar and the pair proved their romance was still going strong by holding hands. They finally made things official, with the Lothario claiming he was ready to commit to the blonde during the hotly anticipated finale in May. Since then, the couple have been enjoying a series of sun-drenched holidays as their blossoming romance appears to go from strength to strength. Together now: Amber was also joined by her love Dan Edgar and the pair proved their romance was still going strong by holding hands Blossoming romance: They finally made things official, with the Lothario claiming he was ready to commit to the blonde during the hotly anticipated finale in May It seems the lovebirds were meant to be after Amber had her sights set on him since she first joined the TOWIE crowd. The blonde cheated on her then-boyfriend of four years Jamie Reed with the hunk while the cast were away in Tenerife. Until the finale, the pair have endured an on/off romance which has seen them split up a number of times so no doubt fans will be watching out for what happens next. Closer than ever: It seems the lovebirds were meant to be after Amber had her sights set on him since she first joined the TOWIE crowd Hot on TOWIE: Until the finale, the pair have endured an on/off romance which has seen them split up a number of times so no doubt fans will be watching out for what happens next Iman Bowie was pictured walking past a graffiti tribute to her late rocker husband David when she stepped out for a low-key walk in Soho, New York City on Tuesday. Ziggy Stardust's widow, 63, was deep in thought when she passed the colourful art commemoration in her striped top and denim jacket. The title of David's most covered track REBEL REBEL could be seen emblazoned across the wall in the same typography used to promote the 1974 single. Pensive: Iman Bowie passed a graffiti tribute to her late rocker husband David when she stepped out for a low-key walk in Soho, New York City on Tuesday It has been just more than two years since David passed away at the age of 69 on January 10 in 2016 after an 18-month battle with cancer. Imran married the English rocker in a romantic ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland in April 1992 which was later formalized in a wedding hosted in Florence in June. They raised their daughter Alexandria Zahra Jones, 18. Bowie had a son Duncan Jones from a previous marriage and Imran had Zulekha Haywood with a former love. Heartfelt: Ziggy Stardust's widow, 63, was deep in thought when she passed the colourful art commemoration in her striped top and denim jacket In April earlier this year, New York's Broadway Lafayette subway station was transformed into a tribute to the Ziggy Stardust hitmaker until May. The installation which is a collaboration between Brooklyn Museum and Spotify was built from printed quotes, fan-inspired art and maps of his NYC hangouts. Iman broke her silence on her husband's death for the first time at a fashion show in 2016 in September, months after he passed away. Happier times: It has been just more than two years since David passed away at the age of 69 on January 10 in 2016 after an 18-month battle with cancer (pictured in 2011, NYC) So close: Imran married the English rocker in a romantic ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland in April 1992 which was later formalized in a wedding hosted in Florence in June (in 2010) She told Good Morning America on the red carpet: 'It's just been a tough year, but I'm holding up. 'I'm wearing this until my death. Fashion designer Hedi Slimane made it for me. It just says "David".' Two years later, Iman reflected on her husband's passing when she shared a series of photographs on social media platforms earlier this year. '1947, forever,' she wrote in the caption at the time. 'My favourite love story is ours!' Advertisement She is one of the most glamorous blondes on the TOWIE scene. And Georgia Kousoulou, 27, stole the limelight when she channelled Baywatch bombshell Pamela Anderson during the sultry swimming photo session held down by the coast in Sardinia, Italy on Tuesday. The Only Way Is Essex star's cleavage threatened to spill out of the perilously plunging neckline as well as the gaping sides which gave her fellow TOWIE stars a good glimpse of her sideboob. Red hot! TOWIE's Georgia Kousoulou channelled Baywatch bombshell Pamela Anderson as she slipped her curves into a skintight red costume before she wowed in pink bikini in sizzling Sardinia shoot on Tuesday Slipping into Alice Victoria's Santorini scarlet swimsuit, the reality star was the spitting image of Baywatch's Pamela as the costume hugged every inch of her sensational shape. Georgia let her long luscious curls cascade down to her back to her waist as she grabbed the attention of everyone while she posed up a storm on the beach among the galaxy of TOWIE stars. Keeping up her glamorous looks, the TOWIE queen refused to ditch her heels as she slipped her feet into the perspex shoes while she sexily lounged on the rocks. Second look: The blonde bombshell later slipped into a pink two-piece which gave onlookers a saucy eyeful of her sideboob where the microscopic bikini top struggled to cover her cleavage Double take! Slipping into a scarlet swimsuit, the reality star was the spitting image of Baywatch's Pamela (pictured right) as the costume hugged every inch of her sensational shape Too glam: Keeping up her glamorous looks, the TOWIE queen refused to ditch her heels as she slipped her feet into the perspex shoes while she sexily lounged on the rocks The blonde bombshell later slipped into a pink two-piece which gave onlookers a saucy eyeful of her sideboob where the microscopic bikini top struggled to cover her cleavage. Following the hottest bikini trends as seen on the steamiest show of the year Love Island, the hot pink swimwear had a wrap around detailing to draw attention to Georgia's slim waistline. The Instagram sensation, who boasts of 1.1m followers, was catching rays under the Italian sunshine as she put as much skin as possible on display in her series of sexy swimwear choices. Different looks: Georgia proved she could also look absolutely astonishing in a two-piece bikini Sexy in scarlet: Georgia worked every angle to show off her phenomenal physique in her tight one-piece and she showed off her flirtatious side by winking to the camera Incredible: The reality star stole the limelight when she channelled Baywatch bombshell Pamela Anderson during the sultry swimming photo session held down by the coast Recently, Georgia confessed she initially regretted having a nose job, saying she was left devastated when cruel trolls taunted her for looking like Michael Jackson. The ITVBe star, who always 'hated' her natural nose, said she is now finished with surgery and wants nothing else done. 'I remember crying to my my mum, saying, "Oh my God! Have I done the right thing? Have I changed my face?"' she told New Magazine. Bottoms up! The social media guru ensured eyes were glued to her rounded derriere in her high-cut thigh-style swimming briefs as she provocatively posed on the rocks Provocative in pink! Georgia enjoyed some time away from filming TOWIE as she posed for the racy photo shoot She went on to say: 'Those first few weeks were the worst. I was like, "Oh my God, what have I done?" After surgery, you do feel like, "Have I ruined myself?" 'I was looking at myself thinking, "Do I look that bad?" I had to remind myself, no I wanted this done.' At one time, the blonde was tormented by messages saying she resembled late musician Michael Jackson, with some asking if he was 'back from the dead.' Revealed: Recently, Georgia confessed she initially regretted having a nose job, saying she was left devastated when cruel trolls taunted her for looking like Michael Jackson Putting it behind her! At one time, the blonde was tormented by messages saying she resembled late musician Michael Jackson, with some asking if he was 'back from the dead.' Explained: Georgia revealed the reason behind her new nose as she admitted her 'mum and all aunties' her undergone the same procedure and it was something she 'always wanted to do' Georgia admitted that the trolling became so bad that her mother and sister were replying to messages. Opening up about her deep body insecurities, Georgia revealed the reason behind her new nose as she admitted her 'mum and all aunties' her undergone the same procedure and it was something she 'always wanted to do'. After trying filler, she underwent the surgery before Christmas and insists she feels delighted with the results. She even said her boyfriend Tommy Mallet, 25, has noticed her new-found confidence. Going strong: Georgia possessively held onto her love Tommy Mallet as the lovebirds made the most of their day at the beach while she filmed for the photo shoot Modern day gent! Tommy proved romance wasn't dead with his act of chivalry by holding his girlfriend's quirky purse while she modelled on the beach Hey newbie! Billi Mucklows brother Sam burst onto the TOWIE scene as the newcomer this year and he looked like he fitted right in when he posed in Sardinia Strength: The newcomer this year and he looked like he fitted right in when he posed in Sardinia Making waves: Sam stripped off his top and posed in just his black swimming shorts for the photo shoot, showing off his intricate tattoo sleeve on his left arm They confirmed their romance last month after much growing speculation. And Chris Pine, 37, and Annabelle Wallis, 33, proved their relationship is going from strength-to-strength as they soaked up the sun during their romantic trip to Positano on Monday. Star Trek actor Chris made the most of their beautiful surroundings as he luxuriated by the crystal clear water with his white sort-sleeved shirt open. Relaxed: Chris Pine, 37, and Annabelle Wallis, 33, proved their relationship is going from strength-to-strength as they soaked up the sun during their romantic trip to Positano on Monday The Hollywood star highlighted his incredibly toned physique as he stood by the water's edge in a pair of neon pink swim trunks. Chris, who was first linked with the British beauty in April, accessorised his beach ensemble with a stylish straw fedora and a gold pendant around his neck. Complementing her hunky beau's appearance, Annabelle donned a skimpy black bikini which accentuated her svelte figure and incredibly pert posterior. The Peaky Blinders star left her golden locks in a natural wave and sported a pair of oversized shades while she rested by the sea. Hunk: Star Trek actor Chris made the most of their beautiful surroundings as he luxuriated by the crystal clear water with his white sort-sleeved shirt open All smiles: The Hollywood star highlighted his incredibly toned physique as he stood by the water's edge in a pair of neon pink swim trunks The couple appeared happy and relaxed on their Italian break, which came four months after they were first rumoured to be dating back in April. A source told US Weekly magazine at the time: 'They kept it casual for the beginning. Chris was very attentive and wooed her.' The couple were pictured together for the first time later that month when they attended a dinner party in Malibu, California, but have remained under the radar ever since. A source divulged: 'Chris and Annabelle hardly separated throughout the evening and couldn't take their eyes off each other.' Bag it up: He held onto his black loafers and sported a tan-coloured backpack Annabelle was previously in a long-term relationship with Coldplay's Chris Martin, 41; the couple dated for two years before calling times on their romance in June 2017. The Mummy actress has explained in the past that she prefers to keep her dating life private. 'It becomes hard when you know about someone's personal life - it's just distracting. It's a whole other job in itself if you go down that road,' she said in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald in June 2017. All in the details: Chris, who was first linked with the British beauty in April, accessorised his beach ensemble with a stylish straw fedora and a gold pendant around his neck 'I love the person I love, but it means so much to me that I like to keep it safe. I have nothing to hide. 'It's just that when you have people in your life that you care about, you get very protective of them, and it's not about you any more, it's about other people, and the ones you love are the ones you protect like a lioness.' Chris was most recently linked to actress Sofia Boutella, 36, and in the past has dated model Dominique Piek, Big Little Lies star Zoe Kravitz and actress Olivia Munn. Vogue Williams made her fans happy after finally revealing her wedding dress two months after marrying Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews at his familys Glen Affric estate in the Scottish Highlands in June 2018. Posing for the cover of Hello! Magazine, the pregnant model showed off the silk gown that was designed and made in just seven days by Paul Costelloe for their last-minute wedding and also saw Vogue display her growing baby bump. At the time of the wedding, Vogue was reportedly seven months pregnant and she and Spencer are now looking forward to welcoming their first child in a matter of a few weeks. But when is Vogue Williams due date and what are the rumoured baby names? Vogue Williams will reportedly give birth to first child with Spencer Matthews in September Who is Vogue Williams? Born in Portmarnock near Dublin, Ireland on October 2, 1985, Vogue Williams is an Irish model who has worked for brands including Lipsy, Lidls lingerie range and Sun Kiss Tan, but first found fame on the Irish television series Fade Street, as reported by The Sun. In 2010, Vogues father passed away after a stroke and speaking about it on Tubridy on 2fm with Ryan Tubridy, she said: He died of a stroke at 68. He was very young, but it was like he lived until he was 100. I was very close to him. My dad is my dad and it was good to be friends with him. After Fade Street, which was Irelands version of the American show The Hills and focused on her career at Stellar Magazine and her ambition to become an actor and DJ, she went to Australia in 2012 to take part in Dancing with the Stars. A year later, Vogue appeared on the British television show Stepping Out with former Westlife member Brian McFadden, who were married at the time, but they finished in second place. In 2014, she also took part in Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, which she won. Vogue has also presented Catchphrase, Celebrity Haunted Hotel and recently made her debut on Loose Women. The cast of the 2017 series of The Jump, including Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews Vogue Williams wedding Vogue and Brian McFadden married in 2012 but after three years, they decided to call it quits and soon after, she was linked to the actor Laurence Fox. Then, Vogue Williams admitted that there had been some truth in the rumours that had emerged about her The Jump co-star Spencer Matthews in March 2017 and the couple confirmed that they were together soon after. In February 2018, Spencer proposed to Vogue during a production of The Lion King in London and a month later, the pair announced that they were expecting their first child. They married at Spencers family estate in Glen Affric in Cannich in June 2018. Vogue and Spencer seen here on the red carpet after they confirmed their relationship Vogue Williams due date Vogue Williams is due to give birth in early September 2018. Vogue Williams baby names Earlier this year, Spencer took to Instagram to reveal that he and Vogue would be welcoming their first child together and wrote: So Im going to be a father! Couldnt be happier to be sharing these times with the love of my life @voguewilliams . We feel truly blessed The sex of the baby has not been confirmed, but speaking to Hello! Magazine about the colour of the nursery, Vogue said: I dont really know about the nursery! It has to be gender neutral. I dont like the idea of pink for a girl and blue for a boy. I want it to be like anyone can go in there. According to Now magazine, a source revealed that they want to call their son Theodore-Michael or Teddy for short, which further strengthens claims that it is a boy and would incorporate names of Vogues late father Freddie and Spencers late brother Michael, who died climbing Mount Everest. The PM made his remarks during a reception for a research team from the Japanese House of Representatives, headed by Kawamura Takeo, Chairman of the Houses Committee on Budget, in Hanoi on August 22. He stated that the exchange between parliamentarians and friendship parliamentarians groups of the two countries has been growing strongly and achieved significant congress over the past few years. The two sides have been organising a wide range of activities to mark the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties so far this year, helping to consolidate their mutual understanding, political trust, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchange. The PM expressed his gratitude to Japan for providing ODA for Vietnam over the past 26 years, which, he said, has contributed significantly to the cause of socio-economic development, poverty reduction, and infrastructure improvement in Vietnam. He said the Vietnamese Government always values and strives to realise the commitments of ODA projects between the two countries, as well as to effectively use the ODA capital sources for the right purposes. Japanese investors in Vietnam have achieved numerous successes and are satisfied with the business climate in the country, PM Phuc said, stating that the Government and the PM always direct ministries and sectors to create favourable conditions for Japanese companies. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc poses for a photo with Japanese guests. (Photo: VNA) He called on Kawamura Takeo to support the enhancement of economic cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, to back Japans continuous provision of ODA for Vietnam, especially in areas such as key and large-scale infrastructure projects, training high-quality human resources, and climate change adaptation, and to facilitate Japanese firms investment into Vietnam so that Japan will become the largest foreign investor in the Southeast Asian country. For his part, Kawamura Takeo called on PM Phuc to support Japanese firms in doing favourable business in Vietnam, adding that Japanese PM Shinzo Abe always favours the facilitation of close ties with Vietnam on bilateral and multilateral issues. He took the occasion to convey the Japanese PMs gratitude for Vietnams sympathy and support for the Japanese people in the recent natural disaster. Concerning the Vietnam-Japan University project, Takeo highly appreciated the favourable conditions created by the Vietnamese Government and the PM for the universitys operations, noting that Japan wants to receive more interns from Vietnam. He hailed the Japan-Vietnam strategic partnership as the most successful model in the world, stating that Japan looks forward to greeting PM Phuc when he attends the upcoming Mekong-Japan Summit. Agreeing with the guests opinions, PM Phuc applauded the role played by the Japanese parliament as a whole, and the House of Representatives in particular, in strengthening relations between the two countries. Roxanne Pallett's steelworker fiance Lee Walton's salary is predicted to be a whopping 29 times less than her 750,000 CBB pay packet. The former Emmerdale star is said to have scooped the eye-watering sum for her stint on the series, which runs for a total of 28 days, while The Sun claim the average salary for his work is around 26,000 a year. After becoming engaged within a week of meeting, the enamoured actress described her beau as 'a Yorkshire lad on a normal wage doing a normal job'. 'A Yorkshire guy': Roxanne Pallett's steelworker fiance Lee Walton's salary is predicted to be a whopping 29 times less than her 750,000 CBB pay packet Roxanne entered the CBB house last week while Lee has been waiting dutifully on the outside following their whirlwind romance earlier this year. The publication revealed that after Manchester United fan Lee finished school, he joined the steel industry, before working his way up to the role of production planner at the largest structural steel specialist in the UK, Severfield. Earlier this month, the stunner announced her engagement to her steel worker boyfriend Lee after he proposed just one week into their romance. The actress, 36, said her beau, 40, spontaneously popped the question without a ring, just days after their first date at a local pub. Happy days: The former Emmerdale star is said to have scooped the eye-watering sum for her stint on the series, which runs for a total of 28 days, while The Sun claim the average salary for his work is around 26,000 a year She's a winner: Roxanne entered the CBB house last week while Lee has been waiting dutifully on the outside following their whirlwind romance earlier this year Roxanne gushed: 'We were engaged within a week of meeting! I know it sounds crazy, but I knew my heart. Speaking of the exact moment, Lee said: 'She was getting ready and dancing and I said: "I could get used to this. Move in with me?" 'She agreed and on our first night living together I was looking at her, thinking, God I love you. And then I just said: "Will you marry me?" Happy days: After becoming engaged within a week of meeting, the enamoured actress described her beau as 'a Yorkshire lad on a normal wage doing a normal job' The newly-engaged couple's love story began back in 2017 when they met online. After chatting every night, they decided to meet in December before becoming engaged just one week later. Speaking of the moment she first laid eyes on Lee, Roxanne said: 'When I walked into the pub and saw him I thought, oh my God, youre real. I just flung my arms around him and it was like wed been together forever. We were kissing within five minutes!' Mother-of-three Christine McGuinness treated herself to a little 'me' time when she headed out on Wednesday. The 29-year-old commanded attention in her colour co-ordinated ensemble when she headed out in Alderley Edge. The Real Housewives of Cheshire beauty star wore a low-cut vest top, teamed with pink shorts which perfectly matched her accessories. Glamorous as ever: Christine McGuinness wore a low-cut vest top and pink shorts and trainers as she treated herself to a pampering session, in Alderley Edge on Wednesday Christine paraded her pins in her pink denim shorts on her pleasant walk to the hairdressers. The fitness guru kept the pink theme running through her outfit as she slipped into bubblegum coloured trainers and toted a handbag in a shade of fuchsia. She ran her fingers through her hair to show off her freshly blow dried locks after she popped to the hairdressers. Leggy lady: Christine ran her fingers through her hair as she came out of the hairdressers, clearly delighted with her look Poser in pink! The fitness guru kept the pink theme running through her outfit as she slipped into bubblegum coloured trainers and toted a handbag in a shade of fuchsia Christine and her Take Me Out host husband Paddy are parents to Penelope and Leo, five, and daughter Felicity, one. Speaking on Instagram recently, the RHOC star admitted she is torn over the idea of having more children. When asked whether she would like to expand her brood, the blonde simply said: 'My heart says yes my head says no!' Meanwhile, Christine revealed in July last year that the twins had been diagnosed with autism, and that her youngest daughter has started to show signs of the same condition. Look good, feel good! Christine was seen heading into the salon as she treated herself to a day of pampering Looking good! The blonde bombshell ran her fingers through her hair to show off her freshly blow dried locks after she popped to the hairdressers She and Paddy have since discussed the disability and how it has impacted their family and roles as parents. Speaking on Loose Women earlier this year, the former Miss Liverpool said the twins' diagnosis came as an 'instant shock', despite the pair showing classic signs. 'We had absolutely no idea they had autism even though the signs were there,' she said. 'They were non-verbal until they were three, they both walked on their tip toes, they didnt socialise very well. 'They still do struggle with socialising with other children, and thats probably one of the most heartbreaking parts of it because thats just something you expect your children to do, go and make lots of friends.' She recently enjoyed a very wild bridal shower ahead of her upcoming wedding to Coronation Street actor Oliver Mellor. And Rhian Sugden, 31, looked ravishing when she stripped off as she admitted she's 'shredding for the wedding' in an Instagram shared on Wednesday. In the risque snap, the International lingerie model looked absolutely breathtaking in her lace bra and white panties posed in front of the mirror. 'Shredding for the wedding': Rhian Sugden looked INCREDIBLE in lacy lingerie on Instagram on Wednesday as she said she's toning up for her wedding to former Corrie star Oliver Mellor 'I'm just a girl standing in front of a mirror... squeezing for her abs to show #weddingbells #shreddingforthewedding,' she penned in the caption. Rhian showed off some serious skin as she exposed a glimpse of her bare body in the semi-sheer detailing of her bra. The bride-to-be showcased her modelling credentials as she pouted up a storm in her mirror snap and she defined her features with make-up. Wedding bells: Rhian looked every inch the bride-to-be as she shared a slew of snaps from her hen party via her Instagram on Monday The glamour model's sensational Instagram shortly follows her very titillating shot where she posed completely naked with only balloons covering her modesty. Busty Rhian put on the incredibly racy display before she headed on a night out in Manchester with her family and friends. Grinning for the camera, Rhian strategically protected her modesty behind the dozens of balloons, proudly holding up one which said: 'Mrs Mellor to be!!' After a quick change, the blonde pin-up exuded bridal beauty in a white playsuit as she headed to Neighbourhood bar. Party-time! The busty glamour model, 31, couldn't resist posing nude behind a string of white and metallic balloons before heading on a night out in Manchester with her family and friends Quaffing champagne as she celebrated her impending nuptials, Rhian added a boost to her leggy frame with a pair of yellow stilettos and amped up the glamour with fluttery eyelashes and a slick of pink lipstick. She captioned the string of snaps: Had sun a fun hen do last night! Had a fair bit to drink I rek'. Rhian and former Coronation Street actor Oliver are due to tie the knot later this year, after he proposed at a sold-out Manchester theatre in 2014. Glamour girl: After a quick change, the blonde pin-up exuded bridal beauty in a white playsuit as she headed to Neighbourhood bar Speaking at the time about the proposal, she told The Sun: 'I started blubbing like a baby. 'Hes definitely the one for me, even if he did get a ring the size of a hula hoop.' Before she met Oliver, Rhian was involved in a scandal with Vernon Kay, with the starlet first coming to the forefront when she went public with several racy messages sent by the married TV presenter in 2010. Sore head: Quaffing champagne as she celebrated her impending nuptials, Rhian amped up the glamour with fluttery eyelashes and a slick of pink lipstick The 43-year-old was famously forced to make an apology to his wife Tess Daly on BBC Radio 1 following the sexting scandal. Vernon went on to promise live on air that he would no longer contact Rhian or the four other women he had been caught messaging at the time. It was then revealed the pair had got back in touch in 2015, with Vernon sending hundreds of texts asking to 'reconnect' with the model. After a break of six years, the busty blonde admitted that it felt like an 'old friendship coming back'. The blonde beauty recently claimed however that she had been treated as 'the villain' in the light of the sexting scandal, while the radio host has had a career boost. Speaking on Celebrity Sex Pod earlier this year, the beauty reasoned: 'He got drunk and sent inappropriate text messages to me. And Im the one people would pour drinks on.' He seemed to be single for only a split second. And while Ben Affleck recently stepped out with Playboy model Shauna Sexton, 22, mere days after his split from Lindsay Shookus, 38, sources told PEOPLE magazine that he doesn't want to feel 'tied down to a serious relationship.' The 45-year-old Gone Girl actor 'likes to be free to do what he wants' when it comes to his dating life, and estranged wife Jennifer Garner 'is not surprised.' Decisions, decisions: While Ben Affleck recently stepped out with Playboy model Shauna Sexton, 22, mere days after his split from Lindsay Shookus, 38, sources told PEOPLE magazine that he doesn't want to feel 'tied down to a serious relationship'; seen on Thursday 'He is happy being able to date who he wants and not feel tied down to a serious relationship,' an insider revealed. 'Lindsay was more serious about him. He enjoyed her company but was not looking for anything permanent now.' The couple - who had been dating for more than one year - reportedly called it quits just last week and hadn't been spotted together since July while he filmed The Last Thing He Wanted with Anne Hathaway in Puerto Rico. 'Ben likes a woman with brains and beauty but he also likes to be free to do what he wants,' the source said. 'Lindsay was more serious about him. He enjoyed her company but was not looking for anything permanent now,' a source said; seen together in September Choices: The 45-year-old Gone Girl actor 'likes to be free to do what he wants' when it comes to his dating life, and estranged wife Jennifer Garner 'is not surprised'; seen on Sunday with Shauna Sexton When it comes to estranged wife Jennifer Garner's opinion on his love life, she's 'certainly not' happy he's dating a young model. 'Her concern right now is not who he is dating,' the source said. 'What she ultimately cares about is his sobriety and whether she can rely on him to co-parent.' 'Of course she's not pleased he's dating a 22-year-old Playboy model,' another insider told US Weekly. 'But she's also not surprised. Jen has come to expect this from Ben. She's not going to get involved. She can't make decisions for him.' Star power: When it comes to estranged wife Jennifer Garner's opinion on his love life, she's 'certainly not' happy he's dating a young model; seen on Monday Hot stuff: Romance rumors filled the air when Ben was seen at Nobu Malibu with the blonde beauty just one day after his birthday, where Lindsay was noticeably absent from any festivities; seen on Instagram Romance rumors filled the air when Ben was seen at Nobu Malibu with the blonde beauty just one day after his birthday, where Lindsay was noticeably absent from any festivities. 'It looked like maybe a first date,' a source said before adding, 'she looked very cute and he seemed interested.' Ben and Jen have yet to finalize their divorce after splitting in 2015 following 10 years of marriage. The couple co-parent their three children; Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine, and Samuel, six. She is known for playing Marisol 'Flaca' Gonzales on Netflix's Orange Is the New Black. And proving that she's multi-talented, Jackie Cruz has released her debut track, La Hora Loca. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, the 32-year-old said that her role on the prison-based drama has given her 'a voice and a platform'. 'It's given me a voice and a platform': Orange Is the New Black's Jackie Cruz (pictured), 32, has credited the Netflix series, as she releases her debut track La Hora Loca 'My first love is definitely music but acting and music intertwine. Orange Is the New Black gave me a voice and a platform, so I'm taking advantage of that and continuing to live the dream I've always wanted,' Jackie told Daily Mail Australia. '[The show] has given me the finances to create my own lane in a way,' she added. Having just released her debut track La Hora Loca, the Dominican-American star went on to explain the meaning behind the lyrics. Hitting the right note: 'Orange Is the New Black gave me a voice and a platform, so I'm taking advantage of that and continuing to live the dream I've always wanted,' Jackie told Daily Mail Australia 'The song is about kind of being in a relationship. The song says, that if you want to be in a relationship with me, then you have to work,' Jackie said. The New York-born artist also revealed that she hopes on releasing an EP in the coming months. 'The whole album that I'm working on is very personal. It has to do with my experience and my life and where I want to go. It's about what I've learnt from the past 11, 12 years of my experience in the industry,' Jackie added. Currently starring in the sixth season of Orange Is the New Black, Jackie revealed that she finds similarities between herself, and her character Flaca. Love and lyrics: Having just released her debut track La Hora Loca, the Dominican-American star went on to explain the meaning behind the lyrics: 'The song is about kind of being in a relationship' 'Flaca is stylish, she's confident, she's independent, she's ambitious. She's kind of my alter ego, and she just says whatever is on her mind. 'I become her when I'm a little bit tipsy or when I'm shy, and I know that people laugh at Flaca, so I'll just put on the accent,' Jackie shared with a laugh. 'She's confident and in high school I wasn't confident. It was hard for me to make friends. I was the new kid,' she added. The sixth season of Orange Is the New Black is currently streaming on Netflix. Alessandra Ambrosio is often seen in the Bahamas or Brazil. But this week the leggy Victoria's Secret Angel stayed closer to home as she took her two children on a road trip. The beauty drove her kids up the California coast from Los Angeles, past Big Sur and on to San Francisco in what many consider to be a trip of a lifetime. Cali trip: Alessandra Ambrosio is often seen in the Bahamas or Brazil. But this week the leggy Victoria's Secret Angel stayed closer to home as she took her two children on a road trip. The Versace model's last post was near the Golden Gate Bride in San Francisco. The Vogue model captioned the image, 'Golden Gate Bridge #roadtrip #familyvacation.' She wore a grey sweatshirt as she held on to Anja, nine, and Noah, six. Scenic: When in Big Sur they posed by a cove where the water was a pretty turquoise green/blue Pristine shores: Big Sur is where several scenes for Big Little Lies was filmed This bridge has been in many films: It has been seen in Big Little Lies as well as The Sandpiper with Elizabeth Taylor A lot of room for birds: This rock reached out of the ocean and was home to seagulls It's chilly in the Bay Area thanks to the fog that rolls in and makes the city feel more like winter than summer and that is why Alessandra and Anja were bundled up. When in Big Sur they posed by a cove where the water was a pretty turquoise green/blue. The kids were also seen napping in the back of the car with blankets. Snooze: The kids were also seen napping in the back of the car with blankets A big marina: This appeared to be a pit stop somewhere between LA and SF This comes after she was seen with her new beau, Nicolo Oddi, who is the founder and CEO of Alanui, a knitwear fashion label based in Milan. On Thursday evening they were seen side by side when leaving dinner in LA. The couple have already been seen holding hands in public. It is not known when they started dating. Earlier in the day, the Vogue model was spotted in Santa Monica for an extended family lunch at The Ivy. The 37-year-old put on a leggy display as she strutted around the beach-side town. New love for this model: Ambrosio was seen with her new love Nicolo Oddi in LA on Thursday evening Alesssandra was the epitome of summer in the flirty yellow frilly dress with a cute floral print. Her ensemble featured a deep v-neck which drew attention to her ample cleavage. The model complimented her incredibly long and lean legs with a pair of tan strappy block heels. Time to celebrate! Sharing videos and photos on her Instagram Stories, she captioned the family clinking their glasses with the hashtag: 'comemorando dia dos pais' - which from Portuguese translates to 'Celebrating Father's Day' She accessorised with a similar colored over-the-shoulder bag and a jade stone pendant necklace. Alessandra had her brunette locks styled back naturally and appeared to be wearing a minimal amount of makeup underneath her round sunglasses. Attending lunch with her mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and two kids, the family were celebrating an belated Brazilian Father's Day which fell on last Sunday 12 August. Sharing videos and photos on her Instagram Stories, she captioned the family clinking their glasses with the hashtag: 'comemorando dia dos pais' - which from Portuguese translates to 'Celebrating Father's Day'. She has two children: daughter Anja Louise, nine, and son Noah Phoenix, six. Spike Lees latest movie BlacKkKlansman, which tells the true story of Ron Stallworth who went undercover as a black Ku Klux Klan member, will arrive in UK cinemas this week after being released in the US at the end of July 2018. Directed by the same man who brought us Malcolm X and Inside Man, BlacKkKlansman is based on the 2014 memoir Black Klansman: Race, Hate and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime by Ron Stallworth, which is about his time at the Colorado Springs Intelligence Unit in 1978. Heres everything you need to know about Spike Lees BlacKkKlansman movie, the true story behind BlacKkKlansman, the film's cast, BlacKkKlansman trailer and the release date. John David Washington and Adam Driver seen here in a scene from Lee's BlacKkKlansman BlacKkKlansman movie As reported in The Sun, BlacKkKlansman tells the story of an African-American police officer from Colorado called Ron Stallworth who attempts to infiltrate the local Ku Klux Klan with help from Flip Zimmerman, a white officer. The BlacKkKlansman cast includes the son of double Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington, John David Washington, who plays the lead of Detective Ron Stallworth, the first black member of the Ku Klux Klan. Star Wars: The Last Jedi star Adam Driver plays Flip Zimmerman and Spider Man: Homecomings Laura Harrier will join the cast as Patrice Humas and fellow Spider-Man star Topher Grace will play the Grand Wizard, David Duke. Ryan Eggold and Corey Hawkins will play Walter Breachway and Kwame Ture with Alec Baldwin as Dr Kennebrew Beauregard. BlacKkKlansman true story Filmmaker, musician, activist and director of last months critically-acclaimed film Sorry to Bother You Boots Riley took to Twitter to slam Spike Lees film, which he argued was a fabrication and was basically pro-police propaganda. According to Quartz, there were some embellishments made by Spike Lee that make the police officers look more benevolent that they actually would have been. Boots Riley claimed that Stallworth targeted radical black organisations and not the KKK. Riley also stated that he was part of the FBIs Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) which illegally looked into and tried to smear various civil rights movements during the 1950s and 60s. However, COINTELPRO was discontinued in 1971, eight years before BlacKkKlansman takes place. With these fabricated story notes that BlacKkKlansman hits upon, Ron Stallworth looks like a hero, and so does his partner and the police force. Without the made up stuff and with what we know of the actual history of police infiltration into radical groups, and how they infiltrated and directed White Supremacist organizations to attack those groups, Ron Stallworth is the villain, Riley wrote. Riley went on to say that Spike Lees advertising Spike DBB was paid more than $200,000 to work on a campaign for the New York Police Department so that relations would be improved with minorities, suggesting that the film is part of an effort to make police seem like allies, instead of enablers or enforcers. BlacKkKlansman trailer BlacKkKlansman release date BlacKkKlansman was released in the US on July 30, 2018 and will be in UK cinemas on August 24, 2018. Ruby Rose debuted as inmate Stella Carlin in the third season of Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. And her former co-star Jackie Cruz told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday that she 'always knew' she would become one of Hollywood's biggest stars. 'She's charming, she's sexy,' the 32-year-old said of the Australian actress. 'She's charming and sexy': Orange Is the New Black's Jackie Cruz [L] 'always knew' Ruby Rose [R] was set to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars 'The moment I saw her, I knew that she was set to become a star,' Jackie said of Ruby, 32. 'The moment I saw her on Orange Is the New Black, I knew that people were going to love her. She's charming, she's sexy. 'She's very professional and I loved working with her. She left nothing but good thoughts,' the Dominican-American star continued. Jackie, 32, said: 'The moment I saw her on Orange Is the New Black, I knew that people were going to love her. She's charming, she's sexy.' Ruby is pictured as Stella Carlin in season three Earlier this month, Ruby landed her 'dream' job by being cast as the lesbian Batwoman in a new CW television series. The casting is set to make the former MTV Australia presenter the first openly gay lead in a live-action superhero series. Ruby took to social media to gush about the project. Dream gig: Earlier this month, Ruby, 32, landed her 'dream' job by being cast as the lesbian Batwoman in a new CW television series 'The Bat is out of the bag and I am beyond thrilled and honoured,' the starlet wrote on Instagram. 'I'm also an emotional wreck.. because this is a childhood dream.' 'This is something I would have died to have seen on TV when I was a young member of the LGBT community who never felt represented on tv and felt alone and different.' 'Thank you everyone. Thank you god.' Isla Fisher was in a good mood on Wednesday morning. And the 42-year-old Wedding Crashers actress expressed her joy with a bathing suit gif where she was kicking up her toned, trim leg while standing in a speedboat on a lake. The wife of Sacha Baron Cohen said she was happy over Paul Manafort's verdict, adding that 'crime doesn't pay.' Thrilled: Isla Fisher was in a good mood on Wednesday. And the 42-year-old Wedding Crashers actress expressed her joy with a bathing suit gif Oh-la-la: The redheaded actress was kicking up her toned, trim legs while on a white speedboat on a lake The Manafort case, the first one the Robert Mueller team has sent to trial, saw a jury find the former Donald Trump campaign chairman guilty on eight counts of tax evasion, bank fraud and financial account reporting violations. The case was focused on Manafort's dealings separate to the 2016 campaign and not directly related to Russia. Isla was overjoyed with the news. Her bathing suit image was a rare statement as most of her posts are about less serious matters, like fashion. Politically minded: The wife of Sach Baron Cohen said she was happy over Paul Manafort's verdict, adding that 'crime doesn't pay' She has been married to British comedian Cohen, 46, for eight years. The couple met in 2002 at a party in Sydney and got engaged two years later, before marrying in 2010 in Paris. They share daughters, Olive, 10, and Elula, seven, and three-year-old son, Montgomery. Great body: The star wore lingerie for her role in Keeping Up With The Jonses Isla has two projects on the go. In comedy The Beach Bum she co-stars with Matthew McConaughey and Snoop Dog; in drama The Starling sho co-stars with Keanu Reeves. Both have yet to set release dates Meanwhile, her husband's controversial new show Who Is America debuts on Showtime on Sunday. Sacha has reportedly been filming the spoof interview series for a year. But he's kept it under wraps as he disguises himself as various characters to prank celebs and former politicians including Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin. Date night: Isla and Sacha have three children together; seen in 2017 in LA Jennifer Garner has focused her energy on parenting and acting since her split with Ben Affleck. And the 46-year-old actress was the model mother while visiting Legoland water park with son Sam on Tuesday. While Jen was enjoying time with her children, ex Ben appeared to be embracing the bachelor lifestyle, recently spotted living it up in LA following his split from girlfriend Lindsay Shookus. Fun in the sun: Jennifer Garner looked like the model mom during a trip to Legoland water park with son Sam on Tuesday He's also been spending time with 22-year-old Playboy model Shauna Sexton. Jennifer didn't appear bothered by her ex's affairs, however. The Love, Simon actress looked great at the Carlsbad, California theme park. She was covered up but sexy in a navy blue suit with stylish side ruching and a halter top. Enjoying himself: Ben appeared to be embracing the bachelor lifestyle following his split from girlfriend Lindsay Shookus, seen above on Monday New friend? He's also been spending time with 22-year-old Playboy model Shauna Sexton, above Sunday Wow: The Love, Simon actress looked great at the Carlsbad, California theme park She's got the blues: The Love, Simon actress was covered up but sexy in a navy blue suit with stylish side ruching and a halter top Not my problem: Garner didn't appear worried by her ex Ben's breakup Bright idea: Keeping the sun out of her eyes, Jennifer added square sunglasses Fresh face: The natural beauty had no need for makeup Keeping the sun out of her eyes, Jennifer added square sunglasses. She kept her hair out of her face with a ponytail. Besides her son Sam, six, protected himself from a sunburn wearing a longsleeve rash guard paired with board shorts below. Mom and son held hands while walking across the warm pavement together bare foot. Hairstyle: She kept her hair out of her face with a ponytail SPF! Besides her son Sam, six, protected himself from a sunburn wearing a longsleeve rash guard paired with board shorts below End of an era: News that Jennifer's ex Ben Affleck had split with girlfriend Lindsay Shookus emerged over the weekend While it was all about family fun for Jen Tuesday, estranged still-husband Ben Affleck appeared to be enjoying single life. News of his split from SNL producer and girlfriend of a little over a year Lindsay Shookus emerged over the weekend. Speaking about the breakup, insiders revealed that Ben was 'never fully committed' to the relationship,' according to People. Lack of commitment: Speaking about the breakup, insiders revealed that Ben was 'never fully committed' to the relationship,' according to People Warning signs: Before announcing the breakup Ben and Lindsay had not been pictured together since late July. Before announcing the breakup the couple had not been pictured together since late July. In the days since the split, the Batman actor has been spotted out with nude model Shauna Sexton. Another People insider explained that things aren't serious between the duo, however. Freebird: An insider said '[Ben] is happy being able to date who he wants and not feel tied down to a serious relationship' '[Ben] is happy being able to date who he wants and not feel tied down to a serious relationship 'Lindsay was more serious about him. He enjoyed her company but was not looking for anything permanent now.' The insider continued saying: 'Ben likes a woman with brains and beauty but he also likes to be free to do what he wants.' Brains and beauty: The insider continued saying: 'Ben likes a woman with brains and beauty but he also likes to be free to do what he wants' Mixed feelings: 'Is she happy about him hanging out with a very young Playboy model? Certainly not' a Jen insider said of her reaction Sources close to Jen dished details about the star's reaction. 'Is she happy about him hanging out with a very young Playboy model? Certainly not. But her concern right now is not who he is dating. What she ultimately cares about is his sobriety and whether she can rely on him to co-parent. Sobriety remains a struggle for the star, who was seen visiting his rehab center last week and then yesterday was spotted grabbing a delivery in a Pacifico beer box. A battle: Sobriety remains a struggle for Ben, who was seen visiting his rehab center last week and then yesterday was spotted grabbing a delivery in a Pacifico beer box Meanwhile, Jennifer and Ben's divorce proceedings recently encountered a hiccup. Earlier this month an LA County judge warned the duo their divorce proceedings could be 'dismissed' for 'for delay in prosecution.' The couple filed their initial divorce documents in 2017 and have been slow to proceed since. Move it or lose it: Jennifer and Ben's divorce proceedings recently encountered a hiccup when an LA County judge warned the duo their divorce proceedings could be 'dismissed' for 'for delay in prosecution' earlier this month Taking their time: The amicable exes are reportedly fine with takings things slow, though The amicable exes are reportedly fine with takings things slow. 'There is no rush here,' a source speaking with People said. 'They continue to figure out ways of working together as a family and this is what works for them. They are doing whats best for their family.' The couple originally announced their separation in 2015 and have remained in each other's lives since, often seen sharing family events with the kids together. If it works: 'There is no rush here,' a source speaking with People said. 'They continue to figure out ways of working together as a family and this is what works for them' Fun and games: Sam played with a water rocket while mom watched on during their fun trip Ben and Jennifer began dating around 2004 after striking up a friendship while filming the movies Pearl Harbor and Daredevil together. They were married in 2005 in a private Turks and Caicos ceremony. Garner and Affleck are working on co-parenting their three children Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine, and Sam, six, together. * Flooding caused by recent storms in Laos has killed at least 46 people while 97 others are missing and four people were injured, according to the latest report from the National Disaster Prevention and Control Committee. * Thailand has launched a Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) project covering several of its southern provinces, namely Ranong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chumphon. * China and India pledged on August 21 to further strengthen ties between the two countries and their militaries. * The Brazilian military on August 21 arrested at least 70 people in a massive dragnet on drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro, local officials said. * Brazilian President Michel Temer criticized protectionist measures taken against steel imports, during a speech at the Brazilian Steel Congress on August 21 in Sao Paulo. He urged the steel industry to "protect" itself from foreign attacks. * Facebook said Tuesday it is removing more than 5,000 targeting categories to prevent misuse of its ad platform that could trigger controversy of discrimination. * A jet plane carrying 16 people is being diverted to make an emergency landing after two tires were blown when taking off at Teterboro Airport on August 21 in eastern US state New Jersey, local media reported. * Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed on August 21 Israel for approving the construction of 650 new housing units in the Bet El settlement near the West Bank city of Ramallah. * Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on August 21 announced a government austerity plan to face the economic crisis, official SUNA news agency reported. * US corporation Apache announced plans to increase its annual oil and natural gas exploration investment in Egypt to about US$1 billion, the Egyptian Petroleum Ministry said in a statement on August 21. * Bahrain authorities on August 21 announced it was suspending issuance of entry visas for Qataris. The Interior Ministry said Qatari students in Bahrain were excluded along with those with valid visas. *Years of international financial bailouts and national austerity measures are now a thing of the past for Greece, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Tuesday in a televised address. *A total of 200 people have returned to their homes in government-controlled towns in the countryside of Idlib province in northwestern Syria over the past 24 hours under a Russian supervision, a monitor group reported on August 21. *A plant in Venezuela will start producing Kalashnikov assault rifles under a Russian license next year, Alexander Mikheev, CEO of Russia's state-owned arms supplier Rosoboronexport, said Tuesday. She's been busy promoting her latest cinematic offering in the UK over the past few days. And Chloe Moretz, 21, put on a stylish display as she arrived to a special screening of her new flick The Miseducation of Cameron at the Picturehouse Central in London. The A-list actress showcased her flare for fashion in a daring tie-dye turtleneck body suit which hugged her torso on the red carpet. Getting chic done: Chloe Moretz, 21, put on a stylish display as she arrived to a special screening of her new flick The Miseducation of Cameron at the Picturehouse Central in London Her colourful garment was teamed under a striking culotte jumpsuit which skimmed her petite frame with aplomb. The fashionable look featured a racy houndstooth cutout bodice which was adjoined with a silver clasp in the middle of her midriff. Chloe teamed her fashion forward ensemble with a pair of strappy black heels as she forwent accessories to leave all the attention on her designer look. The American beauty worked her blonde locks into a tousled style and sported a coral-coloured lip as she posed for photos. Red carpet ready: The A-list actress showcased her flare for fashion in a daring tie-dye turtleneck body suit which hugged her torso on the red carpet Beauty: The American beauty worked her blonde locks into a tousled style and sported a coral-coloured lip as she posed for photos Orange you happy: Her colourful garment was teamed under a striking culotte jumpsuit which skimmed her petite frame with aplomb Animated display: The blonde beauty couldn't contain her excitement at the event Delighted: The subject matter of her latest film is very close to Chloe's heart Chloe - who is one of five children and has two gay brothers - plays the titular role of Cameron Post, a teen whose guardians place her into gay conversion therapy. Explaining why she wanted to work on the film, she said on The One Show: 'I took about a year and a half off after working 15 years straight, it struck me in a personal way because I have two gay brothers. 'And the story of a young woman who is sent to a Christian conversation therapy camp, it focuses on the interpersonal relationships of meeting other people for the first time'. Posing up a storm: Director Desiree Akhavan (L) and Chloe posed together outside the screening room Picture perfect: Reality star Jess Impiazzi slipped into a aqua-coloured mini dress Pin-credible: Actress Talulah Riley donned a black mini dress for the red carpet Green with envy: Made in Chelsea's Olivia Newman-Young looked chic in a green midi dress Strike a pose: Megan McKenna was turning heads as she arrived at the screening In her element: The reality TV star put on a flirty display as she posed for the cameras Looking lovely: The aspiring country singer wowed in an orange silk ensemble She is thrilled the film has received a positive response from critics and cinema-goers alike and is proud to be bringing the subject matter to 'the masses'. Chloe said: 'Whats beautiful about it doesnt focus on the obstacles, it finds the comedic moments in the hypocrisy of it all. 'The beauty of this is that is shows that people will see you for who you are, and they will love and accept you unconditionally. 'I think its a very rare thing to see in film currently, especially under the administration were under in America, its probably one of the most important acts of activism that we can do is push this film out for the masses.' Checking out the film: Maisie Williams surprised cinema-goers by attending the premiere 90s vibes: The Game Of Thrones star donned a choker necklace and a pair of red checked trousers Hitting the right notes: Sam Lavery, who appeared on 2016's X Factor, showcased her signature style for the cinematic occasion All white on the night: Love Island star Darylle Sargeant was putting in an appearance Pretty in prints: TV presenter Hayley Sparkes cut a stylish figure at the screening in a low-cut palm printed maxi dress that she teamed with nude sandals She's got the x Factor: X Factor star Talia Dean slipped into a denim mini skirt for the occasion Putting her best foot forward: Megan set off her look with studded heels Following her big premiere, Chloe enjoyed a dinner date at Sexy Fish restaurant. She changed into a chic and sophisticated look, rocking a smart black suit with a silk lapel. The starlet matched her scarlet boots to her statement blouse, slipping into a pretty semi-sheer number. Keeping the party going: Following her big premiere, Chloe enjoyed a dinner date at Sexy Fish restaurant Smart: She changed into a chic and sophisticated look, rocking a smart black suit with a silk lapel These boots were made for walking: The starlet matched her scarlet boots to her statement blouse, slipping into a pretty semi-sheer number Living it up in London: Chloe has been making the most of her time in the capital Family outing: The stunner was accompanied by her older brother Trevor Tara Reid is making it clear everything is okay after a bizarre interview on Australian TV last Thursday. The Sharknado star sparked concern when she appeared to slur her speech while on the AM show Today Extra. In a Wednesday statement, the 42-year-old tried to temper fans worries, saying it was 'unfortunate' to hear 'negative press' about her troubling talk show appearance and insisted she is in 'great spirits and health.' Feeling fine: Tara Reid released a statement assuring everyone she was in 'great spirits and health' after a bizarre interview on Australian TV saw the star slurring her words, above Tara didn't address the segment specifically, however, writing: 'While it's unfortunate to see some of the recent negative press following a successful week of promoting and supporting the film, I'm happy to know that my fans continue to stand by me this is for them!' The Scary Movie star made it clear fans had no reason for concern, later on adding: 'I am in great spirits and health and I look forward to my future projects and what's in store for me next.' Days after the interview Tara announced she was cutting her Sharknado press tour short, citing 'back issues' as her reason. Doing well: Though she didn't address the interview directly, she said it was 'unfortunate' to hear 'negative press' about the press tour and insisted she is in 'great spirits and health' In the now deleted tweet she wrote: '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 [sic] understanding & I am hoping to recover from this pain soon.' She was back in action for the film's Sunday night premiere, however. Taking a break: Days after the interview Tara announced she was cutting her Sharknado press tour short, citing 'back issues' as her reason There she insisted that she did not write the tweet and that her account was 'hacked,' according to The Blast. 'It made no sense, why would I write that?' The Last Sharknado: It's About Time aired Sunday night on SyFy. Check local listings for air times. They're his right hand women on the Britain's Got Talent panel. And Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon flew out to Los Angeles to support Simon Cowell during his prestigious Hollywood Walk Of Fame ceremony on Wednesday night. The TV personalities showed off their flair for fashion in elegant pastel ensembles as they posed up a storm with the 58-year-old music mogul. His leading ladies: Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon flew out to Los Angeles to support Simon Cowell during his prestigious Hollywood Walk Of Fame ceremony on Wednesday night Amanda displayed her svelte physique in a pale yellow co-ords with a Bardot neckline and flared trousers. She accessorised with a silver clutch bag and a pair of funky round shades, puckering up to Simon on the red carpet. Alesha looked equally lovely in candy pink separates, showing off her flat stomach in a tiny bralet. Sealed with a kiss! The duo were puckering up to Simon on the red carpet Natural beauty: Alesha showed off her flawless complexion with minimal make-up Bringing the glamour: The TV personalities showed off their flair for fashion in elegant pastel ensembles as they posed up a storm with the 58-year-old music mogul The skimpy top was pair with on-trend, wide-legged trousers and some statement jewellery. The duo were just two of Simon's close colleagues and musical protegees in attendance at the event, which saw him joined by his partner Lauren Silverman, their son Eric, four, and her son Adam, 12. The music mogul, who is responsible for kick starting the careers of One Direction, Little Mix and Fifth Harmony, was also supported some of his protegees Kelly Clarkson and Leona Lewis at the star-studded event. Build me up buttercup: Amanda displayed her svelte physique in a pale yellow co-ords with a Bardot neckline and flared trousers Think pink: Alesha looked equally lovely in candy pink separates, showing off her flat stomach in a tiny bralet Taking to the podium, Grammy-winner Kelly, who won American Idol in 2002, gave a gushing introduction to the self-confessed Mr Nasty of reality television, who stood shyly at the side of the stage. Other stars coming out to show their support were Simon's fellow America's Got Talent judges Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel. Last year it was announced that X Factor founder landed on the coveted Walk Of Fame list, in recognition of his TV work in the States. Recognition: Last year it was announced that X Factor founder landed on the coveted Walk Of Fame list, in recognition of his TV work in the States Simply stylish: Alesha kept to her pastel colour palette, donning a matching rose hued bag It's all in the details: Amanda carried a silver clutch bag and shielded her eyes with round sunglasses Simon soared to prominence in 2001, when he sat on the judging panel of trailblazing reality show Pop Idol, which was created by Simon Fuller. The star, worth an eye-popping 300million, later brought the Idol franchise to America in 2002, with the show running for 15 series before coming to a close in 2015, leaving X Factor US in its wake. The selection committee's chairman, TV producer Vin Di Bona made the announcement, as he delightedly welcomed the newbies. Family outing: Simon was joined by his partner Lauren Silverman, their son Eric, four, and her son Adam, 12 Show of support: The likes of first X Factor winner Leona Lewis were also in attendance Sara Sampaio spends a lot of time in a bikini when she's working as a fashion model. And it turns out the 27-year-old Vogue cover girl likes to wear the exact same thing when she's on vacation. On Wednesday Portuguese beauty shared photos from her holiday in Costa Rica where she wore an array of swimwear. Ready to swim: Sara Sampaio spends a lot of time in a bikini when she's working as a fashion model. And it turns out the 27-year-old Vogue cover girl likes to wear the exact same thing when she's on vacation At ease at her beach villa: The beauty posed away as she said she was in her natural state In one post, where she had on a Frankies two piece, she wrote, 'Might stay here forever!' Her feet were in the water as she sat on the edge of the swimming pool. She smiled as she glanced at her photographer. The siren also shared images from when she was in a white one piece bathing suit. This trip comes after new images of her for the latest Victoria's Secret campaign were released. She flaunted her toned abs and ample cleavage in a plunging black front-clasp bra and lace-up briefs in a powerful, windswept image. Another look: The siren also shared images from when she was in a white one piece bathing suit that was high waisted Good times: The natural beauty smiled away as she enjoyed an outdoor shower Her brunette tresses were styled in soft waves and parted on the side while feline flicks of liner, bronzer and a slick of peach gloss on her full pout completed her glowing make-up look. Holding the ends of her voluminous locks to one side, Sara wrapped her other arm over her slim waist and gazed sultrily into the camera for the first bold shot. The looker worked the camera from behind for another photo, displaying her peachy derriere clad in a simple black thong and matching black bra. Outspoken: The star candidly told The Edit : 'People need to realise that models get [professional] hair and make-up, incredible lighting, and we know how to pose' With her hair swept off her back and left to fall over her face, Sara seductively glanced back over her shoulder for the smoldering snap. The next stunning pose saw the star slip into in a lacy turquoise thong, again showing off her toned posterior. The brunette beauty struck a teasing pose for the next jaw-dropping photo, as she suggestively pulled up the edge of her nude cropped cami. She wants people to relate to her: The star added, ''I've been doing this job for almost 10 years so I know how my body looks good from different angles. But I dont look like that in real life' She had some bad lucky early on: The Maxim cover girl said she twisted her ankle on the trip Sara opted to team the strappy top with a skimpy berry G-string, which was emblazoned with the Victoria Secret's branding in white along the waistband. She looked care-free as she struck a daring topless pose wearing only a seamless animal print thong. As she cheekily back over her shoulder with a cheeky grin, the Portuguese native shielded her pert bust from display with her strategically positioned arms. Now with clothing on: The busy model posing in black leather in NYC in 2017 Sara made her Victoria's Secret debut in 2013 and has since been one of the brand's go-to gorgeous models. The model recently insisted her incredible looks are merely illusion and not how she appears in real life. The star candidly told The Edit: 'People need to realise that models get [professional] hair and make-up, incredible lighting, and we know how to pose. 'I've been doing this job for almost 10 years so I know how my body looks good from different angles. But I dont look like that in real life.' Sara is currently dating British millionaire Oliver Ripley, 35, who she's been with since 2016. Advertisement It's a Hollywood Hills abode filled all the latest mod-cons and amenties Christian Grey would be proud of. Yet, actor Jamie Dornan has listed his modern four-bedroom, four-bathroom Los Angeles home for $3,195,000, according to The Agency. The 2,510 sq. foot property in Nichols Canyon was initially built in 1959 and has subsequently undergone renovations to give it a clean, modern feel. For sale: Jamie Dornan has listed his modern four-bedroom, four-bathroom Los Angeles home for $3,195,000 It has an abundance of glass doors that optimize the sunny Southern California landscape, with the crown jewel being a glass atrium in the center. The home's master bedroom, which includes a deluxe bathroom and walk-through closet, is situated near the outdoor open area and sits near the pool. The bathrooms have geometric tiles of different colors, adding a keen sense of style throughout. The kitchen in the abode includes a grey overhanging counter complete with a sink and four stove burners. It's near the modern style dining room, which has a unique chandelier made of rows of hanging light bulbs. Stylish: The Irish actor, 36, two years ago purchased the home, which is situated in the Nichols Canyon Road area, known as a gem of architecture and landscaping Special: The crown jewel of the home is a glass atrium in the center Good day sunshine: The glass and open air design allows for natural light to splash in Other amenities the abode features include an in-ground outdoor pool, a fire pit, secondary patio and a relaxing hot tub in the midst of the landscaped gardens. The Irish actor, 36, two years ago purchased the home, which is situated in the Nichols Canyon Road area, known as a gem of architecture. Jamie, who is best known for playing the lothario Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey, spends most of his time in Europe, which is a reason he's listed the home, a rep for The Agency told People. Despite being best known for his role as Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades franchise, the actor previously said he was less keen on the idea of Amelia watching him as the character. 'I don't want to pay for a ticket for her to like... you know,' telling chat show host Ellen DeGeneres. Sleek: The kitchen in the abode includes a grey overhanging counter complete with a sink and four stove burners Opulent: The kitchen also includes stainless steel stoves and tile floors situated around the home's artium Posh: The modern style dining room has a unique chandelier made of rows of hanging light bulbs The host then asked if it's hard to come home around Valentine's Day - which is when the 50 Shades films are usually released - and have to 'live up to' his raunchy Christian Grey character at home. Jamie said: 'I'd like to think she's more in love with me than that guy. I know she hasn't seen the movies or anything.' Jamie also spoke about fans approaching him at Starbucks while he's in line and calling him Mr. Grey while he's 'literally holding one of my children.' The father-of-two said: 'I don't know how to respond to it because I'm not him.' Amid his strong show business career, Dornan, who's also been seen on The Fall, recently set up NI PanC, a support group for people who have survived cancer, as well as relatives of people battling the disease at Belfast's Mater Hospital. Features: The living room is highlighted by a stone fire pit LA fun: The outdoor area is perfect for entertaining guests on warm Southern California days and nights Extravagant: This bathroom features brown tiles, giving it a stylish feel Spare: This extra room makes for a great home office area The cause is a deeply personal one, as Dornan lost his mother to pancreatic cancer when he was only 16-years-old. 'I often say this, but you dont really know what the effects are of losing someone, particularly when youre so young,' he told the BBC. 'Ive always wanted to be associated to a charity that means something to me in a major way. It all seemed very fitting I could do whatever I can promote awareness of this horrendous disease.' Appearing at the charity launch earlier this month, the Fall star spoke candidly with the Press Association about his mother's passing, and said: 'It has an ever evolving effect on me, that loss, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.' Take a dip: The backyard of the home boasts this enormous pool Recreation: The wooden decks are inviting for the abode's outdoor area Relaxing: A hot tub is perfect for winding down after a long day 'I feel like every single day it has an effect on me in ways which I am aware of and some ways I think I am not aware of. But, I am not alone in that, lots of people have lost people that are very dear to them at a young age.' Jamie's mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when he was 14, and the actor revealed that he had 'just turned' 16 when she passed away. Speaking honestly about his struggles, and how he took the loss at such a young age, he admitted: 'Every kid at that age is naive, I felt like I was particularly young and naive at that time. 'I was a wee bit behind compared to my mates growing up, but I had to grow up pretty fast after that.' The Turnbull government's big business tax cut package is still short of crucial crossbench support, despite a compromise carving out Australia's major banks. The controversial plan got a surprise reprieve on Tuesday when One Nation leader Pauline Hanson missed a vote, allowing the Senate debate to continue into Wednesday. Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has presented changes to the bill which would exclude the big four banks from a cut in the company tax rate from 30 to 25 per cent. While excluding the banks from the package won support from independent Derryn Hinch, the government remains three crossbench votes short. Senator Hinch also wants to cap the cuts for businesses turning over up to $500 million, a proposal the government has rejected. Senator Hanson and her colleague Peter Georgiou, Centre Alliance's two senators and independent Tim Storer are still opposed to the cuts. Labor and the Greens are against the tax cuts, even with the Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, NAB and Westpac carved out. But they could have missed a chance to sink the package late on Monday, when debate stalled as the opposition attempted to give the bill's near-certain failure maximum exposure. On Tuesday evening it was the coalition's turn to filibuster, with the government holding out hope of a last-ditch deal with stubborn crossbenchers. Even if the package fails as expected, Senator Cormann hinted the government could take the unpopular policy to an election. "If this goes down today, there is no doubt that the Australian parliament will have to revisit this before long in order to protect our economic security into the future," the minister told parliament. Lauren Butterly was 25 and just two years into a law career when she lost the ability to move one of her arms and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Although she had just moved to Sydney from Perth at the time to start a new job at major firm, a neurologist told her she should give the profession away. But Ms Butterly wasn't having it. "Even though it was really tough in the first couple of months, I just kept going," she told AAP. Nine months later, after trying a medication that proved ineffective in helping her manage the disease, Ms Butterly found one that did and has progressed in her legal career since. The now 33-year-old is one of a growing number of people living with MS who are staying in work, according to a new report commissioned by MS Research Australia and prepared by the Menzies Institute for Medical Research. The report is the first in almost eight years to map the prevalence and impact in Australia of the autoimmune disease, which damages nerve fibres in the central nervous system and can lead to motor and sensory functions being impaired, along with fatigue, pain and cognitive issues. It has found the number of people with the disease has increased 20 per cent since 2010, rising from 21,300 to 25,600 in 2017. MS Research Australia chief executive Dr Matthew Miles says that's likely due to people's greater exposure to risk factors such as low Vitamin D levels. The majority of Australians with MS have been diagnosed with what is known as the relapsing remitting form of the disease (85 per cent), while others have a progressive form (15 per cent). The report shows the total cost of the disease has risen since 2010 from $1.24 billion to $1.75 billion. But according Dr Miles, the rising cost bears some good news, as it marks the price of newer treatments that are improving people's lives. Lost wages accounted for almost half of MS costs in 2010, but now account for just 32 per cent, with Dr Miles saying that shows more people with the disease are working. But he says this is not the time for Australia to rest on its laurels when it comes to grappling with MS. The organisation believes the disease could become completely manageable within 10 years if greater funding is put into research and treatments. "Now's the time to really nail this thing," he told AAP. "It's not very often you get this chance with medical diseases that are so complex and so insidious as this one is." While for now Ms Butterly hopes to encourage other young people diagnosed with MS to pursue their careers, she too would like to see a cure. "If you have the cure, you're able to have more confidence even, because you're not worried about, for example, if the medication stops working." A Queensland dad claims his four-year-old daughter was discriminated against when she was not allowed to complete her prep year at school even though she was legally too young. The girl started school at the start of the year, but in April the school realised she was below the legal age and revoked her enrolment. Her father took the case to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which this month ruled the decision to discontinue her enrolment did not contravene the Anti-Discrimination Act. Bill Shorten has declared he is ready to become prime minister as the Liberal Party tears itself apart over the leadership of Malcolm Turnbull. The Labor leader decried the latest crisis within the government as "deeply disturbing", saying "no wonder people hate politics". With Peter Dutton expected to again challenge Mr Turnbull for the leadership, and even speculation of an early election, Mr Shorten said he was "absolutely ready" for the top job. As early as tomorrow? he was asked. "If it has to be, it has to be. We are ready," he told the Nine Network. Just last month Mr Shorten was facing questions about his own leadership, with polls predicting a poor result in the Super Saturday byelections and talk of challenge from frontbencher Anthony Albanese. But Labor held onto its seats in the crucial vote, putting pressure instead on Malcolm Turnbull. Mr Shorten acknowledged Labor had played its role in the decade of leadership shenanigans in Canberra, having dispatched sitting prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. But he said the party had learned its lesson from the destructive internal wars. "I never thought that I would be the ... longest leader of a political party since John Howard," he said. "Labor has learned its lesson, and the proof in the pudding is the last five years." The Labor leader said his party wasn't afraid of the more conservative Mr Dutton becoming leader, and said Mr Turnbull was just the salesman for the government's failed policies. "What they are doing is blaming the salesman. It's the policies," he said. Australia's Rohingyan community has converged on Canberra with a message for coalition MPs: The federal government has "blood money" on its hand and must cut off financial aid to Myanmar. Amnesty International, Rohingyan community members and opposition MPs are gathering outside Parliament House to slam the government's allocation of nearly $400,000 for training courses for its military. Myanmar's military has been accused of a highly organised attack on the country's Rohingya population. "That Australian taxpayers' money is going to support the perpetrators is unthinkable," Amnesty campaigner Diana Sayed said on Wednesday. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) and Salvadorean Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda sign a joint communique in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 21, 2018. The People's Republic of China and the Republic of El Salvador signed a joint communique in Beijing Tuesday establishing diplomatic relations. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- The People's Republic of China and the Republic of El Salvador signed a joint communique in Beijing Tuesday establishing diplomatic relations. The communique was signed by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Salvadorean Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda. "The People's Republic of China and the Republic of El Salvador, in keeping with the interests and desire of the two peoples, have decided to recognize each other and establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level effective from the date of signature of this communique. "The two governments agree to develop friendly relations between the two countries on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence. "The Government of the Republic of El Salvador recognizes that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory," the communique said. According to the communique, the Government of the Republic of El Salvador severs "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan as of this day and undertakes not to have any more official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan. The Government of the People's Republic of China appreciates this position of the Government of the Republic of El Salvador. The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of El Salvador agree that in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and common international practice, they will exchange ambassadors, and provide each other with all the necessary assistance for the establishment and performance of the functions of their respective embassies in each other's capitals on the basis of reciprocity, the communique said. "Adhering to the one-China principle is a universally recognized international norm and the consensus of the international community, as well as the fundamental foundation for China to establish and develop relations with any country. "El Salvador has now stood with the overwhelming majority of the countries in the world by resolutely deciding to recognize and make a commitment to abiding by the one-China principle, and to establish diplomatic ties with China without any preconditions," Wang said. So far, 178 countries have established diplomatic ties with China, according to Wang. "I believe the Salvadorean people will feel the Chinese people's friendship and hospitality and benefit from the two countries' cooperation," Wang said, stressing that history will prove that forging diplomatic relations with China is in the fundamental and long-term interests of the Salvadorean people. Wang said China has now added a friend in Latin America and the Caribbean region, as well as a partner in pushing forward the Belt and Road initiative and building a community of a shared future for humanity. China is willing to join hands with El Salvador to achieve their joint development, press ahead with China-Latin America cooperation as a whole, and contribute to the collective rejuvenation of the developing countries. Castaneda said that forging diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China is a strategic decision made by El Salvador and a historic event for the country. El Salvador has cut its so-called "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan, and it will no longer have any official relations or any official exchanges with Taiwan in any form, he pledged. Saying that El Salvador is willing to work with China to enhance political trust, strengthen exchanges at various levels and carry out pragmatic cooperation, Castaneda expressed his hope that the two countries' cooperation will usher in a new era and benefit the two peoples. A retired priest facing more than 60 child sex charges has been charged with 30 more historical offences from his time in northern NSW. Police have applied to have the 81-year-old's bail revoked after the new charges were laid on Wednesday, including sexual activity with a girl under the age of 10 and buggery. More than 30 alleged victims have come forward since 2015, when detectives began investigating the priest's alleged conduct while he worked in the northern regions of NSW between 1960 and 1990. The NSW government's $100 million plan to knock down and replace a historic bridge in Sydney's northwest is plagued with deficiencies, a parliamentary inquiry into the project has found. The upper house inquiry, chaired by Shooters MP Robert Brown, has found "multiple deficiencies" in the Windsor Bridge replacement project and urged the NSW government to preserve the 144-year-old bridge. "While this committee stopped short of recommending the cessation of this project, the committee finds multiple deficiencies in the government's Windsor Bridge replacement project," Mr Brown said in a statement on Wednesday. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says the government should effectively move into caretaker mode, given the leadership uncertainty in the Liberal Party. Mr Shorten has written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull asking that the government "cease taking any actions that may bind the decisions of an incoming government, in line with caretaker conventions". "Out of respect for the Australian people, such a pause should continue until the leadership of the coalition government is satisfactorily resolved or a general election is called, at which point normal caretaker conventions would commence," Mr Shorten wrote on Wednesday. Drought-stricken farmers could receive extra support from next month after the government's drought support plan passed the lower house. Farmers who qualify for support under the asset threshold test, which will be bumped to $5 million from $2.55 million, can now apply next month under an amendment moved by Agriculture Minister David Littleproud on Wednesday. With a Labor proposal for farmers to receive $12,000 in one hit voted down, couples will receive two lump sums of $6000 paid in September and March, while individuals will receive a total of $7200. The Victorian government has rejected prime ministerial hopeful Peter Dutton's idea of removing GST from power bills to make them cheaper. Mr Dutton told Triple M radio in Melbourne he wanted to see the 10 per cent GST on household electricity bills removed. "People would feel that impact straight away," he said on Wednesday, on the first full day of his self-admitted campaign to overthrow Malcolm Turnbull. He also flagged a royal commission on fuel and energy companies, if he managed to win the top job. But Victorian Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio described it as a "thought bubble". "For us to make any commentary on thought bubbles coming out of federal parliament or federal government is not a healthy way for us to conduct our democracy," Ms D'Ambrosio said. She said the recent goings-on in Canberra "vindicated" Victoria's stance against signing up to the National Energy Guarantee. "What's happening federally is an absolute circus, it's a joke and it's a worldwide embarrassment," she said of the leadership tussle. "The NEG never had a chance. "Now you've got the wannabe prime minister who's throwing in other ideas about how to deal with energy prices." A French member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang has been deported from Australia after being refused entry into the country at Perth Airport. The 44-year-old man, who arrived on a flight from Singapore on Saturday, was held in the Perth Immigration Detention Centre until his removal from Australia on Sunday. Border Force said the man had links to gang members in Sydney and his visa was cancelled on the basis that he presented a risk to the health, safety or good order of the community. Workers at SPC are hoping a review into its operations by owner Coca-Cola Amatil will lead to growth in the underperforming fruit and vegetable canning business. CCA group managing director Alison Watkins announced the review on Wednesday, saying a sale, partnership or merger are among options to be considered for SPC. She said the group saw a positive future for the Victorian business, which employs about 220 full time workers at a plant in Shepparton and another 1100 people during the picking season. Leadership instability in the federal Coalition has left the West Australian government worried the GST deal it has spent years arguing for is under threat. Treasurer Scott Morrison said on Wednesday that Peter Dutton's proposal to remove GST from power bills would be a "budget buster", scuttling the 75 per cent "floor" plan. Also, Attorney-General Christian Porter would not guarantee it would go ahead if there was a change in prime minister. WA Premier Mark McGowan said those comments left him "very worried". "I don't want to see that put at risk by all this carry on. This has been a long-fought campaign," Mr McGowan told reporters on Wednesday. "For that to put at risk because the federal government hate each other is not good enough." He said the state government was urgently seeking a guarantee in writing from Mr Morrison that the proposal was going ahead. The federal dysfunction made Australia "a laughing stock", Mr McGowan added. He later issued a warning to the federal Liberal party while speaking in parliament. "If you renege on this deal, if you betray Western Australia on this matter, West Australians will never forgive you." A man has walked into a police station in the NSW Hunter Valley with a hand grenade - prompting the building to be evacuated. The man walked in to Cessnock Police Station on Wednesday afternoon carrying the explosive, a NSW Police spokeswoman told AAP. The building was evacuated and people are being urged to avoid the area until Australian Defence Force officers safely remove the explosive shell. The act is not being treated as suspicious or deliberate and AAP understands the man may have been handing the device in to be disposed of. Three months after starting medication to treat hepatitis C Frank Carlus was cured of the disease that claimed his mother's life. He describes the cure as a godsend, but for his mother the stigma associated with a disease often linked to risky lifestyles was a barrier to her seeking treatment. Hepatitis C can cause liver cancer, cirrhosis and death and while cures are available there's been a rapid decline in the number of Australians taking up treatment. "It's important that people are able to access treatment without fear of being stigmatised, without fear of being discriminated against," Mr Carlus said, promoting a national partnership aimed at eliminating the disease by 2030. Hepatitis C medications are subsidised by the government until 2021, but 170,000 eligible Australians have not yet begun treatment. Since 2016 58,000 people have sought treatment, with 43,000 of those in the first 15 months and declining numbers since. An $11.3 million grant and partnership hopes to turn that around. Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia brings together scientists, researchers, government, health services and community organisations for the first time. Chief investigator Margaret Hellard told AAP she hopes to see 15,000 people a year accessing treatment to reduce the number of people dying and the rate of transmission. "Australia is one of the few countries where we can actually eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat," she said. Part of doing that is through awareness of the new treatments which are highly effective and require taking between one-and-three tablets a day for up eight to 12 weeks. "It's not like the yucky old drugs, and it is available to anybody no matter how long they've had it or whether they still do drugs," she said. The infection is common among people who inject drugs, so treating those using syringes in unclean environments reduces the risk of transmission, she said. Risk of infection is also higher among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, prisoners as well as gay and bisexual men. Ensuring health practitioners are aware of the treatment, who is eligible and how to treat patients with hepatitis C is also part of the plan, being launched by Health Minister Greg Hunt in Canberra on Wednesday night. It's hoped the partnership will result in a 65 per cent reduction in hepatitis C related deaths and an 80 per cent reduction in new infections. HEPATITIS C BY NUMBERS: * 58,000 people treated since 2016 * 170,000 people still yet to seek treatment * Medication funded until 2021 * $2.4 billion estimated cost to Australia of not seeking treatment. WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's goal of reducing the trade deficit by imposing tariffs is based on a "fundamentally incorrect assessment," a leading U.S. expert told Xinhua in a recent interview. Trump "wants to see bilateral deficits changed and we will gain wealth. This is fundamentally an incorrect assessment," said Douglas Paal, vice president for studies at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Paal said Trump's long-time focus on the U.S. trade deficit with China is considered by economists as a "misplaced attention" that is unlikely to help the United States. Paal points out that the official in charge of U.S. trade polices has been "fixated on protecting U.S. jobs," but the anti-China tariffs the official has implemented and proposed would be detrimental to the U.S. economy and industries. In the 1980s, negotiations between the United States and Japan resulted in restricting Japanese exports of automobiles and steel to the United States. However, the result also had a negative impact on the United States. Eight years of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan's protectionist approach made the United States a less competitive country in both industries, Paal said. Paal said that some U.S. policy-makers see the tariffs as a way to undermine China's efforts to its science and technology gap with the United States, but in reality China has superseded the United States in a number of fields, and both sides can benefit from learning from each other. "A lot of Chinese advances are ahead of the United States and the United States could learn from the Chinese system," Paal said. Paal said targeting Chinese tech companies may also hurt the interests of ordinary U.S. workers, as large amounts of U.S. pension funds are invested in them. "The cross investment in these areas is huge. American pension funds have large investments in Alibaba and Tencent and all these other companies, and so trying to separate them out is going to be very complicated," he said. He said it is imperative that both Beijing and Washington improve mutual confidence and set up crisis management mechanisms to prevent the confrontation on trade from spilling over to other spheres, Paal said, suggesting that both sides should begin "frank conversations." "To accommodate each other's needs for China to grow and for the United States to retain influence is very tricky business. It's not going to be done by a formula or a theory. It's going to be done by day-to-day decision-making by people," Paal said. New laws should be impact-tested before they enter Australia's justice system, according to a new report. The assessments would prevent unintended consequences like heaping extra pressure on legal support services which are already stretched thin, the report from the Law Council says. The "justice impact tests" are one of 59 recommendations the council has made following a lengthy review into how Australians experiencing disadvantage access the law. "There is little government policy that doesn't have some impact on the justice system," Law Council president Morry Bailes said. "We must ensure this impact is factored in at the very beginning of the process." Extra demands upon courts and overcrowded prisons are examples of the unexpected consequences of some laws, Mr Bailes said. And it's not just justice-specific policies that can have such as impact, with welfare, immigration, family and housing among other policy areas where legal changes can have flow-on effects. Justice impact tests are already used in the United Kingdom, Canada and a number of states in the United States. "We have no doubt they are equally needed here," Mr Bailes said. The Law Council's report - of more than 1000 pages - will be released in Canberra on Thursday. Also among its recommendations are a full review of resourcing in the judicial system and building people's knowledge of everyday legal issues, including through school ducation. It also calls for greater government investment in legal assistance, at a minimum of $390 million each year, to address existing gaps. Calls for financial assistance for sheep farmers suffering after the halt to live exports to the Middle East have been rejected by federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud. Australian shipments to the Gulf ground to a stop this northern summer after footage of thousands of sheep dead, dying and suffering in sweltering conditions on the Awassi Express sparked calls to end the trade. Emanuel Exports had its licence suspended, then cancelled and the Department of Agriculture also imposed new conditions on the industry labelled by some as a "de facto ban" of the Middle East summer trade. The other major company servicing that market, Livestock Shipping Services, voluntarily switched its focus to South America. After Emanuel vowed to appeal its licence cancellation on Wednesday, WA Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the federal government, which had handled the sector badly for a long time, should give sheep farmers financial help to adjust to their sudden "new reality". "Instead of hiding behind his department, it's time Minister Littleproud shows some real leadership and give WA farmers the support they need," Ms MacTiernan said. But Mr Littleproud bluntly said there would be no package. "Government does not compensate when a market player is removed by relevant authorities," he said. Malcolm Turnbull may be facing a fresh challenge to his leadership with a small group of Liberal MPs pushing for Peter Dutton to have another go. But new polling shows a Dutton government would crash at the election to Bill Shorten, with voters picking the Labor leader over the former Home Affairs minister. A defiant prime minister is holding on to his leadership with support from his two key lieutenants, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann. Mr Dutton's supporters circulated a letter on Wednesday night calling for the party room to meet. "I understand there's a petition. I understand that a couple of hours ago there were nine signatures on it," Liberal MP Jane Prentice told reporters on Wednesday night. It was unclear how many MPs had actually seen and signed the letter and if any cabinet ministers were willing to shift their support from Mr Turnbull. Mr Dutton admitted he's calling Liberals to win support for a second challenge after failing 48 votes to 35 in a snap leadership ballot on Tuesday. The electorate, however, appears to be supporting Mr Turnbull. A Morgan poll of more than 1200 voters picked Mr Turnbull as the better prime minister over Mr Shorten, 52 per cent to 44.5 per cent. But Mr Shorten thumped Mr Dutton 59 per cent to 36.5 per cent when voters were given the chance to pick between them. "The iron laws of arithmetic confirmed my leadership of the Liberal Party," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday. He was flanked by Mr Morrison and Senator Cormann, who gave him public votes of support. "This is my leader and I'm ambitious for him," Mr Morrison said, giving Mr Turnbull a hug. "I support the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull," added Senator Cormann. Mr Dutton launched a media campaign on Wednesday morning, going on Melbourne radio to call for a royal commission into fuel and energy prices. But Mr Morrison unleashed on Mr Dutton's plan to take the GST off electricity prices, calling it a "budget blower" that would cost $7.5 billion over four years. Mr Dutton's push for another challenge lost some steam amid questions about his parliamentary eligibility over the public funding of childcare centres held under a family trust. A parade of ministers who voted against Mr Turnbull were asked in parliament whether they supported him, and all answered yes. Thursday is the last day of parliament until September 10, with the next scheduled Liberal partyroom meeting on September 11. Michael Cohen, former personal attorney for US President Donald Trump, is said to be negotiating a plea deal with federal prosecutors Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, was reported Tuesday to be finalizing a plea agreement with federal prosecutors investigating his business dealings and possible campaign finance violations. ABC News said Cohen, 51, had tentatively reached an agreement to plead guilty while CBS News and NBC News said negotiations could be resolved as early as Tuesday. A guilty plea would avoid a high profile trial, but also could require Cohen to cooperate with investigators probing whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in its efforts to sway the 2016 US presidential elections. Neither prosecutors in Manhattan nor Cohen's attorney would comment on the matter. Guilty pleas are common in the United States when it appears prosecutors have sufficient evidence for a conviction if the case goes to trial. The FBI raided Cohen's home and office on a referral from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is looking into whether Trump sought to obstruct the Russia meddling probe. Cohen -- who once declared he was so loyal he would "take a bullet for the president" -- was involved in efforts to hush allegations from a former Playboy model about an affair with Trump. He also paid $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels to silence her own claims of an alleged one-night stand with Trump in 2006, just before the election. Talk of a plea deal comes days after The New York Times reported that Cohen is also under investigation for potential tax and bank fraud, possibly exceeding $20 million via loans obtained by the taxi medallion business he owns with his family. Gabon The Gulf of Guinea, where a tanker with 17 Georgian sailors aboard has been missing for a week, has in recent years become the epicentre of maritime piracy in Africa. The siphoning of oil from hijacked cargo ships, illegal fishing, trafficking of all kinds: the 5,700-kilometre (3,541-mile) coastal zone stretching from Senegal to Angola is a happy hunting group for pirates. It has upstaged the Gulf of Aden, where once rampant piracy has considerably diminished faced with the deployment of an international military armada. During the first half of 2018, the crews of six ships were kidnapped by pirates around the world, all in the Gulf of Guinea, according to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), in a report published in late July. In 2017, out of 16 incidents around the world in which ships came under gunfire, seven were listed in the Gulf of Guinea. Ten hostage-takings involving a total of 65 crew members were perpetrated last year in the waters off Nigeria. Pirates operating off Nigeria, Togo and Benin are usually well-armed and violent. They sometimes hijack ships for several days, long enough to loot the holds, knocking around the crews, who are less and less willing to sail in these waters. Others release them after a ransom is paid. In February, an oil tanker flying the flag of Panama, with 22 Indian sailors and 13,500 tonnes of fuel aboard, was held in such conditions for five days by pirates off Benin, before being released with its crew and its cargo. Piracy in the Gulf, home to Sub-Saharan Africa's two main oil producers Nigeria and Angola, has seriously disrupted this international shipping route and cost the global economy billions of dollars. The 17 countries in the region, whose surveillance and maritime defence capabilities are limited and disparate, have been trying for several years to bolster their means of intervention and to put in place a closer regional collaboration, with the help of the United States and France. Michael Cohen, former personal attorney for US President Donald Trump, has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to charges stemming from his business dealings and possible campaign finance violations Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, has agreed to plead guilty to charges stemming from a federal investigation of his business dealings and possible campaign finance violations, US media reported Tuesday. There was no initial confirmation of the plea deal reported by several media including NBC News and The New York Times, or of the specific charges involved, but Cohen was set to appear in Manhattan criminal court at 4 pm (2000 GMT). CNN reported that the deal includes prison time for the president's long-time fixer, who played a behind-the-scenes role in making hush payments to women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. The development came on the same day as a former Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, faced a fourth day of deliberations in his tax evasion and bank fraud trial. A Cohen guilty plea would avoid a high profile trial, but also could require him to cooperate with investigators probing whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in its efforts to sway the 2016 US presidential elections. Neither prosecutors in Manhattan nor Cohen's attorney would comment on the matter. Guilty pleas are common in the United States when it appears prosecutors have sufficient evidence for a conviction if the case goes to trial. The FBI raided Cohen's home and office on a referral from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is looking into whether Trump sought to obstruct the Russia meddling probe. Cohen -- who once declared he was so loyal he would "take a bullet for the president" -- was involved in efforts to hush allegations from a former Playboy model about an affair with Trump. He also paid $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels to silence her own claims of an alleged one-night stand with Trump in 2006, just before the election. Talk of a plea deal comes days after The New York Times reported that Cohen is also under investigation for potential tax and bank fraud, possibly exceeding $20 million via loans obtained by the taxi medallion business he owns with his family. Michael Cohen was Donald Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's longtime lawyer and fixer, pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight counts, including violations of campaign finance rules during the 2016 presidential race -- and implicated his former boss in the process. The former lawyer and businessman pleaded guilty to five counts of tax fraud, one of bank fraud and two counts of violating campaign finance laws during the hearing before US District Judge William Pauley in Manhattan. Questioned by the federal judge, Cohen said he had paid sums of $130,000 and $150,000 each to two women who claimed they had affairs with Trump, acting at his boss's request, in a bid to buy their silence "with the purpose of influencing the election." Cohen did not specify the women's names, but the sums correspond to a payment known to have been made to porn star Stormy Daniels just before the election to silence her claims of a one-night stand with Trump -- and another destined for former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Cohen's explosive assertion -- which suggests Trump may have committed a crime -- was all the more spectacular coming from a man who once declared he was so loyal he would "take a bullet for the president." Most of the counts against the 51-year-old Cohen carry maximum prison terms of five years, with the exception of making false statements to a financial institution, which carries up to 30 years. Guilty pleas are common in the United States when it appears prosecutors have sufficient evidence for a conviction if the case goes to trial. The FBI raided Cohen's home and office on a referral from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is looking into whether Trump sought to obstruct the Russia meddling probe. The plea deal came comes days after The New York Times reported that Cohen was also under investigation for tax and bank fraud, possibly exceeding $20 million via loans obtained by the taxi medallion business he owns with his family. Just minutes earlier, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty of eight counts, in the first trial resulting from the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. A jury found Manafort guilty of five counts of making false income tax returns, two counts of bank fraud and one of failure to report foreign bank and financial accounts. Each of the bank fraud counts carries a significant maximum sentence and the 69-year-old Manafort could theoretically live out the remainder of his years in prison -- though a legal expert told AFP it would run to under a decade in reality. Paul Manafort (R) landed a job at Donald Trump's campaign manager in 2016, but that position would be his undoing Paul Manafort was riding high, raking in tens of millions of dollars as the strategic adviser to pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. And as fast as the Republican political consultant was making money, he was spending it: millions on luxury homes and cars, $1 million for antique rugs, another $1 million on clothes including top-of-the-line suits and an $18,500 python jacket, and more. Just when his lavish tastes were squeezing him financially and the Ukrainian pipeline was running dry, Manafort landed a position as chairman of the presidential campaign of Donald Trump. What should have been his dream job ended up being his undoing, ultimately triggering the process that led to the 69-year-old's conviction in federal court on Tuesday on eight counts linked to making false tax declarations, bank fraud and failure to report foreign accounts. Each of the bank fraud counts carries a significant maximum sentence and he could in theory live out the rest of his life in prison, though a legal expert contacted by AFP predicted it would in reality run to under a decade. Fired by Trump after just three months as his campaign manager, Manafort's financial misdeeds were uncovered by Special Counsel Robert Mueller during his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. It was a brutal fall for a political insider who, in addition to Trump, worked on the White House bids of Republicans Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole. - Political family - Paul John Manafort Jr was born on April 1, 1949 in New Britain, Connecticut. Politics ran in the family -- his father once served as mayor of his hometown. Manafort earned a law degree from Georgetown University, joined a law firm after school and eventually a lobbying shop known as Black, Manafort, Stone and Kelly. The "Stone" was Roger Stone, the Washington political insider who would eventually be among those recruiting Manafort to join Team Trump. After making a name in domestic politics, Manafort turned his talents to the lucrative practice of lobbying on behalf of questionable foreign leaders such as Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Somalia's Mohamed Siad Barre and Jonas Savimbi of Angola. But it was his work for Viktor Yanukovych, who served as president of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014, when he fled to Russia amid corruption allegations, which got him in trouble. Prosecutors alleged during Manafort's trial that more than $75 million of Ukrainian money poured into his offshore bank accounts, most of which were based in Cyprus and managed by a Cypriot attorney referred to in court as "Dr. K." Manafort was Tuesday convicted of five counts of making false income tax returns, two counts of bank fraud and one of failure to report foreign bank and financial accounts. But the six-man, six-woman jury was unable to reach a verdict in 10 counts prompting Judge TS Ellis to declare a partial mistrial. - 'Very good person' - Besides landing him in jail, it was the Ukrainian connection which also led to Manafort's dismissal from the Trump campaign. He resigned as Trump's campaign chairman on August 19, 2016 after investigators for the new Ukraine government released files showing secret cash payments from Yanukovych to Manafort worth $12.7 million. "Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success," Trump said at the time. The US president has since downplayed Manafort's contribution to the campaign but has continued to come to his defense, describing him as a "very good person" and saying his trial was a "very sad day for our country." He expressed regret after the jury's verdict Tuesday, telling reporters: "It's a very sad thing that happened, this has nothing to do with Russian collusion." While the charges against Manafort were not related to his work for Trump, he was one of several people who attended a June 9, 2016 meeting at Trump Tower with a Kremlin-linked lawyer who was offering the campaign damaging information on Hillary Clinton. Legal experts believe Manafort, by going to trial and declining to enter into a plea agreement with the Special Counsel's office, may be hoping for a presidential pardon. Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer for Donald Trump, seen leaving federal court in New York on August 21, 2018 Donald Trump stood accused of conspiring to commit campaign finance fraud and two of his closest aides faced jail time Tuesday, after court proceedings delivered a legal and political one-two punch to his embattled presidency. In a drama that played out simultaneously across two US cities, a court found one former aide guilty of eight charges -- and the other pleaded guilty to another eight -- stemming from the federal investigation into the 2016 presidential election. In New York, Trump's longtime fixer, the attorney Michael Cohen, admitted to charges that included making illegal campaign contributions. Cohen detailed how he made pre-election hush payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Both claim to have had affairs with Trump. But in a sensational twist, Cohen also pointed to the president -- or "individual 1" as a co-conspirator -- alleging that he acted "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office" in making those payments. "I participated in this conduct with the purpose of influencing the election," a visibly crestfallen Cohen told the judge, his voice trembling at times as he addressed the packed courtroom. That admission put Trump himself in legal jeopardy. And it raised the prospect that a once-trusted lieutenant is ready to spill secrets, gathered over decades, in exchange for a reduced sentence. In a statement to US media, Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said, "there is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen." Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis explained his client's about face after years spent vowing to "take a bullet" for Trump. "This is Michael fulfilling his promise... to put his family and country first and tell the truth about Donald Trump," said Davis. "Today, he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election," the lawyer continued. - Nearer home - While the Cohen drama was unfolding in New York, a jury in Virginia found Trump's one-time campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, guilty on eight counts, including bank fraud, tax fraud and failure to declare foreign bank accounts. The case against Paul Manafort stemmed from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference and possible collusion between Trump's campaign team and Moscow Trump expressed regret, calling Manafort "a good man." "I feel very sad about that," Trump told reporters as he arrived in West Virginia for a rally, claiming the conviction was part of a "witch hunt" after the 2016 election. "It's a very sad thing that happened, this has nothing to do with Russian collusion." Trump also sought to distance himself from Manafort -- who was instrumental in the 72-year-old securing the 2016 Republican nomination. "He worked for many, many people," said Trump, citing campaigns for former president Ronald Reagan and vice presidential candidate Bob Dole. At the rally Trump made oblique but impassioned comments about Manafort and the Mueller probe. "Where is the collusion?" he asked the crowd. "They are still looking for collusion, where is the collusion? Find some collusion. We want to find the collusion." - New York family - It is Cohen's decision to enter a plea deal that may pose the most problems for Trump. While it is US legal tradition that the president cannot be tried, the allegation, if proven, will only increase calls for his impeachment as congressional elections in November come nearer. "I think impeachment is now squarely going to define the midterms," Rob Stutzman, a Republican strategist and Trump critic, told The New York Times. "It's inescapable now that Democrats can legitimately raise that issue." Questioned by a federal judge in Manhattan, Cohen indicated he had paid sums of $130,000 and $150,000 each to two women who claimed they had affairs with Trump. Cohen said he made the payments "at the request of a candidate" to silence "information that would be prejudicial to the candidate and the campaign." In addition to two counts of violating campaign finance laws, Cohen pleaded guilty to five counts of tax fraud and one of bank fraud during the hearing before US District Judge William Pauley. The federal judge informed the 51-year-old Cohen that he faced a maximum of 65 years of imprisonment, with his sentence set to be handed down on December 12. The US president had spent much of the day cooped up at the White House, as rainstorms raged outside and the two high-profile legal cases with profound implications for his presidency reached their coda. At a courthouse close to Washington, jurors spent four days deliberating on the 18 charges against Manafort. While the jury was unable to reach a verdict on 10 counts, prompting the judge to declare a partial mistrial, Manafort was found guilty on the eight remaining charges. These included five counts of filing false income tax returns, two counts of bank fraud and one of failure to report foreign bank and financial accounts. Each of the bank fraud counts carries a significant maximum sentence and the 69-year-old could theoretically live out the remainder of his years in prison -- though a legal expert contacted by AFP predicted his sentence would in reality last less than a decade. Post Malone (R), who won "Song of the Year" on Monday night's MTV video awards for "Rockstar," tweeted: "i landed guys. thank you for your prayers. can't believe how many people wished death on me on this website" A small plane carrying US rapper Post Malone was forced to make an emergency landing at a New York state airport on Tuesday after two of its tires blew out during takeoff, aviation authorities said. The Gulfstream G-IV jet took off for London at 10:50 am local time at Teterboro Airport, located some 50 kilometers (30 miles) from New York, the Federal Aviation Authority said. According to the FAA and the FlightRadar website, the plane, which was carrying a total of 16 people on board according to celebrity news site TMZ, went around in several circles in order to drain its fuel reserves before landing at Stewart airport, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from New York city, close to 4:00 pm. The 23-year-old, who won "Song of the Year" on Monday night's MTV video awards for "Rockstar," tweeted: "i landed guys. thank you for your prayers. can't believe how many people wished death on me on this website." cat/ab/ia/mdl WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Paul Manafort, former campaign chairman of U.S. President Donald Trump, was on Tuesday found guilty on eight out of 18 criminal charges of bank and tax fraud by a jury at the federal court in northern Virginia, according to multiple news reports. Manafort's conviction is the first secured at trial by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team. Five of the guilty verdicts were for filing false tax documents, and the other three involved foreign bank account registration and bank fraud. Judge T.S. Ellis III declared a mistrial in the other 10 charges on which jurors said they could not reach a verdict. The result came after days of deliberations by six male, six female jurors and weeks of exchanges of evidence and testimony in the trial. CNN hailed the verdict as "a major if not complete victory" for the ongoing Mueller probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, while Fox News called it "a highly publicized showdown" between the White House and Mueller in the past few weeks. However, the case didn't specifically address any alleged collusion between Trump associates or officials and the Russian government. Trump has repeatedly attacked the Mueller probe as a "rigged witch hunt." "I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad," Trump told reporters in the White House on Friday, saying Manafort "happens to be a very good person." Manafort, 69, was a veteran lobbyist. He joined Trump's campaign team in March 2016 and spent three months as Trump's campaign chairman until mid August of that year. However, the charges largely stem from Manafort's time working for a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine before the 2016 U.S. elections, though the trial is widely seen as a key test of the strength of Mueller's investigation. Manafort is also facing a separate trial in Washington D.C. on charges of money laundering and fraud conspiracy, which is scheduled for September. A worker welds pipe at an Ohio factory in 2016; Washington has said China was selling large diameter welded pipe used in the oil and gas industry far below the fair price, harming US industry On the eve of renewing talks to try to defuse the spiraling trade dispute with China, the US Commerce Department hit the country with import duties of 132 percent on metal pipe. Commerce said China was selling the large diameter welded pipe used in the oil and gas industry far below the fair price, and that dumping harms US industry, according to the preliminary decision. US imports of the pipe from China last year totaled $180 million. Although this case is a separate from the series of punitive tariffs that President Donald Trump has imposed on thousands of Chinese goods, it is another example of the aggressive tactics against Beijing to try to protect US industry and lower the trade deficit. Canada also was found to be dumping the product, and will face duties of over 24 percent, while India was slapped with a tax of over 50 percent, Commerce said. Greece and Korea will face 22 percent duties, while Turkey will be charged up to five percent. Six US pipe manufacturers filed the antidumping complaint with the Commerce Department in January. Commerce said it will make a final ruling in November on whether the pipe from China and India is dumped into the US market. However, if the independent International Trade Commission finds that US industry was not harmed from the imports, the duties will be refunded. That decision is due December 20. The Commerce Department's final ruling on Canada and the others is due in January, with the ITC due to rule the following month. Lawyer Michael Cohen handled odd and sensitive jobs for Donald Trump before the New York property tycoon became president One year ago Michael Cohen, the longtime lawyer and fixer to Donald Trump pledged he "would take a bullet for the president." On Tuesday that once-deep loyalty melted away when Cohen stunningly implicated the US president in two felony crimes as he pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance violations. It was a huge takedown for the brash New Yorker, who tied the last decade of his career personally to Trump. Cohen, 51, a one-time personal injury lawyer who accumulated a small fortune in Manhattan's shady taxi badge industry, bought real estate in a Trump building and eventually worked his way into an office right next to the billionaire's in his eponymous 5th Avenue skyscraper. As personal lawyer to one of New York's richest property magnates and an executive vice president of the Trump Organization, he handled numerous business deals inside and outside the United States for his boss, as well as fixing some of the future president's more seamy problems. Left on the wayside when Trump moved triumphantly into the White House, Cohen made a business out of his personal contact in the Oval Office and swore his allegiance, fighting to protect Trump's reputation. "I'm the guy who stops the leaks. I'm the guy who protects the president and the family. I'm the guy who would take a bullet for the president," he told Vanity Fair in September 2017. - Taxi business to real estate - Cohen grew up on Long Island and earned his law degree from Western Michigan University's Cooley Law School, one of the lowest-ranked law schools in the country. In 1994, he married Laura Shusterman, the daughter of a Soviet emigre who was in the notoriously rough-and-tumble taxi business in the Big Apple. Cohen began buying and selling taxi medallions, once worth as much as $1 million each, which allow a driver to operate a yellow cab. As a property investor working with his Russian and Ukrainian contacts, Cohen's name was attached to multiple deals worth tens of millions of dollars. But, the New York Times reported, he could flip property so quickly that it raised eyebrows over what and who was really behind the trades. One year before the election, even as Trump was already on the campaign trail, he took the lead in an effort to seal a deal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, tapping connections close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But the deal -- one sought by Trump since the 1990s -- never gelled. It was during the campaign that he showed his other value to the president-to-be: buying the silence of women who threatened to reveal to the public their alleged affairs with the Republican candidate. Just days before the election, Cohen paid $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about her past with Trump. He also was involved in buying for $150,000 the rights to the story of Playboy model Karen McDougal about her alleged affair with Trump. Those actions, which involved shell companies and offshore entities controlled by Cohen, got him into legal trouble over banking, tax and campaign finance laws. Cohen initially said he used his own money to pay Daniels and was not reimbursed. Trump, who first denied knowing anything about the payment, has since conceded that Cohen was paid back. - Millions for lobbying Trump - But Cohen's case became an embarrassment and a threat to Trump. Trump declared early on that the investigation was all about Cohen's private business, with nothing to do with him. It also emerged that after Trump became president, Cohen actively marketed his access to the president. He earned some $2 million from companies like AT&T and Novartis, while pitching himself as "Personal Counsel to President Donald J. Trump." "I'm crushing it," the Washington Post reported he told an associate in mid-2017. He further angered Trump in July when, according to reports, he told investigators that the US president knew in advance of a June 2016 meeting in which Russians were expected to share dirt on then-election rival Hillary Clinton. Trump denied in a tweet that he knew of the meeting, which is at the center of the investigation into possible collusion with Russians. "Sounds to me like someone is trying to make up stories in order to get himself out of an unrelated jam," Trump said. The case against Paul Manafort stemmed from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference and possible collusion between Donald Trump's campaign team and Moscow Donald Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort was found guilty of tax and bank fraud Tuesday, in the first trial resulting from the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The guilty verdicts on eight counts are a victory for special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference and possible collusion between the Trump campaign team and Moscow. Trump, who has repeatedly maligned the Mueller probe, views it as a stain on his presidency and has pushed for it to be ended, described Manafort's conviction as "very sad." US District Judge T.S. Ellis declared a mistrial on 10 counts on which the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. But the jurors found Manafort guilty of the remaining eight counts: five of making false income tax returns, two of bank fraud and one of failure to report foreign bank and financial accounts. While the 69-year-old Manafort could theoretically live out the remainder of his years in prison as a result of the convictions, a legal expert told AFP that his time behind bars would in reality likely last under a decade. Just before leaving the courtroom, Manafort winked to his wife, who was present for the verdict. Manafort's lawyer Kevin Downing said his client was "evaluating all of his options" and thanked the judge for a "fair trial." "Mr Manafort is disappointed of not getting acquittals all the way through, or a complete hung jury on all counts," Downing told journalists. - 'Good man' - Reacting to the verdict as he arrived in West Virginia for a rally of supporters, Trump described Manafort as a "good man," said he was "very sad" at the trial outcome -- and once more denounced the Mueller investigation as a "witch hunt." Trump had previously suggested that Manafort, who briefly served as his campaign manager, was being treated worse than late American gangster Al Capone. He has refused to rule out a pardon. Observers have speculated that the prospect of a pardon may have explained why Manafort chose a trial as opposed to a plea deal like his former aide Rick Gates. The case went to the jury on Thursday after 12 days of gripping testimony about hidden bank accounts, betrayal and lavish spending by Manafort on luxury homes, cars, antique rugs and clothes. Prosecutors outlined schemes Manafort allegedly used to avoid paying US taxes on the millions of dollars he earned in Ukraine, saying he also filed false statements to obtain millions of dollars in loans from banks when his Ukraine consulting fees dried up. Defense attorneys sought for their part to cast doubt on the credibility of the prosecution's star witness, Manafort's former trusted deputy Gates, who took a deal from the government and turned against his former boss. Trump spent much of Tuesday cooped up at the White House, as two high-profile legal cases with profound implications for his presidency played out on US television screens. Barely minutes after the Manafort verdict was announced, Trump's longtime personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in Manhattan court to eight counts, including fraud and campaign finance violations. Questioned by a federal judge, Cohen indicated he had paid sums of $130,000 and $150,000 each to two women who claimed they had affairs with Trump, at his boss's request in order to buy their silence "with the purpose of influencing the election." The 6.7-magnitude quake struck at a moderate depth of 30 kilometres (19 miles) with the epicentre just off the northern tip of Vanuatu's sparsely-populated Ambrym island A 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Wednesday morning, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued. The quake struck at a moderate depth of 30 kilometres (19 miles) with the epicentre just off the northern tip of Vanuatu's sparsely-populated Ambrym island. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami risk. "Shaking would have been felt throughout the whole of Vanuatu," Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Eddie Leask told AFP. "But it's hard to tell whether it will cause damage. It's reasonably shallow but it all depends on the buildings, soil type and so on." On its website, Geoscience put the potential damage radius at 63 kilometres. The nearest city, Lakatoro, is 78 kilometres away, with the capital Port Vila 187 kilometres north of the epicentre. "We get a lot of five and six magnitude quakes coming through Vanuatu," added Leask. "We'd expect to see smaller aftershocks, and even a bigger one." The Vanuatu Disaster Management Office told AFP it was not aware of any immediate damage. Vanuatu, with a population of about 280,000 spread over 65 inhabited islands, is regarded as one of the world's most disaster-prone countries. It sits on the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire," making it vulnerable to strong earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, while powerful cyclones also regularly lash the islands. A 7.0-magnitude quake struck in 2017, but no damage was reported. The Coptic Church is the largest Christian community in the Middle East A scholarly bishop was found bludgeoned to death at the desert monastery he ran, and two monks are facing trial for killing him in an ambush on the way to Sunday mass. A murky murder saga is gripping Egypt's Coptic Church and the fallout is rumbling through an ancient community already facing grave threats. The Saint Macarius monastery lies in the dusty plains at Wadi el-Natrun, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of downtown Cairo. It was there on the last Sunday in July, prosecutors say, that two monks known by their ecclesiastical names Isaiah and Philotheos lay in wait. When 68-year-old Bishop Epiphanius passed by they pounced. Isaiah struck the abbot on the head three times with a metal bar as Philotheos kept watch, the charges say. The killing has rocked the close-knit Coptic clergy, shining a spotlight on a world often hidden from view. It is also rattling through the faithful, the largest Christian community in the Middle East. "This will have a huge impact. Coptic clergy are not just viewed as religious functionaries, but as fathers of the community," said Samuel Tadros from the Hudson Institute in Washington. "The murder of a bishop, inside a monastery, (allegedly) at the hands of two monks, will send shock waves inside the community." - Motive mystery - Weeks after Epiphanius' body was found, the reasons for his death remain shrouded in mystery. Prosecutors said on Sunday that Isaiah confessed to carrying out the murder due to "differences" -- but no more details were given. The murder may have dented the reputation of the clergy but few doubt the Church will maintain its central role for Copts "What we know is very limited. The church and state agencies have not given away much," said Britain-based expert Shady Lewis. "Personal grudge could be a very strong possibility." Isaiah -- whose real name is Wael al-Saad -- had faced disciplinary proceedings before and was quickly defrocked after Epiphanius' body was found. The Church has released little more information on the death, saying the investigation is in the hands of the authorities. "It is not to our advantage to cover up wrongdoings," said leader Pope Tawadros II in a statement, describing the incident as a "crime". While the motive remains unclear, the killing and reactions to it have focused attention on schisms in the Church. Long-standing disagreements over religious dogma, the independence of monasteries and power struggles have all come under the microscope. Epiphanius backed teachings advocating less involvement in worldly affairs and upset some in the Coptic establishment by questioning the legacy of the former head of the Church. But just as in any organisation it seems that feuds within the Church, including the one that might have killed him, can often be more basic. "Most conflicts are localised, fluid and run around personal loyalties, power shares, financial issues, prestige," said Lewis. "Dogma plays a role of course, but the main struggle is around centralising power within the Church, imposing hierarchal authority." In the wake of the death, the Church leadership took wide-ranging steps. It placed a one-year moratorium on accepting new monks, banned current ones from social media, tightened financial controls and refocused attention on spiritual life. Tawadros himself deleted his Facebook account, slamming the site as a "waste of time". Gamal Asaad, a prominent Coptic thinker, said the death set off a warning bell for Church leaders that they have to reform and heal the rifts. "During the funeral of the late Epiphanius, Pope Tawadros told the monks that they are monks in the monastery and not following any one person," he said. - Facing threats - For Copts in Egypt the furore around the death of Epiphanius is just the latest challenge they have faced. For years the community, about 10 percent of Egypt's mainly Sunni Muslim population of 100 million, have coped with marginalisation and the ire of extremists. Inter-religious clashes have strained relations between faiths and bloody bombings claimed by the Islamic State group have targeted Coptic worshippers. For years Coptic Christians, about 10 percent of Egypt's mainly Sunni Muslim population of 100 million, have coped with marginalisation and the ire of extremists Like other minority groups, the Coptic authorities have aligned closely with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who led the ouster of Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi after protests against his rule. While the murder may have dented the reputation of the clergy, few doubt the Church will maintain its central role for Copts. For a community that sees itself under threat the Church provides the main identity and mediates relations with the state. But beyond the latest scandal it appears many Copts still feel vulnerable. Accountant Peter Fangary says he is hoping to leave Egypt one day -- in part because of the greater pressures he feels as a Copt. "Life is more difficult for Christians here," the 30-year-old told AFP, describing a general sense of prejudice he feels. As for the murder of Bishop Epiphanius, he has heard of it of course, even if he rarely goes to church. "I think Satan can lead anyone astray," he said of the case. "I think Satan can make them kill." Consumption of whale meat has been declining in Japan A fleet of Japanese whaling ships caught 177 minke and sei whales during a three-month tour of the northwestern Pacific, the government said Wednesday. The three-ship mission returned home as Tokyo prepares to make its case to resume commercial whaling at a meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Brazil next month. During the latest 98-day mission, the ships caught 43 minke whales and 134 sei whales, the Fisheries Agency said in a statement. Foreign pressure on Japan to stop whaling has only made conservatives and politicians more resolute about continuing their push to resume commercial whaling. It is a rare thorny issue in Tokyo's otherwise amiable diplomacy. "Data that were gathered during this mission will be analysed, along with results from coastal research programmes," the agency said. The data "will be presented to IWC's scientific committee, and will enhance scientific knowledge for conserving and managing cetacean resources." The latest mission was part of a 12-year project to study the number, eating patterns, and biology of whales that Japan wants to analyse to support its claim that certain whales are not endangered and could be caught for consumption. Japan is a signatory to the moratorium on whale hunting, but exploits a loophole which allows whales to be killed in the name of scientific research. It makes no secret of the fact that meat from the expeditions ends up on dinner tables, despite a significant decline in the popularity of whale meat. Young Rohingya refugees look at dresses at a stall ahead of the Eid Al-Adha festival at the Balukhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar. For many refugees, this Eid al-Adha -- the Feast of Sacrifice -- is the first since their expulsion from Myanmar Nearly one million Rohingya Muslims marked Eid al-Adha on Wednesday in the world's largest refugee camp, almost a year to the day since a brutal military crackdown drove the persecuted minority from Myanmar in huge numbers. Prayers were offered in makeshift mosques across southern Bangladesh to celebrate the Islamic festival of sacrifice as cows were slaughtered in muddy fields across the sprawling camps. In Kutupalong, a gigantic hill settlement crammed with hundreds of thousands of refugees, a muezzin called the faithful to pray as children played on a wooden carousel and ran about in dirt alleyways in new clothes for the special day. For many refugees, this Eid al-Adha is the first since their violent expulsion from western Myanmar a year ago in a campaign of orchestrated violence likened by US and UN officials to ethnic cleansing. Muslims traditionally sacrifice animals for the three-day Eid al-Adha feast, a tribute to the prophet Abraham slaughtering a lamb after God spared Ishmael, his son Myanmar's military, backed by armed Buddhist militias, began sweeping through Rohingya villages in August 2017 just days before Eid celebrations got underway. Sayed Hussain spent last year's Eid hiding in the hills of Rakhine State after fleeing an attack on his village. "We couldn't sacrifice cows there. We didn't have anything to eat. In Bangladesh... we can slaughter cows. Praise and thanks be to Allah," the 19-year-old told AFP. Mohammad Jasim, a 16-year-old refugee born and raised in Kutupalong camp, was grateful his relatives in Myanmar had escaped the violence last year to join his family in Bangladesh. "This year's Eid is much better than previous years. All my relatives are here, so we're having a good time." - Sombre celebrations - Muslims traditionally sacrifice animals for the three-day Eid al-Adha feast, a tribute to the prophet Abraham slaughtering a lamb after God spared Ishmael, his son. Those able to make the sacrifice known as qurbani will consume some of the meat and give the rest to the poor unable to buy food. Rohingya refugees get treatments at a men's salon ahead of the Eid Al-Adha festival at the Balukhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar In Cox's Bazar near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, where squalid camps host generations of Rohingya refugees expelled from western Myanmar, there is much need, and little to go around. Cows, goats and sheep flooded local markets catering to the displaced Muslims in the lead up to Eid. Some better-off families pooled whatever cash they could muster to make the Islamic sacrifice, buying shares in a cow or goat. But for most refugees, such luxuries are wildly beyond their means. Barred from legally working, and surviving hand to mouth on charity, this Eid has for many been overshadowed by the misery in Bangladesh. The sight of animals being fattened for slaughter taunted Mohammad Amin, a teenager who remembered the home-cooked meat delicacies and special gifts reserved for the holiest Islamic festivity back home. Rohingya refugee children prepare to celebrate the thre three-day Eid Al-Adha festival at the Thangkhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar "But here, we don't have any money to slaughter cows or buy new clothes," the downcast 15-year-old told AFP at Jamtoli camp, a new settlement for recently arrived refugees. The influx of refugees delivered a bumper year for Bangladeshi livestock trader Aktar Hussain and others like him, who counted wads of cash at a busy cattle market market adjacent to the camps. "This has been my best year yet," he told AFP, as prospective Rohingya buyers examined a sturdy brown cow in a muddy clearing. "Last year, I sold 15 cows at Eid. This year, I've already sold 50." The festival differs from Eid al-Fitr, the other major festival in the Islamic calendar, which was celebrated in June in Muslim-majority Bangladesh after the fasting month of Ramadan. India's Sajan Prakash became the first swimmer to reach last weekend's 200 metres butterfly final despite the knowledge his family home in Kerala had been destroyed by floodwater, and five relatives were missing Indian swimmer Sajan Prakash has been to hell and back at the Asian Games, competing in Jakarta while family members went missing in severe flooding in his home country. The 24-year-old became the first swimmer to reach last weekend's 200 metres butterfly final despite the knowledge that five relatives had not been found and his family home in Kerala had been destroyed by floodwater. Prakash finished outside the medals in fifth, but his prayers were answered after an uncle called to inform him his family members had survived the devastating floods in the southern Indian state that have killed more than 350 people. "I had trouble sleeping, thinking about my family," Prakash told AFP. "I hadn't heard from them because they were cut off from the (phone) network and not able to contact us," he added. "I was very nervous but my uncle called to say they're all safe and everything is alright back home." Prakash's mother Shantymol, who is based in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, initially kept news of the disaster from her son so he could concentrate on his performances at the regional Olympics. But after finding out about the floods from friends, Prakash had to put his anxiety to one side despite losing contact his family members, with no word from Kerala for three days. "I knew that the rain was getting worse (in Kerala) when I arrived in Jakarta but I didn't know it was this bad," Prakash said after Wednesday's 100m fly heats. "But that's what we train for -- to swim under pressure. If I think about it, I will screw up here. And if I screw up here, both are screwed. Either way I can't help, I just have to focus on what I have to do." Sajan Prakash, who swam for India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, insisted he never thought of quitting the Asian Games After becoming the first Indian swimmer to reach an Asian Games final in more than 30 years, Prakash clocked a national record of one minutes, 57.75 seconds -- a distant 3.22 seconds behind Japanese winner Daiya Seto. Prakash, who swam for India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, insisted he never thought of quitting the Asian Games. "I prepared for this for a long time and I didn't want to screw it up by leaving," he said. "My team-mates kept me entertained and focused -- being with them is different from being alone. "It was my dream to get a medal in the Asian Games from childhood," added Prakash. "I've worked for it very hard -- I did whatever was possible to do. If I would have placed top three it would have been a gift for my family. It would have been great." Mohammad Sikander was shot in the shoulder by the military while in his home in Myanmar in September 2017 Rohingya refugee Mohammad Sikander felt a flash of pain as a bullet -- fired by a Myanmar soldier -- tore into his shoulder. Myanmar says its military operations in Sikander's home state of Rakhine last August were an effort to root out terrorists who had targeted police officers. But the scars and disfigured skin of Rohingya civilians -- men, women and children -- tell a different story. "It was a soldier who shot me," Sikander, 37, recounted almost a year after Myanmar security forces stormed his village of Yae Twin Kyun, in Muangdaw district, on September 1. Rohingya refugee Minara, 8, cannot walk properly after being shot in the back of the knee On the back of his right shoulder is a large scar, round and concave, a thumb-sized gouge of flesh taken from his body. "I'm still in pain, I take medicine from the clinic [for it]," he told AFP. "I can't lift heavy things." Sikander is one of the more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims -- a minority from Myanmar long considered outsiders and denied citizenship -- expelled almost a year ago when security forces launched "clearance operations" after rebel attacks. Kabir Ahmed, 60, has been left with an arrow-shaped scar on his shoulder after a bullet tore his flesh Today, he lives across the border in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district, where refugee camps hold more than a million Rohingya. Those who made it to Bangladesh have recounted rape, extrajudicial killings and the razing of entire villages. Myanmar has denied accusations of atrocities -- apart from a solitary massacre in the village of Inn Din. Mohammad Haroon, 28, has trouble breathing after being hit at the top of his spine by a bullet It insists its operations were proportionate responses targeting Rohingya militants. But the violence written on the bodies of refugees speaks otherwise. A round tore through 60-year-old Kabir Ahmed's left shoulder as he fled, leaving a pink arrow-shaped scar. There is the line of gnarled flesh under the bend of eight-year-old Minara's knee, where she was shot at home in Rakhine. Mohammed Sultan, 30, went blind after a bullet pierced his right temple and severed his optical nerve Mohammad Haroon, 28, has a gash at the top of his spine where a bullet hit him as he was trying to cross the border. Aid group Doctors Without Borders says it has treated more than 2,600 patients for injuries from bullets, knives and burns. The figure does not include women subjected to sexual violence. Many of the wounds have an enduring physical impact. Minara can't walk properly and Haroon has trouble breathing. Mohammed Sultan, 30, went blind after a bullet pierced his right temple and severed his optical nerves. But his brother fared worse. "One of my brothers came to rescue me, but he was shot in the back, and he died," he said. The New York Times reported on Sunday that Asia Argento, 42, paid actor Jimmy Bennett $380,000 in hush money after having sex with him in Los Angeles hotel in 2013, when he was only 17 -- and still underage The #MeToo campaign has proved an irresistible force since emerging from the carnage of Hollywood's abuse and harassment scandal -- dominating the conversation on sexual misconduct. But it finds itself facing its own backlash following abuse claims against Italian actress Asia Argento, one of its leaders and an early accuser of disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. The New York Times reported on Sunday that Argento, 42, paid actor Jimmy Bennett $380,000 in hush money after having sex with him in Los Angeles hotel in 2013, when he was only 17 -- and still underage. Argento has denied the allegations, dismissing them as part of "a long-standing persecution," but faces the possibility of losing her job as a judge on TV talent show "X Factor Italy." The case has cast a pall over #MeToo, already under fire from those who say it has ruined the lives of numerous powerful men on the basis of accusations that are rarely vindicated by the judicial process. Argento became a powerful #MeToo voice after accusing Weinstein of raping her when she was 21 in his hotel room in 1997 during the Cannes film festival. Tarana Burke, founder of the movement named by Time magazine as its 2017 "Person of the Year," is acutely aware of the tricky terrain #MeToo now finds itself negotiating. "People will use these recent news stories to try and discredit this movement -- don't let that happen," she tweeted. - 'No model victim' - Ben Brafman (r) expressed shock at the "sheer duplicity" of Argento's conduct, arguing that it demonstrated how poorly the allegations against Harvey Weinstein (c) had been vetted She said there was no such thing as a "model survivor," adding: "We are imperfectly human and we all have to be accountable for our individual behavior." Actress Rosanna Arquette, another early Weinstein accuser, called for understanding for Argento, appearing to believe that the Italian could be both victim and aggressor. She called the timing of the story "suspect" but added that it did not take away the fact that "Asia was still raped by Harvey Weinstein." "I know many many rape and trauma survivors who act out sexually. The wounds they carry run deep. I pray for them," Arquette tweeted. Argento is seen as a controversial figure, with a complex personal story and a traumatic recent history marked by the suicide in June of her partner, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. Monica Hesse, who specializes in gender issues, wrote a commentary for the Washington Post positing a disparity between the real-life complexity of sexual abuse and the stories we tell that often reduce the players to "victim," "attacker," "innocent" or "monster." "Punish Argento, if the legal system requires it. Ask difficult questions regarding how to think about victims who are also abusers," Hesse wrote. "But let the stories be complicated, because that messiness isn't a bad thing. It's actually the only thing. It's the only way to acknowledge there aren't neat labels in these cases, only broken humans." - Good news for Weinstein? - It is probably too early to know if #MeToo will emerge unscathed from Argento scandal, but that hasn't stopped vested interests capitalizing with their own spin on the facts. "This development reveals a stunning level of hypocrisy by Asia Argento, one of the most vocal catalysts who sought to destroy Harvey Weinstein," the mogul's lawyer Ben Brafman said. He expressed shock at the "sheer duplicity" of Argento's conduct, arguing that it demonstrated how poorly the allegations against Weinstein had been vetted. This leading light of the New York bar has been making the case that the scandal weakens the Manhattan prosecution of his client for rape and other sex crimes against three women. Bennett Gershman, a law professor at Pace University and a former prosecutor, thinks Brafman is getting carried away. He argues that while the Argento case is "interesting and thrilling" -- and could even cause problems for #MeToo -- it has nothing to do with Weinstein. Gershman said he expected the lawyers going after the veteran producer to be especially careful, following the embarrassment of the failed Dominique Strauss-Kahn prosecution. A controversial French politician and former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Strauss-Kahn was accused of sexual assault and attempted rape by a hotel maid in 2011. The charges were dismissed at the prosecution's request after serious doubts emerged over the alleged victim's credibility and inconclusive physical evidence. "They would not want that to happen again and my guess is that they have been extra careful in their investigation and in examining the background of their accusers," Gershman said. TEHRAN, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran's first indigenous fighter jet, unveiled on Tuesday, is by no means a threat to the region but for sustainable peace, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said. The Kowsar fighter jet was designed and manufactured by the Iranian experts to be used as a defensive tool for the country, Rouhani said at a ceremony marking National Defense Day on Tuesday. At the ceremony attended by Rouhani and Defense Minister Amir Hatami in the capital Tehran, the Kowsar fighter jet was put on display and made its first flight. "We are obliged to safeguard power, dignity and safety of the nation at lower cost," said Rouhani, quoted by the official IRNA news agency. The Iranian president also said that in case the country overlooks deterrent power and does not rely on its own capabilities, there will be enemies seeking to harm Iran. "Iran's preparedness for defense does not mean warmongering but signifies a durable peace," he said. Iran has never invaded its regional neighbors and will never do so, he said. Rouhani also warned the "enemies" of the heavy costs of any military action against the country, saying that the existing unity among the Iranian people, leadership and the armed forces has made the Islamic republic unbeatable. "Any hostile move against Iran would cost the aggressors dearly," Rouhani said according to Tasnim news agency. He also pointed to the "high political costs" that some regional countries have borne to purchase foreign arms that they cannot even operate. "Those countries have to invite foreign advisers and become servants of foreign powers by giving in to the demands of the arms sellers," said Rouhani. Washington imposes sanctions on Iran, but refrains from taking military action against the Islamic republic, since it is aware of the heavy costs of aggression, he added. Hatami also hailed what he called the country's self-sufficiency in arms sphere. "We are moving towards the use of modern technologies and defense diplomacy," he said, adding that "we tried to strengthen our defense sector within the framework of our needs and priorities." "Of course, we are doing this at the lowest cost," and Iran's expenditure on defense sector is even less than that of smaller countries, he said. According to Press TV, the fighter jet is equipped with "advanced avionics and fire control systems" and can be used for short aerial support missions. It also uses digital military data networks, multi-purpose digital monitors, ballistic calculation computers and smart mobile mapping systems. The jet has an advanced radar system, enabling it to detect enemy targets. It is also equipped with a head-up display or HUD, which promotes precision targeting. The plane can be manufactured in both single and double cockpit types, the latter of which can be used for advanced pilot training missions in addition to its combat capability. On Sunday, the defense minister also put developing deterrent missile power as the country's top priority. Hatami hailed the country's military achievements, and vowed to continue enhancing missile capabilities. Special counsel Robert Mueller continues to press forward in his Russia collusion investigation despite pressure from President Donald Trump, who labels the probe a "witch hunt" The conviction of President Donald Trump's one-time campaign chairman and the guilty plea by his former personal lawyer Tuesday have brought Russia prosecutor Robert Mueller sorely needed relief as political pressure mounts for him to wind up the 15-month-old investigation. The cases of Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen won't end Trump's crusade to tar Mueller's probe as a "witch hunt," a furious effort aimed at undermining any effort to put the US leader on trial. But experts say every win counts for the special prosecutor, with a growing record of success making it more likely he will secure cooperation from future witnesses. With a crucial congressional election looming in November, Trump is desperate to convince voters the investigation is politically biased, in hopes of protecting his crucial Republican majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives. His first reaction to the results in the two cases Tuesday was to again insist that there is no basis to Mueller's investigation. "It doesn't involve me.... It had nothing to do with Russian collusion. We continue the witch hunt," Trump said. - Uphill battle - Mueller has an uphill battle to prove allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election, and that Trump has sought to obstruct his investigation. The Manafort case, the first one the Mueller team has sent to trial, saw a jury find the former Trump campaign chairman guilty on eight counts of tax evasion, bank fraud and financial account reporting violations. While the evidence was strong, the case was focused on Manafort's dealings separate to the 2016 campaign and not directly related to Russia. The Cohen case, tried by New York federal prosecutors on a referral from Mueller, also lacked a Russian collusion angle. Cohen pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax fraud in his personal business, and campaign finance violations related to hush payments to two alleged former Trump girlfriends. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty of tax evasion and bank fraud In the latter, however, he stunningly implicated the president in a felony, declaring Trump himself had ordered the payments to influence the election. Even if not about collusion, both cases underscored that Mueller is not pursuing frivolous charges, as his critics claim. "Manafort's conviction shows that Mueller's investigation is far from a witch hunt," said Democratic congressman Adam Schiff. "It also shows his campaign and administration were rife with people with a history of unscrupulous business dealings and concerning ties to overseas interests." - Moving quickly - Both cases showed that Mueller, a taciturn 74-year-old former FBI director, is working quickly and efficiently. Since he was named in May 2017, he hasn't commented publicly on the progress of his operation or responded to the president's almost daily attacks. But he has issued indictments against 33 individuals, 25 of them Russians, and three companies. Five have negotiated guilty pleas on reduced charges, including Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn; former deputy campaign chair and Manafort aide Richard Gates; and former foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos. By comparison, it took special prosecutor Ken Starr four years to produce an indictment against president Bill Clinton in the 1990s. Michael German, formerly an FBI agent and now at the Brennan Center for Justice, said the Manafort verdict was an important step forward for Mueller. "Every win is important building to the ultimate fruition of the investigation," he said. "It's easier to gain cooperation from witnesses or secure guilty pleas if you are staring to build a record of success. It puts more pressure on people to cooperate with the investigation." - White House pressure - Even so, the White House says Mueller is dragging his feet. "I think we've been very clear that not only do we, but all the American people, want this to wrap up," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said last week. Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti says there is a constant, implicit threat from Trump to summarily end the probe -- even if that would spark a constitutional crisis. "Mueller has to be concerned about whether he'll be permitted to finish his investigation," he said. El Salvador said its decision to switch ties from Taipei to Beijing was part of the 'inevitable trends of our day' Taiwan's loss of another diplomatic ally to China is the latest strike in a multi-pronged effort to isolate the island, undermine its claims to sovereignty, and render it invisible on the global stage. As Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to bend to Beijing's demand that she recognise the island as part of "one China", the Chinese government has stepped up its campaign to shrink its status. Major international businesses including airlines and hotels have recently caved to pressure to list Taiwan as part of China on their websites. Taiwan has also been shut out of numerous high-profile global forums at Beijing's request and China has stepped up military drills around the self-ruled island. El Salvador's President Sanchez Ceren said its decision Tuesday to switch ties from Taipei to Beijing was part of the "inevitable trends of our day", while Taiwan accused China of using dollar diplomacy to lure away its supporters. Taiwan, whose official name is Republic of China (ROC), now has only 17 official diplomatic allies, the vast majority of them small economies in the Pacific, Caribbean and Central America. Five have jumped ship since Tsai took power in 2016, with three this year alone. No caption The allies may not punch much weight internationally, but chipping away at them has deep significance for Taiwan as it strives to hold on to any formal recognition of its legitimacy. Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign country and has its own democratic political system, laws and currency. However, Beijing considers it a stray province to be brought back into the fold, by force if necessary, with President Xi Jinping repeatedly underscoring the importance of territorial integrity to China's resurgence. "If the ROC is completely unrecognised I believe Beijing's calculation is that it will be easier to delegitimise the government in Taipei and prime demoralised Taiwanese and international society for unification," said Jonathan Sullivan, Director of China Programs at the University of Nottingham. Wooing El Salvador was also a warning shot to the United States, said Fan Shih-ping, a political analyst at National Taiwan Normal University. The US is Taiwan's most important informal ally and major arms supplier, despite having switched official diplomatic ties to Beijing in 1979. Beijing protested last week when Tsai spoke publicly in Los Angeles -- the first Taiwan president to do so for 15 years -- and has also complained about recent friendly overtures from the Trump administration, including a fresh commitment to support Taiwan militarily. "It's an indirect slap in Trump's face as El Salvador is in the US backyard," said Fan. - David vs Goliath - China's nationalist troops retreated to Taiwan after losing a war on the mainland to communist forces in 1949 and declared the island the seat of power of the defeated Republic of China. For decades, Taipei was recognised as China's official representative but in 1971 the United Nations switched recognition to Beijing. That left Taiwan with no sovereign status internationally and prompted major powers to change diplomatic allegiance. Taiwan has never declared independence from the mainland and is hamstrung by its own constitution, which still defines it as the Republic of China, not as a separate entity. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has refused to bow to Beijing's demand to recognise the island as part of 'one China' Beijing has said it would take military action if Taiwan ever formally split and the US would also be unlikely to support such a provocative move. President Tsai declared Tuesday that Taiwan would not bow to pressure and slammed China's "increasingly out-of-control international behaviour". But China's growing global clout makes it a David and Goliath fight for recognition. Xi is confident he can use both hard and soft power to pave the way for reunification, said Huang Kwei-bo, vice dean at Taiwan's National Chengchi University's international affairs college. "They now ignore stakeholders in Taiwan and unilaterally decide to do whatever they want. This is quite worrying as it means Beijing doesn't have any willingness to communicate anymore," said Huang. Beijing cut off all official contact with Taipei after Tsai came to power, as her party is traditionally independence-leaning. However, Sullivan noted that if Taiwan loses all recognition from its allies, Beijing may unwittingly fuel calls from independence supporters to push for the island to redefine itself as the Republic of Taiwan. He also believes Taiwan's unofficial ties ultimately outweigh its official ones. "Taiwan's informal relationships, as a major trading economy, with the US, Japan the European Union and pretty much every other country in the world, are much more important to Taiwan's vitality," he said. New Zealand's Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter and partner Peter Nunns with their new baby in Auckland City Hospital.Genter, a Green MP and keen cyclist, made global headlines when she cycled to hospital for the birth of her first baby A New Zealand government minister who made global headlines when she cycled to hospital for the birth of her first child has delivered a healthy baby boy, her office said Wednesday. Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter, a Green MP and keen cyclist, chose pedal power for Sunday's one kilometre (0.6 mile) journey from her home to Auckland City Hospital for the delivery. Her action, dubbed "the most onbrand thing ever" by colleagues, was featured in media outlets across the world and drew an enthusiastic online response. "WHAT A BABE," tweeted Hollywood star Kristin Bell, while others described her as "one tough lady". Genter, who was 42 weeks pregnant, said the car was too small to accommodate her "support crew" and the bike ride "put me in the best possible mood". After being induced, she gave birth late Tuesday. "We're overjoyed to announce the safe arrival of our son at 18.03 this evening, weighing almost 4.3kg (9 lb 8oz)," she posted on social media. "We waited a very long time for labour to start, but when it did it was short and sharp." Genter plans to take three months' maternity leave. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who returned from six weeks' maternity leave this month after the birth of daughter Neve, congratulated her colleague. "So pleased to hear of the safe arrival of the newest addition to the parliamentary play group. Hope you enjoy those very special first few days," she tweeted. Ardern, who was elected last year, became only the second world leader to give birth while in office after Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto in 1990. Kem Sokha (L) was detained as part of a crackdown last year on the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Cambodia opposition leader Kem Sokha was denied bail Wednesday after almost a year in jail on treason charges that critics say were trumped up by premier Hun Sen to gift himself a free run in last month's election. Kem Sokha was detained as part of a crackdown last year on the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). The party was dissolved in November, leaving Hun Sen to extend his 33-year stay in office at July's polls where his party won every parliamentary seat in a vote without a credible opposition. On Wednesday the Supreme Court in capital Phnom Penh rejected an appeal by Kem Sokha's lawyers to give him bail on grounds of ill health. Prosecutor Ouk Kimsith argued that if released, Kem Sokha could provoke "unrest in the society... his release would affect the political stability". The opposition leader, held in a remote prison near the Vietnamese border, was not present at the hearing. But lawyer Chan Chen said the 65-year-old leader needed to travel abroad for medical treatment. He suffers from hypertension and diabetes, which his lawyers say has been exacerbated by his protracted jail time. "My client did not commit the crimes," Chan Chen said. His trial is yet to start. The CNRP, which posed the most legitimate threat to Hun Sen's ruling Cambodia People's Party (CPP), was dissolved two months after Kem Sokha's arrest. Without a viable opposition taking part in the election, the CPP swept all 125 parliamentary seats, rendering the country a one-party state. Kem Sokha's supporters had hoped he would be freed once the result was beyond dispute. Human Rights Watch called for Kem Sokha's immediate release, labelling the charges "fabricated" and "preposterous". "The government's treatment of Kem Sokha and other political prisoners will lend insight into Cambodia's future after July's sham election," HRW's Brad Adams said in a statement late Tuesday. Author Kevin Kwan and actor Michelle Yeoh at the US premiere of "Crazy Rich Asians" The author of "Crazy Rich Asians", which has been adapted into a hit Hollywood movie, is wanted in his native Singapore for allegedly dodging mandatory national service, authorities said Wednesday. Kevin Kwan, who has lived in the US since he was 11 but is still a Singapore citizen, faces up to three years in jail and a hefty fine if convicted, the city-state's defence ministry said. The movie adaption of his bestseller, which focuses on the glamorous world of Singapore's super-rich, was released in the United States last week and has been hailed as a watershed for Hollywood diversity due to its mostly Asian cast. The film had its Singapore premiere Tuesday, with some of its stars gracing the red carpet and hundreds of fans turning out -- but Kwan was conspicuous by his absence, Singapore's Straits Times newspaper reported. And in a twist worthy of a Hollywood thriller, Singapore's defence ministry revealed in a statement that Kwan "failed to register for National Service in 1990, despite notices and letters sent to his overseas address. "He also stayed overseas without a valid exit permit." The Singapore-American author had committed offences under the enlistment act and faces a fine of up to Sg$10,000 ($7,300) and a prison term of up to three years if convicted, the ministry said. Male Singapore citizens are required to undergo two years of national service upon turning 18. They can either serve in the military, the police or the civil defence force. The defence ministry said Kwan sought to renounce his Singapore citizenship in 1994, but his application and a subsequent appeal were rejected due to his failure to complete national service. "Crazy Rich Asians", the first Hollywood film for a generation to have a majority-Asian cast, tells the tale of an Asian-American woman who is plunged into the world of Singapore's wealthy elite after travelling to the city with her boyfriend. While it has been widely praised in the US, the movie has drawn flak in Singapore for focusing on the wealthy ethnic Chinese and ignoring the country's substantial minorities. US national security adviser John Bolton adjusts his spectacles as he gives a press conference in Jerusalem on August 20, 2018 US President Donald Trump's national security adviser warned Wednesday that the United States would respond "very strongly" if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad uses chemical weapons in an offensive to retake Idlib province. "We now see plans for the Syrian regime to resume offensive military activities in Idlib province," John Bolton told a press conference during a visit to Jerusalem. "We are obviously concerned about the possibility that Assad may use chemical weapons again," he said. "Just so there's no confusion here, if the Syrian regime uses chemical weapons we will respond very strongly and they really ought to think about this a long time." The northern province of Idlib is home to the last major rebel bastion in Syria. In April the United States, France and Britain launched joint missile strikes on Syrian targets in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack in the town of Douma that left scores dead. Bolton also said that the Trump administration was not seeking to oust Iran's leadership with its reimposition of sanctions on Tehran. "Regime change in Iran is not American policy but what we want is massive change in the regime's behaviour," he said. Bolton arrived in Israel on Sunday for three days of talks expected to focus mainly on Iran and its presence in Syria. Israel and Syria share a border and Iran is backing Assad in his country's civil war, along with Russia and Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to prevent Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, and a series of recent strikes that killed Iranians there has been attributed to Israel. "Every time that Iran has brought missiles or other threatening weapons into Syria in recent months Israel has struck those targets," Bolton said. "I think that's a legitimate act of self-defence on the part of Israel," he added. Ethiopian Airlines is teaming up with four African carriers and will manage a fifth as it looks to expand on the continent Ethiopian Airlines is teaming up with four African airlines and has inked a deal to set up a fifth, the company's chief executive told AFP, as it continues its expansion on the continent. The group's CEO Tewolde Gebremariam told AFP Tuesday that his company has finalised deals giving it a 49 percent stake in the national airlines of Guinea -- which recently relaunched after 15 years on the ground -- and Chad -- whose airline was grounded in 2012 over serious safety concerns. It has also finalised a deal to take a 45 percent stake in Zambia Airways, which went under in the nineties, and taken over the management of Equatorial Guinea's airline which has also battled safety concerns. Ethiopian Airlines has also formed a new airline in Mozambique with full ownership. "Guinea Airlines is preparing to start flights to neighbouring and regional countries soon, Chad Airlines will start work on October 1, Mozambique Airlines will start operations by the end of the year and at the request of Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang, ET has taken over complete management of the countrys national air carrier," said Gebremariam. Gebremariam said Ethiopian Airlines was already the biggest African air operator, transporting about 10.6 million passengers during the fiscal year which ended in July. He said the airline wanted closer ties with other carriers on the continent to create a feeling that it is an "African airline", in line with African Union goals for greater economic integration. Ethiopian Airlines also recently announced talks to buy a stake in Eritrean Airlines after a landmark peace deal ended a bitter 20-year conflict between the two nations and they resumed air links. The carrier from Africa's second most populous country already has interests in the airline of Malawi and Togo-based private carrier ASKY, and has signalled its desire to help establish nascent state-run carrier Nigeria Air. African swine fever is not harmful to humans but causes haemorrhagic fever in domesticated pigs and wild boar More than 14,500 pigs have been culled in an eastern Chinese city, officials said Wednesday, as the world's largest pork producer scrambles to contain an outbreak of African swine fever. Beijing reported its first case of the disease in early August, and since then the virus has spread to pigs in several cities across China, requiring authorities to destroy large numbers of hogs. African swine fever is not harmful to humans but causes haemorrhagic fever in domesticated pigs and wild boar that almost always ends in death within a few days. There is no antidote or vaccine, and the only known method to prevent the disease from spreading is a mass cull of the infected livestock. The government of the port city of Lianyungang, about 500km (300 miles) north of Shanghai, said it had culled the swine by Monday night in a quarantined area. Authorities said they had inspected four million other pigs in the city and found no other abnormalities. In a report to the World Organisation for Animal Health, Beijing said an emergency plan had been launched and control measures taken to halt the spread of the disease. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warned in May of the risk of the spread of African swine fever from Russia. Around half of the world's pigs are raised in China, and the Chinese are the biggest consumers of pork per capita, according to the FAO. The price of the powdery grain mixture, which is one-fifth soy, has risen since China imposed 25-percent duties on US soybean imports Twice a day, Chinese pig farmer Jia Tiechui's workers flip levers to deliver plops of soybean-based feed to 18,000 hogs, whose appetite is getting costlier as the US trade war bites. The price of the powdery grain mixture, which is one-fifth soy, has risen since China imposed 25-percent duties on US soybean imports last month, escalating a trade spat between the two economic giants. With both sides bracing for more tit-for-tat levies due Thursday, fallout from Beijing's retaliation highlights the tricky balancing act of firing back at Washington while not shooting its own economy in the foot. China, the world's biggest importer of soybeans -- used mostly in cooking oil and animal feed -- bought around a third of its beans from the United States last year. So far, the impact of the trade clash "hasn't been too drastic" at Jia's farm, on the outskirts of Luoyang city in China's pig-raising powerhouse province of Henan, he said. So far, the impact of the trade clash 'hasn't been too drastic' at Jia's farm But he may have to switch to a different feed formula with less soy if his profit margins continue to slim. "Our formula can be changed, replacing soybean pulp with cotton seed or rapeseed pulp," Jia said, inspecting rows of massive, pregnant sows squealing for supper. "If costs keep going up and this doesn't affect the pigs' growth, we'll definitely adjust it." - Oversupply - Jia's family of corn-growing farmers scraped and saved for years to buy two pigs to raise at home, which they fed by hand. He could never have imagined then or even when he first entered the business in the late 90s that his pigsties would one day stretch as far as the eye can see. Low pork prices are Jia's biggest concern, he said. China is the world's biggest importer of soybeans "When the market is good, it doesn't affect our income if feed is a bit more expensive. What we're worried about is if the market worsens and pork prices don't go up," he explained. An oversupply problem faces China's pork industry, whose rapid expansion has made it the world's biggest producer of the meat. This means prices are likely to stay low enough to not dramatically affect consumers during a trade war, analysts say. "There's an incredible amount of pork in China; there's no way we can eat it all," said Feng Yonghui, chief researcher for trade portal Soozhu.com. Pork prices tumbled to a four-year low earlier in 2018 before rising again from June, Feng said, but are now being hit by an outbreak of African swine fever that began this month. - 'Opportunity' for China - Beijing's soybean tariffs target US President Donald Trump's rural base in the soy-growing American heartland. Soybean pulp prices have increased 6.8 percent in China since the duties came into play, up from 3,018 yuan ($440) a tonne at the end of June to 3,223 yuan in August, according to online database Soybean Pulp Industry Net. For Jia, the vagaries of the trade war 'aren't something we pay attention to' Experts say China should take steps such as quickly growing its own soy, promoting substitutes and sourcing more from other countries to reduce its massive dependence on the US product. However, China cannot quit the US entirely as its annual demand for soy exceeds the world's total capacity to meet it without US crops in the picture. Beijing will buy more from Brazil and Argentina, but may also import US soy via third countries like Vietnam, said Feng. The extra shipping costs would still be less than the tariffs, he said, predicting that ultimately soybean prices would not jump more than 30 percent. China should see the trade war as an "opportunity" to grow more soybeans itself, said Ma Wenfeng, senior analyst at Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultancy. Pork prices tumbled to a four-year low earlier in 2018 before rising again from June Ma estimated production would rise by two million tonnes this year, as authorities work to reduce high logistical costs. For Jia, the vagaries of the trade war "aren't something we pay attention to", he laughed, shooing an escaped piglet back into its pen. "It's up to the government and out of our control." With his new automated feeding system, installed earlier this year, Jia needs only 20 men to watch over so many pigs. "When I was little, pork was 1.4 yuan a kilo and we could never afford it; now it's 24 yuan a kilo and we eat it every day," he marvelled. Fishermen return to shore at Kollam beach: they have been hailed as heroes for their work rescuing flood victims They carried their boats onto trucks to get there and braved the filthy, swirling waters before most other rescuers arrived. Now hundreds of fishermen are being hailed as the heroes of India's Kerala floods crisis. One man got on all fours with his face in the water so women could step on his back to board a rescue boat. Others had to suffer abuse from people angry because the official rescuers took so long. India's Tourism Minister K.J Alphons has called the fishermen the "biggest heroes" of Kerala's disaster and state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced a cash reward for each of them and a ceremony to pay tribute. Robin Richard and other fishermen from ports like Kollam are suspicious. Their community is disparaged by many in Kerala. Now they just hope the authorities keep their promise to pay for damage to boats and the fuel they used to rescue several thousand people. "When we suffered in a cyclone last year no one took notice of our plight but now everyone's attitude has suddenly changed," Richard, 42, told AFP. Hundreds of traditional wood and fibre boats left Kollam, a tourist destination on the Kerala coast, after appeals for help were made on Wednesday last week, Richard said. They were pressed into service in some of the worst flood zones of Kerala, where about 420 people overall have died in monsoon rain in recent weeks. - Praise and abuse - "At least 150 fishing crews were working non-stop here at the peak of rescue operations," an official in Alappuzha district, one of the worst-hit, told AFP. Michael Solomon, 56, a Kollam fisherman for almost four decades, told how he and colleagues lifted their six-metre-long (20 feet) boats up onto a road to be loaded on trucks and taken to flood zones. "We have been going into the real sea since we were children, so these waters were nothing," he said. But many boats suffered damage after hitting cars and other obstacles on flooded roads. Some crashed into houses. "I hope the government keeps its word and gets the boats repaired. An operational boat is our only source of livelihood," he added. Manoj Francis, 40, who works with Solomon at Kollam beach, said he had been shocked when he first saw the flooded houses. "There was extensive damage. People were at the top of their houses and at many places entire buildings were under water," he told AFP. The flooded villages and towns became a vast maze and the fishermen often operated alone for hours on end. They have been widely hailed on social media. "We call them 'fisherman' but they are 'Supermen'," wrote Rajiv B. Menon on Twitter. "Some of them travelled 120kms to Chengannur to save lives of people stranded, facing death, due to the deluge. Take a bow," he added. Many rescued families have told how the fishing flotilla reached them before any official help. "They arrived like saviours. No local government officials came to us or gave us any warnings before that," said Ravindran Achary, the 62-year-old head of a nine-member family, now living with other flood refugees at the Union Christian College in Kochi. He said the group, which includes five small grandchildren, only escaped their house because a fishing boat arrived out of the blue in their urban neighbourhood in Kochi. Michael Solomon (R), 56, and Manoj Francis, 40, fishermen from Kollam who took part in recent rescue operations in the floods Despite the praise and attention, some fishermen said they were not universally welcomed. "While most people were generally happy to see us some of them were understandably angry and agitated," Richard said. "I think some of it was taken out on us. Some of us were abused, with people complaining why it took so long," he added. Richard, Manoj and Solomon hope the government and Kerala's people do not forget their efforts as water levels fall and life slowly returns to normal. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras gives a televised address in Ithaki Island, Greece, on Aug. 21, 2018. Years of international financial bailouts and national austerity measures are now a thing of the past for Greece, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Tuesday in a televised address. (Xinhua/Andrea Bonetti) ATHENS, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Years of international financial bailouts and national austerity measures are now a thing of the past for Greece, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Tuesday in a televised address. He said "a historic day has dawned for Greece" after the country's exit from the painful bailout programs introduced in 2010 to avert its sovereign debt default, according to Greek state broadcaster ERT. As the prime minister was visiting Ithaca island in western Greece, which is the home of Odysseus, the legendary hero in Homer's epic poem "Odyssey," he said Greece's modern "Odyssey" is over and the Greek people can begin to rebuild their home. At the legendary location, Tsipras officially declared an end to austerity, recession and social hardships by saying, "Our country has regained its right to determine its own fate and future, like a normal European country." In the ancient Greek epic, the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, returned home from the Trojan War after a perilous journey home fraught with adventures. Debt-laden Greece on Monday formally exited from its third and final bailout. "Greece has experienced a modern Odyssey since 2010 ... We struggled against many waves until we reached our destination today ... Today is a day of relief and also the beginning of a new era," Tsipras said. Greeks will not forget the reasons that plunged Greece into a crisis, such as corruption and widespread tax evasion, he said. "From today we move forward with vision and determination for our country's new era. (We go ahead) with prudence and responsibility so that we will never go back to the Greece of deficits and bankruptcy," Tsipras said. "(We proceed) with boldness to Greece's rebirth and to create a country of equality, democracy and social justice, because Ithaca is only the beginning," he said. US National Security Advisor John Bolton speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on August 22, 2018 US President Donald Trump's national security adviser said on Wednesday that the United States is not seeking to oust Iran's leadership but wants "massive change" in its behaviour. Wrapping up a visit to Israel, John Bolton also warned Syria's President Bashar al-Assad that the United States would respond "very strongly" if chemical weapons are used against the country's last major rebel bastion. The hawkish former UN ambassador who joined Trump's administration in April spoke at a press conference in Jerusalem at the end of a three-day visit that focused largely on Iran, Israel's main enemy. US and Israeli policy toward Iran has been closely aligned under Trump. "Regime change in Iran is not American policy, but what we want is massive change in the regime's behaviour," said Bolton, who before taking office advocated regime change in Iran. Bolton said he believed Trump's decision in May to withdraw from the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, followed by the reimposition of sanctions, was having a stronger effect than expected on pressuring Tehran. Echoing Israel's position, he said the nuclear deal had allowed Tehran to finance militant activity in the region due to the lifting of sanctions. Bolton said that "by bringing the hammer down again of reimposing American sanctions, we've seen a profound negative effect on Iran -- I think actually more serious than we would have predicted." European countries have sought to save the nuclear deal, saying it is working as intended by keeping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons for now. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bolton have called on European countries to do more to pressure Iran. - 'No confusion here' - Bolton now heads to Geneva, where he will on Thursday meet his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev on Syria, including Iran's presence there. He will also follow up on Trump's highly controversial July summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki. Netanyahu points to Iran's presence in neighbouring Syria as a severe threat to his country, and he has vowed to keep it from entrenching itself militarily there. Tehran is backing Assad's regime in Syria's civil war alongside Russia. Israel has pushed Russia to at a minimum keep Iranian forces and their allies, such as Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, far away from the ceasefire line in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. According to Bolton, Putin has told US officials that he also would like to see Iranian forces exit Syria since the two countries' interests there are not precisely in line, but "he said I can't do it myself." Bolton added that "the point was that perhaps joint US-Russian efforts might be sufficient." "Now I don't know that that's right either, but it's certainly one of the subjects that I'll be discussing with my Russian counterpart in Geneva tomorrow." A series of recent strikes in Syria that have killed Iranians has been attributed to Israel, though Netanyahu's government rarely confirms them publicly. Bolton referred to those strikes, saying "every time Iran has brought missiles or other threatening weapons into Syria in recent months, Israel has struck those targets." "I think that's a legitimate act of self-defence on the part of Israel," Bolton said. Separately related to Syria, Bolton had a warning for Assad as speculation increases over a Russian-backed government assault on northern Idlib province, home to the last major rebel stronghold in the country. "Just so there's no confusion here, if the Syrian regime uses chemical weapons we will respond very strongly and they really ought to think about this a long time before they come to any decision," Bolton said. His comments followed a joint statement by the United States, France and Britain on Tuesday that issued a similar warning. In April, the United States, France and Britain launched joint missile strikes on Syrian targets in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack in the town of Douma that left scores dead. After seven years of war, Assad has set his sights on retaking control of Idlib, which borders Turkey. The regime holds the southeastern tip of the province that is home to some 2.5 million people -- more than half displaced by Syria's war or bused into Idlib under surrender deals. Bolton will visit Ukraine following his trip to Geneva. File picture of rebel leader Frederic Bintsamou, also known as Pastor Ntumi (centre) The leader behind an insurgency in the Republic of Congo on Tuesday accepted the principle of laying down arms in his first public appearance since he agreed to a ceasefire last December. Frederic Bintsamou -- also known as Pastor Ntumi -- is head of a powerful militia called the Ninjas which launched a revolt in April 2016 in the southern region of Pool, prompting more than 138,000 people to flee their homes. On December 23, 2017, Bintsamou's group signed a ceasefire deal with the government which was touted as laying the groundwork for peace. In it, Bintsamou committed to "facilitating the collection of weapons held by the ex-combattants" but did not follow up on this, saying he opposed "unilateral" disarmament. On Tuesday, Bintsamou and members of a joint panel charged with implementing the deal met at his estate in Pool around 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of the capital, Brazzaville, an AFP reporter present at the meeting said. "I come to you to ask you to appeal for peace, to appeal for the collection of arms, because there is no peace without collecting weapons," said Seraphin Ondele, the commission's chairman, told Bintsamou. "If we have a weapon and we have decided to make peace, this weapon no longer serves a purpose and we should lay it down," said Bintsamou, his words applauded by his militia, some of whom carried weapons as they guarded his 20,000-square-metre (five-acre) home. "One can lay down a weapon, but the situation that prompts all of us to take up a weapon has to be resolved," he cautioned. The disarmament operation was officially launched on August 7 but has not yet got underway. The scheme aims to collect and incinerate more than 3,000 guns of all calibres, according to the authorities. However, the government and Bintsamou's group still have to agree on the number of people in Pool who should give up their weapons. Bintsamou, 53, is a long-standing enemy of President Sassou Nguesso, 74, one of the world's longest-serving leaders. Nguesso, a former paratrooper, served as president of the oil-rich state, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, from 1979 to 1992. He then returned to power in 1997 following a civil war in which he fought Bintsamou. Pool continued to be the theatre of violence between government forces and the Ninjas until 2003. The rebels demobilised but never went away, and in April 2016, took up arms again after Nguesso was re-elected in a controversial vote. The 2016-2017 uprising hit the Republic of Congo's key grain-growing region and cut crucial transport routes between Brazzaville and the main oil port at Pointe-Noire, worsening an already dire economic situation for a country affected by a slump in crude prices. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist alliance controls around 60 percent of Idlib province The head of Syria's leading jihadist alliance on Wednesday warned opposition factions in Idlib against taking part in any talks with the regime towards a government takeover of the province. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) chief Abu Mohamed al-Jolani spoke after President Bashar al-Assad warned that he aimed to retake control of the northwestern province on the Turkish border. The head of HTS, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, warned fellow jihadists and other opposition fighters in Idlib, Syria's last rebel-held province, against handing over their arms in surrender deals with the regime. "The weapons of the revolution and jihad... are a red line on which concessions are unacceptable, and they will never be put on the negotiations table," he said. Jolani's HTS alliance controls around 60 percent of Idlib, while other Turkey-supported rebel groups hold most of the rest. The regime holds a small patch in the province's southeast. Syrian regime tightens noose on rebel-held Idlib "As soon as one of us thinks about negotiating over their weapons, they will have lost them," said Jolani in a video posted on his group's Telegram account. "Just thinking about surrendering to the enemy and handing over weapons is treason." The Russia-backed regime has this year retaken key territory from rebels through a combination of deadly bombardment and surrender deals, both near Damascus and in the south. "The people of the north will not allow what happened in the south" to happen again in Idlib, the HTS leader said. In recent weeks, HTS and other rebel groups have arrested dozens of people, accusing them of collusion with the regime and working towards surrender deals. "The regime and its allies have tried to follow the same tactic of the so-called 'reconciliation' deals that struck down the southern" provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, he said. Syrian rebels attend a mock battle in anticipation of an attack by the regime on Idlib province during a graduation of new Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) members in northern Idlib province, on August 14, 2018 "But your brothers in the north from all factions realised what the enemy's plans were, so we faced them and arrested their leaders, and thwarted the regime's plan," he said. Analysts say any regime offensive will probably be limited to a small area of Idlib, with a deal between Russia and Turkey likely to determine the fate of the rest of the province. Turkey has forces deployed at observation points throughout the province. But, said Jolani, "our people need to realise that the Turkish observation points in the north cannot be relied on to face the enemy." "Political stances can change in an instant," he said. Since it started in 2011, with the brutal repression of anti-Assad protests, Syria's civil war has killed more than 350,000 people and displaced millions. Sirisena: to end election moratorium Sri Lanka will soon resume executions after a 42-year moratorium but will send home five Pakistanis sentenced to death for drug smuggling for execution in their home country, President Maithripala Sirisena said Wednesday. The five are among 18 people, including a woman, on death row for drug offences whose execution will go ahead, according to Sirisena. He did not give a date for the first hanging. "I am determined to carry out the death penalty for serious drug offenders and I will start with a list (of 18) given to me by the prisons," he told a public meeting in the north of the country. Sirisena said he would hold talks with talks with Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan on repatriating the condemned Pakistanis and having them executed there. He gave no further details on the feasibility of such a move. International rights groups and the European Union have asked Sri Lanka to reconsider since Sirisena announced last month that he wanted to end the moratorium on hanging. Police believe the Indian Ocean island is being used as a transit point by drug traffickers. More than a tonne of cocaine seized in recent years was destroyed by police in January. Official figures show there were 373 convicts on death row in Sri Lanka, including the 18 drug offenders, as of last month. Death sentences are still passed for crimes including murder, rape and drug-related offences but the last execution was in 1976. Nearly 900 people are in prison after being sentenced to death, although many have had their sentences commuted to life or are appealing. Spanish territories Cueta and Melilla have the European Union's only land borders with Africa, drawing migrants trying to reach the bloc Over 100 African migrants forced their way into the Spanish territory of Ceuta on Wednesday after storming a barbed-wire border fence with Morocco and attacking police with caustic quicklime, a local official said. In the second assault on the Spanish border in a month, seven police officers were lightly injured when migrants threw quicklime and battery acid as they tried to scale the fence, a spokesman for the Spanish government's representative in Ceuta told AFP, adding that some 115 migrants managed to enter the tiny territory. An undetermined number of migrants were also injured in the assault on the border. Images published by local newspaper El Faro de Ceuta showed bare-chested African migrants celebrating their arrival in Ceuta, many with bloody cuts to their hands. Some waved Spanish or European Union flags as they made their way to a temporary migrant accommodation centre. "All my support to those security forces who are facing the migratory challenge in an exemplary way, especially the agents who were injured today," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted. Every year sub-Saharan African migrants living illegally in Morocco try to enter Europe either by climbing over their border fences or swimming along their coastlines. Spanish territories Ceuta and Melilla have the European Union's only land borders with Africa, drawing migrants trying to reach the bloc. The assault on the border comes as Ceuta was marking Islam's Eid al-Adha religious feast. Over 600 African migrants got past the double border fence on July 26, in the biggest run on the border since February 2017. Fifteen police officers were injured in the violence, some sustaining burns to their face and arms. Some 3,100 migrants have entered Ceuta and Melilla by land since the start of the year, according to the International Organization for Migration. Over 25,000 others have arrived in Spain by sea, making it the main entry point for migrants arriving in Europe, after Italy and Greece. President Vladimir Putin in December last year ordered his armed forces to pull the bulk of troops out of Syria Russia has sent over 63,000 troops to Syria over the course of its involvement in the conflict, the Russian defence ministry said Wednesday. A total of 63,012 Russian personnel have "received combat experience" in the war-torn country, the ministry said in a video about Russia's campaign to support the Syrian regime dating back to September 2015. This number includes 25,738 ranking officers and 434 generals as well as 4,349 artillery and rocket specialists, it said. Previously Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in December 2017 that over 48,000 military personnel had taken part in the Syrian campaign. President Vladimir Putin in December last year ordered his armed forces to pull the bulk of troops out of Syria. But the Russian president later clarified that the military would remain in Syria for "as long as it is beneficial" and was not planning to withdraw yet. The ministry said Wednesday that Russian airforce had conducted more than 39,000 sorties that killed "over 86,000 militants" and destroyed 121,466 "terrorist targets". It said its forces had tested 231 types of modern weaponry in Syria including aircraft, surface-to-air systems, cruise missiles and others. The video made no mention of Russia's civilian or military casualties in the conflict. Moscow's intervention in the multi-front war in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad has been a turning point in the conflict. Since it started in 2011, Syria's war has killed more than 350,000 and displaced millions. Singapore's Joseph Schooling broke the stranglehold of China and Japan, who had hitherto won every gold medal on offer, by retaining his Asian crown in the 100 metres butterfly China and Japan hurled bombs at each other in the Asian Games pool on Wednesday before Singapore's Olympic champion Joseph Schooling finally pierced the armour of the swimming superpowers. Chinese juggernaut Sun Yang and Japan's Rikako Ikee saw history bids put on ice as the two countries vied for dominance in Jakarta, ending a pulsating evening tied on 14 gold medals apiece with two days left. Schooling broke the stranglehold of China and Japan, who had hitherto won every gold medal on offer, by retaining his Asian crown in the 100 metres butterfly. The 23-year-old, who stunned Michael Phelps in Rio two years ago to win Singapore's first-ever Olympic title in any sport, breezed to victory in a Games best 51.04 seconds with China's Li Zhuhao a distant second. "I've had an up and down last two years," said Schooling, who returned to the pool to help Singapore take bronze in the 4x100m freestyle. "But that's part of the cycle. You can't always be in tip-top shape but what's important is to step up and grind it through -- that's what defines a champion." Roared on by a travelling army of racily dressed cheergirls, Sun failed in his bid to capture a record ninth Asian Games swimming gold for China, victim of a Japanese ambush in the 4x100m free. But barring unforeseen disaster, the three-time Olympic champ will reach the mark in the 1,500m free on the final day of competition. "I only got the call to swim the relay this morning," revealed Sun, who has already scooped gold in the 200, 400 and 800m freestyle this week. "But I swam great and we did everything we could -- the Japanese sprinters are simply faster at the moment, that's a fact." - Golden girl Ikee - Japan's Ikee will also have to wait to equal countrywoman Yoshimi Nishigawa's five gold medals at a single Asian Games in 1970 and 1974. But the 18-year-old, who has tasted victory in the 50 fly, 100 fly, 100 free and the 4x100m free, still collected her sixth medal -- a silver behind China in the mixed 4x100 medley relay. Meanwhile, Olympic champion Kosuke Hagino, who claimed a magnificent seven medals at the 2014 Asian Games, was upset by fellow Japanese Daiya Seto in the 400m individual medley. Japan's Rikako Ikee will also have to wait to equal countrywoman Yoshimi Nishigawa's five gold medals at a single Asian Games in 1970 and 1974 Seto inflicted a punishing defeat on the favourite and title holder to win in 4:08.79. Hagino, who has struggled with form since his Rio success, touched in 4:10.30, ahead of Wang Shun of China's 4:12.31. "That felt great," said Seto, who also bagged gold in the 200m fly earlier in the week. "It's a big boost looking forward to the Tokyo Olympics." Earlier, Japan's Yasuhiro Koseki robbed Olympic champ Dmitriy Balandin of his Asian crown in the 100m breaststroke, setting a Games record of 58.86 ahead of China's Yan Zibei (59.31) just 24 hours after winning the 200m gold. Kazakh hero Balandin, who has suffered a lengthy Rio hangover and admitted after the heats that he was considering retirement, took bronze. Sixteen-year-old Li Bingjie took gold in the women's 200m free, before Zhang Yufei added another gold to China's impressive haul by winning the women's 200m fly. Pope Francis has acknowledged the work being done in some parts of the world to protect children, but admitted that the Church had "delayed" in applying the necessary sanctions With the Catholic Church rocked by a devastating US report into child sex abuse, Pope Francis has this week sharpened his criticism on the explosive issue -- but he remains under pressure to enact far-reaching changes. The US grand jury report accused more than 300 "predator" priests in the state of Pennsylvania of abusing more than 1,000 children over seven decades, sparking a fresh bout of soul-searching among senior Catholics across the world. "The clock is ticking for all of us in Church leadership. Catholics have lost patience with us and civil society has lost confidence in us," Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the archbishop of Boston, who has been advising the pope on the issue, said in a statement last week. The archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, added: "It is not enough just to say sorry. Structures that permit or facilitate abuse must be broken down and broken down forever. "Why does this not happen? Why must such a simple affirmation have to be repeated so often?" he said at a weekend mass in the Irish capital. Martin, who will welcome the pope this weekend on his visit to Ireland -- a country where abuse scandals have dealt profound blows to the Church's credibility -- said he believes the Vatican's commission is too small to be effective. Amid harrowing details of abuse, the US report directs this scathing comment to the Church hierarchy: "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." The report once again puts the spotlight on Pope Francis, who has been criticised for not acting quickly enough to clamp down on the sprawling cases of abuse as well as for a reluctance to distance himself from certain cardinals suspected of omerta. "With shame and repentance, we acknowledge as an ecclesial community that we were not where we should have been, that we did not act in a timely manner, realising the magnitude and the gravity of the damage done to so many lives. We showed no care for the little ones," the pontiff said in his letter earlier this week. At the end of May, the Argentinian pope wrote a letter to the people of Chile, where an unfolding abuse scandal has sparked an impassioned debate. Child abuse scandals surrounding the Catholic Church This week in an unprecedented letter he addressed all of the globe's 1.3 billion Catholics about the "atrocities" of abuse. - 'Excuses aren't enough' - While Francis acknowledged the work being done in some parts of the world to protect children, he admitted that the Church had "delayed" in applying the necessary sanctions. The pope "did not, however, offer any new specifics" on possible new accountability measures, said American Vatican-watcher John Allen, noting that Francis did not make a single mention of the word "bishop". "Among great swathes of public opinion, the idea is beginning to gain traction that mea culpas, statements and meetings with victims are not enough any more," according to Marco Politi, an Italian Vatican expert. "It is now up to Francis to act as supreme legislator" by modifying the Church's canon law, Politi wrote in the Fatto Quotidiano newspaper. He added that there were already "virtuous examples" in this area in the United States, Britain and Germany. Journalist Emiliano Fittipaldi, who has carried out several investigations into the workings of the Church, told AFP that Francis could go further. "The pope could force bishops' conferences to send recent reports of abuse to judicial authorities," he said. "Excuses aren't enough any more." That is a sentiment echoed by many abuse victims. "We don't want a trial within the Vatican!" said Francesco Zanardi, leader of an Italian abuse survivors' association. According to Vatican-focused blog "Il Sismografo," the pope could soon publish specific guidelines for bishops on how to handle abuse claims -- but the Vatican has not confirmed this. In 2016, Francis instigated a change in canon law which meant bishops could be removed if they were found to be "negligent" in the face of reports of paedophilia. However, within Church law there is no wider requirement to report cases to the relevant judicial authorities. In certain countries this is a legal obligation but in others, bishops are loath to make it a rule. Some commentators are also urging the Church to use its response to the crisis to undertake a reconsideration of its stance on celibacy. In an opinion article published this week in French newspaper Le Monde, French-Canadian writer Nancy Huston appealed to the pontiff to abolish celibacy for priests and recognise the importance of sexuality for human well-being. But even though Pope Francis said in 2014 that "celibacy is not a dogma", the Vatican does not yet seem ready to take the step of ending the practice. The latest crackdowns by Facebook and Twitter on fake accounts underscore the challenges for social media firms tring to remain open while curbing manipulation and foreign interference Facebook and Twitter unveiled fresh crackdowns on misinformation campaigns from Russia and Iran as analysts warned of more efforts to manipulate public debate ahead of the November US elections. Facebook announced late Tuesday it removed more than 650 pages, groups and accounts identified as "networks of accounts misleading people about what they were doing," chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said. Separately, Twitter said it suspended 284 accounts "for engaging in coordinated manipulation," adding that "it appears many of these accounts originated from Iran." Moscow repeated its denial of any effort to manipulate social media firms. There was no immediate comment from Tehran on the crackdown. Both social networks said they were working with law enforcement and stepping up security. The Facebook action was prompted by research from cybersecurity firm FireEye regarding a collection of "Liberty Front Press" pages on the social network and other online services. FireEye described the efforts were online, social media-driven influence operations as a means of shaping political discourse." The Iranian effort appeared to be "to promote Iranian political interests, including anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes," FireEye said. "We have observed inauthentic social media personas, masquerading as American liberals supportive of US Senator Bernie Sanders, heavily promoting Quds Day, a holiday established by Iran in 1979." - Undeterred - Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the social network deleted accounts for entities operating under false pretenses Former Facebook security chief Alex Stamos said in a blog post Wednesday that gaping holes remain in online platforms and that not enough is being done to counter foreign interference. "The revelations are evidence that Russia has not been deterred and that Iran is following in its footsteps," Stamos wrote on the Lawfare blog. "This underlines a sobering reality: America's adversaries believe that it is still both safe and effective to attack US democracy using American technologies and the freedoms we cherish." Stamos, who left Facebook this month to join Stanford University, said that "the United States has broadcast to the world that it doesn't take these issues seriously...While this failure has left the US unprepared to protect the 2018 elections, there is still a chance to defend American democracy in 2020." Olga Polishchuk, a threat researcher with the cybersecurity firm LookingGlass, said she expected more of the same from Russia despite this week's crackdowns. Russia employs "an army of hackers" who are well-versed in American culture and are well-funded, Polishchuk said. "These groups operate day and night," she said. "Their obfuscation techniques are very sophisticated." Polishchuk said Russia's hacker army is not likely to be deterred by the shutdowns or even indictments of Russians for computer hacking. "They are so committed to pushing the country's agenda," she said. In Moscow, a government spokesman denied any manipulation campaign, telling journalists that "we don't understand what the basis is" for the accusations. The actions by Facebook and Twitter come days after Microsoft said it seized websites linked to Russian intelligence that sought to meddle in US political debate. Senator Mark Warner said the latest revelations were "further evidence that foreign adversaries are actively using social media to divide Americans and undermine our democratic institutions." Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University professor specializing in social media, also voiced fears of additional influence campaigns. "I am deeply concerned about further abuse of these platforms," she said. "I still do not think they have dedicated enough resources in this area." Grygiel said she believes most social media companies failed to consider the potential for manipulation as they expanded. "Their business models have been flawed from the beginning," she said. "They have not had enough infrastructure to deal with content moderation, and it is harmful to society and democracy." - Repeat effort by Facebook - Facebook and Twitter unveiled fresh crackdowns on misinformation campaigns from Russia and Iran as analysts warned of more efforts to manipulate public debate ahead of the November US elections For Facebook, it was the second time in less than a month that it acted against manipulation, following the shutdown in late July of 32 fake pages and accounts involved in an apparent coordinated effort to stoke hot-button issues ahead of November midterm US elections. The social network giant said content from some of the pages shut down in the latest move was traced back to Iran, while others were tied to groups previously linked to Russian intelligence operations. Zuckerberg cited two separate sets of campaigns, including one with ties to Iran's state-owned media and another apparently linked to Russian military intelligence services. The accounts, some on Facebook-owned Instagram, were presented as independent news or civil society groups but were actually working in coordinated efforts, the company said. Content posted by accounts targeted Facebook users in Britain, Latin America, the Middle East and the US, according to head of cybersecurity policy Nathaniel Gleicher. The legal team for the Movement for Democratic Change launched an attack on the ruling party at the country's top court Zimbabwe's opposition argued in the country's top court Wednesday that the presidential election results must be thrown out, alleging that only "massive doctoring" of the vote had kept Emmerson Mnangagwa in office. Lawyers for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) launched a blistering attack on Mnangagwa, the ruling ZANU-PF party and the election commission over the July 30 ballot -- Zimbabwe's first election since the ousting of Robert Mugabe last year. "There is a massive cover-up. There has been a massive doctoring of evidence," Thabani Mpofu, representing the MDC, told the court. Mnangagwa, Mugabe's former ally, won the election with 50.8 percent of the vote -- just enough to meet the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a run-off against MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, who scored 44.3 percent. "There were at least 16 polling stations with identical results -- identical results for Chamisa, identical results for Mnangagwa. It is like a kid who was playing with the figures," said Mpofu. He argued that irregularities wiped out the narrow margin by which Mnangagwa had avoided a second-round vote. "A run-off is unavoidable. For now, the election must be set aside," Mpofu said, adding that "we have a false ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission). We have a lying ZEC." Zimbabwe's opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, picture right, has accused Emmerson Mnangagwa's, picture left, ruling party of voting fraud Thembinkosi Magwaliba, representing Mnangagwa, dismissed claims that the opposition had produced any evidence of fraud. "This application was not seriously done. The applicant is clearly flippant," he said. "In the final analysis it is correct to submit that the allegations... have not been established." Nine judges, led by Chief Justice Luke Malaba, are hearing the case in Harare, where the court premises were given high security. In a first for the country, the proceedings were broadcast live on state television. Mnangagwa, who has vowed to revive Zimbabwe's ruined economy, had hoped the elections would draw a line under Mugabe's repressive 37-year rule and open up a stream of foreign investment and aid. Campaigning was more open than previous votes, but the election was marred by the army opening fire on protesters, killing six, allegations of vote-rigging and a crackdown on opposition activists. - Fair courts? - Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana head of the Zanu PF party's legal team which defended the results in court Senior ZANU-PF legal representative Patrick Chinamasa ridiculed the MDC's legal bid. "Just as you cannot give life to a dead horse, even the best lawyers in the world cannot give life to a hopeless case," he said in a statement before the court opened. "To those who voted for Chamisa, I ask you to gracefully accept defeat so that the country can move on." The MDC has cited a catalogue of discrepancies including incorrect counting, fake "ghost" polling stations, and at some polling stations more ballots being counted than there were registered voters. Derek Matyszak, a legal expert at the University of Zimbabwe, said the opposition faced an uphill struggle given the courts' historic tilt towards ZANU-PF, which has ruled since independence from British colonial rule in 1980. Des opposants protestent et accusent le pouvoir de fraude elecorale, le 1er aout 2018 a Harare "The outcome is pretty predictable," Matyszak told AFP. "There is absolutely no chance of the election results being overturned. "The judiciary (is) perceived to be partisan. Once the ruling is made, Chamisa will accuse it of bias and try to make political capital out of it." The MDC's appeal, which was lodged hours before the deadline on August 10, has already forced Mnangagwa's inauguration -- planned for August 12 -- to be postponed. The court is expected to issue its ruling on Friday. International monitors largely praised the conduct of the election itself, although EU observers said that Mnangagwa, a former long-time Mugabe ally, benefited from an "un-level playing field". The court could declare a winner, call another election, or order a run-off or recount. The inauguration should take place within 48 hours of the court's ruling, according to the constitution. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Salvadoran Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda attend a joint news conference in Beijing on Tuesday. They signed a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic ties. XU JINGXING / CHINA DAILY China and El Salvador established diplomatic relations on Tuesday after the Central American country severed "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Salvadoran Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda signed the joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic ties in Beijing. The establishment of diplomatic ties based on the one-China principle conforms to the universal consensus of the international community and the trend of the times, Vice-President Wang Qishan said at a meeting with the visiting Salvadoran delegation, including Castaneda. Both sides should strengthen exchanges, deepen mutual trust and advance mutually beneficial cooperation, opening up a new chapter for bilateral ties, he said. El Salvador become the fifth country to break "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan since Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party became the leader of the island in May 2016. Only 17 countries still have "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan. Speaking at a joint news conference with Castaneda after signing the joint communique, Wang Yi hailed El Salvador as "a new friend in Latin America and the Caribbean region" and "a new partner in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and building a community of shared future for mankind". China will work with El Salvador to achieve common development, enhance partnerships between China and the whole of Latin America, and make contributions to the collective rejuvenation of developing countries, he said. Castaneda said his country remains committed to the one-China principle and will no longer have official relations or official contacts with Taiwan. Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren said in an address earlier on national television that "we are convinced that this is a step in the right direction, which corresponds to the principles of international law, international relations and the inevitable trends of our times". El Salvador is the most densely populated country in Central America and also the location of the secretariat of the Central American Integration System. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular news conference on Tuesday that the establishment of diplomatic ties with China is a political decision made by El Salvador without any economic preconditions attached. Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council spokesman Ma Xiaoguang said on Tuesday that Taiwan authorities are urged to refrain from taking any action that undermines the well-being of Taiwan compatriots and to return to the "1992 Consensus" as soon as possible, as going against the trend of the times is futile. Any attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" will lead nowhere and will also be opposed by all Chinese people, Ma said. Su Xiaohui, an international strategy researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, said in an interview with China Daily that it has been repeatedly demonstrated that the one-China principle is in accordance with the overwhelming consensus of the international community. The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and El Salvador, which took place shortly after Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's trip to Paraguay and Belize, deals a heavy blow to pro-independence forces in Taiwan, she added. US President Donald Trump was dealt back-to-back blows in the cases of his former lawyer Michael Cohen (L) and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort (R) Donald Trump insisted Wednesday he did nothing wrong after his longtime attorney implicated him in illicit hush payments made before the 2016 election, as experts warned the legal maelstrom swirling around the Republican leader could further threaten his presidency. On perhaps the worst day of Trump's tumultuous time in office, his former fixer Michael Cohen told a federal judge Tuesday he had made illegal campaign contributions -- in the form of payments to silence women alleging affairs with Trump -- at his boss's request. Cohen's statements came on a day of head-spinning political drama for Trump, whose former campaign chief Paul Manafort was found guilty within the same hour of federal tax and bank fraud, in the first case sent to trial by the special prosecutor probing Russian meddling in the 2016 election. While the full implications for the real estate mogul-turned-president remain unclear, Cohen's statements -- and the prospect of more revelations to come -- puts Trump in legal peril. But the mercurial US leader appeared determined to ride out the latest storm. After first accusing Cohen of making up "stories" to cut a plea deal, he then tweeted that Cohen's actions were "not a crime," and went further in an interview with "Fox and Friends," saying they were "not even a campaign violation." In that interview, Trump said the hush payments were financed with his own money -- to which Cohen had access -- and that while he had no knowledge of them at the time, he had since been fully transparent. "My first question when I heard about it was, 'Did they come out of the campaign?', because that could be a little dicey," he said of the payments -- believed to have been made to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. "But they didn't come out of the campaign," he said. "They came from me and I tweeted about it." Despite Trump's defiant tone, Washington-based campaign finance expert Kate Belinski, of the Nossaman law firm, said to expect legal consequences for both Trump and his campaign -- most likely in the form of a civil complaint before the Federal Election Commission. Cohen has meanwhile pleaded guilty to two counts of violating campaign finance laws, along with six counts of fraud -- identifying Trump as his co-conspirator when it came to the hush payments. - 'He did nothing wrong' - In a string of interviews early Wednesday, Cohen's own lawyer Lanny Davis took aim squarely at the president, dubbing him a "criminal." US President Donald Trump spoke to supporters at a rally in West Virginia August 21 but said little about his former associates' legal troubles "He committed a crime," Davis told CBS News. "If he were not president, he clearly would be indicted and jailed for that crime." In practice, an indictment is highly unlikely: since 2000, the Justice Department position has been that a sitting president is "immune from indictment as well as from further criminal process." And while the president could theoretically be impeached, it remains a remote prospect in a Republican-dominated Congress where even Democrats are focused on letting Robert Mueller's Russia probe play out. But Cohen's cooperation with investigators may yet pose a wider threat. Writing on the Lawfare blog, former White House counsel Bob Bauer said the Cohen plea will resonate "unmistakably" with Mueller's investigation, "which also concerns what a candidate is prepared to do to win an election and then cover his tracks." "As (Richard) Nixon found when one of his lawyers also became a witness for the government, this can be the beginning of very hard times." The White House insisted Trump was not concerned "at all" that Cohen might implicate the US president by cooperating with Mueller. "He knows that he did nothing wrong and that there was no collusion," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. But Davis told CBS News that Cohen knew of election tampering efforts during the 2016 campaign that would be "of interest to the special counsel." - 'Tell the truth '- Rather than cut a deal, Manafort chose to leave his fate to a jury, prompting speculation he was hoping for a pardon -- something Trump has not ruled out. After four days of deliberations, the 69-year-old was found guilty of eight counts of financial fraud. Even as Manafort learned of his fate, the 51-year-old Cohen was revealing in Manhattan how he made hush payments "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office," and "with the purpose of influencing the election." Davis said Cohen was now determined "to put his family and country first and tell the truth about Donald Trump." Trump's response was to discredit Cohen -- contrasting his actions with the "brave" Manafort. "Unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break' - make up stories in order to get a 'deal,'" tweeted the president. "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!" US President Donald Trump, pictured August 21, 2018, says that Palestine "will get something very good because it's their turn next" Palestinian leaders rejected overtures by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday after he said they would get something "very good" in exchange for his country recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Senior Palestinian official Ahmad al-Tamimi said the US president's assertion that he had removed Jerusalem from future negotiations was "a continuation of the US policies in favour of Israel". Speaking to official Palestinian news agency WAFA, he added that Trump's push for a Israeli-Palestinian peace deal was impossible without "recognising east Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state". The December decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy to the city sparked fury among Palestinians, with the political leadership cutting off ties to the US administration. Palestinians see the eastern part of the disputed city as the capital of their future state. The opening of the US embassy on May 14 saw mass protests and clashes on the Gaza border in which at least 63 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire. Speaking to supporters in the United States on Tuesday, Trump again defended the move, saying he had eased future negotiations. "If there's ever going to be peace -- remember I said it -- with the Palestinians, it was a good thing to have done because we took it off the table, because every time there were peace talks they never got past Jerusalem," Trump said at a rally in the US state of West Virginia. "And you know what, in the (future) negotiations Israel will have to pay a higher price because they won a very big thing." "Now (Jerusalem's) off the table, there is nothing to negotiate. But they (the Palestinians) will get something very good because it's their turn next." The move has greatly complicated efforts by Trump's administration to broker what he has called the "ultimate deal," as the Palestinians will no longer accept US mediation. Speaking in Jerusalem on Wednesday morning, Trump's national security adviser John Bolton said he hoped the Palestinian leadership would move on from the embassy issue. "As a dealmaker, as a bargainer, he would expect, you would expect, I would expect that the Palestinians would say 'ok, great, so we didn't get that one, now we want something else, and we'll see how it goes'," Bolton told journalists as he wrapped up a three-day visit to Israel. Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, rejected Bolton's comments and said east Jerusalem must be the capital of a Palestinian state. "The words of Bolton are nonsense and don't correspond to reality," Erekat said in a statement. "You cannot talk about peace without Jerusalem being the capital of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 borders." US Army General and commander of US forces in Afghanistan John Nicholson during a press conference in Kabul The top commander for US and NATO forces in Afghanistan said Wednesday that warring parties now have an "unprecedented" opportunity for peace, and insisted President Donald Trump's strategy for the beleaguered country is working. General John Nicholson, the outgoing commander of NATO's Resolute Support mission, spoke to Pentagon reporters a year after Trump unveiled his Afghanistan strategy, which increased the US troop presence and now includes a renewed push to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. "We have an unprecedented opportunity, or window of opportunity, for peace right now," Nicholson said. Despite a wave of violence that has rocked Afghanistan and its capital Kabul in recent weeks, killing scores of civilians and Afghan security forces, Nicholson said he was seeing signs of hope. "There's been progress on the peace process," he said, pointing to a short ceasefire in June, the first since the US-led invasion in 2001 that toppled the Taliban regime. On Sunday, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani unveiled another ceasefire offer, saying security forces would observe the truce beginning this week -- but only if the militants reciprocated. "So far we've not heard if the Taliban will accept or reject this ceasefire," Nicholson said. The June ceasefire spurred hopes that a new path was opening for possible peace talks. The Taliban have long insisted on direct talks with Washington and refused to negotiate with the Afghan government, which they see as illegitimate. In June, Washington indicated a change in its longstanding policy, with US officials meeting Taliban representatives in Doha in July. But Nicholson stressed that any peace talks must ultimately be "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned." "The US is prepared to support, facilitate and participate in these discussions," he said. This month has seen an extraordinarily violent series of events including an attack that saw the Taliban storm the provincial capital of Ghazni -- just a two-hour drive from Kabul. Militants held large parts of the city for days and Afghan forces needed US air power to push them back. But Western officials point to such attacks as showing that the Taliban is actually struggling, because they are unable to hold ground for long. Though Nicholson said Trump's Afghanistan strategy is working, he acknowledged the increased influence of terror groups including the Islamic State group. "With respect to ISIS, that is a concern," he said. "ISIS did not exist in Afghanistan three years ago, so it is a new dynamic." Nicholson is being rotated of Afghanistan after serving more than two years. He will be replaced next month by Lieutenant General Scott Miller, who has for two years headed up the secretive Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and has lengthy experience working with some of America's most elite fighters. President Donald Trump, pictured August 21, 2018, has pushed aggressive trade actions to lower the US trade deficit, but US trading partners have retaliated US officials are set to hold talks on Wednesday with Chinese and Mexican negotiators, fueling cautious optimism that further trade confrontations might be averted even as a new round of tariffs is about to hit. These will be the first formal discussions with China since June on the spiraling and multifaceted trade war between the world's two largest economies. Meanwhile, US and Mexican trade officials are expected to wrap up weeks of discussions on the rewrite of the North American Free Trade Agreement that could pave the way for Canada to rejoin the talks and move to a final agreement. President Donald Trump has pushed aggressive trade actions to lower the US trade deficit that he equates with stealing from Americans. But US trading partners have retaliated aggressively, which is hurting American farmers, manufacturers and consumers. US businesses have become increasingly concerned about the tariffs that are raising prices for manufacturers and could hurt the economy, although the prospect of a negotiated solution buoyed Wall Street this week. But even as the talks begin, another $16 billion in Chinese goods will face new US tariffs starting Thursday at 12:01 am (0401 GMT), completing the first round of $50 billion in products targeted in the dispute over what US officials say is the rampant theft of American technology. China has said it will react immediately with tariffs on the same amount of US goods, targeting iconic products like Harley motorcycles, bourbon and orange juice, among hundreds of others. And still pending are the possibility for new duties on another $200 billion in Chinese goods, which are the subject of public hearings this week, as well as Trump's proposed 25 percent taxes on all auto imports to protect the US industry. - US business impact - Senior US Treasury official David Malpass will lead the two days of talks with China's Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen, the deputy representative on international trade negotiations. There has been no word on the topics to be discussed. Trump said earlier this week that he was not expecting much from the discussions. "We are a country that has been ripped off by anybody and we are not going to be ripped off anymore," Trump said at a campaign rally in West Virginia on Tuesday. "It has to be a two-way street. We only have one-way streets not only with China but everybody." Thousands of large and small companies and industry groups have urged the Trump administration to reconsider the tariffs which some say could put them out of business. A graphic showing the major trading partners of the United States in 2017 But so far the Trump administration has largely been deaf to the complaints, as only a handful of product lines have been shielded from the punitive duties. The administration already was forced to announce a $12 billion aid program for farmers hurt by the trade wars, as US agricultural products, like soybeans, were an easy target for China and others. - NAFTA rewrite - Efforts to revise NAFTA seem a bit more hopeful, after USTR Robert Lighthizer told Trump last week he hoped to get a breakthrough in the talks in coming days on the issues with Mexico. Mexico's Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said on Wednesday they could be finalized "in the next two hours or next two days," according to press reports. US publication Politico cited sources saying the White House was planning a "handshake" announcement ceremony for Thursday but Mexico has all along stressed that there will be no deal until after Canada rejoins the discussions. The office of Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland has not said when she would return to Washington. The three countries have been negotiating for a year to salvage the trade pact that Trump says was a "disaster" for the United States. Canadian Major General Dany Fortin brings decades of military planning and instruction to his new NATO training and capacity building mission in Iraq Canadian Major General Dany Fortin was named on Wednesday to lead a new NATO training and capacity building mission in Iraq. The former artillery officer and current commander of the 1st Canadian Division Headquarters -- a high-readiness unit that is the first to be deployed in war zones, helps evacuate Canadians in danger and offers disaster assistance -- brings decades of military planning and instruction to the new job. The exact start date has yet to be confirmed, but it will be sometime in the fall. The mission, announced in Brussels last month, will focus on countering improvised explosive devices, civil-military planning, armored vehicle maintenance and military medicine. It will include 580 NATO personnel, including 250 Canadian soldiers, as well as up to three Canadian military helicopters, for one year. These forces will train Iraqi military instructors who in turn will share that expertise with Iraqi troops at military schools and academies to be set up by NATO -- similar to what the alliance did in Afghanistan, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference in July. "The best way to prevent NATO and NATO allies being forced back into combat operations in Iraq, fighting Daesh or any other kinds of terrorist groups, is to make sure that the Iraqi government, the Iraqi forces, are able to prevent Daesh from coming back," he said, referring to the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. Fortin, 50, graduated from military college in 1991, deployed to Bosnia and Afghanistan, and worked alongside US commanders in a number of "operational exercises and contingencies" across the Asia-Pacific region. More recently, he was executive assistant and special advisor to Canada's chief of the defense staff. The NATO mission, which was requested by Baghdad, will complement Canada's existing efforts as part of the US-led coalition fighting IS, to which it has been contributing air power, medical support and help in training Iraqi forces since 2014. India has rejected a $100m aid offer from UAE following the floods in Kerala India on Wednesday rejected an offer by the United Arab Emirates government to give $100 million to a special fund for Kerala state after its floods which killed more than 400 people. The move came despite calls to accept the Gulf state's largesse by Kerala's chief minister who has pleaded for more aid than India's government has so far committed to. "In line with the existing policy, the government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts," the foreign ministry said in a statement explaining the move. The ministry added that foreign money could only be donated through Indian-origin individuals or foundations. India has a record of refusing foreign aid after disasters, turning down foreign help after the 2004 tsunami. Experts said Indian governments want to prove they can handle any emergency by themselves. India did not specifically mention the UAE offer made Tuesday, saying only that it "deeply appreciates offers from several countries, including from foreign governments, to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts after the tragic floods". The Maldives government had also promised money for the floods. But the refusal is likely to spark a political controversy. Kerala state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan called for "high level" talks with the national government so the UAE money could be accepted. The UAE offer is more than the $97 million so far promised by India's central government. Vijayan has asked for a $375 million package from the government, saying the state must confront more than $3 billion in devastation. The monsoon floods have left more than 420 dead since June with some 1.34 million people now in over 3300 relief camps across the state. "The whole world is extending a helping hand towards the State at this juncture," Vijayan added, citing distress contributions from across the country -- and exhorting New Delhi's further assistance. A Kerala government spokesman told AFP that all rescue operations had been completed and now the focus was on giving immediate relief and future planning. Thousands of army, navy and air force personnel fanned out across the state to help those stranded in remote and hilly areas. Dozens of helicopters and even drones have dropped food, medicine and water to cut-off villages in the last few days. Tens of thousands of people across the state are still relying on community kitchens for meals. The government says that more than 10,000 kilometres (6,000 miles) of roads have been destroyed or damaged while a legislator said 50,000 houses had been wiped out. There have been many reports of snake bites and reptile sightings, even a crocodile, inside people's mud filled homes after the waters drained out. Snake catchers, experts and animal rescue teams have been busy responding to distress calls to catch and safely release these reptiles as people slowly returned to their homes in the last 48-hours. The floods have also hit tourism sector in India's tourist hotspot otherwise known for its pristine beaches and backwaters. The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping presence in the Central African Republic, one of the continent's poorest nations Armed groups in the Central African Republic have presented nearly 100 demands, including a general amnesty, to an African Union expert panel seeking to broker peace in the country. An AU document, seen by AFP, lists 97 demands by the armed groups in return for peace, with a government of national unity required along with the amnesty and a restructuring of the army. The African Union has been leading a peace process in the Central African Republic but there has been little progress. One of Africa's poorest countries, the CAR descended into violence in 2013 following the ouster of the majority-Christian country's president, Francois Bozize, by a coalition of Muslim-majority rebel groups called the Seleka. In response, Christians, who account for about 80 percent of the population, organised vigilante units dubbed "anti-balaka." France intervened militarily to help force out the Seleka before handing on to a UN peacekeeping mission. However, the central government remains very weak, with its authority largely confined to Bangui, and violence has led to thousands of deaths. According to a diplomat in Bangui, representatives of each armed group are expected to meet with the AU panel in the western town of Bouar on Monday to seek to "harmonise" their demands, before submitting the final list to the authorities. But the government has so far refused to accept any conditions for the cessation of hostilities. Another demand received by African Union experts is a review of military deals between the CAR and Russia. Moscow has had a high diplomatic presence in the country in recent months and is seeking to organise a parallel mediation meeting on Saturday in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, according to sources. CAR spokesman Ange-Maxime Kazagui on Monday denied any government involvement in those talks and reaffirmed Bangui's strong support for the African Union mediation. Backed by the United Nations and the Central African Republic's main partners, the African panel has also met with former presidents Michel Djotodia, in Benin, and Francois Bozize, in Uganda. There have been numerous attempts at mediation in CAR since the start of the crisis, and seven peace deals have been signed, without any sign of calm being restored. Palestinians receive aid at a United Nations food distribution centre in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip on August 8, 2018 The United Nations has run out of funding to pay for fuel needed for hospitals, water plants and other critical facilities in the Gaza Strip, the UN political chief said Wednesday. Rosemary Di Carlo also told the Security Council that recent violent escalations between Israel and Palestinian militants "threatened to plunge Gaza into war." The Security Council held its monthly meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the United Nations was working with Egypt to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and halt the violence. Di Carlo said she was "deeply concerned that funding for UN emergency fuel, which sustains some 250 critical facilities in Gaza has now run out" and appealed for $4.5 million to ensure essential services for the rest of the year. The UN undersecretary-general for political affairs also raised concern over a "dangerously short supply of essential medicines" after 40 percent of the stocks of drugs were completely depleted. Gaza has seen a surge of violence since Palestinian protests that began in March have been met with Israeli fire, killing 171 Palestinians. Israel has carried out strikes in Gaza at least 125 times in response to rocket attacks fired toward Israeli towns and cities. UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov and Egyptian officials have been seeking to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas, which rules Gaza. The two sides have fought three wars since 2008. Israeli media have speculated that a deal could entail easing Israel's crippling blockade of Gaza in exchange for calm on the border and the return of the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014. Israel is also seeking the return of two Israeli citizens believed held by Hamas. Di Carlo called "on all parties" to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Gaza and urged Hamas to provide information on Israeli nationals held in the strip. Investigative reporter Jovo Martinovic of Montenegro has been give the 2018 Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism A Montenegro-based freelance reporter who has investigated organized crime in Europe and war crimes in the Balkans has been selected for the 2018 Peter Mackler Award named for an AFP journalist, organizers said Wednesday. Jovo Martinovic was named as the recipient of the Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism. The veteran freelance investigative journalist has worked for outlets including National Public Radio, BBC, Vice, CBS, Canal Plus, The Economist, Time, The Financial Times, GlobalPost and the Balkan Investigative Reporting network. Martinovic's work helped expose war crimes including allegations of organ trafficking during and immediately after the 1999 conflict in Kosovo. The investigations with US-based American RadioWorks led to the arrest and conviction of Serbian and Albanian paramilitaries and the creation of a new war crimes court in The Hague, organizers said. Martinovic was arrested in October 2015 on charges of marijuana trafficking and participation in a criminal organization, and held for more than 14 months despite the failure by prosecutors to substantiate the allegations. Martinovic has rejected the accusations and said that his contacts with criminal circles were strictly professional in the context of reporting. Human Rights Watch criticized the detention of the journalist and said the accusations against him had little credibility. He was working on a story on the notorious "Pink Panther" international jewel thieves gang whose members are mainly from the former Yugoslavia. They are suspected of some hundred attacks on jewelry stores around the world. The 44-year-old will be unable to accept his prize in person, and will participate in the September 27 award event in New York via video conference. The prize was created in 2008 to honor the memory of longtime AFP journalist Peter Mackler, who died of a heart attack that year at the age of 58. This year's event will be held at the Newmark Graduate Journalism School of the City University of New York. Last year's award went to Marcos Vizcarra, who lives and works in Mexico's violent northwestern state of Sinaloa. Partners in the award are the Global Media Forum training group, the US branch of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Agence France-Presse. Previous recipients have been honored for reporting in Burundi, Syria, Pakistan, Sudan, Kazakhstan, Honduras, Russia and Sri Lanka. A 19-year-old Chinese student was killed in a robbery in Johannesburg on Monday, August 20, reports Chinanews.com. Eights male Chinese students in a minibus were robbed on their way to the campus. When they jumped out of the bus to escape, one of them was shot by one of the robbers. The other students called the police. The police arrived at the scene 10 minutes later and found the body of a student. The Chinese Consulate General in Johannesburg has confirmed the news. The case is under investigation. Islamic State group chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi adresses worshippers at a mosque in the militant-held northern Iraqi city of Mosul in a screen grab taken from an IS propaganda video on July 5, 2014 The leader of the Islamic State jihadist group Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Muslims to wage "jihad" in a purported new audio recording released on Wednesday. The Telegram message on the occasion of Eid al-Adha is the first known to be released since another was broadcast in September last year, and comes as IS has lost most of its territory in Iraq and Syria. "Those who forget their religion, patience, jihad against their enemies, and their certainty in the creator's promise lose and are disgraced," the leader said. "But when they hold on to it, they are mighty and victorious, even if after a certain time." Baghdadi has been pronounced dead on several occasions, but an Iraqi intelligence official said in May that he remains alive in Syrian territory by the Iraqi border. Baghdadi was said to move around with only a small group of followers. Originally from Iraq, Baghdadi has been dubbed the "most wanted man on the planet" and the United States is offering a $25 million reward for his capture. The Iraqi official said the noose was closing around the jihadist leader after Iraqi forces captured five top IS commanders in an unprecedented raid in Syria on March 24. In September 2017, in the last voice message attributed to Baghdadi, the IS leader called on his fighters in Syria and Iraq to "resist" their enemies. IS overran large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, proclaiming a "caliphate" in areas they controlled. But they have since lost most of that to various offensives in both countries. The headquarters of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in Washington Hackers recently attempted to gain access to the US Democratic Party's voter database, a cyber security firm said Wednesday, reviving the specter of Russia's hugely consequential cyber-theft of party communications in the 2016 vote. Less than three months before crucial congressional elections in November, security consultant Lookout said it had detected "an attempted phishing campaign" targeting the Democratic National Committee. The effort was spotted by Lookout's Phishing AI engine, an automated monitor. Lookout said that it targeted VoteBuilder, a voter database of the DNC run by NGPVAN. The hackers erected a lookalike domain that could allow it to grab the login and password of any authorized VoteBuilder users fooled by the fake website. The fake site was taken down. There was no information on the identity of who erected it, but a DNC official told US media that there were no breaches of its systems. "While it's clear that the actors were going after the party's most sensitive information -- the voter file -- the DNC was able to prevent a hack by working with the cyber ecosystem to identify it and take steps to stop it," DNC Chief Security Officer Bob Lord told the Washington Post. US intelligence bodies say that in 2016 hackers from Russia's GRU intelligence agency broke into Democratic Party networks, stealing documents and communications that were later leaked out to embarrass Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. On Tuesday, Microsoft reported the GRU-linked hackers had recently created fake websites for two conservative think tanks, aiming to siphon off user data or implant malware. The same hackers also erected fake generic domains for the US Senate for the same purposes. Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor is seeking the death penalty for five activists for inciting protests, including Israa al-Ghomgham, the first female activist to possibly face the death penalty for her rights-related work Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor has sought the death penalty against five human rights activists, including a prominent female rights defender, campaigners said Wednesday. Among those accused of inciting protests by the Shiite Muslim minority in the oil-rich Eastern Province is Israa al-Ghomgham, the first female activist to possibly face the death penalty for her rights-related work. "Israa al-Ghomgham and four other individuals are now facing the most appalling possible punishment simply for their involvement in anti-government protests," said Samah Hadid, Amnesty International's Middle East director of campaigns. "We are urging the Saudi Arabian authorities to drop these plans immediately." Saudi government officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ghomgham, a prominent Shia activist who documented mass demonstrations in the Eastern Province starting in 2011, was arrested at her home along with her husband in December 2015, according to Human Rights Watch. "Sentencing Israa al-Ghomgham to death would send a horrifying message that other activists could be targeted in the same way for their peaceful protest and human rights activism," Hadid said. "The charges against Ghomgham... are absurd and clearly politically motivated to silence dissent." Amnesty says at least 12 other leading human rights activists, including eight women, have been arrested in the kingdom since May -- just before the kingdom ended its ban on women drivers. Many of them long opposed the decades-long ban and resisted the system of male "guardians" -- fathers, husbands or other relatives, whose permission is required to travel or get married. The ultra-conservative kingdom has one of the world's highest rates of execution, with suspects convicted of terrorism, homicide, rape, armed robbery and drug trafficking facing the death penalty. Rights experts have repeatedly raised concerns about the fairness of trials in the kingdom, an absolute monarchy governed under a strict form of Islamic law. The government says the death penalty is a deterrent for further crime. For more than a decade, Michael Cohen was Donald Trump's loyal attorney and fixer -- until he hung the president out to dry in court this week Michael Cohen's transformation from loyal retainer promising to take a bullet for Donald Trump to Judas spotlights the strong arm of the US law and how determined the president's former attorney is to limit his time in prison. For more than a decade, Cohen was Trump's personal lawyer and fixer, privy to multi-million-dollar deals and two purported secret lovers, whose claims could have potentially sabotaged his boss's 2016 election. Then Cohen hung Trump out to dry, sensationally testifying under oath in a federal court that the president directed him to break campaign finance law, while pleading guilty to bank and tax fraud. As if referencing the enormity of his predicament, Cohen told the judge that the previous night at dinner he had indulged in a Glenlivet 12 on the rocks despite the Scotch not being his usual meal-time tipple. Publicly Trump has denied doing anything wrong and mocked his former aide. Michael "The Rat" Cohen is how one person close to the president privately described him, a CNN journalist has reported. So what next? Implicating the billionaire commander-in-chief in a federal crime was a stunning move from a close former ally, signalling a willingness to cooperate with prosecutors and potentially lower his prison term, experts say. "A good prosecution is like rolling out a good tube of toothpaste," says Mitchell Epner, a former federal prosecutor turned criminal defense lawyer at New York firm Rottenberg Lipman Rich. "You get every bit out," he told AFP. - Asset in Russia investigation? - In the US justice system, those who cooperate can substantially reduce their sentence. Cohen is already facing four to five years behind bars. Epner said serving up substantial dirt could reduce that to as little as probation. "I think the larger question is does he (Cohen) somehow pivot," says Diane Marie Amann, law professor at the University of Georgia, and become part of the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. "That seems highly likely," she added. Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis told CBS News that his client had information about election tampering efforts during the 2016 campaign that would be "of interest to the special counsel." "Speaking publicly is a way to message to many different people what further damage Mr Cohen may wreak against the president and his associates," Amann told AFP when asked about Cohen's possible strategy going forward. "It may change the political climate in certain ways." Cohen's plea deal does not obligate him to cooperate, but neither does it preclude cooperation. "He did not have to implicate anyone else," said Lisa Kern Griffin, a law professor at Duke University. "It certainly suggests a commitment to cooperate." So why did he do it? - What else does he have? - Even if Cohen wanted to tough it out, hoping the president would eventually pardon him, going to trial would have likely cost millions, with no indication that the Trump Organization would have picked up the tab. Cohen's relationship with his former boss steadily deteriorated. Trump left the one-time personal injury lawyer for dust after moving to Washington. After news broke he was under federal investigation, the president washed his hands of Cohen, saying it had nothing to do with him. No doubt that sounded like a betrayal to the ex-Trump Organization executive vice president, who may have been dreaming of a White House job himself. In July, Cohen reportedly told investigators that the US president knew in advance of a June 2016 meeting in which Russians were expected to share dirt on his then-election rival Hillary Clinton, directly contracting Trump denials. But does Cohen have evidence to back-up any claims against Trump? His credibility is shot to shreds, both as a felon and by a history of ducking, diving and lying repeatedly. "The big question is what else does he have?" said Epner. "If the only thing he has to offer is his testimony it's not worth a lot." FBI agents raided Cohen's New York offices in April, seizing reams of documents that the lawyer could potentially authenticate and shed light on. For the moment, Cohen's sentencing date has been set for December 12. If that is pushed back, it will be a tell-tale sign that he is cooperating further. Protesters at North Carolina's flagship university toppled a Confederate statue in the heart of campus that has long been a subject of controversy and that officials said couldn't be removed because of state law. Videos from Monday night showed a crowd at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill yanking down the memorial known as "Silent Sam." The bronze figure of a southern soldier atop a tall stone pedestal was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1913. Earlier this year, a protester was arrested after throwing a mixture of red ink and her own blood on "Silent Sam." North Carolina has been one of several focal points in the renewed national debate over Confederate monuments following a deadly white nationalist protest a year ago in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the 2015 massacre of black worshippers at a South Carolina church by an avowed white supremacist. People gather near the remaining monument following a Monday night rally where the Confederate statue known as Silent Sam was toppled from it's pedestal by protesters at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. The bronze figure of a Southern soldier atop a tall stone pedestal was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1913. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) Here is a look at ways other communities across the U.S. have removed many Confederate monuments: DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA Two days after the violent "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, an angry crowd gathered around a monument to Confederate soldiers outside a former courthouse building in Durham, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from Chapel Hill. A woman climbed a ladder and attached a rope to the bronze statue, and protesters yanked it down. A dozen protesters were charged with crimes in the monument takedown, but none of the cases stuck. BALTIMORE Following the 2015 slayings at the historic Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, Baltimore named a special commission that spent a year reviewing four Confederate monuments on city property. The panel ultimately urged keeping two monuments, with some changes, and removing two others. But Mayor Catherine Pugh ordered all four taken down on Aug. 15, 2017, following the Charlottesville rally, saying she was concerned that such statues might spark violence. City crews dismantled them in the dead of night. NEW ORLEANS New Orleans removed three monuments honoring Confederate leaders and one heralding white supremacy before the Charlottesville rally, also in overnight operations. Mayor Mitch Landrieu called for the monuments' removal in the aftermath of the Charleston shooting. Landrieu, who drew blistering criticism from monument supporters and even some political allies, repeatedly said the monuments do not represent the diversity and future of New Orleans. MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE Memphis city leaders found a way around a state law prohibiting the removal of monuments to U.S. military figures on public land. On Dec. 20, the city sold two public parks for $1,000 apiece to a nonprofit group. Almost immediately, the new owner took down a statue of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, who had also been a slave trader and Ku Klux Klan leader, as well as statues of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Capt. J. Harvey Mathes. DALLAS Last September, crews removed a statue of Robert E. Lee from a pedestal and carted it away from a Dallas park named for the Confederate general. In an unannounced but expected move, a large crane was brought through the city by a police escort to the park to lift the monument away. Soon after, the park itself was renamed. HELENA, MONTANA The city removed a granite fountain shortly after the Charlottesville rally that had stood in a park as a monument to Confederate soldiers since 1916. ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND A statue of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney, who wrote the 1857 Dred Scott decision that upheld slavery and denied citizenship to African-Americans, was removed from the grounds of the Maryland statehouse and trucked away to storage last August. Three of four voting members of the State House Trust voted to move the bronze statue, which was erected in 1872. FILE - In a Friday, Aug. 18, 2017 file photo, a statue of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest sits in a park in Memphis, Tenn. Memphis city leaders found a way around a state law prohibiting the removal of monuments to U.S. military figures on public land. On Dec. 20, the city sold two public parks for $1,000 apiece to a nonprofit group. Almost immediately, the new owner took down a statue of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, who had also been a slave trader and Ku Klux Klan leader, as well as statues of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Capt. J. Harvey Mathes. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz, File) FILE - In a Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017 file photo, workers inspect a statue of Robert E. Lee in a public park in Dallas. Last September, crews removed a statue of Robert E. Lee from a pedestal and carted it away from a Dallas park named for the Confederate general. In an unannounced but expected move, a large crane was brought through the city by a police escort to the park to lift the monument away. Soon after, the park itself was renamed. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File) FILE - In a Friday, May 19, 2017 file photo, a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee is removed from Lee Circle in New Orleans. Lee's was the last of four monuments to Confederate-era figures to be removed under a 2015 City Council vote on a proposal by Mayor Mitch Landrieu. (AP Photo/Scott Threlkeld, File) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who is meeting Congress members before confirmation hearings in September (all times local): 6:35 p.m. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh declined to answer when asked whether landmark abortion cases, including Roe v. Wade, were correctly decided. In this Aug. 15, 2018, photo, Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, center, walks to the office of Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., for a meeting with her on Capitol Hill in Washington. Kavanaugh is set to meet with Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, a centrist who's seen as a potential swing vote on his confirmation. Collins supports abortion rights, but has spoken highly of President Donald Trump's nominee. Kavanaugh is also meeting separately with Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) The New York Democrat says that lack of clarity should "send shivers down the spine of any American who believes in reproductive freedom for women." Schumer's comments came after he met with Kavanaugh for about 1 hours. Earlier Tuesday, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said Kavanaugh told her he agrees that the landmark decision on abortion rights is settled law. Kavanaugh's opponents say the judge would restrict abortion rights and are urging senators to reject him. Schumer says Kavanaugh has a special obligation to be forthcoming on abortion rights, given President Donald Trump's "litmus test that he would only appoint judges who would overturn Roe." ___ 3:45 p.m. Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri is remaining noncommittal after meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. McCaskill is one of 10 Democratic senators up for re-election this year in states that President Donald Trump won in 2016. Trump won Missouri by nearly 19 percentage points and McCaskill is under intense pressure from outside groups seeking to sway her vote. McCaskill says she talked to Kavanaugh Tuesday about his views on ensuring Missouri residents retain access to health care. She says they also talked about his view on "removing dark money from politics, and guaranteeing powerful corporate interests don't prevail over individual Americans." Kavanaugh is meeting senators ahead of confirmation hearings in September. McCaskill says she looks forward to hearing Kavanaugh testify on the issues they discussed __ 3:15 p.m. The top Senate Democrat is playing down Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's remark that Roe v. Wade is settled law, saying more needs to be known about his views on abortion. Sen. Chuck Schumer tells reporters, "Of course we know Roe is settled law. We need to know if Judge Kavanaugh believes it was correctly decided." Kavanaugh on Tuesday told Sen. Susan Collins of Maine that he agrees that Roe v. Wade is settled law. The answer is important because Collins vowed to oppose a nominee who would be hostile to the abortion decision. But Schumer says other judges nominated to the Supreme Court by Republican presidents have pledged to follow precedent, only to overturn established laws from the bench. Schumer spoke while preparing for his own meeting with Kavanaugh. ___ 1:30 p.m. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh thinks the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion rights is settled law. That's according to Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican senator from Maine who met for two hours with the judge on Tuesday. Collins, who supports abortion rights, says she talked "at great length" with Kavanaugh about the application of established precedent to abortion cases. She says they also discussed executive power and his judicial philosophy, among other subjects. Collins is considered a potential swing vote on Kavanaugh's nomination. She says she will not make a decision on how to vote until after the Senate Judiciary Committee holds confirmation hearings in early September. Republicans hope to have Kavanaugh confirmed by the start of the court's next session, which starts Oct. 1. ___ 12:30 a.m. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is set to meet with Republican Sen. Susan Collins, a centrist who's seen as a potential swing vote on his confirmation. Collins supports abortion rights and has vowed to oppose any nominee who has "demonstrated hostility" to Roe v. Wade. But the Maine Republican has spoken highly of President Donald Trump's nominee, saying he's qualified for the job. Kavanaugh is to meet separately Tuesday with Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. The New York senator wants Kavanaugh to support fully releasing documents from his tenure in the George W. Bush White House. Republicans have declined to seek some of those records. The judge is making the rounds on Capitol Hill ahead of confirmation hearings in September. He has already met with most Republicans and a few Democrats. DOVER, N.H. (AP) - A New Hampshire man has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the deaths of his wife and his father. The New Hampshire attorney general's office says the bodies of 43-year-old Joanna Colella and 69-year-old Francis Colella were found at a home in Dover on Monday morning. Police arrested 44-year-old Jeramie Colella. He's accused of knowingly causing the deaths. He has waived an arraignment Tuesday and was being held without bail. He has an attorney. This booking photo released by the Dover, N.H., Police Department shows Jeramie Colella. He is charged with second-degree murder in the deaths of his wife and father, whose bodies were found at a home in Dover on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. (Dover Police Department via AP) An affidavit in the case was under seal. Autopsies were scheduled for Wednesday. CORINTH, Miss. (AP) - Eberlene King remembers her 15-year-old brother as he lay dying, after white teenagers cruised through their black neighborhood in a pickup on Halloween night 1959 and shot him in the face. "His eyes ... were hanging out," King recalled. "His head was full of pellets." William Roy Prather died the next morning in their hometown of Corinth, Mississippi, near the Tennessee line. In this Aug. 9, 2018 photo, Eberlene King poses with a photograph of her brother William Roy Prather when he was about 15-years-old at her home in Doraville, Ga. Prather was shot in the face on Halloween night 1959 in Corinth, Miss., and died the next day. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Eight white teens were charged with murder. Jerry Darnell Glidewell, then 16, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in January 1960 and served less than a year in state prison. Six of the seven others in the truck got a year's probation through youth court, and an 18-year-old walked free. The case has never drawn much attention, even as federal and state authorities in the past 15 years have re-opened investigations of racially motivated killings from the civil rights era. Now, the U.S. Justice Department says it has referred Prather's killing to the state of Mississippi "for potential prosecution." The Associated Press dug into the case to reveal information not previously reported, including details about the Justice Department's investigation and AP interviews with King and Glidewell. It's unclear whether a district attorney will pursue charges in a case where witnesses' memories may be fading and some evidence, including the truck and the shotgun, has disappeared. The case is mentioned in a report the department filed in March - the same one that said the department is reviving its investigation into the 1955 killing of another black teenager in Mississippi, Emmett Till. "Although prosecution of some of the subjects may be barred by double jeopardy and other subjects are deceased, the Department referred the matter to the state of Mississippi to determine whether any state prosecutions might be appropriate," the department said of the Prather case. District Attorney John Weddle did not return multiple calls. King said FBI agents knocked on her door a few years ago and hand-delivered a letter from the Justice Department. It said no federal charges could be brought in the killing of her brother, based on laws in 1959. It said "the only possible prosecution" would be for the state to bring unspecified charges against one suspect who was 18 at the time. Corinth - pronounced coh-RINTH by locals - is home to about 14,600 people, 70 percent of them white and 24 percent black. A Confederate soldier statue stands outside the courthouse on the town square. Handwritten court records show that on Jan. 26, 1960, Glidewell pleaded guilty to manslaughter: "Ordered to serve 5 yrs. in State Penitentiary, the last 4 yrs. of which suspended on good behavior." Glidewell, who goes by his middle name Darnell, now lives off a country road north of Corinth. He answered the phone on a recent morning, and an Associated Press reporter asked about Prather's killing. "They charged me with that, yeah," said Glidewell, now in his mid-70s. He said investigators spoke to him about the case several years ago, and one said: "'Don't worry about it.'... But I ain't heard any more from it." Glidewell said "four or five" of the people with him that night are still alive, but: "I don't ever see them." Their names don't appear in court records near Glidewell's, but they are in the Justice Department letter, which says investigators learned that a group of white teens drove through a black neighborhood of Corinth on Halloween night 1959. Black witnesses said they saw the white teens throwing firecrackers at the black teens, and some black people threw rocks and bricks at the truck. Investigators were told that white teens got a shotgun from a home of one person in the group, then returned to the black part of town, where Glidewell shot Prather. News reports from the time said Prather was not among those who had thrown rocks or bricks. "Although Glidewell and some of the subjects contended that Glidewell had shot straight up in the air, the autopsy report indicated that Glidewell had aimed the shotgun dead-straight at your brother's face," the Justice Department letter said. King, now 73, said her older brother was "a real quiet person" who had helped his friends clean up a church on Halloween. "He didn't deserve what happened to him," King said in a phone interview from her home near Atlanta. The Justice Department letter says the all-white grand jury recommended six of the remaining white teens have their cases sent to youth court, and the one 18-year-old in the group have his case sent to a July 1960 grand jury; investigators found no record of any indictment of him. A judge put the younger teens on probation and released them by 1961, writing that each "'would make a good citizen,'" according to the letter. Gennella Graham, who teaches English at Corinth High School, was born in 1975 and grew up in Corinth but had never heard of Prather until 2017, when she took a course and was assigned to write about her hometown's "hidden history." Graham was given Prather's name and called an aunt, who is his cousin. Graham wrote a poem about Prather, which says, in part: "Write that I, "Wanted to fight, "Wanted to live, "But no one asked what I thought, "What I wanted." This school year, Graham will teach her 11th grade students about Prather. "I just want them to know that he was important," she said. "When you die, that's not the end of your story." ____ Follow Emily Wagster Pettus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus . In this Aug. 9, 2018 photo, Eberlene King poses with a photograph of her brother William Roy Prather when he was about 15-years-old at her home in Doraville, Ga. Prather was shot in the face on Halloween night 1959 in Corinth, Miss., and died the next day. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) In this July 30, 2018 photo, Corinth High School English teacher Gennella Graham, a distant relative of William Roy Prather, explains the poem she wrote about her relative who was killed by a group of white teenagers, who cruised through the Corinth, Miss., black neighborhood in a pickup on Halloween night, 1959. This school year, Graham will teach her 11th grade students about Prather. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) In this July 30, 2018 photo, a statue honoring the Confederate soldiers who fell at the battle of Corinth in 1862 stands outside a courthouse in the Corinth, Miss., town square. Inside the courthouse, old handwritten records show that on Jan. 26, 1960, Jerry Darnell Glidewell pleaded guilty to manslaughter: "Ordered to serve 5 yrs. in State Penitentiary, the last 4 yrs. of which suspended on good behavior." (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) In this July 30, 2018 photo, Corinth High School English teacher Gennella Graham, a distant relative of William Roy Prather, explains the poem she wrote about her relative who was killed by a group of white teenagers, who cruised through the Corinth, Miss., black neighborhood in a pickup on Halloween night, 1959. This school year, Graham will teach her 11th grade students about Prather. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) HONOLULU (AP) - The Latest on a hurricane headed toward Hawaii (all times local): 6:50 p.m. The National Weather Service says Hurricane Lane has strengthened to become a Category 5 hurricane, which means that it is likely to cause catastrophic damage with winds 157 mph or above. The hurricane is about 500 miles (804 kilometers) southeast of Honolulu. The weather service says that in a Category 5 hurricane, a high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed. Roofs and walls will collapse. The winds will knock down trees and power poles. The weather service adds that power outages will last for weeks to possibly months and most of an area hit by the hurricane will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Earlier Tuesday evening, the weather service issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island. The weather service also issued a hurricane watch for Maui and other smaller islands, meaning tropical storm-force winds, excessive rain and large swells could arrive starting Wednesday. It's possible Oahu and Kauai may later be included in an advisory for the hurricane. Hurricane Lane "is forecast to move dangerously close to the main Hawaiian islands as a hurricane later this week, potentially bringing damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding from heavy rainfall," the weather service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center warned as it got closer to the state. ___ 5:45 p.m. Hawaii Gov. David Ige is allowing non-essential state employees on the Big Island and Maui to go on administrative leave from Wednesday to Friday as Hurricane Lane approaches. The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island. Earlier Tuesday, the weather service issued a hurricane watch for Maui and other smaller islands, meaning tropical storm-force winds, excessive rain and large swells could arrive starting Wednesday. It's possible Oahu and Kauai may later be included in an advisory for the hurricane packing potential maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. The governor says employees on Hawaii and Maui islands who work in disaster response as well as in hospitals and prisons are required to report to their jobs. ___ 5:10 p.m. The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island. Earlier Tuesday, the weather service issued a hurricane watch for Maui and other smaller islands, meaning tropical storm-force winds, excessive rain and large swells could arrive starting Wednesday. It's possible Oahu and Kauai may later be included in an advisory for the hurricane packing potential maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. Hurricane Lane "is forecast to move dangerously close to the main Hawaiian islands as a hurricane later this week, potentially bringing damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding from heavy rainfall," the weather service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center warned as it got closer to the state. ___ 4:50 p.m. Some Hawaii public schools will be closed until further notice as a hurricane heads toward the state. The state Department of Education says Maui County and Big Island schools will be closed starting Wednesday. All after-school activities statewide are canceled for the rest of the week. Powerful Hurricane Lane is moving close to Hawaii as residents stock up on essentials such as water and ramen. The Big Island, Maui and other smaller islands are under a hurricane watch. The weather service says it's likely additional tropical storm or hurricane watches will be issued later Tuesday. Lane has been moving west, but it is expected to turn northwest toward the state. ___ 11:30 a.m. A powerful hurricane is moving closer to Hawaii as residents stock up on essentials such as water and ramen. A National Weather Service update Tuesday says Hurricane Lane is Category 4 storm about 400 miles (644 kilometers) southeast of the Big Island and about 575 miles (925 kilometers) from Honolulu. The Big Island, Maui and other smaller islands are under a hurricane watch. The weather service says it's likely additional tropical storm or hurricane watches will be issued later Tuesday. The storm has been moving west but is expected to turn northwest toward the state Wednesday into Thursday. There's some uncertainty about its path, and residents are bracing for the worst. Hawaiian Airlines is waiving change fees for tickets to, from, within and through Hawaii from Tuesday through Sunday. Workers at stores throughout the islands say they're bracing for an afternoon rush of people getting supplies. ___ 7:40 a.m. The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane watch for parts of Hawaii. Senior Honolulu forecaster Tom Birchard says the watch for Hurricane Lane has been issued for the island of Hawaii and Maui County, which includes the island of Maui and other smaller islands. Hurricane conditions could reach those areas within 48 hours. He says it's possible Oahu and Kauai might eventually be included in a watch. The hurricane is category 4 with winds to 150 mph (241 kph). It has been moving west but is expected to turn northwest toward the state. Birchard says Hawaii residents could be slammed with heavy rain, flash flooding and high surf even if the center doesn't reach the islands. Birchard says residents likely will have Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare. UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United States, Britain and France vowed on the fifth anniversary of a chemical weapons attack that they blame on the Syrian government to take action as they have in the past against any further attacks by President Bashar Assad's regime. A joint statement issued late Tuesday called the Aug. 21, 2012 sarin nerve gas attack that killed hundreds of people in the Ghouta suburb of Damascus "horrific." The use of sarin led to a U.S.-Russian agreement to eliminate Assad's chemical weapons, which averted U.S. military strikes against Syria. Since then, the three Western powers have accused Syria of resorting to the use of chemical weapons during military offensives in Khan Sheikhoun, Ltamenah, Saraqeb and Douma. Following the suspected chemical attack in Douma in April, the U.S., U.K., and France launched punitive military strikes in Syria. "As we have demonstrated, we will respond appropriately to any further use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime, which has had such devastating humanitarian consequences for the Syrian population," the statement said. The three governments implored Assad's supporters "to recognize that the unchecked use of chemical weapons by any state presents an unacceptable security threat to all states." The U.S., U.K. and France also expressed grave concern at reports of a Syrian government military offensive against civilians, schools, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure in the northern province of Idlib, the last major rebel-held bastion, and underlined "our concern at the potential for further - and illegal - use of chemical weapons." "We remain resolved to act of the Assad regime uses chemical weapons again," the Western allies warned. The 2012 U.S.-Russia agreement required Syria to join the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and declare all its chemical weapons and precursors. Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an interview in June with Russia's state-controlled NTV television channel that his government got rid of all its chemical weapons in 2013 and that allegations of their use are a pretext for invasion by other countries. But there is growing frustration at Damascus' failure to satisfactorily answer all outstanding questions from the OPCW about its declaration. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated in a letter transmitting the latest OPCW report to the Security Council that all open issues in the declaration must be resolved, and he strongly encouraged the Syrian government to do so. The U.S., U.K., and France welcomed the June 27 decision by OPCW member nations to take over the responsibility for determining blame for chemical attacks, saying this "will help ensure that the perpetrators of chemical weapons use in Syria cannot escape identification." The Security Council established a joint U.N.-OPCW investigative team in August 2015 to determine responsibility for chemical attacks in Syria. The so-called Joint Investigative Mechanism known as the JIM accused Syria of using chlorine gas in at least two attacks in 2014 and 2015 and the nerve agent sarin in an aerial attack on Khan Sheikhoun in April 2017 that killed about 100 people and affected about 200 others. The Khan Sheikhoun attack led to a U.S. airstrike on a Syrian airfield. The JIM also accused the Islamic State extremist group of using mustard gas twice in 2015 and 2016. Russia, a close ally of the Assad government, vetoed a Western-backed resolution last November that would have renewed the JIM mandate, leaving no way to determine accountability for chemical attacks in Syria. A Western-led campaign that included the U.S., U.K. and France succeeded in expanding the OPCW's investigations, which were limited to determining if chemical weapons were used in Syria, so that it can now determine responsibility for attacks as well. Time for some local delicacies in Anhui! In Jixi, Steven got a warm welcome from his friend Song and tasted various delicious Anhui cuisines. He then got to experience the making of a piece of Xuan paper. Hefei is Stevens last stop of the trip. From the green mountains to the lucid waters, from the people he has met with to the landmarks he has been to, Steven will never forget this trip of a lifetime in China. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump confronted one of the most perilous moments of his presidency Tuesday after two onetime members of his inner circle simultaneously were labeled "guilty" of criminal charges. Although Trump largely ignored the jarring back-to-back blows at a campaign rally in West Virginia, questions mounted about his possible legal exposure and political future. In a split screen for the history books, Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted of financial crimes at nearly the same moment Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of felonies, including campaign finance violations that the lawyer said he carried out in coordination with Trump. With two men who played prominent roles on the president's campaign convicted of multiple criminal charges, the investigations circled ever closer to Trump. But for all that, Trump spent more than an hour at a rally in Charleston on Tuesday night painting a rosy view of his accomplishments in office, ticking off developments on trade, taxes, North Korea and even his plans for a Space Force. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he steps off Air Force One, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Charleston, W.Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) "What we're doing is winning," Trump told cheering supporters. "Where is the collusion?" he demanded, underscoring that Manafort's crimes had occurred before he became involved with the Trump campaign. "You know they're still looking for collusion." The president did say he felt "badly for both" men, but he largely ignored Cohen's guilty pleas to eight felonies. Manafort was convicted Tuesday in Virginia on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice. Cohen pleaded guilty in New York, saying he and Trump had arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. It is the Cohen case that places Trump in the most jeopardy, legal experts said, as the longtime personal "fixer" acknowledged his role in a scheme to pay off women who accused the future president of sexual misconduct. "It's going to be hard for the president to try to discredit all this. It's circling him," said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor who is not involved in the case. Trump has shown an uncanny ability to shake off a relentless stream of accusations and jolting statements that provoked outrage. His loyal base of supporters has stayed with him despite his effort to blame "both sides" for the deadly violence between white nationalists and anti-racist protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, for one, and his refusal to side with the U.S. intelligence services over Russia's Vladimir Putin in Helsinki last month, among other controversies. Case in point, the crowd in West Virginia loudly chanted Trump's campaign staples "Drain the swamp!" and "Lock her up!" despite the fresh corruption convictions and looming prison sentences for his former advisers. Manafort's conviction served as a vindication of Mueller's work as investigators continue to probe potential misdeeds by the president and those in his orbit. Mueller's team also had referred evidence in the Cohen case to federal prosecutors in New York. Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani sought to cast the blame solely on Cohen in a Tuesday statement, saying: "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen." Trump's legal team has also been engaged in a monthslong negotiation with Mueller's team about a potential sit-down with the president, but has objected to the scope of the questions. In a separate courtroom Tuesday, prosecutors and defense attorneys for former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn agreed to postpone his sentencing after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a Russian official, in a sign his cooperation was still needed in the Mueller probe. The afternoon of explosive legal developments comes as the White House is refocusing itself around the upcoming midterms and as Trump allies like Steve Bannon seek to frame the election as a referendum on the potential impeachment of the president. Trump confidants have long argued that the president's fate in such a scenario would ultimately be more a matter of politics than law. Of Cohen's plea, Bannon argued Tuesday that it "takes away the argument from those who are telling the president it's not that bad if he loses the House. This now becomes more than ever a national election on the issue of impeachment." The president seemed to convey the stakes in Charleston, warning the crowd that "You aren't just voting for a candidate. You're voting for which party controls the House and which party controls the Senate." Trump confidants reasserted late Tuesday that it is the White House position that a president cannot be indicted, referring to a 2000 opinion of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to executive branch agencies. Trump's lawyers have said Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mueller's office has never independently confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he or she departs the White House. Michael Avenatti, a lawyer pressing a civil case against Trump for Daniels, who has said she had sex with the president, tweeted Tuesday that the resolution of the criminal case against Cohen "should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it." The Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit. That ruling did not directly address whether a president could be subpoenaed to testify in a criminal investigation. Despite blustery public denials, the fate of Manafort and Cohen has worried the president's inner circle. For many around Trump, Cohen has represented a greater threat than even the Russia investigation, drawing from his decade of working as the then-celebrity real estate developer's fixer. An FBI raid on Cohen's New York office and hotel room in April rattled the president, who has complained publicly about what he felt was government overreach while privately worrying about what material Cohen may have had after working for the Trump Organization for a decade. Those in Trump's orbit, including Giuliani, have steadily ratcheted up attacks on Cohen, suggesting he was untrustworthy and lying about what he knew about Trump's business dealings. When Cohen's team produced a recording that the former fixer had made of Trump discussing a payment to silence a woman about an alleged affair, Giuliani sought to impugn Cohen's credibility and question his loyalty. Trump stewed for weeks over the media coverage of the Manafort trial. Though the proceedings were not connected to Russian election interference, Trump has seethed to confidants that he views the Manafort charges as "a warning shot" from Mueller. As he watched the courtroom proceedings, he told confidants that he feared his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., could at some point be the one on trial, according to two people familiar with his thinking but not authorized to discuss private conversations. "What matters is that a jury found that the facts presented to them by the special prosecutor warranted a conviction of someone who surrounds the president," Weinstein said. ___ Superville reported from Charleston, West Virginia. Catherine Lucey, Ken Thomas and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Follow Miller on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@zekejmiller , Lemire at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire and Superville at http://twitter.com/@dsupervilleap President Donald Trump pauses while speaking to the media as he steps off Air Force One, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Charleston, W.Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President Donald Trump waves as he steps off Air Force One, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Charleston, W.Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, leaves federal court after reaching a plea agreement in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) A group of coal miners are seen before President Trump takes the stage at a rally by President Trump in support of the Senate candidacy of Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, W.Va. (Craig Hudson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) A supporter holds a sign aloft before President Trump takes the stage at a rally in support of the Senate candidacy of Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, W.Va. (Craig Hudson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) President Donald Trump speaks during a rally, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, W.Va. (Craig Hudson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) President Donald Trump adjusts the microphone for West Virginia Attorney General and GOP Senate candidate Patrick Morrisey during a rally, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, W.Va. (Craig Hudson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) President Donald Trump points at a supporter at a rally in support of the GOP Senate candidacy of Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, W.Va. (Craig Hudson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) President Donald Trump gives thumbs up after speaking during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Charleston, W.Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President Donald Trump points to a supporter after speaking during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Charleston, W.Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican Senate candidate, current West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, speaks as President Donald Trump listens during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Civic Center in Charleston W.Va. (AP Photo/Tyler Evert) President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Civic Center in Charleston W.Va. (AP Photo/Tyler Evert) President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Civic Center in Charleston W.Va. (AP Photo/Tyler Evert) President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Civic Center in Charleston W.Va. (AP Photo/Tyler Evert) President Donald Trump, left, listens as Republican Senate candidate Patrick Morrisey, currently West Virginia Attorney General, speaks during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Charleston, W.Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia's Republican House speaker resigned Tuesday to run for a vacancy on the state Supreme Court, fueling accusations by Democrats that an unprecedented move to impeach state Supreme Court justices represents a power grab by GOP lawmakers. Speaker Tim Armstead disclosed his plans on Twitter. Though the secretary of state's office has said he's not required to resign, Armstead said he was doing so to make sure his candidacy is above question. House lawmakers recently impeached four of the court's five justices, prompting one to resign. All four were ordered Tuesday to appear in the Senate on Sept. 11 to answer accusations against them. The impeachment probe was sparked by questions involving more than $3 million in renovations to the justices' offices and expanded to broader accusations of corruption, incompetence and neglect of duty. File-This Aug. 20, 2011, file photo shows then House Minority Leader Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, advocating for single-member districts for all 100 seats in West Virginia's House of Delegates, during a debate in Charleston, W. Va. Armstead, West Virginia's Republican House speaker resigned Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, to run for a vacancy on the state Supreme Court, fueling accusations by Democrats that the unprecedented move to impeach state Supreme Court justices represents a power grab by GOP lawmakers. ( Kenny Kemp /Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) Armstead had recused himself from the House debate over impeachment because he had previously expressed interest in serving on the court. More recently, he and U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, a Republican who is not seeking re-election and lost in his bid for the U.S. Senate this spring, both applied to be considered for temporary appointments to the Supreme Court by Gov. Jim Justice. Those appointments would last until the November election is certified. Jenkins has declared himself a candidate for a different seat on the court in the November election, which is officially nonpartisan. The West Virginia Democratic Party said on Twitter of Armstead's resignation, "No surprise here, more self-serving moves for political gain and abandoning the people of West Virginia in his district." In a statement announcing his resignation, Armstead said he intends "to spend as much time as possible meeting West Virginians and earning their trust and their votes to represent them on their Supreme Court of Appeals." Armstead filed by Tuesday's deadline to run in the nonpartisan race for the vacancy created last month when Menis Ketchum retired and agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud related to his personal use of a state vehicle and fuel. Robin Davis stepped down from the court Aug. 14 after lawmakers voted to impeach her and justices Allen Loughry, Margaret Workman and Beth Walker. Davis and at least one Democratic lawmaker have accused the Republican-led legislature of turning what they said was a legitimate pursuit of charges against Loughry into a blatant attempt to take over the court. Democratic Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer of Monongalia County has called impeaching the other justices "a power grab ... and using the impeachment process to take over another branch of government." Jenkins and six other candidates have filed to run for Davis' seat in November. Armstead and nine other candidates have filed to run for the seat Ketchum vacated. Loughry faces six charges related to accusations of spending $363,000 on office renovations, taking home a $42,000 antique desk owned by the state, and lying to a House committee. Loughry, Walker and Workman all face charges of abusing authority by failing to control office expenses and not maintaining policies about the use of state vehicles, office computers at home and other matters. Workman faces two separate impeachment articles related to accusations that she allowed senior status judges to be paid higher wages than are allowed. Armstead was appointed to a House seat from Kanawha County in 1998 to fill a vacancy and was elected later that year. He served as House minority leader and was named speaker in December 2014 after Republicans gained majority control of both the House and Senate for the first time in eight decades. Some Democrats have said the impeachments were strategically timed by majority Republican lawmakers to allow the governor to name their temporary replacements. "There's never been any time in history where one branch of government supposedly controls another branch," Senate Democratic leader Roman Prezioso said Monday. "And for the governor to be able to appoint people to be replaced, obviously there's that apprehension by a lot of the Democratic senators and House members, too. ___ This story corrects Roman Prezioso's last name from Perzioso. DENVER (AP) - A 70-year-old man has died while awaiting trial in the murder of a Colorado prosecutor, according to authorities. Robert Williams was arrested last August, more than 18 years after police found Rebecca Bartee dead in the bathtub of her apartment. The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office says Williams had a chronic illness and died Saturday while receiving end-of-life care. Authorities have said a reporter at Denver television station KCNC-TV contacted police in February of 2017 after a tipster provided new information about Bartee's murder. Bartee, who was 41, worked as a prosecutor for the Arapahoe County district attorney's office. Police said Williams lived in Bartee's apartment complex and still lived there when he was arrested. The sheriff's office says there are no other suspects and the murder case is closed. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's longtime fixer, Michael Cohen, once said he'd take a bullet for his boss, but on Tuesday he pleaded guilty to eight felonies and described payoffs to women at Trump's direction before the 2016 election. The development marked the pivot point in which Cohen went from ally for years to a potential threat to Trump. Under the agreement, Cohen, 51, could get four to five years in prison at sentencing Dec. 12. His account appears to implicate Trump in a crime, though whether - or when - a president can be prosecuted is in dispute. Key moments in how it all went down: Michael Cohen, former lawyer to President Donald Trump, departs following his appearance in Federal Court on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in New York. Cohen, has pleaded guilty to charges including campaign finance fraud stemming from hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen) 2016 Trump is a Republican presidential candidate and eventually the party's nominee. At Trump's direction, Cohen says, he and Trump arrange to pay adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 and former Playboy model Karen McDougal $150,000 to influence the election - presumably to keep their allegations of sexual encounters private. In entering the plea Tuesday, Cohen did not specifically name the two women or even Trump, recounting instead that he worked with an "unnamed candidate." But the amounts and the dates all line up with the payments made to Daniels and McDougal. Nov. 4, 2016 The Wall Street Journal reports that the company that owns the National Enquirer agreed to pay $150,000 to McDougal for her story of an affair with Trump in 2006, the year after Trump married Melania Trump. In a statement, American Media Inc., which is supportive of Trump's campaign, says it didn't buy McDougal's story but two years' worth of columns. White House spokeswoman Hope Hicks denies there had been an affair. Nov. 8, 2016 Trump defeats Democrat Hillary Clinton in an upset. Jan. 12, 2018 The Wall Street Journal reports that Cohen arranged a $130,000 payment to Daniels a month before the election as part of an agreement that barred her from publicly discussing their alleged 2006 affair. Trump married Melania Trump in 2005. Cohen says Trump "vehemently denies any such occurrence." Feb. 13, 2018 Cohen says he personally paid Daniels and that he received no reimbursement from the Trump Organization or the campaign. Neither was "party to the transaction," he says. Cohen says later the money came from a home equity line to an account for a personal corporation. March 2018 McDougal files a lawsuit against American Media Inc., seeking to end a contract with the company. She tells CNN that the company bought her rights to tell her story under false circumstances and then killed the story to protect Trump. She also claims she had a lengthy affair with him in 2006. American Media says she's been free to tell her story since 2016. Through representatives, Trump denies the affair. April 5, 2018 Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump denies knowing about the payment to Daniels. Asked why Cohen made the payment, Trump says, "You'll have to ask Michael Cohen." April 9, 2018 The FBI raids Cohen's office, seizing records on topics including a $130,000 payment to Daniels. Furious, Trump calls the raid a "disgrace" and that the FBI "broke into" his lawyer's office. He also tweets that "Attorney-client privilege is dead!" The raid is overseen by the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan and is based in part on a referral from special counsel Robert Mueller, says Cohen's lawyer, Stephen Ryan. Cohen had said he took out a personal line of credit on his home to pay Daniels days before the 2016 election without Trump's knowledge. April 26, 2018 Trump acknowledges that Cohen represented him in the "crazy Stormy Daniels deal." He tells "Fox & Friends" that "there were no campaign funds going into this which would have been a problem." May 2, 2018 Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani tells "Hannity" that the payment to Daniels had been "funneled through a law firm, and the president repaid it." He later says that proves the payments didn't violate campaign finance laws. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says Trump "eventually learned" about the payments. May 4, 2018 Reporters remind Trump of his previous denial of the payments to Daniels. The president blasts the media for focusing on "crap" stories like the Daniels matter and claims that "virtually everything" reported about the payments had been wrong. Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, tweets, "How stupid do they think all of us are?" July 20, 2018 People familiar with the investigation say Cohen secretly recorded Trump discussing a potential payment for McDougal two months before the election. Giuliani says the payment was never made and that the brief recording shows Trump did nothing wrong. In it, Cohen is heard saying that he needed to start a company "for the transfer of all of that info regarding our friend David," a possible reference to David Pecker, Trump's friend and president of American Media Inc. When Cohen begins to discuss financing, Trump interrupts him and asks, "What financing?" "We'll have to pay," Cohen responds. The audio is muffled, but Trump can be heard saying "pay with cash," though it isn't clear if he is suggesting to pay with cash or not to pay with cash. Cohen immediately says, "No, no, no" and Trump can then be heard saying, "check." Aug. 21, 2018 Cohen pleads guilty to campaign-finance violations and other charges, saying he and Trump arranged the payment of hush money to Daniels and McDougal to influence the election. UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged people everywhere on Tuesday to support victims of terrorism and their families, saying it is "a moral imperative" to promote, protect, and respect their human rights. The U.N. chief said in a statement on the first International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism on Tuesday that "caring for victims and survivors and amplifying their voices helps to challenge the narrative of hatred and division that terrorism aims to spread." "When we lift up the victims and survivors of terrorism, listen to their voices, respect their rights and provide them with support and justice," Guterres said, "we are honoring our common bonds, and reducing the lasting damage done by terrorists to individuals, families and communities." The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution last December "deeply deploring the suffering caused by terrorism to the victims and their families" and proclaiming August 21 as the annual day to honor and support victims and survivors. At the opening of a U.N. exhibition last Friday entitled "Surviving Terrorism: Victims' Voices" to commemorate the first annual international day, the secretary-general said victims have a powerful role to play in combatting the "global menace." "We can all learn from those who have experienced terrorism," Guterres said. Iraqi Hasan Wahhab Al Araji spoke of his anxiety and joyless life after his best friend Mohammed was abducted and killed by al-Qaida extremists, his 24-year-old lawyer cousin Saif was killed in a car bomb, and the body of another cousin, 31-year-old Yahiya, was found riddled with shrapnel after a suicide bomber targeted a neighborhood mosque. "I had difficulty sleeping and was unable to concentrate," Al Araji said at the exhibition opening. "I often displayed aggressive and nervous behavior. ... I often feared and imagined losing my own life and that more of my loved ones would soon be killed." He said it took him "a very long time to return to normalcy," stressing that the need for medical and psychological treatment for victims in Iraq is "dire." Today, Al Araji said, he works with local and international human rights organization to fight "the narrative of terrorism" and to "be part of a positive message that encompasses peace and hope." Nigerian Imrana Alhaji Buba spoke of being traumatized after Boko Haram extremists stopped a bus he was in heading to the University of Maiduguri where he was studying in June 2010, and he escaped being taken because "they thought that I was dead." While recovering from that trauma, he said two uncles were killed by a bomb dropped in a crowded place close to a market, a neighbor was murdered, and a friend was kidnapped for almost three weeks until his father paid a ransom. "This is just a small picture of how Boko Haram attacks have affected many people in Nigeria," Buba told the crowd at the exhibition opening. He said these "horrific incidents" fueled a desire to stop the bloodshed and he founded the Youth Coalition Against Terrorism, a volunteer group of over 600 young people, most of whom are victims of terrorism. It offers counseling to victims and provides "counter-radical peace education and skills training for unemployed youths," Buba said. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - An independent investigation into sexual misconduct at a New Hampshire prep school has now substantiated abuse claims against 20 former faculty and staff members dating back decades including a former Massachusetts congressman. St. Paul's School released two reports after an independent investigation in 2017 detailing allegations against 17 people who worked there between 1947 and 1999. An addendum released Tuesday includes the names of three additional people who allegedly committed abuse between 1967 and 1988. The list includes former teachers, administrators, chaplains and a counselor accused of a range of misconduct from inappropriate touching to forced kissing to one teacher who allegedly took students on several trips to New York City to have sex with prostitutes. Investigators also found evidence the school failed to protect students at the time or fully investigate their complaints. Several of the accused were fired, but most were quietly "moved on" with letters of recommendations for their next jobs, according to the Boston law firm Casner & Edwards. St. Paul's requested the investigation last year following reports about Howard White, who taught at St. Paul's from 1967 to 1971 and pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting students from St. George's School in Rhode Island in 1973. In the latest report, investigators said they were able to substantiate allegations against the late Massachusetts Congressman Gerry Studds, who was described as preying on male students during his time there from 1965 to 1969. Studds, who was censured by the House in 1983 for having an affair a decade earlier with a 17-year-old congressional page, is described by one student in the report as "a predator." Another detailed how he passed out at Studd's apartment after smoking marijuana, only to find Studds rubbing his bare chest. The student immediately jumped off the bed and ran out of the apartment. Another teacher detailed in the report, David Pook, was sentenced Friday to four months in jail for telling a former student to lie about their relationship to a grand jury investigating sexual misconduct. Pook, of Warner, had taught at St. Paul's for eight years. He was arrested in February. "Our goal has been to uncover and shed light on a dark part of the School's history with the hope that transparency will promote healing in our community," Interim Rector Amy Richards and Board of Trustees President Archibald Cox said in a letter to the school community. "These stories are devastating but as difficult as they are, we are thankful for the survivors who came forward to share them," they wrote. "While we cannot change the past, we commit ourselves to support those who experienced abuse while at the School, and to ensure a healthy community for today's students." The latest revelations prompted at least one group to call on St. Paul's to do more to ensure the abuse doesn't happen again. "We're saddened to learn that additional alumni were harmed by faculty and staff at St. Paul's School," said Amanda Grady Sexton, a spokeswoman for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "We offer support and solidarity to the brave survivors that have come forward, and we hope that their efforts to shatter the silence around decades of abuse on campus will help the School appropriately address the glaring need for change." The school is facing several lawsuits and an investigation by the New Hampshire Attorney General's office over the finding in its report. Since the allegations were brought to light, the school has embarked on a series of reforms aimed at preventing abuse, support victims and encouraging the reporting of any wrong doing. Earlier this summer, it announced three initiatives to support abuse survivors: an independent arbitration system for those seeking monetary compensation, an alumni-led effort to encourage further discussion and the victims' therapy fund. LAS VEGAS (AP) - A store security guard who was wounded by police after allegedly firing a handgun inside a busy Las Vegas clothing store was characterized by a prosecutor on Tuesday as a frustrated former lawyer from Egypt who "just snapped" for no apparent reason and posed a danger to the community. Mohamed Abdalla Mahmoud, 37, stood shackled, supported at the arms by jail officers and in apparent pain from his gunshot wound while Chief Deputy Clark County District Attorney Shanon Clowers called it astonishing that none of the more than 40 people in the Ross Dress For Less store was wounded in the Aug. 11 shooting. Mahmoud only spoke during court proceedings to pronounce his name for Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Joseph Sciscento. Mohamed Abdalla Mahmoud is escorted into court Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Las Vegas. Mahmoud was wounded by police after allegedly opening fire with a handgun in a Las Vegas clothing store. (AP Photo/John Locher) "This is a completely unprovoked crime by somebody with no criminal history, no history of violence or anything like that," Clowers said as she asked the judge to set bail at $500,000. "Really, he just snapped," she said. "I think that's even scarier ... because now you don't know when that person could react again. He could have killed any of the people in that store." Mahmoud's court-appointed attorney, Zohra Bakhtary, sought a bail that she said he and his family might be able to post: $70,000. Police say Mahmoud unleashed 16 shots after an argument with the store manager, and Clowers said Mahmoud reloaded his handgun and fired shots at police before he was wounded outside the store. The judge set strict rules including house arrest and a mental health evaluation if Mahmoud posts bail, and said he has to surrender his passport if he's freed from jail ahead of a Sept. 4 preliminary hearing. Prosecutors can seek a hearing to determine the source of bail money, Sciscento said. Mahmoud faces multiple felony attempted murder, assault and weapon charges that could get him decades in prison. Clowers said he is a married U.S. citizen who was born in Cairo, Egypt, and lived in the rural Nevada community of Pahrump before moving to Las Vegas several weeks ago. She said his gun was legally purchased. Mahmoud became enraged and argued with a manager about a shopping cart being left near the clothing store entrance during hectic weekend shopping with families and children buying back-to-school clothes, authorities said. Mahmoud is accused of threatening the manager and another employee, going to his car, retrieving a handgun and two clips of ammunition, and firing the gun wildly as he chased the manager through the store. He was outside when he fired four shots at the first officer to arrive amid panicked 911 calls about an active shooter, police said. Mahmoud fired two shots toward Officer Bryon Bunitsky, whose body-worn camera showed him returning fire with five shots, Clowers said. Mahmoud was hit once, police said. Bunitsky, 47, an 18-year police veteran, is on paid leave pending departmental and district attorney reviews of the shooting. Mohamed Abdalla Mahmoud, center, speaks with deputy public defender Zohra Bakhtary in court Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Las Vegas. Mahmoud was wounded by police after allegedly opening fire with a handgun in a Las Vegas clothing store. (AP Photo/John Locher) CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - A government lawmaker said Wednesday that he is planning a second challenge against Australia's prime minister after losing a leadership vote, ensuring that Australia's political instability will continue. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on his government to unite behind him after lawmakers in the ruling conservative Liberal Party chose to keep him as their leader 48 votes to 35 in a ballot on Tuesday. Turnbull surprised his enemies by calling the ballot before his challenger, Peter Dutton, had time to lobby colleagues for support. Australia's Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, left, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, center, and Treasurer Scott Morrison address media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. The two ministers declared their support for Turnbull remaining prime minister as another lawmaker prepares a leadership challenge. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk) But Dutton confirmed that he is now sounding out support for a second challenge. "I am not going to beat around the bush on that, I am speaking to colleagues," Dutton told Melbourne Radio 3AW. "You don't go into a ballot believing you're going to lose, and if I believe that a majority of colleagues support me, then I would consider my position," he added. Dutton has dashed Turnbull's hopes of unifying the conservative coalition under his leadership ahead of a general election due by May. But Dutton's eligibility to be a lawmaker came under new scrutiny on Wednesday in a development that could scare off potential backers. Dutton has said he received legal advice that his family's ownership of two child care centers that received federal funding does not breach a constitutional ban on lawmakers having a pecuniary interest in an agreement with the public service. The government has previously accepted that view. But Attorney General Christian Porter said the government would now seek its own legal advice after opposition lawmakers raised questions in Parliament on Wednesday. If there is a case that Dutton breached the constitution, the High Court could disqualify him. A government senator who supports Dutton's challenge, Jim Molan, said he signed a petition on Wednesday requesting the prime minister allow a second ballot. But he did not know when that might take place. Such a petition would need 43 signatures to force a ballot. "My understanding is that he decides when the party room convenes again for this," Molan told Sky News television. The next possible dates for a leadership ballot are Thursday and Sept. 11, when lawmakers return to Parliament after a two-week break. Turnbull suggested he still has the support of a majority of his party. "The iron laws of arithmetic confirmed my leadership of the Liberal Party," he told reporters at a joint news conference with Treasurer Scott Morrison and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann. Both ministers also declared their support for Turnbull. Australia has had years of political instability since Prime Minister John Howard lost power in 2007 after more than 11 years in office. No prime minister has lasted a full three-year term since. They have all been thrown out of power by their own parties in the face of poor opinion polling. Darren Chester, a minister in the Nationals party, the junior coalition partner, has threatened to take away the government's single-seat majority in the House of Representatives if Turnbull is deposed. Chester said he and other lawmakers are considering quitting a government that was not led by Turnbull, which could force an election. Dutton quit as home affairs minister after Tuesday's challenge failed. Another 10 ministers who supported Dutton's challenge have also offered their resignations, but it is not clear how many the prime minister has accepted. Turnbull said Dutton's was the only senior minister's resignation he accepted. It was not clear if Turnbull had accepted the resignations of junior ministers outside the Cabinet. Australia's Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, left, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, center, and Treasurer Scott Morrison arrive to address media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. The two ministers declared their support for Turnbull remaining prime minister as another lawmaker prepares a leadership challenge. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - As her two North Korean daughters, both in their 70s, wailed outside her bus, 99-year-old Han Shin-ja pounded the windows from inside in despair, moving her lips to say "don't cry" and "farewell." As her bus left for South Korea on Wednesday, Han's daughters chased the moving vehicle before being stopped by a North Korean official, a predictable but no less heart-wrenching departure that's likely to be the last time they see each other after decades of separation. Han's family was among hundreds of elderly Koreans who tearfully said their final goodbyes at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. South Koreans on a bus touch the bus window in their attempt to feel hands of their North Korean relatives as they bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) About 200 South Koreans returned home after the end of three days of meetings with North Korean relatives at the North's Diamond Mountain resort. Another 337 South Koreans will participate in a second round of reunions from Friday to Sunday. The first set of meetings created highly emotional images of relatives weeping, embracing and caressing each other in a rush of emotions. Many of the South Korean participants were war refugees who reunited with siblings or infant children they left behind, many of whom are now into their 70s. At their final lunch meeting on Wednesday, 91-year-old Lee Ki-soon initially seemed lost for words as he shared a glass of "soju," a vodka-like alcohol loved in both Koreas, with his 75-year-old North Korean son. Lee later told his son, Ri Kang Son, "I am not your fake father. You have a father." Ri replied: "Be healthy and live long. Then we can meet again," according to pool reports. An Jong Sun, a 70-year-old North Korean, carefully fed her 100-year-old South Korean father food. In the same large meeting hall, Kim Byung-oh, 88, quietly wept as his 81-year-old North Korean sister tried to calm him. Nearby, Ri Chol, a 61-year-old North Korean, was also in tears as he grasped the hands of a 93-year-old South Korean grandmother he was only just getting to know. "Don't cry, Chol," an equally emotional Kwon Seok told her grandson. Han told her two North Korean daughters to eat a lot of "chap-ssal," or sticky rice, for health. She told them she would always pray for their happiness and also for the future of her North Korean great-grandchildren she never got to see. Some relatives exchanged their phone numbers and home addresses, although the Koreas since the end of the war have banned ordinary citizens from visiting relatives on the other side of the border or contacting them without permission. Shin Jae-cheon, a 92-year-old from the South Korean town of Gimpo, not far from the border, lamented that his 70-year-old North Korean sister lived less than an hour's drive away all these years. "It will take 40 minutes for me to drive there," Shin told his sister, Sin Kum Sun, who lives in the North Korean border town of Kaesong. "The bus that goes to my home is No. 8. No. 8. The No. 8 bus," Shin added, expressing a wish for his sister to come visit one day. After organizers aired an announcement that the reunions were officially over, Han and her daughters broke down. They wept, embraced each other and temporarily refused to leave their lunch table. Two North Korean officials politely separated Han from one of her daughters, 71-year-old Kim Kyong Yong, who kept holding on to one of Han's arms. After the South Koreans boarded the bus, workers brought steppers so that Han's daughters could put their hands on the bus window, with Han doing the same on the inside of the glass. After wiping off tears with a handkerchief, Kim looked up toward his sister, smiled and created a heart with his arms. His sister, Kim Sun Ok, made the same gesture outside the bus. "Goodbye, oppa (older brother)! Goodbye, oppa!," Kim Sun Ok cried as the bus rolled out of the resort. Nearly 20,000 people have participated in 20 rounds of face-to-face reunions held between the countries since 2000. No one has had a second chance to see their relatives. The latest reunions come after a three-year hiatus during which North Korea conducted three nuclear tests and multiple missile launches that demonstrated a potential capability to strike the U.S. mainland. Analysts say the North still has some work to do before those missiles are perfected, however. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has shifted toward diplomacy in 2018 and has met South Korean President Moon Jae-in twice and also held a summit with President Donald Trump. While Seoul has long pushed for more reunions, analysts say North Korea is reluctant because of fears that increasing their frequency will loosen its authoritarian control and relinquish a coveted bargaining chip. North Korean Kim Kyong Sil, 72, center, touches the bus window in her attempt to feel hand of her South Korean mother Han Shin-ja, 99, on a bus as they bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Lee Ji-eun/Yonhap via AP) North Korean Kim Soon Ok, 81, right, and his South Korean brother Kim Byong-osoon, 88, weep as they bid a farewell after the separated family reunion meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) North Koreans wave to their South Korean relatives on a bus to bid farewell after the separated family reunion meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Lee Ji-eun/Yonhap via AP) North Korean Ko Jung Hi, 77, left, and Ri Kyong Sun, 53, wave to their South Korean relatives leaving by bus to bid farewell after the separated family reunion meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) North Korean Ri Sang Chol, 71, boom right, waves to his South Korean mother Lee Keum-seom, 92, top left, on a bus to bid farewell after the separated family reunion meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) North Korean Ri Sang Chol, 71, touches the bus window in his attempt to feel hand of his South Korean mother Lee Keum-seom, 92, on a bus as they bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) North Korean Ri Sang Chol, 71, waves to his South Korean mother Lee Keum-seom, 92, top left, on a bus to bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) North Koreans wave to their South Korean relatives on a bus to bid farewell after the separated family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) North Koreans wave to their South Korean relatives on a bus to bid farewell after the separated family reunion meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) North Koreans wave their South Korean relatives on a bus to bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) South Koreans on a bus wave at their North Korean relatives to bid farewell after the separated family reunion meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) THIS ADDS NAME OF MAN AT CENTER - South Korean Cho Hye-do, 86, right, meets her North Korean sister Cho Sun Do, 89, left, accompanied by South Korean brother Cho Do-ja, 75, during the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Dozens of elderly South Koreans crossed the heavily fortified border into North Korea on Monday for heart-wrenching meetings with relatives most haven't seen since they were separated by the turmoil of the Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) North Koreans wave at their South Korean relatives on a bus to bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Lee Ji-eun/Yonhap via AP) North Koreans wave at their South Korean relatives on a bus to bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Lee Ji-eun/Yonhap via AP) North Korean Ri Sang Chol, 71, waves at his South Korean mother Lee Keum-seom, 92, on a bus to bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) North Koreans wave to their South Korean relatives on a bus to bid farewell after the separated family reunion meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Lee Ji-eun/Yonhap via AP) South Korean Cho Hye-do, 86, left, talks with her North Korean sister Cho Sun Do, 89, in a bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) South Korean Lee Keum-yeon, 88, right, talks with her North Korean sister-in-law Ko Jung Hi, 77, left, in a bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) CORRECTS NORTH KOREAN'S ID - North Korean Kim Kyong Sil, 72, right, touches the bus window in her attempt to feel hand of her South Korean mother Han Shin-ja, 99, on a bus as they bid farewell after the separated family reunion meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Lee Ji-eun/Yonhap via AP) North Korean Ri Sang Chol, 71, right, watches a photo with his South Korean mother Lee Keum-seom, 92, in a bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) South Korean Cho Hye-do, 86, left, talks with her North Korean sister Cho Sun Do, 89, in a bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) South Korean Lee Keum-seom, 92, left, tries to touch the bus window in her attempt to feel hand of her North Korean son North Korean Ri Sang Chol, 71, as they bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korea Pool Photo via AP) Egypt released 2,376 prisoners, including 627 debt defaulters, by a presidential pardon decree on Tuesday, the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior. The decree comes weeks after President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi launched the initiative "Prisons Without Debt Defaulters", which aims to help some of the many people - disproportianetly women - who have been imprisoned because they failed to repay loans borrowed for family expenses. According to Article 376 of the penal code, individuals who default on loan payments may face up to three years in jail. The law states that debt defaulters could be released from prison if their debts are paid for them or if the creditor forgives the debt. The Tahya Misr Fund, a fund established by President El-Sisi in 2014 to support social and economic projects, along with other civil society organizations have settled the debt for the released prisoners, according to the statement. "In accordance with Decree No. 391/2018 and in celebration of Eid al-Adha, the prisons sector [at the ministry] formed committees to examine the files of inmates in order to determine who is eligible for a pardon," the Ministry of Interior statement read. The high commission of the prisons sector concluded that 1,088 inmates were eligible for a full pardon. The commission also reviewed the cases of 661 other prisoners who are eligible for conditional release. Article 155 of the Egyptian constitution stipulates that the president has the power to issue pardons or to mitigate final sentences after consulting with his cabinet. The last pardon was issued in July 2018 ahead of Eid Al-Fitr, when El-Sisi issued a decree pardoning 712 prisoners. Search Keywords: Short link: CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Peter Dutton, the government lawmaker who has challenged Australia's prime minister for his job, is publicly perceived as a hard man and a leading hard-right conservative. His face is associated with turning back asylum seekers boats, stripping citizenship from extremists and striving to increase the English-language standards for migrants who want to gain citizenship. Dutton gave up the largest security portfolio in the government when he resigned as minister for home affairs, who controls the newly created Department of Homeland Security. The department is designed to tackle the new security threats of a changing geopolitical environment. While highly regarded by the conservative Liberal Party's hard-right faction, Dutton's broader appeal has been questioned, particularly among ethnic minorities. FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2018, file photo, former Australian Cabinet Minister Peter Dutton addresses the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. Dutton, the government lawmaker who has challenged Australia's prime minister for his job, is publicly perceived as a hard man and a leading hard-right conservative. His face is associated with turning back asylum seekers boats, stripping citizenship from extremists and striving to increase the English-language standards for migrants who want to gain citizenship.(AP Photo/Rod McGuirk, File) He has been criticized for saying the level of Lebanese Muslim immigration under a humanitarian program in the 1970s had been a mistake that Australia was now paying for through a rise in domestic extremism. He also attracted accusations of racism through comments that white farmers under threat of violence in black-majority South Africa should be treated as refugees because "they need help from a civilized country." He has angered many in the ethnic-African community by saying people in Victoria state were "scared to go out to restaurants of a night time" because of "African gang violence." Dutton, 47, is a former police drug squad detective from the politically and socially conservative state of Queensland. He was first elected to Parliament in 2001 and quickly rose to the rank of minister three years later. He became minister for immigration and border protection in 2014, when he became responsible for Australia's contentious policy of sending asylum seekers who attempt to reach Australia by boat to immigration camps paid for by his government on impoverished Pacific island nations for Papua New Guinea and Nauru. The Australian navy also turns asylum seekers boats back to Indonesia, which Jakarta regards as an affront to Indonesian sovereignty. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) is skipping a Republican Party fundraiser Friday where President Donald Trump is the headliner. Kasich's decision comes as no surprise. The two are locked in a fierce and public rivalry. Kasich, a 2016 presidential contender, skipped the 2016 Republican National Convention held in Cleveland and refused to vote for Trump. Once elected, Trump successfully worked to oust Kasich's point man from the helm of the Ohio Republican Party, which is hosting Friday's event. FILE - In this Feb. 6, 2016, file photo, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, left, and Donald Trump, right, speak to reporters after a Republican presidential primary debate in Manchester, N.H. Kasich is skipping a Republican Party fundraiser Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, where Trump is the headliner. Kasich's decision comes as no surprise. The two are locked in a fierce and public rivalry. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Party spokesman Blaine Kelly says Trump's appearance will benefit the party's candidates heading into fall elections. Kelly says Trump is the first sitting president ever to speak at the annual dinner. Kasich's spokesman confirmed without comment that the governor won't attend. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump accused his former lawyer Michael Cohen of lying under pressure of prosecution Wednesday as his White House grappled with allegations that the president had orchestrated a campaign cover-up to buy the silence of two women who claimed he had affairs with them. Confronting mounting legal and political threats, Trump took to Twitter to accuse Cohen of making up "stories in order to get a 'deal'" from federal prosecutors. Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight charges, including campaign finance violations that he said he carried out in coordination with Trump. Behind closed doors, Trump expressed worry and frustration that a man intimately familiar with his political, personal and business dealings for more than a decade had turned on him. Yet his White House signaled no clear strategy for managing the fallout. At a White House briefing, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders insisted at least seven times that Trump had done nothing wrong and was not the subject of criminal charges. She referred substantive questions to the president's personal counsel Rudy Giuliani, who was at a golf course in Scotland. Outside allies of the White House said they had received little guidance on how to respond to the events in their appearances on cable news. And it was not clear the West Wing was assembling any kind of coordinated response. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Civic Center in Charleston W.Va. (AP Photo/Tyler Evert) Trump himself publicly denied wrongdoing, sitting down with his favored program "Fox & Friends" for an interview set to air Thursday. In the interview, he argued, incorrectly, that the hush-money payouts weren't "even a campaign violation" because he subsequently reimbursed Cohen for the payments personally instead of with campaign funds. Federal law restricts how much individuals can donate to a campaign, bars corporations from making direct contributions and requires the disclosure of transactions. Cohen had said Tuesday he secretly used shell companies to make payments used to silence former Playboy model Karen McDougal and adult-film actress Stormy Daniels for the purpose of influencing the 2016 election. Trump has insisted that he only found out about the payments after they were made, despite the release of a September 2016 taped conversation in which Trump and Cohen can be heard discussing a deal to pay McDougal for her story of a 2006 affair she says she had with Trump. The White House denied the president had lied, with Sanders calling the assertion "ridiculous." Yet she offered no explanation for Trump's shifting accounts. As Trump vented his frustration, White House aides sought to project a sense of calm. Used to the ever-present shadow of federal investigations, numbed West Wing staffers absorbed near-simultaneous announcements Tuesday of the Cohen plea deal and the conviction of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort on financial charges. Manafort faces trial on separate charges in September in the District of Columbia that include acting as a foreign agent. That Cohen was in trouble was no surprise - federal prosecutors raided his offices months ago - but Trump and his allies were caught off-guard when he also pleaded guilty to campaign finance crimes, which, for the first time, took the swirling criminal probes directly to the president. Both cases resulted, at least in part, from the work of special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russia's attempts to sway voters in the 2016 election. "The only thing that I have done wrong," Trump tweeted late Wednesday, "is to win an election that was expected to be won by Crooked Hillary Clinton and the Democrats. The problem is, they forgot to campaign in numerous states!" Meanwhile, Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, said Wednesday that Cohen has information "that would be of interest" to the special counsel. "There are subjects that Michael Cohen could address that would be of interest to the special counsel," Davis said in a series of television interviews. Davis also said Cohen is not looking for a presidential pardon. Trump, in turn, praised Manafort as "a brave man!" raising speculation the former campaign operative could become the recipient of a pardon. Manafort, Trump wrote, had "tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break.'" Sanders said the matter of a pardon for Manafort had not been discussed. Among Trump allies, the back-to-back blows were a harbinger of dark days to come for the president. Democrats are eagerly anticipating gaining subpoena power over the White House - and many are openly discussing the possibility of impeaching Trump - should they retake control of the House in November's midterm elections. And even Trump loyalists acknowledged the judicial proceedings were a blow to the GOP's chances of retaining the majority this year. "They have survived the Russia thing, but no one knows what's next," said former campaign aide Barry Bennett. Debate swirled inside and outside the White House about next steps and how damaging the legal fallout was for the president. Allies of the president stressed an untested legal theory that a sitting president cannot be indicted - only impeached. Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci argued that "at the end of the day it will be up to the House and the Senate to decide on the president's presidency." Former George W. Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer stressed that the revelations may be sordid but do not meet the constitutional bar of "high crimes and misdemeanors." "Having an affair and lying about it with a porn star and a Playboy bunny is not impeachable," Fleischer said, "it's Donald Trump." ___ Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Chad Day, Jonathan Lemire and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. Michael Cohen leaves Federal court, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in New York. Cohen, has pleaded guilty to charges including campaign finance fraud stemming from hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) This Thursday, July 12, 2018 photo provided by the Alexandria, Va., Detention Center shows Paul Manafort, who was booked into the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center. On Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, the longtime political operative who for months led Donald Trump's winning presidential campaign, was found guilty of eight financial crimes in the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the president's associates. (Alexandria Detention Center via AP) ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - Paul Manafort, the longtime political operative who for months led Donald Trump's successful presidential campaign, was found guilty of eight financial crimes in the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the president's associates. A judge declared a mistrial Tuesday on 10 other counts the jury could not agree on. The verdict was part of a stunning one-two punch of bad news for the White House, coming as the president's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, was pleading guilty in New York to campaign finance charges arising from hush money payments made to two women who say they had sexual relationships with Trump. This courtroom sketch shows Paul Manafort listening to U.S. District court Judge T.S. Ellis III at federal court in Alexandria, Va., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Manafort, the longtime political operative who for months led Donald Trump's winning presidential campaign, was found guilty of eight financial crimes in the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the president's associates. A judge declared a mistrial on 10 other counts the jury could not agree on. (Dana Verkouteren via AP) WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT? The jury returned the decision after deliberating four days on tax and bank fraud charges against Manafort, who led Trump's election effort during a crucial stretch of 2016, including as he clinched the Republican nomination and during the party's convention. Manafort, who appeared jovial earlier in the day amid signs the jury was struggling in its deliberations, focused intently on the jury as the clerk read off the charges. He stared blankly at the defense table, then looked up, expressionless, as the judge finished thanking the jury. "Mr. Manafort is disappointed of not getting acquittals all the way through or a complete hung jury on all counts," said defense lawyer Kevin Downing. He said Manafort was evaluating all his options. The jury found Manafort guilty of five counts of filing false tax returns on tens of millions of dollars in Ukrainian political consulting income. He was also convicted of failing to report foreign bank accounts in 2012 and of two bank fraud charges that accused him of lying to obtain millions of dollars in loans after his consulting income dried up. The jury couldn't reach a verdict on three other foreign bank account charges, and the remaining bank fraud and conspiracy counts. WHAT'S NEXT FOR MANAFORT? The outcome, though not the across-the-board guilty verdicts prosecutors sought, almost certainly guarantees years of prison for Manafort. It also appears to vindicate the ability of special counsel Robert Mueller's team to secure convictions from a jury of average citizens despite months of partisan attacks, including from Trump, on the investigation's integrity. The verdict raised immediate questions of whether the president would seek to pardon Manafort, the lone American charged by Mueller to opt for trial instead of cooperating. The president has not revealed his thinking but spoke sympathetically throughout the trial of his onetime aide, at one point suggesting he had been treated worse than gangster Al Capone. The president on Tuesday called the outcome a "disgrace" and said the case "has nothing to do with Russia collusion." WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE MUELLER PROBE? The trial did not resolve the central question behind Mueller's investigation - whether Trump associates coordinated with Russia to influence the election. Still, there were occasional references to Manafort's work on the campaign, including emails showing him lobbying Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, on behalf of a banker who approved $16 million in loans because he wanted a job in the Trump administration. Manafort urged Kushner to consider the banker, Stephen Calk, for secretary of the Army. Though Kushner responded to Manafort's email by saying, "On it!" Calk ultimately did not get an administration post. For the most part, jurors heard detailed and sometimes tedious testimony about Manafort's finances and what prosecutors allege was a yearslong tax-evasion and fraud scheme. Manafort decided not to put on any witnesses or testify himself. His attorneys said he made the decision because he didn't believe the government had met its burden of proof. His defense team attempted to make the case about the credibility of longtime Manafort protege Rick Gates, attacking the government's star witness as a liar, embezzler and instigator of any crimes while trying to convince jurors that Manafort didn't willfully violate the law. Gates spent three days on the stand, telling jurors how he committed crimes alongside Manafort for years. He admitted to doctoring documents, falsifying information and creating fake loans to lower his former boss' tax bill, and also acknowledged stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars without Manafort's knowledge by filing fake expense reports. On Wednesday, defense lawyers asked the judge to keep under seal a bench discussion that referenced the special counsel's pre-trial dealings with Gates. Prosecutors had initially asked the judge not to make the discussion public because of Mueller's ongoing probe. WHAT WAS THE EVIDENCE? Beyond the testimony, prosecutors used emails and other documents to try to prove that Manafort concealed from the IRS, in offshore accounts, millions of dollars in Ukrainian political consulting feeds. Overall, they said, he avoided paying more than $16 million in taxes. Central to the government's case were depictions of an opulent lifestyle, including a $15,000 ostrich jacket, luxury suits and elaborate real estate that prosecutors say was funded through offshore wire transfers from shell companies in Cyprus and elsewhere. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III repeatedly grew impatient with prosecutors as they sought to demonstrate Manafort's garish tendencies. The clashes between the judge and the prosecutor became a sideshow of sorts during the weekslong trial, with the judge at one point appearing to acknowledge that he had erroneously scolded them. After the trial, Ellis complimented lawyers on both sides for "zealous and effective representation." He also remarked on his surprise at the level of attention the case has received and the criticism he received for his management of the trial. "We all take brickbats in life," Ellis said. ANOTHER TRIAL LOOMING? The trial in Alexandria, Virginia, is the first of two for Manafort. He faces a trial later this year in the District of Columbia on charges of conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, making false statements and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Ukrainian interests. He is also accused of witness tampering in that case. ___ Associated Press writers Stephen Braun and Jeff Horwitz contributed to this report. Paul Manafort's wife Kathleen Manafort, left, leaves federal court with defense lawyer Jay Nanavati, right, after her husband Paul Manafort, the longtime political operative who for months led Donald Trump's winning presidential campaign, was found guilty of eight financial crimes in the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the president's associates in Alexandria, Va., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018.(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Paul Manafort's wife Kathleen Manafort, right, walks with Manafort spokesman Jason Maloni, to federal court for jury deliberations in the trial of the former Trump campaign chairman, in Alexandria, Va., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Members of the defense team for Paul Manafort, including Jay Nanavati, left, Kevin Downing, and Thomas Zehnle, walk to federal court for jury deliberations in the trial of the former Trump campaign chairman, in Alexandria, Va., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) His name is Donald John Trump, but federal prosecutors have a simpler moniker for the 45th president: Individual 1. Dry legalese and generic aliases could do nothing to tone down the tale of the scheme to protect Trump outlined in court documents Tuesday. The criminal campaign finance case against the president's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, revealed a complex, illegal operation to stifle sex stories and distribute hush money. The documents also lay out new details about the involvement of Trump's real estate company. Cohen's plea agreement and the details it revealed now pose a direct threat to the president, perhaps one even more damaging than the separate special counsel investigation examining whether the president's campaign coordinated with Russia to sway the 2016 election. The colorful cast of characters depicted in documents includes a Playboy model and a porn actress who reported having sex years earlier with the married Trump; a tabloid executive who relished juicy scandals but also his own friendship with the candidate; and a lawyer eager at all costs to protect the interests of his star client. At the center of the intrigue is Trump himself, referenced obliquely but unmistakably as 'Individual 1' - a man who prosecutors note, in formulaic but wry phrasing, began his bid for office 'on or about June 16, 2015.' Just two months later, as Trump stunned the political world with his rise, the chairman of a tabloid media company offered the campaign some assistance, the documents said. The company agreed to flag for Cohen and the campaign unflattering, unpublished stories about Trump's relationships with women 'so they could be purchased and their publication avoided,' prosecutors said. The company eventually did exactly that, allowing for Cohen throughout the campaign to arrange for stories to be bought and suppressed with the express purpose of 'influencing the election.' The strategy is known in tabloid circles as 'catch and kill.' The company is not named in the court filings and neither are the women, but the description matches that of American Media Inc., the parent company of the National Enquirer, and its chairman, David Pecker, a longtime Trump friend and ally. The timing and amount of the payments line up with those paid to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal to buy their silence in the weeks and months leading up to the election. Although the plan was in place nearly a year earlier, the first arrangement began in June 2016, weeks after Trump had clinched the Republican nomination. McDougal, prosecutors allege, began attempting to sell a story of a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006 and 2007. As promised, it didn't take long for Cohen to be notified - and to take action, promising to reimburse his tabloid friends for the purchase of her tale. That August, prosecutors allege, AMI struck a $150,000 deal with McDougal to buy her story, feature her on two magazine stories and publish more than 100 magazine articles she authored. 'Despite the cover and article features to the agreement, its principal purpose, as understood by those involved, including Michael Cohen, the defendant, was to suppress Woman-1's story so as to prevent it from influencing the election,' prosecutors wrote. The pattern repeated that October, this time with Daniels, who had her own story of a sexual relationship with Trump she was eager to tell. In that case, Cohen and a lawyer for Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, negotiated a $130,000 payment to buy her silence. According to the government, the deal nearly fell apart just weeks before the election. Cohen was slow in finalizing the payment and was warned that Daniels was close to completing a separate deal with another outlet to make her story public. An unidentified editor texted Cohen to say it 'could look awfully bad for everyone' if a deal was not struck. The lawyer then received an encrypted telephone message from someone matching Pecker's description and from another top editor at the publication before agreeing to make the payment and calling Daniels' lawyer to finalize the arrangement, prosecutors said. On Oct. 26, 2016, just weeks before the election, Cohen drew down $131,000 from a home equity line of credit he obtained by lying about his debt and cash flow. He wired funds to a lawyer for Daniels, falsely saying that it was for a 'retainer,' and exactly one week before the election, received copies of a signed confidential agreement with the actress. Prosecutors allege that Trump Organization executives ultimately reimbursed Cohen for both the $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels and another $50,000 for 'tech services' that Cohen solicited on the Trump campaign's behalf. Prosecutors cited an email in which one unnamed Trump Organization executive told another to pay Cohen $420,000 out of 'the trust,' the indictment says, disguising the money as payment owed to Cohen under a legal retainer agreement. 'In truth and in fact, there was no such retainer agreement,' prosecutors wrote. For federal prosecutors who have spent months investigating the president's lawyer, the timing of the payments was no accident. They don't say specifically that Trump directed Cohen to make the payments, an allegation Cohen made in court, but the documents do note Cohen 'coordinated with one or more members of the campaign.' The money, the government says, was intended 'to influence the 2016 presidential election.' The intent is essential to the case. Corporations are not permitted to contribute to campaigns and money intended to influence an election must be reported as a contribution. The money to Daniels and McDougal was not. All told, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight crimes, including a campaign finance violation, tax evasion and making false statements to a bank. He could get about four to five years in prison at sentencing Dec. 12. As for Trump, his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said there 'is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen.' It's true the Justice Department did not go as far as Cohen did in pointing the finger at Trump, but legal experts say the allegations bring the president closer into his associates' criminal conduct, especially if it can be established that he conspired with Cohen to knowingly violate campaign finance law. 'The president has certain protections while a sitting president, but if it were true, and he was aware and tried to influence an election, that could be a federal felony offense,' said former Justice Department prosecutor Daniel Petalas. 'This strikes close to home.' BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP) - A Mexican man charged with killing an Iowa college student worked on a dairy farm for years under a false name just a few miles from where the young woman was allegedly abducted while running last month, his employer said Wednesday. Cristhian Bahena Rivera was a good employee who showed up on time to take care of the cows and got along well with his co-workers, said Dane Lang, manager of Yarrabee Farms in Brooklyn, Iowa. The 24-year-old kept coming to work after Mollie Tibbetts disappeared July 18, and "nobody saw a difference" in his demeanor, Lang said. His colleagues were stunned Tuesday to learn that he was not only the suspect in Tibbetts' death, but that he had a different real name than what he went by on the farm, he said. Cristhian Bahena Rivera is escorted into the Poweshiek County Courthouse for his initial court appearance, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, in Montezuma, Iowa. Rivera is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Mollie Tibbetts, who disappeared July 18 from Brooklyn, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) "Our employee is not who he said he was," Lang said at a news conference at the farm. "This was shocking to us." When Rivera was hired in 2014, he presented an out-of-state government-issued photo identification and a matching Social Security card, he said. That information was run through the Social Security Administration's employment-verification system and checked out, he said. Rivera's defense attorney, Allan Richards, acknowledged Wednesday that his client received his paycheck under a different name and that he was uncertain of his immigration status. He said he was prepared to argue that his client was in the country legally, noting that he came to the U.S. as a minor and had worked and paid taxes for years. "He showed up every day, and he did his job. He was patted on his back. They turned a blind eye to the reality of documentation," Richards said. Rivera made his initial court appearance Wednesday on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student. Investigators say they believe Rivera was in the country illegally when he abducted Tibbetts as she went on an evening jog, killed her and dumped her body in a cornfield. A judge on Wednesday agreed to increase his bond to $5 million from $1 million after prosecutor Scott Brown noted he was a potential flight risk who was charged with a "heinous crime." Rivera sat stone-faced through much of the hearing, wearing a striped jail jumpsuit, handcuffs and speaking only briefly through a Spanish-speaking interpreter. His attorney, Richards, lashed out at President Donald Trump for publicly declaring his client guilty at a rally Tuesday night in which he called the nation's immigration system a disgrace. He said his client was a hard worker with the equivalent of an eighth-grade education, had no prior criminal record and deserved the presumption of innocence and a fair trial. "Sad and Sorry Trump has weighed in on this matter in national media which will poison the entire possible pool of jury members," Richards wrote in a court filing. Trump noted the arrest at the rally in West Virginia: "You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly, from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman. Should've never happened. Illegally in our country." Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have lodged an immigration detainer for Rivera, a move that means the agency has probable cause to believe he is subject to deportation. Yarrabee Farms is a small family farming operation that dates back to 1860 and has been owned for six generations by the Lang family, which is prominent in the community, farming circles and Republican politics. Dane Lang said the farm had received dozens of disturbing phone calls and messages since the employee's arrest, including threats to kill his dog and burn down his buildings. "This is a scary situation," he said. His father and farm co-owner Craig Lang, a former president of the Iowa Farm Bureau who ran earlier this year for state agriculture secretary, said the farm was cooperating with investigators and had already turned over Rivera's hiring records. He said now was not the time to debate immigration but to grieve the loss of Tibbetts, who was about to start her junior year studying psychology. Rivera led investigators Tuesday to a body believed to be Tibbetts in a cornfield about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of Brooklyn, where she was last seen, police said. Rivera allegedly confessed to following her and then panicking when she threatened to call police. He told authorities that he blacked out and then dumped her bloody body in the secluded location. Investigators have not released the cause and manner of Tibbetts' death and did not release any information following an autopsy conducted Wednesday. Rivera's Facebook page described him as being from Guayabillo, a community of less than 500 people in the Mexican state of Guerrero. It's about a three-hour drive from the resort city of Acapulco. Authorities said they zeroed in on Rivera after obtaining footage from surveillance cameras in Brooklyn. The footage showed a Chevy Malibu connected to Rivera that was driving back and forth as Tibbetts was running in the area. A conviction on first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole in Iowa, which does not have the death penalty. ___ Sign up for the AP's weekly newsletter showcasing our best reporting from the Midwest and Texas: http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv . Cristhian Bahena Rivera is escorted into the Poweshiek County Courthouse for his initial court appearance, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, in Montezuma, Iowa. Rivera is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Mollie Tibbetts, who disappeared July 18 from Brooklyn, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) This undated photo provided by the Iowa Department of Public Safety shows Cristhian Bahena Rivera. Authorities said on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, that they have charged a man living in the U.S. illegally with murder in the death of Iowa college student, Mollie Tibbetts, who disappeared a month ago while jogging in a rural area. Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Rick Rahn said that Rivera, 24, was charged with murder in the death of Tibbetts. (Iowa Department of Public Safety via AP) A poster for missing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts hangs in the window of a local business, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Brooklyn, Iowa. Tibbetts was reported missing from her hometown in the eastern Iowa city of Brooklyn in July 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) A poster for missing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts hangs in the window of a local business, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Brooklyn, Iowa. Tibbetts was reported missing from her hometown in the eastern Iowa city of Brooklyn in July 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) A county truck blocks a gravel road, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, near Brooklyn, Iowa. Police say a body believed to be that of 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbetts has been discovered in a rural area near where she went missing last month. University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts was reported missing from her hometown in the eastern Iowa city of Brooklyn in July 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) A poster for missing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts hangs on the front door of a local business, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Brooklyn, Iowa. Police say a body believed to be that of 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbetts has been discovered in a rural area near where she went missing last month.Tibbetts was reported missing from her hometown in the eastern Iowa city of Brooklyn in July 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) A ribbon for missing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts hangs on a light post, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Brooklyn, Iowa. Police say a body believed to be that of 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbetts has been discovered in a rural area near where she went missing last month. Tibbetts was reported missing from her hometown in the eastern Iowa city of Brooklyn in July 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) A poster for missing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts hangs in the window of a local business, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Brooklyn, Iowa. Tibbetts was reported missing from her hometown in the eastern Iowa city of Brooklyn in July 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) PARIS (AP) - French President Emmanuel Macron is back from summer vacation and he plans to launch a new push for economic changes as he faces growing criticism at home. The 40-year-old leader holds a Cabinet meeting Wednesday at the Elysee presidential palace. Macron hopes his break will help give his policies new impetus after a nightmare political scenario in July. His government survived two no-confidence votes last month following a scandal over a top Macron security aide, Alexandre Benalla, identified in a video as acting violently toward a protester while wearing police equipment. FILE - In this Friday, July 20, 2018 file photo, French President Emmanuel Macron looks after meeting President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the presidential Elysee Palace, in Paris, France. French President Emmanuel Macron is back from vacation and plans to launch a new push for economic changes as he faces growing criticism at home. The 40-year-old leader holds a Cabinet meeting Wednesday, Aug. 22 at the Elysee presidential palace. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, file) While the centrist leader promised transparency and an exemplary government before his election, the scandal has raised questions about his team's working methods and actions. Benalla, who initially stayed in his job before a public uproar led to his dismissal, has since faced initial charges, including committing violent acts and impersonating a police officer. The latest public opinion polls at the end of July have seen Macron's popularity rate at its lowest level since he was elected in May 2017. Opponents commonly describe Macron as "Jupiter," the Roman king of gods, or "Napoleon" -in a reference to his authoritarian style and tendency to use special powers to pass some key measures without a parliamentary debate. In addition, critics often portray him as the "president of the rich," for tax cuts for the wealthy. Similar comments have been recently revived by his request to build a 34,000-euro ($39,200) swimming pool in the presidential summer residence on the French Riviera. The French leader took 15 days of vacation, reading books and enjoying the view of turquoise waters. He made only a few public appearances. He invited British Prime Minister Theresa May for dinner, with Brexit discussions on the agenda. He also had phone calls with several world leaders, including President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. An official at the French presidency said Macron's international agenda in the coming weeks will focus on showing a united European front in Brexit negotiations. Macron seeks to strengthen ties between pro-European governments, seen as opposed to rising populism in the European Union. He's notably planning to visit Denmark and Finland at the end of the month and meet with Merkel in early September. The official spoke on customary condition of anonymity. Macron is likely to face a tough task in domestic politics. The government is preparing the country's budget for next year as the economic growth forecast is lower than previously expected at an estimated 1.8 percent, compared with 2.2 percent last year. Macron is planning to focus on pursuing further labor changes with a bill focusing on helping small businesses to grow by removing some financial and bureaucratic barriers. Over the past year, the government struggled to pass labor measures and a plan to revamp national railway company SNCF. The changes have been rejected by unions as weakening workers' hard-won protections, prompting big protests last autumn and spring, and months-long rolling strikes from railway workers. The government will also detail next month a sweeping overhaul of the costly health care system, including hospital financing. The plan will be closely monitored as the French are attached to preserving the system, widely considered one of the best in the world. Meanwhile, key constitutional changes were delayed because the Benalla scandal interrupted the debate at parliament in July. The changes were aimed at fulfilling some of Macron's campaign promises like decreasing the number of lawmakers and accelerating the process to make laws. The government hopes to be able to revive the plan this autumn. In addition, Macron wants to reorganize the structure of the Elysee Palace and its 820 workers, especially in the fields of security, communication, transportation and logistics. The changes may be sensitive since they would challenge decades-old traditions and ways of working. Macron's office stresses that it needs to be modernized to be more reactive and efficient. For example, the military command unit ensuring security inside the Elysee is also in charge of mundane tasks like printing invitation cards, while Macron's highly trained bodyguards are also responsible for carrying the luggage of the president's aides during official trips. . KOCHI, India (AP) - The people of the flood-battered Indian state of Kerala are "in a great struggle to rebuild their lives," the state's top official said Wednesday, as aid workers warned it could take days before the full scope of the destruction is clear. Though rains have stopped over the past three days and floodwaters are receding, vast swaths of the tropical state, known for its idyllic villages and beautiful beaches, remain underwater or coated with mud, and many people have no drinking water or electricity. "We know the humanitarian needs are enormous, but it will be some time before we know just how big that is," Ray Kancharla, a manager with the aid group Save The Children, said in a Tuesday statement. "Roofs and walls have collapsed; roads have been completely washed away." A volunteer asks for donations for the people affected by monsoon flooding in the Indian southern state of Kerala after Eid al-Adha prayers at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Intense floods in the tropical tourist haven Kerala killed more than 200 people and drove hundreds of thousands from their homes.(AP Photo/Manish Swarup) He estimated it could take "well over a week" before the effects of the devastation are clear. Torrential downpours began hammering Kerala on Aug. 8, more than two months into the annual monsoon season, setting off devastating floods that left more than 200 people dead and sent more than 800,000 fleeing for dry land. "The people of Kerala are in a great struggle to rebuild their lives after the flood," said the state's chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, sending his greetings for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. "May this Eid be an inspiration for all of them," he said on Twitter. On the island of Kunjunnikkara, about 20 kilometers (10 miles) from Kochi, hundreds of Muslims undeterred by the flooding gathered Wednesday at a local mosque for Eid prayers. They also prayed at a nearby cemetery for those who had lost their lives in the floods. A volunteer asks for donations for the people affected by monsoon flooding in the Indian southern state of Kerala after Eid al-Adha prayers at a street in Hyderabad, India, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Intense floods in the tropical tourist haven Kerala killed more than 200 people and drove hundreds of thousands from their homes. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.) Indians light candles to pay tribute to the flood affected people in the southern state of Kerala, as they gather near the India Gate monument in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Intense floods in the tropical tourist haven Kerala killed more than 200 people and drove hundreds of thousands from their homes. (AP Photo/R S Iyer) Flood affected victims stand in a queue to share details of their loss with government officials, on the outskirts of Kochi, in the southern state of Kerala, India, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. The Indian military is scaling down rescue operations in this tropical tourist haven where intense floods killed more than 200 people and drove hundreds of thousands from their homes. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Three Confederate monuments will remain on the North Carolina Capitol grounds, but with newly added context about slavery and civil rights. That's the decision from a state historical panel, two days after protesters tore down another rebel statue at the state's flagship university. The state Historical Commission was responding Wednesday to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's request nearly a year ago to move the monuments to a nearby battlefield. The commission voted 10-1 to reinterpret the three monuments with adjacent signs about "the consequences of slavery" and the "subsequent oppressive subjugation of African American people." It urged construction of a memorial to black citizens, which has been discussed for years, as soon as possible. The group of academics, amateur historians and preservationists also acknowledged that the monuments erected decades after the Civil War near the old 1840 Capitol are imbalanced toward the Civil War and the Confederacy. FILE - This Sept. 19, 2017, file photo, shows a Confederate monument honoring Henry Lawson Wyatt at the state Capitol in Raleigh, N.C. A North Carolina historical commission decided Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, that this Confederate monument and two others should remain on the state Capitol grounds with newly added context about slavery, weighing in less than two days after another rebel statue was torn down by protesters at the state's flagship university. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) Cooper responded with a statement decrying a 2015 law passed by the GOP-controlled state legislature that sharply restricts where state and local government officials can relocate such memorials and all but bars their permanent removal. He also said the toppling of the Confederate statue known as "Silent Sam" on Monday night at the University of North Carolina was an example of what happens when people feel their leaders won't act on their concerns. "The actions that toppled Silent Sam bear witness to the strong feelings many North Carolinians have about Confederate monuments. I don't agree with or condone the way that monument came down, but protesters concluded that their leaders would not - could not_act on the frustration and pain it caused," Cooper said. Commission member Samuel Dixon, part of a five-member committee that made the recommendations, said that the 2015 law limited what the commission could do. "I believe the monuments need to tell the truth and based upon the law that we have today I do not think we can move them," said Dixon, an Edenton lawyer. "But I think we can ... tell a better story and tell a full and inclusive story." Dixon voted with the majority. But commission member and Bennett College professor Valerie Johnson, who is black, said removal would be appropriate because of the monuments' links to the Jim Crow era. "The monuments represent the commitment of North Carolina to uphold the Confederacy. These monuments are a continual visual presence of the ideology of white supremacy," said Johnson, who voted against portions of the commission resolution. "Removal is not erasure. It is creating a space that reflects all North Carolinians and their contributions to our state." The commission's vote came about 36 hours after the "Silent Sam" statue was toppled on UNC's Chapel Hill campus. The bronze figure of an anonymous soldier was pulled down from its stone pedestal by protesters who used banners to mask their action. The statue had been under constant, costly police surveillance after being vandalized in recent months. Many students, faculty and alumni argued that "Silent Sam" symbolized racism and asked officials to take it down. Republican legislative leaders praised the committee's recommendations and its civil discourse in contrast to what Senate leader Phil Berger called "mob rule" in Chapel Hill. The 2015 law "provides for collaborative solutions to use our state's history to unite, rather than divide, our citizens," House Speaker Tim Moore said in a release. One woman who interrupted Wednesday's meeting by shouting was led out and put in a police car. It wasn't immediately clear what charges she could face. Police kept a heavy presence around the building and the monuments. Frank Powell with the Sons of Confederate Veterans in North Carolina couldn't say whether the group would support the "contextualizing" of the monuments. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that slavery caused the Civil War, but Powell said that oversimplifies what were its many causes. Still, Powell said, the commission's decision was "the best outcome we could have hoped for under the circumstances." The commission and a state department will decide on the re-interpretation language. The monuments on the Capitol grounds include the Capitol Confederate Monument, dedicated in May 1895; the Henry Lawson Wyatt Monument, dedicated in June 1912; and the North Carolina Confederacy Monument, dedicated in June 1914. Cooper asked last September that they be moved to the Bentonville Battlefield site about 45 miles (72 kilometers) away. His request followed a violent white nationalist rally over a Confederate statue in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the toppling of a Confederate statue outside a Durham County government building by demonstrators. ___ Follow Martha Waggoner on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mjwaggonernc FILE - This Sept. 19, 2017, file photo shows a monument recognizing the North Carolina women of the Confederacy at the state Capitol in Raleigh, N.C. A North Carolina historical commission decided Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, that this Confederate monument and two others should remain on the state Capitol grounds with newly added context about slavery, weighing in less than two days after another rebel statue was torn down by protesters at the state's flagship university. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) FILE - This Sept. 19, 2017, file photo shows a monument honoring the Confederate dead at the state Capitol in Raleigh, N.C. A North Carolina historical commission decided Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, that this Confederate monument and two others should remain on the state Capitol grounds with newly added context about slavery, weighing in less than two days after another rebel statue was torn down by protesters at the state's flagship university. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) Police stand guard after the confederate statue known as Silent Sam was toppled by protesters on campus at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) People gather near the remaining monument following a Monday night rally where the Confederate statue known as Silent Sam was toppled from it's pedestal by protesters at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. The bronze figure of a Southern soldier atop a tall stone pedestal was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1913. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) People gather around the remaining monument following a Monday night rally where the Confederate statue known as Silent Sam was toppled from it's pedestal by protesters at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. The bronze figure of a Southern soldier atop a tall stone pedestal was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1913.(AP Photo/Gerry Broome) Protester Ashley Popio is removed from a N.C. Historical Commission meeting at the N.C. State Archives in Raleigh after she made an outburst while commission members were making recommendations on what to do with three Confederate monuments at the N.C. State Capitol grounds, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP) CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - President Donald Trump tried his best to appeal to coal country but amid a truckload of bad political news, the top coal-producing state didn't love him back. Instead, Wyoming voters chose State Treasurer Mark Gordon, a rancher who grew up at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, over political mega-donor Foster Friess in the state's Republican primary for governor. Calling Friess "Strong on Crime, Borders & 2nd Amendment," Trump had endorsed Friess on Twitter as voting got underway Tuesday. CORRECTS THAT GORDON IS STATE TREASURER NOT SECRETARY OF STATE - Gubernatorial candidate and Wyoming's State Treasurer Mark Gordon stands with his family as he celebrates his win in Wyoming's GOP primary during his election night party at Bozeman Trail Steakhouse in Buffalo, Wyo., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (Josh Galemore/The Casper Star-Tribune via AP) Trump hours later walked back Obama-era environmental regulations viewed as economic warfare in coal country and told a West Virginia rally that miners were headed back to work. About 40 percent of the nation's coal comes from Wyoming - Trump no doubt got heard out West. Wyoming voters had their own ideas. "This is a governor's race. This is about the state of Wyoming," Gordon said after winning his six-way primary. "President Trump is doing great things that are important for Wyoming in terms of getting our economy going, and all of that. But in the end, I think people in Wyoming concentrated on who's got the experience, who's got the record and who's got the best message going forward for Wyoming." Trump won Wyoming by the widest margin in 2016. But his support here may be seen as a mile wide and an inch deep. After all, Wyoming Republicans by far preferred another candidate, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, in the battle for the GOP presidential nomination that year. Wyoming could even choose a Democrat again. Attorney and former state Rep. Mary Throne, who was raised on a ranch not far from Gordon's and beat three others to win the Democratic nomination for governor, will be a formidable opponent, Gordon said. "Traditionally in Wyoming, we focus on the person and not the party when it comes to electing our governors. And that we like our governors to be independent and thoughtful and all about Wyoming," Throne said Tuesday. The winner will succeed term-limited Gov. Matt Mead. Like Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal, who served two terms before Mead and then on St. Louis-based Arch Coal's board of directors, Throne describes herself as pro-coal. There's no good reason to doubt it. Throne grew up in Campbell County, home to some of the world's biggest open-pit coal mines. While Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort and attorney Michael Cohen were convicted of felonies Friday, the president did pick a winner in Wyoming. Trump endorsed Sen. John Barrasso over a wealthy opponent, Jackson Hole business investor Dave Dodson. Delayed by thunderstorms, Barrasso barely made it back to Wyoming from Washington, D.C., in time to hear he'd won the Republican primary. Busy traveling, Barrasso said he had read little about the news involving Trump's associates. He declined comment on how Trump's political and potentially legal fortunes could affect his work with the White House. "I go to work every day thinking about the people of Wyoming. Every day I wake up I think about Wyoming, jobs, the economy, how we can make life better for the people of Wyoming. I think that the voters saw that," Barrasso said. Barrasso faces Wilson businessman Gary Trauner in the general election. Trauner, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination, ran for the U.S. House twice and came within half a point of beating Republican Rep. Barbara Cubin in 2006. Incumbent Liz Cheney easily won the Republican nomination for Wyoming's lone U.S. House seat. Cheney beat two other Republicans, Blake Stanley of Cheyenne and Rod Miller of Buford. Stanley and Miller both characterized themselves as blue-collar conservatives and ran low-key campaigns. Cheney will run against Laramie businessman Greg Hunter, who beat attorney Travis Helm for the Democratic nomination for U.S. House. ___ This story has been corrected to show Mark Gordon is Wyoming's state treasurer, not the secretary of state. ___ Follow Mead Gruver at https://twitter.com/meadgruver CORRECTS THAT GORDON IS STATE TREASURER NOT SECRETARY OF STATE - Gubernatorial candidate and Wyoming's State Treasurer Mark Gordon stands with his family as he celebrates his win in Wyoming's GOP primary during his election night party at Bozeman Trail Steakhouse in Buffalo, Wyo., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (Josh Galemore/The Casper Star-Tribune via AP) CORRECTS THAT GORDON IS STATE TREASURER NOT SECRETARY OF STATE - Gubernatorial candidate and Wyoming's State Treasurer Mark Gordon mingles with supporters as poll results come to an end during Gordon's election night party at Bozeman Trail Steakhouse in Buffalo, Wyo., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Gordon won a fiercely contested GOP primary to replace Republican Gov. Matt Mead. (Josh Galemore/The Casper Star-Tribune via AP) From left, Lane Hageman, Jim Hageman, Vic and Jane Garber share a laugh during Republican Harriet Hageman's gubernatorial watch party on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Cheyenne Depot Museum in Cheyenne, Wyo. (Blaine McCartney/The Wyoming Tribune Eagle via AP) Chad Campsey checks out the first results coming in for Republican candidate Harriet Hageman during her gubernatorial watch party on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Cheyenne Depot Museum, in Cheyenne, Wyo. (Blaine McCartney/The Wyoming Tribune Eagle via AP) Foster Friess thanks supporters after conceding the GOP nomination for Wyoming governor to Mark Gordon on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Casper, Wyo. (Alan Rogers/The Casper Star-Tribune via AP) Foster Friess speaks to supporters while conceding the GOP nomination for Wyoming governor to Mark Gordon on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018 in Casper, Wyo. (Alan Rogers/The Casper Star-Tribune via AP) Pins for Republican gubernatorial candidate Harriet Hageman sit in a bowl during her watch party on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Cheyenne Depot Museum, in Cheyenne, Wyo. (Blaine McCartney/The Wyoming Tribune Eagle via AP) Republican candidate for Wyoming governor Sam Galeotos watches as Mark Gordon takes Natrona County at Galeotos' watch party at his residence on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in rural Laramie County, Wyo. (Jacob Byk/The Wyoming Tribune Eagle via AP) Tuesday marked not only the celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary feast, but also the first of the four days of the Islamic Eid Al-Adha holiday At the historic monastery of the Virgin Mary in Durunka on the Mountain of Assiut in Upper Egypt, hundreds of Egyptian Copts, Orthodox Ethiopians and many others from around the world celebrated on Tuesday the end of their 15-day fast ahead of the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on Wednesday. The celebration included lively processions, prayers and hymn recitals by worshippers, with the participation of deacons and priests. During the 15 days of the fast, Coptic churches all around the world organise daily "Nahda" prayers for two hours, which involve hailing the Virgin Mary, her life and service as the Theotokos which translates to The Mother of God in the Coptic language. The Assumption feast, which is also known as the Dormition of Theotokos (the sleep of the bearer of God), is commemorated by Copts on 16 Masarra on the Coptic calendar, which fell this year on 22 August. Tuesday's Assumption celebration coincided with the first day of the four days of the Islamic Eid Al-Adha holiday, which was celebrated by millions of Muslims in Egypt and worldwide. The Virgin of Mary monastery in Assiut, which is located in the town of Durunka on Assiut mountain 100 metres above sea level and 7km west of Assiut City is home to the largest annual festival for this occasion in Egypt. The monastery, which was built in the first century AD, is believed to be the last stop on the historic trail of the Holy Family in Upper Egypt. The Coptic Orthodox Church teaches that Mary's body was carried to heaven by God at the end of her life. For Copts, the Theotokos is seen as a great and powerful intercessor in heaven. Worshipers pray to the Virgin Mary during the Assumption feast as a way of paying tribute and glorification for the blessings that they believe she has granted them. Near the end of the two-hour Nahda prayers during the 15-day fast, a huge procession takes place daily. During the procession, deacons tour the interior of the Durunka monastery, holding flowers and pictures of the Virgin Mary and reciting prayer hymns hailing the Virgin. Christian denominations in other parts of the world also celebrate the feast. Roman Catholics mark the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on 15 August. Search Keywords: Short link: BERLIN (AP) - Germany's foreign minister is calling for Europe to create a payments system independent of the United States, a move that could help keep alive the nuclear deal with Iran following the withdrawal of the U.S. Heiko Maas' suggestion was part of a wider-ranging piece for Wednesday's edition of the daily Handelsblatt on Germany's future strategy toward the U.S. He said he envisions Europe taking a "balanced share of responsibility" and being "a counterbalance when the U.S. crosses red lines." Chancellor Angela Merkel responded cautiously, noting that cooperation with Washington is important in combating terror financing. FILE - In this July 18, 2018 file photo German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas smiles prior to the weekly cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany. Maas is setting out proposals for what he calls a future "balanced partnership" with the United States that would include setting up channels for financial payments which are independent of the U.S. (AP Photo/Ferdinand Ostrop, file) Though Maas conceded that the U.S. and Europe have been drifting apart since well before Donald Trump's presidency, he criticized recent decisions such as Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. Germany, France and Britain, the European signatories to the 2015 agreement, have vowed to keep it alive in the face of new U.S. sanctions against Tehran. "In this situation, it is of strategic significance that we say clearly to Washington: we want to work together, but we will not allow you to act over our heads to our detriment," Maas wrote. "That is why it was right to legally protect European companies from sanctions," he added. "That is why it is indispensable to strengthen European autonomy by setting up payment channels that are independent of the U.S., creating a European monetary fund and setting up an independent SWIFT system." He didn't elaborate. SWIFT is the system overseeing international bank transfers. Separately, there has been talk for some time of upgrading a bailout fund cobbled together during Europe's debt crisis into a full-fledged European monetary fund to assist troubled countries. He also said that Europe must "expose fake news as such," renewing Germany's argument that, if trade isn't reduced to goods, Europe rather than the U.S. has a deficit. Merkel said Maas' article was an "important contribution," reflecting her own previous statements that trans-Atlantic relations are changing and that Europe "must to some extent take its fate in its own hands." However, she said Maas' article wasn't coordinated with her, and sounded skeptical about the idea of independent payment systems. Maas is a member of the center-left Social Democrats, the junior partner in the conservative Merkel's coalition government. "We do face some problems in dealing with Iran, for example, no question about that," she told reporters in Berlin. "But on the other hand, we also know that on questions of terror financing, for example ... we need a close partnership with the United States," she added. German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses the media during a joint press conference after a meeting with the President of Angola, Joao Lourenco, at the chancellery in Berlin, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The path to the governor's office in Alaska this year may hinge on the oil check given to state residents. Each year, the state distributes checks just for living here - residents' share of the state's oil wealth. For some, it's discretionary money used for new toys, like big screen TVs, or socked into savings, while for others, particularly those who are lower-income or who live in high-cost rural Alaska, it's a part of their income. The checks went out like clockwork until 2016, when in the midst of legislative gridlock over how to address a multibillion-dollar budget deficit Gov. Bill Walker cut the size of everyone's check by about half. He defended the move, along with additional budget vetoes, as necessary to preserve the state's savings. Everyone could still get a check, he said, just not as big. In this Monday, Aug.. 20, 2018 photo, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker is shown during an interview in his campaign office in Anchorage, Alaska. Walker, an independent, bypassed the primaries and instead gathered signatures to qualify for the general election in November, where he is expected to face Republican Mike Dunleavy and Democrat Mark Begich. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer) His action, upheld by the state Supreme Court, set a precedent: Since then, lawmakers have not followed the formula in state law for calculating the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend checks. Some have insisted doing so, while the state is still in a deficit, would be fiscally reckless. But the decision has brought with it political backlash, which Walker, an independent, hopes to withstand as he faces a tough re-election bid against conservative former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy and Democratic former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich. Dunleavy said people are angry that a decision of that magnitude was made without their involvement. He supports the formula in state law for calculating the check and does not support changing that without public involvement, including an advisory vote. That's because if the Legislature passes taxes or changes to the checks and citizens don't agree, they can pursue a referendum to try to overturn them, he said. Money for the checks comes from the earnings of the oil-wealth fund, the Alaska Permanent Fund. Legislators have long resisted using fund earnings to pay for state government. But after blowing through billions of dollars in savings amid gridlock over how best to fill the deficit and shunning taxes, they ran short of options and agreed earlier this year to start using fund earnings to fill much of the hole. The fund's principal is constitutionally protected, but earnings can be spent with a simple majority. Begich favors moving billions of dollars from fund earnings to the fund's principal to ensure it isn't "subject to the whims of elected officials" and limiting the amount withdrawn each year based on a percentage of the fund's market value. Part of the money drawn would go toward a dividend and part would go toward funding public education. He said the dividend should be constitutionally protected, an issue he said he would make a priority. "You have to get that Permanent Fund Dividend issue resolved one way or the other," he told a small group at a Juneau meet-and-greet last week. If not, lawmakers will keep fighting over it and won't have time to think about other long-term issues, he said. Walker said he's not opposed to enshrining some form of dividend in the constitution. But he doesn't want to see an upper limit and whatever is settled on should be sustainable, he said. The permanent fund is a nest egg, seeded with oil money and grown through investments. Lawmakers settled on a check of $1,600 for this year. That's about $1,050 less than what Walker's budget office earlier this year predicted the amount would be if a full dividend were paid out. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, a Democrat, said Walker's action saved the dividend for the future. He said it allowed for passage of legislation calling for structured withdrawals of permanent fund earnings. "And many, many, many more Alaskans understand that than those who are trying to create a crisis from it," Mallott said. The bill retained the existing formula in state law for calculating dividends but since that has been ignored the past three years, there's no guarantee it will be followed in the future. Monte Wallace, a Dunleavy supporter, said the Wasilla Republican "will give our PFD back to us." PFD is permanent fund dividend. She said Walker has "destroyed Alaska, the way it was," citing concerns she has with crime. Therese Thibodeau, who attended Begich's coffee shop meet-and-greet in Juneau and said she's registered with the Green party, said she supported Walker in 2014 and appreciated his action on the dividend. "I thought that's a good thing," she said. She said she was pleasantly surprised, though, by what she heard from Begich, particularly his thoughts on the budget. "Now, I'm more on the fence than I was when I walked in," she said. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich is interviewed following his primary victory Tuesday Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Begich, a former U.S. Senator, advances to the general election and is expected to face incumbent Gov. Bill Walker and former state senator Mike Dunleavy. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy is interviewed Tuesday Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy held an early primary lead over fellow Republican Mead Treadwell. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) Republican gubernatorial candidate Mead Treadwell watches disappointing early returns with his wife Virginia McClure at a restaurant , in Anchorage, Alaska Tuesday Aug. 21, 2018. The results showed him trailing fellow Republican Mike Dunleavy. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) Former U.S. Sen. and gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich greets supporters at the Alaska Democratic Party coordinated campaign office Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Loren Holmes /Anchorage Daily News via AP) Independent candidate for U.S. Congress Alyse Galvin speaks to a supporter shortly after the polls closed, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska, (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) Independent candidate for U.S. Congress Alyse Galvin speaks with a supporter Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Galivn hopes to face long-time congressman Don Young in the general election. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) Voters cast their ballots in Alaska's primary election at the Independent Baptist Church of Anchorage Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Loren Holmes /Anchorage Daily News via AP) Election worker Terrie Pisa helps Walt Garrod vote in Alaska's primary election at Finlandia Hall Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Loren Holmes /Anchorage Daily News via AP) Election workers Steven Chapman, left, and Dick Anderson help to check in Kelly Quisenberry to vote in Alaska's primary election, at the Rabbit Creek Elementary polling place with her daughter, Emma, while the power is out in the vicinity, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Marc Lester /Anchorage Daily News via AP) A voter enters the Palmer Community Center to cast their ballot in Alaska's primary election, on a rainy Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Palmer, Alaska. (Bill Roth /Anchorage Daily News via AP) Dan Saddler waves to cars alongside Eagle River Loop Road on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Eagle River, Alaska. Saddler is running in the Republican primary for State Senate District G. (Matt Tunseth /Chugiak-Eagle River Star via AP) Republican gubernatorial candidate Mead Treadwell, in yellow, speaks with supporters while sign waving Tuesday August 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Treadwell, a former Alaska lieutenant governor, is one of seven Republicans vying in the Alaska Primary. The winner advances to the general election and is expected to face incumbent Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, and former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleay reaches out by phone Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy, a former state senator, is one of seven Republicans vying in the Alaska Primary. The winner advances to the general election and is expected to face incumbent Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, and former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) Republican gubernatorial candidate Mead Treadwell engages diners at a restaurant Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Treadwell, a former Alaska lieutenant governor, is one of seven Republicans vying in the Alaska Primary. The winner advances to the general election and is expected to face incumbent Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, and former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) Democratic congressional candidate Dimitri Shein, facing camera, waves signs along with supporters during an election-day rainstorm Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. If successful, Shein will face long-time congressman Republican Don Young. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) A voter uses a polling booth on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 during primary election day at Ketchikan Precinct 2 in the Plaza building in Ketchikan, Alaska. (Dustin Safranek /Ketchikan Daily News via AP) Voter Richard Thwaites stands for a photo after voting at Kincaid Elemetary School in the Alaska primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Voters were choosing candidates in races for governor, U.S. House and the Alaska Legislature. (AP Photo/Dan Joling) Republican gubernatorial candidate Mead Treadwell engages diners at a restaurant Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Treadwell, a former Alaska lieutenant governor, is one of seven Republicans vying in the Alaska Primary. The winner advances to the general election and is expected to face incumbent Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, and former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) SINGAPORE (AP) - Singapore's government says the author of the book that inspired the hit film "Crazy Rich Asians" failed to register for national service as required. According to his bio, writer Kevin Kwan was born in Singapore and left when he was 11, living in the U.S. since then. There was no immediate response Wednesday from his publisher to a request for comment. Male Singaporean citizens are required to spend two years, in most cases, in a uniformed service as young adults. FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, photo, Singaporean novelist Kevin Kwan talks during an interview in Hong Kong. The Singaporean government says that Kwan, author of the book that inspired the hit film "Crazy Rich Asians," failed to register for national service as required. Kwan left Singapore when he was 11 and has lived in the United States since then. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File) The government said in a statement that Kwan was wanted for "defaulting on his NS obligations" for failing to register as required in 1990, and for staying abroad without a valid exit permit. It said authorities rejected his application in 1994 to renounce his Singaporean citizenship without serving the mandatory national service. "Mr. Kwan has committed offences under the Enlistment Act, and is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 years upon conviction," said the statement from Singapore's Ministry of Defense. Kwan did not travel to Singapore for Tuesday night's premiere of the hit romantic comedy based on his book, based on comments from various cast members who said they were missing him, and on the fact he did not make an appearance there. Kwan is descended from a wealthy Singaporean family. Much of "Crazy Rich Asians," is set in Singapore. The story follows Chinese-American Rachel Chu as she travels with her boyfriend Nick Young to Singapore to meet his family and discovers they are ultra-wealthy. The $30 million Warner Bros. film has grossed more than $35 million since its Aug. 15 world debut in Los Angeles and came out tops with its release in U.S. theaters over the weekend. It is opening in many Asian cities this week. BERLIN (AP) - The German government said Wednesday it will compensate thousands of farmers whose harvests have suffered as a result of this year's extreme drought, which many experts have linked to climate change. Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner said the harvest estimates received so far justified the decision to declare the drought an "event of national extent." That verdict unlocks the release of some 340 million euros ($390 million) in aid from federal and state governments. The amount available falls short of what German farmers had asked for and the 3 billion euros ($3.45 billion) economic damage reported by just eight of Germany's 16 states. A farmer ploughs a dry field in Dollbergen near Hannover, northern Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. German agriculture minister Julia Kloeckner will inform in a press conference on compensation for German farmers hit this summers' drought. (Julian Stratenschulte/dpa via AP) The German Farmers Association had called for 1 billion euros in aid after its president, Joachim Rukwied, said cereal crop harvests nationwide were down 25.6 percent compared with the average of the previous five years. He said the harvest in some parts of Germany could be said to have failed entirely and that the cost of the drought could increase further. "We urgently need rain," he said. Kloeckner said the government couldn't cover all the damage and noted that the price increases for some crops would soften the blow. Fruit and vegetable harvests were higher in 2018 than in previous years, she noted. Like much of Europe, Germany has seen little rain and long spells of very hot weather since April. According to the German Meteorological Service, the country experienced the highest temperature anomalies since the start of official records in 1881. Scientists say the unusually early and long summer of 2018 is an indicator of the kinds of weather European countries can increasingly expect to see due to man-made global warming. Germany's agriculture sector is said to be responsible for at least 7 percent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. "The agricultural sector clearly shows how risks increase due to global warming," said Hermann Lotze-Campen, an agricultural economist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Some years will see higher temperatures and droughts, while in others there will be heavy rain and floods, he said. "The best way to prevent the danger is to stabilize the climate," Lotze-Campen said. He suggested farmers could contribute by reducing their use of nitrogen-based fertilizers and changing animal farming methods. Producing a pound of beef or pork requires many times more water than consumer crops. Environmental group Greenpeace urged the German government to reveal whether farms that engage in mass meat production receive any of the financial aid now being promised. ___ Follow Frank Jordans on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/wirereporter German Agriculture Minister, Julia Kloeckner, addresses the media during a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) Joachim Rukwied, head of Germany's farmers association, speaks at a press conference in Berlin Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Rukwied said that cereal crop harvests nationwide are down 25.6 percent compared to the average of the previous five years. (Wolfgang Kumm/dpa via AP) Farmers transport harvest in Dorsten, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. The German government said Wednesday it is to compensate thousands of farmers whose harvests have suffered as a result of this year's extreme drought, which many experts have linked to climate change. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) BUFORD, Ga. (AP) - A Georgia schools superintendent accused of using racist language in two recorded conversations and of discriminating against a black employee has been placed on administrative leave. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Buford School System placed Superintendent Geye (pronounced GUY) Hamby on leave effective Tuesday. News outlets reported Tuesday that the race-discrimination lawsuit says Hamby repeatedly used slurs to refer to black workers at a construction site, saying he wanted to kill them. The plaintiff, 66-year-old Mary Ingram, worked for the district for nearly two decades before she was fired in 2017. She says she was discriminated against for speaking up for the black community at school board meetings. Hamby declined to comment on the advice of district counsel. School board attorney Walt Britt says the recordings' authenticity hasn't been determined. BEIRUT (AP) - The leader of Syria's al-Qaida affiliate has vowed to fight on in Idlib province, the country's last major rebel stronghold, in the face of a possible government offensive there. The rare public statement by Abu Mohammed al-Golani came as Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces have been sending reinforcements into areas around Idlib in the country's northwest, along the border with Turkey. The United States, Britain and France have expressed concern at reports of the Syrian military targeting civilians, schools, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure in Idlib and underlined "concern at the potential for further - and illegal - use of chemical weapons" to bring the province under government control. This undated photo released by the militant group Levant Liberation Committee on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, shows Abu Mohammed al-Golani of the militant Levant Liberation Committee and the leader of Syria's al-Qaida affiliate, left, talking with a fighter, in the countryside of Latakia, Syria. Al-Golani vowed to fight on in Idlib province, the country's last major rebel stronghold, in the face of a possible government offensive in a video posted online to mark the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha, shortly before midnight Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2018. (Militant UGC via AP) In Jerusalem, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton on Wednesday warned Syria against using chemical weapons as it prepares to launch an offensive on Idlib, vowing a tough U.S. response if that happens. "We are obviously concerned about the possibility that Assad may use chemical weapons again. We had hoped that our (air) strikes had created structures of deterrents to convince the Assad regime not to do that," Bolton said. "But, just so there's no confusion here, if the Syrian regime uses chemical weapons we will respond very strongly." In return, Syria's Foreign Ministry lashed out at the West, especially the U.S., France and Britain, for what it called a "campaign of threats." "Syria has repeatedly stressed that it considers the use of chemical weapons an immoral act and condemns their use anywhere and under any circumstances," the ministry said, reiterating allegations that insurgents are to blame for previous use of chemical weapons. Earlier this year, Syrian government forces captured rebel-held suburbs of the capital, Damascus, as well as the southern provinces of Daraa, Quneitra and Sweida. In parts of these regions, rebels accepted to reconcile with the government, handing over their heavy weapons in return for amnesty - or agreed to be bussed out together with their families and other civilians to rebel-held areas in Idlib. But taking Idlib would be a much more difficult challenge for Assad's forces as the province is also the base of al-Golani's militant and heavily armed Levant Liberation Committee as the al-Qaida branch in Syria is known. In his comments, which came in a video released late on Tuesday, al-Golani said state-sponsored surrenders of rebel groups, similar to those that recently occurred elsewhere in Syria, won't happen in Idlib as such actions would be considered "treason" by his al-Qaida-linked fighters. Earlier this month, the Syrian government dropped leaflets over Idlib, urging residents to reconcile with its authority. Officials have warned government forces would take back the province by force if necessary. According to U.N. estimates, 2.9 million people live in Idlib and surrounding opposition-held areas. The U.N. has appealed to Turkey to open its border to refugees, should the Syrian government decide to attack the province. Turkey, which has established itself as a sponsor of rebels in northern Syria, already hosts some 3.5 million Syrian refugees - the most of any nation. It has also established 12 monitoring posts in Idlib and deployed 1,000 troops in the province. In the video, released on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, al-Golani is seen wearing an olive-green military uniform and saying that "Turkish monitoring towers" cannot be relied on to take on Assad's forces. "Our weapons are the source of our strength and honor," al-Golani says. "Thinking about surrendering to the enemy and handing over weapons will be considered treason." Meanwhile, another militant figure from the al-Qaida-linked group, Abu Yaqzan al-Masri, was unharmed when a gunman opened fire at him and missed on Tuesday. The shooter was detained, according to Mazan al-Shami, an opposition activist based in northwestern Syria. Dozens of members of the group have been killed over the past few months in attacks blamed on its main jihadi rival, the Islamic State group. ___ Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, contributed to this report. BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - Claims by the leader of Romania's ruling party that he was the target of a failed assassination attempt have sparked wide debate in the country. Liviu Dragnea told Antena 3 late Tuesday that four foreigners had come to Bucharest for the April 2017 assignment, but had been thwarted. He suggested that billionaire philanthropist George Soros was behind the attempt. He appeared to back down Wednesday, following criticism of his allegations, saying that while he had "a very bad opinion," about Soros: "I don't think he is involved in this incident." FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 file photo, head of the Social Democrat Party Liviu Dragnea speaks to the media after exit polls were announced in the parliamentary elections in Bucharest, Romania. Claims by the leader of Romania's ruling party that he was the target of a failed assassination attempt have sparked wide debate in the country after Liviu Dragnea told a television station late Tuesday, Aug. 21, that 4 foreigners had come to Bucharest for the April 2017 assignment, but had been thwarted.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File) Eugen Toma, who heads the opposition Popular Movement Party, compared Dragnea to late Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu, who claimed, prior to his December 1989 execution, that foreign agents had engineered his downfall. The general prosecutor's office said there has been no probe. Dragnea expanded on his claims, saying that two cars without license plates with four foreigners in him had blocked his car in traffic near the Parliament building, but he had managed to evade them. Backtracking on his earlier comments, he said he hadn't informed authorities of the incident. Dragnea has been disqualified for the office of prime minister due to a 2016 vote-rigging conviction. Romanians have regularly protested what they claim are government moves to weaken the anti-corruption fight. FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, file photo, a broken poster depicting the leader of the ruling Social Democrat party Liviu Dragnea, which reads "In a Democracy thieves are in jail", lies on the pavement after a protest against a government decree that dilutes what qualifies as corruption, in Bucharest, Romania. Claims by the leader of Romania's ruling party that he was the target of a failed assassination attempt have sparked wide debate in the country after Liviu Dragnea told a television station late Tuesday, Aug. 21, that 4 foreigners had come to Bucharest for the April 2017 assignment, but had been thwarted.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File) FILE- In this Wednesday, June 21, 2017, file photo, the head of the Ruling Social Democratic Party, Liviu Dragnea wipes his eyes at the Romanian parliament in Bucharest, Romania. Claims by the leader of Romania's ruling party that he was the target of a failed assassination attempt have sparked wide debate in the country after Liviu Dragnea told a television station late Tuesday, Aug. 21, that 4 foreigners had come to Bucharest for the April 2017 assignment, but had been thwarted.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File) VATICAN CITY (AP) - Recent revelations of sexual misconduct and cover-up within the highest ranks of the U.S. Catholic Church have revived the sense of betrayal that devastated the American church's credibility after the first wave of scandal hit in 2002. But the United States is by no means alone: Cases of Catholic priests raping and molesting children, and of bishops covering up for them, have erupted on nearly every continent in recent years, with Pope Francis' native Latin America the latest to explode. Francis is expected to address the issue head-on this weekend when he visits Ireland, the first country to come to grips with the problem in the 1990s. Pope Francis holds his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) A glance of where the global Catholic scandal has played out most visibly in recent years: UNITED STATES After the abuse scandal erupted in Boston in 2002, U.S. bishops adopted the toughest anti-abuse norms in the Catholic Church, a "one strike and you're out" policy that removes any priest from ministry if he commits a single act of abuse that is admitted to or established. The norms require dioceses to report allegations to police and have a lay-led review board to receive and assess claims. The U.S. scandal was revived in June with revelations that one of the cardinals who drafted the 2002 policy, the retired archbishop of Washington Theodore McCarrick, himself had been accused of molesting at least two minors as well as adult seminarians. He has said he is innocent, but recently resigned as a cardinal. The scandal has exploded anew with the Pennsylvania grand jury report finding some 300 priests sexually abused at least 1,000 children in six dioceses since the 1940s. ___ CHILE Francis discovered first-hand just how pervasive clerical sex abuse is - and how effectively it has been covered up by the Catholic hierarchy - when he created the greatest scandal of his five-year papacy earlier this year. During a January visit to the once staunchly Catholic Chile, Francis set off a firestorm of criticism when he branded as "calumny" accusations of cover-up against a Chilean bishop he had strongly defended. After realizing his error, Francis did an about-face: He ordered a Vatican investigation, apologized in person to the victims he had discredited, and strong-armed the entire Chilean hierarchy to tender their resignations. It wasn't enough. Chilean criminal prosecutors are now on the case, and have staged a series of raids on the church's secret archives to seize documents and plan to depose the current archbishop of Santiago. ___ AUSTRALIA Australia launched a four-year national investigation into all forms of institutional abuse - Catholic and otherwise - that found 4,444 people were abused at more than 1,000 Catholic institutions between 1980 and 2015. The Royal Commission investigation, Australia's highest form of inquiry, deduced that seven percent of Catholic priests in Australia between 1950 and 2010 had been accused of sexually abusing children. One of them is Cardinal George Pell, the Vatican finance minister and Francis adviser who last year took a leave of absence to stand trial in Melbourne on historic sex abuse charges. Pell has said he is innocent. More recently, Francis accepted the resignation of Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson after he became the most senior Catholic cleric convicted in criminal court of covering up abuse. He was sentenced to serve a one-year sentence at home. Wilson has denied wrongdoing and plans to appeal. ___ FRANCE One of France's most prominent cardinals, Philippe Barbarin, is due to stand trial in January on charges he covered up for a known pedophile in Lyon, where Barbarin has been archbishop since 2002. Barbarin and five other French defendants are accused of knowing that the Rev. Bernard Preynat sexually abused young scouts but didn't report him to police. Preynat, now in his 70s, has confessed in letters to victims' parents and meetings with his superiors, including Barbarin. Another defendant is the Vatican official in charge of abuse cases, named because Barbarin consulted him about Preynat and was told to keep the priest away from children but to do everything to avoid scandal. Just this week, a French priest, the Rev. Pierre Vignon, launched a petition urging Barbarin to resign as archbishop and cardinal. By Wednesday it had gathered more than 5,000 signatures. Barbarin, 67, has admitted to making some "mistakes" in the management and nominations of priests, but has denied any attempt to cover up the Preynat case. ___ IRELAND Judge-led investigations have produced four mammoth reports since 2005 into the church's wretched record in dealing with predator priests, helping to dismantle the Catholic Church's once- dominant influence in Irish society and politics. The reports have detailed how tens of thousands of children suffered wide-ranging abuses in church-run workhouse-style institutions, how Irish bishops shuttled known pedophiles throughout Ireland and to unwitting parishes in the U.S. and Australia, and how Dublin bishops didn't tell police of any crimes until forced by the weight of lawsuits in the mid-1990s. One of the final investigations, into the diocese of Cloyne, found that officials there were still shielding suspected pedophiles from the law until 2008 - more than 12 years after the Irish church unveiled a policy requiring the mandatory reporting of all suspected crimes to police. That policy, however, was rejected by the Vatican in 1997 as undermining canon law - a position that, combined with the Vatican's refusal to cooperate in the Irish fact-finding probes, prompted the Cloyne inquiry to find the Vatican itself culpable in promoting the culture of cover-up. In response, Ireland's then-Prime Minister Enda Kenny issued a blistering attack on the Vatican, accusing it of downplaying the rape of children to protect its own power and reputation. Kenny's 2011 parliament speech, in which he denounced "the dysfunction, disconnection, elitism....the narcissism that dominate the culture of the Vatican to this day," led to a diplomatic standoff. ___ VATICAN CITY While only a few hundred people live in the world's tiniest sovereign state, Vatican City's criminal jurisdiction covers the Holy See's global diplomatic corps, and two priestly diplomats have faced trial in recent years. In June, the Vatican tribunal convicted Monsignor Carlo Capella of possession and distribution of child pornography and sentenced him to five years in prison. Capella admitted to viewing the images during a period of "fragility" and interior crisis sparked by his job transfer to the Vatican embassy in Washington. In 2013, the Vatican charged its then-ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Monsignor Jozef Wesolowski, with sexually abusing young boys. Wesolowski was defrocked by the Vatican's church court, but he died before the Vatican's criminal trial got underway. FILE - In Thursday, June 29, 2017 file photo, Cardinal George Pell arrives to make a statement, at the Vatican. Recent revelations of sexual misconduct and cover-up in the U.S. Catholic Church have revived the sense of betrayal that devastated the American church's credibility after the first wave of scandal hit in 2002. But the U.S. is by no means alone: Revelations of Catholic priests who raped and molested children, and of bishops who covered up for them, have erupted on nearly every continent in recent years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File) FILE - Former Holy See diplomat Monsignor Carlo Alberto Capella attends his trial inside a courtroom, at the Vatican, Saturday, June 23, 2018. Recent revelations of sexual misconduct and cover-up in the U.S. Catholic Church have revived the sense of betrayal that devastated the American church's credibility after the first wave of scandal hit in 2002. But the U.S. is by no means alone: Revelations of Catholic priests who raped and molested children, and of bishops who covered up for them, have erupted on nearly every continent in recent years. (Vatican Media/ANSA via AP, File) In this picture taken Monday Aug.15, 2016 French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyon, attends to a mass for the Feast of the Assumption at the sanctuary of Lourdes, southwestern France. Recent revelations of sexual misconduct and cover-up in the U.S. Catholic Church have revived the sense of betrayal that devastated the American church's credibility after the first wave of scandal hit in 2002. But the U.S. is by no means alone: Revelations of Catholic priests who raped and molested children, and of bishops who covered up for them, have erupted on nearly every continent in recent years. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2011 file photo, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick prays during the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' annual fall assembly in Baltimore. Recent revelations of sexual misconduct and cover-up in the U.S. Catholic Church have revived the sense of betrayal that devastated the American church's credibility after the first wave of scandal hit in 2002. But the U.S. is by no means alone: Revelations of Catholic priests who raped and molested children, and of bishops who covered up for them, have erupted on nearly every continent in recent years. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Thirty Cambodians who had been living in the United States arrived in Cambodia on Wednesday after being deported under a U.S. law that allows the repatriation of immigrants who have been convicted of felonies and have not become American citizens. The group is the latest to be sent to Cambodia under a 2002 bilateral agreement. More than 500 other Cambodians have already been repatriated. The program is controversial because it breaks up families, and in some cases the returnees have never lived in Cambodia, having been born to refugees who fled to camps in Thailand to escape the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime that ruled Cambodia in 1975-79. Cambodia, which has rocky relations with the U.S., informally suspended the program in 2017 but it resumed this year. Critics of the deportation policy say many of those convicted fell into crime as a result of social dislocation and culture shock. They say the returnees have difficulty integrating into Cambodian society because many have spent most of their lives in the United States. Gen. Prok Maytola, a senior police officer at the Interior Ministry overseeing the return program, said all 30 returnees who arrived Wednesday are male. He said they were deported from the U.S. after having completed prison terms there. After arriving in Cambodia, members of the group were sent to stay temporarily with a non-governmental organization funded by the U.S. government, and will receive training about Cambodian law and culture, and help in looking for a job. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times local): 7 p.m. President Donald Trump is accusing his former lawyer Michael Cohen of lying under pressure of prosecution as his White House grapples with allegations that the president orchestrated a campaign cover-up to buy the silence of two women who claimed he had affairs with them. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders listens to a question during the daily press briefing at the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Trump took to Twitter to accuse Cohen of making up "stories in order to get a 'deal'" from federal prosecutors. Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight charges, including campaign finance violations that he said he carried out in coordination with Trump. The White House has signaled no clear strategy for managing the fallout. At a White House briefing, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders insisted at least seven times that Trump had done nothing wrong and was not the subject of criminal charges. __ 3 p.m. The White House says President Donald Trump did nothing wrong the day after his former attorney Michael Cohen said Trump had directed him to make hush money payments to two women with the express purpose of "influencing the election." White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders tells reporters that the president has "done nothing wrong" and stresses, "There are no charges against him." She also calls it "a ridiculous accusation" to suggest the president had lied when he said he didn't know about the payments at the time they were made. Cohen on Tuesday pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including campaign finance violations. Asked whether the president is concerned about what Cohen might tell the special counsel investigating Russia election middling: "I don't think the president is concerned at all." ___ 2:45 p.m. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says she's "not aware" of conversations about a possible presidential pardon for Paul Manafort. Manafort--President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman--was convicted Tuesday in federal court of eight financial crimes stemming from his work before he joined Trump's campaign in 2016. A jury deadlocked on 10 other counts against Manafort. Trump tweeted Wednesday about his respect for Manafort and called him a "brave man" for choosing to go trial over cooperating with prosecutors. Trump has also called Manafort's situation "sad." Echoing the president, Sanders says Wednesday that Manafort's case doesn't have anything to do with the president, the president's campaign or the White House. She says conversations about a pardon for Manafort are "not something that's been up for discussion." ___ 2 p.m. President Donald Trump is defending the hush money payments made by his former attorney Michael Cohen to a pair of women, insisting, contrary to Cohen's guilty plea, that the effort wasn't "even a campaign violation." Trump is telling "Fox & Friends" host Ainsley Earhardt in an interview set to air Thursday that the payments "didn't come out of the campaign, and that's big." He says wrongly that if the money had come from the campaign, "that could be a little dicey," but since it "came from me" it's "not even a campaign violation." Cohen on Tuesday pleaded guilty to a series of charges and said Trump had directed him to arrange the payments to influence the election. Corporations are not permitted to contribute to campaigns and money intended to influence an election must be reported. ___ 1:30 p.m. The White House is rejecting calls from Democrats to delay confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Democrats say the hearings should be delayed following the conviction of Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign manager, and the guilty plea of Michael Cohen, who implicated Trump in a federal crime. White House spokesman Raj Shah says the Democrats look "increasingly desperate." He says the confirmation hearings will begin on Sept. 4 as scheduled and Kavanaugh "will be there." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says the hearings should not be held until Kavanaugh answers questions about executive power, including whether a sitting president can be forced to comply with a subpoena. He says the Senate shouldn't confirm a justice who believes that presidents "are virtually above the law." ___ 1:20 p.m. New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, is urging Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte to hold immediate hearings on President Donald Trump's persistent attacks on the Justice Department and the FBI. Nadler says the continued criticism by Trump on Twitter and in public comments are intended to interfere with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Nadler said the guilty plea Tuesday by Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, means that "the president of the United States is now directly implicated in a criminal conspiracy." Nadler says Congress must act to "respond to this culture of corruption that has taken hold under Mr. Trump and Republican congressional majorities." Nadler urged Goodlatte to take up a bill Nadler co-sponsored that protects Mueller's investigation. ___ 11:45 a.m. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling for Republicans to delay Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings in the wake of Paul Manafort's conviction and Michael Cohen's guilty plea, calling the developments "a game changer." Schumer argues that Kavanaugh has refused to answer whether President Donald Trump can be forced to comply with a subpoena. He said that refusal, combined with Cohen implicating Trump in a federal crime, makes the danger of Kavanaugh's nomination "abundantly clear." He says the president is on the verge of making a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, which may soon determine the extent of his legal jeopardy. He says the Senate shouldn't confirm a justice who believes that presidents "are virtually above the law and only Congress can check a president's power." ___ 11:40 a.m. Defense lawyers for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort are asking a federal judge to hold back a transcript referencing the special counsel's investigation that led to Manafort's financial fraud convictions. In a motion filed Wednesday, Manafort's attorneys are asking U.S. District Judge T.C. Ellis lll to withhold portions of a bench discussion that occurred during the trial that ended with Manafort's conviction on 8 counts Tuesday. Ellis initially sealed the material after a request from prosecutors. Prosecutors raised objections when Manafort's lawyers tried to prompt testimony about the special counsel's pre-trial questioning of former Manafort protege Rick Gates, who testified against his former boss. Manafort lawyer Kevin Downing had asked Gates whether he had informed prosecutors about four alleged extramarital affairs, but the judge halted that line of questioning. ___ 11 a.m. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi says impeaching President Donald Trump is "not a priority" for Democrats despite the conviction of Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and the guilty plea of his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. Pelosi tells The Associated Press that "impeachment has to spring from something else." Pelosi says she prefers for Democrats, if they win the House in November, to conduct oversight and ensure Special Counsel Robert Mueller can finish his work. She says: "If and when the information emerges about that, we'll see. It's not a priority on the agenda going forward unless something else comes forward." ___ 10:25 a.m. President Donald Trump is seeking to downplay Michael Cohen's guilty plea to campaign finance violations, suggesting that his former fixer's admission to federal crimes was akin to record-keeping violations. Trump tweeted Wednesday that Cohen "plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!" Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and implicated Trump in a campaign cover-up to buy the silence of women who said they had sexual relationships with him. Trump appeared to be referencing that Obama's 2008 campaign was fined $375,000 by the Federal Election Commission for reporting violations that stemmed from missing notices for donations received during the final days of the campaign. ___ 9:45 a.m. Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, would probably be willing to testify before Congress without being granted immunity. That's the word from Lanny Davis, Cohen's personal attorney, who tells CNN it's his belief that Cohen would agree to testify again. He cautions that he has not spoken with Cohen about it. The leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday said they want Cohen to appear again before their panel. They cited press reports that assert Cohen knew in advance about a meeting with a Russian lawyer in Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign. The senators said Cohen indicated otherwise during his testimony. Davis says Cohen testified truthfully and was unable to correct the press reports due to the ongoing criminal investigation. Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to campaign-finance violations and other charges. ___ 9:28 a.m. President Donald Trump is accusing his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, of making up "stories in order to get a 'deal.'" The president's tweet Wednesday comes after Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance charges in a case that poses a direct threat to Trump. Trump says on Twitter that he feels "very badly" for former campaign chairman Paul Manafort who was convicted on financial crimes. The president says in Manafort's case, "Justice" took a 12-year-old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to "break" - make up stories in order to get a "deal." Trump says of Manafort, he has "Such respect for a brave man!" ___ 9 a.m. President Donald Trump says he wouldn't recommend his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. Trump tweeted Wednesday: "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!" Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to campaign-finance violations and other charges and implicated the president in his wrongdoing. Cohen said Trump directed him to arrange the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to fend off damage to his White House bid. ___ 8 a.m. Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has information of interest to special counsel Robert Mueller handling the Russia probe. That's according to Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis. Davis said the information could include whether Trump knew ahead of time about the hacking of Democratic emails during the 2016 presidential election, knowledge about a possible conspiracy to corrupt American democracy by the Russians and the failure to report that knowledge to the FBI. Davis spoke in a series of television interviews Wednesday. Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to campaign-finance violations and other charges. And he says Trump directed him to arrange the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to fend off damage to his White House bid. Davis also says Cohen wouldn't want to be pardoned by Trump. ___ 12:30 a.m. President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer has pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and his onetime campaign chairman has been convicted for financial fraud - and those developments are raising questions about Trump's potential legal jeopardy. Michael Cohen, who was Trump's longtime attorney, has entered a guilty plea in New York, and says he and Trump arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model in an effort to influence the 2016 presidential election. And in a Virginia courtroom, onetime Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been convicted of financial crimes. Egypt's Defence Minister Mohamed Zaki has concluded a two-day visit to Russia following high-level military meetings, according to a statement by Armed Forces spokesperson Tamer El-Refai. General Zaki and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu held a meeting to discuss several issues of mutual interest as well as the development of military relations and technical cooperation and exchanging expertise between the armed forces of both countries. The two sides also discussed developments in the region and their repercussions on the regional and international arenas as well as cooperation in facing terrorism. On the sidelines of his visit, Zaki held meetings with UAE Minister of State for Defence Mohamed Ahmed Al-Bowardi as well as Oleg Devgalev, the head of the industrial military committee of Belarus. Zaki also participated in the official opening ceremony of the International Military Art Forum (Army-2018), one of the most prominent exhibitions of weapons and military equipment in the world. Zaki and Shoygu attended the closing session of the fifth meeting between the joint Egyptian-Russian military committee in the presence of a number of military commanders from both sides. The Egyptian defence minister stressed the deep strategic relations between Egypt and Russia, which are based on the common principles of supporting security and stability efforts on the regional and international levels. The Russian defence minister welcomed continued military cooperation between Egypt and Russia in light of the developments in the Middle East, praising Egypt's efforts in eradicating terrorism and supporting stability in the region, according to the statement. Search Keywords: Short link: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say a Spirit Airlines flight from New Jersey to South Florida made an emergency landing at Jacksonville International Airport due to a hydraulic issue. Jacksonville airport spokesman Michael Steward tells First Coast News that no one was injured when Spirit Airlines Flight 521 landed on Wednesday morning. The plane was carrying 225 people from Newark, New Jersey, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Stewart says passengers will be placed on another flight to Fort Lauderdale and that operations are running normally at the Jacksonville airport. No additional details were available. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Police were seeking two southeast Kentucky felons Wednesday who escaped from jail by spraying a bleach concoction in the eyes of one jail worker and physically attacking another before running off. David Mosely, 41, and Matthew Price, 45, escaped Tuesday night from the Bell County jail, Kentucky State Police said. Master Trooper Shane Jacobs said dispatchers had taken numerous calls about the inmates, but police hadn't located them yet as of late Wednesday morning. Both jail workers were treated at a hospital and released, said deputy jailer 1st Lt. Josh Collett. This combination of undated photos provided by the Kentucky State Police shows David Mosely, left, and Matthew Price. Police in Kentucky said Mosely and Price escaped Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, from the Bell County jail, spraying bleach in the eyes of one jail worker and assaulting another, and they are still on the loose. (Kentucky State Police via AP) Jailer Gary Ferguson said the escape happened while an officer was passing out medicine to inmates. He said Mosely and Price, who were cellmates, made a plastic device that wedged into their cell door and they were able to open it when they heard the control room door open. He said the inmates then squirted the bleach concoction in the eyes of the female officer and took her keys, and then hit a male officer in the head, knocked him to the floor and kicked him in the ribs. "As unfortunate as it is, I'm hoping for a full recovery for my officers and I'd like for everyone to keep them in their prayers," Ferguson said. Police described Mosely as a 6-foot-1, 200-pound (1.85-meter, 91-kilogram) white male who's bald and Price as a 5-foot-9, 170-pound (1.75-meter, 77-kilogram) white male with blondish brown hair. Both men are from Middlesboro, Kentucky, and have multiple tattoos, including on their chests. Collett said Mosely was in jail on various drug and theft charges while Price was serving time for various counts including burglary, wanton endangerment on a police officer and driving under the influence. Both were convicted felons who had been at the jail for more than a month and had previously served time there. Bell County is in the state's southeastern tip, where it meets Tennessee and Virginia. A description on the county's website says much of it is thickly forested, rugged terrain including two mountain ridges, Pine Mountain and Cumberland Mountain. Anyone who sees the inmates shouldn't approach them but should call authorities, police said. An escape from an institution doesn't happen often and it's rare for deputy jailers to get assaulted during such an attempt, said Brad Boyd, president of the Kentucky Jailers Association. While it's common for inmates to walk off while they are on work release, Boyd said inmates don't usually escape from lock-up. He said jail employees are typically underpaid, underappreciated and overworked due to a statewide shortage of workers, and security measures vary across the state depending on the age of the jail. Assaults are commonplace when people are brought into a jail, he said, because many are emotional, dealing with mental issues or on drugs and jail is the last place they want to be. "It's a very dangerous job without a doubt," he said. This undated photo provided by the Kentucky State Police shows David Mosely. Police in Kentucky said Mosely and Matthew Price escaped Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, from the Bell County jail, spraying bleach in the eyes of one jail worker and assaulting another, and they are still on the loose. (Kentucky State Police via AP) JERUSALEM (AP) - The Israeli government on Wednesday announced that it was advancing plans to build over 1,000 new homes in West Bank settlements, pressing ahead with construction as the Trump administration prepares to unveil a long-awaited peace plan. The Civil Administration, the defense body that oversees civilian affairs in the West Bank, said its planning committee had approved a total of 1,015 housing units. Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog group, said the decision included final approval for immediate construction of nearly 400 homes, with the rest requiring further bureaucratic approvals. It said most of the units were in isolated communities that would likely have to be removed as part of any future peace deal with the Palestinians. FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2017 file photo, Palestinian laborers work at a construction site in the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, near Jerusalem. On Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, the Israeli government confirmed it had advanced plans to build over 1,000 new homes in West Bank settlements. Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal and an impediment to peace. Israel says the fate of the settlements must be resolved in peace negotiations with the Palestinians. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty, File) Some 600,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem - territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war and claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. Most of the international community, along with the Palestinians, considers the settlements illegal and an impediment to peace. Israel says the fate of the settlements must be resolved in peace negotiations with the Palestinians. In a break from his predecessors, President Donald Trump has avoided condemning settlement construction, though he has urged Israel to show restraint. Trump's Mideast team, headed by his adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been working on a peace proposal for months but has not said when it will be released. Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, told reporters in Jerusalem on Wednesday that a "lot of progress" has been made, but would not say when it will be publicized. The Palestinians have already said they consider the plan a non-starter, accusing Trump of being unfairly biased toward Israel after his unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital in December. There was no immediate Palestinian reaction to the latest settlement announcement, which came in the middle of a Muslim holiday, but it was expected to draw further condemnation. The U.S. State Department said in a statement that the administration was "firmly committed to pursuing a comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians." "The President has made his position on the settlements clear, and we encourage all parties to continue to work towards peace," the State Department said. Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in May that he aimed to fast-track plans for thousands of West Bank settlement homes in 2018. Among the housing plans advanced Wednesday were hundreds of units in the West Bank settlement of Adam, north of Jerusalem, where an Israeli man was killed by a Palestinian last month. Lieberman had vowed to build there in response to the killing. SAO PAULO (AP) - Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is in jail, but he features in his party's first ad ahead of October's presidential election and a new poll released Wednesday indicates he's still leading the race - even if electoral courts are likely to bar him from running within weeks. Da Silva focuses on the economy in the video released on the internet. The once hugely popular former president, who governed from 2003 to 2010, doesn't mention the corruption conviction that put him in jail in April, which he is appealing and describes as political persecution. "I want to thank all of the Brazilian people who will keep taking to the streets to defend their pensions, education, pay raises and, overall, to defend their jobs and to get new jobs," da Silva says in the message, which was taped before his arrest. FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2018 file photo, supporters of Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hold masks in his likeness at the start of a march coined "Free Lula March" in Brasilia, Brazil. Da Silva and his Workers' Party have insisted he is running for president again in October, but most in Brazil expect him to eventually be barred from the race because of his corruption conviction. General elections are set for October. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) He accuses unpopular President Michel Temer, who took over after his da Silva's ally Dilma Rousseff was impeached in 2016, of cutting help for the poorest Brazilians. Vice presidential candidate Fernando Haddad also appears in the video, which celebrates da Silva's registration as a formal candidate last week. The former Sao Paulo mayor is expected to take over the presidential candidacy if da Silva is barred. A new poll by Datafolha Institute released Wednesday shows da Silva still holds a double-digit advantage over his closest rivals. Thirty-nine percent of those polled said they favored da Silva, while rightist congressman Jair Bolsonaro was backed by 19 percent. But when da Silva was omitted, Bolsonaro topped the list with 22 percent, while Haddad trailed far behind several other candidates with 4 percent. Former cabinet ministers Marina Silva and Ciro Gomes and former Sao Paulo Gov. Geraldo Alckmin registered in single digits with da Silva in the race. With him dropped, Marina Silva ran second to Bolsonaro with 16 percent. Datafolha interviewed 8,433 potential voters in 313 cities on Aug. 20 and 21. The poll's margin of error is 2 percentage points. SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) - Nearly two dozen sheriff's deputies accompanied by a cadaver dog conducted a thorough search Wednesday without finding any additional bodies connected to a man who pleaded guilty last year to seven killings, the sheriff's department said. About 20 deputies searched for hours in heavily wooded areas along Interstate 26 after Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said he had received a "second-or-third-hand tip" from a documentary film crew about more bodies connected with Todd Kohlhepp, who previously lived in the area. Kohlhepp is serving seven consecutive life sentences without parole in a Columbia prison after pleading guilty in May 2017. The authorities suspended their search after coming up empty and have no plans to resume unless more information comes to light, Sheriff's Lt. Kevin Bobo said in a statement. File - This undated file photo provided by South Carolina State shows Todd Kohlhepp. Kohlhepp, already in prison for seven murders, claims he has two additional victims. The Greenville News reports Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright confirmed Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, that Kohlhepp has told investigators that two people are buried near Interstate 26 in the Enoree area of southern Spartanburg County. (South Carolina State via AP, File) Earlier Wednesday, Wright said he wasn't optimistic about finding any more bodies and didn't want to give the killer any unwarranted attention, but "because I know he's killed seven, I feel like we need to check this out." Kohlhepp had given differing stories to authorities and a documentary production crew about the locations of the bodies of people he claimed to have killed more than a decade ago, Bobo said. He also said Kohlhepp turned down a request from authorities to show them the bodies' supposed location. The unidentified documentary crew was given access to the search while other news media were kept away. Kohlhepp's crimes were discovered in late 2016, when police rescued a woman being held inside a storage container on his property. ___ This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of Todd Kohlhepp throughout. LOS ANGELES (AP) - A young actor who alleged in legal documents that Italian actress and filmmaker Asia Argento sexually assaulted him when he was 17 said Wednesday that his trauma resurfaced when Argento came out as a victim of sexual assault herself last year. "I did not initially speak out about my story because I chose to handle it in private with the person who wronged me," Bennett, now 22, said in a statement released through Attorney Gordon K. Sattro. The comments were his first made publicly since a Sunday New York Times story saying Argento reached a $380,000 legal settlement with him last year over an alleged sexual assault in a California hotel room in 2013. FILE - In this May 17, 2009 file photo, Italian actress Asia Argento arrives on the red carpet for the screening of "Vengeance" during the 62nd International film festival in Cannes, France. Argento, one of the most prominent activists of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, recently settled a complaint filed against her by a young actor and musician who said she sexually assaulted him when he was 17, the New York Times reported. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File) "I have not made a public statement in the past days and hours because I was ashamed and afraid to be part of the public narrative. I was underage when the event took place, and I tried to seek justice in a way that made sense to me at the time." Bennett said he believed there was a stigma to being sexually assaulted as a male, and that he "didn't think that people would understand the event that took place from the eyes of a teenage boy." His comments come a day after the 42-year-old Argento denied having a sexual relationship with him. She said in a statement Tuesday that she was linked "in friendship only" to Bennett, who played her son in a film in 2004. She said the $380,000 payment, made in response to a notice of intent to sue for $3.5 million in damages that Bennett had filed, was undertaken by her boyfriend Anthony Bourdain, the celebrity chef who killed himself in France in June. "Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life," Argento's statement said. Earlier Wednesday, TMZ published a photo that showed Argento and Bennett lying together, their heads touching as they lay on a pillow, their shirts apparently off. The celebrity website did not say how it obtained the photo. A previous picture on TMZ showed the pair embracing but sitting up and fully clothed. The Los Angeles County sheriff's department said it is looking into the allegations and seeking to talk to Bennett. No police report was filed at the time, the department said. The age of consent in California is 18. Argento became one of the leading figures of the #MeToo movement after she told the New Yorker magazine last year that Weinstein raped her at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 when she was 21. Weinstein has been indicted on sex crime accusations involving three women, but not including Argento. He has denied having engaged in any nonconsensual sexual acts. Bennett said in his statement that Argento's emergence as a Weinstein accuser brought back his own trauma, and the movement as a whole has prompted him to address the experience. "Many brave women and men have spoken out about their own experiences during the #MeToo movement, and I appreciate the bravery that it took for each and every one of them to take a stand," Bennett's statement said. Actress Ashley Judd, another Weinstein accuser, spoke out Wednesday against anyone who would use the Argento allegations to undermine the #MeToo movement. "We hold any and every abuser accountable, regardless of their gender, race, socio-economic status, public visibility or popularity," Judd said on Twitter. "Sexual violence is wrong, full stop." Also Wednesday, Argento backed out of curating a Dutch music festival. Organizers of the "Le Guess Who?" festival said in a statement that "due to the volatile nature of the accusations surrounding Ms. Argento, she has chosen to withdraw from her curatorship of this year's edition, while these issues remain open." ___ Follow Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton . PORT ARTHUR, Texas (AP) - As the nation plans new defenses against the more powerful storms and higher tides expected from climate change, one project stands out: an ambitious proposal to build a nearly 60-mile "spine" of concrete seawalls, earthen barriers, floating gates and steel levees on the Texas Gulf Coast. Like other oceanfront projects, this one would protect homes, delicate ecosystems and vital infrastructure, but it also has another priority - to shield some of the crown jewels of the petroleum industry, which is blamed for contributing to global warming and now wants the federal government to build safeguards against the consequences of it. The plan is focused on a stretch of coastline that runs from the Louisiana border to industrial enclaves south of Houston that are home to one of the world's largest concentrations of petrochemical facilities, including most of Texas' 30 refineries, which represent 30 percent of the nation's refining capacity. Resident Engineer Steve Sherrill, with the US Army Corps of Engineers, talks about the project to raise some of the levees and seawalls in the area Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Port Arthur, Texas. As the nation plans new defenses against the more powerful storms and higher tides expected from climate change, one project stands out: an ambitious proposal to build a nearly 60-mile "spine" of concrete seawalls, earthen barriers, floating gates and steel levees on the Texas Gulf Coast.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Texas is seeking at least $12 billion for the full coastal spine, with nearly all of it coming from public funds. Last month, the government fast-tracked an initial $3.9 billion for three separate, smaller storm barrier projects that would specifically protect oil facilities. That followed Hurricane Harvey, which roared ashore last Aug. 25 and swamped Houston and parts of the coast, temporarily knocking out a quarter of the area's oil refining capacity and causing average gasoline prices to jump 28 cents a gallon nationwide. Many Republicans argue that the Texas oil projects belong at the top of Washington's spending list. "Our overall economy, not only in Texas but in the entire country, is so much at risk from a high storm surge," said Matt Sebesta, a Republican who as Brazoria County judge oversees a swath of Gulf Coast. But the idea of taxpayers around the country paying to protect refineries worth billions, and in a state where top politicians still dispute climate change's validity, doesn't sit well with some. "The oil and gas industry is getting a free ride," said Brandt Mannchen, a member of the Sierra Club's executive committee in Houston. "You don't hear the industry making a peep about paying for any of this and why should they? There's all this push like, 'Please Senator Cornyn, Please Senator Cruz, we need money for this and that.'" Normally outspoken critics of federal spending, Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz both backed using taxpayer funds to fortify the oil facilities' protections and the Texas coast. Cruz called it "a tremendous step forward." Federal, state and local money is also bolstering defenses elsewhere, including on New York's Staten Island, around Atlantic City, New Jersey, and in other communities hammered by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Construction in Texas could begin in several months on the three sections of storm barrier. While plans are still being finalized, some dirt levees will be raised to about 17 feet high, and 6 miles of 19-foot-tall floodwalls would be built or strengthened around Port Arthur, a Texas-Louisiana border locale of pungent chemical smells and towering knots of steel pipes. The town of 55,000 includes the Saudi-controlled Motiva oil refinery, the nation's largest, as well as refineries owned by oil giants Valero Energy Corp. and Total S.A. There are also almost a dozen petrochemical facilities. "You're looking at a lot of people, a lot of homes, but really a lot of industry," said Steve Sherrill, an Army Corps of Engineers resident engineer in Port Arthur, as he peered over a Gulf tributary lined with chunks of granite and metal gates, much of which is set to be reinforced. The second barrier project features around 25 miles of new levees and seawalls in nearby Orange County, where Chevron, DuPont and other companies have facilities. The third would extend and heighten seawalls around Freeport, home to a Phillips 66 export terminal for liquefied natural gas and nearby refinery, as well as several chemical facilities. The proposals approved for funding originally called for building more protections along larger swaths of the Texas coast, but they were scaled back and now deliberately focus on refineries. "That was one of the main reasons we looked at some of those areas," said Tony Williams, environmental review coordinator for the Texas Land Commissioner's Office. Oil and chemical companies also pushed for more protection for surrounding communities to shield their workforces, but "not every property can be protected," said Sheri Willey, deputy chief of project management for the Army Corps of Engineers' upper Texas district. "Our regulations tell us what benefits we need to include, and they have to be national economic benefits," Willey said. Once work is complete on the three sections, they could eventually be integrated into a larger coastal spine system. In some places along Texas' 370-mile Gulf Coast, 18 feet is lost annually to erosion, threatening to suck more wetlands, roads and buildings into rising seas. Protecting a wide expanse will be expensive. After Harvey, a special Texas commission prepared a report seeking $61 billion from Congress to "future proof" the state against such natural disasters, without mentioning climate change, which scientists say will cause heavier rains and stronger storms. Texas has not tapped its own rainy day fund of around $11 billion. According to federal rules, 35 percent of funds spent by the Army Corps of Engineers must be matched by local jurisdictions, and the GOP-controlled state Legislature could help cover such costs. But such spending may be tough for many conservatives to swallow. Texas "should be funding things like this itself," said Chris Edwards, an economist at the libertarian Cato Institute. "Texans are proud of their conservatism, but, unfortunately, when decisions get made in Washington, that frugality goes out the door." State officials counter that protecting the oil facilities is a matter of national security. The effects of the next devastating storm could be felt nationwide," Rep. Randy Weber, a fiercely conservative Republican from suburban Houston who has nonetheless authored legislation backing the coastal spine. Major oil companies did not return messages seeking comment on funding for the projects. But Suzanne Lemieux, midstream group manager for the American Petroleum Institute, said the industry already pays into programs such as the federal Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and the Waterways Trust Fund, only to see Congress divert that money elsewhere. "Do we want to pay again, when we've already paid a tax without it getting used? I'd say the answer is no," she said. Phillips 66 and other energy firms spent money last year lobbying Congress on storm-related funding post-Harvey, campaign finance records show, and Houston's Lyondell Chemical Co. PAC lobbied for building a coastal spine. "The coastal spine benefits more than just our industry," Bob Patel, CEO of LyondellBasell, one of the world's largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies, said in March. "It really needs to be a regional effort." Resident Engineer Steve Sherrill, with the US Army Corps of Engineers, shows how much height will be added to some of the levees and seawalls near a refinery Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Port Arthur, Texas. The oil industry wants the government to help protect some of its facilities on the Texas Gulf Coast against the effects of global warming. One proposal involves building a nearly 60-mile "spine" of flood barriers to shield refineries and chemical plants. Many Republicans argue that such projects should be a national priority. But others question whether taxpayers should have to protect refineries in a state where top politicians still dispute whether climate change is real. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) A flood gate and seawall that will be increased is shown near a refinery Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Port Arthur, Texas. The oil industry wants the government to help protect some of its facilities on the Texas Gulf Coast against the effects of global warming. One proposal involves building a nearly 60-mile "spine" of flood barriers to shield refineries and chemical plants. Many Republicans argue that such projects should be a national priority. But others question whether taxpayers should have to protect refineries in a state where top politicians still dispute whether climate change is real. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) A seawall, which will be increased in size, is shown along the banks near downtown Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Port Arthur, Texas. The oil industry wants the government to help protect some of its facilities on the Texas Gulf Coast against the effects of global warming. One proposal involves building a nearly 60-mile "spine" of flood barriers to shield refineries and chemical plants. Many Republicans argue that such projects should be a national priority. But others question whether taxpayers should have to protect refineries in a state where top politicians still dispute whether climate change is real. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) A flood gate and seawall, that will be increased in size, is shown near a refinery Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Port Arthur, Texas. The oil industry wants the government to help protect some of its facilities on the Texas Gulf Coast against the effects of global warming. One proposal involves building a nearly 60-mile "spine" of flood barriers to shield refineries and chemical plants. Many Republicans argue that such projects should be a national priority. But others question whether taxpayers should have to protect refineries in a state where top politicians still dispute whether climate change is real. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) A flood gate and seawall that will be increased in size, is shown near a refinery Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Port Arthur, Texas. The oil industry wants the government to help protect some of its facilities on the Texas Gulf Coast against the effects of global warming. One proposal involves building a nearly 60-mile "spine" of flood barriers to shield refineries and chemical plants. Many Republicans argue that such projects should be a national priority. But others question whether taxpayers should have to protect refineries in a state where top politicians still dispute whether climate change is real. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Storage tanks at a refinery along the waterway are shown Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Port Arthur, Texas. The oil industry wants the government to help protect some of its facilities on the Texas Gulf Coast against the effects of global warming. One proposal involves building a nearly 60-mile "spine" of flood barriers to shield refineries and chemical plants. Many Republicans argue that such projects should be a national priority. But others question whether taxpayers should have to protect refineries in a state where top politicians still dispute whether climate change is real. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Once Florida's presumed Republican nominee for governor, the state's agriculture commissioner is struggling to shake off a series of mistakes by his agency while he works to rebound from the president's endorsement of his rival. In the past few months, Adam Putnam's agency has made headlines time and again for problems with concealed weapons permits, a roller coaster crash and a wildfire sparked by a controlled burn. The problems prompted his opponent in the Aug. 28 primary, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, to say Putnam isn't a leader. And Democrats have had a field day, issuing press releases on the issues almost daily. FILE - In this Aug. 2 2018, file photo, Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam appears in Miami. Headline after headline has made Putnam's agency look bad, from problems with issuing concealed weapons permits to the derailment of a roller coaster his department is tasked with inspecting. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) The mistakes come at a crucial time for the former front-runner, but in the year when politics are all about President Donald Trump, voter reaction could be muted. "None of that matters," Tallahassee-based Republican strategist Rick Wilson said. "The Republican base has stopped caring about every other issue except Donald Trump." That isn't altogether good news for Putnam, who had been leading in polls until June, when Trump endorsed DeSantis. Within the state, current term-limited Gov. Rick Scott has displayed a reluctance to weigh in on the race as he challenges Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. Whatever the influence on voters, the news about his agency's problems has forced Putnam to deal with issues outside his campaign. In the past two months, Putnam has endured news stories about problems with concealed weapons permits. The first was after The Tampa Bay Times discovered an inspector general's report on an employee who failed to complete national background checks between 2016 and 2017. The employee was fired and 291 permits had to be revoked. Separately, inspector general's reports dating back to 2012 showed that 48 employees made mistakes issuing concealed weapons permits and armed security guard licenses, in some cases not even looking at the applications before approving them. Then, in July, a Daytona Beach roller coaster derailed and injured nine people, including two who fell to the ground. Putnam's agency was responsible for inspecting the ride, and the state Democratic Party has repeatedly cast blame on the commissioner. Also in July, WFTV reported that dozens of grocery stores in central Florida hadn't been inspected in more than a year, as required by law. Putnam's agency is responsible for those inspections. And when a wildfire destroyed 36 homes in Eastpoint in June, Putnam had to break the news that it was caused a controlled burn that grew out of control. A contractor hired by another state agency was managing the burn, but Putnam's agency was tasked with investigating it and Putnam's name was in the headlines as media reported on the mistake. The concealed weapons problems came up during the first debate between DeSantis and Putnam. "He didn't act like a leader because he covered it up. It was discovered by the media," DeSantis said. "I believe in transparent leadership. Yes, there are going to be things that happen at an agency. You have to hold people accountable, but then you have to level with your constituents and be honest about what happened." Nearly two months after the first concealed weapons permit story broke, Democrats were still holding media conference calls to try to keep the issue in the news. "The level of mismanagement and incompetence and negligence that we've seen at Adam Putnam's Department of Agriculture has been horrifying," said House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz on a call set up by the Florida Democratic Party. Putnam dismissed the criticism as more about politics than anything else. "It's not affecting the campaign. People see it for what it is: It's a political stunt," Putnam said recently. "It's just election year politics. It's part of it. I'm a big boy, and I can handle it." And Putnam supporters say he can't be blamed for every mistake made by the agency with 4,000 employees. "I've managed many people in my life. I used to work at UPS for 30 years," said Larry Sessions, a 63-year-old farmer from Like Oak and a Putnam supporter. "Somebody can screw up, and yes I'm responsible when they screw up, but it's my job to fix that problem, and I think he's gone about it the right way and tried to fix it. He can't help when somebody screws up." FILE - In this June 25, 2018, file photo Mike Thornburg salvages items from his mother's home after wildfires ravaged the neighborhood in Eastpoint, Fla. In the last two months, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, has endured news stories about problems at the Department of Agriculture. They include an admission from Putnam that a fire that destroyed 36 homes in Eastpoint was caused by a controlled burn that grew out of control. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser, File) FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2018, file photo, Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, right, and his wife Melissa, center, chat with Frank de Varona, left, director of press and information for the Bay Of Pigs Veterans Association, Miami. The last few months have been tough for Agriculture Commissioner Putnam as he seeks the Republican nomination for governor. Headline after headline has made his agency look bad, from problems with issuing concealed weapons permits to the derailment of a roller coaster his department is tasked with inspecting. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on a North Carolina state panel meeting about a request by the governor to relocate three Confederate monuments on the Capitol grounds (all times local): 4:30 p.m. A spokesman for the North Carolina chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans says a decision to add context to three Confederate monuments on the state Capitol grounds is "the best outcome we could have hoped for under the circumstances." FILE - This Sept. 19, 2017, file photo, shows a Confederate monument honoring Henry Lawson Wyatt at the state Capitol in Raleigh, N.C. A North Carolina historical commission decided Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, that this Confederate monument and two others should remain on the state Capitol grounds with newly added context about slavery, weighing in less than two days after another rebel statue was torn down by protesters at the state's flagship university. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) But SCV spokesman Frank Powell said he's concerned about any "contextualizing" that will be added to the monuments. He said some comments indicate members of the North Carolina Historical Commission have personal agendas. The commission agreed to keep three Confederate monuments on the state Capitol grounds while reinterpreting them with information on slavery and civil rights. It also recommended construction of a memorial to North Carolina black citizens. A state Department of Cultural and Natural Resources spokeswoman said the commission and the department will work together to decide on language for markers. ___ 2:10 p.m. One of North Carolina's most powerful lawmakers is praising the work done by a study committee that declined to recommend moving three Confederate monuments from the state Capitol grounds. Senate leader Phil Berger said Wednesday the panel followed the law and listened to members of the public who agreed the monuments "are part of our state's history and should remain where they are." The Republican also says he agrees with the recommendation to build a monument to African Americans in the state on the Capitol ground and pledged to work to carry out other ideas backed Wednesday by the committee and the larger state Historical Commission. Republican legislators passed a law in 2015 essentially barring the permanent removal of Confederate monuments and severely limiting their relocation. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper asked last year that the three Capitol monuments be taken to a Civil War battlefield. __ 1:50 p.m. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper says developments this week surrounding his state's Confederate monuments show that a law limiting their relocation must be changed. Cooper made the comments after the state Historical Commission voted Wednesday to leave three Confederate monuments in place at the state Capitol, but also put up adjacent signs to discuss slavery and civil rights. Commissioners say a 2015 law would have made it difficult to relocate them even if necessary to preserve the monuments. Cooper last year asked the commission to relocate the three monuments to a nearby battlefield. He said Wednesday it's time for North Carolina residents to understand "we can document and learn from our history without idolizing painful symbols." On Monday, a Confederate statue known as "Silent Sam" was toppled on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus. __ 12:05 p.m. The North Carolina Historical Commission has agreed with recommendations from a study panel to keep three Confederate monuments on the state Capitol grounds while reinterpreting them with information on slavery and civil rights. The full commission voted 10-1 Wednesday in favor of the reinterpretation and urging construction of a memorial to North Carolina black citizens as soon as possible. The group of academics and amateur historians also recognized that monuments on the Capitol grounds are imbalanced toward the Civil War and the Confederacy. The decision comes nearly a year after Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's administration asked the commission to relocate the statues to a nearby Civil War battlefield. The commission agreed Wednesday that a 2015 state law made it difficult to move the monuments. __ 11:40 a.m. A North Carolina state committee has recommended that three Confederate monuments remain on the state Capitol grounds, but it also says more information should be installed next to them to discuss slavery and provide historical context. The study panel voted Wednesday to re-interpret the monuments and also urged state leaders to build a memorial honoring the history of black citizens as soon as possible. The recommendation now goes to the full state Historical Commission, which meets later Wednesday. The 11-member commission could decide to accept the findings or decide to move the monuments. The commission is responding to last year's request by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to move the statues to a nearby Civil War battlefield. He made the request following events in Charlottesville, Virginia, and when a Confederate statue was torn down in Durham. Just this week, the statue known as "Silent Sam" on UNC's Chapel Hill campus. __ 3 a.m. Less than two days after protesters at the University of North Carolina's flagship campus toppled a statue of a Confederate soldier, a committee plans to announce its recommendation for three other 20th-century monuments on the state Capitol grounds. A study committee of the state Historical Commission is expected to recommend Wednesday whether the three Confederate statues in Raleigh should be relocated. Gov. Roy Cooper asked last year that they be moved to a Civil War battlefield. The full commission is then expected to vote on the committee's recommendation. The committee could vote to move the monuments, leave them in place or re-interpret them. The vote follows the toppling of a statue known as "Silent Sam" on UNC's Chapel Hill campus Monday night FILE - This Sept. 19, 2017, file photo shows a monument honoring the Confederate dead at the state Capitol in Raleigh, N.C. A North Carolina historical commission decided Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, that this Confederate monument and two others should remain on the state Capitol grounds with newly added context about slavery, weighing in less than two days after another rebel statue was torn down by protesters at the state's flagship university. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) FILE - This Sept. 19, 2017, file photo shows a monument recognizing the North Carolina women of the Confederacy at the state Capitol in Raleigh, N.C. A North Carolina historical commission decided Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, that this Confederate monument and two others should remain on the state Capitol grounds with newly added context about slavery, weighing in less than two days after another rebel statue was torn down by protesters at the state's flagship university. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) Police stand guard after the confederate statue known as Silent Sam was toppled by protesters on campus at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Roman Catholic high school will shed the name of Washington's archbishop, who was cited in a sweeping grand jury report as having allowed priests accused of sexually abusing children to be reassigned or reinstated while he was Pittsburgh's bishop. The Diocese of Pittsburgh said Wednesday that Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl made the request to remove his name from Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School and that school and diocese officials accepted it. The sign in front of the suburban Pittsburgh school was discovered vandalized Monday, with red spray paint obscuring Wuerl's name, as some Catholics called for his resignation or ouster and a petition circulated to remove his name from the school. A school bus enters the driveway to Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2018, in Cranberry Township, Pa. The Roman Catholic high school will shed the Cardinal Wuerl name of Washington's archbishop, who was cited in a sweeping grand jury report as having allowed priests accused of sexually abusing children to be reassigned or reinstated while he was Pittsburgh's bishop. The sign at the front entrance was vandalized earlier in the week with the Cardinal's name painted over. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) The 77-year-old Wuerl has defended himself, saying he acted to protect children, promptly investigate allegations and strengthen policies as understanding of child abuse evolved. He has said he will not resign. Dropping his name from the school is part of the growing fallout from a grand jury report that accused a succession of church leaders of covering up the abuse of more than 1,000 children or teenagers by about 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania since the 1940s. The bulk of the cases cited in the report came before the early 2000s, the grand jury said, because most of the internal documents turned over by the dioceses concerned those cases. The Pittsburgh Diocese, in a statement, cited what it said was Wuerl's Aug. 16 letter: "In light of the circumstances today and lest we in any way detract from the purpose of Catholic education ... I respectfully ask you to remove my name from it. In this way, there should be no distraction from the great success of the school and, most importantly, the reason for the school - the students." Wuerl was Pittsburgh's bishop from 1988 through 2006. In one case cited in the grand jury report released Aug. 14, Wuerl, acting on a doctor's recommendation, enabled priest William O'Malley to return to active ministry as a canonical consultant in 1998 despite allegations of abuse lodged against him in the past and his own admission that he was sexually interested in adolescents. In his appointment letter, Wuerl wrote, "At the same time I welcome you back to priestly ministry following your leave of absence for personal reasons. Your willingness to serve in this capacity and to be of assistance ... is a sign of your dedication and priestly zeal," the grand jury report said. Years later, according to the report, six more people alleged that they had been sexually assaulted by O'Malley, in some cases after he had been reinstated. In another case, Wuerl returned a priest to active ministry in 1995 despite having received multiple complaints that the priest, George Zirwas, had molested boys in the late 1980s. The Pittsburgh Diocese said "today, we would have handled the Zirwas case much differently" and pulled him from ministry, reported an allegation to law enforcement and presented the case to an internal diocese board. Zirwas, who took at least two leaves of absence for personal reasons and was placed on administrative leave, was found strangled in his home in Cuba in 2001. The principal celebrant at his funeral Mass was Wuerl. As backlash over the report has grown, the University of Scranton, a Roman Catholic university in Pennsylvania, announced on Monday its plans to remove the names of three bishops named in the report from campus buildings, saying it is acting in solidarity with victims of child sexual abuse. Two weeks before the report was released, the Harrisburg Diocese said it would hold past church leadership accountable for the sexual abuse of children by priests and strip the names of bishops going back 70 years from church properties. Meanwhile, the pastor of a southwestern Pennsylvania parish became at least the third Catholic clergy member in the state to be investigated independently of the grand jury report as hundreds of calls pour into dioceses and the state attorney general's hotline following the report's release. The diocese said it removed a monsignor from ministry after it received a credible allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor. The allegation dates back to an incident almost 20 years old and was quickly relayed to authorities, the diocese said. A sign marks the bus entrance to to Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2018, in Cranberry Township, Pa. The Roman Catholic high school will shed the Cardinal Wuerl name of Washington's archbishop, who was cited in a sweeping grand jury report as having allowed priests accused of sexually abusing children to be reassigned or reinstated while he was Pittsburgh's bishop. The sign at the front entrance was vandalized earlier in the week with the Cardinal's name painted over. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) File - In this June 30, 2015, file photo Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, speaks during a news conference at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington. North Catholic High School, a Roman Catholic high school will shed the name of Wuerl, who was cited in a sweeping grand jury report as having allowed priests accused of sexual misconduct with children to be reassigned or reinstated while he was Pittsburgh's bishop. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) Schoolbus are parked in the driveway to Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2018, in Cranberry Township, Pa. The Roman Catholic high school will shed the Cardinal Wuerl name of Washington's archbishop, who was cited in a sweeping grand jury report as having allowed priests accused of sexually abusing children to be reassigned or reinstated while he was Pittsburgh's bishop. The sign at the front entrance was vandalized earlier in the week with the Cardinal's name painted over. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) Paint covers the name of Cardinal Wuerl at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, in Cranberry Township, Pa. Wuerl, a Roman Catholic Cardinal, and the archbishop of Washington, D.C., has come under fire from revelations in the Pennsylvania grand jury report about his actions while bishop of Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it regretted Washington's refusal to take part in Afghanistan peace talks in Moscow on Sept. 4. Russia invited 12 countries, including the United States, to the talks, which are taking place as Moscow pushes for a more prominent role in Afghanistan. Search Keywords: Short link: WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States has rejected an invitation to join Russia-led talks on Afghanistan because they are unlikely to help bring peace, a State Department spokesman said Wednesday, as the Trump administration prepared to appoint a diplomatic veteran as a new special envoy for the war-battered nation. Russia said that the Taliban will be joining the Sept. 4 talks in Moscow, along with representatives of several neighboring countries. It will be one of the insurgent group's biggest diplomatic forays since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan. The State Department official said that as a matter of principle, the U.S. supports Afghan-led efforts to advance a peace settlement. And, based on previous Russia-led meetings on Afghanistan, the Moscow talks are "unlikely to yield any progress toward that end." The spokesman was not authorized to be quoted by name and requested anonymity. Smoke rises from a house where suspected attackers were hiding while policemen arrests two suspects, left, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. The Taliban fired rockets toward the presidential palace in Kabul Tuesday as President Ashraf Ghani was giving his holiday message for the Muslim celebrations of Eid al-Adha, said police official Jan Agha. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) That decision comes as the Taliban escalates attacks across Afghanistan. It has refused direct talks with Kabul, even as it seeks to raises its diplomatic profile in the region and calls for talks with the U.S. which it views as the real power behind the Afghan government. The insurgent group has yet to respond to President Ashraf Ghani's offer earlier this week of a conditional cease-fire for the duration of the Eid al-Adha religious holiday that began Tuesday. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo intends to appoint a former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, to a special envoy post that would deal with the Afghan-Taliban peace process and Afghanistan's integration into the administration's Indo-Pacific strategy, according to two U.S. officials and a congressional aide briefed on the plan. Khalilzad, who did not respond to queries about his potential new role, is expected to visit South Asia soon, according to the officials, who were not authorized to publicly discuss personnel matters and spoke on condition of anonymity. A native of Afghanistan who was educated at the American University in Beirut and the University of Chicago, Khalilzad is a diplomatic veteran in Republican foreign policy circles and has also served as U.S. ambassador to Iraq and the United Nations. He was considered for secretary of state by the Trump transition team, notably after introducing then-candidate Donald Trump at his first major foreign policy speech during the campaign. Despite escalating violence in Afghanistan, the top U.S. commander there said Wednesday that the U.S.-led coalition sees hope in Taliban statements in recent months indicating interest in a negotiations to end the 17-year war, and Afghan public and religious clerics' desire for peace. He contended that could lead to political reconciliation. "We have an unprecedented window of opportunity for peace now," Gen. John Nicholson told Pentagon reporters from Kabul. His comments came just a day after rockets slammed into the heart of Kabul as Ghani delivered a speech for the Eid holiday, highlighting the precarious security even in the heavily protected capital. Nicholson did not address the Russia talks. U.S.-Russian ties are increasingly strained. Washington has eyed Russian engagement in Afghanistan and its links to the Taliban with suspicion. Moscow says it is encouraging the insurgents to abandon hostilities and engage in a dialogue with the Afghan government. Nicholson, who is slated to turn over command of the war next month, said the Taliban launched major assaults to take control of two provincial centers this year, and after tough battles the Afghans regained control. But he also acknowledged that the military campaign led by the Afghans and backed by the coalition is largely at a stalemate, and that the Afghan government has made little progress taking back additional population centers from Taliban control. Nicholson took over the war effort in March 2016. In May of that year, 34 percent of Afghanistan's districts were contested or under militant control or influence, compared with 44 percent as of May 2018, according to U.S. military figures. He will leave as the longest-serving U.S. commander of the coalition. Nicholson's time in charge included a key reversal in U.S. policy on the war -- stretching from the troop drawdown ordered in the final years of the Obama administration through President Donald Trump's endorsement last summer of a new strategy to increase U.S. and coalition presence, beef up the training and push for reconciliation. Nicholson said that the Afghan Air Force and special operations units are growing in numbers and abilities, and that progress will have an increasing impact over the coming year. ____ Associated Press writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report. Danish director Michael Noer's "Papillon " remake, adapted from both Henri Charriere's autobiography and the 1973 Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman film, is a sumptuous-looking but slow-moving prison drama that at times will have you dreaming about an escape of your own. Charlie Hunnam stars as Papillon, nicknamed for the butterfly tattoo on his chest. He's an expert safecracker in Paris who is framed for murder in 1931 by his underworld boss and sent off to a prison camp in French Guiana where he makes an alliance with a fellow inmate while plotting his exit. The inmate, Louis Dega (Rami Malek), is a wealthy artist and forger who has a roll of cash hidden in a delicate place and who is too small and weak to keep it safe on his own. So "Papi" becomes his protector, with the understanding that Dega will underwrite his escape. And goodness does Dega need protection. Malek plays him as an elitist intellectual who is convinced that he'll be out in no time. His arrogance and inability to do anything but throw money at a situation make him an easy target. During one of his first nights in the horrifyingly crowded ship transporting them to the camp, a prisoner cuts open the stomach of the man sleeping next to him, hoping to find hidden cash. Having Papi there ready to throw a punch - or 10 - at any time (even naked in a shower) comes in handy for Dega, certainly. At almost every turn, this strategic codependence seems to actually make more problems for Papi, but he's a man of his word and over the years develops a soft spot for Dega, who gets slightly less annoying. This image released by Bleecker Street shows Roland Moller, left, and Charlie Hunnam in a scene from "Papillon." (Jose Haro/Bleecker Street via AP) It's an incredible true story filmed with breathtaking grace by German cinematographer Hagen Bogdanski ("The Lives of Others") that while violent and punishing mercifully spares the audience some of the gruesomeness, like when Dega has a bout of diarrhea and loses the money. (There is quite enough blood and gore otherwise.) Hunnam give a fine performance as the unbreakable Papi, an interesting companion character to Hunnam's Percy Fawcett from "The Lost City of Z." But unlike the other film, the script for "Papillon" has chosen to make much of his journey, which includes long stretches in silent solitary confinement, an internal one. The story plays up the cartoonish brutality of the guards and administrators who speak only in cliches and are manically focused on breaking the prisoners, but gives us little insight into what is driving Papi to hold on to sanity and hope. That's not to say that the film is without some thrilling action (and a mime hallucination). But when the punishment for attempting to escape is two years in solitary confinement, and then five years on the next attempt, you can understand how these escape attempts are few and far between. For as much time as we spend with Papillon in total isolation in silence, you come out of each stint in solitary no wiser about his motivations. The most we get to know about him as a character comes in the first few minutes, when he's drunkenly stumbling through Paris, open champagne bottle and dancer girlfriend (Eve Hewson) in hand, rejecting her plea to leave city life and move to the country and plotting out how he's going to be wealthy in six months. Of course Papi's path was ultimately quite different than what he planned, and if his story is at all intriguing to you, you might be better off sticking with the original. "Papillon," a Bleecker Street release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for "violence including bloody images, language, nudity, and some sexual material." Running time: 133 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four. ___ MPAA Definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. ___ Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr This image released by Bleecker Street shows Charlie Hunnam, left, and Rami Malek in a scene from "Papillon." (Bleecker Street via AP) This image released by Bleecker Street shows Rami Malek in a scene from "Papillon." (Jose Haro/Bleecker Street via AP) This image released by Bleecker Street shows Rami Malek, left, and Charlie Hunnam in a scene from "Papillon." (Jose Haro/Bleecker Street via AP) This image released by Bleecker Street shows Rami Malek in a scene from "Papillon." (Jose Haro/Bleecker Street via AP) This image released by Bleecker Street shows Charlie Hunnam in a scene from "Papillon." (Jose Haro/Bleecker Street via AP) SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) - The Latest on the search for two more bodies in South Carolina after sheriff received a tip about a man who pleaded guilty to seven deaths (all times local): 4:15 p.m. South Carolina authorities say they're through searching for two possible additional bodies connected with a man who pleaded guilty last year to seven killings. File - This undated file photo provided by South Carolina State shows Todd Kohlhepp. Kohlhepp, already in prison for seven murders, claims he has two additional victims. The Greenville News reports Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright confirmed Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, that Kohlhepp has told investigators that two people are buried near Interstate 26 in the Enoree area of southern Spartanburg County. (South Carolina State via AP, File) Spartanburg County Sheriff's Lt. Kevin Bobo said in a statement Wednesday that "numerous" deputies found no evidence during a thorough search to support the claims of convicted killer Todd Kohlhepp. Bobo says there are no plans to resume the search. Bobo says Kohlhepp had given differing stories to authorities and a documentary production crew about the locations of the bodies of people he claimed to have killed more than a decade ago. Bobo also says Kohlhepp turned down a request from authorities to show them the bodies' supposed location. Kohlhepp is serving seven consecutive life sentences without parole after pleading guilty in May 2017. ___ 12:50 p.m. A sheriff in South Carolina says the tip about the possibility of two more bodies connected with a man who pleaded guilty last year to seven killings came from a television documentary crew. Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said Wednesday that the new search near the area where Todd Kohlhepp lived was prompted by a "second-or-third-hand tip" from a television crew that has been given exclusive access to the search. The television crew was not immediately identified. The sheriff said no other media would be allowed in the immediate vicinity. About 20 deputies began searching in some woods near Interstate 26 Wednesday morning. Kohlhepp was sentenced to seven consecutive life prison terms without the possibility of parole. ___ 10:30 a.m. Sheriff's deputies in South Carolina have started a new search after a man who pleaded guilty to killing seven people said there were two more victims. Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said Wednesday morning that 20 deputies and a dog trained to sniff for cadavers are searching near Interstate 26, near where Todd Kohlhepp lived when his first victims were found in 2016. The sheriff said he's not sure who these victims might be, or even if Kohlhepp is telling the truth, but it's worth checking out given his record. Kohlhepp is serving seven consecutive life sentences without parole at a Columbia prison after pleading guilty in May 2017. His crimes were discovered when police rescued a woman being held inside a storage container on his property. ___ This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of Todd Kohlhepp throughout. JERUSALEM (AP) - Senior Israeli opposition leaders and Palestinian officials are paying their respects to late Israeli journalist and peace activist Uri Avnery, who died this week at age 94. Dozens of people, including a delegation of Palestinian officials, attended a memorial for Avnery on Wednesday in Tel Aviv. Nabil Shaath, an adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, says he came to "remember a great man of peace," and that the "commitment to peace is still alive because there are people in Israel like Uri Avnery." FILE - In this Monday, Sept. 9, 2013 file photo, Israeli peace activist Uri Avnery poses for a photograph during an interview with the Associated Press in Tel Aviv, Israel. Avnery, a trailblazing Israeli journalist and peace activist and one of the first to openly advocate for a Palestinian state, has died aged 94, in Tel Aviv after suffering a stroke Monday Aug. 20, 2018.(AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File) Avnery, a member of Israel's founding generation, was a symbol of Israel's peace camp for decades and championed the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a journalist, he famously sneaked into besieged Beirut during the 1982 Lebanon War to talk to Israel's then-nemesis, PLO chairman Yasser Arafat. FILE - In this Saturday, May 4, 2002 file photo, Israeli peace activist Uri Avnery speaks at a press conference in Oldenburg, Germany. Avnery, a trailblazing Israeli journalist and peace activist and one of the first to openly advocate for a Palestinian state, has died aged 94, in Tel Aviv after suffering a stroke Monday Aug. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Joerg Sarbach, File) TORONTO (AP) - Add Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez to the list of big leaguers to suffer suitcase-related injuries this season. Sanchez acknowledged Wednesday that the bruised right index finger that has sidelined him for the past two months occurred when his finger got caught in a falling suitcase. The incident happened June 21, hours before Sanchez took the mound in Los Angeles against the Angels with about 180 friends and family from his hometown of Barstow, California, in the crowd. "It got stuck in my suitcase and it started falling," Sanchez said. "It all happened in a span of about 30 seconds. I said 'Ow,' and my knuckle got super fat. I pitched that day, probably didn't help, but it was the first time I was going to pitch in front of my family as a professional and I wanted to see what I could do." FILE - In this June 15, 2018, file photo, Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez throws to a Washington Nationals batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto. Add Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez to the list of big leaguers to suffer suitcase-related injuries this season. Sanchez acknowledged Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, that the bruised right index finger that has sidelined him for the past two months occurred when his finger got caught in a falling suitcase. (Fred Thornhill/The Canadian Press via AP, File) The 2016 AL ERA champion, Sanchez allowed two runs and two hits in a 25-pitch first inning that night before being replaced. After making three minor league rehab starts, he will throw a side session Thursday in Toronto. If that goes well, Sanchez will be activated off the 60-day disabled list to start against Philadelphia on Saturday. Sanchez (3-5, 3.52) said part of the reason he stayed quiet about his injury was the attention Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez received for spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee while carrying a suitcase up the stairs in his home just before opening day. Perez did not return until April 24. "I didn't want to say it then because I saw Salvador Perez go down with the same injury and I didn't want to get laughed at," Sanchez said. This isn't Sanchez's first struggle with an injury to his pitching hand. He endured multiple stints on the disabled list because of blister and fingernail issues last season, pitching just 36 innings over eight starts. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports BRUSSELS (AP) - A man allegedly stabbed two women to death in eastern Belgium on Wednesday, authorities said, in a knife attack that the local mayor said was not terror-related. Thierry Wimmer, the mayor of Plombieres, said that there were "several victims" after a knife-wielding man entered a restaurant in the town close to Liege and started stabbing the owner and a relative in an apparent domestic conflict. By the end of the attack, the suspect was also dead. Wimmer said on his Facebook page that "this act does not present any terrorist character" and was a domestic dispute. It was not immediately clear how the attacker died. WASHINGTON (AP) - The day after President Donald Trump was implicated in a federal crime, members of both parties dismissed talk of impeachment, with some Democrats expressing fears Wednesday about such a politically risky step, and Republicans shrugging off the accusations or withholding judgment. The legal entanglements surrounding Trump - the guilty plea by former lawyer Michael Cohen and the fraud conviction of one-time campaign chairman Paul Manafort - delivered a one-two punch that left lawmakers struggling for an appropriate response ahead of the midterm campaigns. Trump's strongest supporters echoed his "no collusion" retorts, suggesting that, absent any evidence that he worked with Russia to influence the 2016 election, there is just no high-crimes-and- misdemeanors case for impeachment. In these 2018 file photos, Paul Manafort leaves federal court in Washington, left and attorney Michael Cohen leaves federal court in New York. The one-two punch ahead of the midterm elections _ the plea from former Trump lawyer Cohen and the fraud conviction of one-time campaign chairman Manafort _ is presenting the biggest loyalty test yet for Republicans who have been reluctant to criticize the president. (AP Photo/File) Democrats, meanwhile, are trying to tamp down expectations from their liberal base of taking on the president for fear that impeachment talk will cause GOP voters to rally around Trump in November. The dynamic underscored the political difficulty of impeachment proceedings on Capitol Hill, especially for Republicans who have been reluctant to criticize the president but now face a new chapter in what has been a difficult relationship. In pleading guilty to campaign-finance violations and other crimes Tuesday, Cohen said Trump directed a hush-money scheme before the 2016 election to buy the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal, both of whom said they had sexual relationships with Trump. Trump has accused Cohen of making up "stories in order to get a 'deal'" from federal prosecutors. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell brushed past reporters Wednesday without answering questions about Cohen or the possibility that the lawyer's accusations about an illegal campaign cover-up are grounds for impeachment proceedings. GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan, who is away from Washington, had no direct response. An aide said he needs more information. Other Republicans, though, filled the gaps. "No collusion=no impeachment," tweeted the influential radio host Hugh Hewitt, setting the day's tone. He explained that impeachment is a political and legal term of art and said there needs to be a tipping point in public opinion that would push Congress to act. It's not there yet, he tweeted. Doug Deason, a Texas-based donor and major Trump supporter, said voters simply don't care that Trump behaves badly at times and has associated with people who broke the law. "In no way, shape or form did we think we were hiring St. Trump to repair the morals of the country," he said. Jerry Falwell Jr., the president of Liberty University and a Trump confidant, said: "Anything short of the campaign actually conspiring with Russia to try to impact the election, anything short of that will just be background noise." Even those few Republicans who have been willing to speak out about Trump are treading carefully in the wake of Cohen's guilty plea. "I don't think I've witnessed anything like I've witnessed over the last year and a half. Probably, the American people haven't in modern times," said retiring Republican Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee. But he stopped short of passing further judgment on the Cohen case. "I'm sure there's going to be other revelations that come up," he said, "and I think we ought to just let the process work." The president defended the hush-money payments Wednesday, saying, incorrectly, that the effort outlined in Cohen's guilty plea wasn't "even a campaign violation." Trump told Fox News in an interview set to air Thursday that the payments "didn't come out of the campaign, and that's big." The accusation from Cohen has inflamed public debate about impeachment. Democratic donor Tom Steyer's Twitter feed called for others to join his campaign to impeach the president. "How much more corruption do we need to see?" he tweeted. Ben Wikler, Washington director for the liberal advocacy group MoveOn, wants Democrats in Congress to join organizations like his that have been demanding impeachment for weeks. "Now that Trump's personal lawyer has implicated him in a crime, not supporting impeachment feels like a dodge," Wikler said. "Impeachment doesn't have to be the core of your message to the electorate, but it's not something you can bury your head in the sand and ignore." But Democratic leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi said that unless other information emerges, impeaching Trump is "not a priority" for Democrats if they regain control of the House this fall. Pelosi said she prefers to see Democrats work to ensure special counsel Robert Mueller can finish his investigation. "If and when the information emerges about that, we'll see," Pelosi said Tuesday as the news about Cohen was unfolding. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer used the developments to press the Democrats' case against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, saying Republicans should hit "pause" on their push toward confirmation. He expressed concern about Kavanaugh's unwillingness to indict a sitting president, as is Justice Department policy, or subpoena a president to testify. Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing is set for Sept. 4, despite his efforts to postpone it. "This Republican Congress has done almost nothing to check this president," Schumer said. "We cannot allow the Supreme Court to be captured as well." Meanwhile, senators of both parties warned that Trump should not consider granting Manafort a pardon. "It would be an enormous mistake and misuse of his power to pardon," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. The House is on summer break for campaign season. The Senate is in session, trying to wrap up a rare August work period that GOP leaders had hoped would be invigorating. Instead, senators at the Capitol are finding themselves facing questions they often have no answers for. "That's always been an issue: What did the Founders really mean by high crimes and misdemeanors?" said Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. "Right now it's in the hands of the courts, and we'll see how it plays out." Some Republican strategists are privately worried about the party's prospects in November because of the scandals. Democrats see a similar opening in what Schumer has called "a cesspool around this president." "I think we're beyond the tip of the iceberg. We're in the middle of the iceberg right now, given how many people so close to the president are on their way to jail," said Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut. "My hope is that Republicans don't retreat into a corner. This is a moment where the future of the presidency is at stake. This isn't about politics or point-scoring, so I'll take my time to come to a conclusion. But I hope Republicans will also be willing to look at the facts and come to a non-political conclusion that's best for the country." ___ Associated Press writers Dustin Weaver, Kevin Freking and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report. President Donald Trump pauses while speaking during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Charleston, W.Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Latest on the Roman Catholic Church child sex abuse scandal in Pennsylvania (all times local): 2:55 p.m. The Roman Catholic pastor of a southwestern Pennsylvania parish has been removed from ministry after the local diocese received what it calls a credible allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor. Paint covers the name of Cardinal Wuerl at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, in Cranberry Township, Pa. Wuerl, a Roman Catholic Cardinal, and the archbishop of Washington, D.C., has come under fire from revelations in the Pennsylvania grand jury report about his actions while bishop of Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) Wednesday's revelation by the Greensburg Diocese comes amid growing fallout from a state grand jury report that accused a succession of church leaders of covering up abuse by 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania since the 1940s. The Greensburg Diocese says the allegation against Monsignor Michael Matusak dates back almost 20 years. He's at least the third Catholic clergy member in Pennsylvania to be under investigation independently of the grand jury report. The diocese says it relayed the allegation to state child welfare authorities and the county prosecutor. The diocese says it's the only allegation it ever received against Matusak. ___ 10 a.m. A Roman Catholic high school will shed the name of Washington's archbishop, who was cited in a sweeping grand jury report as having allowed priests accused of sexually abusing children to be reassigned or reinstated while he was Pittsburgh's bishop. The Diocese of Pittsburgh said Wednesday that Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl (wurl) made the request to remove his name from Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School. The school's sign was discovered vandalized Monday. The 77-year-old Wuerl has defended himself, saying he acted to protect children, promptly investigate allegations and strengthen policies as understanding of child abuse evolved. The move is part of the growing fallout from a grand jury report that accused a succession of church leaders of covering up abuse by 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania since the 1940s. Paint covers the name of Cardinal Wuerl at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, in Cranberry Township, Pa. Wuerl, a Roman Catholic Cardinal, and the archbishop of Washington, D.C., has come under fire from revelations in the Pennsylvania grand jury report about his actions while bishop of Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A mentally ill North Carolina man who the government fought for years to prosecute as an example to others considering joining militant fighters in Syria pleaded guilty Wednesday to providing material support to a terrorist group. Basit Sheikh's plea bargain disclosed in a Raleigh federal courtroom would see the 34-year-old released early next year, but by late 2020. His sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle is scheduled for early October. The guilty plea also could cause the Pakistan native with permanent, legal residency in the U.S. to be kicked out of the country, according to the plea agreement. FILE - This undated file photo shows Basit Sheikh. Sheikh, a mentally ill North Carolina man who the government for years fought to prosecute as an example to others considering joining militant fighters in Syria, is pleading guilty. His plea bargain was disclosed in a Raleigh federal courtroom Wednesday, Aug. 22. 2018. (The News & Observer via AP, File) Sheikh, 34, said little beyond acknowledging he felt better and to agree to elements of the plea bargain. He was an early arrest in the FBI's effort to find and capture U.S. residents thinking of joining terrorist groups before they could go to Syria, and perhaps return home battle-hardened. Sheikh has spent almost five years in custody since his November 2013 arrest at Raleigh's airport on his way to the Middle East. Sheikh's online attraction to the group Jabhat al-Nusra, which the U.S. government declared a terrorist organization, was a secret to his family, his father said outside the courtroom. "To the best of my knowledge he did not have any connection to these" groups, Javed Sheikh said, adding he wanted his son to return to the family's suburban Cary home after his release from prison. "I raised him not to be like this." Sheikh was attracted in early 2013 to an FBI-run Facebook page that posed as a forum for militant Muslim views. Sheikh was drawn into the idea of fighting against Syrian President Bashar Assad's troops through his written, online discussions with an FBI agent or confidential informant who posed as a female nurse in Syria. Sheikh's communications with the FBI operative became personal and even romantic before Sheikh was introduced to another FBI contact described as able to introduce him to al-Qaida-linked fighters. Sheikh said he hadn't planned on joining the fighting, but instead wanted to help refugees and marry the "nurse." Sheikh was forcibly medicated for schizophrenia by government doctors so he could be competent to defend himself against prosecution. Prosecuting and convicting Sheikh was important in order to deter other would-be American radicals, prosecutors have said in court. There were about 110 forcible medication cases considered by federal courts nationwide in the 13 years after a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that restricted involuntary medication to certain serious criminal cases, according to research by Georgetown University law professor Susan McMahon. Courts approved the motions almost two-thirds of the time, McMahon said. ____ Follow Emery P. Dalesio on Twitter at http://twitter.com/emerydalesio. His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/emery%20dalesio. NATO is moving its military infrastructure closer to the Russian border and Russia needs to strengthen its own infrastructure in response, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. He spoke at a news conference after talks with Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto. Putin also said NATO was refusing to discuss rules for military flights with Russia. Search Keywords: Short link: MOUNT VERNON, Va. (AP) - Chopping cherry trees is not the only horticultural myth surrounding our most famous Founding Father - slacker culture has long reveled in the tenuous link between George Washington and marijuana. Like many myths, though, Washington's connections to cannabis are not invented out of whole cloth. Washington did indeed grow industrial hemp on his Mount Vernon estate, a variety of the cannabis plant but not one that contains enough THC, the psychotropic chemical in marijuana, to cause any mind-bending effects. Indeed, the idea of smoking marijuana to get high would have been foreign to people in Washington's time. Recreational use of marijuana in the U.S. doesn't begin until the 19th century, by most accounts. Interpreters Megan Romney, left, and Deb Colburn, right, work to process the hemp harvest Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. Mount Vernon planted about 1,000 square feet of industrial hemp this year in recognition of Washington's planting of the crop in the 18th century. (AP Photo/Matthew Barakat) At Washington's Mount Vernon estate, horticulturalists in May planted the first hemp crop in centuries on the estate grounds to highlight the Founding Father's life as a farmer. Mount Vernon employees known as interpreters on Wednesday harvested the crop and processed it into fiber that could be used for making rope or cloth. Dean Norton, Mount Vernon's director of horticulture, said Washington references hemp more than 90 times in his journals and diaries, and gave consideration to it as a cash crop when the tobacco market plummeted in the 1760s. Ultimately, Washington turned to wheat, but continued to grow hemp for use on the estate. As workers used a scythe to cut and harvest the small patch of hemp on the estate, a faint aroma similar to marijuana floated through the air. Interpreters then showed the process of drying the hemp and "putting it through the hackles" to comb it into fibers. At Mount Vernon, the hemp fibers could be used for netting on fishing boats in the Potomac or to weave clothing that might be worn by the slaves. This year's rainy weather posed problems for the inaugural crop, Norton said. "As soon as we planted it, we had those monsoons come through and wash away a lot of the seed. We had to re-sow," Norton said. "I learned more about hemp than I ever thought I would. It's an amazing crop." Only recently has it been legal for Mount Vernon to plant a hemp crop. The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation in 2015 and 2016 allowing limited hemp cultivation under a program administered through state universities. Federal and state laws still keep tight rules in place for registration and possession of seeds, along with other regulations. Hemp advocates are pushing for further federal legislation to liberalize hemp production. Brian Walden with the Virginia Industrial Hemp Coalition said he hopes the plant's connection to Washington will help the public understand the wholesome nature of hemp. "Hemp was the original fabric of our lives," he said. LUTHER, Okla. (AP) - Police say a 14-year-old Oklahoma boy accused of repeatedly stabbing a female classmate during a school assembly wanted a romantic relationship with the girl. Luther Police Chief David Randall told The Oklahoman on Wednesday that girl told investigators the boy had tried to start a romantic relationship with her. Randall says the girl liked the boy only as a friend. Investigators had been tight-lipped about a possible motive behind the Aug. 16 stabbing at Luther High School. The attack happened as students gathered on the first day of school. Randall says the girl has been released from a hospital. The boy remains in the Oklahoma County Juvenile Detention Center on a complaint of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Randall didn't immediately return a telephone call Wednesday from The Associated Press. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A second federal lawsuit accusing a pair of Oklahoma business owners of luring immigrants to the U.S. on work visas then paying substandard wages highlights what some attorneys say is a prevalent human trafficking issue in the United States that seldom calls violators to task. While there have been previous civil lawsuits over the treatment of immigrants in the United States on work visas, immigration attorney Kent Felty of Denver said they are and will continue to be rare, partly because of the language barrier immigrants face, their unfamiliarity with U.S. law, and the amount of time it would take an attorney to win what might be a small judgment. The latest legal action, filed in Oklahoma City in June, is by three Jamaican immigrants who came to the U.S. under student work visas between 2008 and 2012. It follows a similar lawsuit filed in 2017 by three Filipino immigrants who came into the country on temporary work visas in 2012. FILE - This undated file photo shows Montana Mike's Steakhouse in Clinton, Okla. A second federal lawsuit has been filed against Walter and Carolyn Schumacher and businesses they operate, alleging luring immigrants to the U.S. on work visas then paying substandard wages. Labor Department spokesman Juan Rodriguez said the department is investigating two of the Schumacher's companies where some of the immigrants worked, Hotelmacher, LLC, which operates a Holiday Inn Express, and Steakmacher, LLC, which does business as Montana Mike's Steakhouse, but declined further comment. (Robert S. Bryan/The Clinton Daily News via AP, File) While there have been previous civil lawsuits over the treatment of immigrants in the United States on work visas, immigration attorney Kent Felty of Denver said they are and will continue to be rare, partly because of the language barrier immigrants face, their unfamiliarity with U.S. law, and the amount of time it would take an attorney to win what might be a small judgment. "You can say it's not about the money, but it's about them money ... you can't do it as a private attorney, it's all about if you're going to get paid, " said Felty, who is not involved in the lawsuits. "Maybe it's a thousand dollars. Where are you going to find attorneys to take that case for a thousand-dollar judgment?" Felty asked. Jury selection would also be problematic, Felty believes. "Half the country would give them a million dollars on a thousand dollar case, and half the country would like to see them deported," said Felty, who successfully sued the John Pickle Company in Tulsa and Falcon Steel Structures, Inc., in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, over claims similar to the allegations against the Schumachers. Felty said none of the $1.3 million judgment in the Pickle case was paid while the Falcon case was settled for an undisclosed sum. The Oklahoma lawsuits name husband-and-wife Walter and Carolyn Schumacher and companies they own and operate in Clinton, about 80 miles (128 kilometers) west of Oklahoma City, alleging the workers were paid less than minimum wage, charged for housing that was to be free or low-cost, and were given fewer work hours than promised. The plaintiffs in the current cases are represented by the nonprofit Equal Justice Center, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom law firm, which provides pro bono services. Equal Justice Center attorney Chris Willett said the Filipino workers contacted the center, perhaps due to workers' rights documents that are included with their visa packages, and the Jamaican immigrants contacted the center after learning of the first lawsuit. "They had contacted us to try to understand what was going on there in Oklahoma, that they were not getting what they were promised ... when recruited in the Philippines," Willett said. Amir Farzaneh, an Oklahoma City immigration attorney also said the private lawsuits are unusual and the laws regarding immigrant worker visas are strict. "If you hire a worker from overseas, you have to tell them how much you will pay them," Farzaneh said. "The Department of Labor is adamant." Labor Department spokesman Juan Rodriguez said the department is investigating two of the Schumacher's companies where some of the immigrants worked, Hotelmacher, LLC, which operates a Holiday Inn Express, and Steakmacher, LLC, which does business as Montana Mike's Steakhouse, but declined further comment. Labor department records show a motion to either dismiss or delay any action has been denied. Officials with the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Citizenship and Immigration Services declined to comment on whether the agencies are investigating the Schumachers or any of their companies. The Schumacher's attorney, Kevin Donelson, did not return phone calls for comment. Donelson said after the first lawsuit was filed in 2017 that the couple denies all allegations. Willett said the public often thinks of human trafficking in the form of sex work. "A lot of people imagine in their heads sex trafficking or people locked up in cages," Willett said. "In this case our clients were being exploited for cheap labor." LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Latest on a legal settlement between actress Asia Argento and an actor who says she sexually assaulted him when he was 17 (all times local): 2 p.m. A young actor who alleged in legal documents that actress Asia Argento sexually assaulted him when he was 17 says his trauma resurfaced when Argento came out as a victim of sexual assault herself. FILE - In this April 12, 2018 file photo, Italian actress and director Asia Argento arrives at the ninth annual Women in the World Summit in New York. Argento, one of the most prominent activists of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, recently settled a complaint filed against her by a young actor and musician who said she sexually assaulted him when he was 17, the New York Times reported. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File) The statement released Wednesday through an attorney by Jimmy Bennett, now 22, is his first public comment since a Sunday New York Times story saying Argento reached a legal settlement with him last year over an alleged sexual assault in a California hotel room. Bennett says he initially chose to deal with the situation privately and until now has been "ashamed and afraid" to speak publicly. His comments come a day after Argento denied having a sexual relationship with him. The 42-year-old Argento has been a key figure in the #MeToo movement since alleging last year that Harvey Weinstein raped her when she was 21. ___ 8 a.m. Italian actress and filmmaker Asia Argento has backed out of curating a Dutch music festival after a young actor accused her of sexual assault. Organizers of the "Le Guess Who?" festival said in a statement Wednesday that "due to the volatile nature of the accusations surrounding Ms. Argento, she has chosen to withdraw from her curatorship of this year's edition, while these issues remain open." Argento, a prominent #MeToo activist, was one of the curators of the festival which takes place in the city of Utrecht in November. Actor Jimmy Bennett claimed Argento, then 37, sexually assaulted him when he was 17 in 2013. Argento denied ever having a sexual relationship with Bennett, whom she agreed to pay $380,000 in a settlement. ATLANTA (AP) - Hip-hop star Nicki Minaj has canceled her North American tour with rapper Future. Minaj said on her Twitter account Tuesday night that she didn't have enough time to rehearse for the upcoming "NickiHndrxx" tour in September after the release of her latest album "Queen," released Aug. 10. The rapper says she will contribute more rehearsal time toward the tour's European launch with Future in February. Minaj says her North American tour will be rescheduled for May next year. However, the tour will be without co-headliner Future due to scheduling conflicts. FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2018 file photo, Nicki Minaj poses in the press room at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York. Minaj has cancelled her North American tour with rapper Future. She said on her Twitter account Tuesday night that she didn't have enough time to rehearse for the upcoming "NickiHndrxx" tour in September after the release of her latest album "Queen," released Aug. 10. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) Minaj has been a trending topic recently after sending irritated tweets about her new album debuting No. 2 behind Travis Scott. She also faced criticism after comparing herself to Harriet Tubman ahead of her appearance at the Video Music Awards. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Investigators compared online family tree data with crime-scene DNA evidence to identify and track down a suspect in a series of North Carolina rapes from a decade ago, police said Wednesday. One of the lead detectives called the approach, similar to what was used in the "Golden State Killer" cold case in California, a "game-changer" for investigators who had few leads in the assaults that terrorized Fayetteville starting in 2006. Darold Wayne Bowden, 43, has been charged with multiple rape counts related to six assaults from 2006 to 2008, the Fayetteville Police Department said in a news release. This undated photo provided by The Fayetteville Police Dept. shows 43-year-old Darold Wayne Bowden after his arrest on suspicion of rape. Police say they used online genealogical data to identify and track down Bowden. a suspect in a series of unsolved rapes dating back a decade. The Fayetteville Police Department issued a news release Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, saying that Bowden has been charged with multiple rape counts related to six assaults from 2006 to 2008. (Fayetteville Police Dept. via AP) Lt. John Somerindyke told The Associated Press that he has reached five of the six victims, all of whom have left Fayetteville. "To say they were ecstatic would be an understatement," he said. "They're all very pleased with the outcome." To crack the case, Somerindyke said police submitted crime-scene DNA evidence to a company that compared it with online genealogical data uploaded by relatives of the suspect to ancestry research websites. The company narrowed their search to Bowden as a person of interest, and investigators obtained a current sample of his DNA to confirm his link to the crimes, the detective said. He declined to say how they obtained the current sample, which was tested by the state crime lab, because they plan to use similar methods in other cases. Somerindyke said comparing DNA evidence with genealogical data - the same search method that helped lead investigators in California to alleged Golden State Killer Joseph James DeAngelo in April - is a "game-changer" for the department. "It's bringing all our cold cases to life," he said. DNA in one case is ready to be sent to the company called Parabon NanoLabs, while the department is requesting funding to send evidence from two other cases, he said. Police said they didn't know if Bowden has a lawyer, and the public defender's office didn't immediately respond to an email asking if they were representing him. A message left at a phone listing for Bowden, who was being held in jail, wasn't returned. District Attorney Billy West said at a news conference the arrest shows investigators' persistence, noting that fear over the rapes a decade ago represented a "very tough and difficult time for our community." "This individual has been in our community, walking around our streets, for the last 10 years, probably smirking thinking he got away with this. Well, he didn't," West said. On Wednesday, authorities also released a series of photos of the suspect dating back to 2003 in hopes that any other possible victims may recognize him and come forward. A photo taken during his arrest on the rape charges shows him shirtless, with a swastika tattooed on his chest. Somerindyke noted that while the suspect has been arrested before on unrelated charges, he appears to have avoided mandatory DNA collection by authorities because of the timing and nature of the offenses. ___ Follow Waggoner at www.twitter.com/mjwaggonernc and Drew at www.twitter.com/JonathanLDrew SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A graduate assistant was reassigned from teaching a class at the University of Utah after she said that bringing a concealed carry gun to class "is absurd, antisocial, and frightening behavior," and that any of her students - even if permitted - who do so would be forced to stand in a "3x3 taped square." State law allows people to tote guns on public university campuses without restrictions if they have concealed-weapons permits. University spokesman Chris Nelson said the graduate assistant, who has not been identified, has apologized, received additional training and will now "instead have other assignments." The spokesman said the "weapons policy" that appeared on a class syllabus, was removed from the online curriculum Tuesday and students were "alerted to the error," The Salt Lake Tribune reported . The graduate assistant's "Second Amendment zone," had it been implemented, would have violated state law. "Concealed carry is protected under your Second Amendment rights," the teaching assistant acknowledges in the syllabus. "However, because the University of Utah reserves the right to restrict elements of the First Amendment on campus to specifically sanctioned 'free speech zones' I am reserving the right to restrict elements of the Second Amendment in my own classroom. "If you feel that it is somehow at all appropriate to bring a gun to class (hint: it is not - this is absurd, antisocial, and frightening behavior), you are restricted to spending your time in class in my 'Second Amendment zone' a 3x3 taped square on the floor in the very back of the classroom, that will be shared with all other gun carriers." Individual departments at the University of Utah review course syllabi and "are expected to comply with all university policies," Nelson said. State Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, received a copy of the syllabus Monday from two students in the class and posted it to her Facebook page. "I am livid," she wrote. "A University of Utah professor doesn't understand the Bill of Rights and university policy on free speech - which is disturbing enough. But even more egregious, she is seeking to break state law and deprive students of their rights." Lisonbee successfully sponsored legislation last year to allow Utah residents as young as 18 to get concealed-carry permits. She sponsored the legislation to equip young women, particularly on college campuses, who might have to defend themselves against potential rapists or attackers. ___ Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com NEW YORK (AP) - What other dirt might Michael Cohen have on Donald Trump? Cohen's lawyer says the president's former "fixer" has information "on certain subjects that should be of interest" to the special prosecutor beyond his allegations made while pleading guilty Tuesday that Trump directed him to make hush-money payments to fend off damage to his White House bid. His lawyer, Lanny Davis, on Wednesday suggested that Cohen could tell special counsel Robert Mueller that Trump knew about and encouraged Russian hacking during the 2016 campaign before it became publicly known. Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, leaves federal court after reaching a plea agreement in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) "What I'm suggesting is that Mr. Cohen was an observer and was a witness to Mr. Trump's awareness of those emails before they were dropped, and it would pertain to the hacking of the email accounts," Davis told CNN after having hedged that point in earlier television interviews. Cohen also has been said to be willing to tell Mueller that Trump knew in advance of a 2016 meeting at Trump Tower in which the Republican candidate's eldest son sought damaging information from a Russian lawyer about Hillary Clinton. Cohen, who showed fierce loyalty as Trump's personal lawyer, said in court that Trump directed him to arrange payments of $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels and $150,000 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal to buy their silence about alleged affairs before the election. Trump denies the affairs. Trump tweeted on Wednesday that the campaign finance violations Cohen pleaded guilty to "are not a crime." He told "Fox & Friends" that, because the payments came from him and not the campaign, it's "not even a campaign violation." Both claims are wrong. Nothing made public so far from Cohen's criminal case indicates he has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, but Davis said that was simply a "distinction without a difference." Cohen is intent on telling the truth to whoever asks him and is "more than happy" to tell Mueller all that he knows, Davis said, calling that pledge, "the functional equivalent of cooperation." Cohen forged his new path amid months of scrutiny from federal investigations and a public falling-out with the president, for whom Cohen once said he would "take a bullet." But what compelled him to take a plea deal and potentially flip on Trump? Cohen told confidants he was disappointed and angry that Trump and his team - namely his lawyer Rudy Giuliani - had repeatedly bashed his reputation and character. Cohen suggested that the attacks helped pave the way for his guilty plea and possible cooperation, according to a person who has spoken to the lawyer in the last 24 hours but was not authorized to discuss private conversations and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Davis made the claim during his media tour Wednesday that Trump's deference to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on July 16 was a "significant turning point" and that it galvanized Cohen's thinking that Trump was unsuitable to hold office. But, that summit was about two weeks after Cohen made clear to ABC's George Stephanopoulos in an off-camera interview that he was putting his "family and country first" and wouldn't be a "punching bag as part of anyone's defense strategy." Working out of a Trump Tower office next to his boss, Cohen likely has vast knowledge of the innerworkings of Trump's empire, his business dealings and his campaign. Federal agents in April seized more than 4 million items from his home, hotel room and office, including recordings of Trump and others. Investigators from New York state's tax department entered the mix on Wednesday, subpoenaing Cohen to share what he knows about the Trump Foundation, the president's embattled charitable foundation. Cohen, who turns 52 on Saturday, wiped away tears as he gazed out a courthouse window after pleading guilty on Tuesday. He is free now and allowed some limited travel. He could get about four to five years in prison at sentencing Dec. 12. Believing that his arrest was imminent, Cohen turned himself in to the FBI because he wanted to spare his children the image of him being perp-walked in handcuffs, according to the person who spoke with Cohen. Even as his legal fate approached, Cohen tried to project normalcy in recent days: he went on a family trip to Florida and he oversaw moving back into his upper East Side apartment after spending months in a nearby hotel after a water main break. When the judge asked him if he had taken any drugs or alcohol in the past 24 hours, Cohen confessed: "Last night at dinner, I had a glass of Glenlivet 12 on the rocks." It was the only moment of levity at an otherwise glum proceeding. "Is it your custom to do that, sir?" the judge responded. "No, your honor," Cohen said. Tuesday night, hours after entering his guilty pleas, Cohen took his wife out to dinner. ___ Associated Press reporter David Klepper contributed from Albany, New York. ___ Follow Lemire at twitter.com/JonLemire and Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak Michael Cohen, former lawyer to President Donald Trump, departs following his appearance in Federal Court on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in New York. Cohen, has pleaded guilty to charges including campaign finance fraud stemming from hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Russia probe. His former lawyer's records - and memory. Two women with lawsuits. A third with tapes. President Donald Trump is facing real political threats following one electrifying hour Tuesday that brought a plea deal by his onetime lawyer, Michael Cohen, and the conviction of Paul Manafort, the former chairman of the his 2016 presidential campaign. Much of the potential hazard comes from digging by special counsel Robert Mueller, New York prosecutors and lawyers for the women suing him. Other threats come from Cohen, who implicated the president in campaign finance crimes and made clear he's happy to keep talking. President Donald Trump arrives to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Air Force Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman, for conspicuous gallantry during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Trump has called the developments part of a "witch hunt" and "fake news." Hovering over everything are the November midterm elections, when Americans will deliver another kind of verdict on Republican control of the presidency and Congress. What's known: The president who demands loyalty from his allies can't depend on them for it. What's not: from whom, and where in the Trumpian landscape, another bolt might strike. Here's a look at the threats facing the president, his family and the Republicans defending their congressional majorities: BOOM The legal system dumped two political hazards this week on Trump. Cohen pleaded guilty and said he and Trump arranged payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal to keep them silent about their alleged affairs with him. And Manafort, Trump's campaign chairman during a key stretch of the 2016 race, was convicted by a jury of eight counts of bank and tax fraud. The combination set up a world of uncertainty for everyone allied with the president. MUELLER The special counsel is still investigating Russia's attempts to sway voters in the 2016 election. The probe includes the hacking of Democrats' emails, whether the Trump campaign may have cooperated with Russia and if the president obstructed justice. Key to Mueller's investigation is a 2016 meeting in Trump Tower in New York between Donald Trump Jr., Manafort, the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner and people with ties to Russia. Trump calls the probe a "witch hunt" and has not said whether he will sit for an interview with Mueller. A final report from Mueller could go to Congress - a move that would become more significant if Democrats win control in this year's elections. COHEN Through his lawyer, Lanny Davis, Cohen has made clear he's happy to keep talking - to Mueller and even to Congress, should lawmakers call him to testify. Already, the Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Intelligence Committee have said they've "recently re-engaged" with Cohen on the Trump Tower meeting. Cohen, 51, once said he'd take a bullet for Trump. On Tuesday he pleaded guilty to eight felony counts, including tax evasion. He could get about four to five years in prison at sentencing Dec. 12. Cohen initially denied making the payments to McDougal and Daniels ahead of the 2016 elections to buy their silence about their alleged 2006 affairs with Trump. But in his plea deal, Cohen explicitly says he did so at Trump's direction with the intention of influencing the 2016 election. The payments could be regarded as an illegal campaign expenditure. "There's going to be a little pushback in terms of Mr. Cohen's credibility," said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. "I don't think the full story's been written yet." MANAFORT His criminal convictions do not intersect with the Trump campaign or White House, but they almost certainly mean years of prison time for him. He faces a trial later this year in Washington on federal charges of conspiracy and witness tampering. The verdicts Tuesday raised immediate questions of whether the president would seek to pardon Manafort. The president has not revealed his thinking but spoke sympathetically throughout the trial, and on Wednesday he called Manafort "brave" while accusing Cohen of making up "stories in order to get a 'deal'" from prosecutors. FLYNN Also Tuesday, prosecutors and defense attorneys for former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn agreed to postpone his sentencing after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a Russian official. It was a sign that Flynn's cooperation was still needed - and possible - in the Mueller probe. Trump fired Flynn for lying to Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with Russian officials; Flynn later pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. STONE A grand jury is hearing testimony about Roger Stone, Trump's longtime on-again-off-again adviser, in the investigation into Russian hacking of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Stone is believed to be the Trump-connected person Russian military intelligence officers contacted in August 2016 with an offer of campaign help. The contact was revealed in an indictment last month against 12 Russians, accusing them of releasing thousands of private communications in a sweeping Kremlin-orchestrated conspiracy to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election. Stone, through his attorney, has acknowledged having a "24-word exchange with someone on Twitter claiming to be Guccifer 2.0" - the online persona used by Russian hackers. DANIELS AND MCDOUGAL The two women who say they were Trump's onetime paramours are suing to invalidate agreements designed to silence them. Testimony or discovery could yield more information on how Trump operates. OMAROSA Trump's onetime protege and presidential adviser has a stash of video, emails, text messages and documentation supporting claims in her tell-all book about her time in the Trump White House. Manigault Newman has made clear she intends to continue releasing the pieces of evidence if Trump continues to attack her credibility. He's called her "that dog." She's dribbled out audio and video recordings. SWAMPY Not helping Trump's "drain the swamp" claim, or the GOP's defense of the House: The indictments on corruption charges of the first two House Republicans to endorse Trump in the Republican presidential primaries. On Tuesday, Rep. Duncan Hunter of California was indicted on charges that include spending more than $250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses. Rep. Chris Collins of New York was indicted earlier this month on insider trading charges. Both have proclaimed their innocence. Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, leaves federal court after reaching a plea agreement in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) Some 98 per cent of Egypts population is concentrated in the Nile Valley and Delta, which represent only four per cent of the countrys total area, with only two per cent of the population living in the vast desert areas east and west of the River Nile. The government has been trying to change this by establishing development projects in these areas, including mega-projects depending on renewable energy sources. According to Galal Othman, a professor of engineering at Mansoura University and chair of the Egyptian Association of Wind Energy and a member of the International Agency for Solar Energy, renewable energy sources, especially solar energy, have a considerable role to play in the implementation of development projects in remote areas and new urban settlements. New research entitled Egypts Mega-Projects Powered by Off-Grid Hybrid Distributed Renewable Energy Systems suggests that the use of a mix of wind and solar energy could power many of Egypts mega-projects. The research was carried out by a group of students under Othmans supervision at Mansoura University, Considering the new demands for power driven by economic growth and an increasing population, policy-makers ought to seek new sources of energy, Othman said. The fluctuating prices of fossil fuel, which makes up 92 per cent of Egypts power mix, are also a huge burden on the economy, he pointed out. Renewable energy should be used for development areas across Egypt, he said, pointing out that these areas were currently also off-grid since they are not connected to the national electricity grid. It would cost billions to connect these locations to the grid, not to mention the millions spent on burning fuel in traditional power plants and the billions spent building the plants themselves. According to Othman, the research draws on the experiences of different countries and communities. It shows that Thisted in Denmark produces 105 per cent of its energy from renewable resources and is targeting 130 per cent by 2020, with the aim of exporting the surplus to nearby municipalities, for example. It also highlights the experience of India in establishing a ministry for renewable energy independent from the Ministry of Electricity. It shows how Canada uses renewables and how South Africas use of renewable energy strengthens its communications systems. Among the projects that could benefit from renewable energy in Egypt are the 1.5 million feddan land-reclamation project, the lighting of the new road network, and the development of mining activity in the Golden Triangle area of the Red Sea governorate where 75 per cent of Egypts metals and minerals are located. The Golden Triangle between Safaga, Kosair and Qena contains raw materials such as gold, iron, granite, manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, limestone, silver, phosphate, quartz and chrome. Mining activity, housing, connecting roads, and water plants all need electricity generated from off-grid hybrid renewable sources, Othman said. He highlighted the fact that wind and solar energy are now mature technologies that can reduce electricity costs and the reliance on fossil fuels and that automated hybrid energy systems can ensure reliable, low-cost electricity at all times. Developments in energy storage are predicted to allow significant additional reductions in fossil-fuel use within the next five years. Mining in Australia accounts for 10 per cent of the countrys total energy use, for example, relying on a mix of diesel, natural gas, and grid electricity to power it, Othman said. A second area where renewables could be practical is on Egypts roads extending thousands of kilometres in length and all needing to be lighted, with advertisement boards, telecommunication towers, stations to charge electric vehicles, and cafeterias and toilets all needing to be installed. Solar power can replace a portion of emission-intensive diesel fuel to power the off-grid-based stations of the telecommunications towers. The wind, sun, and biomass do not send out bills, and they do not have meters to count consumed kilowatt hours, the research says. Renewables should also be used in the cultivation of Egypts 1.5 million feddans of reclaimed land. Othman said a pilot project should be set up on half a million feddans of land in four different areas, using hybrid power sources to pump water and carry out various other tasks. Water, energy, and food are all interrelated since the agriculture and energy sectors depend heavily on and affect water resources. Energy is essential not only for water management, but also for agricultural production, processing and marketing. *The writer is a freelance journalist. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 August 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Renewables for mega-projects Search Keywords: Short link: OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Prosecutors on Wednesday added charges that could qualify a man for the death penalty if he's convicted of stabbing 18-year-old Nia Wilson to death at a train station in Northern California. Alameda County prosecutors added the special-circumstances enhancement of "lying in wait" to the charges against John Cowell, who didn't enter a plea during a court hearing, the East Bay Times reported . Cowell, 27, is charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of Wilson last month as she changed trains at a subway station in Oakland as well as attempted murder in the attack that also wounded Wilson's sister. FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2018, file photo, a photo of victim Nia Wilson, right, is displayed at a news conference as her father Ansar El Muhammad, left, and her mother Alicia Grayson listen during a news conference in San Francisco. Prosecutors have special circumstances charges against John Cowell who was arrested in the killing of Wilson at a train station in Northern California. Alameda County District Attorney's Office on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, added the special circumstances enhancement of "lying in wait" to Cowell's complaint, allegations that could make him eligible for the death penalty. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said authorities are still investigating whether Cowell was motivated by racial hate in the attack. The women are black, and he is white. O'Malley said last month after Cowell appeared in court for the first time that there hasn't been any evidence of a hate crime but that such a charge could be filed if investigators find any proof of that as a motive. Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods, who is Cowell's attorney, said he doesn't agree with the added special-circumstance allegations and that there is no evidence the crime was fueled by racism. "I'm deeply concerned that they're now seeking death, possibly for someone that has severe, severe mental illness," Woods said. "What we have here is someone who was released by a state hospital just 75 days before this incident," Woods added. "He suffers from severe mental illness, and that's why we're here today." Whether or not prosecutors decide to seek the death penalty will occur after a hearing in which a judge will determine if Cowell should be held on his charges. A date for that hearing has not yet been set. California hasn't executed anyone since 2006 and has the nation's largest death row with nearly 750 inmates. Sen Elizabeth Warren has made up to $1.5million annually over the last 10 years, according to her newly-released tax returns. The decision to release the federal and state returns on Wednesday came a day after the Massachusetts Democrat called for sweeping anti-corruption laws in Washington. It's also another possible signal that Warren may be laying the groundwork for a run for president in 2020. Senator Elizabeth Warren released her tax returns for the last 10 years on Wednesday, revealing that she has made up to $1.5million annually. The Massachusetts Democrat is pictured during an appearance at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on Tuesday Warren's 2017 federal returns show the former Harvard University law professor and her husband Bruce Mann, who still works as a Harvard Law School professor, reported an adjusted gross income of $913,000. The returns listed their total tax as $268,484 and their total payments as $302,227. The couple was eligible for a refund of almost $34,000. Although she's frequently mentioned as a possible White House contender, Warren has said she's focused on her Senate re-election campaign this year. She first won election in 2012 by defeating then incumbent Republican Sen Scott Brown. Warren has burnished her credentials among the liberal wing of the Democratic party by frequently sparring with Republican President Donald Trump, who has refused to release his tax returns. In addition to her salary as a senator, Warren reported $430,370 in income from her writing in 2017. Warren has written or co-written several books, most focused on financial issues. Her latest 'This Fight Is Our Fight: The Battle to Save America's Middle Class' was published last year. The salary for a US senator is $174,000. The returns from 2017 show that the couple also reported contributing nearly $82,000 to charity. In 2017 Warren and her husband Bruce Mann, a professor at Harvard Law School, reported an adjusted gross income of $913,000. The first page of their return is pictured above The couple's income has fluctuated from year to year, in part linked to Warren's outside pay. In 2016 the couple reported an adjusted gross income of $717,000. During that year, Warren reported income of $224,000 from 'consulting, lecturing, writing, investing.' In 2014, Warren and her husband reported a far higher adjusted gross income of more than $1.5million. That year, Warren reported a net profit of more than $1million from consulting, lecturing, writing and investing. That was the same year Warren published the book 'A Fighting Chance' which in part detailed her decision to run for the Senate at age 62. Their lowest reported adjusted gross income in the 10-year period was $409,000 in 2012. The couple has lost considerable amounts on investments: $217,217 in 2008 when they sold holdings in Sentinel Investments and $91,270 the next year on the sale of Dreyfus Third Century fund. However, their tax returns list very little wealth overall in stocks, with IBM dividends growing to $3,621 by 2012 but divested by 2013. An aide to Warren said she and her husband had an investment that they lost money on and disposed of around the financial crisis. The aide said Warren also owned one stock and sold it after she was elected to the Senate in 2012. Warren is unopposed in the Democratic primary in Massachusetts. Three Republicans are competing in the September 4 contest for the chance to challenge Warren in November. A bill crafted by Warren would require the IRS to release tax returns for congressional candidates from the previous two years and during each year in office. It also would create a lifetime ban on presidents, members of Congress and other officeholders from working as lobbyists. SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Eight of more than 100 asylum seekers who were locked up by the Trump administration in a federal prison in Oregon have been released on bond, immigration lawyers said Wednesday. The first man to be released after being held in the prison for almost three months fell to his knees on Monday and kissed the ground after leaving the building, said Katy Mitchell of Innovation Law Lab which represents dozens of the detainees. More detained immigrants are expected to be released on bond in coming days from the prison in rural Sheridan, northwest of Salem. Asylum seeker Lovepreet Singh, who had been detained at the federal prison in Sheridan, Oregon, speaks along with interpreter Navneet Kaur, right, about his experiences in prison and relief at being released at the ACLU office in Portland on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP) Lawyers, legal advocates, interpreters and ordinary citizens got involved to ensure those who were brought to the prison in May could "exercise one of the most basic rights the Constitution allows, which is due process," said Victoria Bejarano Muirhead of Innovation Law Lab. Most of the asylum seekers say they faced risks in their home countries, including India, Nepal, Guatemala, Mexico and China. All 79 of Innovation Law Lab's clients in the prison were found in hearings to have a credible fear of returning home, Bejarano Muirhead told a news conference in Portland. That's one of the first steps in a process in which they could be granted asylum in the United States. One of those released this week, Karandeep Singh from India, said he was grateful to be out of the prison, where detainees were held in crowded cells with open toilets. "In the beginning, I had no hope. Now I feel like it's a dream. I'm very happy to be here," Singh told reporters in the news conference, which was live-streamed. A total of 124 immigrants were brought to the prison in late May after being detained at the U.S. southern border. The men were among approximately 1,600 immigrants transferred to federal prisons in five states. Immigration officials had run short of space to hold people under President Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration policy. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon filed an emergency lawsuit in June on behalf of Innovation Law Lab to force the government to allow the detainees in Sheridan access to lawyers. After hearings determine the asylum seekers have a credible fear of being repatriated, they are eligible for release while their asylum applications are processed. The bond amounts typically run from $1,500 to $5,000 and are usually put up by family or friends, Bejarano Muirhead said. Not all can afford it, though, she noted. Those freed so far are traveling to Georgia, New York, Maryland and California, where they can pursue their asylum applications. ___ Follow Andrew Selsky on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andrewselsky Victoria Bejarano Muirhead, second left, Development Director at Innovation Law Lab, introduces Karandeep Singh at the ACLU office in Portland on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Singh, along with fellow asylum seekers Lovepreet Singh, Loveprett Singh, Kanwarjeet Singh, and Harjinder Singh, all of whom had been detained at the federal prison in Sheridan, Oregon, spoke about his experiences in prison and relief at being released. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP) Victoria Bejarano Muirhead, Development Director at Innovation Law Lab, speaks at the ACLU office in Portland on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, with asylum seekers who had been detained at the federal prison in Sheridan, Oregon. Karandeep Singh, Lovepreet Singh, Loveprett Singh, Kanwarjeet Singh, and Harjinder Singh spoke about their experiences in prison and relief at being released. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP) From left to right: Lovepreet Singh, Lovepreet Singh, Karandeep Singh, Kanwarjeet Singh, and Harjinder Singh at the ACLU office in Portland, Ore., on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Asylum seekers who had been detained at the federal prison in Sheridan, Oregon, the men spoke about their experiences in prison and relief at being released. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP) Asylum seeker Karandeep Singh, who had been detained at the federal prison in Sheridan, Oregon, speaks about his experiences in prison and relief at being released at the ACLU office in Portland on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP) The European Union will not abandon its founding principles in order to facilitate a Brexit deal with the UK, its chief negotiator has said. Michel Barnier said it was possible for the UK and EU to find common ground and create a partnership that has no precedent after meeting with Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab in Brussels. But speaking to reporters alongside the Cabinet minister he said that relationship had to respect the single market and the foundations of the European project. They announced the speed of negotiations is to increase ahead of a self-imposed deadline of October to hammer out a deal. It comes amid raised fears a no-deal Brexit is becoming more likely as the deadline to agree a deal looms ever closer. Mr Raab admitted there were still some significant issues to overcome, including their future trade relationship and the Northern Irish border. Theresa Mays Brexit blueprint, hammered out at a tumultuous Chequers summit in July, called for a facilitated customs arrangement between the EU and Britain plus a common rule book for trade in goods, with both already ruled out by Brussels. Asked by a reporter why the EU seemed unwilling to give ground on its principles in order to get a deal, Mr Barnier said: Why would we? The UK is leaving the European Union, it is not the other way around. The UK is leaving and it is their choice and we respect that choice whilst regretting it. But the European Union is based on principles and values, on rules. It is a whole ecosystem which is integrated of rules and laws and standards, of supervision and of certification which the UK knows very very well because we built it together, didnt we? We have been building it over some 40 or so years together. So those principles will remain our principles because that is the way it is. They are the principles we have been working on and on which the single market is based. Mr Raab, who will return to Brussels for further talks with Mr Barnier next week, said: There are still some significant issues to overcome yes on Northern Ireland, I think we both recognise that but also on the future relationship. Its important to view the whole deal as a package. We agreed that we need to step up the intensity of the negotiations as we come into the final phase and we have agreed to meet regularly and resolve at the political level those outstanding issues that remain under technical consideration. Mr Raab will return to Brussels for further talks next week (Olivier Matthys/AP) Mr Barnier was optimistic a deal could be struck this year. While he would guarantee it would be by the earmarked deadline of the October European Council, he said it would be around the beginning of November, but not much later than that certainly. Earlier Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the UK has faced bigger challenges than Brexit in the past and will survive the process. His comments came after a leaked letter from NHS Providers, which represents hospital and ambulance services, warned that hospitals face running out of medicines if a chaotic no-deal Brexit were to transpire. Mr Hunt, speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme, admitted the chance of a no deal was not negligible and warned the consequences of an acrimonious, messy divorce would be terrible for the EU project. But whatever the outcome of the negotiations, Mr Hunt said he was confident the UK could manage, adding: We will find a way whatever the outcome to survive and prosper. Lawyers for Michael Cohen Donald Trumps former personal attorney who is being investigated for financial fraud are in negotiations with prosecutors that could result in a plea deal, according to reports. The lawyer could plead guilty in Manhattan federal court as early as Tuesday afternoon, if a deal is struck requiring co-operation with the government, according to the Associated Press. BREAKING: AP sources: President Trump's ex-personal attorney Michael Cohen discussing possible plea deal with federal prosecutors. The Associated Press (@AP) August 21, 2018 Mr Cohen was President Trumps longtime personal lawyer until weeks ago. He was seen going into his lawyers offices early on Tuesday. Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump (Richard Drew/AP) Prosecutors had been investigating Mr Cohen for possible fraud related to his businesses for months. The FBI raided his hotel room, home and office on April 9, seizing more than four million items. Danny Boyle has quit as director of the next James Bond film due to creative differences, the production team has announced. It was confirmed in May that the Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire filmmaker was due to direct the 25th Bond film. When Boyles involvement was announced, EON Productions said production on the new film would begin in December at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire. But the latest statement on the official James Bond site said: Michael G Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25. Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25. pic.twitter.com/0Thl116eAd James Bond (@007) August 21, 2018 Boyle, who won an Oscar for his work on Slumdog Millionaire, was due to direct from an original screenplay by John Hodge, who also worked on Trainspotting. No replacement for Boyle who was also artistic director for the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics has been announced. The latest Bond film is expected to be Daniel Craigs last as the spy (Matt Crossick/PA) The as-yet-untitled film due for release in the UK on October 25 next year will be Craigs fifth outing as 007. The film is expected to be Craigs last time playing the spy, having previously starred in Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre. He previously stated that he would rather slash my wrists than return to the role, but later said that he made the remarks two days after he finished shooting Spectre and was exhausted. The Pope has expressed hope his visit to Ireland will help grow unity and reconciliation among Christians on the island. In a video message released ahead of his weekend arrival, Pope Francis said he was excited about his two-day trip to Dublin and the Knock holy shrine in Co Mayo. The video was released hours after it was confirmed that the Pope will meet victims of clerical sex abuse during his Irish visit. The Pope is also attending the Catholic Churchs World Meeting of Families during a packed itinerary of engagements. Today the World Meeting of #Families begins in Dublin. Let us join in prayer with all the families of the world, especially those in difficulty. @WMOF2018 @LaityFamilyLife Pope Francis (@Pontifex) August 21, 2018 The video message coincided with the opening of the major family-themed event in Dublin on Tuesday evening. Although the specific reason for my visit to Ireland is the World Meeting of Families, I would like to include all the members of the Irish family, said the Pope. In a particular way, I pray that it may further the growth of unity and reconciliation among all Christs followers, as a sign of that lasting peace which is Gods dream for our whole human family. In opening the message, the pontiff said: As I prepare to visit Ireland in a few days time for the World Meeting of Families, I send a warm word of greeting to all the Irish people. I am excited at the thought of returning to Ireland. The Pope is not due to travel to Northern Ireland during his visit, despite being urged by religious figures on both sides of the regions sectarian divide to travel across the border. Earlier on Tuesday, the Vatican confirmed the Pope would hold a private meeting with victims of church abuse during his visit. The Catholic Church in the Republic has been rocked by revelations of wrongdoing by members of the religious orders stretching back decades. One campaigner said survivors of clerical sex abuse are hoping for real action after they meet Pope Francis. Earlier this week, the leader of the world church condemned the atrocities of child sex abuse and clerical cover-ups in a strongly-worded open letter to the faithful. Maeve Lewis, executive director of the One In Four Irish charity for those affected by sexual abuse, said: If the Pope is in an open, listening mode when he meets the survivors he can learn a lot about the terrible devastation of sex abuse and how people feel let down. If he makes any promises to survivors in terms of actions he should follow through on that. It would be terribly hurtful if the meeting (produced) no concrete outcome as a result of this. The Pope is due to arrive in Dublin on Saturday for two days of meetings with families and political authorities, as well as a trip to the Knock shrine, which is revered by Catholics. Kate Walmsley, 62, suffered sex abuse at the hands of a priest. She said: If he is the head of the Catholic Church then he is the person we need to talk to to put forward the wrongs all the children have suffered and I am one of them. Preparations in Dublins Phoenix Park ahead of the visit (Laura Hutton/PA) Protesters have arranged a series of rallies coinciding with the pontiffs trip to the Republic to highlight what they believe has been the churchs failure to properly address wrongdoing. Ms Lewis said it would have been an insult had the Pope not met survivors. She said some would very much want to engage while others would avoid him due to a sense of betrayal. Last week a grand jury report outlined seven decades of abuse in Pennsylvania. The investigation found more than 1,000 children had been abused by 300 priests. The Pope has apologised after defending a bishop in Chile who was accused of hiding abuses by a priest. Ireland is gearing up for its first papal visit in 40 years during which at least half a million people are expected to attend a special mass in Dublins Phoenix Park. US President Donald Trump has said the conviction of his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort on financial crimes is a disgrace. But he has not publicly reacted to former personal attorney Michael Cohens guilty pleas to felonies, including campaign finance violations he stated he carried out in coordination with Mr Trump. Manafort was convicted in Virginia on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice. A courtroom sketch shows Paul Manafort (centre) and members of his defence team (Dana Verkouteren via AP) Cohen pleaded guilty in New York, saying he and Mr Trump arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. Mr Trump told reporters in West Virginia that Manaforts conviction has nothing to do with Russian collusion. Of Manaforts crimes, he added: It doesnt involve me. The average British worker is earning nearly 680 a year less than they were a decade ago as low-paid jobs have replaced many of those lost in the recession, a think-tank claimed today. Unemployment in the UK might be at a 40-year low of 1.36million - but the report suggests those in work are earning 13 a week less on average than before the recession precipitated by the 2008 financial crisis. The Resolution Foundation observes that more than two million more people have found work since unemployment peaked in that slump - more than half of which are from the poorest third of households. Squeezed: The average British worker is earning nearly 680 a year less than they were a decade ago. The Foundation's senior economic analyst Stephen Clarke said that while employment is at a record high, 'Britain is still some way off full employment and too much work remains low paid and insecure.' With 800,000 workers currently on zero-hours contracts, job insecurity is still 'widespread', the report noted. While the the higher employment rates were 'a much-needed bright spark', Mr Clarke added that, 'Steps to provide advance notice of shifts and a right to a regular contract for those working regular hours on a zero hour contract would also help those in work who have precious little job security.' The next step was targeted support for disadvantaged groups, said Mr Clarke, who added that childcare support and working tax credits had driven a sharp increase in single parent employment, up from 51 per cent in 2003 to 67 per cent last year. The graph shows the unemployment rate is now just 4 per cent - the lowest since 1975. A new policy to boost employment for people with disabilities or ill health could see a million more people in work, said Mr Clarke. 'This would make the single biggest contribution to achieving full employment, and boost living standards for over a million families,' he said. 'Policies to achieve this could include a new right to return to work after a period of ill-health. 'With fewer than half of people with a disability or ill-health currently in work, targeted support for these groups holds the key to achieving further employment progress.' Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell (Yui Mok/PA) A Government spokesman said work was already ongoing to help workers in zero hours jobs request contracts as part of its Good Work plan. He said: 'We have more people in work than ever before, and the national living wage has helped to deliver the fastest earnings boost for the lowest paid in 20 years. 'Through our Good Work plan, we are going further to give millions of workers major new rights and protections, including increased financial security for workers on flexible contracts with a new right to request a more stable contract.' Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell blamed 'the disastrous Tory austerity agenda' for the pay squeeze. TUC General Secretary Frances OGrady (Andrew Matthews/PA) He said: 'These figures show the disastrous impact of nearly a decade of austerity on earnings, with workers in the UK losing out under Tory rule. 'The findings are a stark example of how brutal Tory pay restraint and austerity has led to a crisis in living standards for families.' TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady accused the Government of turning a blind eye to stagnating wages. 'It's taking wages longer to recover from this crash than it did after the Great Depression,' she said. 'The Government is turning a blind eye to Britain's living standards crisis. 'Ministers must get wages rising faster now.' ap US, EU say deal on steel tariffs will help on climate change ROME (AP) - President Joe Biden said Sunday a new U.S. and European Union trade agreement would crack down on "dirty steel" that produces carbon emissions... Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla discussed with John J. Christmann, the chief executive officer and president of the US Apache Corporation, means to expand the company's exploration activities in Egypt. During the meeting, El-Molla also discussed with Christmann future investment plans of the company in the oil exploration to achieve more finds in order to increase Egypt's oil and gas output and reserves, a statement issued by the Ministry of Petroleum on Tuesday read. Christmann said his company's planned investments are expected to reach $1 billion annually, a matter he said reflects Egypt's importance for the company, adding that plans are under way to clinch more tenders in the light of the expected discoveries in the country. He expressed hope for forming a joint work team to prepare a five-year plan to explore for oil and increase the company's investments in the oil and gas domains in Egypt. The Apache CEO also pointed out that a plan is being outlined to start work in the new concession area "Sharq Bahariya" in the Western Desert after the signing of an agreement in this respect last month. He praised the economic achievements made in Egypt during the past three years especially in the oil sector, saying Egypt is on the right track and that its bold rdecisions would bring more investments to the country. Search Keywords: Short link: The largest winter roost of common pipistrelle bats in the UK has been recorded in a fire-scarred stately home, the National Trust has said. The discovery of 61 bats in stone crevices and arches of a balcony at Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland has revealed previously unknown information about the species hibernation habits, the Trust said. Seaton Delaval Hall was a grand 18th century baroque party house belonging to the flamboyant Delaval family, hosting their costume balls, elaborate practical jokes and spectacular theatrical productions. More than 60 common pipistrelle bats have been found in the central hall of the baroque `party house (Owen Humphreys/PA) The hall, which was partially destroyed by fire in 1822, was bought in 2009 by the National Trust, which undertook much-needed conservation work. It has recently been awarded 3.7 million National Lottery funding for repairs and restoration, as well as moves to improve visitor facilities and bring its past to life. An ecology survey carried out to assess whether it was possible to install new art and visitor information in the central hall of the building revealed the presence of more than 60 bats with more thought to be hidden in crevices. The National Trusts head of nature conservation David Bullock also expressed surprise the pipistrelles were choosing to roost in light and dry crevices, as he said most bats like cool, moist and dark hibernation sites. Common Pipistrelle bats have been found roosting in light, dry crevices in the hall (Chris Damant/National Trust/PA) Bats have made their home at Seaton Delaval for many years, believed to have first come to roost in the hall after it was ravaged by fire in 1822 and left exposed to the elements for more than 40 years. The installation of a new roof in the later 19th century made the space warmer and drier but still allowed bats access through crevices in the stonework. Tina Wiffen, bat ecologist, said: We discovered the bats when we were undertaking an ecological survey to assess the possibility of introducing new art and visitor information installations into the central hall of the building a project being supported by the National Lottery. Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland was the home of the flamboyant Delaval family (Owen Humphreys/PA) On finding the bats, we conducted a formal survey and at least 60 bats were counted in February and 61 in early March with more visits then needed for verification. Its likely that even more bats are here, hidden in deeper crevices. As a result the site will now be even more closely managed and monitored to ensure that the bats can continue to use the hall as their winter roost. Mr Bullock recently visited the hall to verify the findings, and said: Ive never encountered hibernating pipistrelles in such numbers before. The cavities in the stones in Seaton Delaval Halls central hall provide one of the few known hibernation sites of what could be hundreds of bats. Most bats like cool, moist and dark hibernation locations. In contrast, the pipistrelles residing in the central hall were in light and dry crevices. The National Trust said it will use some National Lottery funding for further surveying work to learn more about how the bats use the hall so it can protect the pipistrelles before any of the planned repair work starts later this year. Allegations Donald Trump ordered payments to hush up mistresses on the campaign trail, a call to increase the number of magistrates with criminal records and a ban on puppy farms make headlines on Wednesday. Michael Cohens courtroom claims that the then-presidential candidate ordered illegal campaign finance payments tops the The Times, after the lawyer pleaded guilty to giving money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model. The Times 22/8/2018 Idris Elba makes his directorial debut and attends the UK premiere of 'Yardie' at the BFI Southbank, London. 21st August 2018. Photo: Andrew Sims for The Times#thetimes #tomorrowspaperstoday #idriselba #yardie @thetimes pic.twitter.com/FbgxEU541i The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) August 21, 2018 Increasing the number of magistrates with criminal records would help boost diversity, a law chief has told the Daily Telegraph. What the papers say - August 22 The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: Ex-criminal magistrates 'would boost diversity' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/nvYrSIIMIX The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 21, 2018 Meanwhile, the Daily Mail says that violent thugs, prolific burglars and drugs dealers are benefiting from soft justice and avoiding jail terms. Third parties such as shops and online dealers will be banned from selling dogs and cats that have been unethically bred for sale, the Daily Mirror says. The Guardian leads with a review that found more than 160 people from the Windrush generation may have been wrongly removed or detained. The Guardian front page, Wednesday 22 August 2018: Home Office admits injustice to scores in Windrush scandal pic.twitter.com/RgIQk0lubd The Guardian (@guardian) August 21, 2018 Britain recorded the highest July surplus for 18 years, giving the Chancellor a boost, the Financial Times reports. Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Wednesday 22 August https://t.co/nvFGaSjQ0f pic.twitter.com/DFtxFUGeZX Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) August 21, 2018 And The Sun leads with complaints that Second World War enthusiasts wore Nazi uniforms during a re-enactment at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire. Tomorrow's front page: National Trust sparks fury over Nazi role-play at historic stately home https://t.co/o6yq4Ka3ny pic.twitter.com/U4hSvlIWFz The Sun (@TheSun) August 21, 2018 Elsewhere, the Daily Express reports on a breakthrough on treating cancer. EXPRESS: Wonder drug extends life for cancer patients #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/QVbghZger7 Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 21, 2018 A new treatment for enlarged prostate has been approved for use on the NHS, the i says. I: New prostate treatment approved on the NHS #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/RSBoFh9wgU Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 21, 2018 Ending freedom of movement after Brexit would harm social care with 400,00 fewer carers within a decade, a new analysis reported by the The Independent suggests. And a new report shows a record number of people are in work, but are worse off by an average of 50 a month compared to a decade ago, the Metro says. Cultural leaders from around the world are set to take part in a summit getting under way today. The fourth Edinburgh International Culture Summit will run from Wednesday to Friday at the Scottish Parliament. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be among those welcoming delegates at an opening event later, which takes place during the height of the Edinburgh festival season. If you could ask 3 questions at the #EdCultureSummit - who would they be directed at and what would they be? https://t.co/My0oWQEIYU pic.twitter.com/nT6oVzRDNN Culture Summit (@CultureSummit) August 13, 2018 Prime Minister Theresa May is to make a video address to the gathering, which this year makes connecting peoples and places its central theme. Three key issues to be explored will be culture and wellbeing, culture in a networked world and culture and investment. Speakers from as far afield as the US, India, Romania, Saudi Arabia and Singapore are some of those expected to address the event over the coming days. Catarina Vaz Pinto, Lisboa Outubro 2017 Luisa Ferreira Among those addressing the summit will be the former governor-general of New Zealand Sir Jerry Mateparae, who will talk about the contribution of Maori culture, while Dr Catarina Vaz Pinto, a councillor of culture in Portugal, will focus on maintaining a balance between protecting historic culture and regenerating spaces. The summit is a collaboration between the Scottish and UK governments, the British Council, Edinburgh International Festival and Scottish Parliament, and is delivered by the Edinburgh International Culture Summit Foundation. Donald Trump has confronted one of the most perilous moments of his presidency after a former lawyer pleaded guilty to campaign financing charges and a former election chief was convicted of fraud. Although the US president largely ignored the jarring back-to-back blows at a campaign rally in West Virginia, questions mounted about his possible legal exposure and political future. Mr Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, was convicted of financial crimes at nearly the same moment Mr Trumps former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to a series of charges on Tuesday. The crimes include campaign finance violations that the lawyer said he carried out in coordination with Mr Trump. With two men who played prominent roles on the presidents campaign convicted of multiple criminal charges, the investigations circled ever closer to Mr Trump. However the president spent more than an hour at a rally in Charleston painting a rosy view of his accomplishments in office, ticking off developments on trade, taxes, North Korea and even his plans for a space force. What were doing is winning, Mr Trump told cheering supporters. Where is the collusion? he demanded, underscoring that Manaforts crimes had occurred before he became involved with his 2016 campaign. You know theyre still looking for collusion, the president said. Mr Trump did say he felt badly for both men, but he largely ignored Cohens guilty pleas to eight felonies. Manafort was convicted on Tuesday in Virginia on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice. Cohen pleaded guilty in New York, saying he and Mr Trump had arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. It is the Cohen case that places Mr Trump in the most jeopardy, legal experts said, as the longtime personal fixer acknowledged his role in a scheme to pay off women who accused the future president of sexual misconduct. Its going to be hard for the president to try to discredit all this. Its circling him, said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor who is not involved in the case. The crowd in West Virginia loudly chanted drain the swamp! and lock her up! in reference to old rival Hillary Clinton despite the fresh corruption convictions and looming prison sentences for his former advisers. Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of charges at a court in New York AP/Craig Ruttle) Manaforts conviction served as a vindication of Mr Muellers work as investigators continue to probe potential misdeeds by the president and those in his orbit. Mr Muellers team also had referred evidence in the Cohen case to federal prosecutors in New York. Mr Trumps current attorney, Rudy Giuliani, sought to cast the blame solely on Cohen in a statement, saying: There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the governments charges against Mr Cohen. Mr Trumps legal team has also been engaged in negotiation with Muellers team for months about a potential sit-down with the president, but has objected to the scope of the questions. In a separate courtroom on Tuesday, prosecutors and defence attorneys for Mr Trumps former national security adviser Michael Flynn agreed to postpone his sentencing after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a Russian official. It was a sign his cooperation was still needed in Mr Muellers probe. The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 21, 2018 Mr Trumps allies reasserted late on Tuesday that it is the White House position that a president cannot be indicted, referring to a 2000 opinion of the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to executive branch agencies. The presidents lawyers have said Mr Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mr Muellers office has never independently confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he or she departs the White House. Michael Avenatti, a lawyer pressing a civil case against Mr Trump for Ms Daniels, who has said she had sex with the president, tweeted on Tuesday that the resolution of the criminal case against Cohen should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. The Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit. That ruling did not directly address whether a president could be summonsed to give evidence in a criminal investigation. Donald Trumps former personal lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, has pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and alleged the president directed him to pay hush money to two women. Here are some of the key questions around the development. Does Cohens guilty plea mean Mr Trump broke the law? Cohen said in court that he made one payment in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office and the other under direction of the same candidate. The amounts and dates all line up with the payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Prosecutors did not go as far as Cohen did in open court in pointing the finger at the president, saying Cohen acted in coordination with a candidate or campaign for federal office for purposes of influencing the election. Michael Cohen made the allegations in court documents (AP/Craig Ruttle) Why did they phrase it like that? Legal experts said there could be multiple reasons for the government lawyers more cautious statements. Daniel Petalas, former prosecutor in the Justice Departments public integrity section, said the issue of whether Mr Trump violated the law comes down to whether the then-presidential candidate tried to influence an election, whether he knew and directed it and whether he knew it was improper. But Mr Trumps attorney Rudy Giuliani said in a statement: There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the governments charges against Mr. Cohen. Does Cohens plea relate to the Russia investigation? The Cohen case was not part of special counsel Robert Muellers probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. It was handled by prosecutors in New York. Still, it could give Mr Mueller a boost. Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, argued that Cohens plea undermines the argument that the investigations swirling around Mr Trump are a witch hunt, as the president has called Mr Muellers Russia investigation. Does Cohens plea mean Mr Trump could be forced to answer questions? Mr Trumps lawyers have been negotiating with Mr Mueller about whether the president would be interviewed as part of his Russia investigation. Now Ms Daniels attorney Michael Avenatti says he will renew efforts to get Mr Trump to submit to a deposition in a lawsuit the porn star filed to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement she signed ahead of the 2016 election. Ms Daniels case is currently on hold, but Mr Avenatti said he will be looking to get the hold lifted. The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 21, 2018 Is there a precedent? The US Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones against former president Bill Clinton, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit. But that ruling did not directly address whether a president could be summoned to give evidence in a criminal investigation, a question the Supreme Court may have to confront if Mr Mueller tries to compel Mr Trumps to give evidence in his probe. Stormy Daniels (AP file/Ringo H.W. Chiu, FILE) If there is evidence of wrongdoing, can the president be indicted? The US Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to executive branch agencies, has held that a sitting president cannot be indicted. Mr Trumps lawyers have said that Mr Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mr Muellers office has never independently confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he or she leaves the White House. Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election (AP/Andrew Harnik, File) Could Mr Trump pardon himself? Mr Trump has already shown he is not afraid to use his pardon power, particularly for those he has viewed as unfair victims of partisanship. He pardoned a former Arizona sheriff who clashed with a judge on immigration and a Bush administration official convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in a leak case. As for whether a president can pardon himself, not surprisingly, courts have never had to answer that question. Mr Giuliani has said it would be unthinkable and probably lead to immediate impeachment. Still, Mr Giuliani argued that Trump probably does have the power to pardon himself. What about Paul Manafort? The long-time political operative who for months led Mr Trumps presidential campaign was found guilty of eight financial crimes in the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the presidents associates. The jury found him guilty of five counts of filing false tax returns on tens of millions of dollars in Ukrainian political consulting income. He was also convicted of failing to report foreign bank accounts in 2012 and of two bank fraud charges that accused him of lying to obtain millions of dollars in loans after his consulting income dried up. What next for Manafort? The outcome almost certainly guarantees years of prison for Manafort. It also appears to vindicate the ability of Mr Muellers team to secure convictions from a jury of average citizens despite months of partisan attacks, including from Mr Trump. Paul Manafort was convicted of eight charges (Jose Luis Magana/AP) The verdict raised immediate questions of whether the president would seek to pardon Manafort, the lone American charged by Mr Mueller to opt for trial instead of cooperation. The president called the outcome a disgrace and suggested Manafort had been treated worse than gangster Al Capone. The trial was the first of two for Manafort. He faces another later this year on charges of conspiracy against the US, conspiracy to launder money, making false statements and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Ukrainian interests. He is also accused of witness tampering in that case. Ryanair has apologised after a number of passengers complained cheques issued as compensation had bounced. The airline said a very small number of cheques processed in July had been issued without a signature due to an administrative error. Consumer complaints service Resolver said it was aware a number of Ryanair passengers had encountered problems with unsigned cheques issued when flights had been delayed or cancelled. It comes after the airline had to cancel flights due to striking Irish pilots in July. Irish Ryanair pilots striking outside the company headquarters in Dublin (PA) Ryanair said the cheques had been re-issued to customers with a letter of explanation on August 15. We apologise again for any inconvenience caused to customers, the airline told the BBC. A number of passengers complained they had been delayed in receiving compensation because their cheques had failed to clear. One wrote on Twitter on August 14: @Ryanair I have been trying to get hold of someone urgently as my bank are concerned because a compensation cheque that I received has bounced, i think that this is outrageous, the bank said the bank details provided do not existhow is this possible with a printed cheque. Another passenger wrote on Facebook on July 28: Ryanair sent me a cheque for compensation then BOUNCED the cheque..ended up costing me 32 eu (29) for the privilege. SHAME ON YOU RYANAIR. wont respond to EMAILS and OPERATOR just put the phone down on me. Another passenger tweeted on August 9: @Ryanair I would love to know why the cheque you sent me for compensation has bounced Bank assure me this is your fault, wait 1 hour 20 on hold and your customer services cant help and there is no number to call to those who can? Please assure me of a call to fix this asap. The passenger said they were still waiting for the money 11 days later, writing to the airline: Have contacted your call centre numerous times and just get a generic email saying my case is being delayed because I am obviously not the only person waiting for over a month for compensation A strike by Irish Ryanair pilots in July saw up to 30 flights cancelled, affecting some 5,000 passengers. Ryanair explains Irish pilot strikes: https://t.co/uP64yw7a8B Ryanair (@Ryanair) August 1, 2018 The airline told the BBC: Ryanair complies fully with EU261 legislation, under which no compensation is payable to customers when the (strike) delay/cancellation is beyond the airlines control. If these strikes, by a tiny minority of Ryanair pilots, were within Ryanairs control, there would have been no strikes and no cancellations. Another strike in August by pilots in five European countries saw hundreds of flights cancelled. A convicted murderer who escaped from prison 18 months ago has been arrested. Shaun Walmsley, 29, fled when two men armed with a knife and a gun confronted prison guards outside Aintree University Hospital during a visit from HMP Walton in Liverpool in February 2017. Shaun Walmsley had been on the run for 18 months (Merseyside Police/PA) He was held on Tuesday afternoon when armed officers stopped a car in the Harehills district of Leeds. In a statement, Merseyside Police said: Escaped prisoner Shaun Walmsley is back in custody following a proactive operation by officers from Merseyside Police and West Yorkshire Police earlier yesterday. Walmsley has been charged with escape from lawful custody and will appear at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates Court today. Escaped prisoner Shaun Walmsley back in custody after being arrested in a joint operation by Merseyside Police and West Yorkshire Police. He has been charged with escape from lawful custody and will appear at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates court today https://t.co/GjWDRvTsGe pic.twitter.com/cFsNhRg8FR Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) August 22, 2018 Walmsley was sentenced to life in June 2015 for his part in the murder of Anthony Duffy. Mr Duffy, 33, was lured to an address in Aintree in May 2014 and repeatedly stabbed. Police carrying out a dawn raid at an address in Liverpool after Shaun Walmsleys escape (Merseyside Police/PA) Walmsley escaped from custody on February 21 last year during the scheduled hospital appointment and used a gold-coloured Volvo as the getaway vehicle which was later found abandoned in Fazakerley. Police had put up a reward of 20,000 of Walmsleys own money for information leading to his capture. The money was seized following his arrest and conviction for the murder. Detectives also worked with officers from the National Crime Agency and police forces in Europe to locate Walmsley. A rare copy of the first Beano annual, published before the appearance of favourite comic character Dennis the Menace, is to be auctioned. The 1940 Beano Book was published around the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, a year after the weekly comic was first published by Dundee-based DC Thomson in July 1938. It is the first of 79 Beano annuals published to date and features comic strips, stories and illustrations but does not include mischief-maker Dennis the Menace, who made his first appearance in 1951. A rare copy of the 1940 Beano Annual, the first ever annual of the comic that was published by DC Thomson in 1939, will be auctioned at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers in Aylsham, Norfolk. (Andy Newman/ PA) His pet dog Gnasher was introduced in 1968. The annual is to go under the hammer at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers in Aylsham, Norfolk and is expected to sell for between 1,200 and 1,500. Robert Henshilwood, head of books for Keys, said: Beano is the archetypal kids comic, and it has been published without a break for 80 years. It is very rare to see a copy of the first ever Beano Annual, especially in such good condition, and we are expecting a lot of interest from collectors from right across the UK and beyond. A cartoon spread inside the 1940 Beano Annual. (Andy Newman/ PA) He said the annual had a small print run. It is one of a number of comics and childrens books to be auctioned at the two-day book sale at Keys, which takes place on Thursday August 30 and Friday August 31. The Beano annual will be auctioned on the first day of the sale, which also includes a series of Rupert the Bear annuals dating from the 1930s onwards. According to DC Thomson, the word Beano is a shortened version of bean feast, meaning a rowdy jollification. The comic was reduced to 12 pages per fortnight during the Second World War due to paper shortages, and after the conflict the Beano editors name was discovered on a Nazi assassination list for gross disrespect. Jeremy Hunt will hold talks with senior Trump administration figures as the White House reels from a court case which implicated the president in criminal behaviour over hush money payments to a porn star. The Foreign Secretary is due to meet secretary of state Mike Pompeo in Washington the day after Donald Trumps former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen admitted making payments to two women at the direction of the president. He is also due to meet chief of staff John Kelly and adviser Jared Kushner amid the fallout from Cohens guilty plea to charges including campaign finance fraud stemming from money given to adult actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal. Jeremy Hunt is to meet senior aids to Donald Trump, the day after the president was implicated in illegal behaviour over payments to a porn star (Stefan Rousseau, Peter Byrne/PA) Deputy US attorney Robert Khuzami told reporters after Cohens guilty plea in a New York court that he submitted invoices to the candidates company to obtain reimbursement for the unlawful campaign contributions. How ya like me now?! # teamstormy Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) August 21, 2018 Mr Hunt finds himself inadvertently in the middle of a US political storm on the second day of a three-day trip to the United States, his first since replacing Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary. Mr Cohens lawyers admission came almost simultaneously with the conviction of Mr Trumps former campaign chief Paul Manafort for fraud offences. The crimes pre-dated the veteran political players time as head of Mr Trumps 2016 White House bid, although they were prosecuted as part of an investigation into Russian interference in the election. Led by special counsel Robert Mueller, the probe is investigating allegations that associates of Mr Trump colluded with Russian figures to influence the vote. On Tuesday Mr Trump renewed his attack on the investigation, calling it a witch hunt and Manaforts conviction a disgrace. Mr Muellers probe has sought the extradition of 13 Russians indicted over interference in the 2016 election, while Washington has imposed sanctions on the Kremlin. The US has also expelled dozens of Russian diplomats following the March poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury that in July claimed the life of Dawn Sturgess. During a speech in Washington on Tuesday, Mr Hunt called on the EU to maintain pressure on Russia and ensure that we truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the US. That means calling out and responding to transgressions with one voice wherever and whenever they occur, from the streets of Salisbury to the heart of Crimea, he said. The Foreign Secretary will travel to New York on Thursday to address the United Nations Security Council on the work of the UK and the US to fight against Islamic State. Mr Hunt will also meet the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss reform of the UN and humanitarian issues. More than one in ten children have an undiagnosed problem with their eyes which could be affecting their development, experts have warned. More than half of parents in the UK think their children have their eyes tested at school so don't bother taking them to an optician nearly a quarter of children have never been taken for a test by their parents. But sight tests in schools are not routine and children are being left undiagnosed and missing the window in which they can have minor problems fixed. Confusion about who is responsible for the tests means children are waiting longer for treatment, potentially damaging their eyesight more, the report claims. The Association of Optometrists warns failing to look after children's eye health could lead to them struggling at school, in their social life, or later in their careers. Children are missing out on vital eye tests because parents wrongly think they get them at school so don't take them themselves, the Association of Optometrists has warned A report released today by the UK's leading organisation for opticians revealed 24 per cent of four to 16 year-olds have never been taken for an eye test by their parents. But vision problems are common and 3.4 million children have already been diagnosed with them. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is warning of a 'huge gap' in parents' understanding of how much eye care their children get at school. Some 52 per cent of parents think they will get a full eye test, but in reality this doesn't happen. And as a result, optometrists are regularly seeing children with undiagnosed eye problems which could have been more successfully treated if spotted earlier. Optometrists see children who should have been treated earlier The AOP's Farah Topia explained: 'The research demonstrates that unfortunately there is a huge gap between what most parents think is provided, and the eye health care that children actually receive at school through vision screening. CHILDREN AT RISK OF EYE DAMAGE FROM SCREENS Millions of children are at risk of long-term eye damage because they're failing to spend enough time outside in natural light, a leading expert has warned. David Allamby, an ophthalmologist and director of London's Focus Clinic, says sunlight prevents short-sightedness, meaning those who stay indoors playing on their phones risk myopia which can eventually cause blindness. He said: 'This generation have double the amount of short-sightedness than their parents or grandparents did. 'Worryingly, children are now simply spending much more time indoors than in previous generations. 'An addiction to mobile phones and lit screen technology among the young indicates that the numbers suffering eye sight problems is only going to get worse.' Mr Allamby advised parents to ensure their screen-addicted children spend at least 90 minutes outside each day to keep their vision healthy. Advertisement 'Many parents also dont realise that there is a window of opportunity to treat certain eye conditions. 'This is why many practitioners are seeing children come in with a condition that could have been treated much more effectively had they been seen earlier.' Parents do not know eye tests are free for children The report claims many parents are not aware eye tests are free for children, and over a quarter (27 per cent) admit waiting for their child to show symptoms like sitting close to the television before taking them for a test. A survey of 1,200 eye doctors revealed nearly three quarters of them have seen children with undiagnosed issues in the past year, and experts think 13 per cent of children have an eye problem which could be affecting their development. The AOP says children should have their first eye test when they are three, and that a lack of action by parents could further damage their eyesight. 'It's important that parents take their children for a sight test' Ms Topia added: 'It's important to remember that conditions such as lazy eye can have a detrimental impact on social and academic development as well as career options later in life. 'Parents should take their children for a sight test. 'They are NHS-funded for those below the age of 16 and it's the best way to make sure conditions are picked up and treated early. 'As a rule of thumb, it is good for children to have their first sight test around the age of three, but children can have a sight test at any age if a problem is suspected.' Egyptian Deputy Agriculture Minister for Animal Resources Mona Mehrez said on Wednesday that Egypt has exported nine Arabian horses to Germany. The horses were flown to Frankfurt from Cairo airport, Mehrez said. Egypt's total exports of Arabian horses have reached 56 horses, Mehrez said in statements on Wednesday, adding that we are continuing to export Arabian horses and opening up new markets for them all over the world. Egypt has 1,060 horse farms that apply the proper sanitary and veterinary standards for more than 25,000 of the pure-bred equines. Search Keywords: Short link: Scotlands public finances improved last year, with an increase in revenue and a reduction in the deficit, according to the latest official figures. Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) statistics for 2017/18 show the country spent 13.4 billion more than it raised, when a geographic share of North Sea revenues is allocated to Scotland. This represents 7.9% of Scottish GDP down from 8.9% the previous year. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the statistics showed Scotland was on the right trajectory. However, opposition parties pointed out that the deficit is four times higher than that of the UK as a whole, with the UK figure standing at 1.9% of GDP. Scotlands finances were boosted by an increase in Scottish North Sea revenue, up from 266 million in 2016/17 to 1,327 million in 2017/18. Glasgow University director of estates Ann Allen (l to r), Derek Mackay and Nicola Sturgeon visit the universitys Wolfson building construction site (Alan MacGregor Ewing/Scottish Sun/PA) Meanwhile, onshore tax take increased by 2 billion, taking total revenue to 60 billion. Including an illustrative geographic share of North Sea revenues, Scottish public-sector revenue is the equivalent of 11,052 per person and about 306 per person lower than the UK average. Meanwhile, the statistics show public spending in Scotland increased from 71.4 billion in 2016/17 to 73.4 billion in 2017/18. This is equivalent to 9.3% of total UK public sector expenditure, and 13,530 per person, which is 1,576 per person greater than the UK average. Ms Sturgeon said: Looking at the wider economic picture, these figures along with recent labour market stats, labour productivity and GDP figures show that Scotland is on the right trajectory. It also demonstrates that our commitment to sustainable economic growth is the right one and we will continue to stimulate our economy in this way to reduce the deficit. Today's #GERS figures show Nicola Sturgeon's plan to close Scotland's deficit through further austerity will devastate communities across the country. Only Labour is proposing to grow our economy through investment to create a Scotland #ForTheMany. pic.twitter.com/MhDfPGumB8 Scottish Labour (@ScottishLabour) August 22, 2018 With the limited economic powers currently at our disposal, the actions we are taking to promote sustainable economic development are helping to ensure that the key economic indicators are moving in the right direction. Scottish Secretary David Mundell described the level of Scotlands deficit compared with the UK figure as concerning. He said the figures also confirm that being part of a strong United Kingdom the fifth largest economy in the world is worth nearly 1,900 for every single person in Scotland, which supports vital public services. Today's #GERS figures show the cost of Sturgeon's independence plan. We can stop it by saying no to #indyref2 - sign our petition here:https://t.co/g9a6RnRNbZ pic.twitter.com/yQ0evUyN6p Scottish Conservatives (@ScotTories) August 22, 2018 Simply put, Scotland contributed 8% of UK tax, and received more than 9% of UK spending for the benefit of families across the country, he added. Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said: If Nicola Sturgeon wants to continue her threat of second referendum, she has to come out and explain where she would find 13 billion to fill this deficit. Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: People across Scotland are sick and tired of austerity and these figures show that the SNPs plans for independence would mean unprecedented levels of austerity for Scotland. Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie: Whichever way you look at it, under nationalist plans all the good things we all want to do in Scotland would be under threat because of funding cuts. Hundreds of people from the Brazilian community in Ireland are preparing for a special Mass to celebrate the Popes historic visit. More than 500 people are expected to take part in the Portuguese language celebration at St Mary of the Angels Church in Dublin city centre on Friday evening. It will be attended by Brazilian Bishop Joao Bosco Barbosa de Sousa, who has flown to Dublin especially for Franciss visit and the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) event. Pope Francis (Tim Rooke/PA) Ricardo Fronz, of the Catolicos em Dublin group, said the community are extremely excited by the pontiffs visit and they want to mark the occasion with a Mass of their own. The Pope was chosen by the Holy Spirit, by God, hes the second (in) command here on the Earth so, for us, I have no words, he said. The community are so amazed, they are so pleased, they are so happy, this is a unique opportunity in our lives. He added: Im sure when the Pope will give his blessing (in Phoenix Park on Sunday), were going to be amazed. Itll be a new start, a new life after that. Mr Fronz set up the Catolicos em Dublin group in Dublin almost 10 years ago. Our first Mass, we had four people only, he said. Now we have a big community and we have over 300 people at Sunday mass (each week). As I prepare to visit Ireland in a few days time for the World Meeting of Families, I send a warm word of greeting to all the Irish people. I am excited at the thought of returning to Ireland!"@Pontifex #WMOF2018 https://t.co/6JHtTckwdc pic.twitter.com/YHiDVUGhj6 WMOF2018 (@WMOF2018) August 21, 2018 He is one of about 70 volunteers from the Brazilian community in Dublin who are assisting at a series of WMOF events at the RDS. Mr Fronz said he will get to see the Pope up close on Saturday afternoon when Francis visits the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People. Im just shaking my legs (already), he said. The Pope is going to visit the homeless, and Im going to have the opportunity to see him. I dont know if we are going to shake hands or not but were going to have him in the same place as I am. Im very happy and very honoured and delighted. An unprovoked and incredibly violent attack outside a Sheffield nightclub left five people injured, some with stab wounds, police have said. Four men were jailed for their roles in the pre-Christmas disorder which began in the Niche club and was captured on CCTV, South Yorkshire Police have confirmed. Police were called to the Wicker area of Sheffield in the early hours of Saturday December 23 to reports that a number of people had been injured in Walker Street. The men were sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court (Dave Higgens/PA) Detective Constable Katie Clogan said that before the victims being assaulted on Walker Street, there had been a precursor incident inside the nearby Niche club. She said: From CCTV footage, at around 4.30am that morning it became clear that some sort of disturbance broke out in the club, with one man appearing to be assaulted by a group. This led to many people leaving the club, including the victims. What followed was unprovoked and incredibly violent with several of the victims being treated for serious stab wounds. Detective Superintendent Una Jennings said: Those affected by this crime were out enjoying the Christmas season, a time for joy and happiness for many across the region, which makes the actions of these criminals even harder to understand. Strangers were violently attacked, some suffering potentially life-changing injuries, for no reason whatsoever, and this type of disregard for public safety absolutely will not be tolerated by South Yorkshire Police. We do not want armed criminality on our streets, we do not want anyone arming themselves for a night out. Five men who had previously admitted violent disorder were sentenced on Tuesday at Sheffield Crown Court, a police spokesman confirmed. Roemol Taylor, 20, of Morgan Avenue, Sheffield, was jailed for 30 months; Negus Nelson, 29, of Carwood Road, Sheffield, was jailed for 16 months; Torrington Smith, 28, St Johns Road, Sheffield, was jailed for 23 months; Leyton Orr, 26, of Paddock Crescent, Sheffield was jailed for 16 months. Junior Christopher Nieta, 34, of Carwood Road, Sheffield, was given a 16 month jail sentence suspended for two years. A British-built laser satellite is set to launch into space on a three-year mission to measure wind speeds. The Aeolus spacecraft is taking off on a rocket from Kourou in French Guiana, 24 hours later than planned due to bad weather above the spaceport. (PA Graphics) The European Space Agency mission is expected to provide important data which could significantly improve weather forecasting around the world. Aeolus, named after the keeper of the winds in Greek mythology, was originally due to launch in 2007 but the project was beset by delays. The satellite was built by Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage and equipped with a powerful laser will be the first able to directly measure wind speeds on Earth from space. The countdown starts today for the launch of the @ESA_EO #Aeolus mission - the first space mission to profile Earth's winds. Liftoff is set for 23:20 CEST (21:20 GMT). Join us for live coverage from 23:00 CEST (21:00 GMT) via https://t.co/POll6q6LHa pic.twitter.com/d9PQwMsVy5 ESA (@esa) August 22, 2018 Flying 200 miles above Earth, the data it collects may improve the accuracy of weather forecasts and help protect people from disasters such as floods and hurricanes. James Cotton, a satellite winds scientist at the Met Office, said: The Aeolus mission aims to improve the global coverage of wind profile observations, including areas where in situ wind measurements are currently lacking, such as over the oceans, in the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere. Within numerical weather prediction, we expect the Aeolus winds to be particularly useful for improving our analysis of the atmospheric state in the tropics, a region where we know the model wind errors are large. As the @ESA_EO #Aeolus wind mission prepares for liftoff at 23:20 CEST (21:20 GMT) today, find out why it is important that we learn more about winds on Earth and how they affect our planet Watch more on YouTube: https://t.co/nL6VUapFiQ pic.twitter.com/ec3rXCNug6 ESA (@esa) August 22, 2018 Aeolus will carry just one large instrument, a Doppler wind lidar called Aladin. The tool will emit short, powerful light pulses from a laser through the atmosphere and collect light that is backscattered from particles of gas, dust and droplets of water moving in the wind. Meteorologists will be able to use this information to help predict the weather. Aeolus ready in the launch tower ahead of lift-off (ESA/CNES/Arianespace/PA) Science minister Sam Gyimah said: The Aeolus mission is a great example of the potential real-world impacts that space can have on Earth. Its data will lead to more reliable weather forecasts that can be used by farmers, seafarers, construction workers and others to improve productivity and safety. Space is a key part of our modern industrial strategy and it is work like this that shows how vital our role in the European Space Agency is in bringing real benefits to UK companies. A tough day in court for former associates of Donald Trump could spell some hard days ahead for the US president. In a New York courtroom, Mr Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen said the president directed him to arrange the payment of hush money to two women. Meanwhile, in Virginia, a jury found Mr Trumps one-time presidential campaign chief Paul Manafort guilty of eight financial crimes. What did Michael Cohen say? Michael Cohen said the president was responsible for hush money payments (Craig Ruttle/AP) The 51-year-old New Yorker was once one of the most trusted men in the presidents inner circle, as his former personal lawyer and fixer. He is the son of an immigrant who escaped a Nazi concentration camp in Europe, and he once said he would take a bullet for his boss. Cohen claimed Mr Trump was to blame for hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. He told the court he arranged a $150,000 payment to the model in coordination with, and at the direction of, a candidate for federal office for the principle purpose of influencing the election. He said he also arranged a $130,000 payment to Daniels in coordination with, and at the direction of, the same candidate. What was Paul Manafort found guilty of? Paul Manafort was convicted of eight financial crimes (Alexandria Detention Centre/AP) The 69-year-old political lobbyist and lawyer led Mr Trumps presidential campaign during a crucial stretch of 2016, including as he clinched the Republican nomination and during the partys convention. The jury found him guilty of filing false tax returns on millions of dollars in Ukrainian political consulting income, failing to report foreign bank accounts, and lying to obtain millions of dollars in loans. The outcome the first trial victory for special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into the presidents associates almost certainly guarantees years of prison for Manafort. Does Cohens guilty plea mean Mr Trump broke the law? Experts say that comes down to whether he tried to influence an election, but Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani said: There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the governments charges against Mr Cohen. Could the president be forced to submit to questions? His lawyers have been negotiating with Mr Mueller about whether the president would submit to an interview as part of the Russia investigation. Daniels lawyer wants Mr Trump to submit to a deposition in a lawsuit filed to invalidate a non-disclosure agreement she signed. Robert Mueller is investigating alleged collusion with Russia (Andrew Harnik/AP) The Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones against then president Bill Clinton, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit, but that did not directly address whether a president could be subpoenaed to testify in a criminal investigation. Can Mr Trump be indicted or impeached? The Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel says a sitting president cannot be indicted. Mr Trumps lawyers have said Mr Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, although Mr Muellers office has never confirmed that. (PA Graphics) Sol Wisenberg, who conducted grand jury questioning of Mr Clinton during the Whitewater investigation, said: The stuff on Stormy Daniels is not good for Trump. Im assuming hes not going to be indicted because hes a sitting president. But it leads him closer to ultimate impeachment proceedings, particularly if the Democrats take back the House. Could Mr Trump pardon himself? US courts have never had to answer the question of whether a president can pardon himself, but Mr Giuliani has said it will not come to that. He said Mr Trump probably does have the power, but added: Pardoning himself would be unthinkable and probably lead to immediate impeachment. And he has no need to do it, hes done nothing wrong. Labour raised a record income of nearly 56 million in 2017, official figures show. Jeremy Corbyns party took in just over 4.5 million more than its previous record of 51,153,000 in 2015. Labour both raised and spent about 10 million more than the Conservatives, with income of 55,793,000 and a spend of 54,342,000 in 2017. A party spokesman said: Unlike the Tories, who rely on a few super-rich donors to bankroll them, were proud to be powered by small donations from hundreds of thousands of people across the country. Today weve published the 2017 financial accounts of parties reporting to have income or spending above 250,000 in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Find out more on our website. Great Britain: https://t.co/mGj9cicMOa Northern Ireland: https://t.co/WX6Ek0w538 pic.twitter.com/sap2LUwuUu Electoral Commission (@ElectoralCommUK) August 22, 2018 Accounts for Theresa Mays party show it took in a much lower 45,947,000 and spent 44,867,000. Legacy payments from dead Conservative donors were double those from living members, with 1,697,000 paid in legacies versus 835,000 from memberships. Conservative membership payments have halved from 1,459,000 a year earlier and legacies were more than five times higher, jumping from 301,000. (PA Graphics) In contrast, Labour saw membership payments rise from 14,393,000 in 2016 to 16,165,000 in 2017. No other political party raised more than 10 million, with the Liberal Democrats in third place, taking in 9,710,000 but spending 10,454,000. The SNP raised 5,800,000 and spent 5,098,000. SNP depute leader Keith Brown said: Its clear the Tories are being kept afloat by a tiny group of super-rich donors to survive. With thousands more people joining the SNP in the wake of the Westminster walk-out in June, it looks like were on the cusp of overtaking the Tories to become the second largest party in the UK. In 2017, 10 parties reported income or expenditure of more than 250,000 compared to 12 in 2016. In total, these 10 parties reported 125,332,064 income and 122,193,805 expenditure. Full details of the financial accounts published today are here:https://t.co/lOBptCxudj pic.twitter.com/S9g5rjpm1p Electoral Commission (@ElectoralCommUK) August 22, 2018 Spending by all political parties soared 30% in 2017 compared to the year before, Electoral Commission figures show. The snap general election saw parties spend nearly 28 million more than in 2016. Income for parties rose slightly less by just over 24 million a rise of 24%. Figures are for the 10 political parties that raised more than 250,000 for the year ending December 31. Nicola Sturgeon has said an improvement in Scotlands public finances shows the economy is on the right trajectory. The First Minister said the latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) statistics would help inform the debate over Scotlands future. Ms Sturgeon said the figures painted a more positive picture than the assumptions made in the SNPs Growth Commission on an independent Scotland due to be debated by party members at a series of national assemblies starting on Saturday. GERS statistics for 2017/18 show the country spent 13.4 billion more than it raised, including a geographic share of North Sea revenues. This represents 7.9% of Scottish GDP down from 8.9% the previous year but four times higher than that of the UK as a whole (1.9% of GDP). North Sea revenue rose from 266 million in 2016/17 to 1,327 million while onshore tax take increased by 2 billion, taking total revenue to 60 billion. Including a geographic share of North Sea revenues, Scottish public-sector revenue is the equivalent to 11,052 per person, about 306 lower than the UK average. Public spending in Scotland increased to 73.4 billion, equivalent to 9.3% of total UK public-sector expenditure, and 13,530 per person 1,576 greater than the UK average. (Left to right) Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, Nicola Sturgeon, Glasgow University vice-principal Neal Juster and Ann Allen, the universitys director of estates, visit the universitys Learning and Teaching Hub construction site in Glasgow (Alan MacGregor Ewing/Scottish Sun/PA) Ms Sturgeon said: Looking at the wider economic picture, these figures along with recent labour market stats, labour productivity and GDP figures show that Scotland is on the right trajectory. Speaking to journalists at a briefing in Glasgow, she rejected the suggestion that higher public spending north of the border despite the deficit was a persuasive argument for the union. There are very good reasons why public spending per head in Scotland is higher than it is in the UK, not least the rurality of our population, she said. If we look at the situation in Scotland within the UK over a longer period of time, this notion that Scotland is somehow subsidised, I think, simply does not stand up to scrutiny. The first minister said Brexit posed a real and present danger to the Scottish economy. She said: Thats one path that lies ahead. The other one is that we take more control over our own economy to put the task of growing our economy more firmly into our own hands. I think its important that thats a positive debate in the years to come and these numbers as well as other information will no doubt inform that in the period ahead. Ms Sturgeon added: The position narrated in GERS today is actually slightly better than the assumptions made for the corresponding year in the Growth Commission. Today's #GERS figures show Nicola Sturgeon's plan to close Scotland's deficit through further austerity will devastate communities across the country. Only Labour is proposing to grow our economy through investment to create a Scotland #ForTheMany. pic.twitter.com/MhDfPGumB8 Scottish Labour (@ScottishLabour) August 22, 2018 That would suggest the trajectory is more positive in reality than the Growth Commission assumed. Scottish Secretary David Mundell described the level of Scotlands deficit compared with the UK figure as concerning. He said the figures also confirm that being part of a strong United Kingdom the fifth largest economy in the world is worth nearly 1,900 for every single person in Scotland, which supports vital public services. Simply put, Scotland contributed 8% of UK tax and received more than 9% of UK spending for the benefit of families across the country, he added. Today's #GERS figures show the cost of Sturgeon's independence plan. We can stop it by saying no to #indyref2 - sign our petition here:https://t.co/g9a6RnRNbZ pic.twitter.com/yQ0evUyN6p Scottish Conservatives (@ScotTories) August 22, 2018 Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said: If Nicola Sturgeon wants to continue her threat of second referendum, she has to come out and explain where she would find 13 billion to fill this deficit. Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: People across Scotland are sick and tired of austerity and these figures show that the SNPs plans for independence would mean unprecedented levels of austerity for Scotland. Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie: Whichever way you look at it, under nationalist plans all the good things we all want to do in Scotland would be under threat because of funding cuts. Greens economy spokesman Patrick Harvie said the figures were another reminder that the Scottish economy is still too focused on oil and gas extraction instead of making the needed transition to clean and sustainable renewable sources of energy. A legal bid to challenge the appointment of Irelands new police chief has fallen at the first hurdle. An application for a judicial review into the hiring of former Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) deputy chief constable Drew Harris as Garda commissioner was dismissed by a judge in Dublins High Court. Ciaran MacAirt, whose grandmother Kathleen Irvine was killed during The Troubles, was seeking the go-ahead for a full judicial hearing of his application to block Mr Harriss appointment. Justice Denis McDonald said on Wednesday that the application did not meet the requirements for leave, and had little chance of success, had it proceeded through the courts. I have significant sympathy for the applicant for his appalling family tragedy, but the courts fundamental rule is, unless there is a very strong reason to take a different view, there is no reason to do so. All the allegations relied upon took place in Northern Ireland, no allegations were made that there is any ongoing investigation into the atrocity where the applicants grandmother was killed. Or any mention of any investigation by Gardai that Mr Harris would have been involved in. I cannot think I have any alternative in this case. Mr MacAirt had argued Mr Harriss previous roles in the PSNI and the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and his associated connections with the UK security and intelligence community, rendered him unsuitable to lead the Irish Republics police force. Ciaran MacAirt, whose grandmother was killed in the McGurks Bar bombing in Belfast, at the High Court in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) Justice Denis McDonald, who heard the legal bid on Tuesday, rejected the application on Wednesday morning, insisting Mr MacAirt had not demonstrated that he had an arguable case. Nothing in the affidavit suggests that it satisfies the requirements needed for a leave, said the judge. He added: The applicant has not shown he has an arguable case. Mr MacAirts legal team had argued there was a clear conflict of interest in Mr Harris taking the role as he is bound by the UKs Official Secrets Act in regard to past investigations into Troubles incidents. In response, the State insisted the application had no merit and was motivated by a personal gripe held by the applicant. Mr MacAirts grandmother was one of 15 people killed by loyalists in the bombing of McGurks Bar in Belfast in 1971. Mr Harris became the first Irish police chief appointed from outside the Republic when he was announced as the new commissioner in June. He is due to officially take up the role on September 3. Outside the High Court Mr MacAirt said he would speak to other victims before deciding on his next steps. Were very very disappointed, the judge gave us a lot of points, so we will be going back to Belfast and taking time to consider those. Were expecting a written judgment today and it will take a certain amount of time to go through that. Im a younger family member of a campaign group so I will discuss this with my peers before we move forward. The head of a homeless advocacy group has said that the enormous shortage of housing in Ireland has left families sleeping on streets, tents and hostels in Dublin. Father Sean Donohoe, co-director of Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, was speaking at the second day of the World Meeting of Families (WMOF). The Pope is to visit the Centre on Saturday as part of his visit to Ireland. Founded by Capuchin Brother Kevin Crowley, the Centres provides 1,000 hot meals a day, clothing and showers to the homeless in Dublin. Capuachin monk Brother Kevin Crowley helps volunteers hand out nearly 900 food parcels (Niall Carson/PA) Fr Sean said that while the Centre cannot solve the homeless crisis, it can help ease the problem. He was speaking at a panel discussion on homelessness entitled No Room At The Inn. There is an enormous shortage of housing in Ireland, he said. We have the homeless who are obvious to us, who sleep on our streets, in tents, in hostels and emergency accommodation and hotels. We have others who still live at home who, as young adults have lived at home for a long time and cannot afford to buy a house. There are people who are sleeping on sofas, they too are homeless although they are not included in Government statistics because they are deemed to have shelter. While there is no doubt there is a crisis, Im also convinced there is a vibrant Christian response in our culture. He told of the work of the Capuchin Centre and its aim to provide food and shelter for the homeless. In the centre we have a doctor, a nurse, a dentist, a family social worker and hairdresser. Pope Francis, seen in Rome, is expected to visit the Capuchin-run centre (Tim Rooke/PA) Hundreds of people avail of their services every day. We cannot solve the homeless problem in our country, we can help ease the situation for those who have nothing. Also speaking at the event was Conor Hickey, chief executive of Crosscare, a social support charity of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin, who said that homeless families did not exist three years ago. He added: Traditionally homeless is associated with an individual who might have a number of problems. Conor Hickey, chief executive of Crosscare at the Archdiocese of Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) The current homeless crisis is defined by families and individuals who have no homes. Families who, through economic problems of no control of their own, found themselves struggling to find somewhere to live. The WMOF will run for five days where thousands of pilgrims will take part in the pastoral congress. Families and individuals will attend workshops, panel discussions and exhibitions. US president Donald Trumps former personal lawyer has pleaded guilty to election campaign finance violations while his former campaign chairman was convicted of financial fraud raising questions about the presidents own potential legal jeopardy. Most damaging to Mr Trump were statements by his long-standing lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who admitted that he and Mr Trump had arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model in order to influence the 2016 election. Mr Trump has tried to distance himself from the matter, ignoring the back-to-back blows at a campaign rally in West Virginia and declaring that his administration is still winning. However, David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor, said: Its going to be hard for the president to try to discredit all this. Its circling him. Mr Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted of financial crimes at nearly the same moment that Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of offences, including campaign finance violations that the lawyer said he carried out in co-ordination with Mr Trump. Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of charges at a court in New York AP/Craig Ruttle) With two men who played prominent roles on the presidents campaign convicted of multiple criminal charges, investigations are circling ever closer to Mr Trump. Despite this, the US leader spent more than an hour at a rally in Charleston on Tuesday night painting a rosy view of his accomplishments in office, ticking off developments on trade, taxes, North Korea and even his plans for a Space Force. What were doing is winning, Mr Trump told his cheering supporters. And he demanded: Where is the collusion? The president underlined the fact that Manaforts crimes had occurred before he became involved with the Trump campaign. You know theyre still looking for collusion. The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 21, 2018 The president did say he felt badly for both men, but he largely ignored Cohens guilty pleas to eight felonies. Manafort was convicted in Virginia on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice. Cohen pleaded guilty in New York, saying he and Mr Trump had arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. Mr Trump has shown an uncanny ability to shake off a relentless stream of accusations and jolting statements that provoked outrage. His loyal base of supporters has stayed with him despite his effort to blame both sides for the deadly violence between white nationalists and anti-racist protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as his refusal to side with the US intelligence services over Russias Vladimir Putin in Helsinki last month, among other controversies. Paul Manafort was found guilty of eight financial crimes (Dana Verkouteren/AP) The crowd in West Virginia loudly chanted Mr Trumps campaign slogans such as Drain the swamp! and Lock her up! despite the fresh corruption convictions and looming prison sentences for his former advisers. Manaforts conviction served as a vindication of Mr Muellers work as investigators continue to probe potential misdeeds by the president and those in his orbit. Mr Muellers team also had referred evidence in the Cohen case to federal prosecutors in New York. Mr Trumps lawyer Rudy Giuliani sought to cast the blame solely on Cohen, saying: There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the governments charges against Mr Cohen. Mr Trumps legal team has also been engaged in negotiations with Mr Muellers representatives about a potential sit-down with the president, but has objected to the scope of the questions. Cohen admitted arranging to pay hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels (AP) In a separate courtroom on Tuesday, prosecutors and defence attorneys for former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn agreed to postpone his sentencing after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a Russian official, in a sign his co-operation is still needed in the Mueller probe. The explosive legal developments come as the White House refocuses itself around the upcoming mid-term elections, and as Trump allies like Steve Bannon seek to frame the election as a referendum on the potential impeachment of the president. Insiders have long argued that the presidents fate in such a scenario would ultimately be more a matter of politics than law. Regarding Cohens pleas, Mr Bannon argued that it takes away the argument from those who are telling the president its not that bad if he loses the House. This now becomes more than ever a national election on the issue of impeachment. The explosive double blow for the US president has raised questions over his own legal standing (AP) Insiders in the Trump camp reasserted that it is the White House position that a president cannot be indicted, referring to a 2000 opinion of the US justice departments Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to executive branch agencies. Mr Trumps lawyers have said Mr Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mr Muellers office has never independently confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he or she departs the White House. Michael Avenatti, a lawyer pressing a civil case against the president for Ms Daniels, who has said she had sex with the president, tweeted on Tuesday that the resolution of the criminal case against Cohen should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. The Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit. That ruling did not directly address whether a president could be subpoenaed to testify in a criminal investigation. Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla held on Wednesday talks with president of the US Apex International Energy company Thomas Maher over the West Badr El-Din and South East Meleiha concessions in Egypts Western Desert. APEX won a seismic exploration tender at the West Badr El-Din (4,180 sq km) and South East Meleiha (2,535 sq km) concessions as part of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) 2016 bidding round. The company will drill nine exploratory wells at investments of $51.1 million. In a statement, Molla said the concession agreements come as part of the ministry's efforts to lure global companies to explore petroleum and natural gas to increase the country's oil production and reserves and turn Egypt into an international energy hub. A delegation from the Blue Water Energy company attended the talks. Maher said that partnership between Apex and Blue Water Energy will certainly contribute to boosting Apexs activities in the Western Desert concessions. Search Keywords: Short link: US president Donald Trump has accused his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, of making up stories in order to get a deal'. Mr Trumps tweet came after Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance charges in a case that poses a direct threat to the president. On Twitter, Mr Trump said he feels very badly for former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was convicted over separate financial crimes. The president said in Manaforts case, justice took a 12-year-old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to break or make up stories in order to get a deal. Mr Trump said of Manafort, he has Such respect for a brave man! Of Cohen, Mr Trump said he would not recommend his former personal lawyer. The president tweeted: If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen! Cohen pleaded guilty on Tuesday to campaign finance violations and other charges and implicated the president in his wrongdoing. He said Mr Trump directed him to arrange the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to fend off damage to his White House bid in 2016. Meanwhile, Cohens personal lawyer said his client would probably be willing to testify before US congress without being granted immunity. Lanny Davis told CNN its his belief that Cohen would agree to testify again. He cautions that he has not spoken with Cohen about it. Michael Cohen admitted several offences (AP) The leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday said they want Cohen to appear again before their panel. They cited press reports that assert Cohen knew in advance about a meeting with a Russian lawyer in Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign. The senators said Cohen indicated otherwise during his testimony. Davis says Cohen testified truthfully and was unable to correct the press reports due to the ongoing criminal investigation. Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to campaign-finance violations and other charges. Survivors of clerical abuse in Northern Ireland must be included in a meeting with the Pope when he visits Dublin this weekend, their lawyer said. Claire McKeegan said she had received no response from the organisers of the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) in Dublin and claimed her clients calls had been ignored. Campaigners have gathered at the gates of Belfasts City Hall, where they tied dozens of baby shoes to the railings and unfurled banners pledging to never forget the suffering of children. Earlier this week, Pope Francis wrote an open letter to Catholics condemning child abuse and church cover-ups. He is expected to meet some victims during his 36-hour trip to the Republic this weekend. Solicitor Claire McKeegan said victims of clerical abuse should be invited to meet Pope Francis in Dublin this weekend. Michael McHugh/PA. Ms McKeegan said: What I am hearing from my clients is there has been a last-dash apology that has been issued by the Vatican and the Pope in recent days. But the frustration arises because in recent weeks and months there have been calls for apologies and meetings with the Pope during his visit and that was all ignored. She said her clients had suffered sexual, physical and emotional abuse while in care, in schools and in church parishes. They were harmed while very vulnerable, altar boys assisting at Catholic mass or in their own homes. Clerics in trusted positions accessed them through their families, the solicitor said. Belfast clerical abuse protesters want to meet the Pope when he arrives in Dublin on Saturday. Michael McHugh/PA. She added: What they are now calling for is that this meeting with survivors and victims that has been proffered, that must be inclusive of victims in the North, they want to be included in any meeting with the Holy Father and to date there has been no invitation and that must happen. They demand that if there is any meeting, survivors and victims from the North must be included and not left out as they have been in every public inquiry thus far. The WMOF organisers have been contacted for comment. Their senior figure, the Archbishop of Dublin, has spoken in forceful terms about the harm done by the Irish abuse scandal. A public inquiry led by retired Belfast High Court Judge Sir Anthony Hart recommended compensation be paid to abuse victims who were residents of institutions run by religious orders in Northern Ireland. That has yet to be done after the powersharing administration at Stormont collapsed soon after the former judge published his report in 2017. The report did not cover those who were not residents. Among those supporting the protesters was former Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt, who called for action while the Stormont Assembly was still sitting. Representatives of the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and Sinn Fein were also present. One protester held a placard which read: Once again no DUP. In the past, senior Democratic Unionists including Assembly member Christopher Stalford have expressed sympathy for their plight. There is a degree of political unanimity that the Hart recommendations should be implemented as soon as possible. Vincent Kompany was lauded by Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team-mates as the captain celebrated his 10th anniversary at the club. The 32-year-old has become synonymous with the clubs rise and success since arriving from Hamburg on August 22, 2008. Three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and three League Cup crowns marks quite the return for that decade of service and manager Guardiola led the praise for Citys captain. Vincent Kompany celebrates the 2012 Premier League title with manager Roberto Mancini (Peter Byrne/PA) When one guy is with the same club for 10 years its because he is something special, Guardiola said of Kompany. So, you have to be so proud, like I am to work with you in this period. Now will be our third year thank you so much. Congrats @VincentKompany on your decade at @ManCity. Not only for the number of years but also for the trajectory: youre an exemplary player, captain and leader. You have to be so proud, like I am to work with you. Thank you so much!#Kompany10#mancity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/hn0aiHOaM1 PepTeam (@PepTeam) August 22, 2018 Raheem Sterling said it was a pleasure to play with Citys fantastic captain, while Claudio Bravo, Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Kevin De Bruyne were others to express their appreciation. De Bruyne, a team-mate for club and country, said: I think he has been a legend for the club, also for Belgium. He did good stuff and hopefully we can win some more together. Vincent Kompany lifts the 2018 Premier League title (Martin Rickett/PA) Full-back Mendy told CityTV: You were born with this club. You are a great guy, a good man, a good captain with a lot of experience. Gay rights campaigners have called for the Catholic Church to remove its stigma against the LGBT community. Launching the Equal Future campaign in Dublin to coincide with the beginning of the World Meeting of Families (WMOF), campaigner Tiernan Brady said he wants to highlight the damage being done to children and young people. The campaign is the largest global initiative of LGBT groups, including 60 countries worldwide. Mr Brady said there is a clear message that members of the LGBT community were not welcome at the WMOF event in Dublin. We want to highlight the damage that is being done to children and young people as they grow up thinking that to be LGBT would be wrong, a disappointment or just bad luck but none of those are true, he said. The sad truth is there is a clear message they are not welcome at the World Meeting of Families. LGBT looked to have stands and they were denied. Nuns take their seats for the keynote speech during the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. LGBT activists say they are not welcome at the event (Brian Lawless/PA) Images of same-sex families were removed from all the material and I cant think of a clearer message to show LGBT people you are not part of this and you are not wanted in here. Thats not what Catholic people feel and its about time the upper management caught up with this. No child should ever grow up feeling they are less than others if they are or were to discern they are LGBT. Tiernan Brady, director of Equal Future, at the launch of the Equal Future 2018 campaign as the World Meeting of Families takes place in Dublins RDS (Brian Lawless/PA) The founder and director of the Equality Campaign said he wants to raise awareness of the damage done to young people when the Synod of Bishops takes place at the Vatican in October. Mr Brady added: The Synod on Young People is a once-in-a-generation moment for us to shine a light on the role stigma against LGBT in its various forms affects the mental health of children and young people, and has for too long been overlooked. It is important for the Church to look at this as part of their stated desire to consider situations where young people face exclusion for social or religious reasons. Equal Future 2018 is calling on the Synod on Young People to consider the damage done as a consequence of the Churchs teachings and reconsider its teachings on LGBT, Mr Brady said. Wednesdays press conference, held beside the Royal Dublin Society where the WMOF is being held, heard directly from people from around the world and their experiences growing up Catholic and LGBT. One of the contributors, Eros Shaw, was raised in a traditional Catholic family in China. As my sexual orientation became more and more apparent, stress from studies and uncertainties about the future also became more intensive, as did my feelings of guilt towards my parents, he said. But it did not stop my feelings from growing. From one day to the next, I struggled in agony. Later I participated the events of China Catholic Rainbow community. Tiernan Brady (right), director of Equal Future, with (from left) Emily Dever, a recent graduate of a Catholic Jesuit university who identifies as bisexual/pansexual, Carlos Velasquez, from Venezuela, and Xorje Olivares, host of a radio programme (Brian Lawless/PA) In there I met a great priest friend to be my spiritual director and friends who are seem with my case. I feel that I am free from the burden. It is not my fault that I am gay, I am also beloved by God. The stage in Phoenix Park, Dublin, where Pope Francis will say mass on Sunday (Laura Hutton/PA) Xorje Olivares lives in New York where he belongs to what its advocates term a queer ministry in a progressive parish. He grew up along the Texas/Mexico border spending 10 years volunteering as an altar server. He said: Towards those later years I already knew I was gay but couldnt quite figure out Gods plan for me. The Church was no help, nor was my heavily Latino community, both of which were seemingly unwelcoming to kids like me back then, based off of comments made by certain authoritative figures. On Wednesday evening, members of the LGBT+ community spoke of being welcomed into a parish in central London. In 2013 LGBT+ Catholics joined the main congregation of Farm Street Church in Mayfair for evening mass. Since then they contributed to every aspect of liturgical, spiritual and pastoral life of the church. LGBT+ community member Nick OShea said he had been unsure of how to reconcile his beliefs and his sexuality before finding Farm Street. Im from London and the key thing about London is that its almost easier to be gay than be a Catholic, he said. I was lacking a framework for being gay and Catholic and how was I going to live a life that would be pleasing to God. Then Mr OShea said he googled gay and mass and London and learned of the church. Fr Dominic Robinson said the aim was to create a safe environment for everybody. This was part of the whole process of what we call opening our doors, Fr Robinson said. Mr OShea called on more parishes to create an inclusive environment for members of the LGBT+ community. If were not careful churches could be empty and what weve got here is a thriving community of people, Mr OShea said. Do I think we need a gay mass on every street corner? No, personally I dont but I think what we do need is a welcome in every parish for people who no longer find it easy to associate with the Church. US President Donald Trump is enthusiastic about agreeing a free trade deal with the UK, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt believes. Mr Hunt has been in talks with Vice President Mike Pence and others in the US administration in Washington for two days and will now travel to New York. The Foreign Secretary said talks included ensuring the UK-US alliance grows even stronger after Brexit. Great meeting with UK Foreign Secretary @Jeremy_Hunt. We discussed the importance of the historic alliance between our two nations & our strong partnership for freedom. pic.twitter.com/cjRCP5SYBd Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) August 21, 2018 He said: Our discussions showed real enthusiasm from the US administration, from the President down, for a UK/US free trade agreement to be reached as soon as possible after we leave the EU, something that will benefit businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. Jeremy Hunt with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (Cliff Owen/AP) Discussions about foreign policy priorities, including Russia, were also held with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Chief of Staff to the President General John Kelly and Adviser to the President Jared Kushner. Mr Hunt also met a number of US diplomats expelled from Russia in retaliation for 60 Russian diplomats expelled from Washington as part of the coordinated response to the Salisbury attacks. Military personnel at the site near the Maltings in Salisbury where Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found after a nerve agent attack (Ben Birchall/PA) He said: The United States is our closest ally and I was delighted to meet Vice President Pence, Secretary Pompeo, and other key figures in the US administration to discuss the foreign policy challenges we face together. The UK and US, and our joint defence of our shared values, will always be crucial to maintaining the international rules-based system that has kept us safe for decades. We are enormously grateful for the solidarity shown by the US as they stood with us when a chemical weapon was inexcusably used in Salisbury earlier this year. Today I was able personally to thank US diplomats expelled from Russia in retaliation. Meanwhile, Mr Hunt spoke to Axios, an American news website launched by former Politico journalists about the presidents assertion Boris Johnson would make a great prime minister. Mr Hunt replied: Well Boris is someone I would never underestimate. This is a man who has changed the course of British history through his campaigning for Brexit. I dont agree with him on everything, but, you know, who knows for the future? A man has been given a suspended jail sentence after he was caught with a knuckle duster made on a 3D printer. Adrian Grey, 40, claimed the weapon was a toy after police found him concealing it in his coat pocket. The white plastic knuckle duster was allegedly made by Greys friend using a 3D printing machine, which is itself prohibited in the UK. But it was Grey who was charged by police with having an offensive weapon, despite saying he was only using the knuckle duster as a reference for a tattoo. Adrian Greys 3D-printed knuckle duster (CPS) He was also found with a small quantity of cannabis and a cannabis grinder. Grey admitted possession of a controlled drug, but was set for a trial at Merthyr Crown Court on the weapons charge until he pleaded guilty on its first day. Grey, from St Michael Street, Brecon, Powys, was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and to pay 250 in costs. After his sentencing Alex Scott, CPS senior crown prosecutor, said: This was an unusual case. Adrian Grey claimed this 3D-printed knuckle duster was just a toy because it was plastic. The CPS presented evidence to the court, including the weapon itself, and showed it could cause serious harm if used maliciously. This conviction demonstrates offensive weapons now come in many forms. More than 150 arts leaders from 44 countries have gathered in the cultural capital of the world for a major summit. The fourth Edinburgh International Culture Summit got under way on Wednesday with a welcoming address from Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and a video message from Prime Minister Theresa May. The event, which runs until Friday at the Scottish Parliament, is taking place during the height of the Edinburgh festival season. If you could ask 3 questions at the #EdCultureSummit - who would they be directed at and what would they be? https://t.co/My0oWQEIYU pic.twitter.com/nT6oVzRDNN Culture Summit (@CultureSummit) August 13, 2018 Ms Sturgeon welcomed the artists and policy makers gathered in the chamber to what she described as the worlds leading forum for the discussion of arts and culture policy, as she spoke of the festival city as the globes cultural capital at this time of year. She said: Your presence here speaks to our shared belief that culture is of central importance to any society. It also demonstrates our shared commitment to improve the way we support, develop and promote our culture sector. Ms Sturgeon spoke of the Scottish Governments recent spending on the arts, in particular its investment of 38 million towards the construction of the V&A Dundee museum, which opens in three weeks time. .@NicolaSturgeon "your presence here speaks to our shared belief that culture is of central importance to any society" #EdCultureSummit pic.twitter.com/OY57VJZbpk Culture Summit (@CultureSummit) August 22, 2018 She told the gathering: The building itself is a showcase of design, thanks to world-renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, and its also the focal point of the regeneration of Dundees waterfront. On the basis of that project, the Wall Street Journal has already listed Dundee as one of its top 10 hot destinations in the world, and Lonely Planet, the producers of the guidebooks, have named Dundee among their 10 best European places to visit in 2018. That kind of international attention will help to bring jobs, investment and business to Dundee. Our hope is that by highlighting the citys design heritage, the museum will also inspire Dundees next generation of designers and artists. In doing so, we firmly believe it will enrich the lives of people locally and across our country. The V&A Dundee will showcase Scottish design to visitors from around the world, but it will also, through its exhibition programme, bring the best of international design to Scotland. The museum will therefore be a great example of how culture can widen our horizons. Thats something I think is a really important benefit of engaging in culture. The V&A Dundee opens in September (Rapid Visual Media/PA) Three key issues to be explored at the summit will be culture and wellbeing, culture in a networked world and culture and investment. Speakers from as far afield as the US, India, Romania, Saudi Arabia and Singapore are some of those expected to address the event over Thursday and Friday. Well hear about the way dance has been used to help people deal with the trauma of the Rwandan genocide and well hear about the use of music to treat chronic illness in the Netherlands, the First Minister said. Obviously not every specific example is directly transferrable to all other countries. But the basic principle that culture has an impact on wellbeing is an important one. And in fact it is a principle that is now directly and very firmly recognised by the Scottish Government in our policy making. The summit is a collaboration between the Scottish and UK governments, the British Council, Edinburgh International Festival and the Scottish Parliament. .@theresa_may address the summit via video link: 'culture's unique ability to bring people together" "it truly is a universal language" #EdCultureSummit pic.twitter.com/gJ7VkHX8Wh Culture Summit (@CultureSummit) August 22, 2018 In a video address, Mrs May told the delegates: Every August, tens of thousands of artists and millions of visitors descend on Edinburgh in the worlds biggest celebration of art and culture. So its fitting that this city also plays host to the worlds largest gathering of culture ministers. UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said: The Edinburgh International Culture Summit provides a unique platform to discuss the incredible power of culture and how it can be used to bring people together from different backgrounds, communities and countries. Edinburgh Festivals encapsulate the creativity that is found across Scotland and the UK, and is the perfect city to host these important discussions. The conversations held this week will underline how culture can strengthen bonds between nations, and show that the UK remains an outward looking country that is open to visitors and ideas from across the globe. Prosecutors in California are reviewing a second sexual assault case against actor Kevin Spacey. The Los Angeles County District Attorneys office said they received the case against the actor on Tuesday from the sheriffs department. Greg Risling, spokesman for the DA, said in a statement: A sex assault case was presented yesterday to our office by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department involving Kevin Spacey. It remains under review. The first US case was put forward to prosecutors in April. Kevin Spacey attending the Olivier Awards (Ian West/PA Images) The ex-House Of Cards actor, 59, is being investigated in the UK for six sexual assault claims over 22 years. Actor Anthony Rapp was the first to make an allegation, claiming he was 14 when a 26-year-old Spacey made a sexual advance to him in 1986. Spacey has faced a number of repercussions since allegations of sexual assault against him emerged, most recently clocking in a dire 126 US dollars (98) on the opening day of his film Billionaire Boys Club. He was also sacked from Netflix show House Of Cards and erased from Sir Ridley Scotts All The Money In The World. Spacey was artistic director at Londons The Old Vic theatre between 2004 and 2015. Jeremy Corbyn will propose a shake-up of the way the TV licence fee is paid and set as he outlines a raft of suggestions for the BBC and wider media in a speech to the industry. The Labour leader will argue that the licence fee should be modernised for the digital age, with a fairer and more effective way found to fund the BBC. He will float the idea of introducing a digital licence fee paid by tech giants or through internet service providers to supplement the current licence fee, with a view to reducing the cost for poorer households and helping the corporation to compete more effectively. Jeremy Corbyn will address the Edinburgh TV Festival (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Corbyn will also propose the creation of a new independent body to set the licence fee and suggest the BBC should be placed on a permanent statutory footing to end government control through charter renewal. The Labour leader will air the ideas when he gives the Alternative MacTaggart Lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Thursday, the fourth day of his visit to Scotland. Mr Corbyn is expected to outline his support for the BBC as a publicly owned, public service broadcaster, but argue it needs to become more free from government influence, more accountable to the public and more representative of the country. Among his suggestions, he will argue for complete transparency over the diversity of the corporations workforce with the publication of data including social class, and he will call for the election of some of the BBC board members by staff and licence fee payers. On the licence fee, he will tell the festival: If we want an independent BBC, we should consider setting it free by placing it on a permanent statutory footing, with a new independent body setting the licence fee. The licence fee itself is another potential area for modernisation. In the digital age, we should consider whether a digital licence fee could be a fairer and more effective way to fund the BBC. A digital licence fee, supplementing the existing licence fee, collected from tech giants and internet service providers, who extract huge wealth from our shared digital space, could allow a democratised and more plural BBC to compete far more effectively with the private multinational digital giants like Netflix, Amazon, Google and Facebook. This could also help reduce the cost of the licence fee for poorer households. In a wide-ranging speech on the media as a whole, Mr Corbyn will argue that there is a need for bold, radical thinking on the future of our media because of low levels of public trust and the impact of the digital age. Without major changes, a few tech giants and unaccountable billionaires will control huge swathes of our public space and debate, he is expected to say. Mr Corbyn, who once worked on the Newport and Market Drayton Advertiser, will also set out a number of proposals aimed at empowering public interest journalism. These include strengthening Freedom of Information (FOI) rules by ending ministerial vetoes and including private companies delivering public services under the FOI umbrella. Mr Corbyn will say it is unacceptable for corporate executives to hide behind the excuse of commercial confidentiality when they are providing a public service. But I think we should be more ambitious, he will tell the audience. Currently, ministers can veto FOI releases. On two occasions, this veto has been used to block information about the UKs decision to pursue military action against Iraq. That cant be right. We will look at ending the ministerial veto to prevent the Information Commissioner being overruled. The Labour leader is also expected to call for charitable status to be given to some local, investigative and public interest journalism and an independent fund for public interest journalism paid for by tech giants. By Joe Bavier JOHANNESBURG, Aug 21 (Reuters) - The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) has filed a lawsuit seeking to force the government to suspend a quota that excludes some U.S. poultry imports from an anti-dumping tariff, a senior official with the association said on Tuesday. If successful, the move - a response to the Trump administration's decision to impose tariffs on aluminium and steel imports - could put at risk duty-free access to the U.S. market for nearly $2 billion worth of South African exports. "We've pulled the trigger," Marthinus Stander, chairman of SAPA's broiler organisation, told Reuters, referring to the legal action the association had threatened for more than a month. South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies acknowledged that the government had received the court papers relating to the lawsuit from the poultry group but declined to comment further. South Africa levies a tariff on so-called "bone-in" poultry that it says is exported by major world producers, including the United States, at prices below the cost of production. But in 2015 the South African government agreed to a quota that allows some 65,000 tonnes of meat from U.S. producers to be imported tariff-free each year into South Africa. South Africa agreed to the deal to preserve its benefits under AGOA - the United States' flagship trade legislation for Africa - which grants qualifying countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of goods. In 2017, more than $1.8 billion in South African exports, including some now subject to tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminium imposed by Washington earlier this year, were covered by AGOA. The South African government has tried unsuccessfully to persuade the Trump administration to grant it an exclusion from the new tariffs. The poultry producers association says the U.S. tariffs violate the agreement on the poultry quota. "The quota should be suspended if any of the benefits that South Africa enjoyed at the time of the renewal of AGOA are suspended. This has happened to steel and aluminium which used to be duty free under AGOA," Stander said. Others oppose SAPA's position. South African meat importers argue that ditching the tariff-free quota would drive up prices for the country's consumers and likely provoke retaliation by the U.S. poultry industry. "I don't think they're going to take it sitting down," said David Wolpert, CEO of South African meat importers association AMIE SA, referring to U.S. poultry producers. "I think they will lobby Congress immediately to take reciprocal action ... There can be a domino effect." ($1 = 14.6363 rand) (Editing by James Macharia and Jane Merriman) WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - There is no evidence that the latest Russian hacking attacks against U.S. Senate offices or American-based think tanks were successful, Microsoft Corp's Brad Smith said on Tuesday, adding that the hackers are targeting "everyone across the political spectrum." Smith, Microsoft's president and chief legal officer, also said in an interview with MSNBC that the company had "no doubt" that the Russian hacking group behind the attack - known as Fancy Bear - was the same one that targeted "every major presidential candidate last spring in France." (Reporting by Christopher Bing Writing by Susan Heavey Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) ROME, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Italian actress Asia Argento, an outspoken advocate in the movement against sexual harassment, denied on Tuesday ever having had sexual relations with Jimmy Bennett, an actor who the New York Times reported had accused her of sexual assault. The New York Times reported on Sunday that Bennett had accused Argento of sexually assaulting him in 2013 when he was 17 and she was 37. Argento agreed to pay him $380,000 after he asked for $3.5 million, the paper said. "I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett," Argento said in an emailed statement distributed by her Italian lawyer. In her first public comments since the article, Argento said she had been linked to Bennett over several years "by friendship only". Representatives for Bennett did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter. A spokesperson for The New York Times told Reuters: "We are confident in the accuracy of our reporting, which was based on verified documents and multiple sources." Argento said in her statement that Bennett had "unexpectedly made an exorbitant request of money" to her following her media exposure in the accusations of sexual misconduct against movie producer Harvey Weinstein. Argento was one of the first women to publicly accuse Weinstein. She told The New Yorker magazine last October that he had raped her during the Cannes festival in 1997 when she was 21. Since that interview, she has become an outspoken advocate in the #MeToo social media movement against sexual harassment. She said in her statement that she and her then-boyfriend, the culinary television star Anthony Bourdain, had "decided to deal compassionately with Bennett's demand for help and give it to him". "Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life," she added. Bourdain killed himself in June. Argento said she would oppose the "false allegations" against her and would assume "all necessary initiatives for my protection before all competent venues". (Reporting by Gavin Jones Editing by Gareth Jones) A Presidential Commission probing the Singapore-Sri Lanka FTA did not mean that the agreement was not in force, State Minister Harsha De Silva said today. "The Singapore Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is in force despite a probe being carried out by a Commission appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to look into it, he said. I have seen a notice calling the general public to come and make deliberations on the FTA to an office opened at the BMICH. However, I would like to state that the agreement is still in force, the State Minister said at a media briefing last morning. Dr De Silva denounced the allegations made by the Opposition and some trade experts that Sri Lanka would become a garbage dump as a result of the FTA and said there were no clauses in the agreement under which importation of garbage from Singapore was allowed. Only thing that is done is the inclusion of a list of items that are considered as garbage, he said. A similar list was included in the FTA Sri Lanka signed with Pakistan in 2005 under which human waste, clinical waste, scrap metal and tungsten are named as garbage, the State Minister said. Dr De Silva added that the FTA has been prepared in line with the General Agreement on Tax and Tariff (GATT) criteria, while it is also in accordance with BASEL convention under which trading of hazards waste is protected. Meanwhile, Minister Harin Fernando who criticized the GMOA said the doctors were unnecessarily attacking the FTA. These doctors fail to see how the reduction of the prices of essential drugs had benefited people, he said. (Yohan Perera) Video by Buddhi While CM plays the fiddle, Mayoress is gearing up Western Provincial Council (WPC) and Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), unlike our cash strapped treasury are inundated with extra cash, as proudly claimed by Chief Minister Isuru Devapriya and the Mayoress Rosy Senanayake. They, as reported, are on a shopping spree for chairs, toilet accessories and aspiring for extravagant Thamashas and enhanced compensation for councilors. Both these politicians who are close allies of the President and the Prime Minister have made somewhat surprising and similar explanations saying we are spending our money, our coffers are overflowing with funds. WPC Governor temporarily halted the purchase 125 chairs each costing the WPC Rs. 650,000/! Rosy proposed compensation package to council members The luxurious extravagant new office and Chamber at the Western Provincial Council, another white elephant needs chairs for the hundred odd elected members to conduct the affairs of the three districts. In CMC the top ranked officials of the funding agents and IMF who frequent the place for making Colombo the golden city of Asia had no proper place to sit and discuss important projects. Hence the first citizen who holds the key to the city chose her official residence as the meeting place, but found the toilets in a dilapidated condition. For the modernization of the toilets at the Colombo Mayoress official residence, it was rumoured, had allocated Rs 5.7 million. When public conveniences within the city were in such a unhygienic condition as revealed by CMC member Sumith Passaperuma at the CMC meeting, a waste of taxpayers money for such purposes is a crime as every right-thinking person would agree. This was her second act after taking over the reins, the first being a 1.5 million lunch at the inaugural meeting. However, as reported in Daily Mirror, Rosy enlightened the rate payers on the truth behind such wild allegations. She said, There is no move to spend Rs.5.7 million to renovate the toilets at the Mayors official residence but some Rs.5.2 million is to be spent on preserving the entire bungalow as a place of archaeologically value, Colombo she continued, I have sought the advice of an expert from the Department of Archaeology on renovating the official bungalow and preserving it as a place of archaeological value. It was this expert who advised me on purchasing fittings and other material for the renovation. The method followed earlier was a fully fledged contract which included providing material and labour but this time the CMC will purchase the material and deploy its own workers to carry out the work, the Mayoress told a media briefing, as the paper carried the news.Undoubtedly, her idea is very genuine and praiseworthy. The Rs. 640,000/- Chair Then came the news that shocked the nation. Western Provincial Councillor Mahinda Jayasinghe revealed the price of a chair andcommented on the purchase approved by the House for 104 members of the Council, which convenes just twice a month. The 125 chairs each costing the WPC Rs. 650,000/! And have already been ordered. He stated that they are planning to buy these chairs for the newly-opened Provincial Council building. He emphasized the fact that though there are only 104 members, someone is planning to import 125 chairs. More appalling was the cold-hearted contempt; when inquired by a scribe at a media briefing, Chief Minister Isuaru Devapriya confidently responded rejecting the claim of 650,000/ per chair; in fact he quickly denied JVPs Nipuna Arachchis claim, price per chair as Rs 650,000, with an emphatic NO! Instead, he said, it was [only] Rs 640,000/-! The diminutive CM continued, that all the logistical procedures, including tenders have been followed in the process, therefore no one can talk about the matter, and also there is plenty money left inside safe. The CM is planning to spend Rs. 80 million for the councilors to sit twice a month for a couple of hours placing their two round fleshy parts of the body that form the buttock on a Rs 640,000/ worth chair! Only consolation for the tax payer is that the chair they sit on is worth more than the person [their representative] they voted in. However, Western Province Governor Hemakumara Nanayakkara had temporarily halted the purchase and aspiring to hold an investigation too. As reported in print media, addressing the electoral organization meeting of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in Chilaw, the CM reiterated that the decision to import these chairs at such a cost as rational and it was not his alone. Ours is a Provincial Council that is housed in a modern 15-storey building. It has modern facilities. If you ascend to the top floor of the building, you will be able to see just how affluent our province is, he pompously claimed. Both these politicians who are close allies of the President and the Prime Minister have made somewhat surprising and similar explanations saying we are spending our money, our coffers are overflowing with funds In the past K. C. Logeswaran, former Governor Western Province had allegedly endorsed allocations for payments made in violation of the Constitution. It is learnt that the JVP members are planning to take special privileges matter up with Independent Audit Service Commission and Attorney General for withholding such payments to the Chief Government Whips, Leaders of the House, the Opposition Leaders in Provincial Councils. They have pointed out that neither the Provincial Councils Act of 1987, nor the Constitution had provisions for such grants in such positions for the council to pay for them. If that is so, the allocation of funds on vehicles, office space and staff to the members occupying the above positions in the Provincial Councils becomes illegal. Will the JVP move the Supreme Court, it appears that they have a point on their side. If the SC upholds, what would happen to the establishments entrusted with the task of making such payments over the three decades? Coming back to CMC, explaining matters Mayoress Rosy Senanayake said I have my own private residence with seven bedrooms and eight toilets thanks to my husband. What we want to do is to make sure that the place where the Citys first citizen meets foreign dignitaries is suitable for such meetings. Rosy has proposed an enhanced compensation package for her hundred council members; Rs 45,000/ instead of the present 20,000/- fixed some years ago. This is a welcome move, but she must not keep on adding to it like in the case of Government MPs in the Parliament. In local government, good financial management is of immense help to transform their areas into improved localities for the rate-payer to live in and work, and prevent them from becoming good hunting grounds for the councillors nefarious activities. It is the councillor who knows what municipal services the people in their wards would prefer to have in their locality. When public conveniences within the city were in such a unhygienic condition, a waste of taxpayers money for such purposes is a crime as every right-thinking person would agree One of the councillors duties is the authorization and monitoring of the budgetary allocations in disbursing funds to execute the proposed projects. The people should be involved in choosing the priorities for the area they live in. Councillors and citizens committees should meet regularly about plans and projects that affect them. Local government authorities are responsible for organising and managing large amounts of funds and offering services that influence the citizens daily needs. Managing capital budgets with planned payouts on, especially, the long-term investments such as buildings, vehicles, furniture and equipment that remain municipal assets for many years to come will need expert knowledge and skills is usually beyond the depths of elected councilors, but need the Commissioners intervention. If all the ruling party councilors plus fair-minded opposition members co-operate Rosy would certainly do an excellent job. The CM has to take a cue from the Mayor, but there is hardly any time left for him, unless his Minister makes some manipulation or trickery to achieve a desired end and delay the Provincial Council polls like he did with the local government. The joint opposition (JO) yesterday urged President Maithripala Sirisena to immediately convene the committee of experts appointed to study the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA). The President had in August appointed a committee of experts to study the SL-Singapore FTA and submit a report in two months. MP Bandula Gunawardena told a news conference the five-member committee headed by Professor W.D. Lakshman had not met yet. The committee has to submit the report in two months. However, neither has it met nor has it invited any relevant stakeholders to appear before it. The committee needs an office for its meetings, additional staff to record evidence and funds to carry out its mandate. Unless it is a method of hoodwinking the people; facilities should be provided for the committee to begin work, he said. The MP said the JO was ready to give evidence or clarify matters related to the FTA, which He did not even have an expiry date and therefore, its negative repercussions may last forever. He claimed that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had neglected his duties when the FTA was tabled in Parliament. We blame the Speaker for failing in his duties. Parliament and not a minister has the power to make financial decisions. Just because an FTA is signed, Customs duty on imported goods cannot be removed without Parliament's approval. However, a gazette has been issued secretly removing Customs duty on about 4,000 items imported from Singapore. The Speaker should clarify how this happened, the MP said. He said the Speaker postponed the debate on the Central Bank Bond Commission report because of the unavailability of the Tamil translation but had allowed the debate on the SL-Singapore FTA to take place even when there was only the English version available. The new Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Sri Lanka, Loukas Petridis called on Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake and assured his full cooperation to humanitarian roles of the Army. Mr Petridis paid a courtesy call on Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake at the Army Headquarters on Tuesday. Issuing a statement, the Army said Commander Senanayake explained to the ICRC Head what the Army had been doing at different levels to uplift living standards of low-income groups; like helping improve health standards, community projects and assistance for agriculture in the peninsula. He also assured the Sri Lanka Armys support to any future ICRC projects. The Italian Candy Group, a leader in small and major home appliances, yesterday unveiled two of its latest innovationsthe Candy Watch and Touch oven and Candy Bianca washing machine, with its authorised dealer in Sri Lanka, Softlogic, at a launch ceremony held at the Movenpick Hotel, Colombo. The Candy Watch and Touch oven and Candy Bianca washing machine, two innovative products equipped with the latest technology, come from Candys Simply-fi Series, which was introduced in 2014 to offer the worlds first range of major, single-application, Wifi connected household appliances. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Candy Asia Pacific Ltd South East Asia Export Area Manager Massimo Poma said: Today we invite you to discover how Candy can help make your life easier, so you can have more time to do the things you love. At Candy, we believe in smart innovation, but only when it is really useful, thats why weve created the smartest, most intelligent and intuitive appliances ever, namely the Candy Bianca washing machine and Candy Watch and Touch oven. Also speaking at the launch, Softlogic Retail (Pvt.) Ltd CEO Nasser Majeed said that: This is the first range of appliances that can actually communicate with you wherever you are, and all of us at Softlogic are delighted to be associated with Candy on this occasion, where we enable you to Simply-fi your day with the most complete, up-to-date and connected appliances. Elaborating more on the products, Candy Asia Pacific Ltd Trade Marketing Manager Joan Wong explained that the Candy Watch and Touch oven is the game-changer and is the only oven with an all-touch Total Control Screen door, an integral HD video camera, exclusive video recipes and four different cooking modes. It has even won the Red Dot award for product design this year, considered to be the most important international design award, given over the years to companies of absolute excellence such as Apple, BMW, Google, Bose and the Italian Pininfarina, she said. Joan Wong went on to explain that the Candy Bianca washing machine is the first washing machine with intuition and advanced features. The Candy Bianca washing machine is easy-to-use as Bianca listens, understands consumer needs and performs the most effective and suitable washing programme to their specific needs. For the first time ever, you can talk to your washing machine with your smartphone thanks to the Talking Bianca function, Wong said. Talking Bianca offers natural dialogue alongside intelligent interaction, and Bianca can assist users in choosing the right programme, saving user habits and also provide washing tips. As the authorised dealer for Candy products in Sri Lanka, Softlogic is offering customers a special cash discount of 35 percent, as well as up to 60 months interest-free instalment plans with all leading banks, with low monthly payments on the entire Candy kitchen and home appliances range. Japan wants Hambantota port to be "free of military activities", the visiting Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onedera has said amid concerns in the region over the leasing of the facility to China, the PTI reported on Wednesday. Onedera, who arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday, is the first Japanese defence minister ever to visit Sri Lanka. His visit comes amid the regional concerns over growing Chinese influence in Sri Lanka, the PTI said. Speaking to the Japanese NHK television after his meetings with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Onedera said he had raised the Chinese issue with Sri Lanka. "Despite the lease, there was an agreement that port remains free of military activities," Onedera was quoted as saying by NHK. He is also scheduled to visit Hambantota. Sri Lanka and China entered into a 99-year lease of the Hambantota port which will enable the Chinese to set up an industrial park around the seaport. Minister Onedera will also visit Trincomalee Port. Coinciding with his visit is the arrival of the Japanese Naval ship "Ikazuchi" in Trincomalee. Panel discussion in progress (from left): NDB Capital Managing Director Kanti Kumar Saha, LTL Group General Manager Offshore operations Gamini Sarath, Laugfs Gas PLC Chairman W.K.H. Wegapitiya, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Executive Chairman Kazi Aminul Islam, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Riaz Hamidullah and NDB Investment Bank Vice President and Corporate Advisory Head Nilendra Weerasinghe Sri Lankan firms are encouraged to explore opportunities in Bangladeshs growing 160 million market for long-term growth prospects, which has also been termed as next China, due to the low cost and high return in manufacturing, as Sri Lankas little over 21 million market becomes saturated. Addressing an investor forum organised by NDB Investment Bank, titled Ayubowan Bangladesh, at Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo last Thursday, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Kazi M. Aminul Islam invited Sri Lankan firms to venture into Bangladeshs growth sectors by taking advantage of its liberalised investor regime, combined with low production costs and attractive incentive schemes. Islam also acknowledged Sri Lankas contribution, which helped Bangladesh to transform from a low-income country to a middle-income country, in addition to Sri Lanka being one of the few countries to recognise Bangladesh in 1972, following the Bangladesh Liberation War. Bangladesh began as a poor country, humble beginnings with just US $ 129 per capita income after obtaining independence. Today we have crossed US $ 1,754 per capita income and reduced poverty. The country has moved from a low-income to a middle-income status. Throughout this whole journey, the only country that has been with us is Sri Lanka, he said. From left: Laugfs Gas PLC Chairman W.K.H. Wegapitiya and NDB Capital Holdings CEO/Director Vajira Kulatilaka Pix by Nisal Baduge Bangladeshs economy and growth sectors Bangladesh is currently the 44th largest economy with a gross domestic product (GDP) of US $ 285 billion and the countrys economy has been growing at 6-7 percent during the last decade, while the estimated 40 percent of its economy still remains in the informal sector. The country has a rapidly growing middle class, who is driving urbanisation and by 2030, the country expects 48 percent of its population to be resided in urban areas, from the current 17 percent, which would drive the demand in housing, consumer retail, education, etc. NDB Capital Managing Director Kanti Kumar Saha said that apart from the conventional opportunities of apparel, there are new emerging sectors, such as IT, maritime services, tourism, power and pharmaceuticals, emerging in Bangladesh for investments. LTLs growing role in Bangladeshs power sector Islam said that Sri Lankan firms had realised the potential of Bangladesh as early as in 1980s and entered Bangladesh well ahead of others. LTL Group Offshore Operations General Manager Gamini Sarath shared that LTL decided to enter Bangladeshs power sector in 2010, realising the potential, where 50 percent of its population was living without power and lacking a strong private sector and as Sri Lankas power sector nears saturation. He revealed that LTL is en route to commission its third power plant in Bangladesh and 40 percent of LTLs revenues would be generated from Bangladesh by the end of this year. Low-cost and high-return manufacturing destination in Asia Bangladeshs electricity generation capacity has increased since 2009, from + 3,362 MW to 15,953 MW by August 2018. Despite the rising income levels, Bangladeshs utility costs and labour remain to be one of the lowest in Asia, making Bangladesh an ideal location for manufacturing. According to BIDA Director Ariful Hoque, the electricity rate for general use is US $ 0.09 per kWh in Dhaka, which is lower than most Asian cities such as Beijing, Bangkok and Mumbai, while Bangladesh has one of the lowest legal minimum wage, lowest managers salary and lowest workers wages in the Asia. The Japan External Trade Organisation recognised Bangladesh as a low-cost and high-return manufacturing destination in Asia. Bangladeshs liberalised investor regime Elaborating Bangladeshs liberalised investor regime, Hoque emphasised that almost all industrial sectors are open for foreign investors, except for arms and ammunitions, nuclear power, security printing and minting, afforestation and mechanize extraction within the boundary of reserved forest. He also assured that the equal treatments for both local and foreign investments and that all investments are secured by law against nationalization and expropriation. In addition, Bangladesh allows 100 percent foreign equity along with unrestricted exit, while the country has also enabled all modes of investments: foreign direct investment, joint ventures, partnerships, public-private partnerships, non-equity modes such as technology transfers, licensing franchising, contracting, etc. and foreign lending. Bangladesh has also signed bilateral investment treaties with 31 countries and double taxation treaties with 28 countries, including Sri Lanka, while Bangladesh is also a signatory to the ICSID, UNCITRAL, OPIC, MIGA, WAIPA, WIPO and WTO. Aiming to boost exports, Bangladesh has also set up 79 economic zones (EZs) in 36,000 hectares; the government has planned to set up further 100 EZs in the next 15 years to earn additional US $ 40 billion in exports, while creating 10 million employment opportunities. Opportunities for Sri Lankan companies Hoque outlined the opportunities for Sri Lankan companies to venture into infrastructure, manufacturing, competitive services, education and skills sectors in Bangladesh. Specifying the opportunities for local firms in Bangladesh, NDB Investment Bank Vice President and Corporate Advisory Head Nilendra Weerasinghe emphasised that acquisitions/partnership opportunities in financial services, joint ventures in food processing, green field investments in manufacturing of steel and related products, acquisition/partnership opportunities in education, green field/acquisition opportunities in hospitality, joint venture partnerships in apparel, particularly lingerie, partnership/green field opportunities in pharmaceutical (herbal products) and green field investments in IT/information technology-enabled service sectors are the leading growth sectors. Regulatory environment and incentive schemes for investors Speaking of the regulatory environment in Bangladesh, Laugfs Holdings Chairman W.K.H. Wegapitiya said that the Bangladeshi bureaucracy is very supportive to assist foreign investors in contrast to Sri Lankan bureaucracy and noted the Bangladeshi bureaucracy also remains agile to industry needs. The Bangladeshi bureaucracy is very supportive. We have competent bureaucrats but they are not welcoming. The Bangladeshi officials are very friendly and even if they cant immediately help you, they will still listen, he said. Sarath noted that the Bangladesh bureaucrats sometimes go out of their way to assist investors, As an example, he pointed out that even loan approvals were supported by the authorities. Meanwhile, Hoque emphasised that Bangladesh offers investors with attractive incentive schemes to investors and financial incentives such as cash incentives, Export Development Fund, Equity Entrepreneurship Fund and accelerated depreciation in lieu of tax holidays. In addition, he said that Bangladeshs immigration laws are liberalised to attract talent and to accommodate investors, which includes quick immigration, skilled work permits, permanent residency and citizenship. Proposed FTA between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Laugfs Holdings Limited Chairman W.K.H. Wegapitiya, who remains critical of the Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA and the proposed ETCA and FTA with China, backed the proposed FTA with Bangladesh. Sri Lanka can be used as a springboard for energy, logistics, power and maritime sectors to build an economic bridge between the two countries, he said. He asserted that Bangladesh stands out in the region due to its give and take policy when compared to other countries such as India. Looking at the regional opportunities in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh is an exception. When you look at India, they dont believe in the give and take policy, he said. Wegapitiya further stated that many Sri Lankan entrepreneurs have not been successful in entering the Indian market, in contrast to the Bangladesh market, where a large number of Sri Lankan firms has become successful, including Laugfs. He noted that Laugfs gas already captured 9 percent of Bangladeshs LPG market, reaching 33 million households during last few years. The Bangladesh-Sri Lanka FTA negotiations are expected to commence, following the submission of the ongoing joint feasibility study by the end of this month. Sri Lankan firms in Bangladesh Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah highlighted the success of Sri Lankan companies in Bangladesh. Do you know that Kumarika is the largest selling hair oil in Dhaka now, that Hayleys grows jalapenos and gherkins for the Japanese market in Bangladesh and top apparel companies in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are seeking a convergence in taking the industry forward? he added. In addition, LTL Group planned to list its subsidiary Raj Lanka Power Company Limited in the Dhaka Stock Exchange next year, with plans to diversify into other businesses such as transmission lines, substations, as well as other non-related areas such as water and construction infrastructure. Sri Lankan firms including NDB Capital Holdings, Laugfs Gas PLC, Commercial Bank, Brandix, Hirdaramani Group, Kelani Cables, LTL, Ceylon Biscuits Limited, HNB, Hemas and Macksons Paints have already invested in various sectors in Bangladesh, such as consumer retail, financial services, energy, apparel, etc. According to BIDA, Sri Lankan companies have invested over US $ 250 million in Bangladesh as of last year and 30-40,000 Sri Lankan professionals and technicians currently resides in Bangladesh. Bangladesh plans to become a developed nation with almost US $ 3 trillion GDP by 2041 and the countrys population is expected to rise to 200 million by 2041 from 160 million. Seasoned actress Malani Fonseka was felicitated at an event that was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) this evening. The event is organized with the patronage of the President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was to celebrate the actress 50 years in cinema. The book titled Malani Up Above which was given an insight to the career and milestones of the journey of the veteran actress cum director was also be launched. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana It is common for companies to organize various informal events where workers can come with their partners. One of those... MINA Saudi AFP, Aug 21, 2018- More than two million Muslims took part in the symbolic stoning of the devil Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, the last major ritual of the hajj pilgrimage that heralds the start of the Eid al-Adha feast. Muslims on the annual hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, made their way across the Mina valley of the western Saudi Arabian Mecca province, many carrying pebbles in plastic bottles. Pilgrims clad in white threw seven stones each at a pillar symbolising satan, shouting Allahu akbar ( God is greatest ) under the watchful eyes of security forces. Large fans sprayed water over the crowd as temperatures climbed to 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit). Thank God it hasnt been too crowded this year. There hasnt been a big rush, said Mohammed Osman, 27, who regularly attends hajj. Mina was the site of a 2015 stampede which saw more than 2,300 pilgrims crushed or suffocated to death. Authorities have since reinforced safety and security measures. The failure to adopt a resolution to take AIA Insurance Lanka PLC (AIA Sri Lanka) private at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) this week will neither affect the insurers business in Sri Lanka nor its parent companys commitment towards the market, a top company official said. This (non-adoption of resolution) has no impact on our business. Also, I would not even link this development to AIAs commitment to Sri Lanka. We see huge potential in Sri Lanka, AIA Insurance Lanka PLC Chief Executive Pankaj Banerjee told Mirror Business. What we are trying to do is just change the legal structure of the company. It has no impact on the business, he reiterated. The minority shareholders of AIA Sri Lanka this Monday shot down a voluntary offer made by the majority shareholder, AIA Company Limited, directed towards taking the company private in sync with AIA Groups operating model. Only 68 percent of the shareholders voted in favour of the resolution, preventing it being adopted, as according to the Listing Rules of the Colombo Stock Exchange, a delisting requires the approval of 75 percent of the shareholders present at an EGM. The chain of events that culminated at the EGM triggered when the insurance regulator, Sri Lanka Insurance Regulatory Commission, in July, concluded that AIA Sri Lanka is exempted from being listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange as its parent remains a listed firm on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In this context, the AIA Sri Lanka director board made arrangements with the firms major shareholder, the Hong Kong-based AIA Company Limited, to purchase the ordinary voting shares of AIA Sri Lanka from the shareholders who may wish to divest them at a purchase price of Rs.1,000 per share and ultimately take the company private. About 68 percent of the shareholders voted in favour. That means the majority of the shareholders did find that there was merit in the offer, Banerjee said. As a representative of the management, I believe the price offered is fair and reasonable. It is an 83 percent premium on the highest share price over the last 12 monthswhich was Rs.545, he added. Meanwhile, he pointed out that AIA Lanka over the last five years has had a very good dividend history compared to a lot of other listed companies. All our shareholders have made a very good return on their investment. AIA Sri Lankas parent, AIA Company Limited, owns little over 97 percent of the issued shares of the company. Some analysts Mirror Business talked to opined that if a party that owns over 97 percent of a listed firm cant take it private, it is time that Sri Lanka rethink the one share, one vote system, which has emerged as the so-called gold standard of corporate governance. When queried as to what AIA Sri Lankas next course of action would be, Banarjee stressed that all the future courses of actions would be within the applicable laws and regulatory requirements. We will evaluate the next course of action that is available to us. We have the best consultants, auditors, etc. The next course of action, like everything else, will be within the applicable laws and regulatory requirements. AIA Group and subsidiaries comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets in Asia-Pacific wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Macau, Brunei, Cambodia a 97.16 percent subsidiary in Sri Lanka, a 49 percent joint venture in India and a representative office in Myanmar. It would be convenient for people if the Government announced September 5 as a public holiday in order to reduce the congestion that could be caused by the protest campaign organised by the Joint Opposition (JO), the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) said. The Janabalaya Kolambata, Anti-Government protest campaign organised by the Joint Opposition (JO) is scheduled to be held on September 5 in Colombo. Addressing a news briefing, PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila said the employees working in Colombo would be highly inconvenienced owing to this massive protest. We dont like to see people getting inconvenienced because of this protest, which is done against the inefficiencies of the Government, If the Government would not make the day a holiday, we request the heads of the companies in Colombo to give their employees a holiday on that particular day, Gammanpila said. (Sheain Fernandopulle) Video by Buddhi From left: DIMO Group CEO Gahanath Pandithage with Tata Motors Limited President Passenger Vehicles Mayank Pareek Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi By Nishel Fernando Tata Motors, a member of Indias Tata Group, expects Sri Lankas motorcar market to more than double by 2022 while the motor car penetration is also predicted to be doubled in the period. Sri Lankas car market should more than double during the next three to four years. We should see the car market more than doubling to 120,000 by 2022, Tata Motors Limited President Passenger Vehicles Mayank Pareek told a media roundtable discussion, in Colombo, this week. He said only 47 people own a car for every 1000 people, which is very low for Sri Lanka. He predicted that car ownership should be increased to 70 to 80 per 1,000 people in the next couple of years, driven mostly by 1200cc range cars. Pareek noted that Tata views Sri Lankan market as a positively-poised market for the future. Sri Lanka is a young country with a young population with a growing per capita income. Sri Lankans are aspirational; they want to consume the latest products. Further, he pointed out that Sri Lankas road infrastructure is also relatively good to accommodate the increase in car population. According to the Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry, Sri Lankas motor car population stood at 756,856 units by end-2017, while 39,142 new motorcars were registered in 2017. When queried about the possibility of setting up a vehicle manufacturing or assembly plant in Sri Lanka, Pareek opined that a stable policy environment is the key for Tata to consider setting up such a plant. He said Tata Motors has already planned out its expansion plans for the next five years and said Tata needs to see some stability in sales volumes in the Sri Lankan market to consider opening up an assembly or manufacturing plant. DIMO Group CEO Gahanath Pandithage opined that its not viable for any company operating ethically to set up a vehicle assembly plant in Sri Lanka as there are no large duty advantages or space for backward integration. Ethically it cannot become profitable businesses, he stressed. Pandithage also lamented the frequent changes to the import duty structure for motor vehicles, which limits the investments in the sector due to unpredictability. Suddenly when you get up in the morning, the taxes have changed. So we cant plan things, when the duties are decreased, we try to invest and then the taxes are again increased in the next budget, he said. He urged the government to create a level playing field by setting up a long-term import tax structure. Meanwhile, Pareek emphasised that Sri Lanka is fast becoming a used vehicle dumping yard and suggested that the government should encourage the import of brand-new vehicles similar to India, which does not permit the import of used vehicles. Speaking of emergence of ride-sharing services and its impact on vehicle sales, Pareek was confident that the ride sharing service wouldnt impact the motor car market. However, he said the ride sharing industry is changing the buying patterns, on whats for car being used. Ride sharing services have been in the US for last eight years. But the US car market hasnt gone down. Its still growing at a healthy rate and its a similar situation in China. Its like when restaurants came up people didnt stop cooking at home, he said. Meanwhile, acknowledging electric vehicle market as the future Pareek noted that high battery costs is impending the growth of electric vehicles. According to him, the battery cost amounts to 70 percent of the cost of a typical electrical vehicle. However, the battery prices have fallen significantly from US $ 800 per kWh four-five years ago to US $ 250 per KWH now. Pareek noted that the charging infrastructure and range are the other issues that impede the growth of electric vehicles. Pandithage suggested that Sri Lanka should look at solar power to charge electric cars in order to bring down the running costs. Pareek revealed that Tata is currently working on developing a new electric car with a 350km range. Tata recently launched its electric vehicle, Tata Tigor, which is being sold to the state-run Energy Efficiency Service Limited, which has a range of 100 km with a top speed of 100 Kph. Pareek noted that its Nano imports to Sri Lanka have been halted as they dont have some BS4 standard required in Sri Lanka. Former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga had recommended a company named Sri Lanka Limited to be appointed as General Sales Agent (GSA) for SriLankan airlines in Russia, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka was told yesterday. Shiromi Cooray, Manager Industrial Relations, SriLankan Airlines notified the commission that writing to the SriLankan country manager in Russia in 2011, Weeratunga has said that Sri Lanka Limited could help the country forge closer relationships with Russia and Ukraine and the company should be selected for this reason. This is the first time that we have appointed a GSA to Russia, she said. She also said that there had been no advertisement announcing the decision. It was also revealed that this was a direct violation of rules formulated in 2009 which stipulates that prior to selecting a GSA, SriLankan should conduct a market survey of a new territory and call for applications through advertisements in newspapers and SriLankan websites and also hold a legal and financial review. "There had been no interview process to select a suitable company and there has been no legal or financial review during this process," she said. She also informed the Commission that although the then CEO, Kapila Chandrasena had recommended Sri Lanka Limited, according to the 2009 rule manual the CEO does not have the authority to appoint a GSA. "Chandrasena had also extended the agreement in 2015, again violating the rules appearing in the 2009 manual, for another three years, however the GSA terminated the agreement in 2015 after SriLankan stopped direct flights to Russia," she said. (Yoshitha Perera) YANGON (Reuters), AUGUST 21, 2018- The United Nations is awaiting effective access to the Myanmar region where 700,000 Rohingya Muslims were driven out in an army crackdown, months after agreeing with the government to aid the return of refugees, the U.N. country head said on Tuesday. The organizations agencies for development and refugees UNDP and UNHCR signed a memorandum of understanding with Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyis government in June to allow Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh last year to return home. But requests for authorizations for staff to visit the conflict area have been beset by delays and authorities have offered access to a limited area, Knut Ostby, the U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator in Myanmar, told Reuters. Ostby said the United Nations had declined to accept an offer from the government to work in a limited number of villages and would not send in experts until it had negotiated a better deal. Theyre standing ready to go when we have effective access, he said. The available information on the return of the US Peace Corps (USPC) to Sri Lanka on the stated mission of English language education raises many questions, given the timing and context of their arrival. Under the terms of the agreement signed between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Acting Director of the Peace Corps in February, the first 25 volunteers will arrive in the country in September 2019 for their two year assignments. This is likely to coincide with the run-up to the next presidential election which, according to the constitution, has to be held by December 9, 2019 the latest. The volunteers along with the members of their households as well as persons performing functions under contract by them,are to be granted diplomatic privileges under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, that would exempt them from taxes and customs duties, as provided to members of the administrative and technical staff of the Embassy of the United States,according to a report in the Sunday Times (ST) of July 8, 2018. USPC will be here for English teaching Peace Corps was created in the US in 1961 First batch of 25 will arrive in Sept. 2019 GoSL reported to have invited USPC in 2016 US President John F. Kennedy when he created the Peace Corps in 1961 stated that its goal was to allow American citizens to serve the cause of world development. He said it is not designed as an instrument of diplomacy or propaganda or ideological conflict. USPC volunteers were expected to work with poor communities in developing countries,enjoying no special privileges. Though there is supposed to be a strict separation between the USPC and any intelligence activity of the US government, its chequered history has shown that it has often been accused or suspected of being involved in espionage in the host country, and being asked to leave.Among countries USPC had to leave are Indonesia (1965), Guinea (1966), Sri Lanka (1971), India (1976) and Cambodia (2017). In Bolivia, in 2008, a US embassy official was charged with espionage, sent home and not allowed to return. ABC News revealed that 30 USPC volunteers, as well as a Fulbright scholar, had been asked by the official to spy on Cubans and Venezuelans living in Bolivia. The US embassy in La Paz acknowledged the incident, reports said. Richard Haas, head of the Council on Foreign Relations even suggested that the rules be relaxed so that USPC, along with American journalists and members of the clergy, could work as agents or as cover for the CIAs intelligence gathering, the Washington Post (WP) reported in1996. The astounded USPC Director Mark Gearan responded at the time saying the suggestion was both dangerous and cynical. The US move to send the Peace Corps to Sri Lanka needs to be viewed in the context of the larger plans in the region it calls the Indo Pacific Peace Corps volunteers often serve in remote areas of their host countries without access to modern communications or special security arrangements. They are not government employees, are paid only a small subsistence allowance and are not granted any special privileges, such as diplomatic immunity. They are prohibited from involving themselves in the political affairs of their host countries,Gearan wrote, in the WP. The move by the government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) of granting USPC diplomatic privileges comes across as doubly odd in the light of Gearans description of the volunteers. According to the ST, the government has also exempted from taxes, customs duties and other charges all equipment, supplies, and other goods and services introduced into or acquired in Sri Lanka by the US Government or any contractor financed by it, under the agreement. It would be interesting to know what costlyequipment is being brought into the country by the USPC for the purpose of English teaching, that requires suchtax concessions.The inclusion of contractors too under this exemption is of concern, seeing that private contractors hired to carry out projects forthe US government have on occasion been accused of being CIA fronts. Its no consolation either, to know that the current US Secretary of State took up his post following directly from his job as CIA director in the Trump administration. To come back to the question of English teaching (assuming that the USPC mission is bona fide): while there is no doubt that the school system throughout the country can benefit from more and better English teachers, one needs to ask whether Sri Lankas own English teaching community with their decades of experience wouldnt be better able to handle the challenges involved in teaching English in a post-colonial context, given also the fast-changing present day social environment, than a few dozen foreign volunteers flown in for a couple of years. The US embassy says the Sri Lanka English Teachers Association (SLETA) will work closely with the volunteers. But who sets the priorities and who makes the decisions? Wouldnt the SLETA and Sri Lankas own educationists be better positioned to improve the English teaching programme themselves, in a way that complements their ongoing work, if the funding and resources were turned over to them? Its hard to avoid the conclusion that, on the balance, the party benefiting more from this exercise will be not the Sri Lankans but the American volunteers, who will gain useful exposure to a different culture, language and value system through grass-roots interactions with local communities. Its interesting to note that in India - in the context of efforts to revive the USPC programme that was phased out in 1976 - John Chromy, Special Assistant to the Director of Peace Corps (1976) observed that India in the past decade has moved rapidly into a modern economy and sees itself not as a recipient of aid assistance but in fact a donor of assistance to other countries much poorer then India. Sri Lankas situation may not comparable to that of a regional power like India, but as a middle income country its worth considering whether this is the kind of aid that it needs. 30 USPC volunteers, and a Fulbright scholar, were asked by the official to spy on Cubans and Venezuelans living in Bolivia Acting Director of USPC Sheila Crowley expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Sri Lanka for their invitation to the USPC to return. However it is news to the people of Sri Lanka that they had extended such an invitation. The GoSL is reported to have invited the USPC back in 2016, but it is only now that this is being made known. The US move to send the Peace Corps to Sri Lanka needs to be viewed in the context of the larger plans in the region it calls the Indo Pacific.The $39 million in military financing to Sri Lanka announced last week would be part of the $300 million reportedly pledged by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier in Singapore, on the sidelines of an ASEAN foreign ministers meeting,to reinforce security cooperation throughout the region (meaning, to push back against China). In Sri Lanka though the US cut back its development assistance, it has been investing large sums in programmes of its own design at every level. Military ties are being pursued with frequent ship visits and joint military exercises. Not only the military, but the legislative and executive branches of government, as well as the legal system and local government, have by now been virtually mapped in terms of their infrastructure, human resources, capacities etc.,through USAID and other programmes. The GoSL tells the public little,if anything, about these projects and it is not clear if there is any accountability to anyone on the Sri Lankan side, regarding the use of these considerable funds. Against this backdrop, its worth asking, is the USPC mission; nothing more than yet another aspect of the US penetration of Sri Lanka - this time at the grassroots, community level? AS a common challenge faced by humanity, poverty has always been a vital factor threatening peoples access to livelihood, health, sanitation, education, basic wellbeing and resources necessary for survival. In the past few decades, poverty has been reduced, but is still prevalent in many developing countries, including Tanzania. China, now the second worlds largest economy and global technology powerhouse, in some years back was one of the countries in the world whose population was poor. Over the past four decades, through its own efforts and hard work, China has not only achieved a rapid economic growth but also made remarkable achievements in poverty reduction. According to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Report 2015, Chinas population living in extreme poverty dropped from 61 per cent in 1990 to 4.2 in 2014, with a contribution rate of over 70 per cent to global poverty reduction. The report makes China, the East Asian economic giant, the country with the largest poverty reduction globally as well as the first country in the world to have achieved the UNs Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is against this backdrop that China, the worlds most populous country is now teaming up with Tanzania and other African countries in the war against poverty. This is done through enhancing poverty reduction exchanges, conducting researches, enhancing youth talent development and cooperating in carrying out poverty reduction demonstration projects, among others. In its background report on Belt and Road and China-Africa Poverty Reduction Cooperation, Chinese government says due to the remarkable achievements recorded in the MDGs, it is willing and determined to advance the 2030 agenda for sustainable development together with other countries in the world. Recently, African leaders with their Chinese counterparts gathered in Beijing to discuss and resolve on the best ways to jointly tackle poverty which many African countries are still facing. According to the World Development Report 2017, Sub- Saharan Africa is the region with the most impoverished people and the highest poverty incidences in the world. In Tanzania, though economy grew around 7.1 per cent last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the level of poverty has just slightly decreased from 28.2 per cent as of 2012/13 to 26.4 to 2015/2016. While the economy is seen growing, big population is still living in poverty. This simply means that the key problem in Tanzanias current development lies in the disconnection between its economic development and poverty reduction. This is one of the lessons that Tanzania and Africa in general ought to learn from China. The continent has not experienced what China did with its development in the past decades, that is, reducing its poverty incidence with the growth of national economy and GDP per capita. In other words, economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa has failed to exert a direct impact on poverty reduction. The main reason for this disconnection is, among others, slow development of agriculture which employs more than a half of the entire population. In Tanzania, according to the World Bank Database, the planting area for crops grew by 7.8 per cent but productivity increased by merely 0.4 per cent, signalling that labour productivity and agricultural productivity per unit area has not improved. More statistics from the NBS, show that agricultural sector which employs 66 per cent of the population and contributes 30 per cent to GDP continued to record slow growth at an average of 3.7 per cent annually over the past 10 years due to low level of investment, low productivity and dependence on rainfall, as well as low contribution of manufacturing sector. With this revelation indicating that agriculture employs bigger part of the population not only in Tanzania but also in other parts of the world, representatives from Africa who attended the 2018 Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development conference are pushing for serious agricultural transformation as immediate measures to win the war against poverty in the continent. The leaders who attended the event in Beijing and later visited poverty alleviation experimental zone in Bijie city, Guizhou province in Southwest China, where countrys poverty reduction programme started, advised their governments to borrow a leaf from China by putting in place realisable poverty reduction plans, implementation strategies and clear sources of funding. From the field visit, the delegation learnt that by the end of 2015, more than one million out of 9.2 million people living in Bijie city were still povertystricken, forcing the government to roll out more poverty alleviation programmes. Morogoro Regional Administrative Secretary, Mr Clifford Tandari hailed Chinas effort in pulling its poor population out of poverty through clear empowerment approaches, suggesting that it was high time the country changed its approaches towards poverty reduction. Though he admits that much has been done in poverty alleviation in the country, he calls for more bold and deliberate steps particularly in transforming agriculture through empowering the poor farmers with technology. He notes that such efforts should be directed in timely provision of farm inputs and improving necessary infrastructure for market accessibility, among others. Our government under President John Magufuli is doing well in this sector. But, we still need to do more. Fighting poverty can only be achieved through improving agriculture as it is the sector that directly touches and involves the bigger population, he said. The former economist with the Ministry of Finance and long-serving public servant asserts that in order to make war against poverty successful, Tanzania ought to learn from China through taking targeted measures of poverty alleviation such as reducing poverty through industrial development, relocating residents in poor areas and creating jobs for poverty-stricken people. In China, according to field visit observation and briefings from officials, such measures taken to alleviate abject poverty include giving out a nonreimbursable subsidies, building fruits, vegetables and cattle breeding bases and putting in place all necessary infrastructure. The African Unions Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture, Ms Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, says that though the economy in Africa has been growing substantially, poverty still troubles the continent. Improper agriculture technology is one of the reasons leading to poverty in Africa. Technology is much needed in Africas agriculture sector. We need also to engage private sector in this war, she said. She adds that despite vast arable land and a growing workforce, low agricultural productivity has been hampering the continents development, contributing to poverty. Africa is eager to learn from China in agriculture and natural resources management, she said. She pushed for Chinas partnerships with African research institutes and universities, saying the move will accelerate agricultural transformation at country and regional levels. Former Agriculture Minister of Uganda who once served as Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative in China, Ms Victoria Sekitoleko was of the view that poor infrastructure also leads to poverty as it limits market access for goods. China and African countries must work together to address this issue under the Belt and Road framework, which will help open up the Chinese market to African goods, she said. She explains that better market access will help Africa to sell its services and products to the big Chinese market, which will in turn, contribute directly to poverty reduction. The Chinese Minister of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, Mr Liu Yongfu, reaffirms Chinas commitment in joining forces with Africa in poverty alleviation endeavours. Eliminating poverty and achieving sustainable development is the shared goal and historic task of Chinese and African people. Actively carrying out poverty reduction exchanges and cooperation is an important way to promote development experience sharing, he says. Australia Confirms Spike LR2 Missiles Will Arm Boxer CRV 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. Jimbos cashier Kaleigh Colford quite literally whistled while she worked, recently earning about $1,800 for a San Diego-based foster youth charity by singing Disney tunes while ringing up customers. Colford, 24, said she has always enjoyed singing the songs for children in her checkout lines. She found an extra special reason to continue the hobby in May, when the Jimbos grocery store at Del Mar Highlands Town Center set out to raise money for Promises2Kids, which offers support for current and former foster youth. Its just such a great cause helping kids that normally are only able to help themselves, on their own time, said Colford, who has worked for Jimbos for about a year. It was kind of inspirational seeing that, even in San Diego, we still have these issues we need to fight for. During the week-long fundraiser, Jimbos successfully raised about $10,000 for Promises2Kids. Colford was responsible for earning nearly 20 percent of that money by attracting customers with songs from Disney movies like Moana and Frozen. Colford said she always loved performing the songs at her register as a way to help comfort the kids, who may be tired from grocery shopping, but discovered it was also a good way to raise money for the charity. She considered the fundraising easy because it supported a charity that resonated with a lot of people. When I was talking about Promises2Kids, I just told parents what the foundation was about, she said. I didnt so much ask for money; I just told them what was happening. The foundation really speaks for itself. ... It was amazing to see how much the community was able to rally together to help out. $10,000 in a week is huge, especially asking for small donations here and there. Growing up, Colford said she remembered Jimbos as the place where she first learned how much of a positive impact people can have on others. As a child, Colford often participated in the stores wooden nickel program, in which Jimbos donated five cents to a charity for every grocery bag brought in. In the future, Colford said shed like to raise money for more charities, adding that her work for Promises2Kids showed her potential. I didnt know I had it in me to help out, but its something Id like to do moving forward, she said. Tonya Torosian, CEO of Promises2Kids, said Colfords and Jimbos donations will go toward continuing the program and its scholarships for former foster youth. Our community partners make a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of foster children here in San Diego, she said. Jimbos has been a key partner of Promises2Kids and when I heard that Kaleigh was responsible for raising $1,800 of that, I was shocked. For one person to inspire others to give so much, was a reflection of her excitement about our mission and her commitment to creating a brighter future for foster children. For more information about Promises2Kids, visit www.promises2kids.org. By Karen Graham 21 August 2018 (Digital Journal) While British Columbia Premier John Horgan was touring the wildfire-ravaged, smoke-filled area around Prince George Tuesday morning. Al Beaver, an independent risk management expert who worked on fire management for governments in Canada and Australia was speaking with The Currents guest host Ioanna Roumeliotis.Flanked by the federal defense minister, the mayor of Prince George and a First Nations chief in Prince George, Premier Horgan addressed the media, saying wildfires have prompted an unprecedented second state of emergency in the province in the last 12 months, after the devastating floods this spring. Were concerned, all of us, that this may be the new normal, Horgan said, adding that emergency officials are very worried about the wind and lightning forecast for the region, and no rain in the forecast. Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said the Canadian Armed Forces have deployed about 300 personnel to help fight the fires in B.C., adding, Were coming together far too often like this. B.C. is dealing with over 565 wildfires on Tuesday, and over 20,000 people are under evacuation orders. The raging wildfires have thrown a thick blanket of smoke across western Canada, drifting down to combine with the smoke from the fires burning across the western United States. The smoke is so bad, it is readily visible from space and is so dangerous that air quality alerts have been posted everywhere in western North America. But Beaver points out that while the smoke is a health hazard, it also makes it difficult for fire officials to spot new fires, limiting firefighting tactics that can be used. Current fire suppression technology is vastly inferior to the extremes of nature, he said, adding that there are no fire-season-ending events on the near horizon. They need rain, he said. [] Horgan also brought up the independent review of last years devastating wildfires and floods in B.C. He said the province was halfway through the review when they had to put the report aside to deal with this years fires. From flood to fire to flood and then again to fire and we have had two states of emergency thats unprecedented, he said. That speaks to the changing environment we live in and the ravages of climate change. [more] B.C. fires are the new normal says Premier John Horgan By Grace Segers 16 August 2018 (CBS News) Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke suggested that climate change may have a role in the recent wildfires that have ravaged California. When asked by CBS News reporter Weijia Jiang whether he accepted that climate change was part of the problem, Zinke said of course. He also acknowledged that temperatures are rising. However, Zinke also reiterated an argument that he made earlier this week, blaming environmental groups for preventing dead trees from being cleared due to their opposition to the logging industry. The only endangered species happens to be a logger, Zinke said.Earlier this week, Zinke blamed environmental terrorist groups for Californias destructive wildfires in an interview with Breitbart Radio.We have been held hostage by these environmental terrorist groups that have not allowed public access that have refused to allow [the] harvest of timber, Zinke told Breitbart Monday.On Sunday, Zinke said that the wildfires had nothing to do with climate change in an interview with local news station KCRA-TV. He suggested that environmental groups had prevented timber salvage operations, meaning that forests could not be cleared of flammable detritus.Ive heard the climate change argument back and forth. This has nothing to do with climate change. This has to do with active forest management, Zinke said. [more] By Umair Irfan 21 August 2018(Vox) Ash and smoke are choking Seattles air for the second week in a row, as wildfires smolder in the Cascades and in British Columbia.As of Tuesday morning, the Air Quality Index in Seattle was at 181, a rating classified as unhealthy. In parts of the city, the index rose as high as 220, which is very unhealthy. Other parts of Puget Sound, like Port Angeles, Washington 80 miles from Seattle saw the AQI rise to 205.To put it in perspective, an AQI of 150 is roughly equal to smoking seven cigarettes in a day. That means residents should avoid being outside and exerting themselves, particularly people with heart and lung problems, the elderly, and children.The air quality in Seattle this week has been worse than in Beijing, one of the worlds most notoriously polluted cities. The flames from some of the massive wildfires that have raged from Alaska to New Mexico have destroyed homes and taken lives, but the smoke and ash in the air are one of the most insidious threats to health. Since nearly 2 million acres have burned in the United States this year from 109 fires in 12 states ranging from Alaska to New Mexico, many regions are affected.Wildfires have ignited in the Pacific Northwest before, but usually Seattles weather quenches flames and clears smoke pretty quickly.That the region has remained so hot and dry this year, allowing smoke to linger, is highly unusual, Andrew Wineke, a spokesperson for the state Ecology Departments air quality program, told Q13 Fox. But it also happened last year. The trend is clear. You see the number of forest fires increasing, and so theres going to be wildfires, Wineke said. Theres going to be smoke. Its going to be somewhere. [more] Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. This Bobcat Winns Senior Tyler Winns fought his way back to be able to join his teammates this past Friday as a captain for the EC vs Cook County game. Cook County displayed... Rising transportation tax revenues show Georgians back to driving, traveling With the number of new cases of COVID-19 in Georgia steadily declining, more and more Georgians are driving and traveling. That encouraging trend is showing up in monthly tax collections... EC School Board approves $2000 bonus for all staff, auditorium renovations Members of the Early County Board of Education approved a $2000 bonus for all staff members in the Early County School System. Those in special education departments in all three... Turkey-US crisis could end instantly if pastor freed: Bolton Turkey could end its lira-battering crisis with the US instantly by freeing a detained American pastor, President Donald Trumps national security adviser said. The Turkish currency has been targeted in a series of economic attacks since Washington ordered tariffs in retaliation for the detention of Pastor Andrew Brunson on charges of complicity in a failed 2016 coup. "TURKEY SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING" Look, the Turkish government made a big mistake in not releasing Pastor Brunson, Donald Trumps national security adviser Bolton told Reuters in an interview during a visit to Israel. Every day that goes by that mistake continues, this crisis could be over instantly if they did the right thing as a NATO ally, part of the West, and release pastor Brunson without condition. Asked if the US questioned Turkeys membership in NATO given the stand-off, Bolton said: Thats not an issue at the moment. Were focused on Pastor Brunson and the other Americans that the Turkish governments holding illegitimately and we expect that to get resolved. Qatars Emir this month approved a package of economic projects, including a $15 billion pledge of support, for Turkey, giving a boost to a lira that has lost some 37 percent of its value this year. The Justice Department said Monday it wont prosecute a UK engineering firm for possible FCPA and money-laundering violations. Guralp Systems Limited or GSL, based in Reading, UK, received the declination letter (pdf) notwithstanding evidence of violations of the FCPA. The firm makes seismology testing equipment. On Friday, the UK Serious Fraud Office charged Guralps founder and a top executive for bribes to officials at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). Dr. Cansun Guralp, the founder, and managing director Andrew Bell were charged with conspiring to make corrupt payments to a public official, the SFO said. In the United States last year, KIGAMs former director was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison. Heon-Cheol Chi was jailed for using a Southern California bank account to launder bribes he received from two unnamed seismological companies. In Mondays declination, the DOJ said, Based upon the information known at this time and consistent with the FCPA Corporate Enforcement Policy, the Department has closed its inquiry into GSL, notwithstanding evidence of violations of the FCPA arising from GSLs payments to Chi. The DOJ said Guralp Systems made a voluntary disclosure of the misconduct and undertook significant remedial efforts. GSL is the subject of an ongoing parallel investigation by the UK SFO for violations of law relating to the same conduct, the DOJ said. In May this year, the DOJ said it would try to avoid piling on when companies face possible prosecution from multiple enforcement agencies. Mondays declination said Guralp Systems has committed to accepting responsibility for [its] conduct with the SFO. GSL also cooperated with the DOJ and helped with the prosecution of Chi for violating the U.S. money laundering statute, the declination said. Guralp Systems Limited was represented by Matthew Reinhard of Miller & Chevalier. ____ Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. Corruption in Nigeria runs the gamut from the jaw-dropping, to the creative, to the mundane. It encompasses the oil minister who diverted billions of petrodollars in just a few years. It includes the local official who claimed a snake slithered into her office and gobbled up $100,000 in cash. And it involves the cop shaking down motorists for 25 cents apiece at makeshift checkpoints. When former British Prime Minster David Cameron described Nigeria as fantastically corrupt in 2016, Nigerians may have been rankled that the offhand comment failed to recognize the UKs own key role in allowing multi-trillion dollar global corruption networks to flourish, but few thought his assessment was wrong. It is widely accepted that Nigeria suffers profoundly from corruption. However, the practice is much more complicated and far-reaching than the familiar headlines suggest. Economically, corruption stymies Nigerias boundless potential, hamstringing the petroleum, trade, power and banking sectors and more. In the defense sector, it compounds security challenges in hotspots like the Lake Chad Basin, Middle Belt and Niger Delta. In the police, judiciary and anti-corruption agencies, it undermines the countrys already anaemic accountability mechanisms, thereby fuelling further corruption across the spectrum. It also rears its head in politics through electoral manipulation and the kleptocratic capture of party structures. Brown envelope journalism undermines democratic norms and the medias ability to hold leaders accountable. Meanwhile, it is Nigerias most vulnerable that are worst affected when graft, fraud and extortion permeate the educational, health and humanitarian sectors. Corruption in Nigeria, and elsewhere, is highly complex. It can take a variety of different but inter-related forms. Its effects can span across several disparate sectors. Yet most existing frameworks for studying corruption share a common shortcoming: they conflate how corruption occurs (i.e. tactics and behaviors) with where it occurs (i.e. which sector). This can muddle our understanding of an already complicated issue and prevent policymakers, practitioners and analysts from thinking about Nigerias greatest challenge in more sophisticated and nuanced ways. _____ In a paper recently published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, I propose a new framework or taxonomy for looking at corruption in Nigeria. Like the Periodic Table of Elements or the system used to classify animals and plants, this taxonomy aims to help make complicated and expansive topics more digestible. Click to enlarge The framework works by detailing twenty sectors that are especially vulnerable to corruption (such as media, infrastructure, and police). It also identifies eight categories of corrupt behavior that cut across these sectors (such as bribery, subsidy abuse, and favouritism). These eight categories are further divided into 28 tactics, meaning that overall, the framework covers over 500 distinct kinds of corruption. Among the forms of corrupt behavior, the taxonomy includes legalized corruption and deliberate waste. These categories are not generally recognized as forms of corruption, but they make sense to include in the Nigerian context. These tactics include legislators exorbitant salaries (roughly $540,000 annually), vanity projects (such as one governors decision to erect multi-million-dollar bronze statues of South Africa and Liberias former presidents), and Nigerias three (yes, three!) expensive and unnecessary space agencies. Using the framework to visualize different forms of graft is fairly straightforward. Take the dubious practice of the president or ministers waiving import duties for select companies. These tax breaks are typically granted to firms controlled by ruling party financiers and can be extremely costly. Between 2011 and 2015, Nigeria lost $2.8 billion in revenues to such import waivers. Looked at through the lens of this taxonomy, we can see that this relatively intricate form of corruption is trade-related and takes the form of subsidy abuse as well as tactics such as favoritism and bribery. Unlike some simpler systems, this framework is flexible enough to recognize that corruption is not always clear-cut and limited in focus, but interconnected, involving a range of behaviors that cut across sectors. _____ As an analytical tool, this new taxonomy is useful to researchers looking to compare the situation in Nigeria with conditions in other countries. Though Nigeria-specific, it is adaptable and could be applied to other countries too. Doing so could help answer a question much-debated among Nigerians: is corruption in their country somehow unique? This framework could also help policymakers, diplomats, development professionals and private investors to more effectively navigate Nigerias complex and interconnected corruption landscape. Tailored to Nigerian realities, it supports the World Banks push to do development differently by forging more context-specific approaches to addressing development challenges. It also offers international partners and Nigerian civil society groups engaged in anti-corruption work a better basis for conducting programmatic assessments and analysing the prevalence, impact, and multiplier effects of different forms of the practice. Developing more sophisticated policies could yield advances against a problem that drains billions of dollars a year from Africas largest economy, weakens the social contract between government and the people, and impoverishes Nigerias resilient but long-suffering people. But it must begin from a nuanced and accurate understanding of the problem. A version of this article originally appeared on African Arguments, and is republished here with permission. _____ Matthew T. Page, pictured above, is a consultant and co-author of Nigeria: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford University Press, 2018). He is a nonresident scholar with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, an associate fellow with the Africa Programme at Chatham House, and nonresident fellow with the Centre for Democracy and Development in Abuja. He can be contacted here. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewTPage. MaaS Global, a Helsinki, Finland-based Mobility-as-a-Service operator, completed a 9m funding round. The backers were not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to strengthen its global presence. Founded in 2015 by Sampo Hietanen, CEO, MaaS Global provides Whim, an app which allows users to book and pay for all mobility services including public transport, taxis, rental cars, and others, for one monthly fee. It currently operates in Helsinki region in Finland, West Midlands in UK and Antwerp in Belgium. Whims monthly package covers all daily journeys, but the app also supports single journeys. FinSMEs 2/08/2018 . , : - - -? , , , ... Local medical staff receive training from Chinese doctors on Ebola treatment in Monrovia, Liberia, Dec. 3, 2014. (Xinhua/Yang Guoyu) DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Since the first Chinese medical team arrived in Africa in 1963, all kinds of non-profitable Chinese medical services have contributed to the continent's healthcare and saved the lives of tens of thousands of people. In recent years, cooperation in healthcare between China and Africa has witnessed tremendous results, helping to forge close ties between the two. DECADES OF HELP Through decades of medical cooperation and exchanges, China has exerted all means to assist Africa, including building medical institutions, providing medicines and medical devices, organizing training sessions, and offering scholarships to African medical talents. From Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to Windhoek in Namibia, 43 Chinese medical teams are working round the clock providing services across Africa. China has sent over 20,000 medical workers to Africa since 1963 and some 200 million African people have benefited as a result. When the outbreak of Ebola virus disease picked up pace in West Africa in 2014, China sent over teams 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 the affected countries. Since the outbreak, China has carried out its largest aid program in the area of health, providing several rounds of financial aid to Africa, sending hundreds of medical personnel and public health experts to the affected countries and training local medical workers. "China has always stood with Liberia as a true friend," then Liberian President Sirleaf said, noting China's assistance and contributions to her country's fight against the Ebola disease has been well noted. According to Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Wang Ke, medical and health cooperation between the two countries began in 1960s when the Chinese government started sending medical teams to Zanzibar and the Tanzania mainland. Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak sat at her desk Friday afternoon, telling a local business owner where to find links to water quality information. Go to our front page, click on that first hexagon, beach conditions,' she said. It was one of hundreds of phone calls the Chamber has fielded about water quality. Water quality issues have been hitting businesses on Fort Myers Beach and other coastal areas for weeks. The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce decided to quantify what exactly that meant. For the past two weeks, the Chamber has been collecting data from beach businesses to see how much they were losing. The results so far? An estimated $2.6 million in average estimated revenue lost from July 30 to Aug. 6. Liszak said about 47 businesses have been participating. According to Lee County records, there are 376 businesses in operation on Fort Myers Beach; Liszak culled the business list down to those dependent on tourism and visitors, and averaged the numbers shed gotten from the 47 respondents to arrive at her average estimates. She said she thinks those numbers are light, as some larger businesses did not respond to the survey. In addition, the estimated 4,500 employees of the 376 businesses have lost an estimated average of $560,000 in wages in the same time period, Liszak said. This is directly affecting the people who work here, and their families, she said. From the hotels, Liszak estimates they are sitting at about 20 to 50 percent occupancy. July is typically closer to 70 to 80 percent, with things slowing down by the middle of August. Were getting cancellations through September, but were practically empty right now, said Beverly Milligan, co-owner of Myerside Resort. She said her priority is taking care of her employees. She and co-owner Roland Weinmann are cutting any non-essential expenses, like renewing memberships or doing any local advertising. We have to keep our staff. Theyre our family, theyre first, she said. Theyre focusing on social media and marketing themselves there. But she said its like a financial Irma theyre locking all the doors and closing all the windows, but unlike last years hurricane, they dont know when it will be over. Im looking ahead to property taxes and flood insurance, these big bills that are going to be a problem, Milligan said. Its worse than Irma ever was. Tre and Amy Gillette, owners of Tuckaway Bagel Coffee Cafe, said they had their best July ever. But at the end of the month, things started to nosedive. I anticipated a drop when school started back, I was looking for that, but coupled with red tide, its been pretty rough, Tre Gillette said. The biggest problem is, September is after this. August typically gets the last rush of vacationers before school starts, but that didnt happen. The only plus in September is Labor Day and thats it until about mid-October, he said. For now, he said their store is in survival mode. Theyve cut their hours back for now and are trying to gear up for season. The Gillettes moved their cafe from a different location on Estero Boulevard to their current location next to Royal Scoop last year; with the move came more indoor space, which has proved to be a positive for them. Besides an escape from the heat, the indoor space gives their customers an escape from the fumes and irritation of red tide. The steep drop in tourism in August follows a stellar June and July, Liszak said. The extra income in the beginning of the summer could be helping businesses stay afloat but only if they planned ahead. Its fast or famine here, Liszak said. Hopefully, businesses thought to save. Moving Forward This weeks red tide forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows an improvement for central Lee County; while the Gulf continues to record high levels of red ride, the bay region has stepped back to moderate. Sunday and Monday, the color of the Gulf water was looking a little less brown and a little more blue. But Tre Gillette said its been hard for people to move on people are still focused on the bad. Amy Gillette is ready for people to stop posting the horrific images of bodies on the beach and start talking about solutions. You keep seeing these horrible pictures. I think everybody got it, she said. Everybody needs to start channeling that energy into fixing it and making it better. Were beyond fighting about it, we need to move on and fix it. Pointing fingers wont get anything done. On Monday, the Town of Fort Myers Beach made a decision at the end of its meeting to try to do something positive, too its waiving parking fees until Sept. 10. Council Member Anita Cereceda suggested the waiver during council member items at the end of a full day meeting. She said shed looked at the numbers from last year and compared to this year in 2017, the town had made $93,000 from parking meters. With less than 10 days left in August, the towns only made $21,000. This number is terrifying to those of us who own businesses, Cereceda said. Shes the owner of the Pier Peddler, Local Color and The Islander. Council Member Bruce Butcher pointed out that the town raised parking fees last year from $2 to $3, making the difference even more staggering. Ive been trying to patronize our community. It isnt the businesses as much as the people who are working there and supporting their families, Cereceda said. Town Manager Roger Hernstadt said with the low numbers being recorded already, waiving the fee until the next council meeting wouldnt have a significant impact on the budget. It pays off in the long run, for positive goodwill and for getting people here, Vice Mayor Joanne Shamp said. Mayor Tracey Gore also joined her fellow mayors with the Florida League of Cities last week in supporting a resolution brought by Mayor Kevin Ruane of the City of Sanibel, which asks President Donald Trump to declare areas of Florida affected by red tide and cyanobacteria as a major disaster area. A state of emergency has been declared on the local, county and state levels, and expanded last week. Governor Rick Scott issued another declaration to include red tide. But so far, the funding released with those declarations has been $500,000 in public relations assistance and future marketing for tourism when the blooms clear up, as well as $100,000 for additional assistance in testing sea life for toxins. Businesses have the option of seeking an emergency bridge loan. The website, floridadisasterloan.org, states that small businesses can qualify to borrow up to $50,000. But rather than assistance, its temporary relief with potential long term consequences: the loan is interest-free if paid back within 180 days so, by February 2019 if applied for now or else the borrower gets charged 18 percent interest after the maturity date, and the loan will be considered in default, with the balance sent to a collections agency. Both the Gillettes and Milligan said theyre not at the point where the emergency bridge loan is part of their financial consideration for now. To go out and get a loan, its going to eat up all of your revenues in season next year. So, what what do you do? How do you climb out of that? Milligan said. After Hurricane Irma, the community was able to come together and help each other out. But for this disaster, Milligan said the experience is more isolating. Its difficult to be able to go out and support her fellow businesses when her own is suffering. Im a glass-half-full person, but this one is tough, Milligan said. The Bay Harbour Marina Village project was delayed again at the Lee County Hearing Examiner last week. After seeing several basic renderings of the project slated for San Carlos Island, Chief Hearing Examiner Donna Marie Collins continued the hearing until Sept. 10 so the developer could get her a street view rendering of the project. Theres no street view in any of your documents? Im sad about that, she said. I would like to try to envision what this would look like.?She instructed Jack Mayher, the project developer, to bring her a less strategic view, showing what the project would look like if she were standing across the street, looking at it. The decision to continue came after a day and a half of staff presentation, public testimony and developer rebuttal; the meeting started Wednesday and spilled into Thursday. Its the second time Bay Harbour has gone before the Hearing Examiner; it was shot down two years ago by Laura Belflower, who retired in July. In her review, she axed the density and intensity of the project, saying it asked for too much.?Mayher proposes to build 113 dwelling units, including 38 bonus density units for moderate, low and very low-income households, a marina with 286 dry and 29 wet slips, a boat launching facility, 30,000 sq. ft. of retail, office and mini storage, and a maximum building height of 145 feet. A majority of the residential units will be in a condo tower with a roof-top restaurant; the rest will be built as townhouses that line the Oak Street canal. There will also be a parking garage with 620 to 650 parking spaces; of those, 200 will be available to the paying public. The property, currently with four zoning areas, would be changed to create a Destination Resort Mixed Use Water Dependent (DRMUWD) zoning. Collins can only consider the rezoning request in her deliberations; there is a concurrent comprehensive plan amendment associated with the 7.47-acre property. According to Matt Simmons, a land valuation and appraisal expert, the affordable housing element was especially significant with the average rent currently at about $1,950 per month locally, and of the top 10 occupations, only nurses are able to meet the 30 percent threshold for housing costs that is considered affordable. The affordable housing piece has been altered throughout the project, in its comprehensive plan amendment request. When the Local Planning Agency considered the amendment request, county planner Sharon Jenkins-Owen recommended approval of the project only if the bonus density housing was dedicated to low and very low income levels, which would be affordable to people working on Fort Myers Beach. She said to allow anything else, youre just providing more market place housing, and the LPA recommended approval. But between the LPA meeting and the first county commission meeting, the staff report language had changed to include moderate workforce housing categories as well.?The development team also pointed out the jobs the development will bring to San Carlos Island at Wednesdays meeting. Simmons added the project would bring in about 500 jobs during construction (300 for building and 200 for suppliers, lunch people, etc for $71.4 million in economic impact. Once completed the impact would be $42 million over five years, with around 100 permanent jobs. A better representation of the view wasnt Collins only question for the developer. She wanted to hear a better plan for the parking garage, too. What made the developer want to provide (public) parking spaces? she said. It seems to exacerbate the traffic situation on Main Street in peak season.?The developer said the parking would serve the beach and the San Carlos Island businesses, which are often strained for parking in season. However, Collins wasnt convinced, since people could also park along the bus route or at the LeeTran Park and Ride if they didnt want to drive to the beach. You have, admittedly, a less than desirable traffic situation, she said. Since intensity seems to be an issue with this project, this is the question mark for me. It seems like thats a big add-on. But Collins said the only way the beach parking would work is if the developer had a shuttle to take people from the garage across the bridge something the developer had not included in the proposal, but said could be provided. Mayher said it as about a 10 minute walk, but Collins didnt think people would want to park at the garage and shlep across the bridge with their chairs, noodles and kids in tow. Laden with beach chairs and umbrellas and kids, up and down that bridge, is 10 minutes? she said. If youre providing parking for Fort Myers Beach, there has to be a shuttle. Staff recommended approval of the project with numerous conditions, but when it was time for the public to speak, a process that went into Thursday, there wasnt universal approval. Bill Semmer, who has property around the area, said toward the end of the session the area has enough density without adding more homes and traffic. I dont want this island to become Miami Beach. Thats what staff wants. We dont want another 150 homes looking down on us, Semmer said. Generally, the reaction was mixed. Kitty Green of the Affordable Housing Coalition, said owning a single-family home has become cost prohibitive for many. Green said of the more than 275,000 households, 107,000 are spending more than 30 percent on housing or cost burdened, which has an impact on childrens learning, social programs and being able to buy everyday groceries or emergencies. Also in support were those who won and work in the hospitality industries, who said affordable housing for their staff was the main reason. Charlie Whitehead, president of the Beach Area Civic Association, spoke up against the project Thursday. He pointed out some of the inconsistency of the staff report in the report, staff said if the neighborhood redevelops, then the project will be compatible; if the comprehensive plan amendment is approved, then the project will be consistent with the comprehensive plan. Whitehead is also concerned that the development will jump in line ahead of the re-write of the San Carlos Island community plan. The county staff held a meeting with residents and business owners of the island earlier this year to start the process of visioning for the communitys plan, which will be included in the countys LeePlan update. During that meeting, many people expressed concern about the negative impacts the Bay Harbour project could have on the islands community and character. I would love to say that I support this, but I cant and I dont, Whitehead said. Its too much. At 145 feet, it will be 10 times as tall as the surrounding homes.?Adding more residential homes on a hurricane evacuation route that is already plagued with traffic problems is also a concern of Whiteheads especially if some of those homes are being rented to the vulnerable low and very low income housing categories, who may not have the necessary resources to get out. On Thursday, Joanne Semmer brought with her 270 letters of opposition shed collected but Collins said the letters did not carry as much weight since the people who signed them were not present to be cross-examined, making the letters hearsay.?Semmer also brought voluminous documentation of errors and omissions in the staff report, such as the fact that there is a platted road that goes through the subject property to her brother Bills property to the north. James Ink, one of the developers planners, said the developer plans to actually build the platted road to give access to the townhomes, as well as allow Bill Semmer to access his property. The road will be to the standards of any other Lee County road, he said. Nick White, another island resident, said he felt the county staff was trying to change San Carlos Island and many of its residents like it the way it is. My opinion is staff thinks wed be better off by transforming San Carlos Island into a tourist mecca, White said. A gleaming tourist mecca is not what we are. And this does not fit into it. Katherine Young, a real estate agent who works in the area, and Jane Plummer, who owns property and works at Southern Comfort Storage, both spoke in favor of the project and of cleaning up the neighborhood. Plummer said she counted 19 empty commercial units along San Carlos Boulevard. Young said the area was a fly-over to get to the beach, and blight had kept property values down. We are a unique community here. Everybody knows everybody else, Young said. You cant avoid the change, but I want to have a little control over what happens.?The meeting was continued to Monday, Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. Collins said the meeting should only take an hour or two for the developer to present the rendering and some other requested documentation, but she will not be taking additional public comment. At Mondays meeting, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council picked a new attorney. Its the third attorney the council has had since 2016. After agreeing to rebid the attorney contract earlier this year, the town got five applicants, including the current firm, Peterson Law Group, after issuing a request for proposals July 1. One of the applicants withdrew Aug. 14. After interviewing each candidate in one-on-one meetings, the council convened in the Chambers to interview the candidates together. Then, the council members ranked their choices. The contract was awarded to the Dye, Harrison, Kirkland, Petruff, Pratt & St. Paul, PLLC, located in Bradenton. The towns main attorney from this firm will be Thomas Thanas. Thanas currently helps to represent Holmes Beach, and has represented St. Leo and the Manatee County School District. Council Member Anita Cereceda asked if the commute would be a problem but Thanas said no, because he lived in the Chicago area for years where it could take two hours to go 30 miles. Hed be attending all council meetings, as well as being present at the Local Planning Agencys monthly meetings, and will set up office hours at Town Hall. A lot of the things Ive been dealing with in Holmes Beach will translate quite well. Code enforcement, environmental issues, short term rentals, trying to balance your community between residential issues that arise, and the commercial issues, he said. Obviously both are thriving in your community and theres a balancing act the council must perform. The town will be his primary client, but he will still be working with his colleagues at his firm to provide background support when needed, he said. Details of the Dye Harrison submitted proposal and the other proposals were under the cone of silence until Monday. Further details of the proposals could not be obtained before press time Tuesday. In December 2016, town attorney Dawn Lehnert resigned. In January 2017, the town hired the Peterson Law Group after receiving only one applicant for the request for proposals. Town Manager Roger Hernstadt, current attorney Jack Peterson and new attorney Thanas agreed there would be a transitionary period to bring him up to date with the legal issues the town is working on. Stop writing letters, start taking a stand To the Editor: Senator Nelson: Respectfully, Id like to address your Guest Commentary in the Aug. 18, 2018, issue of Fort Myers Beach Observer. While we certainly appreciate your input regarding this tragedy striking the beaches of Southwest Florida, your column effectively identifies what all of us here already know, while simultaneously offering no solutions, and at the same time attempting to absolve yourself and Senator Rubio of any responsibility whatsoever and throwing state government officials under the bus. Other than putting your name and image out in front of potential voters strikingly close to election time, I cant quite put my head around the purpose of your letter. Yes there is plenty of blame to go around yourself, Senator Rubio, and the federal government included. Whether you like it or not, sir, you are part of the problem. But the good news is, Senator Nelson, you can also be part of the solution! Who else is to blame? State government of course. Big Sugar, no question. Big farms? Yes. We the people? Absolutely. Federal government for dragging its feet to fix/improve the dike? Again, yes. The list goes on. Perhaps if you, Senator Rubio, Governor Scott, as well as everyone else apparently running for some elected office decided to spend your time, money, and energy working toward a solution instead of blaming and finger-pointing in order to get elected/re-elected, wed already have a fix for this disaster. If Big Sugar and those officials supported by their lobbies would think more long-term and work toward more community- and ecology-supporting methods of dealing with their runoff and waste products, theyd likely find greater support for their businesses, resulting in greater profits. You conclude your column by stating, these waterways are the lifeblood of our economy and I will do everything I can to protect them. Id respectfully suggest that you stop writing letters to your constituency telling us what we already know, and start taking a stand on the Federal level fighting for what we need: clean water and a thriving economy. Let that be your legend as Senator! Sincerely, Keran Farrell Fort Myers Beach Its NOT as if WE didnt try to warn all of YOU! To the Editor: The South Florida Clean Water Movement was originated since 2000. Granted it went through several different name changes as the organization for clean water as a basic human thru the years during these time that the group headed by John G Heim, (20 years invested in local water quality issues). Eventually over time eventually becoming what it is today. An activism, lobbying, water testing, observations and monitoring system, sea grass replenishment programs, oyster restoration pilots, and so much more actually work than just what must think locally by thinking of the name: The South Florida Clean Water Movement. Point being, we been around. We tried to warn YOU when we held our first ever protest against the Lake O discharges when no one even seemed to know what the lake O discharges were on the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier in 2000. Four people showed up. We tried to warn you about the harmful agents contributing to the toxic waters associated with the Lake O discharges when we would walk down the island to the town hall meetings and utilize our public comment platforms from 2001-present day. We tried to warn of the very real possibility of someday an ecological disaster would turn into an economical collapse on our Island from 2004, just after hurricane Charley. The releases of course begun as the hurricane approached by the Army Corp to prepare for the dikes safety by releasing water to the river to elevate the ever growing stain on the level in fear it would break. (Sound familiar)? We tried to warn you when we informed the general public and our local community political leaders the the Lake Okeechobee release schedule (LORS) had not been updated since years dating back. Meaning the Army Corp was using the play book for release scheduling from an updated version dating back almost a decade. LORS was then updated to meet the current 2008 integrated release schedule occurring to present times. The South Florida Clean Water Movement along with other eco orgs worked hard to have this accomplished. Yet no one locally knew about, let alone what LORS was at the time. We tried to warn you in 2010 when Governor Crist made a deal with the sugar industry to buy the land, and that the deal would expire soon if we didnt take action before the changing of hands from Crist to now Governor Rick Scott. Needless to say Scott let the deal expire. We lobbied State, Federal, County, and local govt to get on board with these efforts to as bodies of govt help assist us. We were ignored on ever level. We tried to warn you during 2013 labeled the Lost Summer. Bringing the influx of cyanobacteria on the East Coast in the Stuart FL region, while at the same time the Caloosahatchee River (C43 Canal) was getting 80% of the discharges from Lake Okeechobee decimating our ecosystem at Large. Clean water activists from the East Coast and West Coast converged and took buses Stuart Florida all the way to Washington DC to be heard in front of the United States Congress about the negative effects associated with the Lake Okeechobee discharges on both coasts. However during that time it was barely picked up in any local media, and all was still happy hour as usual in Paradise. We tried to warn you as the South Florida Clean Water Movement from the years of 2013 to present time had lobbied in the state capitol 8 times in that time frame, and 5 times to Washington DC in that time frame. However no one seemed to even know let alone care. After all what change could a bunch of activists from FMB actually do as the South Florida Clean Water Movement? We tried to warn you in 2015 when John G Heim from the south Florida Clean Water Movement speed gang a 90-day one-man protest on the Matanzas Pass Bridge that led into the year 2016 to try to warn of the upcoming Lake Okeechobee discharges that could possibly go into season. John G Heim came off of the bridge in October. That just charges began January 23rd 2016. Due to an exceptional rainy season via El Nino pattern. We tried to warn you that this could possibly happen in the worst case scenario, tourist season! It did. Destroying our season and our local economy for the complete year. We tried to warn you. We tried to warn you of the potential of this becoming a full-blown ecological disaster someday. And now here we are. Maybe rather than discrediting and disregarding the clean water activists who reside on Fort Myers Beach as the South Florida Clean Water Movement, maybe its time to admit you all should have listened to them. Remember, We only tried to help because we care about FMB and we believe FMB deserves clean water as a basic human right. John G Heim Fort Myers South Florida Clean Water Movement TVs most beloved detective is back on the case! "Veronica Mars" creator Rob Thomas is reportedly in the final stages of inking a deal with Hulu for an eight-episode limited series once again starring Kristen Bell as the eponymous character, according to Deadline. The original UPN (and later CW) show centered around Mars as she progressed from high school to college, all the while solving mysteries with her detective dad (Enrico Colantoni). Watch Kristen Bell, Chrissy Teigen and Victoria Beckham's Proud Mommy Moments Although the show only lasted three seasons, from 2004 to 2007, it garnered praise from critics and a rabid fanbase who played an integral role in the subsequent "Veronica Mars" movie. The shows creator and star raised $3.7 million in mere hours, thanks to donations from fans on Kickstarter. The original show also yielded a spinoff web series "Play It Again, Dick." It centered around actor Ryan Hansen working to stage a Dick Casablancas-centered take on "Veronica Mars." Casablancas was a recurring character on the show. It was released on the CWs Seed digital platform. Unfortunately, it only lasted one season. Kristen Bell's Fashion-Forward Trousers Will Replace the Boring Pants in Your Closet -- Shop Her Look! Thomas reportedly developed the reboot through Warner Horizon TV, the streaming/cable division of Warner Bros. TV, who are responsible for the original show. Kristen Bell Couldn't Hold Back Tears at Daughter Lincoln's Preschool Graduation Hulu has declined to comment on this reporting. Kevin Spacey today has a lot bigger problem that his "Billionaire Boys Club" film bombing as the Los Angeles County District Attorney now is reviewing another sexual assault case involving the former "House of Cards" star. This second case against the Oscar winner was handed over to the special task force in Jackie Laceys office yesterday by the L.A. County Sheriffs Department. It remains under review, said the D.A. office today. There were no more details provided. KEVIN SPACEY SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE REVIEWED BY LOS ANGELES DA A previous case against the much accused Spacey was presented on April 5 by the Sheriffs department that reportedly involved an incident with a male adult from back in October of 1992. That assault allegedly took place in West Hollywood. That case also remains under review. Audrina Patridge may be ready for the upcoming reboot of The Hills, but estranged husband Corey Bohan wants nothing to do with the series. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Bohan, 36, said he does not want the couples 2-year-old daughter, Kirra Max, featured on the revival, concerned she will be exploited. I refused to think its ok for our 2yr old daughter Kirra Bohan to be shown & exploited on Reality TV. Not just my child but anyones for that matter, Bohan penned, adding in the caption, I Stand up for what I believe in. This post isnt an attack or negative rant. This is about our daughter Kirra Bohan. Bohans post comes one day after MTVs official announcement of a Hills reunion, which is set to feature original cast members, including Patridge, 33, and fellow moms Heidi Montag, who welcomed son Gunner with husband and co-star Spencer Pratt last fall, and Whitney Port, mother to little boy Sonny with husband Tim Rosenman. Patridge filed for divorce from Bohan in September 2017 after 10 months of marriage, following an alleged domestic violence incident. She and ex Ryan Cabrera have since rekindled their relationship, which was also featured during the shows original run. As for Patridges former flame Brody Jenner, he is in talks to join the cast, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Also an ex of Laguna Beach frenemies Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari, the one-time Princes of Malibu star was not on the red carpet Monday during the Video Music Awards, where Patridge, Montag and Pratt reunited with original cast members Jason Wahler, Stephanie Pratt, Justin Bobby Brescia and Stephanie Pratt to promote the reboot. The Hills: New Beginnings is slated to debut next year. This article originally appeared in Page Six. Kim Kardashian and her rapper husband, Kanye West, are reportedly planning on having a fourth child with their one remaining embryo. The couple is planning on having the embryo implanted in a gestational carrier soon, a source told Us Weekly on Tuesday. [They] have one last embryo left, a second source told the magazine, who also revealed the sex of the embryo is male. KENDALL JENNER CLAPS BACK AFTER CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS ABOUT FELLOW RUNWAY MODELS: MY WORDS WERE TWISTED In January, the couple welcomed their third child, Chicago, via a gestational carrier. "Kanye and I are happy to announce the arrival of our healthy, beautiful baby girl," the reality star wrote on her app. "We are incredibly grateful to our surrogate who made our dreams come true with the greatest gift one could give and to our wonderful doctors and nurses for their special care. North and Saint are especially thrilled to welcome their baby sister." Kardashian, 37, and West, 41, hired the gestational carrier after the reality television star was told by doctors it wasnt safe for her to carry on my own. LAZYTOWN ACTOR STEFAN KARL STEFANSSON DIES AT 43 Doctors said that it wasnt safe for my or the babys health to carry on my own, Kardashian wrote on her website after Chicago was born. After exploring many options, Kanye and I decided to use a gestational carrier. Although I have used the term surrogate in the past, a gestational carrier is actually the technical term for a woman who carries a baby that she has no biological relationship to. A traditional surrogate donates her egg, is artificially inseminated with the fathers sperm and then carries the baby to term. Since we implanted my fertilized egg in our gestational carrier, our baby is biologically mine and Kanyes. Kardashian has revealed in the past that she wanted a large family but said she would probably not have more than four children. I dont think I could handle more than that, she told Elle. My time is spread really thin. And I think its important that in all couples, the mom gives the husband as much attention as the kids. Meghan Markles half-brother has resurfaced once again. Thomas Markle Jr. told UKs Daily Mail Wednesday hes wondering why his side of the family cant be looked after like the Middletons, claiming Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middletons uncle, Gary Goldsmith, has been welcomed into the fold despite four marriages and a conviction for domestic assault. They have [brought outsiders in] before in the past, like with the Middletons, said the 52-year-old. I dont see why our family is any different. Thomas Jr. claimed Markles paternal side of the family has been frozen out since the American actress married Britains Prince Harry in May. Their father, former Hollywood lighting director Thomas Markle, has since given several interviews about the Suits star without the 37-year-olds consent. Kensington Palace could have got involved a long time ago as soon as they announced their engagement, said Thomas Jr. Theyve dealt with this kind of stuff for a long time and why did they did [sic] it this way, thats the big question. Why? They could have looked after my dad and he would have been happy. Thomas Jr. highlighted Middletons uncle who has stirred headlines despite his niece being married to Prince William, who is second in line to the throne. Back in January, UKs Express reported the 52-year-old and his wife, 48-year-old Julie-Ann Brown, were giving their marriage another chance after he was charged with assault in 2017. Goldsmith admitted hitting his wife and knocking her to the ground after a drunken argument which was allegedly over his drug use. Goldsmith was ordered to undergo rehab after a judge claimed he failed to show any remorse. Goldsmith attended the weddings of both Kate Middleton and her sister Pippa. They were also bridesmaids at his first wedding in 1991. I think Uncle Gary and I would get along just fine, said Thomas Jr. It would have been nice to get an invite to the wedding like he was. I dont need to be brought into all the events or whatever but it would have been nice to be brought into that. Markle has been estranged from her siblings and has not spoken to her father since the day after the wedding. Markles mother, 61-year-old Doria Ragland, was the only family member present when she tied the knot with Harry, 33. The Daily Mail pointed out that when Middleton married Harrys older brother Prince William in 2011, nearly all of her family was present, including Goldsmith. Thomas Jr. said hes frustrated his famous sister couldnt have included the family into her new life as a royal. I think Meghan should have handled this differently, he said. I think Meghan should have handled this from the beginning and I think it got ignored and swept under the carpet for so long, its a shame where its ended up, especially between her and my father." Thomas Jr. claimed Markle and her father were extremely close during her childhood and he devoted all of his spare time to her. However, their relationship allegedly became strained after she began shooting Suits in 2011. Before she went to Suits, they were just in constant contact all the time and thats all he would ever talk about, claimed Thomas Jr. He dedicated all his time to her. But when she couldnt give him the time he needed or wanted to spend time with her, he got upset about that. "She didnt need him like she needed him before she was getting everything she wanted from being a star and being on that show. He would have to reach out to her and I think their relationship became a lot more distant then and that hurt his feelings. Just days before Meghan 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 Meghan would be walked down the aisle by Prince Charles, Harrys father. Markles 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. Thomas Jr. said he was compelled to be by his fathers side. When I found out about his health and his heart attack, that struck a nerve with me and I felt the urgency to get in contact with him, he explained. He changes his number a lot and I didnt have his new number so I ended up going down there [to Mexico] to find him to make sure he was alright. "Hes had a rough life, the studios take a lot out of you and he didnt look like he was in as good a shape as before so it did worry me. I dont think he deserves that kind of treatment from her. I think she owes him emotionally as his daughter to support him the way he supported her. To see all this go on in the media, from their relationship being so close and so tight-knit all her life to come to this, like she doesnt want to deal with him for reasons I dont know. No father-daughter relationship should be like this. I feel for him because of how strong their relationship was and what its become now. Thats got to hurt anybody. Its not the Meghan I remember. The Meg I remember was very caring and she cared about everybody that was important to her. Thomas Jr. also said Markle has changed dramatically since she found success in Hollywood long before she and Harry announced their engagement in November. Since Hollywood and being on that show being a celebrity has changed her, he said. Maybe she feels she is above everybody, maybe even more now. But if she wasnt with Prince Harry right now even if she was still on Suits right now she would have stopped what she was doing to go and visit him and make sure hes OK But for now, I think just to be recognized as her family would be nice. Just days before the high-profile nuptials, Thomas Jr. shared a handwritten letter to In Touch warning Harry that its not too late to stop the wedding. He then took back what he said and gushed about Markle, saying she would be the perfect modern princess. Indian President Narenda Modi shakes hands with China's State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe on Aug 21, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua] State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe's visit to India signals a recovery in military-to-military relations and will strengthen mutual trust and communication, promote military cooperation and facilitate regional peace and security along the two countries' shared border, experts said. Wei arrived in India on Tuesday on a four-day goodwill visit, during which the two sides will exchange opinions on issues of common concern, the Ministry of National Defense said in an online statement on Monday night. These issues include resolving border tensions and enhancing trust and communication. Wei is the first Chinese defense minister to visit India in six years. It is also the highest-level visit by a Chinese military official since the border standoff between the two militaries in China's Donglang area, in the Tibet autonomous region, last year. The ministry said both militaries are actively fulfilling the consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their informal meeting in Wuhan, Hubei province, in April. The two militaries will allow their coordination to play its role in boosting closer partnership between the two countries, it said. Li Li, a professor at Tsinghua University's Institute of International Relations, said Wei's visit to India will be significant in promoting mutual trust and border peace between the two militaries. "Despite the Donglang standoff last year, the long Sino-Indian border has been mostly peaceful for the last few decades thanks to various communication and risk-control mechanisms," she said. The consensus on properly managing risks and differences while continuing cooperation in various fields "is the reason behind the positive momentum for overall Sino-Indian bilateral relations", Li said. If China and India can finally create a hotline between the two militaries, which has been in the pipeline for some time, "it will further improve communication, reduce misunderstandings and misjudgments, and prevent border conflicts," she added. Ma Jiali, an expert on Sino-Indian affairs and a director at China Reform Forum, said the positive development in Sino-Indian military relations and overall ties will continue, and the two countries will also likely resume their seventh "Hand-in-Hand" joint military exercises later this year. The exercises began in 2007 and were halted last year due to the standoff. "If held as scheduled, the latest joint exercises will take place in China," Ma said. "This will send a powerful signal to the world that Sino-Indian military ties are healthy." The body of missing college student Mollie Tibbetts was found Tuesday after an illegal immigrant confessed to the brutal murder, but media outlets took dramatically different approaches to the story. The bombshell development sure to impact the immigration debate came amid a wild news day that also included a pair of major stories involving President Trump: Michael Cohens plea deal and the verdict in the Paul Manafort trial. Fox News, ABC, NBC and CBS all covered the gamut, but anyone who relies on MSNBC or CNN was left in the dark regarding the Tibbetts story. Mediaite columnist Joseph Wulfsohn told Fox News that its fairly obvious that certain news outlets prefer to cover stories that make the president look bad and the Tibbetts story didnt fit their narrative, so it fell by the wayside. Hardball with Chris Matthews, All In with Chris Hayes, The Rachel Maddow Show, The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell and The 11th Hour with Brian Williams all completely ignored the Tibbetts story during primetime and the network didnt cover it whatsoever from 5 p.m. through midnight. Earlier in the day, Fordham University Professor Christina Greer appeared on MSNBC and casually referred to Tibbetts as a girl in Iowa that Fox News is talking about, essentially dismissing the important of her body being found as a non-story. Greers dismissal went unchallenged by MSNBC host Ali Velshi. CNNs OutFront, with substitute host Poppy Harlow, covered Tibbetts for three minutes and 31 seconds, but the story was ignored on Anderson Cooper 360, Cuomo Prime Time and CNN Tonight. The news of an arrest in the Tibbetts case broke just before 5 p.m. ET when The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer was preparing to kick off. Blitzer focused exclusively on Cohen and Manafort. Esteemed media analyst and professor Jeffrey McCall told Fox News that the saturation coverage of the Cohen and Manafort legal developments merit thorough coverage but the Tibbetts story has captivated the nation and should have been given attention. The story needs to be brought to closure now and deserves suitable coverage, even if not to the degree of the Cohen and Manafort developments. News organizations can cover multiple breaking stories at one time and one story need not be ignored in the process, McCall said. It is challenging to cover multiple big stories in one day, but it is not impossible to keep an appropriate level of coverage and agenda balance. It is challenging to cover multiple big stories in one day, but it is not impossible to keep an appropriate level of coverage and agenda balance. Media analyst Jeffrey McCall MSNBC and CNN did not immediately respond when asked for comment. While liberal cable news stations essentially stuck to Cohen and Manafort, the broadcast news networks managed to cover Tibbetts during 30-minute newscasts. ABCs World News Tonight, NBCs Nightly News and CBS Evening News all led with Cohen and Manafort but covered Tibbetts in the first half of the program. In fact, anchors David Muir, Lester Holt and Jeff Glor each mentioned Tibbetts accused killer was in the country illegally, as conservative watchdogs were ready to pounce on outlets that ignored his illegal status. It shouldn't take much for any journalist to describe Mollie's alleged killer as an illegal immigrant, but it's always an uncertainty because of how the media largely defend this group of people. So it was definitely a surprise last night when the broadcast network coverage cited [Cristhian] Rivera as an illegal immigrant, NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck told Fox News. A broken clock is known to occasionally be right, Houck continued. This story does matter to people, so it's good news that the broadcast networks have done their due diligence while MSNBC in particular hasn't. News organizations are perfectly capable of multitasking. Prince Charles may be the future king of England, but it's no secret it was his late ex-wife, Princess Diana, who captivated crowds. Soon after their July 1981 wedding, Charles realized the shy 20-year-olds popularity was increasingly growing whether he liked it or not. Diana quickly became one of the most photographed people in the world and her husband couldnt help but feel overshadowed. Lady Elizabeth Anson, Queen Elizabeth IIs cousin, told People magazine Wednesday of a moment that forever changed the doomed marriage. [Diana] sort of metamorphosed into a very, very elegant blonde beauty, she recalled. They did a visit to Wales which was the beginning of, for Prince Charles, realizing, Theyve come out to see my wife, they havent come out to see me. But one author claimed the now-69-year-olds jealously didnt end with Dianas fame. Tom Bower, who penned an unauthorized biography of the Prince of Wales, titled Rebel Prince, claimed more recently Charles felt usurped by the Middletons. He even felt isolated from grandchildren Prince George and Princess Charlotte when his eldest son, Prince William, and wife Kate Middleton chose to spend Christmas with her parents rather than with the other royals. Bower also alleged Charles wasnt at ease when the couple chose to set up their home base in Norfolk, which is miles away from his Highgrove residence, to preserve their privacy. Charles saw Kate and William as the new stars and feared hed be in trouble, Robert Higdon, the chief executive of Charles charity foundation in America, told Bower. Back in 2017, Princess Dianas biographer Andrew Morton told Fox News the late Princess of Wales was enduring a lonely miserable life inside the palace despite being adored by the public. Morton added Diana quietly endured the collapsing marriage and constant attempts to fit in with the royal family because she was struggling with an eating disorder, as well as the pressures that came with a high-profile role, where every public engagement was scrutinized by the press. Somehow, he claimed, she continued to hope things would get better with time. [Diana] was hoping she would come to terms with this new life and move on, he said. But she realized she was living this lie seemingly the wife of Prince Charles. And yet you got Prince Charles, who was effectively with another mans wife at Highgrove, their country estate, while she languished alone at Kensington Palace. However, Diana found a sense of happiness in her marriage with the birth of her two sons. The former couple welcomed Prince William in 1982, followed by Prince Harry in 1984. Morton claimed that while Diana was pregnant with Harry, she and Charles experienced an intimate connection, one that involved him reportedly writing love notes to his wife. But after Harry was born, the relationship soured until they finally divorced in 1996. Diana passed away in 1997 at age 36 from a car crash in Paris. The Emmys are turning 70, and the Television Academy brought together some of this years nominees at NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles to celebrate. Are we 70 already? Gosh, I remember the first one like it was yesterday, Carson Kressley, who was the fashion expert on the original iteration of Queer Eye, joked with Variety at the TV Academys (platinum) performer peer group celebration on Monday night. Were so lucky to work in TV, added Kressley, the RuPauls Drag Race judge, on an uncharacteristically serious note. Its really having a renaissance right now and so inclusive and diverse. However, the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy veteran couldnt resist a jab at the revised Fab Fives Netflix reboot. Im thrilled that theyre nominated, but it was a little more groundbreaking back when we won an Emmy in 2004, he said. FANS WANT POST MALONE TO GET A QUEER EYE MAKEOVER Drag Race star Kameron Michaels praised the progress that has been made, saying, I never thought I would see drag on TV let alone 12 nominations for Emmys, but we had a sickening season, and RuPaul killed it. Ive watched the Emmys since the beginning of my life and practiced a little speech because as an actor, who hasnt? asked Adina Porter, who is nominated for American Horror Story: Cult and will also appear on the upcoming Apocalypse season of the show. I didnt realize it was 7-0 until I actually became part of it all. My favorite part of the Emmys is In Memorial, and now, being nominated, I think, Well, I probably will be in a clip of In Memorial when I die. Hopefully that wont be for a long, long time. Im very happy to be a part of the club. Walked into CVS and forgot to pick up my antidepressants because Africa by Toto was playing and I completely forgot about my mental illness. My killer: Any last words? Me: Alexa, play Africa by Toto. If you play Africa by Toto at exactly 11:58:33 p.m. on December 31st, the first I bless the rains down in Africa will play at exactly midnight. Start off your New Year right. These are just a few of the memes that Africa, the 1982 pop song by American rock band Toto, has inspired. The internets interest in the 80s hit has catapulted the song to the top of the charts and into the forefront of millennial humor. But how do the members of Toto feel about their decades-old song becoming a slightly satirical meme for the avocado toast-obsessed? Its hilarious, Totos lead guitarist and vocalist, Steve Lukather, recently told Page Six while he was en route to a sold-out gig in Texas. I mean listen, we recorded the song in 1981. It was a throwaway tune, like on our fourth album and I always loved the track, but I thought the lyrics were silly. I mean, but they are! He continued, I think its a great honor. Im tickled. It just makes me smile. I mean wow, thats forever. When someone looks back at 2018, were going to be a part of that story. Thats pretty cool. Lukather, 60, says his band has an amazing sense of humor about some of this st, referring to the memes and parodies. Thats the one thing about my band that no one ever realized, he said. Weve been together all these years and because we put out thousands of records and all that st, they anticipate us to be the most serious people in the world when Im probably one of the more insane people you would talk to. I have a wicked, depraved sense of humor, and when people come at me with these memes and stuff like that, I laugh my ass off the worse they are or the better. Like, when people make fun of us, its fine. I get it. I mean one of them is a South Park character. How cool is that? You know what I mean? How can I bitch at that? Thats the coolest thing ever! The one-part soft-rock one-part world-music melodic cocktail was written by band members David Paich and Jeff Porcaro in 1981 and was released as a single in 1982. The following year, the song would reach No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Since then, with the help of the internet, social media and new streaming services, the song continues to flourish decades later. [Africa] has been gaining. Its kind of been a slow build over the last decade but it especially started to really proliferate in the last two years, Billboards chart manager for social streaming and rock, Kevin Rutherford, told Page Six. Between Aug. 10 to Aug. 16, Totos Africa sold 6,000 digital downloads and was streamed 5.8 million times, according to Nielson Music. Additionally, this week, the 80s tune is the 53rd-most-sold song in the country out of any genre, and No. 17 on the Pop Digital Song Sales chart. Africas consistency is rather remarkable considering the fact that every other song ahead of it is a current song or falls within the hip-hop-driven market (with the exception of Ben E. Kings 60s classic Stand By Me,) according to Rutherford. I think internet culture has kind of taken it and really shot it into the stratosphere because youve got different memes or vines you can share all these songs and all these videos and people started bonding over their love of this song, Rutherford said. The chart expert tells us that various moments in pop culture created spikes in the songs popularity, from being featured in shows like Stranger Things and South Park, to appearing in a viral video of Kristin Bell and Dax Shepards travels in Africa. Weezers recent cover of the track, which spends its third week on top of the Alternative Songs airplay chart, also launched Totos version back up on the charts. And while Rutherford believes the songs longevity has to do with its consistent presence in pop culture as well as the lyrics inoffensive vagueness, Lukather cant quite pinpoint why it has attracted so many generations time and time again. I havent a fking clue and you can quote me on that, laughed the rocker, who described the song as an enigma. But its got a great groove. I mean its a happy thing. The message of the song doesnt have anything to do with Oo baby I love you, so theres no depression there. Its not political, so theres no depression there. Its a fantasy song. Its like a Disneyland song or whatever. We just went in there and had fun and made this record People latch onto it. Its kitschy enough that the lyrics are weird enough that people will remember it. Nearly 40 years after the bands original formation, Toto is currently on tour, playing sold-out shows filled with baby boomers, Gen Xers and millennials alike. This came out of nowhere, Lukather said. Our gigs are selling out, were having fun, I got a book coming out next month. Its good to be us right now. You know, who knew that this would happen to us at this point, so were rather grateful about it. I would have never bet on it, he added. This article originally appeared on Page Six. A Connecticut restaurant has removed from its menu a cocktail called The Tuskegee Experiment after a customer complaint. 323 Main Restaurant in Westport offered the drink, the name of which referred to a U.S. government experiment that left many African-American men with syphilis in order for scientists to study the diseases progression, the Westport News reported Tuesday. The drink included Myers dark rum, Malibu pineapple juice, fresh lime, pineapple, jalapeno mash and a dash of Tabasco, according to a photo posted on Facebook. Eric Armour posted the photo of the menu on Facebook last week, saying Umm. This is ridiculously horrible. Leah Bornstein noticed the cocktail when she went to the restaurant to see a band on Aug. 11, she told the Westport News. She emailed the restaurant owner to have the drink removed and it was gone by Aug. 17, according to the news site. I was appalled when I saw it, she said. Emily Clayton, the bars manager, said she never heard of The Tuskegee Experiment cocktail and said when she looked through the bar menus it looked like it had been updated. I was appalled when I saw it. Leah Bornstein, restaurant patron Norwalk NAACP President Brenda Penn-Williams condemned the restaurant in a statement to the Westport News. To conduct such an experiment on rural, uneducated African-American men, which was the leading cause of death, is a travesty of injustice and a lack of human regard, the statement said. It is a shame that 323 Main Restaurant continued with the same racist mind set in these times. A man almost died after his bowel became so full with feces it burst and caused his organs to start shutting down. The 24-year-old was taken to the hospital after suffering with tummy pain and diarrhea for a week. The patient, who is autistic, had a history of chronic constipation and had been admitted to the hospital a number of times over the last four years. Examination showed he had a tender, swollen abdomen with minimal bowel sounds. A CT-scan revealed he had a megarectum - a condition which causes the colon to dilate. His rectum had dilated up to 18-cm inside his body and was "filled with feces", according to the BMJ case report. He was given oral laxatives but refused regular enemas to clear his bowels. GUT BACTERIA ENZYME CAN TRANSFORM A BLOOD CELL'S TYPE Two days later he returned to Newham University Hospital in London suffering inflammation in the stomach and reduced consciousness. Further tests revealed his blood was becoming too acidic and his kidneys were starting to fail. A second CT-scan found a "substantial perforation" of his bowel and he was rushed into surgery where doctors were able to close the tear. The operation was successful and the man made a full recovery after being kept in intensive care. "This patient had chronic, idiopathic megacolon and megarectum," Dr. Alexandros Apostolopoulos, who treated the man, wrote in the report. "Patients with this condition report recurrent episodes of constipation, abdominal pain, distension and bloating starting in childhood or adolescence." "Due to increased intraluminal [gastrointestinal] pressures, these patients are at an increased risk of ulceration of the bowel wall," Apostolopoulos wrote. "Hence, they are at an increased risk of perforation." Megacolon and megarectum are often treated with enemas and oral laxatives. If these methods fail, surgery may be needed to correct the bowel to prevent serious complications. This article originally appeared in The Sun. A Pennsylvania family is suing a popular candy company after they claim their son nearly choked to death while sucking on a defective lollipop. The alleged July 2017 incident involved Mark and Kristina Matthews son, identified only as MBM, and a Dum Dum lollipop. The lawsuit, which targets Spangler Candy Company, claims that the lollipop slipped and/or came off the stick and lodged in (the childs) throat, causing (the childs) airway to close for an extended period of time, WTAE.com reported. MAN WHO SEVERED HAND IN MEAT GRINDER WON'T HAVE IT REATTACHED, WIFE SAYS The defective Dum Dum sucker was unreasonably dangerous and incapable of being safely used by its intended user, the lawsuit claims, according to WPXI. The Matthews contend that the childs father had to dislodge the candy from his sons throat and that the child required medical treatment at the hospital. The family maintains that their son has sustained emotional and mental distress from the incident, and is seeking $30,000 in damages. Spangler Candy Company, which is based in Ohio, did not return WTAE.coms request for comment. A rare sexually transmitted disease that causes flesh-eating ulcers on patients genitalia has popped up in England, the Lancashire Post reported. An unnamed female patient, who lives in Southport and is between the ages of 15 and 25, reportedly was diagnosed with donovanosis within the last 12 months. Donovanosis, which is spread through sexual intercourse with an infected patient, or by coming into contact with a patient's infected ulcer, is typically seen in India, New Guinea, parts of the Caribbean, central Australia and southern Africa. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the painless disease causes progressive ulcerative lesions on the genitals or perineum, which are prone to heavy bleeding. Patients are at risk of extragenital infections that can occur in the pelvic regions, or in intra-abdominal organs, bones or mouth. The lesions may also develop secondary bacterial infections. While antibiotic treatment may stop the progression of lesions, patients are at risk of relapse for 6-18 months post-treatment. According to the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), there have been no prior cases reported in the U.K. The womans case came to light through a Freedom of Information request submitted by chemist-4-u.com, the Lancashire Post reported. CONSTIPATED MAN NEARLY DIED AFTER FECES-FILLED BOWEL BURST A pharmacist with chemist-4-u.com told the news outlet that any delay in treatment could cause the flesh around the genitals to literally rot away. An update on the infected patient was not provided, nor was it clear if any sexual partners she had encountered were also infected. Coming into contact with a victims bleeding ulcer could be enough to transmit the disease. The website submitted the request as part of its The Great British STI Taboo investigation, which reported that 69 percent of the 1,000 British adults polled had never been tested for an STD. The investigation also reported that in 2017, 420,000 STDs were diagnosed in England, with chlamydia accounting for 48 percent of cases. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Expecting Venezuelan women are leaving their country due to lack of prenatal care, medicine and diapers and giving birth across the border in Brazil, where three Venezuelan babies are born every day. "My baby would have died if I had stayed. There was no food or medicine, no doctors," said Maria Teresa Lopez as she fed her daughter Fabiola, who was born on Monday night by caesarian section in the maternity hospital of Boa Vista, the capital of Brazil's Roraima border state. Lopez, 20, hitched 800 kilometers from her home in the Orinoco river delta to the Brazilian border five months ago. She is one of several hundred thousand Venezuelans who have fled the economic and political turmoil in their homeland, mostly to neighboring Colombia. The massive influx of Venezuelans has overburdened social services in Roraima state and led to an increase in crime, prostitution, disease and incidents of xenophobia. MAN WHO SEVERED HAND IN MEAT GRINDER WON'T HAVE IT REATTACHED, WIFE SAYS Births of Venezuelan babies at the Boa Vista maternity hospital surged to 566 last year and 571 in the first half of 2018, from 288 in 2016 when the flow of Venezuelan refugees began, the Roraima health department said. There were no births in 2015, it said. Roraima health safety coordinator Daniela Souza said the state has only one maternity hospital and it is being stretched to the limit, with patients sleeping on cots in the corridors. Syringes, gloves and other supplies are running out, she said. "There are 800 people coming across the border every day and many of the women and children need medical care," Souza said. The number of Venezuelans attended at the state's medical centers has risen from 700 in 2014 to 50,000 in 2017 and 45,000 in just the first three months of this year, she said. The Brazilian government and Venezuela's Information Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Roraima's governor has asked Brazil's Supreme Court to close the border to be able to deal with the immigration crisis. The federal government in Brasilia has ruled that out on humanitarian grounds. TOXIN AT HEART OF DRUG RECALL SHOWS HOLES IN MEDICAL SAFETY NET Carmen Jimenez, 33, who arrived from Ciudad Bolivar eight months pregnant and gave birth in the Boa Vista hospital, said she was amazed to see so many Venezuelan mothers there. "I won't go back to Venezuela until there is food and medicine, and the streets are safe again," she said holding her 4-day-old daughter, Amalia. Lopez, a Warao Indian of the Orinoco delta, said she would only return to pick up her first daughter, who remained behind with her grandmother because she was too young for the arduous journey to the border. Brazil has received her well and her husband found work doing odd jobs, painting and mowing lawns, Lopez said, as she fed her baby milk with a large syringe. "There is nothing left for us there," she said. "I did not get an ultrasound until I got to Brazil and it was free. I want to stay." One Michigan woman recently celebrated a milestone birthday by leaping out of a plane at 14,000 feet. When Dottie Sambiagio turned 90, she was inspired to follow in George H. W Bushs footsteps and take the plunge, literally, by going skydiving. TOURIST WHO 'STOLE' PEBBLES FROM CORNWALL BEACH FORCED TO RETURN THEM OR PAY $1,300 Try and enjoy life. It is so precious. You dont know how long it is going to be, Sambiagio told WXYZ. The grandmother from Petersburg boarded a plane with Skydive Tecumseh for her big adventure. Once they reached just over two and half miles up, strapped to her instructor, Sambiagio jumped from the aircraft into the clouds. It was wonderful, she told the cameraman upon landing, seemingly unfazed by the potentially terrifying experience. That ground came rushing so fast. I thought, my legs are going to be bent like an accordion. next thing I knew we were down and I was fine, she told WXYZ. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS Sambiagio isnt the first daredevil her age to celebrate a milestone birthday with a skydiving adventure. A Seattle man celebrated his 100th birthday in July by participating in a similar feat. Robert Stu Williamson called the experience a piece of cake saying he wanted to do it again. A medical worker from the Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark helps to examine a child from Mozambique in November 2017 during an eight-day humanitarian mission there. Photo: VCG Since the first Chinese medical team arrived in Africa in 1963, all kinds of non-profit Chinese medical services have contributed to the continent's healthcare and saved the lives of tens of thousands of people. In recent years, cooperation in healthcare between China and Africa has witnessed tremendous results, helping forge close ties between the two. Through decades of medical cooperation and exchanges, China has exerted all means to assist Africa, including building medical institutions, providing medicine and medical devices, organizing training sessions, and offering scholarships to African medical students. From Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to Windhoek in Namibia, 43 Chinese medical teams are working round the clock providing services across Africa. China has sent over 20,000 medical workers to Africa since 1963 and some 200 million African people have benefited as a result. When the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease started spreading in West Africa in 2014, China sent over teams without hesitation. In February 2014, an Ebola epidemic broke out in Guinea and later spread to Sierra Leone and Liberia, while other countries also reported infections. The outbreak claimed hundreds of lives in months and posed a great threat to the affected countries. Since the outbreak, China has carried out its largest aid program in the area of health, providing several rounds of financial aid to Africa, sending hundreds of medical personnel and public health experts to the affected countries and training local medical workers. A friend in need "A friend in need is a friend indeed, and for that reason, China has truly proven to be our friend indeed through its support in different sectors in this country," said Tanzanian Minister for Education, Science and Technology Joyce Ndalichako in Dar es Salaam earlier this month. "We are glad and appreciate that most of these trainees will be trained in the areas where the nation is facing a critical shortage of staff," Ndalichako said. When the Chinese navy hospital ship Peace Ark visited Tanzania in November last year and provided free medical treatment to the locals, Tanzanian President John Magufuli thanked Chinese doctors. "The coming of the ship has written a new history in the cordial relationship of the two countries," he said. The Peace Ark stayed eight days in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam and treated 6,441 patients. In Ethiopia, Chinese medical teams have nearly 45 years of experience working across the country. 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, 380 kilometers 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 mission to Ethiopia. Strengthened ties At a ministerial conference in South Africa last year, China called for intensified efforts to improve the accessibility of healthcare services in Africa and scale up support for the health needs of young people and women. China and Africa have seen deepened cooperation in the healthcare sector. For example, the Brightness Action campaign, a China-led activity for patients with eye illnesses, has witnessed achievements. In the Republic of Congo, the Brightness Action campaign was launched in 2016 with a Chinese medical team stationed at the China-Congo Friendship Hospital (CCFH), which has received modern surgical supplies and medical instruments from China in recent years. Zhang Weipeng, an ophthalmologist at the CCFH 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 here specially for phacoemulsification. The doctor said some local patients are reluctant to seek treatment until their eyesight is blurred by cataracts, making it more difficult for the surgery to be performed. Actively involved in training sessions for local people to increase public awareness of eye illnesses and for medical personal to promote their skills, Zhang said his commitment is to "teach a man to fish." He said only when local doctors can independently perform cataract surgeries can there be a permanent medical team to provide the service to the public. Zhang said his "biggest joy" is seeing patients regain their eyesight. "It moves me a lot to see that Congolese patients trust Chinese doctors." School picture day is a major event for middle schoolers across the country, making one Missouri boys green screen photo shoot gone wrong all the more hysterical. Last week, Laurel Boone Hutsell took to Facebook to share the hilarious shots of her son, Carter, who wore a neon green polo for his first day of seventh grade which was also picture day and divulged how the self-proclaimed #momfail came to be. According to a Love What Matters blog post, the 42-year-old mom from the St. Louis area and her oldest child decided that the bright top would look great against the gray or taupe background for the photos commemorating the fresh start and clean slate of a new school year. TWITTER'S MATILDA CHALLENGE IS MUCH SAFER THAN TIDE POD CHALLENGE When Carter came home that day, the first words out of his lips were ones of alarm. Mom, I shouldnt have worn the green shirt for pictures. It will blend in with the green screen they used, he exclaimed, according to Hutsell. They used a green screen? What?! I probably should have read some fine print. Maybe they will be ok, the funny mom recalls she said. When she was emailed the proofs two days later, Hutsell couldnt believe what she saw. Out loud I said to myself 'Oh my gosh. He was right,' she wrote of the images, in which Carters polo-clad torso effectively disappeared into the classic scenes projected onto the background. I could not stop laughing. Each picture was better than the next, Hutsell remembered, adding that her husband too got such a good laugh. The flags? That autumn scene with the fence? I really couldnt believe my handsome boys head and arms were just floating there, she said. At the urging of her friends, Hutsell publicized the post on social media so others could share it in hopes that the photo fail might brighten someones day and it did. In the days since, Carters vanishing school photos sparked over 47,000 reactions, over 8,000 comments and 34,000 shares online. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS Though she was shocked at the influx of messages from the photos, Hutsell said that her wry son said I told you with a smile of the story going viral. I have received tons of messages from other moms, thanking me for sharing this #momfail and for making them laugh. Lots of people are commenting about how handsome my son is and how much this has brightened their day. This is a memory and a story well have to tell for a lifetime, she wrote on Love What Matters. As moms, we do the best we can. We love our kids. We support. We encourage. And we try to prepare. But in the end, theres a chance our kids will still have a floating head in a flag, autumn scene or brick wall. And that my friends, is a hilarious thing to be okay with. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! WASHINGTON -- Many in the intelligence community have been quietly dismayed by the hyperbolic partisan behavior of former CIA director John Brennan since Donald Trump took office. But by revoking Brennan's security clearance, President Trump has managed to turn Brennan from an embarrassment into a martyr. The response to Trump's action has been like the scene in the 1960 movie "Spartacus" when a Roman general announces to a group of rebel slaves that they will be spared the punishment of crucifixion -- but only if they turn in Spartacus, the leader of the revolt. One by one, the slaves stand up and shout, "I am Spartacus." As former CIA director Michael Hayden has pointed out, a similar scene is playing out today in the intelligence community. The first to yell "I am Spartacus" was retired Adm. William H. McRaven, former head of U.S. Joint Special Operations Command, who declared in a Post op-ed, "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." Then 12 former CIA directors, CIA deputy directors and directors of national intelligence declared in a joint letter that they, too, were Spartacus: "You don't 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." The number of signatories is now at 15. They were soon joined by 60 former CIA officers, who signed a letter of their own and released it Friday evening declaring they were Spartacus. "Our signatures below do not necessarily mean that we concur with the opinions expressed by former Director Brennan or the way in which he expressed them," they wrote, but "the country will be weakened if there is a political litmus test applied before seasoned experts are allowed to share their views." By Tuesday, the number of signatories had grown to 177 and included former senior officials from the State, Defense and Justice departments as well as the National Security Council and even NASA. Note the pains the writers of both letters took to distance themselves from both the substance and style of Brennan's attacks on Trump. Brennan's conduct has been deeply controversial in intelligence circles -- and with good reason. After the Justice Department fired former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe (whom the inspector general determined had inappropriately authorized the disclosure of sensitive information and then misled investigators), Brennan lashed out at Trump, declaring on Twitter, "When the full extent of your venality, moral turpitude, and political corruption becomes known, you will take your rightful place as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history." Brennan has also warned Republican members of Congress that "Legislators who try to protect [Trump] will face November reckoning." But, most egregious of all, Brennan accused Trump of treason, tweeting that Trump's performance at his Helsinki news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin "rises to & exceeds the threshold of 'high crimes & misdemeanors'" and "was nothing short of treasonous." This was both outrageous and absurd. A news conference, however embarrassing, is not an impeachable offense. On Sunday, an incredulous Chuck Todd told Brennan on NBC's "Meet the Press," "You are the former CIA director accusing the sitting President of the United States ... of treason. ... That's a monumental accusation." Brennan stood by his ridiculous accusation. Even some former officials deeply concerned by Trump's policies and behavior have been taken aback by the barrage of partisan invective. James R. Clapper Jr., who worked for President Barack Obama alongside Brennan as director of national intelligence, recently complained, "John and his rhetoric have become an issue in and of itself." Retired Adm. Mike Mullen, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Obama, said Brennan's partisan criticism of Trump "has put him in a political place which actually does more damage for the intelligence community." He's right. Brennan's actions have harmed the intelligence community, which prides itself on staying above the partisan fray, and have fed the narrative of a "deep state" seeking to undermine Trump. But revoking Brennan's security clearance has not hurt Brennan. To the contrary, Trump has rescued Brennan from his own partisan hackery and given him an even greater platform from which to spew his bile. Indeed, the president admitted as much on Friday, saying, "If anything, I'm giving him a bigger voice." Yes, Mr. President, you are -- and that is a big mistake. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! The federal jury that found former Trump presidential campaign chairman Paul Manafort guilty of eight counts of tax evasion and bank fraud Tuesday reached the appropriate verdict, based on convincing evidence assembled by prosecutors working for Special Counsel Robert Mueller. A mistrial was declared on 10 other counts when jurors couldnt agree on verdicts on those charges. The eight guilty verdicts will give Muellers team investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign needed momentum. Mueller did not seem to be making much progress of late. He can now count Manaforts conviction as a major victory along with a guilty plea he elicited earlier from President Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Yet Manaforts trial and conviction in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, reveal nothing of substance about allegations that the Russian government worked with Donald Trump and his presidential campaign in 2016 to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton in the race for the White House. Muellers office was created to investigate this alleged conspiracy referred to as collusion by President Trump, who states almost daily that there was no collusion. But as Muellers investigation widened based on new information that prosecutors and FBI agents picked up, evidence emerged about Manaforts business activities going back to 2006 years before he joined the Trump campaign for five months in 2016. According to prosecutors, Manafort was paid $60 million from Ukraines then-President Viktor Yanukovich and his political allies. After stashing the money away in offshore bank accounts without paying taxes, Manafort secretly moved at least $15 million into the United States to fund a lavish lifestyle, prosecutors told jurors. So none of Manaforts activities that he stood trial for had anything to do with Trump, or even American presidential politics. They instead centered on the squalid efforts of influence-peddler Manafort to hide payments from Ukrainian politicians. Manaforts political consulting, such as it was, did not violate federal law. Only his efforts to hide his income from the Internal Revenue Service were at issue. The bottom line: the case against him was about whether he cheated on his taxes not about Russian election interference. The specific nature of the charges against Manafort reveals their limits. Trump went virtually unmentioned in the trial. Prosecutors did not raise Russias efforts to interfere in the 2016 elections. While Mueller may have targeted Manafort for prosecution in the hopes that he would cooperate to reveal alleged criminal activity by Trump, that issue went unaddressed at the Manafort trial. Even if Manaforts financial misdeeds had rendered him vulnerable to blackmail from Ukrainians or Russians, the charges of tax evasion did not allow that potential link to 2016 election meddling to arise. Documents alone confirmed Manaforts guilt. The political consultant did not testify or even provide an affirmative defense. Manaforts lawyers focused their strategy on attacking the prosecutions star witness and Manaforts former right-hand man Rick Gates. After Gates testified against Manafort and accused him of breaking the law, Manaforts lawyers claimed that Gates stole from Manafort to fund his own expensive luxuries and said Manafort was a victim. It was as if Batman and Robin turned on each other, each saying his partner had embarked on a life of crime. After four days of deliberations, the jury agreed with prosecutors on much of their case, despite their inability to agree whether Manafort was guilty or innocent on 10 of the 18 charges against him. Perhaps just as important as the verdict is what it means for the future of the Mueller investigation. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III could well sentence Manafort to spend the rest of his life in prison. That prospect gives Manafort a strong incentive to cooperate with Mueller, in the hopes of receiving a lighter sentence. Manafort may know of communications between the Trump campaign and Russians over the theft and release of the Clinton campaigns emails in 2016 or other matters. If Manafort now starts cooperating with Mueller, Mueller may have just gained some powerful ammunition in his ongoing investigation of the Trump campaign. On the other hand, Manafort may know nothing because there is nothing to the collusion charges. In that case, Manafort may be trying to show his loyalty to President Trump in order to win a presidential pardon. President Trump may have given Manafort reason to hope for a pardon with his frequent attacks on the Mueller investigation, which he regularly calls a rigged witch hunt. But if President Trump believes that Muellers investigation has gone too far, he should not resort to the pardon power to cure it. Manafort was plainly guilty of tax evasion, on a large scale TurboTax did not just make a $15 million error on his 1040. Instead, President Trump can stop prosecutorial abuse either by ordering Mueller to curb his investigation or even firing the special counsel and replacing him. But a pardon of Manafort would seem purely political, in contrast earlier pardons granted by Trump to defendants who had arguably been sentenced to punishments wholly out of proportion to their alleged wrongdoing. While the Constitution places few limits on presidential pardons, President Trump should not use a valuable tool of executive power to protect a political crony. Muellers victory in convicting Manafort may also place more pressure on other figures in the Russia investigation. Any threats that the special counsel may make to win their cooperation will have now have renewed credibility. And Manafort faces another trial in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia in September on additional charges brought by Mueller. A conviction in that case would put still more pressure on Manafort to cooperate with Muellers investigation and turn on the president. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Christians across the nation are expressing grave concerns over a proposed California law that would outlaw speech dealing with certain issues including homosexuality and gender identity by clergy members, licensed counselors and others. Assembly Bill 2943, authored by Democratic Assemblyman Evan Low, would utilize the states existing consumer fraud statute to classify gay conversion therapy as a fraudulent practice. State senators passed the legislation last Thursday and the Assembly is poised to take up a final vote before the bill is sent to Democratic Gov. Jerry Browns office. The faith community, like anyone else, needs to evolve with the times, Democratic Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi said during debate on the legislation. The science is clear. The claim that the First Amendment can be used as a defense for promoting fraudulent conduct is a fallacious argument. Dr. Paul Chappell, the pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church and the president of West Coast Baptist College, said there is a groundswell of opposition rising up among Christians and conservatives to the Assembly bill. This is an encroachment by the state, Chappell said on the Todd Starnes Radio Show. Its time for Christians all across America to recognize its an attack on our faith. Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Matt Sharp said the legislation makes it unlawful for any person to sell books, counseling services, or anything else that helps someone overcome unwanted same-sex attraction or gender identity confusion. As a result, it could be a violation if a pastor encourages a congregant to visit the church book store to purchase books that help people address sexual issues, perhaps including the Bible itself, which teaches about the importance of sexual purity within the confines of marriage between a man and woman, Sharp said. The Alliance Defending Freedom called the breadth of the censorship is staggering. The alliance says that: ? A religious ministry could not hold a conference on maintaining sexual purity if the conference encourages attendees to avoid homosexual behavior. ? A bookstore (even online bookstores) could not sell many recently published books challenging gender identity ideology and advocating that these beliefs should be rejected by society. ? A pastor paid to speak at an event addressing current social topics could not encourage attendees that they can prevail over same-sex desires or feelings that they were born the wrong sex. Republican Assemblyman Travis Allen warned that the bills language is so broad it could even lead to the Bible being targeted. The Bibles teachings, if taken literally, could very clearly be a direct violation of AB 2943, he said on the Todd Starnes Radio Show. The faith community has every reason to be up in arms about this. Once Democrats start talking about banning books, this is a road we do not want to go down. Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener dismissed concerns that the legislation could eventually lead to a ban on Bible sales. This bill does not prohibit the sale of the Bible thats an argument that weve heard thats untrue, Wiener told the Los Angeles Blade. It does not in any way prohibit free speech. It doesnt prohibit anyone from speaking with a counselor, including a religious counselor regarding their sexual orientation, as long as no money is exchanged, as long as no services are sold. David French, writing in National Review, said the law would loom over booksellers and churches, establishing a chilling effect and providing a pretext for even more secular booksellers to refrain from stocking certain Christian titles no matter how well-reasoned. Low, who is chairman of the states LGBT Legislative Caucus, fired back at those concerns. A church or individual may still practice conversion therapy if they do so without charging for this fraudulent service, Low wrote on Twitter. It (the legislation) does not ban Bibles nor does it ban the basic sales of books as some would have you believe. However, there is no religious exemption in the proposed bill and that has Christians across the nation sounding alarm bells. Someone might say its an extremist thought, but I dont think its extremist at all, Chappell said on the Todd Starnes Radio Show. People hate what the Bible teaches. That is absolutely in my opinion where all this is going towards the Bible and ultimately towards the pulpits that preach the Bible. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! The Obama administrations regulatory onslaught had few culprits that inflicted more damage on American businesses than Mark Pearce. He has served as chairman of the National Labor Relations Board for the past six years, and during his tenure the NLRB became the quintessential example of the regulatory state run amok. Unfortunately, the board under Pearces leadership has created fear that discouraged investment and hobbled economic growth. For this reason, President Trump should not reappoint Pearce when his term on the NLRB expires Monday. Knowing there would be a newly reconstituted NLRB contributed to the surge in business optimism following President Trumps election a surge that continues to this day. Pearces reappointment to the board when his term expires would have the opposite effect. Under Pearce, the NLRB, was grossly anti-employee (particularly private sector employees who did not want to join a union) and anti-business, consistently favoring big labor at the expense of everyday Americans. Pearce was the mastermind for much of the progressive establishments anti-business labor agenda an agenda he pushed without regard for existing law. By one well-documented analysis, Pearce presided over the most partisan NLRB in history, reversing many years of precedent in about 90 cases, disregarding longstanding labor-management policies, and always in favor of big labor. It will take years for a new board to undo the damage. For example, Pearce was the architect of the expanded joint employer rule, which flipped decades of labor law on its head to make it easier to unionize and sue franchise brands, like the ones I ran as CEO for restaurant chains Hardees and Carls Jr. Simply put, the rule made union organizing easier by allowing labor bosses to organize both franchisers and their franchisees as one entity, rather than having to organize each individual franchisee. Should this rule survive, franchisers will be forced to take control of their franchisees employment practices they do not control them now reducing the ability of franchisees to control their bottom lines and run their businesses as independent entrepreneurs. This has the potential to destroy the franchise business model, which has encouraged countless American small business owners to create jobs and broad-based economic growth. Hundreds of thousands of franchisees in this country live in fear of this rules economic impact should it not be reversed. The joint employer rule is but one example of problems with the NLRB. In addition, many of Pearces more pernicious anti-business, anti-employee and pro-big labor decisions live on. These decisions include: Compelling employers to give their employees contact information to union representatives, without the consent of the employees. Permitting micro-unions. These are small groups of employees when unions are unable to get enough worker support to organize a businesss employee base. Snap elections, in which unionization votes occur before employers have a chance to explain their opposition to unionization, depriving employees of the ability to make an informed choice when they vote. The NLRB has five members appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, with the understanding that the sitting presidents party is entitled to three members. President Obama helped Pearce succeed in implementing his anti-business, pro-big labor agenda by leaving the boards Republican seats vacant during his term. This padded Democratic majorities, stifled Republican dissent and fast-tracked one disastrous ruling after the other. During his election campaign, President Trump famously vowed to drain the swamp. Fortunately, in some cases, draining the swamp doesnt take any action at all. By simply allowing the terms of certain Obama-era appointees like Pearce to expire, President Trump can continue to advance his deregulatory agenda and continue the economic boom by allowing his own appointees to deconstruct the regulatory state that Pearce helped create. Its no wonder, then, that Democrats are salivating over rumors of Pearces renomination. Another six-year term would ensure he could remain a thorn in the business communitys side until the end of President Trumps second term and potentially put him in line for another chairmanship under a Democratic president. If Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., comes to President Trump looking to make a deal to keep Pearce in office, the president should reject it. In fact, President Trump should do something this Trump supporter will likely never recommend again: take a page from Obamas book. Leave the seat open. Dont cave to the demands of the Washington establishment that claims to know whats best for businesses. Pearce is a trojan horse who can and will sabotage President Trumps economic agenda from the inside. Even worse, his actions will make it harder for millions of Americans to grow their businesses, provide for their families and achieve the American Dream. President Trump has unleased record business optimism resulting in a tremendous economic surge. Thats a fact. Hes also keen on the politics looming ahead in the midterms and recognizes the importance of keeping his momentum going full steam ahead. Renominating Mark Pearce to the NLRB would diminish Americas pro-business, job-growing enthusiasm and send mixed signals to the next generation of entrepreneurs looking to the president for leadership. Respectfully, that would be a mistake. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! President Trumps former personal attorney Michael Cohens guilty pleas Tuesday are unlikely to result in criminal charges against the president. But the pleas admitting to campaign finance violations could be used by Democrats to try to impeach the president, should they win control of the U.S. House in November. Cohen said in his guilty pleas in U.S. District Court in New York City that he had failed to pay taxes on his taxi business and misrepresented his assets in a loan application. Cohen also pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws when he arranged for hush-money payments shortly before the 2016 presidential election to two women who claimed they had extramarital affairs with Trump. The president has denied having these affairs. Cohen will be sentenced later this year. His plea deal may help him avoid a sentence of over 60 years in prison. A jury could potentially find the payments to the women to be a violation of campaign finance laws, because the money paid to them was meant to aid Trump politically, and was above and beyond the contribution-limit for donating to a candidates campaign. It wouldnt be illegal for Trump to make these payments, but Cohen claims that Trump ordered him to orchestrate the payments, which could be a crime. Cohen said he arranged the payments of $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels (whose real name is Stephanie Clifford) and $150,000 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office Donald Trump. Because of that, even though Cohens plea didnt include a cooperation agreement with prosecutors, many are speculating that in an effort to reduce his prison sentence Cohen will cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller to go after the president. But Mueller is investigating Russias interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections and allegations that Trump or his campaign conspired with the Russians to defeat Hillary Clinton. No one is alleging Russia had anything to do with the payments made to Daniels or McDougal. Of course, the Cohen guilty plea received heavy coverage in the media. The stock market dropped after-hours. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who sees collusion under every rock and around every corner, said the development added to the presidents legal jeopardy. The anti-Trump resistance people who wake up every day hoping that the president will be removed from office found a moment of happiness. The happiness wont last long. This controversy is ultimately a political matter even if prosecutors conclude Cohen is telling the truth, Justice Department guidelines say a sitting president cant be indicted. If Democrats want to remove President Trump from office, the proper avenue is impeachment. But Trump-hating Democrats who pursue impeachment will be punished by the American voter the more Middle America learns the facts of the Cohen case, the worse the presidents opponents will look. Go back to square one. Once the allegations about the payments to Daniels and McDougal were publicized in media reports, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York at the behest of Mueller got a search warrant for Cohens office, home and hotel room where he was temporarily staying. FBI agents raided the locations in April. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing Muellers Russia investigation, signed off on the raids. The shocking thing is that the Justice Department got a judge to approve the raids, despite attorney-client privilege that should have protected communications between Cohen and his client, Donald Trump. Thats a big problem. In the presidents words, it is Inconceivable that the government would break into a lawyers office (early in the morning) almost unheard of. Hes exactly right. The Justice Department, however, claimed that it was protecting attorney-client privilege because its people were sifting through Cohens documents and determining what was privileged and what was not. That is reprehensible. In the words of attorney and law professor Alan Dershowitz, the very fact that this material is seen or read by a government official constitutes a core violation (of the Sixth Amendment). It would be the same if the government surreptitiously recorded a confession of a penitent to a priest, or a description of symptoms by a patient to a doctor, or a discussion of their sex life between a husband and wife. The government simply has no right to this material. The Justice Departments excuse for this behavior is the little-used crime-fraud exception to the rule of attorney-client privilege. The theory is that Cohens payments had constituted a crime co-committed by Cohen and Trump, which would negate any attorney-client privilege between them on this matter. The problem with this fudge is that President Trump has still not been credibly implicated in a campaign finance violation. Trump has already admitted, through his lawyer Rudy Giuliani, to compensating Cohen for his payment to Stormy Daniels though Trump says he did not know about the payment until after it was made. As for the payment to McDougal, American Media Inc. (AMI), the parent company of the National Enquirer, made the payment, not Michael Cohen. And it is unclear if Cohen ever actually compensated AMI for its payment. And what if everything Cohen stated in his guilty plea is true? Remember former North Carolina Democratic U.S. Sen. John Edwards? Donors paid $1 million to Edwards mistress to keep quiet just before the 2008 Democrat presidential primaries when Edwards was a candidate. Federal prosecutors charged Edwards with campaign finance violations but he was acquitted, largely because the contributions didnt go directly to his campaign, though Edwards also argued that the payment was meant to hide his extramarital affair from his dying wife. Theres even a name for this sad business the mistress loophole. There are other problems with the Cohen case that are less concrete but should still be mentioned. Cohen is smarmy, but smarmy or not, he has an incentive to cooperate with prosecutors to get the lightest punishment possible for his crimes. If Cohen doesnt cooperate, or maybe even compose, he faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison. The fact that Cohens lawyer is Clinton-confidant Lanny Davis, and that the judge in the case is Kimba Wood who was almost Bill Clintons attorney general might raise a few eyebrows as well. To many Americans, it seems that men like Cohen, former Trump presidential campaign chairman Paul Manafort (who was convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud charges Tuesday), and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn (who has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI on highly suspect grounds) have been targeted for prosecution simply because of their association with Donald Trump. We now live in a country where pundits on the left explicitly hope that people working for President Trump will be prosecuted. In other words, they argue that the selective use of justice is a good thing if it is directed against conservatives or supporters of the president. That is chilling. Without a concerted effort from the American people to condemn such political prosecutions, things will only get worse. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! All of Washington is wondering what comes next, following the bombshell guilty plea Tuesday by President Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen to charges of violating federal campaign finance laws in an effort to help Trump win the 2016 presidential election. Cohen entered his plea in U.S. District Court in New York City. He stated that candidate Trump directed him to coordinate payments to two women during the 2016 presidential race to keep them from publicizing claims that they had affairs with Trump, because the candidate feared the allegations by the women would harm his election chances. I participated in this conduct for the principal purpose of influencing the election, Cohen said in his guilty plea. President Trump has repeatedly denied he had affairs with the women the porn star known as Stormy Daniels (whose real name is Stephanie Clifford) and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Daniels received a payment of $130,000 from Cohen. McDougal received a payment of $150,000 from American Media Inc., the parent company of the National Enquirer, for the rights to her story. However, the magazine never published her story. The chairman of American Media is David Pecker, a longtime friend of Trump. In addition to pleading guilty to causing an illegal corporate campaign contribution and making an excessive campaign contribution, Cohen pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a bank and five counts of tax evasion. The Cohen pleas on the campaign finance law violations mean two things. First, it is unlikely Cohen has any information to offer Special Counsel Robert Mueller about allegations that Trump or his presidential campaign colluded with Russia to help Trump defeat Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the presidential race two years ago. If Cohen did have such information, his guilty plea on the campaign finance violations and other charges would likely have been delayed. And second, Cohens claim that he engaged in shady dealings by doing Trumps bidding in coordinating the payments to the two women will figure in Muellers eventual report to Congress on the Russia investigation. The Mueller report is likely to be seized upon by Trump opponents as grist for their drive to impeach the president if Democrats win a majority of U.S. House seats in the November midterm election. There is very little chance that President Trump will face charges over the payments that Cohen admitted to coordinating. In a similar case, former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina the 2004 Democratic nominee for vice president was indicted by the Justice Department over payments some of his supporters made to his mistress when Edwards ran for president in 2008. Edwards was prosecuted on six counts. He was acquitted on one and the jury couldnt decide on the other five. It was generally conceded at the time that the prosecution of Edwards was a fiasco, because prosecutors found it impossible to prove that the purpose of the Edwards payments was political, rather than simply an effort to keep his terminally ill wife from learning that he had an extramarital affair and fathered a child with his mistress. As Bob Bauer, who served as White House counsel for President Barack Obama, has observed: Only a motivation materially if not wholly shaped by political objectives would implicate federal campaign finance law in a situation like this. So while its unlikely that President Trump will face legal charges for his alleged role in the Cohen payments, that doesnt mean there will not be future damage to the president, who is no ordinary client. Bauer said that the Cohen case is about the most powerful man in the country who prosecutors have observed displaying contempt for legal considerations and constraints, and consistently lying about his actions. Mueller and his prosecutors are intent on showing that President Trump committed obstruction of justice early in his administration to avoid scrutiny of aspects of his 2016 campaign. The need to avoid such a minefield is one reason that Trump lawyers dont want to subject the president to an interview with the Mueller team. Mueller will likely find it very difficult to make an obstruction case against the president, but that wont deter him them from filing a report to the Justice Department on his investigation that will inevitably leak. Even if that report doesnt lead to impeachment of the president, you can bet it will be seized upon by the presidents enemies in the run-up to any Trump re-election campaign. So the ultimate outcome of the Mueller probe may be a classic Pyrrhic victory for Trump a victory that comes at a very steep cost. There will be little if any evidence of any collusion between the Trump campaign and Kremlin actors. But the further reputational damage the Mueller report will leave may hurt the president with some of his soft supporters and motivate his opponents to attack him with greater ferocity. Donald Trumps policies are fueling a growing economy and many of his policies cheer conservatives. But a Mueller report accusing Trump of wrongdoing would, even if biased, no doubt call into question the presidents judgment. Trump, after all, made the decision to make Paul Manafort a sleazy lobbyist convicted Tuesday of tax evasion and bank fraud chairman of the Trump 2016 presidential campaign. Trump also hired Omarosa Manigault Newman, an outrageous version of a cartoon villain, for his White House staff. How did that work out? And now, Trumps longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has been revealed as a sleaze whose clumsy deceptions leave even New York shyster lawyers shaking their heads. I believe Donald Trump will survive the Mueller probe, which will have its own ethical problems regarding bias and prosecutorial abuse to answer for. But the picture it is likely to paint of our president will ask his supporters to do a lot of heavy lifting when they come to his defense. The arrest of a 24-year-old illegal immigrant in the murder of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts sparked both mournful and fiery responses from politicians on Tuesday, as they pleaded with Congress to do more to protect U.S. citizens. Investigators identified Tibbetts' suspected killer as Cristhian Bahena Rivera, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who is believed to have been living in the area around Brooklyn, Iowa, for four to seven years. President Trump, while in West Virginia speaking at a rally, said Tibbetts' murder "should have never happened." "You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly, from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman?" Trump asked. "Should have never happened. Illegally in our country." Vice President Mike Pence said he was "heartbroken" by the news of Tibbetts' brutal slaying and offered prayers for the young woman's family and close friends "in this time of unimaginable grief." Pence called for "justice" after police announced Rivera's arrest. "We commend the swift action by local, state, & federal investigators working in Iowa in apprehending an illegal immigrant, whos now charged with first-degree murder. Now, justice will be served. We will never forget Mollie Tibbetts," Pence continued in a tweet. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she expressed condolences to Tibbetts' family earlier Tuesday, declaring "justice had just begun" after the arrest of Rivera. "As Iowans, we are heartbroken, and we are angry. We are angry that a broken immigration system allowed a predator like this to live in our community, and we will do all we can bring justice to Mollies killer," Reynolds, a Republican, added in a tweet. "My heart hurts for Mollies family. Prayers. ," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley tweeted after Tibbetts' dad, Rob, confirmed the student's body had been found. MOLLIE TIBBETTS, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA STUDENT FOUND DEAD: A TIMELINE OF EVENTS Fred Hubbell, a Democratic nominee for Iowa governor, tweeted that the news was "truly heartbreaking," adding that "words today will be of little comfort" to Tibbetts' loved ones. "This is truly heartbreaking. For Mollies parents, her family and friends, any words today will be of little comfort," he tweeted. "As a parent and grandparent, your worst nightmare is losing your child." He went on to praise authorities for their "around the clock" dedication to the investigation. John Cox, a GOP candidate in California's race for governor, released a statement comparing Tibbetts' murder to the "heartbreaking death" of Kate Steinle, who was shot and killed on a San Francisco pier in 2015. Investigators said the suspect, Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, was in the U.S. illegally. A jury acquitted him of murder, manslaughter and assault last year but convicted him of being a felon in possession of a firearm. "As a father of four daughters, it crushes my heart to see yet another family go through this nightmare," Cox said. "Those who want to abolish ICE need to consider the consequences of their rash proposal." He continued, "The Mollie Tibbetts case is one more tragic example of a senseless loss that never should have happened, similar to Kate Steinles heartbreaking death in San Francisco." Texas Governor Greg Abbott pivoted to turn Tibbetts' death into a poltical discussion, partially placing blame on sanctuary cities, though Iowa where the 20-year-old's body was found in a field covered with corn stalks doesn't have any designated sanctuary cities. "An undocumented immigrant is charged for murder of Mollie Tibbetts, the Iowa college student who went missing on July 18," Abbott, a Republican, tweeted. "This is why so many Americans are angry about sanctuary cities. Its why Texas banned sanctuary cities." House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., also called on members of Congress, specifically Democrats, to help push forward stricter immigration legistlation. MOLLIE TIBBETTS MURDER SUSPECT ID'D AS CRISTHIAN RIVERA, 24, LIVING IN US ILLECALLY "What will it take for Democrats to renounce their dangerous open borders policies and start to put American citizens first?" Scalise asked. "Its time they stop blocking common sense bills to restore the rule of law in this country before we see another senseless tragedy like this." In a nod to recent comments from fellow Republicans, Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar called on Congress to help secure the border. "Securing our border is about protecting our communities, families and children from dangerous criminal activity and violence that threatens their safety. #SecureOurBorder," Gosar wrote, in part. Iowa Rep. Steve King also asked for justice to be served. "Mollie Tibbetts, our hearts are broken. We all prayed for your safe return. May you now be with the Lord and your family one day find a peace," he added. Fox News' Elizabeth Zwirz, Lee Ross and Samuel Chamberlain contributed to this report. Wyoming state treasurer Mark Gordon won a fiercely contested GOP primary to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Matt Mead on Tuesday, prevailing over a billionaire businessman who received the last-minute endorsement of President Trump. Foster Friess, the GOP megadonor who Trump tweeted would be "Strong on Crime, Borders & 2nd Amendment," is a major financial contributer to Christian causes, which analysts had predicted might help him secure Wyoming's religious votes in the race against Gordon and several other candidates. Trump, who has aggressively campaigned nationally for various state candidates ahead of November's midterm elections, won the state by more than 40 points in the 2016 presidential race. His endorsement has carried significant weight in several primary races this year, helping to oust Rep. Mark Sanford in South Carolina in a stunning upset and keeping Rep. Martha Roby's candidacy alive in Alabama. But it wasn't enough on Tuesday, as vote tallies showed Friess trailing Gordon by more than six percentage points with virtually all precincts reporting. It was Wyoming's most contested governor's race since 2010, when Mead beat six others in the Republican primary, and was reported to be one of the most expensive ever conducted in state history. Friess put more than $2 million of his own money into the campaign. Gordon, having served two terms, was the only Republican running with significant experience in government or elected office. The 61-year-old ranches near Buffalo, Wyoming, and served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. He will face state Rep. Mary Throne, who won the Democratic primary Tuesday, in the general election. Wyoming is among the reddest states, and Gordon is favored to win the general election and become governor. Gordon is finishing his first full term as treasurer, a job to which he was appointed in 2012. Meanwhile, Sen. John Barrasso, a vocal supporter of President Trump, fended off a well-funded challenger in Wyoming's Republican primary Tuesday, soundly defeating Jackson Hole business investor Dave Dodson by more than thirty percentage points. Dodson, who had tapped at least $1 million of his own funds in the race, had advocated for term limits and more action to bring down health care costs. WATCH: BARRASSO DEFENDS TRUMP, SAYS HE WAS TOUGH ON PUTIN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Barrasso for years has been one of the most outspoken advocates of repealing President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, an effort that fell just short of passing in the Senate last year. Barrasso has served in the Senate since June 2007, when he was appointed following the death of Craig Thomas. Barrasso then won a special election in 2008 to complete Thomas' term. Dodson sharply criticized Barrasso for taking corporate PAC money, though much of his own individual contributions and Barrasso's come from out of state. There were three lesser-known candidates trying to win the Republican Senate race and in an unusual move, one of them bailed from the race Monday afternoon. Wilson businessman Gary Trauner ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Elsewhere in Wyoming, incumbent Liz Cheney won the Republican nomination for the state's lone seat in the U.S. House. Cheney beat two other Republicans in Tuesday's primary: Blake Stanley of Cheyenne and Rod Miller of Buford. Stanley and Miller both characterized themselves as blue-collar conservatives and ran low-key campaigns. Cheney is the elder daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney. Fox News' Kaitlyn Schallhorn and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Illustration: Liu Rui/GT Coming with China's increasing national strength is its expanding foreign aid footprint, which has led to erroneous perceptions both at home and abroad. Some developing countries hold unrealistic expectations of China, while inside the country the public is not fully aware of the necessity of offering foreign aid. On the internet, statements taking potshots like "China is going to be the ATM again" are common. Therefore, it is necessary to clear the air on China's foreign aid for the public at home and abroad. First, as the largest developing country, China needs not only to fulfill its international obligations, but also to take into account domestic development. Currently, the per capita GDP of China is less than $10,000 and the manufacturing sector accounts for 40 percent of GDP. Such an economic structure is typical of a developing country. Besides, with a large poverty-stricken population, a wide development gap between the eastern, central and western regions, as well as a disparity in individual income, China itself still needs substantial financial support for poverty reduction, health care, education, environment protection and infrastructure improvement. To offer assistance within its capacity is one of the basic traits of China's foreign aid. "Teaching one to fish is better than giving him fish" has become a principle of China's foreign aid policy. Instead of simply offering money, equipment and supplies, China has started to launch a large number of educational training and capacity-building projects to help developing countries improve their infrastructure, education and health care. Such foreign aid reflects the responsibility of China as a global power. It is within China's capacity, and not a drain on domestic development demand. Second, since the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) was proposed, China has worked together with countries along the Belt and Road to promote policy communication, facility connection, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds. The BRI is a giant transcontinental platform for international economic cooperation, as well as a systematic platform for cooperation and development. Its core is to promote the common development of all countries through mutual trade and investment. The vast majority of the infrastructure projects launched by China and countries along the Belt and Road are carried out under the practice of project contracting, with a small part being constructed by Chinese assistance. Third, the purpose of China's foreign aid is to offer timely help, rather than to deprive the recipient countries of the quality of being self-reliant. China will never encourage dependent mentality in the international community, but will help other developing countries gain strength, and find their own way to development. Fourth, China offers aid with no political strings attached and respects the unique domestic conditions and state of development of every country. Recently, people in the West have tried to badmouth China's foreign aid, claiming that it is responsible for some developing countries' excessive foreign debt, which reflects their ulterior motives that run against the truth. Chinese investors, financiers and project contractors all have their own internal risk identification and control systems. Institutions will have their own plans and arrangements irrespective of the profitability potential of the project, no matter the recipient country can pay back the money or not. The reasons for some countries being plagued with debt are complex and multifarious. China is not the one to be blamed. The author is director of the Institute for West Asia and Africa, Ministry of Commerce. Judge Brett Kavanaugh views Roe v. Wade as "settled law," U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Tuesday after meeting with President Trump's Supreme Court pick. But abortion rights activists and Democrats remained unconvinced that Kavanaugh won't try to restrict abortion access from the bench. In a two-hour meeting, Collins said Kavanaugh told her he agrees with Chief Justice John Roberts, who called the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion "settled law" during his confirmation hearings in 2005. "We talked at great length about precedent and the application of stare decisis to abortion cases," Collins said, using the legal term for settled precedent. Kavanaugh's views on abortion are of major importance to Collins, who has vowed to oppose Kavanaugh's nomination if shows "demonstrated hostility" toward Roe v. Wade. Collins described their discussion as "productive" and "informative," but said she would not decide how to vote until after the Senate Judiciary Committee holds confirmation hearings on Kavanaugh next month. Meanwhile, Ilsye Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said in a statement that Collins should not be reassured by Kavanaugh about abortion issues, CentralMaine.com reported. With all due respect to Senator Collins, settled law means nothing. It is a bunch of code words, long used by many conservative judges, meant to hide their real beliefs and anti-choice record." Ilsye Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America With all due respect to Senator Collins, settled law means nothing," Hogue said. "It is a bunch of code words, long used by many conservative judges, meant to hide their real beliefs and anti-choice record." Hogue added that the current Supreme Court, led by Roberts, "has spent much of the last term re-litigating so-called settled law." "Most troubling of all is Senator Collins reference to Roberts today," she said. "Roberts has voted in lockstep with anti-abortion forces on every vote since joining the court. Democrats fighting Kavanaugh's ascension to the high court sought to keep up the pressure, dismissing Kavanaugh's stance on Roe v. Wade as an artful dodge. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., met with Kavanaugh later Tuesday. He said the judge refused to answer when asked directly whether Roe. V. Wade was correctly decided. That lack of clarity, Schumer said, should "send shivers down the spine of any American who believes in reproductive freedom for women." Schumer added that Kavanaugh has a special obligation to be forthcoming on abortion, given Trump's "litmus test that he would only appoint judges who would overturn Roe." Kavanaugh has already met with most Senate Republicans, but winning support from Collins and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, could be crucial. Both senators support access to abortion services. Collins has never opposed a Supreme Court nominee, CentralMaine.com reported. Kavanaugh has already met with most Senate Republicans, but winning support from Collins and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, could be crucial. Both senators support access to abortion services. Republicans have a narrow 50-49 majority in the Senate due to the absence of ailing Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and can't afford a single defection on Kavanaugh if every Democrat votes no. Kavanagh, 53, is a conservative who, in replacing retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, could tip the court rightward for a generation. Several Democratic female senators joined with advocates for women's health care Tuesday to talk about the stakes of adding Kavanaugh to the court, particularly when it comes to access to abortion services. "This is a wakeup call," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. "Do not take this moment lightly." But Republicans still hope to have Kavanaugh confirmed by the start of the court's session on Oct. 1. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The revelation that the suspect in the death of Mollie Tibbetts, the University of Iowa student who disappeared last month, is an illegal immigrant has swiftly fueled Republican calls to strengthen border security. The immediate reaction from the political world suggests the case could reverberate for months -- in the form of legislative fights and campaign trail disputes, much like the 2015 death of Kate Steinle fanned the immigration debate flames. As Democrats call to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Republicans cited the Tibbetts case as another example of why more enforcement is needed. You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly, from Mexico, and you saw what happened to that incredible beautiful young woman, President Trump said at a rally Tuesday night in West Virginia. Weve had a huge impact but the laws are so bad, the immigration laws are such a disgrace, were getting them changed but we have to get more Republicans. The suspect, 24-year-old Christhian Rivera, worked at a farm for the past several years less than three miles from where Tibbetts was staying the night she vanished in July. Authorities announced the arrest Tuesday of Rivera, who led them to the body of Tibbetts in a cornfield in a rural part of the county. He has been charged with first-degree murder, and is being held on a $1 million cash bond. MOLLIE TIBBETTS MURDER SUSPECT WORKED LESS THAN 3 MILES FROM WHERE SHE WAS STAYING Riveras alleged involvement spurred overnight comparisons to the Steinle case -- she was killed on a San Francisco pier after being shot by illegal immigrant Jose Ines Garcia Zarate. Garcia Zarate, who had been deported a number of times, was found not guilty of murder last year after his defense argued that the shooting was accidental. But the Steinle case, coming just weeks after Trump announced he was running for president, put illegal immigration front-and-center in the national debate. Steinles death also led to the introduction of Kates Law, which would increase punishments for illegal re-entry into the U.S. The law passed the House last year but has yet to be taken up by the Senate. Another bill, "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act," that would cut grants to so-called "sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with immigration officials, met a similar fate. But among Democrats, momentum has been building to scrap the enforcement agency completely. The once-fringe call to abolish ICE has been picked up by top 2020 Democratic prospects, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. The party has focused on the separation of families after the Trump administrations zero tolerance policy on arresting all illegal border crossers. But John Cox, a Republican California gubernatorial candidate, said that Tibbetts' death was one more tragic example of a senseless loss that should never have happened, similar to Kate Steinles heartbreaking death in San Francisco and hit Democrats for their rash proposal. As a father of four daughters, it crushes my heart to see yet another family go through this nightmare, Cox said. Those who want to abolish ICE need to consider the consequences of their rash proposal. Trump has regularly referred to Steinle as well as other deaths of Americans at the hands of illegal immigrants as he has pushed for tougher immigration laws and a border wall. He has sought to frame Novembers midterms as a referendum on immigration policies, particularly as more Democrats focus instead on the plight of illegal immigrants. A Blue Wave means Crime and Open Borders. A Red Wave means Safety and Strength! he tweeted Tuesday morning. Trump has counted on the support of Angel Families -- families who had loved ones killed by illegal immigrants. He has held a number of events where those families have told their stories and called for action to prevent more such deaths. Vice President Pence also weighed in Wednesday, noting Riveras illegal status and promising that justice will be served. Former ICE Acting Director Thomas Homan, on Fox and Friends Wednesday, blasted Democrats for their inaction on the issue. "There's certain politicians like your politicians in New York, Sen. Gillibrand, Gov. [Andrew] Cuomo, [California Sen.] Kamala Harris, who don't want to enfoce immigration law," Homan, a Fox News contributor, said. This is why we need a wall, this is why need to fix the loopholes. Im sick and tired of talking about this issue and meeting yet another Angel Mom that's been created at the hands of an illegal alien, he said. We got to stop politicizing this issue and fix it once and for all. Iowa GOP Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst said they agreed with Gov. Kim Reynolds when she said that we are angry that our immigration system allowed a predator like this to live in our community. Too many Iowans have been lost at the hands of criminals who broke our immigration laws. We cannot allow these tragedies to continue, Grassley and Ernst said in a statement. The statement also noted that they had pushed for Sarahs Law, named after Sarah Root -- an Iowan who died after a car crash with a vehicle driven by an illegal immigrant driver in 2016. That law would require ICE to take custody of an illegal immigrant charged with a crime resulting in the death or serious injury of a person. More concrete proposals from lawmakers and the White House are likely to come once the details of Riveras illegal presence in the country are better known. The Des Moines Register reported that Rivera worked at a farm with several owners, including Dane Lang, whose brother Craig is a former 2018 GOP candidate for secretary of agriculture. But Lang said in a statement that Rivera was an employee in good standing and had passed the government's E-Verify employment verification system, designed to check whether a potential employee is legally allowed to work in the U.S. Fox News' Andrew Keiper and Cristina Corbin contributed to this report. Michael Cohen lawyer Lanny Davis on Wednesday mistakenly promoted a nonexistent website where he said supporters could donate to his client's legal fund -- but the site didn't stay dormant for long. It now redirects to President Trump campaign website donaldjtrump.com, which urges visitors to contribute to re-elect the president and "Make America Great Again." "I know that when [Cohen] retained me, as recently as yesterday, he's committed to telling the truth, and we've actually set up a website with the name 'truth' in it, called michaelcohentruth.com," Davis told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" on Wednesday. "And he's looking for help from people who want to give donations to help him tell the truth." Davis repeated the inaccurate website address later in the interview, saying that Cohen "has gone through a lot, his family has suffered, he's in financial distress -- we've set up a Gofundme site, called michaelcohentruth.com, and we're hoping that people who want him to tell the truth about Donald Trump will contribute to that site." That website was inactive at the time of Davis' comment early Wednesday, but was snatched up quickly. Publicly available information about the domain name's registration hides the owner of the website through a proxy service, but reveals that the URL was purchased on Wednesday. A Trump campaign official denied involvement in a statement to Fox News, saying anyone could have purchased the nonexistent address Davis mentioned and rerouted it to Trump's homepage for as little as $7. LEGAL EXPERTS WEIGH IN: HOW DOES COHEN'S BOMBSHELL GUILTY PLEA AFFECT TRUMP? Davis apparently intended to provide a slightly different website address, which as of late afternoon links to a Gofundme page that has raised more than $50,000 for Cohen out of a $500,000 goal. "Michael decided to put his family and his country first," the Gofundme page says. "Now Michael needs your financial help -- to pay his legal fees. The Michael Cohen Truth Fund is a transparent trust account, with all donations going to help Michael Cohen and his family as he goes forward on his journey to tell the truth about Donald Trump." Cohen becomes the latest in a string of former Trump administration insiders who have resorted to fundraising amid mounting legal troubles, including FBI Deputy Director Andy McCabe and agent Peter Strzok, who were both fired after internal reviews found that they had violated the agency's policies. FIRED FBI AGENT PETER STRZOK SETS UP ANTI-TRUMP TWITTER ACCOUNT, GOFUNDME News that Cohen had reached a deal with federal prosecutors in which he implicated Trump in potential campaign finance violations rocked Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. Cohen, as part of a guilty plea agreement, said that he had made illegally large hush money contributions at the direction of a candidate for federal office, raising the possibility that Trump could have conspired to break campaign finance law. For his part, Trump has played down Cohen's plea, saying in a series of tweets that campaign finance laws are rarely prosecuted at the criminal level, and are often handled as civil matters -- unless politics gets involved. "Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime," Trump wrote on Twitter Wednesday. "President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!" That was an apparent reference to a nearly $400,000 fine issued in 2013 by the Federal Election Commission against Obama's 2008 presidential campaign for a slew of administrative violations. Trump also wrote: "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen!" Davis, a longtime Democratic operative who had served as special counsel to former President Bill Clinton, was mum as to whether Cohen had any knowledge about alleged criminal collusion between Trump officials and the Russian government. "I'm not going to answer questions until Mr. Mueller is finished with his investigation," Davis said, referring to Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Davis added that there's "no question" that Trump had committed a federal campaign finance violation, and suggested it would be legally permissible for prosecutors to indict the president. Lanny Davis, the attorney for President Trumps former personal attorney Michael Cohen, said Tuesday that his client is more than happy to tell Special Counsel Robert Mueller all that he knows. Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to campaign-finance violations and other charges. He said Trump directed him to arrange the payments of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal to fend off damage to his 2016 White House bid. In entering the plea, Cohen did not specifically name the two women or even Trump, recounting instead that he worked with an unnamed candidate. But the amounts and the dates all lined up with the payments made to Daniels and McDougal. Harmeet Dhillon, an attorney and Republican National committeewoman in California, said Davis appeared to sell his client out because she believes it is a "real stretch" to say that someone who is paying off hush money to a blackmailer is trying to affect the outcome of an election. Cohen could have received up to 65 years in prison if convicted of all charges. However, as part of his plea deal, Cohen agreed not to challenge any sentence between 46 and 63 months. The deal does not involve a cooperation agreement with federal prosecutors. Cohens plea follows months of scrutiny from federal investigations and a falling-out with the president, for whom Cohen once said he would take a bullet. Davis told MSNBCs Rachel Maddow on Tuesday that Cohen has knowledge that would be of interest to the Mueller investigation. He mentioned the Trump Tower meeting on June 9, 2016. The meeting is key to Muellers probe into contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia. Donald Trump Jr. and other campaign figures, including Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law, and then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort, attended the meeting. The Trump team maintains that the meeting failed to yield compromising information on Clinton, Trumps Democratic opponent. The obvious possibility [exists] of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election, which the Trump Tower meeting was all about, Davis said. But also [there's the possibility of] knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr. Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and cheered it on. Twelve Russian military intelligence officers hacked into the Clinton presidential campaign and the Democratic Party and released tens of thousands of private communications in a sweeping conspiracy by the Kremlin to meddle in the 2016 U.S. election. The 29-page indictment lays out how, months before Americans went to the polls, Russians schemed to break into key Democratic email accounts, including those belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Stolen emails, many politically damaging for Clinton, appeared on WikiLeaks in the campaigns final stretch. Davis had said that the Cohens plea showed Trump committed a crime. Trumps personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, noted in a statement that there is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the governments charges against Mr. Cohen. Daniel Petalas, a former prosecutor in the Justice Departments public integrity section, said, This brings President Trump closer into the criminal conduct. The president has certain protections while a sitting president, but if it were true, and he was aware and tried to influence an election, that could be a federal felony offense, Petalas said. This strikes close to home. Fox News' Samuel Chamberlain, Adam Shaw, John Robert and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Even if a federal jury had not found Paul Manafort guilty of multiple counts of bank and tax fraud, he still would have been heading back to prison after the trial. Manafort was found guilty of eight out of 18 counts related to bank and tax fraud on August 21 almost exactly two years after he resigned from the Trump presidential campaign in a shroud of controversy. And the former Trump campaign chairman is slated to appear in a different courtroom in September to face additional charges that include conspiring against the U.S. Manafort is the first campaign associate of Trumps to have been found guilty by a jury as part of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation. After the Aug. 21 guilty decision, Kevin Downing, Manaforts attorney, said his client is evaluating all of his options at this point. Manafort faces a maximum of 80 years in jail; a sentencing date has not yet been set. Read on for a look at what attorneys have to decide in the coming weeks and what could be next for Manafort. Manaforts choice Its entirely likely Manafort, at 69 years old, could spend the rest of his life in federal prison, especially if hes found guilty in an upcoming trial in Washington, D.C. Its plausible Manafort could seek a reduction of prison time if he agrees to cooperate with Muellers team and if he has any information that can be corroborated by investigators. I see Mueller continuing to squeeze [Manafort] if he sees value, Ron Hosko, a former assistant director to the FBI, told Fox News. Manaforts team could also appeal the decision, but Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, said he didnt think that would be fruitful for him. It would be difficult to overturn since [the case] is so fact-specific, Tobias told Fox News. And I think the judge was pretty receptive to Manafort as opposed to the government so I dont think the 4th Circuit is going to give Manafort much comfort if he does appeal. Muellers bump The guilty verdicts certainly give a needed boost to Muellers team and its credibility, especially as Manafort is the first former Trump campaign associate to be found guilty by a jury in this investigation. Other Trump associates, such as Rick Gates and Michael Flynn, have accepted plea deals. I dont think you can characterize this as anything other than substantiating what Mueller has done so far, Tobias said. This gives him more flexibility to finish up his investigation and move forward. Theres much thats under the surface of the Mueller iceberg. Ron Hosko, a former assistant director to the FBI Muellers team could move to retry the 10 charges the jury could not decide on, but Tobias considered that to be unlikely given its success with the other eight charges. Hosko said he didnt expect Muellers team spent too much time celebrating the guilty verdicts, but instead forged ahead with its investigation. Theres much thats under the surface of the Mueller iceberg, Hosko said, adding that the verdict could be a pivot point for the team, from finding evidence of collusion with Russia to other wrongdoings. Look what hes walked into: Michael Flynn, George Papadopoulos, Rick Gates, Manafort, [Michael] Cohen. These are all people the president has surrounded himself with, and that alone is very troubling, he added. Maybe [Mueller] doesnt find collusion, but criminality. The Trump card It is possible Trump could pardon Manafort, although he hasnt signaled whether he would do so yet. Trump has continuously expressed his dismay over the verdict. On Twitter, he said he feels very badly for his former campaign chairman and his wonderful family. Justice took a 12-year-old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him, and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to break make up stories in order to get a deal. Such respect for a brave man, Trump said. John Dowd, formerly one of Trumps lawyers in the Russia investigation, reportedly discussed a potential pardon of Manafort last year. Another trial in his future Manafort has a second trial coming up in mid-September. That trial, set in D.C., involves allegations he acted as an unregistered foreign agent for Ukrainian interests and made false statements to the U.S. government. He is also accused of witness tampering in that case. Manafort had been out on $10 million bail, but it was revoked in June. His lawyers have said hes being held in solitary confinement. Prosecutors in the second trial have said they have more than double the evidence for that case than they disclosed in the Virginia one. Ellis the "wild card" The wild card in this case, Hosko said, is U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III. Throughout the trial, Ellis often derided the prosecution even at one point suggesting an attorney was so discouraged he was crying. You dont really care about Mr. Manafort, Ellis charged during the preliminary hearing. You really care about what information Mr. Manafort can give you to lead you to Mr. Trump and an impeachment, or whatever. Hosko said its possible Ellis could ignore sentencing guidelines and give Manafort less prison time. Hosko warned, though, that should Ellis ignore the guidelines, it could undercut any motivation Manafort might have to cooperate with Muellers team. Fox News Peter Doocy and Alex Pappas contributed to this report. A day after ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws, Democrats eager to prevent a conservative majority on the Supreme Court are seizing on the plea to demand nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing be postponed -- as they label Trump an unindicted co-conspirator. Cohen admitted Tuesday to arranging hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal at the direction of President Trump before the 2016 election. Cohen did not specifically name the two women or even Trump in the plea, recounting instead that he worked with an unnamed candidate. But the amounts and the dates all lined up with the payments made to Daniels and McDougal. MICHAEL COHEN ADMITS VIOLATING CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS IN PLEA DEAL, AGREES TO 3-5 YEAR SENTENCE Cohen's plea came on the same day that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight counts of bank and tax fraud, making him the first Trump campaign associate to be found guilty by a jury as part of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. With the confirmation hearing for Kavanaugh two weeks away, Senate Democrats, who had already called for the hearing to be delayed until after the November midterms, used the plea to renew those calls with increasingly heated language. PAUL MANAFORT CONVICTED BY JURY ON BANK AND TAX FRAUD CHARGES; MISTRIAL DECLARED ON 10 COUNTS Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that in a meeting with Kavanaugh on Tuesday, the nominee would not say that a president must comply with a subpoena. Schumer said that that statement, along with the Cohen plea, is a game changer. "The sequence of those two events Judge Kavanaughs refusal to say that a president must comply with a duly issued subpoena, and Michael Cohens implication of the president in a federal crime makes the danger of Brett Kavanaughs nomination to the Supreme Court abundantly clear. Its a game changer. Should be," he said on the Senate floor. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, on Wednesday said that she had postponed her meeting with Kavanaugh since she would not extend that courtesy to the president, whom she said was an unindicted co-conspirator. As I and others have said many times in the last two years, these are not normal times. And these are certainly not the times for this Committee to consider a Supreme Court nominee of this President, especially a nominee who thinks the President should be immune from investigation. We cannot abandon common sense in this dangerous time for our democracy. So, as I have said before, we should delay this hearing for Judge Kavanaugh. For so many reasons it is not the time," she said in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. I will also be cancelling my meeting with Judge Kavanaugh. This President, who is an unindicted co-conspirator in a criminal matter, does not deserve the courtesy of a meeting with his nomineepurposely selected to protect, as we say in Hawaii, his own okole, she said. Im not going to delay Judge Kavanaughs confirmation hearing, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Wednesday. Theres no precedent or logical reason for the Senate to decline to proceed on Judge Kavanaughs nomination in these circumstances. Its just another attempt to block Judge Kavanaughs confirmation by any means necessary. Not all Democrats were on board with calls for a delayed hearing. Thats not right... we have a job to do, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., told reporters that Trump was directly implicated in criminal activity and said that the Senate should not confirm any Supreme Court justice until the Judiciary Committee deals with what he said was Trump being credibly implicated or alleged to be a criminal co-conspirator. He also said that it will predicate a crisis in our country if Trump moved to pardon anyone or intervene in the process. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., also called for a delay, saying that "the possibility of criminal wrongdoing by the president, combined with existing doubts that Brett Kavanaugh believes a president can even be investigated, demand further review of this situation. The White House, however, dismissed the move by Democrats as desperate, and said that the hearing would go ahead as planned. Democrats pledged to block Judge Kavanaugh with everything they had. Frankly, this latest attempt looks increasingly desperate, White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said. The Committee has a hearing scheduled for September 4th, and Judge Kavanaugh will be there. At the daily press briefing, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders called the calls "desperate and pathetic." Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., backed the White House and said that the call to postpone "doesnt make sense." "I dont know what Judge Kavanaugh has to do with any of this, he told reporters. Fox News Jenny Buchholz, Jason Donner, Chad Pergram and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Newt Gingrich says liberals are having an orgy of thrills and excitement over the convictions of Trump associates Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen, but the murder of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts, allegedly by an illegal immigrant, is a more significant issue heading into the midterm elections. What happened to Mollie Tibbetts is historically far more important than what happened to Paul Manafort, the former House speaker told Fox News by phone Wednesday. Gingrich -- who presided over big Republican House gains, and later losses, during the Clinton presidency -- sought to put Tuesday's momentous 24 hours of news into context, as headlines across the country described the developments as a body blow to the president. He said there are two political universes heading into Novembers elections: one where the left believes the key issues are people like Manafort and Cohen and the other where the right believes its important to have a president who will protect Americans. MOLLIE TIBBETTS MURDER SUSPECT ORGINALLY FROM MEXICO, LIVING IN US ILLEGALLY If we allow the left to define what the issues are in September or October, they might win narrowly, Gingrich said. If we define what the issues are, they will lose badly. Over the span of just a few hours on Tuesday, a federal jury in Virginia convicted Manafort Trumps former campaign chairman on eight counts of bank and tax fraud; Cohen, Trumps former longtime personal lawyer, struck a plea deal with prosecutors and admitted to violating federal campaign finance laws to help Trump; and police in Iowa announced the end of a month-long search for Tibbetts and said they believe she was murdered by an illegal immigrant. If youre a liberal, you rush to Manafort and you now have your battle cry, Gingrich said. If youre a normal American -- where 84 percent of the country believes that sanctuary cities increase crime -- you probably think itd be nice to have a president who wants to protect Americans. Gingrich has faced some media criticism for casting the Tibbetts case in political terms. TRUMP BLASTS MICHAEL COHEN OVER PLEA DEAL, PRAISES MANAFORT But Gingrich, who led the charge as Republicans in the House impeached then-President Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky scandal in 1998, dismissed liberals who seized on the Cohen news to revive talk of impeaching Trump. He cited economic accomplishments during the Trump presidency, including low unemployment, job growth and higher wages. And in this world, the best that the left has to offer is to scream impeachment and live their lives in a frenzy? Gingrich asked. He summed up the choice in the midterms as, There are the people who want to get things done, and there are the people who simply want to scream. He said Democrats want to impeach Trump because he is the most effective anti-left politician in my lifetime. Hes not necessarily conservative, Gingrich said. But hes unbelievably effective at being anti-left. Gingrich acknowledged Trumps past is causing problems, as Cohen admitted to arranging hush money payments to several women for Trump during the campaign. I use to say that theres a big Trump, and a little Trump, and the big Trump is amazing and the little Trump gets in the way of the big Trump, he said. But Gingrich expressed doubt the details of the Cohen case will matter to the presidents supporters. I think for his base, they have basically absorbed the reality that Donald Trump did a lot of things over the years that he really was a reality TV kind of personality, Gingrich said. And I think they shrug 99 percent of it off. Gingrich also seized on the revelation of White House Counsel Donald McGahns extensive cooperation with Special Counsel Robert Muellers team to argue that a Mueller-Trump interview is no longer necessary, saying investigators have enough information to wrap up the probe into Russias election interference in 2016. Theres no justification for Mueller to now go and say he needs more information, Gingrich said. He added: Remember, yesterdays conviction of Manafort had zero to do with Donald Trump. Zero. Except of course on the left, where it was an opportunity for an orgy of thrills and excitement. Michael Cohen's plea deal chucked a live political grenade into the debate over President Trump's legal exposure but that debate is far from settled, as experts clash over whether his implication of the president in campaign finance violations will amount to anything. The presidents former longtime personal attorney and self-described fixer entered a guilty plea with federal prosecutors on Tuesday, admitting to violating campaign finance laws by arranging hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal at the direction of then-candidate Trump. Trump, though, claimed the move to pay off the two women was not a crime -- while suggesting such allegations can be settled by fine. Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled! Trump tweeted Wednesday morning. Trump was referring to former President Barack Obamas 2008 campaign, which was fined $375,000 by the Federal Election Commission for a series of missing notices for more than 1,300 contributions. They totaled $1.8 million. But Lanny Davis, Cohens attorney, argued there is little room for interpretation here. There is no question that hes committed a federal crime, Davis told Fox News' Americas Newsroom on Wednesday. He also argued that it's never been settled whether a sitting president can be indicted, despite suggestions to the contrary from Trump allies. Davis added that his client, under oath on Tuesday, admitted to making the donations to keep quiet two women at Trump's direction. At issue is a $130,000 hush money payment made by Cohen to Daniels in the weeks leading up to the presidential election in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair with Trump, and the McDougal case, where she was paid $150,000 by the parent company of the National Enquirer for her story about an alleged 2006 affair with Trump, which it never published. Cohen admitted Tuesday to making an excessive campaign contribution and causing an unlawful corporate contribution. Mr. Trump wasnt willing to sign those checks himself. He directed Mr. Cohen to make those hush money payments, [which is] a federal crime, Davis said. If Michael Cohen agreed to that, then certainly Donald Trump is guilty of the same crime. But former commissioner at the Federal Election Commission, Hans von Spakovsky, said that Cohens decision to plead guilty does not necessarily mean Trump violated the law. This is not a violation because this was not a campaign-related offense, Spakovsky told Fox News on Wednesday. Yes, Cohen pleaded guilty to it, yeah Cohen paid it, but then Cohen was reimbursed by Trump. The plea deal states that the payments were in fact meant to influence the election, though that could be argued by Trump's lawyers if it ever came to that. Spakovsky said Trump had a history of making these kinds of payments before he was a candidate. Further, Spakovsky said "a candidate can spend as much of their own money as they want toeven if it was a campaign-related expense. Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz, a frequent defender of the president, made a similar argument. You have to show that its a crime, he told Fox & Friends. He said its not a crime for a candidate like Trump to contribute to his own campaign, and probably not even a crime to direct someone else to contribute if he plans to pay that back. Further, Dershowitz said, The only evidence that the president did anything that might be unlawful comes from a man whos admitted to be a liar. There are a lot of barriers, he said, Were far away from [an] impeachable offense or a criminal offense on the part of the president. Richard Painter, former White House chief ethics counsel under former President George W. Bush, said that while Cohens guilty plea gives Trump exposure to criminal prosecution, these types of cases can be difficult to win. Painter, who ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for U.S. Senate in Minnesota this month, cited the case of former vice presidential nominee John Edwards as precedent. Edwards was indicted in 2011 on charges of using illegal campaign donations to conceal an extra-marital affair to prevent his run for the White House from capsizing. Edwards, ultimately, was acquitted on one count and the jury deadlocked on others. It is not entirely clear how these cases turn out, as we found out with Edwards, Painter told Fox News. He added, though, that he felt the Cohen-Trump payments were more serious than former President Bill Clinton lying about Monica Lewinsky, as "campaign finance is more important to our democracy than the president lying under oath in a civil case." Painter added that while there is potential criminal liability, it is not cut and dry. He suggested Trump's problems go beyond Cohen. If you had a president with no other legal problems, who just had the Cohen problem, I would say the outcome of a criminal trial for Trump, based on that alone, is a maybe, maybe not situation, Painter explained. But Trumps problem is not just this. He has the whole Russia thing. He has two big problems. One, is what his own involvement or knowledge of collusion was, and the second, where he has much more exposure, and is digging his own grave, is obstruction of justice. Trump has denied any collusion with Russia in the election and continues to call the special counsel probe a witch hunt. Professor of law at George Washington University Jonathan Turley, though, said Trump could end up an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the Cohen matter. On Wednesday, he agreed that the Cohen plea alone would not make a particularly strong case, but suggested there's more to come. You have the presidents lawyer implicating him in a federal crime. How Trump responds to that is going to be very key, Turley said on Americas Newsroom Wednesday. But the Justice Department certifies that they believe these allegations are accurate. That should be quite chilling, because this isnt some immaculate crime committed by Cohen alone. Turley said that federal prosecutors, now, will likely pursue other collateral or central players. Michael Cohen's guilty plea, in a matter of hours, has kicked up speculation about Democratic impeachment efforts against President Trump, as lawmakers declare the president is now implicated in a criminal conspiracy. Former Trump lawyer Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, saying Trump directed hush money to two women who claimed affairs with him. While the president and his allies deny Trump is in any legal trouble, the controversy raised concerns on the right that Democrats will use the issue to pursue impeachment should they reclaim the House majority. The framers of the Constitution provided impeachment as the way to remove an unfit President, longtime impeachment supporter Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, tweeted on Wednesday. The ultimate question is, does Congress have the will? Top Democratic leaders aren't all following suit. But Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., who as ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee would likely play a pivotal role in any impeachment effort, said in a statement that, "The President of the United States is now directly implicated in a criminal conspiracy. He added, "[T]he Judiciary Committee has real work to do. "The Congress stands at a crossroads. Democrats are poised to take action to respond to this culture of corruption that has taken hold under Mr. Trump and Republican Congressional Majorities. It is not too late for my Republican colleagues to put our country ahead of their politics and join us in our work." Asked about the impeachment talk, Nadler told The New York Times he needs to see more evidence from the special counsel probe, but added, We may get there. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., top Democrat on the oversight committee, also called for a congressional hearing with Cohen. Other top Democrats have remained quiet on the possibility of pursuing Trump impeachment. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California on Wednesday said that impeaching Trump is "not a priority" for her party and that she prefers for Democrats, if they win the House in November, to conduct oversight and ensure Special Counsel Robert Mueller can finish his work. "[I]mpeachment has to spring from something else, she told reporters. "If and when the information emerges about that, we'll see. It's not a priority on the agenda going forward unless something else comes forward." Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said on Wednesday that it is too early to talk about impeachment, but added that the country is on the verge of constitutional crisis. I think the first conversation is about the seriousness of what happened yesterday, Durbin said. We are on the threshold of a constitutional crisis. Durbin added: To have the presidents personal counsel suggest that he was directed by the president to commit an act which led to a plea of guilty ... is a serious allegation. Meanwhile, billionaire former hedge fund manager and founder of the group Need to Impeach, Tom Steyer, launched a media blitz following Tuesdays news. Steyers group quickly put out a digital ad about impeaching Trump and is working on a similar ad for television. The evidence continues to mount up, Steyer said in a video. The question is, when will Congress pay attention? Most Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill deflected from answering questions about the possibility of impeachment. That is in hands of prosecutor that is working its way through courts, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said when questioned if Trump committed a crime by allegedly ordering the hush money to be paid. They will handle that and prosecutors office will handle that if someone is accused of something they have the right to defend themselves. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said he wouldnt judge whether Cohens implication of Trump in the hush money scandal was more serious than the allegations leveled against former President Bill Clinton that led to his impeachment hearings, but that he doesnt see impeachment as a serious matter currently. Not at this point, Hatch said. But we have to take these matters very seriously. In regards to the impeachment proceedings brought against Clinton, one longtime Republican senators words came back to haunt him on Tuesday. MSNBC commentator Lawrence ODonnell posted a video of now-Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaking on the floor as one of the prosecutors in the House of Representatives case for removing Clinton from office. You dont even have to be convicted of a crime to lose your job in this constitutional republic if this body determines your conduct as a public official is clearly out of bounds in your role, the then-congressman says in the nearly 20-year-old clip. Because impeachment is not about punishment, he said. Impeachment is about cleansing the office. Impeachment is about restoring honor and integrity to the office. The clip quickly spread across social media with Trump critics asking if he still believes in that standard. In the hours after the news broke about Cohen and ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort's conviction, Trump and White House staffers went on the offensive, with Trump slamming Cohen during a speech in West Virginia and tweeting on Wednesday that Cohen "plead[ed] guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!" Trump appeared to be referencing that Obama's 2008 campaign was fined $375,000 by the Federal Election Commission for reporting violations that stemmed from missing notices for donations received during the final days of the campaign. Nearly a dozen people close to the president, including current and former White House aides, told Politico that Tuesday was one of the darkest days of Trumps presidency and that many are worried the revelations will bolster support for Muellers investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 elections. There was political momentum building to wrap up the Mueller probe soon, a former administration official told Politico. At the very least, in the short term, these two developments will pretty significantly bolster the office of the special counsel and peoples perceptions of it. Despite the talk of impeachment, some experts say there is not enough evidence to impeach Trump. Were far away from [an] impeachable offense or a criminal offense on the part of the president, Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz said. Fox News' Jason Donner and The Associated Press contributed to this report. New York state investigators have issued a subpoena to President Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen, as part of their investigation of the Trump Foundation, Fox News confirmed Wednesday. James Gazzale, a spokesman for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, confirmed to Fox News that Cohen was subpoenaed "for relevant information in light of the public disclosures made yesterday," but declined to comment further on the investigation. The subpoena was first reported by The Associated Press. Investigators have been looking into whether Trump or his eponymous charity broke state law or lied about their tax liability. If evidence of alleged crimes is found, the matter could be referred to prosecutors, who could pursue criminal charges and seek the release of Trump's tax returns. Anyone charged with a state crime in relation to the investigation could not be pardoned by the president. The subpoena was issued one day after Cohen pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign finance laws and claimed he did so at the behest of then-candidate Trump. Cohen admitted to arranging hush-money payments to adult-film star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal so that they would keep quiet about claims they had affairs with Trump. The man often described as Trump's "fixer" said in court that the payments were meant to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. In June, New York's acting attorney general, Barbara Underwood, filed a lawsuit against the Trump Foundation over alleged illegal conduct and unlawful political coordination to benefit personal and business interests. The suit claimed that Trump used the foundations charitable assets to pay off his legal obligations, promote Trump brand hotels and businesses, and purchase personal items -- including a 6-foot portrait of himself that cost $10,000. The suit also claimed that the foundation "illegally provided extensive support to his 2016 presidential campaign by using the Trump Foundations name and funds it raised from the public to promote his campaign for presidency." As part of the suit, the New York Attorney General's office initiated a proceeding to dissolve the foundation under court supervision and obtain restitution of $2.8 million, among additional penalties. The suit also sought to ban President Trump from future service as a director of a New York non-profit for 10 years and bar his three eldest children, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, from service for one year. When the lawsuit initially was filed, President Trump accused "sleazy New York Democrats" of "doing everything they can to sue me on a foundation that ... gave out to charity more money than it took in ... I wont settle this case!" A spokesman for the Trump Foundation called the suit "politics at its very worst." Fox News' Whitney Ksiazek, Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. By Shi Hong US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have announced recently the creation of a new Space Force as an independent military service. On August 9, Pence even made it clear that the US will strive to establish the branch by 2020. The US Department of Defense (DoD) issued an evaluation report later in the day stating that the Space Force would be established in four steps with the first step to create the US Space Command in order to consolidate and develop space combat forces. However, the plan to establish the Space Force is not widely supported by many Americans who have expressed their opposition and raised three main concerns. The first is the issues of legitimacy and strategy. The US is one of the State Parties to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which prohibits the parties from deploying weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in space and allows the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies for peaceful purposes only. However, the US government insists on forming a Space Force based on the reason that "space is another domain of war as important as land, sea, and air". The report released by the DoD directly set "the deployment of a new generation of weapons to support combat forces" as a strategic goal of the Space Force. Consequently, mankind may not realize their wishes to use space peacefully, and space will potentially become the next global battlefield. Since military conflicts have never occurred in space in human history, the "space warfare" envisaged by the US is facing some specific questions. For example, is the strike against US equipment in space equivalent to a strike against the US itself? How to treat space assets belonging to individuals, foreign or international organizations? The US and the international community have to reach consensus on such questions in order to avoid misjudgment. The second is about the mission positioning of the Space Force. Does the Space Force protect American assets in space only, or act as a space-based strategic strike and defense force, or even undertake anti-missile mission? The US has yet given answers to these questions. However, if the position statement of the Space Force is unclear, it will be challenging to create the Space Force as different positioning statements mean huge difference in organizational structure, force scale, and equipment technology development. On top of that, mission positioning is also related to the distribution of interests among military services and government departments. For example, if the Space Force undertakes anti-missile missions, will the "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense" (THAAD) and the "Patriot Advanced Capability-3" (PAC-3) missile system of the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the US Army, as well as the "Standard Missile-3" (SM-3) missile system of the US Navy be placed under the Space Force? If the interests among military services and various government departments cannot be coordinated properly, the Space Force will not be able to play its role effectively even if it is established eventually. The third is about the budget allocation. Although the US military expenditure accounts for nearly half of the military budget in the world, competition for budget is fierce among military services since each service emphasizes its own importance and tries to get bigger budget. If the Space Force is an independent branch with its own secretary as those of the US Army, Navy and Air Force, this new and high-tech service will further intensify the budgetary struggle among military services; if the Space Force is under the Air Force and equipped like the Marine Corps with only military officers, it will have to face the same "destiny" as the Marine Corps as more budget is likely to be distributed by the Department of the Air Force (DAF) to the Air Force, and thus limiting the development of the Space Force. In addition, building the Space Force into an independent branch will also make the US military agencies more redundant, increase a large number of positions and unnecessary costs, aggravate military bureaucratization, and bring no benefits to joint operations in future battlefields. It should be emphasized that although the US has received strong opposition at home to the establishment of an independent Space Force, it has been consistent throughout the community in its goal of strengthening the advantage in space. For example, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis had previously opposed the establishment of the Space Force due to concerns about the bureaucratization of the military, but he changed his attitude during his visit to Brazil this time. This is mainly because he always acknowledges the need to change the structure and mindset of the previously-criticized space defense force so as to "defend the economic and security interests of the US in space", and the establishment of a Space Force is only a means to achieve this goal. It can be seen that the debate in the US about the building of a Space Force is actually about how the US should march toward the militarization of space. The US governments "Space Force Program" has sounded the alarm for the international community, and peace and tranquility in space is under its greatest threat. Disclaimer: The author is the executive editor of the Shipborne Weapons. The article is translated from Chinese into English and reedited by the China Military online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. Chinamil.com.cn does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. If the article carries photographs or images, we do not vouch for their authenticity. Prior to taking a plea deal regarding campaign finance violations as well as bank and tax fraud, Michael Cohen was a trusted member of the Trump Organization, personal attorney and fixer to the president. He helped raise millions of dollars for President Trumps campaign and once loyally proclaimed he does everything in [his] power to resolve any issue for his boss. Read on for a look back at how the case against Cohen started and the events that led up to his plea deal. Feb. 27 - House hearing Michael Cohen, President Trump's former attorney, testified before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Capitol Hill, where he claimed Trump was a "racist," a "conman" and "cheat," alleging the president wanted him to lie. He also claimed Trump had advanced notice WikiLeaks obtained emails damaging to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. MICHAEL COHEN TESTIFIES ABOUT TRUMP, ROGER STONE-WIKILEAKS PLOT AT HOUSE HEARING "Mr. Trump called me a 'rat' for choosing to tell the truth, much like a mobster would do when one of his men decides to cooperate with the government," Cohen said. "I am ashamed of my weakness and misplaced loyalty, of the things I did for Mr. Trump in an effort to protect and promote him," he added. "I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr. Trump's illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience. I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is." Feb. 26 - Disbarred He was stripped of his law license in New York as he headed to Capitol Hill to testify before Congress. Jan. 24 Senate subpoena The Senate Intelligence Committee, led by Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Ranking Member Mark Warner, D-Va., subpoenaed Cohen on Jan. 24 to appear before the panel. Jan. 23 Postpone House testimony Cohen planned to testify before the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 7, but he ultimately postponed his appearance, citing "ongoing threats against his family from President Trump and [Rudy] Giuliani." Cohen's adviser Lanny Davis says the delay is on the advice of Cohen's lawyers because Cohen's still cooperating in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. The Democratic-led House Oversight and Reform Committee is investigating hush-money payments during the 2016 campaign to silence women who claimed to have had sex with Trump. Prosecutors say Trump directed Cohen to make the payments as a way to quash potential scandals during the campaign. Trump has denied the affiars. Dec. 12 Prison sentence Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of tax evasion, campaign finance violations and lying to Congress about a Trump real estate project in Russia. Ahead of his sentencing, Cohen blamed his actions on "blind loyalty" to Trump, which he said led him to take a path of darkness instead of light. Dec. 7 Federal prosecutors recommend substantial term of imprisonment Federal prosecutors on Dec. 7 said in a court document recommending prison time that Cohen should receive a "substantial term of imprisonment" with a "modest amount of credit for his cooperation," The Associated Press reported. The news comes after Cohen, who is scheduled to be sentenced next week in New York federal court, plead guilty in late November to lying to Congress. Cohen's lawyers said he should be spared any prison time in a recent filing of their own. Nov. 29 Cohen pleads guilty to lying to Congress In a surprise court appearance, Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to the Senate Intelligence Committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Mueller has already interviewed Cohen over the Trump Tower deal in Russia, the Wall Street Journal reported in September. Cohen said in 2017 that he discussed the deal with Trump three times during the campaign, though the project was abandoned in January 2016. EX-TRUMP ATTORNEY MICHAEL COHEN PLEADS GUILTY TO LYING TO CONGRESS IN RUSSIA PROBE Cohen told the Senate Intelligence Committee last year that the possible project was solely a real estate deal and nothing more and it was scrapped before the Iowa caucus and months before the first primary. Aug. 22 Trump bashes Cohen on social media Trump seemingly implied Cohen fabricated stories in order to get a deal in a tweet that referenced Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign chairman who was convicted of eight bank and tax fraud charges on the same day Cohen pleaded guilty. If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen! Trump also tweeted. Aug. 21 Cohen pleads guilty to 8 criminal counts, implicates Trump Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance law as well as tax evasion and making false statements to a financial institution. Cohen could have received up to 65 years in prison if convicted of all charges. However, as part of his plea deal, Cohen agreed not to challenge any sentence between 46 and 63 months. The deal does not involve a cooperation agreement with federal prosecutors. MICHAEL COHEN'S LEGAL PROBLEMS INVOLVE BUSINESS DEALINGS, PAYMENTS TO PORN STAR: WHAT TO KNOW Lanny Davis, Cohens attorney, said his client is more than happy to tell Mueller all that he knows. He told MSNBCs Rachel Maddow Cohen has knowledge that would be of interest to Muellers investigation. Aug. 19 Bank fraud investigation revealed in reports The New York Times reported federal investigators were probing whether Cohen committed bank fraud on more than $20 million worth of loans as well as violated campaign finance laws. Particularly, investigators were looking into the possibility Cohen misrepresented assets in order to obtain loans from Sterling National Bank and the Melrose Credit Union. At issue, as well, was how Cohens company handled dozens of taxi medallions and if income from those were properly reported to the Internal Revenue Service. The Times report also said prosecutors were looking into whether Cohen violated campaign finance laws by securing deals with women who claimed they had affairs with Trump. July 24 Tape of Cohen and Trump discussing payments released A recording of Trump and Cohen discussing a payment to a woman who said she had an affair with the real estate mogul was leaked. Cohen has been accused of secretly recording Trump. Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, said she had a consensual, loving relationship with Trump in 2006. She was paid $150,000 to kill her story of the alleged relationship; the White House has denied the affair. PAUL MANAFORT TRIAL TESTED MUELLER, TRUMP: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE CASE On the recording, which was made prior to the 2016 presidential election, Cohen tells Trump: I need to open up a company for the transfer of all of that info regarding our friend David," adding he has consulted Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg "about how to set the whole thing up. Cohen told Trump, Well have to pay, and Trump said something about paying with cash, although that part of the audio is not clear. Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani later told Fox News Trump was telling Cohen, Dont pay with cash. July 2 Cohen puts his family first Cohen began to seemingly distance himself from the president in an interview with ABC News as he stressed his family is his first priority. My wife, my daughter and my son have my first loyalty and always will, he said. I put family and country first. My wife, my daughter and my son have my first loyalty and always will. Michael Cohen Cohen also said, I will not be a punching bag as part of anyones defense strategy. I am not a villain of this story, and I will not allow others to try to depict me that way. He also reportedly told ABC he does not like the term witch hunt which Trump has repeatedly used to describe the Russia investigation and said he doesnt agree with those who demonize or vilify the FBI. June 20 Cohen resigns from RNC post Cohen stepped down from his position as deputy finance chair of the Republican National Committees Finance Committee, citing the ongoing investigation. June 15 Trump expresses confidence in Cohen In a testy exchange with reporters outside the White House, Trump said he was not worried because he did nothing wrong. Trump also said while he hadnt spoken to Cohen in a long time," he thought Cohen was a good person. MICHAEL COHEN ADMITS VIOLATING CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS IN PLEA DEAL, AGREES TO 3-5 YEAR SENTENCE Ive always liked Michael, he said. May 22 Cohens associate pleads guilty Evgeny Friedman, known as the taxi king in New York, pleaded guilty to pocketing $5 million in passenger fees that were supposed to help fund public transportation. Friedman at one time managed cabs Cohen owned, according to The Washington Post. Part of his plea agreement required him to cooperate with any ongoing investigation, The Associated Press reported. Cohen distanced himself from Friedman on social media, saying the pair had never been partners in this business or any other. May 11 Cohen no longer Trumps attorney, Giuliani says Giuliani told Politico Cohen no longer represented Trump as his personal attorney. As far as we know, hes not, Giuliani said. And theres nothing for him to do right now. April 27 Judge puts Stormy Daniels lawsuit on hold A federal judge decided to put the lawsuit against Cohen brought by Stormy Daniels on hold for 90 days. Judge S. James Otero said he came to the decision because the civil case would most likely overlap with the criminal investigation. TRUMP AND THE RUSSIA INVESTIGATION: WHAT TO KNOW Days prior, Cohen formally moved to plead the Fifth in the case. April 26 Special master appointed to oversee Cohens documents A federal judge decided to appoint a so-called special master tasked with overseeing the handling of information and materials seized from Cohen. U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood had previously denied Cohens team the opportunity to review the information taken. April 11 Cohen would "rather jump out of a building" than turn on Trump Cohen reportedly said he would rather jump out of a building than turn on Donald Trump, The New York Times reporter Michael M. Grynbaum wrote on Twitter. Cohen reportedly made the remarks over lunch with executive and television personality Donny Deutsch. April 9 FBI raids Cohens home, office The FBI raided Cohens home, office and a hotel room and confiscated documents related to his finances, taxi company and payments made to women who alleged affairs with Trump. In particular, investigators sought information relating to the $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels whose real name is Stephanie Clifford who claimed she had a one-time sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 while he was married to Melania. She alleged she was paid by Cohen in 2016 ahead of the presidential election. Trump has denied the affair. Of the raid, he expressed his anger on social media, saying attorney-client privilege is dead. Fox News Judson Berger, Samuel Chamberlain, Alex Pappas, Edmund DeMarche, Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. During a visit to Texas on Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence rushed to the aid of a congressmans wife, who had tripped while exiting the staircase of Air Force Two. Pence, walking alongside Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas, was walking away from the vice presidential plane when Culbersons wife, Belinda, tripped on the ground, according to CBS News Mark Knoller. Pence quickly rushed to Culbersons side, once he realized she had fallen, and the two, along with her husband, appeared to briefly chat before the three moved forward. The vice president visited Texas to tour the area nearly one year after Hurricane Harvey caused widespread damage in the state. Pence, according to the Houston Chronicle, also traveled to Houston with Culberson to attend a fundraiser for the congressman, whos running for reelection this year. New York Democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez portrays herself as "a normal, working person," but one of her positions may have helped 150 people lose their jobs. After enduring mockery for declaring Sunday that a walk in a national park was an example of democratic socialism, Ocasio-Cortez lamented Monday the shutting down of an iconic New York coffee shop that closed mostly due to a higher minimum wage which Ocasio-Cortez supported. The restaurant I used to work at is closing its doors. I swung by today to say hi one last time, and kid around with friends like old times, the congressional candidate reminisced on Twitter. Im a normal, working person who chose to run for office, because I believe we can have a better future. The Coffee Shop in Union Square, which became especially famous after regularly appearing on HBOs Sex and the City, will close down this fall after nearly 28 years in business. Co-owner and President Charles Milite announced the decision to shut the doors to its 150 employees last month. But unlike what Ocasio-Cortez wants you to believe about the closing down, it wasnt the result of greedy capitalists trying to squeeze the workers, but rather government regulations that forced the company to go bust. The times have changed in our industry, Milite told the New York Post last month. The rents are very high and now the minimum wage is going up and we have a huge number of employees. "The times have changed in our industry ... the rents are very high and now the minimum wage is going up and we have a huge number of employees." The Coffee Shop in Union Square President Charles Milite SOCIALIST CANDIDATE OCASIO-CORTEZ ONCE SAW HERSELF AS SMITHIAN CAPITALIST, VIEWEED FAMINISM AS RELIC Ocasio-Cortez, who rose to prominence after defeating top Democrat Joe Crowley in the partys primary election in June, has campaigned on the issue of minimum wage, arguing for a $15 federal minimum wage, up from $7.25, insisting that it wont have any negative consequences for businesses. During her appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Ocasio-Cortez was pressed whether her suggestion of $15 minimum wage wouldnt tank the economy. She cited the example of Seattle, which voted four years ago to gradually increase the hourly minimum to $15 over several years. Yet Seattle is a troubling case, as research from the University of Washington's School of Public Policy and Governance found that the higher minimum wage led to significant job declines and actually left the poorest worst off in the city, the Washington Post reported. The study estimated that low-wage jobs in the city dropped by 9 percent since 2016 and hourly wages in such jobs increased by around 3 percent. As a result, the study said, the citys average worker lost $125 a month thanks to the minimum wage hike. History may not repeat itself. But it sure does rhyme. The war in Iraq wasnt going well in the fall of 2005 and early 2006. A federal grand jury indicted top White House aide Scooter Libby. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, faced an indictment and was forced to step aside from his leadership post. DeLay aides Tony Rudy and Michael Scanlon encountered criminal charges in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. So did Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio. Ney went to jail. Rep. Duke Cunningham, R-Calif., resigned and did time after pleading guilty to bribery and fraud charges. But none of that quite sealed the deal for the rival party in the midterms. Then, word surfaced on the final two days of September 2006, that Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., sent inappropriate text messages to male, teenage House pages. The Foley news erupted in the final hours of Congress trying to wrap up work in Washington and head home to campaign for the midterm elections. Voters awarded Democrats both the House and Senate that November. Its unclear that if in November, well look back at Aug. 21 the same way we viewed the final days of September, some 12 years ago. But the potential is there. In the span of three hours, a federal jury convicted former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Former Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to another set of charges. Then the feds indicted Rep. Duncan Hunter Jr., R-Calif., and his wife Margaret Hunter on charges of using campaign funds for personal expenses. After the Manafort and Cohen stories, one could almost frame the Hunter story in the category, And in other news ... The charges against Hunter have nothing to do with what went down involving Manafort and Cohen. But its noteworthy that Hunter was one of President Trumps earliest and most-enthusiastic supporters in 2015 and early 2016. This is back when there were only a few Republicans on Capitol Hill getting behind the president. Hunter was among them. This wouldnt be so interesting if it wasnt for the fact that authorities also just arrested Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., on insider trading charges two weeks ago. Like Hunter, Collins was one of the presidents other original congressional supporters. The Collins charges arent related in any way to Hunter and are in no way linked to anything with Manafort and Cohen. But, as they did in 2006, people may just look at the chaos and pull the lever the other way. Collins isnt seeking re-election. That seat could now be in play because Republicans cant pry him off the ballot. Hunters attorney Gregory Vega wrote a letter to a favorite GOP whipping boy, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Vega argued that the Justice Department was rushing to indict Congressman Hunter. Vega asserted the indictment was politically motivated because of Hunters early endorsement of President Trump. As a result, Vega contends the indictment means a solidly Republican district is being handed to a Democratic candidate. Hunters counsel wasnt the only one talking Tuesday. So was Cohens attorney, Lanny Davis. Today he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election, said Davis of Cohen. If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump? Now, lets step back for a moment. Storms have churned around Trump for a long time. In 2016, Democrats and pundits thought there was no way he could win. He was coarse. There was the "Access Hollywood" tape. You name it. And yet Trump sits in the White House. In other words, all of the customary issues that could imperil a lot of politicians dont seem to affect Trump. His approval ratings have even been on the rise of late. Theres chatter about a Democratic wave this fall. But no one is really sure. If we adopt the 2006 model, Republicans are probably toast. Democrats would claim the House -- by a lot -- and maybe even win the Senate. When Democrats earned control of the Senate in 2006, they did so by picking up six seats, marshaling a 51-49 edge. If Democrats have any chance of controlling the Senate this fall, theyll do it by a seat or two at best. But, history doesnt necessarily repeat itself. So, be careful when suggesting that the events of Aug. 21 offer keen insight on the midterm elections. Yes. Democrats may do great and pick up a bunch of House seats in Pennsylvania and California come November. But there are too many uncertainties about seats in play in Virginia, Texas, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Nevada and Minnesota. A day like Aug. 21 may yield some clues to the midterms. But not everything. Lots can still happen. Somewhere, brewing out there, is an October Surprise. Some morsel of information which could tip the midterms one way or the other. Consider the possibilities: Its hurricane season. The devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 contributed to the Republican downfall in 2006. School is back in session or will be soon. The left organized after last winters shooting in Parkland, Fla. Another mass shooting just before midterms could influence voters in November. The international stage is far from settled. Big issues percolate with Russia, Turkey, Iran, North Korea and Syria. No one can ever rule out an international crisis. And you just never know what Trump may say or do. He'd better not talk about pardons for Michael Cohen or Paul Manafort tonight or any time in the future, warned Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., as the president headed to a campaign rally in West Virginia. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., argued that the backlash of pardon talk for Manafort or Cohen would have Watergate written all over it. Still, this isnt 2006. Or 1974, for that matter. The convergence of things that doomed the Republicans in 2006 may be immaterial this year. But it sure does rhyme. Capitol Attitude is a weekly column written by members of the Fox News Capitol Hill team. Their articles take you inside the halls of Congress, and cover the spectrum of policy issues being introduced, debated and voted on there. President Trump on Tuesday taunted New York City's mayor, accusing Bill de Blasio of stealing his campaign slogan, saying the mayor has no imagination. Bill DeBlasio, the high taxing Mayor of NYC, just stole my campaign slogan: PROMISES MADE PROMISES KEPT! Thats not at all nice. No imagination! Trump wrote in a tweet. De Blasio caught the attention of the president after attending a groundbreaking for a new school in the neighborhood of East New York, Brooklyn, where he was seen standing in front of a sign reading Promises Made, Promises Kept. A spokesman for the mayor quickly denied that the slogan was stolen from Trump. This is stupid, spokesman Eric Phillips told the New York Daily News. It is not novel rhetoric. De Blasio himself also weighed in on the issue, tweeting: The difference is that Im not lying when I say it. Trump has used the slogan since last year after he released a video touting his executive order expanding apprenticeships and vocational training, Politico reported. He used the phrase in a number of rallies, with the slogans being displayed in a prominent position on Trumps lectern. His campaign has also created a website, PromisesKept.com, that details Trumps achievements while in office. But many point out that while Trump is heavily using the slogan, its not new. For example, the slogan was displayed at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. The phrase was later adopted by other Democrats in the 1980s and was also featured during the campaign to re-elect Republican Michigan Gov. John Engler in 1990s. More recently, President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore also used the same phrase during their re-election campaign in 1996. President Trump, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Ainsley Earhardt, insisted he only knew about hush-money payments made by Michael Cohen later on despite his ex-lawyer's claims to the contrary, while maintaining they were not campaign funds. Later on I knew. Later on. What he didand they werent taken out of the campaign finance, thats the big thing. Thats a much bigger thing, Trump said Wednesday. Did they come out of the campaign? They didnt come out of the campaign, they came from me. The presidents comments come after his former longtime personal attorney and self-described fixer entered a guilty plea with federal prosecutors on Tuesday, admitting to violating campaign finance laws by arranging hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal at the direction of then-candidate Trump. The plea deal stated the payments were meant to influence the election -- by covering up affair allegations -- and the campaign was involved. WATCH AINSLEY EARHARDT'S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TRUMP ON 'FOX & FRIENDS' AT 6 AM ET THURSDAY ON FOX NEWS CHANNEL. I dont know if you know but I tweeted about the payments, Trump said in the "Fox & Friends" interview, pushing back. But they didnt come out of the campaign. In fact, my first question when I heard about it was, did they come out of the campaign, because that could be a little dicey. And they didnt come out of the campaign and thats big. He added: But they werent .... thats not even a campaign violation. The president was referring to his May 3 tweets regarding his move to reimburse Cohen for the $130,000 payment to Daniels. Mr. Cohen, an attorney, received a monthly retainer, not from the campaign and having nothing to do with the campaign, from which he entered into, through reimbursement, a private contract between two parties, known as a non-disclosure agreement, or NDA, Trump tweeted. Those agreements are very common among celebrities and people of wealth. In this case it is in full force and effect and will be used in Arbitration for damages against Ms. Clifford (Daniels). The agreement was used to stop the false and extortionist accusations made by her about an affair, Trump added, continuing, despite already having signed a detailed letter admitting that there was no affair. Prior to its violation by Ms. Clifford and her attorney, this was a private agreement. Money from the campaign, or campaign contributions, played no roll [sic] in this transaction. Trump, in those tweets, was referring to a letter written and signed by Daniels in January, stating with complete clarity that allegations of an affair with Trump were completely false. Despite admitting to knowing about the payments this week, and on Twitter in May, the president initially said he did not know about the $130,000 transaction. In May, Trumps attorney Rudy Giuliani told Fox News that Trump didnt know the details of this until we knew the details of this, adding that Trump thought it was to cover unspecified expenses, following the release of a financial disclosure. Cohen, who also pleaded guilty to several charges of bank and tax fraud, initially said the money he paid to Daniels came out of his own pocket. If you look at President Obama, he had a massive campaign violation but he had a different attorney general and they viewed it a lot differently, Trump said. Trump was referring to Obama's 2008 campaign being fined $375,000 by the Federal Election Commission for a series of missing notices for more than 1,300 contributions. They totaled $1.8 million. But Lanny Davis, Cohens attorney, argued that there is little room for interpretation as to whether the president could be in legal trouble. There is no question that hes committed a federal crime, Davis said on Americas Newsroom Wednesday. He also argued that its never been settled whether a sitting president can be indicted, despite suggestions to the contrary from Trump allies. At issue is the Daniels payment as well as the McDougal case, where she was paid $150,000 by the parent company of the National Enquirer for her story about an alleged 2006 affair with Trump, which it never published. Cohen admitted Tuesday to making an excessive campaign contribution and causing an unlawful corporate contribution. After Cohen's plea deal, Davis also initially said that Trumps lawyers wrote a letter to Special Counsel Robert Mueller admitting Trump directed Cohen to make the payment to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. But Davis' team corrected himself to CNNs John Berman Wednesday, noting he was not talking about a letter to Muellers team, but rather the financial disclosure form filed by Trump in May. West Virginia's Republican House speaker said Tuesday that he has resigned in order to run for a seat on the states Supreme Court. Speaker Tim Armstead made his intentions known via Twitter messages. I am looking forward to talking with my fellow West Virginians and working to earn their trust and votes to serve as their Supreme Court Justice, Armstead wrote in one message. Though the secretary of state's office has said Armstead is not required to resign, he said he was doing so to make sure his candidacy is above question. The move fueled accusations by state Democrats that an earlier effort to impeach several state Supreme Court justices represents a power grab by GOP lawmakers. House lawmakers recently impeached four of the court's five justices, prompting one to resign. All four were ordered Tuesday to appear in the Senate on Sept. 11 to answer accusations against them. The impeachment probe was sparked by questions involving more than $3 million in renovations to the justices' offices and expanded to broader accusations of corruption, incompetence and neglect of duty. Armstead had recused himself from the House debate over impeachment because he had previously expressed interest in serving on the court. More recently, he and U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, a Republican who is not seeking re-election and lost in his bid for the U.S. Senate this spring, both applied to be considered for temporary appointments to the Supreme Court by Gov. Jim Justice. Those appointments would last until the November election is certified. Jenkins has declared himself a candidate for a different seat on the court in the November election, which is officially nonpartisan. The West Virginia Democratic Party said on Twitter of Armstead's resignation, "No surprise here, more self-serving moves for political gain and abandoning the people of West Virginia in his district." In a statement announcing his resignation, Armstead said he intends "to spend as much time as possible meeting West Virginians and earning their trust and their votes to represent them on their Supreme Court of Appeals." Armstead filed by Tuesday's deadline to run in the nonpartisan race for the vacancy created last month when Menis Ketchum retired and agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud related to his personal use of a state vehicle and fuel. Robin Davis stepped down from the court Aug. 14 after lawmakers voted to impeach her and justices Allen Loughry, Margaret Workman and Beth Walker. Davis and at least one Democratic lawmaker have accused the Republican-led legislature of turning what they said was a legitimate pursuit of charges against Loughry into a blatant attempt to take over the court. Democratic Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer of Monongalia County has called impeaching the other justices "a power grab ... and using the impeachment process to take over another branch of government." Jenkins and six other candidates have filed to run for Davis' seat in November. Armstead and nine other candidates have filed to run for the seat Ketchum vacated. Loughry faces six charges related to accusations of spending $363,000 on office renovations, taking home a $42,000 antique desk owned by the state, and lying to a House committee. Loughry, Walker and Workman all face charges of abusing authority by failing to control office expenses and not maintaining policies about the use of state vehicles, office computers at home and other matters. Workman faces two separate impeachment articles related to accusations that she allowed senior status judges to be paid higher wages than are allowed. Armstead was appointed to a House seat from Kanawha County in 1998 to fill a vacancy and was elected later that year. He served as House minority leader and was named speaker in December 2014 after Republicans gained majority control of both the House and Senate for the first time in eight decades. Some Democrats have said the impeachments were strategically timed by majority Republican lawmakers to allow the governor to name their temporary replacements. "There's never been any time in history where one branch of government supposedly controls another branch," Senate Democratic leader Roman Prezioso said Monday. "And for the governor to be able to appoint people to be replaced, obviously there's that apprehension by a lot of the Democratic senators and House members, too. The Associated Press contributed to this story. NASA's Orion spacecraft which will eventually carry humans to locations beyond low Earth orbit, such as the moon just got its heat shield for a test mission that will take place in 2019 or 2020. For this mission, Orion will also have a new block structure that will protect the spacecraft as it makes a fiery re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. Technicians recently bolted the heat shield onto the Orion spacecraft at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, NASA officials said in a statement. This is just one of the steps to prepare the spacecraft for Exploration Mission-1, on which an uncrewed Orion will fly for three weeks in space to a location some 40,000 miles (64,000 kilometers) beyond the moon, before returning back to Earth. [Exploration Mission-1 in Pictures: How Orion Will Fly to the Moon] The heat shield is 16.5 feet (5 meters) in diameter and has a complex structure to help it survive the searing heat of the atmosphere during Orion's plunge back to Earth. NASA anticipates Orion's heat shield will need to withstand temperatures of nearly 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,800 degrees Celsius). The base structure of the heat shield is a titanium truss covered with a composite substrate (or skin) that has several layers of carbon fiber. But what makes this heat shield stand out is a new process that includes blocks of an ablative material called Avcoat, which is being produced under a license from Boston-based Textron Systems. Avcoat has been used on the heat shields of other spacecraft as well, including those for the Apollo human moon missions of the 1960s and 1970s, and the previous flight of Orion, in 2014 (called Exploration Flight Test 1, or EFT-1). But this latest mission is unique because engineers are creating blocks of material instead of injecting it directly onto the heat shield. [Orion Capsule Turns Heads on White House Lawn (Photos)] "A benefit of switching from the honeycomb system to the blocks is, we now can make the Avcoat blocks at the same time that the Orion structure is being made, and when the module is ready, we can secure the blocks, which saves time," John Kowal, Orion thermal protection system manager at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, said in the statement. "Before, with EFT-1, we had to wait for the carrier portion to be done, and then apply the Avcoat directly to the crew module." The Avcoat was produced by Lockheed Martin at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, and then was shipped to KSC. There, Lockheed Martin technicians formed the material into 180 blocks and applied them to Orion's heat-shield surface. "To fill tiny gaps between the blocks, the seams were filled with a mixture that, over time, will become solid," NASA officials said in the statement. "Technicians applied a coat of white epoxy paint to the heat shield's surface, and then applied aluminized tape after the painted surface dried. The tape provides surface resistivity, and absorbs solar heat and infrared emissions." While this next Orion mission will have no crew on board, NASA anticipates eventually using the spacecraft to bring astronauts beyond low Earth orbit. The next priority of the current U.S. presidential administration is to start moon missions using a Deep Space Gateway space station. Eventually, the agency is supposed to prepare for human Mars missions as well. Orion's prime contractor is Lockheed Martin, which designed and manufactured the spacecraft. Original article on Space.com. A devastating volcanic eruption on the other side of the world contributed to Napoleons defeat in the Battle of Waterloo, scientists say. Fascinating new research released Wednesday makes a remarkable link between to two events. For years, historians have cited rainy and muddy conditions on the day of the battle as a factor in the French Armys famous defeat on June 18, 1815. Waterlogged conditions at the battle site prompted Napoleon to delay his troops attack until the ground dried out. The decision is regarded as a critical error, as it gave Prussian troops time to join their British-led allies in the clash with Napoleons army. The battle, a decisive victory for forces led by the Duke of Wellington and the Prussian Field Marshal Blucher, changed the course of European history. 200 YEARS LATER, EXPERTS SEEK TO UNEARTH THE BATTLE OF WATERLOOS SECRETS In a research study published Wednesday in the journal Geology, scientists from Imperial College London link the weather conditions to the eruption of the Mount Tambora volcano 7,680 miles away. The volcano on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa sent electrically-charged volcanic ash into Earths atmosphere when it erupted in April 1815. The eruption, which killed tens of thousands of people, triggered poor weather across the globe and even caused the year without a summer in 1816. Dr. Matthew Genge, senior lecturer in earth and planetary science at Imperial College, suggests that the eruption short-circuited the ionosphere, which is part of the Earths upper atmosphere. This led to a pulse in cloud formation, which in turn brought heavy rain across Europe, according to the study. The research shows that eruptions can hurl ash 62 miles into the atmosphere, much higher than was previously thought, according to Imperial College. NAPOLEONS BATTLE OF WATERLOO HAT AUCTIONED FOR $325G Previously, geologists thought that volcanic ash gets trapped in the lower atmosphere, because volcanic plumes rise buoyantly. My research, however, shows that ash can be shot into the upper atmosphere by electrical forces, said Dr. Genge in a statement. Scientists conducted experiments to show that electrostatic forces could propel ash much higher than buoyancy alone. Volcanic plumes and ash both can have negative electrical charges and thus the plume repels the ash, propelling it high in the atmosphere. The effect works very much like the way two magnets are pushed away from each other if their poles match, Genge added. FIRST COMPLETE BATTLE OF WATERLOO SKELETON IDENTIFIED AS GERMAN SOLDIER Because weather records for 1815 are sparse, Genge tested his theory using weather records from the famous 1883 eruption of Krakatau, or Krakatoa, another Indonesian volcano. A special cloud type, noctilucent, formed after the Krakatau explosion, potentially providing evidence for the electrostatic levitation of ash. Victor Hugo in the novel Les Miserables said of the Battle of Waterloo: an unseasonably clouded sky sufficed to bring about the collapse of a World. Now we are a step closer to understanding Tamboras part in the Battle from half a world away, said Genge. One of the key figures in European history, Napoleon remains a source of fascination. An extremely rare bicorne, or two-pointed hat, that was worn by the French leader at the Battle of Waterloo was recently sold at auction in France for $325,000. Last week, an early 19th-century locket containing locks of hair from Napoleon and his wife, Empress Josephine, was sold at auction in the U.K for $3,357. In 2015, the first complete Battle of Waterloo skeleton was identified as a German soldier. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers The worlds largest container line is about to embark on a trip through the cold Arctic to test a faster shipping method that could become viable as warmer temperatures melt open the Northern Sea Route. Around Sept. 1, Denmark-based Maersk will send a new container shipwith a reinforced hull and a capacity of 3,600 containersinto the polar sea, reports NPR. Industry watchers see the trip as a potential tipping point for shipping and the Arctic. SPEEDY FLIP IN EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD COULD CAUSE TRILLIONS IN DAMAGES, SCIENTISTS WARN As the Earth has warmed, shipping companies have looked at the Arctic as a way to cut down travel time and save money. Malte Humpert, the founder and senior fellow of the Arctic Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, said Maersk's decision marks the next step in Arctic's shipping development. It's not a major, dramatic shift, it's just a kind of sequential development, Humpert told NPR. The ice is melting and more things are becoming possible in the Arctic, and with that, of course ... comes enhanced risk for the environment. In a statement to NPR, Maersk says it does not see the Northern Sea Route as an alternative to our usual routes. We plan new services according to our customers' demand, trading patterns and population centers. The company says it is dispatching Venta Maersk in the Arctic on a trial to explore an unknown route for container shipping and to collect scientific data. Humpert said Maersk wants to gain some experience in the Arctic, which will likely open up more possibilities in the future, adding that the Northern Sea Route could slice about two weeks off the journey from Asia to Europe. 'CURSED' ANCIENT EGYPTIAN SARCOPHAGUS REVEALS GRISLY SECRETS However, cutting travel time does not guarantee cost savings. Humpert says there is no infrastructure in the Arctic, and unlike the traditional Vladivostok-to-St. Petersburg route through the Suez Canal, there are no transshipment options along the way. Paul Bingham, a transportation and international trade economist with the Economical Development Research group, says Venta Maersk is an ice-class vessel, capable of going through about 3 feet of unconsolidated ice. He says that makes the ship strong enough to withstand the rigors of the route, but only for about three months of the year. By GuoYuandan and Liu Yupeng Chinese troops will leave for Russia to take part in the Russian Vostok-2018 strategic military drills from mid-late August to mid-September, 2018. Incorporating the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) for the first time, the Vostok-2018 is different from the previous China-Russia joint military exercises. Some experts say this shows that the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is further deepening in the military and security fields. The Vostok-2018 is one of the four regular large-scale military exercises in Russia, along with the Zapad, Central and Caucasus. "The 'Vostok-2018' is the largest event since the 'Exercise Zapad-81' maneuvers which has acquired international status. It has unprecedented scale both in territory and number of troops involved," Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu announced. "The 'Vostok 2018' drills will involve Russian Eastern and Central military districts, Northern Fleet, Airborne Troops, long-range and transport aviation. Besides, it will involve military command and control bodies of the Chinese PLA and Mongolian Armed Forces, Shoigu said. Unlike other previous China-Russia joint military exercises, the series of Vostok military drills used to be conducted by Russia only, an anonymous military expert said on August 20, adding that Chinas participation in the Vostok-2018 this time sends out some signals. Firstly, some experts were initially worried that Russia's Vostok-2018 might be directed against China. However, the Chinese troops participation in the Vostok-2018 dispelled these doubts. Secondly, according to the exercise subjects published by the authority, the Vostok-2018 mainly concentrates on traditional security, unlike previous China-Russia joint military exercises which focused on non-traditional security challenges. Thirdly, the Chinese troops participation in the Russian military drills shows that China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is further deepening in the military and security fields. According to Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of Russias National Defense magazine, in view of the escalating pressure exerted by the US on Russia and China, such military drills show that America's attempt to contain Russia and China will not work. Disclaimer: The article is an editorial of the Global Times. It is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. Chinamil.com.cn does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. If the article carries photographs or images, we do not vouch for their authenticity. Facebook announced Tuesday night that it had removed 652 pages, groups and accounts linked to Iran for "coordinated inauthentic behavior" -- including the sharing of political material -- and had also removed other pages tied to Russian military intelligence services. In a statement, the social network said the activity originating in Iran and the activity sourced to Russia were not related. It also said it was not aware of any activity from the Russia-based accounts that targeted American users. Facebook said it had not concluded its review of the material and declined to say how or why the state-backed actors were behaving the way they did. But it said it has informed the British governments, as well as the U.S. Treasury and State departments because of ongoing sanctions against Iran. "There's a lot we don't know yet," CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. FACEBOOK RATES USERS BASED ON HOW 'TRUSTWORTHY' THEY ARE Facebook said the actions to remove the pages, groups and accounts Tuesday morning resulted from four investigations three involving Iran and one involving Russia. The first involved a group called "Liberty Front Press" that set up multiple accounts on Facebook and Instagram that were followed by 155,000 other accounts. The group was linked to Iranian state media based on website registrations, IP addresses and administrator accounts, Facebook said. The first accounts were created in 2013 and posted political content about the Middle East, the U.K. and the U.S., although the focus on the West increased starting last year, Facebook said. The second group also had multiple accounts and 15,000 followers. The group was linked to "Liberty Front Press" and attempted to hack people's accounts to spread malware. Facebook said it disrupted those attempts. A third group also operated out of Iran had as many as 813,000 followers, and also shared political content about the Middle East, the U.K. and U.S. In all, the Iranian-linked groups spent some $12,000 in advertising and hosted 28 different events. A fourth group that attempted to influence politics in Syria and Ukraine was linked to sources that Facebook said the U.S. had ties to Russian military intelligence. IS THE LEFT GETTING PLAYED BY RUSSIA? FACEBOOK PURGE EXPOSES POTENTIAL NEW TACTICS Facebook has stepped up policing of its platform significantly since last year, when it acknowledged that Russian agents successfully ran political influence operations on Facebook aimed at swaying the 2016 presidential election. Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that Facebook's action "is further evidence that foreign adversaries are actively using social media to divide Americans and undermine our democratic institutions" "While Im encouraged to see Facebook taking steps to rid their platforms of these bad actors, theres clearly more work to be done," Warner, D-Va., added. Senior executives at Facebook, Twitter and Google are scheduled to appear before the committee Sept. 5 to discuss their companies' efforts to head off foreign attempts to meddle in November's midterm elections. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Net neutrality regulations officially died on June 11, but the fight to revive them rages on. A group of attorneys general from 22 states filed a brief Monday night urging a US appeals court to reinstate the 2015 Open Internet Order, which prohibited internet service providers (ISPs) from engaging in practices such as blocking, throttling, or paid prioritization. The brief is part of an ongoing lawsuit initially filed in January following the FCC's vote to repeal net neutrality. Led by New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood, the group includes AGs representing California, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and numerous other populous states comprising more than 165 million Americans. The brief states that the FCC's order to roll back net neutrality rules is "arbitrary and capricious" because it puts consumers at risk of abusive practices, and that the order unlawfully preempts state and local regulations. "A free and open internet is critical to New Yorkand to our democracy. By repealing net neutrality, the FCC is allowing internet service providers to put their profits before consumers while controlling what we see, do, and say online," said Attorney General Underwood. Earlier this year, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order that requires state governments to secure a net neutrality pledge before inking deals with any internet service providers. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock did the same. This lawsuit is one of several efforts to fight the FCC's ruling. In May, the US Senate narrowly voted to reverse the rollback, but the measure has not been voted on in the House. If it ever made it to President Trump's desk, meanwhile, he'd be unlikely to approve it. Trump appointed current FCC chairman Ajit Pai, who has been vocal in his support for the net neutrality rollback. Tech companies have also gone to bat for net neutrality. Companies including Mozilla, Vimeo, and Etsy have filed their own legal challenge to overturn the FCC's decision. Sites including Reddit and Tumblr also participated in the #OneMoreVote campaign back in February. The fight to bring back net neutrality is far from over, but in the meantime, you might want to invest in a VPN. This article originally appeared on PCMag.com. The Air Force is working with industry to test an emerging cybersecurity technology which has not as of yet been hacked, despite massive amounts of attempted penetrations. The software, made by Merlin Cyrption, is engineered to defeat advanced AI and Quantum computing hacking techniques by never repeating a pattern, developers say. Engineers of the new product explain that AI and Quantum computing are able to crack sophisticated encryption by recognizing patterns and analyzing mathematical sequences. This encryption is non-deterministic and never repeats patterns. This cannot be broken through statistical analysis. It is not based on math. All encryption algorithms are based on math and this one is not, Brandon Brown, Merlin Cyrption CEO told Warrior Maven in an interview. While Brown is careful to avoid the term not-hackable, she does say the technology has so far not been penetrated by the some of the most advanced hacking techniques available today. There has been a lot of testing and it has not been hacked, she said. Whatever input you put in, you will get a different output. Along with the Air Force, the software has been tested by the Louisiana-based Cyber Innovation Center and the Univ. of Louisiana. Brown is naturally reluctant to specify many of the details of this new method for proprietary reasons, but she did offer a broad overview of how the technology operates. It uses a random data generator that never repeats a pattern. This puts it in a good position to overcome AI and Quantum computing, Brown added. The new software has yet to be formally deployed by the U.S. military, but has already been applied in the private sector. Merlin Cyrptions technology bears some resemblance, at least in concept and application, to another yet-to-be-hacked computer network called STTarxx. While still developing the technology to enable it to be more fully applicable to large networks, engineers working on STTarxx say they do have an operational closed network impenetrable to attempted enemy intrusions. In a manner that is both different and somewhat analogous to methods used by Merlin Cyrption, STTarxx uses random encryption designed to be untrackable by even the most advanced algorithms. If you set up a network computer to computer and you implement a STTarxx network, we actually take over the internet and you cant do anything else but be on that network. It is a closed network, Phil Gambell, Chief Business Development Officer, STT, told Warrior Maven in an interview. Part of how STTarxx seeks to remain un-detectable is by not sending a message to potential intruders writing you are not authorized to access. The idea is not to confirm the networks existence to would-be hackers. You can communicate on the network but you cannot be tracked. If someone tries to hack us, we do not send back a message that say you are not authorized to enter. We are like a dark spot, Gambell added. One industry cybersecurity expert called the new technology what the government has been looking for a single solution to protect digital assets, yet emphasized that the emerging tech may encounter challenges when it comes to implementation. The challenge that this approach has is that it threatens other technologies and investments in lesser capable solutions. Particularly when defense and infrastructure programs such as nuclear power plants and electrical grids have invested heavily on patch -working their networks and systems, Jerry Torres, CEO of Torres Advanced Enterprise Solutions, a private firm providing cyber forensics training to US and friendly foreign governments. Torress white hat hackers conducted penetration testing with the STTarxx development team and confirmed the strength of the system. The solution was invisible to the hackers, Torres said. Although the Air Force does not often comment in detail on these kinds of technologies while they are under review, the service has been making a decided effort to improve security on their networks. As part of this effort, they have also had some success in preventing hacking. Last year, the Air Force conducted a Hack the Air Force event where they encouraged the best and brightest private sector hackers to attempt penetrating their networks. The event, called HackerOne, brought some of the worlds elite hackers to the event. Air Force reports say they were happy to see that their sites were not that easy to crack. Hackers looked for bugs and vulnerabilities, and found some, only to then learn they had already been patched or addressed. They (the hackers) were impressed, Lt. Col. Jonathan Joshua, 24th AF Deputy Chief of Staff, said in a written Air Force report. As a vulnerability was identified, shortly thereafter, hackers would be attempting to highlight the vulnerability to another team of hackersbut the vulnerability had already been patched. The Air Force has, for quite some time, been aggressive in its pursuit of cybersecurity, given todays threat environment. The service has established several new Cyber Squadron units tasked with teaching improved cyber hygiene for security and sharpening a service-wide emphasis upon cybersecurity. Also, the service is looking at some advanced cyber defense methods which use automation to replication human user behavior online. This is done for the specific purpose of luring, and then tracking, would-be hackers, intruders and enemies. Also, stay tuned for an upcoming Warrior Maven report on the Air Forces emerging Cyber Resilience of Weapons System office, a particular high-tech effort now underway to cyber harden weapons systems and data networks. More Weapons and Technology - WARRIOR MAVEN (CLICK HERE)-- A well-known Russian weapons manufacturing company has unveiled a 13-foot golden walking killer robot that looks like something out of "RoboCop." Kalashnikov Concern presented a large, strange-looking bulletproof robot thats in development at the Army 2018 fair near Moscow and posted a video of the machine on its website. The gold robot, which the company calls a controlled bipedal walker, reportedly weighs 4.5 tons and can hold objects with its claws, potentially including weapons. A cabin can be seen behind the robots glass panels where people could sit and operate it from inside. The companys site explains the machine is designed for engineering and combat solutions. NEW AIR FORCE LIGHT ATTACK PLANE MOVES QUICKLY TOWARD COMBAT Vladimir Dmitriev, from Kalashnikov Concern, told the Daily Mail: This robot is probably one of the hottest new models of the Army 2018. Currently it is only a demonstration of the path we are planning on following. We understand that there are robotic machines driving on caterpillar and wheel drive, we also understand that there will be demand for anthropomorphic automatic movable systems, he added. About 1,200 Russian defense companies and weapon manufacturers take part in the Army 2018 event, reports the Daily Mail, displaying an estimated 26,000 pieces of weaponry and military equipment. The British passenger who plunged off a Norwegian Star cruise ship over the weekend had complained about her boyfriend and thought she would be charged for the rescue after she was pulled to safety, the captain of the rescue boat said. Captain Lovro Oreskovic, who was in charge of the military patrol vessel that helped rescue Kay Longstaff, said the 46-year-old passenger was talking about her boyfriend [Craig Rayment] after being pulled from the Adriatic Sea, about 60 miles off the coast of Croatia, The Telegraph reported. Longstaff was in the water for 10 hours before rescuers got her. She was talking about the boyfriend. I cant tell you exactly what she said because its all under investigation, but she didnt say anything positive, Oreskovic said. She was very frightened that it was a big problem for her that she would be charged for the rescue. She thought she would have to pay for the whole rescue operation. MOM OF NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE CEO SAYS PASSENGER WHO PLUNGED OFF SHIP WAS A 'STUPID WOMAN' WHO JUMPED The former flight attendant was exhausted when she was located Sunday morning, Oreskovic recalled. She tried to wave, but she was exhausted and didnt have enough strength, he said. We dropped her a life buoy but she didnt have enough strength to grab it. A rescue swimmer jumped in the water and pulled her towards the boat and helped her on. Longstaff was evaluated by a medical personnel and ate vegetable soup and chocolate pudding and drank water, the Telegraph reported. BRITISH WOMAN WHO FELL OFF SHIP IN CROATIA CREDITS SINGING AND YOGA FOR SURVIVING 10-HOUR ORDEAL Longstaff had initially told Croatia news service HRT that she fell off the back of the Norwegian Star, a statement the mother of Norwegian Cruise Lines CEO Andy Stuart vehemently denied on behalf of her son. Witnesses also said Longstaff and Rayment were fighting before the incident. Oreskovic said the initial radio call for the rescue said Longstaff jumped from the ship. On the open radio channel in the communication with the cruise ship, they said that she jumped, the captain said. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS After the Saturday ordeal, Longstaff received support from Rayments ex-wife. If I was on a ship with him I would get off any way I could, Kelly Rayment told The Mirror. Craigs not a very nice person when hes been drinking. So him going on a cruise is a recipe for disaster. I can imagine what she went through. Longstaff and Rayment were reportedly also spotted in Venice on Monday with family before returning back to England. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has been hit with 30 lawsuits filed on behalf of parkgoers with severe autism, claiming that the iconic theme parks system of appointment times for those with disabilities failed to sufficiently accommodate the plaintiffs and led to upsetting meltdowns. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Aug. 17 that a trial is needed to determine whether or not the "happiest place on earth" in fact violated the Americans with Disabilities Act through the allegations. IDENTICAL TWIN NEWLYWED COUPLES HONEYMOON AT DISNEY WORLD According to The Gainesville Sun, the 65-page ruling came from the review of 30 consolidated court cases involving Disney parks in Florida and California. The lawsuits allege that parkgoers with autism have suffered meltdowns or their routines were disrupted while waiting for rides, and that Disneys current appointment time program for those with disabilities fails to accomodate their needs. As per current policy, Disney allows visitors with disabilities to get a special card giving them an appointment time to get on a ride with little to no wait. The card allows them to get unlimited appointment times throughout the day and allows them to get on rides immediately if the wait is less than 15 minutes. Disney workers also have the discretion to hand out readmission passes to visitors with disabilities, allowing them to get back on a ride immediately. Disney previously had allowed visitors with disabilities to go to the front of the line but changed the program in 2013 amid reports of abuse by people without disabilities. The new program for visitors with disabilities, though, disrupted set routines on the order of rides and didnt allow autistic visitors to go on rides exactly when they wanted to, the plaintiffs said. It is the nature of the neurological disability that makes waiting an impossibility, the plaintiffs had argued. The plaintiffs said a solution would be to give disabled guests a pass guaranteeing they wouldnt have to wait more than 15 minutes for all rides. But Disney argued that solution was no different than its previous program which was subject to abuse when nondisabled visitors would hire disabled guests to join their party so they wouldnt have to wait. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS As the lawsuits move forward, the judges said that Disney did not intentionally discriminate against the autistic visitors and that the question the district court will decide is whether Disney needs to modify its policies. Representatives for Disney returned Fox News request for comment on the story with the following statement: Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all our guests. The lower court concluded that we fully complied with all ADA requirements and dismissed the claims, a Disney spokeswoman said. The appellate court ruling sends the lawsuits back to the lower court for further proceedings. We are reviewing the decision and evaluating next steps. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A dad clashed with Ryanair staff and was threatened with arrest over a packet of Pringles amid a four-hour delay. Johnny McMenamin was set to leave Barcelona, Spain and return to County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, with his five-year-old daughter last Monday. But the pair were left waiting for two hours at Reus Airport when their plane was delayed. Once boarded, passengers were then left waiting on the plane for another two and a half hours. McMenamin , 36, said he became worried when his daughter appeared "distressed and tired" and they had yet to take off. He was shocked that passengers had to beg for water, but he became horrified when flight attendants would not give him free refreshments, given the long delay. He told Belfast Live: "I couldn't believe they were trying to charge me for a snack for a child when we had been delayed for 4 hours 39 minutes. "I asked for a bottle of water and Pringles for my daughter and they insisted I needed to pay 5.50 (about $7.10), which I refused out of principal." McMenamin noted that a refreshment voucher handed out to passengers was intended for use in the departure lounge, but he expected crew to make an exception because of the delays. The pilot later made two announcements claiming the passenger who was "stealing from the bar" would be met by police, so he finally paid for the items. McMenamin is still horrified that the flight attendants would not give his daughter a free bottle of water and a pack of chips after the huge delay. A Ryanair spokesman said the passenger had become disruptive shortly before takeoff and agreed to follow cabin crew instructions after being warned about his behaviour. The spokesperson added: "This flight from Barcelona Reus to East Midlands (August 13) was regrettably delayed ahead of take-off due to ongoing ATC restrictions and ATC staff shortages across Europe. "Customers were provided with refreshment vouchers and boarded the aircraft, but the flight was further delayed due to continued slot delays. "The crew opened the bars and served refreshments, before the aircraft departed to East Midlands later that night. Ryanair sincerely apologized to customers affected by this delay. This article originally appeared on The Sun. A Hawaii-based Army soldier accused of attempting to support the Islamic State (ISIS) group will plead guilty, one of his lawyers told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Sgt. 1st Class Ikaika Kang has agreed to plead guilty, but Alexander Silvert, an assistant federal defender representing him, won't say what charges he'll be pleading to. "We've agreed on a sentence," Silvert said, declining to elaborate. He referred further questions to Kang's other attorney, Birney Bervar, who couldn't immediately be reached. Court documents allege Kang provided classified military information to undercover agents whom he believed were part of ISIS. Court records show that Kang is scheduled to withdraw his not guilty plea Thursday. The hearing was moved from the afternoon to the morning because of concerns about a hurricane headed for Hawaii, Silvert said. A plea agreement hasn't been filed in court yet. According to court documents, a confidential informant told authorities Kang watched videos depicting beheadings and other violence in his room for hours every day. Kang told the informant that if he became an ISIS member, he would be a suicide bomber and attack Schofield Barracks, a sprawling Army base outside Honolulu, according to an affidavit filed in court. Kang began researching the Muslim religion in 2014, couldn't wait to move to the Middle East to "join the cause" and was "only in the military for a paycheck," the informant said, according to the affidavit. When Kang met with the undercover agents at a home in Honolulu, he pledged allegiance to the group and kissed an ISIS flag, according to court documents. Kang may suffer from service-related mental health issues that the government was aware of but neglected to treat, Bervar has said previously. He has been detained without bail since his arrest last year. A trial for the 72-year-old man believed to be the Golden State Killer will be held in Sacramento, officials revealed Tuesday. The announcement regarding the case against Joseph James DeAngelo came during a news conference held by six district attorneys in the state. Taking into account various factors, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said prosecutors made a group decision to hold the trial in Sacramento. There was a complaint filed this morning in Sacramento and it alleges the combination of the cases from all of our jurisdictions that are going to be filed and prosecuted, Rackauckas said. The officials present at the news conference represented Sacramento County, Contra Costa County, Orange County, Santa Barbara County, Tulare County and Ventura County. Included in the amended criminal complaint are 13 counts of murder and 13 new counts of kidnapping for robbery. DeAngelo is accused of committing dozens of rapes and murders across California in the 1970s and 1980s. Among the nicknames, the serial killer was also dubbed the East Area Rapist. He was arrested in April after his DNA was linked to those found in several murder scenes in California. Describing DeAngelo as a human predator, Rackauckas said the suspect took a path through all of these counties in our state and wherever he went, he left a wake of terror in his path. He committed vicious, violent crimes throughout all these jurisdictions, he continued. The new charges filed on Tuesday include four alleging that DeAngelo is suspected of "carrying away four women" to commit robberies in Contra Costa County in 1978 and 1979. The nine other new charges are in connection with attacks committed in Sacramento County, Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert said. While prosecutors don't have DNA evidence in those cases, they are confident that DeAngelo is the suspect based on his "signature marks," she said. Fox News Katherine Lam and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mollie Tibbetts' mysterious disappearance more than a month ago thrust a small Iowa city into the spotlight as it scrambled for clues in the desperate search for the missing University of Iowa student. Tibbetts' body was found in an Iowa cornfield Tuesday. A 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico was identified as her suspected killer. The murder suspect was identified by authorities as Cristhian Bathena Rivera, who had been living in the area for several years. Tibbetts, 20, was last seen in Brooklyn, Iowa. She was staying at her boyfriends house, watching his dogs, while he worked at a construction site almost 100 miles away in Dubuque. The small city in Poweshiek County always seemed like a friendly, safe place to residents who lived there. Tibbetts' boyfriend, Dalton Jack who has been cleared as a suspect in the case said he was "blindsided" by his longtime girlfriend's disappearance. MOLLIE TIBBETTS, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA STUDENT, MISSING: A TIMELINE OF EVENTS Its Brooklyn ... nothing ever happens in Brooklyn," he previously told Fox News. But Jack's attitude has since shifted, along with many other residents. We lock our doors now. Every night," Jack added at the time. Here's what we know about Brooklyn. It's small Brooklyn, located about 70 miles east of Des Moines, has a population of roughly 1,400 people. The small city earned its name in the 1850s because it was situated between two brooks: Big Bear Creek and Little Bear Creek. It's not very diverse According to 2010 census data, the most recent information available, Brooklyn isn't a very diverse city. The majority of its residents 95 percent are white. There are slightly more females (54 percent) compared to males (46 percent). Most people (57 percent) are between the ages of 18 to 64. It bills itself the "Community of Flags" The small city created a large display of flags in 1991 to welcome bicyclists participating in the annual Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). The makeshift avenue of flags inspired resident Alexander Wehrle to create a permanent display. The flag display, complete with 11 rows of five flag poles, is featured outside the Brooklyn Historical Museum on Jackson Street. MOLLIE TIBBETTS VIDEO SHOWS HER ACTING 'TOTALLY NORMAL' THE DAY BEFORE SHE VANISHED, FRIEND SAYS In the center of the display sits an 80-foot flag pole that proudly waves the American flag. It can be seen from portions of Interstate 80 and Highway 6, according to the city. It's had the same mayor for nearly a decade Dennis "Skip" Solem was elected mayor of Brooklyn in 2009 and he's been re-elected three times since then. Solem, a Brooklyn native, retired from his position at the retail chain Theisen's in 2013 and has been focusing on his government role. "He loves kids and enjoys umpiring Little League games," the city describes on its website. Taiwan vowed on Tuesday to fight China's "increasingly out of control" behavior after Taipei lost another ally to Beijing when El Salvador became the third country to switch allegiances to China this year. Taiwan now has formal relations with only 17 countries worldwide, many of them small, less developed nations in Central America and the Pacific, including Belize and Nauru. Speaking in Taipei, President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan would not bow to pressure, describing El Salvador's decision as further evidence of China's efforts to squeeze the island, which have included regular Chinese bomber patrols around Taiwan. "We will turn to countries with similar values to fight together against China's increasingly out-of-control international behavior." Tsai said. Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told reporters earlier that Taipei was not willing to engage in "money competition" with its giant neighbor. He said El Salvador had been continuously asking for "massive funding support" since last year for a port development, but Taiwan was unable to assist with the "unsuitable project" after assessment. "Pressure from China would only make Taiwan more determined to continue our path of democracy and freedom," he said. "China's rude and unreasonable behavior will certainly have negative impact to cross-strait relations. This is also not how a responsible country should behave." Beijing considers Taiwan to be a wayward province of "one China," ineligible for state-to-state relations, and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. In Beijing, the Chinese government's top diplomat, State Councilor Wang Yi, said El Salvador had made the right decision. "I'm confident that the people of El Salvador will feel the warmth and friendship of the Chinese people and derive tangible benefits from its cooperation with China," Wang told reporters alongside his El Salvador counterpart, Carlos Castaneda, shortly after the pair signed an agreement establishing ties. Kids at Corpus Christi Elementary in Oakland, California, were greeted with devastating news Tuesday morning: a former student, Mollie Tibbetts, had been found dead in a field surrounded by corn stalks. Students were gathered together at an assembly when they heard the news about the soon-to-be University of Iowa sophomore, who had been a student at the school several years ago before moving to Iowa. Her father, Rob, still lives nearby in the San Francisco area. Principal Katie Murphy described Tibbetts, 20, as a "sweet" and "kind" girl who was friendly with everyone. "Lets try to be like Mollie. As we celebrate our first day, lets celebrate her life and be like her today," Murphy told the crowd, according to The Mercury News. MOLLIE TIBBETTS, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA STUDENT FOUND DEAD: A TIMELINE OF EVENTS Tibbetts made the move from California to Iowa with her mom and brother more than a decade ago but to her, Oakland would always be home. Residents in the area held several vigils, hosted fundraisers to raise reward money and reached out to Tibbetts' family throughout the month-long search for clues. On Tuesday night, investigators revealed an illegal immigrant from Mexico stands accused of killing Tibbetts and dumping her body. The suspect was identified as Cristhian Bathena Rivera, 24. Kathleen Heafey Boyle, whose son was a classmate of Tibbetts before her cross-country move, asked the public not to turn the 20-year-old girl's story into a political one like many did with the death of 32-year-old Kate Steinle who was fatally shot by an illegal immigrant while walking along a San Francisco pier with her father in July 2015. My reaction is that its not about an illegal immigrant, Boyle told the newspaper. Its about the loss of a young woman. I dont want it to be about that guy. Its not right. MOLLIE TIBBETTS, MISSING IOWA STUDENT, FOUND DEAD, HER FATHER SAYS Boyle wants to make it clear Tibbetts' disappearance had an impact beyond those who immediately knew her. Of course we knew her ... but if you didnt know her, its like everyone had a Mollie, whether its a son, a daughter or a friend," she added. Alyssa King, who has been friends with Tibbetts for years, had a similar attitude hoping to keep the focus on Tibbetts' life. Its not the ending we all hoped for at all, she told People on Tuesday. Its definitely not going to be easy, not for a long, long time. But weve got a pretty sweet angel with us all and we will continue to spread her love and life to everyone. Murphy said she was preparing to send a statement about Tibbetts' tragic death to faculty, students and parents Tuesday. Its just reminding us once again that were family, Murphy told The Mercury News. "While they cant go to Iowa, they can come here and the doors are open to them. The suspect in the murder of Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts is a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico who had been living in the area for up to seven years, officials revealed Tuesday. Cristhian Bahena Rivera was apprehended more than a month after the 20-year-old University of Iowa student disappeared, Rick Rahn, special agent in charge with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, said during a news conference. Tibbetts was last seen jogging on July 18 near Brooklyn, Iowa -- in Poweshiek County, where Rivera lives. A body believed to be Mollie Tibbetts was discovered earlier Tuesday and Rivera led authorities to the location, Rahn said, adding that her body was found hidden in a corn field beneath several corn stalks. Rivera was employed for the past four years at Yarrabee Farms, a dairy farm, the company confirmed in a statement to The Associated Press. The company said he was in good standing as a worker and was shocked to learn of his alleged involvement in Tibbetts' disappearance and murder. The suspect told law enforcement he approached Tibbetts while she was running, Rahn said. MOLLIE TIBBETTS MURDER SUSPECT IDD AS CRISTHIAN RIVERA, 24, LIVING IN US ILLEGALLY He actually tells us that he ran alongside of her or behind her. And then at one point, he tells us that Mollie grabbed ahold of her phone and says 'you need to leave me alone, I'm gonna call the police, Rahn said of the interview. And then she took off running, he, in turn, chased her down. And then he tells us that at some point in time he blacks out and then he comes to near an intersection in which we believe he then placed Mollie. Rivera revealed to investigators that he became angry when Tibbetts took out her cell phone, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press. He told authorities that he panicked and blocked his memory. The suspect claimed he didnt remember what happened next but later realized that hed put Tibbetts in his trunk after finding an earpiece from headphones in his lap, the documents said. He opened the trunk and noticed blood on the side of her head. Investigators said they believed the suspect had been in the area for four to seven years. A first-degree murder charge was filed today in connection with the disappearance of Mollie Tibbetts, who was last seen jogging in Brooklyn, Iowa on July 18, 2018, Rahn said. A complaint and affidavit names Cristhian Bahena Rivera, age 24, who resides in rural Poweshiek County and he has been charged with murder in the first degree. MOLLIE TIBBETTS, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA STUDENT, FOUND DEAD: A TIMELINE OF EVENTS After Riveras arrest, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer with the Poweshiek County Sheriffs Office on the suspect, who was described as an illegal alien from Mexico, the agency confirmed. With the help of surveillance video obtained from someone living in the area, law enforcement was able to identify a vehicle belonging to the suspect, Rahn said. Investigators saw Tibbetts on the video and realized that Rivera was one of the last ones to see Mollie running, Rahn added. Fox News Nicole Darrah, Katherine Lam and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Pennsylvania authorities on Tuesday announced charges against a Roman Catholic priest who allegedly had inappropriate sexual contact with a teenage girl. Kevin Lonergan, 30, was charged with one count each of corruption of minors and indecent assault, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced. The charges filed against Lonergan are not related to a grand jurys report released last week, in which several hundred Roman Catholic priests in the state were accused of sexually abusing more than a thousand children. Lonergan first came in contact with the 17-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe, through his work as a priest, Martin said. The pair met in August 2017 prior to a mass held at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania, according to Martin. After meeting, someone else at the church gave him her phone number. From December 2017 through January, the priest allegedly sent messages to the teens phone, Martin said. Many of these communications were sexual in nature and occurred via Snapchat, Martin said. During some of the electronic communications, it is alleged that Lonergan sent nude images of himself to the victim. While at the same church on Feb. 1, the teen alleged that Lonergan hugged her and during this, she felt that he had an erection, Martin said. She tried to retreat from the embrace, but he allegedly wouldn't let her. It is alleged that he continued to pull her towards him and then grabbed her buttocks over her clothing, Martin said. The district attorneys office said they were notified by the dioceses in June of the allegations against Lonergan, prompting an investigation. The priest has been removed public ministry since June 7. After keeping the alleged encounters private for several months, Martin said the teen courageously came forward, reported it to the priest at Central Catholic, who immediately reported it to the dioceses." Fox News Marta Dhanis contributed to this report. Virginia police are investigating the death of a boy found inside a dryer earlier this month, just a day after his third birthday. Around 5 p.m. on Aug. 7, Chet Lloyd called 911 to report that his son, 3-year-old Brantley Lloyd, wasn't breathing, according to The Virginian-Pilot. Lloyd told the newspaper he woke up to find Brantley had climbed out of his crib and into a dryer. Brantley's mother, Amanda Ray, said that the boy's father called her to tell her to get to his house right away, and when she arrived, police were on scene. According to Ray, Lloyd told her he was sleeping and he woke up to Brantley inside of the clothes dryer. The Virginia Beach Police Department, which did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment, told the news outlet that Brantley died at some point between 5:30 a.m. and 4:55 p.m. "It doesnt make sense to me," Ray said. "Nothing is adding up. I dont understand how my baby was in a dryer. I dont understand how he died." Lloyd, who had been living with his son for a year and a half since Ray moved out, said that on the day before he was found dead, Brantley had turned three years old. The boy was apparently in a bad mood and "wasn't being himself," both at day care and throughout the rest of his day. After Lloyd said Brantley cried for hours on Aug. 6, he let the boy sleep on the couch for a bit before bringing him to his crib. On Aug. 7, Lloyd said he slept in because he was up all night with his son, and eventually found him unresponsive in the dryer. The incident reportedly remains under investigation. Alabama police on Sunday uncovered what appeared to be a dog-fighting ring. Around 11:30 a.m., authorities responded to a complaint of dogs fighting in the Mulga area of Jefferson County, the Birmingham News reported. The responding officers heard what sounded like dogs fighting in the wooded area behind the reported home, Chief Deputy Randy Christian told the paper. As the deputies approached the woods, they reportedly saw a juvenile carrying a wounded dog, the report said. The deputies then found a ring with 17 pit bulls four of which displayed evidence of fighting and fresh blood inside, Christian said. Animal control responded to the scene while the sheriffs office took custody of the dogs. Investigators recovered 11 dog skulls and a suspect was taken into custody, Christian said. "It's gut-wrenching and heartbreaking,'' Christian told the News. "The fact that some people can see it as a sport to facilitate or be an audience for is just despicable and hard to comprehend." "It's gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. The fact that some people can see [dog fighting] as a sport to facilitate or be an audience for is just despicable and hard to comprehend." Chief Deputy Randy Christian, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department The suspect was being held in Jefferson County jail on a $15,000 bond and awaiting formal charges, Birmingham's FOX 6 reported. He was identified as Reginald Antonio Dowdell, 42. Animal Care and Control is now taking care of the dogs, WKRG-TV reported. A doctor accused of improperly looking up prescription records of the dead gunman after the Oct. 1 mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip will invoke his constitutional right against self-incrimination at an upcoming Nevada State Pharmacy Board disciplinary hearing, his lawyer said Wednesday. Dr. Ivan Goldsmith is the focus of a "witch hunt" for the source of a newspaper report about Stephen Paddock's prescriptions in the days after the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, attorney E. Brent Bryson said. Bryson accused board officials of "grandstanding to try to influence public opinion about Dr. Goldsmith, to paint him in a negative way before the hearing." Nevada State Prescription Board attorney Brett Kandt denied the grandstanding claim and declined comment about the complaint against Goldsmith. "It's important that the matter not be tried in the media," Kandt said. The disciplinary hearing stems from an Oct. 3 report by the Las Vegas Review-Journal about Paddock having been prescribed diazepam, an anti-anxiety drug better known as Valium. The report cited Nevada Prescription Monitoring Program records, which are password-protected. The Prescription Board complaint accuses Goldsmith of looking up Paddock's patient profile to confirm he was not his patient, and accessing the database five more times before "disclosing or allowing to be disclosed to the press" Paddock's prescription data. Bryson declined to say whether Goldsmith, a weight loss specialist who the attorney said had pain management patients in other practices, accessed Paddock's records. He said Goldsmith plans to invoke his Fifth Amendment right not to provide evidence against himself at the Sept. 5 board hearing in Reno. Goldsmith could face revocation of his Nevada license to prescribe medicine if he is found to have violated the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the patient privacy law known as HIPAA. Kandt and another board attorney told the Review-Journal that Goldsmith was the only health care provider who managed to access Paddock's patient profile after his death. Two other medical practitioners received letters of reprimand for trying unsuccessfully to access the records after the Review-Journal story was published and Paddock's prescription profile had been locked, the newspaper said. Bryson said Goldsmith moved in recent months to Florida, where he is licensed to practice medicine, and now works with a relative in the finance business. The attorney said he was speaking for Goldsmith, declined to say where in Florida his client had moved and said the move had nothing to do with the pharmacy board case. The Mexican national accused of murdering college student Mollie Tibbetts in Iowa last month lived in the United States illegally for several years -- and worked for a farm that used Social Security Administration data in part to vet potential employees, according to officials there. However, Yarrabee Farms co-owner and manager Dane Lang clarified Wednesday afternoon that the farm did not use a federal E-Verify check on suspect Cristhian Rivera, despite the company's claim earlier in the day that it did. Lang said Rivera provided a state-issued photo identification and social security card. We learned that our employee was not who he said he is. Rivera, 24, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder Tuesday after the body of Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student, was discovered in a cornfield about 12 miles southeast of Brooklyn, where she was last seen running. Police said Rivera was in the country illegally and an immigration detainer was placed on him after his arrest. Yarrabee Farms told reporters Rivera worked at the farm for four years. MOLLIE TIBBETTS MURDER SUSPECT WORKED LESS THAN 3 MILES FROM WHERE SHE WAS STAYING Lang said earlier that all documents regarding Riveras employment have been turned over to authorities. Yarrabee Farms is owned by the family of Craig Lang, the former president of the Iowa Farm Bureau and a former GOP primary candidate to be Iowa's Secretary of Agriculture. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services told Fox News: "A search of records by USCIS revealed Rivera did not make any DACA requests nor were any grants given. We have found no record in our systems indicating he has any lawful immigration status." DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, was instituted during the Obama administration and allows some immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children to remain in the country. Investigators have said he arrived to the U.S. illegally from Mexico at some point between 4 and 7 years ago. A search of Iowa court records revealed no prior criminal history for Rivera, and it's unclear whether he'd ever been subject to prior deportation proceedings. MOLLIE TIBBETTS MURDER SUSPECT IDENTIFIED AS CRISTHIAN RIVERA, 24, LIVING IN US ILLEGALLY Identity fraud is the most common way illegal immigrants and "unscrupulous employers" try to thwart the system, said Jessica Vaughan, the director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies. While the details regarding how Rivera may have gamed the system remain unclear, Vaughan said many of the cases prosecuted in the past have seen an illegal immigrant simply purchase fraudulent identities. There have been cases of inmates selling their identities because they are incarcerated and dont need them, she said. In one Massachusetts case, a hiring manager actually had an agreement with an identity vendor across the street who would help any illegal immigrant receive an identity that would pass muster, Vaughan said. They would send them across the street and tell them to come back later, she said. MOLLIE TIBBETTS MURDER SPARKS LAWMAKERS' DEMANDS FOR 'JUSTICE,' COMPARISON TO KATE STEINLE CASE Riveras arrival to the U.S. as a teenager has also raised questions about if he may have been a so-called Dreamer, who may have qualified for the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Vaughan, however, said it is unlikely because to qualify for DACA, an illegal immigrant child must have lived in the U.S. for at least five years before 2012. If Rivera arrived in 2011 the earliest officials believed he could have crossed the border from Mexico he would not have fit the criteria. USCIS officials have not confirmed any possible DACA status for Rivera. There are a lot of layers to peel off, Vaughan said. Fox News' Cristina Corbin in Brooklyn, Iowa, Mike Arroyo, Travis Fedschun and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Welcome to FOX News First. Not signed up yet? Click here. Developing now, Wednesday, August 22, 2018 An illegal immigrant has been charged with murder in the death of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts, whose body was believed to have been recovered Tuesday, more than a month after she was reported missing. The suspect will make his first court appearance Wednesday. Michael Cohen, President Trump's former longtime personal attorney, has pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws in arranging hush money payments to two women who allegedly had affairs with Trump. Pundits debate how much potential legal jeopardy the president faces. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort faces up to 80 years in prison after a jury convicted him of eight counts of bank and tax fraud; President Trump called Manafort's conviction a 'disgrace' that has nothing to do with Russian collusion Wyoming state treasurer Mark Gordon defeated Trump-backed billionaire Foster Friess in the state's GOP gubernatorial primary race Tuesday THE LEAD STORY - SEARCH FOR MOLLIE COMES TO TRAGIC END: The suspect in the killing of Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts is a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico who had been living in the area for up to seven years, officials revealed Tuesday ... Cristhian Bahena Rivera was arrested Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder in the death of the 20-year-old Tibbetts, who was reported missing more than a month ago. Rivera is scheduled to make an initial court appearance on Wednesday at 1 p.m. local time in Montezuma, Iowa. Tibbetts was last seen jogging July 18 near Brooklyn, Iowa in Poweshiek County, where Rivera lives. A body believed to be Mollie Tibbetts was discovered in a cornfield, and Rivera led authorities to the location, said Rick Rahn, special agent in charge with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Tibbetts' alleged murder and the revelation that suspect Cristhian Rivera is an illegal immigrant sparked almost immediate comparisons to the death of Kate Steinle, who was shot and killed on a San Francisco pier in 2015. Investigators said the suspect, Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, was in the U.S. illegally. A jury acquitted him of murder, manslaughter and assault last year but convicted him of being a felon in possession of a firearm. PRESIDENT IN LEGAL PERIL? - Michael Cohen, President Trumps longtime personal attorney, admitted Tuesday to violating federal campaign finance laws by arranging hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal at the direction of then-candidate Trump ... In entering the plea, Cohen did not specifically name the two women or even Trump, recounting instead that he worked with an unnamed candidate. But the amounts and the dates all lined up with the payments made to Daniels and McDougal. In total, Cohen pleaded guilty to five counts of tax evasion, one count of making false statements to a financial institution, one count of willfully causing an unlawful corporate contribution, and one count of making an excessive campaign contribution. The deal does not involve a cooperation agreement with federal prosecutors. Cohen is set to be sentenced Dec. 12. In a statement, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani said: There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the governments charges against Mr. Cohen. It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohens actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time. Cohen attorney Lanny Davis told FOX News that Cohens involvement in the Trump-Russia investigation does not end with the plea deal, but in fact "it is only the beginning." Scholars disagree over how much potential legal jeopardy Trump faces. George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley said on "Special Report" that President Donald Trump may end up an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the case. However, Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz told "Tucker Carlson Tonight" that Cohen's guilty pleas may cause some trouble for Trump, but that they are not "lethal" to his presidency. 'NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIAN COLLUSION': A federal jury in Virginia convicted former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort on eight counts of bank and tax fraud, making him the first campaign associate of President Trump found guilty by a jury as part of Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe ... But after four days of deliberations, the jury told Judge T.S. Ellis III on Tuesday afternoon that it could not come to a decision on 10 other counts related to financial crimes. A mistrial was declared on those counts. I feel very badly for Paul Manafort, Trump told reporters Tuesday evening after landing in West Virginia for a political rally. It has nothing to do with Russian collusion, Trump added, calling Muellers probe a witch hunt. The government has until Aug. 29 to decide whether it will move to retry the 10 deadlocked counts. Manafort is facing a maximum sentence of 80 years in prison. NO 'TRUMP BUMP' IN WYOMING: Wyoming state treasurer Mark Gordon won a fiercely contested GOP primary to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Matt Mead on Tuesday, prevailing over a billionaire businessman who received a last-minute endorsement from President Trump ... Foster Friess, the GOP megadonor who Trump tweeted would be "Strong on Crime, Borders & 2nd Amendment," is a major financial contributor to Christian causes, which analysts had predicted might help him secure Wyoming's religious votes in the race against Gordon and several other candidates. Trump, who has aggressively campaigned nationally for various state candidates ahead of November's midterm elections, won the state by more than 40 points in the 2016 presidential race. His endorsement has carried significant weight in several primary races this year, helping to oust Rep. Mark Sanford in South Carolina in a stunning upset and keeping Rep. Martha Roby's candidacy alive in Alabama. But it wasn't enough Tuesday, as vote tallies showed Friess trailing Gordon by more than 6 percentage points with virtually all precincts reporting. Meanwhile, Sen. John Barrasso, a vocal supporter of President Trump, fended off a well-funded challenger in Wyoming's Republican primary Tuesday, soundly defeating Jackson Hole business investor Dave Dodson by more than 30 percentage points. In Alaska, former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy won the Republican nomination for governor, setting the stage for what's expected to be a three-way fight for the office this fall. He topped a crowded field in Tuesday's GOP primary that included former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, who had fashioned himself as the more experienced candidate. AS SEEN ON FOX NEWS A 'GREAT' NEW THEME FOR DEMOCRATS: "That's going to be their theme now, 'America was never great' ... Let's give them a new theme: 'America was never great.'" President Donald Trump, during a rally in West Virginia, referring to a recent gaffe by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. WATCH MOLLIE SHOULD BE ALIVE: "He 100 percent shouldn't have been here. If [he] weren't here, this woman [if the allegations against Rivera are true] would be alive. That's not irrational or unreasonable." Former Secret Service Agent Dan Bongino, on "The Five," blasting the failure to enforce immigration laws and other factors that led to Mollie Tibbetts' death. WATCH TRENDING Parents put sticky note bow on baby daughter's head after nursery suggests she should dress 'more like a girl.' Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will not have custody of their children: report. Aretha Franklin did not leave will: report. THE SWAMP Schumer suggests Kavanaugh is lying about time in the White House, would overturn abortion rights. Rep. Duncan Hunter, wife indicted on corruption charges in California. West Virginia House speaker Armstead resigns to run for Supreme Court. ACROSS THE NATION Facebook purges hundreds of pages, groups, accounts linked to Russia, Iran. Massage Envy faces new lawsuit alleging it enabled employees' sexual misconduct: report. Hurricane Lane nears Hawaii as state braces for heavy rain, powerful winds. MINDING YOUR BUSINESS Stock futures point lower as political storm surrounds former Trump allies. U.S., China trade talks to resume amid low expectations. Sears' pension liabilities may be a thorn in Kenmore sale. A record bull market, what it means for you. Slack raises another $427M, valuation spikes by billions. How Trumps China tariffs could affect JOANN Fabric sales. PETA pressures makers of Barnums Animals crackers to change decades-old box design. FOX NEWS OPINION John Stossel: Social media censorship won't fix bad speech. Gov. Hutchinson: Reduce mental illness in criminal justice system with treatment, not incarceration. Marc Thiessen: Trump revoking Brennan's security clearance backfired -- here's why. HOLLYWOOD SQUARED Politically charged MTV VMAs drop double digits from last year. Michael Shannon slams Trump in vulgar, profanity-filled interview: 'F--- that guy.' Nicki Minaj cancels North American tour. WWE stars The Miz and Maryse open up about being 'role model' parents and how their lives have changed. DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS? 'Cursed' ancient Egyptian sarcophagus reveals its grisly secrets. Remarkable graveyard discovery: 5,000-year-old 'monumental' cemetery stuns archaeologists. Man captures giant 1,000-pound alligator on Florida's Lake Okeechobee. STAY TUNED On Facebook: Check out 'FOX News Update,' our new Facebook-exclusive news program! On FOX News: FOX & Friends, 6 a.m. ET: What do the Manafort guilty verdict and the Cohen plea deal mean for the Mueller investigation? Alan Dershowitz weighs in. Plus, the latest on the arrest of an illegal immigrant in the killing of Mollie Tibbetts. Dr. Nicole Saphier has a back-to-school medical checklist for kids and college students. And FOX News transportation expert Mike Caudill explains why this is the year of the muscle car. On FOX Business: Mornings with Maria, 6 a.m. ET: Guests include: Steve Forbes, Forbes Media chairman; Joe Lieberman, former U.S. senator from Connecticut and Democratic VP nominee; Scott Wren, Wells Fargo senior global equity strategist; Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. Varney & Co., 9 a.m. ET: Kayleigh McEnany, RNC national spokeswoman; Martha MacCallum, host of "The Story"; Thomas Lee, Fundstrat Global Advisors managing partner and head of research. Cavuto: Coast to Coast, Noon ET: Mark Zandi, Moodys Analytics chief economist; Terry Duffy, CME Group chairman and CEO; Austan Goolsbee, former Obama economic adviser; Doug Holtz-Eakin, former CBO director; John Allison, former BB&T CEO. Countdown to the Closing Bell, 3 p.m. ET: Terry Duffy, CME Group chairman and CEO; John Allison, former BB&T CEO. On FOX News Radio: The FOX News Rundown podcast: On Tuesday, Michael Cohen, President Trump's former personal lawyer, pleaded guilty to eight counts in federal court in New York. And in Virginia, a jury found former Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, guilty on tax and bank fraud charges. Two former assistant U.S. attorneys join the podcast to discuss the two cases and how they could impact Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. ICE agents have deported a Nazi concentration camp guard who had been hiding in New York City for decades. FOX News' Rob Schmitt explains why the deportation took so long. Plus, commentary by FOX News contributor Jessica Tarlov. Want the FOX News Rundown sent straight to your mobile device? Subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher. The Brian Kilmeade Show, 9 a.m. ET: The Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen cases will be debated and analyzed by the following guests: Jonathan Turley; Sen. Mike Lee; Jonathan Swan; Marie Harf; Martha MacCallum; and Greg Gutfeld. The Tom Shillue Show, 3 p.m. ET: Comedian Joe DeVito and Fox News contributor Jessica Tarlov join Tom Shillue's nightly panel to discuss Michael Cohen's plea deal. #OnThisDay 1989: Black Panthers co-founder Huey P. Newton is shot to death in Oakland, Calif. (Gunman Tyrone Robinson would be sentenced to 32 years to life in prison.) 1972: John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile take seven employees hostage at a Chase Manhattan Bank branch in Brooklyn, N.Y., during a botched robbery; the siege, which ends with Wojtowicz's arrest and Naturile's killing by the FBI, would inspire the 1975 movie "Dog Day Afternoon." 1932: The British Broadcasting Corp. conducts its first experimental television broadcast, using a 30-line mechanical system. FOX News First is compiled by FOX News' Bryan Robinson. Thank you for joining us! Enjoy your day! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Thursday morning. As Hurricane Lane barrels towards Hawaii as a Category 4 storm packing sustained winds of 155 mph, officials in the Aloha state are warning residents they don't have enough shelter space to meet the "estimated demands" of the population. The National Weather Service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center said in its 11 a.m. ET advisory that Lane, which is likely to cause catastrophic damage with winds 155 mph or above, is located about 460 miles south-southeast of Honolulu and moving west-northwest at 9 mph. The storm strengthened to a Category 5 storm with 160 mph winds before slightly weakening, but hurricane warnings are in effect for Hawaii's Big Island and the island of Maui. "Some weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, but Lane is forecast to remain a dangerous hurricane as it draws closer to the Hawaiian Islands," the CPHC said. On Tuesday, emergency management officials across the state urged residents to prepare to evacuate if needed or shelter in place if its safe. Hawaii State Emergency Management Administrator Tom Travis said during a news conference that the priorities for state officials are to manage shelters because "we do not have enough shelters for everyone." "The sheltering policy should be if youre not in a flood zone, most citizens should remain in their homes," Travis said. "If in a flood zone, actively seek shelter elsewhere with someone not in a flood zone or public shelter." Earlier this year, a state report on hazards facing Hawaii warned there are only 277,376 available shelter spaces for the islands' estimated 1.4 million people. HURRICANE LANE STRENGTHENS TO CATEGORY 5, HEADS TOWARD HAWAII "Hurricane evacuation shelters are a last resort option for residents and visitors who do not have a safer place to stay," the report noted. "There are insufficient hurricane evacuation shelters to meet the estimated demand of the population and these shelters have no supplies." State officials said residents instead should harden their homes, and stock up on two weeks-worth of food and water to weather the storm and its after-effects. "It's obvious there aren't enough shelters," Brig. Gen. Moses Kaoiwi, director of joint staff of the Hawaii National Guard told Hawaii News Now after the report was issued. "If you have a home you can shelter in, it's probably better to stay at home." Public schools on the Big Island and in Maui County are closed Wednesday until further notice, and Hawaii Gov. David Ige is allowing non-essential state employees on the Big Island and Maui to go on administrative leave from Wednesday to Friday as Hurricane Lane approaches. Employees on Hawaii and Maui islands who work in disaster response as well as in hospitals and prisons are required to report to their jobs, the governor said. A statement from the U.S. Navy also revealed Wednesday that Hawaii-based ships and submarines have started to "sortie," or are being moved from their locations, ahead of the storm in order to avoid potential damage. "Based on the current track of the storm, we made the decision to begin to sortie the Pearl Harbor-based ships," Rear Adm. Brian Fort, commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, said. "This allows the ships enough time to transit safely out of the path of the storm." The ships will stay at sea until Lane's potential dangers pass and "will be positioned to help respond after the storm, if needed," the statement said. Because of "maintenance availabilities," certain ships will not depart but they'll take "extra precautions to avoid potential damage." President Trump said on Twitter in the path of Lane needs to prepare for the storm. "Everyone in the path of #HurricaneLane please prepare yourselves, heed the advice of State and local officials, and follow @NWSHonolulu for updates," he wrote. "Be safe!" Ige said the state will start to see impacts beginning late Wednesday into Thursday, and that Federal Emergency Management Agency has been "very proactive" with placing food, water and emergency equipment throughout the state. "We do anticipate that we would activate the National Guard depending on what the impact would be," he told reporters. HURRICANE LANE NEARS HAWAII AS STATE BRACES FOR HEAVY RAIN, POWERFUL WINDS The center of Lane is forecast to pass just west of the Big Island on Thursday, likely weakening to a category 2 or 3 storm by then, according to Fox News Senior Meteorologist Janice Dean. Hurricane-force winds extend 40 miles from Lanes eye, while tropical storm-force winds extend 140 miles from the center of the storm. "Not only are hurricane-force winds possible on the Big Island, but torrential rain, flooding, and mudslides are likely given the steep terrain," Dean said. The forecast track is still uncertain, and if the storm slows down "catastrophic flooding" will be a danger, as the towering mountains on the islands of Maui and the Big Island could lead to deadly flash flooding and landslides. Besides heavy rain, tropical-storm force winds of up to 73 mph are possible for all of the islands, in addition to coastal flooding and possible storm-surge flooding if the center of Lane moves close to land. Lane is the strongest storm to come this close to Hawaii in recorded history, and only six category 5 storms have been located in this part of the Pacific Ocean. The Aloha State, while located in a vast ocean, has not had many brushes with large tropical systems. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's database, there is no record of a hurricane track within 65 nautical miles of either Maui or Honolulu since statehood. For Hawaii, the "big one" came in in 1992 when Hurricane Iniki struck the island of Kauai as a Category-4 storm, causing $3.2 billion in damage and killing six people, according to Dean. Iniki is still the costliest and deadliest storm to hit the islands in recorded history, and only two other hurricanes -- an unnamed storm in 1871 and Dot in 1959 -- have hit a Hawaiian island in that time period. Fox News' Janice Dean, Kimberly Wagner, Lucas Tomlinson, Elizabeth Zwirz and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Hawaii residents and visitors are bracing for Hurricane Lane as the now Category 1 storm continues on its path toward the Pacific state. Hurricanes are rare in Hawaii, but Lane is expected to bring heavy rain and flooding, dangerous surf and strong winds as it continues to churn toward the islands. Read on for a look at its path, and what to know about the hurricane as it barrels closer to Hawaii. Where is Lane now? Lane is approximately 115 miles west-southwest of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said in an 8 p.m. ET advisory Friday. It is about 120 miles south of Honolulu, Hawaii. With maximum sustained winds around 85 mph, Lane is moving north at approximately 2 mph as of Friday evening. "A turn toward the west is anticipated on Saturday, with an increase in forward speed, an earlier advisory said. WHAT IS THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE? Lane is currently a Category 1 hurricane. "The center of Lane will remain dangerously close to portions of the central Hawaiian islands later today and tonight, the advisory said. What else should I know about the hurricane? A hurricane warning is in effect for Oahu and Maui counties. A tropical storm warning has been issued for Hawaii County, while a tropical storm watch is in effect for Kauai County. HAWAII VOLCANO ERUPTION SPEWS LAVA ACROSS BIG ISLAND: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT FISSURES, EVACUATIONS AND MORE Isolated maximum rainfall amounts of more than 20 inches is possible in certain areas, according to Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean. Its becoming increasingly likely all of the islands will experience at least tropical storm-force winds, she said. Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed an emergency proclamation Tuesday declaring a disaster emergency relief period through August 29, which would provide relief for damages, losses and suffering as a result of the storm. He also is allowing for nonessential state employees on the Big Island and Maui to go on administrative leave from Wednesday to Friday as the hurricane approaches. However, employees on Hawaii and Maui islands who work in disaster response and in hospitals or prisons are required to report to their jobs. Michael Lowry, a strategic planner at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, stressed the storm should be taken seriously. This isnt Florida. The landscape and infrastructure are different, Lowry said in a tweet. The storm, initially listed as a Category 5, was progressively downgraded throughout the week before becoming a Category 1 by Friday. HAWAII BRACES FOR HURRICANE LANE, AS OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH SHELTERS FOR EVERYONE Kauai resident Mike Miranda was 12 when Hurricane Iniki hit, and she said people already are comparing that storm to Lane. I remember how very little rain fell. But I remember the wind being the strongest force of nature Ive ever witnessed, and probably the scariest sounds Ive ever heard in my life, he told The Associated Press. Utility poles were down all over the island, and his seventh-grade classes were held in Army tents for several months. Fox News Travis Fedschun, Amy Lieu and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Serbia might reintroduce compulsory military service, nine years after abolishing it, to help improve the combat readiness of its army in the Balkans, where tensions occasionally flare, President Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday. The armed forces of Serbia, which emerged as an independent state after the bloody collapse of former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, were fully professionalized in 2011, but remain poorly paid and equipped. Serbia, which is a candidate for European Union membership, has retained voluntary service and reserve units. Vucic said Belgrade was considering reintroducing compulsory military service of between three and six months after 2020. "We are still thinking about that... It depends on the finances," he told reporters at the air force base of Batajnica, just outside Belgrade. Young people who served would have an advantage when seeking jobs in the public sector, Vucic added, without elaborating. An Illinois judge on Monday slammed the officials who failed to enforce a 2012 ICE detainer on an illegal immigrant who later was able to beat and rape three women -- even though he "shouldn't have been in this country." Miguel C. Luna, 37, a Mexican national who was living in Joliet, was given the maximum sentence of 80 years in prison on Monday after he admitted last May to the physical and sexual assaults of two women who were running on a state trail in separate incidents in 2015 and 2016. Luna also admitted to raping a third woman who has since died. You shouldnt have been in this country, Judge David Carlson said, according to the Chicago Tribute. The system let the victims down in this case. The judge said he did not understand why Luna had not been deported in 2012 when a fugitive warrant for his arrest was issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You were free to do these acts...whether through misguided political correctness or people who do not believe in laws or borders, Carlson said. One thing I can do with the sentence is show that the laws we believe in here, maybe this wont happen again, maybe thats a little bit of closure. Luna was arrested for the rapes in May 2015. He faced 16 to 40 years on each of the two felony criminal assault counts. Carlos ordered him to serve the sentences consecutively, serve at least 85 percent of the sentences 68 years and register as a sex offender if he is every released from prison. During the trial against Luna, prosecutors argued the early-morning attacks on the women were premeditated and grew more sophisticated. They showed a videotaped confession in which Luna admitted to wearing surgical gloves, concealing his face and using a shirt to wipe blood off a victims arm to remove his fingerprints. He did not want to be caught, Assistant States Attorney Mary Fillipitch said in court. If anything, hed become a more clever and crafty sexual predator if given the opportunity to do so. Prior to his sentencing, Luna said that he was traumatized by repeated childhood sexual abuse by family members. I realize now I needed professional help, he said, reading from a statement. I never had the means and now its too late because Im facing a life sentence. Luna went on to stay he was very sorry for his actions. Carlson said the abuse Luna said he suffered as a child does not excuse his actions as an adult. Nothing gives you the right to impart that hurt, that pain, that damage to anyone else, the judge said. A 64-year-old Catholic priest was brutally beaten Monday morning by an assailant hiding in the shadows of an Indiana church -- and the attacker's stark message to the clergyman before he "blacked out" has prompted a request to the FBI to probe the assault as a potential hate crime. "This is for all the kids," the unidentified person told the Rev. Basil John Hutsko as the attacker repeatedly hit Hutsko's head on the floor of a darkened St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, officials said. Authorities believe the remark was in reference to the clergy child sex abuse scandal, prompting police to alert the FBI Merrillville office. More than 300 priests were accused of sexually abusing about 1,000 children during the past 70 years in several Pennsylvania diocese, according to a report released last week -- but Hutsko wasnt named in the report and hasn't been linked to it in any way. Hutsko was taken to a hospital for treatment, Merrillville Detective Cmdr. Jeff Rice said. His condition wasnt immediately known. Hes a good priest and like everybody said, hes not accused of anything, the Rev. Steven Koplinka from St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Parish in Munster told the Post-Tribune. Why attack him? A suspect in the assault wasnt immediately identified. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The disturbing confessions of a Louisiana man accused in three 2017 murders reveal a suspect who viewed a killing spree as similar to a deer hunt and who looked at victims as animals he was licensed to kill, police reports show. Ryan Sharpe who was arrested last October in connection with the shooting deaths of three men and the attempted murder of a fourth in East Feliciana Parish told authorities he compared killing humans to hunting deer and believed he was responsible for filling up 12 government-issued hunting tags, The Advocate reported. "According to Sharpe, he is responsible for filling five tags for the Louisiana State Police and 12 for the FBI," the police report stated. "He told investigators that had he not been caught on that October 2017 day, he would have been able in a couple of days to finish filling his tags and would have turned himself in." Between September and October 2017, Sharpe allegedly shot his victims within a 25-mile radius in the Louisiana town, The Advocate reported. Thomas Bass, 62, Brad DeFranceschi, 48, and Carroll Breeden, 66, were shot and killed. Buck Hornsby, 47, was shot in September 2017 but survived. A judge ruled last week Sharpe is incompetent to stand trial. Six California women this week sued Massage Envy, the nation's largest massage franchise, for allegedly protecting employees who are accused of sexually assaulting clients, a report said Tuesday. A San Francisco resident, one of the six plaintiffs, who is identified as "Jane Doe #1," visited Massage Envy's Burlingame location in November and described an encounter with Brandon James Davis, 28, saying he allegedly sexually assaulted her during a session, the East Bay Times reported, citing the lawsuit. "These things will continue to happen until the company is honest with the public about this problem and giving consumers fair warning before they come in, undress, and get naked in a room with a complete stranger, Doe's attorney, Bobby Thompson, said. Davis was being held on $250,000 bail on six felony counts of sexual battery by fraud and seven misdemanor counts of battery, involving 13 reported victims, the report said. Massage Envy's corporate office in Scottsdale, Ariz., released a statement regarding this week's lawsuit. It said in part: While we arent able to comment on active litigation, we can tell you that we remain focused on our Commitment to Safety plan, which is further strengthening our existing policies. Safety is and will always be our priority and we will never stop working on it. The company referred the public to its website, which outlined steps the company has taken to address the sexual misconduct issue. The other five women in the lawsuit claim they were also sexually assaulted at Massage Envy's California locations in Elk Grove, Beverly Hills, Redondo Beach, Studio City and West Covina, according to the Times. The plaintiffs describe massages that "quickly devolved into forced sexual contact," the paper reported. Knowing most victims dont come forward and report, we want to give them a voice. ... We hope the brave women (who filed suit) will give other women the courage to come forward. Bobby Thompson, "Jane Doe's" attorney This is happening everywhere, Thompson said. This company is more concerned about its brand than it is about customer safety. San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said the crimes alleged against Davis are unconscionable, the paper reported. When people are placing their bodies in the hands of a doctor, a dentist, or a masseuse, theyre putting trust in them, he said. To violate that trust with over a dozen women, if proven, he can only be described as a true sexual predator in our book. Knowing most victims dont come forward and report, we want to give them a voice, Thompson said. We hope the brave women (who filed suit) will give other women the courage to come forward. MASSAGE ENVY EMPLOYEES ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BY OVER 180 WOMEN, BOMBSHELL REPORT CLAIMS This week's report comes on the heels of last year's explosive BuzzFeed News report on more than 180 women coming forward with accusations of sexual assault against the company's massage therapists and managers. Scores of former clients have accused Massage Envy's employees of criminal behavior, including unwanted groping, fondling and sexual assault, according to the report. Franchisees and managers, too, have been accused of mishandling or covering up incidents of alleged sexual misconduct. An Iowa judge ordered Cristhian Rivera, the 24-year-old illegal immigrant accused of murdering Mollie Tibbetts, held on $5 million cash-only bond Wednesday -- with Rivera's first court appearance coming just minutes after Tibbetts' family members broke their silence about their broken hearts. Rivera was mostly stoic and looked straight ahead in the courtroom. He wore headphones and used an interpreter when the judge spoke, only answering "Yes" when asked if he understood the proceeding. Later, given another chance to speak, Rivera declined. Rivera's lawyer, Allan Richards, filed a motion for a private hearing, after an earlier defense motion for a gag order was rejected. Richards argued the case had already become too politicized. "The government has weighed in at the highest levels," Rivera's lawyer said. If convicted of murdering the Iowa University sophomore, Rivera faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. "Christhian is a young man who has been working a number of years for a respectable business in this community," Richards said before bail was set. "No criminal record. we urge in court to be fair." A preliminary hearing in the case was set for Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. Less than a half hour before Rivera walked into court, Tibbetts' family members issued their first statement since Mollie's body was found in an Iowa cornfield. "Our hearts are broken," the statement said. On behalf of Mollies entire family, we thank all of those from around the world who have sent their thoughts and prayers for our girl." The statement continued: "We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Mollie in our hearts forever. At this time, our family asks that we be allowed the time to process our devastating loss and share our grief in private. Again, thank you for the outpouring of love and support that has been shared in Mollies name. We remain forever grateful. Fox News' Melissa Chrise and Travis Fedschun contributed to this report. The man who was arrested in the murder of Mollie Tibbetts, the University of Iowa student who disappeared last month, worked less than three miles from where she was staying the night she vanished. Cristhian Rivera, 24, was employed by Yarrabee Farms for the past several years, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The Des Moines Register reported that it reviewed documents that listed several owners of the farm, which included Dane Lang and Eric Lang, both relatives of Craig Lang. Craig Lang, who owns a dozen property deeds in Brooklyn, Iowa, is reportedly a former 2018 Republican candidate for secretary of agriculture in the state. Dane Lang said Rivera worked there for the past several years, and was an "employee in good standing." He also noted that Rivera passed the government's E-Verify employment verification system, despite his status as an undocumented immigrant. The system is intended to maintain a database of I-9 forms and tax records of employees across the country. "This is a profoundly sad day for our community. All of us at Yarrabee Farms are shocked to hear that one of our employees was involved and is charged in this case," Dane Lang said in a statement. "On Monday, the authorities visited our farm and talked to our employees. We have cooperated fully with their investigation. "Yarrabee Farms follows all laws related to verifying employees are legal to work in the United States, and we regularly seek outside counsel to ensure we stay up-to-date on employment law matters," the statement read. "We keep records on all employees and have shared that information with authorities." Tibbetts went missing on July 18, and in the month since her disappearance authorities worked to locate the 20-year-old. She was last seen jogging near her boyfriend's home, where she was staying while he was out of town. Authorities on Tuesday announced the arrest of Rivera, who led them to the body of Tibbetts. She was found dead in a cornfield near 460th Ave. and Highway 21, a rural part of the county. Rivera has been charged with first-degree murder, and is being held on a $1 million cash bond. Rivera told authorities he was following Tibbetts in his car before getting out and running alongside her, according to the affidavit. He said she threatened to call the police, at which point he allegedly panicked and "blocked" his memory. He allegedly said he later pulled into the entrance of a cornfield and found Tibbetts in his trunk with blood on the side of her head. He then pulled Tibbetts from the trunk of his Chevy Malibu, hoisted her over his shoulder and carried her "about 20 meters" into the cornfield, the affidavit read. He allegedly left her face up and covered her body with corn husks. It was in this position that authorities found her on Tuesday. In a press conference on Tuesday, authorities said Rivera had seen Tibbetts before, but couldn't comment on whether or not he was stalking her. They said surveillance footage from locals was instrumental to identifying Rivera and his car. Authorities said they were still investigating the events that led to Tibbetts death. An autopsy planned for Wednesday. A Republican state delegate is suing the University of Wyoming for its open carry ban after campus police charged him with trespassing for refusing to remove his gun. GOP Delegate Lyle Williams was confronted by UW campus police, April 20, for carrying a firearm during the state Republican convention held on UWs campus, resulting in a trespassing citation against him, which could result in a $750 fine and up to six months in prison, The College Fix reported. Williams is suing the public university on the basis that their anti-gun policy is unconstitutional and blatantly in violation of Wyoming statute, which states that no city, town, county, political subdivision or any other entity shall authorize, regulate or prohibit thestorage, use, carrying or possession of firearms." 'LIBERTY OR DEATH' GUN-RIGHTS RALLY DRAWS COUNTER-PROTESTERS, FORCING POLICE TO KEEP THE PEACE UWs policy plainly states that any person carrying a dangerous weapon [which includes a firearm] in a university facility is required to relinquish the weapon to the UW Police Department voluntarily or upon request. Attorneys for the University of Washington argued the school is allowed to regulate guns on campus under the Supreme Courts 2008 D.C. v. Heller decision due to the fact that schools are considered sensitive places. But Williams argues this is wrong. CHICAGO SHOOTINGS PUT SPOTLIGHT ON ILLINOIS GUN LAWS [Heller] allows laws restricting firearms in sensitive areas, Williams told The College Fix. What Heller does not do is allow the sensitive area to regulate firearms in violation of state statute. Instead, he argues, the university is prohibited from regulating firearms under state law. Williams criminal trial has been put on hold while his lawsuit is being considered. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Roman Catholic high school will shed the name of Washington's archbishop, who was cited in a sweeping grand jury report as having allowed priests accused of sexually abusing children to be reassigned or reinstated while he was Pittsburgh's bishop. The Diocese of Pittsburgh said Wednesday that Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl made the request to remove his name from Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School and that school and diocese officials accepted it. The sign in front of the suburban Pittsburgh school was discovered vandalized Monday, with red spray paint obscuring Wuerl's name, as some Catholics called for his resignation or ouster and a petition circulated to remove his name from the school. The 77-year-old Wuerl has defended himself, saying he acted to protect children, promptly investigate allegations and strengthen policies as understanding of child abuse evolved. He has said he will not resign. Dropping his name from the school is part of the growing fallout from a grand jury report that accused a succession of church leaders of covering up the abuse of more than 1,000 children or teenagers by about 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania since the 1940s. The bulk of the cases cited in the report came before the early 2000s, the grand jury said, because most of the internal documents turned over by the dioceses concerned those cases. The Pittsburgh Diocese, in a statement, cited what it said was Wuerl's Aug. 16 letter: "In light of the circumstances today and lest we in any way detract from the purpose of Catholic education ... I respectfully ask you to remove my name from it. In this way, there should be no distraction from the great success of the school and, most importantly, the reason for the school the students." Wuerl was Pittsburgh's bishop from 1988 through 2006. In one case cited in the grand jury report released Aug. 14, Wuerl, acting on a doctor's recommendation, enabled priest William O'Malley to return to active ministry as a canonical consultant in 1998 despite allegations of abuse lodged against him in the past and his own admission that he was sexually interested in adolescents. In his appointment letter, Wuerl wrote, "At the same time I welcome you back to priestly ministry following your leave of absence for personal reasons. Your willingness to serve in this capacity and to be of assistance ... is a sign of your dedication and priestly zeal," the grand jury report said. Years later, according to the report, six more people alleged that they had been sexually assaulted by O'Malley, in some cases after he had been reinstated. In another case, Wuerl returned a priest to active ministry in 1995 despite having received multiple complaints that the priest, George Zirwas, had molested boys in the late 1980s. The Pittsburgh Diocese said "today, we would have handled the Zirwas case much differently" and pulled him from ministry, reported an allegation to law enforcement and presented the case to an internal diocese board. Zirwas, who took at least two leaves of absence for personal reasons and was placed on administrative leave, was found strangled in his home in Cuba in 2001. The principal celebrant at his funeral Mass was Wuerl. As backlash over the report has grown, the University of Scranton, a Roman Catholic university in Pennsylvania, announced on Monday its plans to remove the names of three bishops named in the report from campus buildings, saying it is acting in solidarity with victims of child sexual abuse. Two weeks before the report was released, the Harrisburg Diocese said it would hold past church leadership accountable for the sexual abuse of children by priests and strip the names of bishops going back 70 years from church properties. Meanwhile, the pastor of a southwestern Pennsylvania parish became at least the third Catholic clergy member in the state to be investigated independently of the grand jury report as hundreds of calls pour into dioceses and the state attorney general's hotline following the report's release. The diocese said it removed a monsignor from ministry after it received a credible allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor. The allegation dates back to an incident almost 20 years old and was quickly relayed to authorities, the diocese said. A Texas man who was heard shouting Jesus is coming while allegedly slamming his toddler son into concrete and fatally stabbing him Sunday, was charged Tuesday with capital murder, the Dallas Morning News reported, citing police. Blair Ness, 27, is charged in the death of his 16-month-old son, Ashton Ness. Alexandra Murphy, the boys mother and Ness girlfriend, said Ness had been reading the Bible extensively recently and attending church services with her, according to a police affidavit. A neighbor who said he witnessed the attack in the courtyard of a Lewisville apartment complex, shot the father in the leg in an effort to stop him, police said. Lewisville is about 25 miles northwest of Dallas. Responding police found Blair Ness with significant injuries to his hand from the knife, along with the shooting wound, Lewisville police Capt. Mike Lane said. Stab wounds were found all over the boys head and body, police records said. Authorities were interviewing the suspect on Tuesday. There was no clear motive in the attack. A police affidavit said the attack is believed to have begun inside Blair Ness' apartment, which was reportedly filled with a smoky haze and smelled of marijuana. A large blood stain was found inside the apartment, with a blood-stained knife and skull fragments lying by the bedroom door, the report said. Officers found a trail of blood leading outside to the courtyard where the attack allegedly occurred, and several kitchen knives were found in the grass next to a pool of blood, the report said. I everyone's mad. I'm mad. I killed my son. Blair Ness Blair Ness was subdued with a shock gun when he allegedly refused police commands. According to the affidavit Blair Ness said, I know everyones mad. Im mad. I killed my son, as he was being apprehended. Alexandra Murphy, the childs mother and Ness girlfriend, arrived shortly after police. She said he was feeding the boy before she left for work earlier in the day. Days before the alleged attack, Ness had posted pictures of his family on Facebook, expressing his devotion to them and Jesus, the Dallas Morning News reported. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the boys mother with funeral expenses. Blair Ness was booked into the Lewisville city jail Tuesday after being released from the hospital. His bail was set at $1.5 million. The Associated Press contributed to this report. U.S. and Mexican trade ministers were set to resume talks over the North American Free Trade Agreement in Washington on Tuesday in a final push for a deal on autos that would open the door for Canada to return to negotiations this week. If Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer can resolve remaining bilateral issues, "the plan is to try to incorporate Canada into the discussions," possibly as early as Thursday, said a Mexican source close to the talks. Though NAFTA is a trilateral trade deal, "there are issues that are really bilateral issues between Mexico and the United States," said the source. In rules of origin for autos "Mexico clearly had to look for flexibilities because Canada was relatively comfortable with the original [U.S.] proposal." In the meantime, Canada has remained sidelined from the talks. "We are making progress in the chapters that will modernize our agreement, and Mexico will continue working constructively on all fronts," Mexico's chief NAFTA negotiator Kenneth Smith said Tuesday on Twitter. The United States and Mexico are close to a deal to increase North American automotive content thresholds, with substantial requirements for content produced in high-wage areas, namely the United States and Canada, said the source. The deal is expected to lift the requirement for North American content in regionally made vehicles to at least 70 percent from the current 62.5 percent. It will also likely require that some 40 percent of the value come from high-wage locations paying at least $16 an hour, meaning the United States and Canada. Mexican and U.S. negotiators were also close to agreeing on a 5-year phase-in period for implementing the changes in the auto industry, the source said. Travis Reinking, the man who allegedly killed four people at a Waffle House in Tennessee last spring, is not fit to stand trial, a judge has ruled. Reinking, 29, appeared in court in Nashville on Wednesday, where it was revealed he suffers from schizophrenia, the Tennessean reported. He is not competent to stand trial, Rena Isen, a psychologist who evaluated the suspected murderer, said. Reinking reportedly will be committed to a mental hospital for treatment until hes fit to stand trial. The judge added that Reinking who Isen said isnt taking his medication poses a substantial threat of harm to the public, if not himself. Police said Reinking opened fire on April 22 at a Waffle House restaurant in Antioch, which is roughly 11 miles southeast of Nashville. He allegedly used an AR-15-style rifle, and killed four people DeEbony Groves, 21; Joe Perez, 20; Akilah DaSilva, 23; and Taurean Sanderlin, 29 and injured three others. James Shaw Jr., who was credited with wrestling Reinking away from his gun, and ultimately hailed a hero, tweeted Wednesday that he was discouraged to hear Reinkings health status, but said he believes that Justice will be served. Reinking, in need of immediate judicial hospitalization, will be committed to a mental-health facility. The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Trump posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Air Force Sgt. John Chapman, who gave his life to save more than 20 fellow service members on a mountain in Afghanistan in 2002. Trump presented the award to Chapmans family Wednesday. Chapman was the first airman to receive the award since the Vietnam War, officials said. The sergeant was a native of Windsor Locks, Conn., and the father of two young girls. Trump said at the ceremony that Chapman, from an early age his life was about: to protect those in need. The president said it began early when he protected a kid being bullied in kindergarten, setting the path of his life. Trump said Chapman volunteered for Afghanistan after 9/11, telling his superior, I need to go. The U.S. Air Force released an aerial video several weeks ago showing Chapmans heroics during the hand-to-hand combat on Takur Ghar, a 10,000-foot mountain. The video showed Chapman charging the enemy on the peak. He joined Navy SEALs to recover a wounded comrade who had fallen from an aircraft after it was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade. AIR FORCE RELEASES VIDEO OF SGT. JOHN CHAPMANS FINAL MOMENTS Chapman charged into enemy fire through harrowing conditions, seized a bunker and killed its occupants, according to the White House. In an ensuing firefight with Al Qaeda militants, he was wounded severely but continued to fight until he was killed. Britt K. Slabinski, a retired member of SEAL Team 6, who received the Medal of Honor in May for his heroics during the same 14-hour battle, believed Chapman was dead, and moved the team including someone with a serious leg injury off the battlefield, the New York Times reported. Chapman, 36, regained consciousness and fought for an hour after being gunned down by Al Qaeda militants. He managed to kill two more enemies before he was killed on March 4, 2002. The battle was under scrutiny after reports stated Chapman was abandoned by Slabinski and his team while he was alive, ABC News reported. A 30-month investigation discovered Chapmans heroics after drone footage was released, the Washington Post reported. ARKANSAS WOMAN POSED AS CALIFORNIA DEPUTY TO HELP BOYFRIEND ESCAPE JAIL, POLICE SAY He really fought, Trump emphasized emphatically at the ceremony, noting the familys good genes. He gave his life for his fellow warriors. Air Force Secretary Deborah James recommended Chapman receive the medal, and his contributions not be underestimated after examining footage of the battle. Trump approved the request. Nobody thinks that he did anything other than his absolute best on the worst day of his life, James said of Slabinski, according to the Post. He thought he was dead, and he was responsible for four or five others that he was trying to save. The award is given to those who risk their lives, and go above and beyond the call of duty. Fox News Edmund DeMarche, Frank Miles and The Associated Press contributed to this report. The German government is under fire for betraying its pledge to combat anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial, in light of Berlins efforts to circumvent U.S. sanctions on Iran. The criticism comes after Heiko Maas, the German foreign minister, argued for a new world order without the U.S. as the leader. In a hard-charging attack on the Trump administration, Maas said Germany will not allow [the U.S.] to go over our heads, and at our expense. It is therefore essential that we strengthen European autonomy by establishing payment channels independent of the US, a European monetary fund and an independent SWIFT [payments] system, he wrote in German business daily Handelsblatt. The devil is in thousands of details. But every day that the Iran [nuclear] agreement lasts, is better than the potentially explosive crisis that threatens the Middle East otherwise. His comments drew ire from Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of U.S. human rights organization of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Circumventing sanctions on an Iranian regime that is committed in word and deed to destroy Israel for financial gain for German companies makes a mockery of that [Berlins] commitment to implement the lessons of the Holocaust, he told FoxNews.com. IRAN PLOTS TERROR ON EUROPEAN SOIL AS EU TRIES TO SHIELD REGIME FROM TRUMP SANCTIONS PUSH Cooper expressed regret that Maas appeared to be taking sides with the ayatollahs, because The Wiesenthal Center knows Foreign Minister Maas as a friend of the Jewish community and a person who takes [to heart] the legacy and responsibility of the Nazi Holocaust. He added that economic greed should not subvert the safety of German Jewry. Iran's regime under then-Iranian president and Holocaust denier Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that "a world without America...is attainable." The US wants Iran cut off from SWIFT the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication to force Tehran to return to the negotiating table. Disconnection from the Brussels-based SWIFT, which facilitates cross-country payments, would deal a powerful blow to Irans struggling economy. IRAN SANCTIONS ARE A GOOD START - NOW IT'S TIME TO RESTORE HUMAN RIGHTS TO ITS PEOPLE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE The US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in May because the agreement does not stop the regime from building nuclear weapons, bring an end to Iranian terrorism or advance American security interests, President Donald Trump said. The Wiesenthal Centers criticism of Maas, who said he went into politics because of Auschwitz, and the German government follows a call from Germanys roughly 100,000-member Jewish umbrella organization for the end of Iranian-German trade. Dr. Josef Schuster, the head of the Central Council of German Jews, said last week: Any trade with Iran means a benefit for radical and terrorist forces and a hazard and destabilization for the region. He added: It seems paradoxical that Germany as a country that is said to have learned from its horrendous past and which has a strong commitment to fight anti-Semitism is one of the strongest economic partners of a regime that is blatantly denying the Holocaust and abusing human rights on a daily basis. Besides, Germany has included Israels security as a part of its raison d'etre. As a matter of course this should exclude doing business with a fanatic dictatorship that is calling for Israels destruction, pursuing nuclear weapons and financing terror organizations around the world. TRUMP REINSTATES IRAN SANCTIONS, SLAMS 'HORRIBLE' NUCLEAR DEAL The Industry and Chamber of Commerce in Bonn/Rhein-Sieg in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is slated to hold a conference promoting business with Iran on September 5, according to German newspaper Bild. Approximately 120 German companies are active in Iran, with workers based in the Islamic Republic. There are 10,000 German businesses conducting business with Iran, and Germany exported $3.42 billion worth of goods to Iran in 2017. The U.S government has urged German companies to wind down their business with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Julie Lenarz, a Senior Fellow at The Israel Project in Washington, D.C., told FoxNews.com: All governments should make trade ties with Iran contingent upon the Islamic Republics end to its global sponsorship of terror, illicit nuclear ambitions and suppression of basic rights at home. She said the Iran deal was a disaster a patient pathway to the bomb and the Trump administration did the only responsible thing reimposing sanctions, thereby putting pressure on the regime and forcing them back to the negotiation table on our terms. Lenarz added: Europe, and Germany in particular, are throwing the mullah regime confronted with an economy in free fall, a collapsing currency and rising popular dissent a much needed lifeline by boycotting the sanctions. It makes them directly complicit in the crimes committed by Iran. If Iran wants the economic benefits of being a member of the international community, it should behave accordingly, or Germany should immediately end its immoral trade with Iran and support the long-suffering Iranian people in ending the clerical dictatorship." Peter Altmaier, Germany's economic minister and a fierce critics of U.S. trade policy, did not respond to FoxNews.com queries. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Cambodia's Supreme Court denied a bail request Wednesday for Kem Sokha, the leader of the now-dissolved main opposition party who has been detained for nearly a year without trial on a treason charge. As with his previous bail hearings, he was not taken to court for what has previously been explained as security reasons. The ruling followed an apparent softening of the government's harsh stance toward critics. Four land rights activists were pardoned and released from prison on Monday, and two journalists who formerly worked for U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia were released Tuesday on bail as they await trial on espionage charges. The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved by the court last year, with no convincing evidence, for alleged complicity in a treason plot supposedly backed by the United States. Prime Minister Hun Sen cracked down on critics and opponents last year in what was seen as an effort to ensure his party would win elections this year and give him another five years in power. He has led the country for more than three decades and has said he intends to remain at the helm for at least 10 more years. Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party, with no credible opposition, won a clean sweep in last month's general election. The first leader and co-founder of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, Sam Rainsy, has been in self-imposed exile since 2016 to avoid serving a prison term for a defamation conviction. Kem Sokha succeeded him and was put under severe legal pressure in several cases last year, culminating in his arrest last September. The Supreme Court, sustaining a ruling by the Appeals Court, said Kem Sokha, 65, had to remain in custody to ensure social stability. Kem Sokha's lawyers said he should be freed on bail because the investigation of his case is complete and he was sick and needed medical treatment. Judge Kong Srim responded that he was not particularly sick and could be treated by prison doctors if necessary. Saudi Arabian prosecutors were seeking the death penalty for a human rights activist who may be the first woman in the country's history to face execution over her cause, human rights campaigners said. Israa al-Ghomgham, 29, was arrested in 2015 for participating in anti-government protests and endorsing human rights on social media websites, Human Rights Watch said. At the time, she had been demonstrating to call for an end to anti-Shia discrimination in a majority-Sunni country. Both she and her husband were arrested, NBC News reported. Al-Ghomgham has been imprisoned since then and faces charges related to peaceful activism, Human Rights Watch said. EX-BEAUTY QUEEN ACCUSED OF HIRING HIT MAN TO KILL WEALTHY HUSBAND GOES ON TRIAL Any execution is appalling, but seeking the death penalty for activists like Israa al-Ghomgham, who are not even accused of violent behavior, is monstrous, Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of Human Rights Watch's Middle East and North Africa Division, said. HRW, citing Saudi activists, said al-Ghomgham is the first woman to possibly face the death penalty for activism for her human-rights related work. Many campaigners also fear it would set a "dangerous precedent" in the country. The Guardian noted that the country has one of the worlds highest rates of execution and has killed women before. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WALKING BACK OBAMA-ERA FOREIGN POLICY MISTAKES IN BURMA Al-Ghomgham is slated to appear in court on Oct. 28, when a judge will confirm or reverse prosecutors request for the death penalty, reports said. Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, has been shaking up the country since coming into power. The 32-year-old is pushing to modernize the conservative Islamic state, such as allowing women to drive for the first time and reopening movie theaters again after 35 years. The Guardian noted the trial could cast a shadow on the crown prince despite his efforts. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia expelled Canadian Ambassador Dennis Horak and ordered Saudi citizens studying in Canada to leave the country, citing critics of the Saudi regime's arrests of human rights activists. Despite the tension between Canada and Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have a close relationship after President Trump said he wanted to rebuild relationships with the kingdom. Fox News Benjamin Hall and The Associated Press contributed to this report. In October 2016, outgoing President Barack Obama lifted economic sanctions against Burma with considerable fanfare, citing the Asian country's "substantial advances to promote democracy." Less than two years later, that decision looks like a major foreign policy mistake, according to a variety of experts and human rights activists who told Fox News that Burma - also known as Myanmar - has slipped back into a miltary-dominated dictatorship that continues to wage widespread and violent ethnic cleansing campaigns against both Muslim and Christian minorities. The most visible victims have been the country's Rohingya Muslims, whose fate has been well covered by the international media. But the Kachin and Karen people, as well as Christians across the Buddhist-dominant nation, are among those who have been displaced, their villages burned to the ground, with innocent civilians salughtered by members of the Burmese military. The lifting of sanctions on the Burma government has enabled the Burma Army to resupply their forces and resume attacks on the ethnic minorities in full force, Ephraim Mattos, East Asia Operations Manager for The Nazarene Fund (TNF), a humanitarian group that works to support the plight of Christians and persecuted minorities in Burma, told Fox News. Subsequently, the Trump administration is walking back some of the Obama-era policies. On Friday, the Treasury Department announced it has imposed economic sanctions on four Burmese military and border guard commanders, and two military units, over their apparent role in ethnic cleansing and widespread human rights abuses against ethnic minority groups. The official U.S State Department line is that Burma remains a country in transition to democracy, and faces significant ongoing challenges and human rights issues. Since 2012, American taxpayers have dished out more than $500 million to support Burmas transition, advance the peace process and improve the lives of millions, the State Departments fact sheet reads. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected in the coming days to release a comprehensive report that may go as far as to label the actions of the Burmese forces against the Rohingya as genocide. That would be a significant step above the ethnic cleansing classification, which has little substance in international law, and would require the U.S to take significant steps to prevent and punish those responsible. The previous sanctions, which had been in place since 1997, targeted prominent individuals and companies known to abuse human rights, imprison activists, abet the old military regime, acquire weapons, and pilfer finances. The aim of the sanctions was not to punish ordinary Burmese. The Obama administrations lifting of U.S sanctions on Burma was too much, too soon," said Olivia Enos, Asian studies policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation. "The leverage gained by sanctions was significant, and the decision to lift them sacrificed that much needed leverage at a moment in time when it had great opportunity to advance democratic norms in Burma. According to Enos, it is time for a broad reset on U.S strategy in Burma. Critics now accuse the Obama administration of being too quick to claim a foreign policy victory before leaving office. This despite signs even as the sanctions were being scrubbed in late 2016 that the military junta had embarked on a vicious air campaign against churches and schools. In groundbreaking 2015 national elections the first free vote allowed by the military in a generation former political prisoner, Nobel laureate, and much-hyped pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) dominated in a landslide victory. That electoral triumph was packaged as a new era for the blood-stained nation, one that would usher in a platform of peace and prosperity. When the Burma Army allowed Aung San Suu Kyi to be elected, it was a strategic international PR move, Mattos contended. While the world applauded her election and congratulated the government for suddenly being so democratic, they failed to recognize that the Burmese Army and its generals are the real leaders. Suu Kyi is constitutionally not allowed to assume the title of president, given that she has foreign-born sons. She is instead referred to as State Counselor, and considered by some to be in charge. Despite high hopes, however, Suu Kyi has failed to publicly acknowledge the ethnic cleaning of the Rohingya, and has drawn increasing criticism from her former suuporters in the international human rights community. It may have been a mistake for the Obama administration to lift the sanctions, but everyone expected better things from Aung San Suu Kyi, noted Faith McDonnell, founding advisory board member of Save the Persecuted Christians coalition. But it has been argued that she really doesnt have control over the military. That sentiment is largely echoed by those inside Burma. When the election happened, there was hope in the constitution of power sharing and the people would benefit with peace. But nothing happened, the poverty and despair stayed in our country because the military still rules the country, said Saw Kwe Htoo Vin, Vice Chairman of the ethnic minority group the Karen National Union (KNU). We thought maybe there would be some action in the international courts against the military for what they had done to us, but there has been no real national reconciliation. Yet the power has just stayed in the hands of the military. Aung San cant do anything; the military is always watching her. Others in Burma told Fox News it would be dangerous for Suu Kyi to speak out against the military. WITH WORLD'S ATTENTION ON ROHINGYA MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS IN BURMA ALSO FACE BRUTAL PERSECUTION BURMA'S KAREN REFUGEES FACE DWINDLING AID, STRUGGLE WITH DEPRESSION AND SUICIDES But others have argued that restoring sanctions would do little good in the small South East Asian country of 53 million, and would have the negative ramification of pushing the military closer to China, and potentially negating any movement toward democracy. Erin Murphy, founder and principal of the Burma-focused Inle Advisory Group who served as the Special Assistant to the Office of the Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma under Obama, maintained that the lifting of sanctions was not a mistake. Most of the sanctions programs were formulated during the junta years and the dynamics and the situation, for which there has been a lot of progress although still a lot of problems have changed since then, Murphy said. Sanctions are an important tool, but its leverage is quite limited, and the scope of the previous sanctions would not provide much leverage in deterring military behavior currently. There is also the question of who you are punishing and unintended consequences. Murphy contended that while nearly all Myanmar people wanted democracy and freedom from military rule, most including non-Bamar ethnic groups and non-Buddhists do not support citizenship for the Rohingya and approve of what the military and government is doing. But on the ground, some sharply disagree. We arent happy with this situation, said Col. Roger Khin, a Defense Chief for the ethnic Karen people in Kayin state. Like other nations, minorities just do not want to feel oppressed anymore. We want equal rights; we want freedom from fear. We want to live our lives without always asking for permission. Representatives to the Myanmar Embassy in Washington and the UN did not respond to requests for a comment and interview. And for those left to languish within the walls of Burma, there is a sense that it is only a matter of time before their lives are again upended. We are three years into a supposed peace process and nothing has come, Rogers added. The military is testing us in small ways. If fighting breaks out, we will fight back. We must. Talks are underway between Seoul and Tokyo about a visit by President Moon Jae-in to Japan in October to mark the 20th anniversary of a partnership declaration between the two countries. Diplomatic sources in Tokyo said Moon could visit Japan in early October after another summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang in September. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono voiced hopes during a forum in Tokyo on Monday of Moon visiting Japan. In October 1998, then President Kim Dae-jung and Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi signed the partnership declaration based on Japan's apology for its occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. If Moon visits Japan, it would be the first trip by a Korean president since 2011. The Gamasutra Job Board is the most diverse, active and established board of its kind for the video game industry! Here is just one of the many, many positions being advertised right now. Location: Bellevue, Washington The Senior Community Manager is responsible for directing and conducting day-to-day Web and Social Media interactions with the enthusiasts and fans of Ghost of Tsushima. They will provide world-class, personal support by engaging, educating, informing and entertaining our players, while maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the community at large. Responsibilities Engage the community across Sucker Punch social media channels while collecting feedback and addressing concerns. Create and manage contests, contact with fan sites, new posts, internal meetings, FAQ information, and researching outside forums and other news sites. Educate and inform players by writing, maintaining and updating articles within the SPP forums or other Ghost related sites. Moderate discussions, provide personal insight, offer humor, spotlight community-related items, and be the liaison between players and development team. Partner with PlayStation on marketing, public relations, social media, events, promotions, and licensing campaigns from inception to execution. Attend industry related tradeshows and conferences. Preparing outgoing shipments including fan mail and promotional materials. Qualifications Minimum 5 years experience in social media, forums, public relations, and community management related fields. Passion for gaming and an understanding of the industry and how games are developed. Experience managing social media for games or a related industry on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Exceptional interpersonal skills, both written and verbal. Self-motivated and proactive with the ability to work without supervision and as part of a team environment. Excellent organization and project planning skills. Must be able to exercise discretion and keep composure under pressure. Bonus AA or Bachelors degree in Journalism, Communications, or related field. Working knowledge of HTML, Premiere Pro and Photoshop. Strong personal community or network. Experience with content calendars, video content, live streaming. Portfolio and other Requirements Published writing samples and/or audio/video interviews are required for review. Applicants must be able to work in the USA and willing to relocate to the Seattle, WA area. Interested? Apply now. About the Gamasutra Job Board Whether you're just starting out, looking for something new, or just seeing what's out there, the Gamasutra Job Board is the place where game developers move ahead in their careers. Gamasutra's Job Board is the most diverse, most active, and most established board of its kind in the video game industry, serving companies of all sizes, from indie to triple-A. Looking for a new job? Get started here. Are you a recruiter looking for talent? Post jobs here. [This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.] Vienna, AUSTRIA August 22nd 2018 THQ Nordic announced today that five great games of Microsoft Studios portfolio will soon be available via Steam and THQ Nordic proudly presents the physical editions for these games. These titles are: ReCore: Definitive Edition Super Luckys Tale Disneyland Adventures Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection All games will be released on September 14th 2018. END OF RELEASE About ReCore: Definitive Edition From legendary creator Keiji Inafune and the makers of Metroid Prime comes the ReCore Definitive Edition, an action-adventure masterfully crafted for a new generation. You are Joule Adams, one of the last remaining humans on the planet Far Eden, a mysterious and dangerous world controlled by robotic foes bent on your destruction. To survive you must forge friendships with a courageous group of Corebot companions, each with unique abilities and powers. The ReCore Definitive Edition includes the new Eye of Obsidian adventure. Join the plucky Corebot Violet and journey into the permanent midnight of the Starving Sea, a previously unexplored region of Far Eden where ancient enemies plot their revengeon Joule and all humankind! Other features of the ReCore Definitive Edition include: Features Eye of Obsidian adds a brand new chapter in the ReCore story T8-NK Corebot 2 New Overworlds 10 New Dungeons Dynamic sandstorms in Shifting Sands 3 new weapon modes for Joules Energy Rifle Added P-Cores for additional game play rewards 20 New Achievements Increased level cap from 30 to 40 4 new bosses and Tank challenges About Super Luckys Tale Welcome to Adventure! "Super Luckys Tale" is a delightful, playground platformer for all ages that follows Lucky, the ever-optimistic, energetic, and lovable hero, on his quest to find his inner strength and help his sister rescue the Book of Ages from Jinx. Jinx is the scheming and mysterious villain trying to reshape the world, but for what reason? Along the way, encounter a hilarious supporting cast of friends and adversaries. Lucky must confront the nefarious Kitty Litter, Jinx's mischievous kids - self-taught villains who might not be getting Jinx's plans quite right. Lucky meets friends and allies along the way too. He meets misplaced Yetis, Kookie Spookies, a village of farming worms, and other colorful friends inhabiting the Book of Ages. Test your skills with puzzles and nerve-wracking obstacle courses. Explore hidden secrets of new worlds with Lucky's signature burrow move. Dive into unpredictable foxholes, or try devilish side scrolling challenge levels to unlock additional rewards. Head back to the era of classic platformers with challenges players of all skill levels and all ages can enjoy. Features A delightful journey filled with endearing characters. Hilarious supporting cast of friends and adversaries in a rich, colorful world. Face unpredictable challenges and situations as Lucky's story unfolds. An adventure players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy. About Disneyland Adventures "Experience the magic of Disneyland like never before! Take a journey where stories come to life and dreams come true, right in your living room! Explore Disneyland park from Main Street U.S.A. to Critter Country join Peter Pan to battle Captain Hook, high-five Mickey Mouse or hug Snow White. Disneyland Adventures allows children, families and Disney fans of all ages to explore Disneyland park, step into adventures based on attractions, engage in challenging quests and interact with beloved Disney characters remastered in 4K Ultra HD and HDR." Disney Features Create Memories. Whether it's your first time or hundredth time exploring Disneyland, relive your fondest memories or embark on new adventures. Discover Disneyland Park. Whether you want to go on an adventure in your favorite attraction or explore the entire Park. Enjoy 18 iconic attractions. Fly with Peter Pan and defeat Captain Hook in Peter Pan's Flight and ski the exhilarating slopes of the Matterhorn. Meet the Characters. Share magical moments with your favorite Disney characters - hug your favorite princess, collect autographs and accept quests. Collect and Unlock. Collect Disney-themed items, rewards and Xbox Achievements as you make your way through the Park to discover locations and game experiences. Split-screen cooperative play. Partner with a friend or family member to explore the Park, have them jump in to lend a hand and help you earn the most rewards. About Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure "Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure, invites families and fans of all ages to experience the worlds of six beloved Disney-Pixar films like never before. Team up with characters from The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up, Cars, Toy Story, and Finding Dory to solve puzzles and uncover hidden secrets all remastered in 4K Ultra HD and HDR. You and your favorite Pixar character can interact on screen and play cooperatively to solve challenges. Move from fast-paced puzzle-solving to moments of pulse-pounding agility and speed." Disney/Pixar Features Save the day in your own fast-paced adventure. Invite your whole family to join Woody, Lightning McQueen and others in this one-of-a-kind Pixar experience. Experience the sights and sounds of each Pixar world as you solve puzzles and uncover hidden secrets. Meet new friends and unlock adventures. About Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection Windows 10 Version 10.0.16299 or higher required for online multiplayer. "The wildly popular Zoo Tycoon series gets fully-remastered and set to crank up the excitement, challenge, and fun of building the ultimate zoo. Let your imagination run wild with Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection! Choose from almost 200 visually stunning animals and the largest, most detailed selection of environments ever, then build, manage, and maintain your dream zoo alone or with up to four players on Xbox LIVE. This zoo simulation will charm animal lovers of all ages. Easy to start and easy to play, Zoo Tycoon gets you up close and interacting with the animals and zoo, offering intuitive controls and fun tutorials that allow players of all ages to have fun. Play smart as animals and guests will react to your creative choices and ultimately decide your chances to become a Zoo Tycoon." Features Get up close and personal with nearly 200 visually stunning animals in 4K Ultra HD and HDR. New wildlife from South America and Australia Create the Zoo of your dreams with the biggest, most detailed environments ever utilizing intuitive powerful controls designed for Zoo Tycoon fans of all ages. It's Your Zoo - design and manage your ideal zoo from piece-by-piece road construction to the ability to adjust the enclosures and decorate them. [This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.] San Francisco, CA August 22, 2018 Developer Wavedash Games announced that a brand-new update for Icons: Combat Arena, its new free to play platform fighting game, is available today. The update brings the Free For All mode to custom lobbies, giving players the chance to set up their own maniacal, every-fighter-for-themselves, matches. In addition, a special three-player mode has been added to casual online play, which allows fighters to participate in triple-threat combat, competing against two other combatants! Watch the new modes in action in an all new trailer HERE: youtu.be/cPZwQVan7Hk One of the most requested features from our community is now live and ready to go, stated Matt Fairchild, CEO and co-founder of Wavedash Games. With the Free For All update, players can grab three friends for some classic four player platforming mayhem in custom games or queue up and take on anyone in a triple threat match! Icons: Combat Arena is inspired by the early days of competitive fighting games, when anyone could jump in and immediately start having fun throwing out piercing punches, mighty shockwaves, and bruising body blocks. Icons: Combat Arena provides players with a fully supported multiplayer experience, precise control, vibrant playable characters, powerful special moves, and tons of customization, including: gorgeous skins, rousing taunts and emotes, custom portraits, and more! Icons: Combat Arena August Update Features: Free for All four player mode for custom lobby creation Three for All mode for online casual play mode A bonus 10 spectra after your first win of the day in matchmaking queue games, available each day you play Icons: Combat Arena Icons: Combat Arena is available now on Early Access on Steam for free. Media interested in previewing Icons: Combat Arena are encouraged to email Danitra Alomia ( [email protected] ). For more information on Icons: Combat Arena visit the website , like on Facebook , follow on Twitter , and chat on Discord . # # # ABOUT WAVEDASH GAMES Wavedash Games is an independent game publisher based out of Oakland, California, founded with the express goal of combining seasoned game development talent with grassroots community passion. Our team comes from across the industry: Riot and Blizzard, Bioware and Kixeye, Sony and Twitch, and more. Formed by dedicated fighting game fans, Wavedash aims to bring the fun of fighting games to a broader audience. MEDIA CONTACT Danitra Alomia Reverb Communications [email protected] An appellate court will not permit the live broadcast of the sentencing Friday of ex-President Park Geun-hye, whose sentence at first instance was appealed by prosecutors as too lenient. The first sentencing at the Seoul Central District court in April was broadcast live. She was found guilty on 16 of the 18 criminal charges, including bribery, and sentenced to 24 years in jail and a W18 billion fine (US$1=W1,119). But the appellate court on Tuesday said, "We've decided to ban the live broadcast taking into consideration various circumstances including a request from her lawyers." Park herself is boycotting proceedings and being tried in absentia. At the final hearing last month, Park's lawyers said broadcasting the sentencing could violate her privacy in the name of the public interest. Live broadcast of a sentencing hearing is permitted in district and appellate courts even without the consent of the accused in cases of overwhelming public interest, according to a Supreme Court decision in July last year. Park has waived her own right of appeal. The agreement came in cross-border talks between generals in the truce village of Panmunjom on July 31, according to the Defense Ministry. South Korea will vacate about a dozen guard posts in the demilitarized zone on a trial basis under a reciprocal agreement with North Korea, Defense Minister Song Young-moo told the National Assembly Defense Committee on Tuesday. The DMZ is a 4 km-wide buffer zone with the military demarcation line in the middle. Permanent stationing of troops here is prohibited, but the two Koreas have built guard posts and stationed platoon-size contingents of soldiers there. At one point the two sides' guard posts stand only 700 m apart. "The two sides will vacate any guard posts that stand less than 1 km apart from each other first," Song said. Song insisted the withdrawal will be reciprocal, adding, "The two sides can confirm each other's withdrawal." Ahn Gyu-back, the committee chairman, stressed the need to ensure that the withdrawal is really proportional since the two sides have different numbers of guard posts and soldiers at the frontline. The North has 160 and the South fewer than 60. Montreal, Quebec, August 20, 2018 - SEMAFO Inc. (TSX, OMX: SMF) announces an update on its security measures in Burkina Faso following two armed incidents last week. The Mana and Boungou Mines continue to operate without interruption. Boungou Mine The transport of personnel and supplies has resumed between the Boungou Mine and Ouagadougou under our adjusted security protocol. All expatriate employees are now being transported by helicopter between the two locations. In addition, a ground military force has been deployed on the route between the mine and the capital city. These measures, combined with a heightened escort presence, will ensure transportation of national employees to and from the mine to their villages. Mana Mine Further investigation into Friday's incident revealed that our employee bus had the misfortune of driving into an ongoing hold-up by bandits on the main Bobo road. This led to an exchange of gunfire, as previously reported. As part of our new security measures, all expatriate employees will also travel by helicopter between the mine and Ouagadougou. Furthermore, we have reinforced escorts for transportation of national employees to and from the Mana Mine. Senior management, including the CEO, are in the country to ensure that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of all SEMAFO personnel. The Corporation acknowledges the support from employees, communities and the government as it continues normal operations at both mines. 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'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 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 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) (OTC: LUMAF) (Lumina or the Company) announces the results of its annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on August 21, 2018 in Vancouver (the Meeting). At the Meeting, shareholders voted in favour of the spin-out of Luminex Resources Corp. (Luminex) pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement (the Arrangement) under Section 288 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). Under the Arrangement, Luminas current shareholders will receive common shares of Luminex by way of a share exchange, pursuant to which each existing common share of Lumina is exchanged for one new common share of Lumina and 0.15 of a common share of Luminex. Optionholders of Lumina will receive replacement options of Lumina and options of Luminex which are proportionate to, and reflective of, the terms of their existing options. Luminex will hold all of the concessions and properties previously held by Lumina with the exception of the Cangrejos Project and will be capitalized with approximately US$5 million raised from Luminas C$7 million financing that closed on July 26, 2018. The Arrangement remains subject to final approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia and acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange, and is expected to be completed on or about August 31, 2018. Luminex has applied to list its common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange. Luminas shareholders also voted in favour of each of the other matters considered at the Meeting, including voting in favour of electing each of Marshall Koval, Lyle Braaten, Donald Shumka, Michael Steinmann, Stephen Stow and Heye Daun as directors of the Company to hold office for the ensuing year, appointing auditors for the ensuing year and authorizing the board of directors to set their remuneration, approving Luminas 10% Rolling Stock Option Plan, and approving Luminexs Stock Option Plan. About Lumina Gold Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador. The Companys Cangrejos Gold-Copper project is located in El Oro Province, southwest Ecuador, and its Condor Gold-Copper project is located in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, southeast Ecuador. The Company also holds a large and highly prospective land package in Ecuador consisting of 135 thousand hectares. The Company has an experienced management team with a successful track record of advancing and monetizing exploration projects. Further details are available on the Companys website at https://luminagold.com/ . LUMINA GOLD CORP. For further information contact: Signed: Marshall Koval Scott Hicks shicks@luminagold.com Marshall Koval, President & CEO, Director T: +1 604 646 1890 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 news release Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to the securities shareholders and optionholders will receive under the Arrangement; the concessions, properties and capitalization of Luminex after completion of the Arrangement; and completion and timing of completion of the Arrangement. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as will, expected or variations of that word and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about obtaining approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia and acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange for the Arrangement, general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Companys continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. North Korea operated a 5MW reactor at its Yongbyon nuclear facility all the way through a flurry of diplomatic activity earlier this year aimed at persuading it to denuclearize, according to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency. There are indications of "operations of a 5,000-kilowatt graphite-moderated reactor located in Yongbyon as well as a nuclear reprocessing plant facility over the past year," the Yomiuri Shimbun quoted the report as saying. "The continuation and further development of the nuclear program and related statements by [North Korea] are a cause for grave concern." It also detected vapor or warm cooling water being discharged continuously. "Its operation has been suspended several times after the currently used nuclear fuel was put into the reactor in December 2015. This time, the burning of the uranium fuel is believed to have been conducted for a longer period compared to in the past," the report said. "As the agency remains unable to carry out verification activities in [North Korea], its knowledge of [North Korea's] nuclear program is limited and, as further nuclear activities take place in the country, this knowledge is declining," it added. There were also are indications that the reprocessing plant at Yongbyon operated the steam superheater from late April to early May. President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held the inter-Korean summit on April 27. The steam superheater was used to prepare for or maintain the operation of the plant, the IAEA speculates. A water intake dam was built near the Yongbyon complex in the second half of last year in an apparent effort to improve the capacity of a light-water reactor and a graphite-moderated reactor that were under construction. Christians in Burma are suffering from brutal mistreatment at the hands of the Burmese Army, including being forced to enter landmine-riddled areas in "clearance" for Burmese troops, a shocking new report has revealed. According to Fox News, Burma's ethnic cleansing campaign against Christians has displaced at least 100,000 people, many of them still stranded in the Burmese jungle terrain. Caught in an ongoing civil conflict in the Buddhist-majority country, thousands of believers have been subject to rape, murder, and forced conversions. Others are used by the Burmese Army to "clear" areas peppered with landmines, where they risk running into unexploded devices. "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 don't 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 make up an estimated 8.2 percent of the country also known as Myanmar - or around four million people. Fox notes that the campaign of ethnic and religious purging in the country will only increase, as the operations are "carried out like clockwork along the border provinces." In Burma's Kachins state, military forces have destroyed about 60 Christian churches, turning some of those properties into Buddhist pagodas, and destroyed nearly 7,000 villages of the Christian stronghold. Earlier in August, the Trump administration sanctioned Myanmar military forces for their "ethnic cleansing" of the Muslim Rohingya population in Rakhine state and "widespread human rights abuses" against Christians and other religious minorities in the 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," Sigal Mandelker, Treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement. "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 assured that there must be "justice for the victims" and those responsible need to be "held to account." Fox notes that Christians are persecuted in more "subtle ways," too. Saw Kwe Htoo Win, Vice Chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU), told Fox that even though Christians are constitutionally permitted to teach their language and faith in the classroom, the central government only brings in educators who are Buddhist, and speak only Burmese. Additionally, District Chairman of the Hpa-an region of Karen state, Padho Aung Maw Aye, told Fox 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. In light of these ongoing atrocities, ppersecution watchdog Open Doors USA ranks Burma 24th on its World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution. Notes the outlet: "In some instances, Buddhist monks have invaded church properties and built Buddhist shrines on church premises. The Buddhist, Muslim or tribal families of converts persecute believers, often ostracized from society. Communities who aim to stay "Buddhist only" make life for Christian families impossible by not allowing them to use community water resources. Evangelical church groups experience opposition as well, especially those in rural areas of Myanmar." Despite such persecution, Christianity continues to grow in Burma. Ta Doe Moo, Secretary-General of the KNU, said discussion of faith has become more "illuminated inside Burma 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 didn't matter," Moo said. "Now, that is very different." 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. Standing up to Trump Facing uncertainty Health care clinics that largely serve low-income, uninsured women and college students may have to cut services or absorb losses if Hawaii forgoes more than $2 million in annual federal funding for family planning services.In July, Gov. David Ige and three other governors pledged to reject the Title X funds if a proposal by the Trump administration goes into effect prohibiting the grants from going to providers that perform abortions or refer patients to abortion providers. Critics of the proposed rule changes said they amount to a gag order and could undermine women's health care.However, there are no plans to make up for the lost federal funding, and health care experts say the rule changes could take effect as early as October.Cindy McMillan, a spokeswoman for the governor, said Ige is looking at other funding options and that his "focus is on getting women the health care that they need." However, she didn't know what those options were and said the governor was traveling and unavailable for comment.Matthew Shim, chief of the state Department of Health's Family Health Services Division, said using state funds might be a possibility, but it would need to be worked out through the state's normal budget process.The state budget isn't approved until May, and funds aren't generally released until the start of the fiscal year beginning July 1. The governor could make an emergency request to the Legislature, but it's not clear whether he intends to do so.Meanwhile, clinics contacted by the Star-Advertiser say they haven't been informed of any alternative funding and are preparing to make cuts or absorb losses.Federal Title X funds are awarded to the state Health Department, which distributes about $2 million in grants annually to health clinics statewide. The other recipient of Title X funds is Planned Parenthood, which receives about $600,000 for its clinics on Maui and Oahu. In total, the funding supports family health services at 32 health centers throughout the state, such as Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Kalihi Palama Health Center and Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services. The funding also supports student health centers at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Kauai Community College and University of Hawaii Maui College.In June the Trump administration proposed significant changes to the Title X program that deliver on objectives long held by abortion opponents and satisfy Trump's campaign pledge to strip funding from Planned Parenthood.If patients ask for a referral for an abortion, a doctor can give them a list of health care providers that offer comprehensive prenatal care but can't tell them which offer abortions. The new rules also stipulate that new funding be directed to faith-based organizations and organizations that promote abstinence and fertility awareness as a method of contraception.Federal law already bans taxpayer dollars from directly funding abortions. Supporters of Trump's proposal say the rule changes ensure funds don't indirectly support abortions. Anti-abortion groups have also sought restrictions to Title X funding as a way of crippling Planned Parenthood's overall budget and ability to operate.Under the new rules, Planned Parenthood would automatically lose its funding because it performs abortions. None of the other clinics funded by Title X in Hawaii offer abortion services, but critics say curtailing health care providers' ability to counsel patients about abortion, even if a pregnancy puts a woman's health at risk, infringes on free speech and jeopardizes women's health.On July 31 Ige said that he would withdraw Hawaii from the Title X program if the rules go into effect, joining governors from New York, Oregon and Washington."I am proud to join my fellow governors, Hawaii residents, and millions of Americans in opposing the proposed gag rule on Title X," Ige said in a statement announcing his decision. "This is not an issue about life or choices. This is an issue about the rights of millions of individuals who deserve the best health care available. Legally and ethically, patients have the right to learn about all their medical options and determine for themselves which option is best. The gag rule undermines that right and puts women's health in grave danger."Ige's decision has been applauded by critics of the rule changes, but it's also left Title X recipients uncertain about how to move forward without the funding. The final regulations are expected to be published in September, according to information from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy organization. New federal rules generally go into effect within 30 to 60 days of publication.Laurie Field, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, said Planned Parenthood is anticipating its funding could be cut in late October.In 2016 Planned Parenthood said that its Hawaii clinics used Title X funds to provide health care to more than 1,400 people and education to thousands more.UH Hilo has been receiving $90,000 in Title X funds annually to support its Family Planning Health Clinic, which accounts for about 60 percent of the Student Medical Services' operational budget. The majority of the funds go to support salaries of clinic staff and provide services such as contraception, pelvic exams, Pap smears, pregnancy tests, the morning-after pill and sexually transmitted disease testing.Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Farrah-Marie Gomes said the services were too important to cut, noting that roughly half of those served don't have health insurance. She said the university might look to cut services in other areas or increase the students' health care fees from $7 a semester."I don't think as a college campus we can even entertain the idea that we would cut back on those services, so internally we would have to look at how to make up for the lost revenues," said Gomes.Hamakua-Kohala Health uses Title X funds largely to support sex education in area schools."As we see it, the funding for women's health and especially for education in that area is being threatened, and we just don't know. I think that is the biggest issue, the ambiguity," said Milton Cortez, chief of operations at the community health center. "We know that we are going to take a hit; we don't know how big of a hit, and we don't know for how long. We may be able to fund it for a year, but what happens after that?"Diana Shaw, executive director of Lanai Community Health Center, said Title X funds have helped reduce unplanned pregnancies and abortions in Hawaii by helping ensure access to contraception and sex education. She said her clinic had already decided to reject the Title X funds if the Trump administration rules go into effect."What they were proposing was basically going to violate the sanctity of the trust between a provider and the patient," said Shaw. "Telling a provider that they had to read from a script, that they could not say certain things, that's totally outrageous. That's not the America that we know nor one that we will participate in. So we had already decided and started looking at different ways that we could provide this service to our community without Title X funding."The Lanai Community Health Center has been receiving $120,000 annually, which Shaw said is significant for a small clinic. She said the clinic would have to decide where to make cuts.State Rep. Della Au Belatti, who chairs the state House's Health and Human Services Committee, said it's the governor's responsibility to ensure there are contingency funds in place if the Trump administration rules do go into effect and Hawaii opts out of the program."Because he made the announcement that he was going to reject the funds knowing that this was funding for critical services within our community, particularly in our rural communities, I think it was important that the governor had some backup funding strategy," said Belatti. "And I hope in his budget he does have that."Belatti said that she hopes the Ige administration will challenge the rules on legal grounds, arguing that they violate free speech. State officials plan to announce Wednesday that the Trump administration has approved a federal waiver that is expected to stave off increases in health insurance costs for more than 200,000 Marylanders.The two main sponsors of the legislation designed to control costs under Obamacare confirmed that the federal government has given Maryland the green light for its reinsurance program.Amelia Chasse, a spokesman for Gov. Larry Hogan, confirmed plans for a Wednesday announcement but would not provide details. House Speaker Michael E. Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller are expected to speak at the event.Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk and Sen. Thomas M. "Mac" Middleton, who sponsored the bills to fill the gap left by Congress' elimination of a key source of funds for Obamacare, said they have been told the waiver has been approved."I'm very pleased that the work of the General Assembly is going to pay off," said Pena-Melnyk, a Prince George's County Democrat. "Honest to God, I think it's fantastic."Passage of the bills creating the reinsurance plan and seeking the waiver were hailed as one of the chief bipartisan accomplishments of Maryland's 2018 General Assembly session.The plan imposes a one-year state tax on insurance companies and uses that revenue to subsidize the most expensive health insurance claims from policies sold through Maryland's health exchange. By lowering the risk to insurers selling on the individual market, state leaders hope to lower premiums enough to make them affordable next year.If lawmakers had done nothing, officials said, the individual market had the potential to collapse weeks before the Nov. 6 election. Hogan, a Republican, is running for reelection against Democrat Ben Jealous, the former president of the NAACP.The Republican governor worked with Democratic leaders to cushion the blow to ratepayers in the individual health insurance market after Congress eliminated the federal mandate that had required taxpayers to insure themselves or pay a penalty.After the bills passed with bipartisan support, Hogan signed them."We faced this crisis together," the governor said at the signing ceremony in April.According to the Department of Legislative Services, about 250,000 people are affected by rates in the individual market.Middleton, a Charles County Democrat, said the elimination of the mandate contributed to a roughly 50 percent increase in premiums last year and threatened to force another 40 percent increase this year -- a rise that might have forced CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield out of the individual insurance market."One of the problems with the individual exchange is fewer and fewer people [in the insurance pool] and those who stay are high risk," said Middleton, the longtime chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.A spokeswoman for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not return messages seeking comment. Middleton said he believes the Trump administration looks more favorably on plans crafted by individual states rather than federal programs such as Obamacare.Pena-Melnyk said the waiver will allow the state to create a reinsurance program to shore up a market largely made up of self-employed people and proprietors of "mom-and-pop" businesses too small to buy health insurance on the group market."You're talking about over $800 million to create a reinsurance program to help people in Maryland," she said. She warned a longer-term solution will be needed in four to five years."This will buy us time," she said.Pena-Melnyk said about $380 million will come through an assessment on insurance carriers approved by the legislature with the agreement of the companies. She said the rest will come from federal matching funds.Premiums on individual insurance policies, which serve people who aren't covered through a job or family member and who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, have shot up in recent years.The viability of the individual market has been threatened because insurers underestimated the costs of claims and because not enough young, healthy people bought policies to help subsidize the costs of older and less healthy people.Repeated attempts by President Donald J. Trump and congressional Republicans to dismantle Obamacare, along with the repeal of the individual mandate, have increased uncertainty for insurance companies and prompted them to raise rates.Middleton said he hopes that by shoring up the individual market, it could eventually be combined with the more stable small group market. But that would depend on reducing the gap between premiums for the two types of plans.The legislation passed this spring also set up a commission to study the long-term stability of the state's insurance market and proposals to require all Maryland residents to buy health insurance as a way to replace the federal individual mandate.Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition, said he is "thrilled" that the waiver has been approved. He urged the General Assembly to adopt a state mandate plan, which failed after coming close to passage this year."The reinsurance is great but we need to do [the mandate] also," DeMarco said.DeMarco said that under the state mandate plan, taxpayers who don't provide for their own health insurance would face a $700 tax penalty. However, he said, the state would help them use that payment toward getting covered, and the money would go to the state treasury only if the taxpayer refused the offer of insurance.The plan would bring an estimated 60,000 to100,000 uninsured Maryland residents under coverage.Middleton said the state mandate proposal was gaining traction last spring before concerns rose about its administrative costs. But he's optimistic about its chances next year."It's got wings," he said.But Middleton, a leading force in health care legislation for almost two decades, won't be there to help push it through. He was defeated for re-election in June's Democratic primary."There's going to be some real heavy lifting," Middleton said. The polls have not been kind to Doug Ducey.Arizona's Republican governor is seeking a second term this November, and polls show him in a tossup race or even trailing his potential opponents. One poll conducted in June suggested that only a quarter of Arizona voters believe he deserves reelection."All incumbent races ultimately come down to whether voters want to fire the incumbent, and voters are showing a pretty strong inclination to do that," says Democratic consultant Andy Barr.Ducey's Democratic opponent will be selected by voters during next Tuesday's primary. It will most likely be David Garcia, an education professor at Arizona State University, or state Sen. Steve Farley.Arizona is one of the states that joined the wave of teacher strikes and protests this spring. Given its bottom-scraping rankings in school performance and teacher pay, Arizona Democrats see education as Ducey's greatest vulnerability.In response to the protests, he signed legislation that promises to increase teacher salaries by 20 percent over three years, including a bump for the school year just getting underway."Our education system is getting an infusion of cash probably like it's never seen before," says Glenn Hamer, president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "Right now, teachers are seeing a 10 percent increase in their paycheck."Still, Democrats argue that Ducey's response was inadequate, questioning how he intends to pay for continued increases."He's gotten criticized by local press who are calling it an election-year tactic," says Les Braswell, communications director for the Arizona Democratic Party. "There's no pay-for for it. It's very clearly a mechanism just to get him through to November."Both Garcia and Farley support a ballot measure that would increase taxes on the wealthy to fund schools. Ducey is opposed, declaring simply in May, "Well, I don't support tax increases."Republicans are convinced that either of Ducey's challengers will be deemed too liberal by general election voters in a state long dominated by their party."All the fundamentals in this race lean strongly toward Gov. Ducey," says Republican strategist Matthew Benson. "Whichever Democrat comes out of the primary, they are literally going to have to run the table among independents in this state, and I haven't seen any evidence for that."Benson and other Republicans note that Garcia is running a typical hard-left 2018 Democratic campaign, promising free college tuition and calling for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)."You have a candidate who is well-positioned for the Democratic primary electorate and horribly out of sync with the general election electorate," says Benson, who worked as a spokesman for former GOP Gov. Jan Brewer.But Arizona Republicans face unusual headwinds this year. As in other states, Arizona Democrats believe their voters are energized this year by disdain for President Trump. In April, Republicans won a special congressional election in suburban Phoenix by just 5 points, in a district that Trump had carried by 21 points in 2016."If we can replicate that statewide," says Braswell, "we're going to have a very good night come November."Polls indicate that Democratic Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema is the favorite in the race to succeed retiring Republican U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, although her lead has been narrowing. Sinema has positioned herself as a moderate, spending a good deal of her time courting the business community and avoiding discussion of social issues. To the extent she talks about immigration, it's to underscore the importance of public safety.Moderate-to-conservative Democrats have been the most successful in recent Arizona history. Even some Democrats are nervous that Garcia has positioned himself too far to the left to prevail against Ducey."One Democrat" -- Sinema -- "is running as a Bill Clinton centrist," says Hamer, the chamber president, "and another" -- Garcia -- "is running as Bernie Sanders, Jr."Farley has been considered the underdog throughout the primary season, although he's raised more money than Garcia. He has sought to avoid positions that would place him on the far left of the spectrum."Going around the state, I'm not hearing people say 'go to the left as far as you can,'" Farley told In a sign of Ducey's potential vulnerability, the Republican Governors Association has reserved more than $8 million in airtime to defend him this fall. But that's also a sign that Ducey and his allies will be able to out-raise his Democratic opponent. And Republicans have a 15-percentage-point registration advantage over Democrats in the state."The economy is the healthiest it's ever been," Hamer says. "We have more jobs open than people to fill them."Polls taken at this point four years ago also indicated that Ducey could lose. He ended up winning by a 12-point margin. Conditions are less favorable for him and other Republicans than they were in 2014, but Ducey will come out of next week's primary as the early if not overwhelming favorite."Every four years about this time, we have polls that come out and Democrats get really excited because it looks like the Republican candidate for statewide office is in trouble," says Benson. "Every election is different, but I would look for a similar dynamic to play out as Republicans come home." A panel of Superior Court judges on Tuesday blocked two North Carolina constitutional amendments from statewide ballots.The order from a three-judge panel said ballots should not be printed that ask voters to make changes in the state constitution on how state boards and commission members are appointed and how judges are selected to fill vacancies. The order said those ballot questions did not fully inform voters of the changes that would result if the measures passed.The court order gives Gov. Roy Cooper a victory, at least temporarily, in his lawsuit against legislative leaders.The order has no real effect since the judges last week ordered that no ballots be printed while the court cases and appeals continue.Attorneys representing Cooper, the state elections board and legislative leaders said at a hearing last week they would appeal the order if their side lost.The Republican-led legislature wants voters to make six changes to the state constitution.The Democratic governor wants two amendments removed, arguing the ballot language is misleading. One would strip governors of their power to appoint members to hundreds of boards and commissions and give that power to the legislature. The other would give the legislature a major role in filling judicial vacancies, now done by the governor.On Monday, the state's five former living governors, Democrats and Republicans, stood together to criticize those amendments, The News & Observer reported. The five former governors filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting Cooper's position.The NAACP and Clean Air Carolina want those two amendments and two more removed.Lawyers for House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger argued at last Wednesday's hearing that courts have no role in determining which constitutional amendments go to voters.In their order, a majority of the three-judge panel said ballot language for the amendments changing how board members would be appointed and how court vacancies would be filled do not "sufficiently inform the voters" and are "not stated in such a manner as to enable them intelligently to express their opinion."The order said Cooper, the state elections board, and the NAACP would suffer irreparable harm if the two questions were placed on the ballot, concluding that the ballot language does not meet constitutional standards for submission to voters.The order also echoed an observation by Democrats that the legislation on judicial vacancies was written in such a way that legislators could attach judicial appointments bills to unrelated legislation to escape a governor's veto. "The ballot language makes no mention of any effect of the Amendment upon veto powers of the Governor," the order said.Berger said at a news conference earlier this month that bypassing vetoes was not the intent, The News & Observer reported.The court on Tuesday denied the NAACP request to remove an amendment that would have voters decide whether to enshrine a voter photo ID requirement in the constitution and another amendment that would reduce the maximum state income tax rate from 10 percent to 7 percent. The ballot language for those amendments is not misleading, the order said.The judges said Clean Air Carolina does not have legal standing to bring a lawsuit.The NAACP argued that legislators are "usurpers" because federal courts declared 28 districts to be unconstitutional racial gerrymanders. Changes were made to 117 of 170 legislative district boundaries to comply with federal orders.The court said the NAACP usurper claim "constitutes a collateral attack on the acts of the General Assembly, and, as a result, are not in the jurisdiction of this three-judge panel."On Friday, state Republican Party Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse said a "constitutional crisis" would be triggered if Democrats on the Supreme Court allow questions to be taken off the ballot. He suggested legislators could vote to impeach the justices.One of the three judges, Judge Jeffrey K. Carpenter of Union County, wrote that he did not agree with everything in the order and would file a separate opinion. Some Wyoming inmates housed in a Mississippi private prison will begin trickling back into the state by the end of September, officials said Thursday. But state corrections officials say more inmates will take their place due to overcrowding and staffing issues.Carl Voigtsberger, who oversees inmate housing for the Wyoming Department of Corrections, said about 10 prisoners currently held in the Mississippi facility will return to Wyoming. He was not able to say exactly how many people would come back, but said those who do will mostly be prisoners eligible for parole. Among the returning inmates will also be inmates eligible for low-security facilities like the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton and the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp in Newcastle.The department announced in April it had sent 88 inmates to the Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility, in Tutwiler, Mississippi. The prison is operated by CoreCivic, formerly known as Corrections Corporation of America, which has operated private prisons since the early 1980s.Mark Horan, corrections department spokesman, said Thursday that for security reasons he could not give a specific date when the upcoming transport will take place. The newly-vacated beds in the Mississippi facility will be filled by a matching number of Wyoming inmates. Incarcerated men and women launched a massive strike Tuesday to protest the mistreatment of prisoners nationwide.Prisoners leading the demonstration, organized by members of Jailhouse Lawyers Speak, a prisoner rights advocacy group, said they were well-aware of potential retaliatory measures, but turned to protest as a last resort."Prisons in America are a warzone. Every day prisoners are harmed due to conditions of confinement. For some of us it's as if we are already dead. So what do we have to lose," read a statement from Jailhouse Lawyers Speak.The peaceful protest is expected to last for nineteen days and could be the largest-ever prison labor strike in US history.Organizers released a statement including a list of 10 national demands for prisoners.They are insisting on improved prison conditions, an end to life without parole sentences, and more funding for rehabilitation services.Notably, they are calling for an end to mandatory labor in return for paltry wages -- a practice organizers refer to as modern-day slavery. "All persons imprisoned in any place of detention under United States jurisdiction must be paid the prevailing wage in their state of territory for their labor," the demand reads.Prisoners will not report to their assigned jobs for the duration of the strike -- which will likely lead to the further deterioration of conditions inside detention facilities.Additionally, prisoners say they will go on hunger strikes.Jailhouse Lawyers Speak said that prison officials cannot be relied on to provide accurate information on the strikes, and that "prisoners will have to sneak out updates."Tuesday marks the anniversary of the death of incarcerated activist George Jackson, a member of the Black Panther Party who was a leading voice in the 1970s prison movement.The strike -- first announced on April 24 -- will end on the anniversary of the Attica prison uprising in New York. The Governors Official Program is comprised of a wide range of constitutional and legal duties and ceremonial and community engagements. Each year, the Governor hosts thousands of visitors to Government House to take part in investiture and award ceremonies, Open Days, receptions and meetings, and travels widely throughout Queensland to support the activities of Patron groups. View a chronological record of the Governors daily program below. On Tuesday, in the morning, at Georgetown, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey visited Georgetown State School, and the Governor addressed students and guests. Following, at the Ethridge Shire Council Chambers, Georgetown, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey received a briefing from Council representatives. Following, at the TerrEstrial Information Centre, Georgetown, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey hosted a community morning tea. Following, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey undertook a driving tour of Georgetown. In the afternoon, at Great Palm Island, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey visited Bwgcolman Community School, and the Governor addressed students and guests. Following, at the Palm Island Display Centre, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey hosted a community afternoon tea, and the Governor addressed guests. Following, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey undertook a driving tour of Palm Island. "Given the timing, China's move on El Salvador clearly correlates with Tsai's visit," said Yun Sun, East Asia Program senior associate at the Stimson Center research organization in Washington. "The punitive, retaliatory nature of the move is more than clear. Tsai's visit to the U.S. is also unprecedented in terms of the positive and high-profile welcome she has received." Chinese netizens called for a boycott against the Taiwanese-owned 85C coffeehouse chain, and on Tuesday Taiwan broke ties with El Salvador, which became the fifth nation in two years to recognize China instead. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, saying the self-ruled island has no right to maintain its own relations with foreign countries. Tsai's stops on the way to see its allies in Latin America were higher profile than trips by previous presidents. That, analysts say, angered China. Beijing had asked the United States to cancel Tsai's stopovers and accused Tsai of trying to split Taiwan from China. Tsai Ing-wen gave a speech August 13 in Los Angeles and on Sunday became the first Taiwanese president since the 1970s to visit a federal facility when she toured the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. The Taiwanese president's unusually high-profile trip to the United States this month boosted her image at home but enraged Beijing, sparking China's boycott of a Taiwanese-owned coffee shop chain and possibly the latest loss of a diplomatic ally. Boost at Home, Outrage in China Tsai's appearances in the United States will help her image at home, analysts say. Weary of pressure from China, Taiwanese citizens look to their leaders for foreign policy achievements with informal allies Japan and the United States. Her visits reflected improvement in Taiwan-U.S. ties that include a bill in Washington calling for more high-level visits and a first step in selling American submarine technology. Sentiment at home matters because Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party is preparing for mid-term local elections in November, said Wu Chung-li, a political science research fellow at Academia Sinica, an academic research institution in Taipei. Her party vies with one that backs stronger ties with the mainland. Tsai's party, Wu said, is trying to "make some successful foreign connections." China fumes whenever Taiwanese leaders stop in the United States, usually en route to see allies in Latin America. The Communist government had little clout with Washington this time as it spars with the United States over trade, some scholars say. Taiwan's government hit back against China's comment that Tsai traveled to divide her island from Chinese rule. The two sides have been separately ruled since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s but Taiwan has never formally declared independence. "For the president to travel abroad, visit diplomatic allies and stop off in the United States, accepting the invitations of relevant institutions, is a natural, normal and deeply meaningful matter," said Chiu Chui-cheng, spokesman for the Taiwan government's Mainland Affairs Council. More Than Angry Words During the Los Angeles stopover, Tsai visited a store under the Taiwanese-owned 85C Bakery Cafe chain. The news prompted Chinese netizens to call for a boycott against the chain's China outlets. The bakery-cafe chain this month posted a statement saying it backed the 1992 Consensus, Beijing's condition for Taiwan-China dialogue that could eventually cover the issue of political unification. The condition requires that both sides talk as part of a single China. Tsai rejects the policy, which critics say Beijing uses to assert its claim over Taiwan. Chinese netizens have boycotted other offshore-based businesses over politics, damaging South Korea's tourism sector in 2017 over Seoul's plans for a missile shield system that could also see into China. "It is a kind of reality that Taiwan companies have to face so far," Wu said. "On one hand they have to face the domestic issue, but on the other hand they have to [be] also considering the great market of China, so that is why it's no wonder the 85C coffee shop the next day they declared their support to the 92 Consensus." On Monday, Taiwan announced it would sever ties with El Salvador over financial requests that it couldn't match. Countries that cut relations with Taiwan normally establish them with China, which offers economic support that Taiwan cannot easily afford. Only 17 countries have formal relations with Taiwan now, compared to more than 175 that recognize Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping is going all out to limit Taiwan's international exposure, said Liu Yi-jiun, professor of public affairs at Fo Guang University in Taiwan. "I think the current relations between Taiwan and China are under great, great stress and it doesn't matter what kind of things would happen," Liu said. Description GIS 22 August 2018: The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) , and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed yesterday, at Le Labourdonnais Hotel in Port Louis, a Record of Discussion which pertains to talks on improving the Meteorological Radar System in Mauritius. The Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr Etienne Sinatambou, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr Masahisa Sato, and other personalities were present at the event . The signatories were the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development, Mrs S. Samynaden, and the Resident Representative of JICA Madagascar Office, Mr Hironobu Murakami. In a statement, Minister Sinatambou expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for its commitment, dedication and support to the Government of Mauritius. It is necessary for both countries to deepen the existing bilateral ties and identify new areas of cooperation, he highlighted. For his part, the Japanese State Minister, Mr Sato, pointed out that the project for the improvement of the Meteorological Radar System will enhance the MMSs autonomy, contribute to better general weather forecasting, enhance peoples life and also address the specific challenges posed by extreme weather events, given that Mauritius is prone to changing climatic conditions. The Government of Japan will fully extend its support to Mauritius in upcoming meteorological projects, he said. It is recalled that the JICA and the Mauritian Government signed an agreement in June 2013 for a non-refundable grant of 1.34 billion Japanese Yen, equivalent to Rs 387 million for the acquisition and installation of an S-Band Doppler Solid State Radar and the construction of a new tower at Trou-aux-Cerfs. The Japanese Government, with a view to maximise the result of this grant project, is committed, through JICA, to strengthen its support to the MMS. This assistance is extended via a technical-related cooperation project aimed at providing technical training as well as technology transfer for the operation and maintenance of the Doppler radar. The project for enhancing Meteorological Observation, Weather Forecasting and Warning Capabilities is expected to start in April 2019. It has as objective to enhance the dissemination of weather information and actionable warnings so as to reach disaster-related organisations and the population in a timely manner. The S-Band Doppler Solid State Radar Project The S-Band Doppler Solid State Radar Project consists of two phases, the acquisition and installation of the S-Band Doppler Solid State Radar as well as the construction of a new tower at Trou aux Cerfs which will house the new Radar and its communication systems. The construction of the Radar Tower is expected to be fully completed by the end of August 2018. As at 31 July 2018, 50% of the equipment has been installed and is expected to be completed in September 2018. Calibration of the radar will begin in November 2018 and may continue until February 2019 . The Startup in Residence Program (STiR) has expanded to 31 participating government agencies for its 2019 cohort, organizers announced Wednesday morning.While the increased number of participants is the clearest sign of STiRs expansion, the program is growing in other ways this year, too. To date, participating governments have included cities, counties and regional transportation authorities. This years group welcomes its first state, Pennsylvania.Jay Nath, STiR founder and the co-executive director of its organizing body City Innovate, said the program is hopeful that it will eventually extend to more states and potentially beyond. Were excited about that and we hope to bring in more states, Nath said, and as we look forward, we dont see any reason that it wont include federal agencies as well.STiR started back in 2014 as an initiative located in San Francisco. Over the years, it expanded regionally within California, before launching its first national cohort in 2018. The program features a simple solution for a complex problem: it embeds startup companies within local government, where they spend time collaborating on technology solutions to overcome obstacles, thereby solving the complex problem of how can government do a better job while benefiting from expertise in the private sector. The entrepreneurs, meanwhile, get a pathway into government, which remains a somewhat untapped tech market.The other changes that the program stands to undergo this year are quite nuanced. For example, STiR for the first time will have specialized tracks, the first of which is mobility. This will give transit agencies that are part of STiRs network as well as governments that are interested in transportation the chance to collaborate.Theyll be able to share whats really working and what some of their challenges are, and how theyre dealing with things like micro-transit, etc., Nath said. So, its not just sort of a technology-based conversation, but really a peer-to-peer community practice where individuals can very candidly and openly share those challenges and opportunities with their peers.STiRs aim is to give agencies and jurisdictions that can benefit from each others knowledge a chance to do so in a more concentrated setting than places like industry conferences.Another area where the program could have an impact is procurement, which is regularly cited as one of the primary barriers between governments and the startups that have ideas and expertise. Nath said STiR is always exploring how do we continue making procurement easier and better.In addition, the program is taking steps to improve its ability to facilitate ideal connections, educating its participants on the differences between working with an early stage startup which is less likely to have a readied product but more likely to be eager and agile and working with an established company that already has a healthy number of customers which is less likely to be eager and accommodating but more able to guarantee its work will come to fruition.Many of the changes and improvements to STiR this year are of the incremental variety, Nath said, while organizers continued to explore new ideas like facilitating startups that can take on one problem that might be shared by two separate jurisdictions.The program is also working with its first international partner, Edmonton, Canada, with ongoing discussions about adding more.Nath also emphasized that STiR continues to present a fantastic opportunity for startup companies, noting that he anticipates somewhere between 50 and 75 RFPs for gov tech work will go live through the program in late September, and that interested companies would be well-advised to register via STiRs website and start preparing now.Click here for more information about applying to the program or here for a full list of current 2019 STiR cities (TNS) Three Limestone County high school seniors spent the better part of their summer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where they explored advancements in artificial intelligence, programmed an autonomous race car and tried their hands at computer hacking.Part of the Limestone County school system's gifted program, Bernard Alottey, Andrew Farmer and Marcus Handy were selected for the Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) program at MIT earlier this year.BWSI is an initiative of Beaver Works, a research and education center jointly operated by Lincoln Laboratory and the MIT School of Engineering.Started in 2016, the first BWSI summer camp included 46 students. This year's enrollment numbers have more than quadrupled, drawing students from 105 schools across the United States.The MIT-based summer camp is a rigorous, world-class Science Technology Engineering and Math program open to the nation's sharpest high school students. Lasting four weeks, students who attend get a glimpse of college by living on campus in the dorms while working on one of eight STEM-oriented tracks they choose beforehand.Farmer and Handy, both East Limestone High students, selected the Autonomous RACECAR (Rapid Autonomous Complex-Environment Competing Ackerman-steering Robot) option. Farmer broke the project down into layman's terms, explaining they used robotics and computer programming to run ultra high-tech, model-sized race cars on a complex track with obstacles.The experience, Farmer said, really brought him out of his shell.Before I went, I had some hesitation about interacting with people, but through programming the car I realized that when I'm passionate about something, I'm not afraid to speak my mind, he said. I learned that I could really be a leader, draw everyone in and get things going.At the close of the camp, student teams showed off their newly learned skills by competing against one another. Farmer's team won first place in the RACECAR event by successfully programming their vehicle with LIDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging), cameras and motion sensors to navigate a track fraught with obstacles such as windmills and bowling pins.Although Allotey's team placed third, he was thrilled with his performance. Allotey said his time at MIT changed him for the better. He was more focused on what he learned during the four weeks leading up to the final event than the results of the competition.Just working on the race car, being able to come up with the concept and then program it and actually see it happen on the track was amazing, Allotey said. I realized that I really have some skills.Attending Beaver Works also helped the ambitious teen solidify his plan to become a software engineer or computer scientist. He hopes to find an acceptance letter in his mailbox from Carnegie Mellon University soon.Farmer, who wanted to become an aerospace engineer before attending the MIT camp, may have had a change of heart after helping program the winning car at the final competition.My time there really opened my eyes up to another opportunity in computer science, Farmer said. There is a big push right now for AI (artificial intelligence) and computer science. I am looking at the market and the availability of jobs after I graduate.Although his major may be in flux, Farmer still has his sights set on the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.Taking a completely different track at the camp, West Limestone senior Marcus Hardy was immediately attracted to the Embedded Security and Hardware Hacking option.The word hacking is what really caught my attention, Hardy said. But when we started really getting into it, I found that embedded security is all around us, it is within everything I do and everything you do. It is there when you send a text or even search the internet.His team successfully proved their cybersecurity skills by creating a secure protocol for interactions between a bank server, ATM and credit card. He also got to do some hacking by breaking into a server to gain certain codes in a capture-the-flag-like scenario.In addition to gaining some mad computer skills, the camp boosted Hardy's confidence.I went into camp this shy, depressed kid, Hardy said. But the entire camp kind of motivated me to drive for more. I came out of there more courageous and definitely much happier.Once considering enlisting in the Marines, Hardy plans to try and get into MIT's engineering program, with the University of Alabama in Huntsville being his second choice. Check out the city of Cannon Beach, Ore . It is a terrific place to visit and take a vacation to. They have theirthat is open but not posted on their website . You might contact them directly if you are interested in applying. The BIG HAZARD is a tsunami from a Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake.Here are the nitty-gritty details:COMPENSATIONSALARY$60,000 $85,000;deferred compensationand flexible spendingaccounts availableRETIREMENTOregon Public EmployeeRetirement System (PERS)INSURANCEMedical, dental, vision,life, short and long-termdisabilityPAID TIME OFFVacation, sick time,personal leave, holidays,bereavement leave.Working directly with the City Manager and Police Chief, the Emergency Manager enhances the capacity of thetown to be resilient during and after emergency events. Duties include assessing potential hazards such as windstorms, extended periods without electricity, events of extreme cold, high tide/high wave events, forest fires,, and earthquakes; evaluating the need for response to such events; and developing plans to protectboth residents and. Plan development entails identifying and prioritizing specific actions necessary to improve the Citys overall response to an event and developing tangible implementation strategies to carry such actions through to completion.The Emergency Manager must consider strategies to protect the large influx of summer tourists who maybe unfamiliar with the Citys plans for disasters such as tsunamis or earthquakes. He/she must also developpre-positioned contracts for initial clearing of City streets and damage assessments following emergencies, and recovery plans must be established to manage debris and restore utility operations.The City has made considerable progress promoting resiliency by developing a Citizen Emergency Management Team (CERT), members of which are given special training to assist their fellow residents after a disaster. Additionally, the Cannon Beach Emergency Medical Team (CBEMT), comprised of local doctors, nurses, a veterinarian, and other medical professionals, are developing plans for emergency medical care of residents. Looking to the Feds for Help in Fighting Cybercriminals Cybercriminals are unrelenting in their attacks on state and local government computers, and the states are looking to Congress for help. Privacy and Cybersecurity Facing Challenges In this age of hackers and cybercriminals, every state has a top security official focused on preventing breaches and protecting the vast amounts of data it collects. Now, a growing number also are hiring a top official to make sure that the privacy of residents personal data is protected as well.Many large companies have employed 'chief privacy officers' for years, but they were rare in state government. A decade ago, there were only a few; today, at least eight states have them Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Washington and West Virginia, according to the National Association of State Chief Information Officers. Arkansas hired its first in June.I expect we will see more states doing this in the future, said Amy Glasscock, a senior policy analyst at the association. Its good to focus on privacy rather than just security because of the sensitive information that state governments have on citizens. Educating state agencies how to keep things private is very important.States collect reams of confidential information from residents, such as Social Security numbers, health records, tax forms and credit card numbers. Much of it is stored digitally and some states also use the cloud, remote servers that can be accessed over the internet instead of on a computer hard drive.Chief privacy officers are tasked with ensuring that state agencies safeguard that information and comply with privacy regulations. That means state employees who handle data must know how to protect sensitive information when they use or share it.South Carolina created its chief privacy officer position, for example, after a major data breach at the state Department of Revenue in 2012 that compromised the personal information of nearly 4 million taxpayers.Chief privacy officers typically create statewide privacy policies that apply to every agency and require that staffers be trained. They meet regularly with state agencies privacy teams and evaluate new technology to make sure it doesnt conflict with privacy protections. Some also offer services to consumers to educate them about protecting their privacy.Its a great idea to have state privacy officers, said Lee Tien, senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco-based digital civil liberties group. Governments must understand that in their information and data operations they can actually do bad things when it comes to privacy.Alex Alben, Washington states chief privacy officer, said his office is rolling out a privacy checklist app for state and local governments with dozens of topics employees can search, such as how to assess the impact of a program on privacy or protect location-tracking data on mobile devices.His office also has created a privacy guide for residents and does public outreach.You dont want to just live in this bubble in the state capitol, Alben said. Its important to know what residents concerns are about privacy and how their data is being used. We respond to peoples questions and try to be advocates for them.State chief privacy officers work closely with chief information security officers, who oversee cybersecurity. Cybercriminals are constantly scanning state computer networks seeking out vulnerabilities. In recent years, they have stepped up their attacks If theres been any sort of infiltration of a system, privacy is very important, said Sallie Milam, West Virginias chief privacy officer. We need to know what individuals are affected, what data was impacted, and what is the risk of harm.In a 2016 survey of state CIOs, 65 percent said recent cybersecurity incidents had changed the way they approached oversight of privacy issues . Still, only 11 percent said their state had an executive-level chief privacy officer.The CIOs said they were concerned there was a lack of awareness in state agencies about the importance of privacy.If youre really focused on security, its easier not to give as much attention to privacy issues, said Glasscock, of the chief information officers association.And chief privacy officers dont just deal with external threats. Sometimes, breaches occur when state employees inadvertently release data that contains personal information, email a confidential document in an unsecured format, or dont securely store it.As long as we have humans in these jobs, mistakes can happen, Milam said.A major challenge for chief privacy officers is ensuring that state vendors follow the proper privacy procedures. That can be difficult, given their numbers and the fact that many are small businesses.A lot of vendors, I imagine, just sign the document, and are not engaged in extensive compliance, Milam said.Washington states Alben said he worries about who is overseeing contractors to make sure theyre abiding by privacy rules.What are their privacy policies? How do you know theyre enforcing them? What happens when the contract ends? he said. These are all things we need to know about.Chief privacy officers also must make sure their efforts dont impede the publics right to know. A lot of data collected by states isnt private; its public information that should be accessible to anyone.Glasscock, of the chief information officers group, said many states havent bothered to create chief privacy officer positions because they dont want to spend the money.You need buy-in at the executive level and from the governor, she said. You need people who feel really passionate about the issue.But that may be changing. I think there is a growing trend toward governors caring about this issue and considering it as a priority, she said.Milam, who was appointed in 2003 and was the nations first state chief privacy officer, agrees the concept is gaining momentum in state capitols.There will have to be more of us in the future, she said. Privacy officers understand the rules and risks around the release of data. You have to have someone with that expertise, or youll lose your public trust. The city of Wilson, N.C., needed only a small boost to get its public safety drone program flying even higher. Municipal drones Getting bandwidth The city began leveraging unmanned aerial systems (UAS) a little over a year ago, sending out drones to capture video footage of accident scenes. A $10,000 grant from smart cities accelerator US Ignite enabled development of a new live-streaming app.This allows all the subject matter experts to collaborate, without having to get together on scene. You could have engineers and utility operations managers and public safety officers all working together, said Will Aycock, general manager of Wilson Greenlight Community Broadband, the citys fiber network. If everyone can see what is going on in the field, that is going to speed your response and youll get the right resources on the scene.Now in field testing, the live-stream capability should deploy operationally in early 2019.Visual data helps experts reconstruct accident scenes. It allows analysts to gauge damage and also helps them to determine what went wrong. Before Wilson officials turned to drones, the city had personnel scaling fire-truck ladders at accident scenes to capture visual documentation. It was a less than perfect solution.That ties up a lot of resources, and it imposes on the community by slowing down traffic, Aycock said. Now in less than 30 minutes, on the typical scene, our reconstruction folks can collect all the needed data.This kind of UAS use falls in line with efforts playing out in cities nationwide, as municipal authorities look to leverage broadband access as a tool for public service.Enhancing public safety response is a very fertile area, said Scott Turnbull, national technology leader at US Ignite, whose smart communities program provides financial and technical support to 25 U.S. cities and one in Australia.Theres also interest in drones for infrastructure management, being able to see things like downed power lines in hard-to-reach areas. There are applications around soil quality and land management, using UAS sensors to measure the hydration and temperature of the soil, he said. The sky is the limit, when you are looking at wide-area applications.The FAA has been trying to make it easier for cities to experiment with unmanned craft. It recently selected 10 test cities for its Unmanned Aerial System Integration Pilot Program, through which local government and private partners will test new civic uses of UAS. FAA may then write up new regulations based on these emerging use cases.A number of cities already have moved to put drone capabilities into play. Long Island, N.Y., officials are using drones to aid firefighters, monitor municipal property and track storm damage. Albuquerque, N.M., is working on a plan to use drones for utilities inspections For all these implementations to be effective, a robust broadband network is key.As the local broadband provider, Wilson deployed its high-speed network in 2006-07 and now is expending the network into more rural areas.We have done a lot of the low-hanging fruit: Automated meter reading, cameras for asset monitoring, replacing legacy radio systems. Now we are in the phase of what comes next, which includes the broader array of IoT sensors, and drones are a platform for that, Aycock said.The city-operated network typically runs at speeds 10 to 100 times greater than a typical commercial network. In considering a public-safety implementation like live-streaming of drone data from accident scenes, city officials said that broadband capability was a determining factor.It really comes down to what kinds of data and what quality you require, Aycock said. If you want to have a live stream of ultra-high-definition video, and its for public safety uses, you need to have an ultra-robust network.With that robust network in place, Wilson officials envision expanding the use of real-time drone streaming.We believe this application could provide the foundation for future uses," Aycock said. You could actually have drones headed out in advance of a fire truck, sizing up the situation while the crew is still en route. This is a little way off, but that is where it might be heading.In order for expanded drone implementations like this to become a reality, the city will likely need to find a way forward within a shifting framework of aviation rules.We are making sure that all the safety protocols are in place, and also that the regulatory environment allows for it, Aycock said. There are risk managers and attorneys and federal regulators who all have a role to play in how we develop this technology. Developing this software is a first step, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. Monza is still facing an uncertain future. Amid similar problems at another traditional European circuit, Hockenheim, the boss at Italian GP venue Monza also revealed financial issues. "Last year we came out with a strong loss and in 2018 the budget will not look much better," Italian motor racing federation (Aci) president Angelo Sticchi Damiani said. He is now hoping for fruitful talks with Liberty Media. "Chase Carey told me that formula one is unimaginable without Monza," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. (GMM) Force India has only slipped in 2018 because of its financial problems. That is the claim of Sergio Perez, who is giving strong hints that notwithstanding the takeover by a Lawrence Stroll-led consortium, he intends to stay in 2019. "If Force India is in good hands, then I would like to stay," the Mexican told Auto Motor und Sport. "It's still the best team behind the big three. I used to wait forever for a decision from Ferrari, but this year I'm not so I hope the decision is sooner," Perez added. He said financial problems have hurt Force India's progress, including "many updates that were delayed". But Perez still thinks Force India is the best option if Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull do not have available seats. "There are two categories in formula one," he said. "That's the biggest problem the sport has to improve. "There has to be more than three teams team fighting for victory. It's not a fair sport anymore." (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says Daniel Ricciardo's decision to quit Red Bull was "very strange". Australian Ricciardo caught Marko as well as the rest of the F1 world by surprise when he announced he is joining Renault for 2019. "It's a very strange story," Marko told Servus TV. "On Wednesday before Austria, we agreed. In Hungary, he told both me and Mr Mateschitz that he would sign at the test on Tuesday. He didn't. "On Thursday I got a call and his voice was funny. 'We are adults, come to the point' I told him. He said he's going to Renault. "I can only assume he does not believe in Honda and that Renault offered him a very high amount of money. But I think 'shoeys' will be very difficult for him in the near future," Marko said. Marko also acknowledged that, after a decade in the Red Bull programme, Ricciardo just needed a change, especially as the Renault engines are being dropped. "Unlike Ricciardo, we have lost faith in Renault," Marko admitted. "Their promise of being competitive never occurred. That's why I took pleasure in the opportunity offered to us. "We started with Toro Rosso but everything worked perfectly. And Honda will work even harder next year. "We have a different approach to McLaren. They more or less dictated to Honda what the engine should look like. We simply tell them to build the best engine possible and we'll somehow accommodate it. "They have clearly made mistakes but this year with Toro Rosso we clearly see that things are improving. I'm sure we'll be ahead of Renault next year," he added. (GMM) New duty-free shop planned for cruise passengers From:Shine | 2018-08-22 01:29 The Wusongkou International Cruise Liner Port in Baoshan opens two new terminal buildings last month to further expand the capacity of Asias largest cruise liner port in north Shanghai. Baoshan District plans to build a new duty-free store for cruise liner passengers near the Wusongkou port. The duty-free store is planned for Changtan, on the banks of the Yangtze River. The former container dock is being developed into a high-end residential and commercial zone. The district has applied to open a duty-free store similar to those in Hainan, Wang Hong, Party secretary of Baoshan told a press conference yesterday. The worlds largest duty-free shop in Sanya in Hainan opened in 2014. Another in the provincial capital Haikou opened in 2011 and has since recorded more than 31.5 billion yuan (US$5 billion) in sales. The Wusongkou international cruise liner port in Baoshan currently has a duty-free store in its old terminal building for outbound passengers. The store brought in 100 million yuan in 2017, according Wang Younong, chairman of the port. A new duty-free store will serve inbound passengers, Wang said. Two new terminal buildings opened last month to further expand Asias largest cruise liner port. China is the worlds second largest cruise liner port with huge potential for further growth, said Andrew Williams, general manager of the Seatrade Cruise Asia Pacific Congress, an industry event to be held in Baoshan in October. Top executives from the worlds cruise lines and government officials will attend the congress to discuss Chinas influence on the global cruise market and the challenges faced by China. USF Contemporary Art Museum The USF Contemporary Art Museum opened its current facility in 1989, adjacent to the USF College of The Arts. The museum has presented numerous significant and investigative exhibitions of contemporary art from Florida, the United States and around the world, including Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Changing exhibitions are designed to introduce students, faculty and the community to current cultural trends. Exhibitions to date have included the work of Vito Acconci, Atelier van Lieshout (AVL ), Frances Barth, Bili Bidjocka, Jim Campbell, James Casebere, Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Emily Cheng, Keith Edmier, Zhang Hongtu, Alfredo Jaar, Los Carpinteros, Allan McCollum, Lucy Orta, Pepon Osorio, James Rosenquist, and Ed Ruscha among numerous others. USFCAM maintains the universitys art collection, comprised of more than 5,000 art works. There are exceptional holdings in graphics and sculpture multiples by internationally acclaimed artists, such as Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg and James Rosenquist, who have worked at USFs Graphicstudio. Contemporary photography and African art are also important areas of the collection. The USF Institute for Research in Art is recognized by the State of Florida as a major cultural institution and receives funding through the Florida Department of State, the Florida Arts Council and the Division of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, as well as numerous private foundations on a project basis. The Contemporary Art Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Our Mission The primary mission of the USF Contemporary Art Museum is to bring to the University and the Tampa Bay community vital, investigative and scholarly contemporary exhibitions, while simultaneously contributing to the dialogue within the international arts community by organizing exhibitions, producing relevant catalogues, scheduling critically significant traveling exhibitions and by underwriting experimental projects of artists emerging on the national and the international fronts. Parallel to this purpose is an ongoing commitment to provide the educational underpinnings necessary for the assimilation of issues at the core of contemporary art for an audience that includes community and corporate members, students, faculty, staff, administrators, scholars, critics, historians and artists. The Museum's educational philosophy, consistent with the approach to exhibitions, is to contribute to the ongoing research of leading artists, critics, and historians by organizing symposia, conferences and lectures to discuss and analyze current issues in art and society. The museum is a laboratory for scholars, museum professionals, students, interns and artists. The USF Contemporary Art Museum collects and maintains a collection of contemporary art and makes it available as a visual library for students, and as an enrichment to a broad and varied constituency through loans and direct access. Museum Memberships, both Private and Corporate help subsidize the museum's operating and exhibition costs. University of South Florida The University of South Florida, established in 1956 and located in Tampa, is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. The USF System includes three, separately accredited institutions: USF; USF St. Petersburg; and USF Sarasota-Manatee. Serving more than 49,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.6 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF is ranked in the Top 30 nationally for research expenditures among public universities, according to the National Science Foundation. In 2016, the Florida Legislature designated USF as Emerging Preeminent, placing USF in an elite category among the states 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. J.J. Johnson. Photo: Christian Rodriguez After departing Harlems the Cecil and Mintons, the James Beardnominated chef J.J. Johnson was left without a professional kitchen to call his own. He nevertheless published a cookbook, Between Harlem and Heaven, and began actively laying the groundwork for his next project. Those plans will come to fruition today when Johnson reopens Henry, inside the Life Hotel, with an exciting menu that promises to be unlike anything else in the neighborhood. I said the only way Id do it is if I cook my food, Johnson says. It has to be my food, my music, J.J. neon lights. The full J.J. experience. Johnsons food takes its inspiration from both his travels across Africa and Asia, as well as his own experience growing up AfroPuerto Rican. Theres the seafood-centric Afropot featuring king crab, corncobs, clams, mussels, and Chinese pork sausage in a briny broth. The island-influenced tamarind jerk barbecue chicken is paired with soy-braised collard greens and a hearty plantain puree. And Johnson is particularly excited about a piri-piri clam appetizer; as well as the roti, which comes with a sunny side up egg and dipping sauces such as an eggplant-date puree and chili-yogurt chutney. The seafood-centric Afropot features prawns, king crab, clams, and mussels. Photo: Christian Rodriguez This collard-green salad features adzuki beans, which are native to East Asia, as well as cucumber, cashews, and a coconut dressing. Photo: Christian Rodriguez Regardless of where Ive traveled in the world over these last five years, Ive always walked away with a good culinary perspective of food through the West African lens, Johnson explains. Most people dont really know what Im talking about because they havent been to West Africa. So, Im explaining that at Henry. Initially, you may remember, Henry was the brainchild of Stephen Hanson, but after struggling to stand out, it shuttered this past winter. Nevertheless, much of the handsome decor remains in place: leather-bound booths, a 14-seat marble-top bar with top-shelf liquor, tarnished gold lighting fixtures, and carefully set two- and four-top tables, but Johnson has added a few touches of his own, most notably a pink JJ neon sign thats visible from the street. Additionally, Johnson has revamped the restaurants soundtrack, which he hopes will take diners energy from 1 to a 10 or a 10 to a 20, and will focus exclusively on hip-hop and R&B. (Youre definitely walking in to Mariah or Diddy or Jodeci, Johnson says.) Most importantly, Johnson has an ownership stake in the restaurant, and finally, a level of creative control that hes been chasing for more than two years. Handling bar duties is Pam Wiznitzer, who helped open critically acclaimed bar the Dead Rabbit and Seamstress. When the latter project closed, Johnson reached out. J.J. and I have always wanted to work together, says Wiznitzer. I thought the timing was perfect. Wiznitzer has made it a point to play off the Pan-African theme of Johnsons menu in the form of cocktails that use similar ingredients. The Whirlwind, for example, features peanut-infused Dewars, blueberry syrup, sorrel, fresh lemon juice, and egg whites, and plays well with Johnsons kohlrabi dish, which features many of the same ingredients. The roti with a sunny-side-up egg and three dipping sauces. Photo: Christian Rodriguez Salmon noodles served in a rich African nectar broth with bok choy, edamame, and rice noodles. Photo: Christian Rodriguez It isnt lost on Johnson that he is opening the citys first hotel restaurant focused exclusively on cuisine of the African diaspora, or what Johnson calls Pan-African cuisine. In a city where black chefdom is almost solely equated with Marcus Samuelsson and black cuisine is viewed through the lens of a few African, Caribbean, and soul-food restaurants, a black-run restaurant this ambitious is virtually unheard of. I was able to push, push, push, push, push and have someone believe in who I am and what I cook, he says. Everything is on my own terms this, for a chef of color, is big. Clockwise from left: The Whirlwind featuring peanut-infused Scotch whiskey. Photo: Christian Rodriguez The fun-size Mar(Tiny) and its garnishes. Photo: Christian Rodriguez The mezcal-based Malka topped with a dehydrated slice of green apple. Photo: Christian Rodriguez Clockwise from left: The Whirlwind featuring peanut-infused Scotch whiskey. Photo: Christian Rodriguez The mezcal-based Malka topped with a dehydrated ... more Clockwise from left: The Whirlwind featuring peanut-infused Scotch whiskey. Photo: Christian Rodriguez The mezcal-based Malka topped with a dehydrated slice of green apple. Photo: Christian Rodriguez The fun-size Mar(Tiny) and its garnishes. Photo: Christian Rodriguez Lifestyle Thumbay 'Medical Benefit Card' helps low-wage workers get good healthcare 'There are many cafeterias and salons who offer basic insurance plans that do not completely cover checkups. With the Medical Benefit Card specially curated for needy patients we are trying to bridge this gap.' Major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu Valley on Wednesday have given priority to a host of issues. The government has registered a new bill in a bid to protect citizens right to privacy, but stakeholders have feared that it might curtain press freedom and right to information. Many newspapers have published various issues surrounding the bill on their front pages. Likewise, a strike launched by vegetable traders at the Kalimati vegetable and fruit market on Tuesday, protesting the government monitoring as an effort to control cheating in the trade, has also received significant attention. Some newspapers have also published followup stories about the alleged murder of former ambassador Keshav Jha on their front pages. Few other political, sociocultural and economic issues have also been published with priority on the front pages of major newspapers today. Important Stakeholders fear restriction on press freedom from new law Gorkhapatra, Annapurna Post, Kantipur, Rajdhani, The Kathmandu Post, The Himalayan Times and Republica have published reports about provisions of the new privacy law draft that the government has registered in the Federal Parliament Secretariat recently. All the reports except that of Gorkhapatra have also expressed fear that the bill may pose threats to free press of the country. The Kathmandu Post reports that the Bill on Protection of Individuals Right to Privacy has several restrictions on publications and journalists. The bill bans collection of individuals information, taking photographs, and recording a conversation without prior permission. It adds that legal and media analysts have highlighted that the blanket ban on gathering information concerning even those who hold public positions curtains freedom of the press. Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa registered the bill on behalf of the government, according to Gorkhapatra. Ignored 22 Nepalis returning home from foreign hospitals The lead story of Annapurna Post reports that 22 Nepali nationals, who are in coma at foreign hospitals after sustaining injuries during their jobs abroad are being taken home. The government is preparing to take them back to home and ensure their treatment at hospitals inside the country. The government has already prepared a guideline to facilitate the process. Nepali Army fails to track peacekeeping earnings The national military organisation has largely failed to keep right records of its earnings from United Nations peacekeeping missions, according to a three column story in Karobar. The report claims that the Nepali Army does not have any record about how much money it saved and how much it spent from the total earning of Rs 10 million. The organisation earns money from the missions as the UN provides it fund for purchase of various equipment, whereas it requires the peacekeeping personnel to make monetary contributions to a welfare fund. Private schools may benefit from new education law Kantipur reports in a brief news story that the government is preparing to introduce a new education law and private schools may get benefits from the new law. Though the bill is being introduced to ensure right to compulsory and free education as envisioned in the constitution, some provisions are pro-private sector. The Cabinet on Sunday has approved the bill tabled by Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel. Staff shortage mars provincial govts Months have been passed since the provincial governments began functioning, but they are reeling under an acute shortage of human resources, according to a three column story in The Kathmandu Post. The report informs that the provincial governments have complained of obstructions in daily operations due to the staff shortage, resulting in poor service delivery. The report has blamed the federal government for failure to depute enough officials to the provinces. Conflict victims want criminal code revised The Himalayan Times reports in its lead story that victims of the decade-long armed conflict have demanded that the government revise the new criminal code that came into effect last week, claiming it has failed to address the Supreme Court verdict about enforce disappearances. Likewise, the new laws provisions also do not conform to international standards, according to them. Interesting 29 general secretaries in a single party The ruling Nepal Communist Party has only one general secretary whereas the main opposition Nepali Congress has two. But, the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, which is way smaller than the two parties in terms of support it has from voters, has 29 general secretaries, reports Nepal Samacharpatra. The party was formed after merging six Madhesh-centric parties in April last year and it has created jumbo structures to accommodate the leaders. The partys central committee has 815 members. Haiti - CALL FOR TENDERS : Planning consultation mission for the metropolitan area For the needs of the City of Port-au-Prince, Expertise France is launching a call for tenders within the framework of the Urbayiti Project, for the realization of the inventory and the critical analysis of planning documents and projects on the Metropolitan area / formulation of technical specifications for the realization of the terms of reference for the development of the Plan of Development, Extension and Beautification of the city Activity I: Prepare the service; Activity II: Identify and analyze documents related to urban planning at the MPPA level; Activity III: Produce technical specifications for the development of the terms of reference of the PAEEV of Port-au-Prince; Activity IV: Produce Mission Report The file to apply containing all the useful information, specifications and in particular the conditions of submission is available on : www.expertisefrance.fr/offer-detail?id=714056 Date limite 10 septembre 2018. Expertise and requested profiles : A head of mission with 15 years of experience in the field of urban planning or planning, including at least 5 years of experience on land use planning projects in local communities; A team combining expertise in urban planning, spatial analysis of the territory, urban landscape quality, identification and evaluation of urban infrastructure projects, risk management, etc... Learn more about Urbayiti : Urbayiti "Urban Governance and Resilient City" https://www.expertisefrance.fr/fiche-projet?id=688443 ) is a program of the Haitian State supported by the European Union and co-financed by France. It aims to contribute to the economic and social development of Haiti and the resilience of urban populations through improving the management and quality of life of cities. Expertise France is in charge of the implementation of the support component for urban management at the local level and the implementation of municipal operations in support of the Ministry of the Interior and the Port-au-Prince town hall. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Border incident : no official reaction No official reaction has yet been issued by the Haitian Government following the incident that occurred at the border on 18 August between Haitian civilians and Dominican soldiers https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25292-haiti-flash-shootout-at-the-border-the-details.html Digicel : Inaugurations in Canaan Thursday at the Olympic Center of Hope, in the presence of Maarten Boute the CEO of Digicel Haiti, the Mayor of Croix-des-Bouquets Rony Colin, representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID - Haiti) of the American Red Cross and members of the community, will be held the official inauguration of 40 Kiosks Digicel Mon Cash Service and 40 Solar Recharge Centers in Canaan. These two projects funded by USAID and the American Red Cross, were carried out under the Canaan Urban Restructuring Action Plan, under the coordination of the Construction, Housing and Public Buildings Unit (UCLBP). Our landless peasants, our young people without supervision... "In Haiti, after the politics of gender, in the same way as the politics of the class struggle, the only real policy is that of our landless peasants and our young people without supervision," said Senator Dieusonne Luma Etienne Did you know ? After Hurricane Matthew, the International Organization for Migration (IOM Haiti) has created a Green Line (HotLine Number 840 Free) that allows victims of human trafficking to report cases and receive appropriate assistance. Since the creation of this green line, IOM and its state partners the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons (CNLTP) and the Minor Protection Brigade (BPM) have received thousands of calls and have identified and assisted a hundred very vulnerable cases. PM : Beginning of the analysis of the docs Monday, the office of the Haitian Senate officially transmitted the file of the Prime Minister named Jean Henry Ceant to the Special Senate Committee charged to analyze the documents, formed since Thursday https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25275-haiti-news-zapping.html Ballade sur Mer for 45 tourists A group of 45 tourists (35 Canadians and a dozen Haitians) recently participated in an excursion organized by the tour operator "Safe Trips Haiti" in Labadee and in Island a Rat also named "Amiga Island". This activity called "Ballade sur Mer" is one of the tourist products set up by "Safe Trips Haiti" to make discover to local and foreign tourists the beauty and natural wealth of Haiti. The Politour North Detachment accompanied this excursion from the beginning to end, to allow organizers and tourists to enjoy their stay in peace. HL/ HaitiLibre It was 122 years ago today: The U.S. becomes a global power From National Constitution Center On August 12, 1898, the United States and Spain reached a cease-fire agreement in its brief conflict over Cuba and the Philippines. The war marked Americas entrance onto the global stage as a military power. The Spanish-American War is just one of five conflicts where Congress approved an official declaration of war using its constitutional powers. In total, war declarations have been declared by Congress in the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. The dispute between the two nations over Cuba had been simmering for decades. Earlier in the 19th Century, American forces landed on Cuban soil on several occasions to pursue pirates, and then the United States government tried to buy Cuba from Spain. Prior to the war declaration by Congress on April 25, 1898, tensions were high as United States business interests eyed the sugar-producing industry in Cuba. The island had been ravaged by three years of civil war, which had been highly dramatized in some American newspapers. And after the sinking of the battleship Maine in Havanas harbor on February 15, war seemed inevitable. The Maine had been sent to Cuba by President William McKinley to safeguard American interests. On March 9, 1898 Congress passed a law to build up the United States military strength. On March 28, 1898 an investigation found that a mine blew up the Maine. On April 21 President McKinley orders a blockade of Cuba, leading to Spain breaking off diplomatic relations, and four days later the U.S. Congress declared war on Spain, two days after Spain issued its own war declaration. The actual fighting in the declared war lasted for a 10-week period. On May 1, in Manila Bay, Commodore George Deweys Asiatic Squadron defeated the Spanish naval force located in the Philippines, another Spanish possession. In June, American troops captured Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and attacked the harbor city of Santiago. After defeating the Spanish army on the ground in Cuba, the U.S. used its Navy to destroy the Spanish Caribbean squadron in July. By late July, France intervened for Spain to start peace negotiations, and a cease-fire was signed on August 12. The final peace between U.S. and Spanish governments came with the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. The costs to Spain were heavy. It had to guarantee the independence of Cuba, give Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States, and agree to sell the Philippines to the United States for the sum of $20 million. For the United States, the monetary cast was $250 million for the war. About 3,000 troops died in the conflict, with an estimated 90 percent dying from diseases. But there was one final constitutional step in the process: the U.S. Senate had to ratify the treaty in February 1899, and that was far from guaranteed. A two-thirds majority of the Senate is needed to approve a treaty, and a powerful anti-Imperialist group opposed expanding the United States into a global power. The lobby included former Presidents Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland, and industrialist Andrew Carnegie. The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty on February 6, 1899, by a margin of just one vote, after William Jennings Bryan decided to support a treaty backed by his arch rival, President McKinley. Also, during the conflict, the United States annexed Hawaii. A joint resolution of Congress made Hawaii a U.S. territory on August 12, 1898, as concerns grew about its strategic importance in protecting the prospective new American interests in the Pacific. The United States also purchased a perpetual lease on Guantanamo Bay in Cuba in the wars aftermath. COUNCIL MEMBER JEN RUGGLES RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT ALLEGED WAR CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST PROTECTED PERSONS Concerned She May Be Incurring Criminal Liability and Requests Corporation Counsel Opinion regarding incurring Criminal Liability (Sovereignty flows from the will of the people. The people's will is statehood. So skip the rhetoric and scroll down to the bottom for the real story. Or if you really want to have some fun, read all the explanatory comments I inserted in parenthesis. -- Editor) News Release from Councilmember Jen Ruggles, August 21, 2018 Hilo, HI- Council member Jen Ruggles released a statement today stating she had recently come to understand (On or about June 19, during daddy's jury selection.) that she may be in violation of her oath of office to uphold the United States constitution and may be incurring criminal liability for war crimes under both U.S. federal law and international law. She has retained (sovereignty activist) Stephen Laudig as legal counsel in order to communicate with the County Corporation Counsel on this matter. (Translation: She hopes to help her daddy Mike Ruggles beat the rap on his latest drug charges.) Through her attorney, Council member Ruggles has formally requested the Office of Corporation Counsel to assure her that she is not incurring criminal liability under international humanitarian law and United States Federal law as a Council member for: Participating in legislation of the Hawaii County Council that would appear to be in violation of Article 43 of the Hague Regulations and Article 64 of the Geneva Convention where the laws of the Hawaiian Kingdom must be administered and not the laws of the United States; Being complicit in the collection of taxes from protected persons that stem from legislation enacted by the Hawaii County Council, which would appear to be in violation of Article 28 and 47 of the Hague Regulations and Article 33 of the Geneva Convention where pillaging is prohibited; Being complicit in the foreclosures of properties of protected persons for delinquent property taxes that stem from legislation enacted by the Hawaii County Council, which would appear to be in violation of Article 28 and 47 of the Hague Regulations and Article 33 of the Geneva Convention where pillaging is prohibited, as well as in violation of Article 46 of the Hague Regulations and Articles 50 and 53 of the Geneva Convention where private property cannot be confiscated; and Being complicit in the criminal prosecution of protected persons for committing misdemeanors or felonies that stem from legislation enacted by the Hawaii County Council, which would appear to be in violation of 147 of the Geneva Convention where protected persons are prohibited from being unlawfully confined, and cannot be denied a fair and regular trial by a tribunal with competent jurisdiction. (Idea: Corp Counsel sends two-sentence letter reading, "I assure you that you are not incurring criminal liability under international humanitarian law and United States Federal law as a Council member. But your daddy violated the crony weed dispensaries oligopoly and he's going dowwwwn.") The letter was posted at jenruggles.com/letter . Until Corporation Counsel is able to assure, under applicable laws, that Council member Ruggles is not incurring criminal liability under international humanitarian law and U.S. law, she says she will be refraining from participating in the proposing and enacting of legislation for the Hawaii County Council. (If we could get the other eight to quit, this might work out well.) She will continue to serve her constituents as a Council member on all other matters that do not conflict with the topics of her request to the Corporation Counsel. As soon as Corporation Counsel can assure her that no criminal liability is being incurred, she will return to legislate. (No rush. She's not running for reelection.) (UPDATE: Ruggles booted from Aug 21 Council meeting for refusing to vote.) I took an oath where I swore to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, and the constitution states that treaties are the supreme law of the land. My current understanding is that the Hague and Geneva Conventions are international treaties ratified by the United States, Ruggles said, and until our county attorney assures me I am not violating my oath of office, and not incurring criminal liability, I must refrain from enacting any further legislation. I am eagerly awaiting his response. In the meanwhile my constituents can be assured that I am still available to them, will continue to focus on our district and stand up for our disadvantaged populations. (Did I mention that Jen Ruggles was a paid anti-GMO lobbyist?) Her attorney, (sovereignty activist) Stephen Laudig, states that Ruggles had been made aware of the history of the United States occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom when she received an email from the Hawaiian Kingdom acting Council of Regency informing her, and all other Hawaii legislators, of several legal actions substantiating the continued existence of the Hawaiian Kingdom as a sovereign and independent State. (LOLROTF!) Among the legal actions were the Larsen v. Hawaiian Kingdom proceedings (Debunked.) held under the auspices of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague, Netherlands; the United Nations Independent Expert, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Dr. Alfred deZayas (some random European retired from the UN since 2003--lots of time on his hands) memorandum to the members of the judiciary of the State of Hawaii dated February 25, 2018; and the more recent lawsuit of David Keanu Sai, as Chairman of the Council of Regency v. Donald Trump, as President of the United States that was filed with United States District Court for the District of Columbia on June 15, 2018 addressing the failure of the United States to administer the laws of the Hawaiian Kingdom under Article 43 of the 1907 Hague Regulations and Article 64 of the 1949 Geneva Convention. Ruggles says she then sought to verify the claims made by the chair of the Hawaiian Kingdoms Acting Council of Regency, Dr. Keanu Sai, and has found his research to be thorough and comprehensive as to the explanation of legal facts describing the events leading up to and during the commencement of the illegal occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom. (Really Obvious Question: Has Ruggles stopped paying her mortgage? This could all work out for the better!) She also became aware that in seven different criminal and civil cases, Dr. Sai was acknowledged and admitted as an expert witness (Proving the corruption and incompetence of the Hawaii Judiciary....) on the subject of the continuity of the Hawaiian Kingdom as an independent State and international laws. Three of those cases were held on Hawaii Island in the Third Circuit (...especially on the Big Island!). The turning point that got Ruggles to take action was the United Nations Independent Experts memorandum to State of Hawaii officials and the lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C. (LOL!) In his memorandum, the Independent Expert stated, I have come to understand that the lawful political status of the Hawaiian Islands is that of a sovereign nation-state in continuity; but a nation-state that is under a strange form of occupation by the United States resulting from an illegal military occupation and a fraudulent annexation. He goes on to state that As such, international laws (the Hague and Geneva Conventions) require that governance and legal matters within the occupied territory of the Hawaiian Islands must be administered by the application of the laws of the occupied state (in this case, the Hawaiian Kingdom), not the domestic laws of the occupier (the United States). (At this point in the seminar you are supposed to give Keanu Sai $4000 and stop paying your mortgage.) Ruggles says she views the Independent Experts statements as authoritative under international law especially from the fact that when Dr. deZayas was elected by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2012, the United States was a member and did not dispute his appointment (thus making his every word the highest law of the land). (Ruggles smokes a lot of weed. Its medicinal.) Consequently, council member Ruggles says (as jury selection began in her daddy's latest trial) she began to question her own position as an elected official who swore to support and defend the constitution of the United States as to whether or not she is incurring criminal liability for enacting United States law as a legislator, which appears to be in conflict with Article 43 of the 1907 Hague Regulations and Article 64 of the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention which mandates the occupying State (United States) to administer the laws of the occupied State (Hawaiian Kingdom). (Uh-huh.) Ruggles says, I want it to be clear that this action, on my part should not be construed as a publicity stunt (KNOW HER BY WHAT SHE DENIES!!!!!) but is rather acting upon the advice of counsel given the awareness she has regarding alleged war crimes, and the awareness other State of Hawaii officials had and remained silent. Ruggles says she is a firm believer in the rule of law and not the politics of power. (Transltion: The oligopoly must be broken! Daddy wants to sell medicine too!) ---30--- Coverage: Keanu Sai: (Hedgeweek) The Employees Retirement System of Texas (Texas ERS) and PAAMCO Launchpad are to hold their first hedge fund emerging manager on 24-25 October 2018 at KKRs office in New York City. To read this article: Statistics Finland on Tuesday reported that the trend of the employment rate climbed to 71.9 per cent in July, as the ranks of the employed grew by 75,000 year-on-year to 2,631,000 and those of the unemployed decreased by 24,000 to 183,000. The employment situation has continued to improve in Finland. The trend of the unemployment rate decreased to 7.3 per cent, according to the statistical institute. The Finnish government is thereby only one-tenth of a percentage point from reaching its objective of raising the employment rate to 72 per cent, rejoiced Juhana Brotherus, the chief economist at the Mortgage Society of Finland (Hypo). Employment has continued to recover. Were now only one decimal away from the governments employment rate goal of 72 per cent, he tweeted on Tuesday. Statistics Finland also reported that the youth unemployment rate improved by 2.2 percentage points from the previous year to 9.4 per cent in July 2018, as only 37,000 of the 390,000 1524-year-old people in the active population were without a job. The number of people outside the active population fell by 43,000 year-on-year to 1,309,000, roughly nine per cent, or 119,000, of whom were in disguised unemployment. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Emmi Korhonen Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi Simon Elo, the chairperson of the Blue Reform Parliamentary Group, stated on Tuesday that Finnish citizens should be eligible for higher social security benefits than non-citizens because they are principally the ones contributing to the tax base of Finland. Finland should transition from a residence-based to a citizenship-based social security system, according to the Blue Reform. He explained in a press release that shifting away from a residence-based towards a citizenship-based social security system would enable the country to guarantee a high level of social security also in the future. A citizenship-based social security system would enable us to pay higher social security benefits to Finnish citizens. It is unfair that a person who has just been granted a residence permit is eligible for the same social security than a person who has paid taxes in Finland for years, argued Elo. He added that it is likely not a coincidence that countries with a high level of social security are the destination for most of the immigrants entering Europe. It should therefore be possible to tailor social security benefits for immigrants who are still integrating into the society, he said. The Blue Reform estimates that its proposal would necessitate amendments to the Finnish constitution, which states that everyone who is unable to secure the means necessary for an adequate standard of living has the right to receive indispensable subsistence and care. It also states that public authorities must guarantee adequate social, health and medical services to everyone and promote the health of the population at large. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Vesa Moilanen Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi When the Soviets asked the United States for advanced B-17 and B-24 bombers in 1941, what they got instead were workhorse Douglas A-20s. During the cataclysmic initial phase of Operation Barbarossa that began on June 22, 1941, the Ger- mans inflicted crippling losses on the Red Army Air Forces (VVS) and the Soviet Naval Air Forces (VVSVMF). By the end of 1941, the Soviets had lost 9,173 aircraft, a staggering number that could not possibly be quickly replaced. Desperate, the Soviets turned to the British and Americans for replacements under the Lend-Lease program. While the Russians didnt necessarily get what they wanted from their new allies, in the dependable Douglas A-20s they got what they needed. It was late August 1941 when a Soviet delegation rushed to Washington seeking state-of-the-art American bombers such as the Boeing B-17 and Consolidated B-24. The Americans rebuffed the Russian request for the more sophisticated aircraft and countered with the Douglas A-20 Havoc, which the Royal Air Force was already using and had dubbed the Boston. The Boston evolved out of the Douglas 7A project, whose lead engineer was Ed Heinemann and project manager was the legendary John K. Jack Northrop. A twin-engine shoulder-wing, high-speed bomber with a payload of 1,764 pounds, the 7A was armed with three .30-caliber machine guns in nose (fixed, forward firing), dorsal and ventral positions and had a crew of three. In response to a U.S. Army Air Corps competition for a new attack bomber, a scaled-up version of the 7A the 7Bwas developed with a greater wingspan, tricycle landing gear and more powerful engines to give a maximum speed of 325 mph and a payload capacity of 2,400 pounds. Armament was increased to four fixed, forward firing .30-caliber machine guns and three flexible .30-caliber guns in dorsal and ventral gunner positions. The plane required a crew of three or four. A-20 is a darn good planebest in the west, declared Air Corps test pilot Captain Glen Edwards after the Douglas 7Bs first flight on October 26, 1938. The French government was so impressed with the bomber that it initially ordered 100, then increased its order to 270 planes. Before France surrendered in June 1940, 70 had been delivered. The rest of the order went to the RAF. When the Soviet Union entered the war and requested aircraft, the British immediately sent 277 Bostons to the Russian port of Murmansk. The Russians later received 665 American A-20Bs, 555 of the A-20C variant, 1,530 A-20Gs and 140 of the A-20 H/K models. More than 2,990 A-20s of all types went to the USSR, making it the bombers single largest wartime user. The Soviets obtained their Lend-Lease planes through an ingenious series of shipping routes. In 1942 a total of 126 A-20s were sent to Murmansk. Two additional routes for shipping A-20s were opened up that year. A total of 869 were flown from the United States to South America, across Africa and on to Abadan, Iran. An additional 550 were sent to Iran by ship, and from there to the Soviet Union. The Alaskan-Siberian route was used to fly 1,369 A-20s to the USSR. American pilots flew the planes to Alaska, where Soviet pilots picked them up and took them all the way to Central Asia to be delivered for modification and distribution to training or combat units. Five specially organized Soviet VVS ferry regiments were responsible for shepherding the aircraft home. Once there, a number of modifications were made. They were altered to carry FAB 100- and 250-kg bombs. Later A-20G variants could carry FAB 500- and even FAB 1,000-kg bombs externally. A-20C and A-20G models flying for the VVS-VMF were fitted to carry AMG-1, AMD 500-kg or AMD 1,000-kg air-dropped naval mines, or one or two Soviet 45-36 AN torpedoes externally for use in antishipping strike missions. Many Bostons also served in a reconnaissance role. Soviet aircrews grew to appreciate the Bostons speed, agility, robust construction, radios, flight instrumentation and heated cockpit. Ground crews liked the planes ease of maintenance and reliability. One complaint, however, was that the A-20 did not come with the renowned Norden bombsight. They were equipped instead with the less accurate and almost obsolescent Whimpers D-8 bombsight, which the Soviets replaced with indigenous NKPB-4 or OPB-1 bombsights. Defensive armament on the Boston Mark III was considered inadequate, but the A-20B offered improved armament with one dorsal and one ventral .50-caliber machine gun. Soviet mechanics modified some with locally produced MV-3 dorsal turrets with a single 12.7mm UBT machine gun or a turret with a 20mm cannon. All modifications were made at the Zavod No. 81 aircraft facility near Moscow. In 1942 the Soviets received 667 Boston III, A-20B and A-20C aircraft, either through Murmansk or Abadan. The bulk of A-20s delivered to Abadan eventually found their way to the Fourth, Fifth and Eighth Air armies, which supported the Red Armys drive to push the Wehrmacht out of the north Caucasus and also supported it during the air blockade campaign. The VVS attacks, including the A-20 raids, contributed significantly to the historic defeat of the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad in the winter of 1942-43. In 1943 1,360 A-20B/C and A-20G aircraft arrived. A major improvement over previous models, the A-20G had bomb payload increased from 2,400 pounds to 4,000 pounds, a top speed of 339 mph, more powerful engines, improved armor, self-sealing fuel tanks and increased range. It also had a powered twin .50-caliber machine-gun dorsal turret and a single .30- or .50-caliber ventral machine gun for defense. The first 250 A-20Gs received by the USSR had four nose-mounted, forward-firing 20mm cannons for ground support missions, while the remainder of them were used by the VVS-VMF on various fronts for attacks on Axis shipping. In 1943 VVS A-20s were used for reconnaissance prior to the Battle of Kursk and assaulted German installations and troop concentrations. The Fourth Air Army used A-20s heavily in attacks over Black Sea ports in the Crimea. Meanwhile the Fifth and Eighth Air armies A-20s helped the Red Army to liberate the Ukraine in the Belgorod-Kharkov and Dnieper River crossing offensives. Captain S.P. Dezhenko was designated a Hero of the Soviet Union for his exploits with the Forty-fourth Air Army on May 24, 1943. He subsequently died in action on February 15, 1944, after flying, perhaps intentionally, his heavily damaged A-20 into a German ship at Kerch. The VVS-VMF Red Banner Black Sea Fleet aircraft spent 1943 attacking and mining German, Finnish and Romanian ports, and interdicting Axis shipping. A navy A-20 launched from Murmansk and equipped with extra fuel tanks even made the first Soviet reconnaissance flight over the Norwegian port of Narvik. The following year, an additional 743 A-20s were delivered to Russia. The Seventh Air Armys A-20s supported the June 1944 Soviet Karelian offensive with attacks on Finnish forces near the Svir River in support of Red Army river crossings. Elsewhere on the Eastern Front, Operation Bagration, the Soviet offensive against German Army Group Center, began June 23, 1944, with Bostons from the Fourth Air Army flying bombing and reconnaissance sorties in support of the 1st and 2nd Byelorussian fronts. Farther south the Fourth and Eighth Air armies, along with naval air forces, carried out relentless attacks against Romanian and German ground and naval forces along the Crimean and Romanian frontier. On August 20, 1944, 62 Pe-2s and 14 A-20Gs of the VVS-VMF attacked the main Axis naval base at Constanta. The raiders sank or damaged three U-boats from the 30th Flotilla. In addition, seven Kriegsmarine motor torpedo boats (MTBs) were sunk and two damaged from the 1st Black Sea MTB Flotilla. Romanian navy losses included three midget submarines, an MTB and a tanker sunk, two destroyers and one gunboat ruined, and damage to an unknown number of lesser craft. The raid effectively destroyed what remained of German and Romanian naval power in the Black Sea. In the final eight months of the war in Europe and the Mediterranean, A-20s were used on long-range missions to survey Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and even Greece. The VVS-VMF continued to enjoy success at sinking Axis shipping, especially in the Baltic. In the days prior to the German surrender, A-20Gs of the 51st MTAP rendered the 14,000-ton pre-dreadnought battleship Schlesien a constructive loss and sank the 15,000-ton former auxiliary cruiser Orion, as well as a host of smaller vessels. In the Pacific, VVS-VMF KoF A-20s were used in reconnaissance missions against Japanese-occupied Korean ports, and flew missions against the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Until the early 1990s, the accomplishments of A-20 crews were not widely discussed because of Cold War politics that caused Soviet historians to downplay the role of Lend-Lease-equipped units. A total of 830 A-20s were lost by the Red Army air force and navy in combat. While imported aircraft were only 15 to 20 percent of the total used by the Soviets, the contributions of the American-made workhorses proved critical to the eventual Allied victory. Originally published in the February 2007 issue of World War II Magazine. To subscribe, click here. 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. Idaho ranks second in the United States for production of alfalfa hay, producing 8 percent of the nations crop. In 2016, according to the Idaho Department of Agriculture, the state harvested 1.3 million acres of hay, for a total production value of $673.6 million. Larsen Farms, Dubois, Idaho, is one of those many alfalfa producers, and the participants of the 2018 Cotton Foundation Multi-Commodity Education Program were treated to a tour of the Larsen Hay Terminal. The tour is an exchange trip to bring southern cotton growers to the north, and vice versa, so both groups can better understand the production and policy needs of unfamiliar regions of the country. (Journal photos by Jennifer M. Latzke.) Organic Paperwork Bale Compress Hay in Hand Finished Bale Loaded Railcar Compressed Bale 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. The Airport Commission voted to accept a federal grant and got an update on the terminal project and operations. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The Airport Commission has already received nearly 80 responses on moving and renovating the former Northern Berkshire Family Practice building. The city plans to move the vacant medical building about 580 feet farther south at Harriman & West Airport, renovate it and use it as a new administrative building. "We have had a very good showing close to 80 different responses," Peter Enzien of Stantec Consulting Services, the airport's engineer, said. "It means it is competitive." The commission had hoped to build a new $4 million structure but the funding, largely through the state, fell through. The doctor's building has been closed since the practice was moved to the former North Adams Regional Hospital campus. The building was owned by Berkshire Health Systems but is located on airport land and the health-care system offered to donate it to the city rather than sell or demolish it. General bids are due Sept. 5 for the relocation and renovation of the 5,340 square foot building, estimated at $2.1 million, and work could start in early September. Enzien said the actual moving of the building could take less than a day. "It should be no longer than a day maybe not even a full day ... they do all the prep work in advance," he said. "Once they get it up on the dollies they can drive that thing like a car." He added that once set, the contractor will work on the interior of the building during the winter. Local pilot Michael Milazzo asked if there were funds to cover possible increased utilities and maintenance costs as well as insurance increases. "Have we looked at what it will cost to maintain this new building at the airport or is this going to be on the taxpayers?" he asked. "I know if I were going to build a building I would want to know." Administrative Assistant Michael Canales said the building would be covered under city insurance and see only a minor increase. He added that with leasable office space and a restaurant slated for the building, the city hopes to recoup these new costs. He said a request for proposals for the restaurant space will go out midwinter and Enzien said the space will be left "unfinished." "All of the utility services will be in the space and will be metered separately," he said. "It will be left open for whoever the restaurateur is. They will design the layout as they see fit." The Airport Commission also voted on Tuesday to accept $90,000 in grant funds awarded by U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal announced the grant funds in July that will go toward mapping out future projects at the city's airport. Pittsfield Municipal Airport also received $315,000 to update its master plan. "As soon as that grant offer is signed and sent back, we will have a grant in place and we can start the planning process," Enzien said. The master plan needs to be continually updated if the airport wants to continue to receive grant funds. Enzien said the planning would start in early September. "As we get closer we will schedule a kickoff meeting to get all of the players involved together," he said. In other business, Canales updated the commission on airport operations and said security cameras were installed. He said more are expected to be installed once the administrative building is up and running. The new season of Ask Dr. Nandi, an hour-long show featuring Indian American physician Dr. Partha Nandi, will play in prominent cities like New York, Chicago, Ill.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Dallas, Texas; Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, Calif., among others. Indian American entrepreneur Naveen Jain will be one of the guests on the show. (askdrnandi.com photo) A former doctor at the Baylor College of Medicine was found guilty of raping a woman in 2013. The Indian American physician was sentenced to 10 years of probation. (Houston Police Department mug shot) August 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Earlier this week, David Ignatius at the Washington Post published an interesting column ruing the decline of U.S. influence in the Middle East. His central theme is that U.S. disengagement from the region is allowing local actors to chart their own courses, and that many of them are now making bad decisions. In his view, the prospects for positive change in the region are receding and that we will all be worse off as a result. Its a thoughtful column and worth reading. Its also a revealing one, because it rests on one of those unspoken assumptions that are articles of faith in the U.S. foreign-policy community. Specifically, it suggests that U.S. influence is always a good thing and that its diminution (whether by accident or by design) is something to mourn. But if youve been paying attention to the results of U.S. policy over the past quarter-centuryespecially in the Middle East but also in some other placesthat position may not be the hill you want to die defending. Look, its easy to understand why American foreign-policy elites like having lots of influence. To some degree its unavoidable. The United States is still the 800-pound gorilla in the international system and other global actors will inevitably pay close attention to whatever Uncle Sam is doing. For foreign-policy practitioners, having lots of influence and being fully engaged is also a heady experience; it means foreign governments will take your calls, treat you with deference and respect when you visit, and sometimes they follow your advice (or at least pretend to). If youre in the foreign-policy business, its a helluva a lot more gratifying to represent the United States than to be out there pitching on behalf of a small or weak country whose voice does not carry. But influence (a notoriously nebulous term) is merely a means to some end; it is not an end itself. Having lots of influence is not necessarily a good thing if you have no idea what to do with it, or if what you choose to do is wrong-headed, or if you end up shouldering burdens and bearing responsibility for mishaps and miscues that you lacked the wisdom or foresight to avoid. Which brings me, naturally, to the Middle East, where American influence is now supposedly waning. Whats the track record of U.S. influence over the recent past? One could argue that U.S. influence was a net positive for much of the Cold War. The U.S. role in the Middle East was fairly limited: Washington backed a number of allies for some combination of economic, strategic, and domestic political reasons, and it worked hard to limit the Soviet role in the region and to make sure that oil and gas kept flowing to markets around the world. And until the first Gulf War in 1991, Washington did all this without having to send its own ground or air forces to the region for any length of time and without having to fight any costly wars. Instead, the United States relied on diplomacy, intelligence cooperation, and foreign assistance and generally acted like an offshore balancer, relying on local allies and keeping its own forces over the horizon. It even switched sides once or twice when strategic circumstances dictated. U.S. policy wasnt a perfect success, perhaps, but on the whole this approach worked pretty well. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter But U.S. influence in the regionthough considerablehad been almost entirely negative ever since. For starters, despite having enormous potential leverage at their disposal, successive Democratic and Republican administrations mishandled the Oslo peace process, fueling extremism and helping make the two-state solution that the United States favored a dead letter by 2018. Unconditional U.S. support for its various Middle East clients also helped inspire groups like al Qaeda, and the policy of dual containment adopted by the Clinton administration in 1993 helped turn Osama bin Ladens attention away from his local enemies (i.e., the House of Saud) and toward the far enemy, with the results we all saw on Sept. 11, 2001. After 9/11, the Bush administration decided the United States needed more influence in the region, and it tried to kick-start a democratic transition by toppling Saddam Hussein and establishing a pro-American democracy in Iraq. That misguided exercise of influence led to heightened Iranian influence and the rise of the Islamic State, squandered several trillion dollars and thousands of lives, distracted two successive administrations, and struck a severe blow to U.S. prestige. Remarkably, the Obama administration repeated this error on a smaller scale in Libya, helping topple Muammar al-Qaddafi even though it had no idea what would come after him. The global war on terror dragged the United States into Somalia and Yemen too, with baleful effects in both places, and the United States is now using its remaining influence to support a brutal Saudi military campaign in Yemen, thereby bearing indirect responsibility for the worlds most severe humanitarian crisis. And lets not forget how U.S. influence first pressed Egypt to democratize after President Hosni Mubarak was driven from power, and then tacitly embraced the military coup that ousted Mohamed Morsi, and now turns a blind eye to the repression and corruption that continues to afflict Egypt. I could go on, but the point should be clear. The United States had plenty of influence during this period, but its hard to argue that it exercised that influence with much wisdom or success. Both Democrats and Republicans bear responsibility for these repeated debacles; their common failures are one of the few examples of bipartisanship left in our polarized polity. To be clear: I understand why our foreign-policy elites worry (constantly!) about declining U.S. influence, and I can even see how that might be a bad thing in some circumstances. But we ought to recognize that influence is insufficient by itself and in some cases is counterproductive. Excessive U.S. influence leaves us performing missions we dont know how to do (such as creating workable political institutions in radically different societies), allows local actors to blame us for their own failings, fuels conspiracy theories at home and abroad, and distracts U.S. officials from other problems that they might actually know how to solve. In some regionsand the Middle East would be high on my listless U.S. influence might be more. Given all the success weve had trying to manage that region, maybe wed be better off letting somebody else try. They could hardly do worse. Moving in that direction will require a major change in the mindset of the U.S. foreign-policy elite. For too long, its members believed the United States was in fact the indispensable nation, and that the solution to all (or at least most) global problems had to be made in Washington. Students of management are often taught that effective leadership also requires learning how to delegate responsibility, because no single person has the power, knowledge, and wisdom to do everything. What is true for individual leaders is true for leading nations: learning how to offload problems onto others is in fact a consummate strategic skill. As long as Americans view influence as an inherent end, and as a resource to be hoarded like gold, were going to find ourselves overcommitted and be much less effective than we could be. As President Harry Truman supposedly said, its amazing what you can accomplish if you dont care who gets credit. Henceforth, Americans should worry rather less about the level of influence their country enjoysand, relax, it will continue to dwarf that of most other countriesand worry a lot more about how that influence is being used. And guess what? If U.S. officials did a better job of selecting the right goals and actually achieving them, they would quickly find their influence growing; then, the number of problems they would then have deal with might shrink, instead of growing like kudzu or crabgrass in the warm summer sun. Stephen M. Walt is the Robert and Renee Belfer professor of international relations at Harvard University. @stephenwalt August 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - While most high-income countries experienced a drop in life expectancy in 2015 for the first time in decades, only the United States and the United Kingdom saw that disturbing trend continue into 2016. The recent declines in American life expectancy are due in part, but not exclusively, to drug overdoses, suicides and alcoholism. Deaths among middle-aged Americans over the past decade and a half were also attributed to heart, lung and other organ diseases, as well as to mental and behavioral disorders. These were the findings of two studies published last week in the BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal). The continuing decline in US life expectancyand the increase in mortality among younger adults and across all ethnic groupspoints to systemic social causes driving this crisis. The first study, by sociologists Jessica Ho of the University of Southern California and Arun Hendi of Princeton University, examined trends in life expectancy across 18 so-called high-income countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the US and the UK. The study focused on 2014 to 2016, because previous research has shown life expectancy dropping significantly between those years. Ho and Hendi found that 14 of the countries experienced declines in life expectancy for both men and women from 2014 to 2015. Only Australia, Japan, Denmark and Norway did not. Source: BMJ The decline in life-expectancy was generally attributable to an unusually severe influenza season in 20142015. Leading causes of non-US deaths in this period included influenza and pneumonia, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimers disease, as well as mental and nervous system disorders. Most of these deaths occurred in the over-65 population. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter But while many of the countries saw a rebound in life expectancy in 2016, the US and the UK saw declines for two consecutive years. While the opioid epidemicalong with alcohol-related liver disease and suicideswere seen as key contributors to these declines in the US, mortality rates increased across a broad spectrum of diseases involving multiple body systems. Injuries involving motor vehicles were also key contributors. While the study was not designed to determine the reasons for the decline in life expectancy in the US and UK, the authors speculate that increasing social and economic inequality and declining access to quality health care among some groups in the population may be strong contributing factors. Ho and Hendi write, It is possible that greater inequality within a country renders that country more vulnerable to declines in life expectancy. While other high-income countries are also experiencing income inequality, it has been growing at a far more rapid pace in the US. The authors add that this burgeoning inequality may explain why the US has the lowest life expectancy among high income developed countries, and Americans fare poorly across a broad set of ages, health conditions, and causes of death compared with their counterparts in these countries. The second BMJ study was led by Dr. Steven Woolf, a social epidemiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University. This study examined death rates among Americans aged 25 to 64 across racial and ethnic groups between 1999 and 2016. Previous research has shown deaths of despairfrom overdoses, alcoholism and suicideswere the main drivers over the past decade and a half of an increase in mortality among middle-aged Americans. However, Woolfs research also found a significant increase in deaths of heart, lung and other organ diseases, as well as from mental and behavioral disorders. Woolf said in a statement released by the BMJ: The opioid epidemic is the tip of an iceberg. The researchers found that between 1999 and 2016, midlife all-cause mortality in the US increased by a statistically significant 5.6 percent among non-Hispanic whites. All-cause mortality rates showed a decline during the first half of this time period: declining until 2009 among Non-Hispanic American Indians and Pacific Islanders; until 2010 among non-Hispanic blacks, until 2011 among Hispanics, and until 2012 among non-Hispanic whites. These mortality rates then began to plateau or increase among all groups. The progress made in reducing midlife mortality from heart disease, cancer, HIV and other diseases was offset by statistically significant increases in deaths from external causes: drug overdoses, alcohol poisoning, suicides and a variety of organ diseases. Woolfs team notes: The unfavorable mortality pattern that began for some groups in the 1990s is now unfolding among Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks, a development made more consequential by the fact that Hispanics and blacks have had higher death rates to begin with. The researchers also found that the gender gap is narrowing. While middle-aged men still have higher overall death rates than middle-aged women, the relative increase from fatal drug overdoses and suicides was higher among women. Research on life expectancy has focused recently on white mortality in depressed rural areas. However, the BMJ study documents that non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics experienced the largest proportional increases in drug overdose deaths in suburban fringe areas, while the largest increases for non-Hispanic blacks occurred in small cities. American Indians and Alaska natives living in metropolitan areas experienced a larger relative increase in suicides than those in rural areas. The researchers warn that the increasing death rate among middle-aged Americans signals a systemic cause and warrants prompt action by policy makers to tackle the factors responsible for declining health in the US. The authors of the first BMJ study correctly note that it is possible that greater inequality within a country renders that country more vulnerable to declines in life expectancy. They suggest that solutions to the drug overdose epidemic could include better prescription drug monitoring programs, expanding access to substance misuse treatments, establishing supervised injection centers and needle-exchange programs, and increasing the availability of naloxone to counter overdoses. The researchers also say corrective social policies should address the underlying social and economic conditions that may underpin drug use. It is precisely these underlying conditions that have worsened under successive US administrations and through a bipartisan assault on social programs upon which millions of workers and their families depend. Cash welfare assistance was all but eliminated under Bill Clinton. Cuts to food stamps, intensified under the Obama administration, have continued under Donald Trump. The current president, while declaring the opioid epidemic a public health emergency, has allocated no new funding to the states to address the crisis. It is notable that the first BMJ study found that between 2010 and 2016 life expectancy in the US stagnated and decreased, while other high-income countries saw modest but steady increases. In the wake of the Great Recession, the working class continued to see its living conditions worsen while the two big business parties bailed out the banks and the super-rich continued to pad their bank accounts at the expense of the vast majority. While new declining US life expectancy rates should sound the alarm bells, no such response has been elicited from the White House or Congress. They remained similarly silent at the recent release of a CDC report that estimated 72,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2017 in the US. Life expectancy is one of the most important measures of the social health of society. An increase in mortality ratesunheard of in modern times except from disease epidemics or world waris a warning to the working class that it must develop a socialist response to this health emergency. The hundreds of billions of dollars allocated to the US military for its myriad wars must be diverted to fund rehabilitation centers, mental health centers, and hospitals and clinics utilizing the latest scientific methods and treatments. The wealth of the pharmaceutical corporations, giant hospital chains and private insurance companies should be expropriated and placed under workers control. A socialized health care system must be established that provides free health care of the highest quality for all. This article was originally published by "WSWS " - Copyright 1998-2018 World Socialist Web Site Inside Americas Meddling Machine: The US Funded Group that Interferes in Elections Around the Globe Filmed inside the Capitol, this Grayzone special explores the National Endowment for Democracy, a taxpayer funded organization that has interfered in elections, mobilized coups, and orchestrated public relations campaigns against nations that resist Washingtons agenda. By Max Blumenthal On June 13, 2018 the US government-funded National Endowment for Democracy presented its 2018 Democracy Award to a collection of Korean activists who aim to topple the communist government of North Korea. The event was timed to coincide with President Donald Trumps peace summit in Singapore with Kim Jong-Un. The ceremony appeared to be the opening shot of a massive public relations effort aimed at stifling normalized relations with North Korea I covered the ceremony because these organizations are doing precisely what Congress accuses Russia-funded media outlets and troll farms of doing in the United States. They interfere in other countries politics with foreign money. The only difference is they do it openly, and in the name of spreading freedom. Founded in 1983 by then president Ronald Reagan, the National Endowment for Democracy became an international vehicle for the neoconservative agenda. Its founding cadre were Cold War ideologues who were, like so many early neoconservative operatives, former Trotskyists who once belonged to the Social Democrats USA party. Over the years, the NED and its partner organizations have weaponized civil society and media against governments that stand in the way of right-wing, free market parties and corporate interests. Heavy payouts for anti-DPRK testimony, often with embarrassing results Among the groups honored at the NED gathering was the Unification Media Group. They foment internal opposition to the North Korean government through shortwave radio broadcasts. Also on hand was a collection of defectors. These activists are responsible for much of what the West believes about North Korea and its human rights record. While many tell harrowing tales of escape from political repression, others have been exposed as serial fabricators lured by hefty sums of cash. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter In 2017, South Korea quadrupled the payout for testimony from North Korean defectors to a whopping $860,000. The bounty has incentivized colorful accounts of sadistic and unusually creative human rights abuses. According to one defector, a crowd of 10,000 was forced to watch the execution of 11 musicians for the crime of viewing porn. He said the musicians were shot with anti-aircraft guns, then run over with tanks. Another defector claimed female prisoners were raped and then forced to hand their babies over to be used as food for hungry guard dogs. That same year, news of the defection of 13 North Korean waitresses provided a boost to Pyonyangs opponents But recently, the waitresses manager admitted to tricking the women into leaving under pressure from the South Korean intelligence services. The scandal is now under UN investigation. A separate UN investigation accusing Kim Jong-Un of crimes against humanity was marred by fabricated testimony from defectors like Shin Dong-hyuk, who confessed to inventing parts of his story. Testimony to US Congress by another defector, Kwon Hyuk, who claimed to have witnessed live human experimentation in North Korean prisons, helped drive the passage of the North Korea Human Rights Act in 2004. But Kwon too was unmasked as a fabulist and quickly disappeared from the public eye. The right-wing network behind Koreas celebrity defector Yeonmi Park is maybe the most famous North Korean defector. She emerged on the international scene at the One World Summit in 2014 with a heartrending tale of escape through China. But key parts of Parks story at the summit differed from previous testimony she had delivered. One of the many inconsistencies in Parks story was documented by journalist Mary Ann Jolley, who reported that Park initially claimed she had escaped through China with her mother and father. At the One World Summit, however, Parks interviewer claimed that she trekked through China with only her mother, who was raped by a Chinese broker adding an entirely new dramatic piece to her narrative. All along, Park was profiting from her fame, earning $12,000 and up for speeches, and receiving critical backing from a libertarian political network that included the for-profit Freedom Factory and the Atlas Foundation. She was also made a media fellow by the Oslo Freedom Forum, an operation run by Venezuelan-American oligarch Thor Halvorssen that weaponizes human rights in the service of neoconservative foreign policy objectives. The campaign nearly brought the Koreas to the brink of war, as the North threatened to retaliate against the launch of balloons into its territory containing messages denouncing its leader. South Koreas government also condemned the balloon launch, while peace activists and local residents on the border attempted to block it. Park played a starring role in the imbroglio, drumming up support for Halvorssens crusade among Silicon Valley powerbrokers. The destabilizing operation prompted Mike Bassett, a former reconaissance soldier at the Korean Demilitarized Zone and ex-information warfare officer, to describe Park as an instrument of well funded elements hostile to peace on the Korean peninsula. He wrote that her change in narrative warrants serious scrutiny because that narrative changed as a result of a political and economic agenda rather than a genuine desire to inform the public about the best way to liberate North Koreans from oppression. Despite being criticized for changing her narrative again and again, Park returned to the national stage this June thanks to the New York Times, which featured her in an inflammatory viral video aimed at undermining the Trump-Kim summit during which she compared North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Adolph Hitler. The neoconservative New York Times columnist Bari Weiss also pointed to Parks largely discredited narrative to attack the peace summit, writing that Park herself had been raped on her way through China. Yet Park never even made this claim. Fortunately for Weiss, her editors at the New York Times opinion section had not bothered to conduct even a cursory bit of research on the defectors she cited. The Transitional Justice Working Group, an NED grantee, is responsible for delivering some of these testimonies to the West. At the NED ceremony, we met the groups director, Hubert Younghman Lee, who emphasized the importance of American backing: Id like to express our sincere gratitude to bipartisan support, and also US congresspeople and US citizens especially. We are doing this work with US citizens tax [dollars]. As with many high profile defectors, information delivered to Western media by South Korean intelligence has often proven unreliable, and provoked some embarrassing media updates. In 2016, Western media filled with reports that North Korea had executed General Ri Yong-gil. However, General Ri turned up alive days later. Three years before, Western media buzzed with reports that Kim Jong Un had executed his ex-girlfriend, Hyon Song-wol, by firing squad. Months later, Hyon appeared alive as ever, performing her music on North Korean television. So this begs the question: is North Korea populated by zombies who rise from the dead? Or is a US-funded influence operation cultivating opposition to engagement with North Korea by relying on often unreliable sources with dubious agendas? Bipartisan support During the NED ceremony, Democratic House minority leader Nancy Pelosi recalled a trip she took to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. When we saw the people in Pyonyang the blank faces, the brainwashing that went on the poverty of spirit I saw exceeded the poverty [of] any place in the world. Pelosi then claimed that locals were executed on the spot for unauthorized corn consumption. They would get shot if they just took one corn on the cob, one husk of corn, she claimed. Pelosi was among a bipartisan cast of lawmakers on hand to pay homage to the NED. They included Republican representatives like Ed Royce and Pete Roskamp, as well as Democrats like Rep. Julian Castro and Stephanie Murphy. Though the NED was hailed by Congress as a politically benign entity advancing democracy and human rights, its record tells a different story. Sowing chaos, spreading instability, and opening markets The NEDs first success was the defeat of the Sandinista government in Nicaraguas 1990 elections, replacing it with the neoliberal party of Violeta Chamorro. Since then, the NEDs advanced US interests in countless countries: it helped swing a Russian election for Boris Yeltsin in 1996, it drove a failed coup attempt in Venezuela in 2002, it orchestrated a successful one in Haiti in 2004, and another one in Ukraine in 2014, which paved the way for neo-Nazis to move into the mainstream. Philip Agee, the late CIA whisteblower, described the work of the NED as a more sophisticated version of the old-fashioned covert operations that Langley used to engineer. Nowadays, instead of having the CIA going around behind the scenes and trying to manipulate the process by inserting money here and giving instructions secretly and so forth, they have now a sidekick, which is this National Endowment for Democracy, NED. Agees words were openly confirmed by Alan Weinstein, a former Trotskyist and founding member of the NED. Weinstein told the Washington Post in 1991, A lot of what we do today was done covertly twenty-five years ago by the CIA. Since then, NED funding has almost quadrupled. In the past four years alone, the organization has directed at least 4 million dollars into parties and media outfits in Nicaragua. That prompted an NED funded publication the Global Americans to boast of the role the group played in laying the groundwork for change in Nicaragua, where violent protests attempted to topple the countrys elected president, Daniel Ortega. The article went on to say that its becoming more and more clear that U.S. support has helped play a role in nurturing the current uprisings. Uyghur re-education camp allegations against NED target China Another top target of NED and its Washington partners is China. The US has worked closely with Uyghur Muslims, an ethnic minority group that has faced discrimination at the hands of the Chinese government. As the confrontation with Beijing deepens, the US has attempted to use Uyghurs as a bargaining piece to ratchet up the pressure on Beijing. At the ceremony, I met Omer Kanat, chairman of the World Uyghur Congress a group funded almost entirely by the NED. The Chinese authorities have put more than one million Uyghurs in re-education camps, it is very similar to concentration camps, Kanat claimed to me. He said that his organization, a top NED grantee, had supplied much of the information the US government and Western media rely on about the alleged camps. Indeed, along with the US-funded Radio Free Asia, which Kanat used to work for, Kanats US-funded Uighur Congress is responsible for widely reported claims that as much as one tenth of the Muslim population of Chinas Xianjing province has been placed in re-education camps. The numbers of Uighurs said to be housed in these camps vary wildly, from 120,000 to 500,000 to a million. And the sources invariably boil down to US-backed media like Radio Free Asia. Western analysts concede that testimonies from actual camp prisoners is rare. One of the few detailed testimonies arrived through an anonymous source. Kanat himself conceded that he did not know how many people were in the alleged camps, and that he was relying on Western media estimates to make his claim of one million. The disturbing but still-unverified allegations about Uyghur re-education camps have added momentum to a new Trump national defense doctrine that singles out China as a top American adversary. With help from pundits like late night comedian John Oliver, who also echoed the claims of US-government backed sources on Xianjang, Washington appears to be hoping that a carefully crafted PR campaign will reverse Americans generally favorable attitude towards China. Making Mongolia neoliberal The NED has also turned up the heat on China by interfering in its neighbors elections. Back in 1996, the International Republican Institute (IRI) an NED partner group helped propel right-wing libertarian parties to victory in Mongolia, dealing a death blow to the countrys socialist tradition and driving record levels of economic inequality. At the NED ceremony, I spoke to an IRI staffer, Alexander Moree, who presented the groups work in Mongolia as a blueprint for a post-communist North Korea. So we took a group of defector-scholars over to Mongolia to study their transition, Moree explained to me. So Mongolias transition, if you dont know, it was a peaceful democratic transition, there was no fighting, there was no revolution. But it developed a successful free market economy with peaceful elections without any dramatic turnover of power. Its more of an island of democracy in Asia, and thats more the model we want to encourage the North Koreans to pursue. So like, transitioning from a socialist economy to a free market economy is paramount? I asked him. Exactly. The meddling machine McCain built The IRI has been led for years by Senator John McCain, who turned the group into what the New York Times called a revolving door for lobbyists and out-of-power Republicans that offers big donors a way of helping both the party and the institutes chairman. Carl Gershman founded the National Endowment for Democracy. Hes neoconservative activist with roots in Trotskyism. Today, Gershman still embraces the ideology of permanent worldwide revolution. But with peace looming on the Korean peninsula, Gershman was forced to reassure his grantees that their work for regime change would not become irrelevant. There is some concern among the activists that the focus on the nuclear issue today will reduce pressure for human rights in North Korea and maybe even reduce support for the kind of work that is being done by the organizations that we have honored this evening, Gershman said. I want to assure our friends that NEDs support is solid. In the Longworth hallway outside of the NED event, I asked Nancy Pelosi if she thought the US government should stop funding organizations that seeking regime change against North Korea if it signed a peace treaty with the South. I dont know if thats what they do, Pelosi responded, referring to the NED and regime change, but I do know they promote human rights where ever they [are]. I then asked if she considered NED activities to be the same sort of foreign meddling Russia is accused of carrying out in the US. Im not going into any hypotheticals, she said, dismissing the issue out of hand. America remains obsessed with the specter of Russian interference and Moscows supposed active measures against our political system. But at the same time, official Washington celebrates its own taxpayer funded meddling machine as an engine of democracy promotion. Does the American public know whats being done with its money, and will there ever be a public debate on the consequences of Washingtons regime change efforts? This article was originally published by "Grayzone Project " - In case you missed it: CIA chief hints agency is working to change Venezuelan government: The US has a long and bloody history of meddling in Latin America's affairs Michael Cohen Will Not Accept Pardon From Criminal Trump, Says Lawyer By Colin Dwyer and Ryan Lucas August 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Less than 24 hours after implicating the president in a federal crime (whilst pleading guilty to several of his own), Cohen is already dropping truth-bombs on Donald Trump and monetizing liberal outrage like an old-school game theorist. On Wednesday morning, Cohens lawyer Lanny Davis announced that his client would never accept a pardon from a criminal like Trump (ostensibly, because he only accepts decade-long business partnerships with such criminals). I know that Mr. Cohen would never accept a pardon from a man who he considers to be both corrupt and a dangerous person in the Oval Office, Davis said in an interview with NPR. He has flatly authorized me to say under no circumstances would he accept a pardon from Mr. Trump, who used the pardon power in a way that no president in American history has ever used a pardon to relieve people of guilt who committed crimes who are political cronies of his. The president of the United States is a criminal, Davis continued. He has not pled guilty to a crime but his own lawyers have described him directing somebody to do something that is a criminal act. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Cohen also let it be known (through Davis) that he would love to chat with Robert Mueller about Donald Trumps charity, business dealings, and alleged connections to Russian hacking as he has knowledge on those subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel. Lanny Davis, on Rachel Maddow, suggests strongly that his client Michael Cohen has information for Mueller on Trump campaign collusion with Russia and Trumps knowledge of plans for Russian hacking before the hacking occurred John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) August 22, 2018 Cohen attorney Lanny Davis implies on @CNN that his client may have information about the Trump Org. that could be of interest to the New York AG, and therefore outside the scope of POTUS' pardon power Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) August 22, 2018 Meanwhile, the Michael Cohen Truth Fund began accepting donations Tuesday night and has already brought Trumps (multi-millionaire) former fixer more than $21,000 (or enough to spare roughly seven human beings from dying of malaria). On the fundraisers webpage, Davis writes: On July 2, 2018, Michael Cohen declared his independence from Donald Trump and his commitment to tell the truth. On August 21, Michael Cohen made the decision to take legal responsibility and to continue his commitment to tell the truth. Michael decided to put his family and his country first. Now Michael needs your financial help to pay his legal fees. The Michael Cohen Truth Fund is a transparent trust account, with all donations going to help Michael Cohen and his family as he goes forward on his journey to tell the truth about Donald Trump. All of this is, of course, bad news for Donald Trump. But it could also prove fatal to Michael Avenattis 2020 hopes. Stormy Danielss attorney recently launched a bid for the Democratic nomination, arguing that no one had done more to bring Trump to justice. But it was Cohen not Avenatti who just implicated the president in a criminal conviction; and all signs suggest the former fixer is only getting started. Whats more, Cohens background in the taxi business makes him a natural champion of the progressive crusade to hold Uber (and other tech monopolies) accountable. To be sure, Cohens criminal convictions will complicate matters. His field operation in Iowa could be hampered by the candidates confinement in federal prison. But from a messaging standpoint, Cohen could turn that weakness into a strength: To beat a white-collar criminal youve got to think like a white-collar criminal and who can do that better than the genuine article? The president, for one, knows a worthy adversary when he sees one. If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018 For much of Cohens life, hes been greedy, greedy, greedy for Donald Trump. But now, he wants to be greedy for the United States. This article was originally published by " NPR " - ====== August 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The source of the problem is the Quran itselfanyone who reads it either leaves it or becomes a terrorist. That claim, made on a Facebook page supporting Pegida, is one of countless similar allegations being circulated on the internet by anti-Islam and far-right groups. But is the Quran actually any more violent than the Bible or Torah? Not according to Dr Ed Kessler, the founding director of the Woolf Institute of interfaith relations. Its not the text itself that generates violence, there is Jewish and Christian scripture you can read into to find the same, he told the Independent. You read the texts through interpretation. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Dr Kessler, who was made an MBE in 2011 for services to interfaith relations, cited Psalm 137, which appears both in the Old Testament and Tanakh. The well-known verse expresses the sorry of Jewish people living in exile after the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem and ends with a violent revenge fantasy, telling the conquerors: Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. Such gory excerpts can be found throughout the Bible and Quran, with one count putting the total of cruel or violent passages at 842 in the much longer Bible and 333 in the Quran. Dr Kessler said that all three of the Abrahamic religions share similar stories and must be read through the lens of modern interpretation. There are violent extracts in the Quran as there are in the Old Testament and New Testament, he added. Its not the texts themselves that are the problem, its how you read them and interpret them. Isis and other Salafist groups base much of their propaganda on the idea of a true Islam based directly on a literal reading of the Quran and religious teachings, while the Bible has undergone at least a century of critical study that has largely dismissed or reinterpreted passages urging stoning, infanticide, massacres and burning. We tend to overlook those bits because we dont like them, or interpret them to be more acceptable and relevant to the modern day, Dr Kessler said. Interpretation can be used for good or evil, or fundamentalism or liberalism. He said that a key change in the last 15 years had also been the rise of Islam within identity politics that has not been mirrored by Christianity. The Cambridge fellow said that many British Muslim groups were seeking to tackle fundamentalist interpretations of the Quran and highlighted the diversity of thought within the many denominations of Islam. As fundamentalists use the texts to justify their aims, so do anti-Islam groups like Britain First and Pegida, who frequently use Crusade-inspired imagery while claiming to fight the supposed Islamification of Europe. Writing for the Independent, Mariam Hakim took such groups to task by analysing Quran passages frequently cited to claim the text permits sexual slavery and rape. Religious illiteracy is a root cause of extremism, she wrote, accusing both Islamophobic activists and terrorist groups of pushing their own agendas. Passages do have a life of their own, however much we reinterpret them, Dr Kessler cautioned. The Christian Bible shares an intrinsic problem that is common to the Tanakh and the Quran, namely that polemic against a named other carries a weight and authority throughout history. Moreover, they are constantly available for use or abuse, to justify the most appalling actions in the name of God. The Independent " By Moon Of Alabama August 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The creation of digital content led to the re-establishment of claqueurs: By 1830 the claque had become an institution. The manager of a theatre or opera house was able to send an order for any number of claqueurs. These were usually under a chef de claque (leader of applause), who judged where the efforts of the claqueurs were needed and to initiate the demonstration of approval. This could take several forms. There would be commissaires ("officers/commissioner") who learned the piece by heart and called the attention of their neighbors to its good points between the acts. Rieurs (laughers) laughed loudly at the jokes. Pleureurs (criers), generally women, feigned tears, by holding their handkerchiefs to their eyes. Chatouilleurs (ticklers) kept the audience in a good humor, while bisseurs (encore-ers) simply clapped and cried "Bis! Bis!" to request encores. Today anyone can create content and rent or buy virtual claqueurs in from of "likes" on Facebook or "followers" on Twitter to increase its distribution. An alternative is to create artificial social media personas who then promote ones content. That is what the Internet Research Agency, the Russian "troll factory" from St. Petersburg, did. The fake personas it established on Facebook promoted IRA created clickbait content like puppy picture pages that was then marketed to sell advertisements. The profit orientated social media giants do not like such third party promotions. They prefer that people pay THEM to promote their content. Selling advertisements is Facebook's business. Promotional accounts on its own platform are competition. The anti-Russian mania in U.S. politics gives social media companies a welcome excuse to clamp down on promotional schemes for sites like Liberty Front Press by claiming that these are disinformation campaigns run by the U.S. enemy of the day. Yesterday Facebook announced that it deleted a number of user accounts for "inauthentic behavior": Weve removed 652 Pages, groups and accounts for coordinated inauthentic behavior that originated in Iran and targeted people across multiple internet services in the Middle East, Latin America, UK and US. FireEye, a cybersecurity firm, gave us a tip in July about Liberty Front Press, a network of Facebook Pages as well as accounts on other online services. ... We are able to link this network to Iranian state media through publicly available website registration information, as well as the use of related IP addresses and Facebook Pages sharing the same admins. For example, one part of the network, Quest 4 Truth, claims to be an independent Iranian media organization, but is in fact linked to Press TV, an English-language news network affiliated with Iranian state media. The FireEye report Facebook acted on notes: FireEye has identified a suspected influence operation that appears to originate from Iran aimed at audiences in the U.S., U.K., Latin America, and the Middle East. This operation is leveraging a network of inauthentic news sites and clusters of associated accounts across multiple social media platforms to promote political narratives in line with Iranian interests. These narratives include anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes, as well as support for specific U.S. policies favorable to Iran, such as the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA). ... Based on an investigation by FireEye Intelligences Information Operations analysis team, we assess with moderate confidence that this activity originates from Iranian actors. The evidence FireEye presents is quite thin. The purpose of its inquest and report is obviously self-promotion. Moon of Alabama is also promoting anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes. It supports the JCPOA deal. This is, according to FireEye, "in line with Iranian interests". It may well be. But does that make Moon of Alabama a "suspected influence operation"? Is it an "inauthentic news site"? Is the @Moonof A Twitter account showing "coordinated inauthentic behavior" when it promotes the pieces presented on this site? We, by the way, assess with high confidence that that this activity originates from a German actor. Is that a reason to shut it down? Who will shut down the tons of "inauthentic" accounts U.S. spies, the British military and Israeli propaganda organisations run? Here is another high confidence tip for FireEye. There is proof, and even an admission of guilt, that a hostile government financed broadcasting organization is creating inauthentic Facebook accounts to disseminate disinformation. These narratives include anti-Russian, anti-Syrian, and pro-Saudi views, as well as support for specific U.S. policies favorable to Israel, such as its financing of the anti-Iranian headscarf campaign. This year the U.S. government run Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) will spend more than $23 million for its Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB). OCB administers Radio and Television (TV) Marti programs directed at the Cuban public. In its 2019 budget request to Congress (pdf) the BBG admits that it creates inauthentic Facebook accounts to increase the distribution of its dreck: In FY 2018, OCB is establishing on island digital teams to create non-branded local Facebook accounts to disseminate information. Native pages increase the chances of appearing on Cuban Facebook users newsfeeds. The same strategy will be replicated on other preferred social media networks. How is this different from what the PressTV may have done? When will Facebook shut those inauthentic BBG accounts down? " ====== Facebook's Secret "User-Reputation Score" Exposed: Facebook has begun to assign its users a reputation score, predicting their trustworthiness on a scale from zero to one. Home Search ICH European Holocaust had Roots in Africa, Now Namibia is Suing Germany By Andre Vltchek August 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Without understanding what happened to the Herero and Nama people, it is impossible to understand what occurred right before and during World War II In 2014, after I published my report about Namibia, exposing the German semi-denial that it had committed a Holocaust in its former Southwest African colony; a renowned German university sent me a letter. I paraphrase here, but the essence of the letter is kept intact: Dear Professor Vltchek, we are impressed by your research and your conclusions, and we would like to translate and publish your groundbreaking analyses in German language. Unfortunately, we cannot afford any payment It was one of the major universities in the country, with tremendous budgets and an international reputation. I replied, asking why, with all those scholars and academics, with PhDs and experts, they had never sent a team of experts to Namibia, to investigate one of the most horrid crimes committed in the 20th Century? I wanted to know, why they would suddenly want to rely on the work of a foreigner, an outsider, an internationalist who refuses to call himself an academic (for me it is now a totally discredited term)? Murdering the Herero and Nama people in Southwest Africa by Germans was, after all, the key for comprehending what happened several decades later, in Europe itself, during the Holocaust that Germany went on to commit against the Jewish and Roma people. The university never replied. I suppose they sensed that I was dragging them into some extremely dangerous waters. They did not want to be there; they preferred the safe, calm waters, where some foreign left-wing intellectual writes something, they translate and publish it, putting a disclaimer that this doesnt necessarily reflects the position of their respected journal and the university. As far as they were concerned, taboos should remain taboos, and the dunes of Namibia should be stirred just a little bit, for a limited intellectual discussion only. No storm, please! * It doesnt take rocket science to discover what I did in Namibia. There, I met common people, in slums and universities. I met UN experts and Namibian government officials. I undusted various archive documents. I consulted scholars in neighboring South Africa. In Africa, Namibian history is no secret. Nothing is taboo. This is what is common knowledge in Windhoek or in Cape Town in neighboring South Africa: The Germans drove into the desert, and then exterminated, over 80% of the entire nation the Herero. The Nama people lost around 50% of its population. The concentration and extermination camps were built; monstrous medical experiments on human beings were perpetrated. German doctorsincluding those who were working on the pure race doctrine in Namibia (the doctrine later used by the Nazis in Europe), subsequently educated many German racist physicians, including the notorious Angel of Death Mengele. The most notorious doctor, who experimented on human beings in Africa, was Eugen Fischer. Not surprisingly, the first German governor of the colony was the father of Hitlers deputy, Herman Goering. The holocaust in Africa is directly connected to the holocaust in Europe. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Almost the official, and a thousand times repeated lie related to the birth of German Nazism, a lie that is even taught in many European schools, would easily collapse like a house of cards if Namibian history were to get closely examined. The lie, in different variations, sounds like this: Germany, deeply humiliated after WWI, facing terrible economic crises, suddenly went amok, got radicalized and ended up bringing extreme-right nationalist bigots to power. Do you recall the official Western line about a peaceful Germany, a land of scholars and philosophers; a nation which shocked itself and the world, by suddenly turning to extreme violence and mass murder, abandoning its noble traditions? Such reasoning would stand only if the Others (non-white, non-Europeans), were not considered as human beings. The Namibian holocaust (but also to some extent, the mass murder that Germany committed against the people of todays Tanzania) shows that Germany clearly has a history of genocidal behavior, and that it committed, in the 1930s and 1940s, on its own continent, precisely what it had been doing much earlier, in Africa. Obviously, all that was not just about Nazism (there were no Nazis yet, during the holocaust in Africa), but about the entire culture and mindset of the German people. Fortunately, the silence has not been complete. Two monstrous events have been compared and linked together. Sporadically, the truth about the Namibian horror past has been appearing, even in the mainstream press. On 21 October 2012, the Canadian daily newspaper, The Globe and Mail, reported: In the bush and scrub of central Namibia, the descendants of the surviving Herero live in squalid shacks and tiny plots of land. Next door, the descendants of German settlers still own vast properties of 20,000 hectares or more. Its a contrast that infuriates many Herero, fuelling a new radicalism here. Every year the Herero hold solemn ceremonies to remember the first genocide of historys bloodiest century, when German troops drove them into the desert to die, annihilating 80 percent of their population through starvation, thirst, and slave labor in concentration camps. The Nama, a smaller ethnic group, lost half of their population from the same persecution. New research suggests that the German racial genocide in Namibia from 1904 to 1908 was a significant influence on the Nazis in the Second World War. Many of the key elements of Nazi ideology from racial science and eugenics, to the theory of Lebensraum (creating living space through colonization) were promoted by German military veterans and scientists who had begun their careers in South-West Africa, now Namibia, during the genocide In Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, a European expert working for the UN, a friend of mine, spoke to me, like almost everyone there, passionately, but without daring to reveal her name: The first concentration camps on earth were built in this part of Africa They were built by the British Empire in South Africa and by Germans here, in Namibia. Shark Island on the coast was the first concentration camp in Namibia, used to murder the Nama people, but now it is just a tourist destination you would never guess that there were people exterminated there. Here in the center of Windhoek, there was another extermination camp Acknowledging its crimes against the Jews (but not always against the Roma people), Germany maintains as monuments, all former concentration camps, including Buchenwald and Dachau. But there is absolutely nothing it does to honor the memory of its victims in other parts of the world, particularly Africa. Racism is one of the essential characteristics of Nazism. Isnt it a clear expression of racism to treat the victims of the same crime differently, simply because of the color of their skin? * Now the Namibian people are suing Germany in a court in New York City. It appears they have had enough. Enough of waiting, of humiliation. For years there has been no compensation to the families of the victims, and no serious compensation to the nation. For years, the Namibian government has been negotiating at least for the return of all skulls of the local people, which were used in German laboratories and by German scientists to prove the superiority of the white race, as well as sub-humanness of other races, including the blacks. German colonialists decapitated countless Herero and Nama people, and at least 300 heads were transported to German laboratories for scientific research. Many were later discovered in the Medical History Museum of the Charite hospital in Berlin, and at Freiburg University. Insults were added to injury. Until now, the German settlers enjoy a repulsively lavish lifestyle on land that was stolen from the Herero and Nama people. Many descendants of the victims of the Southwest African holocaust are now living in overcrowded slums. German and other Central European tourists are in love with Namibia; for its dunes, spectacular and pristine coast, as well as for the white German enclaves. I asked several of them about the past. Most of them did not know and seemed not to be interested to learn. But the world may discover the Namibian past, very soon, as Western imperialism is crumbling and oppressed people are rising to their feet. Demands for compensation and acknowledgments of the horrific colonialist past are now flowing from Pakistan, India and other countries that were devastated by European racism and imperialism. The Namibian case may set the entire planet into motion, as it is almost the entire world that had been devastated by European colonialism. The US courts may not resolve much, but what is happening there is symbolic, and just a beginning. AFP reported on July 31st: US District Judge Laura Taylor Swain presided over the one-hour hearing in a New York federal court but concluded the session by saying that she would not rule immediately. She also did not set a date for a decision. The German government wants the lawsuit thrown out on the grounds of state immunity from prosecution. The Herero and Nama groups are seeking reparations for the genocide of their peoples under German colonial rule The Herero and Nama people brought the class-action lawsuit last year, seeking reparations over the tens of thousands killed in the massacres. There will be no easy victory for the Herero and Nama people. They have no lobby in the United States, and even back in Namibia, they are poor. They own no international media, no international banks or corporations. But they are right in demanding justice! The renowned Canadian international lawyer, Christopher Black, declared for this essay: The European colonial powers imposed their dominance over other peoples through war and terror and committed violence on a vast scale. Their actions constitute the war crime of aggression and crimes against humanity, murder assault and slavery. Many of those nations are still trying to escape and recover from the occupation and destruction imposed on them and should be compensated by those colonial powers for the damage done. Meaningless apologies are not enough. There is legal precedent for the requirement that the colonial powers pay reparations to those peoples as Germany had to do regarding its genocide against the Jews. The determination of the amount and in what form it should be paid would be a contentious issue but the victims of colonialism have a moral and legal right to compensation for the crimes committed against them and the lasting damage done. Percentage-wise, the Herero and Nama nations lost more people than any other race, nation or ethnic group, during the entire 20th Century. Without understanding what they suffered, what was done to them, there is no way to understand what took place right before and during World War II. The entire anti-imperialist world has a clear obligation to support the cause of the Herero and Nama people in their quest for justice. Enough of broken links and outright lies. Justice has to be the same for all. Nations that were, or are victims of Western genocides, massacres and colonialist plunder, should unite and declare loudly and clearly: Never again! 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 Revolutionary Optimism, Western Nihilism , 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 . Note To ICH Community 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. Thank you for your 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 Eli Clifton August 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Billionaire Sheldon Adelson, President Donald Trumps biggest donor, just secured his role as the GOPs top 2018 funder with a $25 million contribution to Senate Republicans midterm election efforts. In all likelihood, he also bought himself a direct line to any Republican whose ear he wants to bend. Adelson is outspoken about his prioritiesa hawkish U.S. policy towards Iran and unwavering U.S. support for Israels right-wing Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his Likud Partyand House and Senate Republicans, as well as the Trump White House, have largely delivered on Adelsons foreign policy wish list. Adelson, alongside with his wife Miriam, already contributed $30 million to House Republican efforts to maintain a majority, bringing the casino magnates direct investment in the GOPs 2018 House and Senate election efforts to over $55 million. Politico did the math and found: The Adelsons $25 million contribution constituted almost the entire haul of $26 million that the Senate Leadership Fund brought in last month and more than half of the $44 million its raised this year. The super PAC had $45.2 million in cash on hand on July 31, according to the most recent filing. On the House side, the Adelsons dual $15 million donations ($30 million in total) count for nearly one-third of the total donations to the Congressional Leadership Fund and are by far the Funds largest individual contributions. Corporations, such as Chevron ($1.9 million), and 501c4s, like the American Action Network, comprise the majority of the Leadership Funds other seven-figure contributions. Timothy Mellon, chairman and majority owner of the Pan Am Systems, a New Hampshire-based transportation company, contributed $10 million, making him the Funds largest individual donor after the Adelsons. Hedge funder Ken Griffin was the Funds next largest individual donor, contributing $1.5 million. Adelson and the recipients of his largesse are clear about why he is active politically and, presumably, why he is effectively making the Republican Party dependent on his campaign funds. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Newt Gingrich, a recipient of Adelsons supporting during his failed 2012 campaign, described Adelsons central value as Israel. Donald Trump, before winning the GOP nomination and receiving $35 million in outside election spending from Adelson and his wife, described Adelson as seeking to mold [Florida Senator Marco Rubio] into the perfect little puppet, via campaign contributions. After winning the election, Trump campaign CEO and future White House chief strategist Steve Bannon reportedly spoke explicitly about Adelsons foreign policy agenda. Michael Wolff wrote as much in his book, Fire and Fury: Pivoting from Trump himself, Bannon plunged on with the Trump agenda. Day one were moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Netanyahus all-in. SheldonAdelson, the casino billionaire and far-right Israel defenderis all-in. We know where were heading on this Let Jordan take the West Bank, let Egypt take Gaza. Let them deal with it. Or sink trying. Wheres Donald on this? asked Ailes, the clear implication being that Bannon was far out ahead of his benefactor. Hes totally onboard. Adelson reportedly pressured the administration to follow through on campaign promises about moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, to replace National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster with John Bolton (with whom Adelson enjoys a closer relationship), and to pull the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal. Indeed, Trump has brought the U.S. closer to a conflict with Iran via withdrawal from the nuclear deal, Secretary of State Mike Pompeos apparent embrace of a de facto regime change agenda towards Tehran, and Trumps threatening July 22nd tweet at Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Trump warned (his caps): NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS! With rhetoric like this coming out of the Oval Office, it is worth recalling that the Presidents largest donor once suggested using nuclear weapons against Iran as a negotiating tactic. Were Trump to back up his tweets with action, its safe to assume his benefactor wouldnt be opposed. And if GOP members of the House and Senate were of a mind to criticize Trumps aggressive posture towards Iran, they might have second thoughts if theyre concerned about their own campaign finances. With the Adelsons latest contribution to Senate Republican election efforts, an octogenarian casino mogul and his Israeli born wife have effectively cemented their roles as the Republican Partys most important donors in the 2018 election cycle. Mainstream reporting consistently avoids discussing the Adelsons foreign policy motivations for their political giving, instead focusing on the corporate and estate tax aspects of the Republican agenda that might further enrich Adelson and his heirs. While thats certainly a nice bonus, Adelson has made no secret of the fact that U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East is his primary concern, and has made no public comments about tax reform. In June, Adam Entous wrote in The New Yorker: No Republican candidate can easily afford to ignore him. Adelson considered Obama an enemy of Israel, and, in the 2012 election, he and his wife, Miriam, contributed at least ninety-three million dollars to groups supporting the G.O.P. Officials in the U.S. and Israel said that they learned from American Jewish leaders that Adelson had vowed to spend whatever it takes to prevent Obama from securing a peace agreement while in office. Adelson has clearly not stopped spending whatever it takes. But with the Obama administration in the rear-view mirror, its worth closely examining what Adelson is asking the Republican to do. Whatever it is, his wallet has surely bought him the ears of both the White House and Congressional Republicans. Yesterday, a Chinese man joined other Muslim faithfuls to pray at the Eid ground in Wase local government area of Plateau State. The Chinese man accepted Islam earlier this month after arriving Nigeria to wed his beautiful Muslim girl. The Chinese man came all the way from his home with a family member to marry the Muslim girl. It was disclosed that the wedding was done according to Islamic rites in Plateau state. The Chinese man was seen dressed in Nigerian male native wear designed with Guinea fabric and cap. Meanwhile, the foreigner also called on his fellow Chinese colleagues to join the religion of Islam. He said that Islam is the religion of peace and unity as he wished all Muslims happy Eidul Kabir. Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria has blasted politicians in Nigeria feigning all sorts of illnesses when asked to come and face charges for their corruption. Keyamo, who is also the Director general of the President Muhammadu Buhari campaign group hailed US Presidents attorney, who pleaded guilty to over charges relating to campaign finance violation. However, Keyamo berated the politicians in Nigeria, who would rather fall sick or form another coalition just to get back in power, to loot more. The human rights lawyer said this via his twitter handle this morning, the love for corruption is mental illness and the only way to cure it, is to re-elect president Buhari in 2019. He wrote: Today in the US, Trumps Attorney has pleaded guilty over charges relating to campaign finance violations. But here in Nigeria, those who are charged with THE SAME, are feigning all sorts of illnesses to evade trial and some others are even forming coalitions to return to power! Festus Keyamo, SAN (@fkeyamo) August 22, 2018 A former Aviation minister, Mr Femi Fani Kayode has reacted to a statement credited to Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association asking senate president Bukola Saraki to either resign or be forced out. According to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) chieftain, Miyetti Allah is the terrorist group controlling Fulani herdsmen. He also stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is their leader whilst they are his foot soldiers. Speaking via his twitter handle on Wednesday morning, he wrote: Vanguard MinnaFormer Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), has pleaded with politicians to stop heating up the polity, saying politics should not be a do-or-die affair. The Nation President Muhammadu Buhari has shown his fitness to seek reelection in 2019 by walking 800 metres back home from the Eid ground, the Presidency said yesterday.After the two-rakat Eidel-Kabir prayer, President Buhari shunned protocol and walked the 800-metre distance back to his Daura country home in Katsina State, amidst chants of Sai Baba by well- wishers. ThisDay Our Correspondents As Muslims in Nigeria join their counterparts across the world to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has called on Nigerians to be patient with President Mohammadu Buhari as he battles to fix the countrys ailing economy and security challenges. Bello made the plead yesterday after the Eid-el-Kabir prayers in his .. Guardian Workers in Borno State have threatened to embark on strike over governments non-payment of their N20 billion gratuities. Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Titus Ali Abana, pledged to lead the strike, if government fails to pay the backlogs. He said that it was in 2013 that the state government last paid gratuities The Sun Osogbo Ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, the Victory The Authority The Oyo State Government on Monday reiterated that due process was followed in the partial demolition.. Daily Times Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), female presidential candidate, Princess Nike Roberts has urged the electorate to assess and vote for credible and corrupt free aspirants Daily Trust The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Justice Reform Sector in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and National Coordinator of the Open Government Partnership.. Leadership For a party known for money bag politics than issues based, the conduct of the PDP primaries will make or mar its electoral fortunes, writes EMAMEH GABRIEL who puts into perspective the issues before theopposition party ahead of next years general elections. Ahead of the primaries for the 2019 general election, the parties are neck Tribune THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a party of yesterday, today and tomorrow conducts its affairs with absolute decorum and uniqueness. In a hotly contested primary, it elected as its standard-bearer for the Osun 2018. Reverend Hosea Akuchi, a pastor of a Baptist Church, Guguwa, Nasira, Igabi local government area of Kaduna state, has been killed by gunmen while attempting to resist abduction. It is understood that moments after killing the cleric, the suspected bandits abducted his wife, Mrs. Talatu Hosea Akuchi, and placed a N5 million ransom on her head. A source in the troubled area had said the attackers invaded the church premises at about 1:00a.m. on Monday and forced their way into the apartment of the clergyman, shot him and took away his wife. Yesterday, the source said: The abductors said we need to pay them N5 million before they can release her to us. They call a family phone line to tell us that heartless talk after killing the reverend in cold blood. How can this injustice continue in a country like Nigeria without any serious measures in place to check the activities of these people. You can imagine that they now have the gut to walk into peoples home, kill and abduct and also have an effrontery to demand for ransom. Where and how can we get that money? How can we become prisoners in our own country as law abiding citizens? Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kaduna Police Command, DSP Yakubu Sabo said that the clergyman was shot while struggling with attackers whose intention may be to abduct him. In the early hours of this morning, information reaching us that some armed men storm the house of Reverend Hosea and attempted to kidnap him, he said. But after struggling with them, they shot him and took away his wife. It is quite unfortunate that while we are keeping the peace we are enjoying in Kaduna, some criminals are doing this to sabotage our collective efforts. We have visited the scene of the unfortunate incident and we are trying our best to get to the root of this incident and as soon as we get more information, I will get back to you However, Sabo, who earlier confirmed the killing of the reverend, told newsmen that no ransom was placed on the abducted woman. Dr. Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) has advised church leaders whose prophecies did not come to pass to apologies to the church. Bishop Okonkwo said this in an interview with Leadership, while speaking on Nigerias politics and economic development. He said: Anyone who makes a prophetic declaration let him stand by his prophetic declaration, if it didnt come to pass let him come and apologise to the church that he lied. There is nothing wrong that you make a prophesy and out went over the bar, come to church and tell the church that you lied. What annoys me is that you come and begin to paint it, I didnt say it this way because I said it this way, that is nonsense. You make a prophesy, it fails, you are a human being, come to the church and say I fail. Senate president Bukola Saraki has expressed his confidence that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party will win next years presidential election. The Senate president who is also the national leader of the party which he newly defected to, gave this assurance to members of the party from the 16 local government areas of Kara state. Saraki also stated that the party will win all the local government areas of the state. Saraki told them that the victory of the party at federal level, will be beneficial to them. If we emerge victorious at the federal level, all of us will be the beneficiaries. In the state, with your support we will win the state for PDP. All of you here are the key players in Kwara politics. With unity of purpose, no party can contest with you. We are here to unite all of us under the party we belong to today. I am assuring all members that there will be equity, internal democracy and justice. It is not going to be winners take all. As far as I am concerned, everybody here today belong to our political structure. There is nothing like old or new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We have all become one PDP. He asked for unity from all members of the party, saying whether they were there before or new, everyone is one. I want all of us to be united for the progress and development of Kwara State. As par the politics of the state, nobody can wrest the power from us I if we are united. By the grace of God we will emerge victorious both at the federal and state levels. We will ensure that we work as one party because we have always worked together before. We will see that all the wards and local governments popular candidates emerge based on their popularity and acceptability. Saraki also told them he has no anointed candidate, as anyone chosen by them, is OK by him. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is by Law, under the Police Act, saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order as well as protecting lives and property, among other duties. Judging however by the litany of complaints about the conduct of police officers in the last two years for instance, there is probable reason to doubt that the Police as is presently constituted has the required capacity or commitment to carry out such lofty duties as protecting members of the public. The sins of the NPF are legion. Over time, officers of the Force have gone from demanding that petty sums be sneaked into folded palms to brazenly stopping vehicles for no other purpose but extorting the occupants of such vehicles. A unit of the Force, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has gained even more notoriety for wanton abuse of power, kidnapping, extortion, assault and other infractions including alleged rape and murder. In all this time however, the NPF has remained ineffectual in the prevention and investigation of crime. While Nigerian citizens are generally not assured of effective police response when under attack, it is almost certain that they will be parting with varying sums of money when they endeavour to report the incident. We therefore have a Force that charges a certain amount to open a file, another sum to mobilise to scene, some other amount for arrest, and yet another sum to investigate. In essence, running to the police after suffering a theft merely opens the Nigerian citizen to another round of organised theft. If he manages to stick with the process out of an immense desire for justice, he is sure to pay even yet another sum at the unlikely conclusion of his matter for the police to also close the file. There is a clear need for sanity in the operations of the police force as is presently constituted. It was thus a ray of hope when the news emerged that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the course of his brief stint as Acting President in August had officially reacted to the deluge of social media complaints about the nefarious activities of SARS. It was a golden opportunity to set things straight with that problematic unit of the Force whose activities have attained nearly terrorist proportions and while the presidential directive was to the extent permitted under the Police Act, the subsequent action of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, left much to be desired. In supposed obedience to Osinbajos instruction to overhaul SARS, the IGP renamed the unit Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) and announced proposed changes in the operational model of the unit. What is however intriguing is that the IGP was making the supposed change in SARS nomenclature for the second time. He had initially announced a change of the name SARS to FSARS in December 2017 and similarly warned operatives of the unit to stay off civil matters. The December 2017 overhaul also included the relocation of the control of SARS/FSARS from the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (FCIID) to the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters to be overseen by a Commissioner of Police. Other supposedly new measures like appointment of human rights officers and training of police officers in collaboration with civil society had also been introduced at various points in time before now. The question that therefore needs be asked is: why have all these measures failed? The glaring truth is that the shenanigans identifiable with SARS are reflective of the general inefficiency pervasive in the Force in its entirety. All the measures highlighted above therefore amount to cosmetic adjustments that cannot stand the test of time. They can only be implemented in a convincing manner when there is a genuine overhaul, which must necessarily begin with symbolic actions like sacking the IGP and all 36 state commissioners of police to underscore the gravity of their inadequacies. As Osinbajo noted in his statement, SARS has variously violated human right laws and one of the most emphatic ways to remedy such failure to uphold Nigerias commitment to international human rights treaties is by identifying the principal actors responsible for such human right violations and holding them accountable. Until SARS commanders are arrested across the country and prosecuted for violating peoples rights to liberty, human dignity and possession, the cycle of oppression that has gone on under their watch, will subsist. The further danger is that a culture of impunity will be encouraged and the violations of human rights to follow will be worse than previously experienced before the supposed SARS overhaul. Other measures to reform the police need to include auditing the Force and re-training of all senior officers to be deployed to lead various commands. Such training must drive home the importance of upholding human rights and earning the respect of citizens without harassing them. The senior officers also need to account for funds allocated to their commands while improving human rights records should be included as one of the conditions for higher allocations. As we go forward, we need to begin to explore the use of body and dashboard cameras. While the Force has not particularly been known to keep a reputation for maintaining cars and equipment allocated or donated, some sanction can be applied to ensure a turnaround in this regard. In all, the government needs to see police reform as more than an occasional reaction to popular uprising but a necessary measure for improved standards of living which is integral to good governance. An agency of state saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace and order as well as protecting lives and property cannot be allowed to routinely provoke, harass and assault citizens. A cosmetic overhaul cannot suffice as official response to allegations of murder, kidnapping, rape and other vices. People need to be brought to book deeper monitoring measures introduced. The results will not be achieved in a week but there is hope that consistent effort will prevent members of the Force from returning to practices that necessitated the reforms in the first place. Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association is in the news again. This time, a statement was credited to them, in which they asked the Senate president, Bukola Saraki to resign his position or be forced out of office. The statement has generated a lot of uproars among Nigerians on social media and as expected the group is getting backlashes from almost every corner. Many are of the opinion that the group seems to always have a voice whenever President Muhammadu Buhari is in town and have now renamed the group, the fourth arm of government. See what many people had to say as regards the statement Miyetti Allah seems to keep shut until President Buhari is in the Country. The President seems to condone their atrocities hence the arrogance. Their threats should not be taken lightly by Saraki. Akanimo Victor Ukpe, Esq., LLM (@akviktor) August 22, 2018 Miyetti Allah is a terrorist organization well known for hate speech and inciting their workers to violence. I am not surprised. Kay (@Kayode_ani) August 22, 2018 Gbam !!! "Miyetti Allah" the presidential militant youth wing have spoken What a country, even Abacha would be jealous of this present leadership offor cyril (@offorcyril) August 22, 2018 So Miyetti Allah is now relevant in Nigeria, they now have a say on who becomes the senate President of Nigeria? Miyetti Allah, a terrorist Association that are openly behind recent killings in Nigeria, which @MBuhari have refused to arrest or make a statement about them. Ayeesha Musa (@AyeeshaMusa1) August 22, 2018 https://twitter.com/Israelbaiye/status/1032219414849048576?s=19 Wonders shall never cease. Herdsmen leaders called Miyetti Allah in Benue State are equally threatening to chase Saraki out of the Senate as SP. The evil perpetrated under the cover night is in the process of being unleashed in broad day light. For God sake how did we get here. Omoba Adekunle Adetowubo (@OAdetowubo) August 22, 2018 Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu has urged Nigerians to reconsider single term for governors and president. The deputy SP said this in a facebook post on Wednesday. Ekweremadu said with the 2019 elections in view, politicians are doing all they can to get into power or remain in power. He noted that as a result, governance is at the receiving end. He believes that a single term of 5 or 6 years for governors and president will reduce the political tension that accompanies elections. Ekweremadu said some countries in South America practiced it before, when they faced similar situation as Nigeria. He said many of them, transitioned from military and autocratic regimes and their democracies became threatened with incumbents overheating the polity with their desire to perpetuate themselves in power. He wrote: As is always the case, Nigerias political atmosphere is getting toxic ahead of the 2019 general election and governance is taking a backseat. Unfortunately, this atmosphere, with the accompanying brazen political excesses, are unlikely to abate until well after the 2019 general election. Unable to resist the temptations that come with enormous power of incumbency, those who call the shots today, throw everything within their reach into the mix in desperate efforts to retain power at all cost and by all means. The feverish political climate in the country today, once again, justifies the call by some of us for a single term of five or six years for the president and governors. Although a renewable four-year term is popular, societies are dynamic and it is up to us to make necessary constitutional adjustments to safeguard our democracy and make periods leading up to our elections less toxic. In the 1970s, many Latin American democracies faced the same challenges we face in Nigeria today. As many of them transited from military and autocratic regimes to democratic regimes, they discovered that the politics of succession, including incumbents penchant for self-perpetuation, overheated their polities and threatened their democracies. They adopted the single term presidency until such a time their respective democracies matured and stabilised. Although virtually all of them have reverted to two-term presidency, Mexico still practices single term presidency, called Sexino. She also retained the Sexino in the 2014 constitution amendment. In Nigerias case we proposed a single term for the president and governors with several transitional options during the constitution amendment exercise in the seventh national assembly. Unfortunately, it was misunderstood by various political and sectional interests for various reasons and the proposal did not succeed. However, I strongly believe a single term of five or six years for president and governors, even if for a stipulated period as was the case with several Latin American democracies, is something Nigerians should revisit after the 2019 general election. August 22, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) James Pettit, CEO of Aben Resources, sits down with Maurice Jackson of Proven and Probable to discuss his company's exploration program where the first hole at the Golden Triangle project revealed off-the-charts gold mineralization. Maurice Jackson: Joining us today is James Pettit, the president, CEO and director of Aben Resources Ltd. (ABN:TSX.V; ABNAF:OTCQB). Mr. Pettit, for someone new to the story, who is Aben Resources and what is the thesis you're attempting to prove? James Pettit: Aben is a junior gold exploration company located in Western Canada. We have three projects underway. The primary focus of the company is in the Golden Triangle in northwestern British Columbia. It's called the Forrest Kerr Project. We just put out some pretty gangbuster assays on our first hole of 2018, so it's a very good start. We've also have project in northern Saskatchewan called the Chico Project, and in the Yukon, right next to Golden Predator, we have another interesting gold project called the Justin Project. Maurice Jackson: Let's discuss your three projects. Beginning with your flagship project Forest Kerr, which is approximately 23,000 hectares, what type of lithology is prevalent there? James Pettit: The size of the property being very long and narrow, it's 40 kilometers long, probably 10 kilometers wide. It encompasses 23,000 hectares. The reason it's shaped the way it is because we acquired land that is right along a massive structural feature, which is right in the heart of the Golden Triangle. It's called the Curve Fault, and that acts in our minds as an engine for a lot of what has been discovered there over the last three decades. That's where potentially a lot of the fluids come in off these subs plays. It's prime location, took almost a year to acquire these three different properties and we're earning a 100% in the three that incorporate that whole land package. Maurice Jackson: Aben already has historical data on the Forrest Kerr project. Is that correct? James Pettit: Lots! Each one of those properties came with a treasure chest full of past historical data because there's been a couple of cycles up there. The early initial discoveries of Snip and Eskay back in the 1990s. The infrastructure has drastically improved in the last three, four years, which is fantastic because we now have new access to the following: a massive power generating plant on the Iskut River, which is at the south end of our property, which is a massive generating system. A highway runs right up beside the whole region and Highway 37 goes all the way up to Yukon and Alaska. It's all paved now. Then we have access in the northern part of our project property, Galore Creek Road heading to the Galore Creek Mine, which looks like it could get new life because Newmont's now invested in it. The south side is the access road into the Alta Gas Power Project. Maurice Jackson: What you just shared with us ties into my next question. Who initially conducted the initial drilling at Forrest Kerr and after that initial data was collected, why did the drilling stop? James Pettit: This area has experienced three waves of exploration. The initial discovery would have been back in the days of this famous or infamous mining promoter, Murray Pezim, with one of his companies; Ron Netolitzky, who's my chairman, he coincidently ran that company. He discovered Snip and was involved in the discovery of Eskay Creek back in those days. Things ended very quickly because the price of gold collapsed. Then again you've got another resurrection in gold, interest starts again up there. It falls out of favor again for the same reason, not necessarily about gold. It could be any reason, but the high risk venture market took a downturn and people just left their shovels and blades and walked away. Now we come back the Eskay; it is shut down. Snip is now being resurrected by another company of Ron Netolitzky's. There's more exploration work going on around Eskay Creek. You've now got Imperial Metals' Red Chris Mine right up in the north corner of the Golden Triangle. That's a big copper project that's now in production. In addition, there is Pretium with Brucejack project south of us. Brucejack is a really high grade, big project. Plus, more discoveries are being made. There's some pretty good discoveries being made last year consummating probably the biggest year of exploration up there. Garibaldi has come out with a nickel discovery. GT Gold near the Red Chris Mine is working on a project that has been turning out some pretty good numbers. I think pretty soon it will have a good looking resource. Then what Aben Resources has found is just amazing; it's probably the highest grades we've seen in western Canada in decades in a one hole. That zone we've hit had three of our holes from last year. That's what brought us back this year and is basically confirming it. Now, we're trying to get a handle on the orientation of it and the structure, which just means we've got to drill more holes around it to expand on it. Maurice Jackson: Interesting to note, and I want to commend the geological and technical acumen of Aben Resources team here. You've reviewed the historical data and recently commenced a drilling program. Aben just released really some fascinating assays. What can you share with us? James Pettit: I'll tell you about the historical data when you had up to 20,000 soil and rock samples taken across the whole property. I'm just trying to remember the number of holes, 120 holes drilled historically before us going there. We've got a tremendous amount of data and then you've got to fine tune that down and prioritize a series of targets and the boundary north zone as the best target. We're going to test it and see how big it is and how big it can get. First, you have to get a handle on the orientation. It's a very complex area. This whole Golden Triangle, I envisioned it as an island chain of volcanoes crashing into the North American plate and it's unique to the world. There are some comparisons to the Philippines and that sort of geology, but this has got a lot of, it's crushed, it's turned over, it's upside down, it's sideways. You end up with a lot of VMS, you end up with a lot of structurally controlled systems and a lot of hydrothermal events, which is great. That's the high grade stuff and there's a lot of porphyries in there. It's a real jumble. It's really an impressive area. Maurice Jackson: Can you comment on the grades that we just received on the 9th of August on the press release? James Pettit: We actually drilled and drilled a 45 and a 50 degree angle. Those holes last year were 45, 50 and 75. As we approach what we were drilling last year we're coming in underneath and to be honest, I thought we'd hit more of the same. Last year there was some really great numbers, 6.7 gram per tonne (6.7 g/t) gold with good percent copper and good grams silver over 10 meters. That's okay. There's lots of that around there. Then we had a hole that was almost 11 g/t over 12 meters. That's really great. That's getting better, but these were very broad intersections. You could extend those out too. That first hole was actually extended out to 387 meters, but that would be like a quarter gram, but it was consistent. That means there's consistency there. The same with that second hole I just mentioned, it stretched out over 122 meters. That was 1.2 grams. So there's big, broad consistency. Now what we just did is, came in slightly under probably, they're probably be up a 40 meter separation, let's call it, between the holes. That hole had four distinct intercepts, and you don't often see that. The headline one was spectacular. It was 10 meters of 38.7 g/t. Within that was 62 .4 g/t over 6 meters and that's spectacular. That's just one intercept in that hole. You've got an additional intercept of 22 g/t over 4 meters. You've got another intercept of 3.9 g/t over 13 meters and another one of 8 g/t over 6 meters. One of those holes had really high copper attached to it. Last year's holes were pretty much correlated to chalcopyrite. Whenever you hit chalco you determine whether it's massive chalco, you'll have high grade gold, similar with GT Gold and the environment there. This hole underneath what we just came out with, had very little chalco. It's carbon, so we've now got a new mineralizing event in the same area. There's lots of surprises to be had. We've still got seven holes to report in this immediate zone. It's going to be interesting for us. It was very complex. We do need a handle on the orientation and this will give it to us the more holes you can put in there. Plus we're bringing in an oriented core so that we can get a real handle on it. Once we do that, then we know what angle to hit because apparently the angle was making a big difference because you can see what we just came out with. Maurice Jackson: Well, I want to be one of the first to congratulate you on a great start here to this drill program here. James Pettit: Just to let everybody know I'm the one that's not the geologist. I'm the corporate guy, but I got enough geology background to have a pretty good understanding of it all. We do have good people, Ron is excellent. Pretty much retired, but he's still a very, very sharp guy. Then Tim Termuende is very active as a director and he started his career there with Ron. Maurice Jackson: We'll be able to cover the entire team here later in the interview. You know, one of the virtues I like is the use of optionality by Aben Resources. You've essentially taken over projects that were capital constrained due to infrastructure and glaciers that have been receding. Although early, the drill program is validating the thesis and that's very, very intriguing. We've covered your flagship project. Let's move to the east and discuss the Chico Project. What can you share with us regarding the Chico Project? James Pettit: It's got a fair amount of historical information attached to it. It's in an area that people don't associate with looking for gold and that would be Saskatchewan. We just got the one gold mine, Seabee-Santoy complex that used to belong to Claude Resources, just east of La Ronge, south of the Athabasca Basin where everyone looks for uranium. It's an exposed greenstone belt, I guess you can call it in the middle of the prairies. The sediment layer is in that area. I guess this is uplifted a bit and it's also associated with a major fault called the Tabbernor Fault that runs from the middle of the Athabasca Basin up by Rabbit Lake, all the way down to South Dakota. The huge Homestake Mine is associated to the Tabbernor Fault and off that fault are all these splays and that's where the Seabee and Santoy deposits came from Claude Resources. We are south of there, along the Tabbernor just to the west of the Tabbernor Fault, we've got these shear zones, we call them splays, coming off there. They offer tremendous surface samples. Historically there have been a few holes from old companies. Over the years there have been several holes drilled and they've all hit gold at shallow depths. We're going to go back in. Silver Standard, which is now SSR, has bought the Claude Resources mine for $337 million. It has optioned all the ground between them and us called the Fisher Properties. SSR is drilling 18,000 meters of exploratory holes using an exploration thesis. Yes, there's some sort of an intrusion. There's a geophysical target down below that comes up to about 200 or 175 meters deep and that's what the company calls its discovery horizon. We're just south of there and we've got this massive geophysical dome right underneath us that comes up to 200 or 175 meters deep. By the time we get in there to do the work we want to do, SSR will have come out with some sort of information as to how successful it's been. It's going to work out perfectly for us. Now, I will give a caveat. I was going to do it this winter, but, we had all the approvals, we discussed everything with the First Nations when we moved in and put the camp together. Some of the trappers who are a little more, I don't want to say radical, but they're just little more upset. There was an election going on, the band election and they came to the camp and asked us to leave. I just said, "You know what, fine." We just packed up and left and now they want us back because the election's over and whoever won, won and the government wants us back in there in a hurry. We'll put that one together for the winter because it's a perfect place to drill in the winter. Saskatchewan, it's all frozen. You can move rigs around easy and transportation is all by sled or skidding in or helicopter. It's good, and not mountainous. Maurice Jackson: James, for those of us that are concerned about jurisdiction, what did the Fraser Institute remark about Saskatchewan? James Pettit: Well, it's either the number one jurisdiction in the world or one of the top ones. I'm the chairman of a uranium company, Skyharbour Resources. It's a great place to work, but we just happened to have some upset guys that were fighting with the council or whatever and the elections coming up and they saw us there and they said they weren't informed and that happens. The government went right to the premier's desk and they basically did some things for us in terms of assessments. We don't have to file assessments this year because it really surprised them. This wouldn't normally happen and now we've been back up there three times with our people to just see how things are and find out if they are going to be okay with us going back in. Maurice Jackson: I really appreciate your veracity regarding what's going on currently there at the Chico Project. Finally, we have one more project to discuss and it's located in the Yukon, which is the Justin Project. What has Aben Resources excited about the prospects there? James Pettit: Well, it's a bit of a sleeper. We actually drilled there in 2011, 2012 when the Yukon, was really, really raging. We came up with what we thought was an intrusion related gold system, which can be very large and little bit lower grade, maybe 2 grams, 3 grams, but they can be big. That's what Fort Knox is in Alaska, for example, which is what the Tintina Belt is known for producing. As you get away from the intrusion, you start getting fracturing, and let's call it the country rock. You get these big fractures and you get these big veins as you get away from it all. That's where Golden Predator's 3 Aces Project is located. The company has been there for years and is spending a lot of money. It's very high grade and adjoins our property. What we did because where we're touching each other's property, we did a soil sampling program last year and we took a 30-kilogram sample and sent it in for gold grain analysis just to get a grain count. We want to know if we're close to this hydrothermal system that Golden Predator is looking at. It came back pretty startling, 30 kilograms worth and you get over 2,000 gold grain samples in that sample and 80% of them are pristine, meaning they haven't mobilized. They're probably sitting on it or thereabouts, very close. That's what we're doing this year. We're taking a mechanical backhoe up there. We have to fly it in and we're going to trench and we're going to see. The fellow that's going to be overseeing what we're doing used to run the 3 Aces Project. He's knows the area like the back of his hand. He did look at it last year. He says we are probably sitting within 10 meters, that's his guess. We've called that zone the Lost Ace because Golden Predators got the 3 Aces, and we'll see what happens. Golden Predator right now is drilling right on our boundary, so that's going to create some excitement later in the year. Maurice Jackson: Speaking of that, you're looking at the end of the calendar year for us to get an update on the Lost Ace, is that correct? James Pettit: Yes. Maurice Jackson: Sounds good. Mr. Pettit, before we discuss the management team and members, are there any reversionary interest on these projects? James Pettit: There are a few. On Chico we're earning in 80% from a company called Eagle Plains. One of our directors runs Eagle Plains, Tim Termuende. We will earn 80% by spending a couple million dollars over five years and issuing shares to them. It's not that onerous. You structure these deals so the first year is fairly lenient and you can get enough information to determine whether you want to move forward. On the Forrest Kerr Project, we're earning a 100% interest in all three of those projects by issuing stock to the underlying owners and then guaranteeing $3,000,000 worth of work across all three of them. That's easy to do up there. We'll have that completed by the end of this year. Then we have 80% of the Justin property up in the Yukon. It's already earned. Maurice Jackson: What is management's philosophy? Are you looking to build a mine or arbitrage? James Pettit: Our intentions are always to proceed as though you're going to build a mine. You always do that, but you always know there's going to be a buyer at some point because in the industry today, most of the juniors are generally used for the exploration process. The majors, they cut back on their exploration budgets because the juniors are doing the work for them. Then they come to the table with an offer. We're good at that. I sold my last company, Bayfield to New Gold. Tim and Ron were involved in Copper Canyon. They sold that to Novagold. Then Ron, we all know Ron's history is Skeena in terms of M&A. You always listen to offers, no matter if you want to build a mine or not. Personally, I don't know enough about building mines, but I do know about how to get there. Maurice Jackson: Fair enough. Switching gears, I learned from Rick Rule and Doug Casey that the people running the business are equally, if not more important than, the latent material in the ground. Mr. Pettit, please introduce us to your board of directors and what unique skill sets do they bring to the table? James Pettit: Our chairman, Ron Netolitzky is one of the best explorers in the business. He loves geochem. As far as the Golden Triangle goes and as far as this Saskatchewan goes, he knows more than most people. There's very few people at his level. Tim Termuende is a very active director. He started his career with Ron right out of university and has worked with him very exclusively for years, his whole career. Has a tremendous grounding and now he has a successful project generating company called Eagle Plains. Then there's myself, who I'm generally the corporate side. I handle all the administration. It's all up to my office, the accounting, legal, governance, everything all generates from my office. Cornell McDowell is running the program and he runs his ship as tight as anybody. He's almost a military guy in terms of his efficiency and he keeps our cost down, which is good. This is an expensive area we're working in. It's easy to lose control. Last year was phenomenal. This year it looks like our drilling costs are even lower. Our guaranteed flying time is coming in under budget. That's excellent. I met him on another project. He was overseeing the drilling and everything on 130,000 meters of drilling I did on copper project. Then we have some really good advisors. Henry Awmack is almost like Ron up in this area, the Golden Triangle. He started up there years and years ago. He was one of the underlying owners of one of the properties that we consolidated into one package. He's a wealth of knowledge. Mike Roberts came with the northern project property that we put into this land package. He came from Kiska. He did a lot of drilling, so he's coming up with some really good information. These guys are key. Rick and Doug are serious about what the management, what's their success level, what's their knowledge base, all that stuff. It's very important. Maurice Jackson: Well, seems that the board of directors are the right people to have here. Tell us more about James Pettit. What makes him qualified for the task at hand? James Pettit: Well, I got asked that once and I started saying, well, I started and then I stopped because I've been an entrepreneur my whole life. I spent a short period of time working for a company that was expanding its restaurant chain in western Canada, probably one year. The rest of the time from high school I was self-employed and that's my background. I share an office with an individual that started an organization called Young Entrepreneurs Organization. It's now a worldwide enterprise. It's like Young Presidents Organization, that sort of thing. I think they've kind of amalgamated their two organizations, but he started it and we were very like-minded. This industry we're in is perfect for somebody with an entrepreneurial mindset. Maurice Jackson: What can you share with us about the technical team? James Pettit: The technical team is as good as it gets. Because of Ron's background, he's done so many things. Very few people have done what he's done from the discovery process to the completion to either a sale or into production. That's key. We take the information he has to offer and utilize it. He's not overly active with us, but he's there. Tim is very active and has done enough of this M&A business that, like myself who were there, we can do it, but then we have access to the people to move it along to whatever stage needs to be done, even production. Maurice Jackson: Let's discuss your share structure. James Pettit: Well, it's a moving target right now because warrants are being exercised because the stock price has moved up, obviously, but right now there's about 83 million shares issued and outstanding; fully diluted it's about 101 million. That's changing because these warrants are coming down. I suspect over the next month we'll probably have a million to a million and a half dollars just from warrant exercises, which is always great to see. Maurice Jackson: Actually if all those warrants do get exercise, I think that frees up with close to $5 million. Is that correct? James Pettit: Yes, it would but you don't normally see warrants getting exercised until they're close to their expiration date. December, November, there's a whole series that are going to expire. We're going to see those because the prime season for work in the Golden Triangle is right now through to maybe October. You want to have what you're doing out there in the public domain because what'll happen is then September, October, November, you start hitting tax loss selling, that sort of thing. Maurice Jackson: How much cash or cash equivalents do you have? James Pettit: We've got right now, prior to the financing that we've just announced and it'll close, looks like today or Monday, that's $4 million plus. I already had two, plus the warrants another million and a half say, so $6 million, $7.5 million maybe, in that range. It's changing daily actually. But the financing we just closed the lead order was with Eric Sprott, which was a good move. He's pretty aggressive, not afraid to back good goal deals, early-stage deals. We also have a fund in there called Palisades. The allocation that came down to there was only about a half a million shares that I could allocate to insiders and the friends and good shareholders. Maurice Jackson: What is the burn rate? James Pettit: Burn rate right now, let's just say G&A and not in the field with the G&A, burn rate here is probably $40,000 to $50,000 a month actually. Then the burn rate in the field, I would say I got to think it's about $300,000 to $400,000 currently. It's going to escalate shortly with this new financing. Going to be more people, probably another drill; 60% of our budget will be drilling and helicopter cost. Maurice Jackson: Which leads to my next question, but if you would please expand upon it, if you can. Talk to us about cash flow distribution. What is the ratio between cash spent, intangible assets on the balance sheet? James Pettit: Well, these companies, what are tangible assets? What can we sell? Your asset base is the value that you're given for the project. As far as tangible assets go, it's pretty much a paper value. Any assets that we have the company owns a little bit of stock in other companies because we might have sold a property. I've got shares in other companies and that's maybe a half a million. The money we're spending generally just gets built up over time as losses or not debt as per se, but that's what you do. You're building up losses because these companies spend a lot of money and if they have assets to build on, great. That's excellent. Maurice Jackson: How much debt do you have? James Pettit: There is no debt. Maurice Jackson: Who are some of your institutional investors? I know you referenced Eric Sprott there and that's a great name to have, by the way. James Pettit: Eric is probably now the largest shareholder. Institutionally, we only have a few. There's a fund out of Europe and it has a very large position, but they would probably be now number three. Then there are a couple of individuals. The fund side of things is that is a big retail shareholder base. That's why I trade so much. We were trading millions of shares a day. That's good as far as I'm concerned. When I look for stock, I don't want to buy something I get stuck in. If something happens and I just sell, I want to be able to sell. Maurice Jackson: Yeah. You want to get stock, not stuck. James Pettit: We got have a large retail base with a few institutions. Maurice Jackson: And what is the float? James Pettit: The float rate now would be probably $40 million. It's very tightly held in terms of friends and family. I would include the institutions there because I tend to know what they've got. Maurice Jackson: You somewhat alluded to it earlier, but let's just to clear the record here, are there any redundant assets such as patent mining claims? James Pettit: No. Maurice Jackson: Okay. What are the change of control fees? James Pettit: We keep it around three times at the most. For me, my contract would be three times my salary. By the way, I don't pay myself very much. None of us do. Maurice Jackson: Would you mind sharing that with us, what that is? James Pettit: Yeah. $7,000 a month. The reason I do that is because I am a little spread out. I've got a couple of other companies that I'm involved in and you don't have to lean on one company to pay you a large amount. In this business I consider 150 a lot of money a month. I do, but I can spread that out amongst a couple other companies and I don't spend a lot of time on anything else other than this, but I'm there if they need help. Maurice Jackson: All right. You survived the storm. Multilayer question here, what is the next unanswered question? When should we expect results and what will determine success? James Pettit:: Well, I'm thinking probably within two weeks. I've been wrong before. The SC labs are in full on backup mode. When I was just up there last week and I took the helicopter, flying around looking at the Eskay and KSM and Brucejack, I counted 20 drills just on the southern portion of the Golden Triangle. There's probably another 10 to 15 on the northern portion, so that core is going somewhere. That's down probably to Terrace where we're using a lab in Terrace and they've just moved a bunch of our pulps over to Kamloops where they have another lab because they're getting pretty backed up. I'm saying two weeks. Maurice Jackson: The two weeks as a reference of course to Forrest Kerr just for the record. James Pettit: Yes. That's the only one that's got any work going on right now. Maurice Jackson: What will determine success once we get those results? James Pettit: Well, in the heart of the summer, high grade gets success. As you transition more into the fall where the audience builds again and they start paying attention to what could develop into, how's this thing, it doesn't have to always be high grade because you'll see some of the guys that are trying to develop a resource like Snip and GT Gold, they're not getting a lot of love in the market because the market's very small right now. A lot of people are away around the holidays or not paying attention. If you put high grade out, you do galvanize the people who are looking. In my mind, that's the market we're in right now, so high grade for now. Maurice Jackson: We've covered the good. What keeps you up at night that we don't know about? James Pettit: Not having a high grade keeps me up at night. You know what I worry about the most right now? It's not even related to what we do, but they're called events, worldwide events that can really shake the markets in general. Because of the one that gets shaken the most is usually the Venture Exchange because it is the riskiest. The one thing that can save it is something that would be good for gold, so that doesn't keep me awake at night, but the other events, things that happen, it's rather tumultuous out there right now. Maurice Jackson: Finally, what did I forget to ask? James Pettit: I think it's been pretty thorough to be honest with you. Maurice Jackson: Well, thank you, sir. James, for someone listening that wants to get more information on Aben Resources, what is the website address? James Pettit: Website address is www.abenresources.com. The symbols, TSX Venture Exchange TSX-V is ABN. The OTCQB markets in the states is ABNAF and Frankfurt is to E2L2. Maurice Jackson: And for direct inquiries, please contact Don Meyers at 604-639-3851 or email info@abnresources.com. And last but not least, please visit our website www.provenandprobable.com where we interview the most respected names in the natural resource space. You may reach us at contact@provenandprobable.com. James Pettit of Aben Resources, thank you for joining us today on Proven and Probable. James Pettit: Thank you very much. Maurice Jackson is the founder of Proven and Probable, a site that aims to enrich its subscribers through education in precious metals and junior mining companies that will enrich the world. Disclosure: 1) Maurice Jackson: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: Aben Resources. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: Aben Resources is a sponsor of Proven and Probable. 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More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Calgary, Alberta - August 22, 2018 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Antioquia Gold Inc. (TSXV: AGD) (OTC Pink: AGDXF) ("Antioquia Gold" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it has reached a binding agreement with Gramalote Colombia Limited ("GCL") whereby the Corporation will acquire from GCL 5,245 hectares comprising the "Guadualejo" property for the sum of US$ 685,000 to be paid from cash on hand. The agreement was signed on August 15th, 2018 and Antioquia Gold acquired one hundred percent (100%) of the rights to the Mining Concession Contract number 6195, as well as the obligations arising thereof. The change of ownership of the Concession must still be registered with the government authorities. The area is located immediately adjacent to the south and east of the mining concessions where the Guaico Mine of the Cisneros Project is being developed, and has the potential to provide continuity of the main mineralized structures of Nus and the tension veins of the Guaico system. See Figure 1 below. Figure 1. Location Area Some exploration activities were undertaken on the property by GCL, including geological mapping, soil sampling, geophysics and diamond drilling as described below: 72 samples of stream sediments 588 soil samples 1,212 rock samples 1,028 meters drilled 59 km2 airbone geophysics Roger Moss, Ph.D., P.Geo, the Company's Qualified Person, has verified the data contained in this news release. The verification was done by visual examination of the Company's database and comparison with the numbers and assays presented herein. No inaccuracies were found during the verification procedure. Upon the completion of initial exploration activities, anomalous values were identified in the soils and rocks. Follow up diamond drilling confirmed the existence of mineralized structures with prospective grade. Highlights of these results are presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3 below. Table 1. Highlights of Rock Sampling Results Note: All rock samples are grab samples. Grab samples are selected samples and are not representative of the mineralization hosted on the property. Table 2. Diamond Drill Results *Intersections are downhole lengths and not true width. Table 3. Drill Hole Specifications According to reports by GCL, the mineralized structures found resemble other mineralized structures currently under development within the operations of the Cisneros project. The structures consist of veins, veinlet and shear zones, filled with quartz, sulfides, carbonates, sericite, chlorite, among others, with variable thicknesses ranging from a few centimeters to 2 meters. With this acquisition, Antioquia Gold consolidates the properties adjacent to its Cisneros project and extends the areas with potential mineral resources. Future detailed exploration will be carried out in the acquired area in order to seek to expand the inventory of resources and extend the life of the operations carried out at the Cisneros project. QA/QC Procedures and Protocols During the drilling campaign samples were collected, logged (geological & geotechnical), cut and sampled at GCL's drilling camp in the project area. All quality control ("QC") samples were introduced before shipment to ALS Minerals' sample preparation facilities in Medellin, Colombia. The prepared samples were then shipped to ALS Minerals' analytical facilities in Lima, Peru for analyses. Gold was fire-assayed using a 50 gram aliquot sample and Atomic Absorption finish. Multi-element analysis is achieved by Four Acid Digestion and an Induced Coupled Plasma- Emission Spectroscopy finish. GCL's QA/QC program included the regular insertion of blanks, multiple certified assay standards and duplicate samples into the sample shipments. These QC samples were inserted in every assay batch with each batch comprising 12% of such samples. Monitoring of these QC samples is a critical part of GCL's QA/QC protocols that involve the re-analysis of a minimum of 10 samples bounding any failed control sample. A third party check laboratory receives 5% of all samples to verify the original assays. Qualified Persons Roger Moss, Ph.D., P.Geo., Consultant to Antioquia Gold, is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information provided in this news release. For further information on Antioquia Gold Inc. contact: Antioquia Gold Inc. 1-800-348-9657 www.antioquiagoldinc.com 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 press release. Reader Advisory Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are made as of the date of this press release and the Corporation does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the completion of the Rights Offering and the use of proceeds of the offering. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "schedule" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions by the Corporation and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Antioquia to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business prospects and strategies and the environment in which Antioquia will operate in the future, including the accuracy of any resource estimations, the price of gold, anticipated costs and Antioquia's ability to achieve its goals, anticipated financial performance, regulatory developments, development plans, exploration, development and mining activities and commitments. Although management considers its assumptions on such matters to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Additional risks are described in Antioquia's most recently filed Annual Information Form, annual and interim MD&A and other disclosure documents available under the Corporation's profile at: www.sedar.com. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important risk factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. Readers should also be cautioned that the Corporation's decision to move forward with the construction and production of the Cisneros Mine is not based on the results of any pre-feasibility study or feasibility study of mineral resources demonstrating economic or technical viability. Readers are referred to the Cisneros Report (News Release November 20, 2018) for details on independently verified mineral resources on the Cisneros Project. Since 2013, the Corporation has undertaken exploration and development activities; and after taking into consideration various factors, including but not limited to: the exploration and development results to date, technical information developed internally, the availability of funding, the low starting costs as estimated internally by the Corporation's management, the Corporation is of the view that the establishment of mineral reserves, the commissioning of a pre-feasibility study or feasibility study at this stage is not necessary, and that the most responsible utilization of the Corporation's resources is to proceed with the development and construction of the mine. Readers are cautioned that due to the lack of a pre-feasibility study or feasibility study, there is increased uncertainty and higher risk of economic and technical failure associated with the Corporation's decision. In particular, there is additional risk that mineral grades will be lower than expected, the risk that construction or ongoing mining operations will be more difficult or more expensive than management expected. Production and economic variables may vary considerably, due to the absence of a detailed economic and technical analysis in accordance with NI 43-101. Project failure may materially adversely impact the Corporation's future profitability, its ability to repay existing loans, and its overall ability to continue as a going concern. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. 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Iowa State students, faculty and community members meet Aug. 21, 2018, in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union to show off their pride during the LGBTQIA+ Welcome. Apple is a company that is constantly under media spotlight. One major factor that has contributed to this level of media scrutiny is the secrecy that Apple manages to maintain ahead of its new product launches. No wonder then that product leaks often generate massive debates in the blogosphere. Here we will take you through the biggest Apple leaks over the past one year and what it has brought to the iPhone users community. iPhone 4 Leak In April this year, Gizmodo published pictures and videos of what they claimed was the next generation iPhone. The device reportedly belonged to an Apple employee who lost it in a bar in Redwood City. What followed was a massive crackdown from Apple as the company filed a case of theft against Gizmodo. This however did not deter writers at TaoViet, a Vietnam based blog to publish more photos and videos of the next generation iPhone. Finally, in June this year, Steve Jobs unveiled iPhone 4 at a media event in San Francisco, which looked exactly like the lost iPhone. Apple Tablet Rumors The earliest rumors about Apple launching a device with tablet form factor were published back in late 2009. The speculations grew stronger after Kaifu Lee, ex-President of Google China wrote on a microblogging site about the imminent $1000 Apple Tablet that will look like a large iPhone. There was also word that Apple had booked a conference hall at the Yerba Buena Center for Arts in San Francisco for late January. Eventually, Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad at a packed media gathering on January 27, 2010. Smaller iPod nano A number of mockup images of a small 3cm x 3cm Apple branded device was leaked in the middle of this year. These pictures suggested the imminent launch of a new iPod nano that could be significantly smaller than the existing model. Apple finally launched the new-look iPod nano at a media event on September 1. iPod Touch 4G With Two Cameras Accessories and part supplies put up for sale on Chinese eCommerce websites have often been a major source of fodder for Apple-related rumors. One such posting in early August revealed a number of interesting details about the forthcoming iPod Touch model. There were speculations that the new iPod Touch could come with cameras on the front and back side of the device. These speculations were proved right when the actual device was unveiled during the September media event. These leaks and rumors have without doubt kept the anticipation level among Apple enthusiasts high through the year. With rumors about a CDMA iPhone and next generation iPad already doing the rounds, we hope we will get to see a lot of such revelations moving into 2011 as well. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. MEDFORD, Ore. Five Guys is looking to hire five dozen employees, and if you want to be one of them, head to the Medford Armory next week to submit your application. Owner Mel Garges and his partner, Kristy Zakour of Medford, have hired their management staff and are looking for approximately 60 employees for their store in Medford, which they hope to open around September 10. This is the fourth Five Guys for the business partners, whose other stores are in Eugene, Springfield, and Bend. Nobody can beat us, fresh wise, Garges said, calling their product an all-American burger. Eventually theyd like to open two more stores in Southern Oregon, but for now, they need to get this one staffed. Those interested in applying can do so at the Medford Armory, 1701 S Pacific Hwy, Medford, OR 97501, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, August 27 and 28. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) An attorney for Democratic Gov. Kate Brown's re-election campaign is demanding that Oregon TV stations stop airing an attack advertisement, claiming the ad is illegal under state law because it's making false statements. A letter by attorney Harry Wilson was sent to stations Monday, saying the recent ad by the group Priority Oregon contains several untrue statements, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported . "This is a clear, unambiguous false statement of fact, and that is illegal," Wilson said. "What we're asking is that these stations recognize that Priority Oregon is breaking the law and take down the illegal ad." The group's ad titled "Scary" depicts a woman reading a bedtime story to her children about Oregon under Brown's leadership. The ad suggests that Brown has allowed homelessness to get out of hand, children to go hungry and seniors to be abused. At the end of the story, the woman says "you can sell drugs while running a day care," while pointing to an illustration of a figure holding a baggie of what appears to be marijuana. The letter takes note of that statement and cites state administrative rules that prevent people from being certified as child care providers if they hold a medical marijuana license, or grow or distribute marijuana. "That statement is categorically and unambiguously untrue: It is illegal to sell drugs at a child care center in Oregon under numerous provisions of Oregon law," Wilson said in the letter. Under state law, TV stations are not liable in most cases for airing false campaign statements knowingly created by another party. Wilson acknowledged that stations are not obligated to pull the ad despite the letter's demand. Republican state Rep. Knute Buehler is challenging Brown for the governor's office. ___ Information from: KOPB-FM, http://news.opb.org SALEM, Ore. For families that need a little assistance, Oregon provides free and reduced-price meals to public school students. But this year, like every other year, the income requirements for those programs has changed somewhat, according to the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs (or Special Milk Program, which some schools offer instead of the others), qualifying students receive meals or milk for free or no more than 40 cents. This year, however, Oregon lawmakers eliminated the charge for reduced-price breakfast and lunchmeaning that breakfast and lunch will be provided for reduced-price students at no charge. Nonetheless, ODE has provided the income requirements for both levels of the program. Household Income Guidelines Participants may qualify for free meals if the household income falls at or below the limits on this chart: Participants may qualify for reduced price meals if the household income falls at or below the limits on this chart: Families who receive the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are automatically eligible for free meals and should receive a letter from their school letting them know that they are eligible. Schools will also accept the DHS notice/certification letter from students as proof of eligibility for free meals or milk. No other application or verification of eligibility is required for students directly certified. When known, the household will be notified of any childs eligibility for free meals if the individual child is receiving educational support through migrant education, homeless or runaway education, Head Start or is in foster care. Households notified of their childrens eligibility must contact the school if the household chooses to decline the free meal benefits. Households not directly certified may complete a confidential application for free or reduced price meals or free milk. An official at the school will review the confidential application and determine eligibility. Children in eligible households may receive meal benefits regardless of immigration status. Applications may be submitted anytime during the year. Information provided on an application may be verified at any time during the school year. An application cannot be approved unless it contains the following information: A SNAP or TANF case number for each child or an indication that the household is receiving FDPIR and the signature of an adult household member, or The names of all household members, the amount and source of income received by each household member in the prior month, the signature of an adult household member and the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application (or a statement that the person has no social security number). The application for free and reduced-price meals is available HERE. Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr, centre, poses with employees of Kelowna-based email management firm Bananatag. The minister was in town this week meeting with high-tech companies, KF Aerospace (formerly Kelowna Flightcraft), the B.C. Wine Institute and the B.C. Womens Enterprise Centre. 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. LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- As Fred Meyer faces a lawsuit claiming the store wrongfully charges deposits on bottles that can't be redeemed, a spokesperson with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission said the system isn't perfect. Matthew Van Sickle, Public Affairs Specialist with the OLCC, said Fred Meyer's policy is to keep the 10-cent bottle deposit, and its their responsibility to refund the deposit if its incorrect. Van Sickle said bottle deposit charges stay between the retailer and the distributor. The retailer pays the 10 cents when they buy the products from distributors. When customers buy bottles or cans, they pay the extra 10 cents to reimburse the store. The distributor gets their 10 cents back when we turn in our cans and bottles. If the container is non-redeemable, the retailer or distributor keeps the money, according to Van Sickle. He said in Fred Meyers case, it could just be a computer glitch. Frequently, what we see happen at OLCC is that in the computer systems a lot of these stores run on, occasionally, they get hiccups and products that don't actually have a redeemable deposit in Oregon show up in their system as having a deposit amount and they can charge the 10 cents," Van Sickle said. KEZI 9 News reporter Madison Glassman went into a Fred Meyer Monday and was charged a 10-cent bottle deposit on a paper carton of orange juice which, according to Oregons bottle bill, shouldnt include a deposit. Our reporter took it to the BottleDrop center in Springfield, where she was told she could not receive the 10-cent deposit back because its a paper carton. When she told the manager of the center Fred Meyer charged a 10-cent bottle deposit, the manager said there shouldnt have been a charge. On Tuesday, Glassman went into a Walmart and Safeway and purchased the same orange juice but was not charged a bottle deposit. Its important to note Glassman went into several stores and bought different products and for the most part, the charges were accurate. However, she went into a Dollar Tree in Springfield and was not charged a deposit for the six-pack of plastic Kool-Aid she bought, but a cashier at the store said that product normally has a deposit and it was the first time she hadn't seen one added. The manager of the Bottle Drop Center said people have complained about Fred Meyer, Albertsons and Safeway charging a deposit on items they shouldnt. However, she said the complaints about Safeway and Albertsons have stopped. As for Fred Meyer, she said she still gets them. Van Sickle said the OLCC reached out to Fred Meyer but added these things happen. "This happens periodically, Van Sickle said. It gets corrected. It's one of those things that for consumers, its difficult to do when you're at the store and you're buying lots of products, but always take a look at your receipt just to make sure what you're being charged is what you should be being charged." He said its important to know which items are covered by the bottle bill and which items are not. He said as a rule of thumb, if you can pour it, drink it and it comes in metal, glass or plastic, chances are its redeemable. MYRTLE POINT, Ore. -- The Coos County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team assisted the Myrtle Point Police Department Tuesday evening with a barricaded male close to 5th and Maple streets, the sheriff's office said. Law enforcement officers from Coquille, North Bend and the Oregon State Police were also on scene. Bystanders told KEZI 9 News at around 6:30 p.m., police surrounded a home near 5th and Willow streets after a man barricaded himself inside. Before that, officials said the man, 35-year-old Joe Hanks, became upset after a family dispute. There was some sort of family dispute -- dont know what it was -- but earlier today, the wife packed up the children and they left, said Paul Frasier, Coos County District Attorney. Frasier told KEZI the man likely became drunk and friends and acquaintances tried to help him. When they couldnt help Hanks, they went to the Myrtle Point Police Department for help. When an officer showed up, Frasier said Hanks fired what theyre estimating to be two shots in random directions. The officer backed off, called for help and the home was soon surrounded. After a two-and-a-half hour standoff, Hanks was arrested. No one was injured during the incident. Bystanders said theyre just glad it ended well. To hear that it was him and what happened, it was kind of a surprise," bystander Mercedes Lucas said. "All of us were really glad to see him come out alive because were really worried it wasnt going to end very good. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- An Oregon agency continued to financially back a solar panel company despite it defaulting on loan repayments to the state. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the state gave $13.5 million in tax credits, $10 million in direct financial assistance and millions of dollars in tax breaks to SoloPower Systems when it entered Portland eight years ago. The company, which promised lighter, thinner solar panels, shut down its factory and laid off most of its employees in 2013. It later stopped making payments on its state loan. According to a recently released audit, the Oregon Secretary of State is questioning the state Department of Energy's decision to make rent payments on behalf of the company, which had a "history of loan default, forbearance, and restructuring." A Georgia teacher in need of a kidney is searching for a match in a unique way. Posted: Aug 22, 2018 10:18 AM MASON CITY, Iowa A man accused of passing over $1,700 in forged checks is pleading not guilty. Blake Michael Harrer, 24 of Mason City, was arrested after authorities said he stole checks from a Clear Lake home, forged the account holders name, and tried to deposit them in his own account. He is charged with five counts of forgery and one count of 4th degree theft. Authorities also say Harrer was caught with both crystal meth and marijuana and faces two counts of drug possession. Hes entered a not guilty plea to all crimes. Court records do not list a trial date. AUSTIN, Minn. - Every year since 2009, the Austin Fire Department raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association with their "Fill the Boot" project. This year, they raised the most money they ever have: more than $20,000 Wednesday through Friday last week, the firefighters stood on curbs in the community asking for people to fill a firefighter boot up with coins and bills. Other fire departments participating in the program compete to raise the most money per person in the department. The winner each years takes home the Golden Axe. While other departments may raise more money overall, Austin firefighter Timothy Olson tells KIMT that AFD has raised the most money per person every year since 2009. "We blow all of the other departments away when it comes to dollars per member. Since we started back up again in 2009, we've held that record every year and I'm fairly confident, with our new record, that we'll hold it again," says Olson. He also says the fundraiser wouldn't be possible without the generosity of the community. The money goes towards muscular dystrophy research and sending kids who have the disease to a summer camp. The department will find out late this winter or early this spring if they'll be bringing home the Golden Axe again. MASON CITY, Iowa A man accused of threatening to kill a woman is going to stand trial. Stanley Lewis, 38 of Clear Lake, is charged with domestic abuse assault and 1st degree harassment. Authorities say he choked a woman on July 23, cut her leg with a box cutter, threw hot candle wax at her, and said he would kill her. Lewis also reportedly broke several drawers and threw the womans clothing and property all over the residence. His trial is scheduled to begin on October 30. MASON CITY, Iowa Trial has been set for a Clear Lake man police say was caught with about 1.7 pounds of marijuana. Drew Richard Nettifee, 36, is pleading not guilty to possession with intent to deliver marijuana and failure to affix a drug tax stamp. He was arrested on July 19 after Clear Lake police responded to a report of an open house at a vacant home in the 700 block of North 11th Street. Officers say Nettifee was found inside with around 800 grams of marijuana, worth around $5,000. Nettifees trial is due to begin on November 6. CRESCO, Iowa A Winneshiek County man has pleaded guilty to Howard County drug crimes. Lester Wallace Erickson III, 28 of Decorah, entered a guilty plea Tuesday to possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of contraband in a jail, possession of marijuana, and OWI-3rd offense. Cresco police say they pulled over Erickson for speeding on February 2. Officers said after learning Erickson was driving with a suspended license and there were warrants out for his arrest, they took him into custody and searched his vehicle. Police said they discovered 5.2 grams of marijuana, 4 grams of meth, and a two-sided bayonet. Police say three more grams of meth were found on Erickson when he was booked into the Howard County Jail. Hes been sentenced to two to five years of probation and must spend up to one year at the West Union Residential Facility. MASON CITY, Iowa A couple is pleading guilty after being caught with dozens of phony drivers licenses and IDs. Aleksandr Antolyevich Sagaydak, 37 of Mason City, and Galina Mikhaylovna Sagaydak, 38 of Mason City, have entered guilty pleas to two counts of forgery. Their sentencing date is set for September 24. The Sagaydaks were arrested after a search on May 8 located the counterfeit licenses and the equipment used to create fake IDs. Authorities say they recovered between 50 and 100 phony Wisconsin drivers licenses. The couple was also accused of traveling to department stores in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and buying things with the fake IDs to fraudulently buy things. ROCHESTER, Minn. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says northbound ramp closures will begin Wednesday on Highway 52 between Interstate 90 and Highway 63. Traffic delays are expected and drivers are urged to slow down in work zones and pay attention. Crews will begin work at the I-90 interchange but that ramp will not close to traffic. Access to Highway 52 may change during the paving process, however. As crews move north, ramps will close at Marion Road, Olmsted County Road 1 and Highway 62 between 9 am and 3 pm. MnDOT says should be completed in about one week, weather permitting. Paving also continues on all northbound lanes of Highway 52 between I-90 and Highway 63. Motorists will encounter single lane traffic during the paving process. Work on this $6.6 million project is expected to conclude late this fall. AUSTIN, Minn. - Between 300 and 400 American Legion riders from all over the country are on a 5-state, more than 1,000 mile journey called the Legacy Run to raise money and awareness for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship. On Tuesday, they made a stop at the Austin American Legion Post 91. The American Legion Legacy Scholarship helps fund the educations of the children of servicepeople who were killed or disabled in action post-9/11. "What this does is ensures that those kids have that opportunity, it's not lost because their parents made sacrifices for their country," says Post 91 Commander Tom Lenway. Since the scholarship's creation in 2002, the American Legion has raised $13 million in scholarship funds. ROCHESTER, Minn.- Governor Mark Dayton and members of a the task force for housing released their final report today. Recommending 30 different ways to improve access to quality and affordable housing across the state. Its a task force looking to invest in Minnesota's future called "Homes For all Minnesotans" is the action plan governor Dayton is putting in place to connect all residents with quality and affordable homes. Dave Dunn is part of the task force and explains why people in Minnesota struggle to buy a home. Dunn says in Olmsted County homes for sale went up from $189,000 in 2015 to $249, 000 today. That's a $60,000 increase in the last three and a half years. It an initiative new Rochester resident Michael Joyce and his wife support as they believe the greatest asset you have is your home. Its hard to describe the feeling of sense of satisfaction of ownership and being apart of a neighborhood with other families, said Joyce. Dayton says there isnt a one size fit all for affordable housing and the recommendations can be configured to fit different cities needs. ROCHESTER, Minn. A March car chase results in probation for a Rochester man. Ryan Matthew Vangness, 32, pleaded guilty to fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, 5th degree drug possession, and DWI. He was sentenced Wednesday to five years of supervised probation, must pay $6,114.13 in restitution, and must either perform 100 hours of community work service or pay a $1,000 fine. Authorities say Vangness was involved in a chase with Rochester police, the Olmsted County Sheriffs Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol on Highway 52 that ended when Vangness vehicle was disabled by a state trooper. ROCHESTER, Minn. A man accused of twice breaking up undercover drug buys is going to prison. Richard Eugene Patten, 38 of Rochester, pleaded guilty Wednesday to 1st degree aggravated robbery and possession of a firearm after being convicted of a crime of violence. As part of a plea deal, another count of 1st degree aggravated robbery and a charge of possession of a stolen firearm were dropped. The Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team says Patten robbed a confidential informant who was trying to buy methamphetamine from a reputed drug dealer, first on January 5 and again on January 26. Authorities say Patten took a total of $1,450 that was provided to the informant to buy the drugs. Court documents indicate Patten used a different handgun for each robbery. Law enforcement says after the second robbery, Patten was tracked to a home in the 100 block of 11th Street SE. The home was surrounded and Patten surrendered after about 15 minutes. Authorities say a search of the home found a gun that had been reported stolen out of Goodhue County. Patten has been sentenced to nine years and three months in prison, with credit for 209 days already served. BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP) A Mexican man charged with killing an Iowa college student worked on a dairy farm for years under a false name just a few miles from where the young woman was allegedly abducted while running last month, his employer said Wednesday. Cristhian Bahena Rivera was a good employee who showed up on time to take care of the cows and got along well with his co-workers, said Dane Lang, manager of Yarrabee Farms in Brooklyn, Iowa. The 24-year-old kept coming to work after Mollie Tibbetts disappeared July 18, and "nobody saw a difference" in his demeanor, Lang said. His colleagues were stunned Tuesday to learn that he was not only the suspect in Tibbetts' death, but that he had a different real name than what he went by on the farm, he said. "Our employee is not who he said he was," Lang said at a news conference at the farm. "This was shocking to us." When Rivera was hired in 2014, he presented an out-of-state government-issued photo identification and a matching Social Security card, he said. That information was run through the Social Security Administration's employment-verification system and checked out, he said. Rivera's defense attorney, Allan Richards, acknowledged Wednesday that his client received his paycheck under a different name and that he was uncertain of his immigration status. He said he was prepared to argue that his client was in the country legally, noting that he came to the U.S. as a minor and had worked and paid taxes for years. "He showed up every day, and he did his job. He was patted on his back. They turned a blind eye to the reality of documentation," Richards said. Rivera made his initial court appearance Wednesday on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student. Investigators say they believe Rivera was in the country illegally when he abducted Tibbetts as she went on an evening jog, killed her and dumped her body in a cornfield. A judge on Wednesday agreed to increase his bond to $5 million from $1 million after prosecutor Scott Brown noted he was a potential flight risk who was charged with a "heinous crime." Rivera sat stone-faced through much of the hearing, wearing a striped jail jumpsuit, handcuffs and speaking only briefly through a Spanish-speaking interpreter. His attorney, Richards, lashed out at President Donald Trump for publicly declaring his client guilty at a rally Tuesday night in which he called the nation's immigration system a disgrace. He said his client was a hard worker with the equivalent of an eighth-grade education, had no prior criminal record and deserved the presumption of innocence and a fair trial. "Sad and Sorry Trump has weighed in on this matter in national media which will poison the entire possible pool of jury members," Richards wrote in a court filing. Trump noted the arrest at the rally in West Virginia: "You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly, from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman. Should've never happened. Illegally in our country." Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have lodged an immigration detainer for Rivera, a move that means the agency has probable cause to believe he is subject to deportation. Yarrabee Farms is a small family farming operation that dates back to 1860 and has been owned for six generations by the Lang family, which is prominent in the community, farming circles and Republican politics. Dane Lang said the farm had received dozens of disturbing phone calls and messages since the employee's arrest, including threats to kill his dog and burn down his buildings. "This is a scary situation," he said. His father and farm co-owner Craig Lang, a former president of the Iowa Farm Bureau who ran earlier this year for state agriculture secretary, said the farm was cooperating with investigators and had already turned over Rivera's hiring records. He said now was not the time to debate immigration but to grieve the loss of Tibbetts, who was about to start her junior year studying psychology. Rivera led investigators Tuesday to a body believed to be Tibbetts in a cornfield about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of Brooklyn, where she was last seen, police said. Rivera allegedly confessed to following her and then panicking when she threatened to call police. He told authorities that he blacked out and then dumped her bloody body in the secluded location. Investigators have not released the cause and manner of Tibbetts' death and did not release any information following an autopsy conducted Wednesday. Rivera's Facebook page described him as being from Guayabillo, a community of less than 500 people in the Mexican state of Guerrero. It's about a three-hour drive from the resort city of Acapulco. Authorities said they zeroed in on Rivera after obtaining footage from surveillance cameras in Brooklyn. The footage showed a Chevy Malibu connected to Rivera that was driving back and forth as Tibbetts was running in the area. A conviction on first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole in Iowa, which does not have the death penalty. ___ Sign up for the AP's weekly newsletter showcasing our best reporting from the Midwest and Texas: http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv . ALBERT LEA, Minn. A daughter is pleading not guilty to attacking her mother. Caitlin Anne Nesje, 28 of Albert Lea, is charged with 2nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon. She was arrested on July 22 after Albert Lea police were called to a domestic assault. Officers spoke with a woman who identified herself as Nesjes mother. Police say she had a bloody nose, blood spread across her face and dripping down onto her shirt, an abrasion to her right ring finger, and a large bite mark on her left forearm. The victim says Nesje started yelling at her while waving a knife around. The victim says she started to walk away and Nesje grabbed her by the hair and hit her in the face, then dragged her down the stairs to the back door. The victim says Nesje also bit her right ring finger and her forearm. Nesjes trial is scheduled to start on January 29, 2019. (Kitco News) - Switzerlands trade data suggest that as of July, demand for gold in the physical market was still sluggish, analysts said. The countrys exports during the month were 115 tonnes, a year-on-year decline of 3% and the lowest July total in four years, said the consultancy Metals Focus. However, gold demand from two key nations India and China was mixed, said Commerzbank. Swiss exports are closely monitored by the gold market since much of the worlds metal passes through the country or is refined there. The latest Swiss data confirm the ongoing weakness in physical gold demand, Metals Focus said. Gold prices have weakened since spring in U.S. dollar terms. However, the consultancy explained, dollar strength meant gold prices did not always fall in local currency terms in many markets. China is a good example of a country where the local gold price, as a result of yuan weakness, has remained range-bound recently, Metals Focus said. Commerzbank pointed out that the Swiss data show that only 33.4 tonnes of gold were shipped to China and Hong Kong in July. The lowest figure in 10 months, this was not even half the previous months volume, Commerzbank said. Gold exports to India picked up, on the other hand, and at 25.1 tonnes were above average for this year. Still, Metals Focus said, Indias July total was still relatively low by historical standards. More importantly, this growth can partly be attributed to jewelers starting to restock for the India International Jewelry show this month and the upcoming festival season from September, Metals Focus said. Outside these two homes, Swiss shipments to other key physical markets were generally soft last month. (Adds comment from Saudi Arabia's energy minister) By Clara Denina , Alex Lawler and Marwa Rashad LONDON/RIYADH, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has called off both the domestic and international stock listing of state oil giant Aramco, billed as the biggest such deal in history, four senior industry sources said on Wednesday. The financial advisors working on the proposed listing have been disbanded, as Saudi Arabia shifts its attention to a proposed acquisition of a "strategic stake" in local petrochemicals maker Saudi Basic Industries Corp 2010.SE, two of the sources said. (Full Story) "The decision to call off the IPO was taken some time ago, but no-one can disclose this, so statements are gradually going that way - first delay then calling off," a Saudi source familiar with the IPO plans said. Saudi Arabia's energy minister denied that Aramco's initial public offering would be called off, in a statement issued early on Thursday. "The government remains committed to the initial public offering of Saudi Aramco, in accordance with the appropriate circumstances and appropriate time chosen by the Government, Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said in the statement. He said Riyadh had taken measures to prepare for the listing and that the timing would depend on factors including favorable market conditions, and a planned downstream acquisition in the next few months. The proposed listing of the national champion was a central part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's reform drive aimed at restructuring the kingdom's economy and reducing its dependence on oil revenue. The prince announced the plan to sell about 5 percent of Aramco in 2016 via a local and an international listing, predicting the sale would value the whole company at $2 trillion or more. Several industry experts however questioned whether a valuation that high was realistic, which hindered the process of preparing the IPO for the advisors. Stock exchanges in financial centres including London, New York and Hong Kong have been vying to host the international tranche of the share sale. An army of bankers and lawyers started to fiercely compete to win advisory roles in the IPO, seen as a gateway to a host of other deals they expected to flow from the kingdom's wide privatisation programme. International banks JPMorgan , Morgan Stanley and HSBC , were working as global coordinators, boutique investment banks Moelis & Co and Evercore were chosen as independent advisors and law firm White & Case as legal adviser, sources had previously told Reuters. More banks were expected to be named but no bookrunners were formally appointed despite banks pitching for the deal. Lawyers, bankers and auditors are all essential in the drafting the prospectus, a formal document that provides essential details on the company. "The message we have been given is that the IPO has been called off for the foreseeable future," said one of the sources, a senior financial advisor. "Even the local float on the Tadawul Stock Exchange has been shelved," the source added. Al Falih said in the company's 2017 annual report, released in August, that Aramco "continued to prepare itself for the listing of its shares, a landmark event the company and its board anticipate with excitement." Aramco had a budget which it used to pay advisors until the end of June. This has not been renewed, one of sources said. "The advisors have been put on standby," a third source, a senior oil industry official, said. "The IPO has not been officially called off, but the likelihood of it not happening at all is greater than it being on." Sources have previously told Reuters that in addition to the valuations, disagreements among Saudi officials and their advisers over which international listing venue to be chosen had slowed down the IPO preparations. (Reporting by Clara Denina, Alex Lawler, Marwa Rashad and Rania El Gamal Additional reporting by Stephen Kalin Editing by David Evans, Toni Reinhold) Messaging: clara.denina.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)(Twitter: @claradenina)) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. (Kitco News) - Gold prices are moderately higher in early U.S. trading Wednesday and are back above $1,200.00, on some safe-haven demand as U.S. President Trump may be in some legal and political trouble. December gold futures were last up $5.6 an ounce at $1,205.50. September Comex silver was last up $0.029 at $14.795 an ounce. U.S. and world stock markets were mixed to mostly weaker overnight on some trader and investor anxiety as Trump is in some hot water. Two of his close associates are likely going to jail. This has added a bit of uncertainty to the world marketplace at mid-week. There is talk Trump could pardon those associates, or that he could be impeached. And the mid-term congressional elections are right around the corner. Also in focus today is the early-afternoon release of the minutes of the last meeting of the Federal Reserves Open Market Committee (FOMC). Past FOMC minutes releases have moved markets, although no big revelations are expected in todays report. Another highlight of the trading week will be the annual meeting of world central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that begins on Friday. Past years meetings have produced important proclamations from world central bankers. Fed Chairman Powell is slated to speak at the symposium. In overnight news, the German government sold a 10-year bund at an average yield of 0.33%, which is a record low. That yield compares to U.S. 10-year Treasury yields that are around 2.83%. The key outside markets today find the U.S. dollar index lower again as the bulls are fading this week. Meantime, Nymex crude oil prices higher and trading above $66.50 a barrel. Other U.S. economic data due for release today includes the weekly MBA mortgage applications survey, existing home sales, and the weekly DOE liquid energy stocks report. Technically, gold bears still have the overall near-term technical advantage amid a price downtrend on the daily bar chart. However, the bears appear to be exhausted to suggest a market bottom is in place. Gold bulls' next upside near-term price breakout objective is to produce a close in December futures above solid resistance at $1,226.00. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is pushing prices below solid technical support at last weeks low of $1,167.10. First resistance is seen at $1,212.50 and then at $1,221.40. First support is seen at the overnight low of $1,199.20 and then at this weeks low of $1,189.60. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 2.5 September silver futures bears still have the overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $15.50 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $14.00. First resistance is seen at the overnight high of $14.875 and then at $15.00. Next support is seen at this weeks low of $14.625 and then at $14.50. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 2.5. * China's central bank will not resort to strong stimulus* Large holder of zinc warrants cuts position Recasts, adds comment, changes dateline from MANILA) By Pratima Desai LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Copper prices slipped on Wednesday as worries about demand resurfaced ahead of trade talks between the United States and China that are seen as unlikely to yield progress. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 0.4 percent at $6,024 a tonne at 1026 GMT after hitting a one-week high of $6,076 on Tuesday. "At the start of the week there was optimism for some sort of arrangement to stop the escalation of tariffs, but that seems unlikely now," Capital Economics analyst Caroline Bain said. "Demand in China held up better than expected in the first half but there are signs the slowdown is under way. If they loosen policy it will take till the middle of next year to see any tangible effects and any loosening is likely to only stabilise the economy, not give it a boost." TRADE: U.S. and Chinese officials are set to resume contentious trade talks on Wednesday under the cloud of a prediction by U.S. President Donald Trump that there would be no real progress. The discussions among mid-level officials could set a framework for further negotiations as each country prepares to hit the other with new tariffs on Thursday in a deepening dispute over China's economic policies. CHINA: China accounts for nearly half of global copper consumption estimated at 24 million tonnes. The United States accounts for about 8 percent. INFRASTRUCTURE: China almost quadrupled the value of fixed-asset investment projects approved in July from the previous month as Beijing looked to accelerate infrastructure spending to stabilise the cooling economy. CHINA STIMULUS: China's central bank said it will not resort to strong stimulus to support the slowing economy, but will keep liquidity reasonably ample and offer more help to companies that are having trouble obtaining financing. STOCKS: Cancelled warrants - material earmarked for delivery - for copper in LME-approved warehouses - have risen above 67,000 tonnes, from around 25,000 tonnes last week. The latest number is about 25 percent of LME copper stocks. ZINC: Worries about a tight LME zinc market have receded as a large holding of 50 to 79 percent of stocks has been cut. That is reflected in the small discount for the cash over the three-month contract from a premium above $60 a tonne at the beginning of August. DOLLAR: A softer U.S. currency was helping to support prices of dollar-denominated industrial metals, as it makes them cheaper for non-U.S. firms. PRICES: Aluminium was up 1 percent at $2,075 a tonne, zinc gained 0.9 percent to $2,449, lead rose 0.3 percent to $2,015, tin gained 0.4 percent to $19,105 and nickel climbed 0.4 percent to $13,615. Reporting by Pratima Desai; Additional reporting by Manolo Serapio Jr.; Editing by Dale Hudson) LME price overview COMEX copper futures Base metals news All metals news All commodities news Metals diary Foreign exchange rates SPEED GUIDES )) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mexicos economy minister Ildefonso Guajardo said on Wednesday that Mexico could resolve its outstanding bilateral issues with the United States in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in the next few hours or days. We hope that well have a solution in the next couple of hours, or the next couple of days, Guajardo told reporters before entering the offices of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer for NAFTA talks. Reporting by Sharay Angulo and Timothy Aeppel, Writing by Daina Beth Solomon Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. LUSAKA, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Zambian copper output rose 10.6 percent to 402,222 tonnes in the first half of the year, the central bank governor Denny Kalyalya said on Wednesday. Zambian copper mining industry has been increasing production of the metal thanks to stable power supply and relatively higher metal prices in recent months. (Reporting by Chris Mfula Editing by James Macharia) Reuters Messaging: tiisetso.motsoeneng.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Reuters Messaging: tiisetso.motsoeneng.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. By Ko Dong-hwan Deborah Smith speaks during a press conference at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul in June 2016. Korea Times file South Korea's fertility rate fell to an all-time low in 2017 despite efforts to prop up the chronically low number of children being born in the country amid a rapidly aging population, government data showed Wednesday. The total fertility rate, or the average number of babies that a woman is projected to have during her lifetime, reached 1.05 last year, down from 1.17 tallied a year earlier, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea. The 2017 figure marks the lowest number tallied in Asia's fourth-largest economy to date. The number of newborns also declined 11.9 percent, or 48,500, to a record low of 357,771 last year. The average age that a woman had her first child was 32.6 last year, up from 32.4 years in 2016. Some 29.4 percent of first-time moms were over 35 years of age in 2017, up from 26.4 percent the year earlier. The trend of declining births is not new in South Korea, where an increasing number of women work and want to hold onto their careers. This has led to many getting married later than in the past and having children at an older age. To tackle the worrisome low-rate trend, the South Korean government has been encouraging people to have more children by offering various incentives, including cash rewards. The low birthrate and aging population can seriously hurt the national economy by reducing the workforce and driving up welfare costs. Based on the 2016 data, South Korea's fertility rate was the lowest among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), followed by Spain and Italy, both with 1.34. The average birthrate of OECD countries stood at 1.68 as of 2015. (Yonhap) Law enforcement should serve people, not power A fact-finding mission into cases of human rights violations by police concluded Tuesday that police brutality was the direct cause of the death of an activist farmer. This conclusion came 1,011 days after the 68-year-old farmer, Baek Nam-gi, died after being in a coma for about 10 months. Baek was left comatose Nov. 14, 2015, after being struck by a police water cannon during a protest in central Seoul calling for a rice price hike. His death sparked a controversy over police use of excessive force to suppress demonstrations. The finding was nothing new. The police chief and the prime minister apologized for Baek's death and police brutality after President Moon Jae-in took office in May last year. The prosecution already brought charges against those responsible for the death. However, the mission made a shocking revelation that the Park Geun-hye administration and the police had tried all they could to cover up the case. The presidential office and the police were found to have collected information about the treatment of Baek who was taken to Seoul National University Hospital right after he lost consciousness following the police attack. The spokesman of the committee said presidential officials and police asked the hospital chief to operate on Baek although the medical staff found no chance of his survival. They seemed to have insisted on the operation, fearing his imminent death might cause a strong backlash from farmers, unionists, civic activists and the public. If the panel's revelations are true, the conservative Park administration must have intervened in Baek's treatment process systematically to hide the truth about the violent suppression of the rally Baek took part in. How could the government and the law enforcement agency have engaged in covering up the case? Baek's death has also shown that the authorities violated not only his human rights, but also the people's constitutional freedom of assembly and demonstration. The presidential office mobilized police to illegally suppress various protests against the Park administration. It is not too much to say that Park's flagrant disregard for people's rights led to the destruction of the spirit of the Constitution and the rule of law. It is no coincidence that Park was impeached for corruption and influence-peddling. Her ouster from power was the direct result of her attempt to trample on democratic values and human rights. Now the Moon administration should do its best to restore the damaged democratic system and the rule of law. For this, it should officially apologize for the farmer's death and severely punish those responsible for the brutal and violent suppression of the demonstration. What's most imperative is to reform the police to make sure the law enforcement agency serves the people and the nation, not the political power. We must learn a painful but valuable lesson from Baek's case. Such a thing should not happen again. View of the gate of the Embassy of Taiwan in San Salvador on August 21, 2018. China and El Salvador established diplomatic relations Tuesday as the Central American nation ditched Taiwan in yet another victory for Beijing in its campaign to isolate the island. AFP By Kinling Lo El Salvador might be a small nation, but the United States is worried it has something more to offer mainland China than diplomatic recognition: a port that could be used for military purposes. The Central American country officially cut ties with Taipei and established a formal alliance with Beijing on Tuesday, leaving Taiwan with just 17 nations that officially recognise its status. While Taipei has accused Beijing of luring its allies away with generous aid offers, Washington sees the latest switch as not just a case of piling more pressure on the self-ruled island, but a move to shore up mainland China's security and strategic planning in the region. Jean Manes, the US ambassador to El Salvador, tweeted on Tuesday that the United States was concerned about the Central American nation's decision to break ties with Taiwan. "Without a doubt, this will impact our relationship with the government. We continue supporting the Salvadoran people," she said. Last month, Manes had warned about China's intentions to turn the La Union commercial port in El Salvador's east into a "military base", according to US-based MintPress News. "It is a strategic matter, and we all need to keep our eyes open to what is happening," she said. Facing the Pacific Ocean, El Salvador has an area half the size of Taiwan and is the smallest country in Central America. Its economy relies on exports of coffee, sugar, textiles and clothing, and the assembly of intermediate goods, and a third of its population of 6.5 million lives below the poverty line. The shipping port of La Union has remained largely deserted since it was completed in 2008 because its lack of maritime traffic has made it difficult to find investors. Nelson Vanegas, president of the Autonomous Executive Port Commission in El Salvador, said in July that there were at least three companies from Asia, Europe and America interested in operating the port. A new tendering process to find an operator is expected to begin next month. On Tuesday, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said Taipei had rejected El Salvador's request for harbour development funding, without naming La Union, over concerns that the site was unsustainable. But last month, El Salvador Economy Minister Luz Estrella Rodriguez said Beijing was interested in reviving the port, in addition to investing in other areas of the country. She said Chinese companies such as state-owned Citic Group had been meeting with Salvadoran officials for several years about business opportunities not just at the port, but at the country's international airport and its railways. "It is perfectly natural that China would be interested in having a port in El Salvador it's located at the centre of Central America, acting as a transport and trade hub linking North and South America," said Xu Shicheng, a research fellow with the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "The US likes to say that it would be of military use just because it has a huge military presence in the region, but in fact, China has no military presence in the region," Xu said. China opened its first overseas military base in Djibouti last year, and is possibly developing one in Gwadar Port in Pakistan, but observers said it was unlikely it would be planning to build a military port in El Salvador. Collin Koh, a naval affairs expert at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said it would be far-fetched to say Beijing saw ports as "potential bases", but it was clear that it was seeking to acquire or help develop overseas ports in strategic locations that could serve its long-term interests. "To build a base in this region may run the risk of provoking a stronger US response, even as we can still entertain the idea of the occasional access to port facilities by the People's Liberation Army Navy," Koh said. But Charles Morrison, a US-Asia security affairs expert at the East-West Centre in Hawaii, doubted whether either Taipei or Beijing had a deep interest in El Salvador apart from the symbolic meaning of the diplomatic switch and its acceptance of the one-China policy. "While Taiwan fights to keep its relationships, it is not willing to pay any price," he said, referring to Taipei rejecting El Salvador's funding request. Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province subject to eventual reunification, by force if necessary. It has stepped up pressure against the island since Tsai Ing-wen, from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, became president and refused to accept the one-China principle. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Generally cloudy. High near 55F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 34F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Angola, IN (46703) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High near 55F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low around 35F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. 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. (ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) Hundreds of students moved into their dorms on Missouri Western State University's campus Wednesday morning. Missouri Western welcomed around 1,000 new students during the university's Move-In Day. Many of the new students will be living in Scanlon Hall. University leaders said today is a just the first step in their journey. "We hope they get the best experience possible and that they focus on finishing their degree in four years and working towards graduation. The whole goal of everything we do on campus is putting students first. That begins today," said MWSU Associate Director of Admissions Dixie Williams. The first day of class for Missouri Western students is Monday. Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe When the Los Angeles Police Departent's new headquarters opened in 1955, the West Coast Modernist structure was the physical embodiment of Chief William H. Parker's dream of a nationally recognized monument to modern policing. Fewer than four decades later, the Parker Center would become the focal point for the unbridled rage of a community after four LAPD officers were acquitted of assault charges in the beating of Rodney King. Originally called the Police Administration Building, the building was renamed for Parker after his death in 1966. A fair share of America's most notorious criminals passed through its doors, including Charles Manson, Sirhan Sirhan and the Hillside Strangler, who were all booked at the facility. (Courtesy LAPL archives) In the end, the LAPD's "Glass House" would fall victim to an unstoppable thief: time. In 2013, it was shuttered. By the end of 2019, it could be wiped from the city landscape entirely. The future of the structure now hinges on a possible injunction. Last Wednesday, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation sued the city of Los Angeles, claiming that the building they plan to replace it with -- a $700 million dollar office tower -- is a waste of taxpayer money. Instead, they say the space should be used to house the homeless. Despite that, city officials told LAist that "pre-demolition" began Monday. Next week, they'll get to work removing harmful lead and asbestos. The walls will start coming down "a little bit later," according to Anna Bahr of Mayor Eric Garcetti's office. The Parker Center's past, much like its future, was not without controversy. Let's take a look back. WWII TO HQ A picture of William H. Parker on the phone. He was Los Angeles' chief of police from 1950 until his death in 1966. (Jack B. Kemmerer/LAPL) After 15 years with the LAPD, Parker left to fight during WWII. He was wounded during the invasion of Normandy and received several awards for his service. When he returned to L.A., he quickly worked his way up the ranks and was tapped to lead the force in 1950. His military service informed his resolve to change policing, according to Richard Schave, co-founder of LA-based Esotouric bus adventures "(Parker) wanted to make the Los Angeles Police Department the most modern and efficient municipal law enforcement department in the country," Schave told KPCC's Take Two. "His vision for reform and innovation is intrinsically tied up the style and function of his new police headquarters." Part of that vision, Schave said, was a headquarters wired from "head-to-toe." And it was. That included the jails and telephone lines. Former employees who worked in the building described to the L.A. Times "a maze of hidden pneumatic tubes, some large enough to move bulky files, to automatically connect records clerks with detectives and booking desks... along with 'super-secret' electronic recording equipment that included 60 concealed microphones in jail cells and interview rooms and 25 telephone tap devices." THE RISE OF THE CRIME LAB Ray H. Pinker working in the LAPD crime lab, about 1935. (Courtesy LAPL archives) Prior to the creation of the Parker Center, police would often rely on outside labs when solving a case, according to Schave. That changed under chemist Raymond Pinker, who would establish the LAPD crime lab. Yes, the Ray Pinker of Black Dahlia fame. He'd become the department's public face for forensic evidence and help bring a greater legitimacy to the practice. Pinker's scientific methods helped put many criminals behind bars, including police officials. After the 1938 car-bombing of a former LAPD detective who was investigating corruption in the force, Pinker's lab traced it back to a captain in the department's intelligence squad. The captain was convicted of the crime. 'DRAGNET' AS POLICE PR Ray Pinker would be portrayed by Jack Webb in the 1947 film He Walked By Night. His character would later inspire Webb when he created the 1950s TV series Dragnet. Chief Parker, understanding the value good public relations would have for the department, opened LAPD files to Webb. The department headquaters also starred as itself in the series. "He just lets this television show create this persona for the Los Angeles Police Department," Schave said. Dragnet has been criticized for glamorizing the LAPD, while in the real L.A., brutal, racist police tactics were being imposed on the city's communities of color and tensions would boil over -- more than once. A SYMBOL OF THE L.A. RIOTS A group of people gather outside the LAPD's Parker Center on April 29, 1992, after the jury's decision in the Rodney King beating case. (Gare Leonard/LAPL) Parker Center would become ground zero for the protests and rioting that began after the infamous 1992 verdict in the beating of Rodney King, in which four LAPD officers were acquitted of assault charges. Schave pointed to "haunting" images of crowds gathered at Parker Center. Police officers stood in formation as demonstrations grew and turned violent. Doors were locked. Windows were broken. Fires were set outside the building. "This is really part of the narrative of the city and a narrative that I don't think Parker would like to look back on," Schave says. The 1992 riots were not the first time the Parker Center became the focus of community frustration. Throughout the 1980s, activists from communities of color gathered in front of the building to protest police tactics. An L.A. Times editorial from 2017 argues that the building's "dark history" is the reason it won't be saved. Despite efforts to protect it, the City Council decided against dubbing the Parker Center a historic-cultural monument and backed the plan to tear it down. Approximately 50 people protested police officers use of the "chokehold" in front of Parker Center. Photograph dated April 28, 1982. (Courtesy Herald Examiner Collection/LAPL archive) The building, much like the man whose name it bears, now appears poised to become part of the city's long, complicated, and at times painful past. LAist news editor Ryan Fonseca contributed to this story. News happens every day. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you and the community you live in. Now that we're part of KPCC, those stories (including this one you're on right now!) are made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism isn't cheap, but with your support we can keep delivering it. Donate now. Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe One quiet night about 30 years ago, when Claudia Martin was still a child, she was at home in Mexicali watching TV. Out of nowhere, she started to sob. Her grandmother didn't need to ask why. "She knew I was crying because I missed my mom." By then Claudia's mother had been living in the U.S. for about a year. She'd remarried and moved to be with her new husband. Martin was just 6 years old. Her mother gave her the choice to stay or go. To her, Mexico was home. Going to the U.S. meant starting all over, learning a new language, leaving an identity behind. So she lived with relatives. That night, though, as Claudia wept, her relatives realized it was time to reunite the child with her mother. Right away, the family started making arrangements to send Claudia to Los Angeles. Thirty years later, Martin's own experience colors how she digested this summer's news from the U.S.-Mexico border, where the Trump Administration's "zero tolerance" policy separated more than 2,300 migrant children from their parents. More than 100 of these children are now believed to be in L.A. "That is going to tarnish them for a long time," said Martin. Martin sees the trauma firsthand every week. She's now a physician for LAUSD and, one day a week, performs physical exams for young students at the district's School Enrollment Placement and Assessment Center, or "SEPA" Center. Though the SEPA Center does not serve immigrant families exclusively, many immigrant children are referred there because it includes many of the services immigrant children need under one roof: enrollment forms, vaccination, counseling and other care. Martin's own life story -- both as a child immigrant, then as a doctor to immigrant children -- reflects lessons L.A. Unified educators and staff have learned from accommodating wave after wave of immigrant children who've come to the district's doors over at least the last two decades. 'THE KIDS AND THE PARENTS ARE EQUALLY SCARED' Almost all of Martin's immigrant patients enter her exam room on-edge. Some new arrivals have never seen a doctor before and have never heard of a "physical exam." She sees the questions reflected in the children's faces: What is she doing? the children's faces ask. Why is she touching me? What is going to happen next? And the parents often seen nervous, too. "Both the kids and the parents are equally scared, I would say," says Martin, now 36. "They're mistrustful." LAUSD does not ask the citizenship status of incoming students, so good data is hard to come by. Over the last five years, more than 12,000 "unaccompanied minors" -- children apprehended by immigration agents without their parents -- were placed with relatives or sponsors in L.A. County. A good portion of those children presumably wind up enrolling in L.A. Unified schools. Every week, Martin says she sees an immigrant child who's entered the U.S. alone. The issue of immigrants finding their way in L.A. schools is far from new. About twenty years ago, L.A. Unified educators raised concerns that immigrant children were having a hard time learning English in part "because of what they experienced in their home country." That led to the district conducting trauma screenings on Spanish-, Russian-, Korean- and Armenian-speaking students, says Pia Escudero, who oversees L.A. Unified's mental health and counseling services. The results were stunning. Researchers crunched the numbers and found immigrant children were experiencing trauma at off-the-scale levels. They were so high, Escudero said "our research partner said, go back and do it again, these levels are very high." That survey found a range of factors causing trauma -- all factors still in play with recent immigrant children. Some students experienced violence in their home countries, on their journey to the U.S., or in their new neighborhoods. Being separated from parents also caused trauma, district officials found. Many immigrant children are coming here to reunite with a biological parent. Others are leaving parents behind. Either way, Escudero says there's evidence that the separation from the parents can cause developmental delays. "Their brain doesn't develop at the same rate as a healthy child does," she says, which can lead to behavioral problems. It can seem like a child has ADHD. "We know that children who have these disruptions have a really hard time being calm, being able to adapt to environments," says Escudero. "They're in a fight-or-flight state of being very, very hyper vigilant." Claudia Martin, a physician for the L.A. Unified School District, poses for a portrait at Plasencia Elementary School, on whose campus the district's School Enrollment Placement and Assessment Center is housed.(Photo by Kyle Stokes/LAist) 'I DON'T WANT THEM TO FEEL JUDGED' Even before she came to the U.S., Claudia Martin spent a lot of time around doctors and nurses. Her mother was a nurse and would take Claudia to work at the hospital in Mexico on days she couldn't find a babysitter. Martin even remembers sleeping over at the nurses station. "I literally grew up in the hospital," Martin remembers. When left Mexico at age 7, she was familiar with getting a shot -- which was fortunate. Since she arrived in the U.S. without any immunization records, Martin needed to receive eight shots before she could start the second grade. It was at the same SEPA center where she works today that she got those shots. Three decades later, she still remembers seeing the mural on the walls of Plasencia Elementary School, on whose campus the SEPA Center was housed. (It's still there today.) Most of the immigrant patients she sees at the SEPA Center are entirely unfamiliar with institutional medicine and Martin is sensitive to their fears. With immigrant children, Martin will take it slow. She'll spend two, sometimes three hours examining a single patient. And she needs that time, because she's explaining every step: what a physical exam entails, what insurance is, what pharmacies do... "When I wasn't able to speak English, I felt judged," Martin says, "so I keep that in the back of my mind -- I don't want this family to feel like I'm rushing them because I don't want them to feel judged. It takes a long time." Still, the patient children are mistrustful, leery. And they do not want to be apart from their parents. "They want to be with their parent the whole time," Martin says. "They don't want to step away to get their weight checked, to go into another room to get their blood pressure checked." Why are they so mistrustful? "From experience," Martin says. "Can you imagine parents talking to their kids: 'We're going up north. We're going to go up to the U.S. It's going to be a better life for all of us. We're all going to be happy.'" "And soon after you come over, it's completely different. This is not happiness. I didn't envision getting separated from my family, from my parents." Immigrant children come to Martin's office with a wide range of needs and problems. Patients have divulged to Martin that they have been raped or threatened. Other children come in with previously undiagnosed medical problems -- one child arrived showing clear signs of cerebral palsy. Martin's job is to give the children a diagnosis and refer them to a permanent physician. It's not clear whether any children separated from their parents during this summer's crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border have come through the SEPA Center. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and other local leaders have complained about the lack of information being shared by federal officials with them about the whereabouts and treatment of the separated children. For Martin, it's hard not to see something of the kids she sees on the news -- the children separated from and reuniting with their parents -- in the children she treats in her own office. Martin just hopes they'll all be okay. "Knowing I'm the first doctor that they've seen in the U.S., that's a big responsibility for me," Martin says, "and I take that seriously. This will impact them for the rest of their life, this interaction, and I want it to be a good, positive one." "Kids remember the good things," Martin adds. "Hopefully, they'll remember the good things more than the bad things." Editor's note: A version of this story aired on KPCC. Listen to it here. News happens every day. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you and the community you live in. Now that we're part of KPCC, those stories (including this one you're on right now!) are made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism isn't cheap, but with your support we can keep delivering it. Donate now. Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Voters in northeast Los Angeles and in the southeast cities will head to the polls next spring for a special election to replace controversial former L.A. Unified school board member Ref Rodriguez, who left an empty seat on the board after his resignation last month. And it looks increasingly likely those voters be without a voice on the LAUSD school board until that election is over. The LAUSD board voted 5-1 on Tuesday to call a special election on March 5, 2019 to elect a representative to fill out the remainder of Rodriguez's term, which runs through December 2020. A runoff election between the top two finishers in that election will likely follow two months later, on May 14. WHERE THE DISAGREEMENTS BEGIN Board members could not agree, however, whether to appoint someone to represent Rodriguez's former seat on an interim basis while that election plays out over the next six to eight months. An overflow crowd of parents and community members streamed into the board room for public comment, most of them urging a temporary appointment. But they -- and board members -- were not on the same page about how that appointment should be handled. Board members Scott Schmerelson and George McKenna voted in favor of appointing Jackie Goldberg as interim. Goldberg represented the area on the LAUSD board from 1983 to 1991 and went on to serve on the L.A. City Council and in the California Assembly. But board members Nick Melvoin, Monica Garcia and Kelly Gonez voted against appointing Goldberg in favor of a different plan: solicit nominations from the public, vet the names and choose an interim board member from among the submitted names by mid-September. The board's swing vote, Richard Vladovic, voted "no" on both plans, saying he opposes appointments to the school board on principle. "I want the people to decide who sits next to me and who votes," Vladovic said. He added later: "Doggone it, I'm not going to appoint anybody. I believe in democracy. That's it." WHO CARES IF THAT SEAT IS EMPTY? LAUSD Board District 5 begins in Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Echo Park, curves through Highland Park and Eagle Rock, then slices down through a sliver of El Sereno into the southeast cities of Vernon, Huntington Park and South Gate. Rodriguez left the seat unrepresented after he pleaded guilty to political money laundering charges and resigned in July. Vladovic said he felt other board members can look out for the interests of Board District 5 schools -- and that LAUSD superintendent Austin Beutner remains ultimately responsible for their performance. "Nothing's going to happen," Vladovic said, "that is that dramatic in the next six months." Many public commenters who gathered at the district's downtown headquarters Tuesday disagreed. Nadia Diaz Funn, head of the advocacy organization Alliance for a Better Community, contended that Board District 5 cannot go as long as nine months without a representative. During that period, she said the board may make decisions that will "impact the ability of the district to remain solvent over time ... decisions that must take into account the diverse and vibrant communities of that district." A LATINO VOICE FOR A 'LATINO SEAT'? Race was an undercurrent in Tuesday's public comments. More than 88 percent of the students in Board District 5 schools are Latino, and parents appeared divided over whether it was appropriate for Goldberg, a white woman, to represent the district. "It is important," said parent Rosa Andresen, "that the board member representing us be totally familiar with our communities and be able to communicate with our families in Spanish." "The [district] was specifically drawn for maximum Latino representation," added Bell parent Raquel Toscano, who wore a shirt from the advocacy group called Speak Up. "Do you care about my civil rights?" For her part, Goldberg came bearing a letter of endorsement from civil rights leader Dolores Huerta. She also has ties to southeast L.A. County, having worked at Centennial and Dominguez high schools in Compton. Other commenters said Goldberg's race was not an issue. "Some lady here was saying we need Latino representation-- no," said Ruth Perez: "We had a Latino on the seat and he didn't do anything for anybody. [Ref Rodriguez] won the election with cheating." WILL SHE RUN ANYWAYS? But Goldberg's race was not the only issue. She has been critical of the current board at times and was especially vocal in her opposition to hiring Beutner as superintendent. During one May meeting, Goldberg thundered that the current board was "bought and paid-for" by charter school interests. Still, Goldberg lamented that her nomination was being equated to another volley in the ongoing political battle between charter school interests and teachers unions. "People can talk themselves into believing this is about charters, and it's not," Goldberg, 73, said in an interview. "If that what motivated me, then I'd run in 2020. Then I'd be oppositional." Goldberg had promised that if she were appointed as interim board member, she would not run. However, in her interview, Goldberg left open the possibility of running in the special election if the board voted against appointing her. If she were to run, Goldberg would join a growing field of candidates for the special election, which already includes Huntington Park Mayor Graciela Ortiz, Bell City Council member Nestor Valencia and former Cerritos College trustee John Paul Drayer. Multiple media outlets L.A. Board of Public Works vice president Heather Repenning is considering a run, as is Highland Park parent Rocio Rivas. News happens every day. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you and the community you live in. Now that we're part of KPCC, those stories (including this one you're on right now!) are made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism isn't cheap, but with your support we can keep delivering it. Donate now. Strict sentences demanded for members of reactionary organisations The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Procuracy on August 22 proposed strict penalties for 12 defendants, who are members of a reactionary organisation, for conducting activities aimed at overthrowing the peoples administration. Nguyen James Han The defendants are Nguyen James Han, Phan Angel, Do Tai Nhan, Truong Nguyen Minh Tri, Vo Hoang Ngoc, Do Quoc Bao, Tran Tuan Tai, Tran Van Vinh, Tran Quang Vinh, Nguyen Hung Anh, Nguyen Van Chanh and Do Thi Thuy Dung. They are members of the self-claimed Chinh phu quoc gia Viet Nam lam thoi (Provisional National Government of Vietnam). The Procuracy demanded 14-16 years in prison for Nguyen James Han (a Vietnamese expatriate in the US born in 1967) and Phan Angel (a US citizen born in 1956), and their deportation to the US after they finish serving their sentence in Vietnam. Jail terms of 5-7 years and surveillance for the next 2-3 years were proposed for Nguyen Van Chanh and Do Thi Thuy Dung, and imprisonment of 10-12 years for the remaining defendants, along with surveillance terms of 3-4 years. According to the indictment, the reactionary Chinh phu quoc gia Viet Nam lam thoi (Provisional National Government of Vietnam) organisation, which was set up in the US in 1990 by Dao Minh Quan, a US national born in 1952, had made use of the internet to carry out many propaganda plans to distort policies of the Vietnamese Party and State and develop their force in Vietnam. It also sent people from other countries to Vietnam to direct sabotage activities. According to the indictment, Nguyen James Han and Phan Angel were sent to Vietnam by Quan to develop force and direct other members in the country to conduct anti-State activities. In March 2017, Dao Minh Quan directly assigned Nguyen James Han to return to Vietnam to conduct sabotage activities at celebrations of Vietnams National Reunification Day on April 30, 2017. On March 28, 2017, Nguyen James Han entered Vietnam and contacted Phan Angel to disseminate Dao Minh Quans directions to other members in the country, namely Nguyen Quang Thanh, Ta Tan Loc, Tran Tuan Tai and Nguyen Hung Anh and discuss implementation plans. Nguyen James Han and Phan Angel farmed out tasks to each person such as distributing leaflets, breaking into radio stations to broadcast information about their organisation, and protesting against Taiwanese steel maker Formosa. However, most of these activities were uncovered and prevented by authorised agencies. The indictment said those defendants actively took part in this organisation despite being well aware that the Provisional National Government of Vietnam organisation aims to abolish the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and overthrow the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. They were accused of inducing over 100 people to enter the organisation, write votes expressing their support for Dao Minh Quan to be president of the so-called 3rd Republic of Vietnam and involve in sabotage activities. Aside from the aforementioned activities, the reactionary organisation used to carry out many armed terrorist plots in Vietnam, including setting fire to a warehouse storing motorcycles seized by police for traffic rule violations in Bien Hoa city in Dong Nai province. Its members also planted petrol bombs at Tan Son Nhat International Airport of Ho Chi Minh City in April 2017. Meanwhile, some members of the Viet Nguyen Dynasty organisation, separated from the Provisional National Government of Vietnam, bombed the police station of Ward 12 in Tan Binh district, HCM City, injuring three people. According to the procuracy, taking advantage of the development of the internet, the Provisional National Government of Vietnam organisation had conducted a lot of activities to distorted the Vietnamese Party and States policies, and incited others to conduct activities aimed at overthrowing the peoples administration. The indictment stressed that the defendants acts were extremely serious, infringing national security, harming national development and stability, affecting political security and social order and safety, and going against the countrys interests. It said their acts constitute the offence of conducting activities aimed at overthrowing the peoples administration under Clause 1, Article 79 of the 1999 Penal Code.-VNA Following the retention of a new attorney, the trial date in the case of People vs. Cindy Greatrex has been postponed once again, this time to Nov. 8 in San Diego Superior Court. The trial continued because Ms. Greatrex retained a new attorney and he needs time to prepare, said Chandelle Konstanzer, the attorney representing the People. Continuances can occur when defendants retain new attorneys and when witnesses are unavailable. That is common. Greatrex, a La Jolla resident and civic volunteer, is accused of making out checks from La Jolla Park & Recreation, Inc. board payable to herself or cash and cashing them into her personal accounts. According to court documents, the total loss was $67,935.86. Greatrex was president of La Jolla Park & Recreation, Inc. board in 2015, but stepped down in 2017, citing conflicts with other board members. She currently serves on the La Jolla Community Planning Association. During the November 2017 preliminary hearing, which spanned three days, witnesses included employees and volunteers from the La Jolla Recreation Center, police investigators, postal investigators, business attorneys, and Greatrex herself. A key issue was determining the existence and legitimacy of the firm with which Greatrex said she entered into a contract and paid to write grants: American Field Consulting and its representative Jon Freeman. Following the preliminary hearing, Judge Amalia Meza determined there was enough evidence to proceed to trial. A motion to dismiss was filed in April, and San Diego Superior Court Judge Michael Groch was asked to review the transcript and evidence submitted in the preliminary hearing, and determine whether the judge was correct in calling for a trial. Groch affirmed that a trial was merited, and a date was set for earlier this summer. However, for reasons not disclosed to the Light, the trial was postponed at least three times. Greatrexs newest attorney is Earll Pott, and is the fourth to be retained for this case. (During the preliminary hearing in November 2017, Paul Neuharth represented Greatrex. But a month later at her arraignment, Greatrex was being represented by John Kirby. Six months later, Greatrex was being represented by a third attorney, Sharon Appelbaum.) Representatives from Potts firm did not respond to the Lights request for comment by deadline, but his website describes his practice as focused on white-collar criminal defense and related matters, professional licensing litigation, professional liability defense, complex federal and state civil business litigation, and state court criminal proceedings of all kinds, including cases alleging murder, arson, extortion, vehicular manslaughter, fraud, embezzlement and sexual assault. Facebook said Tuesday it removed 652 pages and accounts associated with separate influence campaigns originating from Iran and Russia. The social network did not say what the campaigns goals were, but described one as being organized by Iranian state media and the other linked to Russian military intelligence. Facebook said there was no evidence to suggest the campaigns were aimed at disrupting the November midterm election. The announcement comes less than a month after Facebook said it took down 32 separate pages and accounts tied to an influence campaign aimed at sowing discord, much like Russian efforts in the run-up to the 2016 election. Those pages and accounts even successfully organized live events. Facebook used Tuesdays announcement to underscore how much its systems and coordination with law enforcement have improved over the last two years in detecting what it calls inauthentic behavior. Facebook is under pressure to show it can prevent misinformation and foreign influence in the months leading up to the midterms. Advertisement We ban this kind of behavior because we want people to be able to trust the connections they make on Facebook, the company said in a blog post. And while were making progress rooting out this abuse, as weve said before, its an ongoing challenge because the people responsible are determined and well funded. Facebook said it received a tip from a Milpitas, Calif., cybersecurity firm, FireEye, in July about a suspicious network of pages called Liberty Front Press. Facebook later determined the network was linked to Iranian state media. Most of the accounts and pages associated with the organization shared content about Middle East politics. The other campaign originating from Russia shared content about politics in Syria and Ukraine primarily to spread pro-Russian and pro-Assad views, Facebook said. None of the accounts from the Russian campaign appeared to target users in the U.S. david.pierson@latimes.com | Follow me @dhpierson Its not the endorsement Facebook, Twitter or Google wants. But the U.S.s geopolitical adversaries appear to be in agreement: Silicon Valleys biggest social media companies provide some of the best tools for spreading propaganda. For the record: An earlier version of this story misidentified the Indiana University School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering as the the Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing. After months of attention paid to Russias influence campaign, Facebook revealed Tuesday that Iran has spent years surreptitiously promoting its interests through inauthentic accounts and pages. The effort, which started five years before Donald Trump was elected president, consisted of three campaigns that masked Iranian authorities as ordinary citizens, independent news organizations and civil society groups. Facebook said the fake Iranian accounts and pages garnered close to 1 million followers. Advertisement The campaigns targeted Middle Eastern, U.S., British and Latin American audiences and often promoted anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes, as well as support for specific U.S. policies favorable to Iran, such as the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, according to FireEye, a cybersecurity firm that first tipped off Facebook about the suspicious network in July. The Iranian government, like Russias, denied any involvement in a social media influence campaign. Such claims are ridiculous and are part and parcel of U.S. public calls for regime change in Iran, and are an abuse of social media platforms, Alireza Miryousefi, spokesman for the Iranian mission to the United Nations, reportedly said. Still, experts say Facebooks allegations should remind democratic governments everywhere that social media poses an ongoing risk that will only grow without a coordinated effort to prevent manipulation. The main takeaway from Facebooks announcement is not just that Russia-style meddling is exportable, but that its inevitable, said Chris Meserole, a fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution. If Moscow authored the playbook, Tehran read it word for word, and they wont be the only country to do so. Spreading disinformation on Facebook is so easy and effective that we need to assume every foreign adversary will now do it. Among the other potential threats is China, which has already been accused of meddling in Taiwanese and Australian politics and society. Theres no evidence Beijing has tried to undermine U.S. elections, but its state media is active on Facebook and Twitter ironically, platforms that are banned in China. Dont expect the same barbed content as their counterparts at the Russian-government funded broadcaster RT, however. China Central Televisions Facebook page has most recently been promoting a dance production about the Monkey King and sharing tips on how to make bitter melon taste more palatable. Still, the FBI has singled out China as the U.S.s biggest threat when it comes to intelligence operations given its vast cyber capabilities and decades of industrial espionage in the U.S. Experts say Beijing has the sophistication to target U.S. social media at a time when relations between the two countries continue to sour over trade. China has the capacity to cause a lot more damage than Russia, said Bret Schafer, a social media analyst for Alliance for Securing Democracy, a bipartisan national security advocacy group housed at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. But right now, were not seeing it directed at the U.S. Schafer said theres reason to believe that social media companies are better prepared to tackle foreign interference than two years ago, which is crucial as the nation approaches the November midterms. Facebooks announcement Tuesday highlighted how far the company has come since appearing blindsided by Russian meddling in the lead-up to the 2016 election. Rather than dismissing the problem, Facebook is now sharing its investigative findings, which in this case resulted in the removal of 652 inauthentic pages, groups and accounts. (Facebook also disclosed an unrelated influence campaign linked to Russian military intelligence Tuesday.) Shortly after, Twitter announced it had suspended 284 accounts associated with the Iranian network discovered on Facebook. Twitter and Facebook said they were working more closely with law enforcement and each other to root out misinformation. Alphabet, Googles parent company, also removed Google Plus accounts tied to the Iranian network. The coordination is heartening, Schafer said. Thats where we need to be moving toward. Before, these companies would only look in their own backyards. But all this activity is happening across platforms. Schafer, who tracks Russian influence operations in real time, said activity has decreased since the 2016 election. He cited efforts by platforms to remove bots and bad actors. But the problem remains serious, he said. Russian-linked influence networks have most recently turned their attention to another inflammatory issue: the murder of Mollie Tibbetts, which has garnered mass attention in right wing media because the alleged killer of the University of Iowa student is an undocumented immigrant. Despite being exposed, Russia and other bad actors wont be dissuaded from exploiting social media. Its simply too effective, experts say. It is easy, cheap, hard to detect and low-risk, said Filippo Menczer, a professor at the Indiana University School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering who has researched the role of bots and fake news. And its hard to trace back to the perpetrators. FireEye, the Milpitas, Calif., firm that alerted Facebook, said it could only accuse Iran with moderate confidence because influence operations are designed to muddy their origins. This, despite the fact the firm found Iranian phone numbers and links to a website designer in Tehran. There remains a remote possibility that some other actors may be responsible for this and have tried to frame other actors for it, said Lee Foster, an information operations analyst with FireEye. Theres also ample reason to believe the campaign emanated from Iran. Tehran is no stranger to propaganda. Its autocratic rulers have long used misinformation to maintain power and undermine its enemies, said Ariane Tabatabai, an Iran expert at Rand Corp. This regime was built upon disinformation, Tabatabai said. Its just a different medium now. Sanctions and the dismantling of the nuclear deal have raised the stakes for Iran to win support abroad, especially as Washington and Europe remain divided on the issue. Among the memes the Iranian network spread on Facebook were ones appealing to left-leaning Britons critical of Brexit and Trump. One was of a fake stamp commemorating the countrys departure from the European Union by depicting someone about to shoot himself in the foot. Another showed North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un embracing President Trump in a movie poster much like that of the romantic hit The Notebook but retitled The Nukebook. They certainly have an incentive to use social media to try and widen the gap between the U.S. and Europe and push anti-sanctions rhetoric, Tabatabai said. david.pierson@latimes.com | Follow me @dhpierson She choreographed pivotal scenes in the films The Apartment, Breakfast at Tiffanys and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, and she also conceived the dance moves for Judy Garlands first TV special, two Academy Awards telecasts and episodes of The Red Skelton Hour, The Lucy Show and The Bob Hope Show. Miriam Nelson may not have achieved the kind of fame as the actors who executed her moves. But Nelson, who died Aug. 12 at her home in Beverly Hills at the age of 98, left behind a sizable body of film and TV work as well as the legacy of being the rare female choreographer in a field that was dominated by men. Born Miriam Lois Frankel in Chicago, she was captivated by tap dance at an early age. In a 2015 interview, she recalled hearing a tap studio down the hall from her familys apartment and listening at the door. She was soon taking lessons, and when her family relocated to New York when she was a teenager, Nelson continued her studies. Her first job was dancing in the New York version of Billy Roses nightclub revue Casa Manana, with Van Johnson as her dance partner. She made her Broadway debut in the 1938 show Sing Out the News and appeared in five other musical comedies including Cole Porters Panama Hattie through 1943, using the name Miriam Franklin or Franklyn. Among her fellow Broadway chorus performers were June Allyson and Vera-Ellen, who became close friends. Advertisement By then she had married Gene Nelson, an actor, dancer and former ice skater. The couple moved to Los Angeles when he was cast in a film, and she quickly found work as a contract player at Paramount. In early film roles some uncredited she danced in Lady in the Dark and Cover Girl and appeared as the secretary to Edward G. Robinsons insurance company man in Billy Wilders Double Indemnity. Nelson established herself as a film choreographer by assisting on, and co-choreographing, numbers for her husband and his dance partners, including Doris Day. Nelson received her first film choreography credit in Blake Edwards 1955 Bring Your Smile Along and worked often with Edwards over the years. The director and his wife, Julie Andrews, provided the foreword for Nelsons 2009 memoir, My Life Dancing With the Stars. During the 1950s, as television took off in popularity, Nelson worked regularly on variety shows, other series and specials. She choreographed the live televised opening of Disneyland in July 1955, a 90-minute extravaganza that had dancers performing lavish numbers in various lands within the park. Nelsons work could be seen on early classics such as The Donna Reed Show and Father Knows Best, and she continued working through Colombo and Murder She Wrote. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work on the 1978 TV film Ziegfeld: The Man and His Women. She also became the go-to choreographer for nightclub acts, working with Carol Channing, Ann Miller, Howard Keel, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Donald OConnor and others. Nelsons deft feet provided the tap sounds for many films, and she was dubbed the Marni Nixon of tap an allusion to the performer who sang uncredited for celebrated actresses in classic movie musicals. Nelsons enthusiasm and love for tap dancing continued into her 90s, and she remained a beloved member of the Los Angeles dance community. She and Gene Nelson divorced in 1956. Her second marriage was to producer Jack Myers, who died in 1988. She is survived by her son, Chris Nelson; three grandsons; and one great-granddaughter. See all of our latest arts news and reviews at latimes.com/arts. The internet is a double-edged sword. It yields the power to amplify voices often marginalized within the larger cultural conversation, and social media, in particular, has been invaluable for overlooked communities looking for connection. But those same resources that spur global change think Arab Spring, Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movements can also be perverted, magnifying hate into a focused beam and destroying anyone it touches. Actress Kelly Marie Tran knows that firsthand. The actress, first woman of color to have a leading role in a Star Wars movie, wrote a searing op-ed piece Tuesday about her harrowing experiences with online harassment and the toxic fan culture that drove her from Instagram in June. Advertisement Their words seemed to confirm what growing up as a woman and a person of color already taught me: that I belonged in margins and spaces, valid only as a minor character in their lives and stories, Tran, who portrayed Rose Tico in The Last Jedi, wrote in the New York Times. Hers is a familiar story. A celebrity and often a woman or person of color does something that sparks outrage from a dedicated fan base, whose collective hatred is then turned full force on their newfound nemesis. For Tran, she had the audacity to appear in Star Wars. This grievous error was apparently enough for fans to spew bile at the actress for her looks, her performance and her ethnicity. For actress Ruby Rose, who was driven off of Twitter just two days after being announced as Batwoman in the CWs Arrowverse shows, fans of the character alleged that the actress couldnt play a lesbian and wasnt Jewish, thus making her an inadequate choice for the role. (Never mind that Rose is a lesbian and identifies as gender fluid.) For Saturday Night Live funny lady Leslie Jones, her Twitter break in 2016 was precipitated by a wave of racist and sexist aggression for appearing in the all-female reboot of Ghostbusters. Leslie Jones quit Twitter in 2016 after she was hit with a wave of racist invective for starring in Ghostbusters. (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press) For Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown, who quit Twitter in June, the justification for her bullying is even more bizarre. There isnt any. Brown exited the platform after inexplicably becoming the subject of grossly homophobic memes despite the 14-year-olds (relatively) long history of supporting the LGBTQ community. The list goes on. So when Tran weighed in on the online harassment that led to her social-media hiatus, it was a bold move to reclaim her identity. I had been brainwashed into believing that my existence was limited to the boundaries of another persons approval, she wrote. I had been tricked into thinking that my body was not my own, that I was beautiful only if someone else believed it, regardless of my own opinion. A sense of entitlement accompanies modern fan culture, as if by loving something, you then become an investor with a right to dictate how you receive your returns. Some fans have become so deluded about their own importance that theyve started a campaign to remake The Last Jedi because the Rian Johnson version didnt live up to their standards. Too often these days, fandom is an incubator where enthusiasm curdles into self-righteousness and enables racism and misogyny. As Tran has shown us, the answer to online toxicity is not for the victims to toughen up. Its for the rest of us to unleash our inner empathy warriors and beat back hatred with love. Thats what Rose Tico would do. libby.hill@latimes.com @midwestspitfire Before Ref Rodriguez resigned from the Los Angeles school board in July, he was part of a four-member bloc that, when it counted most, stuck together to push through decisions. On Tuesday, the board now six members instead of seven had no problem agreeing on an election date to replace Rodriguez, but it kept splitting on another pressing issue: what to do until a successor could take office. As expected, the Los Angeles Board of Education scheduled a special election for March 5, although not without debate. A runoff, if needed, would take place May 14. The bigger argument, however, was over whether to name a temporary replacement to serve until those election results are certified, which could be as late as mid-June. Advertisement After two hours of discussion and testimony, a proposal to appoint former board member Jackie Goldberg fell short. So did a separate proposal to open up the application process and make a final decision at a meeting Sept. 11. Jackie Goldber greets people before the Los Angeles school board meeting. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Rodriguez resigned July 23, the same day that he pleaded guilty to one felony and three misdemeanors related to political money-laundering during his successful 2015 campaign for the board. The timing of the election means that nearly a year could pass before theres a new representative for Board District 5, which includes neighborhoods northeast and northwest of downtown as well as cities in southeast L.A. County. Some critics of Rodriguez argue that Board District 5 essentially has been unrepresented for nearly a year already because Rodriguez was hobbled as a board member after prosecutors filed charges against him. The board debated two approaches for naming an interim board member. Scott Schmerelson proposed the outright appointment of Goldberg, who served two terms as a board member from 1983 to 1991. She later served on the Los Angeles City Council and in the state Legislature, representing much of Rodriguezs District 5. Before the board could vote on that motion, Nick Melvoin put forward a substitute, which had to be dealt with first. He wanted to give potential candidates a period of time to be nominated or apply, which he called a more transparent and community-driven process. Perla Esparza, left, holds her son Joshua Del Campo, 12, both of Los Angeles during the Los Angeles school board meeting. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) The board could then pick from a broader list, which could include Goldberg, at its early-September meeting, he said. At this point, the board paused for comments from more than two dozen speakers. Goldberg has her own constituency, built up over her long career, and some of them testified or sent in endorsements, including teachers, parents and minority activists. One letter was from United Farm Workers icon Dolores Huerta. Retired teacher Susan von Manske called Goldberg trusted, balanced and fair: She was the best board member that I ever remember. The teachers union also has backed Goldberg, which almost makes her appointment a non-starter for supporters of charter schools. Charter backers and the teachers union are the two major parties in district politics, and the main combatants in school board elections. Most charters are nonunion. An advocacy group called Speak Up was among those that organized to oppose an immediate appointment of Goldberg. The groups leadership has aligned itself especially closely with Melvoin and Supt. Austin Beutner. Its contingent on Tuesday included Raquel Toscano, who lives in the Southeast city of Bell and has two children at a local high school. Do you care about my civil rights and democracy and my right to vote? Toscano asked the board. She called Goldberg a tool of special interests and said that schools in her area had long suffered from second-class status in the nations second-largest school system. She said Rodriguez had been willing to listen to the concerns of parents in his district. Board member George McKenna backed Goldberg and tried to win over reluctant colleagues by reminding them that Goldberg had promised not to run if she received the interim job. All bets were off, he warned, if she was not appointed. If she runs, cest formidable, said McKenna, a Louisiana native, pulling out his Cajun French. In District 5, she has never lost an election.... It would be hard for her not to win. Shed have to try not to win. Melvoins plan for an extended appointment process went down first, on a 3-3 split. Then, Goldberg won only two votes those of McKenna and Schmerelson. Earlier, McKenna had cast the only vote against a March election. Instead, he favored the earliest election possible, which would have been Jan. 22. That date would cost half as much, he noted, about $2.4 million versus $4.3 million, based on estimates from city and county election officials. But a board majority decided that March 5 offered the best balance allowing time for a campaign without unwarranted delay. Among those who have expressed interest in the seat are public affairs consultant Ana Cubas, former Cerritos Community College trustee John Paul Drayer, neighborhood activist Rocio Rivas, Huntington Park City Councilwoman Graciela Ortiz, district principal Cynthia Gonzalez and Los Angeles Board of Public Works member Heather Repenning. howard.blume@latimes.com Twitter: @howardblume A young actor who accused actress Asia Argento of having sex with him when he was underage said his trauma resurfaced last year when the Italian actress accused producer Harvey Weinstein of rape. In a statement issued Wednesday, actor Jimmy Bennett, 22, said that until now he was afraid and ashamed to speak about an incident he said happened in 2013. I did not initially speak out about my story because I chose to handle it in private with the person who wronged me. My trauma resurfaced as she came out as a victim herself, he said in the statement. I have not made a public statement in the past days and hours because I was ashamed and afraid to be part of the public narrative. On Sunday, the New York Times reported that Bennett was paid a $380,000 settlement after he accused Argento of sexually assaulting him in a Marina del Rey hotel room when he was 17. In California, the age of consent is 18, and Argento is now the subject of a criminal inquiry. Advertisement Argento, 42, has been a leading figure in the #MeToo movement and denies Bennetts allegation. She insists the settlement was paid at the behest of her late partner, television personality Anthony Bourdain, in an effort to avoid bad publicity last year. On Wednesday, Bennett insisted he was a victim. At the time I believed there was still a stigma to being in the situation as a male in our society. I didnt think that people would understand the event that took place from the eyes of a teenage boy. Bennett said in his statement. I would like to move past this event in my life, and today I choose to move forward, no longer in silence. Bennett said also that he tried to seek justice in a way that made sense to me. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department is now investigating the allegation of sex with a minor. Sheriffs officials said that although they had not received a report on the alleged incident, they were pursuing the matter by trying to interview the people involved. Argento rebuffed the allegation on Tuesday while admitting to the settlement. I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett, Argento said in a statement to the Guardian newspaper and the Huffington Post. Argento wrote that Bennett made the claims after she made her own allegations of sexual assault against Harvey Weinstein last year. Argento accused the movie mogul of raping her in 1997. Weinstein has denied the allegation. Subsequent to my exposure in the Weinstein case, Bennett who was then undergoing severe economic problems and who had previously undertaken legal actions against his own family requesting millions in damages unexpectedly made an exorbitant request of money from me, she said. Argento said Bourdain pushed for the settlement. Anthony insisted the matter be handled privately and this was also what Bennett wanted. Anthony was afraid of the possible negative publicity that such a person, whom he considered dangerous, could have brought upon us, Argento said. The New York Times report said Bennetts letter of intent to sue laid out his account of the encounter: On May 9, 2013, Bennett arrived with a family member for a reunion with Argento at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, and Argento asked the family member to leave. When they were alone, she kissed him, removed his pants and performed oral sex, and then had sex with him, the document stated, according to the newspaper. The newspaper reported that the settlement, paid in installments, secured the copyright for photos Bennett took during the alleged incident. On the day of the alleged incident, Argento posted a photo on Instagram showing her hugging Bennett, referring to him as My son, my love, and included the month and year. richard.winton@latimes.com Twitter: @lacrimes They were weary from battling the wildfire, but when they raised their voices together in song, their spirits rose. Standing side by side, the firefighters from American Samoa and Hawaii enchanted an audience of about 150 at the Redding Rancheria reservation in Shasta County last week with a traditional song they sing while fighting flames. The song was a blessing and a prayer thanking the Lord for everything, said Andrew Lee, crew boss for the 22-man firefighting unit Samoa 61. Its the type of song he said they routinely sing when out on the line. Advertisement Since Aug. 1, the group has been in Shasta County helping thousands of their fellow firefighters battle the deadly Carr fire, which has scorched 229,651 acres, destroyed more than 1,000 homes and killed eight people, including three firefighters. Jack Potter Jr., chairman of Redding Rancheria, said that when he got word that the American Samoa crew was going to be in the area, he reached out to neighboring tribes to see if they would gather to welcome the firefighters. The response was a resounding yes, he said, and a cultural exchange event was scheduled for Aug. 14. When they harmonized, you just felt that spiritual connection to the song, Potter said of the firefighters. The natives were like, Whoa. The firefighters hadnt planned on singing, according to Lee. Theyd arrived at the Rancheria directly from battling the Carr fire and were made to feel so welcome that they were compelled to share some of their culture too. Thats what keeps us happy, keeps us cheerful, Lee said of the groups singing. We think about our families. Indeed, the same group of firefighters captured attention in October when they were filmed walking out of the forest while singing. As part of the exchange, dancers from the Pit River tribe danced for the animals affected by the fire and the Winnemem tribe sang a war song for the crews battling flames in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. joseph.serna@latimes.com For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter. Over the last decade, Bell has worked hard to emerge from the massive municipal scandal that made the citys name synonymous with graft and corruption. But a 14-acre industrial yard along the 710 Freeway remains a stubborn symbol of the bad old days, and what to do with the site has sparked an emotional debate touching on Bells corrupt past. The city used to own the land. But it was forced to sell it in 2013 to help pay back money lost to the extravagant salaries and other misdeeds of ex-City Manager Robert Rizzo and other former officials in a 2010 corruption scandal. Rizzo and seven others were eventually convicted on multiple criminal charges. Now, a cement company wants to turn the property into a gravel yard, a plan fought by environmentalists and others who say the dust generated by the project would pose a health risk to the public. There is special concern about a nearby Salvation Army shelter and an urban farm, which has become a point of pride in the working-class community. Advertisement The gravel yard has become a new rallying cry for some in Bell, with activists saying the city should have done more to block it. Bell Scandal: A Times Investigation Bell has been a dumping ground for a long time, said Mark Lopez, executive director of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, a group that sued to block the plan. Companies and developers target our communities because they can get away with it and they have for a long time. What theyre asking you right now is so that they can get away with it again. A trial date for the lawsuit has been scheduled for December. Residents eat lunch in the dining room at the Salvation Armys Bell homeless shelter. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) Officials recently approved a tentative settlement agreement that attempts to address the concerns of the environmental group while also allowing the Mexican construction materials giant Cemex to move forward with its plans. Environmentalists argue that the Cemex development was approved under false pretenses and that the environmental review failed to take into account how much a gravel yard would change the city, especially compared to the business park that was originally slated for the site. A gravel terminal that rail imports 500,000 tons of gravel a month has far more extensive dust, aesthetic [impacts] and truck trips than described or studied in the 2013 Bell Business Park environmental impact report, the lawsuit states. City officials acknowledge the approval process was flawed. They said a former city official approved the project in December 2016. The following year, employees began to issue permits, not realizing that the proper guidelines for reviewing the gravel yard proposal werent followed. Instead of going before the citys design review committee, the project was forwarded to the architectural board, which consisted of only staff members and no city officials, David J. Aleshire, city attorney for Bell, said during a recent City Council meeting.That was improper. I was not aware of all of that at the time and the project received approvals. The legal battle over the property is a reminder for some of Bells past under Rizzo, the former city administrator who not only was making $1.5 million at the time of the 2010 scandal but was later convicted of misappropriating public funds. The scandal, coupled with the bond debt, forced the city to sell two parcels of land, including the 14-acre property purchased by Pacific Industrial of Long Beach. Cemex leased the land and in 2016 filed permits to construct its gravel yard project. Last year, as the project neared completion, officials with the city learned it had improperly issued Cemex construction permits without going through the full review process. The sparwling 14-acre industrial yard lies just east of the Los Angeles River in the working-class city of Bell. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) Environmentalists filed their suit in January and called for an injunction on the project, halting construction and triggering months of negotiations. Lopez said Cemex was taking advantage of the citys mistake and was trying to to get a sweet deal by skirting the environmental process. Steve Lytle, Director of the Salvation Armys Bell shelter, located near the site, said trucks would cut through the shelter and an urban farm because easements have not been secured for the project. He said about 500 people, including workers, would be affected by the plant. Our dining hall is one building, so everybody has to go to that building, so theyre moving all around, Lytle said. These are people in wheelchairs, theyre on crutches, theyre in walkers. They are veterans with PTSD, people with mental illnesses. U.S. Navy veteran Martin Martinez, 52, center, works in the kitchen at the Salvation Armys Bell homeless shelter, where he has lived for four months. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) The people who run the nearby 1.5-acre GrowGood urban farm are not only worried about their produce but the sustainable model they are trying to create for homeless shelters across the country. The nonprofit provides jobs and volunteer opportunities for the homeless and the region. We got to prove it here. Our donors are betting on us to do it, hiring folks, growing produce at the farm and selling locally, said Brad Pregerson, co-founder of GrowGood. We grow food for the shelter and the community, he added. City and company officials said they are trying to address these concerns. As part of its agreement with the city, Cemex will return to the design review board with additional mitigation measures, including covering all equipment and trucks leaving the site. They also plan to hire locally and provide annual payments of $400,000 to the city that can be used for more services. Those payments are set to increase in three years. The city said a federal easement that could allow trucks to travel along a different route was possible, but they would need to secure it, a process they said could take time. If city leaders want to acquire jurisdiction over this portion of the road, the congresswoman is happy to discuss the matter with them, said a spokesperson for Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Downey). Supporters of the project include the Bell police union. The group said the additional city revenue generated by the project could go toward improving public safety. Other supporters include Cemex employees who, like their company, said they take the communitys concerns seriously. Residents outside the Salvation Armys Bell homeless shelter. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) This project is going to create jobs in the city of Bell; its going to create added revenue, said Dan Olvera, a general manager of aggregates with Cemex. Were spread out across the country and we have farms and produce sections adjacent to several of our properties and operations within the United States, and those farms and produce sections are flourishing. For now, it appears the gravel yard is going forward. The City Council approved the plan on a 3-2 vote and a judge denied environmentalists request for the injunction. The situation has some residents angry and questioning when their city will fully recover from the scandal. For years, city leaders enriched themselves with lavish salaries at the same time as services were cut and City Hall charged outsized fees and taxes to working-class residents. Since the scandal, the city has slowly repaired its financial health, moving from the brink of bankruptcy. Other reforms have been adopted as well. But to some, more work is needed. The city of Bell and the government is not going to flourish until we start applying ... what the rule of law is and respect the processes we have in place, since Vice Mayor Ana Maria Quintana. Times staff writer Melissa Etehad contributed to this report. ruben.vives@latimes.com ollow @latvives on Twitter. A fire broke out in a commercial business in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday morning, triggering a large response from city firefighters and shutting down streets. The blaze was reported about 5 a.m. at 1316 S. Margo Street, just a few doors down from a fire station and a couple of blocks from the convention center, fire officials said. The fire was chewing through loads of pallets and cardboard and sent plumes of smoke and flames through the roof where firefighters tried to make a stand, but the blaze was too much, officials said. About 5:40 a.m., commanders issued a greater alarm call and ordered firefighters off the buildings roof. Based on conditions, incident commander made the decision to move to a defensive operation. Firefighters off the roof and out of the interior, fire officials said in a media statement. Advertisement Los Angeles city firefighters battle a greater alarm structure fire in a commercial building in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) A firefighter got up on a ladder towering over the building and began blasting water toward its center, which was engulfed in flames with portions of the roof collapsed. Smoke blanketed downtown buildings and the nearby freeways. The fire was finally extinguished about 8:30 a.m., officials said. Crews contained the fire to the single building and said the fire was stubborn because it was burning through densely stored clothing. Parts of South Grand Avenue, Olive Street and Pico Boulevard were closed through the morning rush hour. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire had yet to be determined. joseph.serna@latimes.com For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter. UPDATES: 9:45 a.m.: This post was updated with the fire being extinguished. This post was originally published at 6:10 a.m. Under a new plan being floated at City Hall, officials could try to block the reopening of a South Los Angeles oil site where neighbors once complained of nausea, nosebleeds and other ailments. The idea germinated last year, when Councilman Gil Cedillo said he wanted the city to use a rarely exercised power under its Municipal Code to cancel oil drilling districts that were no longer active. Such districts cover areas where oil and gas drilling has been authorized by the city. Cedillo was specifically eyeing the Allenco Energy Inc. site, which halted operations nearly five years ago amid a public outcry. (Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Federal and local investigations had been launched, and environmental officials had been sickened by fumes while visiting the site roughly half a mile north of USC. After the Allenco site shut down, City Atty. Mike Feuer sued and got a court order that requires Allenco to follow new requirements if it wants to restart operations. That has not reassured community activists, who have called on the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which owns the University Park site, to shutter it permanently. If it reopens, we fully expect that the neighborhood residents will still get sick, said Rabeya Sen, policy director for the nonprofit Esperanza Community Housing. In a recently released report, Petroleum Administrator Uduak-Joe Ntuk said that the drilling district that covers the Allenco site did not meet city requirements to be terminated for inactivity, as Cedillo had initially suggested. However, Ntuk said that under the City Charter, council members could simply repeal the drilling district. A Los Angeles City Council committee focused on energy and environmental issues voted Tuesday to back that idea, sending it to the council for approval. Cedillo said the move would kick off a complicated process that could potentially prevent oil operations at the Allenco site, but that he hoped the city could reach a simpler solution. My preference is to negotiate a solution that everyone can sign off on, rather than get caught up in a bureaucratic process, Cedillo said, suggesting that the site could be repurposed for housing. Allenco did not respond to emails seeking comment on the proposal. The archdiocese said that under its leasing agreement with the company, it does not have the right to shut down the site, despite public statements by Ntuk that the organization could terminate the lease. Nonetheless, we are working with the city and Allenco to find an alternative use for the site that is in the best interest of the community, royalty holders and all other stakeholders, said Itzel Magana, media and public relations manager for the archdiocese. The committee also tentatively backed plans Tuesday to initiate a new system of annual inspections of oil and gas sites across Los Angeles. Ntuk argued in a report that such a program would help prevent leaks and spills, reduce the risk of equipment breakdowns and ensure that sites were in line with safety regulations. The city has been hampered by a decentralized system of inspections carried out by different departments that have no clear way to coordinate with each other, Ntuk wrote. Under the proposed program, city inspectors would visit oil and gas wells and production facilities, check that sites are being run in line with city requirements, and track permits and other records for each facility. City Councilman Paul Koretz said that while other agencies already inspect oil and gas sites, he thought they had been falling down on the job. They dont have to live with the mistakes in L.A. we do, Koretz said. The idea has spurred questions about whether L.A. could overstep its legal authority. In a letter to city officials, Southern California Gas Co. argued that its facilities would not be subject to the new system of inspections because it is a public utility regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, which precludes the city from imposing new or supplemental regulations on its facilities. Ntuk told committee members that the city was still researching those issues. Rock Zierman, chief executive of the California Independent Petroleum Assn., said in a statement Tuesday that the industry is already under the toughest regulations in the nation, but that his group was open to the city joining other government agencies to inspect sites, as long as proposed changes were fully vetted publicly. At Tuesdays meeting, others raised concerns about stiffening city rules on the industry. Some environmental and community activists have pressed for new restrictions that would eliminate oil and gas production near L.A. homes and schools. That idea, which was not part of the approved proposal, has alarmed industry and some labor groups. Driving the petroleum industry away would send it to countries with less oversight, they argued. Lets keep the jobs local, the workers and residents safe, and the environment closely monitored, rather than send the industry off to Third World countries, said Gus Torres, a business representative for United Association Local Union 250, which represents pipe fitters. If the council backs the plans for the new inspection program, city attorneys would draft an ordinance to create it, which would come before lawmakers for approval. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @AlpertReyes The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission tabled a proposal to ban political donations from real estate developers on Tuesday, citing legal and practical concerns with the idea. Commissioners did not vote down the proposal but deferred a decision on it, saying they wanted to look more closely at who would be covered by such restrictions. For example, commission staff cautioned that a person who seeks council approval for a new development may not be the one whose financial interests are at stake. The move means that a ban will not be in place when fundraising starts next month for the 2020 municipal election, which will involve seven open City Council seats two of them vacant due to term limits. City rules allow candidates in those races to raise money for a year and a half leading up to a primary election. Commissioners said they were willing to explore an alternative proposal: requiring elected officials to recuse themselves from decisions on a development proposal if they had received a donation from the developer who involved in the project. Advertisement That idea was raised by Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu, who has spent the past three years pushing for new restrictions on donations at City Hall. Ryu and four of his colleagues proposed a ban on campaign contributions from developers whose building projects were up for city approval, saying it would counter the perception that money drives city decisions about what gets built. Their proposal was rolled out in January 2017, just as city leaders were gearing up to fight Measure S, which would have imposed new restrictions on real estate projects that cannot be approved without changing city planning rules. After the ballot measure was handily defeated, the proposed ban failed to move forward at City Hall. At Tuesdays meeting, Commission President Serena Oberstein said she feared that banning developers from giving such donations would only encourage them to pour money into independent expenditure committees, which face no limits on the size of donations. Oberstein also questioned whether there was concrete proof that campaign money from developers leads to corruption at City Hall. And she cited concerns from Ethics Commission staffers, who had warned that figuring out who should be targeted by such a ban would be complicated. Ryu had sought to answer that question: In a memo prepared for the councilman and his staffers, attorney Stephen Kaufman suggested that such restrictions could specifically target individuals or companies and their principals applying for city approval for large development projects. However, commission staffers pointed out in a report that the person who seeks city approval for a project may be the property owner, architect, lobbyist or someone else. Commissioner Andrea Sheridan Ordin said that with an election coming up quickly, this is not the answer, but there ought to be an answer. Coalition to Preserve L.A. spokeswoman Ileana Wachtel, whose group backed Measure S and has repeatedly raised concerns about the influence of real estate interests, said the recusal idea was worthwhile. Still, she called it a cop out to say it is too hard to figure out who should fall under a developer donation ban. It certainly seems like this body of educated, smart people could figure out some kind of definition, Wachtel said. At Tuesdays meeting, the Ethics Commission backed several recommendations to boost taxpayer funding for candidates who meet certain city requirements. Those recommendations now head to the council for its approval. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @AlpertReyes The panel that oversees the Los Angeles Fire Department voted Tuesday to give the agencys internal watchdog unfettered access to the disciplinary files of its firefighters, nine years after voters created the post to assess the agencys handling of misconduct complaints. The Board of Fire Commissioners unanimously changed its policy to give the watchdog, known as the Office of the Independent Assessor, the power to obtain unredacted interview transcripts, evidence and other records generated over the course of a discipline case. Still, the commission stopped short of allowing the office to review unredacted personnel files that are unrelated to discipline. Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas recommended that the panel, made up of appointees of Mayor Eric Garcetti, look at that issue in the future after conferring with the firefighters union and the citys lawyers. Commission President Delia Ibarra said the panel had struck a middle ground, balancing the need for transparency with the concerns of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112, the union that represents firefighters. Advertisement This is how democracy works in increments, she said in an interview. The union had opposed the commissions policy change on the grounds that it would violate firefighters right to privacy. Nevertheless, union President Tony Gamboa praised Terrazas for advising the panel to avoid action on nondisciplinary personnel files. I think the fire chief had it right, he said after the vote. Tuesdays decision follows nearly a decade of debate over the role of the independent assessors office and the type of records it can obtain. Voters created the position in 2009, partly in response to soaring costs from discrimination and harassment lawsuits. The department had been roiled by a series of costly misconduct incidents, including one involving a black firefighter who was fed dog food by his co-workers without his knowledge. Nevertheless, City Atty. Carmen Trutanich issued a legal opinion in 2010 saying the watchdog was not entitled to have unfettered access to confidential personnel information. The department, relying on Trutanichs opinion, refused for years to turn over unredacted discipline records to the watchdog, said Fire Commissioner Andrew Glazier, who supported the change in policy. That, in turn, prevented the independent assessor from making timely and complete assessments of discipline in the department, which is the whole point of this position, he said. Trutanichs opinion was contested early on by the departments first independent assessor, Stephen E. Miller, who accused members of Trutanichs team of improperly withholding documents. Three of Trutanichs lawyers responded by suing the city, saying Miller, who is white, had engaged in discrimination and a campaign of harassment. Each lawyer received a $100,000 settlement, according to the city attorneys office. Independent Assessor Sue Stengel, center, talks to Los Angeles Commissioners Rebecca Ninburg, left, and Jimmy H. Hara, right, before the Board of Fire Commissioners meeting Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Garcetti became mayor in 2013 and his new appointees on the Fire Commission soon fired Miller a move welcomed by the firefighter union. Sue Stengel, a mayoral aide, was selected as Millers replacement the following year. Stengel launched an audit this year to find out why women and other groups were graduating from the Fire Department academy at lower rates. Garcetti and his wife, Amy Elaine Wakeland, have made recruitment of women at the department a major priority. Stengel asked the fire chief on Feb. 1 for journal entries and grading sheets produced during recruit testing. About a half-hour later, Ibarra, the Fire Commission president, sent an email informing Stengel she needed legal advice and permission from the firefighter union. Ibarra later told The Times she acted to keep the department from being sued. A week after Ibarra sent her email, City Atty. Mike Feuer produced a new legal opinion rescinding the offices prior assessment. In the confidential opinion, a copy of which was obtained by The Times, Feuers team said a 2017 court ruling meant the independent assessor no longer needed to show a compelling need to gain access to the employee personnel files. That means that access to those files should be timely and unrestricted, the opinion said. Fire Department officials said Stengel already receives access to unredacted copies of the settlement agreements that are reached with firefighters in discipline cases, which include an employees name, the type of misconduct and the punishment issued. Tuesdays vote went further, allowing the office to secure the underlying documents in a misconduct case. We have now given her more access than shes ever had, Ibarra said. Tony Gamboa, center, President of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City with Freddy Escobar, left, Second Vice President and consultant Jimmy Blackman, right, listen to proceedings. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Stengel declined to comment on the commissions decision. Gamboa, the firefighters union president, said his group is still weighing whether to file a challenge over the disciplinary files. [Firefighters union] members have a reasonable expectation that their records will remain protected from disclosure ... to an outside entity, such as the independent assessor, he told the panel. Commissioner Jimmie Woods-Gray voted for the policy change but said she was unprepared to give the in-house watchdog other unredacted personnel records. Woods-Gray, who has been heavily involved with United Teachers Los Angeles, said employees in that union have long resisted providing access to such records. Were not very open to people looking at our files, she said. david.zahniser@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidZahniser The owner of a 390-unit apartment complex in Van Nuys has dropped its attempt to roll back rent restrictions on a fifth of those units. The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved a settlement agreement requiring the owner, San Regis LLC, to retain affordable rents on 78 units of the complex on Sherman Way. For the record: An earlier version of this article referred to Jeree Glasser-Hedrick as executive director of the Debt Limit Allocation Committee. She held that position in 2016, when she spoke at a news conference about the San Regis development. Laura A. Whittall-Scherfee now serves as executive director of the committee. The firm sued the city and California in 2016, seeking court approval to convert the units to market rate, claiming that the restrictions a former owner agreed to in accepting a city loan in 2001 would expire when the loan was repaid. City Atty. Mike Feuer and state Treasurer John Chiang countersued, contending that the owner was trying to take advantage of a loophole in the city contract to get out of a 55-year commitment. Advertisement Under the agreement, the firm has obtained new financing to pay off the city loan and executed a new 55-year covenant to maintain rents on 20% of the buildings units affordable to low-income tenants. The settlement reached between San Regis, the city, and the state shows how creative thinking can solve a problem in a way that benefits everyone, Feuer said in a statement. Now, without any further cost to city taxpayers, 78 units of greatly needed affordable housing in the Valley will be preserved for decades longer than originally planned. Chiang signed off on the agreement in June. The citys action was held up by budget hearings and the July council recess. We fought for a year and a half and remained steadfast to keep these 78 homes affordable because were in the grip of a housing crisis and every affordable home counts, Chiang said. We cant afford to lose one, let alone 78 units. Keeping these apartments affordable represents a victory for the elderly, veterans, the disabled and the working poor. Housing advocates and lawyers, as well as religious and neighborhood leaders, joined Chiang and Feuer in demanding that the apartment complexs owners maintain the affordability of the units, Chiang said. Locke Lord LLP, the law firm representing San Regis, did not respond to a request for comment. The dispute hinges on a $23.6-million tax-exempt bond issued by the city that a former owner obtained for the 2001 purchase of the complex at 15454-60 Sherman Way. A bond authorization agreement with the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee required the owner to maintain 78 of the units at prices affordable to people making 50% or less of the areas median income. San Regis LLC, which included the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Assn. and the Utah State Retirement Investment Fund as investors, purchased the complex in 2005. According to its filing, it planned to sell the complex. It asked the court to affirm that the affordable housing commitment would terminate when the tax-exempt bonds were paid, which would likely occur upon sale. It wanted to restore the affordable units to market rates to obtain a better price for the building. The lingering uncertainty on this issue caused by the city and CDLAC clouds title to the project and impinges on the ability of San Regis to market the project and receive full fair market value, the lawsuit said. State officials said the legal theory represented a threat to the affordable housing program because up to 2,000 buildings across the state have units committed to long-term affordable housing under the tax-exempt bond financing mechanism that was used to purchase the San Regis. The units at the Van Nuys apartments would cost $28 million to replace with new housing, Jeree Glasser-Hedrick, then executive director of the Debt Limit Allocation Committee, said at a 2016 news conference. Were fighting this at the granular level, and were trying to save every unit that we can, she said. In the cross-complaint, the treasurer contended that commitment to maintain affordable rates for 55 years was inseparable from the project and asked the court to reform any ambiguity in the city contract. doug.smith@latimes.com Twitter: @LATDoug UPDATES: 7:05 p.m.: This article was updated with a comment from state Treasurer John Chiang and additional background. This article was originally published at 3:35 p.m. Maywood Mayor Ramon Medina was found guilty of neglecting his sick dog that he kept at his auto repair shop in 2015, according to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office. Medina was found guilty of one misdemeanor count each of cruelty to an animal and failure to care for an animal. Prosecutors said in a statement Tuesday that Medina had a pit bull mix named Hershey who had a chronic disease. They said the dog had suffered for a long period of time and hadnt been seen by a veterinarian. In February 2015, Hershey was taken to an animal shelter in Downey. Prosecutors said the female dog was emaciated, had severe muscle wasting, couldnt walk or eat and had to be euthanized. Advertisement The case is the latest legal problem for the mayor, who was served with search warrants at his home and business by investigators with the district attorneys office in February. Investigators also served search warrants at City Hall and the properties of Vice Mayor Ricardo Villarreal. An official described the search warrants at the time as an investigation into accusations of corruption. A copy of a search warrant obtained by the Los Angeles Times shows that the possible corruption inquiry includes former council members, 13 companies, five current and former administrators, and one activist who dresses up as a clown. Investigators removed computers and boxes filled with city documents from the mayors business, R&M Auto Service, which is now tied to the animal cruelty case. While removing items from the auto shop, authorities also removed 40 roosters from the property. The small city in southeast Los Angeles County has long struggled with financial issues and political controversy. In October 2016, a scathing state audit said Maywoods weak governance made it unable to wrestle with more than $15 million in debt twice the small citys operating costs. The 51-page report listed a series of problems that stood between the 1.2-square-mile community and financial health, including political infighting, wasteful spending, questionable hiring decisions, repeated violations of the states open meeting laws and poor administrative controls. Auditors say the City Council did not adequately monitor the performance of a former city manager during her five-year tenure, which allowed many significant financial and operation problems to remain uncorrected. Maywood Councilman Eduardo De La Riva said the mayors animal cruelty case is another embarrassing example of a city suffering from failed leadership. Maywood has been through a lot these past two years and sadly, its mostly been negative and the mayor has mostly been at the center of it all, De La Riva said. Mr. Medina needs to do the right thing and resign from his seat on the City Council. Enough is enough, he said. Our residents deserve better. Sentencing in the animal cruelty case is scheduled for Sept. 7. Medina faces a possible maximum sentence of one year in jail. ruben.vives@latimes.com For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter. The attorney for a Mexican man accused of killing an Iowa college student challenged the governments statement Wednesday that the suspect has been living in the United States illegally. Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, made his first appearance in court in the death of Mollie Tibbetts, whose July 18 disappearance while jogging set off a massive search. In a court document, defense attorney Allan M. Richards stated that an employer has said Rivera has legal permission to be in the U.S. The document named Craig Lang, a former head of the Iowa Board of Regents, which oversees the states three public universities. Lang is co-owner of a dairy that employed Rivera. Riveras immigration status was confirmed by an E-Verify electronic immigration status check, the Lang family said in a statement. Advertisement Richards sought a gag order and said comments about the case by President Trump would poison the entire possible pool of jury members. He also asked that the proceedings be closed. The government has weighed in at the highest levels with a predisposition that my client is guilty, he said. Rivera, who was ordered held on $5-million bond, has allegedly confessed to the killing, which was quickly thrust into the immigration debate shaping the midterm elections. Trump seized on the mans arrest Tuesday to call the nations immigration laws a disgrace that will only be fixed by electing more Republicans. Iowas Republican governor, facing a tough reelection challenge in November, blasted an immigration system that allowed a predator like this to live in our community. And Iowas two GOP U.S. senators called the death a tragedy that could have been prevented. Rivera led investigators early Tuesday to a body believed to be Tibbetts in a cornfield about 12 miles southeast of Brooklyn, Iowa, where she was last seen going for an evening run, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Rick Rahn said. I cant speak about the motive. I can just tell you that it seemed that he followed her, seemed to be drawn to her on that particular day; for whatever reason he chose to abduct her, Rahn told reporters. Within hours, Trump noted the arrest at a rally in West Virginia. A poster of Mollie Tibbetts hangs in the window of a business in Brooklyn, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press) You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly, from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman, Trump told the crowd in Charleston. Shouldve never happened. Illegally in our country. Weve had a huge impact, but the laws are so bad. The immigration laws are such a disgrace. Were getting them changed, but we have to get more Republicans. We have to get em. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said residents were heartbroken and angry. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst said that they cannot allow these tragedies to continue. Trump has made a crackdown on illegal immigration a core goal of his administration. He often has claimed widespread crime by people living in the country illegally, citing among other things the indictments of 11 suspected MS-13 gang members from El Salvador charged in connection with the slayings of two Virginia teens. Trump also has held events at the White House with members of angel families, whose relatives were killed by immigrants. Although Trump claims legal U.S. residents are less likely to commit crime, several studies from social scientists and the libertarian think tank Cato Institute have concluded that isnt accurate and that states with a higher share of people living in the country illegally have lower violent crime rates. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it lodged a federal immigration detainer for Rivera after he was arrested on the murder charge. That move means the agency has probable cause to believe he is subject to deportation. Investigators said they believed Rivera had lived in the area from four to seven years. In a statement late Tuesday, Yarrabee Farms said Rivera had worked at its farms for the last four years and was an employee in good standing. The Brooklyn-based company said it was shocked to hear that Rivera was charged in Tibbetts death. Yarrabee Farms is owned by the family of Craig Lang, a prominent Republican who previously served as president of the Iowa Farm Bureau. A search of Iowa court records revealed no prior criminal history, and its unclear whether he had ever been subject to deportation proceedings. Riveras Facebook page described him as being from Guayabillo, a community of less than 500 people in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Its about a three-hour drive from the resort city of Acapulco. Investigators said they zeroed in on Rivera after obtaining video from surveillance cameras in Brooklyn. The video showed a Chevy Malibu connected to Rivera that was being driven back and forth as Tibbetts was running in the area, Rahn said. An affidavit attached to the criminal complaint against Rivera alleged that he admitted to investigators that he got out of his car and started running alongside Tibbetts. Tibbetts grabbed her phone and said she was going to call the police, affidavit said. Rivera panicked and then said he blacked out, the affidavit said. Rivera next remembers seeing her earphones on his lap, and taking her bloody body out of the trunk of his car, it said. Rivera was cooperating with investigators and speaking with the help of a translator, Rahn said. An autopsy was planned for Wednesday. A conviction on first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole in Iowa, which does not have the death penalty. Tibbetts would have started her junior year at the University of Iowa, where she was a psychology major. Her family released a statement Wednesday thanking people from around the world for the outpouring of love and support that has been shared in Mollies name. The statement added, We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Mollie in our hearts forever. President Trumps future is in peril like never before and it doesnt seem to have anything to do with Russia. On Tuesday, Trumps former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to breaking federal campaign finance law by paying hush money to two women who said theyd had affairs with Trump. Cohen failed to report the payments as de facto political contributions in support of Trumps campaign. The allegations that Trump had extramarital affairs werent the news. The bombshell came when Cohen, after taking a plea deal from prosecutors, testified under oath that he broke the law at the direction of Trump for the principal purpose of influencing the election. To sum it up bluntly: Cohen was calling the president of the United States a crook who told him to commit a felony and a cover-up to help get him into the Oval Office. Advertisement If Trump were a congressman instead of the president, he might be under indictment right now, said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School. Yet Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing, probably wont be facing any criminal charges, at least while hes still president. Here are answers to some of the legal and political questions surrounding Trumps predicament. MORE: Follow the latest news of the Trump administration on Essential Washington Can the president be indicted? Thats up for debate. The question has been posed, but never in a court, said Neil Kinkopf, a professor of law at Georgia State University. The issue has roiled legal observers since at least the 1970s, when President Nixon came under fire for his role in the Watergate scandal. It arose again in the 1990s in the investigation of President Clinton for various alleged improprieties. Now the question is back as special counsel Robert S. Mueller III examines whether Trumps campaign colluded with Russia in its hacking and other attempts to interfere with the 2016 election. Muellers mandate allows him to pursue other criminal activity he discovers in the course of his investigation. The Department of Justices longstanding guidance to its prosecutors has held that presidents shouldnt be indicted while in office, an opinion it first formed in 1973 amid Watergate. Some legal experts, including Trumps latest Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, have argued that a president should not be burdened by criminal charges or lawsuits while in office due to the extraordinary demands of the presidency. Others have argued that having unelected prosecutors or jurors undertake a criminal case that could effectively remove a president from office would steal an important power that the Constitution entrusts to Congress impeachment. Yet these are just theories. They havent been tested. Theres nothing in the Constitution that says you cant indict the president, Levinson said. Kinkopf added that whether a president can be indicted while in office, and whether a president can be prosecuted while in office, are actually separate questions that might have separate answers. He suggested that a grand jury, after being presented with evidence that a president committed a crime, could file an indictment, but that prosecutors would hold off until the president leaves office. The problem with making a grand jury wait for a president to leave office before filing an indictment is that the statute of limitations might run out before the presidents four-year presidential term ends, Kinkopf said. In that situation, he said, The president escapes any kind of criminal liability, and the president in that way is in some sense above the law. Can the president be impeached for something that happened before he took office? Yes. Impeachment is the process laid out in the Constitution under which a majority of House of Representatives members can vote to investigate a president, after which a trial is held in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority vote can result in the presidents removal from office. Congress impeachment powers are broad because the Constitutions definition of impeachable offenses includes treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. What are high crimes and misdemeanors? Its not defined in the Constitution. Or, as Levinson put it: Impeachment is, like, whatever Congress decides it is. However, Kinkopf said, the primary check on the justness of impeachment is the two-thirds approval requirement of the Senate, rather than a strict legal definition. Could Trump pardon Cohen and Manafort if they turn against him and cooperate with prosecutors? Yes. As long as Donald Trump is president, he can issue Manafort or Cohen a pardon for federal crimes, period, full stop, for any reason, Kinkopf said. He could announce to the nation that Paul Manafort paid him for a pardon and then issue that pardon. The pardon would still be effective. Doing so could have dire political consequences, including impeachment, Kinkopf said. But there is no mechanism by which that pardon can be rendered invalid, he said. Trumps pardon power is limited to federal charges. Cohen and Manafort could be facing state crimes, and he has no pardon authority for state crimes, Levinson said. Whats at stake with this years midterm election? Possibly Trumps future. Trumps executive powers arent infinite, even if a president might not be indictable while in office. Congressional Republicans who hold majorities in both the Senate and the House have largely stuck behind Trump through the stormy days of his presidency and have expressed little interest in his removal. But if Democrats were to take control of the House, they could launch impeachment proceedings with a majority vote. Cohens claims against Trump directly implicate the election and the validity of the election, and so I do think those could be impeachable offenses, Levinson said. Getting two-thirds of the Senate to approve removing Trump from office, however, would likely require Republicans to support Trumps removal, Levinson said. I think its really depressing that were having to talk about this along party lines, Levinson said. If the president is really guilty of violating federal law in at least one area or more, it should havent to do with whether you have a D or an R next to your name but of course it does. matt.pearce@latimes.com Matt Pearce is a national reporter for The Times. Follow him on Twitter at @mattdpearce. More national headlines For most of Donald J. Trumps presidency, his critics including this editorial page have complained about his disdain for the truth and his appalling attacks on the legal system, a free press, immigrants and minorities, while also lamenting the unwillingness of congressional Republicans to even acknowledge the outrageousness of Trumps behavior, let alone stand up to him. But events this week and Trumps reaction to them bring matters to a crisis point. It is time for those who have averted their eyes to face facts. On Tuesday, the presidents longtime personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to eight violations of federal campaign-finance, bank and tax laws. As part of his plea, Cohen admitted to arranging six-figure payments to two women to buy their silence about affairs they said they had with Trump. Cohen said his actions were directed by a candidate (identified by Cohens lawyer as Trump) and aimed to influence the 2016 presidential election. Cohen may not have much credibility left, but he was speaking to a federal judge when he implicated Trump in a federal crime. Its the most direct accusation of wrongdoing leveled against Trump to date the sort of allegation that, if borne out by the evidence, could result in felony charges against any candidate short of a sitting president. Are congressional Republicans so deeply in Trumps pocket that they would continue to back him regardless of the evidence gathered against him? Advertisement In another courtroom on Tuesday, Paul Manafort, the veteran political consultant who had served as Trumps campaign chairman, was convicted by a jury of five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failure to disclose a foreign bank account. Although the charges didnt involve collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, they were brought by the office of Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III, the respected former FBI director whom Trump has defamed as disgraced and discredited. What were the presidents reactions to these judgments against men he had raised to positions of trust in the campaign that ushered him into the White House? They were disgustingly dismissive. About Cohen, he tweeted falsely that Michael Cohen plead[ed] guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. There is no question that what Cohen admitted to making large, undisclosed payments on behalf of a campaign in deliberate violation of contribution limits and reporting requirements is a crime. Then Trump added: President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled! Thats because the Obama campaign didnt report quickly enough a tiny fraction of the $722 million it collected. By contrast, Cohen deliberately hid two large contributions that were designed to keep scandalous allegations from voters. For Manafort, he expressed respect for a brave man who refused to break and he made it clear that he regarded Manaforts prosecution as part of the witch hunt he has incessantly complained about. That raises the highly alarming possibility that Trump might seek to erase Manaforts conviction by means of a presidential pardon. Such an abuse of the pardon power, as we observed in an editorial on Wednesday, would be grounds for an impeachment inquiry. So, of course, would any evidence adduced by Mueller that Trump was aware of criminal coordination between his campaign and Russia or obstructed justice. And impeachment isnt the only way this presidency could end if there were proof that the president had engaged in criminal misconduct before or after he took office. Richard Nixon resigned when leaders of his own party convinced him that he had lost support in Congress. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion Would Republican leaders of the current Congress have the fortitude to take that message to Trump in a similar situation? Or are congressional Republicans so deeply in Trumps pocket that they would continue to back him regardless of the evidence gathered against him? Will we see even so much as a single congressional inquiry into the payments Cohen swears he made on Trumps behalf? So far, Republican officeholders have condoned Trumps excesses and outrages so as not to alienate their Trump-supporting constituents, and their reaction to this weeks events has been characteristically evasive. But the verdict and guilty plea in northern Virginia and Manhattan are categorically different from the Trump controversies and conflagrations that have come before. If this weeks events dont stiffen their spines, voters should deprive them of their majority. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook. Former California Gov. Pete Wilson turns 85 tomorrow, so on behalf of all Californians, I say: gracias. (Thats Thank you in Spanish, Pedro.) Gracias for your 30-plus years of service as a public official first, as an assemblyman for San Diego, then as the mayor of that city, followed by two terms apiece as our U.S. senator and governor. Your career helped shaped the modern-day Golden State. Gracias for a career mostly defined by a moderate approach an important lesson for the Democrats and Republicans of today that too few bother to remember. Gracias for a mayoral career that saw you protect San Diegos wetlands and implement affirmative-action hiring practices. He believes that Americas minorities have been handicapped for years, one campaign flier read, by inadequate housing, education and job opportunities, and he has dedicated his efforts to alleviating these problems. Thats a reality that more Republicans should acknowledge. Advertisement Gracias for being so hurt when the Republican Party pulled their 1972 convention from San Diego that you responded with an Americas Finest City campaign. You showed second-tier cities across the country that they, too, should be proud of who they are. Gracias to Proposition 187, Mexican Americans like me realized for the first time that a large part of society still considered us Mexican and not American. Gracias for proving that Republicans can take the lead in addressing Americas prior racial wrongs. As senator, you cosponsored the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which granted reparations and an official government apology to Japanese Americans interned during World War II. Gracias for showing us that a Republican governor could understand that raising taxes to help shore up public finances was a wise thing and not treason. In 1991, when California faced a record deficit, you backed tax increases for sales, the wealthy and even snacks. Gracias, too, for throwing away this record of centrism. (Just bear with me.) You showed future generations of politicians how not to ruin their legacy. Gracias for helping to deregulate Californias electricity, which led to mass blackouts in the beginning of the 2000s and convinced an entire generation that we shouldnt leave public utilities to the private market. Gracias for signing the states three-strikes sentencing laws. The increase in prisoners proved that justice isnt blind but usually racist and always classist, and it planted the first seeds of distrust in law enforcement that have bloomed into a movement across the state today. Gracias for working so hard to eliminate affirmative action at the University of California and beyond. The program helped to get thousands of minorities into the middle class, where they promptly retreated into the comforts of whiteness. Your 180-degree turn on the issue radicalized college students. Gracias, most of all, for Proposition 187. You didnt author the 1994 measure, which declared war on immigrants in the country illegally and the people who helped them. But you jumped on the 187 bandwagon and took the reins as soon as you could to help resurrect your flagging reelection campaign. Gracias to Proposition 187, Mexican Americans like me realized for the first time that a large part of society still considered us Mexican and not American, like we always believed ourselves to be. Most of us have identified with the former more than the latter ever since. Gracias to Proposition 187, MEChA bounced back. The Chicano high school and college group was slowly losing its power as more Mexican Americans began to identify as Latino or Hispanic and wanted no part with radical politics. Because of 187, MEChA members went on to reinvigorate the labor movement, introduce ethnic studies in high schools, and make Dia de los Muertos a thing. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion Gracias for inspiring Latinos to enter politics like never before. And gracias for making the defense of immigrants their rallying cry. From State Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerras zeal, to bringing back drivers licenses for the undocumented (which you took away) to declaring us a sanctuary state, its all a direct response to your cynicism. Gracias for inspiring two of the most hilarious death-metal songs ever: Matando Gueros (Killing White People) and Raza Odiada (Hated Race), both by Brujeria. I certainly hope that you take their mock-assassination skit as satire at its finest, instead of a bona fide threat. Gracias for providing the California Republican Party a cautionary tale. Gracias for inadvertently posing for an airplane selfie two years ago with film director Alex Rivera. Your befuddled expression reminded Latinos that youre not a monster but rather just a confused fool. And gracias for still not getting it. At a recent speech by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon to the Southern California Leadership Council, you complained to him that Sacramento ignores us, whatever the hell that means. (Whos us?) Speaker Rendons grace in responding to your petulance basically Im here now was as great an example of Old and New California as Rivera couldve scripted. Gracias, Governor Pedro. May I suggest a birthday dinner of crow tacos? mexicanwithglasses@gmail.com Follow @GustavoArellano on Twitter Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook Californias politicians and educators are getting serious about how to solve an immense and vexing problem the graduation rate at the community colleges. Until now, nothing has worked indeed, the graduation rate slipped 1% over the past decade. Shockingly, research shows that 70% of Californias 2.1 million community college students neither earn a two-year associate degree nor transfer to a four-year school in six years. Historically, funding for the states 114 community colleges was based on enrollment. But starting this fall, 40% of the state dollars a college receives will depend on whether the institution improves student outcomes and how well it serves poor students. This threat of what would amount to a massive budget cut for schools that make little progress will oblige every community college to make students success a top priority. But how exactly are the colleges going to change their ways? Advertisement The state is putting muscle which is to say money behind evidence-based strategies to boost graduation rates. And its choices are good ones: The plans attack three of the biggest barriers between students and a diploma. Creating momentum. Data show that the graduation rate for full-time students is at least a third higher than for those who attend part-time. Full-timers have a better shot at graduating than part-timers even if they maintain this pace for only a single semester or fail a class. Theyre less liable to be derailed by a family crisis or financial misfortune and more prone to spend time on campus, where they can get tutoring and counseling, as well as making a more lasting connection with their professors and classmates. To persuade more students to go to school full time, California will help them financially. Students eligible for needs-based federal or state financial aid and who take a 15-credit course load each semester will receive a $4,000 grant a year, an expansion of an earlier, under-publicized $2,500 award. To earn that much money at a minimum-wage job, a student would have to work nearly 400 hours, which is one reason school gets back-burnered. As an added incentive, these full-time students wont pay tuition for their first year of school. Fixing remedial education. Based on a test thats administered at the start of their freshman year, 80% of community college students are consigned to remedial math or English. Fewer than half will pass the math course; 60% will pass in English. Frustrated, many drop out before they get a crack at classes that lead to a degree. This problem is especially acute for minority students. Heres a hair-on-fire fact just 1% of African American students and 2% of Latino students relegated to the lowest level of remedial math in 2014 passed an entry-level college math class needed for graduation two years later. With a bill that passed last year, the state is forcing colleges to junk most of these dead-end courses. Instead, except for the weakest freshmen, students must be enrolled in college-credit classes, with access to tutoring or other help, as needed. Providing a road map to graduation. Many community college students are clueless about what courses they need to graduate. With no one at the college to direct them a typical counselor has the impossible burden of advising 1,500 students they drift. Discouraged by the lack of progress, they leave. The 2017-2018 state budget included $150 million for an initiative called Guided Pathways that enables the colleges to create online road maps that inform students about which classes they need to graduate and how to sequence them so that prerequisites dont hinder their progress. These maps will also be designed to mesh with the expectations of four-year institutions. The state universities and the UC system campuses have agreed to guarantee slots for community college graduates who have done the course work and gotten the grades that meet their academic requirements for juniors. Three dozen private colleges and universities recently made the same pledge. (Stanford and USC were among the notable exceptions.) Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion A year ago, Eloy Ortiz Oakley, chancellor of the states community colleges, pushed its Board of Governors to approve new goals for the system: a 20% increase in community college graduates and a 35% increase in transfers to the state universities over the next four years. If the community colleges cant organize ourselves in a way that catches up with the demand for graduates, Ortiz Oakley said, we are going to make ourselves irrelevant. Tying community college funding to graduation and transfer rates, and at the same time giving the schools the tools needed to get students across the finish line, should make progress toward the chancellors goal and beyond. If the states latest carrot-and-stick approach works, we will have stanched a California brain drain. David L. Kirp is a professor of the graduate school at UC Berkeley and a senior scholar at the Learning Policy Institute. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook To the editor: If the National Enquirer had not swallowed up the story for former Playboy model Karen McDougals affair with Donald Trump, and if the $130,000 payment to adult film actor Stephanie Clifford (aka Stormy Daniels) had been known before the election, this would have changed enough votes in those three states to give the election to Hillary Clinton. (Cohen and Manafort are guilty. And Trump faces a reckoning, Aug. 21) Think of the enormity of the implications. My mind can not get around it. Never mind the Russians. Look what attorney Michael Cohens crime (and his client President Trumps alleged illegal conduct) has wrought. Jane Roberts, Redlands .. Advertisement To the editor: There will be much discussion about how Cohens payments to Clifford might have changed the election. That is a guessing game. What I do know is that every single man and women around Trump the candidate who knew about, arranged for or remained silent while Trump put Bill Clintons accusers front and center during his debate with Hillary Clinton in order to intimidate her should stand up and apologize to the American people and personally to the former Democratic presidential nominee. They should have been ashamed then, and they should be mortified now. Deborah Ventura, Ventura .. To the editor: For those concerned about Trumps disregard for the law and fundamental tenets of democracy, its tempting to believe that the Cohen and Paul Manafort cases are evidence that weve finally reached the turning point. While perhaps true, consider what appears to be the presidents rhetorical strategy. For Trump and his team, this never has been about what transpires in a court of law; its about the court of public opinion. So the question remains: How will Republicans in Congress react? Thus far the Republicans have chosen to place party above country and ethical principles. And thats not likely to change no matter how many of Trumps hired hands are found guilty in court. Legal issues are nuanced and arent as immediately relevant and threatening, for example, as the death of a woman at the hands of an undocumented immigrant. The only thing that might change this is the Democrats flipping Congress in November, bringing back accountability and the rule of law. Richard Cherwitz, Austin, Texas .. To the editor: Did those who voted for Trump think he was a skunk? Yes. Did the electorate think that he might have colluded with Russia? Yes. Did the public think that if the Russians had inside information on Hillary Clinton that could get him elected, he would try to get it? Yes. Did the electorate think that Trump loved his country? Yes. Did those who voted for Trump prefer him to the self-righteous rich liberals and the do-nothing rich conservatives? Yes. Was the American public trying to send a message to the political establishment? Yes. Should Trump run for a second term? No. Mark Walker, Chino Hills .. To the editor: During his campaign, Trump made a slogan out of drain the swamp. Ever since he took occupancy of the White House, he has wallowed in that swamp. Trump also promised to bring the best people to Washington. Instead we have guilty pleas, scandals and an administration full of incompetents. Loyalty, not intelligence, is what Trump values most. This week has provided a bit of Make America Great Again, though. What has always truly made America great is the rule of law. We have once again seen it function properly despite Trumps best efforts to tear down our institutions. Jeff Pollak, La Crescenta .. To the editor: Cohen, Manafort, Richard Gates, Michael Flynn, George Papadopolous all people who have been convicted or pleaded guilty. And then there is Omarosa Manigault Newman. Can Trump pick em or what? Emma Willsey, Huntington Beach .. To the editor: Now that Trump has been accused in Cohens guilty plea of being a co-conspirator in a federal crime, when will Congress start the impeachment hearings? Gerard Geiran, Newberry Springs, Calif. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook #Moon-EU leader Moon, EU leader agree to bolster vaccine supplies for developing nations South Korean President Moon Jae-in and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed Saturday to step up efforts to boost the supply of COVID-19 vaccines to developing ... Newsoms budget proposes $3 million for Alzheimers research, brain task force By Melody Gutierrez Amyloid plaques, shown here in human brains, are a hallmark of Alzheimers disease. (UCLA School of Medicine) Gov. Gavin Newsom will call for the creation of a brain health task force and dedicate $3 million annually from the states general fund to Alzheimers disease research in the budget proposal he will release Thursday, a source close to the administration said. The money for Alzheimers research would target the new grants at understanding why the disease is more prevalent in women and people of color. Former California first lady and Alzheimers activist Maria Shriver pushed for the funding to be included in the state budget. Shriver said in a statement Wednesday that the funding would make California the first state to make understanding our brains a priority. The states former first lady, whose late father Sargent Shriver was diagnosed with Alzheimers, founded the Womens Alzheimers Movement, an advocacy group raising awareness about womens increased risk for developing the disease. In 2011, she wrote a comprehensive assessment on the disease, to which Newsom then mayor of San Francisco contributed a portion called What one city is doing. This is personal to me, just like it is to millions of California families, Shriver said. Alzheimers is one of the largest medical, social and economic crises in our state, and of our time. I am so proud that, once again, California is leading the way. Wiping out Alzheimers is going to require bold thinking, and there is no doubt in my mind that California is home to bold thinkers who can make this happen. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Gavin Newsom orders reinvention of troubled California DMV By Patrick McGreevy A line of people stretches around the South L.A. location of a California Department of Motor Vehicles Office on Aug. 7. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered an overhaul of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which has been plagued by hours-long wait times at field offices, computer crashes and voter registration errors involving tens of thousands of customers. Just a few days after taking office, Newsom appointed a top advisor to a new DMV Reinvention Strike Team to revamp the beleaguered agency over the next six months. By any metric, California DMV has been chronically mismanaged and failed in its fundamental mission to the state customers it serves and the state workers it employs, Newsom said in a statement, adding Its time for a reinvention. The governor appointed state Government Operations Agency Secretary Marybel Batjer to lead the strike team with a goal of modernizing the agency and enacting changes that improve customer satisfaction, employee performance and transparency. Newsom also ordered an accelerated review of initial findings of an ongoing audit ordered last year by Gov. Jerry Brown. The action was welcomed by lawmakers who have been critical of the DMV, including Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield). The egregious management failures of the DMV have been self-evident, which is why I have been calling for new leadership and a comprehensive independent audit of this troubled state agency over and over again as the problems grew significantly worse, Fong said. Last summer, Californians seeking new driver licenses complained of wait times of four to six hours at DMV offices, which the agency blamed partly on snafus caused by a rush of people trying to get Real IDs, a new identification card design required for airline passengers starting in late 2020. Delays were also blamed on computer crashes at DMV offices as the agency struggled to update its aging automation systems. The DMV also admitted that there were an estimated 23,000 errors as people either were unknowingly registered to vote or mistakes were made in their registration status as part of the states new motor voter program. The agency registered to vote as many as 1,500 people with legal U.S. residency but no citizenship. Last month, DMV Director Jean Shiomoto retired from the agency. Legislators were angered earlier this week when the DMV said it needed an additional $40 million to prevent the return of long lines at its field offices. In addition, the agency has been under fire for issuing driver licenses in the last year that do not comply with the federal Real ID standards requiring two forms of identification by applicants. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California police unions are preparing to battle new transparency law in the courtroom By Maya Lau Just as a landmark police transparency law is going into effect, some California police agencies are shredding internal affairs documents and law enforcement unions are rushing to block the information from being released. The new law, which begins to unwind Californias strictest-in-the-nation protections over the secrecy of law enforcement records, opens to the public internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. But the lawsuits and records destruction, which began even before the law took effect Jan. 1, could tie up the release of information for months or years, and in some instances, prevent it from ever being disclosed. The fact that police unions are challenging this law is on some level not surprising, said Peter Bibring, director of police practices at the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, one of the principal supporters of the new law. They have a long history of fighting tooth and nail against transparency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Secretary of State Alex Padilla begins second term with challenge to ensure every Californian is counted By Jazmine Ulloa Secretary of State Alex Padilla takes the oath of office as his family stands by his side on Monday in Sacramento. (Jazmine Ulloa / Los Angeles Times) Secretary of State Alex Padilla was sworn in for a second term on Monday, saying he would continue the battle to protect the right to vote at a time when voter suppression efforts, online disinformation campaigns and interference from foreign adversaries have polarized the public and threatened to undermine trust in U.S. elections. I am doubling down on our fight here in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C., to defend our democracy, he said. Working on the front lines with so many of you, I know that our collective resolve has never been stronger. But the loudest applause came when Padilla promised to fight back against the Trump administrations changes to the U.S. census, saying he will ensure every Californian gets counted. Padilla, a former state senator and Los Angeles City Council member from the San Fernando Valley, led the cause for a new motor voter registration law in 2015, and a new system for online business registrations. But the programs have had experienced problems: More than 23,000 Californians were registered to vote incorrectly by the state DMV, the agency reported last year. On Monday, Padilla said he would continue to push back against false claims of voter fraud in California and pointed to the states voter turnout as proof that his office was involving more people in the democratic process, a promise he made when he was first sworn in four years ago. More than 12.7 million voters cast ballots in the Nov. 6 midterm election, representing roughly 65% of the states registered voters, the highest number of any midterm election since 1982, according to state certified results. I made that promise based on a shared belief that we are a stronger democracy and a better California when we hear all voices from all corners of California, and when those voices are not just heard but counted, Padilla said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Ricardo Lara, Californias first statewide officeholder to come out as gay, sworn in as insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara on the floor of the state Senate in 2016. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Ricardo Lara took the oath of office as California insurance commissioner on Monday, pledging action to boost healthcare coverage and combat climate change. Lara, a Democrat from Bell Gardens, is the first elected statewide officeholder in California who has come out as gay. He began his speech in downtown Sacramento by thanking LGBTQ leaders who came before him and celebrated the occasion. Today, because of you, weve shattered the pink ceiling, Lara said. In his inaugural speech, Lara announced the creation of an executive position in his office to address climate change. There is no other industry that has the necessary expertise to ensure that California is prepared to mitigate and reduce risk to our communities and our environment, Lara said. Our planet cant wait. Im ready, and I hope you are too. Lara served as a state legislator and in 2017 introduced a bill to create a single-payer healthcare system in the state. He promised to work with new Gov. Gavin Newsom to expand coverage across California. Lara was sworn in by retired U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who declared unconstitutional Californias Proposition 8 gay marriage ban. State Sen. President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) was on hand for the ceremony along with multiple other state lawmakers. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis says she will help expand access to universities in the state New Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, center, is shown in June talking with attendees at the Power to the Polls rally in Sacramento. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) More Californians should be given access to public universities, Eleni Kounalakis said as she took the oath of office Monday to become the states first woman elected lieutenant governor. Kounalakis was given the oath of office by Gov. Gavin Newsom, her predecessor in the job, who pledged they would work together. As lieutenant governor, Kounalakis serves on the University of California Board of Regents and the California State University Board of Trustees, she noted in a speech at her swearing-in ceremony at the main Sacramento Library. In that role, she said, she will be committed to expanding access to affordable public higher education here in our state. Its wise, its smart and it is the best way to address our rapidly changing digital economy. Kounalakis is former president of a development company founded by her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos, and served during the Obama administration as the U.S. ambassador to Hungary. In November, she won her first run for statewide office. Also attending the ceremony were House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California meets Dutch Newsom, who steals the show at his fathers inauguration By Taryn Luna Gov. Gavin Newsom gives his inaugural address while holding his youngest son, Dutch. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) In the California political world, all eyes were on Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday until his 2-year-old son stole the show. Dutch, the youngest of four children in the Newsom brood, climbed onstage in the middle of his fathers inaugural address in a tent outside the Capitol on Monday. The unplanned moment saw the 51-year-old governors big day interrupted by the toddler, bringing levity to the ceremony. Newsom was recounting Gov. Jerry Browns last inaugural speech and reference to the Sermon on the Mount, a biblical story about two men who built separate homes on sand and rock, when Dutch approached his father, a pacifier in his mouth and blanket in hand. Now more than ever we Californians know how much a house matters and children matter, Newsom said, improvising as he scooped the boy into his arms. The governor kissed Dutch on the cheek and held him for several minutes as he continued with the speech. This is exactly how it was scripted, Newsom joked. Newsom eventually put his child down and Dutch walked to the edge of the stage before retreating behind the podium to hide from his mother, First Lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The crowd roared. Siebel Newsom was able to briefly divert her son only for him to return to the stage minutes later. She grabbed him again and this time, the crying toddler did not reemerge. When fires strikes, when kids cry and the earth shakes, well be there for each other, Newsom said. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who said the moment humanized Newsom, threw cold water on any theories that Dutchs cameo was planned. No, I know it was not, Garcetti said with a laugh after Newsoms speech concluded. I could see that look of absolute abject terror [on Newsoms face]. Weve all been there. Kids always think its about themselves and theyve proved it. California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) agreed. I worked in early childhood education for 20 years and theres no way you can ever get a child to do anything when you want them to do it, Rendon said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Fiona Ma takes oath as Californias new treasurer By Liam Dillon State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Fiona Ma took the oath of office in Sacramento on Monday as the states 34th treasurer, promising to boost Californias economy. Ma previously served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, in the state Assembly and on the California Board of Equalization. I want to thank everyone for entrusting me with this important job. I understand my role here as your state treasurer is to build that financial wall around California so that we will remain the fifth-largest economy, Ma said in brief remarks. That is my promise to you. California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye administered the oath to Ma. Following the ceremony, Ma held an ice cream social for guests. On Wednesday, she will host a public event in San Francisco to celebrate her swearing-in. State Treasurer Fiona Ma takes the oath of office. (Liam Dillon / Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Expectations are high for newly sworn-in state schools chief Tony Thurmond Tony Thurmond shakes hands with retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco after taking the oath of office. (Melody Gutierrez / Los Angeles Times) Tony Thurmond took the oath of office as Californias state superintendent of public schools on Monday, promising a labor-friendly agenda before the teachers, students and Democratic officials who filled an auditorium at McClatchy High School in Sacramento to watch him being sworn in. We cant close the achievement gap without a great teacher at the head of every class, Thurmond said Monday to applause. We have to make sure we provide quality compensation and support to our teachers and our classified staff and all the educators who support our kids. Thurmond, a Bay Area Democrat who served in the state Assembly, won a hotly contested and expensive race with the help of labor leaders against charter school executive Marshall Tuck. The race took several days to sort out after Tuck held an initial lead in early returns on election night before falling behind thereafter. Thurmond was sworn in Monday by retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco. He was joined on stage by labor rights leader Dolores Huerta and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount). Thurmonds former colleagues in the state Assembly took turns praising him and promising to be an ally in improving schools. Many said they expected Thurmond would be a strong leader focused on improving student outcomes. We know we are going to work hard to give you the money you need and the budget you need to fully fund education and our schools so we can put our money where our mouth is and make sure our children have everything they need, Assemblywoman Connie Leyva (D-Chino Hills) said. As state superintendent, Thurmond will oversee the education of 6.2 million students at 10,000 schools. Thurmond was a member of the West Contra Costa County School Board and a Richmond city councilman before he was elected to the state Assembly. Tony is the right man at the right time to fight the federal, Donald Trump, Betsy DeVos anti-child, anti-education, anti-civil and -human rights agenda, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said. Tony is going to do that for us. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State Controller Betty Yee takes oath of office with call for more affordable housing and healthcare State Controller Betty Yee California Controller Betty Yee took the oath of office Monday for a second term, saying she still has work to do addressing problems that include a lack of affordability in housing, healthcare and higher education. A San Francisco native, Yee is the chief financial officer of California the fifth-largest economy in the world having first won election to the post in 2014 before winning reelection in November. No region is spared from the widening inequality and increased poverty that plague our state, fueled by the lack of affordable, stable housing, the cost of healthcare and transportation, limited educational opportunities, student loan debt, displacement caused by disasters and more, she said. Yee was administered the oath of office by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento before an overflow crowd that included state Senate leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and San Francisco Mayor London Breed. As a public official it is about governance that delivers results and stays accountable while upholding the underlying value of dignity for all, Yee said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra begins new term promising to fight Trump policies California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra ( (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on Monday took the oath of office for a new term, saying he would continue his role as a leading challenger to Trump administration actions that he believes are counter to the states interests. Becerra, a former 12-term congressman, has become a national opposition figure to Trump, having sued the federal government 45 times since he was appointed as the states first Latino attorney general in 2017. Weve been a little busy stopping the dysfunction and insanity in Washington, D.C., from infecting California, Becerra told an audience during a swearing-in ceremony at the California Museum in Sacramento. Whether its the criminals on our streets or the conman in the boardrooms or highest office of the land, Becerra said, the California Department of Justice, well, weve got your back. Becerra won his first statewide election as the states top cop in November, two years after he filled the post vacated when predecessor Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate. He has peppered the Trump administration with lawsuits challenging federal policies on healthcare, the U.S. census, the environment and immigration. Our state builds dreams, not walls, he said in a direct criticism of Trumps proposal to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. Just last week, Becerra led a coalition of 17 Democratic attorneys general in announcing an appeal of a federal judge in Texas that ruled the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The ACA has been the law for nearly a decade and is the backbone of our healthcare system, Becerra said last week. This case impacts nearly every American workers covered by employers, families, women, children, young adults and seniors so we will lead the ACAs defense as long and far as it takes. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California Democratic Party Vice Chairman Daraka Larimore-Hall announces bid to lead group By Christine Mai-Duc Daraka Larimore-Hall. (Dominic Parisi / Courtesy of Daraka Larimore-Hall) Daraka Larimore-Hall, a top official at the California Democratic Party, said Monday hes running to replace former chairman Eric Bauman, who resigned abruptly in November after being confronted with allegations of sexual misconduct. Larimore-Hall, a longtime state party activist and former chairman of the Democratic Party of Santa Barbara County, was one of the party leaders who urged Bauman to resign following the allegations. In an email to supporters announcing his bid, he urged both structural and cultural change at every level of our Party. He also repeated his call for a top-to-bottom investigation of the allegations, the party and its culture. In a Times investigation, 10 party activists and staff members said Bauman made crude sexual comments and engaged in unwanted touching and physical intimidation in professional settings. In order to be where we need to be for 2020, we have to confront the culture of abuse and fear that allowed someone to behave in such a vile way for so long, Larimore-Hall said in an interview. We cant brush it aside or think that our activists or our candidates or our donors are going to forget about this overnight. Larimore-Hall said his first priority would be to fully investigate the allegations and restore rank-and-file confidence in the partys leadership. The second would be to refocus the party on political priorities as the 2020 presidential election nears. The Bauman episode, Larimore-Hall said, threatens to derail the Democrats plans to help defeat President Trump and keep the seven congressional seats gained in the midterm elections. Its definitely a crisis, Larimore-Hall said. But the component parts the energy, the enthusiasm, the volunteers, the infrastructure its still there. We just need to direct it toward something. Larimore-Hall was elected vice chairman of the state party in February following Baumans razor-thin victory over Bay Area activist Kimberly Ellis. Ellis has announced another bid for the chairmanship and former state Senate leader Kevin de Leon is also mulling a run. The vote will take place at the partys May convention in San Francisco. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom will vow to seize this moment, and swipe at Trump in Monday inaugural address By Melanie Mason Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and his family attend an Inauguration Family Event at the California Railroad Museum in Sacramento on Jan. 6. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Building on the theme of California exceptionalism that defined his campaign, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will depict the state as a guardian of progressive values and a counterweight to President Trump in his inaugural address Monday, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks. What we do today is even more consequential, because of whats happening in our country, read the excerpts obtained by The Times. Peoples lives, freedom, security, the water we drink, the air we breathe they all hang in the balance. The country is watching us. The world is waiting on us. The future depends on us. And we will seize this moment. The speech casts Californias political stakes in a decidedly national scope, promising an agenda that will unify and be an example to the rest of the country. It contrasts the governing goals of Newsom, a Democrat, with that of Trump, the incoming governors perennial foil. We will offer an alternative to the corruption and incompetence in the White House, the excerpts say. Our government will be progressive, principled, and always on the side of the people. Newsom campaigned on an ambitious and wide-ranging platform, promising sweeping solutions on housing, healthcare, education and other issues that rank among Californians top concerns. In the weeks after his election, he struck a more muted tone, taking pains to emphasize his fiscal caution and need for patience in achieving those goals. The inaugural excerpts indicate a return to lofty pledges. While Newsom will vow to prepare for uncertain times ahead by building budgetary reserves and paying down debt, the prepared remarks quickly turn to a vow to be bold. Newsom has already floated several proposals for his first budget that carry significant price tags, including a nearly $2-billion plan to boost early childhood development for low-income families and a dramatic expansion of paid family leave from six weeks to six months. When asked for a preview of his inauguration speech during a news conference Sunday evening, Newsom predicted pundits would criticize his address as short on specifics. Well, of course, Im at an inaugural, Newsom said. But Ill be very detailed in the budget, a few days later. And then we will architect, in much more nuance and detail, in state of the state. I really see this as three opportunities to communicate over the next few weeks our agenda, our vision for the state. Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom-hosted benefit concert raises nearly $5 million for wildfire victims By Taryn Luna Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom speaks at a concert to benefit wildfire victims at the Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento on Jan. 6. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) On the eve of the gubernatorial inauguration, Californias political class rubbed elbows in Sacramento for a benefit concert hosted by Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and headlined by the rapper Pitbull. Newsom told the crowd gathered at the Golden 1 Center on Sunday evening that the fundraiser brought in nearly $5 million for the California Wildfire Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that supports the families of fallen firefighters and communities affected by wildfires. You know, a lot of folks feel anxious about not just politics, but government, Newsom said on stage before introducing the rapper and activist Common. But those firefighters, they are the antidote to the fear and cynicism; they are the manifestation of why government matters and why you should care. Top sponsors, including Salesforce, Kaiser Permanente and other interest groups, paid up to $1 million each to support the cause and curry favor with the new administration. Nathan Click, a spokesman for Newsom, said organizers sold more than 7,000 tickets. Several state lawmakers attended the concert alongside Capitol staff, lobbyists and business types, who mingled on the floor of the arena and offstage in private VIP areas. The rock band X Ambassadors and a duo called the Cold Weather Sons from the town of Paradise, which was destroyed by fire in November, were among several performers who entertained the crowd during the four-hour event. The California Rises concert is the final in a series of festivities held Sunday to celebrate the inauguration of Californias 40th governor. Earlier in the day, Newsom attended a private brunch at Sacramentos Crocker Art Museum and his inaugural committee hosted a free party for families at the California State Railroad Museum at the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Newsoms inauguration is set to begin at 11 a.m. Monday on the steps of the Capitol. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Inauguration fever hits Sacramento as Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom prepares to take office By Phil Willon Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom holds his son, Dutch, as he and his family attend an inaugural event at the at the state Railroad Museum Sunday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Incoming Gov. Gavin Newsom doesnt officially take the oath of office until Monday, but the parties celebrating his inauguration were in full swing all day Sunday. Newsom and his family were mobbed by well-wishers at the California State Railroad Museum at the Old Sacramento Waterfront in the afternoon, where his inaugural committee hosted a free party for families. He just has charisma. Hes able to really connect with people, said Rosielyn Pulmano, an attorney from Elk Grove who came to see Newsom with her husband, two sons and her niece. I think he cares about working Californians and a lot of their issues. Newsom arrived with his wife, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their four young children, and the governor-elect spent a good deal of his time wading through crowds, taking selfies with supporters and signing autographs as music boomed in the background. As the family toured the inside of the museums locomotives and the bevy of exhibits, Newsoms two-year-old son, Dutch, was wide-eyed, impressed by all the train cars and seemingly a little overwhelmed by the crowd. Newsom said that for his son, all that was missing from the museum was Thomas the Train, popular fictional locomotive in childrens books and cartoons . If theres one thing I can contribute to Sacramento maybe its getting a Thomas the Train exhibit for the two years olds, Newsom joked when talking with reporters afterward. Newsom said he wanted to include such an event in his inaugural festivities to highlight families and children, whose wellbeing will be among the top priorities of his administration. Youll see that not only as a preamble to the inaugural and the budget that well be submitting next week, but I think itll be a big part of the administration, Newsom said. The museum event followed a private, high-dollar brunch at Sacramentos Crocker Art Museum. A steady rain failed to dissuade as many as 200 guests who sipped wine and dined on chicken and salmon while waiting for a photo with Californias new first couple. Seen at the event were representatives of some of the states most powerful political interests, among them organized labor, healthcare companies and tribal gaming interests. A few other high-profile guests attended, too, including Larry Baer, CEO of the San Francisco Giants, and Erika Jayne, a singer and cast member of the reality TV show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Im excited to see someone like Gavin young, vibrant taking over the state and leading us into the future, Jayne said after attending the brunch with her husband, attorney Tom Girardi. Hes got a lot of great plans. Attendees said the event, which was closed to reporters and held under a tent in the museums outdoor atrium, did not include prepared remarks by Newsom. Among those seen leaving the event were representatives of AT&T, the California Medical Assn., Uber, Kaiser Permanente and the State Building and Construction Trades Council. A fundraising invitation obtained by The Times offered bundled tickets to all of the inauguration events, including those on Sunday and the Monday ceremony, ranging in price from $25,000 to $200,000. The money will be collected by a committee specifically organized to pay for Newsoms inaugural weekend. Sundays festivities are scheduled to end with a benefit concert headlined by Pitbull at the Golden 1 Center, home of the NBAs Sacramento Kings, to raise money for the victims of Californias recent deadly wildfires. Among the attendees at @GavinNewsoms pre-inaugural leadership brunch: Real Housewife of Bev Hills @erikajayne. Im excited to see someone like Gavinyoung, vibranttaking over the state and leading us into the future. Hes got a lot of great plans. pic.twitter.com/561NHiy2XQ Melanie Mason (@melmason) January 6, 2019 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement As Newsom inaugural events begin, he unveils more state budget promises on education and paid family leave Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, seen here last April, will propose new state budget efforts on paid family leave and education subsidies. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Californias incoming governor, who must send his first state budget plan to the Legislature this week, has already signaled a significant new focus on programs to help families and children from infancy to college. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom campaigned on a platform that included a number of child-focused efforts specifically aimed at helping lower-income families. The price tag for the initial efforts is expected to approach $2 billion a cost paid out of an unrestricted tax revenue windfall that could be one of the largest in state history. Newsom may also seek help for families through new subsidies paid by California employers. The governor-elect is expected to propose a dramatic expansion of paid parental leave from six weeks to six months according to an internal document provided by a source close to the Newsom transition team, first reported on Sunday by the New York Times. The document doesnt offer a full explanation for how the program will be funded, saying instead that the budget will set a goal of ensuring that all newborns and newly adopted babies can be cared for by a parent or a close family member for the first six months. Employers across the state are currently assessed a payroll tax that helps offer a subsidy to parents who temporarily leave their job to care for a newborn. Newsoms plan, according to the document, would pay for some of the new costs by shrinking the mandated cash reserve of the state fund that administers the program, allowing more of the money to be paid in benefits. The increase in paid leave would not all happen at once but instead be phased in over a multi-year period. A task force to help implement the expanded care plan is also envisioned, according to the document. It would determine whether two parents could split the six months of paid leave and whether an extended family member could be enlisted to help care for the child of a single parent over the six-month period. The incoming administrations focus on young children will also include $1.8 billion in new spending on early childhood education programs, with a particular focus on training childcare workers and pushing for more California schools to offer full-day kindergarten. Those costs, according to an overview memo obtained by the Los Angeles Times, are considered to be a one-time expense while leaving the long-term costs of the effort to be determined later. More community college students would get free tuition under a third initiative expected in the new governors budget plan. Newsom will propose spending $40 million to offer a second year of tuition-free college to California students, according to an outline provided by a transition official, first reported by Politico. Students are already eligible for a single year of paid tuition under a plan agreed to by Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers in 2017. The incoming governor embraced the idea of free community college during the 2018 campaign as part of a broader focus on additional investments in higher education. Education is an economic development strategy, Newsom said at a higher education forum last spring. We need to significantly increase the investment from the general fund of this state on higher education. Theres no greater higher return on investment. Whether the proposal would be targeted to students based on a familys financial need is unclear. Many low-income students are already eligible for fee waivers at community colleges. The new governor must submit his full state budget plan to lawmakers no later than Thursday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gavin Newsom and his family decide Sacramento is the place to be The Old Governors Mansion State Historic Park in Sacramento. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will move his family into the mansion. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and his family will give up the Marin County life and move to the Victorian-style governors mansion in Sacramento after he takes the oath of office Monday. Newsom and his wife, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, had debated whether or when to relocate to the state capital since his election in November. The couple have four young children and expressed reservations about moving in the middle of a school year. To best serve the people of California while also maximizing family time together, the Newsoms have therefore decided to move to Sacramento, said Newsoms spokesman, Nathan Click. On Monday, they will move into the Governors Mansion along with their four children, their two family dogs, and their family bunny rabbit and reside there for the immediate future. The Newsoms currently live in Marin County. Gov. Jerry Brown and his wife, Ann Gust Brown, moved into the grand house in 2015 after it underwent $4.1 million in renovations to update electrical and plumbing systems, as well as to remove lead-based paint and install a fire sprinkler system and other security features. The mansion was built in 1877 and has been home to 14 governors, but before Brown it had not housed a California governor for nearly half a century. The state bought the mansion from a wealthy Sacramento hardware merchant, Albert Gallatin, in 1903 for $32,500. It was one of the few California homes at that time to have indoor plumbing. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom announces top labor, business liaisons as he prepares to take office Julie Su will be secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency for Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom on Friday named two advisors on issues related to the California economy, each recognized for their expertise on business and labor. The incoming governor will appoint Julie Su as secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and Lenny Mendonca as chief economic and business advisor and director of the Governors Office of Business and Economic Development. Su, 49, has served as state labor commissioner under Gov. Jerry Brown since 2011 and has led an office tasked with the enforcement of Californias labor laws. She won a MacArthur Foundation genius grant in 2001 and previously worked as a civil rights attorney representing low-wage workers. In her new position, Su will be tasked with coordinating the work of several workforce departments in state government, including those that administer unemployment benefits and oversee the relationship between agriculture workers and employers. Mendonca, 57, has been a longtime advocate for rethinking government operations as co-chairman of the nonprofit organization California Forward. Previously, he was partner at McKinsey & Co., a global management consulting firm. While he will be a key advisor to Newsom on the states economy, Mendonca will also lead the office often referred to as Go-Biz, designated as a high-level way to encourage job growth and economic development. In his new role, Mendonca will help ensure that California is rolling out the welcome mat to current and future California businesses and growing a sustainable economy for every Californian, said a statement from the Newsom transition team. Newsom will take the oath of office as governor Monday. He has previously selected key advisors on the state budget, legislative affairs and the executive branchs wide array of agencies and departments. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Joshua Groban, aide to Gov. Jerry Brown, sworn in to California Supreme Court By Taryn Luna California Supreme Court Justice Joshua Groban gives remarks after he is sworn into the court by Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday. (Taryn Luna) California Supreme Court Justice Joshua Groban, a lawyer and longtime aide to Gov. Jerry Brown, was sworn into the states highest court Thursday in Sacramento. The ceremony marked Browns fourth appointment to the state Supreme Court and gave the seven-member bench a Democratic majority. We live in a highly chaotic, ever-changing and ever-confusing world, Groban said in prepared remarks at the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building. But Im happy to report that Im joining an institution whose fundamental purpose, at core, is to provide stability and consistency amidst this chaotic place we live. I look forward to doing that with a sense of reflection, respect, fidelity to the law and compassion. None of Browns appointees, Groban included, have judicial experience. Groban served as legal counsel to Browns 2010 gubernatorial campaign and joined the administration as a senior advisor to the governor, overseeing the appointments of some 600 judges over the last eight years. Prior to working with Brown, Groban, 45, practiced law for more than a decade. In perhaps his final public appearance before his successor, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, takes office next week, Brown pushed back on notions that he stacked the court. I dont want this to be known as a Brown court, the governor said before administering the judicial oath of office. First of all, the so-called Brown appointments do not agree with themselves and nor should they. They are individuals. They will differ. Its not anybodys court. The governor called the court a high calling and said Groban possesses the values for the job. Probably, next to my wife, Ive talked to no person as much as Ive talked to Josh Groban, Brown said. I think youve talked to him more, Californias First Lady Anne Gust Brown interjected. I cant tell you what the hell hes going to do, Brown later quipped. I warned him, dont screw up, at least not at first. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California campaign watchdog agency seeks law barring use of campaign funds to fight harassment claims Former state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia). ( (Steve Yeater / Associated Press)) Elected officials accused of harassment or discrimination would be barred from using political contributions to cover their legal defense costs under legislation proposed by Californias campaign watchdog agency. The state Fair Political Practices Commission has agreed to pursue a law change to clear up confusion after an attorney for one former state lawmaker argued political funds could be used in such legal defenses. Commission Chairwoman Alice Germond said putting a prohibition into the law would provide some much needed clarity. As chair, I would like to show the public their lawmakers are held to a standard that is above reproach, Germond said in a statement. People dont give money to campaigns for lawmakers to use it to defend their own bad behavior, so lawmakers shouldnt be able to use it in that manner. The issue came up a year ago when an attorney for former Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) sought a formal opinion from the FPPC after the Senate launched an investigation that later concluded Mendoza likely engaged in a pattern of harassment against female aides. Mendoza resigned in February under threat of expulsion by the Senate. In a Jan. 10, 2018, letter, Cassandra Ferrannini, an attorney for Mendoza, wrote to the FPPC that she believed Mendoza should be allowed to establish a legal defense fund able to defray his legal expenses in defending himself against the allegations. The use of campaign funds for attorneys fees under these circumstances would fall squarely within the scope of legislative matters, since it involves the alleged conduct of a legislator with regard to legislative staff that he supervised, Ferrannini wrote. The commission staff originally issued an advice letter that said Mendoza may use campaign and legal defense funds to defend himself from claims of sexual harassment that arose directly out of his activities or status as a candidate or elected officer. But the panel later rescinded the letter after some members questioned using campaign funds to fight sexual harassment claims. That left uncertainty about what was allowed, which Germond said could be cleared up by a new law. The FPPC is still looking for a legislator to carry the bill, a spokesman said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias landmark police transparency law takes effect after court denies police union effort to block it California Supreme Court building (Eric Risberg / Associated Press) A new state law allowing the public disclosure of internal police shooting investigations has gone into effect after the California Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a bid by a police union to block it. The law opens to the public for the first time internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Employees Benefit Assn. challenged the law last month, asking state Supreme Court justices to decide that the law only apply to incidents that occur in 2019 or later. The court rejected that request Wednesday, allowing members of the public to seek all applicable records held by police departments. Union president Grant Ward said in a statement that his organization was disappointed with the decision and is now seeking other legal options. We feel this is a statewide issue and should be considered accordingly, Ward said. Last month, the city of Inglewood authorized the destruction of more than 100 police shooting investigations and other records in advance of Jan. 1, when the disclosure law was scheduled to take effect. California law requires police departments to keep such records for five years, and Inglewood City Council voted to destroy records older than that. Mayor James T. Butts has said the decision had nothing to do with the new law. In Los Angeles, Police Chief Michel Moore has said that complying with the new disclosure rules could take hundreds of thousands of hours of work. State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), the author of the transparency law, has said she has no immediate plans to propose changes to it. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Few complaints of racial profiling are sustained by police agencies in California, state panel finds CHP Officer J. Nelson stands outside the office of Gov. Jerry Brown as activists in 2015 support requiring the tracking of police stops. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Law enforcement agencies in California sustain few citizen complaints of racial or identity profiling, according to a report Wednesday by a state panel set up to help reduce bias in policing. The states Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board recommended in its annual report that law enforcement agencies improve training and adopt clear guidelines for tracking and reporting data on who is stopped by officers. The panel said that 453 law enforcement agencies in the state received 9,459 civilian complaints in 2017, including 865 complaints alleging racial or identity profiling. Of the racial and identity complaints that reached a disposition that year, 1.5% were sustained, 14.6% resulted in officers being exonerated and 83.9% of complaints were not sustained or were determined to be unfounded, the report said. A clearer picture of the issue is expected from a 2015 law that requires police agencies to report demographic data on all detentions and searches. The first reports by the eight largest agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, are due to be submitted in April. California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, whose office oversees the board, said tracking of all detentions and searches will be helpful to understand the scope of the issue. The Boards recommendations will help make our law enforcement agencies more transparent and promote critical steps to enhance, and in some cases, repair the public trust, Becerra said in a statement Wednesday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California housing crisis podcast: What Minneapolis decision to end single-family zoning might mean for California A view of downtown Minneapolis in 2014 (Stephen Maturen / Getty Images) Theres a national movement brewing to roll back zoning rules in cities that only allow one house on a plot of land. The epicenter of that movement is Minneapolis, which passed a plan last month to eliminate single-family zoning citywide and let landowners build duplexes and triplexes on residential property. On this episode of Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast, we talk about the reasons why Minneapolis leaders took this action, including their desire to combat a history of racial exclusion and spur more housing density to fight climate change. We also debate how Minneapolis decision might affect housing politics in California. Our guest is Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender, who helped shepherd the new zoning rules to passage and a former San Francisco city planner. The episode also crowns 2018s Avocado of the Year the most ridiculous story exemplifying Californias housing woes and includes our predictions for the most under-the-radar important themes in housing politics in 2019. Gimme Shelter, a biweekly podcast that looks at why its so expensive to live in California and what the state can do about it, features Liam Dillon, who covers housing affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times Sacramento bureau, and Matt Levin, data and housing reporter for CALmatters. You can subscribe to Gimme Shelter on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Play and Overcast. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement How young immigrant Dreamers made flipping control of the House a personal quest By Jazmine Ulloa Gabriela Cruz, who was brought to the U.S. illegally when she was 1, couldnt vote, but in the final hours before the Nov. 6 election, she was making one last run to get people to the polls. The sun was setting in Modesto when she found Ronald Silva, 41, smoking a cigarette on a tattered old couch behind a group home. He politely tried to wave her off until she reminded him he had a right that she as an immigrant without citizenship didnt have. It could really make a change for us, said Cruz, 29. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will propose almost $2 billion for early childhood programs (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Seeking to frame his new administration as one with a firm focus on closing the gap between children from affluent and poor families, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will propose spending some $1.8 billion on an array of programs designed to boost Californias enrollment in early education and child-care programs. Newsoms plan, which he hinted at in a Fresno event last month, will be a key element in the state budget proposal he will submit to the Legislature shortly after taking office Monday, a source close to the governor-elects transition team said. The spending would boost programs designed to ensure children enter kindergarten prepared to learn, closing what some researchers have called the readiness gap that exists based on a familys income. It would also phase in an expansion of prekindergarten and offer money to help school districts that dont have facilities for full-day kindergarten. The fact that hes making significant investments with his opening budget is really exciting, Ted Lempert, president of the Bay Area-based nonprofit Children Now, said Tuesday. Whats exciting is the comprehensiveness of it, because its saying were going to focus on prenatal through age 5. A broad overview document reviewed by The Times on Tuesday shows that most of the outlay under the plan $1.5 billion would be a one-time expense in the budget year that begins July 1. Those dollars would be a single infusion of cash, an approach favored by Gov. Jerry Brown in recent years. Most of the money would be spent on efforts to expand child-care services and kindergarten classes. By law, a governor must submit a full budget to the Legislature no later than Jan. 10. Lawmakers will spend the winter and spring reviewing the proposal and must send a final budget plan to Newsom by June 15. Though legislative Democrats have pushed for additional early childhood funding in recent years a key demand of the Legislative Womens Caucus those actions have typically come late in the budget-writing season in Sacramento. Quite frankly, to start out with a January proposal that includes that investment in Californias children reflects a new day, state Sen. Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) said. The governor-elect will propose a $750-million boost to kindergarten funding, aimed at expanding facilities to allow full-day programs. A number of school districts offer only partial-day programs, leaving many low-income families to skip enrolling their children because kindergarten classes end in the middle of the workday. Because the money would not count toward meeting Californias three-decades-old education spending guarantee under Proposition 98, which sets a minimum annual funding level for K-12 schools and community colleges, it will not reduce planned spending on other education services. Close behind in total cost is a budget proposal by Newsom to help train child-care workers and expand local facilities already subsidized by the state, as well as those serving parents who attend state colleges and universities. Together, those efforts could cost $747 million, according to the budget overview document. An expansion of prekindergarten programs would be phased in over three years at a cost of $125 million in the first year. The multiyear rollout would, according to the budget overview, ensure the system can plan for the increase in capacity. Lempert said the Newsom proposal is notable for trying to avoid the kinds of battles that in recent years pitted prekindergarten and expanded child care against each other for additional taxpayer dollars. The reality is we need to expand both simultaneously, he said. Another $200 million of the proposal would be earmarked for programs that provide home visits to expectant parents from limited-income families and programs that provide healthcare screenings for young children. Some of the money would come from the states Medi-Cal program, and other money from federal matching dollars. Funding for the home visits program was provided in the budget Brown signed last summer; the Newsom effort would build on that. Emphasizing a policy area with broad appeal in his first state budget could reflect Newsoms political sensibility about the challenges ahead. Democratic lawmakers and interest groups will be especially eager to see how Newsom addresses the demand for an overhaul of healthcare coverage in California especially after a 2017 effort to create a single-payer, universal system fizzled. The path forward on healthcare is complex and costly, making early childhood education a more achievable goal in the governor-elects early tenure. Newsom is likely to face considerable demands for other additional spending. In November, the Legislatures independent analysts projected that continued strength in tax revenues could produce a cash reserve of some $29 billion over the next 18 months. Almost $15 billion of that could be in unrestricted reserves, the kind that can be spent on any number of government programs. Kim Belshe, executive director of the child advocacy organization First 5 LA and a former state health and human services secretary, said the initial Newsom budget proposal suggests the next governor will focus on a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes for children from low-income families. School-ready kids deserve quality early learning, strong and well-supported families, and access to early screening services, Belshe said. Newsom understands the whole child, multifaceted needs of our kids and is clearly ready to lead. Mitchell, the chair of the Senate budget committee, said shes eager to see the details of the governor-elects proposal to determine whether it might signal the beginning of an even broader expansion of early education efforts. Similar efforts have been hindered by a lack of money and ongoing debate over which services to help children 5 and younger need state funding the most. Universal preschool, in particular, has been debated for more than a decade. California voters rejected a ballot measure to fund a full prekindergarten system in 2006. Its clear theres a new movement afoot trying to engage on investment for universal preschool, Mitchell said. How we invest, and how we prioritize that investment, is going to be a great conversation for the coming months. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Politics Podcast: A final conversation with Gov. Jerry Brown No Californian has served longer as governor, signed more laws, granted clemency to more felons or waged more high-profile campaigns than Gov. Jerry Brown. Brown will leave behind a unique legacy when he packs his last belongings for the trip from the governors mansion in Sacramento to his Northern California ranch. His final two terms in office could be his most consequential. The governor reviewed some of the more notable moments from the past eight years in a far-reaching interview with The Times on Dec. 22. This weeks podcast episode includes extended portions of that conversation. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement A sagging economy could doom a 2020 ballot measure to raise commercial property taxes, Gov. Jerry Brown says Gov. Jerry Brown, at his Colusa County home on Saturday, said a ballot measure to raise commercial property taxes could struggle in 2020. (Randall Benton/For The Times) An effort to remove commercial property in California from the tax limits imposed by the landmark Proposition 13 could be felled by an economic slowdown, Gov. Jerry Brown said. In a Saturday interview with The Times at his Northern California ranch, Brown said liberal activist groups that have successfully placed the proposal on the November 2020 statewide ballot shouldnt read too much into early poll numbers showing support for the plan. That isnt as easy as you think, Brown said. Because youre going to be in a downturn of the business cycle. And youre talking many kinds of business. And the cost of doing business in California is already high. The ballot measure would allow counties to more frequently assess the market value of commercial property in California than allowed under Proposition 13, a 1978 ballot initiative that amended the state constitution to place strict limits on assessing property values and taxation for both homeowners and businesses. An analysis of the new measure, which qualified in October for the 2020 ballot, estimates it could bring in some $10.5 billion a year in new tax revenue. The business community will fight it, Brown said. And the minimum wage, the family leave, the environmental rules business[es] have left California, thats going to be the big argument. And I think thats something you really have to think a lot about. The governor, who leaves office early next month due to term limits, declined to either endorse or oppose the ballot measure. He said Californias economic health in two years time could be a key factor in how voters weigh the proposal. Well be in a recession by then, Brown said. So its anybodys guess. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Inglewood to destroy more than 100 police shooting records that could otherwise become public under new California law By Jack Dolan Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts (Maria Alejandra Cardona / Los Angeles Times) The city of Inglewood has authorized the shredding of more than 100 police shooting and other internal investigation records weeks before a new state law could allow the public to access them for the first time. The decision, made at a City Council meeting earlier this month, has troubled civil liberties advocates who were behind the state legislation, Senate Bill 1421, which takes effect Jan. 1. The law opens to the public internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The legislature passed SB 1421 because communities demanded an end to the secrecy cloaking police misconduct and use of force, Marcus Benigno, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said in a statement. Inglewood PDs decision to purge records undermines police accountability and transparency against the will of Californians. California law says police departments must retain records of officer shootings and internal misconduct investigations for five years. The city of Inglewood, however, had kept records longer than that, including case files of police shootings dating to 1991. State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), the author of SB 1421, intended for her bill to allow public access to all qualifying records held by a department, no matter the date of the incident. Inglewood City Council approved the destruction of records that have been in the police departments possession more than 100 cases longer than required by law. The city staff report and council resolution describing the action makes no mention of the new police transparency law. Instead it says the affected records are obsolete, occupy valuable space, and are of no further use to the police department. It added the traditional method of destroying such records is to shred them. It is unclear whether the records have since been destroyed. A spokesman for the Inglewood Police Department along with Inglewoods city manager, attorney, clerk, four council members and Mayor James T. Butts, a former Santa Monica police chief, did not respond to requests for comment. Inglewoods City Hall is closed the last two weeks of December. The Inglewood Police Department has a reputation for secrecy and using excessive force. In 2008, the departments officers fatally shot four men in as many months, three of whom turned out to be unarmed. The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights probe and found significant flaws in the way the department oversaw use-of-force cases and investigated complaints against officers. Civil rights advocates still question why Inglewood police opened fire on a couple found sleeping in a car in 2016, killing them both. California police have a long history of shredding records to avoid scrutiny of their actions. In the 1970s, the LAPD famously destroyed more than four tons of personnel records after defense attorneys began requesting them as part of criminal cases against their clients. The move resulted in the dismissal of more than a hundred criminal complaints. In response, the Legislature demanded that records be preserved but then took other measures, supported by police unions, to ensure the public had very little access to them, making California the most secretive state in the nation when it comes to police misconduct. Skinners legislation begins to unwind those laws, which have been on the books since 1978. No video or audio of the Dec. 11 council action is available on the citys website and neither are meeting minutes or any record of the decision. A city spokeswoman, Courtney Torres, confirmed that the council had voted in favor of the police records purge, and said all the relevant reasons for the decision were included in the city staff report. The Jan. 1 implementation for SB 1421 has prompted other police officials to act. A police union in San Bernardino is asking the state Supreme Court to determine that Skinners bill only applies to incidents that occur in 2019 or later. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore sent a letter to Skinner earlier this month warning that complying with the law in regard to older records in the departments possession could take hundreds of thousands of work hours. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Federal officials question California DMVs process for issuing Real IDs (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has notified the California Department of Motor Vehicles that its process for providing residents with federally recognized identification cards is not adequate. DMV spokesman Armando Botello said Friday that 2.3 million residents who received Real IDs under the current process will have to submit additional documentation when their cards are renewed in five years but will be able to use them in the meantime. The DMV is developing a way for residents to submit more documentation online or via email to comply with the stricter federal requirement, he said. But some state legislators are upset about delays in notifying them of the problem and say Homeland Security could eventually require additional documentation provided by current holders. The DMV has known for a month that millions of Real IDs theyve been dolling out are potentially invalid, Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) said. The DMVs only hope is that the Department of Homeland Security takes pity on California and gives the DMV more time to fix this mess. Real IDs are a new kind of driver license and identification card that federal law will require legal residents to present when boarding domestic flights or visiting military bases and other federal facilities starting Oct. 1, 2020. The DMV has only been requiring one form of documentation, including a current lease or utility bill, to verify the residence of a card applicant. But the federal government said in a Nov. 21 letter to the agency that two such documents are needed. On Friday, DMV Director Jean Shiomoto released a letter defending the current process but said her agency will start requiring a second document to prove residency in April. In order to minimize confusion among our customers, the CADMV will work to inform individuals who have been issued a Real ID under the current process that their card will be accepted for official federal purposes, even if their renewal occurs after the October 1, 2020, final enforcement date for Real ID, Shiomoto wrote to the federal agency. Legislative officials worry there is still a possibility that those issued Real IDs in the past might be required to present a second document to have their cards designated as compliant. The more complex process for obtaining Real IDs has led to hours-long waits for customers at DMV field offices this year, although wait times have been reduced recently by an increase in staffing. Shiomoto last month announced that she is retiring amid problems with the motor voter registration system and after the governor ordered an audit of her agency in response to the long wait times. On Friday, Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron of Escondido blasted the DMV for waiting a month to tell legislators of the problem. This is unacceptable and flies in the face of security for our citizens, which is what Real ID was created for in the first place, she said in a statement. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom taps Keely Bosler to be his finance director Keely Bosler, the director of the California Department of Finance, will continue in that role under Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. (California Department of Finance) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom on Friday appointed Keely Martin Bosler as director of the California Department of Finance, continuing the role she has served under Gov. Jerry Brown since August. Bosler will become Newsoms chief fiscal advisor, and will play a pivotal role in shaping Newsoms spending plan for the state that will lay the foundation for his top policy priorities. Newsom must roll out his first budget plan within days of taking office on Jan. 7. Californias brighter future depends on a strong, stable fiscal foundation, Newsom said in a statement released Friday afternoon. Keely is an accomplished public servant of sound fiscal judgment. She understands that state budgets are more than numbers on a page they are value statements affecting the fate and future of millions of families reaching for the California Dream. We are fortunate to have her on our team. Prior to being appointed finance director, Bosler served as Browns cabinet secretary for two years and, before that, as the chief deputy director for budget in the Finance Department for three years. Earlier this year, Brown picked Bosler to lead an audit of the Department of Motor Vehicles, which had come under fire for long wait times at DMV field offices and numerous computer problems, including errors in the new motor voter program that registered Californians to vote. As we have discussed, long wait times at the Department of Motor Vehicles do not reflect the high standards of service that Californians expect from their state government, Bosler wrote in a letter in September to DMV Director Jean Shiomoto. The audit is still ongoing, but Shiomoto has since announced she will retire at the end of the year. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias legislative analyst, after decades of nonpartisan research for lawmakers, calls it a career Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor, who has led the state research unit since 2008, will retire on Dec. 31. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Only five people have led the independent research office of the California Legislature since its creation in 1941. And each of them has had a pretty simple mantra to live by in reviewing public policy proposals and government programs: Call it like you see it. The job of any analyst, to me, is you maintain that nonpartisanship, Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor said. Taylor, 65, will retire from the post at the end of December after a four-decade career with the research team that began, as he likes to tell it, just after the passage of the landmark property tax rollback, Proposition 13, in 1978. He became the leader of the office, with the title of legislative analyst, in October 2008. Two months later, state government found itself in arguably the worst fiscal crisis in its history a projected shortfall that ultimately grew to $42 billion by the following winter. There were forces beyond our control, Taylor said of that time. But dont underestimate the policy changes that were made afterward. Those changes, most notably a boost in taxes paid by high-income earners and a robust state budget cash reserve fund, have helped lead to successive years of fully funded government services. The state is projected to have some $24 billion in reserves by the end of the current fiscal year. Taylor announced his intention earlier to step down this year. Leaders from both houses of the Legislature select the analyst, who leads a staff of almost five dozen researchers. The office provides in-depth reports on pending legislation, as well as on broader policy topics like education and healthcare, and produces an independent analysis for every proposed ballot measure. A succession of lawmakers and governors alike have praised or panned the work of the Legislative Analysts Office based on their own political worldview. Taylor said his staff is mindful that they work for legislators, but try to ignore the rhetoric that follows the release of a major report. People are going to do what theyre going to do with our information, he said. They dont always like it, but they appreciate that we give them our best advice. Taylor oversaw a transformation in the way the Legislative Analysts Office distributes its information, embracing the release of research reports through social media instead of relying on traditional printed copies and journalist roundtable events. But he said the work of the researchers has remained largely unchanged through the decades. Having an independent take on things, I think, is good for the Legislature, he said. No replacement for Taylor has been announced, which means a short transition for his eventual successor before Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom sends his first budget proposal to lawmakers in early January. Taylor, who lives in the Sacramento suburbs, said he will honor the tradition of his predecessors in stepping away from public policy debates in order to give the new analyst space to lead the team as he or she sees fit. He said he hopes to travel in the coming years and spend time with his children who have moved to the East Coast. Forty years in state government, Taylor said in why he was stepping aside now. Isnt that enough? Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Jerry Brown sues to save California sentencing laws By Don Thompson, Associated Press (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown sued Thursday to protect one of his signature actions in office, a voter-approved measure that allows most prison inmates to seek earlier release and participate in rehabilitation programs. His administration filed a lawsuit challenging a pending 2020 initiative that seeks to toughen criminal penalties as part of an effort to roll back reforms adopted by voters within the last decade. Browns lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court contends the measure lacked enough valid signatures to overturn a previously approved constitutional amendment. County officials and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla certified the signatures in July but said they were submitted too late to qualify for last months election. The lawsuit names Padilla and the ballot measures official proponent, Nina Salarno Besselman, president of the advocacy group Crime Victims United. Padilla said the measure exceeded the required roughly 366,000 valid signatures, equal to 5% of votes cast for governor in 2014. Browns lawsuit says he used the wrong threshold. It says changing the state Constitution requires 8%, or more than 585,400 signatures. That makes the pending initiative more than 150,000 signatures short, the lawsuit says. Hes wrong, said Jeff Flint, a spokesman for the campaign backing the measure. He predicted a judge will be reluctant to reject a measure that already has qualified for the ballot. The secretary of state told us how many signatures are required, and thats how many we collected, Flint said. Padillas office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The measure would reverse reforms adopted by voters through Proposition 47 in 2014 and Proposition 57 in 2016. Proposition 57 allows most inmates to seek earlier paroles, and Proposition 47 reduced some drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. The combination has helped keep Californias inmate population below a population cap set by federal judges. Corrections department spokeswoman Vicky Waters said the measure gives corrections and parole officials broad discretion to protect our communities and fashion a rational system of rehabilitation and punishment. This new initiative unlawfully seeks to supplant the departments constitutional authority to implement these critical reforms to our criminal justice system. The pending initiative would shorten the list of crimes that qualify for earlier parole and change some theft crimes from misdemeanors back to felonies. It would also increase the number of crimes for which DNA is collected, a list that was limited when some crimes went from felonies to misdemeanors. Those supporting the tougher penalties say easing criminal penalties has increased the number of dangerous criminals on the streets, but those backing the changes say they have helped reduce mass incarceration and rehabilitate convicted criminals. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Supreme Court orders records unsealed in pardon of ex-state Sen. Roderick Wright Former state Sen. Roderick Wright (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times) The California Supreme Court has granted a request to unseal court records involving Gov. Jerry Browns decision last month to pardon former state Sen. Roderick Wright for felony convictions involving lying about living in his legislative district, officials said Thursday. The court order was in response to a request by the nonpartisan First Amendment Coalition, which argued that the public has a right to know what information went into the governors decision to grant clemency to Wright. This is an important victory for public access to court files involving the exercise of executive clemency, said coalition spokesman Glen A. Smith. We are gratified the court has recognized that these decisions should be subject to the same public access rules that apply to other judicial records under California law. The court gave Browns office until Jan. 2 to redact confidential material before giving the court documents that can be released to the public. The court files submitted by the governors office include letters of support for a pardon and an internal review of Wrights case. The court denied a motion to unseal the records of all clemency cases but left open consideration of requests on other individual cases. Browns office is currently evaluating the courts decision, said spokesman Brian Ferguson. The governor argued against unsealing records in a recent court filing that said confidentiality is consistent with historical practice and is supported by state law. In pardoning Wright on Nov. 22, the governor wrote: He has shown that since his release from custody, he has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law abiding citizen. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California political watchdog agency fines BART, urges prosecution over using public funds for campaign A Bay Area Rapid Transit train leaves the station in Oakland in this 2013 file photo. (Ben Margot / AP) Californias state political watchdog agency on Thursday imposed a $7,500 fine against the Bay Area Rapid Transit District and called for a possible criminal or civil prosecution over allegations the district used public resources to campaign for a 2016 bond measure. The state Fair Political Practices Commission levied an administrative fine against BART for its failure to disclose spending on YouTube videos, social media posts and text messages to promote Measure RR, which authorized $3.5 billion in general obligation bonds. Though the panel lacks authority to seek criminal charges over the misuse of public funds, it also urged county district attorneys in the BART service area and the state attorney general to pursue possible criminal or civil charges over the spending of taxpayer dollars for campaign purposes, Commission Chairwoman Alice Germond said. It is the concept of misusing public funds that I think we all here are very disturbed about, and we want to send a warning and not create a precedent that is a minor, little slap on the wrist, Germond said, adding that the referral to criminal prosecutors would further send a message that this is wrong. Commissioner Brian Hatch also called for the state Legislature to consider granting the FPPC power to go after public agencies that spend taxpayer money on campaigns. Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) called on the agency to increase the fine to the maximum level of $33,375. The proposed $7,500 fine represents a slap on the wrist for a very serious violation of the law and the publics trust, Glazer said in a letter to the panel. In supporting the fine recommended by the staff, Germond said BART has agreed to pay the penalty. Somebody did something wrong and they have admitted it, she said. A staff report said there were factors in favor of a fine below the maximum. Although the Commission considers BARTs violations to be serious, the absence of any evidence of an intention to conceal, deceive, or mislead; the voluntary filing of the delinquent campaign statement; and the absence of a prior record are mitigating, the report said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California police union seeks state Supreme Court review of new law disclosing internal investigation records Los Angeles Police Department officers. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) A police union is asking the California Supreme Court to block the release of internal officer investigations before a new state law takes effect next year. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Employees Benefit Assn. filed a petition Tuesday asking justices to rule that only investigations of incidents that occur after Jan. 1 would be available under the law and not those the department has on file from years prior. The litigation comes after this years passage of Senate Bill 1421, which opens to the public for the first time internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The law goes into effect Jan. 1, and the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department has told the union it intends to make available in response to public records requests all the information it has. The union is very concerned about any plans to retroactively apply Senate Bill 1421, Grant Ward, the unions president, said in a statement. We believe retroactive application violates our members rights and we hope the California Supreme Court will consider the serious issues raised by our legal challenge. The bills author, Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), does not agree with the unions interpretation. She has said her legislation should apply to all the records in a police departments possession because the law simply declared that affected records were no longer confidential. If the record exists, its disclosable, Skinner said. A decision on what records will be available under the law is key to how far-reaching it will be. If the court restricts access to incidents that occurred prior to 2019, those cases will not be subject to public scrutiny. The police union in San Bernardino County is not the only one raising concerns about the law. Earlier this month, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore sent a letter to Skinner expressing concern that his agency would be overwhelmed if the law required the department to disclose older incidents. Even if the law only applied to the previous five years, Moore wrote, it could take nearly 300,000 hours of work to comply with its provisions. The LAPD operates with a guiding principle of Reverence for the Law; as such, we will diligently comply with SB 1421, Moore wrote. We maintain, however, that a retroactive implementation of SB 1421 will be exceptionally burdensome and would require significant reallocation of front-line investigative personnel. Skinner said if complying with the law becomes untenable for law enforcement agencies that maintain records for a long time, she would consider modifications. But she said agencies did not raise this concern during discussion over the bill. SB 1421 went through multiple committee hearings, multiple floor debates, extensive opportunity for all parties to weigh in on concerns with its structure, she said. That was not an issue that was raised by law enforcement at the time. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Brown warns of backlash for Republicans in 2020 if Obamacare repeal is upheld Gov. Jerry Brown at the National Press Club in April. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) Gov. Jerry Brown warned Republicans on Tuesday that repeal of the Affordable Care Act would devastate the partys political chances in the 2020 election. Brown, speaking at a Sacramento Press Club event moderated by Los Angeles Times columnist George Skelton and Brown family historian Miriam Pawel, said a federal judges ruling last week to strike down the 2010 law if upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court will build such a backlash that the Democrats will not only take over the Senate, theyll win the presidency and will win with the kind of momentum, particularly on the issue of healthcare, that [the law] will be replaced probably with something even better. The governor, who leaves office in less than three weeks, said he did not believe the ruling by a Texas judge would ultimately prevail. I think the decision will probably be overturned, Brown said. Few states have embraced the law championed by former President Obama more than California, both through its healthcare exchange, Covered California, and by expanding access to government-funded services under Medi-Cal. Some 12 million Californians now receive healthcare through Medi-Cal, and Brown said a final ruling affecting the federal dollars that subsidize that care would be a serious blow. California would not be able to afford it without the subsidy, the governor said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Bars in Los Angeles, San Francisco could stay open until 4 a.m. under new bill A bar in Sherman Oaks (acuna-hansen) For the third year in a row, a California lawmaker is trying to keep bars open until 4 a.m. State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is reintroducing legislation that would allow Los Angeles, San Francisco and seven other cities to extend the sales of alcohol in bars, clubs and restaurants by an additional two hours. Nightlife brings people together, fosters creativity and innovation, supports small businesses, and creates middle-class jobs, Wiener said in a statement. Its time to embrace our nighttime economy and give our cities the tools they need to foster the best nightlife possible. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill by Wiener, writing: I believe we have enough mischief from midnight to 2 without adding two more hours of mayhem. Should this years measure, Senate Bill 58, advance through the Legislature, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom would decide whether to sign it into law. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has endorsed SB 58, saying the city should have more flexibility than it does now. Every community has its own needs, and cities should be able to make informed decisions about what nightlife hours make sense for residents, visitors, and neighborhoods, Garcetti said in a statement. The bill would create a five-year pilot program where Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Coachella, Cathedral City and Palm Springs could decide to allow restaurants and bars within their cities to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. with the approval of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Bars in Los Angeles and San Francisco could stay open until 4 a.m. under new bill A bar in Sherman Oaks. (Acuna-Hansen) For the third year in a row, a California lawmaker is trying to keep bars open until 4 a.m. State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is reintroducing legislation that would allow Los Angeles, San Francisco and seven other cities to extend the sales of alcohol in bars, clubs and restaurants by an additional two hours. Nightlife brings people together, fosters creativity and innovation, supports small businesses and creates middle-class jobs, Wiener said in a statement. Its time to embrace our nighttime economy and give our cities the tools they need to foster the best nightlife possible. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill by Wiener, writing: I believe we have enough mischief from midnight to 2 without adding two more hours of mayhem. Should this years measure, Senate Bill 58, advance through the Legislature, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom would decide whether to sign it into law. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has endorsed SB 58, saying the city should have more flexibility than it does now. Every community has its own needs, and cities should be able to make informed decisions about what nightlife hours make sense for residents, visitors and neighborhoods, Garcetti said in a statement. The bill would create a five-year pilot program where Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Coachella, Cathedral City and Palm Springs could decide to allow restaurants and bars within their cities to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. with the approval of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias DMV director announces retirement amid problems with motor voter program (Kent Nishamura/Los Angeles Times) The director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles will retire at years end with a number of questions unanswered about the implementation of a major voter registration system and long wait times experienced by customers for much of the past summer. Jean Shiomoto will not continue in her current role as Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom takes office, and announced to staff several weeks ago her intent to retire at the end of the year after 38 years in state service, spokesman Armando Botello said in an email to The Times on Friday. Newsoms transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on who might lead the department in 2019. Shiomoto was appointed DMV director by Gov. Jerry Brown in the fall of 2013, having served in prior leadership roles with the department. DMV officials have been sharply criticized by lawmakers in recent months for delays in serving customers at its field offices across the state. Last week, DMV officials revealed errors in registering California voters for the November election mistakes that followed a series of problems in the rollout of the states new motor voter registration system. Secretary of State Alex Padilla last week said he had lost confidence in Shiomotos leadership as a result of the voting registration problems. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement New law could break the stalemate over housing on the site of a near-vacant Cupertino mall By Liam Dillon For more than a decade, developers have tried to build new housing on the site of an all-but-empty mall in Cupertino, a city in the heart of Silicon Valley and home to Apple headquarters. A well-organized group of neighbors, upset about traffic, building heights and the potential loss of the communitys suburban lifestyle, turned away every plan. Now, for the first time, the stalemate might be broken thanks to a decision made in the state Capitol. In an effort to address Californias housing affordability problem, legislators passed a law last year that requires cities and counties to approve housing projects if they comply with local zoning rules and other standards, forcing some resistant communities to agree to new homebuilding. In September, the city of Cupertino, citing the state law, approved developer Sand Hill Property Co.s proposal to build an office park and more than 2,400 homes where the Vallco Shopping Mall sits. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Local government was a last bastion for struggling California Republicans. Not anymore By Mark Z. Barabak Theres no shortage of watery metaphors to describe the disaster that befell California Republicans this midterm election. A blue wave. A Democratic tsunami. But the most apt may be a flood, with the casualties steadily rising as the vote count climbed in the days and weeks following Nov. 6. Eventually half the GOP congressional delegation was washed away, along with the entire slate of statewide Republican candidates. In Sacramento, Democrats claimed 29 of 40 state Senate seats and seized three-quarters of the 80-member Assembly the largest number since 1883, when Chester A. Arthur was serving in the White House. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print For the Republicans left in Californias Legislature, fewer lawmakers will have to do more work By John Myers From January to late summer every year, the California Legislature is a perpetual motion machine. And in the new year, the people most likely to struggle in keeping up will be Republicans, vastly outnumbered but still responsible for representing millions of the states residents. There are 22 standing committees in the state Senate, plus at least a dozen more subcommittees or special committees. And after Novembers election, only 11 Republican senators will be left to divvy up the work. To the victors go the spoils. To the vanquished go the extra assignments. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Californias DMV failed to finish registering 329 new voters before November election (Los Angeles Times) Officials at the California Department of Motor Vehicles said Friday that the agency failed to send information for 329 new voters to state elections officers in time for the November election, the latest revelation in a string of mishaps regarding voter registration. Secretary of State Alex Padilla responded with a blistering letter, calling on Gov. Jerry Brown or Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom to replace Jean Shiomoto, the DMV director. The Director of DMV has lost my confidence and trust, Padilla wrote. In all, the agency revealed that 589 mailed voter registration records that should have been processed under election deadlines werent sent to Californias secretary of state until late November, including forms from 260 drivers who had intended to update their address on existing voter registration records. The DMV had been instructed to not send registration forms that came in after Oct. 22, but the voters in question had forms that were postmarked before the deadline. In some cases, when the postmark wasnt legible, the agency said, documents inside indicated the voter had intended to finish their registration in time for the Nov. 6 election. The DMV recognizes the pause in transmittals was an error and affected the timing of the registration of the 589 individuals referenced above relative to the November election, Shiomoto wrote in a letter to Padilla on Friday. The pause was due to a misunderstanding on the part of the department, for which we take responsibility. Those who were trying to update their address for voter registration would not have been blocked from casting ballots. But officials said its unclear whether any of the 329 new voters were able to participate in the election. Shiomoto said in her letter that DMV will work with elections officials. The errors were not related to previous DMV mistakes about registering voters, problems associated with the rollout of the states new motor voter law. In those cases, multiple registration forms were sent to local elections offices for some voters, some people were assigned the wrong political party preference and others who are noncitizens were incorrectly placed on the list of registered voters. DMV officials have yet to respond to questions posed by The Times over the last several weeks about who knew of those mistakes and when. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom appoints a labor advocate and a former staffer as his chief deputy Cabinet secretaries By Taryn Luna A labor advocate and a San Francisco political operative have accepted positions in Gov.-elect Gavin Newsoms new administration. Angie Wei, a Capitol insider with deep ties to organized labor in California, will serve as a chief deputy Cabinet secretary with a focus on policy development. As a legislative director and chief of staff at the California Labor Federation, Wei has represented more than 1,200 unions and 2.1 million workers in Capitol fights over a host of policy issues, including drug-pricing transparency and paid family leave. The governor-elect also tapped Jason Elliott, a policy advisor to Newsom during his time as mayor of San Francisco and a chief of staff to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, as another chief deputy Cabinet secretary overseeing executive branch operations. Elliott and Wei will serve under Ana Matosantos, Newsoms previously President Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen has knowledge about computer hacking and collusion that may interest special counsel Robert S. Mueller III in his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, Cohens lawyer said. One day after Cohen pleaded guilty to illegal campaign finance charges over hush money paid to a porn actress and a former Playboy model all but naming Trump as having ordered him to do it Cohens lawyer said Wednesday he would be happy to share the information with the special counsel or Congress. Its my observation that Mr. Cohen has knowledge that would be of interest to the special counsel about the issue of whether Donald Trump, ahead of time, knew about the hacking of emails, which is a computer crime, attorney Lanny Davis told CNN in an interview Wednesday. Davis told MSNBC on Tuesday night that Cohens knowledge involves the possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election. Advertisement Cohen would not accept a pardon from Trump, if offered, Davis said. Not only is he not hoping for it, he would not accept a pardon. He considers a pardon from somebody who has acted so corruptly as the president to be something he would never accept, Davis told NBC on Wednesday. Trump suffered through perhaps the worst day of his presidency Tuesday as his personal lawyer implicated him in a crime at almost the same time his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, became a convicted felon. Moments after the charges in Cohens plea were read aloud in a Manhattan courtroom, Manafort was convicted on eight counts of tax and bank fraud charges, boosting Muellers investigation. The dueling sagas were the clearest sign yet of the political and legal peril that is increasingly threatening Trumps presidency. While the legal ramifications will take more time to unfold, the political damage already is being felt, with Democrats seizing on the rulings. Reactions to the Paul Manafort guilty verdicts The White House looks increasingly like a criminal enterprise with the convictions today of President Trumps former campaign manager and personal lawyer, Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said in a statement. A president who won election in part by labeling his opponent, Hillary Clinton, a criminal complete with chants of Lock her up! at campaign rallies has now seen three close associates brought down by federal prosecutors, including his former national security advisor, Michael Flynn. U.S. equity futures fell while stocks in Europe and Asia were mixed as investors gauged the fallout from the legal drama. Early trading on the S&P 500 Index declined 0.2%, the first retreat in a week, while the Stoxx Europe 600 Index decreased 0.1%. Muellers probe into whether the Trump campaign was involved in Russias interference in the 2016 elections continues. But Mueller handed off the Cohen case to federal prosecutors in New York, which means that his guilty plea intensifies a second and entirely separate investigation that could threaten the president. Trump tried to shrug off the Manafort conviction, telling reporters Tuesday that it had nothing to do with Russian collusion, so we continue the witch hunt. His lawyer, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, said the Cohen plea deal wasnt related to Trump. There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the governments charges against Mr. Cohen, he said in a statement. It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohens actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time. Cohen didnt name Trump in court, referring instead to a candidate who directed him to make the illegal payments. Davis was more direct, saying in a statement later Tuesday that Cohen stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. A U.S. prosecutor told the judge the purpose of the payments was to ensure that the individuals did not disclose alleged affairs with the candidate. In addition to a $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels, Cohen admitted to making an illegal contribution of $150,000, which was how much former Playmate Karen McDougal received from the National Enquirers publisher to quash her story about an alleged affair with Trump. Cohen has been under investigation since at least April, when the FBI raided his home and office. Democrats immediately seized on the news to attack the president, as they look ahead to congressional elections in November, where they hope to win back at least one chamber of Congress. And a number of Republicans also said the developments marked a significant turning point for Trump. Its a big day. Its a bad day, John Dean, former White House counsel for Richard Nixon, said of the implications of Cohens plea against Trump and his presidency. I think weve established today that we have a criminal president, and that is historic. Aboard Air Force One en route to West Virginia, Trump watched Fox News coverage of the Manafort verdict and Cohens plea, two people near him said. They described the president as somber but calm, and added that he said nothing critical about Cohen or Manafort. One aide said that Trump is battle-tested at this point and knows how to deal with extreme stress. But there was no joking around on Air Force One like there sometimes is. People close to the president reassured him and shared ways to deal with fallout from double-barreled bad news. What Trump was most interested in: How its all playing. Aides were aware Tuesday was a very bad day and were relieved the president wasnt sitting in the White House residence tied to the television for the evening. His travel companions, Congressman Alex Mooney and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, both of West Virginia, and Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, distracted him with conversation about legislative issues and other topics, the people added. In West Virginia, he did a private roundtable, a photo line, then the reelection campaign rally surrounded by people who were happy to see him. Some of Trumps aides and allies were worried about the consequences of the days events. Two of them expressed concern for the country. Two others said it is now likelier that Democrats will win the House of Representatives in November. Today clarifies that November is a referendum on impeachment an up-or-down vote, Stephen K. Bannon, Trumps former chief strategist, said. Every Trump supporter needs to get with the program. If Trump knew about the payments and that they were illegal, he could be charged with violating election law for accepting illegal payments and not disclosing them, said Paul S. Ryan, a campaign finance lawyer with Common Cause. Current Justice Department guidelines state that a sitting president cannot be indicted and that any wrongdoing should be referred to Congress for impeachment proceedings. Those guidelines arent binding. After first denying knowledge of the payment, Trump admitted in May to reimbursing Cohen for a $130,000 payment made on the eve of the election to Daniels, the porn actress, although he denied the transaction had anything to do with the campaign or involved campaign funds. Trump also was heard on a 2016 recording made by Cohen that appears to show Trump was informed of the payments. At nearly the same time in a Virginia courtroom, Manafort was found guilty on five counts of tax fraud, one count of failing to file a financial document with the government and two counts of bank fraud. The jury couldnt reach a decision on the other 10 counts. He was accused of lying to tax authorities about his income and offshore tax accounts, failing to file reports about those accounts and defrauding banks to get loans. The case was the first brought by Mueller to go to trial and gives weight to his investigation. Mueller has charged 32 people and secured five guilty pleas. Its a witch hunt and its a disgrace, Trump said Tuesday of the Manafort verdict. This has nothing what they started out looking for Russians involved in our campaign, there were none. Trump declined to answer questions on Cohen. Lanny Davis, a lawyer for President Trumps former attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, said Wednesday that Trumps alleged direction of hush payments to two women amounts to impeachable offenses and that Cohen has no interest in being dirtied by a presidential pardon of his crimes. Davis comments came during a whirlwind media tour the morning after Cohen admitted in federal court in Manhattan that he violated campaign finance laws by paying hush money to two women at what he said was Trumps behest. In a string of radio and television interviews including two that aired simultaneously on TV Davis delivered an array of stinging assessments of Trump that served to further distance Cohen from a president for whom he once said he would take a bullet. As Davis made the rounds, Trump broke his silence on Cohens pleas with a wisecracking tweet: If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen! Advertisement In multiple interviews, Davis, a Democrat who served as special counsel to former President Clinton, noted that Cohen grew disillusioned with Trump after watching his friendly demeanor toward Russian President Vladimir Putin at their July summit in Helsinki, Finland. He certainly found Donald Trump as president to be unsuitable to hold the office after Helsinki, Davis said on NBCs Today show. He worried about the future of our country with somebody who was aligning himself with Mr. Putin. In multiple interviews, Davis also sized up the implications for Trump of allegedly having directed Cohen to make payments to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and adult-film star Stormy Daniels. Both women have alleged that they had sexual affairs with Trump, which he has denied. There is no dispute that Donald Trump committed a crime, Davis, a major supporter of Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential bid, asserted on MSNBCs Morning Joe. Donald Trump is guilty of a crime, and a president of the United States being guilty of a crime is far beyond what has been classically called impeachable offenses, Davis said during an interview that aired earlier on NPR. (That view was at odds with those of several legal commentators who also appeared on the morning shows.) Asked on NPR whether Cohen would accept a pardon of his admitted crimes from Trump, Davis gave an emphatic no. I know that Mr. Cohen would never accept a pardon from a man that he considers to be both corrupt and a dangerous person in the Oval Office, and he has flatly authorized me to say under no circumstances would he accept a pardon from Mr. Trump, Davis said. He went on to criticize Trump as someone who uses the pardon power in a way that no president in American history has ever used a pardon, to relieve people who have committed crimes who are political cronies of his. Mr. Cohen is not interested in being dirtied by a pardon from such a man, Davis said. Among those who have received Trump pardons: controversial former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, conservative commentator Dinesh DSouza and Lewis Scooter Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney. While on CNN a little later, he offered that Cohen would probably be willing to testify before Congress about what he knows about Trumps knowledge of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Davis raised eyebrows on that front Tuesday night, saying during an interview on MSNBC that Cohen has knowledge of interest to special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who is probing the Russian interference and whether there was coordination between Russia and Trumps campaign. On The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, Davis said his client had knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr. Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on. Davis also discussed that issue with the Washington Post. I know everyones interested in the same question: What does [Cohen] know and is it going to be harmful to Trump? Davis told the Post. During Wednesdays media blitz, Davis said he was choosing his words carefully as he continued to talk about the subject. I said its my observation that Mr. Cohen has knowledge that would be of interest to the special counsel about the issue of whether Donald Trump ahead of time knew about the hacking of emails, which is a computer crime that was the subject of the indictment of the 12 Russians, Davis said on CNN. And well just have to see what Mr. Cohen is able to say from direct knowledge when and if he discusses this with the special counsel. Speaking of the special counsel, Davis had nothing but praise for Mueller and the way he has conducted his investigation. Hes a great man, operating silently like a submarine. No leaks, Davis said. After 19 tumultuous months in office, President Trump is being squeezed by legal assaults on two fronts, each of which could imperil his White House tenure. The politically charged question of how those cases intersect lies with Michael Cohen, who was Trumps longtime personal lawyer and confidant in New York until he became a sworn enemy. After Cohen pleaded guilty to eight federal charges and directly implicated Trump in campaign finance law violations, his lawyer raised the stakes Wednesday by claiming that Cohen could tell prosecutors about Trumps knowledge of illegal Russian hacking of Democratic Party computers during the 2016 campaign. Cohen knows whether Donald Trump ahead of time knew about the hacking of emails, which is a computer crime that was the subject of the indictment of the 12 Russians, his lawyer, Lanny Davis, said on CNN. And well just have to see what Mr. Cohen is able to say from direct knowledge when and if he discusses this with the special counsel. Advertisement Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III last month indicted a dozen officers in the GRU, Russias military intelligence service, on charges of orchestrating the theft and subsequent release of thousands of private emails from the Democratic National Committee and senior members of Hillary Clintons campaign. Its not clear how much Cohen can or will help Muellers investigation into the Kremlin-backed effort to interfere in the election and whether Trump or his aides conspired with the Russians. At a White House news briefing on Wednesday, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders brushed off a question about whether the president is worried about what Cohen might tell Mueller. I dont think the president is concerned at all, she said. He knows that he did nothing wrong, and there was no collusion. In the past, however, Trump has erupted in fury at signs that Mueller may be digging into his family business or personal life. Trump is at his most vulnerable and tends to respond most volcanically about the period before his presidency, said Harry Litman, a UCLA and UC San Diego law professor and former federal prosecutor. After a decade as Trumps legal fixer in New York, including some stints as a corporate attorney for the Trump Organization, Cohen has deep knowledge of Trumps finances, business deals and personal life, three spheres that have been strewn with controversy and allegations of wrongdoing for years. Cohen, 51, often appeared in thrall to Trump, who was his only client. He purchased apartments in Trump properties in Manhattan and often was tasked with silencing the real estate moguls critics by threatening in crude terms to sue reporters or arranging to pay hush money payments to avoid negative publicity. But Cohen also helped Trump prospect for business opportunities, and he could give Mueller details about Trumps business endeavors in Russia. After Trump launched his presidential campaign in June 2015, Cohen continued working on a proposal for a Trump-branded luxury hotel tower and condominium project in the heart of Moscow. Trump signed a letter of intent for the Trump Tower Moscow project on or about Oct. 28, 2015, according to a statement Cohen gave last September to congressional committees investigating Russian meddling in the election. The letter was not a binding contract, and the project fell through in early 2016. In his statement, Cohen said the proposal and the decision to abandon it were not related in any way to Mr. Trumps presidential campaign. Its unlikely that a sitting U.S. president can be charged with a crime under legal interpretations by the Justice Department. But members of Trumps family could be indicted, and nothing bars prosecutors from pursuing a president after he leaves office. After the Watergate scandal forced President Nixon to resign from office in August 1974, President Ford granted his disgraced predecessor an unconditional pardon for any crimes he might have committed against the United States while president. Michael Cohen leaves the federal courthouse in Manhattan after pleading guilty to eight criminal charges on Tuesday. (Bryan Smith / TNS) In his plea hearing Tuesday, Cohen admitted he violated the law when he arranged to pay $280,000 to two women in 2016 so theyd stay silent about their alleged extramarital affairs with Trump years earlier. Cohen said he did so in coordination with and at the direction of the then-candidate. I participated in this conduct, Cohen told the judge, for the principal purpose of influencing the election. Cohen faces several years in prison under his plea deal. He was released on bail until his sentencing, which is scheduled for Dec. 12. According to his lawyer, Cohen has had a change of heart since last year, when he pledged to take a bullet for Trump. He has undergone a transformation, an evolution, whatever the word is, where he did a lot of things to defend Donald Trump that he now regrets, Davis told NBC News as part of a unusual media blitz aimed at offering support to prosecutors. He is a new person. Trump sought to distance himself from Cohen on Wednesday, albeit with sarcasm. If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen! Trump tweeted. He also compared Cohen unfavorably to Paul Manafort, his former campaign chairman, who was convicted Tuesday on eight counts of tax evasion and bank fraud after a trial in Alexandria, Va. Manafort fought all the charges against him he faces a second federal trial in Washington next month instead of cutting a deal with prosecutors, as Cohen did in New York. Unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to break make up stories in order to get a deal. Trump tweeted. Such respect for a brave man! Follow the latest news of the Trump administration on Essential Washington The special counsel brought the case against Manafort, and the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York prosecuted Cohen, although Mueller first referred the case to that office. With his claim that he had acted at Trumps behest when he arranged payoffs to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and porn actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign, Cohen in effect implicated the president in a federal crime. Cohen did not report the money as campaign donations, violating federal law in several respects. The undisclosed money buttressed Trumps candidacy and exceeded the $2,700-per-election limit on contributions from an individual to a candidate. Although prosecutors did not name Trump in court, they told the judge they could prove the payoffs were made in coordination with a candidate. The evidence would include text messages, phone records, emails, financial documents and audio recordings made by Cohen a trove of information potentially damaging to the president. Cohen testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election, Davis tweeted after the hearing. If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldnt they be a crime for Donald Trump? Joseph diGenova, a former U.S. attorney in Washington, said the presidents actions were perfectly legal. It is not illegal to pay hush money, he said, and its not wrong if the payments also accommodate the needs of the campaign to keep something quiet. But Nick Ackerman, a former Watergate prosecutor, described Trump as a co-conspirator in the campaign finance case. He said court filings outline a scheme to conceal the payments with phony invoices and shell companies. Cohen didnt just go make payments to two women at random, he said. Someone had to put him up to it. Now the case could come full circle if Cohen has useful information for Muellers investigation into Russian election meddling. Thats where the big jeopardy lies, Ackerman said. With so many potential avenues for investigation, its unclear what else could be uncovered. Theres plenty of precedent for a presidents business dealings before entering the White House to cause legal problems down the line. In the 1990s, the independent counsel investigation into Bill and Hillary Clintons investments in Arkansas ultimately uncovered the presidents affair with a White House intern and his attempts to cover it up. That led to President Clintons impeachment by the Republican-controlled House in December 1998, although the Democratic-controlled Senate prevented his removal from office. chris.megerian@latimes.com Twitter: @chrismegerian david.willman@latimes.com UPDATES: 4:05 p.m.: This story was updated with additional details and analysis. This story posted at 10:25 a.m. In nearly simultaneous proceedings in two courtrooms 240 miles apart Tuesday, all eyes turned to the man who wasnt there. President Trumps name was not mentioned directly in either court, but his presence was inescapable, and the days head-snapping events seemed certain to mark a milestone in an already tumultuous presidency. On a single day, indeed within a single hour, Trumps former personal lawyer pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, and his former campaign chairman became a convicted felon. The guilty plea by Michael Cohen in federal court in New York came with his sworn admission that when he illegally paid off two women who had threatened to expose sexual affairs with Trump, he had acted in coordination with and at the direction of a candidate for federal office and had done so for the principal purpose of influencing the election for president in 2016. Advertisement The guilty verdicts for Paul Manafort in federal court in Virginia marked the first trial test and first victory for a prosecution team Trump had denounced just a day earlier as Disgraced and discredited Bob Mueller and his whole group of Angry Democrat Thugs. The prospect of lengthy prison terms could prompt both men to provide evidence to prosecutors against Trump himself, or against others in the presidents inner circle. Beyond that, Cohens dramatic admission in court that he broke the law at Trumps behest could put the president in direct legal jeopardy. At nearly the same time those events unfolded, prosecutors and defense lawyers announced that sentencing for Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security advisor, had been delayed again, suggesting that Flynn might still be providing useful information to special counsel Robert S. Mueller III and his team. Flynn pleaded guilty late last October to making false statements to investigators and agreed to cooperate with the special counsels office. The multiple developments will increase the pressure on the president to cooperate with Mueller to testify despite the resistance of Trumps lawyers, predicted David Gergen, a veteran of presidential administrations dating to Richard Nixon. Its now apparent to one and all that theres a cancer on the Trump presidency, Gergen said, borrowing a phrase that former White House counsel John Dean famously used about Nixon during Watergate. Its now apparent that weve been lied to on several fronts here for a long time. But however dramatic the day, the history of American political scandals including Nixons suggests that there will likely not be any sudden shift in Trumps standing with the public, nor any break from the deeply polarized reactions the president inspires. None of this is really new to voters, said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Poll, which has been taking surveys on congressional elections around the country. Its just going to dig in both sides more. The president is going to spin it some way, and his hard-core supporters, who are deeply invested in his success, will buy that, Murray said. Indeed, Trump moved quickly to lay out his rhetorical defense and distance himself from his former advisors. It doesnt involve me, he said when reporters asked him late Tuesday about Manaforts conviction. This has nothing to do with Russian collusion, he added. This started as Russian collusion. This has absolutely nothing to do this is a witch hunt and its a disgrace. He did not respond to questions about Cohen. Trump spoke in West Virginia, where he had flown for a campaign rally in support of Republican Senate candidate Patrick Morrisey. On Capitol Hill, Republican leaders, who know how tightly their electoral fates are tied to the presidents, echoed Trumps talking point. I dont think it implicates him at all, particularly on the Russia investigation, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the second-ranking Republican leader, told reporters, noting that neither Manafort nor Cohen were charged with crimes related to Russian interference in the 2016 election. People who do bad things, who break the law, need to be held accountable. But this doesnt add anything to the allegations of misconduct relative to the Russia investigation, he said. In one of several ironies of the day, the courtroom dramas played out just hours after White House political aides had met with reporters to outline a robust fall campaign schedule for Trump, including stops in several mostly safe Republican states. The schedule is predicated on a calculation that Trump remains his partys best political asset, said one of the advisors, who spoke to reporters under ground rules that did not allow them to be quoted by name. A more accurate summary might be that Trump serves as the best political asset for both parties these days. Polls in races across the country have identified the president as a singularly motivating force, both for those who strongly admire him roughly a quarter of the electorate and for the roughly 4 in 10 who despise him. For Democrats, who have felt increasingly confident of winning control of at least the House this fall, the verdicts and guilty pleas amplify a developing campaign theme that the Republicans have become the party of corruption. Its actually breathtaking, said Craig Holman of the liberal watchdog group Public Citizen. We havent seen this many indictments and convictions even during the whole Watergate period, he said. The Trump administrations only been around for about a year and a half. There is no draining of the swamp going on here, he added. That is very clear. The image of corruption has been helped along by a spate of Republican elected officials charged in recent weeks with crimes. Most recently, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) was indicted Tuesday on charges of illegally using $250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses. Earlier this month, Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) was indicted on insider trading charges. Collins and Hunter were among the first Republican members of the House to back Trumps 2016 presidential campaign. For Republicans, meanwhile, the developments in court only deepen the problems they face with a midterm election thats just 11 weeks away. The mounting legal furor surrounding Trump poses a near-hopeless choice for many Republican candidates, said veteran pollster Peter Hart. If you try and get clear of the president, he labels you a Benedict Arnold, and the base stays home. If you stick to him, your problem is you cant talk to independents who have been skeptical of Trump from the start, he said. Among the small but persistent band of Never Trump Republicans, some predicted that Tuesdays events might be enough to break the presidents hold on their party. Corruption is a brutal weight to carry in politics, said Rick Wilson, a Florida-based Republican strategist and bitter Trump foe. This is where the limits of the reality distortion field are discovered, where people go to jail and lives are wrecked, he added. But Trump has made a highly successful political career so far out of feeding his supporters sense that he and they are under siege. His supporters already have begun to try to motivate voters by warning that Democrats, if they win this fall, will aim to remove Trump from office. The midterms now become as much about impeachment as anything else, said Rob Stutzman, a Republican consultant based in Sacramento who also has been highly critical of Trump. That could boost Republican turnout, at least in some parts of the country, Stutzman said. At the same time, it could create huge risks for Republicans in more closely divided swing districts. Republican incumbents and candidates in a lot of the more competitive districts have some very difficult analysis about what theyre going to say about this, he said. You make a deal with the devil, you eventually have to pay. Times staff writers Jennifer Haberkorn, Chris Megerian and Sarah D. Wire contributed to this report. Follow the latest news of the Trump administration on Essential Washington david.lauter@latimes.com | Twitter: @davidlauter noah.bierman@latimes.com | Twitter: @noahbierman While traveling abroad earlier this summer, I was struck as I always am while visiting foreign lands by the impressive language skills of citizens of other countries. From waiters to hotel clerks, tour guides to teachers, they all appeared to glide effortlessly from their native tongues to English to other foreign languages, while I ignorantly gaped at their fluency. And once again, I shook my head in dismay over the fact that linguistics education in the United States is abysmal. Actually, its worse than that. Foreign language instruction has never been our strong suit. But its been declining from our previous subpar levels, and thats a troubling trend that will likely have serious economic, social and political consequences. Last year, the National K-12 Foreign Language Enrollment Survey, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, found that only 1 in 5 students is enrolled in a world language or American Sign Language. At the college level, enrollment in foreign languages has been undergoing a years-long decline. The backward slide is a problem of our own making. Indeed, there was a time when we began a push to place greater emphasis on foreign-language instruction. As far back as the late 1950s and 1960s, increased federal funding was made available to enhance foreign-language education. In the 1980s, successful dual-language immersion programs began to emerge, enabling instructors to teach various subjects in other languages. But even then, such instruction never reached the point of being widely available to all students. Then, in 2002, with advent of the No Child Left Behind educational reforms, foreign language education took a big hit as the standardized testing required in English and math resulted in foreign-language programs being further deemphasized. Budgets, curriculum and training were adjusted according to the appalling logic that if we dont test it, why bother teaching it. Now were in danger of suffering the ramifications of being so shortsighted. Another study released last year by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences concluded that the United States could face severe repercussions in our increasingly globalized economy because of our lack of foreign-language skills. Keep in mind that while weve been backsliding, other countries have boosted their linguistics education. In most European countries, students are required to learn another language besides their native tongue. Some even mandate two additional languages. In China right now, hundreds of millions of students are learning to speak and read in English. And many Latin American nations, recognizing the need to be globally competitive, have rolled out reforms in recent years that prioritize foreign-language instruction. Meanwhile, here in the United States, the situation is so bad that 44 states report they cant find enough foreign-language teachers to meet the anemic demand, according to the American Academy report. The effects of this failure arent just felt on a macro level. Studies have shown that foreign-language skills improve an individuals hiring prospects, increase their pay levels and contribute to positive cognitive development. The vast majority of our kids are missing out on these benefits. Fixing this glaring shortcoming in our education system wont be easy. In part thats because of the way education is structured in this country. Most educational policy is set not by federal mandate, but at the state and local level, which results in wide geographic disparities. It will take a state-by-state, district-by-district effort to place foreign-language instruction higher on the list of priorities. And even then questions surrounding funding will likely be hotly contested. Where to find qualified teachers will also be problematic. Complicating the picture is the fact that foreign-language education, if its to have any hope of being effective, must begin early the earlier the better. Research tells us that children must begin learning a foreign language by age 10 in order to achieve complete fluency. After the age 17 or 18, the ability to become merely proficient precipitously drops. Some reformers advocate a return to dual-language immersion programs, but this time we should commit to them in a big way. They argue that such programs are an effective, efficient means of incorporating foreign-language instruction into other coursework, making separate language classes largely obsolete and ensuring that all students are offered the opportunity to become multilingual. I dont know if thats the best method, or if there are other programs that could be used instead of, or in addition to, dual-language immersion. I leave it to the educational gurus to figure out out the details. But regardless of the difficulties funding issues, a dearth of qualified teachers, a lack of political and institutional will we can and must do something about this problem, and we should do it quickly and decisively. Right now, we are failing to prepare todays students for a globalized economy, and the costs of that failure will only increase as time goes on. If we are to have any hope of engaging and competing internationally well into the future, we must give our kids the tools they need. Lets commit to making foreign language instruction front and center in every childs education. Patrice Apodaca is a former Newport-Mesa public school parent and former Los Angeles Times staff writer. She lives in Newport Beach. Samuel Woodward, the Newport Beach man charged with murder in the stabbing death of former high school classmate Blaze Bernstein, denied a sentencing enhancement allegation of a hate crime during a brief appearance Wednesday morning in Orange County Superior Court. The allegation was added to the murder charge this month, with Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas saying prosecutors believe Woodward killed Bernstein, 19, because Bernstein was gay. With the possible sentencing enhancement, Woodward, 21, could face up to life in state prison without parole if convicted. Before, the maximum sentence he could have received was 26 years to life, prosecutors said. Woodward previously pleaded not guilty to murder and denied a sentencing enhancement allegation of personal use of a knife. He is being held in Orange County Jail with bail set at $5 million. On Wednesday, Woodward dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit and wearing close-cropped hair and a goatee was largely quiet during his court appearance except to answer questions or exchange words with his attorney, Edward Munoz. Woodward issued his hate-crime denial through Munoz. The proceeding was scheduled as a preliminary hearing to determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence to move to trial, but that matter was rescheduled for Sept. 4 at the request of the attorneys in the case. Prosecutors allege Woodward stabbed Bernstein and buried him in a shallow grave at Borrego Park in Foothill Ranch in early January. Bernsteins body was found Jan. 9 with more than 20 stab wounds. According to an affidavit filed in Superior Court, Woodward told investigators that Bernstein kissed him while they were sitting in a parked car Jan. 2. Woodward told authorities the kiss was unwanted and that he pushed Bernstein away, adding that he wanted to call him a faggot, according to the affidavit. Authorities said DNA evidence found at Borrego Park and in Woodwards car led to Woodwards arrest Jan. 12. After Wednesdays court appearance, Munoz told reporters that Woodward has been diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome, a developmental disorder that can hinder a persons ability to socialize or communicate. Munoz added that theres going to be some evidence that comes out to say hes very confused about both his sexual identity and his own identity. According to a report published in January by nonprofit news organization ProPublica, three people who knew Woodward said he was part of Atomwaffen Division, an armed fascist organization that seeks to overthrow the U.S. government using terrorism and guerrilla tactics. Blaze Bernstein, 19, was visiting his parents in Lake Forest during winter break from the University of Pennsylvania at the time he was killed. (File Photo) Bernstein had been visiting his parents in Lake Forest during winter break when his family reported him missing Jan. 3. He was enrolled as a pre-med student at the University of Pennsylvania. He and Woodward both had attended the Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, authorities said. Woodward attended Corona del Mar High School during his junior and senior years. He graduated in 2016. luke.money@latimes.com Twitter @LukeMMoney Airlines are relaxing change fees and beaches and tourist attractions are closing as the state of Hawaii braces for the arrival of Hurricane Lane, a powerful storm set to veer toward the islands starting Thursday, the National Weather Service says. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu said the Category 4 storm 280 miles south of Hawaii Island, as of 8 a.m. PDT said the center of Lane will track dangerously close to the Hawaiian Islands from Thursday through Saturday. The hurricane is expected to pass southwest of Hawaii Island Thursday afternoon, with winds in excess of 110 miles per hour. By the time it reaches Maui, Molokai and Lanai early Friday, the winds are forecast to have weakened to between 74 and 110 mph. Heavy rain is also predicted, with the threat of flash flooding. Regardless of the exact track of the storm center, life threatening impacts are likely over some areas as this strong hurricane makes its [sic] closest approach, the hurricane center said. Advertisement This National Weather Service map shows Hurricane Lanes projected landfall. M on the map indicates wind speeds of 110-plus mph; H and S indicate more subdued wind speeds. (National Weather Service) Hurricane warnings are in effect for the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Hurricane watches have been posted for Oahu, including the popular Waikiki Beach, and Kauai. Airlines As a result of the impending storm, airlines are allowing fliers to change their plans without the usual penalties. Hawaiian Airlines travel advisory said customers with seats on flights through Sunday will be able to rebook flights for travel until Sept. 9 without incurring a change fee or increase in fare. United Airlines announced the same policy. Alaska, American and Delta are waiving change fees but have more restrictive rules. 1 / 22 Residents carry dogs through flood waters to dry land, after playing in the water briefly on the Big Island in Hilo. (Mario Tama / Getty Images) 2 / 22 A large wave hits a man on a breakwater along Waikiki Beach ahead of Hurricane Lane, Friday in Honolulu, Hawaii. (John Locher / Associated Press) 3 / 22 Morale Welfare and Recreation employees and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam personnel go over the emergency preparation kits at the base fitness center as Hurricane Lane approaches Hawaii. (CORWIN M. COLBERT / AFP/Getty Images) 4 / 22 A car is partially submerged in floodwaters from Hurricane Lane in Hilo, Hawaii. (Mario Tama / Getty Images) 5 / 22 High surf generated by Hurricane Lane hits Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. (Bruce Omori / European Pressphoto Agency) 6 / 22 Bader Ali, 22, of Kuwait reacts as a wave crashes near a hotel in Honolulu. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 22 High surf at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 22 Sophia Malone, 7, of Orange County walks on sandbags at the Moana Surfrider Hotel in Honolulu. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 22 The flooded intersection of Kamehameha Avenue and Pauahi Street in Hilo, Hawaii, on Thursday. (Hollyn Johnson / Associated Press) 10 / 22 People gather to watch floodwaters from Hurricane Lane rainfall in Hilo, Hawaii. (Mario Tama / Getty Images) 11 / 22 Construction workers board up windows at a McDonalds in Honolulu. (Kat Wade / Getty Images) 12 / 22 Kaipo Popa puts plywood over windows on a home in Kapolei, Hawaii. (John Locher / Assocaited Press) 13 / 22 A worker creates a small sand berm on a portion of Waikiki Beach in Honolulu in preparation for Hurricane Lane. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 22 Hotel employees Richard Dela Cruz, left, and Roman Amores fill sandbags in Honolulu. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 22 The front page of the Star Advertiser in Honolulu shows the projected path of Hurricane Lane on Thursday morning. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 22 Bottled water was nowhere to be found at a grocery store in Honolulu. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 22 Hurricane Lane as seen from the International Space Station. (NASA) 18 / 22 People read a hurricane warning notice in the lobby of the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel in Waikiki. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 22 Workers board up a McDonalds in Honolulu. (Kat Wade / Getty Images) 20 / 22 Jacquelyn Wu, left, helps Roger Pfeffer, 81, prepare his boat for Hurricane Lane by removing spear guns with help from Wus boyfriend, Donovan Eliopulas, at the Ala Wai Boat Harbor in Waikiki. (Kat Wade / Getty Images) 21 / 22 Sandbags at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. (Kat Wade / Getty Images) 22 / 22 Jay Kitashima works to secure the roof of his tiny home along Ewa Beach in Honolulu. (John Locher / Associated Press) Parks and beaches Haleakala National Park on Maui is set to close 4 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed Thursday and Friday. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii Island, much of which has been closed because of eruptions from the Kilauea volcano, will close its Kahuku Unit at 4 p.m. Wednesday. It will stay closed Thursday and Friday. Tours to the USS Arizona Memorial have been suspended. The World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monuments Pearl Harbor Visitor Center in Honolulu is closing noon Wednesday. All beach parks on Hawaii Island, from South Point north to Kohala, will be closed until further notice. Camping permits for the parks have been canceled. On Maui, the countys Emergency Management Agency warned that high surfs of 8 to 12 feet will affect south-facing waters beginning Wednesday afternoon. It said strong waves and rip currents will make swimming difficult and dangerous. Resources Good websites to check for Hurricane Lane updates and information: Central Pacific Hurricane Center Civil Defense County of Hawaii National Hurricane Center travel@latimes.com @latimestravel When Pope Francis lands in Dublin on Saturday morning, he will encounter a land much changed from the one that gave predecessor John Paul II a euphoric welcome nearly four decades ago. Devotion was at its peak, there were around 450,000 people here in Knock to see the pope, said Bernard Byrne, 74, sitting inside his souvenir shop next to the parish church in Knock, a village in the west of Ireland. Behind him loomed statues of the Virgin Mary and framed photos of Francis, who will visit the Catholic pilgrimage site on Sunday, emulating John Paul II. But the Ireland that greeted John Paul is no more. Francis arrives at a time of great challenge for his Roman Catholic Church. In the past 10 days, it has been rocked by a searing grand jury report in Pennsylvania detailing more than 1,000 cases of sexual abuse by predator priests, who were protected by what the jury called a playbook for concealing the truth. The pope responded with a letter to Catholics worldwide admitting that we showed no care for the little ones. Advertisement There are few places where that truth has been felt more acutely than in Ireland, once a bedrock of faith in the Catholic Church, tenaciously preserved through centuries of discrimination under British rule. In recent decades, Ireland has become a much more secular country, following the pattern set elsewhere in Western Europe, where church attendance has long been in decline. Theres been a complete change in the standing of the church, said Dara Calleary, deputy leader of Fianna Fail (Soldiers of Destiny), historically Irelands biggest political party. In 2015, Ireland became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage through a referendum. That was followed this year by passage of a referendum to end its constitutional ban on abortion. The Catholic Church opposed both referendums. Irelands Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Simon Harris reversed their previous opposition to abortion and led this years campaign, which passed by a 2:1 margin. As the gay son of an Indian doctor, the 39-year-old Varadkar is touted as the personification of the cultural somersault performed by Ireland in the four decades since John Paul IIs visit. Mass is said at the Apparition Chapel in Knock, in the west of Ireland. The wall behind is said to be the exact location where in 1879 15 locals reported a two-hour-long encounter with the Virgin Mary. (Simon Roughneen / For The Times) Around 2.7 million people are estimated to have attended John Paul IIs three days of public events, the first visit by a pope to Ireland. The vast numbers amounted to around half the population of the island at the time. There was a faith-filled, spiritual atmosphere throughout the country, said Father Terence Harrington, one of the hundreds of priests who helped celebrate a Mass led by John Paul in Dublins Phoenix Park, an event attended by an estimated 1.2 million people. The crowds will be much smaller for the 81-year-old Francis 36-hour visit. Security and logistics concerns mean that only 45,000 tickets have been distributed for his hourlong stopover in Knock, a tenth of the throng that milled into the village in 1979. Between 400,000 and 500,000 are expected to attend a Mass that Francis will celebrate in Phoenix Park on Sunday afternoon. Francis will visit Ireland for the World Meeting of Families, a Catholic Church conference and festival held every three years. However the fallout from the sex abuse revelations in Pennsylvania has prompted American Cardinals Donald Wuerl and Sean OMalley to cancel their visits to Ireland this week. Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington, was formerly a bishop in Pittsburgh and has come under intense criticism for his handling of sexual abuse cases. He was to have been the keynote speaker at the conference. Franciss letter this week to the worlds 1.3 billion Catholics, discussing the various sex abuse scandals, said that no effort must be spared to create a culture able to prevent such situations from happening, but also to prevent the possibility of their being covered up and perpetuated. But Marie Collins, an abuse survivor who resigned from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in 2017, citing obstruction from Vatican officials, said on Twitter that statements from Vatican or Pope should stop telling us how terrible abuse is and how all must be held accountable. Tell us instead what you are doing to hold them accountable. That echoes countless other statements from survivors and many other Catholics, who have been outraged by what they see as a culture of cover-ups and complacency. Papal spokesman Greg Burke said on Tuesday that the pope would meet survivors of clerical sex abuse while in Ireland, ending months of speculation over whether any such encounter would be arranged. But as Francis celebrates Mass in Dublin on Sunday, Collins and other abuse survivors will meet three miles away at a memorial to Irelands independence heroes, a counter-gathering that could attract several thousand people. What is now a global crisis facing Francis over the churchs covering up of sexual abuse scandals involving priests in several countries, Ireland included is likely to top the agenda when the pope meets Irelands prime minister on Saturday. There are serious issues out there and these will be discussed, said Michael Ring, Irelands minister for rural and community development. After opening the new Pope Francis Plaza in Knock on Tuesday, Ring said in an interview that any differences in opinion should not undermine the visit. He will be respectfully received as he should be as a head of state, Ring said. Michael Ring, Irelands minister for rural and community development, cuts the ribbon at the opening of Pope Francis Plaza in Knock in the west of Ireland on Aug. 21, 2018. (Simon Roughneen / For The Times) But some of Irelands diminishing number of churchgoers are unsure if they can count on the leader of the Catholic Church being greeted with anything more than respect. People seem not be as interested now as back then [1979], said Mary Prenty, who will wake up at 4:30 on Sunday morning to get to Knock in time for the popes arrival. But others suggest a sense of occasion, even nostalgia, will trump any ill feeling toward the church. Its 40 years since the last pope came, said Anne-Marie Tiernan, one of hundreds of volunteers who will help manage the crowd that will attend Francis visit to Knock. Whatever about peoples anger with the institution, theres still enormous faith and that will be seen on display this weekend, said Dara Calleary. Around Knock, host to a million pilgrims a year, vignettes of that faith linger among the legions of devout who come to pray, where, they believe, the mother of Jesus Christ appeared nearly a century and a half ago. Aldrin Banas, who emigrated from the Philippines to Ireland 17 years ago, said he visits Knock several times a year. To Banas, the sometimes mist-shrouded village is a place where prayers are answered. We asked, we struggled, we were given, he said. Roughneen is a special correspondent. A health scandal in China has seen dozens of officials sacked or disciplined because of problems with vaccines, generated protests from angry parents and led anxious mainland residents to book trips to Hong Kong to inoculate their infants. On Tuesday, the mayor of Changchun, the city that is home to the biotechnology company in the middle of the vaccine scandal, resigned, state media reported. The resignation of Mayor Liu Changlong came as a government investigation examines the China Food and Drug Administration and other agencies blamed for the crisis. The Changchun-based company, Changsheng Biotechnology, has been accused of producing nearly half a million ineffective vaccines for children. The mayors resignation was reported by the state-owned Peoples Daily, which said it was based on a decision by the national government and had been accepted by the standing committee of Changchuns Peoples Congress. Advertisement More than 40 officials, including several from Chinas food and drug regulators, have been punished or dismissed over the crisis, which has shaken confidence in an industry struggling to hold its own against drug production in Western countries and India. The scandal has exposed lax standards and corruption common in Chinas drug manufacturing sectors, as some companies put profit above the health of consumers, and officials responsible for enforcement tend to look the other way. Changsheng Biotechnology, which is in Jilin province in northeast China, is a major drug manufacturer, and one of the largest producers of rabies and chickenpox vaccines. The scandal initially emerged in November when the national drug regulation authority found that vaccines produced by Changsheng Biotechnology and a second company, Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, designed to protect children against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus, were not potent enough. Last month drug regulators checked drug production at Changsheng Biotechnology and discovered that the company had used expired materials and falsified inspection records and production dates for rabies vaccinations. The government also announced stiff penalties against the company for its sales of ineffective DPT vaccines. Police arrested 18 Changsheng Biotechnology officials including chairwoman Gao Junfang, known as Chinas vaccine queen, whose fortune was estimated by Forbes at $1 billion in 2016. A third company, Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical, recently issued a worldwide recall for an ingredient used in a heart medicine, valsartan, because thousands of batches were found to contain a potentially carcinogenic chemical. The vaccination scandal sparked public anger over authorities failure to control food and drug standards despite a series of similar issues, many involving the sale of expired vaccines. Many people vented their anger on Chinese social media, often to see comments removed by official censors. If the vaccine scandal happened in Japan, the Minister of Public Health Service would commit suicide. If it happened in the United States, the responsible officials would resign and the company would go bankrupt directly. If it happened in Thailand, the responsible party would be sentenced to the death penalty. However, in China, people only condemn it on social media and then the comments are promptly deleted, read a comment on Chinese social media late last month. If you cant promise the safety of vaccines, how dare you encourage people to have more kids? read another comment, referring to recent efforts by authorities to encourage parents to have two children instead of one after the end of a family policy that ran from 1979 to 2016. The scandals have not only damaged the trust consumers have in Chinese vaccines but tainted the countrys global reputation as a drug manufacturer. A toxic food and medicine scandal occurred 10 years ago when formula tainted with melamine killed six babies and sickened at least 53,000 infants. Chinese parents still clamor to buy infant formula overseas, particularly from Australia. In 2016, China authorities admitted that 2 million expired vaccines, stored incorrectly in a hot room, had been sold around the country. Two hundred people were arrested and nearly 400 government officials were punished as authorities vowed to clean up the industry. In a vaccine scandal in 2015, two babies in Henan province died after they and hundreds of other babies received expired vaccines. In 2010, a Beijing newspaper reported that four children died and 78 were sickened because of bad vaccines given to them in 2007 and 2008. The problem of faked documentation has affected Chinas reputation in other fields. More than 400 Chinese scientists were exposed last year for faking peer reviews and data in scientific papers. robyn.dixon@latimes.com Twitter: @RobynDixon_LAT As her two North Korean daughters, both in their 70s, wailed outside her bus, 99-year-old Han Shin-ja pounded the windows from inside in despair, moving her lips to say dont cry and farewell. As her bus left for South Korea on Wednesday, Hans daughters chased the moving vehicle before being stopped by a North Korean official, a predictable but no less heart-wrenching departure thats likely to be the last time they see each other after decades of separation. Hans family was among hundreds of elderly Koreans who tearfully said their final goodbyes at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. About 200 South Koreans returned home after the end of three days of meetings with North Korean relatives at the Norths Diamond Mountain resort. Another 337 South Koreans will participate in a second round of reunions from Friday to Sunday. Advertisement The first set of meetings created highly emotional images of relatives weeping, embracing and caressing each other in a rush of emotions. Many of the South Korean participants were war refugees who reunited with siblings or infant children they left behind, many of whom are now into their 70s. 1 / 7 South Korean Jo Hye-do, 86, center, and Jo Do-jae, 75, left, meet their North Korean sister Jo Soon Do, 89, right, during the inter-Korean family reunions at the Mount Kumgang resort, North Korea. (Pool photo) 2 / 7 South Korean Choi Dong-gyu, 84, right, meets with his North Korean niece Park Chun-hwa, 58, during the inter-Korean family reunions at the Mount Kumgang resort, North Korea. (Pool photo) 3 / 7 South Korean Kim Young-Suk, 78, left, meets with his North Korean relatives Kim Chun-Wol, 74, and Kim Young-Il during the inter-Korean family reunions at the Mount Kumgang resort, North Korea. (Pool Photo) 4 / 7 South Korean Choi Dong-gyu, 84, right, meets with his North Korean niece Park Chun-hwa, 58. (Pool photo) 5 / 7 Lee Gyum-sum, 92, center, of South Korea meets with her North Korean son Lee Sung-chul, 71, left, during the inter-Korean family reunions at the Mount Kumgang resort, North Korea. (Pool photo) 6 / 7 South Korean Lee Gyum-yeon, center, meets with her North Korean family members during the inter-Korean family reunions at the Mount Kumgang resort, North Korea. (Pool photo) 7 / 7 South Korean Lee Moon-hyuk, 95, right, meets his North Korean nephew Ri Kwan Hyuk, 80, during the inter-Korean family reunions at the Mount Kumgang resort, North Korea. (Pool Photo) At their final lunch meeting on Wednesday, 91-year-old Lee Ki-soon initially seemed lost for words as he shared a glass of soju, a vodka-like alcohol loved in both Koreas, with his 75-year-old North Korean son. Lee later told his son, Ri Kang Son, I am not your fake father. You have a father. Ri replied: Be healthy and live long. Then we can meet again, according to pool reports. An Jong Sun, a 70-year-old North Korean, carefully fed her 100-year-old South Korean father. In the same large meeting hall, Kim Byung-oh, 88, quietly wept as his 81-year-old North Korean sister tried to calm him. Nearby, Ri Chol, a 61-year-old North Korean, was also in tears as he grasped the hands of the 93-year-old South Korean grandmother he was only just getting to know. Dont cry, Chol, an equally emotional Kwon Seok told her grandson. Han told her two North Korean daughters to eat a lot of chap-ssal, or sticky rice, for health. She told them she would always pray for their happiness and also for the future of her North Korean great-grandchildren she never got to see. Some relatives exchanged their phone numbers and home addresses, although the Koreas since the end of the war have banned ordinary citizens from visiting relatives on the other side of the border or contacting them without permission. Shin Jae-cheon, a 92-year-old from the South Korean town of Gimpo, not far from the border, lamented that his 70-year-old North Korean sister lived less than an hours drive away all these years. It will take 40 minutes for me to drive there, Shin told his sister, Sin Kum Sun, who lives in the North Korean border town of Kaesong. The bus that goes to my home is No. 8. No. 8. The No. 8 bus, Shin added, expressing a wish for his sister to come visit one day. North Koreans wave their South Korean relatives on a bus to bid farewell after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting on Wednesday. (Korea Pool Photo) After organizers aired an announcement that the reunions were officially over, Han and her daughters broke down. They wept, embraced each other and temporarily refused to leave their lunch table. Two North Korean officials politely separated Han from one of her daughters, 71-year-old Kim Kyong Yong, who kept holding on to one of Hans arms. After the South Koreans boarded the bus, workers brought steps so that Hans daughters could put their hands on the bus window, with Han doing the same on the inside of the glass. After wiping off tears with a handkerchief, Kim looked up toward his sister, smiled and created a heart with his arms. His sister, Kim Sun Ok, made the same gesture outside the bus. Goodbye, oppa [older brother]! Goodbye, oppa!, Kim Sun Ok cried as the bus rolled out of the resort. Nearly 20,000 people have participated in 20 rounds of face-to-face reunions held between the countries since 2000. No one has had a second chance to see their relatives. The latest reunions come after a three-year hiatus during which North Korea conducted three nuclear tests and multiple missile launches that demonstrated a potential capability to strike the U.S. mainland. Analysts say the North still has some work to do before those missiles are perfected, however. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has shifted toward diplomacy in 2018, meeting South Korean President Moon Jae-in twice and holding a summit with President Trump. Although Seoul has long pushed for more reunions, analysts say North Korea is reluctant because of fears that increasing their frequency will loosen its authoritarian control and relinquish a coveted bargaining chip. Mexico continues to grow more violent, logging more homicide cases in July than in any month on record. Prosecutors opened 2,599 homicide investigations an average of 84 a day last month, Mexicos national public security agency said Tuesday. In some of those cases, there were multiple victims, although authorities did not provide a total. Killings have been rising steadily in Mexico since 2015 as increasingly fragmented criminal groups battle for control of drug trafficking routes and other illegal markets, such as stolen fuel and cargo. Many in Mexico say the countrys crime-fighting efforts are also partly to blame for the rising body count. Advertisement With U.S. backing, Mexico has gone to battle against the cartels, jailing drug users and drug runners, destroying opium and marijuana fields and sending thousands of armed soldiers into the streets. That may have succeeded in weakening cartels, but it has also opened the door for bloody infighting among splintered factions. Last year was the countrys most violent on record since the government began releasing crime statistics more than two decades ago, with 25,316 homicide investigations into 31,174 deaths. The country is on track to far surpass that this year. The 16,399 homicide cases opened in the first seven months of 2018 represent a 14% increase over the same period last year. Julys total breaks the previous monthly record of 2,535 set in May. Mexicos homicide rate is more than quadruple that of the United States. (Los Angeles Times) Scott Stewart, a Mexico analyst at the Texas-based intelligence firm Stratfor, said Mexican authorities didnt have any choice but to try to weaken the cartels. You cant let them get to the point where they can actually challenge the state, he said. But, he said, there is no doubt that Mexicos so-called kingpin strategy of killing or arresting cartel bosses has had a destabilizing effect. Years ago you had large cartels that were fairly dominant in many areas and it was fairly tranquil, he said. Now theres so much friction, and it leads to violence across the board. In an unusual show of humility, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto acknowledged this week that his administrations drug war strategy has, by some measures, failed. I am the first to recognize that, although we made progress, it was not enough to achieve the great goal of security, Pena Nieto said at a news conference Monday alongside the president-elect, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who takes office in December. Rising violence played a major role in his election victory last month. Lopez Obrador has said that he will not rule out any option to bring peace to Mexico. Among the radical approaches he is considering are the legalization of marijuana and an amnesty for some drug war criminals. Clemency for even low-level participants in the countrys multibillion-dollar drug industry would mark a dramatic shift from the militaristic approach that Mexico has long employed in its attempt to curb trafficking. Lopez Obrador has not proposed returning Mexican soldiers to their barracks or letting cartel bosses walk free. But he has called for a more holistic approach to Mexicos violence. That includes giving federal scholarships to students and creating employment programs to keep vulnerable young people off the streets. Olga Sanchez Cordero, a former Supreme Court justice who is Lopez Obradors pick for interior secretary, has said an amnesty for low-level growers, users and transporters of narcotics would be a part of a larger effort to help reintegrate into society some of the estimated 600,000 Mexicans employed by drug cartels. Lopez Obradors advisors are on a multi-city listening tour to get input from victims groups about an amnesty and other plans. Speaking at an event in Mexico City last month, Sanchez said she hopes to push for an amnesty. Her boss has given her a blank check, and has asked her to do whatever is necessary to pacify this country, she said. For now, however, the current strategy remains in place. Last week, members of the Mexican government appeared alongside officials from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration at a news conference in Chicago to announce that they are focused on capturing Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, who is the leader of the ascendant Jalisco New Generation cartel. The Jalisco cartel, which once shot down a Mexican military helicopter with a rocket launcher, has grown in power in the years since the arrest and extradition to the U.S. of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the former leader of the powerful Sinaloa cartel. Authorities say battles between the Jalisco and Sinaloa cartels are driving some of Mexicos worst violence, particularly along the countrys western coast. That includes the state of Baja California, where 270 homicide investigations were opened in July, more than in any other state in Mexico. Not only are the two groups fighting for control of valuable drug trafficking routes to the U.S., they are also fighting for control over domestic drug sales, authorities have said. kate.linthicum@latimes.com Twitter: @katelinthicum Cecilia Sanchez in The Times Mexico City bureau contributed to this report. The most powerful woman in Mexico was known simply as The Teacher. She was a kingmaker, a confidant of presidents and a devotee of $5,000 Hermes purses, jaunts in private jets, plastic surgery and retreats to her luxurious villas in California. Elba Esther Gordillos over-the-top lifestyle and political maneuverings as head of the nations largest teachers union eventually turned her into an icon of corruption and resulted in federal charges of corruption and money-laundering. Jailed in 2013, she spent five years in custody as the government sought to prove that she had illegally diverted union funds for personal use. This month, a federal judge dismissed the charges, ruling that the union had approved her expenditures and that prosecutors had obtained bank account information without the necessary judicial order. The Mexican attorney generals office said it respected the judges decision, but denied any wrongdoing in its ultimately failed prosecution. Advertisement Now a defiant Gordillo is mounting a very public comeback. She gave an unrepentant news conference here this week, insisting she was a scapegoat, a victim of political persecution and a noble advocate for the nations much-maligned teachers. I hope that this moment marks the future of my life, of my yearnings and my hopes, she said Monday in a televised address. Gordillo, 73, offered no apologies, no explanations for her amassed wealth, no admission that she had done anything wrong. She took no questions from the press. This was not a mea culpa session. Rather, she presented her ordeal as a metaphor for a nation that had gone tragically amiss, but was somehow now on its way back, a saga of persecution and vindication. The long term of imprisonment was also a difficult and profound learning period, she said. Without doubt I changed, we all changed. The country changed. Gordillo seemed to be positioning herself both for a union comeback and as an agent of the anti-establishment backlash that swept Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to victory last month in the presidential election. The world and our country are immersed in a profound transformation and we have received a great lesson from the citizens, she proclaimed, echoing the leftist president-elect. Commentators immediately mocked what they viewed as the self-righteous, even delusional, discourse from a fallen potentate who had been accused of embezzling some $160 million in union funds and who has yet to account for her extravagant spending habits during the nearly quarter-century she headed the National Union of Education Workers. Prosecutors alleged that Gordillo siphoned union funds for almost $3 million in Neiman Marcus purchases, $17,000 in plastic surgery and multimillion-dollar homes outside San Diego. Gordillo always denied any wrongdoing and said her riches came from an inheritance from a grandfather and sweat, alluding to her hard work. Despite the dismissal of charges against her, many seem unconvinced of Gordillos probity. While Elba Esther presents herself today as a new champion of the anti-establishment, the reality is that she personifies perverse unionism and corruption of the system, the columnist Leo Zuckermann wrote in the Excelsior newspaper. Gordillo was a product of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, which ruled Mexico for much of the 20th century through a patronage network. Most unions were close allies that reliably delivered votes on election days. Gordillo also served as a party deputy and senator in the federal legislature. In the 2006 presidential election, however, Gordillo shifted her allegiance and that of her followers to Felipe Calderon, the candidate of the opposition, center-right National Action Party. Her support helped Calderon achieve a narrow victory. Today, the chances that Gordillo will return to power seem slim. Union delegates elect the leader of the 1.6-million-member teachers union, and Gordillo still has considerable grass-roots backing. But Mexicos president traditionally wields considerable influence in the decision. During a meeting with President Enrique Pena Nieto on Monday, Lopez Obrador, who has vowed to eradicate the countrys deep-rooted corruption, said he had no intention of recruiting the ousted union boss. The teacher Elba Esther will not work in the next government, he said. Pena Nieto rejected Gordillos contention that she was a victim of political persecution. Nothing is more false than that, Pena Nieto said. Her arrest in 2013 was viewed by many in part as an attempt by the Pena Nieto administration to break the union stranglehold on public education and impose a sweeping reform agenda. Mexicos public education system is regularly ranked among the worst in the hemisphere. But the presidents planned reforms stalled amid fierce resistance from teachers opposed to new testing standards for instructors. Lopez Obrador has vowed to embark on a new education overhaul. We are going to construct a consensus with teachers and parents, he said Monday. At the Mexico City hotel where Gordillo made her comeback address, supporters of the former union leader rallied to show solidarity. But, outside, some dissenters lofted banners saying she should be sent back to jail. One placard read: My kids could eat for a year for the cost of one of your pairs of shoes. Cecilia Sanchez of The Times Mexico City bureau contributed to this report. patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com Twitter: @PmcdonnellLAT After more than two dozen speakers asked Lee County commissioners to weigh in against a staff-tendered plan to modify the Conservation 20/20 land acquisition process, the elected board approved a change to how lands are evaluated for purchase while postponing its decision on when parcels may be submitted into the consideration queue. The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to update the review criteria to more heavily weigh parcels that could result in water quality improvements. The commission postponed a decision that would coincide land acquisition proposals with the budget process. This is the most important project Lee County has had or has ever had, said Frank Mann, District 5 commissioner. The Conservation 20/20 program was signed into action in 1996, and in 2016, supported with 84 percent of voters saying they support the taxpayer-funded initiative. The program is designed for Lee County to buy and preserve wild lands that are home to many different kinds of wildlife and natural landscapes. Since its inception, through Conservation 20/20, the county has acquired 28,978 acres on 130 properties and miles of shorelines arose the county. Some major acquisitions include Edison Farms Preserve and Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. The postponement of potential adopted criteria for these land submissions will include future workshopping of new ideas on how to improve the process. District 3 Commissioner Larry Kiker said he wants county staff to improve on the policy aspect of the proposal, as he believes the plan highlights operation aspects. We all want to make this work. Whats key is if we can find the proper way to evaluate them and decide whether to buy them or not, he told the staff. The major components of the new changes would be to adopt a formal process for applications in an annual cycle to be evaluated and ranked by the county staff, not the Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee, which currently reviews parcels. The commissioners agreed to a 100-point system to determine desirability, with 50 points available to parcels that have water resources in some fashion. County staff explained the purpose of the changes is to find a way to better leverage acquisition funds and to respond to requests more efficiently especially for the sellers who are waiting to hear whether the county wishes to obtain their land. These changes would not effect 20/20s funding or parcels, it is simply an evaluation and criteria change for applicants, proponents said. A major turn-off for the commissioners was the idea of only reviewing nominations once a year, as opposed to the rolling cycle instituted presently. All of the commissioners were vocal about their support of Conservation 20/20. During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents urged no changes to the current structural components of the program and championed for an increase in funding. Though water quality is a major issue currently across Lee County, the 50 points granted to all land involving water may result in unbalanced scales, especially for wildlife, such as burrowing owls, which may not live in aquatic conditions. I havent had one email saying We need to change this because 20/20 is running amuck,' said Mann. What were contemplating could put the brakes on the program. We have to review the process and make changes to line up with the economy and Lee County, Kiker added. Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj Editors note: This story replaces the original post to correct and clarify the Commissions actions. More than a hundred Lehigh Acres residents and campaign supporters gathered at Veterans Park for the Lehigh Acres Community Councils Candidate Forum. The event, held Aug. 11, was jointly sponsored by the Lehigh Acres Community Council, Kiwanis Club, Jaycees Foundation, and Lehigh Acres 1st. Residents were able to stop by and get to more know about the candidates running for local government positions. Lehigh Acres Community Council President Rick Anglickis moderated the event which was mainly targeted for candidates who will be on the Aug. 28 Primary Election ballot. According to Anglickis, candidates who attended the forum included candidates running for state senate, local politicians who will be representing the Lehigh Acres area, and a few who will not have the opportunity to attend forums in Lehigh Acres prior to November election. Overall the forum was a successful one despite severe thunderstorm that started 30 minutes before the meeting and ended in the early afternoon, which hampered a possible larger crowd, said Anglickis. According to Anglickis, candidates mixed well with those in attendance, and everyone who came got an opportunity to meet and speak with the 20 candidates who attended the forum. For candidates, it was a great way to get to know the voters here in Lehigh Acres, Anglickis said. For many of the candidates, this was one of the largest local forums they have attended. Throughout the afternoon, candidates had an opportunity to take part in a meet-and-greet with attendees and present their campaign literature. They also got a limited amount of time on the microphone to address the voters from the soap box. At the conclusion of the presentations, ice cream was served on the patio and a straw ballot was held. The results of the straw ballot will be posted online at the Community Councils website www.LehighAcresCommunityCouncil.com, and also on the Councils Facebook page. Each year the community council aligns with supporting agencies to host the large election forums, which puts candidates front-and-center with voters in the community. According to Anglickis, the council has had pretty high turn-outs throughout the years. Our previous forums have been very successful, said Anglickis. The Lehigh Acres Community Council meets at the Lee County Sheriffs Office East District substation, at 1301 Homestead Road N. For more information, visit the Lehigh Acres Community Council online at: www.lehighacrescommunitycouncil.com. To the editor: As a conservative Republican voter, I will support Chris Crowley in the contentious primary contest for State Attorney. Chris is the best qualified candidate with 15 years experience as a prosecutor, a Gulf War Veteran with 20 years in the Army Reserve and current rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His tough on crime attitude is badly needed in the prosecutors office which currently has a reputation for only prosecuting low hanging fruit -what should be slam dunk convictions which still often elude the current office. Crowley will prosecute the illegal slaughter houses in East Lee County, something his opponent has refused to do. Her campaign is well financed with several $1,000 donations from local criminal defense attorneys. I wonder why? Are they concerned about a change in the rather relaxed prosecution they have become accustomed to? Please wade through the negative campaigning and recent actions of his opponent, and join me in supporting Chris. Eli Zonana Lehigh Acres Thiruvananthapuram: As the flood hit state is limping back to normalcy, the government has decided to cut short the 5-day-long- Onam celebrations and holidays by one day. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. According to the new decision, Thiruvonam (25 August) has been declared as holiday. President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday the country needs more citizens like former senator Benigno Ninoy Aquino Jr., in commemoration of the celebrated opposition senators 35th death anniversary. In this time of real and lasting change, we need more citizens like him, so we can steer our country towards the direction where a brighter and better future awaits us all, said the President in a statement. Duterte said Aquino died while fighting to restore peace and democracy in the Philippines. More than three decades ago, Benigno S. Aquino Jr. died while fighting to restore peace and democracy in the Philippines, the President said. His profound love of country has inspired a revolution that altered the course of our nations history and gave birth to the freedoms we enjoy today. He urged Filipinos to take the opportunity to reflect on the late Aquinos sacrifice, honoring his courage and patriotism during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos. Aquino, who was a political prisoner during the martial law years, was assassinated on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport on Aug. 21, 1983. May his dedication to his cause serve as a guidepost for our current leaders in government as they advance the welfare of our people, especially the oppressed and marginalized, Duterte said. This can only be achieved if we work together to institute meaningful reforms that will put an end to the many social ills that have obstructed our path towards becoming a mature and stable democracy, he said. At a ceremony to mark his fathers death, former President Benigno Aquino III said he would not run for office in 2019 and would help campaign for like-minded candidates. Liberal Party president Senator Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, promised that his revitalized party would work tirelessly to renew and strengthen democracy. We, who dream of a peaceful and prosperous Philippines, believe that only a strong democracy ensures this future for all Filipinos, he said.Today, on this occasion, on this historic spot, hallowed by Liberal blood, we renew our commitment to do all these. We will build a party rooted among the people, a party that defends democracy and fights for freedom for every citizen of the Philippines, he added. He also recalled the Plaza Miranda bombing on Aug. 21, 1971. We remember and honor the ultimate sacrifice of nine fellow Liberals, and the mental and physical scars of the 95 others who were injured here, this day 47 years ago, he said. We remember and respect the brave Liberal heroes who held the line and resisted the specter of dictatorial rule, for all freedom-loving Filipinos. Today, 47 years hence, we, new Liberal Party members, vow to continue the fight, he said. Thirty-five years ago, Ninoy returned home despite warnings that he could be killed. Because he wanted to be with his countrymen in fighting the dictator. Ninoy fought a worthy battle. He sowed the seeds that kindled action toward reclaiming our freedom and democracy, Pangilinan said. Facing death unafraid, Ninoy was among the first to create the domino effect that caused the dictatorship to fall, he added. Now it is upon us, the people, especially todays youth whose future is at stake, to bring about the change that Ninoy paid for with his life. Now is the time to do our share and show how much we love our country. Russia is willing to provide the Philippines with military hardware, including submarines, without political conditions or limitations, Philippine ambassador to Moscow Carlos Sorreta said Wednesday. Russia is willing to provide brand-new equipment, customized to the specific needs of the Philippines, at favorable financial terms with reasonable delivery times, full after-sales service, training and without political conditions or limitations, Sorreta said on his Facebook page. President Rodrigo Duterte accused the US of selling only hand-me-down weapons that he said endangered the lives of Filipino troops in a speech in Cebu Tuesday night. He cited the crash of three refurbished helicopters that killed Filipino soldiers. Duterte said he wanted to buy at least two submarines from the US just to lift the spirit, the soul of Filipino soldiers because we dont have any submarines. He said Thailand had about eight or six submarines, Indonesia about 10 and Malaysia six, and we are the only ones who have none. Now that I intend to purchase from Russia, here comes a statement from America saying dont do it, Duterte said. I do not have a quarrel with America, but America seems to be in a hypocritical stage always.In a post from the Philtizen Daily News, Sorreta said the Kremlin was willing to provide brand-new equipment that could better fit the Philippine Defense departments battle plans and tactics. Sorreta said Russias contribution would be preferable to second-hand equipment. By procuring new and customized equipment, our armed forces will be able to maximize their use since they can be made to fit into our battle plans and tactics, Sorreta said. Sorretas statement came as Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and other defense officials visited Russia to further develop the Philippines defense cooperation with Moscow. Sorreta said Lorenzana and his delegation attended the International Military-Technical Forum of ARMY 2018 and examined Russian military equipment with the pressing defense needs of the Philippines in mind. Lorenzana said the Defense Department will procure equipment that is most advantageous to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the AFP Modernization Program. A Quezon City judge on Tuesday granted a three-hour furlough to a principal accused in the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre case despite strong objections from government prosecutors. Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City RTC, Branch 221 granted former governor Zaldy Ampatuan a three-hour furlough from his detention at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City to allow him to attend the wedding of his daughter Bay Nor Aila Kristina Tuesday afternoon at a five-star hotel in Pasay City. In the order released by the Justice department Wednesday, the judge cited humanitarian considerations in granting Ampatuans plea. The court is of the view that despite being a... prisoner having certain restrictions, accused-movant may be allowed to attend his eldest daughters wedding, which, in our culture, is a significant milestone to be cherished and remembered, the court ruled. It is a momentous family occasion which must be witnessed and attended by the couples loved ones, especially the accused-movant who will personally bring his eldest daughter to the altar, it said. The DoJ panel earlier opposed the furlough, arguing that Ampatuan could not equate himself with those who have not transgressed the law. The prosecutors also cited the courts earlier ruling denying a similar plea of the accused to attend the graduation of his eldest son in Cotabato City. In granting furlough to the detained former governor, the RTC ordered the head of the Quezon City Jail annex in Camp Bagong Diwa to ensure that the accused was escorted to and from the event and to immediately transport him back to the detention facility after the lapse of the period granted. The judge also required Ampatuan to shoulder all expenses for his furlough. It was not the first time Ampatuan was granted relief by the RTC. He was also given furlough to attend the graduation of another child in a university in Quezon City. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra lamented the judges decision. The criminal cases against Ampatuan and 194 other accused have been submitted for decision by the court, except for the cases of the principal accused Andal Datu Unsay Ampatuan Jr. and two others. Guevarra earlier vowed resolution of the multiple murder cases by next year. He said the RTC where 197 accused are standing trial for the killing of 58 people, is now winding up with the trial of this case. As of November last year, the RTC has already heard a total of 273 witnesses: 166 prosecution witnesses, and 107 defense witnesses. The court has resolved all the 15 sets of a formal offer of evidence in connection with the bail applications of 70 accused. It has also resolved all bail applications of the accused, including that of Andal Unsay Ampatuan, Jr., which was denied in May.The RTC may render judgment separately on each accused and not wait for all the accused to conclude presenting their evidence. Four of the accused, including Andal Ampatuan Sr., died while in detention while four of the accused who submitted their demurrer to evidence were acquitted by the trial court. The murder cases involve 58 victims (including 32 media practitioners), 197 accused (15 surnamed Ampatuan), with 115 already arrested the latest of which was Jonathan Engid, who was arrested last February. The proceedings are being attended by a panel of 10 public prosecutors, eight private prosecutors, and 23 defense lawyers while the transcripts of stenographic notes have now reached 59 volumes. The records of the cases are 129 volumes thick, with 10 volumes comprising the prosecutions evidence. THE National Union Journalists of the Philippines on Wednesday said the prosecutors handling the Maguindanao massacre case have a lot of explaining to do over the furlough granted to one of its principal suspects. At the very least, the prosecution owes the public a full account and credible explanation, it said. The group questioned the prosecution panel for failure to block the request of Ampatuan to attend his daughters wedding at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel Manila in Pasay City last Aug. 21. The public came to know about it when Basilan Rep. Ruby Shahli posted on social media a picture of herself with Ampatuan, it said. The caption read: Alhamdulilla with my former boss former RG Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan during the wedding ceremony of his eldest daughter Bai Nur Aila. The lawmaker also posted a video from the wedding. While we may understand a parents desire to be present at such an important milestone in the life of a child, we stress that the crime of which Mr. Ampatuan is accused of is of such a heinous nature that the shock and outrage it stirred around the world forced then President Gloria Arroyo to move against the powerful clan that was among her staunchest allies, the NUJP statement read. Almost nine years after the rampage that claimed the lives of 58 persons, 32 of them media workers, no one has yet been convicted. Yet a principal accused, Sajid Ampatuan, was granted bail. That and now this, we feel, gives us and the victims families more than enough cause to worry about whether we can truly expect justice for this most grievous of crimes, it said. On Nov. 23, 2009, the wife of then Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu and the other 57 victims were on their way to file his certificate of candidacy in Shariff Aguak when armed men abducted and killed them. Then Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his sons were charged with multiple murder. How US Trade War Is Spreading from Goods to Services Trump tariff wars are entering a new, far more dangerous phase. As the White House is expanding its tariff wars, collateral damage is about to spread from goods to services much of it in the U.S. After months of trade threats, the Trump administration announced its 25% tariff on $34 billion of Chinese imports effective in early July, while threatening levies on another $16 billion of imports. To defend its sovereign interest, China responded with 25% tariffs on $34 billion of US imports and recently imposed an additional tariff of 25% on $16 billion of US imports effective on August 23. As Trump is escalating his tariff war, a total of $50 billion of goods on each side will be taxed as of Thursday.Not so long ago, there was still relatively serious talk about the US-China Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). After all, Chinese foreign direct investment soared to a record $46 billion in 2016. But that was in the pre-Trump era.Last year, Trump threats caused Chinese investment in the US to plunge to $29 billion, partly due to deleveraging in China but mainly thanks to very stringent US regulatory reviews of inbound acquisitions. After months of trade war, Chinese investment in 2018, asset divestitures included, is negative in the US.In the coming weeks, things will go from bad to worse, as US tariffs are about to spread from goods to services. Ironically, thats when much of the collateral damage will hit the US, however. Collateral damage in services wars Historically, advanced economies tend to enjoy service surpluses but goods deficits in trade, thanks to higher productivity and value-added. And US-Chinese trade ties are no exception. According to most recent data (2017), US goods exports to China are $130 billion, whereas imports from China are to $506 billion. As a result, US trade deficit with China amounts to $375 billion. In contrast, US services exports to China are $54 billion, while services imports from China are $16 billion (2016 figures). Consequently, US trade services trade surplus with China is $38 billion. As China exports far more goods to US than vice versa, Chinese retaliations already cover more US goods (85%) than US tariffs cover Chinese imports (50%). So as the ongoing trade war shifts from goods tariffs to non-tariff actions in services, China is likely to target US services. But China will not be the first to do so. A few weeks ago, when Trump unleashed a tweet storm against Germany and the European Union (EU), German Chancellor Angela Merkel rightly pointed out that it is misleading to focus on goods trade, in which the US has deficit against the EU, when the US excels in services trade, in which it has a surplus against the EU. With other EU leaders, Merkel is backing a digital tax against US multinationals like Amazon, Facebook or Google, which have come under fire for shifting earnings around Europe to pay lower taxes. Trump tariffs undermine U.S. high-margin services Ironically, Trumps tariffs have potential to undermine Americas most important competitive advantage in the postwar era high-value, high-margin services, which range from the technology sector to big pharma. Since 2001, US services surplus with China has increased nine-fold. A major beneficiary of the surplus is Houston, Texas. Last fall, Mayor Sylvester Turner led a Houston business delegation to China with energy execs, hospital administrators, physicians, medical researchers and entrepreneurs. The visit fostered many collaborative projects, including a medical center based on imported technology and consulting services from Houston. Much of US services trade surplus with China can be attributed to Chinese travelers spending on US business, medical treatment and education, as well as increasingly innovative Chinese companies spending on US licensing fees and royalties for intellectual property. Yet, in Texas, Trumps tariffs are now endangering major projects that took years to build. As collateral damage will spread, so will the costs. If US metropolitan centers will take severe hits, the stakes will be much higher with US states. Last year, Californias trade with China totaled $170 billion, covering electric cars, engines, auto parts and aluminum. A trade war is stupid, warns Governor Jerry Brown, and for a reason. Among the US states, California, which is already facing a $1.6 billion budget deficit, stands to suffer the greatest pain if Trumps tariff wars worsen. Yet, this could be only the beginning. If trade wars spill from goods to services, neither Silicon Valley nor Hollywood will remain immune. Global growth no longer immune By upping the stakes in its trade war, the Trump administration is endangering US services surpluses not just with China, but with its other deficit targets. Trumps dream is to defeat China in the trade war and then use that demonstration effect to force others EU, Canada and Mexico, Japan and South Korea on their knees. Thats the White Houses ultimate goal: First to shock and awe its trade adversaries, and then to negotiate the best terms for the US America First. However, the White House severely underestimates the resilience of the Chinese economy and its people. Moreover, US tariff wars against its partners in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific are not a matter of principle, just a matter of time. This trade war will have no winners. Instead, expect an avalanche of defaults soon. Dr Steinbock is the founder of the Difference Group and has served as the research director at the India, China, and America Institute (USA) and a visiting fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more information, see http://www.differencegroup.net/ 2018 Copyright Dan Steinbock - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. Dan Steinbock Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Is Gold Price On Verge Of A Bottom, See For Yourself The recent downward price swing in Gold has kept Goldbugs frothing at what they believe is a very unusual and unexplained price function in the face of so much uncertainty throughout the globe. With Turkey, Russia, China and many others experiencing massive economic and currency crisis events, Gold has actually been creeping lower as the US Dollar strengthens. It is almost like a Twilight Zone episode for Gold Bulls. The setup for a gold rally has been in place for over a decade. Much like in 2006 through 2008, the current price and volatility of Gold is simply mundane. For the past two years, Gold has rotated between $1190 and $1360 within a $180 range. Certainly, Gold traders were able to find some profits within this range, but no breakout trends have been established since early 2016 when the price of Gold changed from Bearish to Bullish and a 31% rally took place driving prices $328.80 higher from the lows. Our team of researchers, at www.TheTechnicalTraders.com , believe something very interesting may be taking place in Gold right now almost like a Deja Vu of the past. A double setup appears to have taken place recently and we believe the bottom may have already formed in Gold for now. In early 2016 through November 2016 where price rallied 31% then retraced nearly 75% to form the second leg higher. This deep retracement of price was indicative of a wide price rotation before another leg higher pushed back up to near the all-time highs. From 2017 until now the Gold chart shows another 75% price retracement from recent highs once again. This second 75% retracement could be a massive bottom formation setting up in Gold and could be a huge wash-out low price. We believe this unique retracement is indicative of a massive price breakout over the next year or so as the price of gold is forming what Stan Weinstein calls a Stage 1 Accumulation. Now, lets zoom in and take a look at the weekly chart and our Adaptive Dynamic Learning model, the predictive analysis suggests that Gold prices should begin to bottom within the next week or two and begin to climb much higher over the next 3~10+ weeks. This pattern consists of 12 unique instances of data and suggests that the future upswing will start rather mild for the first 2 weeks, then begin to accelerate as time progresses. It appears we have a strong potential to see prices above $1400 within the next 5~8 weeks or so and you look at the previous chart above, what is the $1400 level? You got it! Resistance, and if price breaks out above $1400 a new bull market would be triggered! As many of you are aware, Gold is often a move to safety when the global economy begins to show signs of chaos or weakness. We believe the move in the US Dollar will stall and possibly correct as this move takes place. If Gold were to rally while the US Dollar continued to strengthen, you can clearly assume that a flight to safety is taking place and it includes a massive capital migration toward US equities and GOLD. If the rally in gold is seen while the US Dollar weakens or stalls, then we are seeing a move to safety while the currency markets address regional and global currency market issues. Either way, we expect Gold to begin a new rally higher off of this 75% retracement level to complete the Pennant formation that is currently set up for a Wave 5 upside price expansion. Some of this technical analysis may be over your head as it can be confusing, but you should get the gist of things which is that precious metals should find a bottom and there is the potential that a massive bull market could be on the horizon if price rallies quickly. Be prepared for this move because the Gold shorts will likely be forced to cover their positions within the next few weeks as this move begins to accelerate higher. Visit www.TheTechnicalTraders.com to learn how we can help you find these types of swings in the major markets. We alert our clients well in advance of these swings and deliver daily video content to all of our members before the market opens each day. Our objective is to make you a better trader and to help you find successful setups to create greater success. Visit our website to learn how we can help you become a better trader today. Chris Vermeulen www.TheTechnicalTraders.com Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better. His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility. He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect. Chris Vermeulen Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Photo and posters: Pictoral prism into the past August 22, 2018 Facebook Kills "Inauthentic" Foreign News Accounts - U.S. Propaganda Stays Alive The creation of digital content led to the re-establishment of claqueurs: By 1830 the claque had become an institution. The manager of a theatre or opera house was able to send an order for any number of claqueurs. These were usually under a chef de claque (leader of applause), who judged where the efforts of the claqueurs were needed and to initiate the demonstration of approval. This could take several forms. There would be commissaires ("officers/commissioner") who learned the piece by heart and called the attention of their neighbors to its good points between the acts. Rieurs (laughers) laughed loudly at the jokes. Pleureurs (criers), generally women, feigned tears, by holding their handkerchiefs to their eyes. Chatouilleurs (ticklers) kept the audience in a good humor, while bisseurs (encore-ers) simply clapped and cried "Bis! Bis!" to request encores. Today anyone can create content and rent or buy virtual claqueurs in from of "likes" on Facebook or "followers" on Twitter to increase its distribution. An alternative is to create artificial social media personas who then promote ones content. That is what the Internet Research Agency, the Russian "troll factory" from St. Petersburg, did. The fake personas it established on Facebook promoted IRA created clickbait content like puppy picture pages that was then marketed to sell advertisements. The profit orientated social media giants do not like such third party promotions. They prefer that people pay THEM to promote their content. Selling advertisements is Facebook's business. Promotional accounts on its own platform are competition. The anti-Russian mania in U.S. politics gives social media companies a welcome excuse to clamp down on promotional schemes for sites like Liberty Front Press by claiming that these are disinformation campaigns run by the U.S. enemy of the day. Yesterday Facebook announced that it deleted a number of user accounts for "inauthentic behavior": Weve removed 652 Pages, groups and accounts for coordinated inauthentic behavior that originated in Iran and targeted people across multiple internet services in the Middle East, Latin America, UK and US. FireEye, a cybersecurity firm, gave us a tip in July about Liberty Front Press, a network of Facebook Pages as well as accounts on other online services. ... We are able to link this network to Iranian state media through publicly available website registration information, as well as the use of related IP addresses and Facebook Pages sharing the same admins. For example, one part of the network, Quest 4 Truth, claims to be an independent Iranian media organization, but is in fact linked to Press TV, an English-language news network affiliated with Iranian state media. The FireEye report Facebook acted on notes: FireEye has identified a suspected influence operation that appears to originate from Iran aimed at audiences in the U.S., U.K., Latin America, and the Middle East. This operation is leveraging a network of inauthentic news sites and clusters of associated accounts across multiple social media platforms to promote political narratives in line with Iranian interests. These narratives include anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes, as well as support for specific U.S. policies favorable to Iran, such as the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA). ... Based on an investigation by FireEye Intelligences Information Operations analysis team, we assess with moderate confidence that this activity originates from Iranian actors. The evidence FireEye presents is quite thin. The purpose of its inquest and report is obviously self-promotion. Moon of Alabama is also promoting anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes. It supports the JCPOA deal. This is, according to FireEye, "in line with Iranian interests". It may well be. But does that make Moon of Alabama a "suspected influence operation"? Is it an "inauthentic news site"? Is the @MoonofA Twitter account showing "coordinated inauthentic behavior" when it promotes the pieces presented on this site? We, by the way, assess with high confidence that that this activity originates from a German actor. Is that a reason to shut it down? Who will shut down the tons of "inauthentic" accounts U.S. spies, the British military and Israeli propaganda organisations run? Here is another high confidence tip for FireEye. There is proof, and even an admission of guilt, that a hostile government financed broadcasting organization is creating inauthentic Facebook accounts to disseminate disinformation. These narratives include anti-Russian, anti-Syrian, and pro-Saudi views, as well as support for specific U.S. policies favorable to Israel, such as its financing of the anti-Iranian headscarf campaign. This year the U.S. government run Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) will spend more than $23 million for its Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB). OCB administers Radio and Television (TV) Marti programs directed at the Cuban public. In its 2019 budget request to Congress (pdf) the BBG admits that it creates inauthentic Facebook accounts to increase the distribution of its dreck: In FY 2018, OCB is establishing on island digital teams to create non-branded local Facebook accounts to disseminate information. Native pages increase the chances of appearing on Cuban Facebook users newsfeeds. The same strategy will be replicated on other preferred social media networks. How is this different from what the PressTV may have done? When will Facebook shut those inauthentic BBG accounts down? --- h/t to Left I on the News Posted by b on August 22, 2018 at 17:29 UTC | Permalink Comments The domestic violence case against Morgan Hill City Councilmember Larry Carr was dismissed Aug. 20, after the alleged victim refused to answer questions under oath during a brief bench trial. Prosecutors from the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office asked the judge to dismiss the charges, acknowledging that without the womans testimony they couldnt prove Carr committed the crime of domestic battery. We evaluate every case based solely on the evidence we can present in a courtroom, Santa Clara County Deputy D.A. Vishal Bathija said after the Aug. 20 trial. Often we can and do proceed with a prosecution even when a victim refuses to testify. Unfortunately in this case, the weight of the evidence rested in the testimony of the victim. Because the victim refused to tell the judge what happened on the night of Nov. 25, 2017 or during the 2015 incidents, we could not prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Carr, 49, waived his right to a jury trial on the charge of misdemeanor domestic battery, which the D.A.s Office filed against him in relation to a November 2017 incident with his live-in girlfriend at the time, Barbara Ristrim. The Aug. 20 trial was a bench or court trial, a proceeding in which the judge is tasked with weighing the evidence and testimony, and determining the defendants guilt or innocence. Carr pleaded not guilty to the charge at a previous hearing. The alleged battery incident took place at the home Carr shared with Ristrim in downtown Morgan Hill, following a lengthy verbal argument Thanksgiving weekend. Ristrim told police just before Carr was arrested the night of Nov. 25, that Carr had broken her glasses and pulled her hair during the argument. Carr told police any contact he made with Ristrim was accidental. Ristrims sister, who had been on the phone with Ristrim during the argument, called local police that evening to report the alleged battery, according to police reports. Ristrim, who now lives in San Ramon, appeared at the Aug. 20 trial. She sat next to Carr, as she has at recent hearings in the case, and the two walked out of the courtroom together following the trial. During her testimony Aug. 20, Ristrim refused to answer most questions when she took the witness stand in response to a subpoena that had required her to appear. She sat with her attorney Wesley Schroeder by her side, repeating no answer each time Deputy D.A. Murat Ozgur asked her a question about her former residence and the domestic violence allegations against Carr. Ristrim only answered questions asking her for her name and the city where she lives. The judge, at the request of Ozgur, verbally ordered Ristrim to answer the prosecutors questions. Ozgur again asked Ristrim the same list of questions, but she again declined to answer. Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Duong then told Ristrim she would be held in contempt of court if she refused to answer Ozgurs questions, and she still refused. The judge held Ristrim in contempt for disobeying the courts order to answer the prosecutors questions. Duong ordered her to attend classes for domestic violence victims. California Civil Procedure code states that the court cannot detain or imprison a victim of domestic violence for contempt. Instead, the court may refer the victim for consultation with a domestic violence counselor, according to the state code, section 1219. Schroeder said during the trial that he advised Ristrim not to answer any questions during her testimony, based on extensive discussions in which she told him she did not want to testify. After Ristrim repeatedly refused to testify about the November incident, Ozgur verbally moved to dismiss the charge of domestic battery against Carr. Ozgur acknowledged that the courts options to compel Ristrim to testify are limited. Duong declared the case against Carr dismissed, due to insufficiency of evidence, based on the complaining witness refusal to testify. The judge also terminated a peaceful contact order against Carr, regulating the type of contact he could have with Ristrim after he was charged with the misdemeanor. The judge issued that order in February. Bathija said after the trial that prosecutors had issued subpoenas ordering multiple witnesses to testify, including Morgan Hill Police officers who responded to and investigated the November incident. However, without Ristrims testimony, the D.A.s office couldnt make the case that Carr committed the crime of domestic battery. In 2015, Carr pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery. That conviction was related to a March 2015 incident, also involving Ristrim, at the couples previous home in Morgan Hill. Carr completed a 16-week counseling program as his sentence for the 2015 conviction. Carr has also denied acting violently in that incident, and said he pleaded no contest to avoid prolonged court proceedings. Outside the courtroom after the Aug. 20 trial, Carr said he and Ristrim have supported each other throughout the court proceedings related to the November 2017 incident. From the beginning we have asked for patience and privacy for Barbara and I, Carr said. Were trying to move on now and get this behind us. Carrs attorney, Stuart Kirchick, added that Carr is glad the case is over with so that he can continue to serve the people of Morgan Hill. Carr is currently in his fifth term as a Morgan Hill councilmember. MERIDEN A city man faces charges after police said he fractured his six-month-olds ribs on two separate occasions in June. Joshua Gonzalez, 28, of 24 Billard St., was charged Tuesday with risk of injury to a minor, third-degree assault, breach of peace, second-degree reckless endangerment, and third-degree strangulation. On June 27, police were contacted by staff at Connecticut Childrens Medical Center about a six-month-old male infant brought to the hospital for bruising on his chest, abdomen and back, according to Gonzalezs arrest warrant said. An x-ray showed two healing rib fractures that occurred on separate occasions. Police investigating learned the infant was brought to MidState Medical Center on June 5 with blue lips and eyes rolling back into his head. The infant was treated and diagnosed with a brief resolved unexplained event, the warrant said. Police spoke with Gonzalez, the father of the infant, following the June 27 incident. Gonzalez said he was caring for the infant on the two occasions, and shook the baby because he was being fussy, the warrant said. The medical center determined the childs injuries were not accidental, the warrant said. During a follow up interview, Gonzalez said he was overwhelmed and stressed by the infant and said he put pressure on the infants torso while changing him, the warrant said. Gonzalez also admitted squeezing the infant during the June 5 incident. Gonzalez was arraigned in Meriden Superior Court on Tuesday. Bond was set at $50,000 and Gonzalez is due back in court on Sept. 13. He was also barred from any contact with with infant. PLAINVILLE A Kohls employee faces charges after police said he stole almost $35,000 worth of merchandise from the store. Paul Larochelle, 41, of 328 Chestnut St., New Britain, was charged on Aug. 14 with first-degree larceny. On June 11, police responded to Kohls, 200 New Britain Ave., for a report of an employee that was caught stealing, according to Larochelles arrest warrant. Police met with security staff, who said Larochelle was seen on security video taking merchandise from the sales floor and hiding them outside under a trailer. After he finished his shift, Larochelle drove to the dock area, and store security witnessed him attempt to retrieve the items. Larochelle told police he had been stealing items from the store for months and selling them to a Newington pawn shop, the warrant said. Police retrieved a database list from the store and discovered Larochelle made 23 transactions from November 2017 to April 2018. The list of items were things commonly sold at Kohls and were valued at about $34,587, the warrant said. Larochelle was arraigned in Bristol Superior Court on Aug. 15 and released on a promise to appear in court on Sept. 7. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday announced its intention to change course on restricting emissions from coal-fired power plants, giving states much broader authority to set restrictions. The rule would reverse an Obama Administration policy that set federal restrictions. EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the proposal would restore the rule of law and empower states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide modern, reliable, and affordable energy for all Americans. The proposal drew warnings from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and officials in other states that this could lead to air quality problems for states that are downwind from such facilities. Malloy also said in a statement that the new policy will have negative effects on climate change. Its not a far-off problem; its here and we see the effects every day, he said in a statement. Weather patterns are more powerful and unpredictable than ever. Western states are beset by devastating drought and unprecedented wildfires. The EPAs announcement, the result of an executive order from President Donald Trump, kicks off a public comment period prior to any final decision by the agency. The U.S. Supreme Court stopped the Obama Administration from enforcing his rule in 2016 amid a challenge from 27 states, 24 trade associations, 37 rural electric co-ops, and three labor unions. The EPA maintains that it would continue to play a role in reducing emissions from coal-fired power plants, even under its proposed new rule. The agency, for example, would recommend a best system of emission reduction. provide a list of candidate technologies that could be incorporated into state plans, and encourage efficiencies at existing power plants. The proposal also fits with a broader view by Trumps EPA that it doesnt have any general legal requirements to address climate change. "An important part of what we're doing here is getting us back into our lane," said Bill Wehrum, head of the EPA's air quality office. That stance drew a strong rebuke from Connecticut and other states. Climate change is the most significant energy and environmental issue we face today, and the Trump administrations relentless effort to repeal, weaken or delay national rules intended to protect public health and the environment flies in the face of everything we in Connecticut hold dear, said Rob Klee, head of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Malloy noted EPAs own models forecast that the proposed changes would do less for public health than those from the Obama Administration. Models provided by the agency estimate that under the Trump plan, 300 to 1,500 premature deaths would be avoided a year by 2030. The Obama plan says 1,500 and 3,600 premature deaths would be avoided. Malloy and Connecticut have fought the EPA over enforcement in the past. A federal judge in July sided with Connecticut and New York in a complaint that the EPA has failed to enforce requirements under the 2008 Clean Air Act. The two states argued in the suit that their residents suffered the effects of air pollution produced in other states because the EPA failed to enforce the requirements. msavino@record-journal.com 203-317-2266 Twitter: @reporter_savino Connecticut received Monday what is likely to be a federal overseers final assessment of the progress made by the Department of Children and Families during the tenure of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Commissioner Joette Katz, saying the state is closer than ever to ending nearly three decades of federal supervision. The report by Raymond Mancuso, the court-appointed monitor of the states child-welfare agency, significantly narrows the areas under his oversight, while offering a reminder of remaining deficiencies and the certainty DCF still will be under federal supervision when the next governor takes office on Jan. 9. The latest report generally covers the last quarter of 2017 and first quarter of 2018. It is a dense, 87-page compendium of the activities the court-appointed monitor is tracking. But the monitor also completed an expedited review of four areas in which DCF had seemed to be meeting the standards under the previous assessment. DCF has met its goals, Mancuso wrote, for decreasing the number of children in group facilities and institutions, placing more children with siblings, limiting the number of moves for children in foster care and ensuring that children are placed in homes operating within their licensed capacity. Of the measures that did not meet the established standards in these two quarters, the most concerning involve the Departments investigation practice, case planning process, meeting children and families service needs, appropriate visitation with household and family members of the agencys in-home cases, and excessive caseloads for Social Work staff, he wrote. Coming a week after the gubernatorial primaries, the report is likely to become fodder in the general-election campaign as candidates are pressed to address how the state should confront a projected shortfall of $2 billion in the next fiscal year. Mancuso praised Malloy and his budget chief, Ben Barnes, for adding DCF staff in the midst of a budget crisis. Governor Malloy and Secretary Barnes have been instrumental in supporting the needs of Connecticuts abused and neglected children by advocating for additional staffing, Mancuso wrote. The budget passed by the legislature compromises these gains in staffing and also requires cuts in sorely needed community services. The department has hired 120 new employees, allowing DCF to reduce caseloads once their training is completed this fall. Ira Lustbader, the director of litigation for Childrens Rights, a national advocacy group leading the litigation against the state, praised the Malloy administration for keeping its focus on meeting the goals set by the court, rather than fighting the oversight. Malloys predecessor, M. Jodi Rell, tried to end court oversight in her final year in office. At times, in the view of critics, DCF has careened from being too aggressive in removing children from families or not aggressive enough when a child is harmed at home under the supervision of the agency. Lustbader said too often over the years the state has made sweeping changes in policy in response to a single highly publicized failure. This work is hard. Whats at stake could not be more serious. Its the integrity of families and the safety and well-being of children that are brought under the protection of the state, Lustbader said in an interview. One of the things this administration has been able to do effectively is maintain the focus on fundamental changes needed, even when tragedies struck and sometimes even when the criticism is deserving. That is the work that brings us forward, not reflexively reacting to pressure to change policies in one direction or another, which invariably either harms families or overloads the agency with new cases. Weve seen both directions under previous administrations. Malloy is the fifth governor to hold office since the litigation was filed in 1989 during the administration of William A. ONeill and the fourth since Lowell P. Weicker Jr. agreed in 1991 to a consent decree placing DCF under federal supervision. But Katz, a former Supreme Court justice, has been his only commissioner. Senate Republican leader Len Fasano of North Haven has repeatedly called for Katzs resignation. He faulted her last year after the death of an autistic child and in late 2016 after the Office of the Child Advocate issued a report on a toddler who suffered from neglect and abuse after placed in the care of a relative by DCF. Nationally, Katz has said, the commissioners of child-protection agencies last 18 months on average. Malloy has backed his commissioners policy of trying to keep troubled families intact with the support of DCF, whenever possible. Under Katz, DCF has dramatically reduced the use of non-family and institutional placements for children needing foster care. In 2011, DCF housed about 25 percent of the 4,900 children in foster care in such placements. Today, the number is fewer than 10 percent, with only 17 children age 12 and under in non-family placements and only 89 children in intensive residential institutional placements, according to Lustbaders group. DCFs achievement under Commissioner Katz in emphasizing families over facilities for kids deserves significant credit, Lustbader said. This administration dismantled the states longstanding harmful and expensive reliance on group facilities, which took a lot of guts and hard work. In an appendix attached to the report, Katz noted that the assessment will be the last of her tenure and a measure of incredible progress over eight years. She thanked her staff and the governor who appointed and refused to fire her. The progress we have made is in large measure a testament to his unwavering support, Katz wrote. Thanks also to the talented and committed network of private providers and professionals who work in the schools, medical settings, the courts and law enforcement. They are our partners in the child welfare system, and we owe them much gratitude as we all work together to improve the lives of children and families. This story originally appeared on the website of The Connecticut Mirror, www.ctmirror.org. WALLINGFORD In the final STEM challenge of the summer Monday night at the Oakdale Theatre, dozens of local fifth-grade students were tasked with creating a structure that would hold up the most washers. When Galina Esposito reached 180 washers, she started garnering attention. When she reached 250, she was unofficially named the winner of the challenge. Along with the competition, students and family members learned about the towns most recent STEM initiative and met with representatives from some of the towns manufacturing companies. Superintendent of Schools Salvatore Menzo said part of the STEM town-wide initiative is to support factories having trouble filling positions. Menzo said some fifth graders took STEM-related online courses and participated in several group challenges. Esposito, 11, said her winning design came after an unsuccessful first attempt. Her father, Scott Esposito, said he was happy to see the school district prioritize the initiative. As a parent, I want to see my daughter succeed and theres apparently tons of jobs out there in the field, so put those two things together hopefully it adds up to success, Scott Esposito said. Several manufacturing companies, including Holo-Krome, Allnex, and APS Technology, set up tables around the room to show some of the equipment used by their engineers. Economic Development Director Tim Ryan encouraged students and parents to ask questions and get to know the companies. These are what I refer to as the captains of industry that make our local economy, Ryan said. Its those jobs, its those tax dollars, its those products that they make that allow us to have great amenities in the town of Wallingford. Audrey Larson, a sophomore at Lyman Hall High School, presented a video of her most recent invention, Safe K.I.D.S., which has earned national attention as a non-political solution for school shootings. I hope that every kid in this room gets exposed to STEM and has the opportunity to fall love with it like I did, Larson said. bwright@record-journal.com 203-317-2316 Twitter: @baileyfaywright Business NITCA team on industrial visit to China Naga International Trade Centers Association members at Yunnan Nationalities Village, China on August 21. Dimapur, Aug 21 (NPN) | Publish Date: 8/21/2018 12:30:03 PM IST Members of Naga International Trade Centers Association (NITCA), who are on a ten-day industrial visit to China, landed at Kunming International Airport on Tuesday. In a press release, NITCA president, Augustine Reading said that the main objective of the industrial visit was to learn and interact with businesses and companies in China in the sectors of village tourism, food processing, general construction development, hospitality and IT/electronics related companies which have relevance and potential to develop in the region. The team consists of NITCA president Augustine Reading, NITCA secretary general Kejaroko Pieru, NITCA member Sweyiekul Zhotso and president of Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce (MCCI) Tsukti Longkumer. NITCA members will also be visiting industries in the provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangdong and the national capital territory of Beijing. International Speed of Rohingya return up to Bdesh: Suu Kyi Singapore, Aug 21 (Agencies) | Publish Date: 8/21/2018 12:16:04 PM IST Aung San Suu Kyi Tuesday said it was up to Bangladesh to decide how quickly Rohingya refugees would return to Myanmar, appearing to blame Dhaka for the delay. More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Buddhist-majority Myanmar to Bangladesh after a brutal military crackdown on the stateless minority almost a year ago. The two countries last November signed a deal to repatriate them but it has stalled. Many fear returning to a place where villages were burned to the ground and where they say security forces murdered, tortured and raped members of their communities. Bangladesh insists the Rohingya are on its soil temporarily but has not forced them back. In rare public remarks on the crisis, civilian leader Suu Kyi said in a speech in Singapore that Myanmar has been ready to receive Rohingya returnees since January 23 as agreed in the memorandum of understanding. Its very difficult for us to put a time frame on it by ourselves unilaterally because we have to work with Bangladesh in order to do that, she told an audience in a lecture organised by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and entitled Myanmars Democratic Transition: Challenges and Way Forward. Bangladesh would also have to decide how quickly they want the process to be completed, Suu Kyi added. Since the repatriation was signed the two countries have wrangled over details, including the way refugees are described on ID cards in Bangladesh. Rohingya living in the crowded camps over the border in Coxs Bazar insist on safety guarantees and citizenship rights before returning to Rakhine state in western Myanmar, where the United Nations says conditions are not ready for their return. Calls have mounted for Myanmars military to be held responsible for the campaign, in which thousands are estimated to have died, and the US has sanctioned two army brigades and several commanders who oversaw the expulsion. But Myanmar says it was simply defending itself and bristles at international calls for justice, arguing that the world does not understand the problem. Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate once under house arrest by the junta that ruled for decades, has seen her global reputation crumble since coming to power for failing to speak up for the Rohingya. We who are living through the transition in Myanmar view it differently from those who observe it from the outside and who will remain untouched from its outcome, she said, appearing relaxed and jocular. She also blamed Rohingya insurgents and avoided criticism of the military. The danger of terrorist activities which was the initial cause of events leading to the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine remains real and present today, she said. Unless these security challenges are addressed, the risk of communal violence would remain. The Rohingya are seen as outsiders in Myanmar but consider Rakhine their homeland. They were stripped of their citizenship decades ago and subject to periodic purges while denied access to healthcare and freedom of movement. International Syrias al-Qaida leader vows to fight on in rebel province BEIRUT, AUG 22 (AGENCIES) | Publish Date: 8/22/2018 12:12:46 PM IST The leader of Syrias al-Qaida affiliate has vowed to fight on in Idlib province, the countrys last major rebel stronghold, in the face of a possible government offensive there, Fox News reported. The rare public statement by Abu Mohammed al-Golani came as Syrian President Bashar Assads forces have been sending reinforcements into areas around Idlib in the countrys northwest, along the border with Turkey. The United States, Britain and France have expressed concern at reports of the Syrian military targeting civilians, schools, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure in Idlib and underlined concern at the potential for further and illegal use of chemical weapons to bring the province under government control. Earlier this year, Syrian government forces captured rebel-held suburbs of the capital, Damascus, as well as the southern provinces of Daraa, Quneitra and Sweida. In parts of these regions, rebels accepted to reconcile with the government, handing over their heavy weapons in return for amnesty or agreed to be bussed out together with their families and other civilians to rebel-held areas in Idlib. But taking Idlib would be a much more difficult challenge for Assads forces as the province is also the base of al-Golanis militant and heavily armed Levant Liberation Committee as the al-Qaida branch in Syria is known. In his comments, which came in a video released late on Tuesday, al-Golani said state-sponsored surrenders of rebel groups, similar to those that recently occurred elsewhere in Syria, wont happen in Idlib as such actions would be considered treason by his al-Qaida-linked fighters. Earlier this month, the Syrian government dropped leaflets over Idlib, urging residents to reconcile with its authority. Officials have warned government forces would take back the province by force if necessary. According to U.N. estimates, 2.9 million people live in Idlib and surrounding opposition-held areas. The U.N. has appealed to Turkey to open its border to refugees, should the Syrian government decide to attack the province. Turkey, which has established itself as a sponsor of rebels in northern Syria, already hosts some 3.5 million Syrian refugees - the most of any nation. It has also established 12 monitoring posts in Idlib and deployed 1,000 troops in the province. In the video, released on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, al-Golani is seen wearing an olive-green military uniform and saying that Turkish monitoring towers cannot be relied on to take on Assads forces. Our weapons are the source of our strength and honor, al-Golani says. Thinking about surrendering to the enemy and handing over weapons will be considered treason. Meanwhile, another militant figure from the al-Qaida-linked group, Abu Yaqzan al-Masri, was unharmed when a gunman opened fire at him and missed on Tuesday. The shooter was detained, according to Mazan al-Shami, an opposition activist based in northwestern Syria. Dozens of members of the group have been killed over the past few months in attacks blamed on its main jihadi rival, the Islamic State group. International Three injured in London shooting Two women and a man have been injured in a shooting outside a takeaway in Kingsbury. London, Aug 21 (IANS) | Publish Date: 8/21/2018 12:15:54 PM IST Three persons have been injured in a shooting incident outside an underground station in London, the police said. Officers are at the scene of a shooting in #Kingsbury Road on Monday. Not terror related. Three people taken to hospital, none believed to be life-threatening, London Metropolitan Police said on its Twitter account, Xinhua news agency reported. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: Police and London Ambulance Service were alerted at around 9.45 p.m. to reports of shots fired in Kingsbury Road, NW9. The police said roads are closed and there has been no arrest so far. London Ambulance Service confirmed three patients have been rushed to hospital with injuries. A spokesperson said: We were called at 9.43 p.m. to reports of an incident on Kingsbury road. We dispatched a number of resources including London Air Ambulance by road. Three patients were found at the scene and they were taken to hospital. Kingsbury Tube station on the Jubilee line was shut down while the police carried out an investigation outside the station, Transport for London announced on its website. The shooting came just hours after shots were fired outside a school in west London, Daily Mail reported. According to the report, armed police were dispatched after witnesses reported hearing three gunshots outside the Kennet West Skills Centre. By Matt Weyer New Mexico is tied with Mississippi for the highest percentage of children aged birth to 5 living in poverty at 30 percent. While this may seem like an incredible challenge, it also presents an incredible opportunity for the state. New Mexico legislators are committed to building a world-class early childhood education and care (ECEC) system, through expanding access to education and other services, improving early childhood data systems and supporting the development of a strong ECEC workforce. In July, NCSL staff from the Education and Children and Families Programs led a day-long workshop on designing ECEC systems for the New Mexico Legislative Education Study Committee and the Legislative Finance Committee. Over 40 legislators, as well as two-dozen public attendees, heard from eight national and local experts on important policy levers identified by New Mexico legislative staff, including system coordination, ECEC workforce issues, leveraging community capacity and improving data integration and use. Legislators were encouraged to share takeaways from each of these sessions. Some of these takeaways included: The need to more effectively address the large percentage of NM children who are non-native English-speakers The importance of targeting funding to the students who need the most support The need for more disaggregated ECEC data The need for the ECEC system to collaborate with New Mexicos higher education system to improve ECEC workforce outcomes NCSL gratefully acknowledges the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for its support of this workshop. Check out an infographic on the economic imperative for closing early learning opportunity gaps, along with strategies included in the Every Student Succeeds Act. To learn more about NCSLs work on closing opportunity gaps through early learning opportunities in ESSA, please visit NCSLs webpages on closing opportunity gaps and early learning and support. Matt Weyer is a senior policy specialist in NCSL's Education Program. Email Matt By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Centre, brushing aside concerns that it will breach fiscal deficit targets, assured that the tax collection is robust. However, the Current Account Deficit (CAD) may be a matter of concern in this fiscal. We are very much on the path of fiscal consolidation. The income tax collection is robust... But Current Account Deficit will not be as good as it was this year. But it wont be as bad as it is being predicted because oil prices are not expected to rise, a top finance ministry official said. CAD, which is the difference between the inflow and outflow of foreign exchange, jumped to $48.7 billion, or 1.9 per cent of Gross domestic product, in 2017-18 fiscal. This was higher than $14.4 billion, or 0.6 per cent, in 2016-17 fiscal.The official clarified that it need not be a matter of concern as the government is prepared to handle any situation.Earlier this week many economists and analysts have raised Indias CAD will widen up to 2.8 per cent of the GDP in the current fiscal on account of higher oil prices that has been accentuated by rupee depreciation and at trade deficit which was at five years high. While credit rating agency ICRA and Moodys pegged current account deficit at 2.5 per cent, Japanese financial services major Nomura said that CAD could widen to 2.8 percent of GDP in 2018-19. count deficit is likely to widen to 2.5 per cent in FY 2018-19, up from 1.5 per cent in fiscal 2017 due to higher oil prices and strong non-oil import demand as domestic demand accelerates, he said. Net oil imports accounted for 2.6 per cent of GDP in FY 2017-18 and will increase further in fiscal 2019, Rajiv Biswas, APAC Chief Economist, IHS Markit, said. Revenue collection under Goods and Services Tax (GST) is well on track and could exceed the target. He also said that the rate cut effected recently will have minor impact on the revenue collection but that would be compensated by increased compliance and E-way Bill. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Hyderabad-based Solar-DC solutions startup Cygni Energy has raised $6.4 million through a combination of equity and debt. The equity funding is led by Endiya Partners, and the debt by IndusInd Bank.Our focus is on creating efficient power and brighter future by providing green solar energy and DC power at a reasonable cost. We manufacture one of the most efficient solar controllers and had raised an initial funding in 2014, Venkat Rajaraman, CEO, Cygni Energy said. This round of funding will help us strengthen our product offering & enhance customer experience. It will enable us to achieve our mission of building great products that will facilitate rural development and electrification in our country and other parts of the world, he added. The company posted annual revenues of $7.8 million for the financial year 2018, and is looking at a growth of 300 to 400 per cent in the next fiscal. By PTI KOLKATA: Swedish furniture retail company IKEA has evinced interest in sourcing products from West Bengal, state Finance Minister Amit Mitra today said. The multinational retail chain recently opened its first store in India at Hyderabad. Mitra, addressing the concluding session of a two-day MSME conclave, said IKEA has decided to source Rs 2,000-crore worth bamboo and natural fibre from India. "West Bengal is a big producer of bamboo. People from IKEA came to meet me and had detailed discussions on their interest in the state," he said, without divulging details. The minister said the state government has set a target for creating one lakh entrepreneurs in the next two years. Talking of bank finance to MSMEs, Mitra said the aim is to provide loans worth Rs 80,000 crore to the segment in the next two years, adding, the government would explore the possibility of roping in state cooperative banks for this purpose. The target set for the current fiscal is Rs 50,000 crore, he said. The West Bengal government has earmarked 2,000 acres of land for setting up 30 MSME industrial parks across the state. During the conclave, entrepreneurs were able to clinch export orders worth Rs 113 crore, Mitra said. Several MoUs were signed for promotion and export of handicraft, leather, apparel, and gem and jewellery products of the state, he said. The government has also inked two MoUs with the NSE and the BSE to help MSMEs migrate to the IPO level. By Sponsored Post NEW DELHI: Innovation is the key to get a competitive edge and survival instinct in a business eco-system. It is essential for future managers to innovate to be relevant across industries. Themed around Embracing Innovation, International Management Institute (IMI) New Delhi concluded its 7th edition of its Annual Management Conclave, Conventus 2018. Taking the legacy ahead with the idea of innovation across industries, the conclave witnessed the participation of 55+ industry stalwarts and practitioners as speakers from HR, Analytics, Economy, Finance, Marketing, Strategy, Operations, CSR and Entrepreneurship. Gracing the inaugural address, Mr. Rupinder Goyal, Global CIO- Tata Communications said, Embracing innovation is accepting how the world is changing and how innovation is bringing differentiation with creativity which can be achieved by starting small, evolve and build bit by bit. The existential threat to traditional financial institutions, Advent of Face recognition technology and Machine Learning for Marketing practices, the re-calibrating strategy of economic institutions, Usage of Chatbot and analytics in people management by HR practitioners, collaboration & inclusion - nurturing innovation in startups ; The conclave had confluence of thoughts and experience of industry stalwarts on Embracing Innovation Prof. Siddharth Varma, Dean Academics, IMI New Delhi urged the students to innovate as it is not confined to only an organization or job title. An individual needs to innovate at his personal capacity to grow and sustain in a competitive environment. The speakers of the conclave included Mr. Balaji Vishwanathan, CEO, Invento Robotics; Ms. Neelima Khetan, Group CSR Head, Vedanta Resources; Mr. Rajeev Ranjan, VP- Business Transformation at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited; Dr. S P Sharma- Chief Economist & Principal Director of Research- PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ms. Simmi Dhamija, Global Head Transformation at Tech Mahindra; Dr. Anuradha Balaram, Ex-Economic Advisor, Government of India; Mr. Amit Kurhekar, Senior Technology Manager, Procter & Gamble; Ms. Bhavna Kapur, Director (Marketing Communications of Plus one Degrees), HCL-Technologies; Mr. Kapil Gandhi, Associate Director- EY India; Mr. Bhrigu Joshi, Director HR, MakeMyTrip; Mr. Abhay Kapoor- Sr. HR Leader, India Operations (North), Amazon; Mr. Deepit Purayastha, cofounder and Chief Strategy Officer, Inshorts; Mr. Saket Modi, Co-Founder & CEO, Lucideus; Mr. Nakul Kumar, co-founder & COO, Cashify, to name a few. IMI New Delhi delightfully announced its association with Gabon Special Economic Zone as its title sponsor, powered by Panasonic; Kaolin tech, RPSG, Kent RO as its co-sponsor, NTPC Ltd and Oriental Bank of Commerce as other sponsors. The college expressed its deep gratitude and thanked the sponsors for being extremely supportive. The conclave concluded with a valedictory session by Mr. I. S. Jha, Chairman & MD, Power Grid Corporation enlightening the students on how the companies survive in the eco-system through innovation. It is not a phase but a lifelong cycle which needs to be followed throughout. The event ended on a positive and hopeful note where the success of Conventus 2018 was celebrated, and the IMI fraternity was looking forward to a greater and grander Conventus 2019. About IMI New Delhi International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi was established in 1981 in collaboration with IMI Geneva (now IMD, Lausanne). The institute has been ranked 1st in private B-schools in the country and 7th overall among management institutes in India by the Indian Ranking 2016, NIRF, MHRD. IMI has also secured a commendable overall rank of 6th in the latest ranking released by the NHRD (National Human Resources Development). IMI is also Indias first corporate sponsored Business School with sponsorship from corporate houses like RPG Enterprises, Nestle, ITC, SAIL, Tata Chemicals, BOC and Williamson Magor etc. and various other international linkages with bodies like World Bank, UNDP, ILO, UNCTAD, Asian Productivity Organization etc. Besides this, IMI is one of the empanelled Institute of the Ministry of External Affairs, GOI, for ITEC/SCAAP under which the Institute gets the executive MBA students from various Afro Asian countries for its 15 months Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management. By PTI NEW DELHI: Markets regulator SEBI today imposed Rs 2 lakh fine on European American Bank AG (Euram Bank) as its sub-account failed to satisfy the broad-based fund criteria. In an order, the regulator noted that India Focus Cardinal Fund (IFCF) had sought registration from SEBI as a sub-account in the broad-based fund category under the foreign Institutional investor (FII) -- Euram Bank. IFCF was granted the registration with a condition that it will meet the broad-based criteria within 90 days. Under the FII Regulations, a broad-based fund is categorised as a fund, established or incorporated outside India, which has at least twenty investors, with no single individual investor holding more than forty-nine per cent of the shares or units of the fund. However, if the broad-based fund has institutional investor(s), it shall not be necessary for the fund to have twenty investors and if it has an institutional investor who holds more than forty-nine per cent of the shares in the fund, then the institutional investor must itself be a broad-based fund. The regulator noted that the investors holding more than 49 per cent shares in their respective share classes did not on their own meet the criteria of being a broad-based fund. "Therefore, because of the failure of such investor having more than 49 per cent to qualify as a broad-based fund, I conclude that the sub-account i.e. IFCF has, in turn, failed to satisfy the criteria of broad-based fund," Sebi Adjudicating Officer B J Dilip said. Euram Bank had the knowledge that IFCF had not satisfied the broad-based fund criteria when it itself held shares up to 75 per cent as an individual investor in one of the share classes of IFCF, he said. FII Regulations also envisage that a foreign institutional investor should be responsible and liable for all the acts of commission and omission of all its sub-accounts. Noting that Euram Bank has violated FII Regulations, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) imposed a penalty of Rs 2 lakh on it. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is looking into the delay in announcing the financial results of private air carrier Jet Airways for the first quarter of this financial year, with reports stating that it is seeking clarifications from the auditors on the same. Jet Airways board had deferred the matter of consideration of the unaudited financial results for the June quarter on August 9. While Jet Airways has denied any concerns being raised on the viability of the company as a going concern, reports state that concerns have been raised on the same. The going concern assumption in accounting means that the company would remain in business for the foreseeable future without being forced to halt operations and liquidate its assets. The carriers auditors had already flagged the issue after the company posted a Rs 1,036 crore net loss for the last quarter of the previous financial year. At that time, auditors had said that assuming the firm as a going concern was dependent upon realization of the various initiatives undertaken by the company and/or the companys ability to raise requisite finance/generate cash flows in future to meet its obligations, including financial support to its subsidiary companies. Markets regulator Sebi is also looking into the airline delaying the June quarter results. The airlines board is scheduled to meet on August 27 to consider and approve the unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended June 30. Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu made it clear in an interview with Press Trust of India that private airlines have to deal with issues facing them on their own and the governments role can only be at the policy level. Commenting at a time when the airline industry is grappling with high fuel rates and stiff competition, Prabhu said the government was not aware about their (Jet Airways) position. As far as private airlines are concerned, they will have to deal with whatever issues they are dealing with. At the Ministry of (Civil) Aviation we can only deal at the policy level, Prabhu said. Chetana Belagere By Express News Service BENGALURU: A Kolkata-based author, Purabi Chakraborty, has been slammed by parents across India for her essay on modern girl. Pages from her book titled-Current School Essays and Letters were circulated on social media, with many claiming it to be part of the syllabus of a reputed CBSE school in Bengaluru. The author defines the modern girl as self-centred, who loves to wear jeans over sarees. She is always imitating the male in fashion, ambition and professional endeavours........The modern girl is no longer shy, obedient and homely creature as she used to be. Madhurima Sarkar, programme manager at Apne Aap Womens Collective, said, I read the essay and was horrified. The book written by a woman herself comes as a big surprise to me. Each sentence of the essay in the book screams misogyny! The essay is about the girl in the modern age whose choice of life is showy and eye-catching dresses and wants to enjoy her life like boys. Meanwhile, parents of some moms groups in the city have decided to write collective letters to their childrens schools to ensure this particular book is not prescribed as part of syllabus or kept in the library. I would be shocked if my childs school has this book even in their library for reference sake, said Ranjitha Srivatsa, administrator of one such moms group. When contacted, some of the schools in the city denied that it was part of their syllabus. Many of them, however, have it in their libraries as a reference book. The WhatsApp forward claims that this book is part of Vidyashilp Schools syllabus. The principal of the school hasnt replied to the e-mail sent by the TNIE. Pramila Nesargi, advocate, said: The book should be banned and the author should be notified immediately. I will try and find out the authors details and definitely write to her. The book can be purchased online. There are many requests to even ban the book. The inside page says the book is for secondary and higher secondary students from ICSE, CBSE and ISC. The author was unavailable for comment. By Express News Service KOCHI: At a time when donations are pouring in from all quarters of the state and even abroad to help Kerala limp back to normalcy, UAE-based entrepreneur from Kozhikode Dr Shamseer Vayalil has announced that he will contribute a whopping amount of Rs 50 crore to rebuild Kerala. Founder and managing director of VPS Healthcare Group Dr Shamseer have also announced that he will help the state government in rebuilding the infrastructure which was ravaged in the heavy rains. The furious monsoon which lashed heavily across the state has claimed over 300 lives and the state, according to the preliminary report, has incurred a huge loss of Rs 19,512 crore. The exact figures of the damages will only be obtained in the coming days. Being a Keralite, it is my responsibility to help my brethren in the state who are facing distresses due to an unexpected natural calamity. We will be spending the entire money across the state after holding discussions with the authorities. We have already identified a few areas which require immediate attention. The rest of the areas will be identified with the help of local body authorities who have better knowledge of where and who needs help, he said adding that our motto is to 'rebuild Kerala'. Apart from this, Shamseer will be reaching out to the state supplying with water filter systems, medical supplies and emergency medicines. All these requirements will be sent to Kerala in a special flight from Abhudhabi in the coming days, he added. Shamseer had also helped the state when Nipah viral infection was reported in Kozhikode. He had sent emergency medical supplies worth crores of rupees in a special flight to Kozhikode to be supplied to the hospitals in the district after holding discussions with the officials. By Express News Service MUMBAI: A brave 10-year-old girl applied her school lessons and saved 16 lives even as the fire at Crystal Towers in the Parel area of Central Mumbai killed four and injured another 16 people on Wednesday. Zen Sadavarte, who is a class-3 student, was sleeping when her mother spotted the smoke at around 8 am. Zen was trapped on the 12th floor of the 16-storied-building where the fire had started. However, without getting deterred Zen showed presence of mind and applied the safety tips taught to her in the school to save the lives of her family members and neighbours. Upon spotting fire, as everybody rushed out for safety, an asthmatic girl was feeling breathless. Upon hearing her mother cry Zen quickly took pieces of cloth from her house, wet them and urged her family and neighbours to cover their noses with them and breathe through it. "I tore a cloth into a size that of handkerchief, then I added water into it. So when you breathe through it, you get purified air in the place of carbon. So that purified air got me to tell everyone to insist everyone to use it. And so, no one suffocates or be ill. I told them to use my air purifier. They just had to put it on their mouth and nose and breathe normally," Zen said. Fire officers, who doused off the fire after two hours, praised the presence of mind of the little girl. It is one of the first things anyone in a fire is supposed to do, it is remarkable indeed that a 10-year-old girl remembered this fact and urged the 17 people around her to follow it, which kept them safe till they were rescued, the fire officers added. "Electrical wiring in the duct area of the building caused the fire to start on the 12th floor. There were fire extinguishers but they were not operational. Because of the smoke and heat on the 12th floor, the people on upper floors were also trapped. About 30 Stranded peoples were rescued with the help of special appliances and building stairway by firemen," said the fire officers. "The building is declared unsafe and power and water supply is stopped now. Evacuation process is complete. A thorough investigation will be conducted into the incident," said chief fire officer P S Rahangadale. "Cause of the fire will be under investigation. However, it has been observed that the fire fighting system of the tower was not in working condition and electric duct is not sealed at each floor level," he added. Crystal Tower is located near Hindmata Cinema in Parel area of Central Mumbai and has over 100 residents. Four residents of the building including an elderly woman identified as Subhadha Shelke (62) died due to suffocation while 16 others, among them, are ten men and six women, too suffered suffocation and have been admitted to the EKM hospital, fire officers said. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: Expressing their displeasure over course of reinvestigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the brutal murder and rape of B Pharm student Ayesha Meera in December 2007, her parents, lawyers and representatives of the Ayesha Meera Nyaya Porata Committee met Director General of Police (DGP) RP Thakur at the police headquarters at Mangalagiri on Tuesday and requested him to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Ayesha Meera In their letter to the DGP, they alleged that the SIT failed to reinvestigate the case properly and tried to protect the accused. After the High Court acquitted Pidathala Satyam Babu on March 31, 2017, in the case, the then DGP N Sambasiva Rao had constituted the SIT, headed by Vizag range DIG Ch Srikanth and three other senior police officials, to conduct a fresh probe. Since the SIT failed in bringing the culprits to book even six months after taking over the investigation, we approached the DGP and requested him to hand over the case to the CBI. Only a probe by the CBI in the case, the real culprits behind the rape and murder of my daughter will be unmasked and justice will be done to her. Soon after Satyam Babu was acquitted, we asked the government to order a CBI inquiry. But, to save the police department from disgrace, the then DGP N Sambasiva Rao constituted SIT comprising junior officials without experience in dealing sensitive cases, said Shamshad Begum, mother of Ayesha Meera. In the letter, the parents of the victim and representatives of the Ayesha Meera Nyaya Porata Committee mentioned the reasons cited by SIT officials for the delay in the probe. When the High Court questioned the SIT for the delay in investigation, they (SIT officials) cited silly reasons like delay in getting funds, dismissal of a plea for narcoanalysis test on the seven accused by the local court, non-functioning of the computer in forensic laboratory and unavailability of roommates of Ayesha. This cannot be the attitude of officials who are dealing with a sensitive case, Shamshad Begum rued. Advocate Pichuka Srinivas, who is also a member of the committee fighting for justice to Ayesha, alleged that SIT officials deliberately filed a petition for narco test despite knowing the fact that such a request would be dismissed by the court. Instead of relying on the available evidence such as DNA reports of Ayesha and the samples collected from the crime scene, SIT officials filed a petition and wasted their valuable time. When the HC questioned the SIT for the probe delay, it said that the evidence was destroyed by local police and forensic official. How can they (SIT officials) remain silent when the crucial evidence was destroyed, he demanded.DGP Thakur assured Ayeshas parents that justice would be done and said he would study the case and take necessary action. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: The talk of a possible tie-up between the ruling TDP and the Congress came to the force once again on Tuesday night after Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a strategy meeting with his party colleagues and senior ministers, where he reportedly made positive comments on the grand old party. The TDP national president, party sources told TNIE, discussed at length national politics as well as the prevailing political scenario in both the Telugu States. He sought the opinions of his colleagues -- Kala Venkata Rao, Atchhnnaidu, Lokesh, Nakka Anand Babu, Sujaya Krishna and Kalava Srinivasulu -- who attended the meeting. The sources said everyone had opined that there could be early elections in Telangana. Naidu reportedly suggested that opinions of party leaders in Telangana must be taken on which party could be the best ally for the TDP in the neighbouring State. A senior TDP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, CM sir made positive comments on Congress. He felt opposition to the party has come down among the people since BJP has denied special category status to the State and Congress president Rahul Gandhi has promised special status. He also pointed out that Rahul has been repeatedly promising special status to make it clear that it wasnt just a one-off remark. However, Naidu left it at that and did not arrive at a decision on any sort of alliance with the Congress either in Telangana or Andhra. It was also felt at the meeting that the TDPs prospects have brightened after snapping ties with the BJP, particularly among the minorities. Party sources said an alliance cannot be confirmed until leaders of both parties sit together to sort out the nitty gritty. A Congress leader, when contacted, confirmed that no talks had been held between the two parties so far but said Congress leaders are open to an alliance with the TDP. By PTI LOS ANGELES: Veteran musician Eric Clapton has announced his first ever full-length studio holiday album, 'Happy Xmas', set to release on October 12. The album will features a version of "Jingle Bells" that is dedicated to the late DJ Avicii, who died of an apparent suicide in Oman in April. 'Happy Xmas' is Clapton's 24th studio album and his first since 2016's 'I Still Do', and mixes holiday classics with lesser-known unique titles, as well as an original new song "For love on Christmas day," reported Billboard. Clapton and Avicii both struggled with substance abuse -- Clapton with both drugs and alcohol in the 1960s and 1970s, and Avicii with alcohol, which many believe contributed to the ill health that led him to stop touring. Avicii was open about his struggles with mental health and addiction before his death. "I had in my head that these holiday songs could be done with a slight blues tinge, and I started to figure out how to play the blues lines in between the vocals. "I got it down and one of the most identifiable songs on the album, the one that became the foundational style, is 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'," Clapton said in the album announcement. By ANI WASHINGTON: Hollywood actor Asia Argento has refuted claims of sexual harassment charges levelled against her by a young actor Jimmy Bennet. On Tuesday, the 'XXX' star said that she was deeply shocked to hear the news and was hurt on getting to know about something that was nothing but false, reported Deadline. The actor further confirmed that her late boyfriend, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, happened to pay Bennett in order to stop him from harassing Argento. Argento even revealed that Bourdain considered the young actor 'dangerous', as he was worried about the negative publicity that Bennet of 'Daddy Day Care' fame might have brought them. ALSO READ: Harvey Weinstein's lawyer blasts Asia Argento's 'hypocrisy' Further, the actor, who was one of the first women to raise her voice against Hollywood director Harvey Weinstein's sexual misconduct, said that Bennet who was a friend to her was reeling under severe financial difficulties. As per the documents related to the case, which were first published by The New York Times, the accusations and the settlements were exchanged between Argento and Bennett's respective lawyers. These documents also contain a photograph from May 9, 2013, which shows Argento and Bennet in bed together. Argento had allegedly settled the harassment charges against her by paying an amount of 380,000 USD to her accuser. By IANS NEW DELHI: An FIR has been lodged on the complaint of filmmaker Rahul Mittra against his producer-partner Sunil Bohra in the 2012 film Saheb Biwi aur Gangster, police said on Tuesday. Mittra's said Bohra had signed an agreement with him and Director Tigmanshu Dhulia for the release and distribution of the said movie. According to the FIR, after the film went on to do much more business, Bohra pocketed the entire money, apart from selling its digital and music rights surreptitiously with "an intention of misappropriation and to defraud". It said that it was mutually agreed and confirmed by all partners that all income of the film shall come to Bohra and then appropriated by all partners equally -- with each one receiving 33 per cent share of the total amount generated. "The partnership agreement entered into between us clearly and categorically provided that there shall be a bank account of the firm at any nationalised or reputed bank and shall be duly operated by all the partners," Mittra wrote. Mittra said that Bohra didn't deposit any money in the joint account. "He has unsurped and kept the entire amount and caused me a huge loss of Rs 1.83 crore of my hard earned amount...," the complainant claimed. By IANS KOLKATA: The standoff between television artistes and a section of producers in Bengal over the payment of fees continued for the fourth day on Tuesaday even as senior members of the artistes' forum appealed to everyone to resume shooting. "We conducted a meeting with the artistes to make our standpoint clear. Our only demand is that all our payments are made on time. We have requested everyone to resume work and the forum will take care of the existing problems," senior Bengali actor and Working President of West Bengal Motion Picture Artists' Forum Prosenjit Chatterjee told reporters here. The shooting of a number of Bengali mega serials has been stalled since August 18, as disputes over regularisation of artistes' payment, due fees and working hours were not addressed by the Welfare Association of Television Producers (WATP). According to Chatterjee, the members of Artist Forum would stick to their decision as it was not possible for them to keep working without getting paid on time. "The decision was taken in the presence of a Minister, which cannot be denied. We are ready to discuss the problems without any pre-condition. But if the artistes and performers in the industry ask for their due payments, is that a crime?" Chattejee asked. "Like everyone else, artistes also have prior commitments. If they do not get their fees on time, it would be impossible for them to fulfil those commitments," he added. Arindam Ganguly, General Secretary of Artists' Forum, said: "Our main agenda is to regularise the payments. We haven't stalled the shoot as most of the artistes were waiting for the shoot even on Saturday when the disruption started." Pointing out that some producers do make payments on time, he said that they had a meeting on July 7 with the producers' association on this issue, after which the work was going on peacefully. However, disruptions started after the producers said they do not agree with any of the points discussed at the meeting. On the stance of the producers, Swaroop Biswas, Secretary, Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI), said: "I think the producers are being too rigid, which I feel is not right. Everyone in the industry including the producers, technicians and the artistes have to work, so rigidity won't help." The producers have, however, blamed the artistes for stalling the work. "Many artistes had done their make-up and were ready to shoot on Saturday (August 18), but they got a message on their phone to stop work. We haven't asked them to do so," WATP president Saibal Banerjee added. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's official Twitter account tweeted twice on Tuesday afternoon to once again invite India to dialogue and pursue peace, terming it the "best way to alleviate poverty and uplift the people of the subcontinent", according to a Dawn report. The tweets, which included a note of gratitude to longtime friend Navjot Singh Sidhu for attending PM Khan's inauguration on a special invitation, reiterated the new prime minister's belief that "without peace our people cannot progress." To move forward Pakistan and India must dialogue and resolve their conflicts incl Kashmir: The best way to alleviate poverty and uplift the people of the subcontinent is to resolve our differences through dialogue and start trading https://t.co/V2UkXp0WwS Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 21, 2018 Addressing sections of the Indian media, politicians and civil society who have been criticising Sidhu for visiting Pakistan, PM Khan said: "Those in India who targeted him [Sidhu] are doing a great disservice to peace in the subcontinent." "He was an ambassador of peace and was given amazing love and affection by people of Pakistan," the prime minister wrote. "To move forward, Pakistan and India must dialogue and resolve their conflicts, including Kashmir," the premier was quoted as saying. "The best way to alleviate poverty and uplift the people of the subcontinent is to resolve our differences through dialogue and start trading." The incumbent regime had also extended an olive branch to India a day earlier, when newly-appointed Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had made clear that he would pursue dialogue with the neighbouring rival as a way forward. "Us coming to the table and talking peace is our only option. We need to stop the adventurism and come together. We know the issues are tough and will not be solved overnight, but we have to engage," Qureshi had said. "We cannot turn our cheek. Yes, we have outstanding issues. Kashmir is a reality; it is an issue that both our nations acknowledge." "We need a continued and uninterrupted dialogue. This is our only way forward," he had stressed. "We may have a different approach and line of thinking, but I want to see a change in how we behave," he had added. "India and Pakistan have to move forward keeping realities before them." The new foreign minister had also dismissed fears that attempts to mend fences with India will be met with resistance from the so-called 'establishment'. "There are pre-conceived notions about where the foreign policy of Pakistan was formulated," he said on Monday. "Let me be clear: the foreign policy will be made here at the Foreign Office of Pakistan. I will engage with all the institutions for the betterment of the country," he said, adding: "It is the policy across the world. Feedback is sought from national security institutions." By PTI MUMBAI: Authorities have been directed to demolish the "illegal" bungalow of fugitive diamond trader and PNB scam accused Nirav Modi situated in Raigad district, a Maharashtra minister said today, days after the High Court here pulled up the state government for not taking action against it. Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam gave the demolition order after presiding over a review meeting on illegal bungalows built in the adjoining coastal district with Raigad collector Vijay Suryawanshi at the state secretariat here. Suryawanshi said one of the "illegal" bungalows in the district belongs to Mehul Choksi, a diamond trader and co-accused in the PNB scam, but there was a court stay on its demolition, along with some other unauthorised buildings. "The government will request the court to vacate the stay granted on the demolition of illegal bungalows of Choksi and others so that we go ahead and raze them too," the collector told PTI. The minister gave details of unauthorised bungalows. "In all, there are total 121 illegal bungalow in Alibaug and 151 illegal bungalows at Murud in Raigad district. Some of these bungalows belong to filmstars and industrialists. Today, I have asked the district collector of Raigad to demolish the illegal bungalow of Nirav Modi, who has looted India and fled," said Kadam. He was addressing the media after the review meeting held at Mantralaya (state secretariat). An official from the district collector's office said Nirav Modi's bungalow is in Kihim village, while that of Choksi is in Awas village in Alibaug, a coastal town popular as a weekend gateway for Mumbai residents. "The illegalities of these bungalows include the violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and additional construction," the official said. Of the 121 illegal bungalows in Alibaug, there is a court stay on 101 of them. Likewise, of the 151 illegal bungalows in Murud, there is a court stay on 61, the official from the collector's office added. As of now, no action would be taken against illegal bungalows built by local residents, the minister said. The number of unauthorised bungalows built by local residents in Alibaug and Murud stood at 61 and 50 respectively, Kadam said. Suryawanshi said the government will be writing to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has attached Nirav Modi's bungalow as part of its probe into the PNB scam, seeking permission for its demolition. The bureaucrat said the earlier notices for demolition of illegal bungalows were issued under the Maharashtra Region Town Planning Act in 2015. "However, we are now requesting the court to vacate the stay as fresh notices have been issued (for their demolition) under the (more stringent) Environment Protection Act," he said. Both the diamond traders, key accused in the mega banking scam, have fled India. On August 14, the High Court, while hearing a petition, had pulled up Maharashtra government officials for not taking action against the illegal bungalow of Nirav Modi. The HC had said it would direct the state government to initiate an inquiry into the issue. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Air passengers will soon have more options to fly on international routes under governments UDAN scheme. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has prepared a draft scheme document for UDAN International and invited comments from stakeholders till September 4. The scheme is designed for State governments that are keen to promote air connectivity on international routes identified by them and for which they are willing to provide subsidy to airlines. Main purpose of the scheme is to increase air connectivity between the Indian states and selected international destinations. Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday shared the announcement saying, The objective of the UDAN (International) scheme is to enhance international air connectivity between Indian states and select international destinations through the provision of financial support to airlines. It is the next step after the positive domestic impact of UDAN. The scheme will involve a State government-led effort wherein state governments will propose the list of routes to be connected. Presently, the state of Assam and Andhra Pradesh have come forward to participate under the scheme and have identified the routes. Officials said that the scheme is meant for domestic airlines and only fixed-wing aircraft with more than 70 seats can be operated under the scheme. Airlines will have to conduct a minimum of three and a maximum of seven departures on a given route on three days in a week. Unlike the regional connectivity scheme (RCS) for domestic routes, the international UDAN scheme will not have any capping of fares. Under RCS, fares are capped at Rs 2,500 for one hour of flight on a fixed-wing aircraft in order to make air travel affordable. According to the draft, a State will identify international routes for which the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will determine a subsidy amount per seat and invite bids from domestic carriers. The civil aviation minister said that under the scheme, the state governments will be responsible for funding the financial benefits. The scheme envisages providing monetary support, in the form of a subsidy per seat, for the unsold seats from the number of seats as bid by the airline to make operations viable. With the International Air Connectivity Scheme-UDAN, we are trying to make flying to international destinations more accessible to our citizens. This will help improve overall connectivity and spur trade, tourism and economic growth in the country, added the minister. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Admitting a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the constitution of Hindu courts on the lines of Islamic Sharia courts, the Allahabad High Court asked the Uttar Pradesh government to clarify its stand over the issue on the next date of hearing. Petitioner Ankit Singh had sought intervention of the High Court against the constitution of 'Hindu courts' in several districts of western Uttar Pradesh. While Attorney General Manish Goel appeared for the government, the bench comprising Chief Justice DB Bhosale and Justice Yashwant Varma asked Singh to implead the Meerut district magistrate and Puja Shakun Pandey, the first judge of the 'Hindu court'. The bench issued a notice seeking their responses and fixed September 11 as the next date of hearing. Notably, the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha had set up the first Hindu court on the lines of Sharia system on Independence Day. A ceremony was held at the Hindu Mahasabha party office in Meerut in which a judge was also appointed to settle matrimonial affairs within the Hindu community. Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha national secretary Pooja Shakun Pandey was appointed as the judge. Singh filed his PIL on the basis of newspaper reports which claimed that locals in western UP have decided to constitute 'Hindu courts' in every district on the lines of the Sharia system. As per the reports, the Mahasabha came up with the idea of setting up Hindu courts as it believes that the government, both in the state and the Centre, failed to implement the laws needed for quick disposal of pending cases piling up in the regular courts. These Hindu courts, according to them, could resolve cases and disputes involving Hindus. Sana Shakil By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Law Commission of India is likely to recommend a comprehensive scheme for rehabilitation of victims of wrongful prosecution, The New Indian Express has learnt. However, the 21st Law Commission may not be able to submit a report on review of the sedition law due to lack of time as the tenure of the panel is ending on August 31. The two issues listed for discussion in the commissions final meeting are: Possibility of holding simultaneous elections in the country, and wrongful prosecutions, according to sources. They said that the panel was ready with draft reports on the two issues and, after a detailed discussion on the topics, the commission would submit its reports to the government. As reported first by The New Indian Express on April 11, the commission is likely to recommend holding of simultaneous elections in two phases, beginning in 2019. On the issue of wrongful prosecution, the panel is likely to give suggestions for a compensation scheme for people who have been wrongly incarcerated for a criminal offence. Besides compensation, the commission is likely to propose other legal remedies for such miscarriage of justice, sources in the know said. The commission has submitted 15 reports since its formation in 2016. Besides the two topics, the panel is preparing a working paper on reforms in personal laws. The panel decided to work on the subject while working on the contentious issue of having a Uniform Civil Code after figuring out that the UCC would require more time as several issues related to personal laws are pending before the Supreme Court. Though the panel is working hard to finalise a report on reforms in personal laws before the completion of its tenure, it may not be able to do so due to paucity of time. The working paper will be put in the public domain for consultation. By PTI AJMER: The spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah today said linking Islam with terrorism is an insult to Muslims and those who do so are not aware of its teachings. In a statement to mark Eid, the Deewan of Ajmer Dargah, Zainul Abedin Ali Khan said the Prophet had given the message of peace and harmony, and the religion promoted amity between people. He asked Muslims to present the true picture of their religion before non-Muslims. Islam and terrorism cannot coexist, he said. Terrorism cannot have any connection with Islam and if anyone brands it a terror religion, he is only expressing hatred towards it, the head of the Sufi shrine said. The Dargah Deewan said Muslims should follow the principles of Islam fully and should not have any feeling of disrespect towards other religions. Similarly other people should also learn that Islam promotes love and harmony, he added. He said being a Muslim did not just mean wearing a skullcap and keeping a beard. But a Muslim is one who has the desire to protect people from bloodshed, he said. By Express News Service BHOPAL: Nearly two months after a seven-year-old girl was kidnapped and gang-raped by two men in Madhya Pradeshs Mandsaur district, a court handed death sentence to the duo on Tuesday. This is the 13th case this year in Madhya Pradesh in which those convicted of sexual crimes against minors was awarded capital punishment. Additional District and Sessions judge Nisha Gupta held Bhaiyu alias Irfan, 20, and Asif Mewati, 24, guilty and gave capital punishment to the two convicts for the June 26 ghastly act. The duo was booked for gang-rape, abduction and attempt to murder under the IPC sections, besides being booked under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. While Irfan was arrested on June 28, Asif was caught the next day.The charge sheet was filed on July 12, while the charges against the accused were framed in the court six days later. The actual trial started with the submission of evidence before the court from July 30. A total of 37 prosecution witnesses testified during eight days of trial. Case that shook the country The minor was lured by the two men when she was waiting for her parents, outside her school on June 26. Irfan took her to a secluded place where she was raped and tortured. Her throat was also slit. She, however, survived. Doctors were shocked on seeing injuries. The arguments were completed by both sides on August 14 and the verdict was reserved for its pronouncement on Tuesday, Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Singh told TNIE.The judge took into account the available evidence, including submissions of witnesses, the DNA report of the clothes and undergarments of Irfan, CCTV grabs and the statements of the rape survivor, to decide the case. On June 26 evening, the Class III girl was kidnapped from near the gate of her school, while she was waiting for parents to return home. She was raped by the duo, who also tried to brutally murder her, but the minor survived miraculously. Later, the minor was found lying unconscious in Laxman Darwaja area. She was admitted to the MY Hospital in Indore, where timely surgery saved her life. Mandsaur saw repeated protests with demonstrators forcing shutdown of markets, schools and colleges, and demanding that the accused be hanged at the earliest. Subsequently, the MP government had formed an SIT under DSP Rakesh Mohan Shukla to probe the case. By PTI KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal government to ensure that there was no slaughter of animals in any open public place. The court also directed the state authorities to take necessary steps to ensure that the provisions of West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act 1950 were implemented prior to observance of the festival of Id-Uz-Zoha next year. Passing the order on a modification application filed by the state in connection with a prior order of the court on a PIL, a division bench presided over by Chief Justice J Bhattacharya expressed surprise that the state did not have the machinery to implement the provisions of an act which was 68 years old. "One could have definitely expected that by this time the state would have its machinery in place to implement the provisions of the said act of 1950, which is a creature of the legislature itself," the bench, also comprising Justice A Banerjee, said. The court, however, allowed the modification application moved by Advocate General Kishore Dutta to implement the provisions contained in the act before observance of Bakrid next year, instead of this year. The PIL had sought direction to the state government to publish notices giving widespread publicity of the act of 1950 and Supreme Court orders in this regard. The court, in its order yesterday, permitted the state government to issue a public notice in the manner it was done last year. The court directed that the state government must mention in its notice that slaughter of animals, including cows and buffalos, in any open public place was strictly prohibited. "It should also mention that sacrifice of a cow is no part of the festival of Bakrid and is not a religious requirement under Islam as held by the Supreme Court," the division bench said. Seeking modification of the high court's earlier order on issuing public notice in line with the 1950 act, the state government told the court that necessary infrastructure to strictly adhere to the provisions of the act was not available with the state administration. It also told the court that it did not have adequate number of veterinary doctors and slaughterhouses in the state. The state government said it would take necessary steps to ensure compliance with the relevant law by the end of next calendar year. The act stated that an animal must be over 14 years of age and unfit for work or breeding or the animal has become permanently incapacitated from work or breeding due to age, injury, deformity or any incurable disease. It also said no animal in respect of which a certificate has been issued by a vet shall be slaughtered in any place other than a place prescribed for the purpose. The bench had in its earlier order of August 16 directed the state to ensure implementation of the provisions of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act 1950. The court had also asked the state government to issue public notices making the members of the public aware of the restrictions placed on slaughter of animals, including cows and buffalos, by the said statute. By PTI CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has urged the Centre to seek access for Sikh pilgrims to the Kartarpur Sahib shrine in Pakistan, an issue which his minister Navjot Sidhu said figured briefly during his visit to Islamabad. He urged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to take up the matter with her Pakistan counterpart so that devotees can visit the historic gurdwara during the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, a Punjab government statement said today. In a letter to the Union minister, the chief minister has asked her to make a personal effort on the issue, saying it has been a longstanding demand of the Sikh community. He suggested that a Dera Baba Nanak-Kartarpur Sahib corridor across the international border can be opened for the duration of the celebrations. Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur district. Sidhu had mentioned the corridor at his press conference yesterday, on his return from Islamabad where he had gone to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Sidhu defended hugging Pakistan's army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa at that ceremony, saying it was an "emotional response" after the general told him that Pakistan was making efforts to establish the corridor. The hug had been criticised by the opposition as well as Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. In his letter, the chief minister reminded that the 550th birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, who breathed his last in Kartarpur, is being observed in November 2019. "The Government of Punjab has been requesting Government of India time and again for taking up the matter with the Government of Pakistan for a corridor from the international border to Kartarpur," he wrote. He said the then prime minister Manmohan Singh too had given assurances on the corridor during his visits to Punjab. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: One of the key witnesses of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing into the Unnao gang rape and murder case involving BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, died under mysterious circumstances. The uncle of the gang rape survivor cried foul, alleging conspiracy behind the sudden death of the witness, Yunus. The witness, who had a grocery shop in the village from where the gang rape survivor belongs to, was buried reportedly without any autopsy. According to highly-placed sources, Yunus was privy to the physical assault on the girls father by Sengar's brother Atul Singh Sengar and his four henchmen. Consequently, the man had succumbed to his internal injuries and wounds in police custody. Villagers claimed Yunus suddenly fell ill on Saturday and passed away within an hour even before he could be taken to a hospital. They added that his family members buried him without informing the CBI and the local police. While the Makhi police station SHO claimed that Yunus died of illness, the uncle of the gang rape survivor smelt a conspiracy behind the death of the witness. "In all probability, the jailed MLA might have got Yunus poisoned through his henchmen," he said, demanding that the CBI exhumed the body for autopsy so that the actual reason of the sudden death could be established. "I have sought the permission of Yunus' family for post-mortem. He was absolutely fine a day before his death on August 18. Also, he was buried hurriedly. We have submitted an application to Unnao SP Harish Kumar and demanded an autopsy." The CBI has been probing both the gang rape and the alleged custodial death in Unnao. BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, whom the girl had charged with her rape and the killing of her father, has been languishing in the jail since early April. The girl's family alleged that BJP MLA's henchmen had been threatening witnesses and asking villagers to stay away from the CBI. Seeking an early disposal of the case, the family has alleged that the BJP MLA was using muscle power to silence the witnesses and to ensure that they all turned hostile during trial so that Sengar could emerge clean in the case. Ramananda Sengupta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Ending days of heated speculation on whether India would or should accept the 700 Crores reportedly offered by the UAE government for Kerala flood relief, the ministry of external affairs Wednesday categorically declared that New Delhi would tackle the Kerala flood disaster "through domestic efforts." "The Government of India deeply appreciates offers from several countries, including from foreign governments, to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts after the tragic floods," the MEA said in a late night statement. ALSO READ | Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says no obstacles for accepting UAE aid, to take up with PM Modi "In line with the existing policy, the Government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts. Contributions to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund from NRIs, PIOs and international entities such as foundations would, however, be welcome. "On Tuesday, the ambassador of Thailand in India Chutintorn Gongsakdi had tweeted that he had been "Informally informed with regret that GOI is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you the people of Bharat."Earlier Wednesday, an Indian diplomat in a mission abroad said the MEA had sent out an advisory to all heads of missions urging them to "politely decline" any offers of aid from governments, while clarifying that aid from individuals, subject to their passing the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), would not be blocked. A former diplomat, however, noted that there "was still an element of ambiguity" in the MEA statement. "Is the UN considered an international entity? And suppose the UAE government decides to route the money through some NGO..would that be acceptable?" he asked. By Express News Service PATNA: Opposition RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had to cancel a programme of fasting under the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Patna's historic Gandhi Maidan on August 25 after he was denied permission by the Bihar government. The RJD leader had planned to sit on a day-long fast along with his party colleagues at Gandhi Maidan in protest against the rising atrocities against women in Bihar. RJD leaders said the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government denied permission, saying the Gandhi Maidan venue can be used for public meetings and no fasting programmes. "The government's attitude shows how insecure it feels in the face of rising protests against the numerous incidents of violence women. Our programme was denied permission arbitrarily out of political motives," claimed RJD spokesperson and MLA Ramanuj Prasad. Determined to keep up the pressure on the government, the RJD party now plans to hold protests at the block level across the state. RJD state president Ram Chandra Purve said the party leaders and activists would inform the people about how the government had failed to ensure women's safety. Meanwhile, after Tejashwi's attacks on the government over the Bihiya atrocity, the ruling JD(U) on Wednesday said several RJD leaders were involved in the incident in which a woman was beaten up and paraded naked on Monday. "RJD is busy attacking the government on the Bihiya incident, but several of its leaders had orchestrated that shameful incident. It was Kaushal Kishore Yadav, an RJD leader, who had played a major role in that incident," said JD(U) spokesperson Sanjay Singh. Accusing Tejashwi of trying to malign the image of Bihar and CM Nitish Kumar, another JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said the people of Bihar and the country are not going to be fooled by his desperate efforts. "They know the truth about RJD leaders." By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today asked the Bombay High Court to consider the bail application of Ramesh Gowani, the owner of the Kamala Mills complex in Mumbai where 14 persons were killed in a major fire in December last year. A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said the vacation judge of Bombay High Court may take up the bail application of accused Gowani on May 9 and decide in accordance with law. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Gowani, said he had filed the bail application on April 17 before the high court and the matter was taken up for hearing on April 25. "On April 25, the presiding judge recused himself from the case and thereafter the bail application has not been listed and now the High Court is on summer vacation," Rohatgi said. The bench said even if the high court is on vacation, the vacation judge can take up the matter and dispose of Gowani's petition. Meanwhile, the apex court listed an appeal of Yug Tuli, the co-owner of the Mojo's Bistro restaurant and also an accused in the same fire incident, on May 8. Tuli has challenged the High Court order of April 27, dismissing his bail application in the case. Earlier, the apex court had refused interim bail to Tuli on May 1 in the case. Tuli had claimed that the other accused in the case have been granted bail by the courts. The high court had on April 27 rejected his bail plea saying it would pass a detailed order later. Tuli, who was arrested in mid-January, had approached the high court after his bail plea was rejected by the sessions court on April 11. The state government had opposed the bail plea and said there was gross negligence on the part of Tuli and all the other accused. It had submitted that as per the inquiry reports of the police as well as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the fire was caused by the flying embers emanating from a hookah being served illegally at Mojo's Bistro. Tuli had claimed he had no role in the day-to-day operations of the hookah parlour. A total of 14 persons were arrested in the case and booked under various sections of the IPC, including those related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing death by negligence. The accused include the owners of the Kamala Mills compound, Mojo Bistro and 1 Above and two BMC officials. On the fateful December night, a massive fire had swept through the two resto-pubs at the Kamala Mills compound in central Mumbai, resulting in the death of 14 people. By Express News Service BENGALURU:Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy who has already announced a grant of `100crore for flood relief works in Kodagu, has released `25crore each for Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district. Of the `100crore announced for Kodagu, which is the worst hit district, `30crore has been already released. Each affected family would be given `3,800 as interim relief to buy essential commodities. Temporary sheds with basic amenities would be built at a cost of `10,000 each for the families which have been rendered homeless, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said after reviewing progress of flood relief works at his home office Krishna on Tuesday. Students would be issued free books, special classes would be arranged to make up for the 20 day holiday declared for schools and colleges in Kodagu, Kumaraswamy assured.The officials death toll so far reported in Kodagu due to incessant rains and floods has been put at 7 and 4 are reported missing. Reports on any more deaths and missing cases could be brought to the notice of the district administration, Kumaraswamy said. Giving details of the relief and rehabilitation works being undertaken, Kumaraswamy said government vehicles are being used to deliver essential commodities to affected people, Home Guard personnel are being posted to guard abandoned houses in the backdrop of reports of some elements engaging in loot of abandoned homes. Aerospace engineers conduct drone operations A team of entrepreneurs from Bengaluru have reached Mukkodlu and Madapura in Kodagu district to carry out drone operations. Three young aerospace engineers - Vinayak, Mallikarjun S E and Sudeep Dev together are carrying out drone operations to find if any people are still stranded in the landslide-prone areas. Edu dept to help those who lost certificates Bengaluru: The Higher Education Department has promised to make special arrangements for those who have lost their academic documents in the floods in Kodagu and help them get duplicate degree certificates and marks cards. Higher Education Minister G T Devegowda said, Many have lost their marks cards, degree certificates and other academic documents. We have decided to set up a system where they will get all the lost certificates at one place. He said that universities and colleges are to forward the requests for certificates and process it within 10 days. This applies to degree certificates, post-graduation certificates and engineering marks cards - whatever comes under the Higher Education Department. 1,600km roads damaged Rains and floods have caused huge damage to roads and bridges. About 110km of National Highways and 1550km of state highways have been damaged. It is estimated to cost D487 crore to undertake restoration works. The rains have damaged 538 bridges and the destructino is estimated at D78 crore, PWD minister HD Revanna said on Tuesday. Resumption of traffic on Shiradi Ghat road could take about 6 to 7 months considering landslides. Ensure claim settlement Bengaluru : IN the wake of recent floods that have caused immense loss to life and property in Kodagu district, the Insurance Regulatory Authority of India has sent a circular to all insurers, including stand-alone health insurers, to ensure Registration and settlement of eligible claims of the flood victims. The circular, issued on Monday, read, You are advised to initiate steps for quick disposal of claims. By PTI NEW DELHI: Rains, floods and landslides in Kerala have killed 373 people since May 30, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said today. Altogether 87 people were injured and 32 others went missing in the deluge which hit all the 14 districts of the southern state. A total of 373 people have lost their lives and 32 others went missing in Kerala since May 30 following monsoon rainfall, the NDMA said in a statement. Over 54.11 lakh people in Kerala were affected in the massive floods of which 12.47 lakh inmates have taken shelter in 5,645 relief camps since May 30, it said. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 59 teams and 207 boats, the Army has deployed 23 teams and 104 boats, the Navy has deployed 94 teams for the rescue and relief operations. The Navy has also deployed one medical team, nine helicopters, two fixed-wing aircraft, 94 boats, the Coast Guard has deployed 36 teams, 49 boats, two helicopters, 23 fixed wing helicopters, two fixed-wing aircraft and 27 hired boats. The Air Force has deployed 22 helicopters, 23 fixed-wing aircraft while the Central Reserve Police Force has deployed 10 teams and the Border Security Force has deployed three company comprising 300 personnel. The water level at the Mullaperiyar dam is at 140 feet, Idukki dam is at 2402.18 feet, Banasura Sagar dam is at 775.2 metre, Karapuzha dam is at 758.2 metre, Thenmala dam is at 114.80 metre, Idamalayar dam is at 168.86 metre and Pazhassi dam is at 16.9 metre. The Centre has already declared the devastating floods in Kerala a "calamity of severe nature" as the state braced for the gigantic task of reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure and rehabilitation lakhs of people rendered homeless. Jijo Malayil By Express News Service KOCHI: With the focus now shifting to post-relief rehabilitation, estimates of losses suffered from various quarters have started to emerge. However, insurance companies are not bracing for huge claim scenario as happened during the Chennai floods in 2015, due to Malayalees reluctance to take adequate insurance cover. The damage to the housing infrastructure with nearly 1.75 lakh houses affected is pegged at Rs 8,500 crore. This could go up further if the loss of lives and damage sustained to livestock, crops and industrial goods are added. But inadequate cover could see insurance companies shoulder lower claims putting more burden on the state exchequer. Insurance companies only expect a huge settlement from motor insurance policies. After the Chennai floods in 2015, insurance companies shelled out Rs 4,800 crore in damages. But industry sources said claims from Kerala could be way lower than this. Thomson M, a former officer of the United India Insurance Company, said the majority of Keralites still dont have life insurance coverage. Life cover is taken either for tax exemption or when it is mandated by the employers. However, this is mainly restricted to the white-collar employees, said Thomson. Various Central and state government insurance schemes only ensure bare minimum life coverage, he said. More than 380 people have died since the monsoon hit Kerala on May 29. Less than 5 per cent of houses are insured for flood damage in Kerala HDFC Ergo officers said less than 5 per cent of houses in the state are insured for flood damage which comes under the fire insurance policy. Similar is the case with home electronic equipment which are barely insured. Household policy that covers all items like TV, refrigerator, air-conditioner, microwave ovens etc has very few takers in the state, said Shobna, an insurance officer in Kochi. For the innumerable number of vehicles submerged during the deluge, comprehensive motor insurance policies cover all damages due to natural calamities like flooding. With estimates of close to two lakh vehicles getting affected by the floods, insurance companies expect Rs 300-400 crore of damages in this segment. However, experts say water entering the engines is only covered if an engine protection add-on is specified with the comprehensive insurance policy. PWD estimates the loss to civic infrastructure such as roads, bridges and buildings at Rs 4,000 crore. But all these are out of the ambit of insurance cover. Only under-construction infrastructure projects are insured, Thomson said. Crop loss With 46,000 hectares of farmland affected, an estimated loss of crops and agricultural produce could run up to Rs 1,000 crore. But various crop insurance schemes like National Crop Insurance Scheme may only bear a small percentage of the total loss, industry experts said. They do not see a huge claim for the loss of livestock as only a negligible per cent is insured under various cooperative societies. Traders losses estimated at Rs 500 crore, are also mainly devoid of insurance coverage. Rs 300-400 cr damages expected by Insurance companies in the vehicle segment. By IANS NEW DELHi: India has refused to accept overseas donations for flood relief in Kerala, Thailand's Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi has said. "Informally informed with regret that the Government of India is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you, the people of Bharat," Chutintorn tweeted on Tuesday. Official sources said that the government is unlikely to accept any foreign financial assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. They said the government has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered USD 100 million (around Rs 700 crore) as financial assistance for flood relief operation in Kerala. The Maldives and Qatar also reportedly offered donations for the flood-ravaged state. Around three million Indians live and work in the UAE out of which 80 per cent are from Kerala. It is understood that the UN is also offering some assistance for Kerala. However, sources said India is unlikely to accept the assistance. The floods in Kerala, worst in a century, have claimed lives of 231 people besides rendering over 14 lakh people homeless. By PTI NEW DELHI: The government is unlikely to accept any foreign financial assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala, official sources said. They said the government has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered USD 100 million (around Rs 700 crore) as financial assistance for flood relief operation in Kerala. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, called up Prime Minister Modi and made the offer for assistance, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in Thiruvananthapuram. Around three million Indians live and work in the UAE out of which 80 per cent are from Kerala. The government of Maldives has also decided to donate USD 50,000 (Rs 35 lakh) for flood-affected people in Kerala. It is understood that the UN is also offering some assistance for Kerala. However, sources said India is unlikely to accept the assistance. The floods in Kerala, worst in a century, have claimed lives of 231 people besides rendering over 14 lakh people homeless. By PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Aug 22 (PTI) The Kerala government would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear hurdles, if any, in receiving the 100 million dollars (Rs. 700 crores) flood relief aid offered to the state by the United Arab Emirates, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said. Referring to reports that Centre was unlikely to accept foreign funds for the flood relief works, he said there were no obstacles for accepting such assistance. "Donations from other countries are acceptable. Will approach the Prime Minister if required," he told reporters here tonight. It was natural that two countries help each other. The Disaster Management policy announced in 2016 makes it clear that if any national government of another country voluntarily offers assistance as a goodwill gesture in solidarity with the disaster victims, the Central government may accept the offer, Vijayan said. The state government wanted to sort out the issue by holding discussions at the official level, but if necessary would seek the Prime Minister's intervention. The Congress earlier in the day termed as disappointing reports that the Centre was unlikely to accept any foreign financial aid for flood relief work and requested the Prime Minister to take steps to amend the rules. The government of UAE, which hosts a large number of expatriates from Kerala, has yesterday promised an assistance of USD 100 million for the reconstruction of the state, which has been devastated by the unprecedented deluge that left 231 people dead and displaced over 14.50 lakh. By Express News Service BERHAMPUR: More than 500 Odia workers, who were stranded in different parts of flood-ravaged Kerala, arrived here by special trains on Tuesday. Out of four trains engaged to bring back the Odia people from Kerala, Ernakulam-Santragachi special train was first to arrive at Berhampur railway station at 1.30 pm. After undergoing a harrowing time, the returnees were visibly relieved to have reached the home State while they were received by equally jubilant relatives. Remaining without proper food for several days, they rushed to the Aahar centre in front of the railway station soon after their arrival. They had lost all their belongings in the flood and managed to come back with only what they were wearing. Later, they left for their respective native places. They said they were stranded at their work sites for a week as they were unable to move out due to torrential rain and subsequent flood. However, they were shifted to a safer place by a rescue team. On Sunday, they managed to reach Ernakulam railway station where they were provided food packets and told to board the special train for Odisha. According to sources, over 1,000 people from coastal villages of Ganjam district had left for Kerala and were engaged at construction sites, stone quarry and boat manufacturing units. Apart from migrant labourers from Ganjam, those from Kandhamal and Nayagarh also alighted from the train here. By Express News Service CHENNAI: In a major relief to those protesting against acquisition of their lands for the Chennai-Salem Green Corridor, a Madras High Court division bench on Tuesday restrained the State government from acquiring land for the project. As the project is still under 3A(1) stage of the Land Acquisition Act and there is no imminent threat of dispossession of the owners lands, the bench passed the order. Considering the fact and the sensitivity of the matter and the category of persons from whom the lands are proposed to be acquired, we deem it appropriate that we clarify the aspect which has been placed before us by the Advocate General so that it will allay all the fears of landowners and the challenge to the land acquisition proceedings in whatever manner done could be heard and decided on merits and in accordance with law, the bench of Justices T S Sivagnanam and V Bhavani Subbaroyan said. In the light of the above, the respondents are directed not to dispossess the respective landowners from the land in question, which they propose to acquire until further orders in these writ petitions, the bench said. The bench, however, delinked a PIL which sought to declare the provision of the Act as unconstitutional. The bench noted the pamphlets, which have been printed and stated to have been circulated in and around Kanchipuram district. The matter which has been stated therein largely speaks about the project which is to be implemented, the proposal to plant 10 trees for every tree to be removed, assuring the public that on account of the formation of the road mineral deposits in the district will not be affected, the interest of pedestrians will be safeguarded by providing adequate barricades, the compensation that would be paid and that it is a very special scheme that will benefit people. Bagalavan Perier B By Express News Service VILLUPURAM: Days after 8-year-old Anupriya from the district had donated her piggy-bank savings to the Kerala flood relief fund, Hero Cycles Limited on Monday evening honoured the girl with a brand new bicycle. When Hero Cycles offered the money that Anupriya had contributed to the fund, she and parents refused to accept it. Instead, they requested the company to provide it to the flood victims. Recently, the class 2 girl donated `8,846, which she had saved in four of her piggy banks for buying a bicycle, to the Kerala Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund. Rounding off the money to `10,000, her father Siva Shanmuganathan sent it to the neighbouring State through a demand draft. Soon, the news about the girls big-hearted contribution spread virally in social media. Seeing a tweet, the Hero Cycles offered her a bicycle and the companys chairman Pankaj M Munjal said they would present her a new bicycle every year. On Monday evening, Anupriya and her parents went to a retail unit of Hero Cycles here and the companys south India sales officer Manojkumar honoured the girl with a brand new bicycle, which she had chosen. He also offered Anupriya the money, she had donated to the fund and asked her to deposit it in her piggy banks. However, the girl and her parents refused to take it. Anupriya did not take the money offered by Hero cycles and asked them to send it to flood relief fund. We also informed them not to gift her bicycle every year. Instead, we asked them to use that amount for the benefit needy, Shanmuganathan told Express. After receiving the bicycle, Anupriya said that she was very happy. The girl added that she had planned to buy a bicycle on her birthday on October 16, but she got it now. On Tuesday, superintendent of police S Jeyakumar called Anupriya to his office and honoured her with shawl and gift. Her school management also praised the girl for her noble act. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: BJP MLA from Goshamahal, Raja Singh, was detained at his residence on Tuesday morning after he threatened to start a hunger strike in front of the Hyderabad city police commissioners office at Basheerbagh. He was going on fast alleging inaction of police against slaughterhouses in the city and the persons involved. He was shifted to Bolarum police station amid tight security, where he was kept in detention till late Tuesday evening. In a video message released by the MLA a few minutes before he was detained in the morning, he said police had cordoned his residential locality and they were waiting to arrest him. They had also informed Singh that he would be arrested if he steps out of home. He had also suggested that police should doob maro (drown and die) for their action on gau rakshaks. Shame on the police for giving protection to all those who are violating the law and killing cows. More shame for registering fake cases against gau rakshaks. Nothing will stop or threaten us and we will go ahead, he said in the video. The Goshamahal MLA added, Even if the police arrest me, I will continue the strike in jail until my demands are met. He also demanded action against the butchers in Old City who allegedly bought cows and calves for slaughter. It may be mentioned here that cases were registered against Raja Singh and gau rakshaks for allegedly assaulting police officers and obstructing them from doing their job on August 18. VV Balakrishna By Express News Service HYDERABAD: A new pest, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), which entered Telangana from North America, is making the agriculture officials press the panic button. This is the first time that Telangana, along with several states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, is facing such damage to crops by fall armyworm. It has now attacked maize crop in Telangana in 10 to 12 districts. The fall armyworm first spread in South America in 2006 and later it invaded around 12 countries in the African continent in 2016-17. The pest might have come to India through some imports, the officials felt. When the new pest was noticed some ten days back, the officials were alerted. The Central government convened a meeting on Monday in Delhi to take stock of the situation. On behalf of the state, additional director (agriculture) Vijay Kumar attended the meeting. The National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR) confirmed that the new pest was fall armyworm, principal secretary (agriculture) C Parthasarathy said. He said that the pest could damage all crops, but it was currently attacking maize. Like its name, the armyworm can travel 100 km in one day, he said. Though the Centre suggested some pesticides and chemicals to deal with the fall armyworm, state officials and agriculture university team too are trying to apply local methods, the principal secretary said. It is indeed a big challenge for us. But we are capable of controlling the new pest, Parthasarathy said. With heavy rains in north Telangana recently, the pest was controlled to some extent. But in south Telangana, the age of the crops was less and prone to the attack of the fall armyworm, official sources explained. The agricultural extension officers (AEOs) are sending the photos of the new insect to farmers through WhatsApp and alerting them about the kind of pesticides to be used. According to sources, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) is taking steps to control the pest with the support of all the affected states. Agriculture University vice-chancellor V Praveen Rao said that samples of the crop attacked by the pest were sent to NBAIR. The officials suggested spraying 80 grammes of Emamectin Benzoate per acre at 0.4 grams per litre. Fall Armyworm - A brief profile Was first found in North America in 2006 It invaded 12 countries in African continent in 2016 It can travel 100 km in a day In the larva stage, the insect causes damage to crops, feeding on more than 80 plant species The moth can fly up to 100 km per night and can lay up to a total of 1,000 eggs in her lifetime By Associated Press PHNOM PENH (CAMBODIA): Two Cambodian journalists who had worked for US-funded Radio Free Asia and are charged with espionage have been released on bail, a day after a pardon freed four land rights activists from prison. Uon Chhin and Yeang Socheamet, released today, were arrested last November and charged with undermining national security by supplying information to a foreign state, which is punishable by up to 15 years' imprisonment. Their arrests were seen as part of a crackdown on the media and political opponents ahead of last month's general election. The election, swept by Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party, was widely considered unfair because the only credible opposition party was dissolved by the courts last year. This week's releases appear to demonstrate clemency to soften international criticism of the government. By Reuters WASHINGTON: The United States is confident the top Al-Qaeda bomb maker, believed to be the mastermind behind a failed bombing of a US-bound airliner in 2009, has been killed, two US officials said even as others cautioned the evidence was not conclusive. Washington has long sought Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri, a militant with Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch who is one of the world's most feared bomb makers because of his ability to create hard-to-detect bombs, including some implanted in suicide bombers. Two US officials, including a senior official, said they were confident al-Asiri had been killed. They were speaking on the condition of anonymity. "We are pretty confident that he has been killed," one of the officials said. That official added, however, that the usual fallout from a senior militant being killed, like a eulogy from Yemen's al Qaeda branch, known as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), had not appeared. Separate US intelligence officials said they do not consider the available evidence conclusive. A report by UNexperts monitoring Islamic State and Al-Qaeda for the UN Security Council, which was made public last week, said some states had reported that 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 experts wrote. US officials cautioned that while his death would be a major symbolic blow to AQAP, al-Asiri's bomb-making skills almost certainly have been passed to others, and the threat from the group does not appear to have been significantly reduced. The US military and CIA have carried out strikes in Yemen. Neither commented on reports that al-Asiri had been killed. AQAP has taken advantage of Yemen's civil war to strengthen its position in the impoverished Arab state. The militant group still operates in several provinces in south and eastern Yemen. Intelligence analysts believe that AQAP is one of the groups most capable of carrying out attacks against the United States. Al-Asiri is believed to have masterminded the attempted Christmas Day, 2009, bombing of a US-bound passenger jet. A Nigerian man is serving multiple life sentences in prison for trying to set off the bomb in his underwear. The United States added al-Asiri to its terrorism blacklist in 2011 after he was believed to be the key suspect in the 2010 al Qaeda parcel bomb plot against the United States. Al-Asiri was born in 1982 in Saudi Arabia to a military family and has been accused of recruiting his younger brother as a suicide bomber for a failed attack on former Saudi counter-terrorism chief Prince Mohammed bin Nayef in 2009. By Reuters KABUL: Afghanistan will not attend peace talks hosted by Russia, two senior government officials said on Wednesday, a decision that could scupper Moscow's plans for a multinational conference also involving the Taliban to discuss the future of the country. The decision not to attend the Moscow conference scheduled for September 4 came just hours after Afghanistan's top security official said he hoped Russia could press the Taliban insurgents into joining peace talks with the Kabul government. READ | Afghanistan peace talks: Taliban on-board, says Russia Russia has invited 12 countries, including the United States, to the Moscow talks but Washington has also declined to attend. The Taliban, which this week rejected a government offer of a three-month ceasefire, have yet to say whether they will attend the Moscow talks. "We have decided against attending the Moscow conference," said an official of the Afghan foreign ministry, adding that the government would "hold direct talks" with the Taliban without the direct involvement of foreign powers. The official gave no reason for the decision. A senior Kabul-based foreign diplomat whose country is among those invited to the Moscow talks said Russia would now have to "rethink the plans to hold their talks with the Taliban". "Its no point holding talks about Afghanistan if the leaders of the country are not attending it," the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Russian Embassy in Kabul was not immediately available to comment. Pressure On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Russian media that representatives of the Taliban planned to take part in the Moscow peace talks. On Wednesday Afghan national security adviser, Hanif Atmar, asked Russia's ambassador Alexander Mantytski "to put pressure on Taliban insurgents to begin negotiations with the Afghan government", Atmar's office said. According to a senior diplomat in Kabul, Moscow in recent months has stepped up direct contacts with the Taliban, which is formally banned in Russia. This year, Russia rejected an accusation by NATO's top commander in Afghanistan that it had been supporting and even supplying weapons to the Taliban. Nearly 40 years have passed since Moscow sent its troops into Afghanistan, beginning a bloody decade-long occupation and factional conflict which is still going on. A Western diplomat in Kabul said Russia was seeking to increase its influence and improve its image in Afghanistan by inviting Taliban leaders for talks. The Taliban said this week they would press on with their war despite the government's offer of a ceasefire following a series of militant attacks in which hundreds of people have been killed. By Reuters BRUSSELS: Britain is confident it can reach a Brexit agreement with the European Union in October, the country's chief negotiator on leaving the bloc said on Tuesday. "If we have that ambition, that pragmatism and that energy on both sides, I'm confident we can reach that agreement by October," Dominic Raab said after meeting EU negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels. "There are still gaps, we've had an honest conversation about those," he added. Raab also said he wanted the sides to try agreeing on a political level what they have so far failed to iron out in technical talks. By AFP SYDNEY: A 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Wednesday morning, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued. The quake struck at a moderate depth of 30 kilometres (19 miles) with the epicentre just off the northern tip of Vanuatu's sparsely-populated Ambrym island. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami risk. "Shaking would have been felt throughout the whole of Vanuatu," Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Eddie Leask told AFP. "But it's hard to tell whether it will cause damage. It's reasonably shallow but it all depends on the buildings, soil type and so on." On its website, Geoscience put the potential damage radius at 63 kilometres. The nearest city, Lakatoro, is 78 kilometres away, with the capital Port Vila 187 kilometres north of the epicentre. "We get a lot of five and six magnitude quakes coming through Vanuatu," added Leask. "We'd expect to see smaller aftershocks, and even a bigger one." The Vanuatu Disaster Management Office told AFP it was not aware of any immediate damage. Vanuatu, with a population of about 280,000 spread over 65 inhabited islands, is regarded as one of the world's most disaster-prone countries. It sits on the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire," making it vulnerable to strong earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, while powerful cyclones also regularly lash the islands. A 7.0-magnitude quake struck in 2017, but no damage was reported. By AFP WASHINGTON: One year ago Michael Cohen, the longtime lawyer and fixer to Donald Trump pledged he "would take a bullet for the president." On Tuesday that once-deep loyalty melted away when Cohen stunningly implicated the US president in two felony crimes as he pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance violations. It was a huge takedown for the brash New Yorker, who tied the last decade of his career personally to Trump. Cohen, 51, a one-time personal injury lawyer who accumulated a small fortune in Manhattan's shady taxi badge industry, bought real estate in a Trump building and eventually worked his way into an office right next to the billionaire's in his eponymous 5th Avenue skyscraper. As personal lawyer to one of New York's richest property magnates and an executive vice president of the Trump Organization, he handled numerous business deals inside and outside the United States for his boss, as well as fixing some of the future president's more seamy problems. Left on the wayside when Trump moved triumphantly into the White House, Cohen made a business out of his personal contact in the Oval Office and swore his allegiance, fighting to protect Trump's reputation. "I'm the guy who stops the leaks. I'm the guy who protects the president and the family. I'm the guy who would take a bullet for the president," he told Vanity Fair in September 2017. Taxi business to real estate Cohen grew up on Long Island and earned his law degree from Western Michigan University's Cooley Law School, one of the lowest-ranked law schools in the country. In 1994, he married Laura Shusterman, the daughter of a Soviet emigre who was in the notoriously rough-and-tumble taxi business in the Big Apple. Cohen began buying and selling taxi medallions, once worth as much as $1 million each, which allow a driver to operate a yellow cab. As a property investor working with his Russian and Ukrainian contacts, Cohen's name was attached to multiple deals worth tens of millions of dollars. But, the New York Times reported, he could flip property so quickly that it raised eyebrows over what and who was really behind the trades. One year before the election, even as Trump was already on the campaign trail, he took the lead in an effort to seal a deal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, tapping connections close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But the deal -- one sought by Trump since the 1990s -- never gelled. It was during the campaign that he showed his other value to the president-to-be: buying the silence of women who threatened to reveal to the public their alleged affairs with the Republican candidate. Just days before the election, Cohen paid $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about her past with Trump. He also was involved in buying for $150,000 the rights to the story of Playboy model Karen McDougal about her alleged affair with Trump. Those actions, which involved shell companies and offshore entities controlled by Cohen, got him into legal trouble over banking, tax and campaign finance laws. Cohen initially said he used his own money to pay Daniels and was not reimbursed. Trump, who first denied knowing anything about the payment, has since conceded that Cohen was paid back. Millions for lobbying Trump But Cohen's case became an embarrassment and a threat to Trump. Trump declared early on that the investigation was all about Cohen's private business, with nothing to do with him. It also emerged that after Trump became president, Cohen actively marketed his access to the president. He earned some $2 million from companies like AT&T and Novartis, while pitching himself as "Personal Counsel to President Donald J. Trump." "I'm crushing it," the Washington Post reported he told an associate in mid-2017. He further angered Trump in July when, according to reports, he told investigators that the US president knew in advance of a June 2016 meeting in which Russians were expected to share dirt on then-election rival Hillary Clinton. Trump denied in a tweet that he knew of the meeting, which is at the center of the investigation into possible collusion with Russians. "Sounds to me like someone is trying to make up stories in order to get himself out of an unrelated jam," Trump said. By PTI SYDNEY: At least 10 ministers have offered their resignations as a leadership crisis in Australian politics deepened today with another challenge against Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull appearing inevitable. The embattled leader narrowly survived a move to unseat him by his populist Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton on Tuesday with a Liberal party ballot voting 48-35 in his favour. It came to a head after months of poor opinion polls and a revolt by fellow Liberal politicians on Monday against his plans to embed carbon emissions targets in law at a time of soaring power prices. Despite Turnbull's win, it laid bare that dozens of his own MPs do not want him as their leader, and Dutton worked the phones and blitzed the airwaves Wednesday to shore up more support for another widely-expected crack at the top job. Dutton quit his cabinet position after his failed leadership bid, with at least nine other ministers also offering to go, according to a tally by broadcasters ABC and Sky News. They include the health minister and trade minister, both frontbenchers. Turnbull has so far only accepted two resignations -- Dutton and International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells -- and insisted Wednesday the others had since "given me unequivocal assurances of continuing loyalty and support". But buoyed by his support, Dutton, seen as a more hardline conservative that the moderate Turnbull, worked to soften his perceived tough guy image earned as home affairs and immigration minister, in media interviews in which he laid out his policy agenda. The former police officer, who admits he rarely smiles, made no secret of still wanting to run the country. "I'm speaking to colleagues, I'm not going to beat around the bush with that, mate," he told commercial radio station 3AW on again attempting to dump Turnbull. "That's being very honest and upfront with you and that's how I see it. " He added that he thinks he could win an election -- due by the middle of next year -- as leader against Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten. "I would never run for the leadership not believing that I could beat Bill Shorten," added the 47-year-old. If he became prime minister, Dutton said he would focus on lowering electricity prices, cutting immigration to ease population pressures and boost water investment to help drought-stricken farmers. Some media outlets were tipping another challenge as early as this week, but Dutton supporters signalled it was more likely next month after parliament returns from a break. Turnbull fronted the press alongside Treasurer Scott Morrison and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, a close friend of Dutton's, with both pledging their loyalty. Asked if he expected another leadership challenge this week, Turnbull, who has pleaded for party unity, replied: "No. " "The iron laws of arithmetic confirmed my leadership of the Liberal Party," he added. Despite his defiant tone, many believe he won't last much longer. "Now that the genie is out of the bottle, I'm not sure we can put it back," warned Liberal MP Craig Kelly -- a Dutton supporter -- when asked if the prime minister could survive. Complicating matters were reports that at least three National MPs -- who are in a governing coalition with the Liberals -- would no longer guarantee to vote with the government if Dutton seizes power. With the government only having a wafer-thin one-seat parliamentary majority, this could spark an early election. Disquiet with Turnbull's leadership had been building for some time, with the government trailing Labor in 38 consecutive opinion polls, with the latest showing it slipping even further behind. The turmoil is the latest chapter in a turbulent decade for Australian politics, with no leader managing to serve out a full term since John Howard lost the 2007 election. By AFP ALEXANDRIA: Paul Manafort was riding high, raking in tens of millions of dollars as the strategic adviser to pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. And as fast as the Republican political consultant was making money, he was spending it: millions on luxury homes and cars, $1 million for antique rugs, another $1 million on clothes including top-of-the-line suits and an $18,500 python jacket, and more. Just when his lavish tastes were squeezing him financially and the Ukrainian pipeline was running dry, Manafort landed a position as chairman of the presidential campaign of Donald Trump. What should have been his dream job ended up being his undoing, ultimately triggering the process that led to the 69-year-old's conviction in federal court on Tuesday on eight counts linked to making false tax declarations, bank fraud and failure to report foreign accounts. Each of the bank fraud counts carries a significant maximum sentence and he could in theory live out the rest of his life in prison, though a legal expert contacted by AFP predicted it would in reality run to under a decade. Fired by Trump after just three months as his campaign manager, Manafort's financial misdeeds were uncovered by Special Counsel Robert Mueller during his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. It was a brutal fall for a political insider who, in addition to Trump, worked on the White House bids of Republicans Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole. Political family Paul John Manafort Jr was born on April 1, 1949 in New Britain, Connecticut. Politics ran in the family -- his father once served as mayor of his hometown. Manafort earned a law degree from Georgetown University, joined a law firm after school and eventually a lobbying shop known as Black, Manafort, Stone and Kelly. The "Stone" was Roger Stone, the Washington political insider who would eventually be among those recruiting Manafort to join Team Trump. After making a name in domestic politics, Manafort turned his talents to the lucrative practice of lobbying on behalf of questionable foreign leaders such as Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Somalia's Mohamed Siad Barre and Jonas Savimbi of Angola. But it was his work for Viktor Yanukovych, who served as president of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014, when he fled to Russia amid corruption allegations, which got him in trouble. Prosecutors alleged during Manafort's trial that more than $75 million of Ukrainian money poured into his offshore bank accounts, most of which were based in Cyprus and managed by a Cypriot attorney referred to in court as "Dr. K." Manafort was Tuesday convicted of five counts of making false income tax returns, two counts of bank fraud and one of failure to report foreign bank and financial accounts. But the six-man, six-woman jury was unable to reach a verdict in 10 counts prompting Judge TS Ellis to declare a partial mistrial. 'Very good person' Besides landing him in jail, it was the Ukrainian connection which also led to Manafort's dismissal from the Trump campaign. He resigned as Trump's campaign chairman on August 19, 2016 after investigators for the new Ukraine government released files showing secret cash payments from Yanukovych to Manafort worth $12.7 million. "Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success," Trump said at the time. The US president has since downplayed Manafort's contribution to the campaign but has continued to come to his defense, describing him as a "very good person" and saying his trial was a "very sad day for our country." He expressed regret after the jury's verdict Tuesday, telling reporters: "It's a very sad thing that happened, this has nothing to do with Russian collusion." While the charges against Manafort were not related to his work for Trump, he was one of several people who attended a June 9, 2016 meeting at Trump Tower with a Kremlin-linked lawyer who was offering the campaign damaging information on Hillary Clinton. Legal experts believe Manafort, by going to trial and declining to enter into a plea agreement with the Special Counsel's office, may be hoping for a presidential pardon. By Reuters SOCHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday condemned US sanctions against Russia as counter-productive, but said a summit he had held last month with US President Donald Trump had still been useful. Speaking at a news conference after holding talks with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto, Putin said he hoped Washington would realise that its policy of imposing sanctions on Moscow for its perceived misbehavior was misguided. "As for sanctions, these actions are counter-productive and pointless, especially towards a country like Russia," Putin told reporters in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. "I hope that our American partners will realise that this policy has no future at some point and we can start cooperating in a normal way." Putin was speaking on a day when the rouble weakened towards its lowest level in more than two years as traders priced in the risk of more US sanctions and a new tranche of sanctions announced earlier this month was expected to take effect. Despite the sanctions, Putin said a summit with Trump in Helsinki last month had been useful and praised the benefits of direct dialogue. Putin also said Europe needed the Moscow-backed Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project, an initiative that Trump has harshly criticized, and that Russia was the most suitable supplier of energy for Europe. By AFP NEW YORK: Donald Trump stood accused of conspiring to commit campaign fraud and two of his closest aides faced jail time Tuesday, after court proceedings that delivered a legal and political one-two punch to his embattled presidency. In a drama that played out simultaneously across two US cities, two key aides each faced eight separate charges stemming from a federal investigation into the 2016 presidential election. In New York, Trump's long-time attack-dog fixer Michael Cohen pled guilty to eight counts including making illegal campaign contributions. READ HERE | Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen pleads guilty in hush-money scheme, alleges US President's involvement In a sensational twist he pointed to the president as a co-conspirator. Cohen pled guilty to illegally making pre-election hush payments, including to porn star Stormy Daniels, who says she had an affair with Trump. But as part of a plea deal Cohen said he acted "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office." "I participated in this conduct with the purpose of influencing the election," a visibly crestfallen Cohen told the judge, his voice trembling at times as he addressed the packed courtroom. That admission put Trump himself in legal jeopardy and raised the prospect that a trusted lieutenant is ready to spill secrets, gathered over decades, in exchange for a reduced sentence. The White House refused to comment on Cohen's allegation, with press secretary Sarah Sanders tersely telling reporters: "Refer you to the President's outside counsel." Nearer home While the Cohen drama was unfolding in New York, a jury in Virginia found Trump's one-time campaign chairman Paul Manafort guilty on eight counts including bank fraud, tax fraud and a failure to declare foreign bank accounts. READ HERE | US President Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort guilty of fraud Trump expressed regret, calling Manafort "a good man." "I feel very sad about that," Trump told reporters as he arrived in West Virginia for a rally, claiming the conviction was part of a "witch hunt" after the 2016 election. "It's a very sad thing that happened, this has nothing to do with Russian collusion." Trump also sought to distance himself from Manafort -- who was instrumental in the 72-year-old securing the 2016 Republican nomination. "He worked for many, many people," said Trump, citing campaigns for former president Ronald Reagan and vice presidential candidate Bob Dole. New York family But it is Cohen's decision to enter a plea deal that may pose the most problems for the White House. While it is US legal tradition that the president cannot be tried, the allegation, if proven will only increase calls for his impeachment. Questioned by a federal judge in Manhattan, Cohen indicated he had paid sums of $130,000 and $150,000 each to two women who claimed they had affairs with Trump. The two women are believed Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, a Playboy model who the president also denies having an affair with. Cohen said he made the payments "at the request of a candidate" to silence "information that would be prejudicial to the candidate and the campaign." In addition to two counts of violating campaign finance laws, Cohen pleaded guilty to five counts of tax fraud and one of bank fraud during the hearing before US District Judge William Pauley. The judge informed the 51-year-old Cohen he faced a maximum of 65 years of imprisonment, with his sentenced set to be handed down on Dec 12. The US president had spent much of Tuesday cooped up at the White House, as rainstorms raged outside and the two high profile legal cases with profound implications for his presidency reached their coda. At a courthouse close to Washington, jurors spent four days deliberating on the 18 charges against Manafort. While the jury was unable to reach a verdict on 10 counts, prompting the judge to declare a partial mistrial, Manafort was found guilty on the eight remaining charges. These included five counts of making false income tax returns, two counts of bank fraud and one of failure to report foreign bank and financial accounts. Each of the bank fraud counts carries a significant maximum sentence and the 69-year-old could theoretically live out the remainder of his years in prison -- though a legal expert contacted by AFP predicted his sentence would in reality run to under a decade. He argued that he was unlawfully arrested in Zambia by unidentified Zimbabwean men. Through his lawyers Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, Messrs Alec Muchadehama, Harrison Nkomo and Gift Mtisi Biti in his application said when he sought asylum in Zambia, he was not running away from the police, but from political persecution. If You Want to Avoid Vampires, Here's Where You Should Go (Newser) Danny Boyle's tenure as a Bond director ended up being short-lived. The 007 Twitter account on Tuesday announced that "Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences, Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25." Wilson and Broccoli are the film's producers. Variety reports MGM had long wanted Boyle to helm a Bond flick; he was selected to fill the shoes emptied by Sam Mendes, who directed 2012's Skyfall and Spectre, which was out three years later. story continues below Variety's sources say Eon Productions and Boyle had been in the process of casting the Bond girl and villain for the film, which has been referred to as Bond 25. Production was to start in December with an Oct. 25, 2019, release date in the UK; wider release was to follow two weeks later. No word on whether those dates will shift. The Hollywood Reporter's take: "Boyle was seen as a natural choice thanks to his Oscar pedigree as the filmmaker behind Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours. It was also viewed as a surprise that the filmmaker, who had avoided franchises in the past, would board the Bond machine." (Read more James Bond stories.) Pharmacology & Pharmacy Vol.09 No.08(2018), Article ID:86796,13 pages 10.4236/pp.2018.98027 Analysis of Adverse Reactions Related to Drugs and Vaccines Received at the National Centre for Pharmacovigilance from 2009 to 2016 in Togo Yao Potchoo1*, Mouhoudine Yerima1, Tante T. Gnandi1, Mounerou Salou1, Aboudoulatif Diallo1, Batoyema Bakoma1, Atani T. Nyansa2, Mireille Prince-David3 Abstract Full-Text PDF Full-Text HTML Full-Text ePUB Linked References How to Cite this Article 1Departement des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Faculte des Sciences de la Sante, Universite de Lome, Lome, Togo 2Direction de la Pharmacie, du Medicament et des Laboratoires, Ministere de la Sante et de la Protection Sociale, Lome, Togo 3Comite de Bioethique et de la Recherche en Sante, Ministere de la Sante et de la Protection Sociale, Lome, Togo Copyright 2018 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Received: June 30, 2018; Accepted: August 19, 2018; Published: August 22, 2018 ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess the received suspected adverse events occurring upon treatment with drugs and vaccines, at National Centre for Pharmacovigilance, in Togo, from 2009 to 2016. Methods: A crossover study was conducted in order to collect data about patients, drugs, suspected adverse events and notifiers. Suspected adverse events were classified using Med DRA 19.1. Notifications circumstances were classified into Public Health Programs campaigns and routine practice. Data were collated into Excel spreadsheet and processed with SPSS software. Key Findings: Regional distribution is irregular. Of the 322 collected report forms, paramedics have notified 60.8% of the cases. Adult patients were the most represented (70.2%). Public Health Programs campaigns provided 72.6% versus 27.4% for routine practice including Neglected Tropical Diseases (41.4%), immunization (27.7%), tuberculosis (25.9%) and 4.5% for HIV. Skin disorders were the most prevalent suspected adverse events (147 sheets; 45.7%) followed by general disorders and administration site disorders (29.8%) and gastro-intestinal disorders (12.7%). General anti-infective drugs for systemic use, antiparasites, and insecticides were the most reported class of medications (161 sheets; 44.7%). Conclusions: A thorough follow-up of pharmacovigilance launched activities is needed to build a sustainable adverse effects surveillance system and routine practice has to be strengthened. Keywords: Medicines, Vaccines, Routine Health Care, Public Health Program, Adverse Events Reporting, Pharmacovigilance 1. Introduction Pharmacovigilance (PV) is a science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects (AE) or any other medicine-related problems. Its objectives are 1) preventing harm from adverse reactions in humans, arising from the use of authorized medicinal products within or outside the terms of marketing authorization or from occupational exposure and 2) promoting the safe and effective use of medicinal products, in particular through providing timely information about the safety of medicinal products to patients, healthcare professionals and the public [1] . Uppsala Monitoring Center (UMC), an independent and international research center affiliated to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the structure in charge of the monitoring medicines and promoting their adequate use since 1978 [2] . In sub-Saharan Africa, few studies covering a wide range of fields of the adverse events reporting process have been published. Ampuda et al., analyzing spontaneous reports in VigiBaseO reported the following data: the main class of products in African Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) includes the tree classes of reverse transcriptase inhibitors (23.13%), antivirals for the treatment of HIV infections (5.50%), combinations of sulfonamides and trimethoprim (2.98%) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (2.42%). The main product classes implicated in ICSRs from the rest of world are tumour necrosis factor-a (TNFa) inhibitors (5.29%), topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory preparations (2.26%), selective immunosuppressants (2.08%), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (2.04%) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors (1.85%). The main SOCs reported from Africa versus the rest of world include skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (31.14% vs. 19.58%), general disorders and administration site conditions (20.91% vs. 30.49%) and nervous system disorders (17.48% vs. 19.13%) [3] . In Togo, PV activities started in 2006. Information about AEs are gathered and recorded as cases on report forms (RFs), through reporters all over the country and are evaluated by a technical committee. Each case is assessed in order to establish a causal link between the observed AEs and the drugs consumption. Once analyzed, cases are shared at a global level through VIGIFLOWO, on one hand and with the reporters as feedback on the other hand, at the national level. The PV system of Togo was, organized by the implementation of regulatory tools (creation decree), technical tools (RF, notification guide, assessment guide, supervision form, summary form) and human resources (national pharmacovigilance focal point, regional and district focal points, focal points in Hospitals) [4] , from 2006 to 2011. From January 2012 to May 2016, the National Centre for Pharmacovigilance (NCPV) did not organize any major activity due to lack of human resources [4] . The primary aim of this study, the first one in this topic in Togo, is to describe the collected notifications at the NCPV from 2009 to 2016. The secondary aims are to 1) assess the impact of follow up on the quality of the PV system, 2) describe the subgroups of data (patient, drug, AE and reporters) existing on the RFs, 3) identify the associated factors to AEs reporting in Togo. 2. Methods 2.1. Study Design The received RFs at the NCPV, from 2009 to 2016, from Togo reporters, following Figure 1 circuit were included in our study. The RFs sent to the NCPV concerning cases occurring in other countries of the world have not been included. 2.2. Data Collection and Analysis Eighteen (18) fields were collected from national adverse events reporting form for vaccines and other drugs. In comparison, adverse events reporting form for vaccines include 41 fields of which 12 are obligatory [5] and that for others medicines includes 33 fields [6] . The national reporting form required the following data: Figure 1. Adverse effect notification circuit in Togo. 1) General data: year of notification; 2) Reporter data: profile, facility of practice, address/contact, regional area; 3) Patient data: age, sex, address, previous relevant medical conditions, laboratory investigations; 4) Product data: drug or vaccine, International Nonproprietary Name (INN), circumstances of products use and; 5) Suspect adverse events (SAEs) data: description, onset time, outcome, received treatment, outcome in case of re-administration. Year of notification was used to compare the RFs numbers according to 2 periods (2009-2011 and 2012-2016), in order to determine whether the lack of integrated activities impacted the system. The qualitative variables region and reporter were transformed into quantitative and binary variables. Thus, the three regions of the north (Savannas, Kara, and Central) were named as northern region and those of the south (uplands, Maritime and Lome Commune) as southern region. Physicians and pharmacists have been grouped into medics and other healthcare professionals (nurses, health technicians, and midwifes) into paramedics. Patients were divided into two age groups: children (0 to 15 years old) and adults (over 15 years old). Vaccines have been considered as a distinct group from drugs, due to their exclusively preventive use. The identified INNs of drugs and vaccines were classified in accordance with the Anatomical Therapeutic and Chemical (ATC) nomenclature. The ATC nomenclature entails 14 main anatomical/pharmacological groups or first levels. Each major ATC group is divided into second levels that could be either pharmacological or therapeutic groups. The third and fourth levels are chemical, pharmacological or therapeutic subgroups and the fifth level is the chemical substance. Levels 2, 3 and 4 are often used to identify pharmacological subgroups when it is considered more appropriate than therapeutic or chemical subgroups [7] . The collected SAEs were classified according to the severity criteria defined by WHO. A serious AE is defined as an AE which results in death, is life-threatening, requires in-patient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity, or is a congenital anomaly/birth defect [1] . No causal assessment was realized thus all the collected AEs were considered SAEs. Notification circumstances were classified into two groups: 1) Routine practice (RP): they concern all the cases notified by healthcare professionals in either preventive or curative treatment for common conditions, for all kinds of population; 2) Public Health Programs (PHPs) mass treatment campaigns: they include notifications during campaigns organized by one or more PHPs (HIV, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), immunization), as a preventive measure, towards a specific target population. Suspect adverse events were coded according to the terminology of the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA 19.1) [8] . It is an international medical terminology developed at the initiative of the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), regarding the technical requirements for the registration of pharmaceuticals for human use. The codes refer to a group of MedDRA terms belonging to the primary system organ class (SOC). The SOC is a medical discipline classification. Data was treated and analyzed with MICROSOFT Excel software 2013 SPSS software. The student test was used to compare the number of RF before and after 2012. The chi-2 test was used in the analysis of data and Fischers exact test when the number was less than 5. The significance threshold was set at 5%. 2.3. Ethical Considerations Patients and reporters personal data were anonymous to preserve their confidentiality. The local Ethics Committee authorization was then, not required. 3. Results 3.1. General Data A total of 322 RFs were collected from 2009 to 2016 (range 4 - 96, average 35.78 33.43, median 27). The completeness of the 18 fields on the 322 RFs is presented in Table 1. n = Number of reports; % = Frequency. Eleven (11) fields out of 18 were filled out on more than 90% of report forms. Three (3) out of 18 fields were filled out in more than 50% of the RFs and the remaining 4 fields were filled out on less than 20% of the RFs. The distribution of RFs received, per year is shown on Figure 2 with a significant decrease from 2012 to 2013, compared to the period before (p < 0.05). Notifiers profiles are shown in Table 2. Paramedics reported two times (60.9%) more than medics (29.2%). The notifiers profiles by regional area of practice are shown on Table 3. The number of medics RFs is 15 folds higher in the southern region than in the northern region of the country (56.5% vs. 3.7%). As for paramedics, they reported two times more cases in the northern region than in the southern region (80.5% vs. 40.3%). 3.2. Patient Data Males predominance was recorded, with 169 men out of 322 (52.5%) and a male/female sex ratio of 1.1. Patients ages ranged from 0.08 to 84 years old (28.31 18.80, median 27.0 years). Table 4 shows the distribution of notifier profiles by patient age group. RFs for adult patients were higher than those for children (70.2% versus 28.9%; p < 0.001). 3.3. Suspect Drugs of Adverse Events There were 243 RFs for medicines (74.5%), and 79 (25.5%) for vaccines. Eighty-three (83) RFs (25.8%) were reported in routine practice while PHP campaigns resulted in 220 (74.2%) notifications. Several public health programs have been identified as shown in Table 5: neglected tropical diseases (41.4%), immunization (27.7%), tuberculosis (25.9%) and HIV (4.5%). Table 6 shows the most prevalent reported products on the report forms. On Figure 2. Report forms distribution per year (n = 317). Table 3. Notification distribution regarding to the notifier patterns and practice zone. n = number; % = frequency. Table 4. Notifiers distribution according to the notifiers profiles and patient age group. n = headcount; % = percentage. Table 5. Report forms distributions by public health programs (n = 220). the 322 collected report forms, 360 products were collected (1.1 product per report form). SAEs concerned mainly ivermectine (20.5%), praziquantel (17.7%), RHZE (15.8%) and ACWY135 (15.5%). Table 7 presents the first level ATC group of the notified products. Anti-infectives for systemic use (44.7%), pest control, insecticides (28.9%) and cardiovascular system (11.9%) were the main tree groups more frequently suspected. Table 6. Most common medicines reported on forms. RHZE: Rifampicin + Isoniazid + Pyrazinamide + Ethambutol; 2VACCINE D + T + C + P + HIB: Pentavalent vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis and Haemophilus influenzae type b; INN: International nonapropriatery name. Table 7. Distribution of drug groups according to the first level of ATC classification (n = 360). ATC: anatomical therapeutic and chemical. 3.4. Suspect Adverse Effects Classification Table 8 shows the distribution of notifications, based on reporters and the seriousness of the SAE. Non serious SAEs represented 83.5% against serious SAEs (16.5%). Medics notified 32.1% serious SAEs vs. 28.6% non-serious SAEs while paramedics notified 62.5% non-serious SAEs vs. 52.8% serious SAEs. There is no statistical link between the behavior of both medics and paramedics, in case of serious or non-serious SAEs (p = 0.40). Table 9 presents the SOC codes of suspect adverse event by frequency. By decreasing frequency reporting concerned skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (45.7%) followed by general disorders and administration site conditions (29.8%), nervous system disorders (17.1%), gastro-intestinal disorders (17.1%) and musculoskeletal and systemic disorders (7.8%). Table 8. Notifications distribution, according to the reporters and the seriousness of the adverse drug reaction. n = number; % = percentage. Table 9. Ten most common suspect adverse events according to the system organ class. 4. Discussion Study limits Pharmacovigilance activities were launched in 2007; our study was conducted from 2009 due to loss of the RFs before 2009. The causal assessment was not realized because the available data were not sufficient for the assessment of all the cases. The history of Public Health Programs Campaigns was not available to allow us to assess whether the RFs distribution was proportional or not to treated population. Pharmacovigilance activities were launched in 2007 in Togo with the advent of the strategies from World Health Organisation (WHO) to introduce PV through the PHPs in Africa (collaborations with malaria, HIV, TB, neglected diseases) [9] . Three hundred and twenty-two (322) reports were filled from 2009 to 2016 (range 4 - 96, average 35.78, median 27). Compared with the number of spontaneous reports (556) received at Ugandas NCPV for the first 5 years from 2005 to 2009 [10] , our results confirm an under-reporting of our PV system that could be explained by the weakness of the system. Concerning the completeness of the filled fields, eleven (11) out of 18 fields were filled on more than 90% of the report forms. Three (3) out of 18 fields were filled in more than 50% of the RFs and notifications and the remaining 4 fields were less than 20% of them. This high rate of completeness of forms is explained by the validation of report forms established by the NCPV team. The pharmacovigilance focal points were trained to validate the report forms and to transmit only those which had a sufficient level of data, to make the record usable [4] . The significant drop down of the number of RFs from 2012 to 2013 can be explained by the lack of human resources at the NCPV during the period from 2009 to 2016 [4] . Medics reports from the southern part of the country are 15 folds that from the northern part whereas paramedics reports from the northern region are two folds that from the southern. This can be explained by the concentration of medics in the South of the country and paramedics in the North. A predominance of males is recorded in our study with 52.5% while identical proportions of females (57% Africa and the rest of world) and males (37% Africa and the rest of world) were reported from VigiBaseO [3] . That difference related to our result could be explain by the fact of hazard. Our results show that report forms in adult patients represented two third against one third in children. Carbonin et al. [11] and Begaud et al. [12] also have noticed that the notification rate increased with age. This result confirm that of Ampadu et al., who reported that the 18 - 44 years age group dominated individual case safety reports (ICSRs) from Africa, while the 45 - 64 years age group dominated the rest of the world [3] . One third of report forms were carried out during routine practice while PHP campaigns resulted in two third notifications. A possible explanation may be the rigorous monitoring of activities implemented by PHP during their campaigns. There is no statistical link between the behavior of both medics and paramedics, in case of serious or non-serious SAEs. General anti-infectives drugs for systemic use, antiparasitic agents and insecticides, cardiovascular system and digestive tract and metabolism were the pharmacological groups of the most reported drugs in our study. The most frequently mentioned medication classes associated with ADRs in the past 4 weeks in Uganda were antibiotics (38%), antiretroviral agents (23%), antimalarials (15%, 15 of which implicated quinine), analgesics (9%) and others (15%) [10] . The main class of products in African ICSRs are nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (14.04%), nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (9.09%), antivirals for the treatment of HIV infections (5.50%), combinations of sulfonamides and trimethoprim (2.98%) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (2.42%). Compared to the rest of the world, the main product classes implicated in ICSRs are tumour necrosis factor-a (TNFa) inhibitors (5.29%), topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory preparations (2.26%), selective immunosuppressants (2.08%), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (2.04%) and HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (1.85%) [3] . Our study results are consistent with the epidemiological context of the country. The SAEs reported (skin and sub cutaneous tissue disorders, general disorders and administration site conditions, nervous system disorders, gastro-intestinal disorders, musculoskeletal and systemic disorders) can be related to main adverse effects reported in literature for anti-infectives drugs for systemic use such as: ivermectine (pruritus, edema, arthralgia, headache, popular eruptions) [13] ; praziquantel (nausea and abdominal pain or discomfort, headache, giddiness or drowsiness) [14] ; RHZE (gastric intolerance, skin changes, join pain) [15] and vaccine ACWY 135 (headache, fatigue, soreness, erythema) [16] . Furthermore, in a study among inpatients, Fofana et al. [17] , reported similar SOCs excluding metabolic disorders such as skin (47.33%), metabolic (22.14%), neuromuscular (10.68%) and digestive (8.4%). The drugs implicated in skin adverse reactions in this study (causal link established) were sulfonylurea (47.37%), penicillin (13.16%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (13.16%) or tramadol (7.89%). The difference observed in the two study could be due at least to the sitting (national vs hospital) and the eligible population (all individual vs inpatients). Related to international data, the main SOCs reported from Africa versus the rest of world include skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (31.14% vs. 19.58%), general disorders and administration site conditions (20.91% vs. 30.49%) and nervous system disorders (17.48% vs. 19.13%) [3] . The main SOCs profile of our findings is similar to that reported from Africa. 5. Conclusions In conclusion, this cross-sectional study conducted on SAEs notifications in Togo, pointed out that paramedics are more involved in PV activities than medics. Public health program campaigns had led to more notifications than routine practice. Regional notifications distribution is neither equal nor proportional to the population showing heterogeneous practices among professionals. The lack of human resources from 2012 to 2016 created a significant dropdown in the notification rate. The most frequently affected SOC was the skin disorders and the subcutaneous tissue were the most frequently reported. Among the ATC classes of the drugs with the highest number of RFs, the most important are the general anti-infectives drugs for systemic use and antiparasitics and insecticides including the implication of the Ivermectin, Praziquantel, the association RHZE and ACYW135 vaccine. Overall, the analysis of the results revealed some important determining factors. Statistically significant factors were the area of exercise, the age of the patient, health product consumption circumstance and the type of health products. These determining factors could lead to some interventions to strengthen the national pharmacovigilance system. Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper. Cite this paper Potchoo, Y., Yerima, M., Gnandi, T.T., Salou, M., Diallo, A., Bakoma, B., Nyansa, A.T. and Prince-David, M. (2018) Analysis of Adverse Reactions Related to Drugs and Vaccines Received at the National Centre for Pharmacovigilance from 2009 to 2016 in Togo. Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 9, 344-356. https://doi.org/10.4236/pp.2018.98027 References (Newser) Charges are piling up for Joseph James DeAngelo Jr., the suspected Golden State Killer. In addition to 13 counts of murder, DeAngelo will face 13 charges of kidnapping to commit robbery, prosecutors announced Tuesday. The 72-year-old will be tried in Sacramento County, the Los Angeles Times reports. The announcement of the new charges and trial venue were made during a press conference in Orange County. Prosecutors from Contra Costa, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura countiesall jurisdictions where DeAngelo allegedly committed crimeswere also on hand. DeAngelo, a former police officer, is believed to be responsible for a series of murders, rapes, and burglaries committed decades ago. He was arrested in April. story continues below The prosecutors from Northern, Central, and Southern California "stand united" on "team justice," Sacramento DA Anne Marie Schubert said, according to ABC. If convicted, DeAngelo, who is being held in Sacramento and has yet to enter a plea, is eligible for the death penalty, but prosecutors have not decided whether to pursue it, per the LA Times. He will be arraigned on all of the charges on Thursday, reports the New York Times, which notes that it is unusual for charges from so many jurisdictions to be tried at a single trial. (Read more Golden State Killer stories.) (Newser) A Hawaii-based Army soldier accused of attempting to support ISIS will plead guilty, one of his lawyers tells the AP. Sgt. 1st Class Ikaika Kang has agreed to plead guilty, but Alexander Silvert, an assistant federal defender representing him, won't say what charges he'll be pleading to. "We've agreed on a sentence," Silvert says, declining to elaborate. He referred further questions to Kang's other attorney, Birney Bervar, who couldn't immediately be reached. Court documents allege Kang provided classified military information to undercover agents whom he believed were part of the Islamic State group. story continues below Kang is scheduled to withdraw his not guilty plea Thursday, court records show. A plea agreement hasn't been filed in court yet. A confidential informant told authorities Kang watched videos depicting beheadings and other violence in his room for hours every day, according to court documents. Kang told the informant that if he became an ISIS member, he would be a suicide bomber and attack Schofield Barracks, a sprawling Army base outside Honolulu, according to an affidavit. When Kang met with undercover agents at a home in Honolulu, he pledged allegiance to the group and kissed an ISIS flag, according to court documents. Kang has been detained without bail since his arrest last year. (Read more ISIS stories.) (Newser) Social media platforms have been battening down the hatches against disinformation campaigns, and Facebook just made a new dent. The site announced Tuesday it had yanked 652 pages or groups off Facebook and Instagram showing "coordinated inauthentic behavior" by those seeking to "mislead others about who they were and what they were doing," CNN reports. Per the New York Times, Facebook said the activity (some stretching back to 2011) originated out of Iran and Russia, and that the disinformation this time went after marks in the UK, Latin America, and the Middle East, in addition to US targets. Twitter also announced Tuesday it has shut down nearly 300 of its own bad actors tied to "coordinated manipulation" that originated in Iran. One group that emerged was Liberty Front Press, which was tied to Iranian state media, per Facebook. story continues below "We learned today that the Iranians are now following the Kremlin's playbook from 2016," Sen. Mark Warner tells CNN. YouTube says it has also taken down a Liberty Front Press channel for breaching community guidelines, though it didn't elaborate. This all went down in the same week Microsoft said it found attempts by Russian hackers to infiltrate US political groups, all bent on "disrupting democracy," per Microsoft President Brad Smith. Cybersecurity firm FireEye, which assisted Facebook in identifying the disinformation-spewing pages, says the propaganda geared toward the US wasn't meant specifically to target the midterms. "Our adversaries are sophisticated and well-funded," Mark Zuckerberg told reporters in a call Tuesday, but he insists the company's "proactive" efforts will "make Facebook safer over time," per the Washington Post. (Read more Facebook stories.) (Newser) In the midst of a fight with Canada over female human-rights activists, Saudi Arabia plans to behead one. The country's public prosecutor is seeking the death penalty against five activists, including Israa al-Ghomgham of the Shia Muslim minority, who documented mass protests in the Eastern Province beginning in 2011, the Guardian reports via Human Rights Watch. Reportedly charged with "incitement to protest," "chanting slogans hostile to the regime," and "attempting to inflame public opinion," among other charges, per the Globe and Mail, Ghomghamwhose husband also faces deathcould become the first woman to be executed for human rights-related activism in Saudi Arabia. Newsweek reports a judge will decide on the death penalty during an Oct. 28 court date. story continues below "Any execution is appalling, but seeking the death penalty for activists ... who are not even accused of violent behavior is monstrous," HRW's Middle East director says, adding "the Saudi monarchy's unrestrained despotism makes it harder for its public relations teams to spin the fairy tale of 'reform.'" Meanwhile, Canada is repeating its concerns over the arrests of women's rights activists, per the Globe and Mail. "These concerns have been raised with the Saudi government. Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, including women's rights and freedom of expression around the world," reads a statement from the office of Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, whose tweet sparked the dispute between the countries. (The US refused to back Canada.) (Newser) Anxiety over how the absence of net neutrality rules could affect things has manifested itself in California. Ars Technica reports on a new lawsuit that includes a statement from Santa Clara County Fire Chief Anthony Bowden alleging Verizon throttled the fire department's data services (specifically tied to its vehicle OES 5262, which uses a Verizon SIM card to get online) while it was in the midst of fighting the state's wildfires. To make things worse, Bowden adds, "Verizon imposed these limitations despite being informed that throttling" was curtailing the department's emergency response. His declaration is an addendum to a legal challenge against the FCC filed by nearly two dozen state attorneys general and a slew of government agencies looking to overturn the repeal of net neutrality rules that went into effect in June. story continues below Ars Technica details the email back-and-forthstarting in late June and continuing as the Mendocino Complex Fire raged onbetween Verizon and fire officials, including one in which a fire IT officer begs, "Please work with us." Even though the fire department had an "unlimited" data plan, Ars Technica notes big carriers sometimes slow things when a certain amount of data is exceeded. A Verizon rep eventually convinced the department to upgrade from a monthly $37.99 data plan to a $99.99 one. In a statement to the Verge, Verizon says the throttling had "nothing to do with net neutrality;" it was a "customer support mistake." "Regardless of the plan emergency responders choose, we have a practice to remove data speed restrictions when contacted in emergency situations." (Read more Verizon stories.) (Newser) Here's an unexpected theory: that Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in June 1815 was partly caused by the eruption of an volcano in Indonesia. It's a suggestion tacked onto the end of a study by Dr. Matthew Genge of the Imperial College London published Wednesday in Geology. Titled "Electrostatic levitation of volcanic ash into the ionosphere and its abrupt effect on climate," much of the findings focus on the 1883 eruption of the Krakatau volcano in Indonesia. Genge writes that "conventional wisdom suggests" eruptions can't inject volcanic particles into the upper atmosphere "because the temperature inversion of the stratosphere acts as a barrier to convective rise"; ergo, these eruptions wouldn't have a meaningful impact on the upper atmosphere. story continues below But as Genge explains in a press release, "My research ... shows that ash can be shot into the upper atmosphere by electrical forces"and "atmospheric electrical potential moderates cloud formation." His research into that Krakatau eruption and the average air temperature and precipitation records from the time unearthed data "consistent with a sudden effect on climate." And that takes us to Waterloo: The rainy and muddy weather is thought to have played a role in Napoleon's defeat, and Genge notes in a single paragraph that May and June 1815 are known to have been "notably wet in Europe" following the late April eruption of the Tambora volcano, which is also found in Indonesia and erupted at a greater magnitude than Krakatau. As the release notes, the findings "could confirm the suggested link between the eruption and Napoleon's defeat." (Read more discoveries stories.) (Newser) As Kevin Kwan is learning, film-biz fame has its downside. The author whose book inspired the hit movie Crazy Rich Asians could face fines and/or imprisonment for not completing his national service obligations in Singapore, the New York Times reports. Kwan, 44who moved to Houston as an 11-year-old and reportedly became an American at 18was noticeably absent from the film's Singapore premiere on Tuesday. The Straits Times, a Singapore newspaper, did him the favor of contacting the nation's Ministry of Defense to set the matter straight. Kwan "failed to register for the National Service in 1990, despite notices and letters sent to his overseas address," responded a ministry official. story continues below "He also stayed overseas without a valid exit permit," the official added. "Mr. Kwan is therefore wanted for defaulting on his NS obligations." In practical terms, that could mean a fine of up to $7,300 and three years in prison. Kwan hasn't commented yet, but no doubt knows the story: Soon after separating from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore began building up its military force by having young men spend two years in the civil defense, police, or military force. Kwan apparently tried and failed to renounce his Singapore citizenship without serving in 1994; an appeal was also unsuccessful. (Read more Singapore stories.) (Newser) The FBI is reportedly investigating a sophisticatedbut unsuccessfulattempt to hack into the Democratic National Committee's voter database. The DNC learned of the attempt on Tuesday, CNN reports. The attack, which was detected by a cloud service provider and a security research company, involved a fake login page intended to gather usernames and passwords for a service called Votebuilder, which hosts the DNC's voter database. It's a method called "spearphishing," according to the New York Times. "It was very convincing," Mike Murray of the cybersecurity firm Lookout tells CNN, adding that it would be tough to tell the real page from the fake one, even if they were side-by-side. story continues below The fake login page was ultimately removed by the cloud hosting company DigitalOcean. The company's chief security officer says the threat was identified before the attack was launched. "We see no evidence that any sensitive data was stolen," he says. A DNC official tells the Times that it is not clear who the hackers were in this case. But, the paper recalls, a 2016 hack of the DNC was ultimately traced to Russia. This latest attempt, DNC Chief Security Officer Bob Lord tells the Times, "is further proof that there are constant threats as we head into midterm elections and we must remain vigilant in order to prevent future attacks." Earlier this week, Microsoft reported that it had uncovered new Russian hacking attempts targeting conservative organizations in the US. (Read more DNC stories.) (Newser) "I had sex with him and it felt weird." So reads an alleged Asia Argento text that, if true, contradicts her claim that she never slept with an underage actor/musician in 2013. The #MeToo story took a turn Wednesday when TMZ posted text messages "between Argento and one of her friends" about the Italian actress' alleged encounter with Jimmy Bennett at a Ritz-Carlton in Southern California when he was 17 and she was 37. The age of consent in California is 18. "I didn't know he was a minor until the shakedown letter," the text continues. "... The horny kid jumped me." According to leaked documents, Bennett planned to sue her for emotional distress and lost wages, and she paid him $380,000. story continues below TMZ also posted a topless selfie of the pair snuggling and a purported love letter from Bennett to Argento on Ritz-Carlton stationery. Bennett "kept sending me unsolicited nudes all these years up until 2 weeks before the attorneys [sic] letter," reads a text. "I wasn't raped but I was frozen. He was on top of me." Meanwhile, Bennett has issued a statement saying he was too "afraid and ashamed" to say anything after the story broke, the New York Times reports. "I didn't think that people would understand the event that took place from the eyes of a teenage boy." With the LA County Sheriff's Department investigating, an apparent Argento text says "if I lose my job I will move to Africa or the Amazon forest." (A Rose McGowan tweet urging people to "be gentle" with Argento has drawn sharp criticism.) New Delhi: Three policemen were killed and several others injured in Jammu and Kashmir as violence marred the Eid Al-Adha or Bakrid celebrations with heavy clashes and stone pelting incidents reported from different parts of the Valley. Protesters also took to streets and were seen waving flags of Pakistan and the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Terrorists shot dead a policeman in Kulgam's Zazripora, and other two in Pulwama district, official sources said. Militants fired at the entry gate of the Army camp in Kulgam and shot dead policeman Fayaz Ahmed as he came out after the Id prayers, according to reports. Earlier in the day, BJP worker Shabir Ahmad Bhat was shot dead by terrorists at his home in Pulwama's Rakh-e-litter. Meanwhile, the Muslim festival of Bakrid or Eid-al Adha celebration, which falls on every 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, is observed across the country on Wednesday. Read | Eid Al-Adha 2018: Date, significance, wishes, worldwide celebrations and more Here are the updates on Jammu and Kashmir violence: #09: 40 PM: Inspector Mohd Asharf Dar shot dead at his residence in Pulwama. Jammu & Kashmir: Terrorists have shot dead Inspector Mohd Asharf Dar at his residence in Pulwama; More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/6T2Fl8bnFM ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 # 11:02 AM: Unidentified bike-borne terrorists opened fire at the main gate of CRPF's 30th Battalion's G Company in Bijbehara's Hassanpora earlier today. The guard at the gate fired in retaliation, terrorists managed to escape. No injuries have been reported. # 10:57 AM: Protesters pelt stones on a police vehicle and attack it with sticks as protests erupt in Anantnag. #WATCH: Protesters pelt stones on a police vehicle & attack it with sticks as protests erupt in Anantnag. #JammuAndKashmir. pic.twitter.com/N5rC0Uw8qD ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 # 10:04 AM: Clashes break out between security forces and protesters in Srinagar. # 09:52 AM: Terrorists have shot dead a police personnel outside an eidgah in Kulgam's Zazripora. #Visuals from Zazripora in Kulgam where terrorists have shot dead a police personnel outside an eidgah. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/2H4CIxRrU3 ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 # 09:46 AM: People seen waving national flag of Pakistan and flag of ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) in Srinagar. #JammuAndKashmir: People seen waving national flag of Pakistan and flag of ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) in Srinagar. pic.twitter.com/i4STtWy49q ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 Read | Eid Al-Adha: Markets to remain closed on account of Bakrid New Delhi: In an effort to help students learn better and sensitise the ill effects of eating unhealthy food, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday asked all varsities and higher education institutions to ban sale of junk food in their respective campuses, according to a statement. Banning junk food in colleges will set new standards for healthy food, making the students live better, learn better and reduce obesity levels. This will prevent lifestyle diseases which have a direct link with excessive weight, the UGC said in a communication to the universities. Also Read | NEET results show more students opting for non-clinical courses: Health Ministry official The announcement was made after a directive from the Human Resource Development Ministry, asking the UGC to ban selling of junk food in college canteens. You are requested to ensure strict adherence to the advisory. Create awareness among the younger generation who are vulnerable, the ministry said in a statement. Earlier, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) also made similar move and directed all affiliated schools to take junk food off their canteen menu. Meanwhile, the ministry also asked schools to inspect lunch boxes of students, create awareness about nutritious food and regularly monitor students health. Read More | Khalsa educational institutions switch to solar energy The circular was released following a report by the Women and Child Development Ministry on consumption of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) and promotion of healthy snacks in schools. (With inputs from agencies) New Delhi: Bigg Boss season 12 opens room for more exciting and steaming revelations. A bombshell flooded rumours across the internet that actress Mahika Sharma and British adult film star Danny D will be a part of Bigg Boss 12 as one of the Jodi contestants. Latest reports add a cherry on the top with rumours suggesting that this pair will be the highest-paid contestants on the reality show. Also Read | Bigg Boss 12: Salman Khans show to get MAJOR twist this season? The actors are making a huge break into the house as sources reveal the payment of this duo. According to reports, Mahika and Danny will be paid Rs 95 lakh per week for their much controversial yet anticipated stay inside the melodramatic house. This statement changes the entire diorama of the reality show as this Jodi will record the highest payment in the history of this show. Mahika has become a steaming hot name on headlines recently, garnering critical attention for her bold statements and photographs. The actor is turning heads with her recent alleged concupiscent Instagram pictures and expressing her overt sexual attraction for Danny. The official statements regarding the final list of contestants are yet to be revealed by the show producers, but numerous speculations are thick in the air. Rumours are that this season will have a mix of celebrity jodis and commoners pairing up, adding more to the drama. Also Read | Bigg Boss Tamil 2: Oviya to APPEAR on Kamal Haasans show? The pairing is not confined to the married couple, but can also be siblings, mother-son, and unmarried couple. According to the sources, Bigg Boss 12 will host six celebrity jodis and seven commoner pairs. As per the list revealed a few days ago, recently married couple Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar, will be among the probable Bigg Boss 12 celebrity contestants. Also Read | 'Milan Hotel' Trailer: The fight between love and politics will tickle your funny bones 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. New Delhi: Radhika Apte and Manav starrer new Netflix original Ghoul was premiered on Tuesday, where the two actors attended the event with a very enthusiastic note. The premiere took place on Tuesday night at the Great Eastern Mills in Byculla and in an apparent nod to the shows genre, both the actors walked the black carpet at the event. Also Read | Deepika, Ranveer to make their relationship official on THIS show Lust Stories actor Radhika Apte, who is sailing high on the success of another Netflix original Sacred Games, will be seen playing a powerful role in the horror series Ghoul. The horror series, which is based on an Arabic folklore, will be the first of its kind by the streaming giant. The series director Patrick Graham also walked the black carpet along with producers Vikramaditya Motwane and Kilian Kerwin. Many prominent giants from the Bollywood fraternity attended the event, such as Anurag Kashyap, Jim Sarbh, Sanya Malhotra, Sanjay Kapoor, and Siddharth Roy Kapur. Also Read | Anushka Sharmas Sui Dhaaga latest memes are complete laugh riot Ghoul is a horror series that revolves around a prisoner who arrives at a remote military interrogation centre and turns the tables on his interrogators exposing their most shameful secrets. The three-episode series, produced in partnership with Phantom Films, Ivanhoe and Blumhouse, has been written by Graham. The series will be available on Netflix from August 24 onwards. Also Read | Hina Khan flaunts gym wear in her latest pictures For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: India is conveying to various foreign governments pledging financial assistance to flood-ravaged Kerala that it will not accept the help, official sources said on Wednesday. A number of countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Maldives have announced assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. The sources said that while declining to accept the assistance, India is conveying its sincere appreciation to the foreign nations for their offers to help flood affected people in Kerala. Also Read | Kerala Floods: Centre unlikely to accept UAE's Rs 700 crore relief aid While the UAE has offered $ 100 million (around Rs 700 crore) as financial assistance to Kerala, Qatar has pledged around Rs 35 crore and Maldives has announced a donation of $ 50,000 (Rs 35 lakh). The Kerala government is understood to be unhappy over the Centres decision not to accept donations from foreign governments for flood relief operations in the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the state government would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear hurdles, if any, in receiving the flood relief aid offered to the state by the United Arab Emirates. In a tweet, Thailands Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi said Indian government has informed his country that it will not accept overseas donations for flood relief operations in Kerala. Official sources said New Delhi is conveying to foreign governments that it was carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the damage caused by the floods in Kerala and is capable of meeting the requirements of the state on its own. India is also informing the foreign governments offering assistance to Kerala that it has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the challenge. Informally informed with regret that GOI is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you the people of Bharat, the Thai envoy tweeted. Earlier, in a letter to Indian Association of Thailand, the envoy said he was in touch with Thai government and Thai companies present in India for extending possible assistance to Kerala. Read More | After flooding, Kerala faces mammoth task of averting disease outbreak, rehabilitation The sources said there was no restriction on accepting private contributions including from the diaspora. The UAE offered the assistance of Rs 700 crore considering its links with Kerala. Around three million Indians live and work in the UAE out of which 80 per cent are from Kerala, according to official figure. The floods in Kerala, worst in a century, have claimed lives of 231 people besides rendering over 14 lakh people homeless. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Centre has prepared a draft policy proposing compulsory genetic screening of all pregnant women to prevent inherited disorders such as thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia, along with putting in place advanced facilities for comprehensive care of such patients. The policy advocates for provision of medicines, including iron chelating agents, leukocyte filters and infusion pumps free of cost to the poor patients. Also Read | How 'The 18 Golden Steps' for women can fix the Sabarimala temple row In line with Make in India initiative, the draft policy also advocates for promotion of manufacture of the equipment and chemicals in the country and waiver of GST and custom duties to reduce cost of treatment for the affected families. Titled Policy For Prevention and Control of Hemoglobinopathies, Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Disease and variant Hemoglobins In India, the draft note has been put up on the website of the health ministry seeking comments and suggestions from various stakeholders till August 30. The policy recognises that for prevention, the focus should be on creating awareness of these disorders in the community for better acceptance of carrier screening. Also Read | Mandsaur Rape case: Two sentenced to death for raping eight-year-old This is recommended for all pregnant mothers, based on automated red cell counts with confirmation by HPLC analysis for Hb A2 and other hemoglobin variants. For women identified to be carriers, their husbands will be screened and in couples where both the partners are carriers, prenatal diagnosis will be offered to ensure that they have a baby unaffected with a clinically significant hemoglobinopathy, the draft read. Carrier screening could also be undertaken for high school and college students. As per the draft policy, all subjects screened would be given a card indicating their status, whether normal, carrier or diseased through systems of colour-coding. For sickle cell disease, policy recommended newborn screening to be initiated in areas of high prevalence. Also Read | Is caffeine consumption bad for children? Thalassemia and sickle cell diseases are two common genetic disorders that are chronic, life-restricting and require long and specialized treatment. They cause severe distress and financial loss to the family and are a great drain on the health resources of the country. With the fall in infant mortality rate due to control of communicable and nutritional disorders in the last decade in India, these disorders have become important causes of morbidity and mortality, the draft policy stated. According to the draft note, it is estimated that there are almost 3.6 to 3.9 crore carriers of thalassemia in India, and about 10,000 to 15,000 babies with thalassemia major are born each year. Also Read | How Divorce affects children? For sickle cell disease there are about 25,00,000 carriers of the gene (Hemoglobin AS), and about 1,25,000 patients of sickle cell disease. The draft policy has proposed creating of centres of excellence in states that will have advanced facilities required for comprehensive care of patients with thalassemia and sickle cell disease, including a bone marrow transplant unit and a prenatal diagnostic centre. The centres of excellence will provide technical support for thalassemia in medical colleges, tertiary care hospitals, district level health facilities and primary health centres, as well as impart training to the health professionals. The draft note has recommended creation of a hemoglobinopathy unit in government medical colleges, tertiary care facilities as well as in district level hospitals to carry out therapy as well as preventive activities. Also Read | Period cramps: Top natural home remedies for quick relief It also recommended setting up of a patient registry for thalassemia and sickle cell diseases to obtain information on the number of persons affected and the number of carriers to estimate patients who require various services. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress president Rahul on Wednesday said that there was a huge amount of violence against women in India and said that a country could not be built without involving women. India needs to change the way of viewing women, Rahul said in an address at the Kampnagel Theater, Bucerius Summer School in Germanys Hamburg. You cannot build a country if we don't involve women. Indian men have to start viewing women as their equals: Congress President @RahulGandhi #WillkommenRahulGandhi #Bucerius pic.twitter.com/WDWoear35p Congress (@INCIndia) August 22, 2018 Rahul maintained that there were very few women representatives in politics, adding population in itself was not a problem in India if women are brought in the workforce. When I look at Parliament and political parties, there are very few women representatives. We are championing a Bill for women's reservation, but, deep down it's a cultural issue: Congress President @RahulGandhi #WillkommenRahulGandhi #Bucerius pic.twitter.com/o0e9VTRG4m Congress (@INCIndia) August 22, 2018 Meanwhile, Rahul in his wednesday address at Bucerius Summer School, launched a scathing attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the Modi government imposed demonetisation and destroyed the cash flow in the Indian economy, which left millions unemployed. Couple years back, the Prime Minister demonetised the Indian economy and destroyed the cash flow of all MSMEs and millions of people who worked in the informal sector were left unemployed : Congress President @RahulGandhi #WillkommenRahulGandhi #Bucerius Congress (@INCIndia) August 22, 2018 Rahul continued his attack and alleged that funds meant for the poor were going to a few large corporates. The Dalits, minorities, tribals are now not allowed to gain from the Govt. All the money that used to go into schemes for the poor are now going to a few large corporates. The guaranteed employment scheme, right to food, right to information, bank nationalisation were some of the ideas that all governments held through. Now, these ideas are damaged to a great extent, the Congress president alleged. The Congress president condemned violence and said forgiveness was the only one way forward to end violence. I have suffered violence and I can tell you, there is only one way to let it go- forgiveness. And for forgiveness, you need to understand where it is coming from, Rahul said. My father was killed by a terrorist in 1991. When the same terrorist died few years later, I wasn't happy. I saw myself in his children: Congress President @RahulGandhi #WillkommenRahulGandhi #Bucerius Congress (@INCIndia) August 22, 2018 On being asked about hugging PM Modi during no-confidence motion, Rahul said PM Modi was making hateful remarks at him but he showed affection. "Basic idea is that if someone hates you, it is something that they are doing, responding to it with hate is foolish, it won't solve any problem. You are in full control of how you react. Non-violence in India is a founding philosophy of our nationhood and essence of being an Indian. PM Modi was making hateful remarks at me, I showed affection, he was taken aback. Even some of them (my Party members) didn't like it and I disagreed with them, Rahul said. Rahul, who is on a four-day tour to the United Kingdom and Germany, reached Hamburg on Wednesday and met Niels Annen, minister of state and member of Bundestag, the German federal parliament. Also read | Finance Ministry asks PSU bank CEOs to check frauds in NPAs or face penal action The two ministers discussed a range of issues including Indian and German politics, the devastating floods in Kerala, the GST and jobs, according to sources. The Congress President will address the Indian Overseas Congress in Berlin on Thursday and will then visit the UK, where he will address an event organised by the Indian Overseas Congress in collaboration with local Indian-origin parliamentarians. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: More than two million Muslims from across the globe on Wednesday took part in the celebration of Eid al-Adha, or popularly known as Bakra Eid (Bakrid), the 'Festival of Sacrifice', the last major ritual of the hajj pilgrimage that heralds the start of the Eid al-Adha feast. Muslims men, women and children step out in all their finery and offer prayers at Idgah ground across the world. Date: As per the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah but the date varies every year and shifts 11 days from the previous one. Eid al-Adha marks the final day of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage Muslims are required to undertake to Makkah once in a lifetime. Some Muslims observe this Eid for three days. Madhya Pradesh: People offer prayers at Idgah ground in Bhopal on #EidAlAdha pic.twitter.com/lWlTN1S4IU ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 Read | Violence marks Bakrid celebration in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag Significance: The festival commemorates the readiness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his 10-year-old son Ishmael in order to prove his obedience to Allah. God, however, sent his angel to Abraham and asked him to sacrifice an animal instead of his son. Hence, on this day, Muslims around the world sacrifice one of their dearest animals for their beloved Allah and prove their utmost love and devotion for Allah. Post that, a feast is prepared out of the offerings and is divided into three parts. While the first part is distributed among family, friends and neighbours, the second part is for the poor and needy. The last part is prepared for the immediate family. Going by the tradition, anyone should not be left hungry on this Sacrificial Feast. Read | Delhi: Bakrid holiday for central govt offices on August 23 Delhi: Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi offered prayers at Shia Jama Masjid at Kashmiri Gate on #EidAlAdha . pic.twitter.com/tLo24iEDT9 ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on Eid al-Adha, hoping that the festival of sacrifice would deepen the spirit of compassion in the society. "Best wishes on Id-ul-Zuha. May this day deepen the spirit of compassion and brotherhood in our society," Modi tweeted. Best wishes on Id-ul-Zuha. May this day deepen the spirit of compassion and brotherhood in our society. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 22, 2018 Read | Eid Mubarak! Shah Rukh Khan, AbRam's cute selfie on this festive season will take your heart away! See in pic For all the Latest Lifestyle News, Religion News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bengaluru: At a time when social media is vitiated by insensitive remarks over women, the Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala and Kerala floods, Bharatnatyam dance maestro Mithun Shyam - bats for womens rights and insists that they be allowed to on their own free will decide for themselves. He believes that "entry into a temple cannot be the yardstick for a measure of empowerment of women". Some tasteless remarks by a section of the people suggesting that natures fury in Kerala was the result of demands by women to enter the inner sanctorum of the Lord Ayyappas abode have been strongly condemned. It was a remark by RSS ideologue and chartered accountant S Gurumurthy, recently appointed as RBI director, that sparked off a major row. Amid this backdrop, Mithun Shyam paid homage to Lord Ayyappa in a dance recital titled The 18 Golden Steps to mark the 20th anniversary of his dance school Vaishnavi Natyashala. In a nutshell, the one-hour long dance recital is the depiction of Lord Ayyappas life story told through Bharatnatyam. The performance itself by the dance guru and his 25 shishyas aged nine years to 51 years, girls, boys, men and women was breathtakingly beautiful when it was hosted in Bangalore on Sunday evening. It is the topicality of the subject picked up by dancer Mithun Shyam, an acclaimed national and international Bharatnatyam exponent, that raises a few eyebrows. He admitted as much to the News Nation that he, as a citizen, is both inspired and moved by current day developments in the society and the country. Read | Supreme Court reserves order on Sabarimala temple case Although the intention was not to create any controversy, I thought it was my duty to raise the issue, using dance to express my opinion, Mithun Shyam said a day before the performance. I like women to have more power and feel that the nation can make progress only when women are empowered. But entry into a temple cannot be the yardstick for a measure of empowerment of women, he said, adding that a decision whether to enter the temple should be best left to individual women. All I am saying to women is that it is your individual decision, the dance maestro said and appealed to them not to be goaded by activists who claim to represent all women. Let it be totally democratic, is his argument. When pointed out that the Supreme Court has already reserved the judgment in the case, Mithun Shyam said that any decision of the Supreme Court will be acceptable as it has heard all sides and give justice. I have firm belief and faith in the Supreme Court. Incidentally, Mithun Shyam has in the past too known to have flirted with topics that brought him into a brush with controversy. His use of Bharatnatyam to tell the story of Jesus Christ to a Christian audience had both the Hindus and Christians agitated. But after the performance, the Christian audience was surprised that the life and times of Jesus Christ could be conveyed through dance poses, mudras and expressions. Read | Petitioners warn of another Ayodhya if Sabarimala Temple ban on women entry scrapped Art is beyond religion and faith, Mithun Shyam said. About the latest offering, The 18 Golden Steps to other cities as also perform at Sabarimala temple, the temple authorities are aware of this recital, he said, and are open to the performance, he said. Attired in brilliant colours and their bodies moving in a rhythmic grace, 26 trained dancers dazzled the audience with an immaculate presentation - retelling the story of Swamy Ayyappa and dwelling upon the concepts of 41 days of rigorous fasting and purity, the tiring journey, the spiritual essence of the ancient temple and why only men go to Sabarimala. Lord Ayyappa is an Ajanma Bhramachari and refuses to marry and traditionally women have not gone there (to inner sanctorum), he said, adding I wanted to tell the story of Lord Ayyappa and why is he sitting there. Read | Can women in 10-50 years age group enter Sabarimala Temple? The 18 Golden Steps revolves round the Avatara Udesha of Lord Ayyappa, which sprouts from the misdeeds of the revengeful demoness Mahishi, and the subsequent destruction of evil and restoration of peace by the slaying of Mahishi. Peshawar: Two groups of people in Pakistan on Wednesday clashed and opened fire over sacrifice of animals on Bakrid, killing five persons and injuring six others, police said. A long-standing dispute between them escalated during the sacrifice of animals on the occasion of Eid al-Adha in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Mardan city, Geo news reported. Also Read | Temple school in Pakistan where Muslim woman teaches Hindu students Both the groups lost two persons each, while a passerby was also killed in the exchange of fire, police said. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals in Mardan and Peshawar. Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakrid or Id-ul-Zuha, marks prophet Abrahams sacrifice of a lamb after God spared his son, Prophet Ismail. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kathmandu: The Nepal government has formed a seven-member committee to hold talks with China to implement a bilateral agreement on energy cooperation, officials said. The two countries had signed the MoU on Energy Cooperation during the visit of Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China during the third week of June. Energy Secretary Anup Kumar Upadhyay has been appointed as the co-chair of the committee, which includes representatives from Nepal Electricity Authority and the Energy Ministry as its members. Also Read Opinion | India-Pakistan peace under Imran Khan an elusive desire The committee meeting will be held in Kathmandu on September 27 and 28. The meeting will hold discussions on energy cooperation and progress on investment exchange in the sector, the officials said. The committee will prepare the ground for creating a conducive environment to promote investment in the energy development from both government and private sectors. Read More | Nepal suspends services of private chopper firm after death of Indian pilgrim Nepal had signed similar energy cooperation agreements with India and Bangladesh also. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Karachi: Inside a Hindu temple in a shanty area in Pakistans Karachi city, Anum Agha wearing the traditional Muslim Hijab greets her students with salaam and gets a loud Jai Shri Ram in response. Anum runs a school inside the temple in the Basti Guru area of the southern port city. The school is situated in the middle of an informal Hindu settlement which is facing constant threats from land grabbers. But Anum is determined to impart knowledge about education, health and basic rights to the children of the minority community. Also Read | Asiad 2018 theme song Sound of Music fills the streets of Jakarta, moves athletes, fans In the settlement, 80 to 90 Hindu families live in a close cluster of wooden huts and some semi-constructed houses. One can see Anum holding discussions with children of the settlement after her classes are over. Everyone is surprised when I tell them about our school inside this temple but we had no other place to hold our classes when I first started coming here last year, she told PTI. The classes are conducted in the main area of the temple. The walls of the temple are plastered with posters of Hindu deities and statues of Hindu Gods placed up on a higher perch. The lack of basic facilities is noticeable as one moves around the settlement located in Rehman Colony near Mahmoodabad but for land grabbers, it is not an ordinary piece of land. Read More | Four dead, 16 injured in Crystal Tower building fire near Mumbai's Parel There have been at least two incidents in the last four years when some huts were set on fire and the Hindu families were threatened and told to get out of the area, Shiva Dharni, a community leader, said. Recently authorities also cut electricity and water connections to the Basti, which was set up in the 60s when the Hindu families migrated from Ghotki in interior Sindh to Karachi. The area witnessed tensions a few years ago when a Muslim resident apparently started propagating an idea that a mosque should be constructed over the land. These land grabbers try to persuade the Muslim clerics that having a settlement of lower caste Hindu in the centre of a proper Muslim neighbourhood is unacceptable, Arif Habib, who heads the non-governmental Initiator Human Development Foundation which has brought Anum to run the school in the temple, said. These are vulnerable communities and they are under threat from non-state actors, I mean land grabbers who want them to evacuate the plot where this settlement is located, he said. Read Opinion | How 'The 18 Golden Steps' for women can fix the Sabarimala temple entry row Anum reluctantly admits that some of the Muslim residents living around the settlement dont like her involvement with the scheduled caste Hindu families and her holding classes. But I do it because these people are not even aware of their basic rights. Their children want to gain knowledge and education. Some of them attended other schools in the area but faced social and religious issues, Anum said. She said that the Hindu elders were very happy that their children, specially the girls, dont have to leave the settlement for education. Asked whether she has faced difficulties as a Muslim teacher, Anum said she did face challenges. Also Read | Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh to make their relationship official on THIS show But I never talk about religion and avoid hurting their sensitivities. I try to keep them focused on different subjects and religion is not one of them, she said. I respect them as human beings and they respect me back. That is how we work. We celebrate religious festivals together. I say salaam to them and they respond with Jai Shri Ram. She feels the school can serve as an example of how different communities can co-exist peacefully in the Muslim majority nation while respecting each other. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A young Bahraini man who stole gas cylinders and sold them for BD15 has been sentenced to six months behind bars. The defendant is said to have robbed the cylinders from a house in Hamad Town, according to court details. The Bahraini man got arrested after investigations were launched following a complaint received from the house owner. From Gadoae to Bahraini halwa, there are many delicious Bahraini food items that add unique charm to the celebrations Special dishes are associated with special festivals and Eid Al Adha is no different. One of the popular traditions among Bahrains is to visit each others families during Eid to convey greetings and wishes. In Arabic these visits are called Bait el Oud. During these visits, guests are served snacks and sweets popularly known as Eid Gadoae. Gadoae is a popular word for light meals, which include many salty and sweet bites along with warm drinks such as tea or coffee. Speaking to Tribune, Malaak, a Bahraini woman, said, Gadoaes vary depending on the financial abilities of the host. Most often, the sweet dishes, such as dates with flour, Khanfarush, Rahash, Kebayt or Zallabiya are offered. All these dishes are very traditional, but recently people added Samoosa, Lessan el Thor, Baydh el Qatta and Legaymat to those dishes; in addition to the permanent princess of dishes, the Bahraini Halwa. Khanfarush is a sweet pastry. It is said in the folklore, as a joke, that Khanfrush is the name of a fairy/ demon of the jinn (genies) who invented this exotic candy, which is fragile and preferably eaten with coffee. There is legend behind Zallabiya. It is said that a ruler, during the Abbassids reign, asked a chef to make a special dessert. The chef made it, but felt that the Sultan would not like it, because of its strange shape and high sugar in it. The chef said, Zalla Biy, which meant that he will kill me, but the Sultan liked the taste of the dessert, and it has been called Zallabiya ever since. The Rahash is a candy made mainly of flour and sugar mixed with tahini. Tahini, is a sesame extract that was imported by Bahrainis from India and Persia, along with sweet dates; not to forget mentioning the mixed fruit dish. The most famous of salty dishes to be served at the beginning of Eid is the Yugutt, which is made up of dried salted milk and katteen, which is salt-dried figs. In addition to that, it has a mixture of cashew nuts, almonds, walnuts and pistachios. Lately, new additions have been made to the list of nuts, and are similar to the Indian Matthai, which is one of the salty dishes offered during Eid. The northward migration of fugu, or blowfish, as well as new types created through mixed breeding, are causing confusion in Tokyo's Tsukiji food market. Increasing numbers of fugu from Hokkaido and northeastern Japan have been arriving at the market. Mixed-bred fish whose precise type cannot be identified are destroyed for safety reasons. A metropolitan ordinance requires fugu wholesalers at Tsukiji to get a fugu-preparation license. Kenji Oguri, who has worked for years as an intermediate wholesaler, says it's strange that more and more fugu with colors and patterns he's never seen are being caught. He says he wants to see more research on interbreeding and to make sure everyone knows what's happening. Tokyo Metropolitan government food sanitation experts monitor fugu twice a day to prevent the accidental sale of mixed-bred fish. Inspector Tatsuya Takagi says fugu that have never been seen before at Tsukiji have been appearing recently. He says he's asking wholesalers to make sure mixed-bred fugu whose safety cannot be confirmed do not leave the market. As the wind of defection continues to blow in the Nigerian political arena, no fewer than 500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to All Progressives Congress (APC) in Roni Local Government of Jigawa state.The State APC chairman, Alhaji Ado Sani Kiri received the decampees during a rally held at Roni Motel, in Roni.The chairman who was represented by one of the party caucus, Alhaji Abdullahi H. Gumel welcome the new members and promised to treat them like any other party member.His words In APC there is no difference between a new member and an old member, what matters is your commitment and obedience to the party and its manifesto.Also speaking at the gathering, an aspirant for the seat of member representing Kazaure/Roni/Yankwashi/ Gwiwa federal constituency, Alhaji Kabiru Ahmed Roni commended the courage and wisdom exhibited by the defectors for dumping the party that does not mean well to them and the country.Alhaji Kabiru who is the key player in wooing the defectors into APC promise to carry the new members along, work with them hand in hands for the victory of the party in the state and nation at large.Speaking on behalf of the decampees who came from across seven political wards of Roni local government, Malam Isa Naradi said, they dumped PDP for APC in recognition of examplary leadership demonstrated by governor Muhammadu Badaru in the state. And also to support the candidature of Alhaji Kabiru Ahmed who they described as a man of integrity and trust worthy. Mr Bola Babarinde, an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, has backed the adoption of direct primary to elect partys flag bearers for 2019 elections. Babarinde, currently the Chairman, APC South Africa, told newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday that the system would help to eradicate financial inducements during primaries. He, however, said the direct primary model should be devoid of monetary enticements by moneybags. According to him, the use delegates for primary election is usually compromised by moneybags which should not be allowed in the direct primaries. Babarinde, said: The main root of corruption in Nigeria is money politics where politicians spend a fortune to get nominated for political offices. I believe with direct primaries there will be less inducement if properly conducted. Delegateselection is like a cult where party leaders hoard the delegates like commodities. But direct primaries will give all card-carrying members of the party a sense of belonging unlike when the appointed or elected delegates used to be special party members that determine the fate of party loyalists. Babarinde urged the party to organise and sponsor town hall meetings where aspirants would showcase their programmes. The exercise should be devoid of monetary enticements, and to be candid money politics should be criminalised. This is the only way we can witness good governance, otherwise, it will be business as usual, the governorship hopeful said. He said as a progressive and an advocate of improving on the achievements of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowos legacies, he should be given the opportunity to lead the pacesetter state. According to him, Awolowo has left shoes too big for all leaders in the Southwest as the premier of the defunct Western Region. As someone that believes in the emancipation of downtrodden, bridging gaps between the rich and the poor, making available basic needs to the poor, APC is the only party with such manifesto. Oyo State since it was created has had many governors, they all did their best; although, their best may not necessarily be in line with the motto of the state The Pacesetter. If given the opportunity to be the next governor, I will bring Oyo State back to the position of a pacesetter in Education, Health, Commerce, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Human Development. Nothing short of that is acceptable, Babarinde said. Newsmen report that the ruling party has announced that it will use direct primary to elect its candidates for the 2019 polls. Isah Misau and Rafiu Ibrahim, both senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), say the All Progressives Congress (APC) will meet the... will meet their match in them if the ruling party attempts to foment trouble in the upper legislative chamber when they reconvene. Isah Misau and Rafiu Ibrahim, both senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), say the All Progressives Congress (APC)will meet their match in them if the ruling party attempts to foment trouble in the upper legislative chamber when they reconvene. The national assembly embarked on its annual recess on July 24 and it is expected to reconvene on September 25. In a statement on Wednesday, Misau and Ibrahim, accused the APC of focusing on Saraki and making him the subject of all discussions. The senators asked the ruling party should devote more time to tackling the various issues confronting the country. This is the first time in the history of the country that the ruling party will leave the issue of its achievements and start blaming its failure on just one individual, no matter who the individual is, the statement read. It is also the first time a ruling party will plan to hoodwink Nigerians by saying everything wrong under its watch is due to the action and inaction of one man. APC has devoted all the time and knowledge of their national chairman, national leader, publicity secretary, four senators and two presidential aides to the daily abuse of Saraki, such that it appears as if Saraki is the only politician in Nigeria today. They have made Saraki the issue in Nigerian politics today. If these individuals devote the energy they are exerting on Saraki to finding solutions to the security problem, economic crisis and collapse of infrastructure, among them, they will come out with some action plan, except they are only skillful in mischief making. We can see through this plot. The plan is to get Saraki so engrossed in the battle for survival in the senate and the pummeling from the APC cabal such that he will have no time to pursue his aspiration for 2019. However, this is a short time strategy. It will not work. That is why the man remains unfazed by the antics. We are surprised that all the decisions that the senate took as an institution is now blamed on Saraki. Are we also going to give the credit of all the achievements of the senate to Saraki as well? president and which led to the World Bank improving the rating of Nigeria in the Ease of Doing Business Report, the Petroleum Industry Governance Bills which broke the jinx of over 14 years on the law, the progressive constitution amendment bills, the five anti-corruption laws, and many others, as well as the fact that the 8th Senate has done better than the previous ones in terms of number of bills passed, the petitions successfully treated and the various interventions: will all these be credited to Saraki and not the entire Senate? The laws that have been signed by thepresident and which led to the World Bank improving the rating of Nigeria in the Ease of Doing Business Report, the Petroleum Industry Governance Bills which broke the jinx of over 14 years on the law, the progressive constitution amendment bills, the five anti-corruption laws, and many others, as well as the fact that the 8th Senate has done better than the previous ones in terms of number of bills passed, the petitions successfully treated and the various interventions: will all these be credited to Sarakiand not the entire Senate? You blame a man for what an institution lawfully did. Is this not dishonest? Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan who moved the motion for our adjournment till September 25 and the minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio who seconded the motion are in APC, yet they kept quiet when all the falsehood are being peddled now that Saraki unilaterally and hurriedly adjourn the senate. These senators kept quiet about their roles simply because they want to be good boys. When the motion for adjournment was carried by voice vote, no dissenting voice was heard. Many people who are grandstanding now do not care how history will record their roles. How can those who play key roles in the senate now turn round and be blaming everything on one man? Is Saraki now a superman? Is he not just one senator like each and every one of us? Let us play back all the tape records of the senate proceedings. Those who enjoy privileges in the senate now look the other way when the presidency is complaining. Which of the decisions that are now being criticized did the APC pretenders in the senate oppose? Of the ten- man senate leadership, five of them are in APC.Those who enjoy privileges in the senate now look the other way when the presidency is complaining. Chief Francis Inegbineki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says President Muhammudu Buharis revolution in agriculture, has impacted positively on the lives of youths in the country.Inegbineki, who is aspiring to be a Senator for the Edo Central Senatorial District, made this assertion while fielding questions from newsmen in Benin on Wednesday.Inegbineki, while noting that the revolution had taken many youths off the streets, stressed that many of them had benefited immensely from the new deal in agriculture.He said he would leverage on this development to empower youths in his Senatorial district, many farmers, including youths, who have embraced the sector are now self reliant.In Esanland, the people love Buhari as president because it was through the APC government that farmers can now sell their produce and make more money.Inegbineki called on the APC to adopt the direct primaries ahead of the 2019 general elections, adding that the party would make an inroad in the district during the elections.He, however, said that this could only be possible if the right candidates were picked for the elections.I also want to appeal to the leaders of APC in Edo state to adopt direct primaries because delegate election can be skewed and manipulated. But with direct primary, the people will decide who will represent them.It is only through direct primaries that APC can be stronger because any attempt to manipulate the process, APC may lose out, he said.You see, to the ordinary man Esanland seems to be the home of the PDP in Edo, but to us, the politicians, it is not so.If am given the APC ticket, I can assure you, we are going to defeat the PDP this time around. Former Governor of Plateau State and serving senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Senator Jonah Jang has declared ... Former Governor of Plateau State and serving senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Senator Jonah Jang has declared his intention to contest for the presidential primary on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. A close associate of Senator Jang, who was a former Secretary to Plateau State Government, Professor Shedrach Best, made this known in an interview with the Tribune newspaper. He said the former governor has submitted his letter of intent to the National Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja and also made a declaration at his constituency. According to him, Senator Jang joined the race after a wide consultation in the country especially in the Middle Belt which is his immediate constituency as far as the presidential race is a concern. After he submitted his letter of intent to contest at the National Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja, he had a wide consultation and meeting with his followers in his constituency and got the nod of the people to contest for the number one seat. Senator Jang decided to throw his hat into the ring having examined the state of the nation especially the insecurity, energy, bad economy and lack of purposeful direction by those in leadership positions in the country. He joined the race primarily to make a difference, he said. Professor Best, who said Jang had the full support of the Middle Belt for his aspiration added that the fact that the geopolitical zone has not enjoyed representation through electoral governance further propelled Senator Jang to indicate his interest to contest. PDP has zoned presidency to the North, the North Central otherwise called the Middle Belt has not enjoyed representation through electoral governance, it is the belief of Senator Jang that since North Central is part of the North it should be given an opportunity this time around, he said. Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, yesterday, attributed the unprecedented milestones of his more than seven-year administration to godliness, sincerity of purpose, fearlessness and blessings from God.The governor said this, in an interview with journalists, shortly after observing the Eid al-Adha prayers at the Eid Prayer Ground, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State.Ajimobi said: What we are celebrating today is godliness and service to humanity. As the governor, I believe I have served humanity. Those who think we are wrong today will appreciate us tomorrow. We have been able to come this far due to our godliness, fearlessness and sincerity of purpose.A good leader should not only be able to envision but must have the courage to implement the vision. A good leader takes his people to where they want to go, but a great leader takes them to where they ought to be.Experience has shown that anytime a leader or head of government wants to make a change, the enlightened, unenlightened, ignorant and mischievous people will play politics with it. But a good leader must have the courage to go ahead. We will forge ahead and not allow the state to become a banana republic or animal farm.Earlier, the Chief Imam of called on Nigerians to embrace the art of godliness and service to humanity in their day-to-day activities, asking them to move closer to God and remain steadfast in faith. The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, met with party members and leaders from Edo North senatorial district partly to celebrate Eld-ed-Kabir and to also discuss political situation in the area ahead of the coming primaries to pick State and National Assembly candidates for the party.At press time, the expected number of five persons per ward from the six local government areas that make up the area were already trooping to the Iyamho residence of Oshiomhole.Meanwhile, youths under the aegis of Esan Youths Movement, disrupted a meeting called by Governor Godwin Obaseki in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area in Edo Central senatorial district, alleging that the governor wants to impose the current Commissioner for Finance, Mr John Inegbedion, as the senatorial candidate for the district, a decision they said if carried out, they would resist.The governor had called a similar meeting in Edo South where he expressed preference for consensus for candidates to emerge as against the partys preference for direct primaries.At the meeting in Irrua, many of the party leaders reportedly complained that the government of Obaseki had not done much in the area for them to campaign with. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, has mocked President Muhammadu Buhari over his publici... The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, has mocked President Muhammadu Buhari over his publicized 800metres trek. Buhari had on Tuesday trekked 800 metres from Eid praying ground back to his private residence in Daura, Katsina State. Against this backdrop, the Presidency said Buharis long distance walk was an indication of his fitness to preside over Nigeria for another term. However, the PDP spokesperson faulted the publicity given to Buharis 800m trek. In a tweet, Ologbondiyan said even his centurion granny walks 1km daily without calling a world press conference. The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, has urged Nigerians across the globe to continue supporting the EFCC to win the war against the hydra-headed monster called corruption.Mr Nkem Lafia, National Publicity Secretary, Change Agents for Positive Transformation (CAPT), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.Lafia quoted Magu as making the call for the support and continuous fight against corruption when members of CAPT paid him a visit in Abuja.The EFCC boss said that there was no how the Commission or himself would achieve the target of fighting corruption in Nigeria without the help of all and sundry.Magu further called for the cooperation of all Nigerians and institutions, including Non-State entities, to do all in their powers to fight every act of corruption around them.Magu said, the endemic nature of corruption in Nigeria, has elevated a few citizens to the position of Super Lords that are even richer than the States of their origin.These few individuals have continued to use their ill-gotten wealth to thwart the good job the EFCC is doing.There was no how the EFCC or myself alone would achieve the target the Buhari Administration has set in the crusade against corruption without the buy-in of all parts of the Nigerian society.Even the international community showed that the activities of the Commission and the anti-corruption stance of the Buhari Administration were already yielding fruits that are worthy of commendation.Magu called for the constant advice and prayers from Nigerians, who believe that corruption, can actually be defeated.Mr Austin Nwanya, CAPT National Coordinator, who led the delegation, had earlier congratulated Magu on his recent promotion as Commissioner of Police and applauded him for his good job.Nwanya described Magus new position as a reward and motivation for his selfless and patriotic services to Nigeria.Nwanya promised that CAPT, as an NGO, would continue to support the Commission by bringing its activities and achievements to the attention of the public.Nwanya advised Magu not be deterred by the antics of some Nigerians, who had something to hide and were, therefore, determined to continue to throw spanners in the works of the Commission. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has distanced itself from a statement asking Senate President Bukola Sar... The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has distanced itself from a statement asking Senate President Bukola Saraki to resign or be forcefully removed. Garus Gololo, chairman of the association in Benue state, had said the senate president is working to undermine the presidency. He then asked Saraki to relinquish his position or be forced out. But in a statement on Wednesday, Othman Ngelzarma, national secretary of MACBAN, said Gololo spoke in his personal capacity. Ngelzarma said Gololo would be sanctioned for making the comment and asked the public to disregard it. The attention of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has been drawn to an interview granted by one Garus Gololo in Makurdi to Punch Newspaper titled Resign or we will force you out. Miyetti Allah to Saraki. This statement is unfortunate, the statement read. I will categorically state that Garos Gololo spoke in his personal capacity and has no mandate to speak on behalf of the association. Miyetti Allah is a non partisan association with no interest in the political terrain and we couldnt meddle into the affairs of political actors thereby compounding our already obvious challenges. I therefore urge all and sundry to disregard this statement. This statement is not from MACBAN and should be disregarded in its entirety. We take exception on this statement and Garos Gololo is entirely on his own and will be sanctioned accordingly. We cannot afford to add up to the many challenges we are confronted with. Im therefore appealing to the general public to disregard this statement as it is coming from someone who doesnt have the mandate of the association to speak on its behalf. Thank You and God bless you all. The All Progressives Congress, APC, has reacted to the claim by Senate President that its National Leader, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, was supporti... The All Progressives Congress, APC, has reacted to the claim by Senate President that its National Leader, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, was supporting President Muhammadu Buhari in order to takeover from him in 2023. The Senate President had on Monday said Tinubu was backing President Buharis re-election with the hope of succeeding the President in 2023. Saraki claimed also that the former Lagos State Governor told him he would support Buhari even if he was on a stretcher. The former Kwara Governor spoke in reaction to a statement on Sunday by Tinubu, alleging that he left the ruling party because of his presidential ambition and selfish quest for power. Speaking with Punch, the acting National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Yekini Nabena, indicated that it was premature to talk about 2023 presidency. He also said that Tinubus presidential ambition had not been communicated to the party. Nabena said, This (Tinubus ambition) has not been communicated to the party, so I cannot comment on it. The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi has said it will now pardon Yinka Ayefele because of his appeal and not because he is physically chal... The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi has said it will now pardon Yinka Ayefele because of his appeal and not because he is physically challenged. According to the governor, being physically challenged doesnt give anyone the right to break the law. He said this while reacting to the backlash he got for demolishing Ayefeles Music House worth N800m. In an interview with BBC, he said: Ayefele didnt obey the law. People are saying he should be pardoned because he is physically challenged. So, does being physically challenged give one the right to break the law? They said he employed people, but even thieves employ people. Should we say a thief should continue stealing because he employed people? And we warned him (Ayefele) about the building. Now that he has appealed, we will pardon him, but we must always obey the law. A chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has said that the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, Bolaji Tinubu must be nai... A chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has said that the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, Bolaji Tinubu must be naive to think that the North will allow him to succeed Buhari in 2023. Adebanjo further called on the people of the South-West not to allow themselves to be fooled by Tinubu a second time. Tinubu is daydreaming if he thinks the North will ever support his presidential ambition. We have our principles, Adebanjo was quoted by Punch as saying. We are not supporting Buhari under any circumstance and Tinubu cannot lead Yoruba land because all he has done is to lead us astray. All he has done for us is to give some of our people who are close to him appointments. Nothing tangible has been done for Yoruba land. He gave his stooges appointments, nothing more, nothing less. If he has done more than that, let him say it. The 90-year-old said the only demand the Yoruba had made was restructuring, which the APC had been dishonest about. He added, How can they be telling us about restructuring committee, when from the outset, they were supposed to have started restructuring. Who do they think they are fooling? If Tinubu is daydreaming, he shouldnt think others are daydreaming like him. Residents along one Cape Coral roadway said that they dont mind if a multi-family development is built on a nearby major city street, but if it encroaches on their way of life, there will be problems. That is what residents from Southwest 8th Place told the Cape Coral City Council during the boards regular meeting Monday at City Hall. The comments and discussion resulted in an unusual council decision to pass essentially half of a proposed ordinance that would approve the rezoning of a property on 2944 Skyline Blvd., but deny the rezoning on 2947 S.W. 8th Place, a move that developers said could jeopardize the plan. A rezoning was requested for the 1.26-acre undeveloped parcels located between the two city streets from Residential Development to Multi-Family Residential for a development with as many as 20 multi-family units. City staff said the rezoning could increase property values, would have adequate size, not have a negative effect on the area and would fill a need for affordable, multi-family housing in the city. Residents begged to differ. Attorney and former mayor Eric Feichthaler told the council that residents werent the NIMBY (not in my backyard) types but that while they supported the need for multi-family housing on Skyline, Southwest 8th Street is all single-family housing and would not be compatible. The council got a tearful plea from Margaret Dorin, whose husband died in 2014. She said she loved her neighborhood and house, and at 81 she didnt know how long she was going to be there. Others said there were many children who live there and the potential increase in traffic would make for a noisier neighborhood, though they liked the idea for multi-family housing on Skyline. Councilmember Rick Williams agreed to approve the rezoning on Skyline, but not on Southwest 8th Place, a sentiment shared by the rest of council. Im in favor of the Skyline parcel, but not 8th Place. Its 90 percent single-family residential and it would be a detriment to have multi-family housing there, Councilmember John Gunter said. Andres Burrell of Burrell Engineering & Design argued the property on Southwest 8th Place is not zoned single-family and would only have eight units if approved. He also said the nearby daycare would generate more traffic than the new homes. The city has determined that 1,500 multi-family units are needed. This project would not be feasible if only the Skyline property is approved for rezoning, Burrell said. The budget is based on 20 units being developed. Council voted 7-0 to approve the Skyline parcel and deny the Southwest 8th Place. I was really pleased for that because my house is right in front of it. Mr. Feichthaler did a great job. My son-in-law found him and when we learned he was the former mayor, we knew we got a good one, Dorin said. City Council also approved a planned development project called Meta at Cape Harbour by replatting a 2.57-acre tract and eliminating a provision that requires compound use buildings on Pedestrian Commercial tracts, which staff said would allow flexibility on how the land can be developed. That vote was also 7-0, with Marilyn Stout absent. After more than two dozen speakers asked Lee County commissioners to weigh in against a staff-tendered plan to modify the Conservation 20/20 land acquisition process, the elected board approved a change to how lands are evaluated for purchase while postponing its decision on when parcels may be submitted into the consideration queue. The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to update the review criteria to more heavily weigh parcels that could result in water quality improvements. The commission postponed a decision that would coincide land acquisition proposals with the budget process. This is the most important project Lee County has had or has ever had, said Frank Mann, District 5 commissioner. The Conservation 20/20 program was signed into action in 1996, and in 2016, supported with 84 percent of voters saying they support the taxpayer-funded initiative. The program is designed for Lee County to buy and preserve wild lands that are home to many different kinds of wildlife and natural landscapes. Since its inception, through Conservation 20/20, the county has acquired 28,978 acres on 130 properties and miles of shorelines arose the county. Some major acquisitions include Edison Farms Preserve and Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. The postponement of potential adopted criteria for these land submissions will include future workshopping of new ideas on how to improve the process. District 3 Commissioner Larry Kiker said he wants county staff to improve on the policy aspect of the proposal, as he believes the plan highlights operation aspects. We all want to make this work. Whats key is if we can find the proper way to evaluate them and decide whether to buy them or not, he told the staff. The major components of the new changes would be to adopt a formal process for applications in an annual cycle to be evaluated and ranked by the county staff, not the Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee, which currently reviews parcels. The commissioners agreed to a 100-point system to determine desirability, with 50 points available to parcels that have water resources in some fashion. County staff explained the purpose of the changes is to find a way to better leverage acquisition funds and to respond to requests more efficiently especially for the sellers who are waiting to hear whether the county wishes to obtain their land. These changes would not effect 20/20s funding or parcels, it is simply an evaluation and criteria change for applicants, proponents said. A major turn-off for the commissioners was the idea of only reviewing nominations once a year, as opposed to the rolling cycle instituted presently. All of the commissioners were vocal about their support of Conservation 20/20. During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents urged no changes to the current structural components of the program and championed for an increase in funding. Though water quality is a major issue currently across Lee County, the 50 points granted to all land involving water may result in unbalanced scales, especially for wildlife, such as burrowing owls, which may not live in aquatic conditions. I havent had one email saying We need to change this because 20/20 is running amuck,' said Mann. What were contemplating could put the brakes on the program. We have to review the process and make changes to line up with the economy and Lee County, Kiker added. Editors note: This story replaces the original post to correct and clarify the Commissions actions. Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj Editors note: This story replaces the original post to correct and clarify the Commissions actions. Early voting for the Aug. 28 Primary Election began Saturday and runs through Aug. 25 at 10 locations across Lee County, including one in North Fort Myers. The North Fort Myers location is at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Parkway. Cape Coral locations nearby include the Cape Coral Elections Office, 1039 S.E. 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. The Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office is ready for the primary that includes multiple races for both Republicans and Democrats as well as non-partisan races in which all voters may cast a ballot. We had our logic and accuracy test today. Everything tested fine, Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle said Wednesday afternoon. There are 436,913 registered voters in Lee County 187,732 registered as Republican, 118,272 as Democrat and 130,911 as other. The Lee County Elections Office mailed 123,164 domestic mail ballots at the end of July to those who had requested them or previously opted to cast their votes that way. The office started opening those ballots last Wednesday with 56,972 returned as of Monday morning. Another 2,828 voters cast ballots via early voting, bring the total to 60,148, including three ballots classified as provisionary. Voters who wish to request a mail in ballot still have time to do so before Election Day. Registered voters still have time to request a mail ballot up until the Wednesday before the election which is today. Voters who wait that long will have to drop off their mail ballots because they must be received by 7 p.m. Election Day, Aug. 28, Doyle said. The Post Office recommends that the vote-by-mail ballots should be sent seven days prior to Election Day. Doyle cautioned that if they are not received by 7 p.m. they are not counted and will never be opened. 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 The decision by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney to not seek reelection has resulted in a wide-open scramble by both major parties to take an all-important seat in the House of Representatives. U.S Congressional District 17 encompasses northern Lee County including North Fort Myers, Babcock Ranch, Alva and parts of Lehigh Acres and Buckingham as well as parts of Polk, Highlands, Hardee, Hillsborough, DeSoto, Okeechobee, Charlotte, Manatee, and Glades counties, making this one of the largest districts in the state in terms of geography. U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney -?not to be confused with Congressional District 19s Francis Rooney is a Republican. Tom Rooney has represented Floridas 17th Congressional District since 2013. He previously represented Floridas 16th Congressional District from 2009 to 2013. Closed Republican and Democratic primaries will be decided Tuesday, Aug. 28, with the winners of each facing off in the General Election on Nov. 6. Only registered party members can vote in their respective partys primary. Mail ballots are out and early voting is under way at 10 locations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday. Early voting sites include the North Fort Myers Recreation Center at 2000 N. Recreation Way (just off Old 41), the East County Regional Library, 881, Gunnery Road, and Veterans Park Recreation Center, 55 Homestead Road S., in Lehigh Acres. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. Democratic Primary (registered Democrats only) * April Freeman Age: 54 Residence: Cape Coral Occupation: TV producer April Freeman is no stranger to running for office. She ran for Congress as a Democrat in the 19th District in 2014, in the 17th District in 2016 and ran for mayor of Cape Coral last year. Shes running again in D-17, hoping to build on the support she got the last time around. Ive been picking up endorsements left and right. I have more name recognition than anyone else running and the ability to win that race, Freeman said. We have the data from 2016 and are picking up where we left off. I think the Republicans are scared of losing that seat, and I think we scared Tom Rooney away. Freeman said people are tiring of the break-up and make-up style of Congress and are very concerned about environmental issues, which she will campaign on heavily. Theres blue-green algae, theres toxic waste coming into our backyards, theres red tide and its all affecting our property, Freeman said. The only way to get rid of it is to get rid of whos there, and thats the Republican majority. Freeman said redistricting took her to D-17 where her heart is and she said she knows the district as well as anyone despite her residence outside of it. Ive campaigned there for four years. I only live 30 minutes outside the district. I defy anyone to tell me I know nothing about the district, Freeman said. * Bill Pollard Age: 64 Residence: Avon Park Occupation: Respiratory Therapist Bill Pollard has worked in the medical field his whole life. He said he wants Congress to be represented by someone who knows what it means to work for a living and that people seem to have tired over the same-old politicians that have made for insular system. With one party pretty much dominating everything, we need a strong two-party system. Theres a lot of unhappiness with the way things are and a lot of people who are looking for a Democrat, Pollard said. Ive lived here 16 years and there has never been a Democratic primary here. Pollard said he would like Medicare for All with so many people falling through the cracks with health care, strengthen Social Security so everyone can rely on it when they retire, and make sure anyone who wants to work has a job. Pollard said he believes the Democratic Party can do better than the 34 percent it has gotten in recent years, which was about what April Freeman got in 2016. I think we can get better support than that and I believe I have better support. Everywhere I go, people are very supportive, Pollard said. Im willing to go anywhere to talk, even to Tea Party and Republican audiences. Everybody needs to hear what you have to say. Republican Primary (Registered Republicans only. * Bill Akins Age: 69 Residence: Port Charlotte Occupation: Retired Bill Akins was inspired to run for office because of the work he did to build a Vietnam Memorial Wall near Laishley Park in Punta Gorda. He served in Vietnam and 10 years in the Army. He said it seemed people were tired of Rooney. Everyone was afraid to take on an incumbent, but in October I jumped in and in January Rooney jumped out, Akins said. Im a street fighter. Akins said his main platform is on veterans issues, adding that Rooney sat on the House subcommittee for Veterans Affairs and did nothing. Akins also supports pro-life, is anti-tax, anti-spend and a proponent of the Second Amendment and term limits. Im very conservative. Im behind Trump all the way. I believe hes doing the right thing. There are a lot of RINOs up there who dont support him and he needs our help, Akins said. Akins said he would never vote to undermine traditional marriage, raise taxes or non-military spending, raise the debt ceiling or weaken the Second Amendment. He said he would go to Washington to get things done and would not be wooed by lobbyists. If people knew where this dark money was coming from, its absolutely incredible. Campaign finance has to be looked into because its pretty ugly, Akins said. * Julio Gonzalez Age:54 Residence: Venice Occupation: Orthopedic Surgeon Julio Gonzalez says he believes the country is under assault. And he believes he has a skillset that he can lend to create sound policy and solutions to the problems we have today. Im a doctor who is also an attorney who went to learn the regulatory schemes that affect health care and combat them better, Gonzalez said. I have expertise on the Constitution and see the assault thats being made on that more so than on health care. Gonzalez said besides supporting the Constitution, the nation needs to shift decision making to the states, that we should lower taxes and support much of President Trumps agenda regarding sealing the borders, immigration policy enforcement, and the Second Amendment. I also have an interest in environmental issues for pretty much my adult life, seeing what happened to the Everglades. I want to address the issues that are impacting our waters, Gonzalez said. Gonzalez said its ethics that will make him the best candidate, as the primary race has been a very heated one. I am the only candidate who has advocated on health care issues federally for 15 years. Ive written books on the Constitution and health care and Ive advocated as a citizen and not a lobbyist. Gonzalez said. I have also built my life helping others while watching the negative impacts the federal government has had on health care. * Greg Steube Age: 40 Residence: Sarasota Occupation: State Sen. D-23, attorney Greg Steube has the most political experience in the field, having been a state representative for six years and the current state senator. He now wants to serve his nation in Congress as he did in the military during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ive always wanted to use the experiences Ive had. We can do things at the state level, but the majority of veteran and defense policy is at the federal level, Steube said. Steube said his platform is very much aligned with the Trump agenda. He supports the Second Amendment, supports an immigration policy that does away with chain migration, builds a border wall and ends the visa lottery system. Steube also believes in allowing the states to have more power in making decisions. I believe in cutting taxes and I believe Washington has a spending problem. We need to rein back a lot of issues I dont believe the federal government should be involved in, Steube said. Steube said his background in agriculture as a cattle rancher and the fact D-17 is among the largest agriculture districts in the nation, along with his military and governmental background. give him the edge. I have understanding from a security perspective and I have a record for fighting for conservative principles, Steube said. Ive filed bills supporting life, the Second Amendment and illegal immigration in Florida. I would do the same at the national level. Roseburg, OR (97470) Today Chance of a shower or two during the morning, followed by partly cloudy skies this afternoon. High 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies and light rain after midnight. Low 49F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. In order to get the attention of the government in Moscow, the citizens of a small Russian village have launched an initiative to their name from Bungur to Syria. Their reasoning is that Russia has invested tens of millions of dollars in the middle eastern state, so surely they can spare some rubles for a Syria a little closer to home. Bungur has been in a state of disrepair for a long time, and things are only getting worse. The roads are damaged, the electricity and water supply switch off intermittently, and healthcare services are nonexistent. While these kinds of complaints are not unusual for small Russian communities, this villages way of trying to deal with the situation has raised some eyebrows. We dont have any expectations, said Bungur resident Sergei Zhavronkov, one of the leaders behind the renaming initiative. The only thing we want is to rename Bungur as Syria. Then we will apply to the Russian Federation for humanitarian aid. Im not joking, Im completely serious. We hope that instead of Bungur there will be the Syrian Arabian Republic. Well invite some Arabs. The government is helping Syria and the destruction here is just as bad as it is there. But we arent getting any attention. This renaming movement comes after locals have struggled to get the village recognized by officials for decades. I worked in a collective farm [in the Soviet period], says one local. We saw the regional committee secretary and the other bigwigs three times a year. They came for the planting, the haymaking, and the harvest. You could ask them whatever you wanted. Now there is not a single deputy in the local administration from Bungur. To put into perspective just how bad things are in Bungur, you should know that the village doesnt even have a school; instead, children have to take a bus to nearby settlements. Due to the poor state of the single road connecting Bungur to the rest of Russia, locals fear that one day, the buses will simply stop coming. We had a school, but they optimized it, Sergei says. We had a library, but it is closed. All they left was a village council and a monument to participants of World War II. There is nothing here. Just a cemetery. 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. UPM to Organise Forest Trips for 6th Grade Students in Finland UPM's forest trips will be organised in cooperation with the Finnish Forest Association and the Finnish 4H Organisation in the cities where UPM mills are situated in Finland: Kouvola, Lappeenranta, Pietarsaari and Rauma. Aug. 21, 2018 (Press Release) - During the autumn, UPM will organize forest trips for sixth grade students with the aim to provide a positive forest experience and tell about sustainable forestry and the forest industry. During the forest trips, the students will be introduced to the economic and recreational use of forests, conservation and the products made of renewable raw material, wood. Students will also have the opportunity to plant trees that will form a forest in the future. There are 31 schools participating in the trips and a total of approximately 1,200 students are expected to attend. The forest trips will be organised in cooperation with the Finnish Forest Association and the Finnish 4H Organisation in the cities where UPM mills are situated in Finland: Kouvola, Lappeenranta, Pietarsaari and Rauma. "We want to offer children a positive forest experience to help building a versatile and life-long forestry relationship. Forest trips support children's learning and increase understanding of forestry," says Inka Musta, Environmental Manager of UPM Wood Sourcing and Forestry. "Forests and wood products are part of our daily life. We want to increase the appreciation for forests and wood as a renewable and recyclable raw material," Musta continues. In 2017, UPM organised similar forest trips for the first time. The students enjoyed the events, and the most memorable moments consisted of things such as watching the water flowing in a creek, planting plants and having a picnic lunch by the fire. Learning new was interesting and exciting. Planting trees, assessing the age of a tree, observing the various stages of forest, and how wood is present in many different everyday products, were new to many. "These excursions are a great way to implement a new curriculum that encourages teaching outside the classroom. Both teachers and students praise forestry education in an authentic environment with the guidance of experts," says Suvi Pessala of the Finnish Forest Association. "More similar excursions are requested as it is know that experimenting and doing is the best way to learn. Forest professionals are also interested in getting to know students' thoughts about the forest." Forest trips are part of UPM's Biofore Share and Care programme. The programme focuses on projects that are relevant to both UPM's business and responsibility goals. The focus areas are: Reading & Learning, Engaging with communities, Responsible water use and Boosting bioinnovations. For further information please contact: Environmental Manager Inka Musta, UPM Wood Sourcing and forestry, tel. +358 40 634 9900 Youth communications specialist Suvi Pessala, Finnish Forest Association, tel. +358 45 657 5442 Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Paper ENA and UPM Plywood. To learn more, please visit: www.upm.com SOURCE: UPM In late April Patently Apple posted a report titled "The European Commission will decide on the proposed acquisition of Shazam by Apple in early September." The European Commission had noted in a press release that it had opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Shazam by Apple under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission is concerned that the merger could reduce choice for users of music streaming services. Today it's being reported that "Apple is set to win unconditional EU antitrust approval for its planned acquisition of British music discovery app Shazam, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday." The report further noted that "The Commission's competition spokesman Ricardo Cardoso declined to comment. The EU executive is scheduled to decide on the deal by Sept. 18. Apple was not immediately available for comment." The Reuters report seems overly optimistic. It almost sounds un-EU in nature to not want to have conditions on Apple. I'll believe it once the verdict is officially handed down. The Reuters report had also noted that Shazam would help Apple' better compete with Spotify the industry leader in music streaming services. Shazam identifies songs when a smartphone is pointed at an audio source. Apple filed for four Shazam trademarks back in May that revealed possible future application enhancements for Shazam covering CarPlay and Augmented Reality. 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. Mass Conviction of Sufi Protesters "Unprecedented in Iran's Judicial History" 08/21/18 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran Twenty Sufi Muslims, all members of Iran's Gonabadi Order, have been issued heavy prison sentences by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran since July 2018 for allegedly attended protests that included violent clashes with police and security forces in Tehran in February. Gonabadi Order Sufis protesting in Tehran (file photo) Eight of the detainees were issued the sentences in absentia because they had refused to appear in court in protest against the denial of their due process rights, a source close to the dervishes told the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI). "The severity of these sentences is unprecedented in Iran's judicial history," said the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons. "The plight of the Gonabadi dervishes might not be a priority for Iranian civil rights activists and media outlets any more, but at the moment they are facing the greatest injustice among political prisoners and prisoners of conscience." "When the media ignore them, the authorities feel free to abuse them more," added the source. Between February 19-20, 2018, more than 300 dervishes were detained after police opened fire on them during protests in Tehran where they were demanding the release of a fellow Sufi from a local detention center. The clashes left three policemen and at least one protester dead and more than 170 others hospitalized due to their injuries. Mohammad Salas was hanged for the death of the policemen in July 2018 but no one has been held accountable for the death of Mohammad Raji, who died in police custody. At least 8 people were convicted on August 15 of charges including "assembly and collusion against national security," "disturbing public order," "disobeying law enforcement agents" and "propaganda against the state." 1) Mostafa Abdi, one of the editors of the dervish's official website: 26 years in prison, 148 lashes, two years of exile in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, a two-year ban on social activities and a two-year prohibition on traveling abroad. 2) Mehdi Mehdifar: Thirteen and a half years in prison, 148 lashes, two years of exile in Nikshahr in Sistan and Baluchistan Province and a two-year ban on social activities. 3) Bashir Riahi: Ten and a half years in prison, 148 lashes, two years of exile in Khaf in Sistan and Baluchistan Province and a two-year ban on social activities. 4) Sekhavat Salimi: Seven years in prison, 74 lashes, two years of exile in Nikshahr in Sistan and Baluchestan Province and a two-year ban on social activities. 5) Abolfazl Sahraei: Seven years in prison, 74 lashes, two years of exile in Sarbisheh in Sistan and Baluchistan Province and a two-year ban on social activities. 6) Rostam Sagvand: Seven years in prison, 74 lashes, two years of exile in Nahbandan in Sistan and Baluchestan Province and a two-year ban on social activities. 7) Morteza Kangarlou: Seven years in prison, 74 lashes, two years of exile in Sarbisheh in Sistan and Baluchestan Province and a two-year ban on social activities. 8) Ardeshir Ashayeri: Seven years in prison, 74 lashes, two years of exile in Saravan in Sistan and Baluchistan Province and a two-year ban on social activities. The Revolutionary Court in Tehran also convicted the following eight Sufis on July 6. Their specific charges are unknown. 1) Amin Soleymani: Seven years in prison, 74 lashes, a two-year ban on media activities and a two-year prohibition on traveling abroad. 2) Akbar Dadashi: Six years in prison and 74 lashes. 3) Reza Nematollahi: Seven years in prison, 74 lashes, a two-year ban on media activities and a two-year prohibition on traveling abroad. 4) Mousa Fazlipour: Two years in prison. 5) Hessam Moini: Seven years in prison, 74 lashes, a two-year ban on media activities and a two-year prohibition on traveling abroad. 6) Hossein Jashn: Two years in prison. 7) Omid Mahdavi: Two years in prison. 8) Kian Nejadhosseini: One year in prison. In early July 2018, four female dervishes- Dr. Nazila Nouri, Avisha Jalaleddin, Shima Entesari and Sima Entesari-were also sentenced to five years in prison each. Iran's Gonabadi Dervishes believes in a different interpretation of Islam than the ruling Shia establishment. The Islamic Republic views any alternative religious belief system, especially those seeking converts, as a threat to the prevailing Shia order and has imprisoned dervishes in the past as part of an ongoing persecution campaign. 'Death Threat' From Iran's Religious Heartland Intensifies Debate Over Rohani Government 08/21/18 By Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL A perceived death threat against President Hassan Rohani within the seminary of the holy Shi'ite city of Qom has led to controversy in Iran, with some calling it a disaster for the seminary -- home to thousands of influential clerics and theology students -- and others demanding an investigation. "Suspicious threat to an obscure death" Read related articles by Ghanoon daily: here & here The implicit warning came in a placard held by a group of clerics who staged a protest on August 16 to register their unhappiness with economic problems that they blame on Rohani. A commander of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was reported to have been among the speakers at the event, which was held amid a sharp fall of the Iranian currency and rising prices on food and other basic goods. The sign suggested that those who are in favor of negotiations with the United States could meet the same fate as former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a onetime Rohani ally whose 2017 death was blamed on a heart attack but has been described by some, including family members, as suspicious. "You whose slogan is negotiation, expect [to end up] in Farah's swimming pool," the sign, widely shared on social media, said in a presumed reference to Farah Pahlavi, the widow of the late shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Rafsanjani was reportedly found dead by his bodyguards in a swimming pool in the Iranian capital where he used to swim regularly. He was 82. Seemingly unsubstantiated claims followed suggesting that he had been drowned or poisoned. There were also allegations by some hard-liners that Rafsanjani had died in a swimming pool that once belonged to the Pahlavi regime, which was brought down by Iran's 1979 revolution. Death Threat? TThe sign at the Qom seminary protest was quickly interpreted as a death threat against second-term President Rohani, who has been criticized by conservatives in particular over his outreach efforts toward the West, most notably through negotiations with the previous U.S. administration that resulted in the 2015 nuclear deal that President Donald Trump recently abandoned. Protesters at the August 16 gathering expressed support for comments by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who earlier in the week had banned talks with the United States while also suggesting he had made a mistake by allowing Rohani's government to negotiate with Washington. Khamenei, who as supreme leader holds the final word on religious and political matters in Iran, also said that mismanagement hurts the Iranian economy more than U.S. sanctions that were reimposed earlier this month following Trump's announcement in May to withdraw from the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), whose signatories include all five permanent members of the UN Security Council along with Germany and the European Union, in addition to Iran./p> "In fact, this slogan means, 'Mr. President, we will get rid of you, as we did with Hashemi Rafsanjani," deputy parliament speaker Ali Motahari, who urged the Intelligence Ministry to investigate the incident, said. He added that an investigation could offer clues into the death of Rafsanjani, which, he said remained a mystery. Another Qom protester burns a U.S. dollar to protest economic hardships. August 16 phtos by ISNA Motahari said signs and slogans at the August 16 protest demonstrated that a segment of those attending the Qom seminary are facing "social and political degeneration." Qom is a global hub of Shi'ite scholarship and a key player in the battles for influence and power in Iran, whose population is thought to be over 90 percent Shi'ite. Other comments, including from the conservative daily Jomhuri Eslami, suggested that stickers on the protest banners that said "return after the event" were proof that a "certain" political group organized the gathering. ''Certain' Groups Senior Qom-based hard-line cleric Nasser Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi said the incident was a "total disaster" for the Qom seminary, where he noted that many Iranian leaders, including revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, received their training. Makarem said those in charge of the seminary should explain who permitted the "damaging event," adding that IRGC commanders should also explain whether they authorized their members to attend the gathering. "Who ordered that the honor of Shi'a should be brought into question and the enemy made...happy?" Makarem asked in an August 20 statement posted by semiofficial ISNA news agency./p> Pro-reform cleric Ahmad Montazeri, the son of the late dissident Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that Iran's military and security apparatus was involved in the incident, although he did not offer specific evidence. "There are certain groups that believe they own the country, they feel they represent Islam, they are in military bodies as well security bodies, they can do whatever they want. They can even go as far as giving signs to theology students and threatening the country's elected president with murder," Montazeri said in a telephone interview from Qom. Amid the controversy, former lawmaker Hamid Rasaei, a critic of Rohani and the nuclear negotiations, said that the sign in question, which he said was in poor taste, did not constitute a threat against the Iranian president. "It means that whoever is optimistic about talks with the Great Satan will die in abjection," Rasaei was quoted as saying by Iranian media. "Pro-government media are trying to magnify the issue and distract the public opinion from other problems, such as skyrocketing prices and economic pressure." Noushin Seyed Hosseini of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report. About the author: Golnaz Esfandiari is a senior correspondent with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. She can be reached at esfandiarig@rferl.org Lawyer to Appeal Iranian Journalist's 10-year Sentence for Satirical Tweet 08/21/18 By Michael Lipin, VOA A lawyer for an Iranian journalist sentenced in Iran to 10 years in prison for allegedly insulting a historic religious figure says the ruling will be appealed because it was not handled by the appropriate court. Iranian journalist Amir Hossein Miresmaili In a Monday phone interview with VOA Persian from Tehran, lawyer Hossein Ahmadinejad said Iran's media court should have handled the case against journalist Amir Hossein Miresmaili, but did not do so. Suggesting the media court may have treated the journalist more leniently, he said that court would have better understood a recent Miresmaili tweet alleged to be insulting to Shiite Islam's 8th Imam. In an earlier Monday interview with Iranian state news site ISNA, Ahmadiniaz said a Tehran court for government employees handed Miresmaili a 10-year prison term, two-year bans on media activities and leaving Iran, and a cash fine. Iranian authorities had arrested the journalist, who works for the economic news site Jahane Sanat, on April 24, days after he posted a tweet mentioning the 8th Imam, also known as Imam Reza - one of 12 imams revered by many Shiites as spiritual successors to the Prophet Muhammad. Screen grab of deleted tweet by Amir Hossein Miresmaili, posted in April 2018 In the tweet, which he subsequently deleted, Miresmaili mocked the Friday prayer leader of the Iranian city of Mashhad, Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda, for suggesting that modern-day concerts are an insult to the teachings of Imam Reza. Miresmaili tweeted that Alamolhoda was wrong, because people say Imam Reza liked to drink "grape juice" - a codename that some Iranians use for wine and other alcoholic beverages that they are forbidden to drink under Iran's Islamist laws. "Imam Reza was one of us," Miresmaili wrote at the end of the tweet. Iranian state news agency Tasnim previously reported that Miresmaili was summoned to a court on April 23 for "insulting" Imam Reza. Miresmaili tweeted an apology the same day, saying he did not mean to insult the historical figure. "I'm a Muslim and a Shi'a and I just wanted to criticize Alamolhoda," he wrote. : () : (@amirmiresmaili) April 23, 2018 Iran's judiciary news agency said authorities arrested Miresmaili on April 24 at Tehran's airport as he was trying to take a flight to Georgia. "Miresmaili is a prominent Iranian satirical journalist," his lawyer Ahmadiniaz told VOA Persian. "Since what he wrote (about Imam Reza) was in the context of satirical journalism, I believe his case should have been handled by Iran's media court." The media court's jury is comprised of journalists, other professionals and clerics who are selected by senior Iranian officials every two years. "If the media court heard Miresmaili's case, his peers would have understood that he was not trying to insult anyone's faith," Ahmadiniaz said. In his comments to ISNA, Ahmadiniaz said the Tehran court that prosecuted Miresmaili convicted the journalist of several charges: insulting Iranian state and judicial officials, insulting religious sanctities, publishing falsehoods to disturb public opinion and publishing immoral content. Speaking to VOA Persian, Ahmadiniaz said he learned of Miresmaili's sentence on Sunday and planned to file an appeal within 20 days of the sentencing - a grace period provided by law for such appeals. "I think the Iranian establishment should look at him with leniency because he is a satirist," Ahmadiniaz said. This report was produced in collaboration with VOA's Persian Service. 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 Former Tehran Mayor Sentenced to Prison For Criticizing Iran's Involvement in Syrian War 08/22/18 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran Former Mayor of Tehran Gholamhossein Karbaschi has been sentenced to one year in prison for publicly criticizing Iran's involvement in the Syrian civil war, an Appeals Court ruled on August 13, 2018. cartoon by Hamidreza Heidarisefat, Iranian daily Ghanoon "The judiciary took action when there was widespread criticism of Gholamhossein Karbaschi, the secretary general of the Executives of Construction Party, for making disparaging remarks at an event in Isfahan about the martyrs [Iranian soldiers] who defended the holy shrine [in Damascus]," the judiciary's official news agency Mizan reported on August 15. At an April 2017 rally in support of President Hassan Rouhani's election campaign, Karbaschi had questioned Iran's actions in Syria during a speech in Isfahan. "Should we be proud of this religious fervor in the name of defending things like, I don't know, the holy shrines...? Listen! We also want to see peace in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. We want to defend the oppressed and strengthen the Shia populations there. But can we achieve that just by giving money and weapons and killing and pounding?" he said. Gholamhossein Karbaschi Following the speech, the chief prosecutor in Isfahan, Ahmad Khosravani-Vafa, sued Karbaschi, claiming he was "insulting the martyred defenders of holy shrines." The head of the state-funded Iran's Martyrs Foundation announced in May 2018 that 2,100 Iranians who had been sent to Syria to defend Shia shrines in the country had died in the civil war there. Some groups claim the number is much higher. "These absolute lies are basically political games before the elections," said Karbaschi in an interview with the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) in May 2018. "In Iran, no one dares to affront martyrs and fighters." "This is basically media hype," he added. "They say I said something insulting, but that's a complete lie." Iran's conservative press and politicians reacted angrily to Karbaschi's speech. "Karbaschi's speech in Isfahan undermines the core of the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policy," commented the hardline conservative newspaper, Kayhan, in an unsigned editorial on May 2, 2017. "There was a time when even anti-revolutionaries bowed to the bravery of the defenders of the holy shrines," added the editorial. Karbaschi, 64, was the mayor of Tehran from1988 to 1998. During his last year he was charged with financial corruption and sentenced to three years in prison. He served two years before being pardoned by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in January 2000. In 2009, Karbaschi became a senior political advisor to then-presidential-candidate Mehdi Karroubi, who has been under extrajudicial house arrest since 2011. Iran, UNDP prepare draft for Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah 08/22/18 Source: TEHRANTIMES_RL TEHRAN - Iran's Department of Environment (DOE) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have jointly drawn up the draft of the Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah Project (CACP) phase III. Hamid Zohrabi, deputy environment chief for DOE's natural environment and biodiversity directorate said on Saturday that the project will go into effect by the end of 2018. Asiatic Cheetah (photo by Islamic Republic News Agency) According to UNDP, the cheetah project is about reversing the drastic decline of the endangered Asiatic cheetah and conserving it from extinction. It is now estimated that fewer than 50 Asiatic cheetahs are living in the wild in Iran. The Asiatic cheetah mainly inhabits the desert areas around Dasht-e Kavir in the eastern half of Iran, including parts of the Kerman, Khorasan, Semnan, Yazd, Tehran, and Markazi provinces. Most live in five protected areas, Kavir National Park, Touran National Park, Bafq Protected Area, Dar-e Anjir Wildlife Refuge, and Naybandan Wildlife Reserve. The cheetah has been listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 1996. The cheetah/livestock interactions and the presence of human beings and guard dogs in cheetah's habitats, road accidents and habitat fragmentation are of the main threats making the cheetah's future uncertain. Phase I of the CACP was co-funded by the Global Environment Facility between 2001 and 2008. Phase II implementation commenced in 2009. It aimed to assist the Department of the Environment to fulfill its commitments to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity under Iran's Program of Work on Protected Areas (PA). The ultimate goal was to achieve sustainability of protected areas and the Asiatic Cheetah population within them. The project built on the achievements of the CACP Phase I by strengthening the current protected area management in selected cheetah habitats. In November 2017, Anne Marie Sloth Carlsen, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Iran announced that UNDP is not extending the project and that they believe Iran is capable of running the project single-handedly. She explained that due to the challenges UNDP is facing, they cannot continue funding the project and this does not only affect Cheetah Project. However, Zohrabi has explained that the project, devised in collaboration between experts and volunteers to address the threats and come up with measures to protect the species, will be implemented for 5 more years. "After final approval of the draft agreement the project will launch with financial support from Department of Environment and international entities," Zohrabi highlighted. "In the third phase of the project we will not only focus on protected areas supervised by DOE, but also cheetah's migration corridors will be observed more closely. "Moreover [the project] underscores the importance of local communities' collaboration and the need to take their sustainable livelihood into consideration. "Additionally better conservation plans for Asiatic cheetah conservation, and its prey by training the rangers, increasing the quality of captive breeding, raising public awareness, drawing up plans for alternative jobs for sustainable agriculture, livestock breeding and eco-tourism by soliciting public participation, and decreasing human-wildlife conflict are of the other objectives of the third phase of the project." Zohrabi finally explained that the third phase of the project will be financially assessed once the agreement is final. Republic Bank Ghana Limited has met the Bank of Ghanas new minimum capital requirement of GH400 million ahead of the December 2018 deadline. The announcement comes after the bank successfully completed its Rights Issue to raise an additional GH255 million from its shareholders. The offer, which opened from July 23rd to August 10th, 2018, received 161 applications from qualifying shareholders who subscribed to a total of 588,384,402 shares far in excess of the 463,636,364 shares on offer. The offer therefore raised GH323.61 million, representing a subscription rate of 127%, exceeding the targeted amount of GH255 million and further putting the banks stated capital in excess of GH400 million. After fully allotting a total of 395,582,160 entitlements and 68,054,204 extra shares to qualifying shareholders, all the applicants received the shares that they applied for with the exception of Republic Financial Holdings Limited which will receive a refund of GH68,611,420.90. The Managing Director of Republic Bank, Anthony Jordan, expressed his profound gratitude to the shareholders, customers, management and staff for believing in Republic Bank and helping the bank to achieve this feat. According to him, the oversubscription of the Right Issue is a clear indication of the overwhelming confidence that shareholders have in the bank. He stated that the bank would continue to pursue its growth and development agenda by continuing to offer support to growing and established Ghanaian businesses. We will continue to give more support to businesses by giving them the most innovative, efficient and convenient banking services just as can be experienced globally. Republic Bank is committed to remaining competitive in the Ghanaian market and will continue to build sustainable businesses for individuals and corporate entities, as well as in the communities we serve. He called on the business community to join the Republic Bank family to share in its over 180 years of continuous excellence in the banking industry and also take advantage of the banks loan campaigns especially the recently launched Back to School Loan sale under which applicants can get up to 10 times their monthly net salaries as loans at a flat rate of 13.65%. Republic Bank is a member of the Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL), the largest bank in the English-speaking Caribbean with an asset base of over $12 billion. RFHL recorded $993.3 million profit at the end of June 2018, representing an increase of $34.4 million or 3.6% over the corresponding period of last financial year. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video It has been a torrid week for gold dealership firm, Menzgold Ghana Limited with regards to regulators. Earlier in the week, Menzgold's operations were rocked with a public notice from the Bank of Ghana warning the public not to deal with the company. The owner of Menzgold, Nana Appiah Mensah described the BoG notice which stated that his company is breaching section 6 (1) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930) as a joke and a diversionary tactic. The BoG last year issued statement cautioning the general public against depositing money with Menzgold because it has not been licensed the firm to take deposits. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Ghana also announced that the company has not been licensed to operate in the capital markets. Nana Mensah is due to be questioned by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Friday, August 17 but even before that the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) has said his company is flouting the laws of the land because it has no license to trade gold. The Managing Director of the PMMC which operates as Governments assayer with the sole mandate of assaying all gold which leaves the country said Menzgold's license to trade in gold granted in 2014 was revoked because of the manner of their operations. The PMMC MD, Kwadwo Opare Hammond, told myjoyonline that if Menzgold is currently trading in gold then it is flouting Ghanaian laws. He said: The Minerals Commission would usually give you the license and there is a small clause that says you buy gold for export and I dont know if that is what they[Menzgold] are relying on to do this. "Our records indicate that in the year 2014 they came for a license to buy and sell gold i.e. to trade in gold. But when they took the license from us it came to our attention that they were doing this kind of business in terms of asking people to come and invest in gold and get profit or dividend or interest, whatever they call it. 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 A Zambian businesswoman, Matildah Nkole Kangombe, has been fined GH90,000 by the Accra High Court for trafficking ephedrine without authorisation. Ms Kangombe, 47, was convicted on her own plea by the court presided over by Justice Cee Baiden. She was fined 7,500 penalty units equivalent to GH90,000. If she defaults the payment, she will spend 15 years in prison. Operatives of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) arrested Ms Kangombe on Sunday, April 28, 2018, at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). She was going through departure formalities to board an Ethiopian Airline flight No. ET 819 to Ethiopia enroute Maputo-Mozambique. A preliminary search carried out on her hand luggage revealed nothing incriminating and she was later escorted to the luggage section where she identified a brown bag as hers. Follow up checks in her presence uncovered a whitish substance which was wrapped with four mini blankets and two towels. When a field test was conducted on the said substance, it proved positive for narcotic substance. Further analytical test at the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) proved the substance as Ephedrine, a pharmaceutical raw material that is used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, an illicit drug with a weight of 25kg. Upon interrogation, she admitted ownership of the bag to officers of NACOB and said the bag was given to her by one Ahmed at an unknown hotel to be delivered to a Christian sister of hers in Maputo, Mozambique. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) has argued that the most effective means of reducing poverty drastically in Ghana is through Agriculture. Dr Sam Jonah explained that the bedrock of Ghana's economy since pre-colonial times has been Agriculture and the sector engages more than half the population thus expanding opportunities in the sector and reducing the challenges will greatly improve the lives of Ghanaians. The Research Fellow insists the general view held since the country struck oil that it was going to be a key to Ghana's development and drastically reduce poverty may not be accurate as the resource or its proceeds doesn't affect so many lives in the country. He made this submission at a conference in Accra to discuss the country's inclusive growth and development agenda where he addressed the gathering on behalf of Civil Society Organisations in the country. Despite all the policies government has initiated Dr Kwesi Jonah stressed at the event,"I have listened to the honourable Minister profer many initiatives that we as a nation are making to reduce poverty - Free SHS, Planting for Food and Jobs, LEAP - all these are very very good but at the end of the day don't forget that the vast majority of our people it is in Agriculture that they make a living. A significant percentage of our people make their livelihood in agriculture. Therefore, any effort to reduce poverty, any effort to reduce inequality must focus on agriculture as well. What we are doing - oil, oil, we have been producing oil for how many years but if you ask everybody here what impact has oil made in your life?" The forum brought together stakeholders from all relevant institution like UNICEF, DFID, GOGIG, Civil Society Platform for SDGs and relevant personalities like deputy Ministers and Chief of Staff Frema Opare. Addressing the gathering on the essence of having such discourse among stakeholders, Chief of Staff Frema Opare charged all gathered to ensure their policies are beneficial to all, increase development and reduce poverty. Frema Opare suggested that in her view education constitute a formidable means of closing the inequality gap and providing the vast majority of people an avenue to partake in Ghana's development agenda. "For me, an inclusive growth is one that should consider the human capital as a critical component. If people are to partake meaningfully then inclusive educational policies are also crucial to its agenda" Country Representative of UNICEF, Anne-Claire Dufay intimated that breaking data into smaller component is key to helping governement better target marginalised in society and make policies that address the needs of the underprivileged in society. Source: Ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video As part of efforts to ease motor traffic congestion at the Tema Motorway Roundabout due to the ongoing construction works, Shimizu-Dai Nippon Joint Ventures, contractors of the project, has instituted a traffic management plan to deal with the situation. The contractors had constructed detour roads and created emergency alternative routes within and around the project site to ensure free flow of vehicular traffic and to enhance socio-economic activities in the Tema industrial enclave and its surrounding communities. At a media briefing to outline the traffic management plan of the Tema Motorway Interchange project, Mr Joseph Yeboah, Chief Engineer at the Ghana Highway Authority and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Paul Bruce Amoah, Second-in-Command of the Tema Regional Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, took turns to explain to journalists measures instituted to ensure free flow of traffic. Mr Yeboah, who is also the Project Coordinator, said the detour roads would be opened to the motoring public on Sunday, August 26, and there would be directional signs to direct motorists on the appropriate route to use. He said the Authority would also design animation, which would complement the public education efforts, while traffic wardens from the MTTD would be available to direct traffic. Additionally, the contractors had created pedestrian walkways, ramps and staircases for both able bodied and physically-challenged persons to ensure free movement around the project site. The project site had also been fenced to prevent the construction works from interfering with other peoples socio-economic activities, while measures had been put in place to avert any environmental pollution. Mr Yeboah said: We have sensitised the public for the past weeks, including the members of the GPRTU, the Police and other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of the project. ASP Amoah, on his part, said the Tema MTTD Command would deploy about 20 personnel on daily basis to direct traffic at the various intersections of the detour roads until the completion of the project. There are also alternative routes from Motorway-Akosombo, Akosombo-Aflao and Aflao-Ashiaman. The contract agreement for the project was signed on December 15, 2017, while actual work started on February 7, 2018. It is expected to be completed on June 6, 2020. The project is intended to improve the capacity of the Tema roundabout and its adjoining surroundings to enhance safety and efficiency of transportation and the provision of uninterrupted traffic flow to facilitate trade and transit activities to land locked countries like Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in the West Africa sub-region. The Tema Motorway Roundabout would be converted into an interchange and extended for some 500 metres from the roundabout to the Ashaiman Timber Market Roundabout, 400 metres along the Aflao road, 300 metres towards the Tema Harbour and about 300 metres to join the main Tema-Accra Motorway. There would be an underpass on the Tema-Aflao stretch of the roundabout, while the capacity of the slip roads near the roundabout would be improved to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow. The project falls under the West African Corridor Development Growth Ring Master Plan implementation, being executed by Messrs Shimizu-Dai Nippon Joint Venture (SDJV), with CTI Engineering International Co. Ltd as consultants. The Japanese Government, through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), provided US$57 million grant to the government of Ghana towards the redesign and re-construction of the Tema Roundabout into a three-tier single point diamond interchange. The interchange, upon completion, would serve three assemblies including Kpone Katamanso and Ashaiman municipalities as well as Tema metropolis in the Greater Accra Region. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr Winfred Ofosu, Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, has lauded the contributions of the Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) in their health delivery efforts. Dr Ofosu said the region recorded a significant reduction in maternal and newborn deaths following the contributions of the GRCS in its sensitization and logistics support to maternal health care. He said the GRCS supported the health sector in the region with 10 tricycle ambulances purposely to transport women in labour to health centres for delivery and encouraged women in the region to embrace the concept of delivering at health facilities which has saved lives. The Red Cross also has women volunteers who move from house to house to identify pregnant women and link them to health facilities which has contributed significantly to reduce the number of women and newborns that would have died as result of pregnancy and delivery complications, he said. The Regional Health Director said this during this years National Youth Camp of the Ghana Red Cross Society held in Bolgatanga. He added the contributions of the Red Cross has made the Upper East Region the only region in the country with high number of women delivering at health centres. The annual National Youth Camp is a platform for the youth wing of the Ghana Red Cross Society to meet and take stock while deliberating on measures to improve upon their services to humanity. Mr Samuel Kofi Addo, National Secretary of the GRCS, said the national camping is necessary to build the capacities of the youth towards the development of the country. He said the society has contributed to the health sector in sensitizing the public on cholera, malaria and Ebola diseases. He said the society since its inception has made tremendous contributions towards disaster reduction through disaster risk prevention measures. During the Northern floods, some few years ago, for example, we built about 300 houses for those whose houses were destroyed in the Northern and the Upper East Regions alone he added. 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 member of Communications Team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Anim Piesie, has questioned why the Heritage Fund is not being utilised to construct more educational facilities in the face of inadequate infrastructure, especially at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The management of KNUST on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, announced that, with effect from the 2018/19 academic year, six all-male and all-female halls of residence of the University, would be converted into mixed halls. The school had earlier converted the two all-male halls; University and Unity Halls to mixed halls; a move which was strongly opposed. However in a latest event, the school authorities have decided to change all six halls into a mixed one. Management said the decision is in line with the universitys policy of periodic review of residential accommodation for students. Speaking to the issue during a panel discussion on Mondays edition of Peace FM morning show Kokrokoo, Anim Piesie said had there been adequate infrastructure, the university authorities would not have insisted on changing tradition. He wondered what purpose the Heritage Fund is serving if it cannot be spent on educational infrastructure when the need arises. There is infrastructure deficit but we have a heritage fund so I will suggest we use the money to build infrastructure. It is possible, why can't we use the Heritage Fund he added. To Use Or Not To Use? The Ghana Heritage Fund (GHF) is a strategic endowment reserve created under the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA) (Act 815), 2011, to set aside a portion of petroleum revenue for the benefit of future generations when Ghanas petroleum reserves have been depleted. The GHF is fashioned largely on the Norwegian-type sovereign fund model. It takes about nine per cent of the annual total petroleum revenue and is largely invested in financial instruments abroad. Section 10 of the PRM Act 815 states that, "A Ghana Heritage Fund is hereby established. (2) The object the Ghana Heritage Fund is to (a) provide an endowment to support development for future generations when petroleum reserves have been depleted; and (b) receive excess petroleum revenue. (3) The Ghana Heritage Fund shall receive from the Petroleum Holding Fund a percentage petroleum revenue which be determined by Parliament as savings for the purpose of this Act." The debate on whether to save the GHF as originally envisaged or spend it, resurfaces every now and again. In 2017, when the government was struggling to balance the budget in the face of depressed oil prices, which had dented revenue, the idea of using part of the GHF to fund the budget was mooted in official circles. The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) indicated that it would use the Heritage Fund, which is one of three funds created by the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (815), to fund its flagship free SHS programme. 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 The National Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kofi Adams has described the comment made by the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin who is also aspiring to lead the NDC in 2020 elections as Flagbearer as reckless and distasteful. According to Kofi Adams, the NDC Nadoli/Kaleo MPs comment is against the partys campaign process and campaign message regulations for all the levels the partys elections which should not have come from someone seeking to occupy the highest position as the partys Presidential Candidate in the 2020 elections. Mr Bagbin has compared former President John Mahama to a "reckless driver" who will run the party into a ditch. He said although he warned Mr Mahama and his men about the danger ahead in the 2016 elections, he was ignored, but his fears came to pass when the party lost miserably in the 2016 general elections. The Nadoli/Kaleo MP claims he wants to prevent an even miserable defeat in 2020, a reason he is pushing for the party's leadership to be changed. Mr Bagbin also accused cronies close to Mr Mahama of neglecting the grassroot and living lavishly by building mansions and driving in V8. Reacting to Bagbins comment on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Kofi Adams said it would not have been bad if the long serving NDC Member of Parliament had mentioned that former President Mahama failed to do certain things right. He added that if Mahama will contest again, he will have the opportunity to rebut and state what he has done for the party; that is how it should be by stating what you can do as your policy. But if you stand somewhere to say that Mahama is a reckless person, you should state why the person is reckless but you didnt; so you allow people to fill in anything and after you say that Mahama is reckless and he has surrounded himself with immature and inexperienced people who are enriching themselves at the expense of the grassroots, he added. In the view of Kofi Adams, to make such a reckless open statement which is not a vision or policy is rather an attack on the party and that is what we are pleading with all the aspirants to be decorous in their campaigns. What he said is distasteful and that is not the way to go. Kofi Adams hinted that the leadership of the party [NDC] will react appropriately as they are yet to decide today on the reported comments made by the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Audio Attachment: Listen to Allotey Jacobs on Peace FM's 'kokrokoo' Central Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs says his party will forever remain in opposition if they do not rebrand themselves to match the rising Dombo (NPP) tradition. He sought to advise the executives at the party's headquarters to watch the activities of the ruling NPP otherwise "we will laugh at the bad side of our teeth (wrong side of your mouth)." " . . Do we have a tradition? Now the UP/Dombo are building the three towers . . . I'm talking about Eastern Region, I'm talking about Ashanti Region, I'm talking about Brong Ahafo Region, and we are sitting down quietly looking at them, it's a plain revival of the UP (United Party) tradition," he said. According to him, the current executives at the partys headquarters played a major role in their embarrassing defeat to the NPP in the 2016 election, especially in the Central Region. " . . If we talk some people sit at the headquarters and try to dictate to the region, I sat down quietly . . . it got to a time I organized a campaign launch and I was not even allowed to talk, even welcome address I was not allowed to give . . . I've kept quiet, I've kept my cool . . . they rather dealt directly with all our conesting candidates and not with the party, and you expect the party to win? Kwami this should be a lesson to them," he said on 'kokrokoo'. Speaking on Peace FMs Kokrokoo programme, Allotey Jacobs also known as the Educated fisherman noted that, the Umbrella fraternity needs 'vibrant' and 'radical' leaders at the partys headquarters to ensure they win the next elections. We need some strong vibrant . . . Boys like Sammy Gyamfi, those guys we need at the party headquarters, he suggested. "I say they should watch out, Dombo is rising . . . when we talk they say we are flirting with the NPP . . " he angrily added. Allotey Jacobs also condemned his partys decision to establish its ideological school known as the Ghana Institute of Social Democracy. He alleged that the party is forcing individuals to pay an amount to be educated on the partys ideologies something which was meant to be free. I have been seeing some messages on NDC platforms instructing people to pay GHc 150.00 to learn socialism . . . we need to reorganise ourselve, we need to rebrand ourselves, and I say they should watch out, Dombo (NPP tradition) is rising, they should watch out, he said. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Ambrose_wash 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 world has since Saturday been celebrating the memory of the late Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian-born former UN Secretary-General. Mr. Annan died in his sleep at age 80 on Saturday, August 18, 2018 in Berne, Switzerland. His death came as a shock to the world, especially when majority were not aware he was sick. Superstars around the world took to different platforms to express hearty condolences to family of the late Annan. Among them was American actress Angelina Jolie, who described Mr. Annan as a man of integrity. In a statement by Jolie, who is also UNHCR Special Envoy, she is deeply saddened by the death and she will forever remember him. Im deeply saddened by the passing of Kofi Annan, a true global statesman and man of integrity. Like many others, I will remember him for his kindness, his grace, and his calm strength of purpose. My thoughts are with his wife and family, she said in the statement on UNHCR website. Mr Annan served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006. Kofi Annan met Angelina Jolie during one of the UNs activities. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were once pictured with Mr. Annan at the 2006 World Economic Forum in Davos. Indeed, Mr. Annan is a world phenomenal figure. He and the UN were the co-recipients of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. He is the founder and chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, as well as chairman of The Elders, an international organisation founded by Nelson Mandela. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dancehall artiste, Samini has appealed to the Government of Ghana to grant him licence to grow marijuana in the country. Samini asked the government to install proper mechanisms for marijuana to be used as a commercial product instead of criminalizing its usage. The multiple award-winning artiste made this comment in an interview with host Odi Ahenkan, sitting in for the regular host Abeiku Santana, on Okay FM's Wednesday live. He recounted some benefits of marijuana to national development saying when it is legalized and farmers like himself are given the necessary assistance to grow the product, it would help to generate revenues for the country. "I am a farmer. I need licence to grow wee and export it to the industries that use wee for medicinal purposes and every other thing important apart from smoking. If I get the licence to grow wee, I'll supply to the medical industry, the oil industry...the paper industry, you know different [different] industries which use marijuana as raw materials as base for what they produce", Samini said. Samini, who has released his latest hit single "Obaa", stated emphatically that he is against the smoking of marijuana or the usage of it for recreational purposes but "you should allow farmers to grow because every country in the world has what is viable in the soil...Other places also grow other things as well as wee and sell to other places which don't grow but it needs it for jeans, paper, oil and soap production, and every other thing apart from smoking". He added he will append his signature to petition Parliament to make the farming of marijuana for commercial use lawful in the country. Okay FM's "Wednesday Live" is a live band segment of the Drive time show which had Samini to perform on the August 22 edition of the programme. Watch video below: Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This NASA satellite imagery shows Hurricane Lane in the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of the Hawaiian Islands at 2:01 p.m. HST (21:01 GMT) Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. National Weather Service forecasters warn that the entire state of Hawaii needs to brace for a possible hurricane strike because of the uncertainty of Lane's path and its intensity. As of Monday, the storm is about 600 miles (966 kilometers) southeast of Hilo on the Big Island, or about 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) from the state's capital city of Honolulu. (NASA via AP) In this court room drawing, defendant Michael Cohen is seated at center as Assistant US attorney Andrea Griswold outlined all the charges against him at federal court in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Cohen, the personal lawyer and "fixer" who once said he would "take a bullet" for Donald Trump, struck a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty Tuesday to charges including campaign finance fraud, bank fraud and tax evasion. Cohen stated that he and Trump arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. (Elizabeth Williams via AP) Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago to sign a new phase of the Dragon gas development agreement By Petroleumworld CARACAS Petroleumworld 08 22 2018 Venezuela and T&T is one step closer to receiving gas from Venezuela's Dragon field. Next Saturday, Venezuela and Trinidad &Tobago (TT) will go one more step to develop Venezuela's Dragon field gas that will be send to TT to be monetize. The signing of the agreement was to be done this week in Port Spain but, due to a request from Venezuela it will be signed in Caracas next Saturday 25. The TT Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley will lead the delegation that will travel to Caracas, reported TT journalist Asha Javeed. The agreement deals with the construction, operation and maintenance of a gas pipeline that goes from the Dragon Field located in the north coast of the state of Sucre, in Venezuela, to the Hibiscus Field in Trinidad. Last December, Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley travelled with a delegation to Caracas where they signed three agreements for gas supply to T&T. It is estimated that the Dragon fields has about 12 to 13 trillion cubic feet of reserves and it is expecte d that its initial production will be between 200 and 300 mmscf from four wells. ______________________________ Story from Petroleumworld petroleumworld.com 08 22 2018 Wood Group says U.S. shale only opportunity for price increases By Reuters LONDON Petroleumworld 08 22 2018 Wood Group sees an opportunity for price increases only in its U.S. shale oil business, which it sees around six to 12 months ahead of other sectors in oil and gas, it said on Tuesday. In (2018) we don't expect that pricing uplift outside of U.S. shale, Chief Financial Officer David Kemp told Reuters. ______________________________ Reporting by Shadia Nasralla and Muvija M, editing by Louise Heavens from Reuters. reuters.com 08 21 2018 The Phillie Phanatic greets students at a pep rally to remind city residents that Philadelphia School District classes begin Aug. 27 this year the first time the district has started before Labor Day. Read more Some things you just know without having to consult a calendar: Valentine's Day is Feb. 14, July 4 is Independence Day, and Philadelphia public school students return to class after Labor Day. That last part is about to change. Beginning this year, all Philadelphia School District students will report to school on Monday, Aug. 27 a full week before the unofficial end to summer. Officials said the pre-Labor Day start is the new norm in Philadelphia, mostly to front-load the school year with as much instructional time as possible, and are in the midst of a splashy, city-wide social-media campaign to raise awareness of the change. An analysis of school start dates around the region shows that, as usual, they're all over the map Mastery Charter Schools, a large network in Philadelphia and Camden, starts Thursday, Aug. 23, and many districts in New Jersey don't go back until Sept. 6. That's for a number of reasons, experts say: considerations regarding snow days, holidays, families' summer vacation plans, standardized testing, professional development, and an attendance falloff late in the school year. Though pre-September start dates are on the rise nationally, many districts locally still opt for the traditional post-Labor Day start. In Lower Merion, schools spokesperson Amy Buckman said the schedule suits families well. "Lower Merion schools have started after Labor Day for as long as anyone seems able to remember, and there doesn't seem to be any reason to change," Buckman, a longtime district parent herself, said in an email. "I can say it's what our district families are used to, and they make their summer plans accordingly." In some states, schools are prohibited by law from starting before Labor Day. (Thank or blame the amusement-park industry, experts say in Virginia, the so-called Kings Dominion law, lobbied for by the tourism and hospitality industry, means September start dates unless schools get a waiver from the state.) Neshaminy School District welcomes its students back on Aug. 30, though kindergartners and fifth and ninth graders start Aug. 29. Following a growing national trend, the district has started in August for the last several years, though there was some back-and-forth, said Chris Stanley, a district spokesperson. Superintendent Joseph Jones III and his cabinet craft the calendar with many considerations in mind, Stanley said, but the two biggest are building in a cushion for snow days and ending early enough in June (the last scheduled day in Neshaminy is now June 14) to allow for the Disney trips, camps, and other summer rites that many district families cherish. "By starting two or three days before Labor Day, we're able to give ourselves a little bit of wiggle room and get everybody out on time," said Stanley. "It's built around the needs of our community." Mastery Charter students return to class Thursday. Students return early because Mastery builds in extra time throughout the school year for teacher planning and training, said Scott Gordon, the organization's CEO. "We put a priority on ensuring that teachers have the training and support and development to be successful," Gordon said. "We started earlier to make sure we could accommodate all that time." In Philadelphia, Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. said the shift to a pre-Labor Day start beginning this year which was discussed for a year prior to being decided by the old School Reform Commission in 2016 was precipitated in part by a desire to stack the year with as many uninterrupted weeks of class as possible. With a midweek post-Labor Day start and a number of holidays early in the year, the first chunk of the term had multiple interrupted weeks, with low attendance those weeks, Hite said. "We wanted to start with a full week, and get into a routine," said Hite. (Sort of a full week, actually. Philly students have a regular week Monday through Thursday, then a half-day on Friday, followed by a day off Monday, Sept. 3, for Labor Day.) Another major reason: "We wanted more instructional days earlier in the year," Hite said. "Closer to the end of the year, you get into spring-itis and summer-itis. This gives us more days to be in front of children before they sit for any assessments state, Advanced Placement, SAT." Attendance typically tanks after Memorial Day, and, barring any changes for snow days, the new calendar will have Philadelphia students finished school on June 4. They previously had gone well into late June. When the change was first proposed, there was pushback some staff and parents were and are concerned about hot temperatures in largely un-air-conditioned buildings, but district officials said that they studied temperature trends and that they found little difference in the heat in late June and late August. (The city's teachers' union has disagreed on this point, raising concerns about staff and student welfare in large, old buildings after a summerlong buildup of heat.) Philadelphia is thoroughly publicizing the calendar shift with a #RingtheBellPHL hashtag, selfie videos, and reminders from everyone from Phillie Rhys Hoskins to Mayor Kenney to show up for school Monday. Inertia often guides school calendars, said Kenneth Gold, an academic who studies the history of summer break. "There have been very few moments where traditions were completely upended," said Gold, dean of the education school of the College of Staten Island/CUNY. "Very often, when they are, it engenders a lot of resistance." In the 19th century, school calendars varied tremendously: Urban schools were typically open for nearly the whole year, and rural schools much less. (In 1842, according to Gold's research, schools in Philadelphia and surrounding towns were open an average of 251 days of the year.) But when compulsory school became the norm, rural school years got shorter and urban ones longer; a summer break was built in, in part, to professionalize the teaching force by giving teachers time to hone their craft, Gold said. These days, while there are some regional differences districts in the South tend to start earlier in the summer, for instance the basic school-calendar model remains the same: roughly 180 days of instruction. A sampling of local school start dates: Pennsylvania Bensalem: Monday, Aug. 27, grades 2 through 6, 8, and 10-12. (Kindergarten, first, seventh, and ninth graders start Tuesday, Aug. 28, then all students attend Wednesday, Aug. 29.) Cheltenham: Monday, Aug. 27 Downingtown: Monday, Aug. 27 Lower Merion: Tuesday, Sept. 4 Neshaminy: Thursday, Aug. 30 (kindergarten, fifth and ninth graders return Aug. 29) New Hope-Solebury: Tuesday, Sept. 4 Mastery Charter Schools: Thursday, Aug. 23 Philadelphia: Monday, Aug. 27 Tredyriffin/Easttown: Monday, Aug. 27 Upper Darby: Tuesday, Aug. 28 New Jersey Camden: Thursday, Sept. 6 Cherry Hill: Wednesday, Sept. 5 Gloucester Township: Thursday, Sept. 6 Haddonfield: Wednesday, Sept. 5 Lenape Regional: Tuesday, Sept. 4 Monroe Township: Thursday, Sept. 6 Mount Laurel: Thursday, Sept. 6 Pemberton Township: Thursday, Sept. 6 Washington Township: Wednesday, Aug. 29 Abby McElroy, 17, holds a poster from the sex ed class presented by Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center at Strath Haven High School for the past three years. Read more The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District agreed with a Strath Haven High School senior who complained that her health class sex-ed lecture from a faith-based pregnancy center was not factually accurate, and said it would no longer invite the organization to speak at the high school. In an email to parents, Superintendent Lisa Palmer said after reviewing the materials the Drexel Hill-based Amnion Pregnancy Center presented that she found some of the information shared in class and in conversations with students after class about romantic relationships "was not purely factual." Abby McElroy, the 17 year-old who told school officials about the class, said she's already working to bring her protest to other Philadelphia-area schools. "I want to pursue this because I think every student has the right to fact-based, comprehensive sex education," McElroy said in an email. "Amnion's presentations seek to shame students into believing that they only have one option (abstinence) because if they don't abstain from sex, they will become unlovable," McElroy said. "This is incredibly degrading and dehumanizing, and no one should be subjected to it." Amnion's executive director defended the program. "The RealEd program is secular, factual, and provides the relationship education component of the overall sexual education curriculum and has consistently received positive feedback through student and teacher surveys," executive director Melanie Parks said in an email. "We hope that Wallingford-Swarthmore continues to offer relationship education programming for their students." McElroy jolted the 3,500-student Delaware County district when she showed up at a July school board meeting to complain that Amnion representatives had been invited into health classes where, she alleged, they offered medically inaccurate information, exaggerated the dangers of sex, and offered a Bible to a girl who stayed after class. After about 700 parents and students in the predominantly liberal suburban district signed a Change.org petition urging a future ban on Amnion, Palmer and the school board members promised an investigation. In her email sent last Thursday, the superintendent said that while much of Amnion's presentation was acceptable, "a portion about romantic relationships was not purely factual." Noting that and other students' complaints about Amnion's after-class conversation, including the alleged Bible incident, Palmer said: "Moving forward, core sexual education topics will be covered by our own Wallingford-Swarthmore teachers, not outside presenters. This will allow us to more closely control the information presented, again with our goal of presenting factual, balanced information that empowers our students to make healthy choices." The controversy at Strath Haven High School spotlighted the lack of comprehensive standards for how sex education should be taught in Pennsylvania classrooms. Legislative efforts in Harrisburg to mandate a broad curriculum, beyond a few guidelines for teaching abstinence and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, have failed. Some faith-based crisis pregnancy centers which oppose abortion and push a strict, abstinence-only line about teen sex receive state funding, although Amnion is not one of them. While Amnion says its RealEd relationship program is secular, the group features biblical quotes on its website and has received funding from faith-based groups like Focus on the Family. Nationally, studies have shown a major shift from sex-education classes focused on birth control dominant in the 1990s to abstinence-centered classes offered by more than three-quarters of high schools by the mid-2010s, despite a lack of scientific evidence that abstinence-only sex ed is more effective. In announcing that Amnion will not be returning to Strath Haven in 2018-19, Palmer noted that other outside groups such as Planned Parenthood, the Gay Straight Alliance, Women Against Rape, and police representatives from Philadelphia and Ridley Park have made in-school presentations in the past. From now on, guest speakers will need to be approved by the principal and meet a long list of guidelines. Moreover, any presentation can be ended by a staff member if it is deemed inappropriate. McElroy said she's been researching which other Philadelphia-area schools receive presentations from Amnion using information from the group's own website and filing Right-to-Know requests with other districts. Her goal, she said, is to form alliances with other students and present findings about Amnion to board members in the same manner she addressed the Wallingford-Swarthmore board. In addition to the alleged Bible incident which Amnion has disputed McElroy had complained to board members that the crisis pregnancy center had presented disputed evidence about the role of oxytocin a hormone released during sex and other activities such as cuddling and brought a poster called "The Steep Slope of Arousal" that depicted stick-figure teens plunging into an abyss of risky sex after hugging and kissing. She said that most districts have delayed answering or flat-out rejected her requests but that subsequent phone calls uncovered one district, Upper Merion in Montgomery County, which has been inviting Amnion presenters for about a decade. Dr. John Toleno, the Upper Merion superintendent, said in an interview that there's never been an issue or any complaints about Amnion "It's never become about religion and no one handed a Bible out," he said but he promised to take another look into the program in the wake of the uproar in Wallingford-Swarthmore. In Wallingford-Swarthmore, Stefanie McArdle-Taylor, the parent who started the Change.org petition, called it "pretty amazing" that so few parents or top district officials knew about the Amnion program before McElroy's presentation and said she didn't mind other groups being invited to speak, but draws the line at religious organizations. "The messages they were giving to kids," she added, "were kind of damaging and out of date." 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 2 Camden County undercover detectives on Aug. 7,2018. Chief Thomson released the names and photos of suspects (L-R) Alexander DeJesus, Ammar Hall and Juan Figueroa during a press conference, at Camden Police Headquarters, on Aug.17, 2018 . Read more The two remaining fugitives sought in the shooting of two Camden detectives earlier this month were arrested in Philadelphia late Tuesday afternoon, authorities said. The two men arrested Tuesday Alexander DeJesus, 19, of Philadelphia, and Ammar Hall, 26, of Camden and a third man were identified last week as suspects in the Aug. 7 shooting of the detectives in an unmarked police vehicle. The third suspect, Juan Figueroa, 20, of Camden, was arrested Saturday night in Gloucester City. At a news conference Tuesday night in Camden County Police Department headquarters, Police Chief Scott Thomson said Hall was picked up about 5:20 p.m. on a street corner in Kensington by the U.S. Marshals Service. DeJesus was apprehended an hour later at a house in Kensington. DeJesus had dyed his hair blonde in an attempt to avoid capture, Thomson said, adding: "But that didn't seem to work out too well for him." Both men were arrested without incident, he said. No weapons were recovered. Hall and DeJesus were being held Tuesday night at Police Headquarters and will face extradition to New Jersey. "Make no mistake about it, they will be brought to Jersey, and they will face justice on this side of the river," Thomson said. Figueroa, who remained in custody Tuesday night in Camden, faces an initial appearance in Superior Court on Friday. The injured detectives, whose names have not been released, were notified about the arrests. "Physically, they are doing better. But I'm sure, as you can imagine, they still have a very long road to go," Thomson said. "Tonight's arrest does help a bit in that process." Thomson said all three suspects had extensive criminal records. He declined to comment on a motive for the ambush. "What is pretty clear to us was their intent to kill the individuals in that vehicle. We're going to interview these suspects, and we're going to see what they've got to say," Thomson said. Authorities have said the three men were in a white van when they pulled behind the detectives, who were sitting in their car while working in a surveillance detail in Camden's Bergen Square neighborhood. Two of the men stepped out of the van and fired 10 to 25 rounds from semiautomatic weapons at the detectives in just seven seconds in what police called an unprovoked attack. One of the detectives returned fire as the suspects fled. Both detectives were treated for their injuries at Cooper University Hospital. Last week, Thomson described Figueroa, DeJesus, and Hall as "homicidal maniacs," adding: "These folks don't need to be walking the streets of society." The three face attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons possession charges. At the time of the Tuesday arrests, a $60,000 reward was still being offered in exchange for information that led to their arrests. President Donald Trump speaks to Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt at the White House Wednesday afternoon after his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, implicated him in two campaign finance crimes. Read more In two separate courtrooms separated by a couple hundred miles Tuesday, cases involving Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort appear to have thrown cold water on the idea that special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation is a "witch hunt." Despite his outspoken public relations battle against Mueller, President Trump went to work on Wednesday morning in a world where his former lawyer and longtime fixer implicated him in campaign-finance crimes, and his former campaign chairman was convicted of tax and bank fraud. Here's what happened in court Tuesday: Cohen pleaded guilty to eight criminal counts, including two campaign finance violations that stem from hush-money payments ahead of the 2016 election intended to silence two women who claimed they'd had affairs with Trump porn star Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal. Manafort was found guilty on eight counts of various financial crimes, including bank fraud and tax fraud. A mistrial was declared on 10 other counts after jurors in federal court in Alexandria, Va., said they couldn't reach a consensus on those charges. All of the crimes occurred prior to Manafort's role in Trump's presidential campaign. Manafort is scheduled to return to court, this time in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 17 to face seven additional counts that weren't part of the first trial. Those charges include making false statements to the FBI, money laundering and foreign lobbying. And here's how the aftermath of the bombshell day for the Trump administration played out Wednesday: Trump tells Fox News he only found out about payments later During an interview with Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt, Trump claimed he only found out about the payments made by Cohen after the fact, contradicting Cohen's account and the case made by prosecutors that Trump directed the payments. "Later on I knew. Later on," Trump tells Earhardt. "And they weren't taking out of campaign finance. That's a big thing, that's a much bigger thing they didn't come out of the campaign." Trump also admitted the first time that he was behind the payments to both Daniels and McDougal, telling Earhardt, "They came from me." As NBC News investigative reporter Tom Winter pointed out on Twitter, prosecutors claim they had an abundant amount of evidence that would have involved the president, including "hard copy documents, seized electronic devices, and audio recordings" made by Cohen. As part of his plea agreement, Cohen told Judge William H. Pauley III the payments to Daniels and McDougal were made "in coordination with and at the direction of a candidate for federal office," understood to be Trump. "I participated in this conduct, which on my part took place in Manhattan, for the principal purpose of influencing the election," Cohen said. Trump's full interview with Earhardt will air on Fox & Friends Thursday morning at 6 a.m. Crime isnt crime The popular conservative website Drudge Report raised some eyebrows early Wednesday afternoon by featuring the headline "Crime Isn't Crime" in the top of its homepage. The link goes to an NBC News report about Trump's decision to unload on Twitter Wednesday morning about Manafort and Cohen. In one tweet, the president repeated a talking point promoted heavily by several of the president's allies that Cohen's admitted campaign-finance crimes "are not a crime." "I believe that Michael Cohen pled guilty to actions that are called crimes in the plea deal, that aren't in fact crimes," Matt Schlapp, a Trump supporter and the chair of the American Conservative Union, said on CNN Wednesday morning. The decision to claim that crimes Cohen admitted to aren't actually crimes draws an obvious comparison to the widely mocked phrase "truth isn't truth," which was made over the weekend by Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. "It's a bit baffling that Trump would assert that criminal charges accepted by Cohen aren't a crime," wrote Washington Post national correspondent Philip Bump. "Perhaps he's arguing that the alleged crimes didn't occur or that prosecutors crafted their charges in a way to maximize Cohen's exposure to legal risk. It's not clear. It's not true." Cohens lawyer slams Fox News on Fox News In a whirlwind media tour Wednesday morning that included stops across all the morning news shows and cable news networks, Cohen attorney Lanny Davis said there was "no dispute that Donald Trump committed a crime." Davis also reiterated that his client had information that would be valuable to Mueller and insisted that Cohen would not be "dirtied" by a presidential pardon. But Davis, who served as former President Bill Clinton's special counsel during Clinton's impeachment hearings, added an interesting wrinkle during an appearance on Fox News by slamming the network for its promotion of "rhetoric without facts." America's Newsroom fill-in anchor Eric Shawn drew Davis' ire when Shawn asked about creating a second special counsel to investigate "the Clintons, the DNC, the dossier, Christopher Steele and the way this was handled by the Department of Justice." Attorney General Jeff Sessions declined to create a second special counsel investigation back in March. But the idea continues to garner airtime on Fox News and has been promoted by several of the network's personalities, including Sean Hannity, Jeannie Pirino and Jason Chaffetz. "You didn't state a single fact involving the Clintons, and although I have a lot of friends at Fox and have been a Fox guest on almost every show on Fox, that kind of rhetoric without facts is unfortunately too common on Fox shows," Davis said. "So, state me facts of what Bill or Hillary Clinton actually have done that would suggest anything illegal suggesting a special counsel." Former U.S. attorney from Pa.: This is more serious than Watergate Harry Litman, who served as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania under former President Bill Clinton, said he believes that Cohen's plea deal makes it clear that Trump has obstructed justice more than former President Richard Nixon. "I think it's more serious than Watergate in the actual crimes alleged," Litman said during an appearance on Sky News in the United Kingdom. "Richard Nixon did some obstruction of justice. I think Trump stands already proven to have done more than that and suspected of doing quite a bit more." Litman said the main difference between then and now is that Republicans in Congress are still supporting the president and have refused to turn on him the way Republicans turned on Nixon, which ultimately resulted in Nixon's resignation. "So far, Trump's allies in Congress and his minority popular support have not been moved by various scandals that I think would have brought down other presidencies," Litman said. "Whether this is finally enough for some people to part company with him remains to be seen." Chris Christie: Questions that Trump needs to answer Former New Jersey governor and Trump campaign surrogate Chris Christie admitted that Tuesday was "not a great day" for the president. Christie, now a political analyst for ABC News, said on Good Morning America Wednesday that there were still several questions that need answered, including Trump's motive in directing Cohen to make the payments and whether they were intended to interfere with the outcome of the election. The former U.S. attorney for New Jersey also brushed away a comment made earlier on the show by Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, who suggested his client had information that would be "of interest" to Mueller and that "President Trump committed a criminal act." "For Lanny Davis to be sitting there and saying that a guy who defrauded the federal government of $4 million in tax money, committed bank fraud and all the rest of that, now needs the help of the American people? I think it's outrageous," Christie said, referencing a portion of the financial crimes Cohen pleaded guilty to on Tuesday. Trump tweets response to Cohen plea, Manafort verdict Trump broke his Twitter silence Wednesday morning and unloaded about Cohen and Manafort in a series of tweets Wednesday morning. The president began by stating he wouldn't recommend Cohen's legal services to others, but quickly shifted to a head-scratching statement that the campaign-finance crimes his former lawyer pleaded guilty to "are not a crime." He also attempted to draw a parallel between Cohen and a $375,000 fine former President Obama's campaign paid in 2012 for campaign reporting violations. On Manafort, Trump reiterated he felt "very badly" for his former campaign chairman and appeared to criticize his own Justice Department for bringing the case in the first place. He also credited Manafort for refusing to break under pressure, "unlike Michael Cohen." Despite the guilty verdict on eight counts in the Manafort case, Trump once again dubbed Mueller's investigation a "witch hunt," pointing to the mistrial declared on the 10 remaining charges. Prosecutors could decide to try Manafort again on those charges. In this June 6, 2017 file photo, a reporter holds up an example of the amount of fentanyl that can be deadly after a news conference about deaths from fentanyl exposure, at The Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters in Arlington, Va. Read more Just as it is in Philadelphia, the synthetic opioid fentanyl is driving the overdose crisis throughout Pennsylvania, new data from the Drug Enforcement Administration show. Fentanyl was present in 67 percent of the state's 5,456 overdose deaths in 2017 up from 52 percent of overdose deaths in 2016, when 4,642 people died. Since 2015, overdose deaths across the state have risen by 64 percent, the DEA said. But the rate of that increase slowed last year: from 2015 to 2016, deaths rose by 38 percent; from 2016 to 2017, deaths rose by 18 percent. In Philadelphia, which has the worst opioid death rate of any major city in the country, 1,217 people died of a drug overdose in 2017 about 22 percent of the state's total overdose deaths. Fentanyl was present in 84 percent of those cases. Thomas Farley, Philadelphia's health commissioner, said the new state-level data suggest that Pennsylvania's opioid crisis is no longer confined to urban areas. "We've always had a bigger heroin problem than the rest of the state," he said. "What I'm struck by is how much of a problem we have in the rural areas that were previously untouched by this. The opioid crisis is raging through Pennsylvania like the wildfires are raging through California." He said the rise in fentanyl-related overdoses was particularly concerning. "That's the top drug here and it's 50 times as potent as heroin, much more likely to get people addicted, much more likely to cause an overdose," he said. "It's changed the entire nature of the problem." The DEA will issue a more detailed report on the state's overdose death rate this month. But it released these preliminary numbers as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its own provisional data on the overdose crisis nationwide, predicting data will show 71,568 overdose deaths between January 2017 and January 2018. It's difficult to say what's driving the national spike in overdoses up from 64,000 overdose deaths in 2016 because county coroners often don't report the types of drugs that killed overdose victims on death certificates, which is the only way for the CDC to track such information, said Bob Anderson, chief of the mortality statistics branch at the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. Still, he said, the increases since 2016 were alarming, although some states in the West and New England reported declines in overdose deaths. "The fact that we are seeing some declines in some states is certainly encouraging," Anderson said. "But the numbers continue to rise in several of the other areas. I'm hopeful that what we're seeing here in the most recent months is kind of a peak in the problem for the nation, and we'll start to see some declines here. But it's impossible to know for sure until we get some more data. It could be just a stall and then start going up again." Farley said the statewide data show the enormity of the task ahead for local health departments. "Now every small town and every city in Pennsylvania need to do all the steps that are important: reduce overprescribing of opioids, make drug treatment available, and distribute naloxone," the overdose-reversing drug, he said. Plaintiff Bryant Miller (left) walks into Philadelphia City Hall in September with lawyers arguing for better school funding in Pennsylvania. The lawyers are Maura McInerney and, Deborah Gordon Klehr of the Education Law Center and Michael Churchill of the Public Interest Law Center. Read more A landmark lawsuit challenging how Pennsylvania pays for public education is moving closer to trial after Commonwealth Court dismissed state lawmakers' last remaining objection to the case. State Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson) argued for dismissal on the ground that in 2016, Pennsylvania adopted a formula directing more money to school districts with greater student needs. But the plaintiffs among them the William Penn School District in Delaware County and parents of Philadelphia students said that disparities between low and high-wealth districts had increased despite the formula, which applies only to a portion of what Pennsylvania spends on public education. "Clearly, a factual dispute about the significance and adequacy of the funding changes persists," the court said in its order Monday. A spokesman for Scarnati did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment. Neal Lesher, a spokesman for House Speaker Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny), said lawmakers had increased funding for school districts by $2 billion since 2015. "Crafting a budget, including education funding, is constitutionally a legislative matter that we take very seriously," Lesher said. "We continue to believe that this matter does not belong in the courts." Filed in 2014 by the Education Law Center and Public Interest Law Center on behalf of school districts, parents, and statewide organizations, the lawsuit alleges that the state is violating its constitution by failing to adequately educate children and discriminating against children based on where they live. It was dismissed in 2015 by Commonwealth Court, which held that education funding couldn't be reviewed by judges. But the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reversed that decision last year, reviving the case and sending it back to the lower court. Legislative leaders continued to argue that it shouldn't move forward in part because the state had since adopted a funding formula. Monday's order put an end to those objections. While lawmakers still may file additional motions, the next stage is deciding what the trial will look like, how the issues will be presented and the timetable for producing evidence, said Maura McInerney, legal director of the Education Law Center. Pennsylvania's formula "in no way resolved the broken funding system in the state," McInerney said. "It did not add a single dollar to the state contribution to education. There's no question that the schools that are underfunded continue to suffer from the same harm." Staff writer Kristen A. Graham contributed to this article. Last Tuesday, Aug. 14, the Yucatan Waterfront Restaurant in Matlacha joined the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce to hold its Grand Opening ribbon-cutting. Rob Reilly, general manager of Matlachas newest restaurant said, We opened about a year ago but we wanted to make some improvements before having our Grand Opening. Theyre all about taking a bite out of paradise while enjoying tasty regional flavors, Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce executive director Jennifer Jennings said. And the views are certainly among Southwest Floridas most beautiful. Reilly manages two restaurants for owner Tom Kolar. The first Yucatan Beach Stand opened in Fort Myers Beach 11 years ago and was so successful Kolar decided to open a second location. When the Sandy Hook Fish and Rib House was for sale, Kolar decided Matlacha would be a perfect second location. Weve been in this building for a year and wanted to make a lot of changes beginning with giving the interior a new look, Reilly said. We have all new furniture, which transforms the whole look of the restaurant. Tom wanted to remove the entire wall that faces the water and replace it with garage style doors so we could open the restaurant up for fresh air and to take advantage of the beautiful view. It took 10 months to get through the permitting process before construction could begin on the wall. So those doors have only been in for a month, Reilly said. What were trying to accomplish is to recreate that vibe we have at the Fort Myers Beach restaurant. So many of our customers come from someplace else and living here they want palm trees and balmy breezes and thats what were trying to provide. Reilly said the new restaurant kept several dishes from the Sandy Hook Fish and Rib House on the menu. In fact, a few of them were so good we brought them to the Fort Myers Beach restaurant, Reilly said. We do a lot of fresh seafood at both restaurants but our specials here are often different because we have a different clientele here. Online reviews for the restaurant have been mostly positive. I call it laid back, casual and comfortable, Jennings said. I think the garage doors and the deck for outdoor seating are a wonderful addition. What I want people to know is weve just started on the improvements and arent done yet, Reilly said. Yucatan Waterfront features indoor and outdoor seating with million dollar views of Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve from our new waterside patio. Id like to invite everyone to give us a try they wont be disappointed. Yucatan Waterfront is located at 4875 Pine Island Road, Matlacha, Florida, 33993. For additional details and information, please call the Yucatan Waterfront 239-283-0113 or visit the restaurants website at yucatanwaterfront.com/ 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 demise. 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. Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj Looking out over the empty German American Social Club as I loaded up the last of the tents and tables into my SUV, I realized that while setting up and breaking down for an event is indeed labor intensive, the actual process of planning an event and bringing to fruition those plans is incredible in of itself. The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce led by Executive Director Jennifer Jennings and President Melissa Koferl have this down pat. They, along with their board of directors and numerous volunteers somehow make it all happen. The biggest obstacle is securing the funds to just start the process. Applying for government grants, securing large sponsors and implementing a marketing team to acquire local sponsors that will showcase our island communities are among the first steps. Securing the venue, the issuance of permits, insurance and hiring security personnel is all done well in advance of the event day. Suffice it to say, for the most part, Mango Mania begins in February. There are numerous emails, phone calls and meetings with advertising personnel from TV and radio stations as well as constant updates on social media and print news to get the word out and ensure we have a respectable turnout. While all of this is going on in the background, a small army of volunteers are designing brochures, banners and signs as well as choosing a local artist that will create the design for the MangoMania T-shirt that will be sold at the event. The winning art design will also become the poster that will be displayed at various businesses here on the island and surrounding areas such as Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Sanibel and Captiva advertising the event. Music! What is an event without music?Contests! Prizes! Raffles! All of these things must have serious consideration and meticulous planning, so another small army of volunteers is deployed to make these portions of the event go smoothly. A local mango grower must be found to sponsor the tasting table and the logistics of transporting thousands of mangos from the grove to the venue must be ironed out. By April the vendors have been notified to fill out an application to rent space and the phones start ringing at the Chamber. Out comes the venue map and spaces start filling up. Lets not forget a bit of housekeeping. We humans do create large messes and they need to be kept somewhat in control the messes well the humans, too. Garbage must be hauled off frequently so Dumpsters need to be leased and another army of volunteers must be formed to take care of collecting trash and hauling it to the dumpsters. Restroom facilities must be provided as well as cooling and hydration stations. Finally, at 2 p.m. the day before the event, vendors begin to arrive. Trailers and tents begin to fill the venue grounds and voices waft through the aisles. It is a whirling dervish of activity right up to opening day just getting everything set up. For everything that I have mentioned here I know there were fifty other things that needed to be done and were done by Jennifer and Melissa unbeknownst to the rest of us. The gates opened at 10 a.m. and the people flowed in. With an eye to the sky, we all hoped for no rain until after 5 p.m. it rained at 3 p.m. on Saturday but Sunday was sunny. My small piece in all this was one of the contests. Specifically, the cooking contest. Next year Ill do better! What follows is the list of winners from the contests that were held. The Cooking Contest Jams/Jellies: 1st Rod Duncan 2nd Jason Frank 3rd Barb Jennings Salsa/Relish: 1st Jason Frank 2nd Judy Bero 3rd Rod Duncan Dessert: 1st Jason Frank, Mango Mousse 2nd Alice White, Mango Pie 3rd Susan Rhoads, Mango Pan Pizza Dressings/Marinades: 1st Rod Duncan, Mango Tango Hot Sauce 2nd Denise Esposito, Mango Mustard 3rd Rod Duncan, Rod-Tom Mild Mango Pepper Sauce Professional Saltwater Smokehouse Andrew Hamilton Mango Dessert: Mango Puddin Cake Mango Appetizer: Mango Shrimp Wonton Cup with Asian Slaw Hat Decorating Contest 1st Ricki Serorillo 2nd Laura Terpice 3rd London Carbells Pie Eating Contest Sunday Kids Division 1st Place Dylan, from Maryland 2nd Place- Nicholas, from Cape Coral 3rd place- Noah, from Cape Coral Adult Division Erin, from Sarasota Jason, from Cape Coral Juan, from Pine Island Largest Mango 1st place- John Scatelette, 5.67 lbs. 2nd place John Scatelette, 3.23 lbs. 3rd place- Gatherings Grove, 2.272 lbs. A huge thank you to all the volunteers that make this event run smoothly and I hope that perhaps I was able to convey the dedication that The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce has to our communities and businesses. To Jennifer Jennings, Melissa Koferl and the Board of Directors, thank you! Already meetings are under way, lists have been made and topics listed to discuss on how to make MangoMania 2019 even better. KAMPALA President Museveni has ordered for the immediate suspension of senior officers in the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) over frustrating an investor, a one Dongsong of M/S Guangzhou Dongsong Energy Group Company Ltd. In a letter dated August 14, Mr Museveni directed the Finance Minister Matia Kasaija to fire anybody from the URA who does not understand the mission of modernizing and industrializing Uganda. I, therefore, direct that all those involved in this scandal must be suspended immediately, starting with Okaka whose signature I saw on a number of documents in this case, Museveni wrote. According to the letter, Mr Geoffrey Okaka the Manager Corporate Performance Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation at URA refused to clear some machinery belonging to Mr Dongsong of M/S Guangzhou Dongsong Energy Group Company Limited, a Chinese investor who intends to turn the waste of the steel factory into construction blocks in Tororo. The useless URA crowd would have nothing of this. A gentleman by names of Okaka, in different correspondences, maintained that the operation in Sukulu was a mining operation and did not require air compressors and block makers!! Amazing, Honorable minister. How can such a person, be even a junior office of Ugandas URA let alone acting on behalf of the commissioner Customs, Mr Museveni stated in the letter. The president said that URA is supposed to facilitate, assist and expedite the process but instead the URA staff, either out of ignorance, malice or corruption are tossing the countrys investors endlessly in this case for the whole July 2018. He stated that the Machine blocked at Mombasa is incurring demurrage charge why put such burdens on such serious investors? such staff should not bong to the URA. Musevenis directive comes a day he had tipped foreign investors to report to him Ugandan officials who seek bribes for business tenders. Speaking at the 2nd Uganda-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, an annual event through which investments from China are recognized for their contribution towards industrialization and the creation of employment opportunities for Ugandans the president said that investors waste a lot of time because they are delayed by corrupt or confused officials. I hear that many foreigners think that Africa is so corrupt. Please, dont give anyone commission because they dont deserve it. In case anyone is trying to bribe you, whisper to the Ambassador, who will inform me and we shall deal with the culprits, Museveni said. M/S Guangzhou Dongsong Energy Group Company Limited arrived on the stage in 2012, embarked on geological explorations of the hills to verify the reserves, and a year later, was awarded a 50-year licence for the Osukuru hills. The licence covers an area spanning 265 square kilometres. The company signed a mineral development agreement with government to establish the Osukuru comprehensive plant that will comprise a fertiliser manufacturing plant (from phosphate) and a steel plant from the vast iron reserves in Tororo worth US $650 Million. The agreement spells out obligations of the two parties, with government required to provide necessary assistance to Dongsong during the implementation of the project. It is for that matter but Mr Museveni said that instead, the URA is frustrating the process. The Sukulu operations is not only about mining but also about processing and producing many items out of the minerals: fertilizers, steel, rare earth, construction blocks and at one time, they were talking of Sulphuric acid, the president explained. Related MAKERERE The row between Makerere University Council and the lecturers has taken a new twist after the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, asked the academic staff to apologize to the council for discrediting its work in a letter to Education Minister Janet Museveni. Lecturers under their umbrella body, the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), on August 15 wrote to Ms Museveni, asking her to dissolve the university council over underperformance. And now Prof Nawangwe has said MUASA should withdraw their petition to the minister and apologize to the council members for damaging their respective reputation in the petition. your petition, which was widely circulated in the mass media, was intended to discredit the current council and deny her of recognition for her tremendous contribution to the university and I would advise Ms Museveni to dismiss it with the contempt it deserves. I also advise you to withdraw your petition and apologize to the council, the Vice Chancellors letter to MUASA reads in part. In the letter to Ms Museveni, Dr Deus Kamunyu, the chairperson of MUASA, accused the council of, among others, financial mismanagement and blamed the declining student enrolment on its poor decisions. However, Prof Nawangwe said the approach of confronting the stakeholders in the university will not work. Let me take this opportunity to call upon the MUASA leadership to abandon the course of confrontation with practically all stakeholders, which you have apparently adopted. This will not build our university, he said. The Vice Chancellor also revealed that only 15 MUASA members out of 2,500 academic staff passed the vote of no confidence which is procedurally wrong. According to the Universities and Other Tertiary Tuition Act 2001, the university council is a supreme organ of the public university and its responsible for the overall administration of the objects and functions of the university and responsible for the direction of the administrative, financial and academic affairs of the university, among others. In the letter to Ms Museveni, MUASA said: In our recent general assembly of 3 August and adjourned, members observed with great concern the persistent decline in the overall performance of the university council in playing their oversight role. The assembly passed a vote of no confidence in the current university council and resolved that you should dissolve it with immediate effect. Related Meggitt Training Systems has announced the launch of test and evaluation with the Gwinnett County (GA) Sheriff's Office for Meggitt Training Systems' FATS 300LE. The FATS 300LE immersive virtual training system delivers virtual scenarios that train police officers in the split-second, use-of-force evaluations and de-escalation tactics they need to deploy in real-world situations. "We are pleased to work with the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office and provide them the opportunity to use the FATS 300LE, the next-generation immersive virtual training system. The FATS 300LE will help their officers improve their reaction times under simulated dangerous situations, sharpening their judgment and decision-making skills," said Matt Cunningham, Director of Virtual Systems, Meggitt Training Systems. "This new system will be instrumental in training our deputies to successfully handle the wide range of situations they face in the field. This is a win-win for our deputies and our community," says Sheriff Butch Conway. The FATS 300LE includes five, free-standing flat screens, each with 150"x84" borderless projection surfaces arranged in a hexagonal format that creates a 300-degree virtual environment. A small entrance area completes the 360-degree circle. The FATS 300LE's powerful software engine can support up to 20 simulated law enforcement weapons systems concurrently, including rifles, pistols, machine guns, and non-lethal deterrents like a TASER or pepper spray. The system syncs seamlessly with Meggitt's wireless BlueFire simulated weapons with the form, fit, and function of a live weapon, including realistic recoil when fired. The system tracks weapon movement to provide trainers with detailed information for post-action reports. Through its ability to replicate many different real-world situations, from domestic family disputes and traffic stops to school shootings, the FATS 300LE provides an advanced training solution to improve the way law enforcement professionals react and perform in stressful and life-threatening situations. For more information, visit www.MeggittTrainingSystems.com. Deputy Ben Zirbel was a 12-year veteran of the Clay County Sheriff's Office. Photo: Clay County Sheriff Clay County, FL, Deputy Ben Zirbel has died after he was struck in a crash while on his sheriff's office motorcycle, authorities said. Zirbel's wife said he was an organ donor and may save up to seven lives through his donation, reports News4Jax. "Ben's passion in life was to help people, which is why he became a sheriff's deputy," Anna Zirbel said. "Even now in this moment of our most painful grief, I'm happy to say that Ben is still helping people." Deputy Ben Zirbel was in critical condition after the serious crash on Blanding Boulevard Sunday. Troopers said Zirbel was on his sheriff's office motorcycle driving south when a truck with a trailer attached violated his right of way, crossing into Zirbel's path to make a left turn. Zirbel crashed into the trailer and was ejected from his motorcycle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Zirbel was a 12-year veteran of the Clay County Sheriff's Office, husband, and father. He worked as a traffic deputy. The National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) has announced several updates for its 35th Annual Law Enforcement Operations Conference, including the full lineup of incident debriefs, seminars and practical tracks. With less than a month until the conference starts, the NTOA encourages attendees to register soon as courses are filling up quickly. The conference brings together internationally renowned instructors, cutting-edge approaches to challenges faced by officers, a two-day trade show, and the opportunity to network and learn from peers over a six-day period. More than 70 courses will be offered, including seminars, practical tracks and several contemporary incident debriefs. Topics include team management, risk mitigation, current case law and emerging trends in tactical operations. Attendees can choose from an outstanding selection of incident debriefs and seminars on patrol, leadership, current legal issues and many other topics. A few of the topics included in this years event are: * Route 91 Harvest Festival Debrief * The Norwegian Massacre 2011 * MAGNUS Leadership for Specialized Units: An Application of Reversal Theory for Advanced Wellness and Resiliency * Law Enforcement Response to Suicidal Subjects: Legal Realities and Options * (Un)Common Leadership * Civil Unrest and Ambush on Police Debrief (Baton Rouge) * Millennials and Tactical Teams: Bridging the Gap * Critical Thinking and Condensed Time Decision-Making for the Team Leader * SWAT After Action Report * Critical Incident Management for Patrol * Aurora Theater Massacre A complete agenda of practical tracks, seminars and incident debriefs can be viewed here: http://public.ntoa.org/default.asp?action=confagenda&confid=9. New this year is the NTOA Hub, an area in the center of the trade show floor offering several events and services to conference attendees. One section of The Hub will feature general NTOA Q&A with conversations about membership, the Member Tested Program and other services offered by the association. An NTOA Academy representative will be on hand at another section to answer questions and provide insight into the programs curriculum. The Hub also will host Tac Talks, 20-minute discussions on topics including incident response, SWAT standards, and grant opportunities. The conference will be held at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee from Sept. 16-21, 2018, and will be co-hosted by the Association of SWAT Personnel - Wisconsin. Conference attendees can register at http://training.ntoa.org/registration/registration.asp. In order to make the Law Enforcement Operations Conference and Trade Show accessible to more members of the law enforcement community, the NTOA has expanded its registration options to include a two-day and one-day attendance package, in addition to the full-week conference package. Conference lodging in Milwaukee is also open. NTOA conference attendees can book their stay at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Hyatt Regency Milwaukee or the SpringHill Suites Milwaukee Downtown. Keep updated on the latest conference announcements by following the NTOA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more information on the National Tactical Officers Association, visit www.ntoa.org or call (800) 279-9127. Former Nazi camp guard, 95, deported from U.S. to GermanyAssociated PressPublished:August 21, 2018Updated:August 21, 2018 11:29 PM EDTBERLIN A 95-year-old former Nazi concentration camp guard who lived quietly in New York City for decades was carried out of his home on a stretcher by federal agents and flown to Germany early Tuesday in what could prove to be the last U.S. deportation of a World War II-era war-crimes suspect.Jakiw Palijs expulsion, at President Donald Trumps urging, came 25 years after investigators first accused Palij of lying about his wartime past to get into the U.S. But it was largely symbolic because officials in Germany have repeatedly said there is insufficient evidence to prosecute him.Trump made it very clear he wanted Palij out of the country, and a new German government that took office in March brought new energy to expediting the matter, U.S. Ambassador Richard Grenell said.Hes gone. Hes back in Germany, Trump said at a campaign rally in West Virginia Tuesday night as he celebrated his role in the deportation.Eli Rosenbaum, the former head of the U.S. office investigating accused Nazi war criminals, said Palijs removal is a landmark victory in the U.S. governments decades-long quest to achieve a measure of justice and accountability on behalf of the victims of Nazi inhumanity.Palij lived quietly in the U.S. for years, as a draftsman and then as a retiree, until nearly three decades ago when investigators found his name on an old Nazi roster and a fellow former guard spilled the secret that he was living somewhere in America.Palij, an ethnic Ukrainian born in a part of Poland that is now Ukraine, said on his 1957 naturalization petition that he had Ukrainian citizenship. When their investigators showed up at his door in 1993, he said: I would never have received my visa if I told the truth. Everyone lied.A judge stripped Palijs U.S. citizenship in 2003 for participation in acts against Jewish civilians while he was an armed guard at the Trawniki camp in Nazi-occupied Poland and he was ordered deported a year later.But because Germany, Poland, Ukraine and other countries refused to take him, he continued living in limbo in the two-story, red brick home in Queens he shared with his late wife, Maria. His continued presence there outraged the Jewish community, attracting frequent protests over the years that featured such chants as, Your neighbour is a Nazi!This 1942 photo provided by the the public prosecutors office in Hamburg via the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, shows Heinrich Himmler, centre left, shaking hands with new guard recruits at the Trawniki concentration camp in Nazi occupied Poland. Trawniki is the same camp, where some time after this photo was made, Jakiw Palij trained and served as a guard. Public Prosecutor's Office in Hamburg via the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum via APAccording to the Justice Department, Palij served at Trawniki in 1943, the same year 6,000 prisoners in the camps and tens of thousands of other prisoners held in occupied Poland were rounded up and slaughtered. Palij has acknowledged serving in Trawniki but denied any involvement in war crimes.Last September, all 29 members of New Yorks congressional delegation signed a letter urging the State Department to follow through on his deportation.Good riddance to this war criminal, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat.The deportation came after weeks of diplomatic negotiations.Grenell told reporters there were difficult conversations because Palij is not a German citizen and was stateless after losing his U.S. citizenship. But the moral obligation of taking in someone who served in the name of the German government was accepted, he said.Video footage from ABC News showed federal immigration agents carrying Palij out of his home Monday on a stretcher. Palij, with a fluffy white beard and a brown, newsboy-style cap atop his head, was wrapped in a sheet as the agents carried him down a brick stairway in front of his home and into a waiting ambulance.He ignored a reporter who shouted, Are you a Nazi? and Do you have any regrets?Palij was flown on a specially chartered air ambulance from Teterboro, New Jersey, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and arrived in Dusseldorf, Germany, at 8 a.m. Tuesday.Palijs lawyer, Ivars Berzins, declined to comment.The local German government in Warendorf county, near Muenster, said Palij would be taken to a care facility in the town of Ahlen.Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said there is no line under historical responsibility, but added in a comment to the German daily Bild that doing justice to the memory of Nazi atrocities means standing by our moral obligation to the victims and the subsequent generations.Jens Rommel, head of the German federal prosecutors office that investigates Nazi war crimes, said Tuesday that the deportation doesnt change the likelihood that Palij will be prosecuted for war crimes. A new investigation would only come into question if something changed in the legal evaluation or actual new evidence became known, he said.However, Efraim Zuroff, the head Nazi-hunter at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said he hoped prosecutors would revisit the case now that Palij is in Germany.Trawniki was a camp where people were trained to round up and murder the Jews in Poland, so theres certainly a basis for some sort of prosecution, he said in a telephone interview from Jerusalem.The efforts invested by the United States in getting Palij deported are really noteworthy and Im very happy to see that they finally met with success, he said.This 1957 photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice shows Jakiw Palij, a former Nazi concentration camp guard who has been living in the Queens borough of New York. U.S. Department of Justice via APPalijs deportation is the first for a Nazi war crimes suspect since Germany agreed in 2009 to take John Demjanjuk, a retired Ohio autoworker who was accused of serving as a Nazi guard. He was convicted in 2011 of being an accessory to more than 28,000 killings and died 10 months later, at age 91, with his appeal pending.Palij, whose full name is pronounced Yah-keev PAH-lee, entered the U.S. in 1949 under the Displaced Persons Act, a law meant to help refugees from post-war Europe.He told immigration officials that he worked during the war in a woodshop and farm in Nazi-occupied Poland, as well as at another farm in Germany and finally in a German upholstery factory. Palij said he never served in the military.In reality, officials say, he played an essential role in the Nazi program to exterminate Jews as an armed guard at Trawniki. According to a Justice Department complaint, Palij served in a unit that committed atrocities against Polish civilians and others and then in the notorious SS Streibel Battalion, a unit whose function was to round up and guard thousands of Polish civilian forced labourers.After the war, Palij maintained friendships with other Nazi guards who the government says came to the U.S. under similar false pretenses.The Justice Departments special Nazi-hunting unit started piecing together Palijs past after a fellow Trawniki guard identified him to Canadian authorities in 1989. Investigators asked Russia and other countries for records on Palij beginning in 1990 and first confronted him in 1993.It wasnt until after a second interview in 2001 that he signed a document acknowledging he had been a guard at Trawniki and a member of the Streibel Battalion. Palij suggested at one point during that interview that he was threatened with death if he refused to work as a guard, saying, If you dont show up, boom-boom.Though the last Nazi suspect ordered deported, Palij is not the last remaining in the U.S.Since 2017, Poland has been seeking the extradition of Ukrainian-born Michael Karkoc, an ex-commander in an SS-led Nazi unit that burned Polish villages and killed civilians during the war. But it could take years before the 99-year-old, who currently lives in Minneapolis, faces deportation. He was the subject of a series of 2013 reports by The Associated Press that led Polish prosecutors to issue an arrest warrant for him. CHANGZHOU, China, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Solar has been under the spotlight since the company delisted from the US stock market and became a private company in March 2017. Although the majority of the players in the PV sector have recently dealt with obstacles, Trina Solar Chairman Jifan Gao recently said in an interview that, the company's cash inventory remains at a high level. The company sold more than 4GW of sales volume including modules and solar farms in the first half of 2018, generating more than 2.04 billion USD in revenue, up more than 13 percent compared to the prior year period. For the full year of 2018, it remains quite likely that the company's total sales revenue will exceed that booked in 2017. A sound globalization strategy reduces risk At present, Trina Solar has expanded to 103 countries and regions globally, with offices in around 40 countries and employees that come from 38 countries. Statistics show that the Company realized over 9GW in global coverage. Mr. Gao believes that establishing a globalized business system bolsters Trina Solar's ability to withstand market volatility; when volatility occurs in a market, other markets may provide a balance. "Even when the market is at its best - both in China and overseas - we are still able to guarantee the supply overseas. In 2017, Trina Solar's overseas sales exceeded China's sales. From the supply point of view, overseas market contributed over 55%. This is why Trina Solar remains unruffled by the fluctuations in the market and also forms the basis for confidence in achieving annual growth as opposed to the market outlook." Mr. Gao said. Trina Solar has 6 major management centers in China, Japan, Singapore, US, Europe, and Latin America. The target is to not only achieve globalization, but also gradually achieve localization. In addition to mature markets such as the US, Europe, and Japan, Trina Solar began exploring emerging markets since 2016, including those where Trina Solar has grown rapidly such as Ukraine, the Middle East, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Trina Solar has achieved over 60% market share in some emerging countries, and at least 20-30% market share in others. Staying the course with a healthy cash flow Mr. Gao reveals that in the first half of the year, Trina Solar sold some solar farms. Total capacity of the farms was about 900MW. This helped Trina Solar to raise a lot of cash and effectively lower the company's debt ratio. "Furthermore, we will still continue to provide mid-term and long-term management services to help operate these solar farms." Trina Solar's debt ratio has now been reduced to 62% as of middle of the year, compared to 67.5% at the start of the year. Trina Solar's cash reserves have also been maintained at a relatively healthy level. As of end of last year, Trina Solar's cash reserves were 643 million USD, and as of 30 June 2018, it had grown to 687 million USD. At the same time, Trina Solar's total credit limit has exceeded 2.9 billion USD. It still has a balance of 1 billion USD. In the face of adjustments in the industry, Trina Solar can still grow with ease. Under the robust management of Gao Jifan, Trina Solar has long established a risk management committee. "We evaluate the major risks that are forecast and provide dedicated management of these major risks." Mr. Gao said. Stay at the top of one's game with capacity upgrades and iterations The rise of international trade barriers is happening in total contradiction to the globalization trend of business development. Trina Solar took both into consideration when the PV maker began to sketch out plans for the globalization of its capacity a few years ago. Following putting 1GW of cell capacity and 1GW of module capacity into production in Thailand, Trina Solar's 1GW cell plant in Vietnam and 700MW module plant in Malaysia have recently become operational. The company also has module manufacturing partners in Turkey. Combined with domestic capacity, the company's global module and cell capacity has now reached approximately 8.5GW and 8.5GW respectively. "In terms of capacity, we made sure to have in place a structurally meaningful production portfolio rather than simply pursuing scale, as we need to maintain the competitiveness and leadership of our own capacity," Mr. Gao said. Collaboration in terms of capacity with external partners must at all times be in strict compliance with Trina Solar's quality system, including the requirements for material and suppliers, in order to close our capacity gap while preserving quality of product. While planning out the structural portfolio, Trina Solar kept a focus on capacity iterations. After an overall consideration of market supply capability and the technology roadmap, Trina Solar upgraded and transformed its capacity this year. At this time, 2GW in capacity is undergoing a conversion to a polycrystalline high efficiency MCCE process. The company will complete the conversion to PERC and PERT of approximately 3.5GW in capacity by the end of the year followed by an additional 3GW in mid-2019, bringing the total PERC and PERT capacity to 6.5GW. Furthermore, Trina Solar is also seeking to further expand capacity while undertaking a labor reduction through automation and intelligent upgrading. In 2010, Trina Solar had 16,000 employees managing a capacity of 1.5GW. The company's workforce has been reduced to 15,000 while capacity is being continually increased to more than 8.5GW. The company is also engaged in intelligent and integrated PV solutions and the energy internet, among other new areas of development. The way to meet challenges is through a full-scale transformation of the business Facing the challenges of the digital age, Trina Solar is experiencing profound innovation and revolution, on both the management side internally and product side externally. Trina Solar has transformed from the previous professional manager model to a model similar to a business partnership. Since 2017, Trina Solar has decided to aggressively drive the business units and platforms inclusive of production sectors, sales and also cover downstream solar module solutions and Energy Internet aspects. From an outside perspective, another example that best showcases Trina Solar's reform directions, besides the above mentioned management systems, would be the launch in March 2018 of "TrinaPro" smart PV solutions. Mr. Gao says TrinaPro as an 'all in one' smart solar system that includes premium components, optimized system integration and smart O&M interconnection. "The TrinaPro system can sense the entire environment and calculate automatically how best to maximize electricity generation. TrinaPro, by optimizing the combination of bi-facial solar module, tracking system and smart inverter, can boost up to 30% the power output," said Mr. Gao "We no longer use simple power generating modules, but by harnessing the power of data and the optimized design of the entire system, we further increase the overall efficiency. By bringing greater value to our customers, Trina Solar can transform from a product supplier to a value-add supplier for our customers." Gao Jifan believes the development of Trina Solar's business is progressing well thanks in part to TrinaPro and other smart power generation systems. "This is the main reason for Trina Solar's growth in the first half of this year." he added. SOURCE Trina Solar Limited THE SHOP YOHJI YAMAMOTO incorporates many features and functions that enhance customers' online-shopping experience. Models are used for the pictures of the goods sold on the webstore to help customers better understand the products. In addition, there is an individual page for each brand and a lookbook feature to demonstrate to the customers each brand's concept. After the launch, the company plans to release an app in the early September. The company also plans to launch the Chinese language webstore later in the same month. THE SHOP YOHJI YAMAMOTO | www.theshopyohjiyamamoto.com S'YTE - is named after reading backward "et Y's", which means "with Y's" in French. Launched in September 2011, S'YTE is a web-only brand with the positioning as an entry brand to Yohji Yamamoto. Ground Y - proposes a new fashion concept - genderless and ageless style - through synchronizing different aspects of Yohji Yamamoto. Suitable and thus widely supported from all genders and ages, Ground Y provides a variety of its popular goods. Y's - Functional and dignified everyday wear--within a unique category established by itself, the collection is shaped by universal values and unique pattern-making. It presents high-quality ready-to-wear clothing through which the atelier team expresses the brand's identity. YOHJI YAMAMOTO PRODUCE - managed by Yohji Yamamoto's atelier team, reproduces the archived smash hit products of Yohji Yamamoto, and is positioned as the entry brand to Yohji Yamamoto pour Homme. Yohji Yamamoto + NOIR - expresses Yohji Yamamoto's worldview through casual wear. Themed around black, it pays great attention to the volume and balance of fabric, and conveys trend-free classic, elegant, and refined gorgeous value of Yohji Yamamoto. Web-Only products will be available. discord Yohji Yamamoto - launched in 2014, it provides a new sense of value through luxury accessories created by Yohji Yamamoto. The word "discord" reflects the aesthetics of incompleteness and asymmetry that are the philosophy of the designer. LIMI feu - emphasizes the ambience, volume, and comfortableness by removing excess, and purposely leaves the blank space for one's personality to blend in. Detaching herself from the normalized trend, the designer Limi Yamamoto put in her ongoing feels and wills in the straight and clean straight-line silhouette, while combining it with the original voluminous drape that surrounds the body. Press Contact: YOHJI YAMAMOTO INC. PR and Communications E-mail: [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/732028/Youji_Yamamoto_Inc.jpg Related Links http://www.theshopyohjiyamamoto.com SOURCE Youji Yamamoto Inc. WOLKERSDORF, Austria, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Network Rail confirmed that CPL Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of SPL Powerlines UK, will continue to work on the L2C (Midland Mainline) and H2M (Shotts) electrification projects. The total contract value of the two projects is GBP 320.5 mill. / EUR 357.6 mill. This confirmation of the continuation of the electrification projects by Powerlines follows SPL Powerlines UK acquisition of the 50% shares previously held by Carillion, who were declared bankrupt on 15.01.2018, in the Joint Venture CPL. Since its acquisition in March 2018, CPL Ltd. has been owned 100% by Powerlines Group. Around 200 former Carillion staff have been taken on by SPL Powerlines UK since the beginning of April. The UK subsidiaries of the Austrian Powerlines Group employ a staff of over 550 people, making Powerlines one of the UK's market leaders in rail electrification and one of the ten largest Austrian subsidiaries in the UK. The contract confirmation ensures the job security for all the company's employees. Gerhard Ehringer, CEO of the Powerlines Group, said: "I'm particularly delighted that Network Rail relies on Powerlines capability to deliver and works with us on the successful continuation and completion of the two major projects. The purchase of Border Rail Ltd. in 2009 marked our entry into the UK market. Now, nine years later, the UK has become the most important market for the Powerlines Group, alongside Germany." Powerlines Group The Powerlines Group is an international corporate group active in the RAIL, PRODUCTS and ENERGY markets. Powerlines is a system supplier in the RAIL industry and offers international customers a comprehensive range of services for railway electrification including consulting and engineering, products, installation and maintenance. In the PRODUCTS industry Powerlines develops and distributes innovative components and complete systems for railway electrification. In the ENERGY industry Powerlines plans, installs and maintains high voltage transmission lines for energy providers. Powerlines Group is one of the market leaders in Austria, Germany, the UK and Scandinavia. www.powerlines-group.com Enquiries: Jaqueline Konstanda jaqueline.konstanda@powerlines-group.com +43-676/577-07-46 Related Links http://www.powerlines-group.com SOURCE Powerlines Group GmbH No man can serve two masters, the Bible teaches, but Mike Pence is giving it his all. Its a sweltering September afternoon in Anderson, Indiana, and the vice president has returned to his home state to deliver the Good News of the Republicans recently unveiled tax plan. The visit is a big deal for Anderson, a fading manufacturing hub about 20 miles outside Muncie that hasnt hosted a sitting president or vice president in 65 yearsa fact noted by several warm-up speakers. To mark this historic civic occasion, the cavernous factory where the event is being held has been transformed. Idle machinery has been shoved to the perimeter to make room for risers and cameras and a gargantuan American flag, whichalong with bleachers full of constituents carefully selected for their ethnic diversity and ability to stay awake during speeches about tax policywill serve as the TV-ready backdrop for Pences remarks.When the time comes, Pence takes the stage and greets the crowd with a booming Hell, Indiana! He says he has just hung up the phone with Donald Trump and that the president asked him to say hello. He delivers this message with a slight chuckle that has a certain, almost subversive quality to it. Watch Pence give enough speeches, and youll notice that this often happens when hes in front of a friendly crowd. Hell be witnessing to evangelicals at a mega-church, or addressing conservative supporters at a rally, and when the moment comes for him to pass along the presidents well-wishes, the words are invariably accompanied by an amused little chuckle that prompts knowing laughter from the attendees. Its almost as if, in that brief, barely perceptible moment, Pence is sending a message to those with ears to hearthat he recognizes the absurdity of his situation; that he knows just what sort of man hes working for; that while things may look bad now, there is a grand purpose at work here, a plan that will manifest itself in due time., he seems to be saying.And then, all at once, Pence is back on message. In his folksy Midwestern drawl, he recites Republican aphorisms about job creators and regulatory red tape, and heralds the many supposed triumphs of Trumps young presidency. As he nears the end of his remarks, his happy-warrior buoyancy gives way to a more sober cadence. Weve come to a pivotal moment in the life of this country, Pence soulfully intones. Its a good time to pray for America. His voice rising in righteous fervor, the vice president promises an opening of the heavens. If His people who are called by His name will humble themselves and pray, he proclaims, Hell hear from heaven, and Hell heal this land!Its easy to see how Pence could put so much faith in the possibilities of divine intervention. The very fact that he is standing behind a lectern bearing the vice-presidential seal is, one could argue, a loaves-and-fishes-level miracle.Just a year earlier, he was an embattled small-state governor with underwater approval ratings, dismal reelection prospects, and a national reputation in tatters. In many ways, Pence was on the same doomed trajectory as the conservative-Christian movement hed long championedonce a political force to be reckoned with, now a battered relic of the culture wars.More..........lots more: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/01/gods-plan-for-mike-pence/546569/ If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Raise Production Inc. (TSX-V: RPC) ("Raise" or the "Company") has released its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. PRESIDENTS UPDATE The Company is pleased to provide an update to its shareholders on its financial results and recent activities related to its operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, revenue earned on the Companys High Angle Reciprocating Pump (HARP) increased 953% to $208,000 and gross margin on these sales increased 880% to $49,000 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. These increases are the result of the Company gaining traction in this market and it anticipates additional revenue growth and increased gross margins over the remainder of the year as manufacturing costs are reduced due to increased sales volumes. As previously stated in the Companys press release dated June 4, 2018, it closed the second and final tranche of its financing with Synergy Energy Holdings, LLC (SEH) and its private equity owners, Crestview Partners and B29 Investments, LP. The gross proceeds on the final tranche were $872,000 and total gross proceeds for the two closings with SEH were $3,500,000 before share issuance costs. The Company is now in a financial position to continue its commercialization strategy in North America and select International locations. HALS (High Angle Lift Solution) The Company will be installing its HALS system for a Cardium player within the next few weeks. This will be the first install for a complete HALS system including the HARP that will be placed beyond the heel perforations deeper into the lateral wellbore. The Company also has candidates in the USA market for this system. HARP (High Angle Reciprocating Pump) Canada The Company recently installed its first pump for a major oil producer in the Swan Hills area. The Company has now also resumed installations for its major customer in SE Saskatchewan where that operator has been purchased by a larger producer. Raise is working with the new producer to continue the supply of pumps and expand into other areas. Sales presence continues to improve in Canada with numerous projects in progress. USA The USA market is now ready to enter phase 2 of our introduction into commercialization. In phase 1 the Company proved that the HARP pumps were effective and provided increased production and in some cases reactivated shut in wells where conventional pumps were either failing or could not be run. The Company has made material modifications for the deeper, more corrosive environments to provide a longer life cycle for the operators. Raise is pleased to say that this has been accomplished with valuable collaboration from our USA partner, Endurance Lift Solutions (ELS). The Company is now in the process of shipping inventory to the USA for use in Eagle Ford and Permian locations. This market is expanding rapidly over the next few quarters. International The Company has shipped components for its first three HARP installs into Romania with ELSs wholly owned subsidiary, CDI Oilfield Services (CDI). Training will commence with the CDI personnel to ensure proper assembly and running procedures within the next week. CDI is the only approved vendor of reciprocating pumps to OMV Petrom S.A. who operate the majority of wells in Romania. The Company has also entered into an agency agreement with CDI and its agent, Maktoom Trading & Contracting Company LLC, for the sale of Raises products in Oman. A recent visit concluded that there is substantial growth opportunity for the entire Raise product line in Oman. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss Three months ended June 30 Six months ended June 30 2018 2017 2018 2017 Revenue $ 62,339 $ 85,120 $ 208,578 92,520 Cost of sales 44,570 80,887 159,178 87,479 Gross margin 17,769 4,233 49,400 5,041 Other income 5,741 14,133 5,741 16,993 Expenses: General and administration 417,651 447,649 808,855 739,947 Stock-based compensation 100,548 11,024 188,918 23,971 Research expenses 38,571 78,236 Depreciation and amortization 20,123 27,180 40,123 54,399 Finance costs 448 1,979 1,412 5,000 577,341 487,832 1,117,544 823,317 Net loss and comprehensive loss $ (553,831 ) $ (469,466 ) $ (1,062,403 ) $ (801,283 ) Net loss per share basic and diluted $ (0.01 ) $ (0.00 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (0.01 ) About Raise Production Inc. The Company is an innovative oilfield service company that focuses its efforts on the production service sector, utilizing its proprietary products to enhance and increase ultimate production in both conventional and unconventional oil and gas wells. For further information please contact: Eric Laing, President and Chief Executive Officer E-mail: elaing@raiseproduction.com Susan Scullion, Chief Financial Officer E-mail: sscullion@raiseproduction.com Raise Production Inc. 2620-58th Avenue S.E. Calgary, Alberta T2C 1G5 Tel: (403) 699-7675 Web site at: www.raiseproduction.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain information included in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements or information typically contain or can be identified by statements that include words such as "anticipate", "assume", "based", "believe", "can", "continue", "depend", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "if", "intend", "may", "plan", "project", "propose", "result", "upon", "will", "within" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the ability to obtain financing to provide working capital to fund operations, the availability of credit, the ability to commercialize products and operations, the potential to increase recoverable reserves for customers by utilization of the HALS and HART systems, estimates regarding current and projected cash resources and cash flow anticipated sales, the ability to adequately protect proprietary information and technology from its competitors; the ability to obtain partnering opportunities; the ability to attract and retain key personnel and key collaborators; the availability of skilled labour, services and equipment, general economic and financial market conditions, the legislative and regulatory environment of the jurisdictions where the Company carries on business and the ability to successfully compete in targeted markets. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of the included forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable Canadian securities law. Forward-looking statements are based upon the current opinions, estimates, projections, assumptions and expectations of management of the Company as at the effective date of such statements and, in some cases, information supplied by third parties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions and that information received from third parties is reliable, it can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statement will not occur. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the possibility that testing, deployment and commercialization of the Companys products and regulatory changes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance upon the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and such forward-looking statements should not be interpreted or regarded as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com. Batty Over Halloween Celebration Was A Treat! The Central Astoria LDCs 6th annual Batty Over Halloween Celebration held on Sunday, October 24 was a real treat for everyone who came out. Excited... Invest In Violence Intervention This week U.S. Senator Charles Schumer advocated for at least $5 billion in funding for Community-based Violence Intervention (CVI) programs to be included in the... BOSTON, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corporate venturing has evolved from a fringe activity to an important strategy that companies use to gain access to new technologies and accelerate innovation. Although corporate venturingwhich includes investing corporate venture capital (CVC) as well as running innovation labs and incubatorshas matured, there is still much room for improvement, according to a new report by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) titled How the Best Corporate Venturers Are Getting Even Better. In a clear sign of how popular this strategy has become, the percentage of CVC investments as a share of global VC investments grew from 20% in 2012 to 26% in 2017. Fortunately, that stepped-up investment coincided with strong VC returns in Asia, the US, and Europe, and more than 95% of CVC units reported positive returns in 2017. Moreover, the benefits of CVC investing have flowed both ways. According to a BCG and Hello Tomorrow survey of more than 400 technology startups, respondents preferred to partner with corporations, as opposed to pure financial backers. Of the possible alliances, startups preferred partnering with corporations to gain market access (43%), technical knowledge and expertise (26%), and business knowledge and expertise (19%). Michael Brigl, a BCG partner and coauthor of the report, said: Corporate venturing is a proven strategy for large companies that want to tap into new technologies and new ways of working. And their involvement benefits startups substantially, both in terms of capital and domain expertise. Helping Startups Grow Faster Despite strong CVC returns, some senior leaders question the value of CVC investments because they rarely deliver meaningful top-line revenue. One way that CVC units can address this concern is by using their domain expertise and company resources to more actively help startups scale their businesses faster. More revenue and earnings more quickly are a boon for both sides. For example, in 2008, Coca-Cola acquired a 40% stake in Honest Tea, an organic tea company. Coca-Colas corporate venturing and emerging-brands unit leveraged its distribution network and scaled Honest Teas business from $38 million to $75 million in three years. That success led Coca-Cola to buy Honest Tea outright in 2011, and by 2015, revenues had more than doubled, to $180 million. Its absolutely vital that CVC units demonstrate their value to senior leaders in order to win their ongoing support, said Alexander Roos, a BCG senior partner and coauthor of the report. Leaders need patience when it comes to corporate venturing, but they also need clear evidence that their patience will be rewarded. The report highlights best practices for building an effective CVC unit, including the following: Set a clear objective. A company must decide if the principal objective of its CVC unit is financial or strategic. This decision guides the optimal organization structure, incentive scheme, and people mix. A company must decide if the principal objective of its CVC unit is financial or strategic. This decision guides the optimal organization structure, incentive scheme, and people mix. Define search fields. A company must also determine where a CVC unit should look to find potential investments. Having the right prospects will keep senior leaders engaged and supportive. A company must also determine where a CVC unit should look to find potential investments. Having the right prospects will keep senior leaders engaged and supportive. Hire the right mix of talent. Staffing a CVC unit with internal talent can facilitate good working relationships and collaboration with the companys business units; hiring external talent can provide access to new networks and expertise. Staffing a CVC unit with internal talent can facilitate good working relationships and collaboration with the companys business units; hiring external talent can provide access to new networks and expertise. Ensure independence. To give a CVC unit room for innovative, disruptive thinking and activities, it should be separatephysically and operationallyfrom the companys daily activities. To give a CVC unit room for innovative, disruptive thinking and activities, it should be separatephysically and operationallyfrom the companys daily activities. Enable lean, agile governance. A company should put lean and agile decision-making processes in place so a CVC unit can keep up with startups. A company should put lean and agile decision-making processes in place so a CVC unit can keep up with startups. Provide consistent financing. A company needs to fund its CVC unit throughout economic cycles to retain experts and maintain credibility in the VC market. Integrating Corporate Venturing into the Corporate Framework Not all corporate venturing activities involve CVC. Rather, each type of corporate venturing toolwhether CVC or an accelerator or incubator, for exampleis geared toward one or more of the various types of innovation: process, product, service, or business model. Companies need to carefully choose which tools to use depending on their innovation strategies or goals. Also, to be effective, companies must integrate corporate venturing into their overall approach to innovation in a way that clarifies how these tools complement the traditional R&D function. Otherwise, the R&D team may see venturing activities as competitors for resources. As part of this integration, corporate venturing should be hardwired into the budgeting process. Corporate venturing cant be seen as a pet project or side project of a senior leader, said Roos. To win support across the enterprise, these activities need to be integrated into the corporate framework. For example, Tencent, a global provider of internet-related services and products, telecom services, and technology, has three innovation goals: to build up the ecosystems around social network platforms WeChat and Qzone by acquiring additional content, to give companies in various industries access to Tencents customers, and to support regional expansion in Asia. To achieve its goals, Tencent is leveraging CVC and M&A investments, as well as incubators and innovation labs. In exchange for an equity stake of 5% to 10%, startups are allowed to access Tencents internet platforms from more than 20 locations in China. In turn, Tencents mobile internet group uses these startups to test and incubate ideas when it lacks in-house knowledge. Meanwhile, Tencent also has an artificial intelligence innovation lab with 250 employees. Using Venturing to Accelerate a Digital Transformation Few companies have yet to use their corporate venturing activities to accelerate a digital transformation. A successful digital transformation requires employees to develop new skills, understand digital technologies, and learn new ways to work and make decisions. It also requires companies to attract and develop digital talent. This is precisely the sort of expertise that many startups have in abundance. Tapping into startups know-how in these areas can help a company accelerate a digital transformation and get more bang for its corporate venturing buck. Corporate venturing provides a critical way to tap into the kind of innovative thinking necessary to keep up with the rapid changes in the marketplace, said Brigl. The companies that integrate corporate venturing into their broader innovation approach to drive growth and digital transformation will have a leg up on the competition. A copy of the report can be downloaded here. To arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact Eric Gregoire at +1 617 850 3783 or gregoire.eric@bcg.com. About The Boston Consulting Group The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the worlds leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with offices in more than 90 cities in 50 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com. The Boston Consulting Group Eric Gregoire Global Media Relations Senior Manager Tel +1 617 850 3783 Fax +1 617 850 3701 gregoire.eric@bcg.com Probusinessbank owes $695.8 million to two organizations Supreme Court RIA Novosti, Maksim Blinov 10:59 22/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 22 (RAPSI) The Supreme Court of Russia has upheld a ruling of a lower court confirming inclusion of a 46.9 billion-ruble ($695.8 million) debt of Probusinessbank to Express-Volga and Gazenergobank into the creditors list, the court ruling reads. Earlier, over 200 creditors of Probusinessbank challenged inclusion of that debt to into the demands list, stating that it is fictious. According to the creditors, Russias Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA) is an interested party in this case, since it received funds for reorganization of Express-Volga. In March, a lower court upheld inclusion of the debt into the creditors demands list. In June 2017, a high-ranking manager of Probusinessbank Marina Krylova was sentenced to 3.5 years in a penal colony for assisting with embezzlement of 2.4 billion rubles (nearly $43 million at current exchange rate). Krylova was the head of the banks department responsible for interaction with shareholders and subsidiary companies. In addition to giving Krylova a prison term, a court ruled to fine her. On April 26, ex-head of corporate finances department of Probusinessbank Nikolay Alekseyev was given 4 years in prison in relation to the case. His case was reviewed separately because he had pleaded guilty. Additionally, Alekseyev was fined 1 million rubles (nearly $18,000). The court also granted a lawsuit filed by Probusinessbank, the victim in the case, seeking to collect over 2.4 billion rubles from the defendant. According to investigators, from September 2014 to July 2015, Alekseyev, acting as the head of the banks corporate finance department, conspired with 15 accomplices to embezzle funds belonging to Probusinessbank. Accomplices are believed to be unidentified managers and employees of the bank. Allegedly, they used their office positions to enroll their subordinates, employees of the Life financial group, and heads of sham companies. In August 2015, the Russian Central Bank revoked the license of Probusinessbank, acting upon the results of an inspection revealing that the banks management carried out large scale operations having markings of assets stripping of the bank. Russian Supreme Court to review appeal concerning Siemens subsidiary's lawsuit flickr.com/surber 12:35 22/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 22 (RAPSI) Russian subsidiary of German conglomerate Siemens has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Russia against lower courts rulings to dismiss a lawsuit against subsidiaries of Russias state corporation Rostec over recovery of four gas turbines, the court documents read. The plaintiff challenged the January 10 ruling of the Moscow Commercial Court and the April 9 ruling of the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals. On March 1, the Court of Appeals also upheld a ruling dismissing a lawsuit against Technopromexport, a subsidiary of Rostec seeking to find a deal over supply of gas turbines to Crimea unlawful. On November 27, 2017, the Moscow Commercial Court refused to arrest the gas turbines or to prohibit their installation, exploitation, modification or disassembly. In December 2017, the court dismissed a lawsuit lodged by Siemens against subsidiaries of Russias state corporation Rostec, Technopromexport companies, over alleged supply of its turbines to Crimea. The court also dismissed a counterclaim filed by Technopromexport seeking to recognize a contract with Russian Siemens subsidiary over supply of turbines as partially invalid. Earlier, the court repeatedly refused to seize four turbines constructed by the Siemens subsidiary and also dismissed a motion to prohibit their installation. According to the Moscow court, the plaintiff did not provide any evidence to support its claims. The court believes that there is no proof that Technopromexport companies took actions that could damage the applicant and ones that could prevent a court ruling from coming into force. All arguments of the plaintiffs are based on probabilities, the court notes, adding that taking measures against the defendant could upset the balance of interests in the courtroom. In July 2017, Siemens asked the court to seize four turbines constructed by its subsidiaries and prohibit defendants from installing these turbines, acquired in 2015. The court dismissed this claim due to the lack of evidence. In September, the court dismissed the conglomerates claim due to the lack of evidence. In October, the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal against the ruling. On October 16, 2017, Technopromexport filed a counterclaim against Siemens also seeking to recognize a contract with the Russian Siemens subsidiary over supply of turbines as partially invalid. Earlier, reliable sources told Siemens that at least two out of its four gas turbine installations provided for a project in Southern Russia were transferred to Crimea. Siemens believes that these actions are in clear violation of the conglomerates distribution contracts prohibiting a client to provide equipment to the region. Siemens initiated investigation into persons responsible and filed lawsuits with the Moscow Commercial Court seeking cancellation of all additional provisions to Crimea and return of equipment to its original point of destination. Ex-FSIN director ordered to pay Russian penitentiary service $32.5 mln RIA Novosti, Grigory Sysoev 14:10 22/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 22 (RAPSI) Moscows Zamoskvoretsyky District Court on Wednesday recovered over 2.2 billion rubles ($32.5 million at the current exchange rate) from ex-director of Russias Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) Alexander Reimer and his accomplices convicted of embezzlement, RAPSI reports from the courtroom. The claim filed by the FSIN was granted in full. Along with Reimer defendants in the case are his former deputy Nikolay Krivolapov and ex-director of FSINs Information and Technical Support Center Viktor Opredelyonov. The hearing of the lawsuit has been set for June 28. In June 2017, the Zamoskvorestsky District Court of Moscow sentenced Reimer to 8 years in a penal colony for embezzling funds allocated for procurement of ankle bracelets, fined him 800,000 rubles (about $12,000), and stripped of his General rank. Krivolapov and Opredelyonov received 5 years and 8 months and 6 years in prison respectively. Krivolapov was fined 600,000 rubles ($9,000) while Opredelyonov got a 700,000-ruble fine ($10,300). Lawyers of the defendants asked to repeal or soften the sentences. A lawyer representing Reimer said that the Zamoskvorestsky District Court issued a ruling with numerous violations and that it did not study some of the case documents. According to investigators, Reimer, Krivolapov and Opredelyonov conspired with businessman Nikolay Martynov to embezzle monetary funds from the Russian state budget. Between 2010 and 2012, Reimer and his accomplices stole money allocated for the purchase of ankle bracelets for persons placed under house arrest. The procurement was pursued at an enormously overvalued price. Damage allegedly caused to the state budget was estimated at no less than 2.7 billion rubles ($40 million at the current exchange rate). The defendants have been charged, depending of their role, with abuse of office and embezzlement committed through abuse of office. Krivolapov was additionally charged with illegal possession of ammunition. They pleaded not guilty. A case against Martynov was reviewed separately as he fully admitted his guilt in large-scale embezzlement. The businessman cooperated with investigators and announced that he is going to compensate the government with delivery of 7,000 new ankle bracelets. Martynov is a head of NPF Meta company that was supplying bracelets for prison inmates. FSB conducts searches in St. Petersburg metros management corporation RIA Novosti 13:59 22/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 22 (RAPSI) Investigators are conducting searches in the state unitary enterprise Petersburg metropolitan responsible for management of the citys metro as part of a criminal case over supply of counterfeit equipment, the press-service of the Federal Security Service (FSB) directorate for St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region told RAPSI on Wednesday. According to the FSB, the searches are part of the investigation into a fraud case. The press-service noted that the searches are conducted in the state-owned organization, offices of the supplier companies and homes of alleged criminals. The Investigative Committees department for St. Petersburg noted that in December 2015 unidentified employees of one commercial company deceived the Petersburg metropolitan management and signed a contract for modernization of equipment. Investigators believe that the alleged criminals used counterfeit equipment that was supplied to the enterprise under prices of real one. The enterprises management transferred 32 million rubles ($473,000) to the company only for these funds to be embezzled later, investigators noted. Aqua Bio Technology ASA (ABT) reported a loss after tax of NOK 9 million in the first half of 2018 and EBITDA of minus NOK 8.6 million. The corresponding figures for the same period the previous year were minus NOK 2.9 million and minus NOK 3.3 million, respectively. The main reasons for this result are the loss of fixed minimum royalty payments, lower sales than expected, as well as costs related to the dispute in the United States. ABT's revenues in the first half of 2018 amounted to NOK 0.65 million, compared to NOK 8.9 million in the corresponding period of 2017. The loss of fixed minimum royalties from the original agreement with the company's American partner, Restorsea, is the main reason to the reduction in revenue. In addition, the company experienced lower than expected revenues from sales of the company's consumer products during the period. The dispute with a former US customer was settled in February 2018 and have incurred costs for the company of more than NOK 20 million overall. ABT entered into a distribution agreement for Kuwait/Middle East in April 2018. This is in line with the company's business model which includes commercialization of third party cosmetics to consumers and professional retailers. ABT has assisted its distributors during the period, in launching its products in several countries including Switzerland and Germany. The distributors work continuously with sales to retailers in their respective markets. The company has also signed a letter of intent with a potential new partner for Saudi Arabia after the period. The company still believes that the chosen business model will contribute to future revenues and positive development for the company, and it has been working on establishing new distribution agreements as a key priority. The company is continuously in discussions with both existing and new potential partners for the sale and distribution of the skin care series Moana and Cuvget. A former Swedish customer filed a complaint against the company in June 2018. The lawsuit alleges that ABT has not fulfilled its obligations following a settlement agreement from 2009. ABT rejects that there is a basis for any claim against the company. The company's financial situation indicates that the Company seeks to raise additional capital during the second half of 2018. For further information, contact CEO of Aqua Bio Technology, Arvid Lindberg, tel. +47 982 45 410. Aqua Bio Technology (ABT) has launched several cosmetic ingredients being used in skin care products globally. Skin care is the fastest growing segment in the cosmetics industry, where ABTs ingredients have established a foothold. In addition to ingredients ABT also commercializes new technologies/skin care products through in-licensing agreements with third parties. Aqua Bio Technology is listed on Oslo Axess. Airline told to transfer non-core assets, subsidiaries to special purpose vehicle Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com The finance ministry has turned down Rs 30,000-crore fund-infusion proposal for Air India in the absence of a clear turnaround plan. The civil aviation ministry had sought the package to wipe out the debt obligation of the state-owned airline, defaulting on salary disbursements and payments to vendors. The finance ministry has instead asked the airline to transfer its non-core assets and subsidiaries to a special purpose vehicle (SPV). Those assets would be monetised to reduce the companys unsustainable portion of the debt. Of the Rs 50,000-crore total debt, around Rs 22,000 crore has been termed unsustainable, implying it cannot be serviced with the cash flow income. Of the overall debt component, aircraft loans account for about Rs 16,000 crore, which has been raised partially from EXIM Bank, foreign institutions and NCDs (non-convertible debentures), while the rest is from working capital. Senior officials aware of the development said the civil aviation ministry was of the view that the airline could not perform at the optimum level due to the hefty interest outgo. The civil aviation ministry had proposed that a small infusion of funds was not helping the airlines turnaround plan as it was paying Rs 4,000-5,000 crore annually in interest, said a senior official. However, sources in the finance ministry suggested that the airline was unable to come out with a concrete turnaround plan. The last bailout package for the airline didnt improve the functioning of the airline. Instead the burden kept on increasing. "So it has been proposed that the airline should transfer the non-core assets and its subsidiaries into the SPV, following which the government will monetise the assets and pay off the unsustainable portion of the debt. That will help in cleaning the airlines books, a senior finance ministry official said. The finance ministrys stand also stems from the fact that in an election year, budgetary resources need to be allocated for funding agriculture and infrastructure rather than an airline, a source pointed out. The government is simultaneously preparing to sell Air Indias engineering and ground-handling subsidiaries, Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) and Air India Air Transport Service Limited (AIATSL). "We have started the sale process of the two subsidiaries, said a senior government official. The airlines non-core assets comprise real estate assets across prime locations in cities and airports. A consultant will be appointed to make a detailed inventory report of the assets and fix a proper valuation. The process will be reviewed by a committee represented by secretary-level officials from the ministries of Civil Aviation and Finance, Air India executives as well as a retired judge. With the SPV holding a portion of the debt, this will help clean up Air Indias books and lighten the debt burden. "The move will also push up the enterprise valuation of the company, making it more attractive for investors whenever the sale process is resumed, the official said. Experts supported the move saying that subsidising large-scale losses of the airline was not a viable idea. Funding large-scale losses is grossly unfair to the tax payer, said Kapil Kaul, CEO (South Asia) of aviation consultancy firm CAPA. Looking into the flexi-fare scheme in Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains introduced in September 2016, the CAG stated that occupancy in all classes except the sleeper class in Duronto decreased. The Indian Railways has decided not to roll back the controversial dynamic pricing or flexi-fare system on premium trains, similar to the pricing method used by cab aggregators during peak demand. A review committee on flexi fare submitted its report to Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday. Sources confirmed the minister does not want a rollback of the innovative system of pricing. During 2016-17, the scheme contributed Rs 371 crore additional revenue to the Railways, followed by Rs 860 crore in 2017-18 and Rs 262 crore during the first three months of fiscal 2018-19. The decision comes despite the national transporter facing the wrath of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), citing the decline in occupancy rate of such trains. Looking into the flexi-fare scheme in Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains introduced in September 2016, the CAG stated that occupancy in all classes except the sleeper class in Duronto decreased. Even in AC three-tier, one of the most profitable classes, occupancy dropped significantly after introduction of the flexi-fare scheme, and the share of vacant berths increased from 0.66 per cent to 4.46 per cent. A parliamentary panel report had also criticised the government for charging more than the aviation sector in premium trains, without improving service. Interestingly, the Railways, facing heat from the public over punctuality, stated that following the automatic recording of punctuality data introduced with the help of data loggers (an electronic device that records data over time by sensing status of relays) - it is getting more accurate punctuality figures. The data loggers showed a low punctuality of 59.5 per cent in May, though it improved to 63.3 per cent in June, 70 per cent in July, and 73 per cent so far in August. The Railways Board is pushing for introduction of global positioning system (GPS) in all railway locomotives. At present, the Railways has provided data loggers in 41 stations including Howrah, Mumbai CST, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, Lucknow, Kanpur, Chennai Central, Ahmedabad and Bangalore City. The Railways are also working on introduction of close circuit television (CCTV) in all the stations and trains. A tender on introducing CCTVs in all the stations will be floated this week. Global tender The Railways will also float a global tender for procuring 200,000 tonnes worth rails over Rs10 billion. This comes after a global tender was called off recently, citing quality issues. Global majors including Sumitomo Corporation, Angang Group International, Voestalpine Schienen, East Metals, CRM Hong Kong, British Steel France Rail and Atlantic Steel had participated. However, the Railways had placed a developmental order of Rs5.36 billion for 100,000 tonnes rail with Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL) as part of a global tender. On August 15, JSPL submitted its first consignment of 1,000 tonnes to the Railways. Photograph: PTI Photo 'In India foreign policy is generally handled by the prime minister.' 'One can clearly see the Vajpayee stamp on all this.' 'Only a person with poetic imagination can weave such a complex web,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd). IMAGE: Then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee arrives to address the Millennnium Summit at the United Nations, September 8, 2000. On December 13, 2001, terrorists attacked the very citadel of the Indian State, Parliament. It was a culmination of the acts of terror that India had been facing since the 1980s. The source of funds, manpower and weapons and ideological motivation for these attacks lay in Pakistan. It was at this juncture that Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the forever man of peace, showed the steel in him. He ordered the cutting off of all links with Pakistan and ordered the deployment and mobilisation of India's might against Pakistan to fight the final war. The operation was named 'Parakram' by the armed forces. Speaking in Parliament, Vajapyee clearly spelled out the war's aim, to make Pakistan give up hostility towards India. Implicit in this assertion was the loophole of escape for Pakistan that should it change its policy, war may not take place. This put the onus on Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's military dictator, to break with terrorists. India's actions put enormous pressure on Pakistan. In the aftermath of 9/11, the US and the Western world was not prepared to accept terrorism in any garb. India was also subject to economic pressure by the West which ordered the evacuation of its personnel from India and put in jeopardy the booming IT industry. All this was calculated to restrain India. It appeared that the pressure on Pakistan was working and war could be avoided. But in the midst of this crisis came the attack on the women and children of army personnel in May 2002. War now seemed inevitable. Intense American diplomacy and a promise by Musharraf to India conveyed by Richard Armitage, then the US deputy secretary of state, in June 2002 avoided an outbreak of war. The Americans not just conveyed the message but virtually guaranteed Pakistani good behaviour. Invested with American power and prestige, India accepted the promise and shelved the impending war. There was indeed some let-up in the terrorist violence and as the monsoon progressed the fear of war receded. In October 2002 elections were held in Kashmir and tensions began to cool down. India then announced that it was recalling its troops from the border. Vajpayee's 3rd peace initiative Just when the world was tiring of Indian insistence of an end to cross-border terrorism as a precondition for peace in the subcontinent, Vajpayee sprang a surprise in April 2003 when he offered a hand of friendship to Pakistan. He made it clear that this was his third and final attempt. Soon thereafter, he set in motion a train of events that led to restoring people-to-people contacts, communication links and even sporting ties. All this while he built sufficient pressure on Pakistan to ensure that peace prevailed in Kashmir and elsewhere in India. The efforts were crowned by his visit to Islamabad in December 2003 and beginning of talks in February 2004. Juggling major powers The foregoing discussion has been heavily biased in favour of the events in the Indian subcontinent. That is unjust to Vajpayee as he is the first Indian prime minister to have 'realistically' played a global role. Jawaharlal Nehru indeed did, but it was a role not backed by economic or military strength and it came a cropper in 1962. The major breakthrough in Indian foreign policy came after Pokhran II with talks between Jaswant Singh and Strobe Talbott. At that time, and even later, this was called a 'sellout'. There was a fear that India was becoming a camp follower of the US. Alarmed at this prospect, the then Russian prime minister Yevgeny Primakov floated the idea of a Russia-China-India axis to oppose the uni-polar world. The first triangular relationship that India constructed was the India-US-Israel axis. Liberated from the knee-jerk anti-Israel tendency, this relationship is on a firm footing to counter political Islam and jihadi terrorism. India has secured tangible gains in terms of state of the art weapons from Israel (with American blessings) and also made sure that the US does not supply military hardware to Pakistan. This has resulted in India being able to get the better of the terrorists in Kashmir and also maintain an edge in conventional arms over Pakistan. IMAGE: Then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon in New Delhi, September 9, 2003. Photograph: Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters The second triangular relationship that evolved over two to three years was among India-Iran-Russia. This in a way is complementary to the first one as all three countries are victims of 'Wahhabi Islam'. The Russian headache of Chechenya is well known. Also, the Russian fears of spread of Islamist ideology in Central Asia are very real as there is a large presence of Russians in the Muslim majority country of Kazakhstan. Shia Iran had been a staunch supporter of Pakistan. So much so that in the 1965 War it sheltered Pakistani aircraft and even supplied it with arms and spares. But thanks to growing anti-Shia pogroms in Pakistan and the Taliban nightmare in Afghanistan, Iran has come to value Indian moderation and friendship. The reported India-Iran defence co-operation would have been unthinkable a few years ago. India is also acting as a bridge between the US and Iran. Since this relationship helps the US fight Islamist forces in the Middle East and also has the potential to help it out of the Iraq quagmire, it enjoys quiet American backing. The third triangular relationship that has developed is among India, China and Brazil. At the recent WTO conference the trio successfully thwarted the developed world's efforts to foist an economic regime that would hurt the agricultural economies of the developing countries. This is one relationship that is purely economic and has no direct security dimension. Yet, by standing up to the West, including the US, India has demonstrated that it is no camp follower of the West. There is one more interesting development that could have far reaching consequences. This is the alliance among India, US and Japan. For long Japan acted as an American proxy in Pakistan and worked against Indian interests. While the Japanese have been making large investments in India and also earning good profits, Japan has been singularly hostile to Indian security concerns. With the imminent rise of China to superpowerdom and Chinese proxy North Korea's threatening posture, Japan seems to be finally waking up to an Indo-Japanese alliance. Japanese technology married to Indian skills and resources can be the most effective counter to the Chinese desire to dominate Asia. In India foreign policy is generally handled by the prime minister himself. One can clearly see the Vajpayee stamp on all this. Only a person with poetic imagination can weave such a complex web. Part 5: Vajpayee and the art of making war and peace Colonel Anil A Athale (retd) is currently co-ordinator of the Pune-based Initiative for Peace And Disarmament affiliated with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. ISS and Glass Lewis recommend Dalradian shareholders vote FOR the arrangement TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dalradian Resources Inc. (TSX: DNA/AIM: DALR) (Dalradian or the Company) is pleased to announce that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) and Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC (Glass Lewis), two leading independent proxy advisory firms, have both recommended that Dalradian shareholders vote FOR the previously announced transaction (the Transaction) with certain affiliates of Orion Mine Finance (Orion). The Transaction provides for the acquisition by Orion of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (Dalradian Shares) by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), other than Dalradian Shares owned by Orion or its affiliates, and by certain members of Dalradians senior management team, Sean Roosen and Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd (collectively, the Remaining Shareholders). Each Dalradian shareholder (other than the Remaining Shareholders) will receive cash consideration of C$1.47 for each Dalradian Share held. The special meeting of Dalradians shareholders to consider the Transaction will be held on August 31, 2018 at the offices of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, 2100 Scotia Plaza, 40 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3C2, at 10:00 am (Toronto time). The record date for determining the Dalradian shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting was July 16, 2018. Copies of the management information circular and related documents in respect of the Transaction were mailed to Dalradians shareholders and are available on Dalradians profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and Dalradians website (www.dalradian.com/investor-centre/Shareholder-Meetings). Shareholders are encouraged to read the management information circular in detail. Your vote is important regardless of the number of Dalradian Shares you own. Shareholders who have questions regarding the Transaction or who require assistance with voting may contact our proxy solicitation agent, D.F. King & Co., by telephone toll-free in North America at 1.800.926.7043 (1.212.771.1133 by collect call) or by email at inquiries@dfking.com . About Dalradian Resources Inc. Dalradian Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company that is focused on advancing its high-grade Curraghinalt Gold Project located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The Curraghinalt Project is in permitting, with various technical studies ongoing to build on the positive feasibility study released in January 2017. For more information: Marla Gale Vice President Communications +1 416 583 5600 investor@dalradian.com Grant Thornton UK LLP (Nominated Adviser) Philip Secrett / Richard Tonthat / Harrison Clark +44 (0)20 7383 5100 Numis Securities Limited (Broker) John Prior / James Black / Paul Gillam +44 (0)20 7260 1000 FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking information which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to anticipated meeting date and timing for completion of the Transaction and delisting from both the TSX and AIM, the delivery of an updated feasibility study and an updated technical report, future financial or operating performance of the Company and its subsidiaries and its mineral project, the future price of metals, test work and confirming results from work performed to date, the estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves, the realization of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital, operating and exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, costs and timing of future exploration, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations of insurance coverage, the timing and possible outcome of pending regulatory matters and the realization of the expected production, economics and mine life of the Curraghinalt gold deposit. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as plans, expects, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, or believes or variations (including negative 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 statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are based on various assumptions that management believes are reasonable, such as the receipt of all shareholder and regulatory approvals, no undue delays with respect to the Transaction, effects of general economic conditions, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, continued political stability in Northern Ireland, that permits required for Dalradians operations will be obtained in a timely basis in order to permit Dalradian to proceed on schedule with its planned exploration and mine development, construction and production programs, that a permitting application for mine construction will be approved, that skilled personnel and contractors will be available as Dalradians operations commence and continue to grow towards production and mining operations, that the price of gold will be at levels that render the Dalradians mineral project economic, and that the necessary capital will be available to finance Dalradians operations and realize on mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates and current mine plans. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Dalradian to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the risk that the required Dalradian shareholder approval or necessary court approvals may not be obtained in connection with the Transaction, uncertainties associated with negotiations, misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking information, the Transaction may not close when planned or at all or on the terms and conditions set forth in the Arrangement Agreement, the benefits expected from the Transaction not being realized, risks related to the integration of acquisitions, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; legal challenges to permits or permitting applications; the actual results of current and future exploration activities; the actual results of reclamation activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; meeting various expected cost estimates; changes in project parameters and/or economic assessments as plans continue to be refined; future prices of metals; possible variations of mineral grade or recovery rates; the risk that actual costs may exceed estimated costs; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2017 dated March 15, 2018. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking 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. Once he towered over the Congress' Mumbai unit, its crucial link with New Delhi, but towards the end he became a nowhere man, says N Suresh. Gurudas Kamat, who on Wednesday, August 22, after suffering a heart attack, was a leader who had class, style and a pleasing demeanour. Despite these winning qualities, Kamat got lost in the internecine politics of Mumbai. As a Congress leader, Kamat exhibited a different style, preferring conversation over a quick exchange of notes. He would be accessible to reporters even though he had his fixed coterie of journalists to whom he would give out exclusives, share a document with, by calling them at the end of the day. Kamat, who had a stronghold over Mumbai Congress politics, had his hardcore band of loyalists, people who stood by him through all. He was not to let go of this control for long, which also caused him a lot of distress in his later years. A true Congressman, Guru, as he was popularly called, had a lot of access to the party high command and its trust, which few leaders in Maharashtra enjoyed. Over a period of time, Guru progressed from Mumbai to national politics, as an All India Congress Committee member, and even a minister of state with independent charge of the newly-created ministry of drinking water and sanitation, a post he sulked over. Even though he was a member of Parliament, Guru did not wish to lose his hold over his city, and his loyalists would continue to head Mumbai Congress. Such was his obsession that when Kripa Shankar Singh, who was also close to the Gandhi family, took over the city unit, Kamat sent his loyalists with bound volumes of evidence against him. Their rivalry was well known and one that cost Guru some of his clout within and outside the party. Over a period of time he became disgruntled, despite enjoying the Congress president's trust. The leader who once would respond to phone calls and text messages himself began communicating through his personal secretary and public relations officer, slowly distancing himself from everyone, before he would suddenly storm one's inbox with e-mails about his achievements. The word in state Congress circles was that Guru was losing his rapport with party workers and the media in Mumbai, which he once enjoyed. His annual dinners and Diwali gifts to win friends and influence people were a topic of discussion for years in Maharashtra. That was the time when he would be on top of all information and statistics regarding elections, seats and issues pertaining to the state. He was seen as the link between the Congress party in Mumbai and the central HQ in Delhi, which worked to his benefit. Over the last couple of years, Guru seemed lost and in a conflict of sorts within his party. The leader who once commanded trust seemed to have developed a distrust of even those who had set aside their political ambitions, content to live in his shadow. Guru resigned from and rejoined the Congress in recent years, which led to the central leadership losing trust in him, the same leadership that he was once close to. News of his comings and goings would make it to the gossip sections of newspapers, a reflection of his own reduced status in politics. Nevertheless, in his death, the Congress has lost a leader with fine qualities and a true Mumbai loyalist. 'Man-made interventions vastly increased the magnitude of the tragedy.' IMAGE: A rescue team evacuates people from flood affected areas in Kottayam district, August 20, 2018. Photograph: PTI Photo/Coast Guard As Kerala faces its worst floods in several decades, ecologist Madhav Gadgil, who headed the Western Ghats ecology expert panel formed by the Union ministry of environment and forests in 2010, has raised serious concerns about the government's seriousness in dealing with ecologically-sensitive areas. The government-constituted WGEEP, in its 2011 report, had recommended that several areas in Kerala which come under the Western Ghats should be classified as ecologically sensitive. "The governments in every state opposed our report, be it BJP-ruled states, CPI-M ruled states or any other party," Gadgil tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf. What went wrong in Kerala, according to you? A whole range of issues (went wrong). You cannot pinpoint only one cause. In general, there has been a (steady) environmental loss and a suppression of the democratic process. We have highlighted this specific detail in our report. Could the latest floods in Kerala have been prevented? Our recommendation is supported by our own laws and by the Constitution which makes people sovereign. It says we must devolve democratic powers to the people. It is a matter of having a law-abiding and democratic society and not, as currently prevailing, a law flouting and democray suppressing system. How much of the Kerala tragedy is man-made? Man-made interventions vastly increased the magnitude of the tragedy. The Kerala assembly recently amended the Wetland Act, which makes it easier to reclaim paddy fields etc for infrastructure projects, which has been criticised by ecologists. Earlier, there were restrictions on constructing on wetlands. The real estate lobby has power and they are trying to allow the real estate sector to build on wet lands. It means it is certain that in future, such floods in Kerala will become worse. Your report has become the central point of discussion post the Kerala floods. How did it come about? In 2010, the ministry of environment and forests constituted the Western Ghats Ecology Experts Panel to look into whole range of issues of environment and development. This included parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The aim was to suggest ecological sensitivity in different regions, like which are more sensitive and which are less sensitive. For various sectors, what kind of activities are appropriate and what way it must be implemented. This report was submitted to the government in August 2011. Why did the government undertake this study? This place (the Western Ghats) is an ecologically sensitive region. It is one of the world's richest biodiversity reservoirs and there was a whole range of development activities taking place in an unplanned fashion. There was a lot of public pressure, that all of these things should be examined. Therefore, we had undertaken the study. Did you predict such a tragedy would strike if development work was not halted in these ecologically sensitive areas? We are not jyotishis (astrologers), but our study certainly looked at the developmental work which was going on in these ecological sensitive areas that would lead to an increase in landslides and cause floods. We certainly had no possibility to say that in August 2018 Kerala will suffer floods. We did not give that kind of detailed prediction. But, broadly, we did predict that there will be these kinds of environmental issues, including floods. Did the government take any action on your recommendations? No action was taken. Our report was very explicit and said that there was flouting of laws by government agencies and (highlighted) the corruption by them. After our report came out, government agencies were very unhappy with us. The measures we suggested to be implemented would have hurt many economic interests -- like the illegal stone quarry business. So, our report was rejected forthwith. Our report was suppressed and the government was then forced to release it after a Right to Information (plea) was filed in the Delhi high court. The court told the government to release our report. The ruling classes were all opposed to our report, but on the ground people were supporting our report. The governments in every state opposed our report, be it BJP-ruled states, CPI-M ruled states or any other party. As a country, are we not sensitive to the ecology, going by your panel's experience? This is a sociological and political question. You can make your own assessment. I can only say that it is clearly a group of vested interests on the government machinery which is driving these kind of decisions. It is said that reports such as yours create hurdles in creating jobs. Therefore, no government wants to implement any report that places ecology over development. It is absolute, utter nonsense. Out report mentions that the Lote chemical complex (in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra) created 11,000 jobs. However, due to unabated pollution, it has destroyed the jobs of 20,000 fishermen. This is clearly mentioned in our report. Fishermen too agitated (against the chemical complex). They agitated for 280 days. Every time Section 144 was invoked and the police suppressed their agitation. They have lost more jobs because of industries. The government is not interested in jobs in natural resource-based sectors, which is the real livelihood of our country. Our governments are interested only in certain industrial development, and not employment creation. We have completed evidence for that in our report that was published. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday announced that a grand city named after Lord Vishnu would be developed, which would have a spectacular temple inspired by Cambodia's sprawling Angkor Wat, in the state if his party comes to power. Significantly, Yadav's comments come after Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya last week raked the Ram temple issue and suggested there could be a legislative route for the construction of a temple in Ayodhya. "We will develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu over 2,000 acres of land near Lion Safari (Etawah). We have a lot of land in Chambal ravines and the city will have a grand Vishnu temple, that will be a copy of famous Angkor Wat temple," Yadav, a former UP chief minister, told PTI. Earlier, Maurya had said that if the need arises a Bill for the construction of a Ram temple could be brought in the Parliament. The UP deputy chief minister had suggested that the bill could be brought if there was 'no way out' and his party had the adequate strength in both houses of the Parliament. "At present, in Parliament, we do not have the adequate strength. Even if we bring the matter in Lok Sabha, our strength in the Rajya Sabha is less, and it will definitely be defeated. Every devotee of Lord Ram knows this. The court will soon give its judgment", Maurya had said. Yadav, however, promised that if voted to power, he will develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu, whose incarnations Lord Ram and Lord Krishna were. A team of experts will be sent to Cambodia to plan the city, which will be a centre for culture and knowledge of our ancient times, the SP chief said. Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world which was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu but gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple. Speaking here, Yadav attacked the BJP claiming it was a party which did nothing on the ground. "BJP believes in conspiracies. We believe in development. They befool people to get their vote. We bank on our development work for votes. The people of the state are fed up with BJP and are looking for a chance to ensure it gets out of the power. In 2019, BJP will get defeated due to its anti-people politics," he claimed. Yadav has announced a 'haq aur samman' cycle yatra from Kannauj next month. "We have decided the plans for the yatra. There are some changes in the dates that will be finalised in a day or two," he said. Interestingly, PM Modi had thanked his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for offering the support to the rain-battered state on August 18. Shine Jacob & Archis Mohan report IMAGE: A BSF personnel distributes 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. Photograph: Atul Loke/Getty Images The Union government is likely to take a stand of politely refusing any help from foreign governments as relief to the flood-affected state of Kerala. This comes on the back of the United Arab Emirates government offering Rs 7 billion to the Kerala flood relief fund. The central government is of the stand that Kerala can take help from individuals abroad. But if any government is ready to help, we should not take it, said a senior official from the finance ministry of Kerala. He added that even though the UAE government has offered the aid, the Government of India has not given a positive response. According to a document circulated among state officials spearheading the relief operations, early indications point toward requirements that are within the capacity of the people and the Government of India to meet. In view of the above, you may politely convey to your interlocutors that in the present circumstances, the Government of India has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the challenge, it said. Confirming this, the state government official said they have been asked to express appreciation for the willingness to assist. We are specifically told that if any offer comes directly, we should get clearance from the Centre, he added. Interestingly, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal had said on Tuesday that the central government is exempting basic Customs duty and the integrated goods and services tax for goods imported or supplied for flood relief operations in Kerala. The Centre had allotted Rs 5 billion as interim relief last week after the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the flood-hit districts even though the state had asked for Rs 20 billion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier thanked his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for offering flood relief support to Kerala. His concern reflects the special ties between governments and people of India and UAE, Modi had said in a Twitter message. According to estimates by the state government, its losses will come to the tune of around Rs 200-250 billion. Modis aid was in addition to the Rs1 billion declared by Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit early this month. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has indicated the state may require an amount equalling its Budget size. Meanwhile, Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday urged Modi to increase the central assistance for Kerala to Rs 20 billion and to seek assistance from the United Nations and the World Health Organization. He added the aid given so far is grossly inadequate, considering the extensive damage. More than 350 people lost their lives in the Kerala floods, as of August 20. The railways ministry has asked all its employees to offer one-days salary for relief operations, which will come to around Rs 2-2.5 billion. Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday that 89,540 tonne of foodgrain and 100 tonne of pulses will be supplied for free to the flood-hit state. This will be in addition to the monthly allocation of 118,000 tonnes of foodgrain to the state. Congress veteran Gurudas Kamat, a Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist who was known for his forthrightness throughout his career spanning over four decades, died in New Delhi on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack, family sources said. He was 63. Kamat was taken to Primus Hospital in Chanakyapuri at around 7 am after he complained of breathlessness, but he died on the way, they said. A five-time member of Parliament from Mumbai, he was first elected to Lok Sabha at the age of 30 and was the Union minister of state for home affairs with the additional charge of communications and information technology from 2009 till 2011, when he resigned. As an All India Congress Committee general secretary, Kamat had handled the party affairs for the crucial western state of Gujarat, besides Rajasthan, and Union Territories of Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. However, in April last year he resigned from all party posts after apparently being sidelined by the party leadership under Rahul Gandhi. Congress leaders expressed shock at the demise of the leader who was at the AICC headquarters on Tuesday and had held meetings with senior party leaders including Ahmed Patel. He also held a public meeting in Ghatkopar in eastern Mumbai on Sunday. Kamat had wished people 'Eid Mubarak' on Twitter on Tuesday night. His last tweet was at 11.44 pm wishing happiness on the occasion of Eid-Al-Azha. The sources said he was given tea by his staff in the morning. He complained of sudden breathlessness and was immediately rushed to the hospital by his driver, they said. He was alone at his Vasant Enclave private residence at the time. His family arrived from Mumbai later and his son Sunil took the body back to Mumbai in a Jet Airways evening flight. The body was being taken to his residence in Mumbai and the cremation will take place on Thursday in the city, the family sources said. United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited the hospital and paid her last respects to the departed leader. Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed sadness over Kamath's death, saying it was a 'massive blow' to the party. 'The sudden passing away of senior leader Gurudas Kamat ji, is a massive blow to the Congress family,' he tweeted. 'Gurudas ji helped build the Congress in Mumbai and was greatly respected and admired by all. My condolences to his family in their time of grief. May his soul rest in peace,' he said. Former president Pranab Mukherjee mourned the death of his collegaue of many years. 'Shocked and pained at the sudden and untimely demise of Shri Gurudas Kamat. A colleague in the government and the party for many years, his passing away at such young age is tragic,' he said in a tweet. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh described Kamat as a great Parliamentarian and an efficient minister. "His services will be remembered for a long time to come," Singh said. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed their anguish. 'He was a seasoned leader who had also served the nation as the MoS in the MHA. My thoughts are with his family and supporters,' Singh said on Twitter. Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said Kamat knew the pulse of Mumbaikars and would always voice their concerns in Parliament. AICC general secretary in-charge of Congress in Maharashtra, Mallikarjun Kharge in a letter to Sunil Kamat, said he was extremely saddened to learn about the demise of his father Gurudas Kamat. He described him as a dedicated public servant and a mass leader of Maharashtra and said, "He will be missed by the country and Congress party in Maharashtra state". 'An advocate by profession, he started his political career as student NSUI leader and Youth Congress leader. He performed all responsibilities bestowed upon him by the party with great dedication untill his last breath. I pray that the Almighty gives you and your family courage to bear this irreparable loss,' he said in his letter to his son. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, 'Shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the sudden demise of Congress Leader Sh Gurudas Kamat ji. No words are enough to describe the sense of loss. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and followers. I pray for the departed soul.' Party spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil, at the AICC headquarters, conveyed condolences on the passing away of Kamat on behalf of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and all party members. A two-minute silence was also observed at the party office. Kamat was the president of the NSUI from 1976 to 1980 under Indira Gandhi. He was appointed as President of Indian Youth Congress in 1987 by late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He was also a former president of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee. Kamat was a commerce graduate from the R A Podar College in Mumbai. He had a law degree from the Government Law College. IMAGE: 10-year-old Zen Sadavarte who helped the residents of Crystal Tower, a residential building in Parel that caught fire, escape to safety, in Mumbai on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Photo After a fire broke out in a Mumbai highrise on Wednesday morning, 10-year-old Zen Sadavarte showed her presence of mind by employing safety tips she had learnt at school to ensure that her family and neighbours remained safe. Zen stays with her parents and a brother on the 16th floor in the 17-storey Crystal Tower building at Parel in central Mumbai. A student of Class VI of Don Bosco School in suburban Matunga, Zen recalled and put to use the fire safety tips she had learnt during a school project in Class III, which ensured her family and others remained safe until the fire brigade personnel arrived. The blaze, which broke out on the 12th floor of the posh residential building, killed four people and injured at least 16 others. Zen said she was sleeping when her parents, who spotted smoke and woke her up. "Since it was a holiday today on account of Eid, I slept a bit longer. My parents woke me up and when they opened the kitchen window, the entire flat was filled with smoke. My neighbours and a few others had gathered by the time," she said. "I saw everybody on the floor was panicked, frustrated and disturbed due to the fire... All of us went to our neighbouring flat in search of safe place, where I asked them to be calm and not to get disturbed," Zen told PTI. "With the help of cotton, water and cloth pieces we made purifiers and handed them over to all the people in the flat," Zen added. "I asked everyone to keep the purifiers on their mouth. This stopped them from suffocating due to smoke and they were able to breath well, preventing inhalation of carbon dioxide," she said. When a cotton piece is soaked in water, you can breath almost normally as carbon molecules are separated by the water. Besides, she also advised them to wash their head so that they do not panic, Zen said. "It was a time of panic... I told my neighbours to shut the power supply, stay calm and breath easy," she said. "I also asked them to sit down and find a safe place. We all tried this for a few minutes. After some time, the fire brigade personnel arrived and all of us were rescued," she said. "I learnt all this during a project when my teacher Snehal ma'am taught me lessons of dos and don'ts in a project of disaster management during fire. I am happy that whatever I learnt in a school project was useful in saving many lives," she said. Her father, advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte, said he was proud of his daughter as she played an important role in saving the lives. "She used ancient technique, which she learnt in a school project and I am thankful to her teachers," he said. Zen said, "I won't exactly say that I saved their lives, I just advised them what to do. Around 16-17 people did this and then we all were saved by the fire brigade cranes." Praising Zen for her bravery and ability to hold her nerve, one of her neighbours said, "We are thankful to her as she came to our rescue before the fire brigade personnel arrived to rescue us." "We were panicked. We followed her advise otherwise anything could have happened," he said. IMAGE: Indian Navy supplies food and materials to the flood affected people of Chengannur district of the Kerala on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Photo India on Wednesday made it clear that it will not accept any assistance from foreign governments for flood-ravaged Kerala in sync with an existing policy. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the government was committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation in Kerala through domestic efforts. A number of countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Maldives have announced assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. Kumar, however, said contributions to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund from NRIs (Non Resident Indians, PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) and international entities such as foundations will be welcomed. The Kerala government is keen to accept the donations from the UAE. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state government would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear hurdles, if any, in receiving the aid offered to the state by the United Arab Emirates. "The Government of India deeply appreciates offers from several countries, including from foreign governments, to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts after the tragic floods," Kumar said. "In line with the existing policy, the government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts," he said, in response to a question on the issue. Sources said funds coming from the UAE through foundations or international entities will be acceptable. The United Progressive Alliance government, during the Uttarakhand floods in 2013, had decided not to accept assistance from foreign countries. Sources said India has already conveyed decision of not accepting offer of assistance to Kerala by several countries. In a tweet, Thailand's Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi said Indian government has informed his country that it will not accept overseas donations for flood relief operations in Kerala. Official sources said New Delhi is conveying to foreign governments that it was carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the damage caused by the floods in Kerala and is capable of meeting the requirements of the state on its own. India is also informing the foreign governments offering assistance to Kerala that it has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the challenge. 'Informally informed with regret that GOI is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you the people of Bharat,' the Thai envoy tweeted. Earlier, in a letter to Indian Association of Thailand, the envoy said he was in touch with Thai government and Thai companies present in India for extending possible assistance to Kerala. The sources said there was no restriction on accepting private contributions including from the diaspora. The UAE offered the assistance of Rs 700 crore considering its links with Kerala. Around three million Indians live and work in the UAE out of which 80 per cent are from Kerala, according to official figure. The state of Kerala is witnessing damage like never before as the floods have claimed over 350 people since May 30 and have forced over 10 lakh people out of their homes. According to figures, a whopping 12.47 lakh people are living in approximately 1,155 shelter camps after their homes and their lives were destroyed in the deluge. As the state struggles to find its feet, heres a glimpse of what life looks like in a shelter. Flood victims rest inside a university classroom, which is converted into a temporary relief camp in Kochi. Photograph: Sivaram V/Reuters Over 10 lakh people have been forced out of their homes owing to the floods, which are being described as the worst the state has witnessed in a century. Photograph: Atul Loke/Getty Images Colleges, schools, madrassas and other convention halls have been converted into shelters where the flood victims are being housed. For them, having dry ground and a meal is more than they can ask for after seeing their belongings all being washed away. Photograph: Atul Loke/Getty Images Over 10.78 lakh people, including 2.12 lakh women and 1 lakh children below 12 years of age, are taking shelter in as many as 3,200 relief camps a fortnight after a murderous monsoon rampaged through the state in its second spell that began on August 8. Photograph: Atul Loke/Getty Images People like Ammini rushed to a relief camp with only their clothes on. We dont have anything left, everything has been lost. There is nothing to look forward to. My son is bedridden... I dont know where to go from the camp with my son, daughter-in-law and their child. We have no home left, said the 55-year-old. Photograph: Atul Loke/Getty Images A flood-affected woman receives food inside a college auditorium, which has been converted into a temporary relief camp, in Kochi. Photograph: Sivaram V/Reuters Restaurants are offering people in the camps food. Surprisingly, inmates of Central Prison in Thiruvananthapuram are also working hard to feed those staying in relief camps across Kerala. Photograph: Sivaram V/Reuters A doctor examines a flood-affected woman inside a relief camp in Chengannur in Kerala. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters The union health ministry has arranged to deliver 90 types of medicines "in the requested quantity" to the state to deal with a potential outbreak of water-borne communicable diseases in the aftermath of the worst flood. Photograph: Sivaram V/Reuters Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah was heckled during Eid prayers at the 17th century Hazratbal mosque in Srinagar on Wednesday, two days after he chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' during a prayer meeting for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Meanwhile, the celebrations of Eid-Al-Azha were marred by violence in Srinagar when stone-pelters came out on the streets and waved flags of Pakistan and the dreaded terrorist group Islamic State. The National Conference leader remained unfazed and continued with his prayers, saying the jeering and booing were by his 'own people' who were misguided. A section of the gathering shouted slogans of 'Farooq Abdullah go back' and 'Hum kya chahte, azaadi' at the Hazratbal mosque, where Abdullah has traditionally offered Eid prayers. When a section of slogan shouting youths tried to approach Abdullah, who was sitting on a chair in the front row because of his ill-health, some people joined hands to make a human chain to prevent them from doing so. Security personnel also threw a ring around the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar to protect him. "I did not leave the venue and completed my prayers. They are my own people. They are misguided and I cannot escape my duties of being their leader," Abdullah told PTI while receiving people at his residence. "Some people were agitated but that does not mean I will escape. I have a task of keeping everyone united," he said. Abdullah wondered why the issue was being blown out of proportion by a section of the media. "A politician, at times, has to face people's anger. I only hope these misguided youths are counselled properly," he said. On August 20, Abdullah had made an emotional speech and chanted "Bharat Mata ki Jai" during a prayer meeting for the late BJP stalwart Vajpayee in New Delhi. Meanwhile, in Srinagar, in a bid to disrupt peace, the demonstrators chanted slogans and clashed with police personnel on duty in the Eidgah area, soon after Eid prayers. They also pelted stones at the security personnel, who were trying to disperse them. Earlier in May, a tourist from Tamil Nadus Chennai lost his life in stone-pelting, a few days after the vehicle of a district judge from Bengaluru, who was on a holiday with his family, was pelted with stones. Around the same time, a bus carrying school students was also attacked by unruly stone-pelters in Zawoora village of Shopian district. The rampant incidents of stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir have become a matter of concern for the state administration, with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman condemning the same, saying that although the armed forces cannot be held responsible for being firm with terrorists, it is extremely important to ensure safer movement of tourists to restore normalcy. With ANI inputs All photographs: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com Donald Trump has suffered a double blow after his former campaign chief Paul Manafort was found guilty of fraud and his ex lawyer Michael Cohen admitted to paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 United States election, potentially leaving the US president in legal jeopardy. IMAGE: Michael Cohen, US President Donald Trump's former personal attorney and fixer, exits federal court in New York City. Cohen reached an agreement with prosecutors, pleading guilty to charges involving bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance violations. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images In a stunning admission that implicates Trump, his former lawyer Cohen pleaded guilty to buying the silence of two women about their alleged affairs with Trump. Cohen, 51, pleaded guilty in the Southern District of New York to charges of tax evasion, making false statements to a federally-insured bank, and campaign finance violations. The most-stunning admission he made in court before US District Judge William Pauley was that in 2016, Cohen had made payments of $280,000 (Rs 1.95 crore) to silence two women, who otherwise planned to speak publicly about their alleged affairs with a presidential candidate, thereby intending to influence the 2016 presidential election. The presidential candidate here is Trump and the payments were to adult film actress Daniels and a former Playboy playmate, a clear implication of the president. Cohens sentencing is scheduled for December 12. Cohen told the judge that the payments to the women were made in coordination with and at the direction of a candidate for federal office and for the principal purpose of influencing the election for president in 2016. Trump has not been named by federal prosecutors in the charges against Cohen but has been identified as Individual 1. The extraordinary admission came minutes after Trumps former campaign chairman, 69-year-old Manafort, was convicted of five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failure to disclose a foreign bank account. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining 10 counts, and the judge declared a mistrial on those charges. The two cases arose from special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Yesterdays events represent a significant victory for Mueller, who has been under pressure from Trumps supporters to wind up what the president calls a witch hunt. The Virginia trial of Manafort did not delve into the nature of Trump campaign contacts with Russia, which is the focus of the Mueller investigation. But the conviction of a figure as prominent as Manafort, who ran the Trump campaign for a crucial five-month period in 2016, was a blow to the White House and a boost for the special counsel. Prosecutors presented evidence that Manafort had lied in seeking personal loans and lied to the Internal Revenue Service in reporting income related to his political consulting work in Ukraine and elsewhere. The outcomes of the two cases also raised grave questions about Trumps judgment. Since his election, his national security adviser, personal lawyer, campaign chairman, deputy campaign manager and a foreign policy aide have all admitted or been convicted of crimes. With two former aides to the president facing jail time, observers said the outcome of the separate, high-profile prosecutions could represent a turning point in Trumps presidency in which the months-long investigations into his former dealings begin to leave a mark. As the legal developments unfolded, Trump boarded Air Force One for the trip to Charleston, West Virginia, part of an all-out political strategy to keep the House and Senate in Republican hands in the midterm elections this year. The stakes for Trump are now legal as well as political. After landing in Charleston for the rally, the president said the Manafort verdict didnt have anything to do with him. Paul Manafort is a good man, Trump said. It doesnt involve me, but its a very sad thing. Trump, speaking to reporters on the tarmac, declined to answer questions about Cohen. Rudolph Giuliani, the presidents personal attorney, said there were no allegations of wrongdoing against the president in the Cohen case. It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Cohens actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time, Giuliani said. Prosecutors said Cohen held the title of executive vice-president and special counsel to the owner of the company, Individual-1, who apparently is Trump. In January 2017, Cohen left the company and began holding himself out as the personal attorney to Individual-1, who by that time had become the president of the United States. Democrats sought to pile political pressure on Donald Trump after the news broke, with the partys leader in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, denouncing the rampant corruption and criminality at the heart of Trumps inner circle. MOSCOW, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mechel PAO (MOEX: MTLR, NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces 1H2018 operational results. Production and sales for 1H2018 Production: Product Name 1H2018, thousand tonnes 1H2017, thousand tonnes % 2Q2018, thousand tonnes 1Q2018, thousand tonnes % Run-of-Mine Coal 9,691 10,331 -6 4,726 4,965 -5 Pig Iron 1,928 2,038 -5 943 985 -4 Steel 2,051 2,217 -8 995 1,055 -6 Electric power generation (thousand kWh) 1,742,191 1,678,382 +4 825,955 916,235 -10 Heat power generation (Gcal) 3,276,148 3,091,129 +6 1,063,434 2,212,714 -52 Sales: Product Name 1H2018, thousand tonnes 1H2017, thousand tonnes % 2Q2018, thousand tonnes 1Q2018, thousand tonnes % Coking coal concentrate 3,521 4,072 -14 1,911 1,610 +19 Including coking coal concentrate supplied to third parties 2,061 2,470 -17 1,174 887 +32 PCI 680 682 0 367 313 +17 Including PCI supplied to third parties 680 682 0 367 313 +17 Anthracites 648 810 -20 329 319 +3 Including anthracites supplied to third parties 541 695 -22 274 267 +3 Thermal coal 3,021 3,165 -5 1,411 1,611 -12 Including thermal coal supplied to third parties 2,575 2,812 -8 1,219 1,356 -10 Iron ore concentrate 846 1,400 -40 495 351 +41 Including iron ore concentrate supplied to third parties 18 12 +55 10 8 +18 Coke 1,214 1,382 -12 585 629 -7 Including coke supplied to third parties 306 414 -26 138 168 -18 Ferrosilicon 38 30 +27 20 18 +8 Long rolls 1,410 1,466 -4 724 686 +6 Flat rolls 271 304 -11 133 138 -4 Hardware 314 332 -6 167 146 +14 Forgings 22 27 -19 10 12 -13 Stampings 72 47 +54 38 34 +11 Key investment projects progress Universal rolling mill: 1H2018, thousand tonnes 1H2017, thousand tonnes % 2Q2018, thousand tonnes 1Q2018, thousand tonnes % Rails, beams and shapes 256 313 -18 115 141 -18 Elga coal complex: 1H2018, thousand tonnes 1H2017, thousand tonnes % 2Q2018, thousand tonnes 1Q2018, thousand tonnes % Run-of-mine coal 2,540 1,934 +31 1,343 1,197 +12 Mechel PAOs Chief Executive Officer Oleg Korzhov commented on the 1H2018 operational results: Renewal of mining equipment at Mechels coal facilities enabled us to attain stable mining levels and we plan to maintain this work pace until this years end. The decrease in mining volumes was due to a decline in thermal coal mining and re-orienting our facilities to focus on coking coals. Thermal coal production increased only in Elgaugol due to an overall mining growth, so we expanded the geography of our sales of washed thermal coal from the Elga deposit, making our first supplies to India, Myanmar and Vietnam. Coking coal concentrate sales in the second quarter went up by 19% quarter-on-quarter due to an increase in supplies as we made new contracts with major steelmakers in Asia Pacific for the 2018 financial year, which started in April. Export to Asia Pacific went up by 60%, with China becoming chief importer of our coking coal concentrate in this accounting period. Supplies to our Japanese customers increased as well. Our supplies to China demonstrated positive dynamics that were further supported by the boost to coking coal concentrate production at Elga Coal Complex. The 17-percent increase in PCI sales in the second quarter is due to additional sales of stockpiles accumulated in the first quarter due to infrastructure limitations at Far Eastern ports. We ship practically the entire PCI volume to our Asian partners in South Korea, Japan and China. Anthracite sales also demonstrated positive dynamics (+3%). Our chief customers for this product are based in Europe. Nevertheless, we try to re-distribute our export flows and increase our sales to customers in Asia and the CIS, as today those markets show better margins for anthracites. The 2Q2018 41-percent increase in iron ore concentrate sales was due to our closing the gap on stripping works over the past periods due to the replenishment of our mining equipment fleet at Korshunov Mining Plant, which had a positive impact on ore mining volumes. Volatility on the domestic coke market became the chief cause for the 7-percent decline in coke sales. We are actively expanding into new markets in Eastern Europe. Mechels steel division in this accounting period decreased production of pig iron and steel by 4% and 6% respectively due to planned repairs in Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plants agglomeration and blast-furnace and oxygen converter facilities. This factor also had its impact on production and sales of flat rolls. Planned major repairs to the concaster #5, which were made in 2Q2018, led to a decrease in the universal rolling mills load, which in its turn led to a decline in the mills output. At the same time, overall long rolls sales went up by 6% due to sales of rebar and construction beams as well as stainless rolls. We continue to pay extra attention to mastering production of new section rolls at the universal rolling mill. In this accounting period, we launched production of two new types of wide-flange beam with the European Unions construction market in mind. The universal rolling mill also produced a test batch of 100-meter rails for high-speed railways with speed limits of 250 km/h, and their certification is nearly complete. We plan to shortly begin mastering production of rails for high-speed railways with speed limits of 400 km/h. Hardware sales went up primarily as constructors demand for wire picked up ahead of the construction season. We have taken full advantage of the attractive prices on the ferrosilicon market. Bratsk Ferroalloys Plant exceeded quarterly target production plans, which enabled us to increase overall sales domestically and internationally by 8%. Demand for railway axles from Russian wagonbuilders remains high, and stampings sales in the second quarter went up by 11% quarter-on-quarter. We are fulfilling all our contractual obligations and taking a proactive stance in the market, signing contracts with new partners both in Russia and abroad. The 10-percent decrease in electricity generation in the second quarter as compared to the previous quarter was due to repairs starting at our key heat and electricity equipment. The decrease in heat generation quarter-on-quarter is due to the end of the heating season. Mechel PAO Ekaterina Videman Tel: + 7 495 221 88 88 ekaterina.videman@mechel.com Mechel is an international mining and steel company. Its products are marketed in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa. Mechel unites producers of coal, iron ore concentrate, steel, rolled products, ferroalloys, heat and electric power. All of its enterprises work in a single production chain, from raw materials to high value-added products. Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Mechel, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not intend to update these statements. We refer you to the documents Mechel files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F. These documents contain and identify important factors, including those contained in the section captioned Risk Factors and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in our Form 20-F, that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the achievement of anticipated levels of profitability, growth, cost and synergy of our recent acquisitions, the impact of competitive pricing, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses, the impact of developments in the Russian economic, political and legal environment, volatility in stock markets or in the price of our shares or ADRs, financial risk management and the impact of general business and global economic conditions. IMAGE: Wreath laying ceremony of Constable Fayaz Ahmed Shah who was shot dead by terrorists outside an Eidgah in Zazripora, Kulgam, on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Eid festivity in militancy-hit Kashmir was marred with violent incidents in which terrorists shot dead three policemen, including an inspector, and a Bharatiya Janata Party worker in two districts of the state on Wednesday, police said. Terrorists killed Police Inspector Mohd Asharf Dar inside his residence at Larve in South Kashmir's Pulwama on Wednesday evening when he had gone home to celebrate Eid, they said. Dar was working in a special branch of the state police and was posted in Budgam in central Kashmir. Earlier in the day, Fayaz Ahmad Shah, an under training police constable, was shot when he was returning home after offering Eid prayers in Kulgam, one of the worst militancy-hit districts of South Kashmir. Shah, 34, was working with the Jammu and Kashmir Police as a Special Police Officer and had been given an out-of-turn promotion and selected as a constable. He was undergoing training at Talwara in Jammu region and had come home. Terrorists fired at Shah from a close range near his house. He died on the spot. A pall of gloom descended on the policeman's native Zazripora village when the news of his death broke out. The Eid festivities turned into mourning at Shah's residence with his two minor daughters, aged five and two, unable to understand the sudden rush of people to their residence and the frequent breakdown of their mother and aged grandmother. The family was inconsolable when his body wrapped in tricolour was brought to their residence. A wreath laying ceremony was held at district police lines Kulgam where officers led by Senior Superintendent of Police Harmeet Singh paid floral tributes to the police official. Director General of Police S P Vaid termed the incident a 'dastardly act'. "It only shows the frustration of terrorists who are resorting to such a cowardly act of attacking an unarmed policeman," he said. Another Special Police Officer identified as Mohammad Yaqoob Shah was shot at in Pulwama district. He was declared brought dead at the hospital. Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Swayam Prakash Pani led the police team to pay tributes to Shah at district police lines in Pulwama, another worst militancy-hit district. In another incident, body of a Bharatiya Janata Party worker identified as Shabir Ahmad Bhat was found in north Kashmir's Kupwara district. He was reportedly kidnapped by suspected terrorists on Tuesday night. His bullet-riddled body was found in the fields at Rakh-e-Litter area of Kupwara, a police official said. The incident evoked sharp reaction from BJP president Amit Shah who said extremists cannot stop the valley's youths from choosing a better future and that the cycle of violence will not last long. 'Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta, Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves. This cycle of violence won't last long,' he tweeted. 'The Quran says that saving one life is like saving humanity. So by donating for Kerala, you are following what Allah told you.' 'This gesture would create goodwill for Muslims and work as a counter to the hostility they face.' Jyoti Punwani reports how some Muslims won't sacrifice goats this Bakri Eid, instead donating the money towards relief efforts in Kerala. Two of them have always performed the ritual sacrifice for Bakri Eid. The third stopped doing so 15 years ago. But this year, these three Muslims will observe Bakri Eid differently. Arfa Khanum Sherwani, senior editor at The Wire, has donated half her salary to Kerala's Chief Minister's Relief Fund in lieu of the ritual sacrifice on Bakri Eid that has been her practice till today. Talha bin Mohsin, advertising executive, will do what he always has done: The regular qurbani. This time, though, he has chosen to curtail its scale so that he can donate for Kerala's flood-affected. Rana Safvi, Delhi historian and founder of shair#, a Twitter forum on Urdu poetry, has kept aside one-third of the money she always spends on charity on Bakri Eid, for Kerala. The other 2/3rds will go to two different charities. The suggestions of these three Muslims on social media to make the Kerala floods, not animal sacrifice, the focus of this Eid, has drawn praise from some and flak from many of their own community. The main allegation being made against them is that they are 'RSS agents'. But Arfa Khanum has had an additional barb thrown at her: A 'bepurdah' woman like her anyway can't know anything about Islam. How about sacrificing her expenses on make-up and sending that amount to Kerala, she has been asked. IMAGE: How about sacrificing her expenses on make-up and sending that amount to Kerala, journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani has been asked. Photograph: Kind courtesy Arfa Khanum Sherwani "I didn't think the attacks would get so personal," Arfa tells Rediff.com, "but I can understand where they are coming from. As it is Muslims are worried about the aftermath of the qurbani -- will they be able to carry the meat safely home? -- and here I'm saying 'Don't even do the qurbani." So why did she suggest this? "I saw the pictures of the floods, and thought here's my community busy buying animals for sacrifice. What if the money spent on this was to be diverted to those desperately in need in Kerala?" "It would send a great message of empathy at a time when everyone is trying to tear us apart and tell us that we are either Hindu or Muslim. This would show that we think like Indians," Arfa explains. "These days there is so much talk about the North-South divide. So many Muslims live in the North. Somebody in Lucknow thinking of the flood victims in Kochi -- that would be a thread that would unify in so many ways," she adds. "This gesture would create goodwill for Muslims, who are being derided today as 'beef eaters' and what have you. It would work as a counter to the hostility they face, and could defeat the politics of polarisation." To some extent, this did happen: Arfa's suggestion was welcomed by Hindus too, including those who had often criticised her for her anti-BJP views. Their appreciation might appear to validate the views of those Muslims who are accusing her of trying to flow with the 'naya mausam', of trying to 'build bridges' with the ruling party. But Arfa disagrees with this interpretation. "I feel there's a grey area between those who are absolute bhakts and those who are absolutely anti-BJP. That's the section one must reach out to." But neither the praise of this 'grey section' nor the condemnation of many in her community, made her rethink her suggestion. What was more important to her was that at last count, about 70 Muslims had declared that they would follow her example this Bakri Eid. What of her immediate family? Arfa's husband agrees with her, but her mother kept silent when Arfa informed her that for the first time this Bakri Eid, she would not be sacrificing a goat. "We are a large family and our father brought us up to follow our heart. So while some of us may perform the qurbani, others may not. I think it's very good to have a sense of democracy within your family," she says. IMAGE: When advertising executive Talha bin Mohsin told his father he wanted to scale down his qurbani this year so that he could donate for the Kerala floods, his father supported him. So did many of his friends, some of whom are five-time namazis. Photograph: Kind courtesy: Talha bin Mohsin Talha bin Mohsin's suggestion made on his Facebook page was different from Arfa's. Do both, he said, if you can afford to: Perform the qurbani and also donate for Kerala's flood-affected. Buy a cheaper goat, take a smaller share if it is a joint qurbani, and use the money saved for Kerala. When he told his father he wanted to scale down his qurbani this year so that he could donate for the Kerala floods, his father supported him. So did many of his friends, some of whom are five-time namazis. Mohsin has always lived in Delhi's Jamia Nagar and is a product of Jamia Milia Islamia right from nursery up to graduation. Describing himself as a "proud practising Muslim", Mohsin is somewhat amused at those accusing him of knowing nothing about Islam. "I probably know more about Islam than these trolls." Islam is not just about qurbani, says Mohsin. It is also about saving lives. "The Quran says that saving one life is like saving humanity. So by donating for Kerala, you are following what Allah told you. A good Muslim has to care about others." It was just a coincidence, says Mohsin, that he linked the Kerala disaster with Bakri Eid. "There is nothing anti-religion in what I suggested. It was because Bakri Eid was round the corner, and everyone was buying animals that I said what I did. Otherwise I would have said buy a cheaper T shirt or forego a movie to donate for Kerala." In fact, inspired by his suggestion, a Hindu from Maharashtra suggested that instead of hiring a music system for the coming Ganpati festival, Hindus should donate that amount to Kerala. "I wanted to inspire people's imagination. I didn't spell out any directives," says Mohsin. IMAGE: 'This is between me and God. Who are these people? What can they do to me? We can't live our lives by what people think,' says historian Rana Safvi about those who have criticised her decision for forego the qurbani. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rana Safvi For Rana Safvi, this year, only the recipient of her donation was different. She stopped doing the qurbani in 2001 and has since been donating the amount that would have been spent to an orphanage. "My husband and I decided on this after finding that the qurbani wasn't achieving what it was meant to," explains Rana. "Bakri Eid is about the spirit of charity. You must donate one-third of the meat to the poor, one-third to family and friends, and keep only one-third for yourself. But we found that neither the poor we were distributing it to, nor friends, wanted it because they had already received enough from others." Donating the amount that would have been spent on the qurbani to an orphanage ensured that the poor were fed in a more sustained way, over a month. Besides, says Rana, sacrificing an animal was a Sunnat, something practised by the Prophet, whose example should be followed, but it was not a farz or duty. For those doing the Haj, it is a duty. But when she undertook the pilgrimage in 2005, Rana chose the option of donating money to an agency that makes sure that an animal is sacrificed in an abattoir and the meat sent to the poor. "The Prophet Ibrahim's story in the Quran (he dreamt that Allah had asked him to sacrifice his only son, and just as he was going to do so, Allah, pleased with his obedience, substituted his son with a ram) is primarily about submission to Allah," says Rana. Rana is dismissive of those who have criticised her decision. "This is between me and God. Who are these people? What can they do to me? We can't live our lives by what people think. Ultimately I've to face God and answer him." Like Rana, there are Muslims across the country who have quietly stopped doing the qurbani and spend the money on education. Professor Farrukh Waris, former principal of Mumbai's Burhani College, had seen her father do the same half a century ago in Lucknow and Allahabad. This year, she will donate Rs 76,000, the price of four goats, to pay a student's college fees. "I have always been saying that our community can use the qurbani money for community welfare," says the professor. "Islam is one faith where your intent or neeyat is given maximum weightage. If your neeyat is to give something in the path of God, then sacrifice money for charity instead of sacrificing living things," Professor Waris adds. In Bengaluru, a group of 25 Muslims who have been quietly spreading this message for the last decade are steadily getting support. The leader of the group who did not want to be named fearing an orthodox backlash would undo their efforts told Rediff how they had managed to convince even the elderly in their families to donate instead of sacrifice an animal. "We explain to them that Hazrat Ibrahim's was a pastoral society and sacrificing an animal was appropriate as animals were storehouses of value. People ate their meat, used their milk, tanned their skins for water bags and tents, rode on their backs and exchanged them in bazaars." So the tradition continued for thousands of years. "The Prophet Mohammed continued the practice as the context had not changed," he explains. "But today, money is the most prized possession for everyone. Sacrificing money for education for the poor or for their daily needs is more valuable." This man narrates an interesting anecdote. He had broached this sensitive topic to an 80-year-old academic and told him that he had given up animal sacrifice eight years earlier. To his surprise, the old man shook his hands and said, "If you won't tell my wife, let me share the secret that I have not been doing sacrifice for the last 40 years. I tell my wife I'm sending money to sacrifice a goat in my village. But I am actually funding the studies of rural youth and have produced 16 graduates." Tulsa, OK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/22/2018 --Situated in Tulsa, Keesling Law Group is a boutique law firm which is focused on helping the clients regarding the legal issues that they experience. This law firm offers high-quality services and a vast range of solutions to the clients. The team of specialists at this law firm comprises of both trial and transactional lawyers who have more than three decades of experience. The professionals here have dealt with cases of all sizes successfully starting from the relatively small matter to high-risks lawsuit. Keesling Law Group offers best support in business and corporate law, criminal defense and civil rights law, contract law, employment and labor law, and family law and estates. The primary purpose of this law firm is to provide the top quality legal services to the customers at a more economical price rate. Keesling Law Group focuses on smart money decision-making, and they pass that worth on to the individuals, sole proprietors, and smaller companies so that they can get access to the skilled representation they need. The divorce attorney and divorce lawyer in Tulsa Oklahoma has the experience, resources and wish to take on exceptional, and complex cases. The thing that makes this law firm stand apart from its competitors is that this firm can stand up for the clients in federal court and also represent customers across the nation and the world. Apart from specializing in divorce attorney cases, the firm also specializes in employment law attorney and employment lawyer in Broken Arrow Oklahoma related cases. To get in touch with the firm, one can right away call at (918) 924-5101 or can schedule a free consultation with an attorney by just visiting the online portal of the company. The customer care representatives of this law firm are always ready to assist the customers with whatever assistance that they may require. About Keesling Law Group Keesling Law Group is a well-known boutique law firm situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma that provides family, contract, employment, and divorce lawyers in addition to criminal defense attorneys. Savannah, GA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/22/2018 --Lee, Hill & Rowe Insurors is a family owned and operated Savannah-based insurance agency that has been offering services to the customers since 1999. They specialize in providing flood, home, commercial, auto, life, health and car insurance in Pooler and Richmond Hill Georgia. The company has provided insurance coverage to more than five thousand individuals and businesses in regions across the state of Georgia. The company also offers their insurance solutions and services in Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Statesboro, Brunswick, and Hinesville. Lee, Hill & Rowe Insurors aims to make stable and enduring relationships with its clients by offering sound advice, outstanding service, and practical financial solutions. With a team of licensed and experienced insurance agents and devoted sales and service staff members, Lee, Hill & Rowe Insurors is an organization that is well equipped to manage all of the clients' insurance and coverage requirements. In addition to this, the company only employs insurance agents who care about the clients and are dedicated to offering them sound advice and personalized service. The company specializes in providing full insurance coverage to all the businesses and residents of the area. As independent insurance agents, Lee, Hill & Rowe Insurors works with a vast number of established and reputed insurance companies. Consequently, they can modify the optimal coverage for individual or business looking to purchase insurance in Pooler and Richmond Hill Georgia at the most cost-effective and inexpensive rates. The insurance products offered by them comprise home, automobile, commercial, flood, life, health, rental properties insurance and many more. To set up an appointment for a free quote or to have any queries answered, one should call Lee, Hill & Rowe Insurors at 912-525-3360 right away. Also one can visit the website of the company to get more details about the services that the company offers. About Lee, Hill & Rowe Insurors Lee, Hill & Rowe Insurors is a reputed family-owned, independent insurance agency based in Savannah, Georgia. At present, the company serves the nearby communities of Rincon, Richmond Hill, Pooler and Hinesville. OTTAWA, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avivagen Inc. (TSXV:VIV) (Avivagen or the Corporation), a life sciences corporation focused on developing and commercializing products for livestock, companion animal and human applications that, by safely supporting immune function, promote general health and performance, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Sales and Distribution Agreement with Mr. Dennis Fowler for Vivamune within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The agreement is for a minimum of six months, and includes the cities of Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington and Milton. Mr. Fowlers compensation will be commission based and includes a retainer, the latter which shall be funded through commission sales once agreed sales targets are achieved. Mr. Fowler is a Brand and Marketing Strategist who partners with leading edge companies to grow their brand awareness, product sales and enhance corporate presence. With over two decades of senior management positions in advertising and marketing for multimillion-dollar brands and start-ups, Dennis understands what is required for products to be noticed and is passionate about delivering effective outcomes. He appreciates the importance of connecting with ones target audience and has the expertise to successfully communicate a compelling strategic message. Dennis has wide-ranging experience in cultivating new distribution channels and is tenacious in closing deals. He possesses a broad background in retail display and has developed powerful in-store programs for large chains such as The Home Depot. About Avivagen Avivagen is a public corporation traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol VIV and is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, based in partnership facilities of the National Research Council of Canada and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. For more information, visit www.avivagen.com. The contents of the website are expressly not incorporated by reference in this press release. About OxC-beta Technology and OxC-beta Livestock Avivagens OxC-beta technology is derived from Avivagen discoveries about carotenoids, compounds that give certain fruits and vegetables their bright colours, and is a non-antibiotic means of maintaining optimal health and growth. OxC-beta Livestock is a proprietary product shown to be effective and economic in replacing the antibiotics commonly added to livestock feeds. OxC-beta Livestock is currently registered and available for sale in the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand. Avivagens OxC-beta Livestock product is safe, effective and could fulfill the global mandate to remove all in-feed antibiotics as growth promoters. Numerous international livestock trials with poultry and swine using OxC-beta Livestock have proven that the product performs as well as, and, sometimes, in some aspects, better than in-feed antibiotics. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon the current expectations of management. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties associated with the business of Avivagen Inc. and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions aim, anticipate, appear, believe, consider, could, estimate, expect, if, intend, goal, hope, likely, may, plan, possibly, potentially, pursue, seem, should, whether, will, would and similar expressions. 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. For instance, Avivagens contract with Mr. Fowler may not have the anticipated effect to increase sales of Vivamune or on Vivamunes overall sales due to many factors, many of which are outside of Avivagens control. Except as required by law, Avivagen assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Neither 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 For more information: Avivagen Inc. Drew Basek Director of Investor Relations 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6 Phone: 416-540-0733 E-mail: d.basek@avivagen.com Kym Anthony Chairman & Interim CEO 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6 Head Office Phone: 613-949-8164 Website: www.avivagen.com Copyright 2018 Avivagen Inc. OxC-beta is a trademark of Avivagen Inc. Savannah, GA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/22/2018 --Lee Hill & Rowe Insurors is a well-known insurance agency that specializes in offering business, commercial, flood, home, life and car insurance in Pooler and Richmond Hill Georgia. This is an independent insurance agency which is licensed to do business in the states of South Carolina and Georgia for the lines of business listed. This insurance agency is based in Savannah, and it has been functioning since the year 1999. The company is proud to offer insurance to more than 5000 families, individuals and businesses in Pooler, Savannah, Richmond Hill, Statesboro, Hinesville, Atlanta, and Brunswick and all through Georgia and the Low Country. Being a family owned and operated company, this agency is committed to building stable relations with the customers through excellent service and practical solutions. The team of agents within the company is all licensed, experienced and thus they can provide the customers with sound advice and the type of personalized service that the customer wants. The main aim of Lee Hill & Rowe Insurors is to connect the clients with the coverage they need at the lowest price that is being offered, so they compare the quotes that return from all of these various insurers. Eventually, when one works with the agency, they can go forward with the knowledge that they received the car insurance at the lowest price. Also, the company can also find inexpensive coverage for people who do not have excellent driving records as well as young drivers who are looked upon as high risks. To get in touch with the company and to get free quotes for insurance in Pooler and Richmond Hill Georgia, one can right away call on 912-525-3360. In addition to this, one can also visit the website of the company to get more information about the services that the company offers. About Lee Hill & Rowe Insurors Lee Hill & Rowe Insurors is a leading independent insurance company that offers the top class insurance policies to the customers. TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Media Advisory -- A Time Capsule Event will be held in Algonquin Provincial Park on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. The public event will commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Ontario Parks. When: Wednesday, August 22, 2018. Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm What: The Time Capsule event will include speeches, packing and burial of a time capsule, park program displays, the launch of a new promotional campaign, and original live music. Photo and filming opportunities include time capsule burial, colourful displays highlighting signature park programming and an Algonquin lookout. Why: To capture a snapshot of Ontario Parks in 2018 and to preserve park history for future generations. To engage the public and media in an anniversary celebration. To bury a time capsule filled with items representing the past, the present, and hopes for the future. Location: Algonquin Provincial Park, Visitor Centre Highway 60, Km 44 K0J 2M0 Parking is available in the lot. No charge. Media Check in: - Media passes and event information will be available at the event entrance in the Visitor Centre parking lot. - Ontario Parks media relations representatives will be on site and available for interviews. Media Contact: Jeff Brown, Ontario Parks, Cell: 705-313-0666 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES. DENVER, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pure Energy Minerals Limited (TSX VENTURE:PE) (OTCQB:PEMIF) (the Company or Pure Energy) announces that it has re-negotiated an option agreement with GeoXplor Corp. (GeoXplor) and Clayton Valley Lithium Inc. (CVL) dated May 10, 2017 (the Option Agreement). The Option Agreement covers mineral claims in Clayton Valley, Nevada that were the subject of the original agreement with GeoXplor and CVL in 2014, as well as those previously held by Lithium X Energy Corp (Lithium X), which were acquired by the Company in May, 2017 (the Property). Under the terms of an amended Option Agreement (the Amendment) and subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company has paid the claim maintenance fees on the Property and agreed to issue 750,000 shares in its capital to GeoXplor in consideration for entering into the Amendment. In addition, the cash payments to GeoXplor have been amended as follows: Option Agreement and First Amendment Second Amendment (i) US$375,000 on the closing date (paid); (i) US$375,000 on the closing date (paid); (ii) US$37,500 on or before June 13, 2018 (paid); (ii) US$37,500 on or before June 13, 2018 (paid); (iii) US$375,000 on or before July 31, 2018; (iii) US$150,000 on or before October 1, 2018; (iv) US$250,000 on or before the date that is two years from the Closing Date; and (iv) US$225,000 on or before November 2, 2018; (v) feasibility study payment reduced to US $250,000. (v) US$250,000 on or before the date that is two years from the Closing; About Pure Energy Minerals Limited Pure Energy Minerals is a lithium resource developer that is driven to become a low-cost supplier for the growing lithium battery industry. The Company is developing the Clayton Valley Project (CV Project) in Clayton Valley, Nevada. The Company is also exploring a new lithium brine project in the Lithium Triangle of South America, the Terra Cotta Project (TCP). The TCP is located on Pocitos Salar in Salta, Argentina, where it enjoys some of the best infrastructure and access of any lithium brine exploration project in Argentina. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Patrick Highsmith Chief Executive Officer CONTACT: Pure Energy Minerals Limited (www.pureenergyminerals.com) Email: info@pureenergyminerals.com Telephone 604 608 6611, ext 5 Cautionary Statements and Forward-Looking Information The information in this news release contains forward looking statements that are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include: changes in world commodity markets, equity markets, costs and supply of materials relevant to the mining industry, change in government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry. Forward-looking statements in this release may include: approval of the Amendment by the TSX Venture Exchange, and future exploration on the CV Project and the Terra Cotta Project. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, results may vary, and we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Joan Jett is making the call for Pymatuning Deer Park to release a 23-year-old bear named Bosco. She wants to see the elderly animal sent to a sanctuary. "Bears are sophisticated, playful animals who thrive when given space and freedom to run, dig, and swim far from human activity," Jett writes in a letter to zoo owner Rachelle Sankey. "But at this roadside zoo, Bosco is denied everything that's natural and important to him and condemned to a life surrounded by stone walls and gawking tourists." "At over 20 years old, he's especially prone to injury in these dangerous conditions and likely experiencing physical and psychological distress already. Please, allow him to live his remaining years with dignity at a reputable sanctuary, where he could enjoy extensive space, independence, and the veterinary care that he so obviously deserves. My friends at PETA are offering to facilitate Bosco's transfer and pay any associated costs. Take a lesson from me: Listen to your instincts, and please give him a life in which he can follow his." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Entertainment News Avicii was honored posthumously at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards with the Best Dance Music Video award for his Rita Ora collaboration "Lonely Together." The Chainsmokers, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Marshmello and Zedd were the other nominees in the category. "Lonely Together" was directed by Levan Tsikurishvili. It was the last song the Swedish DJ and producer released before his death in April. Avicii, whose real name is Tim Bergling, was found dead in Oman's capital Muscat on April 20 of an apparent suicide. Rita Ora paid tribute to Avicii at the award ceremony held at the Radio City Music Hall stage in New York City on Monday night. "I wanna take a minute to say, I just found out that Avicii and I won Best Dance, so let's make some noise for Avicii right now," she told the gathering. Ora termed Avicii "An amazing talent." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Entertainment News The Swiss stock market got off to a weak start Wednesday and remained stuck in a sideways pattern throughout the session. The weak performance of the index heavyweights pressured the overall market. Traders were in a cautious mood ahead of the release of the minutes from the most recent meeting of the Federal Reserve and the upcoming trade talks between the U.S. and China. The Swiss Market Index decreased by 0.38 percent Wednesday and finished at 9,048.20. The Swiss Leader Index dropped 0.22 percent and the Swiss Performance Index lost 0.28 percent. The index heavyweights all finished in the red Wednesday. Nestle declined 0.7 percent, Roche fell 0.6 percent and Novartis lost 0.3 percent. Bank stocks were also under pressure Wednesday. Credit Suisse weakened by 1.3 percent, UBS surrendered 0.9 percent and Julius Baer finished lower by 0.1 percent. Sika and Lafargeholcim also finished lower by 0.4 percent each. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis English French MONTREAL, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ghislain Houle, executive vice-president and chief financial officer of CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI), will address the Morgan Stanley 6th Annual Laguna Conference in Laguna Beach, Calif. on Sept. 12, 2018, starting at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. CN will provide a live audio webcast of Houles remarks via the Investors section of the Companys website, www.cn.ca/en/investors . CN is a true backbone of the economy whose team of more than 25,000 railroaders transports more than C$250 billion worth of goods annually for a wide range of business sectors, ranging from resource products to manufactured products to consumer goods, across a rail network of approximately 20,000 route-miles spanning Canada and mid-America. CN Canadian National Railway Company, along with its operating railway subsidiaries serves the cities and ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the metropolitan areas of Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Calgary, Chicago, Memphis, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information about CN, visit the companys website at www.cn.ca . Crude oil prices rose sharply on Wednesday, lifted by data showing a larger than expected decline in U.S. crude stockpiles last week. After market hours on Tuesday, the American Petroleum Institute reported an extra-large oil inventory draw of 5.17 million barrels, compared to analyst expectations for a draw of 1.497 million barrels. Meanwhile, the Energy Information Administration said U.S. crude inventories dropped by 5.836 million barrels in the week ended August 17. That was substantially higher than expected draw of 1.497 million barrels. Crude Imports fell by about 1.059 million barrels a day, while exports fell by 2.58 million barrels per day, data from EIA showed. Crude oil futures for October delivery ended up $2.02, or 3.1%, at $67.86 a barrel, the highest settlement in almost two weeks. On Tuesday, crude oil futures for October ended up $0.42, or 0.6%, at $65.84 a barrel. The September WTI contract expired on Tuesday at $67.35. Traders seemingly believed that global crude supplies will be under pressure once U.S.' sanctions on Iran take effect in early November. Crude oil suffered some losses last week amid fears of a possible drop in demand for crude due to U.S.-China trade tensions. However, with the U.S. and China engaging in a fresh round of trade talks, expect crude demand to pick up pace. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Amran citizens send convoy to Support army's fighters in front-lines [22/August/2018] AMRAN, Aug, 22 (Saba) On occasion of Eid al-Adha, the citizens of Amarn province on Tuesday sent a convoy under the slogan" Eid is occasion to support army's fighters" which the cost is estimated to 30 million Riyals, to the fighters of army in western coast. Amarn governor praised this national sense of Amran's citizens. The participants in the convoy affirmed their determination to support the front-lines with money and fighter, raising up the slogan "Victory is Our". Ahmed Al-Mutawakel Saba 19 Prisoners of the army, popular forces in Marib released in exchange deal with coalition [22/August/2018] MARIB, Aug. 22 (Saba) 19 Prisoners of the army and popular forces on Tuesday were released in prisoners exchange deal with the US-backed Saudi-led mercenaries in Marib front-lines. A source in the National Committee for Prisoners Affairs told Saba that the deal was the fruit of several months of negotiation with the mercenaries. Ahmed Al-Mutawakel Saba Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader from Maharashtra Gurudas Kamat died here on Wednesday following a massive heart attack. He was 63. According to a close family friend, Kamat suddenly complained of severe chest pain while having his morning tea at his home here. He called out his driver who rushed him to the Primus Hospital in Chanakyapuri where he is said to have died within minutes. Kamat is survived by wife Maharookh and son Sunil. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar, among other leaders, condoled his death. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited the central Delhi-located hospital where he passed away and placed a wreath on Kamat's body. Respected across party lines, late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had picked Kamat as part of the four-member official delegation to the United Nations in 2003, along with former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. In 2010, Kamat was nominated to represent former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the UN International Conference on Federalism in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Kamat, the youthful and secular face of the party and a five-time Lok Sabha member from Mumbai, served as Union Minister of State for Home in 2009 but abruptly resigned in 2011, citing "personal reasons" after his appointment as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Drinking Water and Sanitation. He also served as Union Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology. Kamat had resigned from the Congress in 2016 over his reported unhappiness with the functioning of the local party unit in Mumbai but later withdrew his resignation as the leadership persuaded him against it. He quit all posts last year, though he remained a staunch Congressman till the end. Considered an able organiser and a good orator, Kamat was President of Mumbai Congress from 2003-2008. He was president of the party's student wing NSUI (1976-80), Indian Youth Congress chief (198-88) and later served the party as a general secretary. In his last tweet hours before the end, Kamat had extended his greetings on Eid-ul-Azha. On Tuesday, he had greeted party leader Ahmed Patel on his birthday and congratulated him on being appointed party treasurer again. Rahul Gandhi, who is in Germany, said that Kamat's death is a massive blow to the party. "The sudden passing away of senior leader Gurudas Kamatji is a massive blow to the Congress family. Gurudasji helped build the Congress in Mumbai and was greatly respected and admired by all. My condolences to his family," he tweeted. Manmohan Singh said: "I am shocked and saddened to learn about the sudden and untimely demise of Gurudas Kamat. My deepest condolences to all members of his family. I pray to God for the departed soul." Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Kamat's son Sunil, expressing his condolences. "I am extremely saddened to learn about the demise of your beloved father... He was a dedicated public servant and a mass leader of Maharashtra. He will be missed by the country and Congress party in Maharashtra," Kharge said. NCP chief Sharad Pawar said he is "saddened" as he has "lost a leader who knew the pulse of Mumbaikars and would always voice their concern in Parliament". Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan said he "lost a great colleague". State Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant said: "A very dynamic and renowned face of the Congress and a great leader Gurudas Kamat is no more." Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Mumbai North-East Kirit Somaiya expressed shock over his political rival's demise. "We have lost a gentleman politician, an MP always active for the betterment of Mumbai though we contested Lok Sabha elections against each other," Somaiya tweeted. Relief operations were in full swing in Karnataka's flood-hit Kodagu district as rains abated and life limped back to normal, an official said on Tuesday. "We are concentrating on providing shelter and other relief to the people evacuated from towns and villages in the hilly areas flooded by rains and blocked by landslides," Kodagu Deputy Commissioner P. Sreevidya told reporters at Madikeri, about 270 km from here. Though rescue operations had slowed down as flood waters receded, the administration is using drones to look for people reported missing or stranded in remote areas or villages where landslips were witnessed. "We are receiving huge quantities of relief material, especially food items, water, clothes, utensils, mats and tarpaulin from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Udupi and other places in the state. "Essential items, including medicines, have been rushed to 41 relief camps housing about 5,000 people," said Sreevidya. The administration has also rushed food grains and other provisions to towns and villages across the district as heavy rains and floods disrupted supplies over the last 10 days due to landslides and roadblocks. "Besides state officials, hundreds of volunteers from non-government organisations are helping us in looking after those lodged in relief camps. It will take at least a week before they can return to their homes as restoration works are slow due to extensive damage caused by floodwaters," the officer said. According to initial estimates, the cumulative loss in the ravaged district is said to be about Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000 crore due to heavy damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges, power lines, apart from houses and agricultural land. According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), two MI-17 helicopters took off for relief work in Kodagu, operating from Kushalnagar, Periapatna and Harangi. "Helicopters undertook aerial recce and rescue missions in flood-affected areas of Monnangeri and Jodupala to identify ground rescue in coordination with district officials," the IAF training command said in a statement here. The choppers were also used in airlifting essential supplies to the affected areas. The district administration has also ordered hotels, resorts, homestays and guesthouses to cancel bookings till August 31 due to the havoc wrought by heavy rains in the hilly region. Meanwhile, the state BJP unit has rushed 10 tonnes of food grains and other relief material to the affected in Kodagu in trucks from Bengaluru. "Former BJP Deputy Chief Minister and city legislator R. Ashok accompanied the vehicles along with state unit General Secretary N. Ravi Kumar, Lok Sabha member from Bengaluru Central P.C. Mohan. CHICAGO, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) announced today the recipients of its annual awards program. The program recognizes individuals who have proven to be innovators and leaders in their local communities, the STEM community and the future generation of STEM. SWE award recipients include professionals and collegiates from influential businesses, corporations and universities across the globe who play an integral role in the support and advancement of women in engineering. The men and women recognized today have broken boundaries in their careers and personal lives, said Penny Wirsing, president of SWE. They are leaders paving the way to empower and inspire future women engineers across the globe. This years award recipients will be recognized at WE18, the worlds largest conference and career fair for women engineers, Oct. 18-20, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minn. The conference will gather more than 14,000 professional and collegiate men and women in engineering and technology for professional development, education and networking. The awards recipients will be formally recognized on a podium at the WE18 Awards Ceremony on Oct. 20, 2018. The awards recipients are as follows: Achievement Award The highest award given by SWE, bestowed for an outstanding technical contribution for at least 20 years in the field of engineering. Jacqueline Chen, Ph.D., Sandia National Laboratories Advocating Women in Engineering Award Honors individuals who have demonstrated professional excellence in their chosen STEM fields and have proven to be an advocate of women in engineering and SWEs objectives. Stacey DelVecchio, F.SWE, Caterpillar Inc. Rose-Margaret EkengItua, Ph.D., Ohlone College Mary Isaac, Ph.D., F.SWE, HEDGE Co. QuynhGiao N. Nguyen, Ph.D., NASA Kristin Robertson, The Boeing Company Distinguished Engineering Educator Award Presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to the engineering profession through education. Elizabeth Hsiao-Wecksler, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Distinguished Service Award Recognizes a SWE member or associate member who has made a significant contribution(s) to SWE for at least 20 years, especially at the local and regional levels or on Society-level committees. Nora Lin, Northrop Grumman Corporation Linda M.S. Thomas, F.SWE, The Boeing Company Emerging Leader Award Honors individuals who have been actively engaged in an engineering or technology profession and have demonstrated outstanding technical excellence as an individual resulting in significant accomplishments. Lynn Davenport, Medtronic Rebekah Feist, Ph.D., The Dow Chemical Company Dayna Johnson, P.E., LEED AP, GE Power Maureen Masiulis, Ball Aerospace Angel McMullen-Gunn, United Technologies Aerospace Systems Ana Luisa Mendoza, Northrop Grumman Corporation Ana Paula Ribeiro Marimoto, Cummins Eileen Velez-Vega, P.E., Kimley-Horn Puerto Rico, LLC Alexis Wasserman, Ph.D., Merck & Co., Inc. Theresa Wesley, Booz Allen Hamilton Fellow Grade Honor conferred on SWE members in recognition of continuous service to the advancement of women in the engineering profession. Elizabeth Bierman, Comcast Pamela Dingman, P.E., Lancaster County, Nebraska Cindy Hoover, Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. Gina Janke, Modine Manufacturing Company Andrea Karalus, Pratt & Whitney Mary Roybal, Ph.D., Raytheon Missile Systems Alyse R. Stofer, Medtronic Global Leadership Award Honors an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of engineering and/or technical management in an international setting. Mariana Karam, John Deere Kimberly Pittel, Ford Motor Company Gail Heck-Sweeney, Keysight Technologies Global Team Leadership Award Presented to a team with women in technical leadership roles that meet or exceed project objectives while demonstrating innovative thinking to overcome global challenges. John Deere Tractor Embedded Architecture, Systems Engineering and Quality Team, led by Rekha Gore Outstanding Collegiate Member Award Bestowed upon SWE collegiate members who have made an outstanding contribution to SWE, the engineering community and their campus. Saheba Bhatnagar, Rice University Carlisle DeJulius, Vanderbilt University Cheryl Fichter, University of California, Davis Bridget Hegarty, Yale University Caitlyn Hines, University of Michigan Ann Arbor Sarah Lobsenz, The University of Texas at Austin Abby Pakeltis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Francine Reyes-Vega, University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus Kelsey Riffle, ArcelorMittal Catharine Rose Scoboria, Villanova University Outstanding SWE Counselor Award Bestowed upon a member who has made an outstanding contribution to a SWE collegiate section as a Counselor. Ann Peedikayil, Caterpillar Inc. Prism Award Recognizes an individual who has charted her own path in the STEM fields by demonstrating a variety of outstanding career leadership activities in a technical field, as well as leadership in professional organizations and the community. Kris Acosta, Northrop Grumman Corporation Vicki Dawkins, Emerson Hermetic Motor Deena Disraelly, Ph.D., Institute for Defense Analyses Anca Eisele, John Deere Katie Thorp, Ph.D., Air Force Research Laboratory, posthumously Rodney D. Chipp Memorial Award Celebrates the work of a man or company who has made a significant contribution to the acceptance and advancement of women in engineering. Thomas A. Kennedy, Ph.D., Raytheon Company Paul Sowerby, C.Eng., F.I., Mech.E., Cummins Inc. Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona Division Spark Award Honors an individual who has contributed to the advancement of women by mentoring those around them. Kerrie Greenfelder, P.E., Burns & McDonnell Anne McLaren, Ph.D., Cummins Inc. Vikki Mueller Espinosa, Intel Corporation Gena Vitale, General Motors Shen-Hui Wu, Northrop Grumman Corporation Suzanne Jenniches Upward Mobility Award Celebrating an individuals rise to success and contribution to the decision-making process within their organization. Cindy Wallis-Lage, Black & Veatch Corporation SWE Distinguished New Engineer Award Honors women engineers who have been actively engaged in engineering in the first 10 years of their careers. Letia Blanco, Raytheon Company Kaitlyn J. Bunker, Ph.D., P.E., Rocky Mountain Institute Paola Chavira, SoCalGas Stephanie Foege, Ambitech, a Zachary Group company Natalie Miller, James G. Davis Construction Corporation Amy Jo Moore, Northrop Grumman Corporation Rupali Patil, John Deere Adriana Porter, P.E., Black & Veatch Cathleen Saunders, P.E., Quible & Associates, P.C. Cassandra Zook, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division For more information about the Society of Women Engineers, visit www.swe.org. For more information about WE18, visit we18.swe.org. About SWE The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is the worlds largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. The not-for-profit educational and service organization is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. To ensure SWE members reach their full potential as engineers and leaders, the Society offers unique opportunities to network, provides professional development, shapes public policy and provides recognition for the life-changing contributions and achievements of women engineers. As a champion of diversity, SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in their personal and professional lives. For more information about the Society, please visit www.swe.org or call 312.596.5223. When Alzheimers first entered their lives, Doug and Antonea Peterson vowed to be proactive, to help themselves and others by taking part in clinical studies. First Doug enrolled in an Alzheimers study at UC San Diego and later Antonea was invited to join the Alzheimers Caregiver Study by the School of Medicine. She joins hundreds of other caregivers the wives, husbands and children of loved ones with Alzheimers who have taken part in the study since it began in 1988. The team of doctors, psychologists, nurses, professors and researchers examines the physical and psychological toll on caregivers and offers them counseling and ways to help cope with their constant stress. After 16 months in the program, Antonea says it has helped her take better care of herself and her husband, who is 63. Advertisement The thing is, my world is so much smaller, she says of her five years as a caregiver. Whereas before I was allowing it to be small and I think I would have continued to allow it to be small Im looking to expand it. Im realizing that I need to make it bigger for myself, because if I dont, I wont be able to help him. Antonea Peterson and her husband Doug on their wedding day, April 12, 1980, in Escondido. The picture is displayed with other family photos at their Oceanside home. (Family photos) Antonea, who is 61, says taking care of Doug is a privilege. They have been married for 38 years and he is still her sweetheart. But over time, as his memory and behavior deteriorates, life for the Oceanside couple gets harder. Alzheimers sucks, she says. They change. Theyre not always sweet and its not always easy. Physical and psychological testing The Alzheimers Caregiver Study at UCSD began by investigating the physical impacts of stress on patients loved ones. Over time, a caregivers health can erode, leaving he or she vulnerable to life-threatening problems such as strokes and heart attacks. Its goal has been to chart the biological impacts, learn from them and counsel caregivers about how to better take care of themselves. Dr. Brent Mausbach, a psychologist who joined the study in 2004, was curious about why some caregivers handle stress better than others. Not everybody who is caregiving is unhealthy, says Mausbach. Theres a good number of people who can still maintain good health and actually their mental health is pretty good, too. The successful coping skills some of those caregivers use can help other caregivers, he says. Participants in the program undergo a number of tests, including on their blood, lipid levels and arteries. Arteries, it turns out, can provide a boatload of information about how someone is handling chronic stress. When blood pressure increases, it causes friction inside of arteries. That friction releases nitric oxide that is designed to help the artery dilate so it can accommodate blood flow. An ultrasound machine can take pictures of the artery to measure dilation. Over time, some caregivers ability to release nitric oxide is inhibited. We can say the people whose arteries dilate the best are the ones who are less stressed or who are coping the best, says Mausbach. Dr. Brent Mausbach, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in geriatric psychology, works with the Alzheimers Caregiver Study at UCSD. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) He says theyve found most of the time that people who have been caregivers the longest have the worst dilation and are at the greatest physical risk. Also, stress, mood and depression can trigger inflammation molecules that exacerbate the risks for cardiovascular diseases. Psychological stresses As Antonea Peterson said, a caregivers world shrinks. Thats a theme Mausbach hears from those in the study. Most caregivers dont go out, they lose contact with friends and they stop doing things that used to bring them joy. Travel is restricted because Alzheimers patients often rebel or act strangely on a plane, train or in a car or around strangers and crowds. They feel very restricted from socializing with peers, family and friends, he says. They feel restricted from doing hobbies, going out and doing the things they love. So, the UCSD study team built a program that helps caregivers. Among the coping strategies taught are: Stop ruminating on the negative. It distracts a person from doing the positive. Mausbach says its important to do interesting and fun things that bring a sense of relief. Maintain contact with friends and family. While most caregivers believe theyre a burden to friends and loved ones, that feeling often isnt reciprocal. People often want to help, and they can by simply running an errand. People should make use of their social network, says Mausbach. Find a relaxation strategy that works, whether its through meditation, exercise or music, to stave off the release of harmful stress hormones. Mausbach is helping to develop a web-based therapy program in which caregivers can note in real time when they engage in relaxing and fun activities, and how that makes them feel. Benefits of the study Antonea Peterson, 61, has changed some of her behaviors after being in the study. For one, she now invites friends over at night after Doug has gone to bed (which is early). So instead of me feeling, Oh, me, I cant go out to the movies, I cant do this, I cant go bowling, I cant blah, blah, blah, I go, Guys, can you come over and we can do something? she says. Thats made her feel less isolated. She also realizes the need to cultivate her own activities. Like playing the guitar. I need to start doing something for myself. Because everything is for my sweetheart. Everything is for him. Inspired by the UCSD program, she sets small goals to take a walk, read a couple of chapters in a book or make a phone call. Those are victories. Shes also been better about asking for help from friends. She was reluctant to ask before, and its still difficult for her. But a neighbor now comes over often to sit with Doug for 30 minutes so she can wash her hair and take a shower without interruption. Thats another win. She appreciates the health updates from the blood, artery and lipid testing, which she can share with her regular physician. And its easier now, she says, to let go of things or incidents that irritate her. Why worry about the little things? *********************************** To learn more: Alzheimers Caregiver Study UC San Diego School of Medicine, department of psychiatry Phone: (858) 534-9479 ********************************* Other resources for Alzheimers caregivers: Doug Williams is a freelance writer in San Diego The Building Industry Association of San Diego County sued the San Marcos Unified School District this month, arguing that increased developer fees amount to illegal taxes that will raise the cost of new homes in the area. The disputed fees should be deemed to be a form of unlawful tax, rather than reasonable fees, the lawsuit, filed Aug. 10 in San Diego Superior Court, argued. The suit challenges a 21 percent hike in the fee that the district charges home developers, to cover the costs of serving new students in the school system. In May, the district raised that rate from $4.61 to $5.61 per square foot of new construction, a hike that the association called an unjustified and grossly excessive schedule of fees on new residential construction. District officials said the pending litigation limits their ability to discuss the complaint. But Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Mark Schiel said school officials set developer fees based on formulas for the number of additional students that new developments are likely to produce. Advertisement Those funds are necessary, he said, to expand capacity in the district, which has grown from about 12,800 students in the 2000-01 academic year to an estimated enrollment of 20,990 this school year. The developer fees are one way for school districts to obtain funding at the local level, to help mitigate the residential growth that happens, Schiel said. When these students come in, increasing our enrollment, we need new facilities to accommodate the students coming in. In calculating the fees, the association argued that the district underestimated the classroom space available in existing schools, overestimated the cost of acquiring land for new campuses, and made other errors that inflated the rates. Moreover, building officials claimed the district ignored those objections, leaving the association with a shrinking time window to raise their complaint. The district said they would work with us on bridging the gap on what we saw as the numbers, and what they saw as the numbers, said BIA President and CEO Borre Winckel. (They said) that they would address the discrepancies and they never did. So at some point, you run out of time. There are no more days in the week left for us to have a say in the record. So we had no other option than to file this lawsuit. Schiel said, however, that the district did meet with the association to address its concerns. They sent us a letter on the Friday before our board meeting, to approve the fees, Schiel said. I quickly got a meeting together, and we met them face to face in the superintendents office before the board meeting. So we did listen to them and have a conversation with them. In a subsequent letter to Michael McSweeney, senior policy adviser for the association, Schiel addressed objections to the districts calculations on school capacity, school site size and other possible funding sources. Schiel said the district plans to send an additional letter regarding the fees. The dispute over developer fees takes place against a backdrop of tightening school finances in San Marcos. The district narrowly avoided a budget deficit this year, but still faces potential shortfalls in coming years. Moreover, the community of San Marcos is grappling with acute housing shortages, while fielding community complaints about the toll new developments will take on already crowded schools. Local activists have urged council members to reject new home construction that they say will undermine school resources for existing students. Winckel said increased fees will add further pressure to the areas housing crunch. The districts school fees add $15,708 to the cost of a new 2,800-square foot home, the association noted, arguing that $3,000 of that is unjustified, and constitutes an illegal tax. The costs of construction of housing has reached record high levels, Winckel said. So for every fee that we pass that is not justified, we have eliminated a subset of housing buyers and renters. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan The 51 license-plate readers that Carlsbad installed last year have been so successful at finding cars and criminals that the Police Department wants to add 35 more. The automated cameras placed in combinations at 14 key intersections so far had photographed 48 million plates as of July 1, police Capt. Mickey Williams said Tuesday. Those license plates turned up 267 stolen or wanted vehicles, leading to 63 arrests. Im glad we are using technology to our benefit, said Councilman Keith Blackburn, a retired police officer. It saves a lot of other people from being victims. The council voted 4-1 Tuesday morning, with Councilwoman Cori Schumacher opposed, to expand the system at a cost of more than $537,000. Advertisement This has been an eye-opening foray into privacy challenges to me, Schumacher said. Carlsbad shares the license-plate data it collects with hundreds of other agencies, she said. Despite the citys stringent precautions, she added, there is no way to know whether any of those agencies are using the data in ways not authorized by the city. For example, Sacramento County welfare fraud investigators used license-plate numbers from a database owned by Vigilante Solutions, the same vendor Carlsbad uses, according to an Aug. 10 story in the Sacramento Bee. The civil liberties group Electronic Frontier Foundation called the states use of the data disturbing. Carlsbad already has a low crime rate, Schumacher said, and without more privacy protections she could not justify the additional expense. Other than Schumacher, no one at the Carlsbad meeting opposed expansion. A few residents spoke against the approval of the initial cameras last year, saying the system smacked of mass surveillance and had the potential to invade peoples privacy. Other residents have supported the system, emphasizing the need for public safety. Several other law enforcement agencies in San Diego County, including the Sheriffs Department, use mobile license-plate readers in a few of their patrol vehicles. But hardly any use the fixed cameras, and none to the extent of Carlsbad. The Carlsbad City Council approved the existing system of stationary license plate readers, to be mounted on public utility poles, on March 14, 2017, and completed the installation on Dec. 20. Information gleaned from the system so far has helped with a number of cases unrelated to auto theft. Multiple suspects have been arrested for burglary, and even attempted murder. Police located a missing woman reported as suicidal and took her to a hospital for an evaluation. In one case, three suspects stole $5,000 worth of property, including an AR-15 assault rifle and two other firearms, from a Carlsbad residence. A neighbors surveillance camera recorded the incident and provided the make, model and color of the suspects vehicle. Working with the state Department of Motor Vehicles, Carlsbad police obtained the vehicles license plate number, found the number in their database and located the suspects. The items stolen in Carlsbad and other things taken in previous burglaries were found and returned to their owners, Police Chief Neil Gallucci told the City Council. Its been effective, Gallucci said. We are detecting and arresting criminals that in the past we would not have. Two-thirds of the 63 people arrested had a history of prior crimes and were either on parole or probation, and 18 of them had committed violent crimes, said Cindy Anderson, the citys crime analyst. About 70 percent of the people arrested were from homes outside Carlsbad. The cameras approved last year were installed primarily at key intersections near the citys borders. The contract also included the installation of mobile license plate readers on six patrol cars, for a total cost a little over $800,000. The request approved Tuesday will add cameras near the citys larger shopping centers on El Camino Real and Calle Barcelona, neighborhoods around motels on Avenida Encinas, and intersections on Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue. No additional mobile plate readers were approved, but at Blackburns request, the council voted 4-1, with Schumacher opposed, to consider possible additional mobile cameras at a future meeting. philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl Poway Unified High School will open Wednesday with a new principal, Richard Nash, who comes to the district from James Madison High in San Diego Unified. Im excited, he said. Coming to a great community with a lot of involvement, really leads to quick achievement and great gains. That really support the students in pursuing their post-secondary options beyond high school, and in their life. Nash, who replaces former Poway High Principal Ron Garrett, served as principal of James Madison High for the past nine years. During his time there, he increased access to Advanced Placement courses, raised the graduation rate from 84 to 94 percent, and raised API scores by 97 points over three years, according to Poway school officials. Advertisement He also oversaw an award-winning career technical education program, including a culinary arts program that earned a ranking of first in California and sixth nationwide, formed a marching band and improved the campus culture on diversity issues. Nash, 44, attended San Diego schools himself, and graduated from Serra High School. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years as a gas turbine technician, and then earned his teaching credential at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he began teaching. He returned to San Diego schools, and has taught English, history, video production, ASB and AVID. He went on to teach high school video production and broadcast journalism at Madison High, before becoming vice principal and then principal of of the campus. Nash said that hell continue to support career classes and pathways in Poway, adding that it helps students discover their areas of interest, develop soft skills such as job search and interview strategies, and also better plan for their post-secondary education. I think its critical that every student experience some level of career technical education aligned with their passion, he said. Nash said that at Poway High School he will focus on both academic achievement and school culture. I think that my top priority would be to make sure that we maintain and elevate the academic excellence that Poway is known for, as well as creating a sense of community at the school that allows students to prosper and find their passion, he said. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan Sheriffs deputies are investigating an embezzlement case involving a former Imperial Beach PTA member accused of taking as much as $40,000 from the group, according to the Sheriffs Department and the PTA. Amber Vissuet and Elizabeth McKay, the current president and treasurer of the Imperial Beach Charter School PTA, claim a former member stole the money during an 18-month period in which she misled PTA members about the organizations finances and spent PTA money on personal expenses. Vissuet said she discovered the financial irregularities when she became president in April. When she attempted to review the finances, Vissuet was told the bank had terminated the groups account in July 2017 due to lack of funds. At the time, no one at the PTA was aware that the account had been defunct for nearly a year. Advertisement It was a lot of money so everyone was really upset about it, Vissuet said. The PTA doesnt know exactly how much is missing. The leadership has looked at membership envelopes, which show how much was given, and money paid to vendors from fundraisers, which take a percentage of total money raised, to calculate that it was anywhere between $25,000 and $40,000. McKay, who retired from the Coronado Police Department after a 19-year career that included work as a detective, said she spent months analyzing bank statements, checks, ATM transactions and other financial information to figure out what had happened. One of the first things she discovered was that the former member changed the PTA bank accounts address. She changed the address of the account from the school office to her home address, McKay said of the former member. McKay, who says she spent more than 60 hours studying financial records, says the former member wrote several checks to herself and made ATM withdrawals while she was on a personal vacation. The accounts had some information about money going in but little explanation of how the money was spent, she added. Theres no explanation for why she has to write a check for herself for $1,000, McKay said. PTA money funds several school functions at Imperial Beach Charter School, a K-8 school with about 900 students. Lost PTA money meant the school had to cancel field trips and special events like a start of the school year celebration. Money also helped pay for school supplies and licensing fees for computer programs. The entire student body is affected by it, McKay said. McKay handed her investigative findings to sheriffs deputies in Imperial Beach, who passed it along to the financial crimes unit. Lt. Kevin Menzies of the financial crimes division confirmed a detective is reviewing the information. The former member accused of taking the money did not respond to requests for comment via email. Because she has not been charged with a crime, The San Diego Union-Tribune is not using her name. PTAs are independent organizations that do not report to the schools nor do the schools supervise them, said Amy Cooper, assistant to the superintendent at South Bay Union School District. The Ninth District PTA, an organization that oversees local associations in San Diego and Imperial counties, provides support, training, leadership and guidance to individual PTAs, but has no official oversight role. The thing is with PTA its a volunteer org and we can provide this training but if the leaders dont take the training or follow through on the training we are kind of limited, said Ninth District president Derby Pattengill. The Ninth District PTA outlines best practices like making sure that more than one person handles the money, requiring two signatures on every check, having checks ratified and storing cash in a bank account instead of in a safe. Parents curious or concerned about their own PTA finances should participate in their local chapter, Pattengill suggested. Members should be able to look at budgets and analyze treasurer reports, which ought to be presented at every meeting, Pattengill said. When the Imperial Beach Charter PTA discovered the missing funds, the Ninth District PTA helped the new board follow best practices. The new board has been very up front with what happened in the past and what they are trying to do, Pattengill said. It seems theyve been very transparent. As the investigation continues, the PTA faces a challenge regaining the publics trust. Parents lost confidence in the PTA, Vissuet said. We have parents who are not interested in supporting the PTA as much because they fear this will happen again. The PTA now has a financial report at every meeting, makes the books available to anyone who asks and requires every check to be signed by two members. Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter Water customers in National City, Bonita and western Chula Vista will see more expensive bills over five years under a proposal the Sweetwater Authority governing board approved Monday. The board voted 5-1 to authorize the plan, which allows the agency to increase rates between 2020 and 2024 based on the annual change in consumer prices. Board member Jose Preciado cast the dissenting vote. Board member Steve Castaneda was absent. The new rates will take effect in January, when most single-family residential customers will see a hike from $11.85 to $14.01 for two months of water service. Low-use customers will see an increase of $2.23 for two months of water service. Advertisement Customers can generate bill estimates and see detailed rate charts online. General Manager Tish Berge said the higher rates will help the agency invest in existing and new infrastructure and cover increasing costs to purchase water from the San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District. The last time the Sweetwater Authority board approved rate increases was in 2015. Weve used everything within our means to avoid raising rates, Berge said. Weve drawn down our reserves, weve deferred maintenance. The proposed increases will still keep the Sweetwater Authoritys rates among the lowest in San Diego County. About a half dozen people spoke out against the increases, while about 85 customers wrote letters in protest. The only public speaker who favored the proposal was Lisa Cohen, CEO of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce. Cohen lives in western Chula Vista, where the chamber is located; both are customers. This is about investing in the future of our water, about investing in future supply, Cohen said. These are not trivial investments. Among the speakers who opposed the proposed rate increases, some took issue with the average salary, plus benefits, of Sweetwater Authority employees: $176,000. It is a figure Vicky Bamberger called outrageous. Nobody is debating that we need more water, but where is the fiscal responsibility? Thats what people are complaining about, she said, referring to the average salary. I dont know how you can justify a rate increase if you cant have fiscal responsibility. She and others called on the board to establish a citizens advisory committee to oversee fiscal aspects of the water agency an idea the board is open to and considering, Berge said. In response to the criticism over employees salaries, Berge said the Sweetwater Authoritys 100-plus employees, which include engineers and plant and distribution system operators, hold more than 150 certifications that are required to do the work. Its easy to look at a water district and see that its overpaid, but thats because (the work) requires certification and experience, she said. This is what people drink. Its heavily regulated as far as an industry. One speaker, Michelle Krug, questioned board member and National City Mayor Ron Morrisons support for the rate increases. She said the hikes would be a burden on the predominantly low-income city. These are the people who need to have help in being able to pay their bills, Krug said. Morrison said the Sweetwater Authority is at the mercy of other water agencies who have increased their wholesale costs in recent years. While the Sweetwater Authority has been able to maintain a reliable supply of water, Morrison said the agency has deferred maintenance an issue that can lead to costly repairs down the road if it is not addressed. Weve held off as much as we can, he said of the maintenance. Over the next five years, the water agency plans to invest $72 million in infrastructure projects including, a new 36-inch transmission main pipeline; system-wide flushing and pipe cleaning to protect water quality; and work to the Sweetwater and Loveland dams to maintain safety. Preciado, who cast the dissenting vote, said he opposed the increase because it commits to a 5-year span. The passage of this new rate increase limits our options as a board, including looking at operations and increases in a substantive way, he said in a statement. The Sweetwater Authority provides water to about 189,000 residents in National City, Bonita and the western region of Chula Vista. Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com Phone: (619) 293-1876 Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez As the song goes: You dont tug on Supermans cape. Also: You dont make a play for the Phantoms mask. Not that it would make Quentin Oliver Lee particularly upset if you did, necessarily; its just that he kind of needs the thing, given that he wears it most nights as the mysterious character who gives the musical The Phantom of the Opera its name. Ive had people ask for the mask you know, Oh, when youre done, can I have the mask?, the actor says with a laugh of his encounters with Phantom-fixated fans. I mean, its not mine! Advertisement They keep those under lock and key. I think they have two or three in rotation, so when one is broken or scratched, they can put in another one. Lee may be needing them for a while: The San Bernardino native, who joined the national touring company of Phantom in December, is a rising star who will finally get to play the role in his native Southern California starting this week, when the production hits the San Diego Civic Theatre. Im super, super excited about San Diego, Lee says in his rumbling baritone, by phone from a tour stop in Seattle. Literally everybody I know is coming to San Diego (to see the show). The Phantom of the Opera When: Opens Thursday (Aug. 23). 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays; plus 2 p.m. Aug. 24. Through Sept. 2. Where: Broadway/San Diego at the Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. Tickets: About $27-$72 Phone: (619/858/760) 570-1100 Online: broadwaysd.com It will be a relatively rare opportunity for local Phantom fanatics: While the Broadway production celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this year, and cemented its hold on the title of longest-running musical there, the show hasnt been seen here in three years although its less-heralded sequel, Love Never Dies, did visit the Civic in April. Lee takes on the signature role of the ghostly figure who lives in the catacombs of the Paris opera house, and occasionally causes chaos in the theater above. When he becomes a teacher and protector to the young chorus girl Christine Daae (played on tour by Eva Tavares), his possessiveness toward her puts them on a path toward tragedy and havoc. The drama, which showcases one very famous (and treacherous) chandelier, is based on Gaston Lerouxs 1910 novel. Its set to a score by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricists Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, one that includes such enduring numbers as The Music of the Night and All I Ask of You. Theres one particularly fitting aspect to Lees casting as the Phantom: The actor was essentially discovered underground, as a busker in the catacombs of the New York subway. This was only about five years ago, when the graduate of Northern Arizona University, who already had begun to make his mark in opera, had moved to New York to try and make it as an actor. Lee signed on with the Opera Collective of New York and its MTA Music Under New York program, which sponsors subway-stop performers. And one day, while he was singing at Penn Station either a Mozart aria or the Toreador Song from Carmen, Lee cant remember which a Broadway casting director approached him about a potential role in the musical The Gershwins Porgy and Bess. Not long after, Lee found himself part of that Broadway shows national tour. And after a series of other projects not to mention getting married along the way to fellow actor Angie Lee Graham Lee made his Broadway debut last year in The Prince of Broadway, before joining the Phantom tour. The role is one to relish, he says. Its wonderful because theres so much mystery, and you have to solve that for yourself before you go onstage. I think what makes the Phantom tick, first and foremost, is hes a genius who doesnt have much social interaction. Hes certainly powerful, and you have to play him in that way. But at the same time, there are so many feelings he doesnt know how to express. Speaking of powerful: The whole production got a refresh in 2012, and Lee says its tech elements make it more of a spectacle than ever. As he says: Its really meant to knock you off your feet. The touring company of The Phantom of the Opera. (Matthew Murphy) Phantom Phigures Years on Broadway: 30, as of January 2018 30, as of January 2018 Number of performances (as of mid-August): 12,710 (as of mid-August): 12,710 Next-closest show: Chicago, at almost 22 years and 9,000-plus performances Chicago, at almost 22 years and 9,000-plus performances Number of previous touring visits to San Diego: Four (1995, 1999, 2008, 2015) Four (1995, 1999, 2008, 2015) Number of current productions worldwide: Seven Seven Total Broadway grosses: More than $1 billion More than $1 billion Total Broadway attendance: More than 17 million More than 17 million Number of Tony Awards, 1988: Seven, including best musical Seven, including best musical Number of trucks it takes to transport touring production: 20 20 Number of costume mustaches the show stocks: 50 About that chandelier Musical theaters most famous lighting fixture threatens to plunge onto the audience at every performance (but dont worry, it hasnt actually happened yet). A few facts: The chandelier is decorated with more than 6,000 beads Its total weight: 1 ton The latest version of the fixture was designed by Howard Eaton, whose company also created the fiery, levitating rings for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. jim.hebert@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @jimhebert Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. Its Wednesday, Aug. 22, and heres whats happening across California: TOP STORIES U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter and his wife, Margaret, were indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday on charges they used $250,000 in campaign funds for personal use and filed false campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission to mask their actions. The 48-page indictment details lavish spending from 2009 to 2016, including family vacations to Italy and Hawaii, home utilities, school tuition for their children, video games and even dental work. Los Angeles Times This indictment partially stems from some dogged reporting by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Check out some of their past coverage. San Diego Union-Tribune Advertisement Dont forget about Bell A 14-acre industrial yard along the 710 Freeway remains a stubborn symbol of the bad old days of corruption that plagued the small city of Bell. What to do with the site has sparked an emotional debate touching on the citys corrupt past, because it was forced to sell the land in 2013 to help pay back money lost to the extravagant salaries and other misdeeds of ex-City Manager Robert Rizzo and other former officials in a 2010 corruption scandal. Rizzo and seven others were eventually convicted on multiple criminal charges. Now, a cement company wants to turn the property into a gravel yard, a plan fought by environmentalists and others who say the dust generated by the project would pose a health risk to the public. Los Angeles Times An artist to watch Lauren Halseys dream has been to build a monument to the Crenshaw District. At the Hammer Museums Made in L.A. biennial, she comes one step closer to realizing that goal. For years, the artist, 31, who was born and raised in South L.A., has been working on a concept for a public monument that would in some way record and pay tribute to black life in the neighborhood that she is from. Its a monument she aims to build collaboratively with the aid of family, friends and fellow residents in South Los Angeles and in a permanent fashion. Los Angeles Times Plus: Three L.A. artists will receive prizes tied to the Hammer biennial including the $100,000 Mohn Award for artistic excellence. Los Angeles Times Get the Essential California newsletter Lauren Halsey with her installation The Crenshaw District Hieroglyph Project (Prototype Architecture) at the Hammer museum in Los Angeles, (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) L.A. STORIES Denying the accusation: Actress Asia Argento on Tuesday denied allegations that she sexually assaulted a young actor when he was 17 but acknowledged that a settlement was paid to him to avoid a public spectacle. Los Angeles Times One writers view: Is it just me, or does Los Angeles feel a lot less safe these days? Los Angeles Times Another shooting settled: The city will pay $1.95 million to the family of Charly Africa Keunang, an unarmed homeless man whose fatal shooting by LAPD officers in 2015 set off days of protests and denunciations of the departments treatment of skid rows mentally unstable population. Los Angeles Times Whats that?! The scoop on that half-finished Target at Sunset and Western in Hollywood? LAist IMMIGRATION AND THE BORDER Following up: An immigrant in the U.S. illegally who was detained by federal officers in San Bernardino last week while heading to the hospital with his pregnant wife is one of three men listed in an arrest warrant for a 2006 murder in Mexico. Los Angeles Times POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT More meddling: The FBI launched investigations after two Southern California Democratic U.S. House candidates were targeted by computer hackers, though its unclear whether politics had anything to do with the attacks. Associated Press Funny story: Two Republicans want to be called farmers on the ballot. Democrats say theyre not. McClatchy Big $$$: The 10 big Silicon Valley money players behind this Novembers U.S. midterm elections. Recode CRIME AND COURTS More charges: The suspect in the Golden State Killer case will face 13 charges of kidnapping to commit robbery, in addition to numerous murder counts, and will be tried in Sacramento County, prosecutors announced Tuesday. Los Angeles Times Big in Sacramento: California lawmakers on Tuesday passed a landmark bill that would overhaul the states cash-bail system, replacing it with one that grants judges greater power to decide who should remain incarcerated ahead of trial. Los Angeles Times Defense fund: California Democratic Rep. Tony Cardenas who has been accused of molesting a teenage girl in 2007 has set up a legal defense fund to cover lawyers bills stemming from the case, according to newly filed documents. Politico THE ENVIRONMENT Fun Steve Lopez column: Tim Rudnick identified himself as director of the Venice Oceanarium, which he described as a museum without walls. For years, Rudnick has set up tables at the end of the Venice pier, laid out all sorts of sea creatures, and educated visitors from two blocks away and two continents away. Los Angeles Times CALIFORNIA CULTURE Of course: The guys behind Coachella just opened an In-N-Out-ish vegan burger restaurant in Koreatown. Los Angeles Times Uber update: Just over a year after Travis Kalanick was ousted as chief executive of Uber, the ride-hailing company released new financial results that showed continued growth and narrowing losses as it advances toward an initial public offering. New York Times Dodgers in the dumps? Dave Roberts remains himself amid pressure to change. Los Angeles Times Uh-oh: The $150-million retail complex completed two years ago on central Market Street in San Francisco was supposed to be bustling with business by now, a centerpiece of the highly promoted revitalization of the Mid-Market neighborhood. Instead, its basically empty. San Francisco Chronicle CALIFORNIA ALMANAC Los Angeles area: partly cloudy, 75, Wednesday; sunny, 76, Thursday. San Diego: partly cloudy, 78, Wednesday; sunny, 78, Thursday. San Francisco area: partly cloudy, 65, Wednesday and Thursday. San Jose: partly cloudy, 78, Wednesday; partly cloudy, 79, Thursday. Sacramento: partly cloudy, 87, Wednesday; sunny, 86, Thursday. More weather is here. AND FINALLY Todays California memory comes from Ruth S. DeShazer: I remember growing up in the 50s/60s in Glendale (East Mountain Street) with a dry reservoir bordering our back alley. We heard mountain lions, coyotes and hawks, and we saw a family of baby red foxes with their mother along our alley early one morning. It was a charmed existence, with trips to Baskin-Robbins in Pasadena on Sunday evenings in our PJs. Bobs Big Boy was a favorite restaurant. Mostly gone I think, but I sure hope the dry reservoir has been preserved the way a true California takes care of nature. My home state is still so far ahead in so many ways! If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.) Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Benjamin Oreskes and Shelby Grad. Also follow them on Twitter @boreskes and @shelbygrad. A new report by the Veterans Affairs Inspector General found that almost half of the sexual assault post traumatic stress disorder claims denied during a four-month period in 2017 were incorrectly processed, potentially denying benefits to more than 1,000 veterans. The report said in almost 30 percent of the cases, evidence was sufficient to request a follow-up medical exam, but none was requested. Other cases were denied after staff failed to request private treatment records from veterans or did not make a required phone call. Ten percent of the denied claims were done so based on contradictory or insufficient medical opinions. The Inspector General cited a lack of specialization in the Veterans Benefits Administration, who review claims, as well as the lack of additional reviews for complex cases and inadequate training. Advertisement In the report, the Inspector General cited 2013 data from the RAND corporation that found most sexual assault victims do not seek medical care immediately. This might affects a veterans military medical history, which the agency uses to award benefits. To combat this, benefits staff is supposed to look for markers in the service record which might indicate a sexual assault, such as changes in performance, increased use of leave, or pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease tests around the time of the incident. In the 2017 fiscal year, the VBA processed approximately 12,000 sexual trauma-related claims and denied 5,500. Investigators looked at a sample of 169 of them and found 82 were improperly denied. Extrapolated for the year, that figures out to almost 2,700 mishandled denials that year. The Inspector General made six recommendations to the VA, including that the agency review all denied military sexual assault claims from October 2016 to September 2017. It also recommended a specialized group of processors be assigned sexual trauma cases. In its response, the VA said it was developing a plan to review all denied sexual assault claims from October 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018, as well as claims denied so far in fiscal year 2019. The Inspector Generals office said it would monitor and follow-up with the agency. Contact Andrew Dyer via email or Twitter. MEMPHIS, TN, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Extracon Science, LLC, a leading provider of employee wellness programs and apps, today announced the launch of EngageMode, an app to address smartphone distraction in the workplace. EngageMode is the employers way to help their employees be smarter about smartphones, explained Extracon Science founder Jesse Hercules. After ten years helping employees change health habits, we knew the solution would look more like a Fitbit than a firewall. EngageMode gives employees the data on their smartphone use at work, so they can see how often theyre being interrupted and how much time they use the smartphone. They can earn points and badges for the time they keep the phone locked. The goal is to help employees manage their own smartphone use. Were using the power of data to create a win/win: happier and more productive employees, and one less thing for employers to manage, Hercules explained. We want to empower employees with the knowledge and tools they need, and make sure good habits get rewarded. EngageMode has been developed by Extracon Science from its expertise in providing technology and gamification for employee wellness for Fortune 500 companies, Health Plans and businesses since 2007. And feedback from early EngageMode adopters is encouraging. Were looking at making it a part of our employee wellness program, said Erica Porterfield at Confluence Health in central Washington State. It makes improving your smartphone habits like a game - with points, badges and competitions. We can run an EngageMode program thats purely voluntary, fun and engaging for employees, and protects employee privacy. Will Frazier at Memphis Research Group said, This is a great idea. Give people the data on their own smartphone use, along with tips and tools to take control of their phone habits. And Shane Luttrell at Autonomy Medical said EngageMode has been an effective tool for him. It was a big surprise to look at my EngageMode data! Some of my most important work was getting interrupted by emails and phone calls that were a lot less important. Now I block off times for focused work and use my phone settings to make sure Im not interrupted. More information about EngageMode is available at www.engagemode.com About Extracon Science Extracon Science, LLC is a privately held, Tennessee-based company operating from headquarters offices in Memphis, Tennessee. Its employee wellness tools have been used by employers nationwide for more than a decade. To learn more about Extracon Science, please check us out at www.extracon.com . August 22, 1960 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. Monday, August 22, 1960 In 1960 San Diego police arrested more than 100 people for turning El Cajon Boulevard into a drag strip. Here are the first few paragraphs of the story: S.D. Police Arrest 116 InDrag Racers Riot Tear Gas Used To Break Up 3-Hour Melee Crowd Of 3,000 Demonstrates For Sanctioned Strip. By Leonard Ash Rioting among a crowd of more than 2,000 persons, mostly youths and young adults, demonstrating for a sanctioned drag race strip, was broken up[ by police using tear gas early yesterday on El Cajon boulevard. Two patrolman were injured during the three-hour melee, in which bottles, glasses and rocks were thrown at police. A total of 116 persons was arrested, including 36 juveniles. The adults, all men, were booked in the city jail on suspicion of rioting, refusing to disperse and conspiracy. The juveniles were taken to Juvenile Hall. FIELD CLOSED The demonstration, on a section of El Cajon which the rioters had blocked off, was the aftermath of the Navys closing of Hourglass Field near Miramar Naval Air Station to drag racers. The field was closed Aug. 8 after four persons, including three spectators, were injured in a accident. Unsigned mimeographed notices, stating that a mass meeting of drag racing fans would be held on El Cajon boulevard between 35th and 40th streets at 1 a.m. yesterday, were circulated last week. BEGAN RACING The notices, stating the meeting will be possible with your cooperation, were posted in drive-in cafes and other gathering places. Shortly after midnight yesterday, hundred of persons started gathering at points along El Cajon boulevard. At 1 a.m. the crowd blocked off the street and began racing. The races started at 35th street and then moved west to the intersection of 32nd street, where they were finally broken up by police. The cars, of all models and shapes, raced two abreast for about three blocks down El Cajon boulevard. Thousands of spectators lined the sidewalk and center island, leaving almost no room for the cars to pass. Traffic was diverted to side streets by police EXTRA POLICE Police said if one of the cars had blown a tire and the driver had lost control, there could have been serious injuries or deaths. Police, who were aware the demonstration was planned, had extra officers in the area. They were unable to handle the unruly crowd, however, and reenforcements were called. Police Capt. Lloyd de Vore estimated the crowd of demonstrators and others attracted by the disturbance reached 2,000 persons. 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. Santa Clara County firefighters were critically hindered by inadequate internet service while they helped battle the massive Mendocino Complex fire in July after Verizon slowed the speed of their wireless data, the countys fire chief wrote in a federal court filing this week. While the agency believed it had paid for an unlimited data plan, the Santa Clara County Fire Department discovered its data connection had been throttled down to 1/200 or less than previous speeds as it fought the largest fire in modern California history. Verizon Wireless representatives told the department it had exceeded its plan limit for data and suggested the agency purchase a plan at more than double the cost, according to court documents. This throttling has had a significant impact on our ability to provide emergency services, Fire Chief Anthony Bowden wrote. Verizon imposed these limitations despite being informed that throttling was actively impeding county fires ability to provide crisis-response and essential emergency services. Bowdens statement was submitted in an addendum to a federal lawsuit filed Monday by 21 states including California and the District of Columbia seeking to overturn the Federal Communications Commissions repeal of net neutrality rules. The repeal, which went into effect in June, scrapped Obama-era regulations that, among other things, prevented internet service providers from blocking content they didnt like or charging providers more for speeding up delivery of certain content. Advertisement Verizon spokeswoman Heidi Flato wrote in a statement Wednesday that the situation with the Santa Clara County Fire Department has nothing to do with net neutrality or the current proceeding in court, instead calling it a customer support mistake. This customer purchased a government contract plan for a high-speed wireless data allotment at a set monthly cost, she wrote. Under this plan, users get an unlimited amount of data but speeds are reduced when they exceed their allotment until the next billing cycle. However, Flato wrote that the company has a practice to remove data speed restrictions for emergency responders regardless of the plan they have chosen in emergency situations. In this situation, we should have lifted the speed restriction when our customer reached out to us, she said. We are reviewing the situation and will fix any issues going forward. Katharine Trendacosta, a policy analyst with the nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation, said the situation undercuts the argument that net neutrality rules hindered emergency services by not allowing internet service providers to prioritize their data. Theyve often said if were allowed to throttle some and not others then we can give better service to emergency responders. Were seeing here thats not true, she said. It wasnt net neutrality that prevented them from doing it. Its clearly their own policies. Trendacosta said the Santa Clara County Fire Departments experience is an example of why actions like this are so dangerous and why we need to pay attention to how were getting our internet. Santa Clara County Fire Capt. Bill Murphy said officials felt compelled to join in the lawsuit as a means to ensure that reduced data speeds wont impact the publics access to information like evacuation routes and fire maps disseminated online during emergencies. If the public were to experience the same level of throttling that we experienced, their ability to access basic information were trying to get them would be significantly reduced, he said. The necessity of prompt communication during disasters was highlighted during the wine country fires in Northern California; officials have debated whether more could have been done to give residents earlier warnings before the fires swept in, ultimately killing 44 people and destroying more than 10,000 homes. Bowden wrote in the addendum that the data-slowing during the Mendocino Complex fire specifically hampered OES 5262, a department command vehicle that acts as a mobile emergency operations center and requires near-real-time information exchange to coordinate resources and staff during emergencies like large wildfires. Dated or stale information regarding the availability or need for resources can slow response times and render them far less effective, he wrote. Resources could be deployed to the wrong fire, the wrong part of the fire, or fail to be deployed at all. Even small delays in response translate into devastating effects, including loss of property, and, in some cases, loss of life. Fire crews that worked in the command vehicle faced email delays and challenges updating web-based documents with critical information about deployment because of the data speeds, which impeded their ability to communicate with one another, Murphy said. It essentially rendered those very routine communications almost useless or completely ineffective, he said. They were essentially dealing with dial-up type speeds. The department now uses FirstNet, a service that provides wireless network service to public safety agencies, as a supplement to Verizon to avoid future issues, Murphy said. Emails between fire officials and Verizon representatives filed in court show that the department has been having issues with data throttling since December 2017. Fire crews noticed the problem again in June, as they fought the Pawnee fire, which burned 15,185 acres in Lake County. During that incident, Verizon suggested a $2-a-month upgrade to the fire departments plan to restore data speeds. Data speeds continued to be an issue as Santa Clara County firefighters deployed to the Mendocino Complex fire, which began July 27 and had charred 410,482 acres in Mendocino, Lake, Colusa and Glenn counties as of Wednesday. Please work with us, a fire official wrote to Verizon on July 30. All we need is a plan that does not offer throttling or caps of any kind. In response, Verizon suggested the department upgrade to a $99.99 per month plan, which would have more than doubled its bill, to remove the data throttling. Before the department subscribed to the new plan, county fire personnel used other agencies internet service providers and their personal devices to deploy fire resources, Bowden wrote. In light of our experience, county fire believes it is likely that Verizon will continue to use the exigent nature of public safety emergencies and catastrophic events to coerce public agencies into higher cost plans, ultimately paying significantly more for mission critical service, even if that means risking harm to public safety during negotiations, he wrote. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @Hannahnfry UPDATES: 1:05 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from a policy analyst with the nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation and a Santa Clara County Fire Department captain. This article was originally published at 8:55 a.m. Los Angeles is seeking an injunction prohibiting the U.S. Justice Department from imposing immigration enforcement conditions on the city in order to receive federal funding for anti-gang programs. In announcing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, City Atty. Mike Feuer said Wednesday that the White House is holding public safety funding hostage. For two decades states and cities have received grant money to support law enforcement efforts. Los Angeles uses $1 million annually to fund a program that aims to reduce gang activity. New federal rules instituted last year deny funds to cities such as Los Angeles that use federal resources for criminal justice programs rather than participate in federal civil immigration enforcement. Advertisement Feuer says immigration-related conditions imposed on grants are unlawful and possibly unconstitutional. At least three Rancho Cucamonga-area students killed themselves in August, but there is no apparent link between the deaths, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. None of the three students knew each other or went to the same school, said Cindy Bachman, a public information officer for the agency. Investigators found no evidence of foul play or involvement by any other party. The only known link is the timing; the deaths occurred less than two weeks apart, Bachman said. The first death was on the evening of Aug. 6 when deputies responded to a call in the 900 block of Taupe Street. Family members and deputies tried to revive an 11-year-old boy who had hanged himself. Advertisement On the night of Aug. 13, the Fire Department answered a call to the 12300 block of Sweetgum Drive. Paramedics found a 15-year-old girl who had hanged herself. Then, on Aug. 19, also at night, the Fire Department responded to a call in the 8900 block of Tanglewood Court. There, a 16-year-old girl had hanged herself. A report Tuesday of a possible fourth suicide could not be immediately confirmed. School district officials could not be reached Tuesday night. If you or a loved one is considering suicide, please call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255). howard.blume@latimes.com @howardblume The city of Los Angeles will pay $1.95 million to the family of Charly Africa Keunang, an unarmed homeless man whose fatal shooting by LAPD officers in 2015 set off days of protests and denunciations of the departments treatment of skid rows mentally unstable population. The City Council on a 12-2 vote Tuesday approved the settlement, which had been reached tentatively after a federal jury in May found two officers liable in Keunangs videotaped death. For the record: An earlier version of this story gave the council vote as 10 to 2. It was 12 to 2. Councilmen Joe Buscaino and Mitchell Englander cast the no votes. Buscainos spokesman noted that the citys civilian Police Commission had found the shooting justified. The district attorney declined to file criminal charges against the officers, stating that the officers acted lawfully in self-defense and in defense of others. A cellphone recording that captured the March 1, 2015, shooting, which took place on a Sunday morning in broad daylight, was viewed millions of times around the world. Keunang, a native of Cameroon with a history of mental illness, was shot five times on the sidewalk outside his tent in the middle of skid row. Advertisement Police Chief Charlie Beck defended the officers, saying Keunang had grabbed one of their guns during a melee that erupted after they arrived to investigate an attempted robbery and assault against another homeless person. The officer yelled, Hes got my gun, during the incident Attorney Dan Stormer, who represented Keunangs family in the civil lawsuit, said the homeless mans DNA was not found on the gun, as Beck had contended early in the investigation. Stormer said footage of the shooting, including from surveillance cameras and police body cameras, showed that officers had precipitated the violence. They escalated step by step to the point it became a melee, Stormer said. After the shooting, the LAPD intensified mental health training for all officers, including those who patrol skid row. This was a tragic situation. We hope Mr. Keunangs family will find some solace in this resolution, Rob Wilcox, a spokesman for City Atty. Mike Feuer, said in an emailed statement. The settlement will go to Keunangs parents, Heleine Tchayou and Isaac Keunang, his sister, Line Marquise Foming, and their attorneys. gholland@latimes.com Twitter: @geholland The deadly encounter was brief and, ultimately, over nothing at all. One man thought some words were aimed at him that he might not like. Instead of going on into the Poway 7-Eleven store to get his cigarettes, he headed toward the stranger who was talking. That second man, according to prosecutors, reacted with a flash of a knife. Advertisement Prosecutors say the knife, in the hands of Kevin Miles Talbott, a homeless man who hung out in Poway, took the life of Zubayr Phahez, 29, on Jan. 14. Phahezs widow and other witnesses testified Tuesday in a San Diego Superior Court hearing to determine whether Talbott, 31, should stand trial on a charge of murder. The hearing is expected to conclude Wednesday morning before Judge Steven Stone. Guadalupe Cedillo testified that she and Phahez had been married for two and a half years, with two children now ages 2 and 4. The couple were living separately in Poway, but went to a party together in Oceanside. They each drank several beers. That same night, Talbott and his girlfriend, Lori Graf-Edgett were smoking methamphetamine behind a Poway 99 Cent store, the girlfriend testified. She said that when Talbott would get high, he would get angry easily, yell and throw things, and had on more than one occasion, grabbed her by the throat and told her to shut up. Cedillo said that after she and her husband left the Oceanside party, they stopped stopped at the convenience store on Pomerado Road to buy cigarettes about 1:30 a.m., Cedillo said. She said Phahez reached the store door, but then returned to the car and switched off his car headlights, telling her a man who was sitting on a wall in front of them had said the lights were bothering him. Kevin decided to say something else, Cedillo said, referring to Talbott. My husband walked toward him to ask what hed said, what the issue was. Whats going on, brother? I heard that. An acquaintance of Talbotts, Raymond Bly, testified that he was sitting on the wall, too, and heard Talbott ask Phahez to turn off the headlights. The lights were shining right at them and into a car where Talbotts girlfriend was sitting, Bly said. Bly said he and Talbott then talked to each other for a moment, but Phahez headed their way, quickly. Using a profanity, Phahez asked Talbott, Are you talking to me? Talbott jumped over the wall, and Bly heard one of the men slam against a large electric utility box. Bly saw the driver return to his car and Talbott standing nearby, with blood on him. Between sobs as she recalled those same moments, Cedillo said Talbott had grabbed her husbands shoulders and neck. My husband pushed him off and Kevin fell and my husband walked back to the car, Cedillo said. He told me Kevin stabbed him. Phahez started driving, trying to get to a hospital, but made it just a short distance on Pomerado Road before pulling over and stopping. Cedillo said she got out of the car, screaming at Talbott to stay away. Minutes later, sheriffs deputies and paramedics showed up. Phahez, suffering several knife wounds, died at a hospital. Deputies arrested Talbott a short distance away. Talbotts mother, Laura Talbott, testified in tears that she was working across the street at a gas station when she heard her son yelling. His face was bloody from a cut and he told her hed been jumped, she said. pauline.repard@sduniontribune Twitter: @pdrepard There are 2,300 fewer public school students in the Vista Unified School District than there were a decade ago. Not counting charter schools, the school district has lost more than 700 students in the past three years. So the district has plans to get students to come back. During this first week of school, the district launched its first dual-language Spanish immersion program at Grapevine Elementary. This year, the district is starting to offer arts such as theater and dance for every student in every school, no longer just a select few schools. Advertisement The district also added bus routes so kids dont have to walk so far to school an extra $1.2 million expense. And in November, the district will ask voters to approve a $247 million bond measure to do away with portable classrooms, modernize school buildings and overall make its schools look nicer. These programs and expenditures are not just about improving school for the students Vista already has, but convincing families to enroll in its schools, said Linda Kimble, Vista Unified superintendent. We are completely aware of the importance of providing great schools and competing quite actively for students, Kimble said. As public schools across San Diego County open their doors for a new school year, more students will fill their classrooms but some school districts will enjoy bigger influxes of students than others. San Diego County has added students every year for the past decade. There were about 508,000 students in the county last school year, according to the California Department of Education. That number is expected to rise until 2021, when declining birth rates and lower in-migration rates will send school enrollment on a continuous decline, according to state enrollment projections. Some North County school districts, including Poway Unified and San Marcos Unified, have seen some of the countys biggest enrollment increases, ballooned by housing development. Poway Unified is unique in the sense that we have a lot of open space and its been developed in the past 10 years substantially, said Ron Little, associate superintendent for business support services at Poway Unified. Poways enrollment grew by 3,200 students, or 10 percent, in the past decade, according to state education department data. Stories like Poways stand in contrast to districts that are largely built out and are seeing a decrease in children. Thats the case for San Diego Unified, whose enrollment dropped by 4,300 students, or 4 percent, in the past four years. Enrollment has just been declining in San Diego for quite some time, said Sarah Hudson, San Diego Unifieds demographer. Gentrification is part of it. Hudson pointed to areas such as downtown, Hillcrest and North Park, where she said increasingly expensive and less family-friendly housing is likely driving away families with children and lower-income families. The people who are moving in are higher-income and less likely to have a lot of children, Hudson said. San Diego will always have people. They just might not always have children. Hudson also suspects that decreasing affordability is driving more San Diego Unified families out of California entirely. For example, she said Mira Mesa High School recently surveyed families who left the school and found that many of them were moving to Las Vegas. The district generally expects to lose more students at transition grades such as sixth and ninth grades, but recently it has been seeing notable enrollment losses at all kinds of grades, Hudson said. What we saw last year were some losses at transitions we didnt expect, Hudson said. What I took from that was that entire families with children simply moved away. The changing enrollments are a reminder that school districts may have to compete for fewer students in an arena of proliferating school options. I absolutely see my job as CEO of a business, and we have customers to, one, please and satisfy, but also two, retain and attract, said David Miyashiro, superintendent of Cajon Valley Union School District, which has grown by about 700 students or 4 percent in the past four years. Were competing, just like a business would for customers. District leaders fret about losing enrollment because many districts receive state funding per student they enroll so while fewer students means fewer children to house and educate, it also means fewer dollars. For example, Escondido Union School District, which lost 1,300 students or 8 percent of enrollment in the past four years, has let teaching positions go unfilled to adjust to the decline in revenue, said Michael Taylor, the districts assistant superintendent of business services. Perhaps the most often cited competitor for school districts is charter schools, which enrolled 15 percent of San Diego County public school students last school year, up from 12 percent three years before. Charter schools are free public schools that are often operated independently from the school district in which theyre housed. Chula Vista Elementary is one district that is receiving more students it has grown by more than 2,800 students in the past decade but that growth is driven almost entirely by charter schools. The actual school districts enrollment has been on the decline. We absolutely are competing and marketing ourselves as the best option for todays students and families, said Anthony Millican, spokesman for Chula Vista Elementary School District. More students attended San Diego County charter schools last year than ever before about 75,000 did so. But the growth in number of charter schools has slowed. Only four charter schools were added last school year, compared to 13 that were added in the 2013-2014 school year. Some districts are making it harder to get a school authorized, said Steven Baratte, spokesman for the California Charter Schools Association. Theres clearly a desire for charter schools, its just that theyre not being authorized to meet that demand. Schools not only have to compete with charter schools, but private schools, and even other school districts. Not only can families move away, but some school districts (such as Cajon Valley) enroll students from outside their district boundaries. The increasing competition for students has driven districts to open a bevy of specialized programs often seen at charter schools, programs they hope will draw in families and cater to parent wishes. Often the programs are in visual and performing arts, dual-language immersion and STEM, or science, technology, engineering and math. This school year, for example, San Diego Unified has started to transform its John Muir Elementary School into a K-8 school focusing on Spanish and French, in addition to dual-language programs it already has at about 15 other schools. Poway Unified and Vista Unified are debuting dual-language programs this year. Another way school districts hope to attract students is by securing bond measures. Renovating schools makes them look more attractive to prospective students and families, district officials said. Were very intentional about reaching out to the public by making sure that our schools are No. 1 and well-constructed and well-branded, said Kimble, in Vista. Kristen Taketa Email: kristen.taketa@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @Kristen_Taketa A program designed to boost college access through free tuition, textbook assistance and other services appears to be taking hold at Palomar College, school officials reported. The number of students participating in whats known as the Palomar Promise doubled this year, to 1,500. Its so important to get our first-year students off to a strong start at Palomar, President Joi Lin Blake said in a statement. And we know that serving them well is going to strengthen our region in the years to come. Authorized under state legislation passed last year, the program offers assistance to eligible students regardless of their economic status. Its the first time tuition has been free since the community college system instituted fees in 1985. Advertisement High school students from Palomars service area in the North County are helped through a combination of financial aid and academic support to enroll at the college and stay on track to complete their academic and career goals, officials said. After they graduate from Palomar, they also get help transferring to a four-year college or moving into the work force. The program is funded through a combination of state, federal and local sources. School officials have set a fundraising goal of $15 million to create a Palomar Promise endowment. Early donors include the Follett Higher Education Group, which pledged $1 million, and the Palomar College Foundation, which gave $500,000. Among the programs benefits: One year of free course enrollment and related registration fees. Up to $700 in textbook assistance during the first year of enrollment. Specialized academic and career planning with related support services. Priority enrollment during the first year at Palomar College. Guaranteed admission to Cal State San Marcos if students meet transfer eligibility requirements. Students also participate in the First-Year Experience program, which is designed to help them transition from high school to college and includes specialized workshops, tutorial services and financial literacy sessions. It also encourages social integration through a support network of peers, faculty and staff. john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com ALBANY, New York, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global set-top boxes market is anticipated to rise in the market in the coming few years. According to a report by Transparency Market Research, the market will witness change in its competitive landscape in the coming years due to shift in the market. The market is now consolidated but is witnessed to be highly fragmented in the coming years due to entry of regional players in the market. Major players in the market are engaging in research and development to implement new technologies and software. There has also been alliances and collaborations between manufacturers of set-top box and paid TV operators. These regional players will be taking up three quarters of the market during the forecast period of 2015 to 2022. The global set-top boxes market revenue is anticipated to grow at a healthy CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period between 2015 and 2022. The global set-top boxes market was estimated to be US$16.6 bn during 2016 and is expected to rise up to US$24 bn by the end of forecast period. The global set-top boxes according to segment type is dominated by cable set-top box and is expected to lead in the future. This segment is expected to reach US$7.12 bn by the end of 2022. Among all regions, Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the largest as well as the fastest growing region in the global market due to increased rise in demand. Asia Pacific is expected to generate revenue worth US$9.72 bn by the end of the forecast period. Request a PDF Brochure at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=789 HD and Ultra-HD Channels to Boost the Global Set-Top Boxes Market The rise in demand for high definition (HD) and ultra-HD channels has led to rise of set-top boxes in the market. Set-top boxes possess the ability to provide a variety of channels to its viewers. This is one of the major factor for the shift to set-top boxes in the market. Technological advancement leading to interactive features and digitalized set-top boxes will lead to rapid growth in the market. Hybrid set-top box, which is comprised of satellite based and internet based TV services will act as primary factor for the rise of the global market. Rise in awareness among consumers in the developed economies has led to adoption of HD services in almost every other home. Introduction of HD channels and HD TV in the developing and emerging economies have also fueled the market. The rise in demand for high definition services has led to rise of production of set-top boxes. Improved standards of broadcasting services by various providers has helped in the revenue growth and favorable grounds for set-top boxes market globally. The rapid growth of digitalization across the world is expected to help significantly in the growth of global set-top boxes market during the forecast period. Get a PDF Sample at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=789 Services Provided by Internet Likely to Hamper the Growth of Market The global set-top boxes market is expected to face few restrains in the growth during the forecast period. The rise of over the top services provided by mobile devices and PC are expected to hamper the growth of the market. Increased cable card providers is also expected to affect the market growth during the forecast period. Internets ability to provide almost every and anything at any time will hugely impact the growth of set-top boxes market. Download Report TOC at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/789 The information in this review is based on the findings of a report by Transparency Market Research, titled Set-Top Boxes Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 2022. Key segments of the Global Set-Top Boxes Market Global Set-Top Boxes Market, by Type, Cable STB Satellite STB IPTV STB HBB STV Global Set-Top Boxes Market, by Video Quality, Standard Definition STB High-definition STB Global Set-Top Boxes Market, by Geography, North America Europe Asia Pacific MEA Latin America About Us Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge. Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. Contact Us Mr. Atil Chaudhari Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Research Blog: http://www.techyounme.com/ Tri-City Medical Center directors acted Tuesday night to delay the indefinite suspension of the hospitals psychiatric ward by more than one month but rejected pleas from a wide range of constituents to keep the vital resource open through the end of the year. On a 5-2 vote after hours of testimony from the public, law enforcement, elected officials and medical staff, the board adopted a proposal from the countys behavioral health services department to shutter the unit on Oct. 2 rather than Aug. 26 as originally planned. Tri-City officials said the unit will stop admitting new patients on Sept. 22, the earliest date that such an action could take place, according to the county. Pressed on all sides to reconsider after deciding on June 26 to shutter its 12-person crisis stabilization unit and 18-bed behavioral health units in late August, the Tri-City board announced last week that it would provide a fresh opportunity for the public to make a case for why its plans should not go forward. The boards meeting room in the basement of the Oceanside hospital was packed Tuesday night with people who did just that. Law enforcement officers and local politicians argued that, with Tri-Citys capacity offline, deputies and police officers would be forced to transport those undergoing psychiatric emergencies to Escondido or San Diego for hospitalization, taking police and deputy sheriffs off their beats for extra hours every day. Coastal North County residents tearfully highlighted the extra burden of potentially having to travel so far to visit hospitalized loved ones. Advertisement Many said that Tri-Citys previously-expressed concerns over finances, regulations and staffing problems are surmountable. They hinted that the county is willing to provide enough cash for Tri-City to make nearly $8 million in needed repairs to its psych units They also felt federal regulators would surely grant a temporary reprieve on new requirements to reduce hanging risks. They also suggested that other companies are available to help address staffing shortages. Though board members visibly agonized over their decision, they said they saw no firm solutions to the issues that caused the units closure. Talks with the county have not so far, they said, produced written solutions to any of the problems they have cited, and the public district hospital is expecting a triennial licensing survey this fall. Board members worried that if that survey found that the psychiatric unit does not meet new federal guidelines, the hospitals ability to receive federal reimbursement could be put in jeopardy. Likewise, they worried that the hospital could face additional legal liability if psychiatric patients harmed themselves while being treated in units that federal guidelines say are unsafe. Tri-City board member and registered nurse Laura Mitchell proposed that Tri-City postpone suspension until Jan. 31, 2019, to provide the county more time to come up with a solution,. She got no support on the idea from her fellow directors nor did the notion of delaying until the end of the year as proposed in a last-minute letter from Kristin Gaspar, chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. In the end, Tri-City board member Julie Nygaard said that it is important to make a stand and demand a solution from the county which is legally responsible for arranging hospitalization services for all Medi-Cal patients brought in on 5150 psychiatric holds if theyre thought to be a danger to themselves or others. Promises of a solution, Nygaard said, are no longer going to cut it. Those promises, she noted, have staved off the units closure several times in the past, but no more. If they come up with something in October thats concrete, well be here ready do do whatever needs to be done. But we cant continue to put our patients at risk, Nygaard said. The county has said it is working on a plan to replace the capacity lost by Tri-Citys suspension, but no plan has yet been released. The county board of supervisors is set to discuss the current state of emergency psychiatric services across the region during a special meeting on Oct. 30. The vote with Mitchell and RoseMarie Reno both in opposition elicited boos from an audience that accused the board of abdicating its responsibilities to the community it serves as a public district hospital with an elected governing board. North County resident Sandy Murphy, who said her son who lives in Oceanside and has made multiple trips to Tri-Citys psychiatric unit, was among those who tried unsuccessfully to appeal to the hospitals sense of mission. He has attempted suicide five times and you have helped him, Murphy said, adding that driving to Escondido or San Diego is not an option for those who live in coastal North County. I need the fastest closest hospital, which is your hospital, Murphy said. She, like many in the audience, said Tri-City should find a way to tap growing public support for addressing the ever-growing demand for mental health services. If we need money, I would be more than happy to help you raise money. Lets do it, Murphy said. Though Tri-City has struggled to get the publics support for needed upgrades in the past, with three failed bond referendums in the early 2000s, the crowd in the room Tuesday night did seem ready to help drum up public support. However, board members and hospital staff made it clear that the challenges facing Tri-Citys psychiatric units are urgent now and cannot wait for solutions that could take a long time to materialize. Board chair James Dagostino said that the states seismic upgrade laws which require the hosptials central and south towers to be repaired, replaced or taken out of service by 2030 add urgency to the situation. Tri-City, he said, needs to show a $10 million operating profit per year in order to borrow the millions it needs to pay for repairs in time to avoid shutdowns in 2030. That budget pressure, he said, forces Tri-City to pare back services that lose money. He said Tri-Citys behavioral health unit and crisis stabilization unit lose between $4 million and $5 million per year. Meanwhile, the condition of services for psychiatric patients in Tri-Citys emergency room have changed since the hospital sidelined its crisis-stabilization unit on Aug. 3. Dr. Karl Jacobs, a psychiatrist who works in Tri-Citys emergency room but is part of a medical group at UC San Diego, told the gathered public about the hospitals fast track unit where psychiatric patients are held. The area consists of an L-shaped hallway, he said, with two exam rooms converted to makeshift dormitories with chairs instead of beds, one shared bathroom and no showers. The absence of showers and beds is significant, because patients may languish under these circumstances for four or five days while waiting to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital bed or to resolve sufficiently to be discharged to a less restrictive level of care, Jacobs said. Psychiatric evaluations are conducted, he said, in a linen closet. I am frequently interrupted by hospital linen or kitchen staff who are looking for the linen closet and who are understandably surprised to find patients and me in there, Jacobs said. Hospital staff did not directly refute Jacobs statements during the meeting, but Aaron Byzak, a Tri-City spokesman, said Thursday evening that Jacobs portrayal is inaccurate. We do absolutely refute the account, Byzak said, adding that patients are offered showers, three meals per day and stay for multiple days only under the recommendations of psychiatrists. Tri-Citys medical staff has generally been supportive of its move to suspend the units. Dr. Cary Mells, director of the hospitals emergency department, did say that 100 percent of the medical staff supports the boards suspension decision. I know in my heart its the right decision, and I support it, Mells said. Board members and administrators also touched on difficulties that Tri-City has had hiring and retaining enough psychiatrists to staff its units. They said UC San Diego which has a contract with the hospital to provide coverage from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 24 hours per day on the weekends was not living up to its commitments. Reached Wednesday afternoon, Patty Maysent, UC San Diego Healths chief executive, said there was a little trouble hiring the four psychiatrists that the contract required, but added that the university was eventually able to provide full coverage for the behavioral health unit. At the point where they were making their decision to shut down we were fully ramped up, Maysent said, adding that UCSD was not contracted to staff the hospitals crisis stabilization unit. Several Tri-City executives were chagrined during Tuesdays meeting that many in the public have said the hospital is closing its units, noting that the board voted on June 26 for suspension, not closure. However, many, including the Service Employees International Union, have noted that the state Employment Development Departments official layoff notice report listed the reason for 80 worker layoffs in Tri-Citys behavioral units as permanent closure. That listing was changed to closure unknown at this time on July 30 after Tri-City requested a correction, a department spokesman said in an email Wednesday morning. Tri-Citys initial layoff notice, the employee added, said that the the hospitals intention was to suspend operations indefinitely however staff processing the form interpreted those three words to mean that the units would be permanently closed. The Union-Tribune has changed its reporting from closure to suspension to reflect the change in the states changed listing. Health Playlist On Now Video: Why aren't Americans getting flu shots? 0:37 On Now Video: Leaders urge public to help extinguish hepatitis outbreak On Now San Diego starts cleansing sidewalks, streets to combat hepatitis A On Now Video: Scripps to shutter its hospice service On Now Video: Scripps La Jolla hospitals nab top local spot in annual hospital rankings On Now Video: Does a parent's Alzheimer's doom their children? On Now Video: Vaccine can prevent human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer 0:31 On Now 23 local doctors have already faced state discipline in 2017 0:48 On Now EpiPen recall expands On Now Kids can add years to your life paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1850 Twitter: @paulsisson Dec. 7, 1976: Duncan Duane Hunter is born in San Diego county to Duncan Lee and Lynne (Layh) Hunter. 1994: Graduates from Granite Hills High School in El Cajon. 1998: Marries Margaret Jankowski, a Crawford High graduate. They had met when she volunteered to work on his dads campaign. 2001: Receives a bachelors degree in business administration from San Diego State University and goes to work at a high tech company. Shortly after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, Hunter enlists in the Marines. Advertisement 2005: Hunter is honorably discharged from active duty after serving two tours in Iraq. In 2006 he is promoted to the rank of captain in the Marine Corps Reserve. 2007: Hunter is called to active duty and spends six months in Afghanistan after deciding to run for Congress. Military rules prohibit him from conducting campaign activities during his deployment. His wife, Margaret, stands in as a surrogate. 2008: Hunter wins election to the U.S. House, replacing his father, Republican Rep. Duncan L. Hunter, who vacated the 52nd District seat after 14 terms and a failed presidential bid. 2012: After Californias Congressional district lines were redrawn following the 2010 Census, Hunter was elected to fill the seat in the 50th District, which is the seat he occupies today. The investigation 2016 April: As first reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune, the Federal Election Commission questions Rep. Duncan Hunters campaign spending on video games and childrens private school tuition. Hunter says he will pay back all charges. November: Hunter takes out private home loan to repay campaign $49,000; wins fifth term by nearly 27 percentage points, in one of the most Republican districts in California. December: The Hunters sell their house in Alpine to repay loans and move into his parents home. House Ethics committee announces review of allegations against Hunter. 2017 January: Union-Tribune catalogs array of expenses, including an $800 oral surgery bill, purchases at Disneyland and flying a pet rabbit cross-country. February: FBI agents search the Virginia office of Hunters campaign treasurer, seizing computer equipment and documents. The search warrant for Election CFO was unsealed in March. March: At a town hall in Ramona, Hunter faces questions from constituents. The Ethics Committee says it is suspending its probe into Hunters spending in deference to a Justice Department investigation. May: Hunter campaign reports show continued questionable spending while under investigation. September: Hunters chief of staff steps down. 2018 January: Subpoena reveals grand jury probe of Hunter in San Diego. March: Hunter files paperwork to set up a legal fund for costs of FBI investigation. August 21: Hunter and his wife, Margaret, are indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that they converted more than $250,000 in campaign funds to pay for personal expenses and filed false campaign finance records. Rep. Duncan Hunter issued a statement today calling the prosecution of himself and his wife a witch hunt. Here is the statement in its entirety: I believe in our American system of justice, I support our system of justice. I cannot say the same, however, for those within our justice system that have a political agenda to harm those with whom they differ. One of the pillars of our country since its founding is that those tasked with enforcing the law would do so in an unbiased manner, allowing evidence to dictate how cases should run, with nothing impeding the rule of law. Unfortunately, this is not the case today. The fact is that there is a culture operating within our Justice Department that is politically motivated. We are seeing this with President Trump; we are seeing this with my case. This is evidenced by the fact that after two years of investigating, the Department of Justice decided to take this action right before my election. For over two years, I have made myself available to cooperate with this investigation in any manner. To date, I have not been asked one time to answer any questions or address any issue. I have not had one opportunity to present my side of anything in this investigation or to counter any allegations against me. Advertisement All the while, there has been a constant barrage of misinformation and salacious headlines in our media regarding this matter. I purposely choose to remain silent, not to feed into this witch-hunt and trust the process. I have focused on one thing; doing the job with which I was elected to do. I have worked to represent my constituents, voting on policy issues that I believe would benefit our nation and opposing those that would do us harm. I have helped those having problems with federal agencies and advocating for those who have fallen through the cracks of bureaucracy. This is what I will continue to do, these efforts will not stop, and I am not going anywhere. The actions of the Justice Department speak for themselves. It is a sad state of affairs when those entrusted with upholding the law have no appreciation for following the rule of law. Consider this; overwhelming evidence indicated that Hillary Clinton took direct action to circumvent investigations into her campaign, she was interviewed and no action was taken. After two years of investigation into my campaign, I have never been interviewed and they made a decision to prosecute. Rep. Duncan Hunter responds to indictment charges Additionally, three prosecutors, two of which are directly involved this case, attended a fundraising event at a private home in La Jolla in 2015, one of which was the individual who signed the indictment. We know these individuals attended this event from 9:00-12:00 noon during working hours. We are told that this was at the request of Secret Service to officially assist law enforcement with protection, but this explanation is disputed by former U.S. Attorneys familiar with the responsibilities of their office. The obvious question is why would the Secret Service need three prosecutors at a fundraising event? The answer is they are partisan prosecutors. My constituents are not easily misled. I know they can recognize a political agenda when they see it and they can disregard empty rhetoric when they hear it. I fought for our nation against terrorists in the Marine Corps. I fight for my constituents in the halls of Congress. I will fight this in the same manner and with the same level of determination because I believe in what I am fighting for and still have faith that evidence and the rule of law will trump political agendas and bias. Previously: Hunter Sheriffs detectives are investigating after a 36-year-old man was found dead in his jail cell early Tuesday, officials said. The unnamed inmate, who was in custody for drug-related offenses, was located at the Central Jail in downtown San Diego about 12:25 a.m. Sheriffs homicide Lt. Rich Williams said the man did not appear to be injured. The departments homicide unit investigates all in-custody deaths, and its involvement is not an indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances, Williams said in a statement. The Medical Examiners Office will determine how the man died. Advertisement Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call investigators at (858) 285-6330. Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com A 3-year-old girl playing on a second-story windowsill fell from the window and was injured Tuesday night in the University City area, police said. The extent of the childs injuries was not immediately known, but the girl was conscious and breathing when police and medics arrived at the scene, San Diego police Officer John Buttle said. It happened a little before 11:10 p.m. at a complex on Lebon Drive between Charmant and Nobel drives, Buttle said. The girl was apparently playing on the windowsill when she fell. She was on her way to a hospital around 11:25 p.m., Buttle said. Advertisement Police personnel were expected to investigate the incident. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com San Diego police on Tuesday sought the publics help to find a suspect and his companions in an Ocean Beach assault earlier this month that left a man hospitalized with a fractured skull. The suspect, seen arguing with another man near the Ocean Beach Pier, threw an aluminum beach chair at the victim during the early-morning incident on Aug. 6, San Diego police Detective Sgt. William Pettus said. The force of the chair knocked the victim backward, causing him to strike his head on the concrete, Pettus said. Officers found the victim unconscious and bleeding from his head shortly after the alleged assault, which happened around 1:30 a.m. on Newport Avenue near the pier. The suspect was described as a roughly 5-foot-2-inch to 5-foot-4-inch white man with a stocky build. He was accompanied by a 5-foot-9-inch white man with dreadlocks who was wearing a black coat, and a white woman of average height with light hair. Advertisement San Diego County Crime Stoppers said there were no surveillance photos or video of the suspect. The agency offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information was asked to call the San Diego Police Departments Western Division at (619) 692-4800 or Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com A 28-year-old man who bit a sheriffs deputy and was shot with a Taser during his arrest last week at convenience store in the Fallbrook area has died, a sheriffs official said Wednesday. Marco Napoles Rosales of El Monte went into medical distress shortly after his arrest early Thursday morning, Sheriffs Lt. Rich Williams said in a news release. The arrest had included an intense struggle. It took multiple deputies to subdue Rosales. Rosales had been hospitalized, and his family had asked that he be kept on life support so his organs could be donated. He died Tuesday. Advertisement The Medical Examiners office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of his death. The encounter with Rosales started after someone called 911 about 4:35 a.m. to report that he was behaving oddly and refused to leave the Circle K/Mobil gas station along Interstate 15 and state Route 76, Williams said last week. When deputies arrived, Rosales fought them off. It took at least eight deputies including an off-duty deputy passing by to restrain Rosales, Williams said. During the struggle, deputies deployed a Taser stun gun on Rosales, who bit a deputy on the hand. Deputies were ultimately able to place him in a restraint known as The Wrap, which binds a persons legs and allows them to be kept in seated position. Because deputies had used the Taser on Rosales, they called for medics to evaluate him. When he was in the ambulance, Rosales went into medical distress and became unresponsive, Williams said. The department on Wednesday identified the deputies involved in the arrest as Nicholas Adams, Katherine Barajas, Brandon Delima, Carl Fielstra, Evan McCormick, Christopher Perez, Brian Schaefer and Terence York. Their time of employment with the department ranges from two to 10 years. Five of them are based at the sheriffs Fallbrook substation, and two are out of the Vista station. One of them is assigned to the Sheriffs Hospital Guard unit, and had been off-duty at the time of the incident. York was the deputy bitten by Rosales during the arrest. He required stitches to close his wound, and has since returned to full duty, Williams said. teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT A sexually violent predator who was dubbed the bolder-than-most rapist in the 1980s may be allowed to live in the East County community of Jacumba Hot Springs, according to a plan proposed by state officials. The Department of State Hospitals and the San Diego Superior Court have suggested Alvin Ray Quarles be placed at 43050 Desert Rose Ranch Road a residence about four miles from the communitys downtown area, officials said Wednesday. A hearing to discuss the plan will be held in Department 2205 at the downtown San Diego courthouse at 9 a.m. on Oct. 12. Investigators suspect Quarles was responsible for more than a dozen assaults throughout San Diego in the mid-to-late 1980s. Advertisement Quarles was known to attack his victims at knifepoint while they were sleeping in their apartments or hotel rooms, sometimes forcing couples to have sex while he watched, or raping women in front of their husbands and boyfriends. He was 27 years old when he was sentenced to 50 years in prison in 1989 after taking a plea deal. Sexually violent predators make up less than 1 percent of the states registered sex offender population. To be designated a predator, an offender has to have been convicted of a sex crime against at least one victim and be diagnosed with a mental disorder that makes him likely to re-offend. Two state-appointed psychologists who evaluated Quarles diagnosed him with a number of disorders, including anti-social personality. According to the District Attorneys website, there are five other sexually violent predators in the county. Two live in Jacumba Hot Springs and the others live in Campo, Boulevard and Borrego Springs. County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, whose district covers Jacumba Hot Springs and the rest of rural East County, said in a statement that Quarles should remain imprisoned. Callous and careless state officials are targeting rural East County by again moving to dump yet another sick sexually violent predator into the community, Jacob said in a statement and on Twitter. Making it even more outrageous, this particular serial rapist is known as bolder than most. Jacumba has already been forced to house at least two other predators over the years. He has no place in that town or any community. His only home should be a prison cell. 2/ Jacumba has already been forced to house at least two other predators over the years. He has no place in that town -- or any community. His only home should be a prison cell. Dianne Jacob (@dianne_jacob) August 22, 2018 Members of the public who wish to comment before the hearing have until Sept. 5 to email the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force at sdsafe@sdsheriff.org, or call (858) 495-3619. Comments can also be mailed to SVP Release/SAFE Task Force, 9425 Chesapeake Drive, San Diego, CA, 92123. The comments will be forwarded to the Department of State Hospitals and San Diego Superior Court. Staff writer Alex Riggins contributed to this report. Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com An 80-year-old woman was found dead Wednesday morning after she apparently drove into a tree the day before on the Sycuan Reservation, authorities said. A person hiking east of Sloane Canyon Road and north of Model A Ford Lane found the womans smashed Lexus ES300 about 8 a.m., said California Highway Patrol Officer Travis Garrow. When emergency crews arrived, they located the woman in the drivers seat. It did not appear that she was wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash, Garrow said. Officers suspect the woman crashed about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday while trying to navigate a dirt road in the area. Advertisement They believe she was headed south on Sycuan Road and continued onto an extremely rough and difficult to maneuver dirt road when the pavement ended, Garrow said. At some point, the womans car went down an embankment and crashed into a large oak tree. Alcohol and drugs werent considered factors in the crash. Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: This article was originally published at 11:30 a.m. Dallas, Texas, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SmithGroup, one of the nations largest integrated design firms, has hired experienced healthcare architect Wayne Barger to lead its global Health Practice. In this role, Barger heads SmithGroups Health studios that provide planning and design services across a broad spectrum of facility types including academic medicine, acute and ambulatory care, behavioral health, oncology, emergency medicine, rehabilitation, senior living, translational health sciences, and womens and childrens health. He is based in SmithGroups Dallas, Texas office. Health is our largest practice at SmithGroup, and we know that leading such a diverse and vibrant team requires just the right kind of talent, says Mike Medici, SmithGroups president and managing partner. Wayne brings that precise mix of expertise, passion for leadership, and forward-thinking nature that will serve SmithGroup well as we chart our new course to design a better future. SmithGroups Health Practice encompasses a range of specialty expertise, including strategic facility planning and design for all types of public and private health organizations around the world. The firm is the nations 7th largest healthcare architecture firm according to Building Design + Construction magazine. In the last five years, SmithGroups Health Practice has completed more than 20 million square feet of hospitals and specialty care facilities. Barger leads the practice in a time when the healthcare market is experiencing rapidly changing care models. The practice seeks to redefine the healthcare experience to respond to these changes through initiatives like their IdeaLab series. IdeaLab examines potential disruptors in healthcare, like artificial intelligence or increasing global urbanization, and uses design and speculative thinking to address these future challenges so that clients are ready to meet them. Barger joins SmithGroup after serving as senior vice president at CallisonRTKL in its Healthcare Practice Group. There, he developed a long roster of award-winning healthcare projects for a variety of clients including the branches of the Department of Defense and systems like UT Southwestern Medical Center, Cook Childrens Health Care System, CHI St. Lukes Health, Methodist Health System, Community Health Network, Medical City Dallas, UCHealth, and San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center. Barger is a graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Architecture. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Dallas chapter, and previously served as chapter treasurer and a member of its board of directors. He is also a board member for the Dallas Architecture and Design Foundation. A native of Toledo, Ohio, Barger is now a resident of Coppell, Texas. SmithGroup (www.smithgroup.com) is one of the worlds preeminent integrated design firms. Working across a network of 12 offices in the U.S. and China, a team of 1,300 experts is committed to excellence in strategy, design, and delivery. The scale of the firms thinking and organization produces partnerships with forward-looking clients that maximize opportunities, minimize risk and solve their most complex problems. SmithGroup creates exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology organizations, higher education and cultural institutions, urban environments, diverse workplaces, mixed-use and waterfront developments, and parks and open spaces. Attachments President Trump tried his best to appeal to coal country but, amid a truckload of bad political news, the top coal-producing state didnt love him back. Instead, Wyoming voters chose Secretary of State Mark Gordon, a rancher who grew up at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, over political mega-donor Foster Friess in the states Republican primary for governor. Calling Friess Strong on Crime, Borders & 2nd Amendment, Trump had endorsed Friess on Twitter as voting got underway Tuesday. Trump hours later walked back Obama-era environmental regulations viewed as economic warfare in coal country and told a West Virginia rally that miners were headed back to work. About 40% of the nations coal comes from Wyoming Trump no doubt got heard out West. Wyoming voters had their own ideas. Advertisement This is a governors race. This is about the state of Wyoming, Gordon said after winning his six-way primary. President Trump is doing great things that are important for Wyoming in terms of getting our economy going, and all of that. But in the end, I think people in Wyoming concentrated on whos got the experience, whos got the record and whos got the best message going forward for Wyoming. Trump won Wyoming by the widest margin in 2016, but his support here may be seen as a mile wide and an inch deep. After all, Wyoming Republicans by far preferred another candidate, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, in the battle for the GOP presidential nomination that year. Wyoming could even choose a Democrat again. Attorney and former state Rep. Mary Throne, who was raised on a ranch not far from Gordons and who beat three others to win the Democratic nomination for governor, will be a formidable opponent, Gordon said. The winner will succeed term-limited Gov. Matt Mead. The president did pick a winner in Wyoming. Trump endorsed Sen. John Barrasso over a wealthy opponent, Jackson Hole business investor Dave Dodson. Barrasso faces Wilson businessman Gary Trauner in the general election. Trauner, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination, ran for the U.S. House twice and came within half a point of beating Republican Rep. Barbara Cubin in 2006. Incumbent Liz Cheney easily won the Republican nomination for Wyomings lone U.S. House seat. Cheney beat two other Republicans, Blake Stanley of Cheyenne and Rod Miller of Buford. Stanley and Miller both characterized themselves as blue-collar conservatives and ran low-key campaigns. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, and his wife, Margaret, were indicted Tuesday on dozens of criminal charges including wire fraud and campaign finance crimes. The indictment, filed in federal court in San Diego, accuses the couple of converting more than $250,000 in campaign funds to pay for personal expenses and filing false campaign finance records with the Federal Election Commission to cover up the true nature of the expenses. The 60-count indictment accuses the couple of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, falsification of records and aiding and abetting in the prohibited use of campaign contributions. Within hours of its issuance, Hunter assailed the investigation as politically motivated just weeks before the fall campaign season gets underway. House Speaker Paul Ryan nevertheless announced that Hunter had been stripped of his committee assignments. Hunter, 41, has been under scrutiny since April 2016, when the FEC and then The San Diego Union-Tribune began questioning expenses of campaign funds on video games, private school tuition, oral surgery and a garage door for the couples Alpine home. Spending of campaign funds for personal use is banned by law, to protect against undue influence by donors who might benefit from congressional actions. Advertisement By November 2017, Hunter had repaid his campaign more than $60,000 for what he identified as personal, mistaken or insufficiently documented expenditures. Under financial pressure, the congressman sold his own Alpine home and moved into the home of his father, who shares the same name and preceded him in Congress. As a member of Congress, Hunter receives an annual salary of $174,000. Margaret Hunter, 43, was paid $3,000 a month as the congressmans campaign manager, until April of 2017. They have two daughters and one son. The Hunters used campaign funds for ski trips, hotel stays and European vacations, according to the indictment. They dined everywhere from Spago to Taco Bell, from Mister As to Wienerschnitzel. They golfed. They bought make-up. They paid for airline tickets for friends and relatives and invested in tequila shots and gourmet steaks. At the same time, the Hunters bank accounts were regularly overdrawn. They once used donations to pay the household water bill after the local utility threatened to shut off service. They swiped the campaign credit card for groceries at Vons, Albertsons and Haggen. Throughout the relevant period, the Hunters spent substantially more than they earned, the indictment states. They overdrew their bank account more than 1,100 times in a seven-year period, resulting in approximately $37,761 in overdraft and insufficient funds bank fees. The indictment alleges incident after incident in which the Hunters spent campaign money on personal outings and meals and then told their campaign treasurer the expenses were legitimate, including $1,900 spent to send a family member to a Pittsburgh Steelers game. To conceal and disguise these illegal personal charges, the Hunters failed to inform the treasurer that they were for a football game or that a family member was one of the attendees, the indictment says. When asked if the charges were campaign related, Duncan Hunter falsely confirmed, Yessir. In another instance, the indictment says, Margaret Hunter spent $259.31 in campaign funds to take her family to the San Diego Natural History Museum and the Prado restaurant in Balboa Park. To conceal and disguise the illegal charges, she falsely told the treasurer that they were for gift basket items and a meal with supporters. Jason Forge, a former prosecutor with the U.S. Attorneys Office who is now a partner with the San Diego office of the law firm Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, told the Union-Tribune by phone on Tuesday that the Hunters probably face between 21 months and five years of incarceration if convicted. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, and his wife, Margaret, were indicted Tuesday on charges including wire fraud and campaign finance crimes, according to a federal indictment. Hunters campaign released a statement after news of the indictment broke in which one of his attorneys, Gregory A. Vega, attacked the credibility of prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office. Vega called for the U.S. Department of Justice to recuse the prosecutors. The campaign also released a letter from Vega to Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, which further accused the DOJ of a politically motivated attack on Hunter. The overt political leanings of two individuals intimately involved in the investigation, combined with, among other things, the Southern Districts sudden, inexplicable rush to indict my client before the general election without affording him sufficient due process, create an actual and/or apparent conflict that cannot be ignored, the letter said. The statement said two prosecutors involved in the investigation attended a fundraiser for Democrat Hillary Clinton in August 2015. Spokeswoman Kelly Thornton replied, The United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California and the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. reviewed and rejected Mr. Hunters complaints. The Secret Service requested the prosecutors attendance and routinely asks prosecutors to attend events involving their protectees. Hunter, a Republican, is facing a challenge from Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Democrat, on the November ballot. Campa-Najjar issued a statement saying that the chaos and corruption in Washington D.C. had gone too far. Todays indictment confirms just how deep this corruption can reach, when someone like Duncan Hunter Jr. is in it for himself instead of representing the people, the statement said. Now is the time to put country over party and rise against the corruption and rise above the divisive politics. The district is strongly Republican, and a Democrat would normally have little chance of unseating a five-term incumbent. The indictment may upset that math. Hunter began reimbursing the campaign account for improper charges as early as 2010, after Margaret Hunter spent $704 on 12 tickets to a performance of How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park, the indictment said. In order to lower suspicions and reduce the risk of detection, Duncan Hunter decided that they would use personal funds to repay the campaign for Margaret Hunters purchases, it states. Illegal spending occurred despite a repeated warnings about the behavior and questions from campaign staff and some members of Duncan Hunters congressional staff, according to the indictment. One of the more questionable campaign expenses was highlighted by the Union-Tribune in January 2017, after Hunter reported spending $600 on an airline ticket to fly the family pet rabbit across the country. This was nothing more than an oversight, Hunters former spokesman, Joe Kasper, said at the time. Prosecutors systematically alleged almost 200 separate occasions during which the couple used political donations for personal expenses. Some of the alleged illegal spending went on months after the Union-Tribune and federal investigators began scrutinizing the spending. On or about November 5, 2016, in San Diego, California, the Hunters spent $300 in campaign funds at Searsucker during a birthday party for Individual 1A, the indictment states. The allegations lay out a spending and cover-up pattern in which the Hunters would create official government business at sites they were visiting on vacation as campaign expenses. On one such occasion in November 2015, when Hunter sought to tour a military base in Italy to justify using campaign funds for the family trip, Navy brass was unable to immediately accommodate the request, prosecutors said. After Navy officials responded that they could only provide a tour on a particular date, Duncan Hunter said he would discuss the proposed date with Margaret Hunter, then subsequently told his chief of staff tell the Navy to go f*** themselves, the indictment states. According to federal campaign data, Hunters campaign has spent more than $1.2 million since February 2017, when the criminal investigation became known publicly. At least $600,000 of that total went toward legal services and fees but questionable spending continued as well. In March of this year, Hunter spent nearly $4,200 in Las Vegas. The expenses include $1,800 at four-level entertainment venue called Topgolf, $1,400 at Sage, a restaurant at the Aria Hotel and Casino, and $266 at Tommy Bahama. The campaign spent nearly $1,800 at the Alpine Tobacco Company from April 2017 to February, and $300 at Zarka Cigar Lounge in Temecula, California. From December 2017 to January of this year, Hunter reported three food/beverage expenses totaling more than $1,000 at Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. In addition to single count of conspiracy, the document also includes 43 counts of wire fraud, including allegations that the Hunters knowingly devised a scheme to materially defraud the Hunter election campaign. Prosecutors cite emails and text messages to staff members directing them how to account for the improper spending. The Hunters also are charged with 13 counts of falsifying records in an effort to impede the investigation. The final three criminal charges are individual counts of prohibited use of $25,000 or more in federal campaign funds. Some Republicans were quick to say that criminal charges are not proof of guilt. In America we operate under the presumption of innocence, said Tony Krvaric, chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County. In due time a jury and voters will have their say regarding Congressman Hunter. Fair minded Americans will not prejudge the outcome. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a nonprofit group that advocates for good government, said the Hunters showed a blatant disregard for federal campaign law. We believed he was violating the law but had no idea of the systematic and deceitful lengths to which he and his wife had gone, said Executive Director Noah Bookbinder, whose organization filed multiple complaints against the Hunters. We are glad to see Congressman Hunter will finally be forced to face the consequences for executing one of the most breathtaking and egregious congressional spending scandals in recent history. Given the breadth and scope of the allegations, Duncan Hunter should resign from Congress immediately, Bookbinder said. The indictment Tuesday also angered some veterans, who have supported Hunter for years due in no small part to the congressmans service as a U.S. Marine with multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a veteran, as somebody who really takes his oaths to our country very seriously, I have long been disappointed in Duncan Hunters approach to public service, Shawn Vandiver, San Diego chapter director for the Truman National Security Project told the Union-Tribune on Tuesday. This indictment shows he has not taken his oath to our country seriously. Im happy to see he and his wife are being held accountable for their gross misuse of campaign funds. It is an egregious violation of his oaths as an officeholder and a U.S. Marine. Hunter was first elected to Congress in 2008, when he won the seat his father held for 14 terms. He was an early supporter of Donald Trump, and was among the first members of Congress to endorse the then-presidential candidate. In the weeks after Trump was elected president, Hunters name was floated as a possible cabinet secretary. Hunters father, former Rep. Duncan L. Hunter, could not be reached by the Union-Tribune on Tuesday. On 10News, he defended his son, saying Margaret Hunter was responsible for the larger expenses, and Hunter had nothing to do with them. He said expenses at restaurants are normal for campaigns because the candidates cant accept contributions at their official offices and must go elsewhere to conduct campaign business. The former congressman went on to accuse prosecutors of being motivated by their political agenda. In defense of his sons character, Hunter reminded reminded the voters that Hunter had a strong record of service to his country. This is the same guy who, when we were attacked on 9/11, quit his job right downtown, walked across the street, joined the Marine Corps, and deployed in three combat tours for our freedom Hunter said. Wait for the verdict. Staff writers Lauryn Schroeder and Andrew Dyer contributed to this report. Previously: Hunter Duncan Hunter Videos On Now Hunter indictment sheds light on 'personal relationships' for congressman On Now Rep. Duncan Hunter leads by 8 points despite indictment On Now Duncan Hunter arraigned at federal court On Now Issa discusses Hunter indictment On Now Rep. Duncan Hunter and wife plead not guilty to charges of fraudulent campaign spending 2:41 On Now Editorial's Opinion on Duncan Hunter's plea 13:50 On Now Duncan Hunter arraigned On Now Video: Festival of Books preview: Scott Miller On Now Video: Rep. Duncan Hunter enters federal court On Now Rep. Duncan Hunter responds to indictment charges 8:53 morgan.cook@sduniontribune.com I have read the indictment and if the allegations are true I am incredibly disappointed. -- Carl DeMaio, radio host, former San Diego City Councilmember The guilty plea of @realDonaldTrump attorney Michael Cohen, the conviction of Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, and the indictment of GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter reaffirm three principles that are self-evident: Truth is truth. Corruption is corruption. The law is the law. -- Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Los Angeles, via Twitter Advertisement From flying his pet rabbit across the country to a six figure bar tab it shouldnt surprise anyone that Duncan Hunters time living large off his campaign donors has ended in an indictment. Hunters misuse of $250,000 worth of campaign funds for personal expenses and the filing of false campaign finance records is emblematic of the corruption and twisted priorities of todays Republican Party. -- Meredith Kelly, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee I feel very badly for the father, who had completely different politics from mine but I always respected him. Its a very sad thing. As the parent of a son. Im sure its very disappointing to his dad. -- Michael Aguirre, former San Diego city attorney If he did what they say he did he needs to be held accountable. -- Jan Goldsmith, former San Diego city attorney Looks like he was doing this way back in 2009 when I ran against him. Lol -- Ray Lutz, consumer activist and former 50th District congressional candidate, via Twitter Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35 jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald The Arctics thickest sea ice is breaking up and starting to be pushed away from the Greenland shoreline. Following a heatwave, this occurrence has been recorded for the first time, the Guardian reported. This came to the surprise of scientists, as the melting of the thick sea ice on the north coast of Greenland wasnt expected to happen so soon. The Transpolar Drift Stream normally keeps the ice condensed at an average thickness of 13 feet, with ridges reaching up to 65 feet. Senior research scientist at the US National Snow and Ice Data Center Walt Meier said, Compacted ice is generally not easily moved around, but that changed this winter. Advertisement Open water off the north coast of Greenland is unusual. This area has often been called the last ice area as it has been suggested that the last perennial sea ice in the Arctic will occur here, Danish Meteorological Institutes Ruth Mottram said. Nearly the entire #Arctic Ocean has sea ice thinner than the climatological average for the month of July. This is especially found north of Greenland in this data set. + Data info/validation: https://t.co/UDsruDEI5p pic.twitter.com/ziti0ID7wh Zack Labe (@ZLabe) August 7, 2018 Glaciologist Mottram noted that almost all of the ice to the north of Greenland is quite shattered and therefore more mobile. Sea ice is frozen ocean water that influences our worldwide climate, the National Snow & Ice Data Center explains. On Aug. 7, climate scientist Zack Labe tweeted, Nearly the entire #Arctic Ocean has sea ice thinner than the climatological average for the month of July. Warmer temperatures were also recorded in February, when the Arctic hit a high of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Around the same time, a NASA researcher reported that unusual winter-warming events have become more frequent and more intense. So the open water / low concentration patch North for Greenland is still there (and slowly moving westward). Nice and scary. From https://t.co/jPx1JmNayA https://t.co/hGstLYafcW Thomas Lavergne (@lavergnetho) August 13, 2018 Norwegian meteorologist Thomas Lavergne called the opening of water both nice and scary, in a retweet with a satellite-GIF. I cannot tell how long this open water patch will remain open, but even if it closes in few days from now, the harm will be done: the thick old sea ice will have been pushed away from the coast, to an area where it will melt more easily, Lavergne said. Cops in Iowa said Tuesday they have a suspect in custody for the murder of missing college student Mollie Tibbetts, whose body is believed to have been found in a corn field Tuesday morning. Cristhian Rivera, 24, has been charged in Poweshiek County District Court with first degree murder, Rick Rahn of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said at a press conference. The charges come with the penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Rivera, who authorities believe has been working in the area for four to seven years, is an undocumented immigrant, Rahn said, citing Homeland Security. Tibbetts, 20, vanished after she went jogging on the evening of July 18 in the rural town of Brooklyn while staying at her boyfriends brothers house. Advertisement Rahn said investigators were able to zero in on Rivera after viewing a neighbors security camera footage, which captured a black Chevy Malibu belonging to Rivera on the same tape in which Tibbetts was seen running the night she disappeared. The footage helped investigators track Riveras route, and determined that he was one of the last people to see her alive. Rahn said investigators approached Rivera Monday, and he was very compliant and willing to talk. Tibbetts has been missing since July 18. (Charlie Neibergall / AP) During an interview, he admitted that hed seen Tibbetts running before, and on the night of July 18, saw her, approached her and started running near her, Rahn said. Rivera claimed the University of Iowa student grabbed her phone and threatened to call police before she ran off. He said he chased her, but then blacked out, and came to near an intersection just outside of Brooklyn. It was Rivera who led police to Tibbetts body, which was covered in corn stalks in a corn field. Rahn did not note the manner of death, and would not comment on a possible motive. He seemed to be drawn to her on that particular day and chose to abduct her, he said. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday. Greg Willey of Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa said he learned of the discovery of Tibbetts body from a close family friend. Willey called it a tough ending to the exhaustive search. Investigators received thousands of tips and a reward fund for information about Mollies whereabouts had grown to nearly $400,000. Willey says the fund will now likely be used for any information that helps police catch the person responsible. Once they catch their breath, this will turn into a weapon going the other direction to catch the person who did it, he said. Rob Tibbetts had said earlier this month that he believes she was abducted by someone she knows. Tibbetts, a psychology major, would have started her junior year at the University of Iowa. She was staying with her longtime boyfriend and working while home over the summer. It never crossed our mind that she wouldnt come home safe, Brooklyn city clerk Sheri Sharer said Tuesday. Sarasota, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revcontent, one of the worlds largest content recommendation networks, today announced that it was named the winner of the Best Overall AdTech Solution award by MarTech Breakthrough, an independent organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global marketing technology industry today. We are honored to be recognized as the Best Overall AdTech Solution by MarTech Breakthrough, said CEO John Lemp. This award is a true representation of the work that our team has put in to ensure that the publishers and advertisers who choose to work with Revcontent are getting a product and service that is head and shoulders above what they receive elsewhere in the industry. The mission of the MarTech Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the innovation, hard work and success in a range of marketing, sales and advertising technology-related categories, including marketing automation, market research and customer experience, AdTech, SalesTech, marketing analytics, content and social marketing, mobile marketing and many more. This years program attracted more than 2,000 nominations from over 12 different countries throughout the world. We know that engaging audiences with content is all about delivering the right content at the right time to the right audience, and Revcontents content discovery platform is making it much easier and effective to do just that, said James Johnson, Managing Director at MarTech Breakthrough. Just this year, Revcontent has taken massive strides to improve brand safety for partners by completely removing sexually explicit content and by working with the International Fact Checking Network to remove the financial incentive for fake news. This commitment to quality has not limited their innovation. Revcontent this year also helped to incubate Engage.IM, a publisher-hosted social platform that enables micro-communities to grow and communicate throughout the open web. Congratulations to CEO John Lemp and the entire Revcontent team on this well-deserved award. Although Revcontent is much younger than other networks in the industry, the company has made a significant impact in empowering voices across the open web by delivering billions of personalized content recommendations each month across thousands of sites including brands like Newsweek, Forbes and USA Today Sports. Revcontent attributes their success to the growth they deliver for their publishing partners. Publishers regularly see 2-3X higher RPMs with Revcontent than they do with other networks in the industry, and now the company is willing to guarantee those results. Last week, the company announced a new program called AutomaticRev Revenue you can depend on to help publishers meet their revenue goals more consistently. The program offers a 50 percent guaranteed uplift in revenue for Revcontents adfeed product compared to other content recommendation feeds. "For any publishers or advertisers who have not worked with Revcontent before, or for any who haven't worked with us in a few years, I encourage you to reach out to us to test a campaign," Lemp said. "We are committed to helping you meet your goals, and we guarantee that you won't be disappointed with the results." Attachment MERRILLVILLE, Ind. Police in northwest Indiana say an attack on a Catholic priest has been forwarded to the FBI as a possible hate crime because the assailant referred to reports of clergy sex abuse involving children. Merrillville Detective Cmdr. Jeff Rice says the Rev. Basil John Hutsko was assaulted Monday morning at St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church. Rice says the 64-year-old priest was taken to a hospital for treatment. His condition was unknown Tuesday. Pope Francis issued a letter Monday condemning priestly sexual abuse and its cover-up. Also, a Pennsylvania grand jury last week reported about 300 priests abused at least 1,000 children over the past 70 years. Hutsko isnt named in the report. Advertisement Gary diocesan spokeswoman Debbie Bosak tells the Post-Tribune clergy are aware of the attack and will take precautions. Re Why the U.S. is poised for global energy leadership (Aug. 16): Jeffrey Martin is wrong. Strong global energy leadership would emphasize clean energy, not the continued use of fossil fuels. It is dangerous to all life on this planet to propose increased export of natural gas. Overwhelmingly the worlds scientists agree that fossil fuels must remain in the ground to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. Besides a shameful attempt to veil the profit motive of Sempra Energy via a trumped-up call to duty, this is downright pandering to the current national discourse of distrust towards Russia to manipulate the public. Climate change is the greatest enemy this world has ever faced. Our very existence is in jeopardy. True energy leadership would show concern for our allies and all life on this planet by supplying clean energy. Sempra Energy should be ramping down its liquid natural gas export business, not increasing it to bolster profits for shareholders. Advertisement Stephanie Heather Corkran University City Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. So-called witch hunt producing some results Re Cohen and Manafort are guilty. And Trump faces a reckoning (Aug 21): Donald Trumps former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, is found guilty on 8 financial fraud crimes. Trumps personal lawyer and fixer for many years, Michael Cohen, pleads guilty to various financial crimes. These crimes include violations of campaign finance laws for paying off, a few weeks before the 2016 Presidential election, a porn star and a former Playboy model to keep quiet about sexual affairs Trump had with these women. Cohen then implicates Trump as a co-conspirator in those crimes. Republican Congressional representative Duncan Hunter and his wife are accused of spending a quarter of a million taxpayer dollars on personal expenses, including $600 for an airline ticket for the familys pet rabbit. It must be Tuesday. Advertisement Paul Willemssen Bay Park Re: At rally, president insists no evidence of collusion (Aug. 22): Donald Trump lives in Never Never Land. At his latest campaign stump (hes been in office over a year, enough already) he repeated the same themes he screams at every rally, theres no collusion, theres no obstruction of justice, lock her up, weve surrounded ourselves with the best of the best. In the mean time, two more of his best have been convicted, eight felony counts each, including tax evasion, campaign finance violations, false statements, filing false tax returns, and bank fraud. Trump, in his ignorant glory, could only praise Manafort as a good man and continued his this is a witch hunt that ends in disgrace. The only one quietly moving forward and successfully doing his job is Robert Mueller. MAGA - there is no witch hunt, there is collusion, there is obstruction. This is only the beginning, and there will be plenty of disgrace. Steve Blumenschein Clairemont Manafort + Cohen = Impeachment for Donald Trump. Sandi Gonzales Bay Park Two witches were found guilty on multiple charges Tuesday, and the big witch is quaking in his boots. Jim Heiner La Mesa The chickens are finally roosting, and what a song they are singing. Lies are truth, facts are fake, and truth is no longer truth. We have indeed descended into Alices wonderland. Of course Trump knew about the hush money payments, what attorney would pay out hundreds of thousands of dollars without discussing it with his client. Cohen was Trumps fixer, I know, he fixed my company to the tune of $ 250,000 six years ago, and told me personally to crawl back under my rock. And Trump knew all about that as well. I and all the other people and companies that have been fixed by the Cohen/Trump team will take great pleasure in visiting them both when they are behind bars and no longer wreaking havoc in this country and around the world. Phil Kirk Encinitas Re Cohen, Manafort (Aug. 22): Time for Steve Breen to illustrate labelled monsters, or perhaps crocodiles, rising from the Trump Swamp. Names could be Chris Collins, Paul Monafort, Michael Cohen, Duncan Hunter, ad infinitum. Ernest Fine Carlsbad In an extraordinary political moment, Duncan Hunter Jr. upstaged Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen on Wednesday, at least in our corner of the country. Hunter has my vote for the Duke Cunningham corruption award. Depending on how Hunter plays this, he may also be a nominee for the Trump I can get away with it hubris award. Mark Weedman Spring Valley When l see U-T WATCHDOG at the head of an article in your paper, l pay special attention. Again, your dogged reporting has delivered the real news for us. Thank for exposing the greed in East County. Yes, I mean politically high-living Duncan Hunter and his spouse. If it wasnt for persistent work and good reporting they might have wiggled out of the crimes they are now charged with. The $250,000. in money donated to their campaigns is not chicken feed. Maybe the good people of District 50 will at last have someone to represent them in Congress who has their needs in mind, not lavish living for themselves and friends. Please keep up the good work. San Diego is lucky to have the Union-Tribune. Kathleen M. ONeil La Mesa In all the pages detailing Duncan D. Hunters bogus expenses, I dont see one word of written receipts being asked for by the treasurer. I thought this was standard practice. Instead, we read Duncan told his treasurer they were campaign related. Trudy Ennis Holleb Rancho Bernardo What a shame. What was Hunter thinking? It defies common sense and shows lack of integrity. How can he be trusted to make proper decisions for his constituents in the future? Congressman Hunter should give up his seat immediately and save us the pain of more details of this tragedy. Victor Ravelo Marina District Was the president at all concerned when Manafort and Cohen got hit on the same day with evidence which clearly incriminates him? Nah. He went off to charm a West Virginia crowd that very night, cool as a cucumber. Full blown sociopaths are impervious. They just dont get it. Fact checkers have determined that Trump has publicly printed or verbalized an average of seven misstatements or plain lies every day since taking office. Normal people just dont behave like that. Now the question is what is wrong with the segment of American voters who stay with him, cheer at his events, make excuses, and proudly wear the Trump cap in spite of continued shocking behavior that has the rest of us stunned. Julia Viera Coronado It is hard to know where to begin but the short story is that Duncan Hunter and his wife have viewed the donations of their supporters as their own private piggy bank. Congressman Hunter has betrayed his fellow veterans and the hard working residents of this district. Hunter and his wife are entitled to a fair trial, but I do not believe they are qualified to claim to represent us, the honest people who live in this community. If Hunter has any integrity left, he should resign now. His claims of innocence, in light of the charges filed, and the fact that he has already repaid over $60,000 for some of these abuses, are truly laughable. Is this the ethical code of the Marines? Carol Gendel San Marcos Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. Who benefits from security clearances? Re Security clearance for Ex-CIA director revoked (Aug. 16): Lets be very clear what people are talking about when their national security clearance is revoked. They are really talking about their own economic and market value. Their access to information allows them to collect high-dollar positions as consultants, commentators, corporate boards and as guest speakers, to mention only a few. Their objection is purely financial. The fact that many of them banded together reinforces the old saw, thick as thieves. Their First Amendment right is not limited in any shape or manner. It just means that their future talks may be on free speech terms. In other words, they wont be paid and this is real reason behind their actions. Advertisement Ron Pregmon Oceanside In a military region like San Diego a note of very well done is due to Adm. William McRaven and other like-minded military leaders who have had the courage and honor to call out Donald Trump for his vengeful revoking of security clearance for John Brennan and perhaps for a number of other patriots who have dedicated their careers to the service of our nation. In his op-ed in The Washington Post, McRaven described Brennan as a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who dont know him. He went on to write that Trump has embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation. Exactly so. I find it very reassuring that military leaders like McRaven continue to stand for honor and the truth, while doing their best to keep all of us safe and free. Robert A. Knox Del Mar Maybe Im missing something here, but it seems to me that the greater issue concerning security clearances is why someone no longer employed would continue to have a clearance in the first place? Presidents have historically replaced high ranking officials, as is their prerogative. The hue and cry of the current situation has me wondering how many previous employees from other administrations continue to have top secret clearances today? Troubling... Mike Stephenson Mission Hills I think President Trump has found the key to draining the swamp. Inactivate security clearances when you no longer work for the government. Highly paid consultant fees to former government officials is for access their security clearance gives them. Former government officials should have no more access to the government then we the people. Paul Charvat Jacumba I was in the nuclear weapons program for 26 years and we had the highest security clearance. When l left active duty my security clearance ended. I find it outrageous that politicians and appointed officials are allowed to take their security clearance with them when they leave government office. Keeping their security clearance allows them to become lobbyists or consultants for civilian companies paid for the by the U.S. Government (AKA) the tax payers. Their security clearance should be cancelled when they leave government service. I cant think of a group of people more unreliable to give a security clearance or access to classified material than politicians and appointed officials. Whats going on in Washington today proves that. Robert Solomon Chula Vista John Brennan has been acknowledge for his leadership in taking down Osama bin Laden; and now Trump, in a pique, has revoked his security clearance. The Republican Congress has either been very quiet or has expressed approval of Trumps action. Senators Graham, Cornyn, Hatch, Lankford and Cassidy have all said that Trump was correct in the revocation. I guess Trump is right he could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue and not one of our supposed illustrious elected officials would step forward to uphold our laws and Constitution. Chloe Ramus Bonita Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. A dark musical about a deformed individual, his cruel guardian and a captivating gypsy is wonderfully brought to life due to a talented cast performing on the Moonlight Amphitheatre stage in Vista through Sept. 1. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is based on the 1831 novel of the same name by Victor Hugo and some of its music comes from the 1996 Disney animated film, but dont let its association with Disney fool you. The film was rather dark for family-friendly fare after all in that version the religious zealot and minister of justice Dom Claude Frollo kills the mother of then-infant Quasimodo and themes of infanticide, lust, damnation, genocide and sin are explored. In this stage version, Dom Claude Frollo (wonderfully played by Lance Arthur Smith) does not murder Quasimodos mother how he ends up becoming the orphan hunchbacks guardian is a twist but his cruelty in the name of kindness to the outcast is just as diabolical in nature. The stage show, mostly set in 1482 Paris, combines elements from the novel, a 1999 stage version that debuted in Germany and the 1996 films music by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Newsies) plus lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pocahontas and Enchanted). This rendition debuted at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2014, but did not move to Broadway. The music ranges from peppy tunes to more solemn offerings wonderfully performed by not only the 20 actors, but 15 musicians led by conductor Elan McMahan and a 22-member choir placed in the cathedrals choir loft throughout the 2 1/2 hour show. Their combined voices are amazing. The five main characters are equally as talented and their abilities both in acting and singing are evident. Leading them is Broadway veteran David Burnham in the title role. His portrayal of the physically deformed and emotionally abused Quasimodo was realistic and, at times, heartbreaking. Moonlight audiences might remember him as Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid last summer. Ranging from lighthearted moments to naive demeanor (due to his isolated upbringing) and heroic bravery, there is a lot of material for Burnham to work with while never dropping his physical stature and hampered movement required by the role. His nice voice is showcased in solo numbers such as Out There and Heavens Light. Equally talented is Moonlight veteran Janaya Mahealani Jones as the gypsy Esmeralda. Between her acting, dancing and singing Jones makes it clear why three of the male characters Frollo, Quasimodo and Capt. Phoebus de Martin (Broadway and Moonlight veteran Patrick Cummings) are all attracted to her. Her beautiful voice is showcased in God Help the Outcasts and Someday, the latter sung with Cummings. It is a fiery, strong role and Jones is well suited for the task. Smith plays his emotionally frigid role of Frollo wonderfully and is given an opportunity to vocally shine in numbers such as Sanctuary. Cummings is equally charming as the soldier intent on fulfilling his mission until love prompts him to have a change of heart. Rounding out the group of notables is Moonlight veteran Richard Bermudez as Clopin Trouillefou, a gypsy who as the shows storyteller presents the tale to the audience. Visually, the show is stunning. Through the use of video at pivotal moments, Moonlights producing artistic director Steven Glaudini (who directed the show) was able to present scenes such as fire that otherwise would have been impossible to realistically portray. There is also a nice set change for the cathedral that helps one imagine the characters traversing from the ground level to the belfry that Quasimodo calls home. Though much of the show is thematically dark, there are several light moments, including many of the scenes involving the gypsies. In all, it is a show worth seeing. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is playing most evenings through Sept. 1 at Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1250 Vale Terrace Drive in Vista. Gates open for picnicking at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Food and beverages (except alcohol) may be brought in. Dinner, snacks and drinks (including alcohol) can be purchased on site. Tickets are $17 to $57, with traditional theater and lawn seating offered. To purchase go to moonlightstage.com or call 760-724-2110. Parking and shuttle are free. email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com New City Councilwoman Caylin Frank had a rough night at Tuesdays council meeting as members of the audience and several November council candidates lined up to take verbal shots at her. Frank was appointed to the council in June following the resignation of Jim Cunningham, beating out 15 other applicants for the position. Franks appointment was controversial, as members of the public and other candidates later spoke out against filling the seat only months before the November election, which will determine who fills the seat for the remaining two years of Cunninghams term. Others took issue with Frank only moving to Poway a few months ago. Speakers during Tuesday nights public comment period also had harsh words for Mayor Steve Vaus and the other members of the council for appointing Frank. Hiram Soto, who said he was a member of Alliance San Diego, accused the council of rigging the election by appointing Frank instead of letting the people decide. Alliance San Diego is a community empowerment organization working to ensure that all people can achieve their full potential in an environment of harmony, safety, equality and justice, according to its website. Caylin Frank Steve Dreyer Soto declared the process to decide the appointee a sham, citing a 20-second video clip posted to the South Poway Votes Facebook page. The video clip shows County Supervisor Kristen Gaspar introducing Frank, saying she is going to be a great council member and I want you to get to know her and support her at an event held at Second Chance Brewery on June 10, nine days prior to Frank being appointed. Frank and Vaus were in attendance. All three are Republicans. Jon Ryan, who is running for a council seat in District 1, said he agreed with Soto and had also seen the video. He said he wants Vaus and Frank to tell the public why and when Frank moved to Poway and why and when everything happened. He also said he thought the council wasted hours of peoples time having them fill out forms and applications for the council position when they already knew what would happen. Torrey Powers, another candidate for council who will be running against Frank in November, said she found out about the video on Monday and was very disappointed. She also said Frank was handed a crown by being appointed to the council seat prior to the election and she did not have the funding, invites or right elbows to rub that Frank has. Powers added that she knows what it is like to be from Poway and what it means not to sell out for political or developmental gain. Frank Kenny was another citizen who spoke against the appointment of Frank, saying living in a democracy requires input, fairness and involvement, which he did not see going into the appointment of Frank. He also criticized Frank for going after a council seat after only living in Poway for three months, as to represent something, one must know what they are representing. Chris Olps, who spoke against the council several times during the meeting, asked why Frank was invited to the groundbreaking of the Outpost project on Poway Road when no other candidate was and dismissed the councils assertions that an incumbent does not receive an advantage during an election as untrue. Due to state law, council members are unable to respond to comments made under public oral. Frank took more criticism late in the meeting after introducing a memorandum asking if the council should consider purchasing the controversial Metate Lane parcel from the developer following the failed attempt to build a housing development in order to preserve it as open space. Frank said it was clear the community living around the parcel does not want it developed into housing and it was worth exploring if the city would benefit from purchasing the parcel. Several members of the public spoke, saying there were better uses of the city staffs time and the council should not be bailing out a failed developer. Dee Fleischman said as the parcel is already rural, the city does not have to do anything to it and she would rather the city staffs time be used to assess neighborhood park space. Olps said the city needed more parks and he was appalled the council would allow their own appointment to promote her agenda for re-election. Powers said the developer knew what he was getting into and there was no need to bail him out for his poor choice. She added the parcel needs to stay the way it is and the city should use the money in another way. Marianna Bacilla, who was part of the movement to prevent the development on the Metate parcel, said there were other items in the city that deserved more attention and the Metate residents did not ask for the parcel to be developed into parkland. She added that no one from the city contacted them and she suspected this issue will disappear after the election. There is no need to bail out a developer who made poor choices, she said. Dont spend time on this issue. The council debated the issue, saying there was no intention to bail out the developer but there was no harm in asking the developer though funding would be an issue. I suspect the developer would say no, said Councilman Dave Grosch. The council also: Approved the appropriation of $165,530 from the Unappropriated General Fund to restore watering in the Landscape Maintenance Districts 83-1 and 86-1 to three days a week, as well as $100,000 from the Unappropriated General Fund for emergency removal of dead/diseased/fallen trees for the remainder of the fiscal year, ending in June 2019. The council also directed staff to form and work with a volunteer advisory group to work on a solution for the LMD issue, set to report back in March 2019. Approved the purchase of two parcels of land south of Toothrock Road for $250,000 from the Habitat Mitigation In-Lieu Fee Fund, which will be added to the citys open space. Approved the development of two senior residential care facilities on Aubrey Street. Each facility will house 15 elderly residents and provide 24-assistance for its residents. Email: news@pomeradonews.com English Norwegian Orkla ASA has on 22 August 2018 bought 211,000 Orkla shares through broker at an average price of NOK 71.3275 per share. Orkla's total holding of treasury shares after this transaction is 18,229,259 shares. Orkla ASA Oslo, 22 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. 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. Vancouver, BC, CANADA, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Video and photographs Vancouver, BC, August 22nd, 2018 For the past two months Sea Shepherds research vessel the R/V Martin Sheen has ventured to every salmon farm on the Fraser sockeye salmon migration route between Vancouver and Alert Bay with Canadian scientists on board, collecting samples to determine the impact of salmon farms on wild fish populations. One of the scientists is independent biologist Alexandra Morton, who has been investigating the link between open-net fish farms, sea lice, viruses, and the decline of wild salmon populations for three decades. Morton has collected farm salmon tissue and feces from the waters adjacent to approximately half of British Columbias open-net salmon farms. This is part of her ongoing research into the spread of farm salmon viruses into wild salmon habitat. I have results from the first five farms sampled this summer, all from the Discovery Islands, reports Alexandra Morton, 100 percent were positive for piscine orthoreovirus, A large portion of the Fraser sockeye is currently migrating past these infected farms. Earlier this summer Justice Maisonville ruled against Marine Harvest, granting Morton the right to approach the farms to collect samples however the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) refused to grant her a scientific license to test shellfish near farms, Morton therefore developed the novel method of collecting tissue from dead farm salmon that is drifting out of the pens. In my experience, DFO and industry will try to obstruct any science that measures the impact of salmon farms on wild salmon, says Morton, but I believe this work is critical to the survival of wild salmon and whales on the BC coast. By law, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) can only issue a license allowing fish farmers to transfer fish if they do not have any disease or disease agent that may be harmful to the protection and conservation of fish. In 2015, Alexandra Morton sued DFO for the second time for issuing licenses to Marine Harvest Canada Inc. to transfer farm fish carrying PRV into the open-net fish farms. Morton won the first case, but DFO refuses to acknowledge the court ruling. On September 10th, Morton will be in court once again, this time joined by the Namgis First Nation, to demand Canadian law be enforced, as Atlantic salmon are still not being screened for PRV before transfer into farms on the migration routes of wild salmon, with no filtration or containment of the waste. Most farmed salmon sold in markets is infected with PRV as per research published in PloS One, on December 3rd 2017i. Most salmon farmed in B.C is exported to the United States. There are no studies on the effect of piscine orthoreovirus on humans, despite farmed salmon being consumed raw in sushi restaurants. The results from Sea Shepherds Operation Virus Hunter III are extremely concerning. A paper published in the journal FACETS2 earlier this year describes how PRV invades and bursts the blood cells of Chinook salmon causing organ failure, severe jaundice and release of the virus into marine habitats. Chinook salmon are the primary source of food for British Columbias critically endangered southern resident orca whales. The plight of these orcas received global media attention when a grieving female, known as J35, carried her dead calf with her for 17 days in a prolonged display of grief. This pod is showing signs of starvation due to the lack of Chinook salmon from the Fraser Riverii and has not had a successful live birth in several years. The preliminary results reported here suggest salmon farms could be having significant impact on Chinook salmon and the southern resident orca. # # # Notes to Media: MEDIA LINKS Video on YouTube : Video and photographs to download Video Credit: Sea Shepherd By using any of these images you agree to credit Sea Shepherd in a legible manner. If broadcasting you agree to credit Sea Shepherd on footage. References 1 http://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2018-0008 2 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0188793 ABOUT INDEPENDENT BIOLOGIST ALEXANDRA MORTON A world-renowned biologist, Alexandra Morton began her carrier studying orcas in the Broughton Archipelago. After an influx of fish farms to the area, Morton documented the resident orcas abandonment of the area, increased toxic algae blooms, and the devastating impact of sea lice from salmon farms on wild juvenile salmon. Concerned about the impact of fish farms on local ecosystems, Morton shifted her research to impact of salmon farms on wild salmon health, having focused much of her recent studies on the piscine orthoreovirus (PRV). ABOUT THE RESEARCH VESSEL MARTIN SHEEN The R/V Martin Sheen is Sea Shepherds scientific research vessel. Its purpose is to collaborate with marine scientists, laboratories, universities and government agencies to study a range of marine species and understand how to better protect them. The vessel has collaborated on several projects, including the effects that micro plastics have on resident fin whales in the Sea of Cortez, toxicology on cetaceans and behavior of rare beaked whales on the remote Guadalupe Island in Mexico. ABOUT OPERATION VIRUS HUNTER Sea Shepherds research vessel, Martin Sheen returns to the west coast of Canada for a third year as part of Operation Virus Hunter III to study the impact that farmed salmon has on wild salmon populations in British Columbia. Working in collaboration with biologist Alexandra Morton, other scientists, and indigenous peoples along the coast, Operation Virus Hunter puts a spotlight on a secretive industry with devastating impact. www.seashepherd.org For more information or to interview Captain Paul Watson Contact: Carolina Castro at carolina@seashepherd.org or call 1-818-281-1673 To interview Alexandra Morton: 250-974-7086 Attachments London, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/22/2018 -- The Royal Senchi Hotel & Resort, a luxury property in Ghana has recommended RateTiger for streamlining online distribution. The hotel has experienced significant improvement in their operational efficiency leveraging RateTiger's cloud based channel manager and on-demand shopping tool. Located in Akosombo, a resort town near Ghanaian capital Accra, the The Royal Senchi Hotel & Resort, with its 84 rooms, caters to primarily leisure tourists. eRevMax's XML connectivity with global and regional OTAs, GDSs and Metas have made it possible for the revenue management team to manage their OTAs, GDS and booking engine from LiveOS dashboard. "It was easy when we're handling just the booking engine. The real challenge came when we signed up with several OTAs - updating multiple extranets and consolidating reports from these channels manually was time-taking and taking a toll on our efficiency. RateTiger by eRevMax has solved it all. With just one entry I can update all OTAs simultaneously from the dashboard. It also gives me the data I want at one go with a simple click," said Bennett Attakorah, Rooms Division Manager, The Royal Senchi Hotel & Resort. "Providing hotels with stable connectivity remained our priority for the last 17 years. RateTiger and LiveOS have been built with a vision to make online sales simpler for hotels, and this recommendation is a testimony to that," said Ram Mohan Dubey, Regional Sales Director, eRevMax. About eRevMax eRevMax is a travel technology company that assists hotels through channel management, rate intelligence and connectivity solutions. The company connects multiple online channels to the hotels' PMSs to seamlessly deliver ARI updates and reservations. eRevMax is known for its stable solutions with 99.9% product uptime and provides 24x7 customer support. It works closely with over 350 channel and technology partners assisting over 9000 hotels worldwide to increase revenue opportunities and streamline business processes. It is the connectivity partner of choice for large hotel groups, mid-scale chains as well as independent properties in both luxury and budget segment worldwide providing solutions through its core product brands - RateTiger, RTConnect and LiveOS. For more details, please visit http://www.erevmax.com/ or contact us on marketing@erevmax.com. Contact Details eRevMax International Poulami Datta 1-321-251-6559 www.erevmax.com 6th Floor, Aldgate Tower 2 Leman Street, London E1 8F Email: marketing@erevmax.com Mehta Recognized for SaaS Leadership for the Second Consecutive Year REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gainsight, the Customer Success company, announced today that its Chief Executive Officer, Nick Mehta, was recognized as one of the Top 50 SaaS CEOs of 2018 by The SaaS Report. Mehta ranked number three on the list, jumping up from the number twelve spot on the 2017 list. The SaaStr Report is a comprehensive source for business news, investment activity, and corporate actions related to the SaaS and software sectors. Nominated CEOs were assessed across a number of key areas including integrity, intelligence, energy, company culture, and company growth, and other areas. I am honored to be recognized by The SaaS Report, especially on a list that includes distinguished CEOs such as Linda Crawford, Marc Benioff, and Tien Tzuo, said Nick Mehta, Chief Executive Officer at Gainsight. This recognition is representative of the increasing importance of Customer Success as a business imperative and of the growing recognition of the impact of the Customer Success community. The 2018 SaaStr Report received nearly 5,000 nominations on behalf of hundreds of CEOs by their respective employees and industry colleagues. The list was developed to honor leaders of Software-as-a-Service (Saas) companies who have driven revenue growth while creating cultures that foster innovation. Since joining Gainsight in 2013, Nick has led the company to monumental success and growth by raising over $156 million in funding and expanding the employee base to more than 500 people working in seven offices globally. As businesses in every industry undergo digital transformation and move towards a subscription-based pricing model, Customer Success has become an increasingly essential business imperative as it protects recurring revenue and drives growth through renewals, expansion, and advocacy. Before Gainsight, Nick was the CEO of LiveOffice, where he led the Inc. 5000 companys profitable growth to $25 million in revenue and led a successful sale to Symantec. Prior to that, he held senior operating roles for public and private companies in the enterprise and consumer technology markets, including Veritas Software (acquired by Symantec), Symantec Corporation, and XDegrees (acquired by Microsoft). Nick also served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Trinity Ventures and Accel Partners. About The SaaS Report The SaaS Report is a comprehensive source for market insights, business news, investment activity and corporate actions related to the SaaS and software sectors. Based in New York City, the firm is run by a seasoned team of editors, writers and media professionals highly knowledgeable on SaaS and the various companies, executives and investors that make up the sector. About Gainsight: Gainsight, the Customer Success company, helps businesses grow faster by reducing churn, increasing upsell, and driving customer advocacy. The industry-leading platform helps companies manage customers relationships effectively, track customer health and transform the way organizations orient around the customer. Gainsight provides a 360 view of customers and drives retention across Customer Success, sales, marketing, executive and product management. Learn how leading companies like GE Digital, Box, Adobe and Workday use Gainsight to help their customers succeed at www.gainsight.com. Connect with Gainsight: Blog: www.gainsight.com/blog Twitter: www.twitter.com/GainsightHQ Facebook: www.facebook.com/Gainsight Contacts: press@gainsight.com CONTACT - Media: CONTACT - Investor Relations: Amsterdam +31.20.721.4488 Brussels +32.2.620.15.50 +33.1.70.48.24.27 Dublin Paris +353.1.617.4266 +33.1.70.48.24.45 Lisbon +351.210.600.614 CONVENING OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, London and Paris - 22 August 2018 - Euronext today announced that its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) will take place on Thursday 4 October 2018 at 9.30am CET, at Beursplein 5, 1012 JW Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The agenda for the meeting is as follows: Opening Composition of the Managing Board: a) Appointment of Daryl Byrne as a member of the Managing Board of Euronext N.V. b) Appointment of Chris Topple as a member of the Managing Board of Euronext N.V. Close The EGM will be conducted in English. Registration date EGM Pursuant to Dutch law and Euronext N.V.'s Articles of Association, the persons who will be considered as entitled to attend and vote at the EGM are those persons who are registered as such in the administrations held by their financial intermediaries (the "Shareholders") on Thursday 6 September 2018, after processing of all settlements on that date (the "Registration Date"). Registration Shareholders holding their shares through Euroclear France S.A. (i.e. the public) who wish to attend the EGM, provide instructions or grant a power of attorney to vote on their behalf, must complete the form (voting form / attendance card request) provided for this purpose by their financial intermediary or by Euronext Securities Department - BNP PARIBAS Securities Services. The Shareholders should be aware that these documents must be received, no later than Thursday 27 September 2018 by their financial intermediary for receipt no later than Friday 28 September 2018 by BNP Paribas Securities Service CTS Assemblees Generales, 9 rue du Debarcadere 93761 Pantin Cedex, France. The financial intermediary should deliver to the Shareholder a certificate of holding containing: name and city of residence of the Shareholder; number of shares; name and city of residence of the attendee (if different from the Shareholder) and declaration that the shares were in custody with the Euroclear France admitted institution on the Registration Date. This certificate will serve as the admission certificate for the EGM for the Shareholder. Shareholders holding their shares through Interbolsa in Portugal who wish to attend the EGM, provide instructions or grant a power of attorney to vote on their behalf, must complete the form (voting form / attendance card request) provided for this purpose by Euronext Securities Department - BNP PARIBAS Securities Services. The Shareholders should be aware that these documents must be received, no later than Thursday 27 September 2018 by their financial intermediary for receipt no later than Friday 28 September 2018 by BNP Paribas Securities Services, PT Local Team, Edificio ART'S - Av. D. Joao II - Lote 1.18.01, Bloco B, 1998-028 Lisboa, Portugal. The financial intermediary should deliver to the Shareholder a certificate of holding containing: name and city of residence of the Shareholder; number of shares on the Registration Date; name and city of residence of the attendee (if different from the Shareholder). This certificate will serve as admission certificate for the EGM for the Shareholder. We advise Shareholders to make contact with their financial intermediary for any questions. Persons without a valid admission certificate will not be given access to the meeting. Attendants may be asked for identification prior to being admitted. At the time of the publication of this convening notice, Euronext's total issued share capital in number of issued shares and in voting rights is published on Euronext's website: https://www.euronext.com/investors/share/capital-shareholding Egm Documentation The EGM Documentation (i.e. this convening notice and the agenda and the explanatory notes thereto) is available: at the registered office of Euronext N.V.: Beursplein 5, 1012 JW Amsterdam, The Netherlands at the following addresses : - in Belgium: Euronext, Rue du Marquis, 1 / Markiesstraat 1, 1000 Bruxelles / 1000 Brussel, Belgium - in France: Euronext, 14, place des Reflets, 92054 Paris La Defense, France - in Ireland: Euronext, 28 Anglesea Street, Dublin 2, Ireland - in Portugal: Euronext, Av. da Liberdade, n. 196 - 7, 1250-147 Lisboa, Portugal - in the United Kingdom: Euronext, 10th floor, 110 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6EU, United Kingdom on Euronext's website https://www.euronext.com/investors/general-meetings at BNP PARIBAS Securities Services CTS Assemblees Generales - 9 rue du Debarcadere 93761 Pantin Cedex, France - + 33 1 57 43 02 30 Managing Board and Supervisory Board of Euronext N.V. Beursplein 5, 1012 JW Amsterdam, The Netherlands Registered at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, under number 60234520 CONTACTS - Alice Jentink: +31 20 721 4488 ; mediateam@euronext.com Analysts & investors Aurelie Cohen/Clement Kubiak: +33 1 70 48 24 27 ; ir@euronext.com About Euronext Euronext is the leading pan-European exchange in the Eurozone, covering Belgium, France, Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal and the UK. With 1,300 listed issuers worth 3.9 trillion in market capitalisation as of end June 2018, Euronext is an unmatched blue chip franchise that has 24 issuers in the Morningstar Eurozone 50 Index(sm) and a strong diverse domestic and international client base. Euronext operates regulated and transparent equity and derivatives markets and is the largest centre for debt and funds listings in the world. Its total product offering includes Equities, Exchange Traded Funds, Warrants & Certificates, Bonds, Derivatives, Commodities and Indices. Euronext also leverages its expertise in running markets by providing technology and managed services to third parties. In addition to its main regulated market, Euronext also operates Euronext GrowthTM and Euronext AccessTM, simplifying access to listing for SMEs. For the latest news, find us on Twitter (twitter.com/euronext) and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/euronext). Disclaimer This press release is for information purposes only and is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities. This press release is provided "as is" without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication July be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronext's subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is located at www.euronext.com/terms-use. 2018, Euronext N.V. - All rights reserved. The Euronext Group processes your personal data in order to provide you with information about Euronext (the "Purpose"). With regard to the processing of these personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (General Data Protection Regulation, "GDPR"), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR. In accordance with the applicable legislation you have a right to access your personal data and a right to the rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, data portability or to object to the processing of your personal data. You may also submit a complaint to the competent data privacy authority. For any request regarding the processing of your data, please use our data subject request form or email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@euronext.com. Your personal data will be retained as long as necessary for the Purpose and will be accessible only to the extent necessary for this specific Purpose. SEATTLE, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DigitalTown (OTC:DGTW), a pioneer in the use of blockchain-based technology and decentralized applications for Smart Cities that are designed to keep business local, announces important changes intended to improve and simplify the product offering for the benefit of customers. Adopting a mobile-first approach, all city websites powered by DigitalTown including Austin.City, SanAntonio.City and My.Miami are replaced by the free DigitalTown App for iOS and Android. DigitalTown participating merchants, who receive a free storefront, will be able to manage their DigitalTown storefront via the web and mobile Business Tools. In addition, the two million users of other DigitalTown City Apps, namely London and Amsterdam, are invited to migrate to the main DigitalTown App as the company consolidates and streamlines its product offering. CityShares are removed from the DigitalTown portfolio with immediate effect. CityTokens are renamed Community Points and are gifted for engagement with the in-App Community Tools, which feature local discussions, projects, events, calendar and fundraising. While bearing no monetary value, the blockchain-based Community Points can be exchanged with participating DigitalTown merchants at their discretion. In turn, participating merchants can use the Community Points they collect from customers to support marketing campaigns within the DigitalTown ecosystem. DigitalTown CEO, Robert Monster, comments: Having reviewed the DigitalTown ecosystem and after listening to feedback from our growing customer base, we are consolidating and simplifying our product offering to provide our customers with an improved, streamlined service. As adoption of the DigitalTown solution gathers momentum in Austin, Texas, market validation shows that our users spend more time on mobile than on web. The removal of CityShares from the product portfolio clarifies the confusion experienced by some customers regarding CityShares and CityTokens. CityTokens are renamed Community Points to better reflect the philosophy behind the DigitalTown reward system. We believe in rewarding people for doing good in their community. Every time someone engages with our Community Tools by starting or joining a discussion, providing a blog relevant to their local community, initiating a project for the benefit of the community and even fundraising to support projects, we allocate Community Points directly to the users DigitalTown SmartWallet. We do not assign any value to these points. Community Points may be exchanged with participating DigitalTown merchants, at the discretion of individual merchants. A participating restaurant might decide to accept Community Points in exchange for an appetizer when a customer orders a bottle of wine with their meal, for example. The restaurant could then use the points to support a marketing campaign within the DigitalTown ecosystem to boost its rankings in our local-first search function, adds Rob. The migration of the city platforms powered from DigitalTown to the DigitalTown App takes effect August 31, 2018, with all other changes effective immediately. About DigitalTown DigitalTown, Inc. (DGTW) powers Smart Cities to succeed in the Digital Age. It provides turn-key hosted solutions to power "Digital Towns", which improve Quality of Life for residents and visitors through locally owned solutions for economic development, civic engagement and digital inclusion for cities around the world. You can download the DigitalTown App from the App Store. Contact Rob Monster, Chief Executive Officer +1-425-295-4564; rob@digitaltown.com Karen Floyd, Chief Brand Officer +34 692 336 787 karen@digitaltown.com Related Links Disclaimer - Forward Looking Statement Safe Harbor Language: Any statements contained herein related to future events are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. DigitalTown, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any such statements to reflect actual events. Johnson City, TN, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ballad Health and a group of the nations leading health systems are joining forces to identify ways to better care for some of the nations most vulnerable populations. The Medicaid Transformation Project is a national effort to transform healthcare and address social determinants of health for the nearly 75 million Americans who rely on Medicaid. The work will focus on five key areas of opportunity, four of which have already been identified: behavioral health, child and maternal health, substance use disorder and avoidable emergency department visits. Medicaid Transformation Project participants believe that the solutions that help address these key areas of need for Medicaid subscribers will have the added effect of improving care for all vulnerable populations. Health System Partners: Uniting for Change & Transformation Ballad Health is joined in the project by 16 of the nations most innovative health systems. Collectively, these 17 health systems share a common mission and sense of urgency to create sustainable solutions that improve health for their diverse communities. Together, they span 21 states and comprise 280 hospitals with more than 53,000 inpatient beds and more than $100 billion in combined annual revenues. Ballad Health is proud to participate in this project with some of the most innovative thinkers in the nation, said Alan Levine, executive chairman and CEO of Ballad Health. We are a new kind of integrated health system, designed to address the most critical needs of residents in Southern Appalachia, a part of the country with serious health and demographic challenges. If we cant find a way to improve the delivery of services to this vulnerable population, then who can? Finding better, lower cost ways to deliver better health, rather than just healthcare, is critical to the future of our country and the sustainability of our health delivery system. The full list of 17 health systems that have committed to transform healthcare by joining the Medicaid Transformation Project includes: Whos Involved: Partners Innovating for Change The groups efforts will be led by Andy Slavitt, former acting administrator of CMS and founder and general partner at Town Hall Ventures, and AVIA , the nations leading network for health systems seeking to use digital technology to drive innovation. The AVIA Innovator Network connects 30+ action-oriented health systems across the nation. These health systems trust AVIA to help them identify, implement, and scale the best digital solutions to support their strategic objectives. Slavitt founded Town Hall Ventures as a venture capital firm devoted to investing in and supporting entrepreneurs who are improving the health of underserved populations. The current healthcare system fails the people who need it most, said Slavitt. The Medicaid Transformation Project will be part of a decade-long journey leading some of the best health systems in the country. Our work will be to deepen and refine the best innovations and then implement them at an accelerated pace with providers across the country. Slavitt, who led health policy, including Medicare and Medicaid, at the federal level in the Obama administration, is joined by Levine, who led health care for two states and successfully passed major Medicaid reform projects under two conservative Governors, Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and advised conservative Florida Governor Rick Scott as Chair of his health care transition. Levine also advised national candidates for Governor on healthcare policy through the Republican Governors Association in the 2010 election cycle. Also joining is Anthony Keck, former director of Medicaid under South Carolinas Nicki Haley, who currently serves as Ballad Healths executive vice president for system innovation and chief public health officer. Transforming how Medicaid operates is not, and should not be, a partisan issue, said Levine. Working with Andy Slavitt and the other provider leaders on this initiative is important, because for Medicaid to best serve the people it is intended to, we must evolve and meet people where they are. The system, as currently designed, was built on a 1960s infrastructure. Today, with technology, we have the opportunity to get beyond the payment system and infrastructure, and identify the true avoidable drivers of cost and poor outcomes. If we are successful, the people we serve will benefit, and so will the taxpayers who are paying the costs. I applaud AVIA and Andy for bringing us all together. All parties involved in the Medicaid Transformation Project agree the time to act is now. One in five Americans is covered by Medicaid 50 percent of U.S. births are financed by Medicaid Medicaid is the countrys No. 1 payer for behavioral health services 33 cents of every dollar for a physicians services are paid by Medicare/Medicaid The Work Ahead: Scaling Financially Sustainable Solutions To begin to address the five identified critical challenges, AVIA will work with a core team at each health system to identify and implement solutions. They will share best practices across the network, creating a roadmap for partner organizations to act quickly to create change. The work will feature a Leadership Council, chaired by Slavitt and composed of health system CEOs, to maintain course. AVIA and Its Team We are honored to partner with this powerhouse group of health systems and be an accelerant for the innovative work theyre doing to help vulnerable populations every day, said AVIA President Linda Finkel. These health systems are ready to have an even greater impact by scaling sustainable care models and capabilities that can significantly improve the health of the underserved. And now, thanks to the potential to unlock digital solutions, theres a stronger business case than ever. We are deeply privileged to be entrusted with leading this meaningful work. AVIA has tapped David Smith, formerly of Leavitt Partners, to lead the effort and has partnered with a number of leading Medicaid experts as active participants in the work, including Dr. Molly Coye, former commissioner of health for the state of New Jersey and director of the California Department of Health Services. There is an incredible confluence of market and policy activity creating the right conditions to drive profound change for the least fortunate among us. Our health system partners believe that this moment is unique and their leadership can have a seminal impact in catalyzing nationwide energy and focus on the challenges facing our communities, said Smith. For more information, please visit www.MedicaidTransformationProject.com. ### About Ballad Health: Ballad Health is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving 29 counties of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Northwestern North Carolina and Southeastern Kentucky. Ballad Health was created in 2018 to improve the health of people in these regions. Ballad Health operates a family of 21 hospitals in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, including three tertiary medical centers, a dedicated childrens hospital, several community hospitals, three critical access hospitals, a behavioral health hospital, an addiction treatment facility, long-term care facilities, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, outpatient services and a comprehensive medical management corporation. Learn more about Ballad Health at www.BalladHealth.org. Sen. Bam: Equipment, livestock and other personal property now OK as bank loan collateral Filipinos will soon be able to use their personal properties, and not just land titles, as collateral for bank loans, according to Sen. Bam Aquino. Sen. Bam said that President Duterte signed on Aug. 17 Republic Act 11057 or Personal Property Security Act, which he pushed in the Senate as principal author and co-sponsor. With the law, Sen. Bam said micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will have better access to capital to grow their business since they'll be allowed to use personal properties, like inventory and equipment, as collateral for loans. "Sa batas na ito, mabibigyan na ang ating mga kababayan ng mas maraming paraan para makakuha ng pautang na maaari nilang gamitin para makapagsimula o di kaya'y magpalawak ng negosyo," said Sen. Bam. "Sa tulong ng batas na ito, umaasa tayo na mas marami pang Pilipino ang makakapagsimula ng negosyo bilang pagkukunan ng ikabubuhay," added Sen. Bam. Usually, banks and other financial institutions prefer to immovable assets, like land, as collateral for loans. With this law, equipment, inventory, livestock, motor vehicles and receivables will now be accepted as collateral, creating a healthier loan environment for both MSMEs and banking institutions. The law also provides safeguards to reduce the risk involved in accepting movable assets. "This just one step towards inclusive finance in the Philippines. Tuloy pa rin ang aming pagtrabaho sa mga reporma para sa mga maliliit na negosyanteng Pilipino," said Sen. Bam. A known advocate of entrepreneurship and MSME development as a source of livelihood for poor Filipinos, Sen. Bam passed several laws to support the sector, including the Go Negosyo Act, Youth Entrepreneurship Act, Philippine Competition Act, Foreign Ships Co-Loading, Microfinance NGOs Act and the Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Act. The Personal Property Security Act is Sen. Bam's 27th law in his five years as senator. Press Release August 22, 2018 Sen. Nancy sees glaring security, protocol lapses following NAIA fiasco ...says entry of 61 'uncoordinated' flights highly suspicious What's happening, Pilipinas? Sen. Nancy Binay today expressed disappointment over the lack of coordination between airport authorities and airline operators which resulted in the unauthorized entry of 61 recovery flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). "Highly suspicious at anomalous ang malusutan tayo ng ganun karami in front of our very noses. Yes, we expect a certain amount of chaos during these kinds of extra-ordinary and emergency situations, and everyone expects that airport and airline personnel are well-trained to handle ang mga kasong ganito, pero ang malusutan na lang tayo eh ibang usapan na yun. Obviously, these factors are the perfect recipes for any individual who has a criminal mind," Binay said. According to Binay, more than the basic and standard ground handling operations during emergency situations which the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is generally familiar with, there were glaring lapses in the execution and implementation of aviation protocols. "Given na natin yung naging sobrang delay dahil sa nabalahaw na eroplano, but last week's incident pointed to a string of inadequacies and glaring lapses on the part of airport authorities and airline operators which has a potential implication on national security. The 61 'uncoordinated' flights shows the weaknesses and gaps in our protocols. I hope the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its agencies learned something from the recent experience, otherwise the vulnerability of our airports can be exploited by elements wanting to gain access to our facilities--at wala pa tayo sa usapin ng airspace incursions," Binay pointed out. MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal confirmed that 61 uncoordinated flights worsened airport congestion at the four terminals of the NAIA further delaying flight operations in the wake of the Xiamen Air mishap. "Passenger safety should always be our paramount concern and so should be security within and outside the facility. Hindi po biro ang malusutan tayo ng 61 flights that were able to enter our facilities without the knowledge or prior approval of MIAA. Apparently, meron pong mga airlines na binalewala ang standard aviation protocols which further caused problems in ground handling, parking and gate assignments," she added. Of the 61 flights, Xiamen Air mounted four recovery flights without clearance from MIAA thereby blatantly ignoring airport procedures and protocols. Xiamen Air was able to get gate assignments over other airlines which had priority slots in NAIA which further caused problems on the ground. Binay called on agencies under the DOTr to explain the mysterious circumstances surrounding the 61 "uncoordinated" flights that contributed to the airport fiasco. "It would appear that we are not ready for a worst-case scenario. Sa coordination pa lang eh marami nang naging lapses. The lack of a coherent system on the ground already suggests of an unpleasant situation. What passengers and airlines experienced seriously demands an accountability from everyone handling airport operations. What happened at NAIA was totally unacceptable. We cannot continue to fail," Binay said. The senator noted that even the Bureau of Immigration (BI) did not have enough personnel to handle diverted recovery flights in Clark International Airport prompting some airlines to return back to their original destinations after more than 10 hours of waiting at the tarmac. "At kung kailangan mag-augment ng security personnel at dagdagan ang staff ng BI sa Clark at iba pang airports, mas practical yun kaysa paghintayin ang mga pasahero ng 10 hours sa loob ng eroplano," Binay said. Xiamen Air flight MF8667 skidded off the NAIA's primary runway on August 16 affecting at least 681 domestic and international flights, or about 200 regular flights that inconvenienced more than 136,000 passengers. The main runway is used to accommodate all types of aircraft, while the secondary runway can only accommodate narrow-body aircraft. The mishap had a domino effect across all four NAIA terminals which caused many flights to be diverted, delayed or cancelled. On Eid'l Adha, De Lima greets Muslims for unwavering solidarity Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has extended her warm greetings to the Muslims here and abroad in their celebration of the Islamic holiday of Eid'l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice today, Aug. 22. De Lima said the commemoration of this holy occasion allows the nation to witness the unwavering solidarity and dedication of the Muslims, which are worth emulating. "Your renewed faith and meaningful reflections during this solemn feast inspire many of us to remain steadfast and optimistic; that we will not succumb to pressures and challenges no matter how difficult it can get because we are guided and protected by God," she said in an official statement. Eid'l Adha, also known as Sacrifice Feast, commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice and show his commitment to Allah by proving his willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael. It is one of two of the most important holidays on the Muslim calendar, the other being Eid'l Fitr, which marks the culmination of the month-long fast during Ramadan. The Senator from Bicol said she hopes that the government leaders would sincerely help in bringing lasting peace and stability in war-stricken Mindanao and improve the plight of the Muslims there. "Dalangin po natin na kung gaano kalalim ang hangarin ng mga kapatid nating Muslim na matapos na ang deka-dekadang alitan at karahasan, ganoon din ang ibuhos na sinseridad ng mga pinuno sa pagsusulong ng pangmatagalang kapayapaan sa Mindanao at sa buong bansa," she said. As Filipinos, De Lima said, "binibigkis po tayo ng ating matibay na pananampalataya sa Dakilang Lumikha. Nawa'y panghawakan at pangatawanan po natin ito sa pagsusulong ng isang bansang tunay na makatarungan, mapayapa, at patas sa bawat mamamayan." The Chairperson of the Senate Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development Committee is hopeful that the new Bangsamoro Organic Law will bring lasting peace in Mindanao and give the Bangsamoro people genuine autonomy that will allow for their meaningful self-governance. IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Burnham Benefits Insurance Services a highly respected and growing industry leader in the California employee benefits brokerage space is named one of the 2018 Best Places to Work in Orange County, a project of the Orange County Business Journal (OCBJ) and Best Companies Group. An annual collaboration created in 2009, the distinction, which Burnham has received eight years in a row, recognizes the company as providing a work environment where employees can deliver exceptional services to customers, while maintaining a strong work-life balance. I feel that the Best Place to Work designation has played a critical part in attracting and recruiting employees of all talents and ages. People truly value a consistent culture. It isnt built overnight its something that you continually work at to attract like-minded, high-achieving individuals who want to work hard and find excitement as they grow within Burnham, says President and CEO Kristen Allison. This consistent designation and this year, jumping from a number eight ranking up to number five means growth and progress. The Best Place designation continues to be invaluable in encouraging and empowering employees to continue to promote positive change, an integral component of our high employee and client retention. Burnham Benefits thrives under the ideology of social transparency. The firm sought Benefit Corporation (B Corp) certification to publicly demonstrate its commitment to conscientious and sustainable growth protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for employees and members of its communities. Burnham Benefits strives to satisfy its employees and encourages them to preserve a solid work-life balance that enables employees to deliver a variety of first-class services to the best of their abilities. Burnhams culture isnt something that just came to be. It is something we have worked years to carefully cultivate and protect. I am truly humbled, says Allison. To see the full list of 2018 winners, please visit http://www.bestplacestoworkoc.com. About Burnham Benefits Insurance Services: Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, Inc. is a privately held, full-service strategic employee benefits consulting, and brokerage firm based in Irvine, California, with seven offices throughout the state offering comprehensive client-first strategic solutions. The closely held nature of Burnham allows its leadership to easily adapt and create customized programs that fit clients' best interests -- investing in cutting-edge technology, and the tools and resources needed to provide the specialized level of service that today's rapidly changing business climate demands. Burnham goes Well Beyond Benefits with its cadre of highly skilled industry professionals providing unmatched personal service. Retirement Consulting and Wealth Management services are also offered through our strategic partnership with Burnham Gibson Wealth Advisors, Inc. Burnham is a certified Benefits Corporation (B Corp), holds national recognition as one of the Best Places to Work in Insurance by Business Insurance for the past five years, and has been ranked as one of the Best Places to Work by the Orange County Business Journal for seven years running. For 2017, Burnham was ranked #37 nationally in the large-group market by the Employee Benefit Advisers Advisers of the Year. For more information, visit www.BurnhamBenefits.com Statement of Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, Partido Liberal president, on Eid'l Adha We join the Muslim community in the Philippines and around the world as they observe and celebrate Eid'l Adha. This special occasion is a time to honor the sacrifice and commitment demonstrated by Abraham. It also marks the end of the pilgrimage of Hajj performed each year by millions of Muslims who journey to Mecca as a testament to their faith. Many, especially after the Marawi siege, remain marginalized, deprived of justice, struggling with life's daily difficulties. May this event inspire strength and tenacity among us to never give up and always find hope in the face of the uncertainties and hardships. As a community, may we work united, practicing selflessness and compassion, so we would not be blind and deaf to the woes of our fellow men and women. For a meaningful celebration! Eid Mubarak! OMV says it will know later this year whether to proceed with further appraisal drilling in the Manaia structure south-west of the Maari oil field. The firm has been undertaking a series of well workovers and other upgrades to maintain production at the field about 70 kilometres off the Taranaki coast. It had been looking at tapping the shallower Moki formation in the Manaia structure next year, but opted to defer that work due to technical and commercial considerations, partner Cue Energy Resources said last month. Maari is the countrys biggest liquids producer and has delivered more than 36 million barrels of oil since production began in 2009. It is owned by OMV, Horizon Oil and Cue and delivered just over 2.9 million barrels last year, according to government data. Manaia lies about seven kilometres from the Maari platform and delivers oil to it from the deeper Mangahewa formation through an extended reach well drilled in 2009. The Manaia-2A well, drilled in 2013, drilled through both the Moki and Mangahewa formations and also tested the deeper Farewell formation. No hydrocarbons were found in that formation but the extent of the oil-bearing sands in the Moki formation was a surprise. Gabriel Selischi, OMVs senior vice president for Australasia, yesterday said the firm had been assessing both the Manaia-Moki and Manaia-Mangahewa reservoirs for further production. Sub-surface modelling was required for both and the decision was taken to prioritise Manaia-Mangahewa for development. The Manaia-Mangahewa work is expected to be complete in the December quarter. We will know then if we will delay or defer if necessary, Selischi said in an email. OMV, which is in the process of taking over Shells operations in New Zealand, has applied for marine consents for a programme of drilling in Taranaki waters during the next four years. It plans nine exploration wells and three appraisal wells across six permits, including Maari. Selischi said the Environmental Protection Authority consent process for that work wont be affected by the choices the venture makes at Manaia. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. 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Related News: 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 Stronger policy direction favouring renewables is needed if the country is to meet its target for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Meridian Energy chief executive Neal Barclay says. While electricity demand growth has been limited in recent years, that could change quickly from the middle of the next decade depending on the uptake of electric vehicles and the use of more electricity in heavy industry. That could require the equivalent of two or more mid-sized wind farms annually to meet that demand growth, Barclay said. The country has projects consented capable of delivering 9,000 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy but most of those consents lapse by 2026 long before they will be needed. While they can be re-consented, Barclay said most will also have to be changed to take advantage of new technology. That could become a time-consuming and costly task under the Resource Management Act. We do need more pro-renewables policies as part of the RMA framework than we have today, Barclay told analysts and journalists in Wellington today. Most existing consents are going to have to be extended and in many cases modified as the technology has improved since they were originally consented. Electrifying industry and transport to meet the countrys emission reduction targets will require massive investment, with most of that expected to be in geothermal, wind and solar. But firms including Meridian and Contact Energy have let some wind consents lapse in recent years due to the lack of demand growth. On-going solar growth and efficiency gains from hydro and geothermal upgrades are also providing additional incremental capacity and making it harder for major generators to time their next investment at scale. Contact earlier this month said it can look at modular development at its Wairakei and Tauhara geothermal fields to help time an efficient investment, although that wasnt likely any time soon. Mercury NZ this week said its Turitea wind site near Palmerston North is also among the countrys best. Nova Energy expects to start generating from a new 100 MW gas-fired plant near New Plymouth late 2020. Meridian today announced a $2 million write-down on the value of consents it has for the 130 MW Central Wind project near Waiouru. It says it wont be able to proceed with the project based on the existing consents, which lapse in 2020. Barclay said the company will seek extensions and modifications to the consent there and for the up to 140 MW Maungaharuru wind project it plans north-west of Napier. That consent lapses in 2023. The firm is not in a hurry and needs to take all the affected stakeholders with it. But he said a decision to proceed with Maungaharuru its best project - could be possible late next year. Wind turbine and blade technology has improved dramatically in recent years, with bigger machines now able to deliver yields previously only thought possible from the very best wind sites. Barclay said the firm is looking at moving to bigger rotors up from 82 metres in diameter to 150 metres. It may be able to do that within the current consented blade-tip heights, but is also looking at higher towers. The economics get a lot better with the bigger machines, he said, adding that Maungaharuru may deliver a levelised cost of energy at less than $60/MWh. We think weve got the best option on the books. Maungaharuru wind farm looks pretty attractive and compelling, he said. A decision maybe late next year could be on the cards. At the same time, that decision could be to delay for another year. Were not in a hurry. Meridian is working hard to encourage EV take-up and said it has recently sold an Auckland commercial customer what will be the countrys largest solar installation. Barclay said the potential sales hopper for commercial-scale solar is increasing rapidly and Meridian will do more work in that space. The company is also working with heavy industry on possible conversion of processing from coal to electricity. Chief financial officer Paul Chambers noted that is slow-going and that the cost of increased transmission capacity in what are often isolated rural areas can be challenging. The Labour-led government has tasked the Interim Climate Change Committee with identifying ways to make power generation 100 percent renewable in a year of average hydrology - by 2035. It has also banned the granting of new offshore exploration permits and halted onshore exploration outside of Taranaki. Barclay reiterated the country should be focusing on a renewable energy target for the economy, rather than focusing on the electricity sector. He said 95 percent renewable generation is probably do-able and will largely happen naturally. But pushing to 100 percent could be costly and trying to do it without gas-fired back up would also bring significant reliability risk. While batteries will help meet daily peaks, they are not an option for deep seasonal and dry-year storage, he said. Electrifying the economy while trying to provide dry-year cover without gas would require the equivalent of another one or two Lake Pukakis, he said. Lake Pukaki, which Meridian operates, can hold more than 1,700 GWh of storage and typically accounts for about half the countrys storage. Its not that clear to me where we would squeeze another two of those in around the country, Barclay said. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. 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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 Fletcher Building chief executive Ross Taylor said the company would be open to bidding on new vertical construction projects if the current procurement system changes. Fletcher and other construction companies like Ebert Construction have run into difficulties due to cost-blowouts on low margin projects, prompting a series of crisis talks between government and industry and moves towards a longer-term approach to construction negotiations from government ministries. This morning, Fletcher reported its net earnings loss was $190 million for the 12 months to June 30 compared to a profit of $94 million in the prior year. Operating earnings before significant items - excluding Building + Interiors - were $710 million, within the $680 million to $720 million range it forecast. The B+I losses were maintained at $660 million, as forecast in February when it announced further provisions of $486 million. The losses in the B+I unit, which includes some of New Zealand's most complex and expensive vertical construction projects on its books, had been well signaled to the market after cost overruns on major projects like the Auckland-based International Convention Centre, the Commercial Bay development, and Christchurchs Justice Precinct. The company had indicated it won't bid for new contracts of that kind. Today, however, Taylor was more sanguine. The government is a big and an important client in the industry, but not the only one. I think if it positions itself a bit differently and a bit more thoughtfully that will be a positive for the industry. I think that's a really appropriate and sensible response, Taylor told journalists on a conference call after the annual result. The government is responsible for around 18 percent of all vertical construction projects, and Taylor said Fletcher will continue to engage with the government over the coming weeks. Its not about having one conversation and hey presto it is all solved. There are some complexities to work through but I think they will work through those and we will get a sensible outcome. The intent and the will is certainly there. I think it is genuine and we will get some movement and changes, he said. If that happens Fletcher "will look at that as we look at the B&I or vertical space. We will keep an eye on the market and to the extent that changes and we start to see the right dynamic then, yes, we will be back in it because it is the logical place for us to play, he said. Its just the way it evolved it wasnt making any sense at all. Earlier this month Jenny Salesa, Minister for Building and Construction, said Cabinet will consider whether government ministries should take a longer-term approach to construction negotiations after Ebert Construction was tipped into receivership. Among other things it will look at ensuring departments adhere to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)'s government procurement guidelines, which stress the importance of "optimum whole-of-life value for money" ahead of short-term cost-cutting. Last week the government announced it would create an independent infrastructure agency in a bid to take the politics out of any development decisions. The new body will provide expert advice, planning and strategy, and help support the delivery of major infrastructure projects across the country. Fletcher Building shares were last down 1.7% at $6.78. (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 A2 Milk's shares rose 4.4 percent following the milk marketer's annual results this morning, but are still well off record highs seen earlier this year. The company more than doubled net profit to $195.7 million in the June 2018 year, as it widened margins and increased infant formula sales. Revenue rose 68 percent to $922.7 million and earnings before interest, tax, deprecation and amortisation also more than doubled to $283 million. A2 already gave that revenue figure last month, just beating its $900 million-to-$920 million forecast from May, and at the time said ebitda was about 30 percent of sales, implying a figure around $277 million. The shares have soared since 2017 as it benefited from strong demand for infant formula, particularly in China. In the latest year, a2's formula sales revenue was $724.2 million, up 84 percent on 2017. This year, the stock has gained a more modest 38 percent, though still the second-best performance on the S&P/NZX 50 Index which has risen 8.6 percent in that time. Recently they traded up 4.4 percent to $11.62. A2 shares hit a record $14.10 in March before the company disappointed investors with a forecast which said first-half gross margin of 49.8 percent was likely to carry through into the second half as expansion plans in the US and China led to higher marketing costs. Today, it said gross margin was 50.3 percent over the year, reflecting higher formula sales and favourable currency movements. Michael Milne, an investment adviser at Craigs Investment Partners, said the headline result "was slightly ahead of expectations - 'slightly' being the key word." "Some of it they'd guided to earlier in that trading update in July. Overall it was another strong result, the ebitda was slightly ahead of consensus and lower marketing spend helped some of those figures," Milne said. "It's bounced around a bit in the past few months, it has dropped back a bit from those $14 highs but this result is a good, solid result and that's why we've seen a bit of recovery over the last couple of weeks." A2 has been extending and widening relationships with suppliers and distributors as it develops its supply chain and enters new markets. In its first-half results announcement in February, a2 announced a strategic partnership with Fonterra Cooperative Group, the world's biggest dairy exporter, and in April it signed an exclusive distribution deal with Yuhan Corp in South Korea. In July, it extended its infant formula supply deal with New Zealand dairy processor Synlait Milk until at least July 2023; this month, it extended its deal to sell infant formula to China, via China State Farm, for a further three years to 2021. In the year, a2 also launched sales of infant formula in Hong Kong for the first time, began selling fresh milk in Singapore, and tested selling whole-milk powder in Vietnam. "The focus on growth initiatives in targeted emerging markets will continue, building on the companys established strategic partnerships," a2 said. While Australia and New Zealand remain its biggest market - with revenue of $656.6 million and ebitda of $262.2 million in 2018 - it's seeing greater growth in its China and other Asia segment, where revenue more than doubled to $233.6 million and ebitda was up 148 percent to $81.3 million in the latest year. The United States, where the company sells four varieties of fresh milk, and the United Kingdom combined to deliver $32.4 million in sales and an ebitda-loss of $27.6 million in the latest year. In its annual report, a2 says it's still positive about the US market and plans to invest US$22 million in 2019, mostly on marketing, and hopes for positive monthly ebitda within three years. However, it's less bullish about the UK, which it says "continues to be a challenging market to achieve scale" despite fresh milk sales up 50 percent from the previous year. It's changing suppliers for fresh milk early in the current financial year, which it doesn't anticipate will disrupt sales or stock availability. The company's general outlook was positive, with a2 saying it "anticipates further growth in revenue particularly in respect of nutritional products" in Australia, New Zealand and China, and liquid milk in the US. It expects its ebitda-to-sales ratio to be broadly consistent with 2018's 31 percent, which was up from 26 percent in 2017, and said the board is continuing to look at how it uses its capital, including reviewing investment opportunities for blending and canning. (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. 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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 The Commerce Commission has laid 10 charges against Vodafone New Zealand after it charged some broadband customers who were terminating their accounts for longer than it should have. The regulator filed the charges, spanning Jan 2012 to Jan 2017, in the Auckland District Court, alleging Vodafone, having agreed with a customer to terminate their service part-way through the next month, then sent an invoice that included charges for the entire next monthly billing period. "As such, the commission alleges that Vodafone misrepresented its right to payment because its customers only owed payment for the services provided prior to the agreed termination date," the commission said. "The commission cannot comment further while this case is before the court." Vodafone said in a statement that it was disappointed by the court action as the billing errors were "due to a combination of unintentional system and human errors which Vodafone has since resolved." "We have had an ongoing dialogue with the Commission throughout their investigation, and they have acknowledged our cooperation," chief executive Russell Stanners said. "We launched an extensive and pro-active initiative to put things right by tracking down customers, refunding credits and donating the balance to charity. "We have made process and technical changes to avoid repeats of this issue. Taking all of this into account, we hoped the Commerce Commission would opt for one of its other enforcement tools, rather than costly court proceedings," Stanners said. Vodafone said it has refunded $55,896.71 to 2,001 current and former customers, and donated the outstanding balance owed to 13,350 customers who hadn't claimed their refund by June 1 - $86,226.77 - to charity. Those customers can still claim back their money by contacting Vodafone. The issue is due to be heard in the court on Sept 11. (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 Spark New Zealand and smaller rival CallPlus-owned Vocus Group are targeting bigger margins in a "saturated" broadband market where firms are fighting aggressively for market share. Auckland-based Spark increased gross margin by 6.7 percent for its $685 million of broadband revenue in the 12 months ended June 30, benefitting from cheaper wholesale access to Chorus's network as its wireless broadband customer numbers rose to 116,000. Switching customers to higher-value fibre products also boosted the margin. Meanwhile, Vocus's New Zealand business boosted its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation margin to 16.9 percent, which it put down to automating more processes and closely managing its network costs. The focus on profitability by the two companies, which collectively service 894,000 broadband customers, comes as new players enter the retail service provider market and compete more aggressively on price. Spark's broadband revenue slipped 0.6 percent despite adding 13,000 connections to 700,000, while Vocus NZ said its monthly average revenue per user shrank to $70.05 from $71.21. Spark managing director Simon Moutter told an analyst briefing that broadband was no longer a "growth product" and was "relatively saturated" where 70 to 80 brands were vying for customers. The company itself has multiple brands with its core product positioned as a value-proposition with Lightbox and Spotify add-ons, whereas Bigpipe and Skinny pursue cost-conscious customers. "There's no point entering the broadband market thinking it's this big new growth product category that everyone can have a piece of. It's mature, it's saturated," Moutter said. "The pricing behaviour and acquisition efforts look more like what you'd see in a growth market where it's only 50 percent penetrated." An industry body, the Telecommunications Carriers' Forum, today published its annual report showing New Zealand's broadband plan prices are 5-to-15 percent below the OECD average and mobile plans are 27-to-47 percent cheaper. "Ten years ago, the costs of telecommunications services were double the costs of some other utilities such as electricity, TCF chief executive Geoff Thorn said. "As we have better infrastructure in place, the cost of delivering those services has decreased and those savings are passed on to the consumer." Spark is focusing on widening margins across its business and is restructuring to introduce Agile working processes to cut labour costs, as well as increasing automation and digitisation. It hopes to become the lowest-cost operator in the country and wants to achieve a 30 percent-plus ebitda margin, from the current 28.4 percent. Vocus New Zealand, which operates CallPlus, 2talk, Orcon, Slingshot, Flip and the local fibre line provider previously called FX Networks, boosted ebitda 8 percent to $61.3 million on a 4 percent increase in revenue to $363.5 million. The Australian-owned company also owns electricity retailer Switch Utilities, which it uses to sell bundled products, a strategy it said was successful in attracting mass market customers, where Vocus also focused on "taking unfair share in UFB footprints". It too is targeting a low cost operating model through digital investment. Elsewhere, Spark lifted mobile connections 2.8 percent to 2.46 million, underpinning a 6.9 percent gain in mobile revenue at $1.28 billion. Vocus added 3,000 mobile customers, but remains a minor player with 24,000 connections. The introduction of competition has also seen Spark take a smaller share of profits from the Southern Cross submarine cable. The company's dividend fell $11 million to $50 million in the year and is expected to fall to between $10 million and $20 million in the 2019 year "as the level of pre-purchased capacity from large customers decreases." The trans-Pacific submarine cable lost its monopoly position with a joint venture between Spark, Vodafone and Two Degrees Mobile linking New Zealand and Australia, and more recently the launch of the Hawaiki cable spanning the Pacific. (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 The reason for this unprecedented turn was a united opposition led by current PM Narendra Modi which did a great job of exposing the many fallacies of the UPA regime. However, in the last 4 years since Mr. Modi became the PM, the opposition has faltered. Despite colossal failures of the government, the biggest failure has been the oppositions inability to force the government to take stock by mounting a strong attack on their misgovernance. When the UPA came back to power in 2009, they did so riding the praise for the work they had done in the five previous years. However, barely three years later it seemed theyd unravel at the seams. This is not only bad, but disastrous for democracy because the lack of opposition to bad governance has often lead democracies straight under the hellfire of autocracy and dictatorship. As the 2019 general election approaches, adding to misgovernance and failed promises, is an atmosphere of violence tacitly approved by the government. What does the opposition do in such a scenario, especially considering that some pundits are arguing that if they do not fight back now, chances are that 2024 might never see fair, democratic elections. Arun Shourie, who has been in the bad books of both the Congress and BJP the former for exposing their corruption as an editor and the latter now for vociferously opposing it - in a speech delivered on August 10 at a public meeting under the aegis of Rashtra Manch / National Forum that Yashwant Sinha had initiated 6 months ago - offered advice to the opposition. Following are excerpts from his speech. I want us to think about the future, about what we can do. 2019 is the last chance to reverse course. If this time you do not turn the train around, then forget about democracy. Youll find that what youve seen so far (in the last four years) is but a trailer for the big show. Earlier I used to say that the BJP and the GoI is of two and half men Modi, Shah and half of Arun Jaitley trying to be useful. Now I say that it is a government of one and three fourth men. One is Amit Shah not Modi. Modi is busy getting himself clicked and managing events. Hence, the main agencies like CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Serious Frauds office etc. all report to Amit Shah. And to know his mentality, ask the people gathered on the dais or read Supreme Courts judgment on transferring the Sohrabuddin case. Keep all that has happened in (the last four years in) mind and think whatll happen if they come back to power in 2019. And they know, that the way they came to power the last time, that wont work anymore because the youth is not with them, neither the traders, nor the SMEs, farmers etc. Hence they know that the ground has slipped from under their feet. They are also aware that if they do not come back in 2019, they would be in danger. Hence they would do whatever they think necessary to come to power: be it dividing people, killing people, spreading terror etc. Hence, the country will be in peril if they come back. But I want to tell the leaders of oppositions, and I want you to explain to them, that obviously the country will be in danger but keeping the nation aside they personally will be in grave danger. Modi is not going to leave anyone because he considers everyone a rival. Considering this, I want to give the leaders of the opposition a few suggestions. The election of the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha might have been wrong or planted, but the oppositions attitude did not help. Arvind Kejriwal says let Rahul Gandhi call me first. Rahul Gandhi says, why should I call him. And in tussles like these, we lose track of the issue. Consider the irony: on one side you claim that the nation is in danger but on the other you bicker about someone not calling you? How does that work? Once Mahatma Gandhi had a meeting with the Viceroy and took with himself an aluminium bowl he was given in British Prison in Yerawada. When he was asked why he was going like that to the Viceroys house, Gandhiji replied: I will stand on the steps of the Viceroys house with a begging bowl in my hand if it is in the interest of India. Hence my first point is, you are leaders, please do not stand on the issue of prestige. Often it is said, and Yashwant ji can guide us on that, that alliances break up on the question of 3-4 seats and no understanding can be reached between the parties. What is this? On one side is the question of the nation, on the other your very lives are at stake, yet you fight for 3-4 seats? Arvind Kejriwal said today that he will go it alone in Haryana and Delhi. Even Mayawati said that she needs a particular number of seats. Some reason that this is an opening move for bargaining. I will ask for 70 and finally agree on 35. But what do you think is the effect of this on the public mind? They think these guys cant even unite on such a small issue, how will they run the government. Hence do not operate out of the idea of prestige, and forget this concept of opening gambit. When we bicker about each other we say: he talked about me in the past that way or he did not give me this position in the last elections. Please forget the past. I would also add that forget the future for the time being. You might think that today the person youre fighting elections with, you might have to oppose in the assembly tomorrow. Banish all such thoughts because that time might not come if you do not unite today. My next suggestion to the opposition is this: please do not talk about each other in public. The influential medias tactic is to come to you and say: the other person said this about you so what do you have to say about that. Dont talk ABOUT each other, talk TO each other. And if there is a problem in the relationship, then talk to each other in private. I once asked Abdul Kalam about the success of ISRO. He told me that it was because of Satish Dhawan who started the concept of Monday morning meetings where project heads would sit together and iron out all the issues they had with each other and their departments. And there was another rule: if there was something you wanted to say to someone, dont write a letter, pick up the phone and if there is an issue you can talk on the phone then dont talk on the phone, go to them and sort it out. In the same vein, dont talk about each other, talk to each other. If there is a problem that you think must be attended to, tell it to your ally in private and help him solve it rather than point accusatory fingers. Next I want you to remember two numbers. The first is: 31-69. It means that even during the peak of his popularity, Modi got only 31% of the votes. If you get together, you start with 69% votes. The key is one-to-one contest. Let everyone pledge that against every candidate of BJP, we will field only one of our candidate and then see the miracle. If the votes are divided, you will stand to lose. Look at what happened in Assam, Karnataka and Tripura. The second number to remember is 90-60. Those states that contribute 60% of seats to the Lok Sabha, Modi won 90% of them, like in UP, Bihar, MP, Rajasthan etc. What should help your confidence is that there is no chance of him winning 90% of those seats this time around. What is also important to focus on, are the states they are focussing on i.e. the ones they had lost in or are weak in. At least in those states the opposition should focus and ensure one-to-one contest. Like in the Northeast and Orissa. There are many more suggestions I have. But I would like to request the influential and persuasive leaders of their parties, that at least in these matters either put pressure, cajole or misguide your leaders so that they accept the idea of seat adjustments. Then and only then can the opposition truly have confidence. Translated and edited from the Hindi by Satyen K. Bordoloi. .) BURNABY, British Columbia, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- D-Wave Systems Inc., the leader in quantum computing systems and software, today published a milestone study demonstrating a topological phase transition using its 2048-qubit annealing quantum computer. This complex quantum simulation of materials is a major step toward reducing the need for time-consuming and expensive physical research and development. The paper, entitled Observation of topological phenomena in a programmable lattice of 1,800 qubits, was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature ( Vol. 560, Issue 7719, August 22, 2018 ). This work marks an important advancement in the field and demonstrates again that the fully programmable D-Wave quantum computer can be used as an accurate simulator of quantum systems at a large scale. The methods used in this work could have broad implications in the development of novel materials, realizing Richard Feynmans original vision of a quantum simulator. This new research comes on the heels of D-Waves recent Science Magazine paper demonstrating a different type of phase transition in a quantum spin-glass simulation. The two papers together signify the flexibility and versatility of the D-Wave quantum computer in quantum simulation of materials, in addition to other tasks such as optimization and machine learning. In the early 1970s, theoretical physicists Vadim Berezinskii, J. Michael Kosterlitz and David Thouless predicted a new state of matter characterized by nontrivial topological properties. The work was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2016. D-Wave researchers demonstrated this phenomenon by programming the D-Wave 2000Q system to form a two-dimensional frustrated lattice of artificial spins. The observed topological properties in the simulated system cannot exist without quantum effects and closely agree with theoretical predictions. This paper represents a breakthrough in the simulation of physical systems which are otherwise essentially impossible, said 2016 Nobel laureate Dr. J. Michael Kosterlitz. The test reproduces most of the expected results, which is a remarkable achievement. This gives hope that future quantum simulators will be able to explore more complex and poorly understood systems so that one can trust the simulation results in quantitative detail as a model of a physical system. I look forward to seeing future applications of this simulation method. The work described in the Nature paper represents a landmark in the field of quantum computation: for the first time, a theoretically predicted state of matter was realized in quantum simulation before being demonstrated in a real magnetic material, said Dr. Mohammad Amin, chief scientist at D-Wave. "This is a significant step toward reaching the goal of quantum simulation, enabling the study of material properties before making them in the lab, a process that today can be very costly and time consuming." Successfully demonstrating physics of Nobel Prize-winning importance on a D-Wave quantum computer is a significant achievement in and of itself. But in combination with D-Waves recent quantum simulation work published in Science, this new research demonstrates the flexibility and programmability of our system to tackle recognized, difficult problems in a variety of areas, said Vern Brownell, D-Wave CEO. D-Waves quantum simulation of the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition is an exciting and impactful result. It not only contributes to our understanding of important problems in quantum magnetism, but also demonstrates solving a computationally hard problem with a novel and efficient mapping of the spin system, requiring only a limited number of qubits and opening new possibilities for solving a broader range of applications, said Dr. John Sarrao, principal associate director for science, technology, and engineering at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The ability to demonstrate two very different quantum simulations, as we reported in Science and Nature, using the same quantum processor, illustrates the programmability and flexibility of D-Wave's quantum computer," said Dr. Andrew King, principal investigator for this work at D-Wave. "This programmability and flexibility were two key ingredients in Richard Feynman's original vision of a quantum simulator and open up the possibility of predicting the behavior of more complex engineered quantum systems in the future." The achievements presented in Nature and Science join D-Waves continued work with world-class customers and partners on real-world prototype applications (proto-apps) across a variety of fields. The 70+ proto-apps developed by customers span optimization, machine learning, quantum material science, cybersecurity, and more. Many of the proto-apps results show that D-Wave systems are approaching, and sometimes surpassing, conventional computing in terms of performance or solution quality on real problems, at pre-commercial scale. As the power of D-Wave systems and software expands, these proto-apps point to the potential for scaled customer application advantage on quantum computers. The paper published today is available here in Nature. About D-Wave Systems Inc. D-Wave is the leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems and software, and the world's only commercial supplier of quantum computers. Our mission is to unlock the power of quantum computing for the world. We believe that quantum computing will enable solutions to the most challenging national defense, scientific, technical, and commercial problems. D-Wave's systems are being used by some of the world's most advanced organizations, including Lockheed Martin, Google, NASA Ames, USRA, USC, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. With headquarters near Vancouver, Canada, D-Wave's US operations are based in Palo Alto, CA and Hanover, MD. D-Wave has a blue-chip investor base including PSP Investments, Goldman Sachs, Bezos Expeditions, DFJ, In-Q-Tel, BDC Capital, Growthworks, 180 Degree Capital Corp., and Kensington Capital Partners Limited. For more information, visit: www.dwavesys.com . dwave@launchsquad.com A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/bd223a16-e30a-4793-91f8-74bd9c113bde A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on the image or link below: : A day after Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted that he was in Geneva to meet United Nations' officials and international humanitarian agencies and is in close consultation with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the CM said that Tharoor leader was in Geneva in his personal capacity and not on official calling. On Monday, Tharoor in a tweet said that he landed in Geneva to meet with the UN and other agencies for consultations on Kerala floods. Landed in Geneva to meet w/ @UN & international humanitarian agencies for consultations on #KeralaFloods. While seeking help is the prerogative of the Govt of India, i am here, in close consultation w/ @CMOKerala @vijayanpinarayi, to explore what help could be possible if sought Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 20, 2018 Tharoor, although said that seeking help was the prerogative of the Government of India, said that he was in close consultation with CM Vijayan to explore what help could be possible if sought. However, the Kerala Chief Minister on Tuesday when was asked about Tharoor's visit to the UN said that the Congress leader was not an emissary of the Kerala government. Tharoor's constituency Thiruvananthapuram is among the places that have been least affected by the floods that claimed over 350 lives since May. Kerala as an independent state cannot avail aid directly from the UN. Such aid can only be accessed with the intervention of the Central government. The Centre reportedly rejected any UN support for the state. News reports stated that the External Affairs Ministry had informed UN that the Indian government was able to manage the relief activities in the flood-hit state. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys information technology cell head Amit Malviya was close on heels of this controversy and took to Twitter asking why Tharoor lied to the public if he wasnt an envoy of the Kerala CM to the United Nations and does not have the authority to speak on behalf of the government. Malviya further went on to ask if the Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram had kept the Ministry of External Affairs in the loop about his trip. Kerala, ravaged by floods, is limping back to normalcy. The state witnessed massive destruction which resulted in the death of over 350 people. The government along with some NGOs are trying to help Kerala get back on track by organising relief camps and providing medicines, food, clothes, and shelter to the flood victims. SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stefanini, a $1B global IT provider, announced today that Beth Gebrai, vice president of global process leadership at Stefanini, is nominated as one of the Notable Women in Technology by Crain Content Studio, which highlights the most brilliant women leaders in technology who are changing the face of the industry day by day. The nominees were selected based on their career accomplishments, involvement in nonprofits and community organizations, and evidence of being a mentor to those in their field. With over 20 years at Stefanini, Mrs. Gebrai was key to the implementation of various strategies and product launches that have helped the company earn the position of a strategic partner for their customers journeys toward digital transformation. In 2016, Beth Gebrai led the launch of Sophie, Stefaninis artificial intelligence platform in North America. Sophie is based on cognitive computing and artificial intelligence, with a focus in self-adaptation, interactive and contextual automation that enables self-learning, human-like interactions and self-healing automation capabilities. Last year, Gebrai was responsible for developing the Innovation Center, a creative open-space environment in the office headquarters at Stefanini U.S., which also boasts the first Global Innovation Center in the U.S. part of a worldwide Stefanini initiative that has enabled the company the ability to embrace emerging technologies and industry standards using design-thinking methodology. This year, under Mrs. Gebrais leadership, other products were developed, launched, and incorporated into Stefaninis portfolio to help businesses facing new challenges, including Stefanini Care, Stefanini Tech On Demand, Stefanini d3, and Stefanini Tech On the Go. The unique ability of Beth to solution, implement, and reinforce Stefaninis digital point of view has helped our company to strengthen its position as an agent of digital transformation, not only with our clients and partners but also with our employees, academia and the community in general, said Spencer Gracias, Stefanini CEO of North America. About Stefanini: Stefanini (www.stefanini.com) is a Brazilian multinational with 30 years of experience in the market, investing in a complete innovation ecosystem to meet the main verticals and assist customers in the process of digital transformation. With robust offerings aligned with market trends such as automation, cloud, Internet of Things (IoT) and user experience (UX), the company has been recognized with several awards in the area of innovation. Today, the company has a broad portfolio of solutions that combine innovative consulting, marketing, mobility, personalized campaigns and artificial intelligence services for traditional solutions such as service desk, field service and outsourcing (BPO). With a presence in 40 countries, Stefanini was nominated for the third consecutive year as the fifth transnational company more internationalized, according to the Dom Cabral Foundation ranking of 2017. Editorial Contacts Carla Ferber (Carla.ferber@stefanini.com) Vanessa Morais (Vanessa.morais@stefanini.com) +1 248 263.8612 With friends like these: Taiwan's battle for allies and identity Taipei, Aug 22 (AFP) Aug 22, 2018 Taiwan's loss of another diplomatic ally to China is the latest strike in a multi-pronged effort to isolate the island, undermine its claims to sovereignty, and render it invisible on the global stage. As Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to bend to Beijing's demand that she recognise the island as part of "one China", the Chinese government has stepped up its campaign to shrink its status. Major international businesses including airlines and hotels have recently caved to pressure to list Taiwan as part of China on their websites. Taiwan has also been shut out of numerous high-profile global forums at Beijing's request and China has stepped up military drills around the self-ruled island. El Salvador's President Sanchez Ceren said its decision Tuesday to switch ties from Taipei to Beijing was part of the "inevitable trends of our day", while Taiwan accused China of using dollar diplomacy to lure away its supporters. Taiwan, whose official name is Republic of China (ROC), now has only 17 official diplomatic allies, the vast majority of them small economies in the Pacific, Caribbean and Central America. Five have jumped ship since Tsai took power in 2016, with three this year alone. The allies may not punch much weight internationally, but chipping away at them has deep significance for Taiwan as it strives to hold on to any formal recognition of its legitimacy. Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign country and has its own democratic political system, laws and currency. However, Beijing considers it a stray province to be brought back into the fold, by force if necessary, with President Xi Jinping repeatedly underscoring the importance of territorial integrity to China's resurgence. "If the ROC is completely unrecognised I believe Beijing's calculation is that it will be easier to delegitimise the government in Taipei and prime demoralised Taiwanese and international society for unification," said Jonathan Sullivan, Director of China Programs at the University of Nottingham. Wooing El Salvador was also a warning shot to the United States, said Fan Shih-ping, a political analyst at National Taiwan Normal University. The US is Taiwan's most important informal ally and major arms supplier, despite having switched official diplomatic ties to Beijing in 1979. Beijing protested last week when Tsai spoke publicly in Los Angeles -- the first Taiwan president to do so for 15 years -- and has also complained about recent friendly overtures from the Trump administration, including a fresh commitment to support Taiwan militarily. "It's an indirect slap in Trump's face as El Salvador is in the US backyard," said Fan. - David vs Goliath - China's nationalist troops retreated to Taiwan after losing a war on the mainland to communist forces in 1949 and declared the island the seat of power of the defeated Republic of China. For decades, Taipei was recognised as China's official representative but in 1971 the United Nations switched recognition to Beijing. That left Taiwan with no sovereign status internationally and prompted major powers to change diplomatic allegiance. Taiwan has never declared independence from the mainland and is hamstrung by its own constitution, which still defines it as the Republic of China, not as a separate entity. Beijing has said it would take military action if Taiwan ever formally split and the US would also be unlikely to support such a provocative move. President Tsai declared Tuesday that Taiwan would not bow to pressure and slammed China's "increasingly out-of-control international behaviour". But China's growing global clout makes it a David and Goliath fight for recognition. Xi is confident he can use both hard and soft power to pave the way for reunification, said Huang Kwei-bo, vice dean at Taiwan's National Chengchi University's international affairs college. "They now ignore stakeholders in Taiwan and unilaterally decide to do whatever they want. This is quite worrying as it means Beijing doesn't have any willingness to communicate anymore," said Huang. Beijing cut off all official contact with Taipei after Tsai came to power, as her party is traditionally independence-leaning. However, Sullivan noted that if Taiwan loses all recognition from its allies, Beijing may unwittingly fuel calls from independence supporters to push for the island to redefine itself as the Republic of Taiwan. He also believes Taiwan's unofficial ties ultimately outweigh its official ones. "Taiwan's informal relationships, as a major trading economy, with the US, Japan the European Union and pretty much every other country in the world, are much more important to Taiwan's vitality," he said. US, China talks raise optimism on eve of new trade tariffs Washington, Aug 22 (AFP) Aug 22, 2018 US officials are set to hold talks on Wednesday with Chinese and Mexican negotiators, fueling cautious optimism that further trade confrontations might be averted even as a new round of tariffs is about to hit. These will be the first formal discussions with China since June on the spiraling and multifaceted trade war between the world's two largest economies. Meanwhile, US and Mexican trade officials are expected to wrap up weeks of discussions on the rewrite of the North American Free Trade Agreement that could pave the way for Canada to rejoin the talks and move to a final agreement. President Donald Trump has pushed aggressive trade actions to lower the US trade deficit that he equates with stealing from Americans. But US trading partners have retaliated aggressively, which is hurting American farmers, manufacturers and consumers. US businesses have become increasingly concerned about the tariffs that are raising prices for manufacturers and could hurt the economy, although the prospect of a negotiated solution buoyed Wall Street this week. But even as the talks begin, another $16 billion in Chinese goods will face new US tariffs starting Thursday at 12:01 am (0401 GMT), completing the first round of $50 billion in products targeted in the dispute over what US officials say is the rampant theft of American technology. China has said it will react immediately with tariffs on the same amount of US goods, targeting iconic products like Harley motorcycles, bourbon and orange juice, among hundreds of others. And still pending are the possibility for new duties on another $200 billion in Chinese goods, which are the subject of public hearings this week, as well as Trump's proposed 25 percent taxes on all auto imports to protect the US industry. - US business impact - Senior US Treasury official David Malpass will lead the two days of talks with China's Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen, the deputy representative on international trade negotiations. There has been no word on the topics to be discussed. Trump said earlier this week that he was not expecting much from the discussions. "We are a country that has been ripped off by anybody and we are not going to be ripped off anymore," Trump said at a campaign rally in West Virginia on Tuesday. "It has to be a two-way street. We only have one-way streets not only with China but everybody." Thousands of large and small companies and industry groups have urged the Trump administration to reconsider the tariffs which some say could put them out of business. But so far the Trump administration has largely been deaf to the complaints, as only a handful of product lines have been shielded from the punitive duties. The administration already was forced to announce a $12 billion aid program for farmers hurt by the trade wars, as US agricultural products, like soybeans, were an easy target for China and others. - NAFTA rewrite - Efforts to revise NAFTA seem a bit more hopeful, after USTR Robert Lighthizer told Trump last week he hoped to get a breakthrough in the talks in coming days on the issues with Mexico. Mexico's Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said on Wednesday they could be finalized "in the next two hours or next two days," according to press reports. US publication Politico cited sources saying the White House was planning a "handshake" announcement ceremony for Thursday but Mexico has all along stressed that there will be no deal until after Canada rejoins the discussions. The office of Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland has not said when she would return to Washington. The three countries have been negotiating for a year to salvage the trade pact that Trump says was a "disaster" for the United States. US-China trade war hits $100 billion in goods Washington, Aug 22 (AFP) Aug 22, 2018 From iconic Harley Davidson motorcycles and American bourbon to machinery and computer processors, the world's two largest economies have exchanged punitive tariffs that slice through a wide swath of key products. Starting Thursday at 12:01 am (0401 GMT), the US will charge 25 percent import duties on an additional $16 billion in Chinese products, bringing the total to over 1,000 items valued at about $50 billion in trade a year. China has responded dollar-for-dollar on hundreds of US goods, putting the total value of affected goods at $100 billion, one-seventh of the total annual US-China trade. - Top Chinese imports targeted - The Trump administration says the aggressive stance is meant to pressure Beijing to change policies that allow and encourage the theft of US technology and unfairly undercut American producers. The tariffs are aimed at Chinese goods -- such as aircraft parts and computer hard drives -- that Washington says have benefited from unfair trade practices. China has accused the United States of starting the "largest trade war in economic history." Computers and electronics, and machinery are among the hardest hit, including $1.1 billion in imports of computer processors, and the same amount of electrical machines. The next biggest victim is $700 million in integrated circuits, $500 million in solar cells, and $400 million in computer memory. - Motorcycles, milking machines - Also on the hit list, milking machines for dairy cows, incubators for baby chicks, flight data recorders, x-ray tubes, bulldozers and arc lamps as well as motorcycles and mopeds. - Ghost products - While the top five products from China targeted total about $9 billion, there are dozens of products that have seen no imports -- or very small amounts -- in the past two years. Spacecraft, helicopters, microwave tubes, nuclear reactor parts, telescopes, locomotives and retread tires are among the goods subject to tariffs but unlikely to be hit by them in practice. - US feels the pain - Ironically, the goods the United States has targeted for retaliation are mostly intermediate products manufactured in China by multinational companies imported by US-based manufacturers, and miss Chinese firms, according to analysis by economists. Economists with the Peterson Institute for International Economics say nearly all of the US tariffs imposed on China to date are on intermediate goods and capital equipment needed by US industry. - China hits back - China so far has retaliated dollar-for-dollar, hitting agricultural goods and autos in July, with new taxes on US oil and more vehicles to come Thursday. The most painful perhaps is the tariff on US soybeans since that chokes off a key export market for American farmers, who shipped $14 billion of the beans to China last year China has pledged to strike back at 650 different US exports including hybrid electric and off road vehicles, dump trucks, asphalt, MRI machines and motorcycles, among other items on Thursday. The list also includes beef, pork, many types of fish, and dozens of fruits and nuts. Harley Davidson, the iconic American hog maker, will bump up the price of its bikes at least 20 percent, a store representative in Beijing said. - More coming - The $50 billion in goods now subject to tariffs is only the first round. The office of the US Trade Representative is looking into 25 percent duties on another $200 billion in goods, with hearings underway this week. Those could take effect as soon as next month. And as China has vowed to retaliate further, Trump has threatened to target all $500 billion in goods the US imports. Page Content Minister of Tourism Stuart Johnson paid a visit to one of the longest-serving hotels on St. Maarten, the Pasanggrahan hotel on Front Street in Philipsburg, Monday to get a first-hand impression of the progress being made to ready the facility for the tourist season. The Pasanggrahan Bar that sits on the boardwalk will be beautified by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau much like the way the Philipsburg Marketplace was enhanced, as a means of providing some beautification to Philipsburg while the destination transitions from being devastated by hurricane Irma to being a vibrant, beautiful destination once more. Minister Johnson said the visit was especially important because of the significant role the Pasanggrahan Hotel has played in the development of the Tourism product on St. Maarten, as one of the first hotels to be established on the island. Considering that St. Maarten is in a rebuilding phase where its economy and tourism product is concerned, I thought it wise to visit one of the places that have been providing service to our visitors, especially to our Royal Family, for so many years, said Johnson. The 45-Room Pasanggrahan Boutique Hotel is well known for being the home of the Dutch Royal Family when they visit St. Maarten. His Majesty King Willem-Alexander was the last to stay at the hotel in 2014. The hotel was devastated by hurricane Irma and Maria in 2017. During the hurricane, Pasanggrahans Managing Director Tini Tintali said all efforts were made to ensure that the portraits of the members of the Royal Family which hung on the walls of the Lobby were saved along with souvenirs brought to the resort by the family over forty years ago. At present, the hotel is offering limited service with sixteen of its rooms ready for use. Because of the extensive damage to the hotel, one section of the property would likely be demolished and rebuilt. Meanwhile, the management of Pasanggrahan intends to ensure that the main building, which is designated as a landmark and historic site, is aesthetically restored to its original form. During the visit, Minister Johnson took the opportunity to outline some of his Ministrys plans for the revitalisation of the Tourism Industry. He told the managing director that the primary goals for the ministry include completing the repair work to reopen the Terminal Building of the Princess Juliana International Airport PJIA and the finalisation of plans to construct the US Preclearance Terminal. He also mentioned that significant work is still being executed at Port St. Maarten to ensure that the piers are ready to accept cruise calls for the upcoming season. Pic: From the left: Pasanggrahans Managing Director Tini Tintali, Minister of Tourism Stuart Johnson, Regina Labega Senior Policy Advisor for the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunication, May-Ling Chun Interim Director of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, and Executive Assistant in the Ministry of TEATT Fernando Thomas. 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Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd55dbdc8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd5677c68)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd55dbdc8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd5677c68)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd54ab530)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd5677c68)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd5677c68)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd4cdbfe0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd5605e50)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd5605e50)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd5651bf8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd55152b8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd5651bf8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd55152b8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd5616308)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd55152b8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd55152b8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd4cdd778)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd56523a8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd56523a8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd55d5858)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd566e620)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd55d5858)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd566e620)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd5598e78)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd566e620)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd566e620)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd4cdd778)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd5673fd0)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd5673fd0)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today leadership changes to the submarine construction programs at its Newport News Shipbuilding division. Jason Ward has been promoted to vice president of Columbia-class submarine construction. Dave Bolcar, who served as vice president of all submarine construction, encompassing both the Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs, has assumed the role of vice president of Virginia-class submarine construction. These changes reflect the significant growth and opportunities our submarine programs bring to the business, said Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin. The Virginia-class program is one of our largest programs, and the Columbia-class program has significantly increased in design, planning, material procurement, cost estimating, facility design and early manufacturing. The increased scope of responsibility for these critical programs now requires full and dedicated leadership attention. Ward, who joined Newport News in 2014, previously served as director of Columbia-class submarine construction, where he has responsibility for the design, engineering, program management, planning and construction of the Navys next ballistic missile submarine. He has held several leadership positions, including director of integrated digital shipbuilding and program manager of AP1000 shield building fabrication at Newport News Industrial. Ward earned an MBA from the College of William and Mary and a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Pennsylvania State University. Bolcar joined Newport News in 1988 as an engineer in the Los Angeles-class submarine engineering division. Since then, he has held several positions of increasing responsibility, including director of the Columbia-class program, manager in Ford-class component engineering and Columbia-class propulsion engineering, and director of submarine engineering. Bolcar earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Pennsylvania State University. Both leaders will report to Ken Mahler, Newport News vice president of Navy programs. Photos of Ward and Bolcar are available in HIIs multimedia gallery: http://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/multimedia-gallery. Huntington Ingalls Industries is Americas largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. For more than a century, HIIs Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. HIIs Technical Solutions division provides a wide range of professional services through its Fleet Support, Integrated Missions Solutions, Nuclear & Environmental, and Oil & Gas groups. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs more than 39,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit: HII on the web: www.huntingtoningalls.com HII on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuntingtonIngallsIndustries HII on Twitter: twitter.com/hiindustries Contact: Duane Bourne Duane.A.Bourne@HII-co.com (757) 380-3581 As Canada resorts to using DNA and ancestry websites to confirm the nationality of illegal immigrants, India has said no to such a policy citing privacy and ethics issues. The Indian government has rejected a proposal from the United Kingdom over the use of DNA testing to confirm the nationality of illegal immigrants, the Hindu reported, citing sources. In one of the meetings, the U.K. authorities suggested that the nationality of document-less illegal migrants suspected to be Indians could be established by matching DNA samples of their family members living here. We raised objections that this was a breach of privacy and unethical. How do we know that the document-less person is an Indian, the publication quoted a senior Home Ministry official as saying. A Memorandum of Understanding on the return of illegal migrants was approved in January by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, but India chose not to sign the final draft of the pact when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United Kingdom in April this year. The MoU specified that Indian security agencies would verify the antecedents of the immigrants who do not possess any documents within 72 days while the time frame was set as 15 days for persons who carried identification papers. If no report was filed within the given frame, the immigrant would be deported from the United Kingdom, according to the MoU. But the pact was kept on indefinite hold after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval conveyed that the 15-day limit was unworkable, the report added. The British government is also at variance with the Indian government over the estimated number of illegal Indians living in the United Kingdom. While the UK government says that the number of Indians staying illegally is as high as 100,000, the Indian government puts the figure at 2,000. UK Prime Minister Theresa May said in June this year that she will not ease steps to crack down on illegal immigration. Members of the public in the United Kingdom want to know that the government is taking action against people who come to the country in an illegal manner, May had said in Quebec, Canada, where she was attending the G7 summit. Meanwhile, a Vancouver immigration lawyer said Canadas use of DNA and ancestry sites in detainees deportation cases are problematic. These comments come following recent reports of a practice by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) that involves obtaining consent from long-term detainees to take a DNA sample and submit it to commercial ancestry sites ancestry.com and familytree.com, for example as a way of gleaning information on nationality. Vancouver immigration lawyer Peter Edelmann says there are several issues with this practice, starting with the CBSA using the threat of indefinite detention as a way of getting consent, according to an article in Lawyers Daily. What ends up happening in these long-term detainee cases is that these people are detained for a lengthy period of time with an implicit or explicit allegation that they are non-cooperative, and if you dont cooperate, you wont be released, said Edelmann. So the detention is being used as a tool of coercion to get people to cooperate with their own removal. So, when you say the person is consenting, the question is, what happens if they dont consent? Well yes, youre consenting to a DNA swab, but if you dont consent were going to hold you in jail indefinitely until you do, because otherwise were going to make allegations that you are non-cooperative, and, therefore, your detention can continue indefinitely. If thats the context of the consent, that is not consent at all. That is flat out, no-questions-asked coercion. In contrast, said Edelmann, Canadas Criminal Code has strict conditions around when a DNA sample can be taken and how it is used. Edelmann questions the accuracy of some of the websites reportedly being used by the CBSA, pointing to potential problems should investigators go before the Immigration and Refugee Board and have a detainees detention continued by saying new information has generated a fresh lead. Accurate or not, information gleaned from these sites would be admissible at a deportation hearing with the board, which Edelman says has a very flexible approach to evidence. How much weight would be given to the information is another story, and a detainees lawyer could also challenge it, he said. Those are submissions that can be made to the board in terms of the reliability. Its very difficult to test, and some of [these websites] are definitely more reliable than others, said Edelmann, adding that some may not be reliable at all. Especially given all the continuity issues Im aware of in terms of continuity and contamination in DNA cases with respect to highly professional police labs. I cant imagine what happens when you throw something in an envelope and mail it off to some random Internet site, in terms of contamination and other problems. Then there is the issue of what is done with the information. In this case, once the CBSA has the DNA, how are they dealing with the privacy concerns or the scope under which they would use or share the DNA, in particular with foreign agencies? What is this ancestry.com? Whoever it is, what then happens to that DNA? And has that been authorized by the person? And are we talking about true consent at that point? And is it informed consent? This is really being done ad hoc without any policy framework that Im aware of. Edelmann noted a lack of civilian oversight. Its [CBSA] the largest law enforcement in Canada that has no civilian oversight whatsoever, he said. There is no ombudsman, there is no civilian complaints commission. All the other [law enforcement] agencies all have civilian oversight. The CBSA has none whatsoever. The CBSA uses DNA testing in order to determine the identity of longer-term detainees when other avenues of investigation have been exhausted, said spokesperson Barre Campbell in an e-mail to Lawyers Daily. DNA testing assists the CBSA in determining identity by providing indicators of nationality thereby enabling us to focus further lines of investigation on particular countries. The CBSA obtains consent from the clients before submitting their information to DNA websites. By Catherine Sas, Q.C. Special to The Post In meeting with prospective Canadian immigrants, we are often asked what will help them succeed in the Express Entry selection system. While there is no one specific factor for consideration, there is a combination of skills and experience that will enhance your ability to qualify for Canadian permanent residence and earn that vital Invitation to Apply (ITA). Lets see how you can enhance your chances for selection under Express Entry. Education Canadas economic immigration program is based upon selecting applicants that have skills to support and enhance the Canadian economy. So, it comes as no surprise that there is considerable emphasis on education. In the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points are awarded for your level of education as well as the number of certificates, diplomas or degrees that you have earned. While a Master or Doctorate degree earns the most points, it is possible to maximize your CRS score with two or more educational qualifications so long as one of them is at least of three years or more duration. Earning your first degree in your home country and then taking a further diploma program in Canada will allow you to gain CRS points for two educational qualifications as well as to earn points for studying in Canada. For prospective international students, it is worth comparing your likely CRS points based upon a Canadian educational credential only contrasted with your CRS score for a combination of foreign and Canadian education. Language Proficiency If you have read our blogs before then you know that language proficiency is the single most important factor for earning CRS points under Express Entry. Points are awarded for your language ability on their own and then again in conjunction with your education and foreign and Canadian work experience. There are four separate opportunities to score CRS points based upon your language proficiency - and thats just for proficiency in one of Canadas two official languages. To maximize CRS points for your language ability, you will need to provide an accepted language test that confirms your proficiency in English or French at a level of CLB 9 or higher in each of the four abilities: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Work Experience CRS points are awarded for both foreign work experience and Canadian work experience. To earn optimal points for work experience an applicant should be able to demonstrate three years of foreign work experience and then two years of Canadian work experience. It is important to remember that to confirm your work experience you need a letter from your previous employer confirming the duration of your employment as well as the number of hours that you worked and specifying your actual day to day duties as is set out in Canadas National Occupational Classification (NOC) system for your particular occupation (Refer to Victors former blog- Getting the Reference Letter Right! http://canadian-visa-lawyer.com/immigration-essentials-getting-the-refer...). Given the wide variety of factors that are assessed in determining an applicants CRS score, there is no one single feature that will ensure that you are selected to apply for permanent residence to Canada. By obtaining as many skills as possible, you clearly are at an advantage for obtaining an ITA under Express Entry. The ideal applicant will have both foreign and Canadian education, foreign and Canadian work experience and be highly proficient in either or both English and French. Catherine Sas, Q.C. has over 25 years of legal experience. She provides a full range of immigration services and is a leading immigration practitioner (Lexpert, Whos Who Legal, Best Lawyers in Canada). Go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email [email protected]. CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill., Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Curran Group Inc., a family-owned, privately held corporation providing asphalt paving and excavation, railroad industry solutions, porcelain tile manufacturing and distribution, and paint booth and finishing systems, is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year. The company has a series of events planned to celebrate this important milestone with its valued employees across North America. Curran Groups four subsidiaries will each kick off the 100-year anniversary celebration with an employee picnic this summer. The events will happen at the respective subsidiary headquarters locations with Curran Group and Curran Contracting in Crystal Lake, Illinois; Holland in Crete, Illinois; Crossville in Crossville, Tennessee; and Global Finishing Solutions in Osseo, Wisconsin. Each Curran Group company is planning additional recognition of the special anniversary across their offices and within their industries. From the companys modest beginnings in 1918 as Metropolitan Ice and Coal in Chicago, Curran Groups success has depended on the hard work, perseverance and initiative of its leaders and loyal employees. A century of growth is a testament to the Curran familys dedication to building on the core values of family, partnership, integrity, improvement and respect. Co-presidents Mike and Tim Curran agree that credit for their business achievements is shared. Tim Curran notes, The foresight of our great grandfather to move from coal distribution into heating oil, set our company on the right trajectory forward. We appreciate the leaders before us that had the insight to find great market opportunities and the wisdom to always treat employees, customers and suppliers well. Mike Curran adds, Our 100 years in business is the result of a very large team effort. We want to thank our many outstanding partners for helping us get to this exciting milestone. For more information visit www.currangroup.com/history.html . About Curran Group Inc. Curran Group is a family-owned, privately held company based in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It has four subsidiaries based in North America: Curran Contracting Company in Crystal Lake, Illinois; Holland, LP in Crete, Illinois; Crossville, Inc. in Crossville, Tennessee; and Global Finishing Solutions, LLC in Osseo, Wisconsin. The companys business units provide asphalt paving and excavation, railroad industry solutions, porcelain tile manufacturing and distribution, and paint booth and finishing systems. The companys many market- leading products and services have global impact within their industries. Contact: Kirsten Baseley, Blu Sky Creative Phone: 815-708-2282 E-Mail: Kirsten@blu-skycreative.com TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This press release is being disseminated as required by National Instrument 62-103 The Early Warning System and Related Take Over Bids and Insider Reporting Issues in connection with the acquisition of securities of Rocky Mountain Liquor Inc. (the Issuer) by Battalion Consol Corp. (the Acquiror). The Acquiror announces that on August 20, 2018, the Acquiror acquired additional common shares (the Common Shares) of the Issuer through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange (the Transaction). The Acquiror acquired ownership and control of 171,500 Common Shares at a price of C $0.13 per Common Share. Immediately prior to the Transaction, the Acquiror directly owned and controlled 1,691,000 Common Shares, along with 624,000 convertible debentures which are convertible into 2,496,000 Common Shares of the Issuer at any time prior to April 31, 2021 (the Acquiror Debentures), representing approximately 7.1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of August 20, 2018 based on 59,287,788 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of such date (assuming conversion of the Acquiror Debentures). Immediately prior to the Transaction, 2627786 Ontario Inc. (the Joint Actor), a joint actor with the Acquiror, directly owned and controlled 262,000 Common Shares, along with 387,000 debentures which are convertible into 1,548,000 Common Shares of the Issuer at any time prior to April 31, 2021 (the Joint Actor Debentures), representing approximately 3.1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of August 20, 2018 based on 58,339,788 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of such date (assuming conversion of the Joint Actor Debentures). Prior to the Transaction, the Acquiror and the Joint Actor, together, directly and indirectly owned and controlled 5,997,000 Common Shares, on a partially diluted basis (assuming conversion of both the Acquiror Debentures and the Joint Actor Debentures), which represented approximately 9.85% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of August 20, 2018 based on 60,835,788 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of such date (assuming conversion of both the Acquiror Debentures and the Joint Actor Debentures). Immediately following the Transaction, the Acquiror and the Joint Actor, together, directly and indirectly owned and controlled 6,168,500 Common Shares, on a partially diluted basis (assuming conversion of the Acquiror Debentures and the Joint Actor Debentures), which represented approximately 10.1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of August 20, 2018 based on 60,835,788 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of such date (assuming conversion of the Acquiror Debentures and the Joint Actor Debentures). The Acquiror acquired the securities of the Issuer for investment purposes. Depending on market conditions, the business and performance of the Issuer and other factors, the Acquiror or the Joint Actor may from time to time acquire and/or dispose of securities of the Issuer or continue to hold their current position. To obtain a copy of the report filed pursuant to applicable securities regulations in connection with the foregoing, please contact: John Paul Jeffrey Director, Battalion Consol Corp. 416.770.1732 Trump administration moves to relax coal pollution rules Washington, Aug 21 (AFP) Aug 21, 2018 President Donald Trump's administration announced a plan Tuesday to weaken regulations on US coal plants, giving a boost to an industry that former leader Barack Obama had hoped to wind down in order to cut harmful emissions that drive global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency's new Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule would allow states the flexibility to set their own standards for performance at existing coal-fired power plants, rather than follow a single federal standard. The EPA says the measure is designed to replace Obama's 2015 Clean Power Plan, which called for cuts to greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, and a shift toward solar, wind and less polluting natural gas. The move marks the latest effort by Trump's administration to roll back the environmental legacy of his Democratic predecessor, having already pulled out of the 2015 Paris climate accord aimed at slashing global fossil fuel emissions. Obama's energy plan aimed to usher in the strictest anti-pollution measures in history on power plants, but was put on hold in 2016 by the US Supreme Court. Trump, whose ascent to the presidency effectively killed off the plan, had blasted it as "intrusive" and claimed it would "kill jobs." The president is due to trumpet the new plan as he rallies supporters late Tuesday in the coal-producing state of West Virginia. "The era of top-down, one-size-fits-all federal mandates is over," EPA acting administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a phone call with reporters. The new plan could take months or even years to take effect. Legal challenges are already lining up, as the proposal awaits a 60-day comment period before it can be finalized. Critics warned the plan will boost emissions from power plants, which emit about 28 percent of US greenhouse gases, and worsen global warming. "Under this proposal, the air will be dirtier and we'll be less healthy as a country because President Trump is siding with a few powerful special interests," said Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer. Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the plan called for "only modest efficiency improvements at individual power plants, which will barely make a dent in cutting heat-trapping emissions from the electricity sector, and could even, under some circumstances, lead to increased emissions depending on how much the plants are run." Kimmell said the new rules "would also result in more pollution from nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury and other harmful pollutants." - Coal in decline - The White House said in a statement that, if finalized, the rule "will significantly decrease bureaucratic red tape and compliance costs, keeping American energy affordable and competitive on the world stage." The White House claimed it would also save $6.4 billion in compliance costs for industry, compared to the Obama plan. "We're the only country in the world doing this, looking at coal as the future instead of understanding the future is about clean air, the future is about clean energy," Gina McCarthy, who served as EPA administrator under Obama, told CNN. Despite Trump's support for coal plants, there have been many closures. Some 40 percent of coal plants in operation in 2010 are now closed or slated to close, according to estimates from the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. According to Bob Perciasepe, president of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, "EPA is now proposing a plan that will essentially be ignored by most of the industry." Bill Wehrum, administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, acknowledged that the industry "continues to transform in front of our eyes." "What we see is an ongoing significant shift in the direction of natural gas and renewable energy generation," he told reporters. Wehrum said that because of the shifting energy landscape, he expected emissions to fall at a rate "roughly comparable" to the goals outlined under the Obama-era plan, which called for a 26 percent cut in greenhouse gases from power plants by 2025, compared to 2005 levels. According to former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, a leading philanthropist and climate activist, coal is a losing proposition. "Americans are demanding cleaner air and cheaper, cleaner energy -- and cities, states and businesses are delivering," he said in a statement. "Wind, solar and other clean energy sources are beating coal in the marketplace, which is benefiting both public health and the economy. That will continue to happen even if the EPA keeps spitting in the wind." Facebook thwarts misinformation effort linked to Iran, Russia San Francisco, Aug 22 (AFP) Aug 22, 2018 Facebook announced it identified stealth misinformation campaigns from Russia and Iran and shut down hundreds of accounts as part of its battle against manipulation of its platform, prompting a fresh denial from Moscow on Wednesday. The social network said late Tuesday that it removed more than 650 pages, groups and accounts identified as "networks of accounts misleading people about what they were doing," according to chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. Separately, Twitter said it suspended 284 accounts "for engaging in coordinated manipulation," adding that "it appears many of these accounts originated from Iran." "As with prior investigations, we are committed to engaging with other companies and relevant law enforcement entities," Twitter said. For Facebook, it was the second time in less than a month that it acted against manipulation, following the shutdown in late July of 32 fake pages and accounts involved in an apparent "coordinated" effort to stoke hot-button issues ahead of November midterm US elections. The social network giant said content from some of the pages shut down in the latest move was traced back to Iran, while others were tied to groups previously linked to Russian intelligence operations. Zuckerberg said the latest effort involved two separate sets of campaigns, including one with ties to Iran's state-owned media and another apparently linked to Russian military intelligence services. The accounts, some of them on Facebook-owned Instagram, were presented as being independent news or civil society groups but were actually working in coordinated efforts, executives said in a briefing with reporters. Content posted by accounts targeted Facebook users in Britain, Latin America, the Middle East and the US, according to head of cybersecurity policy Nathaniel Gleicher. He said that posts by the involved accounts were still being scrutinized and their goals were unclear at this point. - Social media 'influence' operations - The Facebook investigation was prompted by a tip from cybersecurity firm FireEye regarding a collection of "Liberty Front Press" pages on the social network and other online services. "The activity we have uncovered highlights that multiple actors continue to engage in and experiment with online, social media-driven influence operations as a means of shaping political discourse," FireEye said in a statement. "These operations extend well beyond those conducted by Russia, which has often been the focus of research into information operations over recent years." Among the accounts was one from "Quest 4 Truth" claiming to be an independent Iranian media organization. It was linked to Press TV, an English-language news network affiliated with Iranian state media, Gleicher said. The first "Liberty Front Press" accounts found were at Facebook were created in 2013 and posted primarily political content focused on the Middle East along with Britain, Latin America and the US. Facebook also removed a set of pages and accounts linked to sources the US government previously identified as Russian military services, according to Gleicher. "While these are some of the same bad actors we removed for cybersecurity attacks before the 2016 US election, this more recent activity focused on politics in Syria and Ukraine," Gleicher said. In Moscow, a government spokesman denied any manipulation campaign, telling journalists, "We don't understand what the basis is" for the accusations. The actions by Facebook and Twitter come days after Microsoft said it seized websites linked to Russian intelligence which sought to meddle in US political debate. Senator Mark Warner said the latest revelations were "further evidence that foreign adversaries are actively using social media to divide Americans and undermine our democratic institutions." Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg is among Silicon Valley executives set to take part in a September 5 Senate hearing about foreign efforts to use social media platforms to influence elections. "We get that 2018 is a very important election year, not just in the US," Zuckerberg responded when asked about the upcoming hearing. "So this is really serious. This is a top priority for the company." In July, Facebook shut down more than 30 fake pages and accounts involved in what appeared to be a "coordinated" attempt to sway public opinion on political issues ahead of November midterm elections, but did not identify the source. It said the "bad actor" accounts on the world's biggest social network and its photo-sharing site Instagram could not be tied to Russia, which used the platform to spread disinformation ahead of the 2016 US presidential election. Facebook, Twitter takedowns show quandary in curbing manipulation Washington, Aug 22 (AFP) Aug 22, 2018 Facebook and Twitter unveiled fresh crackdowns on misinformation campaigns from Russia and Iran as analysts warned of more efforts to manipulate public debate ahead of the November US elections. Facebook announced late Tuesday that it removed more than 650 pages, groups and accounts identified as "networks of accounts misleading people about what they were doing," according to chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. Separately, Twitter said it suspended 284 accounts "for engaging in coordinated manipulation," adding that "it appears many of these accounts originated from Iran." Moscow repeated its denial of any effort to manipulate social media firms. There was no immediate comment from Tehran on the crackdown. Both social networks said they were working with law enforcement and stepping up security. The Facebook action was prompted by research from cybersecurity firm FireEye regarding a collection of "Liberty Front Press" pages on the social network and other online services. "The activity we have uncovered highlights that multiple actors continue to engage in and experiment with online, social media-driven influence operations as a means of shaping political discourse," FireEye said in a statement. "These operations extend well beyond those conducted by Russia, which has often been the focus of research into information operations over recent years." - Undeterred - Olga Polishchuk, a threat researcher with the cybersecurity firm Looking Glass, said she expected more of the same from Russia despite this week's crackdowns. Russia employs "an army of hackers" who are well-versed in American culture and are well-funded, Polishchuk said. "These groups operate day and night," she said. "Their obfuscation techniques are very sophisticated." Polishchuk said Russia's hacker army is not likely to be deterred by the shutdowns or even indictments of Russians for computer hacking. "They are so committed to pushing the country's agenda," she said. In Moscow, a government spokesman denied any manipulation campaign, telling journalists that "we don't understand what the basis is" for the accusations. The actions by Facebook and Twitter come days after Microsoft said it seized websites linked to Russian intelligence that sought to meddle in US political debate. Senator Mark Warner said the latest revelations were "further evidence that foreign adversaries are actively using social media to divide Americans and undermine our democratic institutions." Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University professor specializing in social media, also voiced fears of additional influence campaigns. "I am deeply concerned about further abuse of these platforms," she said. "I still do not think they have dedicated enough resources in this area." Grygiel said she believes most social media companies failed to consider the potential for manipulation as they expanded. "Their business models have been flawed from the beginning," she said. "They have not had enough infrastructure to deal with content moderation, and it is harmful to society and democracy." - Second time for Facebook - For Facebook, it was the second time in less than a month that it acted against manipulation, following the shutdown in late July of 32 fake pages and accounts involved in an apparent coordinated effort to stoke hot-button issues ahead of November midterm US elections. The social network giant said content from some of the pages shut down in the latest move was traced back to Iran, while others were tied to groups previously linked to Russian intelligence operations. Zuckerberg said the latest effort involved two separate sets of campaigns, including one with ties to Iran's state-owned media and another apparently linked to Russian military intelligence services. The accounts, some of them on Facebook-owned Instagram, were presented as being independent news or civil society groups but were actually working in coordinated efforts, executives said in a briefing with reporters. Content posted by accounts targeted Facebook users in Britain, Latin America, the Middle East and the US, according to head of cybersecurity policy Nathaniel Gleicher. He said that posts by the involved accounts were still being scrutinized and their goals were unclear at this point. Among the accounts was one from "Quest 4 Truth" claiming to be an independent Iranian media organization. It was linked to Press TV, an English-language news network affiliated with Iranian state media, Gleicher said. The first "Liberty Front Press" accounts found were at Facebook were created in 2013 and posted primarily political content focused on the Middle East along with Britain, Latin America and the US. Facebook also removed a set of pages and accounts linked to sources the US government previously identified as Russian military services, according to Gleicher. "While these are some of the same bad actors we removed for cybersecurity attacks before the 2016 US election, this more recent activity focused on politics in Syria and Ukraine," Gleicher said. CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toscana Energy Income Corporation ("Toscana Energy" or the "Company") (TSX: TEI) held a special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") on August 22, 2018 in Calgary, Alberta. A total of 2,804,189 common shares ("Common Shares") in the capital of the Company, representing approximately 39.81% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting. In accordance with section 11.3 of National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations, this report briefly describes the matter voted upon and the outcome of the votes at the Meeting. According to proxies received and voted by ballot, the ordinary resolution, the full text of which is disclosed in the management information circular of the Corporation dated as of July 24, 2018 (the "Circular") approving, on a disinterested shareholder basis, the acquisition by the Company of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Cortona Energy Ltd. ("Cortona") from the shareholders of Cortona, some of whom are related parties ("Related Parties") of the Company, all as more particularly described in the Circular, was approved as follows: Votes For Votes Against Number Percentage Number Percentage 1,699,948 92.80% 131,892 7.20% To be approved, the acquisition of Cortona must be passed by the affirmative votes cast by the holders of not less than a majority of the Common Shares of the disinterested shareholders of the Company represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting that vote on such resolution. A total of 972,349 Common Shares held by (i) each of the Related Parties, and (ii) any of their related parties, associates or affiliates, and joint actors, represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting were withheld from voting. About Toscana Energy Income Corporation Toscana Energy is a conventional oil and gas producer with the mandate to acquire high quality, long life oil and gas assets including royalties, non-operated working interests and unitized production for yield and capital appreciation. For further information, please contact: Joseph S. Durante, Chief Executive Officer Tel: (403) 410-6793 Fax: (403) 444-0090 Source: Toscana Energy Income Corporation US hospital ship to visit Colombia amid Venezuela crisis Washington, Aug 21 (AFP) Aug 21, 2018 The US Navy is sending a hospital ship to Colombia on a mission to assist in the humanitarian crisis in neighboring Venezuela, a defense official said Tuesday. The USNS Comfort hospital ship "will return to South America this fall," Pentagon spokeswoman Commander Sarah Higgins said. "We are working the details in close coordination with our Colombian partners." Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, while on a trip to South America last week, said the deployment is "an effort to deal with the human cost of (Venezuelan President Nicolas) Maduro, and his increasingly isolated regime." "This is a very specific effort to try to help our neighbors, who are doing their best, I think, to help these refugees," he added. According to Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning, the hospital ship will provide life-saving treatment and medical care to thousands of people. "Our service members and medical professionals, doctors and nurses, will work alongside regional partners to support ongoing humanitarian response efforts to include addressing the impact of the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis," he said. The mission marks the sixth hospital ship deployment to the region since 2007. The United Nations estimates that 2.3 million Venezuelans have fled an economic and political crisis looking for work and to escape poverty, and Colombia has given temporary residence to more than 800,000 Venezuelans. Afghanistan has 'unprecedented' opportunity for peace: US general Washington, Aug 22 (AFP) Aug 22, 2018 The top commander for US and NATO forces in Afghanistan said Wednesday that warring parties now have an "unprecedented" opportunity for peace, and insisted President Donald Trump's strategy for the beleaguered country is working. General John Nicholson, the outgoing commander of NATO's Resolute Support mission, spoke to Pentagon reporters a year after Trump unveiled his Afghanistan strategy, which increased the US troop presence and now includes a renewed push to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. "We have an unprecedented opportunity, or window of opportunity, for peace right now," Nicholson said. Despite a wave of violence that has rocked Afghanistan and its capital Kabul in recent weeks, killing scores of civilians and Afghan security forces, Nicholson said he was seeing signs of hope. "There's been progress on the peace process," he said, pointing to a short ceasefire in June, the first since the US-led invasion in 2001 that toppled the Taliban regime. On Sunday, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani unveiled another ceasefire offer, saying security forces would observe the truce beginning this week -- but only if the militants reciprocated. "So far we've not heard if the Taliban will accept or reject this ceasefire," Nicholson said. The June ceasefire spurred hopes that a new path was opening for possible peace talks. The Taliban have long insisted on direct talks with Washington and refused to negotiate with the Afghan government, which they see as illegitimate. In June, Washington indicated a change in its longstanding policy, with US officials meeting Taliban representatives in Doha in July. But Nicholson stressed that any peace talks must ultimately be "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned." "The US is prepared to support, facilitate and participate in these discussions," he said. This month has seen an extraordinarily violent series of events including an attack that saw the Taliban storm the provincial capital of Ghazni -- just a two-hour drive from Kabul. Militants held large parts of the city for days and Afghan forces needed US air power to push them back. But Western officials point to such attacks as showing that the Taliban is actually struggling, because they are unable to hold ground for long. Though Nicholson said Trump's Afghanistan strategy is working, he acknowledged the increased influence of terror groups including the Islamic State group. "With respect to ISIS, that is a concern," he said. "ISIS did not exist in Afghanistan three years ago, so it is a new dynamic." Nicholson is being rotated of Afghanistan after serving more than two years. He will be replaced next month by Lieutenant General Scott Miller, who has for two years headed up the secretive Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and has lengthy experience working with some of America's most elite fighters. Venezuela denies Colombia's claims of armed forces incursion Caracas, Aug 22 (AFP) Aug 22, 2018 Venezuela hit back at Colombia on Wednesday branding as fake news claims from its neighbor that helicopters and troops had violated its sovereignty in an illegal incursion. Venezuela has "no doubts in qualifying" the news as "another false positive," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "There was no incursion of any sort either by air or land," it added. Colombia had sent a strongly-worded protest to the Venezuelan ambassador on Tuesday over what it claimed was an incursion into its Norte Santander department on Sunday. "Two helicopters, identified with the initials of the Bolivarian National Guard and about 30 armed personnel belonging to the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela" landed in the border region of Tibu, Colombia's foreign ministry said. The South American neighbors have locked horns in recent years over similar incidents along their 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border, which is crisscrossed by guerrillas and drug traffickers. The most recent incident was in November last year and also involved the Tibu region. Colombia's right-wing President Ivan Duque is a vocal critic of far-left Venezuela counterpart Nicolas Maduro and has denounced his "dictatorship." Earlier this month, Maduro accused Duque's predecessor Juan Manuel Santos of being behind an alleged attempt to assassinate him during a military parade in Caracas. Colombia has been swamped by a flood of migrants streaming over the border to flee an economic crisis that has left food and medicine shortages following four years of recession. More than a million Venezuelans have entered Colombia in just the last 16 months. Maduro, though, accuses his neighbor of sheltering his political opponents. Following the statement, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Twitter that his country "won't stop its efforts to protect its population and expel from its territory the plague of Colombian violence and drug-trafficking." VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlueBird Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV: BATT; US:BBBMF) (the Company or BlueBird) announces that effective immediately, Nav Dhaliwal has replaced Peter Ball as Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company and Gary Nassif has replaced Alfred Stewart as President and director of the Company. BlueBird wishes both Mr. Ball and Mr. Stewart well in their future endeavours. Mr. Dhaliwal is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Bonterra Resources Inc. He brings a wealth of entrepreneurial skills, sales, and financing experience to the Company. He is particularly adept at nurturing early stage companies through their critical phases of evolution, having founded a number of companies over his career. Mr. Dhaliwal is also very experienced in corporate development, corporate communications and investor relations, bringing valuable business relationships with international analysts, brokers and investment bankers from Canada, the United States and Asia. Mr. Nassif currently holds the positions of President, CEO and director of Argentum Silver Corp., a battery-metal explorer in British Columbia; Senior Vice President of Jerritt Canyon Gold, a private gold-mining company in Nevada 80%-owned by Sprott Mining Inc., and; director of Inventus Mining, a paleo-placer gold explorer in Ontario. Mr. Nassif has 25 years' experience in mining and exploration in Canada, Nevada and sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on gold, base metals and diamonds. He was previously part of management of Trelawney Mining and Exploration, acquired in 2012 by IAMGOLD for $608 million. He holds a B.Sc. from Concordia University, an M.Sc. from McGill University, and is a registered Professional Geoscientist in Ontario. Mr. Nassif was previously Manager Exploration Services for Kerr Mines, Northern Gold Mining, and Trelawney Mining and Exploration. About BlueBird Battery Metals BlueBird Battery Metals (TSXV: BATT; US: BBBMF) is a Canadian publicly listed company focused on the global exploration and development of strategic battery metals projects, primarily cobalt and nickel. BlueBirds goal is to pursue a business model that offers direct and long-term leverage to the price appreciation in nickel and cobalt, two principal materials in EV batteries. The Company plans to become a leader in the battery metals sector, as cobalt is currently in a global supply deficit, has a vulnerable supply chain, and is part of an emerging sector with extraordinary potential. BlueBird is advancing its portfolio of battery metals focused assets in Western Australia and New South Wales, Australia, and in the Yukon, Canada, and is currently reviewing new acquisition opportunities to add to the Companys project portfolio. On Behalf of the Board of BlueBird Battery Metals Inc. Nav Dhaliwal CEO For more information, please contact 1-855-584-0160 or info@bluebirdbatterymetals.com . Neither TSX Venture Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange nor their 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. Anti-Monsanto Lawyer 'Monsanto's History Is One Full of Vast Lies' Following a successful lawsuit against Monsanto for concealing the cancer risks of its pesticide Round Up, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs in the case says the Bayer subsidiary is likely to face many more legal challenges in the future. Stop Funding Terror Education WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2018 / Standard Newswire / -- Congress has introduced a bipartisan bill to annually review whether educational resources used in Palestinian schools continue to encourage "violence or intolerance toward other nations or ethnic groups." The Palestinian Authority Educational Curriculum Transparency Act was recently introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. David Young and requires the U.S. State Department to submit annual reports reviewing the educational material used in schools in the West Bank and Gaza run by the Palestinian Authority (PA) and UNRWA, the United Nation's Palestinian-refugee agency. The Jerusalem-based IMPACT-se (Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education), a research institute that analyzes educational materials, participated in crafting the bill. Despite being reformed in 2016 and 2017, Palestinian curriculums for grades 1 through 11 "fail to meet the international standards of peace and tolerance in educational materials established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization." The bill will mandate the secretary of state to monitor the PA curriculum through internationally recognized standards of peace and tolerance which includes promoting respect, peacemaking, gender equality, sound prosperity and cooperation, unbiased information, and free from wording and illustrations that condone hatred for others. Instead, when IMPACT-se reviewed Palestinian textbooks last year, it found key findings in the textbooks such as: Radicalization is pervasive across this new curriculum, to a greater extent than before. The new textbooks groom young Palestinians to sacrifice themselves through martyrdom. They promote hate, are committed to jihad war, and feature a radical Islamist, and occasionally, a Salafi worldview. The curriculum rejects negotiations with Israel as the preferred method of achieving statehood. Instead, schoolchildren are taught that a Palestinian state will be achieved through martyrdom, violence and religious war. Martyrdom for boys and girls is taught as a life goal. Their reward will be in heaven where martyrs are married to 72 wives. It is implied that children should not tell their parents they intend to become martyrs. Girls gain equality with boys through martyrdom. Dying is better than living. Those who risk their lives are praised, and those who choose a non-violent life are cowards and denigrated. Jihad is most important aspect of life. Science lessons are used to teach violence, and war is a permanent phenomenon. The struggle is nationalistic, to conquer Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, but also Islamist with increasingly obvious Salafi influences. Death is a privilege, and fighting is an ongoing necessity. The curriculum's focus is no longer on simply demonizing Israel but on laying out justification for war, which is a permanent and natural fixture, portrayed as a phenomenon that has accompanied humanity since the dawn of history. Israeli Minister of Internal Security Gilad Erdan tweeted that UNRWA "says it needs $217,000,000 to run schools for Palestinian children, and the PA wants the United States to help foot the bill. However, the PA has stated that if forced to choose, it will pay salaries to terrorists rather than for the education of Palestinian children. The PA spent seven percent, or $358 million, of its total 2017 budget on payments to terrorists and their families. In 2016, it spent $322 million on terrorists' stipends. Much of that aid -- an average of $335 million annually over the last five yearscame from the United States. However, since the Taylor Force Act became law this year, the Trump administration will defund the PA until they cease and denounce funding and support for terrorists and their families for acts against Israel and the United States. "I applaud Congress for introducing the Palestinian Authority Educational Curriculum Transparency Act to help stop the Palestinian Authority from grooming innocent children to become terrorists," said Mat Staver, Chairman of Liberty Counsel, President of Christians in Defense of Israel, and Founder and President of Covenant Journey. "Children should be taught life skills so they can have long and productive lives, not become martyrs of death in order to harm Israel and America. I am grateful to President Trump who was willing to set the tone and do the right thing regarding terrorism and defund the Palestinian Authority. We must continue to stand up to its bullying and not allow our tax dollars to promote and fund terrorism," said Staver. Liberty Counsel is an international litigation, education, and policy organization. Liberty Counsel has a number of affiliated ministries, including Christians in Defense of Israel and Covenant Journey, a program that provides a life-changing experience in Israel for Christian college-age students who have leadership potential. Atlanta, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hotel Equities Selected as Managing Partner to Open Aloft in OKC Premium-branded hotel owners seeing impressive ROI with HE partnership Atlanta, GA August 22, 2018 Hotel Equities (HE) just announced their selection as the operator of the new-build Aloft hotel located at 13111 Highland Park Blvd. in Oklahoma City, OK. This new addition to HEs lifestyle division of hotels is owned by Highland Hospitality, LLC. An expected completion date is scheduled for Q1 2019. We are proud to partner with this ownership group to open the Aloft hotel in Oklahomas capital city, said Joe Reardon, HEs SVP of Business Development & Marketing. Our regional team will tap into their experience and knowledge of the market to ensure the hotel is fully ramped quickly upon opening and becomes a strong community partner. Hotel owners wanting to add premium-branded hotels to their portfolio see the value of establishing a partnership with a reputable firm [like HE] because we have the ability to quickly deploy a team of experts in operations, sales and revenue management and human talent deployment in order to maximize efficiencies and performance across the board. Hotel Equities currently has 100+ hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada with 35% of its portfolio consisting of boutique and lifestyle properties. Hotel Equities was highly recommended to us as leaders in this space. Their reputation in the industry gives us complete confidence in their ability to operate our asset with excellence, said DJ Patel, Owner/Partner with Highland Hospitality, LLC. Aloft is the next generation of hotel, using technology and design to enhance experiences and move at the pace of their guests. The hotel will include the Re:mix lounge and pool table, along with loft-like guestrooms. Catch live acoustic performances, mix & mingle, and sip on crafted signature cocktails at the W XYZ bar and Re:fuel cafe. The uniquely-designed hotel will complement the modern metropolis, offering guests an energetic, intuitive and affordable option when visiting the city. About Hotel Equities Hotel Equities (HE) is an Atlanta-based full-scale hotel development, ownership and operating firm managing 100+ hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada. Frederick W. Cerrone, CHA, serves as Founder and Chairman; Brad Rahinsky serves as President and CEO. For more information, visit www.hotelequities.com . About Aloft Hotels With more than 125 hotels now open in nearly 20 countries and territories around the world, Aloft Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., delivers a fresh approach to the traditional staid hotel landscape. For the always on next generation of traveler, the Aloft brand offers a tech-forward, vibrant experience and a modern style that is different by design. Aloft is proud to participate in the industrys award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Contacts: Sommer Shiver, Director of Communications, Hotel Equities, 678.578.4444, x 19 Brad Rahinsky, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hotel Equities, 678.578.4444, x 22 Joe Reardon, SVP, Business Development & Marketing, Hotel Equities, 678.578.4444, x 2 Please find enclosed the presentation of Frontline Ltd.'s second quarter 2018 results to be held on the webcast / conference call 22 August, 2018 at 15:00 CET. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. DGAP-News: International Cobalt Corp. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous International Cobalt Acquires Right to Almost Triple Idaho Cobalt Belt Position 22.08.2018 / 09:05 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 22, 2018) - International Cobalt Corporation (CSE: CO), the 'Company' or ' International Cobalt ') is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a Right of First Refusal Agreement ('ROFR)' with Idaho Champion Gold Mines Ltd. ('ICGM' or 'Idaho Champion') over four distinct and separate mining projects comprising up to 822 Claims (up to 6,871 hectares) in the Idaho Cobalt Belt, collectively known as the 'Champion Projects.' (See Figure 1 below for an Idaho Cobalt Belt map with individual project locations). As part of the terms of the agreement, the Company has agreed to invest US$250,000 in the common shares of ICGM at US$0.20 per share as part of an anticipated September 2018 public listing in connection with the proposed Reverse Take Over (RTO) with GoldTrain Resources Inc. ('GoldTrain'), pursuant to which GoldTrain will acquire all of the shares of ICGM and the shareholders of ICGM will acquire control of GoldTrain. The acquisition of the four Champion Projects represents a possible transformative acquisition for the Company. The acquisition would increase International Cobalt's presence and land position in the Idaho Cobalt Belt by 295%, making International Cobalt potentially the largest holder of prospective Cobalt assets in Idaho and one of the largest in North America. The Company believes that the Idaho Cobalt Belt represents the premier district for primary Cobalt discoveries in North America. The region hosts a rich endowment of mineral resources only beginning to be unlocked due to recent exploration activity driven by the price of Cobalt. Modern exploration techniques have proven fruitful in expanding historic resources and making new discoveries. Tim Johnson, President and CEO stated: 'We are delighted to be investors in ICGM and wish them all the best in their gold-focused endeavors in Idaho. The ROFR gives us a huge opportunity to significantly add to our existing premier land position and become the preeminent player in the Idaho Cobalt Belt, which in our opinion is the most prospective region for Cobalt discoveries in North America.' Jonathan Buick, President of ICGM noted: 'We are delighted to have International Cobalt as cornerstone investors, with the possibility to partner with them on our Cobalt Portfolio. The team at International Cobalt is excellent, they are well capitalized, and we support their strategy of unlocking value in the state of Idaho, which we feel to be among the very best jurisdictions in the world for exploration and development with strong support from all levels of Government.' Figure 1 Champion Properties To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5958/38216_a1534917434143_54.jpg The four projects are summarized as follows: Dup u is Project (Dup Claims) 201 claims totaling 1627 Hectares The DUP Claims, located 6 km south of the Blackbird Mine, sit adjacent to, on-trend and immediately south of International Cobalt's Blackbird Creek Project. Underlain by favorable Yellowjacket Formation geology and potential extensions of mineralized trends seen on the Company's Blackbird Creek Project, these claims would significantly increase the discovery potential at Blackbird. Three copper-cobalt occurrences exist on the project; the French Gulch Mine, Victory, and Dupuis. Blackpine North Project (SC Claims) 144 Claims totaling 1165 Hectares The SC Claims are located one km north of eCobalt's Blackpine copper-cobalt Project. The Blackpine Project is host to stratiform sulphide mineralization found in massive sections which typically contain pyrite and chalcopyrite. Aside from the copper rich strata, there are several narrower cobalt-gold rich arsenopyrite-bearing beds present in the copper mineralized section. A non-43-101 compliant historical reserve of 340,000 tons grading 3.5% copper was delineated in the 1960's. The SC Claims are underlain by similar geology to that of the Black Pine Project. Twin Peaks Project (TP and Badger Claims) 377 Claims totaling 2600 Hectares The TP claims are host to the Twin Peaks Copper mine and are surrounded by the Badger claims located in Badger Basin. The historical Twin Peaks mine has been described having broad shear zones of modest grade copper mineralization. In 1996 Formation Capital reported copper results of 2% over a 50-foot width on the Badger Claims. The TP and Badger claims lie approximately 3km east of US Cobalt's Iron Creek Project, recently acquired by First Cobalt Corporation (TSX-V: FCC) for a total implied equity value of approximately $149.9 million on a fully-diluted in-the-money basis at the time of entering the agreement. Ulysses Cobalt Project (IP and GS Claims) 100 Claims totaling 809.4 Hectares The IP and GS Claims are 2 km north of the Ulysses Mine, a historical gold/silver producer located in the Yellowjacket Formation which is associated with Cobalt mineralization in the Region. Two Cobalt occurrences have already been identified south of the Ulysses Project, which attest to the prospective nature of this area. The Yellowjacket Formation in this area is located outside of the prolific 'Idaho Cobalt Belt' but is interpreted to have similar geological potential to host cobalt-copper-gold mineralization. *these properties can be seen on the regional Idaho Cobalt Map here NI 43-101 DISCLOSURE Neil McCallum, P.Geol, of Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COBALT International Cobalt Corp. (CSE: CO) is a Canadian based mineral exploration and development business focusing on the burgeoning cobalt sector. The Company seeks to add shareholder value by sourcing and developing projects in safe, progressive jurisdictions adhering to strict environmental and social standards. The company has projects in the Idaho Cobalt belt, one of the premier locations to explore for primary cobalt deposits and in Atlantic Canada with a rich history of mine development and operation. International Cobalt is well funded to pursue its objectives and currently holds in excess of $9 million in treasury at the time of this publication. ABOUT IDAHO CHAMPION Idaho Champion, through its United States subsidiaries, has acquired 11 mining claims in north central Idaho and has staked claims covering more than 1,700 hectares of adjoining exploration ground. It has recently raised more than US$2,000,000 of cash in a Private Placement and is seeking to raise additional cash through the remainder of the Private Placement. Idaho Champion has also entered into an agreement with an arms' length vendor for Idaho Champion to acquire in tranches up to 822 mining claims in northern Idaho covering approximately 6,871 hectares. ABOUT GOLDTRAIN GoldTrain's strategy is to enhance shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration and development of high potential mineral deposits. Headquartered in Toronto, GoldTrain's shares trade on the CSE under the trading symbol 'GT'. For further information, please visit GoldTrain's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or its corporate website at www.goldtrain.ca . ABOUT THE COBALT MARKET Cobalt prices recently reached a 10 year high of $42.75 US per pound and have shown a steady increase since the mid-point of 2015. As a vital component of many of the lithium-ion batteries used in a wide range of applications from cell phones to electric vehicles (EV), demand for Cobalt is anticipated to remain strong. For more information on the Champion Projects or International Cobalt Corp. please contact: Tyler Lowes tlowes@internationalcobalt,com or 604-329-5097. For more information on Idaho Champion Gold Mines, please contact: Jonathan Buick jbuick@idahochamp.com 416-477-7771 x.206 For more information on GoldTrain and the Reverse Take Over with ICGM, please contact: Frank Smeenk fcs@primus.ca 416-642-3575 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future acquisitions, production, reserve potential, exploration and development activities and events or developments that the Company, ICGM or GoldTrain expects, are forwardlooking statements. Although management of those companies believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the Company's and GoldTrain's public filings at www.sedar.com for further information. Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to viewthe associated documentshttp://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/38216 TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Partners Value Investments Inc. (the Company) (TSXV:PVF.WT) announced today its financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2018. All amounts are stated in US dollars. The Company generated net income of $63 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to net loss of $75 million in the prior year period. The increase in income is mainly driven by the foreign currency gains incurred resulting from an appreciating US dollar, as well as recognition of valuation gains on the change in value of the warrant liability, as opposed to foreign exchange and valuation losses incurred in the prior year period. Consolidated Statements of Operations For the periods ended June 30, 2018 (Thousands, US dollars) Three months ended Six months ended 2018 2017 2018 2017 Investment income Dividends $ 18,934 $ 28,797 $ 37,678 $ 47,013 Other investment income 1,995 119 2,759 1,513 20,929 28,916 40,437 48,526 Expenses Operating expenses (1,808 ) (1,642 ) (3,059 ) (2,760 ) Financing costs (478 ) (1,007 ) (1,688 ) (1,788 ) Retractable preferred share dividends (6,704 ) (6,271 ) (13,493 ) (12,629 ) 11,939 19,996 22,197 31,349 Other items Investment valuation gains through FVTPL1 31,821 2,552 20,178 15,134 Warrant liability valuation gains (losses) 2 5,039 (81,715 ) 56,349 (96,161 ) Amortization of deferred financing costs (566 ) (495 ) (1,067 ) (968 ) Income taxes (6,292 ) (3,903 ) (6,780 ) (6,715 ) Income from equity accounted investment (127 ) 79 Foreign currency (losses) gains 21,638 (10,942 ) 48,403 (12,363 ) Net income (loss) $ 63,452 $ (74,507 ) $ 139,359 $ (69,724 ) 1 FVTPL denotes fair value through profit and loss 2 Warrant liability valuation gains (losses) relates to the mark to market of the warrants. Financial Profile and Net Book Value The Companys principal investment is its interest in 86 million Class A Limited Voting Shares (Brookfield shares) of Brookfield, representing a 9% fully-diluted interest as at June 30, 2018. In addition, the Company owns a diversified investment portfolio of marketable securities. The information in the following table has been extracted from the Companys Statement of Financial Position: Statement of Financial Position As at (Thousands, US dollars, except per share amounts) June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 46,428 $ 29,794 Investment in Brookfield Asset Management Inc.1 3,479,914 3,737,431 Other investments carried at fair value 648,282 750,467 Accounts receivable and other assets 8,309 6,443 Equity accounted investment 15,878 13,643 Goodwill 3,728 3,102 $ 4,202,539 $ 4,540,880 Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable and other liabilities $ 33,434 $ 103,096 Preferred shares2 551,997 575,620 Warrant liability 168,527 233,958 Deferred taxes3 429,933 468,040 1,183,891 1,380,714 Equity Common equity 3,018,648 3,160,166 $ 4,202,539 $ 4,540,880 1 The investment in Brookfield Asset Management Inc. consists of 86 million Brookfield shares with a quoted market value of $40.54 per share as at June 30, 2018 (December 31, 2017 $43.54). 2 Represents $560 million of retractable preferred shares less $8 million of unamortized issue costs as at June 30, 2018 (December 31, 2017 $585 million less $9 million). 3 The deferred tax liability represents the potential future income tax liability of the Company recorded for accounting purposes based on the difference between the carrying values of the Companys assets and liabilities and their respective tax values, as well as giving effect to estimated capital and non-capital losses. For further information, contact Investor Relations at ir@pvii.ca or 647-503-6513. Note: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities regulations. The words potential and estimated and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events, trends or prospects and which do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements with regard to the Companys potential future income taxes. Although the Company believes that its anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond its control, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to: the financial performance of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., the impact or unanticipated impact of general economic, political and market factors; the behavior of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest and foreign exchanges rates; global equity and capital markets and the availability of equity and debt financing and refinancing within these markets; strategic actions including dispositions; changes in accounting policies and methods used to report financial condition (including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates); the effect of applying future accounting changes; business competition; operational and reputational risks; technological change; changes in government regulation and legislation; changes in tax laws, catastrophic events, such as earthquakes and hurricanes; the possible impact of international conflicts and other developments including terrorist acts; and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in the Companys documents filed with the securities regulators in Canada. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the Companys forward-looking statements and information, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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. In late July 2018 Russia finally received the first (of four) Admiral Gorshkov class 5,400 ton stealth frigates. These Project 22350 ships can operate in distant waters and are replacing Cold War era destroyers, few of which can still get to sea. Like most new Russian warships the Gorshkovs arrived late and in far smaller numbers than originally planned. The original plan, from 2003, was for the first of 20 Gorshkovs to enter service in 2011. Construction began in 2006 and the first Gorshkov was launched in 2010. Oncethat the first Gorshkov was in the water it was only about half complete and work slowed down. Already there were money problems and the plan was reduced to 15, then eight and finally four of these ships. A major reason for the delays and reduction of the number of ships was the 2014 Russian invasion of Ukraine. That meant Russia could not get the gas turbine engines for these ships and that technology was developed and monopolized (during the Soviet period) by Ukrainian plants. It took a lot of money to develop a supplier in Russia and do it in a hurry. The second Gorshkov and its Russian gas turbines begins sea trials later in 2018 and it will be a year or so before it is known how reliable the Russian gas turbine engines are. The Gorshkov's are armed with a 100mm gun, two Kashtan autocannon/missile systems for missile defense, 16 VLS cells for Oniks anti-ship missiles or Kaliber land attack cruise missiles, 32 VLS cells for anti-aircraft missiles (30 kilometers range), eight 533mm (21 inch) torpedo tubes and a helicopter. Four Gorshkovs are too little too late and additional four improved models (Project 22350M) are planned but these will not enter service until the mid-2020s. That is something because until a few years ago, Russia was facing the loss of nearly all its surface warships to age and not many replacements entering service. The problem is that by 2010 most of the Cold War era warships that made up the surface fleet since the late 1980s had to be retired. These ships were falling apart, as there was not any money, since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, for repairs and upgrades. Russia came up with more money by 2010 to build enough surface ships to maintain a respectable but much smaller fleet. But there was a problem. Most of Russia's warship building capability had disappeared since 1991. To that end, the government negotiated with France to import modern warship building techniques. This was to be accomplished by purchasing two Mistral amphibious assault ship/helicopter carriers built in France and the right to build two more in Russian shipyards. During that process, Russian shipbuilders would learn how it's done in the West. From 1991 until 2010 most of the Russian construction effort went into finishing a few subs and building some surface ships for export. This plan was another casualty of the Ukraine invasion. The first two Mistrals were complete by 2014 but because of sanctions on Russia (for the Ukraine aggression) France refused to deliver, refunded Russia the billion dollars paid for those two Mistrals and then sold them to Egypt. In 2010 the Russian surface fleet consisted of one aircraft carrier, five cruisers, 17 destroyers, eleven frigates and about fifty corvettes. There were about twenty smaller (than Mistral) amphibious ships. All these Cold War era ships suffered from years of neglect during the 1990s, and most were not in the best of shape and will be gone by 2020. The one Russian carrier is undergoing an expensive, and long overdue, refurbishment to keep it in service through the 2020s but all the other Cold War era surface ships are not worth refurbishing. The Gorshkovs were meant to replace the 32 Krivak class frigates. These 3,500 ton ships were built in the 1970s and 80s and nearly all were retired by 2010. The Gorshkov's cost about $400 million each and will replace larger ships like the 8,400 ton Sovremenny class destroyers. These older, larger, ships, were designed for high seas operations far from Russian shores. The new Russian fleet will be a return to the traditional Russian coastal navy. Only four of the original 21 Sovremenny are still in service and one is undergoing refurbishment. These ships all were built in the 1980s and 90s. The last four built were for China. The Russian fleet could no longer afford large warships like this, but China could and is now building its own designs that are more similar to American designs. The 30 Krirvaks and 20 Sovremennys were the primary surface warships of the Soviet high seas fleet. Two decades after the Soviet Union collapsed there will be about ten newly built stealth frigates (improved Krivaks) and nothing to replace the Sovremennys, although the four late model Sovremennys should last through the 2020s. Through the 1990s the rapidly aging Soviet Kirvaks and Sovremennys still gave Russia, at least on paper, the second largest high seas surface fleet on the planet. But after 2000 it became clear that China was going to displace Russia as the second largest surface fleet and it has. There was one other class of replacement ships being built, a variation on the Krivaks based on a successful export design. In 2016, for the first time since the 1980s, the Russian Navy has received a new frigate (the Admiral Grigorovich) of the Project 11356M class. The 11356Ms are 4,000 ton ships with a top speed of 56 kilometers an hour, a crew of 200 and armed with eight Klub or Yakhont anti-ship missiles, a naval version of the Buk M3 anti-aircraft missiles system (36 missiles), two close-range autocannon for anti-missile defense, four torpedo tubes and a launcher for rocket-propelled depth charges and a helicopter. Delivery dates for more of these frigates were delayed because their gas turbine power plants come from Ukraine. The 11356M is not a radical new design and is a modified version of the nine Talwar class frigates Russia designed for India in the 1990s as improved versions of the last Krivaks. Once six Talwars were delivered Russia ordered six of these Admiral Grigorovich class frigates to make up for the delayed Gorshkovs. The Grigorovich was based on the stealth Talwar. The last three Talwars were "stealth" frigates and the same size as the original Talwars India ordered in the 1990s. The Stealthy Talwars have their superstructure changed so as to reduce the radar signature (making the ship less likely to show up on enemy radars). Improved weapons and electronics are installed as well, making it a more formidable warship than the original Talwars. India built the stealth Talwars itself, as was the original plan. India is not ordering any more warships from Russia, as it has developed the capability to build what it needs locally. This now includes aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines. While North Korea is officially still seeking to work out a deal that would result in the dismantling of their nuclear weapons program, most North Koreans dont believe this will happen. Part of that is national pride. One thing North Korea has done that South Korea and Japan have not is create nuclear weapons. There are no other achievements worth mentioning (certainly not the mass starvation, labor camps and an oppressive police state). Actually there is another unique aspect of North Korea that North Koreans can be proud of; all those tunnels. There are believed to be more than 10,000 of them. While most are relatively small (bomb shelters for people and material) many are quite large and built with multiple exits (some for assisting in air circulation for underground machinery). North Koreans take it for granted that there are sufficient tunnels to conceal (and protect) nuclear weapons production and storage. Same for ballistic missiles and much else besides. There is also the general belief that the Kim government would never allow treaty inspectors to check wherever they wished to validate compliance to a disarmament deal. While North Korea has plenty of tunnels and secret police it is seriously lacking in other areas like food, energy and the ability to maintain infrastructure (transportation, electricity, sanitation and water). In mid-July, Kim Jong Un decreed that part of the problem was senior government officials being out of touch with what is happening throughout the country. Most of these officials live in the capital, which is quite comfortable compared to the rest of the country. To deal with this problem hundreds of senior officials have been dispatched in pairs to spend three months in some remote (outside the capital) farming or industrial area to live among the people, pay attention and make note of what needed fixing. These teams are allowed two short visits back to the capital during their 90 day assignment and are warned not to help themselves to any local resources (especially food). While Kim Jong Un regularly visits areas all over the country these visits are highly organized and brief. Kim usually brings gifts for the locals, like a rare allocation of food. Even so, Kim can see where things are not right and apparently hopes to get a more through, and personal, assessment from trusted senior officials. What is generally known is that unrepaired flood damage, a long and extreme heat wave and lack of resources for farmers has led to another failed harvest. But, as the old saying goes, we think in general but live in detail. Kim is going to get some gruesome news from his senior bureaucrats after their mandatory 90 day live among the people and observe assignments. This could shake things up in unpredictable ways. There are some indications (recent Kim public denunciations of senior officials for bad management) that the government is finally facing the fact that the only way out of its economic death spiral is via the economic reforms China implemented in the 1980s. One thing Kim Jong Un learned during his recent meetings with the leaders of South Korea, America and China is all of them agree that nuclear extortion will not work. If North Korea becomes an immediate nuclear threat the response will be military and violent rather than economic and generous. Other neighbors, like Japan and Russia, agree. Until North Korea makes a decision on its economic reforms the denuclearization negotiations are going nowhere. North Korea continues to churn out denunciations of American (and South Korean) demands for an official end to the Korean War and denuclearization. North Korea calls the Americans bullies and South Korea unpatriotic accomplices of the Americans. The official North Korean negotiating position continues to be demanding that the U.S. lift some sanctions first and, along with South Korea, provide some economic aid. Both America and South Korea have tried that before and know it is a con and say so to North Korean negotiators. Time is not on North Koreas side because their economic conditions and they have little wiggle room in negotiating. No one appears able or willing to help North Korea out of this mess. North Korea has hoped that China would ultimately back its old ally and protege North Korea but that is not happening. Despite the current trade war the Americans and China are involved in, China is not going to change its mind on the need for North Korea to get rid of its nukes. Chinese officials are also trying to make Kim Jong Un understand that the Americans have the edge in the current trade war because Chinese banks are vulnerable, largely because of the large number of state-owned firms that have not been privatized and survive only because of cheap, and often uncollectable, loans from state-owned and (under government pressure) private banks. China is more dependent on exports to America than the U.S. is to getting those exports. Kim Jong Un is not stupid and he was educated in Western (Swiss) schools where he learned the basics of Western economics. This is what China has followed, with great success, since the 1980s and is demanding that North Korea emulate. The Chinese are urging Kim Jong Un to learn from the Chinese experience, including mistakes the Chinese made and are in the process of fixing. The Chinese leader Xi has established a personal relationship with Kim Jong Un, something rare in Chinese-Korean history. This includes doing personal favors for Kim, like quietly shipping two generators (together producing 200,000 kw) to North Korea by ship, where they were quietly moved (without going through customs) to the North Korean capital, where they filled in for failing generating equipment that North Korea cannot afford to replace. Xi will enhance this relationship further on September 9th when the Chinese leader will visit the North Korean capital as a guest at the 70th anniversary of the founding of North Korea. The presence of Xi is a big deal for Kim Jong Un and it puts Kim even more in debt to his powerful patron. At this point, China has the best chance of getting North Korea to enact economic reforms and shut down the nuclear weapons program. The Chinese see this personal relationship as the best way to bring Kim Jong Un around. In this part of the world, that is how things are done. North Korean Death Spiral The biggest problem Kim Jong Un faces is his own economic problems, which are getting quite desperate. The North Korean economy is crumbling after several years of stabilizing and even growing (because of allowing some free market activity). Why this irrational and self-destructive behavior by North Korea? It is most likely that the long-simmering disagreements about economic reforms and relationships with China are at the heart of it. China has long complained about the chaotic and self-destructive North Korean leadership. Its not just the ruling Kim family (who are quite odd but so are many politicians), but the whole paranoid, dysfunctional, unpredictable atmosphere in the north. China is particularly critical of the unpredictability and has been demanding more discipline and, to put it bluntly, obedience. Lacking that, there will be consequences. More Chinese troops have been moved to the North Korean border, and China is less discreet about its network of spies and agents in North Korea. The rumors of a ruthless "China faction" in the North Korean leadership have been given some official recognition by the Chinese. Thus the Chinese are attempting to use the "offer you can't refuse" gambit. It may work and bring about much-needed reforms. Otherwise, the Chinese threaten to pull the plug on all aid and political support and perhaps order the China Faction to take action, with help from Chinese troops, special operations forces and secret police. This would be an admission of failure by the Chinese although they could put a positive spin on it by referring to past interventions to deal with troublesome Korean rulers. At that point, China would have the primary responsibility for rebuilding North Korea. China could appeal to South Korea, Japan and the United States to join in. China would endeavor to make the North Korea economic recovery effort pay for itself by insisting that Chinese investments be respected along with growing Chinese ownership of North Korean economic assets. That will generate anger in North Korea but as far as the Chinese are concerned that is normal when it comes to China-Korean relationships. China and other foreign states know that the situation is getting desperate in North Korea, both for the people in general (less food, electricity and so on) and the government. The growing list of enforced sanctions have shut down or reduced most legal and many illegal sources of foreign currency. This can be seen from the chatter on the black market, where North Korea is less active because they have not got the cash. North Korea has no credit when it comes to legal or illegal purchases from foreign suppliers. There are still North Korean smuggling operations underway but these generally involve basic goods (like oil and items required to maintain or repair things back in North Korea). To raise cash North Korea is leaning on its foreign workers and taking a larger cut of their pay. This policy has its limits because if you take too much the workers realize the job is not sustainable (not enough to send back home to keep kin alive). That will mean more foreign workers trying to defect and fewer suitable candidates for the foreign jobs. China showed its approval of North Korean efforts at improving relations with South Korea and the Americans by allowing North Korean female workers back into China as well as relaxing its enforcement of sanctions when it came to sending all North Korea workers home. But North Korean workers are no longer allowed to wander around when not working. Most of these workers live in dormitories on factory property and now the North Korean workers are restricted to the factory/dormitory property. The North Korean security personnel who accompany groups of exported workers cooperate with local Chinese police to prevent anyone from leaving the compound. Anyone caught doing so is sent back to North Korea. These restrictions make it easier for Chinese police (and the few North Korean secret police working in China) to detect and arrest defectors. A growing number of the arrested defectors have tried or succeeded in committing suicide before they could be sent back to North Korea. Meanwhile back in North Korea Chinese visiting on business (from truck drivers to technical and management personnel) are complaining about growing harassment by North Korean secret police (who, among other things, keep an eye on foreigners) in the form of accusing the Chinese of minor offenses and demanding the immediate payment of fines. While this may have some legal basis in North Korea the Chinese see it as another questionable method of extracting more cash from visitors. Since these are commercial visitors a growing number are complaining to their bosses back in China and, as in the past, this eventually reaches senior officials who then demand that North Korea deal with the problem before China retaliates (which it has done with increasing frequency and ferocity since the late 1990s). Inside North Korea the police are increasingly visiting homes of donju (entrepreneur) families and inspecting PCs usually present there, looking for illegal items. Users have found ways to hide the music and video files police are after. One thing police do not look for are South Korean, Chinese and Western video games. These video games are the cracked (copy protection removed) versions smuggled in from China. They then spread throughout the country on USB drives. Once a new game arrives in a town or neighborhood it is quickly acquired by most of the local PC owners. While the most popular of these games were designed for online play (not possible in North Korea) the local PC owners know about using LAN (Local Area Network) capabilities built into current PCs and laptops and the growing demand for LAN cables is mainly about gamers wanting to get together somewhere, use the cables to establish a local LAN and play as if they were online. A LAN requires a router or LAN switch and both of these can be obtained from China at little cost. Another technique, if all participants have PCs with wifi capability, is to link wirelessly in a confined space. Outside North Korea LAN parties became widely popular in the 1990s and are still popular, even though online games are more convenient. The North Korean government has not yet declared video games subversive and forbidden, but that is always subject to change. Work Camps For Orphans Since 2013 the government has ordered police to seize any homeless children spotted in the capital and a few other areas where foreigners are allowed to visit, or at least pass through. The children were confined to guarded facilities (farms or factories) until they turned 18. Here they were fed and forced to work but now more of them have been seen again on the street. These kids are begging again, just in areas where the police dont constantly patrol. The kids are thin and report that there was less and less to eat at their government facility and that was because staff was stealing more and more of the food budget and some kids were literally starving to death. The security at these places wasnt as heavy as at regular prisons and labor camps so the more enterprising kids have been able to escape and quickly learn the new rules cops use for picking up suspected orphans. A lot more children in North Korea are becoming homeless, if not actual orphans. Since 2015 many poverty-stricken North Koreans have, in effect, been selling their children into slavery. The government is allowing orphans to be subject to slavery-like conditions, not just for their childhood but into their adult lives as well. This sort of thing is very unpopular in rural areas where the poverty is worse. Many North Korean men see themselves as serving as slaves for ten years of mandatory service in the military, but then you get out. The government is increasingly forcing poor or hostile (to the government) North Koreans into slavery for life. The government has also ordered the growing number of homeless children taken off the streets by any means. That usually means dealing with the slavers. Since 2012 the government has seen the growing number of homeless kids as a problem and tried several ways to get them off out of sight. In 2013 the police were ordered to pick up the growing number of homeless children (seen begging or just running wild even by foreign visitors) and put them under the control of local government. This meant putting the kids into state-run orphanages. Because of the food and other shortages, the government didnt have the resources to house and feed all these homeless kids adequately. As a result, many of those rounded up in 2013 ran away from the hard work and short rations at the orphanages, seeing their survival prospects better on the streets. Most of these kids are orphans, their parents having died or disappeared into prison camps, China or elsewhere in North Korea. The poverty and privation is so great in the north that the extended family no longer provides a safety net and there is often no kin to take in abandoned or orphaned children. So the children (many ten and under) just hit the streets and become a source of criminal activity and, more embarrassing for the government, defectors who get to China and commit a lot of crimes or worse yet, tell the truth about how life is in North Korea. Some North Korean officials want to just quietly kill these worthless children but senior officials know that could be a public-relations disaster and forbid it, officially, at least for now. The North Korean secret police often make people just disappear but if it is done on a large scale mistakes are likely to be made and the truth revealed. The current solution appears to capture the homeless kids and send them to the slave labor facilities where, unless they show themselves as extremely loyal to the state, they will spend the rest of their lives as slaves. August 19, 2018: Japan continues to increase its defense budget, now planning to spend $48 billion in 2019. This is an increase from $45 billion for 2017 and is the seventh year in a row Japanese defense spending increased and much of the additional money is going towards ballistic missile defenses and additional ships to patrol offshore areas that China is aggressively claiming. Unlike Taiwan and South Korea, which continued to be threatened by China and North Korea, Japanese defense spending declined after the Cold War ended in 1991. But in 2013 that changed and every budget since then has increased. By 2015 Japan had its highest ever defense budget ever ($42 billion) it kept growing. Most of the recent increases have been to buy new weapons and upgrade existing ones to improve defense again Chinese or North Korean attack. South Korean spending is putting more emphasis on missile defense. Currently, this includes more F-35 stealth fighters, beyond the existing 42. The additional 20 F-35Bs would be for Japanese helicopter carriers and made in the United States. The first 42 are being assembled in Japan. South Korea has ordered 40 F-35As modified slightly for South Korean use. The first of these will arrive in South Korea in 2018 and all will arrive by 2021. South Korea is considering buying another twenty. August 17, 2018: Aerial and satellite photos indicated that the northeastern North Korean Simpo shipyard was experiencing some increased activity. Simpo is where a North Korean SSB (diesel-electric submarine carrying ballistic missiles) is being built. This was confirmed in early 2015 when aerial photos clearly (despite a camouflage net) showed an SSB under construction. Based on what was known in 2015 it appeared that North Korea could have an operational SSB (carrying reliable missiles) by 2018 if they completed and successfully test the new 2,000 ton SSB under construction as well as complete development of the SLBM. But construction activity in Simpo declined after 2016, apparently due to lack of resources. The current increase in activity does not indicate completion of the SSB anytime soon. August 16, 2018: Following a January agreement that the military hotline between the two Koreas would be revived that process was completed as the hotline (fax and telephone) on the eastern end of the DMZ was restored. The hotline on the western portion of the DMZ was restored in July. August 15, 2018: The United States imposed sanctions on three shipping companies (in China, Singapore and Russia) for taking part in smuggling oil and other items to North Korea. A recent UN audit found that North Korea was maintaining many illegal joint ventures with China (215) and Russia (30). Not all these joint ventures are with companies as some are with individuals. August 13, 2018: North Korea has canceled all tourist visas until September 9th. This is apparently a last-minute security decision because of the large number of foreign leaders (and their entourages) to attend the 70th anniversary of the founding of North Korea celebrations. August 9, 2018: North Korea went public to make it clear that it will not comply with the American demands that denuclearization comes first before sanctions are lifted. The Americans have insisted on this and made it clear that it wants verification as well. While China has eased up sanctions a bit, North Korea is still in bad shape because many of the latest sanctions are still working and the Americans are finding out which Chinese and Russian firms are involved in violating these sanctions and publicizing the details. Those discovered assisting North Korea to evade sanctions are themselves sanctioned. If nothing else this makes it even more difficult, and expensive, for North Korea to evade the sanctions. August 4, 2018: Russia is allowing thousands of additional North Korean workers to enter the Russian Far East. This is in violation of the sanctions but Russia is ignoring that and insisting these workers are an economic necessity in the Russian Far East. Left unsaid is the fact that Russia would rather bring in North Koreans for this than offer higher wages and find that there are no Russians available but Chinese will cross the border do the job (and eventually be the majority of the population in the region). July 31, 2018: Once more a Japanese Navy patrol aircraft photographed a stationary North Korean tanker tied up to a Chinese tanker off the Chinese coast and apparently transferring petroleum. This makes at least three times Japanese aircraft detected (and photographed) North Korean tanker doing these transfers in the East China Sea. The UN has put sanctions on s growing number of cargo ships and tankers but these vessels can still do transfers at sea. This takes longer, is still illegal and is increasingly being witnessed (and photographed) by American, Japanese or South Korean patrol aircraft. China responded with new rules making it more difficult for Chinese companies to get away with the false paperwork, turning off the automatic ship tracking devices and other scams North Korea uses to illegally export items to China. At the same time, China and Russia are blocking UN efforts to investigate this sort of violation. July 27, 2018: South Korea complained to China that another Chinese military aircraft had violated South Koreas ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone) and remained in the ADIZ four hours before leaving. South Korea is also seeing more ADIZ activity because of Chinese intrusions. In 2013 China announced a new ADIZ that overlapped South Korean, Philippine and Japanese airspace. China demanded that any foreign military or commercial aircraft request permission before flying into this zone. South Korea and Japan protested while the United States quickly flew some B-52s into the disputed zone without asking for Chinese permission. China protested and the United States ignored them just as China ignores South Korean protests. July 26, 2018: North Korea held another (the fifth) War Veterans conference in the capital. These are veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War and all the surviving vets are in their 80s and 90s. The government transports (often by air) the veterans to the capital for a weeklong stay. The veterans know this is all propaganda, especially since the last one was held three years ago and the vets know how it goes. It works out well for the vets, who are treated well and sent home with gifts (including food and booze). by Austin Bay August 21, 2018 In early August 2008, Russian military forces invaded the nation of Georgia. An American action encouraged the Kremlin to halt its attack. U.S. Air Force transports flew elite Georgian infantrymen deployed in Iraq from Iraqi bases to their hard-pressed home country. August 2018, a decade later: Poland audaciously asked America to build a permanent U.S. military base on its territory. Poles contend the Russo-Georgia War signaled Russia's imperialist revival. Russia's 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea and its war with Ukraine provide uncontestable proof Eastern Europeans must prepare to fight an aggressive Russia. Deterrence is preferable to war. On August 15, speaking at a Polish Armed Forces Day parade, Polish President Andrzej Duda said a permanent U.S. Army presence in his country would "deter every potential aggressor." "Every potential aggressor" qualifies as a wry Polish joke. Eastern Europe confronts only one significant aggressor: Russia. Warsaw believes deterring Russia requires more than just an American alliance. It requires in-the-flesh American soldiers. After Russia annexed Crimea, NATO began regular "rotational" (temporary) deployments in Eastern European NATO nations, specifically Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. NATO exercises in these nations have increased in size and frequency. Though Georgia is not yet a NATO member, it is on track to become one. NATO units exercise with Georgian forces. U.S. Army Abrams tank units recently trained on a Georgian gunnery range. NATO members have politically committed the alliance to preserving Georgia's territorial integrity. However, no American or Western European NATO combat units are permanently deployed in vulnerable "eastern rim" nations. Permanent military garrisons are tangible physical and political commitments. That's why the Poles want one. If NATO opts for permanent garrisons, the neo-imperialist Kremlin will go on neo-Red alert, claiming the garrison proves America plans to attack Mother Russia. Perhaps pitiful Kremlin threats exposing Russian military impotence is the response NATO seeks. But that leads to another consideration. Permanent U.S. military installations in Poland are within range of literally thousands of Russian short and intermediate range missiles and tactical strike aircraft. Unless heavily defended, the "forward deployed" permanent garrison could forward destroyed in 20 minutes. Heavy defenses require money. Defense spending within NATO is a factor, militarily and politically. Europe 2018 is not 1945's shattered wreck. Germany, France and the Low Countries are wealthy. In 2014, NATO members agreed to buy new equipment and spend a minimum of two percent of GDP on defense. But by the beginning of 2017, only five of NATO's 29 members had achieved the two percent goal (U.S., Britain, Greece, Estonia and Poland). Incoming President Donald Trump threw theatrical fits, appearing to suggest NATO did nothing but fleece the U.S. Treasury. I'll defend this depiction as accurate. Trump never explicitly said he wanted to quit NATO, and his subsequent actions demonstrate he supports the alliance. However, The Dealmaker in Chief did want to scare defense-spending laggards who did not meet alliance budget obligations. That's Trump diplomacy. His theater may have gotten some results. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, "If one looks closely at the most recent trends in the NATO data, they imply that Europe has been doing more doing more while the U.S. share of NATO has been shrinking." CSIS also reported: "Eight NATO Allies will reach the 2 percent benchmark (by December 2018), and 15 Allies are on track to spend 2 percent by 2024." Perhaps these were the long-term trends, but Trump demanded tangible spending increases. CSIS's chief analyst Anthony Cordesman argues that a strict budget analysis of NATO is a mistake. Cordesman says the alliance has made some "tangible efforts" to "create the forces needed for defense and deterrence: The 30-30-30-30 plan that calls for NATO to have 30 land battalions, 30 air fighter squadrons and 30 ships ready to deploy within 30 days of being put on alert." This is a rapid reinforcement option, not a permanent forward deployment. Unfortunately, both may be required. With the recovery of all the territory Boko Haram once controlled and the ability to interview more victims it has been possible to get a better idea about the impact of seven years (2011-2018) of Boko Haram violence. The death toll is now believed to be about 35,000, nearly double earlier estimates (about 20,000). The new estimates include all dead (Boko Haram, security forces and civilians) in over two thousand incidents. A little over half the dead were Boko Haram, with civilians comprising 42 percent and security forces about six percent. Actually, a lot of the civilian deaths were local security forces, some of them recognized and supported by the military. Taking that into account about ten percent of the dead are security forces and 39 percent civilians. By 2015 most of the Christians in the northeast had been killed or, more frequently fled. A minority in the northeast the Christians were a prime target but by 2016 religion-based attacks turned to mosques and Islamic clerics that openly opposed Boko Haram. Most of the victims of the Boko Haram related violence were from a small fraction of the Nigerian population. The three northeastern state where most of the mayhem occurs have a population of 13 million (Borno; 5.5, Yobe; 3.1 and Adamawa; 4.3). Thats about seven percent of the national population. There is some Boko Haram activity in other northern areas making Boko Haram a problem for about 14 million Nigerians. There are nearly as many people in neighboring countries who are still terrorized (although to a lesser extent) by Boko Haram. The security forces in these neighboring countries have proved more effective at dealing with Boko Haram, which remains mainly a Nigerian organization. In addition to driving out the Christian minority (who were better educated and ran many businesses) Boko Haram violence did major damage to the educational system in the three northeast states. Borno was the hardest hit but all these states suffered from attacks on schools and teachers. More than 2,300 teachers {staffing some 3,000 schools in the area} were killed and nearly 20,000 teachers fled their schools and often left the northeast. Over 1,500 schools were destroyed and over a thousand students were kidnapped. Over half the school-age children in the area still have no access to education. There is little indication that schools will be repaired or rebuilt very quickly either. The violence peaked in 2014-15 and for a while Boko Haram was killing more people than ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). In 2016 Boko Haram was on the defensive and lost control of most of its territory by 2017. Now Boko Haram has spilt into two major factions and concentrates on terror attacks (a third of them using suicide bombers) and survival as bandits and raiders. In some cases, Boko Haram operates a protection scam in which locals pay a fee to ensure they, or their property, are not attacked. This sort of thing is particularly popular in the far north, on the coast of Lake Chad where fishermen in some areas pay the local Boko Haram for protection so they can fish. Most Boko Haram activity remains concentrated in the northeast, specifically Borno State. There is still some Boko Haram presence in Cameroon and Chad but there are no longer many attacks outside northeast Nigeria (Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states). Boko Haram persists in the northeast in part because one of the two rival factions has adopted more effective tactics. The Barnawi (or Albarnawi) faction is recognized by ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) and follows the current ISIL doctrine of concentrating attacks on security forces and government officials (preferably the corrupt ones). That makes it easier to extort (raise taxes) cash and other goods from the local population. The Barnawi faction has several thousand active gunmen and operates mainly in the far north of Borno state near Lake Chad. The smaller Shekau faction has about half as many armed men and operates further south near the Borno State capital of Maiduguri and the Sambisa Forest. Money matters and one reason the Barnawi faction has been more successful is their emphasis on raising cash, especially via large ransoms for hostages, especially foreign hostages. There was never a specific demand made in public but the government paid for high-value captives, like the May 2017 agreement that got 82 of the Chibok captives (from 2014) released in exchange for the freedom of eight Boko Haram leaders being held and awaiting prosecution for mass murder, terrorism and so on. Many Nigerians believed these men should have at least stood trial before being traded for hostages. As expected some of the freed Boko Haram leaders promptly went back to Islamic terrorism. At the same time, Boko Haram had very visibly divided into factions. Back in March 2017 Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video to boast that he was still alive and operating in the northeast. At that point, security forces had claimed Shekau was dead at least five times since 2011 but so far had always been wrong. In late 2016 there was hope that a recent split in Boko Haram might lead to Shekau getting killed by other Islamic terrorists but that hasnt happened either and the two main factions appear to have achieved some kind of truce with each other and continue to operate. The Boko Haram split began in August 2016 when ISIL announced that it was replacing Shekau, who was accused of mismanagement, with Abu Musab al Barnawi. ISIL believed Shekau devoted too much effort to killing fellow Moslems (especially civilians) rather than the real enemies of ISIL (local security forces and non-Moslems in general). ISIL leadership was also unhappy with the Boko Haram use of children and women as suicide bombers. That has become an issue in Nigeria because the use of children as suicide bombers has tripled during 2017. While the new Boko Haram leader has concentrated attacks on the security forces and non-Moslems he has also used children, especially females, as suicide bombers. Barnawi is a son of Mohammed Yusuf, one of the ISIL founders. Barnawi was appointed the main Boko Haram spokesman in January 2015. Although Barnawi has developed a following in Boko Haram Shekau refused to accept the ISIL decision. The Barnawi faction has also been more successful at online recruiting (via encrypted messaging systems like Telegram and frequently shifting presence on social media sites like Facebook.) The national government has occasionally carried on unofficial talks with the Barnawi faction of Boko Haram. This faction is also known as ISWA (the Islamic State West Africa province) and has access to resources Islamic terror groups use help negotiate large ransoms for hostages, especially foreign hostages. These hostage negotiations apparently evolved into discussions about a peace deal but appeared to get nowhere. Inept Iranian Interference Like most Sunni Islamic terror groups Boko Haram will go after other Moslem factions. The most frequent targets are Shia Moslems. There is a Shia minority in Nigeria which, with Iranian help, tried to organize a militant faction. That did not go well and by 2018 Nigerian police managed to eliminate most armed members of the Shia IMN (Islamic Movement in Nigeria). There has not been much violent activity from the Shia since 2016 when the security forces cracked down hard. There are about seven million Shia in Nigeria and since the 1980s a growing number of them have joined IMN, a group founded and quietly supported by IRGC. While relations between Shia and Sunni Moslems have generally been good in Nigeria, local Sunni radical groups like Boko Haram practice the anti-Shia attitudes so common in Sunni terror groups like al Qaeda and the Taliban. IMN always proclaimed itself a peaceful group that welcomed all Moslems but over the years it has become all Shia and a lot more militant. President Accused of Tribal Bias President Buhari, in addition to being a reformer, a northern Moslem and a retired general is also a Fulani and seen as reluctant to have the security forces hold the Fulani tribesmen accountable for the violence the Fulani continue to instigate across northern and central Nigeria. So far this year Moslem Fulani raiders are increasingly active with their attacks on local tribes (most of them Christian) that rely on farming. That means the Fulani violence in 2018 accounted for more than five times more deaths than Boko Haram. Despite growing pressure from the Christian community to recognize the escalating (since 2010) threat in a band stretching from the northwest (Zamfara state) through central Nigeria (Plateau, Jos, Kaduna, Benue and Nassarawa states) and the southeast (Taraba State) Buhari refuses to order a crackdown on the attackers. This is largely about Fulani herders moving south to find more grazing land and water for their animals. While these attacks often trigger reprisals by local militias the Fulani are seen as the source of constant tension and violence. Most of the victims of the Fulani violence are Christian. This has been going on for a while and Fulani suffer far fewer losses because they are usually the attacker. The violence declined a bit in 2017 but nothing was done to diminish or eliminate it. To make matters worse the raiders have also been attacking soldiers or police who intervene to protect the farmers. Attempts to negotiate peace deals with the Fulani generally fail. In the last three years, the Fulani violence is believed to have left nearly 9,000 dead. Buhari is currently running for reelection. August 20, 2018: A World Bank study detailed how Nigerian governments wasted opportunities from 1970 through 2014 to invest a trillion dollars of oil income into development. Instead, most of it was stolen or squandered. During that 44 year period, there were five spikes in oil prices and demand. These oil booms brought in extraordinary amounts of income which made it easy to spend most of it on infrastructure, and other long-term investments in the economy. That was rarely done and all the oil income has made a few Nigerians (most of them corrupt politicians) fabulously rich but otherwise has done nothing for Nigeria. Oil has been a curse not a blessing for Nigeria and one thing nearly all Nigerians can agree on is reducing corruption and theft of most oil income. Since 1972 the government has earned over a trillion dollars ($1,300 billion) in oil revenue, most of which has been stolen or misused. This corruption is the main cause of the unrest in the country, especially the oil producing areas. Since 1980, the poverty rate (the percentage of people living on less than $400 a year) has gone from 28 percent to over 60 percent today. For over four decades, the oil money has been going to less than twenty percent of the population, leaving most of the rest worse off today than they were in the early 1960s before the oil exports began. The people in the Niger Delta are up in arms because most of them have not benefited from the oil production, but have suffered from the oil spills and other disruptions that accompany oil drilling and shipping. The four decades of theft have left the national infrastructure (roads, water supplies, power production, and so on) in ruins. In short, oil has not helped Nigeria at all. August 19, 2018: In the northeast (Borno State) a wanted Boko Haram leader was identified and arrested in a refugee camp. The Boko Haram leader was apparently no longer active and willing to cooperate with police. There are still over two million refugees in the northeast, mainly Borno State. August 18, 2018: In the northeast (Borno State) armed Boko Haram arrived outside a village late at night and after midnight attacked. Police in the village did nothing and dozens of villagers were killed while most of the rest fled to a nearby refugee camp (that had better security). The Boko Haram looted the village for two hours then drove off into the darkness. August 12, 2018: In the northeast (Borno State) there was another public demonstration (at the Maiduguri airport) by soldiers as several hundred protested that they had been stationed in a battle zone (Borno) for several years and away from their home base (and families) down south. Units are supposed to be rotated at least once a year to give the troops some rest and opportunity to train and integrate new recruits. Despite repeated promises that this would be the policy, it hasnt been. Getting rids of incompetent officers has also been promised but it is an effort that is far from complete. The government, led by a reformist former general, is aware of the problem but the military has a hard time carrying out basic reforms or enforcing policies (like rotation of troops) they are ordered to carry out. President Buhari has held officers in charge of operations in the north responsible for their failures. As a result, there have been four commanders in the northeast during the last 14 months, replaced in turn when they failed to make needed changes. The military has been notoriously corrupt and inept for decades and change has not come easily or quickly. August 8, 2018: In the northeast (Borno State) Boko Haram ambushed a group of soldiers and killed fifteen of them. Incidents like this continue to occur and recently there has been at least one a month. August 6, 2018: In the northeast (Borno State) Boko Haram attacked a village 13 kilometers outside the state capital and beheaded the village chief, his wife and five others. This was part of an effort to encourage village leaders to cooperate with Boko Haram and not with the security forces. July 29, 2018: In the south (Niger River Delta) three naval officers were arrested for taking equipment seized from oil thieves and operators of illegal refineries. The officers then sold the equipment on the black market, or directly to other oil theft gangs. The military, especially the navy, has been very successful in finding and shutting down oil theft gangs. In the last two years, this effort has found (via more than 16,000 patrols) and shut down over 1,800 illegal refineries. Much of the refinery equipment is destroyed where found but the navy has seized over 1,5oo weapons, 1,600 boats, 198 barges, 258 outboard engines, 133 tanker trucks, 349 vehicles, 95 generating sets and much more recoverable equipment. The navy is supposed to sell off this stuff with the proceeds going to the government. July 26, 2018: In the northeast (Borno State) several dozen vehicles carrying over a hundred Boko Haram gunmen attacked a police outpost 3o kilometers outside the state capital. After an hour of fighting the outpost was taken and looted. Yesterday, elsewhere in Borno, another group of Boko Haram ambushed an army convoy and killed at least 23 soldiers. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISSEMINATION TO US NEWSWIRE SERVICES Broadway Gold Mining Ltd. (TSX-V: BRD) (OTCQB: BDWYF) (Broadway or the Company) today closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement of $450,000. The offering of 4,500,000 common shares at 10 cents ($0.10) each is subject to a four month hold period that expires on December 23, 2018. Insiders, Duane Parnham, Chairman and Thomas Smeenk, President and CEO, together subscribed for 26% of the offering. Ten investors subscribed for the balance of the offering. A commission of 8%, totaling $9,520, was paid to four firms for four subscriptions. The Company will use the proceeds to complete a preliminary economic assessment of the Madison Mine and for general working capital purposes. About Broadway Gold Mining Ltd. Broadway Gold is focused on the exploration and development of the Broadway and Madison mines and the discovery of the porphyry source of their mineralization. The Company owns a 100% interest in a four-square-mile property in the Butte-Anaconda region of Montana, a porphyry-based mining district. The Company is permitted for exploration and bulk sampling. Of two underground mines, one, the Madison, is Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) compliant. While actively expanding known copper and gold zones open for development, the Companys exploration program has identified new anomalies along the two-mile contact zone, and across its extensive four-square-mile land package. The Company confirmed a Latite porphyry discovery in holes C17-24 and C17-C27 (see news release dated January 22, 2018) that appears to be of significant size with intercepts to-date measuring up to 234 meters, open in all directions. For more information: Thomas Smeenk, BA President and CEO Broadway Gold Mining Ltd. 1-800-680-0661 IR@broadwaymining.com www.broadwaymining.com Media: Adam Bello Primoris Group Inc. +1 416.489.0092 media@primorisgroup.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release or other future plans, objectives or expectations of Broadway are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Broadway's plans or expectations include risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, fluctuating commodity prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Broadway with securities regulators. Broadway 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 otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. 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. Omaha, NE, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Immanuel Communities Announces Collaboration with Visiting Nurse Association OMAHA, NEBRASKA : July 22, 2018 Immanuel, Nebraskas leader in senior living, is pleased to share an exciting long-term Strategic Home Health and Hospice collaboration with Visiting Nurse Association (VNA). VNA was chosen to become the Immanuel home health care agency collaborator to complement the current services offered in its Omaha communities. This collaboration recognizes the value that home health has in supporting the safety, security, and dignity of seniors who want to remain active and stay engaged in their health and wellness. VNA will be providing its full scope of home health services to Immanuel residents, including wellness programming, telehealth, non-clinical home care, home health, hospice and infusion services. Across the Omaha metro area, Immanuel serves over 1,000 residents and participants on seven campuses city-wide, as well as others in Lincoln and Des Moines. Providing an extraordinary resident experience remains at the forefront within Immanuel. While Immanuel and VNA are separate organizations they are strategically aligned and share common values that center on prioritizing the lives of those we serve, said Eric Gurley, Immanuels president and CEO. The collaboration of two strong, community-focused organizations will result in an enhanced and integrated resident experience. Our shared mission and commitment to the highest possible quality of service makes this collaboration ideal. I am pleased to work with VNA to better serve seniors in Nebraska. According to the census figures, the Omaha, Nebraska senior population grew 37 percent in just 10 years, from 62,000 in 2006 to nearly 85,000 in 2016, and it shows no signs of slowing down. As the population ages, many choose Immanuel Communities for its exceptional amenities and services. The Immanuel and VNA collaboration provides better integration of additional health care services should a residents needs change. VNA is pleased to strategically collaborate with Immanuel, said James Summerfelt, president and CEO of VNA. VNA has been working closely with Immanuel, with those who reside in its communities, and with those who live at home and are supported by Immanuels PACE program. The opportunity to expand and deepen these relationships is really exciting. VNA and Immanuel are working together currently. About Immanuel Since 1887 Immanuel has been providing Christ-Centered Service to Seniors, Each Other and the Community. As a not-for-profit, serving arm of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Immanuels house of brands includes: Immanuel Communities, Immanuel Pathways, Immanuel Community Foundation and The Immanuel Vision Foundation. More about Immanuels brands: Immanuel Communities owns and operates 11 independent living, assisted living and long-term care retirement communities on seven campuses; Immanuel Pathways operates three PACE Centers in Iowa and Neb.; the Immanuel Community Foundation, a Resident Assistance Fund provides financial assistance to independent living residents; and the Immanuel Vision Foundation extends financial support to non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) organizations that share purposes in alignment with Immanuels service centered mission. Learn more at www.Immanuel.com. About Visiting Nurse Association After more than a century, Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) continues to provide valued expertise, comforting perspective, innovative leadership and industry-leading solutions around the health issues of the day in the communities we serve. Our team of more than 400 compassionate healthcare professionals is dedicated to shaping tomorrows care, today, by providing the highest quality care to individuals at home and across the community no matter their age, station in life or available resources. To learn more about VNAs unique commitment to fostering a healthy, thriving community, and the services available to meet each clients ever-changing needs, visit vnatoday.org or call 402-342-5566. ### PORT ALBERNI, British Columbia, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huu-ay-aht First Nations (Huu-ay-aht) and Western Forest Products Inc. (TSX: WEF) (Western) announce that they are working together to explore potential alternative ownership structures in Huu-ay-ahts traditional territories pursuant to the Reconciliation Protocol Agreement. This collaborative effort may also involve other First Nations with traditional territories in the Alberni Valley over the next several years. Western and Huu-ay-aht both strongly believe that working together will benefit the community, region and forestry sector. The shared vision of Huu-ay-aht and Western includes a framework for reconciliation and revitalization of the Alberni Valley forest sector. The framework includes increased participation of area First Nations through tenure ownership, employment and business opportunities, sustained domestic manufacturing, increased training and jobs, effective marketing and valued-added product innovation, and strong environmental stewardship. For further information, please contact: Babita Khunkhun Senior Director, Communications Western Forest Products (604) 202 4923 Amanda Munro Munro Thompson Communications Inc. (604) 360 3994 About Huu-ay-aht First Nations Huu-ay-aht First Nations is an indigenous community located on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It is a part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation, formerly called the Nootka. Huu-ay-aht is a party to the Maa-nulth Final Agreement, a modern treaty that grants its five member-nations constitutionally-protected self-government as well as ownership, control and law-making authority over their lands and resources. For more information, visit huuayaht.org. About Western Forest Products Western is an integrated Canadian forest products company and the largest coastal British Columbia timberlands operator and lumber producer. The Company has an annual available harvest of approximately 6 million cubic metres of timber, of which 5.8 million cubic metres is from Crown lands. Western has a lumber capacity of approximately 1.1 billion board feet from seven sawmills. Principal activities of the Company include timber harvesting, sawmilling logs into specialty lumber, and value added remanufacturing. With operations and employees primarily on the coast of British Columbia and one location in Washington State, Western is a premier supplier of high-value, specialty forest products to markets worldwide. Forward-Looking Statements and Information This news release contains statements and estimates that may constitute forward-looking statements under the applicable securities laws. Readers are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking statements and can be identified by the use of words such as may, explore, will, and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: the potential benefits from the Reconciliation Protocol Agreement the reconciliation framework; forest sector strategy; or long-term revitalization. Although such statements reflect Western managements current reasonable beliefs, expectations and assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements are accurate, and actual results and performance may materially vary. Many factors could cause our actual results or performance to be materially different including: general economic conditions; changes in annual allowable cut; competition and selling prices; foreign trade disputes; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; labour disruptions; natural disasters; relations with First Nations groups; changes in laws, regulations or public policy; and the factors discussed in Westerns annual information form, which is available on Westerns website at www.westernforest.com. The foregoing list is not exhaustive, as other factors could adversely affect Westerns actual results and performance. Forward-looking statements are based only on information currently available to Western and refer only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, Western undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements. It is said no man is an island. That is especially evident when managing weeds or rodents on the plains. One of the topics addressed in Monday's Cheyenne County Commissioners meeting was the management of prairie dogs and what response can be taken when they are not managed. The prairie dog is actually a rodent known for its burrows that can have extensive underground networks. They are also known for spreading the plague and of carrying fleas. They are the natural target of the black-footed ferret, coyotes and predatory birds, according to www.humanesociety.org. They are also among the fac... 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 ... TICKERS: AUEN; LCKYF Source: John Newell for Streetwise Reports (8/22/18) Fund manager John Newell with Fieldhouse Capital Management discusses what he terms an "exciting new discovery in the heart of the Yukon's White Gold District." In this article, we will take a brief look at the Yukon, the prolific Tintina Gold Belt and drill down to the White Gold district, which makes up part of the belt, and what could be Luckystrike Resources Ltd.'s (LUKY:TSX.V) strategic position in the White Gold District. Luckystrike Resources Ltd. shares are just now trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LUKY. It was born as a spinout from Goldstrike Resources (GSR.V). See the press releases below for full details: Shares Issued and Outstanding: 37,579,296 Warrants: 16,142,083 Fully Diluted: 53,721,379 Cash: $3,100,000 Major Shareholder: Goldstrike now owns approximately 22% of the issued and outstanding Luckystrike shares on an undiluted basis and approximately 36% on a partially diluted basis, assuming only the exercise of the warrants held by Goldstrike. https://www.luckystrikeres.com/lucky-strike-property/ https://www.goldstrikeresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Goldstrike-and-Luckystrike-Joint-NR-Aug-14-2018.pdf https://www.goldstrikeresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Goldstrike-NR-Completion-of-Arrangement.pdf Why the Yukon: Canada's Yukon Territory is a mining-friendly jurisdiction with a long proud history in mining and exploration, starting with the 1897 Klondike Gold Rush. Mining is an important part of its economy today, as the Yukon experiences a new modern-day gold rush. For much of this time, smaller companies, placer miners "working the creeks," dredging barges "working the rivers," prospectors and mining entrepreneurs have walked, staked the ground throughout the Yukon. However, this is changing because the majors are discovering what the juniors have long known: This region is largely underexplored, has exceptional geology, and has strong potential for district-size mining operations that can replace the declining reserve profiles, which the majors are experiencing. Mining companies continue to invest in the Yukon, not only because of the strong mineral potential, but also the clarity provided at all levels of government, programs, and partnerships with First Nations. The Tintina Gold Belt, which extends from British Columbia to Alaska, is underexplored in its central section spanning the Yukon Territory, including where it crosses the un-glaciated Dawson Range. The Tintina Gold Belt is a 1200 km long and 200 km wide arc, extending from the south corner of Alaska into the northern part of British Columbia. Production mines and significant exploration and mine development projects demonstrate the geologic potential in the Dawson Range. Over 50 million ounces of gold have been discovered in this belt over the last 20 years. (See maps below) The White Gold District experts call the "Best Hope for New Gold Deposits," Northern Miner May 13, 2018 The Yukon's White Gold District is known as a series of orogenic vein deposits that lie within the famed Tintina Gold Belt. There have been estimates of 1520 million ounces of placer gold mined from the creeks in the White Gold district. The sources of that gold remained uncovered until the discovery of the Golden Saddle (Underworld, Kinross, now White Gold) and Coffee deposits (formally Kaminak, now Goldcorp) in the district. Many geologists and experts believe there are many more sources. Exploration for hard rock deposits has been limited in the past. This started to change in the past 10 years, when over 7 million ounces has been discovered in this area. Over time new technology, innovation and more experience has continually enhanced companies' abilities to discover new deposits, as well as expand on existing ones, which is encouraging senior miners to take a closer look and invest in the district. In addition, the Yukon territorial governments, along with the Canadian federal government, have committed CA$360 million to build improved roads and infrastructure throughout the Yukon, including the White Gold District. This heavy infrastructure spending should drive down capex costs and improve project economics for companies in the area. Investors can see from the insert below how the landscape is changing in the area, as major gold producers are moving heavily into the area. To re-cap, the reasons are excellent geology, vast areas of underexplored prime terrane, geopolitical stability, infrastructure is decent and improving, a mining friendly culture, and new large deposits being found, examples being Goldcorp's Coffee project, Victoria Gold's Dublin Gulch, and ATAC's Carlin style target. The rush back to North America will likely intensify as events continue to become more volatile worldwide, large mining corporations must look forward at least 1015 years to be sustainable. "The best place to find a new mine is next door to an old mine or existing mine"-Tom Zoellner Luckystrike's Property Map Luckystrike Resources Ltd. (LUKY) is an advanced junior exploration company that has already hit big with all nine inaugural exploratory drill holes intersecting gold mineralization during the summer of 2017 including the discovery hole, 22 meters of 5.36 grams per tonne gold. The geological setting of the properties held by Luckystrike Resources are like that of Goldcorp's Coffee 3-million-ounce deposit and White Gold's Golden Saddle 1-million-ounce deposit, which is contiguous with the Luckystrike property. Luckystrike properties compare favorably with those deposits in terms of grade, geology, geochemistry, structure, size, orientation and location of both these well-known deposits. The company has a five-year exploration permit, no underlying royalties or property payments, and CA$3 million cash on hand for the highly anticipated follow up drill program currently underway to expand on its nine 2017 discovery drill holes to trace the full extent of the gold mineralization found last year. The 2018 program includes but is not limited to soil sampling, trenching, ground geophysics and aggressive diamond drilling. We feel Luckystrike is in good shape to tackle this project. Luckystrike's property covers more than 150 square km in total and is contiguous with White Gold's Golden Saddle property in a mining district that has seen over 7,000,000 ounces of gold discovered since 2007. This area has excellent access by road with Goldcorp's haul road crossing the property in three locations, as well as two barge landings for river access, a permitted airstrip on the property and a larger well-maintained airstrip in the area. The Management Founder, president, CEO and director, Mr. Bill Chornobay is a well-established project generator, dealmaker and heads the team that includes members of the original group that generated, prospected and staked the Coffee Creek claims in 1998. They also discovered the gold in soil anomaly in 1999 and 2000 that now forms the nucleus of the Supremo zone. This discovery evolved into a 5-million-ounce gold resource that was recently bought by Goldcorp for $520 million. The team also includes some of the original members who staked and generated the Plateau Project in the Yukon for Goldstrike Resources (TSX-V: GSR), which recently completed an unprecedented $53 million JV deal with Newmont Mining Corp. Mr. Chornobay is also a Special Adviser to Juggernaut Resources (JUGR.V) and Goliath Resources (GOT.V). Mr. Chornobay stated in a Northern Miner article dated May 29 2017, "Our focus over the past five years has been at Goldstrike's Plateau property that Newmont has taken 53 million JV in, so the Luckystrike property has been our orphaned child. We have completed only small programs to date, but the trenching we did last year exceeded our expectations. Every trench we've dug has hit mineralization, and the results rival the discoveries at both Coffee and White Gold's Golden Saddle, so we are excited to go back there." Chornobay went on to say, "if Luckystrike delivers good drill holes this year it's an obvious spin-out, and that will benefit all of our shareholders." Luckystrike has indeed been "spun out," so we conclude that good progress is being made at Luckystrike Properties. In this article we will briefly look at five main gold zones encompassed within a 10-km long gold corridor (more detailed information can be found on SEDAR): Monte Carlo, Belmont, Samson, Boss and Maverick. The anomaly in the Monte Carlo Zone measures 1450 meters by 450 meters and the Belmont Zone anomaly measures 1500 by 800 meters, and both zones remain open. Either zone is large enough in scale to host a deposit the likes of either the Golden Saddle deposit or Goldcorp's Supremo Zone. The other three anomalies are the Samson zone, measuring 600 by 300 meters, the Boss zone, measuring 1,000 by 1,000 meters and the Maverick zone, measuring 150 x 200 meters, all of which remain open. See map below. 10-km Corridor of Gold Discoveries The 10-km gold corridor is being further delineated by soil sampling geophysics, prospecting, bedrock trenching and drilling in 2018 further expanding on (2017 results shown below). The picture below shows the drill hole that management considers the discovery hole at Monte Carlo Zone grading 22 meters of 5.36 grams per tonne gold. Pictures of the core from drill hole DDSL-17-09 One grab sample from the Boss Zone assayed 41.7 grams per tonne gold. Visible gold was observed in rock at Samson Zone, where trenching returned assays including 0.32 grams per tonne gold over 12 meters (including 0.41 grams per tonne gold over 6 meters). The anomaly at Monte Carlo is 1450 meters X 450 meters and remains open. This area is large enough in scale to host a deposit the likes of either the Golden Saddle deposit or Goldcorp's Supremo Zone. To date, all eight trenches along the 450-meter strike length at Monte Carlo have encountered near-surface gold mineralization in bedrock and many drill targets remain to be tested. Monte Carlo has a northwest trending geophysical signature indicating a mineralized contact or structure that has been mapped using IP, ground magnetics and airborne geophysics. This is coincident with gold mineralization seen in the 2016 and 2017 trenches. This anomaly is observed at depth and along strike for 700 meters and remains open. Goldcorp's (Kaminak) Coffee Creek gold deposit was discovered by drill testing gold-in-soil anomalies (also unglaciated terrain) that were typically associated with well-defined magnetic responses. Does Luckystrike LUKY.V have the goods? This year's drilling could tell us Soil sampling and trenching has been a prime tool in locating mineralized areas in the unglaciated White Gold District, and results from trenches in the Monte Carlo Zone at Lucky Strike are like those seen in the initial discovery trenches at both Coffee Creek and the Golden Saddle that led to the drilling of those deposits. The chart below shows the comparison to the nearby deposits of both Goldcorp and White Gold (formerly Kinross). The Golden Saddle discovery trench returned a gold grade of 1 g/t gold over 40 meters, and the discovery hole returned 4.35 g/t gold over 18 meters. One of Kaminak's (now Goldcorp) 2009 original discovery trenches at Coffee Creek (Trench 4) showed that the longest interval of gold mineralization in the Supremo Zone, and returned 0.4 g/t gold over 100 meters. Goldstrike's 2016 discovery trench in the Monte Carlo Zone at Lucky Strike returned 0.42 g/t gold over 154 meters, including 0.76 grams per tonne gold over 78 meters, including 3 grams per tonne gold over 8 meters. Other trenches on Monte Carlo have produced bedrock samples of 58 g/t gold over 6.8 meters and 2.73 g/t gold over 12 meters, including 4.02 g/t gold over 8 m. Luckystrike appears to be getting warmer with this project. In summary, Luckystrike Resources appears to be an exciting, high probability ground floor opportunity in the high-risk, high-reward, early discovery phase of the mining cycle (see chart above). The company is committed to create shareholder value through systematically drilling, prospecting and exploring six properties that are more than just highly prospective: Take for instance 2017 results from the Hot Spot property Sure Bet zone, a 150 by 150 meter high-grade gold-in-soil anomaly that remains open. Reconnaissance soil sampling in 2017 returned three multi-gram values as high as 4.1 grams per tonne gold. Also underway is the Hot Spot 2018 exploration program including mechanized trenching, soil sampling and ground geophysics in preparation for drilling. Couple this with Luckystrike's exciting flagship property being neighbor to two evolving gold projects being built by major gold companies. In the majors' quest for district-scale deposits and land packages, with any more drilling success, and the ability to define a resource by the company, Luckystrike could be a welcome addition to the already existing resources at Goldcorp and/or White Gold. Finally, Luckystrike is in a safe political jurisdiction, in an area with good infrastructure, close to power, rivers and roads. Caution: As a new listing, the shares could be thinly traded and subject to large swings in this market. The recent private placement is locked up and the shareholders of Goldstrike (GSR.V) received 1 share of Luckystrike (LUKY.V) for every 7 shares GSR.V they held. Investors may want to hold on to their new shares, so liquidity may be an issue. John Newell is a portfolio manager at Fieldhouse Capital Management. He has 38 years of experience in the investment industry acting as an officer, director, portfolio manager and investment advisor with some of the largest investment firms in Canada including Scotia McLeod, CIBC Wood Gundy and Richardson Greenshields (RBC Capital Markets). Newell is a specialist in precious metal equities and related commodities, and follows a disciplined proprietary approach incorporating equity research, analytical frameworks and risk controls to evaluate and select long and short stocks primarily from the Canadian small and mid-cap coverage. Many large, midcap and junior precious metal companies use his technical charts. Newell is a registered portfolio manager in Canada (advising representative). [NLINSERT] Disclosures: 1) John Newell: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: I do not own Luckystrike Resources but friends and family do. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company currently has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: Funds controlled by Fieldhouse Capital currently do not own shares of Luckystrike Resources but a position could be initiated at any time. I determined which companies would be included in this article based on my research and understanding of the sector. Additional disclosures/disclaimer below. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Victoria Gold. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. 3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Streetwise Reports for this article. Streetwise Reports was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this article. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. Streetwise Reports relies upon the authors to accurately provide this information and Streetwise Reports has no means of verifying its accuracy. 4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article, until one week after the publication of the interview or article. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Juggernaut Exploration and Goliath Resources, companies mentioned in this article. Additional Disclosures and Disclaimer from John Newell, Fieldhouse Capital Management, August 15, 2018: Disclosures and Disclaimer: It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these pages will be profitable or that they will not result in losses. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Examples presented on these pages are for educational purposes only. These set-ups are not solicitations of any order to buy or sell. The authors, the publisher, and all affiliates assume no responsibility for your trading results. There is a high degree of risk in trading. Hypothetical and historical performance results have many inherent limitations, some of which are described below. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. In fact, there are frequently sharp differences between hypothetical and historical performance results and the actual results subsequently achieved by any trading program. One of the limitations of hypothetical and historical performance results is that they are generally presented with the benefit of hindsight. In addition, hypothetical and historical trading may not present the financial risks and returns for future trading. For example, the ability to withstand losses or to adhere to a particular trading program in spite of trading losses are material points which can also adversely affect trading results. There are numerous other factors related to the markets in general or to the implementation of any specific trading program which cannot be fully accounted for in the preparation of hypothetical performance results and all which can adversely affect actual trading results. Disclaimer: This Publication is protected by Canadian and International Copyright laws. All rights reserved. No license is granted to the user except for the user's personal use. No part of this publication or its contents may be copied, downloaded, stored in a retrieval system, further transmitted, or otherwise reproduced, stored, disseminated, transferred, or used, in any form or by any means without prior written permission. This publication is proprietary. Neither the information, nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase of an investment program. Any further disclosure or use, distribution, dissemination or copying of this message or any attachment is strictly prohibited; such information, whether derived from Fieldhouse Capital Management or from any oral or written communication by way of opinion, advice, or otherwise with a principal of the company is not warranted in any manner whatsoever, is for the use of our customers only and may be obtained from internal and external research sources considered to be reliable. Images provided by the author. Seagram's heiress and alleged sex cult benefactor Clare Bronfman would like a little latitude in her current home confinement, and has requested that a Brooklyn judge let her visit Manhattan while she awaits trial. Bronfman bankrolled the purported self-help group Nxivmwhich notoriously branded members with the leader's initials and reportedly enabled rampant sexual coercionand now faces a raft of charges, including money laundering, identity theft, extortion, and various other shades of fraud and conspiracy. After her July arrest, she posted a $100 million bond and was permitted home detention. According to the New York Post, Bronfman's attorney has proposed "that Ms. Bronfman would be allowed to travel in Manhattan up to 96th Street, in Brooklyn only insofar as to include the EDNY Courthouse, not to include airports, and would not travel outside this pre-approved zone unless she obtains prior approval." Whether or not federal judge Nicholas Garaufis will grant that request remains to be seen. Reportedly a reluctant recruit, Bronfman came to Nxivm via her sister, Sara, in the early aughts: The pair eventually funneled some $150 million into Nxivum, according to a 2010 Vanity Fair profile. Once on board, however, Bronfman quickly rose to a position of prominence within the group, allegedly helping leader Keith Raniere flout the legal system to bring women into the country, and falsifying one of his dead sex partner's credit card records so Raniere could keep making charges. Raniere and another of his right-hand associates, Smallville actress Allison Mack, have been accused of a wide range of sexually abusive acts. As the New York Times reported in October, higher-ups within Nxivm recruited women into the group, promising them strategies for professional advancement. Some of these women ended up "slaves" in Dominus Obsequious Sororium (or DOS, a secret sub-group with Nxivm) and were obligated to sexually service Raniere. They also received the aforementioned brands on their hips. Raniere fled the country, but in March, the authorities caught up with him in Mexico and arrested him on charges of sex trafficking and forced labor. Upon Bronfman's arrest, her lawyerSusan Nechelesemailed Gothamist a statement insisting that her client "did nothing wrong" and that "Nxivm was not a criminal enterprise, but instead was an organization that helped thousands of people." Yesterday, actress Asia Argento strongly denied accusations that she sexually assaulted a former co-star when he was underage, instead claiming that her late boyfriend, Anthony Bourdain, paid her accuser out of compassion. "I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false," she wrote. "I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett." However, TMZ has now published a photo purportedly showing Argento naked in bed with then 17-year-old Jimmy Bennett. And they also published various text messages between Argento and a friend in which she "flat-out says she had sex with him." Asia Argento and 17-Year-Old Boy in Bed in Sexual Encounter https://t.co/y6EeKOdPT7 TMZ (@TMZ) August 22, 2018 TMZ writes that the photo above was one of four pics that Bennett, now 22, took in a Marina del Rey hotel room back in 2013. They add: "The then 37-year-old Argento and Bennett are on a bed shirtless, their heads on a pillow and their arms entangled. Sources tell TMZ the pic was taken after the 2 had intercourse. It's a crime in California for an adult to have sex with a person under 18." They also published a series of text messages allegedly between Argento and an unidentified friend from this week: "I had sex with him it felt weird. I didn't know he was a minor until the shakedown letter," one message reads. "The public knows nothing, only what the NYT wrote. Which is one sided. The shakedown letter. The horny kid jumped me." Also included in the text exchange was a photo of a note Bennett allegedly wrote her on Ritz-Carlton stationery reading, "Asia, I love you with all my heart. So glad we met again and I'm so glad your in my life. Jimmy." Argento sent that to the friend and added, "He wrote me this afterwards and kept sending me unsolicited nudes all these years up until 2 weeks before the attorneys letter...It wasn't raped [sic] but I was frozen. He was on top of me. After, he told me I had been his sexual fantasy since was 12." On Sunday, the NY Times reported that Argento had paid $380,000 to Bennett, who once played her son in a movie, right in the midst of her publicly accusing movie producer Harvey Weinstein of assaulting her. The Times received legal documents and correspondence related to Argento's settlement with Bennett "through encrypted email by an unidentified party, includ[ing] a selfie dated May 9, 2013, of the two lying in bed... Three people familiar with the case said the documents were authentic." I just received this statement from @AsiaArgento in response to the NYT story published late Sunday evening. pic.twitter.com/jAOo7TAULX Yashar Ali (@yashar) August 21, 2018 Vox points out that Argentos statement yesterday shares uncomfortable parallels with statements made by high-profile men accused of sexual misconduct as part of the #MeToo movement. The LA Times argues that despite the fact Argento "settled a lawsuit with a person who accused her of perpetrating the very abuse she campaigned against," it does not invalidate her claims against Weinstein, or in any way invalidate the #MeToo movement. Argento has withdrawn from curating Dutch music festival Le Guess Who? in the wake of the story. "Due to the volatile nature of the accusations surrounding Ms. Argento, she has chosen to withdraw from her curatorship of this year's edition, while these issues remain open," said the festival in a statement. Dozens of woman have accused Weinstein of harassment, intimidation, sexual assault and rape since last fall. He has been charged with rape and sexual assault in NYC. And today, actress Emma Loman filed a lawsuit against him alleging he raped her at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006. On Tuesday, Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg was asked her thoughts on motorists blocking bike lanes, and whether the law should always be enforced, even when the obstruction is brief. "I think, as the mayor said, it still happens here," she told WNYC's Brian Lehrer, in response to audio of Mayor de Blasio condoning the practice last March. "Between physical barriers and enforcement, I think we can do a lot to improve that." On the enforcement side of that equation, at least, it's hard to feel as though the city is making much progress. One month after a livery driver blocking a bike lane near Central Park forced a 23-year-old cyclist into the deadly path of a sanitation truck, the city's police officers continue to be either disinterested in or painfully oblivious to the laws concerning bike lane obstruction. On Monday night, one of many such examples was captured by cyclist Chesney Parks, after he had the rare experience of getting the cops called on him by a driver parked in the bike lane. Apparently, a U.S. postal worker had parked their mail truck in the bike lane, and allegedly started "threatening" Parks for pausing to send a text in her path. The video begins after their initial dispute, as three members of the NYPD arrive in a cruiser (which they park in the bike lane, naturally) and explain that the mail truck is legally allowed to block the bike path when "in service of performing a duty." If I sound more agitated than I was when talking to Officer Blum, that's because I was. Three cops surrounding a cyclist in the bike lane at the request of an illegally parked USPS employee? Bring back Blum! I much preferred him. pic.twitter.com/sBvw7IxO4C Chesney Parks (@chesneycheckers) August 20, 2018 "She had every right to be there," explains a man who identifies himself as Sergeant Wu of the 7th Precinct, citing an unspecified section of the vehicle and traffic law. "You do your research. I'm not here to humiliate you." According to Steve Vaccaro, a lawyer that often represents cyclists, there's no provision anywhere in city or state traffic law that says a mail truck can park in a bike lane. "It's just not true," he told Gothamist. There's also nothing in there about moving vans. And yet, just one week earlier, the same cyclist had another run-in with a 7th Precinct officer, this one regarding a commercial vehicle parked in a bike lane on Clinton Street near Rivington for over an hour. After hearing out Parks's pleas for the driver to be issued a summons, the cop offered an inside look into the department's official policy of looking the other way. Officer Blum was way nicer and way more helpful than other officers I've talked to about the same thing. But what he says about his supervisor and bike lanes should be enough to boil any cyclist's blood. pic.twitter.com/KqNZoszCtN Chesney Parks (@chesneycheckers) August 14, 2018 "When my supervisor tells me something, I still have to abide," the officer said. "The supervisor explained it to me like this, with commercial vehicles, for argument's sake, double parking... according to the laws I've been told, they have a legitimate window of five minutes before I am allowed to do anything." The officer eventually promised he'd issue a summons to the moving vanthough Parks says he returned 20 minutes later, and did not not see a summons. We've reached out to the the NYPD to ask whether the department believes mail trucks have special access to bike lanes, or if they believe that there are "legitimate windows" for commercial drivers to park illegallywe'll update if we get a response. In the meantime, we know that Trottenberg and the DOT are expectingand encouraging!a whole lot of soon-to-be stranded commuters to turn to bikes when the L train shuts down in April. And we also know that the NYPD leadership in the 7th Precinctwhich covers the immediate vicinity surrounding the Manhattan-side of the Williamsburg Bridgeseemingly doesn't have the strongest grasp of the laws meant to keep those cyclists safe. Maybe the mayor, his transit czar, and his police force should get their enforcement priorities on the same page before then. Morning of Wednesday, August 22nd. Two blocks from Williamsburg Bridge. 222 days until L train shutdown pic.twitter.com/x2wIQCSAdn Jake Offenhartz (@jangelooff) August 22, 2018 You can listen to Polly Trottenberg's full interview on The Brian Lehrer Show here. Nearly three weeks after a violent altercation broke out in a Brooklyn nail salon after a customer complained about a $5 eyebrow job, community members and public officials gathered on Tuesday night to protest the actions of the nail salon employees. Video showed nail salon employees using broomsticks to beat the customers, who included a grandmother and her two granddaughters. State Senator Jess Hamilton said, "We are working with the Nail Salon Association and we spoke to the women who are protesting to have a meeting. We are setting up a meeting now to have a resolution, maybe more cultural sensitivity training for salon owners to make sure this doesnt happen again." On August 3, the three family members disputed the $5 charge for the botched eyebrow service at the Happy Red Apple nail salon on Nostrand Avenue. The argument escalated into nail salon workers attacking them, and video of the incident was shared on social media. According to a criminal complaint, one staffer, HuiYue Zheng, 32, was charged with misdemeanor assault for beating Christina Thomas in the back with the wooden stick, while Thomas, 21, was arrested for punching, slapping and dragging another salon worker across the floor. "We need an apology from the owner and there needs to be more arrests in this incident," Hamilton added, according to PIX 11. Assembly Member Diana Richardson also spoke and criticized the media for trying to "turn this thing into a race battle. It is very, very easy to turn minority communities against each other. It is easy to put black American people against Caribbean American people. It is easy to put African-American people against Asian America people. It is very easy, but you know what we all understand? We understand that the things we have in common are more substantials than the things we have that are different. At the end of the day, all of the day, our blood. And so we will not allow anybody to make this about race... It is about respect. It is about economics. It about cooperative economics. It is about raising our community to another level. It's about us exposing the system that does not allow for the loans of African-American businesses." In another video, a statement from one of the granddaughters was read, noting that they did not refuse to pay their bill but simply did not want to be charged $5 for the bad eyebrow job: In a Refinery29 article about the long history of black-Asian conflict in the United States, Tiffany Diane spoke to Milliann Kang, author and associate professor at the University of Massachusetts, who has researched Asian-owned nail salons: Race is certainly a factor, but it is not the only factor, Kang, an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, said in an interview. Kangs research has focused on Asian-owned nail salons and their racially diverse customers. Many nail salon workers are under pressure to work quickly and keep costs down, which does not create the best environment for building customer relations. The potential for tensions is heightened by the intimacy of the service, which involves direct physical contact, and the fact that many of the workers and owners are immigrants who do not speak the language or understand the culture of their customers. In these scenarios, the tension is stoked by economic stress: the salon workers who often work for low wages under poor conditions, and the mostly working class clientele who cannot afford to waste money on subpar service. Kang stressed the importance of putting these largely publicized conflicts in context. I have observed hundreds of interactions in salons in this neighborhood that were very cordial and where workers and customers were very respectful and appreciative of each other, she said. The Happy Red Apple Nail Salon remains closed. We have come back to Tulu, Pauline's village on Manus Island, in what could be my final visit. This is a place I have come to love, where people live in harmony with nature. I have motor neurone disease and may have only two years left to live. They are convinced there is a spiritual solution to this rotten condition that now ails me despite intensive and costly research, it has so far defied a medical one. Pauline sits beside me in front of a crucifix which they have carried through the village. I witnessed a lot during my years as the ABC's foreign correspondent in Papua New Guinea, but this level of fervour still comes as quite a shock. MANUS - These committed Catholics in my wife's village are praying for me to be healed. But, my God, it is quite intimidating. Sean Dorney back in Manus - "I have motor neurone disease and may have only two years left to live" To most Australians, Manus is almost a dirty word because of its hosting of Australia's asylum seeker processing centre. But Tulu, a traditional Melanesian coastal village where many houses are still constructed out of bush materials, defies the stereotype. It's impeccably clean. This is not the hell-hole some asylum-seeker advocates wish to portray Manus as. The first time I went to Tulu with Pauline was in 1976. Back then, I leapt ashore and joined in vigorous activities as people hunted for food and prepared a feast to celebrate the end of the school year for the village primary school. This time, I had to be picked up out of the boat and carried onto the beach by a nephew. Pauline's brother, Bernard, is the Paramount Chief on Tulu. He has decreed that on this visit I be initiated as a chief of his and Pauline's clan, the Petepwak. This could be my last opportunity to be with Pauline's family and the people who have so generously enriched my life. And it is also a chance to return to a subject that continues to fascinate me how so many Australians have completely lost touch with our former colony. Pauline and I have been married for more than 40 years. She was a radio broadcaster with Papua New Guinea's National Broadcasting Commission in the 1970s when I, as a young journalist, was working for the PNG NBC on secondment from the ABC. She is a proud Papua New Guinean who has retained her citizenship. Her father was the head chief of the Tulu people and she has real status on Manus. Sean and Pauline's wedding day - married more than 40 years in a loving commitment to each other and to Papua New Guinea I arrived in PNG in 1974, the year before it gained independence from Australia. I was fortunate to be one of the NBC's parliamentary reporters and so I covered all of the debates as PNG developed its constitution. And I got to know the leading figures of the day like the father of the nation, the Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare, and his then coalition partner, Sir Julius Chan. We left PNG at the end of 1976 but, in 1979, the ABC appointed me to be its Papua New Guinea Correspondent. Five years later, I was deported over a Four Corners report on PNG's then troubled border with Indonesia that the government objected to. But all was forgiven and after being allowed back in 1987, I served for another 12 years as the ABC's PNG Correspondent. In fact, in 1990, the PNG Government awarded me an MBE. That's Papua New Guinea they throw you out and six years later give you a gong. A world away from Tulu, Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby is changing in many ways. This city has possibly five times the population it had when I first set foot there in 1974, and is bursting at the seams because of the constant influx of people from PNG's 21 other provinces. The original owners of the land, the Motu people, built their villages on stilts over the sea. They still exist and Port Moresby now has a mix of modern buildings, traditional houses and huge squatter settlements. But in other ways, Port Moresby remains the same. Crime is nothing new in the capital. I was mugged twice during my time as the ABC's PNG Correspondent. Once, I had a gun put to my forehead and the rascals (as criminals are called in PNG) then punched me to the ground and stole the ABC vehicle. The city is currently undergoing a massive clean-up in preparation for hosting APEC in November. The summit is a huge deal for PNG the tiniest economy of all APEC members. You can hardly move in Moresby for the Chinese roadworks. There are grumbles over why so much money is being spent in the capital, and Australia and China appear to be in competition over who is going to pay the most to help make it happen. I suspect the next ABC correspondent posted to Moresby will be spending a lot of time reporting on China's increasing influence. My extended posting for the ABC in Port Moresby came to an end in 1998, but I have visited the country on average once a year ever since. The Lowy Institute commissioned me to write a book about the Australia/Papua New Guinea relationship 40 years on from PNG's independence from Australia. I called it The Embarrassed Colonialist because of how I feel Australia, and in general Australians, have seemingly done our best to erase from our collective memory our stewardship of a country we ran for 70 years and were responsible for bringing to nationhood. If we were proud of that achievement, surely, we would teach our kids about it. But our colonial history as the administrating authority in PNG is almost nowhere in any school curriculum in Australia. What I find depressing is that, with the exception of the ABC, the Australian media these days is exceptionally ignorant about Papua New Guinea. Earlier this year, there was a catastrophic earthquake in the PNG highlands which killed at least 150 people. The coverage in the Australian print media was almost non-existent. However, a recent natural disaster in Central America with significantly fewer deaths garnered days of articles. Why? Well, some of the international news agencies had reporters on the ground in Central America. There has not been a news agency journalist based in PNG since Australian Associated Press (AAP) withdrew their resident correspondent about five years ago. When I first went to PNG in 1974, there were five correspondents based in Port Moresby reporting for the Australian media. By the early 1980s, it was down to two. Now it is one. Eric Tlozek, now in the Middle East, was until very recently the ABC's man in Moresby. On this visit, he told me of the frustration he faced being the solitary PNG foreign correspondent, but also the exhilaration the job provided him. I found PNG to be an endlessly fascinating place and I am sure the new ABC Correspondent is going to be equally enthralled. One of the more insightful comments made by a journalistic colleague who spent several years working for the PNG media was that the country exacts a terrible toll upon one's assumptions. Back on Tulu, my initiation as a chief of Pauline's Petepwak clan takes place in a newly constructed, traditional men's house a Kemel, in the Tulu language. The ceremony includes me being dressed with headbands, belts of dogs' teeth and layer after layer of woven Manus baskets. I'm presented with a live pig which, fortunately, I do not have to kill. Others do that and, later, we feast on it. Pauline is exceptionally proud of her village and has retained her PNG citizenship despite having lived for many years in Australia. Her identity is as a Papua New Guinean, just as mine is as an Australian. I just wish that mutual respect was more broadly shared in Australia. One visit I was very keen to make while we were in Tulu was to the primary school where our nephew, Alex, is the headmaster. He's a great teacher and the community demanded that the education authorities post him back home. His students at previous schools had topped the province in national exams. Alex is determined to ensure his students not only succeed academically but keep their cultural traditions alive. We often hear about all the problems in Papua New Guinea and there is no denying it has its share. But Australians deserve to know about the positives too. And if village life remains as joyful and fulfilling as it is in Tulu then that is a great thing. And I wish them all the best. As we say goodbye to the people of Tulu for me perhaps for the last time I can't help but feel that as someone who has spent so much of my career attempting to unravel the complexity and foibles of Papua New Guinea, I'm not that much closer to getting it right. Since it was first introduced in 1992, a bill that would provide New Yorkers with universal health care has passed the state Assembly five times, including the last four years in a row, but it has always died in the Republican-controlled State Senate. Now, the New York Health Actwhich aims to replace all existing forms of health insurance with one state-run, tax-funded health plan for everyoneis just one sponsor short of a majority in the Senate. With elections coming up for state lawmakers, the Senate could be poised to flip, giving the bill a chance of making it as far as Governor Andrew Cuomos desk. Some 59 percent of Americans now support a Medicare for all model under which everyone would qualify for a government health plan, according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll. Cuomos Democratic challenger Cynthia Nixon, candidates vying for state Senate seats, and some members of the New York City Councilincluding Speaker Corey Johnsonare framing support for single-payer as both a moral imperative and a progressive badge of honor. The New York Health Act has reached the level of political viability for people on both sides of the ideological divide to start taking it seriously enough to get into the details of what it would entail. Whats happened in the past, to be honest, is the New York Health Act has passed the Assembly as a place-marker of where we want to go, but it doesnt really provide a transition roadmap, said Helen Schaub, the state policy and legislative director for the health care union 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, which has advocated for the bill along with other labor groups. I think that there will hopefully, in the next legislative session, be a more real conversation about what it actually takes to get from here to there, which we really welcome. A recent report from the RAND Corp. is likely to drive that conversation. It finds that under the right conditions, a single-payer system could insure every New Yorker, while reducing overall health spending and shifting funds from insurance administrators and bill collectors to actual services. It also makes it clear that a lot of things could cloud the conditions needed to support the systemwhich would add an estimated $139 billion in new taxes in 2022and that New York would be particularly vulnerable adopting single payer in isolation. Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan), who has been championing the New York Health Act since the 1990s, insists its up to individual states to lead the charge. I think having one or two states enact a state program is the best way to get national legislation done, he said. Perhaps more than any other single piece of legislation, the stakes here are high. For better or worse, the New York Health Act would have a huge impact on the economy and would disrupt the states current health system, which, despite its flaws, insures about 95 percent of New Yorkers. About a third of New Yorkers are currently enrolled in free or low-cost coverage through the states $70 billion taxpayer-funded Medicaid program or Child Health Plus, while another 700,000 or so are enrolled in the Essential Plan, an insurance option created under the Affordable Care Act for low-income residents who dont qualify for Medicaid. We would want to work as hard as possible to make this a high-quality public program so it has a positive impact on the national debate, said Katie Robbins, director of the Campaign for New York Health. The risk of not [passing the bill] is high as well. People are rationing care because they cant afford it. People are being tied to jobs and marriages they dont want and health outcomes are shameful." Robbins said she is taking seriously the potential challenges and roadblocks the RAND report lays out. Do they spell doom for the New York Health Act or should they simply be the starting point for a more in-depth policy discussion? Federal Waivers The RAND reports analysis of the single-payer model is based on the assumption that the state will get waivers to redirect federal funds that currently go towards Medicare, Medicaid, and subsidies for Obamacare plans, to the new single-payer system. The Trump administration has made it clear that it would not provide any such waivers in service of single-payer. When we are finalizing implementation, hopefully someone other than Donald Trump will be president, said Assemblyman Gottfried. But even if not, we can do this without the cooperation of Washington. Medicaid is state-run, so the state could just continue to track who is eligible for it in order to keep getting reimbursed by the federal government. But Medicare, the health program for the elderly, is federally run and funded. One option, Gottfried suggested, is for the state to create its own private Medicare plan and encourage all Medicare beneficiaries to improve their coverage by joining that plan, though he admits that would very much require the cooperation of Washington. The other option, according to Gottfried, is for everyone on Medicare to keep their current insurance and simply build the single-payer system around it. In a world of computers it is easy to run the New York Health Act as a wraparound to Medicare, Gottfried said. While RAND didnt analyze this scenario, RAND study author Jodi Liu said it could undermine the efficienciesand savingsthe single-payer system is supposed to generate. The thought behind the administrative savings is that its simplifying the system, said Liu. [Health care] providers have one set of reimbursement rules and dont have to go through multiple insurers. But if Medicare is still around and there are different payment arrangements and providers need to keep track of both, while the state health plan still has to keep track of cost sharing [with the federal government], those added pieces would need to be coordinated and could potentially take away from administrative savings. Derrick Mullins (L) and Vernita Worrell (R) of New York, gather with other protesters, many with disabilities, to denounce changes proposed by the US Congress to the national healthcare system during a small rally in front of Trump Tower in New York, New York, USA, 15 November 2017. (JUSTIN LANE / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock) Lawsuits Given that it aims to kick the entire health insurance industry out of New Yorka lucrative market that the large national insurer Centene recently paid $3.75 billion to enter through its purchase of the local insurer Fidelis Carethe New York Health Act is bound to face fierce opposition. But theres at least one legal challenge that could render it null and void even if its successful. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act is a federal law that sets standards for employer-sponsored health plans and is designed to preempt state laws insofar as they relate to any employee benefit plan. The New York Health Act would require businesses to pay a portion of each employees payroll taxes to support the single-payer system, which is intended to replace the employee health benefits they would otherwise pay for. The New York single-payer legislation will have to address many federal regulatory hurdles including possible ERISA preemption issues, said Stephen Moglia, a principal at the D.C. law firm Slevin & Hart who specializes in employee benefit issues. The ERISA-based issues seem to me ripe for at least a challenge by employer-sponsored, self-insured health plans. Typically, its large companies that are self-insured, meaning they take on financial risk for covering employee health benefits and have greater control over their plans. Allowing employees of those companies to continue on their employer-sponsored plans would not be part of the single-payer vision in which everyones plan pays health care providers at the same rates and affords the same access to care. Although federal courts have determined that states were violating ERISA for what appear to be far more minor demands of employers in relation to health benefits than New Yorks single-payer bill, Moglia, the RAND authors, and the health experts at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips all said theres no clear precedent for what the outcome would be in this case. The RAND report finds that employers that currently provide coverage would see their health costs go down, on average, under the New York Health Act, but employers have been largely silent on the single-payer model so far, and the Business Council of New York State, which represents about 2,400 companies and trade organizations, is fighting against it. The group maintains the dramatic tax increases would drive businesses out of New York or scare them away. I would never argue there arent employers that might financially benefit from this system but I think on average and overall they would suffer greatly, said Lev Ginsberg, a lawyer and lobbyist for the Business Council, who said the group is working to form a coalition of doctors, employers and nonprofits to oppose the New York Health Act. Exodus of Rich People Funding for health care under the New York Health Act would come from existing state and federal funds as well as new payroll taxes and taxes on income such as capital gains. The taxes would replace the money New Yorkers currently pay towards health care through monthly insurance premiums and out-of-pocket fees such as deductibles and copays. In true redistributionist fashion, the bill calls for the taxes to go up incrementally so that the rich pay a larger share of their income towards health care. Under the sample tax model used in the RAND reportwhich is likely not the final tax model lawmakers would settle on&mdashNew Yorkers in the top fifth percentile of earners would see their health care payments increase from about 23 percent of their compensation to about 35 percent of their compensation in 2022, or an average of $50,200 more per person. The RAND report raises the concern that if too high a burden is placed on the rich, particularly in New York where the tax burden is already high, they could leave the state en masse or find other ways to avoid paying taxes, upending the tax structure. New York being alone in single-payer land would exacerbate the risk of migration to surrounding states, the report noted. According to RAND, if the wealthiest 0.5 percent of tax filers left the state or found other ways to avoid payment, annual revenue from the NYH non-payroll tax would decline by about $33.5 billion in 2022, which represents about 11 percent of the total cost of NYH. Those wealthiest 0.5 percent represent around 50,000 tax filers. That would be massive out-migration of the rich, which does not strike me as realistic at all based on existing estimates from the literature, Emmanuel Saez, a professor of economics at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley whose work RAND cited, said via email. Some migration, yes, but at most a few percent of the rich (ie, less than .1% of residents using the RAND methodology). Any tax avoidance by the rich would require some shifting of the tax burden to lower-income residents. But Saez added that since RANDs tax model is just a suggestion, my guess is that [policymakers] will be careful to select rates that are reasonable in light of migration risks. Gottfried is dismissive of the threat of tax migration. I have families in my district who own not only one $13,000 Hermes leather shoulder bag but several of them, each in a different color and those families are not going to be driven out of New York by New York Health Act taxes, he said, referring to his 75th District, which includes parts of Chelsea, Hells Kitchen and Midtown. Gottfried emphasized that his tax model would diverge significantly from RANDs, but did not make any promises to try to take some of the burden off the super rich. The major difference is that, first of all, income under $25,000 a year would be taxed zero, and there would be many more intervening brackets between $25,000 and higher incomes, Gottfried said. Under the structure that RAND imagined, people who are now getting free health care under Medicaid would be taxed, which is wrong. Also under RANDs tax structure, someone making $27,501 in the year 2022 would be taxed at same rate as someone making $141,200 per year, which, Gottfried said, is also wrong. Where Do We Go From Here? Nothing so far truly rules out the states ability to implement the New York Health Act, although some issues raise the question of how much advocates are willing to compromise or risk to get a version of it through. But that just means lawmakers and the public have a raft of complex concerns consider, all of which will be complicated further by the efforts of special interest groups to influence the conversation. Would the New York Health Act have a net positive or negative effect on jobs? Would the state really be able to drive down growth in health care spending without squeezing health care providers or sacrificing services? How bad would the wait times be? Are the promises of a single-payer systemsuch as not worrying about whether the individual doctor who treated you at the hospital when you were sick was in your networkworth the inherent risks of radical change? Governor Cuomo has yet to take a position on the bill, although Gottfried says the governor is taking a close look at the RAND report. But those campaigning on the New York Health Act in the upcoming state elections are more gung-ho than ever. Asked about the challenges the report raises, gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon said in a statement, This study confirms what we've always knownthe only thing standing between New York and single payer health care is Governor Cuomo's corporate centrism. Ross Barkan, a journalist and Democrat who is seeking to unseat Republican Marty Golden in the State Senate (and who has contributed to Gothamist in the past), has even overcome his typical skepticism of Albany bureaucracy to support the single-payer system. I do believe New York state is up to the challenge and unlike the bureaucracy of the MTA, I hope there would be real accountability in place, Barkan said. We know single-payer systems can work. They work everywhere. Caroline Lewis is a Brooklyn-based freelancer mostly covering health care and drugs for outlets including the Village Voice and Crain's New York Business. The 14th Annual Vendy Awards, the longest-running street food competition, returns to Governors Island this year on September 22. The Vendys celebrates 25 of NYCs best food vendors all selected by the public. The Vendys modest beginnings took place in 2005 in an East Village garage; today, the nations first street food event turns out over 2,000 New Yorkers to judge the grill-to-grill cook-off. Vendors battle it out across different categories where the public and a panel of celebrity judges will select the winners: Best Dessert, Best Market, Best Rookie, Vendy Cup and a surprise category that will be announced for 2018. General admission tickets allows unlimited sampling from all 25 vendors along with unlimited beer provided by Brooklyn Brewery and wine from Santa Cristina Wines. VIP access gives you early entry at 11:30am where you can get an extra hour to eat, plus access to our VIP bar and tent. Every ticket purchased between now and 8/31 will earn you a chance to be selected as the Citizen Judge where you can join the celebrity judge panel in choosing the winner of The Vendy Cup . Past judges have included Eddie Huang, Aaron Sanchez, Pat LaFrieda and Jacques Torres. The Vendy Awards are an annual event to benefit the Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center , a non-profit organization that provides advocacy and legal services for nearly 2,000 street vendor members and to defend vendors' rights and expand their opportunity to make an honest living. Find out more about the event and then get your tickets at www.vendyawards.org This post is brought to you by the Vendy Awards. Follow them for the latest announcements at @VendyAwards. The 95-year-old man who was believed to be the last living Nazi war criminal in the United States is now living in a senior home in Ahlen, Germany, after being deported from his home in Jackson Heights, Queens on Monday evening. However, following his deportation, Jakiw Palij probably won't face prosecution. CNN spoke to Jens Rommel of Germany's Central Office for the Investigation of Nazi Crimes, who said, "Mere membership in the SS or even training in the Trawniki camp is no longer prosecutable under our current law. That means we would have to prove, here in Germany, that an individual has either committed a murder on his own or has supported the murders of others through his actions." According to the Justice Department, Palij told them he "trained at the SS Training Camp in Trawniki, in Nazi-occupied Poland, in the spring of 1943. Documents subsequently filed in court by the Justice Department showed that men who trained at Trawniki participated in implementing the Third Reichs plan to murder Jews in Poland, code-named 'Operation Reinhard.'" Palij's citizenship was revoked in 2003, but it's taken the past 15 years to convince a country to accept him. A German official said that bringing Palij, who was born in the part of Poland that is now the Ukraine, there was part of their "moral obligation." Police stands in front of a senior home in Ahlen, Germany, where Jakiw Palij, a former Nazi concentration camp guard, arrived on Tuesday, August 21. (Martin Meissner/AP/Shutterstock) Palij emigrated to the United States in 1949, claiming he had been a farmer. He bought his home in Queens in 1966, and the sellers were Holocaust survivors, according to their son who spoke to the Post, "They would have been horrified." He added, "I dont think [Palij] would have gotten out of that house alive" if his father had known about Palij's past. Over the decades, Palij denied being in the SS, and protesters would periodically line the sidewalk outside his home. The NY Times reports, "[N]eighbors watched agape as Mr. Palij, a cap pulled over his eyes, was wheeled from his home by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who removed him at last from the country he had entered in 1949." One Adam DiFilippo, said, "He was nothing more than a man who got out. This man deserves what he gets," while Ana Ponce, who lived behind Palij, told the Times "on warm days she would frequently see him sitting on that small back staircase, silently crying. 'Maybe,' Ms. Ponce said, 'he is remembering something he did.'" Software engineer Carlos Perez Gutierrez was in the enviable position of being able to choose between job offers. Ride-hailing company Lyft Inc. wanted him for its hip San Francisco office. Booking.com offered to cover his moving expenses to Amsterdam, including the cost of getting his dog through quarantine. Instead, the 30-year-old ended up traveling much further from his native Mexico, to a country where few speak English let alone Spanish, to work for a business whose name most people back home wouldnt recognize: a Japanese company called Line Corp. And Perez says he accepted less money to do it. The reason: a love affair with Japans comic books, anime and video games. My parents tell me I was playing Nintendo games since before I could speak, he said. Ive always wanted to visit Japan. Corporate Japan has a reputation for long hours, small salaries and no Silicon Valley-style stock options for the rank-and-file, but the country is also having a kind of renaissance thats making it easier to recruit global talent. Tourism is booming and, for the last few years, Japanese cities have been ranked routinely among the worlds most livable. For some tech firms, Japans pop culture cache is also providing an edge when it comes to hiring engineers, who, lets face it, tend to skew a little nerdy. Were seeing more skilled migrants coming to Japan then before, especially in the technology space, said Marc Burrage, managing director for recruitment firm Hays Plc in Tokyo. The barriers have also come down because the government has acknowledged that companies just cant get enough skilled IT people. Its true that an aging society and a shrinking workforce has forced a rethink of immigration in Japan, but even after the government instituted a point system like the one in Canada to fast-track permanent residency for skilled workers, the numbers are still minuscule. After five and a half years, the program has attracted only about 6,000 people in IT, according to the Ministry of Justice. The fault lies with Japanese companies, many of which remain stubbornly monolingual and have built work cultures that dont accommodate people from different backgrounds, according to Naoko Ishihara, a Tokyo-based researcher at Recruit Holdings Co., the countrys biggest human resources company. Even in firms that bill themselves as global, executives couldnt hold a meeting in English, she said. Japanese companies are 30 years behind in terms of diversity. Read also: Yogyakarta to transform into Indonesian Silicon Valley Still, for businesses that do try to lure workers from overseas, the buzz around Japan helps. Mercari Inc., operator of a hit online flea market in Japan, this spring was able to hire 33 new graduates from the Indian Institutes of Technology, a top-notch network of engineering schools whose students tend to have their pick of the worlds tech employers. Alumni include Silicon Valley celebrities like Google Chief Executive Office Sundar Pichai and Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla. Mercari, which went public in June, plans to expand its 100-plus engineering force by 1,000 in the next three years and needs foreigners to fill some of those roles. To make sure recruits feel welcome, the company has been holding sensitivity training to help people learn to work together. Mercari founder Shintaro Yamada in April made the grand gesture of flying to Mumbai to shake hands with his new hires and meet their families. Ascent Robotics Inc., another Tokyo tech startup hiring foreigners, was founded by a Canadian, Fred Almeida, whod worked in Japan for years before launching the business in 2016. The company is developing artificial intelligence for driverless cars and robots, fields where workers are in high demand and can often go anywhere they want. Yet the firm is receiving an average of 500 applications per month from overseas, according to Chief Investment Officer James Westwood. People already want to be here, you just have to give them an opportunity, he said. A former managing director at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in Hong Kong, Westwood moved to Tokyo to take the job at Ascent in June. Hes one of 49 foreigners at the firm. There are only 11 Japanese. Marko Simic, a Serbian roboticist who joined in May, said he considered programming jobs at General Motors Co.s autonomous-driving unit in San Francisco and at Bostons iRobot Corp. before finally deciding on Japan. After a year in the country, he says hes hooked on the convenience of living in Tokyo, an open-24-hours metropolis where the trains run on time and theres no crime to speak of. I went on a business trip to Stockholm recently, he said. After a few days, I felt like I needed to get back to civilization. Lines office in Kyoto, where Perez went to work in June, the month it opened, has turned out to be a big draw for foreign hires. The Tokyo-based company operates a messaging app thats used by half of Japans population each day, but the service isnt popular outside of Asia. Nevertheless, Line found itself inundated with 800 applications that came from all over the world. So far, 13 of the 20 engineers hired for the office have been foreigners. A video that Line attached to its English-language job posting on Stackoverflow.com, a popular site for tech workers, looks like a tourism ad. It plays up cherry blossom viewing, the red torii gates at the famous Fushimi Inari shrine and, of course, the citys manga museum. Tomohiro Ikebe, the Line executive who opened the Kyoto office and conducted hiring interviews, said video conferences via Skype revealed something interesting about many of the applicants. You could see that a lot of them had bookshelves full of Japanese comics, he said. Italian actress and sexual abuse campaigner Asia Argento denied Tuesday having had a sexual relationship five years ago with an underage teen, calling the allegations part of "a long-standing persecution". The New York Times reported on Sunday that Argento, 42, a Harvey Weinstein accuser and leading figure in the #MeToo movement, had paid actor and rock musician Jimmy Bennett $380,000 over the alleged 2013 incident at a Los Angeles hotel. Bennett was two months past his 17th birthday at the time of the alleged encounter, while Argento was 37. The legal age of consent in California is 18. In a statement Argento said her late boyfriend, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain who committed suicide in June, gave money to Bennett upon the condition that "we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life," "I strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article... as circulated also in national and international news," a statement issued by her agent said. "I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett," it goes on. Argento says that she was linked to Bennett "during several years by friendship only". Read also: Argento not under investigation over sex abuse claims: Police - 'Long-standing persecution' - The pair had acted together in the 2004 film "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things", in which Argento plays Bennett's troubled mother. Argento said the friendship "ended when, subsequent to my exposure in the Weinstein case, Bennett -- who was then undergoing severe economic problems and had previously undertaken legal actions against his own family requesting millions in damages -- unexpectedly made an exorbitant request of money from me." Addressing the issue of the payment of money to Bennett, Argento explained that Bourdain "was afraid of the possible negative publicity that such a person, whom he considered dangerous, could have brought upon us". "We decided to deal compassionately with Bennett's demand for help and give it to him. Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life," the statement said. "This is, therefore, the umpteenth development of a sequence of events that brings me great sadness and that constitutes a long-standing persecution," Argento said, before pledging to take "all necessary initiatives for my protection before all competent venues". Read also: Weinstein accuser paid teen who said she raped him: Report - 'Stunning level of hypocrisy' - Argento became a powerful voice for the #MeToo movement after accusing Hollywood producer Weinstein of raping her when she was 21 in his hotel room in 1997 during the Cannes film festival. Bennett's legal action was launched a month after Argento's accusations against Weinstein were made public, according to the New York Times report, which added that Bennett's lawyer claimed his client recalled the hotel encounter after seeing Argento present herself as a victim of sexual assault. Argento made an emotional speech at this year's Cannes festival, telling the audience: "Things have changed. We are not going to allow you to get away with it." Weinstein's lawyer Ben Brafman has sought to capitalise on the allegations against Argento, accusing her of "duplicity" and "a stunning level of hypocrisy". On Monday police in California said that Argento was not currently under active investigation over the Times report but that "enquiries will be made". The reality singing television show "X Factor Italy" on which Argento is a judge has said it would cut ties with her if the allegation was confirmed. Bali-based fashion label ARTURRO and Niconico Mare showcased an array of resort and cocktail attire at the W Hotel, Seminyak, on Friday, for an event deemed the most fashionable summer party in Bali. Opening the show was Niconico Mare, which showcased its women's fall and winter collection for 2018-2019. The lineup featured a modern interpretation of the classic tale Romeo and Juliet, with vibrant colors and touches of black and blue. The Niconico Mare male collection was dominated by colorful floral shirts. Velvet swimwear fabrics graced the stage in a nod to current European and American trends. In the second sequence, soft shades of blue, aqua greens and white dominated the collection, creating a nautical feel. Read also: What makes Bali hotels so popular among luxury travelers? The lineup consisted of vibrant colors with touches of black and blue. (ARTURRO/File) ARTURROs womens resort collection comprised colorful prints with sexy cuts on elegant flowing dresses and a selection of shorts for the menswear. The man behind the brand, Abednego Sinambela, explained that his new resort collection was inspired by Balis rich flora and fauna, adopting their bright colors, which resulted in large print patterns. Aside from the resort wear, ARTURRO also featured a women's cocktail collection that emphasized laces and floral prints. The brand's male cocktail collection stole the show, combining a formal look with a daring use of floral prints. ARTURRO combined various materials such as linen and cotton and embroidered fabrics, which gave the sense of sensuality, style and island-chic. A German actress has filed a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein alleging the disgraced movie mogul raped her in 2006 at the Cannes Film Festival. Emma Loman says in a complaint filed on Monday in Los Angeles that she met Weinstein in 2004 at the Venice Film Festival and he later invited her to Cannes as his guest to discuss her career. The model-turned-actress says she was initially hesitant to accept the invitation, but Weinstein was persistent, with his assistant calling Loman up to 30 times a day. Loman says she finally relented and found Weinstein to be very professional during several meetings. That changed, however, after he lured her to his hotel suite, presumably to discuss possible acting roles in some of his films, the lawsuit states. Read also: Actress Asia Argento denies sexual relationship with underage teen "Upon arriving at Weinstein's suite... Weinstein quickly dropped his professional demeanor. He instead overpowered Loman and raped her," according to the lawsuit. It adds that the 66-year-old former Hollywood titan subsequently made it clear to Loman that he could ruin her career if she came forward. "Fearful both that no one would believe her and the potential retaliation from such a powerful figure, Loman stayed silent," the lawsuit says. "It was only upon the late 2017 revelation of the scope of Weinstein's wrongful actions... that Loman felt safe coming forward to seek redress for Weinstein's rape of her." Loman is suing Weinstein for assault, violation of human trafficking laws, battery and false imprisonment. Weinstein has been accused by dozens of women of a litany of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to rape. He is out on bail and has pleaded not guilty in New York to six counts allegedly committed against three women in 2004, 2006 and 2013. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September 20. The allegations against the once-powerful movie mogul spurred the #MeToo movement that saw women worldwide speak up against sexual harassment and assault. Weinstein's agent did not immediately respond to requests for comment in relation to Loman's lawsuit. Actor and martial artist Iko Uwais has become the first Indonesian to play a second leading role in a Hollywood movie. His latest movie, Mile 22, premiered on Monday evening at Plaza Senayan XXI in Jakarta. The film is directed by renowned director Peter Berg, whose previous works include Hancock (2008), Deepwater Horizon (2016) and Patriots Day (2016). Iko plays opposite Mark Wahlberg, who also starred in the latter two films directed by Berg. While local celebrities were seen among the audience at the Jakarta premiere, Iko was said to be in Canada for his upcoming project. He sent a videotaped greeting, saying that he proudly presented Indonesias own pencak silat to the international audience through Mile 22. Iko plays the role of Li Noor, a police officer from a Southeast Asian country holding top secret information that puts him in danger. He is willing to pass the information to a secret CIA unit code-named Overwatch whose members include James Silva (Wahlberg) and Alice Kerr (Lauren Cohan), under the supervision of James Bishop (John Malkovich). In return of the information, Li Noor demands to be taken out of his country to the United States. Overwatch can only receive the information and grant Li his demand after he passes through a 22-mile road that ends in an airstrip. A plane will be ready at the airstrip to pick up Li, also called the asset during the movie, and transport him to the US. Obstacles start in US embassy where Li is being held, with agents of his home country attempting to assassinate him. That is where one of the big fight scenes takes place, portraying Li fending off his attackers with one arm cuffed to a bed rail. The following scenes depict a car chase, stopping by at a couple of locations where the second big fight scene takes place, before finally arriving at the airstrip. Not only a plane awaits at the airstrip, however, but also a twist. Read also: Iko Uwais praised as next Jackie Chan In a video-recorded statement, Peter said that he intentionally limited the fight scenes to a couple of big ones and one is inspired by a scene from Eastern Promises (2007). He didnt want the movie to become a martial art flick, but the fight scenes, choreographed by Iko, are the highlights of the movie. Scientists said Tuesday they have confirmed the existence of ice on the Moon's surface for the first time, a discovery that could one day help humans survive there. Signs of ice on the Moon have been reported by scientists for years, but previous observations could have been explained by other phenomena, such as unusually reflective lunar soil, the study authors said. "This is the first time scientists have definitive evidence for the presence of water ice on the surface," lead author Shuai Li of the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology told AFP. The ice mainly lies in the frigid shadows of craters at the lunar poles, and was detected using instruments that flew on the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, launched in 2008 by the Indian Space Research Organization. Using data from NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) instrument, researchers identified three chemical signatures "that definitively prove there is water ice at the surface of the Moon," said a NASA statement. The polar regions where the ice lies are "super cold," Li said, noting that the warmest temperatures never reach above minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit (-157 Celsius). Read also: China launches satellite to explore dark side of moon: Xinhua It is unclear exactly how much ice exists on the surface, since the instruments could only detect ice within a few millimeters of the Moon's surface, he said. But NASA said if there is enough of the ice, "water would possibly be accessible as a resource for future expeditions to explore and even stay on the Moon." The US space agency is aiming to return humans to the Moon in the coming years for the first time since the storied Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s. Li said the best way to find out more about the Moon's ice and how to tap into it as a resource would be to send a robotic rover to explore the lunar poles. The full study was published in Monday's edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jayapura Tue, August 21 2018 The Cendrawasih Military Command (Kodam) in Papua beefed up security following an encounter between armed civilians and military personnel in Puncak Jaya regency, Papua, on Sunday which resulted in the deaths of two military personnel. I order all levels of personnel of Cenderawasih Kodam to increase their caution in every post, Cendrawasih Kodam 17 commander Maj. Gen. George E Supit said Monday. And to chase the armed separatist criminal group [the Papua National Liberation Army], which is based in the forests of inland Papua, he added. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 22, 2018 09:59 1166 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df544ec9b 1 World peace,world-peace-forum,tolerance,middle-path Free Prominent academics, peace activists and religious leaders from across the world have just finished a three-day dialogue in the seventh World Peace Forum. The event, which took place in Jakarta this month, focused on the topic of the middle path approach for a new world civilization. The Jakarta Post's Liza Yosephine and Sausan Atika Maesara spoke with one of the participants, Narayan Vasudevan, director of the Indian Council of Gandhian Studies, a non-governmental organization that focuses on promoting peace. The following are excerpts from the interview. Question: What is the goal of the biennial World Peace Forum? Answer: The essential messages that we suggested are to move forward and adopt new strategies for bringing people together, respect religions and other divisions. And work for human progress. In fact, if we go back, we have been working on an interfaith organization called the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) since 1970. At that time, the whole world was concerned about the nuclear [threat] after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs [in 1945]. And the religious leaders, especially, got together at a meeting in New Delhi in 1969, decided that they must form an international body consisting of all the religions and religious leaders. Since then, this organization has been functioning. So, generally, leaders all over the world have very serious concern about the future of mankind. This World Peace Forum is a very commendable initiative. People who have concerns about the future of humanity come together and discuss, deliberate and spread the message that we have to walk together, rather than harping on, or spreading that we are all divided. How do you view the middle path approach? The middle path is not a new idea. This principle has always been there. In ancient teachings, both Western and Eastern, you will find this idea right through. Greek philosophers, Vedic sages, Biblical sages all have highlighted that [we] must follow the middle path in order to avoid extremes and danger to life. And that is the concept that has been coming through all these years. In recent times, there are at least three people we can identify who took a middle path, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. They chose a particular path that was inclusiveness and non-violence to bring about the change that they wanted. What is the most important thing that should be done to achieve the middle path? Dialogue and discussion with each other. There's nothing that we cannot overcome through understanding. Mutual trust. Mutual respect. Accept the others. He may have a different point of view. But please accept the opponent. That much is basic. When it comes to the importance of religions, there is exclusivity, supremacism, [believing] one religion is superior to others. Those are wrong attitudes. We should have inclusiveness, an inclusive attitude toward all religions. That is the life that keeps us all together. What needs to be considered for people living side by side in a pluralistic society? Religion is a personal affair. Do not bring it into politics. Unfortunately, in recent times, it is getting mixed up with politics. [If] people follow the essential teachings of each religion, I would say there is no reason why there should be clashes. What is happening is some followers of particular religions have exploited controversial passages from the texts of their sacred books for their own advantage using extremist methods. That is causing the problem and that is what we have seen for the past few decades. What are the key words in tackling the rising extremism? The real problem is religions are getting mixed up with politics. And religions are also used to capture political power. We see this happening in many countries. One is the interfaith approach, then dialogue. [Engaging in] dialogue is very important between religions and religious leaders, particularly. Then dedicated, committed, morally well-trained intellectual leaders in each nation are also important. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 22, 2018 10:22 1166 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df544f70d 1 World world-peace-forum,moderate-Islam,middle-path Free Indonesia has just hosted the seventh World Peace Forum, which discussed the middle path approach for a new world civilization. The Jakarta Post's Liza Yosephine and Sausan Atika Maesara sat down for an interview with Robert Hefner, professor of anthropology and director of the Institute on Culture, Religion and World Affairs at Boston University in the United States. Hefner, who participated in the biennial forum in Jakarta, has studied Muslim culture, politics and education and the comparative sociology and anthropology of world religions for the past 30 years. The following are excerpts from the interview. Question: How do you view the middle path for a new world civilization? Answer: The middle path reminds us that we live in a world that is being torn between extremes. We have extremism of violence and a certain style of religious extremism in all faith communities. Among some, we would call secularist extremists. On the other hand, we have extremism that sometimes tends to the think that just one solution is all thats needed. The middle path reminds us that there has to be a kind of kerja sama [cooperation] or interaction among peoples and different aspects of society, economics and politics, so that there is a balance and avoidance of those extremes. What needs to be done for people living side by side to embrace the middle path? They have to recognize each other first. And to recognize, there has to be a willingness in society. And if you are willing, [to develop] a methodology for recognizing each other. Emphasis on recognition of people of all backgrounds is vital if one is to have cooperation among people all around the world. What can we learn from the Indonesian experience as a pluralist nation? I think one of the benefits from Indonesian history is that Pancasila actually prescribes very general but important principles of recognition of all Indonesians, as [Indonesians] share something in common. In this regard, I think Pancasila offers relevant examples for well beyond the nation of Indonesia alone. Pancasila is a philosophy. And a philosophy is something that has to be reinterpreted in the face of social change. I think that is both the challenge but also the benefit of Pancasila. And also, it [Pancasila] provides an illustration to the world in which the desire to recognize people from all backgrounds has to be constantly re-invigorated in the face of international political crises and ongoing economic changes. What do you think Indonesia should do to achieve the middle path? I think the important thing is that the political and cultural process remains open and not driven to extremes. One thing that we have seen in some Western countries recently, people of good faith, who are living the middle way, have been pushed to the side by what we might call radical populists. The characteristics that they [radical populists] share is trying to oversimplify the world and create a binary between one community. That one community is being alienated or made incompatible with society and seen as lacking in any kind of world. Therefore, [such a community] is not deserving of any recognition. One hope that Indonesia can work with is its own cultural traditions, which recognize the importance of the interaction of cross-cultural differences. But at the same time, ensuring that the political process is not driven and influenced by a radical populist tendency. What can we expect as an outcome of the World Peace Forum? The emphasis on the middle way or wasatiyyah [moderation] is something that is relevant well beyond Muslim-majority countries and communities. It is a principle that is not always emphasized to the same degree in other religious and political traditions. So, I think this conference is just reminding people of the world that there is a danger from all types of extremes, not just about terrorism but also other extremists with regard to market policies, capitalism or whatever. The most important contribution is to remind us that we have to work together to find a middle way across civilizations as well as within each one. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefanno Reinard Sulaiman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 22, 2018 18:24 1166 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df5464301 1 Sports #2018AsianGames,#AsianGames2018,#gymnastics,#China,#goldmedal,Asian-Games-2018,gymnastics,China Free China has been sweeping most of the medals in artistic gymnastics at the 2018 Asian Games as it clinched a gold medal in the men's team final on Wednesday, leaving Japan and South Korea in second and third, respectively. China collected 260.950 points from six disciplines, finishing first in pommel horse, parallel bars, horizontal bars and vault. Relying on their high caliber gymnasts such as Chaopan Lin, an all-around gold medalist, and Ruoteng Xiao, China outclassed their competitors. Japan trailed behind in second place with a total score of 248.550, thanks to their good performance in the floor and ring disciplines. South Korea came third with a total score of 247.400. Chinas artistic gymnastics team is set to compete in at least eight of the 14 finals in the event. After bagging gold in the team artistic gymnastics competition, China strengthen its position as the leader in the medal standings with a total 67 medals, 33 of which are gold medals. Indonesia failed to reach the team final as it only finished in 11th place out of 13 countries competing in the preliminary round. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 22, 2018 17:48 1166 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df5462457 1 City commuter-line,Train,Bekasi,jakarta Free A video showing two passengers fighting in a packed commuter train traveling from Bekasi, West Java, to Jakarta has made the rounds on social media, prompting train operator PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) to issue a warning about safety. According to KCI spokesperson Eva Chairunisa, the fight broke out on Tuesday morning during rush hour. In the footage, a woman identified as Y could be seen stepping onto a crowded car and aggressively pushing other passengers, one of whom retaliated by repeatedly hitting Y with her bag. "As a result, Y suffered minor injuries to her face and left arm," Eva said as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday. Y was then rushed to the Bekasi station's health clinic while the other women was brought to a security post for questioning. "The two passengers apologized to each other and asked that their names not be published. They continued their commute to Jakarta soon after the problem was resolved," Eva added. She called on KCI commuters to prioritize the safety of fellow passengers, especially during rush hour, and refrain from pushing one another when getting off and on the train. "Please respect each other to ensure that everyone feels comfortable while taking the train," she said. (vla) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 22, 2018 16:23 1166 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df545a72d 1 National Kediri,police,corruption Free Kediri Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Erick Hermawan was caught in a raid by the National Police's illegal levy eradication central task force (Saber Pungli), East Java spokesperson Sr. Comr. Frans Barung Mangera confirmed on Monday. Erick was allegedly involved in a practice of charging illegal driver license fees ranging from Rp 500,000 (US$34.26) to Rp 650,000 per person. "It's true, the National Police headquarters Saber Pungli team conducted [the raid]," Frans said in Surabaya on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com. He said the raid was triggered by the arrests of five illegal driver's license brokers and a civil servant, identified by the initials AN, on Saturday. They in turn were arrested based on reports from residents about alleged illegal levies at the driver's license unit at the Kediri precinct. The brokers allegedly deposited the fees they received to AN, who would report the deposits to an officer in the driver's license unit. The money would then be distributed to various high-ranking officers in the precinct including Erick and the chief of the traffic division. Erick is suspected to have received up to Rp 50 million per week, while the traffic division chief received Rp 10 million to 15 million. Police also seized evidence in the form of driver's license application documents, illegal fee summaries and money amounting to Rp 77.17 million in the raid. (kmt) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan and Karina M. Tehusijarana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 22, 2018 20:05 1166 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df5466fc1 1 National Meiliana,TanjungBalai,blasphemy,Blasphemy-Law,minority-groups Free The blasphemy conviction of Meiliana, a Buddhist resident of Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, for complaining about the volume of adzan (call to prayer) revealed the law's unfairness toward minorities, residents and activists said. The Medan District Court found Meiliana, 44, guilty of blasphemy under articles 156 and 156a of the Criminal Code on Tuesday and sentenced her to 18 months' imprisonment. She reportedly said that the adzan was "too loud" and it "hurt" her ears in July 2016, triggering an anti-Chinese riot in which offended Muslims burnt several Buddhist temples in Tanjung Balai. Tony, a fellow resident of the city, said Meiliana's sentence was overly harsh compared to those received by the rioters. "Meiliana is punished with 18 months, while the vihara desecrators were only punished with two months, while some were even freed. This is unjust," he told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. "The law is not on the side of us minorities." Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) executive director Anggara echoed Tony's sentiments and urged the government to revoke the blasphemy article. "Once again the blasphemy articles [are used] to attack minority groups," Anggara said in a statement on Wednesday. "From ICJR's records, the blasphemy articles are always used in a context where the defendant is considered to insult the majority religion." He added that the revision of the blasphemy articles in the draft Criminal Code bill currently being deliberated in the House of Representatives were even more vulnerable to abuse. "Articles on blasphemy have to be formulated very carefully because they are closely tied to the subjective whims of the majority," he said. (ahw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 22, 2018 13:17 1166 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df54538cc 1 National Meiliana,blasphemy,Blasphemy-Law,Amnesty-International Free The blasphemy conviction of Meliana, a resident of Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, for complaining about the volume of adzan (a call to prayer) was ludicrous and should be overturned, a human rights group has said. Amnesty International Indonesia has demanded that the Chinese-Indonesian woman be immediately released from prison, saying that complaining about the volume of a loudspeaker was not a criminal offense. This ludicrous decision is a flagrant violation of freedom of expression, Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid said in a statement released on Tuesday. The Medan District Court ruled on Tuesday Meiliana guilty of blasphemy as stipulated under articles 156 and 156A of the Criminal Code. Usman said the verdict was a stark illustration of the increasingly arbitrary and repressive application of the law on blasphemy in the country. The higher court in North Sumatra must reverse this injustice by quashing Meilianas sentence and ensuring her immediate and unconditional release. (ahw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Karina M. Tehusijarana and Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 22, 2018 17:15 1166 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df545d46c 1 National Meiliana,blasphemy,TanjungBalai,Muhammadiyah,NU Free Executives from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's largest Muslim organizations, have criticized the blasphemy conviction against Meliana, a resident of Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, for complaining about the volume of adzan (a call to prayer). NU legal division head Robikin Emhas said that saying adzan was too loud did not constitute blasphemy as defined in articles 156 and 156a of the Criminal Code. "I do not see how saying 'adzan is too loud' is an expression of hatred or hostility toward a particular group or religion," Robikin said in a statement on Tuesday. He added that he hoped authorities would refrain from using the blasphemy article as "an instrument to suppress freedom of expression". "As Muslims, we should consider such opinions as constructive criticism in a plural society," he said. Muhammadiyah secretary Abdul Muti agreed, suggesting that an in-depth study should be conducted to review the blasphemy-related articles and laws. He further argued that the provisions were vague and open to interpretation. Furthermore, one-and-a-half-year prison sentence handed down against Meiliana was too heavy, he added. I assume that [Meilianas] case is similar to that of [former Jakarta governor] Ahok [] in which [the blasphemy conviction] is more of a result of pressure from the masses instead of the trial, Abdul said. The groups' position is in contrast to that of the Indonesian Ulema Council's (MUI) North Sumatra chapter, which issued a fatwa in January 2017 declaring Meiliana's statement as blasphemous. (ahw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, August 22, 2018 14:37 1166 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df54586e8 1 National Pontianak,haze,forest-fires,regulation Free Pontianak Mayor Sutarmidji has issued a new regulation aimed at reducing forest fires in the city, which has been covered with haze in recent days. The regulation, which took effect on Monday, includes sanctions for both the fire perpetrators and the landowners. It stipulates that the utilization of land intentionally or unintentionally burned should be halted for between three and five years. The decision of whether the land was intentionally or unintentionally burned is based on [the statements] of the subdistrict heads, Sutarmidji said on Tuesday, as quoted by kompas.com. The local government, he said, would impose sanctions on landowners who intentionally set fire to their land by charging all costs expended on putting out the fire, in addition to criminal charges that they would face. The permit that has been issued for the land will be revoked, whether the landowners intentionally or accidentally set fire to their land, he said. Sutarmidji said the set of sanctions given was a form of consequence for landowners who were neglectful and could not manage their own land. Otherwise, there is no deterrent effect, he added. Previously, Sutarmidji had ordered temporary school closures this week, ranging from early childhood education centers (PAUD), kindergarten, elementary schools, up to junior high schools, as thick smog from wildfires and forest fires has worsened in the city. The West Kalimantan Education and Culture Agency also issued a circular that calls on senior high schools in Pontianak and Kubu Raya regency to close temporarily. (sau/ahw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam Wed, August 22, 2018 16:34 1166 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df545be25 1 National MUI,vaccine,religion,health Free The Riau Islands chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) urged Muslims to refrain from using the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine, despite the central MUI's fatwa that the vaccine is mubah (permitted for Muslims). "Now that it is clear that [the vaccine contains] elements that are forbidden for Muslims, the MUI asks Muslims in Riau Islands province to reject the vaccine," Riau Islands MUI secretary Ustadz Santoso told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. The central MUI had announced on Monday that although the MR vaccine utilized materials derived from pigs in its production process, its use was permitted because a halal vaccine had yet to be made, constituting a "sharia emergency". However, Santoso, said the Riau Islands council did not consider current conditions to be an emergency. "If the MR vaccine is really so important, then we call on the government to quickly make one that is halal and safe for Muslims," he said. "We would accept the excuse of an emergency if rubella was really widespread in this area, but we can see that there is no issue." He added that the Riau Islands MUI would issue a letter firmly forbidding Muslims from using the vaccine. After completing the first stage of a measles and rubella vaccination campaign in six provinces across Java last year, the government is now targeting around 32 million children outside Java who will receive the vaccination for free at schools and public health facilities. School administrators and parents in Batam, however, expressed their reluctance to let their children be vaccinated. Dharmansyah, the principal of Hidayatullah Islamic Junior High School in Batam, said he would let parents decide whether their children would be vaccinated. "We do not want to be seen as rejecting government policies, so we leave the decision up to the students' parents," he said. Del Harahap, a parent of one of the school's students, asked the school to go a step further and refuse entry to the provincial health agencys medical team. "I think the school should firmly reject the arrival of the vaccination team as it's clear that there is a haram component in the vaccine, she said. Riau Islands health agency head Tjeptjep Yudiana said the agency would continue with the program despite the MUI's objections. "Let that be the MUI's problem, we will still continue [the campaign]," he said. (kmt/ahw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java Wed, August 22, 2018 13:05 1166 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df54536e9 1 News IPB,students,world-record,most-3D-people-formation,Education Free New students of Bogor Agriculture Institute (IPB) named angkatan 55 (generation 55) have broken the world record for "Most 3D People Formation" category issued by Record Holders Republic on Saturday. The activity, which involved 3,456 students and 55 formations with the fastest done in two minutes and 56 seconds, was conducted during the familiarization period for new students held at the institute's gymnasium field in Bogor, West Java. IPB rector Arif Satria said he was proud of all the new students involved in the event. "Today we have successfully broken the world record thanks to [Student Executive Bodies] BEM IPB and all the new students of angkatan 55," he said. Read also: Rp 3b granted to Bogor university to develop research, human resources The record-breaking activity was conducted on the last day of the familiarization period, and highlighted the 73rd anniversary of Indonesia's independence. Arif said the 3D formation world record involving thousands of new students was the second of its kind in the world -- the first record was held by China. (kes) Images courtesy of Chloe Nelkin consulting 21st century voyeuring here You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Super excited to be joining KCL for an MA, but I have received more convincing welcome emails: Customer, welcome to Kings College Londonpic.twitter.com/IfCgQz7y2c Nayana Prakash (@NayanaPrakash1) 17 August 2018 Hi Nayana, were really sorry about this. We've had a slight glitch affecting a handful of students. We're thrilled to welcome you to Kings and look forward to meeting you in September! King's College London (@KingsCollegeLon) 22 August 2018 It's a smart move if they want any of the glass covers to arrive unbroken. Source: Uncle Rich's Rumour Rag If anything is certain in life, it's death, taxes, and Diamond Comic Distributors not safely packaging comics so they'll arrive damaged. Valiant Comics first announced their glass variant covers last month and it didn't take long for the publisher to realize if they ship these through Diamond, they're guaranteed to break in transit as Diamond is likely to use rocks as packing material. Instead, Valiant will ship the glass variant covers for Bloodshot Rising Spirit #1 directly to stores, sidestepping Diamond completely. The glass cover variant will be printed via a special multi-colored process on a carefully devised pane of glass, with artwork by Doug Braithwaite. From writers Lonnie Nadler and Zac Thompson and artist Ken Lashley, Bloodshot Rising Spirit #1 is set to release November 14. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Mark said this while trying to explain why our politicians always seem to trail way behind public sentiment on issues. On Sunday morning one of Barries guests, Fairfax journalist Mark Kenny, observed that politicians in Australia, no matter their party allegiances, tend to be naturally conservative and churchy types. Barries guest commentators are drawn from both the left and right and are the cream of the crop. They are experienced journalists at the top of their game. If you want to cut through the spin and rhetoric surrounding Australian politics I recommend you watch Insiders. You wont hear words like amazing and absolutely or phrases like Oh, My God! on Insiders. Its long-time convenor and host, Barrie Cassidy, is one of the straightest and most sensible journalists in the ABC stable. The ABC tries very hard to give a sensible and balanced view on the subjects it presents. Insiders is a weekly summary of mainly political events affecting Australia. Phil Fitzpatrick - "many politicians who proclaim their faith are actually liars and hypocrites" He pointed out that while over 80% of Australians favoured same-sex marriage the politicians had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the light to vote for it. He also said their tardiness is why euthanasia is not yet legal Australia wide, despite it having majority public support. The churchy aspect of his comment got me thinking. Im not religious but Im perfectly happy to let those who are religious live their lives as they wish. The only aspects of religion I deplore are the political and organised arms that use power, money and sex to their advantage. However, it does occur to me that if you go beyond the simple concepts of goodness and buy the products that most religions peddle - predestination and everlasting life - you risk placing yourself in a kind of intellectual void. If you believe that what you do in your life has been predetermined by some sort of overarching supreme power you are, I would imagine, much less likely to be inquisitive and adventurous. If its going to happen anyway why spend time thinking about it? The same sort of argument can be made about the carrot of everlasting life that most religions dangle in front of their adherents. If you sit still, dont make too much noise, do what you are told, cough up a bit of money for the church and maybe go to war occasionally against your religious opponents you are guaranteed eternal happiness. If this is the case, why would you bother doing anything else? Why would you bother worrying too much about your life on earth and the people around you if that was your ultimate destination? Both the prime minister of Australia and the opposition leader profess to believe in god. Malcolm Turnbull is a Catholic convert and Bill Shorten is an ex-Catholic turned Anglican. Many members of both the government and the opposition profess to being religious, mostly Christians but with a smattering of Muslims and other faiths. Im not sure that inspires me with great confidence in the political class. They do, however, seem to be able to openly supress their religious inclinations. This is not true in places like Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific. There, religion is front and centre. To remind us we have scenes like chainsaws being taken to traditional heathen carvings over the doors of parliament house and battered old bibles of questionable provenance being carried solemnly around on biers as if they were living and breathing entities of supreme majesty. That the prime minister allowed this to happen is very instructive. He either believes in it or he knows that its best not to upset the religious zealots in the house. I dont know what Peter ONeill believes but I suspect it is whatever is best for Peter ONeill and whether there is any profit in it. It occurred to me a long time ago that many politicians who proclaim their faith are actually liars and hypocrites who simply see a political advantage in it. After Mark Kennys remarks Im not sure this is the case. We might carry on about the separation of the church and state but is that really the case? Do our politicians really leave their faith at the door when they go into parliament? I think not. It might actually be that church and state in Australia, and especially in Papua New Guinea, are one in the same thing. West_island_news Liberals block veteran MNA Francois Ouimet from running in Marquette at last minute The normally stoic and cool Francois Ouimet was visibly saddened when he spoke to journalists last Wednesday morning, giving a tearful goodbye to a career he still loved and had been told he could continue. Party renewal. That was the adage handed to Francois Ouimet, who had held the post of MNA for the provincial Marquette riding since 1994 and was the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly for the last seven years.The riding encompasses Lachine and Dorval. Ouimet got the call from a Liberal party organizer last Tuesday night, the evening before he was to hold his nomination meeting event the next day. Instead, Ouimet received a call from Premier Philippe Couillard thanking him for his service and telling him that the decision to change candidates was for party renewal. The normally stoic and cool Ouimet was visibly saddened by the news when he spoke to journalists last Wednesday morning, giving a tearful goodbye to a career he still loved and had been told by Premier Couillard he could continue. Not only had Ouimet had his photo taken for new posters, he had met with Couillard in May and was assured by the premier he could run again to represent the constituents of Marquette, who he has served for almost a quarter century. Ouimet told reporters that Couillard had looked me in the eye, shook my hand and told me not to worry because he would not play any games. The veteran politician felt hurt by the broken promise and noted that the news has been very hard on he and his family. He likened his ejection from running again in Marquette to old backroom stuff from the 50s and 60s because he had hoped that being in the Liberal fold was all about doing politics differently. Asked later that afternoon about his choice to not go with Ouimet for another mandate, Couillard told reporters that as a party leader, there are some decisions that are very, very difficult to make because they involve people, people we know, that we work with. The Suburban contacted Ouimets office for further comments but was told that he had nothing more to say at the moment. Two days after Ouimet was stopped from running for the office he has held for the last 24 years, 48-year old former hockey player Enrico Ciccone, who played for ten years for a number of NHL franchises including the Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens, was chosen as the Liberal candidate for Marquette.He has worked recently as the French broadcaster for the Ottawa Senators. Rolling polls taken in the three days following the ouster of Ouimet demonstrate that the Liberal lead in Marquette has fallen to just 3.5%. Ouimet won Marquette by 48% in 2014 beating his closest opponent by almost 16,000 votes. It was the largest margin of victory in Ouimets 24-year career. 64.4% of Marquette electors polled said they did not agree with Couillards decision to replace Ouimet with Ciccone. Steve Pinkus, Vice-President of Mainstreet Research, told The Suburban that the CAQ lead has continued to climb across Quebec since the Ouimet incident and that among women, traditional Liberal supporters, the CAQ is now even with the Liberals. More telling, Pinkus said, is that the CAQ is leading among seniors who have been the bedrock of Liberal support. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. High around 10C. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch.. Tonight Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 7C. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 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. Felix is runner-up at region meet Edmund Burkes Kensy Felix completed the region cross country meet held at Brentwood in second place out of eight schools while also setting a new personal best for 5K (22:25). Mark Thomas Wasden finished 13th with a time of 21:08, and Nash Parker also set a new personal record. Our... Bears hand Hephzibah first region loss Burke County had their backs against the wall last Friday in front of a homecoming crowd. The Bears were in a must-win position to keep a home field advantage in the upcoming playoffs and they were facing an undefeated Hephzibah team riding a hot hand at 3-0 in Region 4-AAA... CALLING ALL 2011 BEARS Once a Bear, always a Bear is the motto the Burke County High School football players uphold. That motto is being put into fruition next Friday, November 5, 2021, at 7:30. That night, Burke County High School will recognize the 2011 BCHS Football State Championship Team at halftime. Burke County... Lady Bears wrap up season The Lady Bears softball team wrapped up its season with a pair of losses to Pike County in the first round of state playoffs last week. Looking back over the season, head coach Aaron Fera says its been one of the most gratifying in his coaching career. After losing nine... The proposed flotation of Saudi Aramco was billed as the centrepiece of reforming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans modernisation programme for the oil kingdom. Now in the midst of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the 1.6trillion initial public offering is on hold. There will be great gnashing of teeth on Wall Street and the City, which lead the push for this share quote. Head of the Financial Conduct Authority Andrew Bailey twisted himself in knots to create rules allowing the shares to come to the London Stock Exchange. Prime Minister Theresa May went to Riyadh to lobby for some of the action and appointed banker Sir Ken Costa as adviser. Aramco listing: 'Investment bankers, lawyers and other advisers dreamt of fees of up to 1billion and fabulous bonuses to follow' Investment bankers, lawyers and other advisers dreamt of fees of up to 1billion and fabulous bonuses to follow. It is my understanding that the more deeply the investment bankers, lawyers and auditors dug into Saudi Aramcos affairs the more agitated Saudi officials became. Disclosure is not part of the countrys culture, and the oil company and state were too enmeshed to separate. Difficulty in getting hard numbers, particularly on the countrys enormous reserves, meant the valuation was falling short of what MBS, as the Crown Prince is called, wanted. Instead, the Gulf power is leaning towards a domestic alliance with petrochemicals company Saudi Basic Industries which could eventually provide some kind of free float in Riyadh. Western bankers, like the Grand Old Duke of York, have been marched to the top of the sand dune only to be brought down with a rude bump. Spoiled fruit The unbending boss of Persimmon, Jeff Fairburn, and his fellow fat cat executives doubtless are indulging in some backslapping having reported this week that the York-based housebuilder made 516million of profits in the first sixth months and could be guiding the company past the 1billion landmark by year-end. If reflective, Fairburn and his claque might wonder if they are deserving of the rewards which have turned the chief executive into Yorkshires very own plutocrat. Fairburn was the highest earing FTSE100 boss in the last year, with a 47.1million package of pay and bonuses, a down payment on his personal bonus of 75million. This was cut back from a potential eye-watering 131million after a run-in with shareholders. As pay analyst Simon Patterson of Pearl Meyer has signalled on a model based around FTSE100 bosses pay, Fairburn, despite glorifying his own success, is poor value for money. What is particularly disturbing about Fairburn is that he doesnt appear to recognise the shadow he has cast over the whole housing industry and the way in which he is betraying free market capitalism with obdurate behaviour. Some 60 per cent of Persimmon sales are not based on any special skill but a huge taxpayer subsidy in the shape of the Help to Buy scheme. All that has achieved is to lift the premium of new-build homes above existing properties. It also has handed cash to buyers who dont need it rather than those first-time buyers in search of affordable homes. Most galling is that Persimmon and its overpaid executives, wallowing in some 300million of bonus wealth, arent even doing a good job except for themselves. Some of what they build is shoddy, as HGV driver Mike Firth found when he took possession of his 220,000 new home in Castleford, West Yorkshire. It was riddled with problems, ranging from poorly laid bricks to a leaky shower. Some workers on Persimmon sites have been found to be on rates below the real living wage. Persimmon also has been selling homes with escalating ground rents. That is a means for the company to exploit hard-pressed home buyers for cash in perpetuity. Such unscrupulous behaviour by Fairburn and his cohorts is a stain on a housing industry entrusted with delivering a public good. Debs delight Hearty congrats to Rachel Osborne on landing the finance directors job at Debenhams with a potential pay packet of 1.4million. As an executive who has found it hard to hang on to most of her jobs for more than a year or so, the latest roll of the dice will feel like passing Go on the Monopoly board. Nice work. Sainsburys boss Mike Coupe has been accused of taking his eye off the ball as the supermarket continues to lag behind its competitors amid a planned 14billion merger with Asda. With the two grocery chains preparing to join forces, analysts warned the latest industry sales figures weakened the argument for the deal rather than strengthening it. According to the Kantar Worldpanel data, Sainsburys was the worst performing of the major supermarkets in the 12 weeks to August 12, lagging behind Big Four rivals Tesco, Morrisons and Asda as well as Aldi, Lidl, Co-op, Waitrose and Iceland. Fatigue: Sales at Sainsburys were up just 1.2 per cent in the last 12 weeks, according to Kantar Clive Black, head of research at broker Shore Capital, said: The figures undoubtedly underscore our view that the merger between Sainsburys and Asda is one of weakness and not of strength. Black added that Coupe, 57, may have taken his eye off the ball, focusing on the tie-up with Asda rather than sales at the supermarket. The deal is currently being scrutinised by the Competition and Markets Authority, a process which could take more than a year. If it gets the green light, the merged group will become the UKs biggest supermarket with annual sales of 51billion. Blac said: If Coupe is distracted then hes been distracted for a while because Sainsburys has been underperforming against the rest of the industry for quite a few quarters now. Total grocery sales across the industry over the three months to August 12 were 3.5 per cent higher than they were a year earlier an increase of 906million as the hot weather boosted demand. But sales at Sainsburys were up just 1.2 per cent, while Tesco gained 1.8 per cent, Asda 2.6 per cent and Morrisons 2.7 per cent. Lidl and Aldi continued to lead the pack on sales growth at 8.6 per cent and 12.6 per cent respectively, with Ocado just behind at 8.5 per cent. But Co-op stood out among the crowd to post its fastest rate of growth in almost seven years, up by 7.8 per cent. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, said Co-op had benefited from its convenience store model which typically performs better during warmer weather. He said: Consumers current preference to shop locally when the sun is shining has helped Co-op attract an additional 263,000 new shoppers through its doors. Analysts said Co-ops performance served as an example to Sainsburys, which declined to comment last night. Angling Direct is set to open its 23rd store later this month Angling Direct has reeled in a 56 per cent boost to revenues as it continues to open shops across the UK. Sales at the fishing tackle firm hit 21.9million in the six months to July 31 as the heatwave during the summer months and heavy snow earlier in the year failed to deter anglers. Angling Direct is set to open its 23rd store later this month, in Guildford, with more in the pipeline. Its ambitious plans come amid a difficult time for the High Street which has seen companies such as Poundworld, Toys R Us and Maplin go bust this year, while many other retailers plan to shut shops. Same store sales were up 4.2 per cent compared with a year earlier, while its online business continued to account for the majority of its sales which totalled 11.7million. The retailer launched a German website last year and is planning to open more online European businesses later this year. Shares soared 16.2 per cent, or 13.5p, to 97p on the announcement. Darren Bailey, chief executive, said performance for the first half of the year was extremely positive. Bailey, who has over 30 years experience in the angling retail sector, said figures were pleasing despite the adverse winter weather earlier in the year and the very hot summer. The wife of the Cranswick chairman Martin Davey has cashed in on more than half a million pounds worth of shares. Linda Davey sold 15,000 shares at 3340p each for personal reasons, landing her 501,000, according to a stock exchange filing. Davey, 64, joined the sausage-casing company in 1985 as finance director and led its listing on the London Stock Exchange in the same year. Share sale: Linda Davey, 64, joined the sausage-casing company in 1985 as finance director Last year Cranswick racked up a 17.6 per cent boost in sales to nearly 1.5billion as profits shot up 13.5 per cent to 88million. Cranswicks share price slipped 1.1 per cent, or 36p, to 3252p. Plans for the worlds largest stock market float have been axed dealing a major blow to the UK Government and the London Stock Exchange. Saudi Arabia has ditched proposals to list shares in state oil giant Aramco in a deal that could have valued it at 1.6trillion. Advisers have been disbanded with a Saudi source telling Reuters: The decision to call off the initial public offering (IPO) was taken some time ago, but no-one can disclose this, so statements are gradually going that way first delay then calling off. Saudi Arabia has ditched proposals to list shares in state oil giant Aramco on LSE It is a huge disappointment for the Government, which had been desperate for the listing to take place in the UK in what would have been a major boost for post-Brexit Britain and the LSE. London was locked in a battle with New York and Hong Kong for a slice of the business, with both Theresa May and Donald Trump joining the fight. Prime Minister May personally lobbied Saudi oil minister Khalid al-Falih last April, while the Government also enlisted former Lazard International chairman and investment banking guru Sir Ken Costa to try and make it happen. The Financial Conduct Authority even changed stock exchange rules to allow sovereign companies to float less than 25 per cent, triggering fury over what was seen as a blatant attempt to woo the Saudis who only wanted to float 5 per cent at the expense of smaller investors. The collapse also rips away a 1billion fees bonanza for lawyers, bankers and advisers. Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman kicked off major excitement when he announced the float in 2016, saying he hoped it could take place in late 2018. He wanted to drum up funds to make the Saudi economy less dependent on oil as part of a modernisation drive. It kicked off a battle among stock exchanges vying for the lucrative and prestigious listing, with New York and London soon emerging as frontrunners. President Trump made a public pitch for the business to list in New York in November last year President Trump made a public pitch for the business in November last year, saying on Twitter: Would very much appreciate Saudi Arabia doing their IPO of Aramco with the New York Stock Exchange. Important to the United States! London was thought to have an edge over New York because of concerns the US was more litigious and the prospect of lawsuits over the 9/11 terror attacks. Aramco has been under government control since it was nationalised in the 1970s, but going public would give investors and regulators the chance to look under the bonnet like never before. In April sources told Reuters that an audit of its oil reserves as part of the preparation for its IPO had found it had reserves of at least 270billion barrels - higher than the 260.8billion it had reported in 2016 review. However, doubts started to emerge about the float, with little progress made towards the end of last year. Saudi Arabia is now shifting its attention to a proposed acquisition of a strategic stake in local petrochemicals maker Saudi Basic Industries Corp, sources last night said. Industry experts questioned whether the 1.6trillion valuation predicted by the prince was realistic, instead hindering the process of preparing the IPO for the advisers. One senior financial adviser said: The IPO has been called off for the foreseeable future. We are a broke nation but repeatedly government never ceases to amaze us with how fast it is willing to dole out cash on non-priority items that have nothing to do with improving the lives of emaSwati. Take for instance, the simple fact that government always manages to cough up a few million bucks for luxury vehicles such as the E2.1 million for a luxurious Mercedes Benz for the chief justice. Just the other week, we also read on the local newspapers that government issued a notice for a tender to local car dealerships to add to its fleet of vehicles in its scrap yard at CTA. Basically our government is extremely competent on spending our money on fluff! When it comes to cars, trips and the big life, money to spend is always available but when it comes to things that really matter, such as medicines and drugs for hospitals, scholarships, old-age grants, etc, it is always a monstrous challenge for our government. Yes, the chief justice is an important position and comes with status but it is an insult to the general public to see millions being spent on items the country can definitely live without especially in a time of a fiscal crunch when government is failing to meet even basic public service delivery obligations. The country cannot even afford to light-up the whole stretch of the Malagwane Highway at night, yet spending money on more vehicles for the benefit of a few individuals has become the top priority for our government. The sad part is that even though government spends a lot of millions acquiring and maintaining its fleet of vehicles, that money does little for employment creation for the benefit of the local economy. All the dealerships import cars from South Africa, and not so long ago government awarded a huge tender to Swazi Delta Car Dealerships for a fleet of Isuzus and Chevrolets. You only have to visit CTA in Mbabane to realise that a bulk of the Isuzus are grounded there, riddled with mechanical problems while it is only a matter of time before the Chevrolet Cruzes become a nuisance as General Motors announced that it would be leaving South Africa. Why do police officers need to be driving up and down in Chevrolet Cruzes instead of a simple Toyota Etios? It is not that Isuzus and Chevrolets are a problem per se or that one car brand (Toyota, Izusu, Chevrolet) is better than the other, it is just that government has to think beyond the cost of acquiring the vehicle but also consider the maintenance costs and suitability of vehicles for purposes of delivering government services. We cannot as a nation be going through millions upon millions each year on fleets of vehicles that add no value to improving the status quo in this country. With the outgoing Members of Parliament (MPs), the country will cough up more millions of Emalangeni in golden handshakes thanking both MPs and Cabinet ministers for their non-existent work during their five-year tenure. Meanwhile, government has tabled a zero per cent cost of living adjustment for civil servants. In other words, there is no money to pay civil servants to a standard reflective of the true cost of living in Eswatini. It is not that civil servants do not deserve to be paid according to the costs structures of the economy; it is just that government has become mother hen to a lot of officers who add no real contribution to service delivery and revenue generation for government. Everything is just a mess. If government were to retire more than half of its staff, believe it or not, Eswatini would continue to function without a glitch. The way government is so quick to spend money on useless luxury cars that benefit few individuals in high rankings can be taken as an example of all money government spends and loses in fluff that the country can certainly do without. In short, there is a lot of fluff that needs to be cut from the G-wallet or government spending as a whole that could save the country E1-2 billion. More than freezing the new hires and promotions of civil servants, government should also cut all the fluff within its spending that continues to drain the public purse. The rule here onwards should be: if it benefits one or two individuals and not the entire population and economy in Eswatini, it needs to be cut! MANZINI - SAPWU is demanding reinstatement of its 31 members who were dismissed after the protracted Mananga Sugar Packers (MSP) strike in 2017 or E4 463 590 05 as compensation. The Swaziland Agricultural Plantation and Allied Workers Union (SAPWU) has since taken MSP to the Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC) over the matter. A total of 31 employees were dismissed by the company in March 2018 and June 2018, after a disciplinary inquiry found them guilty of violating the companys rules and regulations during the strike which ran from June until December last year. In March, the company fired 23 workers while in June, eight shop stewards were fired. According to the CMAC report of dispute, the union said the nature of the clash was an unfair dismissal. In the summary of the particulars of all the facts giving rise to the dispute, the union said on June 28, 2017 the workers embarked on a protected strike action. It said the industrial action was companied by picketing that was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner. It said at around October 2017, the employer allegedly attempted to institute disciplinary hearings against the workers and the matter was taken to court. The union alleged that in January 2018, the company charged some of the employees with trumped up charges and they appeared before the disciplinary committee. It is said the charges were premised on baseless allegations. Furthermore, it alleged that after the strike, the workers were deprived of the right to go back to work. According to the union, the employees appealed the verdict of the disciplinary hearing but in vain. The union went on to allege that the dismissal was procedurally unfair as the agreed disciplinary code and procedure was violated, the presiding officers had no jurisdiction and grossly biased. It also alleged that the right of the employees to be heard was violated. The dismissal was also substantively unfair as the respondent dismissed whomsoever acted in line with the Industrial Relations Act of 2000 and did not submit any credible evidence, reads part of the unions submissions. The workers were charged with various counts, ranging from violating safety procedures to tampering with clocking records. According to the charge sheet, at round July 17, 2017, they allegedly violated Section 9, Clause 9.2 and 9.3 of the MSP Industrial Relations policies and procedures when they were accomplices and took part in being dishonest, bearing false witness, forgery and tampering with clocking records as they were clocked in by another employee at the main gate. According to the charges, this act was allegedly deliberately done to deceive the employer. Again, each of the shop stewards faced not less than 10 charges and they were found guilty on most of the charges by the disciplinary inquiry. MANZINI There was a minor scare during the special voting exercise yesterday when Hlobisile Ndlovu was seen sitting in an ambulance yesterday. Ndlovu is contesting for the Member of Parliament (MP) position under Piggs Peak. This was at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre where dozens of people witnessed the Piggs Peak nominee receiving first aid treatment from paramedics in the ambulance. After the incident, people had different versions of what happened to Ndlovu as some claimed that she had collapsed while others said she tripped and fell. Others were of the view that supernatural forces were at play while some claimed it was fatigue. The incident happened about five metres from the entrance of the Manzini Region voting hall, at around lunchtime. In an interview, Ndlovu clarified that she neither collapsed nor tripped. She said she experienced chest pains and needed medical assistance. She laughed off the allegations that she collapsed and stated that they were not true. She said after experiencing the chest pains, she walked to the ambulance for assistance. I did not collapse, I only went to an ambulance and nothing dramatic happened, Ndlovu clarified. She narrated that the paramedics gave her tablets and water then she proceeded to her intended destination. She stated that she was feeling fine and people might have thought she collapsed because her hands were on her chest. She referred to the chest pains as an attack. By Trend Germany interested to develop further the Southern Gas Corridor project, which provides for the transportation of gas from the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field to Europe, a German government official told press ahead of an upcoming visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the South Caucasus countries - Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. "We are interested in construction of a new alternative pipeline network to transport Caspian natural gas via Turkey to Europe. We have a considerable interest in further development of the Southern Gas Corridor," he said. He noted that connecting European gas networks to the TANAP and TAP pipelines is part of the EU's diversification strategy. "Azerbaijan is a country of high geo-political significance for global energy supply. Berlin is open to importing natural gas from other countries such as Turkmenistan, Iran, and Iraq," he said. A ceremony to launch Phase 0 of TANAP took place June 12 in the Turkish city of Eskisehir. TANAP, together with Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), is a part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which provides for the transportation of gas from the Azerbaijani field Shah Deniz to Europe. The initial capacity of TANAP is expected to be 16 billion cubic meters of gas per year. About six billion cubic meters will be supplied to Turkey, and the rest to Europe. After completion of the TAP, the gas will reach Europe in early 2020. 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. The launching ceremony of the first stage of the Southern Gas Corridor project was held in Baku on May 29. The gas from the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field has already gone through the first segment of the Southern Gas Corridor - from the Sangachal terminal to the expanded South Caucasus Pipeline. The Southern Gas Corridor, which costs more than $40 billion, is one of the priority projects for the EU and provides for the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region through Georgia and Turkey to Europe. The uses of photography in the construction of political and national identities in the Southern Balkans and Macedonia 1903-16 is the topic of a lecture which will be presented by Elizabeth Gertsakis, on Thursday 30 August 2018, at the Greek Centre, as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars offered by the Greek Community of Melbourne. It is a continuation of a life of research into visual and photographic material from predominantly western culture through the discipline of art history and through the genres of photographic history and theory, said Elizabeth Gertsakis. It is a private motivation that has led me to this research, one which stemmed from the diasporic immigrants slimmest yet most potent resource, their family photographs. I have a particular interest in photographs taken during this period in the northern region of Greece during the period of early insurrection and revolution in reaction to Ottoman rule and the first world war; both internally, and also that which was created by outside observers. I focus on comparing the photographies of late nineteenth century wars to the imageries of the Macedonian Question and the demand that was created for their global visual consumption. I argue that photography itself was used to create new identities which continue to make use of photographic imagery, as forensic memory, today, as part of national and state identity. Born in Greece, Elizabeth Gertsakis immigrated with her parents to Australia at age 3 months. Educated at the University of Melbourne and at Monash University, Elizabeth holds an Honours degrees in Fine Arts, English Literature, and Masters in comparative Critical Theory. She commenced her practice as a visual artist in 1986, was a lecturer in Art History and Australian Cultural Studies from 1976 to 1993 and then commenced to work as a curator for various Australian museum and galleries from 1995-2011. She was senior curator of the Australia Post National Philatelic Art and Design Collection from 1995 2010. Her art work is held in Australian public collections as well as in Europe and America. Elizabeth Gertsakis has produced 17 solo exhibitions and was represented in 20 group exhibitions. Her art practice looks at the use of mass production technologies in popular and mass culture (print, photography, text) in social, political and cultural contexts in which copy and comparison play critical and communication roles. Her work engages with the personal and social impact on the daily lives of women in culture and public institutions. Her current Doctoral research (University of Melbourne) Department of History and Philosophy), focuses on the uses of photography in the Southern Balkans & Northern Greece from 1903-1916. When: Thursday 30 August 2018, 7.00om Where: Greek Centre, Mezzanine, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne _____________________________________________________ Information: 9662 2722 | Email: info@greekcommunity.com.au 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 Cyclades islands and major urban areas, such as greater Athens and Thessaloniki, posted gains this year The number of overnight stays in Greece during 2018 will reach 2017 levels, the president of the country's hoteliers federation, Grigoris Tasios, estimated over the weekend. He noted regions such as the Cyclades islands and major urban areas, such as greater Athens and Thessaloniki, posted gains this year, whereas other well-known tourism destinations, such as those in northern Greece and in the southern Peloponnese fell from last year's levels. Tasios pointed out fickle weather conditions in June and July lowered arrivals in northern Greece by holiday-makers from adjacent Balkan countries, while political and economic developments, i.e. the depressed Turkish lira, severely reduced the number of Russian and Turkish tourists. Increased tourism arrivals from German and the UK to northern Greece, by 5 to 7 percent, ameliorated the losses in northern Greece, he added. Tasios, who also heads the local hoteliers' federation in verdant Halkidiki prefecture, east of Thessaloniki, clarified the region's hotels in July did not exceed 80 percent in vacancy; increasing to 90 percent in August - compared to 90 and 95 percent, respectively, in 2017. Read more at naftemporiki.gr RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Bahrain has suspended issuance of entry visas to the Qatari citizens, excluding students in the Kingdom and those who currently have valid visas, a media report said. Based on the statement of severing political ties with Qatar on June 5 last year and the implementation of related-directives of the Cabinet for all concerned ministries and government organisations, reported Emirates news agency Wam, citing Bahrain News Agency (BNA). Qatari students who study in Bahrain will be excluded, along with those with valid visas, the ministry said. "The decision was not taken because of Qatari nationals who share brotherly ties with Bahrainis, but as result of irresponsible acts of Qatari authorities that do not consider the rights of neighbouring countries or the principles of the international law," the ministry said. By Pavla Holcova The Slovak authorities are not doing enough to investigate the murder of my friend and colleague. If journalists have to do the polices job to discover the truth, then we will. Its been exactly six months since the murder of Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova. The last time I spoke to Jan was only a few hours before an assassin entered his home and put two bullets into his heart. When I learned about his death on that Monday morning, a deep, infinite, paralyzing winter overcame me. I was chilled by the touch of absolute evil. I am still overwhelmed by that feeling. Half a year later, we do not know who killed Jan or who hired his murderer. And I am afraid well never find out. Murders of journalists are hard to investigate. According to statistics compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists, 70 percent of journalists are murdered because of the story they are working on. Less than ten percent of those murders are ever solved. In comparison, most murders in the Czech Republic and Slovakia have around an 80 percent chance of being solved. Six months is a critical time frame in which investigators must gather evidence, find and follow leads, and ultimately solve the crime. The Slovak police, however, appear to have done very little and still cannot answer the most basic of questions. Both the police and the prosecutors office say an investigation is ongoing and that their silence is necessary to protect it. But the evidence shows otherwise the police have bungled this case from the very beginning. According to the Slovak media, they have made significant errors. For example, When police arrived at the murder scene in the village of Velka Maca, they neglected to bring a medical examiner. That led to the first mistake they got the date of the murder wrong, and listed it as occurring three days later. It took them three weeks to correct that fact. Meanwhile, investigators questioning people immediately after the murder were asking the wrong questions about the wrong times. Police failed to request CCTV footage from cameras in the vicinity of the crime scene. This is absolutely crucial evidence that might have shown Jans murderer. Officials only made the request for footage almost two weeks later, on March 4 well after many cameras had already recorded over the evidence from that fateful night. Investigators waited until March 27, a whole month after the murder, to conduct a thorough examination of the area around the crime scene. By this point, crucial evidence such as footprints had been exposed to the Slovak winter for 30 days. According to the Kuciak familys lawyer Daniel Lipsic, who has access to the investigation file, the police destroyed important evidence at the beginning of the investigation. They did not secure the evidence. Some of the evidence was only discovered in the photo documentation (of the crime scene), Lipsic told Slovakias TV JOJ. Before the crime scene examination, the bodies were tampered with. It is possible that traces of evidence were destroyed. But we will never know. Head of NAKA, Slovakias anti-corruption unit, Robert Krajmer, about whom Jan had written in previous stories, was among the first officials to arrive at the scene after Kuciaks murder. Police President Tibor Gaspar tried vehemently to deny that Krajmer had been there, but had to give up when his colleague showed up on footage shot by local television. Krajmer has never given an adequate explanation as to his presence at the scene of the murder that day. Moreover, journalists have been told that Slovak police have shared almost no information with foreign and international police bodies. They appear to want no help from anybody. This doesnt inspire confidence they are trying to find out the killer. Furthermore, half a year later, those state officials who have acted most suspiciously when it came to dealing with the case have even been promoted. Robert Krajmer, an official who should not have been at the crime scene, now has a new job at Slovakias Ministry of the Interior. Tibor Gaspar, who was forced to resign from his post as head of police after public outcry, also has a new post at the Interior Ministry. Hes now advisor to Interior Minister, Denisa Sakova of SMER, one of the three parties in the countrys governing coalition. As journalists, we sometimes end up doing the work of the police. In order to uncover corrupt schemes and money laundering, we have gradually learned our own forensic procedures. If we have to learn police procedures for investigating murders to have some idea of what happened that night to Jan, then we will. There is nothing worse than not knowing. Especially for journalists. occrp.org Armenias Public Services Regulatory Commission has fined Veiola Jur AMD 10 million for a variety of infractions related to providing services to new customers within the contracted time limit. Veolia Jur, which manages all water and wastewater systems in the country, is a subsidiary of the French Veolia Group. The company has already been fined AMD 5 million for similar infractions. Although conditions were wet and overcast, there was a notable turnout of friends, family, neighbors and dignitaries gathered at the Centerville Bridge site in Alma on Saturday, Aug. 18, for the dedication and naming of the bridge in honor of the late U.S. Navy Captain Homer Leroy Smith, a 1943 graduate of Tyler County High School and an American hero. Smith was born in Alma on February 6, 1926 to Lotus Smith and Mary Pierpoint Smith. Captain Smith spent his boyhood in Alma and after graduation, entered the Navys V-5 program in early 1944 and was sent to Bethany College as a student. Captain Smith then attended Notre Dame University, and while, there received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy from the late Hubert Ellis, congressman from West Virginias Fourth Congressional District. Lloyd Gregg of Sistersville was instrumental in securing his appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis. Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy on June 3, 1949, Captain Smith was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy. In 1950, Captain Smith married Jean Pankowski of Philadelphia, and they had four children Deborah, Steven, Pamela, and Michael. In August 1950 Captain Smith reported for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in September 1951. From 1956 to 1959 and in 1963 he was enrolled in the Navys post-graduate education program. In 1963, Captain Smith completed the company and staff course at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. In addition to a Bachelor of Science Degree from the U.S. Naval Post-Graduate School, he also earned a Masters Degree in International Relations from George Washington University and a Professional Engineering degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology. During his Naval career, Captain Smith had a variety of duty assignments. Early in his career he served on the destroyers USS Frank E. Evans and USS Hank, in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. After flight training, Captain Smith spent three years in Fighter Squadron 33 aboard the USS Levte and USS Midway. He was associated with the Naval Air Reserve Program as a flight instructor at NSS Akron, Ohio and was in charge of instruction of second class midshipmen in engineering during a tour of duty at the U.S. Naval Academy. During a three-year tour of duty in Air Wing 15 aboard USS Coral Sea in the Pacific, Captain Smith served as Operations Officer of Attack Squadron 155 and later as Air Wing Operations Officer. Captain Smith also served as the Executive Officer of Attack Squadron 212, a component of Air Wing 21. The squadron, home-based at the Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, was on its eighth cruise to the Far East. The squadron was one of the Navys most important offensive weapons systems. It was capable of carrying the following armament: twenty mm cannon, air to ground rockets, air to ground missiles and a variety of conventional and nuclear bombs. On June 30, 1966, Captain Smith led a strike group of 12 A4, 4F8 and other support aircraft from the USS Hancock in an extremely hazardous and important attack against the Bac Giang Petroleum Storage Area, 20 miles northeast of Hanoi, Vietnam. On October 11, 1966 on the Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, he was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity for that mission. Captain Smith was also presented his second award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, his tenth, eleventh and twelfth awards of the Air Medal, and his second and third awards of the Navy Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device during that ceremony. While serving as Executive Officer of Attack Squadron, 212 missions were flown during the first year. Captain Smith was on his 183rd mission and was ready to return to his home base in California when he was shot down at Bac Giang, Vietnam on May 20, 1967. His remains were brought to Annapolis, Maryland for burial May 29, 1974. Services were held in the Chapel at Navel Academy for interment at the Navy Cemetery at Annapolis. Several state and local officials were present for the Aug. 18 bridge dedication, and the Honor Guard was on site to offer the prayer, give a gun salute, and unveil the signs marking the entrance to the bridge. WV State Delegate from Tyler County, Roger Romine, authored WV House Resolution 91, which brought the bridge dedication to fruition. Delegate Romine spoke to the large crowd about the history of Smith and his service to his country. Romine noted Captain Smith paid the ultimate sacrifice when he was shot down over Vietnam during a routine flight. Romine also invited family members to speak. One of those was Smiths daughter who said her father was a hero who would have loved to be around today to see his family and friends, but in 1966, he gave his life for the freedom of this great country. She tearfully said she loved him and admired his courage and his skill as a pilot. Others present besides Romine and over 20 family members were WV State Senator Charles Clements, Tyler County Commissioner David Kelly, Gladys Gregg, Tyler County Sheriff Brian Weigle and numerous other local residents. Following the dedication, a free dinner was offered to all at the Alma Fire Hall. The U.S. Navy Captain Homer Leroy Smith bridge will forever keep the memory and name of this American hero alive in Tyler County. Syrian refugee Jassem, 28, performs a puppet show to young Syrian refugees in northern Lebanon. UNHCR/Dalal Mawad, producer/Houssam Hariri, camera-editor NAKHLE, Lebanon Crouching inside a small tent in a hilltop olive grove in northern Lebanon, Jassem works his hand puppets and sings rhymes in a falsetto voice about landmarks in his native Syria. The audience of young refugee children squeal with laughter and shout out questions about a homeland most of them cannot remember. The 28-year-old former physical education teacher came to Lebanon as a refugee in 2011 having fled insecurity in Raqqa, settling first in the capital Beirut before moving to Nakhle village in the northern district of Koura. He said he and fellow refugees began putting on the puppet shows when they realized how little Syrian children in Lebanon knew about their own country. All they know about Syria is war and bloodshed. Many Syrian children were born or raised away from home. All they know about Syria is war and bloodshed. he explained. You feel like they dont have a sense of belonging to Syria, but those children are the future of the country how will they rebuild if they know nothing about it? Lebanon is host to 976,000 registered refugees from Syrias conflict, now in its eighth year. More than half of them are children. Across the region, more than a million refugee children were born after the outbreak of war, meaning they have known nothing but conflict or exile. Lebanon: Refugee volunteer brings hope to his community (Dalal Mawad, Houssam Hariri) During the show, Jassem introduces the youngsters to Syrias 14 governorates and their specific traditions and histories, including folk dances and major monuments such as the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. The children are engrossed, but the strongest response often comes from the parents. As we perform the play, we are often affected by the emotional reaction of parents, who burst into tears as they recall their memories of Syria, Jassem said. This usually triggers a discussion between parents and their children about the heritage and cultures of their hometowns. "Volunteering has given me peace of mind." The initiative was born out of Jassems voluntary work, which began when he moved to Koura and became an outreach volunteer for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Working with vulnerable refugee families, coupled with his teaching background, led him to identify a need to help young Syrians with their education. As well as the puppet show, Jassem and other volunteers also run morning classes three times a week for Syrian children enrolled in Lebanese public schools. The lessons focus mainly on Arabic and French language skills, and having started out helping a handful of neighbourhood kids, the classes have now grown to almost 50 pupils. To help them cope with the increased demand, UNHCR donated a classroom tent and stationery for the children. Jassem now hopes to expand the puppet show and language classes to other parts of the country, and says the experience has transformed his own life in exile. Volunteering has given me peace of mind, he said. When you put a smile on a childs face, you feel like you are helping them and giving them hope, and this feeling is indescribable. Name: Taimur Hasan, 50, from Bangladesh. Job title: Public Health Officer. Fifteen years with UNHCR, working in Bangladesh and Nepal, and on emergency assignment in Iraq. Why did you become an aid worker? As a doctor, my primary goal is to help people. Working in the public health field, I saw that I could be more effective in a humanitarian role. In this job I find I come across a lot of people with many needs and, when I can do something for them, it gives me great satisfaction. You cant always save a life, but you can give comfort to the patient in their suffering. What are the most rewarding/challenging things about your job? More than 720,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar have fled to south-eastern Bangladesh since late August 2017. At the beginning of the influx, thousands of people were coming every day. It scared us, because we did not expect so many to arrive in such a short time. A lot of them had walked a long way, they had gone without food for many days and they did not sleep properly, so their immune systems were very low. We also found that a quarter of children under five were suffering from malnutrition and most had never received immunization for common conditions. So, at the start of the influx, more than 600 people came down with measles, and in the following weeks more than 200,000 were treated for acute diarrhoea because the water and sanitation facilities were inadequate. An outbreak of diphtheria sickened nearly 7,000 people. Remarkable teamwork among the agencies, under the leadership of the Bangladesh governments ministry of health, brought it under control. In the early days of the Rohingya refugee influx in September 2017, UNHCR operated just one clinic out of a tent near Kutupalong, Bangladesh. UNHCR Taimur Hasan oversees a vaccination campaign for Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, October 2017. UNHCR Two Rohingya boys carry their sick father into Kutupalong settlement in Bangladesh, at the height of the refugee influx from Myanmar in October 2017. UNHCR Taimur Hasan (center) leads a field visit to identify a site for a new health centre in Lambasia, south-east Bangladesh, October 2017. UNHCR Taimur Hasan stands at the entrance to a rehydration centre to treat refugees withe severe diarrhoea at Kutupalong refugee settlement in Bangladesh, October 2017. UNHCR/Tim Gaynor Not all the health problems were physical. It was also very challenging to see the huge mental pressure everyone was under. First, the violence that refugees witnessed in their country, then the crossing to Bangladesh often on foot, without food or shelter, and then the conditions here. Everyone is very scared for their future, because they dont know what will happen. See also: Mental health first aid on the front lines of the Rohingya crisis At the start of the influx, we operated just one clinic out of a tent. Now we support 15 primary care facilities with our partners, including the refugee health unit of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioners office, and the non-governmental organizations Medical Teams International, Research, Training and Management International, Relief International, and Gonoshasthaya Kendra. We have also set up diarrhoea treatment units and nutritional centres. An immunization campaign with our aid partners has now covered 90 per cent of children. The fact that I could contribute to the response makes me proud. For a doctor, helping people in need is our greatest satisfaction. Worst day at work? There were many bad days, many worst days, particularly at the start of the emergency. Seeing so many people out in the road, with no shelter and only water and wild rice to eat - because we could not provide food for everyone - was particularly difficult. But there is one day that stays in my mind. I was working at Kutupalong settlement and I got a call from the reception centre saying please come. I rushed over there and found a young man carrying a basket wrapped with a cloth. I asked him to remove the cloth and I saw two tiny babies inside. They were twins. A Rohingya refugee father carries newborn twins in a basket, Kutupalong, Bangladesh, September 2017. Their mother gave birth fleeing Myanmar on foot. UNHCR/Vivian Tan The mother was so scared, tiny and exhausted. She had delivered the twins while she was crossing the jungle from Myanmar. She didnt have food, she didnt have anything. She was very sick. That struck me a lot. I felt both shock and pity. Pity for the mother that she could not deliver in a dignified way. But shocked, too, at seeing the condition the parents were in and, of course, the babies themselves. What was your best day at work? We immediately took the mother and newborns into the maternity unit of the primary care clinic. The babies umbilical cords were cleaned and clamped. The mother received food supplements and the medical care that she needed. My best day was the following day, when I got to see them again. The twins were wrapped in a nice towel, and the mother was smiling. She felt secure and safe. Not for herself, but for her kids, so that made me very satisfied and happy. I was also very thankful to God that I could do something for the mother. Your support is urgently needed to help the children, women and men refugees in Bangladesh. Please give now. 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 most of our staff are based in the field, helping refugees. This profile is part of a series highlighting our staff and their work. New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Tourism KJ Alphons has said India is a country of wellness, with Kerala being at the heart of the wellness tourism industry. Mr Alphons said during the inaugural session of Krishi India 2018 expo/Wellness India 2018 expo, which kicked off at Pragati Maidan here on Monday. The Minister who has been in Kerala for the last one week, made an urgent appeal for donations to help the people of the flood-battered state. Sri Lanka will not allow China military use of Hambantota port Colombo, Aug 22 (UNI) Sri Lanka will not allow China to only use the Hambantota port for military purposes, Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene has said. The Hambantota port in southern Sri Lanka is located in the world's busiest East-West shipping route and gives China a foothold in a region long dominated by India. Sri Lanka last year to allowed a Chinese company to operate the port under a 99-year lease. The government said it was forced to lease the port for US Ambassador Kenneth Juster praises Andhra Pradesh CM Amaravati, Aug 21 (UNI) US Ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster called on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu in the Secretariat here on Tuesday. The Chief Minister explained to Juster, the phenomenon of real time governance, services integration, e-Pragati, usage of technology in services, improving living standards, infrastructure development, the development of solar power and how the state emerged number one in the Ease of Doing Business index, 2018. The US ambassador appreciated the quality of leadership in Andhra Pradesh. He said the economic growth is leading towards generating huge employment opportunities in the state. With the prevailing environment, the US companies are looking forward to and are interested in this state for investment, he said. Do brings more than 17 years of experience working in international education to UTSA. (Aug. 22, 2018) -- The UTSA Office of International Programs has named Gigi Do its new executive director. Do has more than 17 years of experience working in international education, including in her most recent role as deputy superintendent for Global Education, Engagement and Partnerships for the International Leadership of Texas (ILTEXAS). She helped launch five ILTEXAS schools in Houston, which require students to master Mandarin Chinese, English and Spanish to become more competitive in a global workforce. Additionally, she was part of the leadership team with Duke-NUS Medical School in 2017 that built The Vinmec University of Health Sciences in Vietnam. Do also served as the executive director of the Office of International Initiatives for Houston Community College. She has numerous ties around the world, including in Qatar where she launched the Community College of Qatar, which had its first graduating class in 2012. She says she looks forward to promoting an environment of global learning with new strategic international partners and creating students who are world-ready. I am thrilled to be joining UTSA at such a critical time. I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students to continue to cultivate an environment of global learning, Do said. I personally know how having international experiences can transform a students trajectory and UTSA is perfectly positioned to continue to create leaders with a global mindset. Dos contributions to the higher ed international community have been featured in the New York Times, and she has won several awards, including the Bellwether Award for Global Workforce Development, the Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education and the HCCs District Administrator of the Year award. Gigi Do has created strong and lasting partnerships in Asia and the Middle East. said Lisa Montoya, interim vice provost for international initiatives and senior international officer. She will lead the Office of International Programs to provide exceptional student experiences both here and abroad. And she will be a valuable team member as we broaden our activities as a world engaged university. Do earned her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in the Higher Education Leadership Program and is fluent in Vietnamese. Born in Vietnam, she has spent most of her life in the U.S. CAN-AM OFF-ROAD TEAMS RULE THE AMERICAS WITH ENDURANCE RACING WINS Can-Am Maverick X3 pilots notch wins in Nevada, Iowa, Louisiana and Brazil XPS athletes Kyle Chaney and Phil Blurton keep on winning VALCOURT, QUEBEC, CANADA, August 21, 2018 Can-Am off-road racing teams earned numerous victories and class podiums this past weekend in both North America and South America, affirming Can-Am as the brand of choice for overcoming long-distance and endurance events. In the United States, Can-Am / XPS Lubricants drivers Phil Blurton and Kyle Chaney outlasted stiff competition and overwhelming conditions to record overall endurance racing wins in Nevada and Iowa, respectively, with their Maverick X3 Turbo R side-by-side vehicles. At the 2018 Rally dos Sertoes in Brazil, which wraps up Friday, Aug. 25, Can-Am racers own the top eight spots in the standings after three stages of action. Blurton Repeats As BITD Vegas To Reno Champion Phil Blurton (Can-Am / XPS / No Limit RD) and co-pilot Beau Judge won the Pro UTV Turbo class and UTV overall with the No. 944 Can-Am Maverick X3 side-by-side vehicle at the 2018 BITD Vegas To Reno race. On paper, the back-to-back Vegas-To-Reno wins is outstanding in its own right, but when you factor in the number of competitors, brutal terrain, the race length and the fact that Blurton had to come from nearly 39th place in the class to finish in front of everyone was incredible. A 30-minute delay almost cost Blurton and Judge a chance at a win, but they rallied hard all the way to checkers and were rewarded with victory and the overall class points lead in the BITD series. So proud of the hard work of our No Limit RD Race Team and support crew, stated Blurton. They are the most dedicated team and we could not accomplish such greatness without them and the support of our sponsors. Can-Am had two teams on the box in Nevada, as Dustin Jones and co-pilot Dustin Henderson drove the No. 978 Can-Am / S3 Racing Maverick X3 MAX Turbo R side-by-side to a strong third-place finish. The UTV Unlimited class win was secured by Utahs Michael Isom (Can-Am / Mobbin Racing) in another Maverick X3 MAX Turbo R build. Racer Pam Hall won the UTV Sportsman class (stock) in her Can-Am. Don Higbee (Can-Am / Driven Powersports) piloted his Can-Am Outlander 44 ATV to a third-place finish in the ATV Pro class against a field of sport quads. Higbee, who ended the BITD season in third place, and co-pilots Jose Torres and Adolfo Arellano posted a time of 10:39 to set an event record for a 4x4ATV. Chaney Untouchable At Heartland Challenge Kyle Chaney (Can-Am / XPS / CT Race Worx) put his Maverick X3 side-by-side vehicle in the winners circle at the 2018 Heartland Challenge in Carlisle, Iowa. The Heartland Challenge, a difficult day-night, four-hour endurance race with a mix of short-course, cross-country and endurocross, forces man and machine to be ready for almost anything. Chaney, coming off a Lucas Oil Midwest Short Course Series win the weekend prior, had a little momentum on his side. Chaney, co-pilot Josh Martell, and their XPS-themed Can-Am Maverick X3 side-by-side vehicle proved up to the task. They took the lead about a mile from the start and then led the rest of the way. It was Chaneys second consecutive Heartland Challenge UTV race win. Can-Am racers also won the 900 class (non-turbo), posting a podium sweep, in Iowa. Brezina Grabs LACC Victory Can-Am / S3 Powersports racer Logan Brezina put the hurt on the competition in Louisiana, winning the A class and side-by-side overall at Round 7 of the LACC series in Wilson, La. It was an awesome weekend for S3 Racing podiums everywhere. I was fortunate enough to bring home the win yesterday, said Brezina. My Can-Am Maverick X3 side-by-side vehicle was absolutely on rails. Maverick X3 Racers at Rally dos Sertoes in Brazil Maverick X3 Racers at Rally dos Sertoes in Brazil Rally racing with the Can-Am Maverick X3 Turbo R vehicle has grown tremendously since its global introduction two years ago. South America hosts several rally events and is currently holding the prestigious 26th Rally dos Sertoes, Aug. 18-25, in Brazil. Can-Am Maverick X3 side-by-side vehicle racers have won the first three stages and own the top eight spots in the standings. Can-Am / Varela Rally Team driver Reinaldo Varela and co-pilot Gustavo Gugelmin, winners of the 2018 Dakar Rally, have the early lead after winning stage 1 and keeping their advantage through stage 3 in South America. The No. 203 Maverick X3 side-by-side, driven by Enrico Amarante and Breno Rezende is currently second overall. All seven stages of the Sertoes Rally equal roughly 3,601 kilometers (more than 2,200 miles). The champions for all classes will be determined by Aug. 25 in Fortaleza. For more information about Can-Am off-road products, visit CanAmOffRoad.com. About BRP We are a global leader in the world of powersports vehicles and propulsion systems built on over 75 years of ingenuity and intensive consumer focus. Our portfolio of industry-leading and distinctive products includes Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft, Can-Am on- and off-road vehicles, Alumacraft boats, Evinrude and Rotax marine propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for karts, motorcycles and recreational aircraft. We support our lines of product with a dedicated parts, accessories and clothing business to fully enhance your riding experience. With annual sales of CA$4.5 billion from over 100 countries, our global workforce is made up of around 10,000 driven, resourceful people. AIA Vietnam partners with Public Bank to enhance benefits to retail customers AIA (Vietnam) Life Insurance Company Limited and Public Bank Vietnam Limited have signed a strategic bancassurance partnership. With the message Finance in your hands, the two companies will collaborate to bring extensive financial-insurance solutions to improve customer experience. Wholly foreign-owned by Public Bank Berhadone of the leading banks in Malaysia, Public Bank Vietnam is one of the few banks who have been successfully delivering sustainable results in Vietnam. Recently, AIA Group has signed a 15-year extension to their strategic partnership with Public Bank until 2037. Under the partnership, Public Bank Vietnams customers will enjoy full-scale life insurance products and services as well as extensive benefits from AIA Vitality, a scientific initiative from AIA Vietnam. AIA Vietnam will also provide advanced digital tools, such as iPoS, an interactive platform on iPad, and iMO, a mobile office for agents working at all transaction offices of Public Bank Vietnam. With the message Finance in your hands, the two companies will collaborate to bring extensive financial-insurance solutions to improve customer experience. Public Bank Vietnams customers will have access to the MyAIA online portal and experience the transformed digital customer journey to the 60-minute claim process. AIA Vietnam believes that these digital platforms will improve customer experience tremendously throughout the policy duration. Besides, customers can experience the benefits of the AIA Vitality app and healthy living tips on the LIV web portalone of AIA Vietnams initiatives developed to help people lead healthier, longer, and better lives. Through the move, Public Bank Vietnam has officially joined Blanc by AIA, a new bancassurance brand introduced by AIA Vietnam earlier this year. AIA Vietnam and Public Bank Vietnam commit to investing both their financial and technological resources, seizing every opportunity in todays fast changing socioeconomic conditions with the rapidly increasing middle class in Vietnam. Todays signing ceremony shows our continuous efforts in fulfilling our commitment of improving our customer experience via Public Bank Vietnams distribution channels, said Wayne Besant, CEO of AIA Vietnam. I believe that this partnership will build a strong foundation for the future collaboration between AIA Vietnam and Public Bank Vietnam and will also create new opportunities for further growth for both sides. After 18 years of operation, AIA Vietnam currently serves more than 900,000 policy holders across the country. By the end of August 2018, AIA has paid out a total of almost VND3.7 trillion ($163.7 million) insurance benefits for more than 410,000 cases. Public Bank of Vietnam was transformed from VID Public Bankone of the first joint-venture banks in Vietnam which was established on March 25, 1992 as a 50:50 venture between Investment Bank and Vietnam Development Bank (BIDV) and Public Bank Berhad, Malaysia. After 26 years of development in Vietnam, Public Bank Vietnam has expanded its network of operations in all major provinces and cities in Vietnam. There is a process to follow, and our elected officials should not allow a single illegal immigrant entry through the back door. Those who show up at border crossings without proper paperwork should be denied entry until they have gone through an established vetting process and then required to wait their turn. To do otherwise allows these undocumented individuals to take the place of others who have honored our laws and procedures by applying and waiting their turn. We are losing control by allowing so many immigrants into our nation who have not been thoroughly or properly vetted and/or have no desire to assimilate.This is also a disservice to our nations people. Why are our elected officials not adequately protecting our borders? Why do we allow a single person to cross into the United States who has not gone through our stated immigration procedures? Our flawed visa system We likewise have a visa problem. According to Department of Homeland Security data released on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, more than 600,000 foreign travelers -- including visas granted to students -- who legally entered the United States in 2017 overstayed their visas and remained in the country by the end of the year. This marks the second straight year when more than 600,000 visitors stayed past the expiration of their visa, turning them into undocumented immigrants at risk of deportation. In response to the terrorist attacks in 2001 and how four of the terrorists being visa over stayers, the 9/11 Commission recommended a biometric entry/exit system which Congress approved and streamlined in 2004. Since then, Congress has appropriated funds for the it six times, and yet we have no system in place. This is inexcusable. A biometric entry/exit system is a must to keep better tabs on those entering the country and reduce the number of Visa over stayers. The scourge of human traffickers There is ample proof that many who use the backdoor method of entry are those who would be red flagged if they were forced to use the required procedure. A more thorough investigation by our officials would discover they have been accused or convicted of crimes in their country of origin as drug dealers, smugglers, gang members, and/or human traffickers. These people are clever. A common ploy is to claim to be a family at the border, when the truth is men are smuggling young girls and women into America for the highly profitable crime of prostitution. Thousands of young women who have been forced into prostitution once they arrive in America eventually become pregnant as victims of lose border restrictions. When that happens, these young girls are forced to have an abortion by their Handlers and are taken to one of our many Planned Parenthood facilities for the procedure. These clinics are safe for handlers because no questions are asked. Handlers claim the victim (woman) is their girlfriend and no attempt is made to ask questions that might allow the young woman to share the truth. It is not unusual for these trapped young prostitutes to end up with multiple pregnancies, which are quickly terminated each time by an abortion. The humane thing to do would be to force all who enter illegally to go through the proper government verification service. Even so, too many judges and Democrat leaders have more compassion for foreigners, even those who come illegally through our borders, than they do in protecting our citizens and/or the chance that some young girls and women may be brought by traffickers. A recent case in point is a San Diego judge who once again froze family deportations, wanting to allow separated migrant children to pursue their own asylum claims in the United States, rather than be deported with their parents. What are the ages of these children, and how does this judge know whether some of these young girls are being trafficked? Southern CA/Arizona as entry for unprecedented number of illegals An unprecedented number of foreigners have been allowed entry at our southern California/Arizona borders for decades, with the excuse these illegal immigrants were necessary to America because they were the only ones who would pick our strawberries or do other jobs Americans would not take. Consumers were warned that without these foreign workers strawberries would cost 10 times as much. In retrospect that would have been a bargain. Although no exact figures exist, we know those here illegally often commit crimes, and the cost to incarcerate them is shocking. When caught in a crime they are often given probation, thanks to our compassionate judges, skillful lawyers, and pro-immigration groups who represent them. Supporters of keeping U.S. immigration at high levels argue, with apparently convincing evidence, that immigrants as a group are no more crime-prone than the native-born. On Tuesday, August 21, 2018, an illegal immigrant was charged with first degree murder in the disappearance and death of Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts. Yet such an appraisal invites an age-old question, what's wrong with this picture? The explanation is that that much of the crime is not being reported. As immigrants are often victims of crimes committed by fellow immigrants, they are often too scared, bound by custom, or fearful of deportation to report the crime. Also, FBI's crime figures reflect state and local crime reports, which often omit any mention of an offender's national identity. A study concluded a few years ago shows one inmate in a California prison for one-year costs $71,000.00. Some estimate the cost today is now even higher. As to the welfare programs illegals benefit from, the shocking national cost of illegal immigrants to Americans is estimated at a whopping $134,863,455,364 a year. Total taxes paid by these illegals is $18,968,857,700. That means illegal aliens are costing our nation $116 billion a year. Steven A. Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies, believes that a border wall would be a bargain. If a border wall prevented 160,000 to 200,000 illegal crossings (excluding descendants) in the next 10 years it would be enough to pay for the estimated $12 to $15 billion costs of the wall. Even Cato Agrees: A Border Wall Can Pay for Itself. The Opioid crisis involves porous Mexican border The fentanyl that has taken over American's drug market, begins in China, flows through Mexico and into the U.S. This pipeline funnels 80 percent of the drug through the San Diego border before dispersing throughout the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2016 fentanyl-type drugs were responsible for killing nearly 20,000 people in this nation, and now the figure is much higher. Fentanyl is so potent that the equivalent of a few grains of table salt can be fatal. Mexican drug cartels often take bulk pure fentanyl from China and then cut it with any number of substances, from heroin to cocaine to methamphetamine to cheap fillers such as sugar and acetaminophen. First developed in 1960 as a powerful painkiller and surgery anesthetic without the side effect of nausea, fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and up to 50 times stronger than heroin. Few would deny that our judicial and immigration systems are broken. We need to speak up and demand our long-established immigration laws be strictly enforced and that chain migration, citizen birth and the lottery systems be abandoned to protect our own citizens from those who come here with an agenda to deliberately harm us. Most Democrats like it that way as a ploy to swell their voter base -- finding ways to justify protecting those here illegally and making it harder to deport them, even when they commit crimes in this nation -- as do many establishment Republicans who are beholden to the Business Round Table, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Koch Brothers for a cheap and constant supply off labor. And why wouldnt immigrants crash our borders with little fear of retribution? Those who know they would never be able to gain entrance legally, due to past or current crimes, will sneak in illegally or travel through specific borders where there are few or no barriers impede them. They also have nothing to lose in trying. If caught they are simply sent back to try again, and most succeed. Without proper vetting or required paperwork criminals are entering our nation and traveling freely throughout our country, as has been happening for decades. Court hearing not respected by illegals One of the major unspoken issues regarding immigration policy is how illegals skip court hearings, disappear into the shadows, and the government has no idea where they are. Whatever the laws on the books, even the most basic regulations are completely unobserved. Accordingly, whenever you hear congressmen assuring you that illegals will have to jump through certain regulatory hoops to get citizenship or legal status, you shouldn't believe them, as the regulations they are supposed to obey now don't. As reported by the Trump administration on August 16, 2018, on any given day nearly 20 illegal immigrant children skip their deportation hearings and disappear into the shadows, putting contours on the difficulty the government faces in trying to stop the flow and protect the children. Moreover, more than 200,000 of the juveniles, referred to as Unaccompanied Alien Children, have been released into communities in recent years and remain there, many ignoring deportation orders. This nations liberal welfare apparatus for illegals Our welfare apparatus is more liberal than that of any of the European democracies. It has reached the point that the rights and privileges accorded to citizens, illegal aliens and legal immigrants are nearly the same, and citizenship has become nearly meaningless. If the Democrats have their way, ICE and borders would be eliminated which would result in unlimited immigration and the ruining of America beyond redemption. It is not surprising that our Founders were fervent immigration restrictionists. They had just fought a bloody, protracted and expensive war to establish a nation built upon a new paradigm and were determined to protect what they had achieved from the influence of foreign populations with different political systems and cultural practices. In 1790, nearly two centuries after the first settlers arrived, just 0.3% of the population were identified as other than descendants of Northern European peoples, aside from the African slaves. Becoming a citizen in the early days was quite difficult. A person had to reside in the US for 14 years and declare their intent 5 years prior to applying for naturalization. While we are a compassionate people and may have sympathy for those who want a better life in America, we should not have any misplaced sympathy for those who ignore our immigration laws and procedures to enter illegally. Unless we the people speak out against this, and insist everyone must have the proper identification, go through the required procedures and processing, and qualify to enter the U.S.A. with proper documentation, these practices will continue and worsen every year. Americans need to understand that too many legal immigrants from one region, country, or ethnicity which is opposes our historical norms cripples our countrys ability to have a future that stays faithful to our past. In this way, unchecked immigration can literally and quickly alter the course of America. There are strong reasons why enterprises should join e-government procurement today In comparison to paper-based procurement, e-GP through the Vietnam National EProcurement System (VNEPS) brings many benefits to bidders, including: unlimited business opportunities, convenience and ease of use, fairness and transparency, as well as saving costs, time, and human resources. Unlimited business opportunities, especially with publicly-funded projects Through VNEPS, bidders have access to thousands of business opportunities from publicly-financed projects across the nation in all fields, ranging from the procurement of goods and civil works to consultancy and non-consultancy services. In 2017, VNEPS reported 8,100 e-procurement packages and 93,000 bidding invitations with the total value of VND9 trillion ($398 million). In the first six months of 2018, the number of e-procurement packages was 6,100, nearly double the 3,300 packages from the first half of last year. Some packages were valued up to VND194 billion ($8.6 million). Convenience and ease of use In order to provide the best services for procuring entities and enterprises, VNEPS is updated and upgraded instantly to suit the increasing demand of users. Particularly, a mobile application for e-GP, named Mua sam cong: au thau, is now available on both the iOS (https://goo.gl/ojRybP) and Android (https://goo.gl/RMSvT1) platforms. Transparency and fairness With VNEPS, every bidder has an equal opportunity to access information and participate in bidding. Bidders identity remains confidential and is only disclosed following a bid opening, which helps minimise collusion, which might occur in traditional procurement. Saving resources: saving time, human resources, money As all steps from searching for information to submitting bids are conducted online, bidders can save a lot of costs, for instance on acquiring bidding documents, printing bids, delivery, as well as saving time and human resources to prepare and submit bids. A global trend Having been successfully applied in many countries all over the world, e-GP has proven to be an inevitable trend in the 4.0 era. The Vietnamese government, therefore, set the roadmap to accelerate the application of VNEPS nationwide: by 2025, 100 per cent of procurement information will be public on the system and 100 per cent of government operational procurement activities and 70 per cent of public procurement governed by the law on procurement will be conducted online. Mitsuaki Shiogo, core-banking system implementation project director of Eximbank That is why the core-banking system is considered the nucleus of a banks information as well as other financial systems. The more effective the core banking system is, the more costs banks can save. Banks and financial institutions in Vietnam are in the process of upgrading or replacing their core system. Vietnam Export-Import Commercial Joint-Stock Bank (Eximbank), for instance has chosen the Infosys Finacle core-banking solution to replace its existing one. According to Mitsuaki Shiogo, core banking system implementation project director at Eximbank: In the context of the robust development of information technology and growing demand for high-tech banking products and services among customers, Eximbank is required to select an appropriate technological solution for its own. Infosys Finacle core banking software solution has been chosen thanks to its multi-functionalities and capabilities of providing various banking operations of wholesaling, retailing, capital and trade management, and online transaction support. "We do believe that the deployment of the new core banking system will enable Eximbank to create a breakthrough in exploiting existing products and services, developing more products and services, as well as managing risks and internal processes in a stricter and more effective way. he said. Each software solution have their own strengths. Infosys Finacle is known for its advantage in enabling banks to easily master the system operation process, develop products and services bank-wide to save time and labour, process online transactions, and accommodate multi-language and multi-currency trading requests, from which banks can improve centralised operations. Sajit Vijayakumar, chief operating officer at Infosys Finacle, said: The Vietnamese economy is on a robust growth trajectory supported by favourable demographics, proximity to major global supply chains, and a stable political climate. For banks to take advantage of this favourable tailwind, a modern technology platform is crucial to drive expansion and growth. With the new-generation Finacle platform, Eximbank will be able to effortlessly develop and launch new offerings, create new lines of revenue, and enable greater operational efficiencies. With this implementation, Eximbank will join a growing list of banks in Vietnam and financial institutions across the world, enabled with the industrys leading digital banking solution suite. Mitsuaki Shiogo also shared that Finacle is developed by Infosys, a large and prestigious company in India, and has been used by many major banks in the Southeast Asia, such as DBS in Singapore, RCBC and China Bank in the Philippines, as well as TMB and GHB in Thailand. Eximbank is now at the last stage of simulation before going live. A flooded house in Thanh Chuong Districts Thanh Xuan Commune. - VNA/VNS Photo Several roads connecting communes in the district have been rendered impassable after the water level rose to 1.2m. Four among the affected communes Thanh Xuan, Thanh An, Thanh Mai and Thanh Lam have been totally isolated from other areas by the flood. According to the districts Peoples Committee, 365 households have been evacuated. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 3,600ha of plants and aquatic products have been damaged. Thanh Xuan District, one of the hardest hit, has seen 50 houses claimed by the flood so far. Up to 103ha of rice, 30ha of cassava and 10ha of vegetables have been destroyed. Residents have to use boats to travel. Nguyen Thi Hoa, a resident of Xuan Nam Village, Thanh Xuan District said that the water rose so fast that people were unable to evacuate in time or take preventative measures. Another resident, Nguyen Canh Dien, told Vietnam News Agency that the water will probably recede very slowly. On Tuesday afternoon, Nguyen Van Que, chairman of Thanh Chuong Districts Peoples Committee said that local authorities had ordered schools in heavily-flooded and unsafe areas to cancel classes. Forces from authorised agencies have been on duty around the clock to respond to any incidents. Flooding from the river has turned peoples lives into chaos not only in Thanh Chuong District but also in other areas along the Lam River, such as Do Luong, Nam Dan and Hung Nguyen districts. It is because 55 per cent of Vietnams 93 million people use the internet. Vietnam has a large young population who can rapidly adapt to new technologies. Besides, the countrys smartphone app usage increases by 21 per cent annually. The rate of smartphone users in Vietnam is very high, at 85 per cent of the population in urban areas and 68 per cent in rural areas. The ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship in the Fourth Industrial Revolution conference Vietnam is also striving to become one of the worlds 10 largest nations producing software and providing digital content, with about one million people working in the IT sector. Vietnam is also making great efforts to achieve more sustainable growth based on improved growth quality and capitalising on Industry 4.0 to increase labour productivity and competitiveness and then rise in the global value chains, said Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Vietnam is determined to build a facilitating government by improving the countrys business and investment climate in favour of people and enterprises, especially the younger generations, improving the quality of education, and promoting the startup spirit, creativity, and dynamism of the whole nation, Son said. According to Tran Dinh Thien, former head of the Vietnam Economics Research Institute, as a member of the ASEAN, Vietnam must join hands with other ASEAN nations to boost the application of high-technologies in all sectors, based on its great potential in internet usage, smartphones, and young people. Industry 4.0 is rapidly changing the region and Vietnam itself. If Vietnam fails to have proper solutions to meet Industry 4.0 requirements, it will fall behind other nations, Thien said. The ASEAN is the sixth biggest economy in the world, with a population of about 630 million, 260 million of who frequently access the internet. The internet-based economy in Southeast Asia is expected to have a total value of $200 billion by 2025, or 6 per cent of the regions GDP. This is a big market for innovation and the quick development of new business models in the region and Vietnam. The Fourth Industrial Revolution refers to a set of highly disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, blockchain, and 3D printing, that are transforming social, economic, and political systems and putting pressure on leaders and policy-makers to respond. The ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship in the Fourth Industrial Revolution conference is part of many activities organised ahead of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN in Hanoi (WEF ASEAN 2018) which will be organised on September 11-13. Thousands of experts, CEOs, and journalists, as well as all regional heads of state or government will participate in WEF ASEAN 2018. The meeting will take place under the theme ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. North Korea ramped up its nuclear and missile testing programme over the last few years. (Photo: AFP/STR) "The continuation and further development of the DPRK's nuclear programme and related statements by the DPRK are a cause for grave concern," said a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), referring to North Korea's official name. The report, published late Monday (Aug 20), by the director general of Yukiya Amano is to be submitted to an IAEA board meeting in September. In 2009 Pyongyang expelled IAEA inspectors from its Yongbyon nuclear site and has since refused to allow IAEA inspections on its territory. The watchdog has stepped up monitoring through open source information and satellite imagery, it said. "As the Agency remains unable to carry out verification activities in the DPRK, its knowledge of the DPRK's nuclear programme is limited and, as further nuclear activities take place in the country, this knowledge is declining," it said. Between late-April and early-May, there were indications of the operation of the steam plant that serves the radiochemical laboratory at the Yongbyon site, according to the report. However, the duration of the steam plant's operation was not sufficient to have supported the reprocessing of a complete core from the experimental nuclear power plant reactor, it added. North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump held a groundbreaking summit in Singapore in June. At the meeting the pair struck a vague agreement to denuclearise the Korean peninsula, but there has been little movement since. Before this, Kim met South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April for their first summit. They agreed to push for a declaration of an end to the Korean War this year. Taiwan has seen a growing number of its few remaining diplomatic allies abandon it in favour of China AFP/Mandy CHENG Beijing has been using its economic clout to peel away international support for the democratically-ruled island, leaving it with only 17 diplomatic allies around the world. Taiwan vowed on Tuesday to fight China's "increasingly out of control" behaviour, as El Salvador became the third country to switch allegiances to China this year. Speaking in Taipei, President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan will not bow to pressure, describing the El Salvador move as further evidence of China's efforts to squeeze the island, which have included regular Chinese bomber patrols around Taiwan. "We will turn to countries with similar values to fight together against China's increasingly out-of-control international behaviour," Tsai said. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised El Salvador's decision to "recognise there is one China in the world". Salvadoran Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda, after signing a document with Wang establishing relations, said his country had made a "strategic decision" and taken the "correct and beneficial path for the people of both nations". The president of El Salvador, Salvador Sanchez Ceren, said in an address on national television Monday night: "I announce that my government has taken the decision to break diplomatic relations maintained until today between the Republic of El Salvador and Taiwan, and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China." The announcement in Beijing followed a decision by Taiwan to sever its ties with El Salvador after it learned the country was planning on recognising Beijing. Speaking in Taipei, foreign minister Joseph Wu condemned China's "crude actions". "We will not engage in dollar diplomacy with China," said Wu, adding that El Salvador had been asking for "huge funding" for a port development project which Taiwan was unwilling to give because it would leave both countries in debt. El Salvador's move leaves Taiwan with a dwindling number of allies around the world as a growing number switch recognition to China, which sees the self-ruling democratic island as a renegade part of its territory. "El Salvador has made the choice to commit itself to one China with no pre-conditions, thus standing with most countries in the world," Wang said in comments that seemed intended to pre-empt Taiwanese accusations that China had bought the small Latin American nation's loyalty. But, he added, the country "will get tangible gains from its partnership with China". Relations between Taipei and Beijing have worsened since president Tsai Ing-wen came to power as her government refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of "one China". China has stepped up its poaching of Taiwan's allies since Tsai became leader in 2016. El Salvador is the fifth diplomatic loss under her presidency. The small African nation of Sao Tome switched recognition to Beijing in late 2016, followed by Panama in June last year. Burkina Faso and Dominican Republic switched earlier this year. Taiwan and China have been engaged for years in a diplomatic tug-of-war in developing countries. Economic support and other aid are often used as bargaining chips for diplomatic recognition. Tsai's government is trying to enhance Taiwan's international profile but faces a concerted attempt by Beijing to shrink its space on global platforms. Beijing has stepped up pressure on her government by blocking Taiwan from attending a growing list of international events and staging a string of military drills around the island. Immigration is voters' #1 issue in most current polls. In neighboring Illinois, a Republican governor insists his state is not a sanctuary state , when numerous legal opinions differ - leaving voters confused and frustrated. Before signing into law a measure that protects immigrants from referrals to immigration authorities, Governor Rauner refused to hold a conversation with the Illinois families that have lost loved ones to those in the US illegally. The tragic story of Mollie Tibbetts' murder less than two hours west of East Moline, Illinois grabbed the public's attention Tuesday afternoon when law enforcement revealed her body had been found in an Iowa cornfield. When law officials said they filed first degree murder charges against a Mexican 24 year old that had been in the US illegally for four to seven years, the nationwide collective gasp was nearly audible. However, Governor Rauner wasn't hesitant to condemn a border policy that caused parents entering the US illegally to be separated from their children while awaiting court proceedings. Governor Rauner does not support this policy. He believes we need to secure our border and end illegal immigration, Rauner spokeswoman Rachel Bold said in a statement in June. But separating children from their parents is bad policy and heartbreaking. We can and should do better as a nation. Those comments continued to ignore families that have lost loved ones at the hands of illegal aliens. Eric Brady's wife Jeannie of Mahomet, IL was killed January 1, 2017 by a Guatemalan in the country illegally who was driving with an alcohol level three times the legal amount. He told Illinois Review last year that he was very disappointed in the new law. "I find this to be terribly disappointing. It's embarrassing to the honest Illinoisans, who work hard and care about the safety of their fellow Americans," Brady said. "It continues to underscore that the leadership of this State has no interest in the citizens it's sworn to serve. It proves once again that there is no fiscal responsibility in Springfield." After the announcement of Tibbetts' tragic death Tuesday, one immigration group stepped up to defend the number of families grieving the loss of a loved one in similar circumstances. "We are sad to learn that Mollie Tibbetts has joined the thousands of Americans who will lose or have lost their lives to illegal aliens on US soil in 2018 because DC lawmakers focus on Amnesty deal legislation instead of the adequate enforcement of America's existing border and immigration laws," declared William Gheen, President of Americans for Legal Immigration PAC. "Crimes committed by illegals are mostly preventable and only occur because our government refuses to honor Article IV of the US Constitution, and refuses to fully enforce numerous existing immigration laws designed to protect American property, health, and lives from those who invade our states illegally." Gheen said research conducted in the world's largest archive of information on the topic of illegal immigration at ALIPAC.us that thousands of American lives are being lost to illegals each year. "While we do not have exact numbers, we hope that one day there will be a more accurate accounting by our government and that a new national memorial will be created to honor all of the fallen Americans like Mollie Tibbetts who died because DC special interests have sabotaged our immigration existing laws," he said. Tibbetts' family drew attention to their daughter's disappearance July 18th, and sought for tips with hopes of recovering Mollie. Law enforcement said Tuesday the accused admitted following Mollie as she was jogging near her home, then he says he blacked out and came to at the location where the body was found. The accused directed police to that location outside Brooklyn, Iowa. Receiving the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigrants, Gibran Bassil, his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, has again lifted the veil on the actual functioning of the United Nations [1]. According to the Charter, the purpose of the Organization is to peacefully settle differences between nations. However, since July 2012, the real power is no longer held by the Secretary General, but by his "number 2": the Director of Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman. Out of control, he uses the UNs means to maintain the war throughout the "expanded Middle East". Sergey Lavrov revealed that, concerned about the lack of Unescos involvement in Palmyras restorations despite its commitments, he had finally discovered that this UN agency had been banned by Feltman from fulfilling its mission. It turns out that in October 2017, Jeffrey Feltman issued a secret directive to all agencies and departments of the Organization prohibiting them from participating in any action that could help lift the Syrian economy. The Security Council has not been informed of this initiative. Former US ambassador to Beirut, then Hillary Clintons deputy for the wider Middle East, Jeffrey Felman had already written, when he took office in New York in July 2012, a plan for total and unconditional surrender of the Syrian Arab Republic [2]. On this basis, he foiled all peace negotiations, led by Kofi Annan, Lakhdar Brahimi or Stefan de Mistura. Lavrov said he informed the new UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and asked him to clarify the situation. This is the first time that Russia has publicly questioned the real authority of the UN Secretary-General over his own services. Interviewed by the Tass Agency at the New York headquarters, Organization spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that for the moment, the UN was concentrating on finding a "political solution" in Syria [3]. At the same press briefing in Moscow with his Lebanese counterpart, Sergei Lavrov also revealed that the attacks on the liberated areas of southern Syria are carried out by fighters based in the Rukban refugee camp. Moreover, the camp is protected by US forces from the illegal Al-Tanf base (Jordanian border) and is inaccessible to international observers. On August 13, 2018, British Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt assured the House of Commons that he regretted the 2013 vote in which Parliament opposed a military intervention against the "Assad regime" ( sic). However, according to The Times of August 21, the British government will reduce its support programs for "rebel" areas in Syria. So far, the UK is funding local communities in the Idleb region. In fact, this area is occupied by jihadists from all over the country. Each locality is run by different armed groups, who often fight each other. Turkey, the United Kingdom and France provide all their supplies. Most importantly, the Turkish army and the British SAS (Special Forces of the Air Force) occupy the area de facto. Meanwhile, Syria and Russia are preparing to storm the jihadists. Bob Odenkirk has come a long way, baby: from a young upstart host of a racy, off-beat HBO sketch-comedy show to a distinguished celebrity starring in an award-winning AMC drama that was renewed for its fifth season before the fourth season had even aired. But fame has taken its toll on the beloved actor, evident in his recent mooning of the press as he showed off a Better Call Saul butt tattoo to celebrate the shows renewal. And now hes fallen victim to another classic Hollywood success cliche: He has an entourage now. He may not know who they are, but as with every entourage, hes grown to hate them. Unfortunately, they have rules about this kind of thing, as it turns out hes not the first big shot to try and dump his entourage on Team Coco. Related Photo: Getty Images This weeks episode of Castle Rock, The Queen, is a gift to Stephen King fans, classic movie fans, and TV fans alike. Above all, its a showcase for the legendary Sissy Spacek, who gives one of the years best single-episode performances in a stunning, hour-long examination of when inner and outer horror collide. Her Castle Rock character, Ruth Deaver, is suffering from dementia, making her grip on reality even more tenuous as the world around her gets increasingly dangerous. The episode ends with a heartbreaking tragedy, made all the more resonant by the emotional gravity brought to it by Spacek. Vulture spoke with the legendary actress earlier this week about filming the episode, what makes Castle Rock unique, and her illustrious Hollywood career including films like Carrie, 3 Women, and Coal Miners Daughter. Lets talk about this incredible episode. Oh my gosh, I have to interview you! Ive only seen what I did ADR for. Of course, I was there when we were shooting. Now that Ive been watching and having to wait, its kinda neat. Its nipping at our heels. Im excited to watch it at one minute after midnight tomorrow night. Oh, youll be happy. Its so beautifully constructed in the way it weaves in and out of memory. We had a wonderful director, Greg Yaitanes. Wow. Hes quite something. How far in advance did you know this episode was coming? Did they tell you it was building to episode seven? This was the carrot that they dangled. It was the character of Ruth Deaver that intrigued me. They said that shes living a horror within a horror. How does the real, true horror of whats happening to her mind compare to the horror thats happening in the town of Castle Rock? That was the thing that made me want to do it. Did you do any research into dementia? Oh yes. I read a book called Memorys Last Breath, which was written by a woman who was suffering from dementia, but she was a brilliant woman. Reading that, shes talking about it and writing about it and youre experiencing it with her. Youre aware of what her challenges are. As little as trying to get yourself dressed. All the typical things that weve seen in so many beautiful films. There have been a lot of wonderful films made about dementia. The one made by Sarah Polley! [Away From Her.] Julie [Christie]. Oh my God! That was such a beautiful one. To add this to the Stephen King universe really intrigued me. There was Stephen King, there was J.J. Abrams, Sam Shaw, Dustin Thomason. Robin Sweet, one of our line producers. The cast was spectacular. At this time in my career, Im looking for not just a wonderful character but a wonderful project and working with talented people who give it everything they got. What was the most difficult part of capturing Ruths dementia? As an actress, arent you trained to know where your character is and what she wants in any moment? But you have to throw that away here. How difficult is that as a performer? Well, I havent seen the whole thing, so I dont know if I pulled it off! [Laughs.] The challenge was actually getting this little Southern tongue of mine to behave and do a Maine accent. Because of that, I had to work diligently on the scenes. As soon as I get them, I work on the dialect. And then, its unbelievable what you can find on the internet in terms of dementia real families and what theyve been through. Quite frankly, dementia patients and Alzheimers patients manifest the illness in different ways. There are similarities. Theres a lot of fear that permeates. Everything becomes heightened for her. Its heartbreaking. To me, the project was just so lovely. Scott Glenn, Melanie Lynskey, Jane Levy, Andre Holland, Frances Conroy who, I might add, did the best Maine accent Ive ever heard in my life [Laughs] Terry OQuinn! Noel Fisher! I thought he was stellar. Ann Cusack, shes so incredible. Thats been exciting for me. Its been fun waiting for Tuesday nights. Lets talk some more about one of your co-stars, Scott Glenn. Your dynamic with him is so important to how this episode plays out. What did he bring that other actors wouldnt have brought? I dont know how to answer that exactly what anyone else would have brought but, to me, he was Pangborn. Ive known Scott for 40 years, and my husband worked with him as a P.A. on their first film, six or seven years before Jack [Fisk] and I met. And we worked together on a film called The River. He had his wife, Carol, and his teenage daughters. I was there with Jack and our 11-month-old daughter Schuyler. So, weve had this long friendship. Five or ten years will go by and then well catch up with each other. Hes been with his wife for 50 years, so he obviously understands that kind of devotion. And I do as well. We had such fun working together. All of these actors are at the top of their game. How incredible is it to be a part of this ensemble? You had it something similar in Bloodline, which was also an ensemble piece. Why do you think TV is drawing such dense, talented ensembles? Its the new world of TV. You have a lot of freedom. Cable and digital channels have the artists as we say in the horse world, They let them have their head. They loosen the reins and let em go. Theres a beauty in that. Actors and filmmakers, everybody wants a good story. These blockbusters, these huge films, that hire a lot of actors and thats a great thing, but now theres not just big films and small films theres something in between in television. Im really grateful for it. Its a heyday well be talking about in 20 years. Have you kept up with Stephen Kings work since Carrie? Why do you think people love it so much? As a reader, as a storyteller, you trust his stories. Hes got one foot in reality and one foot in the stars. Its psychological and its character-driven. One of the things thats so good about Castle Rock is it captures that spooky kind of thing thats elusive. Its hard to describe. Our emotions, our fears and then, somehow, they get humor in there. Also, hes who we know. Hes that great writer that has been plopped down during our lifetime. Hes part of our culture. We know him. We feel safe with him, even though he scares us. Especially in a film like Carrie. Do you still watch your old work? Oh my gosh, I do! Sometimes its accidental. Sometimes theres a new Blu-ray version. Badlands, 3 Women, In the Bedroom, Carrie, Coal Miners Daughter those are a part of me. Theyre like old friends. Mainly, the thing about all of these films Ive been a part of is that I think about all of the elements that have to work. You go to do a project with the highest ideals and the biggest hopes and dreams that it will be not just what we think it is but that collaboration. Its like reaching out for a doorknob and getting an electric shock. Its that shock youre looking for when everyone works together. How do you know when the shock will be there? You start to recognize elements in other films that had that. Whoever has the best ideas. Everybody speaks up. Everybody is a part of it. But you dont know. Thats the scary part. Its about collaborators. And, on this [episode], the collaborators were working so hard that I thought, Well, if it doesnt work, it wont be for lack of trying. Harvey Weinstein. Photo: Pool/Getty Images Actress Emma Loman has filed a lawsuit against disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, alleging he raped her at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006, The Guardian reports. In a lawsuit filed on Monday in Los Angeles, the German actress states that she first met Weinstein at the Venice Film Festival in 2004 and he invited her to Cannes to talk about her career. According to the complaint, Loman was initially reluctant to go, but Weinsteins assistant called her up to 30 times a day to convince her to accept his invitation. Weinstein and Loman had several meetings at Cannes she states in her lawsuit that she found him to be professional at first and eventually he invited her up to his hotel room for further discussion. Upon arriving at Weinsteins suite Weinstein quickly dropped his professional demeanor. He instead overpowered Loman and raped her, the complaint reads. The Guardian reports that, in her lawsuit, Loman states that she stayed silent about the alleged assault out of fear that she wouldnt be believed or that her career might be damaged. The complaint further states that Loman only felt empowered to come forward following the surge of sexual assault and harassment allegations against Weinstein that sprung up in the fall of 2017 including several other instances in which actresses accused the former titan of luring them to hotel rooms under the guise of business meetings and subsequently assaulting them. The allegations against Weinstein reignited the #MeToo movement which has since spread to other industries. Loman is suing for assault, violation of human trafficking laws, battery and false imprisonment. Weinstein is currently on trial in New York federal court on rape charges. From Pale Horse Rider, by Mark Jacobson, to publish September 4 by Blue Rider Press, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright 2018 by Mark Jacobson. Behold a Pale Horse, by Milton William Cooper. Photo: Hannah Whitaker for New York Magazine Milton William Bill Cooper (19432001), while largely unknown in the hated mainstream media, was the most important conspiracy writer and thinker of his time. Chances are individuals like Alex Jones, QAnon, and even Donald Trump would not have manifested the way they have without the influence of Bill Cooper and his book Behold a Pale Horse, which, 27 years after it was first published in 1991, remains the primer of the new American paranoid canon. Coopers life, from his military service as a riverboat captain in the Vietnam War through intense exploration of the fringe culture of UFOs, the Kennedy assassination, the Knights Templar, radical patriot militias, and the 9/11 Truth movement, ended the only way it could have. In November 2001, as he predicted on his shortwave-radio show, The Hour of the Time, Cooper was shot dead in a gunfight with police on the doorstep of his hilltop home in eastern Arizona. Long before that, however, the influence of Coopers work had extended to unexpected places like Harlem and the New York housing projects that gave birth to hip-hop. Nowadays you can buy a copy of Behold a Pale Horse from Walmart for $17.34 with two-day shipping. But if you want to know how Bill Coopers book came to Harlem, the fastest way is still the A train to 125th Street. From there, walk east to between Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevards, which is where, if hes in the mood, you can find Bro. Nova at his sidewalk table across from the world-famous Apollo Theater. All varieties of items can be bought from street vendors on 125th Street: vats of sheaf butter, aphrodisiac tinctures, copies of old Bruce Lee and Pam Grier movies, $12 Louis Vuitton pocketbooks made in Shenzhen. But even though hes spent more than half his life as a 125th Street merchant, Bro. Nova, a tall and sleek man now in what looks to be his early 40s, has always stuck with books. It is a matter of continuity, Nova said. That was because, no matter how much they gentrify the neighborhood, In the Beginning, there was the Word, and long after all this shit has been washed to the sea, there will still be the Word. Among the most celebrated of Harlem booksellers was Lewis Michaux, who for 40 years ran what he called the House of Common Sense, Home of Proper Propaganda at the corner of 125th Street and Seventh Avenue. Michauxs bookstore claimed to contain nothing less than the world history on 2,000,000,000 (two billion) Africans and non white peoples. Hot-selling volumes were touted with ads reading, The God Dam White Man is the title of this Book. Read it! Bro. Nova and his fellow merchants carry on the tradition. On their tables are the classics, Ralph Ellison, Richard Wright, Toni Morrison, a hard-boiled Donald Goines. Beside these are dog-eared tomes like Yurugu: An African Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior, by Marimba Ani, and Are Caucasians Edomites?, by Dr. Malachi Z. York, founder of the Nuwaubian Nation, who is currently serving a 135-year sentence in the Feds Florence, Colorado, supermax. It might seem a reach to find Behold a Pale Horse in this company, but Bro. Nova and his friends have done a brisk business with Coopers book for decades. Seventeen years after his demise, Bill Cooper retains considerable name recognition on 125th Street. Mention of him and/or Behold a Pale Horse rang a bell with a surprisingly high number of people of a certain age who identified themselves as longtime Harlem residents. Most people, anyone who once thought of themselves as radical in any way, knows William Cooper, said one dapper-looking man standing under the marquee of the Apollo. Behold a Pale Horse, we used to just call it The Book. Others recalled talks given by the late Steve Cokely, an African-American independent researcherstreet speaker who occasionally referenced Cooper. In the middle of a presentation on topics like Cointelpro, Cokely would pick up a copy of Behold a Pale Horse and say, Lets see what the white boy has to say about this. Still one of the most-shoplifted books in Barnes & Noble history, the popularity of Behold a Pale Horse began in prison, places like Attica, Clinton/Dannemora, Green Haven, and Sing Sing, where Coopers extreme paranoid view made complete sense. Besides, as Bro. Nova said, Where else were people going to read it? Back then everyone was in jail. Or dead. This had the ring of truth. In 1990 and 1991, 5,077 people were murdered in New York, by far the highest two-year total in city history. It was the crack plague, and a new generation of griots arose to speak truth to the ongoing trauma of urban life. Many of the rappers who emerged during the early 1990s, the great Wu-Tangs, the formidable Nas of the Queensbridge Houses, were deeply influenced by the Five Percenters, a.k.a. the Nation of Gods and Earths. The movement had been founded in the late 1960s by Clarence Edward Smith, a.k.a. Clarence 13X, and eventually Father Allah. Kicked out of Elijah Muhammads Nation of Islam for heresy and gambling, Father Allah said it was necessary for black men and women to become lyrical assassins. The tongue was the sword, Father Allah said, and when properly sharpened, it could take more heads with the word than any army with machine guns could ever do. Clockwise from top left: Nas, ODB, Tupak, Busta Rhymes, Rakim, RZA, and Prodigy. Photo: Getty Images For many lyrical assassins, Bill Coopers Behold a Pale Horse became a key text. Rappers who have mentioned Cooper or his book include the Wu-Tang Clan, Big Daddy Kane, Busta Rhymes, Tupac Shakur, Talib Kweli, Nas, Rakim, Poor Righteous Teachers, Gang Starr, Goodie Mob, Suicideboys, Boogiemonsters, Wise Intelligent, Public Enemy, Miz MAF, Aslan, Lord Allah, Ras Kass, and the Lost Children of Babylon, who told their listeners to prepare to meet your fate like William Cooper when the storm troopers breach your gate. The key to Coopers appeal, said Ol Dirty Bastard, he of blessed memory and court jester of the Wu-Tang Clans early Behold a Pale Horse adapters. Everybody gets fucked, ODB told me when we spoke in 2004. William Cooper tells you whos fucking you when youre someone like me, thats valuable information. One of Coopers biggest acolytes was the late Prodigy, who along with Kejuan Muchita, a.k.a. Havoc, made up the classic NYC hip-hop duo Mobb Deep. Once I asked Prodigy if it was true, as hed said on a rap website, that he had read the 500-page, densely typed Behold a Pale Horse four times. No. Thats a misquote, the rapper replied. I read it six times. I needed to get that shit right and exact before I went out there. William Cooper wrote what everyone kind of knew, Prodigy said. For many in the black community, it was common knowledge that the CIA was bringing dope into the ghetto to further enslave the people. What was the big surprise that, as Cooper claimed, AIDS had been whipped up in a test tube at Fort Detrick (home to MKUltra) as a plan to wipe out Africa? The fact that Cooper was a former naval intelligence officer, a big fat white guy who lived in Arizona, only made it all the more believable. It was Prodigy who helped bring Coopers message of widespread mind control to the larger hip-hop audience. He did it in a single verse, in the 1995 video for the remix of LL Cool Js I Shot Ya. Filmed in dramatic black and white, the rapper stands in an alley and lets out the 411 of the perpetually harassed. The Illuminati wants my mind, soul, and my body, Prodigy rapped. Secret societies trying to keep their eye on me. As many hip-hop listeners attest, this was the first time theyd ever heard of the Illuminati, the malign presence allegedly behind so much of what was wrong with the world. After Jay-Z picked up the phrase in his 1996 album Reasonable Doubt, the meme predictably blew up. But, as Prodigy told me, the first place he saw the word Illuminati was in Behold a Pale Horse. If Prodigy began the first generation of Cooper-influenced rappers, Andrew Kissel, a Newark, New Jersey, MC who performs under the name William Cooper, was the start of the next. The William Cooper reference kept coming up in Google searches. The first item that jumped out was a YouTube Cooper made for his 2009 debut album, Beware of the Pale Horse. Entitled American Gangsters, the video begins with a menacing plinking of a childs music box. Then, set against an image of barbed wire twisted into the pattern of a double helix, the voice of William Cooper arrives with an all-inclusive jaccuse. The CIA wants my DNA wiped off the planet! 9/11 terrorism, the rapper declares. The secret government planning / Gave birth to the recession / Now the worlds in a panic / Another amber alert got the sheeple running frantic. Shouting out an RIP to his namesake (Rest in peace, William Cooper!), the rapper says he and his crew are on top of the plot, the puppet masters pulling strings for the microchip future. William Cooper turned out to be an interior-lineman-size white guy in his middle 30s, wearing a long yellow T-shirt over knee-length cutoff jeans, whod been raised in a lower-middle-class family in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Originally he rapped as part of a duo, Booth and Ozwald. We wanted money, dead presidents; we figured that was the best way to get them, William Cooper said. It wasnt until 2005 that Killah Priest, an esteemed member of the Wu-Tang extended family, suggested he change his stage name to William Cooper. Priest said, you should be William Cooper, Kissel recalled. I didnt know what he was talking about. I never heard of William Cooper. Priest said, Go to the bookstore, get a copy of Behold a Pale Horse, read it, and come back and tell me if Im right or wrong. Kissel read through Behold a Pale Horse with interest. There was some crazy stuff in there, nutty ideas about UFOs, but a lot of it made sense. Something wasnt right in the country, people werent as free as they thought they were and deserved to be. So Andrew Kissel told Killah Priest, yeah, okay, hed be William Cooper. Ten years later, even his mother calls him Cooper. As for Bill Cooper, hes called Milton William Cooper so no one gets mixed up. It was a lot better than naming yourself after some drug dealer like Noreaga or Rick Ross, Kissel thought. He was a patriot, Kissel said of William Cooper. I like that, because I am a patriot too. I am a proud American. This country was supposed to have been built to question authority, to hold the people in power accountable. Not to bite your tongue. A few months later, William Cooper gave a listening party for his new album, Gods Will, at New Yorks Quad Studios. It was a famous spot. Tupac got shot there in 1994. The Quad also offers a boffo view of Times Square from its tenth-floor window. On this particular night, the tourist hubbub was interrupted. It was a few nights after Freddie Gray had been killed riding in the back of a Baltimore police van. Protesters were down there, duking it out with the NYPD. Watching the confrontation from above, William Cooper said it was an omen, a possible sign of things to come, but unlike his clairvoyant muse, William Cooper was not about to predict what those things might be. *This article appears in the August 20, 2018, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now! J. D. Pardo on Mayans M.C. Photo: Prashant Gupta/FX Mayans M.C. is the follow-up to Kurt Sutters long-running FX gang drama Sons of Anarchy, featuring a mostly Latino cast and focusing on a chapter of a motorcycle club that started out as the Sons rivals but became their allies. The networks ads make it seem like the same show with different faces and bikes, and the first half of the pilot episode cements that impression. The hero, new recruit or prospect Ezekiel EZ Reyes (J. D. Pardo), is an intense young man with rock-hard abs and a wounded stare, like Sons Hamlet-esque figurehead Jax Teller. Much of the plot of the first two episodes revolves around the smuggling and sale of drugs (the Sons of Anarchy pilot started with the Mayans breaking into a Sons warehouse to steal weapons). The stuttering rumble of Harley-Davidson engines is as much a part of the soundtrack as the rock and blues songs. The action is set in communities on the California-Mexico border that feel like flatter, drier versions of spaces where the Sons rolled. Every now and then, bikers will get into a chase, crash, or gunfight that would be front-page news in reality but seems unremarkable in this context. There are references to recent wars and existing government organizations (here, its mainly the DEA) and defunct cartels, but much of the show is set in a spatiotemporal bubble, rarely referring to anything but itself. This is the kind of world where men shake hands and agree to help one another through thick and thin, then one of them disappoints the other and dies of lead poisoning. In the very first episode, the Mayans, who serve as local muscle for the Galindo cartel, lose a shipment of heroin in a hijacking and have to find and punish the individuals responsible, only to discover that simple payback is impossible. Once you get past all the familiar elements, Mayans M.C. turns into a show with its own personality and focus, though by no means a great one, a detriment in an ultracompetitive TV environment where series that arent perfectly formed right out of the gate tend to hemorrhage viewers by the episode. Sometimes the series serves up a sharp character bit, such as the one about EZs dad, a butcher-shop owner played by Edward James Olmos, coolly regarding a man who dared to threaten his boy, or a kicky visual flourish, like the opening shot of the second episode, which follows a scorpion crawling across the ground and settling on a discarded pistol. These moments stand out more than they would on a series where every moment dazzles, and they tend to get you thinking about what mightve been. Loyalty was never a given on Sons, which took a Godfather-like delight in showing friends and family members double-crossing each other even as they battled common enemies; here, its often hard to tell whom to trust because the relationships between people and organizations are tangled, and the scripts withhold key pieces of information to create surprise. Youll have mixed feelings rooting for some of these characters this was true on Sutters flagship series, and The Shield, which Sutter helped write and produce, and The Sopranos, the godfather of this kind of show but in all those cases, the question boiled down to simple moral-cognitive dissonance: Is it okay to love these characters because theyre the heroes and theyre passionate and funny and suffer, even though a lot of them are sadistic sociopaths for whom love and tribal loyalty are inseparable? Things get even thornier on Mayans M.C. because the shows morality has a nesting-doll structure. A set of actions might seem perfectly justifiable in one context, then abhorrent once you get a new piece of information, and then itll seem acceptable again once Sutter and his co-creator, Elgin James, drop a third bit on you, putting a frame around a frame around a frame. Im being vague here because the first couple of episodes pivot on bombshell revelations that change our frame of reference, then change it again, and again. Its mildly pleasurable, in an age of social-media plot-guessing, to always be half a step behind the plot. But so far, few of the characters resonate except as variations on previously established cable-crime-show types, though you might come away thinking about Johnny Coco Cruz (Richard Cabral), a Mayan whos shaping up to be the kind of icy-funny hard case that Don Cheadle sometimes plays; Olmoss butcher with his Chekhovian cleaver (a skilled meat-cutter always comes in handy on shows like this); and Miguel Galindo (Danny Pino), the son of the Galindo cartels founder, whos the sort of person who can order the torture and murder of a man connected to the hijacking and then go home and dote on his wife and child. The low-key machismo of the series wears out its welcome in part because there are so few women and/or noncriminal characters to provide contrast, although theres good work from Alexandra Barreto as the lesbian mayor of Santo Padre and Carla Baratta as Adelita, a woman who saw her family murdered by the cartel as a child and wants revenge; hopefully in time well see female characters as rich as the ones Maggie Siff, Drea de Matteo, Robin Weigert, and Katey Sagal played on Sons. In the end, the biggest problem is that the universe created here by Sutter and James feels more like the product of research plus flights of fancy than of a burning need to communicate lived experience. Youre aware that youre looking at subtle variations on a template rather than recoiling from the shock of seeing something uncategorizably bold and new. Jamess own story is as fascinating and troubling as anything depicted on the series: He is Irish, black, Dominican, and Native American; he was adopted; and he spent his teenage years homeless on the streets of Boston. He also co-founded Fuck Shit Up, a gang created to confront skinheads preying on street kids and nonwhite people. The shows attraction-repulsion to violence and desire to reform criminals without robbing them of free will feel like authentic points of connection between the artist and the material, and the more thoughtfully that Mayans M.C. can examine them while showcasing the mayhem fans expect from a biker drama the stronger the show will become. *This article appears in the August 20, 2018, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now! Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images During a lecture at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, actress, writer, and producer Michaela Coel revealed that she was sexually assaulted during the writing of her British comedy Chewing Gum. I was working overnight in the companys offices; I had an episode due at 7 a.m., Coel told the audience, speaking about her producers at Retort, which is owned by FreemantleMedia. She described blacking out and coming to consciousness hours later as she worked on the episode. I took a break and had a drink with a good friend who was nearby. I emerged into consciousness typing season two, many hours later. I was lucky. I had a flashback. It turned out Id been sexually assaulted by strangers. The first people I called after the police, before my own family, were the producers. Coel said she wasnt assaulted within the production companys offices, or by an employee. The producers ultimately sent Coel to a private clinic and funded her therapy until the end of the shoot. She also described their anxiety over her assault: Overnight, I saw them morph into an anxious team of employers and employees alike; teetering back and forth between the line of knowing what normal human empathy is and not knowing what empathy is at all, she said. When there are police involved, and footage, of people carrying your sleeping writer into dangerous places, when cuts are found, when theres blood what is your job? Photo: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office is currently reviewing a new sexual-assault case against Kevin Spacey. A second separate investigation into the actor for a different assault was launched previously in April. News also broke last month that Londons Metropolitan Police had opened a new investigation into assault allegations made by three different men against Spacey. This is in addition to previously reported investigations being conducted by London police and Scotland Yard. Meanwhile, authorities in Nantucket also opened an investigation against Spacey last fall. Numerous men have chosen to contact police about Spacey after Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp came forward last October about an incident in which an adult Spacey attempted to sleep with a 14-year-old Rapp. The now former House of Cards star made a statement in response to Rapps claim saying he didnt remember the incident, but apologized if it did happen. Spacey has not commented publicly on the many subsequent allegations against him. Alabaster police say a 43-year-old Amy Silver was arrested in the death of her 4-year-old daughter because she was driving under the influence when her car was struck by a train. WBRC-TV reports Silver was arrested by U.S. Marshals and charged with reckless murder in the death of her daughter, Sharon Smith. Silver was arrested at her home in Onenota and transferred to the Shelby County jail. Police said Silver stopped at the tracks, but ignored train signals and kept going through the intersection while a train was coming. Along with the reckless murder charge, Silver is also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, driving under the influence and disregarding a railroad warning device. Silver was also seriously injured in the crash that happened earlier this month. Her bond is set at $154,000. It was unknown if she has an attorney who could speak on her behalf. A Decatur Police Officer is on administrative duty right now after being accused of assault in Lawrence County. Court documents show Lt. Archie Letson was arrested in May for an alleged incident that happened in April. Letson did enter a not guilty plea when arrested and bailed out on a $1,500 bond. Letson is charged with assault in the 3rd degree of a minor. Court documents say Letson caused injury by slapping the victim twice on the face, the second time causing pain and the eyes to water, grabbing the victim by the hair and slinging the victim to the ground causing the victims forehead to hit the ground, nose to bleed, and lip to burst, and gouging victim in the eyes and stating youd better not ever slap me again you little S***. Letson has a bench trial set for September 13th. He could face up to a year in prison if convicted. An incident that reportedly started on the interstate Tuesday evening led authorities on a search for someone driving a red car. TV5 spoke with a man who lives in Lincoln and drives a red car. He says around 8:30 Tuesday night State Police arrived at his apartment on Main Street, threw him to the ground and placed him in handcuffs. He says after he explained that he had been home all night authorities released him. State Police are yet to confirm the details of what happened. At this point the search for the people involved in what multiple reports indicate to be a road rage related incident continues. We will have more information on this story as it becomes available. Brass sound signaling devices have been stolen from buoys off the coast and the Coast Guard wants to know who took them. They are offering a cash reward for information concerning the stolen bells. It's believed whoever stole them sold them to nautical novelty shops or scrap metal yards. Tampering with the navigational items is a federal offense and can lead to a year in prison and fines of up to 25-thousand dollars per day. If you have information call 767-0303. Let me start by saying, when something bothers me I feel the need to address it and express my thoughts. As always, I dont mind you having a different opinion and the thoughts here are my own but supported by others. Last night I read an article about Congressman Steve King who stated that he believes we are heading toward a civil war. Opinion polls released say 37 percent of America believes this too. I agree but in no way support the extreme right or extreme left in this. I am a conservative republican but Im far from extreme. I support the President and while I dont believe in his tactics or even what he says sometimes, what he has done has brought jobs back and increased the economy. He is not what we are used to for politician; where, they say what you want to hear. We know the term Politically Correct which means dont say anything that will upset the apple cart and never fix the problems that face our great county. Yes, we are a great country unlike what Governor Cuomo said in a recent speech. He said America was never great. What a pompous ass! Pardon my language. Whats happening in America and mostly in cities is a hatred, not only to the President, but to democracy, the constitution, law enforcement and human dignity. Ive been a cop for a long time and when I first became one in New Jersey in the 70s we were trained in rioting and the riot/mob mentality. Further, we knew that there were professional agitators literally paid by outsiders and even the former USSR. Today, the same thing is happening. One point in fact is the tragedy in Parkland Florida with a school shooting, after that some of the best most charismatic and well-spoken students (some not even from the school) went to Washington D.C. to support gun control. Busloads of students participated to voice their opinion. What wasnt known was this was bought and paid for by the left wing media who have an agenda (reported by Fox News) to sell air-time and make more money. The leftwing media will stop at nothing to have sensationalism and even pay for it. Here is my professional analysis as a law enforcement officer, international peacekeeper, senior law enforcement adviser for the State Department, former counter-intelligence team lead and advisor/instructor to U.S. Army NORTHCOM/Defense Support of Civilian Authority (DSCA). All around the world weve seen how small groups of haters and so-called socialists can topple a functioning democratic government. In America, what we are seeing in a disrespect for government and especially those who protect us those are the dedicated professional law enforcement officers of our great country. The media has portrayed us as blood thirsty, torturous murders based on a five second cell phone video clip. There is always two sides of every story and frankly there are a few bad ones (Ive witnessed a few) out of over a million local, state and federal law enforcement officers. Too many times when the media captures a bad event they quickly claim its the cop who is wrong. The mainstream media never takes the blame for their false reporting. A really good example is the Ferguson shooting where a cop was brutally beaten by a thug and in his last effort to arrest the punk, the guy charged the officer. Im sure the officer thought he was going to die if he didnt draw his weapon, command the thug to stop and shoot him. Ive been fortunate to survive several people I had to fight and struggle with to arrest without having to resort to shooting the perpetrator. By time the findings came out of the grand jury the whole country was whipped into a frenzy by the terrible actions of the media. That one bad bad incident, enflamed by the media, made it much more dangerous for every law enforcement officer in this country. I might add that the media made millions and millions dollars on the news reports and specials. In the last election most of the major cities either voted for Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. Both went to people who they knew would support them promising a very socialist view. Senator Sanders appealed to the college students who promised free tuition. Students loved this, most of whom will have staggering debt for their education. Both supported taxing the rich to give to the poor this would have brought about trillions of more dollars in debt. They were typical politicians who will promise the moon but never deliver on the promises. Many of the supporters were young, poor, immigrant and naive. I mean no disrespect to many who read this, who believe that the democrats were as they were in the past; who spoke their mind and followed through with great programs to rebuild our country after wars and the great depression. But the agenda and platform of the democrats today are far different than our forefathers. Here is how I can see the civil war starting. The major cities are going to have more and more protests that will be fed by the media. So far the police have used great restraint in the smaller locations like Portland, Oregon and Charlottesville, Virginia where extreme rightwing and extreme leftwing have clashed. I might add, that I believe in the right to organize peace protest but its not going to be peaceful when participants show up masks, goggles, helmets and weapons. I feel that these protests were test beds for what is coming. I foresee that in a major city with a large population of illegal immigrants and people who want more social benefits/entitlements (who dont want to work and earn a living) will protest. The trend has been increasing in violence and at some point the police will be overwhelmed. All it will take is one officer who feels his life is in danger to use deadly force which will spark a flame of even more violence. This violence will spread to every major city and the mainstream media will enflame it even more. Soon the National Guard will be called in and you imagine how the press will portray national guardsmen in riot gear and M-16 with fixed bayonets? Many of you remember what happened in Los Angeles and those riots over the Rodney King police assault. The Rodney King incident will be nothing to what is coming. A few paid agitators in a crowd and the press at the ready to capture the most horrific video they can. The sad thing is, there will be people who will assemble for a peaceful protest and even people who want to see the action who will be caught up in the violence brought on by a few radicals. I suspect the violence will continue so long as we have sensational press coverage. I pray that Im wrong with my prognostication but we are in a time of trouble; socially, politically and spiritually. I took an oath to defend our county against all enemies foreign and domestic. So long as I have a breath to breathe, I will not allow our great country to become the United Socialist States of America! Advertisement By Mike Cooper Aug. 21, 2018 | PADUCAH By Mike Cooper Aug. 21, 2018 | 09:30 PM | PADUCAH Commissioner Richard Abraham told the Paducah Board of Commissioners, that he believes the Keeton Correctional Facility needs to move out of Paducah. Commissioner Abraham led the Board through a discussion regarding the location of the Keeton Correctional Facility in a neighborhood, its ongoing issue with the escape of inmates, accountability and oversight from the State, and the City of Paducahs legal authority and options regarding the facilitys future. Abraham asked for the Board to get a legal opinion as to whether or not they have the authority to revoke Keeton's business license to operate in the City of Paducah. He said that after talking with residents in the neighborhood where the facility is located, and due to the fact that there have been over 160 escapes from the facility since 2013, moving elsewhere seems to be the only solution to fix the problem, and it is not good enough to just "treat the symptoms". He said the timely notification of an escape, while needed to protect the public, is not addressing the problem. Other commissioners and Mayor Brandi Harless said they would research the issue and it will be discussed in upcoming meetings. In other business at the meeting, National Quilt Museum Chief Executive Officer Frank Bennett, provided an update on the Museums attendance and local economic impact. He said the Museum receives visitors from more than 40 countries each year. Each visitor spends an average of $450 dollars in Paducah when the spending at hotels, restaurants, and shopping is totaled. Bennett also said the Museum has had a nearly 51% growth in admissions in seven years with nearly 34,000 visitors in 2017. Considering the visitors and their average spending coupled with the Museums annual budget and 23 employees on payroll, the estimated annual financial impact to the local economy is $17.4 million. Mayor Brandi Harless commented, I love hearing people say after visiting the museum that its not just about quilts. Its an art museum. The Board of Commissioners approved a municipal order to name the lake at Bob Noble Park after former Mayor Gerry B. Montgomery, who served as Mayor from 1988 until 1996. The lake will now be known as Lake Gerry B. Montgomery. Mayor Harless said, Mayor Montgomery is to credit for bringing back Noble Park to the community. She thought it was an asset to the community that needed to be preserved. Mayor Montgomery also founded the Paducah Ambassadors which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. She was honored at a celebration of the Paducah Ambassadors on Monday night. The municipal order states, The City of Paducah along with the Paducah Ambassadors desire to express their gratitude to former Mayor Montgomery for her dedication to the preservation and promotion of our community by formally naming the lake at Bob Noble Park in her honor. The Board of Commissioners also approved the following eight other municipal orders and one ordinance: Municipal Order approved ratifying Mayor Harless signature on the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Our Town grant application for the continued restoration of the Columbia Theater. The grant request is for $200,000 which requires a match that will be fulfilled by the Paducah Art House Alliance (PAHA), a non-profit organization interested in saving the 1927 theater. No city funds will be used. If awarded, the funding will be used for the next phase of restoration including engineering design, construction drawings, and theatrical and acoustical design. Municipal Order approved accepting the FY2018-2019 Edward Byrne Justice Accountability Grant award in the amount of $11,816. The funds will be used to purchase hand-held radios for the Paducah Police Department. Municipal Order approved accepting the 2018 Community Development Block Grant Award in the amount of $200,000 for the Four Rivers Center Point Recovery Center. An administration fee of $2500 will be paid to the City for administering the funding. Municipal Order approved to purchase outdoor fitness equipment in the amount of $51,157.19 for the Pat & Jim Brockenborough Rotary Health Park. The City of Paducah has been partnering with the Rotary Club of Paducah for this project. Municipal Order approved to purchase six pickup trucks from Linwood Motors in the total amount of $145,412. Two bids were received for this purchase. Municipal Order approved to purchase dumpsters with additional replacement parts and lids in an amount not to exceed $120,000 from Municipal Equipment, Inc. utilizing the Kentucky State contract price. Municipal Order approved for the annual contract for services between the City and Barkley Regional Airport with the City providing $110,000 to the airport. Municipal Order approved for an amendment to the Tyler Technologies Contract for the for the Munis Enterprise Resource Planning software project specifically related to the Codes & Permitting Phase. This amendment shifts funding that would have been used for software conversions to be used instead for 18 additional implementation days. This decreases the contract by $50. Assistant City Manager Michelle Smolen also outlined the upcoming features that the public will be able to access in 2019 including payment of business licenses and property taxes online and by credit card in addition to online applications for permits and plan review. Ordinance approved to close Adams Street from the intersection with South 25th until the street ends, South 24th Street from the intersection with Jackson Street until the street ends, and two alleys that parallel Adams Street on this block. The closures were requested by the Paducah Independent School District which owns the adjacent properties. The Planning Commission held a public hearing July 2 and made a positive recommendation for the closures. The closures are associated with the school districts planned Innovation Hub. The Board of Commissioners next meeting will be next Tuesday, August 28th, at 5:30 pm, in the Paducah City Hall Commission Chambers. By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 22, 2018 | 07:28 AM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY A McCracken County couple was arrested Monday on drug and stolen property charges. The McCracken County Sheriff's Office says detectives conducted an investigation that revealed that the couple was involved with illegal drugs. During the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for their home located in the 3000 block of Hardmoney Road. Fifty-three-year-old Jeffrey Conkwright and 49-year-old Krisa Conkwright were arrested during a traffic stop after detectives saw them leave the home. Detectives reportedly found methamphetamine and smoking pipes during the stop. During a search of the home, detectives allegedly found additional items of drug paraphernalia and a large commercial pressure washer that had been reported stolen earlier this month in McCracken County. The pressure washer is valued at approximately $4,000. Both Jeffrey and Krisa Conkwright were arrested and lodged in the McCracken County Regional Jail. Jeffrey Conkwright is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, receiving stolen property over $500 and possession of drug paraphernalia. Krisa Conkwright is charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. 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. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 21, 2018 | LA CENTER By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 21, 2018 | 06:23 PM | LA CENTER Mitigation work in the area of a creek bridge will require a work zone and lane restriction on U.S. Highway 60 just east of LaCenter, starting Wednesday. A lane restriction and a 45 mile speed limit will be in place near mile marker 12.5 in Ballard County at the bridge over a branch of Frazier Creek. This is near the intersection with KY 310/Turner Landing Road. Much of the contractors work will be on the right-of-way and won't impact traffic, but one-lane traffic controlled by flaggers will be needed at times to allow trucks to access the work site and drop off materials. One lane of traffic will be maintained at all times with the lane restriction removed when the contractor does not have construction activity at the site. Again, motorists traveling US 60 just east of Lacenter should be aware of this work zone and the structly enforced 45 mile per hour work zone speed limit. The scour remediation work at this site should be completed by October 31. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 22, 2018 | LIVINGSTON COUNTY By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 22, 2018 | 06:21 AM | LIVINGSTON COUNTY A Salem man was arrested Tuesday evening after a police pursuit in Livingston County. The Livingston County Sheriff's Office says a deputy was patrolling Tuesday at around 6 p.m. in the Lola and Salem areas due to several recent thefts in Livingston and Crittenden Counties. The deputy pulled over a westbound vehicle on US 60 driven by 22-year-old Clayton Dickerson of Salem. Deputies said Dickerson had an active arrest warrant for theft out of Crittenden County. Dickerson failed to stop, turned into a gas station parking lot and circled the building. He then turned onto KY 133 and a chase ensued. Dickerson wrecked his vehicle on Slocum Road near Lola and then fled on foot. Deputies caught up to him in a nearby soybean field and took him into custody. Dickerson was booked into the McCracken County Jail on charges of first and second degree fleeing or evading police, five counts of first degree wanton endangerment, driving without a license and other traffic offenses. Deputies said a woman in the vehicle also fled the scene. Her name hasn't been released, but deputies say charges against her are pending. By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 22, 2018 | 10:28 AM | HICKMAN COUNTY The second man wanted in connection with Monday's home invasion robbery in Graves County is now behind bars. The Graves County Sheriff's Office says the Kentucky State Police arrested 22-year-old Austin Jones, of Clinton, in Hickman County Wednesday morning. Jones was lodged in the Graves County Jail on charges of 1st degree robbery and tampering with physical evidence. Twenty-one-year-old Pedro Villegas III, of Mayfield, was arrested Tuesday on the same charges. Police say both men broke into a home on Piney Point, south of Mayfield, Monday afternoon with intentions of taking cash and other belongings. According to deputies, Villegas and Jones were dressed in black clothing, had ski masks over their faces and were armed with handguns. Deputies say a woman at the home was able to escape in her vehicle and call police. The two men stole a safe from the home, that was later found by deputies in a nearby creek. On Wednesday, deputies served a Graves County Circuit Court Bench Warrant for a probation violation on Villegas. Villegas was currently on probation through Graves County Circuit Court from a 2016 case where he entered a guilty plea to 2nd degree robbery. Villegas was still in the Graves County Jail on charges related to the home invasion robbery. Villegas's bond on the probation violation is $20,000. Representatives from the West Virginia Department of Transportation met on Wednesday, Aug. 15 with state and county officials concerning Governor Jim Justices Roads to Prosperity program and the effects it is having on the local area. The meeting took place at the District Six headquarters, located in Moundsville. Discussed were concerns of potholes, unpaved roads, slip repairs and lack of mowing. Wetzel County Delegate David Pethtel, thanked the Division of Highways personnel for the work they are doing; he said he has been doing his job for a long time, and he believes he works well with the DOH. However, he had concerns about the lack of mowing. I know some of you personally, and I have respect for your hard work, but I get a lot of calls about the need for mowing. I know some of the equipment is old and its tough, but Im not sure whether its a lack of manpower or finances or what. We just dont see the mowing like we used to, and the people I represent want to know why. If you can address the issue, I would like to know, so I can go back and have the answer when Im questioned. David Brabham, District Six Manager, and State Highway Engineer Aaron Gillispie both addressed the problem. They explained there is a combination of reasons, including shortage of manpower and old and outdated equipment. They said there is over 620 miles of roadways in the county, and they could and should be mowing everyday. However, personnel often have to address more important safety issues such as slips and potholes, which makes it difficult to take people off those jobs and put them on mowing. They said they are doing the best they can with what they have to work with; unfortunately they just dont have a budget that allows them to do everything. Our equipment budget in the county is only $422,456. We are concerned with the condition of the roads and the mowing. And we hear what you are saying. Its just a difficult thing to try and reach some of these areas. We know there are problems, and we are doing what we can. We also thank you for bringing it to our attention, Brabham noted. Wetzel County Commissioner Larry Lemon questioned DOH officials about property they own in New Martinsville at the old Bill Forbes Chevrolet Dealership. I heard at one point you were going to auction off the property. Now I see the property has a lot of equipment setting around, and it has become an eyesore to the community. The county is trying to attract new business and industry to the area, and its becoming even harder with property that looks like that. Its deplorable. We want to make things attractive, and are working hard to do that. Can you tell me what your plans are with that piece of property? questioned Lemon. Lemon was told there had been a time when the DOH planned on auctioning or selling the property, but right now it is not something they are ready to do. We have the bridge project going on and a lot of other work related to the oil and gas industry, and thats where we are keeping a lot of the equipment, they said. I understand there is work that needs completed, and I understand the bridge project is in progress; however, if you could at least move some of the equipment and clean it up a little it would help. It is a shame; its deplorable, added Lemon. State Senator Charlie Clements also spoke about the need for better roads, while also mentioning the ongoing work to try and get the I-68 project started. He mentioned there has been talk of the project for 20 years but no action. With the oil and gas industry and amount of people coming in, there is going to be a housing shortage. Property values are going to skyrocket. When the cracker plant starts it will be overwhelming. I have many of the concerns as everyone else. Our roads and infrastructure is a major problem. We cannot handle the amount of business that is on its way here and the amount of people. We have to take care of our roads and look out for the safety of everyone. Deputy Secretary of the DOH, Jill Newman, spoke about some of the many things going on as a result of the governors road bond program. She mentioned paving projects and slip repairs were top priorities, while also mentioning the amount of money budgeted for each county in District Six. West Virginia District Six Delegate Roger Romine spoke about paving needs and pothole repairs in Tyler County. He said Rt. 18 through Tyler County was in pretty good shape to the Doddridge County line; however, from there, it is in very poor condition. Romine also mentioned the Route 2 between Paden City and Sistersville as a dangerous area, where slips have been occurring frequently. He also addressed the issue of heavy truck traffic which the roads were not built for. He said one of his major concerns is the pothole issue. He thanked the DOH for doing what they do with limited resources. Other issues addressed included the ADA project taking place in Paden City. It was mentioned the cost of the project was nearly $1,000,000, and it seemed to almost be overkill even though the state has to be in compliance. The topic of the hillside slips between Paden City and Sistersville was again brought up, and the DOH was asked to take a close look at the large separations and stones ready to fall. They were told there have been at least five major slips that covered the entire road and caused detours this year. They were told its been fortunate no vehicles have been hit, and no one has been injured. DOH personnel said they were aware of the problem and would be looking at it and monitoring it. They were also told with school starting, it is always a concern for school bus drivers, school administrators and parents that intersections on many of the county roadways have not been mowed, which impairs the view of the bus drivers while trying to access main roads. DOH personnel told those in attendance that Paden City and Sistersville are both going to be paved in the next year or two. They said Sistersville and Middlebourne would also be receiving ADA compliant sidewalks through town. Senator Clements along with Delegates Pethtel and Romine also addressed the bridges in the counties. The DOH provided information showing the majority of work in the counties is slip related, pothole patching and repairs and paving. In Wetzel County, there are 30 slip repair projects at a projected cost of more than $4,500,000; six paving jobs estimated at more than $8,000,000; five bridge jobs at a cost of more than $15,000,000; plus the nearly $1,000,000 ADA Paden City work. Wetzel County has 27 routine maintenance projects scheduled including road widening, debris removal, ditching, grading and stone work, pothole patching and other repairs. Tyler County has 15 slip repair projects totaling nearly $2,500,000, plus three paving projects totaling $913,000. There will also be around 115 routine maintenance projects mainly temporary cold mix patching, ditching and stabilization. In other DOH news, representatives held an informational meeting on Thursday Aug. 18 to address and answer questions concerning the Route 2 Proctor to Kent four-lane project. The meeting was to give affected businesses and individuals answers to questions concerning the route of the project and the time frame for start up and completion. According to the WVDOH, the project route would displace one commercial facility the Bayer Heritage Credit Union, one industrial facility the Axiall Brine Piping Infrastructure, five resident displacements, 2.97 acres of prime farmland, 76.52 acres of farmland of statewide importance, and 174.61 acres of forested land. It is also noted there will be noise involvement. Natural environment affected would be 1,913 linear feet of stream impacts, 3.03 acres of wetlands, and 5.59 acres of floodplains. There is an estimated cost of $87,909,167, including utility and relocation right of way acquisition. The preferred route relocates a 5.25 mile portion of WV Route 2, beginning 0.47 mile south of the Marshall County line in Proctor to 0.18 of a mile south of Marshall County Route 78, just North of Simms Run in Kent. The proposed improvements include the upgrade of WV 2 from a rural two-lane arterial to a four-lane divided highway. Several residents and representatives from Bayer Credit Union were present with questions concerning the timeframe for relocation of their businesses and homes. The DOH said that hasnt been determined yet, and a lot of work still has to be finished before the process of acquisition begins. They said there would be fair offers and negotiations that would give affected parties plenty of time to move or relocate. FEMA DENIES FLOOD DISASTER DECLARATION FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA COUNTIES GOVERNOR COOPER TO APPEAL It now looks like no help is coming from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for Western North Carolina residents hard hit by mudslides and floods that killed five people and destroyed homes and businesses back in May. It was recently announced that FEMA will not grant a major disaster declaration for the region after determining that, in Governor Roy Coopers words, the damages resulted from separate and distinct events, none of which were of the severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments. Cooper said his office will appeal the decision. The governor says the state is seeking the declaration to pave the way for FEMA assistance for the communities and people affected by the storms. North Carolina has sought individual assistance for 10 counties, public assistance for 13 counties, including Henderson and Polk, and hazard mitigation statewide. Cooper requested the declaration in a letter to President Donald Trump, and U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis also put their weight behind the request with a letter to FEMA. Fibe people died, and many others suffered damage to their homes and businesses. Many roads, bridges and driveways were washed out, Cooper said. People in Western North Carolina need help recovering and we will keep doing everything we can to get it to them, including appealing this disappointing decision by FEMA. Cooper himself visited the massive landslide which has closed NC Highway 9 near Bat Cave for months, and which brought down hundreds of thousands of cubic feet of material off the backside on Rumblin Bald mountain...and is costing over a million dollars to clean up. Polk County reaction fficials such as Polk County Manager Marche Pittman were also hoping FEMA would recognize the damage as occurring during or as a result of one event: heavy rains starting May 15 that caused damage and flooding followed by Subtropical Storm Alberto right behind, from May 24 to 31. Obviously were disappointed in that decision, Pittman said, adding that there is the chance that after the state appeals FEMAs decision, if the declaration is still not made, that the state Division of Emergency Management could help fund some of the needs. He said theyll know more about what they need to do for that process after the state appeals the FEMA decision. The impact to our area was so great, and we really want to make sure that those folks are made whole for the damage that they suffered from, Pittman said added. A news release from Polk County noted that three deaths ocurred there and more than 150 residents suffered some type of storm-related damage. It also notes that the county is loooking at $15,000 in removing storm-related debris from the Lake Adger dam. Pittman reported earlier this month that $5,000 to $10,000 was needed to repair other county property. The state Department of Transportation estimed $5.5 million in repairs as early as May 21. The state has 30 days from Aug. 20 to submit a formal appeal, and officials are working with members of the states congressional delegation. Other federal programs have already agreed to help North Carolina due to the same storms, the release from Coopers office points out. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue declared Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties as natural disaster areas, and the USDA Farm Service Agency is opening its emergency loan programs for those and neighboring counties. The U.S. Small Business Association is also opening its loan programs to assist farmers, small businesses and nonprofits. From WHKP News and Goupstate.com Reports Embed from Getty Images FC Rostov have announced that they plan to launch a new fourth kit for the 2018/19 season that is inspired by of all things a lucky carpet. The story goes that one Rostov fan was renovating his house and didnt have room for his old carpet, so instead he brought it along to the stadium to watch his side play against Yenesey on Sunday. Rostov ended up winning 4-0, with the carpet duly proclaimed to be a lucky talisman. A Rostov fan is renovating his home, and there is no place for the old carpet anymore. So he brought it to the stadium. pic.twitter.com/rqXUyu8NLh Michael Yokhin (@Yokhin) 20 August 2018 Quick to capitalise, Rostov have decided to pay homage to their newfound symbol of fortune and hospitality by producing a limited edition shirt in honour of the carpet. The shirt is current available to pre-order via the clubs website, with over 500 fans already placing deposits Rostovs carpet kit is priced at a bargain 2,500 rubles (around 30). Whether it comes bundled with a rattan dust beater is unclear. Williamson, WV (25661) Today Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 59F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 47F. Winds light and variable. By: Paige Cline Sometimes I am asked to reprint a column from the past. Here[Read More] Student Support in Health Sciences The multi-lingual Dr Constance Khupe is ideally positioned to help Wits students from rural South Africa adapt to university life and succeed. The benefits of learning in ones home language have long been recognised as invaluable in promoting learner success. At school level, children in South Africa have the opportunity to learn in their mother tongue. However, students are plunged into a world of English once they enter university. This is one of the challenges faced by academically talented students from backgrounds with limited exposure to English. Khupe is a lecturer and At Risk Coordinator in the Office of Student Support in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits. She and her colleagues help students who are thrust into a foreign world to adjust. She is the recipient of two awards from the Wits Medical Students Council in recognition of her work to promote student success. The National Benchmarking Test administered to applicants in the Faculty is an important tool to identify students in need of support, says Khupe, who speaks Shona, Ndebele, Kalanga, isiZulu and English. She thinks that one way in which we can be a student-ready university is to help students get better at English language and academic literacy, while at the same time drawing on their proficiency in their home languages which for many could be the language of thought. Khupe is proposes the accommodation of mother tongue for learning in higher education to facilitate student success. She believes that the Wits Language Policy is a step in the right direction, as it seeks to entrench multilingualism in the University and facilitate the training of multi-lingual professionals who will adequately serve the countrys diverse population. However, I believe that the policy needs to have concrete time frames to move it from commitment on paper, to reality, says Khupe. Recently, she participated in an International Symposium for Innovation in Rural Education, hosted by Montana State University. The only delegate from Africa, Khupe was part of a panel that discussed various perspectives of Educating for Sustainability in Remote Locations. Some of her thoughts were captured in the Billings Gazette of August 4, 2018. This is a continuation of her passions advancing student success and empowering teachers. An educator through and through, Khupe led a teaching department at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic prior to joining Wits as a PhD student in 2008. She worked with both pre-service and in-service teachers at Wits School of Education (WSOE), and in 2012 did research for a school improvement project jointly initiated by the Heads of Schools of APES and WSOE. In 2014, she earned a PhD with her thesis Indigenous Knowledge and School Science: Possibilities for Integration. Paul Manafort being convicted of eight crimes in a federal court Tuesday isn't the end of his legal ordeal. Several questions remain, including what this means for President Donald Trump, how this affects special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and what's next for Trump's former campaign chairman. Here are five takeaways: 1. Mueller's office survives its first courtroom test Manafort's conviction on eight tax fraud and bank fraud charges is, without a doubt, a boon to Mueller's team of prosecutors. It wasn't the best outcome they could have hoped for -- that would have been a straight 18 "guiltys" from the jury and no deadlocked charges. Still, the special counsel's office survived its first courtroom test. The special counsel's office had indicated previously that it continues to investigate Manafort, including for his alleged coordination with Russians while he worked on the Trump campaign. The special counsel's office has been gaining steam in recent weeks, securing grand jury indictments against several alleged Russian hackers this summer and hauling a steady stream of witnesses before the grand jury in Washington. Several of the people who got subpoenas or testified are associates of longtime Trump ally Roger Stone -- himself a longtime former business partner of Manafort's -- leaving many close watchers of the investigation wondering: What's next? Mueller's office also put key former Trump campaign adviser Rick Gates through his first intense test, three days of questioning before a jury about crimes he committed with his longtime boss Manafort. The prosecutors have likely learned his effectiveness, and how to use him better before a jury, given Tuesday's results. On top of that, Manafort faces a second federal criminal trial from the special counsel's office, on foreign lobbying charges and alleged witness tampering. That trial is set to begin Sept. 17 in DC District Court, a venue with a judge who's been harsher to Manafort since his indictment, where there may be a population that follows political developments in the news more closely and where voters overwhelmingly chose not to support Trump in the 2016 election. 2. Where the jury struggled to reach a verdict The 12 jurors' inability to reach a unanimous conclusion on 10 of Manafort's charges raises some questions about the evidence and testimony prosecutors presented. No jurors have spoken publicly yet about what went on in the jury room. Clearly, the jurors were able to follow the testimony and documentation that prosecutors presented on Manafort's fraudulent IRS tax returns. They convicted him on all possible tax fraud counts, one for each year from 2010 to 2014. But the foreign banking registration counts, which alleged that Manafort didn't disclose to the Treasury Department accounts in Cyprus and other countries, came back as a mixed bag. Only one of those charges, regarding his 2012 filing, was a conviction. The jurors couldn't agree on four related charges, for foreign banking disclosures in 2011, 2013 and 2014. It's unclear what caused the jury discrepancy, but it could range from Gates' involvement in the accounts to the finer points of the federal law on disclosures, such as how they apply to businesses like Manafort's consulting partnership DMP International. The jurors indicated they may have been having trouble with these charges on their first day of deliberations, when they asked the judge: "Is one required to file an FBAR if they own less than 50 percent of the account, do not have signature authority, but do have authority to direct disbursement of the funds?" That's quite the detailed, technical question, and Judge T.S. Ellis did not provide them an answer further than his legalese-heavy, orally delivered jury instructions. As for the five bank fraud conspiracy charges on which the jury failed to reach a verdict, the result could be tied up with jurors' interpretations of Gates and other witnesses with immunity from prosecution. Did some jurors not believe his, the accountant's and the bankers' stories? Or did some jurors believe Gates and others were not as deeply involved as they said they were in Manafort's alleged banking schemes? Noticeably, the jury could not agree on any of the four bank fraud charges related to Federal Savings Bank, where the bank founder and chairman Stephen Calk allegedly sought Manafort's boost in the Trump campaign in exchange for providing him loans. Ellis had raised the question to the lawyers earlier in the trial: Could Calk's bank be defrauded if its leader wanted to make the loans no matter what? Perhaps jurors divided over the same question. 3. What do the guilty verdicts mean for Manafort? The verdicts were not a good result for team Manafort. The charges on which the jury unanimously found Manafort guilty equal a maximum prison sentence of 80 years. Manafort is 69 years old. Even a sentence of 10 years could take from him prime years of his life. Even if Manafort had been found not guilty, he would have stayed in jail, because the judge in the DC case revoked his bail. Now with a conviction secured and a sentencing looming in Virginia federal court, Manafort has a steep uphill battle. If Mueller still takes him to trial for the foreign lobbying charges next month, Manafort will need a lot of things to work in his favor to be freed. Truly, he needed to go two-for-two with acquittals in his criminal cases. 4. What happens next? Manafort now could ask for Judge Ellis to intervene and declare him acquitted of any or all of the counts. His legal team asked for 30 days to make these requests, but Ellis has not yet said if he'll extend the typical 14-day deadline following a jury's verdict. We'll learn in the coming weeks in court filings how Manafort's team plans to attack the verdicts. The defense team also could appeal the case at a later date. Yet several players involved, including Manafort's lawyers, emphasized the fairness of the trial proceedings, and lack of fairness is one of the areas defense attorneys can use to try to overturn a conviction. Manafort's defense lawyer Kevin Downing told news cameras outside the court as the jury deliberated Friday that he was "very happy about the fair trial that Judge Ellis ensured for Mr. Manafort." Downing repeated this on Tuesday, saying outside the courthouse that Manafort would "like to thank Judge Ellis for granting him a fair trial." Downing added that he was "evaluating all of his options." Ellis commented in court after he dismissed the jury Tuesday that lawyers on both sides had provided "very effective and zealous representation." That suggests Manafort's lawyers weren't ineffective, as viewed by the judge, as some defendants attempt to claim following their convictions. As for the prosecutors, they'll have to decide by Aug. 29 whether they want to seat a new jury to reach a verdict on the 10 charges that hung. The special counsel's office could choose to drop those charges, especially since it is set to bring Manafort to trial in the other case in less than a month. Ellis has not yet set a sentencing date for this case. When Manafort is sentenced, he'll be given ample opportunity to speak directly to the judge, to ask for mercy. 5. The Trump card Even now that Manafort has lost one case, there's always the Trump card: The President retains the ultimate, sole authority to pardon him unconditionally. Trump's comments after the verdict didn't shed light on whether a pardon could be on the table. "Paul Manafort is a good man," the President said Tuesday. "He was with Ronald Reagan. He was with a lot of different people over the years. I feel very sad about that. It doesn't involve me" or Russian collusion, he said. NEW YORK (AP) - The Latest on a financial fraud probe involving Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen (all times local): 4:55 p.m. Donald Trump's former personal lawyer and "fixer," Michael Cohen, has pleaded guilty to charges including campaign finance fraud stemming from hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal. The 51-year-old Cohen said in federal court in New York on Tuesday that he made the payments in coordination with Trump, who wasn't named, to influence the election. Both women claimed Trump had affairs with them, which he denies. The other charges Cohen pleaded guilty to involve bank fraud and income tax evasion. As part of his plea agreement, Cohen agreed not to challenge any sentence from 46 to 63 months. Cohen's plea follows months of federal scrutiny and a falling out with the president, whom he previously said he'd "take a bullet" for. ___ 4:45 p.m. Donald Trump's former personal lawyer and "fixer" Michael Cohen, has pleaded guilty to charges including campaign finance fraud stemming from hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal. The 51-year-old Cohen entered the plea in federal court in New York on Tuesday. The other charges involve bank fraud and income tax evasion. As part of his plea agreement, Cohen agreed not to challenge any sentence from 46 to 63 months. Cohen's plea follows months of scrutiny from federal investigations and a falling out with the president, whom he previously said he'd "take a bullet" for. FBI raids in April sought bank records, communications with Trump's campaign and information on payments to Daniels and McDougal. Both women claimed Trump had affairs with them, which he denies. ___ 4:30 p.m. President Donald Trump's former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, has told a federal judge he plans to plead guilty to federal charges. Cohen is facing a judge in federal court in New York on Tuesday. The charges include campaign contribution violations, tax evasion and making a false statement to a financial institution. The investigation into Cohen has pulled back the curtain on Cohen's role as the president's loyal "fixer." Earlier this year he admitted arranging a $130,000 payment to quiet porn actress Stormy Daniels' claims that she had an affair with Trump ___ 4:05 p.m. President Donald Trump's former personal attorney has entered a federal courtroom in New York where two people familiar with his case say he will plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Michael Cohen sat down by himself at the defense table Tuesday before he was joined by his lawyer, Guy Petrillo. The people spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case. They say the campaign finance charges involve payments to two women. The investigation into Cohen has pulled back the curtain on Cohen's role as the president's loyal "fixer." ___ 3:10 p.m. Two people familiar with the financial fraud investigation of Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, say he will plead guilty to federal charges including campaign finance fraud, bank fraud and tax evasion. Cohen is due to appear in court in New York at 4 p.m. Tuesday. He was earlier seen going into an FBI building. The people spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case. They say the campaign finance charges involve payments to two women. The investigation into Cohen has pulled back the curtain on Cohen's role as the president's loyal "fixer." Earlier this year he admitted arranging a $130,000 payment to quiet porn actress Stormy Daniels' claims that she had an affair with Trump. ___ 2:45 p.m. Two people familiar with the financial fraud investigation of Donald Trump's former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, say he has reached a plea agreement. Cohen is due to appear in federal court in New York at 4 p.m. Tuesday. He was earlier seen going into a building where the FBI has its New York offices. The people spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case. They did not know the details of the agreement. The investigation into Cohen has pulled back the curtain on Cohen's role as the president's loyal "fixer." Earlier this year he admitted arranging a $130,000 payment to quiet porn actress Stormy Daniels' claims that she had an affair with Trump. ___ 1:35 p.m. Two people familiar with the financial fraud investigation of Donald Trump's former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, say his lawyers are in negotiations with prosecutors that could result in a plea deal, possibly within hours. The people say the lawyer could plead guilty in Manhattan federal court as early as Tuesday afternoon, if a deal is struck requiring cooperation with the government. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to publicly discuss the case. Cohen was Trump's longtime personal lawyer until weeks ago. He was seen going into his lawyers' offices early Tuesday. Prosecutors had been investigating Cohen for possible fraud related to his businesses for months. The FBI raided his hotel room, home and office on April 9, seizing more than 4 million items. ____ 12:10 p.m. A New York judge has formally ended the attorney-client privilege review of items seized from President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, leaving prosecutors to decide what's next in their fraud probe. U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood on Tuesday publicly filed an order that was signed Monday, ending attorney Michael Cohen's effort to bar as privileged some items seized by the FBI in April raids on his dwellings. The judge had appointed a special master to review 4 million items. She says she agrees with the special master 7,146 items are privileged, eight are partially privileged and 285 are highly personal. She says Cohen, Trump or the Trump Organization wanted another 57 items designated privileged but agreed not to contest the special master's findings. Cohen's then-lawyer called the use of search warrants "completely inappropriate." The Guatemalan man who was detained at a Rome farm by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this year has been sentenced to prison time, according to U.S. Attorney Grant Jaquith and Thomas Feeley, Buffalo field office director for ICE. Marcial De Leon-Aguilar has been sentenced to eight months in prison. Back in June, he pleaded guilty to unlawfully re-entering the U.S. after having previously been removed. De Leon-Aguilar was detained by ICE at John Collins farm in Rome on April 18. He worked on the farm and lived there with his then-pregnant wife and their four children. Following his arrest, De Leon-Aguilar was being held in detention because he was considered a flight risk after being deported three times since 1997, one of which followed a reckless aggravated assault conviction. Officials say that after his prison term is over, De Leon-Aguilar faces removal or deportation. They say that deportation and removal proceedings are separate civil matters that are litigated in Immigration Court, and theyre not decided as part of a criminal prosecution. Although theres still another month of summer, for Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts lovers, itll soon be fall. Starbucks popular pumpkin spice latte which many know simply by the letters PSL will reportedly return on Tuesday, Aug. 28. This years launch is the earliest ever for the coffee chain. This year marks the 15th birthday for the pumpkin spice latte, which has become a fan favorite. You can also find pumpkin spice flavoring in ready-to-drink products ranging from ground coffee to pumpkin spice cookie straws. One day ahead of Starbucks PSL release, Dunkin Donuts is set to release its fall menu on Monday, Aug. 27. The menu will include pumpkin spice coffees and other fall flavors, including both drinks and foods. Some people have reported on social media that theyve already been purchasing pumpkin spice flavored items at Dunkin Donuts locations this month. MONTEZUMA, Iowa (AP) - The Latest on the discovery of a body believed to be that of 20-year-old missing Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts (all times local): 5:15 p.m. Court documents detail what a man charged with murder told investigators about the abduction and killing of Mollie Tibbetts. An affidavit filed Tuesday says the 20-year-old Tibbetts was running on July 18 in a rural area near Brooklyn, in central Iowa, when a car driven by Christian Bahena Rivera approached her. During questioning Monday, Rivera acknowledged making contact with Tibbetts, first by pursuing her in his car and then getting out and running beside her. Rivera told investigators he became angry when Tibbetts showed a cell phone and threatened to call police. He says he panicked and then "blocked" his memory. He says he does not recall what happened but found an earpiece from headphones in his lap and realized he'd put Tibbetts' in his trunk. He opened the trunk and noticed blood on the side of her head. The affidavit says he carried Tibbetts' body to a cornfield and covered her with corn stalks. When he was questioned by authorities, he led investigators to the site. Rivera has been charged with first-degree murder. ___ 4:50 p.m. A federal agency says a man charged with killing an Iowa college student is a citizen of Mexico who was in the country illegally. Immigration and Customs Enforcement released a statement Tuesday stating that it had "lodged a detainer" with the Poweshiek County sheriff's office to hold 24-year-old Christian Bahena Rivera after he was charged with first-degree murder. At a news conference, Rick Rahn, special agent in charge with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, said Bahena Rivera had been living in the area for four to seven years. ___ 4:20 p.m. Police say a man in the country illegally has been charged with murder in the death of Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts. A charge of 1st degree murder has been filed against 24-year-old Cristhian Bahena Rivera. If convicted, the charge carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Investigators say they used surveillance video in tracking down Rivera. The video showed Tibbetts jogging in a rural area near her hometown of Brooklyn as well as Rivera's car. Police had searched the area but noted her body was found in a field, covered with corn stalks. ___ 3:55 p.m. Authorities say they are holding a suspect in the death of Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts, and he is being held on a federal immigration detainer. Mitch Mortvedt, an assistant director of the state Division of Criminal Investigations, says Tuesday that authorities are holding a suspect and will release more details during a 4 p.m. news conference. Earlier Tuesday, investigators announced a body believed to be Tibbetts was found in rural Poweshiek County. Tibbetts, a 20-year-old student at the University of Iowa, has been missing since July 18. ___ 9:45 a.m. Police say a body believed to be that of 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbetts has been discovered in a rural area near where she went missing last month. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says the body was found Tuesday morning in rural Poweshiek County, which includes Tibbetts' hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa. The agency called a 4 p.m. news conference to provide an update on the search for Tibbetts, saying investigators were working to confirm the identity of the body. Tibbetts has been missing since July 18, when she was last seen jogging through the streets of Brooklyn. ___ 8:30 a.m. Investigators believe they have found the body of Mollie Tibbetts, a University of Iowa student who has been missing for more than a month. The 20-year-old woman was last seen July 18, jogging in her hometown of Brooklyn in central Iowa. Greg Willey, the vice president of Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa, says a body found Tuesday is believed to be Tibbetts. No information has been released about where the body was found. Willey says a nearly $400,000 reward fund for her discovery will now become a reward for information leading to the capture of any suspects. BERLIN (AP) - The Latest on the deportation of former Nazi death camp guard Jakiv Palij from the U.S. to Germany (all times local): 12:45 p.m. Germany's Foreign Minister says that the country has a "moral obligation" to seek justice for victims of the Holocaust, after 95-year-old former Nazi concentration camp guard, Jakiw Palij was deported to Germany. Heiko Maas says "there is no line under historical responsibility," adding in comment to German newspaper Bild that doing justice to the memory of Nazi atrocities "means standing by our moral obligation to the victims and the subsequent generations." Palij landed in the western German city of Duesseldorf on Tuesday. The local government in Warendorf county, near Muenster, indicated that Palij would be taken to a care facility in the town of Ahlen. German prosecutors have previously said it does not appear that there's enough evidence to charge Palij with wartime crimes. Now that he is in Germany, Efraim Zuroff, the head Nazi-hunter at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said he hoped prosecutors would revisit the case. ___ 12:15 p.m. The U.S. ambassador to Germany says Nazi war crimes suspect says President Donald Trump instructed him to make it a priority to secure the deportation of a Nazi war crimes suspect from the U.S. to Germany. Richard Grenell, who arrived in Germany earlier this year, said the new German government, which took office in March, brought "new energy" to the matter of 95-year-old former concentration camp guard, Jakiw Palij. The deportation Tuesday came after weeks of diplomatic negotiations. Grenell told reporters that there were "difficult conversations" because Palij is not a German citizen and was stateless after losing his U.S. citizenship, but "the moral obligation" of taking in "someone who served in the name of the German government was accepted." ___ 10:15 a.m. The White House says a 95-year-old former Nazi concentration camp guard has been deported to Germany, 14 years after a judge ordered his expulsion. In a statement, the White House said the deportation of Jakiv Palij, who lived in New York City, was carried out early Tuesday. After World War II, Palij hid his involvement in the slaughter of Jews at the Trawniki camp in Nazi-occupied Poland and gained entry to the U.S. by claiming he was a farmer and factory worker. Though a judge ordered Palij deported in 2004, he continued to live in limbo at his home in Queens because no country would accept him. Palij's fate in Germany is unclear as prosecutors have previously indicated there doesn't appear to be enough evidence to bring wartime charges. Former Utica City Councilman Lou Critelli, now in his 90s, needed 440 signatures in his second round of petition-filling in order to have term limits (back to eight years) placed on the ballot this November. He got 774 signatures. Tuesday morning, Critelli and around a dozen or so supporters walked into city hall with the signatures. An overabundance of signatures didn't make for easy passage. "I have 60 days that I have to wait before i can certify these," said City Clerk, Michelle George. Critelli's attorney interpreted the law very diferently. "Here's where I disagree with you...on paragraph 8, it says that the city clerk shall certify," said Mark Wolber. With no agreement on the horizon, Critelli's attorney said they're going to ask a NY Supreme Court Justice to answer the question of law. "So, our position is the city clerk's obligation is to certify these signatures within 20 days, and that the two-month time limit, which is in a separate paragraph, does not apply to the city clerk," said Attorney Wolber. "We're gonna ask the court to compel the city clerk to certify these within 20 days of today's date so the process of beting this on as a referendum." Wolber is hopeful the issue will go before a State Supreme Court Justice soon enough for them to answer the legal question in time for limits to potentially be placed on this November's ballot. COVID-19 Important links and resources As the spread of COVID-19, or as it's more commonly known as the coronavirus continues, this page will serve as your one-stop for the resources you need to stay informed and to keep you and your family safe. CLICK HERE This Category 5 hurricane near Hawaii has El Modoki written all over it. This is unusually warm water towards the central Equatorial Pacific rather than the eastern part near Peru. These increase shear in the Atlantic, suppressing hurricane development, but increase hurricane activity in the Pacific. Modokis increase hurricane activity (major ones, especially) farther north towards Hawaii. You don't see such big hurricanes near Hawaii often, as El Nino Modokis are not as common as El Ninos. The El Modoki is a BIG part of the Fall-Winter-Spring 2018-19 outlook puzzle. The official first forecast will be out September 15 at the LATEST. As I dig into & process more data, I will get it done as soon as possible, so keep checking into the blog. It will be a crisp, cool night! Some patchy shallow fog is possible, especially over rivers, lakes, bottoms & other low-lying areas, where it may be locally dense. However, the fog does NOT look widespread & it may not extend beyond the tree tops or just hover over field crops in low, water-rich areas. Lows of near 50 to the mid 50s are likely. The Wabash River will reach flood stage this evening in the Lafayette area (11' is flood stage with a crest around 11.4' tonight) due to the 2-3" rains from near Battle Ground to Delphi to around Camden to Burrows & up to 5" in the Wildcat Creek watershed in western Howard to southern Cass counties. Warm front will approach with some increasing high & mid clouds later tomorrow. Highs will run 76-80 as the wind turns more to the southeast. It looks like the dense wildfire smoke plume may hold off on getting to the area until late tomorrow evening-tomorrow night. Wave of rain (with a few embedded isolated storms possible at the tail end of it) will pass Friday morning to early afternoon as warm front lifts northward. With it raining into dry, cool air Friday morning (lows 55-61), temperatures will be held down into a cool, fall-like 60-63 range for all of the morning to midday hours. Once the rain ends by early afternoon, we should see a few peeks of dim sun. This will finally get us to highs of 69-76 from northeast/east to southwest/west. As for Friday night, a few showers & storms are possible, mainly after 2 a.m. A few may last into Saturday morning. It appears that some scattered showers & storms will occur at times on the periphery of this heat wave & near/along the warm front Saturday afternoon-Sunday. There could even be a few that pop Monday if the warm front does not get far enough northward, bathing us in the triple H forecast of hazy, hot & humid conditions. It will heat up & turn breezy at times with dew points rising to 72-76 by Sunday (even Saturday will begin to steam up with high humidity arriving & highs in the 83-87 range). This, with the daily highs Sunday-Monday of around 90 to the lower 90s, will bring heat indices of 97-102. The southwest winds at 15-25 mph will help it feel a little better, however. It will also cool in any storms, but still be muggy. Overnight will be warm & muggy with lows of 70-75. In terms of any severe weather Saturday-Monday, looks like much of that potential will remain northwest of our area in the stronger flow aloft with better shear. We will monitor, however. Storms are possible Thursday-Friday. It may cool slightly Saturday-Sunday (still be very warm, however) with drier weather, but the heat will be back on September 4-7 with strong southwest wind & high humidity. Overnight lows will be especially warm near 70 to the mid 70s. Other than a brief, slight cool-down nearer to Labor Day, it looks hazy, hot & humid right through early September. So when does the hot upper ridge of above normal temperatures break down? Late September! Looks like an overall pretty hot, drier September is ahead until on/after the 22nd! If, IF this holds, we could have our warmest September 1-22 period since 2002 around here! Only way this could change is if a major Pacific hurricane moves far enough northward toward Japan or Alaska & causes a big upheaval of the entire Northern Hemispheric pattern. I have seen that happen before & the Pacific will be very active hurricane-wise. Notice the temperature anomalies on September 22 at around 6 p.m. Central. You can see the pattern change coming with much cooler air to the west. The unusually warm weather with the hot upper ridge will begin migrating eastward & slowly breaking down. That air from Montana to northeaster Colorado & Nebraska looks very chilly! Severe weather may be lining up from Minnosota to Wisconsin to Kansas & Oklahoma during this time. Here is my latest projection for September temperatures based on all of the ensemble data. Again, this looks to be the case as long as we do not see a massive pattern change from a big Pacific hurricane make it way to the north & become a major mid-latitude storm system. This would greatly cause a big kink in the upper jet & disrupt the entire pattern in the Northern Hemisphere. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind (WLFI) - Purdue University Police and the Office of International Student Services are advising international students to be aware of ongoing phone call scams. The calls aim to gain personal information from students in an attempt to get money. University Police say the scammers are pretending to part of the student's consulate. Oftentimes speaking in their native language, they demand money or gift cards from the students. The scammers say the student is having visa troubles or that the money will help avoid any issues with immigration. Other instances include someone posing as a banker asking for students to update their bank account. Purdue University Police Department Captain Keene Red Elk says to reach out if you receive a suspicious call. "We really want our students to understand that these are not legitimate. If they have concerns, if they get these phone calls and they're just not sure to contact their local law enforcement agencies," said Red Elk. Investigators say international students can be easier targets since they're already often unfamiliar with local conventions. "If you think about when we go to a different country what a learning curve it is for us to understand their ways, things as simple as even traffic laws, things like that. They're coming here, this isn't just a visit for them. This is for their careers, this is for education," added Red Elk. Government agencies will never ask for your information over the phone. In the event of someone asking for personal information over the phone, you should always hang up immediately. 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 Plans for 110+ houses in New Broughton lodged by university This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Aug 22nd, 2018 Plans to build more than 110 houses on university owned land in New Broughton, have been submitted. The proposals, which have been lodged with Wrexham Council, are amongst several to have been submitted by Wrexham Glyndwr University as part of its major plans to redevelop its Plas Coch campus. It is proposed that the land off Gatewen Road, New Broughton and playing fields on Dean Road, Rhosnesni are both sold off for housing developments to as part of enabling developments to help fund the universitys 60 million Campus 2025 project. The land at Gatewen Road is described as informal grazing land which is almost completely surrounded by existing residential properties. It is proposed that up to 112 houses are developed on the site, including 28 affordable units. Details provided in the applications supporting documents state add that: The layout of the residential units has been developed to respect the privacy of existing neighbours in respect of aspect and separation. However the plans for both sites have been met with opposition by local campaigners and councillors, who have argued the proposed development would cause further pressures on local infrastructure. The application will be considered for approval at a later date. Full videos / documents of the universitys Campus 2025 plans can be found here. I am thy Boy; but when reft of all senses I lie in thy arms, where then is thy Boy? Der Rosenkavalier, Richard Strauss, libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal The latest episode in the #MeToo drama unfolded earlier this week following the revelation that Italian actress Asia Argento, one of the alleged victims of producer Harvey Weinstein, purportedly paid off a young man who accused her of sexual abuse. The New York Times reported on Sunday that in the months that followed her revelations about Mr. Weinstein last October, Ms. Argento quietly arranged to pay $380,000 to her own accuser: Jimmy Bennett, a young actor and rock musician who said she had sexually assaulted him in a California hotel room years earlier, when he was only two months past his 17th birthday. She was 37. The age of consent in California is 18. Bennett appeared with Argento in The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (2004), a film that the actress also directed and co-wrote. Following the films release, Peoplemagazine explains, they reportedly remained close, frequently referring to each other as different variations of mom and son across social media. According to the Times, for Mr. Bennett the 2013 hotel-room encounter was a betrayal that precipitated a spiral of emotional problems, according to the documents. The fallout from a sexual battery was so traumatic that it hindered Mr. Bennetts work and income and threatened his mental health, according to a notice of intent to sue that his lawyer sent in November [2017]. The lawyers letter asked for $3.5 million in damages for the intentional infliction of emotional distress, lost wages, assault and battery. The late Anthony Bourdain, the culinary television personality and Argentos boyfriend, apparently helped navigate the affair with the help of lawyers. In the end, Argento agreed to pay Bennett $380,000 over the course of a year and a half. An initial payment was made in April. The letter of intent from Bennetts lawyer asserted that for the young man, according to the Times, seeing Ms. Argento present herself as a victim of sexual assault was too much to bear and called up memories of their hotel reunion. His feelings about that day were brought to the forefront recently when Ms. Argento took the spotlight as one of the many victims of Harvey Weinstein. On the face of it, the allegations by Bennett seem both opportunist and mercenary. The encounter with Argento may have been many things, but it does not seem to call for moral condemnation or criminal proceedings. For her part, Argento strongly denies any sexual relationship with the young actor and musician. In a tweeted statement, in which she describes herself as deeply shocked and hurt, the actress writes that after several years of friendship with Bennett, he unexpectedly made an exorbitant request of money from me. Argento asserts that Bourdain, not wanting any possible negative publicity and also considering Bennett dangerous, personally undertook to help Bennett economically. Argento, the daughter of talented Italian horror filmmaker Dario Argento, has played a deplorable role in the #MeToo campaign. Her allegations that Weinstein assaulted her in 1997 during the Cannes film festival featured prominently in Ronan Farrows October 2017 New Yorker magazine piece that helped launch the current witch-hunt. In the same piece, she conceded that she eventually yielded to Weinsteins further advances and even grew close to him. Weinstein dined with her, and introduced her to his mother. She said that she had consensual sexual relations with him multiple times over the course of the next five years. Since the appearance of the New Yorker article, Argento has encouraged the sexual abuse hysteria and attacks on due process and other democratic rights. At Cannes in May of this year, on stage to present the Best Actress award, Argento again claimed she was raped by Harvey Weinstein. The actress went on, Even tonight, sitting among you, there are those that need to be held accountable for their conduct against women. But most importantly we know who you are and we will not allow you to get away with it any longer. This type of vague, McCarthyite threat, unsupported by any evidence, reeks of vindictiveness and amounts to an attempt at intimidation. Unsurprisingly, Weinsteins lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, suggested the Times revelation about the payment to Bennett, reveals a stunning level of hypocrisy At the very same time Argento was working on her own secret settlement for the alleged sexual abuse of a minor, she was positioning herself at the forefront of those condemning Mr. Weinstein, despite the fact that her sexual relationship with Mr. Weinstein was between two consenting adults which lasted for more than four years. A lawyers job is to do the best he can for his client, but this of course is hardly a satisfying or adequate response. Hypocrisy is not primarily the issue here. Although there may be a degree to which the Italian actress is being hoisted on her own petard, what emerges from each side of the Argento affair, both her record of unsubstantiated allegations and the seemingly preposterous claims against her, is the filthy, dishonest character of the entire #MeToo movement. We have no truck with Argento and her views, but it is not difficult to see how this whole business threatens to become tragic for her. On the basis presumably of bad advice from others and poor decisions of her own, she got stridently caught up in the #MeToo campaign, even emerging as a leading spokesperson. In the midst of that, she lost her boyfriend, Bourdain, to suicide (and it is conceivable the Bennett situation may have been a factor in the final surge of severe depression). Now, she faces a blacklisting of her own. In the wake of the Bennett story, the Hollywood Reporter explains, Sky Italia and FreemantleMedia Italia, producers of singing competition X Factor Italy, where Argento is a judge, released a statement saying [that] if the Times story were to be confirmed then the show would have no choice but to cut ties with Argento. Simultaneously, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department told AFP that while there was no open investigation into the claims of sex abuse against Argento, Enquiries will be made. And, it should go without saying, the Times and the media generally have no problem whatsoever turning on her. The Telegraph in Britain already refers in a headline to Argentos making and unmaking. A Yahoo! Lifestyle headline reads, Unpacking the Asia Argento accusations: When the alleged victim becomes the alleged abuser. Some of her erstwhile allies wasted no time in leaving her for dead. Intersectional feminist writer Lara Witt already wants her readers to know why its important that we hold Asia Argento accountable. She refers to the despicable events documented by Bennett and his lawyers, and suggests that the mother-son relationship between Argento and Bennett in their 2004 film adds layers to the grotesque abuse. Newsweek blared: [actress and #MeToo zealot] Amber Tamblyn Slams Asia Argento: Protect All Bodies. Not Just Your Own. On Twitter, fellow Weinstein accuser Rose McGowan was careful to distance herself, noting that she had only gotten to know Asia Argento ten months ago. Apparently referring to Bennetts claims, she continued, My heart is broken. I will continue my work on behalf of victims everywhere. Later, however, McGowan tweeted, None of us know the truth of the situation and Im sure more will be revealed. Be gentle. Needless to say, the actress has not previously offered this legitimate piece of advice in regard to accusations of sexual harassment or abuse against any other individual. In any event, McGowans note of caution generated a flood of accusations that she was now playing the hypocrite. If this were a teenage girl and [a] man in his 30s, would you still say this? one of her Twitter followers asked her. Another commented, I thought we were supposed to listen and believe. Is that only when the accused isnt one of your friends? The Bennett-Argento episode, its sordid explosion across the media (carefuland malicious enoughto report every salacious detail) and the various pledges by the #MeToo campaigners that they would press on regardless, all point to the hideous and destructive character of the current sexual witch-hunt. As we have argued before, in the bogus name of protecting women in the workplace, a whole range of sexual behavior is in the process of being criminalized, punishment is demanded where there is no proof of a crime and an atmosphere of bullying and repression has been imposed. The citation at the top of this article comes from Act 1 of Richard Strausss comic opera, Der Rosenkavalier [The Knight of the Rose, 1911], with a libretto by the novelist and poet Hugo von Hofmannsthal. As the curtain rises, Princess Marie Therese von Werdenberg (known as the Marschallin) and her 17-year-old lover, Count Octavian Rofrano, are lounging in bed together just before daybreak. Perhaps this frequently performed and popular work should be banned from the repertory for its despicable and grotesque insinuations. Its not impossible for there to be the element of emotional abuse in an incident like the Bennett-Argento hotel reunion in 2013, but that doesnt seem the most likely possibility. As we have also been obliged to point out, human sexuality is enormously complex. Neo-Puritan outrage is both inappropriate and dishonest. In any event, while there may be many within the upper middle class who genuinely believe that the imposition and strict enforcement of their own moral code is the best thing for everyone, the forces manipulating this campaign are operating along different lines and with a different agenda. The New York Times, the New Yorker and Ronan Farrow, the Clinton campaign, former Obama officials like Tina Tchen (organizer of the Times Up legal fund and the most well-connected person working in womens rights today, Bloomberg Businessweek) and leading circles of the Democratic Party generally have taken advantage of the instability, subjectivism and bitterness of a group of female performers in Hollywood in particular to promote and leverage their brand of gender politics. Terrified by the growing popular anger over social inequality, endless war and the brazen criminality of the Trump administration, these forces are exerting every ideological-propaganda muscle to divert that sentiment into reactionary or politically harmless channels, the anti-Russian frenzy, fake news on the Internet and the supposed epidemic of sexual abuse, and so on. As the Argento example demonstrates, they have built something on unprincipled and extremely shaky foundations, indeed on quicksand. The fate of Argento means nothing to that section of the American establishment dedicated to the encouragement and incitement of identity politics. They are as prepared to see her trampled underfoot as they are the men she and her #MeToo colleagues have accused. Indeed, the new revelations will likely mean an intensification of the anti-democratic campaign, pushed even more viciously and relentlessly. To contact the WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter, click here. In the two weeks since the August 9 national conference of Teamsters, which endorsed its concessions contracts with UPS management, the unions strategy to push through its sellout has become even more blatant. While continuing to keep workers in the dark about the date of a vote, the Teamsters is now dispatching bureaucrats across the country to intimidate and blackmail members into voting yes and threaten workers that the union will sabotage any strike. On Sunday, a room of 100 UPS workers at Local 542 in San Diego, California, erupted in anger as the Teamsters UPS Director for the Western Region, Andy Marshall, reprimanded them for having the nerve to expect a fight to improve their wages and conditions. The unions agreement allows the company to create a new hybrid driver/warehouse worker role that is paid less than current drivers and will be used to extend part-time work from the warehouses to the delivery vans. It maintains poverty wages for part-time warehouse workers, who currently receive as little as $10 per hour. This, Marshall declared, was the best we could get. In a perfect world, workers would get everything, but when I was a kid, I also wanted a pony. The company has to be competitive, he said. As the workers became increasingly angered by Marshalls pro-company propaganda, he threatened that the union would sabotage the growing demands for a strike. First, he made clear the union will attempt to starve workers into submission by refusing to use the $160 million strike fund, paid for by workers dues. Ask yourself a question, he declared. Did you put money aside to be able to stay out? The last strike [in 1997] was 16 days If we go on strike, you have to ask yourself how long you can afford to stay out there and what were going to accomplish out there. Next, he said workers risked losing healthcare coverage for themselves and their families in the event of a protracted strike. You have to have one minute of time on the clock [each week] in order for UPS to make a contribution, he said. No one is going to be without health insurance unless this strike goes for a huge amount of time. The trouble is, you get into week number three and you have an emergency in your family, and you have to go back and pay all three weeks of COBRA [a supplemental insurance costing approximately $400 per week]. At another meeting of Teamsters Local 70 the same day, Secretary-Treasurer Marty Frates rejected suggestions from workers that they reach out to Amazon employees for a common struggle, declaring, you'd be taking your own work away, thats our competition. When a worker asked why rank-and-file workers could not sit in on the contract negotiations, he was told this was above him. When workers demanded better language in the contract for workplace harassment, Frates told them to get a backbone. And when a worker asked if there would be a strike if the contract was voted down, Frates declared: Its not going to happen. No one wants that. These statements are in line with the entire conspiracy worked out by the Teamsters and UPS. On July 10, the same day the union released the agreement, it announced an indefinite extension of the negotiation deadline after the July 31 expiry of the current contract to buy time to wear down opposition among workers. At the same time, the Teamsters has slandered opposition to the contract as the work of internet trolls. It is necessary to call organizations, like all other things, by their real names. An organization that demands that workers work harder for less to boost company profits, that sabotages strikes, that threatens workers and their families into voting for a contract that will take more from them, that opposes uniting with workers at other employers, and that conspires with the company on a daily basis to carry all of this out, cannot be called a workers organization. It is an organization of scabs and a cheap labor contractor. The Teamsters is just one example of the role played by the trade unions internationally. For the past thirty years they have suppressed every struggle by workers, reducing strike activity to historically unprecedented levels, and facilitating a continuous transfer of wealth from the working class to the corporate and financial elite. The very day the union voted to endorse the contracts, UPS management announced its quarterly dividend payouts to corporate shareholders of more than $700 million. Extended over a year, this moneyextracted from the labor of hundreds of thousands of workers internationallywould provide an immediate $7,000 raise to every UPS worker in the world, but instead it is handed to Wall Street investment firms and the billionaires that control them. This is the real meaning of Marshalls remark that UPS has to be competitive. Workers must labor in warehouses with no air conditioning, increase their workload quotas, reduce their pay, suffer more injuriesin order that all they produce beyond what is needed for them to survive can be handed over to the rich. It is impossible for workers to conduct a fight for their own interests while their struggle is under the control of a pro-company organization of scabs known as the Teamsters union. New organs of struggle, rank-and-file workplace committees that are directly controlled by rank-and-file workers, must be elected in the warehouses and hubs so that workers can oppose the UPS-Teamsters conspiracy and take the struggle in their own hands. Such committees would draw up their own demands for a strike. Marshalls declaration that the union will not pay out the strike fund makes clear that workers must demand full control over the strike fund. There must be no more secret negotiations between the Teamsters and the company; all negotiations must be livestreamed for all workers to see. Against the unions efforts to isolate this struggle, delegations of workers must be sent from the warehouses and hubs to their counterparts at Amazon, FedEx, USPS, and to other sections of the working class, for a united offensive. The WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter will provide every assistance in such a struggle. We urge workers who want assistance in forming rank-and-file committees to contact us today. Over 500 immigrant children who were separated from their parents by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, under the Trump administrations zero tolerance immigration policy, have yet to be reunited despite court orders. In June, US District Judge Dana Sabraw ordered the Trump administration reunite parents by July 26 with the more than 2,500 children, aged up to 17, that had been taken from them at the border. Under massive public pressure demanding an accounting of the separated children, the US government released figures last Thursday that show many families have still not been reunited, two months after Sabraws court order. Out of 2,654 children initially in government custody, 2,089 have been discharged, meaning the children have been reunited with their parents or placed with sponsors within the United States. The exact proportion who have been returned to their parents from whom they were taken, not a guardian, remains unclear. The remaining 565 children are still being detained by the government. Of those, 24 children are under the age of 5. Parents of 366 of the still-separated children have been deported and are no longer in the US. Six children under the age of 5 have parents who have been deported. The Trump administration has offered a slew of excuses as to why families have still not been reunited. Government officials have claimed many parents either cannot be located or face criminal charges. The vast majority of crimes parents have been accused of are dubious nonviolent offenses, such as traffic violations or minor drug cases. The claim that one parent in US custody is wanted for murder in Guatemala remains unsubstantiated. The repeated accusations that these immigrants are criminals are completely bogus. They are being used to whip up anti-immigrant sentiment and scapegoat this section of the population for the dire state of social conditions. This attempt to demonize immigrants has very little traction among the population. Judge Sabraw, who ruled in the case about reuniting children with parents, made it clear that the alleged crimes of parents do not justify tearing children away from their families. Earlier this month, Sabraw expressed his opposition to the governments actions. For every parent who is not located, there will be a permanently orphaned child, Sabraw said in his San Diego courtroom. That is 100 percent the responsibility of the administration. In many cases, parents were reportedly tricked or coerced into being deported while their children remained in the United States. David Xol, a deported Guatemalan immigrant, told the Texas Tribune that immigration officials told him to sign his own deportation papers because he would be sent back to Guatemala without his son regardless if he signed them or not. Months later, Xols seven-year-old son Bryon remains 1,000 miles away from his family in a shelter in Baytown, Texas. Despite the immense public outrage and the recent court ruling, ICE officials have continued the ruthless policy of separating children from their parents as a means of punishment and coercion. Last week, ICE agents forcibly removed more than a dozen fathers from Karnes County detention center in Texas, where they were being held with their sons after being reunited. Attorneys representing the 16 fathers said the families were then re-separated in retaliation for a planned nonviolent protest by those detained against their treatment by the government. In a statement provided to The Daily Beast, ICE spokesperson Nina Pruneda said that roughly 40 men at the Karnes detention facility were involved in a disturbance, and that it had deployed law enforcement to control the situation. The Karnes County detention center houses about 630 men and their sons who were separated under Trumps zero tolerance policy. Last Wednesday, armed officers stormed the rooms where the fathers were being held, handcuffed them, and sent them to another detention center 90 minutes away. Meanwhile, the mens children were placed in two separate rooms, with no information about where their fathers had been sent or whether they would see them again. All of the men who were re-separated are currently pursuing legal resident status in the US, including many who have sought asylum status. The fathers were reunited with their sons the next day, but the separation exacted a large psychological toll. A man was reported to have vomited blood after being taken to the separate detention center, and one man attempted to hang himself with a bedsheet. The level of barbarity employed against detained immigrants is equaled in the methods of apprehension. ICE raids continue daily throughout the US, terrorizing immigrant communities and imposing irreversible emotional and psychological damage to those caught up in the dragnet. In San Bernardino, California, ICE agents arrested a man driving his pregnant wife to the hospital for a scheduled C-section last week. While on the way to the hospital, the couple stopped at a gas station where surveillance footage shows ICE officers who had been following them in two black SUVs approached and asked for identification. Maria del Carmen Venegas, 32, showed the officers her drivers license, but her husband, Joel Arrona-Lara, 36, told the officers he did not have his papers because he had left the house in a hurry. According to Venegas, her husband asked officers if he could return home to retrieve documentation, just down the street. The officers refused his request, then handcuffed Arrona-Lara, leaving Venegas sobbing in distress alone at the gas station. She was then forced to drive herself to the hospital and give birth to their son alone. In a statement on Saturday, an ICE spokeswoman defended the arrest, saying that Arrona-Lara was brought to ICEs attention due to an outstanding warrant issued for his arrest in Mexico on homicide charges. However, the agencys official statement on his arrest only stated he was arrested for illegally residing in the United States. Furthermore, Aronna-Laras lawyers say they can find no record in Mexico of a warrant for his arrest and that he may have been mistaken for his brother, who has served jail time in Mexico. Arrona-Lara is currently being held in a detention center in Orange County awaiting deportation. The couple has lived in the United States for more than 10 years and have five children, including their newborn baby. The Trump administrations zero tolerance policy has caused thousands of families immeasurable psychological and emotional trauma. Families continue to be separated at the border, while ICE, an organization reminiscent of Nazi Germanys Gestapo, terrorizes families in the US. The scenes reported almost daily of the brutality being meted out against the immigrant population have provoked widespread revulsion from people in the US and around the world. Leading the charge to contain this opposition has been the Democratic Party, which has only offered a few hollow and cynical denunciations of ICE and the Trump administrations policies. After presiding over a series of betrayals of university workers, the two top officials of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) are standing aside and backing the installation of a more openly pro-management leadership. Both the national secretary, Grahame McCulloch, who has held the post at either the NTEU or its predecessor union for 35 years, and national president Jeannie Rea, there for eight years, have resigned. According to McCulloch, their aim was to encourage leadership renewal of the union at all levels. The simultaneous departure points to a significant crisis within the university trade union. Disaffection among university staff is growing as the union assists managements to impose government funding cuts via real wage reductions, greater casualisation and heavier workloads. Since the NTEU was formed in 1993 to enforce the regressive enterprise bargaining system, introduced by the Keating Labor government, the union has participated in transforming the countrys public universities into corporatised institutions, serving the narrow profit interests of employers and the corporate elite. Like all the other trade unions in Australia, the NTEU has used enterprise bargaining agreements (EBAs) to split university employees according to their individual workplaces, suppress industrial action and subordinate them to the profit demands of university administrations. Over the past decade this process has only accelerated, since the NTEU backed the last Greens-backed Labor governments education revolution. This so-called revolution has forced under-funded universities to compete with each other to enrol high-fee paying students, attract corporate sponsorships and drive down costs, at the expense of the educational interests of both staff and students. Between 2009 and 2015, only 6.4 out of every 100 new positions created at Australian universities were tenured teaching or research jobs. At the same time, the universities and related companies have generated more than $22 billion a year in revenue for the wealthy elites, mainly by charging exorbitant fees to international students. Around the world, parallel processes have already triggered strikes this year by university workers and school teachers, including in Britain, Canada, the US, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, often in defiance of their own unions. Similar rebellions are already brewing in Australia. Over the past year, opposition among university workers has grown to the NTEUs sellout deals in the seventh round of enterprise bargaining since 1993. These have included a betrayal at the University of Sydney so blatant that the unions own branch committee recommended a no vote; a similar sellout at Western Sydney University, and an agreement at Western Australias Murdoch University that cut wages, increased workloads, facilitated retrenchments and overturned hard-won conditions. To replace McCulloch and Rea, the leaderships NTEU Future Team backed the unopposed nominations of Alison Barnes, from Sydneys Macquarie University, as president and Matthew McGowan, McCullochs long-serving assistant, as secretary. The election of these two marks a further pro-corporate shift. At Macquarie University, Barnes has pioneered interest-based bargaining (IBB), which consists of months of backroom talks, based on defining common interests between the union and management. In reality, IBB means devising schemes to overcome rank-and-file opposition to management demands for further cost-cutting and pro-business restructuring. Over the past six years, prominent trade unions have used IBB to inflict mass retrenchments, wage reductions and the overturning of hard-won conditions on their members. At Macquarie, a centrepiece of the IBB drive has been a misleadingly titled jobs families proposal, endorsed by Barnes. It will permit management to coerce up to a quarter of academics to allocate 70 or 80 percent of their workload to teaching, with no time for research, overturning the traditional academic workload of 40 percent research, 40 percent teaching and 20 percent administration. In April, a joint email circulated by Barnes and the universitys human resources director announced significant progress on the major strategic topic of academic job families and declared in principle agreement on a 2 percent annual pay risewell below the increase in average household expenses. At a Macquarie University NTEU branch meeting on June 19, opposition to these joint proposals led to a majority vote for resolutions moved by Socialist Equality Party supporters, calling for a unified national struggle by university workers to overturn budget cuts and for vastly increased education funding, at all levels, to guarantee the basic social right to free, first-class education for all students. These resolutions were passed in the presence of Barnes and NTEU officials. They advanced a perspective completely opposed to that of the NTEU, which is why Barnes and the union have suppressed them. Unlike other union resolutions, those advanced by the SEP and passed by the union membership have not been circulated to all Macquarie staff or to their colleagues elsewhere. This underscores the anti-democratic character of the union itself, notwithstanding McCullochs claim that he led a highly democratic structure. In reality, the NTEU specialises in cajoling university workers into accepting the erosion of their conditions and basic rights, invariably keeping them in the dark about the real content of the agreements that the union signs behind their backs. The Barnes-McGowan NTEU Future Team has nominated Western Australian state secretary Gabe Gooding as assistant national secretary. She was at the centre of this years sellout at Murdoch University. According to the Future Teams election brochure, she led the campaign against the aggressive management tactic at Murdoch University. In fact, the NTEU cynically exploited an application by Murdoch management last year to terminate an existing EBA, initially threatening to unilaterally slash salaries and conditions. The union ultimately pushed through a deal, despite immense hostility among its members, that gave the management practically everything it wanted. Nationally, the NTEU insisted that its members could support their Murdoch colleagues by rushing to sign EBAs everywhere else. The NTEUs sole concern was to preserve its role as the enforcer of management demands. Because of growing hostility to these betrayals, a rival leadership faction is supporting a pseudo-left candidate against Gooding. University of Technology Sydney branch president Vince Caughley, once a public member of the International Socialist Organisation (ISO), is canvassing votes in the name of grassroots leadership renewal to make union strength a priority. The perspective of the pseudo-left organisations is to divert outrage on the part of union members to ever-deepening cuts behind the election of yet another pro-business Labor government. Whatever the tactical differences between the two factions, Caughleys position echoes that of the Future Team in calling for support for the Australian Council of Trade Unions Change the Rules campaign. Also revealing is the fact that Caughley is backed by another ex-ISO leader, Michael Thomson, the unions New South Wales state secretary, who was instrumental in pushing through last years NTEU sellout at the University of Sydney. To fight for their basic rights, students and university employees must decisively break from the NTEU, and begin to form workplace rank and file committees that are completely independent from the union and from Labor and the Greens. Such committees must turn out to other university workers across the country and to workers everywhere in a unified struggle against wage cuts, the deepening social crisis, and the escalating drive towards authoritarianism and war. This requires a socialist perspective, aimed at the complete reorganisation of society in the interests of the vast majority, not the profits of the wealthy few. We urge all those who want to take forward this fight to contact the Committee For Public Education (CFPE), established by the Socialist Equality Party. In a sentencing memorandum filed Monday against the former vice president of employee relations at Fiat Chrysler (FCA), Alphons Iacobelli, federal prosecutors directly connect payouts to the United Auto Workers (UAW) to the effort to obtain benefits, concessions and advantages in the negotiations and administration of collective bargaining agreements. The memorandum asserts that FCA funneled far more than previously reported to UAW officials to corrupt and warp the labor-management relationship. More than $9 milliontwice the earlier figure and six times what Iacobelli has admitted towas channeled to union executives through the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC) between 2009 and 2017, according to the filing. The statement that the corrupt relations directly impacted contract negotiations has the most far-reaching implications. Autoworkers should consider the contracts imposed by the UAW null and void, the product of an illegal conspiracy directed against them. This applies not only to the contracts pushed through at FCA between 2009 and 2017. The same corporatist relations prevail at all of the Big Three auto companies, and they extend back decades. The filing Monday is the latest in a series of revelations in the expanding corruption scandal. Last week, attorneys for Iacobelli filed documents asserting that the conspiracy to influence contract negotiations preceded Iacobellis own involvement. Mr. Iacobelli joined an already ongoing conspiracy, it states. The practices and corruption that are the focus of this case started long before Mr. Iacobelli. Describing the operations of the NTC, the legal document asserts that UAW officials involved in the operation routinely had their own private charities, etc. It continues: They had NTC-issued credit cards. They had access to large sums of money Some representatives of the union and the company did this for many years. The claims by both FCA and the UAW that the scandal involves only a small number of bad actors (according to FCA) and that our leadership team had no knowledge of the misconduct (according to then-UAW President Dennis Williams) are being exposed as lies. Among the revelations over the past week is the fact that now-deceased Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne personally gifted the late UAW Vice President General Holiefield a watch valued at more than $2,000 and then lied about it to federal investigators. Then-UAW President Williams was himself implicated in a plea agreement released last month by Nancy Johnson, the former top assistant to UAW Vice President for FCA Norwood Jewell. Johnson asserted that Williams directed top UAW executives to use funds from training centers to pay for luxury items and personal expenses. These corrupt arrangements are only the filthiest expressions of the overall relationship between the UAW and the auto companies. Money and luxury gifts pass so freely from the company to the union because these two organizations are on the same side. The UAW scandal provides indisputable proof of what autoworkers experience every day: the UAW is itself a pro-company enterprise, not a workers organization. Autoworkers and all sections of the working class must draw the necessary conclusions from this fact. To advance their interests, workers need new organizations of struggle: rank-and-file factory and workplace committees to organize and unify resistance to the corporate and financial elite. In 1984, the Workers League, predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party, pointed to the significance of the UAW-company joint structures and ventures introduced more than three decades ago. In Corporatism and the Trade Unions, the Workers League defined the doctrine of the UAW as corporatism, that is, a doctrine of the identity of interests of labor and management, which leads to the unlimited collaboration between bureaucrats and the capitalist state to defend the profit system no matter how severe the consequences are for the working class. The Workers League accurately characterized the Joint Skill Development Training Fund, predecessor to the NTC, as a gigantic slush fund. The UAW became UAW-GM, UAW-Ford and UAW-Chrysler. The intended result of these arrangements is seen in the conditions facing auto workers today, imposed by the UAW through the suppression of strikes, the acceptance of plant closures and layoffs, and endless contract give-backs to the companies. Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been eliminated; full-time jobs have been replaced by low-wage, part-time and temporary positions; the workforce has been divided into multiple tiers; health care and pension benefits have been slashed; cost-of-living raises have been eliminated; and the eight-hour day has been effectively obliterated. The evolution of the UAW into a corporatist syndicate and cheap-labor contractor is not an isolated process. In the US and all over the world, the trade unions, based on their pro-capitalist and nationalist program, have transformed themselves into agencies of the corporations and the government. Beginning in the late 1970s and 1980s, the unions in the US responded to the globalization of production, the decline of American capitalism and the right-wing shift in the strategy of the American ruling class by joining with corporate management to lower the wages and increase the exploitation of American workers, in order to increase the competitiveness of US companies on the world market. The unions went from putting pressure on the companies to raise wages to putting pressure on the workers to lower wages. The executives who control these organizations were handsomely rewarded for their services. In the court filing Monday, prosecutors assert that the money funneled from FCA was intended to buy labor peace. This the unions are more than willing to sell. In his argument before the Supreme Court in the case of Janus vs. AFSCME earlier this year, the lawyer for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) said that the agency feethat is, the requirement that all workers, including those not in the union, pay the equivalent of union duesis the tradeoff for no strikes. There could be no clearer declaration of the role of the unions as the industrial police force of the corporations and the government. Those organizations, operating in and around the Democratic Party, that oppose the formation of new organizations of struggle, rank-and-file factory committees, do so from the standpoint of covering up the nature and role of the unions. Their aim is to prevent workers from drawing the necessary organizational and political conclusions from their bitter experiences with the unions. To this end, the websites of the International Socialist Organization (ISO), the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and other fake-left groups have said virtually nothing about the UAW corruption scandal, which has been unfolding for many months. Socialist Worker, the publication of the ISO, which controls the Chicago Teachers Union, has not published a single article on the UAW scandal. Nor has Jacobin magazine, which is associated with the DSA. Labor Notes, which promotes various supposedly dissident factions of the union apparatus, has published only one articleback in Februarywhich pathetically argues that the UAW can be transformed through a campaign for the direct election of officers and regional directors. These organizations speak for privileged sections of the upper-middle class. They are terrified that workers are moving into struggle and striving to break free of the stranglehold of the unions. The teachers strikes earlier this year emerged as a rebellion against the unions, which initially opposed the strikes and then gained control of the walkouts in order to isolate them and sell them out. United Parcel Service (UPS) workers are currently facing a joint conspiracy of the Teamsters and the company to push through a contract over mass opposition, with union officials denouncing workers opposition to poverty-level wages as subjective and selfish. The formation of new organizations is the essential prerequisite for mobilizing and uniting these and other sections of the working class. Rank-and-file factory and workplace committees are the form through which workers can advance their own demands, including the restoration of all contract givebacks, the elimination of tiers, the permanent hiring of all temporary workers, an immediate increase in wages for all workers, and genuine democracy and workers control in the work place. The workers independent committees, free from the bureaucratic grip of the nationalist trade unions, will create the conditions for unifying workers all over the world in a common struggle. The World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party will do everything in our power to promote and assist in the establishment of independent workers organizations, connecting the growth of the class struggle to a socialist political perspective and program. We urge workers interested in establishing such committees to contact us today. Prisoners incarcerated at various state and federal correctional facilities across the United States began a 19-day strike Tuesday to protest the inhumane living conditions imposed upon them, the slavery-like work regimes they are forced to labor under, and the reactionary sentencing laws that strip away their constitutional rights and prevent them from challenging in court the conditions of their confinement. The strike, which is being spearheaded by an intra-prison organization known as Jailhouse Lawyers Speak, was called in response to the recent riot at Lee correctional institution in South Carolina where 7 inmates were killed and another 17 injured. At the prison, which is notorious for its overcrowding and brutality, the correctional staff allowed the violence to continue for hours and left injured inmates untreated. First among the actions called for by the inmates are work strikes. Prisons in the United States typically have two different forms of employment. First are institutional jobs, such as working in the kitchen, laundry, or performing janitorial work. Second are industry jobs, in which prisoners work in on-site workshops that produce manufactured goods for businesses that have a contract with the prison system. Wages for this work vary across the prison system. For institutional jobs, in many states, prisoners are paid nothing for their labor. In other prisons, inmates are paid a flat rate, usually equal to no more than a dollar a day, at the very most. Industry jobs are often paid by the hour, with wages starting as low as 20 cents per hour. In the federal prison system, wages for institutional jobs range from 12 cents to 40 cents per hour, for a seven-hour minimum workday. Federal industry jobs start at 23 cents per hour and top out at $1.15 per hour. In most prisons, inmates are required to work. Those who refuse are placed in solitary confinement, known in institutional parlance as administrative segregation, where an individual is confined to his or her cell for 23 hours a day and kept isolated from other convicts. Due to the impoverished background of most inmates, whose only other source of income is money sent to the prison by family or friends, this work is the only source of income to procure necessities such as postage stamps, writing materials, and items from the prison commissary to supplement the inadequate and low-quality food prisoners are forced to eat. Because of the compulsory nature of this arrangement, modern prison labor in the US can rightfully be labeled modern-day slavery. The second demand of the prisoners pointedly addresses this, calling for An immediate end to prison slavery. All persons imprisoned in any place of detention under United States jurisdiction must be paid the prevailing wage in their state or territory for their labor. The striking prisoners have also called for sit-ins, hunger strikes and a boycott on spending inmate money. Within the prison system, telephone calls, commissary foods, and other services are outsourced to contractors who are then allowed to charge exorbitant rates for their services. A 15-minute phone call in the Kentucky state prison system, for example, costs an inmate and his family $5.70. The prison then typically receives a substantial financial kick-back from the contractor. This fraudulent price gouging is a universal feature of US prisons. The third and fourth demands advanced by the inmates call for the abolition of the Prison Litigation Reform Act as well as the Truth in Sentencing and The Sentencing Reform Act. The first piece of legislation, passed by Congress in 1996, greatly restricts the ability of inmates to seek relief within the court system for violations of their constitutional rights. It requires inmates to prove that they have exhausted all administrative remediesinternal panels of prison guards empowered to rule on inmate grievancesbefore they can file suit against the prison system. Because these kangaroo courts operate without external oversight and are staffed by the same individuals charged with violating the inmates rights in the first place, it is virtually impossible for an inmate whose rights have been violated to seek justice. The Sentencing Reform Act abolished parole for federal prisoners, compelling them to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences. The Truth in Sentencing laws includes a variety of measures passed by state legislatures, which include mandated sentences for certain crimes, restrictions on parole for various crimes, and other repressive measures. Californias notorious three strikes law, requiring a life sentence for a third conviction, even for a minor crime, is the most well-known of these laws. These laws were passed with bipartisan support in the 1980s and 1990s. Under both Democratic and Republican administrations, legislators sought to boost their credentials as being tough on crime at the expense of the millions of poor workers who saw their living standards collapse in the wake of the shift in the US economy away from manufacturing and the abandonment of the class struggle by the trade unions. As millions of jobs disappeared, crime rates spiked, largely fueled by a massive influx of cocaine imported into the US by drug cartels allied with right-wing Latin American regimes supported by the CIA and the Pentagon. The legislation passed by Congress caused the prison population to swell rapidly, doubling in the 1990s. Much of the legislation deliberately targeted the black population, particularly the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, which set mandatory minimum sentences for cocaine-related convictions. The key provision in that law set the mandatory sentence for possession of crack cocaine, which plagued black neighborhoods in the 1980s, at 100 times that for powder cocaine, more common among white users. The result of that and other discriminatory laws has seen the incarceration of African Americans, already disproportionate, rise to approximately 37 percent of the prison population. In comparison, African Americans make up 13 percent of the US population as a whole. Two of the inmates demands directly address this. Demand five calls for An immediate end to the racial overcharging, over sentencing, and parole denials of Black and brown humans. Black humans shall no longer be denied parole because the victim of the crime was white, which is a particular problem in southern states. Demand six calls for an immediate end to racist gang enhancement laws targeting black and brown humans. The gang enhancement laws referenced set increased penalties for crimes if the individual convicted can be proven to be a member of a gang. New inmates are often encouraged to identify which street gang they belong to upon entering prison, so they can avoid being housed in units with rival gangs. This is one of the primary means by which prison officials maintain de facto segregation among the inmates and prevent them from taking unified action in their common interest. Demands seven through nine call for inmates convicted of violent crimes to not be denied access to rehabilitation programs, for states to increase funding for rehabilitation programs, and for inmates to be allowed access to Pell grants so as to be able to pursue college degrees. Amidst the frenzy of anti-crime legislation passed over the last 40 years, most states gutted various educational programs offered in prisons. This was typically justified as a means to cut state and federal budget deficits, which were caused by the slashing of taxes on corporations and the wealthy over the same period. The final demand reads: The voting rights of all confined citizens serving prison sentences, pre-trial detainees, and so-called ex-felons must be counted. Representation is demanded. All voices count! The United States has the largest prison population in the world, both in total numbers and as a percentage of the population. With 716 out of every 100,000 individuals incarcerated, the US prison population accounts for 22 percent of the global prison population. It is unknown how many of the 2.3 million incarcerated individuals currently inside US jails and prisons will participate in the strike. The dates chosen for the beginning and end of the strike are symbolic. On August 21, 1971, imprisoned Black Panther George Jackson was murdered by correctional staff at San Quentin prison in California after allegedly staging an escape attempt. On September 9 of that same year, inmates at Attica state prison in New York staged an uprising in opposition to the brutal conditions they faced. Their rebellion was crushed four days later by the state police under orders of Governor Nelson Rockefeller, ending with 29 inmates killed by police. At that time, as today, millions of workers around the world were engaged in protests, strikes and other militant actions in opposition to US imperialism and the capitalist system as a whole. This found expression, albeit in an elementary and distorted form, in the uprising of the inmates at San Quentin, Attica and other prisons. Today, as prison conditions have become unbearable, inmates in the United States, who find only enemies within the capitalist two-party system, have once again been compelled to take action to end the brutal conditions they suffer under. Inmates, their families, and supporters must be warned: Though the struggle you have launched is necessary and brave, it is doomed to failure if it is confined to demands for reform within the prison system aimed at bourgeois politicians. The grotesque conditions that have driven you to strike are the result of the decaying capitalist profit system, which seeks to prop itself up through the ever-greater exploitation of the working class. The especially repressive state of affairs in US prisons is a concentrated expression of this reality. No true reform is possible under capitalism. Only the mass mobilization of the working class, aimed at the destruction of the profit system and its replacement with a socialist workers state, can set the conditions for the abolition of the police-state laws that have incarcerated millions. Canadas ruling elite is whipping up anti-refugee xenophobia with the twin aims of turning politics sharply to the right and diverting attention away from its agenda of austerity and war. While the Conservatives are leading the way with appeals to far-right and outright racist forces, Justin Trudeaus federal Liberal government is presiding over the deportation of desperate asylum-seekers and working closely with the Trump administration to strengthen security at the Canada-US border. The most right-wing section of the Canadian elite, emboldened by the coming to power of Donald Trump in the US, is portraying Canada as under siege by illegal aliens. This chauvinist campaign has escalated in recent weeks with Ontarios new provincial government, led by the right-wing populist Doug Ford, ending cooperation with the federal government on a program that provides minimal support to asylum-seekers who have fled the United States for Canada out of fear of persecution and deportation. In a thoroughly cynical manner, Ford and his spokesmen, who lead a government hell bent on eviscerating what little remains of Ontarios public and social services, claim that refugees are a drain on social spending. Employing the language of Trump or the far-right in Europe, Ford has argued that the influx of refugees is causing a housing crisis and jeopardizes Ontarians access to public services. Fords anti-refugee xenophobia must be taken as a serious warning by working people across Canada. His goal is to mobilize the most backward sections of the middle class and sow divisions among working people as he imposes a hard-right agenda of social spending cuts, tax cuts for big business and the rich, and law-and-order measures. Fords rise parallels the strengthening of far-right political forces internationally, including Trump in the US, the Alternative for Germany, Frances National Rally and Italys Lega all of which scapegoat immigrants for the social crisis produced by capitalism. These reactionary forces are being cultivated and systematically promoted by important sections of the ruling elite which view them as a battering ram to be used against the working class. Workers disgusted by Fords program of vicious attacks on the working class and anti-immigrant xenophobia must recognize that their ostensible establishment opponents, the Liberals and social-democratic NDP, represent no alternative. Like their counterparts internationally, the so-called progressive parties and the pro-capitalist trade unions have created the conditions for the rise of far-right figures like Ford and Trump, by their decades-long imposition of capitalist austerity and embrace of war and reaction. While posturing as a friend of refugees, the Trudeau government has deported thousands of desperate asylum-seekers trying to flee Trumps vicious crackdown on immigrants. In fact, as Trump has been carrying out his anti-immigrant witch hunt, the Liberal government has expanded its border-military cooperation with the US Department of Homeland Security and the US Customs and Border Protection Agencythe very same bodies overseeing the mass round-up of immigrants south of the border. The Liberals pro-refugee posturing, which is abetted by the media, serves to obscure the fact that this big business party maintains a hard line against refugees and is eager to expand military-security cooperation with a Trump-led US. According to data provided to Reuters by Canadas Immigration and Refugee Board, the Trudeau government granted refugee status to just 53 percent of all claimants in 2017. For so-called irregular entrants, i.e. those entering Canada from the US, the rejection rate is far higher. Of the thousands of Haitians who came to Canada last year when Trump ended their Temporary Protected status, only 9 percent received the right to remain. Moreover, Trudeaus Liberals defend the 2004 Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States to the hilt. It is this reactionary deal that forces significant numbers of refugees to cross the US-Canada border outside official entry points, often in life-threatening conditions. The Safe Third Country Agreement deprives asylum-seekers who enter Canada from the US at a land-crossing of the right to make a claim for refugee status in Canada and sanctions their immediate return to the US. However, under international law, Canada is obliged to hear the claims of those who arrive outside official entry points. The Conservatives are urging the Trudeau government to declare the entire Canada-US border an official entry point, so as to dramatically expand the application of the Safe Third Country Agreement and ensure the immediate arrest and deportation of all those fleeing the anti-immigrant witch hunt south of the border. Thus far the Liberals have insisted that this is not necessary, because under Canadas reactionary immigration laws the vast majority of asylum-seekers will soon be expelled anyway. The Liberals reject the claims promoted by the Conservatives, the Toronto Sun, the Journal de Montreal, and other right wing media that the spike in refugee claimants constitutes a crisis. But this is entirely hypocritical. Because they want to discourage refugee claims, the federal Liberals are doing everything to ensure that those who cross into Canada face difficult, crisis-type, conditions, including at one point housing large numbers in tents just inside the border. In their 2018 budget, the Liberals set aside $173.2 million over two years to strengthen border security. The government boasted that part of this money is to be earmarked for expediting the removal of those whose claims for asylum have been rejected on the spurious grounds they are economic, not political, refugees. To manage an enhanced crackdown on asylum-seekers, Trudeau announced last month the appointment of former Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair to a newly-created post of Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime. The Liberals pro-refugee posturing is all the more hypocritical given that the Trudeau government and Canadian imperialism bear responsibility for creating the conditions that have led tens of millions worldwide to flee their homes. Like its Liberal and Conservative predecessors, the Trudeau Liberals have ruthlessly pursued Canadian imperialist interests in US-led wars around the world that have destroyed entire societies. This has included deploying troops to the war in Syria and Iraq, dispatching military forces to Mali, and supplying weapons to the Saudi regime to wage its near-genocidal war in Yemen. As tensions between the US and Canada have flared up over trade, which is but one expression of a broader breakdown of the global capitalist order, the Liberals have rushed to bang the drum of Canadian nationalism and impose multi-billion counter-tariffs on Washington. The nationalist narrative underpinning such policies plays directly into the hands of the extreme right. The trade union bureaucracy plays a critical role in sustaining this foul political atmosphere with its promotion of virulent Canadian nationalism, including by means of its support for the Canadian governments protectionist tariffs and its denunciations of foreign workers, particularly in Mexico and Asia, as competitors of Canadian workers. Similarly, the New Democratic Party, which recently raised the demand for the formation of a corporatist national tariff task force to defend Canadian jobs, is fully on board with peddling this nationalist filth. The Parti Quebecois and the pro-sovereignty movement in Quebec have long stoked xenophobic sentiments, presenting immigrants as a threat to Quebec values, and seeking to divide workers along ethnic and linguistic lines. Like Ford, PQ leader Jean-Francois Lisee has suggested that refugees are responsible for deteriorating public services, and he has called for a Trump-style fence to block the principal road whereby refuge claimants are crossing over from the US into Quebec. For its part, the right-wing populist Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) is demanding a reduction in immigrants and advocates that future immigrants to Quebec who fail a French-language and Quebec values test be expelled. The promotion of such reactionary nostrums by the ruling elite is laying the groundwork for a deepening of the assault on the democratic and social rights of the working classan assault which can be enforced only by a resort to openly authoritarian forms of rule. In this context, it is no accident that as in Europe and the United States, ultra-right groups such as La Meute in Quebec or Storm Alliance, active across Canada, feel emboldened. Over the past two years, they have organized protests and other provocations in major cities, often with direct police support. Workers cannot oppose these dangerous developments by allying themselves with any section of the ruling elite. All are complicit in the attacks on jobs and living standards of working people and the criminalization of strikes and social opposition. The defence of refugees and immigrants must be a rallying point for a broader counteroffensive against the ruling-class agenda of war abroad, and attacks on democratic and social rights at home that is shared by the entire political establishment, from the NDP to the Conservatives. To prosecute such a struggle, workers require their own independent political party opposed to the capitalist profit system on the basis of a socialist and internationalist program. In an escalation of the factional conflict within the American ruling class, President Donald Trump received staggering blows yesterday on two fronts. In a New York City courtroom, his former attorney and fixer of personal scandals, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to eight felony charges. And in a courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia, across the Potomac from the White House, his former campaign manager Paul Manafort was convicted on eight felony counts of his own. Perhaps the greatest political damage came not from the felony charges, all of them related to various forms of financial chicanery, including five counts each for Cohen and Manafort of income tax evasion, but from Cohens public statement in the courtroom of Judge Kimba Wood. In confessing his guilt to the eight counts, Cohen declared that in two instances, violating federal laws by using personal funds to suppress politically inconvenient statements by Playboy model Karen McDougal and adult film actress Stormy Daniels, he was acting in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office. Although Cohen did not name the candidate, he was referring to Trump, who sought to avoid public attention during the 2016 presidential election to the claims by the two women that they had had sexual relationships with him. The payment to Daniels came a week before the election. Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 from personal funds and was later reimbursed by Trump, although that repayment was disguised as a billing for legal services by Cohen supposedly performed in 2017. Cohen also organized the $150,000 purchase of McDougals account of her relationship with Trump by the National Enquirer magazine, whose publisher was friendly to Trump and killed the story. Cohen reimbursed the magazine and was in turn repaid by the Trump Organization. Besides the campaign finance violations, Cohen pleaded guilty to five counts of income tax evasion and one count of bank fraud, all relating to his lucrative businesses in Manhattan, which included real estate and the purchase and sale of taxi medallions, as well as legal and consulting work for the Trump Organization. The case against Cohen originated in the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into charges that the Trump campaign colluded with alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. Mueller handed off the Cohen case to the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, on the grounds that the potential charges against Cohen had no direct relationship to the Russia investigation. The scale of the investigation of Cohen came to public attention last April 9, with early morning FBI raids on Cohens offices and residence in Manhattan, an unprecedented show of force against an attorney whose most prominent client was the president of the United States. For several months, attorneys for Cohen and Trump fought to suppress most of the material collected in the raid, on the grounds of attorney-client privilege. However, a magistrate appointed by Judge Wood to review the items seized allowed most of it into evidence, including tapes of Cohens conversations with Trump. At a press conference after Cohens plea, Deputy US Attorney Robert Khuzami said that the presidents former lawyer worked to pay money to silence two women who had information that [Cohen] believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate. Because the payments were made to influence the outcome of the election, they constituted campaign contributions in excess of the legal limit. They were also not reported to the Federal Election Commission, as required by law. Cohen did not formally agree to become a cooperating witness, either for the US Attorney in Manhattan or for the Mueller investigation, but he faces a sentencing hearing on December 12 in which he has agreed in advance not to challenge any sentence from 46 to 63 months, putting him at the mercy of prosecutors if he balks at discussing his work for the Trump Organization or Trump personally. The logic of the Cohen case was best summed up by one of his own lawyers, Lanny J. Davisa veteran of the Clinton White House during its defense against impeachment. If what Cohen did in relation to the payoffs to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal was a crime, Davis argued, and he did it on behalf of and for the benefit of candidate Donald Trump, then Trump is also guilty of a crime. Last month Davis released an audio recording Cohen had made of Trump admitting to knowing of the payment made to silence McDougal. The Manafort ruling is less directly related to Trump, although Manafort held a much higher and more public role in the Trump campaign, serving first as its chief vote counter for the convention, then as overall chairman of the campaign. In August 2016, he was forced out after press reports of his raking in tens of millions in fees from Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych during the period before the pro-Russian ruler was ousted in a CIA-instigated ultra-right coup in 2014. The tax evasion and bank fraud charges for which Manafort was prosecuted also relate to these Ukrainian activities. Prosecutors working as part of the Mueller investigation charged that Manafort concealed as much as $60 million in income from Yanukovych and other Ukrainian oligarchs in overseas bank accounts, evading federal income taxes, and that he subsequently lied about his income in a series of applications for bank loans in the United States. The jury found Manafort guilty of eight counts, including five counts of income tax evasion, for every year from 2012 through 2016, two counts of lying on applications for bank loans, and one count of failure to disclose a foreign bank account. The jury deadlocked on ten additional charges, including multiple counts of failure to disclose a foreign bank account and several counts of bank fraud. Judge T. S. Ellis declared a mistrial on those counts. The jury did not acquit Manafort on any of the 18 charges initially brought against him. Manafort faces a jail sentence of ten years or more for the various counts on which he was convicted, and his lawyers said he would appeal. He faces a separate prosecution in Washington DC next month, also brought by the Mueller investigation, on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent during the years when he was providing political advice and campaign management services to Yanukovych. President Trump has tweeted repeatedly against the Manafort trial, describing his former campaign chairman as a good man, even while taking pains to point out that Manafort was only associated with the campaign for a few months, and the charges against him have nothing to do with the 2016 election or allegations of Russian interference and Trump campaign collusion. In fact, both the Manafort trial and the Cohen plea do nothing to validate the Russia investigation, which has been instigated by sections of the military-intelligence apparatus, the Democratic Party and corporate media in an effort to push the Trump administration towards a foreign policy more overtly hostile towards Russia and more favorable to military intervention in Syria. The immediate results of the two casesdemonstrating that Trumps closest aides are criminalscannot come as a surprise to anyone familiar with the corrupt milieu out of which Trump himself arose. His fortune is based on real estate swindling, casino flimflam and media manipulation. He moves in the circles of the financial oligarchy where every crime is permitted, personal as well as in business, as long as you pay off the right people. Both factions in the bitter conflict within the ruling elite are deeply reactionary and anti-democratic. Trumps enemies use the courts and the special counsel, as well as the New York Times, the Washington Post and most of the television networks in a stepped-up campaign to drive him out of the White House. Trump conducts himself increasingly as an autocrat. He combines this with a deliberate effort to whip up ultra-right and fascist elements to be used to against those, above all among youth and workers, who oppose his right-wing policies. CBD oil for Kats "a method of treating diseases caused by oxidative stress, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a cannabinoid that has substantially no binding to the NMDA receptor ...". Paradoxically, both the US and UK governments currently define cannabis and cannabis-derived products as having no medicinal benefit. Recent developments suggest that both governments may soon soften the legal definition of cannabis. This Kat takes the opportunity to ask, in view of the US and UK governments current position that cannabis has no medicinal use, how strong are the patents claiming the very same?The legality of cannabis derived products is complicated by the broad spectrum of potential substances to which this term may refer. The cannabis plant contains at least 85 cannabinoids. The most prominent of these, cannabidiol (CBD), is non-psychoactive and has been associated with a number therapeutic effects. THC is the second most prevalent cannabidiol in cannabis, and is the primary psychoactive substance. Cannabis derived products contain varying amounts of CBD and THC.Recreational cannabis is subject to varying restrictions around the world. In the UK, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 categories cannabis and cannabinol as Class B drugs, meaning that unlicensed supply carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. Cannabis has been fully legalized in certain US states (e.g. Colorado), and it will soon become fully legal to grow, possess and sell Cannabis in Canada.The legality of medicinal cannabis is distinct from that of recreational cannabis. The legislation governing whether licences can be awarded to supply a controlled substance for medical purposes is dependent on whether that substance is considered to have a proven medicinal effect. Cannabis was categorized by the UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs as a drug having "no medicinal benefit" (Schedule 1). Both the US and UK currently follow this classification.Nevertheless, both the UK and US have approved the use of particular forms of cannabis for medicinal use. In 2010, the UK government granteda licence to manufacture Sativex (containing CBD and THC) to treat the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The UK also moved Sativex from Schedule 1 to Schedule 4, such that it can be legally prescribed (although it is considered too expensive for the NHS).Cannabis oil containing less than 0.2% THC is also legal in the UK, but cannot be supplied for medical purposes without a licence. Suppliers of CBD oil market it as a "health supplement".In the US, the FDA very recently approved anotherproduct,for the treatment of seizures associated with rare forms of severe epilepsy. Epidiolex is an oral solution of pure CBD . The expectation is that the FDA will now also reschedule Epidiolex as a non-Schedule 1 drug. The European Marketing Authorization (EMA) is also currently reviewing a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Epidiolex, the result of which is expected in early 2019. If the EMA approves Epidiolex, it will be possible to prescribe it throughout the EU.recently announced that Epidiolex is expected to cost ~$32,500 per year (on the low end of many predictions).In the meantime, there have recently been a number of high profile cases in the UK concerning child epilepsy sufferers who were denied potentially life-saving treatment in the form of cannabis oil containing THC. In response, the UK's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drug (ACMD) recently advised the Home Office that cannabis products other than Sativex should be considered to have medicinal benefit. The ACMD further advised that cannabis and canabanoids should not be placed in Schedule 1. The government has announced their intention to follow these recommendations, and particularly that they intent to reschedule some cannabis products as Schedule 2.The legal situation relating to medicinal cannabis is thus complex and in flux. Both the US and UK governments appear to be moving towards a growing acceptance that some forms of cannabis have a medicinal use. So how does all of this interact with the patent protection available for medicinal forms of cannabis?In the UK and Europe, an invention cannot be patented if its commercial exploitation would be contrary to public policy or morality (UKPAand EPC Article 53(a) ). This exclusion does not prevent patenting of inventions merely because their commercial exploitation would be illegal (). Therefore, it is in principle possible to patent inventions relating to cannabis, even before a change to the law allowing prescription of medicinal cannabis.However, before a drug for use as a particular treatment can be patented, it is necessary to demonstrate the claimed therapeutic effect is plausible. The current scheduling by the UK government of cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug, i.e. having no medicinal benefit, might therefore indicate that the Patent Office would be unwilling to grant a patent relating to cannabis for a medicinal use.However, this has not been the case.in particular have a number of granted UK patents relating to cannabis for medicinal use. These include: GB2554592 , claiming THC and CBD for use in the treatment of a glioma; GB2504263 , claiming CBD for preventing brain injury in newborns and GB2495841 , claiming CBD for the treatment of breast cancer.also have granted US and European (UK) patents relating to Epidiolex (e.g. EP3157512 ).The USPTO also has an established practice of granting patent relating to the medicinal use of cannabis, again in apparent contradiction to the position of the US government on the alleged medical uses of cannabis. In 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) rejected a petition to reschedule cannabis as having medicinal use. This appeared hypocritical to some, in view of granted US patentco-owned by a US health insurance company and the US government (NIH) itself, claiming:In response to criticism leveled at the NIH regarding this patent, Mark Rohrbaugh a Special Adviser for Technology Transfer at NIH was reported as saying that the patent does not yet prove the chemical compound is effective in the stated treatment. The requirements to demonstrate a claimed therapeutic effect are less stringent in the US than in Europe. However, the European(UK) case has also been granted with equivalent claims.The restrictions on the sale of cannabis for commercial purposes have meant that enforcement of patents relating to the medicinal use of cannabis has, so far, been largely unnecessary. However, hot on the heels of the FDA approval of Epidiolex, the first infringement action relating to sale of a medicinal cannabis product was filed in the US (see here ). The patent ( US 9730911 ), in the name of Colorado based US Cannabis Corp., claims a cannabis extract containing 95% total cannabinoids, wherein at least 95% of the total cannabinoids may be cannabidiol (CBD).However, it has been posited that patents such asare weak and will therefore be difficult to enforce. This has been blamed on the sparsity of prior art in the field available to the patent office that can be cited against an application. Another issue may be that whilst research papers and patents may be relatively few in number, common general knowledge of the medicinal effects of cannabis goes back centuries.Additionally, will the US Government's own definition of cannabis as lacking medicinal benefit affect the validity of a patent relating to the same? The recent indications of a shift in position of the US and UK governments in line with published scientific evidence may ameliorate this risk, although government statements at the priority date of an application are unlikely to be helpful.In view of all this, how strong are the granted patents relating to cannabis for the medicinal use? Will we see a difference in the European and US approach? Regardless, should the validity of these patents be considered by the courts, they will undoubtedly be interesting test cases on the extent to which the technical effect of an invention must be demonstrated in the application as filed. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras spoke yesterday to hail Greeces exit from its European Union bailout scheme, imposed after the 2008 Wall Street crash, as a new dawn created by his Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left) government. The speech was a pack of lies from start to finish. Above all, Tsipras tried to cover up the key role Syriza played in continuing EU austerity after its election in 2015, and its pledge now to impose EU austerity for decades to come. Tsipras pompously chose Ithacathe home of Ulysses, the hero of Homers Odyssey to claim that Greeces devastating, decade-long austerity Odyssey was drawing to a close. Greece has experienced its modern Odyssey since 2010, he said. Within five years, unprecedented things happened for a country in peacetime. We lost 25 percent of our national wealth. Three out of 10 people were unemployed. Six out of 10 young people, too. Austerity measures of 65 billion euros were implemented. Violence and repression became part of everyday life. He claimed, however, that a new day had dawned: The people, three-and-a-half years ago, made a historic decision: getting the countrys steering wheel from those who led it onto the rocks and giving it to new captains. We assumed this heavy responsibility. The people who fought to get to the destination were no longer on the sidelines. They were no longer locked in the hold, with no voice, no hope. They were behind the wheel, with us. And in hard times, they held it firmly. There is only one element of resemblance in the idiotic comparison Tsipras drew between himself and Homers mythic hero. Ulysses designed the Trojan Horse to allow the Greek army to enter into Troy by deceit and plunder the city, while Tsipras gained access to the prime ministers mansion via lies and treachery and used his office to plunder Greece in the interest of the banks. After voters elected Tsipras in January 2015 based on his promise to cancel the EU austerity memorandum, he promptly disenfranchised them. He signed a pledge to maintain the memorandum only weeks after taking office, and then trampled upon a massive no vote in a referendum on austerity he himself called in July 2015. Syriza had expected to obtain a yes vote and an excuse to step down and hand over power to a right-wing government that would cave in to the EUs blackmail to impose more austerity or be expelled from the eurozone. Instead, it was left to Tsipras to flout the landslide 61 percent vote for no and impose tens of billions of euros in new social cuts in exchange for preserving the access of the Greek banks and propertied classes to the EU and the strong euro currency. Syrizas hostility to the workers is ever more naked and brazen. The EU multi-bill it rubberstamped in parliament in January not only included billions in pension cuts and fire-sale privatizations of state assets. It also limited the right to strikea right inscribed in Greeces 1975 constitution as a guard against the type of untrammeled dictatorship of big business that Greece knew under the Nazi occupation, as well as under the 1967-1974 CIA-backed junta of the colonels. Syriza also ships weapons to Saudi Arabia for its bloody, US-backed war against Yemen and runs brutal EU detention camps for refugees fleeing from Syria and Iraq across the Aegean Sea to Greece. Even as Tsipras spoke, public anger was mounting over the authorities failure to prepare any plan for the devastating fire season in Greece. After EU austerity plans imposed budget cuts of over 30 percent on Greek firefighters, at least 92 people died on July 23 in forest fires in Mati. Tsipras defense minister, Panos Kammenos of the far-right Independent Greeks party, was booed when he arrived in Mati and blamed the deaths on unlicensed construction by Matis inhabitants. Now, however, Tsipras claimed that the end of the EU debt bailout, which will see Greece resume borrowing directly from private debt markets, meant the beginning of a new golden age. He said, The memoranda of austerity, recession and social depopulation have finally come to an end. Our country is regaining its right to define its own fortune and its future, like a normal European country, without any external compulsion. This is yet more lying. Workers and youth in Greece will only escape debt slavery by mobilizing in struggle against Syriza, and appealing to workers across Europe, who themselves are increasingly taking strike action against austerity, to support their Greek class brothers and sisters. The Syriza governments record is a devastating exposure not only of Tsipras, but of an entire layer of pseudo-left parties of the affluent middle classsuch as the International Socialist Organization in the United States, the Socialist Workers Party in Britain, the Left Party in Germany and the New Anti-capitalist Party in Francethat hailed Syrizas election and promoted it as a model. Syriza is now pledging that Greece will continue paying back hundreds of billions of euros to the banks. Despite a slight uptick in economic growth, social conditions in Greece are disastrous. A study by the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen & Merchants (GSEVEE) recently found: over 70 percent of Greek youth want to seek a job abroad; 51 percent of households depend on pensions; with unemployment at 20 percent, 75 percent of the jobless are in long-term unemployment; 34.2 percent of Greek households live on less than 10,000 per year; 62.4 percent of Greek households reported a fall in income in 2017. The 288 billion disbursed over nearly a decade of EU bailouts did not go to help Greece or invest in its economy. Instead, it went to paying off the banks and running up Greeces debt. On August 17, Greeces General Accounting Office revealed that the countrys national debt has again risen by 1.6 billion in the second quarter of 2018, reaching 345.3 billion. This is an unsustainable 181 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Yet, the EU and the banks adamantly oppose debt relief. Syriza and the EU instead cobbled together a bailout exit plan that commits Greece to generations of austerity. They require Greece to devote at least 3.5 percent of economic output to debt servicing until 2022, and 2.2 percent until 2060diverting billions of euros from rebuilding Greeces shattered economy into the pockets of the European financial aristocracy. Describing the plan in the Washington Post, US economist Matt OBrien wrote, Thats right: four more decades of austerity. Its no wonder, then, that Greeces economy might not get back to where it was in 2008 until 2030. Calling Greece one of the biggest economic failures youll ever see short of a war or revolution, OBrien added, This is what Europe calls a success: an economy that has shrunk so much it looks war-torn. The EU and powerful sections of the Greek bourgeoisie aggressively support this plan, however. Yesterday, Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras told Xinhua: Investors are watching us, as they are checking if we honor our commitments in full and if we implement all the measures agreed with our creditors. He added that the Greek population would have to keep up with the fiscal effort for many more years. Here's a look at Ukraine, the second-largest European country in area after Russia. It borders Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus, Russia and the Black Sea in Eastern Europe. About Ukraine: (from the CIA World Factbook) Area: 603,550 sq km (slightly smaller than Texas) Armed forces Arrests Arseniy Yatsenyuk Crime, law enforcement and corrections Crimea Eastern Europe Elections and campaigns Energy and utilities Europe European Union Heads of state Kiev Law enforcement Legislative bodies Military Military operations Natural gas North America Oil and gas industry Oleksandr Turchinov Politics Prime ministers Protests and demonstrations Referendums Russia Ukraine United States Unrest, conflicts and war Viktor Yanukovych Viktor Yushchenko Vladimir Putin Voters and voting Yulia Tymoshenko Yuriy Sergeyev Petro Poroshenko Criminal law Law and legal system Government and public administration Government bodies and offices International relations and national security National security Political Figures - Intl Fast Facts Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade Electric power industry Utilities industry International relations Territorial and national borders Accidents Accidents, disasters and safety Aircraft accidents Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 Military weapons Weapons and arms Treaties and agreements Continents and regions Heads of government The Americas Population: 43,952,299 (July 2018 est.) Median age: 40.8 years Capital: Kiev (Kyiv) Ethnic Groups: Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, and other 1.8% (2001 est.) GDP (purchasing power parity): $369.6 billion (2017 est.) GDP per capita: $8,800 (2017 est.) Unemployment: 9.2% (2017 est.) Other Facts: Prior to the 20th century, Ukrainian territories were controlled at different times by Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Mongols, Cossacks and others. From the 18th to 20th centuries, Russia and the Soviet Union carried out a program of Russification to discourage Ukrainian national identity. Timeline: 1917-1920 - Following the 1917 Russian Revolution and toward the end of World War I, Ukraine is briefly an independent nation. 1920s - Ukraine becomes part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. 1921-1922 - A famine kills more than one million people. 1932-1933 - Soviet leader Joseph Stalin's policy of collectivization leads to the Great Famine (Holodomor) in which millions of Ukrainians die of starvation. 1941 - During World War II, Germany invades Ukraine. More than six million Ukrainians, the great majority of them civilians, die in the war. 1944 - The Soviet Union regains control of Ukraine and expands its borders to include territory taken from Romania, Poland and Czechoslovakia. April 26, 1986 - Reactor 4 explodes at the Chernobyl, Ukraine, nuclear power plant, releasing large amounts of radiation into the atmosphere. More than 30 people died, and countless others later died from radiation symptoms. The government evacuates some 135,000 people from the area, and the 19-mile exclusion zone around the plant remains uninhabitable. July 16, 1990 - Ukraine declares sovereignty. August 24, 1991 - The Ukrainian Parliament declares independence, pending a referendum on December 1. December 1, 1991 - The referendum for independence passes with 90% approval. December 8, 1991 - Ukraine joins the new Commonwealth of Independent States, along with Russia and Belarus. 2004 - President Leonid Kuchma declines to run for a third term and endorses Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. Russian President Vladimir Putin also supports Yanukovych's campaign. September 2004 - Opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko develops a mysterious illness which leaves his face pock-marked. Medical tests later show he is suffering from dioxin poisoning. October 31, 2004 - In the first round of presidential elections, Yanukovych and Yushchenko both receive about 40% of the vote. November 21, 2004 - Preliminary exit polls from the run-off election give Yushchenko a lead of 52% to Yanukovych's 43%, but Yanukovych is officially declared the winner. Independent election monitors allege fraud. November 22, 2004 - Mass protests sweep the country, with demonstrators wearing orange, Yushchenko's campaign color. Activist Yulia Tymoshenko becomes a prominent figure of the pro-Western Orange Revolution. December 3, 2004 - Ukraine's Supreme Court rules the previous run-off election invalid and orders a new run-off. December 26, 2004 - Yushchenko wins the election with about 52% of the vote and is sworn in as president a month later. January 2005 - Yushchenko names Tymoshenko as prime minister. September 2005 - Yushchenko fires his entire cabinet, including Tymoshenko. January 2006 - Russian energy monopoly Gazprom briefly cuts off natural gas supplies to Ukraine. December 18, 2007 - Tymoshenko returns as prime minister. January 2009 - Gazprom again cuts off supplies of natural gas to Ukraine over a payment dispute. January 17, 2010 - Presidential elections are held. Yushchenko receives only 5% of the vote. Yanukovych receives 35% and Tymoshenko receives 25%, necessitating a run-off. February 14, 2010 - In the presidential run-off, Yanukovych wins 48.95% of the vote to Tymoshenko's 45.47%. Tymoshenko alleges fraud and is openly critical of Yanukovych. She loses her position as prime minister in March. June 2010 - Ukraine's parliament abandons plans to join NATO. August 2011 - A court motion calls for Tymoshenko's arrest. The arrest is in connection to a 2009 gas contract negotiated when she was prime minister. Tymoshenko brushes off all charges against her as political, calling the trial a "farce." October 2011 - Tymoshenko is found guilty of criminally "abusing her office" over the 2009 gas deal with Gazprom. She is sentenced to seven years in prison. November 21, 2013 - President Yanukovych backs out of a trade deal with the European Union due to pressure from Russia. Street protests begin in Kiev. December 17, 2013 - Putin agrees to buy $15 billion of Ukraine's debt and reduce the price of natural gas supplied to the country. January 16, 2014 - Yanukovych signs laws restricting the right to protest. This leads to large numbers of protesters in Kiev and clashes with police. The law is repealed on January 28. February 21, 2014 - Negotiations lead to a deal which reduces Yanukovych's powers as president and rolls back parts of the Constitution. February 22, 2014 - Parliament votes to remove Yanukovych from office. On the same day, former Prime Minister Tymoshenko is released from prison. February 24, 2014 - An arrest warrant is issued for Yanukovych. February 28, 2014 - Andrii Parubii, the Ukrainian chief of national security and defense, says the country's military and police forces have stopped Russian military forces from seizing two airports in Crimea. March 1, 2014 - The upper house of the Russian parliament votes to send troops into Crimea on the same day the pro-Russian leader of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, asks Putin for help in maintaining peace. March 2, 2014 - Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk says of Russian troops in the Crimean peninsula, "This is a red alert. This is not a threat. This is actually a declaration of war to my country." March 3, 2014 - Ukrainian Ambassador Yuriy Sergeyev tells an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that Russia has used planes, boats and helicopters to flood Crimea with 16,000 troops in the past week. March 4, 2014 - US Secretary of State John Kerry visits Ukraine and announces the United States will give Ukraine's new government a $1 billion loan guarantee. Senior US administration officials tell CNN this will help insulate the Ukrainian economy from the effects of reduced energy subsidies from Russia. March 6, 2014 - Crimea's parliament votes to hold a referendum on leaving Ukraine and becoming part of Russia. March 16, 2014 - In the Crimean referendum, 96.7% vote in favor of leaving Ukraine and being annexed by Russia. March 17, 2014 - United States and European Union officials announce sanctions on more than two dozen Russian officials and their allies in Crimea. Crimea's regional parliament applies to join with Russia, and in Moscow, Putin signs a decree that recognizes the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Crimea. March 18, 2014 - In Moscow, Putin signs an annexation pact with the prime minister of Crimea and the mayor of the city of Sevastopol. March 18, 2014 - In response to masked gunmen killing a member of Ukraine's military, wounding another and placing the rest of the staff of a base in Crimea under arrest, the Defense Ministry authorizes its forces in Crimea to use weapons "to protect and preserve the life of Ukrainian soldiers." March 21, 2014 - Yatsenyuk, in Brussels, signs the political elements of a trade pact with the European Union. March 22, 2014 - In Crimea, Russian special forces take control of Belbek Airbase, and pro-Russian self-defense forces take control of Novofederoskoe military base and a Ukrainian ship, the Slavutych. March 27, 2014 - The International Monetary Fund agrees to allow Ukraine to borrow up to $18 billion over the next two years. The UN General Assembly approves a resolution stating Crimea's succession referendum from Ukraine is not valid; the resolution's vote is 100-11, with 58 abstentions. April 15, 2014 - Acting President Turchynov tells the country's Parliament an "anti-terrorist operation" is under way in Ukraine's restive eastern Donetsk region. Tensions have soared in recent days in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian rebels have seized government and police buildings in as many as 10 towns and cities. May 25, 2014 - Petro Poroshenko declares victory in Ukraine's presidential election, following preliminary exit polls that suggested he got 56% of the vote. May 27, 2014 - Authorities announce that a battle between pro-Russian rebels and government forces at Donetsk airport has claimed 40 lives. June 7, 2014 - Poroshenko is sworn in as Ukraine's new president. June 27, 2014 - Ukraine signs a trade deal with the European Union, the same agreement that Yanukovych backed out of in 2013. July 17, 2014 - Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 crashes in eastern Ukraine after being shot down by a surface-to-air missile, according to the United States. All 298 people aboard are killed. July 24, 2014 - Yatsenyuk and his cabinet announce their resignation. A week later, parliament rejects his resignation. September 20, 2014 - Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists agree to a ceasefire. October 26, 2014 - Ukrainians vote in parliamentary elections. Ukrainian citizens in Russia-annexed Crimea and the eastern areas controlled by pro-Russian separatists do not participate in the elections because of ongoing violence. Poroshenko hails exit poll results and says the projected outcome gives "a powerful and irreversible backing to Ukraine's path to Europe." January 26, 2015 - Poroshenko announces the Ukraine will ask The Hague tribunal to investigate alleged "crimes against humanity" in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. February 5, 2015 - With Kerry by his side, Yatsenyuk says the Russian military is on the ground in the country. February 11, 2015 - French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Poroshenko and Putin meet in Minsk, Belarus, for peace talks. February 12, 2015 - Peace talks end in a breakthrough: A ceasefire and an agreement for both sides to pull back heavy weapons. In March, heavy weapons are pulled back from the front lines, but the violence continues. April 10, 2016 - Yatsenyuk announces he will resign. September 28, 2016 - The Joint Investigation Team, a Dutch-led group of prosecutors gathering evidence for a potential criminal trial, says that it has concluded that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was downed over eastern Ukraine by a Buk missile brought in from Russia to a pro-Russian area of eastern Ukraine. October 16, 2016 - Pro-Russian separatist commander Arsen Pavlov, known by the nickname "Motorola," is killed in the city of Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine. February 20, 2017 - A ceasefire aimed at ending the bloody fight between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists begins. The ceasefire is a renewed attempt to enforce the Minsk peace protocol -- an agreement that has repeatedly failed since it was first partially implemented in 2015. March 23, 2017 - Denis Voronenkov, a onetime Communist member of Russia's lower house of parliament, dies after being shot outside a hotel in Kiev. Poroshenko calls the shooting a "Russian state terrorist act." Voronenkov, who fled to Ukraine in 2016, is the latest in a string of Putin and Russia's critics who were killed or injured under mysterious circumstances. July 20, 2018 - The Pentagon releases $200 million in security assistance to the Ukraine. The funds were contingent on Ukraine passing a series of defense reforms to help bring the country's defense practices into line with modern standards. Ukraine's passage of a new national security law, signed by Poroshenko on July 5, met the requirements enshrined in the US legislation, thereby allowing the Pentagon to release the funds. November 25, 2018 - The Ukrainian military says Russian boats opened fire on and seized three of its ships near Crimea, detaining 23 of its sailors and wounding at least three. The ships were planning to enter the Kerch Strait, a shared waterway of strategic importance for both countries. Russia claims the vessels illegally entered Russia's territorial waters and were carrying out dangerous maneuvers, according to Russian state news agency TASS. November 26, 2018 - Ukrainian lawmakers vote to introduce martial law in the border areas with Russia. It will be introduced on November 28 and will last 30 days. Iran is a republic in Asia, sharing a border with seven countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Iraq, Turkey and Turkmenistan. It has been officially known as the Islamic Republic of Iran since the overthrow of the Shah in 1979. About Iran: (from the CIA World Factbook) Area: 1,648,195 sq km, slightly smaller than Alaska Business, economy and trade Crime, law enforcement and corrections Criminal offenses Elections and campaigns Embargoes and sanctions Embassies and consulates Energy and utilities Hassan Rouhani Hostage taking International relations International trade International trade law Iran Iran nuclear development Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Middle East Middle East and North Africa Oil and gas industry Politics Protests and demonstrations Ruhollah Khomeini State departments and diplomatic services Tehran Trade and development Trade regulation and policy Business and industry sectors Crimes against persons Government and public administration Government bodies and offices International relations and national security Nontariff barriers Political Figures - Intl Nuclear energy Fast Facts Civil unrest Unrest, conflicts and war Continents and regions Government departments and authorities Political Figures - US US federal government Military Civil disobedience Society Exports and imports Population: 82,021,564 (July 2017 est.) Median Age: 30.3 years Capital: Tehran Ethnic Groups: Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen and Turkic tribes Religion: Muslim (official) 99.4% (Shia 90-95%, Sunni 5-10%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish and Christian) 0.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2011 est.) GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.645 trillion (2017 est.) GDP per capita: $20,200 (2017 est.) Unemployment: 12.4% (2017 est.) Other Facts: Before the 1930s, Iran was known as Persia to outsiders. Iran and the United States have not had diplomatic relations since 1980. Officially designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the US government. Timeline: 1921 - Officer Reza Khan stages a coup and takes control of the military. 1925 - Khan has himself crowned Reza Shah Pahlavi. 1939 - During World War II, Reza Shah aligns Iran with Nazi Germany. 1941 - Allied forces invade Iran and force Reza Shah to abdicate in favor of his 21-year-old son, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. 1951 - Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq orchestrates passage of a bill in Iran's parliament which nationalizes British oil fields in Iran. 1953 - The Shah is forced to abdicate by the supporters of Mosaddeq. However, within days, Great Britain and the United States back a coup that returns the Shah to power. 1963 - The Shah forces cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a critic of his modernization plans, into exile. October 1971 - The Shah hosts an elaborate party, costing tens of millions of dollars, to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire. January 16, 1979 - After months of riots, protests and unrest, the Shah leaves Iran for what is described as a vacation, but is generally understood to be permanent exile. February 1, 1979 - Khomeini returns to Iran from exile in France. After his supporters overthrow the government of Premier Shahpur Bakhtiar, Khomeini becomes the Supreme Leader of Iran. April 1, 1979 - The country is renamed the Islamic Republic of Iran. October 22, 1979 - The Shah arrives in the United States for treatment of lymphatic cancer. November 4, 1979 - Iranian revolutionaries seize control of the US embassy in Tehran and take 66 embassy workers hostage. They demand the extradition of the Shah from the United States in exchange for the hostages. Thirteen of the hostages are released within two weeks, and one is released later for medical reasons. The other 52 spend a total of 444 days in captivity. April 1980 - An attempt by US airborne forces to rescue the hostages fails, killing eight service members. July 27, 1980 - The Shah dies in Cairo, Egypt. September 22, 1980 - Iraq invades Iran, starting an eight-year war. Hundreds of thousands of people are killed on both sides. The war ends in 1988 in a cease-fire, with no clear victor. A formal peace agreement is signed in August 1990. January 20, 1981 - The remaining 52 US hostages are released. June 3, 1989 - Khomeini dies. June 1989 - Seyyed Ali Khamenei becomes Supreme Leader of Iran. July 28, 1989 - Hashemi Rafsanjani is elected president of Iran. May 1997 - Mohammad Khatami, a reformist, is elected to the office of president. June 2001 - Khatami is re-elected as president of Iran. November 2003 - The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran has been secretly manufacturing small amounts of uranium and plutonium for two decades. June 2005 - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, mayor of Tehran, is elected president of Iran. June 12, 2009 - In a highly controversial election, Ahmadinejad wins re-election with 62.63% of the vote, according to Iranian government sources. His nearest rival, Mir Hossein Moussavi, receives 33.75% of the vote. June 2009 - Demonstrations take place in Tehran, protesting the outcome of the election. Dozens of people are reported killed. June 30, 2009 - Despite widespread unrest the re-election of Ahmadinejad is formally certified by the Council of Guardians. August 5, 2009 - Ahmadinejad is sworn in for a second term. February 13, 2011 - In reaction to the anti-government protests spreading throughout the Arab world, demonstrations break out in major Iranian cities and are met with reportedly brutal force by security officers. February 22, 2011 - Two Iranian warships pass through the Suez Canal, the first such ships to sail through the canal since the 1979 revolution. November 29, 2011 - Hundreds of Iranian protesters storm Great Britain's embassy and a separate diplomatic compound in Tehran. The next day, Great Britain evacuates all embassy staff in Iran and orders that Iran immediately close its embassy in London. December 1, 2011 - European Union foreign ministers agree to impose sanctions on Iranian firms and individuals in response to protesters storming the British Embassy in Tehran. Italy withdraws its ambassador. December 1, 2011 - The US Senate passes economic sanctions against Iran. January 23, 2012 - The European Union announces it will ban the import of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. February 19, 2012 - Iran's oil ministry says that it has suspended crude exports to British and French companies, days after Iran threatened to cut oil exports to some European Union countries in retaliation for sanctions. March 30, 2012 - President Barack Obama announces that the United States will implement previously announced sanctions that could significantly cut sales of Iranian oil. July 1, 2012 - The European Union embargo on Iranian oil takes effect. October 3, 2012 - Demonstrators in Tehran begin protesting Ahmadinejad, blaming him for the rapidly falling value of Iran's currency. June 14, 2013 - Hassan Rouhani wins the presidential election after securing 50.7% of the 36.7 million votes cast. Ahmadinejad was not eligible to run, due to term limits. Rouhani is sworn in August 4. September 27, 2013 - Rouhani and Obama speak by phone, the first direct conversation between leaders of Iran and the United States since 1979. November 24, 2013 - Six world powers and Iran reach a six-month agreement over Iran's nuclear program. The deal calls on Iran to limit its nuclear activities in return for lighter sanctions. November 24, 2014 - The deadline for a final nuclear agreement between Iran and the UN Security Council's P5+1 countries (the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany) has been set for July 1, 2015. April 2, 2015 - Negotiators from Iran, the United States, China, Germany, France, Britain and Russia reach a framework for an agreement on Iran's nuclear capabilities, which includes reducing its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 98%. April 9, 2015 - Rouhani announces that Iran will only sign a final nuclear agreement if economic sanctions are lifted on the first day of implementation. July 14, 2015 - The United States and its five partners reach a nuclear deal with Iran, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, during a final meeting in Vienna. January 4, 2016 - Two days after the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia and an attack on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, Saudi Arabia severs diplomatic ties with Iran. United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan also sever or downgrade diplomatic ties with Iran. January 12, 2016 - US sailors are captured by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard after their ship enters Iranian waters. They are released a day later. One of the sailors is shown apologizing in an interview on Iranian television. January 17, 2016 - Iran releases four Americans in a prisoner swap, including Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, Marine veteran Amir Hekmati and Christian pastor Saeed Abedini. American student Matthew Trevithick is also released. August 3, 2016 - US officials confirm that the Obama administration secretly arranged a plane delivery of $400 million in cash on the same day Iran released four American prisoners and formally implemented the nuclear deal. The $400 million was Iran's money, placed into a US-based trust fund to support American military equipment purchases in the 1970s. When the Shah was ousted by a 1979 popular uprising that led to the creation of the Islamic Republic, the US froze the trust fund. US officials said cash had to be flown in because existing US sanctions ban American dollars from being used in a transaction with Iran and because Iran could not access the global financial system due to international sanctions it was under at the time. January 8, 2017 - Former President Rafsanjani dies after suffering a heart attack, Iranian state-run media says. January 27, 2017 - US President Donald Trump bans nationals from Iran and six other Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for at least the next 90 days by executive order. February 3, 2017 - The United States enacts new sanctions on Iran. The moves come as punishment for the country's recent test launch of a ballistic missile. August 5, 2017 - Rouhani is sworn in for a second term. May 8, 2018 - Trump announces he is pulling out of the nuclear deal with Iran, adding he will initiate new sanctions. "Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States," Trump says. September 22, 2018 - At least 29 people are killed during an attack on a military parade in the southwestern city of Ahvaz. The separatist group Patriotic Arab Democratic Movement in Ahwaz claims responsibility for the attack, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency. The separatist group says that the state media report is false, and it had no role in the attack. September 23, 2018 - Iran's Revolutionary Guard accuses Saudi Arabia of supporting the attackers while Rouhani says US-supported foreign mercenaries were the culprits. ISIS circulates a video claiming that several of the assailants were affiliated with the terror group. Although there is uncertainty about who carried out the attack, the Revolutionary Guard pledges to track down those responsible, Iranian state media reports. November 5, 2018 - The United States officially reimposes all sanctions lifted under 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Rouhani vowed to continue oil exports, saying Iran will "proudly break the unjust sanctions." A 12-year-old boy detained on Nauru under the Australian government's strict border policies has been transferred to the mainland for treatment, according to a spokesman for a refugee advocacy group. The boy, accompanied by his mother, stepfather and sister, has left the island for Australia by air ambulance, according to Ian Rintoul of the Refugee Action Coalition. Australia Children Continents and regions Demographic groups Families and children Family members and relatives Immigration, citizenship and displacement International relations and national security Micronesia (Region) Nauru Oceania Population and demographics Refugees Society He is seriously ill after refusing to eat for at least two weeks, necessitating his evacuation, according to medical professionals. Doctors for Refugees President Barri Phatarfod told CNN that the boy was one of several young children on Nauru whose health was progressively deteriorating. "We can only assume (he has) depression because of his progressive withdrawal from different aspects of life ... We know he refuses to eat and refuses to drink," Phatarfod said. There are 119 children still living on Nauru after being transferred there under Australia's immigration policy, which bans asylum seekers who arrive by boat from being settled on the mainland. The Australian government insists the children are no longer in detention, but they and their parents are not allowed to leave. The Australian Border Force was contacted by CNN for comment but did not respond. 'Acts of self-harm and depression' The Australian government started moving hundreds of asylum seekers and refugees, including children, to Nauru after reopening its detention center in 2012. Since then there have been regular reports of physical and psychological damage suffered by the new arrivals. A 2016 UN report found many cases of "attempted suicide, self-immolation, acts of self-harm and depression" among children detained on Nauru. According to Phatarfod, the only way for someone to be transferred from Nauru to Australia for medical treatment is to be at risk of imminent death. She told CNN a number of children on Nauru were regressing developmentally, showing less ability at their current age than a few years ago. 'Stop playing politics' Using the hashtag #KidsOffNauru, more than 30 non-government organizations in Australia have started a petition calling for the government to allow the refugee children to leave the island. "(This) is a test of the courage of our political leaders to resolve this situation. If they fail this test, we will not drop the baton in championing these children to be put in a situation where they can grow up as normal, healthy children," said World Vision Chief Executive Claire Rogers. Some members of the Australian Parliament have spoken out in an attempt to gain help for the detainees on Nauru. Speaking in the House of Representatives on August 13, Independent politician Andrew Wilkie called on the government in a speech to "stop playing politics with people's lives," listing a dozen cases of detainees in severe need of medical treatment. "A 12-year-old boy who has overdosed twice in the past fortnight, an 11-year-old girl who is suicidal, an eight-year-old boy with autism in need of substantial support, a 27-year-old woman (who) was sexually assaulted on Nauru and is so afraid to leave her accommodation she has felt forced to urinate in a bucket," he said. Demands for release The 30 charities came together on Monday to demand the government release the children by Universal Children's Day, November 20. As part of their campaign, they released images of three children who are living on the tiny island, including two-year-old Roze who has spent her entire life there. "There are children here suffering. We don't know what our future holds. Our children are like any other little children around the world -- but they are not allowed to be free," their parents said in a statement. World Vision's Rogers told CNN the young people marooned on Nauru had less hope than children she'd seen in refugee camps around the world. "I never thought I'd have to fight this in my own country, but the things that are going on Nauru have just caught my heart," she said. So far there has been no indication the Australian Government will listen to the latest plea for the refugees, but Rogers said they will keep trying no matter what. "No one's saying this isn't a complex problem, but locking up children is not the solution," she said. Here's a look at Sudan, a North African country bordering the Red Sea, Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Between 2003 and 2008, at least 300,000 people were killed, and three million displaced during the Darfur Conflict, fighting between rebel groups and the government. Africa Armed forces Business and industry sectors Darfur Elections and campaigns Energy and utilities Middle East and North Africa Military Northern Africa Oil and gas industry Omar al-Bashir Politics Salva Kiir South Sudan Sudan Sudan People's Liberation Army United Nations Unrest, conflicts and war Arrest warrants Arrests Crime, law enforcement and corrections Criminal law Government and public administration Law and legal system Law enforcement Political Figures - Intl Fast Facts Business, economy and trade International relations International relations and national security Territorial and national borders Military operations Civil wars Continents and regions Government organizations - Intl North America The Americas United States About Sudan: (from the CIA World Factbook) Area: 1,861,484 sq km slightly less than one-fifth the size of the United States. Population: 37,345,935 (July 2017 est.) Median age: 19.9 years Capital: Khartoum Ethnic groups: Sudanese Arab (approximately 70%), Fur, Beja, Nuba, Fallata Religion: Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority GDP (purchasing power parity): $186.8 billion (2017 est.) GDP per capita: $4,600 (2017 est.) Unemployment: 19.6% (2017 est.) Other Facts: Sudan was the largest country in Africa prior to the secession of South Sudan in 2011. It is now the third largest, after Algeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo. After secession, the size of Sudan is approximately 25% smaller, with an area of 1.86 million square kilometers. Sudan lost most of its oil reserves, estimated to be between five and seven billion barrels, after the secession of South Sudan. The United Nations has called the Sudan/Darfur conflict one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. READ MORE: Climate change could render Sudan "uninhabitable.". Timeline: 1955 - Prior to Sudan's independence, conflict breaks out between Muslim Arabs in the north and Christian/Animist Africans in the south. January 1, 1956 - Sudan gains its independence after an agreement between the United Kingdom and Egypt. 1972 - Seventeen years of civil war end with the signing of the Addis Ababa Agreement between the north and the south. 1977 - Oil is discovered in southwestern Sudan. Civil war in the 1980s and 1990s prevents much exploration or development of the oil deposits. 1980s - Prolonged droughts put pressure on water and farming resources. 1983 - Col. John Garang de Mabior leads a mutiny of army soldiers, reigniting the civil war. June 30, 1989 - Lt. Gen. Omar al-Bashir seizes power in a coup. August 12, 1993 - The United States designates Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism. October 1993 - Bashir becomes president of Sudan when the Revolutionary Command Council is dissolved, and Sudan is restored to civilian rule. March 1996 - Bashir is re-elected president with over 75% of the vote. December 2000 - Bashir is re-elected president with over 85% of the vote. February 2003 - The conflict in Darfur begins when black African rebel groups attack government property, accusing the government of neglecting Darfur in favor of the Arab population in Sudan. 2005 - A comprehensive peace agreement is signed by representatives from the north and the south. Part of the agreement includes independence for southern Sudan within six years. July 14, 2008 - The International Criminal Court files genocide charges against Bashir. March 4, 2009 - The International Criminal Court at The Hague issues an arrest warrant for Bashir for a five-year campaign of violence in Darfur. April 26, 2010 - Sudan's National Election Commission certifies Bashir as the winner of recent presidential elections with 68% of the vote. July 2010 - The International Criminal Court issues a second arrest warrant for Bashir. The warrant adds three new counts of genocide to the 2009 warrant. February 7, 2011 - The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission announces that 98.83% have voted for separation from the north. US President Barack Obama declares Washington's intention to recognize South Sudan as an independent state in July, when the Comprehensive Peace Agreement is scheduled to end. February 21, 2011 - A party official announces that Bashir will not seek re-election when his term expires in 2015. April 27, 2011 - In a speech on state television, Bashir claims the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei on behalf of the north. May 22, 2011 - The United Nations condemns the violence over the oil-rich region of Abyei after multiple clashes between southern Sudanese forces and the northern Sudanese Armed Forces. May 31, 2011 - The African Union announces that Sudan and South Sudan have reached an agreement over Abyei, in which a demilitarized, jointly monitored Common Border Zone is established. June 5, 2011 - Fighting between the northern Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army of southern Sudan erupts near Kadugli, the capital of oil-rich Southern Kordofan state. The UN also reports violence in neighboring Blue Nile and African Unity states. June 15, 2011 - The United Nations says that 102,000 people have fled from the disputed region of Abyei. June 20, 2011 - Representatives from Sudan and South Sudan sign an agreement calling for the immediate withdrawal of Sudanese troops from Abyei and for joint supervision of the disputed region. July 9, 2011 - South Sudan becomes an independent state, with a population of eight million people. July 12, 2011 - Bashir announces economic austerity measures in a speech to parliament. He also details plans for a new constitution, new currency, and greater political freedom. September 8, 2011 - According to UN officials, the governments of Sudan and South Sudan reach an agreement that will allow the withdrawal of their troops from the disputed border region of Abyei. October 2011 - In his first visit to Khartoum since South Sudan's independence, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir meets with Bashir to "reach final solutions" to address continuing differences between their countries. October 31, 2011 - Government officials announce that Sudanese troops have killed hundreds of rebel fighters during a battle in the border province of Southern Kordofan. January 23, 2012 - South Sudan shuts down oil production after accusing Sudan of stealing $815 million of its oil. Sudan says it confiscated the crude to make up for unpaid fees to use the pipeline and processing facilities in its territory. January 24, 2012 - According to Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 78,000 people have fled Sudan's South Kordofan and Blue Nile states since August of last year. February 10, 2012 - During talks mediated by the African Union, Sudan and South Sudan sign a nonaggression pact aimed at bringing peace to the border region. April 12, 2012 - South Sudan forces claim the oil fields in the town of Heglig, which account for about half of Sudan's oil production. April 20, 2012 - South Sudan announces the withdrawal of its troops from the contested, oil-rich area of Heglig. Sudan claims that the South Sudan troops were "forced to withdraw." April 29, 2012 - Bashir declares a state of emergency for cities in the provinces of South Kordofan, White Nile and Sinnar, which are on the eastern half of its border with South Sudan. September 27, 2012 - Bashir and Kiir sign a deal to resume oil exports and establish a demilitarized zone and principles of border demarcation, but do not reach a deal on the status of Abyei, a disputed region claimed by both countries. January 6, 2013 - Bashir and Kiir agree to temporary arrangements for the oil-rich Abyei region. March 8, 2013 - Defense ministers from Sudan and South Sudan sign an agreement to soon withdraw their respective military forces from the 14-mile-wide demilitarized zone between the countries. April 6, 2013 - A splinter group from the Justice and Equality Movement, the largest Darfurian rebel group, signs a peace agreement based on the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) with the Sudanese government. April 9, 2013 - Countries pledge $3.7 billion at a conference in Doha, Qatar, for the reconstruction and development of Darfur. January 6, 2014 - Bashir travels to South Sudan for talks with Kiir. Unrest in South Sudan has left more than 1,000 people dead and cut South Sudan's oil output, effecting the economies of both countries. February 1, 2014 - The International Committee of the Red Cross says that Sudanese authorities have ordered the Red Cross to halt its activities in the Sudan, citing technical reasons. The International Committee of the Red Cross says it has worked in Sudan for 36 years. January 28, 2016 - Bashir orders the opening of the border with South Sudan for the first time since the South seceded five years ago, Sudan's state news agency reports. March 11, 2016 - The United Nations releases a report focusing on South Sudan. It details a scorched earth policy "with massive use of rape as an instrument of terror and weapon of war." A South Sudan military spokesman claims the report is not genuine. September 29, 2016 - The Sudanese government is accused of using chemical weapons against the people of Darfur, according to a report released by Amnesty International. According to the organization, up to 250 people have been killed by chemical weapons since the Sudanese military campaign began in January. October 12, 2017 - The US Treasury lifts various economic sanctions against Sudan. Sudan will remain on the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list. It also remains subject to separate United Nations Security Council sanctions related to its violent crackdown on opposition groups in Darfur, but will no longer be subject to a 20-year-old US trade embargo and will have access to previously frozen assets. Here's a look at Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti makes up the western one-third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. The eastern two-thirds of the island is the Dominican Republic. About Haiti: (from the CIA World Factbook) Area: 27,750 sq km (slightly smaller than Maryland) Accidents, disasters and safety Caribbean Diseases and disorders Earthquakes Elections and campaigns Haiti Health and medical Infectious diseases Jean-Bertrand Aristide Latin America Michel Martelly Natural disasters North America Politics Runoff elections United Nations United States Laurent Lamothe Government and public administration Political Figures - Intl Fast Facts Government bodies and offices US federal government Military Peacekeeping Unrest, conflicts and war Political candidates US Federal elections US Presidential elections White House Continents and regions Elections (by type) Government organizations - Intl Protests and demonstrations Resignations The Americas Population: 10,646,714 (July 2017 est.) Median age: 23 years Capital: Port-au-Prince Ethnic Groups: Black 95%, mixed and white 5% Religion: Roman Catholic 54.7%, Protestant 28.5% (Baptist 15.4%, Pentecostal 7.9%, Adventist 3%, Methodist 1.5%, other .7%), voodoo 2.1%, other 4.6%, none 10.2% GDP (purchasing power parity): $19.93 billion (2017 est.) GDP per capita: $1,800 (2017 est.) Unemployment: 40.6% (2010 est.) Timeline: 1492 - Christopher Columbus lands on the island and names it Hispaniola. 1697 - Spain recognizes France's claim to the western third of the island. 1791 - Slaves rebel against plantation owners. Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave, takes control and writes a constitution. January 1, 1804 - Haiti gains independence from France. Haiti is the second oldest independent nation in the Western Hemisphere after the United States. 1804-1915 - Over 70 different dictators rule Haiti. 1915 - US President Woodrow Wilson sends Marines to Haiti to restore order. The United States occupies Haiti until 1934. 1946 - Army officers take control of Haiti's government. 1949 - Army officers take control of the government again after rioting breaks out. 1950 - Army officer Paul Magloire is elected president. 1956 - Magloire resigns after rioting breaks out; the army takes control of the government again. 1957 - Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, a doctor, is elected president. 1964 - Duvalier declares himself president for life and rules as a dictator. 1971 - Haiti amends their constitution to allow the president to choose his successor. Duvalier chooses his son, Jean-Claude, who is 19. April 1971 - After his father dies, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier declares himself president for life. He uses a secret police force called "Tontons Macoutes" (bogeymen) to enforce his policies. 1986 - Duvalier flees the country after a revolt. Lieutenant General Henri Namphy runs the country and tries, but fails, to get rid of the Tontons Macoutes. March 1987 - Haiti adopts a new constitution that calls for presidential and national assembly elections by the people. November 29, 1987 - Elections are canceled after terrorist attacks on polling places. They are rescheduled for January 1988, and the people elect a civilian president and a parliament. June 1988 - Namphy overthrows the new government and declares himself the president of the military government. September 1988 - Officers of the Presidential Guard seize power from Namphy. Lieutenant General Prosper Avril declares himself president. March 1990 - Avril resigns due to protests. December 1990 - Jean-Bertrand Aristide wins Haiti's first free election. September 1991 - Aristide is ousted in a military coup and flees the country. The Organization of American States and the United Nations lead trade boycotts to force Aristide's return to power. Many Haitians try to flee to the United States but are forced back to Haiti. Later the refugees are sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. July 3, 1993 - The military government agrees to allow Aristide to return and restore his government by October 30. They later back out of the agreement and do not allow Aristide to return. September 17, 1994 - US President Bill Clinton sends a delegation to Haiti in hopes of avoiding a military conflict. The team includes former US President Jimmy Carter, General Colin L. Powell, and Senator Sam Nunn. A peace deal prevents an outbreak of fighting. September 18, 1994 - The United States sends troops to Haiti to maintain order. The first 3,000 troops land on September 19 in Port-au-Prince and are from the Army's 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, New York. October 1994 - Aristide is restored to power, while US troops stay in Haiti to maintain order. The United Nations and OAS boycotts end, and the refugees at Guantanamo Bay return to Haiti. March 1995 - Most US troops leave Haiti. Late 1995 - Rene Preval, a member of Aristide's Lavalas coalition, is elected president. April 1996 - The last of the US troops leave. December 1998 - UN peacekeepers withdraw. November 2000 - Aristide is elected president again; most other parties boycott the elections and claim they are fraudulent. February 2004 - Rebels and political opposition leaders oppose Aristide's leadership and methods and want him to be removed from power. Aristide says he will remain in office until the last day of his term, February 7, 2006. February 8, 2004 - Looting and violence spread throughout Haiti. February 21, 2004 - An International assessment team made up of officials from the United States, France, Canada, Caricom (the Caribbean Community) and the Organization of American States arrive in Haiti to present Aristide with a peace plan. He accepts the terms of the plan, which include the appointment of a new prime minister, the establishment of a bipartisan cabinet, the holding of new elections to be overseen by international observers and the disarmament of militias, stationed in much of the north. The opposition leaders announce the rejection of any plan that does not include the immediate resignation of Aristide. February 25, 2004 - President George W. Bush states that any Haitians attempting to enter the United States will be turned back by the Coast Guard, and urges the United Nations to compile an international security presence there. February 29, 2004 - President Aristide leaves for the Central African Republic. Supreme Court Chief Justice Boniface Alexandre replaces him as the nation's president in a transitional government, as mandated by Haiti's constitution. March 2004 - American and French troops deploy as part of a multinational peacekeeping force. March 2, 2004 - Haitian rebel leader Guy Philippe declares himself the country's new police chief and calls for the re-establishment of Haiti's army, which Aristide disbanded in 1991. The United States does not recognize Philippe as the head of the Haitian police. March 9, 2004 - Gerard Latortue, a 69-year-old international business consultant, is named the new prime minister of Haiti by the US-backed Council of Sages. April 2004 - The UN Secretary-General recommends the creation of a multidimensional stabilization operation to assist with the situation in Haiti. The operation is called the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). June 2004 - A US-led multinational force turns over authority in Port-au-Prince to UN peacekeepers. February 7, 2006 - After multiple scheduling delays and allegations of election fraud, Rene Preval is elected president of Haiti. February 2007 - President Preval has the force of 8,000 UN peacekeepers in Haiti begin an offensive against the street gangs in Port-au-Prince. January 12, 2010 - A 7.0 magnitude earthquake strikes 14 miles west of Haiti, destroying most of the capital of Port-au-Prince. The earthquake killed an estimated 217,000 people and left more than two million homeless. October 2010 - Cholera breaks out in Haiti, and more than 6,600 die within a year. As of February 2016, Haiti has reported 771,000 cases of cholera and 9,082 deaths attributed to cholera since the beginning of the 2010 outbreak. November 28, 2010 - The presidential election is held. December 2010 - The electoral council announces that former first lady Mirlande Manigat has won but lacks the majority of votes needed for an outright victory. The runoff is scheduled for March 20, 2011. January 16, 2011 - Former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier unexpectedly returns to Haiti after almost 25 years in exile. March 20, 2011 - The second round of presidential elections takes place. April 4, 2011 - Preliminary results in the presidential runoff election show musician Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly with 67.6% of the vote compared to former Haitian first lady Mirlande Manigat's 31.5%. April 20, 2011 - Martelly is officially declared the president of Haiti by the country's electoral council. May 14, 2011 - Martelly is sworn in as the president of Haiti. June 8, 2011 - Heavy rain in Haiti leads to an increase in reported cases of cholera. July 2011 - According to a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, UN peacekeepers from Nepal most likely caused the October 2010 cholera epidemic. October 2011 - A CDC report details improvements made in sanitation and education that lowered the mortality rate from cholera in Haiti from four percent to below one percent. Since December 2010, fewer people are dying from the disease despite an increase in number of cases reported. November 8, 2011 - Haitian cholera victims have filed a petition with the United Nations demanding compensation for their suffering, the victims' lawyers announced. Haitians who were sickened are demanding $50,000 each; families of those who died are seeking $100,000. April 14, 2012 - The Haitian government and the World Health Organization launch a cholera vaccination program targeting 100,000 people. October 2012 - Dozens die in floods and landslides due to Hurricane Sandy. December 2014 - After days of anti-government protests in Haiti, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe announces his resignation. January 9, 2015 - A US federal judge in Manhattan rules that the Haitian victims of the 2010 cholera outbreak cannot sue the United Nations, as it has legal immunity. January 16, 2015 - Former Port-au-Prince mayor Evans Paul is sworn-in as prime minister. January 22, 2016 - The presidential election is canceled indefinitely due to alleged fraud, threats and widespread protests. February 7, 2016 - After five years in office, President Martelly steps down, leaving Haiti with no successor after elections marred by allegations of fraud were postponed twice. Under the terms of an agreement for a transitional government, Haiti's parliament will elect an interim president for a term of 120 days and confirm a consensus prime minister. February 14, 2016 - The Haitian Parliament elects a new interim president, former head of Parliament Jocelerme Privert. August 18, 2016 - For the first time, the United Nations acknowledges its own involvement in the cholera outbreak in Haiti in 2010. November 20, 2016 - A presidential election is held, with 27 candidates competing. January 3, 2017 - Jovenel Moise is officially declared the new president of Haiti. He nominates Jack Guy Lafontant prime minister the following month. July 14, 2018 - Prime Minister Lafontant resigns amid violent and deadly protests sparked by a proposed plan to raise fuel prices. August 5, 2018 - President Moise announces that Jean-Henry Ceant will be the nation's new prime minister. The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency says it has "grave concern" that North Korea continues to develop its nuclear weapons program. A report Monday from the International Atomic Energy Agency noted that without direct access to North Korean weapons sites its information is limited, though it is monitoring the program through "more frequent collection of satellite imagery." Asia Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade Continents and regions Donald Trump East Asia Energy and utilities Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government organizations - Intl Military Military weapons North Korea North Korea nuclear development Nuclear energy Nuclear weapons Political Figures - US United Nations US federal government US-North Korea summit Weapons and arms Weapons of mass destruction White House The report includes a detailed list of nuclear-related activities the agency believes have been underway in recent months mainly at the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, one of the country's major nuclear sites. The IAEA report provides some of the most specific information made public so far about North Korea's activities. They include: Indications consistent with the use of centrifuge enrichment technology at the nuclear fuel-rod fabrication plant including operation of cooling units and movement of vehicles. Indications "consistent" with operation of the 5-megawatt experimental nuclear power plant including discharges of steam and cooling water. Operations of a steam plant were observed that served a radiochemical laboratory associated with nuclear fuel processing. There are also indications of ongoing mining, milling and other fuel activities at a site previously declared as a uranium mine and an associated plant. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in July that the regime is still making fissile material, but he gave no other details. Pompeo has subsequently said the US still has a long way to go in discussions with North Korea to achieve the full denuclearization the Trump administration says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised. On Monday US President Donald Trump said another summit with Kim would "most likely" happen but offered no details on timing or venue in an interview with Reuters. In the interview, Trump pointed to an absence of missile or nuclear tests from Pyongyang as a measure of the success he's had in dealing with the reclusive regime, which last year was threatening the US mainland with nuclear strikes. "I stopped (North Korea's) nuclear testing. I stopped (North Korea's) missile testing. Japan is thrilled. What's going to happen? Who knows? We're going to see," the President said. Fashion designers and brands rarely show their allegiance to a political cause as they know that it may damage their business. That said, we have seen fashion shows that were turned into protests or in which certain issues were subtly tackled via a specific colour or print, or fashion designers who are not afraid to make their views known. Julian Dunkerton from Superdry is among them: the multimillionaire and founder of the popular brand recently donated 1m to the People's Vote, a cross-party group including some MPs, currently demanding a new referendum on Britain's potential exit from the European Union. Dunkerton, 53, started his career into fashion from a stall in Cheltenham in the 1980s and then launched iconic brand Cult. Around 15 years ago, he developed the idea for the Superdry label after a trip to Japan with designer and co-founder James Holder and the first shop followed in 2004. Eight years ago Superdry was floated on the Stock Exchange and at the moment there are over 500 Superdry outlets scattered in 46 countries (over 130 stores are based in the UK). Dunkerton's personal fortune amounts to 441m and his decision to donate money to the People's Vote campaign may be easily seen as dictated by financial reasons: Brexit would indeed have a disastrous impact on the free movement of (people and) goods. For what regards the fashion industry, many brands in the UK source their materials and produce their garments in EU countries and their workforce comes from all over the world, so this is just one of the many industries that would be hit by Brexit. The entrepreneur's decision, though, may not be dictated by merely financial reasons as he sold off a portion of his shares in Superdry and he's not actually new to donations to causes in which he genuinely seems to believe in (he transferred more than 1m in Superdry shares to the Blue Marine Foundation, a charity combating over-fishing and the destruction of biodiversity). Dunkerton, who defines himself as "non-party political", is a strict Remainer, publicly criticised Boris Johnson while the politician led the Leave campaign and often spoke about the effects of Britain exiting the EU. According to the millionaire, if Brexit had happened 20 years earlier, Superdry would have never happened and it would have never been a success, the current policy on customs and tariffs and the single market allowed indeed the brand to focus on expansion in all sorts of European countries. Brexiters and Eurosceptics claimed Dunkerton is just another wealthy person trying to overturn the democratic decision and the will of the British people, highlighted how Superdry's garments are not made in Europe, but in Asia and the Middle East (Young Independence, UKIP's youth wing, stated on Twitter: "Superdry pouring money made from slave labour into the PeoplesVote campaign"; not to defend Superdry, but a lot of politicians and political parties receive funds and money donations from private sources, among them businessmen, which means they should also question where the money of their supporters comes from...), and called for a Superdry boycott. Still you wonder if the outcomes of the Brexit referendum in June 2016 can be called as democratic results when you consider that the Leave campaign thrived on fear of immigration, Cambridge Analytica and the leaders of the Leave.EU group worked together during the Brexit campaign and there is the possibility that Russia influenced the Brexit vote. Many of the voters never considered the real consequences of leaving the EU, such as losing funds for a wide range of projects or deliveries of supplies going from drugs to medicines getting stuck at customs control (without even taking into consideration the personal situation of millions of European people living and working in the UK and of British expats in the EU). Hard Brexiters' may insist on a no deal, but, even if you didn't want to believe in the dramatic consequences of Brexit, the fact that certain brands and industries are moving their branches overseas to Ireland or Germany to establish a European base, should make you think (they are clearly leaving the ship before it sinks...). For what regards the People's Vote campaign, time issues are a cause of concern: there may be indeed not enough time to organise another vote before March 2019, when Britain will stop being a EU member, besides Tory and Labour leaders do not like the idea of a new referendum. The campaign is hoping to get enough MPs to back a referendum on the deal Prime Minister Theresa May strikes with Brussels, due to be put to a vote in Parliament in October (a mass march against Brexit is scheduled to take place in central London on 20th October). Dunkerton's donation, the largest received by the People's Vote, will go towards funding opinion polls and the publication of "gold-standard" surveys of more than 10,000 voters at a time. Dunkerton is not the only billionaire who has expressed concerns about Brexit: Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, does not support Brexit and recently stated the British people were misled in the 2016 vote. Dunkerton may have done a risky choice by publicly donating his money and revealing his personal opinion (but then again political parties all over the world receive funds and money donations from private sources), but in life you can't always make everybody happy and you're always likely to get some angry backlash from people who do not agree with you on something. Dunkerton's choice was almost brave in an industry in which not many people like to stand up for a cause, fearing of losing consumers' money and support. Dunkerton seemed to have clear ideas about what to do with his money, but now, if he fears there may be a shortage of inspirations at Superdry, he can maybe turn to the sweater that Margaret Thatcher donned in 1975 in support of the European trade agreement (and she wasn't certainy pro-Europe...). Already relaunched in 2016 by another brand, the sweater featured the flags of the nine countries (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, West Germany, Ireland, Denmark, and the United Kingdom) that made up the common market at the time and still represents a basic, but visually striking and silent yet eloquent message. JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) - A Lowndes County grand jury decided not to indict officers involved in the fatal shooting of a man on Highway 82 near Columbus last year. The Mississippi attorney general's office says it presented the case in July and confirmed the grand jury's decision in the shooting death of Pryor Spencer Bailey, 45, of Starkville. Bailey was shot and killed March 27 more than a mile east of the Highway 50 exit after a chase that started in Mathiston when an officer tried to pull over Bailey's sport utility vehicle. The chase by law enforcement went through Oktibbeha County and ended in Lowndes County when the SUV hit spike strips. According to deputies, Bailey got out of the SUV shooting two handguns with one of the bullets wounding Lowndes County Deputy Kevin Forrester. Officers returned fire, and Bailey was killed. The attorney general's office did not rule out the case being presented to another grand jury. GRENADA, Miss. (WTVA) - Autopsy results should shed light on why a man was found dead in a Grenada pool. The man, 83-year-old William Waldrep, was found floating Friday in the pool at the River Hills Apartments. Grenada Police Chief Garrett Hartley says Waldrep was a resident at the apartments. The county coroner pronounced Waldrep dead at the scene. Hartley says the preliminary investigation did not reveal any foul play. However, Waldreps body was sent off for an autopsy. UPDATE: Signs returned to Shiloh military park Photo: Shiloh National Military Park Photo: Shiloh National Military Park SHILOH, Tenn. (WTVA) - Shiloh National Military Park officials are currently investigating the theft of several park signs. The park says three identification signs have been stolen during the past two weeks. The locations include: Bloody Pond sign Pittsburg Landing sign Larkin Bell Field sign Park officials are reminding visitors that the items are part of the park and are protected by federal law, and penalties associated with stealing or defacing the park are severe. Officials are actively investigating the thefts and are asking the public to provide any information to help identify the thieves. NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WTVA) - The New Albany cemetery is quiet and serene. It tells a story in itself, with one of the earliest head stones dating from 1823-1847. During the Civil War, the cemetery served as a campground since it was built on higher ground. New Albany was founded in 1840 by a businessman named Moses Collins. Becky Rinehart is a volunteer with the Union County Heritage Museum. "He came here and was a land speculator. He came and built his own saw and grist mill, which was the first business in New Albany," Rinehart said. You can see the life of Moses Collins in the Union County Heritage Museum. Even his death shares a tale from the past. "He has an inscription on the side. 'Remember youth as you pass me by, as you are now, so once was I, and as I am now, so you will be. Prepare for death and follow me,'" Rinehart said. However, there's a story that during the Civil War some Union soldiers wrote under the inscription saying, "to follow you, we can't consent unless we know which way you went." In 1878, yellow fever hit parts of Mississippi hard. Trains were not allowed to stop in New Albany, preventing an epidemic in the city. But some were not spared from the whooping cough. The doctor who treated patients during that time is also buried there. These are just some of the stories brought to life during the Tallahatchie River Player's portrayal of Lures and Legends along with depictions of other New Albany natives. "Wandering souls are those who have roots in New Albany. They are not necessarily buried in the cemetery, but during the Legends and Lures trail we bring those characters back," Rinehart said. Be sure to visit the historic cemetery, with stories still to tell. NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WTVA) - New Albany was first founded in 1840. The town was completely destroyed by Union soldiers during the Civil War in 1863, but the town rose from those ashes. What makes New Albany thrive and flourish? Take a stroll in downtown New Albany and it's almost like stepping back into time. Many of the buildings in the downtown area are listed on the National Historic Register. Billye Jean Stroud is the New Albany Main Street Director. "I think of a small, quaint Southern town with a vibrant downtown and vibrant citizens and a community that all comes together," Stroud said. But what is it that sets New Albany apart? The city was recognized in USA Today as the Best Small Southern Town in 2017 and most recently, the prettiest town in Mississippi in the House Beautiful Magazine. "One of a kind jewelry store, a bakery known nationwide, great dress shops - one store has been there since 1950, great mix of restaurants and retail shops," Stroud said. New Albany Mayor Tim Kent agrees. "People are just finding out what we have known all this time. It's just a small Southern hometown, with a home friendly atmosphere." Then there's the addition of the Tanglefoot Trail, Mississippi's longest Rails to Trails conversion. The 43.6-mile trail is nestled in the Mississippi Hills National Heritage area. And another fun fact, the original railroad that once traveled through here was built by William Faulkner's great-grandfather. "We knew it was going to big, but we didn't know how big," Stroud said. The trail starts in downtown New Albany and then travels through Ecru, Pontotoc, Algoma and Houston. There are other recreational treasures in New Albany, which include the Tallahatchie Trail. Many residents enjoy taking a peaceful stroll along the Tallahatchie River, taking in the serenity and the beauty of nature. Did you know that New Albany is part of a quilt trail? Jill Smith is the director for the Union County Heritage Museum. "We've got more than 100 in Union County. When I realized Mississippi did not have a quilt trail, I looked on the big quilt trail map, I thought that's what we need to do," Smith said. What is a quilt trail? "The whole quilt movement across the nation is called the Barnes Quilt trail and it shows an appreciation the efficient use of materials. When women made quilts in the early days, they used bits and pieces that couldn't be used any other way and they did it in a beautiful geometric way," Smith explained. New Albany became a part of the quilt trail in 2013. It marks the 150th anniversary of when New Albany was burned to the ground during the Civil War. "We tried to find something that would embrace everyone and everyone has homemade quilts. The soldiers had them. It was just a way to talk about that in a beautiful way," Smith said. There is a lot to discover in downtown New Albany. WEST POINT, Miss. (WTVA) - A state lottery is one of the possible funding mechanisms expected to be discussed in a legislative special session this week. "The best thing that could happen to the state," said Richard Chandler of West Point. "More revenue. It's a win-win situation." If approved the money from the state lottery will help with roads and infrastructure. "We need it. We need a lot," added Cleon Smith of West Point. Some residents did have concerns about the idea of a lottery. "A lot of people get addicted to it, spend their whole paycheck and the kids go hungry," added Richard Netherland of West Point. "That's the thing I hate about it." Lawmakers are expected to discuss several possible funding measures, including using internet sales taxes. TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - A Tupelo woman told WTVA she was one of 63 people in Mississippi to contract the West Nile Virus in 2017. Karen Windham said as a healthy woman she would not have expected to be affected by this mosquito-borne illness. This month a year ago, the kindergarten teacher said she was bitten by a mosquito and contracted West Nile virus. Immediately rashes popped up all over her body, but she thought one of her students got her sick. It was nothing to make me think I had West Nile until they tested me for it," she explained. She said doctors could not do anything for her, and for months her condition got worse. I was very weak, my neck and my head were hurting," Windham explained. "The fatigue was so bad. She said going to dinner with her family became a daunting task. Getting up and being active was so rare, she took joy in the small things like cleaning. I swept my kitchen for the first time," Windham added. "I was so excited because I swept the floor but I had to go lay right back down. After six months, Windham started recovering and was able to go back to work. She said she is feeling better, but is not fully healed. ADEL, Ga. (WTXL) - Adel police have captured a murder suspect on the run for months from Elkhart, Indiana. Police arrested Angelica Castillo on Tuesday on a warrant charging her with the murder of her husband, Elder Castillo Sr. While on patrol near the Walmart in Adel, officers were alerted by their tag reader that the vehicle's owner was "wanted." Police stopped Castillo, who gave police the false name of "Lucy Baker," but under that name, she was wanted for forgery charges in Tift County. She was initially arrested on those charges until police searched her vehicle and scanned her fingerprints revealing her true identity. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - We're hearing for the first time from the former Tallahassee police officer fired last week. Dozens of officers and their family members gathered at The Big Bend Police Benevolent Association's headquarters in Tallahassee Tuesday night, showing support for Damien Pearson. Pearson is a veteran who worked for the Tallahassee Police Department for more than three years before he was fired. The Police Benevolent Association has now filed a grievance on Pearson's behalf, saying he should not have been punished for shooting at a suspect's vehicle back in March. TPD released video of the incident that led to the decision. At about 1:30 in the morning on March 17th, TPD says Officer Pearson approached a suspicious car parked near the intersection of Jackson Bluff and South Lipona Roads. That's when the driver backed into Pearson's patrol car and began to drive off. Pearson tried to stop the driver by shooting at the vehicle. Pearson says he was scared for his life. "I had less than 3 seconds to respond to the attack on my life," said Pearson. "I responded to the attack as I was trained to do. I genuinely believe the suspects were trying to kill me." State Attorney Jack Campbell says it didn't violate Florida law, but TPD fired Pearson anyway, saying he did violate the department's deadly force guidelines. "The question is, why now? Why Damien? That's a question you'll have to pose to Chief DeLeo," said Steven Slade, Big Bend Police Benevolent Association President. "We have had multiple shootings under his leadership at vehicles," Slade continued. "This decision has given criminals the green light to say, if I go after a Tallahassee Police officer and they try to defend themselves, they're going to get terminated. We can't stand for that." Slade, Pearson and his supporters say they'll keep pushing until the officer can get his job back. After Pearson's firing last week, Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo released a statement, saying in part: "We must hold ourselves to the highest standard when making the decision to use deadly force. In this case, the officer's actions were not consistent with the Tallahassee Police Department's values and policies." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 00:01:48|Editor: zh Video Player Close A rescuer inspects the gorge after several people were killed in a flash flood in the Pollino National Park, Calabria region, Italy, Aug. 21, 2018. Three missing people have been located in the aftermath of a flash flood in southern Italy that claimed 10 lives, rescue services said Tuesday. (Xinhua/Alberto Lingria) ROME, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Three missing people have been located in the aftermath of a flash flood in southern Italy that claimed 10 lives, rescue services said Tuesday. The flood on Monday engulfed dozens of hikers along the banks of the Raganello River, which creates a scenic gorge that is 12 km long and 400 meters deep in the Pollino National Park in the southern Calabria region. The three had reportedly been camping some distance away from the site of the incident, where there was no cell phone coverage. "Persons reported as missing have been tracked down in a different location," the National Firefighters Corps tweeted. "In the absence of other missing persons reports, the search continues as a precautionary measure." The fatalities included six women and four men, Cosenza Prefecture spokeswoman Antonella Vecchio told Xinhua earlier on Tuesday. A total of 33 people were rescued, of which 11 were hospitalized, Vecchio said. Speaking to RAI News 24 public broadcaster, regional Civil Protection Agency chief Carlo Tansi said a "yellow alert" had been in place for most of the month of August throughout the Calabria region in the tip of Italy's boot. A yellow alert means local authorities, such as mayors, must take steps to deal with possible floods and landslides due to a sudden rise in water levels, according to the Civil Protection Agency. Speaking on behalf of the country, President Sergio Mattarella expressed "great sadness over this fresh tragedy, which has caused so many deaths and injuries in Pollino National Park." In a statement, the president expressed "the utmost solidarity with the victims' families and the injured" and thanked rescuers for their "abnegation". Environment Minister Sergio Costa visited the site of the incident, where he told reporters at the scene that he wants an investigation into "who was supposed to do what, and if it wasn't done, why it wasn't." "Italy is tired of shedding tears over the dead, especially if these deaths are the result of negligence," Costa said. Local prosecutors have opened a criminal probe on charges including manslaughter and misconduct in public office, ANSA Italian news agency reported. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 00:26:52|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close By Eric J. Lyman ROME, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- A major labor reform from Italy's new government aimed at strengthening the hand of workers could have the opposite effect, analysts said, warning that the reform could make it less likely for companies to hire new employees. The so-called "Dignity Decree", which was finalized last month, is the first major piece of legislation to be finalized with the backing of the Five-Star Movement, the populist and anti-establishment party backing the government of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Designed to cut down on the use of temporary contracts and increasing compensation for employees who can show they have been wrongfully fired from their jobs. The decree is in line with a campaign promise from the Five-Star Movement, helping propel the party to nearly a third of the votes in a crowded field in this year's general election. The measure takes aim at companies' frequent use of repeated temporary contracts to hire workers for extended periods without offering them full-time positions and all the associated benefits. Under the existing law, a worker can work under a series of temporary -- they can range from one day to as long as six months -- for as long as three years total. The new decree shortens that period to one year in most cases. The number of legal extensions for a temporary contract has been reduced to four from five. When a worker is ruled to have been unfairly dismissed, the new rules would see the minimum compensation raised to six months' salary, compared to four, and the maximum to 36 months' salary compared to 24. Luigi Di Maio, deputy prime minister and minister of labor in the Conte government, said the new rules will help "restore dignity" for workers, something he said has been lost. "This is a victory for the working men and women," Di Maio, leader of the Five-Star Movement, said after the Senate gave its approval to the measure by a vote of 155 to 125. The lower house of parliament must vote on the measure before the end of September in order for it to become law. But analysts told Xinhua that if it becomes law as is it would have an overall negative impact. "This is a political measure that does show that the government is trying to address labor issues," Giuseppe De Arcangelis, a professor of international economics at Rome's La Sapienza University, said in an interview. "But as a practical measure, the hidden costs are very high. It would walk back a lot of the steps taken in recent years designed to make the economy more competitive." Marco Leonardi, an economist with the Department for the Study of Labor and Welfare at the State University of Milan, agreed. "This measure will actually make companies less likely to take on new workers," Leonardi told Xinhua. "It would limit how long a worker can stay on short-term contracts, but it also makes it more complicated and expensive to hire for a full-time contract." De Arcangelis and Leonardi both said the measure was likely to have a negative impact on employment levels in Italy, already among the weakest in the European Union. Not all economists agree. Pasquale Tridico, an economic advisor to Di Maio, said a less flexible labor market could be positive, requiring companies to make greater investments in each employee. "There is no evidence that more flexibility is always better," he said in a televised interview. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 06:37:59|Editor: zh Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Five paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters battling the Islamic State (IS) extremists, and a journalist were killed on Tuesday in a suicide attack targeting their base in Iraq's central province of Salahudin, a provincial police source said. A suicide bomber blew up his explosive belt at an outpost manned by the anti-IS fighters at a village near the city of Shirqat, some 280 km north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, killing five of the fighters and a journalist who was covering their activities, Mohammed al-Jubouri told Xinhua. Up to 30 paramilitary fighters were wounded by the blast, including Adnan al-Ghannam, a former member of parliament, Jubouri said, adding that some of the wounded are in critical conditions. The attack came at the beginning of the four-day holiday of Eid al-Adha festival, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, which marks the spiritual peak of the annual pilgrimage. The security situation in Iraq has been dramatically improved after Iraqi security forces fully defeated the IS militants across the country late in 2017. However, small groups and individuals of extremist militants melted or regrouped in urban and rugged areas, and are carrying out attacks against the security forces and civilians despite operations from time to time to hunt them down. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 06:48:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- San Francisco-based peer-to-peer car sharing startup Getaround announced Tuesday that it has completed 300-million-U.S.-dollar series D funding led by top Japanese investor SoftBank Group. The funding, also with participation from Toyota Motor Corporation and other inside investors, will help Getaround grow and expand its peer-to-peer car rental business into new cities in North America and around the world. "We are confident in our product, playbook, and team ... we look forward to leading the growth of next-generation carsharing," Sam Zaid, Getaround founder and CEO, said in a statement. Getaround launched on-demand carsharing business in 2013 to let drivers rent their vehicles to strangers. It offers rent-a-car service for five dollars an hour in San Francisco. It has been operating its car-sharing service in 66 U.S. cities including San Francisco, Chicago and Washington D.C., with more than 200,000 members across the United States. The company had previously raised 88 million dollars in venture capital, and 45 million dollars in its previous round last November. In collaboration with Ford Motor Co. and Toyota, Getaround teamed up with another top U.S. ride-hailing provider Uber Technologies Inc. to launch Uber Rent service in San Francisco on April 11, which allows customers to rent nearby cars through the ride-haling app. Uber is one of SoftBank's largest investments, and the Japanese investment bank also held stakes in China's leading ride-hailing operator Didi, and most recently General Motors' autonomous driving startup Cruise, which received 2.25 billion dollars in investment from SoftBank's Vision Fund. U.S. President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen leaves the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Court House in lower Manhattan, New York City, the United States, Aug. 21, 2018. (REUTERS Photo) WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's former longtime personal attorney Michael Cohen on Tuesday pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges including campaign-finance violations, tax evasion and bank fraud at a federal court in Manhattan, multiple media reports said. In court, Cohen reportedly said that "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office", he kept information that would have been harmful to the candidate and the campaign from becoming public. Cohen didn't mention Trump's name but it's widely thought his claim has a clear reference to the president. "On or about summer 2016, in coordination and with and at the behest of the candidate, I and the CEO of a media company worked together to keep an individual with information that would be harmful to the candidate from publicly disclosing this information... under which she received compensation of 150,000 dollars," Cohen was quoted as saying in court. Cohen surrendered to the FBI earlier Tuesday. It remains unclear if the former Trump lawyer has committed to cooperate with the ongoing Special Counsel Robert Mueller probe over the alleged Russia meddling into the 2016 U.S. general elections. As part of the plea deal under discussion, Cohen was not expected to cooperate with the government, one source told CNN, saying that by pleading guilty both Cohen and prosecutors would avoid the spectacle and uncertainty of a trial. Federal investigators raided Cohen's office, home and hotel room in New York earlier this year and seized various electronic devices and documents which reportedly include information that Cohen paid porn star Stormy Daniels so as to keep her silent about accusations of an affair with Trump. Trump has denied the affair. Judge William Pauley set a sentencing date for Cohen for Dec. 12. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 07:03:02|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Michel Temer criticized protectionist measures taken against steel imports, during a speech at the Brazilian Steel Congress on Tuesday in Sao Paulo. Referring to tariffs imposed by the United States on steel imports, Temer urged the steel industry to "protect" itself from foreign attacks. "We have to protect our industry. This is an issue that has been dealt with frequently and has my support. The Brazilian steel sector has shown its resilience during our economic crisis and has shown its strength during this time," Temer said. Brazil is one of the major producers of steel in the world and ranks 11th in world exports, according to the Brazil Steel Institute. In 2017, the country produced 34.4 million tons of crude steel, a 9.9 percent increase over 2016. The production of Brazilian steel grew 6.7 percent in July compared to the same period last year, according to the Brazil Steel Institute. Sales grew 13 percent in the same period. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 07:23:05|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- As U.S. threat of sanctions on Russia will take into effect around Aug. 22, U.S. Under Secretary of Treasury Sigal Mandelker said Tuesday that Washington will impose "much more economic pain" to Russia if it does not change its global behaviors significantly. Speaking before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Mandelker said that "though Russia's malign activities continue, we believe its adventurism undoubtedly has been checked by the knowledge that we can bring much more economic pain to bear using our powerful range of authorities - and that we will not hesitate to do so if its conduct does not demonstrably and significantly change." "The significance of our actions and other financial measures must ultimately be measured in terms of their strategic impacts," she added. In a separate hearing, Assistant Treasury Secretary Marshall Billingslea told the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that "Treasury has made countering Russian aggression a top priority" and "will continue to do its part to impose costs in response to Russian malign activity, leveraging all of the tools and authorities that we have." Since January 2017, the Trump administration has sanctioned 217 Russian-related individuals and entities for a broad range of conduct. Earlier on Tuesday, the Treasury announced to sanction several Russia-related individuals and entities over their involvement in actions against the U.S. sanctions. The U.S. State Department said earlier this month that the country will impose new sanctions on Russia in two phases, and the first batch will take effect around Aug. 22. However, Billingslea said in the hearing that considering the size of the Russian economy and its deep integration into the global economy and financial system, U.S. "sanctions are not and cannot be the only tool on which we rely." He listed the engagement with foreign governments and private sector at home and abroad, and cooperation with international organizations and domestic and foreign media. A. Wess Mitchell, assistant secretary of state, also told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that "Russia has evolved beyond being simply an external or military one; it includes influence operations orchestrated by the Kremlin in the very heart of the Western world." He added that U.S. Russia policy is based on the recognition that "to be effective, U.S. diplomacy must be backed by military power that is second to none and fully integrated with our allies and all of our instruments of power." Mitchell noted that "even as we have imposed unprecedented penalties for Russian aggression, we have been clear that the door to dialogue is open" if Russia makes changes as Washington wants. Russia and the United States have been waging sanctions against each other as bilateral relations continue to worsen over recent years. Moscow has repeatedly said that it reserves the right to take additional countermeasures against U.S. diplomatic properties in Russia if Washington continues hostility. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Monday that he would consider lifting U.S. sanctions on Russia if Moscow took some actions in such areas as Syria or Ukraine. Trump has been widely attacked after his Helsinki meeting with Putin, due to his reconciliatory remarks that many saw as a sign of siding with Moscow against the U.S. intelligence community's conclusion that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. elections. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Monday that the upcoming U.S. sanctions are "unfriendly" and "illegal," and will hurt broader international trade. Nevertheless, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains ready to resolve the problems facing the two countries, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 07:33:07|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close HOUSTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are twice the cost of car ownership in the United States, an analysis by the American Automobile Association (AAA) said Tuesday. According to AAA, the average driver in the U.S. in an urban area - the only setting in which using these services is a practical full-time transportation option - drives 10,841 miles (17,346 kilometers) per year. The analysis found that while urban drivers travel fewer miles than those living in smaller towns or rural areas, relying on ride-hailing services as a primary mode of transportation would cost 20,118 U.S. dollars annually. This equates to more than twice the cost of owning a personal vehicle, even when factoring in the expense of fuel, insurance, parking and the vehicle itself. According to data from AAA, the average annual cost to own and operate a new vehicle, the costliest form of vehicle ownership, is 7,321 U.S. dollars for 10,841 miles of travel annually. But the average annual cost of ride-hailing in those areas would range from about 17,000 U.S. dollars to 26,000 U.S. dollars. Understanding that parking costs can be a major ownership expense for those living in urban areas, AAA also analyzed the costs of flat-rate parking per year, which ranges from 706 U.S. dollars to 8,088 U.S. dollars with an average cost of 2,728 U.S. dollars. For those with access to free parking, relying on ride-hailing services is nearly three times more expensive than vehicle ownership in these cities. "For those who travel a very limited number of miles annually, or have mobility issues that prevent them from driving a personal vehicle, ride-hailing can be a viable and important option," said managing director of AAA Automotive Engineering and Repair John Nielsen. "But, for everyone else: the car is still king." As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 59 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive services. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 09:28:18|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close CANBERRA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has cancelled its largest live sheep exporter's live export license permanently. In a statement issued late on Tuesday night, the Department of Agriculture announced that it had cancelled Emanuel Exports' license for breaching animal welfare standards. The department opened an investigation into the company's practices after footage of 2,500 dead or dying sheep as a result of thirst and exhaustion aboard the vessel Awassi Express in the Middle East was made public. "(The department) has taken action against this company in the best interests of the industry and for the protection of Australia's high standards of animal welfare and health," it said in a statement issued overnight. "Cancellation of licence is a serious step and is not one taken lightly. The department is satisfied that this is the most appropriate response." A spokesperson for Emanuel Exports said the company was "evaluating its options" in response to the department's findings. The footage prompted Agriculture Minister David Littleproud to impose stricter conditions on live exports, including reducing the number of livestock allowed on vessels and increasing the space required for animals while at sea. The government has come under pressure to ban the practice entirely but remains opposed to the idea. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 10:03:25|Editor: mym Video Player Close SYDNEY, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- New figures from the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) in Papua New Guinea have confirmed that Malaysia is now the country's leading foreign investor, local media reported Tuesday. With over 200 firms operating in the South Pacific nation, PNG High Commissioner Muhd Irfan Zulkurnain told local media on Tuesday that trade between the two nations for the first six months of the year to June totaled in excess of 420 million U.S. dollars. "Malaysian companies continue as the leading job providers in PNG," he said. "We at the high commission expect business and investment trends from Malaysia to grow further in the coming years, particularly in agriculture and services sectors." "This is a clear indication of strong confidence in PNG." Although PNG is generally more recognized amongst international investors for mining and natural resources opportunities, most Malaysian business in PNG fall under the retail, services, agriculture, forestry and manufacturing sectors. During the calendar year in 2017, Malaysia's total exports to PNG reached 303.9 million U.S. dollars, with imports going the other way hitting 214.7 million U.S. dollars. "The governments of Malaysia and Papua New Guinea are stepping up efforts to consolidate mutually-beneficial cooperation in various sectors," Zulkurnain said. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad demonstrates a picture showing his visit to China in the 1980s during an interview with Xinhua in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Aug. 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung) KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian business communities, media and experts are optimistic about the bilateral relations and cooperation with China following the official visit by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to China, saying the visit is bringing up the bilateral relations to a new level and opening up new areas for cooperation. "VERY SUCCESSFUL" VISIT Mahathir's five-day official visit to China, which is wrapping up on Tuesday, has been "very successful", said Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, Malaysia's former ambassador to China. "It's good that the leaders meet face to face, which cleared the uncertainties over bilateral relations" following Malaysia's general election in May that saw Mahathir returned as prime minister, Majid told Xinhua. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Mahathir in Beijing on Monday, calling for better ties between the two countries in the new era. Premier Li Keqiang also held talks with Mahathir on Monday, saying China will work with Malaysia to promote the bilateral neighborly friendship to a new high. The local Sinchew daily said in a commentary that the Malaysian prime minister's visit has brought a closer relationship between the two countries and has laid a solid foundation for future friendly development. The newspaper said Malaysia and China have reached consensus and are looking forward to pushing the bilateral relations to a higher level. Also on Monday, Malaysia and China released a joint statement, saying that standing at new historical junctures of their respective national development, China and Malaysia are optimistic about the prospect of their bilateral relations. During Mahathir's first tenure as prime minister from 1981 to 2003, Malaysia developed close relations with China, said Oh Ei Sun, special adviser for international affairs of Malaysia's Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute. "It can be said that this visit is a new starting point for the bilateral relations between Malaysia and China," said Oh, adding that the visit could bring more Chinese companies to invest in Malaysia for deeper economic ties and greater free trade, which could set an example for cooperation in the region and among other countries. "Mahathir stressed the long and friendly relationship between Malaysia and China, and that Malaysia will continue its support and active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. This is a clear signal that Malaysia wants to continue the mutual beneficial cooperation with China, to bring benefit to both peoples," said Tan Yew Sing, president of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce. NEW AREA FOR COOPERATION The cooperation between Malaysia and China has been developing fast in recent years. China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner since 2009 and its largest source of investment in manufacture for two consecutive years. Majid said Mahathir's visit allows Malaysia to look at China for a fresh outlook of cooperation. During the visit, Mahathir also visited several of China's top companies including e-commerce giant Alibaba, car manufacturer Geely and drone making company DJI. Majid, who was present at some of Mahathir's events during the visit, said the Malaysian prime minister had urged his fellow Malaysians to learn from China in areas like the application of technology, and the attitude of being a producer instead of only being a consumer. "The visit clears path on future direction of cooperation," said Majid, adding that he expects more cooperation between the two countries in manufacturing, automotive, e-commerce and agricultural technology. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 10:33:30|Editor: mym Video Player Close VIENTIANE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Flooding caused by recent storms in Laos has killed at least 46 people while 97 others are missing and four people were injured, according to the latest report from the National Disaster Prevention and Control Committee. Some 82,460 families of 236,188 people in 79 districts of 14 provinces, out of the country's 18 provinces, were affected by floods after tropical storms Son-Tinh and Bebinca brought torrential rain from the middle of July to the middle of August, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Wednesday. As many as 11,383 people have been displaced and now live in temporary shelters. About 120 schools have been damaged, posing a challenge for a timely start to the new school year which begins on Sept. 1. Some 62,980 hectares of rice fields and 41,879 hectares of other crops have been flooded, 208 irrigation systems have been damaged, and thousands of livestock and poultry have died. As many as 138 roads and 26 bridges have been damaged with losses estimated at more than 15.8 billion kip (about 1.9 million U.S. dollars). The latest count showed that 27 gravity-fed water systems, 26 dispensaries, 36 temples, 64 electricity poles and other structures have also been damaged. Meanwhile, an assessment of losses and damage is still underway in Sanamxay district, Attapeu province, where a dam collapsed, causing the biggest disaster in decades. Lao officials said six out of the 13 affected villages were completely wiped out by the flood, which killed dozens of people and left many others missing. The committee said there was an urgent need for tents, toilets, electricity, clean water, cleaning equipment, dried food, rice, and medicines. Household equipment, basic essentials for women, construction equipment to repair damaged houses, and nutritious food for children under five is also needed. Thanks to the ongoing support and assistance from various sectors, friendly countries and international organizations, a considerable quantity of relief supplies have been distributed to those in need. From July 24 to Aug. 17, more than 18 billion kip (about 2.1 million U.S. dollars), over 32 million Thai baht (about 1 million U.S. dollars) and more than 12.2 million U.S. dollars were donated, according to the committee. Authorities in charge said they have encountered difficulties in transporting relief supplies from warehouses in Vientiane, Attapeu and Champassak to temporary shelter centers amid continuous heavy rainfall that cut off roads, damaged bridges and covered Sanamxay district in deep mud. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 10:58:33|Editor: mym Video Player Close SYDNEY, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Australian native mammals are able to recognize introduced predators as a danger, new research has shown. Scientists at Sydney University (SU), released a meta-analysis study on Wednesday, which attempts to explain why local fauna face such an extreme threat from feral predators such as foxes, cats and dogs. "We're looking at the idea whether or not Australian Mammals are naive, or essentially fearless towards these introduced predators," study author Dr. Peter Banks told Xinhua. "We've got the world's worst extinction record with 29 species of mammals going from the mainland of Australia, and these introduced species are largely to blame." In some parts of the world, native species of animal are unable to recognize danger posed by a non-native predator and will fail to preserve themselves by running away or hiding. "The dodo, went extinct when humans came onto the island and the dodos just didn't recognize them and humans were able to just club them to death," Banks said. "Likewise on islands in the Atlantic, mice eat albatross alive because the albatross just don't know what to do about them." However, research shows that all of Australia's native mammals that were tested were able to recognize foxes, cats and dogs as a threat and consistently change their behavior. To achieve this result, Banks' research looked at 94 different previous studies to establish an overall picture of animal reactions to predators. "Some of the studies were things like wallabies in enclosed areas and they would wheel out a stuffed cat to see whether the animals would respond," Banks said. "Other ones were small mammals like rats or bandicoots out in the wild and they would put out fox odour, or cat odour or play the calls of dogs." Surprisingly to experts, the animals showed fear responses such as stress, heightened awareness or eating less when faced with these predatory cues. This may be explained by the fact that species which didn't have these instinctive responses have gone extinct, said Banks. "The ones that were left behind were somehow preadapted or otherwise worked out, either through learning or through evolution to recognize these predators as dangerous." The problem remains, however, even after a threat is recognized, can the vulnerable local wildlife act fast or smart enough to save themselves, and their species. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 11:23:36|Editor: mym Video Player Close CANBERRA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Australia's past and present indigenous commissioners have announced a plan for constitutional reform to give indigenous people "a rightful place in our nation." Indigenous Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar and her four predecessors Mick Gooda, Tom Calma, Mick Dodson and William Jonas presented the proposal to a parliamentary committee on constitutional recognition of Australia's indigenous people. In their submission, the five indigenous rights leaders called for the government to consult with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders "to finalize the working of constitutional recognition." Oscar said that she and the previous commissioners had campaigned for constitutional recognition for 25 years. "We are hoping our submission, based on more than two decades of advocacy, offers a pathway forward to address the unfinished business in this country," she told the Guardian Australia on Wednesday. "What we now need is strong political leadership to take this forward." They voiced strong support for the establishment of an indigenous voice to parliament, as recommended by 2017's historic Uluru statement. The statement, which was finalized in May 2017 after six months of talks between indigenous leaders, recommended that an independent indigenous voice to parliament be enshrined in the Australian Constitution. In order for the body to be embedded in the Australian Constitution, a referendum would need to be held. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's government has ruled out taking the proposal to a referendum, saying it didn't have "any realistic prospect of being supported" by a majority of Australians in a majority of states, which is required for a referendum to be successful. People attend the Eid al-Adha prayers in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug. 21, 2018. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah) KABUL, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Afghans celebrated Eid al-Adha, the largest annual religious festival, by attending prayers and visiting relatives throughout the country on Tuesday. Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani took part in Eid prayers together with senior officials and cabinet members in a mosque inside the Presidential Palace early on Tuesday. President Ghani congratulated the Eid al-Adha to the Afghan people and said in his short speech after offering Eid prayers that the Afghan government is committed to conditional ceasefire with the Taliban outfit, which announced on Sunday. People attend the Eid al-Adha prayers in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug.21, 2018. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah) The annual festival, known as the Festival of Sacrificing animals, is observed in the Islamic world from Tuesday Aug. 21 until Thursday Aug. 23 this year. "We have experienced enough violence in recent years, I wish the waves of violence and killings will be over in our country at its earliest, and all Afghans will be happy like in Eid holidays to enjoy peace and stabilities," Khalilullah, a Kabul resident said after offering his Eid praying ceremony. Kabul was attacked with rockets fired by militants on Tuesday morning. President Ghani said that the enemies activities can't stop Afghans from moving towards progress and development. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 11:53:42|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close SAN SALVADOR, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Salvadorans are optimistic that their country's newly-established diplomatic ties with China will boost cooperation with the Asian giant and benefit local businesses, local residents here said Tuesday. China is among the few countries in the world with robust economic growth and the new ties could help the small Central American country expand its economy as well, university student Diego Rodriguez, 19, told Xinhua. "It is a great opportunity for the country (El Salvador) to attract more investment and, why not, partner with all countries to see increasing improvements," said Rodriguez. China and El Salvador announced the establishment of diplomatic ties earlier in the day. Construction site manager Raul Antonio Diaz, 66, supported the decision by President Salvador Sanchez Ceren to strengthen ties with China, saying it is bound to boost existing bilateral trade. Karina Garcia, a 25-year-old vendor, made similar comments, saying that closer trade ties with China could help someone in her line of work offer a greater variety of products. "Trade could grow a lot," with Chinese goods arriving directly instead of via third countries at a higher cost, noted Garcia. "China can help El Salvador, so that there are many more benefits for everyone through trade, and to have more convenient merchandise," said Garcia. Student Tatiana Merino, 19, hopes China's development can serve as a model for El Salvador's economic and social progress. "China can help us evolve as a society," said Merino. Isabel Gutierrez, 51, sells mobile phone accessories near San Salvador Cathedral. She initially feared Chinese-made goods might flood the local market, but acknowledged the new ties are likely to entail new employment opportunities. "If this helps to bring world-class products, then welcome. I hope things can improve and there's more employment. Let Chinese companies come with good products to generate more jobs, because there are a lot of young people, even professionals, without work," said Gutierrez. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 11:58:44|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close SAN SALVADOR, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- El Salvador on Tuesday defended its "sovereign and independent" right to establish diplomatic ties with China. The Central American country could not continue to turn "its back on the world" by failing to recognize China's role as a global player, Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren's press secretary Roberto Lorenzana told reporters. "We cannot ignore that China is the world's second power and the leading export economy on the planet," said Lorenzana. "We should instead be asking ourselves why we didn't do it sooner. How much has El Salvador lost by not having a relationship with an economic giant like China," he added. "The enormous opportunities that open up for an economy like ours in a market of that magnitude is impressive from a scientific and technical point of view," Lorenzana said. "We must bet on this type of relationship," he added. China and El Salvador signed a joint communique in Beijing Tuesday on the establishment of diplomatic relations. As part of the communique, El Salvador "recognizes that there is but one China in the world," as 177 other countries do, said Lorenzana, "and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory." Ties with China stand to help boost El Salvador's economic and technological capacities, as well as educational level, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 11:58:44|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian military on Tuesday arrested at least 70 people in a massive dragnet on drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro, local officials said. The arrests were made a day after two soldiers were shot dead by drug dealers during an anti-crime sweep in the slum area of northern Rio de Janeiro, where drug-related violence spiked in the last few months. A total of 4,230 soldiers took part in the operation, during which more than 7,300 individuals were stopped and searched in the favelas of Mare, Alemao and Penha, considered major strongholds for drug dealers, according to the eastern military command. In Monday's sweep, seven people were killed, including two soldiers, while a third soldier was injured, according to officials. During the operation, five hostages being held by drug dealers were freed, according to the military command, and numerous weapons were confiscated along with 554 kg of marijuana. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 12:48:56|Editor: mym Video Player Close KATHMANDU, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Nepali government has formed a seven-member team to represent in a joint steering committee between Nepal and China to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Energy Cooperation, a senior official of Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI) said on Tuesday. The two countries signed the MoU on Energy Cooperation during the visit of Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China during the third week of June. "The Nepali team will be co-chaired by Anup Kumar Upadhyay, secretary at MoEWRI, and represented by two joint secretaries and an under-secretary from the same ministry, director general of Department of Electricity Development, a power licensing body, Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority, the state-owned power utility body and a representative from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Dinesh Ghimire, spokesperson at the MoEWRI told Xinhua on Tuesday. Ghimire said Nepal has proposed a meeting of the joint steering committee on Sept. 27 and 28 in Kathmandu. According to Nepali officials, the two sides will hold discussions on a wide range of areas of cooperation in the energy from power development to energy exchanges. As per the MoU, the committee will prepare the ground for creating a conducive environment to promote investment in the energy development from both government and private sectors. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 12:53:58|Editor: mym Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Amid increasingly tense U.S.-Russia relations marked by alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections, most Americans believe it is more important to improve relations with Russia, rather than taking strong steps against it. A recent Gallop poll showed that 58 percent Americans preferred better relations with Russia, while the "hardliners," who believe in strong diplomatic and economic steps, accounted for 36 percent. The poll also found that most Americans -- 75 percent -- believe that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential election, while only 16 percent believe that Russia had no involvement in the election. The result is largely divided along party lines. Just 9 percent Republicans agreed that Russians interfered and changed the outcome of the election, while the majority of Republicans, 58 percent, believe Russia interfered but did not change the outcome. In contrast, 78 percent Democrats believe Russians interfered and helped Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton. The United States and Russia have been levying sanctions against each other as bilateral relations continue to worsen. Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department said Washington would impose new sanctions on Russia around Aug. 22 over the alleged poison attack on ex-Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter Yulia in the British city of Salisbury in March. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 12:59:00|Editor: mym Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Department of the Treasury on Tuesday announced sanctions on several individuals and entities over their involvement in actions against the U.S. sanction measures on Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). In an announcement, the Treasury targeted two entities and two Russian individuals "in order to counter attempts to evade U.S. sanctions." They were accused of providing assistance for a sanctioned Russian entity. "The Treasury Department is disrupting Russian efforts to circumvent our sanctions," said U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests of the designated persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. In another separate announcement, the Treasury targeted two entities and six vessels for violating the UN and U.S. sanctions on the DPRK. They were accused of involvement in ship-to-ship transfer of refined petroleum products with DPRK-flagged vessels, an activity prohibited by the UN Security Council. "Consequences for violating these sanctions will remain in place" until the final and fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK is achieved, said Mnuchin. The new moves are the latest among a series of the Trump administration's actions against Russia's alleged "threatening" activities against the United States. In response to U.S. escalating actions, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill which allows him to respond to sanctions by the United States and other "unfriendly states." Under the new law, foreign entities could be prohibited from providing services for Russia's central and local governments, conducting trade with Russian counterparts, or participating in the privatization of Russian properties. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 13:54:07|Editor: mym Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A leader of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been abducted and killed by suspected militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. "BJP leader Shabir Ahmad Bhat was abducted by suspected militants while he was on the way to his home in Pulwama from state capital Srinagar late Tuesday evening to celebrate Muslim festival of Eid. His bullet-ridden body was found early Wednesday morning," a police official said. Though no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for his killing, a massive manhunt has been launched to track down the perpetrators of the crime. "We are investigating the killing and efforts are on to nab the culprits," the official said. BJP president Amit Shah has condemned the killing. "Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta (worker), Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves," he tweeted. "Entire BJP stands firmly with Shabir Ahmad Bhat's family in this hour of grief. My deepest condolences. May god give his family the strength to bear this tragic loss," Shah added. Bhat is the third BJP leader to be killed by militants in south Kashmir in the past one year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 14:59:14|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SUVA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's fish stock has become over-exploited over the years, depleting fish supplies for the people of the island nation, government officials said Wednesday. Coastal fisheries production produces extensive benefits to Fijian communities, including employment and nutrition. Fiji's Ministry of Agriculture Acting Permanent Secretary Naipote Katonitabua said Wednesday the food security for Fijians living in coastal communities was highly at risk. Katonitabua said many coastal fisheries across the Pacific were also facing severe exploitation. Fijians are urged to work with government to better manage the coastal resources. The annual marine catch for Fiji was estimated at 40,000 tons in 2015, of which 34 percent was tunas and other large pelagic species. Inland water catches are estimated at about 2, 600 tons in 2013, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. There has been considerable aquaculture work in Fiji (marine, brackishwater, freshwater) over many years and covering a large variety of species. The annual aquaculture production in 2015 was estimated, however, at less than 200 tons of finish and crustaceans and 550 tons of seaweeds. Meanwhile, the Pacific Community (SPC) has estimated that 75 percent of Pacific Island Countries'coastal fisheries will not meet their food security needs by 2030 due to a forecast of 50 percent growth in population, limited productivity of coastal fisheries as a result of climate change (exacerbated by overfishing) and inadequate national distribution networks. Pacific Island leaders have placed a priority on the sustainable development and management of coastal fisheries to support food security, sustainable livelihoods and economic growth for current and future generations of Pacific communities. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 15:39:20|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close HAVANA, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- A high-ranking official of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is visiting Cuba to discuss bilateral ties and international issues of mutual concern, an official press release said. Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea (WPK), held talks with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel here on Tuesday. A month ago, another high-ranking DPRK official, Ri Su Yong, vice chairman of WPK Central Committee, had visited Cuba. Cuba and the DPRK established diplomatic relations in 1960. Since then both countries have maintained ties and cooperated in several sectors, such as education and agriculture. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 15:49:21|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KAMPALA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military said Tuesday it will punish the soldiers who roughed up journalists covering riots in capital Kampala on Monday that left one dead. Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen. David Muhoozi has ordered the arrest of the indisciplined officers, army spokesperson Richard Karemire said in a statement. "The UPDF (Uganda People's Defense Forces) wishes to express its displeasure over such behavior by those individuals, and as a result, the CDF has ordered their arrest and punishment," the statement said. During Monday's fracas, dozens of people were arrested while one person was confirmed dead. According to the local media, soldiers and policemen fired teargas shells and shots in the air to disperse people protesting the arrest of opposition legislators following an attack on President Yoweri Museveni's convoy on Aug. 13. Security forces blamed opposition supporters returning from a political rally for the attack in the town of Arua in the northwest. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 15:54:22|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Flags stand outside of Henniges Automotive's factory building in suburb Detroit, Michigan, the United States, on Aug. 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ping) by Xinhua Writers Wang Wen, Zhang Mocheng, Wang Ping DETROIT, the United States, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- The global nature of the automotive industry today means any change to its supply chain could be detrimental to all. As the U.S. government rolled out additional tariffs on imported goods from some of its important trading partners, auto companies in Michigan are losing sleep over trade fears. Industry insiders and experts said the Trump administration's tariff plan, which shows U.S. misconception about world trade, will certainly lead to a lose-lose situation. AUTO COST SPIKE In its second-quarter earnings report released in July, General Motors cut its profit outlook for the year, citing significant increases in commodity costs. The automaker now expects to achieve earnings per diluted share of 6 U.S. dollars for the whole year, down from its previous forecast of 6.3 to 6.6 dollars. Its rival Ford Motor Co. has seen commodity costs rising 300 million dollars from last year, attributing about half of that to the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. The tariffs are expected to eat up about 600 million dollars in profit in 2018, the automaker's Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks told media earlier. Fiat Chrysler, along with its German, Japanese and South Korean competitors, have all voiced their concerns about potential impact additional tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other intermediate goods could bring to the industry. Auto parts suppliers have already taken the fall. Henniges Automotive, which produces automotive sealing, said they've already seen cost rising. Lucerne International, which fabricates auto parts in its Asian plants and ship them back to the United States, is worried that the company's profit margin is too thin to offset the rise of costs. Like Lucerne International, many auto parts suppliers that are locked in long-term contracts with its clients will not be able to pass on higher costs. There are few ways for them to lower costs and break even. The companies will then be caught in a dilemma: whether to cling on to major clients running at a loss, or to stop loss by terminating partnership. Either way the companies will suffer heavily. Other suppliers may pass the higher costs to automakers, which will lead to higher prices of certain car models. "In the end, everybody loses," said Shuo Wang, president of Michigan-based automotive supplier STEC USA, a subsidiary of Shanghai-based automaker SAIC Motor Corporation Limited. GLOBALIZATION BEHIND JOB LOSSES? One of the Trump administration's intentions to add tariffs on autos, auto parts, steel and aluminum is to bring manufacturing back to the United States and revive jobs. However, experts said the idea shows U.S. misconception about world trade. Farok J. Contractor, a professor in Rutgers Business School's management and global business department, said that while jobs will be preserved for a while against international competition in industries such as steel, winning back those already gone is difficult because global value chains take time to be reshaped. He pointed out the fact that U.S. workers are losing many jobs because of automation rather than outsourcing. Statistics show that for every U.S. job lost through international outsourcing, three jobs are lost because of automation. "It makes sense that American firms would prefer automation to outsourcing given the relative strength and size of the workforce in the United States," said an article from the Harvard Political Review published in July. Globalization and international trade are not to be blamed entirely for the loss of jobs in the United States, said the professor, whose conclusion is most evident in the automotive industry. As automakers expand their global footprint to reach the widest consumers possible, they are inclined to choose suppliers that could provide them auto parts globally in order to manage cost and quality. The inherent requirement for auto parts suppliers is to go global with automakers. STEC opened a plant in Madison Heights, Michigan in 2014 to stay as close to its customers as possible, marking another step in its global expansion. The Chinese company has a global workforce of more than 6,000 serving more than 50 customers in every major region of the world. STEC USA has since employed 15 U.S. locals and is aiming to hire more than 10 times that figure. FOREIGN BENEFITS At Henniges' headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Chinese national flag stood high in front of the building, alongside those of the United States, Mexico, Germany, and many more, showcasing the company's global presence. In 2015, the company was bought by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China. Larry Williams, the president of Henniges, said the change of ownership allowed the auto parts supplier to adopt a long-term development goal and grow at a much quicker pace. The capital investment provided the company with an opportunity to expand abroad and add jobs at its U.S. facilities. Williams said that Henniges added three new plants in the past two and a half years under the current ownership, compared with two new plants added in more than a decade when the company was under the previous ownership. Many similar stories could be told by auto companies in Michigan and beyond, where the stronger-than-ever foreign presence has brought benefits to U.S. companies, workers and consumers alike. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is holding public hearings on Aug. 20-24, and on Aug. 27, regarding proposed tariffs on approximately 200 billion dollars worth of Chinese products. According to the USTR, the proposed tariffs are a supplemental action in response to China's unfair trade practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation, based on findings in its investigation of China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Williams said the accusation runs contrary to his observation. "There's a lot of sharing (of technology between Chinese companies and European or U.S. companies) that goes on, which creates some competition but ultimately improves the environment," said Williams. Representatives of the U.S. auto industry are expected to voice concerns or opposition to the proposed tariff list. 1 killed, 15 injured in Chitwan bus-truck collision A person died and 15 others were injured in a bus-truck collision at Jugedi Khayerkhola in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29 of Chitwan district along the Narayangadh-Muglin road section on Wednesday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 15:59:23|Editor: ZX Video Player Close CHANGCHUN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- To outsiders, Taonan looks like an ordinary county-level city with few opportunities, but local college graduates, especially girls, view it as a place of role models. Since 2014, the poverty-stricken city in northeast China's Jilin Province has seen 37 women with college degrees returning from big cities to start careers or build businesses. But it all began with one woman, Wang He. Wang, 36, was a teacher and teaching agency owner in Tianjin. In 2014, Wang had the idea to start a cooperative in her hometown Taonan, selling mung beans online. Taonan is a major mung bean distribution center in China. Most of the beans there wholesale at around 50 yuan (around 7.3 U.S. dollars) per tonne. In the beginning, Wang also pursued the approach but after three months, few beans had been sold. Later, along with five female colleagues, Wang decided to grow organic mung beans and sell select products to high-end markets. They also created a brand called "Tao Bao," meaning treasure of Taonan. Wang and her team traveled to cities such as Beijing and Shanghai to promote their products in supermarkets. Business took off in the second year after several high-end supermarkets decided to sell their products. A bag of beans weighing 400 grams now sells at 30 yuan, and Wang has signed contracts with more than 50 farmers in her hometown to grow organic products. That has brought in over 3 million yuan for the farmers. "Our income has doubled by cooperating with Wang," said Chen Feng, a local farmer. To encourage business, the local government leased an old 20,000 square meter factory to them as a working venue, at no cost to Wang. As Wang's fame grew in Taonan, more local female college graduates joined the venture. "Cramming in the subway and sitting all day in a cubicle is not the life I wanted," said Jiao Qi, 30, who had a white-collar job in Shanghai. Jiao left Shanghai in 2014 to become Wang's assistant. "Selling beans may sound unimportant, but I can find my inner freedom here building my own career," she said. Casting aside her well-ironed white blouses, Jiao often wears loose-fitting floral dresses to attend various local events. Young graduates like Jiao can now start their own business in the factory thanks to Wang's support. Zhang Zhongyue, a fresh graduate from China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing, returned to Taonan to attend to her sick father. She works in Tao Bao but also started her own trademark agency in the factory. "If I went to a law firm in Beijing, I would probably be an assistant for the first few years," Zhang said. "Here I am able to run my own business right after graduation." Tao Bao offers registration capital, working venue and social connections for startups like Zhang's agency in the factory. "Girl team is one of our brand characters. We want to prove that female self-starters can overcome challenges and build a career," Wang said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 16:14:29|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOSCOW, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. ban on exporting high-tech electronic equipment to Russia will not impact related Russian industries critically as Moscow is boosting its domestic industry and will also tap Southeast Asia, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said Tuesday. "The ban on exporting dual-purpose electronic devices and components to Russia will undoubtedly affect certain high-tech sectors, including defense, but not critically," Manturov was cited by TASS news agency as saying. Russia will replace the sanctioned American components with domestically produced ones or import them from Southeast Asia, he added. The minister said Russia has already prepared a package of countermeasures to offset the impact of the U.S. action. "We have been preparing for this situation for quite a time. More than 1,500 types of basic electronic components have been developed within various federal programs in the past six years," he said. By 2020, Russia will create another 2,000 types of high-tech basic electronic components, which can replace more than 9,000 foreign-made components, Manturov said. The United States and Russia have been levying sanctions against each other as bilateral relations continue to worsen. Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department said Washington would impose new sanctions on Russia around Aug. 22 over the alleged poison gas attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the British city of Salisbury in March. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 16:29:32|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- South Korean families, separated by the 1950-1953 Korean War from relatives living in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), returned home Wednesday after three-day reunions. Eighty-nine South Koreans, mostly in their 80s or older, crossed the heavily-armed inter-Korean border into Sokcho, a city in northeast South Korea, from Mount Kumgang, a scenic resort in the DPRK's southeast coast. The South Korean separated families returned in buses after meeting with DPRK relatives for the first time since the Korean War ended in 1953 with armistice that left the Korean Peninsula divided. Since the war ended, people of the two Koreas have been banned from exchanging letters and phone calls, much less meeting each other. The meetings in nearly seven decades were painfully short. The separated families were granted permission to meet each other in group and private gatherings for only 12 hours during the three-day reunions. The second session of reunions was scheduled to last from Friday to Sunday at the Mount Kumgang resort. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 16:49:34|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Haoliang Xu, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)'s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, on Wednesday commended Cambodia for its efforts in promoting socio-economic development and poverty reduction. Xu made the remarks during a meeting with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn in Phnom Penh, said a UNDP's press release. He expressed the UN's commitment to supporting Cambodia's middle-income transition to be inclusive and equitable so that no one is left behind, in line with the commitment of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Xu emphasised that inclusive growth can be achieved by integrating social and environmental considerations, and by promoting strong governance institutions, partnerships and innovation. "I would like to reiterate the United Nations' commitment to supporting the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs," he said in the press release. Currently, the United Nations in Cambodia is developing a new UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). Xu said the strategic partnership between the UN and the Cambodian government is reflected in this new UNDAF, which articulates the joint commitment of the UN to national development priorities covering the period of five years from 2019 to 2023. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 16:54:35|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton on Wednesday defended Israel's deadly airstrikes in Syria, describing them as acts of "self-defense." At a press conference in Jerusalem before concluding his trip in Israel, Bolton said the Israeli attacks on Iran-supplied missiles in the Israeli northern neighbor are a "legitimate self-defense." The United States plans to do "other things" to increase the pressure on Iran, beyond the newly re-imposed economic sanctions, he added. Meanwhile, the U.S. official revealed that he will discuss with Russian officials in Geneva on Thursday over a possible joint effort to force Iranian forces to withdraw from Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he "would be glad to see the Iranian forces go back to Iran," Bolton noted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been lobbying leaders in the United States and Europe to oppose the Iranian efforts to establish a military foothold in Syria. The hawkish U.S. senior official arrived in Israel on Sunday, where he met with Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, and other security officials mainly over Iran-related issues. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 17:14:40|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- South Korean families, separated by the 1950-1953 Korean War, from relatives living in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), returned home Wednesday after three-day reunions. Eighty-nine South Koreans, mostly in their 80s or older, crossed the heavily-armed inter-Korean border into Sokcho, a city in northeast South Korea, from Mount Kumgang, a scenic resort in the DPRK's southeast coast. The South Korean separated families returned in buses after meeting with DPRK relatives for the first time since the Korean War ended in 1953 with armistice that left the Korean Peninsula divided. Since the war ended, people of the two Koreas have been banned from exchanging letters and phone calls, much less meeting each other. The meetings in nearly seven decades were painfully short. The separated families were granted permission to meet each other in group and private gatherings for only 12 hours during the three-day reunions. During the three-hour farewell meetings earlier in the day, the families were overwhelmed with tear and grief as it would be the last chance to see each other, according to pool reports from South Korean reporters at the venue. An 88-year-old Kim Byeong-oh from South Korea was not able to stop tears as he sat next to his 81-year-old sister, Kim Sun-ok, from the DPRK. "Stop tears, brother. You should not shed tears," said the sister. The sister burst into tears soon. They kept shedding tears for about 10 minutes, finding no word to say. The brother gently held his sister's hand, wiping tears from her cheek. Shin Jae-cheon, a 92-year-old South Korean, made a promise to his 70-year-old sister, Shin Kum-sun, from the DPRK, saying he would take her home to let her have food fully when the days come for people from the two Koreas to come and go freely. Her sister currently lives in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong, just a 40-minute drive from Gimpo, a northwestern South Korean city where Shin currently lives. "It will not take long to go from Kaesong to Gimpo. Reunification (of the two Koreas) should come early," said the younger Shin. Han Shin-ja, a 99-year-old grandmother from South Korea, clung to the window of a bus where her two daughters were waiting for departure. The bus was about to depart northward, but Han kept weeping, clinging to the bus. The second session of reunions was scheduled to last from Friday to Sunday at the Mount Kumgang resort. It would involve 83 DPRK separated families who applied for gatherings with South Korean relatives. The two Koreas agreed in June to hold the reunions, the first in almost three years. The emotionally charged event was last held in October 2015. A combined 20 rounds of face-to-face reunions had been arranged since the first inter-Korean summit was held in 2000, but the reunions had been limited to about 200 separated families from each side. Over half of South Koreans on the waiting list for reunions are in their 80s or older. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 17:29:41|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SAN SALVADOR, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The establishment of diplomatic ties between El Salvador and China will boost the Central American country's economic and technological capacities and follows the "inevitable trends of our times," Salvadorans from different segments of society said. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Salvadorean Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda signed a joint communique in Beijing Tuesday, establishing diplomatic relations. According to the communique, El Salvador severed "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan and undertook not to have any more official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan. "I believe the Salvadoran people will feel the Chinese people's friendship and hospitality and benefit from the two countries' cooperation," Wang said after the signing ceremony. Salvadorean President Salvador Sanchez Ceren said: "We are convinced that this is a step in the right direction, which corresponds to the principles of international law, international relations and the inevitable trends of our times." In an address on national television, the president said the establishment of diplomatic relations with China will stimulate political dialogue, stronger coordination in international affairs, and cooperation between the two countries for mutual benefit. The president's press secretary Roberto Lorenzana said El Salvador could not continue to turn "its back on the world" by failing to recognize China's role as a global player. "We cannot ignore that China is the world's second (largest economic) power and the leading export economy on the planet," Lorenzana said. "We should instead be asking ourselves why we didn't do it sooner. How much has El Salvador lost by not having a relationship with an economic giant like China?" Ties with China will boost El Salvador's economic and technological capacities, as well as educational level, he added. Professionals in El Salvador hailed the move. Raul Antonio Diaz, manager of a constriction site, said the decision by President Ceren to strengthen ties with China is bound to boost bilateral trade. Trade could grow a lot with Chinese goods arriving directly instead of via third countries at a higher cost, added Karina Garcia, a 25-year-old seller. China is among the few countries in the world with a robust economic growth and the new ties could help El Salvador expand its economy, university student Diego Rodriguez told Xinhua. "It is a great opportunity ... to attract more investment," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 17:59:48|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close VIENTIANE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A team of oculists from China's Yunnan Province has been engaged in a five-day "Bright Journey" in Lao capital Vientiane since Monday, providing free surgery for 100 Lao cataract patients. "The Bright Journey has been bringing light to Lao patients, conveying love and friendship from China to Lao people," said economic and commercial counselor of Chinese embassy in Laos Wang Qihui, at the launching ceremony held in Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane on Tuesday. "Before surgery in Nov. 8, 2017, everything was in darkness to the right eye, while after surgery, I felt very good since everything became clear," Khambai Siviengxay, a 67-year-old Vientiane citizen told Xinhua Tuesday. She said she had received a cataract surgery in the right eye last year by another team of Chinese "Bright Journey" oculists, and was to have another cataract surgery in the left eye. Khambai said she trusted the Chinese doctors and she would introduce the free surgery to her relatives and friends, in case that they might need it. The hospital staff said among the 20 patients treated on Tuesday, three were introduced by other patients who had been cured by Chinese "Bright Journey" oculists. The 2018 "Bright Journey" to Laos was held by Yunnan Folk Friendship with Foreign Countries Exchange Foundation, with a medical team consisting of professional medical staff from the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. Notably, all the medicines, materials and equipment needed were donated by the Foundation. Cheng Yunchuan, the director general of the Foundation, said during the launching ceremony that since its establishment in November 2013, the Foundation has been actively carrying out public welfare projects for Laos. It has already organized "Bright Journeys" to Vientiane and Luang Prabang twice before this year, providing free cataract operations for 370 patients with 100 percent success rate, which is welcomed and highly appreciated by the local government and the communities. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 18:04:52|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Lawyers representing MDC Alliance arrive at the Constitutional Court in Harare, Zimbabwe, Aug. 22, 2018. Zimbabwe's constitutional court on Wednesday morning began hearing an election petition challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa's victory in the July 30 polls as the nation eagerly awaits outcome of the court challenge. (Xinhua/Shaun Jusa) HARARE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's constitutional court on Wednesday morning began hearing an election petition challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa's victory in the July 30 polls as the nation eagerly awaits outcome of the court challenge. Security was tight around the court premises while vehicle and human traffic in the city center was thinner than usual. The opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa challenged the election results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) that declared Mnangagwa the winner after polling 50.8 percent of the vote against Chamisa's 44.3 percent. Chamisa is alleging that ZEC manipulated the vote in favor of Mnangagwa. In his application, Chamisa cited Mnangagwa, ZEC and 21 other presidential candidates as respondents. Through his lawyers, Mnangagwa argues that there is no valid election petition challenging his victory before the court to warrant invalidation of the poll results. He avers that Chamisa's petition is plagued with blatant procedural irregularities, and wants the court to dismiss the petition and confirm him the winner of the presidential poll. In their response to Chamisa's petition, ZEC and its chairperson Priscilla Chigumba are also supporting Mnangagwa's assertion that there is no valid application filed by Chamisa. ZEC says Chamisa's petition is "fatally and incurably defective" to nullify the results. Nine judges of the constitutional court led by Chief Justice Luke Malaba are hearing the petition which is being beamed live by the state-broadcaster for the first time in the history of the nation. In his opening remarks, Malaba said there were four categories of participants in the court hearing comprising the applicant (Chamisa), respondents opposing application (Mnangagwa and ZEC), parties that did not file notices of opposition but are in support of applicant (Chamisa) and parties that have requested to be excused from the hearing. "We are here for a specific procedure which is oral submission, hearing of oral arguments by the parties and their representatives. Each party will be sticking to the rules of the court," Malaba said. The court has until Friday to rule on the matter and its decision is final. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 18:19:55|Editor: ZX Video Player Close SHIJIAZHUANG, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- North China's Hebei Province plans to eliminate 9,027 small coal-fired boilers by 2020 to help its fight against air pollution. Local authorities plan to dismantle 521 of the boilers, each with a steam generating capacity of no more than 35 tonnes per hour, and switch the rest to clean energy. The action will help reduce coal consumption by 4.78 million tonnes per year, said the provincial environmental protection bureau Wednesday. The province plans to reduce its coal consumption in 2020 to 90 percent of the 2015 level. Between 2018 and 2020, authorities also plan to improve pollutant treatment facilities at 123 highly-polluting steel and coking companies to slash the emissions of major pollutants by around 80 percent. Hebei, Beijing's neighbor and home to several of the country's top 10 polluted cities, has set a target to reduce the average concentration of PM2.5 to 55 micrograms per cubic meter in 2020, 15 percent less than in 2017. PM2.5, airborne particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, pose a significant risk to health. The regions around Beijing are home to major steelmakers, coal mines, aluminum producers and chemical plants. They are at the forefront of the country's fight against air pollution. Applications called to form constitutional bodies Three years after promulgation of the new constitution, the Constitutional Council Secretariat on Tuesday called for applications from eligible candidates to form eight constitutional bodies through open competition. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 18:29:56|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ANKARA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Turkey on Wednesday slammed a Greek judicial decision to grant asylum for former Turkish soldiers accused by Ankara of involvement in a failed coup in 2016. "It is another scandalous decree by the Greek judiciary to protect coup plotter terrorists," Omer Celik, spokesman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said on his Twitter account. He accused the Greek judiciary of "siding with enemies of Turkey," saying the ruling by a Greek top court in favor of these Turkish ex-soldiers is "much more serious and shameful than supporting terrorism." "Coup plotters are the most dangerous enemies of our nation and state," Celik added. Eight former Turkish soldiers flew to Greece by helicopter on July 16, 2016, the day after the failed coup attempt. Ankara says the eight soldiers were members of the Fethullahist Terror Organization that organized the failed putsch. Despite objection by the Greek government, the Greek Council of State, the country's highest administrative court, insisted on granting right of asylum to the eight Turkish citizens. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 19:00:02|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Since its proposal in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative, which envisions a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa, has created economic opportunities and boosted common development among a number of countries. The following are highlights of the progress made under the initiative: TRADE & INVESTMENT -- Combined trade volume of countries along the Belt and Road totaled 9.3 trillion U.S. dollars in 2017, or 27.8 percent of the world's total, according to data from the State Information Center, a government think tank. -- China's trade with countries along the Belt and Road expanded 11.3 percent year on year to 4.57 trillion yuan (672.1 billion dollars) in the first seven months this year. The pace of growth was 2.7 percentage points higher than the country's overall trade increase. -- Since 2013, China has invested more than 60 billion dollars in countries along the Belt and Road. In 2017, direct investment reached 14.36 billion dollars, or 12 percent of China's total outbound investment. -- To further boost cooperation, China has established more than 80 overseas economic and trade cooperation zones in countries along the Belt and Road, providing more than 244,000 local jobs. CLOSER CONNECTIVITY -- A number of major Chinese-assisted infrastructure projects, such as the railway connecting landlocked Ethiopia with Djibouti, Mombasa-Nairobi railway in Kenya and Maputo Cross-sea Bridge in Mozambique, exemplify the tangible benefits brought by cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. -- The China-Europe express freight rail network, a crucial part of the initiative, has expanded rapidly, improved logistics efficiency and boosted trade and investment. China now has express freight rail services linking 48 domestic cities with 42 European cities. Since March 2011, more than 9,000 such trips have been made. CONSENSUS BUILDING -- Over 100 countries and international organizations have signed agreements of cooperation with China on developing the Belt and Road. -- Many countries and regions along the Belt and Road have considered integrating the initiative with their own development programs, including Mongolia's Prairie Road, Kazakhstan's Nurly Zhol (Bright Path), the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union and the EU's Junker Investment Plan. -- The initiative has been incorporated into documents of many international mechanisms, including the United Nations, Group of 20 and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 19:00:03|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A culture and tourism event focusing on China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region will be held in Ulan Bator from Sept. 4-8, the organizers said here Wednesday. The "Feel China" program will include cultural performances, tourism promotion activities as well as exhibitions on China's poverty alleviation efforts, traditional Chinese embroidery, traditional medicine of Inner Mongolia and Chinese books. In addition, there will be free health checkups and Chinese food. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 19:35:09|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a state-owned Israeli technology company, announced on Wednesday that it had signed an agreement to sell electro-optic Spike anti-tank missiles of the new LR2 model to the Australian army. Rafael did not disclose the exact amount of the deal, but it is estimated at tens of millions of U.S. dollars. The precision-guided Spike missiles, which are widely used by the Israel Defense Forces and many other armies around the world, can be launched from a variety of ground, air, sea and naval platforms for ranges of up to 30 km. To date, Rafael has sold over 30,000 Spike missiles to 30 countries. Australia is the second country after Israel itself to purchase Rafael's new model. The new LR2 Spike has a range of up to 5.5 km by ground launch, up about 35 percent from the previous version. The range can extend to 10 km from a combat helicopter by using a wireless communication channel. The sale of the missiles is part of an industrial partnership agreement signed between Rafael and Australia's engineering and manufacturing company Varley to establish joint production lines to supply Spike and other systems to the Australian army. Rafael will also supply the Australian army with the Wind Coat system for protecting tanks and armored personnel carriers, and the Iron Dome system that intercepts and destroys short-range rockets. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 19:50:12|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close DUBAI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday welcomed the call by Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to initiate a cease-fire during the Eid al-Adha, or the Islamic "Festival of Sacrifice," UAE state news agency WAM reported. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the initiative is part of the Afghan government's efforts to build the confidence necessary in creating a positive atmosphere, supporting political endeavors, and enhancing the chances of security, stability and peace in Afghanistan. "Preventing the bloodshed of Afghan citizens during these virtuous days is a favorable call by the Afghan government to end fighting in the country," the ministry said in a statement. The UAE "is committed, via its historical ties with the country, to attaining stability and prosperity for Afghanistan and its people," it added. Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Sunday announced a conditional three-month cease-fire with the Taliban which started on Monday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 19:55:13|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NAIROBI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The prolonged conflict in South Sudan has seen Kenyan banks scale down operations in the country, and look for opportunities outside the East African Community (EAC). The banks have halved their branches in South Sudan, initially one of the promising markets, since the war started in 2016. However, as the South Sudan market shrinks, the commercial banks in the East African nation's biggest economy have sought new business or scaled up operations in other countries that include Rwanda, Tanzania, Congo DRC, Malawi, Burundi and Botswana. Some nine banks have subsidiaries outside Kenya, with the institutions increasing the number of the branches to 306 in 2017, up from 297 in 2016, the latest sector report from the Central Bank showed Wednesday. From about 40 branches in South Sudan, Kenyan banks now have only 20 branches, with a majority having closed them down. "Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Group continued to scale down its operations in South Sudan following the deteriorating security condition that started in 2016. The bank cut its branch network to 11 from 17 in 2016," said the report. Cooperative Bank has four branches while Equity Bank has five, with the number of branches by the two remaining flat. The banks have, however, spread to Malawi, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi, markets that initially looked distant when South Sudan was promising. "Equity Bank scaled up its operations in Congo DRC in 2007 from 31 to 39 branches. The bank has 79 percent ownership of ProCredit Bank of Congo DRC," said apex bank. I&M Bank Kenya Ltd and Prime Bank (Kenya) Ltd are the other institutions with subsidiaries outside East Africa region. I&M Bank has 50 percent shareholding in Bank One Limited in Mauritius while Prime Bank acquired 11.24 percent shareholding of First Merchant Bank Ltd in Malawi and 11.46 percent shareholding of Capital Bank of Botswana. Similarly, KCB and Diamond Trust Bank have each spread their network to Burundi where they have five and four branches respectively. "Uganda has the highest number of branches in the region at 102 compared to 99 the previous year followed by Tanzania at 81 and Rwanda at 55 branches. Equity Bank had the highest number of branches in the region at 104, followed by Diamond Trust Bank with 70 and KCB with 60. The increasing number of branches demonstrates potential for banking services within the region," the Central Bank said in the Banking Supervision Report 2017. The subsidiaries employed a total of 6,106 employees compared to 6,223 the previous year, with the apex bank attributing the decline to review of business models, automation of processes and shift from brick and mortar to alternative digital channels. Gross loans of subsidiaries stood at 2.86 billion dollars compared 2.42 billion dollars in 2016 while deposits stood 4 billion dollars compared to 3.4 billion dollars in the previous year. "This was as a result of increased mobilization of deposits especially by Equity Bank, Bank One, Pro-Credit and Diamond Trust Bank," said the apex bank. However, the subsidiaries registered a slight decrease in total profit before tax at 87 million dollars compared to 88 million dollars the previous year. The decrease was noted specifically in two countries Tanzania and Uganda. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 20:05:18|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ABUJA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Eleven people were killed and 16 wounded in a road accident in Nigeria on late Tuesday, according to the road safety police on Wednesday. The victims died on the spot after their 27-seater bus had a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle in the neighborhood of Kontagora in Niger State of the country's central region late Tuesday, said Abdullahi Ibrahim, a commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps. The 16 wounded victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, Ibrahim said. The accident, according to the road safety official, was caused by wrong overtaking and high speed. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 20:19:52|Editor: ZX Video Player Close 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next Photo taken on Aug. 22, 2018 shows a sculpture work in a desert park in Minqin County, northwest China's Gansu Province. Artists made sculptures based on local culture to decorate the desert. (Xinhua/Li Xiao) Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 20:20:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- German companies are planning to ramp up their investments on the African continent during the coming years, president of the German-African Business Association Stefan Liebing announced on Wednesday. "We are already witnessing a significant increase in the investment- and trading activity with our neighboring continent," Liebing told reporters. According to an estimate by the association, new investments by German companies in Africa will rise by more than 10 percent to a total of more than one billion euros (1.15 billion U.S. dollars). Liebing explained that at least part of the increase reflected recent changes in the German regulatory landscape. Back in June, the German government announced that it would ease the conditions which must be met for domestic small- and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access export guarantees in trade with certain African countries. Thomas Bareiss, secretary of state in the ministry for the economy, said at the time that closer economic ties between Germany and African nations were a key priority of Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing cabinet. Towards this end, Berlin has taken steps to lower the insurance excess shouldered by these firms or the banks they work with in international trade between Germany and African states. The new regulations apply to countries which have joined a G20 initiative for more international investment and were SMEs previously faced relatively steep deductible rates of up to 5 percent. Amongst others, German exporters operating in the African markets of Cote D'Ivoire, Senegal, Ethiopia, Ghana and Rwanda stand to benefit from the expansion of government guarantees. Commenting on the development on Wednesday, Liebing expressed confidence that the change would boost trade and capital flows between Germany and Africa. "It's working. A large number of projects have been successfully realized (as a consequence of the new policy regime)," Liebing said. He noted that the volume of export guarantees for Africa more than doubled during the first six months of the year to 1.09 billion euros (1.26 billion U.S. dollar) and had hence already surpassed the total annual level of 2017. Liebing pointed to the opening of a Volkswagen plant in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, as well as an ongoing cooperation between German Gauff Engineering and a Chinese partner to build Africa's longest suspension bridge in Mozambique. While Germany is still a relatively small player in Africa, China has emerged as one of the continent's largest trading and investment partners. Liebing argued that German companies should seize opportunities to cooperate with their Chinese counterparts rather than seeing them as rivals. Liebing said that expanding African infrastructure provision was the key to raising productivity and promoting sustainable growth and better international cooperation. "Package solutions" offered by China in this context offered Germans an exemplary model of how to boost economic growth in Africa, he said. "We should stop viewing China exclusively as a competitor. First successful examples show how Chinese and German firms can achieve mutually-beneficial outcomes in Africa," Liebing told press. "The only truly-sustainable form of developmental aid is to create local jobs", he added. The German-African Business Association was founded in 1934 to support firms from Germany in their commercial involvement in African countries. Germany's exports to Africa currently account for around two percent of its total volume of international trade. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 20:20:25|Editor: ZX Video Player Close The Chinese Foreign Ministry holds a press conference on the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 2018 Beijing Summit in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 22, 2018. Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the FOCAC 2018 Beijing Summit on September 3, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced at the press conference Wednesday. (Xinhua/Wang Jianhua) BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 2018 Beijing Summit on September 3, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced Wednesday. The speech will expound China's new ideas on strengthening relations with Africa, and announce new measures for China's pragmatic cooperation with Africa, Wang said at a press conference. The summit is scheduled for September 3 to 4 in Beijing. Wang said various African leaders and the chairman of the African Union (AU) will attend the summit, as well as the United Nations Secretary-General as the special guest and 27 international and African groups as observers. This summit will be a significant diplomatic event hosted by China this year and attended by the largest number of foreign leaders, he said. Xi and some African leaders will attend and deliver speeches during the opening ceremony of the High-Level Dialogue of China-Africa Leaders and Business Representatives, and the 6th China-Africa Business Forum, on the morning of September 3. On September 4, Xi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will separately chair the two rounds of discussion. Both Chinese and African leaders will exchange ideas on China-Africa relations and international and regional issues of common concern, according to Wang. Xi will also invite foreign delegates to a welcoming banquet and a performance, and will hold bilateral meetings with other leaders during the summit, Wang added. Established 18 years ago, FOCAC has achieved fruitful results and has become a significant mark of China-Africa cooperation. It also serves as the mechanism leading international cooperation with Africa and promoting South-South cooperation, he said. The summit aims to build closer China-Africa community of shared future, further dovetail China's Belt and Road Initiative with African development, set a new path for a higher level of China-Africa cooperation, and deepen people-to-people exchanges, Wang said. "We believe that with the joint efforts of China and Africa, the Beijing summit will be a great success and establish a new historical monument of China-Africa friendly cooperation," Wang said. British envoy Morris calls on Deputy Speaker Tumbahangphe British Ambassador to Nepal Richard Morris called on Deputy Speaker Shivamaya Tumbahangphe on Wednesday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 20:30:29|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- As the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative held a hearing Tuesday on the proposed tariffs on 200 billion U.S. dollars of Chinese goods, Americans outlined how the measure would hit American companies and lead to layoffs. John McCann, who represented MEC Aerial Work Platforms, presented one of the most moving testimonies. As he spoke passionately during his allotted five minutes, trying to persuade the government to drop the plan to slap tariffs on Chinese products essential to his California-based manufacturing company's operations, he also represented the others who had similar pleas. MEC makes scissor lifts and boom lifts used in construction and maintenance for a U.S. market worth about 2.6 billion dollars. The top two manufacturers are domestic and the third Canadian. "We are a distant fourth," said McCann, who is responsible for MEC's strategy and planning. The company manufactures some of its products in China and the remainder is made at its plant in Kerman, California, a town of some 15,000 people. While the town suffers from a worse-than-average crime incidence and unemployment, many locals have created a better life for themselves after finding a job in MEC, he said. He shared several stories at the hearing. One was about a woman who had never had a full-time job before. But after her husband went to prison, she came to work at MEC. She started by attaching connectors to the ends of wire and cable and rose to become the head of the wire department. "She proudly tells me she's no longer on welfare, food stamps... and how grateful she is to be able to support her family," McCann said. Another story was about a young man who was one of five siblings raised in a family of drug abusers. He left home at 14 and lived intermittently with friends or relatives, having no skills or work experience. "We trained him to operate a forklift. He rose to head a five-man team and now has his own apartment," McCann said. "The terms used to discuss international trade say nothing about the lives of these men and women who get up every morning to go to work," he told the hearing committee. "Tariffs will cause layoffs. (Lives) will be devastated. The hope and optimism that comes from many of our employees will be gone." For many employees, MEC is the best job they ever had, he said. "Those are good American jobs in a small rural community." McCann spoke frankly, telling the hearing that his company does not have the capital needed to replace the production in China. "Without imports we can't compete with the three leading manufacturers," he stressed. Without products from China, sales would fall and then the company would have to reduce production, he explained. "Cost-cutting and downsizing would result in layoffs." Tuesday's hearing was also attended by representatives from various other industries, including furniture, wood and home appliance. Many of them emphasized that their partnership with China or their production in China would not be a national security concern. Some tech companies said they were concerned that the proposed tariffs would undermine their competitiveness. As for MEC, the technologies used in making its products are 15 years old, McCann said. "There's no technology in these products." The soft-spoken man was interrupted by the hearing committee after his five minutes ran out. "Please don't do this," he pleaded. "The cost to our workers is far too high." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 20:30:29|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MADRID, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Civil Guards on Wednesday confirmed they have made three arrests in an operation against "one of the biggest organizations dedicated to trafficking threatened species of turtles". As well as the three arrests, agents recovered 1,100 turtles from 62 different species, 14 of which are considered to be in serious danger of extinction, and over 750 eggs. The operation saw them dismantle "the biggest illegal breeding center for turtles in Europe", which was on the island of Mallorca, Spanish Civil Guards said in a statement. Among the species discovered are turtles endemic in Mexico, the United States and Canada and "protected by the legislation of those countries". Two German nationals were arrested on Mallorca and further two are currently under investigation, while a Spaniard was also detained in Barcelona. Those arrested face charges of smuggling protected species, crimes against flora and fauna and money laundering. The operation which led to the discovery is named "Coahuila" and was launched in February 2017 after Civil Guards at the Son Sant Joan airport at Mallorca discovered shipments of the "coahuila" species of box turtle. The subsequent investigations led to the discovery of the breeding center hidden on a farm near the town of Llucmajor, where breeding of land and water based turtles was being carried out "on an industrial scale" in poor conditions. The Civil Guard highlight that illegal animal trafficking is one of the main threats to the conservation of biodiversity. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 20:35:33|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's real economy is enjoying more support from the financial sector as policymakers continue to roll out tailored policies. China's policies since 2018 to tackle corporate financing difficulties and prompt the financial sector to better serve the real economy have taken effect, Zhu Hexin, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, told a press conference Tuesday. "Generally speaking, these policies have been implemented in an orderly manner and taken effect gradually," he said, referring to efforts including maintaining liquidity in the banking system and optimizing loan structure. Policymakers aim to accomplish the dual-task of taming financial risks and promoting the sector to play a more significant role in bolstering the real economy, in particular, cash-hungry private and small businesses. In the first half of 2018, the government made significant efforts to cut costs for the real economy, including maintaining robust public spending and scaling up tax and fee cuts. The government also introduced tax incentives and other measures to make financing more accessible and affordable for small and micro enterprises. Banks and insurers have been told to strengthen their financial services to small- and micro-enterprises, private firms, infrastructure projects and foreign trade companies, according to a document released last week by China's Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC). The document urges lenders to offer qualified cash-starved small and micro firms with continuous credit supply, increase the proportion of medium- to long-term loans, and reduce loan costs. China's new yuan-denominated loans stood at 10.48 trillion yuan (1.5 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first 7 months, and bank lending to small and micro firms rose 1.6 trillion yuan, faster than the increase in overall bank loans during the period. "Loans to infrastructure and small firms contributed half of the total last month, a sign that the targeted credit policy has started to take effect," said Wu Wen with Bank of Communications. More funding will also be channeled into shoring-up weak links in the country's infrastructure development, spurring consumption and undergirding foreign trade companies. The government said major export-oriented enterprises facing temporary downturns will receive special support in financing to stabilize their footing in the international market. Subsequent regulatory policies will direct more bank lending to targeted areas and increase the supply of low-risk assets, Wu said. The insurance sector is also expected to play a bigger role in boosting China's real economy, as the CBIRC highlights its flexibility in serving major national strategies and key projects. "Insurance funds have emerged as an important catalyst to real economy transformation and industrial structure revamp," said Zhu Junsheng, a researcher with the Development Research Center under the State Council. "Concerns over government's debt have seen less involvement of insurance funds in local infrastructure development. But as regulators are fine-tuning the transmission mechanism of monetary policy, the situation will change to some extent," Zhu said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 20:35:34|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MANILA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Fifteen Filipino fishing boat captains, who had been jailed in Indonesia for fishing illegally in their waters, have been repatriated to home country, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines confirmed on Wednesday. The Philippine DFA said the fishermen were released to officials of the Consulate General after serving jail terms of from five months to three years after they were arrested for illegal fishing. The Philippine DFA said in a statement that earlier this week, the Philippine Consulate General in Manado also repatriated five other Filipinos, who were held for overstaying. "Before leaving for the Philippines, the boat captains expressed their appreciation for the welfare assistance to them while they were in prison," Philippine Consul General Oscar Orcine said. He added the boat captains were also given welfare assistance of 5,000 pesos (roughly 93.66 U.S. dollars) each before boarding their flight home. Orcine said the Consulate General also assisted the other five repatriates from two families in returning to the Philippines. He said the Consulate General successfully lobbied with Indonesian authorities in getting the five released simultaneously. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 20:45:39|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RAMALLAH/GAZA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Islamic Hamas movement on Wednesday slammed U.S. President Donald Trump for suggesting removing the issue of Jerusalem from the Middle East peace talks. Ahmad Tamimi, a PLO Executive Committee member, said in a press statement that the remarks of President Trump over removing the issue of Jerusalem from the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations "are useless." "Trump's remarks express the biased U.S. policy toward Israel and a continuation of the U.S. illusions, which include passing the new peace 'Deal of Century' without Jerusalem being the capital for the Palestinian state," he said. "Trump won't be able to remove the issue of Jerusalem from hearts of the Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims," the senior PLO official highlighted. The Palestinian leaders have repeatedly announced their categorical rejection to any U.S. Middle East peace plan that excludes Jerusalem, the refugees issue and Jewish settlements. "We have removed the issue of Jerusalem from the negotiating table," Trump said in a speech in Virginia on Tuesday. "During the negotiations, Israel will pay a much higher price because it has taken a very valuable gift," Trump added, referring to his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel last December. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recently confirmed that the Palestinian side would neither hold talks with the Trump administration nor accept it as the peace mediator before it backs down on its decision on Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, called Trump's decision to remove Jerusalem from Palestinian-Israeli talks "very dangerous." "There should be a firm and strict Palestinian response like withdrawing the recognition of Israel, cancelling the security partnership and severing all contacts and ties with the U.S. administration," Abu Zuhri said in an e-mailed press statement. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 20:50:40|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The German government will provide financial aid to farmers across Germany whose livelihood has been threatened by this summers drought, minister of agriculture Julia Kloeckner announced on Wednesday. Kloeckner told press in Berlin that agricultural producers who had suffered heavy losses due to a recent European heatwave would be able to access 340 million euros (394 million U.S. dollars) in state aid. The German government will contribute up to 170 million euros to the budget itself with the remainder being contributed by state-level authorities. In order for farmers to receive the help, they must demonstrate that more than a 30-percent threshold of their average annual crop yield has been destroyed this year. State governments previously estimated that around 10,000 agricultural producers across Germany currently face a high risk of bankruptcy due to unusually hot and dry weather between June and August. The announcement of financial assistance on Wednesday was made in response to calls by agricultural industry representatives for as much as one billion euros in aid to offset anticipated crop failures. Federal, as opposed to state-level, funding for agricultural emergencies can only be made available under German law if the adverse event in question is formally considered by the government to have impacted the country as a whole. A similar incident was last recorded in 2003 when 80 million euros were dispensed to farmers struggling with record high temperatures. Citing worse-than-expected effects of the latest drought, the German Farmers Association (DBV) has downgraded its annual forecast for grain yield for a second time in 2018 from 41 million tons to 36 million tons. DBV vice-secretary general Udo Hemmerling described the development of German crop output in the current year as the "worst harvest of the century". Aside from grain crop failures, farmers have pointed to a shortage of animal feed in particular as posing a risk to their financial solvency. Earlier, the German government passed a motion which will allow agriculturalists affected by the issue to grow animal feed in environmentally-protected areas of the country. "Animals require feed every day. As a consequence, I have made a legislative proposal which enables farmers to use ecological priority areas to grow a mixture of crops for feed purposes," a statement by minister Kloeckner read. An Iranian man walks by a mural on the wall of the former U.S. embassy in the Iranian capital Tehran on Aug. 7, 2018. (AFP photo) TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday urged Muslims to unite against the U.S. "divisive" policies. The call came as millions of Iranians are celebrating Eid al-Adha, or the Islamic "Festival of Sacrifice," across the country. Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed the hope that Muslims will overcome hostilities and extremism in his congratulations to leaders of Islamic countries on the advent of Eid al-Adha. Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri also called for "solidarity and unity of the Muslim world in the fight against violence, extremism and disloyalty of hegemonic powers." Eid al-Adha is one of the holiest Islamic festivals to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to follow Allah's command to sacrifice his son. Muslims around the world gather in the mosques, listen to the sermons and perform prayers during the five-day festival. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 20:55:42|Editor: ZX Video Player Close HONG KONG, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Museum of Art announced on Wednesday that the family of the master of Chinese painting Wu Guanzhong has made another round of donations of Wu's invaluable works to the museum for its permanent collection. The donated works include the painting "A household at the foot of mountain", which was created when Wu was sent to the countryside to do hard labor in the 1970s and was painted on cardboard placed on top of a dung basket, as well as sketches for several masterpieces such as "A riverside village of Ningbo", "The original draft of Chinese cypresses" and "A river alley of Suzhou". In addition to paintings and sketches, the donation also includes items that chronicle Wu's journey of artistic pursuit, including his work seals, documents he used and a certificate received in France as well as a ribboned gilt medallion awarded by the French government. According to the museum, it has now become the biggest and most diverse collection of works by Wu in the world, making up a huge collection of over 450 items, comprising oil paintings, ink paintings, sketches, watercolours, gouache paintings, acrylic paintings and a porcelain painting made by the great artist over more than half a century. A permanent Wu Guanzhong Art Gallery will be set up to showcase Wu's donated works and related collection when the museum, which is currently under renovation, reopens in the second half of 2019, Szeto Yuen-kit, curator of the museum, said Wednesday at the donation ceremony held in Hong Kong. Wu, born in 1919, was a native of Yixing, Jiangsu Province, east China. In 1947, Wu went to France to study Western painting, and returned to China in 1950. Wu passed away at the age of 91 on June 25, 2010, a few hours after his son donated five paintings on his behalf to the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Wu integrated the Chinese ink and wash with Western painting methods. The works of the internationally acclaimed painter are in high demand on the art market. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 21:00:43|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday handed over former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes to all state chiefs of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for immersion in rivers across the country. The handover of urns containing the former prime minister's ashes took place at an event in BJP headquarters in the Indian capital, which was attended by several senior party leaders and ministers, as well as family members of Vajpayee. The party will take out rallies in almost all states across India and then immerse the ashes in as many as rivers possible as a mark of respect to Vajpayee, sources said. Vajpayee, the three-time Indian prime minister died at a hospital in Delhi on Aug. 16 at the age of 93 after prolonged illness, and was cremated with full state honors on Aug. 17. The former Indian prime minister, also a poet, was elected to Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) from Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow five times -- 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. He was loved by almost all Indian politicians, cutting across party lines. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 21:15:45|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua (3rd L, front), also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, hears a briefing at the Dalian Commodity Exchange during an inspection tour in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Aug. 20, 2018. Hu made an inspection tour in Liaoning Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua) DALIAN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Vice Premier Hu Chunhua said China will continue to open wider, offer a better business environment, and bring more opportunities for foreign companies. Hu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his inspection tour in northeast China's Liaoning Province from Monday to Tuesday. The Chinese government will consistently protect the interests of foreign-funded enterprises, Hu said after hearing reports on the operation of foreign companies in the province. Foreign companies are encouraged to expand their production and investment in China and are welcomed to share the country's development dividends, Hu said. In a trip to the pilot free trade zone (FTZ) of Liaoning, Hu called for opening-up at a higher level with more efforts to facilitate free trade and investment. Hu also urged higher efficiency and lower costs for customs clearance for foreign trade companies. Changing of the guard The armys main role is defending territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 21:15:46|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close STOCKHOLM, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A majority of Swedish university towns are unable to provide sufficient housing for students, according to a report released by the Swedish National Union of Students (NUS) on Wednesday. The report shows that seven in ten students in Sweden live in a municipality where the average waiting time for accommodation after enrolling in university is longer than one term. "The situation for students in Sweden is very, very dire," NUS chairman Jakob Adamowizc told Swedish Television on Wednesday. "We can see that more housing is being built, but it does not match the speed at which the country's universities are expanding," he added. The NUS has ranked student towns using a traffic-light system. Twelve out of 33 student towns are red-listed, 12 are listed as yellow and just nine municipalities receive a green-light ranking. The National Board of Housing, Building and Planning appears to confirm the NUS' view of the extent of Sweden's accommodation shortage for students. In May, it released a survey where 23 out of 39 student towns said they had a shortage of student accommodation. In addition, according to the latest statistics, from last fall, Sweden needs between 17,000 and 20,000 more student residences. Adamowicz said politicians urgently need to address the situation. Karin Wanngard, the Social Democrat mayor of Sweden's capital Stockholm, one of the cities where the housing shortage is most severe, said that she is confident enough housing will be built in the city in the next five years. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 21:20:46|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SOFIA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian police have detained 26 illegal immigrants and three traffickers in the Iskar Gorge, some 40 km north of here, the Ministry of Interior said Wednesday in a statement. The police operation was held on Monday near the town of Svoge after receiving information on planned trafficking of illegal immigrants from a house in the Iskar Gorge to the western border of Bulgaria, the statement said. The first batch of eight immigrants and the three traffickers, two Bulgarians and a foreigner with a humanitarian status, were arrested in a van and a car at the time of their departure, the statement said. The other 18 immigrants, five of them minors, were arrested in a villa that served as a place of accommodation, the statement said. The immigrants presented themselves as Iraqis of Kurdish origin, it said. Bulgaria is located on a migrant route to Central and Western Europe. According to official data, the Ministry of Interior arrested 2,989 illegal immigrants in 2017. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 21:20:46|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military said on Wednesday that its special forces conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabab terrorists in southern Somalia, killing two terrorists. The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) which oversees American troops on the African continent said the Tuesday strike was conducted in cooperation with Somali government about 46 kilometers northeast of the port town of Kismayo. "We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike," Africom said in a statement. The strike is the latest in a series of similar missions by the U.S. forces in Somalia in collaboration with Somali and African Union forces in the Horn of Africa country. The strikes have largely targeted al-Shabab figureheads and based in southern Somalia where the group still maintains a strong grip in some regions. Africom said the U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect U.S. citizens and to disable terrorist threats. "This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) in combined counter terrorism operations and targeting terrorists, their training camps, and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the region," it said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 21:30:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BUCHAREST, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Romanian border police seized a truck registered in Turkey with 42 Middle Eastern migrants hidden inside, at the Nadlac border crossing point in western Romania, the border police authority announced Wednesday. The truck bound for Germany was stopped for routine control at the checkpoint in the western county of Arad, which borders eastern Hungary, Romania's main route to Western Europe. These people were found hiding inside the truck, including 18 men, eight women and 16 minors, when the Arad border guards carried out a detailed check of the vehicle. The migrants are citizens of Iraq, Palestine and Syria, registered as asylum seekers in Romania, according to preliminary investigation. The Turkish driver claimed that he knew nothing about those people hidden in his truck loaded with automotive filters, while the migrants said they wanted to reach Western Europe. With increasingly harsh border controls in other EU outer border, refugees in the Middle East have been trying to enter Western European countries through Romania. They usually enter Romania by sea, through the Black Sea and illegally leave the country hiding in trucks. There had been media reports on the interception of refugees by the Romanian border police. According to General Inspectorate for Immigration, more than 1,200 foreign citizens were detected residing illegally on Romanian territory, as of the first half of this year. File Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands as they meet in Helsinki, Finland July 16, 2018. (Xinhua/REUTERS) WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- As U.S. threat of sanctions on Russia will take into effect around Aug. 22, U.S. Under Secretary of Treasury Sigal Mandelker said Tuesday that Washington will impose "much more economic pain" to Russia if it does not change its global behaviors significantly. Speaking before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Mandelker said that "though Russia's malign activities continue, we believe its adventurism undoubtedly has been checked by the knowledge that we can bring much more economic pain to bear using our powerful range of authorities - and that we will not hesitate to do so if its conduct does not demonstrably and significantly change." "The significance of our actions and other financial measures must ultimately be measured in terms of their strategic impacts," she added. In a separate hearing, Assistant Treasury Secretary Marshall Billingslea told the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that "Treasury has made countering Russian aggression a top priority" and "will continue to do its part to impose costs in response to Russian malign activity, leveraging all of the tools and authorities that we have." Since January 2017, the Trump administration has sanctioned 217 Russian-related individuals and entities for a broad range of conduct. Earlier on Tuesday, the Treasury announced to sanction several Russia-related individuals and entities over their involvement in actions against the U.S. sanctions. The U.S. State Department said earlier this month that the country will impose new sanctions on Russia in two phases, and the first batch will take effect around Aug. 22. However, Billingslea said in the hearing that considering the size of the Russian economy and its deep integration into the global economy and financial system, U.S. "sanctions are not and cannot be the only tool on which we rely." He listed the engagement with foreign governments and private sector at home and abroad, and cooperation with international organizations and domestic and foreign media. A. Wess Mitchell, assistant secretary of state, also told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that "Russia has evolved beyond being simply an external or military one; it includes influence operations orchestrated by the Kremlin in the very heart of the Western world." He added that U.S. Russia policy is based on the recognition that "to be effective, U.S. diplomacy must be backed by military power that is second to none and fully integrated with our allies and all of our instruments of power." Mitchell noted that "even as we have imposed unprecedented penalties for Russian aggression, we have been clear that the door to dialogue is open" if Russia makes changes as Washington wants. Russia and the United States have been waging sanctions against each other as bilateral relations continue to worsen over recent years. Moscow has repeatedly said that it reserves the right to take additional countermeasures against U.S. diplomatic properties in Russia if Washington continues hostility. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Monday that he would consider lifting U.S. sanctions on Russia if Moscow took some actions in such areas as Syria or Ukraine. Trump has been widely attacked after his Helsinki meeting with Putin, due to his reconciliatory remarks that many saw as a sign of siding with Moscow against the U.S. intelligence community's conclusion that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. elections. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Monday that the upcoming U.S. sanctions are "unfriendly" and "illegal," and will hurt broader international trade. Nevertheless, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains ready to resolve the problems facing the two countries, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 22:00:52|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- China will hold an art contest for senior citizens, the Office of the National Working Commission on Aging announced at a press conference on Tuesday. The contest will be run from September to December, with registration closing on Oct. 15. Participants will compete in three categories: Chinese calligraphy, photography and painting. The contest is open to anyone 60 years or older. China has a rapidly aging society. Official figures show that as of the end of 2017, the country had 240.9 million people aged 60 or above, making up 17.3 percent of the population. Wu Yushao, deputy director of the office, said organizing activities for the elderly is a good way to enrich their cultural life and deal with the pressures of an aging society. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 22:00:52|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iranian president and minister of economic affairs and finance will soon appear in the parliament to answer the lawmakers' queries in the wake of skyrocketing prices in the country and devaluation of the local currency, Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday. President Hassan Rouhani will appear in the parliament on August 29 to answer a series of questions on his administration's performance. Besides, Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, Massoud Karbasian, will attend the parliament on Sunday to answer the questions of a number of lawmakers complaining about his ministry's performance and poor handling of the economic situation. The Iranian lawmakers have complained that the administration's mismanagement of the conditions has resulted in price hikes and diminishing purchasing power. The Iranian money, rial, plunged to a record low against the U.S. dollar this month. There has been growing demand for dollars among ordinary Iranians, who fear more plunge in the value of their assets and growing price of goods, even those not imported from abroad. Foreign currency values began to rise in Iran after the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in May and announced plans for a fresh wave of sanctions against the Islamic republic. However, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said recently that the economic problems are not wholly caused by the U.S. sanctions, but a series of internal issues and mismanagement are also to blame. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 22:10:56|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOSCOW, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. refusal to participate in the upcoming consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow shows Washington's hypocrisy, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. "The U.S. decision once again highlights the falsity of Washington's peaceful rhetoric towards Afghanistan, whose people have suffered in the last 17 years and continue to carry huge losses as a result of the U.S. policy," it said in a statement. Washington declined a Russian invitation to participate in the meeting, stating that it would not take part in any events that are not organized under the leadership of the Afghans, the ministry said. However, the Moscow meeting will be co-chaired by Russia and Afghanistan, it said. "Apparently, the Americans only like to participate in meetings that are held under their leadership and correspond exclusively to their interests," the statement said. The second round of the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan will take place in Russia on Sept. 4. The Moscow format was introduced in 2017 on the basis of the six-party mechanism for consultations among representatives from Russia, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iran and India. The first round of the consultations took place on April 14, 2017 and were attended by deputy foreign ministers and representatives of 11 countries, namely Russia, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Washington declined an invitation then, saying that the new U.S. administration lacked an Afghanistan strategy at that time. This year, invitations were sent to the same countries. The leadership of the Taliban group was also invited as "the aim of the upcoming meeting is to help narrow gaps in the approaches taken by the Afghan government and Taliban to launching a direct intra-Afghan dialogue," the Russian ministry said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 22:15:57|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Israeli authorities on Wednesday approved the building of 1,004 housing units in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, an Israeli settlement watchdog said. The permits were issued by the Higher Planning Committee of the Civil Administration. Peace Now, an Israeli non-governmental organization, said in a statement that some 96 percent of the new construction is planned in isolated settlements, which Israel will likely need to evacuate within the framework of a two-state peace deal. According to local media reports, the government plans to promote tenders for the construction of hundreds of additional housing units in the West Bank, as well as promoting a future plan for some 300 units in Beit El. The former U.S. President Barack Obama's administration criticized Israel's continuous expansion of the settlements and denounced it as a major obstacle to peace. But after President Donald Trump stepped into the White House, the settlement construction in the West Bank sharply increased. Peace Now said that according to data provided by Israel's official Bureau of Statistics, since the beginning of Trump's term in early 2017, the Israeli government promoted plans for 10,536 units and tenders for 5,679 units in West Bank settlements. The settlements are illegal under international law because they are built on lands seized by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, where the Palestinians wish to form their future state. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 22:36:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close by Burak Akinci ANKARA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- As relations between Turkey and the United States are in a tailspin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's upcoming state visit to Germany in late September could take on even greater significance. The Turkish leader is expected to visit Berlin on Sept. 28 and 29, where he would meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and possibly Chancellor Angela Merkel to break the ice in bilateral relations which have soured since the coup attempt in Turkey in 2016. The planned visit, which reportedly includes a military honor guard and state banquet, would be Erdogan's first official visit to Germany after he became president in 2014 and gained more executive powers under new presidential system following the critical elections in June. ANKARA-BERLIN TIES SOUR Turkish-German relations took a hard hit following the failed military coup attempt in July 2016. Berlin sharply criticized Ankara's human rights record in the wake of a nationwide crackdown in Turkey against thousands of suspected coup plotters, during which dozens of German citizens were arrested. Tensions were eased somewhat subsequently after the release of German nationals, including a journalist, Deniz Yucel. Yet Turkey still accuses Germany of harboring followers of the Gulen movement, which Ankara blames for plotting the coup attempt. Many suspected supporters of the movement, including former diplomats and army officers, have sought asylum in Germany, further irritating the Turkish government. Experts believe that the Turkish president's visit to Berlin will now present a good opportunity to put bilateral relations back on track and give a boost to fading international confidence in the vulnerable Turkish economy. "This will be an important visit and the timing is excellent. I hope the currency turmoil hitting Turkey will somehow be dissipated," Mustafa Nail Erkan, an expert on German studies and a professor from the Ankara-based Gazi University, told Xinhua. The expert explained that Germany would never want Turkey to slide into instability because there are 7,000 active German firms in Turkey, interconnecting both their economies and their investments. COOPERATION AS MAINSTREAM The three million Turks in German are also an asset for both countries. Berlin refused Erdogan and his ministers to address the expat community in election campaigns in recent years, increasing bilateral tensions. "The common enemy is the United States," who is causing bloods to boil in the European Union, in Germany and Turkey by bullying the trade and diplomacy between them, argued Erkan, pointing out that Erdogan's visit to Berlin would reopen dialogues between the two countries which share 250 years of history. Despite differences among political parties, when it comes to deal with Turkey, Berlin extended a welcoming message to Ankara amid the plunge of the lira, underlining common interests, including the well-being of their bilateral economic relations and their mutual desire to end the war in Syria. The planned visit would also come at a critical period of Syrian civil war, as the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has regained control over large territories in recent weeks. Both countries have received many Syrian refugees and an instability in Turkey would give rise to a new inflow of refugees into Europe, said Erkan, adding that maintaining amicable ties was a must for Berlin and Ankara in this context. In July 2018, Turkey was hosting 3.5 million Syrian refugees, according to figures of the United Nations refugee body. "No one has an interest in the economic destabilization of Turkey," said Merkel recently, expressing willingness to help Turkey halt the economic chaos. Turkey is among German's top 20 export markets, before Japan and many European countries. German Economy and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier and his Turkish counterpart Berat Albayrak held phone talks over bilateral cooperation. Altmaier has scheduled to visit Turkey late October with a large delegation to boost economic ties. While some analysts think that Germany could be a gateway to reset Turkey's ailing and difficult ties with the EU, which have been put into the freezer in the wake of the coup attempt amid mutual distrust, others argue that there is no room there yet for a breakthrough. NO EU PERSPECTIVE "I am of those who think that Erdogan's visit to Berlin does not have an EU perspective. This visit is essentially focused on bilateral relations," Serkan Demirtas, a journalist and political analyst, told Xinhua. "I see this visit as an exercise of putting forward mutual interest in bilateral ties," said Demirtas, emphasizing that "there is common ground mutual will to normalize the (German-Turkish) partnership." Demirtas also said that there is a willingness on the German side to address some of Turkey's security concerns regarding the Gulen network who has a supporter and financial basis in Germany, irritating Ankara. Echoing the critical issue, which is at the core of the bad relations between the governments, Alkan argued that "Turkey wasn't successful in explaining how serious the coup attempt and the plotters were, thus Germany was reluctant to fully understand its implications." "Erdogan would therefore explain Turkey's security concerns directly to the German authorities during his visit," he added. Elusive opportunities The political leadership must move to energise both BIMSTEC and SAARC Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 22:51:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close KIEV, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine is considering building a new bridge on the border with Moldova to boost regional connectivity, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Volodymyr Kistion said Wednesday. "This project is economically beneficial not only for Ukraine and Moldova, but also for the European Union as a whole," Kistion wrote on Facebook. He said the bridge would replace the ferry services on the Dniester River at the border-crossing point Yampil-Cosauti and could reduce the travel time between the Baltic and the Balkan countries on the highway passing Ukraine and Moldova. Ukraine plans to sign an intergovernmental agreement with Moldova on the construction of the bridge, Kistion said, adding that the project is a part of the National Transport Strategy of Ukraine 2030. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 22:51:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU/CSU conservative alliance has welcomed proposals by Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) on Wednesday to shield German companies from the impact of U.S. financial sanctions by creating a European alternative to the SWIFT payment system. "I think that the proposal is worth exploring," Juergen Hardt, the CDU/CSU foreign policy spokesperson told press in Berlin. Writing to the newspaper Handelsblatt on Tuesday night, Maas had urged European nations to react to the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran by bolstering their own independence from Washington. Amongst others, the foreign minister argued that there was an urgent necessity to "strengthen European autonomy by creating payment channels independent of the United States, establishing a European Monetary Fund and building an independent Swift-System". Maas hereby referred to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) which was founded in 1973 to facilitate financial transactions between participating banks. As of 2018, more than 10,000 institutes across the world made use of the system. While SWIFT is based in Belgium, it is also subject to U.S. regulatory influence due to its maintenance of an operation center in Virginia and large volumes of dollar-denominated transactions conducted via the system every day. The so-called "SWIFT agreement", in particular, officially-signed between Brussels and Washington to dismantle terror financing networks, has repeatedly been criticized by privacy watchdogs for granting U.S. intelligence services almost unfettered access to sensitive information about European companies. Under new sanctions unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump, Iranian companies are barred from using the U.S. dollars in international trade. Foreign financial institutes which have subsidiaries in the United States will be targeted by the measure as well unless they refuse to become involved in any financial transactions with counterparties from Iran. Most European banks have consequently begun winding down their operations in Iran for fear of losing access U.S. capital markets as a punishment. Dagmar von Bohnstein, German business delegate in Iran, recently emphasized in a public plea for help to the German government that companies required political solutions which enabled them to complete financial transactions in the country while bypassing U.S. capital markets. Responding to such complaints, Maas wrote in Handelsblatt that the time had come to recalibrate the asymmetrical partnership between the EU and the United States. The foreign minister sketched a vision of a "balanced partnership" in which Europe acted as a "counterweight" to U.S. policies like the latest Iranian sanctions. The SPD politician said that it was no option for European countries to "simply sit out" the Trump presidency given the fact that changes under his leadership were only symptomatic of a longer-standing shift away from multilateralism by Washington. Although Germany and Europe still had an interest in "renewing and preserving" the transatlantic alliance, it was well-advised to continue along the path of creating a self-reliant European defense union. Nevertheless, CDU/CSU foreign policy spokesperson Hardt warned on Wednesday that the German and U.S. economy would remain deeply interconnected for the foreseeable future. "One cannot simply deny these intensive trade relationships between Europe and America," Hardt said. Given this circumstance, Hardt said he was skeptical whether Berlin could succeed in protecting German companies from the latest U.S. sanctions against Teheran. He noted that legislators would not be able to force business leaders to remain active in Iran as long as they were fearful of experiencing negative regulatory repercussions at their U.S. subsidiaries. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 22:51:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) said on Wednesday that the African continent is bearing the brunt of challenges attributed to road safety as an estimated over 300,000 people die due to road crashes every year. Noting the African region having only 2 percent of the world's registered vehicles, the ECA disclosed that a disproportionate 16 percent of the world's road traffic deaths occurred in the region. Road traffic fatalities are estimated to be the fourth leading cause of death of persons aged 5 through 44 years globally including the African continent, according to the ECA. Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of the ECA, highlighted that safety needs to be "built into" infrastructure investment, as this is far less costly than retrofitting roads afterwards to be safer. The ECA, in partnership with other UN agencies, has also brought together over 100 participants representing nearly 20 African government ministries of Infrastructure and Transport, National Road Safety Authorities and Councils, African sub-regional and regional organizations, international organizations, academic and research institutions, and the private sector mainly to share experience in improving road safety with particular emphasis on urban mobility. The workshop underscored the linkages between growing urbanization and expected rise in the number of road traffic fatalities in the region, according to the ECA. According to the ECA, out of the total 1.3 million road traffic fatalities that occurred every year globally, more than half are accounted in urban areas. "In the urban area, it is critical to address the safety of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, children and motorcyclists," the ECA stressed. Quality of road infrastructure, level of law enforcement, safety of vehicles, road user behaviors and post-crash care are said to be among the issues that affect the road safety situation Africa and beyond. Better integrating safe urban mobility within existing road safety frameworks and incorporating road safety into urban planning and infrastructure development process are also said to be the major targets of the gathering as part of the UN's initiative. Experts and policymakers are mainly expected to share good practices, evidence-based solutions, progress and challenges, considering the UN road transport and road safety related legal instruments, in support of the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ECA further stressed the need to collaborate among UN organs - the Secretariat of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP), and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) -- to work with African governments to address the challenge of road safety and urban mobility, it was noted. Reducing road fatalities is a specific target under target 3 of the global SDGs to improve health and wellbeing, and improving access to safe transport systems, while target 11 envisaged to ensure inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 22:51:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TOKYO, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Air Force will deploy five Osprey transport aircraft at Yokota Air Base in the suburbs of Tokyo in October as part of a wider plan to introduce 10 of the controversial tilt-rotor aircraft to the base in the coming years, the Defense Ministry said here Wednesday. Japan's Defense Ministry has provided little details about the deployment citing military classification, but is in favor of the move as the aircraft will quickly be able to respond to contingencies and deploy U.S. special force personnel if and when deemed necessary. The Defense Ministry was quoted as saying that the latest deployment will contribute to enhancing responses by the Japan-U.S. alliance to "various circumstances," with the U.S. side saying the planes will undergo a number of landing and takeoff, supply air-drop and night flying drills around the Yokota base, as reported by local media. The deployment of the aircraft, which can take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a fixed-winged plane has concerned citizens across Japan due to its checkered safety history since its developmental phase. The concerns have been intensified by the Defense Ministry saying it plans to deploy 17 Ospreys to be utilized by Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) at Saga Airport in Japan's southwest. Of late, further to the ire of Japanese citizens, Japanese forces have been making increased use of Saga Airport, which is predominantly a civilian airport. In terms of the residents' justifiable concerns and in light of the planes' less than stellar safety history, the planned acquisition and deployment of more Ospreys has reignited fears about the planes' safety. A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey made an emergency landing in Japan's Oita Prefecture, on the eastern coast of Kyushu, in August 2017, with a similar plane making a crash-landing off Nago in Okinawa in December 2016. Such incidents and mishaps have done little to improve local political and public faith in the aircraft. Further compounding the concerns, the commander of one of the U.S. Marine Corps two MV-22 Osprey squadrons based in Okinawa was fired owing to a "loss of trust in his ability to command," local media reported in February. Marine Lt. Col. Bryan Swenson was removed from his position commanding the Marine Medium Tilt-rotor Squadron 265 in January, the U.S. Marine Corps was quoted as saying in local reports. Swenson's high-profile removal came six months after a fatal crash of one of the squadron's MV-22 Ospreys off Australia's eastern coast in which three crew members were killed. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 23:06:13|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close VALLETTA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A group of 100 migrants were rescued and taken to Malta by the country's armed forces (AFM) on Wednesday, as tensions between the Mediterranean island and Italy continued to escalate. In a statement, the Maltese government said the migrants had been intercepted while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea on a rubber dinghy some 68 nautical miles south of Malta. It said the AFM had rescued the migrants, whose dinghy was taking on water and was going to sink. In addition to the 100 migrants that were found alive, the Maltese government said the AFM had also brought two corpses back to Malta. Migration has been thrust to the top of the European agenda in recent months, after Italy's new populist government changed its policy on receiving migrants. Italy refuses any boats carrying migrants and asylum seekers. On Tuesday, Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini accused Malta and a host of other European countries of failing to take in their share of a group of over 400 migrants that were allowed to disembark in Pozzallo last month. Salvini said that so far only France had taken in its share of the migrants. However, the Maltese government said this was not the case and that Malta had been in touch with Italian authorities in order to fulfill its obligations as soon as possible. "Nevertheless, the Italian authorities have not provided any tangible procedure for Malta to follow," read the Maltese statement. It added that on the other hand, it was "unfortunate" to note that "Italy has not yet fulfilled its commitments on the redistribution mechanism initiated by Malta with respect to the migrants" which landed in Malta on the MV Lifeline back in June. "Malta always participates in solidarity mechanisms and was the first European Union member state to fulfill its commitments with regard to the European Commission's solidarity mechanism with respect to Italy and Greece," the Maltese government said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 23:11:14|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DHAKA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- With due solemnity and religious fervor, Muslims across Bangladesh on Wednesday celebrated the first day of Eid-al-Adha that marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. In capital Dhaka and elsewhere across the country, Muslims offered special prayers seeking divine blessings, peace and prosperity in tens of thousands of congregations of Eid-al-Adha, also known as the festival of animal sacrifice. The main congregation in Dhaka was held on Wednesday morning at the national Eidgah (ground specified for saying Eid prayers) in Dhaka where President Abdul Hamid and ministers, lawmakers and elite of society said their prayers amid tight security. Security was beefed up in the country to avoid any untoward situation during the festival, which is celebrated by Muslims worldwide. The festival is celebrated on the 10th day of the twelfth and final month in the Islamic lunar calendar after holy Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It also occurs approximately two months and 10 days after Eid-al-Fitr, another biggest religious festival which marks the end of Muslims' holy fasting month of Ramadan. After prayers, Muslims in Bangladesh sacrificed millions of animals such as sheep, cows, goats and camels in the name of Allah almighty. Bangladeshi Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda had earlier said some 23 million cattle are usually slaughtered in Bangladesh each year, and half of these are sacrificed during Eid-al-Adha. Every Muslim who has financial means sacrifices animals and distributes the meat to family and the poor. Millions of Muslims and non-Muslim poor people in Bangladesh, who cannot afford to buy meat even once in a year, get a chance of eating meat up to satisfaction as rich people will distribute much meat of their sacrificial animals among their poor neighbors and relatives. The Bangladeshi government declared a three-day holiday starting from Tuesday on this occasion. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 23:21:16|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United States has been replaced by Britain in a working group tasked with redesigning the Arak heavy water reactor in central Iran, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announced on Wednesday. "With the unilateral U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Britain has replaced the United States in the group tasked with redesigning the Arak heavy water reactor," the AEOI Chief Ali Akbar Salehi told state IRIB TV. Meanwhile, Salehi said Washington's withdrawal from the nuclear deal has not affected Iran's peaceful nuclear activities, including exploration, research and development or in the construction of new power plants and activities such as production of drugs or hospital construction. The country's nuclear projects "are progressing well and there is no problem," he added. Under the JCPOA signed between Iran and six world powers in 2015, Iran agreed to redesign the 40-megawatt Arak research reactor to sharply cut its potential output of plutonium. National flags of Russia and the United States fly at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow, Russia April 11, 2017. (Xinhua/REUTERS) WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Department of the Treasury on Tuesday announced sanctions on several individuals and entities over their involvement in actions against the U.S. sanction measures on Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). In an announcement, the Treasury targeted two entities and two Russian individuals "in order to counter attempts to evade U.S. sanctions." They were accused of providing assistance for a sanctioned Russian entity. "The Treasury Department is disrupting Russian efforts to circumvent our sanctions," said U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests of the designated persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. In another separate announcement, the Treasury targeted two entities and six vessels for violating the UN and U.S. sanctions on the DPRK. They were accused of involvement in ship-to-ship transfer of refined petroleum products with DPRK-flagged vessels, an activity prohibited by the UN Security Council. "Consequences for violating these sanctions will remain in place" until the final and fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK is achieved, said Mnuchin. The new moves are the latest among a series of the Trump administration's actions against Russia's alleged "threatening" activities against the United States. In response to U.S. escalating actions, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill which allows him to respond to sanctions by the United States and other "unfriendly states." Under the new law, foreign entities could be prohibited from providing services for Russia's central and local governments, conducting trade with Russian counterparts, or participating in the privatization of Russian properties. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 23:36:20|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close by Alessandra Cardone ROME, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Italian inspectors checking on the security of the bridge that collapsed in Genoa last week warned that some parts of the structure which are still standing should be promptly demolished, or at least secured, Italian media reported on Wednesday. The bridge connecting the western and eastern parts of Genoa partially crashed on Aug. 14, killing 43 people and injuring some 15 others. After a first round of checks, the technicians said the eastern portion of the viaduct was precarious, and must be either torn down or made safe as soon as possible, Ansa news agency reported. Since Monday, creaking noises originating from the parts of the bridge that are still intact were reportedly heard by rescue workers. As such, firefighters temporarily halted operations allowing evacuated inhabitants to enter the red zone and recover personal belongings from their homes under the viaduct. Appointed by the infrastructure ministry on the same day as the disaster, the inspectors were entrusted with "carrying out technical checks and analyses" on the collapsed structure. The governor of the Liguria region surrounding Genoa, Giovanni Toti, said: "For sure, the (eastern) stump of the bridge has to be demolished in the shortest time possible," Toti said in a broadcast address. "This is firstly to ensure security -- although all people living in the area have been evacuated and risk nothing -- and secondly, because demolition is necessary in order to reconstruct." The governor said the technical committee sent its communication to the ministry on Tuesday night, highlighting the presence of "some critical aspects" in the east wing of the bridge. "There is no cause for alarm, but this (situation) will result in some urgent decisions to be taken in the next hours," Toti said. Along with inspectors from the ministry, Genoa's chief prosecutor launched an investigation into culpable manslaughter, culpable disaster, and endangering the safety of public transport. The probe was so far against a person or persons unknown. Architect Roberto Ferrazza, who is leading the ministry's emergency commission, said to Sky TG 24 tv channel that a series of "concurrent causes" might have brought about the partial collapse of the bridge. The major viaduct "first twisted, and then collapsed", Ferrazza explained on Sunday, soon after inspecting it for the first time. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 23:36:21|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close KHARTOUM, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The last round of negotiations between Sudan's conflicting parties is expected to conclude on Aug. 27 with a signing of a final peace deal to end the civil war which has been ongoing since 2013. In June, the parties, negotiating in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, signed the Khartoum Peace Agreement on South Sudan. Also, on Aug. 5, the parties signed a deal on power-sharing and security arrangements. The third deal, expected to be signed on Aug. 27, will be complementary to the previous two agreements and include resolutions of outstanding issues that had not been resolved before. "The negotiating parties have reached a final formula for the draft peace deal which is ready to be signed on the upcoming Monday (Aug. 27)," Stephen Lual Ngor, member of the South Sudan opposition alliance in the negotiation, said in a statement Wednesday. He added that there is a great progress regarding item (4) in the power-sharing agreement, noting that discussions are ongoing regarding determining the states' borders based on item (4) and that there is possibility to overcome the dispute over the border issues. He further said that a final agreement has also been reached regarding powers of the vice presidents, formation of committees and the number of states. He noted that the challenge ahead of the parties to the conflict in South Sudan is represented in the implementation of the security arrangements, and assembling and training of the joint forces which constitute the core forces of South Sudan's national army. In the meantime, Thomas William, a South Sudanese political analyst, told Xinhua he regarded the final deal to be signed on Aug. 27 as "a culmination" of Sudan's initiative to reactivate the peace process in South Sudan. "The expected deal will represent a comprehensive agreement that addresses all issues and concerns of South Sudan's conflicting parties," said William. The Sudanese mediators earlier delayed the signing with initial letters on the draft of the final comprehensive peace agreement, which was set to be on Aug. 19, as the opposition group, led by Riek Machar, had not yet submitted their observations on the draft deal. The third round of peace talks between the South Sudanese rivals started in Khartoum on Aug. 13 to discuss the outstanding issues related to powers of the president and vice presidents, representation in the judicial authority, revision of the number of the states and naming new ministries. Earlier the South Sudanese opposition alliance demanded revision of the administrative division of South Sudan and reconsideration of the number of the 32 states. In October 2015, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir issued a decree dissolving the Council of the States, which operated under the administrative division of ten states, and establishing 28 states. In January 2017, Kiir issued a separate decree establishing an additional four states. Binod Ghimire covers parliamentary affairs and human rights for The Kathmandu Post. Since joining the Post in 2010, he has reported primarily on social issues, focusing on education and transitional justice. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 23:46:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Fourteen international ambassadors for the promotion of giant panda culture were named in Beijing Tuesday night. The "ambassadors," including foreign ambassadors to China, officials, giant panda experts, entrepreneurs and celebrities, will commit to promoting the cultural symbol of the giant panda around the world. The event was held as part of the First Giant Panda International Culture Week, to be held in Beijing from Aug. 23 to 26, with the aim of celebrating China's efforts in preserving the vulnerable species and promoting the global influence of giant panda culture. For decades, the Chinese government has sent giant pandas, regarded by Chinese as a national treasure, to other countries. They are adored worldwide as an envoy for friendship and symbol of peace. "I visited our beloved giant panda Lin Bing and her two cubs earlier this month in Sichuan and took pictures with them. It was the happiest moment of my life," said Korn Dabbaransi, former vice prime minister of Thailand and president of Thailand-China Friendship Association, who was among the 14 ambassadors. Lin Bing, the first giant panda born in Thailand, is the daughter of pandas Lin Hui and Chuang Chuang. The couple has lived in Chiang Mai Zoo in northern Thailand since 2003 as part of a panda research program. Lin Bing was sent to southwest China's Sichuan Province to find a mate in 2013 at the age of four. Since her birth in 2009, Lin Bing has become one of the most popular animals in Thailand, creating an ongoing "panda mania" in the country. "Lin Bing has attracted the attention of millions of Thai people," said Dabbaransi. "There was even a television channel showing her live feed around the clock." He added that Lin Bing's name was chosen after a nationwide name selection contest in 2009 that attracted some 22 million postcard-votes, accounting for around 32.8 percent of the country's total population. "When she was sent to China in 2013, many Thai people were very sad and reluctant to say goodbye," Dabbaransi recalled. "Her fans even chartered two planes to escort her back." Five years after Lin Bing traveled to China, people in Thailand are still missing the giant panda. "When I told my people that I was going to China two weeks ago, many of them asked me to say hello to Lin Bing," said Dabbaransi. Early this month, he paid a visit to Lin Bing, who is living in Sichuan's Wolong National Nature Reserve and gave birth to twins last year. The name "Lin Bing" is a combination of her mother's family name and "Ping River," the name of Chiang Mai's major river, symbolizing the deep friendship between Thailand and China, Dabbaransi said. "Pandas are always a bridge connecting Thailand and China," he said. "With this bond, the exchanges between our two countries have become deeper and more frequent." He added that economic exchanges between Thailand and China have been booming in the past few years, with bilateral trade volume topping 74.1 million U.S. dollars last year. An increasing number of Chinese tourists have traveled to Thailand. Meanwhile, more and more Thai people have visited China, not only to see giant pandas but also to study and do business. "Giant pandas bring happiness and connect people," said Djauhari Oratmangun, Indonesian ambassador to China and also an ambassador for the promotion of giant panda culture. "They are a symbol of the friendship between Indonesia and China." There are currently two pandas living in Indonesia, Hu Chun and Cai Tao, a couple on a 10-year-loan from China to Indonesia's Taman Safari Zoo since last year. "More and more Indonesians are learning about giant pandas and becoming interested in China," said Oratmangun. "More Chinese tourists will also visit Indonesia to see the pandas." He said that people-to-people exchanges will promote cooperation between the two countries in other sectors, such as trade and investment. The cultural symbol of the giant panda is in line with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative because the symbol creates a friendly environment where people and countries are connected, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 23:51:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close LONDON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Firefighters are tackling a fire at Stanlow Oil Refinery in Britain's Ellesmere Port, local fire and rescue service said on Wednesday. Firefighters have been called to reports of a fire at the refinery in Oil Site Road, Ellesmere Port, this afternoon. All staff have been accounted for and have been evacuated, according to the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighters are liaising with onsite staff and the incident is confined to the site. Crews are using a ground monitor and a handheld monitor to extinguish pockets of fire, the Service said in a statement. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-22 23:51:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump Wednesday accused his former long-time personal lawyer Michael Cohen of "making stories" in order to get a "deal." "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!" Trump tweeted. Cohen has pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges, including campaign-finance violations, tax evasion and bank fraud at a federal court in Manhattan, New York. "Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime," Trump said, adding "President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!" In another tweet, Trump praised his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort as "a brave man." "I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. 'Justice' took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break' - make up stories in order to get a 'deal'. Such respect for a brave man!" Trump tweeted. Manafort was found guilty of eight out of 18 criminal charges at a federal jury in Virginia on Tuesday. He has denied all the charges. In court on Tuesday, Cohen reportedly said "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office," he kept information that would have been harmful to the candidate and the campaign from becoming public. Cohen didn't mention Trump's name but it's widely thought his claim was a clear reference to the president. "On or about summer 2016, in coordination and with and at the behest of the candidate, I and the CEO of a media company worked together to keep an individual with information that would be harmful to the candidate from publicly disclosing this information ... under which she received compensation of 150,000 dollars," Cohen was quoted as saying in court. Cohen surrendered to the FBI earlier Tuesday. It remains unclear if the former Trump lawyer has committed to cooperate with the ongoing Special Counsel Robert Mueller probe over the alleged Russia meddling into the 2016 U.S. general elections. Federal investigators raided Cohen's office, home and hotel room in New York earlier this year and seized various electronic devices and documents which reportedly include information that Cohen paid porn star Stormy Daniels so as to keep her silent about accusations of an affair with Trump. Judge William Pauley set a sentencing date for Cohen for Dec. 12. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 00:16:33|Editor: mmm Video Player Close Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng (R), also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister Ulziisaikhan Enkhtuvshin in southwest China's Chongqing, Aug. 22, 2018. Ulziisaikhan Enkhtuvshin was here to attend the first Smart China Expo to be held from Thursday to Saturday. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) CHONGQING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng on Wednesday met with foreign leaders who were in Chongqing to attend the first Smart China Expo, held from Thursday to Saturday. During his meeting with Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister Ulziisaikhan Enkhtuvshin, Han said it was in line with the fundamental interests of the people of China and Mongolia that the two neighboring countries enhance all-round cooperation. China has always regarded its relations with Mongolia as important in its foreign policy of neighboring countries and followed the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in conducting neighborhood diplomacy, Han said. The year 2019 will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Mongolia. Han said China will implement the consensus reached by by presidents of both countries to enhance high-level exchanges, promote cooperation and expand people-to-people relations. Enkhtuvshin said his country would stick to the one-China policy and better dovetail the Development Road Initiative of Mongolia with China's Belt and Road Initiative. During his meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somdy Duangdy, Han expressed condolences regarding the dam collapse disaster in southern Laos last month. Han said the development of China-Laos comprehensive strategic partnership benefited both sides and the region. "China has always viewed Laos as its good neighbor, good friend, good comrade and good partner, and will continue to follow a friendly policy towards Laos," Han said. He said China hoped to enhance communication and coordination with Laos to implement the consensus of both leaders and provide momentum in exchanges to build a shared future with Laos. Somdy thanked China for providing aid after the dam collapse, and commended the deepening of bilateral relations. During his meeting with Singapore's Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Han said China and Singapore had embarked on a road of mutual learning and benefit. He said China will work with Singapore to safeguard rules-based multilateral trade system and help create an open, inclusive and balanced global economy. Goh said Singapore had always attached importance to relations with China, which continued to develop steadily. He said Singapore opposed unilateralism and protectionism, and wanted to work with China to ensure greater interconnectivity and an open world economy. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 00:21:36|Editor: zh Video Player Close KATHMANDU, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Nepal has made all the preparations for hosting the fourth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) scheduled for next week in Kathmandu, a spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said here on Wednesday. Bharat Raj Paudyal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Xinhua that the government has made all the preparations for hosting the summit on Aug. 30 and 31. "The summit will review progress achieved so far in the areas of cooperation and provide guidance to the future work of the organization," the spokesperson said. Nepal is the present chair of BIMSTEC, a regional block established in 1997. BIMSTEC groups India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. All member states have confirmed their participation in the summit and the meetings preceding it, according to him. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement that Nepali Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli will chair the summit. The BIMSTEC leaders will witness the signing of the legal instrument of BIMSTEC and consider the draft Kathmandu Declaration of the summit on Aug. 31, according to the statement. Prior to the summit, the Nineteenth Senior Officials' Meeting and the Sixteenth Ministerial Meeting of BIMSTEC will be held on Aug. 28 and 29 in Kathmandu. The third summit of the BIMSTEC leaders was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar in March 2014. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 00:31:39|Editor: zh Video Player Close Nepali Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari lays the foundation stone of the construction of the terminal buildings at China-assisted Pokhara international airport in Pokhara,Nepal, Aug. 22 , 2018. Construction of two separate terminal buildings, one for international and another for domestic flights, began at the China-assisted Pokhara international airport on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Krishna Mani Baral) POKHARA, Nepal, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Construction of two separate terminal buildings, one for international and another for domestic flights, began at the China-assisted Pokhara international airport on Wednesday. Pokhara, located in western Nepal, is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Nepali Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari laid the foundation stone marking the start of construction of the terminal buildings which are expected to complete within a year. The two terminal buildings will be built at an area of 14,000 square meters, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the implementing agency of the project. During the ceremony, Adhikari said the work on the runway of the airport would also begin within a month. "The works are moving ahead smoothly as per the set timetable and the airport will be brought into operation by July 2021 after completing the works," he said. Stating that the project will be a game-changer for Nepal's tourism development and economic prosperity, the minister said the Nepali government would also promote the development of other tourism infrastructure projects such as hotels, restaurants, and roads, among others, citing the possible rise in foreign tourists. This is one of the three new international airports being built in the country. Currently Nepal has only one international airport in the capital city of Kathmandu. The CAAN, which is also the regulatory body of the aviation sector, said that the work in the project had been moving forward in a speedy way with strong support from local people. "We expect to complete 40 percent of work at the end of current fiscal year (Mid-July 2019)," Sanjeev Gautam, director general of CAAN told Xinhua on Wednesday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 00:36:40|Editor: zh Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Special forces in Germany have arrested a Russian national on Wednesday who is accused by state prosecutors of planning to carry out a deadly terror attack in the country. The federal prosecution office confirmed on its website that the 31-year-old Magomed-Ali C. was taken into custody and that his Berlin apartment had been also searched by officers of the GSG 9 special forces commando and the Federal Criminal Police Office. Prosecutors described the terror suspect as a "radical Islamist" who is believed to have colluded with fellow jihadist Clement B. to produce large amounts of highly explosive Triacetontriperoxid (TATP) to murder as many civilians as possible at an undefined location in Germany. The plans of the duo were first disrupted by a pre-emptive police investigation back in October 2016 which led Clement B. to flee from Germany to France where he was incarcerated in April of the following year. At the time of his arrest in Marseille, Clement B. was in possession of several firearms and three kilograms of TATP. Prosecutors told press on Wednesday that they hoped to gain clarity from Magomed-Ali C.'s arrest about the whereabouts of additional stocks of explosives produced by the two suspects in Berlin which were still unaccounted for. Magomed Ali C. will be presented to a magistrate of the German federal constitutional court on Thursday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 00:56:45|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close KIGALI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Engineering experts on Wednesday said that shortage of engineering skills among Africans on the continent remains a threat towards achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Africa. They said this while speaking at the Rwanda national engineering conference that opened on Wednesday in the Rwandan capital Kigali. The 2018 engineering conference dubbed "Challenges for the sustainability of Rwanda engineering companies and firms" runs from August 22 to 23. "Engineers in Africa are in short supply and the continent needs at least 2.5 million new engineers to meet Africa's sustainable development goals," said Martin Manuhwa, vice president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO). He noted that engineering profession on the continent lacks the numbers required to create sustainable economic and social infrastructure that would boost Africa's efforts to achieve SDGs. The two-day conference has brought together engineering experts, student engineers, government officials and representatives from the private sector and civil society organizations from Rwanda and beyond to discuss the role of engineering in Rwanda's economic transformation. Kazawadi Papias Dedeki, president of institution of engineers, Rwanda said that engineers play a key role in the creation of infrastructure to accelerate industrial development and alleviate poverty. "There is need to invest in engineering education and encourage African young girls and boys to consider career in engineering if the continent was to achieve SDGs," he noted. Speaking at the event, Claver Gatete, Rwandan minister of infrastructure said that Africa needs to catch up with rest of the world in terms of engineering skills. "Science, technology and engineering have always been strong pillars in driving prosperity and development in the developed world. It's time for Africa to put much emphasis on producing engineers," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 00:56:45|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close THE HAGUE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Dutch unions said Wednesday that security staff at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport will strike on Sept. 4 if no deal is reached to meet the workers' demands for a higher salary and more flexible working hours. "Schiphol has already received a notice from us because a 24-hour strike has consequences for the airport and air traffic," said FNV Beveiliging, the largest trade union for security guards in the Netherlands. "Agreements can now be made to ensure that things go smoothly, passengers can be informed in time, tickets rebooked, flights canceled, and so on." Schiphol estimated that some 200,000 travelers may not be able to fly on the day of the strike. Schiphol hopes to reach an agreement between the unions and the employers before the planned strike date. The security guards at Schiphol have an average salary of 1,900 euros per month, according to Dutch television NOS. A full-time security guard currently works 38 hours a week at the airport. The unions want to reduce it to 34 hours a week. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 01:01:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's recent financial support for Turkey, which includes a currency swap agreement and direct investment promise, is a strong show of economic and political unity against the United States, analysts said. Qatar and Turkey on Friday inked the currency swap agreement "to boost trade in local currencies and support financial stability in both countries," Turkey's Central Bank said. The deal came days after Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani promised 15 billion U.S. dollars of direct investment in Turkey, amid Ankara's escalating row with Washington and a falling Turkish lira. Umit Alperen, an analyst with the Ankara Policy Center, said Turkey has supported Qatar and helped it evade being "totally quarantined" after a Saudi Arabia-led bloc severed diplomatic ties and cut all air, land and sea links with the tiny kingdom last year over Doha's alleged support for extremists and terror groups. "And now, Qatar's financial support is a kind of a continuation of that solidarity, revealing the power of their political and economic relations against the U.S.," Alperen told Xinhua. Al-Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Turkish capital Ankara last week as Turkey's economy was gravely hit by a currency crisis after Washington imposed sanctions and additional tariffs over Ankara's continued detention of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson over terror-related charges. After the meeting, Al-Thani announced that Qatar would swiftly put the promised money into effect in mainly economic projects, investments and deposits in Turkey. Doha's cooperation with Ankara should also be regarded as essential for the diversification of financial resources of Turkey, according to Alperen. "Previously, Turkey was referring largely to the U.S.-led financial institutions such as the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and the World Bank," he said. Qatar has now proved to be a country which may provide "unconditional financial support" for Turkey in tough periods of time, according to the analyst. At the beginning of this month, the White House revved up economic pressure on Turkey by freezing the assets of Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu over their alleged roles in Brunson's imprisonment. The last blow hit the Turkish currency hard on Aug. 10 when U.S. President Donald Trump announced the doubling of tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum imports, making the lira drop by more than 16 percent the same day alone. "Qatar, by promising to invest with such a massive amount of money in Turkey, has seriously risked its relations with the United States," Feyza Gumusluoglu, a columnist with the pro-government Yeni Safak daily, wrote on Tuesday. "Such support will definitely not make Trump happy, as he is working hard to push Turkey into the corner," noted Gumusluoglu. In his view, the pledged money should be considered as very significant, though some of the details are still missing. Qatar's financial assistance to Turkey offers only a temporary remedy as it just helps ease pain during the crisis period, observed Alperen. "This financial crisis shows how vulnerable Turkey's economy is," he said, urging the authorities to focus more on a production-based economic model. For Cahit Armagan Dilek, head of the Ankara-based 21st Century Turkey Institute, Qatar's pledge is symbolic. "Turkey needs hot money and not an investment to be done in future years," he told Xinhua. Arguing that Qatar is more dependent on the U.S. and other Western countries than Turkey, Dilek said Doha's move "in standing next to Ankara will not affect Washington's future actions." Turkey's worsening row with the U.S. seems not to be solved in the short run as a Turkish court has rejected an appeal for the release of Brunson from house arrest during his trial for the second time. The next hearing of the pastor, who is accused of espionage and having links to a network led by the U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen and the Kurdistan Workers' Party, is slated for Oct. 12. The two groups have been outlawed respectively for masterminding a coup plot in 2016 and fighting against the Turkish state. 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. Kanchanpur rape, murder case: Protest continues for second consecutive day Locals continued demonstration in Mahendranagar for the second consecutive day on Monday in protest against the police move to make public the wrong suspect in the rape-murder case of a 13-year-old girl. People from nearby villages joined the protest today. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 01:01:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RIGA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The losses farmers in Latvia have suffered from this summer's prolonged dry spell and unusual heat amount to 359 million euros (416 million U.S. dollars), the Baltic country's agriculture ministry said in a report handed to the European Commission on Wednesday. According to the ministry's estimates, additional forage production costs stemming from the prolonged drought this summer have reached 100.5 million euros, 80 percent above the average costs recorded over the past three years. The ministry also predicts that grain and rapeseed sales this year are likely to fall by an estimated 27 percent from the last three years' average to 137.2 million euros, and that even an increase in grain and rapeseed prices in foreign markets will not make up for the anticipated loss of revenue. Due to the rainless summer, revenue from fruit, berries, vegetables and potatoes is expected to shrink by 44 percent from the last three-years' average to 28.4 million euros in yet another blow to the Latvian fruit growers who already suffered significant losses from springtime frosts and autumn floods in 2017. The dry weather conditions increased the fire hazard in Latvia's forests and peatlands, sparking a series of major wildfires that have cost forest owners 92.9 million euros in total, the ministry said in the report. The ministry's report is based on preliminary estimates, and the drought damage figure is to be updated in the next coming months. The European Commission asked all European Union member states to report on the dry summer's overall impact on agricultural production by the end of August. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 01:31:54|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close People walk on a commercial street of Athens, Greece, on Aug. 22, 2018. Greek retailing welcomed Monday's milestone of Greece's exit from the international rescue financing programs with mixed feelings of optimism and concern for the future. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) by Maria Spiliopoulou, Valentini Anagnostopoulou ATHENS, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Greek retailing welcomed Monday's milestone of Greece's exit from the international rescue financing programs with mixed feelings of optimism and concern for the future. Although financial indexes have improved, the real economy and households have still not tasted the fruits of eight years of struggle to keep the country afloat, local businessmen told Xinhua. Nikos Giannetos is a third generation tailor. Since 1907 numerous Greek political leaders, businessmen and grooms have been dressed in Giannetos men's classic clothing collections. The firm survived the crisis with losses, as all small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). The number of stores was reduced from seven to three and the employees from 57 to 37. For Giannetos nothing finished on Monday, and the struggle continues, he told Xinhua. Because he feels that Greeks have not made all necessary changes to build a healthy economy. He referred to an overblown public sector which does not service entrepreneurs. "I do not see optimism for the future, because there is no different mentality. We did not learn a thing. We went through eight years of grievance without getting anything which will save us in the end," he said. "We did not seize the chance, because what predominated was -- and unfortunately Greek citizens have full responsibility -- that everyone was choosing the easy way of illusions. But you cannot build anything based on illusions. It is obvious in our case," he added. "Businesses which never had debts and overdue checks, now owe to everybody. They delay payments of wages and rents to the owners of stores. This is going on for eight years. Can an economy and society stand this?" he wondered. STRUCTURAL REFORMS NEEDED Yorgos Kavvathas, president of the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants (GSEVEE), posed the same question. The feelings are contradictory, he told Xinhua, because the memoranda period is over, but Greece has undertaken commitments to lenders for coming years which will still put pressure on people. "I think that there is optimism and fear for the future. For me fear has to do with how we will go on in the post-bailout era. We must not fall back to the same mistakes we did in the past, because all Greeks paid them dearly," Kavvathas said. "The country should proceed to at least three structural reforms: reduction of taxation for individuals and enterprises, settlement of the private overdue debt which currently stands at 220 billion euros (255 billion US dollars) -- we need to address this if we want to move ahead -- and of course we need to see what we can do regarding the major issue of the financing of businesses and households, the banking system," he stressed. WOUNDS OF CRISIS DEEP Vassilis Korkidis, president of the Hellenic Confederation of Trade and SMEs (ESEE) and president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), also expressed hope and concern, since the wounds of the crisis are still deep. With a quarter of Greek gross domestic product (GDP) lost, incomes and consumption fell sharply. "There are macroeconomic indexes which are positive... However, what we need is to see these positive indexes and the improvement reflected on the real economy and society and we have not seen this yet," he said. "The retailing turnover stood at 73 billion euros and in recent years dropped to 35 billion euros. As a result, several small and medium sized businesses closed. The memoranda leave behind 245,000 owners of such enterprises who ended up with padlocks and 920,000-930,000 unemployed. It is difficult to reverse all these," the businessman noted. "Four out of ten businesses in our country are loss making, five in ten have zero or up to 20,000 euros annual profit and only one in ten has profits over 60,000 euros," he added. For Korkidis there are still issues that need to be addressed such as excessive taxation. "Lately we notice the easy way of over taxation, which in my opinion has made things worse... We are paying in taxes the 66-67 percent of our income, two thirds in taxes. We cannot live and get growth with the rest one third," he said. "For the real economy the real exit from the memoranda would be the increase of businesses' turnover and consumers' income, the increase of the minimum wage, the exit from the capital controls and the end to over taxation of individuals and enterprises. This would indeed mark the exit from memoranda and then we would also celebrate," he argued. Asked whether he is optimistic for the future, the businessman said there was no other way but to retain hope and see the next day with realism. (1 euro=1.15 U.S. dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 01:31:54|Editor: zh Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday called for swift measures to meet the humanitarian needs of nearly one million people who are displaced due to inter-communal violence in Ethiopia. The UN migration agency has recently revealed that since April this year some 970,000 people have fled their homes due to fighting between communities along the border of Ethiopia's Gedeo Zone in the Southern region and West Guji Zone in Ethiopia's largest Oromia region. According to the ICRC, while aid has increased in recent weeks, "it is still insufficient to meet the needs of the displaced. With schools being used as shelters and so many children still displaced, it could also be difficult for students to return to school when the new academic year starts in September." "Schools, factories, and courthouses are just a few of the buildings that now act as shelters for displaced families in southern Ethiopia after a wave of inter-communal clashes along the border areas of Gedeo and West Guji zones drove nearly one million people from their homes," the ICRC said in a statement on Wednesday. People often lack food and clean water, and are sleeping on the floor with no blankets or mats. Kochere district in Gedeo zone has seen its population nearly double from 130,000 people to more than 230,000, according to the ICRC. The influx of displaced people has also put a heavy strain on host communities, many of whom were already struggling with food insecurity. Hospitals and clinics have also been overwhelmed by the sharp increase in patients, according to ICRC. "We have seen health centers in the area faced with an enormous problem. They were working ok, but suddenly, they have got more than double the population coming in and many, many of those people who are coming in are sick already," the statement quoted James Reynolds, ICRC's Head of Delegation in Ethiopia. "When something like that happens, the conditions in which those people are living are really very, very difficult," Reynolds added. The UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) last month released 15 million U.S. dollars to urgently scale up humanitarian assistance to people affected by escalating inter-communal violence in Ethiopia. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 01:36:55|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers his remarks after signing a book of condolences in memory of the late former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, at the UN headquarters in New York, Aug. 22, 2018. A wreath-laying ceremony was held at UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday to mourn the death of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Annan, a Ghanaian diplomat, died on Saturday in Switzerland. He served as UN secretary-general for 10 years till the end of 2006. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A wreath-laying ceremony was held at UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday to mourn the death of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid tribute to his predecessor at the ceremony and wrote on a condolence book in memory of Annan. "We are here to pay tribute to Kofi Annan, one of the best of us, a man who embodied United Nations values and made us all proud to call ourselves his colleagues," Guterres told the ceremony. "Kofi Annan's years in office were an exciting time. He put forward new ideas. He brought new people into the United Nations family. He spoke passionately about our mission and our role. He created a renewed sense of possibility both inside and outside our organization about what the UN could do and could be for the world's people." The world is still reaping the rewards of the Millennium Summit, when Annan brought the world together to agree on the first global targets on poverty and child mortality. His response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic united governments, nongovernmental organizations and the healthcare industry and undoubtedly saved many lives, said Guterres. Annan faced up to the grave errors made by the United Nations in the 1990s -- in its response to the Rwanda genocide and the Srebrenica killings during the 1992-1995 Bosnian war. The reports he commissioned aimed to make sure such terrible mistakes are never repeated, and set the international community on a new course in its response to mass atrocities, he said. "In these times of growing political divides and intractable conflicts, we need the peacemaking spirit of Kofi Annan more than ever," he said. Annan's most defining features were his humanity and solidarity with those in need. He put people at the center of the work of the United Nations, and was able to turn compassion into action across the UN system. "A true voice for the voiceless, he did not shy away from the most challenging issues but worked creatively to bridge differences and protect the most vulnerable. He stood his ground without antagonizing others; his humility, good humor, courtesy and charm went hand in hand with enormous wisdom and strength." Besides being an extraordinary statesman, a remarkable diplomat, an inspiring leader, Annan will be remembered for his gentleness, warmth, and for his friendship, said Guterres. "He was indeed a good man and a gentleman and always at our disposal to support us, to comfort us, to be in full solidarity with us in any difficult moment that one of us, as colleagues of him, would have." Guterres was picked by Annan as UN High Commissioner for Refugees in 2005 before he himself became UN secretary-general in 2017. Annan, a Ghanaian diplomat and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, died on Saturday in Switzerland, at the age of 80. He served as UN secretary-general for 10 years till the end of 2006. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 02:17:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close GENEVA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A UN expert on Wednesday called the sanctions re-imposed on Iran after the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal as "unjust and harmful", saying that the sanctions are driving millions of people into poverty and making imported goods unaffordable. He also urged the United States to allow agricultural commodities, food, medicine, and medical devices into Iran by taking real and concrete steps to ensure that banks, financial institutions and companies can quickly and freely be assured that relevant imports and payments are permitted. Idriss Jazairy, the UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, said in a media statement issued Wednesday here that sanctions must be just, and must not lead to the suffering of innocent people. "The reimposition of sanctions against Iran after the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, which had been unanimously adopted by the Security Council with the support of the US itself, lays bare the illegitimacy of this action," Jazairy said. "This illegitimacy was confirmed by the opposition of all other permanent members of the Security Council and indeed of all international partners. The UN Charter calls for sanctions to be applied only by the UN Security Council precisely to ensure such wanton attacks on nations are avoided," he added. While applauding efforts by the international community to reject "economic bullying", he mentioned the efforts of the European Union in tackling this injustice, both through diplomatic efforts and through legislation to protect European companies from American sanctions. "I sincerely hope that the international community can come together to see that the world does not become a battleground for generalized economic war," said Jazairy. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo greets coalition forces at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan on July 9, 2018. (AFP PHOTO) MOSCOW, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. refusal to participate in the upcoming consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow shows Washington's hypocrisy, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. "The U.S. decision once again highlights the falsity of Washington's peaceful rhetoric towards Afghanistan, whose people have suffered in the last 17 years and continue to carry huge losses as a result of the U.S. policy," it said in a statement. Washington declined a Russian invitation to participate in the meeting, stating that it would not take part in any events that are not organized under the leadership of the Afghans, the ministry said. However, the Moscow meeting will be co-chaired by Russia and Afghanistan, it said. "Apparently, the Americans only like to participate in meetings that are held under their leadership and correspond exclusively to their interests," the statement said. The second round of the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan will take place in Russia on Sept. 4. The Moscow format was introduced in 2017 on the basis of the six-party mechanism for consultations among representatives from Russia, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iran and India. The first round of the consultations took place on April 14, 2017 and were attended by deputy foreign ministers and representatives of 11 countries, namely Russia, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Washington declined an invitation then, saying that the new U.S. administration lacked an Afghanistan strategy at that time. This year, invitations were sent to the same countries. The leadership of the Taliban group was also invited as "the aim of the upcoming meeting is to help narrow gaps in the approaches taken by the Afghan government and Taliban to launching a direct intra-Afghan dialogue," the Russian ministry said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 02:37:08|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close Ukrainian government approves deal on military-technical cooperation with Qatar: media KIEV, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian government during its meeting on Wednesday has approved an intergovernmental agreement with Qatar on cooperation in the military-technical sector, local media reported. According to Interfax-Ukraine news agency, the deal envisages that Ukraine and Qatar will cooperate in such fields as development, production, modernization, repair and purchase of weapons and military equipment, including radio-electronics, warships, and missiles. The document also stipulates for the transfer of military technologies for the joint production of military equipment, the agency said. Ukraine and Qatar have signed the agreement on cooperation in the military-technical sector during Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's visit to Doha in March this year. Ukraine and Qatar have signed 16 cooperation agreements since they established diplomatic relationships on April 13, 1993. The pacts cover areas including trade, economy, investment, science and the media. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 03:02:14|Editor: zh Video Player Close Photo taken on Aug. 22, 2018 shows the Memory Table created for the condolence book in honor of late former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC) in Accra, captial of Ghana. People from all walks of life have been trooping here to sign the condolence book opened here on Wednesday in honor of the former head of the global body. Annan died on Aug. 18 in Switzerland, at the age of 80. (Xinhua/Francis Kokoroko) ACCRA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- People from all walks of life have been trooping to the Accra International Conference Center (AICC) to sign the book of condolence opened here on Wednesday in honor of late former United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan. The former head of the global body passed away on Saturday at a hospital in Bern, Switzerland, after a short illness. Among the dignitaries who paid tribute to the late international statesman was Anne-Claire Dufay, Country Representative of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). "We are all saddened by the departing of Hon. Kofi Annan, former Secretary General. We have been truly inspired by Kofi Annan. I personally met him in East Timor in the year 2000 after the conflict," the UNICEF official stated. She recalled the visit by the late former Secretary General where he really inspired the UN staff with his words related to peace and human rights. "So we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his wife and his family and friends. He will continue to inspire all of us at the United Nations and the UNICEF," she added. The Memory Table created for the condolence book is decorated in flowers with the flag of Ghana set at half mast behind it and photos of the late octogenarian. Also paying tribute to Kofi Annan was Ghana's Minister for Development Planning George Gyan-Barfuor and clergyman Lawrence Tetteh. "Saturday we heard about the demise of Kofi Annan. It's a big blow not only to Ghana but also to the international community because someone who has ascended to the throne of Secretary-General of the UN is not a small achievement," Ghanaian journalist, Henry Martinson told Xinhua. "What we should be doing is to remember some of his legacies," Martinson urged. The book of condolence will remain open till next Wednesday to allow the general public to pay tributes to Kofi Annan. President Nana Akufo-Addo signed the book of condolence opened in Kofi Annan's family house on Sunday. Fawzia stands on the ruins of her house, after her Palestinian ex-husband demolished the dwelling to not face the prospect of Israeli settlersmoving in after he lost a land ownership case in Israeli courts, in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Beit Hanina, July 19, 2018. (REUTERS) JERUSALEM, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Israeli authorities on Wednesday approved the building of 1,004 housing units in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, an Israeli settlement watchdog said. The permits were issued by the Higher Planning Committee of the Civil Administration. Peace Now, an Israeli non-governmental organization, said in a statement that some 96 percent of the new construction is planned in isolated settlements, which Israel will likely need to evacuate within the framework of a two-state peace deal. According to local media reports, the government plans to promote tenders for the construction of hundreds of additional housing units in the West Bank, as well as promoting a future plan for some 300 units in Beit El. The former U.S. President Barack Obama's administration criticized Israel's continuous expansion of the settlements and denounced it as a major obstacle to peace. But after President Donald Trump stepped into the White House, the settlement construction in the West Bank sharply increased. Peace Now said that according to data provided by Israel's official Bureau of Statistics, since the beginning of Trump's term in early 2017, the Israeli government promoted plans for 10,536 units and tenders for 5,679 units in West Bank settlements. The settlements are illegal under international law because they are built on lands seized by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, where the Palestinians wish to form their future state. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 03:07:16|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close KIEV, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The conflicting sides in eastern Ukraine during the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk have reached an agreement on a fresh round of truce starting Aug. 29, a spokesperson for Kiev's delegate said on Wednesday. "The parties undertake a commitment to take all necessary steps to ensure a sustainable ceasefire regime," Darka Olifer, the spokesperson for Ukraine's representative in the Contact Group Leonid Kuchma, wrote on Facebook. The planned ceasefire is designed to ensure the security of civilians ahead of the new school year, which will begin on Sept. 1, Olifer said. The comprehensive ceasefire is the key part of the Minsk peace agreements designed to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 10,000 people since April 2014. The Trilateral Contact Group is a group of representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe that was formed as means to facilitate a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Representatives of pro-independence insurgents also participate in the meetings of the group. Middlemen in veggie trade to be eliminated The government has decided to find a way to eliminate the layers of middlemen in the vegetable trade as their involvement has led to high prices for consumers. A committee has been formed to make a study and prepare a report. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 03:12:17|Editor: zh Video Player Close DUBLIN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A measles outbreak has been reported in parts of the Irish capital Dublin, with 13 cases of the disease having been identified since July, said health authorities on Wednesday. All the measles cases were reported in the northern part of the city, said the Health Service Executive (HSE), a state agency responsible for the public health services in Ireland. Patients infected with the disease include both children and adults. The first two cases were found in a child and an adult at the beginning of last month, said the HSE in a statement. Transmission of the disease have occurred in hospitals and in households with poor vaccine uptake, it said, adding that the Department of Public Health of the HSE has started monitoring the development of the disease in a wider community in the northern part of the city. Meanwhile, the HSE has sent information on measles to all emergency departments and general practitioners in Dublin and its neighbouring counties of Kildare and Wicklow to inform them of the measles outbreak. Ruth McDermott, an official with the HSE's public health department, said that "Measles can be a serious illness and is highly infectious. The best protection is to be fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine." The HSE has issued notices shortly after the discovery of the first two measles cases in the city, warning the public aged under 40 of taking the measles vaccine if they have not been appropriately vaccinated before or have not had the disease in the past. It has also advised the public of taking the measles vaccine before travelling to other countries and regions where measles outbreaks are reported. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 03:27:19|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close PRAGUE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The invasive species of spinycheek crayfish (Latin name orconectes limosus) have ousted local original crayfish in the water reservoir of south Czech town Lipno, a researcher said Wednesday. According to the scientific observation, it may not be excluded that Lipno's local crayfish population is completely extinct. Scientists warn that the invasive spinycheek crayfish may bring some serious danger as they spread crayfish plague. Being native to the east coast of North America, spinycheek crayfish came to Europe in the 19th century. There are several factors behind the massive spread of this species, according to Pavel Kozak, dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters of South Bohemian University. Among them there are unprofessional crayfish breeding, which population is also spread by means of fish farming, as well as extreme temperatures. "It is a problem all over the Czech Republic," Kazak added. The presence of spinycheek crayfish in the freshwater, according to the dean, has a negative impact not only on the ecosystems of the Lipno reservoir, but also on the river tributaries. Growing populations of invasive species put pressure on the original communities of aquatic plants, insects, shellfish, and evolutionary stages of amphibians and fish. Kozak said that there are already hundreds of thousands of the spinycheek crayfish living in the Lipno reservoir. Scientists first discovered them in this area in 2006. The Tourist Association of Lipno also wants to address the issue of the invasive species spreading. The chairman of the association Jiri Manek said that based on the research findings, it is needed to initiate a professionally organized rescue program for local crayfish, otherwise, the original crayfish may be completely vanished by the invader. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 03:57:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Arlington National Cemetery, a famed U.S. military cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, was on Wednesday evacuated and closed to the public for the rest of the day due to a bomb threat. The cemetery announced around noon time on the Twitter that it has been evacuated and remain closed to the public for the rest of the day. However, scheduled funeral services will continue, including a flyover in support of a funeral in the afternoon, it tweeted. "Arlington National Cemetery officials and @JBMHH emergency services are currently responding to a #BombThreat to the cemetery," the cemetery said in an earlier tweet. "All families, visitors and employees have been evacuated safely from all public buildings and work areas while the threat is being investigated." the tweet went on. There are 11 funeral services planned on Wednesday afternoon. The cemetery is still open to funeral attendees and family pass holders. Bomb technicians were sweeping cars in search of explosives, local reports said. The cemetery, covering 624 acres just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., conducts between 27 and 30 funeral services each week day and between 6 and 8 services on Saturday, according to its website. The U.S. Department of the Army, a component of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), runs the cemetery. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 04:07:29|Editor: zh Video Player Close TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that they would strike Israeli cities with missiles if the Islamic country was threatened, according to local Mizan News Agency. The Revolutionary Guards added that they will continue increasing Iran's defensive capabilities despite U.S. pressure to scrap its ballistic missile program. On the same day, a senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami warned that if his country was attacked by the United States and Israel, Tehran will give a tit-for-tat fightback. Khatami told worshippers attending Eid prayers in Tehran that talks with U.S. President Donald Trump is impossible. "Americans say you should accept what they say in the talks, which is not negotiation, but dictatorship. The Iranian nation would stand up against dictatorship," he was quoted as saying. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected before Trump's offer of "unconditional talks on a new nuclear deal," saying that "if they (Americans) want to meet, that's fine; if they don't, I couldn't care less." Khatami also stressed "the price of a war with Iran is very high," adding that if the Americans harm his country in the slightest way, "the U.S. and its main ally in the region, the Zionist regime (Israel), would be targeted." On May 8, Trump pulled Washington out of the nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and vowed to reinstate sanctions against Tehran to make the latter "change behavior." 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 areas including energy, shipping and ports. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 04:07:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WARSAW, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Poland foresees 163.7 billion Polish zloty (44.5 billion U.S. dollars) in gross borrowing needs in its 2019 budget draft, Deputy Finance Minister Piotr Nowak told Polish Press Agency Wednesday. At the same time, the Polish government expects 2018 gross borrowing needs to be 160 billion zloty, more than 20 billion zloty lower than the plan, as the budget deficit will undershoot assumptions. "In the 2019 budget bill we envisage gross borrowing needs at 163.7 billion zloty, based on the assumption of a 28.5 billion zloty deficit," Nowak said. In 2018, as the budget deficit will be lower than the 41.5 billion zloty written in the budget, borrowing needs will likewise fall by over 20 billion zloty, Nowak said. Poland's cabinet has approved a preliminary draft for a 415.4 billion zloty 2019 budget with a 28.5 billion zloty deficit. (1 U.S. dollar = 3.68 Polish zloty) A child infected by cholera epidemic is treated at a hospital in Sanaa, Yemen, on Aug. 4, 2018. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday said that the number of suspected cholera cases in Yemen is reportedly increasing, raising concerns of a possible "third wave" of the epidemic. Since April 2017, more than 1.1 million suspected cases and more than 2,300 associated deaths have been reported, making it the largest outbreak on record, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the regular news briefing. "Humanitarian partners are responding to avoid a large-scale resurgence. This month, our partners have vaccinated more than 385,000 people against cholera in the high-risk districts of Hodeidah and Ibb," said Dujarric. "OCHA is disturbed by damage to health and water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure due to conflict," he said, adding that "access to these services is crucial to prevent another cholera epidemic." "All parties to the conflict must meet their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure," he said. "We've had two major waves of cholera epidemics in recent years, and unfortunately the trend data that we've seen...suggests that we may be on the cusp of the third major wave of cholera epidemics in Yemen," Peter Salama, deputy director-general of emergency preparedness and response of the World Health Organization, said last week in Geneva. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 04:32:35|Editor: zh Video Player Close Photo taken on Aug. 22, 2018 shows a general view of the United Nations Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York. Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, on Wednesday urged international donors to boost their aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip while warning that fuel and medicine supplies in the region "are quickly running out." (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A senior United Nations official on Wednesday urged international donors to boost their aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip while warning that fuel and medicine supplies in the region "are quickly running out." Calling on Israelis and Palestinians to "cease provocation and exercise maximum restraint," Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, expressed concern for the recent spate of violence and several rounds of hostility in the region, particularly citing Hamas' firing of missiles into Israel, and Israel's targeting of protestors in the Gaza Strip. Israel has resulted in the death of 13 Palestinian civilians in recent months, she said during her briefing to the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. While Israel has a duty to protect its civilians, it "must exercise refrain," DiCarlo said, adding that "children should never be targeted in any way." She also urged Hamas to provide full information on Israelis held in Gaza. While welcoming various developments regarding the lifting of blockades and closures on Gaza, she stressed the need to ensure the timely delivery of aid to people in need. "As we work towards the full lifting of the closing on Gaza...I call on urgently needed supplies to reach the Strip," she noted. Urging donors and international organizations to increase their allocation of funds to Gaza, DiCarlo expressed support for the assistance and aid programs spearheaded by the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), many of which are focused on providing decent employment opportunities for women. "Improving Palestinian women's socioeconomic status is essential to stability," she said. DiCarlo also reiterated the secretary-general's warning of the humanitarian consequences resulting from failing to address the funding shortfall of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). She further noted the UN long stated position that "all settlements are illegal under international law and must cease," urging Israel to cease the demolition of Bedouin properties as part of an effort to displace them. DiCarlo also urged both Israelis and Palestinians to avoid provocation at all Jerusalem sites. "The status quo must be preserved at the Holy Sites," she added, stressing the need to end the Israeli occupation and achieve two states, where both Israelis and Palestinians can live together in peace. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 04:37:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed government's Foreign Minister on Wednesday refused settlement of illegal immigrants on Libyan territory. "Libya does not accept this unjust and unfair measure. It has more than 700,000 immigrants. They must be returned to the countries of origin from where they came," Mohamed Sayala said in a statement. "Libya is a transit country and has borne a lot. The international community must assume its responsibilities by pressing the countries of origin to re-accept their nationals and bear the expenses of their return to the countries of origin," Sayala added. Libya has become a preferred departure point for illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe due to insecurity and chaos in the North African country following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Migrant shelters in Libya are crowded with thousands of illegal immigrants who have been rescued at sea or arrested by the Libyan security services. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 04:37:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Seven Islamic State (IS) militants were killed Wednesday in airstrikes targeting their positions at a rugged area in Iraq's central province of Salahudin, a provincial police source said. The Iraqi aircraft carried out airstrikes on IS hotbed of Mteibijah, a rugged area in the eastern part of the province, killing seven IS militants and destroying two of their hideouts, two tunnels and two motorcycles, Mohammed al-Bazi, from Salahudin provincial media office, told Xinhua. The Iraqi security forces repeatedly tried to retake control of Mteibijah, but the vast rugged land and mountains have made it difficult for them to dislodge the extremist militants from the region. Hundreds of IS militants earlier fled their former bases in the key cities of Salahudin, including the provincial capital Tikrit, some 170 km north of Baghdad, after the Iraqi forces cleared these areas during major anti-IS offensives. Late in 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, also the commander-in-chief of Iraqi forces, officially declared full liberation of Iraq from IS militants after Iraqi forces recaptured all the areas once seized by the extremist group. However, some IS remnants have since melted in urban areas or fled to deserts and rugged areas in the country, carrying out attacks from time to time against security forces and civilians. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 04:42:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MINSK, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Ukraine passed a statement on starting a new ceasefire from the beginning of the academic year, Martin Sajdik, the OSCE's special representative in the TCG on Ukraine, told local media on Wednesday. The TCG and representatives of the certain areas of Ukraine's Donetsk and Lugansk regions confirmed their full commitment to an indefinite ceasefire from Aug. 29, the statement said. The diplomat called on the parties to express support for this decision at the highest political level. "This year's summer is the calmest since the beginning of the conflict," he noted. He drew attention to the fact that there have been no recorded casualties among the civilian population since August. The next round of talk on the situation in eastern Ukraine is scheduled for September 5 in Minsk. The TCG is a group of representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that was formed to facilitate a diplomatic solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Muslims celebrate Bakra-Eid People from the Muslim community have celebrated Bakra-Eid, one of the biggest festivals of Muslims, by exchanging greetings and offering prayers to Allah at various mosques on Wednesday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 04:47:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Wednesday discussed means with the Libyan border authorities to manage and strengthen Libyan border crossings. "IOM team visited border crossings on Ghadames, some 540 km southwest the capital Tripoli, and Ras Ajdir, some 170 km west of Tripoli, to discuss with concerned authorities ways of improving current capacity and technical equipment, so as to strengthen management of borders with neighboring countries," IOM said in a statement. Libyan borders have recently witnessed unprecedented smuggling of fuel and immigrants, due to insecurity and chaos in the country. Libyan authorities struggle to control the border crossings, as smugglers take advantage of the insecurity in the country to carry out smuggling activities. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 04:52:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close HELSINKI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Political analysts here on Wednesday hailed the stage setup of the press conference following the talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Sochi, which had EU flags in addition to the flags of Russia and Finland. "The staging of the press conference said more than a thousand words," said Sylvia Bjon, a political analyst at the newspaper Hufvudsstadsbladet. While the stage of top level Finnish-Russian press conferences usually includes two or more flags of both countries behind the podium, the setup in Sotchi on Wednesday included four flags of Russia countered by two flags of Finland and two of the European Union (EU) on the other side. Bjon noted that the Helsinki summit of U.S. and Russian presidents on July 16 had been preceded by some erroneous writing by a U.S. high level publication about "neutral Finland". In his press conference in Helsinki at the end of the summit, Niinisto had taken up the matter and underlined that Finland is a member of the EU and a partner of NATO. In the press conference on Wednesday, Putin said he hopes the relations between the EU and Russia would improve during the time when Finland is the chairman of the EU in the second half of 2019. Mika Aaltola, the program director of the Finnish Institute for International Affairs, said that Putin showed respect to Finland as he did not repeat the words of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu last month. In a public event in Russia, Shoigu had described joint Finnish and Swedish maneuvers with NATO as a threat and talked about counter measures. Aaltola, commenting to news agency Lannen Media, noted Putin's statement that Russia "has to react if NATO infrastructure gets closer to the borders of Russia". The dialogue between Finland and Russia is "fluent," Aaltola said. "But it does not mean that the two countries would be making progress in taking care of difficult issues." Jussi Niemelainen, an analyst for the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, noted that Putin had not mentioned the relationship between Finland and NATO. Niinisto said later in the press conference that he had not heard "any criticism of Finland during the meeting with Putin." Noting that Putin had been very "agreeable" in the way he talked about Finland in the press conference, Niemelainen expressed the view that this could mean that Putin has accepted the current state of Finnish-Russian relations as "the new normal". Palestinian refugee children play outside their houses at Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza Strip, on Aug. 8, 2017. About 2 million people reside in the Gaza Strip, where over 1.2 million refugees are registered. (Xinhua/Wissam Nassar) UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A senior United Nations official on Wednesday urged international donors to boost their aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip while warning that fuel and medicine supplies in the region "are quickly running out." Calling on Israelis and Palestinians to "cease provocation and exercise maximum restraint," Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, expressed concern for the recent spate of violence and several rounds of hostility in the region, particularly citing Hamas' firing of missiles into Israel, and Israel's targeting of protestors in the Gaza Strip. Israel has resulted in the death of 13 Palestinian civilians in recent months, she said during her briefing to the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. While Israel has a duty to protect its civilians, it "must exercise refrain," DiCarlo said, adding that "children should never be targeted in any way." She also urged Hamas to provide full information on Israelis held in Gaza. While welcoming various developments regarding the lifting of blockades and closures on Gaza, she stressed the need to ensure the timely delivery of aid to people in need. "As we work towards the full lifting of the closing on Gaza...I call on urgently needed supplies to reach the Strip," she noted. Urging donors and international organizations to increase their allocation of funds to Gaza, DiCarlo expressed support for the assistance and aid programs spearheaded by the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), many of which are focused on providing decent employment opportunities for women. "Improving Palestinian women's socioeconomic status is essential to stability," she said. DiCarlo also reiterated the secretary-general's warning of the humanitarian consequences resulting from failing to address the funding shortfall of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). She further noted the UN long stated position that "all settlements are illegal under international law and must cease," urging Israel to cease the demolition of Bedouin properties as part of an effort to displace them. DiCarlo also urged both Israelis and Palestinians to avoid provocation at all Jerusalem sites. "The status quo must be preserved at the Holy Sites," she added, stressing the need to end the Israeli occupation and achieve two states, where both Israelis and Palestinians can live together in peace. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 05:57:50|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close GABORONE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Heads of Botswana diplomatic mission convened in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, where they regrouped to see how they can assist the country's efforts to diversify the economy by promoting various economic sectors to the international community and assist local goods gain greater access to the world market. Addressing the envoys on Wednesday during the 2018 Heads of Diplomatic Mission Consultative Forum, National Strategy Office director general Uttum Corea said the country needs to promote areas of economy where Botswana holds a comparative advantage to the outside world. Corea said benchmarking excursions have been used for strategic analysis with a view to identify areas of improvement in the cluster focus areas of Financial and Knowledge Intensive Services (FKIBS), beef and tourism. Speaking on behalf of the FKIBS cluster, Botswana Investment and Trade Center business analyst Nomakhosi Mookodi said that through a benchmarking exercise in Chile, they learnt how the country was working on diversifying its economy from one based on mineral commodity to other sectors including financial services. She said Botswana, being an English speaking country with corresponding time zone with many European countries, should also consider targeting companies that can provide similar services to Europe operating from Botswana. On behalf of the tourism cluster, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism chief, Temalo Lesetlhe, said the ministry is trying to increase its presence to the younger generation millennial tourists while maintaining a low volume, high value approach to tourism. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 06:32:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close HOUSTON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. natural gas exports to Mexico by pipeline reached record high in July 2018, after the commissioning of several key pipelines in Mexico, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said Wednesday. EIA figure showed that the natural gas pipeline export to Mexico exceeded 5 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) for the first time in July 2018. In addition, by the end of 2018, an additional four of six major pipelines identified as strategic in Mexico's five-year natural gas infrastructure expansion plan are scheduled to begin commercial operations. These newly commissioned pipelines will transport U.S. natural gas farther into Mexico's central and southern regions. Currently, about three-quarters of U.S. natural gas pipeline exports to Mexico flow from southern Texas. Exports from southern Texas averaged 3.2 bcf/d in 2017 and 3.3 bcf/d through the first five months of 2018. This natural gas is sourced primarily from the Eagle Ford Basin in Texas and transported on an existing pipeline network to serve industrial and power sector customers in northeastern Mexico. Exports from western Texas, however, have been limited. Exports from western Texas averaged only 0.4 bcf/d in 2017 and 0.5 bcf/d in the first five months of 2018. Significant delays in construction of the connecting pipelines on the Mexican side of the border have led to relatively low utilization of cross-border pipeline capacity from western Texas. EIA believed natural gas exports from the United States will help meet growing demand from Mexico's natural gas-fired power generation and industrial sectors, offsetting declines in Mexico's domestic production. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-23 06:47:59|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently met with Jordanian and Qatari foreign ministers Ayman Safadi and Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on bilateral ties and regional issues. According to a statement issued by the State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert, Pompeo on Wednesday met with Ayman Safadi, as the two officials discussed regional developments, "including efforts to bring peace and stability to Syria and the broader Middle East." Pompeo also thanked Safadi for Jordan's continued role in helping to alleviate humanitarian suffering in southern Syria. Nauert also said that Pompeo on Tuesday met with Qatar's Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. They affirmed their mutual interest in promoting security and stability in the region and their continued commitment to the strong bilateral relationship, said Nauert. The two diplomats also discussed Qatar's ongoing support for peace in Afghanistan and for Iraq government formation. U.S. media reported that the Trump administration plans to roll out its peace mediation plan that involves both Palestinians and Israelis recently. However, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Islamic Hamas movement on Wednesday slammed U.S. President Donald Trump for suggesting removing the issue of Jerusalem from the Middle East peace talks. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recently confirmed that the Palestinian side would neither hold talks with the Trump administration nor accept it as the peace mediator before it backs down on its decision on Jerusalem. Jordan has urged the international community to recognize East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, which is a prerequisite for attaining peace and stability in the Middle East region. A young Afghan woman is the eighth person to be refused food by Hungarian authorities at the border with Serbia, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee reported. The woman, whom the Committee said has suffered greatly on her journey from Afghanistan, was told by Hungarian authorities, in effect, that not only does she not deserve shelter; she does not deserve two bread rolls, in the Committees words. The Helsinki Committee immediately took her case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. That court has ruled that Hungary must feed asylum-seekers, but Hungarian authorities refuse to comply until a specific complaint is made to the Court. Hungary is refusing food to those whose initial request for asylum is rejected as almost all such requests are. Those who wait for the result of their appeal against these decisions are denied food. This creates a dilemma for migrants, as those who leave the transit zone and do not wait for the end of the asylum procedure, may not try again later, and will in principle lose the chance to legally reach Europe, 444 reports. Under Hungarian law, public servants have a duty to deny orders from their superiors if those orders threaten the life or health of other persons; HVG writes. Hungarys holiday celebrating the founding of the nation was marked in Washington, DC, late on Monday. The event jointly held by the Hungarian embassy and the Hungarian House in Washington began with a Pilgrimage walk from the Marymount University of Arlington and finished with Mass held in the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception of Washington. In the basilica, Hungarian Ambassador Laszlo Szabo greeted the congregants and Father Thomas Yehl asked for a special blessing for Hungary and its leaders. The embassy then hosted a reception. Szabo noted the role of King St. Stephen and the struggles of Hungarians over the centuries for survival, emphasising that Hungary is a Christian state. Head of the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship Gabor Ivanyi was prevented from giving food to asylum-seekers on the border with Serbia after Hungarian authorities stopped providing food to those whose request for asylum has been initially rejected but who are awaiting the outcome of their appeal against that decision. Ivanyi announced a public call on Saturday to provide five loaves of bread, one tin of fish and an apple for migrants waiting in the transit zone on the border with Serbia. Ivanyi asked members of the religious community he leads to donate Ft 300 a day to help buy sufficient food to feed one person. He and a group of volunteers tried to provide food for the migrants on Monday, the national holiday, but they were not allowed into the zone by authorities. First, the pastor was told at the Roszke border crossing station that he did not have a permit. He tried to obtain a permit at Morahalom and at the Immigration and Citizenship Office in Szeged for hours, but did not receive an official answer. No members of staff admitted to having authority, and nobody could say who the competent person was. The ruling power has shown its own face. It is like an impenetrable net of seaweed, Ivanyi said, adding this is where we are 1,084 years after we decided to belong to Europe. Ivanyi tried to enter the transit zone from Serbia but failed. Finally Ivanyi gave the food package to a Calvinist priest in Subotica, Serbia, asking him to give it to the migrants. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- In order to transform from a traditional auto manufacturer to a mobility service provider, Great Wall Motor (GWM) launched its mobility brand called "OLA Sharing" recently. Reports have it that OLA Sharing is loaded with new energy products to establish a diversified mobility platform, by virtue of cutting-edge technologies, such as internet, big data and artificial intelligence (AI). Launching OLA Sharing is a significant step for GWM to transform from a traditional carmaker into a service provider. It is said that the initial capital of OLA Sharing's first phase will reach RMB 1 billion. Integrating time leasing, ride-hailing cars and long-term, short-term renting, OLA Sharing aims to build new mobility ecosystem to expand post-market industrial chain with the focus of mobility. Specifically, OLA Sharing will operate its businesses through multi-dimensional channels in both online and offline, covering comprehensive services like car sharing, financing and substitute driving and sales. As to specific operating areas, OLA Sharing will be based on Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei Province and Xiongan New Area, set up regional centers in Hefei, Hainan and Chengdu, and target to cover major areas in North China, East China, southern China and southwest China. As is revealed, the OLA Sharing plans to complete deployment in 200 cities and expand its global footprint in 2025. It is known that OLA Sharing also plans to have a model scale of 200,000 units and a value of over RMB 30 billion to serve 150 million customers in 200 cities. Muslims clash in Mahottari during Eid festival Two Muslim groups clashed at Loharpatti Municipality in Mahottari district on Wednesday. MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Charles John Ellsworth, 76, of Ironwood, Mich., passed away June 28, 2018, at Minnesota Heart Institute in Minneapolis due to complications from mitral valve heart surgery. He will be forever missed by his wife, entire family and his two cats, Sassy and Baby, who look for him every day. Charlie was born Feb. 20, 1942, in Marquette, Mich., to George and Jennie (Burns) Ellsworth. He traveled all around the country with his family for his dad's work, and his favorite place was Parker, Az. He always talked about going back there someday. The family finally settled back in Finn Town just outside of Bergland, Mich. Charlie loved it there, even though he had to carry large buckets of water up and down the hill so his mom could wash clothes. Charlie met the love of his life, Darlene Soine, in White Pine, Mich., in 1988. They were married on June 3, 1989, and spent 30 years together. They loved each other forever and always, were always together and were best friends. Charlie joined the Army when he was 17 and served six years doing tours of service in Germany and Korea. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6. He was also in the Michigan National Guard for 14 years. He started in Baraga, Mich., and later transferred to the Ironwood National Guard, where he made lifelong friends. He was also employed at White Pine Copper Company for 30 years and said it was the best job he ever had. He retired in 1995 when the mine closed, and went to Gogebic Community College for two years for the automotive class. Charlie loved the Green Bay Packers and tried to watch every game. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Darlene; daughters Peggy Desellier, of Iron Mountain, Mich., Jodi Vernetti, of Oshkosh, Wis., and Tiffani Stone, of Ontonagon, Mich .; sons Chad and Corey Ellsworth, of Rockland, Mich .; stepchildren Tracy Gehrke, of Watersmeet, Mich., Gina (Jim) White, of West Fargo, N.D., and Jason Gehrke, of Appleton, Wis .; 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; brothers Clifford Ellsworth, of Superior, Wis., and Robert Ellsworth, of Wausau, Wis .; sisters Jeanette Waller, of Florida, Colleen Dement, of Louisiana, and Joanie (Gary) Raymond, of Merriweather, Mich. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Nicole, granddaughter, Emalee, at birth, brother, Pete, and his father-in-law, Oiva Soine. Out of respect for Charlie's wishes, cremation has taken place. The graveside service will be on Friday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. CST at lot 106 at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood. Pastor Dale Harris of Range Community Bible Church of Hurley will officiate, followed by the military service and flag presentation. The Klassic Kruisers Car Club will give Charlie a send-off because of his love for old cars. Lunch will follow at Range Community Bible Church in Hurley. 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... Nepal-China joint technical team to meet next week Nepali members of the Nepal-China joint technical team formed to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for a cross-border transmission line are scheduled to visit China next week to hold their first meeting. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro is flanked by members of his investigative team, including Daniel Dye, right, who has spent more than four years investigating clergy abuse for the office, beginning under Shapiro's predecessor, Kathleen Kane. Read more In an extraordinary public letter, one of the most prominent lay American Catholics, head of a multibillion-dollar organization known for defending the church's embattled priesthood, has reacted to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro's damning 1,000-page report on how sexually abusive priests operated in six Pennsylvania dioceses since the 1940s. Carl A. Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, which claims nearly two million members mostly in the United States, says his members have been "deeply betrayed" by bishops whose "moral failings" and "distorted sense of mercy" have left "wreckage" in the church. He calls for a "full accounting" of crimes and "cover-ups," public disclosure that would end the Secret Archives, in which bishops listed and detailed pastoral sins but did little to keep dangerous priests from children, and "zero tolerance" for violations of church rules on priestly behavior. The Connecticut-based Knights of Columbus is part quasi-Masonic-style fraternal organization, with distinctive hats and ceremonial swords; part life insurance company, with more than $100 billion in policies, $25 billion in investment assets, and a top rating from A.M. Best & Co.; and part charity, reporting $185 million in donations last year, plus volunteer mobilizations. Anderson is paid more than $1 million a year and enjoys the clout that comes with heading a well-funded, state-regulated lay organization with an international sales organization. But the Knights' prospects remain tied to a U.S. church that has been in decline as old members die and young people don't replace them. As with Pope Francis' ashamed response to Shapiro's findings, Anderson doesn't comment on Shapiro's demand that the state make it easier for victims to sue dioceses for crimes committed years ago. Anderson doesn't call for changing church teachings on priestly celibacy, but for enforcing them. He does briefly sketch a more lay-led vision of what the church needs to do if it is to get past the faith-deadening litany of abuse. He also calls for old-fashioned pilgrimages involving the preserved heart of a French priest considered a model for pastors. Here's the text, with some of its more dramatic phrases in bold: August 21, 2018 Worthy Chaplains and Dear Brother Knights, The issues that have come to light concerning sexual abuse by Archbishop Theodore McCarrick and in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report are cause for grave concern among Catholics and Brother Knights. Many feel deeply betrayed by those whom they long held in high regard. Such concerns are shared not just in the United States, but in Europe, Latin America and elsewhere. These sins of commission and omission have sent the Church we love, the Church we serve and the Church that Jesus Christ established into convulsions. Sadly, the disgrace not only is borne by the perpetrators, it hurts us all, as does the silence of shepherds who have ignored the cries of their flocks. There are many wonderful and faithful laborers in the vineyard of the Lord among our priests and bishops. However, it is clear that in addition to devastating criminal acts, we have seen many other moral failings by clergy that represent a crisis of commitment to the Gospel. Too often the needs of victims have been subordinated to a distorted sense of mercy toward the perpetrators or an instinct for clerical self-preservation. The sexual acts both criminal and non-criminal highlight the need to recover a respect for and a renewed commitment to the priestly promises of celibacy. The Knights of Columbus has supported the pastoral and charitable work of our bishops and priests since our founding by the Venerable Father Michael McGivney. We understand that the priest should lead the parish and the bishop should be the center of unity in a diocese. But we like all Catholics are painfully aware of the wreckage that ensues when elements of this leadership are abdicated by evil actions whether directly perpetrated or covered up. Now, the Knights of Columbus laymen, priests and chaplains together will have an important role to play in rebuilding the Church. We must commit the Knights of Columbus to work for repentance, reform and rebuilding of the Church. Repentance should include a full accounting of the misdeeds by those who have committed them. Archbishop McCarrick and others at fault owe us a full account of their actions, motivations and cover-ups. After years of having us confess to them, it is now time for them to come clean about what they have done and what they have failed to do. [This last phrase is taken from the Act of Contrition used by Catholics to examine their consciences before doing penance for their sins.] This will also help increase the recognition that clerical sexual abuse is a global problem that must be addressed at the highest levels of the Catholic Church. Moreover, priests and bishops who refuse to live according to their promises of celibacy should be removed from public ministry, not out of retribution, but for the protection of the faithful and to prevent future variations of the scandal we now suffer. Reform must include many good ideas that have been proposed, such as a full and complete investigation of sexual abuse led by an independent commission that includes laity; complete transparency by the Catholic hierarchy into all matters of criminal sexual misconduct past or future; an expansion of the zero tolerance policy to include sexual activity or misconduct by clerics including bishops, and by seminarians; and a call for faithfulness by all members of the clergy, including bishops. There must also be an independent ethics hotline for reporting of criminal and other conduct at odds with Catholic teaching on the clerical state of life; and there must be protections against retaliation. Such reforms will be difficult for a Church largely unused to them, and we must support our bishops and our priests in embracing these reforms in order to rebuild. We can help to rebuild our Church in several ways. Above all else, Knights and our chaplains must embrace love of God and love of neighbor. This is Christ's great commandment and the founding mission of our Order. It is also exactly the opposite of the rejection of God and exploitation of neighbor that our Church has witnessed in these scandals. Shortly before becoming Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger decried the "filth" in the Church "even among those, who in the priesthood, ought to belong totally" to Christ. He also provided the antidote, stating at other times that what the Church needs now more than anything else is "saints." Pope Francis reiterated Pope Benedict's sentiments in his letter on Aug. 20. In the days ahead, the Knights of Columbus will help renew our Church on a national level through a Novena of Masses in reparation for these sins that have so grievously wounded the Body of Christ [what the church calls itself]. I take this opportunity to ask that you offer this Novena of Masses for our Church at your earliest opportunity. Beginning in November, the Knights of Columbus will sponsor, in cooperation with the Shrine of St. Jean Vianney in Ars, France, a national tour of the relic of the heart of this great patron saint of priests. In the coming weeks, I will share more details with you about this initiative. We will also continue to strengthen and rebuild our Church at the level of our families and parishes through our Building the Domestic Church program ['domestic' in this context means 'family' or 'household']. Its twin elements of imbuing families with faith and strengthening parish life are critical to providing a Catholic Church that rebuilds based on the Gospel principles of love of God and love of neighbor. Together with our recently announced "Faith In Action" initiative, we will strive to make our parishes truly become, in the words of Pope Francis, "a family of families." Now is the time for all brother Knights to stand steadfast in faith, as Catholics and as gentlemen. We will assist priests, bishops and our fellow Catholics in helping the Church chart a course for the future that puts Christ at the center, so that truly we may say, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This is the moment in which Knights including in a special way our priest members can be part of a great renewal for good in our Church. And as we strive to follow the Lord more closely in the days ahead, may he deliver us from every evil and in his mercy graciously grant his Church peace and unity. In closing, know that your faithful witness and sacrifice can bring inspiration and hope to millions of your fellow Catholics. It will be needed in the days ahead more than ever before. And to every priest and bishop whose commitment and dedication to our Order and to our Church has been faithful and exemplary, please accept my gratitude in both a personal way and on behalf of the Knights of Columbus. Let each one of us prayerfully invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so that in the words of St. Maximilian Kolbe, our hearts "would be cleansed and themselves become immaculate, similar and like unto her own heart." Fraternally, Carl A. Anderson Supreme Knight Knights of Columbus 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, Conn. 06510 Happy Ate-Ate It's the best day for food lovers. How so? Say it with me: "8-8-18." And what a time to be eating in Philly, as we're seeing a sudden pop in openings. This week, I visited the new Tradesman's in Center City as well as the Cafe Lift that just opened in Narberth, and I checked out a few favorites, including an Old City destination that excels at happy hour. If you need food news, click here and follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Email tips, suggestions, and questions here. If someone forwarded you this free newsletter and you like what you're reading, sign up here to get it every week. Michael Klein A BBQ-and-brew destination in Center City The stretch of Center City south of Market and just east of Broad, once so sleepy after nightfall, is now a nightlife magnet. BRU Craft & Wurst and U-BAHN have been joined this week by Trademan's, a barbecue, beer, and whiskey specialist that backs up to McGillin's Olde Ale House and sits just a few hundred feet from such joints as Time, Bar, and the 13th Street restaurant corridor. Tradesman boss Teddy Sourias, whose holdings include BRU and U-BAHN, set up this vast 200-seater (at Chestnut and Juniper) with a mezzanine that overlooks a main bar dispensing 34 beers on tap and an expanding selection of whiskeys (120 by fall). Outdoor seating includes a drink rail set up along the Chestnut Street windows; from your perch on the sidewalk, you can face a friend seated inside. Chef Craig Meyers' menu includes Carolina pulled pork, Kansas City ribs, brisket, chicken, and tri-tip. It's open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Friday, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. weekends, for now. Lunch and brunch are on the way. But wait. There's more: The Hale Building on the southwest corner of Juniper and Chestnut is supposed to get two restaurants. Where were enjoying happy hour The Olde Bar 125 Walnut St., 5-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Jose Garces' reimagination of Old Original Bookbinder's a tribute richly wrought in 19th-century mahogany, globe lighting, and intricate tile delivers a classic/classy happy hour. Check the blackboard for drink specials above and beyond those on the printed menu. A perfectly mixed Air Mail ($8) paired well with richly flavored mussels (only $5, as are the other HH snacks). Where were eating: Cafe Lift Narberth, Winnies Manayunk, Vic Sushi & Thai Cafe Lift, a vanguard of Philly's urban-brunch scene, has ventured out to Narberth for its second location. It's open at 7 a.m. for coffee and pastry, followed at 8 a.m. by a hearty menu in a vaguely industrial atmosphere as industrial as you can make a former bank branch (724 Montgomery Ave.) Free parking and outdoor seating, and it's notably kid-friendly. There's also a liquor license, so you can tip a beer or cocktail with your cannoli French toast. Closes at 3 p.m. daily. Every town and neighborhood needs a wholesome, Cheers-y American bar-restaurant, and Manayunk has Winnie's Manayunk (4266 Main St.), which Winnie Clowry and her husband, Bob, bought in 2003 when it was Le Bus. (Confusion reigns since founder David Braverman recently revived the Le Bus name as a restaurant nearby in East Falls. Winnie cheekily uses #notlebus in her branding.) Winnie's menu goes beyond the basics, including all-day brunch and happy hour from 5-7 p.m. daily (try the snarky peppers roasted long hots stuffed with prosciutto and Provolone accompanied by a $6 cocktail, $4 beer, or $5 wine). The Vic name and you might be able to picture the swooshy, red lettering hangs over four sushi restaurants in the Philly area. The always-packed Rittenhouse flagship is unrelated to the newer locations in Willow Grove, Ambler, and Bryn Mawr, which offer Thai dishes in addition to the quality fish at reasonable prices. It's many locals' go-to for takeout. Dining in means spare surroundings (Ambler, in particular, is snug) and brisk service. Been anywhere good lately in the Greater Philadelphia area? Let me know. This week on Philly.com Pro tips for making sushi rolls at home As long as you have a fresh fish supplier and a sharp knife, making sushi at home can be easy. Why it's not so easy to create 'safe space' in Philly's bar scene This particular safe space remains perhaps Philly's best sleeper cocktail bar. Thanks to the perma-pop-up Pizza Gutt, it has also lately emerged as one of its most coveted foodie destinations. Skyrocketing vanilla prices a challenge for Philly bakers, ice cream makers If you've noticed that the price of Bassetts Ice Cream has gone up, this is why. Dining Notes Cherry Hill Restaurant Week returns Saturday, Aug. 11, and runs to Aug. 19. Chestnut Hill Summer Restaurant Week starts Sunday, Aug. 12, and runs till Aug. 17 with $35 meal deals at 14 restos. Center City District Restaurant Week runs from Sunday, Sept. 23-Oct. 5, including Saturday at most restaurants. La Famiglia in Old City is repeating its summertime deal: Owner Giuseppe Sena rolls back menu prices to 1976, the year of its opening. Call for details and a table. Chef Ben Thomas is refashioning Restaurant Cerise in Bryn Mawr as Cerise Craft Steakhouse, and he's set an Aug. 24 debut. Meanwhile, he'll lead a food demo at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at Bryn Mawr Farmer's Market. This weeks openings Amis Trattoria | Devon The Main Line location of the Washington Square West Italian restaurant founded by Marc Vetri but now owned by Urban Outfitters is expected to open next week, along with Terrain Cafe. Cafe Lift | Narberth See above. Glory Beer Bar | Old City David Crudele, a longtime bartender at the now-shuttered Eulogy Belgian Tavern, has set up a beer bar at 126 Chestnut St. with 36 on tap and an American menu featuring roasted meats. Should open this weekend. Market on Ninth | South Philly The crew from Ralph's and BarOne has opened a market (by day) and American BYOB (by night) at 943 S. Ninth St. in the Italian Market. Saxbys | West Chester The coffee chain has opened its sixth "Experiential Learning Program" a student-run cafe at 701 S. High St. on the West Chester U campus. Go, Rams. Tradesman's | Center City See above. This weeks closing The Farmhouse | Cherry Hill The redo of the landmark building on Kresson Road closed after 15 months. Owner Stu Wanicur did not respond to my messages. Craig LaBan is on vacation. Philadelphia is getting new direct flights to Berlin, Bologna, Italy, and Dubrovnik, Croatia, starting next year. American Airlines will offer each route several times a week during the summer travel season, from early June 2019 until late September. American is also adding daily service from Philadelphia International Airport to Edinburgh between April and October 2019. Gabriel Weinberg, founder of DuckDuckGo. The no-tracking search site, founded in 2008, is based in Paoli. Read more One of Canada's largest pension funds is leading a $10 million investment in DuckDuckGo, the Paoli-based internet search site that doesn't store or share user data. DuckDuckGo announced Tuesday a partnership with OMERS Ventures, the venture capital arm of the pension plan for Ontario's municipal employees. OMERS Ventures will have a non-controlling share of the privacy-centric internet company, DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg wrote in an email. DuckDuckGo, a small but fierce Google competitor, says it plans to use the investment to expand its global presence, specifically in Canada. "We are hiring globally, better tuning our search engine results for local markets, and expanding the channels we use to market DuckDuckGo to have more of a global focus," Weinberg wrote. DuckDuckGo has now raised $13 million in capital since launching in 2008. The only other institutional investor is Union Square Ventures, based in New York, Weinberg said. DuckDuckGo, with 51 employees, has seen its search traffic continue to grow this year. The site says it is used for nearly 24 million searches a day, up from 16.7 million in August 2017. Still, the company has just a sliver of the desktop/laptop search engine market 0.22 percent in July compared with Google's 73.36 percent share, according to Netmarketshare.com. DuckDuckGo contrasts itself with the data-vacuuming search giant Google. The company's primary business model is "private keyword-based advertising," in which DuckDuckGo shows users ads based on the keywords typed in, without knowing anything else about consumers. "Every time you search on DuckDuckGo, it is as if you were there for the first time anonymous," Weinberg wrote. Launched in 2011, OMERS Ventures says it has invested more than $340 million in nearly 30 disruptive technology companies across North America. The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System is one of Canada's largest pension funds, with more than $95 billion in net assets. "We have very much enjoyed getting to know Gabriel and his management team over the last year," OMERS Ventures said in a statement. "Unsurprisingly, they are outspoken and passionate about the importance of internet privacy, security, and surveillance. We believe this team will continue to explore the immense possibilities presented by being a leader in internet privacy, and we look forward to working with Gabriel and the whole team to help them in their efforts to build a more secure, anonymous internet." When Crown Castle Corp. proposed dozens of 5G small-cell antennas for Verizon Communications along streets in Doylestown Borough, the reaction was a defiant no. Residents thought the boxy equipment that sprouted five-foot antennas on traffic lights or telephone poles would mar the borough's Norman Rockwell charm, along with the artsy aura of its Victorian homes. Others feared for their health with intensive 5G wireless services zapping them. Doylestown officials spent $150,000, held 10 public hearings, and fought the small cell proposal in state and federal courts over more than a year, defending their right to say where the small cells would go a David-vs.-Goliath tale of a small Pennsylvania town taking on a big corporation. "We didn't feel they had the right to come and do what they want," Jack O'Brien, council president of this borough of roughly 8,000, said Monday. When Doylestown finally settled the case last month, the town won the right to reduce the number of poles as well as camouflage and relocate some of them. It also surprisingly won a 5 percent share of the revenues for the services Verizon or other companies sell through some of those Crown Castle cells, and $750 a year for others. But the borough's victory may be hard for other towns to replicate, as telecom companies are canvassing Pennsylvania towns to locate thousands of new wireless cells for the new 5G high-speed mobile networks. State lawmakers are considering a bill that would largely strip municipalities of zoning oversight when telecom companies seek permits for small cells on utility poles and traffic lights. If enacted, the measure would also set small fees from $25 to $100 for small cell permitting. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Frank Farry (R., Langhorne) and the wireless industry say this new capacity will lead to innovation such as driver-less cars, and many new jobs in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Twenty other states, including Ohio and Delaware, have passed similar legislation, backers say. But this effort will also entail installing 300,000 new small cells all about the size of laptop computers or briefcases in cities and towns across the United States over the next three to four years. And in Pennsylvania, lines are being drawn between state lawmakers and wireless industry officials who want to make it easy to roll out 5G, and municipal officials who bemoan the loss of local control and dislike the telecoms' encroachment on their turf. Rep. Robert W. Godshall (R., Hatfield), the chair of the consumer affairs committee, told municipal officials opposed to the measure that they had to get in line with the new technology during a hearing Aug. 9. Wireless carriers can't easily add small cells in a state with more than 2,500 municipalities, each with its own zoning rules and procedures, Godshall said. There had to be legislation to make it easier for the carriers. And, he added, towns and boroughs shouldn't consider the new small wireless cells as new revenue sources for municipal budgets. Godshall said he didn't think most towns even cared about the issue. "Local governments have not been involved in this. You guys are leading them along," Godshall told the heads of the Pennsylvania Municipal League and the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs at the same hearing. "I have four boroughs in my district and I haven't heard a word from them. So, I mean, what's happening?" But municipalities Lancaster, Abington and Haverford, among them have pushed back on small cells and forced some changes. In Doylestown, wireless infrastructure firm Crown Castle approached borough officials in 2014. Crown Castle, with major operations in Western Pennsylvania, installs and manages the small cells for wireless carriers. Doylestown officials say they were told that Verizon would use the new small cells and that Crown Castle also might lease the wireless capacity to other carriers. The small cells initially would broaden coverage for 4G in Doylestown but also prepare for 5G, which Verizon has said it would begin offering in other parts of the United States this year. Crown Castle submitted the first dozen or so applications in October 2016. Karyn Hyland, the borough's zoning officer, said the initial application for 44 small cells overwhelmed her small department with "boxes and boxes" of documents. Facing persistent opposition, Crown Castle filed lawsuits in Bucks County and Philadelphia, challenging Doylestown's ordinances and denials. Last month, the two sides settled the lawsuits. Under the terms, Crown Castle can put just 34 small cells in the town and has entered into a revenue-sharing agreement so that Doylestown can earn some money off the equipment to recoup its $150,000 in costs over several years. After that, the borough can earn some revenue from the small cells, making Crown Castle pay for the use of the right of way. The cells won't go up for several months as they go through a permitting process. When they do, Borough Manager John Davis said, Crown Castle will relocate small cells in front of the historic Fountain House and Mercer Museum as part of the settlement. It will also use decorative poles in places to camouflage the cells. "We put a lot of effort into it and we felt like we got something out of it," Davis said. A Philadelphia-based lawyer wants Pennsylvania's Supreme Court to make the city share details of its bid to host Amazon's planned second headquarters, using the same power it tapped to free rapper Meek Mill from prison. Lawyer Megan Shannon filed an application for "extraordinary relief" with the state's high court earlier this month, arguing that if the court doesn't intervene, taxpayers won't know what the company is being offered until it's too late. "By keeping its Amazon bid secret, the city is denying its citizens the right to fully participate in the democratic process," Shannon wrote in the application. "If Philadelphia is selected, its citizens will be bound by an offer that was made in secret with blatant disregard for any public opinion." The state Supreme Court's extraordinary relief provision, also known as its "King's Bench" power, allows it to take control of cases being considered by other courts in the state when they involve issues of "immediate public importance." In Mill's case, the Supreme Court intervened in a Common Pleas Court case against the rapper because of questions the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office expressed about the credibility of his arresting officer. But it's very rare, in practice, for the court to use its extraordinary relief powers, said Mary Levy, a Temple University law professor specializing in appellate cases. The order freeing Mill from prison in April was only the second of 57 King's Bench petitions that the Supreme Court granted over the prior two years, according to an analysis at the time by the Legal Intelligencer newspaper. "It's definitely a long shot," Levy said of Shannon's bid. Shannon, a lawyer focusing on insurance cases at the Offit Kurman law firm, has been seeking details of the city's bid since January, when she filed a records request under the state's Right-to-Know Law. She has said she's fighting the city's secrecy surrounding its Amazon bid as a concerned citizen, not as part of her job. "This competition for Amazon HQ2 is degrading," she said in an email Tuesday, referring to the planned second headquarters by a nickname. "Amazon should build HQ2 here because Philadelphia is (in my opinion, at least) the best city in the U.S., not because we're letting them rob the public coffers." City spokesman Mike Dunn declined to comment ahead of the city's formal response to the application, which is due Friday. Since announcing its intention to compete for Amazon.com Inc.'s second corporate campus, Philadelphia has closely guarded details of its bid, arguing that other places vying for the opportunity could exploit that information if it became known. Other suitors across North America have been equally tight-lipped. The Seattle company's plans call for spending more than $5 billion on the new headquarters, where up to 50,000 people will be employed. It has said it could eventually put eight million square feet of offices at the site, an amount of space equal to almost 6 Comcast Center towers. Philadelphia, along with Pittsburgh and Newark in neighboring New Jersey, was named to a list of 20 finalists for the project in January. But virtually nothing is known about incentives offered by Philadelphia to entice the retail and technology giant, which has said it plans to announce its choice for the project during 2018. City officials have responded to requests for that information by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News and others under the state's Right-to-Know Law with scant details, such as a copy of Philadelphia's initial 108-page presentation to the company with more than a third of its pages blank. While appeals to the state Office of Open Records have yielded orders for the city to comply with requests, Philadelphia officials have avoided having to do so by challenging those rulings in court. One of those suits, stemming from a request made by the Allentown Morning Call newspaper, is now the focus of a legal effort comprising the Philadelphia Media Network owner of the Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com and other media organizations that are pushing city and state officials to release incentive details. Shannon was similarly successful in an appeal to the state open records agency for more details from the Philadelphia bid, but lawyers for the city also appealed that ruling in a case that is now before Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Daniel J. Anders. At a hearing on Monday, Anders set a November court date for oral arguments in the case. Shannon said in her application for Supreme Court relief that the court process is too slow-moving for city residents to be adequately informed what Amazon is being offered, especially given the likelihood that officials would fight to keep the incentive offer secret in Commonwealth Court if it loses in the current venue. The Supreme Court "should exercise its extraordinary jurisdiction in these Right-to-Know Law appeals to make a final determination on whether the Amazon bid is subject to disclosure before Amazon announces that it has selected Philadelphia and binds Philadelphia to the terms of an offer made without any input from the public," she wrote in the application. Shannon and the city's lawyers told Anders at Monday's hearing that they expect the Supreme Court to take about 30 days to decide whether to intervene. Anders said he was skeptical that it would. "I'm going to guess this winds its way through," he said. Artist's rendering of planned 709 Chestnut St. office building, as seen from street level. Read more Philadelphia's Parkway Corp. is taking another crack at developing the parking lot it owns next to the Union Trust banquet hall on Chestnut Street, with plans for a 27-story tower at the property. Parkway is proposing 279 rental apartments for the 709 Chestnut St. site, which is also designed to include 135 "mechanical access" parking spaces above its first floor, according to a project application posted Wednesday to the website of the city's Civic Design Review board. The proposal comes about two years after a previous plan for the site was abandoned, once Parkway's then-project partner, Mack-Cali Realty Corp. of Jersey City, backed out. The new project requires special permission from city zoning officials to include above-ground parking and a curb cut to access the garage, which are prohibited by the area's land-use regulations, according to the project application. Those zoning "variances" have been presented to the Center City Organized for Responsible Development community group, which did not oppose them, it said. The project is scheduled to be presented to the Civic Design Review board on Sept. 4. As part of Philadelphia's planning process, relevant community groups and the city design board are entitled to offer nonbinding feedback for big development projects. Two businessmen at work, Business crew working with new startup financial project plan,man and woman discussion information with laptop and digital tablet in a modern business lounge,Selective Focus. Read more Women entrepreneur opening your own business? Avoid Philadelphia and Pittsburgh if you can, says a new survey. While women have made strides in the world of business leadership in the past decade, just 30 percent of incorporated businesses across the top 50 metropolitan areas in the U.S. are led by women, according to the study by MagnifyMoney released Wednesday. Women entrepreneurs experience the most success in cities such as San Francisco, Austin, and San Jose. Five out of the top 10 metros are in California, with another in Washington. Tennessee is also hospitable to female entrepreneurs, with two metros in the Volunteer State landing in the 4th and 5th top spots. In the ten cities that ranked lowest (Cleveland ranked 50th out of 50, preceded by Pittsburgh at 49 and Philly at 48), self-employed women are earning far less than their counterparts in other cities. In the worst city, Cleveland, women's median business income is $0 meaning at least half of self-employed women there don't make anything at all. The worst cities have fewer women who have incorporated a business or taken the plunge into self-employment. This might make it harder for entrepreneurial women in these metro areas to find women mentors and women-centered entrepreneurial networks that can provide support vital to a new and developing business. These cities are inhospitable to self-employed workers or new business owners in general for both men and women alike, the survey said. MagnifyMoney surveyed the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan cities to find the best places for women who want to be their own boss, launch a business or both. To create the rankings, the data about women entrepreneurs looked at the following categories: Business income for self-employed women. Cities were ranked on both median, meaning half were above and half were below, and mean, or average, business income of self-employed women. By including both metrics, the rankings "capture both the more common experience of self-employed women as well as monetary success overall," said Kali McFadden, senior research analyst at MagnifyMoney. Ideally, both numbers would be in the higher end. A wide range between the two, however, could indicate a broader range of potential earnings for self-employed women in that area. Business earnings for self-employed women compared with wage earners. Metro areas were ranked on the difference in earnings between self-employed women and those working for wages (both median and mean). In general, self-employed women do earn less median and average incomes than people with earned income. "But a smaller gap between each group's income implies better a potential upside for those going into business for themselves," McFadden said. The rate of self-employed and "incorporated" women. The rankings considered the percentage of employed women who work for themselves. "A higher rate of self-employment suggests that the city's opportunities and ease of entry into business are better for women," said McFadden. How many of those self-employed women have an incorporated business. "A higher number means that more women are seeing enough success and permanence to think about the legal and tax implications" of the businesses they own, McFadden said. Parity of business ownership between women and men. That is, the percentage of total self-employed workers and incorporated business owners who are women. Cities with higher percentages of self-employed women and women business owners could indicate a more even playing field, "where women are seeing the opportunities and conditions to break out on their own," McFadden said. Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years. It took Philadelphia's City Council over a year of hearings and behind-the-scenes wrangling to create a dedicated funding stream for affordable housing. Developers had to be arm-twisted into shouldering a new tax on construction. Housing advocates had to be assured that the city's poorest would truly benefit. When the compromise finally passed, just days before the end of Council's spring session, it made national news. Since then, there has been radio silence from Mayor Kenney, who has until Sept. 13 to sign or reject the bill. Jim Engler, the mayor's new chief of staff, insists the administration is merely using the summer recess to study the legislation, but Kenney has made no secret of his distaste for the proposal, which uses a tax on market-rate construction to pay for subsidized housing. Housing advocates are convinced he will use his veto power for the first time since taking office in 2016 to kill the measure, and they've started a social media campaign to ratchet up the pressure. Still, a high-ranking elected official told me, "I'd be really shocked if he doesn't veto it." Then what happens? While Philadelphia isn't anywhere close to experiencing the gentrification-fueled housing shortages that have plagued Seattle and San Francisco, the success of the bill demonstrated broad support here for getting ahead of the problem. The construction tax might not have been a perfect solution, but it was the best solution that the largest number of people would accept. If Kenney vetoes Council's plan, the burden is on him to come up with something better. The administration knows that, Engler said. "We understand the need for additional resources for affordable housing," he explained, but the mayor worries that Council's approach may do more harm than good. The administration contends that the logistics and cost of collecting the money will be daunting, and the tax could scare away some developers. Most experts I interviewed think those concerns are overstated. The stronger argument for rejecting the construction tax now is that it puts the cart before the horse. The administration is in the process developing a comprehensive housing strategy for the city. That plan, which will roll out in the fall, is expected to take a big-picture approach to the interconnected problems of poverty and housing. It will look at ways to boost, and pay for, the production of all kinds of housing for the homeless, the working poor, the elderly, debt-burdened college graduates, and plain-old middle-class buyers. The fear is that the 1 percent construction tax could box in the administration by making it politically difficult to impose other kinds of fees. My reservations with the construction tax have more to do with how it will complicate efforts to modify the 10-year property-tax abatement. Although the abatement has played a vital role in Philadelphia's revival and has boosted revenue to the city's general fund over the long term, it has effectively become a subsidy for the wealthiest, most successful parts of the city. It's hard to continue justifying this two-decade-old policy in its current, one-size-fits-all form when the need for affordable housing is growing. Recently, more policy leaders have begun to speak out about the fairness issue. Those cries for reform grew louder after Philadelphia homeowners discovered this spring that their property taxes were going up by an average of 10.5 percent, thanks to a citywide reassessment. But making revisions to the abatement could be a heavier lift if developers can argue that they already took a hit when they agreed to the construction tax. Some developers jokingly call the 1 percent construction tax a tax on the tax abatement. Andrew Frishkoff, who runs the nonprofit Philadelphia office of the Local Initiatives Support Corp. and serves on the task force that has been working on the city's housing plan, believes there is growing momentum to update the abatement. "The way it's currently structured no longer feels equitable," he says. Controller Rebecca Rhynhart, who recently completed a study of the abatement, agrees. Her report lays out several ways to reform the incentive without jeopardizing the long-term revenue gains it brings. Whatever happens to the construction tax, Council is likely to hold hearings on the abatement when it returns to work in September. In a way, it's impossible to separate the two issues. Several economists argue that Philadelphia could even use the abatement to realize its affordable-housing goals. By setting aside the revenue it gains when abated houses come onto the tax rolls, the city could create a steady stream of money to fix up old houses and build subsidized housing. It would be like getting a raise and immediately putting the bonus into a 401(k) plan. But the city could easily be tempted to divert the money to other purposes. Philadelphia is hardly the only city trying to strike a balance between stoking new development and making sure its struggling neighborhoods are treated fairly. After a decade of growth and revival, many cities are fighting to contain the side effects of gentrification and prevent the poor from being forced out by rising rents. But Philadelphia's situation is so unique that many approaches adopted by our peer cities won't work here. Our housing is remarkably cheap compared to a city like New York, and we have plenty of vacant land to build new homes. The majority of residents 52.2 percent still own their homes, making them more resistant to displacement. The real issue in Philadelphia is our stubborn poverty rate, now 26 percent. Even a bargain apartment isn't a bargain for a family subsisting on a minimum-wage income. While plenty of seniors own their homes, many are too poor to pay for crucial repairs needed to keep them livable. As Jeffrey Allegretti, an affordable housing developer in Point Breeze, often says: "Philadelphia doesn't really have an affordable housing problem. It has a housing quality problem." The money from the construction tax is meant to address the quality issue by funding repairs and providing small loans. Many experts, like Alan Mallach, author of The Divided City, believe Philadelphia needs to repair whole neighborhoods, not just individual houses. In the book, he argues that the city should stop talking about gentrification and focus instead on its declining middle neighborhoods, places like Frankford and Tacony, where there is good housing stock, but too many people living just above the poverty line. Done right, the city's forthcoming housing plan could combine a housing strategy with a preservation strategy. Older homes are always more affordable than new construction. The right policies would not only keep ruined and abandoned houses from bringing down Philadelphia's middle neighborhoods, they could also go a long way toward preserving the city's special architectural character. In theory, Mayor Kenney doesn't have to veto the construction tax to kill it. He could ask Council to recall the bill and offer to collaborate with its members on a new version. Since taking office, Kenney has gone out of his way to try to work with Council. For all the weaknesses of the construction tax, Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, who has taken the lead on the affordable housing issue, remains skeptical about finding a better option. "This was a compromise of a compromise of a compromise," she said. "I'll be interested to see what alternative the mayor comes up with." Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, left, welcomes Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on stage during a campaign rally on Aug. 18, 2016, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. Read more Now that President Trump's current attorney, Rudy Giuliani, has told us in a nationally televised interview on NBC's Meet the Press that "truth isn't truth," we are left to determine for ourselves what "truth" actually means. That's not as easy, especially when Trump is constantly bombarding us with documentable lies that seem designed to confuse and distract us. In truth, his strategy of distraction and dishonesty seems to be working. With so much misinformation bombarding us, we are largely unfazed when Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, is found guilty on charges of tax evasion and bank fraud, or when Michael Cohen, the president's longtime personal lawyer, pleads guilty to fraud charges and surrenders to the FBI. We are essentially numb to the endless video loop of police killing unarmed African Americans. In the face of a relentless cycle of shocking news, most of us understand that truth is still determined by facts. But we also know that our lived experiences define what those facts mean to us. That's why, at a time when truth itself is under attack, we, as individuals, can each look at a single set of facts and come away with totally different meanings. And those meanings are often seen through our personal prisms of politics, ethnicity, or that enduring American divider race. That is what I've learned during the presidency of Donald Trump. We are divided along numerous lines. From the religious divisions we saw when Trump successfully banned travelers coming from mostly Muslim countries, to the ongoing ethnic strife driven by Trump's effort to stop brown immigrants from crossing our southern border, we've seen Americans split along political lines. But as vicious as our political clashes have become, there is nothing that splits us more effectively than race. In the age of Trump, we have become the country that the Kerner Commission foresaw in its 1967 report on causes and solutions for the racial unrest that gripped American cities during the civil rights era. We are, to put it bluntly, "two societies, one black, one white separate and unequal." At a time when Giuliani tells Americans that "truth isn't truth," the reality of racial strife in America is getting harder to ignore. First, there are the statistical realities of race in America. While black unemployment has decreased, African Americans are still unemployed at nearly twice the rate of our white counterparts. White families have nearly 10 times the net worth of black families. And the poverty rate among blacks, while it has decreased to 22 percent, is still more than twice that of whites. Then there is the lived experience of blacks. We still face racial harassment while carrying out normal daily experiences. This is especially true when white citizens use the police to express what many of us see as racial animosity. A white woman in Oakland, Calif., called police on a black family because they were barbecuing with charcoal rather than gas. A white student in a dorm called police on a black student who had fallen asleep in a common area. A white woman called police on a child for selling water without a permit. A white Starbucks manager in Philadelphia called police because two black men were waiting in the store and had not yet made a purchase. In such situations, the white caller can assert that they believe the truth is that the black person is a threat. But for the black person, the truth is that the police are, and have always been, a tool used to keep black people "in their place." I don't yet know what will come of the Mueller investigation that has gripped much of the country in an unending argument over whether Trump's campaign worked with Russians in order to win the White House. But I do know that the facts will be viewed through the prism of race. For white Americans, it is grounds for a fascinating debate over politics and ideology. For black Americans, it is simply another distraction from the constant fight for survival. In a society divided along the lines of race, those are the shades of truth. Solomon Jones is the author of 10 books. Listen to him weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon on Praise 107.9 FM. sj@solomonjones.com @solomonjones1 For pure politics, the half-hour that began around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday was arguably America's most consequential 30 minutes in the last four decades or so. In a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan, the former personal attorney to Donald Trump Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to eight felony charges and implicated the 45th president in scheme to violate federal election laws. At almost the exact same minute, 200 miles down I-95, a federal jury in Virginia convicted a former Trump campaign manager, Paul Manafort, on felony charges also eight of them in a money laundering and tax evasion scheme. But here's the crazy part: The real bombshell that could detonate Trump's chaotic 18-month presidency was yet to come. While news of the dual felony fests was still sinking into the nation's political psyche, Cohen's personal attorney Lanny Davis, a longtime ally of Bill and Hillary Clinton whose hiring seemed partly aimed at driving Trump completely over the edge launched a most unusual and, on the surface, rather odd media tour. Davis' main purpose was to suggest that while Cohen's courthouse admission that he'd conspired with Trump right before voters went to the polls in 2016 to get hush money to two women with whom Trump had affairs may have been a devastating blow, his client knows a lot more stuff that could be more damaging. How damaging? Potentially very damaging. Davis told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow on Tuesday night that his client "is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows, not just about the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election but also knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr. Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on." Previously, Team Cohen had let it leak that the lawyer also had information on advance knowledge by Trump about a meeting that Manafort, his son Don. Jr. and son-in-law Jared Kushner held with a lawyer with ties to the Russian government at Trump Tower in June 2016. In other words, the Michael Cohen saga isn't over. It's just beginning. Arguably, Cohen and his new guru Davis are practicing an incredibly high stakes "art of the deal" operation playing off his former mentor Trump against special counsel Robert Mueller, to see who can make the best offer. What Team Cohen decides to do in the next few days and weeks could decide the fate of the Trump presidency, because even head-in-the-sand Republicans would have a hard time ignoring insider confirmation of presidential collusion with Russia. Meanwhile, other, hopefully-less-likely scenarios such as Trump pardons or clemency for Cohen or (slightly more likely) Manafort would trigger the constitutional crisis that could would rip America apart, figuratively and perhaps literally. Let's look more closely at what Cohen and Davis are up to. In recent days, news reports made it clear that federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York which is running the Cohen probe with aid from Mueller's team had enough info both about the payoffs to Trump's ex-lovers and unrelated scandals such as income tax evasion to arrest the ex-Trump attorney. That ratcheted up pressure on Cohen to make a deal. But what happened in lower Manhattan on Tuesday wasn't really a deal. It was just a first step, albeit a pretty large stride. Cohen pleaded guilty to serious felony charges, implicated Trump in the hush money scheme but has made no promise to cooperate with Mueller going forward. That issue and what Cohen knows about Russia collusion in the 2016 campaign is still on the table. In other words, the plea was a gambit in an ongoing negotiation. And so the purpose of Davis' media tour was to dangle the promise of Cohen's full cooperation both in front of a nation anxious to resolve the scandals that have hovered over Trump from Day One, and, more importantly, in front of Mueller and his lieutenants. "I know everyone's interested in the same question: What does [Cohen] know, and is it going to be harmful to Trump?" Davis told the Washington Post. "The script that I worked out very carefully so I'm not revealing what Mr. Cohen told me is that I believe that what he knows in some respects regarding the subject of the Mueller investigation would be of interest." Published reports suggest Cohen could be looking at a 3-5 year prison sentence stiff stuff for a white-collar criminal in today's American oligarchy and Davis' strategy is clearly aimed at knocking that punishment down considerably. But what if Cohen and Mueller can't make a deal? There are many variables. Maybe Cohen who in a much different time said he'd "take a bullet" to protect Trump harbors enough residual affection for his ex-boss and the people around him that he does the "wiseguy" thing, zips his mouth shut and just does his five years in Leavenworth. The other possibility that can't be 100 percent ruled out is that Cohen still pines for a pardon, or at least a commuted sentence, from his old boss who now, as president, has near-absolute pardon power. When Lanny Davis dangles hints about all the dirt that Cohen knows about, he's not just sending a message to Bob Mueller. He's also sending a message to Donald Trump. Indeed, earlier this year when the pressure was building on Cohen and there were early leaks that he might cooperate with Mueller, many pundits interpreted that as a plea for help from the president. But this week, Davis seemed to shut the pardon door completely. "Not only is he not hoping for it, he would not accept a pardon," Davis told NBC's Today. "He considers a pardon from somebody who has acted so corruptly as president to be something he would never expect." But as anyone who's seen 30 seconds of Rudy Guiliani's recent blubbering can affirm at least 70 percent of what you hear on political TV these days is more empty grandstanding than immutable truth. It's hard to imagine that someone like Cohen, steeped in the Trump Way, would turn down a get-out-of-jail free card to spend the next five years with his wife and kids instead. Let's take a deep breath to contemplate the remarkableness of this American moment. The current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has just been named as "Individual-1" in a felony criminal conspiracy involving blatant violations of campaign finance laws to pay hush money to a Playboy model and an adult-firm star with the goal of hiding that information from American voters, in a presidential election ultimately decided by less than 100,000 votes. In a simpler time, the nightmare of Donald Trump's presidency would have all but ended at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday with that admission. But that world no longer exists. In an America where Trump has the support of a state-run media called the Fox News Channel which played the tragic murder of a young woman by an undocumented immigrant as a bigger story than sworn testimony about the president committing crimes and his rally-goers are hellbent on locking up Hillary Clinton, it would take more to bring down the Donald. It's going to take whatever else Michael Cohen knows. Cohen might be able to shed light on more than just the Trump Tower meeting. Remember, the so-called Steele Dossier which so far has mostly panned out included a wild but still-out-there allegation that Cohen traveled to Prague on the eve of the fall 2016 election to pay off hackers. And what about the $1.6 million that Cohen helped funnel from under-investigation GOP lobbyist Elliott Broidy to a different Playboy model named Shera Bechard and suspicions this was really to help Trump? Of course, Lanny Davis could be bluffing. Truth is truth sorry, Rudy but in this caper very few people are telling it. However, what if Davis and Cohen are not bluffing? Evidence that the future president knew what Russia was up to in 2016 would guarantee a Democratic takeover of the House in a tidal wave that would also seem to ensure Trump's impeachment. A Trump pardon for Cohen or even for Manafort would also probably trigger his impeachment, but a president more hellbent on preserving himself than on preserving the Republic might decide that keeping his two ex-aides silent is worth more than the implosion of 242 years of mostly democracy. On Tuesday afternoon, when Cohen and Manafort were going down and it came out that one of Trump's earliest supporters, Rep. Duncan Hunter, had been indicted for essentially living off his campaign donations, I kept waiting for the sad piano coda from Derek and the Dominoes' "Layla" to start playing like the memorable scene in "Goodfellas" where the bodies start piling up, the inevitable bloody outcome of unchecked avarice. Increasingly, we look to Mafia points of reference with Trump more than political ones because Trump and his henchmen act just like an organized crime family. The other day, the president insisted that his White House counsel hadn't flipped against him because he wasn't a "RAT." On Wednesday morning, Trump praised praised! the just-convicted Manafort in part because he "refused to 'break'" and give information to prosecutors. The president can seem ignorant of even recent American history, but he does seem obsessed with the late Sen. Joe McCarthy. That's probably because he learned so much of his shtick from McCarthy's right-hand man, Roy Cohn, who taught Trump the deny-everything, admit-nothing, fight-with-the-kitchen-sink style of omerta politics that he now struggles to enforce with Cohen and Manafort. It's a mobbed-up style of autocracy that the Founders feared and yet couldn't quite design their American Experiment to prevent. All roads lead to danger. The only thing seems clear is that the fate of Trump's presidency may come down to this: What does Michael Cohen know, and when will he spill it? We the Animals, a visually striking, impressionistic adaptation of Justin Torres' coming-of-age novel, is surely the most lyrical work of cinema to feature an AMC Pacer. Sorry, Wayne's World, but it's true. The movie is adapted from Torres' fictionalized account of his own childhood, and is set in the early 1990s. It has the grain and color of a gauzy, warm memory, a tone it sustains even when one of those memories is of the famously misshapen Pacer. The vehicle may be a random artifact, but it may also serve a narrative purpose a way to express the financial circumstances of the family profiled in the movie. By the early 1990s, the Pacer would have outlasted AMC, which folded after bringing to market too many Pacers, Hornets, and Gremlins. One surmises that dad (Raul Castillo) bought the '70s relic well used, and has held it together with coat hangers and duct tape. He works the night shift as a security guard at an industrial complex that's seen better days. His wife (Sheila Vand) works at a bottling company. When one is working, one is usually asleep, and so their three boys run wild on the upstate New York countryside, playing, wandering, stealing a tomato or two. The circumstances have echoes of The Florida Project, and the movie's visual style and subject matter will remind you also of Moonlight it focuses on the youngest of the three boys (Evan Rosado), who's starting to sense that his family is disintegrating the same moment he realizes he's gay. The association is further strengthened by a scene of the father (known in the movie only as Paps) teaching his youngest son to swim. The atmosphere and meaning of the scene, though, are markedly different. Paps loves his sensitive youngest boy, but wants to prepare him for a world that may not. So the lesson for the day is sink or swim, and the terrified child does more of the former than the latter. This leads to a heated argument with Ma (Vand), part of an ongoing and escalating series of domestic disturbances that involve physical violence. Director and co-writer Jeremiah Zagar sometimes shoots these incidents from the point of view of terrified children, listening from another room, left to imagine what might be happening. The children respond to this turmoil in different ways. The older boys tough to begin with get tougher. They harden, they act out. The youngest retreats to the space under his bed, where he creates, setting emotions to paper with text and with drawing, which occasionally spring to life in We The Animals as animation. It's an example of the way Zagar (the Philadelphia-born director of familial documentary In a Dream) emphasizes the visual. The story is nonlinear, a collection of images that can suddenly assemble into an emotion. As when Zagar introduces and returns to an image of the three brothers under a sheet playing with flashlights, the beam bouncing off the fabric, revealing a jumble of playful bodies, laughing voices, and dancing shadows,signifying enduring love. MOVIES We the Animals From ages 21 to 65 a 44-year stretch women are supposed to be checked for cervical cancer. That used to be a simple matter of a getting an annual Pap smear. No more. The latest guidelines from an influential government advisory panel, published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, recommend screening every three or five years, depending on the woman's age and choice of tests. While the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force provides a detailed scientific rationale for the updated advice, the panel doesn't address a basic issue: How is a woman supposed to remember that three or five years have passed? "I've kind of lost track of when I'm supposed to do it," acknowledged Courtney Bean Michaud, 38, of Fort Collins, Colo. "We've moved around a lot because my husband is in the military. There was no reminder." She glanced at a more urgent preventive-care priority her two sons, a 5-year-old and a toddler, who were frolicking Tuesday on the lawn next to the Independence Park Visitor Center. "I'm trying to keep track of their shots," she said. Experts acknowledge the problem. Cervical cancer screening guidelines have become increasingly complex over the last decade to keep pace with the evolving science and technology. Detection has improved even as screening has become less frequent. But that won't be progress if the unintended consequence is that women lose the habit of getting screened. "That's a gap, and an important area for research," said Douglas K. Owens, a Stanford University primary care physician and vice chair of the task force. "How do we reach women who haven't been screened regularly, and how can we do better" at helping them keep track? Cervical cancer, once the leading cancer killer of U.S. women, has become relatively uncommon. About 13,000 women will be diagnosed this year, and about 4,000 women will die, mostly because they didn't get screened or didn't follow up with treatment. This public health victory is thanks to the low-tech Pap smear, introduced in the 1950s. A scraping of cervical cells is examined under a microscope to spot abnormal ones that can be treated before they turn malignant. Because the test often misses warning signs, women used to be advised to have it every year. The Pap test remains important, and some doctors still default to annual screening with it. But the discovery in the 1980s that cervical cancer is caused by certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) was transformative. The discovery led to the development of the HPV vaccine, introduced in 2006. And it led to a DNA test that detects infection with high-risk HPV strains. Four years ago, federal regulators approved the HPV test as an alternative not just an add-on to screening with the Pap smear. In draft guidelines issued in 2012, the task force endorsed HPV testing alone, but faced resistance from gynecology groups. Tuesday's final guidance says HPV testing is an option, but so is "co-testing" with the HPV and Pap tests. Here's the overview: Before age 21, screening should not be done, regardless of sexual history, because studies suggest it would lead to unnecessary treatment of precancerous changes that the immune system would clear naturally. From ages 21 to 29, Pap smears should be done every three years for women with normal results. HPV tests should not be done because infection is common, but usually cleared. Also, cancer is rare in this age group. From ages 30 to 65, screening should be done every three years with the Pap alone, or every five years with the HPV test alone, or every five years with co-testing. After 65, screening is unnecessary unless the woman has a history of precancerous lesions, or has an inadequate or unknown screening history. Women who have had the cervix removed during hysterectomies also do not need screening. The recommendations closely align with guidance from expert groups including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. "We hope the recommendations foster more discussions between patients and providers about cervical cancer screening and encourage providers to offer HPV vaccines in their offices," the ob-gyns' group said in a statement. Even though studies show HPV vaccination of preteens is gradually reducing cervical precancers and infection rates, experts agree vaccinated women should not skip screening. Fortunately, said Giang T. Nguyen, executive director of the University of Pennsylvania's student health service, the value of screening seems to be ingrained even in such women. "In my experience, they're still thinking that Pap testing is something to do to detect disease, regardless of vaccination status," he said. "I don't think they necessarily understand or think in depth about it." Or keep careful track. "In the past, we'd say, 'Come in for a Pap every year.' It was one of the things that made it very easy," Nguyen said. "We do not have a routine for reminding them." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does a good job trying to keep our medications and food as safe as possible. So far this year, the FDA has issued recalls of more than 60 medications and warnings on hundreds of food-related products that have been contaminated. Food recalls often make the news. Remember the E. coli bacteria that contaminated our romaine lettuce supply earlier this year? Many food recalls are voluntary, done by the company that manufactures the contaminated product. My kids were upset to hear the news last month that Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers might be contaminated with the bacteria Salmonella. This was a voluntary recall and, luckily, no one became sick. Most medication and supplement recalls receive a lot less publicity. One supplement called Poseidon, used for "male sexual enhancement," was recently found to contain traces of Viagra and Cialis, which probably made it work better than other natural supplements. The FDA removed it from the market because it was being sold as an over-the-counter supplement, despite containing a prescription drug. Blood pressure medications may not be as interesting to talk about as Viagra or Goldfish crackers, but were the subject of a recent important recall. Valsartan is one of the most commonly used generic medications to treat hypertension, and has been available for several years. Much of the national supply was recently recalled by the FDA because it contains an impurity called NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine), which has been found to cause cancer. This was initially discovered in July in a generic made in China, and now has been found in the product made by several other companies, including one in India, and may have been in the drug for the last four years. The recall has been handled primarily by pharmacies calling patients and letting them know that their medication may be dangerous. According to the FDA, the risk is small, but real. I saw one patient the other week who stopped taking valsartan after getting a call from his local CVS. When I saw him a week after stopping, his blood pressure was dangerously elevated. Stopping it suddenly was vastly more harmful than the small risk of cancer. The takeaway message: Call your doctor before stopping valsartan, and check with your pharmacy if you take the drug to see whether there is a problem. There are other generic medications that are available that are similar to valsartan (angiotensin receptor blockers) that are just as good, as is the brand name Diovan. But some generics have become very expensive. One of my patients found this out the hard way. His insurance plan told him that his new generic (irbesartan) would be $160 a month when his valsartan was only $10 a month. If generic medications are getting more expensive, why not go back to the brand-name drugs, especially if they are safer? In the United States, generics already make up 84 percent of the total pharmaceutical market. In an article last October that was eerily prescient, researchers looked specifically at valsartan to find out the chance of developing a side effect when switching from the brand name Diovan to the generic valsartan. The authors found that the similar medications losartan, valsartan and candesartan were associated with a 7.5 percent, 17.1 percent, and 16.6 percent higher chance of having an adverse effect when switching to a generic, respectively. The researchers suggested that there may be a medical reason why generics result in more problems: They may be as much as 20 percent different in terms of potency yet still be considered equivalent. This difference may result in side effects. Aggressive campaigning in favor of brand-name drugs by pharmaceutical representatives and companies may create suspicion in consumers' (and doctors') minds about the use of generics, making the perception of ill effects more likely. An important finding of the study was that most people quickly got used to taking the generic, and most side effects were minor and went away after a few months. Trying to prevent the use of generics versus brand-name medications is a fight that big pharma lost long ago. Not that they haven't tried. Pfizer's brand name Lipitor (atorvastatin) was the best-selling drug of all time until a generic version became available in the U.S. in November 2011. Pfizer cut deals with insurers to keep the generic as expensive as Lipitor, and paid a generic manufacturer to keep its brand off the market for an extra year to help maintain market share. The strategy worked for a while. Even though the availability of generic atorvastatin led to a 28 percent reduction in cost from 2012 to 2014, directed prescriptions to Lipitor during those two years led to an estimated $2.1 billion in profit for Pfizer, because so many people stayed on the brand-name drug. Now, four years later, almost everyone takes the generic, so the windfall was short-lived. When a drug comes off patent, and a generic version becomes available, it is cheaper, and this decreases costs. We are not going back to the more expensive brand-name drugs once they come off patent, nor should we. But, as we use generics, they need to be affordable and not restricted by insurance company formularies. The valsartan scare suggests that continued monitoring by the FDA, especially of overseas makers of generic medication, will be crucial to maintain a safe supply of medications that Americans rely on for their health. Less expensive should not mean less safe, and the valsartan recall should be a wake-up call for all of us about potential dangers of generics, and the importance of careful oversight. David Becker, M.D., is a frequent Inquirer contributor and a board-certified cardiologist with Chestnut Hill Temple Cardiology in Flourtown. He has been in practice for 25 years. Blanca Reyes, 20, of Cleburne, Texas, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, said normalization of anti-Latino rhetoric made her hesitant to call out racism in her former workplace. Read more EUGENE, Ore. Sergio Reyes and two other Mexican immigrants were busy landscaping at their work site early this year when they were accosted by a man who threatened to cut off the head of one of them. "It doesn't matter if I become an American citizen," Reyes said. "If your skin color is not white and your English is not perfect, you don't blend. Bottom line." The man's later acquittal of all charges was seen by the three men as yet another in a long string of injustices they, and many immigrants to America, experience regularly. More than one in five suspected hate crimes victimized Latinos, according to a News21 analysis of responses to the National Crime Victimization Survey data from 2012 to 2016. And hate incidents targeting Latinos and immigrants often go beyond name-calling and intimidation, with assaults, robberies, and even murder. As targeting of their communities is on the rise, Latinos and immigrants are increasingly fearful of reporting racially motivated crimes and incidents to law enforcement, according to those interviewed by News21. "In immigrant communities, the fear is palpable," said Monica Bauer, director of Hispanic affairs at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). "It's so much fear that I think the word doesn't really convey. It's almost terrified, like it's beyond fear. It's paralyzing fear." Latino victims made up only 11 percent of racial-bias crimes reported to the FBI in 2016, but studies have shown the FBI substantially undercounts such crimes. Of 15,254 agencies providing statistics to the FBI in 2016, 88 percent reported zero hate crimes. Hate-crime experts, victims and witnesses have said two major factors have exacerbated the problem recently: a perceived climate of anti-immigration after President Trump's election; and fears of reporting to authorities, especially among undocumented immigrants. Nationwide, a 2018 report by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, found 34 anti-Latino hate crimes were reported in America's largest cities in the first two weeks after the 2016 election, a 176 percent increase over the year-to-date daily average. "Post-election, I could tell that there was a change," said Pricila Garcia, 20, the daughter of Mexican immigrants living in Cleburne, Texas. "People became a little more brave with their words, especially when it came to hateful things that they said." A 2018 report by Janice Iwama, a sociology researcher and professor at the University of Massachusetts, said the doubling of the immigrant population in the United States from 1990 to 2015, to more than 43 million, prompted anti-immigrant legislation at the state and federal levels. Iwama's study also said there is "the common misperception that all Latinos are immigrants." In fact, two-thirds of the 57 million Hispanics living in the U.S. in 2015 were natural-born citizens, according to a 2017 Pew Research Center study. Advocacy groups, law enforcement and government officials across the country say they're trying to educate Latino community members and police to properly and sensitively identify and document hate incidents. The ADL has been working with Mexican consulates in the U.S. to create an alternative method for vulnerable immigrant communities to report hate crimes. ADL's Bauer said the league will create a new database from these reports to share with law enforcement. To date, the ADL has trained hundreds of people in consulates across 23 states to understand hate crimes and anti-immigrant extremism. Im white and youre not In picturesque Eugene, home to the University of Oregon, the city is building strategies and resources to protect its residents, but the experiences of Latinos show that change comes slowly. An annual report from Eugene's Office of Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement said hate crimes nearly doubled from to 44 to 87 in 2017. Three violent anti-Latino attacks were reported in that time. For Reyes, 39, it's telling that a jury found the man who threatened his landscaping crew not guilty. Reyes said he recalled the man telling him: "I'll never get in trouble, because I'm white and you're not." "You know what happened? We went to court, and he's a free man right now," Reyes said. "He was right." If anything happens to us In Cleburne, train tracks bisect the sparse, rural town in north Texas, named to honor a Confederate general. Its population is 66 percent white and 28 percent Hispanic, according to U.S. census data. "On one side," said Pricila Garcia, "you have the rental houses that are falling apart, and it's nothing but minorities, and on the nicer side of town you have the kids that have the nice houses, the pools, the big yards." Garcia, 20, and a daughter of Mexican immigrants, said the tracks mark a racial divide in a town where everyone knows one another but few know the struggles of immigrants. "I really truly believe that the majority of us are victims of [hate] crimes," she said. "We're told not to draw any unnecessary attention to ourselves even if you get robbed or exploited or you're in danger." Cleburne lies in an area that saw a 71 percent increase in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from 2016 to 2017 second only to Florida, according to the Pew Research Center. Garcia said she and her peers constantly fear losing their parents to deportation if they report crimes or even apply, as citizens, for college financial aid. One of the worst conversations of Garcia's life was with her parents after the election. "They sat me down and said, 'Hey, we're putting you as the main on all of our bank accounts,'" she recalled tearfully. "'If anything happens to us, sell our stuff. The furniture, our clothes, everything, go sell everything, go live with your uncle, and take care of your brother and your sister.'" Floridas invisible Guatemalans Florida, the third most populous state, where one in five about 4 million are immigrants, has one of the worst records in the nation for reporting hate crimes, according to experts. The Florida Attorney General's Office reported just 52 hate crimes related to race or ethnicity in 2016. One case, Bauer said, showed the culture of hate targeting the isolated Guatemalan immigrant community. On April 18, 2015, Onesimo Marcelino Lopez-Ramos, 18, was confronted outside his home in Jupiter by three men who beat him with a rock, a metal rod, and an ax handle, prosecutors said. The assistant state attorney said the men were "Guat hunting," referring to a practice of robbing and assaulting Guatemalans walking home on paydays. "The reason we know what happened to Onesimo is because they killed him," Bauer said. "And my fear is that things are happening every single day, all the time, without us hearing about them because people are so terrified to come forward." In May, one of three defendants, David Harris, 22, was convicted of first-degree murder, as well as a hate-crime charge, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Tim Gamwell, assistant executive director of the Guatemalan-Maya Center in Lake Worth, said the decision by prosecutors to pursue hate-crime charges was pivotal. "It's an acknowledgment that this community deserves protection, deserves recognition," he said. Violence follows the most vulnerable In California, the state with the largest Latino population more than 15 million reported that incidents of anti-Latino bias increased from 83 in 2016 to 126 in 2017, according to the California Department of Justice's annual hate crime report, released in July. In Los Angeles County, violent hate crimes targeting transgender Latinas accounted for 20 of the 31 crimes motivated by gender identity, according to the 2016 Commission on Human Relations report. Ninety-seven percent of anti-transgender incidents were violent crimes, a proportion higher than for any other group the commission tracks, including Latinos. Trans Latinas are doubly reluctant to call police, experts say. Latinos overall fear reporting due to possible deportation, and trans Latinas also say that law enforcement often blames them for their own victimization. In January, Viccky Gutierrez, a trans immigrant from Honduras, died after she was stabbed multiple times in L.A. Her home was set ablaze, leaving her body unrecognizable. Kevyn Ramirez pleaded not guilty to first degree murder and two counts of arson, and awaits trial, according to court records. Bamby Salcedo is the founder and CEO of the TransLatin@ Coalition, a nonprofit that provides resources for trans Latinas. "When we walk out into the streets, violence follows us everywhere we go whether it's because we're Latinas, whether it's because we're immigrants, whether it's because we're trans, or maybe because we're all of those things." THE PARENTS: Lisa Feingold, 34, and Ron Feingold, 33, of Bella Vista THE KIDS: Lev Elan, 3; Eli Phillip, born March 1, 2018 LISA AND RON'S INSIDE JOKE ABOUT PEOPLE WHO CONCEIVE WITHOUT ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES: "Can you believe they got pregnant for free?" It wasn't the movie, with its dark psychological twists, that sent Lisa running from her seat at the AMC Marlton 8. She'd read Gone Girl before seeing the film. She knew what was coming. No, it was the phone, buzzing and buzzing in her pocket. A slew of missed calls from the fertility doctor's office. More calls and texts from Ron. She scrolled down. "We're pregnant," the message said. "I stood up and walked myself out of the movie theater," Lisa says. "I was screaming, hysterically crying. The attendant came over and said, 'Ma'am, are you all right?' " By the time she got home to the house that had come to resemble a small-scale fertility factory, with a red sharps container in the bathroom and medications crowding the shelves Ron had bought flowers and sparkling grape juice. "We were over the moon," Lisa says, "shocked and nervous and excited." They'd been trying for two frustrating years: Clomid, intrauterine inseminations, diagnoses of low egg reserve, poor egg quality, and endometriosis. All their friends were having babies. One of Lisa's sisters had four kids; another had three. She loved being an aunt. But she desperately wanted to be a mom. "It was shocking and difficult," she recalls. "A lot of medication, a lot of doctors' visits, a lot of stress. Time off work. I was always just sad. You lose hope at some points. I wondered if this would ever happen for me." It was a round of IVF five eggs retrieved, two implanted that finally worked. "First, we found out we were having twins. Then we lost one of the twins. That was upsetting and hard, but we kept focusing on the one good heartbeat." Ron remained cautious; he'd heard too many stories of miscarriages, complications, even stillbirths. "I thought: All right, this is phase one. I never wanted to get too excited. I was still nervous until the baby came out." By the time of that pregnancy, Lisa and Ron had known each other for more than two decades; she was 10 and he was 9 when they met at Camp Ramah in the Poconos. The camp had a photography program, so they darted around as a duo, snapping black-and-white candids and developing them in the darkroom. After high school (together, at Akiba, now Barrack Hebrew Academy) and college (separately she was at Binghamton and he was at Penn State), they reconnected through a mutual friend. Lisa texted her friends: "Ronnie Feingold is making me dinner!" The meal was eggplant Parmesan, an Israeli salad and garlic bread. The spark was still there. "Then we got hit with a curveball early in our relationship," Ron says. "I was working for a start-up, and I got a job offer in St. Louis. That was a tough conversation to have." He took the job, and Lisa followed him a year both recall as an important incubator for their partnership. When they came home that first Thanksgiving, Ron conspired with her nieces and nephews; at a Sunday brunch just before the two headed back to the airport, the kids held up signs, one word on each placard: "Lisa. Will. You. Marry. Me?" Their wedding, on New Year's Eve 2012, included 16 bridesmaids, 14 groomsmen, 300 guests, nearly 100 rooms at the Westin in Mt. Laurel, and a raucous 40-minute hora. They sipped ceremonial wine from Lisa's grandfather's kiddush cup, an item her great-uncle had grabbed before fleeing Poland during the Holocaust. Ron wore his grandfather's prayer shawl. "I couldn't wait to be a mom," Lisa says. "I just knew, as far back as I remember." Once the pregnancy was confirmed, she and Ron tried to play it cool no nursery setup, no obsessive reading on childbirth websites. "We felt: We'll get stuff when there's a healthy baby here." The healthy baby arrived, after a medically induced nudge and a 24-hour labor. And they brought Lev home, on the eve of the Sabbath, to a houseful of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and enthusiastic cousins. Lisa recalls that summer as a magical interlude, with evening walks and an infant content to doze while his parents ate dinner al fresco. They wanted to give Lev a sibling. But after more attempts at conception, two miscarriages, and two failed IVF cycles, Lisa began to lose hope. "I was defeated, devastated. Nothing was working. I was absolutely terrified that this wasn't going to happen again." After the second failed IVF, her doctor suggested trying one more IUI in that cycle. "And shock of all shocks, it worked," Lisa says. Once again, the baby curled contentedly in utero; labor included a 12-hour induction and a brisk delivery that resulted in a serious tear. "I couldn't pick up my child, drive, stand, do laundry, or cook for about six weeks," Lisa says. "But Eli was my saving grace through it all. He knew I needed him to just hang out with me." She recalls one legendarily difficult night. Eli was about 6 weeks old, and Lisa had encouraged Ron to go to a concert with friends. "Lev did not want to go to bed. He got a million books and was negotiating with me. Eli was crying. Lev wanted more books. I was walking around the house, nursing Eli. At one point, I was nursing, with both kids crying on my lap. It was just madness." But such lows are tempered by moments of sweetness: when Lev comes home from preschool and tells his baby brother all about his day, or when he wakes up and asks Ron, "Eli's still here, right?" For Lisa and Ron, the despairing stretches of their parenthood journey have faded. But they haven't vanished. Annoyances like middle-of-the-night wake-ups pale next to their gratitude for having kids. "I definitely call them my miracle babies," Lisa says. "That's always ingrained in who they are. Thank God for modern medicine, science, God, everything, all of it." Cardinal Donald Wuerl praying at White House ceremony last year. His name has been removed from a Pittsburgh area high school after he was cited in grand jury's clergy-abuse report. (Cheriss May/Sipa USA/TNS) Read more HARRISBURG A Roman Catholic high school in the Pittsburgh area will shed the name of Washington's archbishop, who was accused in a sweeping grand jury report of having allowed priests accused of sexually abusing children to be reassigned or reinstated while he was Pittsburgh's bishop. The Diocese of Pittsburgh said Wednesday that Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl made the request to have his name removed from Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School and that school and diocese officials had accepted. The sign out front of the Cranberry Township school was discovered vandalized on Monday, with red spray paint obscuring Wuerl's name. The 77-year-old Wuerl has said he acted to protect children, promptly investigated allegations, and strengthened policies as understanding of child abuse evolved. He has said he will not resign. In its statement, the Pittsburgh Diocese cited what it said was Wuerl's Aug. 16 letter: "I respectfully ask you to remove my name" from the school. "In this way, there should be no distraction from the great success of the school and, most importantly, the reason for the school the students." Wuerl was Pittsburgh's bishop from 1988 through 2006. The grand jury report accused a succession of church leaders of covering up the abuse of more than 1,000 children or teenagers by some 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania since the 1940s. The bulk of the cases cited in the report came before the early 2000s, the grand jury said, because most of the internal documents turned over by the dioceses concerned those cases. On Monday, the University of Scranton, a Roman Catholic university, announced plans to remove the names of three bishops named in the report from campus buildings, saying it is acting in solidarity with victims of child sexual abuse. Two weeks before the report was released, the Harrisburg Diocese said it would hold past church leadership accountable for the sexual abuse of children by priests and strip the names of bishops going back 70 years from church properties. Statistical feast in Bhutan Numbers provide us with interesting insights into the countrys agrarian economy Neighbors look on as investigators gather at the crime scene on Hegerman Street near Princeton Avenue in the Tacony section of Philadelpia, Monday Aug. 20, 2018, after police fatal shot a man. Read more Philadelphia police on Tuesday identified the 36-year-old man fatally shot by an officer after the man allegedly struck another officer with a car Monday afternoon in the city's Tacony section. Jeffrey Dennis, of the 7100 block of Cottage Street, was shot in the head and left arm while behind the wheel of a black 2010 Toyota Camry in the 7100 block of Hegerman Street, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene by medics. The 53-year-old officer, a 10-year veteran who fired three rounds at Dennis, was not named. The officer who was struck by the Camry was taken to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital to be treated for leg injuries and was admitted in good condition, police said. Two other officers were taken to the same hospital and were treated for minor injuries and released. Police gave the following account of what happened: Shortly after 4 p.m. undercover officers with the Narcotics Field Unit were conducting surveillance on Dennis' house on Cottage Street and were preparing to execute a search warrant when they saw Dennis driving the Camry. Six officers in three unmarked police vehicles followed Dennis and then maneuvered to block the Camry on Hegerman Street. At that point, police said, Dennis began driving the Camry back and forth striking the police cars in front and behind him. All six officers got out of their cars and one used what is known as a Halligan bar, an ax-type tool used by firefighters and law enforcement, to shatter the driver's door window. It was then that Dennis struck one of the officers with the Camry and then was shot by another officer positioned next to the driver's door. That officer has been assigned to desk duty while the shooting is investigated by Internal Affairs. Heather Barbera appears at court for a pretrial hearing, in Mays Landing, New Jersey, Friday, August 3, 2018. Barbera faces murder charges for the beating deaths of her mother and grandmother in Ventnor. Read more Long before police say Heather Barbera bludgeoned her mother and grandmother to death in their condo on the Ventnor, N.J., boardwalk, she pummeled her children's nanny in an attack that left the victim bruised, scarred, and shaken. In April 2016, shortly after her marriage fell apart, Barbera drove to her ex-husband's Freehold home and attacked the nanny who was looking after her two children, court records show. She punched the woman in the face, threw her to the floor, and repeatedly kicked her in the head and body while loudly cursing as her son and daughter, then 9 and 11, looked on. Barbera was later charged with defiant trespass and assault. The shaken nanny was "outrageously upset beyond the pale" when she spoke at a July 2016 hearing in Freehold Municipal Court, records show. Barbera, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted. The judge sentenced her to three years' probation, and she underwent anger management and drug treatment. Her uncle, Richard Rosen, now questions why she was not sent to jail. "She should have been in prison and my mom and sister would be alive," he said. "I have no idea how she got out of this." Rosen said that Barbera's ex-husband, Louis, got custody of their children after the divorce and that she had been jealous the nanny was spending so much time with her kids. READ MORE>>> 'There's blood everywhere:' 911 call in Ventnor double murder The nanny, Rosen said, entered therapy and was unable to work after Barbera attacked her. Photos of the woman taken after the assault show purple bruises under her eyes and scars on her cheeks. "I didn't realize how bad it was," he said. "The nanny was traumatized." Efforts to reach the nanny and Barbera's defense lawyer were unsuccessful. The assault was not the first time Barbera had been violent, court records show. In April 2014, she was charged with assaulting her husband. According to court records, she threw an object at him and injured his head and abdomen. Six months later, the couple split after 10 years of marriage. Louis Barbera dropped the assault charge three months later, but subsequently filed a temporary restraining order against her. Barbera violated the restraining order in December when she began sending her ex-husband multiple emails, calling from a blocked number, and stalking him via Facebook, according to court records. She was charged with harassment and stalking and is scheduled to appear in Freehold Municipal Court in September. Louis Barbera did not respond to phone calls or a message left at his house. The Brooklyn-born Barbera has a history of drug use, her uncle said. She was unemployed and had recently moved in with her mother and grandmother at the Shore, despite objections from Rosen, who said he had warned against it. Barbera's mother had been trying to steer her daughter onto the right path, Rosen said, urging her to apply for jobs at casinos in Atlantic City. Then, last month, police say, Barbera beat her mother, Michelle Gordon, 67, and grandmother Elaine Rosen, 87, to death with a nightstick in their eighth-floor condo. Richard Rosen discovered the two bloodied bodies after driving to the condo because he had been trying to reach his mother and she had not been answering her phone. After the killings, police say, Barbera stole her mother's credit cards and fled to New York City. Authorities captured her three days later at the Port Authority in midtown Manhattan, and she confessed to the crimes, police said. At Barbera's first court appearance, her public defender, Holly Bitters, called the situation "very sad." Barbera's brother died of a heroin overdose earlier this year, Bitters said, and she spiraled further into addiction. "She really went downhill. [His death] was pretty recent," Bitters said after Barbera's detention hearing two weeks ago. Bitters did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story. In a 911 call on the night of the killings, Richard Rosen told the dispatcher he suspected that his niece was behind the bloody scene. He said he had warned his mother and sister not to allow Barbera to live with them. "I think my niece must have done this," he said in the call. "She's a drug addict. I knew this would be no good." Staff writer Amy S. Rosenberg contributed to this article. Patrick Duff, local social activist, outside the Camden home at 753 Walnut Street where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived as a young seminary student in 1950. HEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer Read more The owner of the Camden home where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is said to have lived as a young seminary student in 1950 wants to put the property up for sale and hopes a buyer will move forward with plans to make it a historical site. With efforts to have the vacant house placed on the state historic registry bogged down in controversy amid questions about its ties to the civil rights icon, Jeanette Lily Hunt wants to put the property on the market, said Patrick Duff, an activist who has been spearheading the fight to save the house. "At this point, we're in discussions to do it," Duff said in an interview outside the house Monday afternoon. " She just wants to see it do something good." Duff said he hopes to secure an agreement with an auctioneer to sell the property. A similar deal was made to sell the Detroit house where another civil rights icon, Rosa Parks, once sought refuge. It was included in a larger sale of African American cultural and historic items in an auction by Guernsey's in New York. The house didn't fetch the $1 million minimum presale price, but a buyer reportedly came forward after the auction. Like the King house, the house where Parks lived for two years after she made history in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus in Montgomery, Ala., landed on a demolition list. A niece purchased the abandoned home for $500 and donated it to an artist in hopes of preserving her aunt's legacy. (It was dismantled, shipped to Germany, refurbished, and returned to the United States. It is currently in in storage in Providence, N.Y., according to ArtNet News.) Hunt, 87, hopes to use the proceeds from the Camden property to pay for a new roof for a church she visits in South Carolina, where she attends graduate school, Duff said. She wants the three-story house preserved because of its connection to the civil rights movement, he said. The home at 753 Walnut St. in the city's Bergen Square neighborhood has fallen into disrepair. Activists want it placed on the state historic registry and converted along with an adjacent vacant lot into a site commemorating King's time in Camden Activists say King stayed in the house while studying at the now-closed Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester. Local historians believe King frequently studied for classes and mulled issues that helped mold him as a civil rights leader during his stays in Camden. In 2016, Camden's Historical Commission declared the house a historical site. Rep. John Lewis (D., Ga.), a King lieutenant, came to the city to lend support, calling the house "a piece of historic real estate that must be saved." In a Stockton University study released in February, however, researchers disputed the significance of the house. The researchers concluded in part that "King may reasonably be said to have 'stayed' or 'visited' 753 Walnut Street at certain points in time, but at no time could be said to have 'lived' there." The findings rest largely on evidence and fragments and old memories, sometimes contradictory, they said. >>READ MORE: Researchers dispute historical significance of Camden house The report put a cloud over the plans to have the house declared a historic site. An application seeking a designation for the house has been pending for several years with the state Historic Preservation Office. The project suffered another setback this year when a $229,000 restoration grant was diverted to the city fire department without explanation. Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said no decision has been made on the application. The state recently contacted the King Center in Atlanta again seeking input on the report, he said. "We want to make sure they are part of the process and have anything to add to the record that was developed regarding the property," Hajna said Tuesday. Like many of the nearby properties in the neighborhood, the house is an eyesore. Youngsters riding bicycles down the middle of the street were unaware of the tie to King. King was living at the Camden house when he was refused service at a Maple Shade bar, along with a fellow seminary student, in an incident that helped spark his lifelong crusade for civil rights, according to Duff. In his research, Duff noticed King's Camden address on the 1950 police report on the incident. Hunt said King visited the home, which was owned by her father-in-law. Her sister-in-law, Thelma Lowery, also said she recalled seeing King at the home. "How is that not significant?" Duff asked. "It doesn't make any sense." Robin Robinson, Bucks County's recorder of deeds, looks through some old county deed books at the county storage facility. Robinson is initiating an effort to preserve hundreds of deed books, some of which date back to William Penn. Read more Steve Pizzollo gets chills every time he sees William Penn's signature, its looping letters inked into a deed book for farmland in what is now Bucks County. The handwriting of the founding father of Pennsylvania has weathered the ravages of time for 334 years, most recently buried amid reams of paper inside the county's storage facility in Doylestown Township. Pizzollo, the county's second deputy recorder of deeds, thumbed through some of those volumes Wednesday, stacked on pallets in a warehouse that also holds voting machines and seasonal decorations. Those documents show their age frayed, yellowed, mold-stained pages, their ink faded and vanishing. Some tomes produced after the Civil War were printed on paper whose wood pulp was supplemented by cloth recycled from Union uniforms. Now, the aging process is being slowed. Kofile Technologies, a company that specializes in preserving historical documents, has entered into a contract with the county to treat and rebind 700 of the volumes, records from 1684 to the late 1800s that also include emancipation documents for slaves and other miscellaneous recordings. "We have to do this quickly because we have such a small window of time before the books are illegible," said Robin Robinson, the county's recorder of deeds. "And this isn't just the history of Bucks County it's the history of this country." The first batch of 90 books was sent to the company's Vermont office this week, paid for by record-improvement funds raised by the Recorder of Deeds Office every time someone files a mortgage or sells a property. When the process is complete, the rejuvenated records will have a shelf life of an additional 250 years. Robinson initiated the effort not long after taking office in January. She had discovered Kofile through similar work the company had done for the county about five years ago, when it preserved farming atlases. And when Pizzollo showed her the condition that the deed books and other historical documents were in, she called for a professional opinion. "We've had worse individual books," said Joe Degnan, the Kofile preservationist handling the project. "But as an entire collection, it's in by far the worst condition we've ever seen." Part of that, Degnan said, is that the books, at various points in their three-century life span, were not housed in proper facilities. There are rumors that the tomes spent some years tucked away in a humid attic, he added. Their current location, a warehouse that's not climate-controlled, isn't much better. Degnan and his team have already begun work on preserving the documents, a meticulous process that involves logging all of the information contained in each book, removing adhesive tape and other middling attempts at repairing them over the years, and treating the pages with a chemical. When finished, each page will be placed in a polyester sleeve and rebound. He anticipates having the documents back in the county's hands no later than October. And, by then, Robinson hopes to have a second batch ready to send up to Vermont. Part of Robinson's long-term plan, she said, is to find a dedicated, secure space for all of the county's records. She's already been promised an area for the deed books being worked on by Kofile in an office formerly occupied by the county sheriff in Doylestown. Regardless of the books' condition, the information they contain is available elsewhere. Robinson's predecessors undertook an effort 20 years ago to transfer the pages onto microfilm, some of which was later digitized. Scars from that process are still visible in the sliced bindings on some of the books. But the quality of that scanning is poor, according to Pizzollo. In fact, curious landowners often have to request access to the physical deed books, leading him and his staff to make the trip to the county storage facility several times a month. "It's my responsibility, as an elected official, to preserve these records," Robinson said. "Technology is always changing, and there are always inaccuracies. We're ensuring that this information lasts." >>READ MORE: Deed to George Washington's first White House in Philadelphia belongs to Ambler real estate agent Funding the project, at least the initial portion, wasn't an issue. Robinson's office had an account of $250,000 in record-improvement funds built up over several years. Using it, she entered into a contract for the first batch of books with Kofile, which estimates that the full 700-book workload will cost upward of $2 million. That contract which pledges not to draw from the county's general fund was approved 2-1 by the county commissioners at their Aug. 15 meeting. The dissenting vote was Commissioner Charles Martin, who said he didn't see the value of preserving all of the documents, especially at that high a cost. "I'm drawing a difference between old and historic, and I am willing to spend whatever it takes to save historic documents that are truly meaningful to our county," Martin said. "But to spend that money on documents that are just old, when we already have them on microfilm, well, it seems our money could be better spent." Robinson is confident she can see the work through to completion. She and her office are applying for grant money, and are initiating a "sponsor-a-book" fund-raiser modeled after similar approaches in New England. She's already fielded requests from a few interested donors, she said, including a builder who frequently files documents in her office and the daughter of Lucille Trench, a former county commissioner. The county itself has tentatively promised another $250,000 from its own record-improvement fund, according to Robinson. "We all know about Bucks' history and the role that the county played," she said. "But here, in these pages, we can actually trace that history. And that's a resource we shouldn't lose, if we can help it." They sat calmly in the court's third row, watching themselves on video detailing their years of torture and deprivation in squalid conditions. One tearfully testified how, seven years after her rescue, she still requires twice-weekly therapy. Another, more resilient, described herself as a survivor a "strong black woman" determined to finally leave behind the Tacony dungeon of their shared nightmares. And all the while, Jean McIntosh, one of five people responsible for their brutalization, stared at the monitors, transfixed her eyes wet with tears, clutching a tissue to her open mouth and forced to confront her own cruelty, reflected back at her in the recorded faces of her victims. "I can't take it back now," she told them when it came time for her to speak. "But I truly wish with my whole heart that I could. I participated in hurting you all. I am truly, truly sorry." McIntosh, 38, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison Tuesday for her role in a decade-long plot to kidnap mentally disabled adults, enslave them and steal their government benefit checks. The crimes she committed along with her mother, Linda Weston, who is serving a life sentence, shocked the city in 2011, when authorities rescued four of the captives after discovering them emaciated, covered in filth, and chained in the basement of McIntosh's Tacony home. U.S. District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe cut McIntosh a break at her sentencing hearing Tuesday; federal guidelines recommended a mandatory minimum life sentence. But the judge said she did so while holding her nose. Prosecutors urged Rufe to grant McIntosh credit for her "crucial cooperation" with investigators under a deal struck in 2014, when she pleaded guilty to offenses including racketeering, kidnapping, fraud, and hate crimes. "We made a deal with one devil to get another," Assistant U.S. Attorney Faithe Moore Taylor said, referencing McIntosh's willingness to cooperate against her mother. "We can't pretend that that's not a choice we made. But she held up her end of the deal. She helped us to understand just how awful these victims had it." And the details they learned were chilling. Together, McIntosh, Weston, and the three other members of what prosecutors dubbed the "Weston family" stole more than $200,000 in Social Security benefits from their captives by pressuring them to sign documents naming Weston their designated payee. To keep the costs of care low, they locked their wards naked in basements, attics, cupboards, and closets while feeding them with depressant-spiked beans, ramen, and at times even their own and other people's waste. The group shuttled the captives from Philadelphia to Texas, Virginia, and Florida and back again to avoid detection, leaving in their wake the bodies of those who did not survive malnourishment and constant beatings. And all the while, they continued to add victims by snatching them off of street corners, proposing romantic relationships, and even forcing their captives to have children together so Weston could file new government benefit claims. For the four victims in court Tuesday, the hearing was an opportunity to finally confront one of their tormentors on a more level field. In video interviews recorded last week and played in court Tuesday, each detailed the horrors they endured. Said Beatrice Weston, 26, robbed of her childhood by McIntosh, her cousin, and Weston, her aunt, who burned her with heated spoons and turned her into a child prostitute: "I walk around with scars. Every day I just think about [them] beating me." Drwin McLemire, 45, spent nearly a year chained by his left ankle to a basement boiler. "I thought I was going to die," he said Tuesday. "Every day, I was doing a lot of praying." Herbert Knowles, 47, was starved and forced to drink his own urine. In court, he had anything but forgiveness on his mind. "I want them to stay in jail a long time," he said. "I don't like them." But even the horrific treatment those three survived paled in comparison to that endured by Tamara Breeden, 36, one of McIntosh and Weston's earliest victims. During her 10 years in their custody, she said Tuesday, she was routinely beaten with bats, sticks and chains, shot with a BB gun, and held in a trailer where Weston brought "older mans" to have sex with her. At one point, she was forced to have children with another captive only to have one of her babies ripped from her arms in the hospital, where Weston and McIntosh told her the boy had died. By the time she returned home, Breeden said, McIntosh was holding the baby claiming that she was his mother. The children did not learn who their true parents were until after Weston and McIntosh were arrested in 2011. Nearly a decade later, she is rebuilding a relationship with her kids. "I take them to the park sometimes," she said. Rufe congratulated her and the others on their resilience. "If there is any justice you can obtain," she said, "it's to be as strong as you can and defy the odds of the life you received. That's the way to obtain justice outside of the courtroom." Thomas Everitt, 38, is accused of speeding through a red light on July 31, causing a fatal crash in Upper Bucks County. Read more A Bucks County man was charged Tuesday in a July crash that killed a 67-year-old woman and severely injured her 6-year-old grandson. Thomas Everitt, 38, faces charges of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, reckless endangerment, and related offenses in the case. The Kintnersville man was arraigned Tuesday morning in Ottsville district court and released on $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Aug. 30. Thomas F.J. MacAniff, Everitt's lawyer, declined to comment. Everitt is accused of ignoring a red light on Easton Road in Plumstead Township on July 31, driving his Dodge Ram dump truck through the intersection and colliding with a minivan being driven by Laura Oswald, of Bethlehem, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the case. Witnesses told police that Everitt's vehicle sped through a "clearly illuminated red traffic signal" and struck Oswald's vehicle as she was making a left-hand turn. The impact trapped Oswald's mother, Jeanette Campbell, inside the vehicle, according to the affidavit. Medics pronounced her dead at the scene Oswald's son was knocked unconscious in the crash and taken to Abington Hospital. He was later transferred to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with a fractured jaw and skull, the affidavit states. Two other boys, 3 and 8, were treated for minor injuries. During an interview after the crash, Everitt allegedly told police that he thought the light was green and that he tried to brake before hitting the van. Forensic evidence determined he was traveling at about 50 mph at the time of the crash and didn't apply his brakes until a fraction of a second before the collision. A review of his phone records found that Everitt was on the phone with an employee at the time of the crash, according to the affidavit. Investigators determined the light at the intersection had been red for 11 seconds before Everitt drove through it. Court records show Everitt pleaded guilty for failing to obey a traffic control device in an unrelated case in January 2017. No day during President Trump's 19 months in office could prove as dangerous or debilitating as Tuesday. Everything that happened in a pair of courtrooms hundreds of miles apart strengthened the hand of special counsel Robert Mueller III and weakened that of the president of the United States. This was a day when truth overran tweets, when facts overwhelmed bald assertions. Presidential tweets, however provocative, eventually disappear into the ether. Tuesday's convictions could send two people who have had close relationships with Trump to prison for several years, while one of them brought the investigation to the doorstep of the White House. What took place Tuesday will ratchet up the pressure on the president, will embolden his critics, and will no doubt inflame and rally his supporters. If the past months have seemed increasingly hot, the coming months could be hotter still there's little doubt that the Trump presidency has now entered more treacherous territory, and no one can know where it will end. Trump has tried everything to discredit Mueller's now wide-ranging investigation. He has blasted it as a witch hunt, called special counsel's team thugs, sought to make the operation into a purely partisan exercise. He has complained that Mueller has strayed far from his original mandate to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. This month, the attacks escalated from volleys into a barrage, often multiple times a day. On Tuesday, legal actions dropped with resounding force as a counter. By far the bigger blow for the president came in New York, where Michael Cohen, Trump's longtime former lawyer and fixer, pleaded guilty to tax fraud and campaign finance violations, including trying to buy the silence of two women whose stories he feared could influence the 2016 election. In making that plea, Cohen implicated Trump in the campaign finance violation, saying he acted at the direction of a federal candidate namely Trump. What evidence exists to corroborate Cohen's statement will await future legal developments and the public relations war that will intensify. In Virginia, Paul Manafort, the president's onetime campaign chairman, was convicted on eight counts of tax evasion and bank fraud. A mistrial was declared on 10 other counts. None of the criminal activity related to Trump's 2016 campaign, but the convictions robbed the president and his team of any hope that the jury in Virginia would deliver a setback to Mueller's team. Instead, it did the opposite. Tuesday's legal thunderclaps laid bare the vulnerability now facing the president. He and his lawyer, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, have waged a relentless public relations war against Mueller, while fencing over whether the president would agree to speak with Mueller's prosecutors about his knowledge of the events under investigation. Giuliani has been no help to the president. Either by ignorance or design, he has tried so many lines of attack against the Mueller team that he has ended up contradicting himself, misstating the facts and been forced to explain away statements such as the one he made Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" that "truth is not truth." Mueller's team has continued its methodical pursuit of what constitutes that truth to the best of anyone's ability to find it. The attacks against Cohen came after a public embrace by the president and others. That embrace, of course, came before it was clear that Cohen, who once said he would take a bullet for Trump, began to cooperate with prosecutors in the Southern District of New York, after they scooped up a mountain of his documents and began to make clear just how many years in prison he could face for tax fraud and other violations. Since then, Giuliani has been even more relentless in attempting to discredit Cohen, calling him a liar and much worse, in television appearances that proved to be no substitute for serious lawyering and a stout legal defense. Cohen's stunning plea deal reset the table, and not in a way that the president can easily explain away. From claiming not to know about Cohen's payments to buy the silence of women who have alleged affairs with Trump to acknowledging that the president repaid Cohen for those payments, the story now has put Trump at the center of the decisions to do so, and in what prosecutors say is a violation of campaign finance laws. The president's first reaction to Tuesday's events came late in the afternoon, as he was arriving in West Virginia for a campaign-style rally. He called Manafort a good man, expressed disappointment that his former campaign chairman had been swept up in the Mueller investigation, and repeated his assertion that Mueller and his team are engaged in a witch hunt. "No collusion," he said again. As for Cohen, he said nothing, an omission that blared out more loudly than his defense of Manafort and his denunciation of Mueller's work. Giuliani issued a statement asserting that there was no allegation of wrongdoing by the president in the charges against Cohen, a narrow reading of what took place in the courtroom in New York. The Cohen conviction dealt another blow to the credibility of a president who frequently says whatever he wants, regardless of its accuracy, to advance his interests. But this one could have far greater implications than some of the president's other false claims. Prosecutors will decide how far to pursue this. Politicians will be asked what, if anything, they should do as well. The Manafort conviction adds another layer to the mounting evidence that Trump has not, as he claimed, surrounded himself with "the best people." His White House has been a personnel shambles, with comings and goings at a record pace and with some far from the quality the president claimed. His first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. Others have left in disgrace for their misdeeds. Meanwhile, Omarosa Manigault Newman, who was dismissed from the White House months ago, has been airing embarrassing audiotapes as she promotes a tell-all of her days as a White House staffer. Her credibility is minimal. That she was hired at all is the real concern. On Tuesday, as the legal news was breaking, The Washington Post's Robert Costa reported that White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow hosted Peter Brimelow, the publisher of a website that promotes white nationalism, at a party at his home last weekend. This came after a White House speechwriter was let go for having appeared with Brimelow in 2016. That speaks to the culture that has been created. Tuesday's developments speak even louder. They are concrete but not definitive. The president is dug-in, feeling aggrieved by an investigation he believes was corrupted from the start, and he has gone off the rails since it fell into Mueller's hands. He has options, including attempting to shut down the inquiry, although he has been warned repeatedly of the consequences of doing so. Mueller will continue to move forward, at a pace of his own choosing. Justice Department guidelines probably will inhibit him from doing anything dramatic in the early fall, ahead of the midterm elections. Whether more shoes will drop before Labor Day, only he knows. One way or another, the president faces many more months of uncertainty. For the past decade, Michael Cohen worked as Donald Trump's personal lawyer and fixer. He was an eager supplicant, executing the wishes of his celebrity boss and forever seeking his attaboy affection. He said he would take a bullet for Trump and, even after the president passed him over for a White House job, Cohen still professed his eternal loyalty. But in Trump's world, eternity has limits. By releasing audio of his covertly recorded conversation with Trump about purchasing the rights to a Playboy centerfold's story of an extramarital affair, Cohen made a decisive break from his longtime client. The move punctuates the steady deterioration of a relationship between Cohen and Trump, and raises concerns in the White House that the former could spill secrets about the latter to the FBI. In the nearly four months since FBI agents raided his office, home and hotel room, Cohen has felt wounded and abandoned by Trump, waiting for calls or even a signal of support that never came. Cohen got frustrated when Trump started talking about him in the past tense, panicked last month when he thought the president no longer cared about his plight, and became furious when Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani contradicted some of his accounts, according to his associates. In Cohen's gravest hour, as one associate described it, Trump was "leaving him out in the wilderness." The result is open warfare between attorney and former client. Cohen has chosen to morph from Trump's pugnacious defender to a truth-teller without regard for any possible political or legal ramifications for the president, according to Lanny Davis, one of Cohen's attorneys. "He had to hit a reset button," Davis said in an interview. "He had to say he respected the FBI. He had to say he believed the intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the election. He had to describe the Trump Tower meeting as extremely poor judgment at best. And, ultimately, he said, 'I'm not going to be a punching bag anymore,' which he had been when he said, 'I'll take a bullet.'" Cohen's actions appear to be driven more by his outrage over the president's indifference and feelings of betrayal coupled with the personal and financial weight of the criminal case being assembled by federal prosecutors than by a legal strategy to help his case. Tuesday's public release of the Trump-Cohen audio came as a surprise to prosecutors handling the Cohen case in the Southern District of New York, according to people familiar with the matter. Current and former law enforcement officials questioned why Cohen someone seen as angling for a plea deal would choose to make potential evidence public. That kind of maneuver generally angers investigators and can make it harder to cut a deal, these officials said. As part of their inquiry into campaign finance issues involving Cohen, federal investigators have recently expressed interest in what Cohen's interactions with the Trump campaign were, including his role in handling the accusations of sexual impropriety from various women. They also are trying to discern if anyone other than Cohen had prior knowledge about two such women, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, before they were named in news inquiries and reports. In their search warrant, federal investigators asked Cohen to turn over any communications the two men or campaign aides had about a 2005 "Access Hollywood" tape that captured Trump boasting about grabbing women's body parts, according to a person familiar with the investigation. Inside the White House, Trump raged about the release of his and Cohen's September 2016 conversation about financing the deal with McDougal, a former Playboy model, to sell the rights to her story of an alleged 10-month affair with Trump to American Media Inc., the owner of the National Enquirer, which never published her account. The president is angry that his personal attorney was recording him without his knowledge, though he had known before this week that the audio file existed, according to people familiar with his thinking. "What kind of lawyer would tape a client?" Trump tweeted Wednesday morning. "So sad!" The government has seized more than 100 recordings that Cohen made of his conversations with people discussing matters that could relate to Trump and his businesses and with Trump himself talking, according to two people familiar with the recordings. Cohen appeared to make some recordings with an iPhone without telling anyone he was taping them. A significant portion of the recordings is Cohen surreptitiously recording reporters who met with or questioned Cohen about Trump during the campaign and after Trump's election, the people said. Trump's voice is on several of the recordings, but only in snippets typically when he is returning a call from Cohen or asking Cohen on a voice-mail message to call him back, the people said. The only recording in which Trump and Cohen have a substantive conversation is the one that Davis released Tuesday, according to these people. "Michael Cohen had the habit of using his phone to record conversations instead of taking notes," Davis said. "He never intended to make use of the recordings and certainly didn't intend to be deceptive." Trump's advisers are privately debating whether they need to seek a ruling from the court overseeing these recordings on Cohen's indiscriminate release of material, or whether they should release tapes that they describe as unflattering to Cohen, according to two Trump allies. Trump has been asking outside advisers about Cohen's business interests and work outside Trump Tower. The president views Cohen as a turncoat who profited off his association with Trump, associates said. One of them described Trump's attitude as, "Who is this guy to betray me? He would be nobody were it not for his relationship with me." Another factor that worries Trump is the impact the latest disclosures will have on his marriage, as it thrusts allegations of his infidelity back into global headlines, according to a Republican operative in frequent touch with the White House who spoke anonymously to share private details. The timing of McDougal's alleged affair was shortly after Trump's marriage to his third wife, Melania, and the birth of their son, Barron, in 2006. Stephanie Grisham, the first lady's spokeswoman, issued a statement Wednesday saying it was "kind of silly" of reporters to worry "if she heard some recording on the news," and instead should focus on other issues, such as neonatal abstinence syndrome or bullying issues the first lady has focused on. Within Trump's political orbit, the uncertainty about what other damaging information Cohen may possess and if he plans to weaponize it against the president, as now seems possible if not likely has allies worried. "The general feeling inside and outside the building is that if there was anything, this would be the guy who would know it and now give it up," said the operative close to the White House. Trump's legal team considers Cohen's chess move inexplicable, arguing that the release of the recording does not hurt the president and questioning what Cohen may be trying to accomplish. Some Trump loyalists believe Cohen betrayed the president by hiring Davis, a fiercely partisan Democrat who for decades has been a friend and adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton. (In February, Hillary Clinton attended a party in Georgetown celebrating Davis' book "The Unmaking of the President 2016: How FBI Director James Comey Cost Hillary Clinton the Presidency.") Early Wednesday, Trump aides and allies exchanged grousing text messages about the Cohen-Davis relationship, while hosts of "Fox and Friends," the pro-Trump morning show on Fox News Channel, voiced sharp criticisms of Cohen on their broadcast. "We all think he's being used by Lanny, who has a vendetta," said former Trump adviser Sam Nunberg, who worked with Cohen for years. Referencing Roger Stone, another former Trump adviser and a self-described master of political dark arts, Nunberg said, "I'm still a Stone-ite, and we eat Clintons for breakfast." Giuliani, the former New York mayor who is now one of Trump's personal attorneys, has been punching at Cohen for, as he put it in a Wednesday tweet, "leaking falsely privileged and confidential information. So much for ethics!" Davis said Cohen feels isolated and is "suffering" and "sees himself as alone against the president of the United States, Rudy Giuliani and the whole administration." Cohen's feud with Trump could make him an unlikely hero of the resistance movement. Davis recalled walking through New York's Pennsylvania Station on Wednesday following his interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" and people slapped him on the back and said, "Please tell Michael Cohen, 'Thank you for telling the truth.' All of a sudden, millions of people have invested their hopes in Michael Cohen." In the search warrant served on him in the FBI's April 9 raids, Cohen learned he was under federal investigation for bank fraud as well as possible campaign finance violations as part of his informal role in Trump's campaign. FBI agents were scrutinizing whether Cohen had lied on bank and loan forms or had seized evidence that he had vastly inflated the value of his taxi medallion business to seek additional financing. Cohen told friends in the early summer he expected he could be arrested any day. In the immediate aftermath of the raid, Cohen expressed an interest in talking directly to Trump, but lawyers repeatedly and strenuously worked to block such a conversation out of fear it would appear Cohen was seeking to shape his story in talking to the president. Trump's attorneys stressed that the president faced a similar but larger political risk of being accused of comparing notes with a witness who had potentially embarrassing information about him. Trump did call Cohen four days after the raid for a brief check-in, which was first reported by the New York Times, but the two men have not spoken since. Cohen got what he considered a strong signal in June that Trump had turned a cold shoulder on his legal jeopardy, according to two people familiar with his account. After the raid, the Trump Organization and Cohen had agreed to an arrangement under which Trump's business would pay for a portion of the legal work to determine which documents seized from Cohen's home and business were protected by attorney-client privilege and should not be shared with investigators. But after several months, Trump Organization officials began complaining about and later balking at paying what they considered unusually high legal fees from Cohen's law firm to review the records. There remains a dispute between the two sides about whether Trump Organization stopped payment or simply threatened to. Cohen complained to friends about his mounting legal bills and feared he was being cut off from Trump's world. An attorney for the Trump Organization, Alan Futerfas, declined on Wednesday to answer questions about the Trump Organization's payment arrangement with Cohen. He had previously told the New York Times that any suggestion "that people stopped payment, that is not true." Davis did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the payment dispute. Some have argued Cohen has been seeking a back-channel commitment from Trump that he would pardon him if he faced criminal charges. But Davis has said in media interviews that his client is not currently seeking a pardon, and Giuliani told The Washington Post on Tuesday night that discussing a pardon would be "extremely inappropriate at this point." "I'm certain there are no talks about pardons for" Cohen, Giuliani said. "Any pardon is up to the president." During his decade in Trump's employ first as a lawyer for the Trump Organization and then as his personal attorney Cohen professed and displayed his fealty. This is in part because of the nature of his work for Trump, which was not of the typical legal counselor. Cohen described his approach as akin to that of Ray Donovan, the fictional fixer in the Showtime series of that name makes the problems of Hollywood stars disappear. But the respect and allegiance was not always mutual, according to Tim O'Brien, author of the biography "TrumpNation." "He always treated Michael like a lap dog, as somebody who would perform tasks for him, but not someone he considered a peer or ever really treated with professional respect," O'Brien said. "You constantly get this impression that Michael is trying to please the paterfamilias, and Trump is barking quick requests about what he wants to get done." Cohen's loyalty to Trump began to fray in recent months as he felt neglected by his longtime patron. Last week, Cohen invited the Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights advocate who has been at loggerheads with Trump, to meet for breakfast at the Regency Hotel, where Cohen has been staying. Cohen chose a table in the middle of the see-and-be-seen restaurant, Sharpton recalled. "He's totally turned on him," Sharpton said. "It was clear to me in our conversation that Michael felt betrayed. He kept saying, 'I'm going to do what's right for my country.' He clearly wanted me to know he was not Team Trump anymore." Sharpton added, "He was hurt, and the hurt has turned into bitterness. He said, 'Look at what I'm going through. Why me? Nobody is helping me.' " The Washington Post's Devlin Barrett, Robert Costa, Josh Dawsey, Alice Crites and Mary Jordan contributed to this report. President Donald Trump, left, sits with Attorney General Jeff Sessions during the FBI National Academy graduation ceremony in Quantico, Va. on Dec. 15, 2017. Read more For what appears to be the first time, President Trump is publicly calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to end special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russia's attack on the 2016 election. On Twitter Wednesday morning, Trump wrote that Sessions "should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further." The call to end the Russia probe was just one of a series of tweets that appeared more focused on Paul Manafort, his former campaign chairman who is currently on trial on tax evasions and fraud charges. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to the charges. >> READ MORE: Bizarre conspiracy theory, pushed by Curt Schilling, emerges at Trump rally So far, the Justice Department has not responded to the president's comments. Mueller's team reports to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein due to Sessions' decision to recuse himself from any investigation into Russian meddling during the 2016 president campaign. That recusal came after Sessions made several misstatements over his own contact with Russians while serving as a surrogate for the Trump campaign. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump's comments weren't an order to the Justice Department and denied that the president was attempting to obstruct Mueller's investigation. "It's not an order, it's the president's opinion," Sanders said. "The president is not obstructing, he's fighting back." Two of Trump's lawyers, Jay Sekulow and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, attempted to downplay the president's comments to the Washington Post. Sekulow told the newspaper that Trump "has issued no order or direction to the Department of Justice on this," while Giuliani said it's well-known that the president "uses tweets to express his opinion." The president's call to end Mueller's investigation, which just last month drew 12 new indictments, was swiftly met with criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.), the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, called President Trump's tweet an attempt to obstruct justice. "The President of the United States just called on his Attorney General to put an end to an investigation in which the President, his family and campaign may be implicated," Schiff wrote on Twitter. "This is an attempt to obstruct justice hiding in plain sight. America must never accept it." Rep. Ryan Costello, a Republican from Chester County who supports legislation to protect Mueller's investigation, said the president's tweet "undermines the integrity of the investigation. I think it's a legitimate investigation," Costello said on CNN before echoing the comments of his colleague, Rep. Trey Gowdy (R., S.C.). "If you're innocent, act like you're innocent. Don't do this stuff day after day." "I think it is entirely inappropriate and intemperate," Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine) said of Trump's request. "It's hard to separate signal from noise when it comes to Trump's reactions to the Mueller probe. But the tweet this morning is an escalation from what we've seen from this President before," wrote CNN political analyst Chris Cillizza. "And we should all be paying very close attention to what happens next." 1. Yes. If a city of 150,000 cant provide safe drinking water for 10 days, a probe is needed. 2. Yes. Not only should there be a state investigation, but customers should get a rebate. 3. No. The city will be working with TCEQ to develop an after-action plan. That will suffice. 4. No. The whole episode was just an annoyance. An outside investigaton is unnecessary. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say without knowing more details about the issue. Vote View Results At a press conference on the sidewalk outside the MOVE house on Kingsessing Street, Sue Africa talks about Ramona Africa's cancer. Read more Ramona Africa, the last survivor of the 1985 MOVE bombing, has been diagnosed with lymphoma, which was discovered after she suffered a stroke that left her unable to walk, MOVE members said Wednesday. At a news conference on the sidewalk outside the MOVE house on Kingsessing Avenue, Sue Africa who identified herself as the mother of 6-year-old Tomaso Africa, one of the five children killed in the bombing on Osage Avenue blamed the cancer of the lymphatic system on chemicals in the C-4 military explosive that was dropped on the MOVE bunker by the city that day. Two MOVE members died of cancer in prison, she said. "We offered to pay for the therapy, but they still said she could not get therapy without insurance," Sue Africa said. "We are asking for volunteers who are nurses, therapists, or aides because Ramona needs 24-hour care." Members of MOVE, often described as a radical back-to-nature group, would not name the hospital where she was receiving care. << Read More: On Osage Avenue, rebuilt homes to rise again from MOVE's ashes Also at the news conference, where posters with "Free the MOVE 9 and "Free Mumia" were propped up against a chain-link fence, were Pam Africa and Consuewella Africa, who said she lost two daughters in the 1985 inferno. Ramona Africa, about 63 years old, is able to talk, members said. Her focus is on getting well, they said. "She is in good spirits from the outpouring of love and support she is getting from around the world," Pam Africa said. Eleven MOVE members were killed in the fire after police dropped an explosive from a helicopter in a residential city neighborhood May 13, 1985. Police later said they allowed the fire, which went on to destroy about 61 homes in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood, to burn to end the standoff. City officials had clashed with MOVE since the 1970s. At a standoff at MOVE's Powelton Village compound in 1978, Police Officer James J. Ramp was killed, and 18 police officers and firefighters were injured. Nine MOVE members were sent to prison on charges connected with Ramp's death, though no one was identified as the shooter. In June, Debbie Africa became the first of the MOVE Nine to be released on parole. Seven years after the Powelton Village standoff, police dropped the bomb on the MOVE house in West Philadelphia. Ramona Africa was the only person charged in the incident and served seven years in prison. Earlier this month, a migrant man rested on the floor of a makeshift migrant camp in Bihac, northwest of Sarajevo, Bosnia. Impoverished Bosnia must race against time to secure proper shelters for at least 4,000 migrants and refugees expected to be stranded in its territory during coming winter. Read more The fear among immigration advocates is not only that thousands of refugees could remain stuck in overseas camps. Or that staffers at resettlement agencies in Philadelphia and elsewhere could be laid off or reassigned. With President Trump expected to again lower the annual limit on refugee admissions, advocates are afraid that the United States' historic mission of welcoming the world's most vulnerable people could effectively be coming to an end. The talk filtering from Washington to on-the-ground agencies is that Trump could put the new cap at 25,000, with perhaps only half that number actually entering the country, the result of bureaucratic delays and other factors. He set the current year's figure at 45,000, a nearly four-decade low. Less than half that number have been admitted as the end of the fiscal year approaches on Sept. 30. "It's really sad," said Peter Gottemoller, director of Pennsylvania refugee programs for Bethany Christian Services. "Our administration has decided our role in the world shouldn't be what it's been." In Philadelphia, Bethany expected 100 refugees this year, but so far has received only 31. In Allentown, the agency was ready for 100, but resettled 41. The Nationalities Service Center, known as the largest, most comprehensive immigrant-service provider in the region, might settle 95 refugees during the entire fiscal year. In an earlier, busier time, it resettled that many in a single month. "For me, it's changing who we are as a country," said Margaret O'Sullivan, executive director of NSC. "Are we going to be the [generation] that closes the door?" >>READ MORE: Under Trump's travel ban, a refugee from the Republic of Congo is alone in America By law, the president, in consultation with Congress, must issue what is called the Presidential Determination before the new fiscal year starts Oct. 1. Generally, the number begins to leak from government officials around Labor Day. The demand for help has rarely been greater, as the world experiences its worst refugee crisis since World War II. An estimated 25.4 million people have been forced from their homelands by war, genocide, persecution, or natural disaster, according to the United Nations. At the same time, the U.S. is led by a president who warns that the nation has lost control of its borders, who banned entry from several Muslim-majority countries, and who wants to build a wall along the Mexican border. Refugees differ from some other migrants in that they carry a specific legal status. If chosen for resettlement in the U.S., they undergo extensive vetting and security checks that can take up to two years. The 45,000 cap represents the lowest figure since 1980, when Congress created the current refugee program through the U.S. Refugee Act, and is less than half of the 110,000 set by President Barack Obama in 2016. Not all of those 45,000 spaces will be filled. Advocates blame a bureaucratic slowdown, though the imposition of additional vetting measures also caused a lag. Through July 31, only 18,214 people had been admitted to this country, according to State Department figures. That pace equates to about 22,000 for the year. And many people would approve. Forty-three percent of Americans believe the U.S. has no responsibility to accept refugees, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in April and May. Fifty-one percent say it does. The Federation for American Immigration Reform, which seeks to reduce overall immigration, says that the U.S. has a moral obligation to help but that bringing refugees here is the most expensive option and helps the fewest. The government should focus on helping displaced people take temporary shelter close to their home nations, the group says. >>READ MORE: History repeats: When America turned away refugees Now the White House is considering a second sharp reduction in the number of refugees, and under one plan would allow no more than 25,000 to come here, the New York Times reported. Last year, presidential adviser Stephen Miller advocated for a limit as low as 15,000, and chief of staff John Kelly said that if it were up to him, the number of refugees admitted to the U.S. would be between zero and one, the newspaper reported. Historically, the U.S. has led the world in resettlement, and since 1980 has taken in three million of the more than four million refugees who have moved to new homes in new nations worldwide, according to the Pew Research Center. But in 2017, for the first time since 1980, the U.S. resettled fewer refugees than the rest of the world, taking in 33,000 compared with the 69,000 accepted by other nations combined, Pew found. Refugees come to the Philadelphia region from Afghanistan, Iraq, Bhutan, and elsewhere around the globe, but now in smaller numbers. "We can't just be quiet about this," said Cathryn Miller-Wilson, executive director of HIAS PA, which provides legal and support services to immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers. "Those kind of numbers are the elimination of the refugee resettlement program." Citizens of the State in Schuylkill wearing linen aprons, are identified in a pencilled caption, from left: Camac, Wagner, Lewis, Adams, Harvey. Formed in 1732, the club is believed to be the oldest social in club in the United States. The club was originally situated on the west bank of the Schuylkill River opposite the falls of Fairmount at Girard Avenue. The clubhouse, called the Castle, is just visible on the left edge of the photograph. Read more In the plush confines of the Metropolitan Club last week, insulated from the unseemly hustle of Washington, by thick drapery, brocade wallpaper, and the fortifying security of old money, Christian D'Andrea gestured with a flourish toward a silver punch bowl that, he promised, held one of Philadelphia's greatest and longest-held secrets. That is, the original Fish House Punch. The concoction, crafted by America's oldest, most secretive, and arguably most exclusive club, State in Schuylkill, dates to 1732, predating what's widely considered the oldest American cocktail, the Sazerac, by more than a century. The lore of the punch, and the club that created it, includes a (probably apocryphal) legend of George Washington on a three-day bender and other (likely true) tales including visits by as many as 10 presidents, as well as the Marquis de Lafayette, who donned the required white apron and straw hat to help cook his own meal, per club tradition. A sort of Ivy League P.T. Barnum, D'Andrea a Reston, Va., author and filmmaker who created the Weather Channel series Hurricane Hunters claims he was combing through a dusty, rare-books archive "somewhere in the lower 48 states" when he uncovered the bona fide, original punch recipe, purportedly "liberated" by a dinner guest from the State in Schuylkill clubhouse, known as the Castle, which sits on the Andalusia estate on the Delaware River's edge in Bensalem. He realized the recipe was something special when a bar owner offered him "a fortune" for it. Now, D'Andrea's giving talks at exclusive clubs, contemplating a book, and bottling his original recipe in flasks, the price of which is available upon request. He's also trademarked the name Fish House Punch, and claimed the domain Fishhousepunch.com. There's just one problem: It might not be the real original recipe, and the recipe itself might not even be secret. Club members, who still meet to this day, say there's no such thing as a secret punch recipe, and some are irked by the notion but, fortunately for D'Andrea, they don't intend to come out of the shadows in order to shut him down. Alfred Putnam, whose late father was once governor of State in Schuylkill, outright laughed at the idea. "I would be very surprised if Fish House Punch was a secret," said Putnam, noting that his father had shared the formulation with the Inquirer in 1992 under no apparent duress. "It's as old a cocktail as I know of, and of course it's quite deadly," he added. "If you ever have it at a party, you really have to warn people. They think it's lemonade." A more closely guarded secret, supposedly, is the club's membership roster, though the club's officers can be found in the Social Register, a publication available to the masses at the Free Library. Charles Meredith III, listed as secretary in the 2017 Register, referred questions to Radcliffe Cheston, whom he identified as the current governor. Cheston, who prefers to keep a low profile, nonetheless politely returned a phone call just hours before D'Andrea was scheduled to speak Aug. 16. He confirmed the punch is still served at Wednesday festivities at the Castle throughout the summer. His initial reaction to learning of D'Andrea's spiel was one of pique. "We decided it wasn't worth it to sue the guy. We don't have a copyright or anything," Cheston said. "I don't have any particular feelings about keeping the recipe a secret. I've shared it with friends. But that somebody would try to make money off of it is offensive to me." "Some of our members are down there to confront him and expose him for the fraud he is," he added. But as evening approached at the Metropolitan Club, the crowd, in seersucker and linen suits, appeared amiable. Perhaps it was the calming effect of the punch, or the many caveats with which D'Andrea garnished it. He explained, after all, that he had no access to State secrets except for the one key find: a memo found in the archives of some midcentury American notable who had shared the purloined recipe with a friend as a sort of Christmas gift. "I'd like to start off by positing a theory," D'Andrea told the crowd. "The best drinks and the best food all share a special ingredient and the ingredient they share is story." Indeed, the story of the punch and of the Fish House where it was created is plenty spicy. Created as the Colony in Schuylkill by a corps of Quaker gentlemen including the likes of Joseph Wharton and James Logan, the Fish House was an angling and eating club first situated on the Schuylkill banks, near Fairmount, and relocated several times. Today, its members still identify as "citizens," and its leader is "governor." Recently, the club has retreated into obscurity, though a Daily News reporter stormed the Castle in 1992 (and was promptly ejected). The most recent account of a journalist who was allowed to linger there appears to be a 1905 New York Times article, describing meals cooked over an open fire by club members, with help from "apprentices," who may hold the position for five years before being admitted as members. According to the report, the punch there was served in a nine-gallon china bowl, an 1812 gift of East India merchant Captain Charles Ross, in which members' sons were supposedly baptized in punch. << READ MORE: Phila. Fish House Punch Recipes: Take one part history Today, Cheston said, "there isn't much fishing done there." The tradition of the punch remains strong, though the recipe is adjusted, like any other, according to taste. "It's basically a citrus punch that has simple syrup, brandy, and rum in it, with a lot of lime juice and lemon juice," he said. "It's very potent." That more or less matches the other recipes published over the years, including one dating, purportedly, to 1795 published in cocktail historian David Wondrich's 2010 book, Punch, and another, in Steven Grasse's Colonial Spirits, attributed to club governor William Camac in 1873. D'Andrea argues that, while many recipes have been circulated, some are phonies and the rest are red herrings concocted by those who'd rather keep the formula to themselves. He'd rather focus on the legend of the punch, including numerous poems devoted to its insidious intoxicating power. (A 19th-century favorite: "There's a place just out of town/ where if you go for lunch/ they'll make you forget your mother-in-law/ with a drink called Fish House Punch.") Indeed, when a reader recipe was reprinted via the New York Times News Service in the 1970s, a slew of angry letters followed. "It is quite reprehensible to serve or publish the recipe for Fish House Punch without adequate warnings as to the effects on consumers," one griped. Another described a book club meeting that devolved into a raucous dance party. The police were called, but were served punch and ended up staying until 4 a.m. The writer added: "We have never tried it since." Not all bartenders are fussy about authenticity. The Fish House Punch on the menu at Southwark takes the daring step of adding bourbon. Village Whiskey's version includes cognac, a blackstrap molasses-based rum, spiced sugar, peach brandy, lemon, and aromatic tea. Paul MacDonald, the bartender at Friday Saturday Sunday, said he's occasionally made the punch, based on a recipe unearthed by cocktail historian Ted Haigh. It's not a favorite. "Taste in drinks has changed a lot since the 18th century," he noted. A key to his punch (and, he said, any credible bartender's), is oleo-saccharum, or sugar infused with the oil from citrus peels a fussy step not mentioned in the versions shared by citizens. He said he does not understand the recipe to be a secret. He'd be interested to see it "as a historical curiosity" but would not pay a fortune to do so. "A lot of times punch recipes were developed as a way to mask poorly distilled spirits," noted Michael Alan, who researched the recipes for Colonial Spirits. "I think there would be a lot of variations on Fish House Punch, and all of them would be accurate. If it has brandy, rum, citrus, sugar, that's about all you need." Back at the Metropolitan Club, which traditionally serves Fish House Punch at New Year's, members said the drink they're used to is both sweeter and weaker than the concoction D'Andrea was passing out. His brew appears a muddy brown, like the Schuylkill after a flood, and smells pretty much like a glass of straight rum. Richard Meyer, who'd invited D'Andrea to give the talk, said he considered the recipe authentic "until proven otherwise. Who am I to argue?" As for the Philadelphia contingent, if the men were there to confront D'Andrea, the punch seemed to have mellowed them. "It's great fun," said Scott Jenkins of Villanova, shaking his head. "It's a great story." Reached by phone afterward, Cheston said his members were appeased. "Their conclusion was, it was entertaining," he said, "but the punch was dreadful." The intersection of State Street and Main Street in downtown Doylestown Borough. Read more Let's hear it for the little guy in this morning's David-and-Goliath tale. A settlement between Doylestown Borough and Verizon over the placement of wireless cells was a big victory for small-town charm. The question now facing other local municipalities: can we pull that off? Meanwhile, in national news, yesterday the President's longtime lawyer and his former campaign chairman both came away from court proceedings guilty. You won't stop hearing about either case anytime soon. Reading this online? Sign up here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox every morning. Aubrey Nagle (@aubsn, morningnewsletter@philly.com) READ MORE: Tiny Doylestown Borough battled Verizon over 5G and won a big settlement When Verizon proposed placing dozens of boxy 5G wireless cells with five-foot antennas all around Doylestown Borough, residents' reactions were pretty predictable: uh, no. So officials spent $150,000 to defend the borough, winning the right to reduce the number of poles, camouflage and relocate some of them, and (surprisingly) take a share in the revenues from each cell. But the big win will be hard for other municipalities to replicate. Harrisburg lawmakers are considering legislation that would strip municipalities of zoning oversight when telecom companies want to place cells. READ MORE: Trump lawyer pleads guilty, former campaign chairman convicted Michael Cohen, President Trump's longtime fixer and personal lawyer, implicated Trump in campaign finance crimes after pleading guilty to eight criminal charges Tuesday. Cohen told a judge that he participated in two campaign finance violations at the direction of a candidate for federal office (understood to be Trump) in order to influence the 2016 election. Also on Tuesday, Paul Manafort, who for months led Trump's successful presidential campaign, was found guilty of eight financial crimes. READ MORE: DUIs are down in Philly. Did Uber and Lyft help? Good news: arrests for intoxicated driving have dropped precipitously a full 33 percent in Philadelphia over much of the past decade. The statewide drop over the same period was only 13 percent. From 2015 to 2017, in fact, Philly DUI arrests dropped by 14 percent. What else happened during that time? Uber and Lyft exploded in Philadelphia. A reader recently used our Curious Philly question-and-answer forum to ask if the two events are related. But the answer isn't a simple "yes" or "no." What you need to know today Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly Back to sleep? Sounds like a plan, @jbake_photography. Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and we'll pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out! Thats Interesting Opinions "But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to survive. And sometimes survival as a poor person means spending time contemplating criminality." Freelance columnist Charing Ball on her defense of Camel Prom Mom Saudia Shuler, recently accused of fraud. Last week, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said America "was never that great." CNN political analyst Salena Zito writes that Cuomo doesn't know where to look for America's greatness. Martin W.G. King, former senior writer at the National Crime Prevention Council, writes that the rampant abuse of migrants, including asylum seekers, in U.S. detention facilities will stain American history. What were reading Your Daily Dose of | Pretzels Twenty years ago, two roommates bet their careers on soft pretzels. It paid off: now the Philly snack is more popular than ever and those roommates have an empire. In this Nov. 9, 2017 file photo people walk by Old Main on the Penn State University main campus in State College, Pa. Only a few weeks, or maybe even days, remain until college campuses reopen. But not every student who starts college, finishes. In Philadelphia, there are 176,000 people who didn't finish their degrees. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) Read more In a sobering report, the Pew Charitable Trusts recently noted that 176,000 Philadelphians have dropped out of college. Many have little to show for their efforts but an income slightly higher than those who never went to college. Many also have an unbearable debt load. They dropped out because they ran out of money, weren't properly prepared for college, had to take care of their families, or had a health crisis. While the reasons vary, what many have in common is that they still have a deep desire to improve themselves and could do so with a little help. Even with uncompleted degrees, however, they do earn an average $34,900 annual income; those who have never gone to college earn $31,800, reports the Department of Education. Finishing their degrees could bump their salaries to $50,000 (with a bachelor's degree) to $64,100 (with a master's degree). College attainment in this city has been a cause for concern for a long time, and as Pew points out, contributes to the city's lackluster economic performance. Nearly half of the city's adults never attended college, and only 34 percent of adults in the city have completed college degrees. In Boston, 53 percent have graduated; in Washington, it's 60 percent. Helping the former college students return could be an effective route to raising Philadelphia's college graduation rates overall. Secondary schools should toughen up pre-college programs to give students a realistic idea of whether they'll be more successful attending college or a trade school, according to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance's 2012 report to Congress. Colleges should offer more classes in the evenings and on weekends so students can better fit school into their lives. Because non-completers tend to move around a lot, colleges could be more liberal about accepting credits from other institutions to apply to degrees. Employers should note that student-workers can be among their most ambitious and potentially productive employees. Employers should give students reliable schedules so they can juggle their responsibilities (and maybe, a little help with tuition). State and federal governments should establish grants for working students. They can encourage colleges to improve graduation rates by awarding some aid based on student success. Pennsylvania is one of more than 30 states that bases aid on graduation rates. The state should also encourage colleges to improve programs which carefully monitor students for very early signs of academic failure, so they can help them recover and complete degrees. And, every high school and college in the region should make sure students know about Graduate!Philadelphia or similar programs to help returning students. The non-profit helps students remove impediments, one of the biggest of which is dealing with an unpaid student loan. Students can't get transcripts to return to college without having a clean bill of health from their lenders. Many don't know that they can arrange small payments to get in the clear, according to Executive Director Barbara Mattleman. The best argument for investing in our human capital is that we all reap the rewards of a better educated, more prosperous city. Mumbai: The preparation to make 'Bharat' Salman Khan's biggest film is in full swing. The film shoot is underway in Malta, and the makers are adopting advanced technology to produce a world-class product. Producer Atul Agnihotri, Salman's brother-in-law took to his Instagram to share a video of a drone camera. Take a look at the video below: Day 21 @bharat_thefilm #onlocation #malta A post shared by Atul Agnihotri (@atulreellife) on Aug 21, 2018 at 8:06am PDT The film had former Miss World Priyanka Chopra on board but she walked out of it a few days back. Now, Salman's former real-life ladylove has stepped in to play the leading lady. Bharat, an official Hindi remake of South Korean film Ode to My Father also stars Disha Patani, Sunil Grover, Aasif Sheikh and Tabu in supporting roles. Bharat set in the backdrop of India in the 1940s 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, reports suggest. The film will mark Salman and Ali Abbas Zafars third collaboration. The duo has already delivered two blockbusters Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai. Most of Salman Khan's films in the recent past have hit the theatres on the occasion of Eid. From Wanted in 2009, to Dabangg in 2010, Bodyguard in 2011, Ek Tha Tiger in 2012, Kick in 2014, Bajrangi Bhaijaan in 2015 to Sultan in 2016, Salman has delivered blockbusters. Tubelight in 2017 was an exception and so was Race 3 that released this year. Race 3 scored decent numbers at the Box Office but couldn't impress the critics. The debt-ridden firm, Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), a non-banking finance company (NBFC), is looking forward to come up with the rights issue of Rs 4,500 crore. For the purpose, the company has also given a presentation on the rights issue to its shareholders. According to our exclusive sources, the presentation was given to investors on August 14 and 15, 2018. However, HDFC, SBI and Central Bank, who is the major investor in the firm, have not been able to make its mind on investing in it. The local lender SBI owns 6.42 per cent stake in the company while Central Bank and HDFC own 7.67 per cent and 9.02 per cent stakes, respectively. "We don't have any opinion on IL&FS but will decide as an when the proposal comes", says Rajnish Kumar, Chairman, State Bank of India One of the shareholders, who is also one of the founding members of the IL&FS group, has informed that shareholders won't subscribe to the rights at a rate above Rs 500 per share. Rates at which shares have been issued till date: - 2014: LIC bought a part of the company at the rate of Rs 1,100 per share; however, it suffered huge losses at this rate. - 2015: Orix Corporation took a part of the company at the rate of Rs 763 per share. Besides, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked IL&FS Financial Services to reduce debt exposure in all IL&FS group entities by March 2019. It should be done in conformity with the regulations on group debt exposure for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Currently, IL&FS is facing liquidity issues, which made the central bank to issue the directive. Earlier, questions were also raised on Life Insurance Corporation of India's (LIC's) interest in investing in the debt-ridden company although it is a public sector. Mails sent to HDFC, IL&FS and LIC didnt elicit any response. New Delhi: The Centre has unveiled a draft scheme for extending the affordable air travel programme UDAN to international circuits, with state governments identifying the routes for operation. The draft International Air Connectivity (IAC) scheme envisages to increase the international ticketing to 20 crore by 2027. "The scheme is to be made operational only for states, which demonstrate their commitment to implement and provide the requisite support for promoting operations under the scheme," the draft reads. Stakeholders inputs and comment have been sought till September 4. UDAN was launched in 2016 to make air travel affordable for people through subsidised ticket rates and to provide air connectivity to smaller towns. Some states and aviation leaders had earlier suggested to expand the UDAN scheme overseas. The Assam government has, in fact, announced Rs 100 crore as viability gap funding to promote international air connectivity from Guwahati. SpiceJet chairman Ajay Singh had earlier this year pitched for an initiative on the lines of the regional connectivity scheme UDAN that can encourage Indian airlines to fly overseas. According to the draft scheme, state governments will identify the routes to be connected, and airline operators will assess demand on the identified routes and submit proposals for providing connectivity. Operations under the scheme will be permitted through fixed-wing aircraft only with more than 70 seats. The scheme has proposed to set up an International Air Connectivity Fund (IACF) -- a dedicated fund for providing subsidy support under the scheme. It will be created through the contributions of state governments. "The subsidy support shall be provided to selected airlines only for the passenger seats, which remain unsold at the time of IAC flight operation, from the total number of passenger seats for which subsidy has been requested by the selected airline as part of its proposal," the draft said. The subsidy support will be extended only up to three years. The Airport Authority of India will be the implementing agency of the scheme. NEW DELHI: A fire broke out at the Doordarshan Bhawan at Mandi House in Delhi on Thursday. No casualties were reported in the fire. The fire broke out in the AC plant of Doordarshan Bhawan. "The fire was controlled within 10 mins. 8 fire tenders are present on the spot," a fire official said. A call was received about the fire at 12:50 pm and fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The AC plant is situated on the ground floor of the Doordarshan Bhawan. Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a day's visit to Gujarat on Thursday where he will attend four functions, including the convocation of the Gujarat Forensic Science University and a meeting of the Somnath temple trust. The meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust -- the PM is one of its seven trustees -- will be held at the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar, trust secretary PK Laheri said. The prime minister will arrive in the morning and address a public meeting in Jujwa village near Valsad town, where he will attend the collective e-griha pravesh (online house warming) of beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (gramin), an official release said. More than one lakh houses have been built in the state under the Centre's flagship scheme which envisions housing for all, it said. From the same venue, Modi would perform the ground-breaking ceremony of a water supply project meant for the tribal population in Dharampur and Kaprada talukas. After the event in Valsad, the prime minister would go to Junagadh town in Saurashtra to inaugurate various projects, including a newly-built hospital of the Gujarat Medical and Education Research Society and two fisheries colleges at Veraval town in the Gir Somnath district, another official said. Modi would also address a public meeting at the Police Training College ground near Junagadh. Later, he will preside over the convocation ceremony of the Gujarat Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar and before leaving for Delhi, he will attend the meeting of the Somnath temple trust in the evening. BJP president Amit Shah, who is also a trustee of the temple, is expected to be present in the meeting. All the seven trustees, including Modi, will remain present in the trust's 117th meeting, said Laheri, who is also a trustee of the temple. The other trustees of the temple are - Keshubhai Patel, who is also the chairman of the trust, veteran BJP leader L K Advani, businessman Harshvardhan Neotia and noted scholar JD Parmar. The temple is situated in Prabhas Patan town, commonly known as Somnath town, in Gir-Somnath district of Saurashtra region and attracts thousands of devotees every day. The prime minister was earlier supposed to be in his home state on July 20, but his visit was postponed due to heavy rains in several parts of the state, especially in south Gujarat. NEW DELHI: Businessman Anil Ambani led Reliance Infrastructure, Reliance Defence and Reliance Aerostructure has sent notices to Congress leaders asking them to behave responsibly while speaking on Rafale deal or face legal action. In a cease and desist notice addressed to Congress Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill, Reliance said that freedom of expression of politicians does not mean that they have a license to behave irresponsibly to suit their interests. "Freedom of expression and speech should not be mistaken as a license to behave irresponsibly and make false, frivolous, misleading and distorted statements to suit your political interest," the notice said. Congress Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill receives a cease & desist notice from Anil Ambani led Reliance Infrastructure, Reliance Defence & Reliance Aerostructure asking him to restrain from speaking on Rafale, failing which he will face legal consequences. pic.twitter.com/9yAa2zUcnB ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 Reliance named other Congress leaders viz Randeep Surjewala, Ashok Chavan, Sanjay Nirupam, Anugrah Narayan Singh. Oommen Chandy, Shaktisinh Gohil, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Sunil Kumar Jakhar and Priyanka Chaturvedi saying that they have been indulging in making incorrect, false, frivolous statements against Reliance. The notice alleged that Congress leaders are indulging in what appears to be a "vilification campaign" to "deliberately besmirch" the name and reputation of the company for "petty personal and political gains". Warning the party members against making such statements, the Reliance group said that it reserves right to take legal recourse for the "protection of their name, brand, reputation and goodwill in case of any scurrilous statements being made against them". Reacting to the notice, Jaiveer Shergill said such notices cannot scare him away. "Received Cease & Desist Notice from Sh Anil Ambani threatening me with legal consequences if I speak on #RafaleDeal; My reply-Im a Congress Soldier, a Proud Punjabi who doesnt get scared with such notices-Tax Payer of this country deserves to know why they paid extra 42000 Cr," he tweeted on Wednesday. Received Cease & Desist Notice from Sh Anil Ambani threatening me with legal consequences if I speak on #RafaleDeal; My reply-Im a Congress Soldier, a Proud Punjabi who doesnt get scared with such notices-Tax Payer of this country deserves to know why they paid extra 42000 Cr Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) August 22, 2018 Anil Ambani had recently written to Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the Rafale fighter jet deal saying his party has been "misinformed, misdirected and misled" by "malicious vested interests and corporate rivals" on the issue. Congress led by Rahul has been attacking the government for inking the Rafale deal claiming that the contract was signed at a much higher price than the one the previous UPA regime had negotiated. While Rahul has accused the government of changing the deal to benefit "one businessman", his party has demanded a JPC probe into the deal. Beijing: China has refused to renew the journalist visa for an Indian-American woman reporter of the US-based BuzzFeed News allegedly due to her critical reporting on the volatile Muslim-majority Xinjiang province. Megha Rajagopalan on Wednesday said in a tweet that China's foreign ministry declined to issue her a new visa in May. "It is bittersweet to leave Beijing after spending six wonderful and eye-opening years as a journalist there," Megha, who previously worked for Reuters in Beijing, said. "In May, China's Foreign Ministry declined to issue me a new journalist visa. They say this is a process thing, we are not totally clear why," she said in a tweet. In another Tweet last month, Megha highlighted her story on "how China's sprawling surveillance state recruits, threaten and intimidate Muslim Uighurs into spying for Beijing and staying silent? even in Europe and the United States. My latest, based on first-hand accounts, text messages and audio recordings". China previously denied visas to other journalists including an Al-Jazeera television reporter and a French magazine journalist over their reporting on Xinjiang. Megha has now been appointed as the world correspondent for BuzzFeed News based in the Middle East. In a statement, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China said it has found the treatment meted out to Megha "extremely regrettable and unacceptable for a government that repeatedly insists it welcomes foreign media to cover the country." "We are attempting to get clarity from the Foreign Ministry on its reasoning for effectively ejecting a credentialed foreign journalist from China," the FCC said. Resource-rich Xinjiang, bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan, is on the boil for years following unrest among Uighur Muslims over the increasing settlements of majority Han Chinese from other provinces. It has witnessed some of the deadly terrorist attacks in recent years which also spread to other parts of China. China blames the separatist East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) for the violent attacks in the province and spreading Islamic militancy. The ETIM was previously linked to al-Qaeda and now to the ISIS. With the water level now receding in Kerala, which has been devastated with floods, the focus has now shifted to bringing life back to normal in the southern coastal state. Union Minister KJ Alphons, who took stock of the rescue and relief operations, has said that the state requires huge army of skilled professions and proper medical care. Speaking to news agency ANI, Alphons said, What Kerala requires now is huge army of carpenters, plumbers, electricians and of course medical care. We have a huge task ahead, making life possible for flood-affected people in a dignified manner. The Union Minister had earlier said that people from outside the state should not send any more clothes or food as what Kerala needed now were people with technical capabilities who could put life back into the state. Talking about the aftermath of the floods and the requirements in current circumstances, "There will be no electricity in homes, carpentry, plumbing would be gone. We need hundreds of thousands of electricians, plumbers, carpenters to rush to Kerala. We don't need clothes or food. People with technical capabilities are required to put life back into Kerala." This comes even as people have started to return to their homes in many parts of the state. The improving situation across Kerala has allowed the state government to begin de-requisitioning military and NDRF teams from relief measures. Rain has stopped in most places in Kerala, resulting in the water levels going down. To aid the relief and rescue operations, the central government has till now allocated a fund of Rs 600 crore. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates also offered a flood relief aid of Rs 700 crore, which has reportedly been rejected by the Centre. At least 357 people have lost their lives due to floods and incessant rain in the coastal state. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had recently said that the state was in the middle of a crisis and the need was to remain united to tackle the disaster. HAMBURG: Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who arrived in Hamburg on Wednesday as part of a four-day tour of the United Kingdom and Germany, said that the only way forward for a country to grow is to shun violence and embrace the philosophy of ''forgiveness.'' ''Non-violence in India is a founding philosophy of our nationhood and the essence of being an Indian,'' Rahul said in a veiled reference to recent incidents of mob lynching across the country. Citing the assassination of his father Rajiv Gandhi and grandmother Indira Gandhi, the young Congress leader said, ''Both my father and grandmother were killed, I have suffered violence. There is only one way forward and that is forgiveness.'' I have suffered violence and I can tell you, there is only one way to let it go- forgiveness. And for forgiveness, you need to understand where it is coming from: Congress President @RahulGandhi #WillkommenRahulGandhi #Bucerius pic.twitter.com/Jny10DRJFT Congress (@INCIndia) August 22, 2018 Further driving his point home, Rahul talked about his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's assailants. "When I saw the man who killed my father lying dead in a field in Sri Lanka, I did not like it, I saw his crying children in him," he said. He was referring to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, responsible for the killing of Rajiv Gandhi, who was shot dead by Sri Lankan troops in 2009. The Gandhi scion also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, he said, ''was making hateful remarks'' against him. Referring to his famous hug after a no-holds-barred attack on the NDA government in a Parliament debate last month, Rahul Gandhi said, "I showed affection to him, but he (PM Modi) was taken aback. Even some of them (my party members) didn't like it and I disagreed with them.'' ''The basic idea is that if someone hates you, it is something that they are doing, responding to it with hate is foolish, it won't solve any problem. You are in full control of how you react,'' the Congress chief said on being asked about hugging PM Modi during the debate on the no-confidence motion in Parliament. The Congress president also came down heavily on the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for failing on various counts and not delivering the promises it made to the people of India. ''There is a big job problem in India but PM (Modi) refuses to say it. You have to accept the problem to fix it,'' Rahul stated. Replying to a question on the plight of Indian women, Rahul said, ''There is a huge amount of violence against women in India. India needs to change the way the Indian men view Indian women. Men have to start viewing women equally and with respect. I am sorry to say that men do not.'' ''When I look at Parliament and political parties, there are very few women representatives. We are championing a Bill for women's reservation, but, deep down it's a cultural issue,'' he said. ''You cannot build a country if we don't involve women. Indian men have to start viewing women as their equals,'' he opined. Gandhi made these remarks while interacting with the Indian diaspora at Kampnagel Theater, Bucerius Summer School in Hamburg. Replying to a question on growing rivalry between Indian and China, the Congress leader said, ''There is no race between India and China. China might be growing at a higher rate than India, but in India people are allowed to express what they want, and that's what matters.'' On New Delhi's growing proximity with the White House, the Congress chief opined, ''India has a strategic relationship with the US, and we share some ideas like democracy with them. But China is growing extremely fast. India's role is to balance these two powers.'' Ahead of that, Rahul met Niels Annen, the Minister of State and Member of Bundestag, the German federal Parliament. According to a tweet put out from the Congress' official Twitter handle, Gandhi and Annen discussed Indian and German politics, the devastating floods in Kerala, the GST and jobs. During the visit, which is part of the Congress party's NRI outreach programme, Gandhi is also likely to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, sources said. On Thursday, the Congress chief will address the Indian Overseas Congress in Berlin. He will then visit the UK, where he will address an event organised by the Indian Overseas Congress in collaboration with local Indian-origin parliamentarians. (With Agency inputs) Continuing their gruesome streak of killings in Jammu and Kashmir on Eid, terrorists have killed yet another policeman in Pulwama district. Inspector Mohd Asharf Dar was shot dead on Wednesday at his residence. This is the second killing in the district on Wednesday and the fourth killing in the state. Earlier in the day, Special Police Officer (SPO) identified as Mohammad Yaqoob Shah was too shot at in Pulwama district. He was declared brought dead at the hospital. Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Swayam Prakash Pani led the police team to pay tributes to Shah at district police lines in Pulwama, another worst militancy-hit district. Another incident took place when Fayaz Ahmad Shah, an under-training police constable, was shot when he was returning home after offering Eid prayers in Kulgam, one of the worst militancy-hit districts of South Kashmir. Shah, 34, was working with the Jammu and Kashmir Police as a Special Police Officer and had been given an out-of-turn promotion and selected as a constable. He was undergoing training at Talwara in Jammu region and had come home. Terrorists pumped bullets at Shah from a close range near his house. He died on the spot. A pall of gloom descended on the policeman's native Zazripora village when the news of his death broke out. The Eid festivities turned into mourning at Shah's residence with his two minor daughters, aged five and two, unable to understand the sudden rush of people to their residence and the frequent breakdown of their mother and an aged grandmother. The family was inconsolable when his body wrapped in tricolour was brought to their residence. A wreath-laying ceremony was held at district police lines Kulgam where officers led by Senior Superintendent of Police Harmeet Singh paid floral tributes to the police official. Director General of Police S P Vaid termed the incident a "dastardly act". "It only shows the frustration of terrorists who are resorting to such a cowardly act of attacking an unarmed policeman," he said. In yet another incident, the body of a BJP worker identified as Shabir Ahmad Bhat was found in north Kashmir's Kupwara district. He was reportedly kidnapped by suspected terrorists on Tuesday night. His bullet-riddled body was found in the fields at Rakh-e-Litter area of Kupwara, a police official said. The incident evoked a sharp reaction from BJP president Amit Shah who said extremists cannot stop the valley's youths from choosing a better future and that the cycle of violence will not last long. "Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta, Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves. This cycle of violence won't last long," he tweeted. Thiruvananthapuram: As part of expressing gratitude to the defence personnel who participated in the rescue operations in the rains that devastated Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said the state government would organise a befitting farewell to them on Sunday. "A farewell for all the armed forces personnel who took part in the rescue operations will be held at a function here on August 26," Vijayan told reporters after a meeting to review rescue and relief measures. Since no one was rescued today, it shows that the rescue operations have come to an end, he said. The Navy, which had rescued over 16,000 people, today ended its 14-day long operations as there were no more requests for evacuation as water had started receding in affected areas. Earlier, the government had also in a goodwill gesture thanked fishermen who had taken part in the rescue operations. There are 12.10 lakh people lodged in 3,314 camps, Vijayan said. According to the Disaster Management State Control room, 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents since August 8. Chinas state-run Global Times has blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for damaging the ties between India and China. In an article, Fudan University Centre for South Asian Studies director Zhang Jiadong has said that Prime Minister Modi-led NDA governments tilt towards the US has resulted in worsening of ties between the neighbours. The article accused Prime Minister Modi of abandoning Indias principle of non-alignment and ending the tradition of keeping an equal distance from major powers. It says that attempts made by the Prime Minister did improve ties, but only in the short run. According to the Global Times, India under Prime Minister Modi is emerging as a major defence partner and major non-NATO ally of the US. It adds that the developments in this regard sours the strategic partnership between China and India. Claiming that Modi governments team has been left with neophytes in foreign affairs, the article says that the Indian Prime Minister did not include any member of the foreign policy team under the previous UPA government. It added that Prime Minister Modi did not even include those who were part of the team during the tenure of former prime minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who breathed his last in the national capital last week. The article says that since Narendra Modi came to power in India, the country has been working to cope with the China threat and hence indulged in giving a boost to India-US ties. Pointing that Prime Minister Modi showed a friendly gesture toward China in the beginning of his tenure but the situation worsened during the Doklam stand off, which brought the militaries of the countries The article further compares Prime Minister Modi to Indias first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who had changed his own policies towards China. "If Modi's BJP is still in the lead, he might continue the current policy on China. However, it's hard for Modi to do so if BJP fails. The potential disputes will emerge again and harm China-India ties," says the article. Thiruvananthapuram: Sending a message of communal amity, a mosque in Kerala's Malappuram district has provided shelter and food to several Hindu families displaced by the massive floods, while groups of Muslim men have assisted in cleaning two Hindu shrines affected by the deluge. The Juma Masjid, located at Akampadam in Chaliyar village in northern Malappuram, has virtually turned into a relief camp since the second spell of rains started devastating the northern districts on August 8. As many as 17 displaced Hindu families, including women, children and the elderly were given space to sleep inside the mosque, provided food prepared at its canteen and given rice, pulses and other essential materials when they returned home. Most of the 78 people, who were given shelter at the Juma Masjid, were Hindus, Chaliyar village panchayat chief P T Usman said. "There were 26 families who had sought refuge in the mosque, a majority of them Hindus. Though we opened the relief camp at the mosque on August 8, the activities started in full swing only after August 14, following a series of landslides that rocked the district," he told PTI. The Hindu families returned two days ago as the water receded from their submerged homes, Usman said. "The rest returned home after taking part in the observance of Bakrid today," he added. Meanwhile, two groups of Muslim men assisted in cleaning Hindu shrines in Wayanad and Malappuram districts. A Vishnu temple at Venniyode in Wayanad and a shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa at Mannarkkad in Malappuram, inundated due to the floods, were cleaned by them. Many shared the photos of the Muslim men cleaning the temples on social media. A total of 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents in Kerala since August 8. Nearly 14.50 lakh people from 3.91 lakh families have taken shelter in about 3,879 relief camps across the state. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah on Wednesday handed over urns containing ashes of Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the party's state unit chiefs for leading 'Asthi Kalash Yatra' in their states as its top brass embarked on an exercise to firm up the legacy of the saffron stalwart. Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj joined Modi and Shah in handing over the urns at a ceremony. The ashes of the former prime minister will be immersed in over 100 rivers across the country following a procession in which, Shah said, people could offer tributes to Vajpayee. The party has decided to take out the 'Asthi Kalash Yatra' in all the states of the country so that citizens could offer their tributes to the popular leader, Shah tweeted. Processions will start from today from state capitals and pass through all blocks, party leaders said. BJP governments across the country have already undertaken a number of measures to cement the legacy of the leader, whose popular appeal and affable manners won it support of the masses and also new allies. Many of them have announced memorials, some like Chhattisgarh named a city after him and some like Maharashtra decided to set up chairs in his name in universities. Several 'yatras' will be held in many states so that they can pass through all district and blocks, they said. Since Vajpayee, 93, died on August 16 following a prolonged illness, the BJP has organised a number of events, including a ceremony for immersing his ashes in Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar on August 19. Shah, other top party leaders like Singh and Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand chief ministers were present on the occasion. It had also organised an all-party prayer meeting on August 20 to pay tribute to Vajpayee, who had led the BJP to victory in two back to back Lok Sabha elections and became the first opposition leader to complete a full term as prime minister. Leaders of all major parties paid rich tributes to him. Modi had cited outpouring of emotions across the country following Vajpayee's death even though he was away from public glare for a decade due to poor health, to emphasise on his enduring appeal. President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have wished the nation on the occasion of Eid ul Adha, which is being celebrated across the world on Wednesday. While President Kovind called for unity and fraternity, Prime Minister Modi hoped that the festival would deepen brotherhood in our society. Eid Mubarak to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers & sisters in India and abroad. On this special day of Eid-ul-Zuha, we celebrate the sacred spirit of sacrifice. Let us resolve to work together for unity and fraternity in our shared society #PresidentKovind President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 22, 2018 Wishing the people on Eid ul Adha, President Kovind tweeted, Eid Mubarak to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers & sisters in India and abroad. On this special day of Eid-ul-Zuha, we celebrate the sacred spirit of sacrifice. Let us resolve to work together for unity and fraternity in our shared society. Prime Minister Modi also wished the people on the microblogging site, saying, Best wishes on Id-ul-Zuha. May this day deepen the spirit of compassion and brotherhood in our society. Best wishes on Id-ul-Zuha. May this day deepen the spirit of compassion and brotherhood in our society. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 22, 2018 Congress president Rahul Gandhi also extended Eid greetings on Twitter. Eid Mubarak to each and every one of you! May this Eid bring you great joy, peace and happiness. #EidMubarak Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 22, 2018 Several other politicos wished the people Eid ul Adha on Twitter. Among them were Union Minister Arun Jaitley, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and Congress leader Salman Anees Soz. Eid mubarak to all of you. Have a blessed Eid. I hope we can temper our celebrations by sharing some of our good fortune with those less fortunate than us & with those to whom life hasnt been as kind. Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 22, 2018 I wish all of you a very Happy Eid. It is a fun occasion for kids, a time for families and friends to get together, and, in India, an opportunity for people of different faiths to share love, food, and joy. #EidMubarak Salman Anees Soz (@SalmanSoz) August 22, 2018 Omar Abdullah tweeted, Eid mubarak to all of you. Have a blessed Eid. I hope we can temper our celebrations by sharing some of our good fortune with those less fortunate than us & with those to whom life hasnt been as kind. Congress leader Salman Anees Soz wrote, I wish all of you a very Happy Eid. It is a fun occasion for kids, a time for families and friends to get together, and, in India, an opportunity for people of different faiths to share love, food, and joy. People celebrate Eid-ul-Adha by distributing sweets and gifts amongst the needy, chanting the Takbir (Islamic Arabic expression) out loud, and wishing and embracing each other, 'Eid Mubarak!'. Kolkata: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday exchanged sweets and good wishes with the members of Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. The exchange took place at the Indo-Bangladesh border at Fulbari village. This is not the first time that BSF personnel have shared wishes with a neighbour nation. #WestBengal: Border Security Force (BSF) exchanged sweets with Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) at Indo-Bangladesh border at Fulbari. #EidAlAdha pic.twitter.com/pFmAnPAtDo ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 On August 14, this year, BSF and Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets at Attari-Wagah border on the occasion of Pakistan's 71st Independence Day. The world is celebrating Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, August 22. Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakrid or Id-ul-Zuha, marks prophet Abraham's sacrifice of a lamb after God spared his son, Prophet Ismail. Over two million people from around the world, including India, participated in the stoning of the devil on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, the last major ritual of the hajj pilgrimage that heralds the start of the Eid al-Adha feast. With agency inputs Srinagar: Unidentified bike-borne terrorists opened fire at the main gate of CRPF's 30th Battalion's G Company in Bijbehara's Hassanpora on Wednesday morning. Responding to the situation, the CRPF guard posted at the gate fired back. The terrorists managed to flee from the spot. No injuries have been reported so far. Wednesday, the day of Eid al-Adha, witnessed several instances of violence across the state. Several protestors took to streets in Srinagar, waving the Pakistan national flag and ISIS symbols on the day of Eid al-Adha. Unidentified persons also pelted stones on security forces. The incident took place after the city residents gathered together for morning namaz at a mosque on Eid. Earlier in the day, militants killed Special Police Officer (SPO) Fayaz Ahmad in Zazripora village in Jammu and Kashmir`s Shopian district. "He was shifted to a hospital where the doctors said he was dead on arrival," the police said. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) affiliate, Shabir Ahmed Bhat, was shot also dead by terrorists in the wee hours of Wednesday. The BJP affiliate was a resident of Rakh-e-litter village in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar: Several protestors took to streets in Srinagar, waving the Pakistan national flag and ISIS symbols on the day of Eid al-Adha. Unidentified persons also pelted stones on security forces. The incident took place on Wednesday after the city residents gathered together for morning namaz at a mosque on Eid. Footage showed protestors carrying black banners with words 'MUSA ARMY' in an alleged reference to Zakir Musa, the head of an al-Qaeda linked militant group. Later, massive clashes broke out between the security forces and protestors. #WATCH: Protesters pelt stones on a police vehicle & attack it with sticks as protests erupt in Anantnag. #JammuAndKashmir. pic.twitter.com/N5rC0Uw8qD ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 Earlier in the day, militants killed Special Police Officer (SPO) Fayaz Ahmad in Zazripora village in Jammu and Kashmir`s Shopian district. "He was shifted to a hospital where the doctors said he was dead on arrival," the police said. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) affiliate, Shabir Ahmed Bhat, was shot also dead by terrorists in the wee hours of Wednesday. The BJP affiliate was a resident of Rakh-e-litter village in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Bengaluru: Relief operations were in full swing in Karnataka`s flood-hit Kodagu district as rains abated and life limped back to normal, an official said on Tuesday. "We are concentrating on providing shelter and other relief to the people evacuated from towns and villages in the hilly areas flooded by rains and blocked by landslides," Kodagu Deputy Commissioner P. Sreevidya told reporters at Madikeri, about 270 km from here. Though rescue operations slowed down as flood waters receded, the administration is using drones to look for people reported missing or stranded in remote areas or villages where landslips were witnessed. "We are receiving huge quantities of relief material, especially food items, drinking water, clothes, utensils, mats and tarpaulin from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Udupi and other places in the state. "Food, warm clothing, medical care, baby feed, bedsheets and other essential items have been distributed in the relief camps. "Essential items, including medicines, have been rushed to 51 relief camps housing 7,594 people across the district," said Sreevidya. The administration has also rushed food grains and other provisions to towns and villages across the district, as heavy rains and floods disrupted supplies over the last 10 days due to landslides and roadblocks. "Besides state officials, hundreds of volunteers from non-government organisations are helping us in looking after those staying in the relief camps. It will take a week before they can return to their homes as restoration works are slow due to extensive damage caused by floodwaters," the officer said. According to initial estimates, the cumulative loss in the ravaged district is said to be about Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000 crore due to heavy damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges, power lines, apart from houses and agricultural crops. Two MI-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) took off for relief work in Kodagu, operating from Kushalnagar, Periapatna and Harangi. "Helicopters undertook aerial recce and rescue missions in flood-affected areas of Monnangeri and Jodupala to identify ground rescue in coordination with district officials," the IAF training command said in a statement here. The choppers were also used in airlifting essentials to the affected areas. State Relief Commissioner Gangaram Baderiya said here later that the joint rescue operation was in the last leg, as rainfall had considerably reduced. "No distress call was received since Monday. Rescuers are trekking and screening other villages. Till Tuesday, 4,390 people were rescued and brought to safety by NGOs and local communities," said Baderiya in the statement. The Border Road Organisation has deputed engineers and army engineering task force to assist in clearing debris and restoration work. Temporary structures using 2,000 aluminium sheets to house about 10,000 homeless people displaced due to landslides will be built on priority. "Besides Rs 3,800 relief amount per family for subsistence, 10 kg rice, 1 litre oil, 1 kg sugar, 1 kg salt, 1 kg dal (lentil) are being supplied to the affected families," added Baderiya. The district administration has also ordered hotels, resorts, homestays and guesthouses to cancel bookings till August 31 due to the havoc wrought by heavy rains in the hilly region. Meanwhile, the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit has rushed 10 tonnes of food grains and other relief material to the affected in Kodagu in trucks from Bengaluru. The Commissioner has also requested the public, philanthropists, NGOs and companies to contribute money to the Chief Minister`s Calamity Relief Fund through cheque or draft. New Delhi: India is conveying to various foreign governments pledging financial assistance to flood-ravaged Kerala that it will not accept the help, official sources said on Wednesday. A number of countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Maldives have announced assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. The sources said that while declining to accept the assistance, India is conveying its sincere appreciation to the foreign nations for their offers to help flood affected people in Kerala. While the UAE has offered USD 100 million (around Rs 700 crore) as financial assistance to Kerala, Qatar has pledged around Rs 35 crore and Maldives has announced a donation of USD 50,000 (Rs 35 lakh). The Kerala government is understood to be unhappy over the Centre's decision not to accept donations from foreign governments for flood relief operations in the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state government would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear hurdles, if any, in receiving the flood relief aid offered to the state by the United Arab Emirates. In a tweet, Thailand's Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi said Indian government has informed his country that it will not accept overseas donations for flood relief operations in Kerala. Official sources said New Delhi is conveying to foreign governments that it was carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the damage caused by the floods in Kerala and is capable of meeting the requirements of the state on its own. India is also informing the foreign governments offering assistance to Kerala that it has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the challenge. "Informally informed with regret that GOI is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you the people of Bharat," the Thai envoy tweeted. Earlier, in a letter to Indian Association of Thailand, the envoy said he was in touch with Thai government and Thai companies present in India for extending possible assistance to Kerala. The sources said there was no restriction on accepting private contributions including from the diaspora. The UAE offered the assistance of Rs 700 crore considering its links with Kerala. Around three million Indians live and work in the UAE out of which 80 per cent are from Kerala, according to official figure. The floods in Kerala, worst in a century, have claimed lives of 231 people besides rendering over 14 lakh people homeless. Shillong: The fate of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will be decided when the state goes for by-elections in two Assembly constituencies on Thursday. Sangma, currently a member of Parliament from Tura, is contesting from the South-Tura seat in West Garo Hills district on ruling National People's Party (NPP) ticket to enter the state Assembly. Son of former chief minister Purno Sangma, he became the chief minister on March 6 with the support of regional parties and the BJP. Sangma is pitted against Congress' Charlotte W Momin and independents John Leslee K Sangma and Chris Kabul A Sangma. In Ranikor Assembly constituency in South West Khasi Hills district NPP's Martin M Danggo will face UDP candidate Pius Marwein, PDF chairman P N Syiem and Congress candidate Jackiush Sangma. According to an election official, South Tura constituency has 30,231 voters -- 14,846 men and 15,351 women -- in 36 polling stations. The Ranikor constituency has 65 polling stations with 29,685 eligible voters -- 15,183 men and 14,487 women, he said. Voting will take place from 7 am to 5 pm and the counting of votes will be held on August 27, he said. The by-elections in the two seats have been necessitated following the resignations of former five-time Ranikor MLA Martin M Danggo, who joined the NPP, and MLA of South Tura, Agatha K Sangma to make space for his brother Conrad Sangma. Security has been tightened for the bypolls with deployment of four companies of the Central Armed Police Force each in both the constituencies, the official said. The BSF has been asked to keep extra vigil as Ranikor constituency as it borders Bangladesh, he said. CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Cabinet's decision to make sacrilege of religious texts punishable has left Congress red-faced. The Cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod to make amendments to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to make sacrilege of religious texts punishable with life imprisonment. The government has taken a major step towards curbing such incidents and maintaining communal harmony in the state, an official spokesperson said. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. "The Cabinet today decided on amendments to IPC to make sacrilege of all religious texts punishable with life imprisonment. We will place the Bill in the Vidhan Sabha for approval. I stand firmly committed to preserve communal harmony in the State," Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted on Tuesday. An official spokesperson said that whoever causes injury, damage or sacrilege to Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Srimad Bhagwad Geeta, Holy Quran and Holy Bible with the intention to hurt the religious feelings of the people, shall be punished. The Cabinet's nod, however, has led to people terming the decision as an insult to democracy. Many even compared it to the Blasphemy law in Pakistan. Ridiculous, so next is Blashfemy laws, like Pakistan. Indian Defence League (@RajputShubhamDJ) August 21, 2018 Sir with all due respect to you please we Indians don't want a blasphemy law in India like Pakistan has. They will act as a lethal weapon in the hands of fanatics of all. https://t.co/qd96FGgLnb bilal motorwala (@bilal_motorwala) August 21, 2018 What kind of bill is that? You're turning out to be an astonishingly regressive leader! Life imprisonment? Unbelievable. Madhumita Mazumdar (@mmazumdar2014) August 21, 2018 And this is our liberal party? Sigh Arun Sri Kumar (@arun_srikumar) August 21, 2018 Going backwards at the speed of light. Jas Oberoi (@iJasOberoi) August 21, 2018 The Cabinet okayed the withdrawal of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 and the Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016, passed in the 12th Session of 14th Vidhan Sabha, 2016. The Punjab Assembly in 2016, when the previous SAD-BJP government was in power, had passed the Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 and Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016. The amendments at that time were brought to seek life imprisonment for sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib. However, later, the Centre reportedly raised objection to the amendment, asking the state that the punishment of life imprisonment could not be limited to desecration of holy book of just one religion instead it should be for all religions. Punjab witnessed some incidents of sacrilege in recent years and it also became and election issue in the Assembly polls last year. Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday urged Malayalam superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal to help ease the suffering of the hundreds of thousands in relief camps in Kerala following the devastating floods. IMA Kerala Secretary N. Zulphi said people were physically and emotionally down after being hit by the worst flooding in the state in nearly a century. "These two icons have always been hugely liked and respected by Keralites. At this time of huge loss, we request both of them to join hands with us to work with the victims to restore normalcy," said Zulphi. The IMA has launched massive operations at the more than 3,000 relief camps. The death toll since the monsoon rains began on May 29 has been estimated at around 370. KABUL: Afghan forces killed four out of nine insurgents who launched mortar attacks on Tuesday on areas around the presidential palace and diplomatic district of Kabul, two officials said. They attacked just as President Ashraf Ghani was delivering a speech marking the beginning of Eid al-Adha, a three-day religious festival. President Ghani acknowledged the explosions that were heard during his speech and described the perpetrators as enemies of Afghanistan, Islam and peace. An official at the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan said nine insurgents had fired about 30 mortar rounds from two separate locations in Kabul. Afghan police cordoned off the two locations and military helicopters destroyed the two firing positions used by the insurgents. "In total four of the nine insurgents were killed. The other five insurgents surrendered to Afghan forces," US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Martin ODonnell said in a statement. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack that came two days after Ghani offered the Taliban a three-month ceasefire. Ghani said security forces would observe the truce beginning this week - but only if the militants reciprocated. The ceasefire offer was welcomed by the United States and NATO but two Taliban commanders said their leader had rejected it and vowed to continue their war against Afghan and international forces. Tuesday`s attacks dampened the festive spirit and large parts of the city were blocked by police vehicles, forcing people to stay at home. Embassies, offices and residential areas used by diplomats, international aid workers, and other foreigners were put on lockdown. The Taliban have launched a wave of attacks in recent weeks, including on the city of Ghazni, southwest of Kabul. Hundreds of people have been killed in the fighting. On Monday Taliban fighters kidnapped about 200 bus passengers in northern Afghanistan and released more than 160 civilians but kept at least 20 soldiers and policemen as captives, an official said on Tuesday. Nearly 200 passengers were taken hostage by Taliban insurgents near the northern province of Kunduz on Monday as they travelled to the capital, Kabul. "More than 160 civilians have reached home safely but at least 20 soldiers and policemen have been taken to an undisclosed location by the Taliban," said Ghulam Rabani Rabani, a provincial council member in Kunduz. Two Taliban commanders confirmed the release. One said the insurgents had no intention of harming the civilians, who were travelling during the Eid al-Adha holiday, but they would hold the police and soldiers. "We wanted to convey a powerful message to the government that we can launch many attacks and defeat them at every level," said one of the commanders, who declined to be identified. By Ruth Anderah. High court in Kampala sets the August 24th of this month to deliver her ruling on whether she accepts to release on bail Godfrey Wamala a key suspect in the murder of local musician Moses Sekibogo alias Mowzey Radio. The date has been fixed by Justice Jane Francis Abodo. Wamala through his lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi today asked court to release him on bail pending trial citing the likelihood of delay in hearing his case. He thus presented three sureties who are his relatives. Prosecution states that Wamala murdered Mowzey after throwing him on the floor on the 22nd January 2018 that later led to his death on February so 1st 2018. Wamala was in June this year was committed to the high court for trial after reportedly completion of police investigations. Iran said on Tuesday it would boost its military might and also showcased a new fighter jet amid increased tensions with the United States and with regional rivals over conflicts in the Middle East. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic Republic's military prowess was what deterred Washington from attacking it, adding that under President Donald Trump the United States was becoming isolated even from its own allies. "We should make ourselves ready to fight against the military powers who want to take over our territory and our resources," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television ahead of Wednesday's National Defence Industry Day. "Why does the United States not attack us? Because of our power, because it knows the consequences," Rouhani added. Last week, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also said the United States would avoid any military confrontation with Tehran because of Iranian military might. Khamenei has rejected Trump's offer of unconditional talks on a new nuclear deal, prompting Trump to tell Reuters in an interview on Monday: "If they want to meet, that's fine, and if they don't want to meet, I couldn't care less." Relations between Washington and Tehran worsened further after Trump in May took the United States out of an international deal that curbed Tehran's nuclear programme in return for an easing of economic sanctions. Trump branded that 2015 deal as flawed because it did not address Iran's missile programme or involvement in conflicts in Syria and Yemen, and he has reimposed U.S. economic sanctions. LOSS OF TRUST IN US Rouhani compared the sanctions on Iran with the U.S. trade war with China and its new tariffs on some imports from Turkey and European countries. "It's not only us who do not trust America. Today even Europe and China do not trust them; even American allies like Canada have lost their trust," he said. Earlier on Tuesday Rouhani attended a ceremony, broadcast by state TV, that included the fly-past of a new fighter jet called Kowsar, which Iran says is "100-percent indigenously made" and able to carry various weapons and to be used for short aerial support missions. However, some military experts believe the fighter jet is a carbon copy of an F-5 first produced in the United States in the 1960s. "The airframe appears to be an externally unaltered, two-seat F-5 tiger. Whilst it may be domestically manufactured, its an entirely foreign airframe," said Justin Bronk, a research fellow specialising in combat airpower and technology in the Military Sciences team at the Royal United Services Institute. "Its a very small lightweight fighter with very small engines which limits the thrust output, a very low internal fuel capacity which limits range, and a very small nose which limits the size and power of radar that you can fit," he told Reuters. "All of those constraints are not going to be changed by updating the internal components. While you might put a modern radar, or modern avionics - by Iranian standards - in there, it is still going to be subject to all limitations of the F-5 airframe." Irans air force has been limited to perhaps a few dozen strike aircraft using either Russian or ageing U.S. models acquired before the 1979 Iranian revolution. Iran has sent weapons and thousands of soldiers to Syria to help prop up President Bashar al-Assad's forces, but had to rely on Russia for aerial support due to its own lack of a powerful air force. The Islamic Republic launched in 2013 what it said was a new, domestically built fighter jet, called Qaher 313, but some experts expressed doubts about the viability of the aircraft at the time. JAMARAT, Saudi Arabia: More than 2 million Muslim pilgrims hurled pebbles at a giant wall in a symbolic stoning of the devil on Tuesday, the riskiest stage of the annual haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia where hundreds died in a crush three years ago. Clad in white robes signifying a state of purity, men and women from 165 countries converged on Jamarat to perform the ritual from a three-storey bridge erected to ease congestion after earlier stampedes. Under close supervision from Saudi authorities, the faithful carried umbrellas to block the blazing sun, with daytime temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). They will return to the bridge over the next two days for more stoning before returning to Mecca to pray at the Grand Mosque at the end of haj. The kingdom stakes its reputation on its guardianship of Islam`s holiest sites - Mecca and Medina - and organising the world`s largest annual Muslim gathering, which retraces the route Prophet Mohammad took 14 centuries ago. It has deployed more than 130,000 security forces and medics as well as modern technology including surveillance drones to maintain order. "The police assistance and the services were all extraordinary. Praise God, I am very happy and God willing our Lord will provide for us again," said Jordanian Firas al-Khashani, 33. The authorities redesigned the Jamarat area after stampedes in 2004 and 2006 killed hundreds of pilgrims, and the frequency of such disasters has greatly reduced as the government spent billions of dollars upgrading and expanding haj infrastructure and crowd control technology. But with so many participants, panic is a constant danger. The 2015 crush killed nearly 800 people, according to Riyadh, when two large groups of pilgrims arrived together at a crossroads on a road leading to the stoning site. Counts by countries of repatriated bodies, however, showed more than 2,000 people may have died, more than 400 of them from Iran, which boycotted haj the following year. It was the worst disaster in at least a quarter century. Saudi authorities said at the time that the crush may have been caused by pilgrims failing to follow crowd control rules, and King Salman ordered an investigation but the results were never announced. Some 86,000 Iranians are attending this year amid a diplomatic rift between Tehran and Riyadh, which are locked in a struggle for regional supremacy. Their dispute was exacerbated by the 2015 crush. An Interior Ministry spokesman said the pilgrims this year were adhering to a strict timetable in order to reduce congestion. The Health Ministry reported no outbreak of disease so far, a perennial concern. "A BEAUTIFUL FEELING" More than 2.37 million pilgrims, most of them from abroad, have arrived for the five-day ritual, a religious duty once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford the journey. "It is a beautiful feeling," said Egyptian Hazem Darweesk, 31. "The beauty of it is in the difficulty of performing it. It brings you closer to God." King Salman and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received well-wishers on Tuesday at a palace gathering attended by royals, clerics, military leaders and distinguished guests, marking the first day of Eid al-Adha, or the feast of sacrifice. "Our country`s greatest honour is to serve God`s guests," the 82-year-old monarch tweeted. "On Eid al-Adha, I ask God to complete the pilgrims` haj and to perpetuate the goodness and peace for our nation and all other countries." Saudi authorities have urged pilgrims to set aside politics during the haj but violence in the Middle East, including wars in Syria, Yemen and Libya - and other global hotspots - remain on the minds of many. Some worshippers criticised Arab leaders for failing to block President Donald Trump`s decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem after he recognised the city as Israel`s capital. Pilgrimage is also the backbone of a Saudi plan to expand tourism under a drive to diversify the economy away from oil. The haj and year-round umrah generate billions of dollars in revenue from worshippers` lodging, transport, fees and gifts. The authorities aim to increase the number of umrah and haj pilgrims to 15 million and 5 million respectively by 2020, and hope to double the umrah number again to 30 million by 2030. Pakistani Fayas Shahid, 30, said he felt relieved after nearing the end of the exacting journey: "May Allah accept my haj and give everybody a chance to everybody to perform haj." New Delhi: Russia is preparing to recover a nuclear missile which crashed into the sea after a failed test last year. Crews will attempt to recover a missile that was test launched in November and landed in the Barents Sea, which is located north of Norway and Russia. The recovery operation will include three ships, one of which is equipped to deal with the radioactive material. Scientists are worried that nuclear material from the missile could damage the ocean. Russian President Vladimir Putin in March this year unveiled the new nuclear-powered missile boasting that it had unlimited range and could strike anywhere in the world. But US intelligence sources said his boasts were false as Russia four of the missiles between last November and this February, each resulting in a crash. Now, Russian experts are gearing up to recover one of the crashed missiles amid fears it is leaking nuclear material into the Barents Sea, US intelligence sources told CNBC. Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, told CNBC, "It goes without saying that if you fire a missile with a nuclear engine or energy source, that nuclear material will end up wherever that missile ends up." "If this missile was lost at sea and recovered in full, then you might hypothetically be able to do it without pollution, I would have my doubts about that because it's a very forceful impact when the missile crashes. I would suspect you would have leaked from it," he added. The longest test flight lasted just over two minutes, flying 22 miles, while the shortest was just four seconds, taking the rocket five miles before it crashed. Russia, however, denied the missile test failures. It is also unclear if the other missiles are missing at sea, too. CBNC quoted its sources as saying that the missiles had crashed because the 'nuclear-powered heart of the cruise missile failed to initiate'. Notably, the crashes came days after Putin announced that the Russian military will start receiving some of the other new weapons he spoke about in March, by 2019. WASHINGTON: Microsoft Corp said that hackers linked to Russia`s government sought to launch cyber attacks on US political groups, warning that Moscow is broadening attacks ahead of November`s congressional elections. The world`s biggest software company said late on Monday that it last week took control of six web domains that hackers had created to mimic websites belonging to the U.S. Senate, two conservative think tanks and Microsoft`s OneDrive cloud storage service. Hackers use fake sites in "phishing" schemes to trick users into providing login details for accessing computer networks and confidential systems such as email accounts. The domain takedowns represent Microsoft`s latest effort to thwart what it says are hacking attempts by a group known as "Fancy Bear," or APT28, that is linked to the Russian government. The company said it has shut down 84 fake websites in 12 court-approved actions over the past two years. "We`re concerned that these and other attempts pose security threats to a broadening array of groups connected with both American political parties in the run-up to the 2018 elections," Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a blog post. Microsoft said it had no evidence the hackers succeeded in compromising any user credentials or stole any data. Russian government officials rejected the Microsoft allegations and said there was no evidence to support them. "We don`t know what hackers they are talking about," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "It is regrettable that a large international company, which has been working in the Russian market for a long time, quite actively and successfully has to take part in a witch-hunt that has engulfed Washington," Russia`s Foreign Ministry later said in a statement. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed allegations that it has used hackers to influence U.S. elections and political opinion. The targeted think tanks included the International Republican Institute, whose board members include Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, and the Hudson Institute, according to Microsoft. The International Republican Institute confirmed in a statement on its website that it had been targeted. This latest attempt is consistent with the campaign of meddling that the Kremlin has waged against organizations that support democracy and human rights. It is clearly designed to sow confusion, conflict and fear among those who criticise Mr. Putins authoritarian regime," Institute President Daniel Twining said in the statement. Representatives with the Hudson Institute could not be reached for comment. "RUN-OF-THE MILL SPYING" Microsoft`s report came amid increasing tensions between Moscow and Washington over allegations of election-meddling. A US federal grand jury indicted 12 Russian intelligence officers in July on charges of hacking Democratic Party computer networks in an attempt to sway the 2016 US presidential election, and some US officials have said Moscow could try to interfere with the U.S. midterm elections in November. Three US intelligence officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the hacking into traditional Republican policy organizations is neither new nor confined to Russia. Others including China and Iran, have attempted to penetrate the websites and communications of political and other groups across what one of the officials described as the entire political spectrum from far left to far right. Several cybersecurity firms said they had uncovered no evidence to link the sites uncovered by Microsoft to election interference, saying that APT28 and other foreign hacking groups had targeted political US political groups for a decade. "This activity today looks like run-of-the-mill spying. So far nothing special," said Thomas Rid, professor of strategic studies at John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Four of the six malicious domain names suggest they run legitimate Microsoft programs, including Active Directory software for logging into websites, Sharepoint collaboration tools and Office 365 OneDrive cloud storage. Microsoft said it would offer enhanced security to US political parties, candidates, and campaigns that use its Office 365 software. The new service, AccountGuard, will secure work and personal accounts of Microsoft Office 365, Outlook.com and Hotmail. The company said it will alert organizations when a staff member`s account has been compromised by hackers working for a foreign government. For the first time, the Minister of Defense would start his speech with "Glory to Ukraine!" instead of the "comrades" The military parade in Kyiv, timed to the 27th anniversary of Ukraine's independence and the centennial of the revival of Ukrainian statehood, would become the most spectacular in recent years. 250 units of military equipment and aviation flights, which have not been in Ukraine since 2009, be involved in the event. For the first time, the Minister of Defense would start his speech with "Glory to Ukraine!" instead of the "comrades." After the annexation of Crimea, the beginning of Donbas war, and the revival of the Ukrainian army, military parades are held in Kyiv again. In 2014, amidst terrible fighting in the east of the country, the public was actively debating whether it was worth holding a parade during the war and whether it would be better to send this equipment to Donbas. The parade was held though. It was beautiful and to some extent useful for war-torn society. The army protects us. In the following years, there was much less discussion about the expediency of the parade. The military equipment was not involved in 2017 march. We limited ourselves to the exhibition. This year will demonstrate one of the most powerful military parades in the history of independence. "Bogdans" on Khreshchatyk, fighters in the sky Khreshchatyk will host a mechanized column, in which 250 units of military equipment will take part. The composition of the column will be both a technique that is already used by Ukraines Armed Forces, as well as testing samples. The press service of the Ministry of Defense informed 112.ua that 40 units of heavy armored vehicles, more than 100 units of vehicles and armored personnel carriers, 30 artillery systems, and 30 missile systems will be presented at the parade. Also, portable anti-tank missile systems, in particular, the Javelin anti-tank missile launchers supplied from the US, will be presented - they will be placed on cars. The tank column would be headed by the T-84 tank with a gun of 120 mm caliber. Well-known modernized tanks T-64BV would also join this column. The newest military equipment would be also presented self-propelled howitzer "Bogdan," which is still being tested. The howitzer can hit a target at a distance of up to 60 kilometers and has a "NATO caliber" of 155 mm. It will also be possible to see a portable anti-tank missile system "Stugna-P," an anti-tank missile system designed and manufactured in Ukraine. Stugna-P is able of destroying low-altitude, slow-moving aerial targets. The laser-guided system has a range of 4,000 meters and can penetrate armor up to 800 millimeters thickness. The operating temperature range is from - 40 to +60. Stugna-P is able to destroy armored targets on all terrain condition in various climatic conditions at a distance of 100 to 4000 meters. Round comprising " Stugna-P antitank guided missile is intended for firing from the tank T-55 or anti-tank artillery gun MT-12 against stationary and moving modern armored objects with combined, incomplete or monolithic armor including ERA (explosive reactive armour), and also against pinpoint targets like weapon emplacements, tank in a trench, lightly armored objects. The latest development of the Ukrainian military industry Vilkha multiple-barrel rocket system, which should replace the Soviet Smerch, would be presented. Speaking about the innovations, "Furia", "Leleka" and PD-1 multifunctional unmanned aircraft systems, manufactured in Ukraine, to be involved. The public could also see BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle, BTR-3DA armored personnel carriers, BTR-70 DI, Rapira and MSTA-B anti-tank guns, battery of self-propelled howitzers "Claw", a complex of automated control of artillery batteries and artillery division "OBOLON-A", self-propelled howitzer "Acacia", self-propelled gun "Pion", multiple rocket launchers "Verba" and "Uragan", Tunguska air defense missile gun, "TOR" anti-aircraft missile system, BUK-M1 self-propelled guns, anti-aircraft missile system S-300. Tactical armored wheeled vehicles "Dozor-B" and "Kozak-2", ambulances "Hammer" and "Bogdan," would be presented as well. There are no reasons to worry that the military equipment would damage the pavement in Kyiv. "All heavy armored vehicles (from 40 tons of weight) use special asphalt crawlers, all tanks are equipped with asphalt rubber, the rest of the equipment weighs up to 40 tons and will not damage the condition of the road surface," the Ministry of Defense assured. A static exhibition of the latest developments of the Ukrainian military industry will also take place it will open on August 23 at Mykhailivska Square. The appearance of aviation in the military parade remained the biggest intrigue. Last Friday, the Cabinet approved a plan of measures to prepare for the celebration of Independence Day, allowing, in particular, the flight of aviation in the parade. However, the final decision was not reported to the Ministry of Defense until the evening rehearsal on August 20. A few days ago, 29 fighters, transport aircraft, and helicopters flew over Khreshchatyk. However, the participation of the aircraft in the parade depends on the weather conditions. "Glory to Ukraine!" instead of "comrades" For the first time at this parade, during the appeal of the Minister of Defense to servicemen, we will not hear the "comrades". Previously, Ukrainian servicemen and senior officers have been greeting each other with the Soviet-era "Hello, comrade!" and "Good day, sir!" And although this greeting still appears in the military statute, President Petro Poroshenko recently made a decision that at the current parade the military will say "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!" In order to officially fix this issue in the statute, an appropriate decision of the parliament is necessary. It is expected that the decision will be voted at the new session. The marching step means raising the leg by 15-20 cm from the ground and stumping the foot it with a noisy sound. A long time ago, Russian tsarist army took this practice from in the Prussian one. It was inherited by the army of the Soviet Union and was used in military parades in Italy from the time of Mussolini. Female soldiers and foreign soldiers join the military parade 4,500 servicemen are planned to participate in the military parade (like in 2017). Representatives of the Land Forces, the Navy, the Air Force of Ukraine, the Special Operations Forces, scouts, assault troops would be among them. During the rehearsals, the marchers were greeted with a warm ovation. Women-servicemen have got applause too. Last year there were no women participating in the parade. This year, the cadets of the Military Institute of the Kyiv National University named after T. Shevchenko and the Military Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics named after Heroes of Kruty, police officers, rescuers, border guards, and National Guard will be presented. Representatives from Georgia, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, LithuanianPolishUkrainian Brigade, the US, Great Britain, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Canada would take part in the parade. The current parade is planned to be the most spectacular in Ukraines history. The parade is timed not only to the 27th anniversary of Ukraine's independence but also to the centenary of the revival of Ukrainian statehood. "The main psychological message of the parade is that every year we become stronger both at the expense of internal forces and with the help of partner countries. We are proud of the fact that we have something to show, we show it to our friends, delegations, which are invited (invitations have been sent to 39 countries, representatives of 18 of them confirmed participation, US presidential advisor John Bolton would also come to the parade)," the Ministry of Defense informed. The parade starts on August 24 at 10:00. By the way, the last rehearsal with the participation of the military equipment is scheduled for August 22. Read the original text at 112.ua. Since Tuesday morning, Russian mercenaries landed twelve attacks on Ukrainian positions in the war-torn Donbas. One Ukrainian fighter was injured in combat, the HQ of the Joint Forces Operation reported. The occupant forces opened fire from IFVs, grenade launchers, heavy machineguns and small arms. The attacks were observed in the areas of Artema, Novotoshkivske, Krymske, Zaitsevo, Avdiivka, Novomykhailivka, Chermalyk and Lebedynske. In Avdiivka and Chemaklyk, the enemy used 82 mm mortars to shell positions of the Joint Forces. On August 20, the militants opened fire 23 times, from the heavy weapons in particular. Two Ukrainian soldiers were injured, as the JFO HQ reported on Facebook. It was noted that the enemy conducted adjusted fire from the grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms and in separate sectors from 82-mm mortars. The memory of the deceased was honored with a moment of silence 334,000 people participated in battle actions in Donbas, as Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, said at Veterans Forum, broadcasted by 112 Ukraine. The Armed Forces of Ukraine is the guarantor of Ukraines independence. 334,000 participants of the battle actions in the east of our state guarantee our freedom, sovereignty, independence, Poroshenko noted. He added that over 4,5 years of Donbas war thousands of Ukrainian soldiers died. Ukraine paid a very high price in the fight for independence: thousands of deceased Ukrainian soldiers, volunteers, who died from snipers bullets, artillery shells and multiple rocket launchers and thousands of civilians, dozens of thousands of injured and those who sustained severe psychological traumas. I ask to commemorate the heroes with a moment of silence, Poroshenko added. Earlier, Iryna Gerashchenko, Vice-Speaker of Ukraines Parliament, stated that as of March this year 2,383 Ukrainian soldiers died in battle actions. As it was reported, the total number of victims of the combat actions is more than 10,000 people. Related video: Two militants of illegal armed formations were eliminated in Joint Forces Operation zone, as Oleksandr Motuznyak, Defence Ministry Speaker, said at the briefing, 112.ua reports. One more militant was injured. In total, the militants performed 24 adjusted attacks at the positions of the Armed Forces on Tuesday. Ukrainian soldiers used infantry units eight times as a return fire. Two soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were wounded, they are in the hospital now. On Wednesday, as at 9 am, the militants shot at Armed Forces positions six times from grenade launchers and small arms. Ukrainian soldier did not open return fire. No casualties among Armed Forces ranks reported. Related video: The state debt reduced to 60% of GDP as of today Ukraines Government adopted a strategy of managing public debt. The decision was made at todays meeting, broadcasted by 112 Ukraine. According to the strategy, the Finance Ministry predicts the reducing of state debt to 52% of GDP next year and to 49% - till the end of 2020. According to Oksana Makarova, Acting Minister of Finance, for now, the state debt reduced to 60% of GDP. In comparison, 49% is an average level of debt of the developing countries. Earlier it was reported that as of the end of May, 2018 Ukraines state debt reduced by $790 million. The state debt was $76,26 billion as of the end of May this year. Related video: Earlier, Ukraine had been in the status of the associated member for 16 years Open source Ukraine gained a full membership in the Metric Convention. The press office of the Ministry of Economic Development reports. It is stated that the membership entered into force on August 7. Before that Ukraine had the status of the associated member. A full membership in the Metrical Convection will provide the recension of the Ukrainian metrological system, which answers for European standards and will allow to compare the Ukrainian national benchmarks with the benchmarks of the rest 59 member countries in the Metrical Convention, which is a prerequisite for the international recognition of the evaluation of the measurement results and testing of Ukrainian products for its promotion to the international market, the Ministry reports. Related: Ukraine's law on joining 1975 Metre Convention takes effect Moreover, gaining the full membership will contribute to the conclusion of the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and the Acceptability of Industrial Goods (ACAA) with the EU. By Ivan Ssenabulya. The Deputy Speaker of parliament Jacob Oulanya has strongly condemned the violence that saw some members of parliament injured during the Arua Municipality by-election. This makes him the first senior government official to condemn the attack on both journalists and Members of Parliament by security agencies. Oulanya had visited Mityana MP Francis Zaakewho is currently receiving treatment at Rubaga Hospital for injuries sustained during the fracas about two weeks ago. Oulanyahas told journalists that no major health complications have been discovered for both Zaake and his Kyadondo East counterpart Robert Kyagulanyi who is detained at Makindye military barracks awaiting to be produced before the General Court Martial tomorrow. He however says the legislator is no doubt in apparent pain. The Speaker was accompanied by several MPs including Muhammad Nsereko, Joseph Ssewungu and Moses Kasibante among others. Related Stories Bobi wine has no head injuries, Zaake escaped from Prison- President Museveni AFP When Vladimir Putin took to the dancefloor to waltz with Austrias foreign minister, Karin Kneissl, at her wedding last weekend, perhaps he wanted to send a signal that it was Europe he wanted to dance with. But which Europe? Surely not the Europe of the Enlightenment, embodied today by liberal democrats struggling to counter the populist wave. Rather a darker, more sinister side of Europes history and current politics. Among the many wedding moments that drew disapproving comment on social media, the most significant was arguably when Kneissl curtsied to Putin, her head bowed, an image not unlike those of ancient Russian paintings where boyars pay homage to the tsar. But to me, something much more sinister was at play. Kneissl was appointed foreign minister last year thanks to the support of Austrias far-right Freedom party, which as part of the governing coalition, now also controls the defence and home affairs ministries. Putin knew exactly how this wedding scene would play to his critics in the west. Plunging into an icy lake, pushing someone over on a judo carpet, or showcasing new weaponry, are more his thing than dancing. So it came as a surprise that the macho symbolism of his presidency suddenly came accompanied by the gentle shifting of feet to the tune of a romantic song in an Austrian vineyard. But Putin well understands how images can create a new reality. His turn on the dancefloor will have been carefully thought through. Thats because it had less to do with celebrating newly wed love than it did with sticking it to liberal Europeans, not least Angela Merkel (who Putin visited next), and delivering a blow to Europes values and political architecture. That Austrias current government played along with it speaks volumes about what their interlocutors in Paris, Berlin and Brussels now have to wake up to. With the far-right Freedom party in government, Austriais fast turning into a Putinist Trojan horse at the heart of Europe. Consider who else embraced Putin at the wedding: the Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, a man who just in January had assured Emmanuel Macron that his policies would be resolutely pro-European. And in the background was Heinz-Christian Strache, vice-chancellor and the leader of Austrias far-right party, a politician whose neo-Nazi past has been well documented. Putins Russia has long established itself as a supporter of extremist rightwing groups across Europe. But here was the Russian president basking in family-like joy among far-right people who hold key positions in a European government: that was a first. Is Italys vice premier, Matteo Salvini, also from the far right, next on Putins dance card? Putins Austrian waltz was much more than a PR stunt to show he has friends in the west, despite Russia being accused over nerve agent poisonings and other behaviours. What he succeeded in doing is personally signalling, with a toast in fluent German, his capacity to disrupt Europes ambition to put the wind back in its sails, as EU leaders had proclaimed last year. But Id argue the worst part about that summertime Austrian waltz was to render Europes lessons from the past almost obsolete. If post-1945 Europemust stand for anything, it is surely that a blind eye can never be turned to mass atrocities, the crushing of human dignity, nor to the responsibilities of those who perpetuate such crimes. It is no light matter that an Austrian foreign minister, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, bowed to Putin precisely at a time when hes trying to get the west to endorse Russian policies in Syria ones that have, since 2011, contributed to half a million deaths. Also troublesome is that this happened just as European calls for the release of the hunger-striking dissident Oleg Sentsov, detained in Russia, and whose life hangs by a thread, continue to be ignored. But there was more to it than just insulting European critics. Putin is laying out his strategy. Hes showcasing how much hed like to see ultra-conservative, Christian, anti-immigration, illiberal political forces overwhelm Europes politics because thats how he believes Russia can best attain its strategic goals of carving out a sphere of influence. Because Kneissl, Salvini and others are in power, this was much more than just sipping tea with Marine Le Pen in the Kremlin when she was running for president. When you add it all up a very disturbing element creeps into those wedding pictures and it has to do with the dark, long shadow of the 1939 Soviet-Nazi Pact. Whatever its tactical reasons, that agreement was in the end a strategic decision that left liberal democracies entirely exposed and led to untold horrors in Europe. Of course, the Putin-Kneissl dance is not the same. But heres why I see worrying echoes: Russias Kremlin-connected United Russia party has a formal agreement with the Austrian far-right. Unlike postwar Germany, Austria never fully came to terms with its pro-Nazi past. Post-1945 Austria got off lightly, astonishingly so as the historian Tony Judt put it. In todays world there is abundant proof of how fundamental values, not least those of never again, have come under assault. Kneissl may have been oblivious to that backdrop, which is worrying enough it itself. But Putin, who has in the past justified the 1939 pact, has few historical qualms about helping Nazi sympathisers or their distant followers as long as it serves his dividing tactics in Europe. Every gesture matters, every word counts. And this wedding was loaded with symbolism. It is reassuring that the Putin-Kneissl dance has triggered a fair amount of outrage, not least from Austrias opposition: it stuck a dagger at Europes interests and founding principles. Read the original text here. The long-standing leader of Crimean Tatar people in Ukraine reiterated that there are over 70 Ukrainian political prisoners illegally held by the Kremlin Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan asked the informal leader of Crimean Tatar people in Ukraine Mustafa Dzhemilev to pass him the list of Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russian penitentiary facilities. Dzhemilev said that in his interview with Radio Liberty. 'During our last meeting, which was July 12, me and President Poroshenko joined the ceremony of Transanatolian gas pipeline system. And I had another meeting with Erdogan. I told him there are over 70 of our political prisoners, so he and Putin should talk about their release. Before that conversation, I also spoke with Foreign Minister Cavusoglu. He said: 'Of course, we will take measures, just tell me at least a few names. I remembered Sentsov and Kolchenko...', Dzhemilev said. After these talks, the Turkish Foreign Ministry asked Ukraine to file the full list of political prisoners. 'I think they will bring it up in the talks with Putin anyway. But how fruitful the negotiation would be?', Crimean Tatar leader concluded. Earlier, Iryna Gerashchenko, the Vice Speaker of the Ukrainian Parlaiment, said that the Russian side has rejected the initiative of Ukraine to meet in Minsk for the discussion of the pass of 36 citizens of Russia in the exchange of the Ukrainians. The Georgian side accuses the Russian Federation of the violation of the number of the articles of the European Convention The Justice Ministry of Georgia has filed the lawsuit against Russia to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) as the press service of the ministry reported. Thus, according to the statement of the Georgian Justice Ministry, Russia exercise the real control over the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia so Moscow is responsible for the abduction and murder of the Georgian citizens at these territories. Georgia accuses Russia of the violation of eight articles of the Convention on Human Rights. The special attention was drawn to the death of the citizen of Georgia Archil Tatunashvili on February 23, 2018, in South Ossetia. Georgian citizen Archil Tatunashvili was abducted by the occupation authorities of South Ossetia when he came to the home-village to the relatives. He was accused of the subversive activity and then he allegedly fell from the stairs during the transporting and died. It is the third lawsuit of Georgia against Russia. The first one concerns the deportation of the Georgians from Russia in 2006. The decision was made in favor of Georgia. The second lawsuit concerned the armed conflict in August 2008. The decision on it is still not made. Earlier Russian Federation was urged to refuse to recognize the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and to withdraw troops from the territory of Georgia, as Georgia Friends Group statement, dedicated to the 10th anniversary from the beginning of the Russian-Georgian conflict said. Related video: The Russian Federation hasn't reacted on the Ukrainian proposal to exchange the Russians detained in Ukraine for the Ukrainians in the Russian prisons Ukrainian side in Minsk proposed to pardon two Russian citizens and convey them to the Russian Consul with a simultaneous exchange of the Ukrainian servicemen with Ukraine illegally kept on the occupied territory of Donbas. Iryna Gerashchenko, Representative of Ukraine in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group, First Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament claimed this on Facebook. Related: Russia refuses to discuss prisoners' exchange with Ukraine The Ukrainian side is looking for all possible ways of resuming the process of the release of the hostages from the Russian Federation and from occupied territories. I made another proposal Russians: Ukrainian side, as an exception to pardon two Russian citizens who have health issues and convey them to the Consul in the presence of the OSCE and ICRC representatives with a simultaneous exchange of the Ukrainian servicemen with Ukraine who are illegally being kept for three years in Donbas, Gerashchenko claimed. Related: Rally in support of Ukrainian political prisoners held in Moscow During the session of the Trilateral Contact Group on Wednesday, the Ukrainian side expressed the concern that Russian side hasnt given their answer on the proposal of exchanging the Russians who committed offices for the Ukrainians in the Russian prisons. We are standing on the position of the simultaneous transfer of the Russian citizens in exchange for the Kremlins Ukrainian political prisoners. Along with this to show one more time the readiness for a compromise and constructive proposal in this matter by looking for new and new ways and ideas for resuming the process of the release of the hostages from the Russian Federation and from occupied territories, as an exception, we are ready to refer two Russian convicted to the Russian consuls in exchange for our military who are being kept for many years on the Russian and occupied territories of Donbas, Gerashchenko stated. Related: Four more Russians ask to exchange them for Ukrainian political prisoners As it was reported earlier, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was ready to pardon the Russians who are kept I Ukraine in exchange for the Ukrainian political prisoners in the Russian Federation. Reportedly, Ukrainian Ombudsman Lyudmyla Denisova claimed that 22 Russians sent a message to Putin with a request to exchange for the Ukrainian political prisoners. That was one of the issues after the joint session of the governments of Estonia and Latvia on August 21 Open source The Justice Minister of Estonia Urmas Reinsalu and Justice Minister of Latvia Dzintars Rasnacs emphasized the importance of the consideration of the possibilities on the bringing of the claim on the recovery of money to Russia as the successor of the Soviet Union as ERR reported. According to the joint statement of two governments signed on the results of the session, both states commemorate the victims of the occupation regimes and give value to the cooperation in the perpetuation and consideration of the historical heritage to provide the security, democracy and principles of the legal state in Estonia and Latvia. Due to this, the justice ministers of two countries emphasized the importance of the preservation of memory about the human damage caused by the Soviet occupation and consideration of the possibilities to present the requirement on the recovery of money to the Russian Federation as the successor of the Soviet Union. Estonian Justice Minister Urmas Reinsalu presented the judicial studies of the possible further steps on this issue from the point of view of the international law to his Latvian colleague. Dzintars Rasnacs, in his turn, presented the possible measures that can be assumed at the UN level. As we reported Estonia's foreign intelligence claimed to have busted a network of Russia's agents of influence in this country. Related video: The nuclear missile launcher was lost in the sea after the unsuccessful testing in November 2017 The U.S. intelligence found out that Russia is preparing for the search of the nuclear missile that was lost in the sea a few months ago after the unsuccessful testing as CNBC reported. The operation will include three vessels, one of which is equipped to handle radioactive material from the weapon's nuclear core, the message said. The area of the search is in the Barents Sea, north down Norway and Russia. The date of the mission is unknown. The document did not mention any potential risks for the health or environment that can be caused by the possible pollution from the missile. As we reported Russia has suddenly begun checking the combat readiness in the formations and military units of Central and Eastern Military Districts, Long-range Air Force and Military Transport Aviation under the order of the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Also, we reported that the DPRK did not stop developing a nuclear program. It is noted that independent experts within six months assessed the situation with the nuclear and missile programs of North Korea and came to the conclusion that Pyongyang continues to develop both programs. Related video: The units fired at designated sea-based targets from the coastline The Marines of the Ukrainian Navy held exercises with MLRS Uragan; the actual field exercise took place on August 21 and 22. The press office of the Navy reported that on Wednesday. 'The units of rocket artillery of the HQ of the Marines of the Ukrainian Navy held tactical drills, which involved live firing exercises with multiple launch rocket systems Uragan. The drills were supervised by the commanding officer of the rocket artillery regiment', the message said. The troops worked on a wide range of tasks, such as marching, combat shakedown and field training. The units fired at designated sea-based targets from the coastline. Previously, the Marines actively elaborated on the Sea Breeze 2018, the multinational exercise that took place at the firing ranges and in the territorial waters of southern Ukraine. The police officials gathered to bid the last farewell to policeman Dmytro Kyrienko, who was shot dead during the recent shooting incident in Kharkiv Since Ukraine gained independence in 1991, over 1,100 law enforcers passed away while on duty. Serhiy Knyazev, the head of the National Police of Ukraine said that at a briefing where the officials came to pay tribute to Dmytro Kyrienko. He was the policeman shot dead during the recent shooting incident in Kharkiv on August 20. 'Over the years of independence, 1,108 law enforcers deceased, protecting rights and freedoms of citizens - so that the streets are peaceful, so that children can play safely, so that the society understands that the law enforcement system is the only reliable and irreplaceable authority, which provides the civil order and protects the constitutional order of the state. Quite regrettably, the daily struggle with crime leads to fatalities among the law enforcers', he said. Those present at the briefing held a moment of silence for the deceased policeman Dmytro Kyrienko. He was wounded to the side of his body, among the plates of the body vest, where the armor is the weakest. Kyrienko's colleagues managed to neutralize the shooter, later adding that the attacker was drunk. The police have been looking into the incident, during which the armed man opened fire not far from Kharkiv city council's building on early Monday. Only those citizens of Ukraine who regularly live at the proper territory and have the registration of the permanent place of residence at the territory of a proper village, town or city have the right to participate in the election The Supreme Court of Ukraine decided that the internally displaced persons (IDPs) have no right to vote at the local elections as the press service of the court reported. Only those citizens of Ukraine who regularly live at the proper territory and have the registration of the permanent place of residence at the territory of a proper village, town or city have the right to participate in the election. The court made such statement after the consideration of the cassation appeal in which the claimant-internally displaced person asked to recognize the decision of the holder of State register of the voters to refuse the satisfaction of the application on the change of the election address in the register as illegal and asked to oblige the defendant to enter such data according to the information about the location of the claimant as IDP. It is noted that the claimant appealed to the defendant with the application to include him in the list of the voters at the local elections and got the refusal based on the fact that the claimant did not provide the documents that confirm his belonging to the local territorial community, the certificate on the registration of the IDP was not taken into account during the consideration of this issue. The Supreme Court agreed with the position of the holder of State register of the voters as only those citizens of Ukraine who belong to the proper territorial community and living within the proper electoral district have the right of the vote at the elections of the MPs of the city councils, elections of the city mayor. The electoral address of the voter is defined according to the registered place of the resident and address of the living of the voter according to the law On freedom of the movement and free choosing of the place for living in Ukraine. At the same time, the place of the registration should not be temporary. Thus, according to law On provision of the rights and freedoms of the internally displaced persons, the certificate on the registration of the IDP proves his place of the resident only for some period of time, so it is not permanent but a temporary place of living. The court decided that such registration cannot become the ground for the provision of the right for the participation in the local elections at this territory. Related video: Today, on August 22, Ukraines Internal Ministry switches to heavy security regime due to the coming celebrations Open source 30,000 law enforcers will protect public order in Ukraine on National Flag and Independence Day, as Arsen Avakov, Ukraines Internal Minister, stated, 112 Ukraine reports. We have more than 30,000 (officers,- ed.) of the National Guard, police and SBU throughout the country, he explained. Earlier, it was reported that since August 22, Ukraines Internal Ministry switches to heavy security regime due to the coming celebrations. Around a thousand events dedicated to the National Flag Day and Independence Day will take place in Ukraine with 700,000 participants, as expected. Moreover, the security of the state border and demarcation line in Joint Forces Operation in Donbas will be enhanced. Earlier it was reported that 4,500 soldiers and 250 units of equipment will participate in the military parade in Kyiv dedicated to the 27th anniversary of Ukraines independence. Related video: Earlier, it was reported that six people were suspected of attacking the Administrator of the Executive Committee of the Kherson City Council The court released Mykola Novikov, the suspect of attacking Kateryna Handziuk, Administrator of the Executive Committee of the Kherson City Council, as 112 Ukraine correspondent reported from the courtroom. The court had a session when the appeals concerning Mykola Novikov, suspected of attacking Kateryna Handziuk, had to be considered. The court acquitted and released him, the message says. It was noted that due to the absence of evidence Novikov did not show up at the hearing. His lawyer was present, he withdrew this appeal because the Prosecutors Office ordered to close the criminal proceeding. As we reported earlier, Kateryna Handziuk, Adviser of Kherson's Mayor was attacked near her place. The attacker soaked her with acid. the woman was hospitalized. 30 percent of her body was burned: head, arms, legs, chest and left eye. It was stated that the doctors of the burn department of the Kyiv hospital where Kateryna was delivered to, claimed that she is in a stable serious condition. Related: Attack on Handziuk: Five suspects considered The attack on the employee of the City Council of Kherson was reclassified from "Hooliganism" to "Serious physical injuries committed with the aim of intimidation", and after a while - on "Attempted murder with a special cruelty." Yuriy Lutsenko took the case under his own control. Related: Second suspect of attack on Handziuk arrested for two months Related video: In his congratulation letter, Macron noted that France stands by Ukraine in searching of the sustainable resolution of the conflict, which takes place in Donbas Open source French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated his Ukrainian colleague Petro Poroshenko and Ukrainian citizens on the Independence Day. Reads the message of the press office of the Ukrainian Leader. President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron directed a congratulation letter to President Petro Poroshenko on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine. The President of France congratulated the Leader of Ukrainian State and all Ukrainian citizens on the anniversary of the independence and wished prosperity and peace, reads the message. Related: Ukraine's most spectacular military parade for the Independence Day In his letter, Macron noted that France stands by Ukraine in searching of the sustainable resolution of the conflict, which takes place in Donbas. Macron reaffirmed the commitment of France, as well as the EU, to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in its internationally recognized borders. He also noted that France would not admit the Crimean annexation by Russia, and thinks that the revision of force is contrary to international law. Related: 1,108 Ukrainian law enforcers deceased on duty over 27 years of independence, - Head of National Police The French President also stressed that Ukraine showed courage and perseverance by choosing the way of ambitious reforms, the first results of which should be welcomed. According to him, the full implementation of the Agreement on the Association with the EU should demonstrate the mood of Ukraine for the successful completion of this reform impulse. Related: 30,000 law enforcers to keep order in Ukraine on Independence Day You can rely on the support from the French side to help you with the realization of this demanding reform program and accompany Ukraine on the path of deepening its partnership with the European Union, Macron claimed. He wished that the friendship and trust links that unite Ukraine and France, grew stronger in the future. Noteworthy, the Independence Day of Ukraine is marked annually on August 24. A memorial to the police officers who died on duty was opened in Kyiv, as the press office of capitals police reported on Facebook. The senior leaders of Ukraines Internal Ministry and National Police were present at the opening. Today, the names all the police officers who remained loyal to themselves and to the nation are not just hard to hear. It is like a shot. We have to not only remember but also share the stories of our heroes, Arsen Avakov, Internal Minister, said. At the same time, Andry Kryshchenko, the Head of the Police, stated that the memorial would remind about the police officers who had lost their lives in the name of honor and justice. The memorial will remind us that the job of a police officer is complicated and dangerous. That the police officer cannot just stop performing his/her duties. And we remember every police officer who lost life in the name of honor and justice, Kryshchenko noted. It was noted that 1,108 law enforcers died on duty over 27 years of Ukraines independence. Related video: Three sets of the laboratories will start their operation today on August 22 Minister of Defense Stepan Poltorak claimed that several self-propelled mobile laboratories of the veterinary and sanitary examination will check the quality of food supplied for the Armed Forces. The Minister claimed this on Facebook. Tremble all unscrupulous food suppliers in the Ukrainian army! From now, several self-propelled mobile laboratories of the veterinary and sanitary examination will systematically and without preliminary agreements check the supplies of the food in different dislocation points of Ukrainian servicemen, Poltorak said. Related: Soldiers of 18 countries to participate in Independence Day parade The Minister claimed that soon, two of those mobile laboratories would head to the JFO area to check the quality of the servicemen nutrition who are fulfilling military missions. According to him, the quality check takes from 45 minutes to 24 hours. The sets consist of two vehicles. Related: Ministry of Defense: Militants disrupt separation of forces The Ministry of Defense claims that three sets will start their operation on Wednesday, August 22. Reportedly, in March, the Cabinet of Ministers disseminated the nutrition norms of the Armed Forces servicemen and other military formations on contract servicemen of the National Guard. Editors Note: Shuchi Nijhawan, is VP of agriculture at Eka, a smart commodity management software company. Here she writes about the adoption of digital agriculture in the coffee industry, particularly in India. A cup of Joe in Milwaukee. A morning espresso in Milan. An artisanal third-wave blend in Mumbai. Coffee culture is globalized. The world is on a serious caffeine kick to the tune of 500 billion cups of coffee every year. This $100 billion industry is predicted to grow even more as coffee consumption increases in developing nations. The current forecast for world coffee production is 159.9 million bags (60 kilograms), with global consumption forecasted at a record 158.5 million bags. Coffee has become one of many commodities facing a significant increase in demand thanks to changing demographics and a rising middle class with disposable incomes and leisure time. The feathered froth on a cup of flat white has become an international symbol of affluence and aspiration. However, that growth trajectory has hit a major roadblock. Coffee supply faces a global crisis in the form of climate change, and the prognosis is bad in almost every coffee-growing region in the world. The climate challenge Coffee is the second most widely traded commodity in the world, right behind crude oil and its derivatives. It is grown in over 50 countries and consumed on every continent. Entire communities depend on coffee for their survival, with small farmers fighting to stay alive while facing growing environmental challenges. A long-term increase in the amount of extreme or unseasonal rainfall has led to lower crop yields, while higher temperatures, longer droughts, and more resilient pests have already reduced coffee supplies in recent years. The coffee berry borer, for example, has a much bigger habitat from which to wreak havoc on coffee crops, while the devastating coffee rust fungus can now spread to the cooler mountain areas that have previously been beyond its reach. In contrast, the coffee beans they attack have less and less land available in which to thrive. Several studies have predicted that the amount of suitable farmland for coffee growing will halve by 2050. In Ethiopia currently, the worlds sixth largest producer 60% of coffee production will be gone by 2050. An ecological model of Latin America suggests that the habitat for coffee could shrink by as much as 88%, with particularly large losses in the lowlands of Nicaragua, Honduras, and Venezuela. And coffee is not exempt from the problems associated with diminishing bee populations. A report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences predicts that up to 51% of all coffee-growing areas will have fewer bee species by 2050, which will dent yields further. To minimize the loss of these essential pollinators, the researchers suggest that growers minimize the use of pesticides and maintain the diversity of native plants to support the bee populations that remain. These biological solutions are clearly an important part of the picture. But coffee growers will also need other innovative ways to produce more coffee using less arable land, less water, and fewer resources. This was the conclusion of the Coffee Board of India, where coffee production declined by nearly 30% between 2002 and 2013 as demand increased. The Board has applied the latest thinking in technology and digital thinking to the age-old problem of optimizing crop yields and the more recent challenges associated with sustainability and productivity. Mobile, cloud, and AI The Boards approach is an example of how smartphones, cloud solutions, and artificial intelligence are being used to help growers develop effective strategies against the ravages of climate change and the associated challenges. Its an important development for the Boards members. Where the industrial internet of things has garnered the lions share of attention from commentators, analysts, and users, the Board is adopting an approach, powered by Ekas Digital Agriculture Platform, that embraces all aspects of digital agriculture to improve the quality and quantity of coffee members can produce. A hyper-local weather forecast app gives coffee farmers an early-warning weather system, so they can better prepare for drought or flood conditions in their area. With predictions covering the upcoming 15 days supplemented by daily forecast updates giving an efficient prediction of rainfall, farmers can manage their irrigation systems effectively and even plan planting and fertilizer use. Using a disease identification app with machine-learning algorithms, farmers can evaluate crops for pests and disease. The farmer can simply upload a photo of a plant that is causing him concern, and the app analyses the image to identify evidence of disease or pests with an overall accuracy of over 90%. It gives farmers immediate information on what pests they are dealing with so they can quickly eliminate the problem before it causes any further loss of crops. Farmers can also use mobile apps to analyze weather data in conjunction with historical disease occurrence, to predict the likelihood of a disease outbreak for specific crops. Using the app, the farming community can determine which areas are more susceptible to a specific disease and its impact on the next harvest. They can identify which weather conditions favor which diseases, and the pest management programs to purchase as a result. Finally, the Coffee Board of India is taking advantage of one of the decades most talked-about technologies: blockchain. A marketplace app designed to drive automation, trust and accuracy into the supply chain, the blockchain enhances the visibility of the countrys coffee markets. It helps farmers find the most profitable trading partnerships and develop better buyer networks. For smaller farmers in particular, this ability to directly access buyers in the ecosystem without an agent represents a potentially huge income boost. This is just one example of how innovative technology is being used to address the challenges facing the worlds coffee markets. Farmers have found other creative ways to improve yields, including challenging historical practices. For a long time, farmers would remove trees to plant more coffee and maximize yields. Today, however, many farmers are leaving taller trees to increase the diversity of wildlife in the coffee farms. Leaving these trees reduces pest damage because more animals are consuming the pests that would normally be eating the coffee. This also fertilizes the forest floor naturally, reducing chemical usage. In fact, one study in Jamaica found that insect-eating birds benefitted coffee farmers $125 per acre in pest control a year, making it a great outcome for the farmer and the end consumer. Irrigation systems are also essential to increase yield while facing water scarcity. Small farmers in remote areas can grow more coffee with less water by using practices like drip irrigation. Using drip irrigation, farmers target the specific root zone of plants for watering rather than applying water across the crop. Using this targeted approach, they apply less water and eliminate waste through runoff and evaporation. These farmers can produce more consistent and better quality coffee using less water. Innovative technology also extends into retail markets to fuel growth for coffee shops. Starbucks has introduced an alert system that sends alerts to consumers when they walk in and lets them know about specials, discounts or coupons. Smart kettles and app-assisted manual brewers allow coffee shops to track multiple brew devices, aggregate brew data and provide more consistency to their customers. Technology is driving the entire coffee value chain Technology is transforming coffee farming in a targeted way that meets the reality of daily life for the worlds commodity growers. This is technology that arms farmers with information that is necessary to face down the ravages of nature, without aggravating the problem still further in the future. That is great news for growers and for their bleary-eyed customers around the world. A hybrid form of yoga that combines traditional yoga postures with modern yoga moves and a silk hammock. Pre-registration required. Please note: Aerial Yoga at the Yoga Art Space studio requires pre-registration through our website at www.YogaArtSpace.com/calendar. If no one registers for a class, the class may be cancelled between 6-12 hours prior to the class start time. Though this event is shown as a regular, weekly class each week on the Alabi calendar, there are occasionally times when the class will be cancelled in advance such as for certain holidays. All updates and cancellations are on the studio calendar at www.YogaArtSpace.com/calendar. What is Aerial yoga? Aerial Yoga is a hybrid form of yoga that combines traditional yoga postures infused with modern yoga moves and an silk fabric hammock. Do I need Previous Yoga Experience? No previous yoga experience is not necessary to enjoy an Aerial yoga class. In fact it can be easier than normal yoga! The silk hammock acts like a support whenever you require it, almost like having your own personal yoga teacher giving you assistance throughout the entire yoga class! Another advantage of having the support of the hammock is that 90% of students are able to complete more challenging poses, such as handstands! Can Everybody do Aerial Yoga? Yes and no. Students who have had a previous injury can find Aerial yoga much easier to participate in then normal yoga. This is due to the the weight being evenly distributed between your body, the hammock and the earth. People who suffer any of following contraindications are advised NOT to participate in an Aerial yoga class: if you have had recent surgery of any sort, if you suffer glaucoma, if you are pregnant, if you suffer a heart condition (including very high or low blow pressure), if you get vertigo, if you have had a recent stroke or a hernia, if you have osteoporosis or any bone weakness, if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, or if you have had botox in the last six hours. What Should I Wear? All jewellery items must be removed before participating, a t-shirt must be worn to cover the armpit area and leggings are advised to avoid the silk rubbing on the skin and creating irritation. Please have clean feet or, alternatively, bring a pair of socks with you. Marjorie Childress Cha-Chingheres my vote! An idea to bring about a small amount of campaign reform to city elections has taken up the attention of both the Bernalillo County Commission and the Albuquerque City Council at their recent meetings. Dollars and Democracy Democracy Dollars, or Burque Bucks, as some advocates are calling the program, garnered about 28,000 signatures during a July city-wide public petition drive, of which 19,693 were certified by the city clerk. This is just over the 19,480 signatures needed to place a citizen-driven ballot question in front of voters during the next election period. The twist here is that the next election ballot is under the control of Bernalillo county. To get a city question on this years ballot it must go through the County Commission for approval. If this was an odd numbered year, like next year when there will be a regular city election, this issue would be on the municipal ballot and the county wouldnt be involved in its production. The proposal says that registered city voters would get a $25 voter voucher to contribute to any publicly financed municipal candidate of that voters choice. These candidates could then redeem the coupons with the City Clerk to get additional campaign funds. The vouchers are not for candidates that choose to raise their own unlimited amount of money. The additional funds to implement this will come from an already existing election type fund. This would only apply to Albuquerque candidates; not county or state level aspiring politicos. If voters give it the thumbs up, the amendment also directs the City Council to provide ways and means for all the details such as the issuance, assignment and redemption of said D-dollars. Currently, the citys charter provides that qualified publicly financed candidates are eligible only for an initial amount to cover basic campaign costs. This is about $1 per voter or about $30,000 to $40,000 for City Council candidates and $380,000 for those vying for the mayors hat. In addition, this charter amendment would raise the amount of financing mayoral candidates receive to $1.75 per voter to help offset the real costs in that bigger race. The proposed amendment also changes the election dates for municipal elections from the first Tuesday of October to the first Tuesday in November in odd numbered years. Local organizers and supporters say the new rules will encourage more diverse city residents to participate in local elections by allowing regular people to give money to their chosen candidates. They also say this is a small but necessary campaign reform step because of the big dollars that get injected into the privately financed candidates coffers, while the publicly financed candidates have a set amount with which to do political battle. This, they say, will help even out the uneven field, a little bit. The Latest Details The County Commission met last week to take what supporters thought was going to be a slam dunk vote to put the Democracy Dollars measure on the Nov. 6 ballot. But surprisingly, the Commission voted down the ballot request on a 3 to 2 vote. Democrat Commissioner Steven Quezada joined Republican Lonnie Talbot and James Smith to vote against it. Democrat Commissioners Maggie Hart Stebbins and Debbie OMalley supported it. Quezada said he had too many questions, such as what the City Councils role would be, since the measure impacts its jurisdiction and not the countys. The no votes all said they had concerns over the many unanswered questions about how the city would administer the program. At its regular Aug. 20 meeting, the City Council accepted city clerks certification of the Democracy Dollar signatures without any discussion, as part of its consent agenda. There is no debate required as to whether or not the Council wants to accept a citizen driven ballot initiative question: If citizens get the required number of signatures and they are accepted by the city clerk, then the proposal should go to ballot in a timely matter. The Council role is to simply accept the clerks report. Now that such procedural business has taken place, it may sway the nay-saying commissioners to reverse their votes at Tuesdays meeting. Other Western Cities Seattle has had its version of voter vouchers in place since 2015. Qualified voters get a total of $100 worth of political coupons. Seattles program is funded through a 10-year property tax. Many consider the program to be a success and say it has boosted participation on both sides of the elections, by younger and regular income voters. But the voucher program faces charges of corruption and a lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court, who upheld the legality of Seattles voucher program saying it did not violate free speech, while also correcting imbalances in the program. Austin, Texas, voters will get their chance to vote on getting their own version of Democracy Dollars in their municipal campaigns. Those voters will soon be askedin November of courseif they want to spend about $1.5 million to provide $100 million worth of $50 dollar increment vouchers to each of Austins voters. Campaign finance is a key issue for many states who are looking for ways to rein in campaign finance disparities. South Dakota and Washington state have passed their own versions of democracy dollars. But the South Dakota Republican state Legislature did not like the idea and repealed it altogether: who needs all those pesky candidates from among the people using public money to participate?, they seemed to ask with their rejection of the plan. Play It Again The down vote by the County Commission did not sit well with a lot of folks. They made enough noise that the commission to agreed to revisit the ballot request at a special meeting set for Tuesday, Aug. 21. This meeting is just in time to beat the secretary of states Aug. 28 deadline for the countys ballot submission. If the Commission upholds its negative decision, then the city may have to hold special election in a timely matter for voters to get a chance to weigh in, or figure out how to wait a year before advancing the petitions outcome. Stay Tuned To This Channel It is a bit frustrating that this second vote by the County Commission will take place just as we go to press. At every coffee shop in town, people reading Weekly Alibi will be wondering, What happened next? Fear not, we will have an update on our website. Head over to alibi.com, post meeting, to find out if the County Commission will allow city voters decide if they want to participate in a voter voucher campaign finance reform measure. By Park Hyong-ki NongHyup (NH) Bank said Wednesday it has acquired SAMIC, a Cambodian microfinance institution. Through the acquisition, which was approved by the National Bank of Cambodia and the Ministry of Commerce last Friday, NH Bank will launch its Cambodian microfinance unit "NH Finance Cambodia" on September 11. SAMIC is considered a "bank for farm villages." Lee Dae-hoon, NH Bank CEO President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has received Minister of Energy Magzum Mirzagaliyev, the president's press service said on Friday. During the meeting, the Head of State pointed to the importance of avoiding the current situation in the internal market of fuel and lubricants and criticized the work of the Ministry responsible for the sharp decline in fuel reserves in the country. The President stressed the importance of sustainable supply of electricity to the industry and people as well as creating additional generating capacity. The energy minister reported on the immediate measures adopted to address the shortage. So, the repair works at the Atyrau oil refinery have been postponed to 2022. In addition, the talks with the Energy Ministry of Russia took place which resulted in the import of around 1550 thousand tons of diesel fuel from the neighboring country. According to Mirzagaliyev, the situation is getting more stable. The energy minister also presented Tokayev the forecast balance in development of electricity sector of Kazakhstan until 2035. It is expected that consumption of electricity will rise each year, therefore it is planned to step up electricity generation through renewable energy resources as well as gas and hydro power stations. In addition, the Kazakh Head of State was familiarized with the measures to control the field of digital mining against the subjects without registration. The minister said that so-called shadow miners consume around up to 1,200MW of electricity and the work on their detection is ongoing. The President instructed the Government to step up the work, attracting other competent bodies if necessary. Tokayev also instructed to ensure fast legal regulation of mining, stressing that so-called white miners carry on with their activity without additional restrictions. The President 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. The Kazakh head of state noted that this holy day for all Muslims calls for the peace, harmony and mutual understanding, as well as outlined that Islam is the religion of kindness, creation and harmony. Eid al-Adha, which is a symbol of high spiritual values, encourages people to mutual help and tenderness. During this day people convey kind wishes, do kind deeds. In Kazakhstan, where representatives of many confessions and ethnic groups live, Eid al-Adha greatly contributes to the strengthening of our spiritual unity, solidarity and mutual respect between persons of different ethnic backgrounds and religious faiths. I wish each Kazakhstani family happiness, peace and well-being! Let prays to God fill hearts of believers with kind thoughts and warmth! Congratulate everyone on Eid al-Adha!" the Kazakh head of state underlined. 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User ID: 304401 08-22-2018 12:10 PM Posts: 7,029 Post: #16 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election Advertisement Maybe they can enact tough measures and give some of these Muslims a once in an afterlife time meeting with Allah! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 457936 08-22-2018 12:18 PM Post: #17 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election LoP Guest Wrote: (08-22-2018 12:08 PM) liberals are suicidal and they want to take the entire world with them and they want to be raped before they go Nope. they import criminals into your community then tax you for it. But they hide and never see the brutality Nope. they import criminals into your community then tax you for it.But they hide and never see the brutality 269346 The Grinch Who Stole LOPmas! User ID: 391289 08-22-2018 12:31 PM Posts: 7,029 Post: #18 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election LoP Guest Wrote: (08-22-2018 12:18 PM) = Nope. they import criminals into your community then tax you for it. But they hide and never see the brutality Yep, like in Michael Moore's town in Michigan that's 99% white. Yep, like in Michael Moore's town in Michigan that's 99% white. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 457788 08-22-2018 01:46 PM Post: #19 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/j...ambassador Saudi Arabia boosting extremism in Europe, says former ambassador LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 457743 08-22-2018 02:40 PM Post: #20 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election The Obamanation Wrote: (08-22-2018 12:03 PM) http://lunaticoutpost.com/thread-53409.html It's only a matter of time before Sweden gets in line behind the exit train. The EU is going to collapse. It shot itself in the foot with this refugee crisis. and all just to shore up the hole in the German labour market... I guess that comes from being the financial backstop of the EU... what a mess... As for the moves, they mostly started in 2010 where the Nordic/Baltic block moved to create it's own alliance, that has now moved into the form of an actual military alliance outside of EU and NATO oversight... and make sense the Swedish democrats have recently moved away from their alliance with UKIP to join with the UK Conservatives.. Even the latest RAF jet (the Tempest) is hoped to have Sweden as a partner in direct competition with the Franco-German project... Boeing wants in on the pact now they have lost out to Lockheed and the F35, which marries into Boeing aligning with the Swedes.. and even into the Airbus threat to pull out of the UK.... Some interesting stuff shaping up and all just to shore up the hole in the German labour market... I guess that comes from being the financial backstop of the EU... what a mess...As for the moves, they mostly started in 2010 where the Nordic/Baltic block moved to create it's own alliance, that has now moved into the form of an actual military alliance outside of EU and NATO oversight...and make sense the Swedish democrats have recently moved away from their alliance with UKIP to join with the UK Conservatives..Even the latest RAF jet (the Tempest) is hoped to have Sweden as a partner in direct competition with the Franco-German project... Boeing wants in on the pact now they have lost out to Lockheed and the F35, which marries into Boeing aligning with the Swedes..and even into the Airbus threat to pull out of the UK....Some interesting stuff shaping up LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 457743 08-22-2018 02:46 PM Post: #21 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election LoP Guest Wrote: (08-22-2018 12:08 PM) liberals are suicidal and they want to take the entire world with them and they want to be raped before they go neoliberals, but not liberals.. Maggie Thatcher, Blair and Macron are NeoLiberals, but not really liberals.. and for what it is worth, most of the positive stuff has been delivered by dyed in the wool socialists or conservatives, outside of neoliberalism the actual liberals have not really had a hand to play in Western Policies since the First World War.... neoliberals, but not liberals.. Maggie Thatcher, Blair and Macron are NeoLiberals, but not really liberals.. and for what it is worth, most of the positive stuff has been delivered by dyed in the wool socialists or conservatives, outside of neoliberalism the actual liberals have not really had a hand to play in Western Policies since the First World War.... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 455021 08-22-2018 02:58 PM Post: #22 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election The Trump train rolls on. Choo choo m*therfucking murdering rapist illegal imigants. Pinguu Registered User User ID: 455845 08-22-2018 03:08 PM Posts: 6,198 Post: #23 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election The Rise of the Centre Right and anti immigration parties is a very Beautiful thing.. IF AT FIRST YOU DONT SUCCEED...CLAIM YOU ARE OPPRESSED.. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 457743 08-22-2018 03:22 PM Post: #24 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election Pinguu Wrote: (08-22-2018 03:08 PM) The Rise of the Centre Right and anti immigration parties is a very Beautiful thing.. It's not the rise of the right though it is, it's far more than that... look at Crobyn in the UK, Melenchon in France, or 5Star in Italy, it's left and right kicking back.... we get so locked into this fake Americanised liberal vs conservative discussion that it fails to point out the very obvious, how many can actually name a liberal party in power in Europe or the USA in the last 20 years, or what policies those liberals have delivered, aside from Nick Clegg ;) and increasing student fees is probably not something some want to be reminded of, and indeed it was the Conservatives that delivered the right of same sex couples to be as miserable as heterosexual ones.. Indeed, if you think about Italy the left and right seem to find more in common with each other than they do with the EU.. and the last time we saw anything like this was in the run up to the second world war... It's not the rise of the right though it is, it's far more than that... look at Crobyn in the UK, Melenchon in France, or 5Star in Italy, it's left and right kicking back....we get so locked into this fake Americanised liberal vs conservative discussion that it fails to point out the very obvious, how many can actually name a liberal party in power in Europe or the USA in the last 20 years, or what policies those liberals have delivered, aside from Nick Clegg ;) and increasing student fees is probably not something some want to be reminded of, and indeed it was the Conservatives that delivered the right of same sex couples to be as miserable as heterosexual ones..Indeed, if you think about Italy the left and right seem to find more in common with each other than they do with the EU.. and the last time we saw anything like this was in the run up to the second world war... Archangel Michael User ID: 441975 08-22-2018 03:26 PM Posts: 14,103 Post: #25 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election Most have had enough of the Kalergi White Genocide plan for the world. Muslims MUST be sent back to from whence they came. They're not in our lands for safety, they're there to replace us. We will not be replaced, nor shall we stand for having our countries destroyed, and we shall remember who foisted this upon us. 269346 The Grinch Who Stole LOPmas! User ID: 450410 08-22-2018 07:00 PM Posts: 7,029 Post: #26 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election Archangel Wrote: (08-22-2018 03:26 PM) Most have had enough of the Kalergi White Genocide plan for the world. Muslims MUST be sent back to from whence they came. They're not in our lands for safety, they're there to replace us. We will not be replaced, nor shall we stand for having our countries destroyed, and we shall remember who foisted this upon us. I thought you were LOP's resident Islamic cocksucker? What changed? I thought you were LOP's resident Islamic cocksucker? What changed? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 457936 08-22-2018 07:16 PM Post: #27 RE: Sweden Democrats to win Swedish election Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 4 Vote(s) - 3 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 449002 08-22-2018 02:48 PM Post: #1 MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal Advertisement On Tuesday MSNBC guest and Fordham University professor Christina Greer dismissed the murder of university student Mollie Tibbetts as some girl in Iowa that FOX News is talking about. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/08...der-video/ MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Talking About Following News of Her MurderOn Tuesday MSNBC guest and Fordham University professor Christina Greer dismissed the murder of university student Mollie Tibbetts as some girl in Iowa that FOX News is talking about. GrimShaw Asinus Asinum Fricat User ID: 447734 08-22-2018 02:53 PM Posts: 32,505 Post: #2 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal Aww damn she missed an adjective. Damn her to hell! I claim moral superiority! But I am NOT virtue signaling!!! Rayne Registered User User ID: 454493 08-22-2018 02:56 PM Posts: 1,914 Post: #3 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal They did use poor Mollie to deflect from yesterdays big happenings. Most of trump's base has no clue what went on yesterday. Faux nooze ran like a few short minute segments on it. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 391619 08-22-2018 03:02 PM Post: #4 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal This girl's family will never hold this girl again because she was ripped from their arm's by an illegal alien and the Left now doesn't think of it being a big deal . LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442553 08-22-2018 03:06 PM Post: #5 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal Rayne Wrote: (08-22-2018 02:56 PM) They did use poor Mollie to deflect from yesterdays big happenings. Most of trump's base has no clue what went on yesterday. Faux nooze ran like a few short minute segments on it. What a bigoted thing to say about Mollie! What goes around, comes around, and this idiot professor had better be prepared for the hand of God to strike her one day. Furthermore, both the Cohen and Manafort stories are non-issues for this President. They relate only to these two defendants. What a bigoted thing to say about Mollie! What goes around, comes around, and this idiot professor had better be prepared for the hand of God to strike her one day. Furthermore, both the Cohen and Manafort stories are non-issues for this President. They relate only to these two defendants. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 444577 08-22-2018 03:25 PM Post: #6 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal I heard idiot Juan Williams say that POTUS will 'politicize' this to 'stir up' his base. The left are scared to death because they know this horrific tragedy will touch the hearts of many. And if this man hadn't been here to begin with, that Mollie would still be alive. My heartfelt prayers for the family. We know that God is with the brokenhearted.... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441607 08-22-2018 04:11 PM Post: #7 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal So, I see this is what the Kremlin told you to push as a distraction from the news of Paul Manafort being sent to jail and Cohen flipping. Whip up that fear and hatred, comrades! Putin wants to see at least three threads about this for every one about Trump or you'll get no vodka allowance! Archangel Michael User ID: 441975 08-22-2018 04:16 PM Posts: 14,103 Post: #8 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal LoP Guest Wrote: (08-22-2018 04:11 PM) So, I see this is what the Kremlin told you to push as a distraction from the news of Paul Manafort being sent to jail and Cohen flipping. Whip up that fear and hatred, comrades! Putin wants to see at least three threads about this for every one about Trump or you'll get no vodka allowance! Now that was a dumb post. Now that was a dumb post. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441607 08-22-2018 04:19 PM Post: #9 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal Archangel Wrote: (08-22-2018 04:16 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (08-22-2018 04:11 PM) So, I see this is what the Kremlin told you to push as a distraction from the news of Paul Manafort being sent to jail and Cohen flipping. Whip up that fear and hatred, comrades! Putin wants to see at least three threads about this for every one about Trump or you'll get no vodka allowance! Now that was a dumb post. Awww. Are you mad because you didn't get enough borscht? Awww. Are you mad because you didn't get enough borscht? Rayne Registered User User ID: 454493 08-22-2018 04:32 PM Posts: 1,914 Post: #10 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal LoP Guest Wrote: (08-22-2018 04:11 PM) So, I see this is what the Kremlin told you to push as a distraction from the news of Paul Manafort being sent to jail and Cohen flipping. Whip up that fear and hatred, comrades! Putin wants to see at least three threads about this for every one about Trump or you'll get no vodka allowance! We are supposed to now believe that the alt right here on LOP are all concerned about women's safety. How many women bashing threads & posts have to be deleted daily? I would even go as far to say that 99% of the female posters have at one time been stalked, intimated or threatened while posting here...particularly the liberal females. And now...they are in deep mourning for "Mollie" (may she rest in peace). Nobody is falling for it. We are supposed to now believe that the alt right here on LOP are all concerned about women's safety. How many women bashing threads & posts have to be deleted daily?I would even go as far to say that 99% of the female posters have at one time been stalked, intimated or threatened while posting here...particularly the liberal females.And now...they are in deep mourning for "Mollie" (may she rest in peace).Nobody is falling for it. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 452114 08-22-2018 04:37 PM Post: #11 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal Liberal assholes you have blood on their hands. You people that protect these invaders make me sick. I'm embarrassed your live in the united states. TimeZoned Banned User ID: 448218 08-22-2018 04:45 PM Posts: 691 Post: #12 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal Rayne Wrote: (08-22-2018 04:32 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (08-22-2018 04:11 PM) So, I see this is what the Kremlin told you to push as a distraction from the news of Paul Manafort being sent to jail and Cohen flipping. Whip up that fear and hatred, comrades! Putin wants to see at least three threads about this for every one about Trump or you'll get no vodka allowance! We are supposed to now believe that the alt right here on LOP are all concerned about women's safety. How many women bashing threads & posts have to be deleted daily? I would even go as far to say that 99% of the female posters have at one time been stalked, intimated or threatened while posting here...particularly the liberal females. And now...they are in deep mourning for "Mollie" (may she rest in peace). Nobody is falling for it. IT's not the Alt right here at lop its just the not brainwashed people who think "diversity is strength" when its not real diversity actually because you people want everyone to think exactly the same or else face threats of hate speech. And we do care that people from the outside come in to commit crimes and it is overlooked as nothing really much. " Nothing to see and anyway its all the white males fault anyway" even when its not. The hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me. IT's not the Alt right here at lop its just the not brainwashed people who think "diversity is strength" when its not real diversity actually because you people want everyone to think exactly the same or else face threats of hate speech.And we do care that people from the outside come in to commit crimes and it is overlooked as nothing really much. "Nothing to see and anyway its all the white males fault anyway" even when its not.The hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me. (This post was last modified: 08-22-2018 04:49 PM by TimeZoned .) LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 453797 08-22-2018 05:08 PM Post: #13 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal LoP Guest Wrote: (08-22-2018 04:37 PM) Liberal assholes you have blood on their hands. You people that protect these invaders make me sick. I'm embarrassed your live in the united states. Missing a comma. You people WHO. You, not your. United States is capitalized. Try again, Arkady. Missing a comma. You people WHO. You, not your. United States is capitalized.Try again, Arkady. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 453797 08-22-2018 05:09 PM Post: #14 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal TimeZoned Wrote: (08-22-2018 04:45 PM) Rayne Wrote: (08-22-2018 04:32 PM) We are supposed to now believe that the alt right here on LOP are all concerned about women's safety. How many women bashing threads & posts have to be deleted daily? I would even go as far to say that 99% of the female posters have at one time been stalked, intimated or threatened while posting here...particularly the liberal females. And now...they are in deep mourning for "Mollie" (may she rest in peace). Nobody is falling for it. IT's not the Alt right here at lop its just the not brainwashed people who think "diversity is strength" when its not real diversity actually because you people want everyone to think exactly the same or else face threats of hate speech. And we do care that people from the outside come in to commit crimes and it is overlooked as nothing really much. " Nothing to see and anyway its all the white males fault anyway" even when its not. The hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me. OMG! Threats of hate speech! How terrifying for you! Better run to your safe space. OMG! Threats of hate speech! How terrifying for you! Better run to your safe space. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 438665 08-22-2018 05:20 PM Post: #15 RE: MSNBC Guest Dismisses Mollie Tibbetts as Some Girl in Iowa who FOX News is Tal Sickens me to see these brown globalist cheering on the rape and murder of Americans. Advertisement Rooftop solar projects have the potential to reduce electricity cost in the Philippines to P2.50 per kilowatt-hour, according to a report published by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analytics. It said rooftop solar projects could also bring around $28 billion or P1.5 trillion worth of new investments in the country by 2030. The report titled Unlocking Rooftop Solar in the Philippines said the Philippines had one of the most expensive electricity rates in Southeast Asia. It said a modernized policy could drive the uptake of solar through programs that would ensure power supply and cut prices. The government is in a position to change the longstanding status quo, which disproportionately puts fuel-price and foreign-exchange risk on consumers, while utilities and power generators remain insulated from market changes, said Sara Jane Ahmed, IEEFA energy finance analyst and author of the report. As a result, power suppliers have no incentive to transition away from coal and diesel or to hedge against price-change and currency risks, Ahmed said. The report said the Philippines could start following global trends toward power sector modernization, energy efficiency and distributed storage. Ahmed said every kilowatt of installed rooftop solar would mean a reduction in the need for imported coal and diesel power.She said this could save the Philippines up to $2.2 billion annually in its current account deficit and $200 million per year in diesel subsidies. The Board of Investments already approved eight solar projects through Solar Philippines Commercial Rooftop Projects Inc. worth P85.96 billion, or $1.65 billion. Solar, wind, run-of-river hydro, geothermal, biogas and storage are competitive, viable domestic options that can be combined to create a cheaper, more diverse and secure energy system, the report said. Rooftop solar costs P2.50 per kWh (without financing expenses) to 5.3 per kWh (with financing expenses). Utility-scale solar power costs P2.99 per kWh; wind, P3.5 per kWh; geothermal P3.5 to P4.5 per kWh; and run-of-river hydro, P3 to P6.2 per kWh. Development of all of these more affordable options is still hampered by costly and unnecessary red tape. The Philippine government can help break this logjam by adopting policies that inject more diversityand more energy securityinto the electricity system while helping lower consumer costs by enabling the uptake of cheaper, cleaner options such as rooftop solar, Ahmed said. Negros Oriental province vowed to continue to promote clean energy as more companies put up renewable energy projects in the province. Negros Oriental Governor Roel Ragay Degamo said during the State of Nature Assessment organized by non-profit environmental group Green Convergence in partnership with the Forest Foundation of the Philippines and Energy Development Corp. that more hydropower plants were expected to be put up in the province. Degamo said three separate hydro facilities would be put up in the municipality of Amlan with a total capacity of 5.5 megawatts, with the target testing and commissioning date of the first two in December 2020 and the final one in December 2025. Degamo described himself as an advocate of clean, renewable energy and a humble representative of the peace-loving and nature-loving people of Negros Oriental.Degamo reiterated his provinces stance against fossil fuel in power generation, with the issuance of Executive Order No. 9 in March mandating the use of clean and renewable energy in all 19 municipalities and six cities of Negros Oriental. This means that our local government will no longer issue any permit, authorization or endorsements that support development and operation of coal-fired and fossil-fuel power plants, he said. The province is committed not to use coal as an energy source because of its impact on the environment, on health and global climate, he said. The Indian government is likely to turn down assistance from any foreign country including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with its proposed $100 million aid for flood-ravaged Kerala state. Reports in India have alleged that the central government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not inclined to welcome aid from foreign countries as it strives to repair damage and rescue over one million people left without shelter following the floods that hit the southern state of Kerala. Close to 400 people have lost their lives in the days-long torrential rains. The central government is of the stand that Kerala can take help from individuals abroad. But if any government is ready to help, we should not take it, a senior official from the finance ministry of Kerala was quoted as saying. The Government of India has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the challenge, he added. The UAE announced a $100 million assistance for the Indian government, but the aid is likely to be politely turned down. UAEs de factor ruler and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a telephone conversation with Modi over the humanitarian situation in the devastated state and reportedly proposed to offer the Indian government $100 million to help cope with the disaster. The Kerala state has estimated damages at over $2 billion. It will seek to borrow more than 100 billion rupees ($1.4 billion) to finance reconstruction work. Ambassador of Belarus A.Grinkevich meets Minister of Energy of Romania 22-08-2018 On August 21, 2018 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Romania, Andrei Grinkevich, met with the Minister of Energy of Romania, Anton Anton. During the meeting, A.Grinkevich presented export potential of the Belarusian manufacturers of energy equipment and materials, as well as of the engineering companies in the energy sector. Concrete joint steps towards expansion of bilateral cooperation in energy, including interaction in sphere of hydrocarbon resources and renewable energy were discussed, as well as implementation of projects for modernization of energy infrastructure in Romania and in the third countries with participation of the Belarusian and the Romanian companies. The parties noted bilateral opportunities for sharing of experiences in nuclear energy. print version Presidente @MartinVizcarraC entrega la obra de ampliacion y mejoramiento de los servicios de agua potable y alcantarillado del sector oeste de Sullana, la cual cuenta con una inversion aproximada de S/ 55 millones y beneficiara a mas de 16 mil ciudadanos de la localidad. pic.twitter.com/o1VOU3xXUH 10:56 | Lima, Aug. 22. Popolizio's remarks were made in a press conference with national and international media. The initiative has the support of four other South American nations: Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Paraguay. As the IACHR stated in its report , "for several years now, the Inter-American Commission has been observing the weakness of democratic institutions and the progressive deterioration of the human rights situation in Venezuela , both of which became more widespread and much more marked as of 2015 and, especially, in 2017." The diplomat reiterated the Andean nation's permanent solidarity with this situation, which "has been demonstrated," he underlined. Popolizio deplored xenophobic sentiments and explained that the recently adopted measures like the passport requirement for Venezuelans wishing to enter Peru seek to regularize the immigration process. Visas will be granted in exceptional cases, for example, to immigrant mothers with their children. "Everyone else will be required to show their passports , taking into account that 80% of Venezuelans present this document, and only 20% of them show their national ID cards a document that can be easily forged," he said. The official deems it necessary to address the Venezuelan immigration issue on a multilateral not bilateral basis. Therefore, he noted arrangements are being made with Colombian, Ecuadorian, and Brazilian authorities. According to the minister, in one or two weeks, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) will hold a meeting to discuss the migratory crisis in the Bolivarian country. No Venezuelan has been deported, he assured, and there are 85,000 asylum applications, of which 90% are denied. (END) CVC/RMB/MVB Foreign Affairs Minister Nestor Popolizio affirmed the Government of Peru will not close its doors to Venezuelan citizens leaving their country due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.Published: 8/22/2018 YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. On August 22, at 04:26, the emergency situations department of the Georgian ministry of internal affairs informed that a car accident occurred in one of the streets of Tbilisi as a result of which Armenian citizens have been injured, Armenias ministry of emergency situations told Armenpress. Two passengers have been hospitalized, and four others received respective medical care on the spot. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Ambassador to Ukraine Andranik Manukyan made a decision to suspend his diplomatic activity, reports Armenpress. The Ambassador posted a note on Facebook which says: Dear friends, there are still few days before the vacation ends. The time I have spent in a relative calm led me to make an important decision. I have decided to leave my diplomatic activity. This decision has come to me long ago. Let me reveal a little secret: in recent years I have applied to Yerevan several times with a request to relieve me from the position. Last time I have applied this year in May, but every time I was rejected and asked to continue my activity as an Armenian Ambassador to Ukraine. And its not even that I worked as an Armenian Ambassador to Ukraine two full times and passed all possible deadlines in this responsible position. The thing is that now the situation in Armenia is qualitatively different, and I sincerely believe that time has come to allow the youth to develop and grow. I hope this time I will receive a positive response. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus A.Dapkiunas participates in seminars in China 22-08-2018 On August 20 29, 2018 a group of Belarusian senior officials headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Andrei Dapkiunas, visits Beijing and Shanghai to participate in the seminars for senior officials to consider the economic development and modern reforms in China. The seminars are organized by the Ministry of Commerce of China. In Beijing, the group will discuss the issues of financial market regulation and China's modern financial system development in the Ministry of Finance of China. Belarusian officials will also learn about the Chinese social security system during the seminars in the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of China, as well as will get acquainted with the work of the largest Chinese corporations such as The China Tourism Group Corporation and Alibaba Group. The group will also visit Shanghai free trade zone to discover the experience of China in the investment field. In Shanghai Belarusian senior officials will learn about the sphere of urban planning and architecture in China. print version YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Paul Manafort, US President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman, has been found guilty on eight counts of financial crimes, CNN reports. But jurors were unable to reach a verdict on 10 charges, and Judge T.S. Ellis declared a mistrial on those counts. Manafort was found guilty of five tax fraud charges, one charge of hiding foreign bank accounts and two counts of bank fraud. He faces a maximum of 80 years in prison. Trump said the charges brought against Manafort have nothing to do with Russian collusion, adding that he considers Manafort good man and regrets for him. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Russian Federal Security Service border guards in Armenia apprehended 5 trespassers on the Armenian-Turkish border, the Russian Federal Security Service Border Guard department told Armenpress. The trespassers were citizens of Afghanistan who illegally crossed the Armenian-Turkish border. They all are members of one family and have travelled to the EU member states to search for better living conditions. The trespassers have been handed over to the Armenian law enforcement agencies aimed at clarifying the details of the incident. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan advises to ask the peoples opinion on the return of 2nd President Robert Kocharyan to politics, Armenpress reports. In response to the reporters question whether he is concerned over Kocharyans return to politics, the PM said: You are talking about scenarios which simply cannot take place. Ask people in the streets about their reaction to this issue. I am not the one who makes decisions, the decision-maker in this case are the people, and I think these questions should be asked to the people, he said. Asked whether he sees options that after his resignation for holding snap parliamentary elections the Republican Party will vote in favor of Kocharyan for the position of the PM, Pashinyan said: Frankly, I dont see an option. I have just wanted to show that it is necessary to assess the situation as it is in order to avoid additional difficulties. I think the Republican Party with its leadership continues assessing the situation not right. Asked what steps need to be taken in such situation, he said there is no need to take additional steps. Its just necessary to talk to people, present them the situation, help them to more really assess the situation, there is no need to take additional steps, the PM said. He informed that he will have meetings and discussions with the lawmakers so that they will have no additional concern. For us its very important that our citizens, including the MPs, perceive correctly the content of the domestic political life, he said. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Azimuth Airlines JSC and Armenia International Airports CJSC on August 21 signed an agreement at the Zvartnots International Airport, the Armenia International Airports CJSC told Armenpress. According to the agreement, starting from October 1, 2018 Azimuth Airlines will operate flights from Yerevan to Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar and Stavropol. The meeting was attended by the top officials of Azimuth Airlines JSC and Armenia International Airports CJSC. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian-Chinese friendship school opened in Yerevan on August 22, reports Armenpress. It has been constructed by the assistance of China. After the official opening ceremony of the school Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the teaching of Chinese will create great opportunities for the school children. The knowledge of Chinese opens an opportunity to access to large layer of the history of humanity and civilization and huge information. I hope that this school will become a channel through which the Armenian people will be more informed about the great influence China and the Chinese civilization had on the humanity development, the PM said. Teachers from China will be invited to the school for organizing the study process. Chinas Ambassador to Armenia Tian Erlong said the school is an evidence of the Armenian-Chinese good relations. Despite the distance between China and Armenia, both countries have ancient history and rich culture. The number of people learning Chinese in Armenia is over 1000, the Ambassador said. Armenias minister of education and science Arayik Harutyunyan said the names of children who will have an opportunity to study at this school will be announced soon. There are a lot of applicants, but the opportunities are limited. This curriculum is the same as that of our general school, I call on parents, if their kids were not accepted to this school, to send them to other schools with teaching of Chinese. If I am not mistaken, there are 6 similar schools at present, the minister said. The school is designed for 405 children. It is equipped with laboratories, language teaching classrooms, library, computer labs, dance room and cultural center. A museum of China will also operate in the school. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, 22 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 22 August, USD exchange rate is up by 0.14 drams to 482.90 drams. EUR exchange rate is up by 3.49 drams to 559.63 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is down by 0.03 drams to 7.14 drams. GBP exchange rate is up by 3.41 drams to 622.36 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price is up by 107.80 drams to 18490.21 drams. Silver price is up by 0.54 drams to 229.55 drams. Platinum price is up by 50.14 drams to 12342.85 drams. YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan received Deputy Director General and Director of the Eurasia Department of the Foreign Ministry of Israel Alexander Ben-Zvi. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Deputy PM, greeting the guest, Mher Grigoryan highlighted the continuous development of relations between the two states and referred to the main directions with great potential for bilateral cooperation. Alexander Ben-Zvi, thanking for the reception, introduced to the Deputy PM of Armenia the achievement of Israel in the spheres of economy, high technologies and agriculture and emphasized the readiness of Israel for exchange of experience in the mentioned spheres. The interlocutors highlighted the creation of favorable conditions for business, and particularly start-ups for the economic development of a country, outlining the future opportunities and prospects for Armenian-Israeli cooperation in this context. The Armenian Deputy PM and the Deputy Director General of Israels Foreign Ministry highlighted the necessity of establishing business ties between the two states. Translated and edited by Tigran Sirekanyan If you pride yourself on being able to pick something out from a crowd, this might just be the photo that completely stumps you. Wildlife photographer Ingo Gerlach captured this incredible shot of thousands of wildebeests grazing at sunrise in Kenyas Masai Mara national park. Can you spot the hidden zebra amongst all the wildebeest? Photo: Mega But all is not what it seems, with the photographer later discovering there was one sneaky zebra hidden amongst all the wildebeest, using the herd as a way to camouflage and protect itself from predators. The zebra blends in perfectly amongst all the animals, but are you able to spot it? Hint: look on the left side of the photo. The Luxembourg photographer claims he was transfixed by the sight, with the 65-year-old spending two hours watching the animals. Hes done a good job, but the zebras tell-tale stripes are a dead giveaway. Photo: Mega I did one shot after the other in high concentration, because this situation was unique for me, he said. Got a story tip? Send it to tips@yahoo7.com.au Want more celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle news? Follow Be on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram. Does Edson Sanchez feel guilty about the mob violence meted out by fellow Brazilians against fleeing Venezuelans a few days ago? "No regrets," he says, bluntly. "We did what we had to do." Like other neighboring countries around Venezuela, Brazil has opened its doors to people fleeing political unrest and extreme poverty, many of them officially designated as refugees. But last weekend, the people of the frontier town of Pacaraima said they'd had enough. Rampaging through tent camps, they set fire to the Venezuelans' meager shelters and belongings. Then, threatening worse, they forced 1,200 homeless people back over the remote border. Television footage of the scenes shocked many in Brazil, but locals say their side of the story needs telling too. The spark for the violence was a brutal attack on a local shopkeeper that was blamed on Venezuelans. Tension, though, had been simmering for months as newcomers gradually filled this modest town of just 12,000, coming to represent 10 percent of the population. The influx "transformed the town," said Sanchez, 21. "We didn't control anything anymore." Cristina Gomes, another resident, agreed. "How long were we meant to wait for the authorities to do something about it? They do nothing. We're the authorities!" - 'Bottles and sticks' - Of the tent camps, nothing remains now except debris -- broken bicycles, Bible tracts, food, children's flip-flops. Sanchez insists that Brazilians are not against immigration, just that the system has broken down. "There's no xenophobia here. We're tired, that's all," he said. But Venezuelan witnesses described vicious scenes. "They came with bottles and sticks, shouting 'Get out!'" said Nayelis Garcia, 17, who sheltered with her one-year-old baby in a tent at the border crossing, protected now by Brazilian soldiers. "We had to run into the hills with our children. They were burning our things, our food, our documents, our mattresses and sheets," she said. Another fugitive from Venezuela, Eleiser Balaza, said attackers descended like "an avalanche," armed with sticks and machetes. "We spent two nights in the hills without food or water," he said. - 'Live in peace!' - Garcia is hoping to get asylum status along with her husband, aunt, sister and niece, so they can build new lives in Brazil. Balza and his wife want to reach Boa Vista, capital of the frontier state of Roraima and from there continue to Belo Horizonte in southeastern Brazil, where they have family already putting down roots. That hopeful future looks very far away, though, when viewed from Pacaraima. Local priest Jesus Lopez de Bobadilla, 77, worried that politicians were fomenting trouble ahead of Brazil's October presidential and congressional elections. "Brazil is in an extremely delicate political, economic and social situation on the eve of elections," he said. The violence, the priest added, "was planned. It was not spontaneous. There are dark political forces trying to use the difficulties suffered by people to stir up the growing xenophobia as a factor in the elections." But Fabio Quinco, who runs a store near one of the demolished camps, said the anger comes from the grass roots. Even if he is "totally opposed to violence," Quinco said he understands the way Brazilians feel. "People here exploded because they say they are being looked after less well than the Venezuelans. That could be the cause of the violence," he said. Maybe there's still hope. Late Monday, a convoy of some 30 vehicles drove through the center of town, distributing white balloons. "We want to live in peace!" a woman called out over loudspeakers. A man cuts the metal structure of a shelter used by Venezuelan refugees that was destroyed by Brazilians in an anti-migrant attack in the border city of Pacaraima, Brazil, on August 20, 2018 A man walks in front of one of the improvised refugee camps burnt down by local residents Residents of Pacaraima burn tires and the belongings of Venezuelan immigrants after attacking their two main makeshift camps, leading them to cross the border back into their home country on August 18, 2018 A multi-millionaire tycoon who was killed alongside his family in a seaplane crash on the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney, has left about $71 million to Oxfam after changing his will a year earlier. Richard Cousins, 58, fiancee Emma Bowden, 48, his two sons and her daughter died while on holiday in Australia last New Years Eve. But it has since been revealed by The Sun that the former boss of catering company Compass has left the majority of his fortune to charity after inserting what is known as a common tragedy clause into his will. The clause means that in the unlikely event that he and his sons were killed together Oxfam would become the main beneficiary. Richard Cousins, 58, fiancee Emma Bowden, 48, his two sons and her daughter died in a seaplane accident while on holiday in the Hawkesbury River in Sydney last New Years Eve. He has left more than $71 million to Oxfam. Source: AAP (File pic) Mr Cousins and his family died when the DHC-2 Beaver aircraft he was in plunged into the Hawkesbury River, killing his family and experienced pilot Gareth Morgan, 44. Mr Cousinss brothers Simon and Andrew, who were the best men at the 1982 wedding of his first wife Caroline, will get more than $1.7 million each. An Oxfam spokesperson said the organisation is extremely grateful for the donation. We are working with the family and our Board of Trustees to identify how the money will be used, the spokesperson said. Clockwise from top middle: Emma Bowden; Heather Bowden; pilot Gareth Morgan; Eddie Cousins; Will Cousins and Richard Cousins, all died in the tragic crash. Source: AAP In its last annual report for 2016-17, the charity received $34.7m in gifts left to it through wills. The gift comes as Oxfam is facing financial difficulty in the wake of allegations that its staff hired prostitutes while working in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Four employees were fired for gross misconduct and three others, including the country director Roland Van Hauwermeiren, were allowed to leave the charity. Mr Van Hauwermeiren denied paying for sex but admitted making mistakes. After the scandal emerged earlier this year, thousands of people stopped making regular donations, and in June, Oxfam said it would be making 16m in cuts because of reduced funding. Daffodil Day Daffodil Day is Cancer Councils most iconic fundraising event and will take place on Friday 24 August this year. This Daffodil Day the community is encouraged to dedicate a daffodil and show their support for anyone affected by cancer. By supporting Daffodil Day, Australians will be helping to raise much needed funds for vital cancer research. Cancer Council is one of the largest independent funders of cancer research in Australia. In 2017, Cancer Council and its research partners directed over $60m to research grants for vital research projects across the country. Cancer Council works across every aspect of cancer, but we do rely on the generosity of community donations to fund our work. The community can show their support to someone they love by visiting a local Daffodil Day stall or visiting www.daffodilday.com.au. Dutch detectives said Wednesday they have identified a suspect in the brutal murder of a young boy two decades ago, in a case that has gripped the Netherlands. Nicky Verstappen's body was found on August 11 1998, a day after he disappeared from a youth camp in southern Limburg province. He had been sexually abused before he was killed. Police at the time mounted a massive search closely followed by local media and the Dutch public, but the 11-year-old boy's killer was never found. As time ran out to catch the suspect, police earlier this year appealed to more than 20,000 men to donate DNA samples in a bid to close in on the perpetrator. "New investigative techniques gave us new opportunities. We now have a one-on-one DNA match with the (DNA) traces found on Verstappen's body," police detective Ferdinand Schellinkhout told a press conference in the southern city of Maastricht on Wednesday. "We are looking for Jos Brech, 55. He was last seen in France." Dutch and French police believe that Brech -- who was interviewed at the time of the crime as a witness -- is hiding somewhere in France's mountainous eastern Vosges region, where he owns a chalet. His family reported him missing in April after the former scout worker, who is believed to be a survival expert, told them he was going for a walk in the mountains, Schellinkhout said. - 'Gone in to hiding' - "We are convinced that the suspect has gone into hiding," Limburg police chief Ingrid Schaefer-Poels told journalists, asking the public to contact police with any information of his whereabouts. Wednesday's announcement brings Verstappen's family one step closer to what happened to Nicky the night he disappeared, in what became one of the most extensive murder investigations to date in the Netherlands. Police said new digital techniques helped them to develop a DNA profile in 2008, from traces found on Verstappen's clothing, but there had been no match. Earlier this year, some 16,000 men living in the area where Verstappen was murdered volunteered to hand over DNA samples after a call by detectives. However, Brech who was 35 at the time, was not among the volunteers but as he was previously interviewed as a witness, police became suspicious. When his family reported him as missing, Dutch and French police searched his cabin in the Vosges region. "We found traces of DNA on his personal belongings. It was a match," said chief prosecutor Jan Eland. A European-wide warrant for Brech's arrest was issued on June 12. A monument for eleven-year-old boy Nicky Verstappen who was abused and killed 20 years ago Facebook and Twitter unveiled fresh crackdowns on misinformation campaigns from Russia and Iran as analysts warned of more efforts to manipulate public debate ahead of the November US elections. Facebook announced late Tuesday it removed more than 650 pages, groups and accounts identified as "networks of accounts misleading people about what they were doing," chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said. Separately, Twitter said it suspended 284 accounts "for engaging in coordinated manipulation," adding that "it appears many of these accounts originated from Iran." Moscow repeated its denial of any effort to manipulate social media firms. There was no immediate comment from Tehran on the crackdown. Both social networks said they were working with law enforcement and stepping up security. The Facebook action was prompted by research from cybersecurity firm FireEye regarding a collection of "Liberty Front Press" pages on the social network and other online services. FireEye described the efforts were online, social media-driven influence operations as a means of shaping political discourse." The Iranian effort appeared to be "to promote Iranian political interests, including anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes," FireEye said. "We have observed inauthentic social media personas, masquerading as American liberals supportive of US Senator Bernie Sanders, heavily promoting Quds Day, a holiday established by Iran in 1979." - Undeterred - Former Facebook security chief Alex Stamos said in a blog post Wednesday that gaping holes remain in online platforms and that not enough is being done to counter foreign interference. "The revelations are evidence that Russia has not been deterred and that Iran is following in its footsteps," Stamos wrote on the Lawfare blog. "This underlines a sobering reality: America's adversaries believe that it is still both safe and effective to attack US democracy using American technologies and the freedoms we cherish." Stamos, who left Facebook this month to join Stanford University, said that "the United States has broadcast to the world that it doesn't take these issues seriously...While this failure has left the US unprepared to protect the 2018 elections, there is still a chance to defend American democracy in 2020." Olga Polishchuk, a threat researcher with the cybersecurity firm LookingGlass, said she expected more of the same from Russia despite this week's crackdowns. Russia employs "an army of hackers" who are well-versed in American culture and are well-funded, Polishchuk said. "These groups operate day and night," she said. "Their obfuscation techniques are very sophisticated." Polishchuk said Russia's hacker army is not likely to be deterred by the shutdowns or even indictments of Russians for computer hacking. "They are so committed to pushing the country's agenda," she said. In Moscow, a government spokesman denied any manipulation campaign, telling journalists that "we don't understand what the basis is" for the accusations. The actions by Facebook and Twitter come days after Microsoft said it seized websites linked to Russian intelligence that sought to meddle in US political debate. Senator Mark Warner said the latest revelations were "further evidence that foreign adversaries are actively using social media to divide Americans and undermine our democratic institutions." Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University professor specializing in social media, also voiced fears of additional influence campaigns. "I am deeply concerned about further abuse of these platforms," she said. "I still do not think they have dedicated enough resources in this area." Grygiel said she believes most social media companies failed to consider the potential for manipulation as they expanded. "Their business models have been flawed from the beginning," she said. "They have not had enough infrastructure to deal with content moderation, and it is harmful to society and democracy." - Repeat effort by Facebook - For Facebook, it was the second time in less than a month that it acted against manipulation, following the shutdown in late July of 32 fake pages and accounts involved in an apparent coordinated effort to stoke hot-button issues ahead of November midterm US elections. The social network giant said content from some of the pages shut down in the latest move was traced back to Iran, while others were tied to groups previously linked to Russian intelligence operations. Zuckerberg cited two separate sets of campaigns, including one with ties to Iran's state-owned media and another apparently linked to Russian military intelligence services. The accounts, some on Facebook-owned Instagram, were presented as independent news or civil society groups but were actually working in coordinated efforts, the company said. Content posted by accounts targeted Facebook users in Britain, Latin America, the Middle East and the US, according to head of cybersecurity policy Nathaniel Gleicher. The latest crackdowns by Facebook and Twitter on fake accounts underscore the challenges for social media firms tring to remain open while curbing manipulation and foreign interference Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the social network deleted accounts for entities operating under false pretenses Facebook and Twitter unveiled fresh crackdowns on misinformation campaigns from Russia and Iran as analysts warned of more efforts to manipulate public debate ahead of the November US elections Taiwan's loss of another diplomatic ally to China is the latest strike in a multi-pronged effort to isolate the island, undermine its claims to sovereignty, and render it invisible on the global stage. As Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to bend to Beijing's demand that she recognise the island as part of "one China", the Chinese government has stepped up its campaign to shrink its status. Major international businesses including airlines and hotels have recently caved to pressure to list Taiwan as part of China on their websites. Taiwan has also been shut out of numerous high-profile global forums at Beijing's request and China has stepped up military drills around the self-ruled island. El Salvador's President Sanchez Ceren said its decision Tuesday to switch ties from Taipei to Beijing was part of the "inevitable trends of our day", while Taiwan accused China of using dollar diplomacy to lure away its supporters. Taiwan, whose official name is Republic of China (ROC), now has only 17 official diplomatic allies, the vast majority of them small economies in the Pacific, Caribbean and Central America. Five have jumped ship since Tsai took power in 2016, with three this year alone. The allies may not punch much weight internationally, but chipping away at them has deep significance for Taiwan as it strives to hold on to any formal recognition of its legitimacy. Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign country and has its own democratic political system, laws and currency. However, Beijing considers it a stray province to be brought back into the fold, by force if necessary, with President Xi Jinping repeatedly underscoring the importance of territorial integrity to China's resurgence. "If the ROC is completely unrecognised I believe Beijing's calculation is that it will be easier to delegitimise the government in Taipei and prime demoralised Taiwanese and international society for unification," said Jonathan Sullivan, Director of China Programs at the University of Nottingham. Wooing El Salvador was also a warning shot to the United States, said Fan Shih-ping, a political analyst at National Taiwan Normal University. The US is Taiwan's most important informal ally and major arms supplier, despite having switched official diplomatic ties to Beijing in 1979. Beijing protested last week when Tsai spoke publicly in Los Angeles -- the first Taiwan president to do so for 15 years -- and has also complained about recent friendly overtures from the Trump administration, including a fresh commitment to support Taiwan militarily. "It's an indirect slap in Trump's face as El Salvador is in the US backyard," said Fan. - David vs Goliath - China's nationalist troops retreated to Taiwan after losing a war on the mainland to communist forces in 1949 and declared the island the seat of power of the defeated Republic of China. For decades, Taipei was recognised as China's official representative but in 1971 the United Nations switched recognition to Beijing. That left Taiwan with no sovereign status internationally and prompted major powers to change diplomatic allegiance. Taiwan has never declared independence from the mainland and is hamstrung by its own constitution, which still defines it as the Republic of China, not as a separate entity. Beijing has said it would take military action if Taiwan ever formally split and the US would also be unlikely to support such a provocative move. President Tsai declared Tuesday that Taiwan would not bow to pressure and slammed China's "increasingly out-of-control international behaviour". But China's growing global clout makes it a David and Goliath fight for recognition. Xi is confident he can use both hard and soft power to pave the way for reunification, said Huang Kwei-bo, vice dean at Taiwan's National Chengchi University's international affairs college. "They now ignore stakeholders in Taiwan and unilaterally decide to do whatever they want. This is quite worrying as it means Beijing doesn't have any willingness to communicate anymore," said Huang. Beijing cut off all official contact with Taipei after Tsai came to power, as her party is traditionally independence-leaning. However, Sullivan noted that if Taiwan loses all recognition from its allies, Beijing may unwittingly fuel calls from independence supporters to push for the island to redefine itself as the Republic of Taiwan. He also believes Taiwan's unofficial ties ultimately outweigh its official ones. "Taiwan's informal relationships, as a major trading economy, with the US, Japan the European Union and pretty much every other country in the world, are much more important to Taiwan's vitality," he said. El Salvador said its decision to switch ties from Taipei to Beijing was part of the 'inevitable trends of our day' El Salvador said its decision to switch ties from Taipei to Beijing was part of the 'inevitable trends of our day' Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has refused to bow to Beijing's demand to recognise the island as part of 'one China' Lithuania on Wednesday said it would not appeal a European court ruling that the Baltic state had been complicit in a clandestine CIA programme by holding terror suspects at a secret detention site on its territory. "We decided it would make no sense to appeal to the Great Chamber because there are no legal criteria for that," government official Karolina Bubnyte Sirmene told AFP. The European Court of Human Rights ruled in May that Lithuania hosted a secret prison from February 2005 to March 2006, when CIA operatives held Abu Zubaydah, considered a top Palestinian operative for Al-Qaeda. The EU and NATO state was ordered to pay 100,000 euros ($116,000) in damages to Zubaydah for enabling US authorities to subject him to "inhuman treatment". Lithuanian officials have denied the existence of a secret CIA jail on their soil and told the court that the suspected building on the outskirts of Vilnius was instead "an intelligence support centre". Bubnyte Sirmene said the Lithuanian government maintains that position but came to the conclusion that it had no legal chance to change the ruling. "Lithuania fully agrees to fulfil its international obligations under the European human rights convention but we can have our own opinion about some facts," she said. She added that Lithuania will face hurdles to implement to ruling and pay the damages. "It will require coordinated effort by many institutions. We will have to analyse how to do that," Bubnyte Sirmene said. "For example, if the person is on the UN sanction list, we cannot transfer money to him directly or even deposit it under his name." She said they would start searching for solutions once the ruling comes into effect later this month. In the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks, the CIA took suspected Al-Qaeda detainees to several "black sites" around the world to escape US rules on interrogations -- a programme that has since been judged illegal. The court had ruled that fellow EU and NATO member states Poland and Romania also allowed the unlawful imprisonment of terror suspects more than a decade ago. The European Court of Human Rights ruled in May 2018 that Lithuania hosted a secret prison from February 2005 to March 2006 A man in Nepal was arrested for sharing a doctored image on Facebook showing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's head superimposed on a monkey's body, police said Wednesday. Homnath Sigdel, 44, was taken into custody on Tuesday for "sharing indecent photos that targeted the prime minister", senior police officer Narendra Prasad Uprety told AFP. The offending image appeared on a Facebook group earlier this month and has been shared more than 2,500 times. Police said Sigdel had also posted a second photo of Oli's head on a naked human body. Sigdel could face up to five years in jail and a 100,000 rupee ($900) fine if found guilty under a provision in the Electronic Transactions Act. The arrest comes days after Nepal introduced a new criminal code that includes draconian laws that activists have warned could be used to silence critics of the government. The Communist-led government headed by Oli has shown increasing intolerance of dissent since it took power at the beginning of the year. In June it became embroiled in a standoff with a popular activist doctor who was on hunger strike to protest against political interference in the medical sector. In 2016, a Canadian working in Nepal was deported over a series of tweets deemed to "incite conflict" related to the country's constitution. The offending image appeared on a Facebook group earlier this month and has been shared more than 2,500 times @alextdaugherty Fred Guttenberg is going after the one South Florida congressman who accepted National Rifle Association money after the nation's deadliest high school shooting where Guttenberg's daughter Jaime was one of 17 people killed. Guttenberg, one of the most outspoken anti-gun Parkland parents, cut an ad that blasts Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart for supporting the NRA on behalf of Diaz-Balart's Democratic challenger, former judge Mary Barzee Flores. Mario Diaz-Balart, after February 14th, after my daughter and 16 others died, you had a choice to make. And you chose to take money from the NRA, Guttenberg says directly to Diaz-Balart at the beginning of the ad. You chose to take their money... youre not worthy of service... you need to be fired. Diaz-Balart has accepted more direct campaign contributions from the NRA than any other member of Congress from Florida over the last 20 years, including a $1,000 donation after the shooting in May 2018. His continued support from the NRA comes as other Republican members of Congress from South Florida like Reps. Carlos Curbelo and Brian Mast have distanced themselves from the nation's largest gun lobby. Barzee Flores' campaign manager Sam Miller said the ad will run on digital platforms for now, but could end up on TV later in the campaign. Guttenberg has traveled around the country and lobbied dozens of lawmakers on Capitol Hill to change the nation's gun laws since the Valentine's Day shooting. "I will be working everyday to support Mary Barzee Flores for Congress," Guttenberg said after lauding her judicial background. Diaz-Balart's Hialeah-based district that stretches across the Everglades is the most conservative of the three Miami-Dade congressional seats currently held by Republicans, though Democrats consider the district competitive after Donald Trump eked out a narrow win over Hillary Clinton there in 2016. Diaz-Balart hasn't faced a competitive reelection challenge since 2008. Watch the ad below: The conviction of President Donald Trump's one-time campaign chairman and the guilty plea by his former personal lawyer Tuesday have brought Russia prosecutor Robert Mueller sorely needed relief as political pressure mounts for him to wind up the 15-month-old investigation. The cases of Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen won't end Trump's crusade to tar Mueller's probe as a "witch hunt," a furious effort aimed at undermining any effort to put the US leader on trial. But experts say every win counts for the special prosecutor, with a growing record of success making it more likely he will secure cooperation from future witnesses. With a crucial congressional election looming in November, Trump is desperate to convince voters the investigation is politically biased, in hopes of protecting his crucial Republican majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives. His first reaction to the results in the two cases Tuesday was to again insist that there is no basis to Mueller's investigation. "It doesn't involve me.... It had nothing to do with Russian collusion. We continue the witch hunt," Trump said. - Uphill battle - Mueller has an uphill battle to prove allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election, and that Trump has sought to obstruct his investigation. The Manafort case, the first one the Mueller team has sent to trial, saw a jury find the former Trump campaign chairman guilty on eight counts of tax evasion, bank fraud and financial account reporting violations. While the evidence was strong, the case was focused on Manafort's dealings separate to the 2016 campaign and not directly related to Russia. The Cohen case, tried by New York federal prosecutors on a referral from Mueller, also lacked a Russian collusion angle. Cohen pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax fraud in his personal business, and campaign finance violations related to hush payments to two alleged former Trump girlfriends. In the latter, however, he stunningly implicated the president in a felony, declaring Trump himself had ordered the payments to influence the election. Even if not about collusion, both cases underscored that Mueller is not pursuing frivolous charges, as his critics claim. "Manafort's conviction shows that Mueller's investigation is far from a witch hunt," said Democratic congressman Adam Schiff. "It also shows his campaign and administration were rife with people with a history of unscrupulous business dealings and concerning ties to overseas interests." - Moving quickly - Both cases showed that Mueller, a taciturn 74-year-old former FBI director, is working quickly and efficiently. Since he was named in May 2017, he hasn't commented publicly on the progress of his operation or responded to the president's almost daily attacks. But he has issued indictments against 33 individuals, 25 of them Russians, and three companies. Five have negotiated guilty pleas on reduced charges, including Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn; former deputy campaign chair and Manafort aide Richard Gates; and former foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos. By comparison, it took special prosecutor Ken Starr four years to produce an indictment against president Bill Clinton in the 1990s. Michael German, formerly an FBI agent and now at the Brennan Center for Justice, said the Manafort verdict was an important step forward for Mueller. "Every win is important building to the ultimate fruition of the investigation," he said. "It's easier to gain cooperation from witnesses or secure guilty pleas if you are staring to build a record of success. It puts more pressure on people to cooperate with the investigation." - White House pressure - Even so, the White House says Mueller is dragging his feet. "I think we've been very clear that not only do we, but all the American people, want this to wrap up," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said last week. Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti says there is a constant, implicit threat from Trump to summarily end the probe -- even if that would spark a constitutional crisis. "Mueller has to be concerned about whether he'll be permitted to finish his investigation," he said. Special counsel Robert Mueller continues to press forward in his Russia collusion investigation despite pressure from President Donald Trump, who labels the probe a "witch hunt" Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty of tax evasion and bank fraud Benjamin Netanyahu will on Thursday become the first Israeli prime minister to visit Lithuania, where he will hold talks with the leaders of the three Baltic countries, his office said. Netanyahu's trip comes as he seeks to improve ties with eastern European countries who may be more sympathetic to Israel in international bodies than other EU nations. He will meet the leaders of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia together in Vilnius during his visit, which will last until Sunday, his office said in a statement. "At this summit, the four leaders will discuss cooperation between their countries," the statement said without giving further details. Netanyahu is constantly seeking sympathetic ears within the EU, particularly among countries that can serve as a counterweight to the criticism Israel often receives from western European nations over its occupation of Palestinian territory. He has also been eager to convince European countries to exert more pressure on Iran after the United States pulled out of the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers and reimposed sanctions, as he had advocated. European countries have sought to rescue the deal, saying it is working as intended in keeping Iran, Israel's main enemy, from obtaining nuclear weapons for now. Separately from the Baltics, Netanyahu has found common cause among eastern and central European countries with nationalist leaders, notably the so-called Visegrad Group of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. During a visit to Hungary last year, he denounced "absolutely crazy" EU demands of Israel, such as those related to Israel's occupation of the West Bank, in closed-door remarks picked up by a microphone and overheard by journalists. The visit to Lithuania is also likely to include trade discussions. Lithuania has been a customer of Israel's key defence industry and has spoken of expanding its cyber-security sector, a particular speciality of Israeli firms. Nine EU member states, including Lithuania, recently announced their intention to create "rapid reaction teams" to respond to possible cyber threats, as part of a new EU defence pact. Many Israelis have origins in Lithuania and Netanyahu will visit with members of the Jewish community as well as attend a ceremony in memory of the 141,000 Jewish victims of the Holocaust there. Lithuania's 2.9 million population today includes some 3,000 Jews. Netanyahu has said one of his grandfathers was born in Lithuania. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured August 12, 2018, will visit Lithuania as he seeks to improve ties with eastern European countries who may be more sympathetic to Israel in international bodies than other EU nations Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday defended his appearance at the Austrian foreign minister's wedding after his dance with the bride caused a furore. "The trip was purely private," he told a press conference in the Black Sea resort of Sochi while meeting Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto. Nevertheless he said that "despite the festivities we were able to speak both to the foreign minister and to the Austrian Chancellor (Sebastian Kurz)". Austria plays a "very positive role" not only in two-way relations but "in arranging dialogue between Russia and the European Union," he said. Putin was one of a small group of guests at Saturday's wedding of Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl in a wine-growing village in the southeastern Austria. A video showing the bride thanking Putin with a deep bow after a dance together has gone viral and prompted a hail of criticism from her opponents. Putin said the wedding guests were "all grown-ups, with serious positions in society and in government" but were also "very open and joyous." The Russian strongman, a keen judo practitioner, said he had bonded with the groom, businessman Wolfgang Meilinger. The groom "is a former sportsman, a judo practitioner, and that always brings you closer together," Putin said. Although Kneissl, 53, is independent, she was nominated to her role by the far-right Freedom Party. The party supports Russia's claim of sovereignty over Crimea -- which Moscow seized from Ukraine in in 2014 -- and advocates the easing of economic sanctions levied against Moscow over its role in the Ukrainian conflict. It also has a "cooperation pact" with Putin's United Russia party. Even before the wedding, Austrian opposition politicians had criticised the invitation to Putin, saying it undermined the country's claim to be an "honest broker" between Europe and Russia. Russia has been accused of seeking to weaken and divide the EU, notably by maintaining links with populist parties in several European countries. Kneissl invited Putin to her wedding when he visited Vienna this year. He attended the event along with a traditional Cossack choir from southern Russia who performed folk songs, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Speculation has swirled over Putin's own relationship status since he and his wife Lyudmila announced in 2013 that they were divorcing. Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl came under fire for inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to her wedding Indian swimmer Sajan Prakash has been to hell and back at the Asian Games, competing in Jakarta while family members went missing in severe flooding in his home country. The 24-year-old became the first swimmer to reach last weekend's 200 metres butterfly final despite the knowledge that five relatives had not been found and his family home in Kerala had been destroyed by floodwater. Prakash finished outside the medals in fifth, but his prayers were answered after an uncle called to inform him his family members had survived the devastating floods in the southern Indian state that have killed more than 350 people. "I had trouble sleeping, thinking about my family," Prakash told AFP. "I hadn't heard from them because they were cut off from the (phone) network and not able to contact us," he added. "I was very nervous but my uncle called to say they're all safe and everything is alright back home." Prakash's mother Shantymol, who is based in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, initially kept news of the disaster from her son so he could concentrate on his performances at the regional Olympics. But after finding out about the floods from friends, Prakash had to put his anxiety to one side despite losing contact his family members, with no word from Kerala for three days. "I knew that the rain was getting worse (in Kerala) when I arrived in Jakarta but I didn't know it was this bad," Prakash said after Wednesday's 100m fly heats. "But that's what we train for -- to swim under pressure. If I think about it, I will screw up here. And if I screw up here, both are screwed. Either way I can't help, I just have to focus on what I have to do." After becoming the first Indian swimmer to reach an Asian Games final in more than 30 years, Prakash clocked a national record of one minutes, 57.75 seconds -- a distant 3.22 seconds behind Japanese winner Daiya Seto. Prakash, who swam for India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, insisted he never thought of quitting the Asian Games. "I prepared for this for a long time and I didn't want to screw it up by leaving," he said. "My team-mates kept me entertained and focused -- being with them is different from being alone. "It was my dream to get a medal in the Asian Games from childhood," added Prakash. "I've worked for it very hard -- I did whatever was possible to do. If I would have placed top three it would have been a gift for my family. It would have been great." India's Sajan Prakash became the first swimmer to reach last weekend's 200 metres butterfly final despite the knowledge his family home in Kerala had been destroyed by floodwater, and five relatives were missing Sajan Prakash, who swam for India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, insisted he never thought of quitting the Asian Games Nearly one million Rohingya Muslims marked Eid al-Adha on Wednesday in the world's largest refugee camp, almost a year to the day since a brutal military crackdown drove the persecuted minority from Myanmar in huge numbers. Prayers were offered in makeshift mosques across southern Bangladesh to celebrate the Islamic festival of sacrifice as cows were slaughtered in muddy fields across the sprawling camps. In Kutupalong, a gigantic hill settlement crammed with hundreds of thousands of refugees, a muezzin called the faithful to pray as children played on a wooden carousel and ran about in dirt alleyways in new clothes for the special day. For many refugees, this Eid al-Adha is the first since their violent expulsion from western Myanmar a year ago in a campaign of orchestrated violence likened by US and UN officials to ethnic cleansing. Myanmar's military, backed by armed Buddhist militias, began sweeping through Rohingya villages in August 2017 just days before Eid celebrations got underway. Memories of his torched homeland, and misery in Bangladesh, overshadowed festivities for 19-year-old Mohammad Issa, one of the 700,000 Rohingya who fled the bloody purge. "In Myanmar we had money, we had cattle and land. Eid was happier there," he told AFP near a row of reeking pit latrines in Jamtoli camp, a new settlement for recently-arrived refugees. - Sombre celebrations - Muslims traditionally sacrifice animals for the three-day Eid al-Adha feast, a tribute to the prophet Abraham slaughtering a lamb after God spared Ishmael, his son. Those able to make the sacrifice known as qurbani will consume some of the meat and give the rest to the poor unable to buy food. In Cox's Bazar near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, where squalid camps host generations of Rohingya refugees expelled from western Myanmar, there is much need, and little to go around. Cows, goats and sheep flooded local markets catering to the displaced Muslims in the lead up to Eid. Some better-off families pooled whatever cash they could muster to make the Islamic sacrifice, buying shares in a cow or goat. But for most refugees ?- barred from legally working, and surviving hand to mouth on charity ?- such luxuries are wildly beyond their means. The sight of animals being fattened for slaughter taunted Mohammad Amin, a teenager who remembered the home-cooked meat delicacies and special gifts reserved for the holiest Islamic festivity back home. "But here, we don't have any money to slaughter cows or buy new clothes," the downcast 15-year-old told AFP. The influx of refugees delivered a bumper year for Bangladeshi livestock trader Aktar Hussain and others like him, who counted wads of cash at a busy cattle market market adjacent to the camps. "This has been my best year yet," he told AFP, as prospective Rohingya buyers examined a sturdy brown cow in a muddy clearing. "Last year, I sold 15 cows at Eid. This year, I've already sold 50." The festival differs from Eid al-Fitr, the other major festival in the Islamic calendar, which was celebrated in June in Muslim-majority Bangladesh after the fasting month of Ramadan. Young Rohingya refugees look at dresses at a stall ahead of the Eid Al-Adha festival at the Balukhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar. For many refugees, this Eid al-Adha -- the Feast of Sacrifice -- is the first since their expulsion from Myanmar Muslims traditionally sacrifice animals for the three-day Eid al-Adha feast, a tribute to the prophet Abraham slaughtering a lamb after God spared Ishmael, his son Rohingya refugees get treatments at a men's salon ahead of the Eid Al-Adha festival at the Balukhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar Rohingya refugee children prepare to celebrate the thre three-day Eid Al-Adha festival at the Thangkhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar A British woman who fell from a cruise ship and spent 10 hours in the Adriatic Sea has been branded as stupid and accused of lying about what actually happened. Kay Longstaff, 46, was found floating some 83 kilometres off Croatias coast after she fell from the seventh deck of the Norwegian Star shortly before midnight on Saturday. It is a real miracle that she is alive, captain of the Croatian rescue ship, Lovro Oreskovic, said after she was pulled from the ocean. Luckily for her we saw her immediately because she raised and waved her hands when she saw us. However, the mother of Andy Stuart, the cruise companys president and chief executive, wasnt quite as empathetic towards the rescued flight attendant. British tourist Kay Longstaff leaves the Croatian Coast Guard vessel Cavtat in Pula, Croatia after being rescued from the Adriatic sea. Source: Reuters She didnt fall off. She jumped. This has cost Norwegian Cruise Line $600,000. This stupid woman, Mr Stuarts mother told the Daily Telegraph. I spoke to Andrew at lunchtime. He phones me almost every day. What he said was this is fake news. He said that she couldnt have fallen. You would have to take steps to climb over the railings. He said she jumped in the water. According to witness reports, Ms Longstaff had also been in a row with her partner on the ship before she fell. Passenger sang to stay awake after falling off cruise ship Ms Longstaff speaks to press in Pula, Croatia, after being rescued. Source: Reuters While its unclear exactly how Longstaff ended up in the water, its no mystery how she stayed alive. She said the fact that she practices yoga helped her as she was fit, a Croatian rescuer told the Sun. And she said she was singing to not feel cold in the sea overnight. Its a sentiment echoed by Isabelle Du Soleil, Ph.D, a certified yoga & wellness expert in Los Angeles. Yoga practice allows you to know yourself and control your mind, your brain, your body, your nervous system as well as your energy, Du Soleil tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Najah Albukai's head is filled with the dead and disappeared of Syria's civil war. The prisoners with whom the 49-year-old art teacher shared a cell in Syria fill two black ink drawings hanging on the wall in the living room of his French apartment where he lives in exile with his wife and teenage daughter. One of them shows row upon row of hunched naked men with dark, sunken eyes, their arms shielding their genitals. In another, they look down on stacks of jumbled emaciated corpses, as if contemplating their fate. "In prison you're suspended between life and death. It's an apocalyptic time. You feel as if you're in a nightmare," Albukai told AFP in an interview. Three years after his escape from the homeland, Albukai's experiences in the regime's torture chambers continue to explode on to his sketchpad. Dozens of drawings, which he has exhibited across France, depict the horrors he witnessed, from prisoners being hung by their wrists from the ceiling to being folded in two in a wooden contraption nicknamed the "Flying Carpet". Another prop used by the torturers of President Bashar al-Assad was called the "German chair", which saw prisoners lashed to the back of a chair and stretched to breaking point. "I will draw this German chair until the end of my days to denounce this form of torture," said the artist with a piercing gaze, whose bookshelf contains works by Jean-Paul Sartre and Enlightenment philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. - 'Flying carpet' - Like many in the Damascus suburb of Jdaidet Artuz, near the town of Daraya, a longtime rebel stronghold, Albukai was infected by the revolutionary fervour that swept Syria in early 2011. But it was only when the government's crackdown on the peaceful protests left 55 dead that he and his wife Abir joined the protests. In 2012, he was arrested on a bus on his way to work and taken to military intelligence centre "227" near Damascus where he was interrogated and beaten for "weakening national morale". "They would interrogate several people at the same time and while others beside you are being tortured you have to answer questions," he said of the sessions, during which the prisoners were blindfolded. Held with 70 others in a cell measuring five by three metres (16 x 10 feet), he found it nearly impossible to sleep and illnesses such as scabies and diarrhoea spread quickly. Even while behind bars, Albukai found an outlet in art, trying to imagine the horrific scenes on canvases. "I tried to find comparisons with paintings by Goya, or the Raft of the Medusa by (French Romantic painter Theodore) Gericault, which shows a group of people trying to escape," he said. - Carrying down the dead - After a month he was released when his wife paid 1,200 euros (1,400 dollars) to have a judge drop the case. Using a pseudonym on Facebook he continued to post about abuses by government forces online, but he tried to keep a low profile, fearing he could be arrested again at any time. In late 2014, he tried to flee to Lebanon, but was caught on the border and returned to centre 227. By now, nearly four years into the war, "even the walls were diseased" and the bodies were piling up. Albukai saw several people die from torture or common diseases like diabetes left untreated. The centre also acted as a sort of "temporary depot" for bodies collected from other military intelligence centres, with prisoners called on every night to unload bodies from trucks for storage in the basement. "Some had weak necks as if they had been strangled and most were very thin and bore signs of illness," he said. Each had a number inscribed on the head or chest with a marker. He remembers two: 5535 and, 60 days later another: 5874. - The pen as weapon - Tens of thousands of people are missing, believed to be in government jails across Syria, where authorities have recently begun updating civil records to mark detainees as "deceased". In a 2016 report, Amnesty International estimated that 17,723 had died in custody between March 2011 and December 2015. Were it not for his wife, Albukai might have been another name on a list of the deceased. A French teacher with a salary of 80 dollars a month, she sold their car and enlisted help from abroad to cobble together 20,000 dollars in bribes to win his freedom after around 10 months in detention. In October 2015, the pair managed to reach Lebanon with their daughter and applied for asylum in France, where they now live in a quiet suburb south of Paris. As government forces step up their bombardments of Idlib province, the last region still in rebel hands, Albukai is prepared to admit that "maybe we've been defeated and the revolution failed." But drawing what he witnessed helps keep the flame alive, says Albukai, who has received offers to publish his output. "It is a way of not giving in, of not laying down arms," he said. Syrian artist and painter Najah Albukai has exhibited dozens of his drawings across France One of the brutal torture instruments was called the 'German chair' Albukai was arrested on a bus in 2012 on his way to work and taken to a military intelligence centre near Damascus Albukai draws pictures of the horrors of Syrian prisons, like the torture contraption known as the 'Flying carpet' Were it not for his wife who saved 20,000 dollars in bribes, Albukai might not have survived In the hopes of bringing the Democratic National Convention to Miami Beach, the city's mayor is bringing Miami Beach to the Democratic National Committee. With Democrats converging on Chicago Wednesday for their summer meeting, members of the Miami2020 Host Committee are inviting party officials to a Thursday soiree aboard a yacht docked at the Navy Pier. The group has rented out the Odyssey Lake Michigan for the night, offering a sort-of preview of what Miami would have to offer if the convention chooses the city for its 2020 gathering. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber and Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo are the hosts of the evening. Miami Beach is one of three finalists to host Democrats' 2020 convention, with Houston and Milwaukee also in the running (Denver withdrew). If selected, Miami Beach plans to host registration, meetings and other events at its convention center, which is in the middle of a $600 million upgrade. Speeches and voting to select a candidate functions that usually are televised would likely be held at AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami. Although Miami Beach is the lead host, the city submitted a joint proposal with Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami. In addition to staying in hotels in Miami Beach and throughout Miami-Dade County, guests might also have the opportunity to stay on cruise ships during the convention, Gelber has said. A three-year-old boy and his one-year-old baby brother survived alone for about two days after their mother crashed the car the trio were travelling in, and died. The older boy was found first, wandering alone on Monday morning along a road in Camden, south Arkansas, US, police said. Authorities posted the boys photo online in hopes of identifying him and learned that his mother hadnt been seen for days. Three-year-old boy Kylen Holliman and his one-year-old brother survived alone for about two days after their mother crashed the car the trio was travelling in and died. Source: The Ouachita County Sheriffs Office Later Monday, police returned to the area where the boy, later identified as Kylen Holliman, was found and discovered a wrecked car in a deep ravine not visible from the road. Police found the boys mother Lisa Holliman, 25, who had been ejected from the car, and the baby awake and alert in his car seat. Investigators believe the wreck happened two days earlier and that the older boy was able to climb out of the wreckage. The three-year-old was able to climb out of the wrecked car and was found. Source: AP The toddlers survival is even more remarkable given the heat over the weekend, when high temperatures soared above 32 degrees, Detective Nathan Greeley of the Ouachita County Sheriffs Office told Little Rock TV station KATV. Today is anything but short of a miracle, Greeley said. The three-year-old and one-year-old being able to survive in the elements its nothing short of a miracle, Gods blessing, that these children were able to survive this accident. The younger boy was taken to Arkansas Childrens Hospital to be treated for dehydration, but his condition isnt life-threatening, authorities said. Garbage has never smelled so sweet for a small village in southern Benin since it opened a pilot waste treatment centre to turn household rubbish into gas -- and cash. "Our trash has become gold. We no longer throw it into the bush. We use it to make money," beams Alphonse Ago, who lives next to the centre in Houegbo village. ReBin, a Swiss foundation for sustainable development, built the 1.3-hectare (3.2-acre) facility, which every week turns around six tonnes of organic waste into 200 cubic metres of biogas -- saving some 164 tonnes of wood from being used to make charcoal. The centre, which opened late last year, also plans to produce around 400 tonnes of organic fertiliser per year. So far, around 100 households in the area have signed up to the scheme to deposit their waste at the centre on a daily basis. Every 10 kilogrammes (22 pounds) of waste fetches 250 CFA francs (around 50 euro cents, 57 US cents), paid either in cash or credit -- to buy biogas. The fuel is a precious commodity in a rural region where electricity remains scarce. Agnes Avoce, a shopkeeper and mother of five, proudly straps a large plastic bag of the gas onto her back. Biogas, she says, is much cleaner and more efficient for cooking than charcoal -- which "darkens the pots and makes me sick" -- and she is more than happy to make the switch. Avoce is not alone; five other women are waiting to pick up gas. "There are queues here since we opted for biogas," another customer says. - 'Goldmine' - Symphorien Adonon, 35, drops off a week's worth of carefully sorted waste, smiling as he pockets his cash payment. "Now I have enough to do the shopping for dinner," says Adonon, who drives a motorcycle taxi. The centre has treated more than 20 tonnes of waste since it began operations late last year. In addition to the customers' household waste, there is also rubbish collected by a local non-government organisation, Astome. The NGO's chief, Florent Gbegnon, says he used to collect it on a push cart, but he now uses a tricycle provided by the centre. "It's a huge relief," he says as he dumps a load of pineapple skins. "Pushing the cart was a real burden." It was the massive amounts of waste such as pineapple skins that originally caught the attention of ReBin's founder, Mark Giannelli, and inspired him to set up the treatment centre in Houegbo. "I saw this not as a problem, but as an opportunity, and I thought it was a goldmine," Giannelli told AFP. Benin is Africa's fourth-biggest exporter of pineapples. And in Houegbo, which has one of the busiest markets in the region, local sources estimate that more than a tonne of waste is generated every day from that fruit alone. Giannelli told AFP that he had been searching for a potential site for his project in Benin's West African neighbours Ghana and Togo. But it was the enthusiasm with which the locals embraced his idea that finally convinced him to set up the waste treatment centre here, he said. - 'Source of happiness' - The goal is to establish "a real economy that serves the population and protects the environment," he says. "We have to take the problems locally and adapt them to local solutions." Once the necessary expertise has become more firmly established in Houegbo, Giannelli hopes to extend the project to larger municipalities and let local entrepreneurs run it. The centre's director, Sewai Mardochee, suggests duplicating it in all of Benin's 77 municipalities. "We can then create jobs and clean up our living environment by reducing the use of firewood and coal," he said. Nicolas Hounje, a retired official, has put himself forward to take over the company. "We did not know here that garbage can become a source of happiness," he says. The facility processes around six tonnes of organic waste every week, turning it into 200 cubic metres of biogas So far, around 100 households in the area have signed up to the scheme. Every 10 kilogrammes of waste fetches 250 CFA francs (around 50 euro cents), paid either in cash or credit -- to buy biogas ReBin Benin Foundation chief Mark Giannelli was inspired to launch the project after noticing mountains of discarded pineapple skins in Benin, Africa's fourth-biggest exporter of the fruit Sewai Mardochee, director of the Toffo facility, says it should be duplicated across Benin. 'We can then create jobs and clean up our living environment by reducing the use of firewood and coal' A Macedonian court on Wednesday launched a trial of 33 men, including five opposition MPs and a former interior minister, accused of involvement in a violent attack on parliament last year. Scores were injured in the bloody rioting that erupted on April 27, 2017 after around 100 nationalist demonstrators, including masked men, stormed into the Skopje assembly to protest the vote for a new parliamentary speaker. Several lawmakers were beaten in the melee, including Social Democrats leader Zoran Zaev, who has since become prime minister. Most of the accused have been charged with "terrorist endangerment of the constitutional order and security", while two were indicted for complicity in the crime. The defendants include five MPs from the conservative VMRP-DPMNE party, as well as former interior minister and police chief Mitko Cavkov, among other government and security officials. If found guilty, they could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. "The attack of the parliament on 27th of April wasn't a spontaneous attack of emotions, but an planned attack by the accused," state prosecutor Vilma Ruskovska said on the trial's opening day. She also alleged that one of the defendants had been assigned to assassinate Zaev. The attack on the parliament, which was strongly condemned by the international community, notably the European Union, followed a long-running political crisis in the Balkan country. It came after months of protests by nationalists opposed to a coalition deal between Zaev's Social Democrats and minority ethnic Albanian parties, which they alleged was a threat to national unity. Protesters storm Macedonia's parliament on April 27, 2017, in an attack strongly condemned by the international community Social Democrats leader Zoran Zaev, who has since become prime minister, with his head bandaged after the rioting on April 27, 2017 A wounded Malcolm Turnbull has rejected the resignations of at least eight cabinet members as he looks to re-establish stability in his government ahead of a looming second leadership challenge. At least 10 ministers have offered to resign after voting against the prime minister in a snap leadership ballot on Tuesday, but most were rebuffed and will remain on the front bench. Mr Turnbull defeated his ex-home affairs minister 48 votes to 35 in the Liberal leadership spill, but backers of Mr Dutton believe his support levels are quickly climbing. Desperate to unite the fractured ruling party, Turnbull has asked the bulk of the cabinet rebels, including Australias Trade Minister Steven Ciobo and Greg Hunt, minister for health, to remain in their posts, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop said. Ministers who have quit International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton have both resigned following the failed leadership challenge. Images: AAP Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton resigned from the frontbench after his failed challenge. Mr Turnbull urged his challenger to stay on, but ultimately accepted his resignation. International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells quit, saying she believes the party has moved too far away from conservative voters. Mr Turnbull accepted her resignation. Ministers who offered to quit Cabinet Human Services Minister Michael Keenan offered his resignation after the challenge but later issued a statement of support for the prime minister. Trade Minister Steve Ciobo offered his resignation which was not accepted. He later issued a call for unity to defeat Labor at the next election Health Minister Greg Hunt reportedly would have run for deputy had Mr Dutton won the challenge. His resignation was not accepted. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunts offer of resignation was not accepted. Source: AAP Outer Ministry Cybersecurity Minister Angus Taylor offered his resignation after the failed leadership challenge. It was not accepted. Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge also offered his resignation, but it too was rejected. Assistant Ministers Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkars resignation was not accepted. James McGrath, who is the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister offered his resignation but it too was rejected. Assistant Science, Jobs and Innovation Minister Zed Seselja also had his offer of resignation turned down. Im ready to be prime minister: Shorten Story continues Bill Shorten has declared he is ready to become prime minister as the Liberal Party tears itself apart over the leadership of Malcolm Turnbull. The Labor leader decried the latest crisis within the government as deeply disturbing, saying no wonder people hate politics. Labor party leader Bill Shorten said he is ready to be prime minister. Source: AAP With Peter Dutton expected to again challenge Mr Turnbull for the leadership, and even speculation of an early election, Mr Shorten said he was absolutely ready for the top job. Mr Shorten said his party wasnt afraid of the more conservative Mr Dutton becoming leader, and said Mr Turnbull was just the salesman for the governments failed policies. What they are doing is blaming the salesman. Its the policies, he said. US President Donald Trump's national security adviser warned Wednesday that the United States would respond "very strongly" if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad uses chemical weapons in an offensive to retake Idlib province. "We now see plans for the Syrian regime to resume offensive military activities in Idlib province," John Bolton told a press conference during a visit to Jerusalem. "We are obviously concerned about the possibility that Assad may use chemical weapons again," he said. "Just so there's no confusion here, if the Syrian regime uses chemical weapons we will respond very strongly and they really ought to think about this a long time." The northern province of Idlib is home to the last major rebel bastion in Syria. In April the United States, France and Britain launched joint missile strikes on Syrian targets in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack in the town of Douma that left scores dead. Bolton also said that the Trump administration was not seeking to oust Iran's leadership with its reimposition of sanctions on Tehran. "Regime change in Iran is not American policy but what we want is massive change in the regime's behaviour," he said. Bolton arrived in Israel on Sunday for three days of talks expected to focus mainly on Iran and its presence in Syria. Israel and Syria share a border and Iran is backing Assad in his country's civil war, along with Russia and Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to prevent Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, and a series of recent strikes that killed Iranians there has been attributed to Israel. "Every time that Iran has brought missiles or other threatening weapons into Syria in recent months Israel has struck those targets," Bolton said. "I think that's a legitimate act of self-defence on the part of Israel," he added. US national security adviser John Bolton adjusts his spectacles as he gives a press conference in Jerusalem on August 20, 2018 Venezuela hit back at Colombia on Wednesday branding as fake news claims from its neighbor that helicopters and troops had violated its sovereignty in an illegal incursion. Venezuela has "no doubts in qualifying" the news as "another false positive," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "There was no incursion of any sort either by air or land," it added. Colombia had sent a strongly-worded protest to the Venezuelan ambassador on Tuesday over what it claimed was an incursion into its Norte Santander department on Sunday. "Two helicopters, identified with the initials of the Bolivarian National Guard and about 30 armed personnel belonging to the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela" landed in the border region of Tibu, Colombia's foreign ministry said. The South American neighbors have locked horns in recent years over similar incidents along their 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border, which is crisscrossed by guerrillas and drug traffickers. The most recent incident was in November last year and also involved the Tibu region. Colombia's right-wing President Ivan Duque is a vocal critic of far-left Venezuela counterpart Nicolas Maduro and has denounced his "dictatorship." Earlier this month, Maduro accused Duque's predecessor Juan Manuel Santos of being behind an alleged attempt to assassinate him during a military parade in Caracas. Colombia has been swamped by a flood of migrants streaming over the border to flee an economic crisis that has left food and medicine shortages following four years of recession. More than a million Venezuelans have entered Colombia in just the last 16 months. Maduro, though, accuses his neighbor of sheltering his political opponents. Following the statement, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Twitter that his country "won't stop its efforts to protect its population and expel from its territory the plague of Colombian violence and drug-trafficking." Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza denies its troops crossed into Colombia as charged by Bogota Vietnam Wednesday jailed two American citizens and 10 others from an outlawed US-based "terrorist" group for attempting to overthrow the state after they spread anti-government leaflets and tried to incite protests last year. Critics of the communist regime are routinely jailed in the one-party state. Most are loosely-linked bloggers, activists and rights lawyers, with few groups designated as "terrorist organisations". One of those groups is the California-based Provisional National Government of Vietnam (PNGV), an anti-communist organisation with its own self-appointed prime minister that pledges allegiance to the former South Vietnam regime. Twelve of their members were jailed for between five and 14 years after a two-day trial in Ho Chi Minh City for "attempting to overthrow the state", according to Phap Luat newspaper, the mouthpiece of the city's justice department. They were accused of printing 4,000 leaflets, plotting to take over national radio and calling for demonstrations on April 30 last year -- celebrated as "reunification day" to mark the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. The group included two American citizens, Phan Angel and Nguyen James Han, who allegedly travelled to Vietnam from the United States to help the failed plot, state media reported. They were the only two to receive the harshest sentences of 14 years in prison and will be deported after serving their sentences. "The defendants' behaviour was extremely serious, violating national security, undermining the country's stability and development (and) causing political and social disorder," the official Vietnam News Agency quoted the court decision as saying. US embassy spokesman Pope Thrower said the safety of American citizens was a top priority. "We will continue to monitor Mr Nguyen's welfare, advocate for him and provide consular services until his release," Thrower said in a statement. The embassy was not authorised to speak about Phan. The foiled plan was allegedly set to coincide with a failed attack on Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat international airport last year, for which 15 PNGV members were convicted. The group was also accused of bombing a police station in the city in June and injuring three people. The PNGV was established in 1990 in California, where large numbers of Vietnamese refugees settled after the end of the war. Its members, many who wear the yellow-and-red-striped southern flag of the former Saigon regime, say their aim is to "liberate Vietnam from communism". Hanoi and Washington now enjoy close ties, although a number of incidents involving US citizens in Vietnam this year have created a diplomatic headache between the former foes. Michael Nguyen, a California-based father of four is in custody for "attempting to overthrow the state", while American student Will Nguyen was convicted and deported last month for disturbing public order after joining protests in Ho Chi Minh City. Members of the California-based Provisional National Government of Vietnam stand with policemen during a trial in Ho Chi Minh City U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, one of four Democrats vying to become the state's next attorney general, will hold two town hall meetings Wednesday in central New York. The first will be a running town hall meeting at 7 a.m. at the Inner Harbor in Syracuse. Runners should meet at the Solar Street roundabout. Maloney will take questions during and after the morning run. Maloney will hold an in-person town hall meeting at 5:15 p.m. at Coleman's, 100 S. Lowell Ave., Syracuse. On Thursday, Maloney will hold in-person and running town hall meetings in Rochester. To RSVP or find more information about the forums, visit maloneyfornewyork.com/townhalls. "I'm looking forward to continue holding town halls in Syracuse and Rochester where I can hear from even more New Yorkers about the things most important to them and answer any questions they may have," he said. "New Yorkers deserve an (attorney general) that is on-the-ground listening to their concerns and I'm proud to be the only candidate in the race holding 30 town halls across the state." Maloney pledged to hold 30 town hall meetings in 30 days leading up to the Sept. 13 primary. He has already held 14 town hall meetings, primarily in downstate. He has held forums in Albany, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. The race for the Democratic nomination is wide open. A Siena College poll found Maloney running in second behind New York City Public Advocate Letitia James. Zephyr Teachout, a law professor and one-time gubernatorial candidate, was in third place. Rounding out the field is attorney Leecia Eve, who worked as an adviser to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and was an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Keith Wofford, a Manhattan attorney, the general election. Wofford won the Republican nomination at the party's convention in May. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 In response to todays rapidly changing world, education must be ready to adapt in order to prepare students for a world beyond the classroom. Education is simply not the same as it was 30 years ago, or even 10 years ago, and to help our children succeed, that change is both necessary and positive. Education today encompasses more curriculum than ever before, and the need for hands-on, critical-thinking learning opportunities is essential. As a school district, it is our responsibility to provide all of our students with instruction and experiences that will prepare them with the 21st century skills necessary to be college- and career-ready, and be successful in our ever-changing world. New York state recently issued requirements to develop an instructional technology plan starting with the 2018-2019 school year. Through this plan, the district has a responsibility to provide technology-enhanced, culturally and linguistically responsive education to support improved digital teaching and learning. In addition, the district is responsible for increasing equitable access to high-quality digital resources and standards-based, technology-rich learning experiences. In order to meet the needs of our students as outlined by these standards and expectations, it is necessary for the school district to implement a new special area structure for all elementary students. In the new special area rotation, elementary students will continue to receive general music and art instruction, as well as instruction that blends literacy, technology enrichment and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) instruction for a total of 90 days of special area learning. Students will continue to receive physical education instruction every other day as required by New York state, and current band, string and choral programs will be unaffected. As part of the STEAM instruction, a K-6 Innovation Lab curriculum will be built into the special area rotation. Within the Innovation Lab, technology instruction will be used to enhance both the art and music curriculum through interdisciplinary design projects, coding for music composition and STEAM experiments that connect students with the books they are reading in class. As a district, we will be preparing our students for future careers that we cannot even imagine today. The best preparation for these careers is to ensure that students across our five elementary schools have equitable access to rich learning experiences where they are afforded the opportunity to develop problem-solving, inquiry and computational thinking skills. Experiences that involve the informed design process encourage our children to create, perform, present, embed low and high-tech resources, and most of all, collaborate preparing all of Auburns students for those future expectations and the jobs of the future. Through this new rotation schedule, all of our students will now be provided with the access to gain additional skills such as sketching, prototyping, keyboarding and so much more, in an effort to better prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. The district would be remiss if it did not offer these opportunities to all of our students throughout the district. Additionally, the Innovation Labs being placed at the elementary schools will incorporate the use of makerspaces, which are areas that allow a student the freedom to develop an idea and see it through from start to finish. The makerspace movement has gained a great deal of popularity nationwide as not only an enjoyable extracurricular activity, but as a powerful educational tool. For example, in another area school district, a student developed an idea to create a special key chain. This student was then able to go into their schools makerspace, sketch out the idea, design the item through the use of computer-aided design software, print a prototype on a 3D printer, and produce a product that they were then able to market to other students by selling it in the schools store, providing funding for future projects. By expanding our curriculum, all of our students will be able to develop critical college and career readiness skills, as well as be able to more regularly enjoy the new opportunities that an Innovation Lab can offer. Embedding digital learning and STEAM instruction at all five elementary schools in grades K-6 will ensure equitable learning opportunities for all and set our students up for success in high school, college and beyond. Kathleen Rhodes is president and Joe Sheppard is vice president of the Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education. For more information on the Auburn Enlarged City School District, call (315) 255-8800 or visit aecsd.education. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 When I taught piano lessons to young children, I always suggested that children wait until they were 7 or 8 to begin lessons, unless they studied the Suzuki method or were unusually talented. In my experience, too often younger children made much slower progress than children aged 7 and 8, who were better prepared to handle the challenges of integrating a new musical language with the necessary eye-hand coordination. Five- and 6-year-old starters often gave up lessons before they ever reached the age of 8. Children starting at an older age made much more rapid progress and consequently thrived on the positive reinforcement of seeing their efforts produce tangible results from week to week. This makes sense to me. It also makes sense to me that in many European countries, compulsory education doesnt begin until age 7, and most of these countries (e.g. Sweden, Finland, Norway) still have better educational outcomes than the United States. Of course, they have free or very affordable quality child care for all. Children are well-cared-for and school-ready when they enroll. As I often say, poverty is a root problem in our educational system. We are a nation of social inequity with the very rich and the very poor. Some parents pay upwards of 50 percent of their income on child care, and in major urban areas, like New York City and Boston, quality child care can cost $2,000 per month. Most families cannot access quality care, and few can afford it without a struggle. The burgeoning number of public universal prekindergarten programs for 3- and 4-year-olds are a welcome budget relief to high-earning families, and for lower-income families they mean both more food on the table and perhaps a first experience with quality care. UPK programs address the problems generated by social inequities and the dearth of affordable quality child care in the U.S. While these programs are improving educational and social outcomes for children, we should remember that they exist due to the failure of our society to commit to quality child care for all. We all know that elementary curricula and standards of achievement keep getting pushed further and further down through the grades. Children in these classrooms run the risk, like my young piano students, of becoming discouraged and giving up almost before they get started. Early education is all about building confidence and enthusiasm for learning, not about drudgery and defeat. UPK programs must remain focused on two words: creative play. Children learn through play, games, music, stories, drama and imagining. Great hands-on materials, new experiences and stimulating environments open their minds. The European model is the result of preventative medicine; the American pre-K model is a remedy to the disease of poverty. Sometimes our remedies are too strong. One Manhattan child care center, and there certainly are more, provides worksheets for children in their summer program as young as 2 and a half years old phonetics worksheets meant for school-age children, no less! While this school does not offer a publicly funded UPK, this is exactly what I caution against. Pushing schooling downhill is no substitute for the growth engendered through creative play. Worksheets at this age are developmentally inappropriate in every way and an excellent way to turn off children from school before they ever get there. While I applaud what our UPK programs offer families, I wish we didnt need them. I wish we had free universal child care in our neighborhoods. I dont expect it will happen soon, but this commitment would raise our national test scores and achievement levels overnight, because we would begin to undo the educational caste system in our country. Children could go to school ready and eager to learn without the weight of preparing for their futures, and parents could relax and stop obsessing over their toddlers readiness for school. Universal childcare for all is the ultimate play date. Barbara Post is the head of school at Peachtown Elementary School in Aurora, a small independent school offering grades prekindergarten through eighth. For more information, call (315) 364-8721 or visit peachtownschool.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Olivia Gatwood wants to break down stigmas on relationships, gender inequality and violence when she arrives at Auburn Public Theater. The 26-year-old poet and author of "New American Best Friend" will perform at the downtown venue Sunday. Gatwood, of Albuquerque, believes she had been through Auburn while touring before, but she isn't sure. Although she recently spent three years talking to college students about sex education, this will mark her first year traveling to music venues. The show will feature some poems by Gatwood that people may have seen on social media, as her work has gone viral before. Seeing her own work while scrolling through social media feeds is amazing, she said. She was the only person in her friend group interested in poetry while growing up, so she is continually surprised to see people who respond to poems. "It's kind of a surreal experience," Gatwood said. "It's something I never would have expected for my life." Gatwood has been performing for 10 years, presenting her work at slam poetry competitions at first. She believes she has always been fairly confident in telling her story. From the start, her work featured themes such as relationships, her body and sexual violence. Her mother's work in sex education helped her be open to diving into subjects others might shy away from, Gatwood said. "The definition of 'taboo' in my house growing up was probably different from other people's houses," she said. Gatwood eventually transitioned from competitions to teaching sex education through poetry at colleges. This allowed institutions to fulfill their Title IX quotas, she said, as Title IX requires colleges to provide education on topics such as gender equality, sexual assault and consent. These efforts began when Gatwood was in a traveling poetry duo, earning money at colleges as a visiting writer. As the duo went from place to place, however, they noticed students were gravitating toward their poems on topics such as sexual assault and harassment, and felt validated by it. The duo decided to use their poetry as a form of sex education in order to change conversations on campuses, Gatwood said. Although the duo eventually stopped traveling together, she continued sex education at colleges, as she feels many institutions' attempts at education, such as pamphlets and mass emails, are lacking. Gatwood's current performances still hit a lot of the same themes, so she empathizes with people who may feel uncomfortable in such territory. However, she believes speaking unapologetically on these topics is a form of harm reduction: Telling students to practice safe sex while acknowledging that some of them may have already had sex is considerably less harmful than telling them to avoid it entirely, she said. In the wake of the #MeToo movement which has seen scores of victims of sexual harassment or abuse come forward with their stories within the last year Gatwood feels many people have been harassed for talking about their experiences. But she relishes the fact that they have come forward. Gatwood feels it is important for people to understand that the powerful men now associated with abuse, such as film producer Harvey Weinstein and comedian Bill Cosby, are not the only abusers who exist. She noted that many victims are abused by people they know well, such as a former or current partner, and added that people of any gender are capable of violence. Stories about violence against women, Gatwood believes, have often been told from men's perspectives, so she emphasizes the importance of listening to survivors. Now that Gatwood has moved away from sex education, she said, she doesn't miss teaching it just yet. She feels her current performances involve a less direct form of education, and she noted that the subject matter she tackled while educating was extremely serious. But Gatwood said her upcoming performance at Auburn Public Theater will contain a lot of humor, as she tells embarrassing and silly personal stories between poems. She said she tells those stories in order to validate people who have had similar experiences. Gatwood hopes people feel enlightened by the end of the show. "I want to validate my audience who have experienced violence," she said, "and challenge my audience who haven't." Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau. Love 3 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. AUBURN An Auburn man accused of assaulting a woman and injuring two police officers will remain in jail after a Cayuga County judge denied his request to have his bail reduced. Justin Tillmon, 32, was in Cayuga County Court Tuesday morning for a pre-trial conference. His defense attorney, Rome Canzano, asked Judge Mark Fandrich to lower Tillmon's bail to $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond. Fandrich denied the request. Tillmon is currently being held on bail at the Cayuga County Jail on $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. Tillmon's trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 15 and will center around the events that occurred on the night of Jan. 24. According to information released by the Auburn Police Department at the time, officers responded to a domestic incident at Tillmon's home at 144 Washington St. in Auburn where the victim, a 27-year-old woman, told police that Tillmon had assaulted her and thrown her down a flight of stairs into the basement of the Washington Street apartment building. While in the basement, Tillmon assaulted her again and then forced her into a seperate room, where he locked the door from the outside, according to the victim. The room contained a breaker panel, so police said the woman turned off the breaker in an attempt to get help. Tillmon then released her from the room. Officers located Tillmon in the building and attempted to arrest him, but he resisted and injured two officers. The officers and victim were all transported to Auburn Community Hospital for treatment. specifics about the extent of the injuries was not released by the APD. Tillmon was charged with second-degree kidnapping, second-degree strangulation and two count of second-degree assault, all felonies, and third-degree assault, resisting arrest and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to court records. Staff writer Natalie Brophy can be reached at (315)282-2239 or natalie.brophy@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter @brophy_natalie. Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 2 Sad 1 Angry 15 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. AUBURN The positions of several teacher aides that were cut earlier this year from the Auburn Enlarged City School District have been restored. Eight aide spots that were cut back in June were recalled at a district board of education meeting Tuesday night. Fifteen teacher aides were originally part of 28 positions that had been set to be cut in light of a $3.8 million budget deficit the district faced in May. District Superintendent Jeff Pirozzolo said after the meeting that all 15 of those aides had been contacted about coming back and 13 plan to return to the district. Pirozzolo said the aides were needed again due to a combination of other aides either retiring or resigning or new registrations for children requiring special education programs. In other news: The board approved local property tax rates for the 2018-2019 school year. The budget, which includes a 1.58-percent tax levy increase, was approved by voters in May. The amount to be collected by school taxes is set not to exceed $31,274,768. According to the district's new final equalized tax rates discussed at the meeting, the city of Auburn's tax rate will be $18.11 per $1,000 of assessed value. Auburn's 2017-2018 rate was $18.76 per $1,000 of assessed value. Aurelius' rate is $21.56 per $1,000 of assessed value. Fleming's rate is $51.75 per $1,000 of assessed value, Owasco's rate is $23.08 per $1,000 of assessed value and Sennett's rate is $19.68 per $1,000 of assessed value. A town's rates vary based on how current their assessments are. A rate is normally higher based on how long a town has gone without a re-evaluation. Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The driver of a pickup truck that struck a pedestrian Sunday night on Grant Avenue in Auburn is not facing any criminal charges or traffic law violations, the Auburn Police Department announced Wednesday. Police identified the driver as Richard Lupo, 61, of Auburn. His vehicle hit a 20-year-old woman attempting to cross Grant Avenue in front of Wendy's. In a press release, police said Lupo has remained cooperative with law enforcement throughout the investigation. Police did not release the name of the victim, as the investigation is still ongoing. The accident happened around 8:45 p.m. Sunday. The victim was transported via ambulance to Auburn Community Hospital around 9:30 p.m. and then airlifted to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where she died at about 4:30 a.m. Monday. If anyone has any more information related to the case, the APD requests that people contact Detective Meagan Kalet at (315) 255-4702 or the APD at (315) 253-3231. Callers may remain anonymous. Love 5 Funny 12 Wow 10 Sad 31 Angry 17 Next year, New York will become the first state in the country with a panel assigned to investigate prosecutors. It's an idea not without controversy, and it needs to get off the ground in the right way if it's going to be effective and fair. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law this week a bill authorizing the creation of an 11-member commission to investigate claims of misconduct against district attorneys and their assistants. The commission passed the Legislature with bipartisan support but that doesn't mean everybody thinks it's a good idea. Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann joined the state district attorney's association in speaking out against the measure, arguing that there are already mechanisms in place to safeguard trials. Prosecutors are subject to the attorney grievance process and overseen by judges who have the authority to keep evidence out of trials, dismiss charges and sanction district attorneys. Advocates for the commission say that defendants need an independent panel to review their claims, and Cuomo said the law will root out potential abuses of power while providing a system of checks and balances for the legal system. Even though oversight is already in place, we believe this commission has the potential to right wrongs in cases where people are prosecuted improperly. The state DA's association said that a review of 2.5 million cases between 2010 and 2015 revealed 54 instances of misconduct. And while that is a statistically tiny number of cases, it is still 54 too many. The legislation signed this week contains flaws that the Legislature will need to repair next year. As written, it would allow the public release of files concerning ongoing investigations. And the requirement that the Legislature name most of the panel's members violates the separation of powers under the state constitution. With points still waiting to be ironed out, this commission needs to be developed with nothing but fairness and justice in mind. And great care must be taken to ensure the development of a non-partisan panel. The ultimate arbiter of removing a district attorney from office will be whomever happens to be governor at the time, and elected DAs and their constituents need reassurances that prosecutors will not be targeted for the wrong reasons. The Citizen editorial board includes publisher Rob Forcey, executive editor Jeremy Boyer and managing editor Mike Dowd. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Michael Lacey, the 69-year-old co-founder of Backpage.com, says that he believes federal prosecutors intend to put him and his business partner, Backpage co-founder James Larkin, 68, in prison for the rest of our lives. Lacey made the comments in a new interview published Tuesday by the libertarian site Reason.com, and marks the first time that Lacey and Larkin have discussed the case publicly since the federal government shut down the site in April. But on Friday, the Backpage sales and marketing director, Dan Hyer, entered a guilty plea on charges of conspiracy to facilitate prostitution, according to a report by The Associated Press. Hyer admitted that he took part in a scheme to induce prostitutes to advertise on Backpage, rather than on competing sites, by offering them ads for free. The site could afford to give away ads for free in a plan to corner the market on prostitution advertising because Backpage raked in upwards of $500 million in ads for illegal sexual services over the past 14 years, according to prosecutors. While it now appears unlikely that Backpage will be returning to operation anytime soon, the state Department of Justice in Delaware, where Backpage remains registered as a limited liability corporation, said this week that they plan to ask a court to revoke the companys business registration, according to an AP report. Lacey and Larkin, along with five other Backpage execs, were hit with a 93-count indictment in April, charging them with facilitating prostitution as well as laundering millions of dollars. But in the interview with Reason, Larkin slammed the legal efforts against Backpage as the product of state politics in Arizona, where Lacey and Larkin live and where they started their first newspaper, the Phoenix New Times, in 1970. By the 1980s, New Times had become one of the largest publishers of local alternative weekly newspapers in the country, with New Times papers in 18 United States cities including Denver, Miami, and Los Angeles. Part of the reason this has really worked is because you have Cindy and John McCain involved and they see an opportunity to even a score," Larkin told Reason, referring to the Republican U.S. Senator from Arizona. "We didn't really care what politicians saw in us. And that's come back to haunt us." "We spent 40 years doing journalism, groundbreaking journalism, and they want to take all that away," Lacey added. According to Reason, New Times made the McCains a frequent target of its muckraking reporting. The paper would report on the McCains for their involvement with savings-and-loan scammer Charles Keating; dredge up Cindy's dad's connection to mobsters and murdered Arizona Republic journalist Don Bolles; and out Cindy as an opioid addict who forged prescriptions and stole pills from the children's charity she founded, the site said. But when Hyer pleaded guilty last Friday, he was the second executive from the firm to enter a guilty plea following CEO Carl Ferrer earlier this year. Trial for Lacey, Larkin and four other Backpage execs is set for January of 2020. Photos by Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Sacramento County Sheriff's Office Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer and fixer for Donald Trump, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to eight counts of income tax evasion, lying to a bank, making an unlawful campaign contribution and, in a charge that appears to directly involve the $130,000 hush money payment he made to Stormy Daniels, making an excessive campaign contribution, Bloomberg News reported. And in the biggest bombshell of Tuesdays court hearing, Cohen admitted that a candidate for federal office ordered him to make the payment to Danielsa candidate later confirmed by Cohens own lawyer to be President Donald Trump. Today [Michael Cohen] stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election, Cohen lawyer Lanny Davis wrote on his Twitter account. If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump? The plea agreement filed by prosecutors noted that the $130,000 payment was made on October 27, 2016, the same day that Cohen finalized the hush money deal with Daniels, according to The Washington Post. In his guilty pleas, Cohen also admitted arranging a $150,000 payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Both Daniels and McDougal say that they had sexual relationships with Trump in 2006. In his plea deal, Cohen admitted that he followed Trumps orders to keep information that would have been harmful to the candidate and the campaign from becoming public. Cohen told a judge in the Southern District of New York federal court that the payments to the two women were made for the principal purpose of influencing the election, according to The New York Times. Daniels sued Cohen and Trump over the hush money deal in March, but a federal judge in California has delayed the case until at least September 10, to wait for the outcome of the investigation into Cohen in New York. But Daniels lawyer, Michael Avenatti, said that Cohens confessions in open court clears the way for that case to be resumedand for Trump to sit for a deposition. The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case and should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it, Avenatti wrote on Twitter. We will disclose it all to the public. Cohen now faces a prison term of between four years and six years, according to Bloomberg News. Photo by IowaPolitics.com / Wikimedia Commons The attorneys general from 22 states as well as the District of Columbia on Monday filed a brief in the D.C. federal appeals court, pressing the court to throw out the December Federal Communications Commission ruling that ditched Obama-era net neutrality rules. In the court brief, the statesled by New York Attorney General Barbara Underwoodblasted the FCCs decision as devastating for millions of Americans and an arbitrary and capricious ... abdication of regulatory authority. A free and open internet is critical to New Yorkand to our democracy, said Underwood in a prepared statement. By repealing net neutrality, the FCC is allowing internet service providers to put their profits before consumers while controlling what we see, do, and say online. Under net neutrality rules, internet service providers are banned from slowing down or blocking internet traffic to some sites while granting others access to an online fast lane, as well as other forms on unequal treatment of internet data. According to documents filed Monday as part of the states lawsuit, the rollback of net neutrality is already having dangerous effects. The Santa Clara County, California, fire department said in the documents that Verizon, which provides internet access to the fire department, throttledthat is, deliberately slowedits internet data, according to a report by Ars Technica. Verizon imposed these limitations despite being informed that throttling was actively impeding County Fire's ability to provide crisis-response and essential emergency services, the Santa Clara County fire department said in the documents. Verizon called the slowing as customer support mistake, but Santa Clara Country replied, Verizon's throttling has everything to do with net neutralityit shows that the ISPs will act in their economic interests, even at the expense of public safety. As AVN.com reported, the Donald Trump administration is already attempting to preempt the states lawsuit against the net neutrality repeal. In 2016, two federal courts issued rulings that upheld the open internet rules. But earlier this month, the United States Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to toss out those rulings, saying that the FCC repeal decision made the rulings moot. While the DOJ claims that the request is simply a case of legal housekeeping, net neutrality advocates say that the administration is trying to erase the legal precedents that could be used by the D.C. appellate court to reinstate the rules. A number of private entities are also suing to get the net neutrality rules put back in place. On Monday, Mozillathe organization that makes the popular open-source internet browser Firefoxfiled its own brief, saying that FCC ignored its reasoned decision making process by ignoring much of the public record as well as their own data showing that consumers lack competitive choices for internet access. Photo By Slow King / Wikimedia Commons Popular Kikuyu musician Muigai wa Njoroge has come out to distance himself from a controversial song, Mbari ya Kimendero (clan of the greedy), that was seen as an attack on DP William Ruto. According to the hitmaker, his original song was plagiarised and negative clips of Deputy President William Ruto juxtaposed to depict him as corrupt and greedy. The song was released early this month and has been the subject of discussion among members of parliament who are keen on the 2022 succession politics. While defending himself from the song, Muiga was Njoroge said: I am a man of God and I cannot publish a song that will evoke ethnic tension. I am the composer of the original video, Mbari ya Kimendero, but not the fake version that was plagiarised by my haters to tarnish my name, said Muigai. In the original song, Muigai paints an accurate picture of Kenyas poor governance by likening men in power to dinosaurs saying that in ancient times they were big and mighty but due to their oppression of the weak they were reduced to small and helpless creatures. Muigai has since recorded his complaint with the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) citing plagiarism of Kimendero, which means crusher or oppressor. I have presented a copy of my original song to the DCI and the matter is under investigation, he said. Watch the original hit below. A new school year is weeks away, leaving ambitious high schoolers to anticipate schedules packed with Advanced Placement classes. Expected to amp up a transcript's awe factor, AP coursework offers precocious high school students a chance to earn college credit or advanced placements in college classes. It's no surprise, then, that student regard for AP is surging. According to the College Board, the organization that runs the nation's AP program, 38 percent of 2017 public high school graduates participated in AP, up from 24 percent a decade ago. But expansion is coming with a cost, bringing high-profile defections and unexpected challenges.This summer eight elite Washington, D.C.-area private schools - including National Cathedral School and Sidwell Friends, educators to the children of U.S. presidents - released a joint statement announcing plans to halt all AP coursework by 2022. Citing the "diminished utility" of AP classes, school leaders are instead implementing a "collaborative, experiential, and interdisciplinary" curriculum they believe will trump AP in rigor and college preparation. Ouch. Those sound like fighting words for the College Board, also publisher of the SAT, which has made its name as the nation's authority on college readiness.Is the AP program, created in 1954, becoming antiquated and irrelevant?Not for mainstream America. The movement to jettison AP, begun years ago, is dominated by private schools with established reputations for rigor. Though thoughtful and innovative in their curricular approaches, these schools don't educate most students. Nor must they consider most students' opportunities, aspirations, and budgets.In fact, AP's record of consistency and rigor amidst expansion is notable. A decade ago, 691,437 public school students took AP exams; 61 percent scored a three or higher - out of a possible five - on at least one exam. Among the Class of 2017, 1.17 million public school students took AP exams; 61 percent earned a three or higher.In North Carolina, participation and performance are rising concurrently. The state has doubled down on AP investment: 2014 legislation authorized funding for public school students' exams and created the N.C. AP Partnership with the College Board, broadening AP access, especially for underserved students, and providing professional development and teacher support.AP expansion also mitigates higher education's assault on the family pocketbook. Based on 2017 exam scores of three or better, the state's public and private students had the potential to earn AP college credits representing more than $61 million in cost savings, according to Sara Sympson, the College Board's director of communications.Yet challenges lie ahead. Despite progress, just more than half of 2017 AP exams taken by N.C. public school students garnered a score of three or above. Clearly, there's work ahead to boost course rigor and exam preparation. What else? As AP expands, its imprimatur is becoming less distinctive. Washington, D.C. school leaders, who surveyed colleges themselves, found the AP designation is now "less noteworthy" to admissions officers.Finally, as more students seek college credit, some selective institutions are more reticent to award it. A report from Paul Weinstein, director of Johns Hopkins University's Graduate Program in Public Management, found 86 percent of the country's top colleges and universities limit AP credit in some way- restricting eligible subject areas, capping credits, or setting a higher bar for scores. Still, among the 35 most selective American institutions, just one, California Institute of Technology, awards neither AP credit nor advanced placement, notes Sympson. Among institutions overall,she says.Will more defections follow? Probably. But they're unlikely to reconfigure most students' schedules -especially as those college costs continue to soar. A three-judge Superior Court panel has ordered state elections officials to delay printing fall election ballots until Sept. 1.The ruling was announced Wednesday, Aug. 15, after judges heard back-to-back arguments in two cases seeking to block proposed constitutional amendments from appearing on the ballot. Gov. Roy Cooper filed one, the N.C. Conference of NAACP and Clean Air Carolina joined to file another.A court order was necessary to delay printing the ballots. But nobody in the courtroom thought the three-judge panel would have the last word."In all candor, we know that someone's going to appeal," Judge Forrest Bridges told lawyers during the NAACP/Clean Air Carolina hearing.The judges directed the Bipartisan State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement to begin the 21-day process of printing the ballots if it hasn't received a final order by Sept. 1 from them or an appellate court. The general election is Nov. 6. Bridges ordered the delay, in part, to prevent more than one batch of ballots from being printed at taxpayer expense if the court's orders were reversed on appeal.State law says mail-in ballots must be ready for distribution 60 days before an election - more time than the federal minimum of 45, noted N.C. Solicitor General Matt Sawchak, representing the elections board. This marks the second deadline the elections board would miss for printing ballots. The delay gives the board a breather as court action continues.John Wester, an attorney representing Cooper, and Martin Warf, representing defendants Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, said they would give the judges proposed orders for the judges to consider by noon Thursday.The panel's other members are Thomas Lock, registered unaffiliated and serving Johnston County, and Jeffery Carpenter, a Republican serving Union County.The arguments turn largely on separation of powers. The constitutional guarantees that all power in state government rests with the people, and only voters can change the state constitution figured prominently.Defendants said if Cooper were successful and stripped the amendments from the ballot, he would have de facto veto authority over constitutional amendments. Proposed amendments are among several bills the governor cannot veto.Challengers say the Republican legislative supermajority is unconstitutionally transferring power from the executive branch to the legislature, and tricking voters with exceptionally misleading ballot language.The judges challenged the plaintiffs' legal basis for seeking an injunction to remove amendments from the ballot, denying voters the right to alter the constitution. They quizzed defendants why the legislature's acts should be presumed constitutional and beyond the court's interpretation.North Carolina courts haven't dealt with these issues before, forcing both sides to offer the judges cases from other states to examine for guidance.Cooper is challenging two proposed constitutional amendments. He contends an amendment establishing an elections board violates the constitution's separation of powers clause. Another altering the way judicial vacancies are filled would take away thousands of appointments to hundreds of boards and commissions, he claims.Wester said Cooper's suit seeks to prevent the General Assembly from using unfair and inaccurate ballot language that tricks voters and pushes them to vote yes. He claimed statutory and constitutional safeguards should prevent such behavior.Warf said this is a political question rather than a constitutional one. If judges grant Cooper's request, he said, they "will have undone the balance of power, not by amendment, but simply at the request of the executive branch."Their lawsuit challenges the same amendments as Cooper does, plus one requiring photo ID to vote, and another that would lower the income tax cap from 10 percent to 7 percent.Plaintiffs lawyer Kym Hunter argued the General Assembly is an unconstitutional body because Republicans racially gerrymandered legislative districts to win a supermajority, and are now orchestrating a power grab through unconstitutionally misleading ballot language.Matt Abee, representing Berger and Moore, dismissed Hunter's contention, saying no court has declared the legislature an unconstitutional body. A North Carolina Drivers license, learner's permit, or provisional license. Acceptable up to four years after expiration date. A special identification card for non-operators. Acceptable up to four years after expiration date. A United States passport. A United States military identification card. A veterans identification card. A tribal enrollment card issued either by a federally recognized tribe or a tribe recognized by North Carolina. A drivers license issued by any other state, Washington D.C., territory, or commonwealth of the United States. Expired identification if expiration date is after the voter's 70th birthday. This November, North Carolinians will be asked to vote on six amendments to the State Constitution. One of these amendments, if passed, will require voters to show a photo I.D. before voting. The General Assembly would then meet after the election in November to decide on which forms of I.D. will be accepted at the polls. As the bill states, Critics and advocates of the photo I.D. amendment have raised a good question; which forms of identification will be accepted?Let's take a look at the previous bill that includes a photo I.D. requirement legislators passed in 2013 and which forms of I.D. were regarded as acceptable:These options provide a broad range of acceptable forms of I.D. Even voters with an expired I.D. (and not all of the listed I.D.s expire) would have had up to four years past the expiration date to cast their vote and obtain a new I.D. If voters are 70 years old or older, they would have been able to hold on to the same I.D. for as long as they wish to vote.While this bill was passed 5 years ago, it is a credible reference to what legislators may approve during November's session.But, let's not leave it at that. What are other states accepting as photo I.D.?Above is an interactive map that provides additional details on the 15 states where a photo I.D. is either required or requested when voters go to the polls.Most states with a photo I.D. requirement accept the same forms of photo identification that North Carolina outlined in the 2013 bill. Some states have even more options though: government employee photo I.D. ( Kansas ), student photo I.D. ( Virginia ), and a neighborhood association I.D. ( Florida ).Providing some form of identification when voting is a common practice, 34 states have enacted such laws (not all are photo I.D. laws). Having a photo I.D. requirement will deter impersonators of legal, registered voters and will provide stronger voter confidence in the election process. BREAKING - NBC NEWS: Bill Nelson wasn't making things up when he said Russians hacked Florida election systems https://t.co/7TgaPIB69o Senator Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) August 17, 2018 Our Four-Pinocchio rating stands. Everything in this article was noted in our piece, except for the suggestion that Nelson leaked classified information. https://t.co/j7To5lj1k5 Glenn Kessler (@GlennKesslerWP) August 17, 2018 Nelson also has cited "classified" information. Although it's possible that this information exists and proves his claim, it's a tough proposition for The Fact Checker to accept, since the Department of Homeland Security has denied Nelson's assertions, the FBI said as recently as Aug. 2 that there's no sign of "efforts to specifically target election infrastructure," and U.S. officials probably would have shared this classified information in some form with the state of Florida, where election officials have contradicted Nelson's claims. Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson is caught between a rock and a hard place.Earlier this month, Nelson told Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times that "the Russians are in Florida's records" - a claim that is starting to cause Nelson a lot of problems.On Friday, The Washington Post fact-checked Nelson's claim and gave him "Four Pinocchios," which signals a "whopper," a gross or blatant lie, the worst possible rating handed out by the newspaper when they fact-check claims.the Post's fact-check concluded.Florida officials added that DHS and FBI officials told them that they haveNelson also misquoted a letter that he and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) wrote on July 2 to a Florida election official warning about the need to strengthen election infrastructure.To make matters worse for Nelson, a video emerged this week of him suggesting that his claim that Russians had infiltrated Florida's election systems was an assumption based on what the Russians did in 2016.After the Post's fact-check came out, Nelson tweeted out a link to NBC News that he thought vindicated him:Unfortunately for Nelson, Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler was there to quickly shoot it down:The article that Nelson tweeted out specifically said that Nelson has not been able to respond to questions about his unfounded claimsSo, based on all the information that is currently available, Nelson appears to have either made a false claim when he stated that "the Russians are in Florida's records" or leaked classified information. Concerning potentially leaked classified information, the Washington Post's Salvador Rizzo wrote Either way, it's bad news for Nelson as recent reports show that Democrats are not surging in Florida and Nelson is falling behind his opponent, current Florida Governor Rick Scott (R), with Latino and older voters. Should Beaufort County's commissioners be resolved to ask the federal government to defend our Southern Border by ending the Biden /Harris Open Border policy in regards to that one border that is intentionally made OPEN? Yes, Illegal Migrants are a huge expense to local governments. No, the cost of Undocumented Immigrants is insignificant in our providing a pathway for the "Browning of America". There was drama at the Athi River Mosque in Machakos County on Tuesday after residents scrambled for free meat during Eid ul-Adha celebrations. The area locals, comprising both Muslims and Christians, are said to have engaged in a 15-minute scuffle when they were told by the mosques leadership to queue to receive the free meat. The leaders stopped the exercise momentarily and sought the assistance of armed AP officers before proceeding with the donations under tight security. Sheikh Ali Abdallah Omar, the local Imam, blamed the chaos on non-muslims who attempted to use force to get the meat. Non-Muslims were using force in an attempt to get the meat, thats why we sought for reinforcement from AP officers, Omar said. He said 1,000 Muslims and more than 500 non-Muslims received the donations of meat and bacon. We have slaughtered cattle and goats and shared with the less fortunate members of the society including our Christians, said Omar. The Imam called on Muslim leaders to unite to avoid splinter groups after the Chief Kadhi Ahmed Muhdhar said the celebrations should be marked on Wednesday. Omar said situations in which Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Adha in two different days should not arise. The Kenyan Constitution recognizes the Kadhi Court. There are several institutions that deal with Islamic issues. We have confidence that if Muslim leaders come together and agree, there would be unity and togetherness in the religion, Omar said. Dave started trapping wild animals for money as a boy and continued doing so in adulthood. Until he met an orphaned beaver. Photo by Alamy 1.5K shares In our work of helping animals, we operate with a firm conviction that everyone can change. If we are honest in our desire to do good, we have to hold to that theory of action. Fortunately, weve seen it again and again, and been witness to the most inspiring examples of personal transformation. One of the most moving involves a longtime colleague, Dave Pauli. As the senior adviser for wildlife response and policy at the Humane Society of the United States, Dave Pauli encourages folks to do the most humane thing possible for animals when people find themselves in conflict with them or when they are in need or distress. But that wasnt always so. Dave started trapping wild animals for money as a boy and continued doing so in adulthood. Then he met an orphaned beaver he called Bucky. In a new book, Rescuing Ladybugs: Inspirational Encounters with Animals That Changed the World, by Jennifer Skiff, chairperson of the HSUS Maine state council and author of The Divinity of Dogs, Dave shares his story of transformation. In this edited excerpt from Rescuing Ladybugs, Pauli describes how Bucky changed his life for good. ***** I cannot say with accuracy how many beavers I trapped, but it was several hundred, almost exclusively caught in large body-grip traps. I was fairly efficient at it and learned to trap the whole colony by using their biological and behavioral traits against them by setting the traps underwater, near the entry to their lodge. Unlike the animals I caught in live traps, when I came to collect the beavers, they were already dead, having drowned. That gave me a comforting detachment. All this changed when I became the executive director of the Benton-Franklin Humane Society. My personal transformation came on a warm spring day when a family brought in an apple-sized bundle of fur their kids had found by the river. It was an unweaned beaver kit. He was in bad shape. Id been rehabbing orphaned raccoons and squirrels for years and knew what to do. His first feeding was 1 cc, only one-fifth of what I knew he needed four to five times a day. The feeding was our moment of connection. He knew I was not his mama but somehow sensed I was trying to help. The next feeding climbed to 3 ccs, and the next to 5 ccs, and we were on our way. He survived his first 24 hours with me, and that was a good outcome. I had the intelligent and extremely communicative Bucky under my care for almost three months, until he was old enough and fat enough to be transferred to a large wildlife rehab facility. Bucky taught me more about beavers than I had learned from trapping them for decades. He taught me that he was an individual. He could be a gentleman, he could be grumpy, and he would rather have sweet potatoes than carrots. Despite our connection, I assumed my life would go on as before. But I was wrong. On the next beaver damage call, I set a body-grip trap but felt uneasy as I drove away. When I came back in the morning, I removed what was the last beaver I ever lethally trapped. She was a young yearling, just a little bit bigger than what I expected Bucky might be, and she was beautiful. But she was dead, and I had killed her. I could not stop at the landowners house to show him my success. Not only because I was ashamed but because I was crying. Id just taken the easiest path to solving a beaver conflict, and one that asked nothing of the landowner. She was the last beaver I would kill. Today when I get a call about a wildlife conflict, I talk excitedly with the property owner about what a unique opportunity they might have to educate their kids and neighbors. For example, with a raccoon in a chimney with babies, I suggest we set up a camera and watch the mom climbing up and down the chimney and the babies growing up and finally moving out. Then we can cap the chimney and prevent future problems without negatively impacting the raccoon family. Youre left with pictures and a great story for your holiday letter. From the book Rescuing Ladybugs. Copyright 2018 by Jennifer Skiff. Reprinted with permission from New World Library. To learn more, go to WildNeighbors.org and search by animal for comprehensive information on how to humanely resolve conflicts with wildlife. Facebook announced today they are taking down 652 pages, groups and fake accounts for "coordinated inauthentic behavior." You can read all about it in the Facebook corporate blog post titled "Taking Down More Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior." Yes, "Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior" is the language Facebook is using, instead of saying they're killing the pages for being fake, promoting fake news, or being part of a state-sponsored disinformation and cyberwar campaign. The accounts Facebook nuked were from Russia and Iran, and targeted the U.S., UK, Middle East, and Latin America. They were discovered and purged as a result of an investigation based on a tip from the FireEye cybersecurity firm. NYT: The campaign's scale exceeded that of another influence operation that Facebook revealed last month, in which the company said it detected and removed 32 pages and fake accounts that had engaged in activity around divisive social issues ahead of the midterms. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement today after Facebook's late-day announcement, which comes "just weeks ahead of the September 5th open hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee with the leadership of Facebook, Twitter, and Google on the subject of social media manipulation." "This is further evidence that foreign adversaries are actively using social media to divide Americans and undermine our democratic institutions," Warner says: I've been saying for months that there's no way the problem of social media manipulation is limited to a single troll farm in St. Petersburg, and that fact is now beyond a doubt. We also learned today that the Iranians are now following the Kremlin's playbook from 2016. While I'm encouraged to see Facebook taking steps to rid their platforms of these bad actors, there's clearly more work to be done. I look forward to questioning the leadership of Facebook, Twitter, and Google about this at the Intelligence Committee's hearing on September 5th. Here's the entire Facebook statement: Today we removed multiple Pages, groups and accounts for coordinated inauthentic behavior on Facebook and Instagram. Some of this activity originated in Iran, and some originated in Russia. These were distinct campaigns and we have not identified any link or coordination between them. However, they used similar tactics by creating networks of accounts to mislead others about who they were and what they were doing. We ban this kind of behavior because we want people to be able to trust the connections they make on Facebook. And while we're making progress rooting out this abuse, as we've said before, it's an ongoing challenge because the people responsible are determined and well funded. We constantly have to improve to stay ahead. That means building better technology, hiring more people and working more closely with law enforcement, security experts and other companies. Their collaboration was critical to our investigation since no one company can fight this on their own. There is always a tension between taking down these bad actors quickly and improving our defenses over the long term. If we remove them too early, it's harder to understand their playbook and the extent of their network. It also limits our ability to coordinate with law enforcement, who often have investigations of their own. It's why we've investigated some of these campaigns for many months and why we will continue working to find out more. We'll update this post with more details when we have them, or if the facts change. What We've Found So Far By Nathaniel Gleicher, Head of Cybersecurity Policy We've removed 652 Pages, groups and accounts for coordinated inauthentic behavior that originated in Iran and targeted people across multiple internet services in the Middle East, Latin America, UK and US. FireEye, a cybersecurity firm, gave us a tip in July about "Liberty Front Press," a network of Facebook Pages as well as accounts on other online services. They've published an initial analysis and will release a full report of their findings soon. We wanted to take this opportunity to thank them for their work. Based on FireEye's tip, we started an investigation into "Liberty Front Press" and identified additional accounts and Pages from their network. We are able to link this network to Iranian state media through publicly available website registration information, as well as the use of related IP addresses and Facebook Pages sharing the same admins. For example, one part of the network, "Quest 4 Truth," claims to be an independent Iranian media organization, but is in fact linked to Press TV, an English-language news network affiliated with Iranian state media. The first "Liberty Front Press" accounts we've found were created in 2013. Some of them attempted to conceal their location, and they primarily posted political content focused on the Middle East, as well as the UK, US, and Latin America. Beginning in 2017, they increased their focus on the UK and US. Accounts and Pages linked to "Liberty Front Press" typically posed as news and civil society organizations sharing information in multiple countries without revealing their true identity. Presence on Facebook and Instagram: 74 Pages, 70 accounts, and 3 groups on Facebook, as well as 76 accounts on Instagram. 74 Pages, 70 accounts, and 3 groups on Facebook, as well as 76 accounts on Instagram. Followers: About 155,000 accounts followed at least one of these Pages, 2,300 accounts joined at least one of these groups, and more than 48,000 accounts followed at least one of these Instagram accounts. About 155,000 accounts followed at least one of these Pages, 2,300 accounts joined at least one of these groups, and more than 48,000 accounts followed at least one of these Instagram accounts. Advertising: More than $6,000 in spending for ads on Facebook and Instagram, paid for in US and Australian dollars. The first ad was run in Jan 2015, and the last was run in August 2018. Some ads have been blocked since the launch of our political ads transparency tools launched. We have not completed our review of the organic content coming from these accounts. More than $6,000 in spending for ads on Facebook and Instagram, paid for in US and Australian dollars. The first ad was run in Jan 2015, and the last was run in August 2018. Some ads have been blocked since the launch of our political ads transparency tools launched. We have not completed our review of the organic content coming from these accounts. Events: 3 events hosted. The second part of our investigation found links between "Liberty Front Press" and another set of accounts and Pages, the first of which was created in 2016. They typically posed as news organizations and didn't reveal their true identity. They also engaged in traditional cybersecurity attacks, including attempts to hack people's accounts and spread malware, which we had seen before and disrupted. Presence on Facebook and Instagram: 12 Pages and 66 accounts on Facebook, as well as 9 accounts on Instagram. 12 Pages and 66 accounts on Facebook, as well as 9 accounts on Instagram. Followers: About 15,000 accounts followed at least one of these Pages and more than 1,100 followed at least one of these Instagram accounts. About 15,000 accounts followed at least one of these Pages and more than 1,100 followed at least one of these Instagram accounts. Advertising: We have found no advertising associated with these accounts or Pages. We have not completed our review of the organic content from these accounts. We have found no advertising associated with these accounts or Pages. We have not completed our review of the organic content from these accounts. Events: We have found no events associated with these accounts or Pages. The third part of our investigation uncovered another set of accounts and Pages, the first of which was created in 2011, that largely shared content about Middle East politics in Arabic and Farsi. They also shared content about politics in the UK and US in English. We first discovered this set in August 2017 and expanded our investigation in July 2018 as we stepped up our efforts ahead of the US midterm elections. Presence on Facebook and Instagram: 168 Pages and 140 accounts on Facebook, as well as 31 accounts on Instagram. 168 Pages and 140 accounts on Facebook, as well as 31 accounts on Instagram. Followers: About 813,000 accounts followed at least one of these Pages and more than 10,000 followed at least one of these Instagram accounts. About 813,000 accounts followed at least one of these Pages and more than 10,000 followed at least one of these Instagram accounts. Advertising: More than $6,000 in spending for ads on Facebook and Instagram, paid for in US dollars, Turkish lira, and Indian rupees. The first ad was run in July 2012, and the last was run in April 2018. We have not completed our review of the organic content coming from these accounts. More than $6,000 in spending for ads on Facebook and Instagram, paid for in US dollars, Turkish lira, and Indian rupees. The first ad was run in July 2012, and the last was run in April 2018. We have not completed our review of the organic content coming from these accounts. Events: 25 events hosted. We're still investigating, and we have shared what we know with the US and UK governments. Since there are US sanctions involving Iran, we've also briefed the US Treasury and State Departments. These sanctions allow companies to provide people internet services for personal communications, including the government and its affiliates. But Facebook takes steps to prevent people in Iran and other sanctioned countries from using our ad tools. For example, our systems screen every advertiser to identify their current location and whether they're named on the US government's list of sanctioned individuals. Based on what we learn in this investigation and from government officials, we'll make changes to better detect people who try to evade our sanctions compliance tools and prevent them from advertising. Finally, we've removed Pages, groups and accounts that can be linked to sources the US government has previously identified as Russian military intelligence services. This is unrelated to the activities we found in Iran. While these are some of the same bad actors we removed for cybersecurity attacks before the 2016 US election, this more recent activity focused on politics in Syria and Ukraine. For example, they are associated with Inside Syria Media Center, which the Atlantic Council and other organizations have identified for covertly spreading pro-Russian and pro-Assad content. To date, we have not found activity by these accounts targeting the US. We're working closely with US law enforcement on this investigation, and we appreciate their help. These investigations are ongoing and given the sensitivity we aren't sharing more information about what we removed. Tuberculosis was a disease that Doc Holliday died from; in old-timey novels, it's often called consumption: a disease that sees those afflicted with it coughing delicately into hankies and later dying peacefully in bed. The truth is, the disease doesn't afford a peaceful death, nor is it a relic of centuries past. In 2016, 1.6 million people died after contracting tuberculosis a disease that causes the cells of an infected individual to burst. It can take hold of multiple sites in your body, but most often it affects the lungs. As the cells in an infected individual's lungs burst, the walls of the lungs destabilize, replacing the space where air's supposed to go. As the victim's lungs slowly collapse, the body believes itself to be drowning, because it is. As a result, the infected individual hacks and coughs, trying to clear the obstruction and, in the process, coughing up wee bits of flesh, blood and particles small enough to go airborne in a sneeze or cough. When someone else breathes those airborne particles in? They get infected. It's scary shit, but it's also treatable shit. To handle the symptoms that come with a case of tuberculosis, it's necessary to take medication on a daily basis. Doing so isn't just necessary for someone infected with tuberculosis to live a relatively normal life: given how infectious the disease is, it's also vital for keeping everyone around them safe from contracting the illness themselves. Because of this, those undergoing treatment for TB are closely monitored by healthcare professionals, to ensure that they're taking their pills as required. Patients are typically required to take their meds in the presence of a healthcare worker, to ensure that the dosage was actually ingested. This works well in a clinical situation, but not everyone lives near a clinic. Additionally, transient individuals may not be able to check into the same clinic on a daily basis, making treatment of their tuberculosis difficult. Happily, researchers from Johns Hopkins and the University of California, San Diego have come up with the means to monitor patients as they take their daily doses, even when they're far from a clinical setting. As with so many other things, these days, it involves a smartphone. In this case, those being treated for TB are asked to take their medication in front of their smartphone camera, using an app called SureAdhere. From Stat News: "It gives patients a lot more autonomy," said Richard Garfein, founder of San-Diego-based SureAdhere and a pioneer in the use of mobile-phone technology to monitor TB patients. "It has made their lives a lot easier and illuminated some of the barriers they face." Garfein's work to develop the monitoring product showcases both the potential of modern technology to improve treatment of serious diseases, as well as the challenge of tailoring even relatively simple digital solutions for use on sick patients. His team had to conduct studies of the tool's impact on medication adherence, train health workers and patients to use the technology, and carefully monitor patients to ensure they used it properly. According to Stat News, the app may prove to be invaluable in the developing world, where the resources needed to treat and monitor tuberculosis patients are sparse, despite the fact that the infection rates of the disease are significantly higher than what we see in North America. It's an approach that the CDC and WHO are on board with. Both recently published guidebooks that push the use of video monitoring to ensure or at least improve the odds that individuals infected with virulent diseases will take their medication, as it was prescribed. Image via Pxhere Andy Greenberg (previously) is a veteran Wired security reporter who has chronicled the frightening and chaotic world of cyberwar since its earliest days; in a forthcoming book called "Sandworm," Greenberg tells the fascinating and terrible tale of Notpetya (previously), a Russian cyberweapon (built on leaked NSA cyberweapons!) that disguised itself as criminal ransomware, but which was designed to identify and destroy key Ukrainian computer systems and networks. Ukraine has suffered for years as the Russian cyberwar testbed, and this has made Ukraine a kind of crystal ball for seeing into the future of cyberwar. Notpetya is a disturbing harbringer. Though it was designed to attack Ukrainian systems (it targets systems with a common piece of Ukrainian bookkeeping software), flaws in its design meant that it got out into the wild and shut down some of the world's largest companies, including Maersk, the world's largest shipper. All told, it did $10 billion in damage. In an excerpt published today, Greenberg tells the story of Maersk's shutdown, a global event that rippled through supply chains and might have been much, much worse (a key piece of data was wiped out on seven mirrored servers and only survived on a system in Ghana due to a freak blackout that shut down the data-center so that the system was knocked offline before it could be infected). The Maersk story shows how a system that fails in key ways becomes unusable, even if parts of it are unaffected: Maersk's shipboard systems were fine, but there was no way to distribute their loads or take on new cargo even the gates at the ports were frozen shut. After a frantic search that entailed calling hundreds of IT admins in data centers around the world, Maersk's desperate administrators finally found one lone surviving domain controller in a remote officein Ghana. At some point before NotPetya struck, a blackout had knocked the Ghanaian machine offline, and the computer remained disconnected from the network. It thus contained the singular known copy of the company's domain controller data left untouched by the malwareall thanks to a power outage. "There were a lot of joyous whoops in the office when we found it," a Maersk administrator says. When the tense engineers in Maidenhead set up a connection to the Ghana office, however, they found its bandwidth was so thin that it would take days to transmit the several-hundred-gigabyte domain controller backup to the UK. Their next idea: put a Ghanaian staffer on the next plane to London. But none of the West African office's employees had a British visa. So the Maidenhead operation arranged for a kind of relay race: One staffer from the Ghana office flew to Nigeria to meet another Maersk employee in the airport to hand off the very precious hard drive. That staffer then boarded the six-and-a-half-hour flight to Heathrow, carrying the keystone of Maersk's entire recovery process. The Untold Story of NotPetya, the Most Devastating Cyberattack in History [Andy Greenberg/Wired] (Image: Mike McQuade) The developers of Project 22800 Karakurt missile corvettes expect a whole group of countries, including Iran, to display their interest in the warships export version, CEO of the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau Alexander Shlyakhtenko told TASS on Monday. The developers of Project 22800 Karakurt missile corvettes expect a whole group of countries, including Iran, to display their interest in the warships export version, CEO of the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau Alexander Shlyakhtenko told TASS on Monday. Project 22800 Karakurt-class small missile boat (corvette) Uragan. Picture: via Russianarms "In experts estimates, the Project 22800 ships can expect strong demand from a considerable part of our traditional partners in the field of military and technical construction. These are countries of the Asia-Pacific region: Vietnam, China, India, and also Indonesia, Algeria, Iran and others," he said. The Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau is carrying out work jointly with Russias state arms seller Rosoboronexport and domestic shipyards for promoting the warships export version, the Project 22800E Karakurt-E, to foreign markets, he said. As was reported earlier, one of the contractors building this type of warships, the Leningrad Shipyard Pella, will feature three Karakurt-E export versions at the Army-2018 international military and technical forum. One version is furnished with the Pantsyr-ME air defense missile system while the second variant is armed with the Kashtan-M surface-to-air missile/artillery complex and the third option is equipped with the Palma seaborne automated short-range air defense artillery guns. Project 22800 Karakurt warships displace about 800 tonnes and can develop a speed of over 30 knots. Their seaworthiness has been improved through the hulls design and allows them to operate on the high seas. They are equipped, in particular, with Kalibr cruise missiles. Copyright 2018 TASS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. "Michael Cohen knows information that would be of interest to the special counsel regarding both knowledge about a conspiracy to corrupt American democracy by the Russians and the failure to report that knowledge to the FBI," said Lanny Davis, the attorney representing Cohen told MSNBC. Watch the video here. Yesterday Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, tax evasion, and bank fraud. "He did nothing wrong," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Wednesday about the secret payments Donald Trump made to two women during the 2016 Election via his attorney, who just became a convicted felon. The president did nothing wrong and is not concerned about the Michael Cohen or Paul Manafort guilty verdicts, Sarah Sanders said repeatedly to reporters at the White House Press briefing. The briefing took place exactly one day after Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen were each convicted in two different federal cases of 8 felonies each. No big deal. "He did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him." Again and again. Her tone was far more subdued, her language far more cautious, than in previous bellicose briefings in which she berated a room full of TV anchors and press scribes. The Trump train's going down. She's covering her ass. Asked about the possibility of issuing a pardon to Paul Manafort, Sanders said the matter had "nothing to do with the President in any way." The line from the WH, now repeated four separate times from her about 10 minutes in: "He did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him." The White House Press Corps are challenging her and doing the job we need them to do. Watch this briefing. "As the President has stated on numerous occasions he did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him in this," press secretary Sarah Sanders says about Michael Cohen's plea deal pic.twitter.com/LgcTmj38r3 CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 22, 2018 Today Sarah Sanders suggests that because Trump hasn't been charged with a crime, he didn't commit one. Under DOJ guidance, Trump can't be charged with a crime while in office. Now that his lawyer has implicated him in a crime, the public must examine the evidence against him. Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) August 22, 2018 Narrator: It's not. He lied about this. He lies all the time.https://t.co/yPYIhG4dWi Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) August 22, 2018 Sarah Sanders asked if Trump was lying back in April when he said, on camera, that he didn't know about the Stormy Daniels payment, given that he just told Fox and Friends, on camera, that he did. Sanders called that a "ridiculous accusation" pic.twitter.com/p5ucAHcfa5 Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) August 22, 2018 Asked on whether Trump will pardon Manafort, @PressSec said she has no knowledge if it being under consideration. Franco Ordonez (@FrancoOrdonez) August 22, 2018 Asked whether Trump lied, given that he denied knowing anything about the payments to women while the criminal information says he coordinated with Cohen to pay hush money to them, Sanders calls the question "ridiculous." erica orden (@eorden) August 22, 2018 Sarah Sanders continuing the "nothing to see here" line. Trump hasn't been chargedso let's move on. This is madness. Toure (@Toure) August 22, 2018 Sarah Huckabee Sanders: "He did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him. He did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him. He did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him. He did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him. He did nothing wrong" Matt Viser (@mviser) August 22, 2018 "That's not something that has been up for discussion," Sarah Sanders says, when asked if Trump will pardon Paul Manafort. Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) August 22, 2018 He literally admitted that he lied today. https://t.co/oU2rHpx7sd Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) August 22, 2018 .@PressSec keeps responding to questions about Michael Cohen by saying "no charges have been filed against" Trump. That's the bar now. Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) August 22, 2018 Sanders asked if Trump is worried about what Cohen might say: "I don't think the president's concerned at all. He knows he did nothing wrong and that there was no collusion." Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 22, 2018 we should all start incorporating Sanders-like answers into our personal lives. Feds: "Your student loans are past due" Me: "Listen, I'm not going to get into a back and forth" Editor: "How long is the story?" Me: "Look, I'm not going to go through and do a count" https://t.co/yt4paFoMoa Astead (@AsteadWesley) August 15, 2018 Sarah Sanders' automatic first response to every question is "we have discussed this extensively" Tom Namako (@TomNamako) August 22, 2018 .@PressSec's Wednesday talking points: The president has done nothing wrong. He faces no charges. There is no collusion. Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) August 22, 2018 REPORTER: The president says he only knew about payments "later on" but he's on tape discussing them BEFORE the payments. How do you explain that? SANDERS: I've commented about this pretty extensively. The president did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him. Todd Zwillich (@toddzwillich) August 22, 2018 *gets pulled over for going 110mph in a 30mph zone* OFFICER: Sir, do you know how fast you w- ME: I don't want to get into a back and forth on that OFFICER: You were going well over 100- ME: I don't have anything for you on that OFFICER: But- ME: I'd refer you to outside counsel Mark Berman (@markberman) August 22, 2018 Asked if the fact that Trump's hiring of felons violated his pledge to hire "the best people," Sanders says, "The president has employed thousands of people in his lifetime and had incredible successesHe's the president of the United States, I think he's doing quite well." Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 22, 2018 Asked repeatedly about public statements the president of the United States has made, his taxpayer-funded spokeswoman refers instead to his outside counsel Asked if they can come to the White House to answer reporter Qs, she says they don't work there Mark Berman (@markberman) August 22, 2018 "The idea of an impeachment is frankly a sad attempt by Democrats. It's the only message they have going into the midterms," Sarah Sanders says. Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) August 22, 2018 Asked what the president meant when he told Reuters he could "run" the Mueller investigation if he wanted to, Sanders says words that do not address the question. Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 22, 2018 I didn't get called on this WH briefing. My question: Can you guarantee the American people that President Trump has not committed any crimes for which he could be indicted? Either before the campaign, during the campaign, or after the campaign? Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 22, 2018 Trump denies telling Cohen to pay off women, despite being on tape https://t.co/0jxj7FCtrs The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) August 22, 2018 Asked when Trump "learned" of the payments to McDougal and Daniels, and whether there are any other payments to women, Sanders refuses to answer, refers the media to Trump's outside lawyer. Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 22, 2018 SANDERS: "As the president said, we've stated many times, he did nothing wrong, there are no charges against him, and we've commented on this extensively." Q: "Then why not report these payments?" SANDERS: "Again, I'm not going to get into the back and forth details." (via ABC) pic.twitter.com/7PMOYZFFSx Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 22, 2018 Sarah Sanders says the Manafort case has nothing to do with the President and the White House. Except evidence was presented that Jared Kushner received job suggestions from Manafort. White House refuses to answer NBC News questions about when they last talked to Manafort. Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) August 22, 2018 NBC News: Several political pundits seem to suggest that the Cohen plea is his word against the President's. Not true. Here's Andrea Griswold, federal prosecutor, detailing the evidence they had and would have used to prove the counts involving the President at trial: pic.twitter.com/MFLuFxQO6k Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) August 22, 2018 They're still on the stories' own URLs, but are gone from the homepage. Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter at the Times, points out: "But names of OP-ED writers still there." Hey @nytimes, removing bylines from homepage is a step backward at a time when #journalism needs to demonstrate MORE accountability to readers and encourage MORE dialogue with them. The new layout makes the paper look like a faceless, impersonal behemoth. https://t.co/zD4619cwhy Dan Fagin (@danfagin) August 22, 2018 Dear @nytimes, maybe there's a great reason why you removed reporters' bylines from your home page (but kept op-ed bylines). How about telling us the rationale? This isn't the 1990s. Transparency should increasingly be a must for you, not just something you demand of others. Dan Gillmor (@dangillmor) August 22, 2018 Good morning and a hearty "f*%k you!" to whatever consultant convinced the @nytimes that its online front page doesn't need bylines. Do you think your audience isn't astute enough to care who wrote a piece? Do you think your reporters are interchangeable and generic? Karrie Jacobs (@KarrieUrbanist) August 22, 2018 Readers want to know who is behind a story before they commit to reading it, and this prevents it from happening. Current controversies over the Times' peaky opinion page, its chummy coverage of the far-right and its tendency to be steered by conservative anger are all becoming more personalized by obsessive readers. So it's inevitable that it will appear to be about certain individuals in some vague, paranoid way. And a bad time to toy with signifiers of credibility and transparency. The thing is, "remove bylines and metadata" is always a top priority in the click-funnelling shitfeast of modern web design. So the outcome might have had little to do with the people who are being held responsible in today's anguished and angry twitterings. The Nikonos-V is an underwater film camera that many older SCUBA divers learned on, and some still do. Even though it is absolutely lovely, it is a pain in the ass to use compared to digital, and has largely disappeared. Nikon let the trademark go in 2008. Appears they just renewed it. Via NikonRumors: Another very interesting development: similar to the NOCT trademark, two weeks ago (on July 31st) Nikon also registered the "NIKONOS" trademark which was already expired back in 2008. This is what is listed under "goods and services": "Cameras; optical apparatus and instruments; photographic apparatus and instruments; digital cameras; camera lenses; digital camera lenses; lens filters; rechargeable batteries for cameras and digital cameras; battery chargers for cameras and digital cameras; straps for cameras and digital cameras; caps for camera bodies; computer software; lens caps; camera cases; USB cables; audio video cables; LCD monitor covers; instruction manuals in electronic format; electronic publications." A true purpose built digital underwater camera for divers, without a bullshit pain in the ass housing, from Nikon? Sounds like a dream. I use a GoPro now, but I used to dive with a Canon system, and before that a Nikonos V. Photograph by Rama, Wikimedia Commons, Cc-by-sa-2.0-fr Vtaiwan is a crowdsourcing tool for drafting legislation that kicked off in 2016; it allows citizens from different sides of thorny legislative proposals to gather and debate them in a structured forum with the goal of finding compromises that all sides can live with. Vtaiwan has been surprisingly effective (at least, according to Pol.is, the company that provided the platform), though in a limited set of trials ("a couple of dozen bills"). The recommendations the citizen panels arrive at are nonbinding (pending legislation could make Vtaiwan compromises binding upon the legislature). The limited success has prompted Taiwan to expand the program with a new, larger-scale platform called "Join" (Join is also more favored by the new government, which has been somewhat hostile to Vtaiwan). The platform has converged on a set of deliberative techniques, embodied in software, that have proven effective at bridging disagreements, like not allowing replies, and producing maps that show similar upvoting and downvoting patterns in the participants. A measure of the platform's success is its recommendations for regulating Uber in Taiwan, which has become something of a notoriously difficult demonstration event for local governments around the world. Vtaiwan users arrived at a set of seven rules for Uber that later became the state's regulatory regime. While only 200,000 people have so far taken part in a vTaiwan discussion, nearly five million of the country's 23 million inhabitants are already on Join. More than 10,000 voted on a recent proposal that advocated caning as a punishment for drunk driving, sexual assault, and child abuse. Here too, the consensus-building tendencies of Pol.is can lead the discussion in unexpected directions. Initially, opinion on the caning issue was divided into three camps: besides the people who were for and against caning, a third group argued that it was too light a punishment for such offenses. Eventually, however, the consensus opinions that emerged had nothing to do with caning at all, but were more focused on methods of preventing those crimes. At the time of this writing, proposals being considered for legislation included alcohol locks and confiscating drunk drivers' cars. This suggests people had concluded that, in fact, "To cane or not to cane?" was the wrong question to ask. That kind of realization, and solution, wouldn't have emerged from a traditional online petition that only gives people the option of voting yes or no. The simple but ingenious system Taiwan uses to crowdsource its laws [Chris Horton/Technology Review] (via Four Short Links) "County Fire has experienced throttling by its ISP, Verizon," wrote Santa Clara County Fire Chief Anthony Bowden a lawsuit declaration. "This throttling has had a significant impact on our ability to provide emergency services. Verizon imposed these limitations despite being informed that throttling was actively impeding County Fire's ability to provide crisis-response and essential emergency services." Bowden's declaration was included in a lawsuit, filed by 22 US states, to reinstate net neutrality. Bowden also said its fire department had to pay double to remove the throttling on its "unlimited" data plan: "Verizon representatives confirmed the throttling, but rather than restoring us to an essential data transfer speed, they indicated that County Fire would have to switch to a new data plan at more than twice the cost, and they would only remove throttling after we contacted the Department that handles billing and switched to the new data plan," Bowden wrote. [via Ars Technica] Image: Krista Kennell/Shutterstock In Trump's first statement since his former lawyer pleaded guilty to eight crimes, explicitly implicating the president in at least one of them, he recommends not hiring the man. "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!" he wrote at his page on the popular microblogging service "Twitter". This is a trivialize everything as kayfabe strategy and it's the best one he's got. But he'll break it in minutes and start ranting anyway. - Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane was expected to start the battle to save her job on Wednesday - Mkhwebane was scheduled to appear before Parliaments Portfolio Committee for Justice to give reasons for why she should not be fired from her job - The committee had to postpone proceedings after Mkhwebane made a written submission asking that certain MPs recuse themselves from proceedings PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see Briefly news on your News Feed! Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane was expected to start the battle to save her job on Wednesday morning. Mkhwebane was due to appear before Parliaments Portfolio Committee for Justice to give evidence and provide reasons for her not to be fired. Instead, the committee was forced to postpone proceedings after Mkhwebane once again decided at the last minute not to attend the meeting. Mkhwebane did, however, make a written submission in which she asked certain MPs to recuse themselves. READ ALSO: Government tender system takes centre stage during day 2 of #StateCaptureInquiry Mkhwebane claims that certain MPs had been openly hostile towards her which means they cannot be allowed to sit on the committee and be trusted to act in an impartial manner. Briefly.co.za gathered that Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip, John Steenhuisen, who has been vocal in his criticism of Mkhwebanes tenure asked Parliament to establish a committee to look into her fitness to hold office. Steenhuisen has been critical of Mkhwebanes record while in office and has slammed her ill-judged recommendation about the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) changing its Constitutional mandate. eNCA.com reported that the recommendation has since been set aside and a court found that Mkhwebane had overreached the powers of her office in making the recommendation. In her written submission Mkhwebane notes that Steenhuisens action in forcing the committee to evaluate her fitness to hold office was not only highly irregular but also unconstitutional because it threatens to undermine the guaranteed impendence of the office of the public protector. Mkhwebane notes that Steenhuisen and other members of the committee had shown palpable hostility towards her and had rehashed previous attacks and allegations against her. This she claims means the committee is already unduly prejudiced towards her which negates its purpose. Mkhwebane has been heavily criticised for the recommendation with some even questioning whether she had a firm grasp of the Constitution. Since taking office in October 2016 Mkhwebane has been involved in a number of questionable matters and she has even been accused of trying to bury the state capture report compiled by her predecessor Thuli Madonsela. She has also come under fire for failing to investigate allegations of corruption and looting by high-ranking members of the ANC and in particular allegations against Ace Magashule and Mosebenzi Zwane in relation to the Estina dairy scandal. The Justice committee has not commented on when it expects to resume its inquiry into Mkhwebanes fitness for office. READ ALSO: Sasols white employees threaten strike action because of divisive BEE share scheme For more amazing, funny and informative videos, please visit Briefly South Africa's YouTube Channel. Do you think Busisiwe Mkhwebane should be removed from office? Visit our Facebook page where you can send us a message or leave us a comment. Your story could be shared online. To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on iTunes or GooglePlay today. Source: Briefly.co.za - The State Capture Inquiry started on Monday under the leadership of Raymond Zondo - Tuesday saw the first witness, Willie Mathebula, appear before the Commission of Inquiry PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! The State Capture Inquiry started on Monday and despite the general lack of faith from South Africans that justice will prevail, everyone is still eager to know how it progresses. On Tuesday, Willie Mathebula was the first witness to testify at the Commission of Inquiry, according to a report by Briefly.co.za. Mathebula is the current acting procurement officer at the National Treasury and has more than 15 years in various positions within the Treasury Department. He explained to the commission how the procurement process works and how the system can be abused by those within the government. TimesLIVE reported that Mathebula said more than 50% of the government contracts that are challenged in court are because the bidders tried to abuse the system. Briefly decided to make a short summary of what Mathebula said during his time in front of the commission. Here are the 5 most important things that were said by Mathebula today, as reported on by EWN: His office was put in place to address problems of abuse in public procurement, to make transparency possible and to take on fraud and corruption. In 2001, a new procurement system in line with the Constitution replaced the state tender board - this went against the Constitution. Procurement in SA is centralised but the execution of policies is decentralised. The Treasury must deal with corruption by looking into suspected corruption and then cancelling contracts after which suppliers must be restricted from doing any business with the government. The government does not have what it takes to stop this abuse of tender processes. READ ALSO: MKHWEBANE FAILS TO APPEAR BEFORE PARLIAMENT AS SHE BATTLES TO SAVE HER JOB Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook page and we could feature your story. To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on Google Play or iTunes today. Enjoy the silly Animated Joke: Why Do Men Lie? and take a look at what else is happening on Briefly South Africa's YouTube channel. Source: Briefly.co.za A decade ago, Farah Fortune started her own business, and today it is one of the biggest PR firms in the country. PAY ATTENTION: Click "See first" under the "Following" tab to see Briefly news on your News Feed! Fortune runs one of the most influential PR businesses in South Africa, but her road to success was far from easy. In 2008, Fortune used R1000 of her money after she quite her job and founded African Star Communications, which focused on Hip Hop artists in SA. Briefly.co.za learned her business grew, creating platforms for her in various other African countries, including Nigeria, Botswana and Ghana. READ ALSO: Cops seize counterfeit money but Twitter sides with the criminals: "We must take lessons" In an interview Successness, Fortune said she received sound advice from her mom, which helped her succeed. "Never chase money, chase passion. Once you chase passion, money will chase you," she recalled as the best advice she ever received. Fortune has gone on to win numerous awards for her business, most recently walking away with the 'Great Warrior Spirit Award'. "Thank you @zodwakhozafoundation for not just the honour of speaking at this prestigious event but also this beautiful award! Walking away with the 'Great Warrior Spirit Award' means a lot! I wasn't expecting it yet I'm beyond grateful," she captioned her post. What do you think of Fortune's story? Go to our Facebook page and leave us a comment or inbox us your story and we could feature it. To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on Google Play or iTunes today. Top 5 richest men in South Africa on Briefly. Everyone, quick: off the top of your head, name a billionaire. Now, think hard and name two or three South African billionaires. How about more? Dont worry, we have gathered this extremely interesting information for you! Source: Briefly.co.za Retired submarine experts from Japan have been invited to Taiwan in September, to train the necessary personnel and present a report on Taiwans domestic submarine program. The information comes from English-language daily newspaper Taiwan News, citing reports. By Xavier Vavasseur - Chief Editor Retired submarine experts from Japan have been invited to Taiwan in September, to train the necessary personnel and present a report on Taiwans domestic submarine program. The information comes from English-language daily newspaper Taiwan News, citing reports. The Taiwanese navy currently operates two Hai Lung-class submarines Taiwans only combat-ready subs which were acquired from the Netherlands in the late 1980s. Photo: National Defense Ministry of Taiwan The Japanese experts are said to be retired from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), the two companies who have been building submarines for the JMSDF for decades. The Republic of China (ROC or Taiwan) Navy said back in July 2016 it has started design work on its domestic attack submarine programme, hoping to complete it in 2024. Navy Command Headquarters Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mei Chia-shu told a legislative committee session: We plan to complete the design by 2019 and complete the construction by 2024. The submarine programme is part of Taiwan's new naval acquisition plan which was unveiled in late 2015. The ROC Navy also have a Destroyer programme as part of this plan. Under a four-year contract, submarine design work is estimated at Tw$3 billion ($94.46 million). Preparatory work begun last year with an approved budget of Tw$10 million. Vice Admiral Hsiao Wei-min said in 2015 that "at present the navy's demand is submarines ranging from 1,200-3,000 tons". The builder has not been revealed yet but military sources said it should be given to a team composed of Taipei-based Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center, the CSBC Corporation Taiwan and foreign technology advisers. Mei said the ROC Navy signed a contract with a Dutch company to extend the lifespan of the two subs so Taiwan could use the design blueprint as the basis for the construction of the first home-built submarine. In April 2001 then-US president George W. Bush approved the sale of eight conventional submarines as part of Washington's most comprehensive arms package to the island since 1992. Since then, however, there has been little progress. The United States has not built conventional submarines for more than 40 years and Germany and Spain have reportedly declined to offer their designs for fear of offending Taiwan's rival, China. The Taiwanese navy currently operates two Hai Lung-class submarines Taiwans only combat-ready subs which were acquired from the Netherlands in the late 1980s. Q&A with Collin Koh, South East Asia Maritime Security expert Navy Recognition - Does this move comes as a surprise or would you say it was expected ? Colling Koh - Not surprising, especially when knowing that Taiwan has long been looking around for foreign assistance with the critical tech areas for its IDS program. The US, according to Taiwanese reports, is much involved as an intermediary for such assistance especially since American yards no longer build conventional subs except provide direct help in key tech areas such as combat management systems. The recent Trump Administrations moves to elevate defence and security assistance to Taiwan, with a key focus on the tech aspect, helps matters a lot. Navy Recognition - How signigicant is it for Taiwan's future submarine ambitions ? Colling Koh. Significant in a way that through the assistance by Japanese vendors, Taiwans own domestic industry - especially CSBC Corp. and NCSIST - would be able to gain critical insights into those tech areas that theyve long wanted to achieve major breakthroughs but failing which, has stifled the IDS program. So the Japanese assistance would help with Taiwans building of self reliance in a particularly crucial part of its evolving defense posture and force modernisation. Navy Recognition - What do you expect China's response will be towards Taiwan and Japan ? Colling Koh. In recent years theres an evident uptick in relations between Taiwan and Japan, as seen in agreements reached in contentious issues concerning maritime sovereignty and jurisdiction - especially a fishery agreement in the East China Sea. Taipei also voiced support for both American and Japanese advocacy on the Indo-Pacific strategy. So Chinas reaction to this development will be seen in such broader perspectives. In fact, such indirect assistance in building Taiwans defense capabilities would add a layer of complexity to already tenuous relations between China and Japan. Ive to add that while all appears promising for the IDS program following recent US policy moves, and reported interest and involvement by foreign entities such as those from India and Japan, the project remains short of being wholly assured. End of the day, Taiwan still needs to ensure commitment to its defense needs. This means sustained defense funding, otherwise no matter what foreign assistance is forthcoming, the IDS program may run the risk of being stalled, or even becoming a stillborn. Submarine research and development is typically a long term project that requires both sustained funding, tech and human capital influx, and not least political commitment. The risk margins for submarine programmes are some of the most significant to bear amongst big ticket military technological projects. Collin Koh is a research fellow at the Maritime Security Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. by Staff reporter All eyes are on Zimbabwe as the country's Constitutional Court hears the petition lodged by opposition leader Nelson Chamisa in his bid to overturn President Emmerson Mnangagwa's victory in the July 30 elections. Get the live updates here News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has called for members of the opposition to remove Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti as leaders of the MDC Alliance.The former freedom fighters attacked the two saying they were in bed with former president Robert Mugabe.Addressing the media in Harare on Tuesday, ZNLWVA secretary-general Victor Matemadanda said, "Whilst we don't want to interfere with internal affairs of MDC, we believe it's up to the real MDC to stand up and reclaim their party from Biti and Chamisa. They are working with Grace and Robert Mugabe. It defies logic that on 18 November Chamisa was with us, condemning Mugabe."We removed Mugabe from them, we removed their monster but today the same MDC is going into bed with Mugabe. What does the real MDC say? What does the Dzamara family think of Chamisa? Mugabe is not supposed to be even alive, most of his age-mates are dead, I don't know how Chamisa refers to him. His ancestor perhaps? He is now in bed with him."Mugabe has become a saint and darling to Chamisa. That's treachery. That's why we say he should not get support from the real MDC. Those who voted Mwonzora against Chamisa for SG at their last Congress must now stand up and throw Chamisa into the political dustbin."We urge them to democratically elect a successor to Tsvangirai. Chamisa is now like his new found mentor, Robert Mugabe - violent and autocratic."The former freedom fighters also attacked the United States during their press conference. News / National by AP Chamisa's challenge claims the electoral commission bumped up Mnangagwa's figures through double counts and the creation of "ghost" polling stations.It also alleges that some polling stations recorded more voters than those registered to vote."It's like a kid was playing with the figures," a lawyer for the opposition, Thabani Mpofu, told the court. He alleged that 16 polling stations had identical results and that "massive doctoring" took place.Chief Justice Luke Malaba, however, pressed the opposition for the original election results forms to back up their allegations: "We cannot act on generalities".Mnangagwa and the electoral commission argue the opposition's application should be dismissed on a technicality, saying it was filed too late and that papers were not properly served on respondents.In his affidavit, Mnangagwa argues the court should not hear Chamisa'a application because he "scandalised" the court by claiming during political rallies that the judiciary was biased toward the ruling party, Zanu-PF.Mnangagwa also accuses Chamisa of making "illusionary promises" to voters during campaign.The case was being televised live by the state broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, but the courts ruled that the proceedings could not be livestreamed on social media.Journalists and others accredited by the court were following proceedings from a giant television screen on the court premises, but they were not permitted to carry mobile phones or laptops. Opinion / Columnist The Zimbabwean government posited that the first elections after the November 2017 ouster of Robert Mugabe would enhance the state's credibility and strengthen the country's prospects for economic recovery.Voters responded in kind, heading to the polls in unprecedented numbers. The results, however, confirmed that the country is deeply divided, with the opposition contesting the electoral commission's determination that Emmerson Mnangagwa won the presidency. Several parliamentary challenges are also underway in separate petitions. The opposition is accusing the electoral commission of bias and fraud in its legal petition to overturn the election results. The Constitutional Court is expected to announce its judgment in the case later in August.Divisions deepened further after soldiers fired live ammunition upon protesters in the streets of Harare for the first time. The president and senior ruling party figures called for calm, blaming the opposition for the violence, yet remained conspicuously silent about any malfeasance on the security forces' part. These conditions are a recipe for further unrest.The Zimbabwean government's credibility is in jeopardy.The Zimbabwean government's credibility is in jeopardy - as is the international good-will generated by Mugabe's departure. If it is to resuscitate momentum toward its vaunted goals of re-engagement and recovery, the government should hasten to demonstrate both at home and abroad that it is serious about reform and national unity. It should work harder to include the political opposition and other interested parties in its deliberations, act on its commitments to transparency and accountability, and take concrete steps toward strengthening civilian oversight over the security sector.A Closely Watched VoteOn 1 August, the electoral commission announced that the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) had won a two-thirds majority in parliament: 144 seats to the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance's 64, reflecting a gain and loss of fifteen seats, respectively, compared with 2013. The commission has not provided an aggregated breakdown of actual votes per party. Unconfirmed assessments give ZANU-PF about 54 per cent of the parliamentary vote. The commission has not made public the results of local government polling.The following day, the commission declared Emmerson Mnangagwa the victor in the presidential race, with 2,460,463 votes, over 300,000 more than his main rival Nelson Chamisa, who secured 2,147,436. These figures gave Mnangagwa 50.8 per cent compared to Chamisa's 44.3 per cent, thereby averting a second round of polling by just under 38,000 votes. The 21 other presidential candidates collectively garnered less than 170,000 votes (5 per cent of the total), showing that the opposition's fragmentation is not as profound as some had predicted.According to state media, turnout was over 4.8 million - more than 85 per cent of registered voters - the highest since independence, with almost 1.5 million more voting than in any previous poll. Mnangagwa secured 350,000 more votes than Mugabe had in his 2013 landslide, while Chamisa scored almost double the tally of MDC's former leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, showing a resurgence of opposition support. A parallel voter tabulation exercise conducted by civil society groups agreed that Mnangagwa had beaten Chamisa but said he had fallen short of the margin needed to avoid a second round.Zimbabwe's 2018 elections are some of the most closely scrutinised on the African continent in recent years. Preliminary reports from both official and informal observers have exposed an array of anomalies. A number of detailed and at times disparate assessments of the electoral commission's data are ongoing. The European Union mission and the joint mission of the U.S.-based National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute, for example, gave much greater attention than the African Union, Southern African Development Community and African National Congress missions to media bias and abuse of state resources. In their final reports, the observer missions will need to carefully consider the extent to which these problems reflect deliberate manipulation, as alleged by the opposition, or simply unremarkable administrative glitches. The opposition has made some very strong claims about the evidence it purportedly has proving fraud, but several domestic commentators are dismissing these as unsubstantiated hyperbole.Notwithstanding doubts about reported turnouts of over 90 and even 100 per cent at some polling stations, the massive participation rate shows significant interest in the electoral process, reinforcing perceptions that conditions for elections were significantly freer than in previous polls. The campaign environment was relatively peaceful; the opposition was able to hold rallies unmolested. This brief window of opportunity somewhat mitigated the distortion of which the opposition complains, but it is clear that the playing field was not level.The MDC Alliance's Legal ChallengeBoth Mnangagwa and the electoral commission have argued that petitioners violated legal process.On 10 August, the MDC Alliance submitted a weighty petition to Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court challenging the presidential results and accusing the electoral commission of improper conduct. The Alliance claims that it in fact won the presidency by over 650,000 votes. The court must now decide whether the evidence presented supports charges of fraud and whether the raft of discrepancies and alleged administrative and technical faults is so disturbing as to call Mnangagwa's 50.8 per cent tally into question. The electoral commission has already admitted certain mistakes, reducing the margin to 50.59. The Alliance claims that examination of the commission's servers will establish that the numbers were falsified in Mnangagwa's favour. The common law system in Zimbabwe discourages activist courts, however, and the judges are likely to regard such an audit as a fishing expedition. There is also growing speculation that the court might use technicalities to avoid engaging the substance of the case. In their responses, both Mnangagwa and the electoral commission have argued that petitioners violated legal process.The constitution gives the court three options: declare a winner; invalidate the election and call for a fresh vote; or issue any other order it deems appropriate. It could, for example, adjudicate that there was no widespread fraud as alleged by the opposition, but that the cumulative import of technical and administrative faults undermines the conclusion that Mnangagwa won 50.8 per cent of the vote. In that case, the presidential vote would go to a second round. The court has fourteen days from 13 August in which to make its ruling, which will be carefully studied, but Zimbabwean courts have a habit of deferring publication of detailed arguments.RepressionAs expected, the 30 July polling was largely peaceful. The following day the electoral commission started to announce results and then inexplicably halted, resuming only some eighteen hours after midday on 1 August.Alliance leaders had publicly warned that they would defend the vote. The Progressive Democratic Party leader and former finance minister in the 2009-2013 Zimbabwe Government of National Unity, Tendai Biti, claimed Chamisa had won. But the parliamentary results pointed to a massive ZANU-PF victory, which the opposition did not believe was possible without rigging. Tensions rose as riot police deployed across the central business district of Harare. Several hundred opposition protesters took to the streets, a few of whom damaged property. The riot police, who appeared well equipped to deal with the situation, stepped back, yielding to soldiers (seemingly from the presidential guard) who had been waiting in the wings. Firing live ammunition and wielding sjamboks (whips), the soldiers moved in, shooting dead six people, several in the back, and injuring many more.Mnangagwa and senior ZANU-PF leaders blamed the MDC for the violence, which some commentators misleadingly described as "clashes". But it was clearly a military crackdown, with disproportionate force, upon unarmed civilians. Although the president softened his line, announcing a commission of inquiry into the shooting, a roundup of opposition activists ensued, leading several to go into hiding. The police said they were looking for Biti, on the grounds that he incited the violence by illegally declaring victory for Chamisa, though his lawyers claim that they asked the authorities several times if he was wanted for questioning and were told he was not. Biti, who was brutally tortured by security officers over a decade ago, fled to Zambia, seeking asylum. Despite a Zambian High Court order interdicting his deportation, the Zambian police handed Biti over to their Zimbabwean counterparts. He is now facing charges of public violence and illegally announcing election results.The opposition and civil society organisations have claimed over 150 attacks upon their supporters and staff, including cases of abduction, sexual abuse, torture and assault. This number is expected to increase. In most instances, witnesses have identified members of the military or unidentified security operatives as alleged perpetrators. Zimbabwe's Human Rights Commission has confirmed many of the violations. The police raided the MDC Alliance's headquarters and the homes of a number of its officials, including several polling officers; there appears to be a direct correlation between the clampdown and the opposition's challenge of the election results. Arsonists have also burned down a number of homes of MDC Alliance polling agents in the post-election period.The crackdown has raised questions about who is really in control of the country - civilian authorities or the military. The Zimbabwe Defence Force's commander, Lieutenant General Valerio Sibanda, told international media that he did not know who had deployed the troops on 1 August and had demanded to learn who did. The police claim that they invoked a section of the notorious Public Order and Security Act enabling them to seek military assistance. Mnangagwa has publicly backed this reasoning. But this provision is almost certainly unconstitutional as the military's deployment is a presidential prerogative. The government has committed to repealing the law.The army's deployment on the streets of Harare to quell protest confirms the uncomfortable truth that the military remains a pre-eminent force in Zimbabwe's politics.The outgoing deputy finance minister, Terence Mukupe, who lost in the parliamentary vote to MDC Alliance principal Biti, claimed that the police favoured having the military step in. Just ahead of the election, he had controversially predicted that the military would not accept an MDC victory.Some suggest that Mnangagwa was unaware of the soldiers' deployment and that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Sibanda's predecessor and the man who led the November 2017 coup against Mugabe, made the decision. Chiwenga oversees the country's security cluster and was given direct responsibility for the defence portfolio by Mnangagwa, an arrangement that also has dubious legal standing since the constitution provides that the defence minister should have this job. Speculation that Chiwenga is the real power behind Mnangagwa has morphed into allegations that another coup is pending and that the security sector is increasingly divided. The absence of clear leadership by the president has fuelled the suspicion. Chiwenga is looking to soften his image, opening a Twitter account that echoes the peace and unity messaging of Mnangagwa, as well as reaching out to civil society organisations to look into their allegations against the security forces.Whatever the backroom manoeuvres, the army's deployment on the streets of Harare to quell protest confirms the uncomfortable truth that, almost nine months after Mugabe's removal, the military remains a pre-eminent force in Zimbabwe's politics. It raises serious questions about how the government can guarantee civilian oversight of the security and intelligence services. It has also reinforced concerns about the extent to which Mnangagwa is beholden to the military elements that put him in office.Implications for Re-engagement, Reform and RecoveryAfter assuming the presidency, Mnangagwa distanced his administration from Mugabe's, promising reforms and financial propriety, as well as re-engagement with the West and international financial institutions, aimed at attracting foreign and domestic investment as an integral part of economic recovery. This also included ill-defined commitments to improvements in governance, democracy and human rights. The West largely welcomed this stated shift in the ZANU-PF's vision.Observer missions and international journalists witnessed the elections and the violent aftermath first-hand. Inevitably, their reports home will set back the government's re-engagement strategy. The question remains: to what extent?The electoral turmoil poses a particular dilemma for the West, and the Mnangagwa government will watch its next moves very closely. The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Amendment (ZDERA) Act, signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on 8 August, is widely interpreted as authorising new sanctions, but it does not. The amendments in fact provide a set of conditions to be met if ZDERA penalties, first imposed in 2001, are to be lifted. Several of these conditions refer to specific aspects of election conduct, such as ensuring that the military stay in the barracks. In light of what happened on 1 August, Washington is unlikely to remove sanctions any time soon. It remains to be seen whether Mnangagwa can make sufficient reforms to dissuade the U.S. from invoking ZDERA provisions that could hinder the Zimbabwean government's access to desperately needed lines of credit.In the meantime, re-engagement by the West is now likely to slow down. To regain lost ground and momentum in terms of building trust with those countries, the government will have to rapidly implement some of its promised reforms. In particular, it should focus on addressing concerns regarding its post-election conduct and what that means in terms of respect for the rule of law and inclusive governance. This, in turn, will entail reaching out to the opposition, focusing on political reconciliation, and more broadly reforming the security and intelligence sectors, as well as the criminal justice system. Taking such measures, in addition to tackling major fiscal and monetary challenges the government has pledged to address, would be key to rebuilding international confidence and, in turn, fostering economic recovery and longer-term stability.How the government of Zimbabwe rejuvenates its re-engagement strategy will be critical to the country's prospects for economic recovery and political cohesion. For now, however, the government faces an immediate challenge, which is to persuade a deeply divided nation that it has the interests of all Zimbabweans at heart. An important first step in that direction would be to quickly appoint the proposed commission of inquiry into post-election violence and ensure that it is genuinely independent from government interference. Mnangagwa's promise to include international experts is, for Zimbabwe, an unprecedented move; carrying it out would be a significant one. Opinion / Columnist The picture of Nelson Chamisa up in mountain in Murewa dressed in white, for purity, clatching the Bible and asking us all fast and pray. "I am urging the whole nation to pray. Let us go before God so that he may help us, we don't want the spilling of blood," he said.No doubt, the whole shebang was meant to evoke the image of Moses coming down Mount Sanai clatching the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments. However instead of evoking the Moses, the picture evoked the memory of this religious fanatic, Innocent Gaka, at my High School.Religion had always been an important part of my childhood and school life because both my parents are devout Christians and I had always attended Church based School. Innocent took religion to a new level; instead of the usual once a week Sunday Church service, he had four or five Bible discussions, Prayer meetings, etc. Come end of year examinations time, Innocent, went into overdrive, holding pray meeting to pray for examiners to ask clear questions, for students to answer clearly, there was even one prayer meeting to pray for the pens!To cut a long story short, the High School had its worst ZJC, "O" level and "A" level results ever. The following year Headmaster told Innocent and his disciples that their religion activities will not be allowed to eat into study time.Nelson Chamisa's religious posturing has the same Innocent Gaka appeal asking God to do for us what we are too lazy to do for ourselves!"We have to stand with our God to defend our vote within the confines of peace ... change does not come easy," Chamisa said.Nelson Chamisa and his MDC Alliance friends agreed to go into these elections with no democratic reforms designed to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections, against repeated advice not to. They did not even have the common sense to demand that ZEC must produce a clean and verified voters' roll throwing the door wide open for all manner of Zanu PF vote rigging shenanigans.There was no free public media. 2 to 3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora were denied the vote. Zanu PF robbed the nation blind to bankroll its vote rigging schemes. Many voters in the rural areas in particular are beholden to Zanu PF handouts and/or so fearful of reprisals they did not dare to vote for anyone else.Whatever evidence Chamisa has submitted in his court challenge, it is but a fraction of the blatant vote rigging that has taken place here all because the nation had failed to implemented the raft of democratic reforms required to ensure free, fair and credible elections.Millions of Zimbabweans LOST their right to a free, fair and credible vote because these election went ahead without first implemented the democratic reforms. So Chamisa is asking God "defend" the lost vote? This is just like Innocent Gaka asking God to help the student "remember" stuff they never learned because they never studies! Opinion / Columnist THE Constitutional Court today convenes to deliberate on a petition by MDC-Alliance candidate Nelson Chamisa challenging President Mnangagwa's victory in the July 30 election.The President polled 50,8 percent to Chamisa's 44,3 percent with Zanu-PF garnering over two-thirds majority in a highly-peaceful, transparent, free, fair and credible election that has been endorsed by all progressive observer missions.Chamisa claims the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) rigged the plebiscite in favour of Zanu-PF, a charge both ZEC and Zanu-PF have dismissed with requisite contempt.Addressing a Press conference in Harare on Monday, Mr Chamisa said he will not accept the Constitutional Court's verdict if it's not in his favour. It will be remembered that during the campaign period, Mr Chamisa again vowed to make the country ungovernable if he was not declared winner of the July 30 elections by ZEC.In fact, Mr Chamisa threatened "kudira sadza jecha" if not declared winner. As ZEC was in the process of announcing the results and with all pointing to an MDC-Alliance loss, Mr Chamisa's supporters acted on his instruction.They trooped into the central business district in Harare burnt property worth thousands of dollars before they were stopped by our security forces as they headed for the Rainbow Towers where the results were being announced by ZEC. It is clear the rowdy elements worked on Mr Chamisa's instruction to make the motherland ungovernable. Mr Chamisa tried to distance himself from the violence claiming the rowdy demonstrators were not members of his party.He was to be seen visiting them in hospital at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. It is therefore instructive that Mr Chamisa on Monday repeated the threat of violence if the Constitutional Court does not declare him winner of the Presidential election. He has gone to court expecting nothing, but the judges to declare him president of our nation "or else".In other words, he is approaching the court with very dirty hands. He has slammed the country's Judiciary in the past as partisan. He is approaching the same institution today expecting nothing, but his victory, which in his mind is cast in stone. We note that while it is Chamisa's right to be overly ambitious, it is the right of every Zimbabwean too to enjoy peace without hindrance.Mr Chamisa veils his violence threat as "defending the vote" yet it is at the Constitutional Court where he must unveil the alleged evidence of Zanu-PF rigging he has been boasting having. We urge all Zimbabweans to ensure peace during the hearing of the petition and to respect whatever verdict would be passed by the Constitutional Court.We are stronger when united and once peace is vandalised everyone stands to lose including those clamouring for chaos! We call on the security apparatus to rein in anyone bent on violence. Zimbabwe is bigger than the ambitions of this little man in a big chair. By Jeff Mason and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump does not expect much progress from trade talks with China this week in Washington, he told Reuters on Monday. Trump said in an interview that he had "no time frame" for ending the trade dispute with China, which threatens to impose tariffs on virtually all goods traded between the world's two largest economies. "I'm like them; I have a long horizon," he added. The talks this week come as new U.S. tariffs on $16 billion of Chinese goods take effect at 12:01 a.m. (0401 GMT) on Thursday, along with retaliatory tariffs from Beijing on an equal amount of U.S. goods. The U.S. Trade Representative's Office also is holding hearings this week on proposals for tariffs on a further $200 billion of Chinese goods that will start to directly hit consumer products. Trump said Chinese negotiators would be arriving shortly, adding he did not "anticipate much" from the mid-level discussions. He said resolving the trade dispute with China will "take time because China's done too well for too long, and they've become spoiled. They dealt with people that, frankly, didn't know what they were doing, to allow us to get into this position." Trump also accused China of manipulating its yuan currency to make up for having to pay tariffs imposed by Washington, while arguing the U.S. central bank should be more accommodating. The meetings, expected to take place on Wednesday and Thursday in Washington, are the first formal U.S.-China trade talks since June, when U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met Chinese economic adviser Liu He in Beijing but returned with no agreements. Since then, Washington and Beijing have been locked in escalating rounds of tit-for-tat tariffs, with tariffs on $50 billion in goods by each country expected to be in place by Thursday. Trump has threatened to impose duties on virtually all of the more than $500 billion of Chinese goods exported to the United States. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang, asked about Trump's comments at a regular news briefing in Beijing, reiterated that China hoped the talks could reach a "good result". "We hope that both sides can sit down quietly and steadily, and dedicate themselves to getting a good result on the basis of equality, parity and trust," Lu said. Trump's tariffs are part of his administration's effort to pressure China into making major changes to its economic policies to better protect intellectual property, end its industrial subsidy efforts and open its markets to foreign competition. Beijing denies U.S. allegations that it systematically forces the unfair transfer of U.S. technology and insists that it adheres to World Trade Organization rules. The Washington talks will be led by U.S. Treasury Undersecretary David Malpass and Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen. (Reporting Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Writing by Peter Henderson and David Lawder; Editing by James Dalgleish and Cynthia Osterman) By Colin Packham CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull clung to power on Wednesday as rebel Liberal party lawmakers pressed for a second leadership contest just a day after he narrowly survived a challenge from former home minister Peter Dutton. Turnbull, whose Liberal Party is the senior partner in the coalition government, had won a party-room vote by 48 to 35 on Tuesday, but the unconvincing victory had left him vulnerable to another challenge. Australian lawmakers told reporters that party rebels were petitioning for another vote as early as Wednesday, though it appeared unlikely that the move would get enough support before Thursday. The move needs a majority of 43 signatories to force a fresh contest. If Dutton's supporters succeed, Turnbull is likely to be ousted without completing three years in power, and whoever replaces him will become Australia's seventh prime minister in a decade. Dutton said he was canvassing for support to take another tilt at Turnbull, possibly as early as this week. "I'm speaking to colleagues," Dutton told 3AW Radio. "If I believe the majority of colleagues support me then I will consider my position," he said. Jane Prentice, a Liberal lawmaker, said she saw a copy of the letter calling for a second vote late on Wednesday and it so far had nine signatories. Should Dutton's supporters manage to muster enough signatures by Thursday, the vote could be held before parliament breaks for a two week holiday. Amid mounting uncertainty over Turnbull's premiership, Governor-General Peter Cosgrove canceled travel plans and will remain in Canberra this week, a source familiar with his schedule told Reuters. Cosgrove is British Queen Elizabeth's representative in Australia and would need to be on hand to swear in a new prime minister if Turnbull was ousted, or to accept Turnbull's request to dissolve parliament if he decides to call an early election. The next election is due by May. Australian newspapers echoed the frustration many voters feel over the constant leadership changes. "It would be kinder to voters and more in the national interest if Mr Turnbull drove to Yarralumla (Cosgrove's official residence) and called an election a year early," The Sydney Morning Herald wrote in an editorial. "The big risk is that he might be shafted even before he got to the end of the driveway," it said. 'UNEQUIVOCAL LOYALTY' The opposition Labor Party has gleefully watched the Liberals internal conflict deepen, with the growing prospect of an early election. Labor used Question Time in parliament on Wednesday to ask seven of the nine Cabinet ministers who voted for Dutton whether they still supported Turnbull. All seven had tendered their resignations to Turnbull, who refused them in an attempt to show unity and later said he had been given "unequivocal assurances of continuing loyalty". Dutton and one other opponent were allowed to leave the ministry. Keen to bring rebel politicians back into the fold, Turnbull on Wednesday also dumped his unpopular plan to cut corporate tax rates to 25 percent from 30 percent. His plan echoed that of U.S. President Donald Trump but, with record corporate profits and stagnant wage growth, the policy has proved widely unpopular with voters. "It is clear that the policy was never going to be an election-winning one. There has been some concern within the backbench about policy, it will show them that he is listening," said Rod Tiffen, emeritus professor of political science at Sydney University. The upper house Senate rejected the policy on Wednesday and Turnbull said soon after he would no longer pursue it. "We will not be taking the tax cuts for larger companies to the next election," he told reporters in Canberra. FRACTURED PARTY Despite Turnbull offering an olive branch, further political instability is all but guaranteed. The turmoil has upset Australia's financial markets, with the main stock market down nearly 0.5 percent on Wednesday to a nine-day low. Turnbull came to power in a party-room coup in September 2015 over former premier Tony Abbott, who also survived an internal leadership contest before his eventual defeat. A social liberal and multi-millionaire former merchant banker, Turnbull rode an early wave of popular support but he has struggled to appeal to conservative voters and only narrowly won an election in 2016. Progressive supporters have also been disappointed as they watched government policies shift to the right as Turnbull tried to appease a powerful right-leaning backbench. Dutton, a hardline conservative who carved out his reputation overseeing Australia's harsh immigration policy, is unpopular with moderate voters, raising the possibility that a third, centrist candidate might still emerge. (Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing Paul Tait & Simon Cameron-Moore) Cattle run on a ranch as the Shovel Lake wildfire burns in the distance sending a massive cloud of smoke into the air near Fort St. James, B.C., on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. (Photo by Darryl Dyck, The Canadian Press) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with first responders and British Columbians displaced by the wildfires scorching the province on Thursday. Trudeau made the announcement during a photo op with B.C. Premier John Horgan in Nanaimo late Tuesday afternoon, ahead of a retreat with his newly shuffled cabinet. "Our thoughts are with the first responders, the firefighters and the residents who are struggling through the wildfires that are raging across the province," Trudeau said. "Obviously this is something that is very much a topic of conversation that we'll be engaged in." Horgan said government leaders at all levels were working together on the crisis, which has the province under a state of emergency for the second consecutive summer a situation he called "unprecedented." 'The new normal' Horgan expressed dismay as he toured the wildfire-stricken area around Prince George on Tuesday morning. "We're concerned all of us that this may be the new normal," Horgan told reporters, standing alongside federal Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan. Emergency officials are worried about wind and lightning forecast for the region, with no rain for the foreseeable future, Horgan said. There are 565 fires currently burning across the province. More than 20,000 people are on evacuation alert or under evacuation order. The Canadian Armed Forces have deployed about 300 personnel to help fight the fires in B.C., Sajjan said. "We're coming together far too often like this." Referring to an independent review of last year's devastating wildfires and floods in B.C., Horgan said the province was halfway through the recommendations when it had to put the report down to focus on this year's fires. "From flood to fire to flood and then again to fire," he said. "And we have had two states of emergency. That's unprecedented." "That speaks to the changing environment we live in and the ravages of climate change." Story continues When asked how the province can justify supporting a proposed LNG energy project and simultaneously try to curb greenhouse gas emissions, Horgan said B.C. is just 4.5 million people sharing a planet with seven billion others. "We have to be realistic about what our impacts would be," he said. 'It's dire here right now' On Monday night, fire officials painted an alarming picture of three huge, raging wildfires racing through an area of central B.C., west of Prince George one group among hundreds of blazes spreading smoke and flames across the province. The officials were at the Grassy Plains School, just south of Burns Lake on the south side of Francois Lake, to speak with people who are defying evacuation orders for the Nadina-Verdun wildfire complex. The Nadina Lake, Verdun Mountain and Island Lake fires combined currently cover more than 1,000 square kilometres. "It's dire here right now," incident commander Pete Lang told a group of residents, many of whom were angry with the province's response to the fires in the region. Lang said he hoped the meeting would help dispel rumours and misinformation being spread on social media and help residents make an informed decision about what to do. Residents in the small community, located about 230 kilometres west of Prince George, mostly rely on ferry service to get in and out. 'Nothing will be able to save us' Fire behaviour specialist Dana Hicks made it clear at the meeting that the area around Burns Lake is so dry and the fires so hot, that there isn't much firefighters can do to quell the flames. "These fires will be free burning tomorrow," Hicks said. "Nothing will be able to save us tomorrow. The fires are going to move." Trees killed by the mountain pine beetles that have infested the region for years are drier than plywood, Hicks said. "The intensity that's putting off; we can't put firefighters near it, water's no good," he said. Both the Nadina Lake and Verdun Mountain fires have moved about five to seven kilometres a day, Hicks said. Hicks told those who decide to stay to keep in place and resist the urge to take off. He said those who die in wildfires most often do so when they're fleeing. "Be safe and make the right decisions," he said. Residents at the meeting questioned how the fires had gotten to this stage and accused the wildfire service of assigning too few resources. Rise Johansen, who runs the Takysie Lake Lodge, said adrenaline is running high throughout the community and many residents in the small northern community have little trust in authority. Those resisting evacuation are keen to protect their properties and cattle, she said. "My sense in the room last night was sheer fear, which is coming out as anger, because everybody is scared," Johansen said. Smoke clearing in the Cariboo In the Cariboo region, smoke is beginning to clear even as haze still blankets other parts of the province. The Cariboo Regional District says there has been a "dramatic" improvement in air quality over a 24-hour period, although 61 fires are still burning in the area and the fire danger rating remains extreme or high. Poor conditions could still return later in the week, but district officials say it's too early to tell so they are not lifting any evacuation alerts. The region has five evacuation orders in place covering more than 14,000 square kilometres and affecting more than 100 residents. Wildfire map: Evacuation orders and alerts: With files from Yvette Brend, Liam Britten and The Canadian Press Read more from CBC British Columbia A Moncton-based cannabis producer is adding Ontario to its growing list of markets. Organigram announced Tuesday it has an agreement to supply cannabis to Ontario when recreational use of the drug is legalized in October. In a statement, Organigram called Ontario "Canada's largest adult recreational market." The population of Ontario is more than 14 million, while the total population of Organigram's other markets is only 5.7 million. "Our agreement with the Province of Ontario is an important strategic milestone with significant impact for Organigram, but it also further galvanizes our ability to share our tremendous product experience and expertise with an even broader customer base," said Greg Engel, the Organigram CEO. The company said it will provide the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corp. with 27 products, including dried cannabis, pre-rolled products and cannabis oils. Organigram is already one of the suppliers for the New Brunswick market, along with Zenabis and Canopy Growth Corp. The company said it has also signed agreements or memos of understandings with Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and Alberta. Canadian helicopters in Mali have conducted two support operations for the Dutch peacekeeping contingent in the war-torn country, a senior commander said Wednesday. The flights involved ferrying members of a reconnaissance team to remote villages 100 kilometres northeast of Gao, the main United Nations operating base, said the task force commander, Col. Chris McKenna. The intent of the mission was to deliver UN forces into a part of the country that rarely sees international troops, he said in a telephone interview with CBC News from Mali. There has been a lot of rain in the country recently, making many rural roads in the region impassable. The flights represent the first planned operations since the force of two CH-147F Chinook battlefield transport helicopters and four armed CH-146 Griffon helicopters along with spares were deployed earlier this summer. Canada has 250 aircrew and soldiers in Mali on a one-year mission. The task force was declared initially ready in early August, but conducted additional training before undertaking the operations. McKenna said the support missions on Aug. 15 and Aug. 18 went off without incident and the Dutch troops spotted no sign of insurgents or jihadist groups that are both trying to topple the recently re-elected government of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. "They were focused on engaging with the local population and seeing if there was needs in that area," said McKenna. The Canadian and Dutch militaries refused to identify the villages for fear of retaliation. Roadside bombings remain a concern The Canadian helicopters are also tasked with conducting the evacuation of UN casualties. There has only been one call for a suspected roadside bomb strike, but it turned out to be a false alarm, McKenna said. The potential for roadside bombings remains high, particularly along Mali's RN-15, which has been given the nickname "Highway of Death" by UN troops because of the number of improvised explosive device strikes that have taken place. Story continues "From a driving point of view it remains quite dangerous," McKenna said, who noted many of the roads in northern Mali are more like "a path through the desert that is commonly agreed to be a road." There have been 170 peacekeepers killed in Mali since the UN mission was conceived in 2013 following a jihadist takeover of the northern part of the country. French troops eventually retook the region and continue to fight a low-intensity counter-terrorism war, separate from UN operations. McKenna said the biggest thing that has surprised him, flying over the scorched countryside, is the number of people living in rural seemingly inhospitable areas. Often, he said, children will wave and chase after the helicopters as they swoop over the villages and trails. "There is much more population out in the desert than I would have expected," McKenna said. By Ahmed Rasheed and Ahmed Aboulenein BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's economy is so closely linked to Iran that Baghdad is going to ask Washington for permission to ignore some U.S. sanctions on its neighbor, Iraqi government and central bank officials said. U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from an international deal aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program earlier this year and reimposed trade sanctions. Washington has said there will be consequences for countries that do not respect the sanctions. Baghdad is in a difficult position. Iraq imports crucial supplies from ally Iran but its other major ally is the United States, which provides security assistance and training. The request would mark an important change in political tactics for Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. He initially said Baghdad would respect all the U.S. sanctions but faced heavy criticism from rivals. The officials told Reuters a delegation will travel to Washington to ask for exemptions in applying the sanctions. They did not say when that trip would take place. "The government plans to ask Washington for a waiver. It's going to happen soon," one central bank official said. An official in Abadi's office declined to comment. An official in the U.S. State Department said it was discussing Iran policy with its partners around the world. "We have given the same message to all countries around the world that the President has said, the United States is fully committed to enforcing all of our sanctions," the official said. "Iraq is a friend and important partner of the U.S and we are we are committed to ensuring Iraqi stability and prosperity." Iraqi officials fear shortages of key items if Baghdad complies with all the sanctions. This could lead to political turmoil at a delicate time in Iraqi politics. Iraq imports a wide range of goods from Iran including food, agricultural products, home appliances, air conditioners and spare car parts. The goods element of Iranian imports to Iraq was about $6 billion for the 12 months ending March 2018, about 15 percent of Iraq's total imports for 2017. There are also energy contracts between the two countries contributing to a volume of trade of $12 billion last year. The officials said they were asking each ministry to put together a list of imports that are essential for Iraq's economy. Those items will make up the request for exemptions. The U.S. sanctions that came into effect earlier this month target Iran's trade in gold and other precious metals, its purchases of U.S. dollars and its car industry. Other sanctions will come into force in November. EUROS NOT DOLLARS Abadi has said Iraq will still respect the requirement on U.S. dollar purchases, which is a major part of the sanctions and one of the most awkward for businesses, given energy and other big trade deals. It means that Iraqi banks and the government cannot pay the Iranian government or Iranian entities in dollars. The central bank circulated a warning to private banks to abide by the ban on dollar transactions but it will allow transactions in euros, one central bank official said. Several European countries, including France, Britain and Germany wanted the United States to stick by the international nuclear deal. The EU is working to maintain trade with Iran. "We were encouraged by the position of European Union states toward Iran in respect to the American sanctions. They keep dealing with Iran in euros so why shouldn't we?" a second Iraqi central bank official said. SPARE CAR PARTS The sanctions are particularly sensitive for companies with U.S. operations. Trump has said that those who do business in Iran will not be able to do business in the United Sates. But most Iraqi private companies will be relatively unharmed by the sanctions, said a Western diplomat in Baghdad. "Plenty of Iraqi businesses don't have U.S. investments, don't deal in dollars. Those can carry on dealing with Iran without issue," he said. It is government and public sector-run energy, construction and car industries, which will take a bigger hit, one Iraqi trade ministry official told Reuters. "We rely mainly on Iran as a source of construction materials and automobiles, including spare parts, due to low prices and the ease of shipping through many joint border crossings," he said. COMPLIANCE DIFFICULTIES Even if the government has committed to complying with some of the sanctions, it may be difficult to enforce. Local traders may still be happy to deal with Iranian counterparts because the fall of the Iranian rial against the U.S. dollar has made goods cheap and political and economic ties between the two countries are strong. "It will be mission impossible for the government to prevent Iranian commodities from flowing across more than 1,300 kilometers (808 miles) of joint borders," said Basim Antwan, a leading Iraqi economic consultant and member of the Iraqi Businessmen Union. "Iran will use every single option at hand to keep the exports flowing, including the help of allied militia groups to secure what could be called 'organized smuggling'." Abadi is leading a fragile caretaker cabinet while political parties try to negotiate a new governing coalition after a May election in which his bloc came third. He has managed to balance U.S. and Iranian interests and hopes to stay on as a compromise premier. But he may have been damaged after declaring he would fully comply with the U.S. sanctions. This could have helped his more pro-Iran rivals, who heavily criticized his decision. Some Western diplomats say he must now come up with a compromise to balance U.S. and Iranian interests. "There is a fear that Washington will force Iraq into a 'you are with us or against us' situation," the Western diplomat said. "They should not force Iraq to make that choice." (Additional reporting by Lesley Wroughton in Washington; Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Anna Willard) Irving Oil has signed agreements to acquire an Ireland-based energy marketing and distribution group of companies, further expanding its reach across the Atlantic basin, the company confirmed on Tuesday. The financial terms of the deal with Tedcastle, which operates under the brand name Top Oil, have not been disclosed. The purchase comes on the heels of Irving Oil's 2016 takeover of Ireland's sole refinery, located in the village of Whitegate, near Cork. Top Oil, based in Dublin, is a leading supplier of home heating oil, including kerosene, as well as petrol and diesel fuel in Ireland and recently expanded its operations into aviation fuel, according to Irving Oil. "This is a great day for our company," Arthur Irving, chair of the Saint John-based oil refiner and gas retailer, said in the statement Tuesday, confirming that the deal reported on in June has been finalized. "We are proud to be doing business in Ireland and are looking forward to working with everyone at Top Oil. We're excited about the future." The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in Ireland still has to approve the acquisition. If approved, Irving Oil plans to continue the full operation of Top Oil and its assets, according to the statement. Will maintain staff, branding It will maintain Top Oil's existing workforce, as well its branding, which includes the slogan, "Proud to be Irish." Top Oil is a family-owned business, founded by Robert Tedcastle in 1800 to import and distribute coal in Dublin. It rebranded from Tedcastles Oil Products to Top in 1996. The company now sells more than one billion litres of fuel a year to commercial and residential consumers in Ireland. It owns a fuel import terminal and a chain of 180 gas stations. Top Oil's website makes no mention of the deal. "This is a very significant day for the extended family and our business in Ireland," deputy chair of Tedcastle Holdings Raymond Reihill said in the Irving Oil-issued statement. Story continues "We are delighted to hand over the reins, on completion of these agreements, to another family company and are confident that the business will continue to grow and prosper," he said. "We are looking forward to joining Irving Oil and continuing to grow and develop our business under its umbrella," Top Oil CEO Gerard Boylan said in the statement. "We share a common commitment to our employees, customers and the wider community." Irving Oil has been family-owned and operated since 1924. It serves wholesale, commercial and retail customers in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and New England with more than 900 fuelling locations, operations from 10 distribution terminals, and a delivery fleet of tractor-trailers. It operates Canada's largest refinery, capable of producing more than 320,000 barrels per day. The Whitegate refinery's output is less than a third of that, but it supplies about 40 per cent of Ireland's transport and heating fuel. Built in 1959, it used to be owned by the state but was privatized in 2001 and sold to Houston-based energy, manufacturing and logistics company Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX), whose obligation to maintain the asset expired in July 2016. Irving Oil's takeover was announced on Aug. 3, 2016, and finalized a month later. According to the Irish Examiner, Whitegate had been losing money at a rate of $58 million US in 2013 and $280 million US in 2014. The Canadian government began renting 4 Kursovoy Street in Moscow in 2008. The building was supposed to become the new site of the embassy, but it has sat empty for 10 years. (CBC) The Liberal government is reviving long-delayed plans to move into a new embassy building in Moscow, after more than 10 years and $26 million spent on the empty structure. But the renewed effort comes at a troubled time in Canada-Russia relations, which may further complicate the move. Both sides expelled four of each other's diplomats earlier this year and there is continued acrimony over Russia's incursions in Ukraine. The Conservative government signed a 20-year lease on a low-rise building at 4 Kursovoy Street in March of 2008, expecting to move staff in relatively soon after. But Russian red tape, layers of city bureaucracy and sour relations with the Kremlin conspired to keep the brick building unoccupied, even as the bill for upkeep mounted. Spreadsheets from Global Affairs Canada obtained through the Access to Information Act show the Kursovoy address has cost taxpayers $25,895,422 over 10 years, most of that in rent paid to the Russian government. The total includes utility costs of $289,000 and a repair-and-maintenance bill of $300,000. By comparison, the current embassy, at 23 Starokonyushenny Lane, has cost taxpayers about half that total ($13,223,983) over the same period, including rent, utilities, repairs and maintenance. Finance Minister Bill Morneau's fiscal update on Oct. 24, 2017, announced a six-year, $760-million investment in Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to ensure Canada's "network of people and missions abroad can do their work in safety and security." Moribund project GAC officials confirmed to CBC News that some of that new funding will restart the moribund Moscow embassy project, which was officially put on ice in 2014. The first step in the complex move is to get local permits for renovations and upgrades. The revived plan is partly a recognition, outlined in a recent evaluation, that the department has a "duty of care" for the personal safety and security of employees at Canada's missions. The current embassy site is a serious security risk. For example, the building abuts the street and is vulnerable to a potential vehicle attack. Story continues "The relocation of Canada's embassy in Moscow will provide a permanent solution to the embassy's need for a secure space that is also cost-effective, flexible, and functional for our current diplomatic and trade relations in Moscow," said GAC spokesperson John Babcock. "The government understands this need, and is proceeding with the project to relocate Canada's embassy in Moscow." The embassy employs 41 Canadian citizens, four fewer than in March when the Kremlin declared a quartet of diplomats "persona non grata" and expelled them. That was in response to Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland expelling four Russian diplomats from Canada over the poisoning of a former spy and his daughter with a military-grade nerve gas in England, an attack believed to have been ordered by the Kremlin. Relations have also been fraught over the Russian annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. There has been relatively little fallout from Russia on social media and elsewhere since Canada's decision to expel the four diplomats and the Kremlin's retaliation. There's no indication yet whether the incident is impacting the embassy move, with its stalled building permits in Moscow. Relations difficult Canada's former ambassador to Moscow, Ralph Lysyshyn, doubts the diplomatic tit-for-tat is likely to have a direct impact. "I don't think that's going to affect the whole permit thing very much," he said in an interview. But Lysyshyn, who signed the 2008 lease for the new building and retired in 2010, says Canada-Russia relations generally will make the process difficult, on top of the notoriously corrupt local bureaucracy that frequently requires bribes. "The whole relationship right now is not working very well," he said. The embassy building on Starokonyushenny Lane was built in 1898, and leased by Ottawa beginning in the Second World War. The only updating GAC has done over the last decade is new furniture and carpets. The structure requires major renovations. "It's been lived in hard and it's crowded," Lysyshyn said. He said the 20-year lease signed in 2008 for the new building has a renewal clause that would allow the embassy to remain on site beyond 2028. The move had originally been expected by July 2012. Follow @DeanBeeby on Twitter An Ontario man and his wife say their recent cruise in Europe became a nightmare after Air Canada lost his portable dialysis machine. Tom and Jane Jakobszen were on a flight from Windsor to Copenhagen on June 24 en route to a 10-day cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. After the plane landed in the Danish capital, the couple went to baggage claim and everything seemed normal until they opened the suitcase that was supposed to be carrying the machine. "It was empty. I don't think I can express the words. Shock, anxiety, anxiousness, distress," said Jakobszen, who needs to be on dialysis nine hours a day due to kidney failure, and also has bone cancer. He had the machine on loan from a Windsor dialysis clinic, which purchased it from manufacturer Baxter. The clinic has since replaced his machine, which Jakobszen said was waiting for him when he came home from abroad. Dialysis unit was given 'priority' check-in While it may have been better to bring the machine as a carry-on, the couple said it was too big and heavy to be stowed in the cabin, considering it's "about the size of an old, manual typewriter." According to Jakobszen's wife, the airport employee who checked them in assured them the machine would make its way to Denmark. "[The employee] put Priority on there and Fragile, and said it goes into a special area of the plane." CBC News contacted Air Canada for comment. The company said it was "unable to determine why it [the machine] did not arrive" in Copenhagen. Husband had to use a 'slower' machine After landing in Denmark, Jakobszen missed a day of dialysis before acquiring another unit, which was provided by Baxter through a hospital in the city not a perfect solution for Jakobszen, as each machine is programmed to meet the needs of each individual. "I was now using chemical fluids that were slightly different in makeup ... And the machine was a little bit slower. It took me a long time to learn how to get used to it," he said. Story continues He also said he lost about "two or three days on the trip" bedridden due to exhaustion. According to Air Canada's statement, customers should contact the company's medical desk "with respect to travelling with medical devices as each situation is different." Jakobszen said that's exactly what he did. "I did prepare by notifying Air Canada [that] I was bringing a machine with me. And they said it'll be safe as can be on the airplane." 'Major financial settlement' Regardless of the issues, Jakobszen and his wife did not cut short their cruise. But he said he was unable to enjoy it as he felt unwell while aboard the ship. After their trip, the couple went back and forth with the airline company to arrive at an appropriate settlement. The exchanges went on for almost two months, said Jane Jakobszen. On Aug. 20, Air Canada sent her an email saying it would be reimbursing the cost of the machine to the manufacturer. "We're in the process of settling the claim directly with Baxter Corporation, therefore you may now consider your file as closed," baggage claims representative Elliott Vez said. Air Canada has offered them a $1,000 travel voucher, which they have not accepted. Tom Jakobszen said they would have to use the voucher within a year and it's not an acceptable form of compensation. He was "in a rough state" during the trip, and even though he's not looking for the entire cost of the vacation $10,000 but he would like a "major financial settlement." "A good half of [my trip] was destroyed," he said. "I've never felt like this in my life, because I depend on that machine." "It's just that I feel they've really mishandled this whole thing. They've considered it a piece of lost luggage without thinking of all the anxiety that went with it." An air quality advisory continues to be in effect for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley as high concentrations of fine particulate matter spread across the South Coast due to smoke from B.C. and Washington State wildfires. Metro Vancouver is urging people to stay cool and hydrated, seek out indoor spaces with air conditioning and keep doors and windows closed. Practical advice for many, but not for the region's homeless population who spend most of their days and nights outdoors. "They're the vulnerable population, they're at particularly high risk of serious lung or heart problems occurring during this high exposure time," said Dr. Don Sin, a respirologist at St. Paul's Hospital. 'It's like smoking 24/7' Sin says he is seeing more patients coming into the emergency room and urgent clinics complaining of chest tightness, heart issues, breathing trouble, feelings of fatigue, cough and pounding headaches. "It's like smoking 24/7. You know the air quality is so bad that the particle exposure to their lungs will be continuous, and we breath 10 to 20 times every minute. "It's like smoking continuous cigarettes." Sin says homeless people should do whatever is necessary to get indoors at night, including finding space in a shelter or staying with a friend. "I think the city should open up more shelters, so that we have fewer people on the streets. So that we have fewer people exposed to this air quality during the night," said Sin. 'They expect everybody has a place to go' Sherry Lynn McInnes says she sleeps in Oppenheimer Park and hasn't been able to find a place that will take her in from the heat and smoke. "It's affecting me, I can't even breathe, I get dizzy and everything else like that," said McInnes. "They expect everybody has a place to go to keep cool and breathe. No, I don't think so." Hayatt Jassem is homeless and like her neighbours sleeping outside, she says she's having trouble breathing given the poor air quality. Story continues "Not really healthy. Like, lots of people like me have asthma, lots of people have asthma," said Jassem. Laura Stalman says she lives in temporary modular housing but because the rooms are so small she spends half her time outside. "The air quality's quite poor down here, and with my COPD [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease] and my asthma I find that my breathing is hard, and my chest, it's like someone's stomping down on it," said Stalman. Shelter space The Union Gospel Mission (UGM) says its outreach workers have been walking the streets, finding homeless people with pre-existing health conditions and persuading them to get inside to air-conditioned places. "One of the challenges is this smoke is so unique and so unusual and so bad that not a lot of people may understand that it could have consequences for their health," said the UGM's Jeremy Hunka. Hunka says if the need arises, the UGM would consider opening their spaces for longer hours and would support seeing that in other areas of the city as well. The City of Vancouver says staff are monitoring vulnerable populations, providing drinking water and directing people to air conditioned facilities such as community centres and libraries. If the air quality worsens the city says, with the advice of Vancouver Coastal Health, it would consider taking further actions such as formally opening cooling centres and adding water fountains. The city says opening community centres overnight for the homeless population is not currently part of their response plan, but the measure could be part of the discussion for future response plans to decreased air quality. 19:35 The mortal remains of noted journalist and author Kuldip Nayar, who died today were consigned to flames, as grieving friends, families, admirers and a host of public figures bid farewell to a man, who was often described as an 'institution in himself'. Nayar died aged 95 at a private hospital in New Delhi around 12.30 am today and his funeral at the Lodhi Crematorium was attended by former vice president Hamid Ansari, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, photographer Raghu Rai, artist Jatin Das, and several journalists and former colleagues. Raghu Rai, who worked with him during the 60s and 70s at the The Statesman, described his departure as an 'end of an era'. "He was last of those editors, who stood for truth, honesty and commitment in their profession. And, till the last days, he stood for integrity and commitment for his country that he loved so deeply," the photographer said. Nayar, born in Sialkot in Pakistan in 1923, began his career in journalism in the Urdu press and went on to serve as editor of several newspapers, including Indian Express and The Statesman. He was arrested during the Emergency. He fought fiercely for press freedom and civil liberties and to improve the ties between India and Pakistan, Rai said. Union Sports Minister Rathore said Nayar was not just an eminent journalist, 'he was an institution in himself', in every aspect. "He stood steadfast in what journalism stands for, a true definition of it in every aspect, intellect-wise or the ability to keep people informed without any prejudice. And, I hope and pray that his legacy continues," he said. Kejriwal, who attended the funeral along with Sisodia, described Nayar's death as a 'great loss to the nation'. "His absence will be sorely felt," the chief minister said. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujral, Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav and NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant also attended the funeral. "He was in true sense the embodiment of the idea of India, the very facet of secularism as enshrined on our Constitution. Also, journalists and activists have benefited from his presence and encouragement," Yadav said. The Swaraj India leader recalled his student days at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in early 1980s, when he had attended a talk by Nayar in a hostel mess. "I had read his articles and was aware of his work already, but to see and hear him talk left quite an impression," he said. "He belonged to the generation uprooted during the partition, but never had bitterness towards anyone," Yadav said. Rai also recalled the time when he had shot Nayar's photograph for the cover photo for his book, Beyond the Lines: An Autobiography. "He asked me if I could take a picture of him for the book. And, I told him - 'You don't ask me, you order me'. He was a great humanist too and very sensitive to every situation and people he dealt with. "He was not a man of ego, but of grace and dignity. His school of journalism was class apart. Today, the fast food generation, and infotainment concept has diluted everything," Rai said. Historian Ramachandra Guha had once described Nayar as a journalist who followed the dictates of his conscience rather than the lure of money or fame. Nayar's son, Rajiv Nayar, 62, said, "He was a stalwart in his field, a mine of experience. For us in the family, he was a source of inspiration every day." -- PTI IMAGE: Former prime minister Manmohan Singh attends the last rites of veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha member Kuldeep Nayar at Lodhi crematorium, in New Delhi on Thursday. Photograph: PTI Photo Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet (front row from left to right), Carolyn Bennett, Filomena Tassi, Melanie Joly, Mary Ng, Maryam Monsef, Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould, Seamus O' Reagan, Jim Carr, Catherine McKenna, Pablo Rodriguez, Ginette C. Petitpas Taylor, Scott Brison, (middle row, from left to right,), Jody Wilson-Raybould, Carla Qualtrough, Bardish Chagger, Diane Lebouthillier, Francois-Philippe Champagne, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Jane Philpott, Lawrence MacAulay, Patty Hajdu, Ralph Goodale, (back left to right), Bill Morneau, Harjit Singh Sajjan, Bill Blair, Jean-Yves Duclos, Marc Garneau, Dominic Leblanc, Navdeep Singh Bains, Ahmed D. Hussen, Jonathan Wilkinson and Amarjeet Sohi pose for a family photo at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre during the Liberal cabinet retreat in Nanaimo, B.C., on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. (CP) Justin Trudeau may have ruled out an early fall election, but as the prime minister gathers his cabinet for a retreat in Nanaimo, B.C., Wednesday, the Liberals look more and more like a government with next year's campaign on its mind. The haze of smoke from B.C.'s brutal wildfires hung over the Vancouver Island city Tuesday as ministers new and old arrived and posed for an updated family photo. Trudeau's cabinet is forming a new ad hoc cabinet committee to co-ordinate its response to the recovery and rebuilding effort after the wildfires, similar to an approach taken after fire devastated Fort McMurray, Alta., in 2016. "Combatting a crisis of this nature involves a great many departments and agencies of the government of Canada," said Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. "The level of engagement and collaboration has been extensive right from the very start." Flight over fire zone Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan spent the day flying over the fire zone near Prince George with B.C. Premier John Horgan. The premier paid tribute to the courage of the province's first responders, saying the fires were an example of the challenges of climate change, a concern the federal government shares. Trudeau told reporters his thoughts are with those in B.C. who are struggling. He'll be touring some of the affected areas himself on Thursday morning to meet with evacuees and first responders. Horgan said all levels of government working together on the fire crisis "gives comfort to the public" as it faces its unprecedented second consecutive summer under a state of emergency. Barely a mention of pipeline Horgan's relationship with the federal government had been strained. His NDP government in B.C. strongly opposes the Trudeau government's decision to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline, citing environmental concerns, particularly around ocean tanker traffic and the risk of an oil spill in sensitive coastal waters. Story continues B.C. is taking the federal government to court, questioning its jurisdiction to proceed with the pipeline against the province's wishes. The federal government is considering legislation to exert its authority over pipeline construction, something it argues is essential to get Canadian resources to Asian markets and provide assurances to foreign investors who could otherwise have sued Canada for billions if the project was blocked. During a joint photo call between the premier and the prime minister Tuesday, Trudeau listed infrastructure funding, housing and protecting B.C.'s "iconic" salmon stocks as being on their agenda no mention of resolving their pipeline dispute. Protests expected Trudeau's new intergovernmental affairs minister, Dominic LeBlanc, joined the leaders for their "very positive" half-hour meeting and downplayed any tension between the two. The Trans Mountain extension was touched on "only very briefly," LeBlanc said, as the leaders focused on areas of common interest. He said it wasn't his job to change the premier's mind and he didn't think anything had changed since the last time the pair discussed their views on the pipeline. Horgan spoke to the full cabinet Wednesday morning. Protestors opposed to the pipeline construction are also expected to greet ministers outside their talks on Wednesday. In a second protest, members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada are expected to rally and then march to the location of the cabinet's talks to voice their displeasure with the government's persistent inability to fix ongoing issues with the Phoenix payroll system. One eye on Washington For the next two days, Trudeau's ministers will be working out strategies for keeping these kinds of hot issues under control. The closed-door meetings will be the first deliberations of the full cabinet since Trudeau shuffled it last month, in response to shifting winds in provincial politics and the resurgence of issues like border security and gun violence. Later Wednesday, Canada's ambassador to the United States, David MacNaughton, will brief ministers on the latest winds blowing in Washington, as Canada waits to see if the Americans were able to make enough progress in their fifth week of talks with Mexico to call Canada back to the bargaining table. A resumption of trilateral negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement is contingent on the other two countries making some kind of a breakthrough this week, as United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer suggested may be possible. Report suggests U.S.-Mexico talks progressing A report by Politico out of Washington late Tuesday suggested enough progress has been made, potentially on NAFTA's critical automotive rules, for U.S. President Donald Trump to have something to announce by Thursday. It's unclear, however, whether Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland will be called away for an urgent trip to D.C. "We're doing very well, thank you," was all the minister said about the NAFTA talks, walking past reporters Tuesday evening. A second attempt later by reporters to confirm the Politico report was also unsuccessful. Economic concerns are expected to be discussed throughout the ministers' retreat in Nanaimo. The urgency of the economic and trade threats on Canada's horizon led provincial premiers to request a First Ministers meeting on the economy this fall. Trudeau agreed to host one, likely in October. First cabinet meeting on Vancouver Island After Trudeau spent part of last week visiting NDP ridings in Quebec that the Liberals could target in the next election, the decision to bring the full cabinet to Vancouver Island where the NDP won all the seats in 2015 save for the constituency of Green Party Leader Elizabeth May also resembles one an election campaign on the offensive might make. "As a born-and-raised Vancouver Islander, I was racking my brain trying to think of the last time a Liberal cabinet would have come to hold a meeting here, and I can't remember it ever happening," Premier Horgan told reporters. Ahead of the two-day meeting, about a dozen ministers fanned out across British Columbia. The immigration messages the government wants to prioritize, like the family reunification announcement Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen made on Monday, continue to be overshadowed by opposition critics questioning the extent to which the federal government's management of irregular border crossings is under control. Goodale said the numbers of irregular border crossers fluctuates month to month or year to year, depending on a variety of circumstances, but the the flow is being managed in a sound and secure manner. "There is no free ticket to Canada," the public safety minister insisted Tuesday. Photo - Tim Newman, a plenary speaker and one of the chairs for the meeting On Saturday 1 September - Christchurch Salvation Army Centre - at the 2018 annual young writers conference, the Kiwi young writers have set time aside to discuss self-determination. The Kiwi young writer program was established in 2012 with a host of New Zealand friends and associates such as ARPA contacts (Australasian Religious Press Association) recommending numbers of young people to initiate the program. Press Service International in conjunction with Christian Today pulled together the young writer ministry in 2009 and three years later the Kiwi young writer program was joined in. Since then, the idea of self-determination has been aired but nothing happened. There were solid suggestions with structure and operation, but when it came to finding appropriate young people within the program to run it, it simply did not happen. Now, 2012-18 that is seven years inclusive - there seems to be a greater enthusiasm to see something established, and were excited. Photo - Esther Koh a background in teaching English at tertiary level The options Over the past few weeks in the weekly young writer memo sent out each Thursday evening, a set of ideas has been listed with associated comments towards this end self-determination. These were Structures Many small roles Volunteerism Own web site and CTNZ Giving it a go Each of these was aired and explained, moreover they were spelt out in such a way as no one person need to be imbued with such a weight they will inevitably fall over. Photo - Emma McGeorge 10 years MAF mission experience The meeting 1.30pm after the lunch the Kiwi young writers will come together to initiate discussion on such a development self-determination. The two chairs are our two Kiwi plenary speakers - Tim Newman and Daniel Jang - each are giving a short introduction positively echoing the merits of going alone. The discussion will follow these broad indicators The positives of self determination The merits of structure Volunteerism - mutual benefit Making a start Our own site along with CTNZ These subject headings will provide the meeting discussion points toward an end Photo - Ethan Miller in Church youth ministry 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 If there was one brand I was most excited to get to at this years IPCPR Trade Show, it was HVC Cigars. HVC is a brand that was founded by Reiner Lorenzo. HVC is short for Havana City, the place in Cuba where he spent a good part of his life. HVC is a brand that partners with Aganorsa Leaf who handles production for the company out of Nicaragua. The cigars coming from HVC have been garnering a lot of attention, and I was excited to meet Lorenzo, learn about his brand, and the cigars he had planned. One of the cigars that HVC was showcasing was right at the top of my list and that was the HVC First Selection Limited Edition Broadleaf. This is a cigar that features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. The main story here is the wrapper. While Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is a common wrapper, when it comes to blends produced by Aganorsa Leaf, its more of an anomaly. Broadleaf is not a wrapper often worked with by Aganorsa Leaf. In fact, the First Selection Broadleaf is the first significant release produced by Aganorsa Leaf. The cigar comes in two sizes a 4 1/2 x 50 Short Robusto and a 6 x 52 Toro. Both vitolas are shipped together in 20-count boxes containing 10 Short Robustos and 10 Toros. Total production of the HVC First Selection Limited Edition Broadleaf is limited to 500 boxes. The other release being launched is the HVC Edicion Especial 2018. This follows up the HVC Edicion Especial 2015. While the Edicion Especial 2015 featured a San Andres wrapper, the Edicion Especial is a Nicaraguan puro. The blend features a Nicaraguan Corojo 99 wrapper over fillers from the Aganorsa farms that are aged for four years. The HVC Edicion Especial is available in three sizes: Corona (5 x 46), Toro (6 x 52), and Toro Gordo (6 x 56). 2018 Product Reports Photo Credits: Cigar Coop Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Taipei, August 22, 2018The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to renew the visa of BuzzFeeds China bureau chief, Megha Rajagopalan, according to a tweet from Rajagopalan and news reports. The ministry did not give a clear reason for refusing her visa, Rajagopalan said today on Twitter. Rajagopalan had been covering Asia for BuzzFeed News since 2016, according to the news outlet. Her report on Xinjiangs heavy surveillance measures and re-education camps won a 2018 Human Rights Press Award. Denying a visa to BuzzFeed reporter Megha Rajagopalan is a transparent attempt to stifle news coverage of how China treats the Uighur population of Xinjiang Province, said Steven Butler, CPJ Asia program coordinator, in Washington, D.C. If Chinese authorities truly believe their insistence that they are not committing human rights violations in Xinjiang, they should open the door for more journalists to freely report on the issue. In a statement, the Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC) urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide its reasoning for effectively ejecting a credentialed foreign journalist from China. The FCCCs most recent annual survey showed a steady deterioration of working conditions in China for the foreign press, including denial or restrictions on foreign correspondents access to large parts of the country in 2017. EDITORS NOTE: The year Rajagopalan began covering Asia for BuzzFeed News has been corrected in the second paragraph. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram New York, August 22, 2018The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Russian state-run TV channel Rossiya 24s broadcast of an interview with Stanislav Aseyev, a Ukrainian reporter held for more than a year by Russia-backed separatists, in which he falsely confessed to spying for Ukraine. CPJ also reiterates its call for Aseyevs immediate release. The Rossiya 24 interview, broadcast nationally and uploaded to YouTube on August 17, marked the first appearance of Aseyevwho published under the pen name Stanislav Vasin while reporting for U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and other outlets in separatist-controlled areas of Ukrainesince he disappeared in the city of Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, in June 2017. In the taped Rossiya 24 interview, Aseyev, looking gaunt and nervous, said that he spied for Ukrainian intelligence services, corresponding with the allegations brought against him by the authorities in the unrecognized, self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, often referred to by its Russian acronym, DNR. The Rossiya 24 reporter conducting the interview did not provide any actual evidence aside from his criticism of Aseyevs reporting. Hauling a jailed journalist in front of a camera and apparently forcing him to equate his reporting with spying is an outrage, said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney. We demand that Stanislav Aseyev be immediately released from the separatists custody and returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory. Russia should use its influence to ensure that happens. In a statement published on its website, RFE/RL described the confession as highly questionable and said that it could signal an escalation of his case. We question the circumstances of this purported confession. We have no idea when it was made, or under what conditions or duress, said RFE/RL spokesperson Joanna Levison. We continue to demand that Stanislav Aseyev be released from detention immediately. Citing his own sources, Aseyevs friend Yegor Firsov, a former Ukrainian parliamentarian, wrote on Facebook after the Rossiya 24 interview aired that Russia-backed soldiers had beaten the reporter to force his confession. Aseyev was one of only a few independent Ukrainian journalists to remain in Donetsk after Russia-backed separatists seized control of the regional capital and declared their own peoples republic in the spring of 2014. His reporting under the pseudonym of Stanislav Vasin for RFE/RLs Ukrainian service and various Ukrainian news outlets, including the independent Ukraiynska Pravda news site, provided first-hand glimpses into life under separatist rule long after many Ukrainian and international journalists were banned from entering the DNR. Aseyev went missing on June 2, 2017. Since then, he has been held in the former Izoliatsiya art center turned jail by the separatists in Donetsk, according to the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group. What is the Hajj? A UF Ph.D. candidate in Religion in the Americas and Global Islam explains the spiritual significance of the annual pilgrimage of Muslims from all over the world to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in August 2017. AP Photo/Khalil Hamra Nearly 2 million Muslim pilgrims are gathering in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. This five-day pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all Muslims who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey. What is the religious and political significance of this annual pilgrimage? The fifth pillar Millions of Muslims come from countries as diverse as Indonesia, Russia, India, Cuba, Fiji, the United States and Nigeria all dressed in plain white garments. Men wear seamless, unstitched clothing, and women, white dresses with headscarves. The idea is to dress plainly so as to mask any differences in wealth and status. The pilgrimage is considered to be the fifth pillar of Islamic practice. The other four are the profession of faith, five daily prayers, charity and the fast of Ramadan. The first day of the Hajj The rites of the Hajj are believed to retrace events from the lives of prominent prophets such as Ibrahim and Ismail. Pilgrims start by circling the Holy Kaaba, the black, cube-shaped house of God, at the center of the most sacred mosque in Mecca, seven times. The Kaaba occupies a central place in the lives of Muslims. Muslims, all over the world, are expected to turn toward the Kaaba when performing their daily prayers. The Quran tells the story of Ibrahim, who when commanded by God, agreed to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Muslims believe the Kaaba holds the black stone upon which Ibrahim was to carry out his oath. Pilgrims are bound by specific rules regarding going around the Kaaba. They may kiss, touch or approach the Kaaba during the pilgrimage as a sign of their devotion. In performing these rituals, they join a long line of pilgrims to Mecca including Prophet Muhammad, who circled the Kaaba. Pilgrims then proceed to a ritual walk about 100 meters from the Kaaba to hills known as Safa and Marwah. Here they re-create another significant event recorded in the Quran. The story goes that Ibrahim was granted a son by God through his Egyptian slave girl Hajar. After the birth of Ismail, God instructed Ibrahim to take Hajar and her newborn son out into the desert and leave them there. Ibrahim left them near the present-day location of the Kaaba. Ismail cried out with thirst and Hajar ran between two hills, looking for water until she turned to God for help. God rewarded Hajar for her patience and sent his angel Jibreel to reveal a spring, which today is known as Zamzam Well. Pilgrims drink water from the sacred well and may take some home for blessings. The second day of the hajj The hajj climaxes with a sojourn in the plains of Arafat near Mecca. There, pilgrims gather in tents, spend time with one another and perform prayers. Some pilgrims will ascend a hill known as the Mount of Mercy, where Prophet Muhammad delivered the farewell sermon toward the end of his life. They then proceed to an open plain near Mecca, often a highlight of the journey for many pilgrims. Muslims believe that the spirit of God comes closer to Earth in this place at the time of the pilgrimage. As a scholar of global Islam, during my fieldwork I have interviewed those who have gone on the Hajj. They have described to me their personal experiences of standing in the plains of Arafat or circling the Kaaba with fellow Muslims and feeling a close communion with God. Final three days Afterwards, pilgrims move to Mina, also known as the Tent City where more than 100,000 tents house the millions of pilgrims about 5 kilometers from the holy city of Mecca. Here they recall how Satan tried to tempt Ibrahim to disobey Gods call to sacrifice Ismail. Ibrahim, however, remained unmoved and informed Ismail, who was willing to be offered to God. To reenact Ibrahims rebuff of Satans temptation, pilgrims throw small stones at a stone pillar. They then proceed to follow Ibrahim in the act of sacrifice. The Quran says just as Ibrahim attempted to kill his son, God intervened and a ram was killed in place of Ismail. In remembrance, Muslims all over the world ritually slaughter an animal on this day. The festival of the sacrifice is known as Eid al-Adha. Many pilgrims spend the next few days in Mina, where they repeat some of the rituals. It is where they start to transition to their worldly life by putting on their everyday clothes. Muslims believe that a proper performance of the Hajj can absolve them of any previous sins. However, they also believe that just undertaking the pilgrimage is not enough: It is up to God to judge, based on the intention of those undertaking the pilgrimage. Creating one Muslim community Of course, the pilgrimage does not take place in a political void. The Hajj is a massive organizational project for the Saudi authorities. Issues concerning crowd management, security, traffic and tensions constantly plague the successful organization of the event. A tragic stampede in 2015 left over 700 dead. Since then Saudi authorities review preparations even more carefully. There are other tensions too that come up at this time: Some Shia governments such as Iran, for example, have leveled charges alleging discrimination by Sunni Saudi authorities. This year, Muslims from Canada are concerned about logistics traveling back from the Hajj. Saudi Arabia has suspended all direct flights to Canada in a diplomatic feud sparked by tweets related to the Kingdoms human rights violations. To address such issues, Muslims in the past have called to put together an international, multi-partisan committee to organize the pilgrimage. Perhaps that could help avoid regional or sectarian conflicts. The Hajj, after all, is any individual Muslims single most symbolic ritual act that reflects the ideal of unity. By requiring Muslims to don the same clothes, pray in the same space and perform the same rituals, the Hajj has the potential to unite a global Muslim community across national and class boundaries. This is an updated version of an article originally published on Aug. 31, 2017. Ken Chitwood, Ph.D. Candidate, Religion in the Americas, Global Islam, University of Florida This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. GREELEY, Colo. - Frank Rzucek Sr. leaned forward in a Colorado courtroom, weeping with his face in his hands as his son-in-law, just feet away, was told Tuesday he could face the death penalty if convicted of killing Rzuceks daughter and two granddaughters. Collecting himself, Rzucek glared as Christopher Watts was escorted back to jail. The brief hearing came a day after court documents revealed that Watts told police that it was Rzuceks daughter, Shanann Watts, who strangled the kids after he told her he wanted to separate. Watts told police that he flew into a rage and strangled his wife, took the three bodies to a remote oil site north of Denver, buried Shanann in a shallow grave and dumped the girls bodies inside oil tanks. Rzuceks silent angst dominated a routine court hearing in which Watts, wearing an orange jail suit and cuffed at the wrists and ankle, stoically answered, Yes sir, as District Judge Marcelo Kopcow told him of the possible punishments if hes found guilty of killing Shanann, 34, Celeste, 3, and Bella, 4. Shananns brother, Frank Rzucek Jr., rubbed his fathers shoulders and glared unflinchingly at Watts. A deputy stood between the men and the defendant. Watts didnt enter pleas to three first-degree murder charges, two counts of killing a child under 12, one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body. GPS coordinates provided by police suggest the bodies were found at an oil worksite on or near a sprawling ranch close to Roggen, a high plains town about 40 miles (65 kilometers) east of the familys home in Frederick. The oil site was not clearly visible Tuesday from the borders of the ranch, set in grazing land with sagebrush, yellow wildflowers and the occasional cottonwood tree. Gates to the property were closed, and the ranch owner did not immediately respond to a telephone message. Watts worked as an operator for Anadarko Petroleum, a major Colorado oil and gas producer. He was fired Aug. 15, the day of his arrest. Police first visited the Watts home on Aug. 13, after a friend asked officers to check on Shanann. Police searched the house and found the womans cellphone stuffed inside a couch. Her purse was in the kitchen, and a suitcase was at the bottom of the stairs. A detective spoke to Watts and learned about his plan to leave his wife. He told officers the conversation with Shanann was civil at first but that later they were both upset and crying and she planned to go to a friends house, court papers said. When she and the girls did not return home Aug. 14, investigators ramped up their efforts, with help from the FBI and Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Christopher Watts was interviewed by several local television stations, saying he missed his family. In court papers, investigators said they learned that Watts was actively involved in an affair with a co-worker, something he denied at first. Separate documents filed by Watts defense attorney last week said the girls bodies were submerged in crude oil for four days before police found them late Thursday. Prosecutors in Colorado have 60 days after someone is arraigned to say if they will seek the death penalty. No date has been set for Watts arraignment. District Attorney Michael Rourke said Monday that it was too early to discuss if he will pursue capital punishment. Shanann Watts, whos originally from North Carolina, had told family and friends she was expecting a boy. The judge said the charge of unlawful termination of pregnancy carries a prison term between 16 and 48 years. Colorado is one of 12 states without a law broadly allowing for homicide charges in the violent death of fetuses. But state lawmakers in 2013 made the unlawful termination of pregnancy a felony. Several efforts to change state law to allow murder charges in the death of a fetus have stalled amid disagreement about how to pass such a law without infringing on abortion rights. As Boulder County district attorney, Stan Garnett remembers receiving dozens of calls and letters as his office prosecuted a woman accused of cutting open a pregnant womans belly and removing her unborn child in 2015. Garnett said a murder charge is impossible in Colorado unless prosecutors can show a fetus lived outside the mother before death. A case involving the death of a fetus is inevitably controversial, but for prosecutors, all that matters is what the law is and what the evidence is, Garnett 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 The Associated Press, August 22, 2018 In 2014, Chris McDaniel was investigating whether Missouri was injecting inmates with a particular sedative, midazolam, before executing them. While under oath, the state had previously said it would not use the drug in its executions. McDaniel, a death-penalty reporter, needed to find out crucial details for his story, so he applied to be a witness of executions in the state. On his application, he wrote that he wanted to "ensure that this solemn task is carried out constitutionally." More than 4 years and 17 executions later, he has published multiple high-impact investigations uncovering Missouri's lethal-injection secrets. He has never been allowed to witness an execution, however, and has yet to hear back about his application. In the same year in which McDaniel submitted his application, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the Missouri Department of Corrections to obtain copies of witness applications. After a judge ordered the department to release the documents in 2016, the ACLU found that the agency had not approved dozens of applications from people wanting to witness executions to make sure they were carried out constitutionally. McDaniel was one of them, and the ACLU, which had worked with him on a previous case, asked if he would join a federal lawsuit. McDaniel - a BuzzFeed investigative reporter who formerly worked for St. Louis Public Radio - and the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the Missouri Department of Corrections in 2016 alleging that the state is barring him from being an execution witness because of his critical coverage of the state's lethal-injection protocol. This is a violation of his constitutional rights, his attorney argues, because the witness-selection policy allows for discrimination based on reporting protected by the First Amendment. The suit demanded that Missouri come up with a policy for how witnesses are selected. The Department of Corrections moved to dismiss the case, but on July 28 of this year, a federal appellate court ruled that McDaniel may proceed with the suit. "I think it's a very important press-access issue," McDaniel tells CJR. "Prisons are notoriously difficult to report on because we don't get access.... the biggest power a government can have is taking the life of someone, and it's also the thing that's carried out with the most secrecy at the state level." In active death-penalty states, secrecy around executions is the norm - and botched executions are far from rare. As pharmaceutical companies increasingly refuse to sell their drugs for the purposes of killing people, states have begun exploring new, sometimes dangerous avenues to procure drugs, some of which have never been used in executions before. These untested methods, and other issues, can result in botched executions that may violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. By witnessing and reporting on executions, reporters act as an important link between the execution chamber and the public, relaying information that few have access to. "The biggest power a government can have is taking the life of someone, and it's also the thing that's carried out with the most secrecy at the state level." In 1982, there were no journalists present to witness Virginia's execution of Frank J. Coppola by electric chair. According to an attorney who was there, Coppola was jolted for nearly 2 minutes with electricity, which eventually set his head and leg on fire. And in March 2018, journalists looked on in horror as executioners tried for hours to locate a vein of Doyle Lee Hamm's to pump lethal injection drugs into, stabbing him a dozen times. By the time they gave up, Hamm was soaked with blood, and he urinated blood the next day, his attorney said. And even when journalists are present, that doesn't mean they are able to see the entire execution.. States have been known to close the curtains when something has gone wrong. Hamm's case is just one of many that have shown the importance of journalists being present for executions. Their presence holds states accountable, an important task as death row inmates continue to fight their cases and cite botched executions as proof of cruel and unusual punishment to do so. After Hamm's execution attempt made headlines across the country, Alabama agreed that it would not try to kill him again. But stories often do not go deep enough to provide the public with a clear picture of what's happening when someone is executed, McDaniel says, attributing the issue to several factors, including secrecy and the complexity of the death penalty. A June Washington Post article on the Texas execution of Danny Bible, who was likely to experience a botched execution due to several medical issues, his attorneys argued, reported that it had "occurred without complications" despite revealing that "after the drugs were administered, he muttered that it was 'burning' and that it 'hurt.'" "I sort of view my reporting on this as a government-accountability reporting position and this is like the biggest responsibility that the government has," McDaniel says. "And it's kind of of a weird thing where this is the biggest power that the government has, but it's also a thing that they receive shockingly little press oversight for." In Missouri, the power to select at least "8 reputable citizens" to be witnesses, a requirement for every execution, lies with just one person: the director of the Missouri Department of Corrections. At least 1 media witness is chosen from in-state, according to a corrections department spokeswoman. Missouri's legislature grants this discretion, but doesn't provide any criteria for how they will be chosen, according to Anthony Rothert, who is McDaniel's attorney and the legal director of the ACLU of Missouri. This is highly unusual, he says; every other death-penalty state has a procedure for choosing witnesses. It's important for members of the press to be there to honestly and accurately tell the public what is going on at this very secret thing. The director of Missouri's corrections department, George Lombardi, was choosing people who would be favorable to his agency, such as detectives, students, or former corrections department employees, to be witnesses, Rothert says. The media witnesses were from outlets who were generally on the state's good side, according to Rothert. "People who do more in-depth reporting on the various aspects of the death penalty and how it's carried out and have made the Department of Corrections look bad are not selected," Rothert says. Rothert argues that regardless of McDaniel's coverage, denying him the opportunity to witness executions because of his stories violates the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. "This case is about whether or not the policy, the complete discretion given to choose witnesses, is allowing the government to engage in viewpoint discrimination and punish those who might report critically on how the death penalty is carried out," Rothert says. Prior to applying to become a press witness, McDaniel revealed in a 2013 investigation for St. Louis Public Radio that Missouri's execution-drug supplier was not licensed to sell in Missouri. As a result, the pharmacy supplying the drugs agreed to no longer sell them in the state, a huge blow to the corrections department, which then had to find a new supplier, no easy task. But the hurdles McDaniel created through his reporting should not be a reason for the corrections department to shut him, and the public, out, he argues. "I don't think their dislike of me making their job more difficult should impact my ability to report - the public's ability to know about what is taking place," he says. As McDaniel continued to report on the use of a controversial sedative, midazolam, in executions without being able to actually witness the executions themselves, he relied on accounts from people who were there. By speaking to press witnesses, he was able to find out that inmates being executed were likely sedated, but these witnesses didn't have the detailed notes McDaniel needed to create a timeline of specifics such as when a person's eyes were open. He depended heavily on chemical logs of drugs in the state's possession he had obtained via public records requests to find out which drugs were being used. After his story was published in September 2014, McDaniel wrote two more pieces critical of lethal injection in Missouri. A 2016 BuzzFeed investigation revealed that an Oklahoma pharmacy supplying lethal injection drugs to Missouri had committed nearly 1,900 pharmacy regulation violations. And in March 2018, another BuzzFeed investigation found the compounding pharmacy the Missouri had been using for its lethal injection drugs was deemed "high risk" by the Food and Drug Administration. In light of these facts, the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled in his favor in July, finding it probable enough that McDaniel had been harmed by the lack of protocol for selecting witnesses that the case could move forward. "McDaniel's allegations that the Director's policies provide an opportunity to exclude McDaniel based on his viewpoint and that the Director has excluded McDaniel and all applicants sharing his particular viewpoint are sufficient to give him standing to press the claim," the court wrote. Now that the appeals court has ruled, the case will likely return to the trial court, Rothert says. He expects it to be decided in about a year. Ideally, the corrections department wouldn't be able to decide who gets to be a witness, and reporters would choose among themselves, McDaniel says, noting that the reporting on an execution can have an impact that extends far beyond the time in the witness gallery. "It's important for members of the press to be there to honestly and accurately tell the public what is going on at this very secret thing," he says. "It's important for that specific execution, and it's important for things that could be difficult to understand at the time but could be relevant in a longer investigation." A spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Corrections declined to comment, citing the litigation. | 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 LAS VEGAS -- Another pharmaceutical company was allowed Tuesday to join two other firms in Nevada state court hearings about the use of their drugs in a twice-postponed execution of a convicted killer who says he wants to die. Sandoz Inc. is the latest addition to the case before Clark County District Court Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez in which drugmakers Alvogen and Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA accuse Nevada of improperly obtaining their products for a lethal injunction a use the companies say they don't allow. The judge in Las Vegas also set a Sept. 10 court date to decide when additional hearings could be held, while acknowledging the Nevada Supreme Court is already planning Sept. 12 hearings about the stalled execution of Scott Raymond Dozier. The high court plan to hear oral appeals next month could lead to a decision there by mid-October. Prison officials want to reschedule Dozier's execution for mid-November. State Deputy Solicitor General Jordan Smith maintains that Nevada prison officials lawfully obtained the drugs in question from a third-party supplier and the companies are now stricken by "sellers' remorse" amid concerns about their corporate reputations. Sandoz makes the muscle paralytic cisatracurium. Alvogen makes the sedative midazolam. Hikma is a producer of the powerful opioid fentanyl, which has been blamed for illegal-use, drug overdose deaths nationwide. Nevada wants to use those three drugs for its first execution since 2006 in a sedative-opioid-paralytic combination similar to one Nebraska used last week in the lethal injection of Carey Dean Moore. Nebraska also used a fourth medication, the heart-stopping drug potassium chloride, that isn't part of Nevada's plan. Nevada executions must by law be by lethal injection. Dozier's dates with death were previously postponed in November and July. The 47-year-old is not challenging his convictions or the sentence he received in 2007 for killings in Phoenix and Las Vegas. He insists he wants to die and doesn't care if it's painful. | 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 AFP - Sri Lanka will soon resume executions after a 42-year moratorium but will send home 5 Pakistanis sentenced to death for drug smuggling for execution in their home country, President Maithripala Sirisena said Wednesday. The 5 are among 18 people, including a woman, on death row for drug offences whose execution will go ahead, according to Sirisena. He did not give a date for the 1st hanging. "I am determined to carry out the death penalty for serious drug offenders and I will start with a list (of 18) given to me by the prisons," he told a public meeting in the north of the country. Sirisena said he would hold talks with talks with Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan on repatriating the condemned Pakistanis and having them executed there. He gave no further details on the feasibility of such a move. International rights groups and the European Union have asked Sri Lanka to reconsider since Sirisena announced last month that he wanted to end the moratorium on hanging. Police believe the Indian Ocean island is being used as a transit point by drug traffickers. More than a tonne of cocaine seized in recent years was destroyed by police in January. Official figures show there were 373 convicts on death row in Sri Lanka, including the 18 drug offenders, as of last month. Death sentences are still passed for crimes including murder, rape and drug-related offences but the last execution was in 1976. Nearly 900 people are in prison after being sentenced to death, although many have had their sentences commuted to life or are appealing. | 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 The Bomberos Voluntarios Berisso fire brigade, too wrote a post to congratulate and praise her. (Facebook Screengrab/ Bomberos Voluntarios Berisso) Recently a photo was posted online, which is still doing the rounds where a police officer could be seen breastfeeding a 'malnourished and dirty' baby that was brought into a hospital where she was on guard duty. Reports say, the officer, Celeste Ayala was working at the Sor Maria Ludovica children's hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina when the baby was brought in crying desperately. It turns out that the officer asked doctors for permission to hold the baby and feed him as doctors were too busy to look after him. Once permission as given Ayala cuddled the baby and started to breastfeed him, after which he stopped crying immediately. Since being posted, the photo has gone viral garnering over a lakh in shares and hundreds of comments praising her heroic actions. Her name has been turned into a twitter hashtag as well. It turns out that Ayalas act of kindness did not go unnoticed. The word spread and even reached the ears of the vice president of the legislature of Buenos Aires, Cristian Ritondo, who promoted her from police officer to sergeant for her "gesture of spontaneous love." "Today we received Celeste... to notify her of her promotion. We wanted to thank you in person for the gesture of spontaneous love that managed to calm the baby's cry," he wrote in a tweet on August 17. The Bomberos Voluntarios Berisso fire brigade, too wrote a post to congratulate and praise her. Ayala volunteers there. Hoy recibimos a Celeste, la oficial que amamanto a un bebe en el Hospital de Ninos de #LaPlata para notificarle su ascenso. Queriamos agradecerle en persona ese gesto de amor espontaneo que logro calmar el llanto del bebe. La policia que nos enorgullece, la policia que queremos. pic.twitter.com/8aBp0Xj4Zj Cristian Ritondo (@cristianritondo) August 17, 2018 Taking to social media, they wrote, Actions like that of this cadet fill us with pride and force us to redouble our efforts, and work in solidarity with our community. On Monday, the Union home ministry declared Kerala floods, the worst in 100 years after the deluge left hundreds dead in a fortnight. (Photo: File) Kochi: As the flood-hit southern state of Kerala struggles to find its feet and cripples back to normalcy, the ambassador of Thailand took to Twitter on Wednesday to mention that he had been 'informally informed' that India will not accept foreign aid. "Informally informed with regret that the Government of India is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you, the people of Bharat," Thailand''s Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi tweeted. Informally informed with regret that GOI is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you the people of Bharat. https://t.co/b4iyc3aQez Ambassador Sam (@Chutintorn_Sam) August 21, 2018 Keralas Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has promised an assistance of USD 100 million (about Rs 700 crore) for the states reconstruction. However, sources said the Central government has decided to decline all offers of financial help from foreign countries. On Wednesday at a press conference, Vijayan pointed out that the 2016 National Disaster Management Policy says, "If a government of another country voluntarily offers assistance as a goodwill gesture in solidarity with the disaster victims, the central government may accept the offer." However, he said, that the government is holding talks and the state will have to wait and see what happens. Earlier, sources in New Delhi had said that the NDA government has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the challenges. According to some reports, even the previous UPA-2 government had declined foreign aid in 2013 when floods struck Uttarakhand. On Monday, the Union home ministry declared Kerala floods, the worst in 100 years, a calamity of severe nature after the deluge left hundreds dead in a fortnight. About 10.78 lakh people, including 2.12 lakh women and one lakh children under 12, have been displaced and sheltered in 3,200 relief camps. Chennai: In a setback to the state government, the Madras High court on Tuesday stayed the dispossession of land from farmers and members of the public for the proposed Rs 10,000 crore Salem-Chennai Greenfield Expressway until further orders. When batch of writ petitions came up for hearing before the division bench comprising Justices T.S. Sivagnanam and V. Bhavani Subbaroyan, the bench has directed the State Government not to dispossess the land owners from the land in question, which they proposed to acquire, until further orders. The writ petitions were filed seeking to declare that Section 105 and the IVth Schedule of the Right to Fair Compensation in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, and entire land acquisition proceedings initiated under the National Highways Act, for proposed Greenfield Salem-Chennai Highway as unconstitutional, null and void. Earlier, on July 18, when the matter came up for hearing before the bench, the judges said that it appears that as of now the apprehension in the minds of the land owners is that they will be forcibly dispossessed from their respective lands. In this regard, what has been reported in several Media as well as various television channels is that police force is used on land owners, who have raised their voice protesting against the land acquisition proceedings. However, Advocate General submitted that the question of taking over possession will arise only after the declaration of acquisition in accordance with Section 3D of the National Highways Act, 1956. The bench said under such circumstances, we fail to understand as to why there should be use of police force etc. This in our considered opinion is avoidable provided the local public are sensitized, as the effect of the proceedings they propose to take is under the provisions of the Act. When the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday, senior counsel for the petitioners stated that still the landowners have grave apprehension in their minds that they would be forcefully dispossessed from their respective lands. He said local people should be sensitized and counseled by the State government that there is no threat of dispossession. The advocate general replied that pamphlets have been circulated in the respective areas explaining about the project. He also submitted a copy of the pamphlet and photographs before the bench. After perusing the pamphlet the bench said, "we have gone through the pamphlets, which have been stated to have been circulated in Kanchipuram district. It largely speaks about the project which is to be implemented, the proposal to plant ten trees for every tree which is to be removed, assuring the public that on account of the formation of the road, mineral deposits in the district will not be affected, the interest of pedestrians will be sufficiently safeguarded by providing adequate barricades, the total extent which has to be acquired, the compensation that would be paid and finally that it is a very special scheme and it would benefit the people. However, the bench said, "we find that there is absolutely no whisper about the assurance given by the officials to the land owners that they will not be forcibly dispossessed from their respective lands." Advocate General has reiterates that there is no threat of dispossession of the landowners. The bench said, "considering the fact and the sensitivity of the matter and the category of persons from whom the lands are proposed to be acquired, we deem it appropriate that we clarify the aspect, which has been placed before us by the Advocate General so that it will allay all the fears of the land owners and the challenge to the land acquisition proceedings in whatever manner done could be heard and decided on merits and in accordance with law." The bench specifically directed the State government not to dispossess the respective land owners from the land in question, which they propose to acquire, until further orders in these writ petitions. After passing the interim order the bench posted the matter for further hearing to September 11. Microsoft is trying to shift Israel from a licensing system. (Photo: Pixabay) The Israeli government will not renew a contract for various Microsoft desktop software at the end of the year, it said on Tuesday, citing a change in licence terms it said would double the price. Under its current framework agreement with Microsoft, Israel pays more than 100 million shekels ($27 million) a year for the procurement of Office desktop software, Windows and server software for ministries and government offices. According to the Finance Ministry, Microsoft is trying to shift Israel from a licensing system where it owns the software and can use the software as it wishes, to a subscription system that is similar to renting. The ministry noted that the change, which includes moving data to the cloud, does not meet the governments needs. It said the state had been negotiating with Microsoft officials in Israel for a year to no avail. Microsoft in Israel declined to comment. Israel plans to freeze the existing license structure owned by government ministries, which may be used without further payment. This will also encourage government ministries to re-examine their needs of using Microsoft technology or switch to other technology alternatives, the ministry said. 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. Many Vietnamese students are finding that their foreign degrees do not give them an automatic head start back home. After four years of studying marketing at a university in the U.K., Pham Thi Thanh Huyen was looking forward, eagerly, to getting a dream job. Shed worked hard to get an overseas degree and was ready to deploy her new knowledge and skills and reap its benefits. However, the dream job has remained just that a dream. It took a year after returning for Huyen to eventually find a job at a bank, which pays her around VND10 million ($430) a month, just enough to cover basic living costs in the busy city of Hanoi, making the same money as peers who studied in the country. I find it hard to enjoy work as Im only making enough to survive, the 24-year-old said. Huyens plight, and that of many others returning with foreign degrees, does not end with lower than expected pay packages. They find that they there are other factors to finding jobs that theyd not considered before. Many returnees find that the labor market in Vietnam doesnt welcome them with special positions in companies. They come back to find that their foreign study has not added value to their resume. Most Vietnamese businesses dont particularly prioritize recruiting returnees, said Ngo Thi Ngoc Lan, regional director of Navigos Search, a leading provider of executive search services in Vietnam. Applicants are recruited based on how well they suited the company, and not their studies abroad, Lan told VnExpress International. For middle level management jobs, employers care more about how an individual solves a practical problem in the business than an overseas university degree she or he possesses, she added. At Navigos, although many employees have studied in Europe, the U.S. and other Asian countries, there is no special case when an employee was paid higher just because he or she studied abroad, Lan said. One of the reasons returnees struggle to find a suitable job in their own country is because they see themselves at a higher place than their local peers, Lan said. In fact, an overseas degree can even become a disadvantage. Some Vietnamese businesses dont regard returnees highly because they usually demand a higher salary than they are worth, Lan added. An applicant with a hospitality degree from Switzerland expects a salary from $600-$1,000 a month in Vietnam, but local hotels only employ them as waiters with a paycheck of $200-$300, she added. Echoing Lan, Phan Truong Son, deputy director of a local technical company, said that his employees are paid according to their performance, not degrees. Son rejected an applicant who came back from the U.S. a few months ago, because he asked for $1,000 a month while his capability was not worth that much. A student whos just graduated needs to start small with basic skills like writing an email, but many returnees are looking to jump right into strategic positions in the company and do bigger things, Son said. Their expectations are just too high, he added. Most Vietnamese businesses dont particularly prioritize recruiting returnees, according to Ngo Thi Ngoc Lan, regional director of Navigos Search. Photo by Reuters A development gap Another difficulty that returnees face in finding a right job is the underdevelopment of some industries in Vietnam compared to other parts of the world. Foreign degree holders might see that things are done differently in Vietnam from what they learned overseas, said Kew Pham, a project manager at BMI, a U.K.-based organizer of international student fairs. As their colleagues might be out of date with the latest inventions and trends, it can be a challenging work environment for talented returnees, she added. For instance, derivatives, an investment tool that goes beyond simple stocks and bonds, is a particular financial area that not many Vietnamese companies have stepped into, said Nguyen Tri Hieu, an economist with over 30 years of banking experience in the U.S. and Vietnam. For this reason, students who have majored in this area in other countries might find it very difficult to find a suitable job upon returning to the country, Hieu said. However, the number of Vietnamese students going abroad has been increasing every year. Over 22,000 Vietnamese students attended colleges and universities in the U.S. last year, an increase for the 16th year in a row, according to the U.S.-based Institute of International Education. In Japan, Vietnam was ranked second in the number of foreign students, which was over 61,000 last year, over thirteen times higher than 2011, according to the Japan Student Services Organization. Vietnam sent over 130,000 students abroad in 2016, according to the Ministry of Education and Training. Theres hope, too But not all returnees find coming back to Vietnam a disappointing experience, said La Linh Nga, director of the Psycho-Pedagogy Research and Application Center in Hanoi (PPRAC). Those who have set clear targets when studying abroad can find the transitioning process easy and even rewarding, said Nga, who often counsels these returnees. Minh Giang, who returned to Vietnam from the U.K. two years ago, still finds the country fun and exciting. He plans to open his own business soon, which was the plan even before he went abroad to study. In fact, it was the reason he went abroad in the first place. Giang has not applied for a conventional job to climb up the corporate ladder, as he knew the work environment would not meet his expectations. But he remained upbeat. There are still a lot of opportunities in Vietnam, and with a positive attitude, returnees can find them. Forcing ride-hailing cars to work like traditional taxis is a serious mistake, says economist. Photo by VnExpress Forcing ride-hailing cars to work like traditional taxis is a serious mistake revealing a non-innovative mindset, a leading economist says. Nguyen Dinh Cung, director of the Central Institute of Economic Management (CIEM), criticized state agencies for a managing mindset that is not yet innovated. Cung was referring to the latest draft decree on transportation management, which asks ride-hailing firms like Grab, Fastgo and Vietgo to comply with many conditions that are applied to normal transportation businesses like taxi companies. He said firms that primarily used software cannot be called a transportation business and said the new move was not consistent with the countrys stated aim of removing at least 50 percent of current business conditions. Cung told VnExpress that the state managers must also think in terms of the market from the perspective of facilitating new technologies and business models instead of using administrative procedures to intervene in their business. While the latest draft has cut many conditions for the ride-hailing business, such as logos, paint colors, board signs, an operating center, communication equipment and uniforms for drivers, Cung said there were still several negative conditions. For instance, the draft decree requires ride-hailing firms to send their transport contract information to the Transport Department before providing their service. It also requires that ride-hailing firms have a team to manage and monitor traffic safety issues. Cung said such conditions were meant to give authorities more room to intervene in the operations of the ride-hailing firms. He has recommended to the Government Office that the draft is not approved and instead, the state tries to encourage new investment forms or business models with an open and fair environment in keeping with Industry 4.0 trends. Even if they dont want to encourage the new technology-based business yet, the laws should not do away with such business models with irrelevant, old conditions, he told VnExpress. Prepared by the Ministry of Transport to replace the Decree 86/2014 on managing automobile transportation businesses, the fifth edition of the draft has been released for public feedback. The tussle between ride-hailing cars and traditional taxis has not cooled after the exit of Uber from the Southeast Asian market in March. Taxi firms have continued to complain about the unfair competition they are facing. They have also joined hands to fight the market onslaught of ride-hailing firms. The ride-hailing market has seen new entrants after Ubers departure, including Aber, Fastgo and GoViet, which is an affiliate of Indonesias Gojek. Current market dominator Grab has expanded its service to include GrabFood and GrabCar Business, the latter targeting the corporate sector. These moves pose further challenges for long-standing taxi firms like Mai Linh, Taxi Group and Vinasun. As many as 117 cast iron drain grates are missing from bridges on the Ha Long-Hai Phong Expressway. The loss, reported by the $556 million expressways project monitoring unit, can cause trash to clog the drains when it rains and lead to flooding, officials said. All the grates stolen were in Quang Yen Town in the northern province of Quang Ninh. They are estimated to cost VND100 million ($4,400) in total. The drain gates were large enough for a single car tire, and could therefore cause traffic accidents, the Quang Ninh Transport Department has said. The unit is currently working to get new grates and the police are already investigating the robbery, said Vu Van Khanh, head of the provinces Department of Transport. Built at a cost of VND13 trillion ($556 million), the 24.6-kilometer Ha Long-Hai Phong Expressway connects National Highway 18 in Ha Long's Dai Yen Ward with the Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway in Hai Phong's Hai An District. Work on it began in September 2015 and was scheduled for completion last March, but this was delayed twice. It is now scheduled to be open to traffic early next month. The expressway is among a series of infrastructure projects aimed at boosting the tourism industry in Quang Ninh, home to the world famous bay Ha Long. Others include an international airport in the provinces Van Don District and a new expressway between Ha Long and the proposed special economic zone in Van Don, both of which are scheduled for completion later this year. Quang Ninh welcomed 6.6 million visitors this year as of May, including 2.17 million foreigners, according to official figures. Tourism revenues for the period rose 32 percent year-on-year to VND11 trillion ($472 million). Tourists walk on the famous Golden Bridge of Da Nang. Photo by Reuters Da Nang will install surveillance cameras in 110 tour buses to add security and monitor unlicensed tour guides. An agreement on the installation of cameras was signed by the central city's Department of Transport with transportation companies and tour operators on Monday. This will help build a stable touristic environment, said Dang Viet Dung, Vice Chairman of Da Nang. According to companies that will run the CCTV-installed buses, such cameras will give a clear picture of professionalism or lack thereof displayed by drivers and their assistants. They also add security to passengers belongings as camera footage can be used to investigate any loss, if needed. Da Nang has granted tourism transportation licenses to over 2,200 vehicles. However, out of 257 30-seater buses, only 27 have surveillance cameras at present, according to Nguyen Xuan Binh, deputy director of the Da Nang Tourism Department. Privacy concerns On the other hand, many tourism agencies are concerned that installation and operation of such cameras would violate passengers privacy, boost costs and not suit vehicles that are constantly in use. Since there is no regulation specifically dealing with the installation of such devices, it has to be a voluntary decision. Che Viet Dong, a tour guide, supported the installation of CCTV cameras. At a meeting of tourism companies on August 11, he noted that the cameras would prevent foreign tour guides from working illegally. Many Vietnamese tour guides disregard their own contracts and deliberately let foreign guides lead tours instead, he said. It is illegal for foreign tour guides to work in Vietnam. Unlicensed tour guides is a persistent problem at many travel destinations like the northern province of Quang Ninh, home to Ha Long Bay, and Khanh Hoa Province in central Vietnam, home to popular beach town Nha Trang. Some foreign tour guides even impart false information. One Chinese private guide was found claiming that the ao dai, Vietnams traditional dress, was actually a qipao, a Chinese traditional garment. Vietnam was part of China, the guide told Chinese visitors at the Da Nang Museum early this year. A similar incident also occurred in 2016 where another Chinese tour guide told visitors that China owned Vietnam 14 centuries ago and that Vietnam still had to pay tribute to it, as an independent state. Da Nang has been attracting increasing numbers of visitors every year. According to local tourism agencies, in the first half of 2018, the city saw an impressive influx of over four million visitors, 30 percent up from a year ago. Of these, 1.6 million were foreigners. Cannabis growing and sale is still illegal in many parts of the world. Photo by Reuters Large numbers of child slaves from Vietnam and other countries may be working on cannabis farms in London. Experts raised the warning on Monday, after new figures emerged showing the scale of cultivation of the illegal drug. Police have found 314 illegal cannabis farms in the British capital since 2016, according to official data obtained by the London Evening Standard newspaper, the equivalent of one every two days. Experts say children are being trafficked from Vietnam and other countries to work in these farms, which are often located in residential properties, and that the scale of the problem has been vastly underestimated. The high number of cannabis farms across London and trafficking of Vietnamese children to work in them is extremely worrying, said Jakub Sobik, a spokesman for Anti-Slavery International. Potentially thousands of children and young people are being trafficked from Vietnam and exploited by ruthless criminal gangs, he said. Catherine Baker, policy officer at anti-child trafficking organization ECPAT U.K., said authorities often treated child slavery victims as criminals rather than giving them the help they needed. It is vital that these children are seen by police as victims first and foremost and given proper support, as too often they are treated as criminals instead, she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Londons Metropolitan Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Britain is considered an international leader in the fight against slavery having passed the 2015 Modern Slavery Act to jail traffickers for life, better protect vulnerable people, and compel large businesses to address the threat of forced labor. Yet child victims of slavery have no guarantee of specialist support and campaigners say the law has not made a serious dent in a trade estimated to cost Britain billions of pounds a year. In February, the British government was criticized for refusing asylum to a Vietnamese orphan trafficked into the country as a child to work in the cannabis industry. Britain is home to at least 136,000 modern-day slaves, Australian human rights group Walk Free said last month - a figure about 10 times higher than a 2013 government estimate. More than 2,000 suspected child trafficking victims were referred to British authorities last year, most of them trapped in sexual exploitation, domestic servitude or forced labor. That was the highest number on record and a 66 percent increase on the previous year. Hundreds were trafficked from countries such as Vietnam, Sudan, Iraq, Eritrea and Afghanistan, according to government figures. These vulnerable children are exploited in extremely dangerous conditions, with little or no pay and may be physically and psychologically abused by their traffickers, said Baker. A hen is seen at a farm outside Hanoi. Photo by Reuters/Kham Training is being provided in Vietnam and its Asian neighbors to reduce devastating impact from drug resistance. In his first 12 years working as a vet in Bangladesh, Bikash Chandra Saha routinely prescribed antibiotics. Then he learned of the devastating impact of antimicrobial resistance on human health - and it revolutionized his treatment choices. The growing resistance of deadly diseases to antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics is seen as one of the biggest threats to human health, but awareness of the dangers of overuse remains low, particularly in developing countries. Now the United Nations is educating workers on the front lines of the battle against this global scourge - among them Saha, who works for one of Bangladeshs biggest poultry companies. It definitely changed my attitude and my antibiotic selection, Saha, who attended a recent training course, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. Before, my focus was on what is the best option (for the animal). After the training, I know the threat of antimicrobial resistance, even for my family, for my children. This is a new thing. Lethal bacteria are showing more and more resistance to antimicrobials, and a 2016 report found drug-resistant infections could kill 10 million people a year by 2050. Livestock is a large part of the problem - especially in Asia, where rising incomes have led to a growth in the consumption of fish and meat. Most countries require prescriptions for antibiotics in humans, but less than half limit their use to promote growth in agriculture, according to a report published last month. Phone app Saha said colistin, once a livestock-specific antibiotic but now a drug of last resort that can save human lives when others have failed, was commonly used on animals in Bangladesh but since the training he and the other vets were more careful about using it. The course was run by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which has trained nearly 150 vets and doctors in Bangladesh since February on the globally accepted guidelines for antibiotic use. Those guidelines are now available as mobile phone app - one of a number of innovative ways in which international organizations are seeking to educate people working with antimicrobial drugs about the dangers of overuse. Thailand, where antimicrobial resistance causes 19,000 additional deaths a year, is working on an online dictionary in English, Thai, Vietnamese, Lao and Burmese to cut through the jargon surrounding the issue. In the Mekong region, people dont clearly understand the difference between bacteria and virus, said Direk Limmathurotsakul, assistant professor at Bangkoks Mahidol University, who is leading the project. People still commonly use antibiotics for common cold, which is caused by virus. Even the word antibiotic can be called different ways. In Thailand, sometimes it is called anti-inflammatory or antiseptic drug. Blanket bans Simply banning antibiotics would not work, experts say, with farmers unlikely to comply. Instead, they hope improved knowledge of drugs will help reduce antimicrobial use on Asian farms - seen as the low-hanging fruit because it is currently so high. In Vietnam, 120 poultry farmers are to receive training on how to prevent and control diseases as well as free veterinary advice as part of a pilot project aimed at reducing drug use. Were improving the knowledge base of farmers and vets rather than a ban on antibiotics, which would be unlikely to be complied with, said Juan Carrique-Mas, the projects principal investigator. The baseline shows very high level of usage, so I think it would be relatively easy to reduce it by 30 to 50 percent with even better productivity and health, added Carrique-Mas, of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Ho Chi Minh City. Data on antibiotic use on farms in the region remains sparse, but is starting to be collected, said Suzanne Eckford, a British specialist who works with the FAO. Eckford advocated against blanket bans on antibiotics - not least because they could have unintended consequences on food production. You cant just say, dont do something, she said. You have to say, this is what you need to do instead and youll be still able to have a productive, economically viable system. A court has found two Vietnamese Americans and 10 Vietnamese citizens guilty of trying to "overthrow the peoples administration." The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Court on Wednesday sentenced Nguyen James Han, a 49-year-old man with dual American-Vietnamese citizenship, and Phan Angel, a 62-year-old American national of Vietnamese origin, to 14 years in prison followed by immediate deportation. Phan Angel, a 62-year-old American national of Vietnamese origin. Photo by Huu Khoa The court also sentenced the duo's 10 Vietnamese accomplices to 5-11 years in prison and 2-3 years of probation on the same charges. The indictment said the defendants were members of the "Provisional National Government of Vietnam," an organization founded by Dao Minh Quan in the U.S., which aims to overthrow the Vietnamese government through violence and acts of terrorism. Due to limited education, lack of legal knowledge and being exposed to bad information, the defendants had formed one-sided views and had blind faith in the organization's promises of titles and other recognitions, the court heard. They distorted the Party and the State's policies, brought the organization's members to Vietnam and recruited locals to carry out activities aimed at overthrowing the people's administration, the indictment said. It said that in February 2017, Phan and Nguyen returned to Vietnam with plans to sabotage the country's celebration of its Reunification Day on April 30 and the International Workers' Day on May 1. Nguyen James Han, a 49-year-old man with dual American-Vietnamese citizenship. Photo by Huu Khoa Phan was found to have contacted a number of the organization's members in Vietnam to carry out disruptive protests, preparing spray paints and 4,000 pamphlets for these events. The group also allegedly planned to break into broadcasting stations to broadcast propaganda for Quan. However, Vietnamese authorities successfully neutralized all of the organization's plans and arrested the 12 defendants between April 19 and May 17 2017. In total, the group only managed to gather about 100 signatures in support of Quan, investigators said. At the trial on Wednesday, 11 of the 12 defendants admitted to their crimes and asked for leniency, while Phan denied the charges. The court concluded that the defendants' crimes were "especially serious" as they violated Vietnam's national security, political security, social order and safety and went against the country's national interests, meriting strict punishment. Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security in January classified the "Provisional National Government of Vietnam" as a terrorist organization. It has been accused of being behind a petrol bomb attack that burnt 320 motorbikes at a police warehouse in Dong Nai Province in April 2017, as well as a failed terror attack on Tan Son Nhat Airport later that month. The HCMC court had last December sentenced 15 Vietnamese to 5-16 years in prison for the two terror attacks. Vietnamese authorities have also issued international arrest warrants against Quan and six others, all of whom are living in the U.S. or Canada. Some merchants come to Phu Binh Hamlet to buy lanterns for the festival. "The prime time for lanterns was the 1990s, when the whole hamlet worked all day and night but could not produce enough to supply the Mekong Delta provinces. When Chinese lanterns entered the market, the demand for homemade ones dropped sharply. Over the past few years, Vietnamese people in the U.S., Canada and Singapore have begun to take interest in these lanterns, which is a good sign," Binh said. The stage from where Pope Francis will deliver mass is seen under construction in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland, August 16, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Clodagh Kilcoyne Pope Francis will meet victims of clergy sexual abuse during his trip to Ireland this weekend, the Vatican said on Tuesday. The move comes after scandals in several countries mire the Catholic Church in its worst credibility crisis in more than 15 years. Last week a grand jury in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania released the findings of the largest-ever investigation of sex abuse in the U.S. Church, finding that 301 priests in the state had sexually abused minors over the past 70 years. The damning U.S. report, combined with scandals in Australia and Chile, have coalesced to form what one Vatican official called a perfect storm not seen since the first abuse crisis erupted in Boston in 2002. On Monday, Francis wrote an unprecedented letter to all Catholics, asking each one of them to help root out this culture of death and vowing there would be no more cover-ups. Spokesman Greg Burke told reporters at a briefing on the Aug. 25-26 trip that details of the meeting would not be announced until after it was over and it would be up to the victims if they wanted to speak afterwards. This is normal procedure for when the pope meets victims of clergy abuse during his trips outside Rome. The main purpose of the trip to Ireland, the first by a pope in nearly 40 years, is to close a week-long international Catholic gathering on the theme of the family that takes place every three years in a different city. Family focus Burke said the trip would remain focused on the family but the pope would have many opportunities to talk about sexual abuse. Once staunchly Catholic Ireland is still reeling from its own clerical sexual abuse scandals, which extended to the treatment of women and girls in the notorious Magdalene Laundries and Catholic-run mother and baby homes. Some victims of sexual abuse and their advocates said it would be better for the pope, who is spending most of the trip in Dublin apart from a short visit to a shrine in Knock, to have a public meeting with survivor groups. What victims of abuse need, and frankly what Catholics and people living in societies that have been so badly damaged by abuse need, is for the Church to tell the truth and to make itself accountable, said Colm OGorman, a victim of clerical child sex abuse and leading campaigner in Ireland. And frankly these kinds of meetings that look more like PR exercises are really not helpful, OGorman told Irish broadcaster RTE. OGorman is organizing an event for survivors in another part of Dublin while the pope says Mass in a park on Sunday. Hell meet with victims, and hes done that many times and if it contributes to the healing of those survivors, thats an important reason to have done it, said Anne Barettt Doyle, co-director of the U.S. pressure group BishopAccountability.org. But it would be more constructive if he also met with the leading survivor groups in Ireland who know the abuse story, she said. In 2017, Ukraine's ferroalloy output fell 0.2% from 2016 to 1.026 million mt. Ukraine's output of manganese ferroalloy fell 11.9% year on year and 7.5% from June to 74,950 mt in July, Ukrainian ferroalloy producers association UkrFA said Tuesday. In July Ukraine produced 65,400 mt of silicomanganese, down from 66,700 mt in July 2017. Output of ferromanganese dropped to 3,700 mt from 11,000 mt and production of ferrosilicon fell to 5,200 mt from 6,800 mt, according to S&P Global Platts. Ukraine also produced 600 mt of metallic manganese, unchanged on the year. In January-July production of ferroalloy increased 3.2% year on year to 607,100 mt, the association said. Ukraine produced 513,400 mt of silicomanganese, up from 459,200 mt a year ago. Production of ferromanganese dropped to 43,000 mt from 69,800 mt, output of ferrosilicon decreased to 46,300 mt from 54,200 mt and output of metallic manganese fell to 4,500 mt from 4,900 mt in January-July 2017. Ukraine's biggest ferroalloy smelter, Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant, produced 463,600 mt of manganese ferroalloys in January-July, up 7.3% on the year. The company's output of silicomanganese increased by 14.6% to 442,700 mt, but production of ferromanganese dropped by 54.7% to 20,100 mt. At the Zaporizhia Ferroalloy Plant, the only other producer of manganese ferroalloy, output fell 7.9% year on year to 143,500 mt in January-July. Read alsoUkraine's industry on the verge of survival due to inflated tariffs on energy resources Palytsa ZFP produced 70,600 mt of silicomanganese, down from 73,100 mt a year earlier. Output of ferrosilicon decreased to 46,300 mt from 54,200 mt, and production of ferromanganese fell to 22,100 mt from 23,800 mt. ZFP also produced 4,500 mt of metallic manganese in January-July, down from 4,900 mt a year earlier. In 2017, Ukraine's ferroalloy output fell 0.2% from 2016 to 1.026 million mt. North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump held a groundbreaking summit in Singapore in June. In the interview Trump pointed to an absence of missile or nuclear tests from Pyongyang as a measure of the success he's had in dealing with the reclusive regime, which previous year was threatening the U.S. mainland with nuclear strikes. "I can say definitively that it's a sufficient national security concern about Chinese meddling, Iranian meddling, and North Korean meddling that we're taking steps to prevent it", Bolton said in an interview on ABC that aired August 19. "It's why we've worked with our friends in Europe to convince them of the need to take stronger steps against the Iranian nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program". "We've got great challenges for Israel, for the United States, for the whole world - the Iran nuclear weapons programme and ballistic missile programmes are right at the top of the list", Bolton said. The Japan Times on Friday noted an interesting pattern in North Korean state-run media: Pyongyang's typically belligerent papers are refraining from criticizing President Trump, instead lavishing him with praise while blaming his political opponents and American "hardliners" for slow progress on denuclearization. The president did not elaborate on the other steps North Korea has taken. "We hope that North Korea-U.S. relations would make rapid progress and bear fruit", the spokesman added. Seoul officials see the UN General Assembly in NY next month as a desirable venue for the declaration but said they are flexible about its formality. The South Korean government responded positively to Trump's interview on Tuesday. However, several members of the USA negotiating team, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they had seen no progress toward denuclearisation and no sign that North Korea was prepared to negotiate seriously until the United States promised relief from sanctions in return. The national security adviser also underscored the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Deal, better known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, and the importance to get allies onboard with sanctions against the Islamic Republic. But he did not elaborate. New data was released at the July 2018, International AIDS Conference demonstrating the HIV epidemic is coming under control in Namibia. Results from the Namibia Population-based HIV Impact Assessment show that 77 percent of all HIV-positive adults have achieved viral load suppression, a widely used measure of effective HIV treatment in a population. This surpasses the UNs target of 73 percent by 2020. Compared with the UNAIDS 2012 estimates, Namibia has reduced its adult HIV incidence rate by 50 percent in the past five years. Namibia has made this tremendous progress through the expansion of HIV prevention and treatment services, with a focus on viral load suppression at the individual and community level, and the swift implementation of forward-leading HIV policies. Women ages 15-24 still have a far higher HIV incidence rate than same-aged young men in Namibia. This highlights the continued need for expanded primary HIV prevention in young women and ensuring all HIV-infected men, particularly those ages 25-35, receive lifesaving treatment and are virally suppressed. These exciting new data demonstrate that a community-centered approach results in high community viral suppression, which decreases the rates of new HIV infections, said Ambassador Deborah Birx, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy. She said, Several African countries are now on track to reach HIV epidemic control by 2020, accelerated progress that was only possible because of partner country political leadership and their rapid adoption of policies focusing primary prevention and treatment resources for maximum impact. Centers for Disease Control Director Robert Redfield said, CDC continues to support Namibias efforts to control its HIV epidemic and we remain committed to global efforts to change the course of the HIV pandemic and help save lives. The Population-based HIV Impact Assessments are funded by the U.S. government, through PEPFAR, and conducted by the CDC, ICAP at Columbia University, and local governmental and non-governmental partners. With PEPFAR support, four additional countries Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, and Rwanda will release HIV data on a rolling basis through 2019, providing an ability to chart and validate further progress toward reaching epidemic control by 2020. Together, said Dr. Birx, we are making the impossible possible, moving farther and faster toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Despite pressure from Mr. Trump, Iran and other signatories of the nuclear deal, including Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, have spent the past several months attempting to salvage the agreement. In May, US President Donald Trump pulled out of an worldwide nuclear deal with Iran, OPEC's third-biggest producer, and announced the sanctions. "It should be accelerated", Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi told a news conference broadcast on Iranian state TV on Monday. Washington will on 4 November reimpose sanctions on Iran's oil exports and banking sector. French energy giant Total has officially quit its multi-billion-dollar gas project in Iran, Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on Monday, following the reimposition of USA sanctions. The agreement had imposed limits on Iran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief. Israel and the United States have been closely aligned on their approach to Iran since Trump took office. The European powers, China and Russian Federation say they will do more to encourage their businesses to remain engaged with Iran. A U.S. State Department official said the Trump administration was aware of China's plans to continue commercial cooperation with Iran and emphasized that Washington was fully committed to enforcing the sanctions. The sanctions will cover Iran's purchases of USA dollar, its trade in gold and precious metals, and its automotive sector. Zanganeh further said that negotiations to replace Total is underway. The renewed USA sanctions took effect in August, after America's pullout from the nuclear deal in May. French oil major Total (TOTF.PA), previously one of the biggest European buyers of Iranian oil, has said it had no choice but to halt imports and abandon Iranian projects to safeguard its operations in the United States. Iranian officials have repeatedly rejected the offer. In August, Washington imposed sanctions on acquisition of USA dollar bank notes by the government of Iran, Iran's trade in gold and precious metals, and its automotive sector. Trump signed an executive order on August 6 reimposing the first round of sanctions on Iran, which had been lifted under the nuclear deal, to levy "maximum economic pressure" on the Islamic Republic. Iran's rial currency has lost about half of its value since April because of a weak economy, financial difficulties at local banks and heavy demand for dollars among Iranians who fear the effects of sanctions. UNIGHT TO UNITE. UCOM CELEBRATED ITS REBIRTH Ameriabank and HSBC Armenia to provide their customers access to each others ATMs without additional fees Ameriabank. 62.5% Growth in Taxes YOY Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans have provided 300 million AMD to overcome the infertility in Armenia UCOM has officially launched the sale of IPHONE 13 Six servicemen were wounded by the attack of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Artsakh, two of them in critical condition S&P Improved the Outlook on Ameriabank to Positive Ararat Mirzoyan to visit to Minsk Foreign Minister of India visits the Memorial of Armenian Genocide 1217 new cases Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group At UCOM only: Tv sets at 10% discount + 1 month free UMIX package + 4k tv channel Ameriabanks Special Offer for New Clients of Hrazdan Branch "Fall forward": Gurgen Khachatryan, the Co-Founder of the Galaxy Group of Companies, addressed a message to young people in Armenia UCOM hosted interns of Russian CBOSS corporation for a month Google Ad The 20-episode Bloody bet thriller to be broadcast on Ucom's Armenia Premium TV channel Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group UCOM offers affordable gadgets at bigger discount Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to New York Governments preventing publication of Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper during state of emergency UCOM prolongs the unlimited internet offer for the level up 4700 and level up 5500 subscribers Ucom employees received recognition for their services to the homeland Karen Vardanyan has allocated 105 million AMD to rescue the Yerevan Botanical Garden. "The Power of One Dram" to overcome childhood cancer Generation A 13 your chance to be the change President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan met with Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovayev "uDays" special offer at Ucom: discounts for all smartphones and accessories for 2 days only For more than 3 hours, 50 or more Azerbaijani servicemen have blocked the interstate road North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, for the second time in less than a week, slammed worldwide sanctions on his country, state media reported on Sunday. Trump met with Kim as part of a push by the Trump administration for Pyongyang to give up its nuclear stockpile. On Saturday, Rodong Sinmun, the North's most prominent daily, praised Mr. Trump for seeking to improve U.S. Kim has vivid memories of life in North Korea: of climbing an apricot tree outside his house and sitting up there singing, looking out over an apple orchard; of running up into the hills when he heard the planes of the US-led United Nations force flying toward his rural town, and watching their bombs, "boom-boom-boom, " exploding in a line along the railway tracks". Because the conflict ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, the two Koreas have remained technically at war. First, while the April sit-down was marked by positive interaction between the two leaders and Moon sharing his plans with Kim for North Korea's economic transformation, the bill may come up at the upcoming meeting. She made it to the South with her daughter, who was on her back as a baby. The reunions are resuming after a three-year hiatus as the North accelerated its pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles and relations worsened. When he signed on to an agreement promising "complete denuclearisation" in Panmunjom and again in Singapore with Trump, he did not mean unilaterally disarming. His mother stayed behind with his 10-year-old brother and several cousins, expecting to join them later when the fighting was over, the journey safer. For Moon, there will be pressure from the United States to follow through in encouraging Kim to take a concrete step toward what Washington would consider denuclearisation. It also urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to brush aside speculation from opponents over the North's intentions. We may see Moon secure an agreement from Kim to travel to NY to attend the United Nations General Assembly's general debate, opening up the possibility of a second Kim-Trump encounter. Seoul supports this objective, but Moon can not promise Kim that he'll be able to bring the U.S. along. The last reunion of separated families took place in 2015. Gone are the days of sky-high approval in the days and weeks following the Panmunjom declaration. The oldest South Korean is Baek Sung-kyu, 101, who will meet his daughter-in-law and granddaughter during the three-day event. The paper also argued that Trump was able to successfully hold the Singapore summit with North Korea because he was not swayed by critics and did not blindly listen to his aides but acted on his own volition. Aram Shahbazyan to not go on hunger strike - Aravot.am (video) Director Aram Shahbazyan said during a conversation with www.aravot.am that he would start a hunger strike, and the reason was that Ministry of Culture was not financing his Chghchghik film more than 10 years. On the morning of August 22, he really started a hunger strike at the entrance of the Ministry of Culture, with posters of "Who stole the Chghchghik," "Clean the art from the bureaucracy "and "Unlimited Hunger Strike." Chghchghik is the production of four countries: Armenia, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany. In 2003-2006, the film won a $ 75,000 grant and 110000 Euros grant for the filmmaking support program of the Armenian National Cinema Center. Producers are Ara Mnatsakanyan and Melik Karapetyan. The post-production work of the film is incomplete and despite it, the film center has adopted it in its balance and, according to Aram Shahbazyan, "solve" documenting issues. Details are in the video. Minister Hasmik Poghosyan made a decision to provide additional funding for the Chghchghik to complete the production work, according to which the film center transferred 3382500 drams to "Mosfilm" for digitizing the film rolls and moving them to Armenia. In 2017, the National Cinema Center Council of Armenia has again debated the quality of the film and has again decided to cover the production costs and finish it. 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 Armenian-Chinese friendship school opened in Yerevan (video) On August 22, the Armenian-Chinese friendship school opened in Yerevan, which has been constructed by the assistance of China. All the programs of the school will be taught in Armenian, with the difference that the Chinese language will be among the priorities in the school. All students from the 5th to 12th grades can be admitted to he Armenian-Chinese friendship school both from Yerevan or other Armenian provinces. Special teachers will also come from China. A special dormitory building is built adjacent to the school for the latter and the students. There are 27 classes in the school, with 15 students each. The school is designed for 405 students. The total cost of this educational project is more than $ 12 million, which includes the costs of the complete construction and equipment of the school.There is a gym, laboratory, library, computers labs. Spartak Vardanyan, Acting Director of the Armenian-Chinese friendship school, told "A1+" that this cooperation in the Armenian-Chinese educational sector will boost Chinese investment opportunities in Armenia. "Pupils of N103 high school are currently studying at the school, and teachers are the same. This school will definitely be different from the former educational institution because new conditions dictate new requirements. An in-depth study of Chinese language will be mandatory for all grades: 3 hours a week for pupils from the 5th to 12th grades, and more than 4 hours a week for higher classes. Chinese language textbooks have been donated by the Chinese side, mainly with cooperate with the Confucius Institute," he said. He also informed that the school can provide additional services for those wishing to learn Chinese. To note, the results of the students' previous academic years were taken into consideration during the Armenian-Chinese school admission. "The principle of admission has been calculated with mean arithmetic, as I think this option is fair. It is the right approach, the correct calculation has taken place and I think the results will become known tomorrow. The admission was free, 330 new students were enrolled, and 70 pupils continue their high school from N103 school, "Lyudmila Apresyan, Deputy Director of the School, told "A1 +." Even if the pupils of the graduating class are going to study the Chinese language for a year, they are sure that this period will be enough. "Learning in this school is a great success because knowledge of Chinese language will open new doors for success," said Nune Mkhitaryan. "I will be a dance instructor and travel to China. I am convinced that I will make it faster and learn the language as soon as possible," said another student Nelli Harutyunyan. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Chinas Ambassador to Armenia Tian Erlong also attended the opening ceremony of the Armenian-Chinese friendship school. Pashinyan inquired whether Armenians were learning the language easily or not. The ambassador replied: "In the case of Armenian linguistic abilities, it is quite easy; there are about 1000 people in Armenia that learn Chinese language today." Then he added that the front part of the building was built from the Armenian obsidian. Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has decided to cancel subsidies for natural gas from October 1 to households without gas meters. "Benefits and subsidies for payment of natural gas supplies will not be paid as of October 1 to households that have not installed individual gas meters and refused in written form from their installation at the expense of budget funds or those of operators of gas distribution networks," a government resolution said. Ukraine's Finance Ministry predicts payments on Ukraine's GDP-linked warrants, also known as Value Recovery Instruments (VRIs), which were issued as part of debt restructuring in 2015, are unlikely possible in the medium-term outlook. This is stipulated in the government-approved Strategy for Public Debt Management for 2018-2020. "According to the current forecasts for nominal GDP, reaching the threshold for making payments on these instruments is unlikely in the medium term," the document, available to Interfax-Ukraine, says. It notes that these state-owned derivatives with contingent payments estimated at $3.2 billion and the period of circulation until 2040 are not part of the country's state debt. Payments for the GDP-linked warrants will be handled annually in U.S. dollars from 2021 to 2040, depending on dynamics of real GDP growth in Ukraine in 2019-2038. If GDP growth for the year is below 3% or real GDP is less than $125.4 billion, then there will be no payments on the instruments. If real GDP growth rises from 3% to 4%, the payment on the securities will make 15% of the excess of GDP over 3%, and if more than 4%, then there will be plus 40% of the excess of GDP over 4%. In addition, payments are limited to 1% of GDP from 2021 to 2025. The strategy is based on the forecast for a 3% annual increase in real GDP in 2018 and 2019 and a 3.8% increase in 2020. Nominal GDP in U.S. dollars, according to the estimates in the document, will increase from $106.3 billion last year to $110.7 billion this year, further to $134.2 billion next year and $147.4 billion in 2020. The official forex rate in 2019 is expected to strengthen to UAH 29.4 per U.S. dollar after its weakening from UAH 28.1 to UAH 30.1 per U.S. dollar this year. The official forex rate in 2020 is projected at UAH 30.2 per U.S. dollar. Ukraine's government has approved an intergovernmental agreement on military technical cooperation (MTC) with Qatar. The draft of a respective cabinet decision was approved at a government meeting on Wednesday without discussion. The intergovernmental agreement on MTC between Ukraine and Qatar was signed by the parties in Doha (Qatar) in March 2018. According to Interfax-Ukraine's sources in the defense sector, the document notes that the main areas of bilateral military technical cooperation with Qatar are the development, production, modernization, repair and purchase of weapons and military equipment of ground forces, air defense technology, radio-electronic and radio equipment, combat ships and other marine equipment, spare parts, missiles and military equipment. The document also stipulates the transfer of technology for the joint production of military equipment and the provision of technical assistance for its organization. In the new geopolitical situation, Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, is considered one of Ukraine's most promising partners in the field of military technical cooperation in the Middle East region. The United States has once again demanded that Russia release Ukrainian film director Oleh Sentsov, who was convicted by the Russian court for terrorist activities in Crimea. "The United States is deeply concerned about his [Sentsov's] deteriorating health, and we renew our demand that Russia immediately release him and all Ukrainian citizens unlawfully imprisoned in Russia and on the Crimean peninsula," the State Department said in connection with the 100th day of the hunger strike of Oleh Sentsov. The statement says that Washington "is alarmed about the prospect of another innocent person dying in Russian custody." "We hope Russian authorities will release Sentsov to avoid such a tragedy, which would inevitably lead to calls for those officials responsible to be held to account," it says. Russia's hybrid military forces have mounted 24 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action (WIA), the press centre of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) has reported. "The enemy opened fire on the positions of our troops 24 times, including four times with weapons banned by the Minsk agreements. Over the past day, two Ukrainian defenders have been injured. There have been no casualties among Ukrainian troops since the beginning of the day," the press center of the JFO said in its update on Facebook on Wednesday morning. Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms to attack the defenders of the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Artema, Novotoshkivske, Krymske, Zaitseve, Zalizne, Novomykhailivka, Pisky, Chermalyk, Hnutove, Pavlopil, Lebedynske, Vodiane, and Shyrokyne. In certain areas, the enemy employed infantry fighting vehicles. Using heavy weapons, the enemy fired 120mm mortars at the Ukrainian positions near Zalizne and Hnutove, as well as 82mm mortars at the defenders of Avdiyivka and Chermalyk. "At Wednesday midnight, Russian-led forces have mounted four attacks on the Ukrainian positions outside Pavlopil, Lebedynske and Vodiane," the report says. According to intelligence reports, two enemy troops were killed and another one was wounded. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko notes that the establishment of peace in Ukraine depends on Russia. "The key to peace is neither in Kyiv, nor in Washington nor in Brussels. The key to peace is in the Kremlin," Poroshenko said at a forum of veterans in Kyiv on Wednesday. According to the head of the Ukrainian state, if someone imposes "Russia's enslaving conditions on Ukraine, I want to say that this road is absolutely unacceptable not only for the president, but for the whole Ukrainian nation, since this is not the way to peace." "Look at Abkhazia, look at Ossetia, look at all the occupied lands, see how people live there - this is what Russia offers to the inhabitants of the occupied lands. Ukrainians will never agree to this," he said. Poroshenko also noted that the Ukrainian people are "a guarantee that there will be no revenge and there will be no return to the Russian Empire." Representatives of separate districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (ORDLO) in Minsk do not confirm dozens of Ukrainian citizens are being held by them, but they demand to transfer hundreds of criminals from Kyiv, Verkhovna Rada First Deputy Speaker and Ukraine's representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group Iryna Gerashchenko has said. "We began to discuss the lists of those detained in the ORDLO. The problem is that the ORDLO doesn't confirm dozens of detainees. They conceal it. And they ask to transfer hundreds of criminals from Ukraine to Russia, including convicted Russians. Tomorrow we will continue working. We are doing everything possible to bring the next stage of hostage release closer," she said on Facebook on Tuesday following the results of the first round of two-day talks of working groups in Minsk. She also said that during the meeting the forthcoming visit of the OSCE coordinator Toni Frisch to the prisons in the occupied territories was planned, which is scheduled for early September. According to her, Kyiv insists that Frisch visit all military men who have been illegally detained by illegal armed groups for many years, as well as Ukrainian journalist and publicist Stanyslav Aseyev. "I called on the Russian Federation to apply its unconditional influence on its puppets, stop the torture of a journalist who is pressured to "confess" to Russian propaganda cameras in "espionage," and immediately release the journalist," she said. Gerashchenko added that Frisch, like representatives of the ICRC, has the opportunity to communicate with those held in Ukrainian prisons in a face to face format. "We insist that he should meet with our children in the occupied territories without "supervisors," she said. Passenger plane pilots in July 2018 reported three times about collisions with hares at Ukrainian airports, while there was only one report of such an encounter during the first six months of the year, Ukraine's National Bureau for Air Accidents Investigation (NBAAI) has reported. According to the bureau's July bulletin, late in the evening on July 12 two planes a Bombardier DH-8D from Poland's LOT in Lviv and a CRJ-9 plane from Austrian Airlines in Odesa collided with hares during landing. Bodies of dead hares were found at both landing strips, but the planes and their engines were not damaged. A similar incident was reported by a Ukraine International Airlines pilot on July 27 after landing in Odesa, although no evidence the plane collided with hares was found. According to the bureau, it is much more common for airplanes to collide with birds, of which there are many in Ukraine during migration in summer. From 2013 through the first six months of 2018 there were 133 reports of collisions with birds, including 28 in July, 24 in June, 18 in May and September each, and 12 in August. NBAAI said about 44% of the collisions involve the engines, and a third result in damage. NBAAI analyzed the number of collisions per 1 million plane passengers during the first six months of 2018. Lviv airport tops the rating with 4.6 incidents, it is followed by Kharkiv airport with 2.3. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin is sure that the European Union will expand the sanctions list against the Russian Federation. "The EU is considering this, but the process itself, unfortunately, is not very fast, but a decision is necessarily being made," Klimkin told journalists in Kyiv on Wednesday. He recalled that the process of imposing sanctions in response to the election of the Russian president in the occupied Crimea lasted several months. "New sanctions will be also processed during several months," Klimkin said. The minister stressed that the sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation is growing both from the U.S. and Europe. According to him, the sanctions imposed on Russia do not allow Russia to "develop and feel like a civilized country." "We will work not only to expand these sanctions purely arithmetically, increase the number of companies, but will make it the way so that these sanctions would systematically affect Russia," Klimkin said. The Ukrainian side in Minsk has told Russian representatives that it is ready to pardon two Russian citizens and hand them over to the Russian consul with the simultaneous transfer to Ukraine of Ukrainian servicemen illegally held in the occupied territories of Donbas, Ukraine's representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) and First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko has said. "The Ukrainian side is looking for all possible ways to unblock the process of releasing hostages from the Russian Federation and from occupied territories. I made another concrete offer to the Russians. The Ukrainian side is ready, as an exception, to pardon two citizens of the Russian Federation having health problems and hand them over to the Russian consul in the presence of OSCE and ICRC representatives with the simultaneous transfer to Ukraine of Ukrainian servicemen who have been illegally held in Donbas for more than three years," Gerashchenko wrote on her Facebook page after a TCG meeting in Minsk on Wednesday. The issue of the denial of access for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) and control over the Ukrainian-Russian border was raised at a meeting of the subgroup on security of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on the settlement of the situation in Donbas in Minsk on Wednesday, Ukraine's representative in the TCG's humanitarian subgroup, Verkhovna Rada First Deputy Speaker Iryna Gerashchenko has said. "The security group. The Ukrainian side expressed concern about numerous facts of the denial of access for the OSCE CMM to occupied areas. As many as 125 such cases were recorded over a month. The OSCE also recorded the movement of Russian vehicles, in particular an electronic jamming system, which can hit civil aviation facilities. Provocations against the mission's observers intensified after every true report by the SMM," she wrote on her Facebook page on Wednesday. According to Gerashchenko, the Ukrainian side protested against the movement of Russian hardware. "We firmly raise the issue of control over the Ukrainian-Russian border. Then Russian weapons, hardware, mercenaries will not be hanging around. Closing the border is a fundamental requirement for the settlement of the conflict," she said. The Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) for the settlement of the situation in Donbas, with the participation of representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (ORDLO), supports the introduction of a ceasefire in connection with the beginning of the academic year from midnight on August 29, according to Darka Olifer, the press secretary for Ukraine's representative in the TCG and second Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma. "The Trilateral Contact Group, with the participation of ORDLO representatives, reaffirms its full commitment to the indefinite ceasefire in connection with the beginning of the academic year, starting from midnight on August 29, 2018. The parties undertake to take all necessary steps to ensure a sustainable ceasefire," Olifer wrote on her Facebook page on Wednesday following a TCG meeting in Minsk. She also added that in order to monitor compliance with the ceasefire, the parties undertake to ensure reliable and safe access for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) throughout Ukraine, in accordance with its mandate. The Ukrainian side in Minsk has told Russian representatives that it is ready to pardon two Russian citizens and hand them over to the Russian consul with the simultaneous transfer to Ukraine of Ukrainian servicemen illegally held in the occupied territories of Donbas, Ukraine's representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) and First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko has said. "The Ukrainian side is looking for all possible ways to unblock the process of releasing hostages from the Russian Federation and from occupied territories. I made another concrete offer to the Russians. The Ukrainian side is ready, as an exception, to pardon two citizens of the Russian Federation having health problems and hand them over to the Russian consul in the presence of OSCE and ICRC representatives with the simultaneous transfer to Ukraine of Ukrainian servicemen who have been illegally held in Donbas for more than three years," Gerashchenko wrote on her Facebook page after a TCG meeting in Minsk on Wednesday. She said the Ukrainian side is deeply concerned about the absence of a response from Moscow to Kyiv's proposal to transfer to Russia the Russians who committed crimes in exchange for Ukrainians held in Russian prisons. "We continue to insist on the simultaneous transfer of citizens of the Russian Federation in exchange for Ukrainians, political prisoners of the Kremlin. At the same time, in order to demonstrate once again our readiness for compromise and constructive position in this matter, looking for new ways and ideas for unblocking the process of releasing Ukrainians illegally held in Russian prisons and in occupied territories, as an exception, we are ready to hand over two convicted Russians to the Russian consuls in exchange for our servicemen who have been held for many years in the Russian-occupied territories of the Donbas," she wrote. Gerashchenko noted that Kyiv considers equally important the release of political prisoners of the Kremlin in Russia and hostages held in the Russian-occupied territories of the Donbas. "The decision on the release of political prisoners and hostages is taken solely by the Kremlin. Today it is the Russian Federation and its puppets that are blocking the release of hostages and all initiatives and attempts to unblock this issue," she said. Islamic Republics Minister of Interior says most of the recent protests across Iran have been triggered by resentment over jobs and livelihood related issues. Only 3,800 people participated in protest demonstrations in 27 cities during past three weeks, Abdor-Reza Rahmani Fazli claimed. His claim about the numbers cannot be independently verified but seems too low based on reports and images received during the protests. Also, saying that most protests were for economic reasons ignores the fact that people were shouting clear political slogans for the regime to be go away. Speaking to the governments official daily, Iran, Tuesday, August 21, Rahmani Fazli also maintained that a 26-year old protester, who died in a protest rally in city of Karaj, west of Tehran, was shot and killed by an AK-47 (Kalashnikov). The conservative Minister noted that Iranian police forces do not carry Kalashnikovs. However, he preferred to ignore the fact that forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) are all armed with AK-47s and assist security units to suppress protest rallies. Rahmani Fazlis comments are published at a time when a judicial investigation is underway to determine how the 26-year-old shopkeeper, Reza Owtadi died from a bullet wound during a protest rally in city of Karaj, near Tehran on August 3, 2018. As a rule, the Islamic Republics authorities blame the deaths of protesters on foreign hostile elements embedded in demonstrations or lurking outside rallies. Furthermore, Rahmani Fazli insisted that the calls for protest rallies held during past three weeks were much more substantial than the ones that broke out on December 28, spread to more than 100 cities and kept momentum until January 11. Hostile media and some foreign political figures had widely promoted the recent protests, two-three months in advance, Rahmani Fazli maintained. Despite "all propaganda", the Minister claimed, Only twenty to 500 people joined each protest rally held in 27 cities in thirteen different provinces. Based on the Islamic Republics Constitution, people are free to hold peaceful protest rallies, provided receiving a license from the countrys Interior Ministry. Nevertheless, such licenses have never been issued and all protest rallies are forcefully suppressed. Earlier on Thursday, August 2, Rahmani Fazli had also stressed that enemies are attempting to create social crises in Iran, but an assembly attended by 200 cannot change the situation. Joining the chorus of the countrys officials accusing foreign enemies of provoking resentment in Iran, the 59-year old Minister also insisted, The United States and other enemies know very well that they cannot contain Irans power, as a result they want to create division inside the country in order to achieve their malicious goals. Referring to the compilation of an Intelligence Atlas, Rahmani Fazli claimed that all centers provoking crises and the individuals behind promoting protest and unrest in the country have been identified. In Tehran and other large cities, Rahmani Fazli noted, All thugs are known by the authorities and [during an unrest], they are ordered to stay home for two-three days. According to the minister, whoever attends more than five rallies is recognized as an activist deserved to be placed behind bars. All elements who frequent different rallies in Iran have been identified, the Interior Minister insisted. Strikes at Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Mill and Iran National Steel Industry Group (INSIG) in city of Ahvaz, southwest Iran, has gained momentum after three days. Workers of all divisions of Haft Tapeh sugarcane mill held their protest assembly for the third consecutive day outside of the mills security offices, Monday, August 20, the factorys labor union reported. While demanding their three-month overdue wages, the strikers are protesting job insecurity and lack of implementation of safety rules at their industrial complex. Furthermore, the enraged workers are against dividing the land owned by the mill and distributing it among newly established companies. The Haft Tapeh workers have intermittently been protesting and striking since 2014 when their complex was privatized. Haft Tapeh labor union says, "Not only the workers have not received their salaries for months and no New Year bonus, they are being subjected to legal prosecution instead of their employer being held responsible". Moreover, Free Workers Union of Iran (FWU)reported that Haft Tapeh workers have bitterly protested their fellows being battered by security forces on Sunday. Special Unit forces, according to labor sources, stormed into Haft Tapeh workers rally on Sunday, battered the protesters and briefly arrested five workers. Moreover, according to FWU, workers at Iran National Steel Industrial Group (INSIG) held a protest rally on Monday, August 20, outside a building owned by Bank Melli in Ahvaz. INSIG workers are demanding product lines to be restored, injection of raw material for production and disclosing the identity of the individuals who are responsible for their factorys failure. Earlier the FWU had reported that on the night of June 11, 2018, security forces carried out a "barbaric raid" against strikers and arrested close to 50 workers. About 15 steelworkers were also arrested the next day at a rally in front of the Khuzestan Governor general's office, Human Rights Monitor (HRM) reported. Workers at the manufacturing plant have gone on strike numerous times in recent months to demand overdue wages. INSIG, based on a steel mill founded in 1963 during Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavis reign, was privatized in 2010, in a highly mysterious manner and sold to a notorious Iranian tycoon, Mah Afarid Khosravi, aka Amir Mansour Arya, described as the richest man in the country with more than $1 billion net-worth. In 2014, INSIG was taken over by the Islamic Republics Judiciary after Khosravi was executed for financial fraud. The judiciary, for its part, sold INSIG in 2016 to another Iranian tycoon. Since then, INSIG workers have constantly called for the return of their industrial complex to the public sector. INSIG, despite having about 4,000 workers on paper, only about 400 of them are currently on the job as most of the plant has been shut down mainly due to shortages of governmental contracts and raw materials. In the meantime, more than 1100 km (roughly 690 miles) from Ahvaz, in Shiites holiest city in Iran, Mashhad, hundreds of sacked workers of Khorak Dam (Cattle Feed) factory assembled outside its manager offices, demanding their reinstatement. A dispute between the manager and workers forced several to pour petrol over themselves for self-immolation; but were stopped by their fellow workers. Nevertheless, local reports say, the Special Unit forces, called in by the manager, stormed into the workers rally beating them with sticks, knuckles and using pepper spray. Several workers were also detained and taken away, sources close to labor rights activists reported. Iran has been engulfed in mass demonstrations since last December when Iranians took to the streets to protest economic hardships, but a general anti-establishment sentiment soon came to the fore. The protests, which began months before the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Nuclear Deal, spread to 100 cities across the country. While the workers protests continue across Iran, the Islamic Republics Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has said that foreign enemies [ a reference to the USA, Israel, and Saudi Arabia], as well as Iranian dissident groups are behind the labor unrest. Declining readership and increased printing costs are hitting Irans newspapers hard, with two publications shutting down in the last month. The reformist daily Hambastegi (Solidarity), which is affiliated with the political party of the same name, and the conservative daily Sobh-e No (The New Morning), linked to former Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, are the latest newspapers to cease publication. Both reformist and conservative-leaning papers have suffered dips in circulation in recent years, and nearly all of the countrys dailies have raised their prices in an attempt to off-set costs, especially the high price of printing paper. Culture Ministry estimates from 2012 put the daily number of newspapers sold in Iran at over two million, compared to 800,000 sold according to November 2017 figures published in Mehr News Agency. Iran's most popular newspaper, Hamshahri, which sold over 500,000 copies per day in 2012, dropped to 180,000 in mid-August. During the same period, the circulation of Jam-e Jam, which is affiliated with Iranian state TV, dropped from around half a million to 70 to 80 thousand copies per day. Based on the latest figures, most major newspapers publish under or around 7000 copies a day. These include Arman, Sharq, Etemad, Javan, Aftab-e Yazd, and Shahrvand. The actual circulation of Irans dailies may be even lower, as the newspaper publishers report their own sales without independent verification, and they may exaggerate their popularity to maximize government subsidies given to newspapers on the basis of readership, according to columnist Abbas Abdi. Some allege that newspapers loyal to hardliners within the government receive generous government subsidies despite their lack of popularity. As a condition of receiving government subsidies, newspapers are required to maintain a web presence. Most Iranian newspapers publish pdf versions on the Internet hours before the hard copy version hits newsstands. Recently some newspapers such as the centrist Sazandegi have dialed down their online presence in order to ensure maximum profitability at the news stands. Some others, such as the reformist daily Sharq, have instituted a paywall for their websites. Meanwhile, the scarcity and high price of printing paper has forced many newspapers to reduce their page count from 24 or more to 16 or 12. The government has added printing paper to the list of essential commodities and subsidized paper imports in an effort to support print titles. At the same time, strict state control over newspaper content has made them less interesting for readers. This comes while newspaper advertising revenues have dropped dramatically as Iran's economic crisis has worsened following the U.S. pull-out from the nuclear deal with Iran and renewed sanctions. With state TV monopolized by regime hardliners and news agencies owned by the government, Iranian newspapers are the last platform outside of the web where diverse views can be expressed Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 83 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said August 22. 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. 22 Trend: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order providing funds for the construction of Kohne Khudat-Hazra road in Gusar district. Under the presidential order, 4.1 million manats will be allocated to the Azerbaijan Highway State Agency for the construction of the road connecting 21 residential areas with a total population of 22,000 people. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 Trend: The domestic policy in Armenia is in a state of paralysis, as after the statements of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during the August 17 rally, the political groups against him began to be established inside the country, analyst-columnist Ehtiram Ashirli told Trend Aug. 21. Ashirli noted that the prime minister has been most harshly criticized by representatives of the Republican Party of Armenia. "Finally, the Speaker of the Parliament of Armenia Ara Babloyan said that Nikol Pashinyan's statements on the submission to parliament of the draft amendments to the Constitution and the implementation of referendum at the rally on August 17 caused concerns. Babloyan also said that a number of meetings with the prime minister, the president, the Head of the Supreme Judicial Council, human rights activists and international diplomats were launched in order to discuss the situation," the analyst said. The analyst noted that Pashinyan considers the representatives of the Republican Party represented in the Parliament to be a gang of bandits. Ashirli noted that Pashinyan forgets that for making changes to the Constitution he has to appeal to the Republican Party of Armenia. "On the other hand, according to the instruction of the prime minister, the investigation is going on in connection with the March 1 events. As a result of recent investigations, the brother of Ambik Gevorgyan, the driver of former Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, was charged with committing socially dangerous acts", the analyst said. "Moreover, after the recent statement of the National Security Service of Armenia, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Public and Social Affairs of the National Security Service, Chairman of the Republican Party faction Hakob Hakobyan decided to withdraw the property registered in the name of his son Paruyr Hakobyan", the analyst added. "Against the background of these events, other negative aspects also began to appear. Thus, the media reports say that about 10 days ago one significant document was sent to the Central Bank of Armenia with the signature of the Head of the Department of the Ministry of Finance Hrant Suvaryan. It was suggested that the persons who within two days would provide information to law enforcement agencies "about any operations" of Mikael Harutunyan, Robert Kocharyan and Yuri Khachaturov, "were given gold and other valuable gifts from pawnshops operating in Armenia," Ashirli said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 Trend: The International Military-Technical Forum "ARMY-2018" and the conference entitled "National Security Week" are being held in Russia, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Aug. 22. The Azerbaijani delegation is headed by Deputy Minister of Defense for Material and Technical Support, Head of the Main Directorate of Material and Technical Support, Major-General Fuad Mammadov. The events will last until August 26. Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU/CSU conservative alliance has welcomed proposals by Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) on Wednesday to shield German companies from the impact of U.S. financial sanctions by creating a European alternative to the SWIFT payment system, Xinhua reported. "I think that the proposal is worth exploring," Juergen Hardt, the CDU/CSU foreign policy spokesperson told press in Berlin. Writing to the newspaper Handelsblatt, Maas had urged European nations to react to the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran by bolstering their own independence from Washington. Amongst others, the foreign minister argued that there was an urgent necessity to "strengthen European autonomy by creating payment channels independent of the United States, establishing a European Monetary Fund and building an independent Swift-System". Maas hereby referred to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) which was founded in 1973 to facilitate financial transactions between participating banks. As of 2018, more than 10,000 institutes across the world made use of the system. While SWIFT is based in Belgium, it is also subject to U.S. regulatory influence due to its maintenance of an operation center in Virginia and large volumes of dollar-denominated transactions conducted via the system every day. The so-called "SWIFT agreement", in particular, officially-signed between Brussels and Washington to dismantle terror financing networks, has repeatedly been criticized by privacy watchdogs for granting U.S. intelligence services almost unfettered access to sensitive information about European companies. Under new sanctions unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump, Iranian companies are barred from using the U.S. dollars in international trade. Foreign financial institutes which have subsidiaries in the United States will be targeted by the measure as well unless they refuse to become involved in any financial transactions with counterparties from Iran. Most European banks have consequently begun winding down their operations in Iran for fear of losing access U.S. capital markets as a punishment. Dagmar von Bohnstein, German business delegate in Iran, recently emphasized in a public plea for help to the German government that companies required political solutions which enabled them to complete financial transactions in the country while bypassing U.S. capital markets. Responding to such complaints, Maas wrote in Handelsblatt that the time had come to recalibrate the asymmetrical partnership between the EU and the United States. The foreign minister sketched a vision of a "balanced partnership" in which Europe acted as a "counterweight" to U.S. policies like the latest Iranian sanctions. The SPD politician said that it was no option for European countries to "simply sit out" the Trump presidency given the fact that changes under his leadership were only symptomatic of a longer-standing shift away from multilateralism by Washington. Although Germany and Europe still had an interest in "renewing and preserving" the transatlantic alliance, it was well-advised to continue along the path of creating a self-reliant European defense union. Nevertheless, CDU/CSU foreign policy spokesperson Hardt warned on Wednesday that the German and U.S. economy would remain deeply interconnected for the foreseeable future. "One cannot simply deny these intensive trade relationships between Europe and America," Hardt said. Given this circumstance, Hardt said he was skeptical whether Berlin could succeed in protecting German companies from the latest U.S. sanctions against Tehran. He noted that legislators would not be able to force business leaders to remain active in Iran as long as they were fearful of experiencing negative regulatory repercussions at their U.S. subsidiaries. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 By Azad Hasanli Trend: Azerbaijani and Russian companies may soon create joint ventures in the fields of industry, pharmaceutics and construction, Executive Director of the Russia-Azerbaijan Business Council Yuri Danilov said in an interview with Trend. Danilov stressed that there are already projects (on establishment of joint ventures), which are at a high stage of readiness, approved by both the Azerbaijani and Russian sides. "Metalworking, oil machinery building, chemical industry, carriage engineering, production of building materials and processing of agricultural products may be other areas useful for cooperation and setting up joint ventures," he added. "Today, we see a great interest of Russian businesses in working in Azerbaijani market," Danilov said. Further steps to develop Russia-Azerbaijan cooperation "Today, the Russia-Azerbaijan cooperation is reaching a new level and there is a great interest of the business communities of the two countries in the development of close trade relations," Danilov added. "I think that today it is important to simplify trade and economic cooperation, create joint Russian-Azerbaijani production facilities in Azerbaijan, as well as share technologies and transit potential of the country," he said. "I think the potential is very big," he said. "In many areas we can advance and intensify cooperation. The authorities of both countries are currently engaged in an active dialogue for development of bilateral relations and removal of barriers to business. I can also stress great interest of Russian businesses in increasing exports of goods, produced in our country, to Azerbaijan." Russia-Azerbaijan Business Council to intensify activity "Alexei Repik was elected new chairman of the Council, president of the all-Russia public organization Delovaya Rossiya following a meeting of the Russia-Azerbaijan Business Council on July 17," Danilov said. He said a list of promising projects of bilateral cooperation is being formed. "Proposals for implementation of those projects are being prepared. A number of significant events, including the 9th Russia-Azerbaijan inter-regional forum in Ganja, the meeting of the Russia-Azerbaijan intergovernmental commission, etc. are planned to be held soon," Danilov said. "In all these events, the Russia-Azerbaijan Business Council will take an active part." The main objective of the Russia-Azerbaijan Business Council is to expand and develop business contacts, mutually beneficial cooperation between Russian and Azerbaijani entrepreneurs, promote Russian business in the Azerbaijani market, organize a constructive dialogue between business circles of both countries, reveal opportunities for expansion and diversification of Russia-Azerbaijan interaction in the business sector, including joint investment projects being implemented in Azerbaijan. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @AzadHasanli Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Kazakhstan has developed five-year plan of the industrialization program, which will be implemented beginning from 2020, the Kazakh news agency Kazinform reported referring to Minister for Investments and Development Jenis Kasymbek. I would like to note that in line with the instructions of the head of state the Ministry has developed a conceptual vision of industrial-innovative development for 2020-2024, taking into account new global technological trends. The main goal will be further enhancing competitiveness of the manufacturing industry with an emphasis on developing and promoting exports, the minister said. According to Kasymbek, special attention will be paid to technology transfer, promotion of digitalization of manufacturing industry. We propose to develop basic principles and approaches for the third five-year plan of industrialization at the meeting of the Industrial Development Commission in the first decade of September 2018, Kasymbek concluded, addressing Prime-Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev. The first five-year state program of industrialization began in 2010, the second in 2015. Industrialization contributes to increasing number of enterprises in processing industry, oriented to finished products (chemical industry, engineering, furniture, construction materials). In the 1H2018, some 3,500 were operating in Kazakhstan in the processing industry. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 Trend: Despite measures to reduce the cost of diesel fuel during the harvesting campaign, the price of fuel and lubrication materials (FLM) for Kazakhstan farmers remain high, "Kazinform" international news agency (INA) reported. "There are problems with the pricing of diesel fuel. Although the price of lower-priced FLMs is lower than the market prices, but the final prices for agricultural producers remain high because of the extra charges of operators. Regional administrations need to work with their operators in order to reduce prices," Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan Umirzak Shukeyev said at a government meeting. At the same time, he noted the work of the administration of Pavlodar region, where the project of the Ministry of Agriculture on electronic distribution and sale of lower-priced FLMs for harvesting work is being implemented in pilot mode. "The FLM volumes are distributed transparently in order of priority with reference to electronic field maps and confirmation of crops by space monitoring. We plan to extend this experience to all regions by the time of beginning of spring work of 2019", Shukeyev added. Today, according to the data of the Ministry of Agriculture, 394,000 tons of lower-priced fuel have been allocated for timely implementation of harvesting work. The regions have utilized the July FLM volume almost completely, the cost of FLM volumes for August has been paid. "At the same time, there are problems on the part of resource keepers with the shipment of these volumes, that is, 110,000 tons from oil refineries. In this regard, we ask the Ministry of Energy to ensure timely shipment of both August volumes and the volumes for September and October," Shukeyev concluded. Earlier it was reported that this year the gross grain harvest has been projected in the amount of more than 20 million tons. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 Trend: The Minister of Investments and Development of Kazakhstan Zhenis Kasymbek has announced the three regions of Kazakhstan, which increased the export of their products abroad, "Kazinform" international news agency reported. "The volume of exports of products of the manufacturing industry in the country has increased by 20.5 percent for 2 months of 2018 compared to the corresponding period of 2017 and amounted to $2.5 billion. Among the regions, the largest growth is observed in Kyzylorda (2.3 times), North Kazakhstan (2 times) and Pavlodar (1.9 times) regions," he said. Kassymbek noted that, in the context of priority sectors of the manufacturing industry, the significant growth has been recorded in the railroad rolling stock manufacturing (3.7 times), electrical engineering and agrochemistry (3.1 times), the production of building materials (3 times) and ore mining engineering (2 times). Meanwhile, the exports of petroleum products (by 25 percent), products of automotive engineering (by 60.5 percent) and agricultural machinery (by 62.3 percent) industries have decreased. The minister said the current geography of exports of goods includes 123 countries, to which about 800 commodity items are exported. "New markets have been opened for some commodity items. For example, in 2018, we began supplying engineering products and construction materials to Uzbekistan, chemical products - to Ukraine," he informed. He noted that the products of the food industry continue to be in demand abroad, the total volume of their exports amounted to $112 million. "In particular, the deliveries of meat products to Iran, Bahrain have begun, the exports of meat products, animal and vegetable oils to Russia, vegetable oil to China, sugar to Uzbekistan have increased. This is facilitated by the provision of service support to exporters - the organization of trade missions and advertising and presentation activities in order to promote domestic products", he concluded. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: The State Revenue Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Finance has disclosed the tax debts of the Kazakh people, Kazinform international news agency reported. "As of August 1, 2018, the indebtedness of individuals is 26.9 billion tenge, the main debt - 19.4 billion tenge, the penalty - 7.2 billion tenge, the number of debtors 1,409,864 people," the Committee said. Moreover, the tax debt on vehicles reached 20.2 billion tenge, of which the main debt - 15.3 billion tenge, the penalty - 4.9 billion tenge, the number of debtors - 842,181 people. Meanwhile, the property tax debt reached 1.3 billion tenge, of which the main debt - 0.9 billion tenge, penalty - 0.4 billion tenge, the number of debtors - 461,866 people. Land tax debt reached 0.7 billion tenge, of which the main debt - 0.4 billion tenge, penalty - 0.3 billion tenge, the number of debtors - 392,618 people. (360.71 KZT = $1 on Aug. 22) ---- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 By Fikret Dolukhanov - Trend: The growth of prices for a new crop of wheat has been predicted in the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, "Kazinform" international news agency (INA) reported. "While the wheat was sold last year at the price level of 35,000 tenge per ton, today the wheat of the third class costs as much as 48,000-49,000 tenge. We expect further price growth," Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan Umirzak Shukeyev said at a government meeting. He noted that today the preparation work is being conducted for the export of the new crop grain, so that the last year's situation with the lack of grain would happen again. The interested state bodies are working on the solution of logistics issues this year, Shukeyev said. "For example, regarding the problem of high tariffs for transportation of Kazakh goods through transit countries, work is underway for both reduction of such tariffs and search for alternative routes. In general, this work is carried out in normal mode", Shukeyev concluded. Earlier it was reported that this year the gross grain harvest has been projected to amount to more than 20 million tons. The official exchange rate on August 22 is 360,71 KZT/USD --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 Trend: Some 10 projects on reclamation of disturbed soil on a total area of about 644 hectares have been agreed in Akmola region of Kazakhstan, Kazinform international news agency reported citing the regional communications service. Changes in the structure of the terrain, the environmental status of soil and parent rocks, the consequences of mining, exploration, construction work affect soil. It is necessary to carry out reclamation of disturbed lands to improve environmental conditions and restore the productivity of the lands. "Biological reclamation is a set of measures to create favourable water-air and nutritive regimes of soil for agricultural and forest crops, the regional communications service stated. The reclamation process usually involves two main stages - technical and biological. At the same time, according to ecologists, the most difficult for restoration are the lands that were used for storage and disposal of toxic waste. This category requires special reclamation, which can last for years, the duration of which depends on the type of waste and the severity of its impact on the land." The development of the reclamation project is a complex and multi-step process, which involves experts from different fields. "Today, the procedure of coordination of the reclamation project is a public service. It is rendered free of charge to individuals and legal entities on the basis of the relevant standard," the regional communications service added. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 Trend: Some 12,000 jobs will be created in Kazakhstan by the end of the year, the Minister of Investments and Development Zhenis Kassymbek said today at a meeting of the government, "Kazinform" INA reported. "It is planned to implement in the second half of this year about 100 projects worth about 1.1 trillion tenge with the creation of more than 12,200 jobs," the minister said. Thus, the significant projects scheduled for 2018 include the construction of a plant for the production of large diameter welded steel pipes in Almaty, the establishment by Prommashkomplekt LLP in Pavlodar region of a complex for the production of wheels for railway rolling stock and locomotives, the construction by "Orda Glass Ltd" LLP in Kyzylorda region of a plant for the production of heavy sheet glass. The official exchange rate on August 22 is 360,71 KZT/USD. Russian government ministries have agreed that a proposed windfall tax on metals, mining and chemical companies was inappropriate, Reuters reported citing Industry Minister Denis Manturov. With colleagues from other ministries, we reached a common position that as of today its inappropriate, he told reporters on the sidelines of a military forum outside Moscow. The proposal, put forward by Kremlin economic aide Andrei Belousov this month, listed Evraz, NLMK, Nornickel, Severstal, MMK, Mechel, Alrosa, Polyus, Phosagro and Acron as among the targeted companies. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement to create the Baiterek launch complex for a new Soyuz-5 medium-range missile at the Baikonur cosmodrome, Russias RIA Novosti news agency reported. Director General of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin and Minister of Defense and Aerospace Industries of Kazakhstan Beibut Atamkulov signed the document within the "Army-2018" forum. A promising medium-class carrier rocket Soyuz-5, which is developed in Russia, will be launched from Baiterek launch complex. The first launch is scheduled for 2022. Russia will modernize technical complexes for space technology and create a complex for pre-launch preparation of the new manned spacecraft Federation at Baikonur. Kazakhstan will deal with the maintenance and operation of the launch and technical infrastructure remaining from the Zenit rocket, its reconstruction and modernization for the use of the new missile. Kazcosmos reported that it is ready to allocate about $314 million for these purposes. In 2004, the presidents of the two countries signed an agreement on the effective use of Baikonur. A decision was made to create infrastructure for an environmentally friendly carrier rocket Angara at the cosmodrome. In 2007, Kazakhstan complained that the cost of the project increased seven-fold compared to the original amount. In 2012, the possibility of replacing Angara with Zenit rocket in the project, which had the necessary infrastructure at Baikonur, was considered. In 2014, a decision was made not to replace Angara with Zenit rocket of Ukrainian production in the Baiterek project due to the political situation in Ukraine. However, in 2016 negotiations were launched to use a new Russian medium-class carrier rocket, which in 2017 was called Soyuz-5. In June 2017, the Russian-Kazakh commission agreed on this decision. In April 2018, the Russian government published an order instructing the Roscosmos state corporation to hold talks with the Kazakh side with the participation of the Russian Foreign Ministry and, upon reaching an agreement, sign a protocol on the creation of the Baiterek rocket and space complex on behalf of the Russian government. The flight tests are scheduled for 2024. The cost of one launch is estimated at $55-56 million. Baikonur Cosmodrome is located in Kazakhstan and jointly managed by the Russian space agency Roscosmos and Russia's Aerospace Forces. Russia has agreements with the Central Asian country to lease the spaceport until 2050. (67.1783 RUB = $1 on Aug. 22) Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Uzbekistan and Tajikistan signed 58 contracts and agreements worth $133.2 million in such sectors as oil and gas, metallurgy, machine building, construction, pharmaceutics and others, the Uzbek Ministry for Foreign Trade said. The contracts were concluded following the Uzbek-Tajik business forum and exhibition of goods "Made in Tajikistan" as part of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon's state visit to Uzbekistan. More than 400 representatives of business communities of the two countries took part in the business forum. Among the signed documents are 52 export contracts worth $89.9 million, three import contracts worth $3.3 million and three financial cooperation agreements worth $40 million. On August 17, 2018 President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Rahmon visited the "Made in Tajikistan" exhibition and reviewed the products of Tajikistans manufacturing enterprises and companies. More than 100 big industrial enterprises of Tajikistan took part in the exhibition. An important goal of the business forum and exhibition is the establishment and strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation between the enterprises of the two countries, as well as the demonstration of Tajikistan's industrial products. Both events also contribute to attracting mutual investments and establishing joint ventures of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. ----- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 By Matanat Nasibova Trend: Azerbaijan eyes to increase the export of its products to Central European countries, namely Poland, till late 2018, trade representative of Azerbaijan in Poland Nemat Nagdaliyev told Trend. "The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Poland amounted to $50.137 million in January-July 2018," he said. "At the same time, exports from Azerbaijan to Poland amounted to $4.435 million, while imports - $45.702 million." Taking into account that for seven months of 2017 the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Poland amounted to $37.06 million, the trade turnover increased by 35.3 percent in 2018," Nagdaliyev said. "The dynamics of trade turnover growth for the last five years is about at the same level, so trade turnover is not expected to increase greatly," he said. Of course, we are also working in this direction." "To date, the main share in the export of Azerbaijani products to China and Central Europe accounts for alcoholic beverages, juices, compotes," Nagdaliyev said. "In the future, Azerbaijan intends to focus on the development of cooperation with Poland in such areas as agriculture, transport, chemical industry, IT, tourism," he said. "Today, there are all prerequisites for that. By the way, Azerbaijan was marked out by Polands Ministry of Economic Development as one of 22 most promising markets for Polish companies worldwide in 2017," Nagdaliyev said. He said that in 2017 Poland became the fourth biggest trading partner of Azerbaijan. To date, Russia, Italy, Turkey, Israel, Germany and China are the biggest trading partners of Azerbaijan. Poland is the sixth biggest market in the EU with fast-growing economy. In 2017, the country's GDP grew by 4.6 percent, while the forecast for 2018 was 3.8 percent. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 Trend: The State Service of Intellectual Property and Innovation under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzpatent) has proposed for the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund to conclude a memorandum of cooperation to establish partnership relations and promote projects in the field of innovations, the Kyrgyz national news agency Kabar said. There is a possibility to jointly support the best innovative projects of Kyrgyzstan. The task is to prioritize joint work in the real sector of the economy. Kyrgyzpatent has allocated grants for 11 projects worth about 7 million soms within the contest entitled "Best Innovative Project". Representatives of the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund stressed the importance of Kyrgyzpatent initiative aimed at developing cooperation and conducting purposeful work in promoting industrial developments to the market. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 Trend: The Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund invites Russian and Kyrgyz companies to participate in the business forum, to be held in Bishkek on September 14, 2018, the Kyrgyz national news agency Kabar reported. The event will be held with the support of the Russian embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic and the Trade Representative Office of the Russian Federation in the Kyrgyz Republic. The main goal of the forum is to become the main economic platform for entrepreneurs of Kyrgyzstan and Russia within the cooperation in the EEU. Round tables will be organized and B2B meetings will be held in key areas of the forum, namely, agriculture, engineering, light industry and tourism, to find joint business projects between entrepreneurs of Russia and Kyrgyzstan. The event will be held with the participation of officials of the Russian Federation and the Kyrgyz Republic, employees of ministries and departments. The Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund was established upon an agreement between the governments of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation. Since 2015 up till now, the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund has approved 1,451 projects worth $279 million. The main share of the loan portfolio consists of projects in the sphere of production and agriculture. The priority sectors for financing are agriculture, light industry, engineering, electronics, infrastructure of cities and settlements. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22 Trend: President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has recently held a governmental meeting, the Tajik news agency Avesta reported. The fulfilment of the presidents instructions and the implementation of governmental decrees were discussed at the meeting. The president summed up the results of his state visit to Uzbekistan. This visit with its effective results will be inscribed in the history of relations between the two neighbouring countries. One of the significant results is that Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reached the level of strategic partnership. The Tajik and Uzbek peoples once again become closer as a result of state return visits of heads of state, signing of documents, holding of business forums, exhibitions of industrial products of countries, cultural programs and friendship event in both countries, opening of 16 border checkpoints between the republics, restoration of air communication, highways, significant activity of the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and other factors. President Rahmon expressed sincere gratitude to industrialists, businessmen and entrepreneurs for presenting the best samples of goods and products, industrial achievements of the country at the exhibition entitled "Made in Tajikistan", as well as cultural and art figures for organizing an interesting program at the event entitled "Friendship Event". Taking into account the importance of the results of the visit and adoption of the necessary documents on cooperation, the president instructed the government of the Republic of Tajikistan, the board of the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan Intergovernmental Commission for the Development and Strengthening of Relations and the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation to take concrete measures to implement the signed documents. Other instructions were given in connection with comprehensive preparation for the nationwide celebration of the state independence of the Republic of Tajikistan. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Aug. 22 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: In connection with Eid al-Adha, August 22-24, 2018 have been declared non-working days in Turkmenistan. All institutions, enterprises and organizations, regardless of ownership have been prescribed to ensure the implementation of this presidential decree. The sacred prayer service of Eid Al-Ayat namaz and the ceremony of offering sacrifices will be performed in all the Muslim mosques of Turkmenistan on the first day of the holidays. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addressed the nation with an appeal. "Eid al-Adha is one of the oldest holidays, preaching the philosophical and ethical traditions of mankind, the nobility and sincerity of people, symbolizing the unification, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm in our society. This holiday reflects the principles formed over millennia and passed down from generation to generation, consonant with the high mentality of our people peacefulness, commitment to friendship, virtue and mercy. Eid al-Adha improves and enriches the spiritual and cultural life of our society, strengthening its unity and cohesion," the message reads. Traditionally, in the days of Eid al-Adha, music sounds on the streets, a lively trade takes place and high swings are installed everywhere in the settlements as a "symbol of purification". Tehran, Iran, August 22 Trend: Iranian Ambassador to Japan Morteza Rahmani-Movahed and Hiroaki Nakanishi, the chairman of Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) held a meeting in Tokyo and explored avenues for the promotion of trade ties between the two countries. During the meeting on Tuesday, Rahmani-Movahed said the trade and economic ties between Iran and Japan have made good progress in recent years and called for enhanced relations between the two sides, ISNA reported on August 22. He further described Keidanren as a good potential and economic organization that can help boost ties between Tehran and Tokyo, particularly in the field of energy. Nakanishi, for his part, said Iran has always played a key role in supplying Japans required energy. Referring to Irans rich culture and ancient history, he voiced his countrys readiness to boost ties with Iran in all spheres. Iran traded $1.09 billion worth of non-oil goods with Japan in the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2018), 35.15 percent less compared to the year before, making the East Asian country Irans 16th biggest trading partner. As per the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administrations data, Iran exported 982,358 tons of commodities worth $425.21 million to Japan last year, posting a 65.63 percent and 62.65 percent decline in tonnage and value respectively year-on-year. The exports mainly included gas condensates, methanol, flooring and carpets. Saudi Arabias air force intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Houthi militias that targeted Jazan on Tuesday night, Al Arabiya reported. This come after a Saudi air defenses intercepted a missile fired by the Houthis on Najran on Saturday. Houthi militias have been indiscriminately targeting the Saudi border with missiles in an attempt to cover up their losses as the Yemeni army and legitimate forces, backed by an Arab coalition, continue to advance and re-take provinces. European Union chief negotiator for Brexit Michel Barnier has officially ruled out the possibility that the bloc and the United Kingdom could reach a deal on Brexit during an October summit, Press TV reported. Barneir said after a meeting with Britains Brexit minister Dominic Raab on Tuesday that a deal on how the UK will leave the EU would not be completed by the European Council summit in October as previously hoped. I'm not going to say October, a few days here, the beginning of November, but not much later than that, said Barnier during a press conference with Raab in Brussels. The French diplomat, who has been tough with Britain on the countrys recent proposals for Brexit, said there will be works to do on key issues like the Irish border while the two sides will need time to prepare a political declaration on the future relationship. Raab was still hopeful a deal would come through during the EU summit although he admitted there remained differences on key issues. If we have that ambition, that pragmatism and that energy on both sides, Im confident we can reach that agreement by October, said Raab after the meeting with Barnier, adding, There are still gaps, weve had an honest conversation about those. The uncertainty about Brexit deepened in July when Barnier rejected key proposals from a plan submitted by British Prime Minister Theresa May earlier that month. Mays so-called white paper also sparked domestic controversies and caused two senior ministers in her cabinet, including Raabs predecessor David Davis, to resign. Fears have grown among the public that Britain could face serious shortage of foods and other basic items in case it fails to reach a withdrawal agreement with the EU. May has said that there are still chances to avoid a no-deal Brexit but she insists that Britain would not accept a bad deal. At least 11 people were killed in southern Italy on Monday when they were washed away over rocks by a raging white-water creek in a deep mountain gorge that swelled suddenly after heavy rain upstream, officials said, Reuters reported. The civil protection department said 23 people were rescued and about a dozen others were hospitalized after surviving the flash rush of water in the narrow gorge in the Calabria region. The 11th victim died in hospital. At least five people were missing but the total could be more because not all had entered the gorge with official guides and registered. Rescue squads worked through the night with spotlights, and helicopters took off a first light to survey the area. The nationalities of the dead and injured were not immediately known. Six of the victims were women and five were men. Most tourists and trekkers who visit the area, in the countrys deep south, are Italian. In some places the Raganello creek, part of the Pollino National Park, is at the bottom of a narrow, one-kilometer(0.8-mile)-deep gorge in the mountain. Rescue teams used ropes to descend the sides of the mountain to reach the site. This gorge filled up with water in a really short space of time and these people were catapulted out like bullets. They ended up some three kilometers (two miles) down the valley, said Carlo Tansi, head of the civil protection department in Calabria. Tansi said the gorge was only about four meters (13 ft) wide in some places, increasing the speed of the water and making the rescue more difficult. It is really difficult terrain, filled with obstacles because of the (geological) formation of the area, said Eugenio Facciolla, the chief prosecutor of the provincial capital, Cosenza. He said rescuers working under spotlights were trying to locate areas where some people may have survived by ending up on small patches of shore or tiny islands in the creek. Helmeted mountain rescue squads rushed from the nearest town of Civita to reach the gorge, a popular tourist attraction in summer. The most seriously injured were taken by helicopter to hospitals in Cosenza and Castrovillari. Last week, a motorway bridge collapsed in the northern Italian port city of Genoa, killing 43 people. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed that seven of their agents were injured when around 200 sub-Saharan migrants attacked and scaled the frontier fence that separates the Spanish north-African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Wednesday, Xinhua reported. The incident took place in the same area where over 600 migrants were able to force their way into what is effectively European Union (EU) territory on July 26. Spanish media reported that the migrants used high levels of violence in their efforts to cross the frontier -- throwing sticks, stones and batteries, as well as quicklime and excrement at the Civil Guards on the border. The Civil Guards were unable to stop the attack and seven members suffered injuries and burns. A total of 116 migrants are confirmed to have reached the temporary center for immigrants in Ceuta, although it is thought there could be others in the town still to arrive. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted a message of "support to the security forces who are facing up to the migratory challenge in an exemplary manner, especially the agents who have been injured today". "The government is working for dialogue and cooperation with their (the migrants) countries of origin for a shared, efficient, and humanitarian management of migration," said Sanchez. A group of 100 migrants were rescued and taken to Malta by the country's armed forces (AFM) on Wednesday, as tensions between the Mediterranean island and Italy continued to escalate, Xinhua reported. In a statement, the Maltese government said the migrants had been intercepted while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea on a rubber dinghy some 68 nautical miles south of Malta. It said the AFM had rescued the migrants, whose dinghy was taking on water and was going to sink. In addition to the 100 migrants that were found alive, the Maltese government said the AFM had also brought two corpses back to Malta. Migration has been thrust to the top of the European agenda in recent months, after Italy's new populist government changed its policy on receiving migrants. Italy refuses any boats carrying migrants and asylum seekers. On Tuesday, Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini accused Malta and a host of other European countries of failing to take in their share of a group of over 400 migrants that were allowed to disembark in Pozzallo last month. Salvini said that so far only France had taken in its share of the migrants. However, the Maltese government said this was not the case and that Malta had been in touch with Italian authorities in order to fulfill its obligations as soon as possible. "Nevertheless, the Italian authorities have not provided any tangible procedure for Malta to follow," read the Maltese statement. It added that on the other hand, it was "unfortunate" to note that "Italy has not yet fulfilled its commitments on the redistribution mechanism initiated by Malta with respect to the migrants" which landed in Malta on the MV Lifeline back in June. "Malta always participates in solidarity mechanisms and was the first European Union member state to fulfill its commitments with regard to the European Commission's solidarity mechanism with respect to Italy and Greece," the Maltese government said. Three people were killed in an incident in an eastern Belgian village on Wednesday, Reuters reported according to Belgian media, while a local official said it was a family affair that had nothing to do with terrorism. The La Libre Belgique daily said on its website a male attacker was among the three dead, who also included two women. Another daily, Le Soir, said he had entered a restaurant in the village of Moresnet-Chapelle and stabbed a former partner. This act has no terrorist nature and relates to the private sphere, Thierry Wimmer, mayor of neighboring Plombieres, said on Facebook. A major dam in central Thailand's Phetchaburi province is expected to overflow at Wednesday noon, triggering a fresh flood, officials said on Tuesday, Xinhua reported. The Kaeng Krachan dam is currently holding 777 million cubic metres of water or 109 percent of its full capacity, the highest level in 10 year, and discharging water at the rate of 286 cubic metres per second. The spillover is expected to overflow the Phetchaburi river banks to flood Phetchaburi town by noon on Wednesday, provincial irrigation project director Sant Jorncharoen told a press conference on Tuesday. He said the spillway of the dam saw running water of 1.44 meters high on Tuesday morning. Irrigation departments estimated that the town would be flooded for five to seven days before subsiding, with floodwater of 10 to 20 cm deep. Provincial authorities have been asked to speed up drainage downstream rivers as nearly 50 resort hotel near rivers were submerged. Eight other provinces - Bueng Kan, Sakhon Nakhon, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong, Krabi, Trang and Satun, were warned of more fresh floods as they face varying levels of risk as heavy rains continued. "CDC canceled Christmas so Im spending my winter in the tropics." Don Kumm was this week's winner. The winner's name will be put into a drawing for a free month subscription or extension. Look for a new photo Monday. KYODO NEWS - Aug 22, 2018 - 21:02 | World, Feature, All A group of South Koreans tearfully bid farewell to their relatives in North Korea as they returned home following the first of two rounds of reunions of family members separated by the 1950-1953 Korean War. The three-day event was held at a resort at Mt. Kumgang on the southeastern coast of North Korea. The second round is scheduled to be held there Friday to Sunday. (Women in Kumgang, North Korea, see off their family members returning to the South) [Pool photo] Many participants tried to part with their relatives with a smile. But not knowing whether they would ever meet again, they burst into tears as they shared their last words and waved each other. "Let's meet again on the day of reunification" one North Korean lady cried out while sending off her aunt, one of 89 elderly South Koreans who participated. The South Koreans crossed the border by bus around 3 p.m. Starting from the first reunion event in 1985, the reunions were held more frequently after an inter-Korean summit in 2000. Over 20,000 Koreans from both sides were involved in reunion events, including those via video, between 2000 and 2015. The reunions were halted as inter-Korean relations worsened following North Korea's fourth nuclear test and long-range rocket launches in early 2016. This week's reunion event was a part of agreement reached at the April 29 summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae In. The Korean War ended with an armistice treaty, not a peace treaty, meaning that the two Koreas are technically in a state of a war. (A South Korean man, left, and his war-separated family member) [Pool photo] There is no end to speculation about how big the amount with the Awqaf treasury is. In 1971, according to official documents, 1.4 million Saudi riyals had been deposited. Many international media reports value this at $1 billion today. Collusion isnt the only crime. Photo: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images As journalists scrambled to report on two stunning, simultaneous legal developments on Tuesday afternoon Michael Cohen pleading guilty to campaign finance violations and Paul Manaforts conviction in his financial fraud trail President Trump and his legal team insisted there was simply nothing to see. It doesnt involve me but its a very sad thing, Trump said of the Manafort verdict. It had nothing to do with Russian collusion. There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the governments charges against Mr. Cohen, said Trumps lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. Of course, anyone who can decipher the Cohen plea agreements reference to Individual 1, who became President of the United States, knows thats not true. The Cohen and Manafort developments plunged Trump into more serious legal jeopardy on several fronts, and dealt a huge blow to his effort to discredit Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Heres why Trumps legal troubles are now far more serious. Trump was implicated in a federal crime, though he probably wont be charged. While entering his guilty plea on Tuesday, Cohen said he paid hush money to two women who claim they had affairs with Trump, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office. His plea agreement said these payments were made for the principal purpose of influencing the election. Generally, if your lawyer pleads guilty to committing crimes at your behest, you should expect to face charges very shortly. But Trump probably wont be indicted for now, at least solely because hes president. The Constitution does not say that a president cant be indicted, but the conventional wisdom holds that hes immune from criminal prosecution. If the president is a crook, its up to Congress to impeach him; he can be charged only after he leaves office. This view has been embraced by many legal scholars, as well as the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel. Some academics argue that the president can indeed be prosecuted while in office, but the Supreme Court has never settled the matter. Cohens admission brings us closer than ever to resolving the question. Campaign finance prosecutions are rare, and the case most relevant to Trumps predicament is the 2012 trial of presidential candidate John Edwards over allegations that two donors spent nearly a million dollars to cover up his extramarital affair. Edwards was acquitted on one count and the jury couldnt reach a decision on the others. The case hinged on whether the money was spent primarily for personal or political reasons. Trump allies are likely to make that same argument in the coming weeks, though the case against Trump is much stronger: The payments to Daniels and McDougal were made immediately before the election, Cohen said they were political, and he has a tape that proves Trump knew about them. However, thats likely to be a moot point (and not just due to holes in our campaign finance laws). If Mueller wanted to charge Trump, he could ask a grand jury to indict him, after seeking permission from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. But Trumps lawyers claim that Muellers office has told them that it will adhere to the Justice Departments view that sitting presidents cant be indicted. If thats true, Mueller could seek an indictment but delay the proceedings until after Trump leaves office, or just put together a report that Congress could use to pursue impeachment. In that case, Trump might be the first president since Nixon to be named an unindicted co-conspirator in legal proceedings. In fact, some academics say thats essentially what happened on Tuesday. The presidents personal attorney has given sworn testimony in open court that he committed campaign finance violations in coordination with and at the direction of the president, Dukes Lisa Kern Griffin told Vox. Although the president is not named in the charges, he is all but an unindicted co-conspirator. Cohen and Manafort are more likely to flip for Mueller. President Trump was surprisingly restrained at a rally in West Virginia on Tuesday night, though he did make a passing reference to the fake news and the Russian witch hunt. He asked, Where is the collusion? You know, theyre still looking for collusion! Where is the collusion? Find some collusion. We want to find the collusion. Its true that neither Manaforts conviction nor Cohens guilty plea shed light on the Trump-Russia connection, but they both increase the likelihood that the men will cooperate with Muellers team. After being found guilty on eight counts of bank and tax fraud, Manafort is facing a maximum sentence of 80 years in prison. And his trial in D.C. next month, which will focus more on his work with pro-Russian interests, could lengthen his sentence significantly. Cohens plea agreement, which includes jail time, does not require him to cooperate with prosecutors in Manhattan or Muellers team, but it doesnt preclude him from doing so in the future. The reasons for this are unclear, but Cohens lawyer, Lanny Davis, suggested on Tuesday night that its not because his client is unwilling to cooperate. Davis told Rachel Maddow that Cohen has information on Trumps knowledge of Russian hacking and the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election. He said his client would be more than happy to relay that information to Mueller. Lanny Davis: "Mr. Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows." pic.twitter.com/NxPmShwunw Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) August 22, 2018 If either Cohen or Manafort provide significant assistance to the special counsels investigation, Mueller could recommend that their sentences be reduced. Trump may have to give a deposition in the Stormy Daniels suit. Stormy Daniels filed a lawsuit to get out of her hush agreement with Trump, but in April a California judge put the case on hold for 90 days as the Cohen criminal probe moved forward in New York. Danielss lawyer, Michael Avenatti, said on Tuesday that in light of Cohens guilty plea, hell move forward with efforts to depose Trump. The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 21, 2018 Trump may be tempted to pardon Cohen and Manafort. Tuesdays developments might make pardoning Cohen and Manafort look more attractive to Trump. The president has the authority to issue a pardon or commute the sentence of anyone he wants (and maybe even himself). But in this situation, that would be an incredibly risky move for a number of reasons. First, Trump cant issue pardons for state crimes, and while so far his aides have only been charged at the federal level, state attorneys general could file their own charges. Second, Trumps former associates would be unable to plead the Fifth Amendment if called to testify against him. The amendment only applies to self-incrimination, so if Cohen or Manafort were no longer at risk of prosecution, theyd have no justification for refusing to answer Muellers questions. Finally, Trump could be opening himself up to further obstruction charges if he issues pardons to protect himself. In a Times op-ed, Noah Bookbinder and Norman Eisen of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, and white-collar criminal defense attorney Barry Berke, explained the potential consequences for the president: A pardon for Mr. Manafort could also end up inflicting more harm on the Trump presidency than any of the other allegedly obstructive acts Mr. Trump has so far undertaken. The Constitution and the laws of our country do not allow Mr. Trump to dangle the possibility of, or explicitly offer, pardons with corrupt intent. If his fawning statements about Mr. Manafort during the jury deliberations were part of an effort to impede or harm the investigation, that could be used to support the obstruction of justice case against him. If he or his representatives had gone further and actually promised or offered pardons to Mr. Manafort or other potential Mueller witnesses to prevent or change their testimony, as some reports suggest, that could support bribery charges as well. Theres now a stronger case for impeachment. Impeachment is a political process, not a criminal one, and Republicans in Congress have shown a very high tolerance for actions that might have once been considered high crimes and misdemeanors. Some of Trumps allies have already shrugged off Tuesdays implications, suggesting that the president should only be held accountable if he personally conspired with Vladimir Putin to steal the 2016 election. GRAHAM: "Campaign finance violations, I don't know what will come from that, but the thing that will hurt the President the most is if, in fact, his campaign did coordinate with a foreign govt like Russia, anything short of that is probably going to fall into partisan camps" Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) August 21, 2018 But the fact that the hush payments have nothing to do with Russia is what makes Cohens claims so dangerous for Trump. Even if Mueller finds Trump knew nothing of Russias effort to boost his candidacy, hes still been accused of violating federal law. This is the first of all the people in Trumps orbit who have been indicted or convicted or taken plea deals, this is the first that implicates the president in any wrongdoing, noted Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California at Irvine. Tuesdays legal bombshells amplified the message that Muellers investigation is much more than a phony witch hunt. And Republicans may not control Congress forever. It certainly gives the Democrats, should they win the House of Representatives, a serious piece of evidence to enter into articles of impeachment, Mark Corallo, former spokesman for Trumps legal team, told Politico. When you can say that the president directed someone to break the law thats a problem. Thats a big problem. Srinagar: A number of protestors took to streets in Srinagar and waved the Pakistan national flag and ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) symbols on the day of Eid al-Adha. Unknown persons also pelted stones on security forces. The whole episode took place on Wednesday after the city residents gathered together for morning namaz at a mosque on Eid. Here are ANI Footages which show protestors carrying black banners with words 'MUSA ARMY' This is in an alleged reference to Zakir Musa, who is the head of an al-Qaeda associated rebellious outfit. Soon after, a very big clash broke out between the security forces and protestors. Worth mention here earlier in the day, terrorists killed Special Police Officer (SPO) Fayaz Ahmad in Zazripora village in Jammu and Kashmir`s Shopian district. "He was shifted to a hospital where the doctors said he was dead on arrival," the police informed. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) affiliate, Shabir Ahmed Bhat, was shot dead at his home by terrorists in the wee hours of Wednesday. On a related note the BJP affiliate was a resident of Rakh-e-litter village in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Here is the video- URBANA, Ill. - Spay and neuter services can reduce the number of feral and free-roaming cats, but the invasive procedures are expensive and require a high level of veterinary training. Researchers have considered an injectable contraceptive vaccine - GonaCon - that has been shown to be effective in several mammals, including deer, horses, and laboratory-raised cats. But field-testing such a product is complicated. That's why a group of University of Illinois researchers created a unique study environment designed to bridge the gap between the lab and the real world. In short, it's a cat wonderland in which resident cats help to advance science. "Many facilities have come a long way in making research conditions more humane for the animals, but they still involve small enclosures without a lot of enrichment," says Amy Fischer of the Department of Animal Sciences at U of I and lead investigator of the study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. "We wanted to make our cats' environment much more stimulating." A pole barn was built to house the 35 cats in the study. In a unique approach, the facility was dual-licensed as a USDA research facility and an Illinois Department of Agriculture animal shelter. With a giant climbing tree in the middle, the completely open structure had two levels, furniture, toys, scented objects, myriad hidey-holes, and a quarter-acre outdoor enclosure. Enrichment also included interaction with student volunteers, who played with and trained the cats to feel more comfortable with veterinary exams and procedures. "The cats got pretty used to going to the exam room; they'd just lay back for ultrasounds," Fischer says. "That conditioning for cats, going through medical procedures and getting accustomed to cat carriers and wearing harnesses, really helped when we adopted them out at the end." Female cats were allowed to intermingle and breed with the five males as they would in natural conditions. The majority of females (20) were treated with GonaCon, but 10 others were left untreated for comparison. Unlike previous studies that relied on genetically uniform laboratory-raised cats, the cats in this study came from local animal shelters, making the population more realistic. "It was important for us to recruit cats that didn't have very favorable outcomes, including high-risk cats that were probably going to be euthanized at the shelters," Fischer says. "Part of our big picture was to bring in cats that didn't have good possibilities elsewhere." Ultimately, as reported in a separate Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery study, the vaccine was not effective in preventing pregnancies in this population. Sixty percent of treated females were impregnated within a few months of receiving the vaccine, and an additional 10 percent became pregnant within a year. Because of the low success rate in the first year, the study - planned for five years - was scrapped early. Fischer says new contraceptive technologies are being developed, and suspects she'll use the hybrid research/shelter facility again in the future to test them. By then, the facility may not be the only one of its kind, as several researchers and shelters have inquired about the design. Fischer says there are lessons from the study for any cat lover. "Cats are far more complicated and intelligent creatures than a lot of people realize. To see them respond to our training and really thrive with the enrichment we offered was very rewarding. I'd encourage anyone who has cats to think about what they might need in their environment to live a richer life. And always, always spay/neuter. Please." ### The article, "Hybrid model intermediate between a laboratory and field study: A humane paradigm shift in feline research," is published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery [DOI: 10.1177/1098612X18791872]. Authors include Amy Fischer, Valerie Benka, Joyce Briggs, Joanne Maki, Kevin Morris, Kayla Myers, Linda Rhodes, George Weedon, and July Levy. Weedon is the recently retired director and clinical assistant professor of the Shelter Medicine Program in the College of Veterinary Medicine at U of I. The study was funded by the Morris Animal Foundation and the John T and Jane A Wiederhold Foundation. Chuck Schumer called Michael Cohens plea a game changer for Brett Kavanaughs nomination. Photo: J Scott Applewhite/AP/REX/Shutterstock Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a handful of his Democratic colleagues called for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaughs confirmation hearing to be delayed on Wednesday, a day after Michael Cohens guilty plea implicated President Trump in a federal crime. Its a game changer. It should be, Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor. A president identified as a co-conspirator of a federal crime, an accusation not made by a political enemy, but by the closest of his own confidants, is on the verge of making a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh is currently taking meetings with senators ahead of September 4, when his confirmation hearing is set to begin. But two Democratic senators said Wednesday that theyve canceled their sit-downs with the judge. Mazie Hirono told reporters that she wont be meeting with Kavanaugh because I choose not to extend a courtesy to this president who is an un-indicted co-conspirator of meeting with his nominee. Ed Markey said he too had canceled his meeting, tweeting that Kavanaughs nomination should be considered illegitimate. I will not take a meeting with Brett Kavanaugh. He has been nominated by someone implicated, and all but named as a co-conspirator, in federal crimes. His nomination is tainted and should be considered illegitimate. Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) August 22, 2018 Senator Richard Blumenthal, meanwhile, wants the hearings delayed so the Senate Judiciary Committee isnt distracted from its investigation into the Trump campaigns possible collusion with Russia. And Senator Cory Booker says he wants to delay Kavanaughs confirmation fight until the special counsel investigation is over. What I want right now is for us to, when it comes to Kavanaugh, to wait until this Mueller probe is done before we move forward, he said. The problem, Democrats say, is not just Trump being implicated in a federal crime, but Kavanaughs known deference to presidential power. In a tweet, Schumer cited the judges refusal to say a POTUS must comply w a duly issued subpoena and Markey, in his own tweet, wrote that Trumps nomination of a man who believes the president cant be indicted is not a coincidence. The problem for these Democrats is that have no say in whether the confirmation hearings will begin on September 4. White House spokesperson Raj Shah has already promised that the hearings will not be delayed and Republican Judiciary Committee member Senator Lindsey Graham still insists that Kavanaugh will be confirmed. Cohens plea has zero effect on Kavanaugh, Graham said Wednesday. This wont be pulled and hell get confirmed, he said. azealia banks elon musk combo photo AP/Getty/Business Insider US rapper Azealia Banks is demanding Elon Musk return her phone in a series of cryptic Instagram post. In one now-deleted Instagram Story, Banks claimed Musk's attorney was in possession of her phone and is deleting evidence following an encounter at the Tesla CEO's home earlier this month. Musk denied that he or his lawyers have Banks' phone. "It's a f---ing mess," Banks told Business Insider when asked for further comment. "I want my phone and I want to go home." Banks also pointed BI to the fact that Musk has apparently deleted his Instagram account. It's the bizarre Tesla subplot that just won't die. Rapper Azealia Banks is posting cryptic messages about Tesla CEO Elon Musk on her Instagram account, demanding in a series of updates that the billionaire returns her phone. She also threatened to call the police. "It's a f---ing mess I want my phone and I want to go home," Banks told Business Insider when asked for further details via Instagram DM late Monday evening. "I'm like in tears right now," she added. "This has nothing to do with me." It's a development on Banks' claims last week that she spent a weekend at Musk's Los Angeles home earlier this month to collaborate with his girlfriend, the musician Grimes. During Banks' stay, she says she overheard Musk on the phone "scrounging for investors to cover his ass" for saying he had secured funding to take Telsa private. Banks relayed the experience to Business Insider's Kate Taylor. A representative for Musk initially said he had never met Banks. But then he told the New York Times that he did spot the rapper at his home "as she was leaving." He said Banks was not in "hearing range" and he did not recognize her. Banks' cryptic messages about her phone Now Banks is claiming that Musk has her phone. She tagged him in two posts, one asking Musk to contact her, and the other saying: "I need my phone back now." Story continues Azealia Banks' Instagram messages Azealia Banks/Instagram The posts alone do not explain why Musk has her handset, but a now-deleted update casts more light on her side of the story. The message, screenshotted by Cheddar anchor Hope King below, claims that Musk's attorney has Banks' phone and is deleting evidence. Tweet Embed: //twitter.com/mims/statuses/1031784571120046080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw You up? Latest from Ms. Banks pic.twitter.com/PA92P8h512 A spokesman for Musk said: "Elon doesnt know Azealia Banks. He doesnt have her phone and neither do his lawyers." Azealia Banks' Instagram messages Azealia Banks/Instagram Banks additionally drew another Business Insider reporter's attention to the fact that Musk had apparently deleted his Instagram account. "I wonder why he deleted his account," she said. "Very strange." Banks also expressed her distaste for journalists. "I generally think journalists are parasitic," she said, adding that she could "never imagine salivating the way you do" over stories. She then went on to ask Business Insider to write about her cosmetics range. NOW WATCH: We used a headset that transforms your brain activity into a light display here's how it works See Also: SEE ALSO: Rapper Azealia Banks claims she was at Elon Musk's house over the weekend as he was 'scrounging for investors' SEE ALSO: It looks like Elon Musk has deleted his Instagram account 2018 is turning out to be a nerve-wracking year for investors in metals and mining stocks. Prices, right from base metals like copper and aluminum to precious metals like gold and silver, are getting hammered. Two stocks that have felt the heat are leading silver miner, Hecla Mining (NYSE: HL), and the largest publicly traded copper producer and among the top 10 gold producers in the world, Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX). Both stocks have given up more than 30% of their value so far this year. The thing is, it's not just the volatility in metal prices that's slamming Hecla Mining and Freeport-McMoRan -- company-specific challenges have taken a bigger toll. Recent developments, however, signal an improvement in prospects, something investors might be overlooking. Does that make Hecla or Freeport-McMoRan a buy today? A look at what's happening at both companies reveals the answer. Hecla Mining: Making up the loss of silver with gold Hecla Mining reported surprisingly strong numbers for its second quarter earlier this month, and its shares soared by double digits soon after. Before I tell you why the quarter was important, you must know the backstory. A blue street sign with the words Where to invest? Image source: Getty Images. Hecla Mining's woes started when it shut down a key silver mine, Lucky Friday at Idaho, in March last year following a union labor strike. Nearly 17 months on, the dispute is yet to be resolved and the mine is barely operational: It produced only 124,467 ounces of silver during the six months ended June 30. That compares with a production of 3.6 million ounces in fiscal 2016 when the mine was fully operational. This comes at a time when another mine, San Sebastian, is nearing the end of its life. That leaves Hecla with only two operating mines, Greens Creek and Casa Berardi, to fall back on. Thankfully, both reported strong production growth, especially for gold, last quarter, which, when combined with higher average realized prices, helped the miner rack up strong numbers. Story continues Metric Q2 2018 Q2 2017 Year-Over-Year Change Sales $147.3 million $134.3 million 9.8% Net income (loss) $12 million ($24.2 million) NA Operating cash flow $30.6 million $7.6 million 303% Data source: Hecla Mining. Hecla gave shareholders another reason to cheer: It closed the acquisition of Nevada-based gold Klondex Mines and is now ramping up production at "cornerstone asset" Fire Creek. Thanks to the acquisition, Hecla also boosted its fiscal 2018 outlook and now expects to produce 262,000-284,000 ounces of gold versus roughly 233,000 ounces it produced in 2017. The miner's silver production, however, will likely drop almost 18% this year. Pie charts showing Hecla Mining's metal-wise production before and after the Klondex acquisition. Image source: Hecla Mining. In the longer run, Klondex should boost Hecla's growth prospects for two reasons. First, it will push the miner's exposure to precious metals to 80% from 74%, with gold making up half its production. Second, it expands Hecla's footprint in the geopolitically stable high-potential Nevada mining region. Freeport-McMoRan: Better visibility ahead If not for the brewing trade war between the U.S. and China and the resulting meltdown in base metal prices, the market would be more optimistic about Freeport-McMoRan given how a drawn-out issue in Indonesia is closing. Freeport-McMoRan has significant stake in Indonesia through its Grasberg mine: The nation accounted for 26% of the company's copper and 99% of the company's gold production in fiscal 2017. Copper exports from the mine, though, took a hit following a dispute with the Indonesian government. In July, Freeport-McMoRan negotiated a deal with Indonesia that would require it to reduce its stake marginally for $350 million and its joint-venture partner Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO) to divest its entire 40% stake for $3.85 billion in favor of a state-owned enterprise. In effect, Freeport-McMoRan will end up owning a 49% stake in Grasberg with the government owning the rest. Notably, Freeport-McMoRan will operate the mine, which means while it'll bear essentially all of the costs related to development, a major chunk of the benefits will go to the Indonesian government. Nonetheless, a deal should bring much-needed stability to the miner's operations in Indonesia. The company currently expects to spend $700 million annually on Grasberg over the next five years, with 2019 expected to be its "transition year" as it shifts to an underground mine, Grasberg Block Cave. Freeport McMoRan's copper and gold production, therefore, will likely drop substantially next year before picking up. Charts showing Freeport-McMoRan's projected copper, gold, and molybdenum sales through 2020. Image source: Freeport-McMoRan. Meanwhile, the miner's capital expenditures are set to rise, which could mean lower cash flows over the next couple of years at least. Otherwise, aggressive deleveraging in the past couple of years and the reinstating of a dividend earlier this year are testimony to Freeport-McMoRan's improving financial standing. The better buy Frankly, both Hecla Mining and Freeport-McMoRan still have their fair share of challenges to deal with. Yet, Freeport-McMoRan stands out for its efforts to solve the Indonesian dispute even as Hecla can't seem to resolve internal conflicts at Lucky Friday. To be clear, I wouldn't recommend buying Freeport-McMoRan yet given the volatility in metal prices and a challenging 2019 ahead, but I'd watch this stock closely for long-term investing. More From The Motley Fool Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Blockchain law society As South Korean lawmakers discuss regulations and guidelines for the cryptocurrency sector, a group of domestic blockchain experts will establish a new society to study the legal aspects concerning the decentralized technology. Dubbed the Blockchain Law Society, the new organization will officially launch this Friday, August 24, according to a report from local publication Yonhap. The collective will see a group of blockchain experts vying to propel studies on the legal aspects surrounding blockchain technology and promote it for various applications in a number of sectors. Blockchain Law Society was founded not only to study blockchain technology from a legal aspect but to promote interdisciplinary collaborations between diverse areas, such as economics, computer engineering (and) field business, the working group said in an announcement this week. The organization added it would invite experts from numerous areas beyond the technology sector including prosecutors, judges, professors and other industry experts to carry out academic and legal studies of the technology as well as proposing legislation for regulating the crypto and blockchain sector domestically. The new collaborative society comes to the fore at a time when South Koreas government announced a 1 trillion won budget ($918 million) for a big push in developing big data, AI and blockchain technology in 2019. South Koreas Ministry of Science and ICT is also promoting blockchain education within Koreas youth, proactively encouraging and training young graduates and students to understand the decentralized technology. Earlier this month, the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) the countrys financial watchdog threw its support in backing blockchain technology to fundamentally power stock trading without a centralized ledger. Koreas shipping industry has also held a successful 7-month pilot of imports and exports from Korean shipping ports on a blockchain developed by Samsung SDS, the IT subsidiary of electronics giant Samsung. Featured image from Shutterstock. The post New Blockchain Law Society Will Examine Legal Frameworks in South Korea appeared first on CCN. Today, I will be analyzing China Animation Characters Company Limiteds (HKG:1566) recent ownership structure, an important but not-so-popular subject among individual investors. When it comes to ownership structure of a company, the impact has been observed in both the long-and short-term performance of shares. Differences in ownership structure of companies can have a profound effect on how managements incentives are aligned with shareholder returns, which is why well take a moment to analyse 1566s shareholder registry. View our latest analysis for China Animation Characters SEHK:1566 Ownership Summary August 22nd 18 Institutional Ownership Institutional investors transact in large blocks which can influence the momentum of stock prices, at least in the short-term, especially when there is a low level of public shares available on the market to trade. A low institutional ownership of 1.28% puts 1566 on a list of companies that are not likely exposed to spikes in volatility resulting from institutional trading. Insider Ownership Insiders form a group of important ownership types as they manage the companys operations and decide the best use of capital. Insider ownership has been linked to better alignment between management and shareholders. 55.33% ownership of 1566 insiders is large enough to make an impact on shareholder returns. In general, this level of insider ownership has negatively affected underperforming (consistently low PE ratio) companies and positively affected the companies that outperform (consistently high PE ratio). Another aspect of insider ownership is to learn about their recent transactions. Insider buying may be a sign of upbeat future expectations, however, selling doesnt necessarily mean the opposite as insiders may be motivated by their personal financial needs. General Public Ownership A substantial ownership of 43.39% in 1566 is held by the general public. With this size of ownership, retail investors can collectively play a role in major company policies that affect shareholders returns, including executive remuneration and the appointment of directors. They can also exercise the power to decline an acquisition or merger that may not improve profitability. Story continues Next Steps: With a low level of institutional ownership, investors in 1566 need not worry about non-fundamental factors such as ownership structure causing large impact on stock prices. However, ownership structure should not be the only determining factor when youre building an investment thesis for 1566. Rather, you should be examining fundamental factors such as China Animation Characterss past track record and financial health. I highly recommend you to complete your research by taking a look at the following: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for 1566s future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for 1566s outlook. Past Track Record: Has 1566 been consistently performing well irrespective of the ups and downs in the market? Go into more detail in the past performance analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of 1566s historicals for more clarity. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore our free list of these great stocks here. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) launches new restaurant in Lynnwood, WA. The company is also foraying into the lucrative markets of the Middle East, North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe and others. In a bid to expand its footprint in domestic market, The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated CAKE announced the opening of a restaurant in Lynnwood, WA. The restaurant offers over 250 menu items along with more than 50 cheesecakes and desserts. Currently, the company operates 215 full-service company-owned restaurants 199 under The Cheesecake Factory brand, 14 under the Grand Lux cafe brand and two under the RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen brand. Cheesecake Factory is also foraying into the lucrative markets of the Middle East, North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey, Mexico, Kuwait, Lebanon and Chile. Notably, this initiative is in line with the companys strategy to keep up with industry peers like Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. and Brinker International Inc. EAT. In 2018, it plans to open six company-owned restaurants. Under licensing agreement, the company intends to launch three more international restaurants in the current year. Higher Costs: A Possible Headwind Of late, Cheesecake Factorys profits have been under pressure due to rising wage rates. Moreover, pre-opening costs of outlets, given the companys unit expansion plans and expenses related to sales initiatives, are adding to the costs and might hurt profits. In the second quarter of 2018, labor expense ratio was 35.8%, up 190 bps from the year-ago quarter. The metric was primarily driven by higher hourly labor, including more wages, overtime and training costs. Notably, pre-opening expenses were 0.3% of total revenues, up 10 bps from the prior-year quarter number. In a months time, shares of Cheesecake Factory have declined 11.8% against the industrys 2.6% growth. The decline can be primarily attributed to lower-than-expected earnings for the two straight quarters. In the second quarter, adjusted earnings of 65 cents per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 81 cents by 19.8%. Moreover, downward earnings estimate revisions raise questions over the stocks future earnings potential. For 2018, the consensus mark moved south 8.9% over the past 30 days. Story continues Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider Cheesecake Factory has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). Some better-ranked stocks in the same space are Dine Brands Global, Inc. DIN and Darden Restaurants, Inc. DRI. Both the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Dine Brands Global reported better-than-expected earnings in the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 8.1%. Darden Restaurants delivered better-than-expected earnings in the preceding four quarters. More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone! It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market. Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020. Click here for the 6 trades > 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 The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) : Free Stock Analysis Report DineEquity, Inc (DIN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Republicans are stuck with the heavily indicted Duncan Hunter, making a very safe Republican district dicey. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images One of the first two congressmen to endorse Donald Trump for president was Chris Collins of New York, who recently ended his reelection campaign after being indicted on insider trading charges. The other was Californias Duncan Hunter, who was indicted on Tuesday, along with his wife, for using hundreds of thousands of dollars of campaign funds for personal use. This really hasnt been a good day for the president. The indictment wasnt a total surprise: Hunter has been under investigation by the Justice Department for misuse of campaign funds for more than two years. But the actual indictment shows malfeasance at an epic level, as CNN reports: Hundreds of thousands of dollars in unusual charges on Hunters campaign credit card had come under scrutiny, including among other things, an Italian vacation, dental work, purchases at a surf shop, and huge tabs at bars in restaurants in the San Diego and Washington, DC, areas. Among the most mocked charges was airfare for a pet rabbit to fly with the family, which an aide said was mistakenly charged to the wrong credit card. Maybe the airfare for the rabbit was a mistake, but its impossible to believe the whole wild range of expenses was an oversight. And the statement from the Department of Justice alleges that the Hunters were deliberately using campaign money to pay for expenses they could not personally afford. While the indictment hardly came out of the blue, the timing is terrible for the GOP. The allegations are of a nature and extent that would normally cause a congressman to retire if not resign. But its too late for Hunter to remove his name from the ballot. Hunters San Diego Countybased 50th Congressional District leans pretty heavily Republican. After the candidate Democratic professionals were hoping for, former Navy SEAL Josh Butner, finished third in the top two primary in June, Cook Political Report reclassified the race from Likely Republican to Solid Republican. But the second-place finisher, liberal former Labor Department official Ammar Campa-Najjar, has done a good job of fundraising, and will merit a second look. He is not, after all, under indictment for using campaign funds to buy airfare for a rabbit. Ethiopian Airlines, with more than 100 aircraft, is the largest in Africa. Pictured here: a Boeing 737-700 aircraft taking off in November 2018 (AFP Photo/ISSOUF SANOGO) Addis Ababa (AFP) - Ethiopian Airlines is teaming up with four African airlines and has inked a deal to set up a fifth, the company's chief executive told AFP, as it continues its expansion on the continent. The group's CEO Tewolde Gebremariam told AFP Tuesday that his company has finalised deals giving it a 49 percent stake in the national airlines of Guinea -- which recently relaunched after 15 years on the ground -- and Chad -- whose airline was grounded in 2012 over serious safety concerns. It has also finalised a deal to take a 45 percent stake in Zambia Airways, which went under in the nineties, and taken over the management of Equatorial Guinea's airline which has also battled safety concerns. Ethiopian Airlines has also formed a new airline in Mozambique with full ownership. "Guinea Airlines is preparing to start flights to neighbouring and regional countries soon, Chad Airlines will start work on October 1, Mozambique Airlines will start operations by the end of the year and at the request of Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang, ET has taken over complete management of the countrys national air carrier," said Gebremariam. Gebremariam said Ethiopian Airlines was already the biggest African air operator, transporting about 10.6 million passengers during the fiscal year which ended in July. He said the airline wanted closer ties with other carriers on the continent to create a feeling that it is an "African airline", in line with African Union goals for greater economic integration. Ethiopian Airlines also recently announced talks to buy a stake in Eritrean Airlines after a landmark peace deal ended a bitter 20-year conflict between the two nations and they resumed air links. The carrier from Africa's second most populous country already has interests in the airline of Malawi and Togo-based private carrier ASKY, and has signalled its desire to help establish nascent state-run carrier Nigeria Air. Facebook has removed 652 Pages, accounts, and groups linked to Iran and Russia that it says engaged in coordinated inauthentic behavior. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a press briefing on Tuesday that theres a lot we dont know yet about the motives behind the activity and he did not say whether the groups had spread fake news or propaganda. He would only say that the people behind the accounts were intentionally misleading people about who they were and what they were doing. Authenticity matters, Zuckerberg said. Facebook said that that the Iranian entities targeted Facebook users in Middle East, Latin America, the United Kingdom, and the United States, but it did not cite specific examples of what the organizations had attempted to do. The company said in a corporate blog post that one unnamed group linked to Iran shared unspecified content about Middle East politics in Arabic and Farsi. The same organization also shared content about politics in the UK and US in English, but Facebook didnt elaborate further. Facebook said that it had briefed the U.S. and U.K. governments as well as the U.S. Treasury and State Departments because of ongoing U.S. sanctions against Iran. Regarding the Russian entities, Facebook said the pages, groups, and accounts it kicked off its service were linked to sources the U.S. government has previously identified as Russian military services, but were not connected to Iran. The company said that these bad actors focused on politics in Syria and Ukraine and were spreading pro-Russian and pro-Assad content. Zuckerberg said that the company understands that 2018 is a very important election year and reiterated some of the steps the company is taking to prevent bad actors from sowing discord on its service, like using machine learning technology to filter misleading content. Get Data Sheet, Fortunes technology newsletter. So this is really serious, he said. This is a top priority for the company. In early July, Facebook said it removed 17 Facebook profiles, 8 Facebook pages, and 7 Instagram accounts that were engaging in inauthentic behavior leading up to the middterm elections. U.S. Senator Mark Warner said at the time that the disclosure is further evidence that the Kremlin continues to exploit platforms like Facebook to sow division and spread disinformation, and I am glad that Facebook is taking some steps to pinpoint and address this activity. The company is attempting to clean its image and improve the overall security of its service after facing intense criticism for failing to prevent the spread of misinformation in prelude to the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. (Adds background) Aug 21 (Reuters) - Allergan Plc said on Tuesday U.S. health regulators had declined to approve Esmya, its treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding in women with uterine fibroids, requesting more information and citing safety issues outside the United States. The drugmaker said it plans to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to determine the potential next steps for Esmya. The decision could impact the company's plan to sell its women's health business. Allergan said in May it planned to sell that business as well as its infectious disease unit, as it works to reverse a steep slide in its shares. Allergan Chief Executive Brent Saunders said last month that potential bidders were waiting to see how the FDA would handle Esmya's approval in order to properly value the women's health business. Earlier this year, regulators in Europe recommended restrictions on the use of the drug for some patients, to help minimize the risk of rare but serious liver injury associated with Esmya. The drug is sold in Europe by Hungarian drugmaker Richter . Richter has said it considered Esmya to be a safe and effective form of treatment. (Reporting by Tamara Mathias in Bengaluru and Michael Erman in New York; editing by Maju Samuel and Rosalba O'Brien) FILE PHOTO: The flags of Canada, Mexico and the U.S. are seen on a lectern before a joint news conference on the closing of the seventh round of NAFTA talks in Mexico City, Mexico, March 5, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido/File Photo By David Shepardson and David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Foreign-brand automakers with U.S. plants do not support Trump administration rules to raise the amount of local content in North American-made vehicles, a group representing companies including Toyota Motor Corp , Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) and Hyundai Motor Co has told key U.S. lawmakers. Talks between Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are due to resume on Tuesday in Washington to try to resolve remaining bilateral issues so that Canada, which has been sidelined for weeks from the negotiations, can return to the bargaining table. The automakers' position was in a previously unreported Aug. 16 letter from their "Here for America" group to top trade-focused members of Congress. The letter could raise resistance to a revamped North American Free Trade Agreement from lawmakers in southern states, where foreign manufacturers have built auto plants. "We remain concerned that, without further clarifications, assurances and modifications, many of those companies producing vehicles in multiple states will not be in a position to support legislation implementing a NAFTA 2.0," the group said in the letter, signed by John Bozzella, president of the Association of Global Automakers. Automotive experts have said that some foreign brand automakers with smaller North American manufacturing footprints and fewer U.S. research and development staff may have difficulty meeting the more stringent content requirements for years. The group said its members, which also include Honda Motor Co Ltd , Daimler (DAIGn.DE), BMW (BMWG.DE), Nissan Motor Co Ltd Kia Motors , Subaru Corp , and Volvo, a unit of China's Geely Automobile Holdings , account for nearly 50 percent of U.S. vehicle production. DETROIT SUPPORTIVE At the same time, the American Automotive Policy Council, which represents Detroit's Big Three automakers is "encouraged by the direction of the discussions," said Matt Blunt, who heads the trade group. Story continues "We share the administrations overall goals of strengthening U.S. auto manufacturing and creating jobs and given the importance of NAFTA to U.S. industry we urge the negotiators to quickly complete the negotiations," added Blunt, whose group represents General Motors Co (GM.N), Ford Motor Co (F.N) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCHA.MI). The United States and Mexico are closing in on a bilateral deal on autos that would lift the requirement for North American content in regionally made vehicles to at least 70 percent from the current 62.5 percent. The deal is expected to require that some 40 percent of the value come from high wage locations paying at least $16 an hour, meaning the United States and Canada, a Mexican source close to the talks told Reuters. USTR officials have been meeting in recent days with individual automakers to secure support for potential changes, according to auto industry sources. A USTR spokeswoman declined comment. U.S. President Donald Trump, who launched the renegotiation of the 1994 pact a year ago, has said he wants the reworked deal to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States, particularly in autos and auto parts. Other key unresolved issues include the phase-in time for the new automotive rules to take effect and whether the U.S. demand for a "sunset" clause that forces a renegotiation every five years is adopted, making long-term investment decisions more difficult. The letter from the ad-hoc "Here for America" group also raised concerns that national security tariffs on autos, auto parts, steel and aluminum would undermine the benefit of a NAFTA agreement. (Reporting by David Shepardson and David Lawder; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) Iran oil Reuters/Raheb Homavandi French Oil company Total announced it will exit Iran on Monday. The news comes after the US applied pressure on foreign firms doing business with Iran. "Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States," President Donald Trump said on August 7. Other European countries have also announced their withdrawal from the country, including shipping giant Maersk and car maker Peugeot. Total, Frances largest energy company, has pulled out of a large Iranian energy project under pressure from the United States. The Iranian oil minister announced the withdrawal of Total from the country on Monday, RT and DW reported. "Total has officially left the agreement for the development of phase 11 of South Pars [gas field]," Iran Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said, according to government-run ICANA news agency and RT. The withdrawal was sparked by a reinstatement of US sanctions which cover foreign firms doing business with the Tehran. President Donald Trump tweeted earlier this month: "Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States." Total said in a statement given to DW: "Total has notified the Iranian authorities of its withdrawal from the contract following the 60-day deadline for obtaining a potential waiver from the US authorities. Despite the backing of the French and European authorities, such a waiver could not have been obtained." Total had committed to work on the South Pars gas field, which borders Iran and Qatar and holds the largest natural gas reserves in the world. The project is worth $4.8 billion. Other European firms including Maersk and Peugeot have also recently left Iran, despite pledges from EU officials to shield them from the US sanctions. In May, EU officials said they would enforce a "blocking statute" which was planned to protect European firms from sanctions. "As the European Commission, we have the duty to protect European companies. We now need to act, and this is why we are launching the process to activate the 'blocking statute' from 1996," EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said before his July meeting with President Trump. Story continues The US withdrew from the nuclear deal they signed with Iran in 2015. The agreement had lifted crippling sanctions on Iran in return for a commitment from the Islamic Republic to abandon its nuclear enrichment programme. But the US has since reinstated sanctions on Iran. The EU, China, and Russia condemned the US sanctions and said they would only recognize an agreed mandate form the United Nations. China is defying the sanctions, continuing its trade with Iran and importing around 767,000 barrels of Iranian oil a day, giving the country a lifeline and keeping Chinas needs for oil met, Reuters reported. The US sanctions came back into force on August 7 on cars, gold, and other metals. A second round is due to take effect on November 4 which will be more severe, targeting oil, shipping, and the Iranian Central Bank. NOW WATCH: How a Wall Street chief strategist's Costco shopping experience explains the biggest misconception about global trade See Also: SEE ALSO: Trump drops the sanctions hammer on Iran but Putin could come to Tehran's rescue DON'T MISS: Iran's currency plunges to a record low as US sanctions near Post Malone VMA AP A Gulfstream G-IV private jet carrying rapper Post Malone blew two tires while taking off from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on Tuesday. The jet made a successful emergency landing at Stewart International Airport near Newburgh, New York shortly before 4:00 pm on Tuesday. The Gulfstream jet was en route to Luton Airport in London, England at the at the time of the incident. The jet spent several hours circling above the Northeastern US as it tried to burn off fuel. A Gulfstream G-IV private jet carry rapper Post Malone blew two tires while taking off from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey Tuesday morning. The jet landed safely at Stewart International Airport near Newburgh, New York shortly before 4:00 pm. "A Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV aircraft landed safely at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, NY, about 3:50 p.m. today," The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. "The aircraft was towed to the ramp. The FAA will investigate." In a tweet, the Post Malone confirmed he landed and thanked his fans for their prayers. "I landed guys. Thank you for your prayers. Can't believe how many people wished death on me on this website. F*** you. But not today," the rapper said on Twitter. "Oh my God, I hate flying in general," he told TMZ in a post-landing video chat. "I don't know what to say. I'm shook." Post Malone Tweet Twitter/@PostMaloneThe award-winning rapper went on to thank the jet's pilots and declared his desire for alcoholic beverages. The jet, which is believed to have had 16 passengers on board, was en route to Luton Airport in London, England, when the incident took place shortly before 11 a.m. According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the Gulfstream spent a couple of hours circling above Northern New Jersey before shifting north to Connecticut. The FAA initially told ABC News that the jet will be diverted to Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Massachusetts. Story continues However, the Gulfstream was later rerouted to Stewart International Airpor, the FAA confirmed to Business Insider. According to communication between the Gulfstream's pilot and control tower at Stewart, both tires on the jet's left main landing gear appear to be deflated. The Gulfstream jet spent roughly five hours flying circular patterns over New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut to burn off its heavy fuel load in an attempt to reduce the load on the plane's already damaged land gear. The aircraft involved in the incident has been identified as N101CV, a Gulfstream G-IV built in 1993. Stewart International Airport boasts one of the longest runways in the Northeastern US at 11,817 feet and is used as a diversion location for airliners as large as the Airbus A380 superjumbo. Post Malone's tour schedule indicates he is scheduled to perform in Reading, England on Friday. The rapper attended the MTV Video Music Awards in New York on Monday where his song "Rockstar" won Song of the Year. Here's a live look at Stewart International Airport where the jet made its emergency landing. Post Malone Gulfstream GIV FlightRadar24 NOW WATCH: What people are missing when it comes to trade, stocks, and the market's favorite recession signal, according to a JPMorgan chief strategist See Also: SEE ALSO: Airlines are using these 5 planes to replace the Boeing 747 jumbo jet FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content! In a bid to strengthen footprint in international markets, Hyatt (H) announces the launch of its first beach resort in South Japan. Hyatt Hotels Corporation H relies heavily on the expansion of its brands worldwide in order to strengthen its global portfolio, and capitalize on the growing demand for luxury and business travel. To this end, the company announced the debut of the first beach resort in South Japan by Hyatt Regency. This leading hospitality company opened Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawaon the private Seragaki Island, which is connected to the mainland of Okinawa by a bridge. The 344-roomed property lies in close proximity to the Naha Airport and other heritage sites. Notably, the opening of the hotel is in line with Hyatts efforts to expand its footprint in Asia. The companys strong brand recognition, efforts to enhance guest experience and an increased focus on operational excellence help it outperform its peers. In a years time, Hyatts shares have rallied 37.2%, outpacing the industrys collective growth of 5.8%. International Expansion Drives Top Line Hyatts continuous efforts toward expanding its brands globally should help it increase its market share and thereby drive revenues. Hyatt is focused on expanding its presence worldwide and capitalizing on the demand for hotels in profitable but relatively untapped international markets. To this end, the company is relentlessly foraying into the markets of Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin America. Notably, the companys hotel opening agreements have continually outpaced its actual openings,courtesy of its aggressive expansion efforts. This trend is expected to continue in the near future. The company has experienced net room growth of more than 6% for 13 consecutive quarters. In fact, for 2018, the company expects units to grow by roughly 6-6.5%, on a net rooms basis, reflecting 60 hotel openings. Further, we expect the recent launch to boost Hyatts Owned and Leased Hotels revenues. The performance of the segment was weak in the last-reported quarter. Revenues were down 16.4%year over yearin constant currency. Story continues Countering Competition We believe that by expanding its brands globally, Hyatt is trying to fend off competition from the likes of Marriott MAR, Choice Hotels CHH and Hilton HLT. As it is, the hotel industry is highly competitive as major hospitality chains, with their well-established and recognized brands, are continuously expanding their global presence. Hyatt is continuously facing intense competition from both large hotel chains and smaller independent local hospitality providers. Unless this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company counters these competitions with appropriate strategies, it may lose out on market share. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone! It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market. Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020. Click here for the 6 trades >> 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 Marriott International (MAR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Hyatt Hotels Corporation (H) : Free Stock Analysis Report Choice Hotels International, Inc. (CHH) : Free Stock Analysis Report Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Ironwood's Linzess Gets Approval in Japan for New Indication Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (IRWD) along with its partner Astellas Pharma announces approval of Linzess in Japan for a new indication - chronic constipation. Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. IRWD and its Japanese partner Astellas Pharma announced that the label expansion application for its sole marketed drug, Linzess (linaclotide), to include chronic constipation has been approved in Japan. A dose of 0.25 mg in tablet formulation will be available in Japan. The drug is already available in the country as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Note that the drug is approved for treating IBS-C and chronic idiopathic constipation in the United States. Shares of Ironwood have outperformed the industry so far this year. The stock has gained 22.6% during the period compared with an increase of 0.2% for the industry. The approval was given based on data from the phase III study evaluating Linzess for change in weekly mean frequency of spontaneous bowel movement in patients with chronic constipation. Data, presented in past, from the study showed that Linzess achieved statistically significant improvement in patients at week 1 compared to placebo. Per the press release, approximately 2.5% of men and 4.6% of women in Japan suffer from constipation, a situation where patients have inadequate or uncomfortable excretion of feces. This indicates significant demand for medications. Ironwood has partnered with Astellas Pharma for the development and commercialization of Linzess in Japan, with Allergan AGN in the United States and Europe, and with AstraZeneca plc AZN in China, Hong Kong and Macau. We reminds investors that in July, Ironwood and Allergan advanced Linzess to phase III development for the treatment of additional bothersome symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), which includes bloating, discomfort and pain. The companies are also developing a delayed-release formulation of the drug to address patients beyond IBS-C and chronic constipation, and also evaluating the drug in pediatric patients. Successful completion of these studies will expand the patient population of the drug, which, in turn will boost the prospects of the drug. Story continues Linzess has blockbuster potential and it is anticipated to cross $1 billion in annual sales by the end of 2020. Moreover, the patents provide the drug with exclusivity till 2031 and will keep generic competition at bay. Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price | Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Quote Zacks Rank & Stock to Consider Ironwood currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). BioSpecifics Technologies Corp BSTC is a better-ranked stock from the pharma space, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. BioSpecifics earnings per share estimates increased from $20.9 to $2.28 for 2018 and from $2.13 to $2.38 for 2019 over the last 30 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in three of the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 11.37%. The companys shares have increased 22.1% so far this year. More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone! It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market. Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020. Click here for the 6 trades >> 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 Allergan plc (AGN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IRWD) : Free Stock Analysis Report BioSpecifics Technologies Corp (BSTC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Photo: Yana Paskova/Getty Images Michael Cohen has officially welcomed himself to the #Resistance. Less than 24 hours after implicating the president in a federal crime (whilst pleading guilty to several of his own), Cohen is already dropping truth-bombs on Donald Trump and monetizing liberal outrage like an old-school game theorist. On Wednesday morning, Cohens lawyer Lanny Davis announced that his client would never accept a pardon from a criminal like Trump (ostensibly, because he only accepts decade-long business partnerships with such criminals). I know that Mr. Cohen would never accept a pardon from a man who he considers to be both corrupt and a dangerous person in the Oval Office, Davis said in an interview with NPR. He has flatly authorized me to say under no circumstances would he accept a pardon from Mr. Trump, who used the pardon power in a way that no president in American history has ever used a pardon to relieve people of guilt who committed crimes who are political cronies of his. The president of the United States is a criminal, Davis continued. He has not pled guilty to a crime but his own lawyers have described him directing somebody to do something that is a criminal act. Cohen also let it be known (through Davis) that he would love to chat with Robert Mueller about Donald Trumps charity, business dealings, and alleged connections to Russian hacking as he has knowledge on those subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel. Lanny Davis, on Rachel Maddow, suggests strongly that his client Michael Cohen has information for Mueller on Trump campaign collusion with Russia and Trumps knowledge of plans for Russian hacking before the hacking occurred John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) August 22, 2018 Cohen attorney Lanny Davis implies on @CNN that his client may have information about the Trump Org. that could be of interest to the New York AG, and therefore outside the scope of POTUS' pardon power Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) August 22, 2018 Meanwhile, the Michael Cohen Truth Fund began accepting donations Tuesday night and has already brought Trumps (multi-millionaire) former fixer more than $21,000 (or enough to spare roughly seven human beings from dying of malaria). On the fundraisers webpage, Davis writes: On July 2, 2018, Michael Cohen declared his independence from Donald Trump and his commitment to tell the truth. On August 21, Michael Cohen made the decision to take legal responsibility and to continue his commitment to tell the truth. Michael decided to put his family and his country first. Now Michael needs your financial help to pay his legal fees. The Michael Cohen Truth Fund is a transparent trust account, with all donations going to help Michael Cohen and his family as he goes forward on his journey to tell the truth about Donald Trump. All of this is, of course, bad news for Donald Trump. But it could also prove fatal to Michael Avenattis 2020 hopes. Stormy Danielss attorney recently launched a bid for the Democratic nomination, arguing that no one had done more to bring Trump to justice. But it was Cohen not Avenatti who just implicated the president in a criminal conviction; and all signs suggest the former fixer is only getting started. Whats more, Cohens background in the taxi business makes him a natural champion of the progressive crusade to hold Uber (and other tech monopolies) accountable. To be sure, Cohens criminal convictions will complicate matters. His field operation in Iowa could be hampered by the candidates confinement in federal prison. But from a messaging standpoint, Cohen could turn that weakness into a strength: To beat a white-collar criminal youve got to think like a white-collar criminal and who can do that better than the genuine article? The president, for one, knows a worthy adversary when he sees one. If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018 For much of Cohens life, hes been greedy, greedy, greedy for Donald Trump. But now, he wants to be greedy for the United States. JERSEY CITY, N.J., August 22, 2018 - ISO, a Verisk (VRSK) business, announced today that it has signed a 10-year contract with the Israel Insurance Association to operate an advanced fraud detection database for Israel`s insurance market. ISO ClaimSearch Israel has been the country`s leading fraud detection database for compulsory motor insurance since it was selected by the Israeli Ministry of Finance in 2006. ISO`s new database system will offer innovative InsurTech features, including advanced business intelligence tools, graphic link analytics, and parameterized fraud indicators. "We`re pleased to extend our relationship with the Israeli insurance industry and bring more robust fraud detection and analysis tools to the country`s insurance market," said Richard Della Rocca, president, ISO Claims Analytics. "We anticipate the new system will produce industry benefits over and above the goals identified in the Ministry`s studies." ISO ClaimSearch Israel supports insurance companies and detects fraud in both claims and underwriting. Studies by the Ministry have proven the system`s direct benefit for insurers and the general public alike. The drop in insurance premiums in the compulsory motor bodily injury line over the last decade has been attributed in part to ISO`s efforts. "We`re proud to have been selected as the fraud detection database operator after an extensive RFP [request for proposal] screening process, and we look forward to our continued collaboration for the benefit of the industry at large," stated Gideon Stern, general manager, ISO ClaimSearch Israel, Ltd. A committee of individual insurers selected ISO ClaimSearch Israel, Ltd., over all other local and foreign competitors. Story continues About ISO ISO, a Verisk (VRSK) business, is a leading provider of advanced tools and analytics for the property/casualty insurance industry. Drawing on unique data assets and deep domain expertise, ISO products and services help insurers underwrite and price risks with greater precision and efficiency and manage claims more effectively across the spectrum of commercial and personal lines of insurance. For nearly 50 years, ISO has been a leader in developing innovative solutions and working with multiple stakeholders in the property/casualty insurance marketplace, including insurers, reinsurers, third-party administrators, agents and brokers, insurance regulators, and risk managers. For more information, please visit www.verisk.com/iso. Contact: Erin Bzymek MWWPR (for ISO) 201-507-9500 ebzymek@mww.com This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Verisk Analytics Inc. via GlobeNewswire HUG#2212326 ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) The Latest on the Paul Manafort trial (all times local): 9 p.m. Paul Manafort, the political operative who once led Donald Trump's successful presidential campaign, has been found guilty of eight financial crimes in the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the president's associates. A judge declared a mistrial on 10 other counts the jury could not agree on. The verdict Tuesday was part of a stunning one-two punch of bad news for the White House, coming as the president's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, was pleading guilty in New York to campaign finance charges arising from hush money payments made to two women who say they had sexual relationships with Trump. The jury returned the decision after deliberating four days on tax and bank fraud charges against Manafort. __ 5:35 p.m. Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut says the White House "looks increasingly like a criminal enterprise" after the convictions of President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and personal lawyer Michael Cohen. Blumenthal said Tuesday that the verdicts show the probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller is "not a witch hunt or hoax" as Trump has claimed. He says Mueller's team will continue following the facts as the investigation "circles ever closer to the Oval Office." Blumenthal says any talk of a pardon for Manafort or Cohen "should end now," calling it an abuse of power and possible obstruction of justice. Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont says a Manafort pardon would create a backlash in Congress and "have Watergate written all over it." ___ 5:30 p.m. Story continues A lawyer for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort says his client is disappointed in his conviction and is evaluating all his options. Attorney Kevin Downing spoke to reporters Tuesday outside the federal courthouse where a jury convicted Manafort of eight financial crimes. A judge declared a mistrial on 10 other counts the jury could not reach consensus on. Downing also said Manafort wanted to thank the judge for a fair trial and the jury for their four days of deliberations. Manafort stared intently at the panel as the clerk read off the charges. He stared down blankly at the defense table, then looked up, expressionless, as the judge finished thanking the jury. The outcome of the trial almost certainly guarantees years of prison for Manafort. ___ 5:25 p.m. The ranking Democrats on the House and Senate Intelligence Committees say the conviction of Paul Manafort and the guilty plea by Michael Cohen make it clear that President Donald Trump is wrong when he says special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe is a "witch hunt." Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said Tuesday that any attempt by Trump to pardon Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman, or interfere in the Russia investigation would be a "gross abuse of power and require immediate action by Congress." Rep. Adam Schiff of California says Manafort's conviction on eight financial crime charges and former Trump lawyer Cohen's guilty plea to campaign-finance violations and other charges proves the Trump campaign embraced individuals with a history of dishonest business dealings as well as concerning ties to overseas interests. ___ 5:10 p.m. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been found guilty of five counts of filing false income tax returns, one count of failing to file a report of a foreign bank account in 2012 and two charges of bank fraud. The jury couldn't reach a verdict on 10 counts three regarding his failing to file reports of foreign bank accounts and the rest of the bank fraud and bank fraud conspiracy charges. No sentencing date has been set. Prosecutors have until Aug. 29 to decide whether they will seek a retrial on the 10 counts where the jury hung. __ 5:05 p.m. Paul Manafort stood grim and stone-faced as a court clerk read eight guilty counts against him at the former Trump campaign chairman's tax and bank fraud trial. Manafort had his hands clasped in front of him and showed no visible change of expression as the first guilty count was read. When the jury finished, he sat down with his defense lawyers and stared blankly at the defense table. He remained expressionless even as his lawyers smiled during a brief discussion after the verdict in which Judge T.S. Ellis III complimented the lawyers and joked about the attention the trial has received. After the hearing concluded, prosecutors and defense lawyers had no initial comment. Special counsel spokesman Peter Carr said there would be no comment from special counsel Robert Mueller's office. __ 4:50 p.m. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort stared intently at the jury as the clerk read off the counts finding him guilty of eight financial crime charges. Manafort was found guilty Tuesday in the first trial victory for special counsel Robert Mueller's team. The judge declared a mistrial on 10 other counts after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Clad in a dark suit and powder-blue tie, Manafort stood with his hands clasped before him. As U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III thanked the jury for its service, Manafort stared down blankly at the defense table, then looked up, expressionless, as the judge finished. The jury deliberated for four days. __ 4:40 p.m. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been found guilty of eight financial crime charges in the first trial victory for special counsel Robert Mueller's team. A judge declared a mistrial on 10 other counts after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The jury deliberated for four days before announcing the verdict at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia. Prosecutors spent more than two weeks presenting their case as they sought to prove Manafort concealed millions of dollars in offshore accounts from the IRS. __ 4:25 p.m. The jury in the financial fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort says it's reached a verdict on eight counts but is undecided on the remaining 10. Jurors made that announcement in a note Tuesday afternoon to the federal jury overseeing the trial. The jury is in its fourth day of deliberations and had signaled earlier in the day that it was stuck on at least one count. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III encouraged jurors to continue deliberations, and suggested he was not ready to consider a partial verdict. __ 4:15 p.m. The jury in the Paul Manafort financial fraud trial has submitted a new note to the judge. That's according to the office of special counsel Robert Mueller, whose office is prosecuting the former Trump campaign chairman. The jury earlier Tuesday suggested it was stuck on at least one of the 18 counts against Manafort. Jurors asked what they should do if they could not agree on one of the counts in the indictment. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III encouraged the panel to continue deliberating. This is the fourth day of deliberations for the federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia. __ 11:45 a.m. The jury in the financial fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort wants to know what to do if it cannot reach a consensus for a single count in the case. Jurors posed the question to U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III on their fourth day of deliberations. They also said they would need a new verdict form. Prosecutors say Manafort hid tens of millions of dollars in foreign income from Ukraine. They also say he lied on loan applications to obtain millions more to maintain a lavish lifestyle. Manafort's attorneys called no witnesses, arguing prosecutors failed to meet their burden of proof. The trial is the first courtroom test of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe, though the case doesn't involve allegations of Russian election interference. ___ 9:50 a.m. The jury in the fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has begun its fourth day of deliberations. Judge T.S. Ellis III sent the jury back to resume deliberating Tuesday shortly after 9:30 a.m. Jurors deliberated past 6 p.m. Monday without submitting notes or questions. The trial of Manafort is now in its fourth week. Prosecutors say Manafort hid tens of millions of dollars in foreign income from Ukraine. They also say he lied on loan applications to obtain millions more to maintain a lavish lifestyle. Manafort's attorneys called no witnesses in his defense, arguing the prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof. The trial is the first courtroom test of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe, though the case doesn't involve allegations of Russian election interference. Lessons from Paul Manafort: This tax slip-up could cost you a $100,000 penalty Paul Manafort, President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman, was found guilty of eight criminal counts on Tuesday. These include five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failure to file foreign bank account reports. Willful failure to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, or FBAR, could lead to a penalty of $100,000 or 50 percent of your balance in the foreign account, whichever is greater. A costly tax-planning lesson is in store in light of the Paul Manafort case: Tell the IRS and Treasury about your foreign accounts, or else. Manafort, a former campaign chairman for President Donald Trump, was found guilty of eight criminal counts on Tuesday, including one count of failure to file foreign bank account reports. He was also found guilty of five counts of tax fraud and two counts of bank fraud. U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis declared a mistrial on 10 remaining counts in the bank fraud and tax crimes trial after the jurors said they could not reach a consensus. Richard W. Westling, one of Manafort's attorneys and a lawyer with Epstein Becker Green, had no comment. The takeaway from all this is that you don't have to be a high-profile political operative to run afoul of the reporting requirements around foreign bank accounts. Americans residing abroad, for instance, have found themselves shelling out for taxes owed in the U.S. and for related accounting expenses. The U.S. taxes individuals based on the citizenship of its taxpayers, not their residency. Indeed, since 2009, more than 56,000 taxpayers have notified the IRS and Treasury of their overseas accounts and have paid more than $11.1 billion in back taxes, penalties and interest. Here's what you need to know if you reside overseas or hold foreign accounts. Filing the FBAR Americans with foreign accounts have until April 15 to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, or FBAR, with the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Story continues Those who fail to file on that deadline get an automatic extension to Oct. 15. You must submit an FBAR if you had an interest in or signature authority over at least one account outside the U.S., and the aggregate value of all the foreign accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time in the year. It'll cost you if you skip this form. You could be on the hook for a penalty as high as $10,000 for non-willful violations occurring prior to Nov. 2, 2015. For violations taking place after that date, the penalty is $12,459. Those who knowingly flout the requirement may be charged a penalty of $100,000 or 50 percent of the balance in the account for violations occurring prior to Nov. 2, 2015. The penalty for violations after that date is $124,588 or half of the balance of the account. These individuals may also face criminal penalties. Filing with the IRS If you're required to submit an FBAR, you may also need to turn in a statement of specified foreign financial assets Form 8938 to the IRS when you file your income tax return. Be aware that this form is subject to reporting thresholds, and that those thresholds will vary based on your filing status and whether you live in the U.S. Single taxpayers who live overseas are required to file Form 8938 if the total value of their foreign financial assets exceeds $200,000 on the last day of the tax year ($400,000 for married filing jointly) or if it exceeds $300,000 any time during the year ($600,000 for spouses who file jointly). Single filers who live in the U.S. must turn in Form 8938 if the total value of their foreign financial assets exceeds $50,000 on the last day of the tax year ($100,000 for joint filers) or if the value exceeds $75,000 any time during the year ($150,000 for couples filing jointly). Taxpayers who fail to disclose these accounts face a penalty of up to $10,000. If they continue to withhold information even after the IRS notifies them of a failure to disclose, these account holders may face a maximum penalty of $60,000, along with criminal penalties. Avoid these mistakes The most common error filers make tends to be when they fail to report one of their accounts on the FBAR, according to David McKeegan, an expatriate and co-founder of Greenback Expat Tax Services of New York and Bali, Indonesia. In that case, you will need to file a delinquent FBAR and include an explanation to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network as to why you're filing late. Further, American filers who lived overseas, invested some of their money, and then returned to the U.S. are also likely to get tripped up on reporting requirements around tax time. "One of the tricky things people get in trouble with is if they invest in foreign mutual funds," McKeegan said. "That can be a big red flag when we prepare tax returns for people." That's because these funds are subject to different reporting requirements compared with their U.S. mutual fund counterparts. Filers also get confused about which forms they're required to submit and where to send them: Don't forget that your FBAR must go to the Treasury's FinCEN bureau, and your Form 8938 goes to the IRS. "It isn't illegal to have these foreign accounts, but you must file," McKeegan said. More from Personal Finance IRS ending taxpayer amnesty for hidden foreign accounts More Americans are considering cutting their ties with the US here's why What expats don't know about this tax requirement will cost them More From CNBC Perhaps President Trump is right, and its not about collusion at all. But that doesnt mean he has nothing to worry about. Special prosecutor Robert Mueller notched a prominent win on Tuesday with a guilty verdict on eight of 18 charges in the trial of Paul Manafort, who spent five months with Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, including two months as chairman. While the jury deadlocked on 10 counts, it found Manafort guilty of five tax-evasion charges, two bank-fraud charges, and one charge of failing to register a foreign bank account. Jail time could total as much as 80 years. Trump must wonder whether his business dealings could survive the type of forensic analysis Muellers team was able to perform on Manaforts operation. A lone protester holds up a sign and American flag outside the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse after former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight counts of fraud August 21, 2018 in Alexandria, Virginia. Follow the money Prosecutors in the Manafort trial didnt focus at all on Russia, even though it is Muellers mandate to explore all links between Russia and the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Instead, Mueller focused on crimes unearthed while investigating Russian interference, which the special prosecutor is entitled to do. Story continues Manafort earned as much as $65 million as a consultant for foreign politicians from 2006 to 2015, parking most of the money in overseas accounts to avoid paying U.S. taxes on it. He never registered as a foreign lobbyist even though he represented foreign interests in Washington. And when Manaforts foreign income began to run dry in 2014, he obtained millions of dollars in loans by misleading banks about his assets and finances while also holding out the prospect of plum jobs in the Trump administration in exchange for favorable treatment from lenders. Trump never operated as a foreign consultant, and theres no reason to think he shielded foreign income in offshore accounts the way Manafort did. But other aspects of the Manafort investigation get closer to the type of business Trump did as chairman of the Trump Organization. As a real-estate developer with projects in at least a dozen countries, Trump had business relationships with a variety of Russians involving millions of dollars worth of deals at a minimum. And now that Mueller is cracking open private business arrangements that were once hidden from public view, Trump may fear that his own business secrets are vulnerable, too. Recall that in July 2017, the New York Times asked President Trump: If Mueller was looking at your finances and your family finances, unrelated to Russia is that a red line? Trump responded: I would say yeah. I would say yes. By the way, I sell a lot of condo units, and somebody from Russia buys a condo, who knows? I dont make money from Russia. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a joint news conference after their meeting in Helsinki, July 16, 2018. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor/File Photo Russia connections For starters, theres the Florida estate Trump bought out of bankruptcy in 2004 for $41 million and resold four years later to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev for $95 million. Its possible Trump improved the property enough to justify the 132% markup, or sold at the peak of a real-estate bubble to a buyer who overpaid. But its also possible theres more to the story and the Russian oligarch got something else from Trump, in addition to a moldy, oceanfront spread. [See the risk for Trump in Michael Cohens guilty plea.] For years Trump wanted to build one of his signature, namesake towers in Moscow. By 2014, he was getting close, having made contacts with a variety of Russians who might help gain government approvals and provide financing. The prospect of Trump Tower Moscow died when Russia annexed Crimea and invaded Ukraine. Europe and the United States responded by imposing sanctions in 2014, which made Trumps project impossible. Still, those Russian contacts may have helped Trump finance other deals and funneled Russian buyers to key Trump properties. In the Manafort case, prosecutors detailed the way Trumps former campaign manager used various properties to launder tax-free earnings from accounts in Cyprus, the Grenadines, and other offshore locations. Trumps business is different from Manaforts consulting operation, but theres one commonality: real estate, which is a well-known way to launder ill-gotten money. There are several known connections between Trump the developer and Russian interests that involved financial transactions. After a spate of business bankruptcies, Trump had trouble getting loans from conventional banks. But a shady Russian-born businessman named Felix Sater has helped Trump get financing for a number of projects. Then theres Aras Agalarov, a Moscow construction billionaire close to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has described himself as a friend and business associate of Trump. And as early as 2008, Trumps son Donald, Jr. described the Trump Organizations connection to Russian interests this way: Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. . . . We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia. FILE In this Sunday, June 16, 2013 file photo, from left, Donald Trump, Aras Agalarov, Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and Russian singer Emin Agalarov arrive at the Miss USA 2013 pageant, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari, file) Digging deeper on Trump Theres nothing wrong or illegal about doing business with Russians (or with most foreign interests). But there would be a problem if Trump got sweetheart deals on unconventional loans emanating from Russia because Russias financial sector is essentially controlled by Putin. And that could help explain Trumps apparent soft spot for a dictator most national security experts consider a threat to the United States. Much of the coverage of Muellers investigation into Trumps Russian connections has focused on meetings between Trump officials and Russians during the campaign. But Mueller is almost certainly digging much deeper than that. If you want to understand what happened at these meetings, you have to understand these business relationships, Yahoo News Michael Isikoff, author of a new book on the Trump-Russia connection, told Yahoo Finance earlier this year. The Trump Organization was a privately owned company that didnt have to report financial information publicly. And Trump, of course, has never released his tax returns. So theres very little public information available to analyze Trumps financial connections or those of his company. FILE PHOTO: Michael Cohen, attorney for The Trump Organization, arrives at Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 17, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith/File Photo That wont stop Mueller, who has subpoena power. In the Manafort case, Muellers team tracked financial transactions among a web of companies including 17 domestic entities, 13 based in Cyprus, two based in the Grenadines, and one based in the United Kingdom. The indictment alone itemized more than 200 transactions, with dollar amounts, in which Manafort wired money from overseas accounts to American vendors providing Manafort things such as clothing, antique rugs, landscaping services, antiques, and automobiles. Muellers team had some key inside assistance: Rick Gates, Manaforts former right-hand man, who turned on his former boss and detailed how Manafort committed his crimes in exchange for favorable sentencing for his own crimes. Trump now faces a similar turncoat in Michael Cohen, his former lawyer and fixer, who pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges on the same afternoon that the Manafort jury delivered its guilty verdicts. Six of those charges didnt involve Trump, but two involved hush-money payments Cohen says were directed by Trump in the late days of the 2016 campaign. Prosecutors could get other information damaging to Trump from Cohen. It doesnt have to be collusion to cause Trump enormous problems and perhaps even threaten his presidency. 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 The latest bombshell from Trump World is that Michael Cohen, Donald Trumps personal lawyer prior to the 2016 presidential election, has pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges and is headed to jail. Cohen is not a target of special prosecutor Robert Mueller, whose mandate is to investigate Russias role in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The guilty plea, rather, involves tax and bank fraud charges, along with the notorious hush-money payments Cohen made in the waning days of the 2016 election to two women Trump had affairs with. The tax and bank-fraud charges have nothing to do with Trump. Cohen has his own business interests, including stakes in taxi medallions and real estate, and five of the guilty pleas involve tax evasion. A sixth involves fraudulent information supplied to a bank as part of a loan application. But two other pleas relate directly to Trump. Cohen engineered the now-notorious hush-money payments of $130,000 to porn star Stephanie Clifford (aka Stormy Daniels) and $150,000 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal. While Cohens pleas in each instance were technically different, both involve violations of campaign-finance laws, a felony. The maximum for a contribution to a federal campaign in 2016 was $2,700. In his plea, Cohen acknowledges that the money covering the payouts were campaign contributions, and because they were far above the maximum, they were illegal. Worse for Trump, Cohen told the judge in the case that he acted in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office, who is obviously Trump. So President Trump is now directly implicated in a felony. Story continues [See the real connection between Trump and Russia.] Trumps likely reaction to this is predictable: Hell probably paint campaign-finance violations as trivial, technical oversights. Everybody does it, he might even say. Trump may also argue that just because Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign-finance violations doesnt mean a jury would have found them to be a crime. Nor is it clear any prosecutor would try to go after the president personally for a campaign-finance violation. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) Theres another tantalizing question about Cohen: How much does he know about the inner workings of the Trump Organization, Trumps licensing and real-estate development firm? The answer: Probably a lot. Cohen, though a lawyer, didnt serve as general counsel for the Trump Organization. Instead, he was a globetrotting dealmaker who handled the gritty details of financing arrangements with a cast of shady characters, including New York mafia figures, Middle East money launderers, dirty politicians in Indonesia and, perhaps most notably, flush Russians friendly with the countrys dictator, Vladimir Putin. The evidence that Trump himself colluded with Russian interests during the 2016 presidential campaign remains thin, as Trump insists. But that could be a red herring. If Trump the developer received sweetheart financing deals from Russian lenders connected with Putinat a time when most commercial banks refused to lend him moneythat alone could be evidence that Trump as president is now somehow beholden to Russian interests. And Cohen may know more about that than any of the other witnesses Mueller or other prosecutors have been able to turn. Cohen, reportedly, is not cooperating with prosecutors by dishing damaging information on Trump in exchange for a lighter sentence. He supposedly agreed to a plea deal because it will allow his family to hold onto assets Cohen might have been forced to forfeit if he lost a trial. Still, prosecutors have raided Cohens offices and residences, collecting evidence that could hurt Trump, whether Cohen cooperates or not. The Cohen plea, remarkably, comes on the same day a jury found Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign manager, guilty of eight criminal charges including tax evasion and bank fraud. Trump isnt directly implicated in the Manafort verdict, but his protective shield is clearly warping, making it increasingly likely that Trumps business secrets will spill into the open. That could include new details on Trumps income and tax payments, for a man now publicly linked with criminal activity more closely than he has ever been. 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 Pressure is mounting on Trump to take tougher actions against Russia, expert says U.S. President Donald Trump is facing mounting pressure to take tougher actions against Russia. Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, has been accused of undermining democracies and violating international rules with activities including tampering with the U.S. election and poisoning a former Russian spy in the U.K. The U.S. Treasury on Tuesday announced new sanctions against Russian companies and individuals. Pressure is building on United States President Donald Trump to take tougher actions against Russia, an expert said on Wednesday after the U.S. Treasury announced a series of new sanctions on Moscow. Calls for more potent measures to punish Russia are coming from both within and outside the U.S. Russia, under President Vladimir Putin , has been accused of undermining democracies and violating international rules with activities including tampering with the U.S. election and poisoning a former Russian spy in the U.K. "There're a lot of things going on right now that are calling for (an) increase in sanctions against Russia," Eugene Chausovsky, senior Eurasia analyst at consulting firm Stratfor, told CNBC's "The Rundown" on Wednesday. Domestically, criminal charges against two of Trump's former aides campaign manager Paul Manafort and long-time lawyer Michael Cohen could strengthen the case for Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller probe to continue, Chausovsky said. Mueller is investigating possible Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Manafort's trial was a major victory for Mueller's probe, and Cohen came under investigation by federal prosecutors in New York City after a referral by the special counsel's team. Several members in Congress have also questioned whether the Trump administration has gone far enough to rein in the Kremlin's behavior, The Wall Street Journal reported . Internationally, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Tuesday urged the European Union to "stand shoulder to shoulder" with the U.S. in sanctioning Russia. Story continues The U.S. Treasury on Tuesday said it blacklisted two Russian companies and six vessels for violating United Nations sanctions on North Korea. In addition, two other firms one Russian and one Slovakian along with two Russian individuals were called out for helping another company avoid U.S. sanctions. Those latest actions by the U.S. are "mild," said Chausovsky, because they target specific companies and individuals for "very specific issues." But tougher sanctions against an entire industry in Russia or very large Russian companies could come in the next few months, he added. Russia's economy hit Geopolitical concerns, along with volatile oil prices, have affected investment flows into Russia's energy-dependent economy. Foreign direct investment into Russia fell to just $11.86 million in 2015 before recovering to $26.08 million last year, according to data by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development . Russia's currency has also been hit. The ruble was at its weakest ever against the U.S. dollar in 2016. This year, the currency has also been depreciating: A dollar bought around 64.4098 rubles on Wednesday, compared to 57.6575 rubles at the start of 2018. The weakening ruble is becoming a pain point for the Russian government, which is feeling the resentment from its people, said Otilia Dhand, a senior vice president specializing in part in Russia at consultancy Teneo Intelligence. Such domestic pressure may lead Moscow to improve ties with the U.S. on the hope of avoiding further isolation on the international stage, Dhand told CNBC's "Capital Connection" on Wednesday. "On the Russian side, they will tread carefully because they do see an opportunity to improve relations, which is something that they will gradually need more and more, and normalize the situation, get out of at least partial isolation in international relation and then try not to do anything that would cause deterioration in their relationship with the U.S.," she added. On the U.S. side of the equation, she said, Congress has tougher sanctions on Russia standing at the ready. More From CNBC Warner and Burr confer: What did Cohen know and when did he know it? Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images In todays blizzard of news involving Donald Trumps former campaign manager Paul Manafort and former lawyer Michael Cohen, were all tangled up in a lot of details. But probably no one is more off-balance about Cohen than the chairman (Richard Burr) and ranking minority member (Mark Warner) of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, who are wondering about an issue that isnt directly raised in Cohens guilty pleas and potential deals, as they indicated in a joint statement: We have obviously followed todays reporting about Michael Cohen with great interest. He appears to be pleading guilty to very serious charges, however, we have no insight into any agreements he and his legal team have allegedly reached with prosecutors in New York. What we can say is that we recently reengaged with Mr. Cohen and his team following press reports that suggested he had advance knowledge of the June 2016 meeting between campaign officials and Russian lawyers at Trump Tower. Mr. Cohen had testified before the Committee that he was not aware of the meeting prior to its disclosure in the press last summer. As such, the Committee inquired of Mr. Cohens legal team as to whether Mr. Cohen stood by his testimony. They responded that he did stand by his testimony. We hope that todays developments and Mr. Cohens plea agreement will not preclude his appearance before our Committee as needed for our ongoing investigation. Burr and Warner did not say that they were concerned that Cohen might be in leg-irons or wearing an orange jumpsuit or disinclined to make squaring his testimony with press accounts a particularly high priority. But as the senators suggested, its an issue at the heart of allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russians, with Cohen being a potential witness to the motives of the various players. If Cohen was lying about that, its important to know it. But Burr and Warner may have trouble getting his attention or his testimony anytime soon. There's no two ways about it: Social Security is a financial savior for our nation's retired workforce. According to an analysis conducted by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the mere fact that qualifying aged beneficiaries are receiving a guaranteed monthly payout from the Social Security Administration (SSA) is keeping roughly 15.1 million retired workers out of poverty. That's an incredible statistic, and it suggests that we would probably be dealing with a significant elderly poverty crisis right now if not for Social Security. But the big question -- other than "When should I claim?" -- is, "How reliant should I be on Social Security?" And to be honest, there is no one-size-fits-all answer here. The real answer depends on perspective. A baby boomer with glasses with his hand on his chin while he ponders something. Image source: Getty Images. How reliant should you be: The Social Security Administration's perspective According to the SSA, Social Security benefits are designed to replace about 40% of the average retired workers' wage income. The emphasis on "average" there is my own. This is to point your attention to the fact that your particular situation is unlikely to be "average." If, for instance, your wage income was well above that of the average American during your career, you can expect your monthly benefit to replace less than 40% of your earned income. Meanwhile, lower-income folks would see a higher percentage of their working wages replaced during retirement from Social Security. Ideally, you'd like to have saved enough throughout your lifetime, and invested a good portion of what you've saved, to be financially independent of Social Security when you retire. However, an April 2018 Gallup poll shows that just 1 out of 10 current retirees have achieved this feat. This means there's a very good chance you, too, will be reliant on Social Security in some capacity when you retire. A woman in the background adding a coin to a piggy bank. Image source: Getty Images. Story continues Personal factors matter Of course, SSA recommendations and guidelines can only carry an individual so far. At some point, we need to look beyond line-in-the-sand suggestions and toward the myriad of factors that make our situations unique to determine what role Social Security will play in our lives. As noted, your financial situation is going to play a pretty important role in determining how heavily you lean on the program. Since Americans are pretty poor savers -- just a third keep a detailed monthly budget, according to a 2013 Gallup survey -- it's probably not a surprise that 62% of aged beneficiaries are currently leaning on Social Security to supply at least half of their monthly income. Breaking that down even more, roughly a third of aged beneficiaries lean on the program for virtually all of their income (90%-plus). In addition to your nest egg, your health comes into play as well. Life expectancies in the U.S. have risen nine years since 1960 as medicine and our knowledge of diseases and ailments has improved. Increased longevity could wind up catching those who've not saved enough off guard. Casino dice and chips lying atop two Social Security cards. Image source: Getty Images. Now, for a curveball Just to make things a bit more complicated, Social Security is also entering a rough patch in its existence. Beginning this year, and continuing through 2034, the program is expected to pay out more in benefits than it collects in revenue. The last time that happened was all the way back in 1982. By the year 2034, the $2.9 trillion in asset reserves that the program had built up since 1983 should be completely exhausted. What's this mean exactly? Well, the good news is that there's no concern about Social Security's longevity. The program's payroll tax on earned income and taxation of benefits ensure that money will continue to flow in, allowing the SSA to make payouts to eligible beneficiaries. The bad news is that this persistent and growing net cash outflow proves that the current payout schedule isn't sustainable. The latest Trustees report has forecast the need for an across-the-board 21% cut to benefits by 2034 in order to sustain payout through 2092, without any additional cuts. Or to put this another way, your current or eventual Social Security benefit could be 21% smaller than you expect if lawmakers on Capitol Hill can't find an amicable way to raise additional revenue, cut expenditures, or do some combination of the two. A baby boomer reading something on his laptop while sitting on a couch. Image source: Getty Images. It's all about perspective As I stated at the beginning, your reliance on Social Security is all about perspective and your unique situation. Given Social Security's imminent issues, and Congress's inability to pass any major reforms for the program, you'd ideally want Social Security to be nothing more than a minor source of your retirement income. But if your nest egg isn't what you want it to be, then your chances of Social Security playing a big role definitely increase. Should this be the case, among your potential options might be working into your late 60s, if not longer, as well as holding off on claiming benefits in order to maximize your monthly payout (assuming you're in good health). There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and that's an important point for future retirees to keep in mind. More From The Motley Fool The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. With the conviction of former Donald Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort on eight of 18 charges brought against him in federal court, and long-time Trump personal attorney and fixer Michael Cohen pleading guilty to eight charges in a different federal court, the immediate question arises: Could the president pardon them? The answer is an unequivocal yes, because these were criminal charges brought in federal court. The Constitution grants the president an effectively unbounded ability to pardon anyone before charges are proffered, during a trial, or after conviction, as well as to commute a sentence. It can be narrow or broad, and legal scholars suggest that the president could write a blanket pardon for a group of people. He might even be able to issue a pardon in a tweet. This ignores any political fallout from such pardons, which are unknown and unpredictable, given that the only recourse Congress has to oppose the president is to pursue impeachment, which, among other things, requires a majority of votes in the House to proceed to trial and a supermajority in the Senate to convict. For the record, Trump has made a number of extraordinary and unprecedented pardons since taking office, but hasnt done so for any of his associates facing jeopardy, charges, or sentencing. The presidents power, however, extends only to federal charges. If a state attorney general or a county or other prosecutor were to bring charges and win a convictionone affirmed in appeals, if anyTrump has no ability to pardon or commute. So far, no such charges have been brought at other than a federal level. The New York attorney general has at times been seen as somewhat of an ace in the hole if Trump pardoned associates convicted of federal crimes as many alleged activities took place in New York State or involved financial transactions in New York, and some state laws could apply. However, New York has a double-jeopardy statute that prevents someone tried on federal charges from being tried again on the same charges in state court. The previous state attorney general, who resigned after allegations of sexual abuse of partners, and the current one both have worked to have this statute overturned. Story continues A pardon removes the penalty for a crime, and prevents a trial if one hasnt occurred or shuts one down if its in progress. Someone convicted of a felony effectively is no longer a felon, even though the facts of the matter remain established. Conservative political commentator and filmmaker Dinesh DSouza pleaded guilty in 2014 to making illegal campaign contributions, and described his culpability in detail in the court proceeding. Trump pardoned him in May 2018, which wiped out the remainder of the probation he was required to undergo, and he regained his voting rights, among other benefits. If someone has already been convicted, it effectively leaves the facts of the case as decided, and an appeal to have the conviction overturned is impossible. However, former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, pardoned unexpectedly by President Trump in August 2017, continues to fight to have the original conviction on criminal contempt of court vacated. Someone who has received a pardon no longer faces the burden of self-incrimination in court, and constitutional expert Laurence Tribe noted in July 2017 that a pardon recipient could be compelled to testify in court without a concern to themselves about facing charges as a result. Trump has stated he can even pardon himself, but constitutional experts are mixed on that tactic. Any self-pardon would likely require a Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality, and theres little sense that he would prevail. Even if he prevailed, impeachment isnt subject to pardon (per Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution), and the president could have charges brought against him by the House, be convicted by the Senate, and be removed from office, even if there were no criminal charges against him. Theres another twist. A 1974 memo from the White House Office of Legal Counsel laid out a scenario in which the president stepped aside from his duties temporarily invoking the 25th amendment, at which point the vice president would assume the presidency and could pardon the president. The president could then assert he was fit for duty, and return to the role. It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Illinois Tool Works (ITW). Shares have lost about 0.1% in that time frame, underperforming the market. Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Illinois Tool Works due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. Second-Quarter 2018 Highlights Illinois Tool Works has delivered weaker-than-expected results for second-quarter 2018, lagging both earnings and sales estimates by 0.5%. This industrial tool maker's earnings in the quarter were $1.97 per share, underperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.98. However, the bottom line increased 17% year over year or improved 19%, excluding 3 cents per share of benefit from legal settlements realized, in the second quarter of 2017. The year-over-year improvement came on the back of sales growth, benefits from enterprise initiatives and a 2.5% fall in the company's share count. Revenues Gain From Segmental Strength Illinois Tool Works generated revenues of $3,831 million in the reported quarter, reflecting growth of 6.5% from the year-ago tally. The improvement came on the back of 3.7% organic gains and 2.8% positive impact of foreign currency movements. However, the top line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,852 million. Illinois Tool Works reports its revenues under the segments discussed below: Test & Measurement and Electronics' revenues in the second quarter increased 6.7% year over year to $554 million. Revenues from Automotive OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) grew 7.2% to $879 million. Food Equipment generated revenues of $553 million, increasing 4.8% year over year. Welding revenues were $440 million, surging 14.3% year over year. Construction Products' revenues were up 4.4% to $444 million while revenues of $522 million from Specialty Products reflect growth of 6.5%. Polymers & Fluids revenues of $445 million increased 1.7% year over year. Margin Improves In the reported quarter, Illinois Tool Works' cost of sales increased 6.9% year over year to $2,231 million. It represented 58.2% of the quarters revenues versus 58% in the year-ago quarter. Selling, administrative, and research and development expenses grew 2.8% year over year to $620 million while came in at 16.2% of revenues versus 16.8% in the year-ago quarter. Operating margin was 24.3%, increasing 10 basis points (bps) year over year or improving 50 bps, excluding the impact of gains from the legal settlement in the second quarter of 2017. Enterprise initiatives contributed 110 bps to operating margin, offsetting a 70-bps adverse impact from unfavorable price/costs. Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Exiting the second quarter, Illinois Tool Works had cash and cash equivalents of $1,628 million, down 16.1% from $1,940 million recorded at the end of the last reported quarter. Long-term debt decreased 11.9% sequentially to $6,069 million. In the second quarter, the company generated net cash of $620 million from its operating activities, reflecting growth of 33.6% over the year-ago quarter. Capital spending on the purchase of plant and equipment was $87 million, higher than $77 million used in the year-ago quarter. Free cash flow was $533 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 37.7%. During the second quarter, the company bought back $500 million of its common shares. Outlook For 2018, Illinois Tool Works revised down its earnings guidance from $7.60-$7.80 to $7.50-$7.70 per share, reflecting growth of 15 cents at mid-point. The revision included 12 cents of adverse foreign currency translation impact predicted for the second half of 2018. For the top line, the company anticipates a healthy business portfolio and a strengthening demand for products to support organic revenue growth of 3-4% (guidance maintained). Total revenues are anticipated to increase 4-5% year over year to $14.9-$15.1 billion. The company revised down its operating margin projection from 25-25.5% to 24-25%, mainly due to margin dilution caused by price/costs. Also, the company noted, on a dollar basis, the adverse impact of cost increases will be offset by pricing actions. Enterprise initiatives are predicted to contribute more than 100 bps to the operating margin. The expected tax rate is roughly 25%. Free cash flow will likely be roughly 100% of net income. Share buybacks are anticipated to be roughly $1.5 billion in the year. For third-quarter 2018, earnings per share are expected to be $1.80-$1.90 versus $1.85 or $1.71 (excluding 14 cents per share benefit recorded from the legal settlement) generated in the year-ago quarter. Organic revenue growth is expected to be 3-4% while total revenues are anticipated to grow 2-3%. Story continues How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then? In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. VGM Scores At this time, Illinois Tool Works has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was also allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Based on our scores, the stock is equally suitable for growth and momentum investors while value investors may want to look elsewhere. Outlook Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, ITW has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. 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 Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Paul Manafort, President Trump, Michael Cohen. Photo: Getty Images Donald Trump ran for president as the professed candidate of law and order, a phrase he borrowed from Richard Nixon. He successfully portrayed his opponents not only the Democratic presidential candidate, but the entire Establishment arrayed against him as a corrupt oligarchy enriching itself at the public expense. By now, at this probably still-early point in the Mueller investigation, we know that Trumps campaign manager, national security adviser, and personal attorney, along with two other campaign aides, are convicted and confessed felons. It is common for Trumps opponents to retreat into cynicism about the possibility for news events to damage Trumps standing. It is certainly true that the president has tapped into a deep vein of cultural and racial revanchism, ensuring the irrevocable loyalty of a large segment of his base. But not every Trump voter was attracted to his gross bullying racism. Some simply overlooked or accepted it in the hopes that he would put his bullying to work for them, to drain the swamp. That criminality has proven to pervade his inner circle is visceral evidence of a broken faith with those voters who trusted this promise. Today, a jury convicted Paul Manafort, Trumps campaign manager, of eight counts of tax and bank fraud. As recently as four days ago, Trump described Manafort as a very good person. Manafort is obviously deeply implicated in Russian government overseas political influence operations, more evidence of which may or may not emerge. (Manafort appears to be holding out for a presidential pardon, rather than share any incriminating information about trump with investigators.) What we know already is damning enough: Trump hired a crook to run his campaign. Todays near-simultaneous guilty plea of longtime Trump lawyer Michael Cohen is even more damning. Cohen, who is also the former vice-chairman for finance of the Republican National Committee, admitted to a number of crimes involving Trump. Like nearly everything Cohen did during his time as Trumps fixer, he told the court he committed these crimes for Trumps benefit and at his direction. Cohen paid off women who alleged affairs with Trump, and violated campaign-finance law. Significantly, the first two Republican members of Congress to endorse him, Chris Collins and Duncan Hunter, have both been charged with serious felonies. There is a type of person to whom Trump is attracted, and a type of person who is attracted to Trump. He repels virtue, and is a magnet for sleaze. Despite Trumps persistent efforts to impede the inquiry into his campaigns collusion with Russia by firing the FBI director, pressuring the Department of Justice to end the inquiry, and dangling pardons to witnesses there is very likely much more to come. Even in the exceedingly unlikely event that the trail of evidence somehow stops dead cold, the degree of illegality already proven to surround Trump is historic. From his profitable association with La Cosa Nostra, to his lending of properties out for worldwide money launderers, to his Trump University scheme that he was forced to settle, Trump has built an entire career knee-deep in ethical filth. Very little of this was litigated in the 2016 election which, in fact, devoted more attention to the sloppy email practices of his opponent than all of Trumps shady associations and practices. His ubiquitous lock her up! chants reflected the widely shared belief that Trumps opponent was the greater sinner. Should he stand for reelection a prospect that seems slightly less certain tonight than it did this morning Trump will be doing so in very different circumstances. He will be running not as Nixon in 1968 or 1972, but Nixon in 1974, not as the guardian of law and order, but a crook. ALEXANDRIA, Va. Paul Manafort, the longtime political operative who for months led Donald Trump's winning presidential campaign, was found g HOW TO PRESERVE ASPEN LEAVES HOW TO PRESERVE ASPEN LEAVES 1. Gather leaves on a sunny day, after the dew has dried. Choose leaves with no blemishes. 2. Press your leaves shortly after gathering, before they dry out. 3. Place leaves between two layers of paper towels and then press them between two large books. Repeat this, depending on the number of leaves you have gathered. 4. Stack the books with the leaves pressed between. 5. After two days, change the paper towels and restack the books, allowing the leaves to press another five to eight days. 6. Mount the dried leaves in a photo album or between acetate or cellophane sheets. FALL PHOTO TIPS FALL PHOTO TIPS Use the light at sunrise and sunset to backlight the trees and help you catch sunlight glittering on the leaves. Use blue sky with some white or gray clouds for contrast. Use a tripod. Be patient. Try close-ups of leaves and bark. SHARE YOUR PHOTOS SHARE YOUR PHOTOS Send us your favorite pictures showcasing Colorados fall colors via Instagram (@co-gazette), Twitter (@csgazette), Facebook (facebook.com/springsgazette) and email (photo@gazette.com). DID YOU KNOW? Aspens make up about 20 percent of Colorados forests and usually are found between 6,900 feet and 10,500 feet in elevation. Areas Here are a few suggestions for areas to explore: Pikes Peak region If a long road trip is out of the question, stay local and enjoy the drive up Old Stage Road in southwest Colorado Springs, an old logging route with a rich history and a wealth of aspens. Four-wheel drive is a plus, but passenger vehicles will be able to make it a good distance. To get there: From Interstate 25 south of downtown, take exit 138, Circle Drive. Go west and Circle Drive will become Lake Avenue. At The Broadmoor hotel, take the traffic circle onto Lake Circle, which becomes Portales Road. Veer right onto Mirada Road, which wraps to the west, becoming West Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard, then Old Stage Road. Find another great drive on Mount Herman Road in Monument. Take Interstate 25 north to exit 161. Go west and follow Second Street through town. Head south on Mitchell Road and take a right onto Mount Herman Road at Dirty Woman Park. Take the well-maintained dirt road to the top of Mount Herman. Within a few hours drive: Few will forget an autumn tour of the Highway of Legends Scenic Byway in southern Colorado, though getting there will be a time investment. Head south on I-25 to Walsenburg, then head west on U.S. 160 and branch off on Colorado 12 at La Veta. The 82-mile route will return you to I-25. Enjoy the lovely route between Breckenridge and South Park via Boreas Pass at 11,492 feet. Take Forest Service Road 33 from U.S. 285 at Como in Park County or Boreas Pass Road in Breckenridge. For another classic, head to Kebler Pass near Crested Butte. Head west out of Crested Butte over County Road 12, an improved dirt road, and be surrounded by aspens and breathtaking vistas. At Colorado 133, you can head north toward McClure Pass for more or return the way you came. For a shorter day, stick to Colorado 135 between Crested Butte and Gunnison. Independence Pass, one of Colorados higher paved roads, provides sweeping views of aspens. Colorado 82 is normally open until Nov. 1 but could be closed early because of weather. A small problem sets the entrepreneurial wheel in Milan Kordestanis mind spinning into a colorful blur. As a freshman at Colorado College last year, the teen from California thought it would have been really useful if he could have hired an older student who had taken similar classes to tutor him. I could have asked, What is this specific professor like? What is this class like? he said Monday from his home in California. Having a fellow student make a copy of a research project, clean his room or deliver a midnight snack for a nominal fee also would have enhanced his college experience, Kordestani thought. In January, he and high school friend Sabine Rizvi, who attends New York University, embarked on finding a 21st-century solution. They came up with an application for college students to get basic tasks done, an app Kordestani thinks will revolutionize college life. Although he didnt know anything about developing a smartphone application, Kordestani is as familiar with starting a business as he is with studying for a test. The 19-year-old son of Twitter Executive Chairman Omid Kordestani has founded two other companies. When he was a high school sophomore, he started Milan Farms, featuring a humane and organic system to raise poultry and grow pure saffron. Kordestani also pioneered an independent record label, Guin Records, which produces, promotes and distributes music for emerging hip-hop and rhythm-and-blues artists. His parents, who emigrated from Iran, instilled in him many valuable traits. Both of my parents are advocates of: Success comes from what youre passionate in. And theyre supportive of my ventures, he said. To see them having started from so little to where they are now my mother a philanthropist, and my father in the technology sphere and their dedication to what they love, its great to see that sort of motivation. Dormzi will debut on the NYU campus in New York City on Saturday and next year expand to other colleges. In developing the app, Kordestani now is familiar with obtaining a patent and a trademark, researching and designing a product, then testing, reworking and launching it. Heres how the free app for iOS and Androids works. NYU students will be able to sign up and either be a Dormzi or a Dormer. Dormzis are the worker bees, and Dormers are the students in need of services. Students submit requests Need my room vacuumed tomorrow or Looking for a physics tutor for one hour this afternoon and other students respond to fill the need. Feedback from students at CC and NYU helped Kordestani and Rizzi refine the function. Users wanted a seamless transition between the work app and the use app, Kordestani said. The same student who wants his bedroom cleaned also may want to be a tutor or run an errand for someone. Scheduling an appeal ahead of time, such as I want my room cleaned at 2 a.m. because Im having a party the next day also emerged from suggestions from classmates. The app connects students and includes a predetermined pricing system. Vacuuming a room might cost $5 to $10, for example, Rizvi said. Kordestani and Rizvi take a small percentage of the fee as revenue. The purpose of the design and the way weve intended it is we dont want to limit the student population or be an elitist app, Kordestani said. Its more of a community of people helping out each other to have someone do a students laundry and that same student tutors you. Its a seamless action of organizing it and helping people out. The app could come to the CC campus, where Kordestani likely will major in agricultural business, as early as next year. For safety purposes, its limited to only students living on a specific college or university campus. Theres a lot of creativity and innovation at CC, he said. Students want to make the world a better place and are constantly coming up with ideas. Its been a great space to make this in; everyone wants to bounce ideas off of you. Colorado lawmakers are making a second bid to get local water utilities reimbursed for cleaning up toxins tied to the Air Force after failing to get their provision in the National Defense Authorization Act. U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner this time are working to get an amendment to a defense spending bill that would reimburse $9 million to water providers in Security, Widefield and Fountain for their emergency actions in 2016 after tests found that the Widefield aquifer carried dangerous levels of perfluorinated compounds chemicals tied to firefighting foam used at Peterson Air Force Base. From the start, local water authorities took action to provide safe drinking water to Coloradans, said Bennet, a Democrat, by email. This amendment will ensure water providers are reimbursed for those efforts. The local communities stepped up, and now its time the federal government does the same. In 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warned that water in the aquifer exceeded a health standard for perfluorinated compounds of 70 parts per trillion. Thats a shot glass of the chemical in 107 million gallons of water. The initial cleanup costs have been at the center of a two-year dispute between the utilities and the military, which said it couldnt reimburse utilities for expenses that werent approved ahead of time. Studies since the initial EPA warning have tied the contamination to runoff from firefighting foam used at a regional training facility at Peterson. The military since has made conciliatory gestures, this year coming up with money for filtration systems and to cover the cost for utilities that are buying clean water from Colorado Springs. The military has claimed it needed congressional help to repay utilities for the initial costs associated with the contamination, with a bill to override its existing policy. Several insiders, though, have told The Gazette that the Pentagon has battled earlier congressional efforts to create a reimbursement scheme. Part of the resistance could stem from the vast scope of the issue facing the Pentagon, with perfluorinated contamination found in water systems near 126 U.S. military bases. The effort could get a boost from Gardners endorsement. The Republican freshman senator emerged as a White House favorite this week, having traveled to a political rally in West Virginia with President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One. Trump singled out Gardner in his remarks, saying: Hes tremendous, and hes done so much. On Wednesday, Gardner said he wants the administration to pay for the cost of contamination We will continue to fight to make the communities whole that have been impacted, Gardner said in an email. Our bipartisan amendment will reimburse municipal water authorities that faced immediate and necessary cleanup costs from their work to ensure their community has clean drinking water. The amendment will need political horsepower to make it through the annual brass-knuckled fight over defense spending, which will top $716 billion this year. It will need approval from Senate appropriators and the entire chamber before it gets scrutiny from the House. In a bid for a similar measure this summer, a Bennet- inspired amendment was killed before it could be added to the annual defense policy bill. If this new effort fails, the lawmakers say, theyll keep fighting. But a third try could wait until 2019 for consideration. President Trump is not a lawyer. Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images Yesterday, President Trumps former lawyer, Michael Cohen, confessed in open court to committing a crime at Trumps direction. The crime is violating campaign finance law, by using Trumps personal funds for a campaign-related expense (paying hush money to his mistresses). The official White House defense of the president was on display from press secretary Sarah Sanders, who repeatedly told reporters Trump did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him. .@CeciliaVega: "Did Pres. Trump commit a crime?"@PressSec: "As the president said, we've stated many times, he did nothing wrong, there are no charges against him, and we've commented on this extensively." https://t.co/LPelxvyDqz pic.twitter.com/WONWGeEIV6 ABC News (@ABC) August 22, 2018 Neither of these statements answers the question of Trumps criminal liability. He did nothing wrong simply changes the question from breaking the law to an undefined definition of wrong which may not overlap with the legal one. (The administration might not consider violating campaign finance law wrong.) The second portion there are no charges against him merely reflects the fact that sitting presidents cant be indicted. Trump could, as they say, shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue, and Sanders could still say he has done nothing wrong and has not been charged with a crime. Trumps own defense, offered on Fox & Friends, is even more confused. Trump insisted he is in the clear because the payments werent taken out of campaign finance They didnt come out of the campaign, they came from me. EXCLUSIVE: President @realDonaldTrump on if he knew about the Cohen payments. See more from his interview with @ainsleyearhardt tomorrow 6-9amET. pic.twitter.com/HPJPslOG6X FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) August 22, 2018 That is not a defense. That is why its a crime. If the money came from the campaign, it would have been legal. Asked why Trump didnt report his payments, Sanders simply said she wouldnt get into the back-and-forth details. Definitely what your representative says when youre innocent. At Sababa in Washington, D.C., chef Ryan Moore pairs his zhug with roasted spicy peppers and harissa in a dish called Not for the Faint of Heart. Its meant to be an accompaniment to other foods, but some people eat it plain as a dare. Charges wont be filed in the Feb. 5 shootout in which El Paso County sheriffs Deputy Micah Flick and suspected car thief Manuel Zetina were killed and bystander Thomas Villanueva was partially paralyzed, the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. The DAs Office said the officers acted reasonably when they shot Zetina after he unleashed a hail of bullets, wounding four officers and Villanueva, all before any member of law enforcement fired their weapons. The report recounts for the first time the harrowing last moments of Flicks life and what District Attorney Dan May called the horrible tragedy that struck our community. The DAs report gives this account: The Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement task force, including Colorado Springs police, county sheriffs deputies and the Colorado State Patrol, were tracking a stolen green Saturn about 8 a.m. Feb. 5. They hadnt yet identified Zetina, 19, as the driver, but they followed him as he drove across the city, stopping a few times to retrieve items from the trunk or spray-paint the car blue. His last stop would be the Murray Hill Apartments, 4225 Galley Road, where his family lives. Zetina sat in the parking lot, smoking what later was determined to be meth, and making calls. Then he went into an apartment. When he walked out and headed toward the stolen car, officers decided to arrest him, noticing at the last minute that Zetinas right hand was in his pocket, apparently clasping an object. Deputies Scott Stone and Flick approached Zetina as he walked toward them. Stone grabbed Zetina in a bear hug and yelled police. Zetina had his gun in hand and started firing, striking Stone in the left hip. Task force members saw Flick struggling with Zetina. Some think they were fighting over a gun. Seconds later, Flick was motionless on the ground. The investigation later would reveal hed been shot once, in the throat. With two officers down, Zetina began to spray the parking lot with gunfire, moving in a circle as he fired, striking police Detective Marcus Yanez in the groin and Villanueva in the spine. Bullets also struck a nearby apartment building, and sheriffs Sgt. Jacob Abendschan was hit by shrapnel. Three officers returned fire, striking Zetina in the torso and back and grazing his left arm. When he fell, he still had the gun in his hand and his finger on the trigger. The event lasted about 10 seconds, May said. The bullet that punctured Flicks throat was never found, May said, but the DAs Office determined that Zetina shot him because autopsy records indicated Flick was hit at close range, and because no other officers had fired their weapons by then. Zetina was using 9mm full-metal jacket rounds designed to go through and through, which is why some of the rounds were not recovered, May said. Zetinas gun held nine rounds, but the report didnt say how many were fired. Only six shell casings were recovered. The DAs investigation indicated Zetina knew he was attacking law enforcement even before Stone yelled police. Earlier, while officers were tracking him, Zetina made numerous evasive maneuvers in an apparent effort to identify (and throw off) any vehicle that might be following him, the report said. Zetina had been monitoring police scanner websites on his cell phone days earlier, it said, indicating that he knew police were following him. We dont know for sure whether or not he knew, said Margaret Vellar, lead investigator and chief deputy district attorney. It looks like he probably did know. But Villanueva was simply walking back to his apartment after lunch when Zetina started shooting. Villanueva was struck in the spine and is paralyzed from the chest down. He was among the first to assert that officers did not identify themselves before the shooting, allowing him to walk unknowingly into danger. Instead, Villanueva thought the officers were possibly gangsters, contradicting statements by Sheriff Bill Elder that the officers, though in plain clothes, were clearly identified by appropriate insignia and announced themselves. The District Attorneys Office supported Villanuevas account, saying officers wore badges and protective gear only beneath their undercover clothing and did not identify themselves until Stone grabbed Zetina. At that point, Villanueva was nearby, and police were just noticing him, the report said. Some of the 10 officers at the scene said Villanueva did not appear to be with Zetina and were asking where he came from, Vellar said. In seconds, bullets were flying, she said. The Sheriffs Office declined to comment on the insignia discrepancy or the ruling, citing Villanuevas notice of claim, a precursor to a lawsuit. Villanueva filed the claim as a placeholder to possible litigation, depending on the results of Tuesdays ruling. His attorneys previously said Villanueva would sue agencies for his serious physical injuries requiring hospitalization and surgeries if officers were found to have acted inappropriately in the shooting. Attorney Russell Araya with Ramos Law did not return a call Tuesday. Villanuevas father, Tom Villanueva, has questioned whether the ruling and other public records would reveal violations or deficiencies in law enforcement policies or protocols, such as conducting arrests in highly populated areas with children and oblivious residents nearby. Could they lead to changes, he asked, to make sure this doesnt happen again? But the DAs report said officers did not try to arrest Zetina at earlier locations for tactical reasons and because team members hadnt arrived. May said his office does not scrutinize tactics used or any events after an officers decision to use deadly force. It focuses solely on the shooting, though he noted that many of the tactics officers employed had been used successfully over and over again. Unfortunately, law enforcement is a dangerous job, and this is an example of that. You try to take all of the precautions you can in the world, but in the end its a dangerous job, May said, his voice choked by emotion. Whether the DAs conclusion will spur release of the county coroners autopsy reports remains to be seen. Coroner Robert Bux has petitioned to seal the autopsy reports for Flick and Zetina, records that could help verify the district attorneys account. Bux said releasing the reports with details on where the two were shot, how many times, the trajectory of bullets and possibly the types of bullets will harm the public interest and cause additional stress and grief to Flicks family. Flicks widow, Rachael Flick, also opposes release of the records, the request said. The Gazette and the Colorado Springs Independent have hired legal counsel to fight for the autopsy reports. A court date is expected to be scheduled Friday. Villanueva and his family also protested last week for the release of the records. The family did not return calls for comment Tuesday. Contact the writer at 719-636-0362 or find her on Twitter: @njKaitlinDurbin. The annual Colorado Water Congress meeting this week will bring together all manner of candidates for some of the states top offices to discuss water policy, drought and the future of the state water plan. The three-day conference, which starts Wednesday at the Hotel Talisa in Vail, is expected to draw more than 300 water policy experts as well as local, county and state officials who handle water issues. The Water Congress is the states leading nonprofit focused on programs to conserve, develop, administer and protect the states water resources. Drought issues will be a key discussion topic this week, said Doug Kemper, the group's executive director. Drought has hit the southern half of the state pretty hard, Kemper said. Youre looking at record low flows in some areas, especially around Gunnison, he said. We came into this year universally above average in every river basin, but will exit this water year in a different condition. Negotiations with the six other states that draw water from the Colorado River are at a critical point, Kemper said, even as a new governor and attorney general are coming to Colorado. The conference will hear from the major candidates for both offices, marking the first time that many in the water community will meet them. They'll likely be asked how they view the state water plan, whether the next governor will have a special water adviser, as Gov. John Hickenlooper has, and how they view the work of the basin roundtables, which carry much of the workload for the water plan. Funding for the plan also is in question. Kemper said it's still unclear whether funding will come from grants or loans and whether it will be spent on infrastructure, wastewater treatment or environmental protection. The congress will meet Wednesday with Republican attorney general candidate George Brauchler, followed by Republican gubernatorial candidate Walker Stapleton. Thursday, Democratic attorney general candidate Phil Weiser will speak to the congress. U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, is to address the group Friday. Congressional candidates also will visit: Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton will be at the congress Thursday, and Democratic opponent Diane Mitsch Bush will address the congress Friday. Thursday, the Legislature's interim water resources review committee will hold its August session at the congress. The committee is to review funding for the state water plan, the Colorado River compact and drought contingency plans for the Colorado River. Thursdays keynote address, A New Culture of Certainty at EPA, will be delivered by Doug Benevento, the EPA Region VIII administrator, and comes on the heels of a federal court order Thursday that the Trump administration reinstate the Obama administrations Waters of the USA rule. The summer conference wraps up Friday. Wealthy investment manager and big-time national conservative donor Foster Friess lost his gubernatorial primary despite unlimited funds and a late endorsement from Donald J. Trump. Photo: Brooks Kraft/Corbis via Getty Images Donald Trump has made a habit of tweeting out late endorsements in competitive Republican primaries this year. Its worked out well for him in South Carolina (Henry McMaster and Katie Arrington), Georgia (Brian Kemp), Alabama (Martha Roby), Nevada (Adam Laxalt), Tennessee (David Kustoff), Michigan (John James), Ohio (Jim Renacci), and Kansas (Kris Kobach). But it did not work out well for Wyoming gubernatorial candidate Foster Friess, who despite an Election Day endorsement from Trump, a perception of momentum, and big sacks of money, lost to Establishment candidate and state treasurer Mark Gordon by about six points. Despite his national notoriety (mostly associated with decisive campaign contribution commitments like his personal bankrolling of Rick Santorums 2012 presidential campaign), Friess wasnt terribly well-known in Wyoming. He was, after all, a part-time resident of the state running for his first public office at the age of 78. While his money (he spent over $2 million on his campaign, which is a lot for Wyoming) made him competitive, it also became an issue in the campaign. Former senator Alan Simpson, who was backing Gordon, commented: Well see whether you can really buy a governors race. Friess was also handicapped by a large field that he entered relatively late. It included another self-funder, Sam Galeotos, and a very well-known anti-environmentalist crusader, Harriet Hageman. In the end the early front-runner with the bulk of Wyoming GOP endorsements, Gordon, held just enough of his vote to survive. To be clear, its not like Gordon or Wyoming Republicans rebuffed Trump. But they didnt let him boss them around, either. As the winner said last night: This is a governors race. This is about the state of Wyoming, Gordon said after winning his six-way primary. President Trump is doing great things that are important for Wyoming in terms of getting our economy going, and all of that. But in the end, I think people in Wyoming concentrated on whos got the experience, whos got the record and whos got the best message going forward for Wyoming. Gordon will be heavily favored in November against Democrat Mary Throne in a state that Trump won by better than a three-to-one margin in 2016. But Friesss defeat capped off a terrible day for the White House, and had to sting. Three teens have been arrested in the thefts of thousands of dollars worth of bicycles from racks at Colorado College, police said. James William Loper Jr., 19, and Joey Anthony Muraca and Tyson Lane, both 18, were arrested on suspicion of theft of $20,000 to $100,000 and possession of burglary tools, both felonies, as well as criminal mischief under $300, a misdemeanor, court records show. A Colorado Springs police officer working extra duty Sunday said he saw three men move from bike rack to rack, stealing locked bicycles. The officer confronted them, and they fled, dropping a stolen bicycle and a backpack. Police didn't say how the thieves managed to defeat the locks. Two were arrested and admitted to the thefts, police said. The officers recovered more than $7,500 worth of bicycles stolen from campus. The third suspect, who also reportedly admitted to the thefts, was arrested Monday. Five more bicycles and frames were found in their home, and one was identified as being stolen in an unrelated incident. An Uber driver who picked up the suspect in a Colorado Springs police shooting shortly before the attack tearfully pleaded for her car to be released from a police impound lot, saying she has been unable to work for nearly a month. After a hearing in 4th Judicial District Court on Wednesday, Carrie Ward said the gray sedan which the El Paso County Sheriffs Office seized after the Aug. 2 shooting of Officer Cem Duzel is more than her only means of transportation. Im without a means to support my children, she said in a strained voice after a brief hearing for Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi, an Iraqi refugee charged with attempted murder in the attack on Duzel, 30. The officer remains hospitalized in serious condition. Jailed without bond on charges of attempted first-degree murder of an officer, Al Khammasi was ordered to appear in court for a preliminary hearing Sept. 12. Wearing a lime-green El Paso County jail jumpsuit with a heavy bandage on his left arm, the defendant shuffled into court with shackles at his waist and feet. He peered into the packed gallery but said nothing during the brief hearing. Prosecutor Reggy Short petitioned the judge to order that Wards car be released from an evidence impound lot, saying authorities do not believe it bears significant evidence. A court-appointed attorney for Al Khammasi, Jennifer Chu, objected, saying she doesnt know if the car is significant to her clients defense because she hasnt received all of the reports in the case. Fourth Judicial District Judge Jann DuBois scheduled an emergency hearing, at the prosecutions request, for Sept. 5. Short said in court that prosecutors filed their first request to release the car two weeks ago. Ward was summoned to pick up Al Khammasi and two of his friends on the night of the shooting, but she kicked them out of her car after the suspect grew belligerent, The Gazette has reported. The shooting happened nearby a short time later, and Wards car was seized as evidence. Ward said she fears that her car, which she believes is exposed to the elements, was damaged in a recent hailstorm that destroyed numerous vehicles across Colorado Springs. If the car is released and it still runs Id get my life back, she said. Referring to Al Khammasi, she added: Im as much a prisoner as he is. Police stand guard after the confederate statue known as Silent Sam was toppled by protesters on campus at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., late Monday. Iowa Republican senator Chuck Grassley, who had his Twitter account hacked by Anonymous, speaks with Mark Zuckerberg following his Senate testimony. Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images Imagine this: Facebook is set to release a slew of shiny new features designed to win back users and increase engagement. But before it can release its products, Renren (one of Chinas Facebook clones) releases the same features across its platform, beating Facebook to the punch. Infuriated, Facebook security officials claim they know with near certainty that their plans were stolen by a hacker on behalf of the Chinese social-media giant. Some furious employees put in motion a plan to load a devastating malware attack on the hackers networks as payback. Is that even legal? Can Facebook retaliate with a hack of its own? Under current U.S. law, the answer is no, but a growing number of legislators are attempting to change that. Yesterday, Rhode Island Democratic senator Sheldon Whitehouse became the most recent lawmaker to express support for revenge hacking. We ought to think hard about how and when to license hack-back authority so capable, responsible private-sector actors can deter foreign aggression, Whitehouse said. If [a major CEO] wanted permission to figure out how to hack back, I dont think hed know what agencys door to knock on to actually give him an answer. Hacking back (also known as revenge hacking) involves a retaliatory response by a private company or an individual after they are attacked by a malicious actor. While anyone can monitor and enforce their own network and devices, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act prevents people from going a step further and hacking into someone elses network, even if they were hacked first. In his recent book, The Perfect Weapon, journalist David Sanger likens hacking back to a retaliatory home invader. Its illegal, just as its illegal to break into the house of someone who robbed your house in order to retrieve your property, Sanger writes. Not everyone agrees. For years, lawmakers and CEOs of companies have pushed to roll back restrictions on hacking back. Those in favor of allowing companies more authority to hack back, like MetricStream chief evangelist French Caldwell, often point to the governments inability to adequately and effectively deal with the sheer scope of attacks across the internet. While government agencies could hack back on behalf of private companies, there are simply not enough government resources, and engaging them in circumstances that dont involve national security can be problematic, Caldwell, who worked with the White House on cyberwar games, wrote in an email to Select All. The problem is that hacking back comes with its own set of costly consequences. Some, including the former head of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command Keith Alexander, have said that those consequences could even lead to war. If it [hacking back] starts a war, you cant have companies starting a war, Alexander told a Motherboard reporter at a cybersecurity conference last year. Thats an inherently governmental responsibility, and plus the chances of a company getting it wrong are fairly high. Aside from the gloomy prospect of accidental war started by a disgruntled Facebook employee, hacking back poses other more pressing issues. Chief among those are detection and collateral damage. Attribution in cyberspace is notoriously difficult and hackers engaged in malicious attacks often route attacks through other computers, making detection all the more difficult. By allowing private companies the ability to conduct online search-and-destroy missions against their attackers, they will inevitably end up pouring through the networks and files of perfectly innocent bystanders. Illegal but not Uncommon Even with these criticisms, the debate surrounding hacking back has ebbed and flowed for years and transcends political-party affiliation. Last years revised version of the Active Cyber Defense Certainty Act received bipartisan support and would, among other things, allow companies to attack other computers when they themselves appeared in danger. Under the guise of active defense, the bill could even grant companies the ability to launch preemptive attacks if they felt endangered. The bill has faced steep opposition and has been called, a highway to hell. Caldwell, though expressing interest in these type of measures, urged caution and clear limits. Companies should have a limited authorization to hack back, but that needs to be well controlled, limited to specific methods, and require notification of and acknowledgement from law enforcement officials, he said. Regardless of legislation, certain levels of hack backs will still occur. Indeed, there is no shortage of vigilante hackers roaming the internet as you read this. This is all well and good, but these small-scale hacker heroes cannot compare with the potential fallback of hack backs posed by tech giants like Amazon, Facebook, and Google, which each possesses more financial and political power than many small nations. And the motivation exists. According to Sangers book, Google engineers seriously considered taking matters into their own hands against China in the past. Given the growing fears over Russian hacking and foreign manipulation via major platforms like Facebook and Twitter, legislators in favor of removing restrictions may have more pull than ever before. If thats the case, the tech companies will likely be the last ones to object to their newly granted power. CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eguana Technologies Inc. (the Company or Eguana) (TSX.V:EGT)(OTCQB:EGTYF), a designer and manufacturer of high performance residential and commercial energy storage systems is pleased to announce it has entered into a loan agreement for general working capital of $1,300,000 (the Loan) on August 22, 2018 with its largest shareholder DHCT II Luxembourg SARL (the Lender or Doughty Hanson). The ongoing support from Doughty Hanson has been tremendous, this agreement will provide critical working capital allowing Eguana to set global finished goods inventory positions at a time when product availability is crucial for stationary storage companies success stated Justin Holland, CEO of Eguana Technologies. Shrinking lead times for our partners has been a recurring request, particularly in recent months, these funds will go directly into securing material availability as our new partners begin sell through and reorder, priming the supply chain for further growth. As consideration for the advance of the Loan, which has a second priority lien on all the assets of Eguana and its material subsidiaries, the Company has issued 1,238,095 non-transferable common share purchase warrants (the Warrants), entitling the Lender to purchase an aggregate of up to common shares of the Company at a price of $0.21 per common shares for a period of three (3) years from the date of the Loan. In addition, the Company confirmed it has executed a $750,000 USD second tranche draw of the previously announced loan agreement with Silicon Valley based Western Technology Investment. The Loan and the issuance of the Warrants remain subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Eguana Technologies Inc. Based in Calgary, Alberta Canada, Eguana Technologies (TSX.V:EGT)(OTCQB:EGTYF) designs and manufactures high performance residential and commercial energy storage systems. Eguana has two decades of experience delivering grid edge power electronics for fuel cell, photovoltaic and battery applications, and delivers proven, durable, high quality solutions from its high capacity manufacturing facilities in Europe and North America. With thousands of its proprietary energy storage inverters deployed in the European and North American markets, Eguana is one of the leading suppliers of power controls for solar self-consumption, grid services and demand charge applications at the grid edge. To learn more, visit www.EguanaTech.com or follow us on Twitter @EguanaTech Company Inquiries Justin Holland CEO, Eguana Technologies Inc. +1.416.728.7635 Justin.Holland@EguanaTech.com Forward Looking Information Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, the "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, and is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the Company's control. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements pertaining to the value of our power controls to the energy storage market and statements concerning the use of proceeds, the Company's ability to obtain necessary approvals from the TSX Venture Exchange and information with respect to the Company's beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. The words "may", "could", "should", "would", "suspect", "outlook", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "target" and similar words and expressions are used to identify forward-looking information. The forward looking information in this news release describes the Company's expectations as of the date of this news release. The results or events anticipated or predicted in such forward-looking information may differ materially from actual results or events. Material factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, among others, the Company's ability to engage and retain qualified key personnel, employees and affiliates, to obtain capital and credit and to protect its property rights. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward looking information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed a certain progression, which may not be realized. It has also assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. ARLINGTON, VA, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leaders from Americas dairy industry travel this week to China to promote trade cooperation with official agencies in Beijing and Chinese dairy buyers in Xi'an. In Beijing, a delegation will discuss the flow of Sino/U.S. dairy business amid months of trade tension that has led to tariffs on a long list of U.S. exports, including dairy. In Xi'an, Tom Vilsack, president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), will speak Saturday to hundreds of Chinese dairy leaders attending the China Dairy Industry Association meeting. Vilsack said he is eager to reconnect with Chinese counterparts he has worked with for two years to develop a robust dairy trade infrastructure. In April, Vilsack kicked off a partnership with Jiangnan University that promotes dairy consumption and innovation. In February, Vilsack discussed trade relations with Chinas Vice Minister of Commerce. China is a country where the impressive growth in the domestic dairy industry has been complemented by imports of many products that the local industry is not able to produce, said Vilsack, a former U.S. Agriculture Secretary. With an abundant supply of milk, U.S. dairy exporters are uniquely equipped to meet growing Chinese demand for a wide range of nutritious, high-quality dairy products that are safely and sustainably produced. This is a partnership that will continue to benefit both countries for years to come. But shipping U.S. dairy products to China has become more challenging in recent months as the countries have raised tariffs against each other. Jaime Castaneda, USDECs senior vice president, says he and other members of the U.S. delegation will continue to meet with government representatives from both nations to reiterate the damage being done by hindering dairy trade. China is one of our most important export markets and growth there has been unparalleled in recent years, he explained. Slowing that momentum is hurting farmers and manufacturers in the U.S. and consumers in China. Chinese consumers have shown that they want U.S. dairy goods, and we need to continue to expand sales to help combat falling prices at home. China is a large and growing market for U.S. dairy, importing $577 from U.S. suppliers last year, a jump of 49 percent over 2016. In response to new U.S. tariffs announced on Chinese goods, China imposed tariffs as high as 25 percent on most U.S. dairy products in July and has threatened to increase those dairy tariffs in the ongoing trade dispute. USDEC has outlined a plan for immediately easing some of the tension on dairy as the two nations continue to work through their broader trade differences. The plan includes the speedy approval of U.S. companies that have registered to export products to China, removing dairy from the retaliatory tariffs and approving technical regulations to facilitate the sale of U.S. whey permeate as a food product in China. From China, Vilsack and his team will travel to Seoul for meetings on Monday with South Korean dairy leaders. # # # About USDEC: The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) is a non-profit, independent membership organization that represents the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers and export traders. Its mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and assist the U.S. industry to increase its global dairy ingredient sales and exports of U.S. dairy products. USDEC accomplishes this through programs in market development that build global demand for U.S. dairy products, resolve market access barriers and advance industry trade policy goals. USDEC is supported by staff across the United States and overseas in Mexico, South America, Asia, Middle East and Europe. See www.usdec.org. Attachment These Bras I Got While Pregnant Are Now My Go-To WFH Bras These Bras I Got While Pregnant Are Now Re: Although trained in Sweden, the renowned doctor has spent most of her [ #permalink A humble request Please give KUDOS if you like the response. Let us first dissect the sentence. Although trained in Sweden, This is the dependent clause the renowned doctor has spent most of her life in Africa, - This is the independent clause. This is in present perfect tense. grew up in Kenya as the eldest of a missionary couples six children, - This is in simple past tense. attended prep school in Namibia, - This is in simple past tense. and after college and medical school in Sweden, did graduate work in the Congo and Zimbabwe. - This is in simple past tense. This is a list of activities and the tenses are being tested in this SC question. (A) grew up in Kenya as the eldest of a missionary couples six children, attended prep school in Namibia, and after college and medical school in Sweden, did All tenses are in past tense an hence is incorrect choice we need something in present tense. (B) has grown up in Kenya as the eldest of a missionary couples six children, has attended prep school in Namibia, and after college and medical school in Sweden, did this sentence has present perfect tense, present perfect tense and past tense. Hence incorrect. (C) having grown up in Kenya as the eldest of a missionary couples six children, attended prep school in Namibia, and after college and medical school in Sweden, having done simple present, simple past and simple present. Hence incorrect If you are still reading my post please hit the KUDOS button. (D) growing up in Kenya as the eldest of a missionary couples six children, attending prep school in Namibia, and, after college and medical school in Sweden, doing Present continuous tense for all three list had been used. This is the correct choice. All the tenses are in the same form. (E) growing up in Kenya as the eldest of a missionary couples six children, attending prep school in Namibia, and, after college and medical school in Sweden, she did Present continuous tense, Present continuous tense and past tense has been used. Hence incorrect. Thank you for reading the post. Request you to please hit the KUDOS button. Answer is D. Re: If 5x^2 has two different prime factors, at most how many di [ #permalink suprememodelrus wrote: If 5x^2 has two different prime factors, at most how many different prime factors does x have? (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4 (E) 5 x cannot have more than 2 prime factors, because in this case 5x^2 would also have more than 2 prime factors.Can x have 2 prime factors? Yes, consider x=2*5=10 (in this case 5x^2 still has 2 prime factors).Answer: B._________________ Re: Jamboree and GMAT Club Contest: When a timamollo or candle wife, a [ #permalink When a timamollo or candle wife, a Pedi chief's bride, arrives at the royal house, all the fires in the village are doused and re-lit directly from her candle. A. When a timamollo or candle wife, a Pedi chief's bride, arrives at the royal house, all the fires in the village are doused and re-lit directly from her candle. No specific person is pointed but we are talking about specific bride who is candle wife or timamollo-- Here we are talking in general which is not the intended meaning i guess.Rather we are talking about THE specific bride. B. When the bride of a Pedi chief, a timamollo or candle wife, arrives at the royal house, all the fires in the village are doused and re-lit directly from her candle. Correct. Here were are talking about specific person among the group ie. THE Bride--which bride?- who is candle wife or timamollo. C. When a timamollo, a Pedi chief's candle wife, arrives at the royal house, all the fires in the village are doused and re-lit directly from her candle. Change of meaning from the original sentence- Here the definition of timamollo is given, a definition which is wrong and makes no sense. In original sentence we are given Chiefs Bride not wife. . D. When a timamollo or candle wife arrives at the royal house, all the fires in the village are doused and re-lit directly from the Pedi chief's bride. from the Pedi Chief's Bride- It gives wrong meaning the fires were relit from her candle and not from herself. E. When a timamollo or a Pedi chief's candle wife, arrives at the royal house, all the fires in the village are doused and re-lit directly from her candle. Here we have two entities timamollo or Pedi chief's candle wife-- so again given meaning is changed Given meaning is Chief's Bride is candle wife or timamollo normal sales of umbrellas Note:Not normal umbrella. The company thinks the sales of these higher - priced umbrellas will be greater than normal sales of umbrellas, because the purchasers of these umbrellas will be forced to buy them if they do not want to get wet. (Negate) But the ones that do feel the need will do so won't they. So the sales of the umbrella will rise B. Normally priced umbrellas are not profitable for singing in the Rain Umbrellas Corp. Totally irrelevant. Not relevant No way this can be an assumption. Hmm, a close choice but if you negate it this becomes. Some potential customers will have acquired an umbrella previously. . Does this destroy my argument ? Not definitely. Also if you look at it from other perspective, Even if i have the umbrella, i might not be carrying it with me, So my purchase really is not affected by the fact that i have an umbrella or not. --It's one thing to get defeated, but another to accept it. Signature Read More It should be A ,When down to two options always try the negation technique. Although the conclusion is worded in a way to cause some confusion b/w normal sales and normal umbrellas.Conclusion: The company thinks the sales of these higher - priced umbrellas will be greater thanPremise: the purchasers of these umbrellas will be forced to buy them if they do not want to get wetSinging in the Rain Umbrella Corp. plans to institute a marketing campaign inwhich it sells umbrellas at the exits of subway stations during rainy weather. Theumbrellas will be sold at a price that is slightly higher than normal.The author assumes which of the following about the purchasers of the umbrellasin predicting the sales of the umbrellas?A. Customers who do not feel immediate pressure to purchase willnot do so.C. Very few people buy Singing in the Rains normally pricedumbrellas.D. Singing in the Rain Umbrellas Corp. will have to stop sellingnormally priced umbrellas when it starts selling higher pricedumbrellas.E. Most potential customers of Singing in the Rains higher pricedumbrellas will not have acquired an umbrella previously._________________ mikemcgarry wrote: That the Fifth Lateran Council (1512 1517), had it addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church rather than simply shoring up its own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, could have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation, still causes regret among modern Western Christian thinkers. (A) had it addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church rather than simply shoring up its own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, could have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation still causes (B) if it addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church rather than simply shoring up their own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, could have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation still cause (C) if they addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church instead of simply shoring up their own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, they might have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation still cause (D) if they addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church instead of simply shoring up their own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, they could have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation, still a cause of (E) if it had addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church rather than simply having shored up its own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, it might have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation, still a cause of See a full discussion of this question, and a full discussion of noun clauses (a.k.a. substantive clauses ) in general, see this blog: http://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/substantiv ... -the-gmat/ See a full discussion of this question, and a full discussion of(a.k.a.) in general, see this blog: had it addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church rather than simply shoring up its own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, could have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation, still causes Could not understood the structure and flow of the sentence ..but just tried to understand the meaning and then kept this option on HOLD. the "if ...then..." structure in if then structure ... if the "if" clause is in simple past tense ...then the "then" clause must have "would + Verb" or must be in "simple past tense" (depending on the context). Here, none is given ..so WRONG the "if ...then..." structure in if then structure ... if the "if" clause is in simple past tense ...then the "then" clause must have "would + Verb" or must be in "simple past tense" (depending on the context). Here, none is given ..so WRONG Also, "THEY" is PLURAL whereas the antecedent "THE FIFTH LATERAL COUNCIL" is SINGULAR (D) if they addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church instead of simply shoring up their own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, they could have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation, still a cause of [b] the "if ...then..." structure in if then structure ... if the "if" clause is in simple past tense ...then the "then" clause must have "would + Verb" or must be in "simple past tense" (depending on the context). Here, none is given ..so WRONG Also, "THEY" is PLURAL whereas the antecedent "THE FIFTH LATERAL COUNCIL" is SINGULAR the "if ...then..." structure in if then structure ... if the "if" clause is in PAST PERFECT tense ...then the "then" clause must have "would have + Verb" Here, none is given ..so WRONG Classic example of how to intimidate test takers by long sentences with lot of obnoxious data ...That the Fifth Lateran Council (1512 1517),regret among modern Western Christian thinkers.(A) had it addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church rather than simply shoring up its own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, could have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation still causes(B) if it addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church rather than simply shoring up their own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, could have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation still cause(C) if they addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church instead of simply shoring up their own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, they might have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation still cause(E) if it had addressed the growing concerns of reformers within the Catholic Church rather than simply having shored up its own political prerogatives with respect to the monarchies of Western Europe, it might have avoided the series of events that led to the Protestant Reformation, still a cause ofSo the Correct Answer is A_________________ The U.S.is sanctioning two Russian shipping companies suspected of transferring petroleum products to North Korean vessels in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Lawmakers chastised administration officials for doing too little to change Russian behavior. ". But then, Russian Federation is a menace on so many different levels, today, that Congress can be compelled to act with a single voice". The Kremlin rejected the Microsoft allegations and said there was no evidence to support them. Without the American measures, Moscow's behaviour would be further "off the charts", Mitchell said. US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian Federation interfered in 2016, seeking to tilt the vote in Trump's favor, and, backed by lawmakers, warned that more would come in upcoming elections. "We're beginning to act, but not quick enough and not forcefully enough", Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said at the Judiciary subcommittee hearing. Mandelker is expected to tell Congress later on Tuesday that while Russia's "malign activities" continue, Moscow's "adventurism" has been checked by the knowledge that the USA can bring more economic pain through additional sanctions. "We need to be specific about what is expected from Russian Federation in terms of Ukraine, and why nothing is expected from the Ukrainian authorities", he said. 5 things to know about the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha He said Ghana "needs people with the character of Prophet Ibrahim", adding that: "We need to build a nation of sacrifice". While traditions may vary in different countries, the customs and religious practices on the day remains the same. The sanctions seek to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear program. One of the newly sanctioned companies, Vela-Marine Ltd., tried to act on behalf of Divetechnoservices. Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell told the Foreign Relations Committee that concern about sanctions has cost Russian Federation $8 to $10 billion (6.2 billion to 7.7 billion) in arms deals. "I think the institutions of government are responding quite well to the Russian threat, not withstanding all this freaky signaling and weird behavior from the president", he said. "There is an escalatory ladder to sanctions". Moscow is bracing itself for a slew of new U.S. sanctions despite Putin meeting U.S. President Donald Trump at a summit in Helsinki in July, an encounter both sides said went well. Shot nearly entirely in Singapore, plot of the book and film make good use of Kwan's homeland - coming across as "a love letter to the food, culture and beauty of this area", according to the film's producer, Brad Simpson. According to Singapore's Straits Times, Kwan's family moved to Texas when he was 11, but as his appeal to renounce his Singaporean citizenship without completing NS was rejected, he could still find himself in legal jeopardy should he return to the country. It is opening in many Asian cities this week. Singapore actress Amy Cheng posing at the premiere of the film "Crazy Rich Asians" at the Capitol Theatre in Singapore. Now, I haven't read China Rich Girlfriend, but I know a sequel hook when I see one, and considering how obligatory Astrid's storyline felt in the film when compared to the original Crazy Rich Asians novel (which integrates Astrid into the main plot much more smoothly), it only makes sense that the next film will have a stronger focus on her. There are three books in Kevin Kwan's trilogy, including "Crazy Rich Girlfriend" and "Rich People Problems". Actor Henry Golding and his wife Liv Lo pose as they arrive for the red carpet. The G.I. Joe: Retaliation helmer churned out the best film of his career and was instrumental in how successful Crazy Rich Asians turned out to be. Microsoft says it stopped a potential Russian-linked cyber attack Spear phishing attacks are created to trick specific people into divulging login credentials or into clicking on malicious links. Microsoft's blog post also revealed that two current American senators may have been targeted by online attackers, among others. The government said in a statement that 44-year-old Mr Kwan was wanted for "defaulting on his NS obligations" for failing to register as required in 1990, and for staying overseas without a valid exit permit. All Singapore men are required to serve two years of national service in the army, police or civil defense after the age of 18. "He also stayed overseas without a valid exit permit". If convicted of draft-dodging, Kwan faces a three-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $7,300 (S$10,000). Speaking on breakfast show Today, she said: "I thought he was the assistant director (AD) because when I landed in Singapore, I was in a hotel room, I was very jet lagged and I heard a knock on my door". Did Donald Trump make a statement "against Africans" calling them "not human" for not doing better after 50 years of independence? No, that's not true: the statement was falsely attributed to Trump recently by a Facebook page pretending to be CNN Kenya. The quote appeared in an article published on August 17, 2018 by a Facebook page titled "CNN- KENYA Connecting Networks Nationally" (archived here) which read in full: American President - Donald Trump explains his statement against Africans: "If after 50 years of independence you have not built the necessary infrastructure for your people, are you humans? "If you sit on gold, diamond, oil, manganese, uranium... and your people don't have food, are you humans? "If to stay in power, you buy weapons from strangers to kill your own citizens, are you humans? "If your only social project is to stay in power for life, are you being human? "If you despise and shoot your own citizens like game, who will respect them?" "if you take all resources meant for development of your country for personal property are you humans? " if you leave your country healthcare unattended and treat yourself abroad are you humans? "Until your leaders think less of themselves and more about your people. You are not human but animal. Think about this and share. However there is no official CNN page for Kenya and the page pretending to be CNN Kenya does not carry the tell-tale verification checkmark from Facebook meaning it is not an official page. It also lists "http://www.254news.co.ke/" as it's website instead of an actual CNN website. The quote seems to have been floating around on the internet since at least January 2018 but it is possibly even older. We found one version that contained most of the same points here that dates back to that period: Donald Trump strikes again very hard, he talks to Africans " I don't need to harass you like the French Presidents say that France-Africa is over, yet they keep sending you the fake tourists who spy on you and come back and tell them how you should be recolonised." "If after 50 years of independence you have not built the necessary infrastructure for your ... But no legitimate news outlet reported on this statement and it is unclear when or where Trump was supposed to have said this. One thing is certain though: if Trump really compared Africans to animals it would have been on the front page of every American newspaper and Trump's opponents wouldn't shut up about it on television for weeks on end. The fact that none of this happened is clear proof the quote is made up. Thousands of men and women could be seen arriving in Mecca in groups from various countries wearing distinct colors to be known their nationality. They will spend the night there in fire-resistant tents in the desert, where temperatures top 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). For many of them, it is first such instance that they are away from their homes. The five-day pilgrimage must be performed by all Muslims who are financially and physically able. From first light Sunday, throngs of the faithful have circled the cube-shaped Kaaba in Mecca, one of the holiest sites in Islam. "They come together with the feeling of being brothers", he said. 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 the country of Pakistan. For the moment, I am in a dream, ' the 53-year old said. On the Day of Arafat, Muslims recite the Arafah prayer from Zuhr prayer to sunset. No matter their race or nationality, for every pilgrim hajj begins with "ihram", the donning of an all-white outfit. As for the men, this clothing is a seamless tunic worn over baggy trousers; for women, a loose dress over the whole body with only the face and hands exposed. Carl Frampton - Josh Warrington fight will be tougher test than Jackson Frampton has a large following of his own and the 31-year-old packed out Windsor Park on his first appearance at the arena. WBO world champion Frampton is now likely to face England's IBF world title fighter Josh Warrington in his next fight. It is here where Muhammad delivered his final sermon, calling for equality and for Muslim unity. Around the world, Muslims will mark the end of hajj with a celebration called Eid al-Adha. Muslims traditionally slaughter sheep for the three-day Eid al-Azha, a tribute to the prophet Ibraham's sacrifice of a lamb after God spared Hazrat Ismael, his son. Despite the physical challenges of the hajj, many people rely on canes or crutches and insist on walking the routes. A Muslim pilgrim takes a photograph of his relative near the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. Saudi Arabia temporarily opened the land border for Hajj last year, but not this year. 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 - which denies the charges - and banned all flights to and from Doha. Officials aim to increase the number of umrah and hajj pilgrims to 15 million and 5 million respectively by 2020, and hope to double the umrah number again to 30 million by 2030. Last year, 1,624 Qatari pilgrims attended, he said. On Sept. 24, 2015, a stampede and crush of pilgrims in Mina killed at least 2,426 people, according to an Associated Press count. The ministry is utilizing the latest new technologies in this field, providing smart eco-friendly compressed waste containers which work by solar energy in all places frequented by pilgrims, especially in populated locations where electricity is not available. 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 Lane is now on a track to the WNW, but is expected to take on a NW track in the next 24-36 hours, taking it toward the Hawaiian Islands through the second half of the week. A hurricane watch is in effect for several of the islands, including Maui and Lanai, as impacts from the storm are expected to reach the islands starting on Wednesday. Islanders are being warned the risky Category 4 storm could bring winds with a maximum sustained speed of 150mph and flash flooding as early as Thursday. As of Tuesday morning, the eye of the hurricane was located well to the southeast of the island chain, and was moving west at about 14 km/h. On the forecast track, the center of Lane will pass close to Hawaii and Maui counties on Thursday and Thursday night. The above map shows the tracks of storms that have reached Category 4 or 5 at some point in their lifespan, since 1950 - not including Hurricane Lane. "Even if the center of Lane were to remain offshore, it is important to remember that impacts from a hurricane can extend well away from the center". Rainfall of 20 inches (51cm) in some areas could lead to major flash flooding, landslides and mudslides, the NWS said. Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy Teaser: Chiranjeevi's Gift For Fans Is Truly Spectacular The one-minute-long teaser has grandeur written all over it. "#SyeRaaTeaser", tweeted a fan appreciating the teaser. Chiranjeevi's glaring eyes and getup are flawless in the role of freedom fighter Narasimha Reddy. Residents and tourists on the islands can expect unsafe surf conditions and rip currents, in addition to heavy rain and flooding. Lane will not be as strong as it is right now when it makes its closest approach to Hawaii by the end of the week, but could still pose a "significant threat" as a hurricane or strong tropical storm. As of Monday, the storm is about 600 miles (966 kilometers) southeast of Hilo on the Big Island, or about 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) from the state's capital city of Honolulu. The hurricane will move close to or over the Hawaii coast from Thursday through Saturday. The weather service urges residents and visitors to keep informed about the movements of Lane and to be prepared to evacuate immediately. Fortunately the eruptive activity of Kilauea has "paused", with no new lava flows since August 9, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The weather service said it is much too early to confidently determine which, if any, of the main Hawaiian Islands will be directly impacted by Lane. Only two hurricanes have made landfall in Hawaii since modern record keeping began; Hurricane Dot in 1959, and 1992's Hurricane Iniki, a category four storm that made landfall west of Kauai. On the night of 19 February, the Majzooban Noor journalists were arrested in the north Tehran district of Pasdaran during clashes between police and members of the Sufi community. Many of them sustained head injuries when they were beaten by police and civilian militiamen. Saleholldin Moradi and Reza Entesari, members of the websites editorial committee, as well as Entesaris brother, Sina, a citizen-journalist who wrote for the site, were sentenced to seven years in prison. Mohammad Sharifi Moghadam, another citizen-journalist who reported for the site, and another member of its editorial committee, Kasra Nouri, were given 12-year terms. Mostafa Abdi, the fourth member of the editorial staff, received the longest jail sentence 26 years in prison. These six people were also sentenced to 74 lashes each. Upon completing their jail terms, they are additionally sentenced to two years of internal exile, and a simultaneous two-year ban on all civil society and journalistic activity. The six refused to attend any of the hearings on the grounds that they had no legal representation and the trial was unfair, and the sentences were therefore passed in absentia. Three of Majzooban Noors female citizen-journalists, Sepideh Moradi, Avisha Jalaledin and Shima Entesari, were also sentenced by a separate Tehran revolutionary court to five years in prison, on July 10th. They were charged with meeting and plotting against national security. Reza Moini, the head of RSFs Iran/Afghanistan desk said, Rather than judicial decisions, these sentences are examples of how the Iranian judicial authorities persecute independently reported news and information. Moini added, The Iranian regime has been cracking down harder on independent news providers ever since a wave of street protests began in January. We call on Javaid Rehman, the UNs new special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, to take action on behalf of journalists who have been arrested arbitrarily and given unfair trials. The regime must adhere to its obligations to respect international standards. Majzooban Noor is a website that is the only independent source of news and information about the Sufi religious community of Gonabadi dervishes in Iran. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Paris, France, that conducts political advocacy on issues relating to freedom of information and freedom of the press. Iran is ranked 164th out of 180 countries in RSFs 2018 World Press Freedom Index. Now, the Regime had ordered its agents to spy on the MEK, in order to plot a terrorist attack on the group for its role in helping to plan and carry out the protests The MEK has a network of spies within the Regime in order to gain knowledge about such attacks, as well as the Regimes other malign activity, which is why they were able to find out the Regimes plot and leak the information via their website. The MEK revealed that the Supreme Security Council directed the Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS), the Quds Force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and other agencies involved in the spread of terrorism and fundamentalism to take the following actions against the democratic opposition group. 1) MOIS stations in Europe were told to increase their information gathering on the MEK and the activities of their members in Europe, even spending more money. 2) The MOIS and Quds Force were told to research the potential for acts of terrorism in Europe, particularly Albania where a large number of MEK members reside, especially using non-Iranian actors. This would be a way of attacking the MEK, without tracing it back to Iran, which is often how the Regime chooses to conduct its attacks. 3) MOIS agents were instructed to work with the regimes cultural advisors in Europe, Irans state-run media, and other relevant groups in order to step up their demonization and disinformation campaign against the MEK; again using non-Iranians to deflect attention from the Regime. They also hope that this will help repair the damage done to the Regime over their recent bomb plots against the MEK in Albania and France. 4) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Intelligence, and the Quds Force have been told to lobby European governments especially Albania to limit the activities of the Iranian Resistance within their borders. 5) The Regime plans to send its agents to Albania to pose as family members of the MEK members living there in order to harass the Resistance in much the same way they did in Camps Ashraf and Liberty in Iraq. On Tuesday, the Iranian state media outlet Fars News Agency published a report that briefly detailed the regimes intention to file legal challenges to the US, based in part on Trumps withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The effort will reportedly be spearheaded by the Iranian Foreign Ministry and will contribute to the narrative that the US action is illegal a narrative that might be expected to assist other signatories in keeping the deal in effect despite the mounting pressure from the US. In actuality, though, participation in the JCPOA is voluntary for the seven nations that were initially involved in it, and Iranian officials had previously threatened on numerous occasions to walk away from it if they felt they were receiving insufficient benefit. Although this makes the viability of a legal challenge unlikely to succeed, it does not preclude Iran from stalling for time and thus maintaining as much trade as possible with foreign powers, for as long as possible. Additionally, Irans legal strategy may be aimed at simply projecting an image of strength through formal channels, especially seeing as the challenges are not limited to the JCPOA withdrawal. Fars separated prospective lawsuits into three categories, the other two having to do with military contracts signed but not initiated between the two countries prior to the 1979 revolution, and Iranian challenges to existing claims and court rulings imposed on the Islamic Republic by the US. Military contracts have already been the focus of suits and threats thereof, prompting substantial monetary settlements by the US, including the controversial 1.7 billion dollar settlement that coincided with the nuclear deal and a prisoner exchange in January 2016, at which point 400 million dollars in cash was flown directly to Iran by the Obama administration as a first installment that many critics characterized as a ransom. The payment was aggressively highlighted by Trump as a presidential candidate, and was used as part of his strategy to portray the nuclear deal as contributing to Irans financing of terrorism and illicit military buildups. Under the terms of a United Nations Security Council resolution that was passed alongside implementation of the JCPOA, Iran is called upon to avoid the development or testing of nuclear capable ballistic missiles, as well as being barred from importing most types of military equipment. But Tehran has routinely flouted such restrictions, reportedly testing over a dozen ballistic missiles since the nuclear deal went into effect. Although these tests stopped last year, they resumed again early this month in the context of naval maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz, presumably signaling a return to brazen defiance of international expectations. The regimes defiant attitude has also been on display in recent days as its officials boasted about the supposed development of advanced domestic military hardware. On Monday, Reuters noted that Irans homemade weapons and military vehicles have made significant strides as the Islamic Republic has sought to compensate for its general lack of access to foreign-made goods. This observation was made in the context of reporting on Tehrans claim to have installed on one of its warships an automated, anti-missile machine gun similar to the American Phalanx system. Earlier in August, Iranian officials boasted of the supposed development of another advanced ballistic missile, this one capable of traveling over 800 miles and evading radar detection. And then, on Tuesday, the Associated Press detailed the unveiling of the Kowsar fighter jet, which President Hassan Rouhani specifically presented as part of an effort to deter an American attack. The White House has repeatedly insisted that it has no ambitions for regime change. Many Western observers of US strategy nonetheless speculate that the Trump administration is indeed hoping for regime change, but only insofar as it is encouraging domestic unrest by pro-democratic Resistance groups. But the Iranian regimes public statements seemingly aspire to describe a constant foreign threat while also declaring its preparedness to meet that threat. This was the apparent purpose of the IRGC naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, which showcased the swarm tactics that would supposedly be used to confront a larger and better equipped foreign military. But the fact remains that Irans own military is badly outdated, with most of its air force dating back to before the revolution. The Kowsar jet is unlikely to change this situation in the short term even if Tehran is not exaggerating about its capabilities. The same can be said of the countrys domestic development in general, about which various exaggerations and outright lies have been exposed over the years. As such, experts general conclude that if Iran were to confront foreign adversaries, it would be by way of asymmetrical warfare, such as aquatic mines and terrorism. The latter threat was put on prominent display on Tuesday when it was reported that two Iranian nationals had been indicted in the US for spying on behalf of the Islamic Republic. Among the targets of this surveillance were activists for Irans leading pro-democracy opposition group, the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran. It was previously revealed that the regimes leadership had approved a plan to blow up the international gathering of the PMOIs parent coalition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, on June 30, but the plot was foiled by European authorities. The Washington Post identified the recently-indicted pair as Ahmadreza Mohammadi Doostdar and Majid Ghorbani, and it quoted a representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as saying that their activities are clear evidence of Irans ongoing commitment to targeting the United States. To this it might be added that Irans broader statements and activities embody a manifold approach to such targeting: one that relies on both legal and illicit means, as well as both traditional and asymmetrical threats, in order to project an image of strength in both political and military affairs, even as rising levels of pressure seem to be making the regime more vulnerable. After all that, the resulting deal the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was a failure because it was weak and flawed and it failed to address numerous pressing issues. The direction of U.S. policy towards Iran has changed now that Donald Trump has taken office. He has prioritised getting the Iranian regime under control and he is working on a comprehensive, focused and effective policy. Trump promised to leave the nuclear deal before being elected and he has followed through. His administration also announced that there would be an Iran working group set up in the State Department. The aim of the group is to work towards democratic reform in Iran as well as directing the government in the right direction on Iran matters. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced last week that Brian Hook is the special representative for Iran. Hook explained that he is tasked with ensuring that foreign countries reduce their imports to Iranian oil to zero by the beginning of November. He said that the U.S. is hopeful that all nations will comply so as not to risk secondary sanctions. Hook explained that that U.S. has launched a campaign of maximum diplomatic pressure and diplomatic isolation. The Iran lobby, predictably, has criticised the action group and said that it is just a way for Pompeo to bypass State Department experts so he can destabilise Iran. The people of Iran have been on a quest for democracy, freedom, equality and the respect of human rights for years. Their uprising has been rising in strength since the end of last year and the clerical regime is clearly fearful of its future. Finally, the people of Iran are set to have the support from the U.S. that they have needed for years. It remains to be seen if European officials will follow suit. After years of brutal suppression, the people have had enough. They have seen their countrys wealth plundered on terrorism, seen resources mismanaged and had their rights trampled on. It is about time a group in the Trump administration is set up to deal exclusively with the Iran issue. President Trump is determined to bring a resolution to the issues with Iran and he recently said that he would be willing to set up a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani to discuss how to move forward. He has employed harsh rhetoric towards Iran but it is not enough. His approach needs to be followed through with a strong and all-encompassing strategy that is well thought out. The role of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK), the main opposition to the Iranian regime, is vital. It understands how the regime works and it has a massive network of people inside the country. The MEK has revealed important information about the Iranian regime in the past, including extensive information about the regimes nuclear program. Much of the information it has provided the West with is information that even intelligence agencies could not manage to obtain. The Iranian regime views the MEK as a major threat to its existence. In 1988, the Iranian regime made a major attempt to wipe out the opposition in what has become known as the 1988 massacre. Around 30,000 political prisoners were executed after the Supreme Leader issued a fatwa ordering their deaths. Members of the opposition have been supressed for decades and they are doing all they can to bring change to Iran. The people want freedom, peace, democracy, the respect of human rights, and equality. These are all denied to the people under the clerical regime, but they are values that are deemed essential by the MEK. Brian Hook is in the best position to move the Trump administrations policy towards Iran forward. He is an expert on Iran and is not fooled by the Iranian regimes claims of moderation. He is aware that many of the officials in the Iranian regime are able to fool Western officials into believing their claims of moderation. Now is also the perfect time to bring a task force into the ring because Iran is under immense pressure. Aside from the domestic pressure that has been mounting since December last year when the people of Iran participated in widespread protests and anti-government demonstrations, the regime has been put under immense economic pressure by the United States with the first batch of sanctions that were put into place at the beginning of the month. It is also facing pressure in Syria and Iraq. It has suffered a number of setbacks mainly because it has tried to take too much in one go. It took advantage of the war against the Islamic State group (ISIS) and expanded further and further into Syria and Iraq. Now is the time to curb the regime now that it has bitten off more than it can chew. TV chef Rustie Lee, who also appeared on Good Morning Britain with Roots, said: "Jerk chicken, jerk pork and jerk fish and jerk beef originates from Jamaica and the people who have this, it's their thing". Most variations of jerk marinade contain allspice and scotch bonnet peppers and often cloves, cinnamon, scallions, nutmeg, thyme, garlic, brown sugar, ginger and salt. Dawn Butler, whose parents are from Jamaica, said this "appropriation" needs to stop. Writing on Twitter, she ranted: "I'm just wondering do you know what Jamaican jerk actually is?" Your jerk rice is not OK. She said Jamaicans would be offended by Oliver's product. Jamie Oliver's "jerk rice" bears absolutely no resemblance to Jamaican "jerk"-spiced food, and "jerk rice" isn't a dish typically served in the island nation". He revealed that he had in fact taught Oliver how to cook Jerk the authentic way. Google Fit adds new tools to entice you to exercise Similar to Apple's "Move" feature, Google's Move Minutes will nudge you to make smaller adjustments to your day to hit your goal. Exactly how accurate the data will be for your Move Minutes or Heart Points when you're just using your phone is now unclear. One Conservative MP, Neil O'Brien replied to Butler saying: "If Jamie Oliver isn't allowed to make Jerk Chicken because it's cultural "appropriation" she's going to go mad when she finds our about "Jamie's Italy". She thundered: "If a black person was doing the rice, the white person wouldn't be buying it, but because it's Jamie Oliver he obviously gets that kudos to sell his products and make the money". When Jamie Oliver launched his new "punchy" jerk rice in supermarkets, he hoped consumers would fall head over heels for a dish "made with love" and bursting with "attitude". "The jerk part of it is barbecue and you can't barbecue rice", she added. If it doesn't have these four things in it then you can't refer it to jerk. It isn't. If he had called it Jamie's pukka rice, or if he'd said it's Caribbean-influenced, that would be fine, but to literally take the word jerk, when jerk means barbecue. If Jamaicans have a copyright on jerk, it's a different story. "If you're making a jerk something, the jerk is barbecue, you don't barbecue rice and you don't do rice, we already have rice and peas". Michael D. Cohen, President Trumps former fixer, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to breaking campaign finance laws and other charges. He made the extraordinary statement that he arranged payments to two women at the direction of the candidate, referring to Mr. Trump, to secure their silence about affairs they said they had with Mr. Trump. Mr. Cohen told a judge in United States District Court in Manhattan that the payments were for the principal purpose of influencing the election for president in 2016. Mr. Cohen also pleaded guilty to multiple counts of tax evasion and bank fraud, bringing to a close a monthslong investigation by Manhattan federal prosecutors who examined his personal business dealings and his role in helping to arrange financial deals with women connected to Mr. Trump. The plea came shortly before another blow to the president: his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was convicted in his financial fraud trial in Virginia. The special counsel had built a case that Mr. Manafort hid millions of dollars in foreign accounts to evade taxes and lied to banks to obtain $20 million in loans. "We are hopeful that the European countries can meet their commitments but even if they cannot, we are seeking solutions to sell our oil and transfer its revenues", Jahangiri said, according to Reuters. Mr. Jahangiri did not detail what solutions were under consideration but did add that Tehran was "hopeful that the European countries can meet their commitments" in terms of oil and business deals now underway. Total had pulled out of Iran already once before, in 2008, as Western sanctions over its nuclear program began to ramp up. The first round of USA sanctions, which included cutting off Iran and any businesses that trade with it from the US financial system, went into effect on August 7. The oil giant's withdrawal comes after President Donald Trump announced the USA was pulling out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposing sanctions on the Islamic republic. In a game of extremely high-stakes oil politics, Washington says it seeks to squeeze Tehran's exports to zero and has argued that global supplies are robust enough to replace lost Iranian output. Trump has called on OPEC to pump more oil to bring down prices. Nvidia unveils GeForce RTX 20 series GPUs with ray-tracing power The new 20-series GPUs are expected to deliver up to 6 times the performance of the previous-generation graphics cards . It can also create accurate light reflections on glass, metal, and over the eyes of in-game human characters. The Oil Ministry's website Shana also quoted Zanganeh as saying that Total had announced its plans to leave more than two months ago. "Iran believes that OPEC should strongly support its members at this stage and stop the plots of countries trying to politicise this organization", Gharibabadi said. Efforts by the remaining signatories - European Union members Britain, France and Germany plus China and Russian Federation - to avoid the agreement's collapse are struggling as Washington has said any firms dealing with Teheran will be barred from doing business in the United States. European states have been scrambling to ensure Iran gets enough economic benefits to persuade it to stay in the deal, which Trump said was "deeply flawed". Zarif also tweeted on Sunday that the formation of a new Iran "action group" in the US State Department to coordinate Trump's pressure campaign against Iran was aimed at overthrowing the Islamic Republic, but that it would fail. "We continue to discuss our Iran policy with Chinese counterparts and the implications of our reimposition of sanctions", the official said, responding to the Reuters report. In May, Mr. Pompeo outlined what many Washington policy analysts saw as a clear statement of a USA desire for regime change in Tehran when he vowed to "crush" Iran with economic and military pressure unless it changes its behavior. ICICI Bank CEO and Managing Director Chandra Kochhar has suggested her name for a seat on the Board of Directors of ICICI Securities, the private lender's broking arm. The proposal will be up for consideration during the annual general meeting of ICICI Securities scheduled for August 30. Kochhar is facing scrutiny from several regulatory bodies as well as an internal probe initiated by the ICICI Bank over charges of conflict of interest and quid pro quo in disbursing of loans to the Videocon Group. She is on leave till the probe is over. A notice for the AGM by ICICI Securities reads that Kochhar retires by rotation and being eligible, has offered herself for re-appointment. If she is found fit for the position, her re-appointment will be approved by passing an ordinary resolution. Kochhar also holds the position of director on other group companies of the ICICI Bank, namely ICICI Lombard General Insurance, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company, and ICICI Bank Canada. Chanda Kochhar has been on leave since July 19, till the completion of the internal probe was ordered against her in May earlier this year, 'in line with the highest levels of governance and corporate standards'. Former Supreme Court judge Justice BN Srikrishna is looking into allegations of wrongdoing levelled against her. Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) has started delivery of gas from the Sankofa field to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), a commodity group has announced. The Vitol Group, a global energy and commodity trading company in a statement released on Monday said the development marks the beginning of stable supplies of cost-effective and environmentally friendly, domestic fuel for Ghanas power sector. It said in addition, Ghana will benefit significantly from GNPCs carried and participating interest in the project, Ghanas royalty share of oil and gas production and taxes paid by Vitol and Eni. The estimated net cost of gas to Ghana will be less than $4.5/MMBtu, greatly reducing Ghanas fuel costs compared to liquid fuels or imported gas. "The project will provide approximately 180 MMscf/d for at least 15 years, sufficient to supply half of Ghanas power generation requirements. It is the only deep offshore non-associated gas development in Sub-Saharan Africa entirely destined for domestic consumption and will guarantee stable, reliable, affordable gas supplies to Ghana with estimated energy cost savings of up to 40% per year for the State," the Vitol Group said in a statement. "Gas is flowing from two of the four deepwater subsea wells and gas volumes will increase gradually as the countrys downstream gas infrastructure undergoes further commissioning. "OCTP Integrated Oil and Gas Project is made up of Eni 44.44% Operator, Vitol 35.56%, GNPC 20%. First oil was achieved in May 2017, three months ahead of schedule. With the completion of the OCTP gas facilities, OCTP overall oil and gas production can reach up to 85,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day once the gas and condensate production has been fully ramped up. The project benefits from the support of IFC and MIGA, part of the World Bank Group and UK Export Finance". It is estimated that the project will generate $7.9 billion of investment in Ghana over its full life, with 320 contracts already awarded to Ghanaian companies valued at $1.8billion. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dejen Ande Hishel was a fighter pilot in Eritrea. He trained in Russia and flew during Eritreas war with Ethiopia in the 1990s. But in 1999, Eritrean officials arrested him. He spent 15 years in an Eritrean prison although he was never charged with or tried for a crime. He escaped in 2014. Today, Dejen lives in Sweden and is talking publicly about people who were jailed like he was, but remain in prison. Many have been held, without trial, or contact with the outside world, for more than 10 years. I feel a sense of responsibility to speak out not only for myself but for all those left in prison, he told VOA. End of war Dejen has a reason for speaking out now. Eritrea and Ethiopia just ended their 20-year border war. The government ordered strong measures connected to the conflict, including required military service for all citizens. Travel in and out of the country is also restricted. Eritreans are hoping those measures will be loosened and prisoners will be free now that there is peace. In July, Radio France International said that the Eritrean government freed 35 people arrested for belonging to illegal Christian groups. Berhane Asmelash is an activist for Eritreans who face religious persecution. He told RFI that the release of the Christians had been planned earlier and were not the result of the peace deal. The government has not yet admitted the release. VOA sought comment from Yemane Meskel, the Minister of Information, several times. He did not answer. But, in comments published in The Economist magazine, Yemane said people need to give the government time to make changes. Still in prison Dejen says his freedom in Sweden is not complete because so many are still in prison in Eritrea. Semhar Habtezions father is among them. Brigadier General Habtezion Hadgu founded the Eritrean Air Force, his son told VOA. Semhar said his father argued with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki about how the air force was operated. He also questioned the imprisonment of men like Dejen. The general was arrested and jailed himself in 2003. His family has no information about him. The situation of men like Habtezion Hadgu occupy Dejens thoughts. Even when I speak to you from outside the country, I see myself as if I am still in prison because all my colleagues are still there, he said. He described Eritrean prison conditions as difficult to survive. There are times where you might die due to hunger or sickness. And, other times, he said, prison officials will not permit medical care for the detainees. Law and order The United Nations and activist groups have documented widespread human rights abuses in Eritrea. Human Rights Watch said Eritreans face arrest and imprisonment without reason and they can be held for years without limitation. The government says all such reports are false and politically based. Dejen longs for the rule of law and a fair system. 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, he said. Im Susan Shand. VOAs Salem Solomon reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story persecute v. to treat (someone) cruelly or unfairly especially because of race or religious or political beliefs colleague n. a person you work with due to adj. because of (something) Jamas nos callaran Fisica y culturalmente Nec plus ultra, nec variatur Precio del Brent To get the BRENT oil price, please enable Javascript. Precio del WTI To get the oil price, please enable Javascript. Paginas vistas en total Dolar USA Vs Euro Sin ellas, no seremos Deja vu Nada que celebrar Hasta cuando? Colombia Hoy Para nunca olvidar 'Parasite' painted on a statue of Queen, Elizabeth in Kent, England Sin palabras La UE le apunta a la paz Cada vez mas solo Precio del Oro To get the gold price, please enable Javascript. LULA y su Pueblo Bye Bye Homenaje al genial Quino Fueron ellos Una imagen que resume Tan bajo ha caido que se deja tocar el trasero? Porky y el Nene (archiconocido narcotraficante) Ladrones al poder Asi mira el perrito a su amo Crazy Clamor popular La nueva inquisicion Bolivia Chile Hoy Eso es todo amigos! Piensalo! Pinerachet No More Trump Adios Macri, hasta nunca La Marioneta se desinfla Asi o mas cinico Almugre Mexico en 1794 Mas arrastrado imposible Hasta cuando! La pura verdad Solidaridad con Palestina Serie Capitalismo Espejismos de la clase trabajadora Asi es! Comerciantes o delincuentes No pasaran! Asi es la vida USA HOY 01/01/1959 La avaricia no tiene limites AYUDA HUMANITARIA? Chile Hoy Asi son las cosas Mapa Electoral de Venezuela Patagonia argentina? Un aniversario mas del mayor genocidio de la Humanidad Retrato del franquismo en Espana Visca Catalunya! El Chulo de Madrid Cuando la policia se roba la democracia Una imagen dice mas que mil palabras La purita verdad Asi gobierna la maldita burguesia Mi pobre clase media Como Chavez nadie Comparte La Colmena via twitter Twittear Programa de la MUD Asi o mas clarito Por que Trump no ataco Corea del Norte? Hace 15 anos Por que la OEA no se pronuncio? Una verguenza nacional La luz que nos guia La Union Europea Premio Nobel de la Paz? Feudalismo ayer y hoy Obama, el mentiroso Curiosa coincidencia Un mundo de cerdos No es extrano? La Marioneta Los ricos protestan, los pobres celebran MARICORI Y OBAMA Cuantas muertes este ano? 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Por culpa de Chavez Cerveza Polar Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar Translate LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares? Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano... Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos: Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias. Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera. No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje. En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio. Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida. Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella. Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal. Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista. Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen. Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che? Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio. Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora. Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo. Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo. Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania. No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar. Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga. Alguna duda? Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia. OZ1 OZ2 OZ3 OZ4 Homenaje a Jason Galarraga La Victoria de Samotracia Odalisca Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008 La Sierra Nevada de Merida Nuestro precioso Churum Meru Homenaje a Picasso Autoretrato Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola? La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar. Mi profesion? Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos. Sal en la Coca Cola? A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar. De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla: Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido) azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa) Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas Mucha Cafeina Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja. Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos. Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja. En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero). Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma. La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate. Bebidas Light? Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal. Publicado por loretahur En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina: 1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias. 2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina. 3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard. 4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos. 5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla. 6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos. Ahora... sobre la margarina: 1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) . 2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias. 3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno). 4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer. 5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna. 6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo. 7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina. Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas: * No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo). * No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!! No a la guerra, Si a la Paz Misterios de la ciencia... Los costos de la guerra medicos y capitalismo... Capitalismo... medicos (2) Quien educa a nuestros hijos? Los Medios... Sin Palabras... Chistes feministas - Cual es el problema, Eva? - Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas. - Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas... - Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti. - Que es un hombre? - Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente. - Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente. - Cual es el truco?. - Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion. - Cual? - Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer. Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Ellas... Ellas (2)... Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1 Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije: -Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro. Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria. Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre? -Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa! VENGANZA NUMERO 2 Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris. A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita: - Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!! Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta. La mujer paso quince dias en Francia. El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla. Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es: - Y amor me trajiste mi francesita?? - Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina. VENGANZA NUMERO 3 El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion. - No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo. - Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz. Te quiero confesar algo. - Esta bien, esta bien. Habla! - He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga. - Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!! machismo y cibernetica Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston. -Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide. -Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!. .Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos. Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco. Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas Gol !!!! Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso! Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy! The social media companies Facebook and Twitter announced they have found and banned hundreds of accounts, groups and pages linked to Russia and Iran. Facebook said Tuesday it removed over 600 pages, groups and accounts linked to Russia and Iran. The accounts, the company said, were involved with coordinated inauthentic behavior that included the sharing of false political material. Shortly after Facebooks announcement, Twitter said it had also suspended more than 280 accounts for coordinated disinformation. Many of the removed accounts appeared to have been created in Iran. Facebook has aimed to improve its security since last year, when it admitted that Russian agents successfully used its services to run political disinformation operations. The efforts were aimed at influencing the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Other social media companies have also increased their security efforts to find fake accounts. Well-funded efforts The latest discovery was far larger than the group of fake accounts Facebook reportedly found last month. Facebook removed 32 accounts on Facebook and Instagram in late July that it believed were fake and possibly linked to Russia. Together, the accounts had nearly 300,000 followers. Their content generally related to U.S. political activity ahead of the midterm elections in November. However, Facebook said the largest group of fake accounts appeared more interested in influencing U.S. foreign policy and politics in the Middle East. Facebook said it had not finished its examination of the material. It did not say how or why the state-backed actors were behaving the way they did. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told reporters Tuesday afternoon, Theres a lot we dont know yet. Facebook said it has informed the American and British governments of the efforts. It also informed the U.S. Treasury and State departments because of ongoing sanctions against Iran. Zuckerberg said, Youre going to see people try to abuse the services in every way possible ... including now nation states. He described the campaigns as intelligent and as well-funded efforts that arent going to stop. Extending beyond U.S. politics FireEye is a cybersecurity firm. It informed Facebook of some of latest activity involving Russian- and Iranian-backed accounts. It said that it does not appear to have been specifically designed to influence the 2018 U.S. midterm elections, as it extends well beyond U.S. audiences and U.S. politics. Facebook said its latest action on Tuesday resulted from four investigations. Three involved Iran, and one involved Russia. The first investigation centered on a group called Liberty Front Press that set up several accounts on Facebook and Instagram. The accounts were followed by 155,000 other accounts. Facebook said the group was linked to Iranian state media, based on website registrations, IP addresses and administrator accounts. FireEye called the Liberty Front Press group an influence operation trying to promote Iranian political interests. These include anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes, and support for the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, FireEye said. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the nuclear agreement earlier this year. FireEye said the group did not appear to be attempting to influence the U.S. midterm elections. But it said that does not necessarily mean these efforts are not happening. The second group that was investigated also had several accounts and a total of 15,000 followers. The group was linked to Liberty Front Press and attempted to access peoples accounts to spread computer viruses. Facebook said it stopped those attempts. A third group also operating out of Iran had as many as 813,000 followers, and shared political content about the Middle East, Britain and the United States. In total, the Iranian-linked groups spent about $12,000 in advertising. A fourth group, connected to the Russian military, attempted to influence politics in Syria and the Ukraine. Next month, leaders of Facebook, Google and Twitter will answer questions from the Senate intelligence committee about their efforts to fight political disinformation. Im Anna Matteo. This story was originally reported by Ryan Nakashima for the Associated Press Phil Dierking adapted this story for VOA Learning English using other media. Ashley Thompson was the editor. How do you think social media companies should protect their services from fake accounts? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story fake - adj. not true or real coordinate - v. to make arrangements so that two or more people or groups of people can work together properly and well cybersecurity - n. the state of being protected against the criminal or unauthorized use of electronic data, or the measures taken to achieve this. disinformation - n. false information that is given to people in order to make them believe something or to hide the truth inauthentic - adj. not real, accurate, or sincere sanctions - n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc. usually plural IP address - n. a unique string of numbers separated by periods that identifies each computer using the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network. sanction - n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country An increasing number of American states have identified teacher shortages as a major problem. In some states, there is especially a great need for teachers of special education, science and math. In others, schools are not finding enough qualified language teachers. In general, the U.S. has seen increased demand for teachers in recent years. Student numbers have risen, even as many school systems sought to reduce overall number of students per teacher. Shortages blamed on low pay Shortages have largely been blamed on low pay rates for U.S. teachers. The issue has caused some to leave for better paying professions, while fewer people are choosing to become teachers. The non-profit Learning Policy Institute reported a 35 percent drop in the U.S. of people studying to be teachers between 2009 and 2014. The group estimated that in 2016, the number of available teachers had reached a 10-year low. Over the past year, teachers from Arizona to West Virginia held major strikes to demand higher pay and better working conditions. In a new nationwide study, 49 percent of the public said they believe teacher pay should be raised in their states from current levels. In six states where teacher strikes were held in 2018, 63 percent agreed that teacher pay should increase, the Education Next study found. Worsening conditions caused by financial issues in some school systems especially in large cities have also made it difficult for some teachers to feel safe and effective in their jobs. Different states, different problems Many U.S. states are facing teacher shortages heading into the new 2018-2019 school year. California is the most populous U.S. state. A study by the Learning Policy Institute found about 80 percent of school districts across the state reported a shortage of qualified teachers during the 2017-2018 school year. But education experts say it is difficult to speak about a nationwide teacher shortage because each state and school district is so different. Kate Walsh is president of the National Council on Teacher Quality. Her organization seeks to improve the health of the teaching profession. Walsh told VOA one way to look at it is that the country is actually made up of 50 separate labor markets. While the biggest shortages are often faced in rural areas and large cities, she says the causes can be very different. Some states really are not having much of a problem at all, others do. And the reason they do is not one single reason. The reason California is having a problem is not the same reason that Oklahoma is having a problem. Some school systems with severe shortages have changed certification requirements to bring in more teachers. Others have decided to permit the hiring of teachers with little, or in some cases, no classroom experience. In some states facing shortages, Walsh says she is concerned that officials are lowering some quality requirements too much in an attempt to find enough teachers. There have been a number of states which have made some decisions that we think run very much counter to teacher quality goals. Walsh said often decisions to ease quality standards are made by state lawmakers in an effort to increase the number of teachers to please voters. The problem is, such decisions can be made without actual data on how they will affect school systems in the long term, she added. Certifications differ across U.S. states Dan Goldhaber is the director of the Center for Education Data and Research at the University of Washington. He says another reason for teacher shortages is that certifications differ across U.S. states, making it more difficult for teachers to move to another state and quickly get a new job. Teacher labor markets are pretty localized and each state has different licensure systems. So it's not like you can easily hire someone to teach in California who is a teacher in Massachusetts. We don't have that kind of a national teacher labor market. Goldhaber says many teachers in this situation may decide to leave the profession because they would have to pay for additional classes and pass new certifications. Goldhaber said one possible solution might seem obvious - that is raise pay and improve working conditions for educators. It's pretty clear that working conditions matter for teachers. So not surprisingly, your people want to work in a safe environment, with schools that are clean and have up to date books and all of those kinds of working conditions. Goldhaber says other things can also be done to help fight the problem. One would be to make changes to the U.S. teacher pipeline system to produce more qualified teachers. So increase the number of people who are enrolling in teacher education programs and getting the credentials that they need to become teachers. There are also several state and federal programs that provide financial assistance or student loan debt forgiveness for people entering education studies. Some of these programs are designed specifically to train much-needed math and science teachers. Others provide assistance for people willing to join schools seen as difficult to work in, or to teachers who will go to areas where there is the greatest need. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn reported this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Quiz - Many US States Struggle with Teacher Shortages Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story qualified adj. having the skills or experience in order to do something certification n. an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement counter v. react to something with an opposing opinion or action standard n. something that others of a similar type are compared to or measured by; the expected level of quality licensure n. the state or condition of having a license granted by official or legal authority obvious adj. easily seen, recognized, or understood pipeline n. a process or channel of supply enroll v. sign up for or join an activity or program credentials n. documents stating the abilities and experience of a person to prove the person is qualified for a particular job President Donald Trumps former lawyer has told a court in New York that he is guilty of campaign-finance violations and other charges. Michael Cohen said he was guilty of eight crimes in all, including not paying taxes and making a false statement to a financial institution. In entering the plea, Cohen said he worked with an unnamed candidate to illegally buy the silence of two women. The payment dates and amounts are the same as those claimed by Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal who say they had sexual relationships with Trump. Cohen was the presidents personal lawyer during the 2016 election. He also represented the Trump Organization for many years. Also Tuesday, a court in Virginia found Trumps 2016 election campaign chairman Paul Manafort, guilty of eight financial crimes. That finding represents the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the president's assistants. Paul Manafort joined the Trump campaign for president in March 2016. He served as chairman of the campaign from June to August 2016. Former lawyer admitted guilt Under an agreement with federal prosecutors in New York, Cohen did not name the two women or the candidate. He told the court that he worked with a candidate for federal office to pay two women to keep their stories of alleged affairs from becoming public during the 2016 election. The amounts of money and the dates suggest the payments were made to porn actress Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. The two women said after the election that they had affairs with Trump, which he has denied. Cohen also admitted guilt to avoiding paying taxes and lying to banks. Investigators from the U.S. Special Counsels office came across some of the evidence against Cohen while looking into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The office alerted federal prosecutors in New York. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation then seized records from Cohens hotel room, home and office. Cohen had been a trusted member of the Trump Organization. But Cohens legal team recently released an audio recording Cohen made of Trump reportedly discussing one of the payments. Former campaign chief guilty of financial crimes Paul Manafort was found guilty of creating false tax documents about tens of millions of dollars he earned from work in Ukraine. He was also convicted of fraud for lying to banks to get millions of dollars in loans. Prosecutors said, overall, Manafort avoided paying more than $16 million in taxes over several years. Manafort faces another trial later this year on charges of other financial crimes and conspiracy against the U.S. He is accused of lying and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Ukrainian interests. He is also accused of witness interference in that case. Im Phil Dierking. Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on AP and Reuters news reports. Caty Weaver was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story plea - n. a statement in which a person says that he or she is guilty of a particular crime allege - v. to state without definite proof that someone has done something wrong or illegal alert - v. to make (someone) aware of something convict - v. to prove that someone is guilty of a crime in a court of law fraud - n. the crime of using dishonest methods to take something valuable from another person Rumor has it that Google will unveil its next set of Pixel smartphones, along with other hardware (maybe a new Pixelbook or Google Home device?) on October 4th. But the company seems to be having a hard time keeping at least one device under wraps. Weve already seen some renders and real-world pictures of whats alleged to be the upcoming Google Pixel 3 XL. Now Russian website Rozetked is giving us the best look at the phone to date. The website has published hands-on pictures of the phone, sample photos shot with the phones camera, and a short video showing that it supports wireless charging. According to Rozetked, the Pixel 3 XL features a 2960 x 1440 pixel display with a notch in the top, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, a USB Type-C port, and support for wireless charging. There appears to be only a single rear camera, but dual cameras (or a camera plus some other sensor) on the front. And theres no headphone jack, so it looks like thats gone for good in Googles phones. The Pixel 3 XL does seem to come with a USB Type-C to 3.5mm audio adapter in the box though. While photos shot from the rear camera look pretty great in most cases, the blogger notes that the front camera seems less than stellar for now although its possible that software updates could improve the performance. Its possible this is all part of some sort of elaborate hoax, but this isnt the first time Rozetked has scored a major scoop. In 2014, the website posted a video of the iPhone 6 a week before it was officially revealed by Apple. You can find more details and additional photo samples at Rozetked. Update: More pictures from Russia (with love?) courtesy of @wylsacom: Pixel 3 XL. , . . pic.twitter.com/fXU3W9EUgW Wylsacom (@wylsacom) August 22, 2018 Update 2: If youre wondering why a bunch of people seem to have gotten their hands on Pixel 3 XL smartphones ahead of launch, 9to5Google might have the answer: it looks like someone in Ukraine has gotten their hands on a bunch of possibly stolen Pixel 3 XL units and it selling them for $2,000 each. Its not clear how this person obtained the phones, or if youll actually get one if you send $2,000 as requested (its possible the leaks are little more than an advertising scheme). Its also unclear why youd want to spend $2,000 on a phone that will probably be available for less than half that price in a few months unless youre a blogger or YouTuber looking to make a splash with a first look at a device of unknown providence. But now that they beans have been spilled, its not like youd have the first blog post or YouTube video anyway, so I suspect there are diminishing returns to getting your hands on one of these devices. Also, whether the phones were stolen or obtained in some other way, this all seems pretty shady from a legal standpoint. Update 3: Oh look, someone went and published a full review, complete with performance notes, a bunch of pictures (both of the phone and taken with the phone), and details about pricing: the Pixel 3 XL is expected to have a starting price of $749, while the Pixel 3 will cost $649 and up. Google may also bundle a set of Pixel Buds wireless earbuds with the phones. via reddit (1)(2) Share this article: Share this: Facebook Twitter Reddit Pocket Tumblr Pinterest LinkedIn Email The United States lifted restrictions that had prevented US companies from selling goods to Chinese company ZTE last month, and it looks like ZTE is ready to get back into the smartphone business. The company revealed this week that it would be bringing something new to the IFA trade show in Berlin the week of August 31st, and now we have our first look at the upcoming ZTE Axon Pro. While well have to wait for details about the specs, price, and availability, the phone looks like a 2018 flagship, complete with slim bezels, dual rear cameras and a big old notch on the front. Heres a roundup of tech news from around the web. You can keep up on the latest headlines by following Liliputing on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook. Share this article: Share this: Facebook Twitter Reddit Pocket Tumblr Pinterest LinkedIn Email So this is kind of unexpected. SiliconDust is the latest company to launch an internet TV streaming service, with a new offering called HDHomeRun Premium TV that gives you access to 45 premium TV channels for $35. SiliconDust may not be as well known as other players in this space including DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, Sling TV, or PlayStation Vue. But the company has been around for a long time, offering the HDHomeRun line of network-attached TV tuners that let you capture video from an antenna and watch it on any device connected to your home network. A few years ago the company added a DVR feature that lets you pause and rewind live TV, schedule recordings, and save them to a network-attached storage device. And now HDHomeRUn boxes also let you access premium channels including AMC, TBS, FX, USA, Cartoon Network, TLC, Comedy Central, and ESPN. On the one hand, there are plenty of other services that already let you stream those channels to a PC, smartphone, or smart TV. On the other, the HDHomeRun Premium TV service might be one of the most versatile options around albeit one that might take a little work to set up. Connect a HDHomeRun to your network, sign up for the premium TV service and youll be able to stream channels through the box to a whole bunch of different gadgets including: Windows or Mac PCs Android or iOS phones or tablets Android TV devices Apple TV 4 (with AirPlay Mirroring) Amazon Fire TV Box, Fire TV Stick (2nd-gen) or Fire TV Edition Media center software apps including Plex, Emby, Insta TV for Apple TV 4 or Channels for Apple TV 4 If youre paying $35 per year for the HDHomeRun DVR functionality, you can also record streaming programs in addition to anything you pick up from over-the-air broadcasts using an antenna. Both Premium TV and broadcast recordings can be saved to a NAS device including Qnap, Synology, WD, Asustor, or FreeNAS devices. While YouTube TV, Sling TV, and other streaming TV services have a DVR feature, anything you record is saved in the cloud. Stop paying for your subscription and your videos will disappear. The HDHomeRun option gives you more control over your saved recordings and allows you to move your saved recordings between devices and watch on any compatible device. That said, you do need extra hardware which might not be necessary with other streaming TV services. And HDHomeRun Premium TV only lets you watch and/or record as many signals as you have tuners in your device. So if you have a dual tuner device you can watch one TV channel and record another, or record two and watch one of them. Lon Seidman has a pretty good break-down of how the new service works in this video: HDHomeRun Premium TV is currently available in the US, and its coming soon to Canada. via AFTV News and Cord Cutters Share this article: Share this: Facebook Twitter Reddit Pocket Tumblr Pinterest LinkedIn Email Xiaomi has long had a reputation for offering mid-range phones with high-end specs, but the companys latest might be the best example to date. In fact, the new phone is so unusual that its not even being sold under the Xiaomi name: the company set up a new brand for it. Meet the Pocophone F1, a smartphone with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, a 6.2 inch, 2246 x 1080 pixel display, face unlock support, and a starting price of $300. That makes it the most affordable phone with a Snapdragon 845 chip to date. The Pocophone F1 goes on sale in India on August 29th, but it wont be exclusive to that country. Xiaomi plans to reveal global pricing and availability details on August 27th. Unfortunately global probably doesnt include the US, but the phone will likely be available in parts of Europe, Asia, and maybe a few other regions where Xiaomi already does business, such as Latin America. Update: Xiaomi has announced pricing and availability details for additional markets including France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Heres a run-down of the phones specs: 6.2 inch full HD+ display (with a notch) Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor 6GB or 8GB of RAM 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options 12MP + 5MP dual rear cameras (Sony IMX363 + Samsung sensors) 20MP front-facing camera Stereo speakers 4,000 mAh battery 18W Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charger USB 2.0 Type-C 3.5mm headphone jack (on top) Bluetooth 5.0 and 802.11ac WiFi microSD card slot (up to 256GB) Liquid cooling black, blue, and red color options or a kevlar Armored Edition model The phone has a fingerprint sensor on the back that you can use to unlock it, as well as support for a face unlock system that uses infrared light as well as a the front camera, allowing you to use face unlock in the dark. The Pocophone F1 ships with Android 8.1 Oreo software featuring a new version of Xiaomis MIUI user interface with a custom Poco theme and Poco launcher (it looks a bit more like stock Android than the usual MIUI launcher. Xiaomi also included a hide notch option that turns the area around the display cut-out black. Here are the prices for the four configurations that will be available in the Indian market: 6GB/64GB for $300 6GB/128GB for $345 8GB/256GB for $415 8GB/256GB Armored Edition for $430 If youre wondering if Xiaomi had to cut any corners to get to those prices, early hands-on tests indicate that the phones touchscreen is a little laggier than most phones on high-end devices, a fairly unoriginal design, theres no NFC support, and the cameras lack optical image stabilization. That said, its a $300 phone with one of the best smartphone chips available, plenty of memory and storage, dual cameras, and a headphone jack and microSD card reader. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cLg4xki_2U&t=998s Share this article: Share this: Facebook Twitter Reddit Pocket Tumblr Pinterest LinkedIn Email 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 Billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam, delivered USD25 million to help Republicans try to hold the Senate in Novembers congressional elections, adding to the $30 million they previously gave to bolster the GOPs campaign to keep the House. The Las Vegas Sands Corp. chairman and chief executive officer and his wife were among the big-dollar donors who lavished millions on political committees in July ahead of the first major political test of Donald Trumps presidency, disclosures filed by Monday night with the Federal Election Commission show. Their donation went to the Senate Leadership Fund, a super political action committee, and follows the couples earlier contribution to the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with House Speaker Paul Ryan. The two parties and their allied political committees are furiously raising money as the campaign for control of Congress enters a crucial phase. The main Democratic committee that backs House candidates has built its biggest cash-on-hand advantage over its Republican counterpart so far in the 2018 campaign, the filings show. July was the sixth consecutive month the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has raised more than the National Republican Congressional Committee. The DCCC ended the month with $4.7 million more in its bank account. Special Elections Took Toll That marks a turnaround from early in 2017, when the NRCC raised more in the first four months of the year on its way to building a $14.7 million cash advantage, before a series of expensive special elections drained its coffers. Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to win a majority in the House, while they have to gain two seats in the Senate to control that chamber. The House Majority PAC, which supports Democrats, reported $3.7 million in donations and started August with $22.8 million in the bank. Renaissance Technologies LLC board chairman James Simons contributed $1.7 million. Michael R. Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg LP, the parent of Bloomberg News, made an in-kind contribution of polling data worth $456,975. He has pledged to give millions of dollars in 2018 to help Democrats retake control of the House. Other large donors on the Democratic side included Karla Jurvetson, a psychiatrist and the ex-wife of venture capitalist Stephen Jurvetson, who donated $1 million to SMP, a super PAC that supports Senate Democrats. Qualcomm Inc. co-founder Irwin Jacobs and his wife, Joan Jacobs, combined to give $1 million to the group, while Deborah Simon, an Indianapolis philanthropist ranked among the top ten donors this cycle by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, gave $500,000. SMP raised $7.4 million in July and ended the month with $23.9 million in the bank. Priorities USA, a Democratic super PAC focusing on voter engagement and turnout, reported raising $4.1 million, with $2 million of that coming from hedge fund manager S. Donald Sussman of Paloma Partners Management Co. It spent $5.2 million and ended July with $8.2 million in the bank. Planned Parenthoods Effort Planned Parenthood Votes raised $2.5 million, including donations of $1.1 million from philanthropist Richard Rosenthal of Ohio, and another $1 million from Andrea Soros Colombel, the daughter of billionaire George Soros. The super PAC ended July with $6.5 million in the bank. Richard Uihlein, a packing supply magnate and a descendant of one of the founders of the Schlitz beer company, gave $900,000 in July to Restoration PAC. The group was one of several entities he funded in a losing effort to try to help businessman and Marine Corps veteran Kevin Nicholson win the Aug. 14 Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin. Uihlein also contributed $200,000 to the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund, which has supported Nicholson and nine other Republican candidates. Billionaire Robert Rowling and his company, TRT Holdings Inc., each gave $250,000 to the super-PAC Texans Are, set up by allies of Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. The group ended July with $2.6 million in the bank. Cruzs Democratic opponent in November, Representative Beto ORourke, has out-raised the incumbent by more than $10 million. The DCCC said it raised a record for July, $13.5 million. The committee said it has raised $191 million so far this election cycle and had $72.6 million in the bank, compared with $133.9 million raised at the same point in 2016, when it had $62 million in the bank. There is no question that the grassroots are united around the goal of taking back the House, said Representative Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, the DCCC chairman, in a statement. The NRCC took in $10.2 million, according to its FEC filing, $4 million of which came from the Republican National Committee. The campaign of Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the No. 3 House Republican and one of several potential successors to Ryan after he leaves Congress, gave $1 million to the NRCC, which ended the month with $67.8 million in the bank. Protect the House, a joint fundraising committee thats drawn donations from billionaire Elon Musk, the Tesla Inc. chief executive officer, gave the NRCC $797,840 in July. Thats down from the $2.1 million it provided the previous month. Ryan Effect? Some GOP donors have suggested that Ryans announced retirement without a successor in place has hurt fundraising, although Trump and the RNC have helped fill the gap. Until July, the NRCC hadnt raised more than $10 million since Ryan said in April that he would not stand for re-election in his Wisconsin district. The RNC raised $14.2 million in July, which it said was a record for any month in a non-presidential year. That included $4.7 million from small-dollar donors giving $200 or less. Trump Victory and Trump Make America Great Again, which benefit the party and the presidents re-election campaign, transferred $4 million to the RNC. The national committee, which ended July with $41.9 million in the bank, spread the wealth around, transferring $10 million to other party committees. The National Republican Senatorial Committee, like the NRCC, received $4 million from the RNC, while state GOP committees split a little less than $2 million. The Democratic National Committee reported raising $7.2 million in July and ended the month with $7.9 million cash on hand but $6.7 million in debt. The Adelsons gave $82.5 million to conservative causes and candidates in the 2015-16 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That ranked them second in the U.S. for individual donors, behind liberal billionaire Tom Steyer, for that cycle. Bill Allison, John McCormick, Bloomberg The Angolan government has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to adjust its support program, including a financing component, Angolan state news agency Angop reported. The financial support stems from the need to cope with the most recent economic developments for the implementation of the Macroeconomic Stabilisation Program and the 2018-2022 National Development Plan, according to a press release from the Ministry of Finance. The request from the Angolan Government is part of a working visit to Angola by a mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 1 to 14 August, and which was invited to visit Angola again in October 2018, in order to start negotiations under a two-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which may be extended for another year. The Ministry of Finance notes that the IMFs working visit concluded that the macroeconomic stabilization policies and reforms implemented by the Angolan government are adequate to promote economic growth and diversification of economic activity despite the adverse environment. For two weeks, the Angolan Government and the IMF mission analysed recent economic developments and economic and the financial outlook and addressed issues related to the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI). The PCI is a non-financial program that provides technical assistance for the implementation of measures in the countrys main macroeconomic management documents such as the Macroeconomic Stabilisation Program, initiated in January 2018, also serving to increase Angolas external credibility, with positive effects on attracting Foreign Direct Investment. MDT/Macauhub Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on his government to unite behind him after he survived an internal leadership challenge yesterday. But several ministers who backed the failed challenger offered their resignations in a move that widens the rift in government ranks. His challenger, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, resigned from the Cabinet after the vote but the amount of support he gained surprised many people. Turnbull ruled out any retribution against ministers suspected of supporting Dutton and said he had invited Dutton to remain in the senior security portfolio. I dont bear any grudge against Peter Dutton for having stood up and challenged me today, Turnbull said at a news conference with deputy party leader Julie Bishop, who retained her position unopposed in the ballot. We know that disunity undermines the ability of any government to get its job done and unity is absolutely critical, Turnbull added. But Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister James McGrath, Minister for International Development and the Pacific Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, and Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar confirmed within hours that they had offered their resignations after backing Dutton. AP China Railways has proposed the construction of a rail link connecting Mozambique to Zimbabwe via Zambia, a project costing an estimated USD2.5 billion that will give companies in the latter two countries easy access to Mozambiques ports. The Trans-Zambezi line project led a delegation from China Railways, headed by Vice President Shao Gang, to contact with the local government in late July along with local partner Global Power Bridge International, according to a report in the Harare press. The first phase of the project will consist of a 400-kilometre link between Shamva in Zimbabwe and Moatize in Mozambique, from where a 900-kilometre line will reach the port of Nacala (Nacala Logistics Corridor, where coal is transported from the Moatize mine, produced by Brazilian company Vale), a project inaugurated in May 2017 by the President of Mozambique. The construction of new sections of this line and the reconstruction of others began in 2012 and include a 200-kilometre stretch that runs through neighboring Malawi. The China Railways project also involves the construction of a 1,700-kilometre line directly connecting Binga, on Zimbabwean border with Zambia, to the port of Nacala. China Railways stated its interest in the project in March this year in a letter to the Zimbabwean government signed by Gang Shao, according to the Financial Gazette. We have been working closely with Global Power Bridge International to establish the foundations of the rail project and we are ready to start it, said Shao. The project also involves Chinas New Century Energy International, which has a US$500 million large-scale soybean production project in Zimbabwe. The president of Mozambiques port and railway company CFM, a state-owned company that has stakes in all the countrys ports, recently announced that the company intends to invest US$200 million in the modernisation of its rail network over the next three years. A recent article in China-Lusophone Brief (CLBrief), a news service on China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, suggests Mozambique may have a role to play in the new generation of railways in Africa. The article notes that the new wave of railway construction pays more attention to the real needs of African countries, such as those being built to connect the ports of Mombasa and Dar-es-Salaam in the Indian Ocean, to countries without direct access to the sea in the Great Lakes region. Mozambique could be one of the major players in this second railway revolution as, while its railways serve primarily to carry coal, they could also serve to support the growth of cross-border trade. Railway lines carrying coal from South Africa and Botswana for export may be used to transport other products and the lines that exist in the north-central region of the country may also be used to transport the products that the landlocked countries in the region, such as Malawi and Zimbabwe, need to export. In addition to the Sena line linking Moatize to the port of Beira, in Sofala province, there is another line that was built in the colonial period linking the port to Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which although it is in operation as far as Zimbabwe needs a massive investment in order to serve its original purpose. MDT/Macauhub The craze for Crazy Rich Asians is hitting Asia, with a premiere in Singapore followed by openings in several neighboring countries later this week. Much of the movie was set in this wealthy city-state. The red carpet premiere yesterday night for the over-the-top romantic comedy was expected to draw an enthusiastic crowd after its box- office bonanza in the U.S. Directed by John M. Chu, the film was adapted from Singaporean author Kevin Kwans best-selling novel of the same name. It follows Chinese-American Rachel Chu as she travels with her boyfriend Nick Young to Singapore to meet his family and discovers they are ultra- wealthy. The movie is drawing a mixed reaction. Admirers of the film say that as the first majority Asian-cast film in over two decades to be released by a major Hollywood studio it upends Hollywoods usual stereotypes of Asian characters. Critics say it misses a chance to showcase the citys ethnic diversity. The USD30 million Warner Bros. film has grossed more than $35 million since its Aug. 15 world debut in Los Angeles and came out tops with its release in U.S. theaters over the weekend. That surpassed expectations, said Fiona Xie, who plays the starlet Kitty Pong as one of 12 Singapore-based members of its cast. Its liberating to just be part of a powerful positive movement, she told The Associated Press. As an Asian actor, I think its great, and a step in the right direction, Nat Ho, who plays a small role in the film, told The AP. The film has drawn criticism for its inaccurate portrayal of Singapores ethnic diversity, with some calling it a misrepresentation of the countrys minority races. Even though a majority of its residents are Chinese, a quarter of its population are Malay, Indian, or Eurasians, with many migrant workers from surrounding countries like Bangladesh or the Philippines. Theres this whole notion of the movie being a triumph for representation, which is very problematic. The only Indians and Malays you see are servants, said Nicholas Yong, a Singaporean journalist and author who saw the movie before its Singapore premiere. Even though its glamorous depiction of Singapore could give its tourism a boost, it was not entirely welcomed. To us, Crazy Rich should not just be about the opulence and luxury showcased in the film, but Singapores actual richness in terms of our diversity, said Singapore Tourism Boards spokesperson Lynette Pang. While the country has enjoyed economic progress, the wealth gap in the city is widening, and the super rich with their extravagant lifestyle are a tiny, privileged minority. Writing in the South China Morning Post of Hong Kong, which has more than its share of tycoons and elite wealthy families, commentator Alex Lo said he enjoyed the film with guilty pleasure. But amusement aside, it strikes me the whole purpose of the film exercise is to glamorize and legitimize the super-rich in Asia, many of whom are ethnic Chinese in real life, he said. Should we, as the audience and hoi polloi, be tantalized and awed by the display of mega wealth, which has been described, by most accounts, as accurate. Or should we rather be repelled? Derek Cai, Singapore, AP The FBI is looking for three suspects who kidnapped a Chinese man after a business meeting in the Los Angeles area last month, but authorities havent heard from the kidnappers since they demanded a USD2 million ransom and the man remains missing, investigators said yesterday [Macau time]. Ruochen Tony Liao, 28, was abducted by three men on July 16 in San Gabriel about 16 kilometers east of downtown Los Angeles according to Gene Kowel, an assistant special-agent-in-charge at the FBIs office in Los Angeles. Liao, who owns a Southern California car dealership that sold high-end cars, such as Porches and Bentleys, had just finished an evening meeting with several business associates when three men pulled up in two vehicles a Toyota minivan and a Range Rover and abducted him, officials said. After they kidnapped him, the abductors contacted Liaos family and demanded that they pay a $2 million ransom, but the money was not paid, Kowel said. On Monday, the FBI released a sketch of one of the men they believe was involved in the kidnapping, who they suspect may have been an acquaintance of Liao. The man, who the FBI identified only as David, had attended the business meeting with Liao, according to Matthew Lombard, an attorney for Liaos family. Investigators are examining several theories in the case, including the possibility that Liao was involved in a business dispute and Liao had previously been involved in business deals with people who were not the most reputable, Kowel said. Although the kidnappers had reached out initially to demand the ransom, Liaos family has not heard from them in about a month, he said. Our hope is that Tony is still alive. Were operating under the premise that he is still alive, Kowel said. However, we do become concerned as these cases progress the chance of someone remaining alive can diminish. Liaos relatives, who live in China, are offering a $150,000 reward, in addition to a $25,000 reward being offered by the FBI for information that could lead them to locating Liao. He is a deeply loved person by his family, Lombard said. Hes their only child and they are very, very concerned for him. AP Taiwan broke off diplomatic ties with El Salvador yesterday as the Central American country defected to rival Beijing in the latest blow to the self-ruled island China has been trying to isolate on the global stage. The break in ties means Taiwan is recognized as a sovereign nation by only 17 mainly small, developing countries. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that his government had established ties with El Salvador. History will prove that establishing diplomatic relations with China is in full accordance with the fundamental and long-term interests of the country and the people of El Salvador, Wang said. Taiwan split from mainland China amid civil war in 1949, and Beijing, which considers Taiwan its territory, campaigns relentlessly to isolate the island globally. It cut off relations with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens government shortly after she took office in 2016 and has been steadily ratcheting up both diplomatic and economic pressure. Earlier this year, the West African nation of Burkina Faso and the Dominican Republic broke ties with Taiwan and resumed or established diplomatic relations with China. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu condemned what he called Chinas campaign of luring away Taiwans allies with promises of vast financial aid and investment. Taiwan is willing to consider cooperating with its allies in education, farming or even infrastructure initiatives, Wu said, but refuses to compete with China in buying diplomatic support. Wu said that El Salvador had repeatedly sought large amounts of funding from Taiwan for a port project that a Taiwanese team of engineers dispatched by the government thought wasnt economically feasible. We think this is an inappropriate development plan that risks causing both countries to fall into great debt, Wu said, noting that some developing countries were increasingly concerned about the risks of unsustainable debt linked to Chinese investments. Wu said El Salvadors ruling party was also expecting Taiwan to provide funds to help it win in elections, but Taiwan refused. It is irresponsible to engage in financial aid diplomacy or compete with China in cash, or even in providing illegal political money, Wu said. My government is unwilling to and cannot do so. Some analysts say Chinese President Xi Jinping, one of the most powerful Chinese leaders in decades, seems determined to bring Taiwan under Beijings control during his time in office, which would place him in the history books alongside Mao Zedong. The islands 23 million residents are strongly in favor of maintaining their de facto independent status, but Xi has previously warned a Taiwanese envoy that the issue of unification cannot be put off indefinitely. Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren said on national television that China and El Salvador would discuss ways to cooperate in trade, investment and infrastructure development. It will give great benefits to the country and provide extraordinary opportunities on a personal level to each one of you, he said. The move comes just a day after Chinas foreign ministry said it had complained to the U.S. over Taiwanese President Tsais visits this month to Los Angeles and Houston while in transit to diplomatic allies Paraguay and Belize. The administration of President Donald Trump has been boosting relations with Taiwan amid a brewing trade war with Beijing. Tsai urged the islands people to unite despite the pressure the government was facing diplomatically. Taiwan will not yield because of pressure, Tsai said in a televised address. We will be stronger and more united, and this will strengthen Taiwans determination to go out. AP A mother wails as she embraces a son she hasnt seen since the 1950-53 Korean War. A woman weeps as she greets a grandfather she never got to know. The scenes of Koreans meeting this week, likely for the last time before they die, are heartbreaking, but they often bely a highly political and tightly controlled event in which participants often struggle to have genuine conversations. Much of the awkwardness centers on the defining fact of the Korean Peninsula: For decades it has been divided between the authoritarian North, originally backed by the Soviet Union and then, during the war, communist China, and the U.S.-backed capitalist South. Citizens from both nations, especially the elderly who remember the bitterness and bloodshed of the war, often wear their nationalism on their sleeves, and some South Koreans have complained that their relatives take every chance to score propaganda points for their authoritarian nation. About 200 South Koreans and their family members crossed the border on Monday for three days of meetings with their North Korean relatives. The relatives have been given a total of 12 hours together, including three hours in private. Another 337 South Koreans and accompanying family members will participate in a second round of reunions from Friday to Sunday. After the initial tears at North Koreas Diamond Mountain resort, Cha Jae-geun, an 84-year-old South Korean, and his 50-year-old North Korean nephew began an awkward exchange Monday over international politics surrounding the Korean Peninsula and the origins of the war that split their family apart and killed and injured millions. The Koreas should drive the American bastards out, Cha Song Il, the nephew, said, according to South Korean pool reports. He accused the United States of being unfaithful to the commitments of a June summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump, in which they expressed an aspirational goal for a nuclear-free peninsula without describing when or how it would occur. The elder Cha reminded his nephew that it was North Koreas founder, Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of the current leader, who triggered the war by ordering a sneak attack on the South in June 1950. Thats a lie, the nephew replied, waving both hands. The Korean War was something the Americans did. We fought against (our enemies) with our own strength. Cha Jae-geun smiled and quickly changed the subject, as South Korean officials urge their reunion participants to do if politics come up. South Koreas government instructs participants not to criticize the Norths leadership and economy during the reunions. Some North Korean participants, who are reportedly chosen for the reunions based on their loyalty to their authoritarian rulers, were eager to show their government commendations to their South Korean relatives. In at least once case, this resulted in another awkward exchange. Ju Yong Ae, a 52-year-old North Korean who came to meet her 86-year-old South Korean aunt, steadfastly refused when a South Korean official who had come to the North to help manage the meeting repeatedly asked her to put her Kim Il Sung commendation, a public service medal, below the table. How can you put down our supreme dignity? Ju asked. A North Korean official intervened, telling the South Korean official, Shes just trying to show it to her family; leave her alone. After sleeping separately Monday night, the relatives had private meetings at hotel rooms yesterday morning before meeting again in group sessions later in the day. Yesterdays exchanges were less emotional and more amicable than Mondays. Isnt my younger sister pretty? 88-year-old South Korean Kim Byung-oh said of his 81-year-old sister from North Korea, Kim Sun Ok. He smiled and fed his sister a snack bar. During their first encounter Monday, Kim Sun Ok wiped away her tears when she said, Lets live together even at least one minute after unification before we die. South Korean participants at past reunions have complained that the heavy monitoring presence of North Korean officials and intense media coverage made genuine conversations difficult or impossible. The North sees the reunions as a crucial tool to win concessions from the South, but it has rejected the Souths demands to increase the number of reunions and the people participating in them. The North also ignores the Souths proposals for letter exchanges and hometown visits, something currently banned. Pyongyang doesnt want the reunions expanded because it fears they would give citizens a better awareness of the outside word and weaken its grip on power, analysts say. The North uses the reunions for propaganda purposes, carefully choosing participants based on loyalty and instructing them to praise the authoritarian leadership during the meetings. But Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Seouls Dongguk University, said it could become harder for the North to maintain previous levels of control because the participants are so old now that its harder to train them to do what the government wants. Nearly 20,000 people have participated in 20 rounds of face-to-face reunions held between the countries since 2000. No one has had a second chance to see their relatives. Past participants express frustration and anger that their final conversations with North Korean relatives included so little genuine conversation. Hong Yong-gee, who went with his mother for a 2015 reunion at Diamond Mountain and met his three North Korean aunts, said that it seemed his North Korean relatives were working off a script. They praised the leadership of Kim Jong Un and life in North Korea so frequently that any genuine conversation became impossible, Hong said. It was difficult for my mother and aunts to talk freely when several North Korean officials stationed themselves so close to our table, listening in to whatever we were saying. Choi Ho-seok, 83, also said that his 76-year-old sister kept praising the Norths government when they met in 2015 under the watchful eyes of North Korean officials. There were things closer to our hearts that we couldnt talk about because we were being watched closely at all times, he said. It would be painful if thats the last time I get to see her. Kim Tong-Hyung, Seoul, AP Lawmakers Pereira Coutinho, Ng Kuok Cheong and Sulu Sou have sent a letter to the board of the Legislative Assembly (AL) asking for explanations regarding the dismissal of senior legal advisers Paulo Cardinal and Paulo Taipa. The news broke Saturday on Plataforma Media news outlet and caused a general sense of incredulity within the legal community. Paulo Cardinal, 53, came to Macau in 1990 and Paulo Taipa, 50, arrived here in 1997. Cardinal moved to the AL in 1992 and Taipa followed in his colleagues footsteps and joined the parliament in 2001. Cardinal was the longest-serving legal adviser in the AL. Through countless contacts in the past in various degree, we felt that the two advisors made countless input in legal discussion, providing the AL with different opinions and pluralistic interactions. Like many other legal advisers, they have used their deep understanding in the law to implement the values of the Basic Law and various legal documents. The quality of the legislation and deliberations of the AL have been improving over the years because of their input, the lawmakers said in the letter. Coutinho, Cheong and Sou continue stating that the unexpected dismissals of the two are completely opposite to the goal of improving the work of the AL. Furthermore, the whole process is highly un-transparent. Even the legislators were never informed or consulted in the decision-making process. Many of us in the AL, the legal community and the public are deeply concerned and confused. The lawmakers jointly urge the AL board to explain the reasons the two senior advisers were dismissed, the procedures by which the decision is made, and the people involved in the decision- making process. Multibillion-dollar China-financed projects in Malaysia have been canceled because they arent needed and will saddle the country with an unsustainable amount of debt, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad told reporters on the final day of a visit to Beijing yesterday. Mahathir told Malaysian reporters that both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang understood the reasons behind the cancellations and accepted them. The projects, comprising a USD20 billion East Coast Rail Link and two energy pipelines worth $2.3 billion, had already been suspended pending renegotiation. Its all about pouring in too much money which we cannot afford, we cannot repay and also because we dont need these projects for Malaysia at this moment, Mahathir said. While the projects could be restarted in the future if considered necessary, Malaysias current focus is on reducing the national debt, he said. With that debt, if we are not careful we can become bankrupt, Mahathir said, blaming the stupidity of the administration of his predecessor, Najib Razak, whom he ousted in elections earlier this year and now faces charges of massive corruption. Malaysia will still have to pay substantial penalties to extract itself from the projects and also needs to find out where money that has been paid for the projects have gone to, Mahathir said. Trade and economic cooperation between China and Malaysia have provided tangible benefits to both, although it is inevitable for countries to encounter various problems and have disagreements in different stages, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters at a daily briefing on Tuesday. Such disagreements should be handled in a proper manner through friendly consultation, Lu said. Days before heading to Beijing, Mahathir was already saying Malaysia didnt need the projects, part of Xis Belt and Road initiative to build ports, railways and other trade-related infrastructure across Asia, often built by Chinese contractors and financed by loans from Chinese state banks. At a news conference with Li on Monday, Mahathir said he appreciated Chinas understanding of Malaysias need to deal with its internal fiscal problems, but also hinted at the threat of Chinese economic domination. We should always remember that countries level of development are not all the same, he said. We do not want a situation where there is a new version of colonialism happening because poor countries are unable to compete with rich countries in terms of just open free trade. It must also be fair trade. Belt and Road projects in Thailand, Sri Lanka and other countries have run into complaints that they are wasteful, too costly, give too little work to local companies or might facilitate embezzlement and other graft. Also during his news conference, Mahathir said he didnt raise the issue of fugitive financier Low Taek Jho during his visit. He said Low is probably hiding in China but he has no proof of this. The U.S. Justice Department alleges Low was a key figure in the theft and international laundering of $4.5 billion from Malaysias 1MDB investment fund by associates of Najib. Christopher Bodeen, Beijing, AP Saint Paul School is set to focus on nurturing students character and promoting Catholic values within the schools teaching and learning environment this new academic year. The school, which has fully embraced e-learning, will be directed by Fr. Athanasius Chan, as its current principal Fr. Alejandro Salcedo is set to step down in September after heading the school for 21 years. Fr. Chan has been with Saint Paul School for nearly 10 years as a chaplain, holding other duties with student services, such as overseeing schools clinic, library and religious department. Speaking to the Times, Fr. Chan said that he will focus on promoting Catholic values in the schools environment in a bid to provide a higher level of service to students. Currently, the school has some 3,000 students, along with 350 staff. Macau Daily Times (MDT) As the new principal of the school, what are your plans and visions for this upcoming academic year? Fr. Athanasius Chan (AC) I will not implement many plans or big changes during the first year of the school. There are some things that take time. St. Paul is a Catholic school, thus it is based on the gospel of Jesus. He is our good example, so my goal and vision is to look at how Jesusserved those who were around him during his time. For me, education is like service. We serve our students; likewise, we also serve the parents and our community. MDT So the school will first focus on nurturing Catholic values amongst its students? AC Yes, that is my major concern. Nowadays in different careers, especially in a small city like Macau, we always talk about providing the best services to the people. But education is not like any other career, its really something very dedicated. We understand the theory very well but to put it into practice is a big challenge. MDT How do you plan to provide the best kind of education services to the students? AC That is the main goal that we cannot forget. We will continually improve the teaching and learning environment. We try our best to provide the best place for teachers, staff and students, and that is an ongoing action that we need to do. I already mentioned to our senior managers, even some of the staff and teachers that they should be the ones to serve and provide the best services to students and parents. But we can only guarantee the quality of our service based on ourselves. [We] have to continually develop ourselves across two aspects: your profession as a teacher and also your own character. If we guarantee these two things, then it means we can deliver the best quality of our service to the students and teachers. MDT The school has fully implemented the ICT, making the school paperless. Is the school continually progressing in this system? AC Since 2011, we already implemented these ICT [measures]. Today we can say that we are more mature about this. In the future, we will continue to provide the best technology for our students, meaning that we will provide the best services and bring more convenience to our teaching staff, students and parents. We know that ICT is a future education type. We will continually make our things more innovative. [With that], they will easily adapt themselves and be more confident in the society. Our goal is to help our students develop a good foundation so they will be competitive in the market in the future. MDT During the first quarter of this year, the school received a total of MOP64 million from the Education and YouthAffairs Bureau (DSEJ) Are we seeing an increase in the latest or next quarter to come? AC We are surprised that they have supported us a lot for the incoming school year. Well do our best to properly use this money to bring out the best in our students, and contribute to the society. MDT Fr. Salcedo had previously said that the school will likely soon adapt the 6-6-3 system. Can we expect that in this upcoming academic year? AC Yes. Were moving towards this system step by step. Nowadays, the international community is more concerned with childhood education. We have read many materials on this and we have already prepared something to implement. For the early childhood education, its really important for us to make a good foundation for them. From Primary 4, they will start to use the ICT system, and then in the last three years of their studies, which is Form 3, we dedicate ourselves to help students prepare themselves to enter university. MDT How about the new English curriculum? AC We have already invited experts from England, with a research team, and they will continue to evaluate the curriculum and help our teachers decide upon and implement a new project. We already have an English project from Kindergarten 1 to Primary 3, so step by step we will fully implement it across the whole school. Some of them have been involved in our school for many years already but starting from September, they [the team] will only take the English project, according to the new school system. MDT Are there any plans to increase the number of students? AC We dont have any more classrooms. In fact, we want to have more classrooms. Two months ago, DSEJ asked our school to open more classes, or accept more students, but we cannot make it because there are no more seats, unless we have a new building. My other plan is to provide more functional classrooms both for teachers and students [in a bid to] improve the teaching and learning environment. Despite a series of initiatives to control major pollutants, Hong Kongs ozone pollution has recorded a 20 percent surge since 2013, the highest figure for the past two decades. The SARs NGO Clean Air Network notes that the figure had climbed to 45 micrograms per cubic meter of air, up from 25 in 1997. The average concentration in the air of major pollutants, including tiny particulates of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, dropped between 28 and 36 percent from 2013 to 2017. These results may not differ from neighboring regions, including Macau and Guangdong province. The latest results released in June from the joint Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network run by the governments of Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong province showed that average annual ozone concentrations increased by 16 percent year-on-year, hitting a six-year high last year. However, Hong Kongs policymakers and scientists are still seeking a solution as the SAR continually chokes from deadly pollutants. As cited in South China Morning Post, Alexis Lau, a veteran atmospheric scientist at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said that ozone remains a huge problem. But our understanding of the components that cause it, and how to control them, is just not adequate, he said. Although researchers are training people who can deal with this, and marshaling resources to address the issue, studying ozone remains a challenge. This pollutant irritates the eyes, nose and throat, and can worsen existing heart and respiratory conditions, such as asthma. There is still no solid evidence to demonstrate how the ozone can affect cardiovascular systems, but scholars suggest that the pollutant is a highly reactive gas that cannot be filtered even by wearing a facemask. Air quality worsens in Macau The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) has forecast that the air quality in Macau will worsen over the next few days. Yesterday morning, all air quality monitoring stations detected a sharp increase in fine particles (PM 2.5), which are harmful to health. The SMG says that sun and the lack of rain will cause an increase in ozone pollution. Diether W. Beuermann and C. Kirabo Jackson report: Recent studies document that, in many cases, sought after schools do not improve student test scores. Three explanations are that (i) existing studies identify local average treatment effects that do not generalize to the average student, (ii) parents cannot discern schools causal impacts, and (iii) parents value schools that improve outcomes not well measured by test scores. To shed light on this, we employ administrative and survey data from Barbados. Using discrete choice models, we document that most parents have strong preferences for the same schools. Using a regression-discontinuity design, we estimate the causal impact of attending a preferred school on a broad array of outcomes. As found in other settings, preferred schools have better peers, but do not improve short-run test scores. We implement a new statistical test and find that this null effect is not due to school impacts being different for marginal students than for the average student. Looking at longer-run outcomes, for girls, preferred schools reduce teen motherhood, increase educational attainment, increase earnings, and improve health. In contrast, for boys, the results are mixed. The pattern for girls is consistent with parents valuing school impacts on outcomes not well measured by test scores, while the pattern for boys is consistent with parents being unable to identify schools causal impacts. Our results indicate that impacts on test scores may be an incomplete measure of school quality. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A new study has confirmed the use of antibiotics for prolonged wet cough in children is the most effective treatment to prevent the illness from getting worse. The QUT-led research published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found children, who had a cough lasting more than four weeks, benefitted from antibiotic intervention. Research findings: In Australia, 9.4 per cent of presentations to GPs were due to coughing illnesses Chronic childhood wet cough is a cough that lasts more than a month Two weeks of antibiotics was most effective treatment Timely treatment of children preserves future lung health Associate Professor Julie Marchant, from QUT's Institute Of Health and Biomedical Innovation, said given concerns over the increasing use of antibiotics it was important to get accurate diagnosis for respiratory illnesses. "Cough is one of the most common reasons why children are taken to see a doctor," Associate Professor Marchant said. "It causes a high degree of parental stress and worry and financial burden with doctors' visits, medication and time off work." Associate Professor Marchant described wet cough in children as moist or productive-sounding, with or without phlegm and was often accompanied by a rattling sound in the chest. She said it was different to a cough that is dry and should not be treated with antibiotics. "The aim of the study was to examine whether antibiotics were useful in treating children who had ongoing persistent wet cough." The global study reviewed clinical trials involving 190 children who had chronic wet cough. It found treatment with antibiotics reduced the proportion of children not cured at follow-up. "Antibiotics also prevented the illness from getting worse, thus avoiding a further course of antibiotics for one in every four children treated," she said. Associate Professor Marchant, who works as a paediatric respiratory physician at the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in Brisbane, said knowledge of chronic cough in children had progressed greatly in the past decade. "One of the most common causes is protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) which can be treated effectively with two weeks of appropriate antibiotic therapy," she said. "PBB is characterised by a chronic wet cough in otherwise well children with no other signs or symptoms and is due to chronic infection and inflammation." She said chronic daily wet cough could indicate more serious underlying conditions and it should never be ignored in children. "If treatment with two weeks of antibiotics does not lead to resolution of the cough children should be referred to a respiratory specialist," she said. Associate Professor Marchant is recognised as a leading Brisbane researcher on childhood respiratory illnesses, aiding in the clinical definition of protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) which is incorporated into paediatric cough guidelines worldwide. She said further research is investigating the long-term outcomes of 150 children with PBB over a five year follow-up period. More information: Julie M Marchant et al. Antibiotics for prolonged wet cough in children, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2018). Journal information: Cochrane Library Julie M Marchant et al. Antibiotics for prolonged wet cough in children,(2018). DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004822.pub3 Carers for people with cancer are between 5 and 7 times more likely to have mental health problems than the general population, according to a landmark new study. The Dimbleby Cancer Care funded study identifies a major public health concern, according to the lead author Gunn Grande, Professor of Palliative Care at The University of Manchester. The study, 'Psychological morbidity and general health among family caregivers during end of life cancer care: a retrospective census survey' reveals 83% of family carers of people with cancer have clinically significant distresscompared to just 15% of the general population. The study retrospectively measured carers' psychological health and general health during the patient's last three months of life. The study, which was supported by NIHR CLAHRC GM and carried out by the Universities of Manchester, Newcastle and Groningen in the Netherlands, has been published in the journal, Palliative Medicine. The team received responses from 1,504 carers through a national four-month post bereavement postal survey in the autumn of 2015. The survey was sent via the Office for National Statistics to 5,271 relatives who registered a death in May 2015. Local carers groups helped shape the material. The survey revealed: Psychological morbidity at clinically significant levels was substantially higher among carers than the general population (83% versus 15%), with prevalence 5-7 times higher across all age groups. Overall carers' general health scores were lower than population scores, median 75 (interquartile range 50-80) versus 80 but differences were more marked at younger ages. Female carers had worse psychological morbidity and general health than male carers. Gunn Grande, Professor of Palliative Care at The University of Manchester, led the study. She stated: "We were aware that carers' psychological health suffers when caring for the terminally ill, but we were surprised at the sheer scale of the problem. We found that the vast majority of carers suffered psychological morbidity at a level where further clinical investigation is recommended and where, for instance, their ability to concentrate, make decisions and deal with problems may be affected. If we can ensure that carers feel better supported, we are likely to reduce some of the more extreme stresses of caregiving, so that carers are more able to carry on their valuable work without being 'broken' by the experience". The Dimbleby Cancer Care Research Fund has awarded over 2.7million in funding since 2004 to research projects looking at all aspects of cancer care. Chair of the charity, broadcaster, Jonathan Dimbleby said: "This latest research reflects what unfortunately we see every day through our work; caring for someone with cancer can have a huge impact on your own health. The role these carers play is vital, but they need better support, which is why Dimbleby Cancer Care exists. "Caring for a loved one going through cancer can be both distressing and challenging and we are there to support them, be it through our information centres, our psychological support, complementary therapies and benefits advice teams or our recently launched Cancer Care Map website, which for the first time enables us to reach across the UK. It is clear from this research that ongoing support for carers is very much needed and would prevent a breakdown in caregiving and may ultimately, in the long term, produce cost savings for the NHS.". This is the second of three sets of findings to be published from the study. The first set, published last year showed that family carers of people with cancer on average provide almost 70 hours of care a week to look after their relatives in the last three months of life. The final results focusing on the economic value to society of their work will be published at a later date. Explore further New study reveals huge contribution of carers of terminally ill Dr. Christopher Marrero. Credit: LSU Health New Orleans A study led by Christopher Marrero, MD, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, reports that despite Medicaid expansion, access to outpatient orthopaedic care in Louisiana remains significantly limited for patients with Medicaid insurance. The findings are published online as an Article in Press in the Journal of the National Medication Association. "This project was done to explore how limited access to orthopaedic care is in Louisiana for Medicaid patients despite Medicaid expansion," says Dr. Marrero. "This is important because approximately one-third of the Louisiana population is enrolled in Medicaid. The limited access can and frequently does cause a delay in care, which can translate into more difficult treatments and poorer outcomes. This limited access is probably true in other specialties of medicine as well." The research team obtained a list of potentially eligible orthopaedic surgeons in Louisiana from a public database. The study focused on orthopaedic surgeons who had received at least one Louisiana Medicaid payment from August 1, 2016January 31, 2017, which represented about 75% of the practicing orthopaedic surgeons in the state. The team sampled unique clinical practices rather than individual providers. They called each practice following a standard script requesting an appointment for a recommended follow-up for an orthopaedic injury treated in an Emergency Room. To avoid discrimination, the callers used generic American names. Callers made the earliest available appointment, although they cancelled before the call ended or immediately thereafter. The objectives were to secure an appointment and determine the wait time. Sixty percent of the practices queried were private practices with only one surgeon. Twenty-six parishes had practices that qualified for the study, and of those, only 11 parishes had practices that offered an appointment. The researchers report that of the 93 practices included in the study, 17, or 18.3%, offered an appointment. Of those, 10, or 58.8%, were within a week, 2 (11.8%) were within two weeks, and 5 (29.4%) were more than two weeks from the date of the phone call. The practices that offered an appointment represented 41, or 13.3%, of the 309 orthopaedic surgeons in the study. "Of note, 19 (46.3%) of the 41 orthopedic surgeons were LSU Health faculty practicing in the public state-funded safety-net system," Marrero adds. "Moreover, the majority of next available appointments at safety-net facilities were two weeks or more from the date of contact. If these safety-net surgeons are excluded, the percentage that offered an appointment drops to 7.1%." The study found that Medicaid patients seeking outpatient orthopaedic care have access to only about 10% of the orthopaedic workforce in Louisiana, and 5% when safety-net facilities are excluded. The authors cite two major contributing factorsthe geographic maldistribution of orthopaedic practices in Louisiana and low reimbursement. Of Louisiana's 64 parishes, only 11 have orthopaedic practices that accept Medicaid, and four of those are where LSU Health safety-net public facilities are located. Previous research suggests that increasing reimbursements may result in more Medicaid-accepting practices. The authors conclude their results taken with those of other studies suggest that a shift in policy may be warranted. Explore further Patients with medicaid have limited access to physical therapy in Massachusetts after ACL surgery More information: Christopher E. Marrero et al, Access to Orthopedic Care post Medicaid Expansion Through the Affordable Care Act, Journal of the National Medical Association (2018). Christopher E. Marrero et al, Access to Orthopedic Care post Medicaid Expansion Through the Affordable Care Act,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.jnma.2018.07.005 The sudden loss of Saudi medical trainees who must leave Canada in the next two weeks will negatively affect patient care, which should serve as a wake-up call to governments to increase the number of funded residency and fellowship positions for Canadian medical students, argues Dr. Matthew Stanbrook in an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). "Canada's health and education systems must never be vulnerable to spontaneous decisions of a foreign government," says Dr. Stanbrook, a respirologist at Toronto Western Hospital and deputy editor, CMAJ. "Our ability to meet the present and future health care needs of our population, while safeguarding the mission of our academic centres, is not something we can afford to contract out." The diplomatic row between Saudi Arabia and Canada following a tweet by Canada's minister of foreign affairs has resulted in the immediate withdrawal of 16 000 Saudi students in Canada, including 800 medical trainees, who provide a wide range of care to Canadian patients while gaining valuable skills and experience to help their own citizens. "As the medical community has responded overwhelmingly with shock, sympathy and support for our Saudi colleagues, academic health centres have been scrambling to adjust service and on-call coverage left vacant. ... The impact this will have on safe and timely health care delivery to Canadian patients remains to be seen, but an effect on physicians and other trainees in these centres in terms of workload and stress is already being felt." As these spots are internationally funded by the Saudi government, they cannot be filled by the Canadian medical graduates who went unmatched to residency programs earlier this year. The federal and provincial governments must step up to the plate to fund these much-needed residency spots for Canadian medical graduates to enable patients to access medical care. "The loss of our internationally funded trainees highlights more clearly than ever how valuable they have been," says Dr. Stanbrook. "Our profession and our country must express gratitude for their service and contributions over the years to Canadian medicine and the Canadian people. Canada will continue to welcome internationally funded traineesincluding Saudis, as future diplomatic relations allowbut should do so because we want them, not because we need them." Explore further Canada's health accord must prioritize system innovation More information: M. Hashim Khan et al, Withdrawal of Saudi trainees exposes vulnerability of Canadian health care, Canadian Medical Association Journal (2018). Journal information: Canadian Medical Association Journal M. Hashim Khan et al, Withdrawal of Saudi trainees exposes vulnerability of Canadian health care,(2018). DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.181084 Yolanda Thompson committed to getting healthy after her sister and husband died from heart disease. Photo courtesy: Yolanda Thompson Three days after Christmas, Yolanda Thompson was at work when she got the call she hoped she would never receive. Her husband, Aaron, had suffered a massive heart attack. "He was a large man and had already had one heart attack," she said. "We knew that if he had another, it would probably be the last one." She'd been trying to encourage him to eat better and exercise, just as she had set out to do for herself, and was thrilled that he'd started enthusiastically working with a trainer. But the changes came too late. The heart attack hit while he was driving, just minutes from their home in Wichita, Kansas. "Seeing him in the middle of the street with all the paramedics working on him that was the worst day of my life," she said. Sadly, Aaron's death was not Yolanda's first experience losing a loved one to heart disease. Almost a decade earlier, in 2008, a fun-filled road trip to Nashville with family ended abruptly with a call from her husband to say that her 34-year-old sister, Alisha, was in the hospital in critical condition. "He said to leave the car and fly back to Wichita because my sister wasn't going to make it," she said. Although Yolanda was terrified of flying, she boarded the plane and prepared to face something even more terrifying. At the hospital, she found her sister unconscious, with tubes everywhere. The doctors gathered the family to update them and to ask a critical question. Why had Alisha stopped taking her blood pressure medicine? "That question still haunts us," Yolanda said. "We didn't know." Nine days later, Alisha's heart stopped, her death caused by heart disease and hypertension. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, and hypertension rates are especially high among African-Americans. These days, Yolanda is taking the lessons she's learned from that one-two punch of heart-related deaths as motivation to improve her own lifestyle. But it hasn't come easy. Her struggle underscores the reality that many Americans face: the need and desire to maintain a healthy weight without the ability to always do so. As she grieved Alisha's death, Yolanda was just going through the motions, still going to work and taking care of her husband and daughters, but not feeling like taking care of herself. "When you lose a sibling or someone close like that suddenly, you either don't eat or you don't stop eatingmine was the eating reaction," she said. Her weight skyrocketed. She was diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol. She masked her swirling emotions thanks to a coping mechanism she developed at a young age, when she was taunted and bullied for being overweight. "At one point I thought, 'Hey, I'm better than this,' and that's been my attitude ever since," she said. What she calls her "sexy attitude" keeps her going through tough times and inspires those around her as well. "I tell myself that I'm strong and beautiful no matter what size I am," Yolanda said. "My husband always made me feel that way, even when I was a mess." In 2015, a friend urged Yolanda to apply for the American Heart Association's BetterU Challenge, a 12-week program that showed women how to make small changes to their daily lives. It turned out to be just the nudge she needed. "I was so excited to get accepted, but it was a bit overwhelming at first," she said. She persevered by focusing on one thing: "The whole time, I had Alisha on my mind." "I took water aerobics, went to Zumba and learned to read food labels. The best part was sharing experiences with the other women. It was like a sisterhood," Yolanda said. She continued to exercise, even getting up at 4:30 a.m. to meet her friend Tamara Ammons at the gym. Soon, Yolanda saw resultsnot just losing weight, but also getting her blood pressure under control enough to stop taking medicine. Then life got in the way again. Her mother-in-law went through a serious illness and died. That brought on a variety of family issues, which in turn led to less exercise and unhealthy eating. "I kind of let myself take a back seat," she said. Then came the death of her husband. But this time, unlike after her sister died, she promised herself to get back on track. Yolanda has returned to healthy eating and losing weight, with her friend Ammons encouraging her to rejoin their workouts at the Y. "I'm happy to see her eating better again," said Ammons, who is also Yolanda's co-worker and neighbor. "After Yolanda started exercising the last time, I saw her joy just come backshe was full of life. I've seen her through ups and downs, and I told her, 'I'm not going to let you get where you were before.' " Having gotten into great shape before, Yolanda knows she can do it again. "Sometimes it's just overwhelming," she said. "But I'm really working on getting back to where I was because I want to be around for my daughters and grandson." Explore further Mother of the bride survives heart attack on mother's day Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org. Credit: University of Oregon A wasp puts its tongue on a fruit fly larva. Sensing danger, the larva quickly reverses. That responseto stop the wasp from laying its eggs in the larvais the work of a single pair of neurons in the larva's brain, according to new UO-led research. The discovery emerged from basic, early development research in the UO lab of biologist Chris Doe. It appeared Aug. 2 in a paper on brain descending neurons in the journal eLife. Doe's seven-member team successfully mapped the circuitryfrom the brain downstream to specific motor neurons that control a muscle groupthat allows for a smooth and rapid switch in movement. The work, he said, is unprecedented. "The big step we've made is that we have a single neuron that both triggers a new behavior and suppresses an antagonistic behavior," said Doe, a biology professor and co-director of the University of Oregon's Institute of Neuroscience. Doe also is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and member of the UO's Institute of Molecular Biology. "It is even more striking, because these neurons drive the same behavioral switch in larvae and adults, which have completely different motor neurons and modes of locomotion," he said. "Our finding that the same pair of neurons control crawling of a limbless maggot and walking of an adult fly was quite surprising." Changing directions is vital to survival for fruit flies. While larvae contend with wasps, adults are prime dinner choices of spiders, ants and beetles. Just how neural circuits trigger smooth switching between antagonistic behaviors is a mystery in most animals, Doe said, but it has been seen in nematodes as well. Credit: University of Oregon The methodology used in the study, Doe said, will help other scientists link other direct connections between individual brain and nervous system neurons. Doe's lab already is looking at neurons tied to navigation behavior in fruit flies. As the brain circuitry is better understood, Doe said, the payoff potentially could be in more precise human prosthetics or in the robotics of bomb-searching robots or rovers exploring the surfaces on other planets. In the project, Doe's team used genetic screening, electron microscopy, and light-based and manual manipulations. Fluorescent proteins inserted into larvae and adult flies helped track telltale chemical flows in the circuitry as behaviors changed course. The team methodically moved through several steps to identify the backward-inducing brain neurons, starting with more than 300 and winnowing the population until the final two were found. The biggest surprise, Doe said, was realizing that the same pair of neurons in a larva retracted its connection to the suite of muscles during metamorphosis and then re-engaged with the motor neurons for the six legs that control muscles in the adults. In limbless larvae, crawling is done by peristalsis, or contractions. "Limbed locomotion involves a pattern of motion, legs, that is completely different," Doe said. "All the motor neurons are different in the two stages. Those in larvae are lost in metamorphosis. The brain neuron apparently recognizes this in both systems." For escape purposes, one behavior must be rapidly inactivated by way of neural communication, he said. Flies and mosquitoes, for instance, can sense a human's swat and change directions to avoid contact. Larvae can recognize and avoid noxious environments like high salt or bright light using backwards locomotion. "Until now, no one has shown that there is an upstream neuron that can coordinately suppress some behaviors and induce others," he said. "Our study gives other researchers a good example of what they may expect to find. A fly has many behaviors. The idea is to map the neurons and circuits controlling all." Doe has explored the early development of neural stem cells as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator since 1994. About five years ago, his lab began studying neural circuits generating motor behaviors. Explore further Mapping the brain, neuron by neuron More information: Arnaldo Carreira-Rosario et al. MDN brain descending neurons coordinately activate backward and inhibit forward locomotion, eLife (2018). Journal information: eLife Arnaldo Carreira-Rosario et al. MDN brain descending neurons coordinately activate backward and inhibit forward locomotion,(2018). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38554 (HealthDay)The American Medical Association (AMA) encourages patient education to raise awareness of the risks associated with opioid use after a prolonged period of sobriety, according to a report in the organization's AMA Wire. The AMA House of Delegates has called on the association to support development and implementation of appropriate education programs for patients recovering from opioid use disorder. The program would educate people about the dangers of using opioids after a significant period of sobriety. A reduced tolerance to opioids after a period of abstinence can result in overdose or death. The House of Delegates also adopted new policy calling on the AMA to support and encourage airlines to include naloxone in their emergency medical kits. The drug is not currently required to be included in these kits. "The AMA has been a longtime supporter of increasing the availability of naloxone for patients, first responders, and bystanders who can help save lives and seeks to bolster efforts to increase access to this medication," AMA board member Albert J. Osbahr III, M.D., said in a statement. "The AMA will encourage all U.S. airlines to include naloxone in their airline medical kits." Explore further New report shows increasing trend of EMS-administered naloxone for overdoses More information: More Information Copyright 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved. We are pioneering exciting potential innovative treatment options for patients, says Professor Sandra Black. Credit: University of Toronto In the first peer-reviewed published report of its kind, University of Toronto researchers have demonstrated that focused ultrasound can be used to safely open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The study, "Blood-brain barrier opening in Alzheimer's disease using MR-guided focused ultrasound," was published recently in Nature Communications. "This is a critical first step," says lead author Nir Lipsman, an assistant professor in the department of surgery and director of the Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. "By successfully, safely and reversibly opening the blood-brain barrier in patients with early-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, we can support the continued investigation of focused ultrasound as a potential novel treatment, and further study the delivery of therapies that otherwise cannot access the brain." The BBB surrounds the small blood vessels of the brain to protect it from toxins and infectious agents. It also prevents drug therapies from entering, which could be effective in treating disease. In this Phase 1 trial, the focused ultrasound technology used low frequency ultrasound waves to non-invasively open the BBB in a small area of the frontal lobe in patients with mild-stage Alzheimer's disease. No drug therapies were administered as the trial investigated safety and feasibility. "While it is still early in development, in the future focused ultrasound may provide a non-invasive, effective way of delivering large molecules such as antibodies or even stem cells directly to the brain to help patients with Alzheimer's," says Professor Sandra Black, co-principal investigator and internationally renowned professor of neurology at U of T and Sunnybrook. "We are pioneering exciting potential innovative treatment options for patients." In 2015, Sunnybrook researchers safely opened the BBB to test the delivery of chemotherapy directly to a patient's brain tumour. This recent study is the first peer-reviewed, published report showing the safety and feasibility of breaching the BBB in patients with Alzheimer's. Kullervo Hynynen, a professor of medical biophysics and director of physical sciences at Sunnybrook Research Institute, worked with INSIGHTEC, a global medical technology innovator of incisionless surgery, for almost two decades to develop the technology. Alzheimer's is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, which over time robs people of memory and thinking ability. Over 6.4 million people in North America and at least 44 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer's or another dementia. Phase two of the study will begin this fall. Explore further Ultrasound jiggles open brain barrier, a step to better care More information: Nir Lipsman et al. Bloodbrain barrier opening in Alzheimer's disease using MR-guided focused ultrasound, Nature Communications (2018). Journal information: Nature Communications Nir Lipsman et al. Bloodbrain barrier opening in Alzheimer's disease using MR-guided focused ultrasound,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04529-6 Southern Africa has some of the highest rates of sexual assault in the world, with 20 percent of adolescent girls and boys reporting that they have been forced to have sex. In many cases, they are also the perpetrators: In one survey, 12 percent of boys and 5 percent of girls admitted they have forced someone else onto sex. Given that forced sex experiences are linked to increased rates for HIV, depression, suicide, substance use, and early pregnancyand it is a problem that spans the globeit is an area ripe for public health interventions. A new study, published Friday in JAMA Network Open found that a 12-hour educational program presented in sixth-grade classrooms in South Africa significantly reduced the chances that the students would force sex on someone else, an effect that held true over the four years the students were followed. While previous research found that the program was successful at its primary mission of reducing HIV and risky sexual behavior, this secondary analysis found that it also reduced perpetration of sexual assault among students who received the intervention. "This study is an important contribution in assisting South African adolescents to decrease forced sexual behavior," says lead author John B. Jemmott III, the Kenneth B. Clark Professor of Communication and Psychiatry at the Annenberg School for Communication and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who led the research program. The intervention, designed by Jemmott and his colleagues and funded by the National Institutes of Health, was given to more than 1,000 students in grade 6 at schools in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The great majority of the students had not yet begun sexual involvement. Called "Let Us Protect Our Future," it contained 12 one-hour theory-based modules primarily designed to reduce HIV and risky sexual behavior, but also addressed adjacent topics like understanding healthy relationships and correcting misconceptions about rape, such as boys believing that girls were open to sex based on their clothing choices. The students were then followed at regular intervals for 54 months, with 92 percent remaining with the study. Among the survey questions was whether they had experienced vaginal intercourse against their will or forced it on someone else against their wishes. When compared to a control group, the students were 3 percent less likely to report that they forced someone to have sexual intercourse, more than four years after they took part in "Let Us Protect Our Future." The intervention was more effective in reducing perpetrator behavior among boys, who were also more likely than girls to report the behavior. "The fact that adolescents who received only 12 hours of intervention in grade 6, when few reported sexual experience, were less likely to report perpetrating and experiencing forced sex long after the intervention is extraordinary," write the authors. "Our research demonstrates how an HIV prevention intervention that incorporates content on healthy relationships can reduce unprotected sex as well as forced sex," says co-author Anne M. Teitelman, the Patricia Bleznak Silverstein and Howard A. Silverstein Endowed Term Chair in Global Women's Health and associate professor at Penn Nursing. "It is especially important in HIV prevention to address safer sex and relationship issues, given that research has consistently documented that condom use is reduced in relationships with partner violence." While the trial was most successful in reducing perpetrator behavior, it also showed some promise in reducing victimization. At several points in the study, participants reported fewer forced sex experiences when compared with the control group. However, this effect was not significant over the entire time period. "It is easier in an intervention to persuade people not to force others to have sex," says Jemmott. "It is much harder to prevent people from being victimized, as it is often not under their control." The researchers are hopeful that the program, which was delivered in the isiXhosa language and designed with the students' culture in mind, could be used throughout South Africa and extended into other parts of the world. "Most of the emphasis in terms of intervention for drinking, drugs, and risky sexual behavior tends to be on high school and college students," Jemmott says. "What this study suggests is that perhaps we should begin earlier, in middle school, with interventions that can have long-lasting effects into secondary school. Adopting this evidenced-based curriculum in South African schools would advance efforts to ensure the wellbeing of young South African adolescents." The authors of "Effect of a Behavioral Intervention on Perpetrating and Experiencing Forced Sex among South African Adolescents: A Secondary Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Trial" include Jemmott; Loretta Sweet Jemmott, Ph.D., R.N. (Drexel University); Teitelman; Ann O'Leary, Ph.D. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Zolani Philemon Ngwane, Ph.D. (Haverford College); Monde Blessing Makiwane, Ph.D. (Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa); and Scarlett L. Bellamy, Sc.D. (Drexel University). Explore further Gender differences and relationship power could be key in preventing HIV in South African adolescents More information: John Barton Jemmott et al, Effect of a Behavioral Intervention on Perpetrating and Experiencing Forced Sex Among South African Adolescents, JAMA Network Open (2018). Journal information: JAMA Network Open John Barton Jemmott et al, Effect of a Behavioral Intervention on Perpetrating and Experiencing Forced Sex Among South African Adolescents,(2018). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.1213 The snail-shell-shaped part of the inner ear that houses hair cells. Credit: Holt lab/Harvard Medical School Scientists at Harvard Medical School say they have ended a 40-year-quest for the elusive identity of the sensor protein responsible for hearing and balance. The results of their research, reported Aug. 22 in Neuron, reveal that TMC1, a protein discovered in 2002, forms a sound- and motion-activated pore that allows the conversion of sound and head movement into nerve signals that travel to the braina signaling cascade that enables hearing and balance. Scientists have long known that when the delicate cells in our inner ear detect sound and movement, they convert them into signals. Where and how this conversion occurs has been the subject of intense scientific debate. No more, the authors say. "The search for this sensor protein has led to numerous dead ends, but we think this discovery ends the quest," said David Corey, co-senior author on the study and the Bertarelli Professor of Translational Medical Science at Harvard Medical School. "We believe our findings settle that issue for good and yield definitive proof that TMC1 is the critical molecular sensor that converts sound and motion into electrical signals the brain can understand," said co-senior author Jeffrey Holt, Harvard Medical School professor of otolaryngology and of neurology at Boston Children's Hospital. "It is, indeed, the gatekeeper of hearing." The researchers say their findings lay the groundwork for precision-targeted therapies to treat hearing loss that occurs when the TMC1 molecular gate is malformed or missing. Hearing loss is the most common neurologic disorder affecting more than 460 million people worldwide. "To design optimal treatments for hearing loss, we need to know the molecules and their structures where disease-causing malfunctions arise, and our findings are an important step in that direction," Holt said. Credit: Harvard Medical School The sensesvision, touch, taste, pain, smell and hearinghelp animals navigate the world and survive in it. The conversion of sensory input into signals that travel to the brain for analysis and interpretation is central to this process. The "molecular converters" for most senses have been identified. The one for hearing, however, remained elusive, partly due to the hard-to-access anatomical location of the inner earwithin the densest bone of the human bodyand partly because of the comparatively few auditory cells available for retrieval, dissection and imaging. The human retina has a hundred million sensory cells, compared with a precious few 16,000 in the human inner ear. As far back as the 19th century, scientists knew that cells located in the inner earcalled hair cells for the bristle-like tufts that line their surfaceplayed a role in hearing. The stage was set in the late 1800s by Swedish physician and anatomist Gustaf Retzius, who described in detail the structure and cellular makeup of the inner ear. The basics of signal propagation from the inner ear to the brain were elucidated in the 1970s. Scientists demonstrated that proteins in the membranes of hair cells could open, allowing the influx of electrically charged ions such as calcium and potassium. Once inside the cell, those ions initiate signal transmission to the brain. Following the 2002 discovery of the TMC1 gene, research into its role languished for nearly a decade. In 2011, a team led by Holt demonstrated that TMC1 was required for auditory transduction in hair cells. The finding sparked a vigorous debate about the exact role TMC1 played: Was it a central character or part of the supporting cast? That debate has now been put to rest, Holt said. In an initial set of experiments, the research team found that TMC1 proteins assemble in pairs to form sound-activated pores, or ion channels. Given that most ion-channel proteins form clusters of three to seven units, TMC1's minimalistic pairing was a surprise. It also offered a helpful clue into its structure. Next, to map out the molecular architecture of the TMC1 protein, the scientists turned to computer predictive modeling. Such models work by predicting the most probable arrangement of a protein's building blocks based on the configuration of a close relative with a known structure. The algorithm revealed that TMC1's closest relative with known structure was a protein known as TMEM16. Each protein's function is determined by its structurethe specific sequence and arrangement of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. TMEM16's amino acid arrangement yielded a possible amino acid model for TMC1. Engravings showing the structure of the human inner ear by Gustaf Retzius, 1884. Credit: David Corey, Harvard Medical School But to verify the accuracy of the model and to pinpoint the precise location of the sound-activated pores, the researchers had to take their model out of the digital realm and into the real world of living hair cells of mice. Substituting 17 amino acidsone at a timethe researchers gauged whether and how each single substitution altered the cells' ability to respond to sound and allow the flow of ions. Of the 17 amino acid substitutions, 11 altered the influx of ions, and five did so dramatically, reducing ion flow by up to 80 percent, compared with nonmodified cells. One particular substitution blocked calcium influx completely, a finding that confirmed the precise location of the pore that normally allows calcium and potassium influx to initiate signal transmission. This approach, Corey said, was akin to what an engineer might do to figure out how each part of an engine works. "Hair cells, like car engines, are complex machines that need to be studied as they are running," Corey said. "You can't figure out how a piston or a spark plug works by itself. You have to modify the part, put it back in the engine and then gauge its effect on performance." TMC1 is found in mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptilesa sign of evolutionary conservation at work. "The fact that evolution has conserved this protein across all vertebrate species underscores how critical it is for survival," Holt said. The ability to hear a sound and distinguish its meaning as a threat or a mere nuisance, for example, is crucial for biologic survivalthink hearing the sound of a bear approaching in the woods. But among many higher species, hearing is also important for social bonding and interactionthink recognizing different voices or changes in voice patterns and intonation. The exquisitely complex ability to detect changes in intonation begins with the opening of a tiny molecular gate in TMC1. "We now know that TMC1 forms the pore that enables sound detection in animals ranging from fish to birds to humans," Corey said. "It is truly the protein that lets us hear." Explore further Cellular channels vital for hearing identified The West flourished by developing a synthesis of morality informed by faith, rationality shaped by classical philosophy, and the rule of law. Some Christians and Muslims see faith and reason as opposed but theological schools of both religions believed the two were indispensable allies. Samuel Gregg has written extensively about the fiction that Christians were somehow opposed holus bolus to Enlightenment ideas. On the contrary, Gregg wrote, after seeing the discoveries made through enhanced use of the empirical method, Catholics shaped by [the Council of] Trents reforms wanted to underscore the compatibility between faith and science. But what of Islam? The Muslim world at large has not had its own Enlightenment, but that doesnt mean Muslims never developed similar ideas, wrote Mustafa Akyol yesterday in an op-ed about the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, and published by the New York Times (subsequently reposted at Cato.org). Akyol a regular contributor to Acton Institute publications, a faculty member of Acton University, and a senior fellow on Islam and modernity at the Cato Institute notes that the Islamic holiday includes an animal sacrifice. However, the way Muslim thinkers interpreted the Quranic story that inspired that sacrifice Abrahams sacrifice of his son has sometimes mirrored the Kantian view that religion should conform to rationality. He writes: These were the Mutazilites, members of a theological school that flourished in Iraq around the 9th century, which argued that good and bad were defined not just by divine verdicts, as their rivals claimed, but also human reason. For example, murder wasnt bad simply because God told humans so it was objectively bad. The Sufi writer Ibn Arabi, of medieval Spain said that Abraham had misinterpreted his dream as a divine commandment to sacrifice his son. For that reason, Arabi wrote, his Lord rescued his son from Abrahams misapprehension. This tradition represents an ongoing call for Muslims, like their Christian counterparts, to a rational engagement with the Quran. [T]he lesson for Muslims is that they should be cautious about obeying what seems to be the will of God, Akyol writes. Our guide should be not blind obedience, in other words, but reasoned deliberation. You can read his full article here. (Photo credit: Public domain.) Professor Greta Hsu of the Graduate School of Management at UC Davis urges attention to regulating youth access to e-cigarettes after tracking changes in e-cigarette designs and website marketing. Credit: JANIFEST E-cigarettes may have the potential to reduce smoking, but big tobacco's involvement and a general lack of restriction to youth access are cause for concern, according to a university study. Professor Greta Hsu of the University of California, Davis, and her co-authors urge attention to regulating youth access to the product and promoting models that are tied to higher rates of smoking cessation. Their recommendations come from tracking the changes in e-cigarette designs and website marketing as the industry has grown for a study recently published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. "A surprising theme was how stark the difference was between the products sold by major tobacco brands and independent brands," said Hsu, a professor in the Graduate School of Management at UC Davis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is looking at whether certain design features and product marketing practices are fueling youth use and has requested information from several manufacturers/importers, including JUUL Labs. In mid-September, the agency plans to launch a full-scale public education campaign to persuade youths against using e-cigarettes. E-cigarette websites compared Hsu and co-authors Jessica Sun and Shu-Hong Zhu, both of the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health at UC San Diego, looked at e-cigarette brand websites in 2013-14 and 2016-17. They compared product designs, marketing claims and age-based warnings presented by e-cigarette producers, including major tobacco companies, independent vape shops and independent internet-only companies. Among the sites surveyed in 2016-17, a dozen were owned by major tobacco companies, 162 operated a physical vape shop and 259 were internet-only operations. Tobacco companies offer the most limited range of products. The type of e-cigarettes they tend to sell, called "cigalikes," have a look and feel that mimic the experience of actual cigarettes. Vape shops and online retailers, on the other hand, tend to have more advanced open-system designs that allow customization and come in many nontraditional flavors that include fruits, desserts and candies. Product design and flavors "The type of e-cigarette product design and flavors matters in terms of the reception of the different audiences," Hsu said. The study found that online retailers allow youths just as much access as ever to a wide variety of these nicotine products. "Policies should be designed to discourage youths from starting e-cigarettes and exposing themselves to any potentially negative health effects of nicotine," Hsu and her co-authors advised. "Currently, regulatory requirements do not provide clear guidance regarding specific processes needed to effectively prevent sales to minors." The study documented the industry's shift toward newer, less traditional e-cigarette products, from both established and newer brands. Tobacco-owned brands and smoking cessation The greater dominance of major tobacco-owned brands and the exit of smaller, independent brands might ultimately limit smokers' access to the e-cigarette models that are associated with higher smoking cessation rates, Hsu said. The authors also noticed a significant decrease in website claims that e-cigarettes are healthier than cigarettes and that they are cheaper, cleaner and more socially accepted. Hsu, now working on a study about the history of the e-cigarette industry, has also published research on how the tobacco industry raised the levels of tar and nicotine in "light" cigarettes for decades without a regulatory crackdowndespite mounting proof of health hazards. Explore further AMA calls for greater electronic cigarette regulation For picture posts from 2010 and earlier, see the Earlier Picture Posts Page Turning the ship before it hits the iceberg When Brooke Allen's Realtor and longtime best friend, Haley Fuqua, called to say she'd found her the perfect house, Brooke was skeptical. She had looked at so many houses, and nothing felt right. But then she walked in to the brick cottage in Mobile's Pinehurst neighborhood. "It was so open," she says. "I looked at my fiance, and my jaw hit the ground. We fell in love with everything." The three-bedroom, two-bath, 1,600-square-foot house was built in 1995 and recently underwent a complete update. Chris Estis of Reborn Homes and Interiors spent about 12 weeks turning it into a place that feels brand-new. The night she looked at it, Brooke made an offer. The next day, she had a contract on the house, which had only been on the market for four days at $179,900. She and her fiance, Kevin Cooper, plan to marry sometime in the next year, so it will be their first house. Chris, who likes to work on no more than two remodeling projects at once, is always keeping an eye out for the next home to buy, renovate and sell - but he doesn't call it "flipping." To him, the idea of "flipping" means "it's going to be done halfway." Reborn has higher standards, he says. "When we remodel a house, we do it with the same care and detail we would in our own house. We do ours with a lot of pride." Chris's career in remodeling started with his own homes. He and his wife, Julie, have made a point to find "the ugliest house on the most desirable street we could afford," he says, and transform it. The last one they renovated for themselves, though, is "our forever house," Chris says. In their Spring Hill neighborhood, their children can walk to school, and they love their neighbors. They're not planning to move again, so now he's going to continue fixing up houses for others to buy. "I love the transformation process," he says, "whether it's people, lawns, houses or furniture. I love taking something seen as having little value and bringing out its potential." Until last year, Chris spent two decades working as a minister and planting new churches. Even then, he "always had things on the side," he says. One of his side projects was Reborn Interiors, a furniture refinishing and antiques business that got its start at Antiques at the Loop. He always imagined that when he retired, he'd start investing in real estate. Last year, his wife encouraged him to go ahead and pursue that dream now. All of the houses he's worked on so far have been found through word of mouth. The first was a house on Audubon Place in midtown Mobile. In an eight-week period, he bought, renovated and sold it. "It was the most fun I'd ever had," he says. Next came the house next door to his, which had been a rental property. He called the owner and asked if she'd sell it to him. She was happy to sell it without having to go through the hassle of listing it. Likewise, the seller of the cottage in the Pinehurst neighborhood was relieved not to have to update her house before selling it. Chris, whose mother-in-law lives across the street, snapped it up. The house had great bones, with a desirable open floor plan and 10-foot ceilings, but it was due for an update. "It felt really dark" before, Chris says. He scraped the popcorn ceilings, removed wallpaper and carpet, added hardwood floors, re-painted throughout and added recessed lighting to brighten up the space. "The new lighting and getting rid of the acoustic ceiling modernizes it," he says. "It makes such a difference." The dining room at the front of the house is open to the kitchen, where the existing cabinets were brightened with white paint as well as new hardware and crown molding. Other updates included quartzite countertops, a grey subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. The kitchen opens to a roomy den area with a fireplace and French doors that lead out to a sunroom that used to be a screened porch. Chris glassed in the windows and added a vent and a back door, increasing the amount of square footage under the roof and creating a cozy space. In the master bathroom, Chris removed the tub and plastic surround and added a striking tile shower and new countertop on the vanity, as well as better lighting. The split-bedroom plan includes two more bathrooms and a hall bath, plus a washer and dryer tucked away behind louvered doors in the hallway. On the outside, Chris says he didn't have much to do except clean it. He removed the decorative shutters, painted the front door dark grey and added a new light fixture, and he installed new landscaping himself. As he has done in each renovation project so far, Chris staged the house by adding a mix of antiques and new items, some of which are from his own home. He has a flair for decorating, and he says he and his wife spend a lot of time late at night "iPad-searching and Pinterest-looking." Brooke was so taken by the staging that she's negotiating to buy a few pieces. "I love the whole house," she says. "I can't wait to move in." NOTICE: TO BE CLEAR: WE HAVE OUTLINED UNDER OUR RECORD MAINTENANCE POLICY WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE A FAIR PROCESS FOR ALL. SIMPLY PUT: IF THE COURT SAW FIT TO EXPUNGE YOUR RECORD,SO WILL WE, FREE OF CHARGE. ARRESTS DO NOT IMPLY GUILT AND CRIMINAL CHARGES ARE MERELY ACCUSATIONS,EVERYONE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW AND CONVICTED. 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OUR CONTENT REVOLVES AROUND CRIME, ARRESTS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT. WE BELIEVE IN THE CONSTITUTION AND OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO PUBLISH UNPOPULAR SPEECH. OPEN RECORD LAWS WERE WRITTEN TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC; BY INFORMING THE PUBLIC OF ARRESTS AND TO HOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ARRESTEES. MOST OF, IF NOT ALL MUGSHOT LAWS WERE CRAFTED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM FEES FOR REMOVAL OF ONLINE MUGSHOTS AND TO FURTHER PROTECT THE PRESS FROM THOSE VERY SAME "MUGSHOT LAWS".WE DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR REMOVAL OF ARREST INFORMATION AND/OR BOOKING PHOTOGRAPHS. MORE... Samsung Pay has officially launched in South Africa. The app can be downloaded from the Google Play store and is compatible with a selection of Samsung Galaxy smartphones including devices from the Galaxy S and Note series. Standard Bank and Absa are launch partners for the service, and card holders can use Samsung Pay to pay at compatible point-of-sale devices. In an interview with MyBroadband at the launch event in Johannesburg, Samsung South Africa Chief Marketing Officer Justin Hume said the company is working with more local banks to add support for Samsung Pay. More banks and devices Standard Bank and Absa were the first two who really saw the potential in Samsung Pay all those months and years ago, Hume told MyBroadband. There are definitely plans to include support for other banks. There are a number of banks that are in the development phase. Hume said the payment platform would include support for Visa and Mastercard cards from other banks, in addition to loyalty cards. We have a number of new banks coming through, as well as a number of loyalty providers and other such service providers which will be launching on Samsung Pay, he said. During the early access programme, Samsung Pay supported newer Galaxy smartphones, in addition to the Galaxy A8. Hume confirmed that the platform now also supports the Samsung Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A7 2017 editions in South Africa. New products coming to market in the mid and top-tier range will have support for Samsung Pay going forward, added Hume. He noted that older Samsung devices would not get support for Samsung Pay in South Africa. Authentication technology Samsung Pay uses standard NFC transmission and Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) to action payments. When it comes to adding support for loyalty cards in South Africa, however, the payment platform has another trick up its sleeve. Quite a lot of the loyalty cards use a barcode reader which reads a physical barcode on the card, said Hume. Mobile phones, because of their anti-reflective screens and the different layers of glass, dont allow traditional barcode readers to actually scan that code, he said. So what Samsung Pay does is it simulates that barcode by redirecting the number string to the RF reader and beaming out a code which the barcode scanner can read. Samsung said it is also working with its banking partners to overcome limitations holding back the rollout of Samsung Pay to Samsung smartwatches. Samsung Gear and Galaxy smartwatches can actually support Samsung Pay, but we have not yet enabled the service, said Hume. The reason for that is because approximately between 8%-12% of POS terminals in South Africa will ask for a random 4-digit code to authenticate Samsung Pay payments. With that in mind, the interface on the smartwatch is not wide enough for you to see your full card number and authenticate this way. The company said it is therefore working with local banks to implement a different type of authentication which bypasses this requirement. There is another bank which requires this authentication to be implemented before it can come online and support the Samsung Pay platform, said Hume. Once this technology is implemented, Samsung Pay will be compatible with Gear and Galaxy smartwatches which support NFC payments. Now read: Samsung Pay officially launches in South Africa Netflix is working on how to bypass iTunes for its subscription payments in 33 countries, TechCrunch reported. New subscribers in selected markets will be unable to pay for new subscriptions through iTunes until 30 September 2018, Netflix told TechCrunch. The test has been active since June across 10 countries, and has now expanded to cover 33 markets including South Africa. Instead of allowing users to sign up through iTunes, Netflix now directs potential subscribers in affected countries to its mobile web interface. By directly billing customers and not allowing them to subscribe through iTunes or the Google Play store, Netflix skips giving Google and Apple a cut of the earnings from those subscriptions. Apple currently takes a 30% cut on the first year of Netflix subscriptions, and 15% after this period, if customers sign up through iTunes. Now read: Netflix removes user reviews Telkom recently revealed that it has rolled out more than 157,400 kilometres of fibre in South Africa. The company said its network connects over 2.5 million premises, and that it plans to continue investing to improve its infrastructure. Our capital investment across core and aggregation will enable us to deploy one terabit per second throughput within the next 18-24 months, creating a future-proof network that is ready for exponential growth in data consumption, said Telkom. Fibre deployment remains a key future enabler for end-user connections, as well as small cells in mobile networks. To get a sense of the scale of Telkoms network, it is useful to compare it to its biggest competitors in South Africa such as Liquid Telecom, Broadband Infraco, and Dark Fibre Africa. Telkom Telkom was asked to provide an updated map of its national fibre network, but the company did not respond by the time of publication. The map below from 2012, when Telkoms fibre network was around 10,000km shorter, provides an idea of the scale of the deployment. Liquid Telecom Liquid Telecoms African network spans over 50,000km across borders, and includes The East Africa Fibre Ring. It lays claim to being the largest single-fibre network on the continent. In July 2018, Liquid Telecom signed an agreement with Telecom Egypt to complete construction of a terrestrial fibre network from Cape Town to Cairo. Liquid Telecoms linear network route in South Africa is over 16,000km. Broadband Infraco State-owned enterprise Broadband Infraco has around 15,000km of fibre in the ground. Rumours of a merger between Broadband Infraco and Telkom in 2016 were met with resistance from the telecommunication industry as the government would have unilaterally added to Telkoms substantial competitive advantage. Dark Fibre Africa Dark Fibre Africa has around 13,000km of fibre in the ground. It is owned by Community Investment Ventures Holdings, a venture holding firm owned by a group of investors Remgro, New GX Capital Holdings, Chlanich, Community Investment Holdings, and Consolidated Capital Investments. Vumatel Vumatel was recently acquired by CIVH and has over 8,000km of fibre in the ground in the Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban areas. FibreCo Another fibre infrastructure company in South Africa with significant assets in the ground is FibreCo. Its network spans around 4,000km, and includes lines connecting major cities as well as metro fibre rings. Now read: Why it can take a while to install fibre in your house SAN JOSE -- Orchard Supply Hardware, the iconic do-it-yourself, fix-it chain founded in San Jose during the Great Depression, is closing all its stores, including the store in Napa, by years end, a spokeswoman for parent company Lowes said Tuesday. The news comes ahead of an earnings call Wednesday, when more details about the move are slated to be released. Orchard's 4,000 employees learned of the permanent shutdown Tuesday, said Jackie Hartzell, a spokeswoman for Lowe's. Store liquidations are scheduled to begin Thursday. The Bay Area is home to more than 40 of Orchard's 98 locations. Others are in California, Oregon and Florida. Orchard has been a Bay Area fixture since it was founded in 1931 in San Jose as a farmers co-op. Faced with growing competition from big-box retailers, Orchard was bought by Sears in 1996, but then was spun off as an independent, publicly traded operation at the end of 2011. In 2013, Orchard filed for bankruptcy protection in a bid to preserve its iconic name while turning over most of its stores to Lowe's. "We want you to know that our customers will see no changes in their Orchard shopping experience as part of this transition -- there will still be an Orchard sign in front of all of our locations, and our teams will still dress in green," Orchard's president and CEO, Mark Baker, wrote on the company's website at the time. "In short, we'll be the same Orchard, but we'll be in a much stronger position to serve you in the future." News that Orchard is closing all its stores was met with shock and disappointment in San Jose. At W. San Carlos and Montgomery streets, where the first store was built and later rebuilt, a steady stream of customers pulled up to locked doors and a sign on the windows saying "temporarily closed." "It's horrible. I've lived my whole life in San Jose. It's an institution and it's too bad Lowe's doesn't appreciate that," said Reuben Castillo of San Jose. "It's one of the few stores left where you get customer service, where you can go and say, 'I need this,' and someone can tell you what aisle it's on and where to find it. You don't get that at Lowe's and Home Depot." The store is usually open until 9 p.m. on weeknights, but dozens of cars and trucks pulled up and turned around after 7 p.m. Eric Miguel, 32, said he's going to miss the convenience of coming in for nuts and bolts, the items he needs for "small handyman tasks." "It will be a blow to have Orchard Supply go away," Miguel said. Castillo, however, says he's downright upset and thinks the closures will hurt Lowe's. "I think Lowe's is going to lose customers. You're closing down an institution in San Jose and firing people so they'll go to Lowe's," Castillo said. "Customer service doesn't exist anymore." Others weren't as sentimental. One customer said the variety of items had diminished over the years, but he went there because it's close to his house. Another, Anthony Montoya, who works in the heating and air conditioning business, says he's been going to the store since he was little, but "I guess it's off to Home Depot." Linda L. Lester, a member of a third-generation fruit orchard family in San Jose recalled making trips with her father and grandfather to Orchard in the 1950s and 1960s. "Orchard Supply was pretty much the only supply store of its kind when I grew up on our ranch on Almaden Road," Lester said. "Living in the Valley of Hearts Delight, surrounded by thousands of acres of fruit orchards throughout the Santa Clara Valley, a small family run business like this was a welcome sight for local farmers, ranchers and families." Lester said she is sad to see the icon come to an end. "However, I will always cherish the fond memories from a favorite store to many, and something that will now be only a memory, but always a fond part of our local history." Check back for updates. Staff writer Sal Pizarro contributed to this report. Guwahati : Assam police have arrested one more person in connection with the mob lynching incident happened on August 15 early morning at Sootea area in northern Assams Biswanath district where a person was beaten to death and three others injured in mob attack on suspicion of being cattle thieves. According to the reports, Biswanath district police on Tuesday had arrested a person named Dinesh Pator, he is a secretary of Village Defence Party. Earlier, police had arrested 13 persons in connection with the lynching incident. On August 15 morning, a group of men intercepted an auto van at 15 number line of Diplonga tea estate and brutally assaulted four persons on suspicion of being cattle thieves. One among the four was died in the mob attack and three others were received severe injuries. Following the incident, police had registered two cases at Sootea police station. Biswanath district Superintendent of Police (SP) Diganta Kumar Choudhury said that, police had already registered two cases in connection with the incident and investigation is going on. It is to be mentioned that, on June 8 last, two youths from Guwahati were beaten to death by a mob in the name of child traffickers at Panjuri village under Dokmoka police station in Karbi Anglong district. Mergers and acquisitions may be no savior as the pace of hospital closures, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas, seems poised to accelerate. Hospitals have been closing at a rate of about 30 a year, according to the American Hospital Association, and patients living far from major cities may be left with even fewer choices as insurers push them toward online providers like Teladoc and clinics like CVS Health Corp's MinuteClinic. Morgan Stanley analysts led by Vikram Malhotra looked at data from roughly 6,000 U.S. private and public hospitals and concluded eight percent are at risk of closing with another 10 percent considered "weak." The firm defined weak hospitals based on criteria for margins for earnings before interest and other items, occupancy and revenue. The "at risk" group was defined by capital expenditures and efficiency, among others. The next year to 18 months should see an increase in shutdowns, Malhotra said in a phone interview. The risks are coming following years of mergers and acquisitions. The most recent deal saw Apollo Global Management LLC swallowing rural hospital chain LifePoint Health Inc. for $5.6 billion last month. Apollo declined to comment on the deal; LifePoint has until Aug. 22 to solicit other offers. Consolidation among other health-care players, such as CVS's planned takeover of insurer Aetna Inc., could also pressure hospitals as payers push patients toward outpatient services. There are already a lot of hospitals with high negative margins, consultancy Veda Partners health care policy analyst Spencer Perlman said, and that's going to become unsustainable. Rural hospitals with a smaller footprint may have less room to negotiate rates with managed care companies and are often hobbled by more older and poorer patients. Also wearing away at margins are technological improvements that allow patients to get more surgeries and imaging done outside of the hospital. They are also likely to be forced to pay more to attract and retain doctors in key areas, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Jason McGorman said. They "are getting eaten alive from these market trends," Perlman cautioned. Future M&A options could be too late -- buyers may hesitate as debt laden operators like Community Health Systems Inc. and Tenet Healthcare Corp. focus on selling underperforming sites to reduce leverage, Morgan Stanley's Zachary Sopcak said. The light at the end of the tunnel is some hospitals are rising to the occasion, Perlman said. Some acute care facilities are restructuring as outpatient emergency clinics with free-standing emergency departments. "Microhospitals," or facilities with 10 beds or less, are another trend that may hold promise. Napa County is disputing grand jury findings that agricultural tax breaks have lax local oversight, cost taxpayers and do little to buttress existing laws protecting wine country farmland from being paved over. The Napa County Grand Jury subtitled its June report on the Williamson Act in Napa County subsidizing a lifestyle. It noted a witness from the Assessors Office called the local program welfare for the rich. Meanwhile, the Napa County Board of Supervisors doesnt appear to understand the cost to taxpayers. That comes to about $60 million in lost tax revenue over a decade that could have gone to cities, schools and the county for local services, the grand jury said. While the grand jury worries that the Williamson Act subsidizes the lifestyles of wine country elite, the county sees the program as improving the quality of life for the public at large. A sound and secure system for preserving Napa agricultural land and the open space qualities it provides will be far more valuable to future generations than limited short-term financial gains, the county response said. The Napa County Board of Supervisors approved the countys defense of the Williamson Act on Aug. 14. In 1965, California passed the Land Conservation Act, commonly called the Williamson Act. The law allows counties to offer property tax breaks to farmers in return for pledges to keep their land in agriculture for 10 years, with automatic annual renewals unless one party opts out. The goal is to keep farmland from being paved over with subdivisions and strip malls. Farmers can pay taxes based on agricultural value of their land rather than a value that includes development potential. But the Williamson Act in Napa County provides no more protection from development than county land use laws, the grand jury said. For example, county agricultural land use changes under Measure P must be made through ballot initiatives. Despite the limitations on development from the Countys planning and zoning rules, Napa County agricultural land has become some of the most highly prized and valued agricultural land in the world, the grand jury report said. Yet the county taxpayers are subsidizing the owners of that land. Long-time vineyard owners pay taxes based on Proposition 13 land value rather than the agriculture value because it is lower, the grand jury said. The Williamson Act tax breaks most benefit the wealthy and corporations making recent land buysthose who can most afford to pay market-rate taxes. Napa County responded that county laws and the Williamson Act arent duplicative, but rather complementary. They mix short-term and long-term benefits to provide greater protection against urban sprawl. Napa County contains some of the most valuable farmland in the country, but urban development can be worth five to 10 times more on a per-acre basis, the response said. Some farmers without the tax break would be unable to generate sufficient money from agriculture alone to pay taxes and land maintenance expenses, the response said. It mentioned land used for livestock grazing as an example. Without the Williamson Act, development pressures could make county land use policy challenges more dynamic. The general plan is only as strong as the public support it inspires, the response said. The loss of the Williamson Act would weaken farmers as a key component of public support, it said. The grand jury found that Williamson Act tax breaks cost the county, its cities and its schools about $6 million annually in tax income. The Board of Supervisors lacks adequate information about the total lost property tax revenue, its report said. But the county responded that the tax money hasnt been lost. Rather, the tax breaks incentivize actions consistent with the broadly supported goal of preserving agriculture. The county declined to follow the grand jury recommendation of commissioning a cost/benefit analysis to help determine continued county Williamson Act participation. Protecting farmland prevents conversion to the highest and best economic use, which reduces potential government revenues, its response said. However, maximizing government revenue is not the defining aspect of Napas quality of life, the county response said. Open space, habitat conservation and resource management values do not easily factor into a cost-benefit analysis. A rural landscape prized by both residents and tourists cannot be easily accounted for in a ledger, the county said. The grand jury found that Williamson Act contract enforcement is non-existent. Planning and Assessor staff havent told the Board of Supervisors about undersized parcels, parcels without agricultural income and property owners who fail to supply information required by law. Again, the county defended itself, in part by saying supervisors cant feasibly learn about every county rules violation. The Board of Supervisors on May 8 directed county officials to increase efforts to ensure Williamson Act compliance. County officials have identified 64 Williamson Act contracts where no agricultural use appears to be occurring on the parcel. The county will file notices of non-renewal if the owners cannot provide evidence otherwise, the county response said. These are 9 percent of the 692 Williamson Act contracts. The grand jury also found that Assessor John Tuteurs office lacks adequate conflict-of-interest procedures regarding Tuteurs properties, with unqualified personnel assigned to check the work. Tuteurs family owns a ranch under a Williamson Act contract. In separate action, the grand jury is calling for Napa County Superior Court to remove Tuteur from office in part because of Williamson Act-related conflict-of-interest allegations. In the countys grand jury response, Tuteur declined to revise conflict-of-interest procedures for employee-owned properties. The current ones are sufficient, the response said. Pop the cork on Napa Valley wine! Discover the hidden stories of Napa Valley wine and the people behind it -- plus expert analysis from our columnists and more with our weekly email newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. If Napa goes ahead with plans for a combined civic center and police building, it will have a tool with which to borrow the millions of dollars needed for its new headquarters. City Council voted this week to create a special agency needed to issue construction bonds on a four-story city hall envisioned for downtown First Street, at the site of the Community Services Building. The City of Napa Industrial Development Agency would become the instrument for funding the civic center, the heart of a redevelopment plan estimated to cost more than $120 million. The plan has been the subject of recent community criticism for its design and expense. Some have questioned the need for the project, while others want the city to redesign the civic center and move it to county-owned land on Third Street at Coombs Street. While Napa has not scheduled any vote on actually issuing bonds, forming the agency is a necessary step to do so under state law. Such financing requires the use of a joint-powers agency of at least two bodies, and Napas arrangement is expected to involve both the council and the new special authority a body similar to other agencies that previously have borrowed funds for projects such as fire station upgrades and an expansion of the current police headquarters on Second Street. All five City Council members would serve on the development agencys board of directors, which also would include a Napa resident chosen by the council and a representative of the Plenary Group, the Los Angeles-based development firm partnering with the city on the civic center. The special authority will likely meet for the first time Oct. 16, said Finance Director Brian Cochran. Napas civic center would replace not only the existing city hall and police station, but would take in departments currently spread over seven sites. Plans shared by Plenary, which saw its project approved in May 2017, call for about 130,000 square feet of space, along with an annex to the nearby Clay Street parking garage to accommodate 320 vehicles. To repay its construction bonds, Napa seeks to redevelop the current city hall and police parcel into a mixed-use superblock of about 60 condominium units, 170 hotel rooms and retail space to generate room, sales and property taxes. In May, the city announced it was negotiating with an unnamed partner to co-develop the Second Street block it plans to vacate. City officials have said their cost estimates include about $95.4 million in construction costs as well as the expense of finding temporary office space during construction, which is scheduled to last from 2019 to 2021. 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. As we get closer to the end of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of the Russian attack on the 2016 election and whatever related crimes might have been committed here at home, President Donald Trump and his legal team are becoming more and more resistant to the idea of answering Mueller's questions. The explanation they are offering - that such an interview would be a "perjury trap" - is simultaneously ridiculous and all but an admission that the president of the United States is guilty of something. But most of all it's disingenuous, because perjury charges are not what they're really afraid of. On Sunday, Rudy Giuliani told NBC News's Chuck Todd that "I am not going to be rushed into having him testify so that he gets trapped into perjury," adding a bit of postmodern wisdom, that "truth isn't truth." And now Trump himself is offering the same justification for avoiding Mueller's questions: "In an interview with Reuters, Trump echoed the concerns of his top lawyer in the probe, Rudy Giuliani, who has warned that any sit-down with Mueller could be a "perjury trap." "The president expressed fears that investigators could compare his statements with that of others who have testified in the probe, such as former FBI Director James Comey, and that any discrepancies could be used against him. " 'So if I say something and he (Comey) says something, and it's my word against his, and he's best friends with Mueller, so Mueller might say: "Well, I believe Comey," and even if I'm telling the truth, that makes me a liar. That's no good.' " Let's first dispense with the "perjury trap" idea. A "perjury trap" occurs when investigators ask a question knowing that the person being interviewed will respond with a lie. When it happens, it's usually because the suspect doesn't realize that the investigators know something critical. In the best-known example, Bill Clinton was asked in a deposition about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky; it was a trap because he wasn't aware that independent counsel Kenneth Starr already knew all about their relationship, so Clinton didn't realize that if he denied it, his deceptions were bound to be revealed. So when Giuliani and Trump insist that Mueller is laying a perjury trap, they're admitting that if Mueller asks certain questions, Trump will respond by lying. In ordinary circumstances, there are plenty of reasons that someone suspected of a crime wouldn't want to answer questions from police or prosecutors even if they're innocent, but "If I let you ask me questions, I'll lie and then you'll indict me for perjury" is not a particularly compelling defense. That brings us to Trump's specific justification: He and James Comey have differing accounts of their conversations (particularly Comey's description of how he says Trump pressured him to go easy on former national security adviser Michael Flynn), so if Trump offers his story under oath, Mueller will simply decide that Comey is the one telling the truth because he and Comey are "best friends" (they aren't), then indict Trump for perjury. Let's put aside whether any prosecutor would try to indict someone because of a "he said/he said" disagreement about what happened in a private conversation. The fact is that we already know that Mueller is not going to indict Trump. How do we know that? Because Trump's own lawyers, including Giuliani, told us so three months ago: "The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, will not indict President Trump if he finds wrongdoing in his investigation of Trump campaign links to Russia, according to the president's lawyers. They said Wednesday that Mr. Mueller's investigators told them that he would adhere to the Justice Department's view that the Constitution bars prosecuting sitting presidents." According to that account, which has not been disputed, Mueller has essentially decided to leave Trump's fate up to the political process. Mueller won't indict Trump, but he'll likely lay out whatever evidence he finds of Trump's wrongdoing (and that of everyone else he has investigated) in some kind of final report. If Congress finds that it warrants impeachment, it'll be up to Congress to take that step. That is where we come back to what Trump is really afraid will happen if he answers Mueller's questions. His lawyers have certainly seen what has happened when Trump has been deposed before, and the results weren't pretty. In one case, he was forced 30 separate times to admit lies he had told. In another deposition, regarding the fraud lawsuit over Trump University, Trump claimed to be unable to remember so many specific things that the opposing lawyer eventually asked him whether he remembered saying he has one of the world's best memories. Trump said he couldn't remember saying that. (In fact, he had.) Though Trump might well commit perjury if forced to answer Mueller's questions, he won't face prosecution for it. But everyone would see him desperately distract, deflect and dissemble in answer to questions about Russia and obstruction of justice. And it isn't just the content of specific lies he might tell. Facing an informed interrogator able to ask follow-up questions, he would also almost certainly wind up looking evasive, self-contradictory, disingenuous - in a word, guilty. That's the real danger that Trump faces: not legal danger, but political danger. An interview with Mueller might not make impeachment and removal from office more likely (he has a firewall of Republican support in Congress to prevent that), but it will almost certainly make a defeat in 2020 more likely. If Trump continues to resist, Mueller can just subpoena him, as Starr did to Clinton. All indications are that Trump would fight the subpoena all the way to the Supreme Court. We don't know how that case would turn out, but we do know this: The president is afraid to answer questions in front of the world, and he has good reason to be. Paul Waldman is an opinion writer for the Plum Line blog. He wrote this for The Washington Post. Democrats, according to a recent Gallup poll, have a more favorable opinion of socialism than of capitalism. I dont take this to be an endorsement of actual socialism as we might have understood the term four decades ago, however; I see it as the expression of a desire to move much further to the left, and if necessary to think outside the usual boxes. Look at Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic candidate who is likely to represent parts of New York City in the next Congress. Her agenda calls for single-payer health insurance, a federal jobs guarantee and the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Whether or not you agree, it is striking how much these stances have become part of the broader debate. On the Republican side, the presidency of Donald Trump has taken the party to all sorts of unexpected places, ranging from trade wars against our Canadian ally to a frontal assault on the legitimacy of the FBI. Even before Trump, a Republican Senate was unwilling even to consider the Supreme Court nomination of Merrick Garland, an unprecedented step in modern times. There is a broader pattern here: The space for possible policy outcomes has opened up. This will have important implications for the future of our republic. On the downside, when out-of-the-box or crazy ideas are part of the discourse, political polarization will increase yet further. The likes of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may well be driving many Trump-skeptical Republicans into the arms of Trump. Many Democrats, in turn, have a sense that Trump and his violations of political norms must be stopped at all costs. And if your party controls all branches of government, the political returns are now greater. Even if your partys ideas are so unusual or out there that they would never get through divided government, you can tailor your electoral strategies toward sweeping the board. Furthermore, major election-altering events, such as recessions or unpopular wars, may assume greater historical importance in generating the preconditions for political breakthroughs. The importance of luck is rising. Were you sick and tired of gridlock? Well, welcome to a new political world in which surprises come every year at least until Democrats capture the House. Under divided government, change wont necessarily stop. It will just come in the form of unilateral executive orders, or through rhetorical and symbolic cultural battles that are extreme compared with a decade or two ago. Every now and then, one party will control all branches of government, and then the rhetoric and the expectations will be in place for some pretty big changes. Not long ago, I thought that even a 5-to-4 conservative Republican majority on the Supreme Court would essentially leave Roe v. Wade in place, for fear of taking this Republican-friendly issue off the national agenda. Now Im not so sure. Suddenly, Americans are getting used to the idea that extreme political change is possible, for better or worse, and that means many of them will demand it. In the Trump Era, if I may call it that, it is harder to tell your base that big changes just dont happen that easily. Is there an upside to this expansion of policy choices? Absolutely. Whether or not you like the current administration, you still might think that, over time, an America with less gridlock will produce more good ideas than bad ones, and that some of the bad ones will eventually be reversed or corrected. There are also plenty of good ideas that dont have a partisan tinge one way or the other. Five years ago, I thought the Federal Reserve was far away from adopting nominal GDP targeting, an idea supported by many economists on both the right and the left. Today, it seems entirely possible that the Fed will move much further in that direction, if only because it wouldnt be seen as such a big, radical change compared to so many other developments. Trump is probably going to tweet criticism at the Fed no matter what it does, so it might as well just go ahead and do some things it wants to do. Other causes that might have once seemed hopeless or unlikely will now attract more supporters, in the hope that maybe they will prove winners against the odds. The YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) movement to deregulate high-density building, most of all in California, is winning over many enthusiastic young people, among both progressives and libertarians. Maybe these prospects for change will draw more talent and innovation into American politics, and for the better. In the meantime, my advice: Buckle your seatbelts. Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a professor of economics at George Mason University and writes for the blog Marginal Revolution. His books include The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream. I would like to he comment on the opinion piece by Warren Brooks on Aug.1, Fox is the Only Honest News Outlet. Over the years I have sadly watched too many friends and relatives slide over to Fox News for all their national/international news. Many have said what Mr. Brooks stated - The Fox News Channel is the only channel that attempts to provide some honesty, backed-up truth and facts. But that is patently false. Unfortunately I suspect Mr. Brooks mostly listens to Fox, and as studies have corroborated, so do the vast majority of Fox viewers. They simply arent interested in other points of view. If one does some research you will find that Fox viewers generally know less about current events, geography, history, science and personal finance than other viewers who watch multiple networks. What Fox News does offer them is a biased ideology that resonates with their world view. In Chris Mooneys book "The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science and Reality," he states that Authoritarian people have a stronger emotional need for an outlet like Fox, where they can find affirmation and escape factual challenges to their beliefs." Fox as a voice for conservatives claims to be a victim of big government, the deep state, liberal bias, coastal elites and the MSM - mainstream media. Unfortunately many Fox News viewers readily identify with that victimization and willingly accept its tailored propaganda as fact. Fox News is purposely conservative in its approach to news coverage. Its founder, Roger Ailes, had a background steeped in political PR. He worked on the Nixon and Reagan campaigns, both Bush campaigns (father and son) and became the head of the Republican National Committee in 1989. His duty was to elect Republicans. His life was not devoted to fair and balanced anything, it was about electing Republicans any way he could. Thats what he did for 40 years and Fox News was his primary tool after 1996. About 94 percent of Fox News viewers identify themselves as Republicans or Republican leaning. Fox News has pretended to be a legitimate news operation when they have always been a tool of the Republican Party, made by Republicans for conservative viewers. Both Fox News and President Trump have worked very hard to destroy Americans' faith and trust in the traditional news media (whether printed or televised). Confuse and divide is their modus operandi and it has been successful. No one screams louder than Trump, Fox and Republicans about fake news. Sadly the real news outlets have been slandered and unfairly tarnished by these accusations. The MSM adheres to higher standards and when stories show faulty bias or inaccuracies, they almost always make public corrections, and depending how egregious, journalists are reprimanded or fired. Fox almost never apologizes or fires anyone for biased and inaccurate stories. Interestingly in study after study, CNN has proven to be a much more accurate and trusted news source than Fox News. Never has any news outlet been so dedicated to a single party and in particular this current president. The sheer number of Fox contributors and employees who have been inducted into the Trump administration should give even conservatives concern about this incestuous political relationship. There are only two major news outlets that readily promote Donald Trump - Fox News and RT (Russia Today). That should tell you a great deal. The primary function of Fox News is to shape American politics and provide unequivocal support for this President. That is not the business of a legitimate news provider. Ron Rogers Napa More than 60 Napa and Sonoma valley residents joined Congressman Mike Thompson and Blue Wave Napa Valley in Lyman Park on Sunday to meet Democratic Congressional candidates Harley Rouda and Mike Levin. Blue Wave Napa Valley has pledged to raise $100,000 to support three California candidates that have a good chance to help flip Congress from red to blue in the November election. The third is Katie Hill, who could not be present on Sunday because of a previous engagement. All three are running in districts listed as toss-ups or leaning blue, which is why Blue Wave Napa Valley is trying to help flip them. Thompson spoke highly of the three candidates, who have also been endorsed by former President Barack Obama. This election is so important and we do not want to end up on Nov. 7 wondering if we could have done more. We have a chance to win back Congress because of exceptional candidates like Harley, Mike and Katie, Thompson said. Rouda, Hill and Levin are all first-time candidates. On Sunday, Rouda and Levin spoke about why they decided to run in this election. Rouda (District 48) is a successful businessman and entrepreneur living in Orange County. He understands the need to foster a robust economy but also wants to see all boats rise in the process. Levin, an environmental lawyer from San Clemente (District 49), has two young children and said he is concerned about climate change and clean energy. Both candidates spoke about the importance of providing educational opportunities, access to health care and nurturing families. All three have refused to accept corporate PAC funds for their campaigns. Also speaking on Sunday was St. Helena High School student Larkin Dewyer, who is founder of Students for Change. Julie Jenanyan, Lisa Toller, Mary Stephenson, Beth Myers, Susan Duryea and Larkin Dewyer make up the steering committee for Blue Wave Napa Valley. These candidates embody the values, integrity and goals that our own Mike Thompson brings to his office and need our help to win their districts, said Jenanyan, founder of the group. To learn more or to donate, visit bluewavenapavalley.com. Incumbent Mayor Alan Galbraith leads the fundraising race in St. Helenas only contested election in November, loaning $8,000 to his own campaign. The $8,000 loan was Galbraiths only reported contribution from Jan. 1 through June 30. He reported spending $1,925, mostly on campaign literature, during the same period. His campaign had $6,075 in cash. Galbraiths challenger, City Councilmember Geoff Ellsworth, had not reached the threshold of $2,000 in contributions that would trigger a fundraising report. Neither had Anna Chouteau, who is running unopposed to take over Councilmember Peter Whites old seat. Councilmember Paul Dohring, running unopposed for re-election, raised $1,699 and spent $1,259.36 during the filing period, leaving his campaign with $439.64. Dohring reported contributions from Victoria Bradshaw ($999), Richard Hansen ($500), Grace Kistner ($100) and himself ($100). Dohring reported spending $835.37 on envelopes and postage and $339.50 on a website. Recall committee Although the effort to recall Galbraith was officially called off on Dec. 29, 2017, the pro-recall committee remained active in 2018. Between Jan. 1 and June 30, the committee received $1,600 from St. Helena resident Kathy Coldiron and $2,500 from First Stampede LLC, a Nevada-based entity managed by Geoff Ellsworth and his brother Flint. In a statement, Ellsworth said he insisted on paying for an attorney to review the recall proponents work to avoid complications or legal vulnerabilities that might bring even more turmoil to the situation, and to make sure proper and appropriate steps were followed. He said he was not directly involved in the recall, but he shared many of the proponents concerns about water rates, fiscal oversight and transparency. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. While public outrage about the separation of infants and young children from their parents at our southern borders as a deterrence policy against immigrants and asylum-seekers has abated, the crisis is far from over. On Aug. 16 Sojourners (sojo.net) reported that 20 days after the court-imposed deadline for reunification of families separated at our southern borders, 550 children still have not been reunited with their parents, at least 300 of whom had already been deported by that date. We pray for these children every Sunday at Grace Church, and our Immigration Task Force is working with local and regional nonprofits to find ways to keep families from being separated due to immigration status in our own Napa County. The mistreatment of immigrants and asylum-seekers at our borders via family separation, which the UN determined to be in violation of international human rights standards, is the latest (and most blatant) incident in a long history of U.S. immigration, which has always included the separation of families. As a native Californian who grew up in a farming family and spent years of my adult life as a pastor in Latin America, I have a unique perspective on the impact on families on both sides of the border. As a child growing up in the Central Valley of California I was aware of an annual cycle. The men from Mexico who worked in the orange and olive orchards my father managed were away for about three months out of the year mid-November to mid-January they returned home to their families in Mexico. The rest of the year they worked hard for long hours and lived on as little of the money they made as possible, sending the rest home to their families. What could make these men live apart from their families, I wondered. What was life like in the towns and villages they were from? Thus my curiosity about Latin America was born. Many years later I found myself running a congregation and school in a semi-urban neighborhood outside of San Salvador which was highly impacted by gang activity. El Salvadors infamous street gangs, the MS-13 and 18, were born on the streets of Los Angeles during the 1980s; the first Salvadoran gangsters were the children of refugees from El Salvadors civil war (18 refers to 18th Street in LA, and MS stands for Mara Salvatrucha, Salvadoran Gang). Neither these young gangsters nor their parents were ever given official refugee status in the United States, as the U.S. was funding the civil war in El Salvador to the tune of $1 million a day. So when they got to be troublesome, they were deported back to El Salvador, where they quickly spread and began to control territory, particularly in the poor neighborhoods ringing San Salvador. They are now widespread throughout the Northern Triangle of Central America, and their violence and their governments repressive response are the reason many Central Americans are now, once again, seeking asylum at our borders. In the late 2000s when I lived and worked in San Salvador, gang violence was bad two members of my youth group were killed by the gangs in the three years I lived there. Still people left, at that point, mostly for economic reasons. I had a few young children in my school for whom both parents had left to immigrate illegally to the U.S. to find work, and the children were left with grandparents or other relatives. I would pray with people before they began that difficult and expensive journey and give them a small Bible or cross to take with them. Sometimes we would look up the closest Episcopal Church to wherever they were going. They left, not knowing when they would see their children again. Today, gangs in El Salvador exert a quasi-governmental level of control over their territories: they impose curfews, tax local businesses, hand-pick forced recruits, and execute people who cross into the wrong territory, or cross them at all. The majority of people who are internally displaced or leave El Salvador today do so for security reasons. My 16-year-old god-daughter was one of them. Some boys from the gang had been harassing her, insisting that she become their collective girlfriend. One day after school they started chasing her and shooting at her. Her mother called her sister in San Francisco, who wired all of her savings to pay a coyote, and my god-daughter was smuggled out of the country the next day. Her mom and brother had to leave their house and have not been able to go back they took up residence in a church in another part of the city. She does not know when, or if, she will ever see them again. In 2010 I visited a parishioner from El Salvador in a high-security state prison in Sacramento. She had crossed the Rio Grande with her 2-year-old-daughter a year before. After living in Vallejo for a while, she had been detained by ICE. Since she had no family in the area, her daughter remained with a man she had recently begun dating. She had hopes that her case would be resolved because she was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her previous boyfriend, but the process of taking that through the courts meant many months in jail separated from her daughter. I will never forget leaving her daughter and boyfriend in the lobby while we went through security to see her. Children were not allowed to visit. Our disordered immigration system has separated families for a long time. The laws on the books have remained the same for decades, while administrations have used enforcement, or the lack thereof, and executive orders as political tools. While people are returned by the hundreds daily to their home countries where their lives are in danger, Californias agriculture, hospitality and construction industries, to name a few, are attempting to deal with a long-term labor shortage. We have a moral and biblical mandate to love our neighbor, native or foreign-born, as ourselves, and that means changes in our system that recognize the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of every human being, regardless of their country of origin. Besides the fact that its the right thing to do, comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform makes economic sense. Noah Bullock, executive director of Cristosal, a Central American Human Rights organization working with the root causes of forced migration from the Northern Triangle, will be presenting a talk called, Why Are They Fleeing? from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at The Episcopal Church of St. Martin in Davis, with other events in the Napa Valley to be announced. Bullocks talk is free but donations to support Cristosals work are encouraged. Bullock will also be preaching at the 8 and 10 a.m. services at Grace Episcopal in St. Helena on Sunday, Sept. 16, and offering a Q&A between the services in the Newton Hall. The Rev. Amy Denney Zuniga is Rector of Grace Episcopal Church, 1314 Spring Street in St. Helena. She and her husband Vince Zuniga served from 2005-2008 as missionaries in the Anglican/Episcopal Church of El Salvador, where Amy was ordained, and their eldest child was born. Amy is currently Vice President of the Board of Directors of Cristosal. She may be contacted at revamy@grace-episcopal.org. Grace holds Sunday services at 8 & 10 a.m., and a Spanish-language Eucharist the fourth Saturday of the month at 5 p.m. All of us at Blue Wave Napa Valley want to thank everyone who came to Lyman Park on a very warm Sunday afternoon to meet Democratic candidates Harley Rouda (CA 48) and Mike Levin (CA 49), both of whom are running for U.S. Congress this November in two of Californias most flippable districts. Blue Wave Napa Valley is committed to raising $100,000 to support these candidates, along with candidate Katie Hill (CA 25), because we want leaders like our own Congressman Mike Thompson who reflect our values as a nation those of inclusivity, diversity, equality, and integrity. Not only will Harley, Mike, and Katie be champions for the environment, civil rights, affordable healthcare, quality public education, and humane immigration policies right here in our own home state of California, but they will play a pivotal role in taking back Congress and reshaping the current political landscape in D.C. as well. Go to www.bluewavenapavalley.com to learn more about these impressive candidates and donate to our effort to flip Congress -- the single most important thing we can do right now to make change happen. Please help Blue Wave Napa Valley reach its $100,000 goal by making a contribution today. Together we can turn the tide. Julie Jenanyan, Lisa Toller, Mary Stephenson, Beth Myers, Susan Duryea and Larkin Dewyer Blue Wave Napa Valley Steering Committee Guwahati : Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Tuesday warned the BJP and its president Amit Shah not to play politics with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the updating process is going on in Assam. During a press conference held in Guwahati on Tuesday, APCC spokesperson Apurba Bhattacharya said that, BJP is playing politics with the NRC. The Registrar General of India (RGI) said that, it is a draft published on July 30, not the final NRC, as some people names excluded in the list. So it is not to be said that, they are Bangladeshis. But, BJP president Amit Shah said in parliament that, there are 40 lakh illegal Bangladeshi migrants. How he made this statement. BJP is playing Hindu-Bengali politics and we strongly condemn it, Apurba Bhattacharya said. The Assam Congress leader warned the BJP president Dont play politics with the NRC. BJP always said that, they are against the illegal Bangladeshi. If you are against the illegal Bangladeshi, then how maximum Indian citizens have been excluded in the complete draft NRC, Apurba Bhattacharya said. BJP was involved in a planned political conspiracy for protecting illegal hindu migrants in Assam as they are planning to give citizenship to the illegal hindu migrants from Bangladesh, Apurba Bhattacharya said. The Assam Pradesh Congress leader said that, Congress will with the people whose names were excluded in the list. The complete draft NRC was published on July 30 by including the names of 2,89,83,677 people out of 3,29,91,384 applicants. On Tuesday, Aug. 14, we arrived at the First Presbyterian Church along with numerous other Federated Women to prepare our famous apple pies for the upcoming Harvest Festival. We immediately saw Kathy Carrick, who was leaving after having taught a Senior Exercise class. After we were set up on the patio to peel and cut apples, we noticed children coming and going from one of the classrooms. A group of women cut through the patio to the Fireside Room for a Book Club gathering. After we were finished, we asked Morgan Duarte Knight, the church secretary, how many groups use the First Presbyterian Church for their meeting places. She emailed the list and we were astounded at the service this church provides our community. She listed 10 regular groups plus some intermittent group uses. They host everything from St. Helena Development Center, Preschool for Napa County and UpValley Family Center, to Senior Exercise classes. Several AA, NA, Alanon & Alateen groups, the Calistoga Theater Company, Ecumenical Womens Prayer Group and numerous counseling services. They are the meeting place on the first Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. for the Federated Women of Upper Napa Valley. This is truly community service where actions speak louder than words. We are so grateful for their generous contribution to our community. Pat Dell Program Chairperson Annette Smith President Federated Women of Upper Napa Valley The Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan, which remained as a cocooned Himalayan nation, has started to emerge as the new hub of Marijuana-based drugs smuggling. Jawans of the 37th Battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on Saturday nabbed two Bhutanese nationals along the international border at Samrang with a consignment of marijuana (ganja), a drug which is high in demand in India. Interrogation of the two Bhutanese drugs smugglers has brought to fore that more than five organized smuggling networks operate along the Bhutan-India border. The smugglers make the best use of the open international border and smuggle in huge consignments of ganja to Assam and North Bengal. The two smugglers identified as Lekjay and Meto Tshering has confessed that they have been regularly smuggling in ganja consignments to Mangaldoi and Guwahati. The drugs consignments are subsequently transshipped to Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Also read: Delhi mulls constructing border road, barbed fence along 699-km Bhutan border The two Bhutanese smugglers and the ganja consignment were later handed over to Bhutan Police. SSB officials and a team of Assam Police interrogated both the Bhutanese nationals before handing them over to Bhutan. Inspired by the high demand of the drug in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, a large number of Bhutanese nationals in the southern slopes of Bhutan are reportedly extending shelter and logistic support to the drugs smugglers. Taking advantage of the open border, drugs smugglers are using Bhutans territory to carry out smuggling activities in Assam and North Bengal. Also read: Bhutan vehicles continue to be killers on Assam roads In June 2016, the SSB had seized 300 kg of marijuana following a raid in Boha village in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The seizure close to the Bhutan border was the first confirmation that Bhutanese nationals were engaged in drugs smuggling to India. According to reports, cannabis is remarkably prolific in Bhutan, and can be found growing wild throughout the country. Traditionally, Bhutanese farmers have been using marijuana for fattening of pigs. As per data of the International Narcotics Control Board, there has been increase in production of marijuana in Bhutan. Surprisingly, there has been very less number of seizures of the drug in Bhutan. Reports in the open sources suggest that in 2010, a total of 4 kg of cannabis was seized by the Bhutanese authorities, and by 2011, the figure had risen to 75 kg. Bhutans first arrest for drug abuse occurred in 1989 in Gelephu (close to Assam border), where a man was arrested for abusing cannabis. The new drug smuggling menace may now force New Delhi to enforce strict security regulations along Indias 699-km long open border with Bhutan. Dengue virus has taken an epidemic form in Chumukedima area with 67 positive cases out of 73 reported in Nagaland. Twenty-six new cases of dengue were reported here within a week, mostly in Chumukedima, taking the total cases from earlier 47 to 73 in the state. Health officials described the situation in the Chumukedima area as an epidemic. According to Dimapur district vector-borne disease control officer Dr Imtiwabong Aier, no cases of death has been reported till date and urged people not to panic but maintain cleanliness. In the last week, 131 blood samples were collected from both government and private hospitals here for test at Dimapur district hospital. Of these, the sentinel surveillance site lab in the hospital confirmed that 26 tested positive for dengue. Twenty-two are from Chumukedima while the remaining is from other colonies. Dimapur district hospital chief medical officer Dr K Vikato Kinimi said the health department has discussed with Chumukedima extra assistant commissioner Thejavizo Nakhro on initiating certain social measures by collaborating with gaon burhas (village headmen) and village councils. He claimed the health department was doing its best but said overall community participation was also required. Kinimi asserted the health department would continue playing its role in curbing the spread of the vector-borne disease. He also stressed that every household too should collectively participate in controlling dengue breeding ground in their surroundings as depending only on government initiative would be futile in combating the disease. The Nagaland Development Outreach, the development wing of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, in collaboration with the health department had reportedly called for observing one dry day in a week to empty and dry up all containers like flower pots, flower vases, tyres, buckets around the houses. Urban Vector Borne Disease Scheme assistant director Kikolul Khieya stated around 20 staff on the field are studying the mosquito presence across eight colonies every week and also to study the presence of aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmit serious human arboviral diseases including yellow fever, dengue. He said as per the study the container index was very high, confirming failure of the community and public to prevent dengue outbreak. The Chumukedima administration, in collaboration with the health department, is conducting awareness programmes and campaigns in the area to contain spread of the virus. National Peoples Party (NPP) on Monday paraded leaders from its alliance partners including Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh, Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui, Revenue Minister Kyrmen Shylla, MIDC chairman Renikton Lyngdoh and host of other leaders at different election meeting under South Tura, where Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is seeking the mandate of the people. Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh and National Youth President of NPP, Ratika Yumnam also attended the election meeting at Fancy Valley locality under South Tura to drum up support for Conrad K Sangma. Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh said that the byelection was very important as this would send a message to the Centre that Conrad K Sangma is a deserving leader of the region. Conrad Sangmas victory with a huge margin will further strengthen the coalition government in Meghalaya. It would also send a message that the current government has control over Meghalaya and would further support the State to ensure growth and development, added Manipur Deputy Chief Minister. Praising the current government, Singh said, Meghalaya will prosper when Khasi Hills and Garo Hills were united. This government is a mix of both the region and I am sure that the current government will bridge the gap in ensuring development across Meghalaya. United Democratic Party leader and Meghalaya Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh said, South Tura is a prestigious constituency in Garo Hills and it is a great opportunity for the people of the constituency that they are getting the privilege to elect the sitting Chief Minister of the State of Meghalaya. Affirming the commitment of ruling MDA government Lyngdoh said, I am here in Tura to affirm our vision to work as a team under the able leadership of Conrad K Sangma. We are united as one voice and would like to see that NPP candidate is elected from South Tura constituency. My association with Conrad Sangma and his family has been for a very long time. I am there to support him and invite each and everyone to support Babang (Conrad Sangma), Lyngdoh added. Urging the electorates of South Tura to support Conrad K Sangma and give him an opportunity to serve the government for full term, Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui said, We want Conrad K Sangma to lead the government and ensure that there is development not just in Tura but across Meghalaya. He is a leader with a vision and we believe that under his leadership Meghalaya would march in the path of progress and prosperity. Revenue Minister Kyrmen Shylla spoke in Hindi at Fancy Valley locality under South Tura and urged the people to break his record of highest margin. I want South Tura to ensure that our leader Conrad K Sangma breaks record and win the election with the highest mandate. Shylla, youngest minister in Meghalaya Cabinet had won the February election with a margin of 8000 plus votes. The work for the 150-metre long bridge over the Feni river connecting India and Bangladesh will resume after September. Disclosing this to Northeast Now, Satyabrata Sahu, Director, (Administration and Finance), National Haighways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) has said that as of now the work has been stopped due to rains but it will resume after September. People from Bangladesh and Tripura are going to get benefit from this and it will be a boon to traditional businesses as well, he said. The 150-metre bridge over the Feni in Bangladesh is being built at a cost of Rs 110 crore and will connect Tripura and Bangladesh. Trade activities will take place through this new bridge. We are building the foundation of the bridge currently, Sahu told Northeast Now. The NHIDCL was setup especially to look after the Northeastern states and hilly region of the country. We are looking after Northeastern states. We are also responsible for border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We are operating in 12 States, Sahu said. NHIDCL has over the years, provided very good quality roads in the Northeastern states. Almost 13,000 km of road development has been entrusted to us. We have completed the construction of 700 kms of roads in the last three years, he said. Sahu said that building border roads assumes strategic importance for the country. India is a very key and great player in the subcontinent. We want to increase the connectivity of the border areas with the rest of the country and to other neighbouring countries as well. Building a good infrastructure is important for the defence of the country. It is also important keeping in mind the trade and commerce of the country. It also provides connectivity to people who have been living in these far-flung areas for the past so many years without any proper means of travelling, he said. Story Highlights 27% say U.S. healthcare system better than those in other modern nations 64% of Americans positive about individual freedoms Americans slightly less positive now than in 2012 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Asked to compare the U.S. to other modern, industrialized nations on a number of dimensions, Americans are most positive about individual freedoms and least positive about the U.S. healthcare system. Sixty-four percent of Americans say that U.S. freedoms are the best or above average, while just 27% say the same about the healthcare system. Majorities also say the U.S. compares favorably on quality of life and the ability of people to get ahead while less than half say their economic system and system of government are above average compared with other modern nations. Americans' Comparison of U.S. to Other Modern, Industrialized Nations Next, we'd like you to think about how the United States compares with all other modern, industrialized nations in the world in several areas. For each of the following, please say if conditions in the United States are the best, above average, average, below average or the worst, relative to all other modern industrialized countries. Best/Above average Average Worst/Below average % % % Individual freedoms 64 26 11 The quality of life 55 32 13 The opportunity for people to get ahead 51 28 21 The economic system 43 39 18 The system of government 40 32 27 The healthcare system 27 27 45 GALLUP, Aug 6-12, 2018 The healthcare system is the only one of the six items measured for which more say the U.S. is the worst or below average than say the U.S. is the best or above average. These results, based on Gallup interviewing conducted Aug. 6-12, update an initial assessment from December 2012, just about a month after President Barack Obama won re-election. Americans' views across these six dimensions have become slightly more negative, with an average 47% rating the U.S. above average or best, compared with an average 51% above average/best rating in 2012. More specifically, Americans' perceptions of how the U.S. stacks up relative to other countries on individual freedoms and quality of life are significantly more negative now than six years ago. Evaluations of the healthcare system, the opportunity to get ahead and the system of government have all slipped marginally, although within the margin of error. The exception to this increased negativity is the economic system, now rated as the best or above average compared with other modern nations by 43% of Americans, up from 34% in December 2012. Americans' Comparison of U.S. to Other Modern Industrialized Nations: 2012-2018 Percentage Rating the U.S. as "the best" or "above average" 2012 2018 Change % % pct. pts. Economic system 34 43 +9 Healthcare system 29 27 -2 Opportunity to get ahead 55 51 -4 System of government 46 40 -6 Quality of life 65 55 -10 Individual freedoms 77 64 -13 Dates of Interviewing: Dec 14-17, 2012 + Aug 6-12, 2018 GALLUP Republicans Much More Positive Than Democrats Across All Dimensions As is true with so much else in American society today, there are sharp partisan divisions in these ratings of aspects of U.S. society. Republicans are significantly more positive than Democrats about each of the six dimensions, with independents' views falling between these two groups. Currently, a majority of Republicans rate the U.S. as above average or the best on five of the six dimensions, with healthcare the only one not to make the majority cut among Republicans. By contrast, well less than half of Democrats see the U.S. as the best or above average on five of the measures, with the exception being individual freedoms, seen as above average or the best by 53% of Democrats. Americans' Comparison of U.S. With Modern Industrialized Nations, by Party: 2012 and 2018 Percentage rating the U.S. as "the best" or "above average" Republican Independent Democrat % % % System of government 2018 62 37 27 2012 45 41 51 +17 -4 -24 Healthcare system 2018 43 20 19 2012 32 27 28 +11 -7 -9 Economic system 2018 66 40 27 2012 29 33 39 +37 +7 -8 Individual freedoms 2018 85 60 53 2012 72 75 81 +13 -15 -28 Opportunity to get ahead 2018 76 49 32 2012 55 50 60 +21 -1 -28 Quality of life 2018 78 52 41 2012 64 64 69 +14 -12 -28 Dates of Interviewing: Dec. 14-17, 2012 + Aug. 6-12, 2018 GALLUP This pattern by which Republicans see each of these six dimensions in a more positive light than Democrats marks a substantial change from 2012. At that point, with a Democratic president in the White House, Democrats were at least marginally more positive than Republicans on five of the six -- the healthcare system being the exception. This flip in the relative positivity of Republicans and Democrats about aspects of the country follows the same pattern observed on a number of national dimensions when Donald Trump took over as president in January 2017 -- including the economy, the way things are going in the country and the way the nation is being governed. Still, it is important to note that the partisan gap in rating these aspects of American society has grown significantly over the past six years. The Republican-to-Democratic spread on the six dimensions has gone from an average of five percentage points in 2012 to 35 points today. Back in 2012, Republicans averaged a 50% "above average or the best" rating across the six measures compared with 48% of independents and 55% of Democrats. Now, 68% of Republicans say that the U.S. is best or above average across all dimensions, compared with an average 43% of independents and 33% of Democrats. Bottom Line Trump has promised to make America great again, but it's not always easy to decide what measure of "greatness" to use in assessing progress along these lines. One basis for evaluation is how Americans compare their country to other modern industrialized nations on a series of dimensions. A substantial majority of Americans would agree that the United States maintains a better position than comparable nations on individual freedoms, while slight majorities agree on the quality of life and the ability to get ahead. America appears to not be so great when it comes to Americans' assessments of the nation's economic system, system of government and, in particular, the healthcare system. Although Americans' economic confidence and satisfaction with the way things are going in the U.S. have become more positive since 2012, Americans' ratings of the U.S. compared with other modern, industrialized nations on the six dimensions tested in the current research have dropped. This reflects the significantly more negative views of Democrats, a drop in positivity not compensated for by the uptick in positivity among Republicans. Americans' low ratings of their nation's healthcare system -- with significantly more saying that it is below average or worse than saying it is above average or the best -- is noteworthy, in that it was rated almost as poorly in 2012. It is also the only dimension for which less than half of all three political groups say it is better than other modern nations. These findings stand out given the huge emphasis on healthcare over the period of time encompassing Gallup's assessment of these measures -- with the Affordable Care legislation passed into law by a unified Democratic government in 2010 and subsequent attempts by the current Republican majority to dismantle parts of the ACA since 2017. Clearly, many Americans continue to believe that other industrialized nations have managed to find better solutions to the healthcare issue than has been the case in the U.S. Survey Methods Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Aug. 6-12, 2018, on the Gallup U.S. Poll, with a random sample of 1,515 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is 3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting. Each sample of national adults includes a minimum quota of 70% cellphone respondents and 30% landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas by time zone within region. Landline and cellular telephone numbers are selected using random-digit-dial methods. View survey methodology, complete question responses and trends. Learn more about how the Gallup U.S. Poll works. As a child in her native Haiti, Guerda Nicolas grew up hearing stories of how her country helped other Latin American countries eradicate slavery after Haiti had won its own independence in the first such rebellion of its kind. Haitis humanitarian gestures also extended to welcoming Jews who emigrated to the island as they escaped the Nazis during World War II. She never forgot these lessons. In early August, Nicolas, a professor at the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development (SOEHD) and a noted clinical psychologist, was awarded the International Humanitarian Award by the American Psychological Association (APA). It was instilled in me that I had a larger civic duty to use my skills, knowledge and expertise beyond my home, she said. This award as a teacher, researcher, and practitioner from APA is a confirmation that such learned principles live on. Nicolas was recognized for her pioneering work in improving mental health care systems and policy in Haiti and access to care for Haitians in the United States, according to the APA citation. Nicolas received her award during the APAs convention held in San Francisco, Calif. Presenting her with the citation was APA President Jessica Henderson Daniel, who was the only African American professor Nicolas had during her time at Boston University. Her research and international humanitarian work demonstrates her effectiveness in transforming and empowering communities despite traumatic adversities like the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, read the citation. Guerda Nicolas discusses her work in Haiti during a 2015 interview. SOEHD Dean Laura Kohn Wood says of the award: She is so deserving of this award. Her focus has been on underrepresented communities in the field of psychology, both locally and globally, and she has devoted countless hours in her research program and in some of her community based work to advance and amplify the voices of Haitians, black communities and other local communities. Much of Nicolas research reflects her interests as a multicultural psychologist. She focused on developing culturally effective mental health intervention for people of color, with specific focus on immigrant children, adolescents and families. For 10 years, she worked to establish the Caribbean Alliance of National Psychological Associations, an organization that for the first time ever brought together groups of psychologists in Caribbean countries to work on issues relevant to those countries and their Diasporas. A clinical psychologist, Nicolas received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Boston University. She completed her pre-doctoral training at Columbia University Medical Center and her post-doctoral training at New York State Psychiatric Institute/Colombia University. She focused her practice in the area of children, family and community well-being. Prior to arriving at UM she held faculty positions at Boston College and the College of Saint Elizabeth in New Jersey. Sagarmatha Network Pvt. Ltd. is the organization dedicated in the field of printing, publishing service since 2001. As part of media, we've been publishing Review Nepal, an English medium weekly registered at District Administration Office (DAO) Kathmandu with registration number 130-162-163 and reviewnepal.com as an online digital newspaper, with registration number 849-075-076 at Department of Informational and Broadcasting (DIB) from Kathmandu, Nepal since 2003. The old Muluki Ain introduced by Jung Bahadur Rana in 1853 has been replaced with the Muluki Ain (Civil Code)-2074 on 17th august, 2018. Some old provisions that were flawed and had become outdated are replaced with the implementation of the new Muluki Ain. The new Civil Code has embarked a new era of legal system in the country. But some faulty provisions have sparked controversies particularly in the front of freedom of press. Article 293 of the criminal code tries to seize that power from the press going against of the fundamental spirit of the democracy. Likewise, medical professionals particularly the doctors have also protested some provision of the code. Nepal Medical Association, the umbrella body of doctors across the country, has expressed its serious reservations against of the code because it is provisioned in the code that a medical practitioner would face action similar to a murder charge if patients lose their life due to negligence during treatment. Similarly, the medical practitioner would face three years behind bars and a fine if reckless treatment leads to a patients disability. As the code has failed to illuminate about the extent of negligence and reckless treatment, it is quite genuine to raise such a question mark against of the provision. The Civil Code has made the provision to curtail the right of the freedom of press in the mean time when the critics used to suspect that the incumbent Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led government would attempt to impose communism authoritarian regime in the backing of two third majorities in the parliament. We have no intention to defame the government casting doubts unnecessarily because the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has repeatedly been expressing commitment to ensure the freedom of press as guaranteed by the constitution. But the provision of the code has created a flame of doubts. The provisions of the code related to the press seem to have intended to suppress the freedom of press. As the code has provisioned that violation of individuals right to privacy can result in up to three years of imprisonment and fines in thousands of rupees, there is no point to justify that the code can protect the freedom of press. Likewise, another ridiculous provision of the code is that listening to or recording a conversation between two or more people and photographing any individual without their consent have been categorized under criminal offence and with the person found to have committed this act being liable to face one year in prison and a fine of Rs 10,000 or both. The provision devalues the spirit free press by keeping the media persons under trepidation of the code. Are you a citizen, or do you just live here? Let me start by stating this column has nothing to do with your citizenship status but has everything to do... Wife concerned about husbands treatment Dear Editor: I have read the article in the Sanilac County News. I am so happy they can get the... Finances for Port Sanilac taxpayers to consider Dear Editor: Port Sanilac property taxpayers may want to put on their seatbelts and pull it extra tight. Over the... What will take President Museveni out of office is unknown to the man himself, and even those advocating his exit. Otherwise, what we have seen is that any effort with potential to end his reign is met with the most intense of reactions: presidential term limits, presidential age-limits, rebel activities or even blameless activism, are all dealt with early enough. If he cannot buy his way out of a limiting condition, he will unleash savage terror without caring a wind about its implications. Indeed, at some point, the opposition had run out of ideas as the man had positioned himself like a praying mantis, ready to gulp anything potentially threatening. Then came Bobi Wine. Musevenis surrogates Don Wanyama, Ofwono Opondo, Emilian Kayima, and a couple of other hawks in NRM will tell you the old man is not bothered by the exploits of Bobi Wine and his People Power movement. In fact, these surrogates have shamelessly argued that the ongoing savagery meted against Bobi Wine and company is the handiwork of wayward individuals around the president, and that the near-octogenarian actually disapproves of these actions. To use an old English word, this is all malarkey! Former parliamentarian, Wasswa Lule once rebuked this baloney with an image of houseflies: when houseflies continue zinging around an individual, it is enough to say the individual actually smells. In truth, Mr Museveni is overwhelmed by the speed at which the new kid on the block is conquering territories and his boys, like hunter hounds, have been unleashed on an offensive to defend their master. They are leaving no stones unturned but dead bodies in their wake. Arua was an effort to fire-brigade the flames of People Power. People Power started as a wordplay turning around a firmly held superstition of absolute powerfulness of the people in power. Once in any position of power, these comrades often acted like witchdoctors issuing suicidal commands and fake promises. We have seen our politicians in power behave like creators of the earth and the universe. They do not wait in traffic jams. Taxpayers money is treated as their personal wealth. By simply removing the proposition (in), Bobi Wine pulled the rag under their feet and were terribly exposed. The poetic refrain, people power [that is, the power of the people] is more powerful than the people in power, was ground-breaking. Sang and repeated many times, the slogans bite caught on and ordinary folks have once again believed in their powerfulness. The prophet of this message had to be none other than Bobi Wine: young, lyrical, rough, and a member of the wretched of the earth. Bobis resume has actually rendered him likeable to a huge nation-wide constituency. On a deeper note, the refrain actually seeks to redeem the face of democracy where power is believed to rest in the hands of ordinary folks. The refrain does not promise anything tangible say, change of government or resisting anything but a higher and achievable ideal of empowering the ordinary person to believe in themselves as owners of the country even in their impoverishment. By this token, People Power responds to an actually existent problem where communities have been left emasculated. The NRM has done an excellent job promising hot air power belongs to the people but effectively taking it away. Indeed, the feeling of being reduced to gullible voting machines is unmistakable under our current politics. People Power has demonstrated the ability to correct this anomaly. With little hope of taking power, the National Resistance Army (NRA) crafted resistance into its political psyche and behaviour. Successfully, they resisted into power in 1986. For thirty years, these resistors have offered nothing but resistance even when the country needed a little more openness and embrace. In fact, whichever side one stands while reading the resistors scorecard, it is resistance they are proud of offered in the form of security. Many have convincingly argued that this government often creates insecurity itself terror attacks, bomb explosions, sheikhs and women murders so as to turn around and offer what it does best, security. This often happens when the public demands more than resistance. Sadly, the value of resistance has terribly plummeted, and the NRM intelligentsia has been exposed. The author is a PhD fellow at Makerere Institute of Social Research. Among other things I like doing in my free time is watching animals. There is so much that we can learn about ourselves, at least at the basic natural level, by observing how other living beings go about their existence. There are lessons on living with difference, politics, the ethics of violence, love, gender relations, loyalty, aging, etc. Tom Regan, an American philosopher specialised in animal rights theory, contends that because we have viewed other animals through the myopic lens of our self-importance, we have misperceived who and what they are. Because we have repeated our ignorance, one to the other, we have mistaken it for knowledge. Animals have their ways, which human beings choose to call instinct, but not reason. Even in the face of glaring contrary evidence, we insist that reason is a preserve of human beings. And, in a way, our exclusive claim over reason gives us the mandate to treat other animals as we wish and to regard them not to be in possession of any interests worth consideration. In so many ways, as Muhammad Iqbal says, man [humanity] is primarily governed by passion and instinct. Nature has pre-wired human beings in both positive and negative ways. We are mainly able to show human difference by demonstrating our capacity to rise above sheer instinct, especially by taming our emotions. It is in this sense that Aristotles declaration that man is a rational animal picks credence. The most basic instincts common to almost all animals and that guide much of animal behaviour are those of self-preservation and aspiration to control/power and domination for most males. Animals also possess some natural inclinations towards loving and being loved, but these can easily be trumped upon in the event of a threat to life. For instance, dogs and cats are generally very loving animals. My experience with dogs for so many years has showed me that it is very hard to find a person as freely loyal and faithful as these animals, which loyalty we humans tend to take for granted, exploit, and abuse. But a dog will not let you step on its tail or pull its tongue and get away with it. The will to survival supersedes all other considerations. Ironically, though, sometimes, especially for males, the urge to dominate others in competition for territory and females can sometimes necessitate taking high life risks. Last week I watched a documentary on the cat family, but with particular interest in lion behaviour. Male lions will fight to their last tooth to dominate a pride (group of lions). And, as long as a lion violently demonstrates strength over other contending males, it will lead the group. However, this comes with the burden of continuing to prove more powerful and fighting off any other male that shows signs of a rise in power and endearment from others. As the dominant lion ages, this task becomes increasingly difficult and the associated paranoia sends it into more violence and intolerance to competing males. The balance of things does not grow in its favour. With reducing energies and abilities to master and play by changes in the environment, plus inter-generational contradictions, the power terrain becomes hostile to the aging alphas. At the same time, younger males are getting stronger, more ambitious, and harder to intimidate, especially as the figure of the dominant male is increasingly demystified. As the Banyabindi say, oburroo bubumarakwera tibutinamusana (once millet is ripe, it does not fear the sun). There was this old male lion that was desperately moving around the planes with a huge hanging broken tooth (canine), still fraught to maintain control over the group. Its violence did not spare its own young! But clearly, its impression was falling apart in the face of emerging antithetical forces. In another documentary on UBC about strange animal behaviour, there was a related case of an old male hippo that severely injured and killed some young males (grand children) to pre-empt threats to its power. Some pigs are also known to eat their young, especially when angry or hungry. This habit is technically known as savaging. Its such a gruesome scene, watching an old respectable swine chewing on a head of a little one - no matter the reason for the aggression. On account of human reason, one of the adapted means of dealing with the challenges of old age is for old people to slowly withdraw from positions that put them in direct competition with the young. With their bank of wide experiential wisdom, they rescind to a less stressful life in advisory roles, which are indeed quite dignified, depending on how prepared one is for such slower life. Competing with much younger people (children, grandchildren) can be embarrassing. You can`t cope with their speed, yet you may find offense in being left behind. And in today`s fast-changing world, you easily fail to adjust to their lifestyles or even fit into the flux of their realities and values. In many ways, the jungle is quite ruthless with the aged. They live a solitary life where they become more vulnerable to those that prey on them. Partly, they are abandoned because they become an inconvenience to the rest. They can neither effectively hunt nor run from an attacker. Yet, adjusting to their reduced speed would put the rest in danger. In many industrialised societies, humans have adopted such an approach, where the elderly are taken away from their families to care homes, where they can get attention from paid strangers. But in many parts of Africa, especially the rural, elders still occupy a very special place in their societies as long as they accept to live by the social expectations of their age and as long as they didnt anger many in earlier life. jsssentongo@gmail.com The author works with the Center for African Studies at Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi. Fuck that shiiiit. Reply Thread Link Wow, I hope they can land safely. Reply Thread Link hose him down on the tarmac just to be safe. I made the mistake of watching that show Mayday before I flew the other day. I always think I'll be that one flight that kills me. Edited at 2018-08-21 06:58 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Westjet had (has? I havent flown in a while) cable on their flights and one time I was flipping around and landed on Mayday. I love that show but not on a plane, you know? Reply Parent Thread Link My dad watches Mayday every day. Whenever I'm visiting, we just chill and learn about being dying in giant flying machines. What a life. Reply Parent Thread Link tbh, I made the mistake of reading about aviation disasters and I had NO idea an American Airlines jet crashed in the Belle Harbor in 2003. They hid that shit well? Reply Parent Thread Link If its what Im thinking of it was in November of 2001, and it kind of got swept up into the whole 9/11 era. We were all collectively exhausted and on edge anyway so its easy to forget it happened. The official explanation is dodgy too but thats another story. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I vaguely remember that one. Reply Parent Thread Link idt they hid it, i remember seeing news reports after it happened, but it was almost exactly two months after 9/11, so once investigators found out it wasnt terrorism related, it just became another anonymous plane crash Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao I have been marathoning that show lately; god, I love it. Reply Parent Thread Link lol I watch that show a lot. But nothing will top the inflight movie being Final Destination on a flight I took years ago. Back when airlines didn't do the tv thing and just showed movies. That was fucking up lol Reply Parent Thread Link Jesus, i hope him and everyone else aboard is going to be okay. Being aboard a damaged airplane is my worst nightmare Reply Thread Link Nose dive it into the ocean Reply Thread Link Which everybody survives and Post Malone gets a bath, right? Reply Parent Thread Link Or he dies and his bloated corpse washes ashore. I'm not picky. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Hope they can land it safely, that sounds scary. Reply Thread Link Lol, ofc, they should send him a bouquet for giving them something else to talk about rather than this administration going down in flames. Reply Parent Thread Link That's very scary. I hope it lands safely and without injuries to anyone. Reply Thread Link I hope the people who aren't Post Malone are okay. Reply Thread Link lol geez Reply Parent Thread Link aarfdldj omg Reply Parent Thread Link OMFG Reply Parent Thread Link LOL Reply Parent Thread Link lmao Reply Parent Thread Link LMAO bye Reply Parent Thread Link Lol mte. Post can kick rocks. Reply Parent Thread Link Lmaoo Reply Parent Thread Link lol Reply Parent Thread Link I feel bad for laughing. But not very bad. Reply Parent Thread Link Why do they have to burn jet fuel before making emergency landing? Is it a fire hazard? Reply Thread Link For many medium and large-sized jets, the maximum gross takeoff weight is higher than the maximum landing weight. If the airplane has an emergency that requires an air return or other landings in the early part of flight, it is very likely overweight for landing. Reply Parent Thread Link Incredibly so. Reply Parent Thread Link to reduce the plane's weight Reply Parent Thread Link mte x100000 Reply Parent Thread Link oh Aaliyah :( I've flown out of that airport quite a few times and it's always a bummer to remember. Reply Parent Thread Link Private planes are the ones that always seem to end up in trouble, so even if I were a celeb they'd be a big nope for me. Reply Thread Link same, fancy first class? sure but no private jets Reply Parent Thread Link same Reply Parent Thread Link I feel like it's usually tiny ones with pilots who fly as a hobby. I see multiple on the news every year and it's almost always people who fly for fun. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Pop culture tells me that celebs die in planes more often than regular folk. Reply Parent Thread Link yep MTE. i have no desire to ever get in a private/smallish plane. nope nope nope. you know how they say that flying is safer than driving? i wonder if that only applies to the big commercial guys. i've heard of too many small plane crashes to make me think they aren't included in that statistic. but idk Edited at 2018-08-21 07:20 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Yeah, small planes are terrifying. Reply Parent Thread Link Yep. Big commercials jets rarely crash. Reply Parent Thread Link 500000000% I get nervous enough on the big-ass commercial planes as it is + they have enough money to fly first class, rack up hella points, they can pay assistants to check their luggage/etc. and iirc if they're famous enough can't they skip regular security and just get brought discreetly to the plane? add all that up, and yeah, you don't get to pick your schedule like you do flying private but it doesn't seem like it'd be THAT much worse lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, I am not Lynyrd Skynyrd-ing my way out of this life. Reply Parent Thread Link for real Reply Parent Thread Link there are perks to flying private, but yeah, it's not worth dying for them Reply Parent Thread Link same...i'm not going out like that Reply Parent Thread Link that is terrifying omg. I hope everyone lands safely Reply Thread Link I'm genuinely scared of small planes because of how often they seem to crash or something goes wrong. Reply Thread Link Same. I'm totally fine with large jets, but find all small aircraft absolutely terrifying. If getting somewhere involves taking a small plane and there's no alternative, I'm not going. Reply Parent Thread Link GULFPORT, Mississippi -- An illegal alien from Brazil pleaded guilty Tuesday to placing skimmers and cameras on an ATM at a credit union in Ocean Springs last year, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Ricardo Arcanjo Ramos, 37, appeared before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden in Gulfport Tuesday and pleaded guilty to one count of access device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors said Ramos and others placed skimmers and cameras on Automated Teller Machines at Keesler Federal Credit Union in Ocean Springs in July 2017, using the devices to obtain more than 15 account numbers, along with electronic serial numbers and personal identification numbers (PIN). Ramos and others then used that information to obtain money and later transfer funds in Florida at two banks and a resort. According to prosecutors, Ramos possessed and used, without lawful authority, the identification of another person, thus committing aggravated identity theft. Ramos will be sentenced by Ozerden on Dec. 3. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for access device fraud, and a mandatory sentenced of two years for aggravated identity theft. The case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones. If youve been following the cryptocurrency space for a while, chances are youve heard this one: Bitcoin uses more energy than . The story will hit the top of Google News every few months or so, helping the perma-bears pat themselves on the back while striking fear in the hearts of the true believers. But what if I were to tell you that its not that big of a deal? Hear me out. Yes, Bitcoin does use a lot of electricity. Enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes in the United States, in fact. Its just as they say. But this problem is not new. With every significant technological development comes a price. In Bitcoins case, its electricity. Its important to understand that Bitcoin miners arent simply pouring gasoline into a fire. These miners using energy to maintain a network, store data and process transactions. This energy usage is often at the core of the debate over consensus mechanisms. While many praise the benefits of proof-of-stake protocols which use significantly less energy to achieve a similar outcome, it can be argued that proof-of-work protocols are still safer and more suited to a decentralized end-game. Contrary to proof-of-stake protocols, proof-of-work requires miners to expend electricity to create new blocks. Simply put, miners are trading electricity for currency. And increasingly, theyre doing it with relatively green energy. Bitcoins green revolution The hows and whys of consensus algorithms aside, Bitcoin miners want to remain profitable. Its their business, after all. And though much of the focus in the Bitcoin energy consumption scandal falls on how much energy is being used, theres very little emphasis on where the energy comes from. Related: How Many Barrels Of Oil Are Needed To Mine One Bitcoin? This is actually the most important factor in the debate. Global energy consumption is on the rise, and so are fossil fuel prices. Political squabbles and market uncertainties have made this fact very clear. At the same time, however, renewable energy is becoming much cheaper and significantly more accessible. In fact, in some areas, there is so much excess power that producers are practically giving it away. Bitcoin miners have been quick to identify this trend, and they are flocking to places like Iceland, Oregon, Washington State and Canada to take advantage of cheap power (that happens to be green). And for producers, this piqued interest is music to their ears. Take the small town of East Wenatchee, Washington, for example. With the help of the Columbia River streaming straight from the Rockies, the region boasts five massive hydropower dams, providing some of the cheapest electricity on the planet. Previously, most of the energy was exported to markets like Seattle or Los Angeles, but bitcoin miners have since seized the opportunity, building huge operations in the area. By the end of 2018, according to some estimates, miners here could account for anywhere from 15 to 30 percent of all bitcoin mining in the world, Paul Roberts writes in a segment for Politico. How bitcoin can subsidize green energy projects As energy storage technology struggles to keep up with the growing demand for renewable energy, there are an increasing number of green power projects that lack the means to properly store or distribute energy. In turn, solar and wind farms may be losing important revenue that could make or break the endeavor. Andreas Antonopoulos explains that, instead of renewable energy producers curbing their output or wasting their energy, bitcoin miners could pay for and utilize that energy allowing producers to earn more revenue on their efforts and become profitable in a shorter amount of time, effectively subsidizing the project. Related: The Best Places In The World To Mine Bitcoin Antonopoulos argues that the decentralization of bitcoin is driving the decentralization of energy production. And he may be on to something. While blockchain technology has been hailed as a beacon of hope for the decentralization of energy distribution and the utilities sector, the idea that green energy projects could use bitcoin mining to subsidize their power plants is somewhat of a revelation. And thats just the beginning. There is another piece of the energy sector that could blossom with the help of bitcoin miners. Can we turn waste into bitcoin? Ede Ijjasz-Vasquez, senior director for the World Banks social, urban, rural, and resilience global practice predicts that the worlds waste could soar from 1.3 billion tons to 4 billion by 2100, an issue which, if not addressed, could have dire consequences for public health and environmental sustainability. Typically, waste is dealt with in outdated and uneconomical means. It is burned, dumped or stored and the process is costly and inefficient. But this trend is beginning to change course, with more efforts being placed into bio-fuel research and waste-to-energy technology. This presents another opportunity for bitcoin miners to take advantage of new developments in energy technology, and its not going unnoticed. In November 2017, PRTI and Standard American Mining set out to turn trash into crypto, and they succeeded. PRTI explains The business of turning tires into oil, steel, and carbon is lucrative, but the true value lies in monetizing the power in a new way. Though PRTI and Standard American Mining may be the first ever waste-to-bitcoin producers, they certainly wont be the last. Moving forward, its clear that bitcoin miners have the power to drive innovation in the energy sector, but the challenge will be convincing the two industries to work together. Though bitcoin is relatively new, it presents an excellent opportunity for energy producers to add a new source of revenue to their projects or even fund new technologies that could pay off down the line. Bitcoin certainly isnt the evil ocean boiling tech that it is made out to be, in fact, it may end up being just the opposite. By Michael Kern via Crypto Insider More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Irans oil customers may have started to drastically wind down purchases of Iranian crude ahead of the U.S. sanctions, with Platts preliminary tanker tracking data showing that in the first half of August, Irans exports plunged by 600,000 bpd compared to July loadings, due to plummeting flows to India, Tehrans second-largest oil customer. Between August 1 and 16, Iranian oil exports averaged 1.68 million bpd, Platts tracking data showed. This compares to average exports of 2.32 million bpd in the whole month of July, and to 2.10 million bpd in the first 16 days in July, according to S&P Global Platts estimates. In the first half of August, Irans biggest customer, China, scaled back loadings to 615,688 bpd from 722,100 bpd in July. But the second-biggest importer of Iranian oil in the world, India, saw crude flows from Iran plummet to 203,938 bpd in the period August 1-16, compared to 706,452 bpd in July, according to Platts trade flow data. Demand from Japan remained steady, but South Korea is not importing Iranian condensate for a second consecutive month in August. Demand in Europe was up strongly, especially from Italy, during August 1-16, according to Platts data. Irans oil exports in July were already lower, having dropped by 7 percent to 2.32 million bpdtheir lowest level in four months. Analysts expect Iranian exports to drop even more noticeably next month, the rate of decline expected to accelerate as the United States looks to have Irans current customers reduce oil imports to zero. Related: Brazils Opposing Energy Views It has also been reported that Iran has started to offer India cargo insurance and tankers operated by Iranian companies as some Indian insurers have backed out of covering oil cargoes from Iran in the face of the returning U.S. sanctions on Tehran. Indias imports from Iran could start to slow from August as some big Indian refiners worry that their access to the U.S. financial system could be cut off if they continue to import Iranian oil, prompting them to reduce oil purchases from Tehran. The U.S. hasnt been able to persuade China to reduce oil purchases, but Beijing has reportedly agreed not to increase its oil imports from Iran. Analysts had expected the sanctions on Iran to remove between 500,000 bpd and 1 million bpd from the oil market, with a growing number of experts saying that the loss could be closer to 1 million bpd and above. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Beijing is taking to task a Pentagon report, Military and Security Developments Involving the Peoples Republic of China 2018 released last Thursday on Chinas military activities. The annual report issued by the Pentagon and presented to Congress, highlights growing Chinese naval capability, all the while underscoring the narrowing gap between Chinas maritime forces and he U.S. Navy as well as Chinas increased naval activity in the Western Pacific Ocean. The report states that Chinas Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has global ambitions far beyond the traditional perimeters of its land-based defense systems, a claim that Beijing has always cleverly downplayed. The PLAN continues to develop into a global force, gradually extending its operational reach beyond East Asia and the Indo-Pacific into a sustained ability to operate at increasingly longer ranges, the Pentagon report said, The PLANs latest naval platforms enable combat operations beyond the reach of Chinas land-based defenses. Chinas aircraft carrier and planned follow-on carriers, once operational, will extend air defense coverage beyond the range of coastal and shipboard missile systems, and enable task group operations at increasingly longer ranges, the report states. It adds that Chinese bombers are also likely training for strikes" on U.S. targets. Experts agree, claiming that decades of increased investment in new technology by Chinas military means it will soon have the capabilities to strike U.S. military installations in the Pacific by air. Furthermore, the PLAN now has a sizable force of high-capability logistical replenishment ships to support long-distance, long-duration deployments, including two new carrier operations. The expansion of naval operations beyond Chinas immediate region will also facilitate non-war uses of military force. China continues to learn lessons from operating its first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, the Pentagon said. The report added that China has increased its military spending to around $190bn a year amid a sweeping program of modernization. China refutes report Beijing, not surprisingly, refutes the Pentagon report. On Monday, the English version of the China Daily said that China has voiced strong opposition to the report, claiming it misinterprets China's strategic intentions and hypes a so-called Chinese military threat. Related: Oil Prices Jump As Saudis Cap Oil Supply "The release of such reports year after year has harmed the mutual trust, and we ask the United States to abandon the Cold War mindset and adopt an objective and rational attitude toward China's defense and military developments," Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesman for Chinas Ministry of National Defense, said in a statement on Friday. Then in a statement that was sure to set both Taiwan and other Asian countries on edge that are engaged in an ongoing struggle with China in overlapping claims in the South China Sea, Wu added that China has firmly taken the path of peaceful development and remained a contributor to world peace and international order. He added that Chinas military has borne considerable international peacekeeping and disaster relief responsibilities, earning "universal praise from the international community. Notwithstanding, the Pentagon report begs one question: If Beijings South China Sea development remains unchecked, could it close off or at least seriously threaten South China Sea shipping lanes in the future? Vital oil and gas choke point The question takes on even more weight given that the South China Sea is one of the most important oil and natural gas choke points in the world. Around a third of global crude oil and around 40 percent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG), nearly 5 tcf, passes through the South China Sea each year, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates. About two thirds of South Koreas oil and LNG supplies, almost 60 percent of Japans and Taiwans energy supplies, and 80 percent of Chinas crude oil imports pass through the South China Sea each year. However, unlike the Persian Gulf where only oil and gas is transported, billions of dollars of finished and unfinished goods also pass through the South China Sea. The South China Sea also holds potential vast reserves of natural gas and to a lesser degree crude oil. One older Chinese estimate places potential oil resources in the South China Sea as high as 213 billion barrels of oil, though that estimate seems extremely high. Other reports give lower figures, but Beijings aggressive South China Sea push is fueled by both by its renewed sense of nationalism and potential oil and gas reserves under the troubled body of water. While most consider the geopolitical impact and roil on global oil markets if Iran tried to close off the vital Strait of Hormuz, few have considered what could happen if China tried to restrict shipping in the South China Sea. At first blush, some may balk at such a proposition given that the Strait of Hormuz at its narrowest point has a width of only 29 nautical miles (54 km), compared to the vastness of the South China Sea. However, while there are several major transit routes or sea lines of communication that offer entry into the South China Sea (including the Sunda Strait and the Lombok Strait), the Strait of Malacca is by far the most widely used to carry oil, gas and other goods to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. The Strait of Malacca is the shortest and therefore most economical passageway between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Strait of Malacca is some 550 miles long (700 km), while at its narrowest point in the Phillips Channel of the Singapore Strait, the Malacca Strait is only 1.7 miles (2.7 km) wide. Related: Why China Will Continue To Buy Iranian Crude As China continues to build on its reclaimed reefs, islets and formations in the South China Sea as well as placing military assets on these new formations, including runways, the landing of bombers, missiles, radar installations, troops and naval assets, it will, in time, also increasingly be able to threaten to close much of the South China Sea, or at least pose a lethal threat to shipping and aircraft traversing the body of water. China has already set up a controversial Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) covering most of the East China Sea, near Japan and South Korea, and could likewise do the same in the South China Sea in the future. China has also made no secret of the fact that the artificial islands it has built out of strategically-located reefs and atolls in the South China Sea will be used as unsinkable aircraft carriers. Moreover, like Iran, China would likely threaten action to bring pressure against U.S. naval activity and military drills Washington conducts with its allies (the Philippines, Japan, Australia, India and others) in the region, as well as projecting its power against its smaller ASEAN neighbors, particularly Vietnam and the Philippines. To negate this possibility would be to ignore Chinas aggressive South China Sea push in the last few years, particularly since Xi Jinping took office in 2013. After being re-elected earlier this year to a second five-year term with prospects of continuing as leader for life, Xi said China will not concede "a single inch of land" and guard its sovereign territory, which includes its disputed South China Sea claims. By Tim Daiss for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Kuwait expects to soon sign deals on the development of the oil fields that it shares with its neighbors Saudi Arabia and Iraq, official Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) quoted Oil and Electricity Minister Bakheet Al-Rashidi as saying on Wednesday. Kuwait expects to sign an agreement with Iraq on the two countries joint oil fields by the end of this year, and to return to producing oil in the region that it shares with Saudi Arabia soon, the minister said. When former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, the oil fields along the Kuwaiti-Iraqi border were the bone of contention, with Hussein accusing Kuwait of pumping oil that belonged to Iraq. After years of squabbles over how to divide and operate the fields, it looks like Kuwait and Iraq may have finally had breakthrough in talks. We are in the process of selecting a global consultant to study the joint fields project, KUNA quoted Al-Rashidi as telling reporters on Wednesday. The Kuwaiti minister also noted that matters with brothers in Saudi Arabia are going at a steady pace and we expect the return of production in the divided region soon. The so-called Partitioned Neutral Zone (PNZ) was established between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in 1922 to settle a territorial dispute between the two countries. According to estimates by the EIA and the Oil and Gas Journal, the 6,200-square-mile area holds 5 billion barrels of oil and 1 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas. As of 2015, the oil production capacity in the neutral zone stood at 600,000 bpd, equally divided between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, according to the EIA. If the fields in the divided zone resume production, this capacity may come in handy for OPECprovided that the fields can produce close to that capacity after a more than three-year hiatusin the coming months and quarters, if the cartel decides to further boost output to offset losses from Venezuela and Iran. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: There are no plans to tender transferred rights to develop oil-producing fields by the end of this year, Brazils deputy energy minister Marcio Felix said, as quoted by Reuters. The rights to develop these fields belong to state energy giant Petrobras, but the government, pressed for cash, has considered tendering them to other companies. However, before this could happen, the government and Petrobras first have to agree on the value of the assets in the Santos Basin to which the company holds development rights. In 2010, when the then-government awarded these rights to Petrobras, they held estimated reserves of 5 billion barrels of crude, but this crude was less costly in 2010 than it is now. Beside an agreement on the value of the rights, there is also a legislative obstacle to the transfer-of-rights tender. The lower house of Brazils parliament has already approved the bill that would allow Petrobras to cede up to 70 percent of the development rights, but now the Senate has to vote on it. This needs to happen by September 15 for a tender to be scheduled for this year. It would be hard, Felix said as quoted by Reuters, but we havent thrown in the towel yet. The Santos Basin, in Brazils pre-salt zone, is one of the hot spots in the oil industry right now. It contains billions of barrels of crude and supermajors have been expanding their presence in Brazil in precisely this zone. This suggests there will be more than sufficient interest from foreign field operators in the transfer of rights, which should motivate Senate to move quickly and approve the necessary legislation. On the other hand, the debate of the value of the assets between Petrobras and the government could delay things. It has been going on for four years now, after the area was evaluated and found to be commercially viable. Both Petrobras and the government demand billions of dollars from each other because of the changes in oil prices since 2014. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Sales of Tesla in the Netherlands have been surging this year as a tax incentive on electric vehicles is set to expire at the end of the year. So far in 2018, Tesla has sold more than 3,000 vehicles in the Netherlands, one of its most important European markets for sales per capita, Electrek reports, citing vehicle registration data. The number of Teslas sold between January and July jumped more than twofold compared to the same period last year. Model S has been a star sale during the period and accounted for around two-thirds of all Tesla sales in the Netherlands. Model S sold 1,927 units out of Teslas total 3,046 Model S and Model X sales. Model S sales in the Netherlands have also surpassed sales of the Model S in Norway, which is Teslas strongest market in Europe and the EV makers third-biggest market worldwide after the United States and China. One of the reasons for Teslas stellar performance in the Netherlands is the end of a generous tax break at the end of this year, according to Electrek. Model S is a popular company car in the Netherlands, due to the tax break on the Benefit-in-kind (or BIK) for vehicles priced over US$58,000 (50,000 euro), like Model S or Model X. Under the current incentives, the tax is 4 percent, but it will rise to 22 percent beginning in 2019. In Europe, Norway is Teslas the best per-capita market. It is also Teslas third-largest market worldwide in terms of revenues after the United States and China, according to Teslas annual report for 2017. Teslas revenue in Norway jumped to US$823 million last year from US$336 million in 2016. In Norway, the purchase of electric vehicles is not currently subject to import taxes, taxes on non-recurring vehicle fees, the 25-percent value-added tax, or the purchase taxes that apply to the purchase of gas-powered vehicles, Tesla says. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned two Russian shipping companies on allegations of violating sanctions against North Korea by participating in ship-to-ship transfer of oil products to North Korean vessels. The move follows sanctions on a Russian port service company and several Chinese businesses for taking part in illegal shipments of alcohol, tobacco, and cigarettes to North Korea, which is under UN sanctions as well as U.S. ones, KBS World reports. At the same time, Washington is stepping up it wider pressure on Russia. The Wall Street Journal reports that on the same day that the Treasury Department sanctioned the two shipping companies, it also blacklisted several companies as well as individuals for allegations they had violated U.S. laws against cooperation with Russias intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service. Since the start of the anti-Russia sanction drive spurred by allegations of interference in the 2016 presidential elections and cyberattacks, more than 200 Russian companies, government agencies, and individuals have been blacklisted. While legislators have been very active in sponsoring more anti-Russia sanction bills, the White House has been warier in its approach, with President Trump drawing personal criticism for his softer stance on all Russia-related issues. Yet, the WSJ notes, officials from the Trump administration note that the sanctions need to be balanced against what the daily calls a need for cooperation with Russia on geopolitical issues such as the war in Syria and North Korea. Its difficult to see how this balance could be achieved as the list of anti-Russia sanction bill grows. There have been at least four recently: the Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act, or DASKA, sponsored by Senator Lindsay Graham and five other Senators, the Secure America from Russian Interference Act, introduced by a group of Democrats in the Senate, and the DETER Act, sponsored by Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Chris Van Hollen. There is also a bill sponsored by Republican John Barrasso of Wyoming that targets specifically the Nord Stream-2 natural gas project. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: China has shut down numerous blockchain-related news accounts on the WeChat social app, and banned hotels in downtown Beijing from hosting events promoting cryptocurrencies, in a renewed crackdown on activities related to the digital money. At least eight blockchain and cryptocurrency-focused online media outlets some of which raised several million dollars in venture capital found their official public accounts on WeChat blocked on Tuesday evening, due to violations against new regulations from Chinas top internet watchdog. Xiongan brings in ConsenSys as adviser on blockchain technology Tencent, operator of WeChat, said in a statement that it has shut down these accounts permanently as they are suspected of publishing information related to ICOs [initial coin offerings] and speculations on cryptocurrency trading. It cited regulations enacted earlier this month by the Cyberspace Administration of China, which, among other things, demand content providers within chat apps comply with national interests and public orders. Separately, Beijings central Chaoyang district issued a notice on August 17 banning hotels, office buildings and shopping malls in the area from hosting events promoting cryptocurrencies. The document was leaked online this week, and confirmed by the South China Morning Post with the local authority. A staffer with Chaoyangs financial authority said the notice was triggered by a local event organized by an overseas cryptocurrency exchange last week, and is restricted to the district in question. The two incidents are the latest instances of Chinas continuing crackdown on cryptocurrencies, which began last September with bans on local cryptocurrency exchanges and ICOs, an unregulated crowd fundraising method involved with cryptocurrencies and often associated with scams. Despite government initiatives on adopting blockchain, the central government has made it clear that it does not want retail investors to get involved in cryptocurrencies because of concerns over financial stability. Story continues Blockchain media outlets came to prominence despite the cryptocurrency bans as they fill a niche in providing investors with timely information on cryptocurrency prices, and reviews on blockchain-related projects. Just like other Chinese news services, these platforms rely heavily on WeChat to reach audiences aside from their apps and websites. The blocked accounts on WeChat come from some of the most popular blockchain news platforms including Jinse Caijing and Huobi News, whose apps and sites are still in operation. China sees sixfold surge in new companies with blockchain in name In its statement, Beijing-based Huobi, which also operates one of the worlds biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, acknowledged the shutdown of its news account as WeChats broad action targeting industrial media. Jinse Caijing did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Blockchain news platforms have attracted venture capital funding in China. Jingse Caijing, which started in 2016 and now boasts 350,000 unique daily visitors, raised more than 8 million yuan (US$1.2 million) from Beijing-based Node Capital in a pre-series A round last August. Also blocked on WeChat is Shenlian Caijing, which was founded earlier this year by several veteran Chinese journalists, and raised 10 million yuan from angel investors including Plum Ventures and Dfund. A major revenue source for these news services is paid content from blockchain-related projects. Jingse Caijing publishes more than 200 articles per day. A featured article on the site, for example, is said to cost 12 ethereum, which is currently valued at about US$3,500. In March, a commentary published by the website of the Peoples Daily, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party, accused blockchain news outlets of creating articles to manipulate cryptocurrency prices and promote ICO projects. These media outlets have made huge fortune in the speculative waves of cryptocurrencies, but due to their nature, its doubtful how long their barbaric growth can keep on going, according to the commentary. This article China shuts down blockchain news accounts, bans hotels in Beijing from hosting cryptocurrency events first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. More from South China Morning Post: A study done by Queen Mary University of London discovered that even air pollution that fall within UK guidelines still has the power to affect peoples heart structure, similar to those observed with early stages of heart failure. The study, led by Professor Steffen Petersen and partly funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), looked at the medical data of around 4,000 volunteers, including their health scans, blood tests, and imaging scans of their heart, which were measured at different points in time throughout the studys length. The study found that those who lived near high traffic roads and were exposed to more pollutants saw their heart enlarge by approximately one percent. The amount of pollutants that all participants were exposed to were well within UK guidelines, although they were close to or exceeded those set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Air pollution should be seen as a modifiable risk factor, said Dr. Nay Aung, who led the data analysis for the study. Doctors and the general public all need to be aware of their exposure when they think about their heart health, just like they think about their blood pressure, their cholesterol and their weight. We cant expect people to move homes to avoid air pollutionGovernment and public bodies must be acting right now to make all areas safe and protect the population from these harms, Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the BHF said. What is particularly worrying is that the levels of air pollution at which this study saw people with heart remodeling are not even deemed particularly high by the UK Governmentthis is why we are calling for the WHO guidelines to be adopted. The Queen Mary University study was completed with the help of the University of Oxford and the state-of-the-art Barts Heart Center of St. Bartholomews Hospital in London. In the Philippines, 84 deaths in 100,000 are attributed to air pollution. This number puts the country second to Laos by a very slim margin, where at least 85 deaths per 100,000 population were recorded. The post Study Shows Even Low Air Pollution Levels Can Negatively Impact Human Heart appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Victoria University of Wellington research shows there has been almost no change to the level of crime in the United States since the legalisation of medical marijuana. The research, led by Dr. Luke Chu from the School of Economics and Finance and former student Wilbur Townsend, studied national crime rates as well as rates in individual states that have passed medical marijuana laws, and found minor effects. The exception was California, where violent and property crime reduced by 20 percent between 1996when medical marijuana was legalised thereand 2013. The researchers compared before and after data on specific crimes including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft between states with and without legalised marijuana. Nearly all of the estimated changes in crime rates are close to zero at national and state levels. California's 20 percent reduction in crime could be due to a range of factors, says Dr. Chu. "There's no definitive answer as to why. California is a relatively liberal state and was the first U.S. state to legalise medical marijuana. "Other recent studies have shown that medical marijuana laws cause an increase in heavy marijuana use, but a reduction in other acts including drunk driving, heroin usage and opioid addiction." Dr. Chu says the findings are comparable to a New Zealand context. "I believe we would be unlikely to see a large surge in crime if it were legalised here." Previous studies have explored the topic, but with conflicting findings, says Dr. Chu. This study is the first of its kind to examine state-specific effects. "In addition to traditional regression analysis, we used a technique called synthetic control method to analyse the data. This allows us to take into account pre-law differences in crime trends without making extra assumptions." The study, led by Wilbur as part of his Honours thesis, was recently published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. Explore further Laws allowing medical marijuana have little impact on road safety The experimental set up when the subject (left) talks with ERICA (right) Credit: Kyoto University / Kawahara lab We've all tried talking with devices, and in some cases they talk back. But, it's a far cry from having a conversation with a real person. Now, a research team from Kyoto University, Osaka University, and the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute, or ATR, has significantly upgraded the interaction system for conversational android ERICA, giving her even greater dialog skills. ERICA is an android created by Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University and ATR, specifically designed for natural conversation through incorporation of human-like facial expressions and gestures. The research team demonstrated the updates during a symposium at the National Museum of Emerging Science in Tokyo. "When we talk to one another, it's never a simple back and forward progression of information," says Tatsuya Kawahara of Kyoto University's Graduate School of Informatics, and an expert in speech and audio processing. "Listening is active. We express agreement by nodding or saying 'uh-huh' to maintain the momentum of conversation. This is called 'backchanneling,' and is something we wanted to implement with ERICA." The team also focused on developing a system for "attentive listening." This is when a listener asks elaborating questions, or repeats the last word of the speaker's sentence, allowing for more engaging dialogue. Deploying a series of distance sensors, facial recognition cameras and microphone arrays, the team began collecting data on parameters necessary for a fluid dialog between ERICA and a human subject. "We looked at three qualities when studying backchanneling," continues Kawahara. "These were: timingwhen a response happens; lexical formwhat is being said; and prosody, or how the response happens." Responses were generated through machine learning using a counseling dialogue corpus, resulting in dramatically improved dialog engagement. Testing in five-minute sessions with a human subject, ERICA demonstrated significantly more dynamic speaking skill, including the use of backchanneling, partial repeats, and statement assessments. "Making a human-like conversational robot is a major challenge," states Kawahara. "This project reveals how much complexity there is in listening, which we might consider mundane. We are getting closer to a day where a robot can pass a Total Turing Test." Explore further Technique allows AI to learn words in the flow of dialogue The wolf population is rising rapidly in many European countries. Austria has authorised shooting wolves with rubber bullets to deter attacks on livestock, a regional authority said Wednesday. The wolf population is rising rapidly in many European countries, which has led to an increase in the number of attacks on farm animals. Farmers in three districts of Lower Austria will have the right until the end of the year to shoot wolves with rubber bullets to deter attacks but not to kill them, deputy governor Stephan Pernkopf said. He also called for the European Union to reconsider its legislation giving protection to wolves, which he said are "no longer under threat". Thirty-one sheep have been killed by wolves in recent weeks in Lower Austria near the Czech border, according to the local authority. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) conservation groupwhich puts the number of wolves in Europe at about 12,000accused Austrian authorities of failing to help farmers protect their livestock. "It is not wolves that are dangerous but the creation of a climate of fear," it said. "The Lower Austrian region has failed to protect flocks for years, by for example building fences and teaching farmers to live alongside wolves." The Lower Austrian Hunting Federation praised the relaxation in the rules, saying the move would "instill fear of man" in the wolf. It also called for the use of live bullets to be considered in due course. Explore further Wolves to the slaughter: France approves cull to save sheep 2018 AFP According to a new study, evidence of life (aka. biosignatures) could be found by examining ejecta from extra-solar planets caused by asteroid impacts. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona In recent years, the number of confirmed extra-solar planets has risen exponentially. As of the penning of the article, a total of 3,777 exoplanets have been confirmed in 2,817 star systems, with an additional 2,737 candidates awaiting confirmation. What's more, the number of terrestrial (i.e. rocky) planets has increased steadily, increasing the likelihood that astronomers will find evidence of life beyond our Solar System. Unfortunately, the technology does not yet exist to explore these planets directly. As a result, scientists are forced to look for what are known as "biosignatures," a chemical or element that is associated with the existence of past or present life. According to a new study by an international team of researchers, one way to look for these signatures would be to examine material ejected from the surface of exoplanets during an impact event. The study titled "Searching for biosignatures in exoplanetary impact ejecta," which recently appeared online was led by Gianni Cataldi, a researcher from Stockholm University's Astrobiology Center. He was joined by scientists from the LESIA-Observatoire de Paris, the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), and the European Space Research and Technology Center (ESA/ESTEC). As they indicate in their study, most efforts to characterize exoplanet biospheres have focused on the planets' atmospheres. This consists of looking for evidence of gases that are known to be essential to life here on Earth e.g. carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen as well as water. As Cataldi told Universe Today via email: Artists impression of what an asteroid hitting the Earth might look like. Credit: NASA/Don Davis "We know from Earth that life can have a strong impact on the composition of the atmosphere. For example, all the oxygen in our atmosphere is of biological origin. Also, oxygen and methane are strongly out of chemical equilibrium because of the presence of life. Currently, it is not yet possible to study the atmospheric composition of Earth-like exoplanets, however, such a measurement is expected to become possible in the foreseeable future. Thus, atmospheric biosignatures are the most promising way to search for extraterrestrial life." However, Cataldi and his colleagues considered the possibility of characterizing a planet's habitability by looking for signs of impacts and examining the ejecta. One of the benefits of this approach is that ejecta escapes lower gravity bodies, such as rocky planets and moons, with the greatest ease. The atmospheres of these types of bodies are also very difficult to characterize, so this method would allow for characterizations that would not otherwise be possible. And as Cataldi indicated, it would also be complimentary to the atmospheric approach in a number of ways: "First, the smaller the exoplanet, the more difficult it is to study its atmosphere. On the contrary, smaller exoplanets produce larger amounts of escaping ejecta because their surface gravity is lower, making ejecta from smaller exoplanet easier to detect. Second, when thinking about biosignatures in impact ejecta, we think primarily of certain minerals. This is because life can influence the mineralogy of a planet either indirectly (e.g. by changing the composition of the atmosphere and thus allowing new minerals to form) or directly (by producing minerals, e.g. skeletons). Impact ejecta would thus allow us to study a different sort of biosignature, complementary to atmospheric signatures." Another benefit to this method is the fact that it takes advantage of existing studies that have examined the impacts of collisions between astronomical objects. For instance, multiple studies have been conducted that have attempted to place constraints on the giant impact that is believed to have formed the Earth-Moon system 4.5 billion years ago (aka. the Giant Impact Hypothesis). While such giant collisions are thought to have been common during the final stage of terrestrial planet formation (lasting for approximately 100 million years), the team focused on impacts of asteroidal or cometary bodies, which are believed to occur over the entire lifetime of an exoplanetary system. Relying on these studies, Cataldi and his colleagues were able to create models for exoplanet ejecta. As Cataldi explained, they used the results from the impact cratering literature to estimate the amount of ejecta created. To estimate the signal strength of circumstellar dust disks created by the ejecta, they used the results from debris disk (i.e. extrasolar analogues of the Solar System's Main Asteroid Belt) literature. In the end, the results proved rather interesting: "We found that an impact of a 20 km diameter body produces enough dust to be detectable with current telescopes (for comparison, the size of the impactor that killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago is though to be around 10 km). However, studying the composition of the ejected dust (e.g. search for biosignatures) is not in the reach of current telescopes. In other words, with current telescopes, we could confirm the presence of ejected dust, but not study its composition." Perspective view looking from an unnamed crater (bottom right) towards the Worcester Crater. The region sits at the mouth of Kasei Valles, where fierce floodwaters emptied into Chryse Planitia. Credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin In short, studying material ejected from exoplanets is within our reach and this would allow astronomers to be able to characterize the geology of an exoplanet and thus place more accurate constraints on its potential habitability. At present, astronomers are forced to make educated guesses about a planet's composition based on its apparent size and mass. Unfortunately, a more detailed study that could determine the presence of biosignatures in ejecta is not currently possible, and will be very difficult for even next-generation telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWSB) or Darwin. In the meantime, the study of ejecta from exoplanets presents some very interesting possibilities when it comes to exoplanet studies and characterization. As Cataldi indicated: "By studying the ejecta from an impact event, we could learn something about the geology and habitability of the exoplanet and potentially detect a biosphere. The method is the only way I know to access the subsurface of an exoplanet. In this sense, the impact can be seen as a drilling experiment provided by nature. Our study shows that dust produced in an impact event is in principle detectable, and future telescopes might be able to constrain the composition of the dust, and therefore the composition of the planet." In the coming decades, astronomers will be studying extra-solar planets with instruments of increasing sensitivity and power in the hopes of finding indications of life. In all likelihood, the ability to discern the presence of biosignatures in debris created by asteroid impacts will coincide with the ability to find them in the atmospheres of exoplanets. With these two methods combined, scientists will be able to say with greater certainty that distant planets are not only capable of supporting life, but are actively doing so. Explore further Scientists develop new strategies to discover life beyond earth More information: Searching for biosignatures in exoplanetary impact ejecta: Astrobiology (2017). Journal information: Astrobiology Searching for biosignatures in exoplanetary impact ejecta: arxiv.org/pdf/1808.04504.pdf Gianni Cataldi et al. Searching for Biosignatures in Exoplanetary Impact Ejecta,(2017). DOI: 10.1089/ast.2015.1437 The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) Credit: Sarita Jnawali of NTNC Central Zoo The United States, CC BY 2.0 A team of researchers from China and the U.K. has found that the natural habitat available for the Chinese pangolin has been cut in half over the past half-century. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes their study of the mammal, its habitat and its chances for survival. Pangolins are a type of anteaterthey have scales, which make them unique. They are also highly valued in many Asian cultures both for their meat and scales, which are used to make medicinesthey are the most illegally trafficked mammals in the world today. Because of their high value, pangolin population numbers have been declining for many years due to human hunting. The researchers with this new effort noticed that no one had conducted a long-term population study of the creaturesbelieving such data would be needed to make proper conservation effort decisions, they embarked on one of their own. To gain a better picture of population levels and where the animals have lived in China, the group gathered historical documents (news articles, published literature and interviews) and used the information to construct ecological niche models. The models allowed them to see where pangolins have lived over the years 1970 to 2016, and how many of them lived in any given area. The researchers report that they found the range in which pangolins live has dwindled dramatically, to roughly half of what it once was. They note that today, the pangolins are confined mostly to the Wuyi mountain range. They also found that the reduction in population numbers could not be blamed on global warmingit has been due mostly to humans killing them directly. They noted that over the past 50 years, human transportation networks in the region have improved, making it easier to transport captured or killed pangolins out of the area. On a more promising note, the researchers report that though all eight species of pangolins are threatened, measures taken by various governmental entities in recent years have led to the creation of safe havens for the mammals. Such efforts, they believe, are likely to prevent most from going extinct. Explore further Cameroon pangolin traffickers caught in the act More information: Li Yang et al. Historical data for conservation: reconstructing range changes of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in eastern China (19702016), Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2018). Li Yang et al. Historical data for conservation: reconstructing range changes of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in eastern China (19702016),(2018). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1084 Abstract The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) has long suffered from intense exploitation driven by consumer demand for medicinal use and food. Effective conservation management is hampered by insufficient data on pangolin status and distribution. We integrated ecological niche modelling with long-term ecological records at the local scale (e.g. from local historical documents, grey and published literature and interviews) to estimate the magnitude of potential distribution change of the Chinese pangolin in eastern China (Fujian, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces) over time. Our results suggest that the range of the species decreased by 52.20% between the 1970s and early 2000s and that the population is now mainly confined to the Wuyi Mountains. This reduction in potential distribution range is attributable to anthropogenic pressures. According to our conservation prioritization analysis, the priority conservation area for the Chinese pangolin in eastern China is 51 268.4 km2, 5.62% of which is covered by nature reserves. There are 18 nature reserves and 46 prefectures which are priority areas for conservation in China. The priority-level nature reserves and prefectures in eastern China are mainly located in the centre of the Wuyi Mountains, and areas declared important tend to be around the Wuyi Mountains. We propose several actions to improve the conservation status of this species: establish or enlarge nature reserves, ensure local governments at the prefecture level prioritize conservation management and encourage local communities to participate in pangolin conservation. Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B 2018 Phys.org Is chocolate a sustainable market? Credit: Pxhere No more chocolate by 2050? Several articles have pointed recently that we are heading to a major chocolate crisis. Global chocolate market value keeps reaching new highs, potentially doubling by 2025 compared to its 2015 level. Consumption is mainly driven by perceived health benefits such as anti-aging, antioxidant effects, stress relieve, blood pressure regulation and others. So where are the biggest chocoholics located? Traditionally, more than half of all chocolate produced is eaten in Western Europe and North America. Country with the "sweetest tooth" in the world is Switzerland, with more than 8kg per capita of chocolate consumed in 2017. New chocolate markets But even though developed markets are at the forefront of chocolate indulgence, future growth opportunities could be elsewhere. One way to look is toward China and India, with populations over 1 billion people each. Rapid urbanization, growing middle class and changing consumer tastes have triggered increasing appetite for chocolate. India is currently one of the fastest-growing chocolate markets, with demand steadily rising over the past years. In 2016, over 228,000 tons were consumed, an increase of 50% in comparison to 2011. Indians have a fling for anything sweet and chocolate has become one of their favourite treats as they perceive it as healthy, hence they do not hesitate when it comes to snacking. As for China, in the wake of economic reforms in early 1980, chocolate was considered as a rare delicacy. Since then, the country has lagged behind others in chocolate consumption, with less than 1kg consumed per year by an average Chinese. But things are changing as new trends like "coffee culture" emerge, affecting ways chocolate is used and consumed. Also, millions of affluent Chinese shop online for high quality foreign delicacies, pushing retailers such as Alibaba to rethink their business models in order to stay on top of their game. Indias tallest chocolate eclair tower by Chef Kunal Kapur. Credit: Wikimedia, CC BY-NC Endangered chocolate production Yet chocolate producers are struggling. Cocoa, the delicate plant behind chocolate needs humid tropical climates and shades of rainforests, which limits areas where you can grow it. Leading regions are found in West Africa, with Ivory Coast and Ghana alone contributing to more than 50% of the entire world's production. However, as a result of global warming, cocoa cultivation in these areas is expected to literally move uphill to maintain optimal growing conditions. The challenge remains in the limited areas of land available, as many of these locations are currently banned from cultivation or might not be suitable for it. Contagion and alternative products Enemies of cocoa trees come in different shapes and sizes, two being disease and pests. Estimates indicate that these nuisances cause yearly losses of 30% to 40% of the total global cocoa production. In June of this year, Ivory Coast announced it will have to take out an entire cocoa plantation of 100,000 hectares contaminated by swollen-shoot plant virus to stop it from spreading further. It will take at least five years before the area can be it replanted again. As a result of "natural" hazards coupled with price fluctuations, cocoa farmers consider switching to alternatives potentially more profitable and easier to produce. Indonesia, the world's third largest cocoa producer, experienced declining cocoa output since 2010 due to poor weather and ageing cocoa trees. Consequently, some farmers shifted production to crops such as corn, rubber or palm oil. February 23, 2015: Isla de la Amargura, Caceres, Antioquia (Colombia). Jose Blanquiceth harvests cocoa on his farm. Credit: USAID U.S. Agency for International Development/Flickr, CC BY Producers look east and south These general threats and high demands from new markets send a clear signal to major cocoa producers. Ghana, world's second largest cocoa supplier, has its eyes on Asia and specifically China as the next "big thing". To boost its yearly cocoa production, Ghana is trying to secure a $1.5 billion loan from Chinese Eximbank. Collaboration is backed by governments of both countries as mutual interest is obvious, reflected in the potential the Chinese chocolate market. Other "hot" destinations are found across Middle East and Africa. United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are leaders in chocolate spend per person, well above the regional average. Consumers in these markets perceive chocolate as a wealth symbol, driving demand for premium brands. Chocolate confectionery in Algeria has a healthy performance as well, driven by different rationale. According to Euromonitor, Algerians consider chocolate to be a an energy booster making individual consumption thrive particularly among youth, while it is less present in gift giving. Is sustainable chocolate real? The largest chocolate producers take active part in sustainability initiatives such as Rainforest Alliance, UTZ and Fairtrade. US-based Mars Wrigley Confectionary, leading global candy maker by net sales in 2017, dedicated $1 billion funding to help create more heat-resistant cocoa. Moreover, in 2009 Mars was the first major chocolate company to commit to 100% certified cocoa by 2020, followed later by its competitors Hershey's, Ferrero and Lindt. Annual cocoa household income in Ivory Coast. Credit: UTZ (compiled by ConfectionaryNews) Mondelez International wants all of its cocoa sustainable as well. Milka is the latest one of its brands to join Cocoa Life, launched in 2012, aiming to empower cocoa farmers. While these initiatives are a great leap forward, main supply-chain stakeholders admit that they're not sufficient to bring cocoa farmers out of poverty, which is one of the major problems they face. An example is Ivory Coast, a primary cocoa producing country. A UTZ-certified cocoa farmer will only earn additional yearly income of 84 to 134 approximately 16% more in comparison to the non-certified one. Other constraints emerge, such as limited reach of certification. Farmers should be members of cooperatives to benefit fully from the process. In the case of Ivory Coast only around 30% of them are currently in. Another difficulty is to ensure that no child labour is used over the entire supply chain, something that's basically impossible to control. Local cocoa producers in Africa have plans of their own, with an announced OPEC-like initiative. They want to have more influence over global cocoa prices by better coordinating production levels and sales policies between countries. This could better protect small cocoa farmers who are vulnerable to price swings in global market. While claims of a looming "chocapocalypse" might be overblown for the time being, risks are real and we need to be mindful of them. It is optimistic to see that main stakeholders in the process of chocolate manufacture are pitching in with their own contribution. Whether it will be enough to secure the future of chocolate remains to be seen. Explore further Yes, there is room for chocolate in your diet This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Eastern chimpanzee caught on camera trap. Credit: FFI & Bucknell University Conservationists from Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and Bucknell University biology researchers have teamed up with government and conservation authorities to capture more than 425,000 images through a camera wildlife survey in South Sudan. The Bucknell team has launched a website where volunteers can view the images to identify and verify animal species. The website will be housed on Zooniverse, the world's largest platform for online citizen science; a collaboration between the University of Oxford, Chicago's Adler Planetarium, and the broader Citizen Science Alliance. It is home to some of the internet's largest, most popular and most successful citizen science projects. The researchers have already documented species not previously known to be found in this richly forested area, where the wildlife of East and Central Africa collide to form a diverse and unique ecosystem. The project will enhance wildlife conservation efforts in a protected region threatened by poachers. "We've already found eight species of large mammal not previously recorded in the region," said Bucknell biology and animal behaviour professor DeeAnn Reeder, who is leading the project. "They were found in an area suffering from heavy poaching that is exacerbated by conflict in the region." Reeder and her research partners, including Laura Kurpiers, Bucknell, who designed the site, and conservationists Rob Harris, Adrian Garside, Nicolas Tubbs and Ivan de Klee of FFI, initially teamed with local wildlife service rangers to document and protect wildlife in the South Sudan, an effort funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The group initially set up 23 motion-sensing camera traps in January 2015 which has grown to 76 cameras in the field today. Bongo running. Credit: FFI & Bucknell University Most of the images were captured in protected areas, as the studies are part of FFI's overall conservation program in the region, which began even before the country gained independence. "The images coming out of this survey are really exciting, and will act as the essential scientific bedrock upon which effective conservation depends. South Sudan's forests still harbour many mysteries, but already the cameras are revealing just how important the region is for biodiversity. The challenge now is to process all of the information the cameras are yielding, which is why we are asking for the help of Zooniverse users to help us identify the species in the pictures. But the ongoing struggles the people of South Sudan face, whether it be food security or unrest pose a threat not only to the country's people but also its wildlife, so time is of the essence," said Nicolas Tubbs, Senior Program Manager for Eastern Africa at FFI. Images include some of eastern chimpanzees, the species the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gave Reeder her grant to document. They have also collected images of pangolins, an endangered scaly anteater that is among the most trafficked mammals in the world; forest elephants, which represents a significant expansion in their known range; and the African golden cat, which has been threatened by deforestation and bushmeat hunting. Team finalising camera trap setup. From left to right: Nicola Junubi (WS), Imran Ejotre (Ugandan scientific partner), Charles Dikumbo (WS), Andrea Musa (WS), Masimino Pasquale (CWA). Credit: Fauna & Flora International All images are time-stamped and can be viewed on at this site. Harnessing the collective brain power of multiple users, once 12 people agree on the specific wildlife species identification, the identification is confirmed for that set of images. Additional data such as behaviours observed and animal group size add to the richness and value of the data. "Our species list is long, but we really want to precisely identify the specific biodiversity," Reeder said. "We are really excited about engaging citizen scientists because we know there a lot of people who care about wildlife conservation. The success of this project will be contingent on getting a lot of users." The latest crackdowns by Facebook and Twitter on fake accounts underscore the challenges for social media firms tring to remain open while curbing manipulation and foreign interference Facebook and Twitter unveiled fresh crackdowns on misinformation campaigns from Russia and Iran as analysts warned of more efforts to manipulate public debate ahead of the November US elections. Facebook announced late Tuesday it removed more than 650 pages, groups and accounts identified as "networks of accounts misleading people about what they were doing," chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said. Separately, Twitter said it suspended 284 accounts "for engaging in coordinated manipulation," adding that "it appears many of these accounts originated from Iran." Moscow repeated its denial of any effort to manipulate social media firms. There was no immediate comment from Tehran on the crackdown. Both social networks said they were working with law enforcement and stepping up security. The Facebook action was prompted by research from cybersecurity firm FireEye regarding a collection of "Liberty Front Press" pages on the social network and other online services. FireEye described the efforts were online, social media-driven influence operations as a means of shaping political discourse." The Iranian effort appeared to be "to promote Iranian political interests, including anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes," FireEye said. "We have observed inauthentic social media personas, masquerading as American liberals supportive of US Senator Bernie Sanders, heavily promoting Quds Day, a holiday established by Iran in 1979." Undeterred Former Facebook security chief Alex Stamos said in a blog post Wednesday that gaping holes remain in online platforms and that not enough is being done to counter foreign interference. Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the social network deleted accounts for entities operating under false pretenses "The revelations are evidence that Russia has not been deterred and that Iran is following in its footsteps," Stamos wrote on the Lawfare blog. "This underlines a sobering reality: America's adversaries believe that it is still both safe and effective to attack US democracy using American technologies and the freedoms we cherish." Stamos, who left Facebook this month to join Stanford University, said that "the United States has broadcast to the world that it doesn't take these issues seriously...While this failure has left the US unprepared to protect the 2018 elections, there is still a chance to defend American democracy in 2020." Olga Polishchuk, a threat researcher with the cybersecurity firm LookingGlass, said she expected more of the same from Russia despite this week's crackdowns. Russia employs "an army of hackers" who are well-versed in American culture and are well-funded, Polishchuk said. "These groups operate day and night," she said. "Their obfuscation techniques are very sophisticated." Polishchuk said Russia's hacker army is not likely to be deterred by the shutdowns or even indictments of Russians for computer hacking. "They are so committed to pushing the country's agenda," she said. In Moscow, a government spokesman denied any manipulation campaign, telling journalists that "we don't understand what the basis is" for the accusations. The actions by Facebook and Twitter come days after Microsoft said it seized websites linked to Russian intelligence that sought to meddle in US political debate. Senator Mark Warner said the latest revelations were "further evidence that foreign adversaries are actively using social media to divide Americans and undermine our democratic institutions." Facebook and Twitter unveiled fresh crackdowns on misinformation campaigns from Russia and Iran as analysts warned of more efforts to manipulate public debate ahead of the November US elections Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University professor specializing in social media, also voiced fears of additional influence campaigns. "I am deeply concerned about further abuse of these platforms," she said. "I still do not think they have dedicated enough resources in this area." Grygiel said she believes most social media companies failed to consider the potential for manipulation as they expanded. "Their business models have been flawed from the beginning," she said. "They have not had enough infrastructure to deal with content moderation, and it is harmful to society and democracy." Repeat effort by Facebook For Facebook, it was the second time in less than a month that it acted against manipulation, following the shutdown in late July of 32 fake pages and accounts involved in an apparent coordinated effort to stoke hot-button issues ahead of November midterm US elections. The social network giant said content from some of the pages shut down in the latest move was traced back to Iran, while others were tied to groups previously linked to Russian intelligence operations. Zuckerberg cited two separate sets of campaigns, including one with ties to Iran's state-owned media and another apparently linked to Russian military intelligence services. The accounts, some on Facebook-owned Instagram, were presented as independent news or civil society groups but were actually working in coordinated efforts, the company said. Content posted by accounts targeted Facebook users in Britain, Latin America, the Middle East and the US, according to head of cybersecurity policy Nathaniel Gleicher. Explore further Facebook uncovers new global misinformation operations 2018 AFP Credit: Greg Grinnell/Northeastern University Celebrities, social media stars, and other online personalities have taken a hit to their credibility in recent months, as millions of their followers have been exposed as fake or bought. This has created a bigger problem for advertisers and consumers, who no longer can trust in high follower numbers as a measure of influence and credibility. Now, a machine-learning algorithm developed by Northeastern graduates is giving marketers a way to keep their advertising realand rebuild consumer trust. Brands have always sought celebrity endorsements, but the mass adoption of social media has given rise to a new kind of endorser: the influencer, an online personality with a large number of followers. "Influencers are a whole new kind of currency," said Lyle Stevens, chief executive officer for Mavrck, an influencer marketing firm in Boston that he founded with two other Northeastern graduates, Sean Naegeli and Chris Wolfel. The company's influencer marketing platform is used today by P&G, PepsiCo, and other major consumer brands. Big brands such as these use influencers to push their products. Mavrck built a platform that allows brands to tap into their social networks and identify influencers who can then be inspired to share relevant content in their newsfeeds. Identifying whether influencers have an inflated number of followers is one of the many tools the platform provides. When social media personalities who promote products bolster their numbers with fake followers, they create an illusion of popularity, and with it an illusion of their ability to influence consumers' buying choices, putting the entire field of influencer marketing into question. At a time when consumers trust each other's opinions more than they trust brands, Stevens sees this issue of credibility as "a lynchpin to unlocking the full potential of influencer marketing." Mavrck's new fraud detection algorithm works by analyzing a statistically significant sample of an influencer's followers, as well as accounts that 'like' or comment on that influencer's posts. The algorithm gauges whether an account is being run by a real person or operated by a bot to create artificial followers, likes, and comments. This kind of analysis helps marketers automate the process of weeding out those accounts that are likely to have purchased followers or engagements. Until now, much of this work has been done manually, but the explosive growth of influencer marketing makes it virtually impossible to evaluate every potential influencer for having fake or purchased followers. Last year, according to Stevens, Instagram and Twitter saw more than 21 million posts featuring sponsored contenta number that continues to grow, with increasingly steep spikes in sponsorships during the holidays. In its analysis of nearly 4,000 Instagram users with at least 5,000 followers each, Mavrck found that almost 10 percent had bought followers or engagements. But just how big is the problem of influencer fraud? Last month, Twitter began removing millions of suspicious accounts from its users' follower base, and in June Unilever's chief marketing officer, Keith Weed, said the consumer goods giant would no longer work with influencers who purchased followers. The Federal Trade Commission is watching, too. The consumer-protection agency last year issued stern warnings to social media influencers and brands for not making it obvious that the influencers were being paid to endorse products and services. While the commission has not specifically weighed in on the issue of fake followers, its guidelines do comment on fraudulent "liking" of products and services. "If 'likes' are from non-existent people or people who have no experience using the product or service, they are clearly deceptive, and both the purchaser and the seller of the fake 'likes' could face enforcement action," according to the guidance published on the commission's website. According to Mavrck and other industry observers, the influencer marketing fraud problem is only going to get worse without actionand fast. Forecasts say the $1 billion sector may blossom into a $5 billion to $10 billion industry by 2022. Unfortunately, technology such as Mavrck's fraud detection tool isn't a panacea. Northeastern marketing professor Koen Pauwels, who studied the relationship between social media and consumer trust, said part of the problem is in the metrics advertisers use to measure success. "There is evidence that the follower metric is not reliable, as some influencers cheat a lot more than others," he said. "In reality, there is a strong need for the industry to self-check in order to keep its credibility." Like moths to a flame, fake followers will latch on to the biggest and most popular social media accounts naturally, with up to 10 percent of followers netting out as fake. This, according to Stevens, means the industry must be careful to not accuse every social media account with fake followers of fraud. He believes the industry needs some agreed-to standard in evaluating influencers' authenticitythe equivalent of a credit score database. Lacking that, "It may have to be a third party like the FTC that has to step in." Still, the Mavrck founders consider the firm well-equipped to lead the industry's dialogue about influencer marketing fraud. Roughly one-third of Mavrck's 30 employees come from Northeastern, which company co-founder Wolfel said is not surprising. "Northeastern breeds a different kind of person," he said, describing the Mavrck team as "curious hustlers" who are highly driven by their curiosity. "It's instilled in your behavior at Northeastern." Wolfel serves as an advisor for IDEA, Northeastern's student-led business incubator, which helped launch Mavrck four years ago with early funding. "Northeastern taught us to look for people with different skills and perspectives," added Naegeli, the company's chief influencer officer, noting that diversity in perspectives is what allows the entrepreneurial team to challenge each other and grow. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Climate simulations and analyses of Atlantic hurricane activity indicate that the record number of tropical cyclones that occurred in 2005 (28 storms) is close to the maximum number that might occur in this region, given existing climate conditions. In a multinational collaborative study published August 22, 2018 in Science Advances, climate simulations and subsequent analyses of tropical cyclone activity were led by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), the University of Melbourne and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC). Project leads used climate models to estimate the maximum number of tropical cyclones that might occur in the North Atlantic in the current climate. They found the record number of tropical cyclones that occurred in 2005 (28 storms) is close to the maximum number that might occur in this region given existing climate conditions. This information is useful for risk management because the year 2005 has already been extensively studied and its tropical cyclone hazards and risks to infrastructure are well known. Thus, it could serve as a tropical cyclone risk benchmark for future hurricane seasons in this basin. The year 2005 was certainly the biggest year for tropical storm and hurricane numbers in the Atlantic since the 1940s and, by some measures, the biggest for at least 150 years. There were so many tropical storms in 2005 that the U.S. National Hurricane Center ran out of tropical cyclone names; by late in the hurricane season, they resorted to calling tropical storms by letters of the Greek alphabet. It is of considerable interest whether a year like 2005 might occur again, and how often, not only for hurricane forecasters but for emergency and risk managers throughout the North Atlantic region. In this study, thousands of years of climate model simulations were examined to see if they could produce climate conditions more favourable for tropical cyclone formation in this region than occurred in 2005. The statistical relationship between climate conditions during the tropical cyclone season and tropical cyclone formation has been previously calculated using a variety of indices, which were examined in this study. The year-to-year simulated variations of these indices in the climate models were compared to total observed tropical cyclone numbers in 2005, but the models only exceeded the observed 2005 numbers rarely, about 1% of the time, and maximum index values simulated in the models were still comparable to 2005 numbers. Lead author, Dr. Sally Lavender of CSIRO, said, "It's hard for the Atlantic climate to generate a lot more tropical cyclones in this region than occurred in 2005. Even when we looked at thousands of years of climate model simulations, they didn't really indicate a convincing possibility of many more tropical storms." While the study does provide an estimate of the maximum number of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic, there are important remaining issues. "The indices do show generally good relationships between climate and tropical cyclone formation rates, but they are not perfect," added Dr. Louis-Philippe Caron (BSC), "and the climate model simulations of the Atlantic climate could be improved." The work was sponsored by the Risk Prediction Initiative (RPI) and had further input from Stockholm University's Bolin Centre for Climate Research. Dr. Mark Guishard of RPI said, "This work is important in the context of risk management, so it's not surprising that our industry sponsors were keen to support this research." RPI is a science-business partnership based at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, supporting researchers in academia and providing independent insights for decision makers in the insurance industry. The study also does not directly examine the potential for damage caused by the storms. Hurricane damage in a season is correlated with the overall number of hurricanes, but there is variation within those hurricanes as to the extent of that damagean issue that Dr. Lavender and her colleagues plan on looking into in an upcoming study. Explore further US forecasts even fewer hurricanes in Atlantic for 2018 More information: S.L. Lavender el al., "Estimation of the maximum annual number of North Atlantic tropical cyclones using climate models," Science Advances (2018). Journal information: Science Advances S.L. Lavender el al., "Estimation of the maximum annual number of North Atlantic tropical cyclones using climate models,"(2018). advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/8/eaat6509 Provided by Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences Process Engineer Richard Kasica of NIST's Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology holds a wafer of the type typically produced in the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition chamber at center. Credit: C. Suplee/NIST A new study by scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has uncovered a source of error in an industry-standard calibration method that could lead microchip manufacturers to lose a million dollars or more in a single fabrication run. The problem is expected to become progressively more acute as chipmakers pack ever more features into ever smaller space. The error occurs when measuring very small flows of exotic gas mixtures. Small gas flows occur during chemical vapor deposition (CVD), a process that occurs inside a vacuum chamber when ultra-rarefied gases flow across a silicon wafer to deposit a solid film. CVD is widely used to fabricate many kinds of high-performance microchips containing as many as several billion transistors. CVD builds up complex 3-D structures by depositing successive layers of atoms or molecules; some layers are only a few atoms thick. A complementary process called plasma etching also uses small flows of exotic gases to produce tiny features on the surface of semiconducting materials by removing small amounts of silicon. The exact amount of gas injected into the chamber is critically important to these processes and is regulated by a device called a mass flow controller (MFC). MFCs must be highly accurate to ensure that the deposited layers have the required dimensions. The potential impact is large because chips with incorrect layer depths must be discarded. "Flow inaccuracies cause nonuniformities in critical features in wafers, directly causing yield reduction," said Mohamed Saleem, Chief Technology Officer at Brooks Instrument, a U.S. company that manufactures MFCs among other precision measurement devices. "Factoring in the cost of running cleanrooms, the loss on a batch of wafers scrapped due to flow irregularities can run around $500,000 to $1,000,000. Add to that cost the process tool downtime required for troubleshooting, and it becomes prohibitively expensive." Modern nanofabrication facilities cost several billion dollars each, and it is generally not cost-effective for a company to constantly fine tune CVD and plasma etching. Instead, the facilities rely on accurate gas flows controlled by MFCs. Typically, MFCs are calibrated using the "rate of rise" (RoR) method, which makes a series of pressure and temperature measurements over time as gas fills a collection tank through the MFC. "Concerns about the accuracy of that technique came to our attention recently when a major manufacturer of chip-fabrication equipment found that they were getting inconsistent results for flow rate from their instruments when they were calibrated on different RoR systems," said John Wright of NIST's Fluid Metrology Group, whose members conducted the error analysis. Wright was particularly interested because for many years he had seen that RoR readings didn't agree with results obtained with NIST's "gold standard" pressure/volume/temperature/time system. He and colleagues developed a mathematical model of the RoR process and conducted detailed experiments. The conclusion: conventional RoR flow measurements can have significant errors because of erroneous temperature values. "The gas is heated by flow work as it is compressed in the collection tank, but that is not easily accounted for: it is difficult to measure the temperature of nearly stationary gas." Wright and colleagues found that without corrections for these temperature errors, RoR readings can be off by as much as 1 percent, and perhaps considerably more. That might not seem like a lot, but low uncertainty is critical to attaining uniformity and quality in the chip manufacturing process. And the challenge is growing. Current low-end flow rates in the semiconductor industry are in the range of one standard cubic centimeter (1 sccm)about the volume of a sugar cubeper minute, but they will soon shrink by a factor of 10 to 0.1 sccm. A gas flowing into a tank of water at precisely 0.1 standard cubic centimeters per minute. At that rate, it would take seven days to fill a 1-liter bottle to a pressure of 1 atmosphere. Credit: Jennifer Lauren Lee/NIST Precise flow measurement is a particularly serious concern for manufacturing processes that use etching of deposited layers to form trench-like features. In that case, the MFC is often open for no more than a few seconds. "A tiny amount of variation in the flow rate has a profound effect on the etch rate and critical dimensions of the structures" in very large-scale integrated circuits, said Iqbal Shareef of Lam Research, a company headquartered in California that provides precision fabrication equipment to microchip manufacturers. "So, we are extremely concerned about flow rates being accurate and consistent from chamber to chamber and wafer to wafer," Shareef said. "Our industry is already headed toward very small flow rates." "We are talking about wafer uniformity today on the nanometer and even subnanometer scale," Shareef said. That's very small. But it's what the complexity of three-dimensional chip manufacturing increasingly demands. Not so long ago, "a 3-D integrated circuit used to have four layers of metals," said William White, Director of Advanced Technology at HORIBA Instruments Incorporated, a global firm that provides analytical and measurement systems. "Now companies are regularly going to 32 layers and sometimes to 64. Just this year I heard about 128." And some of those chips have as many as 3,000 process steps. "Each 300 mm wafer can cost up to $400, and contains 281 dies for a die size of 250 to 300 mm2," Brooks' Saleem said. "Each die in today's high-end integrated circuits consists of about three to four billion transistors. Each wafer goes through 1 or 2 months of processing that includes multiple runs of separate individual processes," including chemical vapor deposition, etch, lithography and ion implantation. All those processes use expensive chemicals and gases. Many companies are already re-examining their practices in light of the NIST publication, which provides needed theoretical explanations for the source of RoR flow measurement errors. The theory guides designers of RoR collection tanks and demonstrates easy-to-apply correction methods. RoR theory shows that different temperature errors will occur for the different gases used in CVD processes. The NIST publication also provides a model uncertainty analysis that others can use to know what level of agreement to expect between MFCs calibrated on different RoR systems. "NIST serves as a reliable reference for knowledge and measurement where industry can assess agreement between their systems," Wright said. "As manufacturers' measurement needs push to ever lower flows, so will NIST calibration standards." Explore further NIST seeks calibration methodologies for determining the accuracy of micro-flows This story is republished courtesy of NIST. Read the original story here. In this Feb. 27, 2018, file photo Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith, left, leaves the Supreme Court in Washington. Microsoft stands virtually alone among tech companies with its aggressive approach that uses U.S. courts to fight computer fraud and seize hacked websites back from malicious perpetrators. "What we're seeing in the last couple of months appears to be an uptick in activity," said Smith.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) Intentionally or not, Microsoft has emerged as a kind of internet cop by devoting considerable resources to thwarting Russian hackers. The company's announcement Tuesday that it had identified and forced the removal of fake internet domains mimicking conservative U.S. political institutions triggered alarm on Capitol Hill and led Russian officials to accuse the company of participating in an anti-Russian "witch hunt." Microsoft stands virtually alone among tech companies with an aggressive approach that uses U.S. courts to fight computer fraud and seize hacked websites back. In the process, it has acted more like a government detective than a global software giant. In the case this week, the company did not just accidentally stumble onto a couple of harmless spoof websites. It seized the latest beachhead in an ongoing struggle against Russian hackers who meddled in the 2016 presidential election and a broader, decade-long legal fight to protect Microsoft customers from cybercrime. "What we're seeing in the last couple of months appears to be an uptick in activity," Brad Smith, Microsoft's president and chief legal officer, said in an interview this week. Microsoft says it caught these particular sites early and that there's no evidence they were used in hacking. The Redmond, Washington, company sued the hacking group best known as Fancy Bear in August 2016, saying it was breaking into Microsoft accounts and computer networks and stealing highly sensitive information from customers. The group, Microsoft said, would send "spear-phishing" emails that linked to realistic-looking fake websites in hopes targeted victimsincluding political and military figureswould click and betray their credentials. The effort is not just a question of fighting computer fraud but of protecting trademarks and copyright, the company argues. One email introduced as court evidence in 2016 showed a photo of a mushroom cloud and a link to an article about how Russia-U.S. tensions could trigger World War III. Clicking on the link might expose a user's computer to infection, hidden spyware or data theft. An indictment from U.S. special counsel Robert Mueller has tied Fancy Bear to Russia's main intelligence agency, known as the GRU, and to the 2016 email hacking of both the Democratic National Committee and Democrat Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Some security experts were skeptical about the publicity surrounding Microsoft's announcement, worried that it was an overblown reaction to routine surveillance of political organizationspotential cyberespionage honey pots that never rose to the level of an actual hack. The company also used its discovery as an opportunity to announce its new free security service to protect U.S. candidates, campaigns and political organizations ahead of the midterm elections. But Maurice Turner, a senior technologist at the industry-backed Center for Democracy and Technology, said Microsoft is wholly justified in its approach to identifying and publicizing online dangers. "Microsoft is really setting the standards with how public and how detailed they are with reporting out their actions," Turner said. In this May 11, 2017, file photo Alex Kipman, a technical fellow at Microsoft, stands on stage after speaking at the Microsoft Build 2017 developers conference in Seattle. Microsoft stands virtually alone among tech companies with its aggressive approach that uses U.S. courts to fight computer fraud and seize hacked websites back from malicious perpetrators. But in the process, the company is taking on a role that might look more like the job of government than a corporation. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File) Companies including Microsoft, Google and Amazon are uniquely positioned to do this because their infrastructure and customers are affected. Turner said they "are defending their own hardware and their own software and to some extent defending their own customers." Turner said he has not seen anyone in the industry as "out in front and open about" these issues as Microsoft. As industry leaders, Microsoft's Windows operating systems had long been prime targets for viruses when in 2008 the company formed its Digital Crimes Unit, an international team of attorneys, investigators and data scientists. The unit became known earlier in this decade for taking down botnets, collections of compromised computers used as tools for financial crimes and denial-of-service attacks that overwhelm their targets with junk data. Richard Boscovich, a former federal prosecutor and a senior attorney in Microsoft's digital crimes unit, testified to the Senate in 2014 about how Microsoft used civil litigation as a tactic. Boscovich is also involved in the fight against Fancy Bear, which Microsoft calls Strontium, according to court filings. To attack botnets, Microsoft would take its fight to courts, suing on the basis of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and other laws and asking judges for permission to sever the networks' command-and-control structures. "Once the court grants permission and Microsoft severs the connection between a cybercriminal and an infected computer, traffic generated by infected computers is either disabled or routed to domains controlled by Microsoft," Boscovich said in 2014. He said the process of taking over the accounts, known as "sinkholing," enabled Microsoft to collect valuable evidence and intelligence used to assist victims. In the latest action against Fancy Bear, a court order filed Monday allowed Microsoft to seize six new domains, which the company said were either registered or used at some point after April 20. Smith said this week the company is still investigating how the newly discovered domains might have been used. A security firm, Trend Micro, identified some of the same fake domains earlier this year. They mimicked U.S. Senate websites, while using standard Microsoft log-in graphics that made them appear legitimate, said Mark Nunnikhoven, Trend Micro's vice president of cloud research. Microsoft has good reason to take them down, Nunnikhoven said, because they can hurt its brand reputation. But the efforts also fit into a broader tech industry mission to make the internet safer. "If consumers are not comfortable and don't feel safe using digital products," they will be less likely to use them, Nunnikhoven said. Explore further Microsoft uncovers more Russian hacking ahead of midterms 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Property rights during the Colombian Conflict, according to a study led by Princeton University. Credit: Egan Jimenez, Princeton University The five-decades-long Colombian conflict weakened government institutions and left millions displaced. With a new president at the helm, many wonder about the future of the country. A paper published in the American Political Science Review shows how armed groups in Colombiaboth left-wing guerilla forces and right-wing paramilitary groupswere able to shape policy outcomes by influencing local officials who carried out the groups' policy preferences. This blocked the state from developing effective government institutions. The analysis shows strong connections between the presence of illegal armed groups and differences in property rights and taxes. Overall, the higher the level of violence by an armed group in a particular region, the more taxes and property rights are shifted in the direction of the group's preferences and the civilian groups they favor. The researchers urge Colombian policymakers to pay attention to land development and taxation in areas previously occupied by these groups. "Broadly speaking, our findings reveal the drawbacks to fiscal decentralization in areas experiencing ongoing conflict," said study co-author Jacob N. Shapiro, professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. "To restore the state's control over local tax institutions and property rights, the central state may have to limit municipal autonomy." Shapiro conducted the study with Rafael Ch of New York University, Abbey Steele of the University of Amsterdam and Juan F. Vargas of the Universidad del Rosario. They sought to better understand the effects of internal wars on state-building and fiscal capacity by looking at property and tax institutions. Colombia is an ideal case to understand how internal wars facilitate institutional capture for many reasons. Beyond the dynamics of its civil war, Colombia's local governments have quite a bit of control over property and tax institutions. Mayors are in charge of managing and updating the land registry, and city council can decide tax rates, tax collection mechanisms, enforcements and fines. As the civil war in Colombia intensified over time, these municipalities became attractive targets for armed groups to further their interests. "While in theory local autonomy could allow for more efficient tailored policies, in reality they are more prone to capture by private groups with vested interests," Ch said. To understand the power of these rogue armed groups, the researchers combined administrative information on tax revenues and property rights with territorial control and violent activity in Colombia. They then tested these implications across four-time periods with different trends in armed group influence: the period of dramatic FARC growth from 1988 to 1996; the expansion of right-wing paramilitaries from 1997 to 2002; the paramilitary demobilization from 2003 to 2006; and the steady re-establishment of state control from 2007-2010. During each period both paramilitary and guerilla armed forcesparticularly the Revolutionary Armed Forces of ColombiaPeople's Army, known as FARCintervened with land grabbing, property rights and taxes. Right-wing paramilitary groups, founded by large landowners and drug traffickers, frequently colluded with state forces but were independent of them. They purchased tracts of land, displacing peasants. Areas where they dominated violence reported higher tax receipts and more land formalizationmapping out and establishing legal title over more plots of land. Left-wing insurgents skewed toward equitable land distribution, which they acquired through land invasions that peasants and workers occupied. These land grabs were not formalized legally, and private property rights were not secured. These areas reported lower tax receipts. In the paper, the researchers explain that these groups most likely influenced property rights and taxes through intimidation. It is possible that both sides could have helped elect candidates who would carry out their preferred policies. However, the researchers found the relationship between paramilitary or guerilla violence and the election of candidates from former President Alvaro Uribe's right-wing political party coalition to be quite small. And while violence itself could have caused reductions in tax revenues by hurting the economy and property values, that would imply reduced tax receipts regardless of who dominated violence, which was not the case. The paper therefore points to intimidation and similar forms of political influence as the explanation most consistent with the evidence. "In terms of policy, the state should focus on land redistribution and progressive taxation measures in areas where paramilitaries were dominant. In areas where insurgents were dominant, attention to land formalization and tax collection should be prioritized," Shapiro said. The paper, "Endogenous Taxation in Ongoing Internal Conflict," first appeared online Aug. 3 in the American Political Science Review. Explore further Colombia peace deal brings new threat to country's rainforest Credit: Imperial College London Electrically charged volcanic ash short-circuited Earth's atmosphere in 1815, causing global poor weather and Napoleon's defeat, says new research. Historians know that rainy and muddy conditions helped the Allied army defeat the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo. The June 1815 event changed the course of European history. Two months prior, a volcano named Mount Tambora erupted on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa, killing 100,000 people and plunging the Earth into a 'year without a summer' in 1816. Now, Dr. Matthew Genge from Imperial College London has discovered that electrified volcanic ash from eruptions can 'short-circuit' the electrical current of the ionospherethe upper level of the atmosphere that is responsible for cloud formation. The findings, published today in Geology, could confirm the suggested link between the eruption and Napoleon's defeat. Dr. Genge, from Imperial's Department of Earth Science and Engineering, suggests that the Tambora eruption short-circuited the ionosphere, ultimately leading to a pulse of cloud formation. This brought heavy rain across Europe that contributed to Napoleon Bonaparte's defeat. The paper shows that eruptions can hurl ash much higher than previously thought into the atmosphereup to 100 kilometres above ground. Dr. Genge said: "Previously, geologists thought that volcanic ash gets trapped in the lower atmosphere, because volcanic plumes rise buoyantly. My research, however, shows that ash can be shot into the upper atmosphere by electrical forces." Levitating volcanic ash A series of experiments showed that that electrostatic forces could lift ash far higher than by buoyancy alone. Dr. Genge created a model to calculate how far charged volcanic ash could levitate, and found that particles smaller than 0.2 millionths of a metre in diameter could reach the ionosphere during large eruptions. He said: "Volcanic plumes and ash both can have negative electrical charges and thus the plume repels the ash, propelling it high in the atmosphere. The effect works very much like the way two magnets are pushed away from each other if their poles match." The experimental results are consistent with historical records from other eruptions. Weather records are sparse for 1815, so to test his theory, Dr. Genge examined weather records following the 1883 eruption of another Indonesian volcano, Krakatau. The data showed lower average temperatures and reduced rainfall almost immediately after the eruption began, and global rainfall was lower during the eruption than either period before or after. Ionosphere disturbances and rare clouds He also found reports of ionosphere disturbance after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, which could have been caused by charged ash in the ionosphere from the volcano plume. In addition, a special cloud type appeared more frequently than usual following the Krakatau eruption. Noctilucent clouds are rare and luminous, and form in the ionosphere. Dr. Genge suggests these clouds therefore provide evidence for the electrostatic levitation of ash from large volcanic eruptions. Dr. Genge said: "Vigo Hugo in the novel Les Miserables said of the Battle of Waterloo: 'an unseasonably clouded sky sufficed to bring about the collapse of a World.' Now we are a step closer to understanding Tambora's part in the Battle from half a world away." Explore further Health concerns rise along with Hawaii eruptions More information: Matthew J. Genge, Electrostatic levitation of volcanic ash into the ionosphere and its abrupt effect on climate, Geology (2018). Journal information: Geology Matthew J. Genge, Electrostatic levitation of volcanic ash into the ionosphere and its abrupt effect on climate,(2018). DOI: 10.1130/G45092.1 With the NASA Selfies app, you can share selfies in front of gorgeous cosmic landscapes, like the Helix Nebula, imaged by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Each image contains information about the object shown. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech The universe is at your fingertips with two new digital products from NASA. The NASA Selfies app and NASA's Exoplanet Excursions virtual reality app were created to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the launch of NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Spitzer's incredible discoveries and amazing images are at the center of these new products. NASA Selfies app The new NASA Selfies app lets you generate snapshots of yourself in a virtual spacesuit, posing in front of gorgeous cosmic locations, like the Orion Nebula or the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The simple interface means you just snap a photo of yourself, pick your background, and share on social media. The app also provides information about the science behind these stunning images. There are currently 30 eye-catching images to choose from, all taken by Spitzer. More images from the agency's other science and human spaceflight missions will be added in the future. The app is available for iOS and Android. NASA's Exoplanet Excursions VR app In NASA's Exoplanet Excursions virtual reality app, VR users are taken on a guided tour of the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system. TRAPPPIST-1 is the only known exoplanet system to host seven roughly Earth-size planets. Spitzer played a major role in detecting these planets and providing information that has helped scientists learn about the planets' likely compositions. The TRAPPIST-1 system is too far away for telescopes to directly observe these planets, but this VR experience features artists' impressions of what the planets might look like. These impressions are based on data from Spitzer and other telescopes that have studied the TRAPPIST-1 system. Users of the app are navigated around five of the seven planets, surrounded by the blackness of space and the faint lights of distant stars. The VR app will be available for Oculus and Vive through the Spitzer mission website and will soon be available through the Oculus store. A 360-degree video is also be available on the Spitzer Youtube page that allows viewers to explore the virtual TRAPPIST-1 system on their desktop, smartphone or with a smartphone-based 360-viewer like Google Cardboard. Explore further Take a virtual trip to a strange new world with NASA The Ethiopian wolf is the world's rarest canid. Credit: Claudio Sillero Over the past month, a team from Oxford's Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP) has implemented the first oral vaccination campaign to pre-empt outbreaks of rabies among Ethiopian wolves, the world's most endangered canid, in their stronghold in the Bale Mountains of southern Ethiopia. Described as a turning point in the plight to save Ethiopian wolves from extinction, the campaign follows a decade of intensive research, field trials and awareness work led by the University of Oxford's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) and supported by funding from the Born Free Foundation, among others. Working alongside the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, regular oral vaccination campaigns will now expand to all six extant wolf populations to enhance their chances of survival. There are fewer than 500 Ethiopian wolves in the world, all in the wild and highly exposed to infectious diseases transmitted by domestic dogs. WildCRU's Professor Claudio Sillero, EWCP director and founder, said: "Thirty years ago I witnessed an outbreak of rabies which killed the majority of the wolves I had followed closely for my doctoral studies. We have learned much about these wolves and their Afroalpine homes since then. By the time we detect rabies in a wolf population, already many animals are fatally infected and doomed. We now know that pre-emptive vaccination is necessary to save many wolves from a horrible death and to keep small and isolated populations outside the vortex of extinction. I wholeheartedly celebrate the team's achievement." An Ethiopian wolf takes bait containing rabies vaccine. Credit: Oxford Science Blog Long-term programmes and targeted research are the cornerstones of biological conservation, as success often relies on an intimate knowledge of the workings of populations, the behaviour of individuals, and the social, political and economic contexts. With a generous donation from pharmaceutical laboratory Virbac of 3,000 SAG2 oral vaccines, EWCP has launched a vaccination strategy, guided by strong empirical information and predictive modelling and a key component of the National Action Plan for the conservation of the species. Muktar Abute, EWCP's vet team leader, said: "Vaccine contained within a meat bait was distributed at night time to three Ethiopian wolf packs. Our target is to immunise at least 40 percent of all wolves in each population, reaching as many family packs as possible, including the dominant pair on which pack stability largely depends. We recorded good uptake, with 88 percent of 119 baits deployed consumed over two nights. Using camera traps we monitored bait consumption, and we will next measure rabies concentration levels in blood to confirm the effectiveness of the vaccine over a larger sample than that of the trials." Oral vaccination using SAG2 has been successful in controlling, and even eradicating, rabies in wild carnivore populations in Europe. This approach now raises hope for the survival of one of the rarest and most specialised carnivore species, the Ethiopian wolf. Preventive vaccination can improve the status of other threatened wildlife, and the Ethiopian wolf experience may lead other practitioners to embrace it as part of their conservation toolkit, in a world demanding closer control of pathogens shared by wildlife, domestic animals and humans. Explore further First test of oral rabies vaccine brings hope to the world's rarest canid Pointiness pays off for the eggs of cliff-dwelling birds, a new study reveals. Credit: L. Brian Stauffer Natural selectionthat merciless weeder-outer of biological designs that are out of step with the timesalso is a wily shaper of traits. Exhibit A is the pointy murre egg, according to new research published in the Journal of Experimental Biology. Common murres and thick-billed murres tend to nest in tightly packed colonies on craggy seaside cliffs. The ledges on which they lay their eggs can be quite narrow, sometimes "as shallow as the egg is long," the authors of the new study wrote. "Very little is known about how the murre egg shape affects its stability and viability in this setting," said University of Illinois animal biology professor Mark Hauber, who conducted the study with former Hunter College graduate student Ian Hays. Many have theorized that the shape makes the eggs less likely to roll off of cliff ledges, he said. "But earlier studies failed to isolate specific features of the eggssuch as elongation, asymmetry and conicalityto robustly test this hypothesis." To put the theory to the test, Hauber and Hays turned to a 3-D printer that can manufacture fake eggs in a variety of shapes and sizes. By altering individual shape variables and testing them singly or in combination in an "egg-roll" test, the researchers were able to determine which factors were most likely to keep the egg from straying far from its original position. Thick-billed murres, pictured, roost and nest on narrow cliffside ledges and lay extremely pointed eggs. Credit: Michael Jeffords and Susan Post "We found that conicalitythe degree to which the pointed end of the egg mimicked a conesuppressed egg displacement on surfaces inclined more than 2 degrees," Hauber said. At lower inclines, however, conicality only mildly increased egg displacement. Increasing the length of the egg relative to its girth increased its tendency to roll further from its original position, the researchers found. And, as the distance from the fattest part of the egg to the narrow end increased relative to its overall length, so did its tendency to roll. "In general, an egg's conicality was the most reliable predictor of its likelihood of staying put on inclined surfaces," Hauber said. "This finding provides experimental support for natural selection shaping the unique form of murre eggs amongst all bird eggs." A thick-billed murre perches on a narrow ledge, where its eggs are also laid without the protection of a nest. Credit: Michael Jeffords and Susan Post Explore further Russian cuckoo invasion spells trouble for Alaskan birds, study finds More information: "A morphological analysis of avian egg shape in the context of displacement dynamics" Journal of Experimental Biology (2018). Journal information: Journal of Experimental Biology "A morphological analysis of avian egg shape in the context of displacement dynamics"(2018). A new report shows that family housing on some U.S military bases may potentially expose children to high levels of lead. Here, a house pictured on the Armys Ft. Benning housing site. Credit: Columbia University An extensive investigation by the Reuters news agency has found that many children living on U.S. military bases may be exposed to hazardous levels of lead in decaying family housing. The investigation included tests done at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory on samples of water, soil, and paint, from homes on seven bases. As a result of the report, a bipartisan group of four U.S. senators, in part citing the tests, has asked the Army for its own report on the problem, and immediate strategies to address it. Reuters collaborated with Lamont last year in a separate report that cited high levels of lead in the soil of Brooklyn backyards and parks. After that, geochemist Alexander van Geen agreed to supply compact sampling kits for the military investigation. Reuters distributed the kits to selected families on bases in Georgia, Texas, Kentucky and New York. The families or reporters collected the samples and shipped them back to Lamont. Van Geen arranged for samples to be shipped back without return addresses so that he would be blind to their origins. Analyses revealed no problems with water or soil, but the results on paint were alarming. At Georgia's Ft. Benning, exposed paint chips in reach of children in from five homes all held hazardous levels of leadin one case, 58 times the permissible limit. At New York's West Point, chips falling from one family's front door was 19 times the federal safety limit. At Kentucky's Ft. Knox, paint peeling off a covered porch where children played was 100 times the threshold. "The paint results were a big surpriseI didn't think it would be that bad," said van Geen. Through Freedom of Information requests, reporters Joshua Schneyer and Andrea Januta also uncovered documents showing that blood tests on more than 1,100 children on six bases in recent years have shown they carried high levels of lead. In some cases, the Army failed to report the tests to state authorities, as required by law. The report detailed the story of one boy who was apparently poisoned by lead at Ft. Benning at age two; now at eight, he is still suffering developmental problems. Reuters estimated that some 100,000 children under the age of 5 live on military bases nationwide, but there is no way to know the total number who have been exposed to lead or suffered its effects. The report says that the Army and private contractors, who maintain much of the on-base housing, have already started taking action in some places, overhauling medical reporting procedures, and undertaking a lead-abatement program on at least one base. But van Geen was taken aback by the initial reaction at one base. After Ft. Benning's commander heard that hazards had been found there, but before the report's publication, he wrote a letter to residents that "unknown persons" were seeking to test homes, and advised them not to cooperate. "I didn't think the military would respond so callously," said van Geen. Explore further HUD proposes lowering acceptable lead level for children The Qwuloolt restoration project, north of Everett, Washington, as seen in 2016. Credit: Haley Kennard For years, a commonly used tactic for protecting threatened and endangered animals in Puget Sound was to cordon off areas to fishing. More than 100 marine protected areas exist around the Sound to protect shoreline critters and help fish populations such as rockfish recover to healthy numbers. But protecting Puget Sound is not just about recovering certain species of fish. As the region continues to grow, it is also about protecting the livelihoods and diverse cultures of the people who live there, and balancing their needs with the needs of the natural world. A team of University of Washington researchers and their collaborators tackled this quandary in a study spanning years and miles, across Puget Sound's rural towns and urban centers. Through surveys and interviews with residents, tribal members, boaters, and state and federal agency contacts, they found that policies are shifting toward restoration projects that include input from more groups and offer a range of benefits to Puget Sound, including flood control, salmon recovery, recreation and habitat protection. The researchers published their results online in June in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management. They believe this study is the first to document what has been a five- to 10-year policy shift in Puget Sound. Their study provides insights on how future restoration policies can meet the needs of various constituencies in the region. "Understanding how to manage resources in Puget Sound is going to require understanding how different social groups use and interact with these resources going back many thousands of years," said study principal investigator and corresponding author Patrick Christie, a UW professor of marine and environmental affairs and of international studies. Christie, together with UW marine and environmental affairs professor David Fluharty and colleagues, initially focused their study on marine protected areas in Puget Sound. Washington state has a long history of designating areas under different authorities to protect habitats for long-lived rockfish and to create marine reserves for recreational SCUBA diving. A network of marine protected areas across the country also employs this tactic to protect marine ecosystems and endangered species in the ocean. But the designation of new marine protected areas has largely stalled across the Puget Sound region. As the researchers collected information through questionnaires distributed in public places near 12 of Puget Sound's marine protected areas, they realized many local residents, boaters and fishers were unaware of the purposes for restricting fishing access in specific areas. Additionally, tribes co-manage fisheries in Puget Sounda federal treaty right reaffirmed in 1974 through the Boldt Decision. They have voiced an expectation to play a leadership role in the decision and process of setting up marine protected areas in line with their legal rights as resource co-managers, and expect clear scientific justification that protected areas are the best tool to protect Puget Sound salmon and other species. The Qwuloolt project sought to restore the mouth of the Snohomish River -- key salmon habitat -- by breaching dikes that had for years allowed the area to be used as farmland. Credit: Haley Kennard The researchers say marine protected areas likely do play a positive role in some situations in Puget Sound, but that restoration projects that engage more people and reflect multiple interests are likely to take the lead in future years. "In a sense, the advocates for marine protected areas maybe aren't willing to meet the bar that the tribes have clearly articulated," Fluharty said. "The process needs to recognize they are co-managers of the resource, and there has to be very clear scientific justification that marine protected areas are the right tool for the problem." To recover salmon populations in Puget Sound, for example, requires a broader and more complex effort spanning marine and estuarine waters, as well as habitat protections throughout entire watersheds. The second half of their study looks at an example of a restoration project that involved various social groups and produced multiple benefitsa potential model for future restoration in Puget Sound. A similar approach has been used for the Nisqually Delta restoration project along Interstate 5 northeast of Olympia, as well as for the Ebey Slough restoration adjacent to I-5 near Marysville. The Qwuloolt project ("marsh" in Lushootseed, the traditional language of the Tulalip and other Coast Salish local tribes) was a large-scale, Tulalip Tribes-led effort north of Everett, Washington, to restore the mouth of the Snohomish Riverkey salmon habitatby breaching dikes that had for years allowed the area to be used as farmland. The project lasted two decades and cost nearly $20.5 million, and it is largely seen as a success, mainly because of the negotiating and relationship building among a slew of constituencies. From their interviews with Qwuloolt project leadership and technical advisors, the researchers acknowledge that future projects modeled on this example need to cost less and move more quickly, but the basic framework of involving all parties and remembering that diverse social interests and cultures are part of the equation in Puget Sound are key to their success. "Frankly, if we want successful policy, we need to be attentive to types of work that highlight collaborative, inclusive planning processes, and a shift from policies that are government-led and not as inclusive of human dimensions toward others that are more collaborative," Christie said. Explore further NOAA: Puget Sound killer whales to stay protected More information: Patrick Christie et al, Policy pivot in Puget Sound: Lessons learned from marine protected areas and tribally-led estuarine restoration, Ocean & Coastal Management (2018). Patrick Christie et al, Policy pivot in Puget Sound: Lessons learned from marine protected areas and tribally-led estuarine restoration,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2018.05.020 Scientists at Rice's Laboratory for Nanophotonics added iron chelates (blue) and fluorescent dye (red) to multi-layered gold nanomatryoshkas to create particles that can be used for disease therapy and diagnostics. The 'theranostic' nanoparticles have a core of gold (left) that is covered by silica containing the diagnostic iron and dye, which is covered by an outer shell of gold. The particles are about 20 times smaller than a red blood cell, and by varying the thickness of the layers, LANP scientists can tune the nanomatryoshkas to convert light into cancer-killing heat. Credit: Luke Henderson/Rice University Rice University nanoscientists have demonstrated a method for loading iron inside nanoparticles to create MRI contrast agents that outperform gadolinium chelates, the mainstay contrast agent that is facing increased scrutiny due to potential safety concerns. "The possibility of eliminating gadolinium exposure and getting a two-fold improvement in T1 MRI contrast performance is going to intrigue radiologists," said Rice's Naomi Halas, the lead researcher on the project. "When they hear we've done this with iron I expect they will be very surprised." Contrast agents are drugs that improve MRI images and make them easier for radiologists to interpret. Radiologists can "weight" the results of an MRI and make specific tissues appear either brighter or darker by varying the conditions of the test. Two weighting techniquesT1 and T2are used. While iron-based contrast agents are frequently employed for T2 scans, there are few clinically available alternatives to gadolinium for T1 tests. "Iron chelates aren't new," Halas said. "It's widely believed they are wholly impractical for T1 contrast, but this study is a perfect illustration of how differently things can behave when you engineer at the nanoscale." Halas and colleagues from Rice and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center describe their findings in a paper available online in the American Chemical Society journal ACS Nano. In the study, they created a modified version of nanomatryoshkas, concentric layered nanoparticles that draw their name from Russian nesting dolls. Nanomatryoshkas and nanoshells, another layered nanoparticle Halas invented at Rice more than 20 years ago, are about 20 times smaller than a red blood cell and made up of layers of conductive metal and non-conductive silica. By varying the thickness of the layers, Halas' team tunes the particles to interact with specific wavelengths of light. For instance, both nanoshells and nanomatryoshkas can convert otherwise harmless near-infrared light to heat. This localized, intense heating has been used to destroy cancer in several trials of nanoshells, including an ongoing trial for the treatment of prostate cancer. The new study is the latest chapter in Halas' efforts to create light-activated nanoparticles with a combination of therapeutic and diagnostic features. These "theranostic" particles could allow clinicians to diagnose and treat cancer in the same office or hospital visit. Luke Henderson, a Rice graduate student and lead author of the ACS Nano paper, said, "If clinicians could visualize the particles through some sort of imaging, therapy could be faster and more effective. For example, imagine a scenario where a scan is performed to verify the size and placement of the tumor, heat is then generated to treat the tumor and another scan follows to verify that the entire tumor was destroyed." When Henderson, a chemist, joined Halas' Laboratory for Nanophotonics in 2016, Halas' team had already shown it could add fluorescent dyes to nanomatryoshkas to make them visible in diagnostic scans. Work was also underway on a study published in 2017 that showed gadolinium chelates could be embedded in the silica layer for MRI contrast. MRI scanners image the body's interior by briefly aligning the nuclei of hydrogen atoms and measuring how long it takes the nuclei to "relax" to their resting state. Relaxation properties vary by tissue, and by repeatedly aligning nuclei and measuring relaxation times, an MRI scanner builds a detailed image of the body's organs, tissues and structures. Contrast agents improve scan resolution by increasing the relaxation rate of particles. Gadolinium chelates revolutionized MRI testing when they were introduced in the late 1980s and have been used more than 400 million times. Though gadolinium is a toxic metal, the chelating process covers each gadolinium ion with an organic wrap that reduces exposure and allows the drug to pass from the body via urination within a few hours In 2013, Japanese scientists made the surprising discovery that gadolinium from contrast agents had accumulated in the brains of some patients, and subsequent studies found similar deposits in bones and other organs. While no adverse health effects have been associated with gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents, the FDA required drug makers to add warnings to the medication guides for eight widely used gadolinium-based contrast agents in December 2017. "In the earlier work with gadolinium, we noticed that the nanomatryoshka design enhanced the relaxivities of the embedded gadolinium chelates," Henderson said. "At the same time, we were hearing more calls from the medical community for alternatives to gadolinium, and we decided to try iron chelates and see if we got the same sort of enhancement." The results surprised everyone. Not only was Henderson able to boost the relaxivities for iron, he was able to load about four times more iron into each nanomatryoshkas. That allowed the iron-laden nanomatryoshkas to perform twice as well as clinically available gadolinium chelates. Henderson also found a generic way to change the type of metal that was loaded. By adding unloaded chelate molecules to the silica first, he found he could load metal by soaking the particles in a bath of metal salts. By changing the metals in the bath, he found he could easily load different paramagnetic ions, including manganese, into the nanomatryoshkas. After the metal ions were loaded into the silica, the final layer of the nanomatryoshka, the outer gold shell, was added. The shell, which is vital for plasmonics, also serves as barrier to prevent ion leeching. Henderson said the gold barrier also had a secondary benefit for the fluorescent dyes he added for dual-mode diagnostics. "All fluorescent dyes are subject to photo bleaching, which means they fade over time and eventually won't give off a measureable signal," Henderson said. "Even if you freeze them, which slows down bleaching, they typically don't last more than a couple of weeks. I was looking at an old sample of nanomatryoshkas that had been in the fridge for months, and I found they were still fluorescing quite well. When we looked more closely at this we found the dyes were about 23 times more stable when they were inside the nanomatryoshkas." Explore further Nanoparticles developed to improve magnetic resonance scan images More information: Luke Henderson et al, Routes to Potentially Safer T1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast in a Compact Plasmonic Nanoparticle with Enhanced Fluorescence, ACS Nano (2018). Journal information: ACS Nano Luke Henderson et al, Routes to Potentially Safer T1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast in a Compact Plasmonic Nanoparticle with Enhanced Fluorescence,(2018). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b03368 One of 27 forest allotments in the province of Zhejiang in subtropical southeastern China. Credit: UZH To offset CO2 emissions, China is reforesting. If a mixture of tree species instead of monocultures were planted, much more carbon could be stored. An international team including UZH researchers has shown that species-rich forest ecosystems take up more CO 2 from the atmosphere and store more carbon in biomass and soil, making them more effective against climate change. Forest ecosystems are elementary for a climatic balance. Countries such as China have recognized this fact; for years, they have been conducting extensive afforestation programs to compensate their rising CO 2 emissions. As part of the global carbon cycle, forests take up about 45 percent of the carbon from the environment and bind it in the soil and as biomass over long periods of time. At the same time, trees can take up or release carbon in the short term, as well. Until now, however, there has been little research into whether the number of tree species in a forest has an influence on the carbon cycle in the ecosystem. A team of researchers from Switzerland, Germany and China has now collated comprehensive data on 27 forest allotments in the province of Zhejiang in subtropical southeastern China for a period of six years. The researchers, including some from UZHinvestigated the amount of long-term, stored carbon (C stock) and the short-term carbon exchange (C flux). The forest allotments were chosen to represent a richness gradient ranging from three to 20 tree species and an age range from 22 to 116-year-old tree stands. Each additional species contributes 6.4 percent higher carbon stores Previous afforestation efforts in China have already contributed considerably to reducing the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. "However, China has limited its program to monocultures," explains Bernhard Schmid, professor of environmental sciences at the University of Zurich. "We wanted to find out whether a mixture of tree species compensates more carbon than just a single tree species." One of 27 forest allotments in the province of Zhejiang in subtropical southeastern China. Credit: UZH The researchers discovered that species-rich forests have a faster carbon cycle than those with just a few species. With increased species richness, more carbon is stored both above and below ground in trunks, roots, deadwood, mold and soil. Estimations of the team of researchers have shown that 6.4 percent more carbon can be compensated with each additional tree species in an allotment. In addition, older trees accumulate more carbon than younger ones. $300 million a year blown out into the atmosphere "Projected to all of China, additional carbon at a value of $300 million a year could have been absorbed from the atmosphere from 1977 to 2008 if species-rich allotments with 10 tree species had been planted instead of monocultures," says Bernhard Schmid. To reduce the atmospheric CO 2 impact, the researchers therefore suggest planting species-rich tree mixtures in global reforestation programs as much as possible instead of using monocultures. The goals of fighting against global warming and preventing further loss of biodiversity in forests could thus be reached at the same time. Explore further Two-pronged approach to boost forest carbon storage More information: Xiaojuan Liu et al. Tree species richness increases ecosystem carbon storage in subtropical forests, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Xiaojuan Liu et al. Tree species richness increases ecosystem carbon storage in subtropical forests,(2018). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1240 Schematic diagram showing two stages of star formation in the Milky Way galaxy according to Noguchi. In upper illustration, blue (cold) and red (hot) indicate gas. The color map in bottom panel shows distribution of the elemental composition of stars calculated by Noguchi's model with the purple line indicating how the elemental composition of the gas changes over time (Credit: M. Noguchi, courtesy of Nature). Overlaid contours show the distribution of solar neighborhood stars observed by APOGEE, a spectroscopic device attached to the 2.5 m telescope of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation at Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico (Credit: M. Haywood et al. A&A, 589, 66 (2016), reproduced with permission ESO). The Milky Way galaxy has died once before, and we are now in what is considered its second life. Calculations by Masafumi Noguchi (Tohoku University) have revealed previously unknown details about the Milky Way. These were published in the July 26 edition of Nature. Stars in the Milky Way formed in two different epochs through different mechanisms. There was a long dormant period in between, when star formation ceased. Our home galaxy has turned out to have a more dramatic history than was originally thought. In calculating the evolution of the Milky Way over a 10 billion-year period, Noguchi included the concept of "cold flow accretion," a new idea proposed by Avishai Dekel (The Hebrew University) and colleagues. It describes how galaxies collect surrounding gas during their formation. Although the two-stage formation was suggested for much more massive galaxies by Yuval Birnboim (The Hebrew University) and colleagues, Noguchi has been able to confirm that the same picture applies to our own Milky Way. The history of the Milky Way is inscribed in the elemental composition of stars, because stars inherit the composition of the gas from which they are formedin effect, stars "memorize" the element abundance in gas at the time they are formed. There are two groups of stars in the solar neighborhood with different compositions. One group is rich in -elements such as oxygen, magnesium and silicon. The other contains a lot of iron. Recent observations by Misha Haywood (Observatoire de Paris) and colleagues revealed that this phenomenon prevails over a vast region of the Milky Way. The origin of this dichotomy was unclear. Noguchi's model provides an answer to this long-standing riddle. Model prediction for three different regions of the Milky Way (Credit: M. Noguchi, courtesy of Nature). Contours are from observations by APOGEE (Credit: M. Haywood et al. A&A, 589, 66 (2016), reproduced with permission ESO). Noguchi's depiction of the Milky Way's history begins at the point when cold gas streams flowed into the galaxy (cold flow accretion) and stars formed from this gas. During this period, the gas quickly began to accumulate -elements released by explosions of short-lived type II supernovae. These first-generation stars are therefore rich in -elements. When shock waves appeared and heated the gas to high temperatures 7 billion years ago, the gas stopped flowing into the galaxy and stars ceased to form. During this period, retarded explosions of long-lived type Ia supernovae injected iron into the gas and changed its elemental composition. As the gas cooled by emitting radiation, it began flowing back into the galaxy 5 billion years ago (cooling flow) and made the second generation of stars rich in iron, including our sun. According to Benjamin Williams (University of Washington) and colleagues, our neighbor galaxy, Andromeda, also formed stars in two separate epochs. Noguchi's model predicts that massive spiral galaxies like the Milky Way and Andromeda experienced a gap in star formation, whereas smaller galaxies made stars continuously. Noguchi expects that "future observations of nearby galaxies may revolutionize our view about galaxy formation." More information: Masafumi Noguchi, The formation of solar-neighbourhood stars in two generations separated by 5 billion years, Nature (2018). Journal information: Nature Masafumi Noguchi, The formation of solar-neighbourhood stars in two generations separated by 5 billion years,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0329-2 Astronomy student Chris Carr Credit: Case Western Reserve University Last summer, Case Western Reserve University undergraduate student Chris Carr spotted what looked like a "smudge" on deep sky images taken from the university's Burrell Schmidt telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in southwest Arizona. It was so faint he hardly saw it. But he flagged it for Astronomy Professor Chris Mihos, with whom he'd been working the past two weeks, and explored the coordinates further. What they found pointed to the detection of a new galaxy about 37 million lightyears away. "I wasn't quite sure how to feel," Carr, now a rising senior studying physics and astronomy, said of the discovery. "It's not really something you are prepared for, especially this early. "As Professor Mihos, our collaborators and I learned more about this bizarre smudge in our images, the significance of the discovery really began to come into focus, and that's when it sunk in that this was something truly special." Announcing the finding on Twitter, Mihos thanked Carr for his "smudge-spotting eyes." Carr's discovery is part of the Leo I galaxy group, and while its origins remain unclear, the researchers stated it is the "lowest surface brightness object ever detected via integrated light." Their research paper, titled "BST1047+1156: An Extremely Diffuse and Gas-rich Object in the Leo I Group," was recently published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, with Carr as the second author. More information: J. Christopher Mihos et al, BST1047+1156: An Extremely Diffuse and Gas-rich Object in the Leo I Group, The Astrophysical Journal (2018). Journal information: Astrophysical Journal , Astrophysical Journal Letters J. Christopher Mihos et al, BST1047+1156: An Extremely Diffuse and Gas-rich Object in the Leo I Group,(2018). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/aad62e Credit: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne Huge systems of rotating water massescalled gyresform in oceans and large lakes. Two EPFL laboratories, working with the University of California, Davis, are using an underwater glider to explore one such gyre in Lake Geneva and learn more about how it affects the three-dimensional structure of the aquatic ecosystem. In a first for Lake Geneva, researchers are about to gain unprecedented insight into the influence of gyres on lake ecology thanks to an underwater glider on loan from the United States. The yellow two-winged vehicle, which is able to dive down to 1,000 meters below the ocean's surface, will take measurements of Lake Geneva's turbulence for several weeks. Ocean gyres, which are fed by wind and the earth's rotation, are hundreds of kilometers across. Through centripetal force, as an example, they turn plastic wastes in the ocean into huge vortexes of garbage. Gyres occur in Lake Geneva as well, the result of the lake topographic form and the prevailing wind along the lake axis. From June to October, two gyres, each around 10 kilometers in diameter, often form in the widest parts of the lake south-west of Morges and south-east of Lausanne. The researchers decided to study the first one, where there are fewer boats around that could collide with the glider whenever it surfaces. We still have a lot to learn about gyres. Just ask Alexander LeBaron Forrest, professor at the University of California, Davis, and a top expert in this field. He has led several research projects into gyres around the world using autonomous robots. He has also gathered data in Lake Tahoe in California, which is similar to Lake Geneva in a number of ways. "Our goal is to measure turbulence in gyres as accurately as possible, so that we can learn more about how the hydrodynamics affects the lake environment." Credit: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne What does the gyre at the eastern end of Lake Geneva stir up in the middle of the lake and wash onto the lakeshore? What is its impact on the nutrients that it pulls up to the surface or down to the depths? What role does it play in oxygenating the water's surface? How much chlorophyll does it hold? Oscar Sepulveda, from EPFL's Physics of Aquatic Systems Laboratory (APHYS), hopes to identify the gyre's impact on the layer of phytoplankton that forms each summer in the lake's waters: "I'd like to know whether the turbulent mixing caused by the gyre affects the structure and distribution of phytoplankton in the lake." To answer all these questions, it took the expertise of Alcherio Martinoli who heads the Doctoral Program in Robotics, Control and Intelligent Systems (DISAL) but also a battery of sensors integrated into their own robots. These include a miniaturized high-frequency temperature sensor implemented at EPFL's labs by Hydromea, one of the school's startups. "We used to collect data by attaching sensors to a profiler and dropping them straight down into the water from a boat. We learned a lot about turbulence and exchange with the sediment using this technique, but unfortunately only at specific locations. With this advanced glider from UC Davis, we will be able to cover very large areas within the gyre," says Johny Wuest, who heads the APHYS lab and is also a researcher in Aquatic Physics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag). The glider can operate autonomously for several days at a time, surfacing every four hours to transmit some of its data via a satellite connection. Since it is not self-propelled, the glider does not interfere with the measurements it takes. It can descend to a maximum depth of 250 meters in Lake Geneva, moving up and down as it glides by changing its center of gravity and the position of its batteries. This yo-yo path means it can collect data both vertically and laterally throughout its journey of many km length. Explore further Underwater robots help predict how and when ice shelves collapse The Volkswagen logo is seen on the bonnet of vintage Beetle. Mexican farming communities accused VW of "arbitrarily" provoking a drought in Puebla state to protect newly manufactured cars from hail Mexican farming communities accused German auto giant Volkswagen on Tuesday of "arbitrarily" provoking a drought in the central state of Puebla to protect its newly manufactured cars from hail. Volkswagen, which has a major plant in Puebla, has been using "hail cannons"sonic devises that purport to disrupt the formation of hail in the atmosphereto disperse storm clouds menacing the thousands of new cars parked on its lots. But farmers in Cuautlancingo, the rural municipality where the plant is located, say the controversial technique is causing a drought that has made them lose 2,000 hectares (nearly 5,000 acres) of crops. Scientists are skeptical over whether hail cannons actually work. But local farmers say the cannons work so well they have dispersed not only hail storms but all precipitation since Maywhat was supposed to be the start of the rainy season. The farmers are reportedly seeking more than 70 million pesos (nearly $4 million) in compensation from the automaker. Volkswagen tried to defuse the conflict this week by announcing it was taking the cannons off automatic mode and would only fire them when potential hail storms approached. It also pledged to invest in protective mesh to serve as its first line of defense against hail. But that only added to the fury of local farmers and officials who have been protesting against the auto maker. "It is unacceptable that they continue using this device, even in manual mode. They are not respecting their neighbors' request to definitively stop using hail cannons. They are acting arbitrarily," said Rafael Ramirez, the top local environmental official. "The company can take other measures to protect its cars, but people here can't live off anything but their land," he told AFP. "Volkswagen claims to be an environmentally friendly company, but they're not showing it." Gerardo Perez, a leader of the farmers who have been protesting against Volkswagen, said the hail cannons are "affecting the Earth's cycles." When they emit their sonic booms, "the sky literally clears and it simply doesn't rain," he said. It is not the first environmental controversy for the car maker, which is still dealing with the fallout of an emissions cheating scandal that erupted in 2015. Volkswagen Mexico officials did not immediately answer requests for comment. The company has responded in the past that it has all necessary permits from Puebla state officials to operate the devices. Volkswagen launched operations in Mexico in 1965. The Puebla plant is its largest in the world outside Germany. It produces more than 450,000 vehicles a year and operates around the clock, employing some 15,000 people. Explore further EU says VW repairs most cars with cheating devices 2018 AFP Credit: CC0 Public Domain A study led by the University of Liverpool that catalogued all of the links between marine biodiversity and the different ways we rely on the sea found more than 30 ways it supports well-being including providing a source of nutrition, supplying raw materials and supporting recreational activities. A team of researchers explored the different ways that European seas including North East Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea support and link to human wellbeing. It is known that marine biodiversity supports human wellbeing in many ways and that people benefit from links between the flora and fauna of the sea and the 'ecosystem services'. However, such an extensive catalogue of the links between marine ecosystems and human wellbeing has not previously existed. The study found 31 different ecosystem services including providing a source of nutrition through supply of seafood, providing raw materials, for example marine plants used in cosmetics, producing oxygen (the sea is estimated to produce half of the oxygen we breathe), providing natural flood defences and also providing opportunities for recreation, artistic inspiration and enhancement of spiritual wellbeing. Some of these, like seafood, have significant economic value and others enrich our lives in other essential and non-essential ways. Fiona Culhane, lead author of the study and a researcher with the University's School of Environmental Sciences, said: "We rely on the sea in more ways than we often realise. Our study has tried to document all of these ways. "This is important because these ecosystem services rely on the condition of the biodiversity that supplies them. If we don't recognise this and protect biodiversity, we risk losing the benefits we get." A key aspect of the study was the development of meaningful units in which to group marine biodiversity in relation to how they supply ecosystem services. The service providing units (SPUs) developed include combinations of taxa (e.g. seabirds, macroalgae, fish) with all habitats (e.g. littoral rock, oceanic waters) they spend time in. Leonie Robinson, a Senior Lecturer from the University's School of Environmental Sciences who was the principal investigator on this study, said: "The development of meaningful service providing units allows managers to fully appreciate which aspects of biodiversity underpin the sustainable supply of services that humans rely on. "Without making the link between habitats and mobile marine taxa like whales and fish, it is likely that habitats that may seem unconnected or remote are missed when considering conservation. This could lead to a lack of protection of relevant habitats and taxa risking the sustained supply of essential marine ecosystem services." Explore further Protection of our marine life requires more resilience More information: The paper 'Linking marine ecosystems with the services they supply: what are the relevant service providing units?' is published in the journal Ecological Applications and can be found here Journal information: Ecological Applications The paper 'Linking marine ecosystems with the services they supply: what are the relevant service providing units?' is published in the journaland can be found here esajournals.onlinelibrary.wile ull/10.1002/eap.1779 This satellite image released August 13, 2018 shows the smoky landcape of British Columbia province in southwestern Canada Thick smoke blanketed Vancouver on Tuesday, triggering warnings about dangerous particulate matter in the air and comparisons with cities in China and India ranked by the WTO as the worst polluted. It blew in more than a week ago from hundreds of wildfires burning across Canada's westernmost province of British Columbia as well as US states to the south, and according to officials was expected to linger for several more daysmarking the longest air quality alert in the picturesque coastal city's history. "It's very, very hazy outside," Vancouver air quality official Francis Ries told AFP. "We used to see the mountains (on the city's north shore), but now we can't see them at all." Readings of fine particulate matter reached levels that are higher than Beijing and more than twice what is considered safe for health. Exposure to the air pollution is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and persons with diabetes, and lung or heart disease, the government warned. There are currently 563 wildfires burning in British Columbia, which last week declared a province-wide state of emergency and brought in 300 soldiers to help nearly 3,400 firefighters, including from Australia, Mexico and New Zealand, battle the flames. It was only the second time in more than a decade that the emergency measure has been used, after a record fire season last year that blackened vast tracts of forest and prompted record numbers of residents to evacuate. Officials pointed to hot and dry weather fueling the fires across the province. At one point, the smoke stretched eastward more than 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles), briefly blocking the sun above Winnipeg, Manitoba. "We are concerned that this may well be the new normal," commented British Columbia Premier John Horgan while touring his province's north with Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan. Explore further Canada's westernmost province declares wildfires emergency 2018 AFP Researchers at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), as part of a multinational consortium to enhance the sustainability of the food/energy/water (FEW) nexus in urban environments, have received a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a 3-D data modeling tool known as IN-SOURCE. The consortium, which includes NYIT, City University of New York (CUNY), and several partner organizations in Germany and Austria, is one of 15 multinational groups that have been awarded more than $26 million for sustainability projects to be carried out between 2018 and 2021. IN-SOURCE has a total budget of about $1.7 million, funded over three years from various European funding agencies in addition to NSF. The IN-SOURCE European partners include The University of Applied Sciences (HFT) StuttgartCentre for Sustainable Energy Technology (Germany); Landkreis Ludwigsburg, a German district; bw engineers, a German engineering firm; Austrian Institute of TechnologyCenter for Energy; and Alpen-Adria Universitat KlagenfurtInstitute of Social Ecology (Austria). The effects of climate change are stressing urban infrastructure worldwide: eight of the world's 10 largest cities are near a coast, while many metropolitan areas are growing dramatically. Ongoing sea level rise imperils urban infrastructure such as roads, bridges, subways, power plants, wastewater treatment plants, and oil refineries necessary to support efficient flows of food, energy, and water. When IN-SOURCE is successfully completed, government agencies, policymakers, utilities, and other stakeholders in cities worldwide will have a software tool to simulate and visualize the impact of various environmental conditions and stressors on FEW distribution networks and urban infrastructure vulnerable to extreme weather and flooding. NYIT's School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, through its longstanding master's programs in Environmental Technology and Sustainability, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Energy Management, has conducted collaborative sustainability research as well as hosted workshops and conferences on clean energy, water management, the water-energy nexus, the FEW nexus and sustainable megacities, and related topics since 2010. Students and faculty in the master's program in Urban and Regional Design, in NYIT School of Architecture and Design, also play an important role in sustainability research for the world's megacities. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 40 percent of the U.S. population resides in coastal areas, where "nuisance flooding" is increasing. Nuisance (or high tide) flooding occurs not because of a strong storm or hurricane, but because the water level is much higher than when the cities were built. Severe storms are also increasing in both frequency and intensity. Superstorm Sandy (2012) was a wake-up call to the New York City area, and because New York gathers data from many FEW infrastructure types, it is a model megacity for IN-SOURCE. The New York City Mayor's Office of Sustainability, among others, is eager for insights on how to manage limited resources to prevent another Sandy. With government agencies and utility companies spending billions of dollars to prevent power outages and interruptions in the flow of food and water, policymakers ideally will be able to use IN-SOURCE to visualize outcomes before investing taxpayers' or shareholders' money. Better managing infrastructure investments in the near term ultimately may mean fewer people stranded in upper floors of tall buildings, fewer cars stuck waiting in lines at gas stations, and a more reliable supply of water and food. "Global warming is not a scarecrow," said NYIT's principal investigator on the project, Ziqian (Cecilia) Dong, Ph.D., associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. "Damage from flooding has already increased noticeably in many coastal regions, and decision-makers need help gathering and interpreting data to allow meaningful, practical interventions as soon as possible. This project responds to that need." In addition to Dong, NYIT's team includes Jeffrey Raven, FAIA, LEED BD+C, associate professor and director of the master's program in Urban and Regional Design; and Marta Panero, Ph.D., director of strategic partnerships for NYIT School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, and vice president for Strategic Communications and External Affairs Nada M. Anid, Ph.D., who co-authored NSF synthesis reports on FEW workshops in 2014 and 2015. Several undergraduate and graduate students will also contribute to IN-SOURCE. Provided by New York Institute of Technology Iron and steel were mainly exported to the Cambodian market, accounting for 37 percent of the total iron and steel export of the country; and the US (15.6 percent), Malaysia (20.2 percent), Indonesia (19.2 percent). Although iron and steel exports are thriving, the sector is coping with trade defense lawsuits and anti-dumping lawsuits in overseas markets, such as Thailand, the EU, Canada, Malaysia, the US, the Eurasian Economic Union, and India. Particularly, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) has announced the launch of an investigation into the avoidance of paying anti-dumping and anti-subsidy taxes on Vietnams corrosion-resistant steel and cold rolled steel from July 27-August 2. As of June, Vietnam have been facing with 78 anti-dumping lawsuits, including 37 cases related to iron and steel. The Vietnam Steel Association (VSA) has proposed the government to launch policies and solutions to protect domestic steel production. By VAN DIEU Translated by Kim Khanh 1 hour ago US, EU say deal on steel tariffs will help on climate change ROME (AP) President Joe Biden said Sunday a new U.S. and European Union trade agreement would crack down on dirty steel that produces carbon emissions that are blamed for climate change and also patch Read Article Under the document, the Danish Embassy will organise training courses in Vietnam and fund short-term courses in Denmark for VSS staff. It will help the VSS take part in international seminars and expand cooperation in various fields. Deputy Ambassador of Denmark in Vietnam Louise Holmsgaard said health care is one of the top priorities in the two countries development cooperation. She lauded the VSSs achievements in patient information management and health insurance coverage, adding that health insurance is crucial to promoting primary health care. The MoU will be an important stride to help improve the capacity of the VSSs health insurance verification specialists, enhancing the management of the health insurance fund, she noted. VSS Deputy General Director Dao Viet Anh said health insurance has covered about 84.5 million people or more than 87 percent of Vietnams population, and this coverage is almost 100 percent among students. However, there remain challenges such as low insurance premiums and high medical service prices. Therefore, he hoped that the cooperation with the Danish Embassy will help the VSS learn other countries experience in the insurance fund management and insurance verification, address difficulties, develop health insurance sustainably and expand partnerships to other areas. Vietnamnews Prominent among delegates at the event were President Tran Dai Quang, head of the Party Central Committees Commission for Education and Popularisation Vo Van Thuong, National Assemby Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu and many incumbent and former senior officials of the Party, the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent baskets of flowers to the ceremony. President Tran Dai Quang delivered a speech, looking back at the life and revolutionary career of the late President, also known affectionately as Uncle Ton. Born on August 20, 1888 at Ong Ho islet, An Hoa village, now My Hoa Hung commune of Long Xuyen city, An Giang province, Ton Duc Thang joined the patriotic movement against the French colonialists since young age. During the time working abroad, he participated in workers movement in France, the rising of the French Navy in the Black Sea in support of the October Revolution in Russia. Returning to Vietnam in 1920, the late President founded the first workers union in Vietnam and led the worker movement in Sai Gon, with the Ba Son strike being the most typical example of the movements activities. He then joined the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth's Union and was entrusted with several key positions. He was arrested by the French colonialists in 1929 and was imposed 20 years of hard labour in prision. In Con Dao prison, he was among the founders of the first Party cell in prison. With the success of the August Revolution, Ton Duc Thang regained his freedom and immediately joined the resistance war against the French invaders. He was assigned many important missions by the Party, and in any position, Ton Duc Thang fulfilled his duty, setting a bright example of patriotism, firm revolutionary will, loyalty and revolutionary ethics. His great contributions to the Vietnamese revolution, the world peace movement and international friendship had won recognition in the form of many noble order and awards. He was the first person to be conferred with the Sao Vang (Golden Star) Order by the Vietnamese Party and State. He was also awarded with the Lenin Order and the Lenin Prize of the Soviet Union. President Tran Dai Quang delivers a speech at the ceremony (Photo: VNA) President Tran Dai Quang stressed that with nearly 70 years engagement in the Vietnamese revolution, 26 successive years serving as President of the Lien Viet Front and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and more than 10 years holding the Presidency of the nation, Uncle Tons 92-year life and revolutionary career was a bright example of patriotism, devotion to the revolutionary cause, firm will and revolutionary ethics. On behalf of the Party organisation, administration and people of An Giang province, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Vo Thi Anh Xuan said the province is proud of the lands son Ton Duc Thang. In Ho Chi Minh City, a delegation of the city Party Committee, Peoples Council, Peoples Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front offered incense and floral tribute to the late President Ton Duc Thang at the museum dedicated to him on the occasion of his birthday. The museum is holding a display on the childhood of President Ton Duc Thang, with around 100 exhibits showing the situation in An Giang province and the southern region in late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many delegations of local organisations and people also paid tribute to the great leader at the museum. Vietnamplus During the program that runs during August 20-24, the two sides will brief each other on their operations and share expertise in implementing specific tasks and activities, coordinating with other concerned parties in localities, and handling difficult situations. They also talked today about the orientations of cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations between Vietnam and Japan for the time to come. In his opening remarks, Colonel Hoang Kim Phung, Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, said cooperation amongst UN peacekeeping operations is one of the content topics that drew the attention of both defence ministries. The sharing of experience in peacekeeping operations by Japanese sappers would be practical and valuable support for Vietnam, especially at a time when the country is stepping up efforts to deploy a peacekeeping sapper unit to a mission in 2020, Phung added. Joining the UN peacekeeping operations is a dominant policy of the Vietnamese State, Government, and army, which aims to prove Vietnam as a prestigious, active, and responsible member of the international community, contributing to maintaining security, stability, and peace around the world. Nozomu Yamashita, from the Japanese Ministry of Defences Bureau of Defence Policy, spoke highly of the efforts by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence in deploying UN peacekeeping forces, sharing his hope that with their knowledge and capacity, the Vietnamese officers will successfully complete their tasks in UN missions. Japan has sent sappers to UN peacekeeping missions in Cambodia, Golan Heights, Timor-Leste, Haiti, and South Sudan. Vietnamnews Blockchain technology has spawned a new decentralized economy, effectively taking power away from centralized authorities and handing it back to the people. Many blockchain advocates firmly believe that the new technology will accelerate the pace of innovation and lead to greater freedom and transparency in society as well as enhance peer-to-peer transactions. While blockchain tech is mostly associated with the corporate world including numerous crypto startups, distributed ledger technology can be deployed in a wide array of applications even in the public sector. Not surprisingly, governments across the globe are busy investigating and implementing distributed ledger systems for everything from health records and electronic voting to land registrations. For instance, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is currently studying how blockchain technology can be used to combat counterfeiting, a menace that costs the EU 60 billion (53.5 billion) every year. The Swiss city of Zug, considered one of the frontrunners of government adoption of blockchain tech, not only accepts crypto as payment for public services but has also used blockchain to digitize ID registrations and has even completed an e-voting trial. Meanwhile, the Isle of Man has deployed blockchain to safeguard its thriving but vulnerable e-gaming industry. Government Switcheroo All those are remarkable cases of governments embracing a new and relatively novel technology for the benefit of the people. Related: The Changing Demographics Of Higher Education But what is often neglected is the possibility of authoritarian regimes flipping the switch by using blockchain technology to create systems and applications that limit individual liberties for their citizenry. Its hardly a prosaic concept and is considered almost anathema, but blockchain in the wrong hands can wreak untold pain and havoc. Read on: Track citizens financial transactions There is nothing that a malevolent government would love more than to gain control of every facet of its citizens lives, and few ways are more effective than to enforce a cashless society where only a single blockchain-backed sovereign currency is allowed. Such a digital currency would ideally run on a permissioned ledger with only select government agencies granted access. This would give such a state full transparency of all its citizens in real-time. That might sound far-fetched, but some aspects already exist as we speak. Iran is reportedly mulling its own cryptocurrency. Venezuela, on the other hand, has devalued its currency by 95 percent and instead pegged the bolivar to its own cryptocurrencythe petrowhich is tethered to oil prices. The only thing missing is for the petro to be placed on a permissioned ledger and the scenario described above would become reality. Create a blockchain social credit scoring system Digital identities are rightfully cited as a promising use case for developing economies and unstable regions . But used wrongly, it can become a tool to segregate and discriminate against certain demographics. For instance, a dictatorial government could use blockchain to create an immutable social credit scoring system that it uses to rank individuals according to their social values. The scores would then be used to determine who benefits from things like educational and employment benefits or even worse. Related: Police Bust Chinas Largest Bitcoin Hacking Scheme That might sound like a futuristic Minority Report-like case, but again its incarnation is already here with us. China has begun implementing such a social credit scoring system thats will be used within the confines of the Great Wall. Launched in 2014, the system is designed to gauge the trustworthiness of the nations almost 1.4 billion citizens. A few tweaks here and there to implement the system on blockchain and make the data easily shareable with permissioned third parties could escalate it into something far sinister. Store falsified data on public sector blockchain A truly decentralized blockchain network is designed to prevent false data from being stored on the ledger. A heavily centralized one with nodes accessible to a central authority, however, would not only defeat the purpose of blockchain technology but could also be used by totalitarian governments to falsify public sector records to its advantage so long as nobody becomes privy to the behind-the-scenes operations. Though not directly related, this project thats trying to incorporate kill switches into siacoin blockchain to keep it free from corporate interests gives an idea how that might play out. By Alex Kimani for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com Amid the U.S.-China trade war, Taiwans global tour has prompted a diplomatic war with Beijing, with reverberations across continents, and markets. When communist forces defeated Chinas nationalist government in 1950, the nationalists fled the mainland and set up in Taiwan, which has functioned as a self-governed democracy ever since. But as far as Beijing is concerned, Taiwan is definitively part of China and if too many buttons are pushed, it will reunite it by force. In the meantime, the rest of the world has to choose between China and Taiwan in terms of diplomacy. With this in mind, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wens global tour, which made a few stop-offs in the United States and Latin America, has launched one of the most heated diplomatic rows between the rogue province and Beijing in some time. The U.S. visits in particular have Beijing outraged over what it views as a clear indication that Taiwan is shooting for formal independence. But Taiwan survives in a high pressure atmosphere, trying to maintain solid unofficial ties with countries. The Taiwanese president stopped off in Los Angeles, then hit up Paraguay and Belize before re-entering the U.S. to visit Houston. Taiwan would not bow to pressure. Pressure would only make us more determined and united. It would only boost our determination to go abroad, said Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. Related: Is The iPhone X Too Successful? Indeed, in her first stop, Tsai met with Republican and Democratic members of Congress, including Rep. Brad Sherman, a California Democrat who went as far as to call on the U.S. to formally invite the Taiwanese president to Washington in a move that would be decades of careful protocol. And its not lost on Beijing that American relations with Taiwan seem to be warming. Taiwan is already feeling the consequences of its outreach. Tsai's visit to Taiwanese coffee chain 85C in Los Angeles sparked Chinese public outrage and calls for a boycott of the chain in Chinaits largest market. The parent companys share price plunged that same dayThursday, 16 Augustwiping $120 million off its value on Taiwans exchange. Theres been more fallout, too. Earlier this week, El Salvador severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and affirmed ties instead with Beijing, cutting Taiwans list of countries that officially recognize its government down to 17 (nine of those are in Latin America and the Caribbean), the New York Times reported. In the end, it will come down to money. The past several months have seen Beijing step up the heat on Western businesses over Taiwan, most vehemently targeting hotels and airlines for how they portray Taiwan as a separate entity. And given the size of the Chinese market and its importance to these segments, Beijing easily wins this game. So far this year, Gap has been forced to apologize for a T-shirt that shows China without Taiwan; a Japanese retailer (Muji) was fined in China for listing Taiwan as a company on packaging; and the Marriott Hotels website was shut down in China for doing the same. Taiwan isnt just rolling over, though. Last week, it said it was cutting ties with Marriott over the row. By Damir Kaletovic for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com This report was compiled by Lisa Andre. You can reach her at landre@leecentralcoastnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LAndreSYVNews Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Regular Press Conference on August 22, 2018 2018/08/22 Q: The US State Department said that the US is deeply disappointed by El Salvador's decision to break its "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan in favor of China and is reviewing its relationship with El Salvador as a result. It accuses China of unilaterally altering the status quo and urges China to abstain from coercion that would jeopardize the people of Taiwan. The US Ambassador to El Salvador said that this will impact the relationship between the US and the Salvadoran government. The American Institute in Taiwan said that China's efforts to unilaterally alter the status quo are harmful and do not contribute to regional stability. There are also US senators calling for cancellation of US aid to El Salvador. What is your comment? A: An independent sovereign state has the right to determine its own foreign relations. This is true for both China and El Salvador. We two countries established diplomatic ties on the basis of the one-China principle. This corresponds with the trend of the times and the development of the international situation. It conforms with international law and basic norms governing international relations, serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, and will not affect our respective relations with other countries. The Salvadoran government made the same right choice as the UN and other 177 countries. Others are in no position to interfere in it or even try to deter it. The US established its diplomatic ties with China almost 40 years ago. But now, it is threatening another sovereign country not to recognize the one-China principle and develop normal relations with China while allowing Tsai Ing-wen to stop over and attend activities in the US. The Chinese people are firmly opposed to these unreasonable actions. We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques, view the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and El Salvador in an objective way, cautiously and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, and make sure that no wrong signal is sent out to the Taiwan independent forces so as to avoid damaging China-US cooperation and cross-strait peace and stability. Q: According to reports, on August 19, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced a three-month ceasefire with the Taliban starting from August 20 which is conditional on Taliban's participation. This ceasefire is meant to celebrate the Eid al-Adha. What is your comment? A: The Chinese side commends the Afghan government on proposing another temporary ceasefire with the Taliban. We sincerely hope that Afghanistan can achieve peace and stability at an early date and that all relevant parties in Afghanistan can make concerted efforts to end conflicts and start peace talks as soon as possible. China firmly supports the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. We are willing to continue with our constructive role in this regard. Q: First, foreign media reported that China is stepping up its pressure on Swaziland to switch its ties to the mainland as the FOCAC Beijing Summit draws close. What is your response? Second, reports say that neither China nor the US are optimistic about any progress coming out of this round of trade talks starting from today. China may consider some of the requests raised by the US side, but those concerning national security are out of the question. What is your response? A: Regarding your first question, Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong already gave an answer during this morning's press briefing. I can repeat it for you. The one-China principle is the consensus of the international community. The Chinese government is always ready to forge friendly and cooperative ties with all countries in the world on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the one-China principle. We sincerely wish that the relevant country could make the right decision for itself sooner rather than later, one that conforms with the trend of the times, the development of the international situation and its own interests. We look forward to seeing it pledging to the one-China principle and joining the big family of China-Africa friendship and cooperation at an early date. As for your second question, I took similar ones yesterday. Since China and the US have started to talk to each other, we hope that these talks could lead to a good outcome that is acceptable to both sides and beneficial to the business communities and consumers of the two countries. I want to reiterate that we prefer no disruptive speculations prior to the talks. We hope that China and the US could sit down calmly, talk to each other in earnest, and reach a mutually beneficial outcome. With talks still underway, we don't think that either party feels that now is the right time to disclose relevant details. I believe that you could understand that. Q: According to reports, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently wrote a letter to Imran Khan, the newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister, saying that his country hopes to have constructive and meaningful engagements with Pakistan and is committed to establishing peaceful and good-neighborly relations with Pakistan. In his victory speech, Prime Minister Imran Khan also said that Pakistan is willing to resolve all disputes with India through dialogue, including the Kashmir issue. He added, "If India takes one step forward, we will take one more". What is your comment on the latest developments in Pakistan-India relations? A: We have noted relevant reports. We welcome the positive remarks made by the leaders of India and Pakistan on improving their relations. Both Pakistan and India are important countries in South Asia. The improvement and development of their bilateral ties are very important to regional peace, stability and prosperity. As a neighbor to both Pakistan and India, China sincerely hopes that the two sides could enhance dialogue, increase mutual trust, properly handle and resolve differences, and make joint contributions to regional peace and development. China is willing to play a constructive role in this regard. Q: Since last night EST, we have been hearing a lot of news about the US administration, leaving the impression that the US politics is a mess. Do you think their messy situation will affect China-US trade talks? A: You should know that we never comment on the internal affairs of other countries. As to how the US politics affect China-US trade talks, I want to say that if there is any, we certainly hope that the influence is positive. We do not want to see any disturbance or negative influence. Q: Has China agreed with the Malaysian government's decision to cancel for now the East Coast Rail Link and two gas pipeline projects? A: I responded to this question yesterday. You may check on our website for the transcript of yesterday's press conference. During Prime Minister Mahathir's visit, both sides had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of mutual interest, including economic and trade cooperation. Both sides agreed that strengthening bilateral cooperation on trade and investment is mutually beneficial. Prime Minister Mahathir himself also mentioned that China's development is Malaysia's opportunity and China is now the largest trading partner for Malaysia. As for some problems arising from bilateral cooperation, I also said yesterday that leaders of both sides agreed to continue to properly resolve relevant issues through friendly consultations. Q: According to reports, ROK Defense Minister Song Young-moo said on August 21 that the DPRK and the ROK have agreed to close over ten guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone on a trial basis. This is meant to accumulate mutual trust and may lead to more post reductions. What is your comment? A: We have noted relevant reports. We are happy to see that the DPRK and the ROK are actively implementing the consensus reached by their leaders and the Panmunjom Declaration and some new progress has been achieved. The Chinese side always believes that the two sides continuously promoting reconciliation and cooperation is conducive to cementing their mutual trust, bettering their relations, and continuously improving the situation on the Korean Peninsula. China will continue to work with the international community to support the DPRK and the ROK in improving their relations and create favorable atmosphere to sustain the momentum for dialogue, advance the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and move forward the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue. Q: Regarding the answer you just gave about India and Pakistan, you said China would like to play a constructive role. What do you mean by that? A: I just said that we are very glad to see these positive statements made recently by the Pakistani and Indian leaders on improving bilateral relations. Any thing that will help the two sides improve relations continuously and contribute to regional peace and stability deserves recognition. As long as there is any possibility, China certainly would like to play a positive and constructive role. Q: Are you trying to suggest that China plans to mediate between India and Pakistan? Because early there have been reports that your ambassador to India once suggested that China would like to play some kind of mediation role between India and Pakistan. A: I cannot make a prediction for you at this moment as to when and how China will do something. But it is obvious that playing a constructive role means advancing, consolidating and sustaining positive momentum. You have permission to edit this collection. Edit Close Hundreds of volunteers will pick up trash, plant trees, clean up graffiti and paint one of the citys churches Saturday in honor of the 16th S [SAO PAULO] By using a genetic tool called DNA barcoding, Brazilian researchers could help prevent illegal fishing of threatened shark species and hence help prevent the collapse of some fisheries This is important because sharks are top predators that keep the marine ecosystem in check, helping to sustain the food web that supports millions of people worldwide who rely on seafood sustenance. Although shark fishing is banned in Brazil, the clandestine market continues, driven partly by the high prices shark fins fetch: up to US$1,000 per kilogram on the international market. Fishermen engaged in illegal fishing of sharks usually resort to finning: cutting off the caught sharks fins and throwing the sharks back into the water, where they die in agony. Until now, it has been hard to tell whether the fins come from protected sharks, as they might look quite similar when severed. In a study published in In a study published in Fisheries Research , researchers used DNA barcoding, a genetic tool able to analyses short segments of about 650 base pairs of the mitochondrial genome, for distinguishing different species of sharks. To test the method, Brazilian researchers analysed 85 shark carcasses gathered between 2015 and 2016 from fishing boats and regional fish distribution markets throughout the Sao Paulo coastline. They extracted DNA from these samples and compared it with sequences available in the Barcode of Life Online Database and GenBank, a database of information on DNA sequences and amino acids provided by the US National Center for Biotechnology Information. By doing so, scientists were able to link many of the samples to three protected shark species: Squatina guggenheim, Squatina occulta and Pseudobatos horkelii. All of them are listed as endangered or critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, an inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and subspecies. DNA barcoding revealed the continuous fishing and trafficking of these protected species, thus giving clear evidence that the current conservation models and methods of monitoring are not working, the study concluded. DNA barcoding revealed the continuous fishing and trafficking of these protected species, thus giving clear evidence that the current conservation models and methods of monitoring are not working, the study concluded. The capture, transportation, storage, handling, processing, and trade of these shark species that are already experiencing drastic population declines has been prohibited in Brazil since 2012. The authors propose that this method could be used by local authorities, so fishermen who catch and commercialize endangered species are sanctioned. Sharks are being heavily fished in south-eastern Brazil, despite laws against this practice and denunciations coming from researchers and environmentalists, Bruno Ferrette, a biologist at Sao Paulo State Universitys Bioscience Institute and one of the studys authors, tells SciDev.Net. He says sharks are sensitive to overfishing because they grow slowly, take a long time to mature, and have few offspring a bit like mammals such as humans. He says sharks are sensitive to overfishing because they grow slowly, take a long time to mature, and have few offspring a bit like mammals such as humans. About 100 million sharks are caught and killed by humans annually, around 7 per cent of the total population, which is not naturally sustainable. The decline in sharks has knock-on effects that might negatively affect human wellbeing too. It plays havoc with the ecosystem and the consequences may extend to local people who depend on marine biodiversity for income and as a source of food. By removing a top predator, their prey can burgeon and compromise the food chain all the way down, affecting seafood consumed by people, the study says. Renata Guimaraes Moreira, a biologist at the University of Sao Paulos Bioscience Institute, who was not involved in the new study, says the findings are worrisome, especially because these three species are threatened by extinction. The situation is even worse in developing countries, such as Mozambique and India, where shark meat is commonly sold without proper identification, Guimaraes tells SciDev.Net. She points out that in Brazilian supermarkets all sharks are usually sold as cacao, a popular name for any cartilaginous skeleton fish. You might also like Brazilian team exposes fish fraud Pacific fisheries meet fails to end tuna overfishing Challenges for science communication in Latin America She points out that in Brazilian supermarkets all sharks are usually sold as cacao, a popular name for any cartilaginous skeleton fish.Consumers do not understand that cacao refers to a wide subclass of fishes, regardless of its size or species, she says. This intentional mislabelling compromises the efforts to lessen shark consumption or to promote consumption of non-threatened species. Bianca de Sousa Range, a biologist at the University of Sao Paulos Bioscience Institute, agrees that DNA barcoding could be an accurate and efficient method of identifying shark species. The study published in Fisheries Research has the support of FAPESP, a donor of SciDev.Net. This article has been produced by SciDev.Net's Latin America & Caribbean desk. " " According to a text written on papyrus from around 1400 B.C.E., a woman could determine whether she was pregnant or not by urinating in two different bags one filled with barley and the other with wheat. Michael Pohuski/Getty Images We have a lot more in common with ancient people than we might think. For instance, it was as useful for a woman to know 3,500 years ago whether she was pregnant or not as it is today. And though some may scoff at many of the practices the ancients considered science in ancient Egypt astrology was cutting-edge technology! you've got to hand it to them: Some of their scientific methods have turned out to be pretty accurate. According to some unpublished ancient Egyptian medical texts in the Papyrus Carlsberg Collection at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, what they had in the way of pregnancy tests was grain specifically barley and wheat. Advertisement According to one papyrus text from around 1400 B.C.E., in order for a woman to determine whether she was pregnant or not, all she had to do was urinate in two different bags one filled with barley and the other with wheat. If the grain in either bag sprouted after being peed on, the woman was definitely with child and could start planning accordingly. But wait, there's more! In order to tell the sex of her new child, the woman simply had to wait and see which of the grains sprouted first. If the barley sprouted faster, the baby would be a boy; if the wheat sprouted first, it would be a girl child. According to the National Institute of Health, a study conducted in 1963 found that this method of determining pregnancy is accurate about 70 percent of the time not bad, ancient Egyptians! although it wasn't accurate at all when it came to determining the sex of the baby. Modern pregnancy tests rely on proteins that can detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), but scientists speculate that this old-timey test worked so well because elevated levels of estrogen in a woman's urine might have promoted seed growth. Researchers currently poring over the papyri in the Carlsberg Collection are finding that medical information discovered in ancient Egypt didn't disappear when the Library of Alexandria burned by that time it had made its way all over the African continent and beyond. "Many of the ideas in the medical texts from ancient Egypt appear again in later Greek and Roman texts," Sofie Schidt, Ph.D. student from the University of Copenhagen, told ScienceNordic. "From here, they spread further to the medieval medical texts in the Middle East, and you can find traces all the way up to premodern medicine." The moral of this story is that women have always needed useful reproductive health advice, and if they have to get it from an ancient empire that doesn't even exist anymore, so be it. Now That's Interesting It's estimated that as few as 0.01 percent of Ancient Egyptian medical texts survive. Austria's Foreign Minister Kneissl dances with Russia's President Putin at her wedding in Gamlitz Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl dances with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at her wedding in Gamlitz, Austria, August 18, 2018 in this picture grab taken from video. REUTERS TV via REUTERS By Kirsti Knolle VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria's foreign minister was at the centre of a storm of criticism on Tuesday after making a deep curtsey to Russian leader Vladimir Putin at her wedding, with critics blaming her for a naive gesture that would hurt her country's reputation. The Kremlin leader, while not known to be a particularly close friend of the minister, Karin Kneissl, was the star guest at her wedding in an Austrian village at the weekend. Video coverage showed Kneissl ending a waltz with Putin with a deep curtsey, a gesture that some Austrian media said would hand the Kremlin propaganda to the detriment of Austria for years to come. "Kneissl's kneeling in front of Putin is a disgrace," the daily Der Standard said, adding: "The foreign minister has lost all credibility by the way she handled Vladimir Putin." Kneissl, 53, a polyglot Middle East expert without political affiliation, was appointed to her job by the far-right Freedom Party which has a cooperation agreement with Putin's United Russia Party. Her critics zeroed in on the fact that Austria is currently holding the presidency of the European Union at a time of increasing tensions between the bloc and Russia over a range of issues. Austria did not follow other members of the EU this year in expelling Russian diplomats after Britain accused the Kremlin of involvement in the use of a nerve agent against a former Russian spy and his daughter in England - a charge Moscow denies. For students of etiquette, there was much debate over whether Kneissl had curtseyed or whether she had bowed to the Kremlin leader at the end of their short waltz together. A formal curtsey is a major element of Viennese ballroom etiquette, said Roman Svabek, owner of the dancing school that for the past ten years has organised the famous Vienna Opera Ball. Performing the so-called "compliment" at the end of the dance is intended to express the respect due to the person addressed, Svabek said. Story continues The tradition dates back to the times of the Vienna congress, when international diplomats were sent to the balls in the Austrian Empire's capital to negotiate secret back-room deals, according to Svabek. "It was a mixture of a curtsey and a bow," Svabek told Reuters on Tuesday, commenting on Kneissl's gesture. "The lady typically curtsies, keeping her eyes up. A gentleman bows with his eyes cast down." Whether it was a bow or a curtsey, though, cut little ice with sections of the Austrian media. Enabling Kremlin propaganda "to gleefully spread pictures where the Austrian representative is going down on her knees in front of Putin" was a big mistake that will dog Austria for a long time, commented the daily Kleine Zeitung. "Her (Kneissl's) overly deep curtsey to Vladimir Putin ... has become a political issue," said tabloid Oe24 on Tuesday. "If she (Kneissl) had thought politically, she would not have invited him (Putin) to such a private event," former Czech Foreign Minister and veteran East-West diplomat Karel Schwarzenberg was quoted as saying by Der Standard. "But he immediately thought politically and accepted the invitation, because it allowed him to demonstrate normality." (Reporting by Kirsti Knolle; Editing by Richard Balmforth) FILE PHOTO: Nigerian refugee claimants Abimbola Ogunyemi (L) and Esther Ogunyemi (R) shop for groceries with their four-year-old daughter Nifemi at the Welcome Hall Mission food bank in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, February 13, 2018. REUTERS/Chris Wattie/File Photo By Anna Mehler Paperny TORONTO (Reuters) - A group of Canadian refugee lawyers is taking the government to court over a recent immigration ruling, calling it unfair to Nigerian asylum seekers who have streamed across the border from the United States in large numbers over the past 18 months. The legal challenge from the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers was prompted by the decision to designate as precedent-setting a May ruling by Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) rejecting the asylum claim of a Nigerian woman who fled her homeland to escape the practice of female genital mutilation. A tribunal in the IRB's appeals division ruled that the woman failed to qualify for asylum because she could have sought refuge in the large Nigerian cities of Ibadan or Port Harcourt, away from her rural family home. Last month, in the wake of the appeal division ruling, the IRB said the woman's case should be used as a "jurisprudential guide" or legal precedent in considering all future Nigerian asylum cases. The IRB has made similar decisions in cases involving migrants from China, India and Pakistan. The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers said Nigerians would now likely face a higher bar to gain asylum status than they did in the past. "It's very problematic," Lorne Waldman, an attorney with the association told Reuters. "It enhances the evidentiary burden on claimants from Nigeria in a way that I say is unfair." Canada is struggling to cope with a wave of asylum seekers, with more than 30,000 having illegally walked across the Canada-U.S. border since January 2017, according to government figures. About 10,000 of those who crossed are Nigerian. Their acceptance rate as of June was about 33 percent, below the average of 47 percent for all those who crossed the border illegally, according to data from the IRB. The Association of Refugee Lawyers filed a request for a judicial review of the new guideline in federal court in Toronto last month. If successful, it could seek a court order blocking the new evidentiary requirements for Nigerians, potentially covering Chinese, Indian and Pakistani asylum seekers as well. Story continues An IRB spokeswoman said in an email that the purpose of the Nigeria guideline was to ensure "consistency and efficiency in decision-making" about refugee claims from what she described as a "major source country." It has already cost some claimants their chance at refugee status, according to lawyers. Last week, an IRB tribunal member ruled against granting asylum to a Nigerian man and his family on grounds that there were safe places for them to live in Nigeria, said his lawyer Anne Castagner. The man, who asked to be identified only as Samson out of fear for his family's safety, said he was a prominent property developer in Nigeria when he began to be targeted by what he suspects were rival developers. He and his family were attacked repeatedly, according to his asylum claim. They moved to another city but were pursued by the same people, he said, so they fled to the United States and then on across the border into Canada. There was no safe flight alternative in Nigeria, he said. "I can't imagine having to go back to a country where our lives are not safe ... They should send me back, but not the kids." Castagner is preparing to appeal Samson's case but said she worries about upcoming cases. "I don't think the real refugees should suffer from the fact that we have a lot of Nigerians coming in," she said. (Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Tom Brown) Plastic pollution is a major problem in Samoa and the Pacific region. But just how bad is it? A recent study on fish ingestion with samples from Samoa, New Zealand, Fiji, and Rapa Nui showed that 97 percent of all fish species sampled had micro-plastics. This was 30% higher that the global average. The alarming statistics were revealed by the Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Leota Kosi Leota yesterday when he spoke at the opening of the 2018 Clean Pacific Roundtable in Fiji. This is very concerning for the Pacific where fish is the main source for protein, and where fish consumption is at least approximately 3 or 4 times higher than the global average, Leota said. Samoan officials are among more than 200 people gathering in Fiji to discuss challenges, solutions and actions to address waste challenges across the region. Leading the coordination of the roundtable is S.P.R.E.P., with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (J.I.C.A.) and the European Union (E.U.), and other partners. Leota noted the alarming increase of waste and pollution pressures from human induced activities such as industrial and agricultural run-off, marine debris, oil and chemical pollution, population growth, coastal development and modernization, over-fishing and resource extraction. These pressures have been exacerbated by the challenges of climate change (sea level rise, sea temperature rise, Oceans acidification, extreme storms and droughts. The impact of all these activities threaten our environmental, social and economic resilience, he said. Waste and pollution management is a major issue for many Pacific Island countries often highlighting the current state of poor and inadequate waste management practices for some of our islands in the region. These challenges not only pose a threat for sustainable development at the national level but are also carry negative impacts of a transboundary nature. The issue of plastic pollution which is attracting a lot of global attention at the moment, for example, certainly requires not only a national response but also a combination of regional and global targeted action. Studies for instance show that 40 % of all the marine plastics that end up in the Pacific comes from Asia. Furthermore, a study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation predicted that on current trends, there will be more micro-plastics in the ocean by 2050 than fish. But plastics is not just a waste issue anymore. It is now a food security issue, and it is increasingly becoming a climate issue as well. A study on fish ingestion with samples from NZ, Fiji, Samoa and Rapa Nui showed that 97 % of all fish species sampled had micro-plastics. This was 30% higher that the global average. The problem with Plastics is that they are synthetic and dont biodegrade like natural products. Rather, they break up into smaller and smaller pieces, known as micro-plastics. These linger in the environment for a very long period of time, they accumulate and dont disappear Like climate change, we are at a crisis situation, where we now need to act. Many of our countries in the region have taken steps to create an enabling environment to address the problem of plastics. This includes policies and legislation to ban single use plastics and Styrofoam. Here in Fiji, we note that the Government has decided on a pathway that will ensure that Fiji will be a plastics free nation. A clear testament of this policy was the adoption last August of a levy on all single use plastics and Styrofoam. By Christian Shepherd and Lunga Masuku BEIJING/MBABANE (Reuters) - Taiwan's last diplomatic ally in Africa, the Kingdom of eSwatini, said on Wednesday it had no intention of switching ties to China, after a Chinese diplomat said he expected it to ditch Taipei soon amid a bitter diplomatic dispute. Taiwan, which China claims as a wayward province with no right to state-to-state relations, now has formal ties with only 17 countries, almost all small, less developed nations in Central America and the Pacific, like Belize and Nauru. It lost its latest ally, El Salvador, on Tuesday, the third country to fall to China this year. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has vowed to fight China's "increasingly out of control" behavior after the move. Ahead of a summit next month between China and African leaders in Beijing, China has been upping the pressure on Taiwan's last remaining ally on the continent, eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, to come over to China's side, diplomatic sources say. Briefing reporters in Beijing about the summit, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong said eSwatini did not have relations with China "for reasons that everyone knows". "We look forward to and hope that all African nations, with none left behind, can take part in positive China-Africa cooperation, and become a member of the largest family get together," Chen said. "I believe that this is not just the pursuit of China, it is also a widespread shared expectation of African nations. I believe that this target can, in the not too distant future, be realized," he added, without elaborating. However, eSwatini Foreign Affairs Minister Mgwagwa Gamedze told Reuters from Taiwan, where he is visiting, that his country was not interested in forging relations with China. "They must not play mind games because our relationship with Taiwan is over 50 years so we will not dump them," Mgwagwa said. "We have no desire to change camps since Taiwan has been good to us." The minister said his trip to Taiwan was a sign that the kingdom was staying put with Taiwan and they would not sacrifice their relationship for anything. Taiwan's foreign ministry referred Reuters to a comment from Foreign Minister Joseph Wu on Tuesday, when he said ties with eSwatini were "extremely firm". 'PRESSURE WON'T STOP' Tsai came under opposition criticism on Wednesday amid calls for a more friendly policy toward Beijing. Tsai said China was exerting pressure on the island in an attempt to influence its politics, including local elections in late November. "We have to make mental preparations," Tsai said in a statement. "China's pressure toward Taiwan will not stop ahead of the elections." Taipei has accused Beijing of offering generous aid and loan packages to lure its allies away, charges China denies. The island's biggest opposition party, the China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT), urged a "better alternative" following what it described as "enormous mistakes" in Tsai's policy toward China. "The ruling party has the responsibility to think of a better cross-strait policy ... Relations with China have turned stagnant and are frozen," KMT spokesman Mong-kai Hung told Reuters. China's hostility to Taiwan has grown since Tsai's election as Beijing fears she wishes to push for the island's formal independence, a red line for China. She says she wants to maintain the status quo but will defend Taiwan's democracy. (Additional reporting by Michael Martina BEIJING, and Yimou Lee and Jess Macy Yu in TAIPEI; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry & Simon Cameron-Moore) China and India promise to keep peace on their border after last years Doklam stand-off Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to maintain a peaceful border as the militaries of the two countries continue to work to repair their relationship. Wei, who is also a general in the Peoples Liberation Army, told Modi during a visit to New Delhi that friendly cooperation had become the main component of China and Indias inter-military relations, the Chinese defence ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday. It was the first visit by a Chinese military leader since last years stand-off on the Himalayan border between the two countries. This visit will deepen our bilateral military exchanges and cooperation on security, enhance mutual trust and push forward the new development of our military ties to protect peace on the border, Wei said. Modi praised the thousands of years of friendship between India and China, saying his previous meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping had resulted in good relations. Wei will also meet Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, to further discuss security and stability on the border, the statement said. Between June and August last year, hundreds of Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in a months-long military confrontation in Doklam, an area claimed by both China and Indias ally Bhutan, as India strongly objected to Chinas construction of a road there. It was the most serious confrontation between the two countries since the Sino-India border war in 1962, igniting fears of another military conflict between the worlds two most populous nations. After 73 days and lots of backstage negotiations the two sides agreed to withdraw their soldiers from the front line. But the Chinese army engineers later carried on construction on the Doklam plateau, and in addition to new roads, had built some new infrastructure including sentry posts, trenches and helipads near the site, Sitharaman said earlier this year. Story continues Weis meeting with Sitharaman would focus on managing potential crises in the future, and looking for ways to improve stability on the border, said Sun Shihai, expert on South Asian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. There has been a long-existing deficit of trust between the two militaries, he said. A direct contact between two military leaders could greatly improve the situation on the front line and reduce border-crossings and confrontations, which have been numerous over the years. The distrust has led to Indias concerns over Chinese construction in the Himalayas. The fear is that Chinese troops from this high ground would be able to threaten Indian military positions in the Siliguri corridor, also known as the fragile Chickens Neck of India which connects its northeastern states with the rest of the country. The two countries have been trying to repair ties since last years incident and relations have continued to improve. Modi has been to China three times over the past year, attending summits in Xiamen and Qingdao, as well as unofficially meeting with Xi in Wuhan. They are expected to meet again in Argentina on the Apec sidelines later this year. The top leaders have reached consensus not to have a similar incident hurt ties again, Sun said. So the two defence ministers will probably discuss programmes such as joint exercises, personnel training exchanges, or just friendly get-together events between the border troops. This article China and India promise to keep peace on their border after last years Doklam stand-off first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Facebook said Tuesday it stopped stealth misinformation campaigns from Iran and Russia, shutting down accounts as part of its battle against fake news ahead of elections in the United States and elsewhere. Facebook removed more than 650 pages, groups and accounts identified as "networks of accounts misleading people about what they were doing," according to chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. While the investigation was ongoing, and US law enforcement notified, content from some of the pages was traced back to Iran and from others linked to groups previously linked to Russian intelligence operations, the social network said. "We believe they were parts of two sets of campaigns," Zuckerberg said. The accounts, some of them at Facebook-owned Instagram, were presented as being independent news or civil society groups but were actually working in coordinated efforts, social network firm executives said in a briefing with reporters. Content posted by accounts targeted Facebook users in Britain, Latin America, the Middle East and the US, according to head of cybersecurity policy Nathaniel Gleicher. He said that posts by the involved accounts were still being scrutinized and their goals were unclear at this point. The Facebook investigation was prompted by a tip from cybersecurity firm FireEye regarding a collection of "Liberty Front Press" pages at the social network and other online services. Facebook linked the pages to Iranian state media through publicly available website registration information, computer addresses and information about account administrators, according to Gleicher. Among the accounts was one from "Quest 4 Truth" claiming to be an independent Iranian media organization. It was linked to Press TV, an English-language news network affiliated with Iranian state media, Gleicher said. The first "Liberty Front Press" accounts found were at Facebook were created in 2013 and posted primarily political content focused on the Middle East along with Britain, Latin America and the US. - Russian military tie - Facebook also removed a set of pages and accounts linked to sources the US government previously identified as Russian military services, according to Gleicher. "While these are some of the same bad actors we removed for cybersecurity attacks before the 2016 US election, this more recent activity focused on politics in Syria and Ukraine," Gleicher said. The accounts were associated with Inside Syria Media Center, which the Atlantic Council and other organizations have identified as covertly spreading pro-Russian and pro-Assad content. US Senator Richard Burr, a Republican who chairs the select committee on intelligence, said that the halted campaigns further prove that "the goal of these foreign social media campaigns is to sow discord" and "that Russia is not the only hostile foreign actor developing this capability." Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg is among Silicon Valley executives set to take part in a September 5 Senate hearing about foreign efforts to use social media platforms to influence elections. "We get that 2018 is a very important election year, not just in the US," Zuckerberg responded when asked about the upcoming hearing. "So this is really serious. This is a top priority for the company." In July, Facebook shut down more than 30 fake pages and accounts involved in what appeared to be a "coordinated" attempt to sway public opinion on political issues ahead of November midterm elections, but did not identify the source. It said the "bad actor" accounts on the world's biggest social network and its photo-sharing site Instagram could not be tied to Russia, which used the platform to spread disinformation ahead of the 2016 US presidential election. Taiwan's loss of another diplomatic ally to China is the latest strike in a multi-pronged effort to isolate the island, undermine its claims to sovereignty, and render it invisible on the global stage. As Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to bend to Beijing's demand that she recognise the island as part of "one China", the Chinese government has stepped up its campaign to shrink its status. Major international businesses including airlines and hotels have recently caved to pressure to list Taiwan as part of China on their websites. Taiwan has also been shut out of numerous high-profile global forums at Beijing's request and China has stepped up military drills around the self-ruled island. El Salvador's President Sanchez Ceren said its decision Tuesday to switch ties from Taipei to Beijing was part of the "inevitable trends of our day", while Taiwan accused China of using dollar diplomacy to lure away its supporters. Taiwan, whose official name is Republic of China (ROC), now has only 17 official diplomatic allies, the vast majority of them small economies in the Pacific, Caribbean and Central America. Five have jumped ship since Tsai took power in 2016, with three this year alone. The allies may not punch much weight internationally, but chipping away at them has deep significance for Taiwan as it strives to hold on to any formal recognition of its legitimacy. Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign country and has its own democratic political system, laws and currency. However, Beijing considers it a stray province to be brought back into the fold, by force if necessary, with President Xi Jinping repeatedly underscoring the importance of territorial integrity to China's resurgence. "If the ROC is completely unrecognised I believe Beijing's calculation is that it will be easier to delegitimise the government in Taipei and prime demoralised Taiwanese and international society for unification," said Jonathan Sullivan, Director of China Programs at the University of Nottingham. Wooing El Salvador was also a warning shot to the United States, said Fan Shih-ping, a political analyst at National Taiwan Normal University. The US is Taiwan's most important informal ally and major arms supplier, despite having switched official diplomatic ties to Beijing in 1979. Beijing protested last week when Tsai spoke publicly in Los Angeles -- the first Taiwan president to do so for 15 years -- and has also complained about recent friendly overtures from the Trump administration, including a fresh commitment to support Taiwan militarily. "It's an indirect slap in Trump's face as El Salvador is in the US backyard," said Fan. - David vs Goliath - China's nationalist troops retreated to Taiwan after losing a war on the mainland to communist forces in 1949 and declared the island the seat of power of the defeated Republic of China. For decades, Taipei was recognised as China's official representative but in 1971 the United Nations switched recognition to Beijing. That left Taiwan with no sovereign status internationally and prompted major powers to change diplomatic allegiance. Taiwan has never declared independence from the mainland and is hamstrung by its own constitution, which still defines it as the Republic of China, not as a separate entity. Beijing has said it would take military action if Taiwan ever formally split and the US would also be unlikely to support such a provocative move. President Tsai declared Tuesday that Taiwan would not bow to pressure and slammed China's "increasingly out-of-control international behaviour". But China's growing global clout makes it a David and Goliath fight for recognition. Xi is confident he can use both hard and soft power to pave the way for reunification, said Huang Kwei-bo, vice dean at Taiwan's National Chengchi University's international affairs college. "They now ignore stakeholders in Taiwan and unilaterally decide to do whatever they want. This is quite worrying as it means Beijing doesn't have any willingness to communicate anymore," said Huang. Beijing cut off all official contact with Taipei after Tsai came to power, as her party is traditionally independence-leaning. However, Sullivan noted that if Taiwan loses all recognition from its allies, Beijing may unwittingly fuel calls from independence supporters to push for the island to redefine itself as the Republic of Taiwan. He also believes Taiwan's unofficial ties ultimately outweigh its official ones. "Taiwan's informal relationships, as a major trading economy, with the US, Japan the European Union and pretty much every other country in the world, are much more important to Taiwan's vitality," he said. Hong Kong student whose girlfriend was killed on Taiwan holiday faces theft and money laundering trial A Hong Kong student whose pregnant girlfriend was killed during their holiday to Taiwan in February will stand trial at the citys highest criminal court on charges of theft and money laundering. Prosecutors on Wednesday laid out a raft of charges against Chan Tong-kai, 19, and applied to send his case to the Court of First Instance, where he will be tried by a jury. Hongkonger, 19, killed girlfriend then stuffed her body in a suitcase The teenager faces four counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent the proceeds of an indictable offence, as well as three alternative counts of theft, Kwun Tong Court heard. A murder investigation is ongoing over the death of his girlfriend, Poon Hiu-wing, 20. The property in question included Poons HSBC bank card, a Casio digital camera, an iPhone 6, and NT$20,000 (US$650) and HK$19,200 (US$2,445) in cash. In the alternative to money laundering, Chan was accused of stealing the HK$19,200. The alleged offences were said to have taken place between February 17 and March 13. Chan, who has been on remand for five months since he returned home alone from Taiwan on February 17, was not required to enter a plea on Wednesday. He did not apply for bail. Principal Magistrate Bina Chainrai ordered his case be transferred to Eastern Court for committal to the High Court, of which the Court of First Instance is a part, on September 10. Hong Kong professor 'killed his wife and daughter with poison-filled yoga ball' Dealing with property known or believed to represent the proceeds of an indictable offence is punishable by a HK$5 million fine (US$636,947) and 14 years imprisonment under Hong Kongs Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance. Theft carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail. Poon died while on holiday with Chan in February. Her decomposed body was discovered on March 13 in bushes near Zhuwei MRT station on the outskirts of Taipei. Autopsy results showed she was three months pregnant at the time. Story continues This article Hong Kong student whose girlfriend was killed on Taiwan holiday faces theft and money laundering trial first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. More from South China Morning Post: Iran unveiled its first domestic fighter jet on Tuesday, with President Hassan Rouhani insisting that Tehran's military strength was only designed to deter enemies and create "lasting peace". Images on state television showed Rouhani sitting in the cockpit of the new "Kowsar" fourth-generation fighter at the National Defence Industry exhibition in Tehran. State media said it had "advanced avionics" and multi-purpose radar, and that it was "100-percent indigenously made" for the first time. Footage of the Kowsar's test flights was circulated by various official media. But live footage of the plane taxiing along a runway at the defence show was cut before it could take off. "When I speak of our readiness to defend, it means we seek lasting peace. If we lack readiness, we welcome war," Rouhani said in a televised speech shortly after. "Some think when we increase our military power, this means we seek war. (But) this is peace-seeking because we don't want war to happen," he added. "If we don't have a deterrent... it gives a green light for others to enter this country." The plane was first publicly announced on Saturday by Defence Minister Amir Hatami, who had said it would be unveiled on Wednesday. He gave few details of the project, focusing instead on Iran's efforts to upgrade its missile defences. - 'Fix our weak points' - Hatami said the defence programme was motivated by memories of the missile attacks Iran suffered during its eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s, and by repeated threats from Israel and the United States that "all options are on the table" in dealing with the Islamic republic. "We have learned in the (Iran-Iraq) war that we cannot rely on anyone but ourselves," he said in a televised interview. The US has sold hundreds of billions of dollars of weapons to Iran's regional rivals, but has demanded that Tehran curb its defence programmes, and is in the process of reimposing crippling sanctions in a bid to force its capitulation. Rouhani said Iran must show restraint as well as deterrence, in an apparent swipe at his hardline opponents who seek to provoke the US with aggressive slogans. "With a couple of sentences one can start a fight. With a couple of military moves one can enter confrontation. But then it will be costly," he said. "The skill is to protect the country with minimum cost," he said. That mirrored a line from the defence minister, who said on Saturday: "Our resources are limited and we are committed to establishing security at a minimum cost." Following the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal in May, Iran has avoided an aggressive response and sought to maintain its good will with other international partners who oppose Washington's move. Rouhani said US pressure was also a spur to action. "Why does America impose economic sanctions on us? Why does it impose them on Turkey? Why does it drag China into an economic war? Because it feels each one of them has a weak point. We must fix our weak points." Israel, Iran's arch-foe and whose prime minister on Monday called on European nations to do more to pressure Tehran, mocked the unveiling of the fighter jet. "It is a natural reaction to the economic difficulties," Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman. "They are under pressure because of the American sanctions and react by inventing stories," he told reporters in Israel, adding however: "But it should not be taken lightly." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman for Arab affairs, Ofir Gendleman, went further and tweeted that the aircraft unveiled Tuesday by Iran was an old American model. "The Iranian regime unveils the Kowsar aircraft and pretends that it is '100 percent indigenously made'... but I immediately saw that it is a very old American military plane... of the F-5 type," he wrote. Israel and the United States have been closely aligned on their approach to Iran since Trump took office. Leftist opposition MPs in Chile on Tuesday presented a bill in Congress seeking to legalize abortion in the conservative South American country, weeks after a similar bid in Argentina was narrowly defeated. Abortion in Chile was decriminalized under the previous leftist government in a landmark vote in Congress last year but only in cases of rape or in medical emergencies. Thousands of people marched in Santiago last month demanding legalized, free abortion, in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. "It cannot be that women are taken to jail for having an abortion. We believed in desired motherhood," Maite Orsini, of the leftist Democratic Revolution party, told reporters after presenting the bill. She arrived in Congress sporting the green bandana that became a symbol of the abortion rights campaigners in Argentina. A group of MPs wearing blue bandanas -- an emblem of the anti-abortion lobby -- said they would present a bill "to protect the life of the unborn" in the constitution. "This is a sad day for Chile," said conservative deputy Juan Antonio Coloma, representing the so-called "Front for the Defense of Life." The right-wing government of President Sebastian Pinera said an abortion law is not on its agenda. "It is not part of the agenda, we do not identify it as a situation on which we have to focus, when there are priorities that are of greater importance to the population," said Health Minister Oscar Santelices. Campaigners have been galvanized across Latin America after Argentine lawmakers approved a bill to decriminalize abortion, before the measure was voted down in the Senate earlier this month. Lawmakers will now have to wait a year to resubmit the legislation. The leftist lawmakers lodged the bill in Congress almost exactly a year after legislation championed by former socialist president Michelle Bachelet removed Chile from a small group of countries where abortion is not allowed under any circumstances. According to health ministry data, 359 abortions were carried out under the new law between September 2017 and July 16, 2018. At least 10 ministers have offered their resignations as a leadership crisis in Australian politics deepened Wednesday with another challenge against Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull appearing inevitable. The embattled leader narrowly survived a move to unseat him by his populist Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton on Tuesday with a Liberal party ballot voting 48-35 in his favour. It came to a head after months of poor opinion polls and a revolt by fellow Liberal politicians on Monday against his plans to embed carbon emissions targets in law at a time of soaring power prices. Despite Turnbull's win, it laid bare that dozens of his own MPs do not want him as their leader, and Dutton worked the phones and blitzed the airwaves Wednesday to shore up more support for another widely-expected crack at the top job. Dutton quit his cabinet position after his failed leadership bid, with at least nine other ministers also offering to go, according to a tally by broadcasters ABC and Sky News. They include the health minister and trade minister, both frontbenchers. Turnbull has so far only accepted two resignations -- Dutton and International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells -- and insisted Wednesday the others had since "given me unequivocal assurances of continuing loyalty and support". But buoyed by his support, Dutton, seen as a more hardline conservative that the moderate Turnbull, worked to soften his perceived tough guy image earned as home affairs and immigration minister, in media interviews in which he laid out his policy agenda. The former police officer, who admits he rarely smiles, made no secret of still wanting to run the country. "I'm speaking to colleagues, I'm not going to beat around the bush with that, mate," he told commercial radio station 3AW on again attempting to dump Turnbull. "That's being very honest and upfront with you and that's how I see it." He added that he thinks he could win an election -- due by the middle of next year -- as leader against Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten. "I would never run for the leadership not believing that I could beat Bill Shorten," added the 47-year-old. If he became prime minister, Dutton said he would focus on lowering electricity prices, cutting immigration to ease population pressures and boost water investment to help drought-stricken farmers. - Genie out of the bottle - Some media outlets were tipping another challenge as early as this week, but Dutton supporters signalled it was more likely next month after parliament returns from a break. Turnbull fronted the press alongside Treasurer Scott Morrison and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, a close friend of Dutton's, with both pledging their loyalty. Asked if he expected another leadership challenge this week, Turnbull, who has pleaded for party unity, replied: "No." "The iron laws of arithmetic confirmed my leadership of the Liberal Party," he added. Despite his defiant tone, many believe he won't last much longer. "Now that the genie is out of the bottle, I'm not sure we can put it back," warned Liberal MP Craig Kelly -- a Dutton supporter -- when asked if the prime minister could survive. Complicating matters were reports that at least three National MPs -- who are in a governing coalition with the Liberals -- would no longer guarantee to vote with the government if Dutton seizes power. With the government only having a wafer-thin one-seat parliamentary majority, this could spark an early election. Disquiet with Turnbull's leadership had been building for some time, with the government trailing Labor in 38 consecutive opinion polls, with the latest showing it slipping even further behind. The turmoil is the latest chapter in a turbulent decade for Australian politics, with no leader managing to serve out a full term since John Howard lost the 2007 election. By Alexandra Ulmer and Deisy Buitrago CARACAS (Reuters) - A major earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck Venezuela's eastern coast, home to largely poor fishing communities, on Tuesday afternoon, shaking buildings as far away as Colombian capital Bogota and knocking power out in parts of Trinidad. But the quake's depth - 76.5 miles (123 km) below the surface - appeared to have mitigated the damage. Venezuelan officials said there were no immediate reports of injuries and two sources at state oil company PDVSA told Reuters the OPEC member's refineries and oil fields were operating normally. PDVSA did not immediately comment. Venezuela is not in a good shape to deal with a natural disaster. It is already wrestling with a crippling economic crisis with medicine running short, hospitals barely able to function and some severe shortages of basics such as chicken and milk. The tremor - one of the country's strongest ever - hit at 5.31 p.m. (2131 GMT). Along Venezuela's picturesque palm tree-dotted northern coast, residents said the long quake was terrifying and frightened people into dashing into the streets. "I had gotten into bed to watch the news on TV and my bed started to move as if it was made of water," said Elia Sanchez, a doctor in Cumana, the capital of the eastern state of Sucre that was the closest to the coastal epicentre. "We had to go down nine floors, it felt like it would never end." Rosymer Rodriguez, also in Cumana, said she could not see any significant damage but that people were still fearful. "There are still people in the street. There are people packing bags in case there are aftershocks," said Rodriguez. Damage in Caracas was limited, but the quake did tilt the top five floors of an abandoned 45-story skyscraper known as the 'Tower of David', Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said. The tower, originally intended to be a bank centre but abandoned since 1994 and later occupied by squatters for years, dominates Caracas' skyline. It features in the U.S. television spy drama "Homeland". Pictures after the quake showed the building's top floors, which are unfinished, leaning sideways. Story continues Out east, the governor of Sucre called for calm. "Do not fall victim to psychological terror, messages about a tsunami and all that," said governor Edwin Rojas, who belongs to President Nicolas Maduro's Socialist Party. The Information Ministry did not respond to a request for comment for additional information. ANDES, CARIBBEAN HIT The quake was felt in capital Caracas, neighbouring Colombia and nearby island nations like Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Lucia, to the west and north. In Trinidad and Tobago, there were initial reports of some cracks to buildings, cars damaged when concrete debris fell on them, and loss of electricity. Traffic jams formed on highways in Port of Spain, but there were no immediate reports of casualties there either. Colombia's government said the country was unharmed too, although workers dashed out of high-rise blocks in the mountainous capital Bogota. "It was a moment of panic, we thought the worst," said Jimena Valencia, a 29-year-old administrator in the north of Bogota. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Center cancelled an earlier warning of a possible tsunami along the coast near the epicentre, some 190 kilometres (118 miles) from Cumana. United States Geological Survey geophysicist Jessica Turner said the quake's depth would have dampened some of the shaking. "A 7.3 magnitude quake is going to cause some damage, particularly as in this area, structures are vulnerable. The Earth is able to absorb some of the energy, but a 7.3 quake produces a lot of energy," she said by telephone. (Additional reporting by Vivian Sequera, Brian Ellsworth, Shaylim Castro, Corina Pons and Mayela Armas in Caracas, Sandra Maler in Washington, Helen Murphy in Bogota, Linda Hutchinson-Jafar in Port of Spain, and Marianna Parraga in Mexico City; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Peter Cooney, Rosalba O'Brien and Sandra Maler) 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. Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic attends a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (not pictured) at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany April 13, 2018. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt/Files BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia might reintroduce compulsory military service, nine years after abolishing it, to help improve the combat readiness of its army in the Balkans, where tensions occasionally flare, President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday. The armed forces of Serbia, which emerged as an independent state after the bloody collapse of former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, were fully professionalised in 2011, but remain poorly paid and equipped. Serbia, which is a candidate for European Union membership, has retained voluntary service and reserve units. Vucic said Belgrade was considering reintroducing compulsory military service of between three and six months after 2020. "We are still thinking about that ... It depends on the finances," he told reporters at the air force base of Batajnica, just outside Belgrade. Young people who served would have an advantage when seeking jobs in the public sector, Vucic added, without elaborating. Serbian politicians have repeatedly floated the idea of reintroducing conscription. But many military experts say it would be too costly and that such a short period of service would contribute little to the country's defence capabilities. Under its 2018 budget, Serbia allocated $703 million, or 1.39 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) for its 40,000-strong military, up from $693.8 million in 2017. In recent years Serbia has sought to improve its defence capabilities through a donation of six MIG-29 fighters by Russia, with which it has strong historic and cultural ties, and through the purchase of 10 helicopters manufactured by Airbus. Vucic and Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin have frequently spoken of procuring surplus tanks, attack helicopters and armoured personnel carriers from Russia and more jet fighters from Belarus, but such deals have yet to materialise. In 2006 Serbia, which maintains military neutrality, joined NATO's Partnership for Peace programme and in 2015 it signed the Individual Partnership Action Plan - the highest level of cooperation for countries not aspiring to join the alliance. Although it strives for a balance between Moscow and the West, Serbia in 2017 took part in more than 100 joint activities with NATO or its member states, including 13 training drills, seven bilateral activities with the United States and only two with Russia. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Gareth Jones) Suspect arrested over stabbing rampage that leaves six dead and 12 wounded in southern China Police have arrested a 54-year-old man in southern China after six people were killed and 12 others wounded in a rampage on Monday morning, according to police reports. The man, identified only as Huang, had been involved in a dispute with his girlfriend, surnamed Zhao, at her home in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, before allegedly killing her along with three of her relatives, including her mother, Liuzhou police said in an online statement on Tuesday. Huang then drove to Wenchang Bridge in the city centre and allegedly lashed out at the crowd blocking his way, stabbing 14 people, two fatally, the police report said. Two Chinese children die in stabbing after basketball game row The police statement said Huang was arrested at the scene and allegedly admitted killing Zhao and her mother. The wounded were in a stable condition, reports said. Zhaos former husband, identified only as Li, said he and Zhao had a 28-year-old daughter who lived with her mother, China News Service reported. What should not have happened has happened. There is no use ... I am in despair, Li was quoted as saying. I dont even know how to express my despair. My heart is full of tears. Chinese suspect nabbed for stabbing elderly neighbours and their sons to death The autonomous regions blood bank was inundated with donors, with more than 600 members of the public contributing blood to the wounded. Three police branches and two procuratorate offices in the city had been assigned to the case, prosecutors said in an online statement. This article Suspect arrested over stabbing rampage that leaves six dead and 12 wounded in southern China first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Chinas biggest state broadcaster has produced a short, satirical video mocking the US president that opens with the line: Thanks Mr Trump, you are GREAT! The English-language footage, which was uploaded on YouTube on Monday night, takes the form of a letter to Donald Trump that thanks him for all the things he has done for China, and highlights many of the countrys concerns in the ongoing trade dispute. The film by China Global Television Network (CGTN) sarcastically thanks Trump for helping the rest of the world to bond and galvanising China into making economic reforms that helped it lure major foreign investors such as Tesla. It is one of the few occasions that state media has personally targeted the US president since the start of the trade war, with most reports taking a less confrontational tone. The footage, released before Trump was embroiled in the latest controversy concerning the guilty plea of his personal lawyer Michael Cohen and conviction of former campaign chief Paul Manafort, appears designed to promote Chinas cause before the latest round of US tariffs are expected to take place on Thursday. Dear Mr Trump, Thank you for the shock therapy about how far apart China and the US are and why its imperative they get on the same page, the letter, read out by CGTN business anchor Cheng Lei, says. Thank you for re-instilling in the Chinese a sense of HUMILITY. How can there be enough gratitude for highlighting the foibles of overconfidence and self-congratulation, never a virtue except in your case, Cheng, a former reporter for the US CNBC network, continues. The letter covers a number of issues the trade war has brought into focus and explains how China has benefited from the situation. At one point it even argues that Chinas retaliatory tariffs on US food and drink imports will help improve the nations health, saying: On behalf of doctors, thank you for pointing out the need to wean off American goods like bourbon and bacon. Story continues Cheng expressed agreement with Trumps stance that the WTO needs reform, and went on to thank the US government for reports that spelt out Chinas shortcomings that had helped it to make tough reforms that helped bring in new investors, adding: Hello, Tesla. Last month the US electric car maker announced plans to build a new plant in Shanghai, the first in China that will be wholly owned by a foreign company. The video was apparently removed from CGTNs official YouTube and Twitter accounts on Wednesday. The timing of the removal is notable, as it comes hours before Chinese and US representatives are to sit down in Washington to discuss the trade war. Trump ignores legal troubles at rally, says China's market is way down On Tuesday, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a press conference: But you should know that China does not like to issue statements ahead of negotiations. Rather, China hopes that both sides are able to sit down peacefully and earnestly and negotiate good results upon a foundation of equity, equality, and sincerity. CGTN, which is broadcast in more than 100 countries from the US to Kenya, is an offshoot of the state broadcaster CCTV. It was rebranded in 2016 as a news channel designed to cater to a foreign audiences tastes. It is also active on Western social media platforms including Facebook as well as Twitter and YouTube all of which are banned in China. CGTN is part of a growing arm of state media designed to tell China stories as it make a global push to improve its soft power. In June it started recruiting more than 350 journalists ahead for its first European hub, which will open in London later this year. The Chinese state media outlet offered its own take on media ethics in the letter to Trump. Most of all, thank you for discrediting news media at large, so we need to be doubly sure that were not producing fake news. You are GREAT! Cheng said, signing off the letter with her love. Additional reporting by Owen Churchill. This article Thanks Mr Trump: state media mocks US president for helping make China great again first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. More from South China Morning Post: A Macedonian court on Wednesday launched a trial of 33 men, including five opposition MPs and a former interior minister, accused of involvement in a violent attack on parliament last year. Scores were injured in the bloody rioting that erupted on April 27, 2017 after around 100 nationalist demonstrators, including masked men, stormed into the Skopje assembly to protest the vote for a new parliamentary speaker. Several lawmakers were beaten in the melee, including Social Democrats leader Zoran Zaev, who has since become prime minister. Most of the accused have been charged with "terrorist endangerment of the constitutional order and security", while two were indicted for complicity in the crime. The defendants include five MPs from the conservative VMRP-DPMNE party, as well as former interior minister and police chief Mitko Cavkov, among other government and security officials. If found guilty, they could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. "The attack of the parliament on 27th of April wasn't a spontaneous attack of emotions, but an planned attack by the accused," state prosecutor Vilma Ruskovska said on the trial's opening day. She also alleged that one of the defendants had been assigned to assassinate Zaev. The attack on the parliament, which was strongly condemned by the international community, notably the European Union, followed a long-running political crisis in the Balkan country. It came after months of protests by nationalists opposed to a coalition deal between Zaev's Social Democrats and minority ethnic Albanian parties, which they alleged was a threat to national unity. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday announced sanctions on two Russian shipping companies and six vessels it said were involved in the transfer of refined petroleum products to North Korean vessels in violation of United Nations restrictions. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called the sanctions as well as other U.S. steps over alleged hacking, groundless, and promised a response. The U.S. Treasury identified the shipping firms as Vladivostok-based shipping companies Primorye Maritime Logistics Co Ltd (Primorye) and Gudzon Shipping Co LLC (Gudzon). It also named six Russian-flagged vessels: Bella, Bogatyr, Neptun, Partizan, Patriot and Sevastopol. "Ship-to-ship transfers with North Korea-flagged vessels from Russia or elsewhere of any goods being supplied, sold, or transferred to or from (North Korea) are prohibited under the U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea and are sanctionable under U.S. law," U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "Consequences for violating these sanctions will remain in place until we have achieved the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea," Mnuchin added. The United States has been pressuring North Korea via sanctions to give up its nuclear weapons program. The Treasury statement said Russian ship Patriot conducted two ship-to-ship transfers of oil in early 2018 - 1,500 tons to the North Korea-flagged Chong Rim 2 and 2,000 tons to the North Korea-flagged Chon Ma San. It said the buyer was the Taesong Bank, a North Korean entity subordinate to the Workers' Party of Korea Office 39, "which engages in illicit economic activities for North Korean leadership." Taesong Bank has already been slapped with both U.N. and U.S. sanctions. In a statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry website, Ryabkov said the latest sanctions were introduced under a "false pretense." Tuesday's announcement came just days after Washington imposed sanctions on a Russian port service agency as well as Chinese companies for aiding North Korean ships and selling alcohol and tobacco to Pyongyang in breach of U.S. sanctions. After last week's announcement, Russia said the United States had acted without evidence on the basis of groundless accusations and said it was working on retaliatory measures. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin in MOSCOW; editing by G Crosse) Two American pilots saw on July 24, 1948, a cigar-shaped UFO over southwest Alabama. Why has the air force destroyed the report is a big mystery. On a summer morning at around 2.45 AM, pilots Clarence S. Chiles and co-pilot John B. Whitted flew in their twin-engine propeller plane the Eastern Air Lines DC-3. 5,000 feet high, with 20 passengers on board, the pilots flew from Houston to Atlanta. But the routine flight becomes an unforgettable experience, according to the official story. A furious judge scolded the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Wednesday for publishing confidential but legally obtained information about Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz. Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer said the newspaper flouted her order that portions of a school district report about Cruz should remain shielded from the public. In the future, she declared, she will consider listing exactly what the newspaper can and cannot print. Scherer did not rule on a school district request that the newspaper and two reporters be held in contempt for publishing the information. The issue revolves around a report released Aug. 3 based on Cruzs educational record, revealing what officials knew about him in the years leading up to his Feb. 14 attack on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where he killed 17 people and wounded 17 more. A coalition of 30 media organizations, including the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, the New York Times, the Washington Post, CBS Broadcasting and CNN, came to the Sun Sentinels side in a court brief filed. They called on the judge to deny the School Boards motion to penalize the news organization and two of its reporters, Paula McMahon and Brittany Wallman. After the hearing, Julie Anderson, editor-in-chief of the Sun Sentinel, said: The Sun Sentinel obtained this report lawfully, found its contents to be of great public interest, and did its duty. As the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press noted, The U.S. Supreme Court has consistently held that the press cannot be punished for publishing or broadcasting truthful information of public concern that the press obtained legally. By court order, the district was supposed to black out nearly two-thirds of the report because it disclosed information that Cruz was entitled to keep private under federal and state law. But the method used to post the report on the districts website made it possible for anyone to read the blacked-out portions by copying and pasting them into another file. The Sun Sentinel reporters revealed: -- School officials didnt properly advise Cruz of his legal options when he was faced with removal from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School his junior year, leading him to give up special education services. -- When Cruz failed to file the required written rejection of special education services, school officials nudged him, writing it up for him to sign. -- The district did not follow through on Cruzs subsequent request to return to the therapeutic environment of Cross Creek School for special education students. Sun Sentinel attorney Dana McElroy argued that the newspaper broke no law by publishing information it had obtained legally. Journalism ethics experts said news organizations always face tough decisions about whether to publish information no matter how it is obtained. The media are not obliged to run information just because they received it, nor are they required to refrain from publishing just because a government agency released it in error, said Susan McGregor, assistant director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University. Is it relevant to an important story, and was there significant public interest in having that information out there? she asked. Philip Seib, who has written several books on journalism ethics and teaches at the University of Southern California, agreed with the Sun Sentinels actions. It sounds to me like the people who were in contempt were those in the government agency who allowed it to be disseminated in a way that any school child could have decoded, he said. Some parents of children killed at Stoneman Douglas also sided with the Sun Sentinel. Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow died in the shooting, said the school board was to blame for mishandling the reports release. [Schools Superintendent Robert] Runcie said they did everything right, Pollack said. The things that the Sun Sentinel exposed show how incompetent everyone that worked at that school was. Its great reporting. Whether you report what I like or dont like, its the news. Thats your job. Report the news. Ryan Petty, whose daughter Alaina was one of the victims, said the school board should have rescinded its motion before Wednesdays hearing. It was a waste of time, he said. The school district released a statement repeating the position it took in court Wednesday, but retreatin from its original stance. In its contempt petition, the district asked the judge to initiate contempt proceedings and impose proper sanctions as deemed appropriate. Then Wednesday, the district said it never intended to pursue contempt proceedings and merely wanted to inform the judge that confidential information had been published. Scherer stopped short of saying the publication was illegal, but she accused the newspaper of manipulation to get the information. You all manipulated that document so that it could be unredacted, Scherer said. That is no different than had they given it to you in an old-fashioned format, with black lines, and you found some type of a light that could view redacted portions and had printed that. Its no different. That, too, would have been legal, McElroy replied. She rebutted the judges suggestion that the journalists had agreed not to publish the information. What was conceded was that there are statutes that prevent the release of this information by the government, she said. But once the information was released, McElroy said, the news organization was well within its rights to publish it. Scherer was not swayed. She threatened to restrict what the media can report, a practice known as prior restraint. From now on if I have to specifically write word for word exactly what you are and are not permitted to print and I have to take the papers myself and redact them with a Sharpie then Ill do that, she said. An order like that would be flatly unconstitutional, Chuck Tobin, attorney for the media coalition, told the Sun Sentinel. Courts have ruled consistently that prior restraint of the media is prohibited. The order the court entered did not tell the journalists or the newspaper what they could or couldn't publish," Tobin said. The coalition cited legal precedent holding that a news organization is entitled to publish information it has obtained legally, even if the government agency that released it did so in error. The [U.S.] Supreme Court has repeatedly made it crystal clear that it is the governments burden to safeguard information that does not belong in the public domain, the coalition wrote in the brief filed Tuesday. It is not the medias burden to refrain from publication. When the government fails to fulfill that burden it cannot punish the press for publishing information provided by the government, even if through inadvertent disclosure. Its plenty: Democrats are furious that Mitch McConnell plans to force a vote on Brett Kavanaugh before the full set of documents from his career is available for their review. But, Mark Joseph Stern writes, we know quite enough already about Kavanaughs record. When libertarianism sours: There are parts of the cryptocurrency community that are motivated by anti-Semitism. David Z. Morris explains the places where two complementary philosophies overlap. Say it again: Social media companies dont have politics, in the sense of left and right, Will Oremus writes. What they have is a desire to keep their costs down and their entanglements minimal. One to grow on: Andrew Kahn explains how the rousing sight of one classmates perfect derriere changed everything. For fun: R.I.P., Sharknado. Truly a loss, Rebecca This piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy. President Donald Trumps former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors investigating hush-money payments to women. According to the New York Times report, the deal does not include a requirement that Cohen cooperate with federal authorities in their ongoing bank fraud investigation or with Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian election interference and related crimes. In court, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight federal criminal counts, including two that relate to payments to women in violation of campaign finance law. In an astonishing development, Cohen told the court he engaged in those campaign finance crimes at the direction of the candidate, Donald Trump. Advertisement Why is there no cooperation agreement? There could be lots of reasons. Perhaps Cohen decided he did not want to cooperate. If thats true, Cohen and his team might think he has a good chance of obtaining a presidential pardon if he refuses to cooperate. While that would normally be a Hail Mary legal strategy, President Trump has signaled his willingness to use the pardon power to benefit those he deems loyal political allies. That said, the messaging from Cohens legal team has been pretty antagonistic to President Trump of late. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes as plea bargaining negotiations progress, it becomes apparent the potential cooperating witness does not possess sufficient valuable information. That is a bit harder to believe given that Cohen was at the center of President Trumps international business development and, apparently, hush money operations. Advertisement It is also possible Cohen tried to cooperate but the prosecutors decided he wasnt being truthful. As the prosecution loses confidence in the veracity of the potential cooperating witness, the value of that testimony to the investigation diminishes. Ultimately they might have determined the juice isnt worth the squeeze. Does that mean prosecutors will never find out what Cohen knows? Not necessarily. Even though Cohen apparently has not entered into a cooperation agreement, he might still end up having to cooperate. The Mueller prosecutors could now elect to subpoena him to appear before the grand jury. They would not have taken this step before because Cohen would have just asserted his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. Under Kastigar v. United States, the Fifth Amendment can be overcome if the prosecutors grant the witness use immunity. Advertisement Before Cohens plea deal, prosecutors would not have wanted to grant him use immunity without first addressing Cohens own criminal responsibility. But thats now been done. Presumably the investigation has uncovered all there is to know about Cohens possible exposure on collusion with Russia, so the Mueller prosecutors would feel comfortable giving him immunity for any collusion crimes as well. So, if the Mueller prosecutors subpoena Cohen and he asserts the Fifth Amendment, they could grant him use immunity. Prosecutors do not give up anything under this scenario because the investigation has already uncovered all his criminal wrongdoing. If he refuses even after immunized, then prosecutors would move to compel his testimony. If he still refuses, he will go to jail in contempt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That kind of detention is called coercive contempt because it is designed to force the testimony rather than punish the recalcitrant witness. Cohen would, in effect, have the keys to his own jail cell. He could testify at any time and get out. The contempt jail time would not count against the jail time he might have to serve as a result of his guilty plea. And, of potential relevance in these unprecedented circumstances, a presidential pardon does not operate against coercive contemptit only reaches crimes. (For those keeping score, Sheriff Joe Arpaios conviction was a criminal offense of contempt rather than coercive contempt.) This brings us back to the first question: If Cohen may be forced to testify anyhow, then why not just enter into the cooperation agreement so he could get credit for his testimony? Cohen might have refused because he wanted to remain loyal to Trump, or he may have tried and the prosecutors assessed that his information wasnt worth a cooperation deal. If they thought he did not have valuable information, it is hard to imagine they would bother subpoenaing him to appear before a grand jury. Its also possible, but highly unlikely, that Cohens legal team just failed to game these scenarios out. Over the weekend, President Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani infamously declared that truth isnt truth. Without endorsing that Orwellian formulation, its fair to say that in Cohens case no cooperation deal does not necessarily mean no cooperation. More From Just Security: The Trump Administrations Brazen Duplicity in Its Human Rights Agenda Why I Signed the Former CIA Officials Letter on Clearances: In Defense of Rule of Law President Donald Trumps former attorney and personal fixer Michael Cohen made a blockbuster plea deal in federal court on Tuesday, copping to eight felony counts. Cohen pleaded guilty to five counts of tax evasion, one count of bank fraud, and two campaign finance violations. In legal parlance, thats a whole lotta crimes! Cohen said in court that he broke the law in coordination with and at the direction of a federal candidate for office, and, in the plea document, Cohen is described as working to influence the election at the behest of someone described only as Individual-1. The filing makes clear that Individual-1 is a key player in this criminal case, but it keeps the identity of this character tantalizingly under wraps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, two things are apparent about our mystery man (or woman!): Advertisement 1. Michael Cohen presented himself as Individual-1s personal attorney. 2. In or about January 2017 [Individual-1] had become the President of the United States. Per point one, it was revealed at an April hearing that Cohen had as many as three clients at the time in question: Fox News personality Sean Hannity, billionaire Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy, and President Donald Trump. As anyone who has lost all his familys allotted vacation money in a street game of three-card monte can tell you, 1 in 3 is a nearly impossible ratio to solve, so its best we just move on. Sadly, the language in point two is exceptionally vague. Individual-1 is said to be the President of the United States. The United States of what? It does not specify. For the sake of argument, lets assume this refers to America. There have been literally dozens of presidents, and all of them assumed the office in or about January 2017. George Washington was inaugurated in or about January 2017 (April 30, 1789, to be specific). Barack Obama was sworn in twice in or about the last decade, which certainly makes him a person of interest. We also cant forget Hillary Clinton. She ran for president, and intent constitutes mens rea when determining criminal liability. Advertisement Donald Trump, meanwhile, reportedly became president in or about Jan. 20, 2017. This seemingly implicates him as a potential Individual-1. However, famed truth-arbiter Rudy Giuliani, who is acting as Trumps personal lawyer and Michael Cohens successor, denies this: Rudy responds: "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen. It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time. Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) August 21, 2018 The frustration continues as Individual-1 remains at large. Rand Hoch, a retired judge and equal rights advocate in Palm Beach County, noticed a card on a table he was sitting at during opening presentations at the National LGBT Bar Associations annual conference, Lavender Law. They have the little cards on the table for everybody to make a commitment to make sure that we dont support any of these law firms that are working in conjunction with groups like the Liberty Counsel and the Alliance [Defending Freedom], Hoch said. The nationwide Committ to Inclusion campaign targets the two conservative Christian non-profit organizations who wage legal fights against expanding LGBT rights in court. The campaign involves attorneys pledging never to support them through pro bono services, even if the lawsuit has nothing to do with LGBT rights. This campaign is a call to action to warn attorneys about anti-LGBT legal groups and their dangerous and strategic efforts to chip away at legal protections for LGBT people, said D'Arcy Kemnitz, National LGBT Bar Executive Director. The Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom, according to the LGBT Bar, has more than 40 attorneys logging up to 1 million pro bono hours. Recently the law firm represented Jack Phillips, a Colorado cake baker who refused to make a custom wedding cake for a gay couple celebrating their marriage at Masterpiece Cakeshop, his business. The U.S. Supreme Court held that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had showed hostility toward Phillips based on his religious beliefs so while the ruling was a win for the baker, it left unresolved the broader constitutional questions on religious liberty. We are imploring the legal profession to hold back pro bono resources that would help these groups advance their discriminatory agenda, Kemnitz said in a news release. When you help anti-LGBT legal groups - even on matters not relating to LGBT issues - you hurt LGBT people. Join us today. COMMIT to INCLUSION. Hoch has signed on, as did every person at his table attending the LGBT Bars annual educational conference, where the campaign launched. The existence of legal groups being funded and organized to fight against expanding equal rights for minorities in court cases is not a new phenomenon. Hoch founded the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, fighting for equal treatment and benefits for LGBT residents, in 1988, one year before the Liberty Counsel launched and a few more before the Alliance Defending Freedom started. They started getting politically active because they knew that this was going to have to be fought in the courts, Hoch said. The more people know about these groups, the better its going to be because we never know where its going to happen next, adding that living in South Florida means seeing such legal battles more often because the state is one of several which lacks a statewide law protecting LGBT residents from discrimination. For Hoch, changes in the federal judiciary under the Trump administration have made the LGBT community less certain about several legal issues. Do we have a right to exist? Do we have the right to create laws? Does our Constitution protect us, when we are trying to, specifically discrimination, or trying to protect children from the harms of conversion therapy? These are legal issues that we were very comfortable with the answers as recently as a year ago. But now? With the change in the federal judiciary? Were not sure of anything anymore. Visit https://lgbtbar.org/commit/ for more information. For the first time since the Trump presidency began, President Donald Trump is in some real legal jeopardy, providing potential grounds for his eventual impeachment, if not indictment. Most people watching the investigations involving Trump and his orbit have been focused on whether special counsel Robert Mueller is going to bring charges related to possible illegal coordination between the 2016 Trump presidential campaign and Russian government entities. But Tuesday brought news of a different kind of campaign collusion: between Trump and his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. Cohens guilty plea to campaign finance violations related to hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal brings the president front and center in a conspiracy to violate federal campaign finance laws. Advertisement As I laid out in Slate last week, Cohens payments of hush money would be illegal, excessive campaign contributions if prosecutors could prove that the payments were made to help Trumps campaign, not to help Trump with his personal life. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that prosecutors had uncovered evidence that Cohen rebuffed an approach to pay off Daniels in September 2016, but then pursued the payments in October 2016, after the damaging Access Hollywood tape was released and as the campaign was heated and close. This was strong evidence that the payments were campaign-related. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Cohen pleaded guilty to making these excessive contributions, and to illegally using a corporation to do so. According to a government document, Cohen faces between 51 and 63 months in prison and up to $1 million in fines under the DOJs recommended sentencing guidelines for the campaign finance violations and other assorted charges to which he has pleaded guilty. Court documents indicated that much of this work of keeping the women quiet was done in coordination with people at the parent company of the National Enquirer, whose owner David Pecker is a Trump friend and major supporter. Advertisement But Cohen did more than admit guilt: In open court he indicated that the payments were made in coordination with and at the direction of a candidate for federal office and for the principal purpose of influencing the election. If prosecutors have evidence such as text messages or recordings corroborating Cohens statement implicating Trump, that would be more than enough for Trump to be charged with a crime. It is illegal to conspire with someone to make an excessive illegal contribution, and it is illegal for a candidate or campaign to accept an excessive illegal contribution. The same goes for the illegal corporate contributions. As Cohens attorney Lanny Davis asked: If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, why wouldnt they be a crime for Donald Trump? Advertisement Advertisement Of course, Department of Justice guidance says that prosecutors cannot indict a sitting president. This has never been tested by the courts, though. At the same time, President Trump is about to be given a hand-picked Supreme Court justice in Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who has indicated a desire to expand presidential power and a profound skepticism of investigations of the president. Trump lawyer Rudy Giulianis statement that there is no allegation of wrongdoing against the President in the Cohen charges may be technically true, but not enough to help Trump. Court documents indicate that, in making the hush money payments, Cohen coordinated with one or more members of the campaign, including through meetings and phone calls, about the fact, nature, and timing of the payments. And Cohens admission in open court that he made the payments at Trumps behest implicates Trump and not just a member of the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement It is not surprising that the U.S. attorney has not brought charges against Trump, given the aforementioned DOJ policy that sitting presidents not be indicted for crimes. (Whether or not that is a good policy is a question for another day.) But that doesnt mean that the government could not prove the crime if it wanted to. We will not fear prosecuting additional campaign finance cases, Robert S. Khuzami, deputy U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, told reporters after the guilty plea was entered. Advertisement More importantly, assuming Cohens story can be corroborated with documentary evidence, the campaign finance violations could count as impeachable offenses that the House of Representatives could consider in any articles of impeachment against Trump. Advertisement Whether or not Democrats will seek to impeach Trump should they retake the House is a separate political question. If theres no other uncovered criminal activity, are these hush money payments in violation of campaign finance law bad enough to take down a president, particularly if it would be hard to imagine two-thirds of the Senate agreeing to convict on such grounds? These are political questions for a later date. Ultimately, Trump may face no penalty, but make no mistake: If Cohens story is corroborated, Trump has committed a crime, one that does not depend upon proof of Russian collusion or obstruction. Rewarding as it is to see a self-dealing mercenary like Paul Manafortwhose previous clients include Mobutu Sese Seko, Ferdinand Marcos, and Jonas Savimbiface some measure of legal consequences, the guilty plea of Donald Trumps fixer Michael Cohen is, in Trumpworld, the much bigger deal. It should be: Of the various crimes the attorney and onetime Republican National Committee deputy finance chair pleaded guilty to, the most interesting was facilitating payments to two womenKaren McDougal and Stormy Daniels (aka Stephanie Clifford)at the direction of his client, Donald Trump, for the principal purpose of influencing the election. This is an extraordinary allegation from a loud Trump loyalist who has worked for the man since 2007 or thereabouts and built his reputation on silencing women and threatening journalists on his bosss behalfall while denying that spousal rape is possible and singing his bosss praises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several observers have noted just a touch of spurned lover drama in Cohens betrayal. Around April (shortly after the FBI raid on Cohens offices), some noted the White House using language that distanced Cohen from Trumpwhere the president used to refer to him as my attorney, Sarah Huckabee Sanders noted, a little repressively, that I believe theyve still got some ongoing things, but the president has a large number of attorneys. But even back in 2017, an increasingly isolated Michael Cohen was reportedly asking cronies whether theyd heard from the boss. If you can temporarily overlook Cohens thuggish threats to destroy Trumps enemies, this seems, well, sad. In fact, Michael Cohens brand of sleaze is so pitiable that even his plea document casts some doubt on his much-marketed proximity to Trump. Advertisement Cohen loved his reputation as a kind of Ray Donovan (or Tom Hagen) to Trump. It was an impression he cultivated by dressing and acting the part: the plaid jacket, the cigar huddle with his buddies after his office was raided, his admission in court to having a glass of scotch on the eve of his pleaall seeming calculated to produce a consigliere-ish impression that worked better in theory than in practice. The B-movie lingo he used to threaten journalist Tim Mak is nasty but also cringeworthy. When Cohen made people offers they couldnt refuse, they sometimes managed to. That says something about the distance between his aspirations and his actual position, but his effort was unrelenting. Advertisement Advertisement And what did that all get him? The plea deal states that in 2017 COHEN left the Company and began holding himself out as the personal attorney to Individual-1, who at that point had become the President of the United States. From Cohens image-obsessed point of view, it must have been a deflating line. Not only does it deny Cohen the satisfaction of explicitly linking his name to the presidents at this legally climactic juncture, it also implies that Cohens position had become as marginal as hed always feared. Cohen never got a job in an administration whose bar for hiring was already low. The sometime vice president of the Trump Organization, Trumps special counsel, the guy who likes being thought of as the sixth Trump child, speaks of Trump as a father, and tears up talking about him in interviews, is represented as a hanger-on who was holding himself out as Trumps personal attorney. Advertisement Advertisement If weve learned anything, its that liars and cons develop like Polaroids. If this stirs a tiny bit of pity, it should: Trump treated Cohen poorly right up until the end. It wasnt enough that in 2012 Trump showed up late to Cohens sons bar mitzvah and mocked him to his guests. Or that in her new book Omarosa describes Trumps disrespect toward his pit bull in humiliatingly Pavlovian terms: Trump had sussed out that Michael would work ten times harder to earn praise if it were rarely given. It seemed so plausible that Cohen would become the fall guy for a president who considers himself above consequences that in July George Stephanopoulos asked Cohen how hed respond to a legal effort to make him just that. I will not be a punching bag as part of anyones defense strategy, Cohen replied. I am not a villain of this story, and I will not allow others to try to depict me that way. And yet even in that interviewwhich heavily signaled Cohens intention to turn on Trumpyou could discern echoes of his eternal lament (made in interviews and according to friends) that he wasnt quite as included in the family as he hoped to be. He talked a great deal about loyalty. This loyalty was not reciprocated. He was at least clear-eyed enough about his old boss not to expect a pardon. Advertisement Advertisement But Cohens hangdog reputation isnt the whole story. If weve learned anything from this administration, its that liars and cons develop like Polaroids: Time exposes the details they once hid. Thanks to Omarosa, for instance, we know that the Trump machine likes to keep White House alumni quiet by spending campaign funds on hush money of $15,000 a month. Thanks to deputy chairman of the Trump campaign (and liaison to the Republican National Committee) Rick Gates, we know that he and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort committed a broad spectrum of crimes. One thing weve learned about Michael Cohen is that his loud, performative self-abnegationincluding his claim that hed take a bullet for Trumpwas enormously profitable. A top Trump donor was ready to pay Cohen $10 million if he managed to help him secure funding for a nuclear power project. Advertisement Advertisement The product Cohen was selling, as an unregistered lobbyist and personal attorney, wasnt access to Trump but his story about it. I have the best relationship with the president on the outside, and you need to hire me, Mr. Cohen said while shopping his influence around to large corporations. And while some companies (like Ford Motor Co. and Uber) said no, Novartis and AT&T paid Cohen a total of about $1.8 million, which he used Essential Consultantsthe very corporation he set up to pay Stephanie Clifford (aka Stormy Daniels)to process. Selling his influence required trumpeting his proximity. And when Trump started distancing himself from Cohen, the attorney started to act out (meeting with Trump rival Mark Cuban in front of paparazzi, for instance)perhaps out of pique, but also because his livelihood to some extent depended on it. Advertisement Advertisement Cohens sad-sack story of his relationship to the president ought to be understood, then, through a Trumpian lens that sees a relationship as being worth only as much as it nets. In September, Cohen was bragging about turning down a $10 million deal for a tell-all book, saying, Theres no money in the world that could get me to disclose anything about them. By February of the next year, he was shopping around a book proposal. Everyone in Trumpworld acts out of self-interest, but theres value in studying the contours of an administrations lies. Cohen has now admitted that the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels was not made on his own initiative and on his dime without Trumps knowledge, as he claimed back in February. Nor was it done for personal reasons to save the Trump marriage. (Yes, even this excuse was briefly floated by Rudy Giuliani to try to separate the payment from the election.) These stories made no sense, and they were a little degrading to him personally, but Cohen had financial incentives to present himself as the kind of guy whod both serve them up and serve Trump at great personal expense. No matter how embarrassing it sometimes looked, Cohens loyalty to Trump was a (literal) selling point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI raid dealt that hustle a serious blow. But so did the incredibly damaging admission by Rudy Giuliani that Cohen had indeed been reimbursed by Trump. When Trump confirmed it, they effectively neutralized the one bullet Cohen more or less did take for Trump. Cohen had lied for his client; hed kept Trump out of hot water by claiming hed handled the Daniels payment himself for unexplained reasons. After Trump and Giulianis admissions he looked like a liar and, worse, a fool. Imagine Cohens feelings when Team Trump tried to split the atom yet again by claiming that Trump had repaid Cohen but didnt know about the specifics of it. No wonder Cohen released a recording of his discussion of the McDougal payment with Trump! Hes since decided to come clean, as it were: Hence his bombshell statement in court on Tuesday drawing a direct line between the payments, Trump, and the election. Advertisement These people arent that complicated. Cohen was a blunt instrument Trump perhaps failed to appreciate. He did his level best to intimidate journalists alongside with Trumps critics, ex-girlfriends, and enemies, all while costing the U.S. Treasury $1.4 million in unpaid taxes on undeclared income. He tried to intimidate Stormy Daniels, not just threatening to sue but adding that hed be taking a vacation on her dime, and he did all this while monetizing his slightly embarrassing status vis-a-vis the president. Even when he complained about his status it bespoke a certain intimacy. Advertisement Trumps mistake was believing that the professions of loyalty were realthat besides absorbing the routine disrespect Trump doles out to his underlings, Cohen would literally, not figuratively, take a bullet for him. He thought he could delegate everything unseemly up to and including jail time to his long-suffering lawyer. Now hes implicated in a criminal conspiracy, and the man whose silence he took for granted is more than willing to spill. If Cohens case has a lesson for the Trump administration, its this: The corollary to the idea that everyone has a price is that everyone has a limit. Donald Trump has a lot more to worry about than just Robert Mueller. That much has been clear since April, when details began to emerge from public court filings regarding the FBI raid on Trumps personal attorney, Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a number of criminal charges, including some stemming from his work for Trump. That raid wasnt the work of Mueller. Instead, it was carried out by FBI agents acting in coordination with Robert S. Khuzami, a deputy U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York. Mueller had referred the Cohen case to Khuzamis office, but that was as far as his involvement apparently went. As I wrote at the time, the distribution of the investigation to a second office served to potentially inoculate [it] from Trumps attacks against Mueller and potential meddling in the broader Russia investigation. Samuel W. Buell, the former lead Enron prosecutor, told me that would make it much more difficult to kill the investigation with a Saturday Night Massacrestyle firing spree. The network of federal law enforcement professionals with experience and reputations, in different respected offices, involved in these matters makes it much harder to come up with a plausible way to surgically stop this, he said at the time over email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fruits of that April raid emerged in Tuesdays eight-count guilty plea by Cohen on tax fraud, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations. The confession on those final counts directly implicated President Trump. Its worth noting that Muellers name and those of his prosecutors appeared nowhere in any of Cohens plea documents. Given that the president has escalated his smear campaign against the former FBI director and longtime Republican by referring to him as [d]isgraced and discredited Bob Mueller, it seems like a good thing that another office is handling a major part of the probe. Not only does this distribution of labor offer a rebuttal against the unwarranted charge that Muellers investigation is spiraling out of control, it presents more proof that Trumps consistent demonization of his inquisitors is about his own potential wrongdoing, not theirs. Advertisement In his press statement after Cohens guilty plea, Khuzami thanked and individually named the members of the team that worked on this case: Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Griswold, Rachel Maimin, Thomas McKay, and Nicolas Roos, Public Corruption Unit Chief Russell Capone, Deputy Chief Edward B. Diskant, FBI official Bill Sweeney, and IRS investigator James Robnett. For all of these people, I could go on and on about their many virtues and talents, Khuzami said. But the one important thing is they all are satisfied with simply being known as public servants, prosecutors, and law enforcement agents, who are doing their job. That description feels like a direct refutation of Trumps daily assault on the allegedly very bad and conflicted people conducting the witch hunt as part of the deep state. The message Khuzami is sending here is that the people conducting these investigations are ordinary bureaucrats, that they are legion, and that Trumps constant assertions to the contrary are transparent cons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khuzami, for his part, has nothing to do with the Mueller investigation. Like Mueller, Khuzami is a Republican; in 2004, he spoke at the Republican National Convention in support of the Patriot Act and President George W. Bush. He was appointed to his post by U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman, who himself was initially appointed by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was appointed by Trump. Berman is recused from the investigation, which is why Khuzami is in charge. (While its not been reported why Berman has recused, Trump reportedly took the shocking step of personally interviewing him before he was hired for the U.S. attorney post.) Which is all just to say that Khuzamis credentials and reputation should be impossible for a Republican president to quibble with. Advertisement Nevertheless, Khuzami and his colleagues at SDNY will surely draw the ire of Trump and his allies in Congress and the conservative media, as so many of his previous legal adversaries have. But at a certain point, the vast amount of difficulty Trump and his closest associates seem to have with following the law can no longer just be attributed to the machinations of public servants like Mueller, Khuzami, James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Rod Rosenstein, Robert Mueller, John Brennan, James Clapper, Peter Stzrok, and Bruce Ohr. At a certain point, perhaps as soon as this Novembers elections, the American people will want to know the full extent of Trumps potential criminal liability. Cohens lawyer, Lanny Davis, indicated on Tuesday evening that now that his client has admitted his guilt, he is willing to cooperate with any and all such investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, for his part, will continue to issue daily Twitter bombardments about all of those investigations. Trump has to attack the entire Sessions Justice Department now, as he has been, because he knows demonizing Mueller (even if there were a basis for that, which there is none) wont cut it, Buell told me on Tuesday. But as we witnessed this week, even if Trump can insult every investigatorand effectively retaliate against an all too significant number of themhe likely cant stop all of them from getting to the truth. Its the president versus the law, Buell noted. Lord help us if the law cant win that battle. The body of missing Iowa college student, 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts, was found Tuesday, and authorities charged undocumented immigrant Christian Bahena-Rivera with first-degree murder for her death. Tibbetts disappeared from Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18, and the case made national headlines as the days ticked by with no sign of the would-be University of Iowa junior. The search totaled 34 days as federal, state, and local authorities scoured fields and ditches in rural Poweshiek County for any trace of Tibbetts, who was last seen out for a run around 7:30 p.m. She was dog-sitting for her boyfriend, who was out of town at the time. Advertisement Investigators looked closely at Tibbetts social media, particularly Snapchat, where she was communicating with her boyfriend shortly before her death, as well as her Fitbit tracker, to try to narrow the search for a suspect. Before Tuesdays breakthrough, when the 24-year-old Bahena-Rivera led detectives to Tibbetts body, the search had been narrowed to five locations, according to authorities, including a carwash, Tibbetts boyfriends home, a truck stop, and two nearby farms. Investigators said surveillance video helped them identify Bahena-Rivera as one of the last people to see Tibbetts alive. Bahena-Rivera is a native of Mexico and had lived in the area for somewhere between four and seven years, according to Rick Rahn, the special agent in charge at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What exactly happened on the night in question is not totally clear yet, but investigators say Bahena-Rivera followed Tibbetts and abducted her. Before doing so he said he ran along beside her before she took out her phone and threatened to call the police if he didnt leave her alone. According to court documents, the suspect told investigators he put Tibbetts in the trunk of his car, saw blood on the side of her head when he took her out, and later left Tibbetts body in a nearby cornfield, covered with corn stalks. I cant really speak to you about the motive, Rahn said during the press conference. I can just tell you it seems that he followed her and seemed to be drawn to her on that particular day and for whatever reason he chose to abduct her. Advertisement An autopsy scheduled for Wednesday will provide more information on how Tibbetts died, but the case has already ignited fury on right wing media because of Bahena-Riveras immigration status. President Trump has consistently and purposefully tried to paint all undocumented immigrants as criminals, conflating families fleeing poverty and violence with members of the gang MS-13. Its a theme that runs right through the Tibbetts case and the GOP strategy for the upcoming midterm elections, and is a theme that will continue as a point of particular emphasis, particularly on Fox News and other far right news sites. For some indication of how Fox News prioritized the Tibbetts story, on Tuesday evening, perhaps the busiest and most consequential news day of 2018, and arguably the Trump presidency so far, the Fox News website was leading with the abduction and murder above the conviction of the presidents former campaign head on multiple counts of fraud and other crimes and above Trumps personal lawyer pleading guilty to federal crimes of his own while implicating the president in those crimes. Advertisement Advertisement During a rally in West Virginia on Tuesday night, Trump mentioned the Tibbetts case, using the framing he has in the past for similar crimes committed by immigrants, as a means to push for a harder line on immigrants of all types. You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in very sadly from Mexico, Trump told the crowd. And you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman. Should have never happened. Illegally in our country. Weve had a huge impact, but the laws are so bad. Slates expanded voting rights coverage is made possible by the support of Slate Plus members and readers like you. The two notices were published in a local paper on Aug. 9, but no one could quite make sense of them. In one, Georgias Randolph County Board of Elections and Registration declared it would hold public meetings on Aug. 16 and 17 to discuss Precinct Consolidation. In the other, the board clarified that it planned to close seven of the nine polling places in the county. It announced a meeting on Aug. 24 to consider this proposal, but failed to specify a date or time. The notice added that the closures shall become effective on Aug. 24indicating that the period of consideration was already over, and the decision to shutter the polls had already been made. Advertisement For decades, Randolph Countya majority-black jurisdiction with a history of racist voter suppressioncould not unilaterally alter its voting rules. It was covered under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, compelling the county to obtain federal permission, or preclearance, before changing its election procedures. In 2013, however, the Supreme Court kneecapped Section 5, effectively abolishing preclearance. The result has been a dramatic escalation of voter suppression across the country, a trend thats vividly illustrated by the direct assault on the franchise in Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From its passage in 1965 to its death in 2013, preclearance was widely considered the crown jewel of the American civil rights movement. The law identified states and counties in which white officials had historically attempted to disenfranchise blacks. (Fifteen states, including most of the South, were covered in whole or in part.) It then required these covered jurisdictions to prove to the Department of Justice that any new elections law did not have the purpose or effect of burdening minority votes. If the attorney general objected to a proposal, the jurisdiction could instead seek approval from a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. A covered jurisdiction could also bypass the attorney general and go directly to federal court to win approval. Advertisement Advertisement Preclearance worked, and it remained critical even after the South abandoned its most overt methods of voter suppression. Between 1982 and 2013, Section 5 stopped more than 1,000 discriminatory voting changes; in 2012 alone, the Department of Justice used it to block 17 laws. But a year later, in Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Courts five conservative justices concluded that preclearance had run its course and struck down the coverage formula that Congress used to select covered jurisdictions. As a result, the federal government lost its authority to stop voter suppression before it happened. Advertisement The states took note. Hours after the Supreme Court handed down its decision, Texas officials announced they would implement a draconian voter ID law that had been blocked under Section 5. Days later, the North Carolina legislature requested data on voting preferences by race. It used the information to create a monster voter suppression law that, in the words of a federal appeals court, seemed to target African Americans with almost surgical precision. (The court struck down the law, holding that it had a disparate impact on black voters and was passed with discriminatory intent.) In the five years since, previously covered jurisdictions have passed scores of laws cracking down on the right to vote. In addition to stringent voter ID laws, states have engaged in mass voter purges and extreme racial gerrymandering. They have also shuttered hundreds of polling places and slashed early voting. Advertisement Advertisement Section 5 did not punish for the past; it used the past to determine where racial voter suppression was most likely to occur in the future. Before Shelby County, the Department of Justice rejected election changes in Georgia nearly 180 times. An early preclearance objection filed in 1968 blocked a poll consolidation plan eerily similar to Randolph Countys. Similarly, in 1995, Jenkins County, Georgia, attempted to close a poll in a heavily black community without seeking voter input; the DOJ blocked the move under preclearance. Since Shelby County, the state seems to be making up for lost time. It has purged hundreds of thousands of voters from the rolls and barred tens of thousands more qualified voters from registering. Election officials have also shuttered precincts across the state. Many of these changes have a wildly disparate impact on minorities. The Randolph County closures follow this trend; if implemented, they would force thousands of black voters to travel up to 30 miles round trip to reach the nearest polling place. Advertisement If Section 5 were still in force, county officials could not attempt to sneak these plans through with a handful of notices and public meetings. They would have had to justify to the Department of Justice or a federal court that the poll closures would not negatively affect black citizens right to vote. True, Attorney General Jeff Sessionswho never met a voter suppression law he didnt likemight have eventually rubber-stamped the plan. But Randolph County wouldve had an obligation to prove it wasnt racist, and the public wouldve had notice that the consolidation was afoot. Indeed, the public wouldve had the opportunity to offer feedback: Preclearance included a community input section to let community members explain how a proposal might harm them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Myrna Perez, an attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice, told me preclearance had another, frequently unsung benefit: It made it difficult to perpetuate disenfranchisement accidentally because of oversight or sloppiness. Assume, for instance, that the Randolph County election board really hadnt considered the effect poll closures would have on black residents. Under a preclearance regime, it wouldve had to grapple with the potential implications of its plan and might have realized the obvious drawbacks. The sheer act of putting it on paper, of explaining why your plan isnt problematicthat lets people catch their own blind spots, Perez said. People might not have malice in their heart; they just werent paying attention. Preclearance helped with that. Advertisement With Section 5 inoperative, Randolph County had no legal obligation to defend the impact of its scheme on minorities. And if the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia had not called attention to the closures, the county might have passed them with minimal notice. In the absence of Section 5, the ACLU must now wait to see if the county moves ahead with the plan. If it does, the group can file a lawsuit under the 14th Amendment as well as a different provision of the Voting Rights Act, Section 2, which remains in effect. But theyll be fighting an uphill battle, attempting to reverse the damage rather than proactively preventing it. Advertisement Advertisement In his opinion hobbling preclearance, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the 15th Amendment, which protects racial minorities right to vote, is not designed to punish for the past; its purpose is to ensure a better future. But Section 5 did not punish for the past; it used the past to determine where racial voter suppression was most likely to occur in the future. The catastrophic consequences of Shelby County suggest Section 5s forecasts were accurate. And thanks to Roberts handiwork, the residents of Randolph County are confronting a future in which their right to vote has been quietly nullified. Its executive time (watching TV and tweeting time) in America! Todays theme is reasons why its not a big deal that everyone Donald Trump knows was simultaneously convicted of thousands of fraud crimes on Tuesday. A large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case. Witch Hunt! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. Justice took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to break - make up stories in order to get a deal. Such respect for a brave man! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018 Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement (As always, Matt Gertz of Media Matters is heroically sacrificing himself to track the way that Trumps assertions match talking points that were broadcast on Fox News shortly before Trump tweeted them. Bless you, Matt Gertz.) Lets go through the excuses one by one. 1. The jury didnt convict Paul Manafort on every count he was accused of. Fact check: True! And yet Manafort was convicted in a Virginia court on eight counts of financial fraud related to his work for Russia-backed gangster-politicians in Ukraine. He faces an estimated seven to 10 years in prison for these convictions and is also awaiting trial on seven other charges, including money laundering and obstruction of justice, in a different trial to be held in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement 2. The crimes Manafort was accused of involved activities that took place 12 years ago. This isnt really even technically true: Manaforts work in Ukraine did start in 2006, but the charges he was convicted of Tuesday involved tax returns filed between 2010 and 2014 and bank loans he applied for in 2016. Also, 12 years isnt actually that long of a time period, and tax case is a misleading way to refer to what Manafort is accused of, making it sound like a bureaucratic disagreement over accounting rather than an yearslong premeditated effort to defraud the government by lying on official documents. Advertisement 3. Campaign finance crimes are not crimes. Cohen said in court that Trump directed him to arrange payments to two women (Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal) in order to keep them from going public in the fall of 2016 with allegations that theyd had sexual relationships with Trump while he was married to Melania Trump. Cohen says (and common sense indicates) that these payments were made in order to save Trumps chance of winning the election, but they werent reported on campaign spending disclosure forms. That is, in fact, a crime for which Cohen is subject to jail time. Its also distinct from what the Obama campaign was fined for, which was failing to document certain contributions in the timely fashion required by the Federal Election Commission. To wit: Advertisement The Obama campaign wasnt accused of trying to prevent those donations from ever being disclosed, just of not documenting them properly. The donations were run-of-the-mill campaign donations, not donations intended to cover up an allegation of extramarital sex that might have affected the outcome of the election. Obama was not accused of having any personal involvement in the violations. Advertisement So, Trumps excuses dont deserve to be taken seriously on the merits. But they do probably provide a nice preview of what hell say when/if people with even closer connections to himlike Roger Stone, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr.are indicted: that theyre being unfairly singled out because lying to authorities about money and ignoring election laws are no-big-deal things that everyone else does all the time too. Read more from Slate: What the Craziest News Day of the Year Means for Trump Cohens Guilty Plea Is a Massive Victory for Robert Muellers Divide-and-Conquer Strategy Watch Hannitys Unhinged Monologue About Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen Michael Cohens Guilty Plea Directly Implicates Donald Trump in a Felony This article was first published by Wellcome on Mosaic and is republished here under a Creative Commons licence. Sign up for the newsletter. Christina Pearson was 14 years old when she started pulling out her hair, creating bald patches on her head. She was taken to a psychiatrist, but in 1970 there was no name for her disorder, and certainly no treatment. The doctor issued a psychiatric discharge that removed Pearson from high school. In that moment, she felt relief. Going to high school meant that somebody might pull off her hat and reveal that her head was mostly barea possibility she found so frightening that anything was better than that. Advertisement In the ensuing months, Pearson holed up at home, pulling out her hair and feeling, she says, like a monster. Scared and searching for relief, she eventually decided to leave. I hitchhiked across Mexico at 14 and was doing peyote out in the desert, all kinds of things, she says. I really lived a very fringe life. At 15, she started picking her skin, her body frequently covered with open sores. By 20, she was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the age of 30, Pearson finally got sober. She had started a small telecommunications business with a friend in Santa Cruz, California. In 1989, she received a phone call from her mother, who had just listened to a story on the radio about a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Theres a name for what you used to do, Pearsons mother told her, not knowing that Pearson still pulled her hair. The news that there was a nametrichotillomaniarocked my world, she says. Advertisement After decades of feeling shame and isolation, she began to feel hope: There were others out there living with the same condition. Pearson started a support group. A Seattle news network invited Pearson to appear on air, where she spoke about her life and provided a number for a trichotillomania hotline that she planned to operate herself. She returned home to over 600 messages. People were crying and sobbing and begging for help, says Pearson, who spent a week calling each person back. It was the best therapy I ever had, because I heard my life coming out of other peoples mouths. One night in bed, she had what she calls a peak experience, or spiritual vision. Pearson decided to walk away from her business and devote her life to improving public awareness of trichotillomania. I was scared shitless. Me: Im a drug addict, Im a small-business person, Im in sobriety, I have an eighth grade education, and Im going to get out there and change the world and some weird pathological disorder? says Pearson. I just was terrified. Advertisement But then she adds, When we receive that kind of inspiration, what Ill say is this: We are called all the time. Rarely do we choose to respond. Advertisement Step into any classroom or coffee shop, and the odds are at least one person in the room has a body-focused repetitive behaviour, or BFRB, such as trichotillomania or skin-picking disorder. People with BFRBs perform repetitive self-grooming activities such as picking, pulling, or biting. These can cause emotional distress and damage to the body, but the people performing the behaviors cant stop. At their most extreme, these conditions are life-threatening. A significant minority of people with trichotillomania (commonly called trich) ingest their pulled hairs. Over time, the hair can block the intestine and require surgical removal. Skin picking can lead to infections that require intravenous antibiotics and skin grafting. Advertisement More commonly, BFRBs take an emotional and social toll. They often begin in late childhood or early adolescence, making kids vulnerable to bullies. Echoing the experiences of many, a man in his late 20s described middle school as absolute hell because kids perceived him as the weird kid with missing eyelashes. Another woman, now 30, recalled watching her classmates play keep-away with the wig they had snatched off her head. Furthermore, BFRBs are often a source of conflict between child and parent, which can heighten a childs feelings of shame and isolation. Meanwhile, in adults the condition can lead to fear of intimacy, missed job interviews, and hours lost each day to picking and pulling. Advertisement Individuals living with BFRBs often keep their condition a secret, hiding the physical effects with makeup, wigs, and layers of clothing. Advertisement BFRBs take an emotional and social toll. They often begin in late childhood or early adolescence, making kids vulnerable to bullies. As a result, many are surprised to learn just how common these disorders are. Some experts estimate that 2 to 5 percent of people have trich and roughly 5 percent of people have skin-picking disorder, also referred to as dermatillomania or excoriation disorder. Precise numbers are not available, however, because there has been no large-scale global study of BFRBs. Advertisement Although trich has appeared in the medical literature for over a century, it was not officially included in the DSM (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published periodically by the American Psychiatric Association) until 1987a full 17 years after Pearson made her first visit to a psychiatrist, and six years after I entered the first grade and started pulling my hair too. Advertisement My mother took me to a dermatologist, who didnt offer any advice. As it turned out, I was part of a subset of kidsincluding toddlers and even babieswhose symptoms simply go away without any kind of treatment. By the end of the school year, my hair pulling had stopped. For most individuals, BFRBs are chronic, lasting years, even decades. Advertisement Skin-picking disorder was added to the DSM in 2013. We were over-the-moon ecstatic when it was given its own diagnostic label, says Nancy Keuthen, co-director of the Trichotillomania Clinic and Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. A diagnostic label validates peoples experiences and encourages them to seek treatment, she says. In the absence of a name, the tendency had been to think, I dont know anybody else who has this, I must be really weird, explains Keuthen. Advertisement Now, both disorders are included in the chapter on obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. On the surface, OCD and BFRBs share similar characteristics: Both involve strong urges to perform repetitive behaviors. But unlike OCD compulsions, BFRBs are soothing, even pleasurable. And the behaviors are rarely the result of the specific obsessions that characterize OCD. This distinction matters because the conditions benefit from different kinds of behavioral therapies, and whereas medication is a first-line treatment for OCD in the USA, for example, there currently is no Food and Drug Administrationapproved medication to treat BFRBs. Advertisement In fact, compared with better-known psychiatric conditions such as OCD, BFRBs remain markedly underresearched. Historically, there has been almost no funding for these disorders, says Keuthen. Funding usually goes to conditions that are seen as significantly affecting quality of life or that make it difficult to function in the workplace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BFRBs can do both, but, says Keuthen, they have been misunderstood as bad habits that lazy people have. This obscures the critical distinction between ordinary self-grooming (who doesnt occasionally pick a scab or pluck a hair?) and the clinical case where the behavior goes on and on, causing significant distress or impairment, while the person feels wholly unable to stop. Christina Pearson founded the Trichotillomania Learning Center (since renamed the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors) in 1991. Her goal was to help people, especially kids, avoid the fear and secrecy she had lived with for so long. She wanted to offer authoritative information that could help people. There was just one problem: That information didnt exist. Advertisement There was also an incredible amount of stigma. At least some of this can be traced back to the medical literature of the 1950s and 60s, which tended to blame the parents, particularly mothers, of individuals who pulled their hair. One report from that period examined 11 children with trich. The authors, professionals at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, concluded that the childrens behavior stemmed from intense conflict between the child and the original love object, the mother. The children, they wrote, pulled their hair with large amounts of libido and used hair pulling as a substitute for an emotionally unavailable mother. Advertisement About the fathers, they wrote, [They] can best be described as passive-aggressive individuals, mostly of a passive type who were persistently controlled by their spouses. Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps this is why when Pearson was taken for treatment, the psychiatrist asked her mother, What are you doing to [your daughter]? The question caused her mother to cry. It was not good. It was very shaming, says Pearson. This judgment and blame continued even after trichotillomania was added to the DSM. Pearson began renting booths at professional conferences. In the early years, psychologists would walk by and actually make fun of her, pulling their own hair. Pearson says that one dermatologist warned her that people who pick their skin and pull their hair are often psychotic. She recalls one young man who had been told by a mental health professional that pulling out his hair was like public masturbation and he needed to stop. In another conversation, a Swedish doctor insisted that Swedes dont get trich. Pearson suspects that some of the stigma stems from the fact that grooming is associated with other animalscats, dogs, miceand people dont want to acknowledge humans connection to the animal kingdom. Advertisement Something else that contributed to the misunderstanding was that trich was considered an exceedingly rare disorder. The first prevalence study wasnt published until 1991, and at the time, the DSM criteria for trich were more stringent than they are today. In addition to having a strong impulse to pull hair resulting in hair loss, individuals needed to experience tension prior to pulling and gratification or relief while pulling. Advertisement Consequently, researchers found that 0.6 percent of the general U.S. college population had met the DSM criteria at some point in their lives, but noted that, among this group, pulling leading to visible hair loss was reported by 1.5 percent of men and 3.5 percent of women. Advertisement In 1990, Pearson attended one of the first-ever professional talks about trichotillomania, given by a psychologist called Charles Mansueto. There, she met a number of interested clinicians, including Carol Novak, a psychiatrist from Minnesota, who had written a pamphlet about trich. Advertisement She wanted to offer authoritative information that could help people. There was just one problem: That information didnt exist. Back in those days, we had no internet. Nobody knew the word trichotillomania, says Novak, who went on to become the founding director of the TLC Foundations scientific advisory board. Around that time, Novak, Mansueto, and Richard OSullivan, a psychiatrist who currently practices in Madison, Connecticut, attended a retreat that Pearson had organized for people with trich. Novak remembers the participants expressing frustration and anger with the mental health field because they had been so mistreated by professionals. Soon thereafter, more professionals agreed to join the board and conduct research in the field. Advertisement The causes of BFRBs are still poorly understood, though individuals responses to different medications may provide clues to BFRBs biological underpinnings. For example, medications such as Prozac, which target the neurotransmitter serotonin, have not proven effective in reducing BFRBs for most peoplethough experts note that some individuals may benefit. Advertisement Two small randomized controlled trials testing N-acetylcysteine, or NAC, an amino acid that can be purchased in health-food stores, resulted in marked reductions in both hair pulling and skin picking for roughly half of study participants (though some receiving placebo also showed improvements16 percent demonstrating reduced hair pulling, 19 percent reduced skin picking). NAC influences glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in reward pathways. A small neuroimaging study also showed impairment of reward pathways in people with trich, but larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. Advertisement One such study currently underway is the BFRB Precision Medicine Initiative, which has been funded by TLC donors. Its taking place at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the University of CaliforniaLos Angeles, the University of Chicago Medicine, and Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. The goal is to test up to 300 participants using a variety of methods, including interviews, imaging, and bloodwork. Advertisement Nancy Keuthen is the principal investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital. She notes that up until now, researchers have tended to study BFRBs in narrow slices. For example, a research team might run a small brain-imaging study. While this approach could uncover an interesting abnormality, it isnt especially helpful without a broader network of data to illuminate the abnormalitys cause and effects. Additionally, larger sample sizes are needed to ensure that study results are generalizable to a wider population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liz Atkin, a British artist with skin-picking disorder, is at the front of the room, setting hand wipes on tables. She wears a red cardigan over a T-shirt sporting splotches of orange, yellow, green. Were going to get messy! she says to four girls sitting in the front row. Her enthusiasm seems entirely genuine yet impossible for 8.30 a.m. Its a Saturday in April, and Im attending the 25th Annual TLC Conference on BFRBs. This year, its in San Francisco. The conference is just one of the ways that TLC aims to help people directly. Im here with nearly 500 others, including individuals with BFRBs, their families, clinicians, and researchers. This session is an art class for kids aged 11 and under. Advertisement What were going to do is make our marks, says Atkin after roughly a dozen kids have taken seats and introduced themselves. She holds up a stick of charcoal and explains its a piece of wood thats been burned. I have compulsive skin picking, and charcoal really helps me. Atkin distributes the charcoal and paper and asks the kids to make a dot. Paul Klee said, A line is a dot taking a walk, she says, holding up her own sheet of paper and making a black spot. From there, she demonstrates various rubbing and smudging techniques before bringing out pastels so the kids can add color. Advertisement Advertisement I think my drawings going to end up looking like my cat, says the girl sitting next to me, wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs sweatshirt. Her picture does indeed resemble a calico cat with patches of black and orange. Advertisement Atkin asks if anyone wants music, and someone requests Prince. Above the music, Atkin asks, Is drawing a nice thing to do? Why do we like drawing? The group offers varying responses: Drawing calms your mind. You can express yourself. Theres no wrong way to do it. Why are we working with stuff thats messy? Why is that useful? Were using materials that have a texture to them. Later, shell explain to me that for many, BFRBs are texture-based disorders. Art engages the body and mind, giving the person a focus other than the BFRB. Im sitting in a row with a boy and a girl. I overhear the boy ask, Whats your thing? Mines skin picking. The girl says matter-of-factly, Mines trichotillomania. Advertisement They fall back into silence, drawing on the black paper. Its taken science some time to catch up with what people with BFRBs have known for years: For many, theres a strong sensory component to the disorder. Advertisement Advertisement A pair of studies published in 2017 and 2018 were the first to report that individuals with BFRBs have higher rates of sensory overresponsivity to external sensations than the general population. In other words, they respond intensely to things like sounds and textures. The phenomenonalso sometimes referred to as sensory integration dysfunction or sensory processing disorderwas first described in the 1970s by the occupational therapist Jean Ayres. Since then, sensory overresponsivity has been most frequently studied in association with autism and more recently in OCD. Advertisement Advertisement In one of the studies, people with trich were twice as likely to have severe to extreme sensory overresponsivity to touch and sound. One study participant described her struggle with clothing: My tactile discomfort lies in how I feel in clothes. They always feel too tight and uncomfortable as soon as I step out of the house. For this reason, I only go out when absolutely necessaryschool or work. Later that day, it occurred to me that I have had my own experiences with sensory overresponsivity. As a child, I found almost any type of clothing itchy: tights, cardigans, sweaters, sleeves that tapered into elasticated cuffs (as seemingly all kids clothes did in the late 70s). I have a vague memory of being left standing in a department store after my mother had walked away, exasperated with trying to find me a winter coat. Advertisement Advertisement Others at the conference share similar experiences: I used to throw things at my brother, who was just regularly playing. Id throw books at him because noises were too much, says one woman who still struggles with high-pitched sounds. Like many others with trich, when she pulls her hair, shes looking for a certain type. Im looking for coarseness in those hairs Im looking for hairs that arent straight, hairs that are curly, hairs that dont feel rightthat are too long or too short. For me, its a very tactile disorder, she says. When researchers talk about BFRBs, they often speak of subtypes, to acknowledge, among other things, that people with BFRBs may pick and pull for very different reasons. Advertisement One person might pull her hair at night as a way of winding down for sleep. Another might pick his skin out of boredom. Another might pull out his eyelashes under stress. For some people, all these things and more might be triggers. Why? No one can say for sure, but many of my conversations with affected individuals included mention of the work of a psychologist named Fred Penzel. Advertisement In the early 2000s, Penzel introduced the stimulus-regulation model of trichotillomania, based on his work with patients. Advertisement Advertisement It would appear that pulling might therefore be an external attempt on the part of a genetically prone individual to regulate an internal state of sensory imbalance, he writes. Its taken science some time to catch up with what people with BFRBs have known for years: For many, theres a strong sensory component to the disorder. According to this model, a person with a BFRB is exposed to the same levels of environmental stimulation as others, but their nervous system is unable to easily manage it. It is as if the person is standing in the center of a seesaw, or on a high-wire, with overstimulation on one side, and understimulation on the other, and must lean in either direction (by pulling) at different times, to remain balanced, he writes. Advertisement Picking or pulling adds or subtracts stimulation, says Karen Pickett, an Ohio-based therapist. I have yet to find someone that this [model] doesnt apply to, to some degree. Why does this matter? Because the picking and pulling actually serve a purpose. This is why the behaviors can be so difficult to stop. A number of studies have found that some individuals with BFRBs have difficulty regulating their emotions. A 2013 review notes that as a group, people with BFRBs have higher rates of psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety than the general population. In addition, many report that their BFRBs provide relief from negative emotions, including boredom, tension, anxiety, and frustration. Advertisement Several of the people I interviewed told me their BFRBs started during a period of negative emotion. Aneela Idnani started pulling her eyebrows and eyelashes as an adolescent, after moving to a new town where she felt like an outsider and was bullied at school. For her, pulling served as a coping mechanism. Advertisement A couple of years later, Idnanis father died of cancer. I didnt know how to deal with it, she says. [As a society] we dont talk about uncomfortable things, and so we have to find ways to deal with them. She hid her condition into adulthood. Three years ago, she started seeing a psychologist, who helped her unpack some of her emotions. Advertisement Haley OSullivan started picking her skin at the age of 20, a year after a traumatic sexual experience. It started with two hours in the mirror picking at ingrown hairs like on my armpits or my bikini line, she recalls. It was also picking at zits on my face and other places on my body. For several years, OSullivan led a support group in Boston, and shes working on starting a group in New Hampshire, where she lives now. She is careful to point out that not everyone with a BFRB has experienced trauma. In her case, however, skin picking is my bodys way of trying to say, Hey, Im not OK. Skin picking creates a positive sensation for her, at least in the short term: Obviously it doesnt feel good emotionally afterwards when youre like, Oh man, look at this damage I caused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OSullivan has seen several therapists and been successfully treated for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. But she says she feels a little stuck in her BFRB recovery. She has done a lot of research but lacks access to a specialized clinician. There simply arent enough therapists with expertise, she says. And even once you find someone, the clinician may have a long waiting list and insurance might only cover a handful of sessions. Its not really conducive to a full recovery, she says. In many countries, including high-income places, there are treatment gaps for mental health. I spoke with a graduate student from Scotland, Marta Isibor, who sought help for her own skin-picking disorder in her late 20s. Isibor was offered conventional cognitive behavioral therapy, which helped her understand why she picks, but she wasnt offered treatments that place more emphasis on minimizing the repetitive behaviorssuch as habit-reversal training, or the Comprehensive Model for Behavioral Treatment, a specific intervention created to treat BFRBs. Advertisement Advertisement The U.K. lacks specialist clinics and expert BFRB researchers, says Isibor. In fact, after publishing a study on skin-picking disorder as a mature bachelors student, Isibor traveled the U.K. presenting posters at conferences run by the Royal Medical Society of the University of Edinburgh and the British Psychological Society, among others. Most of those present had never even heard of BFRBs, she says. Advertisement She had to explain the basics: symptoms, where BFRBs sit in the DSM, the difference between ordinary and clinical self-grooming. She says that people are often surprised to learn how common BFRBs are and that people hide their condition due to shame. This may be especially true of people with skin-picking disorder, she speculates, because of its association with blood, scabs, germs, and infections. Advertisement OSullivan says, You come to a place like [the conference], and youre finally with people who understand. But you still cant escape the fact that once you leave here, people dont know what it is you have. Currently, the treatment for BFRBs with the most empirical support is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy called habit-reversal training, developed in the 1970s as a treatment for tics. During this therapy, a person learns to recognize the context in which pulling or picking is most likely to occur. With this awareness, people can then plan to substitute a competing response. For example, when faced with an urge to pick, someone might instead make a fist or play with a fidget toy. In some studies, more than half of adults with trich achieve short-term improvement. However, some find it difficult to maintain the results over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Psychologist Omar Rahman recently conducted a promising study of habit-reversal training in kids with trich. He says that the goal of the therapy is to give the brain an opportunity to become habituated to the urge, meaning you can ignore it or respond with a substitute behavior. Advertisement Many people with BFRBs say that complete abstinence from picking or pulling is an unhelpful goal that may magnify self-criticism and frustration. Over the years, Rahman has come to believe that theres really no real way around this if you cant learn to manage the urge, which may explain why habit-reversal training doesnt help everyone or why improvement doesnt always last. For this reason, researchers and clinicians have increasingly sought to augment habit-reversal training with other means of helping people with their urges. For example, mindfulness-based strategies can help a person observe and accept negative emotions, sensations, and urges without needing to act on them by pulling or picking. Advertisement Christina Pearson stumbled into mindfulness in the early 1990s after a series of therapists and medications were unable to help her. Nobody knew what to do, she says. So she started paying attention, observing her thoughts, feelings, and muscle movements. Id been always seeking higher awareness, she says, but now I wanted to identify the roadmap that would free me from a behavioral prison. Advertisement She notes that the kids who get BFRBs are sensitive and smart. Do you want to drug that away? No. What you want to do is say, Hey, how do I create the psychological trellis for this being to evolve and be of service to the world? Around this time, the psychologist Charles Mansueto had been seeing BFRB clients and developed the Comprehensive Model for Behavioral Treatment. This model recognizes that a variety of triggers may cause someone to want to pick or pull: thoughts, emotions, sensory experiences, specific body movements (such as stroking ones hair), and environment. Today, Mansueto and his colleagues are in the process of running a randomized controlled trial to test the approach. Advertisement We may seem like we have it together now, but we havent always, says Bridget Perez. She and her 19-year-old daughter Gessie are leading a conference session titled Parent/Child Journey: Building a Relationship and Finding Acceptance. Theyre both wearing T-shirts that Gessie designed that say Trichster on the front. The room is packed. Advertisement Bridget recalls one morning when Gessie was 14 and sitting at the table eating breakfast. Im standing over her, and I go, Oh my God! because there was a huge bald spot in the back of her head. Gessie had always had very long curly hair. But over the ensuing years, she went from a gorgeous long-curly-haired girl to having bald spots, to hiding the bald spots, to the hair thinning out and just kind of hanging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I screamed, I cried. I yelled. I mourned the loss of her hair, says Bridget. Like many parents, her first response was to want to fix the problem. Unlike an earlier generation of parents, Bridget knew the word trichotillomania and was able to use the internet to find out information. They attended their first TLC conference several years ago, says Bridget. She realized, Its not about the hair. Its about being there for your children. Supporting them, loving them, no matter what they look like. Gessie agrees the first conference was life-changing. Living with trich had been hard. Even today, she has no eyebrows and keeps her hair short, but she considers herself in recovery because trich doesnt control my life anymore. The pulling comes and goes, but she doesnt focus on stopping. For me, cutting my hair, shaving my head, realizing that Im not defined by my appearance was Was pivotal, offers her mother. They both agree that trich has made them stronger, individually and together. Gessie says that after the first conference, she used social media to share her story. People from all over the world have reached out to ask her questions and offer their support. Advertisement I can honestly say that I am thankful for this journey, she says. These friends are so much better than having hair. Advertisement For all the obvious good that the TLC conference does, its important to note that it isnt necessarily easy to attend, especially for first-timers. One mother I spoke with described her first conference as overwhelming. I cried a lot, she says. You think youre going to come and fix it, and then you realize that youre in it for the long haul. And that long haul is not clearly mapped. After all, when children are sick, you take them to a doctor. But when your child is performing an unusual yet soothing behavior that lacks a simple cure, the choice of how to move forward is not clear-cut. Parents may feel torn about how much financial and emotional energy to invest in treatment compared to accepting the condition and supporting their child in other ways. These tensions can play out in adults too. For example, many people with BFRBs say that complete abstinence from picking or pulling is an unhelpful goal that may magnify self-criticism and frustration. Yet one woman spoke positively about her experiences in Hair Pullers Anonymous, based on Alcoholics Anonymous. We celebrate abstinence. Just think of any AA program, she says. They use the same literature and spiritual tools. She joined the support group in January and says, in the months since, that, My hair pulling is down so muchyou wouldnt even believe it. She has a sponsor she can call if she feels like she wants to pull her hair. And shes also working on self-care, a big emphasis of TLC. Maybe thats why Im having success, she speculates, because Im hitting all these things. Advertisement Advertisement At the conference, the last session I go to is Standing Tall in Our Awesomeness. Its led by Christina Pearson, who left TLC in 2013 and founded the Heart and Soul Academy in 2014. Roughly 20 kids are sitting in chairs in a horseshoe shape. I take a seat next to the girl with the Maple Leafs sweatshirt. Shes here, along with the rest of the kids from the charcoal-drawing session as well as others up to the age of 14. Advertisement Pearson comes in with a pink fascinator atop her head, holding feathery string puppets. Im the lady who grew up just like you, and I started TLC, she says. She greets each child individually. Then she asks each kid what they liked most about the conference. Among the most common answers: making friends, everything, all of it. To one girl, whom Pearson seems to have spoken with before, she says, You have a huge heart and a sensitive nervous system. The girl appears to be holding back tears. Next, Pearson pulls out a ribbon, gives the end to a child at the front of the horseshoe, then asks her to hold it and pass the rest around. Advertisement Feel the ribbon in your hands. It is connected to each one of you. I close my eyes. The ribbon is smooth. Im thinking of the girl in the Maple Leafs sweatshirt, just a bit older than I was when I started pulling. Unexpectedly, I find myself holding back tears. Pearson leads us up out of our chairs, toward the door. This is your world, she says, as we leave the conference room. Im walking, holding onto the ribbon, surrounded on either side by kids who are three-quarters my height. Surrounded by kids in hats, with bald heads, kids who pick their skin. We walk out through the hotel lobby, past the people dining and reading. And outside the hotel, to a startling view of the San Francisco Bay. Pearson turns her back to the water to face us. The sun is slowly climbing. Planes are taking off from the nearby airport. She asks us to stand on the earth. Then she asks us to wiggle our bodies. Close your eyes. What do you smell? Then we do a wiggle again: What do you hear? We can do this any time, she tells us. Baby steps toward mindfulness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once were back in the room, Pearson asks the kids to write something that they like about themselves on a triangle of felt. Each goes around and says something. One says, Compassion. Pearson: We develop incredibly deep compassion. Why? Because we know what its like to suffer. We know what its like to be different. And we can see that in other people. They start gluing sequins, puffy hearts, strips of ribbon onto their pennants. Persistent. Wild. Compassionate. Brave. Heres the thing about bravery, says Pearson. It doesnt mean youre not scared. It means you do something anyway. In the U.K. and Republic of Ireland, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the USA, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK. If you visit the website of Liberty Front Press, you might get the impression that it is, as its About Us page reads, an activist news site thats working in support of the oppressed and the downtrodden by publishing stories ignored by the greedy mainstream press. There, the sites makers ask readers to donate, but theres no link to give money. From there, click around and youll find a raft of news stories mostly copied and pasted from other sites, like the Hill, the Guardian, and Time. There are some stories that dont seem to have been purloined (though they dont have bylines), like one piece titled Netanyahus Fake Claims About Irans Nuclear Program: Netanyahus Own Secret Nuclear Weapons. The site looks sketchy but not that sketchy, especially if you arrived at it via a link on Reddit or Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Tuesday night, the world learned that Liberty Freedom Press isnt actually an activist news site that relies on donations to pay the bills: Its a front for an Iranian state media disinformation campaign. Facebook revealed that it had launched an investigation into Liberty Front Press and its associated accounts based on a tip from cybersecurity firm FireEye, which led Facebook to remove 652 fake accounts and pages, most of which originated in Iran. Soon after, Twitter announced it had suspended 284 accounts, many likewise based in Iran, that were engaging in coordinated manipulation, and YouTube deleted the Liberty Front Press channel too. Then, after some quick digging, Slate also found the Iranian groups fingerprints on sites like Pinterest and Reddit, as well as some tweets that were saved in the Internet Archive. Advertisement Liberty Front Press was apparently designed to tap into liberal resentment against Trump while advancing pro-Iranian foreign policy narratives via social media. The Iranian nuclear agreement, for example, was a frequent topic, as were stories about Stormy Daniels. But a look at some of the activity on social media thats still active suggests that the Iranian fake-news group wasnt exactly masterful at making its stories go viral, though it clearly tried. For the most part, it littered its obscure corners of the web with awkward hashtags, absurd memes, and tangent-prone Reddit threads. For the most part, it littered its obscure corners of the web with awkward hashtags, absurd memes, and tangent-prone Reddit threads. Judging by propaganda efforts cached and archived Twitter activity, it seems that most of the tweets followed in the same anti-Trump vein as the Liberty Front Press posts on the other platforms. The tweets also align more closely with anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian narratives that FireEye observed from the groups Facebook activity. Whoever was running the account was also apparently trying to artificially boost its visibility by using popular hashtags that had nothing to do with the subject matter of the tweets. For example, the hashtags #TheBachelor and #StarWarsRebels were affixed to the end of a tweet describing the Florida Senates gun control package in March. A tweet about a gang fight in Paris featured the hashtags #MillennialOlympicEvents and #WednesdayWisdom (though, to be fair, it was posted on a Wednesday). These hashtag hijinks do not appear to have done the tweets any favors, as most of them only received a few likes and retweets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Facebook, the Iranian fake activist and news pages used memes to help forward their political agendaas revealed in examples shared by Facebook Wednesday. One, from a page called The British Left, included a parody on the film The Notebook, only instead of a man and a woman staring into each others eyes in the rain, its Kim Jung-un and Donald Trump with their heads superimposed over the original actors. The name on the film poster reads The Nukebook. Another from the same page jokes that there are new Brexit postage stamps out tomorrow and features some clever graphic design of a stamp illustrated with a person shooting themselves in the foot. There was also an Iranian fake activist page called Patriotic Palestine Front that featured memes about Israeli violence in Palestine, like one about Palestinian activist Ibrahim Abu Thuraya, who protested Israeli occupation and was murdered by Israeli troops. (Facebook didnt reveal the share or like counts of these memes, as it did when it revealed a trove of Russian troll posts that populated its platform during the 2016 campaign.) Another, from an Iranian sham group called Progressive Front, shared a meme showing Michelle Obama holding a sign that reads, An Immigrant Took My Job. Advertisement Advertisement There are currently more than 200 posts on Reddit spanning from July 2017 to March 2018 that contain links to articles from Liberty Front Press website. The bulk of the posts discuss the possibility of a Trump impeachment and appeared in left-leaning subreddits like r/esist and r/SandersForPresident, though the articles also cover U.K. Labour politics, Iranian foreign policy, and other international affairs. The most popular post, with 1,630 net upvotes, is titled Susan Sarandon: We Would Be At War If Very Dangerous Hillary Clinton Was Elected, and is one of the few pro-Trump entries on the Liberty Front Press website. About a half-dozen accounts were responsible for posting most of the Liberty Front Press links on Reddit, though its unclear whether these users were knowingly involved in the disinformation campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liberty Front Press has a considerably smaller footprint on Pinterest, with only a dozen pins split between two boards. Most of the posts just contain links to videos on the groups now-defunct YouTube channel with titles like Everything You Need to Know about Impeachment and Trump Recognizes Jerusalem as Israels Capital. The account also posted memes and political cartoons lampooning the likes of Roy Moore and Sean Spicer. Advertisement Without seeing the Facebook share numbers or the old tweets that were removed, its hard to know how far the Iranian propaganda efforts traveled. But Facebook did share that, in total, about 155,000 Facebook users followed at least one of the Liberty Front Pressaffiliated accountsno small number. But looking at the tweets that we were able to recover and the sample of posts that were shared by Facebook, the groups dont appear to have mastered the art of stoking political divides with the same fluency that Russian trolls exercised in their social media misinformation campaign. While its true that many Americans and British people are likely extremely worried about nuclear weapons in Iran and in North Korea, its not exactly a hot-button issue. Russian memes, on the other hand, focused on some of the most pressing cultural and political issues in the U.S., like racial justice, guns, LGBTQ rights, and immigration. The Iranian disinformation campaign was clearly more focused on issues important to Iran than issues that would stoke American unrest. Advertisement Advertisement But perhaps the biggest tell that these trolls werent exactly social media mavens was their choice of hashtags on Twitter. One tweet from Liberty Front Press from March about how the survivors of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, were receiving threats on social media included the hashtags #HappyBirthdayJustinBieber, #DadBodIn5Words, #TreasuresFoundInAHotPocket, #TheXFiles, and #ACSVersace. Maybe these topics were trending on Twitter at the time, but throwing them all into the same tweet sharing a story about the aftermath of a shooting certainly wasnt going to give it a boost. Anyone even remotely tuned into American social media culture probably wouldve known that. On May 29, a tediously mysterious video appeared in the bowels of YouTube. It featured a man wearing dark glasses, a thick beard, and a low-brimmed cap. He is seated in front of a shabby-chic fireplace, on which rests a half-drained wine glass. He speaks in a thick, vaguely Eastern European accent, digitally manipulated into an almost incomprehensible growl as he delivers what he describes as a confession. Four years ago [they] contacted me and offered me work as a financial adviser to the top manager and evangelist in a project which was ridden[?] by the largest family of businessmen I was paid a lot of money for my silence, but I cant remain silent Humble people will be deprived of their freedom. All will belong to them Four lettersI-M-M-O is the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse. The single world currency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This apparent turncoats warning (which has since been removed from YouTube) followed rumors about something called IMMO that seem to have first appeared on May 18 on a small cryptocurrency news site called Zycrypto. Zycrypto summarized mainstream reports that the banks Goldman Sachs and ING were strengthening their ties to cryptocurrency businesses. But it added the claim that both ING and Goldman Sachs are owned by the Rothschild Group. The problem with this claim is obvious: The Rothschild Group is a common name for Rothschild & Co., a European investment firm with a roughly $2.8 billion (2.45 billion euro) total market value. Goldman Sachs has a nearly $90 billion market cap, while ING is worth about $52 billion. Advertisement Zycryptos other claim was equally preposterous. Citing only information leaked on social networks, including closed Telegram channels, the post claimed that the Rothschild Group was launching its own cryptocurrency project called IMMO. (Im not linking to these articles or videos, or naming more of them than necessary, to reduce the risk of amplifying their distortions.) In a statement to Slate, Rothschild & Co. denied any involvement with a cryptocurrency called IMMO and said it had no plans to launch any cryptocurrency at all. Nonetheless, other fringe-y news sites were happy to repeat the false claims and even elaborate on them. One, seemingly apropos of nothing, linked them to the recent announcement that George Soros family fund might invest in cryptocurrency. On May 23, another site went much further, freely speculating that the mysterious new IMMO cryptocurrency would be linked to the price of gold or other limited natural resources and used to maintain control over the market of cryptocurrency. It would also be legally recognized in one of the sovereign countries controlled by the Rothschilds, who have been preserving and multiplying their capital many times over for two hundred years. Advertisement Advertisement This festering well of hate could explain some of the lack of diversity in the broader, fast-growing blockchain industry. Claims about the Rothschild familys vast and secret wealth and their hidden control over entire nations are pillars of modern anti-Semitism. The Rothschilds supposed world dominance was the subject of one of the propaganda films Joseph Goebbels deployed to pave the way for the Holocaust. The fraudulent Protocols of the Elders of Zion elaborated on the Jewish banking conspiracy, but that document was actually created by czarist secret police in pre-revolutionary Russia. Despite being debunked over and over again, these ideas have remained terrifyingly influential. Emmanuel Macrons connections to Rothschild & Co. were weaponized in Frances 2017 election by far-right avatar Marine Le Pen, in what many read as an anti-Semitic dog whistle. George Soros, the liberal Jewish hedge fund magnate, has been the unlucky American inheritor of much of this madness, explaining his mention in connection with IMMO. Advertisement The dark fantasies swirling around IMMO seem to have been an effort to suture these toxic fictions onto the anti-authoritarian idealism behind bitcoin. Bitcoin was launched in early 2009, in the throes of the global financial crisis, by a computer science genius still known only by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Nakamoto specifically positioned bitcoin as an alternative to the then-disgraced legacy financial institutions, and skepticism of banks is literally embedded into the system: A newspaper headline about a 2009 English bank bailout is permanently inscribed in bitcoins first batch of transactions, or genesis block. Advertisement Of course, skepticism of high finance is not inherently anti-Semitic, and most cryptocurrency advocates have shown no sign of picking up what IMMO is putting down. Vitalik Buterin, creator of Ethereum and perhaps the most revered figure in the industry, tried to tamp down Rothschild hysteria, writing on Reddit that they are just people born into various old-money-type high society positions, and the theories that they are anything beyond that are fairly baseless. Advertisement Advertisement But deep skepticism of banks makes some cryptocurrency supporters susceptible to the idea that a Jewish banking dynasty might launch a cryptocurrency intended to hijack the sector. Thats particularly true, it seems, of a small but influential subset of small-fry cryptocurrency day traders. These mostly young, mostly male speculators chase big gains trading highly speculative, penny stocklike altcoins inspired by bitcoin. These altcoins prices can fluctuate wildly based on rumor, speculation, and sentiment, and traders try to stay ahead of these moves by exchanging tips and leads on social media and in private chat rooms. At least among English-speaking traders, a major clearinghouse for those tips is the anonymous message board 4chan, in a subforum called /biz/ (which, despite its general-sounding name, is dedicated almost entirely to cryptocurrency). Advertisement Advertisement You may know 4chan as a breeding ground for toxic online trolling, and particularly for the extremist alt-right strain that exploded into public consciousness in 2016. Just as memes spawned on 4chan spread to more mainstream sites like Facebook, consensus opinions of small blockchain projectswhich are shitcoins destined to fail, and which will moon to higher valueoften take shape on /biz/ before trickling out to Reddit and Twitter. These discussions are infused with the blithely hateful lingua franca of 4chan as a whole. Pepe avatars are omnipresent, and the entire thesaurus of vile racial slurs are thrown around with abandon. But it is Jews who come in for the most constant, focused, and elaborate derision. In a thread in response to the IMMO rumors, there was some skepticism of the specifics, but a broad consensus that Jews own fucking everything and have siphoned money from the entire globe for 200 years with their global banking scheme. In other threads, /biz/ denizens declared that our government is controlled by these SJW kikes and rich kikes love nothing more than spending other peoples money. Advertisement Advertisement Theres evidence that someone consciously tailored the IMMO conspiracy theory to appeal to these dismal prejudices. In addition to our heavily accented YouTube informant, a writer named James Mayer penned a series of Medium posts warning about IMMO, one including a doctored photo of Buterin holding a sign reading Stop IMMO. But Mayers English is sloppy at best, there is no other sign of him online, and his profile picture appears to have been pulled from a Russian social media archive of images from an online suit retailer. In the Zycrypto post that seems to have set things off, one stray link leads to a site in Russian. That could provide a clue to the origins of the article, which is attributed to an anonymous Guest Author. (Zycrypto did not respond to questions regarding the articles origins and the sites editorial process.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spread of a groundless conspiracy theory on untrustworthy news sites is driven by a familiar motive. Such sites are hungry for eyeballs because they can make potentially serious money by selling ads for other (often dubious) cryptocurrency investments or services. But what about the deeper motives behind the IMMO rumors? One possible explanation was suggested by a perceptive commenter known as davis196 on the Bitcointalk forum: Perhaps the IMMO developers are lying about this to make their project look more legit and trustworthy. That will bring a lot of unexperienced investors into this new platform. In other words, IMMO might have been conceived as a novel kind of crypto exit scam. In most such schemes, which have been rampant in recent years, a team publishes ambitious plans for a cryptocurrencyoften in the form of a whitepaperthen sells digital tokens, supposedly to fund its development, before disappearing with investor funds. Advertisement The IMMO rumors could be a cynical evolution of the whitepaper scam model. Rumors connecting IMMO to the Rothschilds could actually motivate gullible anti-Semites to buy in, on the premise that a secret project of a vast Jewish banking conspiracy was sure to grow in value. Another anonymous forum poster arrived at that logic effortlessly, arguing that if the conspiracy is true, then buy this asset, if it will buy a lot of people, it can grow well. IMMO would be immune to explicit denials of Rothschild & Cos involvement, which could even leave fact-averse adherents more convinced that they were buying a stake in a project aimed at world domination. In other words, IMMO may be a real conspiracyjust not one involving the Rothschilds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whoever is pushing the narrative does seem to have run out of steam. Though James Mayer published another IMMO post to Medium in July, it has gotten very little traction, and the ominous news posts about the Rothschilds have petered out on the fringe sites. Thats hugely to the credit of the cryptocurrency and blockchain community as a whole. But for the /biz/ crowd, the underlying buzz of paranoid hatred hasnt gone anywhere. In fact, its a particularly ripe moment for stoking anti-Semitic resentment in the cryptocurrency world, because so many who thought crypto was a chance for redemption have instead wound up fleeced. The end of 2017 saw feverish media hype as the value of cryptocurrencies skyrocketed, and glowing profiles of newly minted bitcoin millionaires drew legions of hopeful new speculators to the sector. But the market dropped dramatically in January and hasnt recovered, wiping out speculators who bought in at the top of the bubble. Advertisement On /biz/, that has led many users to a place of frustration and despair. Perhaps the darkest message I found asked: Whats the best way to off myself /biz? I cuck work in construction in a shit hole of a city and though I study my ass off in crypto when I have time, I just keep losing money in it not matter how solid the projects. I want to escape this fucked up life I currently have. Advertisement Threatening suicide on 4chan is itself often a kind of sport, but the sense of real hopelessness runs deep. Many posters ask for help finding a job so they can move out of their parents house. There seems to be little connection between these young men and the healthy economy outside their front doors, much less the lambos jokingly flaunted by some of the crypto worlds top dogs. Advertisement Advertisement Their despair, like bitcoins anti-banking worldview, is grounded in real issues, including rising inequality and stagnant wages. And its shared with many young white Americans, particularly the less educated. But /biz/ provides a disturbing window on what happens next, letting you watch practically in real time as economic hopelessness finds simple, convenient, and utterly mistaken targets. And such bitterness may actually be amplified by the media hype around those who have gotten wildly rich on their crypto investmentsone /biz/ user described what seemed like his pretty decent IT job as wageslaving for some corporate jew. That sort of vitriol might have once been dismissed as the vile but essentially harmless gibbering of a clutch of lost boys. But in 2018, anti-Semitism is roaring back, and on /biz/ as elsewhere, its closely linked with other kinds of hate. For instance, the board is full of references to incel culture, a strain of thought that demonizes women for refusing sex, and to MGTOW, or Men Going Their Own Way, an anti-feminist movement that calls on straight men to free themselves from the supposedly oppressive bonds of relationships with women. Incel discourse has, like anti-Semitic rhetoric before it, been closely tied to horrific crimes in the real world. Advertisement Advertisement Lets be clear: The anonymous hatred on /biz/ doesnt implicate the broader cryptocurrency community or blockchain industry, most of which is dedicated to transparency, open access, privacy, and other values that stand to benefit marginalized communities of all kinds. But bitcoins anti-banking rhetoric can be easily misconstrued or abused, and its division into haves and have-nots is fueling a wave of rage as dreams of easy money die. Hate speech, even if it remains speech, profoundly threatens the potential impact of cryptocurrencys most idealistic innovations. Constant slurs thrown around a forum that also offers important information act as a significant barrier to people of color or women: One frequent /biz/ visitor, who is not white and monitors the board as part of his job in blockchain marketing, told me that reading it was a routinely traumatic experience. This festering well of hate could explain some of the lack of diversity in the broader, fast-growing blockchain industry. The same goes for IMMO. Whether the conspiracy theory is a marketing campaign, a scam, or just clickbait, its creators and propagators are feeding the worst impulses of cryptos id and betraying whatever idealism bitcoin can still lay claim to. There are many well-documented culprits for the inequality and exploitation that have made American society increasingly brutish and hopeless for some. Blaming a Jewish conspiracy is the ultimate suckers bet. Two years of controversies have energized Facebooks efforts to dampen the false and misleading information that can spread like wildfire on its platform, and the latest prong of this quest looks beyond examining the content that users flag as problematic. As first reported by the Washington Post, Facebook is now going to examine the reliability of the users who do the flagging. Facebook is now assigning a score, on a scale of zero to 1, that ranks each users reliability as content flaggers. Facebook started putting more of the onus on users to report posts and links shared as false or harmful in 2015, and predictably, not everyone in Facebooks community of more than 2 billion has used the system in good faith. A form of trolling has gained steam on Facebook in which people with a particular agenda are using the companys content-reporting tools to falsely flag stories that arent actually untrue. If a Trump fan thinks the New York Times is a vehicle for fake news, that user might flag everything he or she sees from the paper. It might not even be publication-specific. If a Black Lives Matter activist is repeatedly posting content about racial injustice, that user may inspire excessive flagging on their links from, say, white supremacists hoping to silence them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Facebook isnt sharing much about how the new reputation system will work, likely in order to prevent malicious actors from further trying to game the system and keep their reputation score high. Though the idea of being given a reputation ranking by Facebook might feel worrisomeparticularly if its ever used for any other part of Facebooks servicesthe company stressed that any scoring of a users reputation is part of a constellation of thousands of signals it looks for in its content-moderation efforts. And it could actually help triage the complaints that come in, which would allow Facebook to address seriously harmful or false news content faster. If a user has regularly flagged content that, when fact-checked, does indeed appear to be a false news story, that users reporting might be looked at faster than someone who has repeatedly flagged content that has checked out as true. Advertisement After the Washington Post story was published, some critics suggested that the initiative could be a worrisome prelude to a private-sector social credit system. A Facebook representative pushed back on that interpretation in an email to Slate, refuting the notion that there is a centralized reputation score for people that use Facebook. Rather, the spokesperson said Facebook developed a process to protect against people indiscriminately flagging news as fake and attempting to game the system. The reason we do this is to make sure that our fight against misinformation is as effective as possible. Advertisement The score that Facebook assigns users who flag posts isnt permanent, the company stressed to me, but rather its calculated using machine-learning algorithms that adjusts the score over time. Its not clear if a score will ever be totally erased if a person doesnt flag a post for a long time. The score does not affect other ways people use Facebookso if a person has a bad rating for repeatedly flagging articles as false when they arent, that doesnt mean the links that user posts will be demoted in the news feed. This score also doesnt account for flagging posts as harassment; its just about false news. Advertisement Advertisement Although Facebook is trying to protect its system from being gamed by ideologically motivated actors now, its not clear that the system of putting the onus on users to flag false content ever worked that well to begin with. The activist group Sleeping Giants, for example, recently called on users to cause an uproar over Facebooks decision to allow Alex Jones to stay on the platform, which spurred a deluge of users to report Jones posts as false and harmful. Jones was eventually removed from Facebook, but, according to the Post, executives at Facebook questioned whether the flood of reports of Jones content was an effort to game the reporting system, too. But the fact that so many users had to take mass action before Facebook removed Jones content calls into question whether previous reports were ever taken seriously before, since Jones has been using his Facebook platform to spread harmful conspiracy theories for yearslike the false allegation that the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. That charge became so popular among Jones adherents that some families of victims report that theyve had to move houses to avoid harassment and are unable to visit the gravesites of their murdered children. Facebook didnt appear to take serious action to remove Jones content until just this month. Advertisement Advertisement Facebook is huge, and there certainly needs to be a reporting mechanism of some kind for users to bring attention to false or harmful content. Finding a way to sort out those good-faith requests from bad ones makes sense, especially if some users are abusing the reporting tool. But as with any platform that allows users to post in real time, moderating that content is always going to be a game of cat and mouse. A platform as big as Facebookwhere billions gather to share things about the worldis a honeypot for people trying to get their narrative, false or otherwise, to a big audience. And on the internet, the bigger the audience, the more money you can make, and the more good or harm you can do. No matter what Facebook does, someone will always try to exploit and abuse that system. She was on RuPauls Drag Race and won Celebrity Big Brother UK. Now, shes going a step further in the reality television scene by making one of her own. Courtney Act, also known as Shane Jenek when out of drag, announced plans for a reality show about the dating life of bisexuals, known as The Bi Life. As if this summer hasnt been hot enough, we decided to crank it up another notch with The Bi Life on E! Its high time there was a dating show for the large number of young people today, like me, who are attracted to more than one gender, Act wrote on Twitter. As if this summer hasnt been hot enough, @EOnlineUK decided to crank it up another notch with #TheBiLife, a brand new British Bisexual+ dating show hosted by yours truly! Coming this October on E! pic.twitter.com/GdUr7lHwF1 Courtney Act (@courtneyact) August 21, 2018 The series will premiere on E! In October, according to Act. The contestants will be British, yet the show will be filed in Barcelona, Spain. In 2018 we know that sexuality is fluid and sharing the stories and experiences, the laughter and the love making, of young bi people is so important, Act told E! News. So get ready to see the true stories of bisexual singles, who are the largest part of the LGBTQ+ community, but the least known. Theres one field that has stubbornly ignored the changes in access to information that the internet has wrought: scientific publishing. Peer-reviewed research, often funded at least in part by taxpayers, is still difficult to access, as its almost entirely published in scientific journals that sit behind some of the priciest paywalls imaginable. This is frustrating for many people who want to keep up with the latest research, but it becomes an ethical issue for people who suffer from rare diseases and somehow still dont receive easy access to the latest research on their conditions. Advertisement This fault line erupted into an earthquake of sorts last week. The director of scholarly communications at Elsevier, a scientific publishing giant, kicked up a storm on Twitter during a debate over rare-disease families access to medical research. Elsevier has been a source of controversy on and off for the past few decades for what some see as business practices that place prohibitive costs on scientific information. Nearly 40 percent of the companys income last year was profit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Academics have proposed a number of open access models that would more freely distribute research data and journal articles, which could allow authors to post their work on websites for free so that anyone with an internet connection can access it. This does not sit well with academics and other members of the research community, who often publicly complain about the companys profit margins, its allegedly restrictive copyrights, and the fact that much of the research it sells access to is taxpayer-funded. This public outrage seems to have gotten under the skin of William Gunn, Elseviers director of scholarly communications. When one user argued that people in rare-disease families shouldnt have to jump through additional hoops to access information, Gunn responded, Yes, everyone should have rainbows, unicorns, & puppies delivered to their doorstep by volunteers. Yall keep wishing for that, Ill keep working on producing the best knowledge and distributing it as best we can. Advertisement This is just one reckless tweet in the heat of a Twitter spat (though its worth bearing Gunns job title in mind), and, sure, he later apologized. But the issue of rare-disease families trying to avoid the high fees associated with accessing research on potential treatments goes beyond this Twitter spat: Its a real problem that has not been adequately fixed by the company. Elsevier mainly handles logistics for journals, such as coordinating the peer review process, formatting, distributing, and archiving. In exchange, the company is granted ownership of the copyrights to the articles and can thus charge fees for access. A yearly journal subscription can cost $5,000. The price of a single article is usually around $35. Universities are typically willing to pay these steep fees for their faculty and students. But if you arent in academia and dont subscribe to the journals (and almost no individuals do), how do you access information? Elsevier sent Slate the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement We at Elsevier care deeply for those in need of critical medical information and want them to be able to access it so weve developed a wide variety of free and low-cost options. Were also always open to new ideas, and expanding others, for example offering the option for patient organizations and charities to contact us with article requests. Details on our more than 30 free/low cost options are here. Advertisement Elsevier does suggest a range of options for people who are unable to afford its fees at that site, such as visiting a library with a subscription (probably an academic library, and youd need to find one that will let in members of the public), searching through free databases like PubMed, or emailing the authors of the pieces themselves to see if they will provide a copy without charge. Critics contend that these workarounds are laborious and time-consuming. Charles Oppenheim, formerly the head of the department of information science at Loughborough University, wrote to Slate, In practice there are insuperable barriers for families that only true open access can resolve, pointing out that, for example, time and distance barriers often make it impractical for peopleperhaps particularly people who have rare diseasesto travel to a library that has the appropriate subscriptions. Free databases like PubMed also do not always contain the latest information on uncommon diseases and often only make the abstracts available. [Elseviers] low-cost options are a joke, and breadcrumbs from a rich mans table, Jon Tennant, a paleontologist and open science advocate, told Slate. Paywalls to health research are an abomination. No one should have to spend $30 each for 20 papers just to see if it has the information they want. Advertisement Advertisement Academics have proposed a number of open access models that would more freely distribute research data and journal articles, which could allow authors to post their work on websites for free so that anyone with an internet connection can access it. Tennant notes that open access has been the default status in various Latin American countries for decades. The European Union is also currently attempting to achieve open access for all scientific publications by 2020, and has developed a policy platform with recommendations to achieve that goal. However, Tennant points out that Elsevier has been appointed as a subcontractor for the project, which is concerning because of conflicts of interest and the fact that the company has previously lobbied for bills that would hinder the spread of scientific information. Advertisement Advertisement In the U.S., however, rare-disease families who cant afford subscription fees still have to navigate a variety of gatekeeping mechanisms in order to access research that could help them make critical health decisions. Only people who have time to spare and know exactly what to look for will be able to effectively take advantage of the low-cost options. Thats why some open access advocates see Gunns tweet not as a one-off mistake, but rather as indicative of a broader problem in the scientific publishing industry. [The tweet] was just bizarrely callous and betrays a general mindset and attitude from publishers, Tennant said. What we really need is instant universal access to all scientific knowledge, past and future, and start prioritizing peoples lives over corporate profits. The invasion was followed by a devastating normalisation process The remnants of normalisation and its mentality have left traces on the people of this country, preventing Slovakia from becoming a more developed civil society, says historian. Fifty years have passed since the Soviet, Polish, Hungarian, Eastern German and Bulgarian tanks invaded then Czechoslovakia and trampled on the dreams of ordinary people. The invasion on August 21, 1968, was followed by normalisation, a process during which the country fell back into its old totalitarian rut. Thousands of people fled for a better life in the West and others emigrated into themselves, trying to live their ordinary lives hidden from the long arm of the repressive regime. The invasion was a huge shock for ordinary people, said historian Lubomir Morbacher of the civic association Living Memory, which educates young people about totalitarian regimes so as to spur their critical thinking, adding that unarmed people stood against the tanks and explained to the soldiers that there is no counterrevolution. This huge uprising, the solidarity between people and their non-violent resistance actually left its mark on one entire generation. Then the consequences of the normalisation process literally devastated society, along with thousands of people emigrating, because they realised that the socialist regime cannot be reformed. Read also: Read also: Timeline: From the Prague Spring to occupation and normalisation Read more What preceded the invasion? In early 1968, the communist regime loosened its tight grip on the country, belonging to the sphere of the Soviet Unions interest following WWII. Reformist Alexander Dubcek was elected the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSC). Living Memory Founders of the civic association Living Memory Miroslav Lehky, Lubomir Morbacher and Martin Slavik believe that freedom and democracy are not a matter of course and that after the transformation from a totalitarian regime to a democratic one, it is not enough just to build formal institutions of a democratic state respecting the rule of law, but that a change in the thinking of people is necessary. In their opinion, coming to terms with totalitarianism in Slovakia has been delayed, slow and inconsistent. To help this process while fighting against growing hatred and extremism, they visit schools and talk with students about the advances and values of freedom and democracy, the past, fear and lack of freedom. All society was braver after Nikita Krushchev uncovered Stalins cult of personality in the late 1950s, explained Morbacher, adding that Czechoslovakia during the second half of the 1960s was ripe for a change. People began to believe that a socialist reform or their own path to socialism with a human face was possible. But the Soviet Union was watching Czechoslovakia closely and similar to eastern Germany back in 1953 and Hungary in 1956, it intervened in Czechoslovakia. Its troops, accompanied by the troops of other Warsaw Pacts countries, with the exception of Romania, invaded the country on August 21, 1968, and dampened all the reforms. Normalisation What followed was the normalisation process, i.e. returning the country to the regularity of the totalitarian regime. Gustav Husak, originally a close ally of Alexander Dubcek during the Prague Spring, changed sides and was elected the KSCs First Secretary. Along with Vasil Bilak, he became the symbol of normalisation, which meant a halt to all democratisation processes and a return to a repressive communist regime. Again, the media was censored and people had to request permission to travel to the West, said Morbacher. Extensive purges followed in mass media, in all segments of the society, as well as in the KSC. 22. Aug 2018 at 11:46 | Jana Liptakova Kolikova steps down as Justice Ministry state secretary The Most-Hid nominee who stated differences of opinions with the new minister as reasons for her step will be probably be replaced by Edita Pfundtner. Font size: A - | A + Maria Kolikova (of the junior coalition party Most-Hid) has tendered her resignation as Justice Ministry state secretary and is due to be replaced by Most-Hid MP Edita Pfundtner, Justice Minister Gabor Gal (Most-Hid) stated on August 21. Kolikova is leaving the ministry five months after the resignation of the previous justice minister Lucia Zitnanska (Most-Hid), with whom she served at the ministry under the government of Iveta Radicova (2010-12), the TASR newswire wrote. Reasons for resignation The Dennik N daily, which broke the news, first published Kolikovas resignation letter, in which she stated that she had intended to remain at the ministry following Zitnanskas departure with an eye towards completing a judiciary audit project. However, the difference in opinions regarding both the management of the ministry as well as issues addressed by the Justice Ministry are so fundamental that functional cooperation is no longer possible, Kolikova wrote as cited by TASR, adding that this surfaced in the wake of her recent statements on the election of Constitutional Court judges and latest developments. The new minister viewed her statements as confrontational, she added. and reactions The ministry accepts and respects Maria Kolikovas request to resign as state secretary, claimed ministry spokesperson Zuzana Drobova. Ms. Kolikova and Mr. Gal had differing opinions on how to lead the ministry, the spokesperson informed, according to TASR. Such a lack of congruence could in the future have prevented the carrying out of tasks that the ministry faces in meeting the Government Manifesto. She added that minister Gal will propose Kolakovas replacement as early as the August 22 government session. The ex-state secretarys decision is respected by Most-Hid chair Bela Bugar. He also respects the ministers right to propose an individual for the post of state secretary whom he fully trusts and with whom he will be able to cooperate and meet the tasks in the Government Manifesto without difficulties, Most-Hid spokesperson Klara Debnar said, as quoted by TASR. Ex-minister Zitnanska (2016-18) appreciates Kolikovas decision. First off, its necessary to thank her for the work she did on projects regarding an effective judiciary, said the ex-minister for TASR, who resigned herself due to events following the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee. She really deserves gratitude. There are only a few people willing to work for the judiciary in such a passionate manner, she continued, adding: On the other hand, I must say that I absolutely understand Maria Kolikova because in the situation that weve seen since the murder of Jan Kuciak, it's getting increasingly difficult to fight for a better judiciary in the country alone. Hence, if she doesnt see eye to eye with the minister, I absolutely appreciate that. And what about a replacement? Most-Hid MP Edit Pfundtner has confirmed that party boss Bugar and Justice Minister Gal have reached out to her with an offer to become Justice Ministry state secretary in the wake of Kolikovas resignation from the post. I take it as a display of trust towards me, she noted, according to TASR. As everyone who knows me can attest, I dont shirk from work or responsibility," Pfundtner said, adding that if she gains the confidence of the government on August 22 she will take up the vacated post. Pfundtner is set to be replaced in parliament by Istvan Vavrek. 22. Aug 2018 at 14:11 | Compiled by Spectator staff The USA imposed sanctions on a Slovak company US Department of Treasury imposed sanctions in response to the attempts of the company and two Russian citizens and one Russian company - to help another Russian company evade penalties. The United States Department of Treasury imposed sanctions on two Russians, one Russian and one Slovak company on August 21, it wrote on its website. The Department explained that their actions helped other Russian companies circumvent sanctions against harmful Russian activities. The Treasury Department wrote in a statement that the actors St Petersburg-based company Vela-Marine Ltd., Slovak company Lacno, s.r.o., and two individuals, Marina Igorevna Tsareva and Anton Aleksandrovich Nagibin helped Divetechnoservices evade sanctions. As of May 2018, Lacno s.r.o., which is based in Slovakia, attempted to facilitate a payment for over $20,000 on behalf of Divetechnoservices. As of April 2018, Divetechnoservices planned to utilize Lacno s.r.o. to purchase equipment, the Treasury Department wrote. As a result of todays (i.e. August 21) action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them, it also added on its website. Who or what is Lacno and Divetechnoservices? The sole partner of the Lacno, s.r.o. company, headquartered in Bratislava, according to the Trade Register, is Natalia Yakovlyeva, the Sme daily wrote. She has no other business activities in Slovakia. Lacno has a license for retail and wholesale activities, brokerage, as well as the operation of facilities offering regeneration and recondition. The company was established in 2014, Sme and other Slovak media reported. The USA imposed sanctions on Divetechnoservices in June for procuring for Russian state agencies including the FSB intelligence service a variety of underwater equipment and diving systems. The administration of previous US president, Barack Obama, imposed sanctions against FSB in December 2016 for the aggressive harassing of US representatives by the Russian government and cyber operations focused on 2016 presidential election. 22. Aug 2018 at 14:16 | Compiled by Spectator staff Political scientist: Vietnamese kidnappers maybe did not care about being exposed Trinh Xuan Thanh was a typical Vietnamese red prince. The kidnapping of Trinh Xuan Thanha in Germany is not related to the fight of the Vietnamese government against corruption, according to Tuong Vu, a Vietnamese professor of political science at the University of Oregon, USA. The Slovak Spectator spoke to him about how Thanh provoked domestic government and secret service. He was a playboy who openly criticized the country's leadership. The Slovak Spectator (TSS): Why was Trinh Xuan Thanh so important that Vietnamese secret service kidnapped him despite a possibly major diplomatic impact on relationships with European countries? Tuong Vu (TV): There were two reasons. First, he was caught in a personal vendetta between former prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung and the partys General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Trinh Xuan Thanh was associated with Dung who stepped down in 2016. Dung was a powerful man and helped his associates and underlings get promoted to high positions in big state-run companies. It was also the way how he expanded his power base. When Dung left his office, he was able to avoid any punishment even though he was notorious for corruption. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong tried but failed to censure the prime minister while he was in office. After the prime minister retired in 2016, Trong started to go after Dungs associates in the politburo and in the central committee. For example, inh La Thang, a politburo member who was President of the state-owned oil company PetroVietnam, was recently sentenced to 15 years in prison for embezzling state assets. Trinh Xuan Thanh was an assistant of Thang and they were tried together. Read also: Read also: Everything in Slovakia was tailored for the kidnappers Read more TSS: Were those prosecuted people truly corrupt? TV: Yes, they were. But they were prosecuted not only because of their corruption. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong claims that he is fighting corruption, but his own faction is also very corrupt. TSS:What was the second reason for kidnapping Trinh Xuan Thanh? TV: Three or four officials of PetroVietnam fled from Vietnam before they were arrested. Two of them, including Trinh Xuan Thanh, went to Germany. But instead of laying low to avoid attention, Thanh used social media to challenge the party. Through a Vietnamese emigrant in Germany, he tried to present his case on social media, showing images of his ID to back up the case. In several posts on social media, he argued that he was innocent, that charges against him were fabricated, and that the whole ongoing prosecution was out of political reasons. His messages were perceived as an open challenge to the partys General Secretary and the police. He was practically saying that he was out of their reach and could do anything he wanted with impunity. 22. Aug 2018 at 15:22 | Roman Cuprik Education Ministry fined 790,000 The fine is the result of a botched contract for the Infovek 2 project in 2015, which was concluded without due tender. Font size: A - | A + The Education Ministry will probably have to pay a fine of 790,000 in connection with the Infovek 2 project, said ministry head Martina Lubyova (junior coalition Slovak National Party/SNS) after the cabinet meeting on August 22. We received a ruling on a fine of 790,000, which was imposed because the [former] minister Juraj Draxler (Smer) in 2015 signed a contract that was drawn up through a direct negotiated procedure instead of announcing a tender, meaning that they continued with Telekom as a supplier, Lubyova said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. No chance to appeal The ministry has no option to appeal, according to Lubyova. The decision is final, she said for TASR, adding that the ministry is examining the situation with lawyers. It seems, however, that the fine is unavoidable. Its very likely that we wont manage to get out of it, she summed up. What happened back in 2015? In 2010, the Education Ministry concluded a contract with the Slovak Telekom company for the Infovek 2 project for the provision of internet. In September 2015, the ministry sealed a contract with Slovak Telekom through a direct negotiated procedure to extend the project by one year, worth a total of 5.7 million, excluding VAT. The contract was concluded at that time because a new connection provider wasnt selected via a competition, the ministry explained recently, as cited by TASR. The public procurement for the new connection provider, that is, the public procurement for the Edunet_SK project, was announced in December 2015. Since the Edunet_SK project wasnt completed at that time, the ministry concluded an addendum to the contract with Slovak Telekom in September 2016, extending the Infovek 2 project. 22. Aug 2018 at 22:52 | Compiled by Spectator staff Sliac airport to host SIAF annual air show The popular, international event takes place on the first two days of September. Once again, pilots from eleven different countries will come to Sliac airport near Banska Bystrica to show off both modern technology and aviation legends at the international SIAF air show on the first two days of September. Foreign guests One of the main attractions will be aerobatic groups, and visitors will be able to see several of them, SIAF spokesman Dusan Hein told the TASR newswire. Undoubtedly, the biggest star will be the French team of Patrouille de France [Patrol of France], he added. video //www.youtube.com/embed/yQOHjoD4_Kk The nine pilots in red-white-blue Alpha Jet planes change their air display every year. Meanwhile, the Royal Jordanian Falcons will appear for the first time. Domestic anniversaries A regular guest of the Sliac air show is a quartet of gliders from central Slovakia. In a year in which people from As [the westernmost point in the Czech Republic] to Cierna nad Tisou [the easternmost point in Slovakia] are commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Czechoslovakia, the SIAF is celebrating the unique history of Czechoslovak aviation. The gliders will be towed by Czechoslovak L-29 Delfin (Dolphin) and MiG-15 aircraft, Hein said, as quoted by TASR. video //www.youtube.com/embed/OyLyHjyDUx0 Also on display will be C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft and older UH-60M Black Hawk military utility helicopters. 22. Aug 2018 at 22:58 | Compiled by Spectator staff A Slovak smuggled 29 Vietnamese in a Mercedes The Kosice native was sentenced to 56 months in prison for people smuggling, but he appealed the verdict. Another case of people smuggling is being decided upon by the Kosice Regional Court: a man from Kosice, aged 46 and identified as Marek S., has been convicted by the Michalovce District Court, but he appealed the verdict and thus, his case was sent to the regional court. He awaits the higher instance courts ruling in pre-trial custody, the Kosice Korzar daily wrote on August 22. 17 Vietnamese in the boot Marek is charged with smuggling a total of 17 migrants in his Mercedes Benz V car in May 2017. The car was adjusted to transport a larger number of people by removing seats. Allegedly, the Vietnamese citizens crossed the Ukrainian-Slovak border at an unknown point and were led by someone to an unknown place in the Sobrance District. There, they entered the car driven by Marek from Kosice and shortly after midnight, the police patrol stopped the Mercedes and checked it at the Slovnaft in Michalovce. The Migrants were taken to the police station, while Marek was taken into custody. He didnt know about the people Marek continues to claim his innocence. He was allegedly approached by an Ukrainian man named Sergei who asked him to drive some items, and after he agreed, he was given a walkie-talkie, through which he was navigated. He had no idea there were people in the back of the car, Marek insists. Police say they tried to stop the Mercedes and succeeded only after some time and 300 metres at a fuel station. Then, they found people in the load-room space, and counted 17 foreigners. Vietnamese prove he's lying Several of the Vietnamese passengers were more talkative and said that a total of 29 Vietnamese people were taken to a forest, led to a border at night by an Ukrainian man and from there, were taken by two smugglers with masks on. After more than two hours of walking, all 29 people got in a van, Chien Van Nguyen testified. After about a 30-minute drive, two of the Vietnamese people fainted, and then started to bang on the cars side. The van stopped, after a while two other cars appeared, and six people boarded each of them. He remained in the van, which was then stopped by police. Chien Van Nguyen also testified, as quoted by Kosice Korzar, that their ultimate destination was Germany where he was supposed to pay someone more money after the first advance payment of 3,000 - 13,000. Defendant complains about procedural flaws Michalovce court evaluated Mareks defence as purposeful and has no doubts about his guilt. It found the Kosice man guilty of people smuggling and sent him to prison for 56 months. However, Marek filed an appeal, arguing with several procedural flaws by the court while deeming that the verdict was based on unlawfully achieved and made-up evidence, Branislav Bujnak of the Regional Prosecutors Office Kosice told the newspaper. The regional court has not ruled on his appeal yet. 22. Aug 2018 at 23:13 | Compiled by Spectator staff Were back in Charlotte for another exciting Build-Out of Summer, this time coming from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Heading 350+ miles west towards their new home, Cafe Moka is the newest addition to an already exciting Charlotte coffee scene. The vibe is approachable but make no mistake about it, they are not skimping on the coffee quality. As a multi-roaster, Cafe Moka has upwards of five different roasters on offer at a given time, showcasing some of the best in the region (and from the other coast as well). So lets get cozy and check out the new Cafe Moka in Charlotte, North Carolina. As told to Sprudge by Roark Basham. For those who arent familiar, will you tell us about your company? We are a multi-roaster, espresso, and brewed coffee bar. Owned by three brothers. Roark Basham, along with Rowman and Rhett Basham. We started in 2010 in Virginia Beach, VA. We still have a shop there, on the campus of Regent University. Rowman moved moved to Charlotte in 2016, and we felt like Charlotte would be a fantastic spot for Cafe Moka. So I (Roark) moved there this spring to open and operate the shop. Can you tell us a bit about the new space? Vintage Americana, worn in, repurposed materials, hand made. I myself (Roark Basham) designed the entire space from the layout, to the interior finishes. I made most of the signs and some of the furniture. I designed the various logos seen throughout the space. Whats your approach to coffee? We offer a menu that has something for every level of coffee palate. For the purist, we hand-brew each cup, with offerings from four different roasters daily. Fruity espresso for straight consumption or small espresso beverages. We offer a heartier espresso with more milk, and tons of flavor options. We feature matcha drinks (Swallowtail Tea), chai (Prana) and golden Turmeric, hot or iced tea, smoothies, hot cocoas, blended coffee, and coffee-free drinks. Each season we have a seasonal menu. Our most popular off our summer menu is our signature Blackberry Coffee Lemonade. We sell it, as well as our Summer Crush Teas, and our Ice Brew Coffee by the cup or growler. Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up? We use an old La Marzocco FB-70, custom painted orange. We use Baratza Forte BG grinders, Curtis hot water tower, Acaia Pearl scales and mainly v60s to hand-brew each cup. Right now we use Hex Coffee (Charlotte, NC), Red Rooster Coffee (Floyd, VA), Barista Parlor (Nashville, TN), and Cirque (Tulsa, OK) on brewed coffee and Dillanos (Sumner, WA) and Red Rooster (Floyd, VA) on espresso. Whats your hopeful target opening date/month? We opened on July 03, 2018 Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that youd like to mention? We use a local baker here in Charlotte. The company is called Whisk & Wood. Thank you! Thanks so much! The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub. The campaign for Florida House seat 92 is heating up with incumbent representative Patricia Hawkins-Williams fending off allegations of anti-LGBT views. Broward County human rights activist Michael Rajner is blasting Hawkins-Williams across multiple social media channels, declaring Hawkins-Williams unfit for office and demanding she drop out of the race. Rajner is particularly dismayed by the endorsement Hawkins-Williams received from the Christian Family Coalition, a hate group, he said. She, like the Christian Family Coalition is hostile toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and believes it should be legal to discriminate against us because we are LGBTQ+, Rajner posted on Facebook on Aug. 16. The primary election takes place Aug. 28. House district 92 covers eight municipalities in Broward County: Pompano Beach, Oakland Park, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale Lakes, Margate, North Lauderdale and Tamarac. Paulette Armstead, Hawkins-Williams opponent, is a lesbian. Armstead, 68, a distinguished retired law enforcement officer and attorney, shrugged off the controversy, telling SFGN, I dont get caught up in the personality stuff. The personality stuff reared its ugly head at last months Dolphin Democratic club meeting. As endorsements were decided, Rajner took issue with Hawkins-Williams behavior. She stood there with a nasty attitude and never once said hello to anyone, Rajner said. Dr. Rosalind Osgood, a Broward Schools board member, rushed to Hawkins-Williams defense. Thats just Pat, said Osgood. She can be a stern type of person. Lets just say she needs some people skills. Armstead called the scene at the recent Dolphin Democrats meeting a distraction. I dont have any comment on Patricias attitude there, Armstead said. I didnt see her. Armstead said she is focused on her campaign and meeting voters. She finished third in this district in 2016, but picked up the endorsement of the Dolphins last month. Armstead said her campaign is gaining momentum. You gotta keep moving, she said. Armstead said lowering the cost of prescription medicine and bringing more affordable housing to the district are important issues and are 2016 campaign promises that Hawkins-Williams hasnt delivered on. There are no Republicans in the race for house seat 92 so the winner of the Aug. 28 Democratic primary will take the seat. Hawkins-Williams, 52, defeated Armstead in a four person field in the 2016 election. This time, Armstead has what she called a glowing endorsement from the Sun Sentinel. The newspaper said Armstead is a smart, thoughtful and persuasive about issues facing this minority district. A semi-retired attorney, she demonstrated in her endorsement interview and questionnaire that she understands the complexity of school reform, gun safety, sea level rise, legislative tactics and more. SFGN has made repeated attempts to speak with Hawkins-Williams, contacting her Tallahassee office and personal cell phone. Representative Bobby DuBose (D-Fort Lauderdale) said Hawkins-Williams is not anti-gay. DuBose, the Democratic leader pro tempore, is unchallenged in house district 94. Patricia is my colleague, I do not know Paulette, DuBose said. All I know is she said some things have been taken out of context and she is working on a statement. DuBose would not elaborate on what Hawkins-Williams believes was taken out of context in her spat with the Dolphin Democrats. Its not my campaign, he said, referring further questions to Hawkins-Williams. Osgood too said Hawkins-Williams is not anti-LGBT. That is not who I know her to be, Osgood told SFGN in a telephone call last Friday afternoon. Osgood said she has known Hawkins-Williams for years, dating back to their collaborative efforts at the Boyd Anderson Research Center in Lauderdale Lakes. Osgood, a Baptist minister, said she knew one of Williams family members identifies as LGBT. I never had an issue with Pat when she was in the city, Osgood said. Editor's Note: Dr. Rosalind Osgood called SFGN after this story was published to reiterate her support for the LGBT community saying she did not want anyone to think she wasn't an ally. She felt some readers may get that impression after reading this story. Back for a 12th year, Caffe Culture is bringing one of the UKs biggest coffee trade shows back to London, but with a completely new look. With Living Media Events taking the helm, the reinvented show is putting a focus on the specialty cafe and is bringing some of the biggest names in the industry along for the ride. And for the first time, Sprudge is proud to be an official media partner of Caffe Culture, so keep an eye out for our coverage of the event later this year. Happening October 16th and 17th at Londons Business Design Centre, some 4,000+ visitors are expected to attend this years show showcasing products ranging from tea, artisan food, bakery and chocolate right through to equipment, technology and packaging, per the Caffe Culture press release. Exhibitors this year include: Union Hand Roasted, Assembly Coffee, Roastworks, Colonna Coffee, and Climpson and Sons. But its not just booths, thanks to a Steering Committee comprised of Creative Director Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood (Colonna Coffee), Steve Penk (La Spaziale), John Richardson (Industry Consultant), Marco Arrigo (Illy), and Nick Mabey (Assembly), this years event will be information driven. In four separate theaters around the event space, Caffe Culture will feature panels and debates programmed by Colonna-Dashwood and Mabey. With over 30 talks already scheduled, attendees can expect topics to include discussions on starting and growing a coffee business, sustainability, quality control, and hospitality. Caffe Culture will also feature the finals of the SCA UK Latte Art Competition as well as a sensory experience led by current World Barista Champion Dale Harris. Theres no cost to attend Caffe Culture, but an RSVP is required, which can be done here. For a full list of who and what will be at this years event, visit the Caffe Culture official website. Zac Cadwalader is the news editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge. Top image via Caffee Culture The I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club offered an online handicapping contest for the Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer, as well as an online Pick The Winner contest in partnership with Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park. Congratulations to Al Dunn of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for winning the Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer Online Handicapping Contest with a perfect score (20/20)! He was the only participant from over 400 entrants to handicap all of the races correctly. Dunn watched Red Shores' signature race via live stream from the comfort of his home, which was a change in his plans as the race was moved to Sunday due to the inclement weather. The camera work was very good, it was great to watch the race from the different angles on the computer, said Al. Al has won a $50 Fan Club prize package, along with a $50 gift card to Red Shores. Below are the contest answers and Als selections: Select the horse that you think will win the Atlantic Canada Invitational Pace. (3 points) Als Selection: Do Over Hanover Answer: Do Over Hanover won the $7,500 Atlantic Canada Invitational Pace. The five-year-old Western Ideal gelding is trained by Chris MacKay and owned by Don MacRae of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I. and Allard Racing Inc. of Saint-Esprit, Que. From the two Joe O'Brien Memorial races for 3-Year-Old Colts, which race do you think will have the fastest finish time. (3 points) Als Selection: Race 8 Answer: Race 8 had the fastest finish time, with Sock It Away winning in 1:55.1. Select the post position that will have the greatest number of wins on the nights card. (3 points) Als Selection: Post 1 Answer: From the 14 races that evening, six races were won from post 1: 2, 3, 4, 6, 11 & 13. Select the horse that will reach the quarter pole first in the Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer. (3 points) Als Selection: Rockin In Heaven Answer: Rockin In Heaven reached the quarter pole first, in 27.2. Will the final time of the 2018 Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer be over, under, or on the time of 2017 winner Shadow Place (1:53.2) (3 points)? Als Selection: Under (Faster than 1:53.2) Answer: The final time was 1:50.4, just three-fifths of a second off the all-age track record, and faster then the 2017 winner. Select the horse that you think will win the 2018 Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer. (5 points) Als Selection: Somewhere Fancy Answer: The Allard brothers, Simon and Rene, teamed up to win the 59th running of the $60,000 Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer with pacer Somewhere Fancy who is owned by John Mehlenbacher of Oakville, Ont. The Fan Club also hosted an online Pick The Winner Contest in partnership with Red Shores, where fans had to select the winning horse in the Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer. Congratulations to Noel Robichaud of Moncton, New Brunswick whose entry was drawn from Somewhere Fancys submissions. He has won a $50 Fan Club prize package and a $50 gift card to Charlottetown Driving Park. The Canadian debut of Lazarus N will have to wait until Saturday, September 1 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The entry box for this years Canadian Pacing Derby closed Tuesday morning with 10 older pacers entered, which means that eliminations will not be necessary this coming weekend. The star-studded group of 10 will head directly to the $600,000 final, which will be contested on Sept. 1. The Wonder from Down Under Lazarus N headlines the field for this years Pacing Derby. The New Zealand-bred superstar will be making his second start on North American soil in Canadas oldest harness racing event. A six-year-old, Lazarus N was purchased earlier this year by Taylor Made Stallions and brought to North America to race for trainer Jimmy Takter. The son of Bettors Delight exited the Down Under racing scene with 35 wins in 45 starts, over $2.6 million in earnings and numerous awards. Lazarus N won his North American debut on August 10 at Hoosier Park in the Dan Patch. While all eyes will be locked on Lazarus N in the Canadian Pacing Derby, the other nine pacers are well-accomplished and will be looking to spoil the party. Casie Coleman trainee McWicked has been cleaning up in the older pacer division and will enter the Pacing Derby with six wins and over $672,000 earned in 10 starts. The seven-year-old recently surpassed $3 million in career earnings for owner S S G Stables. McWicked will be competing in his third Canadian Pacing Derby final. His best finish was a third in last years event. Dave Menary trainee Sintra is back to defend his Pacing Derby title. The five-year-old gelding is just one for eight this season, but his lone victory did come in the $100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup on Pepsi North America Cup Night. Sintra is currently $964 shy of $1 million in career earnings for owners Brad Gray, Michael Guerriero and Menary Racing Inc. His win in last years Pacing Derby is currently the richest victory of his career. Always loaded with talent, trainer Ron Burke, harness racings all-time leading trainer, will send out a trio of starters in the Canadian Pacing Derby. Burkes triple-threat for the $600,000 event consists of All Bets Off (29 wins, $3.1 million), Filibuster Hanover (12 wins, $1.2 million) and Rockin Ron (33 wins, $1.5 million). All Bets Off will be racing in his fourth consecutive Canadian Pacing Derby. The seven-year-old has finished fourth in each of the past two editions. Rockin Ron will be seeking redemption in this years Pacing Derby. The five-year-old won his elimination last year before surrounding the lead in deep stretch and finishing second in the final. This years Canadian Pacing Derby will also include Dr J Hanover, the fastest horse in Canadian harness racing history. The Tony Alagna-trained five-year-old set the Canadian record of 1:46.4 last June at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Dr J Hanover has enjoyed recent success at the Milton oval, as he has posted two Preferred victories since July 28. Woodbine Mohawk Park fan favourite Nirvana Seelster has been entered to race in his fourth consecutive Canadian Pacing Derby. The Bill Budd-trained seven-year-old finished fourth in last years final and will enter this years edition just over $6,000 away from millionaire status. Split The House, last years Breeders Crown victor, will be making his Pacing Derby debut. The Chris Oakes-trained six-year-old is a 13-time winner with more than $760,000 in career earnings. The field of 10 is completed by Western Fame, the second entrant from the Takter barn. The winner of more than $925,000 lifetime will head into the Pacing Derby off of a 1:48.4 upset victory in last Sundays Roll With Joe Stakes at Tioga Downs. Western Fame may not receive the bright lights like stablemate Lazarus, but the five-year-old has quietly scored five victories and earned nearly $200,000 this season. The field of 10 for this years Canadian Pacing Derby has combined for 241 wins and $16,277,077 in earnings. The $600,000 Canadian Pacing Derby joins the $651,000 Maple Leaf Trot for a stacked card on Saturday, September 1. Post time is 7:10 p.m. The full field for the Canadian Pacing Derby appears below in alphabetical order. All Bets Off Dr J Hanover Filibuster Hanover Lazarus N McWicked Nirvana Seelster Rockin Ron Sintra Split The House Western Fame (Woodbine Mohawk Park) Trot Insider has learned that Best Risque p, 7, 1:53.3 ($240,141), one of the top mares in Atlantic Canada over the past four seasons, has passed away at the age of 11. Best Risque, a daughter of Cammibest out of Risque Business, has passed after having recently sustained an injury while racing at Red Shores Charlottetown Driving Park. From 276 lifetime starts, Best Risque recorded 62 wins, 60 second-place finishes and 40 thirds. She banked $240,131 in purse earnings and took her lifetime mark of 1:53.3 at the age of seven over Mohawk Racetrack. More recently, Best Risque established herself as one of the top Open Mares in Atlantic Canada. Over the past four racing seasons she won 23 races, recorded 17 second-place finishes and 18 thirds from 94 Maritime starts. During that span she banked just short of $45,000 in purse earnings and also won in 1:56.1 with several of her charted lines also in the 1:55 range. Best Risque is co-owned and trained by Brian Ladner as well as co-owners Lillian and Kevin Ladner, all of Charlottetown, PEI. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Best Risque. Bettim Jackie has been razor sharp in stakes competition against the top sophomore on Canadas eastern seaboard, but she will face her toughest test to date against aged campaigners this Thursday evening (Aug. 23) at Red Shores Charlottetown Driving Park. The 10-dash card will get underway at 6:30 p.m. Bettim Jackie has been installed as second choice in the six-horse top event, which has been carded as Race 9 and is sponsored by MacPherson Roche and Smith. Gilles Barrieau will be back in the bike behind the daughter of Andreoli Hanover for trainer Jeff Lilley of Milton, who co-owns with Danny Purcell of Newport, NS and Blair MacLauchlan of Charlottetown. The talented pacer has recorded seven wins from 18 seasonal starts and has banked $76,645 in earnings this year. She will face off against Governors Plate finalist Nogreatmischief, who will start from Post 5 in this weeks $2,300 contest for trainer-driver Walter Cheverie. Fast N Victorious will also make a return to pari-mutuel competition in the class off of a pair of qualifiers and will start from Post 6 for driver Adam Merner and trainer Stephen Gass. Rounding out the field will be Narragansett (driven by Jason Hughes) and The Big Bite (Kenny Arsenault). The cards top trot will line up for the D &G Younker Memorial (Race 5) which will carry a purse of $1,800. Frill Seeker is the morning line favourite from Post 4 for trainer-driver Kenny Arsenault and owner Ebbsfleet Stable of Stratford, Ont. Other top entries include Glencove Carter (Steven Shepherd) and Majian Tango (Jim Ripley). For promotional plays, live video, race programs and more, head over to redshores.ca. To view the harness racing entries for Thursday at the CDP, click the following link: Thursday Entries Charlottetown Driving Park. (With files from Red Shores) I stumbled across an interesting article a few days ago. Written by Kartik Athreya, of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, the article is titled Economics is Hard. Dont Let Bloggers Tell You Otherwise. The abstract of the paper declares, In this essay, I argue that neither non-economist bloggers, nor economists who portray economics especially macroeconomic policy as a simple enterprise with clear conclusions, are likely to contibute [sic] any insight to discussion of economics and, as a result, should be ignored by an open-minded lay public. To start, I might propose that the open-minded public ignore economists and organizations that are unable to run a spell-checker over the word contribute. But that takes me away from the issue. If by hard Athreya means that economic concepts, and results, are sometimes counterintuitive, then I can agree. Examples include the following: Giving the poor cash payments will result in fewer poor people False. Or, setting limits on rent prices will make housing, overall, more affordable Also false. But that is not what Athreya means. He means that economics is so scientific and complex that the untrained economist (or a trained economist who simplifies the explanation or policy result) has nothing meaningful to contribute. He continues in discussing the public commentary, or lack thereof, that took place after the Tsunami in East Asia and the earthquake in Haiti: Everyone understands that seismology is probably hard enough that one probably has little useful to say without first getting a PhD in it. The key is that macroeconomics, which involves aggregating the actions of millions to generate outcomes, where the constituents pieces are human beings, is probably every bit as hard. This is a message that would-be commentators just have to learn to accept. For my part, seventeen years after my first PhD coursework, I still feel ill at ease with my grasp of many issues, and I am fairly confident that this is not just a question of limited intellect. The truth is that economics is so hard for Kartik Athreya because he is trying to do the impossible. He still feels ill at ease in his profession, after seventeen years, because he is trying to explain the economic aggregates of entire states and nations with the tools he learned in Calculus III, Econometrics II, and Linear Algebra I. This all reminds me of the scathing critique that Nassim Nicholas Taleb leveled in his book The Black Swan about the infiltration and paralyzing reality that rationality became to the world of mainstream economics: It involves complicated mathematics and thus raises a barrier to entry by non-mathematically trained scholars. I would not be the first to say that this optimization set back social science by reducing it from the intellectual and reflective discipline that it was becoming to an attempt at an exact science. By exact science, I mean a second-rate engineering problem for those who want to pretend that they are in the physics department so-called physics envy. In other words, an intellectual fraud. (p. 184) For a short explanation on the limits of macroeconomics, I recommend reading The Limits of Macroeconomics by Roger Garrison. For a slightly longer one, I recommend a quick reread of Human Action by Mises himself. Additionally, I will say that recent macroeconomic developments have been easy to understand. People bought homes they couldnt afford with the blessing of government officials. This was encouraged by the likes of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and a Federal Reserve in love with a cheap-credit policy. Now, it is all being made worse by increasing regulations, higher taxes, fiscal interventions, and unneeded bailouts. Meanwhile, I will continue to repeat that all people will be made better off in the long run by lowering taxes, easing regulations, stopping fiscal-policy interventions, and not giving the state the power to print fiat money. And Kartik Athreya can go on making quality contributions to macroeconomics by recalculating the fiscal multiplier, mathematically tweaking the Phillips Curve, and taking integrals under the IS-LM curves. This article was originally published by the Mises Institute. A group of 15 LGBT Malaysians approached the police after a recent rise in death threats and hate crimes targeted toward their community. The change comes after two portraits of LGBT activists were ordered to be taken down from a public photo exhibition by the government, said Elisha Kor Krishnan, the leader of the group and founder of human rights organization Pertubuhan Kesihatan dan Kebajikan Malaysia, which translates to the Malaysian Health and Welfare Organization. LGBT people are Malaysian citizens, full members of our society, as such should be treated with equality, respect and dignity, so that they can live their lives without the constant fear of being attacked and exposed to hate-crime, she said in a statement, reported MalayMail. And religious groups encourage discrimination against the LGBT community, the group also claimed. The [Muslim religious leaders] are speaking against us by saying fighting for LGBT rights is akin to fighting for animal rights, and that the LGBT community opposed Gods law, Krishnan added, according to Free Malaysia Today. The attacks are especially targeted toward the transgender community, some posts promising to kill them on sight. Governmental departments, including Family and Community Development and the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, are also being urged to look into the threats. A podcast called AfroQueer, produced by African digital media company None on Record, has uploaded four episodes on the lives of LGBT people in Africa. Law, migration, race, film, censorship, family, and sex are just some of the topics that the podcast covers. It goes around the continent, focusing on events like the murder of Sierra Leonean lesbian activist FannyAnn Eddy in 2004 and on pride parades in Johannesburg and Uganda, among others. The kinds of narratives that are shared about African LGBT experiences are generally only stories of victimisation and violence but we also have stories of resilience and people pushing against different forms of oppression, the series Executive Producer Selly Thiam said. They chose the series medium to be a podcast so that people can listen to it on earbuds in secret, said None on Records Arts and Culture Director Aida Holly-Nambi. Public opinion and laws concerning LGBT people widely vary throughout the continent, but tend to be negative across the board, tolerance of homosexuals and other groups are at the bottom of tolerance lists, with ethnicity, immigrants, religion, and people living with HIV/AIDS beating it out, reported the Center for Risk Analysis at the South African Institute of Race Relations. Russias seven-person village of Yeblonevy was going to be the site of the countrys first approved pride parade, but the permission was revoked less than 24 hours after it was given. The shut-down came from Gennady Denikayev, the town manager of the nearby larger industrial settlement Novoulyanovsk. The parade, scheduled for Aug. 26, was predicted to have 300 attendees. I made a decision, there will be no gay parade. We intend to protect traditional family values and, foremost, our children from the propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations, he said to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The decision is in line with Russias 2013 ruling against homosexual propaganda, which is used to shut down LGBT events. The parade was originally approved by Novoulyanovsk city administration head Svetlana Kosarinova, who organizer of the parade and prominent LGBT activist Nikolai Alekseev called the bravest person in Russia on Facebook. Alekseev has been petitioning for Russian pride parades since the mid-2000s, even taking it to a court case in 2012 that he lost. He isnt giving up, however hes requested five more cities to hold a march in since the recent refusal, reported Newsweek. Mountain Shadows in Wayanad is just the place for a dreamy vacation When traveling with kids, it can be challenging to find a non-fast food restaurant that pleases everybody. But New York City has one of the widest selections of restaurants in the world. In the Big Apple, its easy to find a cool restaurant that will please both the kids and the grown-ups. Ellen's Stardust Diner Take the kids to dinner and a showat the same time. At Ellens Stardust Diner, located on Broadway, the waitstaff of aspiring actors and actresses put on a variety show while also serving meals. The diners 1950s decor makes you feel like you just stepped onto the set of Happy Days or Grease. The menu includes classic diner selections such as Reuben, turkey club, meatloaf, chicken pot pie and a variety of burgers. Kids can choose from favorites such as hot dogs and pshetti. And dont forget to leave room for dessertincluding 1950s classics like an old-fashioned New York-style ice cream malted. Ellens Stardust Diner 1650 Broadway New York, NY, 10019 (212) 664-0256 ellensstardustdiner.com/ Jekyll & Hyde Club If your kids cant wait for Halloween, take a trip to the Jekyll & Hyde Club, located just outside of Central Park. The theme restaurant based on Robert Louis Stevenson novel is spooky fun year-round. The cast of characters includes gargoyles, werewolves and mad scientists. The menu features standard American pub favorites, such as salads, sandwiches and pizza. Kids selections include Fang's Hamburger and Max Goreys Grilled Cheese. Jekyll & Hyde Club 1409 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY, 10019 (212) 541-9505 eerie.com/ Katzs Deli A true New York experience includes a trip to an old-fashioned deli. Katzs Deli, founded in 1888, is the oldest in New York. Politicians, movie stars and regular folksKatzs serves people from all walks of life. Its even been featured in the movies. Introduce your kids to such kosher classics as corned beef, pastrami, and Katzs famous pickles. The sandwiches are huge, so if youve got more than one kid along, you might want to order one for them to share. Katz's Delicatessen 205 E. Houston St. New York, NY 10002 (212) 254-2246 katzdeli.com/ Nicks Pizza Nearly all kids (and adults) love pizza, and Nicks Pizza on the Upper West Side serves some of the best pies in New York. The thin-crust pizzas are baked in brick ovens, delivering a crispy crust with a hint of smoky flavor. Personalize your pie with classic toppings, such as pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage and more. White pies with mozzarella and/or ricotta are also available. While pizza is the house specialty, If you're in the mood for pasta, order a few of the generous portions of macaroni dishes, such as Mama Casanos manicotti, rigatoni tomato and basil, and spaghetti marinara, and share them family-style. Nicks Pizza 1814 Second Ave. New York, NY 10128 (212) 987-5700 nicksnyc.com Once a separate city in its own right, the borough of Brooklyn today is a vibrant part of New York City. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the area's many attractions. Whether you're dipping your toe into the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island, taking a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or admiring the view of Manhattan from downtown Brooklyn, you and your family will find many family-friendly restaurants to enjoy here. Nathan's Famous While you probably know Nathan's from its branches all across the country, you can still visit the original, a small storefront in Coney Island, which offers an extensive take-out menu with seating outside. You'll find classic fast-food selections such as crinkle-cut fries and steamed hot dogs. Additional choices include tomato-based Manhattan clam chowder, cheeseburgers, fried chicken and even upscale selections like lobster rolls. Plenty of napkins are on hand to clean up messy eaters. After you've finished eating, walk along the boardwalk, just half a block away, and visit the nearby New York Aquarium. Nathan's Famous 1310 Surf Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11224 718-946-2705 nathansfamous.com Junior's Restaurant Located in downtown Brooklyn, the original Junior's Restaurant serves casual food in a family-friendly setting. Junior's is best known for its cheesecake, and has served slices of its trademark dessert to everyone from mayors to presidents to hall-of-fame athletes. Breakfast is served all day long. Kids can order a cheeseburger with onion rings while adults can start off with a cup of matzo ball soup and then sample the baked meatloaf or a club sandwich. Save room for a slice from over a dozen different varieties of cheesecake, including strawberry shortcake and apple crumb. Junior's Restaurant 386 Flatbush Ave. Ext. Brooklyn, NY 11201 718-852-5257? juniorscheesecake.com Randazzo's Clam Bar Randazzo's Clam Bar is located in the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, right across from piers with fishing boats and a view of the Atlantic Ocean. The area still remains home to many working boats, where seafood is sold after a day at sea. Those who want to catch fish on their own can go out for a few hours on a chartered boat, but if you'd rather let someone else do the catching (and cooking), Randazzo's offers fresh seafood in an informal atmosphere. Start your meal with one of two varieties of clam chowder or a cup of lobster bisque. Clams are available prepared in many ways, including steamed and fried, but smaller children with less hearty appetites can order a single seafood sandwich. Older kids and adults can try the fried seafood choices or the Italian specialties, such as pasta with white clam sauce. Randazzo's Clam Bar 2023 Emmons Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11235-2707 718-615-0010? randazzosclambar.com The mass of a very young exoplanet has been revealed for the first time using data from ESA's star mapping spacecraft Gaia and its predecessor, the quarter-century retired Hipparcos satellite. Astronomers Ignas Snellen and Anthony Brown from Leiden University, the Netherlands, deduced the mass of the planet Beta Pictoris b from the motion of its host star over a long period of time as captured by both Gaia and Hipparcos. The planet is a gas giant similar to Jupiter but, according to the new estimate, is 9 to 13 times more massive. It orbits the star Beta Pictoris, the second brightest star in the constellation Pictor. The planet was only discovered in 2008 in images captured by the Very Large Telescope at the European Southern Observatory in Chile. Both the planet and the star are only about 20 million years old -- roughly 225 times younger than the solar system. Its young age makes the system intriguing but also difficult to study using conventional methods. "In the Beta Pictoris system, the planet has essentially just formed," says Ignas. "Therefore we can get a picture of how planets form and how they behave in the early stages of their evolution. On the other hand, the star is very hot, rotates fast, and it pulsates." This behaviour makes it difficult for astronomers to accurately measure the star's radial velocity -- the speed at which it appears to periodically move towards and away from the Earth. Tiny changes in the radial velocity of a star, caused by the gravitational pull of planets in its vicinity, are commonly used to estimate masses of exoplanets. But this method mainly works for systems that have already gone through the fiery early stages of their evolution. In the case of Beta Pictoris b, upper limits of the planet's mass range had been arrived at before using the radial velocity method. To obtain a better estimate, the astronomers used a different method, taking advantage of Hipparcos' and Gaia's measurements that reveal the precise position and motion of the planet's host star in the sky over time. "The star moves for different reasons," says Ignas. "First, the star circles around the centre of the Milky Way, just as the Sun does. That appears from the Earth as a linear motion projected on the sky. We call it proper motion. And then there is the parallax effect, which is caused by the Earth orbiting around the Sun. Because of this, over the year, we see the star from slightly different angles." And then there is something that the astronomers describe as 'tiny wobbles' in the trajectory of the star across the sky -- minuscule deviations from the expected course caused by the gravitational pull of the planet in the star's orbit. This is the same wobble that can be measured via changes in the radial velocity, but along a different direction -- on the plane of the sky, rather than along the line of sight. "We are looking at the deviation from what you expect if there was no planet and then we measure the mass of the planet from the significance of this deviation," says Anthony. "The more massive the planet, the more significant the deviation." To be able to make such an assessment, astronomers need to observe the trajectory of the star for a long period of time to properly understand the proper motion and the parallax effect. The Gaia mission, designed to observe more than one billion stars in our galaxy, will eventually be able to provide information about a large amount of exoplanets. In the 22 months of observations included in Gaia's second data release, published in April, the satellite has recorded the star Beta Pictoris about thirty times. That, however, is not enough. "Gaia will find thousands of exoplanets, that's still on our to-do list," says Timo Prusti, ESA's Gaia project scientist. "The reason that the exoplanets can be expected only late in the mission is the fact that to measure the tiny wobble that the exoplanets are causing, we need to trace the position of stars for several years." Combining the Gaia measurements with those from ESA's Hipparcos mission, which observed Beta Pictoris 111 times between 1990 and 1993, enabled Ignas and Anthony to get their result much faster. This led to the first successful estimate of a young planet's mass using astrometric measurements. "By combining data from Hipparcos and Gaia, which have a time difference of about 25 years, you get a very long term proper motion," says Anthony. "This proper motion also contains the component caused by the orbiting planet. Hipparcos on its own would not have been able to find this planet because it would look like a perfectly normal single star unless we had measured it for a much longer time. "Now, by combining Gaia and Hipparcos and looking at the difference in the long term and the short term proper motion, we can see the effect of the planet on the star." The result represents an important step towards better understanding the processes involved in planet formation, and anticipates the exciting exoplanet discoveries that will be unleashed by Gaia's future data releases. Reference: "The Mass of the Young Planet Beta Pictoris b Through the Astrometric Motion of Its Host Star," I. Snellen & A. Brown, 2018 Aug. 20, Nature Astronomy [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-018-0561-6]. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. On Aug. 21 at 7:15 a.m. EDT (1115 UTC) NASA's Terra satellite found coldest temperatures of strongest thunderstorms (yellow) in Hurricane Lane were as cold as or colder than minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 Celsius) in the eyewall. They were surrounded by a larger area of storms with cloud tops as cold as minus 70 degrees (red) Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 degrees Celsius). Credits: NRL/NASA Hurricane Lane continued to show a large eye surrounded by powerful storms. An infrared look by NASA's Terra satellite provided temperatures of those storms, confirming strong, high thunderstorms capable of very heavy rainfall. NOAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center or CPHC cautioned on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, "Major Hurricane Lane expected to make a turn toward the Hawaiian Islands later this week." Interests in the main Hawaiian Islands and across the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands should continue to closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Lane. A Hurricane Watch may be required for portions of the main Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday. On Aug. 21 at 7:15 a.m. EDT (1115 UTC) the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite analyzed Lane's cloud top temperatures in infrared light. MODIS found cloud top temperatures of strongest thunderstorms in the eyewall were as cold as or colder than minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 Celsius). They were surrounded by a larger area of storms with cloud tops as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 degrees Celsius).Cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms that have the capability to create heavy rain. At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) on Aug. 21 or 11 p.m. HST on Aug. 21, the eye of Hurricane Lane was located by aircraft near latitude 14.0 degrees north and longitude 151.2 degrees west. Lane is moving toward the west near 12 mph (19 kph) and this motion is expected to continue through Tuesday, with some slowing in forward speed. A gradual turn toward the northwest is expected Wednesday into Thursday, Aug. 23. Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph (240 kph) with higher gusts. Lane is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Slight weakening is forecast over the next couple of days. CPHC said "Large swells generated by Lane will impact the Hawaiian Islands this week. These swells will produce large and potentially damaging surf along exposed shorelines. Excessive rainfall associated with Lane could affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands from Wednesday into the weekend, leading to flash flooding and mud slides." For updated forecasts, visit: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/ Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. A study on past reversals of Earth's magnetic field has found that a rapid shift occurred within two centuries -- such an event in future would increase our exposure to the Sun's radiation that may cause trillions of dollars in power and communications systems damage. The international research team found that magnetic field reversals -- whereby the magnetic south pole became the magnetic north pole and vice versa -- could happen much more rapidly than the thousands of years previously thought to be needed. Professor Andrew Roberts from The Australian National University (ANU) said the magnetic field's strength decreased by about 90 percent when a field reversal occurred, making the Earth much more vulnerable to the Sun's radiation. "Earth's magnetic field, which has existed for at least 3.45 billion years, provides a shield from the direct impact of solar radiation," said Professor Roberts from the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences who was part of the study led by Distinguished Professor Chuan-Chou Shen at the National Taiwan University and lead author Dr. Yu-Min Chou of the Southern University of Science and Technology in China. "Even with Earth's strong magnetic field today, we're still susceptible to solar storms that can damage our electricity-based society." A field reversal would have much more of an effect than the solar storm that hit Earth in 1859. A similar magnitude solar storm today would cause major damage to power grids and communications systems worth trillions of dollars. "Hopefully such an event is a long way in the future and we can develop future technologies to avoid huge damage, where possible, from such events," Professor Roberts said. He and his ANU colleague Dr. Xiang Zhao from the Research School of Earth Sciences contributed to the study of the paleomagnetic record from 107,000 to 91,000 years ago that is based on precise magnetic analysis and radiometric dating of a stalagmite from a cave in southwestern China. The stalagmite, which is one metre in length and eight centimetres in diameter, has a candle-like shape and ranges in colour from yellow to dark brown. "The record provides important insights into ancient magnetic field behaviour, which has turned out to vary much more rapidly than previously thought," Professor Roberts said. Reference: "Multidecadally Resolved Polarity Oscillations During a Geomagnetic Excursion," Yu-Min Chou et al., 2018 Aug. 20, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America [https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1720404115]. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Interest in Canberra politics sent ABC News to a timeslot win at 772,000 viewers last night, ahead of A Current Affair, Home and Away and The Project but by 7:30 reality took the lead. The Block was high at 952,000, winning the demos and well in front of Australian Survivors 661,000 and 7:30 & Foreign Corrsspondent. Sevens Dance Boss at a meagre 397,000 was locked in a battle with Great Indian Railway Journeys on SBS at 364,000. True Story with Hamish and Andy drew 699,000 / 546,000, a clear leader once Survivor ended. 800 Words was forced to rebuild after its poor lead-in, settling for 472,000. TENs Taboo pilot has won considerable social media praise, but many Survivor viewers did not stick around, tumbling to 277,000 from its lead-in. Nine network won Tuesday with 29.8% then Seven 25.8%, TEN 18.4%, ABC 17.8% and SBS 8.2%. The Block was best for Nine on 952,000 then Nine News (910,000 / 870,000), A Current Affair (736,000), True Story with Hamish and Andy (699,000 / 546,000), Hot Seat (477,000 / 304,000) and Kath & Kim (312,000 / 234,000). Seven News was #1 for Seven with 1.01m/ 972,000 then Home and Away (668,000), The Chase (581,000 / 335,000), 800 Words (472,000) and Dance Boss (397,000). Killer Tapes was 197,000. Australia Survivor (661,000) led for TEN followed by The Project (535,000 / 317,000), TEN Eyewitness News (356,000), Taboo (277,000) and Pointless (236,000). NCIS: LA was 123,000. ABC News (772,000), 7:30 (599,000), Foreign Correspondent (489,000), Catalyst (453,000), Search for Second Earth (273,000) and Think Tank (234,000) were best for ABC. On SBS it was Great Indian Railway Journeys was 364,000 then Insight (253,000), Dateline (175,000) and SBS World News (141,000). The Chefs Line was 63,000. 7mates Highway Patrol topped multichannels at 198,000. Today Extra: 121,000 / 67,000 The Morning Show: 109,000 / Studio 10: 58,000 / 48,000 / 32,000 OzTAM Overnights: Tuesday 21 August 2018 Sevens new dating show Take Me Out, hosted by Joel Creasey will start Monday week. Dance Boss concludes next Tuesday night. Seven also has All Together Now on the way soon. The series is based on Taken Out, developed in Australia by FremantleMedia, who is producing the new version too. It was also the basis for the international cult show If You Are the One. Exciting, provocative, candid and funny, Take Me Out is a fresh and funny dating show. A single male player is introduced to panel of 30 girls and tries to persuade them to keep their lights on so he can choose one for a potential date on the tropical Gold Coast. The show provides an entertaining mixture of comedy, jeopardy, surprises and possibly romance. First impressions count as the first player comes on. Will the panel like what they see, or will the player be one big turn off! If the panel are not impressed, they can switch out their podium lights and if its a total blackout, the player goes home dateless! Even if the player scores well at first glance, theyll need to impress the panel more. How will they react when the player demonstrates a skill or reveals an important fact or maybe theyre given an insight into the players character from an ex! This show certainly isnt afraid to reveal someones biggest weaknesses or darkest secrets. Finally, the tables are turned on the panel and the player gets to choose whom he will take out by eliminating all but the two he likes best. Tensions run high as he asks the final two panellists one revealing question. Before he player reveals his choice the host reveals a mystery fact about one of the girls. The player is then invited to turn off the light of his least favourite. Once theyve picked their lucky partner, theyll be Taken Out on the ultimate date which will be captured on camera for all to be revealed on the next show. A new single flirty female now joins the panel line-up and theyre all in the spotlight again as a new player enters. Lets see just how many girls this guy can keep turned on. 7:30pm Monday September 3 on Seven. Amended. A new series from comedian Billy Connolly, 75, is on the way in the UK as reports over diminishing health in a battle with Parkinsons disease are refuted. On Saturday, Michael Parkinson, 83, told UK TV chef James Martin: The sadness of Billy now is that wonderful brain is dulled. I saw him recently hes now living in America and it was very sad, because I was presenting him with a prize at an award ceremony. We had an awkward dinner together, because I wasnt quite sure if he knew who I was or not. To know someone as long as I knew and loved Billy It was an awful thing to contemplate, that that had been taken from him in a sense. But Connolly hit back, saying I would recognise Parky if he was standing behind me in a diving suit. His wife Pamela Stevenson also weighed in, saying: Mike Parkinson is a daft old fart doesnt know what hes talking about. Billys doing great and still funny as hell. Indigo Pictures, producing his Coming Home series for the BBC also said, We have been busy filming with Billy over the summer and can report happily that hes on top form as sharp and hilarious as ever. Coming Home is described as a unique and intimate portrait of Connollys Scottish homeland, and will carry extra poignancy because of the comedians struggles with Parkinsons disease. Parkinsons Australia Source: Chortle The UK government has today issued an apology to 18 people, hailing from the so-called Windrush generation, who were wrongfully deported or detained. Each individual member of the group of 18, who have been identified as having been treated improperly by the UK, will receive personal communication from the government in due course apologising for what they have endured. The ongoing Windrush scandal It has been a number of months since the so-called Windrush scandal first broke-out and it was revealed that members of the Windrush generation were facing disciplinary or investigative action from immigration officials. The Windrush generation refers to those people who came over to the UK from islands in the Caribbean between 1948 and 1971 after a request from the UK asking for people to fill vacancies in multiple employment sectors. These individuals have long been publicly accepted as British citizens, however, they were never issued with the correct paperwork allowing them to remain indefinitely in the UK. Without such paperwork, which would explicitly prove their citizenship status, members of the Windrush generation have faced many difficulties in accessing healthcare, being accepted for jobs or obtaining leave to stay in the country. Once the story erupted in a flurry of media coverage, the government responded to assure the public that the Windrush generation would be awarded the paperwork they were rightfully owed, which would enable them to stay in the country and access all public services. UK government still working to correct their mistake Despite multiple reassurances from the government that everyone affected by the scandal would have their cases reviewed and any issues with their paperwork resolved, many members of the Windrush generation are still living with uncertainty. From the 6,507 people who contacted the specialist hotline, which was set up to address the scandal, 2,272 individuals have now received their rightful documentation allowing them to stay in the country and have full access to all citizens' rights. This calamity caused by the government stems from the 'Hostile Environment' policy which has been enforced in the UK in order to take tough action against anyone who is in the country illegally. While the 18 people who have been identified as the most severely impacted by the controversy will receive personalised apologies, there are another 164 cases in which individuals have been wrongfully removed from the country or detained. So far the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, has indicated that only the group of 18 who were mistreated most pertinently will be directed to a compensation scheme and given help to return to the UK. You think stark stripes would make you easy to spot, but one zebra has found a way to blend in and hide from predators. According to a press release, wildlife photographer Ingo Gerlach captured a sneaky zebra and didnt even realize it until long after taking this shot. The photographer from Luxembourg was visiting Kenyas Maasai Mara when he came upon a huge herd of wildebeest. Over the course of two hours, Gerlach took more than one hundred shots of the massive group, which likely held more than 1,000 wildebeests. Among these horned animals was one unique member. While looking over his numerous shots of the herd after he returned home, the photographer spotted a zebra rear hiding amongst all those brown behinds. If if took a trained eye days to spot it, its safe to say that this zebra found the perfect way to hide in plain sight. LONDON (Reuters) - The Royal Navy said one of its vessels was monitoring a Russian warship in the English Channel, the fourth UK ship required to observe Russian movements around Britain in the last two months. HMS Hurworth, a Portsmouth-based minehunter, is keeping watch over Russian frigate Admiral Makarov as it passes through the Channel on Wednesday, in a monitoring exercise that usually lasts about 48 hours. The Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the exact number of Russian ships passing the UK but said that over the past two months patrol ship HMS Mersey, destroyer HMS Diamond and frigate Montrose had all been involved in observation activities. The head of the Royal Navy, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones, said in a speech in May that Britain was facing "significantly emboldened Russian Naval activity, which is continually testing our resolve". HMS Diamond monitored two Russian warships earlier in August, while in January, Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster was sent to monitor four Russian vessels as they passed close to British waters. (Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Kylie MacLellan) MILAN (Reuters) - Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said on Monday the government will stand up any against market attacks or debt downgrades that may come its way. Italian stocks and bonds have repeatedly come under pressure since the anti-establishment coalition of the right-wing League, led by Salvini, and the 5-Star Movement took office in June. "This government wants to help Italians and I think it isn't liked by many ...representatives of finance and technocracy that wanted to exploit Italy and obtain cheaply the last companies left in this country," Salvini told reporters in Milan. "They won't manage it and so we will resist against (rises in bond) spreads, speculation, (debt) downgrades and attacks." (Reporting By Ilaria Polleschi, writing by Gavin Jones, editing by Steve Scherer) The final decision to execute a female activist lies with Saudi Arabia ruler King Salman (Rex) A prominent female activist faces being executed in Saudi Arabia, once again highlighting the countrys record on human rights. Israa al-Ghomgham, who has demanded for an end to discrimination against Shia Muslims and a release of political prisoners, was sentenced to death at a hearing earlier in August. The final decision for the execution, which is most likely to be carried out by beheading, rets with Saudi ruler King Salman. The kingdom gave a death sentence to Israa al-Ghomgham at a hearing in August (Rex) The kingdom has executed women in the past but this marks the first time a woman would be killed for political activism. Several sources suggested that al-Ghomgham has already been executed but Amnesty reporter Laurie Hanna said: As far as we are aware Israa al-Ghomgham has not been executed yet. The exact date of the execution is not expected to be announced before al-Ghomghams sentencing review on 28 October. MOST POPULAR STORIES ON YAHOO UK TODAY Why lazy people might be less likely to face extinction, according to science Predatory sex abuser, 67, jailed for committing 200 sex assaults on two victims Trump facing serious questions after ex-lawyer claims President directed hush money Scottish chip shop releases Crunchy Box most unhealthy takeaway ever Cruise passenger rescued after 10 hours at sea branded a stupid woman Al-Ghomgham was arrested during a house raid in 2015. Amnesty International figures show nearly 150 people were executed in Saudi Arabia last year. Rostec Russian Stealth Camouflage Rostec The Russian defense contractor Rostec just demonstrated a stealth camouflaged helmet on Tuesday at the Army-2018 Forum in Moscow. Rostec said the electrically-operated material is able to change color depending on the camouflaged surface and environment, and can be applied like ordinary paint. Rostec showed off the camouflage coating, although no video seems to exist yet of it actually changing color, to a next-generation combat suit. Rostec says it can be applied to any kind of base, such as armored vehicles. The Russian defense contractor Rostec just showed off a stealth camouflaged helmet that they claim can change colors quickly and even display moving images to better conceal Russian troops. "The specialized electrically-operated material covering the helmet prototype is able to change color depending on the camouflaged surface and environment," Rostec said in a press statement of the helmet displayed Tuesday at the Army-2018 Forum in Moscow. "The material can display dynamic changes of color intensity and simulate complex images, for example, the motion of leaves in the wind." Rostec said that the stealth camouflage coating can be "applied to the base, like ordinary paint, and does not require great accuracy in terms of thickness and uniformity." In this case, it was applied to a helmet designed for Russia's third-generation Ratnik-3 combat suit, which Russia Today previously dubbed the "Star Wars-like" suit, but Rostec says it can be applied to practically anything, even armored vehicles. Ratnik-3 Russia Star Wars combat suit Rostec The third-generation Ratnik-3 suit "comprises five integrated systems that include life support, command and communication, engaging, protection and energy saving subsystems," TASS, a Russian state-owned media outlet, previously reported. In total, the suit comes with 59 items, including a powered exoskeleton that supposedly gives the soldier more strength and stamina, along with cutting-edge body armor and a helmet and visor that shields the soldier's entire face. Story continues The first-generation Ratnik suit was reportedly given to a few Russian units in 2013, and some pieces of the suit were spotted on Russian troops in Crimea. It should be noted, however, that there do not appear to be any video yet of the helmet changing color, but that doesn't mean the stealth coating doesn't work. "I haven't seen the system working myself of course, but I doubt they'd be displaying it if it didn't at least do something resembling what they claim," Sim Tack, chief military analyst at Force Analysis and a global fellow at Stratfor, told Business Insider. It's "not something we expect to see on the battlefield too soon, but as armies move towards more advanced infantry systems including exoskeletons and that type of technology, [it] could be a part of that," Tack added. "Even if Russian industry was able to perfect stealth camo and exoskeletons, it would likely be too expensive to fit to ordinary Russian troops, with small numbers of Russian special forcesspetsnazthe likely recipients," Popular Mechanics' Kyle Mizokami wrote on Monday. NOW WATCH: Inside McVitie's factory where 6,000 tons of Chocolate Caramel Digestives are made each year See Also: FILE PHOTO: Air-conditioning units dot the facade of the People's Park Complex residential apartment in Singapore's Chinatown February 29, 2016. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo Thomson Reuters SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A rush to tear down and redevelop buildings in Singapore has prompted calls to conserve aging properties that symbolize the country's recent history and economic rise. The land-starved island is known for its gleaming skyscrapers and contemporary architectural designs that punctuate its skyline like the Marina Bay Sands hotel, which looks like a surfboard perched atop three towers. While the city has preserved some buildings from its colonial past, the Singapore Heritage Society (SHS) said on Tuesday more needed to be done to preserve brutalist blocks built just after the city-state achieved independence in 1965. In a paper titled "Too Young to Die", the non-governmental society picked out some of the first high-rise buildings that helped transform Singapore from a British colonial backwater to the global trade and financial center it is today. Buildings mentioned include the horseshoe-shaped Pearl Bank Apartments, which was the tallest residential building in Singapore when it was completed in 1976, just outside the new financial district. It was sold this year for S$728 million ($531 million) to developer CapitaLand Ltd, which plans to build a new residential tower of 800 units in its place. The SHS said Pearl Bank, along with People's Park Complex, a hulking yellow and green edifice that towers over Chinatown, and the Golden Mile Complex, with its unique stepped-terrace design, were of great historical and architectural significance. Media has reported that People's Park and the Golden Mile Complex, which were also completed in the 1970s, are to be put up for sale. "It is timely for current land-use policies and regulatory frameworks to be reevaluated to facilitate the conservation of modernist structures for adaptive reuse, and for private owners and developers to plan for a longer building lifespan," the SHS said. Authorities have since the 1970s granted heritage status to more than 7,000 buildings in more 100 parts of Singapore, including colorful shophouses, so-called black-and-white bungalows, mosques and temples. Story continues But Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a National Day Rally speech on Sunday that Singapore had to think about future generations. "We may keep a few blocks for historical or heritage value or sentimental reasons, or to remind people what the old days are like, but these should be the exception," Lee said. "For the others we can rebuild, newer, better, more liveable flats, blocks, townships more suited to what our grandchildren and great grandchildren will want to live in." (Reporting by Aradhana Aravindan and John Geddie; Editing by Robert Birsel) See Also: The adults-only event in Blackpool had a masquerade ball theme. (File picture/Screengrab) A swingers party descended into violence when a jealous man accused another patron of attempting to seduce his partner. The incident, during the masquerade ball themed adult event, occurred when David Tillyer, a director of a property company, objected to his partner Evelyn Hodder helping John Watson put his sock on. He accused Watson, a 50-year-old hotelier, of chatting up Ms Hodder, at the New Years Eve event at Infusion club in Blackpool. Tillyer, 47, confronted Watson, inflicting injuries that required hospital treatment, after he saw his parter help put his socks on. He blasted Watson: What sort of man needs help putting a sock on? Tillyer told the Preston magistrates court that Watson pushed him into the toilet, trapping him next to a sink. Kerry Grieve, prosecuting, said that Mr Tillyer and his partner had travelled from the Nottingham area for the swingers event. Other patrons separated tried to separate the brawling swingers and staff refused to call police. Tillyer was ejected from the swingers club and was later taken to hospital. Mr Tillyer said: It was a really violent attack. This is a place we know and we feel comfortable in. He said his sexual boundaries meant he was there to observe others having consensual sex. MOST POPULAR STORIES ON YAHOO UK TODAY Why lazy people might be less likely to face extinction, according to science Predatory sex abuser, 67, jailed for committing 200 sex assaults on two victims Trump facing serious questions after ex-lawyer claims President directed hush money Scottish chip shop releases Crunchy Box most unhealthy takeaway ever Cruise passenger rescued after 10 hours at sea branded a stupid woman' Ms Hodder gave evidence for the prosecution, telling the court she had sat next to Watson, whose female partner was drunk. He asked me for help putting a sock on. My partner asked me what I was doing and suddenly Watson got up and pushed him. I saw at least one punch. She told the court: I was shocked and when my partner left I stayed for a time, sat next to a four-poster bed before I left and went for a taxi. I went back to the hotel and then police arrived. Story continues Watson claimed: I asked the woman to help me putting on a sock because I have arthritis. Her partner intervened and I called him a d-. I did push him but there was no room to swing my hands. I believe his injuries were caused by him falling in the sink and hitting his head on a tap. PC Steve Johnson, the investigating officer, said: This venue has guests of a certain nature. They do not have CCTV because of the possible embarrassment factor. Watson was found guilty of ABH and is due to be sentenced at a later date. FILE PHOTO: Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin, former journalists of the Radio Free Asia (RFA), sit inside a police vehicle as they arrive for a bail hearing at the Appeal Court in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Samrang Pring By Prak Chan Thul PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Two Cambodian journalists charged with espionage for filing news reports to a U.S.-funded radio station were freed on bail on Tuesday, in a move seen by a rights group as a government bid to improve its image weeks after a disputed election. The case of the two reporters, Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin, compounded concern about a crackdown on criticism and dissent by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who extended his rule of more than three decades in a general election in July. The two, who used to work for the Washington-based Radio Free Asia (RFA), had been in pre-trial detention since they were arrested in November and charged with espionage and producing pornography. They denied the charges. Y Rin, a spokesman at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, said the two had been released on bail but the charges against them would remain. They smiled and hugged each other as they walked out of a prison on the outskirts of the capital, Phnom Penh. "Actually, our freedom is not yet complete," Yeang Sothearin told reporters. "We are still required to show up in court and we demand the court to drop all charges," he said. The government accused RFA, which broadcasts in the Khmer language, of being biased toward the opposition. RFA shut down its Phnom Penh office last September complaining of a "relentless crackdown on independent voices", which made it impossible for it to guarantee the integrity of its journalistic mission. Hun Sen has accused the United States of trying to end his rule of more than 33 years. The releases were the latest in a what Chak Sopheap, executive director at the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said was an attempt by the government to improve its image. Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party won all 125 seats in the election after the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved. "This seems to be an attempt on the part of the authorities to regain some form of legitimacy in the eyes of the international community and of the Cambodian people," Chak Sopheap told Reuters. Story continues Political analyst Kim Sok was released on Aug. 17 after serving 18 months on what he said were politically motivated charges. Land rights activist Tep Vanny was pardoned this week after two years in prison. RFA spokesman Rohit Mahajan welcomed the release of the reporters. "While this is a positive development, all charges against them should be dropped and their case dismissed," he said. (Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Robert Birsel) An entry sign is seen at Hinkley Point B nuclear power station near Bridgwater in Britain, August 4, 2016. REUTERS/Darren Staples LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has notified EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd and Doosan Babcock of its intention to prosecute both companies over a non nuclear-related health and safety matter, the ONR said on Wednesday. The charge relates to an incident in April at the Hinkley Point B nuclear plant owned by France's EDF, which resulted in injury to a Doosan Babcock employee. There was no radiological risk to workers or the public, the ONR said, giving no further details as the case is now the subject of active court proceedings. "We are reviewing the charges against us and considering our response. As we would in any industrial safety incident of this nature we have and will continue to cooperate fully with the ONR," an EDF Energy spokeswoman said by email. Doosan Babcock, part of South Korea-based Doosan Group, said it has cooperated fully with the ONR during the investigation and acknowledged its intention to prosecute. "As legal proceedings are pending we will not make any further comment at this stage," the company said in an emailed statement. (Reporting by Susanna Twidale and Nina Chestney; Editing by Dale Hudson and Jan Harvey) By Joe Brock JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Western hostility towards Zimbabwe is deterring investment, the presidency spokesman said on Tuesday, comments in sharp contrast with President Emmerson Mnangagwa's previous efforts to woo Western governments. Mnangagwa has made progress in improving Zimbabwe's relations with Western states before and after he won a July 30 presidential election, the first since the removal of long-time leader Robert Mugabe in a de facto coup last November. But with a violent crackdown on opposition protesters by security forces after the election - a reminder to many of the repressive Mugabe era, the remarks by Mnangagwa's spokesman George Charamba signalled that his charm offensive towards the West may already be unravelling. Mnangagwa's victory is being challenged in Zimbabwe's constitutional court this week by opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, who says the electoral commission rigged the vote. The commission has defended its independence. Economists say that for the southern African country to revive its struggling economy it needs to clear its arrears with Western donors and agree a financing programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Charamba said Western states were preventing that. "Of concern to investors is the continued hostility of the West, principally America which has been influencing IFIs (International Financial Institutions) negatively against Zimbabwe," Charamba said in an emailed response to questions about investor concerns over the election. "This has delayed a resolution to the debt question, itself the elephant in the room." UNCERTAINTY Charamba said delays caused by Chamisa's court challenge to Mnangagwa's election victory were also putting off investors. "External partners - governmental and entrepreneurial - are irritated by the delay in closure to what in all estimate was a free, fair, democratic and credible electoral process," he said. Story continues "Many investment projects have been waiting in the wings and the frustration of many investors who cannot wait much longer is palpable." There were hopes a peaceful vote would end Zimbabwe's pariah status and launch an economic recovery, but post-election unrest has raised uncomfortable comparisons with its violent past. Mnangagwa, the 75-year-old former Mugabe ally, has urged Zimbabweans to unite behind him but questions linger over the death of six people in an army clampdown on protests against the ruling party's victory. Mnangagwa has repeatedly expressed a desire to mend rifts with Western governments and has been pictured in recent weeks smiling with Western ambassadors in Harare. He announced billions of dollars in investment commitments before the election, including from Western firms. As Zimbabwe became increasing isolated under Mugabe, it turned to China to help prop up its economy. Charamba said that despite attempts by some "intrusive foreigners" to derail the country's progress, Zimbabwe had good relations with southern African governments and the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) states. (Reporting by Joe Brock; Editing by Mark Heinrich) HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's top court will on Friday rule on whether to uphold or overturn President Emmerson Mnangagwa's July 30 election victory following a challenge by his main rival, the Chief Justice said on Wednesday. Crowds gathered around screens outside the Constitutional Court to watch as lawyers representing Mnangagwa and the main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa argued their case before nine judges. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by James Macharia) Are you looking at Keller Group as a play on US construction? Look elsewhere, said analysts at Berenberg. Despite the ground engineering specialist's "solid" first half numbers, the German broker expected steel prices to remain high, thus weighing on its US Suncoast division's margins. Furthermore, adjusted margins in the group's EMEA division had shrunk by 160 basis points, while in Asia Pacific the group was only just breaking even, despite its "strong" performance in Australia during the period. But above all, the analysts saw "limited" catalysts at present. So while Berenberg did up its target price for the shares from 925.0p to 1,150.0p, in order to reflect the latest movements in foreign exchange markets and the company's purchase of its Moretrench unit, it told clients that "there are better ways to play US construction". Two members of US President Donald Trumps inner circle have been found guilty of criminal offences, leaving the President in a tight spot as one of the lawyers said his client would be happy to share his knowledge on a possible Russian interference with the presidential election in 2016. Lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a New York court on Tuesday for breaking campaign finance laws and said he had acted at the request of a federal candidate, referring to Trump. Cohen's campaign finance violations related to a $130,000 payment made to porn actress Stormy Daniels, and another $150,000 one to ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal to try and prevent the women from going public about their alleged affairs with Trump just ahead of the 2016 presidential elections. Lanny Davis, Cohen's lawyer, said: "Today he stood up and testified, under oath, that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election." "If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?", he added. According to Reuters Cohen's lawyer also admitted on Wednesday that his client has knowledge on certain subjects that would be of interest to special counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation of a possible Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. On the same day, Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was also found guilty in a separate trial and could face up to 80 years in prison. At a political rally on Tuesday, Trump fired back, saying there was no evidence of collusion since Manaforts crimes occurred before becoming involved with the President. He ignored Cohens trial altogether. Trump is unlikely to face criminal charges as long as he remains president, but could be sacked by Congress if impeached over high crimes and misdemeanours, although that would require a two-thirds majority in the Senate. In May, Trump had backtracked, saying he knew of the payments made by Cohen, but denied that they were in any way linked to his election campaign or that they involved campaign funds. Rudy Giuliani, the lawyer for Mr Trump, told reporters: "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the government's charges against Mr Cohen. "It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time, he added. Stocks on the Continent ended the day on a mixed note, after the US President brought up the subject of tariffs on car exports from the European Union overnight, even as investors were mulling the potential fall-out from the political storm clouds gathering over Capitol Hill. According to media reports, speaking at a rally in West Virginia, on Tuesday evening, Trump reportedly reiterated a threat to impose a 25% tariff on car imports from the European Union while explaining how he had managed to bring Brussels to the negotiating table. That sparked concerns that the White House might ramp-up its rhetoric on trade in order to distract from domestic politics, after Donald Trump was accused of having participated in illegal campaign payments by one of his former attorneys, Michael Cohen. For UBS economist Paul Donovan, "it was not clear" that such accusations would compromise US Republicans' ability to carry the House of Representatives at the upcoming mid-term elections, although heightened risks was a possibility, which might impair their ability to pass legislation. By the end of trading, the benchmark Stoxx 600 had slipped 0.03% or 0.13 points to 384.02, with Germany's Dax marginally in the green, adding 0.01% or 1.21 points to 12,385.70 and the Cac-40 up by another 0.22% or 12.01 points to 5,420.61. Despite all of the above, traders appeared to hold their fire as they waited on headlines out of the ongoing trade talks between China and the US, in Washington, of which the current round was set to conclude on the next day. However, shares of Automobile and Parts companies sold-off, with the Stoxx 600 sector gauge skidding 2.75% to finish at 533.80. Somewhat surprisingly, triggering that selling was news on Tuesday night that US President Donald Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, had accused him of breaking the country's campaign finance laws, via payments to two women with the purpose of influencing an election. As an aside, analysts at Rabobank were pointing out to clients how online odds of a Trump impeachment remained near 40.0%, the same as a few months before. For his part, UBS's Donovan explained to clients that because Trump was not a 'mainstream' Republican, unlike Richard Nixon in the 1970s, the risks for Republicans heading into the midterms was "not clear", as they might be able to distance themselves. No major economic reports were released in the Eurozone on Wednesday, while in the States figures on existing home sales for July revealed a 0.7% month-on-month drop to a two-and-a-half year low of 5.34m houses in annualised terms. Still ahead for after the close were the minutes of the US Federal Reserve's last policy meeting, on 31 July-1 August, at 1900 BST. In the corporate space, Bloomberg reported that the government in Rome was - among other options - mulling involving state-owned lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti in a buyout of the highway concession held by Atlantia's Autostrade unit. Meanwhile, German chemicals-maker Linde said US regulators were asking for a larger amount of disposals in exchange for their approval of its $45.0bn merger with America's Praxair, but that talks with its American target remained "constructive". Elementis has agreed to sell a site in Jersey City for $17m (13m) that was left after the specialist chemicals company disposed of its US colourants business in 2017. The FTSE 250 group said it would sell the site in the state of New Jersey to 400 Claremont Urban Renewal and use the proceeds to reduce debt and for general corporate purposes. Elementis sold the US colourants business to Chromaflo Technologies in March 2017 for an undisclosed cash sum and closed the factory in Jersey City where the products were made. The sale of the site does not need regulatory approval and the transaction closed when it was signed on 21 August. Chief executive Paul Waterman said: "We are pleased to confirm that the closure and sale of the Jersey City site proceeded as planned. This concludes the disposal of our non-core US colourants business, consistent with the strategy to transform our supply chain and ensure Elementis is focused on our key growth opportunities. The company followed up the colourants disposal by selling its Netherlands surfactants business to Kolb Distribution in December for 39m (35m) in cash. Many fans took to social media to express their dismay at the Queen of Pop's speech, which was almost completely focused on her own experiences as a struggling star. Aretha only entered into it when Madonna revealed that she got a major break when she sang the Queen of Soul's hit "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" at an audition. That's why, she explained, Aretha "changed the course of my life." Madonna responded to the criticism on Instagram, saying her mini-speech was not meant to be a tribute to Aretha. "I was asked to present video of the year by MTV! And then they asked me to share any anecdotes I had in my career connected to Aretha Franklin!" she wrote. "I shared a part of my journey and thanked Aretha for inspiring me along the way. I did not intend to do a tribute to her!" She adds, "That would be impossible in 2 minutes with all the noise and tinsel of an award show. I could never do her justice in this context or environment." After the VMAs Monday night, Billboard reports that Madonna continued her evening by taking in Ariana Grande's intimate concert for 1,000 fans at New York's Irving Plaza. Alerted to her presence, Ariana said, "Oh, my God, where is she?! You guys, Madonna is here. Hi, Madonna. Guys, I'm going to pass out." Madonna provides the voice of God in Ariana's video for her song "God Is a Woman." She was seen applauding after Ariana performed the song at the Irving Plaza show. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The past 18 months have been tough in many respects for U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. She went through a tough confirmation hearing, has had her budget proposals mostly rejected by Congress, and shes consistently ranked among the least-popular members of President Donald Trumps cabinet . Yet its possible that public opinion on school choicethe issue DeVos cares about the most has shifted at least a little in her favor, according to one new poll. (In case you were wondering, the EdNext poll does not mention DeVos by name.) The academic journal Education Next released its annual survey of public attitudes about education on Tuesday. And in the 2018 results, overall approval ratings for charter schools and universal private school vouchers (for all parents with children in public schools) rose, as well as narrower approval ratings among both Democrats and Republicans. Here, for example, is the increase in approval ratings for vouchers that dates back a couple of yearsoverall approval went up mostly due to higher approval in the GOP, although Democratic support also inched up: Heres a quick breakdown of that chart : In 2018, 15 percent of the general public said they strongly support charters and 29 percent said they somewhat support charters. Meanwhile, 21 percent said they somewhat oppose charters, 14 percent said they strongly oppose them, and 21 percent said they neither support nor oppose them. And heres the EdNext poll on support for vouchers: The breakdown again: 22 percent of the general public said they strongly support universal vouchers and 32 percent said they somewhat support them. And 14 percent said they somewhat oppose such vouchers, 17 percent they strongly oppose them, and 15 percent said they neither support nor oppose. Lets briefly touch on one other general position DeVos holds: Increasing spending on schools is not the solution to improving student success. In the EdNext poll for 2018, after being given information about per-pupil spending in their local school districts , 13 percent of the general public said government funding for schools should greatly increase and 34 percent said it should increase. And 43 percent said funding should stay about the same. Just 8 percent said it should decrease. One important caveat about that voucher question: The question Education Next used that leads to the 54 percent approval for vouchers does not actually use the word vouchers. Instead, the EdNext poll describe the policy of vouchers as one that would give all families with children in public schools a wider choice, by allowing them to enroll their children in private schools instead, with government helping to pay the tuition. Approval drops in the poll when the word vouchers is used in a different version of the question. Interestingly, general support for vouchers targeted at low-income vouchers remained pretty much flat in the EdNext poll results for 2018. And overall approval ratings tax-credit scholarships rose a tad, but not to the same extent as the general publics approval for charters and universal vouchers. Those increases in overall approval for two policies DeVos strongly supports roughly coincide with her tenure as education secretary. But its another thing to assert that DeVos has had a direct impact on public opinion on these issues. It will also be interesting to see if this relatively brief trend holds up over the next few years, or if support for charters and universal vouchers flattens out or drops. In a column for Forbes about the EdNext results, Rick Hess, the director of education policy studies at the pro-school-choice American Enterprise Institute, said the new poll shows that the public consistently lines up with DeVos on big school choice questions, despite many people labeling her an out-of-touch extremist. (Hess, who also writes an opinion blog for edweek.org , uses the word voucher when noting the 54-percent approval rating for vouchers, even though the poll question about vouchers doesnt use that word.) As it happens, Phi Delta Kappa International will release the results of its annual opinion poll concerning education Aug. 27. Will it touch on school choice, and if so, what will the findings be? Stay tuned. For more on the EdNext poll, read our colleague Maddy Wills report on the publics view of teacher pay increases she also looks at the voucher question. Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . Something is getting very scary! A new strong earthquake hit off the coast of Oregon, today, August 22, 2018. This latest powerful quake raises fears among US west coast population, living in the densely populated areas on the Pacific coast. This latest strong earthquake may be a sign of the next Big One which is overdue And where is it going to strike? Along the Cascadia Fault Line or in California. Another powerful M6.2 earthquake struck 200 kilometres off coastal Oregon on August 2018. The epicenter of the quake lies directly on the Cascadia Fault Line, which is part of the larger Ring of Fire where more than 60 significant earthquakes have hit in the last few days. Experts have warned of no damage to buildings, and there has been no tsunami warning issued for now. Enhanced activity along the Ring of Fire is a sign of the Big One coming? The Ring of Fire is the largest and most active fault line in the world, stretching from New Zealand, all around the east coast of Asia, over to Canada and the USA and all the way down to the southern tip of South America and causes more than 90 percent of the worlds earthquakes. Experts know that the Ring of Fire has the potential to unleash some catastrophic quakes and a spate in the last 24 hours has some concerned. The strongest of which was a magnitude 8.2 which struck in the Pacific Ocean close to Fiji and Tonga but there have been many others, including a M7.3 earthquake in Venezuela, a M6.6 earthquake in Vanuatu and a deadly M6.9 earthquake in Lombok, Indonesia. Seismologists believe that the unsettling of the Ring of Fire could lead to a catastrophic earthquake somewhere around the globe, and California or the Cascadia fault along the US west coast have been touted as possible epicenters. Experts have been warning for some time that California is overdue a large earthquake, and shaking around the Ring of Fire could be a precursor to this. California overdue for a large earthquake Thomas Jordan, head of the Southern California Earthquake Center, told the Los Angeles Times last year, that any time there is seismic activity on a fault zone, the probability of having a large earthquake goes up. And Richard Aster, Professor of Geophysics at Colorado State University wrote recently for the Conversation that the southwestern State is overdue an earthquake: The earthquake situation in California is actually more dire than people who arent seismologists like myself may realise. Although many Californians can recount experiencing an earthquake, most have never personally experienced a strong one. For major events, with magnitudes of seven or greater, California is actually in an earthquake drought. The last time there was a magnitude seven quake or higher in California was in 1906 which struck San Francisco and ultimately killed around 3,000 people. But Prof Aster says the damage this time could be much worse as Californias population has grown more than 20-fold since the 1906 earthquake and currently is close to 40 million. As you understand, there could be serious devastation. Cascadia overdue for a big earthquake Experts fear a mega-tsunami could be headed to the west coast in the near future as the fault is overdue for the big one. According to specialists, this earthquake will destroy a sizable portion of the coastal Northwest. The question is when. The next full-margin rupture of the Cascadia subduction zone will spell the worst natural disaster in the history of the continent. Nonetheless, the US West Coasts infrastructure, response planning and general preparedness will doubtlessly be tested when the inevitable and long-delayed big ones occur along the San Andreas Fault or the Cascadia Fault line systems. Ultimate damage and casualty levels are hard to project, and hinge on the severity of associated hazards such as landslides and fires. As California and other States along the Pacific up to Canada prepare for large earthquakes after a hiatus of more than a century, the clock is ticking. Follow us: Facebook and Twitter Strange Sounds The Really Big One: The next rupture of the Cascadia subduction zone will spell the worst natural disaster in the history of the continent USGS M 6.2 265km WNW of Bandon, Oregon Express California earthquake warning: 6.3 magnitude quake rocks US West Coast amid Big One fears Hawaii Islands are bracing to face the wrath of Hurricane Lane which is believed to be approaching with peak wind speeds in the region of 160 mph. It is labeled as a Category 5 storm and the National Weather Service has issued necessary warning Tuesday evening for the Big Island. Watches have been put in effect for Maui and other small islands, and the landfall could be within days. The Washington Post reports that the projected path of Hurricane Lane appears to be such that the effects will be felt over all the islands. Central Pacific Hurricane Center has warned about heavy rainfall with possible flash floods. There are also fears of large and damaging surf at some locations that could spell trouble. Hawaiians stock up on water and ramen as Hurricane Lane approaches https://t.co/h1VKUWMMh3 TIME (@TIME) August 22, 2018 Hawaii does not normally face hurricanes directly Hurricanes and tropical storms usually skirt Hawaii and the last time one of these made landfall was in 1992 when Hurricane Iniki struck Kauai. As a weather expert of FEMA has explained this isnt Florida. The landscape and infrastructure are different. Take this one seriously. When Hurricane Lane makes landfall, it will be the first one in Honolulu after Hawaii got its statehood. In case it strikes the island of Oahu, there could be floods in some critical locations. These could be the Honolulu International Airport, the oil refinery at Barbers Point, and important military installations. Gov. David Ige has indicated concession to state employees on the Big Island and Maui. They could avail special leave from Wednesday to Friday. Incidentally, the Big Island will be at risk because, although it has been hit by tropical depressions and storms, it has so far been spared any hurricane-strength storm. Discuss this news on Eunomia One hurricane follows another Hurricane Lane is set to strike Hawaii within a fortnight of Hurricane Hector and is expected to be a more serious affair. According to CNN, this new formation could threaten lives and properties and residents must take necessary steps to handle the situation. This has been advised by the National Weather Service NWS. Airlines have already issued Travel advisories to those who will be flying to or from Hawaii. Hurricanes do not usually make landfall in Hawaii which is considered to be an insignificant target in the Pacific Ocean. Past records reveal that only four named storms have struck the island since 1959. Two of these were tropical storms and two were hurricanes. However, there are ominous signs with the approach of Hurricane Lane. Such climatic disorders have become a matter of concern because in 2017, three of them had devastated Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. Arizona Hops and Vines Arizona Hops and Vines is a smaller winery in the Sonoita region of Arizona, featuring a family farm that provides a warm and fun place for both wine enthusiasts and families alike. Visitors can come to the little, cheeky winery and spend some time sipping wine on the patio, share a story or two, and explore a winery that offers free Cheetos. Arizona Hops and Vines is run by two sisters with the help from their children and friends. Tastings are available from 10am to 6pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 10am to 4pm on Thursday and Sunday. 3450 Highway 82, Sonoita, AZ 85637, Phone: 301-237-6556 You are reading "9 Best Things to Do in Sonoita, Arizona" Back to Top Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year! Whether you are about to embark upon your first semester (Hello #VT22) or your last (congrats, seniors), the Hokie Nation is so glad you are here. As you know, Virginia Tech is a special place a place that fosters community in hopes that everyone finds a sense of belonging and connectedness that are essential to learning. As your vice president for Student Affairs, I want you to know there are literally thousands of individuals whose work is to help you thrive. We know that learning happens everywhere, both inside and outside the classroom. Student Affairs creates programs, offers experiences, and provides services that enhance and complement your educational opportunities. We collaborate with others inside the university and with entities beyond our campus perimeter to make the Hokie student experience as personally enlightening as it is academically rewarding. Grounded in the Aspirations for Student Learning and led from a strengths-based approach, our work is to support you as you become successful and effective servant-leaders in an emerging global marketplace. As I said at Orientation and other forums, you have the opportunity to find and define yourself at Virginia Tech. We will help you ensure your own well-being, while maximizing your time and capitalizing on numerous opportunities for academic success and personal growth. In short, Student Affairs wants to co-create with you the kind of community where you can discover and live your strengths in order to personally, intentionally, and fully ExperienceVT. Our work is committed to your growth, development, and achievement at Virginia Tech. Lets Go, Hokies! Welcome home, Patricia A. Perillo, Vice President for Student Affairs 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. The Joshua Tree House can be expressed as exactly part of the landscape with its mesmerizing rugged shell and unusual interior layout in Joshua Tree desert of California. Conceived as "a real piece of art" in a rocky terrain of Joshua Tree, the house was designed by American architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, who is known with his organic forms and distinctive architecture. He is also known disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright. Designed in 1988, the enigmatic Joshua Tree House was completed in 1993. The architect designed the house for a couple, artist Bev Doolittle and her husband Jay Doolittle, and the couple decided to sell the house for $3 million in 2014. According to Organic Modern Estate, the house was sold to someone and the name was not announced on the website. The house's unusual appearance makes it unique, as it is conceived as the "real landscape itself" with its feminine and organic form. Situated 10-acre site, the house, occupying a 4,643 square foot space, includes 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a kitchen and a dining room, are all completely designed in organic interior layout integrated with rock formations by designer John Vugrin. This extraordinary desert house is made up of 26 enormous cantilevered concrete columns embedded 7 feet (2,13 meters) into the bedrock. Both exterior and interior spaces stand as sculptural elements nestled in a rocky desert of Joshua Tree. Its texture provides the touch and feel of the desert as its materials were meticulously selected from the desert. There is no particular thing for the architect to design the house, indeed. The rocky landscape was enough to provoke his inspiration. But, according to an article by New York Times in 2015, it took more than three months for the architect simply to decide how to place the house, as the Doolittle family didnt want to disturb the natural setting with demolition. They used a 3D topographic model showing every rock, the family took aerial photos with a plane they hired to survey the site. "The idea was that the house would be settled in the landscape, like it was crouching on the rocks, maybe like an animal asleep," said Kellogg regarding his design. "The High Desert House was born, as most great buildings are, from aesthetic fearlessness, which the Doolittles had in excess," Kellogg added. The house's interior design was also designed with organic shapes, flowing and wrapping gently around its inhabitants. Proposing a warm and intimate spaces, the interior is harmonized with rock formations, bringing the nature into the space. John Vugrin paid attention to every aspect of the details of the house, from furniture and fittings including a jaw-dropping spiraling table, to sculptural taps to spacecraft-like lamps. "It is a phenomenal showcase of the unassuming craftsmans rare talent with just about any material, from marble to bronze via semi-precious stones to even plumbing," stated in Arkitexture regarding the house. All images Lance Gerber > via Lance Gerber Wings surrender late goals in third period in 4-2 loss to Austin Bruins Even with two power play opportunities in the third period, the Wings surrendered two goals to give the Bruins a weekend sweep in Saturdays 4-2 win. You can not fuck the future, sir. The future fucks you. New Mexico is distinguished by being home to a vast Hispano History over every state in the United States of America. New Mexicos official system of government started in 1598 with Spanish Explorer Juan de Onate serving as our first governor. The first seat of government and the first government building in the United States is the Palace of the Governors located on the Old Town Plaza in Santa Fe. This building was built in 1610 and served as the home for many governors, generals, colonels, captains and their families. For several years before statehood, the writing of the New Mexico Constitution began. The primary authors of the New Mexico Constitution were leaders who eventually became governors of our state of New Mexico, and they included Gov. Ezequiel CdeBaca and Gov. Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo. Larrazolo also served as our nations first Hispanic U.S. senator. The writing of our state Constitution was a heavy and arduous task that took years of negotiation, debate and compromise. By 1911, our state Constitution was finally set and agreed upon, and by Jan. 6, 1912, the United States Congress admitted New Mexico as the 47th state in the union. Our New Mexico Constitution includes two very distinct parts that were heavily litigated in the Martinez/Yazzie landmark case and resulting decision. Section 10 of the Constitution titled Educational rights of children of Spanish descent (says they) shall forever enjoy perfect equality with other children in all public schools and educational institutions. The other part is Section 8, calling for teachers to be qualified to teach English- and Spanish-speaking students in the public schools and educational institutions. The Hispano Round Table of New Mexico is a coalition of over 50 Hispano organizations and over 50,000 members statewide. Our coalition includes organizations at the local, state and national level. They include organizations like LULAC, the American GI Forum, MANA, El Centro de La Raza, the Hispanic Bar Association, Hispanic Teachers Association, MALDEF, New Mexico ENLACE, the UNIDOS Project and many more. In 1998, the Hispano Round Table of New Mexico negotiated a commemorative agreement to capture 400 years of statehood from 1598-1998. This agreement became known as the Hispanic Statement of Cooperation (HSOC). This agreement, with over 32 signatories, agreed to partner in four key areas: education, employment, economic development and cultural celebration. The agreement calls for parity equal to the demographics of our states population and in accordance with our New Mexico Constitution. Since then, we have worked diligently in all four areas, and although some progress has been made to this date, we still have not accomplished our goal. This is why, in the year 2009, the Hispano Round Table of New Mexico strongly advocated for the creation of a New Mexico Department of Hispano Affairs. We advocated for this department because not enough progress was made toward our goals of the HSOC, and especially with regard to education and economic development parity. We were very successful in getting the bill passed (in) the House 49-13 and passed (in) the Senate 35-7. Unfortunately, then-Gov. Bill Richardson vetoed our bill to create this much-needed department. In 2010, we were successful in passing the Hispanic Education Act primarily based on the data we presented during the 2009 legislative session. Still not enough progress was being made, and educational progress for Hispanos, Native Americans and other groups was not being met. The Hispano Round Table of New Mexico and NM LULAC made national and international news when we called out these disparities in our many press conferences in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Our member organization MALDEF, or the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, responded to our requests to look into this matter. After much research into these disparities, MALDEF agreed to file this lawsuit in April of 2017 seeking to compel New Mexico to provide a sufficient education to English-language learners and at-risk students and injunctive relief under the New Mexico Constitution for students with disabilities. The decision in Martinez/Yazzie v. New Mexico is the result of work over a century in the making since statehood and very intense work by the Hispano Round Table of New Mexico, New Mexico LULAC and our HSOC signatories since 1998. As a result of Judge (Sarah) Singletons landmark decision on July 19, we look forward to finally seeing this work come to fruition in our beloved state. Rudy Giuliani: When you tell me that [Trump] should testify because hes going to tell the truth and he shouldnt worry, thats so silly, because its somebodys version of the truth. Not the truth. Chuck Todd: Truth is truth. Giuliani: No, it isnt truth. Truth isnt truth. The thing you have to understand is that there is nothing to testify about. Certainly, objective reality does not exist. None of my actions have consequences because there is no world outside myself. That is why I work for the Trump administration. Which does not, of course, exist a fact that is a constant balm to the consciences of those who work there, assuming they can be said to work for a thing whose existence is in doubt, and assuming they possess consciences. You, Chuck, are, I believe, limited by the notion that we share a frame of reference. That what one of us does affects another. This is, of course, untrue. When I move my hand in front of my face, in reality there is no hand. When someone shouts Lock her up! at a rally, it does not make a sound. The only thing keeping Merrick Garland off the Supreme Court is his belief that he is not on the Supreme Court. Dont you see? You are trapped in a prison created by your own mind, is what I would like to tell the children at the border, who, again, do not exist, and are only stimuli generated by a bored demon tormenting my mind in a jar. All I know is the line between law and crime, between truth and untruth, between reality and fantasy there is no line. They are infinitely fungible. Everything is real, or, perhaps, more simply, nothing is real. This is a belief system that the president and I share, although he is of course not real, merely a cruel joke concocted by my mind, like a dream metaphor that feels too on-the-nose. I often have dreams that are too pointed; flying, falling, mainly falling. I have not troubled myself to understand them. You can give me money for information, Chuck. You can give me information in exchange for the promise of influence. You can meet me in a place let us call it Trump Tower. I will laugh, because, of course none of these things actually exist. There was no meeting, no influence, no money, no information, because, fundamentally, none of these concepts are anchored in anything that can be called a shared reality. People may think they had a meeting. Porn stars may think they accepted hush money. But really nothing happened, because no one is real but myself. I shut my eyes, and the world is snuffed out. I am not here and, of course, you are not here with me. It is no insult to call the news fake: Everything is fake. The point is, it is good that I work for the Trump administration. Why should we not lock Hillary Clinton up? Why should we not pack the courts with judges? Why should we not build the wall? I snap my fingers the wall exists already! It is beautiful and tall. I close my eyes; my hands become enormous, large enough to engulf entire cities. I merely wish, and I am an expert upon any subject. The instant I cease to recollect the existence of Puerto Rico, it ceases to be a problem. I am the measure of all things. When I say that there are good people on all sides, it becomes so. Global warming is, of course, not real, because, again, nothing exists. Why should we not do whatever we wish, truly? This is not reality. This is a playground for our minds. History is a series of agreed-upon lies. It has no objective existence; we like to imagine we will be seen and judged, but we are neither seen nor judged. The only lesson I took from Hamilton a musical my mind invented for my own amusement is that if two people walk into a room and no one else is in the room when it happened, literally it is impossible to say what occurred in that meeting. And that assumes you live in a universe where a meeting is possible, which, again, I am not certain I accept. Maybe there is no one in the White House. Maybe there are no insides to other people, and you can act on them however you wish. Certainly that must be true of women. Maybe there is no morality or law. Does the Constitution exist? Is not the existence of any kind of law or truth not the greatest lie of all? Our actions have no consequences, and we move aimlessly in a void. How do I sleep at night? How do you know I am not sleeping now? Twitter, @petridishes. (c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group. Dumping the PARCC exam is a campaign proposition thats playing well with teachers unions. But it would be a bad move for our state and students particularly given the tweaks already made to the exam. Those tweaks include a further shortened testing window, meaning more time for instruction. Teachers and parents getting results in weeks rather than months so they can be used to better guide instruction. And a shorter version of the already trimmed exam is in the works. PARCC, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, is given in grades three to 11. It tests how well kids are meeting Common Core standards, which NM began moving to under Gov. Bill Richardson. The switch to PARCC five years ago was tough its given via computer and questions are much more involved. Statewide, 5,497 students refused to take it that first year. But this year only 866 opted out. Still, critics have long argued PARCC is costing millions better spent on such things as smaller classes. That PARCC questions are developed elsewhere and arent relevant to our students. That it steals instruction time. So its no wonder U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the Democratic nominee for governor, wants to get rid of it, and U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce has also raised concerns. Dropping PARCC would be a mistake. There are two issues whether to use PARCC to measure student growth and proficiency, and how results are used. Most of the controversy lately has centered on the latter. PED, lawmakers and educators can continue to debate PARCCs role in evals, graduation requirements and school grades but thats not a reason to dump PARCC and its valuable data altogether. Heres why: The argument the millions spent on standardized testing such as PARCC should be used for classroom needs is invalid. Federal law requires every state to test students. And, according to the state Public Education Department, New Mexico spends about $31 per student on PARCC about 30 to 50 percent less than other states. Developing a new test would cost millions more, and the test most likely would end up looking a lot like PARCC. And New Mexico is a member of the consortium of states that use PARCC, so it gets a break on cost. If it pulls out, it will be forgoing intellectual property rights worth millions of dollars. New Mexico has established a five-year baseline with PARCC to measure student progress. If the state replaces PARCC, it would have to start over. And theres solid data showing PARCC is aligned with the ACT, SAT and NAEP, suggesting it is doing a good job of assessing what students have actually learned. There is no dropping the PARCC on Day One. New Jerseys governor promised just that but is in a multi-year process to change that states test. Students spend on average just seven to eight-and-a-half hours taking PARCC out of a 180-day school year. New Mexico teachers help develop test items. Education Secretary-designate Christopher Ruszkowski says he will make himself available to Lujan Grisham and Pearce to discuss PARCC. Lets hope both are willing to listen and then make a more informed decision. The fact is PARCC is providing an honest look at what our students have learned and a road map for how they can better learn going forward. We should put politics aside and stick with PARCC, for the good of our students. Then we can debate how best to use the valuable data. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. SANTA FE Two of the adults who were arrested at a Taos County compound earlier this month have recently been slapped with cash-only bonds that will keep them in jail if they cant raise the money but not for the child abuse charges theyve faced from the start. Trespassing citations against four of the five adults who were arrested during or just after an Aug. 3 raid of the compound showed up in court files about two weeks after the raid. Tuesday, defendants Lucas Morton, 40, and Subhanah Wahhaj, 35, were ordered held under $5,000 cash-only bonds by Taos Magistrate Court Judge Ernest Ortega on the trespassing charges. Two others from the compound, Hujrah Wahhaj, 37, and Jany Leveille, 35, also were given trespassing citations, dated the day of the raid. But these two were not given monetary bonds by the magistrate judge they faced, Jeffrey Shannon. Lawyers for Morton and Subhanah Wahhaj have filed emergency motions for reviews in the higher District Court, saying their clients are unable to meet the current conditions of release. Megan Mitsunaga, Subhanah Wahhajs lawyer, called the $5,000 bonds unconstitutional and said people are typically released on their own recognizance for misdemeanors like trespassing. A $5,000 cash-only bond for a misdemeanor is outside the bounds of anything that would be reasonable, Mitsunaga told the Journal. Last week, Taos District Court Judge Sarah Backus set off controversy when she ordered that the five adults from the compound can be released on unsecured $20,000 signature bonds meaning they only have to pay if theyre found to have violated conditions of release. During the Aug. 3 raid of the remote compound, officers found 11 children ages 1-15 that they say appeared to be malnourished, and each adult defendant faces 11 counts of felony child abuse. Backus has faced criticism from Gov. Susana Martinez and others, and telephoned threats, over her denial of prosecutors motions to hold the five Muslim defendants until trial. Officers testified that children from the compound say they were being trained to make armed attacks on educational, law enforcement and government institutions. The compound was on land owned by local resident Jason Badger, although defendant Morton had purchased property in the same area. Sheriffs Sgt. Jason Rael issued the criminal trespass citations. Above person was advised by property owner Jason Badger to vacate the property + failed to do so, the citations say. The fifth defendant, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, is also charged with custodial interference, for allegedly abducting his 3-year-old son, Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, from Georgia in December. So far he is the only one not cited for trespassing. Child remains found on the compound have been identified as those of his missing son. The Taos district attorney is waiting on determination of cause of the death before filing any charges in the boys death. Time stamps on the trespassing citations indicate that they werent filed in court until last Thursday, three days after Backus controversial decision to allow release of the defendants without a secured bond. Taos County spokesman Steve Fuhlendorf said Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe told him the citations were taken to the courthouse Aug. 6, the first business day after they were issued, so its unclear why that werent stamped as filed until last week. All of the defendants remain in jail. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal The retired Albuquerque police officer accused of hitting and killing a woman while driving drunk was sentenced Wednesday to 364 days in jail. Rodney Locke, 55, said during his sentencing hearing that he spent 22 years on the police force and patrolled the International District during the graveyard shift for much of his career. State District Judge Cindy Leos said she recognized that Locke had done some good things for the community. Despite having lived a good life, a life in which youve given to the community, nobody is above the law, she said. And that includes law enforcement. Lockes attorney, Paul Kennedy, said the September 2016 crash took place on a moonless night in a poorly lit section of Louisiana Boulevard. Locke maintained that he never saw the woman in the wheelchair before his truck hit something in the roadway. He stopped shortly after the collision, but didnt see anything and drove home. I would have never left somebody in harms way, Locke said. There was no wheelchair in the roadway; there was nothing that I saw. Police found Locke at his home soon after. Kay Moss-Freese, 60, who Kennedy said had been living in a nearby nursing home, died at the scene. Locke apologized to the womans family and said he has learned from his mistake. Theres no excuse for drinking and driving, he said. I know it was terribly wrong. Ive punished myself more than anybody could ever punish me. Locke pleaded no contest in June to knowingly leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm or death, aggravated driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident. His plea agreement guaranteed a 364-day sentence, but whether he served that time in jail or in a community custody program was up to Leos. Three hours after the collision, Lockes blood-alcohol level was 0.18 percent, according to a prosecutor. A prosecutor said in court that the state did not believe it could prove that Lockes intoxication caused the collision, which it would have to do in order to secure a vehicular homicide conviction. Leos ruled that Locke will serve the sentence in jail, and that he cannot have his sentenced reduced for good behavior. But she agreed to a conditional discharge, which means the felony conviction will come off his record if he successfully completes his jail sentence and five-year period of supervised probation. She said the amount of support Locke had from community members, family and colleagues was impressive. To be honest, thats kind of what makes this crime a little bit worse, Leos said. I mean, what we see typically here are people who are committing crimes who dont have love, support and encouragement from the community. We see people who have lived their entire lives poor both economically and poor as far as their community ties and community support. That is not Mr. Lockes situation at all. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal TAOS New Mexico colleges and universities are handing out more degrees, certificates and other credentials since the start of a new funding formula that rewards performance. But much of the growth is in general studies and lower-level certificates not in the science, math and health fields that lawmakers had been hoping to encourage, according to analysts working for the Legislative Finance Committee. A report released Wednesday recommends amending the performance-based funding formula to provide more incentives for colleges and universities to provide the kind of education and training that results in students getting jobs afterward or finishing a bachelors degree. The state Higher Education Department, for instance, could craft more stringent rules on what kinds of certificates are rewarded in the formula with a focus on credentials that directly promote workforce development, according to the report. Nonetheless, the LFC analysis found that the number of degrees, certificates and other credentials has climbed 23 percent since fiscal 2012, even as student enrollment has dropped. The performance formula took effect in 2013. It seems to be slowly bearing fruit, Micaela Fischer, an LFC program evaluator, told lawmakers. But the formula doesnt appear to be providing the kind of incentives needed to achieve broader higher education goals in New Mexico. For example, neither degrees for at-risk students nor credentials in science, health and similar fields have increased more than the overall average since the formula went into effect, according to the report. Rep. Jimmie Hall, R-Albuquerque, expressed skepticism about the quality of some certificates issued by colleges, suggesting theyre feel good credentials that dont result in professional success. Its quite easy, I believe, for a community college to game the system offering all these certifications, Hall said. Barbara Damron, the states secretary of higher education, said New Mexicos decentralized system of colleges, universities and branches many run by their own boards is difficult to manage under the kind of single formula that might work in another state. The system also poses challenges for overseeing the quality of the certificates, she said. There will also have to be much better data-sharing if lawmakers want to track job placement as part of the formula. We have all kinds of systems that dont talk to each other, Damron said. Were way behind the curve on that. Higher education officials also cautioned that the current formula has really only had a chance to work for about two years, given budget cuts and other factors. In any case, the performance formula affects only a small fraction of the overall funding to higher education each year. In a special half-hour documentary, CNNs Ivan Watson dives underwater to see the impact of climate change on Australias Great Barrier Reef damage, which one expert claims, could trigger a mass extinction. CNN meets Charlie Veron, the world's foremost expert on coral reefs, who has spent 45 years of his life diving in the Great Barrier Reef and has personally discovered 20 percent of the worlds coral species. Veron has been described as a modern-day Charles Darwin by Sir David Attenborough, but Veron has also spent decades warning the world and creating awareness about the decline of the reef, where record warm temperatures have bleached and killed more than half of its coral in just two years. In its entirety, the marine park is bigger than two thirds of the countries on Earth. Veron takes Watson deep into aquamarine waters to get a snapshot of the reefs ecosystem and the impact of climate change up close. Weve got now the phenomenon of a mass extinction event looming, Veron tells CNN. Somewhere between a quarter and a third of all marine species everywhere has some part of their life cycle in coral reefs. So, you take out coral reefs and a third to a quarter of all species gets wiped out. Now that is ecological chaos, it is ecological collapse. CNN hears how the Australian government has pumped nearly $400 million into protecting the reef, but Veron believes that money alone will not provide a solution: Part of being human is to not worry about the long-term future. Always the here and now. Two decades ago, I would never dream of the Great Barrier Reef would be like this now. We just dont think ahead. Watson travels to the Australian Institute of Marine Science, where scientists are experimenting with new technologies to help protect the reef. CNN learns these range from robots to sun shields, but also includes research into breeding temperature-resistant coral to live in the wild. When asked what lessons humans can take from the current plight of the reef, Veron tells CNN: Coral bleaching is driven by carbon dioxide, unless you stop pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, it'll go on. It's as simple as that. There's no way around it, there's no alternative The lesson from geology are that's the trigger of mass extinction. We can't - as humans - can't exist independently of the welfare of that planet. Race to Save the Reef trailer: https://cnn.it/2vPC8pG Airtimes for 30-minute special: Saturday, 25th August at 1800 IST and 2100 IST Sunday, 26th August at 0100 IST, 0600 IST and 2200 IST Monday, 27th August at 0900 IST Tuesday, 28th August at 1500 IST and 2200 IST Wednesday, 29th August at 1400 IST Sunday, 2nd September at 1100 IST Click here to read more in entertainment. Very often the first piece of information we have about a person is their name. Just hearing the name creates a host of associations negative or positive and those first impressions can set the stage for future interactions. This is why naming your product or company is crucial to a companys branding efforts. In 2016, London International Awards cemented its position as one of the worlds most progressive and forward-thinking competitions by introducing Verbal Identity, which includes naming, for the first time in advertising awards history. LIA continues to recognise the power of language in branding. Verbal Identity has traditionally been considered subordinate to visual identity. LIA believes that the language used throughout a brands communication impacts the value of the brand as much as the visual, said Barbara Levy, President of LIA. We introduced the Verbal Identity competition to honour the people and companies whose great passion for words contributes to creating amazing brands. Margaret Wolfson, Founder and Chief Creative of River + Wolf, a New York City brand naming agency, is thrilled about the inclusion of naming in the London International Awards. Because of the need to communicate a lot in one or few words, as well as trademarking issues, naming is a very challenging aspect of branding. It is wonderful that LIA is paying homage to this lesser known niche of branding, she remarked. Verbal Identity entries can be submitted in four categories: Naming; Tone of Voice; Tagline/ Endline; and Use of Copywriting. The Entry System is open for entries. The entry deadline is: August 23, 2018. The Verbal Identity judging will take place at Encore Las Vegas from October 3 through October 5. Click here for more related news. Moneycontrol, Indias leading financial and business digital platform, has collaborated with Financial and Risk business of Thomson Reuters to offer StockReports on its platform. StockReports powered by Thomson Reuters, is updated every day to facilitate unbiased comprehensive analysis of stocks, unearth new insights and help investors make smart and informed decisions. StockReports on Moneycontrol is a subscription-based offering that will help investors access wealth of information for over 1500 stocks and schedule reports for specified companies on daily, weekly or monthly basis. This is the first time a digital platform is offering a comprehensive service to the customers, further cementing Moneycontrols position as a leader in innovation. Speaking on the development, Gautam Shelar, Business Head of Moneycontrol said, Our efforts have been consistent towards delivering a comprehensive experience to our users, by bringing to them innovative, unique and productive tools that assist in making informed investment decisions. Expanding our repertoire of offerings, we have partnered with global leader Thomson Reuters to bring outstanding quality StockReports to our customers. StockReports enhances the process of investment selection for financial professionals by simplifying the process of evaluating stocks. It provides in-depth analysis of key trends in earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, price momentum and risk which will help investors make insightful decisions. Prashant Pillai, Head Corporates, Thomson Reuters, South Asia said, We are delighted to collaborate with Moneycontrol to offer Thomson Reuters StockReports to a large Indian investor base. StockReports leverages on our best-in-industry data capabilities to deliver customized corporate reports in a simplified and actionable format. Timely view of evolving insights and trends presented by these reports will give investors a definitive edge to make efficient and informed decisions. Key features of StockReports: SBI Life in its effort to establish a deeper connect with its consumers has appointed Mullen Lintas as their creative agency and Mindshare as their Media agency, following a closely contested multi agency pitch. In 2017-18, Indias domestic life insurance industry registered 10.99 per cent y-o-y growth for new business premium, generating a revenue of Rs 1.94 trillion (US$ 30.1 billion). With 57 players, the overall insurance sector in India is one of the most competitive globally. The need for brands to establish a differentiator and a deep emotional connect with consumers is ever so more, given the limited scope for product differentiation. In this context the roles of creative and media agencies are crucial for brands to reach out to the right target audience with the right message. Ravindra Sharma, SVP & Chief of Brand & Corporate Communication, SBI Life said: In todays landscape where new marketing tools and techniques are launched every other day, staying imprinted on the minds of consumers is a continuous challenge. As a brand SBI Life is building a culture to connect with consumers emotional motivations, which are deep-rooted in their need for protection. In this context the strategic thought process and approach presented by Mullen Lintas & Mindshare aligned with our brand ethos reinforcing our confidence to bring them on board. He further added. We look forward to see both agencies jointly deliver on developing a unique refreshed communication for SBI Life, which will create a deeper emotional connect with our consumers. Amer Jaleel, Chairman at Mullen Lintas said that SBI Life is one of the largest Life Insurance players in the category and it feels like an organization with real belief in brand creation and consumer connect. He further added, The brand has created some really memorable work in the past which we hope we can build on to take the brand higher. I am personally excited at coming back into the life insurance space again. I have a lot of fond memories of working at Lowe with Balki on the category and am really excited for this new journey, Commenting on this, Prasanth Kumar, CEO, Mindshare, South Asia, MENA and Africa noted, Being one of our esteemed client partners, this is a joyous moment for us that SBI Life is continuing our relationship. We appreciate the renewed opportunity by SBI Life as we now look forward to strengthening our delivery across brand strategy coupled with insightful data, engaging content and innovations to contribute to the brand's success." Click here for more related news. Dell India has been fortifying its presence and brand connect in the Tier 2, 3 and 4 markets with its Dell Aarambh initiative. Started in 2016, Dell Aarambh is a pan-India initiative which aims at spearheading the use of the personal computer for education. The project is founded on the understanding that exposure to interactive methods of learning in the developmental years, most easily delivered by using a PC, contributes to the well-rounded growth of a student. Through Aarambh, Dell is targeting three key audiences students, teachers and parents through a series of activities meant to build their confidence and familiarity with using the PC. The programme aims to enable both parents and teachers to actively aid in the educational development of the child, while using a PC and create an encompassing ecosystem and supportive background for the child. The core idea behind the project is to establish the PC as a gateway to learning by increasing access to knowledge, building upon individual skill-sets and by enabling exposure for students for holistic growth. Extending the ambit of Aarambh, in 2017 Dell launched Dell DigiMoms, which is a PC awareness and training programme for mothers on the occasion of International Womens Day. The campaign aims to equip mothers with the basic understanding and usage of the PC, introducing them to interactive learning methods which are useful for students. In conversation with Adgully, Ritu Gupta, Director Marketing, Consumer & Small Business at Dell India, speaks about the genesis of Dell Aarambh, the objective behind launching such an initiative, the challenges faced and the outcome that Dell has been seeing. Excerpts: What was the objective behind launching Dell Aarambh? Before answering this question, let just take a step back and look at India around us. 65 per cent of the population is under the age of 25, which really makes it a very young market and by 2022 India is set to be the worlds youngest nation. In a market like this, its very important that the youth category grows, and for that there should be something which can equip them. As an individual, its important to be technologically equipped in order to become future ready in this new age economy. With that as a context to look at India as a market, our PC penetration really has been about 10 per cent. Dell Aarambh, founded in 2016, was started to spread awareness about the importance of PC as a tool for learning. Its a kind of reinforcement of our brands believe that technology continues to play a very crucial role in shaping the skills of the future workforce. With Dell Aarambh, the attempt was to engage with three audiences Students, Teachers and their parents. There has been a series of activities which meant to build familiarity and their interaction with PCs. With this programme, we have today successfully engaged over 1 million students and 100,000 teachers across 5,000 schools; and 200,000 parents in 75 cities across the country. In order to bring the digital transformation, we have done partnerships with teachers, educators and their parents. Its not a CSR activity. The genesis of the initiative is to explain to the people the potential that technology has and the way it can shape their lives. How you plan to take it forward? As a programme, it started in 2016 and till now it has evolved a lot. We started with a series of programmes to engage with the students, teachers and the parents. But over the years, we have also realised that one of key influencers in a students life is his/her mother. Just to give some statistical knowledge, the ratio of women on the Internet is too low only 29 per cent women are on the Internet. With that as a thought, we launched Dell Digimoms, which was a sub-programme within Dell Aarambh, which was launched for mothers. This is not just to make them learn new things, but also help them to get involved in their childs learning. It started off in 8 small towns across Karnataka and Maharashtra. Later, we have taken it to 34 cities across 11 states. We have successfully trained 50,000 mothers and have conducted over 15,000 sessions with mothers. What are the key partnerships that Dell has formed for these initiatives? Partners like CENTA and Tata Class Edge have really helped us to widen the reach in terms to reaching out to our TG. We havent really partnered with any Government bodies. Our schools have been a combination of both private and government schools. For Digimoms, we collaborated with the local cells, groups and the local Mahila Mandals, which helped us to reach out to the mothers and be able to connect with them. What are the key markets that you are focussing on? Our focus has been Tier 2 to 4 markets. Tier 1 market is already high and saturated in terms of technology, consumption as well as understanding. What are the challenges that you faced in implementing these initiatives? This time we have come across a very varied kind of audience profile. They may or may not be illiterate, but would definitely not be aware of the technical jargons. The whole challenge was first to build connect by winning their trust. The Mahila Mandals got the women at the centres for 2-3 hours from their busy schedules. It was really connecting with them at an individual level. We made sure that our training material did not have those technical words. It was really about simplifying and communicating at the grassroot level from people of various profiles. We had digital women mentors and hence, those interactions between women become easy using interactive video formats. How it has given a boost to brand Dell? Overall, if you look at Dell as a brand, it is the strongest brand in the country. According to the Brand Trust Report, Dell is the No. 1 most trusted technology brand in the PC category. As brand, it is very much familiar and respected. Having said that, the feedbacks that we get from the mothers definitely show us that the relationship with the brand is getting closer and stronger. I think its just relationship which gets stronger and more enriched. What is the budget allocated for this entire initiative? I dont think I have liberty to share the budget. But what can I say is that we are probably the only OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) brand that is driving an initiative like this on a very consistent basis. Going forward, we will continue to invest in this programme because we do realise that this programme is not just generating sales, but bringing about a digital transformation and also changing the mindset of the people, which is not something that happens overnight. Click here to read more related articles. Discovery, Indias leading infotainment channel, will give an all-access pass to the viewers to delve deep into the lives of Indias first generation of female combat aircraft pilots with its new series - Women Fighter Pilots. It is a fascinating story of 3 women - Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh - pioneers of our time, fighting the odds and changing mindsets. The 2-part series premiers August 24 at 21:00 hrs on Discovery Channel and Discovery World HD. Veer by Discovery, Indias leading dedicated military channel on YouTube, will also showcase short stories on Women Fighter Pilots.The on-air broadcast of the show is Co-Presented by Flipkart while Kirloskar an d Airtel have come on board as Co Powered by Sponsors. Till 2015, the flight cadets of the Air Force Academy were given a choice between three flying streams - Helicopters, Transport and Fighters. Fighter flying being the only stream reserved for men. Then, the Indian Air Force made a landmark decision to open the fighter flying program for its female cadets on an experimental basis for a period of five years. Creating history, the first batch of three women fighter pilots - Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh were inducted in Indian Air Force fighter squadron. A significant milestone for the Indian Air Force, as this marked the first time it permitted women in combat roles. The women fighters have become a modern symbol of women empowerment they have broken the last of all barriers by becoming a fighter pilot. We are excited to showcase this amazing story to our viewers. Such purpose led content excites us, said, Zulfia Waris, Vice President - Premium & Digital Networks, Discovery Communications India. These Women Fighter Pilots have given wings to the ambitions of Indian Women who want to don the G-Suit and defend the country as a part of Indian Air Force. We have explored this captivating human story of ambition, of not saying no, in a manner that has not been done before. The Women Fighter Pilot series captures the emotions of the 3 pilots, their families, colleagues in their squadron et al to delayer all aspects of their life. During the show, the 3 Fighter Pilots discuss about whether the media glare that followed them has created extra pressure. Bhawana Kanth, says, I dont think that there is pressure. I am doing my job; something which I have always wanted to do - serving the nation as a fighter pilot. If people are getting inspired; why should I feel any pressure, I am still doing my thing. Mohana Singh, adds, I wont say that it is about pressure, but yes, it is about performing in such a way that you can justify the people who are looking up to you. The development of Women opting for the Fighter stream has been highlighted to create awareness and to inspire more women to join the forces. Avani Chaturvedi says, Being famous made it a little difficult to adjust in the squadron initially. This popularity and over appreciation of things was a little difficult for us, because fauj (army) is all about working in a team. So, if entire team is not getting highlighted then why only three of us? The telecast of a special series on Women Fighter Pilots follows the successful premier of the Breaking Point series on Air Force Academy and Indian Submariners earlier this year. In the past, Discovery has given viewers a never seen before glimpse of the intense, gruelling training programs of the Indian Armed Forces through shows such as Breaking Point: Commando School Belgaum (2017), Indias Paratroopers Earning the Badge (2016) and Revealed: National Defence Academy (2014). Revealed Siachen (2016) shared the story of Siachen Glacier and the challenges faced by the Indian soldiers while on duty there. 1965: Indias Battles and Heroes (2015) commemorated the 50th anniversary of the India-Pakistan war. Discoverys crew traversed along with select officers of Indian Army during the Himalaya expedition for Indian Army Womens Expedition (2013). Get ready to dive into the lives of Indias first generation of female combat aircraft pilots with Women Fighter Pilots from 24thAugust at 9 PM on Discovery Channel and Discovery World HD. Also, watch on Veer by Discovery, Indias leading dedicated military channel on YouTube. Women Fighter Pilots Promo | Starts 24 Aug @ 9PM | Veer By Discovery Click here to read more in entertainment. 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. South Carolina's attorney general and his legal team have accused the U.S. Department of Energy of hasty decision making, lackadaisical analysis and blind faith in reference to the department's latest attempt to shutter the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility. On Aug. 10, a 59-page appellee brief was filed with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the termination of MOX, which was blocked June 7 by a federal judge's preliminary injunction. In the brief, the state argued U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and the DOE as a whole decided to kill MOX without taking "the hard look required by law as to the longterm implications to SRS and the state of South Carolina." Appellee brief The state of South Carolina's full brief regarding the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility and the DOE's attempts to close it. The state continued its argument citing the National Environmental Policy Act, a position taken and point made repeatedly over the course of the lawsuit. NEPA, signed into law in 1970, requires federal agencies to study the consequences of proposed actions and projects. A NEPA review takes into account a venture's impact on human and environmental health. S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson has argued the DOE does not intend to remove plutonium from the state in a timely manner and has not properly studied MOX alternatives. The brief reflects that. "Whatever urgency DOE may now feel is the result of its own procrastination," the brief reads. It's also littered with DOE-disparaging phrases: "so-called commitment," "duplicitous argument," "self-serving," "unsupported" and "nonsensical," for example. MOX is a roughly 70 percent complete facility being built at the Savannah River Site. Once finished, initially expected in 2016 at a cost of $4.8 billion, MOX is designed to turn weapons-grade plutonium into fuel for commercial reactors. The DOE has for several years now tried to mothball the project, claiming better and cheaper plutonium disposal options exist. On May 10, Perry submitted a waiver to Congress, which among other things began the MOX termination clock and certified dilute-and-dispose as the right path forward. Dilute-and-dispose involves mixing plutonium with inert material for burial at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico. Perry's authority to do so stemmed from the fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. The same power is afforded to Perry in the fiscal year 2019 NDAA, which was signed into law earlier this month. In a footnote, Perry's congressional waiver is ridiculed. A charge before the footnote describes DOE's decision to kill MOX as "arbitrary and capricious" because supporting material and commitments have proven "baseless." Trump signs defense bill; package authorizes MOX money, questions SRS pit production The $220 million is to be used for continued MOX work: construction, design, long-lead procurement and site preparation, according to NDAA language. "The federal government's argument is essentially that as long as Secretary Perry used magic words, he need not act in good faith or within the bounds of reality," the brief reads. "Under their theory, if the alternative commitment was to drop all the plutonium to the bottom of the ocean or launch it into space towards the sun, this would be perfectly acceptable." This MOX case landed in appeals court after the DOE took issue with the ruling of U.S. District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs. The district court case has since been paused. Childs, in mid-July, said it would not make sense to push the case along while "pertinent aspects" were being argued at the appellate level. Wilson filed the initial legal action on May 25. Both the National Nuclear Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Defense have recommended MOX be turned into a plutonium pit factory, which further complicates the matter. Plutonium pits are grapefruit-sized nuclear weapon cores. A senior U.S. Department of Energy official on Wednesday said a National Nuclear Security Administration takeover of the Savannah River Site would eventually be the right path forward, given the Site's current overarching mission: complete cleanup. "At some point, it would be logical," SRS manager Michael Budney said during the Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness "Up & Atom" breakfast. "Because if I'm doing my job right, we're going to be finishing the EM (Environmental Management) mission out there at some point, turning over stuff to Legacy Management." SRS is an active DOE Office of Environmental Management remediation site. DOE Environmental Management is the current Site landlord, as well. DOE memos: NNSA considers taking over SRS, relocating tritium mission In a June 29 internal memo, ultimately obtained by the Aiken Standard, NNSA chief Lisa Gordon-Hagerty told the Savannah River Field Office man The DOE Office of Legacy Management, established in 2003, is tasked with following up and perpetually ensuring World War II and Cold War era nuclear sites are closed, constantly monitored and well-maintained. The NNSA a semiautonomous DOE agency in charge of the nation's nuclear complex is currently reviewing its role at the Site, according to a June 29 internal memo obtained by the Aiken Standard. More specifically, a working group, convened by NNSA chief Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, is evaluating a potential landlord switch, among other things. Budney acknowledged the study on Wednesday. "And I know you've heard about this study that's going on about should NNSA be the landlord versus Environmental Management," Budney said. "We're working through that. Doesn't change the scope of the work out there." DOE Environmental Management represents a 60 percent stake at SRS currently, the Site manager said. The NNSA represents a 35 percent stake. Budney said Site parties, including the NNSA, are figuring out "what the right timing is" and "what the right sequence is" in regards to proper potential transition. He described the entire process as "very careful." If the NNSA was to assume control of SRS, the agency would "maintain its ongoing work while bringing another enduring national security mission to South Carolina," a senior NNSA spokesperson told the Aiken Standard last week. In May, the NNSA and the U.S. Department of Defense jointly recommended bringing plutonium pit production to SRS. Doing so, the agencies stated, would work best if the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility was repurposed and refitted. Plutonium pits are grapefruit-sized nuclear weapon cores. Pit production at SRS would be a longterm boon for the Site and would require a grand influx of funding, workers and equipment. Near the end of July, Budney told a nuclear advisory board the NNSA's review is run of the mill. "This is just a routine kind of process we always go through especially when theres different, new leadership about looking at doing an evaluation of how things operate and whats the best way to do it, whats the most efficient means," Budney said at the time. The Kazakh coastal city of Aktau hosted Aug. 12 the fifth summit of the five Caspian littoral states Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on the legal status of the Caspian Sea. The presidents of the five countries signed a landmark convention on the legal status of the Caspian, ending 21 years of disagreements over how to coordinate their economic, political and security plans for the largest inland salt sea in the world. On the sidelines of the summit, six agreements were also signed on issues such as economic cooperation, transportation and fighting organized crime. Although the five presidents at the summit praised the convention as a significant step in resolving longstanding disagreements and a prelude to further cooperation in the Caspian region, Iranian public opinion showed an overall negative reaction to the accord. Most of the criticisms were based on the claim that Iran has ceded its historical rights in the Caspian to its northern neighbors. Debates over the issue intensified especially as Reformist parliament member Mahmoud Sadeghi speculated in a tweet that Irans share of the Caspian has been reduced from 50% to 11%, comparing the convention signed in Aktau with the 1828 Treaty of Turkmenchay, in which great swaths of Irans territory were ceded to Tsarist Russia. The tweet was followed by a wave of similar accusations against President Hassan Rouhanis administration on Persian-language social media. However, a great part of the controversy seems to be rooted in the false assumption that prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tehran and Moscow had divided the Caspian on a 50-50 basis, and there were legal provisions for equal access to the sea. In fact, the rules governing activities in the Caspian before the Soviet collapse had been derived from the 1921 Russo-Persian Treaty of Friendship and the 1940 Treaty of Commerce and Navigation. However, none of those treaties contained an exact division of the seabed or surface, referring just to the joint usage of the Caspian Sea by the two sides. However, almost through the whole Soviet period, the Russians had the upper hand in the inland sea, limiting Iran to a restricted area adjacent to its coast. When new states emerged at the Caspian basin after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the issue of access to the body of water became more complicated, especially given the significant amount of energy resources in the area and the desire of the newly independent states of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to exploit the resources as a means for their economic growth. Since 1996, the five littoral states started regular meetings at the level of foreign ministers and then the heads of government. However, Irans insistence on having at least a 20% share of the Caspian caused negotiations to hit a deadlock. In parallel with the five-party format, Russia started separate talks with Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan on the status of the northern part of the sea. By 2003, the three sides managed to determine their shares of the body of water, resulting in the actual partition of over 60% of the Caspian. In the southern Caspian, however, disagreements continued between Iran, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, on some occasions giving rise to the specter of an open-armed clash between the sides. As the continuation of that situation would present a persistent threat of instability in Irans northern neighborhood, it could be argued that the convention signed in Aktau was a positive step, at least with reference to the elimination of that threat. On the other hand, although the Aktau convention introduces general measures for resolving the legal issues, it stops short of clearly determining the share of each state of the seabed and surface, and these highly challenging issues have been left to be solved in separate agreements in the future. The first article of the convention also refers to the natural shape of Irans coasts, which has so far been assumed to potentially negatively affect Tehrans claims to a bigger share of the sea. Indeed, the article states that If the configuration of the coast puts a coastal State at a clear disadvantage in determining its internal waters, that will be taken into account in determining the baselines. As such, Iran has avoided ceding any of its rights in the Caspian while gaining an effective bargaining chip for future negotiations. Putting aside its legal aspects, the convention is also important for Iran from the security point of view. Article 3, which calls for the non-presence in the Caspian Sea of armed forces not belonging to the Parties, is an important security guarantee for Iran, which, along with Russia, has been concerned about potential US and NATO attempts to extend their reach to the Caspian region, thereby imposing increased pressures on both Tehran and Moscow. In fact, there were some reports recently that Kazakhstan was about to let the United States establish a military base on its Caspian coast. At the same time, Washington has been trying to use the Caspian as a route for transferring military equipment from Azerbaijan to Afghanistan via Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Article 3 also contains a section on Ensuring a stable balance of armaments of the Parties in the Caspian Sea. The section is important in terms of the increasing efforts of the Caspian states to increase their military might in the area, which in past years had always raised the prospect of a Caspian arms race. Starting in 2012, Irans neighbors Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan considerably increased their military activities in the Caspian. As a result, the convention could also relieve Irans concerns over being dragged into a costly arms race with its neighbors. Another issue of importance for Iran that has been addressed in the Aktau convention is the potential for the construction of the Trans-Caspian Pipeline (TCP). The envisioned pipeline would provide Turkmenistan with the ability to export natural gas to European markets via Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. The idea of constructing a gas pipeline in the Caspian basin was first raised in 1999 and has been supported both by the United States and Europe. The main strategic aims of the project have been to reduce Russias dominance over energy transit routes while also depriving Iran of the potential for an alternative TurkmenistanIran-Turkey pipeline. As a result, both Tehran and Moscow have been strongly opposed to the TCP. Article 14 of the Aktau convention formally allows the construction of pipelines on the bed of the Caspian Sea, conditioned that such projects comply with environmental standards including those embodied in the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea and its relevant protocols. The Protocol on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context is one of the relevant protocols that ban littoral states from getting involved in activities with impacts that may go beyond their own territorial waters, affecting other states as well as the general environmental situation of the Caspian Sea. As such, while Iran and Russia appear to have agreed to the construction of the TCP, they can still use environmental concerns as a pretext to block its realization. All in all, by signing on to the Aktau convention, Iran has managed to gain a number of significant security guarantees while freezing the longstanding conflicts regarding the exact shares of the body of water and postponing decisions on such issues to an unspecified time in the future. At the same time, Irans cooperative stance could help it further develop relations with its northern neighbors. Indeed, the latter is of vital importance to the current situation, as Iran faces increasing efforts by the United States to limit the scope of its international interactions. News reports are saying that Sunni worshipers who had gathered outside a prayer hall in Tehran's eastern Resalat neighborhood were dispersed by the police and barred from entering the venue to hold communal prayers on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son as God had commanded. Sources affiliated with Sunni activists say an official permit for the gathering had been obtained from Interior Ministry officials and the Tehran governorate's political deputy. Eyewitnesses who had planned to participate confirmed the accuracy of the reports to Al-Monitor, adding that there had been no use of force by the security forces and that the crowd had left the area peacefully. Iran, including the capital, is predominantly Shiite, and the Sunni minority has long complained of marginalization and state control. The Sunni residents of the capital, mainly from the border provinces of Sistan-Baluchistan, Kurdistan and Golestan, say they have struggled for years to be able to conduct prayers in their own mosques. According to state media, there are at least nine "mosques" used by Tehran's Sunni population, but Sunni activists say that they are not allowed to build houses of worship incorporating conventional Islamic architecture featuring two minarets and a dome. The lack of official permits has, therefore, left them with no option but prayer halls, usually spacious apartments, parking lots and other large spaces. Worshippers gather there for communal Friday prayers as well as for Islamic holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. In one controversial case, one such venue was raided and partially demolished three years ago. Municipal officials cited the lack of authorization for "construction expansion." Reports on state media claimed that the footage of the incident "broadcast" on "hostile Wahhabi" outlets was really video of Israeli forces razing a Palestinian mosque in 1991. Whether the nine Sunni venues are actually mosques is disputed even among Sunnis, but one thing certain is their unfulfilled demand for a grand mosque in Tehran. In the Sunni Islamic tradition, grand mosques differ from local mosques. In the former, residents from all the neighborhoods of a city gather for Friday prayers and prayers on important religious occasions. Some extremist Shiite activists insist that even small Sunni prayer halls should be prohibited in the capital, claiming that they could become hotbeds for nurturing terrorism, Wahhabism and Saudi and Emirati influence. Yet, the leaders of the Sunni mosques say they are in close contact with Iranian authorities and have never pursued any goal beyond practicing their religion. Molawi Abdulhamid, a popular Sunni cleric from Sistan-Blauchistan, has long campaigned to obtain a permit for the construction of a Sunni grand mosque in Tehran. In past presidential elections, Abdolhamid and other Sunni leaders have endorsed pro-reform candidates, pinning their hopes on promises of more space and Sunni integration. In the 2013 presidential election, the Sunni-majority provinces recorded the highest percentage of votes in favor of the moderate candidate, and the ultimate victor, Hassan Rouhani. At a recent function hosted by Rouhani, however, Abdulhamid openly stated that he was there to complain about the "serious discrimination" against his fellow Sunnis that still lingers 40 years after the Islamic Revolution. He urged the president, as well as the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to personally address Sunni grievances, taking the matter into their own hands for the sake of national unity. The Iraqi Cabinet announced Aug. 12 that it has approved a regulation by the Ministry of Labor requiring that 50% of foreign oil company employees working in the country be Iraqis. The move followed mass demonstrations in Basra calling for better public services, including clean water and working and reliable electricity, and job opportunities for the unemployed in the city. Iraq's largest oil reserves lie beneath Basra province. Basra Governor Assaad al-Eidani had on July 31 announced that an agreement had been concluded with the foreign oil companies to secure job opportunities for Basra residents. Days earlier, the Associated Press reported Deputy Governor Dhirgham al-Ajwadi saying that the unemployment rate in Basra, population 4 million, had risen sharply to at least 30%. On July 13, demonstrators had stormed the headquarters of the Russian oil company LUKOIL at Basra's West Qurna 2 field, one of the largest, leading workers to pack their belongings. A number of them were evacuated by helicopter. According to Hamza al-Jawahiri, an oil expert at the Ministry of Oil, [The new regulation] imposes more restrictions on oil companies, which are already voicing concerns [about workers' skills and experience] and have faced tribal threats since 2003. Jawahiri told Al-Monitor, Creating jobs for tribesmen will limit their attempts to obstruct the work of the oil companies. The approach will also offer local workers necessary skills in the oil sector and develop specialized Iraqi cadres. It would be better for companies to work in this direction, even if it leads to their incurring additional costs and exerting more effort. Labor Ministry spokesman Ammar Menem confirmed Jawahiri's assessment to Al-Monitor, and added, Under this provision, Iraq would abstain from disbursing the payments owed to violating companies. He further remarked, The Ministry of Labor's regulation will prevent foreign workers from working in Iraq except with a work permit granted by the Department of Foreigners at the ministry. A previous decision issued by the government allowed the director of the Residence Department [at the Ministry of Interior] and the head of operations [for companies] to grant entry permits without consulting the Ministry of Labor. The high rate of unemployment is an ongoing issue that prompted Labor Minister Mohammed Shayya al-Sudani to demand on Jan. 11, during a meeting with Zaid Elyaseri, country manager for British Petroleum (BP), that 50% of oil company workforces consist of local employees. Elyaseri confirmed his company's commitment to employ local labor. On Aug. 7, the Ministry of Labor reported that more than 100,000 foreign workers had been granted entry permits during 2017 and 2018. Assem Jihad, spokesman for the Ministry of Oil, told Al-Monitor, Under a contract signed May 23 with the Chinese Genghua company, Iraq binds the company to train Iraqi manpower and establish housing units for workers, in addition to service facilities, such as schools and clinics. Jihad also asserted, In the second round of licensing [companies to work in Iraq], the Ministry of Oil required companies to have the local workforce account for more than 85% and sometimes 90% of their total workforce. There were no contracts for work in the Basra fields included in the second round of licensing, conduced in December 2009. Jihad also noted, The contract of the Eastern Baghdad Field was not within the [second] licensing round, which is why its provisions are different from other fields. Yet still, the proportion of domestic labor has been set at 50-80%. As for the demonstrations, which began in early July, Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi said to the Iraqi News Agency on Aug. 7, The youths in Basra are frustrated at the lack of jobs, but the Oil Ministry alone has provided more than 139,000 jobs for the people of Basra. There are practical assurances that serious steps are being taken aimed at engaging Iraqis in oil work. Asaad Aboud al-Mtori, director of the Shaybah Field, which is run by the Iraq National Oil Company in southern Basra, said, The field administration has accepted up to 10,000 job applications from people seeking to work in oil companies both temporarily and permanently. On Aug. 4, Khalid Hamza Abbas, assistant director of the Basra Oil Company for Administrative Affairs, said to Al Mirbad radio, The company is preparing a list of the vacant posts that it has, perhaps as a result of the demonstrators' efforts to pressure local governments and companies into providing more job opportunities. Four days later, Abbas Maher, administrator of Al-Zubayr district, told Al Mirbad, The Basra Oil Company has allocated 370 job opportunities for the people of the area, and these posts are distributed among companies working with the oil companies operating under licensing rounds, such as Shams al-Sabah Company, the Arab Industrial Company, the Taaz Company for Protection and Security and the US Halliburton Company. Mohammed Zaki Ibrahim, an oil expert at the Ministry of Oil, told Al-Monitor, The oil companies operating under licensing rounds do not have large workforces in Iraq, as they only employ a few dozen foreign engineers and technicians, including a number of Iraqis. The drilling, employment, production, transfer and export operations, which require lots of labor, are run using purely Iraqi labor belonging to the state-owned oil companies. Ibrahim explained, Allocating 50% of the total labor force to Iraqis basically concerns a small number of security guards, cleaners and service workers added to the already existing Iraqi and Asian workers. When facing pressure, these [small] companies tend to merely employ an additional number of security guards. Despite Ibrahim's assessment, developing a workforce that is 50% Iraqi will not be an easy target to meet. It requires creating new positions, replacing some current employees and training and educating new workers. I dont want to give you any inside tips, but I can promise you that no settlements in the Land of Israel will be evacuated. This was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus confident response to a question he was asked on Instagram on Aug. 20. The person asking wanted to know whether he should buy a home in the West Bank or be concerned about a possible future evacuation that would affect his investment. During the Obama administration, that same answer could have caused new tensions with the White House. Today, however, with US Ambassador David Friedman himself toeing a pro-settlement line, Netanyahus response was reported by the press almost incidentally. Friedman met Aug. 16 with a group of settlement leaders, including Likud Knesset member Yehuda Glick, who lives in the settlement of Othniel in the southern Mount Hebron region. Glick later reported that the ambassador brought them a reassuring message that the Trump administration has no plans to demand the evacuation of any settlements. These werent empty words either. As it turns out, the settlements are thriving like they havent in years. In the last few days, there have even been reports on new construction starts and plans not only in the major settlement blocs but also beyond them. In a celebratory press release on Aug. 21, head of the Beit El Local Council Shai Alon announced that he had reached a series of understandings with the Ministry of Housing concerning the construction of 350 new residential units, in addition to units whose construction was approved half a year ago. We are right before Rosh Hashanah [the Jewish New Year], and we are thrilled to conclude the year with even more approvals for construction in Beit El. It is important to remember that not a single residential unit has been built in this regional council for over a decade now, notes the press release. On that same day, it was announced that the Supreme Planning Council of the Civil Administration is expected to approve the promotion (in the planning process) of 2,000 housing units in West Bank settlements. These include plans for 1,000 brand-new units, to be discussed for the first time. The current report would certainly have resulted in a diplomatic incident during the Obama administration, but now it hardly garnered a response. Reports about a plea deal with Trumps personal attorney get much more attention than stories about expedited construction projects in the settlements. Similarly, a report on Aug. 15 about plans to build thousands of new housing units in Jerusalem was met with silence. When then-Vice President Joe Biden visited Israel in 2010, it was reported that the government had approved the construction of 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem. The White House was livid, and Netanyahu, who was taken aback by the timing of the report, was quick to respond with clarifications. He even put the plan on hold. Some of the units in Jerusalem whose construction was approved Aug. 15 were the very units whose construction was halted in 2010 because of the Biden incident. The one thing missing from all of these reports is an outcry from Israels political left. After all, the struggle against construction in the settlement is one of its most important banner issues. Yet now that construction in the settlements is thriving, the left is almost completely silent. According to data collected by Peace Now, during the past year and a half of the Trump administration, construction tenders and plans for the settlements have tripled in comparison with the last period of the Obama administration. This is a dramatic development. The situation on the ground is changing rapidly, Shabtay Bendet, head of Peace Nows Settlements Watch Team, told Al-Monitor. Bendet is responsible for the famous reports that Peace Now has been producing for years. According to Bendet, in the past, the information they contained would feature in front page headlines and elicit responses from as far away as the White House. Since Trumps election, however, and his marked disinterest in the issue of construction in the West Bank, there has been no interest in such information. Restraints on construction in the settlements have been lifted. The Americans dont care, so journalists here dont care either. We havent been able to get news about what is happening on the ground out to the public," Bendet said. Bendet and his colleagues continue to produce regular reports, which they disseminate to the general public but also to people who help set policy. These include the members of the Meretz Party faction in the Knesset, since they are supposed to be leading the fight in the Knesset and the media against construction in the settlements. But Peace Now has also been having a hard time advancing the issue with them ever since the new administration took office in Washington. I am fully aware that Meretz Knesset members have been less vocal in sharing our messages, said Bendet. We send them reports showing a dramatic rise in construction in the settlements, but even that has no effect. Its true, said Knesset member Mossi Raz of the Meretz Party, himself a former director general of Peace Now. He explains that he and his colleagues are certainly disturbed by these recent developments, which make the possibility of a two-state solution all the more remote. Still, they simply failed in evoking public and media interest in the issue of construction in the settlements. In the past, any time they released a combative response opposing such construction, the media would have cited them extensively. Today, there is no interest in what they have to say on that. Even I deal with it less, said Raz. While it is of crucial importance since it reflects a shifting situation, it is very difficult to get it onto the public agenda. In the past, there would have been a sharp American response as soon as data on construction in the settlements was released. Today, that information is met with silence. So, it is obvious that journalists are writing about it less. We feel ineffective. Personally, it seems as if the public has come to accept construction in the settlements, despite the enormous damage it causes. Even on social media sites, there are significantly fewer responses to this than there were in the past. No matter how anyone looks at it, the situation in the settlements has certainly changed in the Trump era. The settlers themselves had long grown used to being the problem and an obstacle in Israels relationship with the United States. Yet even they never expected to see the situation change so rapidly and it has been a dramatic shift. For years, the Americans kept a meticulous account of every new home in the West Bank, and getting a new construction program off the ground was exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. The toughest period, as far as the settlers were concerned, was a short-lived total freeze on construction, which Netanyahu was forced to implement during the Obama administration. That has all changed now, and it extends beyond expedited construction and the expansion of settlements. It is just as tangible in the overall mood throughout the country, with the overwhelming feeling that no American diplomatic process is in the offing. As a result, the settlements are enjoying a new era of well-being and calm on all fronts. As far as construction in the settlements is concerned, the White House and the government are silent but so is the political left. After such a hard time finding its own voice, it too has almost gone silent. RAMALLAH, West Bank The delegations of Palestinian factions, Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine returned to the Gaza Strip the evening of Aug. 19 from Cairo, where they held several meetings together and with Egyptian intelligence. Discussions focused on a long-term truce with Israel and on Palestinian internal reconciliation. The delegations suspended their talks as the Rafah border crossing linking Egypt to the besieged Gaza Strip will be closed for six days for the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday until Aug. 26. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told the Russian news agency Sputnik on Aug. 19 that meetings and talks will resume after the holiday with the participation of the Fatah movement. On Aug. 14, Palestinian factions flocked to Cairo to discuss the Egyptian proposal on Palestinian internal reconciliation and a truce agreement with Israel. On Aug. 2, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas made a slight adjustment to the national consensus government. He appointed the official spokesman of the Palestinian Presidency, Nabil Abu Rudeina, as minister of information and deputy prime minister. No minister of information had been appointed since the formation of the national consensus government in 2014. The ministry remained managed by an undersecretary. This government change comes in tandem with Egyptian intelligences continuing efforts to achieve reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas. One of the outcomes of such a reconciliation, if it occurs, would be the formation of a Palestinian national unity government. Although the government change was limited to the appointment of Abu Rudeina, questions were raised about its implications and timing. Political observers and analysts saw this move as heralding a reshuffle in Hamdallahs Cabinet, while others interpreted it as aimed at strengthening the position and role of the consensus government until the outcome of the reconciliation talks with Hamas crystallizes. Others saw this change as an indirect message to Hamas by Abbas, asserting his ability to reshuffle the government if the reconciliation fails. Hamas, of course, had its say about the appointment of Abu Rudeina, who is a member of the Fatah movements Central Committee (the movement's highest authority) and the official spokesman for Abbas. An Aug. 2 statement by Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, Ramallahs government is no longer a consensus government after the addition of Nabil Abu Rudeina, adding, Such ministerial changes are a negative message and a sign of lack of credibility. They attest to Fatahs insistence on maintaining its policy of monopoly and denial of all issues agreed upon. A high-ranking source in Fatah denied that Abbas currently has plans to implement a Cabinet reshuffle. The priority is now for Egyptian efforts to reach reconciliation. If an agreement is reached with Hamas, a national unity government will be formed among all Palestinian factions. Fatah spokesman Atef Abu Seif told Al-Monitor that the appointment of Abu Rudeina as minister of information is a routine procedure because this ministerial portfolio is vacant, and the law gives the president authority to grant this portfolio to whomever he wants." He said the appointment decision was subject to consensus with the prime minister. Abu Seif continued, This appointment does not indicate an intention of a government reshuffle. It is rather an attempt to reform and develop the capabilities of the Palestinian media sector in light of the current delicate political stage. While the priority now appears to be the Egyptian reconciliation efforts, the failure of this endeavor would open the way for the president to bring about a limited or broad government reshuffle, especially in light of the pressing demand for a reshuffle in some Fatah leadership circles. Local media reports said some Fatah leaders are criticizing Hamdallah for unilaterally managing the government while lacking the relevant powers. On July 2, well informed Palestinian sources told the local news agency QudsNet that members of Fatah's central committee had called on Abbas to reshuffle the Cabinet as soon as possible, especially in light of the current government policies and unilateral decisions in addition to the [public administrative] promotions given amid the current financial crisis experienced by the PA. For its part, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) on May 23 quoted senior Fatah sources as saying that great pressure is exerted by the [Fatah] movement's leaders on the president demanding the dismissal of Hamdallah, whose name was circulating as a potential successor to Abbas and whose popularity was growing in the Palestinian street." On Feb. 25, Fatah Central Committee member Tawfiq Al-Tirawi lashed out in a press statement at ministers in Hamdallahs government, accusing them of "administrative corruption, cronyism and favoritism within their ministries, stressing the need to change some ministers who failed to properly revitalize major ministries. In a related context, a meeting between Abbas and former Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on June 28 stirred speculation that Abbas was seeking Fayyads return to lead a government of national unity with the participation of Hamas as a means to counter US pressure to implement the deal of the century. Abbas and Fayyad have maintained cold relations for years. Al-Monitor also spoke with Fatah leader and Central Council member Nabil Amro. A large current within Fatah believes that the government could do better," he said, Palestinians need a political agreement. A national unity government or a government change without a comprehensive agreement on reconciliation will not achieve good results. Meanwhile, another Fatah leader, Abdullah Abdullah, defended Hamdallahs Cabinet. The consensus government assumed its functions within the scope of the available capacities. It is ready to implement what can be agreed upon with Hamas to end the division, he told Al-Monitor. Hamas must hand over the Gaza Strip to Hamdallahs government for a specific period of time so that the latter can hold presidential and legislative elections and consequently form a government of national unity. The national government of consensus was formed April 23, 2014, following the signature of the Beach Refugee Camp Agreement. The agreement obliges the government to hold legislative and presidential elections within six months of taking office. This did not happen. Political writer Omar Ghoul, a former Fayyad adviser, told Al-Monitor, The appointment of Abu Rudeina will not constitute an obstacle to the formation of a national government, if the reconciliation is achieved." Ghoul added, "Hamdallahs government must be vested with all powers in the Gaza Strip for a specific period, before the formation of a unity government between Hamas and Fatah, which may include ministers from the current government. On the possibility that Fayyad might head the next government, Ghoul said, "All scenarios are possible when it comes to the formation of the next government. There is no veto on anyone, including Fayyad. All names are circulated. If there is a consensus on Fayyad, why wouldnt he lead the government, especially since he is an experienced former prime minister. It is now a process of waiting for the return of Palestinian factions to Cairo following Eid al-Adha to see whether a final decision is made on internal reconciliation and a truce with Israel; reaching a national unity government will entail that several requirements and conditions be met. Most notably, the reconciliation should be reached in accordance with Abbas vision. This would mean that the government of national consensus would take over all powers in Gaza, including that there be one law and one gun. Meeting these requirements will be very difficult. WASHINGTON Nineteen months into the Donald Trump administration, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has named a high-level diplomatic team to work on Syria. In the final stages of the military campaign to combat the Islamic States (IS) physical presence in Syria, Trump has expressed continued misgivings about funding any post-war stabilization. The United States has ended the ridiculous 230 Million Dollar yearly development payment to Syria, Trump tweeted Aug. 18. Saudi Arabia and other rich countries in the Middle East will start making payments instead of the U.S. I want to develop the U.S., our military and countries that help us! On Aug. 17, Pompeo swore in former US Ambassador to Iraq and Turkey James Jeffrey as his special representative for Syria engagement. The State Department also named retired US military officer Joel Rayburn, who until recently served as the National Security Council senior director for Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, as the deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs and Syria special envoy. In their new roles, Jeffrey will coordinate all aspects of US Syria policy and support for a political solution, outside of the counter-IS mission led by Brett McGurk. Rayburn will serve as Jeffreys deputy, focusing on Jordan and countering Hezbollah, State Department officials said. Jeffrey will serve as the secretarys adviser for and the departments primary contact on all aspects of the Syria conflict, apart from the Syria components of the [IS] campaign, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on a State Department press call on Aug. 17. Given all the countries and the issues involved, from terrorism to refugees, these matters obviously cut across geographic bureaus, and therefore this requires a high level of coordination. Rayburn is focusing on issues related to ending the Syrian conflict, emphasizing our strong opposition to Hezbollah and the importance of a strong Lebanese government, and the coordination of our strong bilateral ties with Jordan, Nauert said. Despite the fact that Trump was touting cutting some $230 million in US funds allocated for Syria post-war reconstruction, US officials said the Trump administration was committed to staying in Syria as long as it took to defeat IS and prevent its return. There should be no doubt as to the position of the president with respect to the broader issue of the US enduring presence in Syria, acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Satterfield said on the State Department press call on Aug. 17. Were there for the defeat, the enduring defeat of [IS]. And thats a message which the president has conveyed to President Putin, which all of us in the US government have conveyed to all of our interlocutors. What we have done, and the reason for this announcement and this discussion, is we have mobilized the critical international support that the president very much wanted to see and which the international community has responded to quite positively, Satterfield continued. Satterfield said the United States would be firm in its insistence that no US or Western funds be allocated for reconstruction in parts of Syria under President Bashar al-Assads control until the United Nations determines that there has been progress in talks for a political process in Geneva. There is not going to be, by international agreement, reconstruction assistance to Syria unless the UN not Moscow, not Washington, not any other capital, the UN certifies, validates that a credible and irreversible political process is underway, Satterfield said. Thats 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. Jeffrey, a 35-year veteran diplomat who enjoys good ties with the Turks, brings significant experience dealing with US bureaucracy and with many of the governments in the region and Europe. For the first time, the Trump administration is approaching Syria the way it should be approached, Randa Slim, who leads a US-Russian Track II Dialogue on Syria for the Middle East Institute, told Al-Monitor. They have appointed a high-level, experienced diplomat to look at Syria and to have a comprehensive approach. Jeffreys good relations with and diplomatic experience in Turkey may be especially helpful for trying to insulate the US-Turkey efforts on Syria from other aspects of the troubled relationship, said Syria expert Charles Lister. What is most fascinating to me is Jim [Jeffrey]s appointment comes of course right now where the US relationship with Turkey is at the lowest level it has been in a long time, Lister, with the Middle East Institute, told Al-Monitor. Jim is known to have good relations with Turkey. His position appears to be pivoting himself to perhaps strengthening dialogue with the Turks and insulating the Turkish Syria policy from the rest of our problems with Ankara, which is clearly a priority. I think another aspect of his role will probably be to re-establish a more effective US relationship with the broad spectrum of the Syrian opposition, in order to play some role with the political process, Lister said. Lister noted that when Rayburn made a recent trip to Turkey in his new role, some of his scheduled meetings with various Syrian opposition figures there got canceled. However, another Washington Syria analyst, speaking not for attribution Wednesday, said it is his understanding that Rayburns meetings with the Syrian opposition ultimately got moved from Istanbul to Ankara, but did take place. The new appointments may also advance prospects for reviving dormant UN-brokered Syria political talks in Geneva. With Russia pushing to unblock international reconstruction assistance for Syria, Trump might see an opportunity [to] say, now it is time to talk politics and put Geneva back on the table, Lister said. But with Assad signaling he may be preparing to retake one of the last remaining rebel strongholds in Idlib, northwest Syria, Jeffrey faces significant challenges, said Levant military analyst Nicholas Heras. While northwest Syria has some 4 million people, some of whom might be forced to flee any military offensive toward Turkey, it also is a base for al-Qaeda linked militants, Heras said. There is a sword of Damocles hanging over Jeffreys effort, Heras, with the Center for a New American Security, told Al-Monitor. Right now, the Assad regime and Russia are [preparing] a military operation on at least part of greater Idlib. This situation will be the first test of Ambassador Jeffrey as Syria envoy, as an interlocutor between the US government and [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan government in Turkey. The dirty secret no one wants to talk about is that the job requires Turkey, or Turkey and the Syrian opposition, to go after al-Qaeda in Idlib, and the best groups to fight Assad in Idlib are al-Qaeda and its fellow travelers, Heras said. Update: Aug. 22, 2018. This piece was updated to note conflicting accounts of whether the Syrian opposition met with Joel Rayburn in Turkey. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Protests continue in the Arab city of Baqa al-Gharbiyye in northern Israel, with citizens accusing Israeli police of neglecting their duty to protect citizens there. Demonstrations began Aug. 11 when one or more unidentified assailants killed local businessman Ahmad Athamneh, 40, and wounded another man. Since Athamnehs shooting, residents demonstrated for the third time Aug. 17 in front of a mosque to protest the prevalence of crime in their city. The protesters demanded that the Israeli police do their job: Arrest the perpetrators and fight violence in the Arab community. The demonstrations are part of a series of activities approved by the city government at its Aug. 17 emergency meeting. During the meeting, attended by community and city committee members, participants declared a general strike on the same day, with all of the city's shops, banks and post offices closing their doors. After the meeting, the city issued a statement: The activities to counter the scourge of violence will continue to take place, as several escalatory steps will be taken against criminality and the security services failure in our Arab community. The measures include holding weekly mass protests in front of the city police station until the perpetrators are identified. Anger prevailed during a protest following Athamneh's funeral march Aug. 13. Mohammad Barakeh, head of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, said the Israeli police are fully responsible for Athamnehs killing. Policemen are found in the hundreds when razing a house in an Arab town," Barakeh said. Yet we cant find them when it comes to a citizens life and security. Rather, we find them procrastinating and failing to chase [the perpetrators]. The victim's brother, Jamil Athamneh, told Al-Monitor his sibling was a successful businessman and merchant." "He had lately received death threats from unidentified people, which the police learned about. The threats ended in a hideous crime due to negligence and because no actions were taken, he added, though he didn't explain the reasons behind the threats. Had the murdered been a Jew, the police would have never left a stone unturned until they found the perpetrators. We place the blame on the police for this crime." Aida Mjadleh, deputy mayor of Baqa al-Gharbiyye, told Al-Monitor, We wrote the police a letter saying we will continue to protest until the perpetrators are apprehended, and confirmed we won't sit idly by while violence is spreading in the Arab community. Mjadleh continued, Murders of Arabs in Israel can easily happen because the perpetrators are aware that they will neither be sanctioned nor will the Israeli police prosecute them. And this has been the reason for arms prevalence and has driven up the crime rate. Kayan, a feminist Arab association based in Haifa, Israel, said in an Aug. 3 statement that 29 Arabs have been slain in Israel since early 2018 and denounced the polices negligence [in countering] this phenomenon. Among those 29 Arabs were eight women killed in separate incidents. Most recently among these was Noura Abu Salb, 37, who was killed Aug. 12 in the Negev in southern Israel. The police wrote it off as an honor killing, which is typically carried out by members of the victim's own family. Insaf Abu Shareb, a human rights activist in the Negev, told Arab 48 that Abu Salb, a mother of seven, had been the subject of an assassination attempt not long ago and "was killed after she sought police protection." Shareb speculated that because Abu Salb was killed late in the day, the police "could not, or perhaps they did not want to protect her." In its Aug. 15 report, the Israeli State Comptroller wrote that 1,236 Arabs were slain from 2000 to November 2017. According to the report, Arabs were behind 40% of the acts of violence in the Arab community and 60% of the murders committed in Israel from 2014 to 2016. Although Arabs represent 12% of the Israeli population, 95% of the shootings occurred in residential areas in Arab towns, the report said. The report also said that Arabs in Israel obtain arms from thefts in the first place, adding that gun theft rates in Israel increased 75% in 2016 over 2015. Arms smuggled from Jordan and areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority also end up in the hands of Arabs in Israel. The Israeli security services have failed to prevent the increased use of unlicensed weapons in the Arab community. This is because Israels security services do not coordinate with each other when investigating the crimes and because the Arab community does not trust the Israeli police which sometimes results in eyewitnesses declining to cooperate with Israeli investigators, the report said. From 2014 to 2016, the police submitted a bill of indictment in only 3.7% of the investigated crimes involving the use of weapons in the Arab community, citing understaffing, according to the report. Saleh Loutfi, director of the Center for Contemporary Studies in the Arab city of Umm al-Fahm, Israel, condemned the reports apparent attempt to blame the Arab community for the spread of violence. He told Al-Monitor, Just like any other [minority] people of Israel, Arabs do not have an autonomous self-rule, and based on that, the polices failure to assume their role of fighting crimes and prosecuting criminals has resulted in violence spreading in the Arab community. When Turkey recently conducted an operation to kill a senior leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), an outlawed militant group, it entered Iraq to do so and revealed its growing military capabilities. Before this operation, no other country in the region except Israel had the means to carry out targeted killings beyond its own borders. The operation indicates that Turkey is testing sensitive guided munitions developed locally, that this capability is used effectively and that it's likely to be expanded. Ismail Ozden a senior PKK figure code-named Uncle Zaki Shingali was killed Aug. 15 in the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar by drones and F-16s of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and its National Intelligence Organization (MIT). Ozden was the first high-profile PKK leader on Turkeys "most-wanted terrorists" list to be killed in the first air operation abroad in their nearly four-decade bloody conflict. The state-owned Anatolian News Agency disseminated images of the attack. Sources Al-Monitor spoke with in Ankara, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Turkey is seriously determined to proceed with targeted killings abroad. Speaking after the Sinjar attack, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed, We are going to continue to expand our operations against the PKK leadership outside our borders. According to defense industry analyst Arda Mevlutoglu, the technical advances Turkey has made are clear after assessing the visual material from the airstrike that killed Ozden. This attack has not only military and technical aspects, but also carries strategic and diplomatic messages. According to the visuals available, an unarmed aerial vehicle [UAV/drone] follows two pickup-type vehicles carrying the PKK leader and his team. Then you a see guided munition, likely to be a laser-guided projectile, hitting one of the vehicles, which is destroyed with a massive explosion, he told Al-Monitor. Then Ozdens body is transferred to another vehicle. Here speculation is in order: Either by miracle Ozden got away with injuries and was being sent for medical attention, or the Kurds didnt want his corpse to be seen. We then see the UAV following the vehicle carrying Ozdens body, and a short time later that vehicle, too, is hit and destroyed, most likely by a laser-guided projectile." The target could have been laser marked by a UAV, and an F-16 in the area might have fired its smart munitions. The Turkish Air Force has a wide selection of sensitive guided projectiles in its stocks. The most widely used is the GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided missile produced in Turkey under US license. Also, the Turkish Air Force has a laser guidance kit (LGK), which transforms MK-82 and MK-84 bombs to smart munitions, and Teber kits, which are guidance kits installed on conventional bombs to improve their accuracy. While the LGK has only a laser-guidance mode, Teber can use laser, inertial navigation systems (INS) and global positioning systems (GPS). Turkey also uses precision guidance munition kits that offer INS and GPS guidance. Also available is the INS and GPS wing assistance guidance kit, used to glide to long-range targets. According to Mevlutoglu, the second strike most likely was made with Micron munition MAM-L carried by the UAV. Of course we have to acknowledge that Turkish F-16s could not have reached Sinjar, some 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the Turkish border, without informing the US military. It's been reported that Turkey notified the United States of the flight but not of its operational details. In short, Ozden's targeted killing was made possible with military technologies developed by the United States, Canada and Turkey, and with the US military's approval for Turkish F-16s to enter Sinjar air space. We also noted clearly from the video recording that the MIT and TSK cooperated with each other closely. Ozdens movements were monitored intently on the ground with human intelligence. Air elements knew definitely which vehicle Ozden was in during the attack. A ground element must have been instantly informing the drone command center, enabling the drone and F-16 to carry out their coordinated attack. Ankara sources talk about advances in Turkeys intelligence gathering in real time, far from Turkish borders, and its ability to carry out sensitive operations. With the support of the political echelons, it's likely that this ability will grow in coming months. The Anka-S armed drone, which has successfully completed its firing tests, will soon offer the capability to easily hit a target 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) away by satellite tracking. What will the PKKs reaction be to increased targeted killings abroad? To find the answer, we must first look at the period of September to December 2016, when armed drones were used against the PKK for the first time in Turkey. The PKK responded by stepping up its use of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) and, in particular, suicide VBIEDs, exploiting the poor physical defenses of security outposts in Turkeys rural southeast and attempting to overcome the advantage afforded to Ankara by drones. New weapons and techniques used by the state on the front lines are bound to give rise to new maneuvers and tactical evolutions by its nonstate adversaries as well as a reversion to old tactics. The action-reaction cycle could take an unexpected route that's not intended or wanted by either side of the conflict. If Ankara continues with this type of targeted killings abroad, the PKK might revert to intense attacks using VBIEDs and drones, which could create a new dimension to the lengthy conflict between Turkey and the PKK. Turkish security forces have killed a member of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) who is on the countrys most wanted list, the third high-profile militant to be targeted this month. Okay Memis, the governor of the Black Sea province of Gumushane, said that Baris Oner, a PKK fighter of Turkish background code-named Tarik the Turk, had been killed along with another militant an ethnic Iranian, code-named Sorej in clashes with security forces in the rural Yesilkoy area of Gumushane on Aug. 22. Turkish security officials quoted by the pro-government daily Sabah said Oner was the PKK commander in charge of the outfits Black Sea region operations and had a bounty of 4 million Turkish liras ($660,960) on his head. Operations were continuing in the area, with elite gendarmerie forces backed by attack helicopters searching for fleeing militants. Memis claimed the PKK had been immobilized in the Black Sea region as a result of the operation, which started three days ago. In a related development, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported that another key PKK commander, Yusuf Sungur, had been killed together with his deputy, Serbest Gun, in a weekend operation in the southeastern province of Sirnak. Before that, on Aug. 11, Ibrahim Coban, who was also on the Interior Ministrys most wanted list, was killed in the province of Tunceli in what authorities called an operation. Details of his death were not revealed, but the successful targeting of top PKK leaders suggests that Turkish intelligence on the group is gaining ground. This in turn may be why the PKK has resumed assassinations of alleged "collaborators." Shopkeeper Mevlut Bengi was killed June 26 in the eastern province of Dogubayazit for his close ties to the ruling Justice and Development Party. News of Oner and Sungurs deaths have yet to be confirmed by pro-PKK Firat News Agency, which typically records such martyrdoms." The killings of Coban, code-named Mahir Atakan, and top PKK militant Zaki Shingali, however, continue to dominate Kurdish media, with a steady flow of eulogies for the men, in particular Shingali, who was an ethnic Yazidi from Turkey. Shingali is credited with rescuing thousands of his ethnic kin from imminent slaughter by the Islamic State in August 2014, as the group raped and pillaged its way across the Yazidi heartland. A Turkish airstrike targeted Shingali's vehicle on Aug. 15, killing him. Shingali was traveling back from a public event in the Yazidi-dominated town of Kocho in Iraqs Sinjar region. He is the most prominent PKK leader to have been killed by Turkey in recent years. Aug. 15 marked the fourth anniversary of the massacre of hundreds of Yazidis by the Islamic State in Kocho. On the same day 34 years ago, the PKK began its armed campaign, initially for Kurdish independence then autonomy against the Turkish state, and Shingali, whose real name was Ismail Ozden, was among the first to join. Middle East Eye, a London-based online news outlet covering the region, reported from Ankara that the United States had shared intelligence that helped Turkish forces target Shingali, even as Washington and Ankara continue to spar over Andrew Brunson, the evangelical American pastor being held by Turkey. The outlet based the report on an interview with an unnamed Turkish diplomat who offered the alleged US tip-off as proof of continued military cooperation between the NATO allies. A Pentagon spokesman neither denied nor confirmed that the United States had provided the information leading to Shingalis death. Western diplomatic sources, who spoke on condition of strict anonymity to Al-Monitor, professed to be unaware of any intelligence sharing related specifically to Shingali. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis offered to help Turkey target top PKK leaders based in the Qandil Mountains in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq during an official visit to Turkey in August 2017, as first reported by Al-Monitor at the time. But defense analysts assert that Turkey would not have needed US help in killing Shingali. Aaron Stein, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who specializes in security issues and Turkey, told Al-Monitor, I dont personally think for this strike [against Shingali] the Turks needed American assistance. Stein argued, The reported details about his presence at the commemoration allowed Ankara to zero in on where he would be. They [Turkey] clearly have friendly contacts in the area who would spot for them. A well-informed Kurdish source inside Iraqi Kurdistan contacted via WhatsApp concurred. The attack was clearly carried out with the help of an informant inside the YBS, he said, referring to the Sinjar Resistance Units, the Yazidi militia established by the PKK. The Kurdish source added, We believe that a GPS tracking device was planted by Turkish collaborators on comrade Zakis car. According to Stein, the operation would have been easy: The strike was as simple as designating a target with a laser from a high-flying drone. The bomb drop was textbook and the drone did what it was then supposed to do, which is hunt for squirters and ensure that the target was killed. Stein added that the release of the footage of the strike suggests that Ankara knew who it was hunting before the strike took place. He noted, It is also quite clever to leak this story to a friendly outlet like [Middle East Eye] to sow distrust between the United States and the YPG. The YPG is the acronym for the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units, which is the Pentagons top ally against the Islamic State in Syria. The Syrian Kurdish militia has close ties with the PKK and the YBS. Turkey has long pressured Washington to end its relationship with the YPG, saying it is no different from the PKK that they are all terrorists. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking new allies to offset Ankaras worsening ties with Washington, which have come to a breaking point over Turkeys continued detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson. Erdogans remarks show that his heart is set on Russia and China. Ironic as it may seem, though, Turkeys crisis with the United States is rekindling its ties with Europe, even though these ties had hit rock bottom not so long ago. Recent European statements of support for Turkey and Erdogans phone conversations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron last week have raised hopes that Turkey-EU ties may be revived. This seemingly ironic situation is not new, though. Turkeys relationships with Europe and the United States have traditionally been characterized by a seesaw effect. When ties with one side were strained, relations with the other side showed signs of improvement, regardless of what differences there may be. We saw this last year when Turkeys ties with key EU members appeared to be heading to a wall at high speed. Tensions peaked after Erdogan compared German and Dutch leaders to Nazis. He was fuming because his Justice and Development Party was banned from canvassing expatriate Turks in Germany and Holland for the referendum aimed at making him Turkeys first executive president. Erdogan relied on a close relationship with President Donald Trump to counterbalance the deteriorating state of ties with Europe. He appeared to be succeeding, too, when he traveled to Washington last September for his first official meeting with Trump. Erdogan has become a friend of mine, Trump said during the visit and added, I think now were as close as weve ever been. Developments, however, proved this reliance on Trump to be highly misplaced. Verbal promises from Moscow and Beijing to help Ankara overcome its current economic difficulties enable Erdogan to argue that Turkey is not without alternatives in the world. Nevertheless, the logic of replacing Turkeys strategic partnership with the United States with similar partnerships with Russia and China has yet to be proven, especially since this would also undermine Ankaras political and military ties with Europe. Many analysts believe that a major strategic shift toward Russia by Ankara would be counterintuitive. They generally agree that Turkeys current relationship with Russia is devoid of strategic content and is essentially driven by the problems both countries have with Europe and the United States. Ankaras relationship with Moscow is not as easy as appearances may suggest, given the two countries clashing interests in the Middle East and the Black Sea region, which are often whitewashed. Differences remain, however, on a broad range of issues from Syria to the Crimea and from Ukraine to the Caucasus. Not wanting to anger Moscow at a time when it needs its political support, Ankara remains largely mute on these sensitive issues. There are also the major energy projects the two countries are jointly engaged in that help contain their differences. The potential for problems, however, is never far from the surface. This was demonstrated when Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet on a mission in Syria in 2015, forcing ties into a freefall overnight. The economic sanctions Moscow imposed in retaliation did not just harm Turkeys economy, but also proved that Turkeys ability to make any headway with regard to its Syria policy depended on good ties with Russia. If there is a Turkish military presence in Syria today, it is because Moscow has allowed it. Erdogan was eventually forced to swallow his pride and apologize to President Vladimir Putin over the jet incident, but Russias still-unfolding plans for Syria remain a source of concern for Ankara. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was the first to break the ice with Ankara recently when he tweeted his pleasure on Aug. 14 over the decision by a Turkish court to release two Greek soldiers being held by Turkey for months. The soldiers were arrested after they accidentally strayed across the border into Turkey. Their release was taken as a sign that Turkey was seeking improved ties with Europe. Delighted by the news of the imminent release of the 2 Greek soldiers detained in Turkey, Junckers Twitter message read. Turkey has nothing to fear from its European neighbours. The EU will remain engaged in this strategic partnership. We want to see a democratic, stable & prosperous Turkey, he added. A day after the release of the Greek soldiers, another Turkish court released Taner Kilic, the head of Amnesty International in Turkey, who was arrested last year for allegedly being part of the failed coup against Erdogan in 2016. Erdogans phone conversations with Merkel and Macron last week were taken as a concrete sign of a thaw in Turkeys ties with Europe. Erdogan is also due to visit Germany in late September. His visit has gained added significance for Ankara given the strains that exist between Europe and the United States. Meanwhile, Berat Albayrak, Erdogans son-in-law, who has been appointed as Turkeys new economic supremo, was also working the phones with his German and French counterparts, laying the groundwork for high-level economic talks in the coming days and weeks. Remarks by various European politicians such as Andrea Nahles, the former head of Germanys Social Democratic Party who is currently a minister in Merkels government that stress Turkeys continuing strategic importance for Europe are also encouraging for Ankara. There are important reasons for Europes support, of course, such as the vast debts Turkey has incurred with European banks, the equally vast investments by European countries in Turkey, the voluminous trade with Turkey and the continuing need to cooperate with Ankara against illegal immigration and terrorism related to developments in the Middle East. The crisis with the United States is also focusing the attention of Erdogans supporters on the importance of reviving relations with Europe. Burhanettin Duran, the general coordinator of the government-sponsored SETA foundation, maintains that Europes own difficulties with the Trump administration are pushing it closer to Turkey. Having hit the nadir as far as tensions are concerned, Turkish-EU ties could now be on the eve of opening a new phase, Duran wrote for the pro-government daily Sabah. Duran laid the responsibility of opening this new phase on Merkel and Macron, and he called on them to support visa liberalization for Turks and the overhauling of Turkeys customs union with the EU. Hurriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi, another avid Erdogan supporter, agrees that a major opportunity has arrived for reviving ties with Europe, but unlike Duran, he suggests that the onus is on Turkey to take advantage of this opportunity. In his column, Selvi referred to the release of the Greek soldiers and Kilic as the first steps in normalizing Turkish-EU relations. He added, however, that releasing prominent Turkish businessman Osman Kavala and opposition deputy Enis Berberoglu, who are both being held on terrorism charges that many believe are baseless, would expedite the opening of a new chapter with Europe. Without improving our human rights report card, we cant improve our ties with the EU, Selvi argued. Others also caution that there are limits to how far ties with Europe can go given the current state of democracy and human rights in Turkey. These remains under strong European scrutiny. Asli Aydintasbas, from the European Council on Foreign Relations, argued in her column for the opposition daily Cumhuriyet that the importance of public opinion in Europe cant be overlooked. This is why, she wrote, key European countries are calling on Ankara to help them, by taking steps that will cause a positive atmosphere in European public opinion so that they can help Turkey in turn. She said releasing intellectuals from prison would have an impact in this regard, but she remained skeptical. It appears difficult for [the Erdogan] regime to turn its course back to democracy and reform, she wrote. Erdogan undoubtedly also knows that good relations with Europe ultimately requires this, which could be the reason he continues to search for new allies outside Turkeys traditional Western fold. Ultimately, though, maintaining strategic ties with the West remains Turkeys best bet. Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi said in a letter released Thursday, Aug. 22, that he feels "sadness, shock, shame, outrage" at the Pennsylvania grand jury report released last week that showed accusations of sexual abuse against 301 priests dating back decades. Rodi said that "questions must be addressed and done so with honesty, completeness and integrity." He said the Archdiocese of Mobile has implemented measures to protect children and that reports of abuse nationwide have been few since reforms have been enacted. "Four credible accusations against priests in 2017 is four too many," Rodi wrote. "Each act of sexual abuse of a minor is immoral and devastating." Rodi said that all Masses on the weekend of Sept. 8-9 will include prayer for victims of abuse and for forgiveness. "So, let us keep one another in prayer that the action which is taken, and action must be taken, will address the sin in our midst which has so deeply harmed its victims and all of us," Rodi wrote. "In our need for prayer I am asking all of us in the Archdiocese of Mobile pray together for the victims of abuse and for forgiveness and reparation for our failings." One Pennsylvania priest was charged in 1990 for sexual abuse after an incident that happened in Mobile in the 1980s. Another Pennsylvania priest accused of abuse retired to Fairhope. Rodi did not address those aspects of the report. Here is the full letter from Archbishop Rodi: Sadness, shock, shame, outrage. I am at a loss for the words to describe my feelings at the scandals which have affected the Church these past few weeks. I have read only some of the report from Pennsylvania but it fills me with revulsion. The harm done to victims is unspeakable. One can rightly ask: Wasn't this handled in 2002 when the US bishops committed ourselves to a plan of action (the Charter) to address sexual misconduct with minors by priests and deacons? The Charter did address this issue and since 2002 the Church in the US has implemented procedures and policies to protect minors when involved in Church ministries. The background checks, child protection training, annual retraining for all employees and for all volunteers ministering to minors, cooperation with civil authorities, all called for by the Charter, are implemented in the Archdiocese of Mobile. In our archdiocese, accusations of misconduct go before an independent review board, composed mostly of lay persons, for consideration. I have been faithful to the zero tolerance called for in the 2002 Charter. Priests and deacons who have credible accusations of abuse of minors are not reassigned elsewhere and are not allowed to exercise any ministry. These efforts have had a positive effect. Below is a graph of accusations in the U.S. since 2004 of misconduct with minors by priests, not by the date of reporting the accusations, but by date that the alleged incident occurred. According to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), the number of occurrences peaked in the 1970s. It is noticeable that since the Charter the accusations have been few. According to CARA, in the United States there were seven credible accusations against priests which occurred in 2016, and four in 2017, as opposed to many during the peak years. In addition, prospective seminarians for our Archdiocese are carefully selected. We seek good and wholesome guys to be our future priests. We also carefully select our seminaries. It is my impression that seminary training today is more attentive to human formation of seminarians than was seminarian training prior to the Second Vatican Council and in the years soon after the Council. (From what has been reported, of the 300+ cases in the Pennsylvania report only two occurred in the past 10 years and both were reported to authorities. It needs to be remembered, even though most accusations in the report were 30 or more years ago, the damage caused by abuse lasts for many years.) At the same time I would like to make two points: First, four credible accusations against priests in 2017 is four too many. Each act of sexual abuse of a minor is immoral and devastating. Second, these statistics, however encouraging, excuse nothing. The questions about the accusations regarding Archbishop McCarrick, the Pennsylvania report, and other scandals in various places in our country are many and justifiable. How could this be covered up for so long? Why didn't someone say something? Why were people involved in misconduct left in positions of authority and even promoted? Why were known acts of misconduct not addressed and reported to civil authorities? The Charter addressed misconduct against minors but what about misconduct with adults? How can accusations against bishops be reported and to whom? These and other questions must be addressed and done so with honesty, completeness and integrity. The bishops who form leadership of the United States Catholic Conference have already requested of the Pope that an impartial and independent investigation be made into the matter of the accusations against Archbishop McCarrick. This is needed and as soon as possible. The US bishops also need to address the matter that bishops were not included in the Charter. This needs to be amended. In addition, there is the need to make clear how accusations against bishops may be made and who will investigate the accusation. Proposals are already being considered and I am confident this will be the focus of the bishops' annual November meeting, where with humility and contrition, we must confront our failures. In the meantime, what can the average Catholic do? In recent days I have met twice with the priests of our archdiocese, spoken with the deacons of our archdiocese, and attended the annual retreat of our seminarians. At each we discussed the recent scandals. These meetings were most helpful to me in hearing them and the pain that they are feeling. Their comments were very valuable for, in particular, they spoke to the need for a renewal of holiness among the clergy and all the people of the Church and of the need to change any culture of secrecy among the clergy. As they pointed out, these scandals call upon all of us to remember that that we are called to holiness. We can at times hesitate to call sin a sin. We need to confront sin and to seek holiness and to rightly expect our clergy to lead us in this. This is not to say that our clergy will be perfect. We have many wonderful deacons, priests, and bishops, but none of us are perfect. I know that I am not. I am a sinner and have done wrong in many ways. I beg God for forgiveness. But I also believe that God wishes to work through us, despite our flaws, frailties and sins. He uses us, each one of us, to accomplish His plan. We seek after holiness knowing we are weak sinners. It is when we realize that we need God that God's power can work in us and in our weakness, as St. Paul says, we are strong. We are also called by the Lord to courage. It is the courage that comes from trust in the Lord. Jesus calls us to "Fear not." "Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." When I was young there was a popular expression that "you don't burn down the barn to get rid of the rats." I understand the anger and feel it too. This is not a time for anger to cause us to attack and seek to destroy the Church. Instead, righteous anger asks God to bring forth people of good judgment and holiness to guide us in a purification. Purification is consistently painful but necessary. We cannot allow ourselves to become discouraged. The Evil One would love for us to lose hope. It is for us to encourage one another to trust that the Lord can lead us out of even the darkest of moments. So let us keep one another in prayer that the action which is taken, and action must be taken, will address the sin in our midst which has so deeply harmed its victims and all of us. In our need for prayer I am asking all of us in the Archdiocese of Mobile pray together for the victims of abuse and for forgiveness and reparation for our failings. At all Masses the weekend of September 8-9, 2018 prayer will be included for the victims of abuse and for forgiveness and reparation for our failings as a Church. (Archdiocesan child protection policy and information is available on the archdiocesan website: mobarch.org) An Alabama pastor asked his congregation on Sunday to pray against the witchcraft that he said is attacking President Donald Trump, and the sermon is getting a lot of attention on social media. "It's time to pray for the president," said Pastor John A. Kilpatrick, who founded the Church of His Presence in Daphne in 2006. Kilpatrick quoted 2 Kings 9:22, which attributes witchcraft to Jezebel. "When Elijah faced Jezebel, he was facing witchcraft," Kilpatrick said. "What's happening right now in America, is witchcraft's trying to take this country over," he said. "It's witchcraft that's trying to take America back over." A video of the sermon that highlights the mention of witchcraft against Trump has more than 100,000 views on social media. The entire sermon can be viewed on the church's web site. Kilpatrick, an Assemblies of God minister, is best known for being pastor of the Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola when it hosted the Brownsville Revival, also known as the "Pensacola Outpouring." More than four million people attended the Christian revival from 1995-2000. Kilpatrick left Brownsville in 2003 and started his own ministry. The Assemblies of God is a Pentecostal denomination with about 3 million U.S. adherents and 64 million worldwide that believes in the modern-day spiritual gifts of healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues. Church of His Presence is affiliated with the Assemblies of God. "I am not being political, but I don't see how President Trump bears up under it," Kilpatrick said in his sermon. "He is as strong as I've ever seen a man be. But here's what the Holy Spirit said to me last night and what He said for me to tell you. He said, 'Tell the church that so far, Trump has been dealing with Ahab. But Jezebel's fixing to step out from the shadows.' That's what the Lord said to me. "He said, 'Pray for him now, because he said there's about to be a shift, and the Deep State is about to manifest, and it's going to be a showdown like you can't believe.' So, I'm coming to you as a prophet, as a man of God, and I'm telling you, it's time to pray for the president." The congregation applauded. "Witchcraft was in full control and witchcraft was what knocked Elijah out of his position, took him out of power," Kilpatrick said. "Oh my God. I heard the Lord say there's going to be an attempt to take him out of power. Let's stand and pray right now." He then began speaking in tongues, and added, "We've got to pray for this man." He spoke in tongues more, and shouted out, "God make him bold, make him strong! Preserve him, Holy Spirit! Keep him, Holy Spirit! Preserve him, Holy Spirit! Don't let him lose his voice! Make him stronger than ever, Holy Spirit! Let no weapon be formed against him that will knock him out of power. Strengthen him, Lord! It's time to pray, church. I believe our nation is in the balances." Kilpatrick, in an interview with AL.com today, said he voted for Trump in 2016 but said he's not a Republican. "I'm an Independent," he said. "There's so much about the Republican party that's offensive now. Both parties nauseate me. It's not a Democrat thing, or a Republican thing. Trump has his faults. I don't believe he's a man of God. But he may be God's man for this time. He's a strong person. Maybe the Lord has risen him up to keep American from sliding further. He's a flawed man, just like anybody else. He's trying to reverse things in America." That's the message he was trying to convey in the biblical analogy for Trump, he said. "This president has been under pressure, in an Ahab-like situation," Kilpatrick said. "When you graduate up to the main power broker, that's Jezebel. I really do feel this way. His greatest attack is yet to come. It's all a culmination." He wasn't talking about a specific person who is a witch, he said. "It's not a witch after him, it's a spirit of witchcraft trying to muzzle him," Kilpatrick said. Kilpatrick said he was not trying to tie in to Trump's frequent complaint of a "witch hunt" in the special investigation into Russian meddling in the election. "He calls it a witch hunt," Kilpatrick said. "I didn't put those together. It's just a spirit of witchcraft. I'd say the source of it is evil. It's manipulative, it's controlling, it has its own agenda. I think it's just a strong spirit of manipulation and control that doesn't want to give it up." A federal appeals court agreed Wednesday with a lower court's ruling that Alabama can't limit a woman's access to second-trimester abortions. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that blocks a state law - the Alabama Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Act - that bans a certain abortion procedure. The ban was struck down by federal judge in Montgomery last year, but the state appealed that ruling. The appeals court's order stated, "In our judicial system, there is only one Supreme Court, and we are not it. As one of the 'inferior Courts,' we follow its decisions... Our role is to apply the law the Supreme Court has laid down to the facts the district court found." Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement Wednesday afternoon disagreeing with the ruling. "I am disappointed that the 11th Circuit sided with the lower court in this case, but it is encouraging that the court recognized the State's important and legitimate interests in ending barbaric abortion procedures--in this case, procedures that literally tear apart babies living inside their mothers' wombs," Marshall stated. "I also appreciate Judge Dubina's separate opinion that the United States Supreme Court's abortion jurisprudence 'has no basis in the Constitution,' Marshall stated. "Our legal team is carefully considering whether we will petition the Supreme Court for review of this case. We expect to reach a decision soon." Governor Kay Ivey also reacted to the decision. "I was supportive of the bill when it passed through the Legislature in 2016, and I signed it as president of the Senate. I am disappointed in the court's ruling today; however, we should not let this discourage our steadfast commitment to protect the lives of the unborn, even if that means taking this case to the U.S. Supreme Court. This ruling clearly demonstrates why we need conservative justices on the Supreme Court, and I look forward to the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh." The Foundation for Moral Law condemned the appeals court decision. Kayla Moore, the Foundation's President, said in a statement that "Because the Eleventh Circuit had an amicus brief in front of it explaining why the court's duty was to follow the Constitution instead of the Supreme Court, the court knew it had a duty to disregard Roe and protect the children's right to live." "The Eleventh Circuit cannot wash its hands of the blood of the innocent by placing the blame on the Supreme Court," Moore statement. "The victims of the Eleventh Circuit's passivity are Alabama's unborn children, who can now be murdered by having their limbs torn from their bodies while their hearts are still beating." Last October, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson blocked the Alabama law that would criminalize the most common method of second-trimester abortion in the state, effectively ending the right to an abortion at 15 weeks. The method is called dilation and evacuation-- but is referred to in Alabama law as dismemberment abortion-- and is typically performed between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. The Legislature passed the ban in 2016, and it was set to take effect last year. After the ban was passed, the West Alabama Women's Center in Tuscaloosa and the Alabama Women's Center in Huntsville filed a lawsuit against the state. The district court ruled in their favor, but the state appealed to the 11th Circuit. The appeals court wrote in its decision Wednesday, "At that stage of pregnancy, it is settled under existing Supreme Court decisions that the State of Alabama cannot forbid this method of abortion entirely." The ruling continued, "The State has an actual and substantial interest in lessening, as much as it can, the gruesomeness and brutality of dismemberment abortions. That interest is so obvious that the plaintiffs do not contest it. But the fact that the Act furthers legitimate state interests does not end the constitutional inquiry. The legitimacy of the interest is necessary but not sufficient for a pre-viability abortion restriction to pass the undue burden test." The order also notes that almost 93% of abortions performed in Alabama happen before 15 weeks, and a different method is used. In Alabama, the appeals court said, the majority of women who have abortions at the West Alabama Women's Center and the Alabama Women's Center live in poverty and cannot afford the other methods that "prolong the abortion" suggested by the state. Updated at 4:05 p.m. Aug. 22 with comments from Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and Foundation for Moral Law. Updated at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 22 with comment from Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall. Abortion Ruling by Ivana Hrynkiw on Scribd A Birmingham wife and mother was shot to death over the weekend and police said they are investigating the slaying as a domestic homicides. Mia Heard, a 49-year-old mother of three adult children, died about 1:30 a.m. Saturday at a north Birmingham home. North Precinct officers responded to the house at 1029 34th Street North on a report of a shooting. Sgt. Johnny Williams said once inside, they found Heard suffering from gunshots wounds. Birmingham Fire and Rescue arrived and pronounced her dead on the scene. Investigators are assessing several different aspects in this investigation and currently reviewing the case with the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office, Williams said. No arrests have been made. AL.com sought confirmation Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from Birmingham police officials on Heard's death but they said they were not releasing information at that time. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office said police asked them to not release the information either. It hasn't been made clear why that information was withheld for four days. Heard graduated from Ensley High School in 1987 where she served as vice president of her senior class. According to her LinkedIn profile, Heard went to work for UAB in 2007, most recently serving as the administrative assistant to the associate dean for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development at the UAB School of Medicine. Friends of the victim described her and her husband as "the model couple." Her mother described her as a "beautiful and loyal daughter." Heard is Birmingham's 72nd homicide victim in 2018. Of those, at least five have been ruled justifiable and therefore the Birmingham Police Department does not count them in their year-end tally. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 104 homicides including the 72 in Birmingham. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Shaun King, a journalist and activist prominently linked with the Black Lives Matter movement, will be speaking next month in Alabama. King will discuss civil rights during a speech at the University of North Alabama in Florence on Sept. 6. The event will take place at Norton Auditorium at 7 p.m., the school announced Wednesday. King's website describes him as "a magnetic element of the Black Lives Matter movement" and "a humane and passionate advocate for justice and families and an extremely visible fundraiser for victims of brutality and discrimination." He has spoken to college students on more than 100 campuses across the country. King spoke out in April after an African American woman was arrested at a Waffle House in Saraland near Mobile. A graphic video of the arrest went viral on social media. "I'm sorry to keep having to say this phrase, but this would not have happened to a white woman at Waffle House," King wrote for Black America Web. According to the announcement from UNA, King will "speak on the topic of Civil Rights Today - The New Civil Rights Movement." King is currently a writer for The Intercept and the Writer-In-Residence at Harvard Law Schools' Fair Punishment Project. "Ten times more African Americans are currently incarcerated today than they were in 1955," King said in the UNA announcement. "It's hard to know a moment in history when you are in it, but this much I know: We are in a painful and peculiar point in American history. So much is wrong that it's hard to keep up, but we must." UNA's Housing & Residence Life and the Department of Sociology will sponsor the event, which is free to campus and the local community. The case of a manager gunned down outside a Huntsville Taco Bell store is headed to a grand jury. Pete McCullough, a 22-year-old murder suspect, waived his preliminary hearing in Madison County District Court this morning. The case will be sent to a grand jury for consideration of an indictment. McCullough is charged in the fatal shooting of his 41-year-old boss Shawn Bone. The gunfire erupted outside the Airport Road restaurant the evening on July 9. Before the shooting, McCullough and Bone argued about a work-related issue, police said. Bone also worked at a Krystal restaurant on Memorial Parkway in Huntsville. A family member told AL.com Bone is remembered as a hard worker with a big smile and an infectious laugh. His cousin Kentrell Bone called the shooting a "senseless death." Pete Morris McCullough is charged in the fatal shooting of his boss at a Taco Bell restaurant in Huntsville. Shawn Bone's mother, Sheila Hale, is suing McCullough for wrongful death. Shawn Bone is one of at least 17 people who have died in homicides in Huntsville this year. In 2017, 22 people died in homicides in the city. The Taco Bell case is among at least 12 workplace shootings in Alabama since 1999. Others include the 2010 UAH murders in Huntsville and the UAB Highlands shooting earlier this year. McCullough is free on $75,000 bail. A grand jury will be asked to determine whether there is probable cause to send his murder case to trial. A woman blew up her NASA internship before it launched when she and her friends launched a profanity-charged Twitter attack on Alabama author Homer Hickam, but Hickam says he's not mad and will try to help her. The fuss started when the woman identified as Naomi H. recently told the world on Twitter, "EVERYONE SHUT THE F*** UP. I GOT ACCEPTED FOR A NASA INTERNSHIP." Hickam says someone called that to his attention, and he thought Naomi might be heading for trouble using F*** and NASA in the same post. As a Vietnam vet, Hickam said the F-word didn't bother him. "Language," Hickam responded on Twitter. That didn't go over well with Naomi, who responded to Hickam with a post that started with "suck" and ended with "I'm working for NASA." "And I'm on the National Space Council that oversees NASA," Hickam replied. The author of "Rocket Boys" is on the council after a career at NASA as an engineer and his current career as a best-selling author and space advocate. Naomi was reportedly notified after her second post that the internship was gone, and some people online blamed Hickam in a furious response online. Hickam by then had deleted his comments and blocked "all concerned." Hickam says he "had nothing to do with" Naomi losing her internship, "nor could I since I do not hire and fire at the agency." Hickam said the #NASA hashtag Naomi's friends used in their posts alerted the agency after his own comments had been deleted. Hickam said Naomi sent him an "unnecessary apology, which I heartily accepted and returned with my own." He's looked at Naomi's resume, Hickam said, and he believes she deserves a job in the space industry. "I'm doing all I can to secure her one that will be better than the one she lost," he said. NASA has had no comment on the issue, although Hickam said the space agency told him there is no black mark on Naomi's record and she can reapply. Naomi's Twitter account is now reportedly set to "private." A nationwide prison strike expected to last weeks in prisons across the U.S. has not reached Alabama's state correctional facilities, according to the Department of Corrections, inmate rights activists and an Alabama state inmate who has led and participated in previous strikes and protests. DOC spokesman Bob Horton told AL.com that the department was not aware of any strikes taking place in any of Alabama's state prisons since the nationwide protest officially began on Tuesday. "There are no reports of a state prison strike," he said via email. Inmates and activists in at least 17 states have reportedly been planning for months to engage in a 19-day strike beginning Tuesday. The twin goals of the strike are to protest a range of issues including unpaid and underpaid prison labor and unsafe and unsanitary prison conditions, and to raise awareness about the strike leaders' long list of demands, which include "[a]n immediate end to prison slavery," improved living conditions and post-release and sentencing reforms. The work stoppage -referred to by organizers and the media as the Aug. 21 strike - is also pitched as a "response to the riot in Lee Correctional Institution, a maximum security prison in South Carolina" in which seven inmates were killed last year, according to a press release that outlined the demands. An inmate at one of Alabama's state prisons who has led and participated in solo and group strikes and protests in multiple prisons across the state in the past said Tuesday night that none of his fellow inmates were striking in the prison where he is incarcerated and that he had not heard of any inmates striking at other prisons in the state. That inmate - who goes by the moniker Swift Justice in order to avoid retaliation for speaking out - said Wednesday that he supports the goals of the strike and the broader prison reform movement but that the strike does not appear to be underway on in Alabama. Asked what results he would like to see the national strike achieve, Justice said, "[i]t's time our leaders in the Senate and government sit down face-to-face with us" in a voice message Wednesday. "This strike will open the doors for the voices inside our prisons in Alabama and this nation to be heard," he said. "And in doing so, our demands will be taken as logical and needed in a system designed for the profit of people instead of true rehabilitation for those within the walls." The Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee, which defines itself as a "prisoner-led section" of the Industrial Workers of the World union, reported via Twitter on Wednesday that protest activity is taking place in other states in solidarity with the Aug. 21 strikers: #PrisonStrike Day 1 we showed up on the inside and outside. Florida: 150-250 calls sent to Florida prison officials, even 5 staff deep just on calls we still jammed the lines. North Carolina: ~100 prisoners rallied in yard with banners Parole, Better Food, In Solidarity IWOC (@IWW_IWOC) August 22, 2018 #PrisonStrike Day 1 cont. Tacoma: Over 200 locked up by ICE began hunger strike #AbolishICE Chicago, Minneapolis, NYC, LA and dozens more held noise demos heard across prison walls. Starbucks, prison showroom disrupted. And more than we can fit. This is just the beginning. IWOC (@IWW_IWOC) August 22, 2018 And "[p]rison officials in both Virginia and North Carolina acknowledged this strike" on Tuesday, according to Norfolk, Va.-based ABC 13 News Now. Dara Folden, a member of the Free Alabama Movement's Queen Team, a grassroots prison reform advocacy group, said that she has also heard from contacts both inside and outside Alabama's prisons that they were unaware of any strike activity in state correctional facilities as of Wednesday morning. She also alleged that the DOC has recently taken steps aimed at quashing protesters. "ALDOC has made it their business to disrupt all activity to prevent any pressure being applied to them," she said. Folden added that she is "disappointed at the outcome for Alabama but we did our best in addition to standing in solidarity with all those who did participate ... it will definitely take another year to get things moving in Alabama, but we are determined not to give up." Horton provided a one-sentence response to Folden's claims that the DOC has taken steps to quell potential protests or strikes. "The Alabama Department of Corrections was unaware of an alleged national prison strike until reported by the media," he said via email. The highest ranking military officer in Alabama called on greater cooperation between the military and civilian communities during a speech Wednesday to the Rotary Club of Birmingham. Four-star Gen. Gus Perna, head of the Redstone Arsenal-based United States Army Materiel Command, is in charge of the state of readiness of the Army and future planning for the military branch. His command is responsible for 120,000 soldiers, Department of Defense civilians and contractors. "I want you to go beyond just being grateful. I want you to truly believe through meetings like this ... that you can trust us," he told the rotary club. "You can trust us to be a part of your community, to contribute to that, to be a part of raising and educating our youth, to ensuring that our communities are safe and some place we want to live." "We don't have a major contingent here [in Birmingham], but truly through your leadership and your support, we can build a partnership that can withstand the absence or direct absence of a force," Perna added. The general said the Birmingham community could help his command by embracing "your military, not just your Army" through partnering with the military on social and professional events. He also called on the community to embrace Army recruiters "so that we can keep the momentum of an all-volunteer service alive." Perna said the business community could also assist by finding jobs for Alabama's 300,000 veterans. "I would encourage and I would support anyone that helps enable them. Through hiring, through educational opportunities or medical care, I would greatly appreciate that," he said. Besides the rotary club, Perna also met with UAB President Dr. Ray Watts, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and the Birmingham Business Alliance. Perna's Birmingham visit was part of the Meet Your Army initiative, an outreach program that sends military leaders to communities "where the Army has little or no presence." The Magic City was among 14 cities the Army was including in the initiative this year. The Alabama State Department of Education is giving $1 million to 50 schools across the state to recognize those schools' improvement in last year's third grade reading scores in the 2017-18 school year, according to a statement from ALSDE. Each school will receive a $20,000 check from ALSDE as a way of recognizing and incentivizing teachers and students who have worked hard to achieve proficiency in reading by third grade in last school year's Scantron Performance Series Reading Assessment. Schools from each of the eight Alabama State Board of Education Districts were recognized. A special recognition and awards ceremony will be held Thursday, Sept. 13 at the ALSDE after the September Alabama State Board of Education Meeting. Gov. Kay Ivey, state legislators and other dignitaries will be there. Below are the schools recognized by district and school system: State School Board District 1 Fairhope Elementary School-Baldwin County Silverhill School - Baldwin County Spanish Fort Elementary School - Baldwin County Swift Elementary School - Baldwin County Pleasant Home School - Covington County WS Harlan Elementary School - Covington County Eichold-Mertz School of Math and Science - Mobile County State School Board District 2 Cleburne County Elementary School - Cleburne County Kinston School - Coffee County Highlands Elementary School - Dothan City Geneva County Elementary School - Geneva County Samson Elementary School - Geneva County Slocomb Elementary School - Geneva County Abbeville Elementary School - Henry County Wedowee Elementary School - Randolph County State School Board District 3 Clanton Intermediate School - Chilton County Bluff Park Elementary School- Hoover City Deer Valley Elementary School - Hoover City Greystone Elementary School - Hoover City Mountain Brook Elementary School - Mountain Brook City Pelham Oaks Elementary School - Pelham City Mt. Laurel Elementary School - Shelby County State School Board District 4 Phillips Academy - Birmingham City State School Board District 5: Billingsley High School - Autauga County Pine Level Elementary School - Autauga County Southern Choctaw Elementary School - Choctaw County Sweet Water High School - Marengo County State School Board District 6 Randolph Park Elementary School - Anniston City Appalachian School - Blount County Cold Springs Elementary School - Cullman County Parkside Elementary School - Cullman County Chestnut Grove Elementary School - Decatur City F.E. Burleson Elementary School - Hartselle City Springville Elementary School - St. Clair County State School Board District 7 Hatton Elementary School - Colbert County Leighton Elementary School - Colbert County Berry Elementary School - Fayette County Mount Olive Elementary School - Jefferson County South Lamar School - Lamar County Central High School - Lauderdale County Underwood Elementary School - Lauderdale County Crestline Elementary School - Mountain Brook City Cahaba Elementary School - Trussville City Tuscaloosa Magnet School - Elementary - Tuscaloosa City Verner Elementary School - Tuscaloosa City State School Board District 8 Attalla Elementary School - Attalla City Fyffe High School - DeKalb County Henagar Junior High School - DeKalb County Sylvania School - DeKalb County Thurston T Nelson Elementary School - Scottsboro City An Army soldier who underwent aviation training at Alabama's Fort Rucker has died in Iraq, the Department of Defense announced. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Taylor Gavin died Aug. 20 in a helicopter crash this week in western Iraq. Galvin, 34, of Spokane, Washington, was participating in a nighttime raid against the Islamic State at the time of the incident. There is no indication the helicopter was downed by enemy fire, according to a Pentagon statement. A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Gavin was assigned to Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He entered the Army as a CH-47 aircraft mechanic in 2003 and, in 2007, was accepted to Warrant Officer Candidate School and graduated flight school from Fort Rucker in 2008. He later served as a UH-60 instructor pilot, deploying twice to Iraq and Afghanistan. In all, Gavin served nine deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gavin received numerous awards and decorations, including the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Joint Service Air Medal. 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. An Auburn man pleaded guilty Wednesday to one court of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today. The man, 42-year-old Kyle Geoffrey Sandler was charged after officials said he solicited and accepted more than $1.8 million from more than 50 investors in a scheme to defraud them. According to court records, Sandler founded and managed The Roundhouse LLC based in Lee County from 2015 to 2016. Sandler advertised Roundhouse as a business incubator company that helped develop new and startup companies by providing services such as venture capital, office space, 1-gigabit internet and management training. During those two years, Sandler made numerous misrepresentations and failed to share crucial information about his past, officials said. Sandler claimed he was a former employee of Google, which he said paid him millions of dollars for his work during his time there. However, Sandler never actually worked for Google. Investors relied on Sandler's represented experience and expertise and gave him about $1.8 million in investment funds to further Roundhouse's business. Instead, Sandler was using the funds for personal expenses such as childcare services, rent payments, purchases of automobiles and other needs. He was arrested in Texas in late June on warrants from Lee County, oanow.com reported. His business closed in December 2016 after it "ran out of money," according to local news reports. "Sandler led people to believe he was a legitimate business man," said U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin Sr. "He took advantage of a community that trusted him as a business leader. We hope that this prosecution sends a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated." Sandler faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of wire fraud and securities fraud and up to $5 million in fines for securities fraud, officials said. "The FBI will continue to partner with the Alabama Securities Commission to ensure the victims of fraudulent investment schemes receive their full measure of justice. This justice is made possible through our strong relationships with agencies like the 37th Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office and the Opelika Police Department." Director of the Alabama Securities Commission Joseph P. Borg said the Commission is proud to partner with the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI to protect Alabama investors from corruption. "Sandler abused the trust of the community and we will continue to devote our efforts and resources to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who abuse that confidence," Borg said. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Alabama Securities Commission, with assistance from the District Attorney's Office for the 37th Judicial Circuit and the Opelika Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven H. Lee and Denise O. Simpson, and Special Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda W. Senn and Stephen P. Feaga. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., added his name to the handful of Democrats who on Wednesday said that Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination should be held up in light of the guilty plea of the president's former personal lawyer and the eight guilty verdicts against President Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort. Jones said Kavanaugh's nomination should be held up not just because of those legal cases. Alabama's junior senator cited the trove of documents that the Senate Judiciary Committee has yet to obtain from Kavnaugh's tenure as President George W. Bush's staff secretary. "I think we need to push a pause button right now and let this play out just a little bit," the senator told MSNBC. "And you couple [the legal cases] with the fact that we haven't got the full set of documents, I think it only makes sense." Jones noted that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, was told by the National Archives that the Kavanaugh documents could be delivered by October at the earliest. By waiting until then, Jones said, "it'll give some of this other stuff some time to play out," referring to Trump being implicated in violating campaign finance laws by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen. When he pleaded guilty to eight felony counts in a New York federal courtroom on Tuesday, Cohen maintained he bought the rights to the stories of two women who claimed they had affairs with the then-presidential candidate "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office. Jones said the Manafort convictions and the Cohen plea - which he called "two bombshells" - are "undermining this presidency." He said the cases also make Kavanaugh's stance on presidential power more relevant. "You cant ever determine where this will end up. But I think it does raise the stakes a bit on that part of the Kavanaugh record," Jones said. While some Democrats have cancelled meetings with Kavnaugh following the legal developments, Jones has not gone that far. "If the schedule holds, then yes, I'm going to go forward with it," he said. "I'm not going to cancel that." Meanwhile, the senator is keeping an open mind on Kavanaugh's nomination. He has been facing pressure from both sides of the aisle over his vote, including being heckled by a protester at a Birmingham town hall who threw a pair of stuffed lips at Jones' direction and said he could "kiss my ass" if he voted for Kavanaugh. On the other hand, Jones has been the target of ads from the National Rifle Association and the Judicial Crisis Network urging him to vote for Trump's Supreme Court nominee. Jones has said that appeals from both sides will not impact his decision. The Federal Commission on School Safety will hold its fourth and final public listening session in Montgomery on Aug. 28. During the meeting, members of the public along with representatives of local and state governments will share their views on how to keep students and schools safe. Gov. Kay Ivey will participate in the first of two roundtable discussions, beginning at 1 p.m., according to a press release from her office. The public can address the Commission during the third session, which starts at 4 p.m., but must register at this link. Questions for the Commission can be submitted safety@ed.gov. The meeting will take place in the Old Archives Room at the Capitol building. The Commission was created in March by President Donald Trump in the wake of the tragic shooting deaths of 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos serves as chair of the Commission, and other members include U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sessions will not attend the meeting, according to Ivey's office. Hoover High School Principal Don Hulin addressed the Commission on July 26 in Washington, D.C., regarding how officials keep a large school campus safe and the importance of school resource officers. The meeting will be live-streamed at this link. Previous listening sessions were held in Lexington, Kentucky, Washington, D.C. and Cheyenne, Wyoming. In addition to holding listening sessions, the Commission has held discussions on improving school culture, fostering character in schools, and mental health and behavioral needs of students. A complete log of the Commission's activities is located on the U.S. Department of Education website at this link. Congressman Mo Brooks blamed "illegal aliens" and "insistence by Democrats for open borders and amnesty" in the death of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts. "Mollie Tibbetts - another American who would be alive but for illegal aliens and insistence by Democrats for open borders and amnesty. #BuildTheWall," Brooks tweeted Tuesday night. Mollie Tibbetts - another American who would be alive but for illegal aliens and insistence by Democrats for open borders and amnesty. #BuildTheWallhttps://t.co/UG4mrOPTf4 Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) August 22, 2018 Tibbetts disappearance a month ago triggered a massive search. Fox News reported Tuesday morning that her body was found in Iowa. Later Tuesday, Fox News reported 24-year-old Cristhian Bathena Rivera had been charged with first-degree murder in her death. Officials said Rivera of killing her and dumping her body in a cornfield in Iowa after he accosted her while she was on a jog and she threatened to call police, Fox reported. Officials said Rivera was an undocumented immigrant and living in the Poweshiek County area for several years. Investigators said they used surveillance footage to find and identify Rivera. Video showed Tibbetts jogging in a rural area near her hometown of Brooklyn, and also showed Rivera's car. She was last seen around 7:30 p.m. on July 18 after she went for a jog around a neighborhood in Brooklyn. A Montana police department is assisting Alabama authorities in the search for a missing Alabama woman. The woman, 34-year-old Kendra Rae Bayless, has not been seen or communicated with her family members since June 28, according to a statement from Great Falls police. She is from Horton, Alabama. Marshall County Sheriff's Office investigators say she may have been seen in Great Falls, Montana in the last 30 days. Officials said Bayless previously lived in Great Falls. Bayless is a white female, weighs about 150 pounds and is 5-feet-5-inches tall, officials said. Anyone with information on her location should contact Great Falls police at 406-727-7688 or call 911. Congresswoman Terri Sewell said in a tweet Tuesday that no one is above the law, not even President Donald Trump or his lawyer or friends. "No one in this country is above the law. Not Trump's friends, not Trump's lawyer, not @realDonaldTrump himself. No one," she said in the tweet. No one in this country is above the law. Not Trump's friends, not Trump's lawyer, not @realDonaldTrump himself. No one. Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) August 21, 2018 Sewell posted the tweet soon after former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty of eight financial crimes. The judge declared a mistrial on 10 other charges, AP reported. The jury returned the decision after deliberating four days on tax and bank fraud charges against Manafort, who led Trump's election effort during a crucial stretch of 2016, including as he clinched the Republican nomination and during the party's convention. The jury found Manafort guilty of five counts of filing false tax returns on tens of millions of dollars in Ukrainian political consulting income. He was also convicted of failing to report foreign bank accounts in 2012 and of two bank fraud charges that accused him of lying to obtain millions of dollars in loans after his consulting income dried up. The jury couldn't reach a verdict on three other foreign bank account charges, and the remaining bank fraud and conspiracy counts. Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen also pleaded guilty Tuesday in New York to campaign finance charges. This is an opinion column. Mr. Lanier Brown, this letter is for you. I wanted to make sure you remembered it, so I'm putting it here. You seem to have forgotten others in the past, like when you told my colleague John Archibald last year that you didn't remember getting anything "directly from Joel (Gilbert)." Unfortunately for you, Gilbert did. Every time he wrote you an email, the Balch & Bingham lawyer recorded it in his billing summaries so he'd get paid for that work by his client, Drummond Co. Gilbert, as you know, and Drummond vice president David Roberson were found guilty last month of bribing former state Rep. Oliver Robinson. Short of some victory on appeal, they're on their way to prison, and when those cell doors slam, I'm sure a lot of folks will dust their hands and say justice was served. But not me. For every corrupt goon who gets shipped off to the hoosegow for corruption, there are dozens of folks -- the corruption adjacent -- who are left alone to whistle past the jail yard, like nothing ever happened. Folks like you. As chairman of the Alabama Environmental Management Commission, you share a duty with your fellow commissioners to ensure Alabama's environment is protected from polluters. But that's not what happened -- not in north Birmingham and Tarrant. When the Environmental Protection Agency tried to clean those neighborhoods up, Roberson and Gilbert and their associates, concocted a multi-faceted astroturfing scheme, leveraging connections in every level of government to fight state and federal environmental regulators. And you helped them. Roberson and Gilbert needed the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to resist the EPA, too. The AEMC hires and fires ADEM directors and has direct influence there. So they turned to you. They also turned to AEMC Commissioner Scott Phillips who -- and how this is legal, I still haven't figured out -- worked as a contractor for Balch and Drummond at the same time. In a PowerPoint presentation for them, Phillips proposed to "hijack" a civic group in north Birmingham. On the stand, he said that "hijack" really meant "work with." You know, like how al Qaeda works with the airlines. Phillips has since left the commission. But at the time, court records show, Gilbert and Phillips were in regular contact with you, sending you emails, white papers and the propaganda their "community outreach" distributed in those communities. At least once, Gilbert, Glenn, Robinson and Phillips met you for drinks and dinner. Their emails make it clear that was a business meeting. In the end, you did what they needed you to do. You applied pressure to ADEM. And it worked. ADEM resisted. The EPA never put the north Birmingham Superfund on its National Priorities List. Tarrant never got more than a second look. All because the polluters in those neighborhoods were afraid they'd be left to pay the bill if the EPA cleaned those places up, potentially costing them millions. Now, unless the EPA reverses course, they won't have to. And they have you to thank for a small part of that -- the guy who was supposed to be looking out for the environment. When you take your kid fishing, stuff like this is why you can't eat the fish. I have an inkling for how you might have felt when the truth came out. A few days after the verdict I was invited to speak about this case before a civic group in downtown Birmingham, where I blasted everyone with an ounce of culpability in this scheme. Well, all but one -- you -- because your father, Judge Houston Brown, was in the crowd. (I should note here that you and I know each other and are friendly, if not friends. Maybe I wasn't eager to shoot Old Yeller.) I was embarrassed for you, and I had hoped you'd set things right if given the opportunity. But then you failed again. Environmental groups have demanded your resignation, and last week, residents from those affected neighborhoods came to an AEMC meeting to demand an explanation from you. You gave them neither. You didn't even say you were sorry. Instead, you gavelled out the meeting without saying a word. You turned your backs on those folks. Again. Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for the Alabama Media Group. Want access to the best analysis and in-depth reporting about Alabama each week? Sign up for the weekly Reckon Report newsletter and follow Reckon on Facebook and Twitter. A Hawaii-based Army soldier will plead guilty to supporting the Islamic State, his attorney said. Sgt. 1st Class Ikaika Erik Kang was arrested last year after an Army and FBI investigation, part of which took place at Alabama's Fort Rucker. At the time of his arrest, Kang was an active duty air traffic controller assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii. Assistant Honolulu Federal Defender Alexander Silvert told the AP it isn't clear which charges Kang will be pleading to. A plea agreement hasn't been filed in court. According to court documents, the FBI searched Kang's lodging and computers in 2016 while he was attending a six weeks course for senior enlisted leaders at Fort Rucker. The computers, according to the filing, contained 18 military documents labeled "secret," with files dating back to 2013. Investigators also found more than 2,000 videos, documents and graphics that referenced ISIS or violence. Kang, 35, also reportedly told an undercover agent at Fort Rucker that he wanted to travel to Turkey to reach the Islamic State consulate and join in fighting with the terrorist group. Subsequent searches of Kang's computers and home in Hawaii revealed more ISIS-related material and classified military documents, according to the filing. Prosecutors later said he took an oath of loyalty to the Islamic terrorist group and expressed a desire to "take his rifle, his magazines and kill a bunch of people.'" Kang, who grew up in Hawaii, enlisted in the Army in December 2001, just months after the Sept. 11 attacks. He served in South Korea from 2002 to 2003. He deployed to Iraq from March 2010 to February 2011 and Afghanistan from July 2013 to April 2014. He is scheduled to official enter his plea Thursday. BJCTA board of directors This is an opinion column. It's been a long time since the word "productive" has been mentioned in conjunction with the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority Board of Directors, which has slogged through five months of instability, internal disagreements and uncertainty--all of which threatened to severely impact the people who regular depend on the city's transit system for their livelihoods. And in some cases: their lives. Yet on Wednesday, with Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin making his first appearance at a BJCTA board meeting, the directors had their most productive meeting since April. The board approved three vital actions that, at least for now, put the BJCTA's seemingly interminable time of turmoil in the rear-view mirror: * In a 4-3 vote (one of the nine board members was absent and there was one abstention), the board approved a contract with the city of Birmingham that will pay the agency $10 million, in quarterly installments, during fiscal 2019, provided the agency meet specific stipulations, including monthly ridership reports and a forensic audit. The decision ensures there will be no disruption of service for Birmingham riders. * In the wake of the aforementioned contract approval, the board voted 7-1 to approve its fiscal 2019 budget, including the $10 million allocation from the City of Birmingham. (The city's fiscal 2019 budget includes a $5 million allocation for BJCTA; it will be amended and voted by the City Council at a future meeting. * Finally, after five months of operating with an interim executive director, the board voted to conduct a national search for an executive director "I'm very pleased," said director Ruby Davis "Today was a very effective meeting. Riders should now be able to rest assured that BJCTA is operating in their best interests, Hopefully, the agency can now move forward positively and effectively." Talk about a turnabout. In April, in the midst of a chaotic period of board turnover, questions about possible misappropriation of funds by agency leadership and the eventual termination of executive director Barbara Murdock, Woodfin threatened to pull the city's funding unless it met three conditions related to board stability and accountability. When the board was slow to respond, The Birmingham City Council, rather than approve an allocation matching the $10.8 million the agency received in Fiscal 2018, passed the $5 million allocation, with $5.3 million slated for "future transit projects." Mayor Woodfin addresses BJCTA board August 22, 2018 On Wednesday, Woodfin arrived just as the directors approved the contract proposal sent to the board by the mayor's office in late July. Since then, the proposal--a 90-day contract that automatically renews quarterly," unless with the City of Birmingham or the BJCTA provides a 10-day notice to terminate--had been the source of much confusion. For weeks, the contract was pretty much kept under wraps, and speculation swelled that the agency would make deep cuts in service provided to Birmingham riders to reflect the lower funding. Before the vote was taken debate centered on whether to return an amended contract to the mayor's office asking for a "one-year" contract rather than 90-days; whether the board could approve an annual budget without a guaranteed level of funding from the city; whether any vote was necessary considering a provision in the Alabama code saying the authority could request the county hold 10% of ad valorem taxes collected from its primary municipal partner (about $215 million was collected in 2017). Director Kevin Powe was adamant that the board act on Wednesday to approve the contract as proposed by the mayor. "We need to assure riders and provide every [BJCTA] employee with a sense of security," he said. "We've got people wanting to know if they're going to have their job tomorrow. We have a problem because the city wants to review what's going on [with BJCTA]? We should let the city micromanage because MAX has not been stable. "I believe in everything in the contract in terms of transparency and accountability." Directors Powe, Davis, Martin Weinberg and Johnnye Lassiter voted to approve the contract; directors Patrick Sellers, Donald Harwell and chair Darryl Cunningham voted against it. Director Ted Smith abstained. After the vote, Mayor Woodfin addressed the board. "We're overly committed to ensuring there is no disruption to residents getting from point A to point B," he said. He also addressed talk that the 90-day contract would impact the agency's ability to obtain funding from the Federal Transportation Authority. (The fiscal 2019 budget calls for more than $14 million in federal funding.) "I spoke with FTA regional director [Dr. Yvette] Taylor and she said the contract causes no threat to any federal funding or the agency's ability to draw down on federal funds," he said. "I want to lay that to rest. There is no issue or threat to federal funding." "Service will not be disrupted and that was the main goal [of the contract,]," the mayor said later. "We need to be about the business of taking care of our ridership. That's our No. priority. It's our only priority. I'm glad to see things moving forward." Under an Executive Director Succession Planning policy adopted in August 2016, the board chair, among other provisions, "shall take responsibility for ensuring all elements of the policy...are executed," including developing "an executive search process." Last month, however, during a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, the board passed a motion to promote interim executive director Christopher Ruffin, who previously served as chief of operations. However, in light of a subsequent report by AL.com revealing that Ruffin had served five years in a federal prison for participating in a 1996 robbery of U.S. postal workers, a resolution to elevate him was not put forth to the full board. He was released in August 2003. "We haven't adhered to the process," said Weinberg. "We haven't followed it at all. "The decision [to conduct a national search] simply holds us accountable to a process we should have followed in the first place." Given the turmoil that has embroiled BJCTA will the agency be able to attract a talented leader in a nationwide search. If asked to help, Woodfin said he would do so "without hesitation. "We want efficient and reliable transit," he said. "It will require a team effort." Team--yet another word that hasn't been associated with the BJTCA and its board in a very, very long time. Roy S. Johnson's column appears in The Birmingham News, the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Register and AL.com. Hit me up at rjohnson@al.com or/and follow me at twitter.com/roysj. Looking for the vulture assist with Neolithic burials 1 year ago Moscow gave the secondhand aircraft to Serbia for free after they underwent extensive overhauls. Serbias air force received two Russian MiG-29 fighter jets as part of an arms purchase that could heighten tensions in the Balkans and increase Moscows influence in the region. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attended the ceremony on Tuesday at a military airport close to the Serbian capital, Belgrade, thanking Russian President Vladimir Putin for helping make Serbias armed forces stronger. In October, Serbia received six MiG-29s from Russia, which has also promised the delivery of 30 battle tanks and 30 armoured vehicles. Serbia, a Russian ally, was at war with neighbours Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990s during the bloody break-up of the former Yugoslavia. Moscow gave the secondhand jets to Serbia for free and the two that flew in on Tuesday underwent extensive overhauls. Repairs on the six other fighters will cost Serbia about $213m. Vucic, a former ultranationalist, said the repaired MiGs should be named after Serbian pilots and other heroes who died during the NATO aggression in 1999, when Serbias air force was depleted during the alliances 78-day air war against the Balkan state because of its bloody crackdown against Kosovo Albanian separatists. Vucic also said Serbia might reintroduce compulsory military service, nine years after abolishing it, to help improve the combat readiness of its army in the Balkans, where tensions occasionally flare. Serbia, which claims military neutrality, is negotiating additional arms purchases from Russia, including attack and transport helicopters and air defence systems. Vucic said he expects the eight refurbished MiGs to fly at a military parade that Putin is expected to attend in Belgrade in November. Serbia faces a mini arms race with NATO-member Croatia, which in March agreed to buy 12 used F-16 fighter aircraft from Israel for $500m. NGOs and refugees say women can face economic and physical abuse, but fear speaking out due to stigma. Markazi Refugee Camp, Djibouti Hafsa* says she feels trapped. War forced her to flee her home in Yemen to Djibouti with her husband three years ago. Little opportunities or hope of returning have left her restless in a remote refugee camp more than 200km from Djiboutis capital and just 32km from Yemens western coast. The situation has created tension between 36-year-old Hafsa and her husband. But because she is a woman, she says she has no outlet for sharing her struggles. Because of the frustrating mood in the camp and bad circumstances and weather and my jobless husband and lack of income overall it is a dispute, Hafsa tells Al Jazeera from outside the Markazi refugee camp near the fishing village of Obock. The mother of three, including a daughter from her current marriage and two older children from her first who still live in Yemen, jabs her hand with frustration in the air as she describes her situation. Her face, outlined by a pearly pink hijab (headscarf), is fair and unlined, making her look younger than her age, but her voice is strained. I cannot talk and express my feelings to others because the problems or the dispute between me and husband might become more complicated, she says. She adds other refugee women are abused by their husbands, but fear speaking out due to the stigma associated with domestic abuse. We are suffering from tradition, Hafsa says. Before the war, we were suffering many troubles, many problems from the society itself in Yemen, the people and the pressure from traditions. The war came just to push us out to come to Djibouti, but it is the wrong place, she adds. We feel weak and vulnerable and attackable. {articleGUID} Hafsa is one of the thousands of Yemenis who have fled to Djibouti during more than in three years of war between Yemens government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. To date, more than 40,000 Yemenis have made the treacherous journey across the Bab-El-Mandeb Strait, known as the Gate of Tears because it has claimed so many migrant and refugee lives. It connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden along Djiboutis eastern coast. At the peak, there were more than 7,000 Yemenis living in Markazi. As of May 2018, the number had dwindled to just under 2,000, less than half of the total 4,300 Yemenis in Djibouti. The Markazi refugee camp is located near the fishing village of Obock on Djiboutis eastern coast [Mallory Moench/Al Jazeera] The small tent city stained by dust rises from a landscape scorched barren in summer, where temperatures regularly rise to 40 degrees Celcius in summer. UNHCR and Djibouti flags convulse in the hot wind above the gate. Electric spotlights are strung up by rusted wires, but according to those in the camp, the electricity often doesnt work. Afraid to report abuse Refugees tell Al Jazeera the conditions are harsh with limited money, food, employment or future hope but for women, they can be even worse. {articleGUID} Aid groups and other NGOs in the camp say women can face economic, physical and even sexual domestic abuse. There is almost no data on gender-based violence against refugees in Djibouti. UNHCR has no recorded incidents at the camp since it was started in April 2015. The head of the agency in Djibouti said that a recent report from a senior protection officer who interviewed a female resident found there was no sexual gender-based violence except for one instance of sodomy between children. But professionals and refugees say women must first overcome cultural stigma and fear of repercussions to report violence and abuse. There are many cases of violence in the camp that happened, but the women dont like to complain because they are afraid when they return back to Yemen that nobody would accept them and their children as a divorced woman, Hafsa says. A UNHCR report from October 2017 said that despite forming a refugee committee to address gender-based violence, the issue remains a challenge among the Yemeni refugee community, mainly due to cultural predispositions and frequent appeal to the traditional legal codes instead of civil ones. According to Dina Cihimba Rehema, UNHCRs protection officer in Markazi, the problem lies in the fact that women often feel like they cannot talk about their situations. We have to reinforce sensitisation for women to feel free and make it easy for them to talk about what theyre facing, she says. We have to try to change the mentality. Women taking the lead Every day, Muna Khalik, another refugee living in Markazi, opens a counselling centre housed in a metal trailer just inside the camp entrance. The centre is run by UNFD, the Djiboutian NGO in charge of womens protection in the camp. The centre has one staff member and trains and employs refugees like Khalik as counsellors. They intake at least four domestic violence cases each month and report directly to UNFDs head office. The organisation said abuse is primarily economic when the male breadwinner withholds money from his wife and creates tension in the family but can also be physical or sexual. Their reports are confidential and details about cases could not be shared. The UNFD-run counselling centre intakes at least four domestic violence cases each month and reports directly to UNFDs head office [Mallory Moench/Al Jazeera] Asma Moustapha, Markazis director who works for the government refugee agency, said that when the counselling centre first opened three years ago, no women came because of the stigma. In their mentality, they think the office is only for divorce matters. They dont think it can help them and their problems, Moustapha told Al Jazeera. Before the husband wouldnt accept them to go to the office because he thought it will break his marriage and his family. Because women feel more comfortable sharing in their own community, UNFD trained refugee women as counsellors. Khalik has lived in Markazi since she fled her home in the Yemeni city of Taiz, which was destroyed by bombing three years ago. Last year, she began working with UNFD counselling and conducting gender sensitisation activities for men and women. {articleGUID} She sits under a whirring fan inside the community centre where women sew purses to sell and children learn martial arts. Draped in a silken black veil with beaded gloves, Khaliks sharp eyes emits empathy. When we started, especially men, they were not comfortable with those sensitisation activities, Khalik tells Al Jazeera. They were feeling that its something coming to separate them from their wives because they also think that once women know their rights, they will use it for everything. But with time, they come to understand that its something which is helpful for all the community. Community workers disseminate national and international text related to sexual violence and conduct outreach awareness sessions with men, women and youth on gender, human rights and sexual violence. Counsellors at the centre give women options about what to do when facing domestic violence. If the situation is serious and the woman requests more intervention, the counsellor visits the family to talk to the womans husband. In the most extreme cases, a counsellor can help a woman go to the justice system although the management said that no woman has ever requested to do so. It was really difficult for women to express and talk about such problems, but it was of culture. But there is a good impact and now they are feeling more free to talk about what is happening, Khalik says. She acknowledges, however, that sensitisation is slow and women may still not speak out. There are always things that we cant know about in the families, she says. For Markazis women, domestic violence is one trouble among many that they say makes life nearly unbearable in the refugee camp. Many want to resettle in Canada or Sweden or return home to Yemen even though it is still too dangerous now because of the conflict. As families enter their fourth year in the remote camp with no end in sight, many say they have lost hope. We have a vague future here, Hafsa said. We feel that we are dying in Djibouti. *Name has been changed to protect the individuals identity. Pope Francis to land in Ireland on Saturday, but the sexual abuse of children by Catholic figures overshadows his trip. When Pope John Paul became the first pontiff to visit Ireland in 1979, almost half the islands population turned out to see him as he toured the country. His Sunday mass in Dublins Phoenix Park became the largest gathering Ireland had ever seen, with 1.2 million attendees. It was an Ireland where condoms, abortion and homosexuality were banned by law, and whether unknown or not addressed, thousands of children were raped and abused by members of the Catholic clergy. On Saturday, Pope Francis is expected to begin a 36-hour trip to Ireland, to attend the World Meeting of Families, a gathering of the Roman Catholic Church held every three years. A crowd of half a million is expected in Dublin, but attention is expected to focus on claims of child sex abuse. The Vatican said on Tuesday that Pope Francis will meet survivors, following demands from campaigners for action, accountability and justice for those who were affected. The visit comes little more than a week after a grand jury report released in Pennsylvania revealed the covering up of more than 1,000 cases of children abused by over 300 priests. The reports criticisms of Cardinal Donald Wuerl led to his withdrawal from a scheduled appearance at this weekends event in Dublin, where he was to deliver the keynote address, The Welfare of the Family is Decisive for the Future of the World. The Pennsylvania news has brought further scrutiny upon Pope Francis, who is widely seen to be weak on an issue that has caused catastrophic damage to the Churchs reputation worldwide. Listing the accused On Monday, US-based group BishopAccountability.org launched the first open database of Irish clergy accused of child sexual abuse. The website already hosts similar information on those publicly accused of abuse in the US, Chile and Argentina. The Irish database lists dozens of clergy members who have been convicted, or whose abuses have been alleged and documented in the media or by state-led inquiries. It includes figures such as Brendan Smyth, a priest from Belfast who sexually abused or assaulted at least 143 children over a period of 40 years. Smyth was shuffled between parishes in Ireland and the US, his order repeatedly failing to disclose his history to local bishops, before eventually being sentenced to prison in 1994, where he died three years later. John Kelly, right, was abused while in Daingean Industrial School between 1965 and 1967 [File: Cathal McNaughton/Reuters] The group said in a statement that it hopes this Irish database will encourage an open debate about how societies balance an accused persons privacy rights against a childs right to be safe and the publics right to know. Codirector of BishopAccountability.org Anne Barrett Doyle added: Its a very unsatisfactory list because we know from the Irish Churchs own safeguarding operation has counted more than 1,300 accused clergy since 1975. We have a paltry 70 or 80 on our list. This represents an accountability gap, not just a gap in unnamed perpetrators I think its why the abuse crisis is very much an open wound in Ireland. Another name on the list is Henry Maloney, who was convicted in 2009. He abused boys at a Dublin secondary school between 1969 and 1973, after which he was transferred to another school in Bo, Sierra Leone where he continued to molest students. Life after abuse Mark Vincent Healy, who was among those abused by Maloney, now campaigns for justice. Before the popes visit, he gathered research from more than 140 reports into religious orders and dioceses by the Irish Catholic Churchs National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSCCCI). According to Healy, of the 3,425 allegations raised in these reports against 1,348 people, only 82 were convicted. Ninety-four percent of accused walked free, and thats of the abusers, he told Al Jazeera. This is the perpetrator population, were not even getting near the population of those who concealed or colluded. A demonstrator holds a banner during a protest against the visit of Pope Benedict XVI in London on September 18, 2010 [Stefan Wermuth/Reuters] But there are limits to what can be achieved through the courts, Healy says. Research has shown that survivors of child sexual abuse in Ireland face lifelong consequences. They are more likely to be unemployed, earn less and die by suicide than the general population. Male survivors are also more likely to spend time in prison. We do need justice, its absolutely fundamental, but I feel the discussion doesnt permit talking about the dysfunctional life that is the consequence of this abuse, and how can we better serve that community, says Healy. How do we reach out to them and offer them the sort of support for issues which they are wholly innocent of having happened to them? Pope Francis: We did not act in a timely manner In a 2,000-word letter published this week and addressed to the worlds Catholics, Pope Francis acknowledged the Churchs history of abuse and cover-ups, including the cases in Pensylvania. We did not act in a timely manner, realising the magnitude and the gravity of the damage done to so many lives. We showed no care for the little ones; we abandoned them, he wrote. But critics hit back at the lack of concrete proposals. Former head of the NBSCCCI Ian Elliot told the Irish Times that the popes record has been a dismal failure and that he should arrive in Ireland with a mindset that its not good enough to simply apologise. Candles with a picture of Pope Francis on sale at a stall in Dublin [Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters] Mary McAleese, the former Irish president, dismissed the World Meeting of Families as essentially a right-wing rally, while Taoiseach Leo Varadkar suggested the Church adopt a policy of mandatory reporting, which has been in place in Ireland since last year. In his Sunday sermon, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmiud Martin said Pope Francis should speak frankly about our past but also our future. But he said the pontiff would not be able to provide all the answers that people ask. For Barrett Doyle, the public database is a small step in confronting a history of neglect towards Irelands most vulnerable. We are being inundated with emails from Irish people who have seen the list and are asking us to add abusers names to it, she says. We obviously struck a nerve. There is a tremendous need for this. The solar panel was invented in the US. So why is the US not its biggest proponent? Solar power is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), it accounts for almost two-thirds of net new power capacity globally. In 2016, new solar capacity even overtook the net growth in coal, previously the biggest new source of power generation. The estimated value of solar power in 2015 was $86bn and is projected to hit $422bn by 2022. Theres no reason to expect it to stop there and every reason to expect it to continue to grow. Fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, are still the worlds primary energy source. However, they have very high external costs climate change, air and water pollution and in the case of fracking earthquakes. These costs are rapidly increasing and people are becoming more aware of them. As a result, public demand for these costs to be counted both through policy and litigation is also increasing. Moreover, the world has long been wary of the wars, threats of war and power plays that have come with oil dependency. All this was not much spoken of until recently because there seemed to be no real alternative to oil. But as renewable energy sources with minimal external costs become more practical and affordable, more people are moving towards using them. There are several types of renewables wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal but solar is by far the most effective one. Wind power is more technically demanding than solar. Hydropower usually requires damming rivers, which cause other complications. It appears, at least for now, that solar is the future. Invented in the US, manufactured in China {articleGUID} The basis for most modern solar power systems is the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell. It was invented in 1954 by three American scientists Calvin Souther Fuller, Daryl Chapin and Gerald Pearson at the Bell Labs in New Jersey. Back then the PV cell had a very poor light-to-electricity conversion efficiency (around six percent) and was very expensive to fabricate. Over the next few years, Les Hoffman, another American scientist, improved its efficiency to 14 percent and lowered the production cost. After that, it didnt take too long for solar to become one of the primary energy generation methods in space. In 1964 NASA launched the first Nimbus spacecraft, a satellite able to run entirely on a 470-watt solar array. Two years later, it launched the worlds first Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, powered entirely by a one-kilowatt array. To this day, US scientists are still leading the way in solar innovation. The most efficient solar cell technology yet, with a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 40.7 percent, was developed by the US Department of Energy and Spectrolab, a subsidiary of Boeing, in 2007. Yet seven of the worlds top 11 solar panel manufacturers are now in mainland China. Canadian Solar, one of the remaining four, is named for where its headquartered but does most of its manufacturing in China. Chinese companies account for around 60 percent of total annual solar cell manufacturing capacity globally. Why there and not in the US? Policy. China has deliberate, conscious, industrial development policies. They are modelled on the policies South Korea followed with great success in the 1960s and 70s. In 1960, South Korea was one of the poorest nations in the world. Then the government launched a comprehensive and concrete industrial development strategy. It nationalised all commercial banks and reorganised the banking system to give itself control over credit. It focused on five key industries steel, petrochemical, car industry, shipbuilding, and electronics and provided low-nterest loans to businesses in these sectors according to the needs of economic plans. It also put on a drive to have the best technical education system in Asia. {articleGUID} Thanks to these industrial policies, South Korea is now the 11th largest economy in the world. Today, China is following South Koreas example and helping its solar industry to prosper as part of a long-term, well-thought-out industrial development strategy. Picking winners and losers In the US, however, Republicans who love to say Government should not pick winners and losers! are now in power. Mitt Romney said it. Paul Ryan said it. Donald Trump also said it. Its a gospel song at right-wing think tanks. They dont mean it. America is constantly picking winners and losers. For example, it has special tax policies that allow the likes of Mitt Romney to pay a much lower percentage of their income in taxes than the average worker. There were special laws that allowed senators, congressmen and congresswomen, and their aides, to engage in insider trading. When a law was passed to stop it, loopholes were added so that it wouldnt be too effective. When the crash of 2008 came, the US Treasury committed hundreds of billions of dollars to save the banks. The Federal Reserve put trillions of dollars into the hands of the very biggest banks. There was very little left for the rest who then entered the Great Recession. This is policy. It picks winners the top 0.1 percent and losers the rest. The tax policies and the bailouts also represent industrial policy. Perhaps better to call it, anti-industrial policy, because they both favour financialisation over manufacturing. The US government gives immense support to defence industries. It works. A great deal of the countrys technology edge comes from there. That also supports industries, like Boeing, who have one foot in the war machine and the other in the civilian world. The United States is still a collection of states. They all compete to bring businesses with jobs. Even cities do. GM, Ford, Shell Oil, Caterpillar, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Microsoft, Airbus, Panasonic, Amazon, Google, Michelin, Sears, Dow are among the 48 companies the NY Times has listed in its $100 Million Club, having received that much or more in state grants since 2007. What America is against is an articulated, thoughtful, deliberate industrial policy. When Jimmy Carter was elected president, there was an oil crisis going on. He installed solar panels at the White House and asked for a billion dollar investment in solar power research. He was wrong that the world would soon run out of oil. But he was right that about one-third of Americas trade deficit was in imported oil, that more wars would be fought for it and that the future was solar. When Ronald Reagan came into office, he got rid of the solar panels. He returned policy to whoever had the most financial clout to buy it. There it has remained, for the most part, ever since. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Government will hold direct talks with Taliban without foreign powers involvement, Afghan official says in Kabul. Afghanistan will not attend multinational peace talks hosted by Russia early next month, the Afghan foreign ministry has said, a decision that could make Moscow reconsider its plan to invite the Taliban. The peace process definitely needs to be carried out under the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. We will not participate in the Moscow talks, said Sibghat Ahmadi, the spokesman of Afghanistans foreign ministry, Afghan news website TOLOnews reported on Wednesday. Separately, an Afghan official working with the foreign ministry in Kabul told Reuters news agency that the government had decided against attending the Moscow conference, adding that they will hold direct talks with the Taliban, without the direct involvement of foreign powers. The comments came a day after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was quoted as saying that the Taliban plans to take part in the September 4 talks in Russias capital, Moscow. The Taliban has confirmed to Al Jazeera that they will attend the talks. Russia has invited 12 countries, including the United States, to the talks, but Washington has declined the invitation. Russias foreign ministry said on Wednesday it regretted the US decision. It is unclear whether the Afghan officials statements on Wednesday will affect Russias decision to invite the Taliban. Truce rejected The Taliban this week rejected a government offer of a three-month ceasefire and said they would press on with their war, two commanders of the group told Reuters news agency, after a series of attacks, including a prolonged assault on a key city of Ghazni, in which hundreds of people have been killed. Afghanistans ambassador to Russia, Abdul Qayyum Kochai, said earlier this week that Russia wants to use the Taliban against [ISIL], according to comments carried by the Russia-focused Interfax news agency. Lavrov brushed aside such speculation, saying it would be hypocritical for Russia to use the Taliban movement for the fight against [ISIL]. This year, Moscow rejected an accusation by NATOs top commander in Afghanistan that it had been supporting and even supplying weapons to the Taliban. The group is fighting to remove US and other foreign forces and defeat Afghanistans Western-backed government. Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Afghanistans national security adviser, meanwhile told Alexander Mantytski, Russias ambassador, that Kabul appreciated Moscows support for the peace process and called upon it to put pressure on the Taliban to begin negotiations with the Afghan government, the Afghan officials office said earlier on Wednesday. Mantytski said Moscow was ready to help Afghanistan make the peace process a success, Atmars office said but did not clarify how it could achieve that. Image to improve A Western diplomat in Kabul said Russia was seeking to increase its influence and improve its image in Afghanistan by inviting Taliban leaders for talks. It comes nearly 40 years since Moscow sent its troops into Afghanistan, beginning a bloody decade-long occupation and factional conflict which is still going on. According to a senior diplomat in Kabul, Moscow in recent months has stepped up direct contacts with the Taliban, which is formally banned in Russia. Back-channel diplomacy between the Taliban and a range of countries including the US, Turkey and Saudi Arabia has taken place over the years to end the latest phase of Afghanistans decades of war, which began with a US invasion in 2001. The musician-turned MP was arrested last week sparking violent clashes between Ugandan police and protesters. Kampala, Uganda Only a few bars of uplifting music play before Bobi Wines commanding voice takes over. This is a message to the government, expressing whats exactly on the peoples mind, he declares defiantly in English, before switching to Luganda. We are fed up of those who oppress our lives / and everything that takes away our rights / Uganda seems to be moving backwards / this is almost making us hate our own nation. Bobi Wine, the stage name of Ugandan pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, released Freedom late last year to protest against a constitutional amendment that proposed the removal of the presidential age limit of 75, making long-time President Yoweri Museveni eligible to run in 2021. This is one of the many times in recent years that Kyagulanyi, 36, has used his music to address the countrys political and social issues. Since his surprise election to parliament as an independent candidate in July 2017, under his popular People Power slogan, the self-styled Ghetto President has continued using his fame and influence to speak out against the decades-long rule of Museveni, whom he accuses of being a dictator. Political tensions rose further last week when Kyagulanyi was arrested in northern Uganda and his driver shot dead amid clashes between opposition supporters and security forces. Kyagulanyi as well as Museveni was in the town of Arua to campaign for a by-election to select a new legislator after the previous one was shot in June. Kyagulanyi had shown his support for Kassiano Wadri, whose popularity shot up instantly following the charismatic musicians endorsement. According to the presidents office, Musevenis motorcade was pelted with stones, leading to clashes between security forces and protesters. {articleGUID} Kyagulanyi later uploaded an image on Twitter showing his dead driver slumped on his car seat, accompanied with a post reading: Police has shot my driver dead thinking theyve shot at me. My hotel is now coddoned off by police and SFC. Kyagulanyi, along with other opposition MPs and dozens of supporters, was whisked off to prison. Several days later, he was brought before a military court in a closed-door session and charged with illegal possession of firearms. He is set to make another martial court appearance on Thursday. Apart from his wife, brother and lawyer, no one else including journalists have been allowed to see him. Barbara Kyagulanyi said on her Facebook page that her husband had been tortured and needed urgent medical attention. He was carried into the room where we saw him. He was in 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, she said. I could not believe that an innocent man could be taken through all this because he has a different political opinion. The government has denied allegations of torture. Museveni, who took power in 1986 and has since been elected five times, has also refuted claims that Kyagulanyi was unwell. In a statement on social media, he said that army doctors are taking good care of Kyagulanyi and that he has no serious injuries. Deep concern Days after the arrests, sporadic protests broke out around the capital, Kampala. Police and military deployed heavily in Kamwokya, a poor suburban area where Kyagulanyi grew up. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who for years was the most visible opponent of Museveni before Kyagulanyis rise, called a press conference where he demanded the MPs immediate release. He also described the situation as a state of terror that should worry all Ugandans. {articleGUID} Trumped-up charges are the rule in how NRM [the ruling National Resistance Movement] addresses and criminalises opponents, he said. I have been charged with treason, rape, terrorism, illegal possession of guns These people have been detained in the context of state-inspired violence. The idea choreographed in the media that people had guns must be dismissed with contempt. The European Union expressed deep concern over the arrests and unrest that have caused much suffering to citizens and damaged the image of Uganda. There is no room for repression nor violence in a modern democratic Uganda, the EU said in an official statement. The US Embassy in Kampala also called upon authorities to respect human rights and the constitution. All those detained have a 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, it said in a statement. Nicholas Opio, the executive director of human rights NGO Chapter Four Uganda who has also been working with Kyagulanyis lawyers and family, said the MPs condition was improving. He is talking and eating, said Opio, adding that Kyagulanyis persecution is no surprise. Both Bobi Wine and Barbie knew this would one day happen, he said, referring to the MP and his wife. The response of the state will make him even more popular. People power is a generational call and people are hungry for courage for someone who can take the beating. With the right structures, the hunger and energy of People Power can lead to a change in governance. Trumps security adviser says Ankara should do the right thing and free a US pastor held in Turkey without condition. US President Donald Trumps national security adviser has said that Turkey could end its lira-battering crisis with Washington instantly by freeing a detained American pastor, adding that a Qatari cash infusion would not help Ankaras economy. The Turkish currency has been in freefall since Washington ordered tariffs in retaliation for the detention of Pastor Andrew Brunson on charges of complicity in a failed 2016 coup. Brunson denies wrongdoing, and Ankara has in the past suggested his fate could be linked to that of a US-based Turkish religious leader whom Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses of orchestrating the attempted putsch. {articleGUID} Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for two decades, has been detained for 21 months, charged with terrorism by the Turkish government. He is now under house arrest. Look, the Turkish government made a big mistake in not releasing Pastor Brunson, John Bolton told the Reuters news agency in an interview during a visit to Israel. Every day that goes by that mistake continues, this crisis could be over instantly if they did the right thing as a NATO ally, part of the West, and release pastor Brunson without condition. Qatari assistance Qatars emir this month approved a package of economic projects, including a $15bn pledge of support for Turkey, giving a boost to the lira that lost some 37 percent of its value this year. Bolton was sceptical about the intervention by the Gulf state, which has been feuding with US allies in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Well, I think what they pledged is utterly insufficient to have an impact on Turkeys economy. Its certainly not helpful but well actually see what develops from their pledge, he said. The Turkish lira lost value this year in a currency crisis triggered by concern over Erdogans influence over monetary policy and exacerbated by the dispute with Washington. Last week a court in Turkeys Izmir province rejected an appeal to release Brunson, saying evidence was still being collected and the pastor posed a flight risk, according to Turkish media. The companies said the accounts belonged to Russian and Iranian actors and were aimed at coordinated manipulation. Facebook and Twitter have removed several hundred fake accounts used for propaganda and other forms of what the companies called coordinated manipulation. Twitter on Tuesday announced the deletion of the accounts on its platform, saying it was able to link the accounts to the Iranian government. Without delving into specifics, the social media said the 284 deleted accounts were engaging in coordinated manipulation. Facebook also announced it had removed 652 pages, accounts and groups originating from Iran targeting people in the Middle East, Latin America, the United Kingdom and the United States. In addition, Facebook removed an undisclosed number of pages linked to a Russian firm that has been accused of trying to influence opinions on social media in the run-up to the 2016 US presidential elections. {articleGUID} The pages were found after cybersecurity firm FireEye contacted Facebook about suspicious activity. Based on FireEyes tip, we started an investigation into Liberty Front Press and identified additional accounts and Pages from their network, Facebook said in a statement. We are able to link this network to Iranian state media through publicly available website registration information, as well as the use of related IP addresses and Facebook Pages sharing the same admins, it added. The content posted by the hundreds of pages related to contentious political issues like the relationship between the US and North Korea, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Brexit. According to Facebook, ads worth more than $12,000 were bought to promote the different pages and pieces of content, both on Facebook and on Instagram, which is owned by Facebook. Working with our industry peers today, we have suspended 284 accounts from Twitter for engaging in coordinated manipulation. Based on our existing analysis, it appears many of these accounts originated from Iran. Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) August 22, 2018 Facebook also said it had removed several pages, groups and accounts linked to the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a Russia-based company associated with Russian intelligence agencies. According to Facebook, there were no signed the Russian and Iranian disinformation campaigns were working together. Fake websites IRA has been accused by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller of trying to influence the 2016 US presidential elections. In February, Muellers investigation indicted 13 Russian nationals who were involved with the IRA. Using fake personas, Russian operatives bought online advertisements aimed at spreading divisive messages, including ads focused on racial tensions. Over the last year, Facebook has attempted to combat propaganda and fake news on its platform in an attempt to regain credibility it lost following the spread of contentious content in recent years, especially around the 2016 US presidential elections and the Brexit campaign in the UK. {articleGUID} The news comes one day after Microsoft announced it had deleted six web pages belonging to hackers who attempted to interfere with the US midterm elections in November. The sites, closed last week, specifically targeted two Republican think-tanks, Russias foreign ministry denounced Microsofts accusation, saying Microsoft was taking part in a witch-hunt that has engulfed Washington. Last month, Microsoft said Russian hackers targeted the staff of several US senators using similar techniques. Over the last two years, 84 websites have been taken down by the companys digital crimes unit. Peace Now NGO says 96 percent of homes approved are located in isolated settlements. Israel has approved plans to build more than 1,000 illegal settlement homes in the occupied West Bank, the latest in a raft of approvals since US President Donald Trump took office last year. The Israeli government announced on Wednesday that plans for 1,004 homes have been approved by a defence ministry committee. Peace Now NGO, which closely monitors Israeli settlement building, said that nearly 400 homes received final approval for construction to begin, while the rest await further bureaucratic approvals. Among the approved homes are 370 housing units in the illegal Adam settlement, where three Israelis were stabbed by a Palestinian in July, one fatally, according to Peace Now. Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman had pledged to build 400 new homes in the settlement in response to the stabbings. According to Peace Now, 96 percent of those approved are in isolated settlements that Israel will likely need to evacuate within the framework of a two-state agreement. In addition to the most recent approval and according to media reports, the government plans to promote hundreds more housing units by issuing tenders and promoting a plan for some 300 units in the illegal Beit El settlement, located north of Ramallah, Peace Now wrote in a statement. It's official, settlement approvals by the @netanyahu government have spiked ever since President Trump came into office. Don't be fooled by the slightly slower pace of constructionit often begins 2-4 years after the plans/tenders receive the final approval. pic.twitter.com/3WABZZ7d8A Peace Now (@peacenowisrael) August 22, 2018 Israeli settlements are considered a violation of international law and major stumbling blocks to peace efforts as they are built on land the Palestinians want for their future state including occupied East Jerusalem. Some 600,000 Israelis live in settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem territories captured by Israel in the 1967 war. The international community, along with the Palestinians, considers the settlements illegal and an impediment to peace. There have been warnings that the continuing expansion of settlements is diminishing any remaining hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel dismisses those arguments, blaming Palestinian violence and incitement against it for stalled peace efforts. Fast-track settlement plans In a break from his predecessors, President Donald Trump has avoided condemning settlement construction, though he has urged Israel to show restraint. Trumps administration has been far less critical of settlement building than his predecessor Barack Obama. Peace Now says West Bank settlement plans increased to 6,742 units in 2017 compared with 2,629 the previous year, former US President Barack Obamas last in office. Plans have been advanced for 3,794 units so far this year, the NGO said. Lieberman said in May that he aimed to fast-track plans for thousands of West Bank settlement homes in 2018. Trumps Middle East team, headed by his adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been working on an Israeli-Palestinian peace proposal for months but has not said when it will be released. John Bolton, Trumps national security adviser, told reporters in Jerusalem on Wednesday that a lot of progress has been made, but would not say when it will be publicised. The Palestinians have already said they consider the plan a non-starter, accusing Trump of being unfairly biased towards Israel after his unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital in December. There was no immediate Palestinian reaction to the latest settlement announcement, which came in the middle of a Muslim holiday, but it was expected to draw further condemnation. Kashmir protests: Violence mars Eid celebrations Hundreds protest against Indian rule in Kashmir after evening prayers on Tuesday, followed by a violent crackdown by Indian forces. Challenger Peter Dutton said he will continue lobbying colleagues for support in unseating PM Malcolm Turnbull. Australias political crisis has deepened as a government legislator said that he was planning a second challenge against the countrys Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Turnbull narrowly survived a vote of no confidence on Tuesday, when members of his ruling conservative Liberal Party backed him 48 votes to 35. However, party MPs are calling for another meeting to be held on Wednesday night to discuss the leadership crisis, according to Reuters news agency. The rebellion against the prime minister follows months of poor opinion poll ratings and political wrangling over a divisive carbon emissions law. Turnbull surprised critics by calling the ballot before his challenger, former Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, had had time to gather support. Dutton, speaking on Australian radio on Wednesday, confirmed that he was preparing another challenge against the prime minister. I am not going to beat around the bush on that, I am speaking to colleagues. You dont go into a ballot believing youre going to lose and if I believe that a majority of colleagues support me, then I would consider my position, Dutton told Melbourne Radio 3AW. Dutton quit as Home Affairs minister after Tuesdays challenge failed and another 10 ministers offered their resignations on Wednesday. Turnbull said Duttons was the only senior ministers resignation he had accepted, but a junior minister was also allowed to resign. The threat of another challenge throws Turnbulls attempts to unify the conservative coalition ahead of the countrys general elections due to be held by May next year into uncertainty. {articleGUID} Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the prime minister said his leadership had been confirmed by the iron laws of arithmetic and his priority was now to unite the party behind him. What Im endeavouring to do is to obviously ensure that the party is stable, to maintain the stability of the government of Australia thats critically important. The cabinet ministers apart from Peter Dutton of course, who came to me and told me that they had voted for Mr Dutton in the leadership ballot have given me unequivocal assurances of continuing loyalty and support, he said. The leadership crisis has been slammed by the opposition Labour party as chaotic. While chaos reigns, the country is not governed, deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek said. Political revolving door Months of pressure came to a head this week after months of poor opinion poll ratings, a Queensland by-election loss in July and a revolt by fellow Liberal politicians on Monday against Turnbulls plans to enshrine carbon emissions targets in law. Turnbull has since watered down the energy policy and scrapped planned tax cuts for corporations in an attempt to quell dissent. In politics you have to focus on what you can deliver, he told reporters on Monday. {articleGUID} Australian politics have been in flux since former Prime Minister John Howard lost power in 2007, after more than 11 years in office. No prime minister has lasted a full three-year term since, all having been ushered out by their own parties in the face of poor opinion polls. Turnbull, who took office in 2015 in a party-room coup has struggled to appeal to conservative voters, while disappointing others by shifting policies to the right to try to appease the powerful right-leaning backbench. A hardline conservative responsible for overseeing Australias immigration policy, Dutton is unpopular with moderate voters, raising the possibility that a third candidate might still emerge should Turnbull be deposed. Lawyer suggests Cohen may have information tied to Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. Michael Cohen, the former lawyer for US President Donald Trump who pleaded guilty on Tuesday to campaign finance violations, may have information that would be of interest to the special counsels office investigating Russian attempts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, according to his lawyer. In a series of interviews with US television outlets on Wednesday , Lanny Davis said he believes his client has information that would be of interest to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, suggesting in an interview with MSNBC that it was directly tied to Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 election. Cohen has information regarding both knowledge of a conspiracy to corrupt American democracy by the Russians and the failure to report that knowledge to the FBI, Davis told MSNBC. On CNN, he added that his client has knowledge that would be of interest to the special counsel about whether Donald Trump knew ahead of time about the hacking of emails. Mueller is investigating Russian attempts to influence the 2016 election and whether there was any cooperation or links with the Trump campaign. Trump lashes out On Wednesday, Trump lashed out at Cohen, as well as the Mueller investigation, tweeting it was a witch hunt, a phrase he has repeatedly used in the past. {articleGUID} One tweet specifically referenced the trial of Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign chairman, who was convicted of eight financial crimes on Wednesday in a case stemming from the Russia probe. The judge declared a mistrial on 10 other counts the jury could not agree on. A large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case. Witch Hunt! Trump tweeted. Trump also tweeted that he feels badly for Manafort, saying tremendous pressure was put on him and unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to break make up stories in order to get a deal. There has been no indication that Cohen will talk to or cooperated with Muellers team. Later on Wednesday, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said Trump was not worried that Cohen might implicate the president if he cooperates with Mueller. I dont think the president is concerned at all, Sanders said. The president, in this matter, has done nothing wrong and there are no charges against him, she added. Just because Michael Cohen made a plea deal doesnt mean that implicates the president on anything. Implicates Trump In addition to pleading guilty to campaign finance violations, Cohen also admitted to tax and bank fraud. In court on Tuesday, Cohen said he made payments to influence the 2016 election at the direction of a candidate for federal office. Questioned by the federal judge, Cohen said he had paid sums of $130,000 and $150,000 each to two women who claimed they had affairs with Trump, acting at his bosss request, in a bid to buy their silence with the purpose of influencing the election. Cohen did not specify the womens names, but the sums correspond to a payment known to have been made to adult film star Stormy Daniels just before the election to silence her claims of a one-night stand with Trump and another destined for former Playboy model Karen McDougal. {articleGUID} He also did not name Trump, but said it was in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office, and the other was made under direction of the same candidate. The payments to the women could be regarded as an illegal campaign expenditure if the money was clearly meant to influence the 2016 election. Trump, on Twitter, maintained otherwise, saying, Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. Trumps personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said in a statement on Tuesday that there is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the governments charges against Mr Cohen. The president, as well as his legal team, [are trying] to discredit these investigations because it all leads back to Mueller, Eric Ham, author and political analyst, told Al Jazeera. What they are trying to combat now is the real possibility of possible impeachment proceedings, he added. In Wednesdays interviews, Cohens lawyer, Davis, also said his client would not accept a presidential pardon from Trump. He will not, and does not want anything from Donald Trump, Davis told MSNBC. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Some 450 people were treated for injuries at recent rally, but ruling party leader denounces protest as coup attempt. Clouds of tear gas floated above and around Victoriei Square in Bucharest on August 10 as a large anti-government demonstration devolved into clashes between protesters and jandarmi, or military police officers. As tensions escalated in the Romanian capital, pockets of protesters hurled rocks and plastic water bottles at rows of heavily-equipped police. Ioana Moldovan, a Bucharest-based photographer, followed a group of rally participants to a side street. Police followed them and the demonstrators ran, but she stayed put. With a press badge around her neck, she held up her camera to identify herself as a journalist. But as the officers passed her, one sprayed tear gas at her face. As I was trying to leave, I just passed them and said, You sprayed gas directly in my eyes, she told Al Jazeera by telephone. One of them replied, And what did you want? For me to f*** you? You stupid girl, who told you to come here and take pictures?' She was one of an estimated 450 people treated on site for injuries sustained during the rally, and she joined around 300 others who lodged official complaints with the general prosecutors office. The event was the latest in a series of demonstrations charging the government, currently led by the left-leaning Social Democrat Party (PSD), with corruption and what critics say are attempts to undermine the judiciary. The apparent crackdown on demonstrators has drawn criticism from rights groups, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the incidents that took place nearly two weeks ago. Moldovan, who says it was her first time to be ostensibly targeted during a rally, added: It was obvious that they didnt like me being there and taking pictures. PSD leader Liviu Dragnea, who was in June sentenced to three and a half years in jail over a fake jobs scandal, has denounced the latest protests. Late on Tuesday, he told the Antena 3 channel: I saw an attempted coup to overthrow the government. {articleGUID} Platform Romania 100, an NGO in Bucharest, has joined 16 other civil society groups in filing a complaint that alleges abusive behaviour by police during the protests, including disproportionate force and threats. In a press release, the group said police had violated the constitutional principles of freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. Right to protest On Monday, the dispute deepened when a 62-year-old man who was reportedly treated for a nosebleed during the clashes was pronounced dead in a hospital in southern Romania. A day earlier, he had checked himself into the hospital and was treated for internal bleeding. The hospital director called for a probe into the causes of his demise, while local media speculated whether there was a link between his death and the tear gas. Late on Tuesday, local media reported that Raed Arafat, head of the Department for Emergency Situations, said he did not see a link, adding that an autopsy will provide more information. Carmen Dan, the interior minister, apologised on Sunday to the police officers and demonstrators who were injured. She claimed that 1,000 people attacked police with stones and bottles. Neither the interior ministry nor military police replied to Al Jazeeras request for additional comment. Days after the protest, military prosecutors launched an investigation into allegations of excessive force. For the moment, we have requested documents on how the mission was organised, Ionel Corbu, the military prosecutor leading the probe, told reporters at the time. We will also call gendarmes (military police officers) to the hearings. Lydia Gall, a Balkans and Eastern Europe researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW), said investigations into the August 10 events must be effective and impartial. {articleGUID} Its quite clear there were elements of excessive force, she told Al Jazeera, pointing to the fact that hundreds of protesters ended up with various degrees of injuries. Its a basic right to be able to protest, Gall added. More protests expected The rallies kicked off in January 2017, when Romanians took to the streets to protest against the newly-inaugurated governments plans to decriminalise certain corruption offences and make abuse of power punishable by prison only if the sums involved exceed $47,500. By January 22, the number of demonstrators swelled to around 30,000, and they peaked at more than half a million in early February. Although the justice minister resigned, and the decrees were revoked, demonstrations were held throughout the year and into 2018. The rallies have gained the backing of President Klaus Iohannis, a member of the National Liberal Party, and many opposition politicians. After previous protests, the European Union and the United States condemned what they viewed as efforts to stymy anti-corruption measures. The government has defended its positions, accusing opposition politicians, among them President Iohannis, of attempting to undermine its rule. PSD leader Dragnea has denounced Iohannis as a coup plotter. With an appeal pending, Dragnea still has yet to go to jail and still heads the ruling party. {articleGUID} The August 10 rally was dubbed Diaspora at Home and was attended by Romanians who returned to the country to participate. Their demands included the resignation of the current governing cabinet. More protests are expected to take place in September and October. Elena Calistru of the Funky Citizens advocacy group said the protests follow in a tradition of anti-corruption rallies stretching back to 2013. Calistru said that although many Romanians are suffering from protest fatigue, she expects upcoming rallies to draw broad participation. The movement in itself is largest than just protests, she told Al Jazeera. They are about more than the gesture of taking to the streets. Denying news reports, Saudi Arabia said on Thursday it remains committed to an initial public offering of state-run oil behemoth Saudi Aramco, despite delays and growing speculation it may never be listed. A statement by Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih refuted Wednesdays reports that the IPO billed as the biggest such deal in history had been called off. Timing will depend on multiple factors, including favourable market conditions and a downstream acquisition, which the company will pursue in the next few months as directed by its board of directors, he said. Falih did not elaborate, but the acquisition in question is likely to be the Saudi Arabian Oil Cos proposed purchase of a stake in petrochemical company SABIC. Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser last month confirmed preliminary talks to acquire a strategic stake in SABIC, the worlds fourth-largest petrochemicals company, which is 70 percent owned by the government-run Public Investment Fund (PIF). Key move The proposed listing of the national champion was a central part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans reform drive aimed at restructuring the kingdoms economy and reducing its dependence on oil revenue. Saudi announced the plan to sell about 5 percent of Aramco in 2016 via local and international listing, predicting the sale would value the whole company at $2 trillion or more. Several industry experts, however, questioned whether a valuation that high was realistic, which hindered the process of preparing the IPO. Stock exchanges in financial centres including London, New York and Hong Kong have been vying to host the international tranche of the share sale. An army of bankers and lawyers started to fiercely compete to win advisory roles in the IPO, seen as a gateway to a host of other deals they expected to flow from the kingdoms wide privatisation programme. Yemen war: More than eight million on verge of starvation It is estimated almost 18 million people lack access to good, nutritious food and 8.4 million are on verge of famine, as they simply do not know where their next meal is coming from. Hungarian authorities have stopped food distribution for rejected asylum seekers held in transit zones on the countrys border with Serbia since early August, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). In a report published on Wednesday, HRW called for the Hungarian government to adhere to its legal obligations and ensure that all asylum seekers in custody are provided with sufficient and appropriate food. The government has stooped to a new inhumane low by refusing food to people in their custody, apparently revelling in breaching human rights law, including its obligations as a European Union member, said Lydia Gall, Eastern EU and Balkans researcher at HRW. This disregard for peoples wellbeing smacks of a cynical move to force people to give up their asylum claims and leave Hungary. The migrants are held in the two transit centres on the border with Serbia. They are not allowed to leave during the processing of their application unless they choose to return. Two Afghan families and two Syrian brothers are among those denied food after their asylum applications were rejected under a new admissibility procedure. While a breastfeeding woman and children in the Afghan families were provided with food, they were prohibited from sharing it with other family members, the families legal representatives told HRW. The European Court of Human Rights (EUCHR) ordered Hungary on August 10 to resume food distribution for the two Afghan families and has since issued similar orders in response to three other appeals, including on behalf of the Syrian brothers. While Hungarian authorities respected the orders so far, dozens of other rejected asylum seekers may face food deprivation, according to HRW. Hungarys Immigration and Asylum Office on August 20 argued that there is nothing in Hungarian law that obliges authorities to provide food to people in the aliens policing procedure in transit zones. However, HRW noted that authorities have binding obligations under multiple human rights treaties and norms that prohibit inhumane treatment of those in their custody. Authorities are required to treat those under their custody with humanity which includes providing them food, water, hygiene and medical needs. In its report, HRW called for the government to amend their legislation to ensure that everyone in a transit zone, regardless of the status of their applications, has their basic needs met. Turning to the courts for bread On August 20, a pastor, Gabor Ivanyi, was denied access when he tried to deliver food to people in the transit zones during a national holiday known as the Festival of the New Bread. Currently, a young woman from Afghanistan is at the receiving end of Hungarys policy, but similar cases are likely to emerge in the coming days, Andras Lederer of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, (HHC) a human rights watchdog, told dpa news agency. The woman had appealed against the decision by Hungarian immigration authorities to refuse her asylum. HHC sued Hungary last week at the EUCHR on her behalf. Its completely outrageous and absurd that people have to turn to the courts to get a slice of bread, Gall said. EU institutions should take this latest attack on peoples rights, add it to the large file of rule of law and human rights concerns in Hungary, and send a clear message that blatantly abusing asylum seekers and flouting EU rules will have serious consequences. Hungarys populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban took a harsh stance on refugees and migrants during the 2015-16 migration crisis. His country was the first to stop people from entering and has passed laws aimed at discouraging migrants from attempting a transit or from seeking asylum. HRW noted in its report that since 2015, the Orban government has engaged in a virulent campaign against migrants and asylum seekers, including attempts to demonise organisations that provide legal and humanitarian assistance to these groups. One of the targets has been George Soros, the Hungarian-born philanthropist billionaire known for funding NGOs and development organisations worldwide. For many of the millions of students graduating from high school in the US, this is not the celebration they had hoped for. Dozens were killed in a fire at a prison last month, but experts say it was an accident waiting to happen. Today, our civilization is in more danger than ever. While there are still external challenges, the most serious threats are increasingly internal. Individually, each is troubling but not necessarily fatal. Blended together, like adding glycerol to concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids to form nitroglycerin, we have to ask, is America facing a Perfect Storm? It's said that just because you're paranoid, that doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you. There have been constant serious threats to our country since our founding in 1776, starting with the British through the early 19th century and the Nazis, Imperial Japan, and nuclear-armed Soviets in the 20th century. Those were primarily external threats. 10. Radical Islam. It took two attempts, but radical Islam finally managed to bring down the Twin Towers in New York City in 2001. Since that major attack on America, radical Islam attacks have persisted on a lesser scale. Under the purposely vague label of "terrorism," according to newamerica.org, there have been 406 jihadist assaults on Americans, resulting in 103 deaths, since 2001. Countless other attempts have been thwarted by law enforcement. A radical American-born Muslim group was busted in New Mexico teaching children to shoot up schools. Meanwhile, with help from a compliant media, sharia law proponents have reached critical mass to win statewide and congressional seats. It's a creeping threat to our Constitution, the document essential to holding our increasingly diverse population together as a nation. Sharia law is not remotely compatible with our Constitution. Nevertheless, Democrats find themselves increasingly allied with Muslims, including the girlfriend-assaulting deputy chair of the Democratic Party. 9. Lying, Evil, Greedy Politicians with Questionable Loyalties. Nothing defines this issue more than N.Y. governor Cuomo, who said America "was never that great." Whaaat? Is he referring to the country regarded as the hope of the free world that saved Europe and Asia from fascist tyranny, the country that has given the world transformative improvements in medicine, technology, music and the arts, the country that created the highest standard of living in the history of the world, the country that sacrificed over 300,000 of its men to end slavery, the country with a Constitution that defines the rights of the individual against progressive governments? When obstruction and self-dealing become the primary goals and policy of one of the two major political parties instead of trying to make our country greater, you know there's a problem. 8. Diversity/Identity Politics. With identity politics cloaked in the guise of diversity, is there room for competence? Federal and state grants come laden with various demands for diversity. Businesses and government institutions find themselves saddled with vice presidents and directors of diversity. Universities have indoctrinated their students with diversity to the point where white males are now under direct assault throughout our society. The diversity purge is a threat to fundamental excellence in major businesses and institutions. Every good American wants all people to be treated fairly and with respect and to be given the right to succeed. We want people to be judged on their competence and their character, not on their race, sex, or sexual preference. Whatever happened to the notion of the best and most qualified person for the job? How is identity politics helpful to our country? It's not. It's damaging. It's a Democrat thing. Any fool can see this. 7. Fake News, and Now Google. Yes, folks, fake news is very real. Gary Gindler on American Thinker reports, "Google has introduced a practice nicknamed 'expulsion to the 101st kilometer,' referring to the Soviets forcibly evicting dissenting citizens 100 kilometers or more from Moscow. ... [L]inks to conservative sites has artificially moved beyond the first hundred links. Google knows that people, as a rule, scan just the first ten to twenty links. Consequently, Google creates an impression that the whole world is full of leftist ideas only. Professor Robert Epstein believes that the Google algorithm gifted Hillary Clinton in 2016 with at least 2 million votes." Facebook routinely shadows conservative stories so they are not seen by a larger audience. "Facebook's removal of links ... has resulted in a 93% decrease in web traffic from this social network to leading conservative sites since the 2016 elections." Fake news on TV and in newspapers starts with outright lies and slander against conservatives and the president of the United States. One survey found that 90% of news coverage is slanted against the president. Even more insidious is censorship by omission. Important stories on sites like American Thinker, Frontpage Mag, Breitbart, LifeZette, the Geller Report, and Drudge will rarely or never be found in the so-called mainstream media. Americans deserve better. 6. Assault on the Second Amendment. The right to bear arms is a fundamental right granted to Americans by the Bill of Rights. It's not about hunting or sport shooting. It's about self-defense from personal assault, home invaders, or potentially a hostile government. Like all fascists and communists, the left dreams of seizing control and confiscating guns from citizens who might threaten the left's rule. Every time there is a mass shooting, regardless of the reason, such as Islamic terror, drugs, or mental illness, the leftist drumbeat is heard again, demanding more and more controls on gun rights. Chip, chip away is their strategy. The NRA has provided a continuing brilliant defense of the Second Amendment so far, but watch as the left wing continues to attack the NRA and one of our most basic rights. 5. The Drug Crisis. A National Geographic TV series examines the drug crisis in various locations around the country, including Miami, Baltimore, and Montana. The series shows not just the overwhelmed law enforcement people, but also the junkies (victims) and dealers. From opioid use to heroin and even everybody's favorite "recreational" drug, pot, a significant part of our population, particularly younger people, has been rendered not just useless, but a burden to society. More than 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017. That's almost 200 a day. Nearly half of all federal prisoners were involved in drug-related crime. Meanwhile, Hollywood and the music industry make drug use look like good old-fashioned fun. The media pretty much ignore the issue. It's a fundamental cancer in our society. President Trump has just announced a new plan to punish the dealers. We can only hope it works. 4. The Military as a Reflection of Our Society. The American Conservative reports that military recruiters are struggling to fill recruiting quotas. This disturbing problem isn't just that young people don't want to join the military; it's that they are not qualified to serve. The result is that the U.S. military is increasingly not representative of America. "For that to be true, two thirds of our military would have to consist of obese, under-educated former drug users and convicted criminals." One in four can't even meet basic high school graduate standards. One in ten has a criminal history. Only one out of eight even wants to be part of the military. There is also a geographical issue. Young people interested in the military mainly come from small towns in the South where there are traditions of military service. The trajectory here is not healthy. The military is among the most respected institutions in our country. We had a true civilian army in WWII. But today it's disturbing that only an increasing minority can or will serve. 3. Illegals, Homeless and Violence Overwhelming Our Cities. Except for the rich, American cities are becoming increasingly unlivable as illegal and homeless populations threaten to overwhelm city budgets. It's so bad in San Francisco that the city has funded poop patrols as that once lovely City by the Bay has become a nightmare to citizens and visitors alike. Large groups are canceling conventions. Los Angeles has doubled its homeless budget to $450 million. Los Angeles County plans to spend $374 million. That's 1 percent of a budget meant to service a population of over 10 million going to just 53,193 people. In addition, violent crime increased in many of the nation's largest cities in 2016 as metro areas saw jumps in homicide, robberies, and aggravated assaults. Chicago shooting deaths are approaching war-like proportions, with 664 people killed in 2017. So far in 2018, 360 homicides have been reported, most of them from gunfire. The Democrats who run these cities, many of them sanctuary cities, have no clue how to deal with the situation other than to spend more money of taxpayers dumb enough to stay behind. Democrat policies are leading to financial and social disaster. It can't go on forever. 2. The Education Disaster. A friend of mine said he heard a caller into the Rush Limbaugh show shortly after Trump's inauguration say something to the effect of "you have Trump for a short time; we have your children, heh, heh, heh." I can't confirm this quote, but I think the statement, true or false, underscores the capture of our educational system by the left. Frontpage Mag offers this stunning video. Increasingly parents, particularly conservatives, need to be concerned about sending their offspring to expensive universities and having them return as poorly educated dedicated leftists, struggling to find a job, loaded with debt, and unable to think clearly about the world or their place in it. Free speech is often not just discouraged, but essentially banned. High school students are taught little or no history or patriotism. Street interviews reveal young people so uneducated that they can't identify the vice president, state who won the Civil War, explain what the Fourth of July celebrates, find any country on a map, or qualify for military service. There can be no greater danger to our civilization than a poorly educated public, but increasingly, it seems that's what we've got. 1. Does Anyone Care? A frog put in a pot of cold water on a stove that slowly starts to cook him is the classic example of how danger can creep up. A Bankrate.com survey found that 69% of Americans say they lose sleep stressing over worries about relationship and money. These same hardworking Americans are also busy with their jobs, their families and relationships, their mortgages, and hobbies and activities, while still finding time for recreation and good times. There is precious little time left over to stay current with events. Meanwhile, progressives, many of them wallowing in cushy taxpayer-funded university jobs, are aggressively active and laser-focused on their anti-American agendas. The pot is already simmering. Frank Hawkins is a former U.S. Army intelligence officer, Associated Press foreign correspondent, international businessman, senior newspaper company executive, founder and owner of several marketing companies, and published novelist. He currently lives in retirement in North Carolina. If you do business in these areas, you know to always visit them relatively early in the morning, before the animals wake up. Thus, in my travels, I'd see four- and five-year-old kids playing as all four- and five-year-olds do. In the course of my management consulting, I've been to some of the toughest neighborhoods in the country. But as they got older, they developed an increasingly hard look in their eyes. Even at that age, they had put up with more crap than one can imagine. The neighborhoods they were born into have astonishing crime rates. The few terrorize the many, and unlike the police, they don't leave. A great deal of America's $500-billion annual illicit drug trade flows through their world. It's an illegal trade where violence and fear take the place of contracts and the rule of law an illegal trade that, unfortunately, often offers the best economic opportunity. Job opportunities are limited, and youth unemployment reaches heights unheard of anywhere else in the country. A hand up is not an easy thing to find in these neighborhoods. In many of these places, a culture has taken root where the very keys to success are viewed as being somehow foreign and something to reject, not embrace. These realities are true regardless of one's heritage, but they have fallen disproportionally on black Americans. What of the education opportunities presented to these children today? The inner-city schools these children are forced to attend are a national disgrace. Education has been called the civil rights issue of our time by political leaders across the political spectrum. What we see in the inner cities is the result of a lot of factors. A major one is the collapse of the educational system decades ago, resulting in generations of people receiving a lousy education generations of people pretty much screwed from the womb, with their only hope being a chance for a decent education. In the face of this desperate need, the schools that are forced upon these children are an obscenity. It is quite easy for someone who has never witnessed these realities to talk about hard work and pulling oneself up by the bootstraps. It is much easier said than done. What future truly awaits a 12-year-old with very poor reading and writing skills, little to no math skills, and no command of the English language? They are supposed to happily go to jobs pushing a broom or flipping burgers? And fighting for these jobs against an army of illegal aliens willing to work for below-market wages? Or is a much more logical path one of crime? Far too many of these inner-city schools are simply one stop on the assembly line from school to prison or the cemetery. It is a fact that blacks commit an astonishingly high percentage of all crimes, especially when you consider their percentage of the total population. The NAACP reports that "one in six black men had been incarcerated as of 2001 and if current trends continue, one in three black males born today can expect to spend time in prison during his lifetime." In the vast majority of cases, spending time in prison destroys a person's economic situation today and, in many situations, the rest of their lives. Losing one generation to prison usually ensures that the children will also be born poor and forced to attend lousy public schools, thus perpetuating the cycle. Public schools where violence is the norm. Public schools that operate more as daycare and institutional holding cells than as institutes of education. Public schools where even the top performers are not prepared for college. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education." The public education system is doing neither for the poor souls forced to attend these life-destroying institutions. How many of the problems of the inner cities in general and of black Americans in particular find their roots in generations of failed education? We will never address the issues of race, crime, poverty, and the pathologies they unleash until we at least provide an opportunity for every child in America to attend a quality school where his intelligence and character are developed to the peak of their potential. Will every parent and child take advantage of this? Of course not. But until everyone who wants it is given a true opportunity to send their kids to quality schools, this country will fail in its basic commitment to those poorest among us. When you consider the resulting crime statistics and the cost of filling our prisons, that's a problem for all of us. For the richest country the world has ever seen to allow this destruction to these young lives is simply wrong. Not every parent is "parent of the month" material, but at least let's give those who cry out for help a chance by offering them a school that at least has the potential to save their lives rather than destroy them. John Conlin is an expert in organizational design and change. He is the founder and president of E.I.C. Enterprises, www.eicenterprises.org, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to spreading the truth here and around the world, primarily through K-12 education. E.I.C. Enterprises' GoFundMe page can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/so-you-believe-in-science-eh. Nevertheless, when the ones among us with the strongest stomach felt still optimistic enough to think the Church would, eventually, be forced to put her foot down once and for all regarding the overt disregard (within her own ranks) for what Catholic doctrine prescribes on sexuality, this happened . These are stormy times for the Catholic Church in North America. First, Theodore McCarrick, whose resignation as cardinal Pope Francis accepted in July. Then the Pennsylvania grand jury report , which is having the effects of the detonation of an atomic bomb with its subsequent devastating shockwave and radioactive fallout. As a Catholic, I would be lying if I said the mind-blowing revelations over the extent and the creepy deep-rootedness of sexual promiscuity and perversity in the clergy have not taken a toll on my trust in the Church. As many of us are still reeling from the shock and the disgust, rage and exasperation mount. The statement the pope had the gall to release was so lukewarm and insipid that the words "homosexuality" and "bishops" are nowhere to be found. Yet, to quote a LifeSiteNews column (analogous observations have been often made on several other occasions): Statistics from the Pennsylvania grand jury report back this ... : Nearly three-quarters of the offending priests were homosexual; over three-quarters of the abusive priests were pederasts and of those, one fifth (21%) chose adolescent girls as their victims while four-fifths (79%) chose adolescent boys. Last week Brad Miner, Senior Editor of The Catholic Thing, and attorney and international child rights advocate Liz Yore made it clear on EWTN's The World Over that the Catholic Church's sex abuse crisis is directly linked to homosexuality. "Largely its not a pedophile crisis," Yore said. "We know from the John Jay report, 81-percent of the victims were males, mostly teens. And we know because our subclass of predators are all male, this is a male-on-male crime, and primarily with teens between the ages of 14 to 17. Those are the victims." Miner agreed: "It's a homosexual problem. The numbers show that." Say what you will about this pope, but he definitely got his nerve purging his message to a shell-shocked American Catholic community of anything that could vaguely comfort her amid this storm. His holiness's mind-numbing letter can be read at the same link. Facts are notoriously stark, and numbers don't lie: that homosexuality at all levels of the hierarchy is a huge part of the problem is not debatable anymore. But that those very people whom the Church herself appointed shepherds of the flock have not only partaken in that orgy of depravity the grand jury report unveiled, but actively operated to cover it up or decided to look the other way is repugnant. And to complete silence from the pope now. The pope of "tenderness" and "mercy." The pope who loves talking in a offhand way it's easier to tweak the Church teachings he doesn't like that way couldn't bring himself to sound a bit less distant, less formal, less...curial. But why? Why on Earth did he do that? Why is he so reluctant to tell it like it is? Not to interrupt the process that has been morphing the very constituency of the clergy into bringing homosexuality within the bounds of the Catholic doctrine, obviously. It takes no straining of the facts to say homosexuality is now bound for doctrinal acceptance and soon, celebration. It's not only that hardly a day passes by without a report of this or that parish hosting a retreat for our "gay brothers and lesbian sisters," oppressed by the heartlessness of the Catholic doctrine. Or of this priest or that cardinal weighing in on same-sex "marriage," or blessing a homosexual couple. Or of that bishop remarking on the positive elements in a same-sex union. Or of "Father" James Martin and another of those "bridges" he wants to build, instead of exhorting the homosexuals to trust the Church and Catholic doctrine because "my yoke is easy, and my burden light" (Matthew 11:30). Countless other LGBT outreach initiatives could be mentioned, already embarked upon and in the making, with barely a bishop voicing any complaint or dream on stepping up to protect the faith of his flock from being contaminated or watered down. Now we are at the point where no less a figure than the pope minces words in a pathetic effort to deflect attention from the evident root causes of the issue. The raison d'etre for such a state of things can only be that too many within the Church too many priests, bishops, cardinals have a vested interest in exiling virtue of chastity to the distant and evanescent realm of Catholic recommended-but-not-compulsory precepts, and in replacing it with sexual nihilism especially in its homosexual variant. It would have been too much, after all, to expect decades and decades of homosexual ordinations since the post-conciliar and post-sexual revolution doctrinal turmoil not to have any consequences at all. At this point, all we faithful, infuriated, and disgusted Catholics can do is cope with the fact that this situation is not going to change anytime soon. The message couldn't be clearer: "homosexuality's got nothing to do with it" as well as Islam had nothing to do with it and guns (and nothing else) had everything to do with it. "Get over it." Many will get over it and leave the Church in droves. The English/language arts and math standards in most states that un-adopted or made changes to the Common Core State Standards are, in the end, substantially weaker, according to a new report by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. These states would have served students better by simply adopting the common core whole, the report says. When states tried to quote revise the standards it was a pretty fraught and perilous activity in that the changes they made did more harm than good, Amber Northern, senior vice president for research at Fordham Institute, said in an interview. If you have the right expertise in place, its not that you cant develop strong, or potentially even better, standards. But its the exception to the norm. The findings are not surprising, given Fordhams longtime support for higher academic standards. The institute has reviewed states expectations many times over the years. It has also generally been a proponent of the common core, especially its focus on using challenging texts to build background knowledge. The review homes in on those state standards that have made the biggest changes to the common core and those that never adopted them. (Stephen Sawchuk writes about a 2017 review by the Washington-based nonprofit Achieve that arrived at a slightly different emphasis: It found that 24 states revised standards actually preserved the most important features of the common core .) Ultimately, the Fordham reviewers chose 14 states for an ELA review and 10 states for a math review. Their aim is to call out mistakes to be avoided along with ideas worthy of wider adoption. States English/Language Arts Standards The reviewers gave the ELA Common Core State Standards a 9 out of 10, validating them as strong standards that states should continue to put into practice. The reviewers lauded the common core for providing specific guidance on what makes a complex text, how to measure its complexity, and how requirements need to develop as students move from one grade to the next. (Stephen Sawchuk details how the Common-Core reading and writing standards have shifted classroom practices .) Seven of the 14 states ELA standards were deemed good, earning scores of 7 or 8. (See the chart below.) The raters conclude that Indianas standards in particular rose above the rest. The Hoosier states standards, according to the study, address reading and writing across disciplines, something that other state standards fail to do, and do a good job explaining how expectations should progress across grade levels. Two states standardsthose of Missouri and Virginawere rated inadequte and in need of an immediate revamp. (Missouri had adopted the common core in 2010, and replaced them in 2016 ; Virginia never adopted them.) Generally, what our reviewers saw on the ELA side was an approach of subtraction, said Northern. It wasnt that they added a bunch of stuff that made no sense, it was that they took out the stuff that made a lot of sense. Some states, Indiana among them, lost points for eliminating guidance on grade-level texts and what it means for a text to be sufficiently complex. Virgina doesnt address text difficulty. New York and South Carolina expect students to read grade-level texts but do not describe what these texts should look like. To address this problem, the reviewers suggest states include a list of model texts that demonstrate the level of complexity students should be able to tackle at each grade level. If states could put these texts back in, it would do a lot for improving their overall grade, said Northern. ELA Trends The reviewers, however, highlighted two positive ELA trends: 1) a greater emphasis on writing, and 2) the creation of standards dedicated to vocabulary development. Twelfth graders in Oklahoma, for instance, are expected to make informed claims in their writing and defend them against opposing claims using credible sources. In South Carolina, 4th and 5th graders are expected to figure out the meanings of unknown words from their Greek and Latin roots. Among the failings noted, the reviewers said many state standards fail to show how reading, writing, and language extend beyond the English classroom. Kansas students must write for a range of discipline-specific tasks beginning in 3rd grade and pay attention to the norms and conventions of the discipline starting in high school, yet the standards provide no other guidance on how students might actually accomplish these goals. Another big problem reviewers found was that there is no clear skill progression between grade levels in many state standards. Many states and even the common core for ELA combine standards for 9th and 10th grade and again for 11th and 12th grades, conflating four years of benchmarks to two. States Math Standards The math common-core standards and Texass math standards rated a 9 out of 10, meaning that the reviewers see them as strong standards that states should continue to put into practice. Both focus on arithmetic in grades K-5, with a thorough treatment of place value and the standard algorithms, and a thoughtful approach to fractions. Northern points out that Texas never adopted the common core, went its own way, and ended up creating strong math standards. Reviewers, however, rated Texas ELA standards weak. Three of the 10 state math standards evaluated (those of Indiana, Tennessee, and Virginia) were deemed good, earning scores of 7. (See the chart below.) One statePennsylvaniaearned an overall score of 4, meaning that its math standards are considered inadequate by reviewers standards and in need of a complete revamp. Math Trends Among the positive math trends noted, the reviewers saw a stronger focus in grades K-5 on arithmetic, which, they see as the foundation for much of the math that students will have to tackle in higher grades. The report notes that this was absolutely not the case in 2010 when arithmetic was not a priority. Most state standards, for instance, expect students to memorize single-digit addition and multiplication facts, as well as the related subtraction and division facts. Even so, a few states were seen to fall short in that subject. Take Pennsylvanias standards. By 2nd grade, they say, students are supposed to use mental strategies to add and subtract within 20. Yet students are never required to memorize the sums of two single-digit numbers, or to add and subtract automatically or fluently within 20, as the common core recommends. Five other statesincluding Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Virginiamake this mistake, according to the report. Another trend that the report highlights: Standards are doing a better job of balancing between teaching students the difference between abstract concepts and procedures and actually putting them into practice. Most states now ask students to explain their reasoning after doing the computations for solving a math problem. And most state high school frameworks emphasize the connections between classroom math and statistics and everyday life. For the most part our reviewers were pretty pleased with what they saw on the math side, said Northern. When they pointed out weaknesses in the math standards, they were more exceptions to the rule. When there were issues, they were more state-specific, rather than across-the-board problems. Related stories: Since the 1990s, the share of national income going to working- and middle-class Americans has been dropping. For most of the post-WWII period, wage-earners captured 64% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). At the beginning of the 21st century, however, things started to change for the worse. In 2017, wages and salaries accounted for just 43% of the GDP. This is the lowest level since 1929. I trust we can all agree that this is a bad situation. It's indicative of the hollowing out of the American middle class. Irrespective of what the intellectuals and pundits may say or think, the middle class, not they, is the bedrock of America. Numerous factors have contributed to this trend, but the elephant in the room is globalization. Globalization brought China into the picture. This communist country was admitted into the World Trade Organization in 2001 under the guidance of Bill Clinton. After successfully undergoing a vetting process for entry and promising to be an upstanding trading partner, mercantilist China began to immediately ignore the rules and dared anyone to stop it. Neither Bill Clinton nor George Bush did, nor did Barack Obama. In fact, none of these presidents even tried, so enamored were they of globalization. So it was that China built itself up on stolen U.S. technology and a whole host of unfair and illegal trading practices. In the process, the U.S. lost millions of jobs and suffered trillions of dollars in accumulated trade deficits. This did not trouble the elite in this country, as it wasn't their jobs or income that suffered. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was just as bad. In 1992, Ross Perot was right on the money when he said NAFTA would result in a "great sucking sound" of American jobs and factories going south to Mexico. That has happened. Again, thank you, Bill Clinton. There's an unsavory aspect of NAFTA that I didn't notice until reading Sundance. He writes: As a consequence of NAFTA not being a trading block, it has been exploited exclusively for access to the U.S. market. Over the past 30 years Canada and Mexico have structured their manufacturing economy based on unlimited access to the U.S. market. Mexico and Canada assemble foreign products shipped to them as parts, then send the finished products into the U.S. market. Hence Canada and Mexico demand high content of cheap foreign parts in any internal NAFTA agreement. There is zero benefit to the U.S. worker. In other words, NAFTA gives China a back door into the U.S. market through Canada and Mexico. The U.S. could place tariffs and other restrictions on China, but China can evade them by exploiting NAFTA in that way. And China does. This is not a loophole in NAFTA; it's a feature of the treaty. Why is a feature such as this in NAFTA in the first place? It's because the specific intent of the Uniparty was to build up China and Mexico, with the thought that the damage to the American middle class was worth the price. So the percentage of GDP that goes to workers' wages has been falling. What is the liberal solution? Take William Galston, house liberal of the Wall Street Journal and senior fellow at the left-wing Brookings Institute. His prescription is an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and for the government to subsidize the wage of low- and middle-income workers. To pay for this welfare and it is a form of welfare Galston calls for tax increases for higher income brackets. Typical big-government liberal approach, no? Like so many liberal schemes, Galston's addresses the symptoms rather than the root cause. Globalization, or more specifically labor arbitrage, is the problem. Labor arbitrage is relocating factories and jobs to low-cost countries like China and Mexico while at the same time allowing large-scale immigration to take place. This has been allowed to happen since 2001. Labor arbitrage greatly increased the domestic supply of labor while at the same time decreased the demand for it. What else can wages then do but stagnate, if not sink? Corporate profits rise, the Democrat voter rolls increase, and the average American gets screwed. Fortunately, we now have a president in the form of Donald Trump who is tackling this problem head on. He's curtailing immigration and renegotiating lopsided trade deals like NAFTA and confronting mercantilist China directly. All this is having a positive effect on lower- and middle-class income and the employment number. There are beneficial spillover affects from increases in middle-class wages and employment. Take the opioid epidemic, for example. The National Safety Council says over 42,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose in 2016 alone. This is a staggering number of people, and it doesn't tell the full story. Fox News reported that there may have been over 70,000 more opioid related deaths unaccounted for since 1999. These statistics are just for deaths. For everyone who terminally ODed, there are many others addicts who don't. But while alive, they are a drag on society through things like failure to keep a job, broken families, rehab costs, high suicide rates, child illegitimacy, and crime. There are numerous causes behind opioid addiction, and one surely has been the disappearance of lower- and middle-class job opportunities. Remember, globalization has resulted in the loss of millions of jobs. When men can't find gainful employment, they fall into despair. Bad things follow. I'm not saying MAGA will solve the addiction problem and the pathologies associated with it. But brother, it will sure dent it and provide a foundation upon which other actions can be more effective. It is amazing, what Trump has done in just a year and a half. And this is with the entire establishment against him. Imagine what could be accomplished if Trump's own party were behind his MAGA agenda...or if the Democrats were a normal opposition party instead of the hate-filled, nihilistic entity of the left they have degraded into. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr. The #MeToo Movement Self-Destructs The #MeToo movement was dealt a critical blow this past weekend as news emerged that one of its leading spokeswomen, actress Asia Argento, among the most prominent accusers of Harvey Weinstein, had paid $380K to young actor Jimmy Bennett in order to keep him silent about her own sexual encounter with the young actor. The story involves what could be described as quasi-incestuous overtones. The alleged assault took place in Marina Del Rey, California, in 2013, when Ms. Argento was 37 and the young Bennett was just two months beyond his 17th birthday (the legal age of sexual consent in the state of California is 18). In 2004, she had starred as the mother of the then seven-year-old child actor in the film The Heart Is Deceitful above All Things, where she played a prostitute who dressed her son as a girl to "lure men." Ms. Argento had kept in "intermittent" contact with the boy as he aged, with Jimmy's perception being that a "mother-son relationship had blossomed from their experience on set together." That perception was shared by Argento, who, before the night of the alleged assault, commented on Instagram that she was waiting, she wrote, "for my long lost son my love [sic] @jimmybennett in trepidation," "smoking cigarettes like there was no next week." Bennett responded, "I'm almost there! :)" When he arrived, according to Bennett's account, Argento asked a family member to leave, "gave him alcohol," and "removed his pants" before she "performed oral sex" and engaged in intercourse with him. Mr. Bennett claims to have been traumatized by the "sexual battery," and seeing Ms. Argento "present herself as a victim of sexual assault was too much to bear," according to his lawyer, as she recently had taken "the spotlight as one of the many victims of Harvey Weinstein." None of this absolves Harvey Weinstein, certainly, and none of this truly discredits the other individual #MeToo accusers. But it has discredited #MeToo as a unifying narrative, particularly because some among the progressive left were unable to hide their hypocrisy in the wake of this revelation. Take Rose McGowan, another alleged victim of Weinstein and arguably the most prominent figure of #MeToo, who has long been ostensibly outraged by a culture that would question the allegations of sexual assault victims. What was her initial response to this terrible story? "None of us know the truth of the situation and I'm sure more will be revealed. Be gentle," she tweeted. Christina Hoff Sommers (along with many other users) rightfully decimated her, using McGowan's own words from 2017. "I agree," Sommers tweeted, "we should accord everyone due process and proceed with care. So will you revise your previous counsel? ht/ @LorenaRiro." Below her tweet is a screencap of the furious McGowan tweeting in November of 2017, "It's quite simple, all who have worked with known predators should do 3 simple things. 1) Believe survivors. 2) Apologize for putting your careers and wallets before what was right. 3) Grab a spine and denounce. If you do not do these things you are still moral cowards. #ROSEARMY." Ms. Argento's accusing Weinstein of sexual predation must be believed without question, and to do any less is tantamount to moral cowardice, according to the fiery rhetoric employed by McGowan not even a year ago. However, when Jimmy Bennett, around whom Ms. Argento allegedly constructed and fostered a deviant mother-lover dichotomy and allegedly acted out her fantasies upon the boy, who claims to be traumatized by Argento's sexual predation, this prominent #MeToo leader suddenly has a desire to wait for more substantial evidence and calls for the public to "be gentle" to the accused predator? This blatant and utter hypocrisy exposes, for good and all, the truth about the #MeToo movement. #MeToo is, and always has been, about the supposedly institutional discrepancy in power dynamics between men and women in Hollywood, the workplace, and the culture in general. It was unequivocally designed to promote the idea that men, and in particular rich white men, are villains who actively use their white privilege, male privilege, and financial privilege to sexually prey upon young and vulnerable females. When they are the alleged assailants, it is only natural to blindly assume that the accusers are genuine victims of such a power discrepancy. Yet when faced with the highly credible allegation that an established 37-year-old actress gave alcohol to, and illegally fornicated with, a 17-year-old aspiring actor whom she referred to as her "son," the power dynamic involved in the sexual encounter is no longer relevant to the equation for this leader of the #MeToo movement. In short, Asia Argento is not an appropriate villain, and Jimmy Barrett not an appropriate victim, within the confines of the actual underlying narrative of identity politics inherent in the #MeToo movement, despite the fact that she allegedly used her power and influence to sexually assault him, and the then-minor now claims to be the traumatized victim of that event. In fact, the young man isn't even to be taken at his word until more substantial evidence comes to light, and the most prominent #MeToo figure's first impulse is to recommend that we "be gentle" with the alleged sexual predator. In seeking to protect the movement and one of its most prominent champions at the expense of its professed underlying principles, the very narrative of blind belief about accusations, which has driven the #MeToo movement up to this point, has been destroyed. If the result of this bombshell story is that all of the accused are offered the same consideration that Rose McGowan demands of her followers when appraising Asia Argento's alleged sexual assault against Jimmy Bennett, we might be thankful for the #MeToo leader's honest hypocrisy. And if the #MeToo movement no longer carries with it the firm requirement that all accusers be believed without question, and absent factual substantiation beyond a mere accusation, instead having the accused beholden to "due process" and our proceeding with "care" as facts are dutifully considered to discern guilt or innocence, as Christina Hoff Sommers suggests, we might say that reason has overcome the frenzied hysteria of the cultural and political witch hunt that the subversive core of the #MeToo movement was unquestionably meant to create. William Sullivan blogs at Political Palaver and can be followed on Twitter. Photo credit: Georges Biard. Fox News: During a hearing Tuesday in Washington, U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan sentenced Awan to three months of supervised release plus time served. Chutkan, who cited "unfounded allegations" against Awan, also did not impose a fine. Awan, who pleaded guilty in July to making a false statement on a loan application, delivered an emotional statement vowing: "I promise you this second chance will not go to waste." The prosecution, in a recent sentencing memorandum, did not advocate jail time for Awan. Federal guidelines recommended a sentence of zero to six months in jail, followed by two to five years of supervised release. Prosecutors said they did not oppose a noncustodial sentence. The case had generated great interest from conservatives, who suggested Awan could have been involved in a cyber breach operation. Awan, who was arrested last summer at Dulles International Airport before trying to board a flight to Pakistan, worked as a technology employee to top Democrats, including Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. But prosecutors said during July's plea hearing that they investigated allegations of misconduct by Awan while on the job in Congress and said they "uncovered no evidence" that Awan "violated federal law with respect to the House computer systems." Awan admitted in July's plea deal to working to obtain home equity lines of credit from the Congressional Federal Credit Union in December 2016 by giving false information about a property. As part of the deal, the prosecution dropped fraud charges against Awan's wife, Hina Alvi. After whipping up such a brouhaha about illegal aliens being separated from their children as a result of their lawbreaking, the press was confronted with a new story about illegals to report and comment upon, and it didn't quite tug on the heartstrings the way the crying toddlers narrative did. According to the New York Times: A body believed to be that of Mollie Tibbetts, a 20-year-old student at the University of Iowa who vanished a month ago after going for a jog, was found on Tuesday morning, investigators announced. A 24-year-old undocumented immigrant [sic] has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing. The body was found in a field southeast of Brooklyn, Iowa. Ms. Tibbetts was last seen nearby on July 18, Rick Rahn, a special agent of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, said at a news conference. "The identity has not been confirmed, however, we believe it to be the body of Mollie Tibbetts," Mr. Rahn said. The authorities did not say what the specific cause of death was; an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday. The man charged in the killing is Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who lives in rural Poweshiek County, where the killing happened. He had lived in the area for four to seven years, Mr. Rahn said. Mr. Rivera's Facebook page indicated he was from Mexico, a contention that President Trump alluded to during a rally Tuesday evening in West Virginia. So instead of Photoshopped Time magazine covers, howls from the on-screen punditry, and big news space doled out for a weepy open letter from Laura Bush pleading the case for illegals, we get this callous response to an actual murder from the press: First, in the cynicism of Associated Press White House correspondent Zeke Miller: Likely coming to a Trump rally near you.... Investigators: Suspect in Mollie Tibbetts death is in custody, subject to immigration detainer https://t.co/S14Mbnd7Ff Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 21, 2018 As one respondent on Twitter noted: uhhh, that's not the story, pal. See Twitchy's curation of choice tweets, signaling how well that went over. We're talking about a murder here, and that of an innocent young person, someone who never so much as gave a middle finger or threw a water bottle at a cop. Yet the press is playing it up in a disgusting manner, mocking it, politicizing it, belittling it, all because reporters have bottomless contempt for the people who consider this issue important, which happens to include their viewers. Obviously, they don't want to cover this story (or see to it that Mollie receives justice) because they don't like this narrative. To them, illegals are all valedictorians and war heroes, not cold-blooded killers whose contribution to "diversity" is importing the typical doings of Mexico into the U.S. heartland. That's what this story is really about, and they resent that reality, or the weight that U.S. viewers put on this issue, which clearly outweighs the shenanigans of swamp city. They could ignore it, of course. They could cover it objectively, which, as the NYT, to its credit, so far has done. But right off the bat, we see that much of their main interest is mockery, not directly at Mollie, but against the concern we ordinary Americans have for protecting someone like Mollie. It's us they despise. Us, their viewers. These acts show how much they really hate us. Any questions as to why the media are so detested? The commentariat is making a big deal of Paul Manafort's conviction on eight counts of tax fraud and other stuff, as well as former personal attorney Michael Cohen's guilty plea for payoff crimes, saying the path is finally open for their long held dream of impeaching President Trump. Trump's "day of reckoning" has finally come, howls the Guardian . Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha, say a host of others. Just look at today's RCP . Historically, a president is pretty separate from the doings of his lieutenants. We've seen that as far back as President Reagan, who had many lieutenants railroaded, most for political, rather than criminal, reasons. Reagan was re-elected in 1984. The one that really sticks out, though, is Whitewater, which was the white-collar flimflam racket that broke as a scandal during the first term of President Bill Clinton. As Kira Argounova on Twitter noted: Bill Clinton won 379 electoral votes 1 yr after Webb Hubbell went to prison for 2 felonies (tax & wire fraud). Carry on, #PudgyPropagandist https://t.co/9bJLai9TlU Kira Argounova (Militant Normal & Strasselite) (@Kira_Media) August 21, 2018 What's more, President Obama was issued a record-sized $375,000 fine for campaign finance violations. Noted here: Let me break it down for you: The only real crime by #Cohen & #Manafort is tax evasion. Which has nothing to do with Trump or Collusion. The other campaign crime is a simple fine. Just ask Obama. He paid $375K for violating campaign finance laws in 2008.#CarryOn pic.twitter.com/FfcnOLN1VP Lynne Patton (@LynnePatton) August 22, 2018 Did anyone in the press or punditocracy call for Clinton or Obama to resign after those incidents? Nope, not in the least. What's more, there are no legal grounds to Get Trump from these particular issues. As Legal Insurrection (with a citation to Power Line) notes: The Manafort conviction doesn't even tangentially involve Trump or the Trump campaign in any wrongdoing. Manafort was prosecuted because he made the wrong life decision to affiliate with the Trump campaign to help manage the anticipated convention floor flight. But for that decision, Manafort never would have been targeted by prosecutors on charges previously ignored by federal investigators. That Manafort was prosecuted because he knew Trump does not implicate Trump in the wrongdoing. The Michael Cohen plea deal is potentially more problematic. Cohen said he made the payments to buy the silence of two women with the knowledge and at the direction of a federal candidate (Trump). That contradicts Cohen['s] prior versions. But assuming it's provable, it's not clear that the payments were illegal. The issue is whether they constituted unreported campaign contributions, which is not a slam dunk for prosecutors. In the plea deal the issue was not litigated Cohen agreed to it because the prosecution had him on more serious tax and fraud charges, so adding in the campaign finance issues was at no cost to Cohen. John Hinderaker summed it up well: It is not illegal to pay someone to remain silent. The theory here is that the money paid to Clifford was an illegal campaign contribution. Since Cohen says he made the payment to Clifford at Trump's direction, Mueller is trying to ensnare Trump in that "crime." To my knowledge, there is no legal authority on whether paying a woman to keep her mouth shut constitutes a campaign contribution. It strikes me as a foolish interpretation of the law, and forcing Cohen to plead guilty to the "crime" of paying off Ms. Clifford doesn't transform it into a crime. History shows that most voters aren't willing to give up a good economy and a record of foreign policy success over a crappy little matter such as the weasel dealings of a few of the president's lieutenants. They never have in a good economy, and based on the Obama example, they are even willing to give a president who gives us a bad economy a pass, too. The press can howl all it likes, but it's not an issue. The Mollie Tibbetts murder-by-an-illegal story alone has far greater voter concern on Twitter than this swamp clucking. The Manafort conviction and the Cohen plea deal are not Trump. They're not the Trump record. The press wants it to be so, and its efforts will fall flat. In fact, it's likely it's only going to see falling ratings the more it bays about taking Trump's head, because this isn't the vaunted Russia collusion the special counsel is charged with finding, for one, any more than it's a matter of blame for President Trump. They should actually be worrying and kvetching about that. Why? Because nothing is going to happen. Can it just stop already? The Trump-haters' project to unseat a duly elected president of the United States now has a specific (and phony ) "high crime and misdemeanor" on which to launch impeachment. An impeachment vote is all but certain if Democrats succeed in capturing a majority in the House of Representatives. Michael Cohen (photo credit: Iowapolitics.com via Flickr). Within the language describing the campaign law violations was the following: ... in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for public office. While Donald Trump was not named, there was little doubt that the reference was to the payments made by Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougall on Trump's behalf. Within a matter of minutes, the always vigilant mainstream media began immediately calling Trump a criminal and beating the drums for impeachment. The justification: if Cohen was guilty of breaking the law so, therefore, was Donald Trump. Tip O'Neill, former speaker of the House, famously stated, with specific reference to congressional elections, "All politics is local," meaning that voters normally pay attention to the specific candidates they choose among on their ballot and vote for the person, not the party platform. As a former constituent of O'Neill, I experienced the way he acted in accord with this dictum. At the moments he was leading the opposition to President Reagan (while actively working with him to achieve compromise legislation this a period in which #Resistance would have been regarded as unpatriotic and radical), he took a lot of time to talk with his voters, even me. He came back to the district a lot and made no secret of the location of his house (on Russell Street in Cambridge) or of the barbershop where he got his hair cut, and he would ask about neighbors he knew when a constituent spoke with him. I experienced this level of attention from him. But things have changed. Just as any possible Democrat speaker likely would be unwilling to work with President Trump on compromise legislation, the era of #Resistance means that the sole important issue facing voters in the midterms is whether or not they want the country to spend 2019 and 2020 mainly on the process of impeaching President Trump in the House and trying to convict him in the Senate. I say bring it on. Voters who are not crazed with Trump Derangement Syndrome want to keep the economy growing, wages rising, and America getting better trade deals. Every Republican candidate for the House needs to demand that his opponent make a specific pledge to voters on impeachment. Those who waffle can be castigated as leaving the door open to a national trauma that will endanger all of the gains since President Trump took office. The seven stages of Trump Derangement Syndrome Donald Trump's election in 2016 upset the Washington, D.C. apple cart bigly! Not only were his detractors, critics, and opponents adversely triggered by the stunning defeat of Hillary Clinton, but they continue to wallow miserably in the Seven Stages of Trump Derangement Syndrome. And unlike the seven stages of grief, the ill effected show no signs of recovery or acceptance. The first stage: Shock and Disbelief. Who can forget the graphic images of Hillary supporters crying, wailing, and curled up in the fetal position? The anguish was palpable as the media broadcast historic news: the anointed queen was defeated, and a most unlikely usurper was basking in the limelight. It was unimaginable, and yet Donald Trump pulled it off. He would be the next president of the United States, not the woman who pundits and pollsters predicted would easily win the election. The media scoffed at Michael Moore when he hoisted a red flag, warning Democrats that Donald Trump could possibly walk away with the win. Whoops! The second stage: Denial. In the weeks following the election, claims of ballot-tampering, demands for abandoning the Electoral College, nefarious Russian brainwashing, and calls for a national recount were made by all of the usual aggrieved parties. Green Party candidate Jill Stein managed to get a recount in Michigan, only to discover overwhelming and undeniable existence of voter fraud. To no one's surprise, the recount ended abruptly. Even poor, beleaguered Hillary had a hard time uttering the words "I lost." Unable or unwilling to address her supporters the night of her defeat, she opted in favor of a "sobered up, day after" presser, followed by her book, aptly titled What Happened. Then the Tour of Blame began. The third stage: Anger and Rage. TDS-sufferers, at least those who have maneuvered past denial, have succumbed to anger, hate, and rage. Despite President Trump's success at turning around a stagnant economy, exploding job growth numbers, revamping disastrous foreign trade policies, tax cuts, and the growing favorability among minority groups, the media's unabashed and negative vitriol is relentless. Phillip Mudd's public meltdown on CNN is alarming and concerning, especially when you consider that Mr. Mudd is a former CIA analyst. In the same vein, John Brennan continues venting his spleen at every opportunity, whether on camera or via social media. Keep in mind that both Brennan and Mudd are former CIA employees people who are supposed to be unseen and unheard. Whether it's the negative media nattering or calls for violence targeting White House staff, administration officials, and Republican politicians, the overt and disturbing frequency of unrestrained, seething rage won't end well. The fourth stage: Bargaining. Not surprising: For liberals and those committed to a vicious leftist ideology, there is no bargaining, and there will be no negotiating. It's a "burn it all to the ground" mentality. It also explains why some moderate Democrats are walking away from their party they recognize the enemy and want no part of it. Coupled with the infighting among the old-guard Democrats and the rising tide of Marxist-socialist dreamers, the art of bargaining is lost. The fifth stage: Guilt. There is no guilt whatsoever over behaving badly. Nor are there any repercussions for being rude, crude, obnoxious, unseemly, mendacious, hateful, loathsome, insufferable, intolerable, abhorrent, despicable, offensive, or repugnant. Threatening to harm the president, his wife, his kids, Cabinet appointees, and White House employees is par for the course. Beating a Trump-supporter to a bloody pulp earns the perpetrator praise. Public displays of vulgarity against the president are all too common, and when was the last time someone in Hollywood apologized for spewing Trump-related obscenities? Once considered beyond the pale, jokes about injuring or killing President Trump are rarely denounced. In fact, this type of humor is encouraged. The sixth stage: Depression. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill that permanently cures TDS and the accompanying depression. If there were, the pharmaceutical company offering such a wonder drug would be rich beyond imagination. The seventh state: Acceptance. Forgetaboutit. VA stupidity in denying Native American Marine vet a kidney transplant In the Lakhota language, the term "wasicu" describes a greedy, dishonorable person who "takes all the fat," leaving nothing for others. For many veterans, the V.A. has, for a long time, been acting like V.A.-sicu, mismanaging funds and "sharing the wealth" with cronies. Paraphrasing the saying "sure, you can trust the government just ask an Indian." Our veterans (many are Native American) have every right to utter: "Sure you can trust the V.A. just ask a veteran." Ask Frank Sherman, a Marine Corps veteran who needs a kidney transplant. Why would the V.A. refuse to place him on the long transplant list? Because he is just "one of these veterans" whose kidneys are failing because his health was affected by serving for four years at Camp Lejeune a base found to have had contaminated drinking water. Or because his mother tongue is Ojibwe? In "We don't have these on the reservation: VA Racism threatens Veteran's Life," Benjamin Krause writes: "The patient is average-risk for a transplant, perfectly capable of caring for himself (as his commitment to excruciating dialysis clearly shows), and definitely SC for this kidney failure. At this point, a person has to ask: what WOULD it take to get this guy approved?" The "SC" in the history of Mr. Sherman's disease stands for "service-connected." Between 1953 and 1987, USMC service members and their families living at the Camp Lejeune were exposed to contaminated water, with levels of toxic chemicals up to 3,400 times exceeding the limit defined by safety standards. Not surprisingly, the poisoning was followed by nightmarish diseases and organ failure of Lejeune residents. Shockingly, the V.A. tries to "overlook" the fact that the department simply owes help to our veterans whose life and health were negligently damaged. The V.A.'s "cognitive tests," which are to determine if a veteran "can take care for himself after a transplant," are both preposterous and eliminatory. In the case of Frank Sherman, he wasn't sure about the word "escalator" maybe because his mother tongue is Ojibwe, or maybe because, as he says, "we don't have those on the reservation." This "linguistic crime" allowed the V.A. to diagnose our Marine veteran with "neurocognitive deficits" and drop him from the transplant list with a sigh of relief. How about disqualifying the V.A.'s examiners due to ignorance and bad will? Maybe the lazy quizmasters should be given the taste of Commod cheese from the rez, instead of lavish undeserved bonuses? As much as I agree with Benjamin Krause's sharp and thorough "VA's given reasons for refusal of Sherman's needed transplant is actually a race-induced complication," I profoundly believe that for the V.A., every test no matter how revolting or how dishonorable the reason is good if eliminatory. The V.A.'s disgusting behavior couldn't be tolerated for so long if our society honored and recognized our real heroes, instead of Hollywood "stars" or the NFL's "serial kneelers" cherry-picked by the politicized media. This political correctness and selective compassion has "normalized" treating our veterans as an unimportant "minority," and this cannot go on. I hope President Trump will reach out to our ailing Marine, Frank Sherman, because Mr. Sherman is a true fighter a warrior who inspires others and who never gives up. If President Trump means to "drain the swamp," he will have many challenging tasks, among them to get rid of incompetence and corruption in the V.A. and to heal America's value system. We badly need a government that will make honor and sacrifice sacred again and that will be the first to truly use the potential of our First Nations for their cooperation and support in many honorable battles that lie ahead. "Native America" knows and should be allowed to teach the entire country how to treat our veterans, in honor of Frank Sherman. Michael Cohen, who was snatched out of obscurity and made famous and wealthy by Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to five counts of tax evasion and bank fraud and two counts of making excessive campaign contributions. Within the language describing the campaign law violations was the following: While Donald Trump was not named, there was little doubt that the reference was to the payments made by Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal on Trump's behalf. Within a matter of minutes, the always vigilant mainstream media began immediately calling Trump a criminal and beating the drums for impeachment. The justification: If Cohen was guilty of breaking the law, so, therefore, was Donald Trump. Bret Stephens, the resident "conservative" at the New York Times, tweeted: I've been skeptical about the wisdom and merit of impeachment. Cohen's guilty plea changes that. The president is clearly guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors. He should resign his office or be impeached and removed from office. https://t.co/N23Z6vlfZa Bret Stephens (@BretStephensNYT) August 21, 2018 That sentiment was mirrored by many other denizens of the anti-Trump media. But what law was broken? As Cohen agreed to a guilty plea, it was the federal prosecutor who enumerated, with Cohen's attorney's concurrence, what he would plead guilty to and which laws he violated. In the case of the so-called campaign contribution on behalf of Donald Trump, per Bradley Smith, former chairman of the Federal Election Committee, these payments do not constitute an in-kind campaign contribution. As he recently explained on Mark Levin's radio show: None of these expenditures helped Mr. Trump's campaign. There's all kind of reasons why he may want to make these expenditures even if the allegations made by Stormy Daniels are untrue. Just for family harmony or commercial viability over the long term. Historically, the FEC has said these things are not campaign contributions. When the FEC wrote the regulation that says what constitutes campaign expenditures and what constitutes personal use, it rejected specifically the idea that a campaign expenditure was anything related to a campaign, and instead says it has to be something that exists only because of the campaign and solely for that reason. So why did the prosecutor include in the guilty plea that Michael Cohen violated campaign finance laws when clearly the monies came from Donald Trump's personal funds and, per Mr. Smith above, had no direct bearing on the campaign? Mr. Cohen recently retained Lanny Davis, best known for being the energetic legal enforcer of Clinton, Inc. and many others in the Democratic Party over the years. He has also been vociferous in his condemnation of Donald Trump since Hillary stunningly lost in November of 2016. In short order, Michael Cohen turned on his former benefactor in an effort to get the best deal he could with the charges he was facing which could have landed him in jail for 30 years or more. It was apparent to me that Lanny Davis's primary charge was to rescue Cohen from the prison term his innumerable foibles and illegalities would generate. But there was also a political and personal side benefit to Davis's retainer: embarrass and indirectly charge Trump with a crime. This would provide a fig leaf of legal grounds for impeachment should the Democrats take over the House of Representatives or, if that did not eventuate, to drive Trump's approval down to the point that he would became essentially impotent and thus unviable in 2020. Did Davis, in negotiating Cohen's guilty plea with the prosecutor, insist that the campaign finance charges be included? Would the prosecutor, anxious to notch Cohen's scalp on his belt, agree, as these two charges of the eight were the least serious and, based on recent history of other violations of campaign financing, comparatively meaningless in terms of jail sentences or fines? It certainly appears so, as these two insignificant charges were important only to the anti-Trump cabal, which includes Lanny Davis. To amplify this point, Lanny Davis sent out the following tweet after the hearing: Today he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump? Lanny Davis (@LannyDavis) August 21, 2018 "The principal purpose of influencing an election"? How does paying someone to sign a non-disclosure agreement influence an election? Is Mr. Davis clairvoyant? Does he know for certain that the signatory to such an agreement would absolutely, without fail, tell all if there were no agreement? These agreements are entered into on a routine basis. No doubt Mr. Davis has been party to one or more. Further, would he and his fellow travelers advocate that when Joe Kennedy paid off the innumerable paramours of John Kennedy when he ran for president, those actions unduly influenced an election? Additionally, per the FEC, these agreements, regardless of when they are entered into, are not in violation of the law. Per Mark Levin, a renowned constitutional attorney and former chief of staff to an attorney general: Let's say a candidate says, "Get a nondisclosure agreement, pay the funds out of my pocket, because I don't want this person to attack me during the campaign for something that occurred before the campaign." That's perfectly legal. That's not a campaign expenditure. This entire sorry spectacle is no more than another feeble attempt to overturn an election wherein the "chosen one," Hillary Clinton, inexplicably lost. After 16 months, Robert Mueller and his unfettered and unrestrained army of prosecutors are no closer to achieving this ultimate objective, so Michael Cohen, thanks to his foibles, stupidity, and greed, was the pawn in the latest gambit. Photo credit: Twitter. Taking a break from the president, Yahoo! is focusing on first lady Melania Trump. Its breaking news of the day is whether her clothing is sending a subtle message to her husband. And yes, the story is dated Aug. 20, 2018: Yahoo! can't seem to find any news these days. The reporters have nothing to say about the economy, low unemployment, and strong economic growth. They have nothing to say about President Trump's foreign policy successes. Instead, they are waiting breathlessly for the Paul Manafort trial verdict, even though the alleged crimes have nothing to do with President Trump. Is Melania Trump trolling POTUS with her pss-bow blouse and speech on 'destructive' social media behavior? I admit that I'm not well versed on the nuances of women's fashion, so I had to research what a pussy-bow is. According to Wikipedia, A pussycat bow is a style of neckwear often associated with women's and girls' blouses and bodices. It takes the form of a bow tied at the neck similar to those tied around the neck of kittens, cats, and the like. This fashion style began in the 1800s, with the term "pussycat bow" popularized in 1934. According to Vogue, "the flamboyantly-knotted bow draws attention upwards to the face." Consider it a female version of a men's necktie, softening an otherwise more formal outfit. It's been worn by Grace Kelly, Nancy Reagan, Lady Diana, Margaret Thatcher, and now Melania Trump. Oh, and by the way, it's in fashion now. Leave it to Yahoo! to create a story where one doesn't exist. The reporters are convinced that the first lady wearing a pussy-bow is an attempt to troll her husband, always an attempt to troll her husband, dating back to Trump's pussy-grabbing comment on the Billy Bush Access Hollywood tapes. Here's her official portrait, right there with what looks like a pussy-bow: It couldn't be that Melania, a former fashion model, chose an appropriately fashionable ensemble for a public appearance promoting her cyber-bullying initiative. No, that would be too simple and commonsensical. There must be ulterior motives at play. Of course, Vogue shares Yahoo!'s analysis, despite its pages being full of pussy-bow blouses and dresses, promoting the wearing of these particular garments in the name of being stylish. See how much pussy-bow fashion recommended by Vogue you can choose from on Google shopping. This is not a new conspiracy for the left-wing media. CBS News, in October 2016, was convinced that Mrs. Trump was trolling her husband, rather than simply dressing nicely for the evening's presidential debate. Here was their headline: "Melania wears pussy-bow to second debate." Followed by, "So, imagine fashion connoisseurs' surprise when they noticed that Melania Trump walked into the debate hall wearing Gucci's fuchsia pussy-bow blouse." Vanity Fair reached the same conclusion, admitting its far-fetched theory: "Melania Trump probably thought she was picking a vibrant outfit for the debate. Unfortunately, she failed to see the irony in wearing a style of shirt with 'pussy' in the name." I suspect most of the debate-watchers also missed the irony that only a Trump Derangement Syndrome publication would catch. It's a good thing that the Trumps don't have a pet cat in the White House. Cats are sometimes called pussycats. Drop the "cat" portion, and what do you have left? Suppose she wore a cat lapel pin or necklace? The headlines could write themselves. What if Melania wore a hat with a feather? Would the feather be a reference to the Twitter logo, a bird, trolling her husband for his use of Twitter to bypass the silly media? Are her hurricane relief efforts referencing a storm, as in Stormy Daniels? Are any of Melania's initiatives directed toward children a dig at her husband enforcing immigration law separating children from parents? In the world of Trump Derangement Syndrome, symbolism is everywhere, and everything has a sinister ulterior meaning. So we are treated to Yahoo! News, scraping the bottom of the barrel for a story, even one as nonsensical as the first lady's fashion choices somehow sending a political message to her husband. Brian C. Joondeph, M.D., MPS is a Denver-based physician and writer. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. People involved in construction and building material sales did the best they could to prepare for the unexpected before Hurricane Harvey, and worked through the storm of a lifetime. A year later, their stock and prices are starting to return to normal. Amazon has the iRobot Roomba 850 Robotic Vacuum on sale today for $399. That is good for $100 off of its regular price, and makes it a great robot vacuum to pick up right now. This is one of the first times that this particular model has been discounted. The Roomba 850 is slightly different from some of the other robot vacuums, from iRobot. For instance, this model does not work with WiFi, which means no Alexa or Google Assistant support here, unfortunately. But this still has all of the usual features youd find in a robot vacuum. That includes the ability to schedule cleanings with the Roomba app available on Android and iOS as well as controlling the vacuum, and telling it where to go. This model actually comes with a remote, so you dont need to use the smartphone app to control it, which is also a pretty nice feature to have here. There is also the Aero Force 3-Stage Cleaning System here, which is going to do a pretty good job at getting your home nice and clean. It will also do a good job with getting pet hair up and out of the carpet in your home. Which is going to be a good thing for those that might be allergic to pets, but love their pets. This item is also eligible for Amazon Primes free shipping. Which includes free two-day shipping, and pretty cheap (usually $3.99) next-day shipping if you need it extra fast. If you are not an Amazon Prime member yet, you can sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime. Youll get 30 days free (if youre a student, you get 6 months), and then its $119/year (or $59/year for students). Prime members do get a whole lot more than just free shipping though, so be sure to check out the full benefits. Facebook is ceding its 30-percent cut of revenues from Android apps created as part of its Instant Games platform, the company announced Tuesday. The change is live momentarily, i.e. will be applied to the invoicing period that started on August 1. Moving forward, Instant Games developers will hence retain 70-percent of their Android revenues, with the remainder going to Google. Facebook will still be taking a 30-percent cut on all revenues generated through Instant Games in desktop browsers, the social media giant confirmed. The move is meant to encourage more developers to embrace the gaming platform, though its presently unclear whether it will see Facebook operate the project at a loss, provided that hasnt already been the case. The change raises developer revenue share on Android by 21-percent seeing how Facebooks old 30-percent cut was calculated from the 70-percent base that was left after Google already took its own cut, leaving Android creators with only 49-percent of the total turnover. Facebooks announcement comes some two years after the firm introduced Instant Games in the form of a platform for casual time wasters designed to be played in the Facebook and Messenger apps. The ecosystem officially launched this April following a lengthy beta period, with support for in-app purchases and other monetization techniques such as ads being introduced a month later. The Menlo Park, California-based Internet giant is now clearly positioning Instant Games as part of its long-term engagement strategy that had to be revamped earlier this year after the company decided to introduce aggressive measures to combat misinformation, essentially making sure that any time commitment to its offerings results in well-spent time for users, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg put it. Facebooks Instant Games ecosystem will be celebrating its second anniversary in late November, with more improvements and novelties being expected to be introduced to the platform in the near future. Googles Pixel 3 XL will support wireless charging, according to a new leak which emerged online several hours back, showing the functionality in action. The video that can be seen below reveals a notch-equipped device that has already been depicted on a number of occasions in recent weeks, with a larger wave of sightings being recorded today after Google reportedly lost one Pixel 3 XL batch in Russia. While not all new leaks are perfectly indicative of a glass back being part of the package, Googles upcoming Android flagship is clearly capable of wireless charging, as suggested by the video in question. The charger used by the source may not be the Pixel Stand rumored to be launching alongside the Pixel 3 line given how the handset itself clearly isnt standing while being charged, with the main takeaway here being that the Alphabet-owned company possibly has several such accessories in the work. The device signals the start of a wireless charging cycle with a short animation triggered less than a second after it makes contact with the pad but its still unclear whether Google opted for a Qi-based solution or a different charging standard. The first two generations of the Pixel series lacked wireless charging, though the feature was previously supported by select Nexus models, including the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 from LG and Motorola, respectively. While the Pixel 3 devices are expected to be bundled with a pair of earbuds, their wireless chargers will almost certainly be sold separately, less Google decides to break with all industry conventions. Google is rumored to be announcing the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL on October 4, with its last two annual hardware events taking place on that same date. Besides the new Android smartphones, the company is also said to be preparing the announcements of a Pixel-branded line of smartwatches, Pixelbook 2, and second-generation Pixel Buds. Consumers in the U.S., Canada, and select overseas market should be able to purchase all of those products by early November. Advertisement The Santa Clara County Fire Department had remote firefighting vehicle OES 5262 on the scene of the largest wildfire in Californias history when it was suddenly rendered all but useless by a slow connection because Verizon had throttled it. The machine uses vast amounts of data in relaying video, audio and commands back and forth between multiple sources, and had run over the 25GB threshold on the Fire Departments unlimited plan with Verizon. In order to reinstate the vehicle, County Fires IT operations had to get in touch with Verizon and pay immediately to hop on a new plan that was more than double the cost of their old one. Verizon was technically well within its legal rights to do as it had done as the terms for the plan that the department was on clearly stated that 25GB was the threshold for throttling. The company has a policy that typically allows temporary lifting of these sorts of restrictions when a customer contacts Verizon and asks for full speeds for emergency reasons, as was the case here. That policy was not adhered to, and in a later statement, Verizon called the issue a customer support mistake. The company also said it had not effectively communicated the limitations of this plan with the department beforehand. According to the fire department, its IT team had previously contacted Verizon and was assured that lines used for mission-critical equipment would not experience data throttling. In the aftermath, this case is being included in a number of grievances being brought by 22 states as part of a mass plea to reinstate Title II net neutrality protections. To be clear, net neutrality protections may not have prevented this incident but would have given the fire department some recourse afterward beyond settling things with Verizon. Problems like this may plague FirstNet, the AT&T-managed effort to provide reasonably priced, prioritized service to first responders. Its unlimited plans dictate that exceeding 22GB of usage on an unlimited plan for three months in a row will get first responders and their teams moved to a pooled data plan with a fixed allotment of data. At the top levels, this data allotment can go as high as 1 terabyte per month. Marysville, CA (95901) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 68F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 53F. Winds light and variable. MHS Truck & Bus, the sole importer and service partner for Military and Military Vehicles Rheinmetall MAN in Romania, has signed a joint venture partnership with a local truck factory, Roman, to produce multipurpose platforms in Romania, according to the needs of the Romanian Armed Forces. A RMMV HX 8x8 military truck showcased during BSDA 2018 defense exhibition in Romania (Credit: Army Recognition) In order to integrate the Romanian industry in the Romanian Army's equipment program with militarized vehicles, MHS Truck & Bus will collaborate with several local suppliers in addition to Roman. "We want to produce, in Brasov, a Romanian truck with German standards. Moreover, our strategy is that, as the program will reach maturity, more and more components of automotive platforms will be produced in Romania. The objective of the program is to produce 100% of the need for militarized vehicles exclusively in our country," said Claudia Iordache, Managing Director of MHS Truck & Bus. The German-Romanian partnership for the production of military trucks, tractors, trailers and semi-trailers necessary for the endowment of the Romanian Army will significantly contribute to the relaunch of the production of military and civil transport platforms in Romania. The joint venture will also create over 1000 jobs in Romanian companies, as well as high qualification for the human resource involved in the army's equipment program. Technological and knowledge transfer to local companies for the production of cargo platforms and the creation of subassemblies in Romania will stimulate the development of the defense industry and the maintenance component in the medium and long term. MHS Truck & Bus and Roman SA intend to submit an offer for the tender announced by the Romanian Ministry of National Defense for the purchase of approximately 3,300 trucks and trailers, the HX 8x8 range of military trucks and the TG 6x6 militarized commercial trucks. The MHS-Romanian Partnership responds to Romania's national security need in the development of Romanian military production capabilities, thus continuing the tradition of collaboration between the Romanian Armed Forces and the MAN. 47 years ago, the production line from "The Red Flag", later Roman Brasov SA, started with a diesel model based on a MAN license. Thanks to this collaboration, trucks from Brasov have been exported to countries around the globe. 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. Defense Secretary James N. Mattis meets with Argentinian Defense Minister Oscar Aguad during his visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina. (U.S. Embassy photo. ) 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. 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. 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. More than 300 people listen to comments Tuesday night during the first of two meetings at Basalt High School on the future of the local gun range where the Lake Christine Fire was ignited on July 3. The vast majority of the crowd indicated support for keeping the range where it is and reopening it soon. The second meeting will be held Monday. An early iteration of an advertising campaign that seeks to cut through the clutter will be launched soon by Snowmass Tourism. The campaign was created by the Vladimir Jones firm of Denver and Colorado Springs, according to Snowmass Tourism Director Rose Abello. 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 accredited family law specialist by the Law Institute of Victoria, Bartal advises married and de facto couples on a wide range of matters, including separation, divorce, parenting disputes, surrogacy, IVF, childrens matters, binding financial agreements, and financial and property settlements. She also acts in litigation and defended matters, even in multi-party disputes, multiple jurisdictions and complex parenting, property, tax, valuation and financial matters. Bartal said she is excited to join the Gadens family and relationship law team because of its reputation in the marketplace. Family law matters can be complex and require specialist input from a strong team of individuals. The pending changes to the family law system present numerous opportunities for me and for the rest of the team, she said. If the UK and EU fail to reach a deal on the terms of Brexit the cost to the UK legal sector could be substantial. The Law Society of England & Wales is warning that the sector could lose 3 billion (AU$5.27 billion) in turnover by 2025 according to forecasts using alternative Brexit scenarios developed in collaboration with Thomson Reuters. The societys president Christine Blacklaws says that revenues have held up in 2017-18 due to Brexit-related work, demand from UK businesses, and international clients taking advantage of the weaker UK pound. kWh The impressive efficiency of the Kona Electric is a testament to how serious Hyundai is when it comes to electric vehicles. What it is most impressive is that the Fiat 500e has a range three times shorter than that of the South Korean interloper. The ever-popular Nissan Leaf , meanwhile, travels 107 miles less than the Kona Electric.As for the biggest unknown regarding the U.S. specification of the Hyundai , we dont know the starting price. Adding intrigue to the mystery, the 64-option is certainly more expensive than the 39.2-kWh battery that comes standard.From a Level 2 charging station, the Kona Electric needs 9 hours and 35 minutes to recharge from empty to full. Level up to Level 3, and the time is reduced to just under an hour.With 201 horsepower (204 PS) and 291 pound-feet (395 Nm) of torque at its disposal, the front-wheel-drive model cant be called a slouch either. But on the other hand, dont forget that Hyundai developed the Kona Electric to be as efficient as possible, not quick off the line.With the 64-kWh battery, the Kona in Electric flavor needs 7.6 seconds to hit 62 mph (100 km/h). Downgrade to the 39.2-kWh battery, and youre looking at 9.3 seconds and a driving range in the neighborhood of 186 miles (300 kilometers).The entry-level version of the Kona Electric also happens to be down on output, rated at 133 horsepower (135 PS) and the same kind of torque as the long-range model. Currently available in South Korea and Norway, the newcomer will arrive in North America by the end of the year.Turning our attention back to pricing, the Kona Electric 39.2 kWh should start in the low $30,000s. Step up to the 64-kWh battery pack, and youre looking at approximately $40,000 before taking into consideration the federal tax credit of $7,500. Created by Oakley Design , only 5 RWD Aventadors were ever made, so Alfahim has never made a secret of how proud he is to own one. Similarly, hes never made a secret of taking it with him whenever he traveled to Europe, and this offered the thieves a window of opportunity.Just recently, Alfahim traveled from Dubai to Cannes. He documented the trip on his Instagram and other social media accounts, so when he planned to go to London, he wasnt surprised that a company reached out to him offering to ship the Lambo for him.The so-called company picked up my car from Intercontinental Hotel in Cannes. A day before I flew to London, the man called me and said the Lamborghini will be at the hotel in London in one hour, Alfahim tells the Khaleej Times . He blocked my number after that, and I never heard from him again.After repeated attempts to contact the man he had spoken to (who, it turns out, had set a fake IG account to make initial contact), Alfahim finally understood hed been duped and that his rare supercar was gone.He contacted the police and, meanwhile, spread the word of the theft on social media. Fellow influencers, followers and car enthusiasts and blogs helped to further spread the news, reporting sightings of the white bull whenever they could. It was found parked on a street in Warsaw.The car traveled from France to Italy and then to Poland. According to Alfahim, it was then supposed to go to Russia and end up in Ukraine, but cops foiled those plans. Currently, its at the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Warsaw and one Polish man is in custody for stealing it. Alfahim is thinking of going there in person to retrieve it, since he wont trust another company again with it.Posts on social media made it easier for the police to find my car and I cannot be more grateful to those who have helped spread the information, he adds. I would also like to thank Interpol and the Polish police for their hard work and extensive search. SUV Being present on the local market from quite some time, the French know how to get to the pockets of Russian customers. It also knew how to capitalize on the budget Dacia cars built in nearby Romania, which they also build and sell in Russia as Renaults.For more pretentious customers, Renault has a few aces up its sleeve, including for theand crossover segments that are booming globally. As a means to grab more of this segment in Russia, a country that at least in theory has the potential of becoming a major auto market, Renault announced on Wednesday the introduction of the new car.To be called Arkana, the vehicle is presented as a C-segment crossover which will be shown for the first time at the Moscow International Motor Show on August 29. Production of the model is expected to commence sometime in 2019.There are little details available for the Arkana at the moment, but the French say it will break the mould of the SUV market thanks to its unique design. Well be likely to get more info on it as the launch date approaches. Speculation is that the new crossover will be based on the Captur (Kaptur) currently on sale in Russia. Renault said the new model will sell not only there, but in other parts of the world as well.As for the choice of name for the new SUV, Renault justifies it as follows."The new models name is derived from Latin ARCANUM (secret), which was used for centuries to mark events and phenomena of special significance.""The name ARKANA underlines the uniqueness of the future crossover and its incredible magnetism. The concept of the ARKANA model is associated with mystery, attractiveness and pioneer spirit." Malaysian auto brand Proton could finally expand its market reach beyond its borders, as well as build more high-tech cars in the near future. This has been made possible after parent company Geely Auto signed a new partnership agreement with the newly-acquired Malaysian auto brand. Under the new strategic cooperation agreement framework, Proton will be able to utilize core technologies from Geely to further expand their automotive portfolio. Besides acquiring new tech from Geely Auto, the framework will also allow Proton to globally expand its share in Southeast Asia and in global markets, and set in motion a potential launch in the Chinse market. Present during the ceremonial signing of the new agreement were key personnel from Geely and Proton. These included Geely Holding Group President An Conghui, DRB-HICOM Managing Director Dato Sri Syed Faisal Abar and Geely Holding Group executive vice president and CFO Daniel Donghui Li. Also in attendance was Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamed who recently won the elections and became the oldest leader of a nation at 92 years old. Today is a very special day for us as we are here in Hangzhou to build the first plant outside Malaysia; in the biggest automotive market in the world. This strategic cooperation will have a focus on introducing electrification into our products via the extensive know how available with our partners and within ourselves at Proton, said Dato Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Proton Chairman and DRB-HICOM Group Managing Director. Meanwhile, Geely Holding Group Chairman Li Shifu, said that this new cooperation framework will assist the Proton brand in fully achieving its full potential in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Todays cooperation agreement is an extension of the existing partnership that we have established with DRB-HICOM. This new framework will help us to embark on the next stage of development for Proton Cars, added Shifu. This latest development follows Geely's 49.9% acquirement of shares in Proton and Lotus from parent company DRB-HICOM back in June 2017. Apart from that, Geely also owns Swedish automaker Volvo. With these companies, Proton could synergize with Geely's other brands in order to boost their market share worldwide. The FAA this week issued an Emergency Order revoking the repair station certificate for Sensenich Propeller Service in North Windham, Connecticut. The FAA alleges that the repair station and its accountable manager, between March 2015 and at least February 2017, knowingly and intentionally performed maintenance on 47 McCauley propellers for 45 separate aircraft that was contrary to instructions in the manufacturers overhaul manuals. The FAA further alleges that Sensenich and the manager certified that on 47 separate occasions, the work was performed in accordance with the manufacturers overhaul manuals and the FARs, and approved the props for return to service. Sensenich officials knew, however, that the propellers were not properly overhauled, the FAA alleges. Due to the seriousness of the alleged violations, the FAA determined that emergency action was required to immediately revoke the certificates of the company and the accountable manager, the FAA said. Both surrendered their certificates to the FAA, and neither appealed the order. AVweb has left messages for the manager listed at the repair stations website, but so far has not heard back. Two other maintenance facilities operated by Sensenich, in Pennsylvania and Georgia, are not affected by this order, the FAA said. In its Emergency Order, dated August 2, the FAA alleges that workers overhauling props at the shop failed to perform a spring-load test or replace the propeller return springs, as required by the manufacturers manual. The shop didnt own the equipment necessary to test the spring loads, the FAA says, and managers told employees to reuse the springs without doing the test, as long as they passed the required limits on visual and nondestructive testing. The shop then approved the propellers for return to service, the FAA says, when Sensenich knew it had not overhauled the propellers as required by the manufacturers manual. The Order also cites a number of instances when the shop failed to replace springs, retaining rings, studs and screws, as required, and nonetheless approved the props for return to service. The FAA order does not apply to Sensenich Propeller Company. Although the two originally shared ownership, Sensenich Propeller Service become an independent company in September 1995. Sensenich Propeller Company says there has been no connection between the two businesses since then. U.S officials are trying to extinguish a mini-political fire in Israel after President Trump's speech last night at a political rally in West Virginia during which he said Israel "will have to pay a higher price" in future negotiations with the Palestinians because of his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The big picture: While Trump hasnt spoken publicly for several months about the White House's efforts to draft and launch an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, his statements yesterday although not choreographed showed the issue is still on his agenda. "And you know what? In the negotiation, Israel will have to pay a higher price because they want a very big thing, but I took it off the table. ... There's nothing to negotiate but [the Palestinians will] get something very good because it's their turn next. Let's see what happens. It's very interesting. I've always heard that's the toughest deal of all deals it's called peace between Israel and the Palestinians." Trump at the rally The fallout: Trump's statements got extensive media coverage in Israel and amongst Palestinians. Israeli politicians started issuing statements, quoting Trump as saying Israel "will have to pay a heavy price." On the other hand, Palestinian officials started issuing statements attacking Trump for stating again he has taken Jerusalem off the negotiating table. Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, who is visiting Israel this week, saw Trump's statements at his hotel room in Jerusalem several hours before a planned press conference. When asked about Trump's statements at the press conference, he tried to play them down by saying that Trump is a dealmaker who hoped the Palestinians would ask to get something from the U.S. after the Jerusalem announcement instead of disengaging. What we're hearing: Senior U.S. officials told me it was important to listen carefully to Trump's words because, unlike what some Israeli politicians said, the president didn't say Israel would have to pay a "high price" a phrase they said has a very negative implication in the Middle East but instead "a higher price." Industrial-scale creators of fake news are becoming increasingly savvy in their efforts to avoid new web platform rules, defensive AI and readers on guard for propaganda. Why it matters: The tactics used by bad actors during the last election cycle have been modified to avoid more sophisticated detection and to take advantage of new technologies, making some of them harder to identify and stop in real-time. The big picture: In 2016, many commonly-used tactics focused on spreading fake news widely, loudly and clumsily. Many of these efforts have been weeded out today by updated and more sophisticated technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Bad actors created domains such as abc.com.co or usatoday.com.co. A Google Doc from media professor Melissa Zimdars was spread widely in late 2016 warning users about these types of domains. But a similar tactic is still used by politicians and political groups or usatoday.com.co. A from media professor Melissa Zimdars was spread widely in late 2016 warning users about these types of domains. But a similar tactic is still used Platforms have cracked down on cloaking, a tactic that gets people to click something, often a video, by misleading them about its content. Between the lines: Bad actors are looking to mimic more normal communications, instead of spewing bright commentary that could get them flagged for spreading hate or violence. "The days of Twitter rage are gone," says Padraic Ryan, senior journalist, at Storyful, a social media intelligence company. "Language and behaviors are becoming a lot more sophisticated and human-like to avoid detection." What's next: In 2018 and beyond, it's all about avoiding detection. Fake accounts and botnets remain widely used to spread false news and information. to spread false news and information. But now that platforms are prioritizing the removal of millions of fake accounts , bad actors are looking to hijack real accounts to avoid detection. , bad actors are looking to hijack real accounts to avoid detection. Bad actors are looking to appear more human-like on Twitter and Facebook. This means more sophisticated tactics, like using Tweetdeck to schedule pre-written tweets to mimic the posting behaviors of humans. on Twitter and Facebook. This means more sophisticated tactics, like using Tweetdeck to schedule pre-written tweets to mimic the posting behaviors of humans. Much of the nefarious activity today focuses on avoiding looking like a bot or fake account. The basic premise behind this tactic is to operate more like an influence operation as opposed to an automated operation, says Renee DiResta, Director of Research at New Knowledge, Policy Lead at Data for Democracy andMedia Fellow at Mozilla. "The new trend is bad actors taking advantage of existing polarization to manipulate groups of real people, as opposed to creating or pretending to be groups of people." DiResta calls the tactic noted above "commandeering," where bad actors use hijacked accounts to target real people that have already mobilized into partisan groups on social networks or messaging since 2016. Malware attacks on everyday social media users are increasing as bad actors look to hijack real identities to avoid detection. Weve seen the trend increase more and more with bad actors using malware botnets than anything else. A few years ago, 60% of non-human activity was malware, but now roughly 75% of bot attacks come from compromised devices (botnets)." Tamer Hassan, co-founder & CTO at White Ops, a fraud detection firm Encrypted messaging: Facebook-owned Whatsapp and Messenger get the bulk of scrutiny for fake news on private messaging platforms, but experts say smaller one-to-one communication platforms are also being weaponized, like Twitter direct messaging and Telegram. Dark texts: Anonymous "peer to peer" texts could be another source of untraceable communication, often asking people for money to support ads, Vice reports. New text platforms are enabling political campaigns to text tens of millions of people without asking permission first. Deepfakes: Technology has become so sophisticated that publicly available software is making it easy for bad actors to create "Deepfakes" or altered photos or videos. As Axios' Kaveh Waddell reports, most software swaps one persons face onto another persons body, or makes it look like someone is saying something they didnt. Many platforms are investing in technologies to weed out Deepfakes, but some are becoming so sophisticated that even journalists are being stumped by them. In March, Facebook said it's beginning to test fact-checking of photos and videos. More sophisticated bot tools: New tools are being created to manipulate information at the blog or comment level on everyday websites, says Mike Marriott, researcher at Digital Shadows, a digital security firm. Go deeper: In a new report , Marriott explains that tools such as BotMasterLabs and ZennoStore claim to promote content across hundreds of thousands of platforms, including forums, blogs, and bulletin boards, but in reality, they control large numbers of bots that are programmed to post on specific types of forums on different topics. New stomping grounds for A/B testing. As the Trump campaign has boasted, Facebook was a tremendous platform for quickly testing thousands of messages for effectiveness. While it's still a breeding ground for misinformation, bad actors are relying more heavily on closed network groups to A/B test messaging, memes and stories. "Theres an element of coordination on the fringe platforms like Reddit, 4chan and Gab, where people are trying to band together with the objective of bringing disinformation to bear on more mainstream platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, to influence more mainstream discussion ahead of the elections." Padraic Ryan, Senior Journalist at Storyful The bottom line: Most platforms in the digital ecosystem have taken more action to remove the financial incentives for those creating fake political news. Unfortunately, a lot of the work done by bad actors in 2016 has laid the foundation for even more sophisticated attacks in 2018. "One of the biggest shifts in past few years is that people have now become so predisposed to violate what used to be common security principles by clicking things they are unfamiliar with. Bad actors are taking advantage of this, as well as the further susceptibility of people who have been exposed to fake news before." Tony Lauro, manager of cybersecurity architecture at Akamai Technologies Go deeper: Meet the troll-fighters tackling fake news ahead of the midterms U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt sat down with Axios on his first visit to Washington since replacing Boris Johnson last month, and said his early interactions with President Trump lead him to believe Trump "is actually trying to do something quite different from what a lot of people think." What he's saying: "I think he absolutely understands the importance of the international order as we know it. You dont have to persuade him that Russia is up to nefarious activity which is not acceptable and breaches international norms. But his view is that if this international order is going to work, its got to be reformed. Its got to change." "I met him on my second day on the job and then I went to meetings at Chequers with [Prime Minister] Theresa May and him in a very small group. And I was coming to this with an open mind and probably quite a lot of the prejudices that a lot of people would have about him." "The traditional western foreign policy has been that if we disapprove of something someones done, we dont just take action but we stop the engagement as well. He takes the view that actually you need to engage with people. I think its a business mentality. Hes always looking for a way to re-cast the deal." As for the threat of auto tariffs, which would hammer the European economy and which Trump raised again last night at his West Virginia rally, Hunt said Trump is right to spot a "clear imbalance." "I cant justify why it is that the tariffs are different in one direction compared to the other given that both Europe and the U.S. have similar standards of living. Hes saying he wants to put it right...but hes not looking to have a world where Europe and the U.S. dont trade with each other, and he completely gets the importance of free trade." Between the lines: Leaders in Brussels and Berlin have been stressing the need to push back against Trump, particularly on trade. Hunt, who is clearly intent on building strong ties with the administration (hell meet with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today), took just the opposite approach. He praised Trumps "guts," and made a stronger defense of the president's foreign policy objectives than many in the administration have managed. On Brexit: Hunt, who campaigned for remaining in the EU during the Brexit battle, told Axios he now believes we will be better off outside the EU. He said that will be the case even if the U.K. crashes out next year without an exit deal, a scenario he's been warning against in European capitals. Hunt, who campaigned for remaining in the EU during the Brexit battle, told Axios he now believes we will be better off outside the EU. He said that will be the case even if the U.K. crashes out next year without an exit deal, a scenario he's been warning against in European capitals. On replacing Johnson, who resigned over May's handling of Brexit, Hunt said: I dont think anyone could be stylistically the same as Boris. So of course my style is going to be completely different. I dont think that the substance is terribly different, particularly when it comes to relations with the U.S." who resigned over May's handling of Brexit, Hunt said: I dont think anyone could be stylistically the same as Boris. So of course my style is going to be completely different. I dont think that the substance is terribly different, particularly when it comes to relations with the U.S." So is Trump right that Johnson would make "a great prime minister?" "Well Boris is someone I would never underestimate. This is a man who has changed the course of British history through his campaigning for Brexit. I dont agree with him on everything, but, you know, who knows for the future?" 1 fun thing: Hunt spoke with Axios after a White House meeting with Mike Pence. He said the vice president has "great affection" for the U.K., and told him he'd watched the box set of Netflix's "The Crown." Check out more from our interview with Hunt in tomorrows Axios World newsletter. Sign up here. In the event that the United Kingdom and the European Union fail to reach a deal on Brexit, poor government planning could result in hospitals facing shortages in medicine and medical devices, the trade association for the National Health Service warned in an email obtained by The Times. The big picture: The increasingly likely scenario that the U.K. and the EU won't come to an agreement on their customs and trade relationship among the last, but most contentious issues left to hammer out could threaten the entire supply chain of pharmaceuticals." According to The Guardian, NHS provides more than 1 billion items through community pharmacies each year, many of which come from outside the country. The U.K. has some domestic manufacturing capacity, but not nearly enough to meet the population's full medical demands. Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manfort was convicted on eight counts of fraud Tuesday and could face up to 80 years in prison. What's happening: Congressmen and Senators alike showed mixed reactions to Manafort's guilty verdict with some saying the conviction proves the severity of Mueller's investigation, and others arguing the charges do not show a connection between the Trump campaign and Russia. What they're saying: Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) said the verdict in Manafort's trial proves that special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation "is not a witch hunt" and that any attempt President Trump makes to pardon him would be a "gross abuse of power." Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.,) ranking member on the House Select Intelligence Committee, agreed with Warner's sentiment via Twitter but also said the verdict shows that the Trump campaign and administration are "rife with people with a history of unscrupulous business dealings" to foreign entities. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) told reporters that she was "not really surprised" by the convictions against Manafort and that the prosecution built a strong case against him. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told reporters Manafort is more likely to talk now if there was ever any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, but also said none of the charges "suggested he colluded with Russians." Graham said Manafort would have to "earn" a pardon. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) told reporters that the charges levied against Manafort have "nothing to do with Russia" and that a decision to pardon Manafort would be "above my paygrade." Authorities in Iowa have filed charges against an undocumented immigrant on Tuesday in connection to a recovered body believed to be that of 20-year-old University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts, who disappeared from her home a month ago. The details: The suspect, identified as Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, is facing a first degree murder charge and life without parole, Rick Rahn, special agent at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, explained in a briefing Tuesday. He's believed to have been living in Poweshiek County area for four to seven years. Facebook has discovered several new state-sponsored disinformation campaigns stemming from Iran and Russia, the company reported Tuesday. The details: The company says in a blog post that it has removed 652 fake accounts, groups and pages associated with the campaign, which it says was coordinated from Iran. It has also flagged another new campaign based in Russia that has targeted politics in Syria and Ukraine. Why it matters: This is the second time in less than a month that Facebook has made this type of announcement, just before the November midterm campaign season kicks off. Tuesday's announcement was particularly concerning, because Facebook revealed that Russia was not alone in its efforts. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said these pages, groups and accounts were removed for "coordinated inauthentic behavior" on both Facebook and Instagram: "They were misleading people about who they were and what they were doing doing." Facebook said it had four separate investigations , three stemming from Iran and one from Russia. , three stemming from Iran and one from Russia. In the Iranian attacks, some posts came from a news organization called Quest 4 Truth. that purported to be independent but that Facebook said was in fact affiliated with Iranian state media called Liberty Front Press, Facebook says the page was created as far back as the beginning of 2013. some posts came from a news organization called Quest 4 Truth. that purported to be independent but that Facebook said was in fact affiliated with Iranian state media called Liberty Front Press, Facebook says the page was created as far back as the beginning of 2013. Another set of postings was separate, but also linked to those entities, while a third set stemmed from Iran, but Facebook said there was no evidence linking it to Iranian state media. was separate, but also linked to those entities, while a third set stemmed from Iran, but Facebook said there was no evidence linking it to Iranian state media. As for the posts linked to Russia , Facebook said they mostly focused on Syrian and Ukrainian issues, pushing a pro-Russian agenda in both cases. , Facebook said they mostly focused on Syrian and Ukrainian issues, pushing a pro-Russian agenda in both cases. Facebook didn't directly link those posts to the Russian government itself, but noted they came from groups previously identified by U.S. intelligence agencies as being tied to the Russian government. Separately, Twitter also announced it had suspended 284 accounts, many originating in Iran, for "engaging in coordinated manipulation." Facebook said the actors behind these campaigns were spending money on ads both on Facebook and Instagram, paying for them in both U.S. and Australian dollars from 2015 all the way up until this month. Facebook also said it learned of one of the three Iranian attacks via a tip from security firm FireEye. it learned of one of the three Iranian attacks via a tip from security firm FireEye. Facebook says it's working closely with U.S. law enforcement to monitor this activity. It says it doesn't always take accounts down immediately, because it wants to give law enforcement time to understand the "playbook and extent" of their networks. The last time Facebook held a last-minute press call like this, it was also to inform reporters that it had uncovered a new political disinformation campaign. The tech giant was seen as having won the news cycle for getting ahead of the issue. Reactions from Capitol Hill are so far tempered. This is further evidence that foreign adversaries are actively using social media to divide Americans and undermine our democratic institutions," says Sen. Mark Warner (D-A), who has been taking the lead on tech policy on Capitol Hill. "While Im encouraged to see Facebook taking steps to rid their platforms of these bad actors, theres clearly more work to be done." What's next: Warner says he looks forward to questioning the leadership of Facebook, Twitter, and Google about this at the Intelligence Committees hearing on September 5th. President Trump plans to meet with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Jared Kushner and Brooke Rollins on Thursday to discuss the prison and sentencing reform package being negotiated between the White House and members from both parties, sources with direct knowledge of the meeting tell Axios. The big picture: Trump privately told senators and aides he liked the sound of a compromise that would add sentencing reforms pushed by Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley to the prison reform bill the House passed earlier this year. "I don't care about the politics; if it's the right thing to do than we should do it," Trump told a group of Senators when they briefed him on the plan earlier this month, according to a source familiar with the situation. But law-and-order hardliner Sen. Tom Cotton has lambasted the Grassley plan; Attorney General Jeff Sessions is quietly working against it; and Sen. John Cornyn, a member of Republican leadership, told reporters on Wednesday that there wouldn't be a vote before midterms. What to watch: Whether Trump publicly endorses the compromise package once it's finalized. If Republicans remain divided over the bill, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell won't bring it to the floor with ongoing judicial nominations and the upcoming spending bill. A Trump endorsement is powerful and could be enough to win over uncertain Republicans and unite the party around the bill. The opposition: Cotton published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal last week calling the compromise plan "a jailbreak that would endanger communities and undercut President Trump's campaign promise to restore law and order." Attorney General Jeff Sessions has also consistently opposed sentencing reform efforts. He wrote a letter to Grassley early this year tearing apart the Senator's criminal justice reform bill. Yes, but: Trump loathes Sessions and won't care what he has to say. And while Cotton's office told Axios that he has spoken with other members who support his view, the other usual outspoken opponents of sentencing reform such as Sen. David Perdue have been quiet thus far. Trump loathes Sessions and won't care what he has to say. And while Cotton's office told Axios that he has spoken with other members who support his view, the other usual outspoken opponents of sentencing reform such as Sen. David Perdue have been quiet thus far. Not all Democrats are convinced either. 2020 hopefuls Cory Booker and Kamala Harris have expressed some concern that the bill still doesn't go far enough to address harsh penalties for low-level offenses. Koch Industries' general counsel Mark Holden, who works closely with the White House and Congress, told Axios, "Senator Cotton's claims are inaccurate. The proposed reforms will make the system more just and increase public safety. For years, Cotton and others have claimed that long sentences are what keeps communities safe, even for nonviolent offenders. There is no real data that supports that claim." Koch Industries groups as well as other conservative groups have sent a letter to Trump advocating for the bill. In the White House, Jared Kushner, assistant to president Brooke Rollins and special assistant to the President for Domestic Policy Ja'Ron Smith have been working with Sens. Mike Lee, Lindsey Graham, Dick Durbin, Tim Scott, members of the Judiciary Committee, law enforcement and conservative movement leaders to reach a compromise and get legislation passed. Go deeper: Trump gives criminal justice reform a chance in the Senate After a particularly violent summer, Afghanistan's president, Ashraf Ghani, proposed a three-month ceasefire with the Taliban this past Sunday, to begin on Monday. It follows a first ceasefire implemented during Eid al-Fitr, in June, which saw both Afghan security forces and Taliban insurgents refrain from attacks. The big picture: The Taliban have not officially accepted or rejected Ghanis offer. But if the Taliban want its demands which include a U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and direct talks with the U.S. met, the group needs to increase its legitimacy. Accepting Ghanis ceasefire is a low-cost opportunity to do so. The Taliban are militarily strong and have continued to challenge the Afghan government in recent months, as evidenced by the attacks in Farah, Ghazni, and Kunduz. But as the war in Afghanistan enters its 18th year, a consensus has emerged among all stakeholders the U.S., the Afghan government, Afghanistans neighboring countries and the Taliban themselves that the ongoing war in Afghanistan cant end without a political solution. For example, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells met with Taliban officials in Qatar last month to restart peace talks, and continues to urge Pakistan to persuade the Taliban to negotiate. The Taliban of course can simply reject the ceasefire and continue attacks on Afghan security forces. But in accepting Ghanis offer, the group would show a serious interest in a political solution. It would also distinguish itself from other violent militant groups operating in Afghanistan, such as ISIS, which launched rockets on Kabul residents celebrating Eid on Tuesday. The bottom line: A second ceasefire right now is in every major stakeholder's interest even the Talibans. And while it would in all likelihood be insufficient to create legitimate and lasting avenues for political reconciliation, it is an essential step toward peace in Afghanistan. Sahar Khan is a visiting research fellow in the Cato Institute's Defense and Foreign Policy Department. China has built a state-of-the-art school in Yerevan where hundreds of Armenian children will study the Chinese language in addition to subjects taught in secondary and high schools across Armenia. The Chinese-Armenian Friendship School was inaugurated on Wednesday at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Chinese Ambassador Tian Erlong. Officials said that the Chinese government has spent over $12 million on building and equipping the school located in Yerevans northern Kanaker suburb. It is designed for up to 405 students aged between 10 and 18 who will have intensive language courses taught by Chinese teachers. Knowledge of Chinese opens up opportunities to access information about a huge layer of human history and civilization, Pashinian said at the ceremony. I hope that this school will become a channel through which Armenians will gain more in-depth knowledge of the enormous influence which China and Chinese civilization have had on the development of humankind. The educational institution, Pashinian went on, is also opening a new page in Chinese-Armenian relations which should now grow closer. China and Armenia have many common interests and like strategic thinking, he said. Pashinian said that having many Chinese speakers is also an economic necessity for Armeniagiven a rising number of Chinese tourists visiting the country. Chinese investors are likewise showing a growing interest in the Armenian economy, he added. According to official Armenian statistics, China has been Armenias second largest trading partner for the last several years. Chinese-Armenian trade soared by nearly 50 percent, to $342 million, in the first half of this year. Political relations between the two nations have been cordial ever since Armenia gained independence in 1991. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his then Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian reported mutual understanding on issues relating to pivotal interests and concerns of the two countries after holding talks in Beijing in 2015. Beijing further underscored its interest in the South Caucasus country last year when it started building a new and much bigger building for its embassy in Yerevan. The 40,000-square-meter embassy compound is due to be completed by the end of 2019. It will reportedly be the second largest Chinese diplomatic mission in the former Soviet Union. China has provided at least $37 million in economic assistance to Armenia since 2012. It has also donated hundreds of public buses and ambulance vehicles to Yerevan. The Armenian people highly appreciate that assistance, said Pashinian. By Trend The First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Colonel General Najmeddin Sadikov has begun an official visit to the Republic of Belarus on August 21, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said. First, a delegation led by Colonel General N. Sadikov laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame near the "Brest Fortress Hero" memorial complex. Within the framework of the visit, the prospects of development of military cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Belarus will be discussed. By Trend Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order providing funds for the construction of Kohne Khudat-Hazra road in Gusar district. Under the presidential order, 4.1 million manats will be allocated to the Azerbaijan Highway State Agency for the construction of the road connecting 21 residential areas with a total population of 22,000 people. By Trend The International Military-Technical Forum "ARMY-2018" and the conference entitled "National Security Week" are being held in Russia, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Aug. 22. The Azerbaijani delegation is headed by Deputy Minister of Defense for Material and Technical Support, Head of the Main Directorate of Material and Technical Support, Major-General Fuad Mammadov. The events will last until August 26. By Trend An open confrontation started in Armenia between parliament speaker and prime minister, Aydin Guliyev, an expert, editor-in-chief of the Baki Khabar newspaper, told Trend. Guliyev noted that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan openly acknowledged the existence of a constitutional crisis in Armenia. However, the crisis is much sharper and is about to deepen, Guliyev said. The number one goal for Pashinyan is holding early parliamentary election on condition that he remains prime minister. Otherwise it is impossible to get a majority in the new parliament. If he doesnt retain the post of prime minister, he wont be able to win the election. Guliyev noted that early parliamentary election is possible in the conditions of the resignation of the prime minister, in case of failure of the two-time attempt of the current parliament to elect a new prime minister of Armenia. The expert added that Pashinyan fully understands how dangerous these conditions are for him. He is trying to make the current parliament amend the constitution, so that the parliament would have the power to self-dissolve, the Azerbaijani expert added. Only in this case Pashinyan will retain the post of prime minister, and at the same time he will be able to hold early parliamentary election. The expert also noted that Pashinyan wants to bring hundreds of thousands of people to the streets again and force the parliament to amend the constitution under the pressure of street protests. This is his serious plan, there is no other way, and in the coming weeks we will see hundreds of thousands of people who came to peaceful protests in Yerevan, Guliyev said. He noted that two focuses of resistance arose regarding Pashinyans plan. Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan called on all pro-Russian forces to unite against Pashinyan, the expert said. Commenting on Pashinyans statements, the former president noted that Russia is not the country to be spoken about in this way, and such an assessment by Kocharyan can be considered as a call. The Armenian parliaments chairman Ara Babloyan opened the second front of resistance by his tough statement. The parliament headed by Babloyan is preparing to confront Pashinyans policy aimed at amending the constitution. Guliyev also quoted the chairman of the Armenian parliament as saying that the public solidarity in Armenia is under threat, and this makes it possible to say that the country is on the verge of civil confrontation. Contributing columnist Justin Salters writes on politics and current events; the views expressed are his own. His column appears on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Reach him on Twitter @justinsalters or email him your thoughts: justin@justinsalters.com. Have you been keeping up on our local news coverage? Test your news knowledge by taking the TBC Quiz appearing on Fridays in The Bakersfield C Shen Yun, a multi-dimensional, theatrical experience, is returning to the Julie Rogers Theater in Beaumont. Tickets for the show are now on sale, according to information from Discover BMT. The performance will be held on Saturday December 22 at 2 p.m. at the Julie Rogers Theatre. The dance show takes viewers on an adventure through 5,000 years of Chinese culture through music, dance and animated backdrops. To purchase tickets click here. RELATED: Were you 'Seen' at Shen Yun? As if selling everything they owned, quitting their jobs and buying a boat to travel the world wasn't daunting enough, Julie and John Hausen had to figure out how their dogs, Mondo and Penny, were going to relieve themselves on a 35-foot sailboat in the ocean. "We thought our family would think we were crazy, but they were actually really supportive," Julie said. The couple had been living in Beaumont, working most days and cherishing the few weeks of vacation they had each year. That was not enough. They wanted to see the world, and they wanted to take their dogs with them. The Hausens couldn't imagine life without Mon-do, a Havanese or Coton de Tulear mix; and Penny, an Italian greyhound. "We're young and we love to travel, so this was the time to do it. We looked into a lot of options, and sailing was the best choice for us," John said. The now 28-year-olds had been living below their means, realized that with planning and a financial strategy, they really could quit their jobs and travel the world. So, they sold almost everything they owned and bought a 35-foot, 3-inch Catalina sailboat built in 1986. They named it Minnow. "We took about a year getting ready, saving up and fixing up the boat putting up the netting for the dogs and making repairs it's an older boat," Julie said. In November 2016, the Hausens got down to business and started preparing for their adventure. They took sailing lessons, researched what life would be like off-land and worked to acclimate their pups to the boat. "We wanted Mondo and Penny to be comfortable, so we brought them with us every weekend while we were getting the boat ready," Julie said. Before they were ready, the couple had to outfit the boat with solar panels and a special spot of fake turf for the pups to do their business, but this January, they set sail all paws on deck. "The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway was pretty challenging," John said. "Especially at night, it's so shallow and our boat is big and the boat always seems to want to veer toward a rock or something. Navigating that was tricky." Over the months they made their way through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama before arriving in Florida. They sailed all the way to the Keys and into the Bahamas. They hopped from island to island, beach to beach, exploring as they and their furry companions enjoyed the seemingly endless supply of beautiful views and new and exciting smells. "Mondo gets excited as we get closer to shore. He smells the scents on the wind and starts looking around before we're even on land," Julie said. "Penny is a greyhound, so she loves running up and down the beaches and just being off-lead. Mondo likes to hunt lizards." The humans partook in some activities the dogs couldn't enjoy. John said he loved all the snorkeling and diving he and Julie were able to do. "It was really beautiful, to just swim out from the shore. It was probably one of my favorite parts," John said. Julie said she loved having some of the smaller islands all to themselves. "We could let the dogs run and not worry. They loved it and we could relax or explore or hike or whatever we wanted," she said. The couple is still traveling, but they are currently on land waiting out hurricane season, using the opportunity to see family and friends and visit drier destinations. They recently visited the Grand Teton National Park and are currently in The Woodlands. The Hausens are chronicling their adventures on their blog, ShaggySeas-.com , and posting videos to YouTube weekly. As for their next adventure, they want to take Mondo and Penny to explore Central America. "We have to plan ahead to get the paperwork done to bring the dogs, but Central America would be great. We really want to go there," John said. HBruyn@BeaumontEnterprise.com LONDON - Jamie Oliver, the popular British chef and global food entrepreneur, is caught in a very British tussle over "cultural appropriation." His international conglomerate recently released a microwaveable meal called "Punchy Jerk Rice." As if! A member of Parliament and others of Jamaican origin said this is is a bad thing. As the BBC reported on Monday, "The decision to label the microwaveable rice 'jerk' has been criticized, because the product doesn't contain many of the ingredients traditionally used in a Jamaican jerk marinade." The annoyed Parliament member, Dawn Butler of the Labour Party, threw the first stone on Twitter on Sunday night: "I'm just wondering do you know what Jamaican jerk actually is?" she asked the celebrity chef, who is a rich white fellow. Butler said "jerk" is "not just a word you put before stuff to sell products," and she declared the purported Oliverian jerk a cultural theft. "This appropriation from Jamaica needs to stop," Butler said. Others wondered aloud on Twitter: Was this a colonial rip-off or a "culinary homage" to Jamaica. In the way that pizza, for example, might honor Napoli. On Tuesday, Oliver responded to the jerk row, saying it was intended as a tip of the hat. "When I named the rice my intention was only to show where my inspiration came from," Oliver said in a statement. "I've worked with flavours and spices from all over the world my whole career, learning and drawing inspiration from different countries and cultures to give a fresh twist to the food we eat every day," the chef said. There's another quibble with Oliver, as well. It seems his recipe includes garlic, ginger and jalapenos "to create a jerk marinade with attitude." Good God, no . . . jerk doesn't deploy jalapenos. That's Tex-Mex (which, actually, is a cultural appropriation of Mexican cuisine, but that's another blog post). Classic jerk sauce uses Scotch bonnet pepper. Plus, it's usually slathered on grilled chicken, fish, ribs - not rice and beans. On ITV's chat show "Good Morning Britain," chef and entrepreneur Levi Roots, who knows his jerk, revealed that he had taught Oliver how to make "the real deal" jerk. But no. Roots said of Oliver's microwaveable jerk, "I do think it was a mistake by Jamie - either by him or by his team." "Maybe he wasn't actually involved in this," said Roots, who sells his own mass-market "Jerk Coat 'n Cook Sauce" in British supermarkets. The jerk row was covered by The Guardian, The Telegraph, the BBC, the Standard, the Daily Mail.. . . So it must be August. Meanwhile, the Internet had a little fun. Neil O'Brien, a Conservative member of Parliament, tweeted: "If Jamie Oliver isn't allowed to make Jerk chicken because it's cultural 'appropriation' she's [Dawn Butler is] going to go mad when she finds out about 'Jamie's Italy.'" WASHINGTON - If President Donald Trump felt the walls closing in on him Tuesday, he didn't immediately show it. His longtime personal attorney, Michael Cohen, had just implicated him in a criminal conspiracy to pay hush money to women who alleged affairs with Trump, while his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, was convicted by a jury on tax- and bank-fraud charges - the first trial victory for special counsel Robert Mueller III in his investigation of Trump associates and Russia. Addressing reporters ahead of a campaign rally in West Virginia, Trump sought to distance himself from the Manafort case and ignored the perilous Cohen guilty pleas altogether. "I must tell you that Paul Manafort's a good man," Trump said. "Doesn't involve me, but I still feel, you know, it's a very sad thing that happened. This has nothing to do with Russian collusion. . . . This is a witch hunt that ends in disgrace." The rapid developments in federal court on Tuesday amounted to a breathtaking political nightmare for Trump, who is already besieged by Mueller's wide-ranging federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign and his possible obstruction of justice. The ramifications could extend to this fall's midterms and beyond, whether as a cudgel for Democrats who oppose him or as a rallying cry for Republicans eager to stave off congressional investigations. "It's really the giant beginning of the unraveling of the Trump presidency. You're now having a situation where Donald Trump seems to have behaved in a felonious fashion," said Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian. "It may make some Republicans not want to go out and vote in November because of the stench emanating from the Trump White House. . . . I think the word 'impeachment' is back in play." Trump has raged to aides for several weeks that he is often mentioned in connection with the Manafort case and that he shouldn't be. Several advisers to Trump had already begun discussing how to use a not-guilty verdict regarding Manafort against the Mueller probe. Now, the challenge will be trying to discredit Cohen, two advisers said. Former Trump political strategist Stephen Bannon argued that the two cases will help galvanize GOP support. "This clarifies that you have to show up on Election Day, you have to double down on intensity because it reinforces that Trump is at war," Bannon said. But David Axelrod, a Democratic strategist and longtime adviser to former president Barack Obama, said that Tuesday "was a catastrophic day. In the case of Cohen, he stood up in a courtroom and implicated the president in a crime. It is stunning." Steve Schmidt, a veteran political strategist who recently left the Republican Party because of his opposition to Trump, said it could prove to be the most consequential day of Trump's presidency. "What it shows is a presidency in crisis, but also the absolute moral and character rot that meanders through American politics in this hour of our nation's life," Schmidt said. "The bill is coming due for Trump with regard to his many years of lawlessness and arrogance." On Cohen's plea implicating Trump in two counts of campaign finance violations, the White House deferred comment to the president's outside counsel, Rudy Giuliani, who said in a statement: "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen. It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time." Sam Nunberg, a former political adviser to Trump who worked closely with Cohen, said of Tuesday's developments: "For any other president, this would be catastrophic. But I don't think Mueller has gotten any closer to removing Trump from office today." Still, Trump, who boasts of his track record hiring "the best people," must grapple with the reality that a growing number of advisers are finding themselves on the wrong side of the law. Manafort - a longtime Trump associate who served as his campaign chairman, overseeing the Republican National Convention, the launch of his general election campaign and his selection of Vice President Pence - was convicted of tax- and bank-fraud charges. Cohen, who for more than a decade was Trump's personal lawyer and fixer, helping secure the silence of at least two women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump, pleaded guilty to eight violations of banking, tax and campaign finance laws. "Anytime your lawyer is convicted of anything it's probably not a good day," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Michael Flynn, Trump's first national security adviser and a campaign trail confidant, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts he had with Russian officials and is cooperating with Mueller in the Russia probe. "These three names - Flynn, Manafort and Cohen - two summers ago at this time were the biggest stars in the Trump campaign firmament," Axelrod said. "Now they've all crashed. The growing list of people being ensnared in this, it is the tide rising, and I think the president's behavior reflects the sense that he's now waist-deep." Rick Gates, Manafort's deputy on the campaign who remained with the campaign well past Manafort's ouster and was a top adviser to Trump and his senior team during the transition, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements. He also is cooperating with Mueller. Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., who was the first sitting congressman to endorse Trump's campaign and served on his transition team, was charged with lying to the FBI and insider trading. The second congressman to endorse him, Republican Rep. Duncan D. Hunter of California, was indicted Tuesday on charges of spending campaign money on personal expenses. For months, aides and advisers to Trump said Cohen could be the biggest challenge to him. Trump told people that Cohen was not "smart or loyal" and that he wanted to destroy him, said a former senior administration official. One Trump adviser said of Cohen's plea and the president: "It feels very different. This feels like everything has caught up to him. People are having conversations tonight that they weren't having yesterday. I can promise you that." The president was angrier about the Cohen news than the Manafort verdict, two officials said. "He was unhappy and exasperated," an official said. Trump was in a foul mood en route to the Charleston, West Virginia, rally, an adviser said. He did not mention the counts against Cohen or Manafort during the first hour of the event, but did rail against Mueller's probe of Russian interference. At one point, rallygoers mounted a chant of "Lock her up!" aimed at Hillary Clinton, Trump's 2016 Democratic opponent. "Fake news and the Russian witch hunt. We've got a whole, big combination," Trump said at the rally. "Where is the collusion? You know, they're still looking for collusion. Where is the collusion? Find some collusion!" - - - The Washington Post's Felicia Sonmez contributed to this report. Twice extra chairs had to be brought into the Beaumont labor hall Tuesday night so more people could get alook at U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke and "see what the tidal wave is all about." A diverse crowd of about 500 converged on the IBEW hall on Spindletop Road to hear O'Rourke, the Democratic congressman from El Paso, who is mounting a high-profile challenge to Republican incumbent Ted Cruz. Lamar engineering student Madalyn Orozco decided to attend the event with friends after discussing this past weekend's visit to Beaumont by Cruz's father, Rafael. "We decided to come to this event to see what Beto is about," Orozco said. "We are coming here open-minded, and we'd just like to learn more about it." Dwayne Diamond said he had seen information about O'Rourke and was trying to decide who to vote for. "I wanted to see what the tidal wave is all about. There must be something to him. I just want to get a live look at the man and kind of get afeel for him." ICYMI: Beto O'Rourke eats Whataburger, shreds parking lot with skateboard "A couple of friends told me about him so I wanted to come out here and see him for myself what his stand is, what his beliefs are, values and things like that." Diamond said. When O'Rourke arrived, the crowd erupted into applause. He shook hands all around, then spoke about education reform, the criminal justice system, the border wall and the area's recovery after Tropical Storm Harvey. George S. Baggs saw O'Rourke speak the last time the congressman was in the area. "He's a very dynamic person. He has to be our next senator, he's got to be. We're very much aligned in how we see to move the region and how to move Texas forward," Baggs said. Tarra Adler, who arrived with Baggs, called O'Rourke a "different kind of politician." "He doesn't depend on his staff to give him the answers. He already knows," Adler said. "He participates in a dialogue," Baggs said. "It's not a one-sided ideology." HBruyn@BeaumontEnterprise.com JERUSALEM - Russian President Vladimir Putin told the United States that an Iranian presence in Syria does not tally with Russian interests and he would be content to see all Iran-linked forces go home, national security adviser John Bolton said Wednesday. Bolton made the comments at the end of a three-day visit to Israel, where he has been speaking with officials ahead of a meeting with his Russian counterpart in Geneva. His claims clashed with recent statements by Russian officials, who have said that Iran was playing a constructive role in Syria. Israel has been furiously lobbying the United States to do more about Iranian entrenchment across its northern border in Syria as the civil war winds down, demanding that all forces linked to its arch foe leave. Persuading Russia, which alongside Iran has provided Syria with the military assistance that helped tip the civil war in President Bashar al-Assad's favor, to assert its influence in containing Iran could be one of Israel's best hopes to achieve this. The issue was raised in discussions between Putin and President Trump in Helsinki last month, while the Russian president also spoke with Bolton on the subject three weeks earlier, the U.S. national security adviser said. Putin said that "Iranian interests in Syria were not conterminous with Russian interests in Syria and that he would be content to see the Iranian forces all sent back to Iran," Bolton said. "It was not a question of where they might be inside Syria. We were talking about a complete return of both the regular and irregular Iranian forces." However, Putin said "I can't do it myself" and a "joint U.S.-Russia effort" may be needed, Bolton said. He was responding to a question on a Reuters report which quoted Bolton as saying that Putin had told Trump that he couldn't eject Iranian forces from Syria. Other Russian officials have struck a different tone in public, however, casting Iran as a constructive partner for Russia in ridding Syria of extremist militants. "In contrast to the United States and its coalition, we and the other guarantor countries, Turkey and Iran, are promoting stabilization and normalization in that country with deeds, rather than words," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said according to the Interfax news agency Wednesday. Russia's ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, said in July that Russia couldn't ask Iran to leave Syria. He said Iran's withdrawal from Syria would be "unrealistic" because Tehran is "playing an important role in our common efforts toward extermination of terrorists in Syria," he said, according to Russia's Tass state news agency. For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Bolton's upcoming meeting with Russia's powerful Security Council head, Nikolai Patrushev, would deal with many "complicated" issues. "Bilateral relations continue to deteriorate," Peskov told reporters Wednesday. "We need to find points of interaction and to understand whether such points exist and whether our counterparts want that." Earlier comments by Bolton from Israel had not been received well by the Kremlin. Peskov also said Wednesday that his comments that Russia was "stuck" in Syria and looking for others to fund postwar construction, made in an interview with Reuters, were incorrect. "It is not correct for anyone, let alone our counterparts in Washington, to claim that Russia has stuck someplace," he said. "Let us not forget that U.S. military personnel is present on Syrian soil too." Bolton said the United States remains determined to finish the job of eliminating Islamic State forces in the country, but also to "deal with the presence of the Iranians." He also cautioned Syria against using chemical weapons as the government gears up for an offensive in Idlib province. "If the Syrian regime uses chemical weapons we will respond very strongly," he said. Previously a vocal advocate of regime change in Iran, since taking up his position in the Trump administration last year Bolton has stressed that ousting the Iranian government is not U.S. policy. However, the United States wants to see a "massive change" in Iranian "belligerence" in the region, he said. By reimposing sanctions after pulling out of the Iran deal the United States has brought "the hammer down again," which has caused a "profound" impact, he said: "I think more serious than we would have predicted." European nations have been attempting to save the deal, though the threat of U.S. sanctions has caused private sector companies to flee the Iranian market. Bolton said he had briefed Israel's prime minister and other officials on diplomatic discussions U.S. officials have had with the Europeans and the American determination to drive Iranian oil exports "down to zero," he said. "We've talked about the president's determination in reimposing the sanctions, that we are not just going to stop at where the sanctions were in 2015," he said. Bolton also touched on Trump's comments at a rally in Charleston, West Virginia on Tuesday night, during which he said that Israel would "have to pay a higher price" in negotiations with the Palestinians in return for the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in May. "They won that very big thing," he said. Bolton said that as a "dealmaker" Trump would expect that the Palestinians would say: "Great, so we didn't get that one, now we want something else." But it's "not an issue of quid pro quo," he said. NEW YORK - President Donald Trump's former longtime attorney and his onetime campaign chairman were separately declared guilty Tuesday of eight crimes each, a dramatic collision of two investigations that intensified the legal and political pressure on the embattled president. In a guilty plea entered in a Manhattan federal courthouse, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen implicated Trump directly in some of his acts, saying he arranged to pay off two women to keep their stories of alleged affairs with Trump from becoming public before Election Day - in coordination with the then-candidate. At nearly the same moment, a jury in Alexandria, Virginia, convicted former Trump campaign boss Paul Manafort on eight of the 18 tax- and bank-fraud charges against him and said it was deadlocked on the 10 others. The charges in the Manafort trial involved the former campaign manager's personal finances and were not related to special counsel Robert Mueller III's investigation ofRussian interference in the 2016 campaign. But Manafort's conviction on eight counts, in the first trial to emerge from Mueller's inquiry, was a major victory for the special counsel. "Paul Manafort's a good man," Trump told reporters in West Virginia. The verdict, he said, "doesn't involve me, but I still feel, you know, it's a very sad thing that happened." Later, speaking to supporters at a rally in Charleston, West Virginia, the president repeated his frequent denunciation of the special-counsel investigation as the "Russia witch hunt." "Where is the collusion?" he said, his voice rising. "Where is the collusion?" Tuesday's dual courtroom dramas played out on cable TV in an extraordinary split screen. Five Trump associates have now pleaded guilty or been charged with criminal wrongdoing since Trump took office, including his former national security adviser, his deputy campaign chairman and a former campaign policy adviser. In a statement, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani said: "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the government's charges against Cohen. It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time." Cohen - long the self-professed "fixer" for Trump - pleaded guilty after prosecutors warned that he risked more than a dozen years in prison, according to a person familiar with the matter. Although Cohen's plea deal did not include a promise to cooperate with investigators against any other people, his description of his acts implicated not just himself but also Trump and others. Lanny Davis, an attorney for Cohen, said in television interviews Tuesday night that Cohen has information that would be of interest to Mueller and is happy to share it with the special counsel. Davis told MSNBC that those topics include the "computer crime of hacking" and "whether or not Mr. Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on." Mueller "will have a great deal of interest in what Michael has to say," he added. Earlier Tuesday, Cohen pleaded guilty to five counts of tax evasion, one count of making a false statement to a bank and two campaign finance violations: willfully causing an illegal corporate contribution and making an excessive campaign contribution. "Guilty, your honor," Cohen said eight times as Judge William Pauley III read the counts. The longtime attorney for Trump faces a recommended prison sentence of 46 to 63 months, according to court filings. Cohen told the court that "in coordination with and at the direction of a candidate for federal office," he and the chief executive of a media company worked in the summer of 2016 to keep an individual from publicly disclosing information that could harm the candidate. And he said he worked "in coordination" with the same candidate to make a payment to a second individual. "I participated in this conduct . . . for the principal purpose of influencing the election," he said. The details he described matched payments made to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and adult-film star Stormy Daniels. Both have alleged that they had sexual encounters with Trump, which he has denied. In August 2016, McDougal was paid $150,000 by AMI, the parent company of the National Enquirer, for the rights to her story, which the company then shelved. In October 2016, Cohen used a home-equity line of credit to finance a $130,000 payment to Daniels. Trump had previously denied knowledge of the Daniels payoff, and Giuliani said Trump did not know about it at the time. But Cohen said Tuesday that Trump repaid him the money for the purpose of influencing the campaign. According to court filings, Cohen used a line of credit for the Daniels payment that he obtained through a fraudulent loan application in 2015. In January 2017, after Trump's election, he sought reimbursement for the Daniels payment from Trump. Unnamed executives at the Trump Organization directed that Cohen be paid $420,000, which would reimburse him for his payment, along with additional money for taxes and expenses and a $60,000 bonus, filings said. One executive told another to falsely describe the fees as legal expenses and describe the first two monthly payments as a "retainer," according to court papers. A Trump Organization spokesman declined to comment. Court papers also detailed extensive behind-the-scenes efforts by a person matching the description of AMI Chairman David Pecker to try to stop negative stories about Trump from surfacing. Pecker and a top National Enquirer official warned Cohen through an encrypted application that Daniels was going to make a deal to sell her story to another outlet, court papers said. Within days, Cohen had used a shell company to wire Daniels's attorney $130,000. AMI officials did not respond to requests for comment. Asked by Pauley, the judge, whether he knew what he did was wrong and illegal, Cohen said yes. Davis said in a statement that Cohen pleaded guilty "so that his family can move on to the next chapter." "Today he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election," Davis added. "If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?" A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment. According to court filings, Cohen failed to report $4 million in income from 2012 to 2016 to avoid paying taxes on money he earned, mostly through interest and taxi rental payments. He also concealed $100,000 he made selling a piece of property in Ocala, Florida, in 2014, a $30,000 in profit he made for arranging the sale of a couture Birkin handbag and $200,000 in consulting fees he made from an assisted-living company, according to filings. As part of his plea deal, Cohen agreed to file corrected tax returns and pay $1.5 million to the Internal Revenue Service. Cohen - who is out on bail until his scheduled sentencing in December - left the courthouse shortly after the hearing ended, entering a black Buick as a protester across the street screamed, "Lock him up." Robert Khuzami, the deputy U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement that rather than respect the law as an attorney, Cohen "chose to break the law, repeatedly over many years and in a variety of ways. His day of reckoning serves as a reminder that we are a nation of laws, with one set of rules that applies equally to everyone." The case against him stems in part from work done by Mueller's team, which examined Cohen's role in at least two episodes involving Russian interests, according to people familiar with that probe. [Special counsel has examined episodes involving Michael Cohen, Trump's longtime lawyer] However, special-counsel investigators have indicated to federal law enforcement officials that the office does not require Cohen's cooperation for its inquiry, according to two people familiar with their work. The Cohen investigation first burst into public view in April, when FBI agents searched his New York office, home and hotel room. The searches - in which agents collected all of Cohen's phones and electronic devices - set off panic in the White House that federal investigators were looking into Trump's business dealings and communications with Cohen. Since then, the probe has led to revelations about how Cohen sought to squelch negative stories about Trump and then leverage his access to the president. After the raid, Giuliani acknowledged that the president had made several payments reimbursing Cohen for the $130,000 settlement with Daniels. Meanwhile, leaked documents showed that Cohen was paid millions last year by companies such as AT&T and Novartis to provide advice about the administration. Cohen had been under scrutiny by federal prosecutors starting in the fall of 2017, when Mueller's team came across some unusual financial transactions and loans Cohen had obtained. The special counsel referred the matter to the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York. - - - Barrett and Leonnig reported from Washington. The Washington Post's Lynh Bui, Josh Dawsey, Rosalind S. Helderman, Beth Reinhard, Felicia Sonmez and Shane Harris contributed to this report. Wyoming Republicans nominated state treasurer Mark Gordon for governor on Tuesday, a blow to President Donald Trump after his eleventh-hour endorsement of investor Foster Friess. With more than 91 percent of the vote counted, Gordon, 61, was declared the winner over five other Republicans, including Friess, who was backed by Trump after securing the support of multiple conservative activists and the president's eldest son. Democrats nominated Mary Throne, a former state legislator, who became the party's 10th female nominee for governor in this cycle. But Democrats concede that Gordon, who was outspent more than 2 to 1 by Friess, would be the favorite to win. Gordon ran as a capable successor to Gov. Matt Mead, a Republican who has been broadly popular, and who had appointed Gordon to the high-profile treasurer job. Gordon's win, however, ended a string of successful endorsements for the president in Republican primaries. In Kansas, Michigan and South Carolina, Trump has endorsed Republicans with the same pitch - that they are "strong on crime, borders & 2nd amendment" - and celebrated when they won. While several were leading in the polls before Trump endorsed, the Wyoming race had been considered a toss-up. Gordon had emphasized his government background and work on a family cattle ranch. "When you work with animals, you have to know what you're doing," Gordon said in one TV spot. "Same with government." Friess, a Wisconsin-born investor, didn't emerge as a force in conservative politics until 2011, when he bankrolled a super PAC supporting presidential candidate Rick Santorum. He stepped up his activity after that, becoming a member of the Koch donor network and providing seed money to conservative media and activist groups. "He wrote the first $10,000 check to get [us] started and as they say, 'the rest is history,' " tweeted Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative college organization. But Friess made no serious political moves of his own until last year, when he began exploring a U.S. Senate run. In April, he abruptly announced a bid for governor, throwing a curveball into a race that had been seen as an easy win for Gordon. Since then, he has packaged himself as an incorruptible outsider. "I have no business to manage. I don't have a single calf to brand. I'm available," Friess said at a debate on Aug. 1. "I'm not taking a single penny from special interest groups, and I'm giving my salary away." Throne, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, said in an interview that a serious campaign could lift the party and be competitive in November. "In Wyoming, we value independence, and we value putting our state ahead of either party," she said. "When one party is in charge, everything that happens, happens behind closed doors." Republicans also voted in what served as a referendum on Sen. John Barrasso, who faced a GOP primary challenge from Dave Dodson, an investor who has spent more than $1 million on his campaign and pledged to "put Wyoming first" by bringing jobs back to the state. Barrasso glided to victory Tuesday after blistering Dodson with TV ads highlighting the businessman's past donations to Democrats - and filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission because Dodson's ads did not include the proper disclaimers. "Ask David Dodson, who does he really put first?" says a narrator in Barrasso's ads. Democrats picked businessman Gary Trauner, who narrowly lost a 2006 House race, to challenge Barrasso. They also were expected to select energy consultant Greg Hunter to challenge Rep. Liz Cheney, R. Alaskans also went to the polls Tuesday, with both major parties eagerly angling to take back the state from the country's only elected independent governor, Bill Walker. Democrats were expected to nominate former senator Mark Begich, while Republicans were deciding a competitive four-way primary, with former legislator Mike Dunleavy and former lieutenant governor Mead Treadwell leading in polls. Democrats were picking a challenger to Rep. Don Young, R, in a four-way primary, with education activist Alyse Galvin considered the favorite. In both states, more was at stake lower on the ballot. Democrats hoped that more competitive top-of-the-ticket races in November would pay benefits in lower-level races. In Alaska, they hoped to increase their numbers in the state legislature, where a quarter of incumbents are retiring. In 2016, as the party underperformed in other states, Democrats in Alaska won a working majority in the state House. In Wyoming, neither the Senate nor the governor's race is viewed as a national Democratic priority. But state Democrats, like those in Alaska, are hoping to increase their wins in legislative races After the 2016 election, they hold just nine seats in the 60-member state House, and three seats in the 30-member state Senate. The party has not won a statewide Wyoming election since 2006. Ohios attorney general is suing the founder of the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow on Tuesday, aiming to recover the millions of dollars in public funding that the state alleges wrongfully went to the cyber charter school. The lawsuit names William Lager, who founded ECOT, as well as two of his companies, Altair Learning Management I, Inc. and IQ Innovations LLC, both of which provided management and curriculum services to ECOT. It also names five other ECOT officials--a superintendent, treasurer, vice president of accounting, a data-collection system director and a federal programs director--alleging that theyre also liable for ECOTs improper disbursements. The lawsuit, filed in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court by Ohio Attorney General Michael DeWine, targets the money paid under improper funding received by ECOT that wasnt justified after the state calculated student participation and enrollment, as well as the profits Lager received from his companies ECOT contracts. Lager founded companies that made millions of dollars doing business with ECOT, while other ECOT officials stood by or actively participated as the school overbilled the public on a massive scale to keep the money flowing, the state argues in the lawsuit. A spokeman for the school did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Before it closed in January, ECOT was one of the nations largest online schools, claiming an enrollment of more than 15,000 students. The decision to close its doors came after it started running out of money, the result of efforts by the Ohio Department of Education to recover about $80 million in disputed funds, as previously reported by Education Week . The closure forced thousands of students to scramble to try to find new schools. At the time, a school spokesman for the cyber charter faulted state officials for rejecting an offer that would have allowed students to finish the school year. He said those officials were more interested in settling a political score than in doing whats best for students. A state review of student software-login records for the 2015-16 school year determined that ECOT had overstated its enrollment by more than 9,000 students, and thus was overpaid by more than $60 million. ECOT was paid for 15,322 full-time students during the 2015-16 school year. But state officials said they could document just 41 percent of that total . The school also had to repay an additional $19.2 million, based on a review of 2016-17 student-login records. To recoup the funds, the state withheld about $2.5 million from each of its monthly payments to ECOT during the 2017-18 school year. ECOT challenged the funding determination process before the Ohio Supreme Court, which ruled earlier this month that the state had authority to use participation data and not just enrollment to calculate the schools funding. The decision also allowed the state to seek repayment of the millions of dollars that went to the cyber charter school. The lawsuit filed by the state this week claims that real harm resulted from ECOTs overbilling. Since 2015, the online charter schools overbilling totaled about $80 million, and had impacted real districts, like in Franklin County, where 16 districts lost a total of about $15 million in funding in that time period, according to the lawsuit. The losses that other districts suffered are concrete education opportunities lost and could have funded about 171 teachers in three other districts, DeWine said in the lawsuit. DeWine, a Republican, is running for Ohio governor against Democrat Richard Cordray. The state alleges that ECOT still owes the state about $62 million. See also: 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. Hospitals have been closing at a rate of about 30 a year, and the pace of closures is poised to accelerate, according to Bloomberg. Here are three things to know: 1. Analysts told Bloomberg several factors are leading to hospital closures, including health insurers pushing their customers to use more outpatient clinics. 2. There may be an increase in hospital closures over the next year to 18 months, Vikram Malhotra, an analyst at Morgan Stanley, told Bloomberg. Rural hospitals, which have less negotiating power with insurers, will likely see the most closures, according to the report. 3. A recent Morgan Stanley report revealed more than 15 percent of U.S. hospitals have weak financial metrics or are at risk of potential closure. Read the full Bloomberg article here. More articles on healthcare finance: Steward to close Ohio hospital, lay off 388 These 11 hospitals closed in 2018: Here's why Tennessee hospital to scale back services ahead of Sept. 15 closure Massena (N.Y.) Memorial Hospital hired its second interim CEO in two months after the abrupt departure of former chief executive Robert Wolleben in June, according to News 7. Officials selected Charles Gijanto to serve as interim CEO of the hospital. Mr. Gijanto currently serves as interim CEO at neighboring Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. He was appointed to the role at the Ogdensburg, N.Y.-based facility in May. Massena Memorial officials said in a prepared statement Aug. 21 that Mr. Gijanto will take over the CEO role next week, and that they expect him to stay in the position for the next nine to 12 months. The hospital, which announced a plan Aug. 20 to transition its assets to the town of Massena in a bid to privatize and eventually affiliate with another hospital, said Mr. Gijanto's dual role as CEO of Claxton-Hepburn does not mean the hospitals will partner with one another. Mr. Gijanto previously served as interim CFO for Massena Memorial in 2015. The appointment marks Massena Memorial's second CEO since its former chief executive unexpectedly resigned in June. Mr. Gijanto replaces Ann Gilpin, who was contracted to serve as head of the hospital for two months. A Nevada physician faces disciplinary action over allegations he accessed the private prescription drug records of the gunman in last year's mass shooting in Las Vegas, according to a USA Today report. Five things to know: 1. The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy is making the claims against Ivan Goldsmith, MD, and his staff. The board alleges Dr. Goldsmith and his staff accessed Stephen Paddock's private prescription drug records before media published similar information, according to the report. 2. Pharmacy board documents cited by USA Today allege the records were accessed five times over two days after the shooting. Mr. Paddock committed suicide after the shooting and was not alive at the time the records were accessed. 3. After the alleged accessing of Mr. Paddock's records, the Las Vegas Review-Journal and other media reported that Mr. Paddock had been prescribed Valium. 4. Dr. Goldsmith, who owns the TrimCare weight-loss clinic in Las Vegas, faces disciplinary action related to the disclosure of Mr. Paddock's records. The pharmacy board is slated to take up the matter on Sept. 5. During that hearing, Dr. Goldsmith's attorney, Brent Bryson, told USA Today his client will assert his Fifth Amendment right because the pharmacy board reported details about the case to Nevada state law enforcement. 5. Dr. Goldsmith does not face any criminal charges related to the disclosure of Mr. Paddock's records, the Clark County District Attorney's Office confirmed to USA Today. Mr. Bryson told the publication his client plans to sell his Las Vegas medical practice and now lives in Florida, where he has pursued a new job opportunity. Read USA Today's full report here. More articles on physician integration issues: Study: Black male patients respond more to black physicians 20 US states with most & least female physicians Physicians underreport conflicts of interest from devicemakers, study suggests Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital, part of Buffalo, N.Y.-based Kaleida Health, will shift to a new anesthesiology provider Jan. 1, 2019, ending a 24-year relationship with its current provider, according to Buffalo Business First. Hospital officials announced last week that the 186-bed facility will switch to Buffalo-based Great Lakes Anesthesiology. The decision marks the first major vendor change the hospital has undergone since becoming part of Kaleida Health last year, Buffalo Business First states. A Kaleida Health spokesperson told Buffalo Business First the decision was difficult, but ultimately the new provider proved more cost-effective than the hospital's previous provider, Olean-based Southern Tier Anesthesiologists. "Olean General Hospital will save several million dollars over the life of its contract with Great Lakes Anesthesiology," the spokesperson said. "It's a critical responsibility that demands making difficult decisions that are not always popular but are vital to the stability of the hospital." Southern Tier Anesthesiologists has served as Olean General Hospital's exclusive anesthesiology provider since 2003. Providers at the group told the Olean Times Herald they are working to find a new contract to continue operations. If they cannot, the practice may shutter, according to Buffalo Business First. However, community members have rallied around Southern Tier Anesthesiologists. Some organizers started a Facebook page that has garnered more than 2,200 members and calls on hospital leaders to reverse their decision. Stephen Carlson, MD, president of Southern Tier Anesthesiologists, told the Olean Times Herald he and other physicians at the practice were "overwhelmed" by the support their organization has received from the community. "We're honored and we're flabbergasted by the support," Dr. Carlson told the Olean Times Herald Aug. 21. "We feel like we're blessed to have that and we're just sort of stunned and honored by that." A physician was sentenced to one year and a day in prison for participating in a $30 million scheme to defraud Medicare and the New York State Medicaid Program, according to the Department of Justice. In January, Ewald Antoine, MD, pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud and conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud. According to the indictment, Dr. Antoine posed as the owner of two medical clinics in Brooklyn Sunlight Medical and Psychiatric Services and Coney Island Medical Services and falsely claimed he examined and treated hundreds of patients at the two clinics. The medical clinics were actually owned by businessman Aleksandr Burman, who owned and operated six medical clinics in Brooklyn between 2007 and 2013. New York law requires medical clinics to be owned and operated by a medical professional, but Mr. Burman circumvented this requirement by hiring physicians, including Dr. Antoine, to pose as clinic owners. Dr. Antoine signed documents falsely representing to banks, Medicare, Medicaid and others that he was the sole owner of the two clinics, according to the Justice Department. Mr. Burman and his co-conspirators used the six medical clinics to submit $30 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid. Dr. Antoine participated in the scheme by signing documents stating he examined patients and by writing prescriptions and referrals for medically unnecessary tests and supplies, according to the Department of Justice. Dr. Antoine is the eighth defendant to be sentenced after pleading guilty to his role in the scheme and a related case. On Aug. 1, another physician was sentenced to 18 months in prison for participating in the scheme. In May 2017, Mr. Burman was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in the scheme. Ayla Ellison contributed to this article. More articles on legal & regulatory issues: 3 Penn State Hershey staffers assaulted by patient, police say South Carolina ramps up fight against healthcare fraud: 5 things to know Viewpoint: 22 years of HIPAA, 22 ways HIPAA creates lapses in patient privacy The rap artist Drake made a special visit to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Aug. 20 to surprise an 11-year-old patient at the hospital, reports CBS News. Sofia Sanchez was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and underwent open-heart surgery about three weeks ago. She is now awaiting a heart transplant. While recovering from her surgery, Sofia filmed a video where she danced to Drake's song "In My Feelings." "I love your music, and I was hoping that you could come and cheer me up for my birthday," Sofia said in her video to Drake. The video got back to musician, who was performing in Chicago last weekend and decided to pay Sofia a visit at the hospital. "Right when he came in I was like, 'Oh my God,'" Sofia said in a video of the visit produced by Lurie Children's. "I didn't talk for a minute. I was like, 'Is this real or fake?'" Drake also posted a picture from their visit on his Instagram page. More articles on patient engagement: Geisinger, Merck roll out patient communication tools UCSF, Dignity Health partner to create patient engagement platform Healthy Interactions, Merck introduce diabetes education platform The Justice Department is asking Anthem to testify in a federal investigation into how the health insurer billed for Medicare Advantage payments, according to court documents filed Aug. 21. Federal regulators are investigating whether Anthem unlawfully obtained upward of hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicare risk-adjustment payments. The government wants to know if Anthem obtained these payments by knowingly submitting inaccurate data to Medicare for payment calculation. In its filing, the Justice Department claims Anthem is "refusing to provide testimony about what policies and processes, if any, it utilized to ensure the validity of the provider-submitted diagnosis codes. There is no legal basis for this position," according to the filing. The Justice Department asked the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to order Anthem to testify on its inquiries. The court ordered Anthem to respond to the Justice Department's inquiries by Sept. 4. Anthem declined Becker's Hospital Review's request for comment. In a response filed Aug. 21, Anthem said it objected the Justice Department's inquiries. Federal regulators originally requested Anthem's testimony on its risk-adjustment program and chart review in March, according to a filing outlining the health insurer's objections and responses to the civil investigative demand. More articles on payers: Blue Shield of California erroneously cancels coverage for undisclosed number of members Health insurers big winners in long-running bull market Anthem BCBS Ohio taps tech startup to improve respiratory disease outcomes Although large retail pharmacies like Walgreens and Walmart are worried about Amazon's push into the industry, they shouldn't be, Vitaliy Katsenelson, chief investment officer at Investment Management Associates, wrote in an op-ed. There are several reasons why Amazon will not significantly affect the existing retail drug industry, according to Mr. Katsenelson. Here is a breakdown of those reasons: 1. Amazon's online pharmacy won't be a draw for aging Americans. Most drugs in the U.S. are consumed by an older population whose habits are unlikely to change or will not change very quickly, according to Mr. Katsenelson. As a result, the brick-and-mortar stores are an advantage to retail pharmacies. 2. Walgreens, Walmart have a huge share of the industry. Americans spend $450 billion on drugs per year. Walmart, the fourth-largest pharmacy in the nation, has pharmacy sales of $21 billion. According to Mr. Katsenelson, even if Amazon is able to get to Walmart's level in five years, Walgreens would barely notice its presence, because its pharmacy sells about $70 billion per year. 3. Everyone is taking Amazon too seriously. Companies across the U.S. are "bestowing CEO Jeff Bezos with walk-on-water-like superpowers," Mr. Katsenelson wrote. "Boardrooms today are filled to overflowing with chatter about Amazon. There's admittedly a lot corporate America can learn from Bezos [for instance, about ignoring short-term results], but Bezos is not superhuman, and Amazon cannot bend the laws of economic gravity." 4. Underutilized assets. Walgreens has an underutilized asset its front-of-store sales. The pharmacy generates about 70 percent of its revenue, and the front of store brings in about 30 percent. To optimize this asset, Walgreens is trying out new strategies to bring people into the store, including opening medical clinics and offering testing services. Read the full op-ed here. Indian Health Service clinics don't have enough physicians or nurses to provide quality and timely care to American Indian and Alaska Native people, and IHS data reveals an average provider vacancy rate of 25 percent, a report from the Government Accountability Office found. American Indian and Alaska Native people have a life expectancy 5.5 years less than all other races in the U.S., and they die at higher rates from preventable causes than other Americans. "The ability to recruit and retain a stable clinical workforce capable of providing quality and timely care is critical for IHS," the agency stated. The GAO report looked at IHS provider vacancies and challenges filling them; strategies IHS uses to recruit and retain providers; and ways IHS mitigates negative effects of provider vacancies. The agency reviewed policies and IHS human resources data for provider positions the agency tracks and interviewed IHS officials. GAO selected facilities based on variation in their number of direct care outpatient visits and inpatient hospital beds in 2014. Although IHS has several strategies to recruit and retain providers, including financial incentives and housing, IHS struggles to match local market salaries and lacks enough housing to meet demand. The agency attempts to fill vacancies by hiring temporary providers, but officials said it is more expensive and may lead to less continuity of care. It is also difficult to fill provider vacancies due to many IHS facilities being in rural areas. Long-standing vacancies hinder patient access, lower care quality and deflate employee morale, IHS officials told the GAO. "GAO recommends that IHS obtain, on an agencywide basis, information on temporary provider contractors, including their associated cost and number of full-time equivalents, and use this information to inform decisions about resource allocation and provider staffing," the agency said. IHS agreed with GAO's recommendation. Orlando-based Florida Hospital, part of Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based -based Adventist Health System, received the 2018 Florida Society for Healthcare Risk Management and Patient Collaboration Award, according to Tampa Patch. The award is given to hospitals that demonstrate a quantifiable excellence in patient safety and risk management. Earlier this year, Florida Hospital became the only healthcare system within the Greater Tampa Bay area to have every participating facility earn an A from Leapfrog Group. "Our goal is to provide each of our patients with the best and safest care, every time we deliver care," said Robin McGuinness, MD, senior executive officer of patient outcomes for Florida Hospital, West Florida Division. "This award highlights the commitment and dedication of our teams to provide exceptional whole-person health in a safe environment." More articles on clinical leadership and infectin control: Identifying and treating the numerous patients who overdose on new mixtures of illicit drugs proves complex for emergency department physicians in Maryland, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland's Center for Substance Abuse Research in College Park. Here are four things to know: 1. For the study, which was supported by the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, CESAR researchers collected urine samples from patients at two Maryland hospitals in 2016. They analyzed 106 urine samples from 2. The urine samples were sent to Dover, Del.-based Armed Forces Medical Examiner System laboratory, which tested the samples for the presence of 26 synthetic cannabinoids and 59 designer drugs, along with 84 other illicit and prescription drugs. Once researchers received the results, they realized the drugs taken by the overdose patients were more complex than anticipated. "We were thoroughly amazed that in a study where we thought everyone was having a synthetic cannabinoid-related problem, only one specimen tested positive for synthetic cannabinoids," CESAR Director Eric Wish, PhD, said in a 3. The results showed the illicit drugs had been tweaked into new combinations that often went undetected. Still a year later after the initial sampling, only 25 percent of the urine samples tested positive for synthetic cannabinoids. 4. One-fifth to one-third of the specimens at each hospital tested positive for a new psychoactive substance alternative to synthetic cannabinoids. About two-thirds of patients between both hospitals tested positive for multiple substances, with some urine samples containing at least six different substances. About 47 percent of the urine specimens contained PCP, which makes patients three-to-four times more likely to exhibit bizarre or aggressive behavior. "The results from this study clearly demonstrate the complexity of both detecting and treating patients reporting to the ED for an adverse drug-related event," the researchers concluded. "Most hospitals and other public health settings lack the testing capacity we had to identify the drugs that had been recently used by their patients. Physician knowledge of local drug use patterns may therefore help them to anticipate the drugs that are most likely to be involved in their ED patients, even though patients have not specifically reported using them." More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: Evanston-based Wyoming State Hospital is under investigation for a patient suicide, which occurred June 18 after an employee allegedly failed to follow proper rounding procedures to check on the patient, according to the Uinta County Herald. Dante Sinche, the employee tasked with visually checking on patients, claimed he performed his patient rounds every 15 minutes. However, video footage obtained through a police investigation showed Mr. Sinche walked to the end of the hall toward the patient's room at 5:45 p.m., but did not open the door to thoroughly check on the patient. Mr. Sinche repeated this action for the entirety of his shift, ending at 6:30, according to the footage. Mr. Sinche filled out an observation sheet, which indicated he checked on by the patient at 5:45 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:15 p.m. He noted the patient was in the shower in the entries. For the last entry at 6:30 p.m., Mr. Sinche wrote, "The patient was in his room and his behavior was calm," according to a police report cited by Uinta County Herald. At 6:36 p.m., another employee on duty found the patient's body hanging from the hinge of his room's shower door. Staff members could not resuscitate the patient, and he was pronounced dead at Evanston (Wy.) Regional Hospital around 8:00 p.m. Mr. Sinche no longer works at Wyoming State Hospital. Kim Deti, a spokesperson for the Wyoming Department of Health, could not confirm if Mr. Sinche's departure was due to the patient suicide. Ms. Deti said the hospital has updated various safety procedures after the June 18 event. "The special observation policy at the Wyoming State Hospital includes patient observations every 15 minutes," Ms. Deti told Uinta County Herald. "This policy has been updated to require verbal interaction with patients during hygiene and toileting activities. Training requirements on the updated policy and processes for employee supervision have been strengthened." More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: Massachusetts nurses rallied for mandated nurse staffing ratios during a news conference Aug. 21, according to The Republican. The nurses, who are members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, held a news conference outside the corporate offices of Partners Healthcare in Somerville, Mass. They claimed opposition to the proposed November ballot initiative to mandate nurse staffing ratios in Massachusetts hospitals is about "multimillionaire hospital executives and multibillion dollar hospital corporations." "These corporate giants are spending millions of dollars in deceptive ads that hide the fact of who is really leading the campaign to prevent nurses from having a safe patient assignment," the union said in a prepared statement. However, Deborah Cronin-Waelde, RN, MSN, CNO of Medford, Mass.-based MelroseWakefield Healthcare, who opposes the ballot measure, told The Republican the measure is not about executive salaries or hospital profits but rather "the government legislating how professionally licensed nurses care for patients." Question 1, proposed by the union, calls for one nurse to be responsible for no more than four pediatric patients and no more than five psychiatric patients at a given time. Different guidelines would apply with sicker patients, according the Boston Globe. Staffing ratios would also differ by unit. Supporters of the initiative argue mandated nurse staffing ratios will improve patient care. They contend nurses are overworked, which keeps them from doing their best job and could lead to medical errors, the Globe reported. Opponents say the ratios will negatively affect nurse care delivery. They argue that some hospitals would be forced to close or reduce services due to the costs associated with hiring new nurses, according to The Republican. More articles on workforce: KLAS: Hospitals favor manual over predictive tools for nurse, staff scheduling Novant Health bumps minimum wage to $12.50 Why physician burnout jumped to 54% over 3 years Orthopedic spine surgeon Zachary Lovato, DO, joined El Paso (Texas) Specialty Hospital, the El Paso Herald-Post reports. Here are three things to know: 1. Dr. Lovato received his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa. He underwent adult deformity and spinal reconstruction surgery fellowship training at Tempe, Ariz.-based Sonoran Spine Center. 2. Dr. Lovato performs minimally invasive and traditional spine surgeries. 3. El Paso Specialty Hospital is a private, physician-owned hospital that specializes in orthopedics, urology, bariatrics, general and spine surgical care for the greater El Paso region. By Trend The First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Colonel General Najmeddin Sadikov has begun an official visit to the Republic of Belarus on August 21, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said. First, a delegation led by Colonel General N. Sadikov laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame near the "Brest Fortress Hero" memorial complex. Within the framework of the visit, the prospects of development of military cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Belarus will be discussed. Saudi Arabia's holy sites will undergo a major facelift in the near future, a report said quoting the kingdom's Hajj minister. There is a comprehensive, integrated plan to develop the Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat altogether, Mohammed bin Saleh Banten was quoted as saying by the Arab News report. He said there is a royal commission chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for Makkah and the holy sites and this massive project will see more services for pilgrims and increased capacity, safety and security to ease their Hajj pilgrimage. Invistas technology and licensing group, Invista Performance Technologies (IPT), and Fujian Billion Petrochemicals have partnered to license Invistas latest purified terephthalic acid (PTA) process technology for a new PTA line. The PTA line will have a design capacity of 2.5 million metric tonnes per year and will be installed in Fujian Province, China. Mike Pickens, IPT president, commented: We are honoured that our advanced, industry-leading P8 technology has been selected. Our demonstrated ability to deliver a fast schedule and the fact that our technology is proven were key factors in our selection. This represents a new chapter for deployment of Invistas P8 PTA technology aimed at creating competitive advantage for our global customers. The targeted project start-up date would be in August 2020. IPTs P8 PTA technology is available as a licence package from Invista Performance Technologies. TradeArabia News Service 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. US President Donald Trump is enthusiastic about agreeing a free trade deal with the UK, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt believes. Mr Hunt has been in talks with Vice President Mike Pence and others in the US administration in Washington for two days and will now travel to New York. The Foreign Secretary said talks included ensuring the UK-US alliance grows even stronger after Brexit. Great meeting with UK Foreign Secretary @Jeremy_Hunt. We discussed the importance of the historic alliance between our two nations & our strong partnership for freedom. pic.twitter.com/cjRCP5SYBd Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) August 21, 2018 He said: Our discussions showed real enthusiasm from the US administration, from the President down, for a UK/US free trade agreement to be reached as soon as possible after we leave the EU, something that will benefit businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. Expand Close Jeremy Hunt with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (Cliff Owen/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jeremy Hunt with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (Cliff Owen/AP) Discussions about foreign policy priorities, including Russia, were also held with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Chief of Staff to the President General John Kelly and Adviser to the President Jared Kushner. Mr Hunt also met a number of US diplomats expelled from Russia in retaliation for 60 Russian diplomats expelled from Washington as part of the coordinated response to the Salisbury attacks. Expand Close Military personnel at the site near the Maltings in Salisbury where Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found after a nerve agent attack (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Military personnel at the site near the Maltings in Salisbury where Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found after a nerve agent attack (Ben Birchall/PA) He said: The United States is our closest ally and I was delighted to meet Vice President Pence, Secretary Pompeo, and other key figures in the US administration to discuss the foreign policy challenges we face together. The UK and US, and our joint defence of our shared values, will always be crucial to maintaining the international rules-based system that has kept us safe for decades. We are enormously grateful for the solidarity shown by the US as they stood with us when a chemical weapon was inexcusably used in Salisbury earlier this year. Today I was able personally to thank US diplomats expelled from Russia in retaliation. Meanwhile, Mr Hunt spoke to Axios, an American news website launched by former Politico journalists about the presidents assertion Boris Johnson would make a great prime minister. Mr Hunt replied: Well Boris is someone I would never underestimate. This is a man who has changed the course of British history through his campaigning for Brexit. I dont agree with him on everything, but, you know, who knows for the future? The girlfriend of a murdered male model has said she received death threats after being named at the trial of her boyfriends killers. George Koh, 24, was found guilty at the Old Bailey last week of stabbing his more successful fashion rival Harry Uzoka to death. The court heard how the pair rowed after Koh bragged about having sex with 25-year-old Mr Uzokas girlfriend, Ruby Campbell, who is also a model. She did not give evidence at the trial but has taken to social media to break her silence after receiving multiple death threats. In an Instagram post accompanying a picture of her and Mr Uzoka, she insisted she has never met Koh, who stabbed her boyfriend in the heart while she was away working in Los Angeles and Sweden. Harry died because a man had a jealous obsession with Harry. He came to his house with his two friends, knives and intentions to kill, she wrote. Since this event has happened Im so sad and heartbroken. I had finally found someone I was so happy with and he was taken from me. Ms Campbell said the tragedy has been twisted by the press and social media users to make it seem like I was the bad guy in this situation or this was a fight about me. Expand Close CCTV captured Harry Uzoka, being chased by (left to right) Merse Dikanda, George Koh and Jonathan Okigbo (Met Police/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp CCTV captured Harry Uzoka, being chased by (left to right) Merse Dikanda, George Koh and Jonathan Okigbo (Met Police/PA) This makes me so sad, her post continued. I have had a hard time this year grieving and I am still grieving. Harry was my love. I have never lost a person in my life and Im receiving multiple death threats and multiple social media accounts using a tragedy as click bait. Mr Uzoka was signed with Londons Premier Model Management agency and counted catwalk star Jourdan Dunn among his friends. He had recently returned from a Caribbean holiday with his girlfriend and landed a film role shortly before he was killed outside his Shepherds Bush home, in west London on January 11. Expand Close George Koh was found guilty of stabbing Harry Uzoka to death (Met Police/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp George Koh was found guilty of stabbing Harry Uzoka to death (Met Police/PA) His murder trial heard he fell out with Koh after he bragged to Paris-based model Annecetta Lafon that he had sex with Ms Campbell. Prosecutor Richard Horwell QC said: Koh claimed that he knew Uzoka well and then said that he had sex with Uzokas girlfriend and that was the reason why they no longer talked. Mr Uzoka collapsed and died after he and his flatmate, armed only with dumbbell bars, went to settle a dispute with Koh, who was himself accompanied by two friends. Koh was found guilty of murder, along with machete-wielding Merse Dikanda, 24. Personal trainer Jonathan Okigbo, also 24, was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter. All three men will be sentenced on September 21. Nicola Sturgeon will be among those welcoming delegates at an opening event (Jane Barlow/PA) Cultural leaders from around the world are set to take part in a summit getting under way today. The fourth Edinburgh International Culture Summit will run from Wednesday to Friday at the Scottish Parliament. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be among those welcoming delegates at an opening event later, which takes place during the height of the Edinburgh festival season. If you could ask 3 questions at the #EdCultureSummit - who would they be directed at and what would they be? https://t.co/My0oWQEIYU pic.twitter.com/nT6oVzRDNN Culture Summit (@CultureSummit) August 13, 2018 Prime Minister Theresa May is to make a video address to the gathering, which this year makes connecting peoples and places its central theme. Three key issues to be explored will be culture and wellbeing, culture in a networked world and culture and investment. Speakers from as far afield as the US, India, Romania, Saudi Arabia and Singapore are some of those expected to address the event over the coming days. Expand Close Catarina Vaz Pinto, Lisboa Outubro 2017 Luisa Ferreira / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Catarina Vaz Pinto, Lisboa Outubro 2017 Luisa Ferreira Among those addressing the summit will be the former governor-general of New Zealand Sir Jerry Mateparae, who will talk about the contribution of Maori culture, while Dr Catarina Vaz Pinto, a councillor of culture in Portugal, will focus on maintaining a balance between protecting historic culture and regenerating spaces. The summit is a collaboration between the Scottish and UK governments, the British Council, Edinburgh International Festival and Scottish Parliament, and is delivered by the Edinburgh International Culture Summit Foundation. The woman was arrested in Derbyshire on Tuesday morning (Peter Byrne/PA) A woman has been arrested on suspicion of funding terrorist offences. Scotland Yard said the 35-year-old was detained at about 5.50am on Tuesday after detectives went to an address in Derbyshire. She was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in an arrangement to fund terrorism, contrary to section 17 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and taken to a police station in London. She was detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and has now been bailed to return to a London police station on a date in mid-September, Scotland Yard said. Detectives from the National Terrorism Financial Investigation Unit within the Counter Terrorism Command also searched the Derbyshire address. Talented toddler Libby Williams is breaking into the art world with her blog, Like It Was Done By A Toddler. LIWDBAT, a creative collaboration with mum Mary Harrington Williams, began in August 2018 and documents the Cambridge youngsters artistic endeavours with amazing commentary. The blogs description reads: The artist, Elisabeth (Libby) Williams, was born in 2016 and is self-taught. Her interests include the interplay of Jungian archetype and contemporary politics, Goethean colour theory, digging in the sandpit, and the dialogue between each artists situation of herself within a tradition and the contemporary pressure for creative originality. Expand Close (Elisabeth Williams) Landscapes 4: Container Port, Hudson Bay, NY 2018, mixed media / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (Elisabeth Williams) Landscapes 4: Container Port, Hudson Bay, NY 2018, mixed media Mary, who runs and provides commentary for the blog, explained that the project began as a joke, but that she loves the creations her daughter cooks up. She said: It started out as a joke on WhatsApp with a friend who also has a toddler daughter (she appears on the blog as visiting artist Pipsinella). My friend actually is in the art world and we started sending each other toddler art with gallery-style commentary. It got so I was seeing everything Libby did in those terms so I started blogging it just to get it out of my system, and to make my friend laugh. Ive always loved drawing and painting and its been such a buzz seeing Libby start to enjoy it too. Expand Close (Elisabeth Williams) Nee Naw 3: Out To Pasture 2018, mixed media / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (Elisabeth Williams) Nee Naw 3: Out To Pasture 2018, mixed media Mary adds art gallery-style captions to complement each of Libbys pieces, delving deep into the meaning of the work. She said: I couldnt tell you whether I feel like Im poking fun at contemporary art or participating in it. Why shouldnt we see her work as real art? A lot of contemporary art is just a collection of objects until you stick a commentary on it and put it in a gallery; given that, which one of us is the artist the one painting or the one providing the commentary? Are her paintings found objects for my artistic practice? Or am I just having a laugh providing spoof commentary for a toddlers paintings? I couldnt say. Expand Close (Elisabeth Williams) Landscapes 6: The House In The Woods 2018, watercolour / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (Elisabeth Williams) Landscapes 6: The House In The Woods 2018, watercolour As well as hosting Libbys creative work, the blog also showcases several visiting artists from around the world. LIWDBAT accepts artistic submissions, and is open to work from children everywhere with a passion for arts and crafts. Mary said: Like all parents of course I think my child is an artistic genius, but even independent of the fact its my daughters work I find some of her creations (especially the paintings) genuinely lovely. Id love nothing more than to give a platform to some more of the up-and-coming artists out there. Donald Trump is accused of directing a former lawyer to make payments to women (Craig Hudson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) Donald Trumps former personal lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, has pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and alleged the president directed him to pay hush money to two women. Here are some of the key questions around the development. Does Cohens guilty plea mean Mr Trump broke the law? Cohen said in court that he made one payment in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office and the other under direction of the same candidate. The amounts and dates all line up with the payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Prosecutors did not go as far as Cohen did in open court in pointing the finger at the president, saying Cohen acted in coordination with a candidate or campaign for federal office for purposes of influencing the election. Expand Close Michael Cohen made the allegations in court documents (AP/Craig Ruttle) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Cohen made the allegations in court documents (AP/Craig Ruttle) Why did they phrase it like that? Legal experts said there could be multiple reasons for the government lawyers more cautious statements. Daniel Petalas, former prosecutor in the Justice Departments public integrity section, said the issue of whether Mr Trump violated the law comes down to whether the then-presidential candidate tried to influence an election, whether he knew and directed it and whether he knew it was improper. But Mr Trumps attorney Rudy Giuliani said in a statement: There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the governments charges against Mr. Cohen. Pardoning himself would be unthinkable and probably lead to immediate impeachment.Rudy Giuliani Does Cohens plea relate to the Russia investigation? The Cohen case was not part of special counsel Robert Muellers probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. It was handled by prosecutors in New York. Still, it could give Mr Mueller a boost. Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, argued that Cohens plea undermines the argument that the investigations swirling around Mr Trump are a witch hunt, as the president has called Mr Muellers Russia investigation. Does Cohens plea mean Mr Trump could be forced to answer questions? Mr Trumps lawyers have been negotiating with Mr Mueller about whether the president would be interviewed as part of his Russia investigation. Now Ms Daniels attorney Michael Avenatti says he will renew efforts to get Mr Trump to submit to a deposition in a lawsuit the porn star filed to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement she signed ahead of the 2016 election. Ms Daniels case is currently on hold, but Mr Avenatti said he will be looking to get the hold lifted. The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 21, 2018 Is there a precedent? The US Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones against former president Bill Clinton, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit. But that ruling did not directly address whether a president could be summoned to give evidence in a criminal investigation, a question the Supreme Court may have to confront if Mr Mueller tries to compel Mr Trumps to give evidence in his probe. Expand Close Stormy Daniels (AP file/Ringo H.W. Chiu, FILE) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stormy Daniels (AP file/Ringo H.W. Chiu, FILE) If there is evidence of wrongdoing, can the president be indicted? The US Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to executive branch agencies, has held that a sitting president cannot be indicted. Mr Trumps lawyers have said that Mr Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mr Muellers office has never independently confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he or she leaves the White House. Expand Close Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election (AP/Andrew Harnik, File) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election (AP/Andrew Harnik, File) Could Mr Trump pardon himself? Mr Trump has already shown he is not afraid to use his pardon power, particularly for those he has viewed as unfair victims of partisanship. He pardoned a former Arizona sheriff who clashed with a judge on immigration and a Bush administration official convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in a leak case. As for whether a president can pardon himself, not surprisingly, courts have never had to answer that question. Mr Giuliani has said it would be unthinkable and probably lead to immediate impeachment. Still, Mr Giuliani argued that Trump probably does have the power to pardon himself. What about Paul Manafort? The long-time political operative who for months led Mr Trumps presidential campaign was found guilty of eight financial crimes in the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the presidents associates. The jury found him guilty of five counts of filing false tax returns on tens of millions of dollars in Ukrainian political consulting income. He was also convicted of failing to report foreign bank accounts in 2012 and of two bank fraud charges that accused him of lying to obtain millions of dollars in loans after his consulting income dried up. What next for Manafort? The outcome almost certainly guarantees years of prison for Manafort. It also appears to vindicate the ability of Mr Muellers team to secure convictions from a jury of average citizens despite months of partisan attacks, including from Mr Trump. Expand Close Paul Manafort was convicted of eight charges (Jose Luis Magana/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Paul Manafort was convicted of eight charges (Jose Luis Magana/AP) The verdict raised immediate questions of whether the president would seek to pardon Manafort, the lone American charged by Mr Mueller to opt for trial instead of cooperation. The president called the outcome a disgrace and suggested Manafort had been treated worse than gangster Al Capone. The trial was the first of two for Manafort. He faces another later this year on charges of conspiracy against the US, conspiracy to launder money, making false statements and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Ukrainian interests. He is also accused of witness tampering in that case. A private jet reportedly carrying rapper Post Malone to a UK festival that blew two tyres during take-off has landed safely at an airport in New York. The Gulfstream IV landed at New York Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, about 70 miles north of New York City. Emergency responders were ready by the runway. The jet was heading to Luton Airport from Teterboro Airport when the pilot realised just after take-off that the tyres had blown. He circled the airport for about 30 minutes before the jet was diverted. The Federal Aviation Administration says the plane had 16 people on board. N101CV, a Gulfstream G-IV with #PostMalone reportedly on board, that suffered 2 blown tires on departure from Teterboro has safely landed at Stewart Airport and vacated the runway. Available data and playback at https://t.co/tIJNfNP7zv pic.twitter.com/2vfqDFYDyL Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) August 21, 2018 The jet originally had been diverted to Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Massachusetts. It landed instead at Stewart, which has a nearly 3,650-metre runway. Fans of Post Malone gathered at the airport because they heard he was on board. He is due to perform at the Leeds and Reading Festivals this summer. Kevin Spacey is under investigation in the US and UK (Tim Whitby/PA) Prosecutors in California are reviewing a second sexual assault case against actor Kevin Spacey. The Los Angeles County District Attorneys office said they received the case against the actor on Tuesday from the sheriffs department. Greg Risling, spokesman for the DA, said in a statement: A sex assault case was presented yesterday to our office by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department involving Kevin Spacey. It remains under review. The first US case was put forward to prosecutors in April. Expand Close Kevin Spacey attending the Olivier Awards (Ian West/PA Images) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kevin Spacey attending the Olivier Awards (Ian West/PA Images) The ex-House Of Cards actor, 59, is being investigated in the UK for six sexual assault claims over 22 years. Actor Anthony Rapp was the first to make an allegation, claiming he was 14 when a 26-year-old Spacey made a sexual advance to him in 1986. Spacey has faced a number of repercussions since allegations of sexual assault against him emerged, most recently clocking in a dire 126 US dollars (98) on the opening day of his film Billionaire Boys Club. He was also sacked from Netflix show House Of Cards and erased from Sir Ridley Scotts All The Money In The World. Spacey was artistic director at Londons The Old Vic theatre between 2004 and 2015. Some of the souvenir merchandise on sale in Knock in anticipation of Pope Francis visit Some of the souvenir merchandise on sale in Knock in anticipation of Pope Francis visit Some of the souvenir merchandise on sale in Knock in anticipation of Pope Francis visit The Ancient Greeks had a word that comes to mind when one contemplates this weekend's visit of the Pope to Ireland. Kairos. Translated, it means "right or proper time". My big Oxford English Dictionary defines Kairos as " the propitious moment, especially for decision or action". So, it means the opportune moment: the moment to seize an opportunity to do something important and impactful. Many will be waiting to see if Pope Francis seizes the moment. Read More My abiding hope for the visit of Francis is threefold. First, and most urgently, and building on his remarkable letter to all Catholics on Monday, that he will, finally, address the cancer of clerical sex abuse in a way that leaves no one in any doubt, especially victims and survivors, that however high you may be in the hierarchy or Curia, bishop, archbishop or cardinal, you will be accountable if you have not just perpetrated abuse but covered it up, and that you will have no hiding place from the civil and the church authorities. Secondly, that the words and actions of this good and humble man who has engaged with the world in a special way, becoming its foremost voice of conscience on issues such as poverty, climate change, migrants and trafficking, will help create the conditions for a renewal of a Church in Ireland that is battered and bruised. Read More Thirdly, that his words and actions will give us much to think about, in the deepest sense, and that somehow, in the aftermath of his visit, this island, in the widest and most inclusive sense, will feel a little bit more reconciled, a little bit gentler, and a little bit kinder. However, it goes without saying that one must be careful not to expect too much from any one person, however exalted his position, in a visit of just 36 hours. The Pope is not coming on a State visit (though with all the security and organisation it has the hallmarks of one) or even a pastoral visit to the whole country, but rather to preside at a major global Catholic Church event in Dublin, the World Meeting of Families. He is also paying a short visit to the Marian Shrine at Knock in Co Mayo which is a bit surprising given that the Vatican let it be known that the supposed principal reason for giving Northern Ireland a miss was concern a trip north would distract from the World Meeting. Read More The Knock visit may be wonderful news for pilgrims from the west and midlands of Ireland - and a fantastic boon for the Shrine itself - but given time constraints it must, regrettably, mean less time for meaningful engagement with victims and survivors of clerical sex abuse. There is, naturally, much disappointment among the Catholics here that Pope Francis is not crossing the border, making it the fourth time this region has been overlooked by a Pontiff on a journey to these islands: by John Paul II in 1979 and 1982 when he visited the Republic and Britain respectively and by Benedict XVI in 2010 when he paid a State visit to the UK. Read More One would expect the Pope to address some words directly to people in Northern Ireland in his speech in Dublin Castle and one would hope that there would be an indication from him of his willingness to come here on a stand-alone visit before too long. Pope Francis's audience in the Castle will include the leaders or senior representatives of all the main Northern Ireland political parties, except for the DUP, whose decision to absent themselves is surprising and deeply regrettable, correctly described on the BBC by Alban Maginness, the most moderate of nationalists, as being insulting to Catholics, and "a gigantic mistake by Arlene Foster". The DUP's stance contrasts with the welcome the Pope will receive from Protestant Church leaders whose attitude is probably more in keeping with the greater number in both main communities here. 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 A woman takes a photograph of the Papal Altar at Phoenix park in Dublin on August 23, 2018, prior to the visit by Pope Francis to Ireland on August 25-26. Pic Paul Faith PA AFP/Getty Images An LGBT choir protests outside the world meeting of families in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday August 23, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope LGBT. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Former Manchester United footballer Father Philip Mulryan speaking at the world meeting of families in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday August 23, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Sport . Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA KNOCK, IRELAND - AUGUST 23: Statues of Pope Francis sit alongside other memorabilia on sale ahead of the Pope's visit to Ireland on August 23, 2018 in Knock, Ireland. Pope Francis will visit the small visit of knock on the second day of the first papal visit to Ireland in forty years. The Roman Catholic pilgrimage site is famous for it's shrine where the Blessed Virgin Mary was said to appear to villagers in an apparition along with Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist in 1879. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images KNOCK, IRELAND - AUGUST 23: Sacred heart framed photographs sit alongside other of memorabilia on sale ahead of the Pope's visit to Ireland on August 23, 2018 in Knock, Ireland. Pope Francis will visit the small visit of knock on the second day of the first papal visit to Ireland in forty years. The Roman Catholic pilgrimage site is famous for it's shrine where the Blessed Virgin Mary was said to appear to villagers in an apparition along with Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist in 1879. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images KNOCK, IRELAND - AUGUST 23: Statues of Pope Francis sit alongside other memorabilia on sale ahead of the Pope's visit to Ireland on August 23, 2018 in Knock, Ireland. Pope Francis will visit the small visit of knock on the second day of the first papal visit to Ireland in forty years. The Roman Catholic pilgrimage site is famous for it's shrine where the Blessed Virgin Mary was said to appear to villagers in an apparition along with Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist in 1879. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images KNOCK, IRELAND - AUGUST 23: General views of some of the memorabilia including holy water bottles on sale ahead of the Pope's visit to Ireland on August 23, 2018 in Knock, Ireland. Pope Francis will visit the small visit of knock on the second day of the first papal visit to Ireland in forty years. The Roman Catholic pilgrimage site is famous for it's shrine where the Blessed Virgin Mary was said to appear to villagers in an apparition along with Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist in 1879. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images Pope Francis dolls are on sale at the World Meeting of Families in Dublin on August 23, 2018. - Pope Francis will be visiting Ireland on August 25 to take part in the World Meeting of Families, a global Catholic gathering. (Photo by Paul FAITH / AFP)PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Nuns wait for a service to begin at the World Meeting of Families in Dublin on August 23, 2018. - Pope Francis will be visiting Ireland on August 25 to take part in the World Meeting of Families, a global Catholic gathering. (Photo by Paul FAITH / AFP)PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images An art Installation by Mannix Flynn in Dublin City centre ahead of the Popes visit to Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday August 23, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA The Papal Altar is pictured at Phoenix park in Dublin on August 23, 2018, prior to the visit by Pope Francis to Ireland on August 25-26. - Pope Francis will be visiting Ireland on August 25 to take part in the World Meeting of Families, a global Catholic gathering. (Photo by Paul FAITH / AFP)PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis dolls on sale at the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA A general view of the opening ceremony of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Cardinal Kevin Farrell during the opening ceremony of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA A general view of the opening ceremony of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Archbishop Diarmuid Martin arrives for the opening ceremony of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA A general view of the opening ceremony of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Pope Francis candles on sale before the opening ceremony of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Canada arrives for the opening ceremony of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Pope Francis T shirts on sale before the opening ceremony of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families . Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Pope Francis dolls on sale at the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Pope Francis dolls on sale at the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Canada arrives for the opening ceremony of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Pilgrims arrive for the opening ceremony of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS in Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 21, 2018. See PA story IRISH Pope Families. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A woman takes a photograph of the Papal Altar at Phoenix park in Dublin on August 23, 2018, prior to the visit by Pope Francis to Ireland on August 25-26. Pic Paul Faith PA This Pope is admired around the world for his humility and his prophetic stance on social justice and environmental issues. In five years he has shifted the Church away from a theology of rules to a theology of grace, reached out to gays like no pope before him, tackled the reform of the Curia with modest results, and established a meaningful synodal process by encouraging the bishops to raise their voices on contentious issues. However, we have still no word on the outcome of his commission that's examining the issue of women deacons, nor has he put flesh on his 2013 musings about "a deep theology of women in the Church". But the biggest disappointment has been the Pope's failure, so far, to get a real grip on the clerical sex abuse scandals that have convulsed the Church worldwide in recent decades. Only last week a report in Pennsylvania revealed a catalogue of unspeakable horrors, describing how 301 priests abused 1,000 children in six dioceses over a 70-year period, and how scandals were covered up by church authorities, including allegedly by a former bishop there, Donald Wuerl, now the Cardinal archbishop of Washington DC. As is so often the case, the cover-up of scandals by cardinals and bishops - some of whom like former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington DC were alleged abusers themselves - has compounded the original crimes. Pope Francis set up the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors to advise him on how to tackle the problem, but it has no teeth and some of its key recommendations for reform - like a tribunal to prosecute bishops who cover up abuse crimes - have been blocked by elements in the Curia. Such a standing tribunal should be independent, have a lay majority and chairperson, and be underpinned by Canon Law. Marie Collins, a courageous survivor of clerical abuse from Dublin, resigned from the Commission in frustration in 2017, and Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, said at the weekend that it needed strengthening. Pope Francis issued a powerful unprecedented 2,000-word letter to the world's Catholics on Monday, condemning the "atrocities" of child sexual abuse and its cover-up by the Church, pledging "zero tolerance" and saying pointedly that "to say 'no' to abuse is to say 'no' to all forms of clericalism". It would be good if in Dublin, the archdiocese where some of the worst abuses first came to light, the Pope goes further and signals at the World Meeting of Families how, in concrete terms, the Church will go about destroying the culture of cover-up that has ruined the lives of numerous victims and their families. Let us hope that he sees this Kairos moment for what it is. It could be a turning point rather than a missed opportunity. Martin O'Brien is a journalist specialising in religious affairs Rohingya bring cows donated by NGOs to be slaughtered for an Eid-ul-Adha feast at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, Aug. 22, 2018. Rohingya refugees sheltering in southeastern Bangladesh marked the start of their first Eid-ul-Adha holiday away from Myanmar on Wednesday by recalling how they survived a violent government crackdown that forced them to flee their homes last year. More than 700,000 Rohingya escaped to Coxs Bazar and nearby areas in neighboring Bangladesh after the crackdown began on Aug. 25, 2017 in Myanmars Rakhine state, just days before last years celebration of the three-day Islamic holiday. We can recollect how we were attacked on the Qurbani Eid days, Mohammad Foyezu Arakani, a Rohingya leader at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia, a sub-district of Coxs Bazar, told BenarNews using another name for the holiday. Despite being surrounded by thousands of fellow Rohingya in the camps, many found themselves alone this year. With whom will I share my Eid joy? I do not have any family. They killed all of my family members, Amir Ali, a septuagenarian from Maungdaw, told BenarNews before breaking down. He said the Myanmar military had killed his family. Others shared similar stories of violence. On last years first day of the Qurbani Eid, the Burmese military shot dead my two sons and two grandchildren in front of me. My heart bleeds when the incidents come to my mind, Mariam Begum, a resident of the Jadimura refugee camp in Teknaf sub-district, told BenarNews. Myanmar security forces launched the crackdown in response to coordinated attacks carried out against police and military outposts in Rakhine by an insurgent group known as the Arakhan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). The United Nations and the United States labeled killings, rapes and other atrocities that allegedly took place as a result of the crackdown as ethnic cleansing that targeted the stateless Rohingya minority, which is predominantly Muslim. A Rohingya girl helps her sister get on a ride at the Eid-ul-Adha fair at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia, Coxs Bazar, Aug. 22, 2018. (Sharif Khiam/BenarNews) Fun for children While many of their elders were melancholic, children in the camp celebrated Eid joyously on Wednesday. Wearing new clothes, they gathered in the camps alley and lanes, blowing whistles and squealing as they witnessed the traditional slaughtering of cows in preparation for the Feast of Sacrifice, which honors Abrahims willingness to sacrifice his son to God. District official Mohammad Ashraful Afsar said the Coxs Bazar administration had distributed the animals that were received as donations from NGOs and individuals to the Rohingya camps in Ukhia and Teknaf. We used to sacrifice animals on Eid days in our country. But here we are completely dependent on the government, Rafiq Majhi, a former resident of Maungdaw who is living in the Madhurchhara camp, told BenarNews. Within the camps, different organizations made special arrangements, including a special fair. The fair for children will last for three days, organizer Mohammad Hashem told BenarNews. We will roam all day long and eat chocolate and ice cream, Ruhul, the 10-year-old son of Rohingya Rashid Ahmed told BenarNews. Abdur Rahman in Coxs Bazar contributed to this report. Edita Tiamzon (right), the widow of slain journalist Daniel Tiamzon, breaks into tears as she views an art exhibit to mark the fifth anniversary of a massacre of 58 people, 32 of them journalists, in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Nov. 23, 2014. Families of 58 people killed in the nations worst political massacre have slammed a court decision allowing one of the principal suspects to temporarily leave jail to attend his daughters wedding. Of the victims killed in 2009, at least 32 were journalists and media workers, in what is believed to be single biggest one-day massacre of press people around the world. Almost 100 people have been jailed and charged with murder, but none have been convicted. The journalists tagged along with a convoy of a local Muslim political clan challenging the Ampataun family for control of the southern province of Maguindanao. The group was ambushed by members of the Ampatuan family and their henchmen who tried to hide the bodies in a mass grave on a remote hill. The violence exposed bitter rivalries among Muslim clans jostling for control of the south, a mineral-rich area that has for decades been locked in insurgency. Among those jailed is Zaldy Ampatuan, one of the men who allegedly engineered the massacre. On Sunday, he was granted a furlough to attend his daughters wedding. I dont really understand as to why we have this kind of justice system, Reynafe Momay-Castillo, a daughter of photojournalist Reynaldo Momay who was one of the victims, said from Canada where she works as a nurse. She demanded an explanation from Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, about why Ampatuan was allowed out. Do you think we no longer follow the case after almost a decade? Do you think we forgot all about the killing of our loved ones? Personally, I may not be in the Philippines to attend the hearings but Im still following through, she said. I still seek and will continue to seek justice for my father. You owe us an explanation, she added. Zaldy Ampatuan, with his father, the late Andal Ampatuan Sr., and his brother Andal Ampatuan Jr., are among the main suspects in the massacre, which has come to be known locally as the Maguindanao Massacre of 2009. A copy of the court order obtained by BenarNews said the wedding was a significant milestone to be cherished and remembered. It is a momentous family occasion which must be witnessed and attended by the couples loved-ones, especially the accused who will personally bring his eldest daughter to the altar, according to the document signed by Reyes-Solis and dated Aug. 17. Chief Inspector Xavier Solda, spokesman of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, confirmed that Ampatuan was allowed out of jail for three hours on Tuesday to attend the ceremony at a five-star hotel in Manila. On Wednesday, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) protested what it perceived a special privilege granted to Ampatuan. Its statement noted the crime for which he is being tried for was of such heinous nature that it forced then-President Gloria Arroyo to move against the clan. Almost nine years after the rampage that claimed the lives of 58 persons, 32 of them media workers, no one has yet been convicted. Yet a principal accused, Sajid Ampatuan, was granted bail, the NUJP said. That and now this, we feel, gives us and the victims' families more than enough cause to worry about whether we can truly expect justice for this most grievous of crimes, it said. Press monitors around the world had called the massacre the single deadliest event for journalists in recent history. Filipino Catholics hold a candlelight vigil calling for truth, justice and accountability from the Marcos family, in Dagupan, northern Philippines, Nov. 24, 2016. A call by the eldest daughter of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos to move on from the countrys dark past has provoked a backlash from victims of rights abuses committed under her fathers two-decade rule. At a political event in the central city of Cebu on Tuesday, Imee Marcos, 62, suggested that Filipinos should put the past behind them. The millennials have moved on and I think people at my age should move on as well, Marcos, 62, said on the sidelines of the gathering, which was highlighted by the appearance of President Rodrigo Duterte, the Marcos familys newfound political benefactor. Imee Marcos made the remarks as the country was commemorating the 35th anniversary of the assassination of her fathers arch political foe, Benigno Ninoy Aquino Jr. On Wednesday, former rights commissioner Etta Rosales, who was raped and tortured during the Marcos era of martial law, slammed Imee Marcos historical revisionism. It is obvious that they want to get back to power and this is all that matters to them, she told BenarNews. It is even sadder that Duterte, a ruler who knows little of democracy, admires Marcos and seeks to emulate him. She said Imee Marcos should be exposed for attempting to revise history and for moving to erase the crimes committed by their kin. Rosales urged journalists to continue reporting on the real struggles and many abuses committed under the brutal Marcos regime (1965-1986). Ecumenical leaders pray over former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos at a church in Manilas Tondo district, in this undated file photo. [Luis Liwanag/BenarNews] Thousands of Filipinos were killed and tortured during the Marcos era, with the strongman believed to have plundered up to U.S. $10 billion from state coffers. So far, only about $658 million in Swiss deposits have been found. Ninoy Aquinos 1983 assassination at Manilas international airport when he returned from self-exile changed the course of Philippine history, angering Filipinos who rose up against the dictator three years later. Marcos was sent into exile in Hawaii where he died in 1989. The airport is named in Aquinos honor. Aquinos wife, Corazon, eventually replaced Marcos as president as the country transitioned to democracy. Their son, Benigno Simeon Aquino III, also become president and was replaced by Duterte in 2016. Marcos wife, Imelda, and children, Imee, Ferdinand Jr. and Irene were allowed to return to the Philippines and bury Marcos body at the familys political stronghold of Ilocos Norte, near Manila. The family has since revived itself politically, with Imelda now a member of congress representing Ilocos Norte, where Imee is the governor. Ferdinand Jr., known here as Bongbong, was a senator who in 2016 lost his bid for the vice presidency. But Duterte is backing him and said he would step aside if Marcos Jr. won his electoral protest. Duterte publicly said that he owed the Marcos family a debt of gratitude. Shortly after winning the presidency, he had the remains of Marcos transferred to a heroes cemetery in Manila, causing widespread protests from anti-Marcos activists. A youth group calling itself Spark (or the Group of Progressive Youths) slammed Imee Marcos for trying to erase history. There is no moving on until justice has been served. There is also no moving on in that we will never forget the damage martial law has done, the group said in a statement. She has no right no claim what our stand is on the issue. Not in our name, Imee Marcos. Soldiers hold a suspected insurgent while arresting him during a pursuit in Namsai, a village in southern Thailands Pattani province, Aug. 21, 2018. As hundreds of thousands of Muslims marked Eid-ul-Adha in Thailands troubled Deep South on Wednesday, Thai authorities said they killed three suspects in recent days while thwarting insurgent plots to disrupt the religious holiday. Authorities said they also arrested 10 suspects in two counter-insurgent operations mounted during the past week in Thailands southern border region. Since the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan ended in mid-June, at least 17 people have been killed in attacks blamed on separatist rebels in the predominantly Muslim and Malay Deep South. On Wednesday, there were no reports of violence. One of the operations took place on Tuesday, the eve of Eid-ul-Adha, when a combined force of soldiers and police shot and killed a suspected insurgent during a firefight in Mayo, a district of Pattani province, officials said. The incident occurred near an Islamic school in Namsai village as the security force traded shots with six rebel suspects, killing one of them. The remaining five were arrested, according to officials. These men came into the neighborhood to plan attacks to disrupt Eid-ul-Adha but our intelligence officers were able to track them down first, police Col. Komkrit Srisong, the chief of Mayo police station, told BenarNews. We tried to arrest them but they returned fire, so both sides clashed. On Aug. 16, during the first operation, security forces surrounded a house in Sa-ae Nai village in Yala provinces Krong Pinang district, where seven suspected rebels were meeting to plot attacks related to the Eid holiday, authorities said. While five of them surrendered, two others did not and they used rifles to shoot back, so officials returned fire and killed them, Lt. Gen. Piyawat Nakwanich, the Thai army commander for the 4th Army Region, which covers the Deep South, told reporters as he visited the scene of the shootout in Yala. All of the suspects were wanted for crimes, he said, adding the two slain men had led an attack on a police checkpoint in the same district, wounding 12 officers on April 3, 2017. Police Col. Narawi Binwae-arong, the chief of police in Krong Pinang, said an intelligence tip-off, which indicated that the group was meeting to plot holiday attacks, led to the operation. A man hands out cash to a child and mother on Raya Adha day at a mosque in Yaha, a district of the southern Thai province of Yala, Aug. 22, 2018 (Mariyam Ahmad/BenarNews) Deadly spate The Deep South, which encompasses Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces as well as four districts of Songkhla province, was relatively peaceful during Ramadan. But since the holy month ended more than two months ago, at least 26 attacks carried out by insurgents have killed 17 people and injured another 23 across the region, according to official figures compiled by BenarNews from police and military reports. The attacks included the Aug. 11 roadside shooting deaths at point-blank range of a Buddhist mother and her 14-year-old daughter as they were returning home from a flea market in Narathiwats Bacho district. Police Maj. Gen. Manas Sikasamat, who oversees the Narathiwat provincial police bureau, blamed insurgents. The shootings of the mother and daughter were related to insurgents. We arrested three suspected gunmen who gave us useful information, Manas told BenarNews without elaborating. The area where the shooting occurred was also the site of a roadside ambush on July 18, when a gunman fired on a pickup truck with an M-16 assault rifle, killing the driver and injuring a passenger, officials said. And on the same day the mother and daughter were gunned down in Narathiwat, a sniper killed a paramilitary ranger with five rounds fired from 100 meters (328 feet) away in Pattanis Panare district, authorities said. Sunai Phasuk, a Thai researcher for Human Rights Watch who has decades of experience in the Deep South, said more killings had taken place lately in the region due to the distorted religious teachings that attacking non-believers or Malay supporters of the government is a noble act. He said Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the largest and most potent of the regions various rebel groups, were responsible for much of the violence. Nearly 7,000 people have been killed in violence across the Deep South since the decades-old insurgency flared up again in 2004. Why doesnt the Malay community condemn them when the BRN claims they represent the Malay Patani [people]? The Malay Muslims must come out to condemn the BRN and refuse violence as a way to end the problem, Sunai told BenarNews. Meanwhile, for the past three years Thailands military government and MARA Patani, an umbrella group representing difference insurgent groups and factions, have been holding peace talks brokered by Malaysia. But, so far, both sides have not agreed to a geographically limited ceasefire, which is seen as a linchpin to advancing the process. The talks seem to have ground to a halt, at least temporarily, partly because of the recent change of governments in neighboring Malaysia, according to a Thai official who asked not to be named. In late June, Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysias new prime minister, indicated that his government would carry on with brokering the southern Thai peace negotiations. Yes yes, we are, Mahathir said June 25 in response to a question on this from a BenarNews reporter. But when the reporter asked whether the new government would replace Ahmad Zamzamin bin Hashim as facilitator of those talks with a different person, Mahathir responded, We will announce later. BCSO submitted an application to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety Justice Assistance Grant in 2017 to hire a full-time Domestic Violence Investigator as well as a child and elder abuse investigator. 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 22, 2018 Contacts: Roger Peet, (503) 753-7027, toosphexy@gmail.com Jesus Cimi Alvarado, 915-633-5381, cimione@yahoo.com Laiken Jordahl, (928) 525-4433, ljordahl@biologicaldiversity.org Endangered Species Mural Celebration August 24 in El Paso Five Borderland Species Featured in National Project EL PASO, Texas Artists, activists and community groups will celebrate the unveiling of a new wildlife mural Friday at the El Paso Convention Center. The mural is the latest installment in the Center for Biological Diversitys national Endangered Species Mural Project. The 60-foot-long, 14-foot-tall mural features five endangered species native to the U.S.-Mexico borderlands: the ocelot, Aplomado falcon, Mexican gray wolf, Chiricahua leopard frog and Sneed's pincushion cactus. The national mural project highlights imperiled wildlife that are of special significance to their region. These beautiful species have moved across this landscape unimpeded for thousands of years, said Roger Peet, artist and coordinator of the mural project. This mural celebrates the borderlands as a connected, unified and spectacular place. Theres no better place for it than El Paso. Im excited to collaborate with the Center for Biological Diversity and Roger Peet to bring more public art to El Paso, said Jesus Cimi Alvarado, an El Paso muralist. This project captures the vibrancy and compassion of our community. Students from La Fe Preparatory School are helping the artists paint the mural. What: Endangered Species Mural Project public celebration. Artists Roger Peet and Jesus Cimi Alvarado are available for interviews at the site this week and at the celebration. Center staff also will be available for interviews. The event will be part of the Alfresco! Fridays concert series. When: Friday, Aug. 24, 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Where: El Paso Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, El Paso Background A 2017 study by the Center identified more than 90 endangered or threatened species that would be threatened by proposed wall construction along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border, including the five species featured in the mural. Weve been fighting for our borderlands in the courts and in the streets. Now we get to celebrate borderland species with a gorgeous piece of public art, said Laiken Jordahl, borderlands campaigner with the Center. The Endangered Species Mural Project brings together art, science and community strength. We need all of these to help protect our borderland communities and wildlife. Beyond jeopardizing wildlife, endangered species and public lands, the border wall is part of a larger strategy of border militarization that damages human rights, civil liberties, native lands, local businesses and international relations. The border wall interrupts the ancient and natural migrations of people and wildlife that are essential to healthy diversity. The Endangered Species Mural Project has installed 16 murals in public spaces around the country. Other murals already in place include the yellow-billed cuckoo in Los Angeles; a mountain caribou in Sandpoint, Idaho; a monarch butterfly in Minneapolis; a jaguar in Tucson, Ariz.; and grizzly bears in Oakland, Calif. Learn more on our website. Media Advisory, August 22, 2018 Contacts: Maya Golden-Krasner, Center for Biological Diversity, (213) 785-5402, mgoldenkrasner@biologicaldiversity.org Natalie Risner, Coalition to Protect San Luis Obispo County, (805) 441-0811, natalie@protectslowater.org Rally to Oppose Toxic Oil-waste Dumping in San Luis Obispo Aquifer SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. San Luis Obispo residents and environmental advocates will hold a rally Thursday before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys workshop on the proposed Arroyo Grande oilfield aquifer exemption. Oil company Sentinel Peak Resources is seeking to exempt underground water in the Price Canyon area of San Luis Obispo County from protection under the Safe Water Drinking Act. This would allow the company to turn the aquifer into a permanent disposal site for oil-waste fluid. There are at least 100 water-supply wells for drinking water and crop irrigation within a mile of this aquifer. I dont want the aquifer next to my home and my community to become a toxic oil-waste dump, said Natalie Risner, a Price Canyon resident and co-chair of the Coalition to Protect San Luis Obispo County. If our wells become polluted with dangerous chemicals like benzene, we have no other water source to rely on. This communitys air and water have already been compromised by heavy oil-industry activity, said Maya Golden-Krasner, senior attorney and deputy director of the Center for Biological Diversitys Climate Law Institute. The people of San Luis Obispo shouldnt have to sacrifice more of their health and environment just to boost an oil companys bottom line. What: Rally to oppose the Arroyo Grande oilfield aquifer exemption application. When: Thursday, Aug. 23. Rally starts at 4:30 p.m. before 5 p.m. hearing begins. Where: Vets Hall, 801 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo Who: Concerned San Luis Obispo residents, members of the Coalition to Protect San Luis Obispo County, Center for Biological Diversity senior attorney Maya Golden-Krasner and Center for Biological Diversity scientist Dr. John Fleming. Background Freeport-McMoRan, which owned the Arroyo Grande oilfield before selling it to Sentinel Peak Resources, submitted the aquifer exemption application in 2015. Californias Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources approved the application and submitted it to the U.S. EPA in February 2016 for final approval. If the EPA approves the application, Sentinel could move forward with plans to drill hundreds of new wells and massively increase daily oil production. A Center analysis has identified serious flaws in the aquifer exemption application. For example, it fails to mention the companys plans to expand operations in the oilfield. It also does not include any analysis of what will happen to the aquifer if that expansion proceeds including possible changes in pressures underground and the potential for inducing fractures that could transport pollution to other water sources. Oil-waste fluid can contain high levels of benzene and other cancer-causing chemicals. The EPAs hearing comes after a coalition of concerned San Luis Obispo County residents put an initiative on the November ballot to protect air and water from oil-industry pollution. If passed, Measure G will ban hydraulic fracturing and drilling new oil and gas wells in the county. On 13 August 2018, a petition was presented to the President of India to impose stringent Two Child Policy, reportedly signed by 125 Members of Parliament, calling upon the government to take measures to control Indias high population growth rate through the proposed two-child norm. Advocating Reproductive Choices (ARC) coalition are concerned with this well-intentioned but ill- informed initiative that is detrimental to the national interests and development priorities. The corelation between Indias demographics and population growth India has been experiencing a slowing down in population growth, a decline in fertility rate, an increasing average lifespan and an increase in the working age population. National Family Health Survey 4, 2015-16 (NFHS4) data indicates 24 states in India have already achieved replacement level fertility. In the last decade, Indias total fertility rate (TFR) has gone down from 2.7 to 2.2, which is very close to the desired replacement level fertility at 2.1. However, five states in northern India: Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh contribute to 40% of the population and there are huge disparities in total fertility rates at the district level, even within these states. Certain drivers of population growth deserve attention: The population momentum due to large young population being in childbearing years, will account for more than 70% of projected population increase. The absolute numbers will continue to increase substantially even if each couple had only one child. The only way to slow down the momentum is to delay age at marriage, delay the first pregnancy and ensure spacing between births. The unmet need for contraception is 13%, which contributes 20% of projected population growth. This means that over 30 million married women of reproductive age are not able to access contraception (NFHS-4). Nearly 10% of the projected population growth can be attributed to social factors including families having more children than they actually want, to compensate for high infant mortalities, son preference due to patriarchal social norms etc. Experiences from within India indicate that coercive policies have never worked There is no evidence on the effectiveness of two-child norm. Similar policies in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have failed to bring down the fertility rates to the desired level. On the other hand, there has been a steep rise in sex-selective and unsafe abortions; men have deserted their wives to run for local body elections, and families give up children for adoption. (Buch 2005.) It is important to note here that States such as Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have experienced significant reduction in fertility rates without any coercive methods. This has been achieved by empowering women and by providing better education and health care facilities. Global lessons that can inspire us. Let us not fall for the same mistake again Thanks to the one child policy in China m the country now finds itself in the midst of a population crisis, leading to an imbalanced age structure and sex ratio. In 2015, China had to roll back this policy. South Korea switched to a pro-natalist policy to increase the TFR from 1.08 to 1.6 by 2020, post experiencing the consequences of an aging population, rising social security and healthcare costs, and a shrinking labour force (Mahmoudi 2017). Sri Lanka could reduce its fertility rate by integrating family planning with maternal and child health programs for three decades and Bangladesh by lowering infant, child and maternal mortality through immunization, prenatal and post-natal care in villages (Abeykoon 2011), (Risvi 2018). Two Child Norm persecutes the marginalised especially women, violates her reproductive rights Imposing a two-child policy will further deprive the poorest, weakest and the most marginalised, especially women. There are evidences of men deserting their families to contest local body elections and children being given-up for adoption. Children are denied of rights and entitlements for no fault of their own. The number of women representatives in local bodies also reduced. Restricting policies lead to a stark increase in sex-selective abortions and female foeticide, given the changing social norms in terms of son meta-preference (desire for a male child). Economic Survey 2017-18 mentions a staggering 21 million unwanted girls in India. Failure to address social norms that determine family planning decisions will be a violation of womens reproductive rights, and cause a further imbalance in the sex ratio. The outcome of the two-child policy in states such as Haryana and Punjab have witnessed highly skewed sex ratios with lesser number of women to men. Consequences include women forced into sex trade, enslavement; physical abuse and eventual abandonment. Two Child Norm violates fundamental human rights and our constitutional provisions India is a signatory to the Program of Actions, International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD, 1994). The Program of Action states that the aim of family-planning programmes must be to enable couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have the information and means to do so and to ensure informed choices and make available a full range of safe and effective methods. The principle of informed free choice is essential to the long-term success of family planning programmes. Any form of coercion has no part to play. Indias own National Population Policy (NPP) has a stated objective to address the unmet needs for contraception, health care infrastructure, and health personnel, and to provide integrated service delivery for basic reproductive and child health care. NPP includes a commitment towards voluntary and informed choice and consent of citizens while availing reproductive health care services, and continuation of the target-free approach in administering family planning services. Any coercive norm or measure to curb informed choice and decisions of citizens violate tenets of fundamental human rights. Population Growth is a socio-economic problem; warrants a socio-economic solution The population growth that India has is solely because of lack of education, lack of access to health facilities and high-unmet need for family planning services. Majority of our population is in reproductive age and 30 million married women of reproductive age are not able to access contraception. Women across rural and urban areas would like to have to have only one or maximum two children (NFHS-4, total desired fertility rate is 1.8). When they are already well informed, why not give them an enabling and empowering environment to help realise their choices rather than imposing a policy? Reduction in maternal mortality and infant mortality by ensuring access to affordable and quality health care will automatically reduce population growth. - Advocating Reproductive Choices (ARC) Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (S-ICD) is a unique system that sits outside the heart, with no leads in contact with the heart chambers or its vasculature. Saif Fakhir, a 36yr old Iraqi national was suffering from recurrent fevers for over 6 months. His condition would improve for a short span after courses of antibiotics were prescribed by local doctors; however, there was no long-term relief. Since his ordeal did not end, he visited Fortis Hospital, Mulund along with his father, and was admitted under the care of Dr Atul Limaye, Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital Mulund. A detailed assessment revealed that he had persistent blood stream infection. Dr. Limaye suggested that he undergo an Echocardiogram; the results of which concluded that the source of infection and the fever was the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) lead, which was placed inside his heart during a procedure conducted a few years ago. Since no other solution was available to treat his condition, Dr. Limaye suggested that the infected lead be removed and replaced with a new type of lead that has no contact with the heart or vascular structures. The Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) is a small electronic device connected to the Heart which is used to continuously monitor and help regulate potentially fast and life-threatening electrical problems within the heart. The new system had to be novel, as the patient had had recurrent infections from prior trans-venous implants, the leads of which reside inside the heart chambers. Dr. Limaye decided to implant a Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (S-ICD), a unique system that sits outside the heart, with no leads in contact with the heart chambers or its vasculature. The procedure was planned in two steps; first removal of the infected lead from the heart and subsequently implanting the S-ICD system. Both procedures were conducted 4 weeks after admission, as doctors had to first manage the existing infection in the patients blood. The biggest challenge faced by Dr. Limaye and his team, was the removal of the infected ICD lead from Saifs heart. Whenever the ICD lead is inside the heart for a prolonged period, it becomes enmeshed in the trabeculae inside the heart and becomes adherent to it. With expert precision, the team successfully removed the infected ICD system with specialized lead extraction equipment to free up the lead from within the heart, avoiding any damage to the heart structures. Subsequently, the S-ICD was successfully implanted, and the device was tested to ensure efficacy. Saif was kept under ICU observation and monitored round the clock for the next 24hrs and discharged 3 days after the SICD procedure. Speaking about the procedure, Dr. Atul Limaye, Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital Mulund, said, We are the 1st center in Western India to implant the S-ICD device and 15th all over the country. The advantage of this device is that since the device is placed outside the heart, the risk of infection is extremely low, and the patient will continue to be protected from lethal arrhythmias. Saif has responded well and we expect him to return to his country shorty. Current scenario of S-ICD in India- Dr Atul Limaye "In India, only 16 implants have been carried out till date. Appropriate candidates for this device are patients with high infection risk, such as patients with Renal Disease, which are prone to lead to related complications. Also, many patients have inadequate venous access for the traditional Trans-Venous ICD systems. Such patients are again ideal candidates for SICD. Finally, young patients with Congenital Arrhythmias would benefit from such a device so that there is no intravascular presence (minimal risk of infection and problems of lead extraction whenever a lead or device gets infected). But there is limited awareness about prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in patient populations prone to life-threatening Arrhythmias (such as our patient with Long QT Syndrome), therefore, in general, ICD therapy is under-prescribed in our country. SICD device and therapy has even less knowledge penetration amongst our medical fraternity. Concerted efforts by Cardiologists and device manufacturers is needed to spread awareness about this life-saving therapy. It is vastly under-utilized technology in India. Currently, only Boston Scientific manufactures the device globally." Amazon has been warming up to enter into the crowded healthcare space with a series of ventures, acquisitions and product developments With a business model that facilitates easier connectivity between providers and patients, a powerful online platform and artificial intelligence (AI) interface, Alexa, Amazon is predicted to make huge strides in healthcare, says leading data and analytics company Global Data. In 2016, the US spent $3.3 trillion or $10,348 per person for healthcare. Even though healthcare spending in the US accounted for 17.9%, the largest portion of GDP for healthcare spending for a country in the world, patient outcomes are not as positive as they ought to be. Pavan Kottamasu, Senior Pharma Analyst at Global Data, says: In a country like the US, where the economic foundation lies in capitalism, difficulties arise in unifying healthcare delivery practices across the country. With a wide variety of private insurance companies and federal medical spending programs, the US has an extremely complicated network of connecting patients with providers. A solution could be to move toward universal healthcare in countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, so that all patients would have adequate healthcare coverage and access to medical attention. However, that would mean dissolving multibillion dollar private insurance companies, an idea that would not go well with the companies themselves, and the pharmaceutical, healthcare and business companies in which they are deeply vested. The currently acceptable solution is for companies to figure out ways to navigate the complex US healthcare system so that it is easier to connect providers with patients. In addition, outcomes could be significantly better if patients had more frequent access to healthcare providers and were better educated on healthier lifestyles. By focusing on preventative measures, patients would benefit in the long run and minimize risk of obtaining chronic diseases. Of late, Amazon has been warming up to enter into the crowded healthcare space with a series of ventures, acquisitions and product developments. In January 2018, it announced that it would collaborate with Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan to launch a healthcare company for their 1.2 million combined employees in the US. Ideally, it is hoped that through this venture, the overall cost of care would decrease while improving health outcomes. In February, the company unveiled an exclusive over-the-counter healthcare product lineBasic Care. Besides poaching employees from CVS Health, Express Scripts and UnitedHealth Group over a one-and-half year period, the e-commerce giant hired over 20 staff with experience in healthcare or pharmaceutical industries in March this year. In the same month, it was granted a new patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office for a delivery drone that can respond to human gestures. In June, the company agreed to acquire US-based online pharmacy PillPack for nearly $1bn. Kottamasu concludes: Amazon has already successfully shown the world that it can deliver products to consumers at an extremely fast rate and now has the potential to make huge strides in reducing wasteful spending in chronic disease management, over-utilization of primary care and pharmaceuticals. Taking over the guest blog this week is Anna Egalite, assistant professor of leadership and policy at NC State. Previously, Anna taught elementary school and did a postdoc at Harvard. Shell be writing about education-leadership researchwhat we know, where we have good intuitions, and where were still very much in the dark. Today, Anna is joined by the Urban Institutes Constance Lindsay, who shes been collaborating with on new research about the principals role in reducing turnover among teachers of color. The 2018-19 school year is off to a rough start in Oklahoma , where a persistent teacher shortage has left state education officials scrambling to fill almost 500 teaching vacancies. While some vacancies are subject-matter specific, many are created because of teacher turnoverwhether theyre moving to another school or out of the profession altogether. Teacher turnover is a persistent problem in U.S. education, leading to undesirable consequences for students and wasted district resources. For instance, data from Charlotte Mecklenburg reveals that theres a negative impact on student math achievement in grades that lose an effective teacher. Even students who never interacted with a departing teacher can experience performance declines because of disruptions to teacher peer learning when an effective colleague leaves. These negative impacts are particularly concerning when minority teachers depart, given their chronic underrepresentation in public schools. There are lots of benefits for minority students assigned to minority teachers. For example, when students of color are assigned to teachers who look like them, they are more likely to report exerting higher levels of personal effort and feeling happy in class; more likely to receive referrals to gifted programs; less likely to experience exclusionary discipline; and more likely to complete high school and enroll in college. As a result, weve seen a recent expansion of efforts to increase the degree to which teachers reflect the student population as a whole. Strategies to diversify the teacher workforce typically focus on improving recruitment: attending out-of-state teacher hiring fairs; recruiting from colleges of education that are doing a particularly good job of graduating students of color; and advocating for summer teaching fellowships and scholarships to offset the tuition costs for minority students interesting in pursuing a career in teaching. But recruitment efforts like these can be expensive. Its high time we paid better attention to the retention of teachers of color and the important role school leaders can play in those efforts. Evidence from North Carolina and New York City reveals that workplace support from school administration is critically important for reducing turnover. Teacher ratings of the school environment change depending on which principal is leading the school, an effect that is independent of other factors that might influence their perceptions of the school environment, such as school resources or the composition of the student body. In fact, support from school administrators is one of the most important factors in predicting which teachers stay, and its especially important for minority teachers in schools that have few teachers of color to begin with. A particularly interesting finding is that minority teachers have higher levels of job satisfaction and lower turnover rates if their principal is also a minority. Given their influential role in reducing turnover, what specific strategies are available to school leaders to improve retention among teachers of color? Principals can consult with minority teachers to learn what administrative practices foster a supportive work environment. This might include efforts to promote inclusivity, building a culture that doesnt tolerate race-based stereotypes, and promoting passive representation by diversifying the school leadership team to better reflect the racial composition of the entire community. At a minimum, this sends a signal to families about how much the education system values inclusiveness and how power is distributed among the various racial groups represented in a school. Furthermore, teachers of color need viable pathways that allow them to enter leadership positions fully prepared. Research has shown that teachers of color (and, in particular, male teachers of color ) risk being pigeonholed into certain types of leadership positions that offer no career advancement in the long run. Existing school leaders must provide appropriate opportunities for advancement across all staff, and not depend on teachers of color to serve primarily as deans of culture or language translators. Teacher turnover and shortages are challenges that the entire education field faces, but these challenges are especially acute for teachers of color. School leaders can be the missing critical link to creating the working conditions that attract, retain, and develop teachers of color. Policymakers should examine the conditions under which school leaders can create these environments. Anna Egalite and Constance Lindsay Reciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado Email no valido Nombre requerido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACION Today marks the anniversary of Leon Trotskys assassination. Struck down 78 years ago by an ice-pick to the head from a cowardly Stalinist assassin, he soon fell into a coma and died the following day, 21st August 1940. Here we republish an article from the anniversary in 2012, the fight for Trotsky's ideas remain as relevant as ever and we commemorate the life and ideas of this inspiring revolutionary, theoretician and leader. The attack was no surprise. Ever since Trotskys arrival in Mexico, the Stalinist press was busy slandering the Old Man in preparation for an assassination attempt. At the same time, Moscow was waging a massive international campaign against him, infiltrating the movement and, under Stalins orders, preparing his death. Following the end of the Spanish Civil War, Stalinist NKVD agents were dispatched to Mexico to carry out the plans. The first assault had come in May 1940, when Trotskys bedroom was riddled with bullets and Robert Sheldon Harte, his secretary-guard, was kidnapped and murdered. Sheldons body was later discovered in a lime-pit. Stalin had become desperate in his efforts to eliminate Trotsky, one of the few old Bolsheviks still alive - the rest had been murdered by Stalin during the Purge Trials of 1936-38. These horrendous frame-ups, where the defendants were forced to implicate themselves in lies and terrorist crimes supposedly organized by Trotsky, constituted a river of blood differentiating counter-revolutionary Stalinism from genuine Bolshevism. Stalin knew that having betrayed the Revolution, he needed to eliminate those who defended and embodied the ideas of Bolshevism and world revolution. First and foremost this fell to Leon Trotsky, who had been driven into exile some eleven years earlier. All the resources of the Russian state were now set in motion to carry out his assassination. Before long, Stalin had murdered several of Trotskys co-workers, seven of his secretaries, and four of his children the latest being his son Leon Sedov in early 1938. Trotsky was an outstanding revolutionary and theoretician. As early as 1904, he expounded this theory of the Permanent Revolution, which was confirmed in practice by the October Revolution. Trotsky had spent his entire life in the revolutionary movement, led the Petrograd Soviet in 1905, led with Lenin the October Revolution in 1917, created the Red Army from scratch, helped build the Third International, then, fighting against the Stalinist bureaucracy, was cast from power and forced into exile by Stalin. From Alma Ata, while others capitulated to Stalin, he single-handedly took up the struggle to build the International Left Opposition in the fight for genuine Marxism. He analysed Stalinism as a form of Bonapartism, but based upon a nationalized planned economy. Stalinism was a Thermidorian reaction that arose from the isolation of the Russian Revolution in a backward country, resulting in a massive growth of the bureaucracy in the party and state. Stalin was the figure head of this political reaction to October, who sought to trample over the real heritage of October and pursue the anti-Marxist idea of Socialism in One Country. The struggle between the International Left Opposition and Stalinism was a fight to the death, in the most literal sense. During the Purges of the 1930s, 18 million were arrested on trumped up charges (enemies of the people) and sent to labour camps in hostile and extreme environments, out of which some five million would perish, either of starvation, disease or firing squad. Within two years of the 1934 seventh party congress, out of 139 members elected to the central committee, 110 had been arrested. The Red Army was decimated: 13 out of the 19 commanders of the army corps, 110 out of 135 commanders of divisions and brigades, half of the commanders of regiments and most of the political commissars were executed. In 1938, the Polish Communist Party was officially dissolved on the pretext that it was a cover for counterespionage! Our old comrade of the Polish party, Schwarzbart, one of the secretaries of the autonomous Jewish district of Birobidzhan, went before the public prosecutors, recalled Leopold Trepper, the former leader of the Communists working behind enemy lines (the Red Orchestra). He was thrown into prison, where he became almost blind. One morning at dawn he was taken out into the yard and placed before a firing squad. Before he died, he shouted his faith in the revolution, and just as the bullets laid this old communist militant in the dust, from the cells rose the powerful strains of the Internationale. Trepper says that all those who did not rise up against the Stalinist machine are responsible, collectively responsible. I am no exception to this verdict. However, he goes on: But who did protest at the time? Who rose up to voice his outrage? The Trotskyists can lay claim to this honor. Following the example of their leader, who was rewarded for his obstinacy with the end of an ice-pick, they fought Stalinism to the death, and they were the only ones who did. By the time of the great purges, they could only shout their rebellion in the freezing wastelands where they had been dragged in order to be exterminated. In the camps, their conduct was admirable. But their voices were lost in the tundra. Today, the Trotskyists have a right to accuse those who once howled along with the wolves. Let them not forget, however, that they had an enormous advantage over us of having a coherent political system capable of replacing Stalinism. They had something to cling to in the midst of their profound distress at seeing the Revolution betrayed. They did not confess, for they knew that their confession would serve neither the party nor socialism. (The Great Game, pp.55-56) As Trotsky had explained in January 1937, with the announcement of new trials of Radek, Pyatakov and others, How could these Old Bolsheviks, who went through the jails and exiles of Tsarism, who were the heroes of the civil war, the leaders of industry, the builders of the party, diplomats, turn out at the moment of the the complete victory of socialism to be saboteurs, allies of fascism, organisers of espionage, agents of capitalist restoration? Who can believe such accusations? How can anyone be made to believe them? And why is Stalin compelled to tie up the fate of his personal rule with these monstrous, impossible, nightmarish juridical trials? First and foremost, I must affirm the conclusion I had previously drawn that the top rulers feel themselves more and more shaky. The degree of repression is always in proportion to the magnitude of the danger. The omnipotence of the Soviet bureaucracy, its privileges, its lavish mode of life, are not cloaked by any tradition, any ideology, any legal forms. The Soviet bureaucracy is a caste of upstarts trembling for their power, for their revenues, standing in fear of the masses, and ready to punish by fire and sword not only every attempt upon their rights but even the slightest doubt of their infallibility. Stalin is the embodiment of these feelings and moods of the ruling caste: therein lies his strength and his weakness. (Writings, 1936-37, p.121) He went on to describe the Moscow frame-ups as the greatest political crime of our epoch and, perhaps, of all epochs. In Mexico, in 1937, an independent International Committee of Inquiry was established to examine the Moscow Trials. This inquiry examined all the documents, allegations and evidence, including those from Trotsky. After a rigorous examination of the facts, the Committee declared that the Moscow Trials were a frame-up and that Trotsky and his son were innocent of the charges made against them. Trotsky was driven from one country to another, where governments closed their doors to him. Only in republican Mexico did he find refuge, and then only to be encircled by hostile agents, trained to do Stalins bidding. From here, Trotsky worked continuously to rebuild the forces of genuine Marxism. From here, he laid the basis for a new International. In August 1936, after completing his brilliant analysis of Stalinism in The Revolution Betrayed, and the opening of the frame-up trial of Zinoviev and Kamenev, Trotsky wrote the following about the need to preserve our heritage: Reactionary epochs like our own not only disintegrate and weaken the working class and its vanguard but also lower the general ideological level of the movement and throw political thinking back to stages long since passed through. In these conditions, the task of the vanguard is above all not to let itself be carried along by the backward flow: it must swim against the current. If an unfavourable relation of forces prevents it from holding the positions that it has won, it must at least retain its ideological positions, because in them is expressed the dearly purchased experience of the past. Fools will consider this policy sectarian. Actually it is the only means of preparing for a new tremendous surge forward with the coming tide. Great political defeats inevitably provoke a reconsideration of values, generally occurring in two directions. On the one hand the true vanguard, enriched by the experience of defeat, defends with tooth and nail the heritage of revolutionary thought and on this basis attempts to educate new cadres for the mass struggles to come. On the other hand the routinists, centrists, and dilettantes, frightened by defeat, do their best to destroy the authority of revolutionary tradition and go backward in their search for a New Word. (Trotsky, Stalinism and Bolshevism) Trotskys struggle was clearly a defence of our revolutionary heritage. Fighting against the stream, he consciously educated and prepared a new cadre for the future revolution. All his time and energy was devoted to this fundamental aim. With the complete degeneration of the Second reformist International and the Stalinist Comintern, the issue of constructing a new international, under extreme difficulties, was paramount. For Trotsky, it was a race against time. In his Diary in Exile, written in 1935, he explained: And still I think that the work I am engaged now, despite its extremely insufficient and fragmentary nature, is the most important work of my life more important than 1917, more important than the period of the Civil War or any other Thus I cannot speak of the indispensability of my work, even about the period from 1917 to 1921. But now my work is indispensable in the full sense of the word. There is no arrogance in this claim at all. The collapse of the two Internationals has posed a problem which none of the leaders of these Internationals is at all equipped to solve. The vicissitudes of my personal fate have confronted me with this problem and armed me with important experience in dealing with it. There is now no one except me to carry out the mission of arming a new generation with the revolutionary method over the heads of the leaders of the Second and Third International. And I am in a complete agreement with Lenin (or rather Turgenev) that the worse vice is to be more than 55 years old! I need at least about five more years of uninterrupted work to ensure the succession. Trotsky had only five more years to live before his murder. He was fully aware of Stalins intentions to eliminate him. Stalin had very much regretted the decision to deport him out of reach. These last years were crammed full of articles, letters and advice to the young forces of Trotskyism, as well as the founding of the Fourth International. These were the richest of years as can be seen from his invaluable writings. Following Trotskys tragic death, the Fourth International was destroyed by its inadequate leadership, who made one mistake after another and was consumed with prestige politics. As with Marx, Trotsky had sown dragons but reaped fleas. Nevertheless, the task remains to rebuild the movement, which is being undertaken today by the International Marxist Tendency. Based on the real ideas of Trotsky and the great Marxists, we will finish the task bequeathed by the Old Man. On this occasion of the anniversary of Trotskys assassination, we renew our faith in the world working class and the revolutionaries ideas of Marxism. World revolution is now being put back on the agenda. We are therefore proud to stand on the shoulders of giants. We hold to the words of Trotskys final Testament: Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Bloombergs editors tell European governments to give up on the JCPOA: "In the three months since U.S. President Donald Trump unwisely abrogated the nuclear deal with Iran, Europes leaders have been vowing to keep it alive. They must now face what is already clear to business leaders everywhere: The agreement cannot be revived. The sooner work begins on a new one, the better for everyone involved." As The American Conservative writes in an article "Europe Shouldnt Give Up on the Nuclear Deal", European efforts to keep the nuclear deal alive may not succeed because of U.S. sanctions, but it is even more ridiculous to talk about negotiating a new agreement if European governments cave in to the Trump administrations pressure campaign. Iran has no incentive to negotiate anything with the U.S., and if Europe yields to U.S. pressure then the Europeans will have proven that they cant be relied on to honor their agreements, either. Irans government has said that Europe has to show they are willing to pay a price to back up their commitments. If European governments want to be and be seen as something other than U.S. lackeys, they need to do just that. The editorial outlines what the new agreement should look like: "The outlines of such a deal are clear enough: It must extend the period in which Iran is prohibited from developing nuclear weapons, allow for more rigorous inspection of nuclear sites, restrict Irans missile-development program, and restrain its other disruptive and deadly activities in its neighborhood." The first item on this list creates the impression that Iran is not already prohibited from developing nuclear weapons in perpetuity. Iran is bound as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty not to develop nuclear weapons, and if Iran stays in the nuclear deal long enough to ratify the Additional Protocol it will be practically impossible for them to do so. Iran isnt going to agree to extending other restrictions on its nuclear program for a longer period of time than it already has, and it doesnt need to. The other demands are non-starters for Iran, and everyone already knows that. If the JCPOA falls apart, there will be nothing to replace it. There should be no illusions that a new or better deal is available. Once this agreement collapses, Iran would have no reason to trust any Western government to keep its word. To prevent that collapse from happening, all of the other parties to the agreement have to continue to support it until there is a new administration that will reverse Trumps irrational, destructive decision to renege on the deal. Europe should look to bypass U.S. payment systems by creating its own financial channels, a European monetary fund and international bank transfer system like SWIFT, Germany's foreign minister has said. As CNBC writes in an article "Defending Iran deal, Germany looks to bypass US payment channels", writing in the German Handelsblatt newspaper, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called for the setting up of independent payment channels, largely as a way for European businesses to avoid U.S. sanctions targeting any firms -- whether inside or outside the U.S. that do business with Iran. "As Europeans, we have clearly told the Americans that we consider phasing out the nuclear deal with Iran a mistake.," Maas said in an op-ed for Handelsblatt on Wednesday. "Meanwhile, first U.S. sanctions are back in force. In this situation, it is of strategic importance that we clearly tell Washington: we want to work together. But we will not let you act over our heads. Therefore, it was right to protect European companies from legal sanctions," he said. "It is therefore essential that we strengthen European autonomy by setting up payment channels independent of the U.S., creating a European Monetary Fund and building an independent SWIFT system. The devil is in a thousand details," he added. "But every day that the (Iran) agreement continues to exist is better than the highly explosive crisis that otherwise looms in the Middle East." Aside from threats of import tariffs and NATO criticism, Trump's decision in May to withdraw from the 2015 international nuclear agreement was a particular major blow for U.S.-European relations. Germany had helped France, Britain, Russia, China and the U.S., under then-President Obama, to broker the deal with Iran and had tried to persuade Trump to remain within the pact. U.S. sanctions were re-imposed on Iran in early August, nevertheless, and the U.S. said any companies doing business with Iranian entities, even those outside the U.S. could be subject to secondary sanctions, much to the chagrin of Europe. Germany, Britain and France are looking at ways to save the deal and how to prevent their own companies from pulling out of Iran, although a number have already done so, including French oil giant Total and German engineering giant Siemens. Mass said that while history and a striving for peace had bound Europe and America, "looking back does not lead to the future. It is high time to re-evaluate our partnership - not to leave it behind, but to renew and preserve it," he said, noting that "the U.S. and Europe have drifted apart for years." Later on Wednesday, the German foreign ministry backed up the comments by Maas, who is a member of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), a junior partner in Merkel's ruling conservative alliance. The foreign ministry said Maas' comments reflect the German government as a whole and that the article, although based on Maas' opinions, was meant to stir a debate about relations with the U.S., Reuters reported. The spokespeople added that "keeping financial channels open is vital to save the Iran deal." One of the central issues discussed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during their spontaneous talks near Berlin on August 18 was the Syrian conflict. The refugee problem is Angela Merkel's real headache, and her government's inability to formulate clear responses to the migration challenge comes at a high price for the Chancellor in the domestic political arena. Vladimir Putin, being quite well aware of the difficult situation in which Merkel got herself, decided to use the situation in Russia's interests and try to attract German capital to the restoration of the destroyed Middle Eastern country. "This is potentially a huge burden for Europe, that's why we have to do everything to get these people [refugees] back home," Putin said at a meeting with the chancellor. According to all recent polls, the rating of the party headed by Angela Merkel, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), fell below 30% for the first time in history. It came to the point that the issue of refugees caused discord between the CDU and its much more conservative Bavarian "sister party" CSU. Against this background, the Alternative for Germany far-right party, which has won a significant support of the population, already gained 16%, after almost overtaking the CDU-CSU coalition partners, which set a new anti-record, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) (16.5-17%). As can be seen, the gap between the SPD and AfD is within the margin of error. In such circumstances, Merkel's teamis not able to continue its vague migration policy. As Deutschlandfunk points out, more and more Syrian refugees are returning to the destroyed regions of Syria, which are not directly affected by fighting, and the issue of the restoration of the SAR becomes even more urgent today. The German Social Democratic Party's foreign policy speaker Nils Schmidt commented on Putin's proposal to join European and Russian efforts in rebuilding Syria as follows: "The good thing is that we have a common interest with Russia. We want Syria to be a stable and unified state, and we do not want the collapse of this country, as it happened in Iraq or Libya. Russians understand that they are on their way to victory, but they also realize the fact that the long-term political decision and Syria's economic reconstruction can not be achieved without the support of the West, in particular the EU. Syria is an EU neighbor, economic and political ties with the EU have always been important for Syria, including in the future. Thus, Russia will do everything necessary to end the political isolation of Syria and the regime of Bashar Assad. " As conditions for German aid to Syria, Nils Schmidt mentioned the holding of free elections in the country and the investigation of committed war crimes under the auspices of the United Nations. Guido Steinberg, a German political scientist from the Stiftung fur Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), which advises the German government, is not so positive about Putin's idea. "Its implementation will depend on reciprocal concessions which the Russians are willing to make, in particular, on the issue of Syria's new political order," the expert notes. The political scientist considers that achieving Russia's consent to the conditions voiced by Nils Schmidt is unrealistic. "The Russians spent billions in this war, losing their people, to support Bashar Assad. Any political reorganization of Syria, free elections will pose a threat to this regime. I think that the maximum the German government may agree, and which can to expect, is a formal political reorganization that would provide an external picture of changes and reforms, but would change nothing inside the country. Assad understands that if he weakens the grip, he will be quickly removed from power, he will lose it - so we should have no illusions. And it's a big question whether we should invest billions in such a situation," Steinberg believes. At the same time, the analyst admits that the German authorities are in a vulnerable position now. "The government does not like to say it out loud, but, of course, everyone in Germany understands that reducing the number of refugees has become one of the most important goals of government policy in the Middle East and North Africa. The biggest problem is that the majority of refugees came to Europe from regions where insurgents were strong. And everything indicates that the Syrian government does not really want these people to come back. I fear that we should not expect a massive return of refugees from Germany to Syria, even if we really help to restore the Syrian Arab Republic. The Syrian government does not want these people, as they pose a risk to the security of the regime," Steinberg notes. In general, according to the SWP analyst, currently Germany and Europe have weak negotiating positions in key international security issues. "Without support from the U.S., Europe is a weak player. And we will see it again in the negotiations with Putin, and probably with Erdogan next month. Europe is not a player in Syria. Without the Americans, Europeans have no military and very limited foreign policy weight. We see it in Syria, we see it in Iran and Ukraine. And the talks will change nothing here. Europeans should revise the fundamental issues to make changes," the expert concluded. Last weekend, Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held Russian-German talks at the Meseberg residence. A significant part of the talks concerned the Nord Stream-2 project, the implementation of which will make it possible to improve the European gas transportation system, diversify supply routes and minimize transit risks, and to meet Europe's growing demand for energy. At the meeting, Vladimir Putin recalled that Germany is the largest buyer of Russian energy resources: "In 2017, we delivered 53.8 bln cubic meters of gas, which covers more than 30% of the German market, while the consumption of Russian gas is constantly growing and this year it increased by 13%. Germany is not only a market for the supply of hydrocarbons from Russia, but also an important link in their transit to other European countries. By the way, this June marked 50 years since the beginning of gas supplies from the Soviet Union to Western Europe. Throughout this period, our country reliably provided uninterrupted power supply, made and still makes a significant contribution to the energy security of the entire European continent. Together with the German partners we are working on the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project. This is an exclusively economic project, and it does not close off the possibility of continuing transit supplies of Russian gas through the territory of Ukraine. For us it is important to ensure that the Ukrainian transit meets economic requirements and is "economic in all senses of the word." Angela Merkel noted that "Ukraine should maintain its role in the transit of gas to Europe also in the presence of the Nord Stream 2." "I am very glad that it became possible to start interim talks between Russia and Ukraine with the participation of the EU," the chancellor said. Yesterday, Russian experts assessed the positions of the parties. "Germany granted a permit on the construction of the Nord Stream, including the construction of a third land branch of the Nord Stream. Economic entities are involved in the process. Both Putin and Merkel have talked about it, but they are being pressured by [US President Donald] Trump: If Gazprom's partners leave the project, it will be difficult to implement it. The question is what will happen to the underground gas storage facilities, the sale of gas, and Gazprom's overall presence in terms of its partners in Europe. There may be complications. The Nord Stream will be implemented, but Trump will also carry out his threats," deputy Director of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladislav Belov believes. Associate Professor of European law at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Nikolai Topornin, agrees with Belov: "The possibility of subjecting the Nord Stream-2 to sanctions is an obvious threat, because Trump does not waste words. Trump won't go back on his word. He will say: "You, Europeans, can cooperate with Russia, we cannot ban you from cooperating with Russia, but if you once come to the American market, you may find some negative aspects here." For example, it may be a ban on US counterparts contacting Europeans or financial limits. Many European companies run a risk of losing significant assets. European business may suffer as well, the German and Russian business in the first place." The head of the German-Russian forum research projects, political scientist Alexander Rahr told about the broader spectrum of problems facing Putin and Merkel: "I felt Russia's willingness to return to Europe through Austria and Germany, because it is not possible with the European Union as a whole. Speaking about the bureaucracy, there are political forces in the EU, especially in Brussels, which do not want to conduct a strategic dialogue with Russia. And the dialogue with Germany has turned out in the sense that there will be no return to the Cold War. However, the FRG leaders pursued a more independent policy towards Russia in 1970-1980 than modern Germany, which is built into the European consensus and can do nothing without the Baltic states, without the former Warsaw Pact countries. This is a big challenge." Rahr drew attention to the fact that after Merkel's meeting with Putin, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in an interview to the Welt Am Sonntag newspaper that "there will be no eastern policy, because it is not needed," and in this respect he is fully supported by other ministers and a large part of the German elite. "German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen is trying to become the next NATO Secretary General, doing everything to please NATO. We hear extremely harsh statements against Russia. Will Mrs. Merkel be able to ingratiate herself with Russia in such circumstances? She is trying, because in Germany, unlike other European countries, that's the public, ordinary people want. 66% of Germans called for the normalization of relations with Russia. Austria and Germany have a strong public and major business circles that urges their politicians to restore normal relations with Russian politicians." Russia is "stuck" in Syria and looking for others to fund its post-war reconstruction, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said, describing this as an opportunity for Washington to press for Iranian forces to quit the civil war-wracked country. "And I dont think they want to be stuck there. I think their frenetic diplomatic activity in Europe indicates that theyd like to find somebody else, for example, to bear the cost of reconstructing Syria - which they may or may not succeed in doing," Reuters cited him as saying. Bolton said U.S. contacts with Russia did not include any understanding over a push by Damascuss forces against the rebels in Idlib. But he warned against any use of chemical or biological weapons there. "Were going see what we and others can agree in terms of resolving the conflict in Syria. But the one prerequisite there is the withdrawal of all Iranian forces back in Iran," Bolton added. Bolton will meet his Russian counterpart, Nikolai Patrushev, in Geneva on August 23. The United States authorities' sanctions imposed on Russia over the Skripal case came in effect today. The sanctions were imposed following the alleged use of a 'Novichok' nerve agent in an attempt to assassinate UK citizen Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal on August 6, 2018. The State Department considers that Moscow violated the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991. The US Department of State said in a statement on August 8 that the U.S. will impose new sanctions on Russia because of the Skripal case on August 22. According to the statement, the first package of sanctions applies to dual use products, the export to Russia of all sensitive goods and know-how related with US national security and also electronics, components and technologies for the oil and gas industry. "We intend to impose sanctions against the Russian Federation in a number of respects, the most significant of which is the imposition of a presumption of denial for all national security sensitive goods or technologies that are controlled by the Department of Commerce pursuant to the Export Administration Regulations. These goods are currently subject to a license - a case-by-case license determination, but we are - henceforth, when these sanctions go into effect, we will be presumptively denying such applications," the Department of State said. A high-ranking Department of State official said that Washington was making "a number of carve-outs" to these sanctions to allow the continuation of certain foreign assistance; exports for space flight activities, safety of commercial passenger aviation, and "purely commercial end users for civilian end uses"; and perhaps other activities. Alongside this the act envisages the possibility of far harsher sanctions to be taken in three months time. The second package of restrictions envisages a downgrade of bilateral diplomatic relations or their complete suspension, an overall ban on the export of US goods to Russia except for foods and on the United States import of Russian goods, including oil and oil products, refusal of permission to any planes of Russian government-controlled air carriers to land in the United States and Washingtons veto on all loans to Moscow from international financial organizations. The US Department of State refrained from disclosing what evidence or intelligence information was used for making an unambiguous conclusion Russia was involved in the poisoning incident in Salisbury. At the same time the US authorities said they would not like to resort to the second phase of restrictions. For that Russia must present convincing arguments it will not violate international chemical weapons legislation and also permit onsite inspections by the United Nations and independent foreign observers in order to guarantee the government does not use chemical weapons in violation of international law. Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on August 10 that the possible tightening up of U.S. sanctions against Russia may be treated as a declaration of economic war, which must be responded by all economic, political and other means possible. The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Washington's sanctions were illegal and unfriendly and that the U.S. move was at odds with the constructive atmosphere of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putins encounter in Helsinki. Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov commented on the US ban to export high-tech dual-purpose products to Russia, which came into force on August 22. "The ban on exporting dual-purpose electronic devices and components to Russia will undoubtedly affect certain high-tech sectors, including the defense industry, but not critically," the minister noted, adding that Russia would replace sanctions-hit electronic components with domestically produced or imported from South-East Asia. "We have already prepared a package of countermeasures, intended to offset the impact of US actions. As far as electronics is concerned, we will replace the prohibited components by domestically produced ones, or import them from South-East Asian countries. Those markets remain open for us," TASS cited him as saying. Manturov stressed that restrictions on exports of important components, used in the military and space sectors, are already in place. "Prior to that, no one sold to us cutting-edge electronic equipment as well. The full ban can possibly affect certain enterprises, but we will try to give them maximum support," he pointed out. "We have been preparing for this situation for quite a time,. More than 1,500 types of basic electronic components have been developed within various federal programs in the past six years. Domestic enterprises have been developing high-tech basic electronic components, standardized to correspond to various requirements," the Russian minister said. "Until 2020, were will create another 2,000 types of such products, which can be used to replace more than 9,000 foreign-made components," Manturov concluded. The Port of Cork Company and Bantry Bay Port Company have announced a rise in their combined turnover for 2017 when compared to 2016. Their numbers that consolidated Turnover for last year was 31.5m, which includes a turnover of 540,000 for Bantry Bay, up from 29.6million (210,000 for Bantry Bay) in 2016. Czech carmaker Skoda has unveiled a specially commissioned stained-glass car to celebrate the Popes visit to Ireland. The company said the windows were completed by Irelands last fully trained traditional stained-glass designer, Evan Connan. The project saw over 1,700 individual pieces of glass hand cut and embedded in 25 metres of lead, in traditional church style. Mr Connan spent more than 200 hours making the windows in a small workshop in Crumlin, Dublin. The completed windows weigh 87kg and have been fitted to the contours of a Skoda Karoq. Cathal Kealey, PR and sponsorship manager for Skoda Ireland, said the company wanted to produce something unique to celebrate its position as official car partner to the World Meeting of Families and the Papal visit. We are delighted to have worked with one of Irelands most unique craftsmen to complete this celebration of the Irish families, in stained-glass, he said. Evan was given a blank canvas to bring modern Irish families to life, with colour and imagination. He has managed to do just that with the 17 different families portrayed. During his visit, Pope Francis will travel in a carefully modified Skoda Rapid. Following the departure, all the cars will be donated to a charity nominated by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, in accordance with the Popes wishes. H/T: Newstalk.ie A car carrying two gas canisters has crashed into the town hall of the small Dutch town of Bemmel and burst into flames at 2 a.m. local time, (00:00 GMT). Police and firefighters arrived at the scene almost immediately, getting the fire under control. The town hall will be closed for the whole day. As a result of the fire, the car was burnt and the town hall building has been damaged, Sputnik reported. The driver clearly acted deliberately, as he drove through the lawn and around poles and benches to reach the town council building. The police said that an investigation has led to a possible identification of the person who was in the car and died as a result of the incident. Gardai are investigating the stabbing of a 13-year-old boy in Inchicore in Dublin. A 23-year-old man was also injured in the attack at Myra Close on Friday evening. Detectives say they were wounded after a number of people entered a house at around 6.15pm. Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. Gardai would not comment on reports that an eight-year-old boy was involved in the incident. They said: "This is a protracted investigation involving many strands, no further information is available at this stage". A number of people have been questioned in relation to the incident. The investigation and enquiries are ongoing. Digital Desk By David Raleigh PLANS for a 120-bed replacement in-patient block at St John's Hospital, Limerick - to help tackle long-term patient overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick - are said to be progressing. A feasibility study has found that plans for the original development of a 90-in patient unit at St Johns could be extended to 120, explained Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne. "I received confirmation from the Minister for Health Simon Harris TD that the 120 bed in-patient block is now among the proposals for the HSE's Capital Plan and is due to be discussed by the HSE's National Capital Steering Committee, Senator Byrne said. "After Minister Harris's visit to St John's Hospital in June 2017 an updated feasibility study was carried out to establish if the development could be extended from 90 to 120 in-patient beds. The further feasibility study completed last month and confirmed that this was possible. University Hospital Limerick has consistently experienced the highest levels of patient overcrowding in the country. Today, Wednesday, UHL again had the highest numbers of patients waiting on trolleys instead of beds. According to figures published by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), there were 57 patients waiting on trolleys. Out of the 57 waiting, 35 were on trolleys in the hospitals emergency department, which was officially opened last year after a 24m upgrade. "It is unacceptable that many people have their loved ones left waiting on trolleys in the new UHL emergency department when St John's could have the capacity to cater for existing patients in UHL, Senator Byrne said. "The replacement 120 bedroom units will help to reduce waiting lists for procedures as there will be more day beds available and all services can be expanded, she said. This expansion will also lead to job creation as the services will be expanded and more staff will be required. Speaking last June, UHL Hospital Group Chief Clinical Director, Paul Burke, said overcrowding at the hospital will never end unless there is a general sea-change in the governance of healthcare services. Hospital managers said then they were trying to tackle overcrowding and waiting lists with inadequate resources. Low bed capacity, high attendances, low level of consultants, inadequate infrastructure, and, an ageing population, are considered by management to be some of the myriad of problems it faces, added Noreen Spillane, Chief Operations Manager, UHL Group. The Limerick hospital currently serves a population of 385,000, not including those coming from north Cork, north Kerry, and south Tipperary. Attendances at A and Es nationally last June had risen 7% nationally, however at UHL, there was a 17% increase, which creates huge pressures on the entire hospital, Mr Burke said. The hospital has applied for government funding for a permanent 96-bed unit as well as a 60-bed modular unit to help alleviate pressure on the system. However, there is no timeline on when a decision on funding will be made. Update: August 24, 2018: 18-year-old Denzel Ntomo, who was reported as missing in Dublin earlier this week, has been found safe and well. Gardai would like to thank the public for their assistance. Latest: The Archbishop of Dublin has said the number of children abused by priests in Ireland is immense and called for an easier judicial system for victims giving evidence in court. Speaking on the second day of the World Meeting of Families (WMOF), Diarmuid Martin said the number of prosecutions of clerical abuse is very low. It comes days after Pope Francis condemned the atrocities of child sex abuse and cover-ups by the clergy in an open letter. The pontiff arrives in Ireland on Saturday as part of the WMOF event in Dublin, and will meet victims of clerical sex abuse during his visit. At a press briefing on Wednesday, Dr Martin was asked by a member of the media if he feels he is on trial after he and the Pope apologised to abuse survivors. He said: No, first of all I havent just said sorry. We have done a lot in the Archdiocese of Dublin. I provided the Government (child abuse) commission with 80,000 documents and the chairman said it was the most of substantive of contributions to that process. I believe the truth will make you free even if its unpleasant and its far better we work together. I said that the factors that contribute and protect abusers have to be addressed definitively everywhere. Its sad we have to repeat that phrase all the time. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin (Brian Lawless/PA) We have good relations of trust with the police and health authorities. Particularly in Ireland because of the industrial schools, the day schools, the Magdalene laundries, the mother and baby homes, the children abused by priests in parishes, the numbers of those abused is immense and the numbers that have come forward is only proportionate of that and there are many people holding in their hearts the sadness of abuse. The number of prosecutions is also very low and because of the system in our courts, its not an easy thing for someone to appear and tell their story in court. There may be ways in which the judicial system could make it easier for people in court. Teresa Kettlekamp, of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in the US, said she feels embarrassed and disappointed by clerical abuse. Ms Kettlekamp said that having read a grand jury report on the extent of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, she feels she did not know if she had all the facts of what the church knew. She also said that when she hears of child sex abuse by members of the Catholic Church, she feels she has failed. All of us Catholics feel deep disappointment in what our church leaders have done and failed to do, she said. When a church person fails it reflects on me as a Catholic as Im proud to be a Catholic, and its hard to hold your head up high when you have front page after front page saying the sins of your fellow Catholic. Its embarrassing, its frustrating, its sad and I have no words to defend it. The church leaders and representatives also addressed issues surrounding the exclusion of the LGBT community from the WMOF event. Cardinal Kevin Farrell said: It is, for us and the church, extremely important that all Catholics understand that we are all created in the likeness and image of God, that if a person has a same-sex attraction then they too are children of God. They have to be welcomed into our churches. They have to be received by and treated with respect and dignity by all people. We need to build bridges and need to communicate. - Press Association For more information, see connectcounselling.ie. .@ArchbishopEamon gives keynote address in the family arena at #WMOF2018 Pastoral Congress pic.twitter.com/STmWyONs5Q WMOF2018 (@WMOF2018) August 22, 2018 Earlier: Popemobile visit through Dublin city centre confirmed Assistant Garda Commissioner Pat Leahy has said that the Pope's visit this weekend is one of the largest people and traffic management projects he has been involved in. "It's hard to imagine what half a million people look like," said Mr Leahy. Speaking to Miriam O'Callaghan on RTE Radio 1 this morning, he confirmed that Pope Francis will make his way through the city centre giving around 100,000 people the opportunity to see him. The journey across the city centre will take place around 4.15pm following a route up O'Connell St, Westmoreland St and Dame St. "We're ready to go, the planning that has gone into this is enormous," Mr Leahy said. Responding to criticism surrounding the delivery of information about road closures and other details, Mr Leahy said that they can't give out information before they have a definitive answer, saying that information around these kind of events does come out slowly. "What we would like to get out there to people who feel like they're going to be trapped as a consequence of the road closures that are there is that we will really, really attempt to facilitate everyone who lives in the control zone -people getting in and out. "They need to approach the Guards and talk to them. We'll facilitate everything that is possible on the day despite the fact that there are road closures in place if we can get people in and out of their homes safely then we'll do that." However, he said that there will be times - particularly after the event ends - that it will be "physically impossible" for people to move their vehicles in and out. "The M50 is open on both days... there will be some restrictions on the Sunday where you won't get by, the Port Tunnel is open for business, the East Link is open for business." Mr Leahy emphasised that the city "is not in lock down". Listen to the full interview with Pat Leahy below: Earlier: Homeless charity 'confident' homeless will not be left out in cold during Papal visit The Peter McVerry Trust says it is putting in as much preparation as it did for storms Emma and Ophelia to provide shelter for the homeless during the Papal visit. A number of hotels that had been providing emergency accommodation have been booked out for the World Meeting of Families. CEO of the national housing and homeless charity Pat Doyle says they are doing everything they can to be ready for a very busy weekend. Pat Doyle "We'll be there, we'll be out, we'll be 24-hours and in constant contact with the DRHE [Dublin Region Homeless Executive]," said Mr Doyle. "We are holding back some family accommodation for any families that ring in at the eleventh hour that can't get a hotel because they are fully booked out "We'll make sure that any family that needs accommodation gets it." The homeless charity says it's confident the homeless won't be left out in the cold during the Pope's visit. Mr Doyle says one of their biggest priorities is making sure they can get staff into the city through all the restrictions. "We've 755 beds across the city and we want to make sure that we have staff to manage them so we're looking at staff and their access into the city. "Those who can't get in, we have taken them off the shifts and asked others to work overtime. "We've been assured by the civil authorities and the guards that we would have access and where we don't have access by van or by bus, we will pound the street. "We will have access to all areas." Our first pilgrims have arrived! Welcome to the #wmof2018 Pastoral Congress. pic.twitter.com/OeLqJdlgxI WMOF2018 (@WMOF2018) August 22, 2018 Earlier: Pope's visit an opportunity to end the cover-ups says O'Neill The Pope's visit to Ireland is an opportunity to end the cover-up of abuse, Sinn Fein's vice-president said. Michelle O'Neill will not be able to attend any of this weekend's events after she broke her leg in an accident. She recognised the visit's significance for all Catholics. "We must specifically acknowledge the damage done by the Catholic Church to the lives of many women and children in the mother and baby homes, the Magdalene laundries and a succession of abuse scandals and cover-ups. The visit of Pope Francis is an opportunity to address these issues, to meet with victims and survivors, to fully acknowledge their suffering and the damage done, to end the cover-ups and to commit to full redress, north and south. Newry and Armagh Assembly member Conor Murphy will deputise for the party's vice-president at this weekend's events. Mrs O'Neill added: "The visit of Pope Francis can and should contribute to the new and positive relationship which has been developing between the Irish state and the Catholic Church." As I prepare to visit Ireland in a few days time for the World Meeting of Families, I send a warm word of greeting to all the Irish people. I am excited at the thought of returning to Ireland!"@Pontifex #WMOF2018 https://t.co/6JHtTckwdc pic.twitter.com/YHiDVUGhj6 WMOF2018 (@WMOF2018) August 21, 2018 Earlier: Victims of clerical sex abuse want Pope to 'understand what the church has done' The first events of the Catholic Church's World Meeting of Families get underway in Dublin today. They conclude with a two-day visit to Ireland by the Pope this weekend. The opening ceremony of the World Meeting of Families. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Last night, bells rang out in all 26 dioceses across the country to mark the start of the World Meeting of Families. It begins today with a three-day pastoral congress at Dublin's RDS which includes discussions, workshops and prayerful activities. It's all ahead of the arrival of Pope Francis this weekend, which will see him visit the likes of Croke Park and Knock Shrine before saying mass for half a million people at the Phoenix Park. The pontiff has released a message ahead of his trip here: As I prepare to visit Ireland in a few days for the World Meeting of Families, I send a warm word of greeting to all the Irish people. As you know the World Meeting is a celebration of the beauty of God's plan for the family. Once he arrives, the pope will be under pressure to apologise to victims of clerical sex abuse. The Pontiff has agreed to meet victims of clerical sex abuse while he is here - but survivors say they want more than just words. Peter Mulryan's mother was locked up in a church-run Magdalene Laundry for 30 years, he says he has waited a lifetime for a Papal apology. "I want to hear him loud and clear and to recognise that he understands what the church has done to the citizens of this country. What it has done to them, to the vulnerable people," said Mr Mulryan. Yesterday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called for mandatory reporting of sex crimes within the church. #wmof2018 has officially begun! We are delighted after some many months of preparation. We hope this will be an amazing week for Ireland and for all the pilgrims that are joining us from all over the world. pic.twitter.com/F85fb2Jq51 WMOF2018 (@WMOF2018) August 21, 2018 Meanwhile, campaigners say the Catholic church needs to stop stigmatising LGBT people. The 'Equal Future 2018' coalition says LGBT families have been 'made invisible' at the World Meeting of Families due to church intolerance. The campaign includes Catholic LGBT groups around the world. Spokesperson Tiernan Brady says the church can do untold damage to LGBT young people: "Whether you are a person of faith or whether you aren't, you still feel the impact of the church when it makes statements and rulings and teachings about LGBT people." Digital Desk A serving member of the Defence Force has spoken out about pay parity for overtime duties ahead of Pope's visit. Members of the Defence Forces will reportedly receive 68 before tax for the 24 hours overtime worked over the duration of the visit. The individual spoke to Miriam O'Callaghan anonymously this morning. For the purposes of the radio interview and to hide his identity, he was named Paul and his voice was distorted. He said that he felt compelled to speak out as he felt "very disheartened with what's going on...we're being used as puppets by the minister to provide security for the Pope's visit in unfair conditions". Paul said that they have been kept in the dark about what they will be doing when they are brought to Dublin. Members are unsure of what time they are leaving and what time they will be able to return home. He thinks that they will be there for crowd control but says they won't know until Friday or later. If he chooses not to work Paul says that he would "be charged for being absent, I'd lose pay, I'd lose three days pay...and I'd have a black mark against me, I'd be punished in a mixture of ways". With the amount being spent on security for the Pope's visit, he doesn't understand why they will be paid as little as they are being paid. Paul said that they have not received an official amount of what they will be getting paid. "Apparently, we'll get 68 for what I suppose will work out being 30-40 hours and that more than likely will be before tax." When asked what he would consider a decent rate for the work being provided Paul said: "Surely we'd be entitled to a decent hourly rate between 20 and 30... it's going to work out maybe 1.20 an hour, 2 an hour max". He says that other members of the Defence Forces feel the same way. "Everyone that I've spoken to is in the same frame of mind. They don't want to be there. They are outraged yet they will be there because the punishment that they will receive won't be worth it." The Department of Defence sent a statement to RTE in response to Paul's phone call: Unlike other areas of the Public Service and due to the nature of the duties performed, overtime or shift allowance are not available to members of the Defence Forces. In its place a weekly Military Service Allowance is paid to all ranks up to the level of Colonel. Military Service Allowance is designed to compensate for the special disadvantages associated with military life. This includes unsocial hours of duty, exposure to danger, and he restrictions inherent in military discipline. For Privates, Corporals and Sergeants with more 3 years in service, Military Service Allowance (MSA) is worth just over 115 per week, per person. Other ranks up to BQMS are paid 122.87 MSA per week. On the instruction of Minister Kehoe, the challenges in relation to recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces were brought to the attention of the Public Sector Pay Commission. As a direct result of that initiative the Public Service Pay Commission are undertaking an in-depth evidence based examination of the issues. You can listen to the full interview below: Former Armenian president Robert Kocharyans return to politics is impossible, the republic's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, commenting on Kocharyan's statement on his political plans. Asked whether he was concerned about Robert Kocharyans return to politics, Pashinyan said: "You speak about scenarios which just cant be." To the question of whether it is possible that RPA parliamentary group members can vote to elect Robert Kocharyan as next Armenian PM, Pashinyan answered: "To tell the truth I dont see that happening. I just wanted to show that the situation needs to be evaluated realistically in order to avoid any complications. If you remember I told Serzh Sargsyan during our last meeting that he just doesnt get the gist of the situation," News.am cited Pashinyan as saying. According to the PM, the Republican Party with its ruling elite does not evaluate the situation correctly. "There is no need to take any measures. We just need to talk to these people, introduce the situation and help them get the gist. There is no need to take any extra measures," he added. In addition, the Armenian PM said that he is ready to meet the head of Armenian National Assembly Ara Babloyan. "Yes, I will meet Babloyan. Why not? I will meet and discuss everything with him so that no one has doubts left. No steps or intentions should be against the Constitution and the ideology of love and harmony. It is very important for all our citizens, including MPs and others to understand the logic of all our political activities," Pashinyan stressed. The director of the Armenian branch of the CIS Institute, Alexander Markarov, speaking with the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that at the moment Kocharyan has no chance to become Armenia's PM. "The RPA no longer enjoys a majority. Therefore, if there is a hypothetical situation of electing a prime minister (if Pashinyan resigns or new parliamentary elections take place, or the prime minister is the subject of a vote of no confidence), the RPA will not be able to nominate its candidate, since it can onlybe done by a party or coalition representing the majority. But it's not the fact that after the elections the Republicans will retain the current number of seats," he said. "The most important question in Kocharyan's promise to return to politics - which political force he will rely on. For 10 years Kocharyan was out of the political stage, he periodically made various statements on issues in that RPA policy. At the same time, officially we have heard nothing from the RPA about the intention to cooperate with Kocharyan. The only party that announced the possible cooperation with Kocharyan is ARF Dashnaktsutyun. But whether will it be a repetition of the 1998-2003 format, when the Dashnaks supported Kocharyan as a presidential candidate, although he was not a member of any party? Of course, the creating of a support structure for Kocharyan is possible, but so far there is no visible political force which at least announced its support," Alexander Markarov added. By Sarah Slater Prolonged exposure to the blue light emitted from smart phones and laptops can trigger poisonous molecules which could lead to blindness, a leading eye specialist is warning. By the age of 20, a persons lens of their eye yellows and becomes a natural, though imperfect, absorber of light. It helps protect the retina from damage by near-UV radiation. The lens also provides partial but imperfect protection to the retina from blue light. However, youths under 20-years-old and especially very young children, have little or no yellowing of the lens. Therefore, any UV or blue light which enters the eye is unfiltered and strikes the retina at full-strength exposing not only the retina, but the lens to damage. Don Stack, a leading optometrist who runs specialist clinics in Dublin and who specialises in the damage he claims is as a result of overexposure to blue light said that he is experiencing a noticeable increase in the footfall of patients complaining of related eye problems. Eye strain, dry eye and macular degeneration which means a loss of vision, are some of the results from staring at a computer, laptop, TV or phone for too long, said Mr Stack. And yet, on a daily basis, we are exposing ourselves and our children to an activity that can cause blindness such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is a disease that causes the gradual loss of sight due to blurring or loss of central vision. Employees working longer hours and the use of digital devices has exploded so we are expecting some effect or changes to the eye. "There is also widespread evidence of the explosion in shortsightedness or myopia. I see it every day onsite within companies, as employees are working longer hours and typical with double monitors on their desks. "Most authorities now believe that the near-UV radiation absorbed throughout life by a persons lens is a contributing factor to ageing and senile cataract (in the eye). There is an increase in the footfall of adults and parents of children complaining about this. Recent research by the University of Toledo in the US has revealed that prolonged exposure to blue light triggers poisonous molecules to be generated in the eyes light-sensitive cells that can cause macular degeneration which is an incurable condition that affects the middle part of vision. Blue light has a shorter wavelength and more energy which can gradually cause damage to the eyes. Dr Ajith Karunarathne, an assistant professor in the universitys Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, added: We are being exposed to blue light continuously and the eyes cornea and lens cannot block or reflect it. The retinal-generated toxicity by blue light is universal. It can kill any cell type. That is when the real damage occurs. Macular degeneration, which affects around 2.4% of the adult population here, is a common condition among those in their 50s and 60s that results in significant vision loss. Mr Stack added: We have been supplying Bluecontrol lenses in our onsite corporate work for several years, aware that the risk to eyes from blue light is a real possibility. I suspect there will be more research such as these recent findings by Dr Ajith and her team. "Perhaps in a few years time, we will be as informed above the chronic exposure to blue light, as we are currently about the effects of excessive UV exposure. Heavy duty taxes, drink driving laws and changing drinking habits are being blamed for the closure of a fifth of our pubs since 2005. The Drinks Industry Groups says the current tax regime favours off-licences. The Taliban has accepted an invitation to attend talks on Afghanistan in Moscow, according to Russia's foreign minister. Sergey Lavrov said Russia has invited the Taliban to the September 4 talks and received a positive response, voicing hope for "productive" negotiations. School districts are spending bigger chunks of their budgets on staff benefits, leaving less money to spend in the classroom, a new study finds . The report, published by the nonprofit Bellwether Education Partners and its project TeacherPensions.org , analyzes the 10 most recent years of school district finance data from the U.S. Department of Education. It found that nationally, from 2005 to 2014, instructional spending increased by 2.6 percent, while spending on benefits for instructional staff members grew by 24 percent. Since education budgets have been largely flat, this means that spending on benefits is eating up more of districts money, and fewer dollars are making it into the classroom. In 2014, nearly 26 percent of per-pupil instructional spending went toward benefits rather than the classroom. Thats a 4.43-percent increase from 2005. Benefits are largely composed of health care and pension costs. Over the last decade, spending on teacher health-care benefits is up 30 percent, and spending on teacher retirement costs is up more than 50 percent, according to the report. The report also found that for the most of the 20 largest school districts in the country, benefit spending is increasing as fast or faster than it is at the state level. Thats because benefit costs are rising more quickly at the district level, and because districts have seen their budgets cut over the years. At the district level, benefit costs are eating up an increasing share of a diminished budget, the report concluded. See also: Teacher Pay: How Salaries, Pensions, and Benefits Work in Schools Despite the rising spending, teachers are not getting super lucrative pension plans or platinum health care, said Max Marchitello, a senior policy analyst at Bellwether Education Partners and the author of the report. Most of what benefits spending goes to is to pay down [states] debt, the cost they already incurred in years prior. In fact, many teachers dont end up collecting their full pension upon retirement. Typically, pension plans require teachers to teach between five and 10 years in order to qualify for retirement benefitsa benchmark that many teachers today never reach. And pension systems become more generous as teachers near the retirement point, so if someone moves to another state or leaves the profession before retirement age, he or she might be sacrificing significant pension wealth. A pension is a sweet deal if youre a 30-year-plus teacher who lives in one state [for your whole career], Marchitello said. If thats who you are, the pension system works for you. But most teachers dont fit that demographic. Still, the majority of teachers are enrolled in these defined-benefit pension plans. Only 8 percent of public school teachers participate in defined-contribution plans, such as 401(k) accounts, which are based on each employees individual investment decisions. The Bellwether report found that in some states, like Colorado, Illinois, and Louisiana, benefit spending increased at more than 5 times the rate that their overall education budgets grew. Alaska spends 40 percent of its instructional expenditures on benefits, the most of any state. And several states have billions of dollars in pension debtIllinois, for example, has nearly $74 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. In fact, over the last decade, only two states cut benefits at a rate greater than cuts to their K-12 budgetsWest Virginia and Wisconsin. From 2005 to 2014, West Virginia cut benefit spending by 6.5 percent while increasing its overall instructional spending by 2.5 percent. However, its worth noting that the states lack of investment in its state health care agency caused teachers premiums to increase, which was a large factor in the nine-day statewide strike that took place earlier this year. If youre going to require teachers to pay [more in premiums], but you dont have any corresponding increase to their salaries, then theyre being squeezed, Marchitello said. Theyre getting less money in a lot of ways. Instead, he said, states will need to consider significant pension reform. The report concluded that without any sort of pension buyout or reform, all states will likely need to increase their benefits spending. States need to wean themselves off these large public pension systems, Marchitello said, adding that some states like Michigan and Kansas have pivoted away from the traditional defined-benefit pension plans in recent years. However, it can be a politically tricky move. Kentucky, which is $14.5 billion short of what it will need to cover retirement costs over the next 30 years , saw a wave of teacher protests this spring after legislators tried reducing cost-of-living increases for retired teachers in an attempt to tamp down the pension debt. Ultimately, the final bill made made no significant changes to current teachers or retirees benefit plans, but it places teachers who are hired in 2019 into whats known as a cash-balance plan. Those plans are hybrids between a traditional defined-benefit pension and a 401(k). Hybrid plans need a good deal of political and public will to work, Marchitello acknowledged, but they would help states balance their current obligations to teachers who have paid into the retirement system without digging the hole even further. Were perpetuating a system that really doesnt work for anyone involved, except for a select few pension winners, but it comes at the expense of the bulk of the teacher workforce and the state budgets themselves, Marchitello said. Chart via Bellwether A plane, owned by Russias Red Wings air carrier, had to perform an emergency landing in the airport of Russias Ufa after one of its engines caught fire, an airport spokesperson said. The plane was en route from Ufa, the capital of Russias Bashkortostan republic, to the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. "There were 202 passengers on board, no injuries reported. All firefighting and rescue units of the airport worked in line with the emergency plan, passengers were evacuated with the help of inflatable emergency escape slides seven minutes after the landing," TASS cited the source as saying. The incident is being investigated. The air carrier is taking measures to transport the passengers to their destination. "The airport of Ufa is open for flights. All flights are being carried out in line with the main schedule," the spokesperson added. In another twist in the battle to win control of the Investa Office Fund, US giant Blackstone has sweetened its takeover offer by a further $120 million, to entice acceptance from dissident investors. Blackstone has offered an additional 20 per IOF security to take its bid to $5.45 from the initial $5.25 all cash offer. Taking into account IOF's 10.15 declared distribution, the ''best and final'' offer by Blackstone represents an effective increase from almost $5.15 to almost $5.35. Blackstone has increased its offer for Investa Office Fund Credit:Bloomberg This is aimed at appeasing the largest shareholder in IOF, the unlisted Investa Commercial Property Fund (ICPF), which holds 19.9 per cent of IOF, and APN Property with 1.4 per cent, both of whom have been vocal in saying the initial offer price did not reflect IOF's underlying value. IOF's security price rose 2.4 per cent to $5.13 after the new offer was unveiled. Property fund manager and developer Charter Hall has swooped to acquire its smaller rival Folkestone in a $205 million cash deal. Charter Hall has offered Folkestone shareholders $1.354 cash per share and a special dividend of $0.036 per share, a total of $1.39, under a "scheme of implementation arrangement" that will be funded from cash reserves. Folkestone shareholders on the register as at 11 September 2018 will also be entitled to a $0.03 per share ordinary dividend, to be paid even if the scheme fails to gain approval. The Folkestone culture shares many similarities to Charter Halls," David Harrison said. Credit:Ryan Stuart Property veteran Greg Paramor has been at the helm of Folkestone, which has $1.6 billion funds under management, since 2010 when he took control of the platform with partners from real estate investment management group Equity Real Estate Partners. Global construction and infrastructure giant Lendlease has vowed to protect the million-dollar views it says it paid for and promised to its apartment investors at the Barangaroo Central development. Lendlease and James Packer's Crown Resorts launched the legal action earlier this month arguing the NSW government's proposed height limits in the central Barangaroo precinct would affect views from the two companies' developments. The government's plans include a new train station as well commercial and residential buildings. Speaking at the company's full year result on Wednesday, Lendlease chief executive Steve McCann said that while court action was not ideal, ''we need to preserve our rights for shareholders''. Lendlease has joined forces with superannuation fund First State Super to develop a $2 billion project in Chicago (pictured) and other US gateway cities. Lendlease is building high-rise apartments in the same area as Crown's new 71-storey luxury hotel and casino complex. It all started with the big bang, chimes the theme song of The Big Bang Theory. Now, once it has filmed its 279th episode early in 2019, television's biggest comedy will end. The US studio Warner Bros confirmed today the 12th season of The Big Bang Theory will be its last. "We are forever grateful to our fans for their support of The Big Bang Theory during the past 12 seasons," the show's producer Chuck Lorre said in a statement. "We, along with the cast, writers and crew, are extremely appreciative of the show's success and aim to deliver a final season, and series finale, that will bring The Big Bang Theory to an epic creative close." A major police operation in Sydney's south-west that lasted more than five hours has concluded with no arrests and "nothing of interest found". NSW Police officers locked down a Punchbowl street in a show of force on Wednesday afternoon after a man was detained and assaulted. A spokeswoman for NSW Police said the man who was allegedly assaulted suffered minor injuries and is now with police. Officers from Bankstown and Campsie area commands established a perimeter around 3pm and specialist police are on the scene, the spokeswoman said. A 15-year-old Kallangur boy has been charged with 22 offences after allegedly ramming two police cars in Brisbane overnight and fleeing from officers. Police said a vehicle chase began when they observed a car with a stolen numberplate being driven along Nudgee Road in Banyo about 9.20pm. When police began tracking the car with the help of a police helicopter, the car allegedly ran a red light and collided with a four-wheel drive at the intersection of St Vincents Road and Toombul Road. As police tried to intercept the car on Selmur Lane, the teen driver allegedly rammed two police cars and drove off. The teenager allegedly abandoned the car in Bracken Ridge and fled on foot, before police arrested him in bushland near Charlock Road just before 9.50pm. Hundreds of unionists and striking Alcoa workers protested outside Parliament House on Wednesday morning over claims the company is attempting to casualise its workforce. They were joined in support by WA Labor ministers and MPs including Deputy Premier Roger Cook and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston. Earlier this morning Premier Mark McGowan joined strikers at the picket line outside of Alcoa's Kwinana operations. Striking Alcoa workers protesting outside parliament house on Wednesday morning. Credit:Nathan Hondros Alcoa and the Australian Workers Union have been locked in the dispute after attempts to negotiate a new enterprise bargaining agreement failed. Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to Austria was exclusively private, but during the trip the Russian head of state managed to discuss business matters with Austrias chancellor and foreign minister, TASS reported. "The trip was exclusively private," Putin said in reply to a question from TASS after talks with Finlands Prime Minister Sauli Niinisto. "It was a festive party, but we managed to have a word with the foreign minister (Karin Kneissl) and Austrian chancellor (Sebastian Kurz) to discuss business matters." Putin took the opportunity to congratulate the newlyweds Karin Kneissl and Wolfgang Meilinger once again. "I would like to thank my Austrian friends for the invitation again," he said. "I should say both are well-established people enjoying a prominent place in society and the state, but at the same time they are very open and jovial people. From the bottom of my heart I would like to congratulate them once more upon the event I chanced to attend." Putin remarked that the Austrian foreign ministers spouse was a kindred spirit in a sense. "He is a former athlete, a judo wrestler, too. Such things always unite," Putin, a judo enthusiast himself, said with a smile. He emphasized Austrias positive role in bilateral relations and in promoting the dialogue between Russia and the European Union. Canberra's two peak bodies for clubs will not reunite, despite the recommendation of a review into the future of the industry. Former Commonwealth departmental secretary Neville Stevens was tasked with looking at how clubs could diversify their revenue away from poker machines, as the Barr government moves to cut the the number of gaming machine authorisations in circulation in Canberra by almost 1000. But in his review, Mr Stevens took aim at the tension between the two peak bodies representing the clubs industry - Clubs ACT and Canberra Community Clubs - saying the split reduced the effectiveness of their advocacy for their members. Former Commonwealth departmental secretary Neville Stevens was tasked with looking at how clubs could diversify their revenue away from poker machines. Credit:Peter Braig He called for the clubs groups to reunite, saying it would be an opportunity for the industry to "reinvent and strengthen itself". According to his opponents inside the Liberal Party, Tony Abbotts key political attribute is not the conviction that he has crafted into his political brand but his lack of it; not the iron of his spine but its extraordinary suppleness. Abbott has made his determined lack of conviction a potent political weapon, says the former Liberal leader John Hewson. He will take any position that suits him on any given matter on any given day. Former prime minister Tony Abbott in Parliament this week. Credit:AAP As an example, Hewson notes that last week Abbott and his bloc demanded a new concession from Malcolm Turnbull to further dilute Australias commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement. When Turnbull conceded the point, Abbott responded brutally via 2GB, that making an absolute commitment on a Tuesday only to abandon it on a Friday was no way to run a government. Attorney-General Christian Porter has referred the issue of Peter Dutton's eligibility to sit in Parliament to the the federal government's top legal officer for advice ahead of a looming leadership spill between the former home affairs minister and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The request for assistance from the Solicitor-General comes as separate legal advice, authored by prominent Sydney silk Bret Walker, SC, concludes that Mr Dutton was likely "incapable of being chosen for the 45th Parliament and is not entitled to continue to sit in the 45th Parliament". The movements come after Fairfax Media revealed the childcare company operated by Mr Dutton's family trust had received more than $5.6 million in Commonwealth funding since 2014. The Labor-commissioned document, obtained by Fairfax, was distributed to Mr Porter and Mr Turnbull earlier this afternoon after the Prime Minister said he had not read Mr Dutton's legal advice. Peter Dutton has released legal advice he says shows he is eligible to sit in Parliament. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Loading It comes after Fairfax Media yesterday revealed the childcare company operated by Mr Dutton's family trust had received more than $5.6 million in Commonwealth funding since 2014, prompting the Attorney-General to refer the matter to the Solicitor-General for advice. Just after noon on Thursday, the Senate voted to refer Peter Duttons controversial intervention in the immigration case of two au pairs in 2015 to a Senate inquiry. As the House of Representatives dealt with a suspension motion, senators voted 34 - 28 in favour of the inquiry, which will examine two separate decisions by Mr Dutton to overrule his department's denial of entry to the young women in 2015. Mr Dutton said his legal advice on his family's childcare centres was "unequivocal" that he was not in breach of section 44, which provides that any person who has any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any agreement with the Commonwealth is incapable of being chosen or of sitting as a senator or MP. "One important matter to note in relation to the statutory scheme is that under the scheme payments can be made on occasion directly to approved childcare services," Mr Reynolds, whose previous clients include disgraced former NSW Labor minister Eddie Obeid, wrote in the advice. "I am instructed that direct payments were made under the statutory scheme by the Commonwealth to the trust of the RHT Family Trust from time to time." But, he said, these payments were "not paid pursuant to any contract with these entities", and therefore did not result in an "agreement" being formed within the meaning of section 44. Mr Dutton said the timing of the scrutiny of his family business was "curious" given that it emerged "on the eve of current events in Australian politics". The former home affairs minister released an updated legal advice late on Thursday morning, in which Mr Reynolds stated that his advice "remains the same" in light of the July 2 changes to the government's childcare assistance scheme. It came after constitutional law expert Anne Twomey suggested the new rules may have some bearing on Mr Dutton's eligibility. An alternative legal advice, prepared by Mr Reynolds' Phillip St colleague Bret Walker SC for Labor in April this year, found Mr Dutton was likely "incapable of being chosen for the 45th Parliament and is not entitled to continue to sit in the 45th Parliament". The advice, obtained exclusively by Fairfax Media on Wednesday, reads: "The resolution of these issues, for the reasons that follow, leads us to the conclusion that it is clearly arguable that Mr Dutton is not eligible to so sit in the 45th Parliament and potentially not eligible to have been chosen for the 45th Parliament. We are of the view that this is the preferable argument." Sydney University constitutional law professor Anne Twomey said on Thursday morning that both silks had only addressed the childcare rebate system that existed before July 2. "At most, they address whether or not Mr Dutton was disqualified before the new scheme came into effect - but neither purports to say whether or not Mr Dutton is disqualified under the new scheme," Professor Twomey said. "If, of course, if he was disqualified under the old scheme, that disqualification would continue now. "If he was not disqualified under the old scheme, that does not preclude his disqualification under the current scheme." Childcare centres now receive direct subsidies from the Commonwealth, rather than having the money provided to parents who were then able to spend it on childcare services. Previously, some parents chose to have their rebates paid directly to centres, but it was not mandated by the statutory scheme. A vast number of Rohingya children stuck in the refugee camps of Bangladesh have been orphaned by violence, a new survey has found, contradicting the earlier view of aid workers that many had simply been separated from their parents in the chaotic conditions. Subia Khatun, 60, holds her orphaned granddaughter Nuru Zannat aged 5 in their shelter in Kutupalong Camp, Bangladesh, in July. Credit:Kate Geraghty The research by aid organisation Save the Children has found that about half the children surveyed reported that their parents had been killed by horrific violence during military purges in neighbouring Myanmar. There are more than 6000 unaccompanied and separated Rohingya children living in the camps around Coxs Bazar. The finding comes at the first anniversary of the astounding influx of refugees to Bangladesh that began on August 25 last year, and which saw hundreds of thousands of people fleeing their homes under threat of death. Honolulu: Hawaii residents already reeling from months of explosive eruptions from Kilauea volcano braced on Wednesday for Hurricane Lane, which was bearing down on the US island chain with high winds and lashing rains and the potential to trigger flooding and landslides. They empty store shelves, claimed the last sheets of plywood to board up windows and drained gas pumps as Lane churned toward the state. The category 4 storm could slam into the islands Thursday with winds exceeding 100 miles per hour (161kph), making it the most powerful storm to hit Hawaii since Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Though the hurricane weakened slightly as it spun across the Pacific Ocean it remained a Category 4 storm, the second-strongest on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of wind intensity, according to the US Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Manafort was found guilty of eight our of 18 charges of tax and bank fraud, the first conviction for special counsel Robert Mueller. The jury verdict landed within minutes of Cohen pleading guilty to eight charges of tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Loading Trump expressed sympathy for Manafort's plight, praising his former campaign aide for not talking to prosecutors, as Cohen has. "He refused to 'break' - make up stories in order to get a 'deal'," Trump tweeted. "Such respect for a brave man!" His praise immediately prompted speculation that Trump would offer Manafort a pardon. In contrast, Cohen's attorney Lanny Davis said Cohen would not accept a pardon from a "criminal" and "corrupt" person like Trump. In pleading guilty on Tuesday, Cohen stated that he made hush payments in 2016 to women who claimed to have had affairs with the Republican presidential nominee, and did so at the "direction of the candidate", plainly meaning Trump. Prosecutors said the payments, designed to influence the election by keeping the women's stories out of the public eye, amounted to an illegal and unreported campaign contribution. Trump likely faces more trouble in the coming months. Michael Cohen leaves a federal court in New York after pleading guilty to financial crimes. Credit:AP While placing the President in direct legal jeopardy over the hush money payments, Cohen also served notice he is willing to cooperate with Mueller on the Russia investigation. Lanny Davis told MSNBC that Cohen is "more than happy" to speak with the special counsel about "the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election", as well as other Russia-related subjects. Loading They include "knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on," Davis said. "And we know he publicly cheered it on, but did he have private information?" Trump's attorneys said Cohen is lying in order to get better treatment from prosecutors over his own illegal conduct. "It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time," attorney Rudy Giuliani said. Trump was more complimentary of Cohen before his long-time attorney began talking to prosecutors. He has called Cohen "a very talented lawyer" and, as recently as June, "a good person". Loading The president's legal difficulties could also have political implications. Republicans already face tough battles as they seek to keep majorities in the House and Senate in the November mid-term elections. Stumping for candidates in West Virginia on Tuesday night, local time, Trump did not mention Cohen or Manafort, but did again attack Mueller's investigation as "fake news" and a "witch hunt". "Where is the collusion?" Trump said at one point. "You know, they're still looking for collusion. Where is the collusion? Find some collusion." Republicans have been near-silent on Trump's legal travails, but many seemed worried about the impact on the elections. Democrats are likely to make corruption a major issue, both before and after the elections, especially if they win control of the House and Senate. Trump didn't address the dual court dramas as he appeared at a rally in West Virginia on Tuesday night. Credit:Bloomberg Latest News Inside the 'tech arms race' to bring down turnaround times How lenders are competing against each other to balance risk, compliance and speed for brokers Reaction as inflation spike causes RBA interest rate rethink The RBA is again under pressure as inflation jumps 0.8% in a quarter, putting ultra-low rate era in firing line Suncorps head of bank intermediaries Mark Vilo, explains the three point strategy that will redefine the groups broker partnerships The world of business and finance are not without their challenges. At the mercy of global markets, political point scoring and regulatory scrutiny, the industry as well as the brokers who keep it alive have had a tough few years. Unfortunately, things are unlikely to improve any time soon. For Mark Vilo, head of bank intermediaries at Suncorp, the challenges presented by the current climate range from more rigorous application processes to ongoing threats to remuneration and, one of the greatest concerns of all, the unknowns that lie ahead. Helping brokers to not only weather the ongoing storm but thrive despite it, Suncorp is executing a three-point strategy that spans partnerships, diversification and education. We have reflected as an organisation and seen that education is the next frontier for broker businesses. We have the capability within Suncorp to reach and utilise the talent we have in-house to help brokers, says Vilo. We are using education as a key strategic approach, and its not just around learning but how we engage with our associations. Its almost like a multipronged focus we have. The first step towards boosting professional development is to build on the power of partnerships by focusing on aggregator and broker partners and restructuring the BDM teams that support them. For example, phone-based BDM support now dovetails with traditional face-to-face interactions to keep Suncorp front of mind. To encourage diversification, brokers are supported in their transition into commercial, small business and even insurance broking. Finally, education ties all three avenues together. Suncorps Learning Campus is the product of examining existing vendor relationships within the group and leveraging those to pull together the hundreds of broker professional development opportunities in the marketplace. To date, Suncorp has identified seven vendors with 25 different learning opportunities and more than 450 different modules. It is now working with each to fill the educational gaps that naturally occur in a free and competitive market, with a focus on building brokers core, soft and auxiliary skills. We have structured it from a bank point of view to be really focused at the aggregator level. As a partner we are not so obtuse as to think we know everything; we want them to work with us in partnership and for them to tell us what they think they need and we will look for a solution for them, Vilo explains. Recently, Suncorp collaborated with Aussie Home Loans, touring Australia to meet their new brokers and talk about good customer conversations. This work is supported by further partnerships with the Australian Institute of Management and ongoing work with Kaplan, as well as a subsidy scheme for brokers wishing to complete their Certificate IV, and initiatives such as online courses in business and leadership skills. We are really advocating this opportunity. We know that, as Suncorp, we have a really important role to play, and we are making headway in that, Vilo says. Naturally, as we progress over the next few years, it will be great to have a focus on additional education, as we have already seen in the financial planning space. Creative synergy The mission to address gaps across multiple learning platforms and programs is one that few in the industry are positioned to take on, and for Suncorp to champion the cause marks a fresh approach to the lenders role in the marketplace. Continuing this message, Suncorps Sunrise Series of national PD events is fully focused on what brokers want and need to know, rather than taking the opportunity to push a corporate message. Each event delivers essential skills and knowledge, with high-touch interactivity as opposed to traditional learning techniques. For example, the most recent event held in Sydney in August starred award-winning documentary maker and Body Hack creator Todd Sampson, who inspired the audience with stories of how he has worked to overcome challenges. The rest of the event saw three Suncorp CEOs, from lending, marketplace and insurance, debate their market observations, as well as a session, Innovation in Action, that was developed in direct response to feedback from previous events and took a speed-learning approach, with 12 speakers on 12 tables, each tackling a different topic. Brokers need to have skills around good client conversations, and even though most think they do, they should and can always continue to learn. I find that when I attend these programs, Im always learning myself, Vilo says. Brokers should also be aware of their obligations around responsible lending and making sure they understand the additional information on living expenses. There is more rigour involved now, and I think the expectation is that we are looking at brokers to be more involved and integrated in the process. Smaller events are held in Suncorps Discovery Store on Sydneys Pitt Street. A space for partners and customers alike, the store has been used to host client meetings, broker training and aggregator events, and even events involving reality TV contestants. We ran an event called Option Advantage featuring contestants from The Block. We had a buyers advocate and a real estate agent and we got brokers to bring their clients in so they could actually understand the buying process, Vilo says. Suncorps approach has provided a boost to its loan book as well as the number of brokers the lender works with. Just under 70% of business is derived from the broker channel. We have had a very good year in terms of growth in our business, and the model we have in place has helped to drive greater impact, Vilo says. We have done a lot more campaign work, not just rate campaigns but different ideas to bring to brokers to get them interested in talking to Suncorp. Whether thats through retention initiatives or new processes, we always look for new ideas and we will continue to do that. Looking ahead For Vilo there are three things that will define the rest of 2018. Firstly, he says aggregator and broker technology will support greater efficiency and connectivity. Secondly, he believes responsible lending will continue to define the space. Its not about being tough; its about being appropriate for what the industry requires, Vilo says. Brokers need to ask customers for more comprehensive information that will become the new norm. Brokers will have to fully understand the facts around the customer and their credit situation, have conviction when lodging their application, and be prepared to support it and discuss it with the lender. The final piece of the puzzle is collaboration. Praising recent initiatives of the MFAA and FBAA, Vilo says their work over the last year has been outstanding, with specific reference to the FBAAs training around small business lending and the MFAAs Your Broker Behind You campaign. There is a strong advocacy for brokers, and I think from a collaboration point of view the CIF has also done some really good work to set our future direction and self-regulate. That takes us to a place where we are really striving towards better customer outcomes. Vilo sees a strong future ahead for brokers, who he advises to focus on practices, policies and processes. We are seeing brokers and their businesses going from strength to strength, he says. There is a real resilience and can-do attitude in the market, and there is a real optimism that I have seen in the last few months, despite the challenges. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Members of Brooklyns Haitian community cheered officials as they unveiled a new street sign in honor of a native forefather at the corner of Rogers and Newkirk avenues on Saturday. The newly co-named Jean-Jacques Dessalines Boulevard which includes some 30 blocks of Rogers Avenue between Farragut Road and Eastern Parkway is a fitting tribute to the former slave who rose to lead his country to victory in the Haitian Revolution and then serve as the first ruler of an independent Haiti, according to a local Hatian-American who attended the ceremony. Im happy to see Jean-Jacques Dessalines honored in this way, said Jeffrey Pluviose. People will see his name and research him to find out who he was. This is a very powerful moment. The signs unveiling came weeks after the city formally designated parts of Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush, and Midwood including some blocks of the newly co-named street as the Little Haiti Cultural and Business District, and months after another nearby road, Nostrand Avenue between Newkirk and Flatbush avenues as Toussaint LOuverture Boulevard, was jointly named for another prominent Haitian revolutionary, Toussaint LOuverture, Some critics objected to Councils decision to dedicate the Central Brooklyn street to Dessalines, claiming a tribute to the military officer turned emperor who notoriously ordered the beheading of all French people remaining in Haiti after its native population overthrew the colonial power in 1804 contradicts efforts to remove monuments that celebrated other controversial historical figures. But those detractors are simply attempting to diminish Dessaliness reputation as a Haitian who fought against slavery and colonization, Pluviose argued. Its not comparable, he said. He had the courage to stand up to the evils of humanity at that time, and to be the man to free his people from enslavement. I dont see how you can be against that. Reach reporter Alexandra Simon at (718) 2608310 or e-mail her at asimo n@cng local.com . Follow her on Twitter @AS1mon. The consequences of Washingtons tariff policy will affect every country, irrespective of their position on the issue, head of Russia's Economic Development Ministry's trade negotiations department Maksim Medvedkov said. He added that there are "no signals," that Washington intended to cease its practice of "unilateral protectionist measures." "Protectionism is increasing, and the only difference is that for all countries except for the United States, these are forced measures, a reaction to the threats arising from Washington's actions. The effect of unilateral restrictive measures will be felt by all without exception, both Russia and even those who managed to come to terms with the Americans," Sputnik cited the official as saying. Medvedkov also commented on the latest decision by the EU leadership to support the US in the trade dispute with China, noting that Washingtons recent policy on the issue contradicts World Trade Organization (WTO) norms. "It would be extremely strange and short-sighted on the part of the EU to support the United States in its choice of methods of influencing China, which obviously do not correspond to the letter and spirit of the WTO," the official stated. Since March US President Donald Trump has introduced several rounds of tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from the EU, China, and other countries. In June, Donald Trump confirmed that a 25% tariff would be imposed on $50 billion in Chinese goods, and later the U.S. proposed tariff increased from 10 to 25% on $200 billion worth of Chinese products. Beijing, when addressing the trade row earlier in August, responded to the proposed increase with a threat to impose duties of up to 25% on U.S. imports worth $60 billion. 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 More than 80 warships and 14 submarines of the Russian Navy took part in 189 combat missions during the Syria operation, according to a video posted by the Defense Ministry of Russia on Wednesday, TASS reports. "The Russian Navy made 189 sorties that involved 86 ships, 14 submarines and 83 vessels," the video says. "On November 15, 2016, the deck-based fighter jets of the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov were employed for the first time in Russias history against ground objectives. Over two months, the cruisers pilots performed 420 sorties, including 117 at night. A total of 1,252 terrorists were eliminated," the Russian Defense Ministry said. The Kerala government on Wednesday said if the Centre decides to refuse an offer of Rs 7 billion as flood relief from Kerala as reported in some news reports it should compensate the state for it. Chief Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan said, We have heard there are some obstacles in receiving this fund. We will discuss with the government and go to the prime minister. According to the National Disaster Management Policy (NDMP), 2016, the Centre can take a decision on whether or not to take relief funds offered by another country. The Centre has ... on Wednesday said it was willing to play a "constructive" role in improving ties between India and Pakistan and hailed the outreach by Prime Minister and his new Pakistani counterpart to improve bilateral relations. However, Beijing did not specify what it meant by "constructive" role. "We welcome the positive remarks made by the Indian and Pakistani leaders on improving the bilateral relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said. "As a common neighbour to Pakistan and India, firmly supports the two sides to enhance dialogue and increase mutual trust and properly handle and solve their difference. And we hope that they can jointly stay committed to the regional peace and development. is willing to play a constructive role in this aspect," Lu added. Asked what he meant by China playing a "constructive" role, he said: "I just said we are glad to see the positive remarks by India and Pakistan on improving their bilateral relations and all the efforts that are conducive to the improvement of their relations and peace as well as stability in the region. We welcome that and we will play constructive role in this respect." Questioned further if by "constructive role" he meant mediation, Lu said: "I cannot give a pre-judgment or in what aspect, what area, what we will do." Modi wrote a letter to on his election as Pakistan's Prime Minister stating the need to build "good neighbourly relations" and pursue "meaningful and constructive engagement" for the benefit of the region. Modi also emphasised the need to make the Indian subcontinent "free of terror and violence". In an apparent response to Modi's letter, Khan tweeted: "To move forward Pakistan and India must dialogue and resolve their conflicts including Kashmir." Earlier, Khan had said that if India took one step, Pakistan would take two steps. Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained since the terrorist attacks at an Indian Army base in 2016. China has publicly maintained neutrality over the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, but its state media has often suggested that Beijing can play a role between the arch rivals. In June, Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui suggested a China-India-Pakistan trilateral meet. The idea was junked by New Delhi. Credit Bureaus may soon be allowed access to data from utility providers as well as other databases like the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), say experts. The RBI has indicated that amendment to the relevant statute is on cards for facilitating access of credit bureaus. However, no timeline has been indicated for making amendment. The RBI has stressed on the importance of credit bureaus to improve financial inclusion, especially after it decided to set up a Public Credit Registry (PCR) in April. Deputy Governor N S Vishwanathan said the RBI has taken several measures to ... In a stern warning to bankers, the Finance Ministry has asked chief executives of public sector banks (PSBs) to check all NPA accounts exceeding Rs 500 million for fraud or they could face criminal conspiracy charges, according to official sources. This missive comes in the light of arrest of Bhushan Steel's erstwhile promoter Neeraj Singal by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) for allegedly siphoning off funds. The sources said that bankers could be held accountable under Section 120B of Indian Penal Code if they fail to report fraud in an account which is later unearthed by investigating agencies, sources said. If the investigating agencies find diversion of funds in those defaulting accounts, bankers may be liable to face criminal proceedings, the sources said, adding that this advisory is like an extra precaution to keep bankers from getting into legal tangles. More than a dozen companies undergoing bankruptcy resolution are being reviewed by banks and investigating agencies for fraudulent activities including diversion of funds. Indian banks are facing mounting non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans, especially at PSBs, which have reached over Rs 8 trillion. In addition, several banking frauds have been unearthed, including the Rs 140 billion scam at PNB, carried out allegedly by diamond jeweller Nirav Modi and his associates. A senior government official confirmed the development and said that some discrepancies have been pointed out in the case of a steel maker and a real estate firm among 10-12 companies. "There were some inputs and lenders who have been asked to provide transaction details of last five years. If required, banks will also undertake forensic audit," he said. Earlier this month, SFIO arrested Singal for alleged diversion of Rs 20 billion, raised through loans from state-owned banks. "Similar modus operandi has been used by other promoters also," said another government official, adding that there have been intelligence inputs on associate companies being used for similar transactions. ALSO READ: Allahabad Bank Q1 net loss at Rs 19 bn on higher provisioning for bad loans SFIO is also looking into the books of companies which are currently undergoing debt resolution, he said, adding that this has been done on the basis of specific inputs provided by the ministry of corporate affairs. During the resolution process, the extensive audit of bankrupt companies has thrown up financial irregularities in several cases. In June 2017, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had identified 12 stressed accounts, each having more than Rs 50 billion of outstanding loans and accounting for 25 per cent of total non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks for immediate referral under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). In August, RBI had sent a list of 28 more firms to lenders for resolution by December 2017. "These accounts also have some firms from the second list and those where later banks filed cases in NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal)," said a bank executive aware of the developments. The NCLT benches handle banks' bad debt resolution under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Banks have to undertake a two-year transaction audit when they start the resolution process through IBC. In case there are any issues or specific information, banks also conduct a forensic audit. In August 2017, SFIO was given powers to arrest people for company law violations. SFIO is a multidisciplinary organisation having experts for prosecution of white-collar crimes and frauds under the company law. NCLT has so far taken decision on 655 cases under IBC that include more than 200 that have been admitted to various NCLT benches. Discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were not deeply substantive, the State Department's assistant secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Aaron Wess Mitchell, said. During a hearing on U.S. relations with Moscow yesterday, Mitchell said that discussions between Trump and Putin were "not deeply substantive." "The only agreement that came out of Helsinki was for the two national security counsels to meet again, which they are doing this week," CNN cited Mitchell as saying. The assistant secretary later added that he has "received the information I need to do my job as it relates to Russia." Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton in Geneva on August 23. US Donald Trump's former campaign manager has been found guilty on eight counts of financial crimes. But jurors were unable to reach a verdict on 10 charges and Judge T.S. Ellis on Tuesday declared a mistrial on those counts, reports Manafort was found guilty of five tax fraud charges, one charge of hiding foreign bank accounts and two counts of He faces a maximum of 80 years in prison. The news came at the same time Trump's former lawyer was in a New York federal court to plead guilty to multiple counts of campaign finance violations, tax fraud and Landing in Charleston, West Virginia, Trump said that the charges Manafort was convicted of on Tuesday have "nothing to do with Russian collusion" and criticised Mueller's investigation for arriving at this point. Manafort was charged with 18 counts of tax evasion, and hiding foreign bank accounts in the first case Mueller brought to trial as part of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. Ellis spoke directly to Manafort at the podium to tell him he has been found guilty of several charges. He did not smile. His attorney Kevin Downing stood behind him. "Manafort is disappointed of not getting acquittals all the way through or a complete hung jury on all counts," Downing said. adding he would like to thank Judge Ellis for granting him a fair trial, thank the jury for their very long and hard-fought deliberations. Prosecutors said Manafort collected $65 million in foreign bank accounts from 2010 to 2014 and spent more than $15 million on luxury purchases in the same period, including high-end clothing, real estate, landscaping and other big-ticket items, reported. They also alleged that Manafort lied to banks in order to take out more than $20 million in loans after his Ukrainian political work dried up in 2015 and they accused him of hiding the foreign bank accounts from federal authorities. Manafort received loans from the Federal Savings Bank after one of its executives sought a position in the Trump campaign and administration, according to prosecutors. Manafort, 69, has been in jail since June after his bail was revoked following new charges of witness tampering against him. He still faces a second set of criminal charges in a Washington, D.C., federal court, of failure to register his foreign lobbying and of money laundering conspiracy related to the same Ukrainian political work that was central to the case. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday accused her predecessor and her "fugitive son Tarique Rahman of being directly involved in the 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in which 24 people were killed and she narrowly escaped. Her comments came as the belated and protracted trial of the attack neared completion. "There is no doubt that the Nationalist Party (BNP), (the then prime minister) and her son (Tarique Rahman) were directly involved in the gruesome grenade attack on the Awami League rally," she said commemorating the 14th anniversary of the assault in Dhaka. While Zia is currently serving a jail term in a corruption case, Rahman is residing in the UK under political asylum. On August 24, 2004, militants lobbed 13 grenades on a peaceful rally of the Awami League (AL) in front of its Bangabandhu Avenue central office here. Twenty-four leaders and workers of AL and its associate bodies, including wife of late president Zillur Rahman, were killed and over 500 others suffered splinter injuries in the attack and many of them became crippled for life. Though Hasina narrowly escaped the attack, she lost her hearing ability due to the impact of the repeated grenade blasts near the truck-dais of the huge public rally. Hasina claimed ahead of the attack, Zia had said that Awami will not be able to come to power in 100 years and that she would never be the prime minister or even the Leader of the Opposition in future. In Bangladeshi media, Zia, 72, and Hasina, 70, are known as the 'Battling Begums' for their bitter rivalry going on for nearly four decades. Prosecutors said the evidence and testimonies of key accused and crucial witnesses, including the then Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) chief gradually unfolded the plot. Retired major general Sadik Hassan Rumi, former DGFI chief, earlier appeared as a crucial prosecution witness in the court and said perpetrators of the attack targeting the incumbent premier were protected under higher political authority's directives. "I was asked not to catch them (culprits)...There was no dearth of efforts on my part to unearth the plot but I was repeatedly obstructed," Rumi told the court as the belated trial of several high-profile suspects of the attack was underway. Rumi claimed the ex-premier appeared annoyed and rebuked him when he wanted to talk to her on the attack issue and subsequent investigations. "From where did you gather the ridiculous information...what is your headache if Tajuddin (a key suspect) goes to Pakistan or anywhere else?" Rumi recalled Zia as telling him, confirming a report that the ex-premier herself had ordered the safe passage of his son abroad. Mufti Abdul Hannan, the chief of the banned Harkatul Jihad (HuJI) militant outfit and a key accused in case, in his confessional statement before the trial court had given a detailed description of how the plot was orchestrated and his outfit was entrusted with the task to kill Hasina and other front-ranking AL leaders. Hannan along with his two associates were executed last year for a separate attack in 2004 on a shrine that killed three people and wounded the then British high commissioner Anwar Chowdhury. In his statement Hannan had said Rahman was directly involved in the attack along with the then junior home minister Lutfozzaman Babar and deputy education minister Abdus Salam Pintu. "Tarique Zia (Rahman) assured us of giving all kinds of cooperation... then we held a series of secret meetings at several places, including Mohammadpur, to kill Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders," Hannan had deposed before a magistrate in his confessional statement. Three former police chiefs and some military officials who were posted at DGFI at that time are among 17 people facing trial in the case. The People's Party and Muslim League-Nawaz have agreed to field a joint candidate against Imran Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf party's nominee in the Presidential election to be held on September 4, media reports said on Wednesday. The decision was taken after the rejected the nominee Aitzaz Ahsan, a senior party leader and top lawyer, as the presidential candidate on the grounds that the latter announced its decision without consulting the Opposition parties. The has expressed reservations over the nomination of Ahsan, who had spoken against jailed former prime minister and supreme leader of Nawaz Sharif and his wife Kulsoom's ailment. The PPP, led by former Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari also did not vote for PML-N chief Shahbaz Sharif in the race for prime minister's office held on August 18. The PPP's move also did not go down well with the PML-N, Dawn newspaper reported. Incumbent Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain's five-year term is due to end on September 9. The News, quoting sources, reported that it was decided that an All Parties Conference of the Opposition would be convened at the resort town of Murree on August 25 to decide the name of a joint presidential candidate of the Opposition. The report said the PML-N chief and Opposition leader in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif will host conference. US President Donald Trump's former lawyer has pleaded guilty in a Manhattan court to violating campaign finance laws. He said he did so at the direction of "the candidate", for the "principal purpose of influencing (the) election", BBC reported. Cohen's admission on Tuesday was related to hush money paid to Trump's alleged mistresses. The 51-year-old admitted eight counts, including tax and bank fraud in a plea deal with prosecutors. Trump ignored questions about Cohen as he arrived on Tuesday evening for a pre-scheduled rally in West Virginia. The White House also declined to comment. The plea came as a jury in Alexandria, Virginia, convicted former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort of bank and tax fraud charges. Cohen said he had been directed by "a candidate for federal office" -- presumed to be Trump himself -- to break federal election laws. ALSO READ: Trump slams former lawyer Cohen: What kind of a lawyer would tape a client? The indictment against Cohen carries up to 65 years in prison. But his plea deal includes a much more lenient custodial sentence of up to five years and three months, said Judge William Pauley. Cohen has pleaded guilty to -- five counts of tax evasion; one count of making false statements to a financial institution; one count of wilfully causing an unlawful corporate contribution; one count of making an excessive campaign contribution at the request of a candidate or campaign. His sentencing was set for December 12. He was released after posting a bail of $500,000. Reporters in court said Cohen's voice quavered as he answered routine questions from the judge. ALSO READ: Stormy's lawyer: Russian oligarch sent $500,000 to Cohen to pay hush money He was asked whether he had consumed any alcohol or drugs before making his guilty plea. Cohen told the judge he had only had a glass of 12-year-old Glenlivet, a single-malt scotch, with dinner the night before. Speaking to reporters outside court, a prosecutor said Cohen's crimes were "particularly significant" because he is a trained lawyer. Robert Khuzami, the deputy US attorney for the Southern District of New York, said: "Cohen disregarded that training, disregarded that tradition and decided that he was above the law, and for that he will pay a very, very serious price." Federal investigators have been scrutinising Cohen's business activities for months, including a taxi business owned by him and his family. US President Donald Trump, in tweets about the stunning legal setbacks involving two of his former lieutenants, on Wednesday attacked the one who has turned on him and defended the one who has remained loyal. Trump lashed out at former longtime lawyer Michael Cohen in a Twitter post by saying the campaign finance violations Cohen pleaded guilty to in federal court in New York on Tuesday were "not a crime" - even though prosecutors and Cohen agreed that they were. Trump made the claim without offering any evidence. In a separate tweet, Trump said, "If anyone is ... Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday confirmed that a total of 13 individuals have been sentenced to death in connection with the raping of minor girls in the state. Madhya Pradesh was the first state to promulgate a law to award death penalty to individuals accused in rape of minor girls. The law, which awards the death penalty to rapists of girls below the age of 12, was unanimously passed in the state assembly in December last year. Addressing the media here, Chouhan said, "As per the provisions to penalise such culprits with the harshest of punishment, 13 people have so far been sentenced to death." Speaking on the steps being taken to put a stop to such incidents in the future, Chouhan said, "On one hand, we are imparting lessons and inculcating the right values, and on the other hand, strict punishments, a culmination of the two will help us prevent such incidents from happening." When asked to comment on the death penalty awarded to two culprits earlier today, Chouhan said, "Today I can say that my heart is satisfied." The two accused, Irfan and Asif, had abducted a seven-year-old girl from her school in Hafiz colony in Mandsaur in June this year. The duo then tortured and raped the girl before killing her and throwing her body at a secluded spot in the city. Following the incident, the two men were arrested, while a Special Investigation Team was set up to investigate the matter. The two accused were awarded the death sentence by a special court in Mandsaur earlier today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States is going to do other things to put pressure on Iran, President Donald Trumps national security adviser John Bolton said. "Let me be clear, the reimposition of the sanctions, we think, is already having a significant effect on Irans economy and on, really, popular opinion inside Iran," he said. "We are going to do other things to put pressure on Iran as well, beyond economic sanctions," Bolton said at a news conference in Jerusalem. "We expect that Europeans will see, as businesses all over Europe are seeing, that the choice between doing business with Iran or doing business with the United States is very clear to them," Reuters cited him as saying. "So we will see what plays out in November. But the president (Trump) has made it very clear - his words - he wants maximum pressure on Iran, maximum pressure, and that is what is going on." the security adviser added. "There should not be any doubt that the United States wants this resolved peacefully, but we are fully prepared for any contingency that Iran creates," Bolton concluded. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested 3 persons in connection with the Narendra Dabholkar murder case. The CBI took possession of the firearm and live ammunition that was recovered from the arrested persons, while the Aurangabad police took possession of the knife, sword and air gun recovered. Earlier on Tuesday, the CBI, along with officials from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), recovered several weapons, including a pistol, sword, and a khukri, from prime accused Sachin Andure's brother-in-law's place in Aurangabad, suspecting that the weapons were used to assassinate Dabholkar in 2013. The recovery revealed that one of the weapons was a countrymade pistol of 7.65 mm bore that was allegedly used to kill Dabholkar. The CBI then decided to send the weapons for a ballistic testing to ascertain whether they were used to murder Dabholkar five years ago. Dabholkar, who was the founder of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), was shot dead on August 20, 2013, by bike-borne assailants while returning home from a morning walk Andure, who is believed to be one of the shooters who shot dead the MANS founder in Pune, was arrested by the central probe agency from Aurangabad and sent to CBI custody till August 26. The CBI had also arrested former Shiv Sena corporator Shrikant Pangarkar in connection with the killing of Dabholkar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 rattled Yaguaraparo area, located off the northeastern coast of Venezuela, on Tuesday. The quake, that lasted for a over a minute, resulted in immediate evacuation of all high-rise buildings. However, no tsunami warning was issued post the quake. Irald Cabrera, a translator for a tour company in Guiria city, was quoted by CNN stating that the earthquake lasted about a minute, and was followed by three aftershocks. The United States Geological Survey(USGS) said the earthquake had a depth of 123.2 km, and was felt as far away as Caracas. No casualties have been reported. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 70 Dalit families from Kanudi village in Rajasthan's Barmer district were allegedly debarred from accessing basic facilities by dominant Rajpurohit families. The matter flared up after a resident of the village Rawat Ram lodged a complaint with the police against few members of a Rajpurohit family for allegedly posting some derogatory remarks over Dalits on social media sites. Soon after the complaint, the dominant caste allegedly ousted the villagers from the village. The complainant also claimed that the Rajpurohit families have restricted the Dalits from taking water from the common well and also their children were stopped by the dominant caste from going to school. After receiving the complaint, police has registered a complaint against 16 members of the village and assured that fair probe will be initiated in the matter. Police have been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident. Due to police's interference, the children were also allowed to attend school. According to police, "A case has been registered against 16 people of the village. A fair investigation will be conducted." However, the Rajpurohit families have denied for such allegations. Reacting on the issue, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab C Kataria told ANI that action will be taken against those found guilty in the case. "In law, everyone is allowed to live by their rights and if anyone has barred a person of their fundamental rights then I will take action against them," Kataria said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) According to a recent research, nerve stimulation can significantly improve the quality of life in depressed patients. The study, led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine, suggests that it can happen even when their depression symptoms don't completely subside. "When evaluating patients with treatment-resistant depression, we need to focus more on their overall well-being," said principal investigator Charles R. Conway. "A lot of patients are on as many as three, four or five antidepressant medications, and they are just barely getting by. But when you add a vagus nerve stimulator, it really can make a big difference in people's everyday lives." The researchers compared patients who received vagus nerve stimulation with others who received what the study referred to as treatment as usual, which could include antidepressant drugs, psychotherapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy or some combination. "On about 10 of the 14 measures, those with vagus nerve stimulators did better," Conway said. "For a person to be considered to have responded to a depression therapy, he or she needs to experience a 50 percent decline in his or her standard depression score. But we noticed, anecdotally, that some patients with stimulators reported they were feeling much better even though their scores were only dropping 34 to 40 percent." A vagus nerve stimulator is surgically implanted under the skin in the neck or chest. In the new study, patients with stimulators had significant gains in quality-of-life measures such as mood, ability to work, social relationships, family relationships and leisure activities, compared with those who received only treatment as usual. Conway believes an improved ability to concentrate may be key to the benefits some patients get from stimulation. "It improves alertness, and that can reduce anxiety," he said. "And when a person feels more alert and more energetic and has a better capacity to carry out a daily routine, anxiety and depression levels decline." The study appears in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the wake of the fire that broke out at Mumbai's Crystal Tower, an FIR has been lodged on Wednesday against developer Abdul Razak Ismail Supariwala. The FIR has been lodged under Sections 304, 336, 337, and 338 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3(3) of Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Act, 2006. The level-III fire that broke out on the 12th floor in the Mumbai high-rise, claimed four lives and left 22 people injured. The fire broke out today morning and was doused within a few hours. Earlier this month, a level-III fire broke out at the Hydro Cracker plant of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) refinery in Chembur, injuring 45 people. Over the past few months, several instances of the same nature were reported. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A fire broke out at the Doordarshan Bhawan here on Thursday. No casualties were reported in the fire. After receiving a call at 12:50 pm, eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire broke out in the AC plant of the building. "The fire was controlled within 10 minutes. Eight fire tenders are present on the spot. There was some construction work going on. No casualty has been reported," said Sanjay Tomar, Divisional Fire Officer, Delhi Fire Service. In a similar incident, at least four people were dead including a woman and 16 injured when a level-III fire broke out at a residential building in Mumbai's Parel area on Wednesday morning. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a second blow to United States President Donald Trump, a Virginia court on Tuesday found the former's ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort guilty on eight charges, including tax fraud. While the jury found Manafort guilty on five charges of filing false income tax returns, including for failing to report foreign bank accounts and on two counts of bank fraud, the judge declared a mistrial on the remaining 10 counts, including three counts of failing to report foreign bank accounts, five counts of bank fraud conspiracy and two counts of bank fraud. Failure to report foreign bank accounts attracts a maximum of five years' imprisonment, while each count of bank fraud accounts to a maximum sentence of 30 years. Interacting with reporters outside the courtroom, Manafort's lead defense attorney Kevin Downing said his client was "disappointed" by the verdict and was evaluating all of his options. "Manafort is disappointed in not getting acquittals all the way through or complete hung jury on all count. However, he would like to thank Judge Ellis for granting him a fair trial, thank the jury for their very long and hard-fought deliberations. He is evaluating all of his options at this point," The Hill quoted Downing as saying. The report also said that Trump, who is currently in West Virginia, called the prosecution of Manafort "unfair." Earlier, Trump's former attorney Micheal Cohen pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court in connection with eight criminal charges, including paying adult-film star Stormy Daniels as part of a non-disclosure agreement over her affair with the US President in 2006. The announcement of Cohen's sentence is scheduled for December 12 by Judge William H. Pauley and is expected to include jail time and a monetary fine. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) During India Day Parade in New York, US Congresswomen Carolyn B. Maloney said, "#Gandhi's historic Satyagraha Movement of nonviolent resistance inspired a nation and the world. His impact deserves recognition, which is why I'm introducing legislation to posthumously award him the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the US." Prasoon Sharma, Director, India Global, who has been selected by Mahatma Gandhi's Alma matter - UCL, London & New York University for Global Public policy leadership program, was invited by Dr Neeta Jain, Chairman International Ahmisa Foundation (IAF)'s float as Honorary Guest. Dr Neeta Jain along with Federation of Indian Association, US team is working hard to get this legislation passed. Prasoon Sharma said it will be a historic tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary (Oct 2, 2018). According to him, today's world critically needs Gandhian principles of non-violence and peace. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Agitated members of the Hindu community from various parts of Hyderabad held a sit-in protest outside the local press club against the encroachment of their cremation site by influential figures and the police. According to the Dawn, the protestors, led by Walji Thakur, Dr Amarshi Thakur, Dr Mohan and others, accused the police of lending a helping hand to powerful land-grabbers in the area to encroach upon parts of the cremation site near Nara Jail, and alleged that the community was not being allowed to conduct cremation on the site by the land grabbers. Protestors also appealed to authorities to intervene and help in retrieving the encroached land, and to bring the encroachers to justice. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hyderabad Police on Tuesday rescued three children who were kidnapped by two women abductors. As per the police, one of the boys, Ayush, was kidnapped by the two women from Secunderabad Railway Station on Monday while his mother had gone to buy breakfast. When the mother did not find her child, she immediately complained to the Railway Police and later to the local police. Acting on the complaint, the police team checked the CCTV footage and spotted that two women took Ayush with them and later boarded an RTC bus. Upon interrogation, the conductor of the bus recalled and shared information about the accused women, following which the police team began a search operation to nab them. Subsequently, the two women were held and Ayush, along with two other abducted children, were rescued. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sanctions that the United States reimposed on Iran are unjust and harmful, United Nations Special Rapporteur Idriss Jazairy said. "The reimposition of sanctions against Iran after the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, which had been unanimously adopted by the Security Council with the support of the US itself, lays bare the illegitimacy of this action," Jazairy stressed. "This illegitimacy was confirmed by the opposition of all other permanent members of the Security Council and indeed of all international partners. The UN Charter calls for sanctions to be applied only by the UN Security Council precisely to ensure such wanton attacks on nations are avoided," he said. The UN expert stressed that international sanctions must have a lawful purpose, must be proportional, and must not harm the human rights of ordinary citizens, and none of these criteria is met in this case. In addition, Jazairy urged the U.S. to allow agricultural commodities, food, medicine, and medical devices into Iran. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has fixed February 2019 for hearing the case of retired Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav. The ICJ turned down Pakistan's request for an early date for hearing while fixing February 2019. Attributing to sources, Geo News reported that the international court would hear the case on a daily basis for a week between February 19-25. Last month, Pakistan had filed its second counter-memorial. As part of the reply, they refuted Indian allegations that Jadhav's wife and mother were mistreated when they visited him last year, according to a report of the Express Tribune. On April 10 last year, a Pakistan military court pronounced death sentence to Jadhav. Subsequently, on May 8 India approached the ICJ for egregious violations of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 by Pakistan in the matter. On May 18, the court passed an order obligating Islamabad not to carry out the sentence that was awarded to Jadhav. On September 13 last year, India had filed written pleadings (Memorial) in connection with the case and Pakistan filed its counter-memorial in December that year. Pakistan has claimed that Jadhav was arrested from Balochistan for alleged involvement in espionage and subversive activities for India's intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). New Delhi maintains that Jadhav was a former naval officer, and after retiring from the Indian Navy, he was in Iran for business interests when he was kidnapped. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi opined that much like Europe, India's role should be to balance the United States and China. Interacting with those present at Kampnagel Theater in Bucerius Summer School, Gandhi said, "There are different visions in the world, including that of the US, China and India. India has a strategic relationship with the US, and we share some ideas like democracy with them. But India cannot ignore that China is growing very fast and is going to shape the planet. India's role is to balance these two powers." The Congress President further said that Indians and Europeans, owing to their structure, are very well positioned to make sure that no conflict occurs between the US and China. "From an Indian perspective, there are certain values like non-violence, compassion, listening that are increasingly going to become more important in the 21st century. There are certain values and a strong set of ideas that Indian brings to the table which are unique. India and Europe's role will be to balance the narrative," he added. Gandhi, however, stated that though India shares a good relationship with the US, it will act in its own interests. "India has a good relationship with the US, shares a set of values with them. India is closer to the US than the Chinese. China and the US are major players on the planet. India sees itself as similar. So, India will do what is in its interest." The Congress chief reiterated that violence cannot be used to overcome violence, adding that the only solution was forgiveness. "Of course there are people out there who are so angry and deeply infected by hatred that it will take a huge effort. But I think that is the only way forward, that is the philosophy I believe in. I have seen two members of my family being killed - my grandmother and father. I have suffered violence and I can tell you, there is only one way to let it go- forgiveness. And for forgiveness, you need to understand where it is coming from," he explained. Gandhi, in his address to the gathering, cornered the ruling Democratic Alliance (NDA) government over the starch increase in the cases of mob lynching and claimed that such incidents were being caused by the forceful repatriation of people back into villages. "A large number of people who worked in small businesses were forced back into villages. This is what's making people angry. All the lynchings we hear about are the result of this. The Dalits, minorities and tribal people are now not allowed to gain from the government. All the money that used to go into schemes for the poor is now going to a few large corporates," he claimed. Highlighting a decline in employment generation in India, the Congress President noted that despite a steady growth, India continues to suffer from a shortage of jobs, which, he claimed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi refuses to acknowledge. The Congress President, who is on a four-day visit to Germany and the United Kingdom, will address the Indian Overseas Congress in Berlin on Thursday. Thereafter, Gandhi will visit the United Kingdom, where he will address an event organised by the Indian Overseas Congress in collaboration with local Indian-origin parliamentarians. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A policeman was shot dead by terrorists on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district. Terrorists opened fire at Fayaz Ahmed Shah, a constable in Jammu and Kashmir Police, outside an Eidgah, when he was leaving after Eid prayers. The 34-year-old constable, who died on the spot, was a resident of Zazri Pora village. He is survived by his mother, wife and two daughters. Police have registered a case in the connection. This comes after Shabir Ahmad Bhat, a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, was shot dead yesterday by terrorists in Kashmir's Pulwama. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The celebrations of Eid-Al-Adha was marred by violence in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar city when stone-pelters came out on the streets and waved flags of Pakistan and dreaded terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). In a bid to disrupt peace, the demonstrators chanted slogans and clashed with police personnel on duty in Srinagar's Eidgah area, soon after Eid prayers. They also pelted stones on security personnel, who were trying to disperse them. In another incident, a policeman was shot dead by terrorists outside an Eidgah in Kulgam's Zazripora, when he was leaving after offering prayers. Earlier in May, a tourist from Tamil Nadu's Chennai had lost his life in stone-pelting, a few days after the vehicle of a district judge from Bengaluru, who was on a holiday with his family, was pelted with stones. Around the same time, a bus carrying school students was also attacked by unruly stone-pelters in Zawoora village of Shopian district. The rampant incidents of stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir have become a matter of concern for the state administration, with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman condemning the same, saying that although the armed forces cannot be held responsible for being firm with terrorists, it is extremely important to ensure safer movement of tourists to restore normalcy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday said that the financial assistance sanctioned by the Centre for the devastating floods in the state was "quite disappointing." In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chandy expressed his gratitude for the Prime Minister's visit to the state "in order to assess the gravity of devastating flood situation and to feel the sufferings of our people." However, Chandy stated that the "financial assistance announced by Government of India is quite disappointing as far as the magnitude of the crisis is concerned. We are expecting reasonable monetary help to wipe the tears of our poor people and to bring them back to normal life." He further lauded the financial contributions made by various individuals and organisations, both from India and abroad, highlighting the Rs 700 crore that Shaik Mohammed Bin Sayid Al Nahyan, crown prince of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) donated for the cause. He also expressed his concerns over reports that the Centre may not accept the contribution made by the crown prince, saying, "Now reports being spread that Government of India denied permission to accept this great monetary help. This decision is quite disappointing to the people of Kerala. Rules should be as such (that they) eradicate the sufferings of the people. If there exist any obstacles against the acceptance of foreign financial aid, kindly look into the matter seriously and bring suitable modifications." The senior Congress leader also urged the Prime Minister to declare the situation as a calamity. "Also hope that you will take lenient attitude so as to declare this mishap as ' Calamity' which will ensure better reconstruction and rehabilitation processes to the drowning people of Kerala," Chandy wrote in the letter. As many as 357 people have lost their lives so far in the worst floods in over a century that has ravaged Kerala, with the state incurring a loss to the tune of Rs 19,512 crore. However, with financial aid pouring in from all over the world, the Indian government is sticking to its long-standing policy of not accepting monetary help from foreign countries, deciding to "rely solely on domestic efforts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In view of the whole world coming together and announcing aid for the Kerala flood victims, the Indian government has decided to stick to its long standing policy of not accepting monetary help from foreign countries. In a note to all Indian Missions around the world, the government has directed its respective envoys to politely turn down the financial assistance from foreign countries saying that the Government of India has decided to "rely solely on domestic efforts" to combat the challenges. "Early indications point towards requirements that are within the capacity of the people and Government of India to meet," the envoys have been asked to convey. The United Arab Emirates and Maldives government have offered financial assistance to India. In the past Russia had offered assistance to India during the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, but the Government of India had politely declined the offer. Syed Akbaruddin, the then Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, had clarified: "As you know, as a general policy in case of rescue and relief operations we have followed the practice that we have adequate ability to respond to emergency requirements. And, for a variety of reasons we have not in the past too, unless there are specific circumstances, been able to accept offers of assistance for rescue and relief." "However, as you know, such events are cataclysmic in nature and they have a longer-term impact. So, beyond the rescue and relief phase, there are other phases. These are rehabilitation, reconstruction, and so on. If reconstruction and other measures are provided for those elements, we will examine how they fit into the broader plan in terms of rehabilitation and reconstruction in the region and take a call at that stage rather than say that this was for all times, etc. I hope I have clarified our position on that," he had said. Kerala has been witnessing incessant rainfall over the last few days, causing unprecedented flooding and landslides in several parts of the state. So far, 357 people have lost their lives due to the floods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The health of 83-year-old former Maldivian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who is lodged in Maafushi Prison, is getting deteriorated. A group of doctors who had visited him in a jail have advised for the former president to be taken to Male for a check-up. However, the Maldives Correctional Department is denying him the permission for the same on the orders of President Abdulla Yameen. Thayyib Ibu Faisal of Amnesty International's Prisoner of Conscience recently tweeted, "Attn: 83 years old Former President Maumoon is very sick and Doctors have recommended to take him to Maale for further treatment. Maldives Correctional Service denying this on YAG's order. If this is not tyranny, what else is?" In June, a court in Maldives convicted former president Gayoom and sentenced him to 19 months in prison. The trials were widely seen as a part of a plan by President Yameen to tighten his grip on power ahead of elections in September in which he seeks a second five-year term. Dunya Maumoon former foreign minister and daughter of president Gayoom said in her tweet, "Saddened to hear my father is not well today. Another Eid passes...Miss you! #fatherofthenation #EidalAdha2018" Known as a popular tourist destination, Maldives has seen political unrest since its first democratically elected leader, Mohamed Nasheed, was forced to quit amid a police mutiny in 2012. Nasheed, who now lives in exile, was convicted of terrorism charges in 2015 and sentenced to 13 years after a trial criticized as unfair. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Condemning the killing of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker in the valley, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday urged to initiate a dialogue and political process of reconciliation to end violence in the state. Re-tweeting BJP president Amit Shah's tweet where the latter had lambasted the extremists, Mehbooba said, "Find myself at a loss of words to condemn such a dastardly act on the occasion of Eid. No party worker irrespective of his political affiliations deserves to be killed. Only way to end this senseless cycle of violence is to initiate a political process of reconciliation and dialogue." Coming down heavily on extremists, Shah on Wednesday morning took to his twitter and asserted that the militants cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future. "Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta, Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves. This cycle of violence won't last long," Shah said. Shabir Ahmad Bhat, a BJP worker, was shot dead yesterday by terrorists in Kashmir's Pulwama. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United States President Donald Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday in connection with eight criminal charges. US media reports claimed that Cohen, in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office, withheld information that could have tarnished the candidate's image. The CNN reported that the charges against Cohen brought an end to the months-worth investigation by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. The announcement of the sentence is scheduled for December 12 by Judge William H. Pauley and is expected to include jail time and a monetary fine. Cohen also pleaded guilty to paying adult-film star Stormy Daniels as part of a non-disclosure agreement over her affair with Trump. He further claimed to have done so on the instructions "of the candidate," the CNN reported. On May 3 this year, Trump had defended the hush money paid to Daniels saying that he paid a monthly retainer to his former lawyer, which is "not from the campaign" and had nothing to do with the same. Daniels publicly claimed a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. However, the US President has repeatedly denied any relations with the adult star. She also claimed that Cohen orchestrated a payment to keep her quiet during the presidential elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) assisted in reuniting a six-year-old boy with his family in Mandawali area here, nearly two weeks after he went missing. On August 9, Raju (name changed) reportedly reached his school a few minutes late, due to which he was denied permission to enter his class. At the end of the day, Raju's sister, who also studies in the same school, was unable to find him in the premises, after which she narrated the ordeal to her family. The family then tried to search for him in the surrounding areas, but were unable to trace the minor. Raju's parents then contacted the Mahila Panchayat center of the DCW, following which the commission's coordinator accompanied his parents to the police station and helped in lodging a complaint. Perturbed by the delay in tracing the boy, the Mahila Panchayat gathered some women from the surrounding areas and demonstrated before the police station. The child's picture was also sent to all nearby railway stations and other authorities. On August 15, a call was received from Butterfly shelter home stating that Raju was living there. On reaching there, it was found that Raju had boarded a local train on August 9 and deboarded at Nizamuddin railway station. At the station, a local took Raju to Butterfly Home and subsequently informed his parents upon seeing his photo being circulated. The minor was then produced before the Child Welfare Committee, who sent him along with his parents. In the wake of the incident, DCW chief Swati Maliwal suggested digitisation of shelter homes. "Hundreds of Children are going missing every month. Many children are rescued and housed in shelter homes but due to ineffective coordination between various authorities, the children remain untraced in police records. There is an urgent need for complete digital linking. The Commission has recommended digitisation of shelter homes to the Government and is working on mission mode to get the same implemented. We shall be issuing a notice to school authorities for their careless behaviour," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam has announced that the bungalows of fugitive diamantaire and Punjab Bank (PNB) scam accused Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi in Raigad district would be demolished as they are illegal. Addressing the media here after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Kadam said 121 bungalows in Alibaug and 151 bungalows in Murud town in Raigad district are illegal and mostly owned by industrialists and businessmen. "There are 121 bungalows in Alibaug and 151 bungalows in Murud that are illegal and mostly owned by industrialists and businessmen. Some locals also have illegal bungalows, there are 60 of them in Alibaug and 50 more in Murud," he stated. Stating that the Maharashtra government would take strict action against the illegal bungalows, Kadam added that he has instructed the district collector of Raigad to immediately demolish the illegal bungalows belonging to Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. The minister continued, "The (state) government will take action against all these bungalows. Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi's bungalows are also there. There are a few more big names on the list and action will be taken against them too. No relief would be given to those owning these illegal bungalows." The multi-crore scam was detected by the officials of the Punjab Bank (PNB) earlier this year, after Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi had allegedly cheated the bank to the tune of two billion dollars, with the purported involvement of a few employees of the bank. On Monday, the United Kingdom authorities confirmed that Nirav Modi is present in their country, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said. Earlier on July 2, a Red Corner Notice was issued by the Interpol against the fugitive diamond trader in connection with the scam. On the other hand, Choksi reportedly took refuge in Antigua and Barbuda in July. After the scam was unearthed, Choksi's passport was also revoked by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in February. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For more than 3000 people in eight villages of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha, life hangs on a bamboo bridge - the only means of connectivity between the villages and parts of the district. Located at a distance of 40 kilometers from the block headquarters, the bamboo pole has been the only mode of connectivity for seven years for these villagers, who are forced to regularly risk their lives during their commute. The impoverished condition has impelled many of the villagers to move out of their villages, leaving behind eight villages with a population of 3000 people. Adults and children are forced to walk around 35 to 40 kilometers to reach Kanjia headquarters for their daily work. However, locals say that it is not the distance, but the route that bothers them. "The distance is not a matter of concern but we are worried students have to cross Deo River 'nullah' to reach their schools. The 'nullah' remains dry for half the year. For the rest of the year, we tie bamboos to cross the nullah. It is a continuous process for the last seven years," a local said. Natives further alleged that despite relentless complaints raised with the concerned authorities, there has been no improvement in the situation. "We get rice from the Panchayat office at Dudhiani Panchayat. Repeatedly, we informed the Block Development Officer, Sub Collector and higher authorities of Karanjia Division of Mayurbhanj district but they turned a deaf ear. It's a shame on our government for not listening to our grievances," said another local. The lack of connectivity is not only hampering the daily life of villagers, but also the availability of medical services. "Due to the absence of connectivity, villagers are losing their lives without medical treatment. There is no proper arrangement for electricity yet. Our life is in a horrible condition," a local alleged. Mayurbhanj Zilla Parishad Member Shimachal Purty reiterated that despite informing officials, no help has been received regarding the matter so far, and urged administrative officers to pay heed to the troubles faced by locals in the region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Wednesday handed urns with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes to party presidents from across the country. The party will be organising 'asthi kalash yatras' in different districts to immerse the ashes in 100 rivers across the country. The processions will begin from state capitals and will continue through all blocks. While addressing the event here Minister of State (MoS) Railways Manoj Sinha asserted, "Vajpayee played a pivotal role in the development of this country. His appeal to the people of Gazipur during the 1999 election, helped me to win." Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and Vajpayee's foster daughter, Namita Bhattacharya were also present at the occasion. Vajpayee passed away at the age of 93 on August 16 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi after a period of prolonged illness. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The two main opposition parties in Pakistan, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), are likely to field a joint candidate for the upcoming presidential election in the country next month. In this regard, an all-party conference chaired by PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to take place in Murree on August 25, Geo News quoted sources as saying. The consensus was reached after PPP leaders met Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and held talks about fielding a joint candidate in the presidential poll, sources added. The presidential election is scheduled to take place on September 4. Incumbent Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain's five-year term is due to end on September 9. Last week, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had said that the candidates can file their nomination papers for the polls with the presiding officers situated in Islamabad and in the four provinces of the country by August 27. The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on August 29 and the final list of the candidates will be published by the country's electoral body on August 30. The lawmakers will cast their votes 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) on September 4. Meanwhile, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has nominated senior leader Arif Alvi for the post of the president. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Filmmakers from Latin America and Spain have teamed up to create a new narrative of five short stories based on a common theme under the development project of Santiago International Film Festival, '28'. Stars, that participated from five countries, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Spain, will play off the themes of the 28-day female cycle, paralleled with the four-week lunar cycle, confirmed Variety. Ranging from classic slasher-thriller to sci-fi musical to psychological drama, each story will feature a female lead who will be meant to break the mold of the 'damsel in distress' trope in the horror genre. The script for the stories will be written by Sandra Arriagada and produced by the Luciano A. Rojas Foundation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader and former union minister Gurudas Kamat passed away on Wednesday at a private hospital in New Delhi. He was 63. Kamat's body will be sent back to his hometown Mumbai at around 12.30 pm today. Grieving over the loss, Congress leaders described his demise as a big loss to the country. Taking to his official Twitter handle, General Secretary All India Congress Committee (AICC) and former chief minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot wrote, "Shocked and deeply saddened to hear the sudden demise of Senior Congress leader Gurudas Kamat ji. His passing away is an irreparable loss for us. My heartfelt condolences to his family members, may god give them strength to bear this loss. May his soul Rest in peace." Another senior party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, "Shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the sudden demise of Senior Congress Leader Sh Gurudas Kamat ji. No words are enough to describe the sense of loss. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and followers. I pray for the departed soul." Kamat was a commerce graduate from R.A. Podar College in Mumbai and also had a law degree from the city's Government Law College. Maharashtra Youth Congress leader Satyajeet Tambe Patil said that Kamat's death is a personal loss for him. "Shocked ... My leader Gurudas Kamat is no more. It is my personal loss as well as unrepairable loss of Congress party (sic)," he tweeted. Terming Kamat as one of the important Congress leaders of Maharashtra, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha president Poonam Mahajan said,"Condolences on the demise of Shri Gurudas Kamat ji. One of the important Congress leaders of Maharashtra and a dignified man." Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also expressed grief on the Kamat's demise. He said, "Sad to hear about demise of Sri Gurudas Kamat ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace." Kamat was a former president of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee. He was also Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs with an additional charge of the Communications and Information Technology ministry from 2009 to 2011. Kamat is survived by his wife Maharookh Gurudas Kamat and son Dr Sunil Kamat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As Congress President Rahul Gandhi's gesture in Parliament continues to be a topic of discussion, the former opined that the hug was a symbol of affection, which, he claimed, upset Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a gathering here at Kampnagel Theater in Bucerius Summer School, Gandhi clarified that the embrace was a response to the hateful remarks directed towards him by the Prime Minister. "Responding hate with hate is foolish. It is not going to solve any problem. The only thing you control is how you respond. I wanted to tell him the world is not all evil places. There are many people who have affection. Prime Minister was making hateful remarks at me, I showed affection. He didn't like that. He was upset and taken aback, but it works." he said. Taking the discussion forward, the Congress President reiterated that violence cannot be used to overcome violence, adding that the only solution was forgiveness. "I have seen two members of my family being killed - my father and grandmother. Violence cannot be overcome by violence. The correct way to deal with violence is to act non-violently. My father was killed by a terrorist in 1991. When the same terrorist died a few years later, I was not happy. I saw myself in his children. I have suffered violence and I can tell you, there is only one way to let it go- forgiveness. And for forgiveness, you need to understand where it is coming from," he elucidated. Gandhi then went on to corner the ruling Democratic Alliance (NDA) government over the starch increase in the cases of mob lynching and claimed that such incidents were being caused by the forceful repatriation of people back into villages. "A large number of people who worked in small businesses were forced back into villages. This is what's making people angry. All the lynchings we hear about are the result of this. The Dalits, minorities and tribal people are now not allowed to gain from the government. All the money that used to go into schemes for the poor is now going to a few large corporates," he claimed. Highlighting a decline in employment generation in India, Gandhi noted that despite a steady growth, India continues to suffer from a shortage of jobs, which, he claimed, Prime Minister Modi refuses to acknowledge. He further attacked the Modi government on the supposed cash crunch created by the November 2016 demonetisation drive. "Couple years back, the Prime Minister demonetised the Indian economy and destroyed the cash flow of all MSMEs and millions of people who worked in the informal sector were left unemployed," he noted. Explaining the transitional phase of the Indian economy, Gandhi said "The transition of India began slowly. The transition was essentially breaking the idea of caste and enabling 'one man one vote'. The idea of driving change and modernity and urbanisation was the same as that in China. But the method they used was different than used in India; In India, we chose the organic route. If India was to go through this risky transition, we wanted all the communities and languages to be involved in this transformation. As we transform, the governments should help its people smoothen this traumatic change. So, all governments until 2014 followed this idea very strongly. The guaranteed employment scheme, right to food, right to information, bank nationalisation was some of the ideas that all governments held through. Now, these ideas are damaged to a great extent," he said. He further noted that a clear vision needs to be chalked out for people to follow in the 21st century, failing to which another vision will be laid out in front of them, which may not be in the larger interest of India or the world. Earlier in the day, Gandhi met Niels Annen, Minister Of State and Member Of Bundestag, the German federal parliament, and held a discussion on Indian and German politics, the devastating floods in Kerala, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and jobs. The Congress President, who is on a four-day visit to Germany and the United Kingdom, will address the Indian Overseas Congress in Berlin on Thursday. Thereafter, Gandhi will visit the United Kingdom, where he will address an event organised by the Indian Overseas Congress in collaboration with local Indian-origin parliamentarians. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced that the members of the Taliban would visit Russia next month to discuss on a peace strategy in Afghanistan. "The initial response is positive - they plan to take part in this meeting. I hope it will be productive," Lavrov was quoted by CNN as saying. Although Russia does not share any border with Afghanistan, in recent times, Moscow has stepped up efforts to reach out to the Taliban, to enter into peace negotiations with the US-backed Afghan government. The group is banned in Russia. "We never concealed that we maintain contacts with the Taliban -- it is part of Afghan society. We support these contacts, primarily in the interests of ensuring the safety of Russian citizens in Afghanistan, Russian institutions, but also to encourage the Taliban to abandon the armed struggle and enter into a nationwide dialogue with the government," Lavrov added. The announcement by Russia comes three days after Afghan president Ashraf Ghani announced a three-month conditional ceasefire. The military operations will, however, continue against the Taliban, until it announces a formal ceasefire. The group is yet to reciprocate to the offer. Following the announcement, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Washington is in favour of talks between Kabul and Taliban. Pompeo said, "We remain ready to support, facilitate, and participate in direct negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. There are no obstacles to talks. It is time for peace." On Tuesday, several rockets landed in Kabul city close to the Presidential Palace following President Ghani's Eid prayers. Earlier in June, Ghani had announced a week-long ceasefire on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. For years, Taliban militants in Afghanistan often use suicide bombers to create unrest in the region, claiming that their struggle is a holy war to impose Islamic rule. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Wednesday announced 27 per cent share to the Singareni workers in the profit made by Singareni Collieries Company Limited during the financial year 2017-18. Last year Singareni workers have received 25 per cent profit. Chief Ministers also announced the immediate payment of Performance Related Pay (PRP) to the Singareni officers as well as allotment of lands to them in Hyderabad for house building. PRP has been due for the last eight years. It was also announced that similar to Singareni workers, an interest-free loan of 10 lakhs will be provided to officers and other employees for house building. Chief Minister also suggested that Singareni management and workers should not be treated as different entities and henceforth would be addressed as employees without any discrimination. The members of coal mine officers association and Telangana Boggu Ghani Karimka Sangham (TBGKS) led by TBGKS honorary Chairperson and Member of Parliament Kavitha met Telangana Chief Minister on Wednesday. A brief meeting between Singareni officers and workers and Telangana Chief Minister was held in which few more issues were raised. Following the meetings, Telangana Chief Minister said, "Singareni has experiences and expertise of 120 plus years in mining. Even in adverse circumstances and in different climates it has a knack to deliver goods. With the huge experience behind it in extracting coal from underground, the Singareni organization should move forward with added encouragement. The organization should expand itself to other mining areas". Talking about Thermal and Solar Power production initiatives, the Chief Minister added, "Already the organization has entered Thermal and Solar Power production arenas. Its expertise should be utilized to extract the sand reserves and granite reserves which are available in abundance in the State. The Government is also thinking to entrust the responsibility of mining in Bayyaram Mines to Singareni Corporation. The Singareni should come out with a study paper on the areas into which it can diversify itself. The Singareni should expand multifariously into different areas utilizing its experience, expertise and working methodology." A cheque of 1 crore rupess for the CM Relief fund for welfare of ex-armed personnel was also presented to Telangana CM by Singareni officers. Roads & Buildings Tummala Nageshwar Rao and Finance & Planning Minister Eatela Rajender, Member of Parliament Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy along with many others were present during the meeting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday reiterated his pledge to provide more assistance to the flood-affected people of Kerala. While addressing an event here, Yogi said, "The entire country at this moment stands with the state of Kerala. We are sending 25 trucks with 7 MT of materials including eatables and drinking water. They will be taken to Trivandrum by the Indian Air Force planes. I thank everyone who has contributed in providing relied material and we will keep sending more to Kerala." Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah for taking immediate action, Yogi said, "Three days back it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who announced an urgent relief of Rs 500 crore for relief and rescue operations in Kerala. The BJP President Amit Shah also urged every BJP party members, ministers, to stand by the side of Kerala flood victims. We all have our sincere thoughts with them." On Saturday, Adityanath announced an assistance of Rs. 15 crore for Kerala. The state witnessed the worst flooding in a century this monsoon season. While the death toll due to the deluge was 357, the state has incurred a loss to the tune of approximately Rs. 19,512 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Solvent Extractor's Association (SEA) has noted in a latest update that following the upward revision of import duty in March and later in June and also the depreciation of Rupee have been capping the domestic import of vegetable oils. This is evident for the fact that in June the import was actually down by 23% which decreased further in July to 27% (corresponding month last year) and overall import during November '17 to July '18 (9 months) is down by 5.5%. Further, the country is sitting on huge stock of nearly 25.0 lakh tones of edible oils equal to 39 days requirement, noted SEA. Even though there has been hike in import duty, Indian consumer is not affected, since international prices of edible oil have gone down by upto 14% due to excess supply in the world market. The association opined that looks like for the 1st time after many years we will see a negative growth in import of edible oil which is a positive development for industry and farmers. The export of oilmeals is also showing a positive trend. The overall exports during April to July is about 9.0 lakh tons compared to 7.25 lakh tons during the same period of last year i.e. up by about 25%, thanks to sharp increase in export of rapeseed meal. The ongoing trade dispute between USA and China has created a lot of uncertainty and forcing China to look to other origins for their requirements of soybean and other oilmeals. This has compelled China to relook its ban imposed for importing of oilmeals from India since 2012. This will open up Chinese market for India. Last month, an official Delegation from Ministry of Commerce visited China and tried to sort out the issues and likely to start the export of oilmeals to China. Prior to ban in 2012, China used to import nearly half a million tons of oilmeals viz. about 3.5 to 4.0 lakh tons of Rapeseed meal and 1.0 lakh tons of soybean meal from India. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suven Life Sciences has secured two product patent from Canada and USA corresponding to the New Chemical Entities for the treatment of disorders associated with Neurodegenerative diseases and patents are valid through 2034. The granted claims of the patents include the class of selective 5-HT6 compounds respectively and are being developed as therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative disorders such as for the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Huntington's disease, Parkinson and Schizophrenia and sleep disorders like Narcolepsy etc. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tech Mahindra announced that the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company has approved the proposal to acquire 100% shareholding on a fully diluted basis in Inter-Informatics spol. s.r.o., an entity based in the Czech Republic through its Wholly Owned Subsidiary i.e. Mahindra Engineering Services (Europe) for a cash consideration of EUR 5.4 million. The deal was signed on 22 August, 2018 and the acquisition is expected to be completed by 15 September, 2018. The acquired entity is a leading provider of Aerospace Design Engineering Services. The company is headquartered out of Prague, Czech Republic. There are around 200 employees with majority based out of Czech Republic with a small presence in Romania. The company had revenues of US$10.7 million in CY17 and US$11.3 million in CY16. The three primary lines of business are - Aerospace, Machinery and Rail. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rahi Sarnobat scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman shooter to win a gold medal at the Asian Games as she prevailed in a nervy shoot-off in the 25m pistol competition here on Wednesday. The 27-year-old got the better of Thailand's Naphaswan Yangpaiboon in a shoot-off after both shot a Games record score of 34 in the finals. In the shoot-off, Rahi hit three while the Thai shooter missed three to settle for the silver medal as the Indian improved upon her bronze medal winning feat at the 2014 edition. Rahi started the finals proceedings on a great note as she led from start till the end of 40 shots in the final. After the first three series, the Indian shooter led the charts with a score of 14. Maintaining her lead till the the end of six series, Rahi's score read 25. However, she later faultered in the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th series after score of 3, 2, 2 and 2 respectively where the two shooters found themselves tied at 34 points. The tie resulted in a shoot-off where the Indian shooter, a two-time Commonwealth Games champion, fared better than the Thai opponent. Meanhile, Japan's Minjung Kim of Japan took the bronze medal after scoring 29. Manu Bhaker, another Indian in the fray, finished sixth after a score of 16 as she exited after the seventh series. It was surprising as Manu had earlier on Wednesday topped the qualifying round with a Games record score of 593, while Rahi was seventh with 580 points. Manu got 297 points in the three-series precision round, with scores of 99, 98 and 100 respectively. She scored 296 in the three-series rapid round, with scores of 100, 97 and 99 respectively. Manu's total of 593 was eight points ahead of second best performer, South Korean Minjung Kim. Rahi shot 97, 95, 96 for a total of 288 in the precision round. In the rapid round, she posted scores of 98, 96, 98 for a total of 292. In the finals, Rahi showed her experience to come out with a successful performance from the beginning. With Rahi's medal, India's gold medal count now stands at four. India now has 11 medals in total. --IANS kk/pur/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale has rocked Venezuela's northeast coast. There were, however, no immediate reports of casualties. The Venezuelan Seismological Research Foundation (Funvisis) said the quake occurred on Tuesday evening at 5.31 p.m. with the epicentre located 19 km southeast of the town of Yaguaraparo, in Sucre state, Xinhua news agency reported. "No victims have been reported as yet," Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said in a televised address, adding officials were monitoring the situation to assess any damage. "We are calling for the utmost calm and patience," Reverol said. The quake was felt in surrounding regions, including the states of Nueva Esparta, Monagas, Bolivar, Delta Amacuro, Aragua and Carabobo, and the capital Caracas, he said. The central government was in contact with state governors to coordinate monitoring efforts, he added. According to the US Geological Survey, which monitors earthquake activity around the world, the quake was magnitude 7.3 on the Richter scale, but hit at a depth of more than 123 km below the ground. The quake was felt in neighbouring Colombia, Caracol News agency reported. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shocked to see his flood-ravaged house, a man committed suicide near Ernakulam in Kerala, police said on Wednesday. Rocky, a casual labourer, left with his family after their house was submerged in water and took shelter in a relief camp. According to the police, he left the relief camp to clean up his house but did not return. On Wednesday morning, when his neighbours came searching for him, he was found hanging in his house. He is survived by his wife and two children. Two other similar cases of suicide have been reported in the state. Health Minister K.K. Shailaja told the media here that people were undergoing severe mental tension and would require counselling. Free medicines would be provided for a month to all those who may need it. Around one million people are sheltered in over 3,000 relief camps in Kerala following the devastating floods -- the worst since 1924. The death toll, since the monsoon rains began on May 29, stands at around 370. --IANS sg/mag/nir/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ten government ministers in Australia offered to resign on Wednesday following a failed bid to oust Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as party leader. Turnbull narrowly survived a vote against a senior government colleague on Tuesday, but is now likely to face a second leadership challenge, reports the BBC. He has accepted the resignation of only two ministers including the challenger, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton. The division in the ruling party has thrown national into upheaval. Turnbull has been under pressure following a by-election loss in Queensland and poor results in polls. Australia is due to hold its next election before May 2019. The opposition Labor party has accused the government of being in "chaos". Turnbull initiated the first vote among cabinet members on Tuesday in an attempt to end growing speculation about his position as leader of the Liberal party. He won by a margin of just 13 votes. "The iron laws of arithmetic confirmed my leadership," he told reporters on Wednesday when asked about his future. He has also abandoned a policy to set an emissions reduction target in law, in an attempt to ward off party conflict. Turnbull confirmed he had asked eight ministers to stay on in his ministry despite their offers to stand down. Along with Dutton's resignation, he also let go the International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activist was abducted and killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said on Wednesday. "Shabir Ahmad Bhat was abducted yesterday (Tuesday). His bullet riddled body was found earlier this morning," the police said. According to sources, Bhat was also provided with armed guards for protection. --IANS sq/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The European Union (EU)'s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said the bloc's Brexit negotiations with Britain are now entering the final stage. Negotiations on the Brexit deal resumed on Tuesday after the summer break, Xinhua news agency reported. Discussions between Britain's Brexit minister Dominic Raab and Barnier have focused on three work streams, including a backstop solution for avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, the other outstanding issues of the Withdrawal Agreement, for instance the protection of existing Geographical Indications, and the political declaration on the EU-Britain future relationship. "The negotiations are now entering the final stage. We have agreed that the EU and the UK will negotiate continuously from now on," said Barnier in a statement. "Our challenge for the coming weeks is to try and define an ambitious partnership between the UK and the EU. A partnership that has no precedent," he said. He added this partnership has to respect the single market and the foundations of the European project. --IANS pgh/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Modi government's offer of help to Kerala in the wake of the worst flooding in a century is "disappointing", former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Wednesday. The Congress leader also expressed unhappiness that the Centre had reportedly refused to accept monetary help offered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is home to hundreds of thousands of Keralites. "I am sorry that the financial assistance announced by the government of India is quite disappointing as far as the magnitude of the crisis is concerned," Chandy said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said Kerala was expecting reasonable monetary help to overcome the crisis caused by the floods that have claimed some 370 lives since monsoon rains began on May 29 and forced a million people to take shelter in relief camps this month. "It is a great relief to the people of Kerala that so many kind hearted persons and social organisations across the country and abroad consider this disaster as their own matter (and) offered unbelievable help to us for managing this tragedy," added Chandy. He urged Modi to remove obstacles against acceptance of foreign financial aid. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE has extended financial assistance of $100 million or Rs 700 crore to Kerala. The Centre has offered Rs 600 crore. "I hope the government of India will take further steps to provide maximum possible assistance to Kerala as you have decided to treat the floods as a calamity of severe nature," said Chandy. --IANS sg/mr/soni (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has refused to renew the visa for an American journalist whose reporting on sensitive issues like human rights violation in Xinjiang seems to have ticked off the Chinese government. The Foreign Correspondents' Club of China said on Wednesday that Buzzfeed News China bureau chief Megha Rajagoplan was denied a long-term visa by the Chinese authorities and as a result is being forced to take up a new assignment. "It is bittersweet to leave Beijing after spending six wonderful and eye-opening years as a journalist there... Can't express how grateful I am to have lived in China through a period of incredible economic dynamism and social change. Living there forced me to learn not only a new language and culture, but an entirely new way of seeing the world. It's been endlessly challenging and rewarding, Rajagoplan tweeted. The journalist association said the Chinese Foreign Ministry declined to give a clear and transparent reason. Rajagoplan has extensively reported about the human rights violations in China's Xingjiang province, home to Uyghur Muslims. The UN says China has detained a large number of Uyghur Muslims at indoctrination camps in the restive region. Earlier too, foreign correspondents have been denied visa for their critical reporting in China. In 2016, French reporter Ursula Gauthier was expelled over her reporting in Xinjiang. --IANS gsh/soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Wednesday attacked the Modi government over Gujarat government's move to set up a commission to give relief to power companies, saying it will burden the people and was in violation of a Supreme Court verdict. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi claims he doesn't fear to be seen with industrialists because he is honest. But we have seen many instances of his crony capitalism," said senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh while addressing a press conference. He said in February 2007, the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) signed a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) for 4850 MW power from three companies. He said the agreement stated that the three companies would provide power to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. Ramesh said according to the agreement, the price of electricity should range between Rs 2.40 to Rs 2.80 per unit. "The electricity production began in 2007. And five years later, in 2012, these companies requested for increase in price and refused to produce it on the agreed price," the Congress leader said. The companies, he said, stated that they cannot provide electricity at the agreed prices and gave an application. "The matter was debated for over five years at different levels in the state and at Centre. And then the matter finally reached Supreme Court, which in its April 11, 2017 verdict said that the companies' request does not hold any validity," he said. "After the verdict, the Gujarat government issues a notification on July 3, 2018, stating that it would form a three-member commission on the directions of the Central government and sought suggestion on how to provide relief to the three companies," he said. "This notification is in direct violation of the Supreme Court verdict. The Central and Gujarat governments should be held for contempt of court," he said. He also said that if the three-member commission suggests giving relief to these companies, then it would be a burden upon five states that are purchasing electricity from Gujarat. --IANS aks/ps/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Gurudas Kamat died in New Delhi on Wednesday following a massive heart attack. He was 63. According to a family friend, Kamat complained of severe chest pain while having his morning tea at his home. He called out his driver who rushed him to a hospital in Chanakyapuri where he died within minutes. Kamat, 63, is survived by wife Maharookh and son Sunil. His body will be flown to Mumbai on Wednesday night and the funeral shall be held in Chembur on Thursday afternoon, said a party official. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, among other leaders, condoled the death. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited the hospital where Kamat passed away and placed a wreath on his body. Respected across party lines, the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had picked Kamat as part of a four-member official delegation to the UN in 2003 along with former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. Kamat represented former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the UN International Conference on Federalism in Addis Ababa in 2010. A five-time Lok Sabha member from Mumbai, Kamat served as Union Minister of State for Home in 2009 but abruptly resigned in 2011 citing "personal reasons" after his appointment as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Drinking Water and Sanitation. He served as Union Minister of State for Communications and IT. Kamat resigned from the Congress in 2016 over his reported unhappiness with the functioning of the local party unit in Mumbai but was persuaded by the top leadership to withdraw it. In April 2017, he sprang another surprise by quitting all party posts though he remained a staunch Congressman till the end. Born in North Canara district's Ankola village in Karnataka and educated in Mumbai, he was a lawyer by qualification, regarded an able organiser and a good orator. Kamat was President of the party's student wing NSUI (1976-1980), Indian Youth Congress chief (1987-88), Mumbai Congress President (2003-08) and later served the party as a General Secretary. Rahul Gandhi, who is in Germany, tweeted: "The sudden passing away of Kamatji is a massive blow to the Congress family. Gurudasji helped build the Congress in Mumbai and was greatly respected and admired by all." Manmohan Singh said: "I am shocked and saddened to learn about the sudden and untimely demise of Gurudas Kamat." Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to his son: "I am extremely saddened to learn about the demise of your beloved father... He was a dedicated public servant and a mass leader of Maharashtra. He will be missed by the country and Congress in Maharashtra." Fadnavis said he was saddened by Kamat's demise. Sharad Pawar said the country had "lost a leader who knew the pulse of Mumbaikars and would always voice their concern in Parliament". Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan said he "lost a great colleague". A pall of gloom descended at the Mumbai Congress headquarters near Azad Maidan - which Kamat headed for several years - with many senior leaders and activists seen breaking down. "It is an irreparable loss. Kamatji took pains to build up the Mumbai Congress and maintained contact with all the grassroots workers," said Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Mumbai North-East Kirit Somaiya said: "We have lost a gentleman politician, an MP always active for the betterment of Mumbai though we contested Lok Sabha elections against each other." On Tuesday evening, Kamat had greeted party leader Ahmed Patel on his birthday and congratulated him for his re-appointment as Congress treasurer. In his last tweet hours before the end, Kamat extended his greetings to the people on Eid-ul-Azha. --IANS qn-ps/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader from Maharashtra Gurudas Kamat died here on Wednesday following a massive heart attack. He was 63. According to a close family friend, Kamat suddenly complained of severe chest pain while having his morning tea at his home here. He called out his driver who rushed him to the Primus Hospital in Chanakyapuri where he is said to have died within minutes. Kamat is survived by wife Maharookh and son Sunil. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar, among other leaders, condoled his death. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited the central Delhi-located hospital where he passed away and placed a wreath on Kamat's body. Respected across party lines, late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had picked Kamat as part of the four-member official delegation to the United Nations in 2003, along with former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. In 2010, Kamat was nominated to represent former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the UN International Conference on Federalism in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Kamat, the youthful and secular face of the party and a five-time Lok Sabha member from Mumbai, served as Union Minister of State for Home in 2009 but abruptly resigned in 2011, citing "personal reasons" after his appointment as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Drinking Water and Sanitation. He also served as Union Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology. Kamat had resigned from the Congress in 2016 over his reported unhappiness with the functioning of the local party unit in Mumbai but later withdrew his resignation as the leadership persuaded him against it. He quit all posts last year, though he remained a staunch Congressman till the end. Considered an able organiser and a good orator, Kamat was President of Mumbai Congress from 2003-2008. He was president of the party's student wing NSUI (1976-80), Indian Youth Congress chief (198-88) and later served the party as a general secretary. In his last tweet hours before the end, Kamat had extended his greetings on Eid-ul-Azha. On Tuesday, he had greeted party leader Ahmed Patel on his birthday and congratulated him on being appointed party treasurer again. Rahul Gandhi, who is in Germany, said that Kamat's death is a massive blow to the party. "The sudden passing away of senior leader Gurudas Kamatji is a massive blow to the Congress family. Gurudasji helped build the Congress in Mumbai and was greatly respected and admired by all. My condolences to his family," he tweeted. Manmohan Singh said: "I am shocked and saddened to learn about the sudden and untimely demise of Gurudas Kamat. My deepest condolences to all members of his family. I pray to God for the departed soul." Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Kamat's son Sunil, expressing his condolences. "I am extremely saddened to learn about the demise of your beloved father... He was a dedicated public servant and a mass leader of Maharashtra. He will be missed by the country and Congress party in Maharashtra," Kharge said. NCP chief Sharad Pawar said he is "saddened" as he has "lost a leader who knew the pulse of Mumbaikars and would always voice their concern in Parliament". Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan said he "lost a great colleague". State Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant said: "A very dynamic and renowned face of the Congress and a great leader Gurudas Kamat is no more." Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Mumbai North-East Kirit Somaiya expressed shock over his political rival's demise. "We have lost a gentleman politician, an MP always active for the betterment of Mumbai though we contested Lok Sabha elections against each other," Somaiya tweeted. --IANS qn-ps/vsc/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Wednesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doing vote-bank in the name of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee ash immersion, and urged him to spare at least some areas to give real respect to the statesman. The Opposition's remarks came after Modi and BJP President Amit Shah earlier in the day distributed urns carrying Vajpyee's ashes to party presidents of all state units directing them to immerse them in different rivers following condolence meetings even at the taluka level. "Atalji was famous as a statesman. Soniaji and Rahulji both paid tribute to him and expressed grief over his death... The real tribute to such person would be when we follow his principles. Congress respects and pays real tribute to Vajpayeeji. We urge Modiji to spare some areas from vote bank This would be a real respect to that great personality," said All India Congress Committee General Secretary and in charge of the party's Bihar affairs Shakti Sinh Gohil. --IANS rak/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The festival of Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated with great joy in the national capital with Muslims offering prayers in large numbers at the Shahi Eidgah and other major mosques of the city. Despite hot and humid weather, the devout turned up in their best at Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid, Sunheri Masjid and dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin among others. The community members quickly returned to their homes to make arrangements for the sacrifice of animals, an essential part of Eid-ul-Zuha. "Eid-ul-Zuha is celebrated to commemorate the great sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim, who was asked to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail. Allah accepted his gesture and sent an animal from the heavens to be sacrificed," Mufti Mohammed Mukarram Ahmed, Imam of Shahi Masjid Fatehpuri, told IANS. "The sacrifice of animals is the 'sunnat' (tradition) which is 'wajib' (mandatory) for each Muslim who can afford to sacrifice an animal," he explained. "A believer is encouraged to donate at least one-third of the sacrifice to the poor and needy, another one-third to his relatives and friends and keep the rest for himself. But one can also keep the entire portion for his family," the Mufti said. Soon after the prayers were over early in the morning, people were seen buying fodder for their animals kept for sacrifice. "It is a very hectic day. We have to look for the right person who would enable us to sacrifice the animal. It is important that we get it done early so that we can distribute the meat to the poor and our neighbours and friends in time," said Akbar Ali Abbasi, a resident of Ballimaran in Old Delhi. The festival is celebrated for three days beginning 10th of Zil Hajj, the last month of the Islamic calendar. One can sacrifice animals before the sunset of the 12th of Zil Hajj. It comes a day after the Hajj is performed. Neither the initial confusion about the exact date of the festival that arose due to non-sighting of the moon (Islamic months and festivals are based on lunar calendar) in and around Delhi thanks to cloudy sky, nor the high prices of goats could dampen the festival spirit. "This year too animals were a bit costly. But the spirit of 'qurbani' (sacrifice) is supreme. The cost does not matter," said Mohd Faisal, a resident of Turkman Gate who bought half a dozen goats for sacrifice. Many Muslim organisations have appealed to the people offering sacrifice to be particular about hygiene in their neighbourhood and be sensitive towards the feelings of fellow citizens of other communities who do not consume meat. The sanitary department of the municipal bodies made special arrangements to ensure cleanliness in the city. --IANS mak/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Facebook and Twitter have removed hundreds of accounts originating in Iran and Russia that were designed to mislead people across multiple Internet services in the Middle East, Latin America, Britain and the US. While Facebook has removed 652 pages, groups and accounts for "coordinated inauthentic behaviour" that originated in Iran and Russia, Twitter suspended 284 accounts, many of which originated from Iran. "We're still investigating, and we have shared what we know with the US and UK governments. Since there are US sanctions involving Iran, we've also briefed the US Treasury and State Departments," Nathaniel Gleicher, Head of Cybersecurity Policy at Facebook, said in a statement on Tuesday. "Working with our industry peers today, we have suspended 284 accounts from Twitter for engaging in coordinated manipulation. Based on our existing analysis, it appears many of these accounts originated from Iran," Twitter said. These campaigns created networks of accounts to mislead others about who they were and what they were doing, according to Facebook. Facebook also removed Pages, groups and accounts that can be linked to sources the US government had previously identified as Russian military intelligence services. "While these are some of the same bad actors we removed for cybersecurity attacks before the 2016 US election, this more recent activity focused on politics in Syria and Ukraine," Facebook said. For example, these accounts are associated with Inside Syria Media Centre, which the Atlantic Council and other organisations have identified for covertly spreading pro-Russian and pro-Assad content. "We're working closely with US law enforcement on this investigation, and we appreciate their help. These investigations are ongoing - and given the sensitivity we aren't sharing more information about what we removed," Facebook added. Facebook acted on these accounts after FireEye, a global cybersecurity firm, gave it information in July about "Liberty Front Press", a network of Facebook Pages as well as accounts on other online services. Based on FireEye's tip, Facebook started an investigation into "Liberty Front Press" and identified additional accounts and Pages from their network. "We are able to link this network to Iranian state media through publicly available website registration information, as well as the use of related IP addresses and Facebook Pages sharing the same admins," Facebook informed. The first "Liberty Front Press" accounts were created in 2013. Some of these attempted to conceal their location, and primarily posted political content focused on the Middle East, as well as the UK, US and Latin America. Beginning in 2017, they increased their focus on the UK and US. Accounts and Pages linked to "Liberty Front Press" typically posed as news and civil society organisations sharing information in multiple countries without revealing their true identity, said Facebook. Facebook recently deleted 32 Pages and accounts attempting to influence the US mid-term elections. --IANS na-gb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Teachers should take an active role in creating education policy and get involved in local debates, says Mandy Manning, the 2018 National Teacher of the Year. In an essay for Bill Gates blog, Gates Notes, Manning says that teachers should closely follow policy debates. Know how federal and state policies impact your classroom, school, and community, and take an active role in implementing those policies, she writes. Policymakers, please invite teachers in. Seek their input. Mannings essay comes after Gates recognized her this week as one of his Heroes in the Field :" educators, activists, and others who quietly do the work of making the world better without fame or recognition. Gates singled Manning out for her work teaching newly arrived refugee and immigrant students in Spokane, Wash. She writes that she was first inspired to take part in activism outside the classroom early in her career teaching in Bronx, N.Y., after seeing the way public institutionsincluding schoolsdidnt serve the needs of her students of color. Now, after visiting schools across the country in her role as National Teacher of the Year, Manning says shes seen too many rigid educational systems that prioritize standardized instruction and dont allow for the individual needs of students. Thats why educators need to be engaged in making policynot just at the federal and state level, but at the local level too, writes Manning. Local rules generally dictate what actually occurs in our classrooms, and in my experience, its also where educators are most often left out. Mannings comments on teacher political activism come at the same time as a wave of teachers are running for office across the country including one former National Teacher of the Year. Jahana Hayes , who was awarded the recognition in 2016, recently won the Democratic primary for an open seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in Connecticuts 5th district. An advocate for refugee and immigrant students, Manning has said that in the current political climate, all teachers have an obligation to make students feel supported, regardless of their background . She reiterated that message in a conversation with Gates, in a video for his blog. To come to a new place, and to be welcomed with open arms, and to know that people want you therethat is going to make a tremendous difference in how they interact in their new community, how they acclimate, how they move forward in life, said Manning. Gates list of Heroes in the Field includes one other teacher: Camille Jones, the 2017 teacher of the year for the state of Washington, where Microsoft is headquartered. Watch the video and read Gates interview with Manning here. Photo: President Donald Trump, right, and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos acknowledge Mandy Manning, a teacher at the Newcomer Center at Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane, Wash., during the National Teacher of the Year reception at the White House in May.Carolyn Kaster/AP-File Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday condoled the death of senior leader and former Union Minister Gurudas Kamat, saying his demise was a massive blow to the party. "The sudden passing away of senior leader Gurudas Kamatji, is a massive blow to the Congress family. Gurudasji helped build the Congress party in Mumbai and was greatly respected and admired by all. My condolences to his family in their time of grief. May his soul rest in peace," Gandhi, who is in Germany, said in a tweet. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also expressed grief over the death of the former union minister. "Shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the sudden demise of Senior Congress Leader Gurudas Kamatji. No words are enough to describe the sense of loss. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and followers. I pray for the departed soul," Surjewala said in a tweet. Kamat died in a private hospital here following a massive heart attack. He was 63. --IANS aks/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After his promising debut in the 2008 film "Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na", Prateik Babbar featured in the critically acclaimed film "Dhobi Ghaat". The actor starred in more films but he blames his addiction to drugs for his slow career and he takes full responsibility for his actions. The son of actor-politician Raj Babbar and late actress Smita Patil has battled substance abuse. He was away from the big screen for three years and made an impressive comeback with "Baaghi 2" in 2018. Asked if he blames drug abuse for his slow career, Prateik told IANS here: "Yes, I take full responsibility for my actions and blame myself and unfortunate circumstances together." The actor, 31, has completed a decade in the industry and he calls it a roller-coaster ride. "I feel this decade of my journey in this industry has been one hell of a roller-coaster ride," he said, adding: "I do not regret anything but one thing, that my grandparents were unable to see all the good in my life at this point of my life. I believe regrets are a burden and having them would only drag them down." Talking about the stigma being attached to those who are or were into drug abuse, Prateik said: "For users, abusers and addicts being called a drug addict is much deeper than someone just bringing it up in a casual conversation. The topic is a very sensitive topic and needs to be addressed to any person in a very polite manner." The "Ek Deewana Tha" actor's latest big screen outing was "Mulk", which was well received by critics and the audience. Prateik is now looking for more "impactful" characters to portray on the silver screen. "I believe that content-driven impactful characters are a challenge to portray but are also iconic characters and that is something I feel that I am inclined towards and looking forward to," he said. He is now gearing up to play an anti-hero in director Nitesh Tiwari's next starring Shraddha Kapoor and Sushant Singh Rajput. Prateik and his fiance Sanya Sagar were here to walk the ramp for Chola The Label at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2018. The two embraced the drag culture on the catwalk. "The entire show 'Bye Felicia' is the showstopper. The cause and theme of the show is the showstopper. We are just a bunch of people representing gender fluidity as it's a very important topic which needs to be addressed," he said. Prateik said he is proud to represent the drag culture, but fails to understand why it is looked down upon in the country. "I feel it is immature and foolish and people need to wake up and smell the coffee...adapt to things around you. I truly believe in the concept of love and let love," he said. (Durga Chakravarty is in Mumbai at the invitation of the Lakme Fashion Week organisers. She can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in) --IANS dc/nn/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hear in February 2019 the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian national sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for espionage, the media reported. The court will hear the case for a week from February 19 to 25, Geo News reported. Jadhav was sentenced to death in April 2017 following which India moved the ICJ. A 10-member ICJ bench restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till the case was adjudicated on. Pakistan stated that "Jadhav was not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities" in Balochistan. India denies all the charges. He was allegedly apprehended on March 3, 2016 after he illegally crossed into Pakistan from Iran, according to Pakistani officials. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has refused to accept overseas donations for flood relief in Kerala, Thailand's Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi has said. "Informally informed with regret that the Government of India is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you, the people of Bharat," Chutintorn tweeted on Tuesday. The United Arab Emirates, home to hundreds of thousands of Keralites, had earlier offered Rs 700 crore as flood relief for Kerala. The Maldives and Qatar also reportedly offered donations for the flood-ravaged state. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian man has been racially abused in Canada over a parking dispute by a white woman who yelled "go back to your country" and called him "Paki with sh*t-coloured skin", the media reported. Rahul Kumar, an HR professional who moved from India to Canada seven years ago, filmed the encounter outside his home on his cellphone last week, CTV reported on Tuesday. In the video, the woman who later identified herself as Angelique, was seen unleashing verbal tirade at Kumar over the parking issue. "You can film all you want Paki. Yes Paki, that's you with the sh*t-coloured skin," she was heard yelling at him from the driver's seat of her car. At one point, she mocked Kumar's accent and said: "F***ing East Indian Paki bulls**t... Go back to your f***ing country, man." Then she can be seen driving off, but not before spitting on Kumar's car and calling him a "loser". After the video went on air, the woman called CTV Edmonton and criticized the coverage, saying that she was "not a racist". Asked whether the parking disagreement justified the racist language used, the unapologetic woman said: "It doesn't matter if it justifies it or not. It happened and that's where I took it and I'm responsible for that." "I can live with myself... I have no problem looking in the mirror ... I love myself. I have no problem with what happened." Kumar said he was stunned by the woman's profanity-laden rant and called it disturbing. "I've never experienced anything like that," he said. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Satya Pal Malik, the new Governor designated for Jammu and Kashmir, arrived here on Wednesday. He was received at the Srinagar international airport by the three advisors to the state Governor -- Vijay Kumar, B.B. Vyas and Khurshid Ahmad Ganai. B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, the state's Chief Secretary, was also present when the Governor-designate arrived at the airport. Malik was the Governor of Bihar till the President of India issued his transfer orders to Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, replacing N.N. Vohra. who has completed 10 years as the Governor of the state serving two full terms of five years each. An official announcement said here on Wednesday that the new Governor would be sworn in at the Raj Bhavan lawns in Srinagar at 11 a.m on Thursday. --IANS sq/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala government can seek assistance of the United Nations to rebuild the flood-ravaged state, if needed, through organising an 'international reconstruction conference', Thiruvananthapuram MP and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor said on Wednesday. Based on his conversations with several UN aid agencies officials in Geneva during August 20-21, Tharoor asked the state to examine whether it requires the situation in Kerala to be assessed by the various agencies of the United Nations. "Depending on whether the quantum of long term reconstruction assistance from the central government is adequate, the state government could give thought to holding an international reconstruction conference to 'Rebuild Kerala better' in partnership with the UN system so that significant international assistance in reconstruction can be facilitated," Tharoor said in a statement issued at the end of his visit. Since most rescue work is complete in the state, it could request two million WHO stock of anti-cholera vaccines to minimise the risk of grave water-borne diseases, he suggested, as offered by the agency during his visit. Meeting the officials of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), World Health Organisation (WHO), and International Red Cross, in informal capacity, Tharoor explored ways through which situation in Kerala can be alleviated. WHO, according to the statement, is ready to offer Kerala diagnostic kits to test water, water filters and monitoring non-communicable disease patients on medication. So far, 357 individuals have lost their lives and lakhs have been displaced in the worst floods to hit Kerala since 1924. In the statement, the Congress leader stressed that he had visited these officials in his personal capacity and at personal expenses out of a "moral responsibility" as a Keralite. -- IANS vn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Wednesday said that the floods in Kerala, the worst in a century, were man-made and due to faulty dam management. Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala told the media that the tragedy took place because of lack of coordination between the Power Minister, the Water Resource Ministers and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). "This monsoon, Kerala received 41.44 per cent more rains and all the (sluice gates of the) dams were opened without proper analysis or impact studies... People were totally unaware that the dams were being opened," he said. In Kerala, the dams are managed either by the KSEB or the Water Resources Ministry. The worst affected districts due to the floods were Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Wayanad which have the maximum number of dams. "The rains this season were far less than in 1924. The tragedy that took place this time was because weather forecasts were overlooked and callousness," the Congress leader said. "The Idukki dam's maximum water capacity is 2,403 feet. Since July 15, its capacity had reached 90 per cent. On July 31, the water level was at 2,395.68 feet and Power Minister M.M. Mani said a trial run would be conducted when the level touches 2,397 feet. "He did not do so. When the water level touched 2,398 feet on August 9, the first floodgate was opened," said Chennithala. He said that in Chalakuddy in Thrissur district, one of the worst hit places, the sluice gates of all the six dams were opened together. "The Kerala government has failed to learn from the Ockhi disaster. The Chief Minister had promised to revamp the Disaster Management Authority by bringing in experts. That file is still in his office... This is nothing but a man-made disaster." Dismissing Chennithala's allegations, Dam Safety Authority Chairman, Justice (retd) C.N. Ramachandran Nair said: "Things are being exaggerated and I do not believe all the allegations that have been raised are true." KSEB Chairman N.S. Pillai agreed that the dams' sluice gates were opened simultanesouly but the board operated based on proper planning and coordination. "I can provide all the details of what and how we operated. Everything worked according to a proper plan," said Pillai. Power Minister Mani said all the allegations would be looked into. Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekheran said this was not a time to play blame games and "instead concentrate on the biggest relief operations the government is overseeing". About one million people are sheltered in over 3,000 relief camps in Kerala following the devastating floods, the worst since 1924. The death toll since the monsoon rains began on May 29 has been estimated at around 370. --IANS sg/ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has suggested that the Kerala government request the World Health Organisation (WHO) to supply two million anti-cholera vaccines to minimise the risk of water-borne diseases in the flood-ravaged state. Tharoor, an MP from Thiruvananthapuram and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, has made the suggestion following his discussions in Geneva on Monday and Tuesday with senior leadership of the WHO, UN and the International Red Cross, an official statement from his office said on Wednesday. He briefed them on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Kerala, the worst since 1924. The floods claimed around 370 lives and inundated houses forcing about one million people to take shelter in over 3,000 relief camps. "Prior to these discussions, Tharoor consulted Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the nature of the talks and the specific areas of priority," it said. "Tharoor has also written to him (Vijayan) today on the impressions gained from his briefings and the possible course of actions for the state." Tharoor has asked the state government to examine whether it wants a multi-sector needs assessment by UN agencies and Gujarat University Forensics support for dead body management. The state should also consider holding an international reconstruction conference to "Rebuild Kerala better" in partnership with the UN. "Since the Centre does not wish to request (for) international assistance directly, it is entirely feasible to operationalise any and all of the above by negotiating with the UN system to have the UN offer what we need, on a no-objection basis from the (central) government," the statement quoted the Congress leader as saying. According to the statement, the discussions and deliberations were well received by respective branches of the international system focused on responding to health emergencies, disaster management and mitigation. "Tharoor travelled in his individual capacity and as an MP from Kerala and as a former UN Under-Secretary-General. This reach was primarily due to a moral responsibility he felt as a Keralite to explore possibilities of international assistance and support to alleviate the sufferings of fellow Keralites," the statement added. Tharoor has also briefed the Indian Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Rajiv Chander, about his meetings. --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's refusal to accept foreign aid for relief work in flood-battered Kerala has touched a raw nerve, with leaders of political parties in the state pressing the Centre to review the decision. The state's ruling CPI-M and the opposition Congress expressed unhappiness over the Centre's stand, with former Defence Minister A.K. Antony saying that the rules should be changed to accept foreign donations. The issue snowballed following reports that the Centre was averse to taking help from foreign governments following a stand taken by UPA government on not accepting such donations because the country had the capacity to cope up with natural disasters. On Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where most of expatriates are from Kerala, had offered $100 million or Rs 700 crore as aid to the state to overcome the devastation caused by the worst floods in nearly a century. Thailand's Ambassador to New Delhi tweeted about India not accepting overseas donations for flood relief in Kerala. "Informally informed with regret that the government of India is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you, the people of Bharat," Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi said. The Maldives and Qatar also reportedly offered donations for the state where the death toll stands at around 370 and where over one million people have taken refuge in more than 3,000 camps. Wading into the issue, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media that if needed, he would talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who, he said, had tweeted his welcome to the UAE's gesture. He said according to the National Disaster Policy of 2016, foreign funds can be accepted and so it should not be a problem. "As I understand, the UAE on its own has proposed this aid. The UAE cannot be considered as any other nation as their rulers have underlined," Vijayan said in an interview to the Indian Express. "Indians, especially Keralites, have contributed immensely in their nation building," he said. State Finance Minister Thomas Issac said he was surprised the Centre was blocking the UAE's financial aid to the flood victims when it had extended only Rs 600 crore so far. "We asked for Rs 2,000 crore, they (Centre) could give us only Rs 600 crore. I don't know why they should deny some other government's help", he told NDTV news channel. Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy also expressed unhappiness that the Centre had reportedly refused to accept monetary help offered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "I am sorry that the financial assistance announced by the government of India is quite disappointing as far as the magnitude of the crisis is concerned," Chandy said in a letter to Modi. He said Kerala was expecting reasonable monetary help to overcome the crisis. "It is a great relief to the people of Kerala that so many kind hearted persons and social organisations across the country and abroad consider this disaster as their own matter (and) offered unbelievable help to us for managing this tragedy," added Chandy. He urged Modi to remove obstacles against acceptance of foreign financial aid. Antony, who is also a former Chief Minister, asked the Modi government to rewrite the rules so that financial support can come from abroad for Kerala. "If the rule was changed by the previous government, I have no qualms to say that the Modi government should rewrite it," he told the media. It was during the first Congress-led UPA government that the rules was altered that financial assistance from foreign countries should not be accepted after natural disasters. "It must not be forgotten that with a huge Kerala diaspora working in the Middle East, the governments in those countries have an emotional bonding with Kerala. That's why the UAE government responded so quickly. Likewise we will be getting assistance from the UN and other agencies too. So any law that has to be amended must be done," said Antony. --IANS sg-soni-ps/vsc/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Kerala youth, who faced severe flak on social media for taking an alleged free helicopter ride from a flood hit area to the state capital, on Wednesday said he was being ridiculed for no fault of his. An audio clip has made rounds on social media since the past two days about Jobi taking a free ride on a helicopter from Aranmula in Pathanamthitta to the state capital on the pretext of wanting to buy insulin for his family. On Tuesday, Jobi's friends made a plea not to ridicule him since he is emotionally and mentally disturbed as he himself was a victim of the floods. Speaking in a video on Wednesday, Jobi said he was deeply upset about the misinformation being bandied about, about him. "Me and my friend were engaged in rescue operations here the entire day. When we were going back, a helicopter crew asked us if we were locals and where we were headed. "Believing the crew wanting to know about the locality, I entered the helicopter but my friend didn't. Only when I was dropped in Trivandrum, I realised that everything had gone haywire. The insulin story is false. Please do not ridicule me, I have done no wrong," Jobi pleaded. --IANS sg/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday pressed the Modi government to accept the $100 million aid offered by the UAE for flood relief as the numbers sheltered in over 3,000 camps in the state rose to 1.2 million. Vijayan's comments came as Congress leaders too, in a rare show of political unanimity, urged the central government not to reject the Rs 700 crore offered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), home to hundreds of thousands of Keralites. There were no rains for a second day in Kerala. Thousands returned to their flood-hit homes to clean up and start life anew. But many more were simply dazed on seeing what remained of their homes. A labourer, Rocky, committed suicide after seeing his flood-battered house near Eranakulam, police said. He is survived by his wife and two children. It was the third such suicide since the waters began to recede after the century's worst flooding in Kerala. Health Minister K.K. Shailaja said people were distressed and announced counselling sessions at relief camps. Vijayan said that over 1.2 million people were still in 3,314 relief camps across the state after having all or most of their possessions. "Today there was none to be rescued. It shows that our first phase of operations - rescue - has been successful," he said. Vijayan said that according to the National Disaster Policy of 2016, funds from foreign governments can be accepted. "As soon as this (UAE) aid was announced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that this was an indeed welcome gesture. "Now with media reports, if need be, we will speak to the Prime Minister," he said. India has refused to accept overseas donations for flood relief in Kerala, Thailand's Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi said. Vijayan said the UAE "cannot be considered any other nation". "Indians, especially Keralites, have contributed immensely in their nation building," he said. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan had telephoned Modi and made the offer of assistance, the Chief Minister had said earlier. Two former Congress Chief Ministers, A.K. Antony and Oommen Chandy, urged the Modi government to rewrite rules so that financial support from abroad could be accepted. The central government's offer of help to Kerala was "disappointing", Chandy added. Even as the number of people in the relief camps has gone up, people were seen returning to their homes in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Pathanamthitta, parts of Thrissur and Ernakulam. A large number of volunteers was seen engaging in cleaning up operations of houses that had been submerged in water for days. Earlier, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala told the media that the flood tragedy was caused by lack of coordination between the Power Minister, the Water Resource Ministers and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). "This monsoon, Kerala received 41.44 per cent more rains and all the (sluice gates of the) dams were opened without proper analysis or impact studies... People were totally unaware that the dams were being opened," he said. "This is nothing but a man-made disaster." Vijayan hit back, saying this was not the time for fault-finding. In any case, he accused Chennithala of speaking without knowing the facts. "What one should realise is that from August 14 to 17, in Idukki alone 811 mm of rain was received, which is more than double of what it normally gets. "It was just not the dam waters but rain water added to the flooding... In some areas where floods occurred there are no dams." Dam Safety Authority Chairman Justice (retd) C.N. Ramachandran Nair added: "Things are being exaggerated and I do not believe all the allegations that have been raised are true." --IANS sg/mr/vsc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday urged Malayalam superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal to help ease the suffering of the hundreds of thousands in relief camps in Kerala following the devastating floods. IMA Kerala Secretary N. Zulphi said people were physically and emotionally down after being hit by the worst flooding in the state in nearly a century. "These two icons have always been hugely liked and respected by Keralites. At this time of huge loss, we request both of them to join hands with us to work with the victims to restore normalcy," said Zulphi. The IMA has launched massive operations at the more than 3,000 relief camps. The death toll since the monsoon rains began on May 29 has been estimated at around 370. --IANS sg/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The health of former President of the Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, lodged in a high-security prison since the beginning of the year, has deteriorated and he needs to be urgently transferred to a hospital, his lawyer said on Wednesday. Gayoom, who ruled the island nation with an iron hand between 1978 and 2008, is suffering from a condition known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, which causes dizziness. His lawyer Hussain Shameem told Efe news that the authorities refused to listen to Gayoom's doctors and were not allowing him to be taken to a hospital. "We have not been provided with any updates today. We found out yesterday that he was in a serious condition. We have submitted the matter to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives now," Shameem said. Gayoom's close aide Abdul Aleem said that the former President's condition was not stable and they have been concerned ever since a lawyer's visit was cancelled abruptly on Tuesday. "We haven't had any updates from prison authorities since yesterday morning so we do not know his condition now. All we've been told is that he is still not in stable condition and is strictly forbidden from moving," Aleem said. Prison authorities refused to comment on Gayoom's condition. In July, he was sentenced to one year and seven months in prison for refusing to hand over his mobile phone for a police investigation in connection with a Supreme Court ruling that ordered the release of political prisoners. Gayoom was also charged for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government of his half-brother President Abdulla Yameen. He faces a jail term of up to 20 years if convicted. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maruti Suzuki's Gurugram plant workers will on Thursday hand over a total Rs 45.5 lakh to the families of 13 former company workers who have been jailed for the 2012 violence at the company's Manesar plant, a union leader said on Wednesday. The company's Gurugram plant's worker union (Maruti Udyog Kamgar Union) General Secretary Kuldeep Janghu said the funds had been raised from over 2,200 workers by collecting Rs 2,000 from each. "Amounts of Rs 3.5 lakh will be handed over to responsible kin of the each families at the union office located in the factory premises in Sector 18 here on Old Delhi road," Janghu told IANS. The Maruti Suzuki Workers Union (MSWU) of Manesar plant on October 14, 2017 had also handed over a total of Rs 71.5 lakh (Rs 5.5 lakh each) to the families of 13 jailed former company workers. Workers of the Manesar plant had then contributed Rs 5,000 each for extending financial support to the families of their former colleagues whose financial condition was very poor, union leaders said. On April 16, 2016, Maruti Udyog Kamgar Union handed over Rs 50,000 each to 31 affected families. On July 18, 2017 the workers union of Sunbeam Auto Co gave away over Rs 75,000 to each of 13 families. On March 10, 2017, Gurugram's Additional District and Sessions Judge R.P. Goel had held 31 former workers guilty of murder and attempt to murder, among other offences, at the Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) Manesar plant on the evening of July 18, 2012. On March 18 last year, the court awarded life imprisonment to 13 former workers for violence and rioting. The court also sentenced four accused to five-year imprisonment and said the sentence already served by the remaining 14 accused was sufficient. Maruti Suzuki Human Resource Department General Manager Ashwin Kumar Dev was killed and over four dozen persons injured in the violence. --IANS pra/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Militants killed a special police officer (SPO) in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Wednesday. SPO Fayaz Ahmad was fired at in Zazripora village. "He was shifted to a hospital where the doctors said he was dead on arrival," the police said. SPOs are engaged on a fixed monthly emolument by police to fight insurgency. In most cases, the SPOs are not trained in handling firearms. --IANS sq/ksk (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.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the Modi government of attacking support structures that were designed to provide relief to the Dalits, tribals and the poor and said some corporates were being favoured over the rights of the marginalised communities. Speaking at the Bucerius Summer School at Hambug, Gandhi also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over "lack of jobs," demonetisation and "flawed" implementation of the Goods and Services Tax. Gandhi said all sections should benefit from transformation taking place due to urbanisation and the previous Congress and other governments had created support structures to smoothen the process of change for the Dalits, tribals but the Modi government was the only one not following the idea. "They do not feel that every single person in India should have access to fruits of transformation. They feel that tribal communities, poor farmers, Dalit, tribal communities should not get the same benefits as the elite of the country gets. We feel everybody took the risk, everybody should get the reward," Gandhi said. "The other thing they have done is they have started attacking the support structures that were designed to help certain groups of people," he added. Gandhi referred to alleged dilution of the Scheduled Caste Act and said welfare measures of UPA government such as the right to food and the right to guaranteed employment had been weakened. He said all the money that was going into these schemes "is going into the hands of very few people", the largest corporates in the country. Gandhi alleged that demonetisation carried out by Modi had taken away lakhs of jobs as it had destroyed cash flow of small and medium businesses. "China produces 50,000 jobs every 24 hours, India only 450," Gandhi said, adding that bad implementation of GST had let to closure of thousands of businesses. --IANS ps/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on Thursday to witness a collective "e-Gruhpravesh" of one lakh beneficiaries who have got houses under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin). Modi will also inaugurate several projects -- a government civil hospital, 13 projects of Junagadh Municipal Corporation and a milk processing plant at Khokharda in Junagadh city. He will deliver a convocation address of the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar and attend a Somnath Trust meeting before returning to Delhi. The Prime Minister will witness the "e-Gruhpravesh" event at a large public meeting in Valsad district's Jujwa village. "More than one lakh houses have been completed in Gujarat. Beneficiaries of these houses will celebrate collective Gruhpravesh across 26 districts," said a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. At Valsad, beneficiaries from five districts of south Gujarat -- Valsad, Navsari, Tapi, Surat and Dangs -- will gather. In the remaining districts, a collective Gruh-Pravesh will be celebrated at the block level. Beneficiaries will be connected through video link to the main event in Valsad. The Prime Minister will distribute certificates and employment letters to select beneficiaries under various development schemes like Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Gramodaya Yojana and National Rural Livelihood Mission. --IANS rak/mr (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.) Rabat, Aug 22 (IANS/MAP) The Moroccan cabinet, chaired by King Mohammed VI, has approved a bill for compulsory military service for 12 months for young people aged between 19 and 25. "The purpose of applying military service is to inculcate the spirit of patriotism in young people as part of a correlation between the rights and duties of citizenship," spokesperson of the Royal Palace, Abdelhak Lamrini, was quoted as saying in a statement by MAP news agency. Military service "also opens the way to their integration into professional and social life, especially for those who demonstrate skills and a sense of citizenship and discipline, particularly in terms of integration into the various military and security forces", he said. The north African nation had introduced 18 months compulsory military service in June 1966 for all male citizens, which was abolished by the King in 2007. The council also approved the draft framework law on education, aimed at reform of the national system. The main points include establishment of a new school open to all and compulsory for all children till the age of 16, instead of the earlier 15 years, and to arrest school dropouts who then often fall prey to radicalisation. --IANS/MAP tb/sac/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Moroccan King Mohammed VI has pardoned 160 people convicted in connection with the protests that rocked the Rif region in northern Morocco in late 2016, the media reported. Citing sources at the Moroccan Justice Ministry, Le360.ma news site on Tuesday mentioned that the pardoning of these protesters came on the occasion of Eid. The ministry said in an official statement earlier that the king had pardoned 889 inmates on the occasion of Eid, but did not specify their background, Xinhua news agency reported. The list of the freed people did not include any of the leaders of the protests, who were sentenced to up to 20 years in prison in June. In late June, a Moroccan court sentenced Nasser Zefzafi, figurehead of the protests, along with three other leaders, to 20-year imprisonment. Another 49 people were sentenced to 15-year jail term, along with fines, by the Casablanca Court. The sentences given to the Rif protesters sparked outrage in Morocco, and many rallies and sit-ins were staged to call for the release of the jailed activists. The protests broke out in October 2016, when fish vendor Mouhcine Fikri was crushed to death after climbing into a rubbish lorry to retrieve his swordfish confiscated by police. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Nepal government has formed a seven-member committee to hold talks with China to implement an agreement on energy cooperation, a senior official said. The two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the visit of Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to China in June. "The Nepali team will be co-chaired by Anup Kumar Upadhyay, secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI)," Dinesh Ghimire, spokesperson at the MoEWRI told Xinhua on Tuesday. Ghimire said Nepal has proposed a meeting of the joint steering committee on September 27 and 28 here. According to Nepali officials, the two sides will hold discussions on a wide range of areas of cooperation in the energy from power development to energy exchanges. As per the MoU, the committee will prepare the ground for creating a conducive to promote investment in the energy development from both government and private sectors. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nokia 6.1 Plus, which was launched in India on August 21, is the first device from HMD Global's stable to sport a notch -- a little black cut-out on top of the smartphone screen -- and the latest to join the trend of 19:9 aspect ratio screen phones with tiny bezels. This is the third iteration in Nokia 6 series and is the global variant of Nokia X6 that was introduced in China a few months ago. The Nokia 6.1 Plus essentially competes with Chinese rival Xiaomi's Mi A2, which is the only phone from the company (after Mi A1) to have ditched its custom MIUI OS in favour of the Android One platform -- the unmodified Android operating system with a promise of improved security through frequent updates. Google's Android One primarily focused on entry-level devices for emerging markets, including India, but later evolved into its key mobile programme. At Rs 15,999, Nokia 6.1 Plus offers 4GB RAM and 64GB onboard storage that can be further expanded up to 400GB via a MicroSD card. This is how the smartphone fared in real-world usage. The aluminium frame sandwiched between Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lends a tasteful and sturdy look to the smartphone. In terms of design, the device trumps its competitor Mi A2 which has an-metal form factor. Notably, the all-glass premium design makes Nokia 6.1 Plus a significant upgrade from the Nokia 6 (2018) that was launched in April this year. HMD Global has crammed a 5.8-inch FHD+ 19:9 display into a 7.9-mm smartphone, thus keeping it sleek and just perfect for single-handed use. The Nokia 6.1 had ample bezels all around and had a smaller 5.5-inch screen. The display on Nokia 6.1 Plus was punchy without being overwhelming. A Qualcomm Snapgragon 636 chipset powers the smartphone which also fuelled Xiaomi's budget Redmi Note 5 Pro. We browsed videos, ran several social media apps and opened dozens of browsing windows simultaneously and did not notice any stutter in the performance. The optimised stock Android experience is a delight to use and with the Android One programme, the smartphone will receive timely updates from Google (guaranteed for three years), which also makes the device eligible for Android Pie and Android Q OS. The 16MP+5MP dual rear cameras, with flash, have been vertically stacked at the rear of the device. The rear shooter took good images in proper lighting conditions and outdoors without looking over-saturated. The pictures had decent dynamic range and detail. HMD Global has kept the phone's camera software pretty simple and added what it calls a "Bothie" mode which we first saw on last year's Nokia 8. The Bothie feature essentially activates both the front and rear snappers to capture images or videos simultaneously. A 3060mAh battery powers the device that managed to deliver a day's worth of juice on moderate usage. What does not work? The primary camera system struggled to capture detailed images in low-light conditions. However, we can expect the issue to be sorted out via software updates in the future. We also saw noticeable shutter lag while capturing selfies from the 16MP selfie shooter. Conclusion: Stock Android experience with a promise of timely security updates and a plush design makes Nokia 6.1 Plus a competent smartphone in this price segment, giving competition to the likes of Xiaomi and Honor. (Krishna SinhaChaudhury can be contacted at krishna.s@ians.in) --IANS ksc/na/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has declared its screening committee to finalise the four candidates, who will contest the central panel posts in the impending Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) polls. The student groups shared the names on Wednesday to finalise the names of the contestants, a list which is likely to be issued in the first week of September. The six-member team comprises Ankit Dedha and Karishma Thakur (both general secretary), Anushesh Sharma and Abhishek Choudhary (both secretary in-charge, Delhi state), Yogesh Sharma (coordinator training), and Akshay Lakra (president, Delhi state). The group, which holds the posts of president and vice president in the union, will issue its manifesto in two days. Like any election in the country, candidates running for top posts in the university elections are known for strong campaigning in the run-up to the polls, mainly through paper posters, flyers, and spraying paints to write names of candidates on campus walls and on pavements. A similar style campaigning last year landed candidates from NSUI and its rival party RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in High court, which reprimanded them for littering the campus and ordered them to clean it up along with other places vandalised by spray paint. Lakra, however, insisted that NSUI did not indulge in the any paper campaign last year nor is it going to do any such this time, abiding by the Lyngdoh Committee guideline laid down for campus elections. "We have already started campaigning and we are not using any paper material. We are following the High court instructions and will abide by the Lyngdoh Committee guideline... It is our own city, why would we dirty it for 10-day election?" Lakra told IANS. The university has already announced its poll panel to oversee the exercise. The dates for polling and declaration of results are yet to be announced, but these may be out in the second week of September, as happened last year. In last year's DUSU polls, NSUI's Rocky Tuseed and Kunal Sehrawat won the posts of President and Vice President, while Mahamedhaa Nagar and Uma Shankar of ABVP secured the posts of Secretary and Joint Secretary. (Vishal Narayan can be contacted at vishal.n@ians.in) -- IANS vn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 100 towns across Sri Lanka have boycotted the sale of cigarettes with the aim of making the country tobacco-free, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday. According to the ministry, the Public Health Inspectors Union launched several programmes across the country to educate locals on the ill effects of smoking and as a result, shop owners and businessmen in many towns stopped selling cigarettes. Twenty-two towns in Jaffna, 17 towns in Matara and 16 towns in Kurunegala joined others in boycotting the sale of cigarettes. Currently, 107 towns are part of the drive, Xinhua news agency reported. Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, while expressing satisfaction over the numbers, said they hope to increase these figures to 200 in 2019. The Sri Lankan government in recent years has taken several steps to discourage smoking and the sale of cigarettes. Among these steps were increasing the tax on tobacco up to 90 per cent, increasing the area of pictorial warning on the cigarette pack to 80 per cent, banning the sale of cigarettes around a radius of 100 metres from schools and declaring public places as non-smoking zones. The government is also considering a ban on tobacco cultivation by 2020. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Eid-ul-Zuha, the festival of sacrifice, was celebrated with traditional and religious fervour across Pakistan on Wednesday. Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated the nation and urged his countrymen to remember the sacrifices made for the protection, reconstruction and development of Pakistan, Dawn online reported. Khan also urged people "not to forget those who are deprived in this hour of happiness". President Mamnoon Hussain said today's sacrifice commemorates the obedience and unparalleled examples set by the great prophets of Islam. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also conveyed Eid wishes to the nation through the Inter-Services Public Relations, saying: "May Allah Almighty bless our motherland (with) peace and prosperity." The day dawned with special Eid prayers in mosques, Eidgahs and open places in all cities, towns and villages across the country. After prayers, the faithful slaughtered their sacrificial animals to mark the end of the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca and in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's readiness to sacrifice his son Ismail on God's command. Strict security measures were in place in major cities like Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Palestine and the Islamic Hamas movement on Wednesday slammed US President Donald Trump for suggesting removal of the Jerusalem issue from the Middle East peace talks. Ahmad Tamimi, a Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee member, in a press statement termed the US President's comments as "useless". "Trump's remarks express the biased US policy towards Israel and a continuation of the US illusions, which include passing the new peace 'Deal of Century' without Jerusalem being the capital for the Palestinian state," he said. "Trump won't be able to remove the issue of Jerusalem from hearts of the Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims," the senior PLO official said. The Palestinian leaders have repeatedly announced their categorical rejection of any US Middle East peace plan that excludes Jerusalem, the refugees issue and Jewish settlements. "We have removed the issue of Jerusalem from the negotiating table," Trump said in a speech in Virginia on Tuesday. "During the negotiations, Israel will pay a much higher price because it has taken a very valuable gift," the US President added, referring to his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel last December. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas earlier said that he will neither hold talks with the Trump administration nor accept it as the peace mediator before it backs down on its decision on Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri, called Trump's decision to remove Jerusalem from Palestinian-Israeli talks "very dangerous". "There should be a firm and strict Palestinian response like withdrawing the recognition of Israel, cancelling the security partnership and severing all contacts and ties with the US administration," he said in an e-mailed press statement. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Nepal government has introduced a new law where anyone found guilty of polluting will be jailed for five years, an official from the Department of Environment said on Wednesday. As per the new Criminal Code that came into force on August 17, anyone found guilty of producing mechanical noise, extreme heat and wastage without the consent of authorised government officials will be jailed for five years or fined 50,000 Nepali rupees ($450) or both. "The criminal code has provisioned that stringent action can be taken against those who are found involved in polluting the environment. Introducing the new law to control the pollution is indeed a positive aspect," Safala Shrestha, a Department spokesperson, told Xinhua news agency. "Introducing laws are not enough, the implementation part is more challenging and for this it needs good coordination among the government agencies," she said. The government's move has come amid rising concerns from multiple sectors including environmentalists regarding pollution in the Himalayan country. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday sought intervention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in seeking access from the Pakistan government for devotees to visit the historic Gurdwara Sahib in Kartapur on the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev. In a letter to the Union Minister, the Chief Minister has urged Sushma Swaraj to take up the matter with her counterpart for having the corridor from the international border to Kartarpur opened for the duration of the celebrations. "This will allow the faithful to pay their respects at the Gurdwara Sahib in Kartarpur," said Amarinder Singh, pointing out that Kartarpur is located across the river Ravi around 4 km from the border near Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district. The Chief Minister noted that the 550th Birth anniversary of the first Guru is being observed in November 2019. He pointed out one of the historical demands of the Sikh community has been to have access to the revered Gurdwara Sahib in Kartarpur. "The state government has been requesting the Centre time and again for taking up the matter with the government of Pakistan for a corridor from the international border to Kartarpur," he added. --IANS vg/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday made a strong attack on the Narendra Modi government by referring to incidents of lynching and attacks on Dalits, saying people in India were angry and the ruling alliance was weakening support structures meant for the weaker sections. Speaking at the Bucerius Summer School here in Germany, Gandhi also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over attacks on women, "lack of jobs," demonetisation and "flawed" implementation of the Goods and Services Tax and said corporates were being favoured over the rights of the marginalised communities. Gandhi, who later took questions from the audience, also referred to his hugging the prime minister during the debate in parliament on the no-confidence motion, saying certain "hateful remarks" made against him by Modi prompted him to do so but "he (Modi) didn't like and was upset by it". Gandhi is in Germany as part of reach out to the NRI community ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections. He will also go to the United Kingdom. The Congress leader accused Modi government of not being keen on benefiting all sections from transformation taking place due to urbanisation. "They do not feel that every single person in India should have access to fruits of transformation. They feel that tribal communities, poor farmers, Dalit, should not get the same benefits as the elite of the country gets. We feel everybody took the risk, everybody should get the reward," Gandhi said. "The other thing they have done is they have started attacking the support structures that were designed to help certain groups of people," he added. Gandhi said welfare measures of UPA government such as the right to food and the right to guaranteed employment had been weakened and money going into these schemes "is going into the hands of very few people, the largest corporates in the country." Gandhi alleged that demonetisation carried out by Modi had taken away lakhs of jobs as it had destroyed cash flow of small and medium businesses. "China produces 50,000 jobs every 24 hours, India only 450," Gandhi said, adding that bad implementation of GST had let to closure of thousands of businesses. "These things are what has made people in India angry. That is what you get to read in the newspaper. When you hear about lynchings in India, when you hear about attacks on Dalits in India, when you hear about attacks on minorities in India, that is the reason for it," Gandhi said. He said the transition that is shaping the world requires certain protection for people. "That protection is being taken away and India is reacting to that. It is very dangerous in 21st century to exclude people. If you do not give people a vision in the 21st century, somebody else will which is not going to be good. That is the real risk of excluding large number of people from our development processes," he said. Gandhi said hate is a dangerous thing in a connected world and it is a choice. "I can fight you, take you on. I can compete with you but hating you is something I have to actively chose to do." Gandhi said his main complaint with Modi is that India has jobs problem but he does not say it and asked how it will be fixed if it is not even acknowledged. Gandhi said level of violence is increasing in India and "women were getting a huge share of it." He called for a change in the attitude of Indian men at the way they treated women. He said non-violence in India was a foundational philosophy of India's nationhood and noted violence can only be fought by non-violence. Referring to assassinations of his grandmother Indira Gandhi and his father Rajiv Gandhi, he said the only way to move forward after violence is forgiveness. Answering a question on the US and China, Gandhi said India's role will be to balance like that of Europe. He said India's actions will be guided by self-interest and noted that it is closer to the US than to China. Referring to Modi coming to power in India and "certain style" of leaders coming to power in the US and some European countries, he said the reason was failure of jobs, particularly to non-white collar persons. "We are outcompeted by Chinese. That is creating a lot of anger," he said. He also said India was not in a race with China but was wanted to develop according to its values. --IANS ps-sid/pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party leader Mallikarjuna Kharge on Wednesday condoled the death of former Union Minister Gurudas Kamat. Gandhi, who is in Germany, said Kamat's death was a massive blow to the party. "The sudden passing away of senior leader Gurudas Kamatji is a massive blow to the Congress family. Gurudasji helped build the Congress in Mumbai and was greatly respected and admired by all. My condolences to his family," he tweeted. Manmohan Singh said: "I am shocked and saddened to learn about the sudden and untimely demise of Gurudas Kamat. My deepest condolences to all members of his family. I pray God for the departed soul." Kharge wrote to Kamat's son Sunil, expressing his condolences. "I am extremely saddened to learn about the demise of your beloved father... He was a dedicated public servant and mass leader of Maharashtra. He will be missed by the country and Congress party in Maharashtra," Kharge said. Kamat, an advocate by profession, started his political career as a NSUI and Youth Congress leader. "He performed all responsibilities bestowed upon him by the party with great dedication, until his last breath," he added. Kamat died in a private hospital here following a massive heart attack. He was 63. Congress Communications incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted: "Shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the sudden demise of ... Kamatji. No words are enough to describe the sense of loss." --IANS aks/ps/ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In 1975, dozens of Convair F-106 Delta Darts lined the flight-line at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida. At the time, Tyndall was home to the 2nd Fighter Interceptor Training Squadron, charged with instructing the U.S. Air Forces newest F-106 pilots. For one of the squadrons instructors, an engine failure during an early morning flight led to a historical first for the Air Force. I came [to Tyndall] first as a student in the F-106, said Stephen Damer. After qualifying in the F-106, Damers next assignment was at Griffiss Air Force Base, in Rome, New York. But after a few years, he had gained enough experience to return to Tyndall, this time as an instructor pilot. During his second period at Tyndall, Damer and a fellow pilot were selected for a unique training mission. We were running a high-altitude intercept on a bomarc missile that was launched out of the east coast of Texas, Damer said. It was flying at approximately 70,000 feet, at more than three times the speed of sound. Due to the high altitude of the flight, Damer said they had to wear full pressure suits. Resembling a space suit, and just as ungainly, the pressure suits worn during the mission were hermetically sealed, with a glass dome underneath the helmet and multiple layers of fabric to maintain normal pressure on the pilots body in case cockpit pressurization failed. Captain Damer started his mission at 6:30 a.m. and had been in the air approximately one hour when he experienced the engine problems, according to a 1975 issue of the Jet Scope, then the base newspaper at Tyndall. The article noted that Damer attempted to nurse his stricken fighter back to Tyndall, but as he neared Port St. Joe, he realized his altitude was dropping so rapidly that he wouldnt make the runway. We made the intercept, but it cost us an airplane, Damer added. The engine overheated and [I] had to jump out of it. After ejecting from the aircraft, Damer ended up in the water, but was fortunately able to inflate the emergency life raft and clamber aboard to await rescue. Here I am sitting in the Gulf of Mexico on a life raft and a plane just went in somewhere, it was a lot of, Did this really happen? for quite a while, Damer noted. Thankfully, Tyndall rescue units were able to retrieve the 29-year-old instructor pilot from the sea within an hour of his crash. Although the F-106 didnt make it to shore, Damers aircraft mishap marked a milestone for Air Force history. I was the first full pressure suit successful ejection the Air Force had ever had, Damer said. He had the opportunity to relive some of his old memories as an F-106 pilot and share his story with Tyndall Airmen during a recent base tour August 10, 2018. The last time he stepped foot on Tyndall, Damer reckoned, was in 1975 or 76. During the tour, he noticed how dramatically the Air Force has evolved since his time in the service. Things are progressing, it makes me feel old, but it humbles me, Damer said with a smile. Tyndall will always have a dear spot in our hearts. Relief works, including food supply to about 7,000 people in 51 camps, repair of roads and highways and restoration of phone and power lines in Karnataka's flood-hit Kodagu district were intensified, while schools would reopen on Thursday, said an official on Wednesday. "Relief materials are transported in 100 vehicles to all the local bodies from 5 makeshift storehouses set up across the district. With rains subsiding and life returning to normal, all schools and colleges will reopen on Thursday," said state Relief Commissioner Gangaram Baderiya in a statement. About 60 schools in the worst affected towns and villages will remain shut till Saturday for repairs and restoration works. "Besides food, gas geysers and cooking gas cylinders have been sent to the relief camps for supplying hot water to the flood victims," said Baderiya. Two doctors with paramedics are posted in each relief camp. Hygiene in the relief camps is monitored by health inspectors to prevent outbreak of disease. About 300 civic workers have been stationed at the relief camps to maintain sanitation and cleanliness. Prefabricated toilets have been installed in relief camps. A state emergency operation centre and district emergency operation centre are operating on round-the-clock. The state food and civil supplies department has been directed to distribute about 50,000 food kits to the victims to enable them to cook on returning to their homes. About 100 jeeps carrying groceries, food grains, oil and cooking materials were rushed to households in all the affected villages. A barrel of kerosene was kept at all villages to light lanterns. The state-run Karnataka State Handloom Development Corporation has contributed 15 tonne of textile materials comprising bedsheets, towels, napkin, saree, shirts, dhothis to the victims in the district. About 600,000 litres of drinking water was supplied in the district. About 30,000 litres of milk and one tonne of milk powder were also sent to the district by the state-run Karnataka Milk Federation from Bengaluru. Bread, rusk and other eatables and rations were supplied and airdropped in inaccessible villages. "About 5,000 text and note books will be distributed to the school students as their books were damaged in the heavy rains and floods. Primary classes will be conducted in the relief camps for the children," noted Baderiya. The state Public Works Department and the National Highway Authority of India have been directed to expedite repair of roads and highways to restore transport of goods and public across the district. About 70 earth movers and machinery have been deployed to clear the debris on roads and highways. "Sandbags will be used to build protection walls for avoiding landslides and blocking of roads and highways," said the IAS officer. The state government has given Rs 50,000 to each local body and Rs 15 lakh to civic corporation to sanitize surface water bodies across the district. "The district authority is also identifying lands for rehabilitating the flood victims who have lost their dwellings in the worst-affected areas," added Baderiya. The revenue department will issue fresh property documents of houses and farm lands to those who lost the originals in heavy rains and floods. --IANS fb/prs (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US refusal to participate in the upcoming consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow shows Washington's hypocrisy, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. "The US decision once again highlights the falsity of Washington's peaceful rhetoric towards Afghanistan, whose people have suffered in the last 17 years and continue to carry huge losses as a result of the US policy," it said in a statement. Washington declined a Russian invitation to participate in the meeting, stating that it would not take part in any events that were not organized under the leadership of the Afghans, the Ministry said. The Moscow meeting will be co-chaired by Russia and Afghanistan, it said. "Apparently, the Americans only like to participate in meetings that are held under their leadership and correspond exclusively to their interests," the statement said. The second round of the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan will take place in Russia on September 4. The Moscow format was introduced in 2017 on the basis of the six-party mechanism for consultations among representatives from Russia, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iran and India. The first round of the consultations took place on April 14, 2017 and were attended by deputy foreign ministers and representatives of 11 countries -- Russia, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Washington declined an invitation then, saying that the new US administration lacked an Afghanistan strategy at that time. This year, invitations were sent to the same countries. The leadership of the Taliban group was also invited as "the aim of the upcoming meeting is to help narrow gaps in the approaches taken by the Afghan government and Taliban to launching a direct intra-Afghan dialogue", the Russian Ministry said. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korean electronics giant Samsung has donated $300,000 (around Rs 2 crore) for the relief work in Kerala, which has been battered by torrential rains and floods, the company said here on Wednesday. "We have donated $300,000 as relief fund towards the cause. We wish speedy recovery for those who are affected," said DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT and Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics. About one million people are sheltered in over 3,000 relief camps in Kerala following the devastating floods, the worst since 1924. The death toll in the monsoon rains, which began on May 29, has been estimated at 370. --IANS na/gb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for five human rights activists, including a female rights defender, rights groups have said. Israa al-Ghomgham, a Shia activist arrested with her husband in 2015, will be tried in the country's terrorism tribunal even though charges she faces are only related to peaceful activism, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday. Al-Ghomgahm had joined and documented mass protests that began in 2011, calling for an end to the systematic discrimination that Saudi Shia citizens face in the majority-Sunni country. "Any execution is appalling, but seeking the death penalty for activists like Israa al-Ghomgham, who are not even accused of violent behaviour, is monstrous," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. The Public Prosecution, which reports directly to the King, accused the detained activists of several charges that do not resemble recognizable crimes, including participating in protests in the Qatif region, incitement to protest, chanting slogans hostile to the regime, attempting to inflame public opinion, filming protests and publishing on social media and providing moral support to rioters. Saudi activists told Human Rights Watch that the Public Prosecution's demand makes Al-Ghomgham the first female activist to possibly face the death penalty for her human rights-related work, which sets a dangerous precedent for other women activists currently behind bars. The trial is scheduled to start on October 28. At least 13 human rights defenders and women's rights activists have been arrested since mid-May. Some have been released, but others remain detained without charge. Ghomgham and her husband have been held at Dammam's al-Mabahith prison since 2015. The European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights and ALQST, a London-based Saudi human rights group, have called on the authorities to drop the charges against Ghomgham. The Saudi government has so far not commented on Ghomgham's trial. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Gurudas Kamat passed away in a private hospital in New Delhi following a massive heart attack on Wednesday, party officials said. He was 63. Kamat is survived by his wife Maharookh and a son, Sunil, said a close family friend. According to the friend, while having his morning tea at his New Delhi home, Kamat suddenly complained of severe chest pain. He called out to his driver who rushed him to the Primus Hospital in Chanakyapuri where he is said to have succumbed within minutes. Close aides Dharmesh Vyas and Ketan Shah in Mumbai said they could not believe the news and felt as if "they had lost their elder brother and guiding light". The youthful face of the party, Kamat, a five-time MP from Mumbai North-East Lok Sabha constituency, served as Union Minister of State for Home in 2009, later quit in 2011. Later, he immersed in party affairs as the general secretary but suddenly quit all posts last year, though he remained a staunch Congressman till the end. In a condolence message, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said "a very dynamic and renowned face of the Congress and a great leader Gurudas Kamat is no more". Normally hale and hearty, Kamat on Tuesday night tweeted his Bakri Eid greetings to all saying: "Eid Mubarak to all my friends celebrating Eid-Al-Adha. May all your prayers be accepted. May peace, joy and happiness never depart from your lives and homes." --IANS qn/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Authorities have arrested a man who had worked at a store in the city's suburb of East Orange and charged him with the murder of Tarlok Singh, the Sikh who owned the shop, according to the local prosecutor's office. The Essex County prosecutor's office announced the arrest of Roberto Ubiera, 55, on Tuesday. Singh, 55, was found dead with stab wounds on Friday morning inside his store, Park Deli and Grocery, in the New Jersey town. NJ Advance Media quoted officials as saying that Ubeiro had done odd jobs at the store. Ubiera is in custody and is to be produced in court on Thursday. The killing of Singh was the third attack on Sikhs in three weeks in the US that sent shockwaves through the community. Only two them have been solved so far. Ubeiro is a Latino. A teen arrested in the August 6 attack on Sahib Singh Natt in Manteca, California, is Tyrone McAllister, 18, the African American son of a police chief, Darryl McAllister of Union City. In both cases they have not been charged with hate crime. In the third incident, Surjit Singh Malhi, 50, was attacked by two unidentified men when he was putting up a campaign sign on his pickup truck for Republican Congressman Jeff Denham in Keyes, about 50 km from Manteca, media reports said. Malhi said they shouted, "Go back to your country," beat him and spray-painted his truck with a white nationalist symbol and wrote "go back to ur country" on it, according to KCRA TV. Officials are investigating this incident as a hate crime. Customers who spoke to the WABC TV soon after the killing of Tarlok Singh, whose first name was initially spelled as "Terloka", described him as "extremely generous". One of them, Anthony Pointdexter, said he was a "great guy, never bother nobody". He added: "He works 7 to 7 every day. One of the hardest (working) people I've ever met." The TV said that Singh's wife and children live in India. --IANS al/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Finance Commission Chairman N.K. Singh has said that the changed economic scenario following the abolition of the Planning Commission has altered the traditional system of resource allocation and the distinction between "Plan and Non-Plan funds". Singh was speaking at the Finance Commission's second consultation meeting with economists in Pune on August 21. According to a Finance Ministry statement issued on Wednesday, the meeting was attended by 16 eminent economists and domain experts including Vijay Kelkar. Singh said that Finance Commission will hold further consultations with economists and domain experts over the coming months. "The Chairman summing the discussion felt that continued engagement with domain experts over the coming months will help commission in firming up the approach before reaching tentative conclusions both on the vertical and horizontal devolution of revenue...," the statement said.This was second such meet with economists. The first meet was held in New Delhi in May which deliberated upon various issues related to its TOR (Terms of Reference). --IANS rv-mgu/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal ruling party Trinamool Congress on Wednesday formed a committee comprising city intellectuals to counter the rise of Bharatiya Janata Party in the state and campaign against its policies at the Centre. The committee headed by West Bengal Minister of State for Information and Culture Indranil Sen was formed following a meeting between the party and a group of intellectuals at the Trinamool Congress headquarters. Writer Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri, painter Subhaprasanna and actor Chiranjeet Chakraborty are also in the committee that would campaign across Bengal against the alleged communalism spread by the saffron outfit. The intellectuals will also raise their voice against a number of steps taken by the Central government including the National Register of Citizens in Assam. "There is a situation of intolerance in the country under the current regime. Incidents of violence are taking place at regular intervals. It is the duty of the civil society and the intellectuals to hit the streets against such practises," Subhaprasanna said after the meeting. --IANS mgr/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Visiting US National Security Adviser John Bolton on Wednesday defended Israel's deadly airstrikes in Syria as acts of "self-defence". At a press conference in Jerusalem before concluding his trip, Bolton said the Israeli attacks on Iran-supplied missiles in Syria were "legitimate self-defence" and the US planned to do "other things" also to increase the pressure on Iran, he was cited as saying by Xinhua news agency. Washington reimposed sanctions on Tehran earlier this month. The US official said he will discuss with Russian officials in Geneva on Thursday a possible joint effort to force Iranian forces to withdraw from Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he "would be glad to see the Iranian forces go back", Bolton said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been lobbying with leaders in the US and Europe to oppose the Iranian efforts to establish a military foothold in Syria. The hawkish US senior official arrived in Israel on Sunday, where he met Netanyahu, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and other security officials mainly over Iran-related issues. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former personal attorney, pleaded guilty to eight criminal counts, admitting that the US President had directed him to arrange payments to two women during the 2016 campaign to keep them from speaking publicly about their affairs with him. The charges against Cohen, an attorney for Trump until earlier this year and a member of his inner circle throughout his presidential campaign, bring an end to a months-long investigation by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Cohen acknowledged the illegal payments while pleading guilty to breaking campaign finance laws and other charges, a litany of crimes that revealed both his shadowy involvement in Trump's circle and his own corrupt business dealings, reports The New York Times. He told a judge in the US District Court in Manhattan on Tuesday that the payments to the women were made "in coordination with and at the direction of a candidate for federal office", implicating the President in a federal crime. "I participated in this conduct, which on my part took place in Manhattan, for the principal purpose of influencing the election" for president in 2016, Cohen said. Though Trump himself isn't named, the court filing refers to an Individual-1, who by January 2017 had become President of the US. The counts against Cohen included tax fraud, false statements to a bank and campaign finance violations tied to his work for Trump, including payments Cohen made or helped orchestrate that were designed to silence women who claimed affairs with the then-candidate, CNN reported. Though not named in the plea deal filed in court, the women whom Cohen helped silence were two who have since gone public with their claims of sexual encounters or affairs with Trump: a porn star named Stephanie Clifford, who goes by the stage name Stormy Daniels, and a former Playboy model named Karen McDougal. Trump has denied both the claims. In the case of Clifford, Cohen arranged a non-disclosure agreement for which he paid her $130,000, and for that Cohen was charged with making an excessive campaign contribution, since the payment was made in service of the campaign and exceeded the federal limit. For McDougal, Cohen and the CEO of a media company "worked together to keep an individual from publicly disclosing" information that would have been harmful to a candidate, saying the individual received $150,000. In 2016, American Media Inc. paid McDougal $150,000 for a contract that effectively silenced her claims of an affair with Trump. Trump's lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, said in a statement after Cohen's plea: "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Cohen." Cohen NOW faces up to 65 years in prison. Judge William H. Pauley set a sentencing date for December 12. Cohen's confession came shortly before another blow to the President, his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was convicted in his financial fraud trial in Virginia. The special counsel, Robert Mueller, had built a case that Manafort hid millions of dollars in foreign accounts to evade taxes and lied to banks to obtain millions of dollars in loans. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Warbird Adventures unveiled their newest acquisition to an unsuspecting crowd in Kissimmee, Florida today, a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. With two seats, and a full set of dual controls, Warbird Adventures will offer their Warhawk to the public for introductory flights, as well as transition flight training for those aspiring to gain experience flying a WWII single-engine fighter. This aircraft is based upon the remains of P-40N 42-104977, a WWII combat veteran which then-1st Lt. Joel Dixon Thorvaldson flew over New Guinea with the 8th Fighter Squadrons Blacksheep in the 49th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force. The P-40, which Thorvaldson named Punkins, in honor of his wife, also bore the name Mr.Five by Five on the engine cowling, perhaps because the aircrafts squadron number was 55. With three kills to her name, the Warhawk was herself shot down by a Japanese A6M Zero in combat over Tsili Tsili, near Finschafen, New Guinea on September 13th, 1943. The P-40 received hits to its engine, and caught fire. Thorvaldson belly-landed his stricken fighter in a field of dense kunai grass, surviving the incident, but he was still marooned in unfriendly territory. The kunai grass was so tall, that Thorvaldson couldnt see which way to turn, so he used his flare gun to start a fire and burn a path through to a nearby river. A circling Allied aircraft saw the pilot by the river, and dropped him an inflatable life raft which then allowed him to navigate his way to Australian forces over the next five days. Thorvaldson survived the war and stayed in the Air Force, making a career of it. He passed away in Virginia in 2014. While Thorvaldson made it out, his burned out P-40 remained behind. Well-known Australian warbird recovery and restoration expert salvaged its remains in 2005. Fellow Australian, Mike Spaulding acquired the remains and incorporated what he could, as well as its identity into a project he had restored with Precision Aerospace in Wangaratta. The aircraft flew again for the first time at Mareeba on September 12, 2008, marked as an RAF example. Unfortunately, the P-40 suffered a gear collapse in August, 2008. Mike Spaulding sold the Warhawk to American John Davis in June, 2014, and the aircraft went back to Wangaratta for conversion to a dual control configuration. The fighter made its way to Daviss home in Englewood, Colorado a year later, and flew again on May 10, 2016. The Curtiss P-40N Warhawk is fully configured for dual-seat, dual-control, much like the original, factory-produced TP-40Ns were. P-40s are rare enough, but original TP-40s are even rarer, with only one of three survivors still fitted that way so far (Kermit Weeks TP-40N 44-47923). Of the handful of currently airworthy, dual-control P-40s, Warbird Adventures example will be the only one offering dual instruction on a commercial basis to the general public. Warbird Adventures owner, Thom Richard stated: Were confident the addition of a dual-controlled P-40 will benefit the Warbird industry tremendously to increase safety in an otherwise mostly single-seat environment. Ive toured various fighters on the airshow circuit for years and I cant tell you how many people have come up to me and told me the P-40 is their absolute favorite aircraft and they would do anything to fly one. Well, weve decided to do something to fulfill that dream! Warbird Adventures has nicknamed their new dual-seat fighter American Dream, and she will make one of her first public performances be at the Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda over October 19th-21st, 2018. Warbird Adventuress press release today stated The aircraft is now based at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) and will be used in transition training to fighters, and touring as a fully aerobatic airshow act. The mighty Warhawk will be available to fly for rated pilots and aspiring-pilots alike. Warbird Adventures is known worldwide for their first class T-6 training they have offered for over 20 years. They also house the Kissimmee Air Museum, which consists of a constantly changing collection of various aircraft and other aviation-related exhibits. The facility is open to the public 9-5, Monday through Saturday. For more information visit www.WarbirdAdventures.com or their new Facebook page P-40 Warhawk American Dream. Bookings can be made by calling (407) 870-7366 or via e-mail Fly@WarbirdAdventures.com Photo credit: Mike Killian Photography In a setback to Donald Trump, his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and ex-lawyer Michael Cohen have been convicted of fraud, with the latter implicating the US President over campaign finance violations. Within the space of an hour on Tuesday, Manafort was convicted of eight counts of bank and tax fraud by a jury in Alexandria, Virginia. However, Judge T.S. Ellis declared a mistrial over the 10 other charges Manafort faced, with the jurors unable to come to a decision. Meanwhile, in New York, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight felony counts of his own, including campaign finance violations ahead of the 2016 presidential election as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors. Cohen, one of Trump's closest associates for more than a decade, said he arranged to make payments "for (the) principal purpose of influencing the election" at the direction of a "candidate" for federal office. He did not give the candidate's name although he was working for Trump at the time. The 51-year-old told the judge in the Manhattan courtroom that he was aware of what he was doing before pleading guilty to the charges, admitting that the "candidate" had directed him to arrange payments to two women during the 2016 campaign to keep them from speaking publicly about their affairs with him, CNN reported. Cohen admitted to paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016 and also to conspiring with a media company, perceived as the publisher of The National Enquirer, to silence another woman, former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Both Daniels and McDougal allege that Trump engaged in extramarital sexual relationships with them. The White House has denied the claims. Amid the parallel dramas in federal courthouses, the President was at first silent as he travelled to a campaign rally in West Virginia. But then he broke his silence after Air Force One landed. "Paul Manafort is a good man," Trump told reporters after reaching West Virginia for a campaign rally. "I feel very badly for Paul Manafort." While pointedly refusing to comment on Cohen, the President stressed that Manafort's conviction "doesn't involve me" and called it "a very sad thing is happening". Trump also emphasized that Manafort's legal woes had "nothing to do with Russian collusion, absolutely nothing". He then segued into familiar criticisms of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe, calling it a "witch hunt and a disgrace". The counts against Cohen included tax fraud, false statements to a bank and campaign finance violations tied to his work for Trump. On the other hand, Manafort was found guilty of five counts of felony tax fraud, one count of failing to report a foreign bank account, and two counts of bank fraud. Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis said that his client had been acting not on his own, but at Trump's behest. "If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?" he asked. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said of the Cohen plea: "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Cohen." Manafort's conviction brought the number of former Trump advisers who have pleaded to or been found guilty of crimes in the Mueller investigation to four. The other three were -- former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, George Papadopoulos -- who advised Trump on foreign policy -- and aide Richard Gates. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump's administration is moving forward with its latest round of 25 percent tariffs on $16 billion worth of Chinese goods this week while trade talks continued between mid-level officials from the two countries here. The tariffs will go into effect from Thursday with China expected to respond with a 25 per cent tariff on an equal amount of American exports, reports CNN. It's the second round of tariffs imposed by the two countries this year. A total of $50 billion of goods on each side will be taxed as of Thursday. The Trump Administration started the process in March, aiming to punish China for what it says are unfair trade practices, such as stealing intellectual property. Beijing has responded with retaliatory tariffs. The new tariff will hit 279 Chinese products, including chemical products, motorcycles, speedometers and antennas. The Chinese tariff will hit American goods including chemical items and diesel fuel. About 80 companies and industry groups testified in July before the US Trade Representative's Office about the $16 billion in tariffs. Many said the tax would hurt their business and they would not be able to absorb a 25 per cent tariff without raising prices on American consumers. Meanwhile, there could be a third round of tariffs this year, CNN said. The US has threatened a 25 per cent tariff on an additional $200 billion of Chinese goods. Beijing has said it would respond by slapping a tariff on another $60 billion of American goods. The US Trade Representative's Office is holding hearings this week on the supposed third round of tariffs. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The stage is set for Thursday's twin assembly by-elections to South Tura and Ranikor in Meghalaya with four companies of Central armed forces being deployed in both the constituencies. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who is also the national chief of the National People's Party (NPP), is contesting the by-election and is hopeful to win the South Tura assembly seat in order to retain his chief ministership. Agatha Sangma resigned as member from South Tura Assembly seat to pave the way for her brother Conrad to contest the by-election. Conrad is pitted against Congress candidate Charlotte W. Momin, John Leslee K. Sangma and Kris Kabul A. Sangma who are contesting as Independents. The Ranikor assembly seat fell vacant after former Public Works Department Minister and five-time Congress legislator from Ranikor constituency, Martin Dango, resigned as member of the State Assembly and joined the ruling NPP after the government announced the creation of Ranikor Civil Sub-Division. Dango is facing three candidates in his bid to get re-elected -- Congress' Jacquish A. Sangma, United Democratic Party's Pius Marwein and People's Democratic Front's P.N. Syiem. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is part of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, has decided not to contest the by-elections and support the NPP candidate Conrad from South Tura assembly seat. However, the saffron party remained neutral for the Ranikor by-poll. South Tura assembly constituency in West Garo Hills district has around 30,230 voters spread across 36 polling stations. Ranikor assembly constituency in South West Khasi Hills district bordering Bangladesh has 65 polling stations with a total of 29,685 voters. In both constituencies, electronic voting machines and VVPATs will be used. Conrad, the lone NPP Lok Sabha member from Tura constituency, who was sworn as the 12th Chief Minister of Meghalaya on March 6, is a non-elected member to the 60-member assembly. --IANS rrk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Moscow, Aug 22 (IANS/WAM) Top defence officials from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia on Wednesday held talks on enhancing military cooperation between the two countries. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE's Minister of State for Defence Affairs, met Colonel General Alexander Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, in Moscow. They discussed ways of developing bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in defence and military sector. The two sides also reviewed a number of regional and international issues of common concern. --IANS/WAM soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders including BJP National President Amit Shah on Wednesday distributed urns carrying ashes of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to party presidents of all state units. Vajpayee's ashes will be immersed in different rivers following condolence meetings even at the taluka level, the Bharatiya Janata Party tweeted. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj were among those present during the ceremony. Bihar BJP President Nityanand Rai said all party condolence meetings will be held from booth level to district level in the state from August 27 to September 1. "Ashes will be immersed in various rivers of Bihar including Ganga, Sarayu, Narayani, Bagmati, Mahananda, Kosi in next few days," Rai told IANS. --IANS spk-bns/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions on several individuals and entities over their involvement with Russia and North Korea. In an announcement on Tuesday, the Treasury targeted two entities and two Russian individuals "in order to counter attempts to evade US sanctions", reports Xinhua news agency. They were accused of providing assistance for a sanctioned Russian entity. "The Treasury Department is disrupting Russian efforts to circumvent our sanctions," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests of the designated persons subject to US jurisdiction are blocked and Americans are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. In another separate announcement, the Treasury targeted two entities and six vessels for violating the UN and US sanctions on North Korea. They were accused of involvement in ship-to-ship transfer of refined petroleum products with North -flagged vessels, an activity prohibited by the UN Security Council. "Consequences for violating these sanctions will remain in place" until the final and fully verified denuclearization of North Korea is achieved, said Mnuchin. The new moves are the latest among a series of President Donald Trump's administration's actions against Russia's alleged "threatening" activities against the US. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Under Secretary of Treasury Sigal Mandelker has said Washington will impose "much more economic pain" to Russia if it does not change its global behaviours significantly. Speaking on Tuesday before the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Mandelker said that "though Russia's malign activities continue, we believe its adventurism undoubtedly has been checked by the knowledge that we can bring much more economic pain to bear using our powerful range of authorities - and that we will not hesitate to do so if its conduct does not demonstrably and significantly change," Xinhua reported. "The significance of our actions and other financial measures must ultimately be measured in terms of their strategic impacts," she added. In a separate hearing, Assistant Treasury Secretary Marshall Billingslea told the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that "Treasury has made countering Russian aggression a top priority" and "will continue to do its part to impose costs in response to Russian malign activity, leveraging all of the tools and authorities that we have." Since January 2017, the Trump administration has sanctioned 217 Russian-related individuals and entities for a broad range of conduct. Earlier on Tuesday, the Treasury announced to sanction several Russia-related individuals and entities over their involvement in actions against the US sanctions. The US State Department said earlier this month that the country will impose new sanctions on Russia in two phases, and the first batch will take effect around August 22. However, Billingslea said in the hearing that considering the size of the Russian economy and its deep integration into the global economy and financial system, US "sanctions are not and cannot be the only tool on which we rely." He listed the engagement with foreign governments and private sector at home and abroad, and cooperation with international organizations and domestic and foreign media. A. Wess Mitchell, assistant secretary of state, also told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that "Russia has evolved beyond being simply an external or military one; it includes influence operations orchestrated by the Kremlin in the very heart of the Western world." He added that US Russia policy is based on the recognition that "to be effective, US diplomacy must be backed by military power that is second to none and fully integrated with our allies and all of our instruments of power." Mitchell noted that "even as we have imposed unprecedented penalties for Russian aggression, we have been clear that the door to dialogue is open" if Russia makes changes as Washington wants. Russia and the US have been waging sanctions against each other as bilateral relations continue to worsen over recent years. Moscow has repeatedly said that it reserves the right to take additional countermeasures against US diplomatic properties in Russia if Washington continues hostility. US President Donald Trump indicated on Monday that he would consider lifting US sanctions on Russia if Moscow took some actions in such areas as Syria or Ukraine. Trump has been widely attacked after his Helsinki meeting with Putin, due to his reconciliatory remarks that many saw as a sign of siding with Moscow against the US intelligence community's conclusion that Russia meddled in the 2016 US elections. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Monday that the upcoming US sanctions are "unfriendly" and "illegal," and will hurt broader international trade. Nevertheless, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains ready to resolve the problems facing the two countries, he said. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ashes of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee were brought to Jaipur from Delhi on Wednesday. BJP state president Madan Lal Saini and state minister Arun Chaturvedi flew from Delhi with the ashes and reached Jaipur where they were received by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, national vice-president Om Mathur among other prominent leaders. The ashes were kept in three urns and were carried in a 'rath' to the BJP state headquarters. All across the way, flower petals were showered on the ashes. At the party headquarters too, several office-bearers, workers and people from all sections offered flowers to the urns containg the ashes. IANS arc/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Assam unit of the BJP brought the urns containing ashes of former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee from New Delhi to Assam on Wednesday and placed them at the party headquarters at Hengrabari in Guwahati to enable people to pay their tributes. President of the Assam unit of the BJP, Ranjit Kumar Dass, received the urns from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday morning at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi and brought those to Assam. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal received the urns at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport near Guwahati from the party president and the urns were brought to the BJP headquarters here in a huge procession. "We have received four urns of ashes from the party headquarters in New Delhi to enable thousands of party leaders, workers and common people to pay their last respect to the departed leader," said Ranjit Kumar Dass. He said that while one of the urns will be taken to the Barak Valley for paying respect and immersion in Barak river, one of the urns will also be taken to western Assam districts, said Dass. --IANS ah/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac on Wednesday said he was surprised the Centre was blocking the UAE's financial aid to the flood victims when it had extended only Rs 600 crore so far. "We asked for Rs 2,000 crore, they (Centre) could give us only Rs 600 crore. I don't know why they should deny some other government's help," Issac told NDTV news channel. The United Arab Emirates, home to hundreds of thousands of Keralites, announced $100 million for Kerala after the state was hit by the worst flooding in nearly a century, killing some 370 people and causing unprecedented destruction. --IANS mr/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Jun. 03, 2018 It's the hottest lineup the Hot August Blues Festival has had in a long, long time-this weekend, August 23-25 at Kenlake State Park in Aurora, KY. Thursday Night-FREE at the Kenlake Lodge with Lew Jetton & 61 South and Friends. Help Lew celebrate his birthday with surprise guests including some of the top musicians in the region. Friday, gates open at 3 pm and music begins at 6 pm at the amphitheater with The Sullivan 3, the down home swing of Woody Pines, the swampidelic sound of Blue Mother Tupelo and finally, the Big Dog, from Miami, Florida, Ruf Recording Arist, Albert Castiglia, whose latest release Up All Night, is STILL tearing up the Blues Charts. Saturday, gates open at 10 am and music begins at noon, with the Andy Gibson Trio, followed by the country soul of Elam McKnight. We'll take a trip back to the glory days of Stax and Hi Records of Memphis with Soul Dog, then it's the red hot slide guitar of Microwave Dave & The Nukes. Ivas John returns to Hot August by Popular Demand, followed by the Sweetheart of the Blues, Miranda Louise and back once again, Big Mike Griffin. The evening finishes with The Delta Hurricane himself, Larry McCray. Log onto KenlakeBlues.com now and get tickets. AURORA, KY - 2018 Hot August Blues Festival is this weekend. On the Net: Driven by strong smartphones sales in pirce-sensitive markets such as India, Chinese handset maker Xiaomi Corp. on Wednesday reported a revenue of approximately $6.6 billion, representing an increase of 68.3 per cent year-on-year. The results for the quarter ending June 30 marked the first set of quarterly earnings report for Xiaomi since its $4.7 billion initial public offering in Hong Kong in July. The group's international revenue grew 151.7 per cent year-on-year, accounting for 36.3 per cent of its total revenue, according to unaudited consolidated results for the company's second quarter. "Xiaomi will continue building on its unique and powerful 'triathlon' business model to further penetrate the high-end smartphone market, introduce more IoT (Internet of Things) products to international markets, and expand our range of Internet services, laying strong foundations for our revenue growth in the future ahead," Xiaomi Founder, Chairman and CEO Lei Jun said in a statement. In the second quarter of 2018, Xiaomi's smartphones segment recorded revenue of approximately $4.46 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 58.7 per cent, which was driven by an increase in both smartphone sales volume and the average selling price (ASP). The fastest growth in revenue was seen in the IoT and lifestyle products segment, growing 104.3 per cent year-on-year. Revenue from the Internet services segment grew 63.6 per cent year-on-year driven primarily by increasing monetisation in mainland China, Xiaomi said. --IANS gb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Eleven of the 36 meteorological subdivisions in the country have recorded deficient rainfall until now, with many of them falling in the east and northeast India, says the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Twenty-three meteorological subdivisions of the country have recorded normal rainfall, while two subdivisions--Kerala and coastal Andhra Pradesh-- saw excess rainfall, the IMD data said. Of the seven meteorological subdivisions---Arunachal Pradesh; Assam and Meghalaya; the subdivision comprising Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura; sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim; Gangetic West Bengal; Jharkhand and Bihar---falling in east and northeast, six have received deficient rainfall, it said. In northwest India, the Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh subdivision, Saurashtra and Kutch subdivision of Central India, Rayalseema, North Interior Karnataka and Telangana subdivisions of South Peninsula have recorded deficient rainfall, it said. While Kerala has seen excessive rainfall, the deficiency is as high as minus 41 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively in Telangana and Lakshadweep, the body said. The IMD has 36 subdivisions divided under four divisions---the East and the Northeast, Northwest, Central India and South Peninsula. With devastating rain in Kerala last week and a low pressure area over Central India, the monsoon deficiency has dipped to minus 7 per cent, it said. From June 1 until today, Kerala has received 41 per cent more rainfall than the normal. The Southwest monsoon period in the country is from June 1 to September 30. From September 15, the monsoon starts withdrawing from west Rajasthan, where it reaches last. June and July have recorded 5 per cent and 6 per cent less rainfall, respectively, the IMD said. The IMD in its forecast for the second half of the Southwest monsoon rainfall said the months of August and September would receive normal rainfall. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two policemen were suspended after a video went viral showing locals of Nekpur village here thrashing and ill-treating a man for allegedly slaughtering a cow, police said today. "On August 16, locals of Nekpur village under Nigohi police station allegedly caught one Bhura slaughtering a cow. They beat him severely and forced him to pick up meat pieces from the ground with his mouth," SP S S Chinappa said today. It is alleged that policemen present at the spot helped the locals and shot a video of the incident. An inquiry has been ordered in the matter. "The matter came to my notice yesterday. SI Madan Pal and constable Sanjiv Kumar have been suspended with immediate effect. CO Sadar Baldev Singh Khandela will probe the matter," the SP added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three men were arrested for allegedly being involved in incidents of robbery and snatching in Dwarka following a shootout in the early hours today, the police said. On August 20, Mukul Verma, an Army Captain posted in Siachin, informed police that his Nisaan Micra Car and ATM cards etc were robbed by six motorcycle-borne men in Dwarka Sector 5.The criminals also withdrew Rs 40,000 from the ATM card. In another incident the same day, complainant Budh Prakash, a head constable in the CISF, reported that he was attacked with knife by four motorcycle-borne men near Dwarka Sector 14 metro station and robbed off Rs 4,000, they added. TheNissan Micra car robbed from the Army captain was left by the robbers near Mehram Nagar after it got punctured. They robbed a a Maruti Ritz car from there immediately after leaving the Micra car unattended. They moved towards west district and robbed a Swift Dzire car in Madipur area after leaving the Ritz car. The Swift Dzire car was chasedbut the accused somehow managed to flee after abandoning it. The accused were finally arrested after a brief shootout at around 4 am today. One of the accused, Sahil alias Chintu (22), worked as a delivery boy in a five-star hotel and was well aware of the area, they said, adding the other were identified as Ashwani and Anil. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three members of a family were suffocated to death and three others in a critical condition after a major fire broke out in the ground floor of a building in Kamrup district of Assam, police said today. The blaze that broke out in the wee hours also destroyed 10 shops located at the commercial building in the silk town of Sualkuchi. Smoke from the fire went up to the third floor residence where the family members were sleeping, police said. The building owner Lohit Kakoty (75), his eldest daughter Kabita Mahanta (32) and her 18-month old son Mayun Deb Mahanta died of asphyxiation. Kakoty's wife Anupama Kakoty (70), her younger daughter Juri Bharali (28), and her minor son Parthiv Paresh Bharali are battling for their lives in the ICU of a private hospital in Guwahati where they were taken, police said. Local people informed the fire department about the blaze around 4 am. After extinguishing the flames downstairs, the firemen reached the third floor of the building and brought out the family members after breaking open the door, police said. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. At least 10 shops of Assamese silk clothes were destroyed in the fire that gutted goods worth over an estimated Rs 50 lakh, other shop owners in the building claimed. Sualkuchi, around 35 km from Guwahati, is a town where the tradition of weaving silks could be traced back to the 11th century, Kamrup district's official website said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five people have died and seven others taken ill at a village in Shamli district since yesterday allegedly after consuming spurious liquor, police said today. After the incident was reported, five policemen -- including Bidoli police outpost in-charge Sub-Inspector KP Singh and four constables -- were suspended for negligence in duty, police said. Shamli Additional Superintendent of Police Shalok Kumar said the incident happened at Kamalpur village under Jhanjhana police station, which is near the Uttar Pradesh-Haryana border. While three deaths occurred yesterday, two persons died today, he said. The seven people who fell ill allegedly after consuming the spurious liquor have been taken to different hospitals for treatment, but they are in serious condition, he said. Police said that one of the deceased, 55-year-old Joga Singh, had supplied the alleged spurious liquor and had also himself consumed it. A case has been registered against Singh and other unidentified vendors under various sections of Indian Penal Code, including 304A (causing death by negligence) and relevant sections of the Excise Act, they said. Other deceased have been identified as Inderpal (50) Dharmpal (49), Raj Kumar (42) and Sanjay (35). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 68-year-old man, whose house near here was damaged in the torrential rains that lashed the state since August 8, has allegedly committed suicide, police said today. Kunjappan was found hanging dead inside his home today, they said. Kunjappan and his kin were shifted to a relief camp after water entered their residence in Kothad last week. He was heartbroken to find his house in a damaged state yesterday, police said. Telling his family that he was going to clean the house, Kunjappan left the camp last evening. Earlier, a 19-year-old student allegedly committed suicide at Karanthur in Kozhikode district upon finding out his class 12 certificates had been destroyed in the floods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 21, 2018 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 21, 2018 | 10:51 PM | PADUCAH Mercy Health Foundation Lourdes hosted an open house and blessing for its newly renovated pediatric rooms. \ The renovations include new lighting, HVAC units, bathrooms, parent-friendly furniture and flat screen televisions. We are so grateful to the Foundation and its donors for providing us with this necessary renovation, says Eliza Hill, Mercy Health Fourth Floor Nurse Manager. Sometimes it can be scary for children to go to the hospital. Our new rooms can help calm those fears in a child-friendly, home-like environment. The Slone family and their two-year-old son, Grayson, were the first family to utilize the newly renovated pediatric rooms. My son didnt even know he was sick, says Lindsay Slone. The kindness shown to our family made our stay feel less like a hospital admission and more like a weekend stay with family, despite the circumstances. Mercy Health Foundation Lourdes, Charity League of Paducah, Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust and proceeds from Mardi Gras and All That Jazz helped fund this project. If you would like to support the Foundation, contact Jessica Toren at jtoren@mercy.com or call 270-444-2387. At least eight Indian fishermen have been arrested and their trawler seized by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the island nation's waters. A Sri Lankan naval ship made the arrest in the seas, 16 nautical miles off the Arippu area, for "illegal fishing" in the island nation's waters, according to a statement of the Sri Lanka Navy. The arrested fishermen were taken to a naval base for a medical examination. Later, they were handed over to the authorities, the Navy said. A Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department official said the fishermen belong to Tuticorin. On August 10, 27 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Lankan Navy on the charge of fishing in the island nation's waters. The Lankan Navy had also impounded four country boats of the fishermen. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Eight Indian fishermen have been arrested and their trawler seized by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the country's waters, according to an official statement. A naval ship made the arrest in the seas, 16 nautical miles off the Arippu area, for "illegal fishing" in the island nation's waters, according to a statement of the Sri Lankan Navy. The arrested fishermen were taken to a naval base for a medical examination. Later, they were handed over to the authorities, the statement said. A Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department official in Rameswaram said the fishermen belong to Tuticorin. He said a court at Puttalam in Sri Lanka remanded them to judicial custody till September 3. Meanwhile, fishermen associations in India alleged that the Sri Lankan authorities put the arrested people in chains while taking them to the court in violation of norms. On August 10, a total of 27 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Lankan Navy on the charge of fishing in the island nation's waters. The Lankan Navy had also impounded four country boats of the fishermen. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra government has appointed Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon as the brand ambassador of the city-based Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar made the announcement today. "I would like to welcome Raveena ji as the brand ambassador of SGNP. She is an environmentally-conscious citizen and a respected member of the community. She can help spread awareness among citizens," Mungantiwar said in a statement issued here. He said SGNP is a vast treasure of flora and fauna in Mumbai city and it also provides water to a major part of the city. The actor met Mungantiwar at his residence to discuss the 13 crore tree-plantation drive and her contribution to help achieve a greener Maharashtra, the statement said. As the brand ambassador, Tandon will help the state forest department to create awareness about its various initiatives, like the 50 crore tree plantation drive, eco-tourism in SGNP, conservation of leopards in SGNP, among others. Tandon described it as an honour to serve as the brand ambassador of SGNP. "I used to visit Sanjay Gandhi National Park as a kid and now to be chosen as its brand ambassador is a great honour," she said. "Spreading awareness is very important in conservation of the environment and I am pleased to collaborate with Sudhir Mungantiwar ji and the Maharashtra Forest Department in all their initiatives for a greener Mumbai," Tandon added. A programme to welcome Tandon as the brand ambassador will be held in the first week of September when the new website of SGNP and a Jan Dhan-Van Dhan shop will also be inaugurated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After creating waves in festival circuits abroad, 'III Smoking Barrels'- a multilingual film exploring the trials and tribulations of Northeast people - is set to win hearts of audiences across the country. Speaking at the official trailer launch of the film here, critically acclaimed actor Subrat Dutt said one of the striking features of 'III Smoking Barrels' is that everyone gets to speak their own language. "The multi-starrer film has actors from Manipur, Nagaland and Assam speaking their native languages. There are eight songs in different languages, including Bengali and Hindi, some of which have been rendered by Papon," Dutt told PTI yesterday. Talking about his role in the film, the actor said he tried his best to do justice to his character. "I essay the role of a poacher, his name is Moktar. The film touches upon the complexities of the northeast. I tried to deliver the shots based on my own idea about how a person should react in certain situations," the 'Rakta Charitra' actor added. Actor Indraneil Sengupta, who has a pivotal role in 'III Smoking Barrels', told PTI that director Sanjib Dey sought to address issues of gun use, armed conflict and poaching in three intertwined tales. "It is a northeast (centric) film talking about vital issues. Honestly speaking, even I wasn't very aware of many of these problems that we talked about in this movie," he said. Stating that it was a film which gives out an emotional message, Sengupta said not many people in the country know about the problems faced by people in the northeast region. "I have seen that many people in Mumbai don't know much about that part of the country. This film aims to bridge the gap," he said, Director Sanjib Dey said the film has been extensively shot in Assam and its neighbouring states. "It is a multilingual film in the real sense of the term as the actors have spoken in six languages - Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, Nagamese, Manipuri and English. The film tells the stories common people, their sufferings and turn around," he added. 'III Smoking Barrels' has already won awards and accolades at 12th Mexico International Film Festival, 2018, 38th Durban International Festival and 7th Prag Cine Awards. The film is set to hit theatres on September 21. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Austrian court today sentenced an Afghan man to life in prison for fatally stabbing his teenage sister 28 times in a so-called "honour" killing. The man, in his early twenties, pleaded guilty to murdering his younger sister in September 2017. He received the maximum penalty. The victim, who was aged around 17 or 18, had fled domestic violence at the hands of both her father and brother and sought refuge in a shelter when her brother found her and confronted her on her way to school. The motive came from a "wrongheaded sense of honour that is not in line with the values of central European society", judge Stefan Apostol was quoted by Austrian agency APA as saying. The man, who came to Vienna in 2013, is appealing the sentence. "I want to ask for forgiveness. I committed a crime," the perpetrator, who was not named, was quoted as saying in court Wednesday, adding that he did it "because of the culture". A recent report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) examined hundreds of cases in which women were murdered, including many in which the killings were carried out in the name of so-called "honour". In such cases, women are killed -- often by male relatives -- for bringing what is described as "shame" on the family. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The top commander for US and NATO forces in Afghanistan said today that warring parties now have an "unprecedented" opportunity for peace, and insisted President Donald Trump's strategy for the beleaguered country is working. General John Nicholson, the outgoing commander of NATO's Resolute Support mission, spoke to Pentagon reporters a year after Trump unveiled his Afghanistan strategy, which increased the US troop presence and now includes a renewed push to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. "We have an unprecedented opportunity, or window of opportunity, for peace right now," Nicholson said. Despite a wave of violence that has rocked Afghanistan and its capital Kabul in recent weeks, killing scores of civilians and Afghan security forces, Nicholson said he was seeing signs of hope. "There's been progress on the peace process," he said, pointing to a short ceasefire in June, the first since the US-led invasion in 2001 that toppled the Taliban regime. On Sunday, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani unveiled another ceasefire offer, saying security forces would observe the truce beginning this week -- but only if the militants reciprocated. "So far we've not heard if the Taliban will accept or reject this ceasefire," Nicholson said. The June ceasefire spurred hopes that a new path was opening for possible peace talks. The Taliban have long insisted on direct talks with Washington and refused to negotiate with the Afghan government, which they see as illegitimate. In June, Washington indicated a change in its longstanding policy, with US officials meeting Taliban representatives in Doha in July. But Nicholson stressed that any peace talks must ultimately be "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned." "The US is prepared to support, facilitate and participate in these discussions," he said. This month has seen an extraordinarily violent series of events including an attack that saw the Taliban storm the provincial capital of Ghazni -- just a two-hour drive from Kabul. Militants held large parts of the city for days and Afghan forces needed US air power to push them back. But Western officials point to such attacks as showing that the Taliban is actually struggling, because they are unable to hold ground for long. Though Nicholson said Trump's Afghanistan strategy is working, he acknowledged the increased influence of terror groups including the Islamic State group. "With respect to ISIS, that is a concern," he said. "ISIS did not exist in Afghanistan three years ago, so it is a new dynamic." Nicholson is being rotated of Afghanistan after serving more than two years. He will be replaced next month by Lieutenant General Scott Miller, who has for two years headed up the secretive Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and has lengthy experience working with some of America's most elite fighters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : A 22-year old girl student of a state-run agriculture college near here today accused an assistant professor of sexually harassing her. A second year B Sc Agriculture student and hostel inmate of Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vazhavachanur, she said she rejected his advances. In brief remarks, she told reporters that she was sexually harassed by the assistant professor. He lured her, saying that she could come up in life if she cooperated with him, which she rejected. The student today recorded her statement before Principal District Judge G Mahizhenthi and an initial probe was done by Tiruvannamalai Rural police. The institution is a constituent college of state run Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Mahizhenthi told reporters: "It is anguishing that the Assistant professor has behaved in such a despicable manner." The Judge said the varsity has been directed to transfer the student to another agricultural college. Also, he said police have been ordered to initiate tough legal action. A senior district police official told PTI: "We have done a preliminary investigation and inspected the college and hostel premises. A further probe is on and appropriate legal action is being taken." The girl's allegation comes months after a woman assistant professor of a college in southern Tamil Nadu was arrested for allegedly seeking sexual favours for higher officials. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telecom major Bharti Airtel today launched international roaming packs starting from Rs 196 for its pre-paid customers for 20 countries, including the US, the UK and China. The packs offer limited local calling, incoming calls and outgoing calls to India, according to a company statement. "Starting as low as Rs 196, these voice call packs are available for most popular travel destinations...with these packs customers will now be able to make and receive free local calls and outgoing calls to India," Airtel said in a statement. Customers have the option of choosing from three voice calling packs, starting at Rs 196 for 20 minutes with seven days validity, followed by Rs 296 for 40 minutes and Rs 446 for 75 minutes with 30 days and 90 days validity. The plans will be available to customers travelling to UAE, Nepal, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Canada, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, France, Netherlands and Thailand as well. Happy to share that Airtel is the first telco in the country to have designed these value offers for prepaid customers," Vani Venkatesh, Chief Marketing Officer, Bharti Airtel said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Alphons Kannanthanam, who has been regularly sharing details about the devastating floods in Kerala on social media, today became a butt of jokes after posting pictures of himself sleeping at a relief camp in the southernstate. "I slept at a relief camp last night in Changanacherry. Most people didn't sleep thinking of a uncertain tomorrow," he tweeted today tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah among others. The minister was being trolled by twitterati for posing for the picture. "Ji, we know you are sleeping. But since you posted, you can also reply?" said a Facebook user in reaction to his post. Another comment read, "Saar, in this third photo, one eye is not fully closed. Please delete or it's a loss of honour for us. People will say that you're looking at the camera like Modiji, so please delete the last photo". Even as the minister clarified that the photo was uploaded by his personal staff, social media users kept poking fun at him. "When we are already in the pits, here you are showing off your antics. Get up and go, saarey!" a post read. "We have heard of sleepwalking. Have also seen it in person during our hostel days. But it's for the first time that we're seeing someone posting pictures of themselves sleeping on Facebook when they are sleeping. Even in the midst of this flood disaster, this man will make us die of laughter," added another user. The pictures were liked by 590 users on Twitter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has urged the Centre to seek access for Sikh pilgrims to the Kartarpur Sahib shrine in Pakistan, an issue which his minister Navjot Sidhu said figured briefly during his visit to Islamabad. He urged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to take up the matter with her Pakistan counterpart so that devotees can visit the historic gurdwara during the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, a Punjab government statement said today. In a letter to the Union minister, the chief minister has asked her to make a personal effort on the issue, saying it has been a longstanding demand of the Sikh community. He suggested that a Dera Baba Nanak-Kartarpur Sahib corridor across the international border can be opened for the duration of the celebrations. Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur district. Sidhu had mentioned the corridor at his press conference yesterday, on his return from Islamabad where he had gone to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Sidhu defended hugging Pakistan's army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa at that ceremony, saying it was an emotional response after the general told him that Pakistan was making efforts to establish the corridor. The hug had been criticised by the opposition as well as Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. In his letter, the chief minister reminded that the 550th birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, who breathed his last in Kartarpur, is being observed in November 2019. "The Government of Punjab has been requesting Government of India time and again for taking up the matter with the Government of Pakistan for a corridor from the international border to Kartarpur," he wrote. He said the then prime minister Manmohan Singh too had given assurances on the corridor during his visits to Punjab. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said he was touched by the overwhelming gratitude shown by the people of flood-hit Kerala in response to the relief extended by his government for the southern state. Singh made the remarks in response to a video purportedly showing people of Kerala raising slogans in favour of Punjab while collecting relief material sent by the latter. "Touched by the overwhelming gratitude of the people of Kerala for our small contribution to #KeralaFloodsRelief. We in Punjab will continue to do our best to assist in their relief and rehabilitation," Amarinder tweeted today. Singh later said he felt truly humbled by the appreciation shown by the people of Kerala to the small gesture made by his government. It was the duty of every Indian to come forward to join the relief efforts in Kerala, which had been devastated by unprecedented floods, according to an official release. The chief minister had last week announced an assistance worth Rs 10 crore to the Kerala government, including financial aid of Rs 5 crore which had been transferred to the Kerala CM's Relief Fund. Singh said his government would mobilise further relief material, as needed, after ascertaining the specific requirements of the local administration in the southern state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Facing allegations of getting undue benefits from the multi-billion dollar Rafale deal, Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group has sent legal notices to several Congress leaders asking them to "cease and desist" from levelling such charges, which was promptly dubbed by the party as evidence of a "nexus between the BJP and the corporate world". The Congress leaders said they will not be scared or silenced by such notices, which have been sent to several spokespersons and other leaders of the party. The notices have been served amid a month-long offensive planned by the Congress on the Rafale deal under which top party leaders will be holding press conferences and demonstrations across the country targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government. Reliance Group has denied the allegations relating to the deal under which France's Dassault is supplying the fighter jets and has entered into a joint venture with a Anil Ambani-led group firm to meet its offset requirement of the contract. Ambani recently wrote to Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the deal saying his party has been "misinformed, misdirected and misled" by "malicious vested interests and corporate rivals" on the issue. Gandhi has been attacking the government for allegedly inking the deal at a much higher price than the one the previous UPA regime had negotiated to benefit "one businessman". Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Congress MP Sunil Jakhar said he has received the notice asking him to refrain from "making allegations" on the Rafale deal. Jakhar, however, asserted that the Rafale matter was a serious national security issue for his party and alleged the legal notice was the result of a "nexus between the BJP and the corporate world". The Punjab Congress chief and Lok Sabha member, who had raised the issue in Parliament as well, said, "I reiterate, my aeroplane making skills (as demonstrated in Lok Sabha) are better than yours", as he tweeted a picture of a paper plane made from the notice. "It is a dark day for the democracy. An industrialist serving legal notice to an elected representative is a serious issue," Jakhar said while asserting that the Congress will continue to fight the nexus between capitalists and BJP. The Congress leaders said the notices have been issued by Mumbai-based advocates on behalf of Reliance firms to Randeep Surjewala, Ashok Chavan, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Sunil Jakhar among others, saying they were making "derogatory and defamatory statements in the press and electronic media in relation to the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft by India from France in a government-to-government contract." The notices have come days before a series of press conferences lined by the Congress across the country from August 25 to September 6 on Rafale deal. The party has also planned district and state-level agitations starting September 7. The cautionary 'cease and desist' notice as been served on behalf of three group firms -- Reliance Infrastructure, Reliance Defence and Reliance Aerostructure Ltd. "As a cautionary measure, our clients strongly urge you to avoid, cease and desist from making any unverified, speculative, incorrect, false, frivolous, misleading derogatory and defamatory statements against them on such a sensitive subject relating to national security," one Congress leader quoted from the notice. "At the same time our clients reserve the right to take recourse to all remedies available to them under the law of land for the protection of their name, brand, reputation and goodwill in case of any scurrilous statements being made against them," the notice further said. Asked about the notice, Congress spokesperson Shaktising Gohil said at an AICC briefing that he has received two such notices. He said one was received earlier and the another one was received yesterday, which claim he has caused loss to the company to the extent of Rs 50,000 crore. "I had received a notice earlier and had sent a reply saying whatever has been stated is on the basis of documents in public domain. The notices show that the prime minister is worried and is now getting back at the Congress by serving such notices," he said. Gohil said Congress leaders are placing on record information already in public domain and are speaking out in the national interest against alleged corruption in the deal. "We want to assure all industrialists that we are not against those who are doing business honestly. We are with them. We will not be cowed down by anyone and neither fear from anyone and will continue to highlight the corruption in the Rafale deal," he told reporters. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said she has been served a notice too. "The promptness that they have shown to send these notices is similar to their eagerness to manufacture defence aircrafts as soon as they formed a company and Modi government obliged. But will not be subdued and silenced till we don't get our answers on the scam," he said. Another Congress leader Jaiveer Shergill said he has received the notice too, threatening him with legal consequences if he speaks on Rafale deal. "My reply - I am a Congress soldier, a proud Punjabi who does not get scared with such notices - taxpayer of this country deserves to know why they paid extra Rs 42000 crore. The fact that Anil Ambani sent us a notice exposes that there is something fishy in the Rafale deal," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Apple has hired 3,500 people for their development centre in Hyderabad and is expected to take the number to 5,000 eventually, said a senior Telangana Government official on Wednesday. "Apple has taken 3,500 people so far for their development centre in Hyderabad. They will totally hire 5000 people eventually. There is no time frame for that (to achieve 5000 headcount)," Jayesh Ranjan principal Secretary IT and Industries told PTI. The Cupertino, California-based tech giant in May last year opened it development centre that will focus on development of Maps for its products, including iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. The Californian firm had then said the investment in the facility will accelerate Maps development and create up to 4,000 jobs. Meanwhile, Jayesh Ranjan on Wednesday inaugurated Pactera Technologies' first office in India. The Hyderabad office of Pactera Technologies reflects its strategic focus on becoming an industry leading provider of IT services on a global scale, a press release from the company said. The new office can seat 150 people in Phase 1 and additional 300 people in Phase 2. The abundant talent that is currently part of Pactera would help contribute much more to the digital and innovation world, which would also help them grow to 3,000 people organization in the next 2-3 years, it added. Italian actor Asia Argento, one of the first women to publicly accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault, has denied a report that she had a sexual relationship with an underage male and later paid him off. A New York Times report claims she secretly paid off a young male actor, who was 17 at the time. The actor later accused her of sexual misconduct in the months after her revelations about Weinstein. Argento 42, said the assault never happened. However, she did say a payment was made to child actor Jimmy Bennett by her then-boyfriend, the late Anthony Bourdain, who thought it would be prudent to deal with the matter privately as they were already in the middle of the Weinstein scandal. Bourdain "I strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article dated 20 August 2018, as circulated also in national and international I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett," she said in a statement obtained by journalist Yashar Ali. Argento said Benett was going through severe financial problems and after her exposure in the Weinstein case, "unexpectedly made an exorbitant request of money from me". "Bennett knew my boyfriend, Anthony Bourdain, was a man of great perceived wealth and had his own reputation as a beloved public figure to protect. Antony [sic] insisted the matter be handled privately and this was also what Bennett wanted," she said, adding that the chef was afraid it would bring negativity to their life. This is, therefore, the umpteenth development of a sequence of events that brings me great sadness and that constitutes a long-standing persecution. I have therefore no other choice but to oppose such false allegations and will assume in the short term all necessary initiatives for my protection before all competent venues." Bourdain committed suicide in June this year. Bennett, now 22, a prolific child actor, worked with Argento in 2004's "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things", which she also wrote and directed. Bennett played Argento's son in the film. The allegations against Argento have shocked many in the industry and are being considered as the first major challenge for the #MeToo movement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Assam MP Badruddin Ajmal has filed a police complaint, alleging that he has received extortion calls demanding Rs 1 crore from a former Deoband MLA, a senior official said today. Ajmal filed the police complaint three days ago in New Delhi district and the accused was arrested later, the official said. The MP claimed in his complaint that the accused had been calling him up for the past two years. He used to ask the MP to write a piece of land, the latter owned in Deoband, in his name or else transfer Rs 1 crore, the official added. The former MLA had threatened the MP of dire consequences. Subsequently, Ajmal approached the police and a case was registered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The fate of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will be decided when the state goes for by-elections in two Assembly constituencies tomorrow. Sangma, currently a member of Parliament from Tura, is contesting from the South-Tura seat in West Garo Hills district on ruling National People's Party (NPP) ticket to enter the state Assembly. Son of former chief minister Purno Sangma, he became the chief minister on March 6 with the support of regional parties and the BJP. Sangma is pitted against Congress' Charlotte W Momin and independents John Leslee K Sangma and Chris Kabul A Sangma. In Ranikor Assembly constituency in South West Khasi Hills district NPP's Martin M Danggo will face UDP candidate Pius Marwein, PDF chairman P N Syiem and Congress candidate Jackiush Sangma. According to an election official, South Tura constituency has 30,231 voters -- 14,846 men and 15,351 women -- in 36 polling stations. The Ranikor constituency has 65 polling stations with 29,685 eligible voters -- 15,183 men and 14,487 women, he said. Voting will take place from 7 am to 5 pm and the counting of votes will be held on August 27, he said. The by-elections in the two seats have been necessitated following the resignations of former five-time Ranikor MLA Martin M Danggo, who joined the NPP, and MLA of South Tura, Agatha K Sangma to make space for his brother Conrad Sangma. Security has been tightened for the bypolls with deployment of four companies of the Central Armed Police Force each in both the constituencies, the official said. The BSF has been asked to keep extra vigil as Ranikor constituency as it borders Bangladesh, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man stabbed several people in eastern Belgium today, killing at least one in an attack that wasn't terror-related, a mayor and media reports said. Thierry Wimmer, the mayor of Plombieres, said that there were "several victims," while local media reported at least one dead and several injured after a knife-wielding man entered a restaurant in the town of Moresnet-Chapelle and started attacking people. Moresnet is part of the Plombieres region and is close to the eastern city of Liege. Wimmer said on his Facebook page that "this act does not present any terrorist character" and is likely a domestic dispute. He said even though there was a police cordon in the area, there was no more danger. But it wasn't immediately clear if the attacker was in custody. Media had earlier showed scenes of police sealing off streets in Moresnet-Chapelle shortly after the attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Homegrown premium custom motorcycle maker, Avanturaa Choppers on Wednesday announced market availability of its two models -- Rudra and Pravega -- which are priced at Rs 2.39 million and Rs 2.14 million (ex-showroom, Mumbai). The company had recently received ARAI certification for the two models, which are powered by 2,000cc, with vehicle length of 10 feet and 9 feet, Avanturaa Choppers said in a statement. With the opening of the company's first showroom in Bengaluru on Wednesday, customers can contact for with enquiries, it added. "The distribution network is now slated to expand to Delhi NCR and Hyderabad," it added. Avanturaa ChoppersCEO Gaurav A Aggarwal said, "The growing culture of leisure-riding in India and the number of connoisseurs pioneering it, give us confidence that the market is ready for Avanturaa Choppers." Last year, while announcing the plans to bring the two models to the Indian market, Aggarwal stated that the two models were developed from ground-up targeting the evolving riding community in India. Avanturaa Choppers had also roped in Kevin Alsop, founder of Big Bear Choppers, (USA) as the Chief Design Engineer of the brand. Bakrid was today marked by special prayers at mosques in Kerala for those who lost their lives in the rains and floods and those who continue to suffer due to the unprecedented deluge in the state. Hundreds of faithful thronged the mosques across the ravaged state in large numbers to mark the festival of sacrifice. In Tamil Nadu too, prayers were offered for the well-being of those affected due to the floods in the neighbouring state. The number of special eidgahs in Kerala was comparatively low at many places in the wake of the low-lying areas still inundated and the ongoing rescue-and-relief operations. At many mosques, volunteers were seen collecting donations for the flood-hit people from the devotees. Giving out the festival messages, religious scholars and clerics urged the faithful to contribute generously to rebuild the lives of the flood-hit people. Moulavi V P Suhaib, Imam of the Palamyam Juma Masjid here, urged the people to extend all possible help to those affected. "A large number of people are suffering due to the floods, help them, extend all possible support to them," he said, while leading the eidgah at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium here. The Imam also urged the faithful to donate the money they had kept aside for the celebrations to the affected people. Latheef, hailing from Kollam district, said it was a low-key Bakrid this year. "We had a special prayer at the mosque for the departed souls. We were urged by the cleric to offer ourselves to help those suffering due to the floods," he said. Maiza, a non-resident Keralite woman, who came here from the Gulf to celebrate Bakrid, said her family had decided not to buy new clothes or prepare any special delicacies to mark the festival. "It used to be a colourful occasion. But this time, we have decided to keep it a low-key affair to express our solidarity with the people in distress," the homemaker said. With Kerala being hit hard by the torrential rains, Muslims across Tamil Nadu offered prayers for those affected in the deluge on the occasion of Bakrid. Indian Union Muslim League Tamil Nadu state general secretary Abubucker said donations were collected in all the districts of Tamil Nadu where the prayers took place. Mosques in Chennai, especially at Pulianthope, Royapettah, Triplicane and Thousand lights, saw large number of the faithful offering prayers and donations. The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam collected funds at places where it organised Bakrid celebrations, a leader said. Haj committee leader Aboobacker said "It is a day to celebrate the importance of sacrifice and tolerance. Muslims must take this day as an opportunity to visit their brothers and sisters belonging to other religions and share food and ensure that people live in harmony. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all varsities and higher institutions to ban sale of on their campuses. "Banning in colleges will set new standards for healthy food, making the students live better, learn better and reduce obesity levels. This will prevent lifestyle diseases which have a direct link with excessive weight," the said in a communication to the universities. The circular was issued after a directive from the HRD ministry, asking the to ban the sale of on premises of higher institutions. "You are requested to ensure strict adherence to the advisory. Create awareness among the younger generation who are vulnerable," it added. A similar move was made earlier by the Central Board of Secondary (CBSE) which had directed all affiliated schools to take junk food off their canteen menu. At the time, schools were also asked to inspect lunch boxes of students, create awareness about nutritious food and regularly monitor students' health. The circular was released following a report by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on consumption of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) and promotion of healthy snacks in schools. By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 21, 2018 | 08:45 PM | MAYFIELD Mayfield authorities are asking for the public's help in finding a stolen trailer. The Mayfield Police Department says a 6x10 trailer was stolen from a home on Parker Street between the hours of 12:00 am and 7:00 am on Tuesday. According to police, the trailer has a brake light out on the driver's side. The trailer also has a new wooden floor. Anyone with information on the theft or the location of the trailer is asked to contact the Mayfield Police Department. Bengaluru FC went down fighting 2-3 against Turkmenistan side Altyn Asyr in an enthralling AFC Cup Inter-Zone semifinal here today. The first half belonged to Asyr as they found the target twice before going into the break. The star performer for the visitors was Vahyt Orazsakhedov who scored twice in the match. He and Altymyrat Annadurdyyev bulged the net in the 11th and 25th minute. Vahyt scored Asyr's third goal and his second in the 46th minute. BFC had three chances in the first half but all went awry. First, Nishu Kumar failed to find the target in the 40th minute from the centre of the box following a corner. In the 41st and 42nd minutes, Miku and Sunil Chhetri also missed the target. In contrast, the second half belonged to BFC who made constant forays into the visitors' danger zone, and got two goals. Six minutes into the second half, the home side missed yet another chance through Xisco Hernndez, when his left-footed shot from outside the box flew high and wide to the left of the post. Once again, Xisco missed a left-footed shot from the centre of the box after he received the ball from Rino Anto in the 54th minute. BFC managed to get one goal through Rahul Bheke's left-footed shot following a corner in the 63rd minute. BFC reduced the margin in the 88th minute after Erik Paartalu's header from the centre of the box found the target. He was assisted by Udanta Singh with a cross. Earlier, Asyr blasted their first goal in the 11th minute through Vahyt Orazsakhedov's header, assisted by Selim Nurmuradov. The visitors would have scored their second goal but for the brilliant save by Gurpreet Sandhu as he collected the ball off Furkat Tursunov's left-footed shot from the centre of the box in the 24th minute. However, Gurpreet could not save Vahyt-assisted Altymyrat Annadurdyyev right-footed shot from the left side of the box in the next minute. In the 46th minute, Asyr got their third goal through Vahyt's left-footed shot from the left side of the box, assisted by Altymyrat Annadurdyyev. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP's state unit condoled today the brutal killing of party worker Shabir Ahmad Bhat by suspected militants in Pulwama, saying his sacrifice will not go in vain. BJP national vice-president Avinash Rai Khanna led the party in condoling Bhat's killing and said such "ruthless and barbaric acts" would "lead to the end of militancy". Khanna, who is also the incharge of the party in the state, went to Bhat's residence in Pulwama along with several party leaders to express their "grief" and solidarity with Bhat's family. The other leaders, who accompanied Khanna to Pulwama, included state BJP's general secretary Yudhvir Sethi and vice-president and MLC Sofi Yousuf. The bullet-riddled body of Shabir Ahmad Bhat was found in the fields at Rakh-e-Litter area of Kupwara, a police official said. Bhat was abducted by suspected terrorists last night, he said. Condemning Bhat's killing, Sethi termed it as a cowardly act and vowed to "act tough with terrorism" and avenge the killing. He said those involved in his killing would be nabbed soon and brought to justice. Describing Bhat as a "martyr", MLC Yousuf rued that the militants resorted to the "ghastly act" on the pious occasion of Bakrid, bringing grief to his family and "all of us in the party". The party state unit also organised a condolence meet here at its headquarters and paid glowing tributes to the slain party man. BJP state president Ravinder Raina (MLA) said Bhat's killers "have no religion" and respect for the festival of Eid-ul-Azha, which "spreads love and peace not hatred." The other leaders, who paid tributes to Bhat included former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta, vice-president Rajeev Charak and general secretaries Ashok Kaul and Narinder Singh of the party's state unit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A procession of an urn containing the ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was taken out by the BJP today in Bhopal. State unit BJP president Rakesh Singh brought the urn from Delhi this afternoon in a special flight, which was received by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the Raja Bhoj airport. The urn was then put on a truck bedecked with flowers and was taken to the state BJP headquarters, a distance of around 15 kms, in a procession. Apart from BJP leaders and workers, hundreds of common people joined the procession in different areas. A BJP leader said the urn would be kept at the state party headquarters--Deendayal Parisar--here for the people to pay respect. The ashes will be immersed into ten rivers in various parts of the state in the coming days. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah handed over urns containing the ashes to state unit chiefs of the party. Vajpayee, 93, died at the AIIMS hospital in Delhi due to prolonged illness on August 16. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A procession of an urn containing the ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was taken out today by the BJP from the Raipur airport to the old BJP office in the city. State unit BJP president Dharamlal Kaushik brought the urn from Delhi this afternoon, which was received by Chief Minister Raman Singh, Cabinet ministers and BJP leaders at the Swami Vivekanand airport. The urn was then put on a specially designed rath (chariot) and taken to the old state BJP headquarters 'Ekatm Parisar', a distance of around 13 kms, in a procession. Chief Minister Raman Singh and other leaders sat on the chariot carrying the urn. A large number of BJP workers and common people followed the chariot from the airport to its destination. People showered flowers on the chariot when it passed through various areas amidst chanting of slogans hailing Vajpayee. After the urn reached the Ekatma Parisar, a condolence meeting was held. The urn will be kept in the town hall here for public darshan tomorrow between 9 AM and 11 AM. The ashes will be immersed in the Triveni Sangam (confluence of three rivers) at Rajim town, around 45 kms from here, tomorrow afternoon. The chief minister, state BJP chief and state ministers will take part in the "asthi visarjan" ritual. Meanwhile, the urns containing ashes were handed over to BJP presidents of 27 districts after the condolence meeting was held at the Ekatm Parisar. These urns will be kept at district BJP offices tomorrow where all-party prayer meetings will be held before they are finally immersed in various rivers. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah handed over urns containing the ashes to state unit chiefs of the party. Vajpayee, 93, died at the AIIMS hospital in Delhi due to prolonged illness on August 16. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A BJP worker was found dead today after he was kidnapped by suspected terrorists in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The bullet-riddled body of Shabir Ahmad Bhat was found in the fields at Rakh-e-Litter area of Kupwara, a police official said. Bhat was abducted by suspected terrorists last night, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After a fire broke out in a Mumbai highrise this morning, ten-year-old Zen Sadavarte showed her presence of mind by employing safety tips she had learnt at school to ensure that her family and neighbours remained safe. Zen stays with her parents and a brother on the 16th floor in the 17-storey Crystal Tower building at Parel in central Mumbai. A student of Class VI of Don Bosco School in suburban Matunga, Zen recalled and put to use the fire safety tips she had learnt during a school project in Class III, which ensured her family and others remained safe until the fire brigade personnel arrived. The blaze, which broke out on the 12th floor of the posh residential building, killed four people and injured at least 16 others. Zen said she was sleeping when her parents, who spotted smoke and woke her up. "Since it was a holiday today on account of Eid, I slept a bit longer. My parents woke me up and when they opened the kitchen window, the entire flat was filled with smoke. My neighbours and a few others had gathered by the time," she said. "I saw everybody on the floor was panicked, frustrated and disturbed due to the fire... All of us went to our neighbouring flat in search of safe place, where I asked them to be calm and not to get disturbed," Zen told PTI. "With the help of cotton, water and cloth pieces we made purifiers and handed them over to all the people in the flat," Zen added. "I asked everyone to keep the purifiers on their mouth. This stopped them from suffocating due to smoke and they were able to breath well, preventing inhalation of carbon dioxide," she said. When a cotton piece is soaked in water, you can breath almost normally as carbon molecules are separated by the water. Besides, she also advised them to wash their head so that they do not panick, Zen said. "It was a time of panic... I told my neighbours to shut the power supply, stay calm and breath easy," she said. "I also asked them to sit down and find a safe place. We all tried this for a few minutes. After some time, the fire brigade personnel arrived and all of us were rescued," she said. "I learnt all this during a project when my teacher Snehal ma'am taught me lessons of dos and don'ts in a project of disaster management during fire. I am happy that whatever I learnt in a school project was useful in saving many lives," she said. Her father, advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte, said he was proud of his daughter as she played an important role in saving the lives. "She used ancient technique, which she learnt in a school project and I am thankful to her teachers," he said. Zen said, "I won't exactly say that I saved their lives, I just advised them what to do. Around 16-17 people did this and then we all were saved by the fire brigade cranes." Praising Zen for her bravery and ability to hold her nerve, one of her neighbours said, "We are thankful to her as she came to our rescue before the fire brigade personnel arrived to rescue us." "We were panicked. We followed her advise otherwise anything could have happened," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bru people lodged in relief camps in Tripura today cancelled their proposed protest rally in Mizoram's Mamit district as the administration did not give them permission to hold the rally, police said. The inmates of the relief camps in North Tripura district, under the aegis of a newly-formed Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Coordination Committee (MBDPCC) had asked for permission for holding a rally between Kanhmun an Zawlnuam villages, but the permission was not given by the Mamit district administration, police said. The permission for the rally was not granted as district administration apprehend that the rally may heighten communal tension, officials said. The MBDPCC, a breakaway group of the Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) is opposed to the agreement of July 3 in which the Centre, Mizoram and Tripura governments and MBDPF were signatories. The agreement stated that all the Bru refugees were to be repatriated before September 30. The agreement stipulated that Rs four lakh for each repatriated Bru family would be deposited in the bank account of the head of the family which would mature after three years and payment of Rs 1.5 lakh as housing assistance. Each repatriated Bru family would be given Rs 5,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer every month and a free ration for two years. Thousands of Brus are lodged in the Tripura relief camps since late 1997 in the wake of a communal tension triggered by the brutal murder of Lalzawmliana, a forest guard inside the Dampa Tiger Reserve on October 21, 1997 by Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) militants. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A businessman was allegedly robbed of his car at gunpoint by four unidentified men in northwest Delhi's Shalimar Bagh, police said today. The incident took place in front of a supermarket in Shalimar Bagh in the early hours on August 19. Amit Malhotra (25) and his friend were seated inside the the car, when four men arrived there. One of the accused threatened to shoot Malhotra if he and his friend did not step out of the car, police said. Fearing for his life, Malhotra and his friend stepped out of the car and the accused fled after snatching his phone, they said. The entire incident has been captured on CCTV and a case has been registered in connection with the matter, police said, adding they have got some clues and the accused would be nabbed soon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Calling for immediate scrapping of Walmart-Flipkart deal, the newly elected governing council of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Jammu called for 'Bharat trade bandh' on September 28. "We call for immediate scrapping of Walmart-Flipkart deal. To send a strong note of dissent against such policies of the government, we have decided to observe Bharat trade bandh on 28th of September, if this deal is not scrapped," Vice President CAIT and President of Chamber of Traders Federation Jammu Neeraj Anand told reporters here today. The onslaught of deep pocket retail giants like Walmart is a real threat to the existence of small and medium traders, these big capitalist backed entities exploit loopholes in laws and play havoc with local economy to benefit their masters sitting in foreign lands, Anand added. Sharing details of the program chalked out to oppose such deals, he said, "CAIT immediately after electing its New Governing body has decided to launch All India Rath Yatra on 15th of September". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canada's opposition leader Andrew Scheer has said that he plans to visit India to try to "repair and strengthen" bilateral ties six months after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's "disastrous" state visit to the country "damaged" the relations. Conservative Leader Scheer will take his team to India for nine days in October. He has plans to meet with senior government officials, business leaders and civil society and faith leaders, in a bid to shore up support among Canada's large Indian diaspora ahead of next year's general election here. The legislative elections in Canada are due to take place on October 21, 2019 and Trudeau announced he will run for re-election. "Standing with a united India is Canada's gateway to unprecedented human and economic development, and an essential alliance for Canada to strengthen in the face of shared threats," Scheer was quoted as saying by the Global He also praised India for being the world's largest democracy and having one of the fastest-growing economies, saying the country "in recent years is transforming into a rising power in the vast Indo-Pacific region and beyond." "A Conservative government will dramatically expand the strategic relationship between our countries and our peoples and advance our shared security, prosperity and values. Unfortunately, Trudeau's disastrous trip to India damaged this key relationship and we must now work to repair it." Trudeau's nine-day sojourn to India last February is likely one the Liberals wish they could erase after numerous missteps damaged his reputation both at home and abroad, the report added. There's no itinerary yet available for what Conservative officials say will be a business-oriented trip by Scheer, with no Taj Mahal photo ops, the report said. Brock Harrison, a spokesman for Scheer, said India is "an important strategic partner for Canada for a number of reasons," adding that Scheer believes there is "work to do" to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. India is one of the world's fastest growing economies, displacing France for sixth place among the world's nations last year, yet trade with Canada remains sluggish. In 2012, the former Conservative government set a goal of increasing two-way trade to 15 billion dollars by 2015. In 2017, it was about 8.4 billion dollars. Canada is home to over 1.2 million Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) who comprise more than 3 per cent of its population. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A car belonging to the son of the SHO of Naraina police station was allegedly snatched by an unidentified person in Dwarka today, police said. They said CCTV footage and examination of a few eyewitnesses revealed that the accused was a man in his early 20s. The accused found the car parked outside a DDA pocket in Dwarka with the key in ignition and the gate open, the police said. Taking advantage of the situation, the accused sat in the car and as he was driving away with it, the victim tried to stop him. The accused then intimidated him with a weapon and sped away, they said. A case has been registered and the matter is being investigated, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Villagers attacked a group of policemen when they tried to prevent illegal cow slaughter on Eid ul Adha today in Jharkhand's Pakur district, leaving four cops injured, police said. Cow slaughter was banned in Jharkhand in 2015. The state government had on August 18 directed deputy commissioners of all districts to ensure that cattle is not slaughtered on Eid ul-Adha. Replying to a query, DIG, Santhal Paraganas, Raj Kumar Lakra said that cow slaughter had occurred in the village. He told PTI that a police team had rushed to Dangapara village under Maheshpur police station of Pakur district following a tip off about cattle slaughter and faced brickbatting by the villagers. Four policemen suffered minor injuries and were taken to a nearby primary health centre. Doctors referred them to the Pakur sadar hospital for better treatment, he said. Senior officials including the district Superintendent of Police, Shailendra Prasad Burnwal, rushed to the spot along with additional forces to maintain law and order, Lakra said, adding "the situation is well under control". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special CBI court has allowed the Adarsh Housing Society to withdraw Rs 1 crore from its bank accounts after accepting as security the plot of the 31-storey building here that is caught in a dispute over flat allotments and environmental clearance. Special CBI Judge P K Sharma ordered for defreezing the society's three bank accounts earlier this month, so that the applicant (the society) can use the money for maintenance of the building and the litigation cost. The CBI had freezed these bank accounts in January 2011 after registering a case against 14 accused, including several members of the society. The plush 31-storey building, located at Colaba in south Mumbai, is embroiled in a controversy since 2011 with the Centre ordering for its demolition for violating environmental norms and the Defence Ministry claiming ownership of the land where the building stands. The CBI court accepted the bond submitted by the society, keeping the land in which the building stands as security. "The society's secretary, Ramchandra Thakur, has filed certified copy of survey register showing that the land is owned by the society. This land was alloted to the society by the state of Maharashtra on payment of Rs 12.61 crore. The security is sufficient," the court said in its order. In March, the CBI court had refused to accept the plot as security after holding that the disputed structure stands on the same land. The society then approached the Supreme Court, which directed the CBI court on July 31 to accept the security of the land and release money from the bank accounts. Earlier, the Bombay High Court had upheld in April 2016 the order passed by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest to demolish the building. The society had later approached the apex court which granted an interim stay on the demolition order in July 2016, pending final hearing of its appeal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition parties today alleged that the transfer of a senior CBI official probing the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal case may impact the investigation, a charge denied by ruling alliance partners JD(U) and BJP in Bihar. "So, after Bihar Governor, CM Nitish also got CBI SP transferred," RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav tweeted, attaching a document, which he said was a CBI transfer order for JP Mishra, Special Crime Branch SP, who was part of the team probing the Muzaffarpur case. Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik was yesterday appointed as governor of Jammu and Kashmir. The RJD has been attacking Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over some letters that Malik had written to him recently expressing concern over the case. Devendra Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP) at Anti Corruption Bureau, Lucknow, has been given the additional charge of the SCB in Patna, as per the order copy tweeted by Yadav. The CBI had last month taken over the inquiry into the alleged sexual abuse of girl inmates at government-funded shelter home at Muzaffarpur. Opposition RJD-Congress combine alleged that the transfer was a result of political interference with a view to influence the probe. However, the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance in Bihar rubbished the charge as a prejudiced view. They also challenged the opposition parties to move court if they had problems with the administrative reshuffle within the probe agency. The Congress also questioned the transfer with its MLC Prem Chand Mishra telling a channel that one can understand that reshuffles do happen, but the timing raises many questions. It is certain that J P Mishra's transfer at such a critical juncture would affect the investigation, he claimed. However, JD(U) MLC and spokesman Neeraj Kumar asked why was the RJD issuing statements in the media and expressing concerns on Twitter. If it feels that the transfer is a cause for concern, it should move the court, he said. The RJD should learn from the Nitish Kumar government, which had set an example by first recommending a CBI inquiry and thereafter, requesting the Patna High Court to monitor the probe, the JD(U) spokesman said. Tejashwi and other RJD leaders make so many rounds of courts seeking relief for their party supremo Lalu Prasad, who is convicted in a number of fodder scam cases. They can certainly approach the court on this issue if their concerns are genuine, he said sarcastically. BJP spokesman Rajib Ranjan also criticised the opposition parties' stance, asking how did they know that the probe will be adversely affected. The new officer may end up doing better than his predecessor. Why are they taking such a prejudiced view of an administrative exercise, he said. It appears that the opposition parties are feeling unsettled by the pace at which the investigation has proceeded. They are, therefore, trying to divert public attention by raising irrelevant questions, the BJP leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UN chief Antonio Guterres has appealed for global support for the victims of terrorism, saying it is a "moral imperative" to protect their rights and amplifying their voices will help to challenge the "narrative of hatred" that terrorism aims to spread. Recognising the impact of terrorism on the lives of ordinary people worldwide was the focus yesterday to mark the first International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution last December and proclaimed August 21 as the annual day to honour and support victims and survivors of terrorism. "Supporting victims and their families is a moral imperative, based on promoting, protecting and respecting their human rights," the UN Secretary General said. "Caring for victims and survivors and amplifying their voices helps to challenge the narrative of hatred and division that terrorism aims to spread. We need to provide victims with long-term assistance, including financial, legal, medical and psychosocial support," Guterres said. Terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to international peace and security, and Guterres pointed out that the UN, too, is frequently targeted. He recalled that this week marked the 15th anniversary of the bombing of the organisation's compound in Baghdad in which 22 people were killed, while some peacekeeping operations are under constant threat. Although more countries are being affected by terrorism, the UN said most victims can be found in just a handful, namely Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia and Syria. "But after terrorist attacks, we rarely hear about those who were killed and injured; the ordinary women, men, girls and boys, who were going about their daily business when their lives ended or were changed forever," Guterres said. "We rarely hear about their surviving families, friends and communities, who must learn to live with the burden of terrorism for their entire lives." "The victims of terrorism are some of the most important voices we have in countering this global menace," he said. The UN chief said the international day therefore serves as a reminder "to stop and listen to the victims and survivors of terrorism, to raise up their voices and recognise the impact terrorism has on their lives." He said terrorism is one of the most challenging issues today and a serious threat to international peace and security. "From Tajikistan to the United Kingdom, from Baghdad to Barcelona, these ruthless attacks have shaken us all to the core. No country can consider itself immune, with almost every nationality in the world falling victim to terrorist attacks," he said. When nations lift up the victims and survivors of terrorism, listen to their voices, respect their rights and provide them with support and justice, "we are honouring our common bonds, and reducing the lasting damage done by terrorists to individuals, families and communities," Guterres added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for global support for the victims of terrorism and their families, stressing that it is a "moral imperative" to protect their rights and amplifying their voices will help to challenge the narrative of hatred that terrorism aims to spread. Recognising the impact of terrorism on the lives of ordinary people worldwide was the focus yesterday to mark the first International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution last December and proclaimed August 21 as the annual day to honour and support victims and survivors of terrorism. "Supporting victims and their families is a moral imperative, based on promoting, protecting and respecting their human rights," the UN chief said yesterday. "Caring for victims and survivors and amplifying their voices helps to challenge the narrative of hatred and division that terrorism aims to spread. We need to provide victims with long-term assistance, including financial, legal, medical and psychosocial support." Terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to international peace and security, and Guterres pointed out that the UN, too, is regularly targeted. He recalled that this week marked the 15th anniversary of the bombing of the organisation's compound in Baghdad in which 22 people were killed, while some peacekeeping operations are under constant threat. Although more countries are being affected by terrorism, the UN said most victims can be found in just a handful, namely Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia and Syria. "But after terrorist attacks, we rarely hear about those who were killed and injured; the ordinary women, men, girls and boys, who were going about their daily business when their lives ended or were changed forever," Guterres said. "We rarely hear about their surviving families, friends and communities, who must learn to live with the burden of terrorism for their entire lives." The UN chief said the international day therefore serves as a reminder "to stop and listen to the victims and survivors of terrorism, to raise up their voices and recognise the impact terrorism has on their lives."He said terrorism is one of the most challenging issues today and a serious threat to international peace and security. "From Tajikistan to the United Kingdom, from Baghdad to Barcelona, these ruthless attacks have shaken us all to the core. No country can consider itself immune, with almost every nationality in the world falling victim to terrorist attacks," he said. He added that when nations lift up the victims and survivors of terrorism, listen to their voices, respect their rights and provide them with support and justice, "we are honouring our common bonds, and reducing the lasting damage done by terrorists to individuals, families and communities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress today termed as disappointing, reports that the Centre was unlikely to accept any foreign financial aid for flood relief work in Kerala and requested the Prime Minister to take steps to amend the rules. The rules should be such that they eradicate the sufferings of the people, former Chief Minister and Congress leader Oommen Chandy said. "If there exists any obstacles against the acceptance of foreign financial aid, kindly look into the matter seriously and bring in suitable modifications, he said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chandy said the Centre should take further steps to provide maximum possible assistance to Kerala, where the floods have claimed the lives of 231 people, besides rendering over 14 lakh people homeless. He said the financial assistance announced by the Centre was 'disappointing', taking into account the magnitude of the crisis. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered USD 100 million (around Rs 700 crore) as financial assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. Opposition leader in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala said that there was nothing wrong in accepting the UAE aid. While announcing the UAE offer, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had stated that lakhs of people of the state consider UAE as their 'second home.' Around three million Indians live and work in the UAE out of which 80 per cent are from Kerala. Yesterday, official sources had said in New Delhi that the government is unlikely to accept any foreign financial assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. They said that the government has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has refused to renew the journalist visa for an Indian-American woman reporter of the US-based BuzzFeed allegedly due to her critical reporting on the volatile Muslim-majority Xinjiang province. Megha Rajagopalan today said in a tweet that China's foreign ministry declined to issue her a new visa in May. "It is bittersweet to leave Beijing after spending six wonderful and eye-opening years as a journalist there," Megha, who previously worked for Reuters in Beijing, said. "In May, China's Foreign Ministry declined to issue me a new journalist visa. They say this is a process thing, we are not totally clear why," she said in a tweet. In another Tweet last month, Megha highlighted her story on "how China's sprawling surveillance state recruits, threaten and intimidate Muslim Uighurs into spying for Beijing and staying silent even in Europe and the United States. My latest, based on first-hand accounts, text messages and audio recordings". China previously denied visas to other journalists including an Al-Jazeera television reporter and a French magazine journalist over their reporting on Xinjiang. Megha has now been appointed as the world correspondent for BuzzFeed based in the Middle East. In a statement, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China said it has found the treatment meted out to Megha "extremely regrettable and unacceptable for a government that repeatedly insists it welcomes foreign media to cover the country." "We are attempting to get clarity from the Foreign Ministry on its reasoning for effectively ejecting a credentialed foreign journalist from China," the FCC said. Resource-rich Xinjiang, bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan, is on the boil for years following unrest among Uighur Muslims over the increasing settlements of majority Han Chinese from other provinces. It has witnessed some of the deadly terrorist attacks in recent years which also spread to other parts of China. China blames the separatist East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) for the violent attacks in the province and spreading Islamic militancy. The ETIM was previously linked to al-Qaeda and now to the ISIS. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China said today it is willing to play a "constructive role" in easing relations between India and Pakistan as it welcomed the "positive" remarks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan on improving bilateral ties. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the improvement and development of relations between India and Pakistan are quite important to regional peace, stability and prosperity. "We have noted relevant reports and we welcome the positive remarks made by the Indian and Pakistani leaders on improving bilateral relations," Lu said while replying to a question on the statements made by the two leaders soon after Khan assumed office. "Both Pakistan and India are important countries in South Asia. As a common neighbour to Pakistan and India, China firmly supports the two sides to enhance dialogue increase mutual trust, properly handle and solve their differences," Lu said. China hopes the two countries can jointly stay committed to regional peace and development, he said. "China is willing to play a constructive role in this aspect," he added. On August 20, Prime Minister Modi had sent a letter to Khan, conveying that New Delhi was looking for constructive and meaningful engagement with Islamabad. Khan in a tweet yesterday expressed Pakistan's willingness to re-start the stalled India-Pakistan peace process and said the two countries must engage in dialogue to resolve their differences, including on the Kashmir issue, and start trade. Asked what he meant by China playing a constructive role, Lu said, "I said we are glad to see the positive remarks made by the India and Pakistan on improving their bilateral relations and all their efforts that are conducive to the improvement of the relations and the peace and stability in the region. We welcome that. We will play a constructive role in that aspect." Pressed further whether he meant that China wants to mediate between India and Pakistan, the spokesman said, "I cannot give you a prejudgement or in what aspect and what area we will do. I cannot give you such prejudgement. In June, the Chinese Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui, was quoted in the media as saying that Sino-Indian ties cannot take the strain of "another" Doklam standoff. According to the reports, he had mooted a "trilateral" China-India-Pakistan dialogue on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference to resolve regional issues and maintain peace. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar at that time had said that India did not received any such suggestion from the Chinese government. India has been maintaining that it is ready to talk to Pakistan only bilaterally without the intervention of any other nation, including China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi today cited the example of Islamic State terrorist group to say that exclusion of a large number of people from the development process could lead to the creation of insurgent groups anywhere in the world. Addressing a gathering at the Bucerius Summer School in Hamburg in Germany, Gandhi said the BJP government has excluded tribals, Dalits and minorities from the development narrative and "this could be a dangerous thing". "It is very dangerous in the 21st century to exclude people," he said. "If you don't give people a vision in the 21st century, somebody else will. And that's the real risk of excluding a large number of people from the development process," Gandhi said. He also linked the incidents of lynching in India to joblessness and the lack of opportunities for the poor who, he said, were not being given equal opportunities. Gandhi said the incidents of lynching were a result of the anger emanating from joblessness and destruction of small businesses due to demonetization and poorly implemented Goods and Services Tax. Saying that the transformation taking place across the world requires certain protections for the common people, Gandhi accused the BJP dispensation of taking away these protections and hitting the informal economy through demonetization and GST. "They (the BJP government) feel tribal communities, poor farmers, lower caste people, minorities shouldn't get the same benefits as the elite. The other thing they've done is they've started attacking the support structures created to help certain groups of people. That's not the only damage they've done," he said. Gandhi said there is "something much more dangerous" that has happened, and that is - a couple of years ago the prime minister "demonetized the Indian economy and destroyed cash flows to small and medium businesses, rendering millions jobless". The Congress president addressed the gathering for more than an hour. He also took questions from students from across the world. During his address, Gandhi said that after the US attacked Iraq in 2003, they brought a law that stopped a particular tribe in Iraq from getting jobs in the government and in the army. "It seemed like a very innocuous decision at that time," he said. But it resulted in a large number of people joining insurgency "that fought the US and caused massive casualties," he said. "It didn't end there. That insurgence slowly entered empty spaces. It entered the empty space in Iraq and in Syria and then it connected with...a horrific idea called ISIS," Gandhi said. He said there is a lot of hatred in the world but not enough people are listening. The only solution, he added, was to understand people. Outlining his idea of India's foreign policy, Gandhi said there are different visions in the world, including that of the US, China and India. He said India's role should be to balance the US and China - much like Europe's role. The Congress chief said he has suffered violence and he can say that there is only one way to let it go - that is forgiveness. "And for forgiveness, you need to understand where it is coming from. My father was killed by a terrorist in 1991. When the terrorist died a few years later, I wasn't happy. I saw myself in his children." Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, who was responsible for the killing of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, was shot dead by Sri Lankan troops in 2009. The Congress chief also mentioned his famous hug to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament. He said some of his own party members did not like it when he hugged Modi during a debate on no-confidence motion against the government in July. He said Modi was making "hateful remarks" about him but he showed affection. The basic idea is - it is foolish to respond hate with hate, as doing so would not solve any problem, Gandhi said. He said the prime minister refuses to see joblessness as a big problem. "You have to accept the problem (first), to fix it," he said. Gandhi also said he disagreed with the suggestion that India was the worst place for women in the world but admitted the rising incidents of violence against women in the country. "India needs to change... Men have to start viewing women as equal and with respect. I am sorry to say that men do not," he said. He said non-violence in India is a founding philosophy of its nationhood and the essence of being an Indian. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress today questioned the Gujarat Government's decision to form a panel for resolving the issues faced by imported-coal-based power projects, alleging it was being done to favour select business houses and would adversely affect consumers in several states. Addressing a joint press conference, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Shaktisinh Gohil alleged that the Gujarat Government's July 3, 2018 notification was in violation of the last year order of the Supreme Court that "had shut the door to relief to these companies" which wanted to raise power tariff. "This is another example of crony capitalism and of the 'suit-boot sarkar'. This is not just 'suit-boot' but is 'suit-boot-loot'," Ramesh said, accusing the BJP of pursuing crony capitalism. They said the move is in clear violation of the Supreme Court orders passed last year, in which the claim these companies was rejected by the court after deliberating for years. Giving details, Ramesh said in 2007 when Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat, four companies signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) for purchase of power at a fixed rate between Rs 2.4 to Rs 2.8 per unit. The companies were to supply power for 25 years under the pacts signed, but they sought revision of tariff rates after a few years, he said, adding that their pleas were rejected by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission as well as the Appeallate authority. Ramesh said the companies then moved the Supreme Court, which on April 11, 2017 gave its final verdict of 55 pages, rejecting their pleas, saying there is no case and the rate of power would be the same as per PPAs signed in 2007. "Since Supreme Court has given a final verdict and there is no other way tariff can be revised upwards, the Gujarat Government issued a notification on July 3, 2018, citing central government meetings to set up a three-member committee," Ramesh said, claiming the step was taken to benefit these companies. "This is a clear violation of the Supreme Court's April 11, 2017 verdict and a gift to some select industrialists," Ramesh said. "The prime minister has claimed that his 'neeyat' (intention) is clean. This clearly indicates that not just his policy is wrong, but intention is also in doubt," Ramesh alleged The four PPAs were signed with the Gujarat PSU include two of Adani group for 200 MW power, one of Tata group for 1800 MW power and another of Essar group for 1000 MW. These power producers have been embroiled in a long-running dispute with state power company seeking higher tariff on the grounds that their input costs had gone up due to rupee devaluation and higher costs of coal imported from Indonesia, owing to a regulation passed by the Southeast Asian nation. The apex court, however, did not agree with the contentions of these firms. Gohil alleged that the government is trying "to benefit the companies to the tune of Rs 88,000 crores", the burden of which would be borne by power consumers of the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress in Gujarat organised a convention to strengthen its base in the Koli community here today following the exit of senior leader Kunwarji Bavaliya. Bavaliya, MLA from Jasdan in Rajkot district who belongs to the numerically strong Koli community, quit the party last month to join the BJP. He was made a cabinet minister in the state government. The convention was attended by state Congress chief Amit Chavda and Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani. The community has a sizable presence in the Saurashtra region. Bavaliya's resignation from the Congress has necessitated a by-election for Jasdan seat. The poll date is yet to be announced. Addressing the gathering, Chavda said the people will teach Bavaliya a lesson in the by-election. "Kunwarji thinks he is above the party and people, and therefore he quit Congress to join BJP out of self-interest. He was elected on Congress symbol and quit the party for personal gains. But the voters will not forgive him," he said. The convention was aimed at strengthening the party's base in the Koli community ahead of the by-election and the coming general election, Chavda said. "The BJP has ignored the community for the last two decades while the Congress has always paid attention to the members of the community and given them equal opportunity," he said. Congress MLAs from the Koli community who attended the gathering included Soma Patel, Rutvik Makwana, Raju Gohil and Vimal Chudasama. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Just ahead of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's address at the Kampnagel Theater, Bucerius Summer School in Hamburg, Germany, the party today said India needed a "progressive leader" in the face of "autocratic governance" prevalent in the country. Gandhi, who reached Hamburg today as part of a four-day tour to the United Kingdom and Germany, met Niels Annen, the Minister of State and a member of Bundestag, the German federal parliament. "In the face of increasingly autocratic governance pervading the country, it is imperative that space is created for a progressive leader who embraces diversity, not represses it, a leader that understands the aspirations of Indians and not deceives the people with lies and propaganda," the Congres said on its website. Earlier, in a tweet put out from the Congress' official Twitter handle, the party said that upon his arrival, Gandhi and Annen discussed Indian and German politics, the devastating floods in Kerala, the GST and jobs. Gandhi is likely to interact with the Indian diaspora and meet foreign dignitaries in both the countries. During the visit, as a part of the party's NRI outreach programme, Gandhi is also likely to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, sources said. In Germany, he will address two meetings at Hamburg and Berlin. Minutes from now, Gandhi will deliver a speech at Kampnagel Theater, Bucerius Summer School in Hamburg. Tomorrow, he will address the Indian Overseas Congress in Berlin. He will then visit the UK, where he will address an event organised by the Indian Overseas Congress in collaboration with local Indian-origin parliamentarians. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The author of "Crazy Rich Asians", which has been adapted into a hit Hollywood movie, is wanted in his native Singapore for allegedly dodging mandatory national service, authorities said today. Kevin Kwan, who has lived in the US since he was 11 but is still a Singapore citizen, faces up to three years in jail and a hefty fine if convicted, the city-state's defence ministry said. The movie adaption of his bestseller, which focuses on the glamorous world of Singapore's super-rich, was released in the United States last week and has been hailed as a watershed for Hollywood diversity due to its mostly Asian cast. The film had its Singapore premiere Tuesday, with some of its stars gracing the red carpet and hundreds of fans turning out -- but Kwan was conspicuous by his absence, Singapore's Straits Times newspaper reported. And in a twist worthy of a Hollywood thriller, Singapore's defence ministry revealed in a statement that Kwan "failed to register for National Service in 1990, despite notices and letters sent to his overseas address. "He also stayed overseas without a valid exit permit." The Singapore-American author had committed offences under the enlistment act and faces a fine of up to Sg$10,000 ($7,300) and a prison term of up to three years if convicted, the ministry said. Male Singapore citizens are required to undergo two years of national service upon turning 18. They can either serve in the military, the police or the civil defence force. The defence ministry said Kwan sought to renounce his Singapore citizenship in 1994, but his application and a subsequent appeal were rejected due to his failure to complete national service. "Crazy Rich Asians", the first Hollywood film for a generation to have a majority-Asian cast, tells the tale of an Asian-American woman who is plunged into the world of Singapore's wealthy elite after travelling to the city with her boyfriend. While it has been widely praised in the US, the movie has drawn flak in Singapore for focusing on the wealthy ethnic Chinese and ignoring the country's substantial minorities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Director Danny Boyle has dropped out of directing next James Bond movie due to "creative differences" with the producers. The official James Bond Twitter account shared the of Boyle's departure, saying the filmmaker chose to walk out of the project. "Michael G Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25," the official James Bond Twitter account tweeted. The producers had announced in May this year that the 61-year-old director, who won the 2009 Best Director Oscar for his India-set "Slumdog Millionaire" and has critically-acclaimed titles such as "Trainspotting" and "127 Hours" to his credit, will be helming the new Bond film. The film will be the last outing for actor Daniel Craig as the famed British spy, having played the part in four previous films -- "Casino Royale", "Quantum of Solace", "Skyfall" and "Spectre". The as-yet untitled film had previously been given a release date of 25 October 2019 in the UK. In March, Boyle had said that he was working on film's script along with his frequent collaborator John Hodge. The film would have marked a reunion between Boyle and Craig, following the actor's cameo in the director's 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony production. The producers are yet to announce a replacement for Boyle. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army chief General Bipin Rawat visited the ordnance depot today and discussed arrangements for the Kumbh Mela scheduled to be held here early next year. "They were briefed in detail regarding the security and administrative set-up by the local military authority in view of the Kumbh Mela," an official release said. The delegation visited various places of historical and religious importance in the ordnance depot fort here, it said, adding Divisional Commissioner Ashish Goyal met the defence minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Warning China not to play "mind games" with it, Swaziland, Taiwan's last remaining ally in Africa, today rebuffed Beijing's overtures to switch ties before next month's summit with African leaders here. El Salvador, one of the 18 countries which recognised Taiwan as a separate nation, yesterday broke off ties with it and established diplomatic relations with China as Beijing continues to chip away Taiwan's dwindling allies, alluring them with its economic clout. China, which is holding a major two-day summit of African leaders starting from September 3, has urged Swaziland to join the event by severing links with Taiwan. Briefing the media here about the summit, China's assistant foreign minister Chen Xiaodong said Swaziland did not have relations with Beijing "for reasons that everyone knows". "We look forward to and hope that all African nations, with none left behind, can take part in positive China-Africa cooperation, and become a member of the largest family get-together, Chen was quoted as saying by Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post. "I believe that this is not just the pursuit of China; it is also a widespread shared expectation of African nations I believe that this target can, in the not too distant future, be realised," he said. In response to China's call, Swaziland's foreign affairs minister Mgwagwa Gamedze, who is on a visit to Taiwan, said his country will not switch its allegiance to China. "They (China) must not play mind games because our relationship with Taiwan is over 50 years so we will not dump them," the report quoted Gamedze as saying to Taiwanese media. "We have no desire to change camps since Taiwan has been good to us," he said. Leaders of all African countries, except Swaziland, are expected to attend the summit. Meanwhile, China also hit out at the US for threatening El Salvador for ditching Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said why should the US object when it has recognised China itself adhering to the 'One China' policy. The US established ties with China nearly four decades ago. However, the US government is now thwarting and even deterring other countries from establishing normal relations with China, Lu said. The US ambassador to El Salvador, Jean Manes, in a tweet sharply has criticised the decision of the Central American nation, saying it is worrisome for many reasons and without doubt this will impact our relationship with the government. While the US has recognised China and adheres to the 'One China' policy four decades ago, it remained close to Taiwan. The 'One China' policy states that Taiwan and Tibet are part of China's mainland. China made the 'One China' policy a prerequisite for countries to establish diplomatic ties with it. China views Taiwan as its inalienable part which has to be reunified with the mainland, even by force. Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the media that the summit of the African leaders will "usher in a new era for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Africa's development". "China will engage with Africa in equal consultation, plan together, work together and benefit together," he said. "Africa is a natural extension of the BRI and also there is a close historical links. It is an important area for the BRI. Many African countries are keen interested in participating in BRI cooperation, he said. India's has been vocal in expressing its opposition to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The USD 50 billion CPEC is a flagship project of the BRI, which is a pet initiative of Chinese PresidentXiJinping. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The woman who died after being caught in the wheels of a speeding SUV in Connaught Place area had stepped out of her shelter home before her death to earn her livelihood, one of her friends said today. Phoolwati, 50, was dragged for nearly 300 metres on Sunday night by the SUV driven allegedly by a 20-year-old woman, who was arrested shortly after the accident. Phoolwati's friend, Kiran, said she had not imagined that the inmates of the shelter home, near Bangla Sahib Gurdwara where the victim lived with her son, had seen her for the last time. "She was the only bread-earner of her family. Her 19-year-old son Shanker is unemployed. She used to work in Shiv Mandir in CP as a cleaner and also as a ragpicker," Kiran added. Phoolwati's husband, Sushil, died of tuberculosis two years ago and she is survived by three children - Shankar, Geeta and Ritu. Phoolwati's elder daughter, Geeta, is a widow and her younger daughter Ritu is pursuing fashion designing from an institute in Naraina area in Delhi. "Ritu has never lived with her family. She spent her childhood at Salaam Baalak Trust and is currently pursing a course in fashion designing at the institute. Her education is funded by the trust," said Santosh Kumar Gupta, a coordinator of the trust. Shanker is preparing for Class 10 board exams. He never showed interest in studies, Gupta added. The shelter home is being run by NGO 'Humana People to People India' near the gurudwara for nearly eight years now. At 6 pm on Sunday, Phoolwati stepped out of the shelter home, wearing a salwar kameez, to sell junk, an inmate said. "However around 10.30 pm, we were informed by Manju, who worked with Phoolwati in Shiv Mandir, that she has had an accident and taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital," the inmate said. A number of her inmates then reached the hospital. They said they were informed by patients there that policemen have brought Phoolwati but she was declared brought dead by doctors. "We immediately rushed to Connaught Place police station. We were around 15-20 people. As soon as police saw us, they closed the main gate. They did not allow us inside. We protested and even abused the policemen for barring us. Even her son Shanker was not allowed inside," another inmate claimed. The inmates said she was cremated yesterday afternoon. "I had seen her that day... I did not know that it was the last time I was seeing her," the inmate said. A few inmates alleged that the police registered an FIR in the matter after they protested outside the police station demanding justice. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The water level has begun receding in flood hit regions along the banks of the Cauvery river in Tamil Nadu and people housed in relief centres are returning home, officials said. Significantly, the inflow from Karnataka reservoirs like Krishnarajasagar and Kabini has fallen to 80,751 cusecs today from between two lakh cusecs to 1.6 lakh cucescs a few days ago. "Only about 65,000 cusecs is being released from Mettur dam today," a top official told PTI. With flood waters receding in villages off the banks of the Cauvery and Bhavani, people have started going back to their homes from most of the 119 relief centres which sheltered 13,569 people as on August 18, the official said. The relief centres were set up in districts, including Tiruchirappalli, Karur, and Kanyakumari. Water level receded in downstream areas of Mettur dam like Edappadi and Thavittupalayam, inundated following heavy inflows from Karnataka dams, which was let out from Mettur reservoir. A Coimbatore report, quoting officials, said that the Mettur dam crossed the full level of 120 feet for the third time in the last 30 days. The level stood at 120.25 feet. The inflow late in the evening further dropped to 45,000 cusecs, they said, adding the discharge was hence scaled down to 40,800 cusecs. The discharge from Kabini and KRS reservoir has come down since last night following scanty rains in catchment areas in Karnataka, they said. The water level in Mettur dam reached its maximum of 120 feet on August 11 for a second time since July 23. A flood alert had been sounded days ago for 13 districts, including the Cauvery delta regions, besides Madurai and Theni as the Periyar and Vaigai dams too received copious inflows. Also, water level in submerged standing crops has begun receding in areas around River Coleroon, a branch of Cauvery in Cauvery delta regions. The situation in Bhavani, Komarapalayam, and Pallipalayam falling under Erode and Namakkal districts that bore the burnt of heavy discharge too is limping back to normalcy with a cut in discharge from Mettur. On August 19, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami had inspected the deluge hit areas and assured compensation for crop loss due to the floods and permanent houses for the affected people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre does not have "complete information" on any proposal from the Maharashtra government to ban Sanatan Sanstha, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said here today. Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar had reportedly said the state government had sent a proposal to the Central government seeking ban on the outfit. The demand to ban the Hindutva organisation has been raised in various quarters, including the opposition Congress. To a question on the demand to ban the outfit, Ahir said, "This is an internal matter of the state government which can take action accordingly." "The Central government takes action only if any such proposal is sent to us. We don't have complete information on any such proposal." If the state government sends any such proposal, it will be first inspected by Home ministry officials before it is moved forward, he said. Veerendra Tawde, who was arrested by the CBI in 2016 in connection with the Narendra Dabholkar murder case of 2013, was allegedly a member of an offshoot of the Sanstha. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donald Trump has suffered a double blow after his former campaign chief Paul Manafort was found guilty of fraud and his ex lawyer Michael Cohen admitted to paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 US election, potentially leaving the US president in legal jeopardy. In a stunning admission that implicates Trump, his former lawyer Cohen pleaded guilty to buying the silence of two women about their alleged affairs with Trump. Cohen, 51, pleaded guilty in the Southern District of New York to charges of tax evasion, making false statements to a federally-insured bank, and campaign finance violations. The most-stunning admission he made in court before US District Judge William Pauley was that in 2016, Cohen had made payments of USD 280,000 to silence two women, who otherwise planned to speak publicly about their alleged affairs with a presidential candidate, thereby "intending to influence the 2016 presidential election". The presidential candidate here is Trump and the payments were to adult film actress Daniels and a former Playboy playmate, a clear implication of the president. Cohen's sentencing is scheduled for December 12. Cohen told the judge that the payments to the women were made "in coordination with and at the direction of a candidate for federal office and "for the principal purpose of influencing the election" for president in 2016. Trump has not been named by federal prosecutors in the charges against Cohen but has been identified as "Individual 1". The extraordinary admission came minutes after Trump's former campaign chairman, 69-year-old Manafort, was convicted of five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failure to disclose a foreign bank account. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining 10 counts, and the judge declared a mistrial on those charges. The two cases arose from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Yesterday's events represent a significant victory for Mueller, who has been under pressure from Trump's supporters to wind up what the president calls a "witch hunt". The Virginia trial of Manafort did not delve into the nature of Trump campaign contacts with Russia, which is the focus of the Mueller investigation. But the conviction of a figure as prominent as Manafort, who ran the Trump campaign for a crucial five-month period in 2016, was a blow to the White House and a boost for the special counsel. Prosecutors presented evidence that Manafort had lied in seeking personal loans and lied to the Internal Revenue Service in reporting income related to his political consulting work in Ukraine and elsewhere. The outcomes of the two cases also raised grave questions about Trump's judgment. Since his election, his national security adviser, personal lawyer, campaign chairman, deputy campaign manager and a foreign policy aide have all admitted or been convicted of crimes. With two former aides to the president facing jail time, observers said the outcome of the separate, high-profile prosecutions could represent a turning point in Trump's presidency in which the months-long investigations into his former dealings begin to leave a mark. As the legal developments unfolded, Trump boarded Air Force One for the trip to Charleston, West Virginia, part of an all-out political strategy to keep the House and Senate in Republican hands in the midterm elections this year. The stakes for Trump are now legal as well as political. After landing in Charleston for the rally, the president said the Manafort verdict didn't have anything to do with him. "Paul Manafort is a good man," Trump said. "It doesn't involve me, but it's a very sad thing." Trump, speaking to reporters on the tarmac, declined to answer questions about Cohen. Rudolph Giuliani, the president's personal attorney, said there were no allegations of wrongdoing against the president in the Cohen case. "It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time," Giuliani said. Prosecutors said Cohen held the title of "executive vice-president" and "special counsel" to the owner of the company, "Individual-1", who apparently is Trump. In January 2017, Cohen left the company and began holding himself out as the "personal attorney" to "Individual-1, who by that time had become the president of the United States". Democrats sought to pile political pressure on Donald Trump after the broke, with the party's leader in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, denouncing the "rampant corruption and criminality at the heart of Trump's inner circle". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A case for alleged harassment of wife for dowry has been registered against an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer posted in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, police today said. Chandramohan Singh, a 2014-batch officer, is currently additional superintendent of police (ASP), Dantewada. "A case under section 498 (A) of IPC was registered against ASP Singh on August 13," Dantewada Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Pallava told PTI. Section 498 (A) deals with "subjecting wife to cruelty" for the purpose of dowry. Singh's mother-in-law had last month submitted a complaint against him to the state's Director General of Police as well as Dantewada police. The matter was then referred to the district family welfare committee, which, after investigation, recommended that a case should be registered against him, Pallava said. A team would be sent to Delhi, where Singh's wife is currently living, to record her statement, the SP said. When asked if Singh will be arrested, the SP said that further action will be taken based on the statements of his wife and his mother-in-law. Singh remained inaccessible for comments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre has prepared a draft policy proposing compulsory genetic screening of all pregnant women to prevent inherited disorders such as thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia along with putting in place advanced facilities for comprehensive care of such patients. The policy advocates for provision of medicines, including iron chelating agents, leukocyte filters and infusion pumps free of cost to the poor patients. In line with 'Make in India' initiative, the draft policy also advocates for promotion of manufacture of the equipment and chemicals in the country and "waiver of GST and custom duties to reduce cost of treatment for the affected families". Titled "Policy For Prevention and Control of Hemoglobinopathies Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Disease and variant Hemoglobins In India", the draft note has been put up on the website of the health ministry seeking comments and suggestions from various stakeholders till August 30. The policy recognises that for prevention, the focus should be on creating awareness of these disorders in the community for better acceptance of carrier screening. "This is recommended for all pregnant mothers, based on automated red cell counts with confirmation by HPLC analysis for Hb A2 and other hemoglobin variants. "For women identified to be carriers, their husbands will be screened and in couples where both the partners are carriers, prenatal diagnosis will be offered to ensure that they have a baby unaffected with a clinically significant hemoglobinopathy," the draft read. Carrier screening could also be undertaken for high school and college students. As per the draft policy, all subjects screened would be given a card indicating their status, whether normal, carrier or diseased through systems of colour-coding. For sickle cell disease, policy recommended newborn screening to be initiated in areas of high prevalence. "Thalassemia and sickle cell diseases are two common genetic disorders that are chronic, life-restricting and require long and specialized treatment. They cause severe distress and financial loss to the family and are a great drain on the health resources of the country. "With the fall in infant mortality rate due to control of communicable and nutritional disorders in the last decade in India, these disorders have become important causes of morbidity and mortality," the draft policy stated. According to the draft note, it is estimated that there are almost 3.6 to 3.9 crore carriers of -thalassemia in India, and about 10,000 to 15,000 babies with -thalassemia major are born each year. For sickle cell disease there are about 25,00,000 carriers of the gene (Hemoglobin AS), and about 1,25,000 patients of sickle cell disease. The draft policy has proposed creating of centres of excellence in states that will have advanced facilities required for comprehensive care of patients with thalassemia and sickle cell disease, including a bone marrow transplant unit and a prenatal diagnostic centre. The centres of excellence will provide technical support for thalassemia in medical colleges, tertiary care hospitals, district level health facilities and primary health centers, as well as impart training to the health professionals. The draft note has recommended creation of a hemoglobinopathy unit in government medical colleges, tertiary care facilities as well as in district level hospitals to carry out therapy as well as preventive activities. It also recommended setting up of a patient registry for thalassemia and sickle cell disease to obtain information on the number of persons affected and the number of carriers to estimate patients who require various services. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Eid ul-Adha was celebrated across Tripura today in an atmosphere of communal harmony, officials said today. People from the Muslim community participated in the morning prayer in different mosques of the state including the acclaimed Gedumia Masjid, state Wakf Board president Baharul Islam Majumder said. "Many cattle and cow markets were organized at Sonamura before the Eid and the BJP workers set up camps there and distributed cold water to the buyers and sellers in the scorching heat, Majumder, who is also the state committee member of BJP said. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb extended his best wishes to the people in the state on the occasion. Eid ul-Adha is also known as the festival of sacrifice or Bakrid and Eid ul-Azha. Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Sonamura in Sipahijala district, Saju Vayid said the prisoners at Sonamura district jail had performed namaz in the morning in which he also took part. Jailer of the district jail at Kailashahar in Unakoti district, Prasenjit Das said the prisoners in his jail also performed namaz in the morning. According to the 2011 census, Tripura has 8.6 per cent Muslims most of whom are in Sonamura subdivision of Sipahijala district and Kailashahar subdivision of Unakoti district. Vice-president of Tripura unit of BJP, Subal Bhowmick said an atmosphere of communal harmony prevailed in the state. I am also invited in Eid and like every year I would go to my Muslim friends house. It is a tradition that Hindus join Eid and Muslims join Durgapuja celebrations in the state, he told PTI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Eid ul-Adha was celebrated today with religious fervour across the Kashmir valley with Muslims thronging eidgahs and mosques for congregational prayers and to commemorate the sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim in the way of Allah. The celebrations, however, were marked by isolated incidents of stone pelting by miscreants outside some eidgahs after the prayers with the police exhibiting "utmost restraint in containing the stone pelters." Men and women of all ages, dressed in their best, thronged eidgahs, mosques and shrines here and in other parts of the Valley for congregational Eid prayers, the officials said. Eid ul-Adha is also known as the festival of sacrifice or Bakrid and Eid ul-Azha. Hazratbal witnessed the largest Eid gathering in the Valley while big congregations were reported from eidgahs at Allochi Bagh and other places in the city. Similar gatherings were reported from other district headquarters and major towns of the Valley. Dressed in their best, Muslims came out early in the morning to offer special Eid prayers at mosques. After the prayers, they hugged and greeted each other before setting off for the ceremonial sacrifice of animals. A police spokesperson said Eid-ul-Azha was being celebrated across valley with huge religious fervour and gaiety. "Eid prayers concluded peacefully across the Valley in which thousands of devotees attended the prayers in different parts of valley," he said. He, however, added that isolated incidents of stone pelting by miscreants were reported from eidgah in Srinagar, Janglat Mandi in Anantnag and Sopore in Baramulla districts after the conclusion of Eid prayers, he said. "The police, however, exhibited utmost restraint in containing the stone-pelting mobs," the spokesman said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Eid festivities in militancy-hit Kashmir were marred as terrorists shot dead three policemen, including an inspector, and a BJP worker in two districts of the state today, police said. Militants killed Police Inspector Mohd Asharf Dar inside his residence at Larve in South Kashmir's Pulwama this evening when he had gone home to celebrate Eid, they said. Dar was working in a special branch of the state police and was posted in Budgam in central Kashmir. Earlier in the day, Fayaz Ahmad Shah, a trainee police constable, was shot when he was returning home after offering Eid prayers in Kulgam, one of the worst militancy-hit districts of South Kashmir. The 34-year-old was working with the Jammu and Kashmir Police as a Special Police Officer and had been given an out-of-turn promotion and selected as a constable. He was undergoing training at Talwara in Jammu region and had gone home. Terrorists fired at Shah from a close range near his house and he died on the spot. A pall of gloom descended on the policeman's native Zazripora village when the of his death broke out. The Eid festivities turned into mourning at Shah's residence with his two minor daughters, aged five and two, unable to understand the sudden rush of people to their residence and the frequent breakdown of their mother and aged grandmother. The family was inconsolable when his body wrapped in the tricolour was brought to their residence. A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the district police lines Kulgam where officers led by Senior Superintendent of Police Harmeet Singh paid floral tributes to the slain constable. Director General of Police S P Vaid termed the incident a "dastardly act". "It only shows the frustration of terrorists who are resorting to such a cowardly act of attacking an unarmed policeman," he said. Another Special Police Officer, Mohammad Yaqoob Shah, was shot at in Pulwama district. He was declared brought dead at the hospital. Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Swayam Prakash Pani led the police team in paying tributes to Shah at district police lines in Pulwama, another worst militancy-hit district. In another incident, the body of BJP worker Shabir Ahmad Bhat was found in north Kashmir's Kupwara district. He was reportedly kidnapped by suspected terrorists last night. His bullet-riddled body was found in the fields at Rakh-e-Litter area of Kupwara, a police official said. The incident evoked sharp reactions from BJP president Amit Shah who said extremists could not stop the Valley's youths from choosing a better future and that the cycle of violence would not last long. "Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta, Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves. This cycle of violence won't last long," he tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Faithfuls gathered in mosques and eidgahs and hordes of people wearing their festive best revelled in streets and market places to celebrate Eid ul-Adha in the city today. From the iconic Jama Masjid and Fathepuri Masjid in Old Delhi to Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah in south Delhi, Muslims offered special prayers ('namaz') in the morning to seek blessings of the almighty. Eid ul-Adha marks the prophet's sacrifice of a lamb after God spared his son prophet Ismail. After the prayers, people exchanged greetings and gifts, and embraced each other in the spirit of harmony. A festive atmosphere prevailed near the Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk areas where people bought sweets and savouries to welcome friends and relatives. Elders offered 'eidee' (money) to children, and markets bustled with activities, as children and their parents jostled to buy toys and other items from shops around mosques. People also gave alms to the needy who had gathered around the mosques and eidgahs. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal greeted people on the festive occasion. He wrote the greeting message on Twitter. Markets in various areas in the city were decked up for Eid ul-Adha, one of the most joyous days in the Islamic calendar. Special arrangements were made by the Delhi Police to manage the crowd and ensure safety and security around religious places in the national capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Paul Manafort, the longtime political operative who for months led Donald Trump's winning presidential campaign, has been found guilty of eight financial crimes in the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the president's associates. A judge declared a mistrial on 10 other counts the jury could not agree on. Yesterday's verdict was part of a stunning one-two punch of bad for the White House, coming as the president's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, was pleading guilty in New York as part of a separate deal with prosecutors. The jury returned the decision after deliberating four days on the charges of tax evasion and bank fraud against the former Trump campaign chairman. The outcome almost certainly guarantees years of prison for Manafort and established the ability of special counsel Robert Mueller's team to persuade a jury of average citizens despite months of partisan attacks including from Trump on the investigation's integrity. The verdict raised immediate questions of whether the president would seek to pardon Manafort, the lone American charged by Mueller to opt for trial instead of cooperate. The president has not revealed his thinking but spoke sympathetically throughout the trial of his onetime aide and at one point suggested that he had been treated worse than gangster Al Capone. The more than two-week trial, presided over by the colourful and impatient US District Judge TS Ellis III, has captured Trump's attention as he works to undermine Mueller's investigation through a constant Twitter barrage and increasingly antagonistic statements from his lawyer-spokesman, Rudy Giuliani. But Trump and his campaign were only a small part of Manafort's trial as jurors instead heard days of testimony about Manafort's finances and what prosecutors say was a years-long tax-evasion and fraud scheme. Manafort decided not to put on any witnesses or testify himself in the trial. His attorneys said he made the decision because he didn't believe the government had met its burden of proof. Manafort's defence team has attempted to make the case about the credibility of longtime Manafort protege, Rick Gates, who served as the government's star witness. They have attacked him as a liar, embezzler and instigator of any crimes as they try to persuade jurors that Manafort didn't willfully violate the law. For the prosecution, Gates was the star witness, spending three days before the jury, telling them how he committed crimes alongside Manafort for years. Gates admitted to doctoring documents, falsifying information and creating fake loans to lower his former boss's tax bill. He also admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars without Manafort's knowledge by filing fake expense reports. But the government's case wasn't all about Gates. Prosecutors spent two weeks presenting a meticulous, document-based case before the jury as they sought to prove Manafort used offshore bank accounts to conceal millions of dollars in proceeds from his Ukrainian political consulting from the IRS and later turned to defrauding banks. Overall, prosecutors say Manafort avoided paying more than USD 16 million in taxes over several years. They called carpenters, landscapers and clothiers to attest to how Manafort paid for his lavish lifestyle of expensive suits and elaborate properties through offshore wire transfers from shell companies in Cyprus and elsewhere. They also brought in bankers and accountants to tell jurors how when Manafort's foreign consulting income dropped off, he turned to obtaining millions of dollars more in bank loans under false pretenses. And perhaps most importantly, the government read from Manafort's own emails as they laid out their case, including messages where he personally directed withdrawals from the offshore accounts he never reported on his tax returns. Some of other emails admitted into evidence in the case revealed Manafort's lobbying of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner on behalf of Stephen Calk, the chairman of Federal Savings Bank. Prosecutors say Calk approved USD 16 million in loans for Manafort despite several red flags because Calk wanted a job in the Trump administration. The emails showed that in the weeks after the 2016 election, Manafort urged Kushner to consider Calk for Secretary of the Army, a position Calk had put at the top of his list in an earlier email to Manafort. Calk also listed seven other senior domestic appointments and 18 ambassadorships ranked in order of preference that he would accept. Kushner respond to Manafort's email by saying, "On it!" But Calk ultimately did not get an administration post. The trial in Alexandria, Virginia, is the first of two for Manafort. He faces a trial later this year in the District of Columbia on charges of conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, making false statements and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Ukrainian interests. He is also accused of witness tampering in that case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav today announced that a grand city named after Lord Vishnu would be developed, which would have a spectacular temple inspired by Cambodia's sprawling Angkor Wat, in the state if his party comes to power. Significantly, Yadav's comments come after BJP leader and UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya last week raked the Ram temple issue and suggested there could be a legislative route for the construction of a temple in Ayodhya. "We will develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu over 2,000 acres of land near Lion Safari (Etawah). We have a lot of land in Chambal ravines and the city will have a grand Vishnu temple, that will be a copy of famous Angkor Wat temple," Yadav, a former UP chief minister, told PTI. Earlier, Maurya had said that if the need arises a Bill for the construction of a Ram temple could be brought in the Parliament. The UP deputy chief minister had suggested that the bill could be brought if there was "no way out" and his party had the adequate strength in both houses of the Parliament. "At present, in Parliament, we do not have the adequate strength. Even if we bring the matter in Lok Sabha, our strength in the Rajya Sabha is less, and it will definitely be defeated. Every devotee of Lord Ram knows this. The court will soon give its judgement", Maurya had said. Yadav, however, promised that if voted to power, he will develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu, whose incarnations Lord Ram and Lord Krishna were. A team of experts will be sent to Cambodia to plan the city, which will be a centre for culture and knowledge of our ancient times, the SP chief said. Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world which was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu but gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple. Speaking here, Yadav attacked the BJP claiming it was a party which did nothing on the ground. "BJP believes in conspiracies. We believe in development. They befool people to get their vote. We bank on our development work for votes. The people of the state are fed up with BJP and are looking for a chance to ensure it gets out of the power. In 2019, BJP will get defeated due to its anti-people politics," he claimed. Yadav has announced a "Haq aur samman" cycle yatra from Kannauj next month. "We have decided the plans for the yatra. There are some changes in the dates that will be finalised in a day or two," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Facebook has identified and banned hundreds of accounts, groups and pages engaged in misleading political behaviour, a far larger discovery than a "sophisticated" effort it reported three weeks ago with great fanfare. The social network said yesterday that it had removed 652 pages, groups, and accounts linked to Russia and, unexpectedly, Iran, for "coordinated inauthentic behavior" that included the sharing of political material. Facebook has significantly stepped up policing of its platform since last year, when it acknowledged that Russian agents successfully ran political influence operations on its platform that were aimed at swaying the 2016 presidential election. Other social media networks have done likewise, and continue to turn up fresh evidence of political disinformation campaigns. Facebook's action in late July against 32 accounts possibly linked to Russia generally involved U.S. political activity ahead of the midterm elections in November. By contrast, the latest group of apparently fake accounts appeared more intent on influencing U.S. foreign policy and regional in the Middle East. Shortly after Facebook's announcement, Twitter revealed that it had also suspended 284 accounts for "coordinated manipulation," many of them apparently originating from Iran. A day earlier, Microsoft also reported a new Russian effort to impersonate conservative U.S. websites , potentially as part of an espionage campaign. The social network said it had not concluded its review of the material and declined to say how or why the state-backed actors were behaving the way they did. But it said it has informed the U.S. and U.K. governments as well as the US. Treasury and State departments because of ongoing sanctions against Iran. "There's a lot we don't know yet," CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on a hastily called conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. "You're going to see people try to abuse the services in every way possible ... including now nation states," he said. He described the deception campaigns as "sophisticated and well-funded efforts that aren't going to stop." FireEye, a cybersecurity firm that alerted Facebook to some of this activity, noted that it "does not appear to have been specifically designed to influence the 2018 U.S. midterm elections, as it extends well beyond US audiences and US " Facebook said its latest action on Tuesday morning resulted from four investigations three involving Iran, one involving Russia. The first focused on a group called "Liberty Front Press" that set up multiple accounts on Facebook and Instagram that were followed by 155,000 other accounts. The group was linked to Iranian state media based on website registrations, IP addresses and administrator accounts, Facebook said. The first accounts were created in 2013 and posted political content about the Middle East, the UK, and the US, although the focus on the West increased starting last year, Facebook said. "The Iranians are now following the Kremlin's playbook," said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee. On Sept. 5, leaders of Facebook, Google and Twitter are scheduled to testify before the intelligence committee about their efforts to combat political disinformation on their social media networks. FireEye called the Liberty Front Press group an influence operation apparently aimed at promoting Iranian political interests "including anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes" and support for the US-Iran nuclear deal. President Donald Trump withdrew the US from that agreement earlier this year. While that group did not appear to be attempting to influence the US midterms, FireEye said its analysis "does not preclude such attempts being made." Several social media personas it found related to the group masqueraded as liberal U.S. activists who supported Sen. Bernie Sanders. One persona also used the Twitter handle "@berniecratss" and listed its location as the United States even though the phone number associated with it began with Iran's country code, +98. The group's activity included "significant anti-Trump messaging," but FireEye said in a detailed report "the activity extends well beyond US audiences and US " The second group also had multiple accounts and 15,000 followers. The group was linked to "Liberty Front Press" and attempted to hack people's accounts to spread malware. Facebook said it disrupted those attempts. A third group also operated out of Iran had as many as 813,000 followers, and also shared political content about the Middle East, the UK and US. In all the Iranian-linked groups spent some $12,000 in advertising and hosted 28 different events. A fourth group that attempted to influence politics in Syria and the Ukraine was connected to sources that Facebook said the U.S. had linked to Russian military intelligence. "We're working closely with U.S. law enforcement on this investigation," Facebook said in a blog post. In late July, Facebook also removed 32 apparently fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram that collectively had nearly 300,000 followers, including thousands that expressed interest in events they promoted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Political leaders condoled the death of senior Congress leader Gurudas Kamat today, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis describing him as a man of excellent organisational skills who was committed to the masses. The former Union minister died in New Delhi after suffering a heart attack early today at the age of 63, family sources said. Kamat had an excellent rapport with the citizens of Mumbai and he used to take the lead in solving problems plaguing the megapolis, Fadnavis said in his condolence message. "He not only had excellent organisational capabilities, but was also well read and would take firm stand over issues. His contribution towards different sectors through his is commendable...we have lost a leader who was closely associated with the masses," he said. NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed sadness over Kamat's demise. "We have lost a leader who knew the pulse of Mumbaikars and would always voice their concerns in Parliament. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace," Pawar said. BJP MP Kirit Somaiya said Kamat was a gentle politician who always fought for the cause of Mumbai. "We kept fighting the Lok Sabha polls against each other, won some, lost others," he said. Somaiya said whenever they met, Kamat would always ask him about problems of Mumbai and about the former's wife, a professor who used to teach the Congress leader's son. Congress MP Ashok Chavan said Kamat's demise was shocking and marked the end of a dedicated and a faithful leadership. "We stand along with the Kamat family in this time of mourning," he said. Congress legislator Sanjay Dutt said Kamat was a dynamic and result-oriented leader, whose loyalty to the party and its leadership would keep inspiring the party workers. Former AICC general secretary in-charge of Maharashtra Mohan Prakash termed Kamat's demise an irreparable loss to the Congress. "He was associated with it right from his days of youth Congress. He was a good organiser, orator and administrator. He contributed heavily to the party. My condolences to his kin and friends," he said. Shiv Sena legislator Manisha Kayande said Kamat remained true to his party till the end. A man of principles, he was a true Congressman who was very popular in the city, she said. "He could have done much more for the Congress but he was sidelined by the current Mumbai party president," Kayande claimed. Kamat was a member of Parliament for the Mumbai North West constituency in 2009 and the Mumbai North East constituency in 1984, 1991, 1998 and 2004. He was Union minister of state for home affairs with the additional charge of the Communications and Information Technology Ministry from 2009 to 2011. In July 2011, he resigned as the minister. He was also a former president of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee. An advocate by profession, Kamat was a commerce graduate from the R A Podar College in Mumbai and had a law degree from the Government Law College. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An inter-ministerial panel will meet here tomorrow to finalise modalities for the second phase of the FAME India scheme, and will consider retaining subsidy for electric three-wheelers to promote clean energy public transportation, sources said. Top officials from departments, including finance, power, road transport and highways and heavy industry will participate in the meeting, and are likely to approve a subsidy outlay of nearly Rs 4,000 crore for the second phase of the scheme, which may be launched in early September. "The second phase of the scheme was earlier expected to entail subsidy for electric buses and setting up of charging infrastructure for all categories of vehicles. "However, the committee has decided to now consider inclusion of electric three-wheelers as well to promote green public transport, a government official told PTI. According to sources, government think tank NITI Aayog is also in favour of providing subsidy to three-wheelers to promote e-mobility in public transport. The heavy industry ministry had sought over Rs 12,200 crore in financial support to implement the scheme over the next five years. However, the Finance Ministry may approve subsidy outlay of around Rs 4,000 crore, officials had said earlier. At present, the incentive is being offered on purchase of strong hybrid and electric cars, two-wheelers and three-wheelers under the the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India (FAME India- I) scheme. Under the scheme, depending on technology, battery-operated scooters and motorcycles are also eligible for incentives ranging between Rs 1,800 to Rs 29,000, while in three-wheelers it is between Rs 3,300 and Rs 61,000. At present, automotive manufacturers claim the incentive from the government at the end of each month. With an aim to promote eco-friendly vehicles, the government had launched the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme in 2015. The ongoing pilot phase of the scheme was earlier extended till September this year or until its second phase is approved. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah was heckled during Eid prayers at the 17th century Hazratbal mosque here today, two days after he chanted "Bharat Mata ki Jai" during a prayer meeting for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The National Conference leader remained unfazed and continued with his prayers, saying the jeering and booing were by his "own people" who were misguided. A section of the gathering shouted slogans of "Farooq Abdullah go back" and "Hum kya chahte, azaadi" at the Hazratbal mosque, where Abdullah has traditionally offered Eid prayers. When a section of slogan shouting youths tried to approach Abdullah, who was sitting on a chair in the front row because of his ill-health, some people joined hands to make a human chain to prevent them from doing so. Security personnel also threw a ring around the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar to protect him. "I did not leave the venue and completed my prayers. They are my own people. They are misguided and I cannot escape my duties of being their leader," Abdullah told PTI while receiving people at his residence. "Some people were agitated but that does not mean I will escape. I have a task of keeping everyone united," he said. Abdullah wondered why the issue was being blown out of proportion by a section of the media. "A politician, at times, has to face people's anger. I only hope these misguided youths are counselled properly," he said. On August 20, Abdullah had made an emotional speech and chanted "Bharat Mata ki Jai" during a prayer meeting for the late BJP stalwart Vajpayee in New Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Flight operations from the flood-hit international airport in Kochi, which was rendered non functional for over a week, will resume from August 29 instead of August 26 as announced earlier. The decision to extend the date was taken at a meeting at Cochin International Airport Limited here, where most stakeholders, including airlines and ground handling agencies, expressed concern over mobilising manpower by that date, a CIAL spokesperson said. The meeting, held to review damage control activities,was informed that 90 per cent of staff have been affected by the floods and are out of station. Nearby hotels, restaurants and eateries still remain closed. "As central Kerala was yet to recover from post-flood trauma, it is a daunting task to arrange local commutation, logistics of catering items, which will cause a cascading effect on passengers. In view of these apprehensions, CIAL decided to extend the date of resuming operations for three more days.We will be starting all operations at 2 PM on August 29", the spokesperson said in a release here. CIAL, among the busiest in the country, suffered an estimated loss of over Rs 2.2 billion due to the floods and was rendered non-functional since August 14. The CIAL management has launched rebuilding of the damaged infrastructure, including 2.6 km long airport walls that collapsed after the Periyar river overflowed. Airport officials had said the runway, taxi bay, duty free shops and other areas of international and domestic terminals were submerged, causing damage to electrical equipment, including runway lights. The solar power system of the world's first solar powered airport has also suffered damage in the floods, they had said. Meanwhile, the Naval Air Station, INS Garuda, commenced civil aircraft operations from Monday. The devastating deluge left 231 people dead over the past 15 days and displaced over 1.4 million people. Four children in the age group of 10-15 years, including two brothers, drowned in the Krishna near here today, officials said. They had come along with two other children in an autorickshaw to take a look at the swollen river. While the two children remained in the vehicle, the others alighted as soon as the driver, who brought them, went to answer nature's call. They removed their shirts and got down to the river to bathe when they were washed away There were quarry pits in the river and the children got stuck in them and drowned, Tadepalli Station House Officer R Narayan said, adding that the bodies were later recovered. The children belonged to Chirravuru village near Tadepalli. Over 75,000 cusecs is being discharged from Prakasam Barrage across the river following heavy inflow and this attracted curious onlookers, today being a holiday. Guntur MP Galla Jayadev supervised the operation to retrieve the bodies. Social welfare minister N Anand Babu visited the hospital, where the bodies are kept, and consoled the victims parents. He said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has expressed grief over the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German authorities say they have arrested a Russian national suspected of plotting an Islamic extremist attack in Germany along with an alleged accomplice detained last year in France. Federal prosecutors said the 31-year-old, identified only as Magomed-Ali C, was arrested today in Berlin. They said that, in Oct 2016, he stored a "significant quantity" of the explosive TATP at his apartment for an attack in Germany -- time and place unknown. However, prosecutors say that the plans by C and alleged accomplice Clement B were disrupted by a "preventive police measure," and they decided to split up. Clement B left for France, and was arrested in Marseille in April 2017 over plans to carry out an attack in France. The French investigation produced evidence against Magomed-Ali C. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government today set the ball rolling for further selling of its stake in NBCC and HUDCO, in addition to an initial public offering (IPO) of the power sector company NEEPCO. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) in the finance ministry has invited separate bids from merchant bankers for the three issues, according to public notices. The DIPAM has proposed to sell additional 10 per cent stake each in construction major NBCC and housing finance company HUDCO, according to the notices. The government currently holds 73.75 per cent stake in NBCC and 89.81 per cent in HUDCO. The proposal is to dilute the stake through the Offer for Sale (OFS) route. The 25 per cent disinvestment in the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), a 100 per cent government owned company, is proposed through the IPO route. At current price, 10 per cent stake sale in NBCC could fetch the government around Rs 1,300 crore and Rs 1,100 crore in case of HUDCO. The DIPAM has invited separate bids from merchant bankers for the three disinvestments. In 2017-18, disinvestment of 10.19 per cent stake in HUDCO had yielded Rs 1,207.35 crore to the government. In 2012-13 the government came out with an IPO of National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC) and diluted 10 per cent stake. The government in October 2016 had sold 15 per cent stake through an OFS in NBCC for about Rs 2,200 crore. The government proposes to raise Rs 80,000 crore through disinvestment in the current fiscal. So far it has raised Rs 9,219.91 crore by diluting its stake in Mishra Dhatu Nigam and RITES (both through IPO route) and Bharat 22 ETF (Exchange Trade Fund mechanism). The government sold 25 per cent stake in Mishra Dhatu Nigam and raised Rs 434.14 crore and Rs 460.51 crore from diluting 12.6 per cent stake in RITES, a railways PSU. The Bharat 22 ETF had fetched Rs 8,325.26 crore to the government. In the last financial year, the government had crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore disinvestment target. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court has warned the AAP government of strict action if it does not finalise its policy to regulate taxis running in the national capital by the end of November this year. The warning by the high court came after the Delhi government said its policy -- the City Taxi Scheme 2017 -- was under consideration and would take more time to finalise. The Delhi government had in September last year sought four weeks' time to place the regulations before the court, and on July 31 this year, it sought two months more to carry out the exercise. Dissatisfied by the government's stand, a division bench of the high court in its order of July 31 directed that the New City Taxi Policy and the Licensing and Regulation of App-based Aggregators Rules, 2017 be placed before the court by November 26, the next date of hearing. "If action not taken by then we will be constrained to take strict action," the court said. It was hearing a PIL initiated by it on September 14 last year after taking cognisance of a September 12, 2017 incident in which a driver of a black-yellow taxi allegedly offered a lift to a woman and then sexually assaulted her. The court had taken note of a report in an English daily in this regard. Referring to the incident, the court had said, "It points out that enforcement agencies, Delhi Police and traffic police are unable to check gross violation of law by taxi drivers in Delhi, resulting in serious crimes including sexual violence against passengers." The report had said the 30-year-old taxi driver was arrested for allegedly raping the 23-year-old woman at a park near Red Fort on September 12, 2017. The woman had alleged that the driver raped her after telling her that he would drop her at a bus stand from where she could go to Ludhiana. The court, quoting the report, had noted that the practice of operating shared taxis was common around railway stations. The taxi in question did not have a GPS-based fare meter, which has been made mandatory by the transport department but has faced stiff resistance from autorickshaw and taxi unions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US academic David Crane, head of a United Nations Human Rights council commission to investigate recent violence on the Gaza Strip border, has resigned for "personal reasons" less than a month after he was appointed, the council said today. Vojislav Suc, Slovenian ambassador to the UN in Geneva and president of the council, has accepted the resignation and will have the task of appointing a new president of the commission, which also includes lawyers Sara Hossein from Bangladesh and Betty Murungi from Kenya, an official statement said. Crane, an expert in international law who is currently a professor at Syracuse University, is also a former prosecutor at the international court in Sierra Leone. He was appointed on July 25 to investigate the recent violence on the Gaza Strip border. Protests and clashes began on the border on March 30 and have continued at varying levels since then. At least 171 Gazans have been killed by Israeli fire during that time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab's main opposition AAP today postponed a legislators' meeting to frame a strategy for the upcoming Assembly session to August 24 to allow the party's rebel faction to participate. The meeting was scheduled to be held today. It was deferred after a group of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) dissident MLAs, led by ousted Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira, alleged that the meeting was deliberately called today to coincide with their volunteers' convention at Kotkapura. "We have postponed the meeting of our party legislators to August 24 (and it will be held) at 11 am at the Vidhan Sabha," Dirba MLA and LoP in the Punjab Assembly Harpal Singh Cheema said. "Kanwar Sandhu yesterday said that they (rebel faction) wanted to attend the meeting but it was deliberately scheduled for today so that they could not attend it. Therefore, we postponed it and they are now welcome to (join) the meeting," he said. Invitations for the meeting will be sent again to all the MLAs, he added. When asked how the party will put up a united face in the Assembly in the wake of the ongoing infighting, Cheema ruled out the possibility of any embarrassing situation. "They (rebel group) may do whatever they want to do outside. But in the Vidhan Sabha they will have to go by the party line," he asserted. The three-day Assembly session will be held from August 24 to 28. The AAP plunged into crisis after Khaira was sacked as the LoP in July. Ever since the crisis has only deepened with the dissidents forming an ad hoc Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and naming Khaira as the interim chief of the party's state unit. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has played down the infighting, calling it a family matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) will launch an exclusive job portal next month for its members amid rising demand for chartered accountants. The Committee for Members in Industry & Business of ICAI will formally launch the portal on September 1. "The demand of chartered accountants is growing. We used to place 3,000 candidates in a campus placements now it has doubled to 6,000 candidates. The demand for CAs have increased manifold across segments," Dhiraj Kumar Khandelwal Chairman CMI&B ICAI told PTI. He further noted that this job portal has details of all its members. It has video Curriculum Vitae (CVs), which gives recognition and value to the CV. Moreover, member profile can be updated through LinkedIn. The portal also has a solution for Flexi-hour working. "It will not only act as a great support system for CA Job seekers but also help organisations, which will have a big pool of world class CAs to choose from. Also all information shared on the portal is absolutely safe and there is no fear it being used for commercial gains," he said. CMI&B is also offering free registration and job postings to organisations till 29th August, 2018. "Being the regulator of the chartered accountant profession, the authentic database of CAs is available with ICAI. This portal has been specifically designed for serving CAs and is totally unique, which will work as a one stop solution for CA job seekers and job providers," Khandelwal said. ICAI is a statutory body established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 for regulating the profession in India. The strength of Chartered Accountant fraternity has grown to over 2.70 lakh members and about 8 lakh active students. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hear for a week in February the case of Indian Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on spying charges, according to a media report on Wednesday. Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by the military court in April last year. Pakistan claim that its security forces arrested Jadhav from its Balochistan province in March, 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran. India denies all charges. India moved the ICJ in May last year against the verdict. The ICJ halted Jadhav's execution on India's appeal pending the final verdict by it. Geo TV citing sources said the world court will hear the case daily for a week in February next year. In its submission, Pakistan had stated that Jadhav is not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities. The ICOMOS, a global monument conservation body, has launched an initiative to assess the damage to the rich cultural and built heritage in flood-devastated Kerala and set up an emergency response platform, an official said today. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is a prestigious non-government organisation dedicated to promoting the application of theory, methodology and scientific techniques for conservation of architectural and archaeological heritage across the world. "We launched the Kerala Heritage Rescue Initiative yesterday as the heritage in the flood-ravaged state is indeed damaged. We are also seeking support from the state government, the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) and reaching out to local conservation professionals," Vice President, ICOMOS, Rohit Jigyasu told PTI. The initiative also aims at setting up a platform for emergency response to the cultural heritage damaged by the floods in Kerala. "We have also set up a Facebook page to collect information on the damage to buildings, museum collections, cultural artefacts, libraries, archives, and even intangible heritage," he said. Jigyasu, a conservation and disaster risk management professional, who also holds the post of ICOMOS-India president, said, "Letters have been sent to the Kerala government and various other stakeholders, the response has been positive so far." Kerala is facing its worst floods in nearly a century that has left 223 dead in a fortnight and forced over 10 lakh people out of their homes. The Centre has declared this calamity of 'severe nature'. "While in the immediate aftermath of this disaster, rescue and relief are the utmost priority, it is also important to start preparations for assessing the damage and risks to the rich tangible, intangible, movable and immovable heritage that has been adversely affected by these floods, including monuments, historic buildings, museum collections and artefacts of significance to the community," Jigyasu said. He said as recalled in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, cultural heritage and its protection "helps build resilience" and enhances the ability of the affected population to participate in its own recovery. "We want to prepare until the humanitarian response phase is over. We will then create a heritage response team and train its members to undertake damage assessment and emergency measures," the ICOMOS vice-president said. "Meanwhile, we want to prepare the teams to undertake tasks on the ground. After the situation becomes better, we will send relevant experts to the affected areas as well," he said. Jigyasu said ICOMOS has also approached various organisation seeking funds to carry out multiple activities as envisioned. "One of the works includes creation of a rapid response team for heritage consisting of architects, engineers, conservators, historians, and all those who are concerned about heritage and willing to give a helping hand," he said. The ICOMOS-India chief said it has also approached the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) to partner in the post-disaster work, Jigyasu said. Rome-based ICCROM is an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage worldwide through training, information, research, cooperation and advocacy programmes. "Meanwhile, we are spearheading action through our local members and associates in Kerala," he said. Kerala is endowed with natural beauty, and is home to a number of iconic forts, palaces and other heritage buildings, which attract a huge number of tourists every year. ICOMOS is also an advisory body to the UNESCO for cultural heritage, in particular for implementation of the World Heritage Convention. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India ranks among the top 10 popular destinations for Chinese travellers in Asia, especially for social media-influenced millennials, according to a report. As per the India Tourism Statistics 2017, the country had welcomed over 2 lakh Chinese tourists in 2017. In India, Mumbai (69 per cent) and Delhi (51 per cent) emerged as the top visited cities, as per the Hotels.com Chinese International Travel Monitor 2018. For this report, Hotels.com engaged market research firm Ipsos to conduct interviews during May 2018 with 3,047 Chinese residents, aged 18-58 years, who had travelled overseas in the past 12 months. It said, star-struck by global pop-culture, film and television (62 per cent) are now the main sources of inspiration for Chinese millennial travellers, it said. Out of the 59 per cent of Chinese travellers who expressed interest in visiting the timeless monument of love, Taj Mahal, when they visit India - 38 per cent said the desire to do so because of it being a favourite television series or film location as well, it said. Interestingly, 26 per cent added Taj Mahal to their bucket-list after seeing their favourite celebrity visit it, it added. "While millennials were at the helm of social media influence and trends, the report found no generation was free from social networking's undeniable draw," Hotels.com brand general manager, Asia Pacific, Nelson Allen said. About 52 per cent of Chinese travellers were wooed by the feed, and a third of the older generation reported their travel decisions and behaviour were influenced by their digitally-connected children, he added. Travel brag moments and selfies were a huge part of the Chinese millennial travel experience in 2017, with 63 per cent using the reverse camera angle to boost those likes and build their social brand. India's picturesque towns with natural beauty (62 per cent), indigenous local food (49 per cent) and vibrant local culture (40 per cent) were popular for selfie-worthy moments for Chinese travellers when exploring India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India is conveying to various foreign governments pledging financial assistance to flood-ravaged Kerala that it will not accept the help, official sources said today. A number of countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Maldives have announced assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. The sources said that while declining to accept the assistance, India is conveying its sincere appreciation to the foreign nations for their offers to help flood affected people in Kerala. While the UAE has offered USD 100 million (around Rs 700 crore) as financial assistance to Kerala, Qatar has pledged around Rs 35 crore and Maldives has announced a donation of USD 50,000 (Rs 35 lakh). The Kerala government is understood to be unhappy over the Centre's decision not to accept donations from foreign governments for flood relief operations in the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said the state government would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear hurdles, if any, in receiving the flood relief aid offered to the state by the United Arab Emirates. In a tweet, Thailand's Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi said Indian government has informed his country that it will not accept overseas donations for flood relief operations in Kerala. Official sources said New Delhi is conveying to foreign governments that it was carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the damage caused by the floods in Kerala and is capable of meeting the requirements of the state on its own. India is also informing the foreign governments offering assistance to Kerala that it has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the challenge. "Informally informed with regret that GOI is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you the people of Bharat," the Thai envoy tweeted. Earlier, in a letter to Indian Association of Thailand, the envoy said he was in touch with Thai government and Thai companies present in India for extending possible assistance to Kerala. The sources said there was no restriction on accepting private contributions including from the diaspora. The UAE offered the assistance of Rs 700 crore considering its links with Kerala. Around three million Indians live and work in the UAE out of which 80 per cent are from Kerala, according to official figure. The floods in Kerala, worst in a century, have claimed lives of 231 people besides rendering over 14 lakh people homeless. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Principal Economic Adviser to the Finance Ministry Sanjeev Sanyal today sought to allay concerns over the falling Rupee against the US Dollar, saying India should not get too swayed by a single bilateral exchange rate. "If you take any broad based basket, you will see that the Rupee is not especially weak. We cannot get too swayed by a single bilateral exchange rate," Sanyal told PTI. He was responding to a question over the hue and cry raised over the Rupee recently breaching the historic low of 70-mark against the US Dollar. The falling Rupee value should be seen as strengthening of the US Dollarrather than weakness of the Rupee because the Rupee hasbeen stable over the last five years against most global currencies, Sanyal said. "The Rupee has been very stable over the last five years against most global currencies, except the US Dollar. Hence, weshould see this as US dollar strengthening rather than rupeeweakness," he said. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, on the eve of Independence Day celebrations, had hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the rupee breaching the historic low of 70 against the US Dollar. Gandhi had said this "historic depreciation" of the Rupee has given the 'supreme leader' a vote of "no confidence", while his Congress party had said it was the Prime Minister's Independence Day gift to the nation. "The Indian Rupee just gave the Supreme Leader, a vote of NO confidence, crashing to a historic low. Listen to the Supreme Leader's master class on economics in this video, where he explains why the Rupee is tanking," Gandhi had said on Twitter. Sanyal said the RBI, the competent authority for managing the exchange rate, has more than adequate forex reserves to manage sharp movements. "The RBI has a well-established mechanism that allows the Rupee to find its own level in the medium-term, but manages volatility in the short-term. It has more than adequate forexreserves to do and manage sharp movements," he said. The Rupee had recently crashed below the 70-mark in early trade to touch an all-time low of 70.10 against the US Dollar due to worries over the Turkish economic crisis and a sharp plunge in the Lira. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian-American scientist has identified as many as 50 protein biomarkers that can non-invasively detect inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - a gut disorder that leads to diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and weight loss. Chander Mohan, a professor at University of Houston in the US, received a USD 347,490 grant from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. Along with IBD expert Subra Kugathasan, a gastroenterologist at Emory University in the US, Mohan is examining stool protein biomarkers that indicate the disease. IBD occurs when the body's immune system fights its intestinal cells. Two of the most common types are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which cause inflammation in the digestive tract. It leads to a variety of recurring symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, blood in stools and weight loss. "The disease is diagnosed by inserting an endoscope into the digestive tract to obtain a biopsy. However, this procedure does not lend itself to frequent disease monitoring or home-care tests," Mohan told PTI. "To circumvent this, we asked if the stools from these patients might harbour specific molecules that we could potentially track," he said. "To our pleasant surprise, an initial screen of patient stools revealed multiple proteins that are significantly elevated only in diseased patients," Mohan said. "Confirming these findings in larger cohorts of patients may lead to novel stool tests for diagnosing and monitoring inflammatory bowel disease," he said. "Prompt diagnosis and tracking of disease activity would help clinicians tailor the medications accordingly so that the disease is well under control," Mohan said. With the right biomarkers, we could be in the position to predict the diseases even before a diagnosis is made using conventional approaches, researchers said. For two decades only one stool protein, faecal calprotectin, has been used to predict IBD, but it is suboptimal, according to Mohan, because its specificity and sensitivity is not perfect in predicting the diseases. Until now, no one looked for other stool proteins in a comprehensive fashion. By examining the levels of 1,100 different proteins in IBD stool samples researchers have narrowed down to 50, the number of proteins that are consistently elevated in IBD stools. Better disease diagnosis, monitoring and therapy in IBD can significantly improve the lives of patients. Diagnosing or monitoring the disease from a stool test is easier and less invasive and inexpensive compared to endoscopy or colonoscopy. For instance, a patient already diagnosed with IBD might find out early if the disease is flaring or the symptoms are merely transient, indicating a momentary disturbance. The hope is that the biomarker will tell the difference. If the disease is flaring up, the biomarker in the stool will increase, meaning the patient can get treated quicker. Mohan envisions a self-care or easy-care kit one day where patients can immediately understand what is happening inside, much like the saliva test and home-test kit for lupus his team is creating. "If we have the right biomarkers, this has the potential to be a major breakthrough," said Mohan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian in Canada has been allegedly racially abused over a parking dispute by a white woman who yelled "go back to your country" and called him a "Paki", according to a media report. Rahul Kumar, who moved from India to Canada seven years ago, was also called a "loser" with "shit-coloured skin", CTV reported. Kumar filmed the encounter outside his home on his cellphone last week. In the video, a woman yells at Kumar over a parking dispute. "You can film all you want Paki. Yes Paki, that's you with the shit-coloured skin," the report said, citing the video. The woman who made the comments called CTV Edmonton after the report aired and criticised the coverage, saying that she is "not a racist." Asked whether the parking disagreement justifies the racist language used, she said, "It doesn't matter if it justifies it or not; it happened and that's where I took it." She is unapologetic. "I have no problem with what happened," she was quoted as saying by the report. At one point in the video, the woman mixes up two countries where she thinks Kumar is from before she mocks his accent. "East Indian Paki," she shouts at him. "Go back to your country, man," she adds. Towards the end of the video, she can be seen driving off, but not before she spits on Kumar's car and calls him a "loser." Kumar says he was stunned by the woman's comments. "I've never experienced anything like that. Kumar said he was concerned because the woman's profanity-laden rant was within earshot of children. "It is very disturbing," he said. Last month, an Indian-origin couple was harassed in Canada by a white man who yelled that 'go back to your country' and threatened to 'kill' their children. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The one-man enquiry committee to probe the quality of a set of bullet proof jackets has given a clean chit to the Assam Police in its final report, according to a source. The Assam government had constituted the inquiry committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna following the death of Sub Inspector Bhaskar Kalita when bullets fired by ULFA(I) terrorists during an encounter on May 4 at Bordumsa pierced through his bullet-proof jacket. "The enquiry report was submitted to the chief secretary on August 10. It evaluated all quality aspects of the batch of jackets under question and it found that the products were as per standards and there were no deviations," a source in the Home Department told PTI. The Assam Police had received 1,560 bullet resistant jackets in January 2013 after a prolonged tender process, which began in June 2010, and were distributed to the personnel in all districts in the subsequent months. After Kalita's death, his family members, opposition parties and a few social activists raised questions about the quality of the jackets procured by the force and a batch was in dispute. In the beginning of the probe, Krishna randomly picked five jackets of the same batch from Jorhat and Tezpur and sent them to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh, for a quality check. "The CFSL report has come positive. They have checked the bullet resistant power of the vests and inferred that these are of very high quality state-of-the-art jackets," the source said. While procuring the jackets, the then Additional Director General of Police (MPC), Anil Kumar Jha, who had issued the supply order, for the first time in the history of the force, tested the products at the CFSL. In the procurement exercise, the technical committee was headed by former Inspector General of Police (SOU) N I Hussain, while the purchase committee was headed by then Director General of Police Shankar Barua. While carrying out a departmental enquiry over the incidents leading to death of Kalita, the Assam Police had found that the officer was not wearing the jacket in a "proper manner". The bullet proof jacket comprised two layers -- hard and soft armour panels -- and both needs to be worn together for the best protection, but Kalita went out for the operation only with the hard panel. "Moreover, the jackets were capable of resisting a bullet from 10 metres range. But Kalita was shot at point blank range and only the hard panel was simply insufficient to stop the bullet," another source in the know of the development told PTI. These particular set of jackets have been attracting controversies since the beginning of the tender process, in which Bangalore-based Tata Advanced Materials and New Delhi-based SM Pulp Packaging took part. After the rigorous quality checks by the technical committee, Tata Advanced Materials was asked to supply the jackets for a price of Rs 37,668.57 (inclusive of all taxes). A Kanpur-based individual had raised alarm alleging irregularities in the process, forcing Barua to issue a "Speaking Order" in September 2011 that cleared the entire exercise and termed the person as "fictitious and anonymous". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) International insurance companies have set a September 1 deadline for Nepal to clamp down on fraudulent helicopter rescues of tourists or they will stop giving cover, industry sources say. An AFP investigation earlier this year revealed a lucrative insurance racket around pressuring hikers in the Himalayas into unnecessary rescues. Multiple tourists are crammed into a single chopper, but each insurance company gets billed for the flight. The trekking operators, lodge owners, helicopter companies, and even hospitals pocket the extra cash. The fraud became so acute that Nepal's government, which relies heavily on tourism, launched a probe in June in a bid to keep insurers from pulling out altogether. AFP has since learned an alliance of insurers from Britain, Australia and New Zealand have warned they will stop providing cover unless concrete action is taken. Danny Kaine of Traveller Assist, a UK-based company that represents international insurers in Nepal, confirmed the deadline and said: "They are essentially trying to reduce their massive losses from the past two years." The helicopter scam has become such a money-maker that some budget tour operators are luring customers by selling treks at below cost price -- knowing they can make enough profit on kickbacks when the tourists are evacuated. In some cases, trekkers themselves are in on the scam, opting for a quick ride home billed to their insurance, while others are being scared into rescues for minor illnesses. "It was a joke among trekkers about how easy it was to get a heli down," a Dutch tourist in the Everest region told AFP. Insurers have demanded all helicopter rescues are pre-approved and capped at USD 4,000 per flight. They also want an inquiry into business permits after it emerged that some trekking outfits, charter companies and helicopter owners were operating with forged documents. A mass pull out by the insurers would seriously dent Nepal's vital tourism industry, which the government is banking on to revive the economy. Ministers have set an ambitious goal of attracting 2 million tourists a year by 2020 -- double the number who visited last year. The tourism ministry probe launched in June found there had been more than 1,300 helicopter rescues in the first five months of the year, costing insurers over USD 6.5 million. The investigation, covering 36 trekking companies, 10 helicopter companies and six hospitals, also uncovered evidence of guides putting baking soda -- a laxative -- in food to give tourists diarrhoea and then pressuring them to be evacuated by helicopter. "We've heard of cases where tourists have been made deliberately ill," Prakash Sharma Dhakal, the official who led the probe, told AFP. "In our investigation, we've seen a profit margin of up to 63 per cent by some companies... and hospitals have issued bills of up to six million rupees (USD 53,700)," Dhakal added. As a result of the probe, he said, action was being proposed against 15 companies. Industry insiders warn that the investigation has only revealed the tip of the iceberg, amid allegations that some businesses pressured the ministry to look the other way. "I know that there are some companies that are involved in the fraud that they haven't even spoken to," a source close to the investigation told AFP. Kaine of Traveller Assist said the probe was a "PR exercise". "I don't believe that the ministry has run an investigation of this scale before and I think they are under quite a lot of pressure to show that they are doing something about the fraud," he said. There are an estimated 2,000 trekking companies in Nepal promising to whisk tourists into the Himalayas, but many are unlicensed, operating from scruffy, cramped offices in the dusty backstreets of Kathmandu. In recent years, a large private helicopter industry, offering scenic mountain tours as well as rescues, has also developed, with 20 new choppers delivered to Nepal since 2012, according to industry magazine Vertical. Some major tour operators have financial interests in the helicopter companies, creating a worrying "conflict of interest" in both taking people to the mountains and rescuing them, said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, a US-based company that carries out medical evacuations for paying members. Global Rescue has made repeated attempts to report instances of wrongdoing to the government. But this has made them deeply unpopular among some of the biggest players in Nepal's tourism industry who have lobbied the ministry to have Global Rescue's team of international experts kicked out of the country. "They don't like having our personnel on the ground who can identify their bad behaviour and call it what it is: fraud," the company said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israeli authorities today approved plans for more than 1,000 settlement homes in the occupied West Bank, the Peace Now NGO said, the latest in a raft of approvals since US President Donald Trump took office. The plans for 1,004 homes approved by a defence ministry committee are at various stages in the process. They include 370 housing units in the Adam settlement, where three Israelis were stabbed by a Palestinian in July, one fatally, said Peace Now, which closely monitors Israeli settlement building. Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman had pledged to build 400 new homes in the settlement in response to the stabbings. According to Peace Now, 96 percent of those approved "are in isolated settlements that Israel will likely need to evacuate within the framework of a two-state agreement." Israeli settlements are considered a violation of international law and major stumbling blocks to peace efforts as they are built on land the Palestinians want for their future state. There have been warnings that the continuing expansion of settlements is diminishing any remaining hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel dismisses those arguments, blaming Palestinian intransigence, violence and "incitement" against it for stalled peace efforts. Trump's administration has been far less critical of settlement building than his predecessor Barack Obama. Peace Now says West Bank settlement plans increased to 6,742 units in 2017 compared with 2,629 the previous year, Obama's last in office. Plans have been advanced for 3,794 units so far this year, the NGO said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Satyapal Malik, the newly appointed governor of Jammu and Kashmir, will be administered the oath of office tomorrow, ending the five-decade-long practice of retired bureaucrats being appointed to the post, officials said today. Malik (72) has the experience of working with almost all political hues of the country, and will be the first career politician to assume the position after Karan Singh, who held the office from 1965 to 1967. Malik, former governor of Bihar, arrived in Srinagar in a chartered plane today. Outgoing Governor N N Vohra, who was at the helm of affairs for the last 10 years, today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a courtesy visit. He also met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The militancy-hit state is at present under the Governor's rule after the BJP withdrew support from its alliance partner PDP in June this year. Vohra, a 1959-batch Punjab cadre IAS officer, had remained the choice of the central government irrespective of the party in power due to his knowledge, expertise and negotiation skills. Just as he saw Jammu and Kashmir through its worst crises, including the Amarnath agitation row in 2008, Vohra also witnessed the rise and fall of militancy in Punjab. He was the home secretary of Punjab after Operation Blue Star in 1984 when the state was in the thick of a bloody struggle for Khalistan, and the Army stormed into the Golden Temple. In 1993, soon after the serial bombings in Mumbai, Vohra was appointed the Union home secretary. From 1990 to 1993, he was the defence secretary. After his retirement in 1994, he had submitted a report of a committee, which studied the problem of criminalisation in and examined the criminal-politician-bureaucrat nexus in India. Malik, who will be taking over the reins tomorrow, is a career politician who started as a student leader in Meerut University and became an MLA of Charan Singh's Bhartiya Kranti Dal from Baghpat, in Uttar Pradesh, in 1974. He had joined the Congress in 1984, and became a Rajya Sabha MP, but resigned three years later against the backdrop of the Bofors scam. He switched to the V P Singh-led Janta Dal in 1988 and became an MP from Aligarh in 1989. In 2004, Malik joined the BJP and unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections, losing to former prime minister Charan Singh's son Ajit Singh. Before taking oath as Bihar governor on October 4, 2017, he was in-charge of the BJP's Kisan Morcha. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japan wants Sri Lanka's southern Hambantota port to be "free of military activities", the visiting Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onedera has said amid concerns in the region over the leasing of the facility to China. Onedera, who arrived here yesterday, is the first Japanese defence minister ever to visit Sri Lanka. His visit comes amid the regional concerns over growing Chinese influence in Sri Lanka. Speaking to the Japanese NHK television after his meetings with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Onedera said he had raised the Chinese issue with Sri Lanka. "Despite the lease there was an agreement that port remains free of military activities," Onedera was quoted as saying by NHK. He is also scheduled to visit Hambantota. Sri Lanka and China have entered into a 99-year lease of the Hambantota port which will enable the Chinese to set up an industrial park around the sea port. Sri Lanka has responded to regional concerns, mostly from India, by saying that China would not be allowed to make any military presence at Hambantota, located on a key sea international shipping route. Sri Lanka tried to allay New Delhi's fears over Hambantota by entering into a joint venture with India's airports authority to lease out the Hambantota international airport to manage it. During his meeting with Sirisena yesterday, the two sides had agreed to boost defence cooperation in the maritime sphere. Japan has donated Sri Lanka two coast guards ships. Onedera will also visit Trincomalee, the eastern Sri Lankan port. Coinciding with his visit is the arrival of the Japanese Naval ship "Ikazuchi" in Trincomalee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The board of crisis-hit Jet Airways will consider cost reduction initiatives and turnaround plan along with June quarter results at its meeting on August 27, according to a regulatory filing. The full service carrier, which is grappling with financial woes, has been looking at ways to reduce costs amid high oil prices and intense competition. On August 9, the airline's board of directors deferred announcement of unaudited financial results for the June quarter and the same would be taken up on August 27. In a filing to the stock exchanges today, Jet Airways said the board would also take up matters related to cost reduction initiatives on August 27. While considering the unaudited financial results for the June quarter, the board would also "take up the matters in relation to the cost reduction initiatives and turnaround plan, for which the management had earlier sought time", the filing said. The delay in announcement of financial results by the airline has already come under the regulatory scanner. The Corporate Affairs Ministry has sought clarifications from the auditors of Jet Airways and markets regulator is also looking into the deferment of the results, sources had said. On August 9, Jet Airways CEO Vinay Dube said that the carrier has been working very diligently and has been implementing for some time a mission plan that looks at every element of structuring from cost perspective, and revenue perspective among others. "We are looking at costs related to fuel, fleet, sales and distribution. And the return to profitability will come with the execution of these measures," he had told shareholders at the annual general meeting. On the issue of pay cuts, Dube had said that the airline was looking at multiple elements of restructuring and payroll was one of them. "We are in deep dialogue with our staff and they are extremely supportive of our restructuring plans... in that we will make the best decision in the interest of the company and the employees," he had said. On that day, Jet Airways Founder Chairman Naresh Goyal said that he felt "guilty and embarrassed" as a lot of shareholders have lost their money, amid the airline's shares plummeting on financial woes. In recent weeks, shares of the airline has taken a beating on the bourses. On Tuesday, the scrip declined nearly 3 per cent to close at Rs 292.35 on the BSE. About reports that the Corporate Affairs Ministry has opened a preliminary probe into alleged diversion of funds at Jet Airways, the airline said on Tuesday that it has not received any communication from the ministry in this regard. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition BJP and Congress today sounded doom for the Aam Aadmi Party after senior leaders Ashish Khetan and Ashutosh quit the party in a span of a week, claiming that the development underlines a decline in the charisma of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Hitting out at Kejriwal after Khetan quit the AAP, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said the party may "vanish" before the next polls for the city assembly. "Arvind Kejriwal is onetime wonder whose charisma is fast losing its sheen among the people of Delhi and the leaders of his own party. It now appears that by the time of next Vidhan Sabha elections in 2020, the Aam Aadmi Party will vanish from the political horizon," Tiwari said in a statement. Earlier in the day, Khetan quit the party within a week of exit of another key face -- Ashutosh -- plunging the party into more trouble. "To fulfil his political ambitions, Arvind Kejriwal brought together a rabble of politically ambitious activists most of whom had no political ideology and with the passage of time this gathering converted into a Dangal arena," the BJP leader alleged in the statement. The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) also slammed the AAP's national convenor. "Within 6 years of forming the party, most of the old guards, founding members of AAP have left. Obviously something is terribly wrong within the party," DPCC's chief spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee tweeted. In a Facebook post, 46-year-old Khetan said, "For the past two years I have been plagued with self doubt and the question of whether I wanted to continue in electoral "Early this year I made my decision to quit active after much deliberation and in consultation with family and close friends." AAP insiders said discontentment among senior leaders grew after AAP nominated city-based businessman Sushil Gupta and chartered accountant ND Gupta for three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi, along with senior leader Sanjay Singh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala today alleged that shutters of various dams in the rain-ravaged state were opened without proper alerts, which flooded most of the districts and claimed 231 lives, besides leaving a trail of destruction. He also demanded a judicial probe into the allegations. The flooding which claimed several lives in the state was a "man-made disaster", he said, adding all the dams were opened without any prior warning and it led to a huge crisis. People were not shifted to safer places, the Congress leader told reporters here. Hitting out at state Power Minister M M Mani and Water Resources Minister T M Thomas Issac, Chennithala said there was no coordination between the two ministers when the shutters of the Cheruthoni dam and part of the Idukki reservoir were opened. He also attacked officials of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) for trying to reap maximum profit by generating more power, even as the situation was getting out of hand. In many of the worst-affected districts, people were asleep when the water level rose and entered their homes, he said. In mid-July, all dams were 90 per cent full. KSEB and the government ignored the warnings, the Congress leader alleged. CPI(M) MLA Raju Abraham said even before any warning, Ranni in Pathnamthitta had started flooding, adding there were lapses in the opening of shutters of Kakki and Pamba dams. Allegations have also surfaced that three shutters of Banasura Sagar dam in Wayanad were opened without even informing the district collector. Wayanad CPI(M) district secretary P Gagarin said there were complaints that people were not informed initially, but in the second phase, enough warnings had been given asking people to shift to safer places. "No one has lost life due to rise in water level. Some deaths had occurred due to landslides," he said. The Aliyar dam in Upper Sholayar was opened by Tamil Nadu without warning, thus flooding many parts of Thrissur and Chalakudy, while there are charges that no red alert was sounded before the dams of the Sabarigiri scheme were opened, resulting in severe flooding. Meanwhile, Dam Safety Chairman C N Ramachandran Nair said the allegations were "baseless". "Everyone knows water was rising in the reservoirs and rivers were in spate. Now the allegations are being levelled only for the sake of blaming somebody," he said. KSEB Chairman K P Sreedharan Nair also denied the allegations and said there was no lapse on part of the board, adding the dams were opened after enough alerts. There is no point in blaming the board for opening of the dams as most of the rivers were overflowing due to heavy rains, he said. For the first time in Kerala during the south-west monsoon, all the 40-odd rivers were in spate. Reservoirs were filled to the brim and shutters of 80 dams were opened to release water. According to a Kochi report, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president and North Paravur MLA V D Satheesan termed as "man-made" the floods that ravaged the state. He said the floods occurred due to failed dam management of various agencies including the state electricity board. "It is not a natural calamity. It is a man-made disaster," he told PTI. Satheesan, who is in the midst of relief and rehabilitation operations in his flood-hit Assembly constituency in Ernakulam district, alleged there was "dereliction of duty" at the chief minister and chief secretary levels on dam management and ensuring safety of those living downstream. He also demanded a probe by dam experts on the issue and prosecution of the political and bureaucratic leadership responsible for the "man-made calamity" that killed several people and rendered thousands homeless. The North Paravur MLA charged that there was no advisory from the authorities concerned regarding evacuation of people from the banks of Periyar river in view of huge flow of excess water released from Idukki and Idamalayar dams. "The state government did not have a plan. They failed in assessing the damages that could take place due to the release of excess water being stored in dams," he said. Satheesan alleged the KSEB was reluctant to open the shutters of dams even when the water level rose to an alarming level, claiming it would have affect power generation causing huge loss to the body. In one of the worst floods witnessed in the last century in Kerala, 231 lives were lost and nearly 14.50 lakh people are still in about 3,879 relief camps after a murderous monsoon rampaged through the state in its second spell that began on August 8. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kerala government would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear hurdles, if any, in receiving the 100 million dollars (Rs.700 crores) flood relief aid offered to the state by the United Arab Emirates, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said. Referring to reports that Centre was unlikely to accept foreign funds for the flood relief works, he said there were no obstacles for accepting such assistance. "Donations from other countries are acceptable. Will approach the Prime Minister if required," he told reporters here tonight. It was natural that two countries help each other. The Disaster Management policy announced in 2016 makes it clear that if any national government of another country voluntarily offers assistance as a good will gesture in solidarity with the disaster victims, the Central government may accept the offer, Vijayan said. The state government wanted to sort out the issue by holding discussions at theofficial level, but if necessary would seek the Prime Minister's intervention. The Congress earlier in the day termed as disappointing reports that the Centre was unlikely to accept any foreign financial aid for flood relief work and requested the Prime Minister to take steps to amend the rules. The government of UAE, which hosts a large number of expatriates from Kerala, has yesterday promised an assistance of USD 100 million for the reconstruction of the state, which has been devastated by the unprecedented deluge that left 231 people dead and displaced over 14.50 lakh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A team of 40 BSF personnel has fanned out in Kerala's Thrissur district for post-disaster rescue and sanitisation operations even as the force has rescued over 500 people from the flood affected areas till now, a senior official today said. The Border Security Force (BSF) has its 162nd battalion based in this centrally-located district of the state and all its staff has been deployed for the relief and rescue operations since the disaster struck, he said. A special team of 40 personnel have been sent to multiple locations in the district so that they can help the local administration in launching operations to clear submerged areas, remove debris and bodies in order to restore normalcy and help the residents in rehabilitation, the official said. This team has been provided necessary equipment and vehicles to even reach the remote corners of the district under the directions of the local administration, he said. More than 500 people have been rescued from various marooned areas of this district by the force till now, he said. Over 12,000 litres of drinking water has also been dispatched to the affected areas as the next phase of bringing back and putting together the lives of the displaced is a concern. About 15 response teams of the border guarding force are also running shelters, food camps and medical assistance facilities or the affected people, he said. The Kerala government has now turned its attention to cleaning of houses and public places which were damaged in the unprecedented rains that ravaged the state and with the operations to rescue stranded people from flood-affected areas nearing closure. According to the Disaster Management State Control Room, 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents since August 8. Nearly 14.50 lakh people from 3.91 lakh families are still in about 3,879 relief camps across the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Akshaya Patra Foundation today said it has set up a temporary kitchen in Alappuzha district of Kerala to serve free meals to people in the flood-affected state. So far, Akshaya Patra has served 25,000 freshly cooked meals (rice, sambar, special rice, palya) and around 70,000 chapattis in the region, the NGO said in a statement. "We have ensured our best to serve fresh hot meals to the people of Kerala. ... We will continue our services by feeding till the situation stabilizes," Akshaya Patra Foundation Vice-Chairman Chanchalapathi Dasa said. The first kitchen was set up at the Pandangiri Lower Primary School, but unfavourable weather conditions and heavy flooding resulted in it being shifted to St Aloysius College Stadium. Eventually, the kitchen setup was moved to Kidangamparambu Sree Bhuvaneswari Temple auditorium in Alappuzha. A team of 25 volunteers was immediately dispatched to the affected area to set up the kitchen and distribute freshly prepared food to the affected people. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served through Akshaya Patra delivery vehicles. Akshaya Patra Foundation is an NGO which helps in implementation of the government's mid-day meal scheme in schools. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bestselling writer Khaled Hosseini's new book "Sea Prayer" is a tribute to Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian boy whose body washed upon the beach in Turkey in September 2015, and will release on August 30. The Afghan-born American novelist was impelled to write "Sea Prayer" by the haunting image of young Alan. Written in the form of a letter, "Sea Prayer" is a father's reflection as he watches over his sleeping son, on the dangerous journey across the sea that lies before them. It is also an account of their life in Homs, Syria, before the war, and of that city's swift transformation from a home into a deadly war zone. Originally produced in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, "Sea Prayer" was first released as a Guardian virtual film on September 1, 2017. Published by Bloomsbury, "Sea Prayer" has illustrations by Dan Williams. "We are living in the midst of a displacement crisis of enormous proportions. 'Sea Prayer' is an attempt to pay tribute to the millions of families, like Alan Kurdi's, who have been splintered and forced from home by war and persecution," says Hosseini. Alexandra Pringle, group editor-in-chief at Bloomsbury, said the publishing house is "very proud to be working with Khaled Hosseini to create a beautiful book from his lyrical and intensely moving story, a book to be cherished by people of all ages all over the world". "My dear Marwan, I look at your profile in the glow of this moon, my boy, your eyelashes like calligraphy, closed in guileless sleep. And I say to you, 'Hold my hand. Nothing bad will happen'." On a moonlit beach a father cradles his sleeping son as they wait for dawn to break and a boat to arrive. He speaks to his boy of the long summers of his childhood, recalling his grandfather's house in Syria, the stirring of olive trees in the breeze, the bleating of his grandmother's goat, the clanking of her cooking pots. And he remembers, too, the bustling city of Homs with its crowded lanes, its mosque and grand souk, in the days before the sky spat bombs and they had to flee. When the sun rises, they and those around them will gather their possessions and embark on a perilous sea journey in search of a new home. Hosseini has authored books like "The Kite Runner", "A Thousand Splendid Suns" and "And the Mountains Echoed". In 2006, he was appointed a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. Williams is a London-based artist whose illustrations accompanied an extract of "The Kite Runner" in the Guardian when it was first published 15 years ago. Bloomsbury will donate one pound from the sale of each print book to UNHCR. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah today said linking Islam with terrorism is an insult to Muslims and those who do so are not aware of its teachings. In a statement to mark Eid, the Deewan of Ajmer Dargah, Zainul Abedin Ali Khan said the Prophet had given the message of peace and harmony, and the religion promoted amity between people. He asked Muslims to present the true picture of their religion before non-Muslims. Islam and terrorism cannot coexist, he said. Terrorism cannot have any connection with Islam and if anyone brands it a terror religion, he is only expressing hatred towards it, the head of the Sufi shrine said. The Dargah Deewan said Muslims should follow the principles of Islam fully and should not have any feeling of disrespect towards other religions. Similarly other people should also learn that Islam promotes love and harmony, he added. He said being a Muslim did not just mean wearing a skullcap and keeping a beard. But a Muslim is one who has the desire to protect people from bloodshed, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) has asked the Thane Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra to pay a compensation of Rs 60 lakh to the family of a traffic policeman who died in a road accident while on duty in 2016. The tribunal held that just because the family had received insurance and provident fund pay-outs, it cannot be deprived of the compensation. MACT member R N Rokade directed the Thane Municipal Transport (TMT), the civic bus service, to pay the amount to the family of constable Chandrakant Salunke, with an eight per cent interest from the date of claim added on it. Advocate Natha N Jahav, who represented the family, said that on March 11, 2016, when Salunke (43) was on duty on Ghodbunder Road in Thane city, he spotted a tempo running on the wrong side. He stopped the tempo. But, as he was questioning the driver, a TMT bus came at a high-speed and ran over Salunke before hitting the tempo and he policeman was killed on the spot, Jahav said. The constable's wife Kirti Salunke, two teenage children and parents approached the MACT, demanding that the TMT pay them compensation as Salunke died because of the bus driver's fault, and he was the sole earning member of the family. As per the police probe, the bus driver was drunk at the time and was driving rashly. The municipal corporation's lawyers pleaded that the family had already received insurance amount of Rs 10 lakh and also Salunke's provident fund, so they cannot demand any compensation. The tribunal rejected the argument. In its order last week, it noted that the Bombay High Court, in a 2014 case, had held that an accident victim or his/her dependents cannot be denied compensation on the ground that they got insurance amount. The MACT directed that of the total compensation, Rs 4 lakh each should be paid to Salunke's parents, Rs 15 lakh each to his two children and the balance to his wife. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking a serious view of alleged opposition by the principal and teachers of a 'madrasa' (Islamic seminary) to singing of the national anthem during Independence Day function, the Uttar Pradesh government has cancelled its recognition. The recognition of Madrasa Arabia Ahle Girls College, situated in Badago area under Kolhui police station has been cancelled on the order of the state department, official sources said. District minority welfare officer Prabhat Kumar said the action was taken following a report of the inquiry committee set up by the administration to probe the allegations. The principal of the madrasa Fazlal Rahman and some other teachers had reportedly stopped the students from singing the national anthem on Independence Day after unfurling of the tricolour. The matter came to light when a video purportedly showing the principal stopping the students from singing the national anthem became viral on social media. The police had swung into action and a case of treason was filed against three teachers of the madrasa and they were arrested. District Magistrate Amarnath Upadhyay had ordered the district minority welfare officer to investigate the matter. After the investigation, the report was sent to the BJP-led state government. Sources said alternative arrangements will be made to accommodate the students of the seminary in some other institution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Online travel firm MakeMyTrip today said it has signed an agreement with Indonesian tourism ministry to promote the Southeast Asian country as a preferred destination in India. Under the partnership, MakeMyTrip and Indonesian tourism ministry will run campaigns across the online travel firm's platforms to endorse tourism to Bali, Jakarta and other regions, the company said in a statement. "We greatly look forward to working with the Ministry of Tourism of Republic of Indonesia to build the tourism momentum in the region," MakeMyTrip Co-Founder and CEO-India Rajesh Magow said. The company will be providing enhanced travel offerings to encourage travellers to explore Indonesia, he added. "Footfall of Indian travellers holidaying in Indonesia has skyrocketed in the last couple of years. The Ministry is taking additional steps in order to get the incremental growth from India," Deputy Minister of Tourism Marketing, Republic of Indonesia, Nia Niscaya said. India continues to be one of the important source markets for Indonesia and over the last few years, travel to Indonesia has seen a significant rise in the number of Indian travellers, the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Eid ul-Adha and hoped that the festival of sacrifice would deepen the spirit of sharing and brotherhood. "On the occasion of Id-ul-Zuha, let us commit ourselves to the spirit of sharing and brotherhood. My best wishes to all," Banerjee tweeted. The festival was celebrated with religious fervour across the state with Muslims thronging idgahs and mosques for congregational prayers and to commemorate the sacrifice Prophet Ibrahim made for God which showed his faith and devotion. Eid ul-Adha marks the prophet's sacrifice of a lamb after God spared his son Prophet Ismail. The biggest congregation in the state was held at the Red Road or Indira Gandhi Sarani in the city where thousands of people gathered for Eid prayer. Nakhoda and Tipu Sultan Mosques in the city also recorded huge gatherings on the occasion. Similar gatherings were reported from districts and major towns in the state. Dressed in their best, Muslims came out early in the morning to offer special prayers at mosques. After the prayers, they hugged and greeted each other before setting off for the ceremonial sacrifice of animals. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man has been arrested in the US for allegedly killing a Sikh man who was found stabbed to death at his store in New Jersey last week. Terlok Singh, 55, was found dead by his cousin on August 16 in his store with an apparent stab wound in the chest. It was the third incident targeting the minority Sikh community in the country in three weeks. Ubiera, 55, of Newark has been arrested and charged with the murder of Singh, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino said. Ubiera did odd jobs at the store and a detention hearing is schedule for him tomorrow. The Essex County Prosecutor's office had called the incident a homicide. 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. 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, had 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.) A man has been arrested for allegedly sharing a morphed image on Facebook showing Nepal Prime Minister KP Oli's head superimposed on a monkey's body, police said. Homnath Sigdel, 44, was arrested yesterday for "sharing the indecent photograph that aimed at the prime minister's character assassination", a senior police officer said. The morphed image appeared on a Facebook group earlier this month and has been shared for more than 2,600 times. Police said that Sigdel had also posted a second photo of Oli's head on a naked human body. Sigdel, a village committee's secretary in Bhaktapur district near Kathmandu, could face up to five years in jail or a 100,000 rupee (USD 900) fine or both if found guilty under a provision of the Electronic Transactions Act. The arrest comes days after Nepal introduced a new criminal code that includes draconian laws which the activists have warned could be used to suppress critics of the government. The Communist-led two third majority government headed by KP Oli has shown increasing intolerance of dissent ever since it came to power six months back, observer said. This is total violation of the Constitution, which guarantees fundamental rights of the people, said senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi commenting on the issue. Prime Minister's fun cannot be made the subject for prosecution, he said, adding that the PM is not above law and there is every possibility that he comes under public criticism. This is a mockery of democracy and the action taken by the security agencies on this shows the characteristic of a communist dictatorship, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 35-year-old citizen of Laos was detained by the CISF at Jaipur International Airport (JIA) for trying to smuggle 1.5 kg gold worth Rs 45 lakh into the country, an official said. The accused, Vatsna Sangphachan, was detained on suspicion after his arrival from Bangkok and later 1.5 kg gold was recovered from his shoes, he said. The accused cannot speak English and his phone call records are being investigated, the CISF official said, adding that the gold has been seized. Sangphachan has been handed over to the customs officials for further investigation into the matter, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 35-year-old man was trampled to death by a wild elephant in a forest in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh, a forest official said today. The deceased, identified as Bhuvan Dhanwar, was attacked by the pachyderm last night near Basajhar village under Chhal forest range, Divisional Forest Officer (Dharamjaigarh forest division) Pranay Mishra said. Dhanwar, who was from Dhodagaon village in the area, was walking across the forest to reach Kharra, his in-laws' village located near his place, he said. After being alerted about the incident this morning, a team of forest personnel reached the spot and sent the body for the post-mortem, the DFO said. The kin of the deceased was given immediaterelief amount of Rs 25,000, while the remaining Rs 3.75 lakh will be given within 15 days, once all the formalities complete, the official added. The thickly forested northern region of Chhattisgarh, comprising Surguja, Korba, Raigarh, Jashpur and Koriya districts, is notorious for incidents of human-elephant conflict. The region has witnessed killings of several people and damages to houses and crops by rogueelephantsin the last few years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Mira Sorvino says she is "heartsick" over allegations that Asia Argento sexually assaulted a young male actor and secretly paid him off. Sorvino, like Argento, was one of the first women to publicly come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Harvey Weinstein. In a statement, posted on her Twitter account, Srovino said she was "reeling from the recent news" and hoped against hope that allegations against Arjento are not true. "I have been heartsick over the recent allegations against Asia Argento. Time will clarify things and perhaps she will be exonerated, but if true, there is no lens that makes it better. "Child sexual assault is a heinous crime and is against all that I and the #MeToo movement stands for. I remain dedicated in the fight for all victims and change the culture that encourages the abuse of power in sexual relationships," she said. According to a New York Times report, Argento paid child actor Jimmy Bennett USD 380,000 in November after his lawyers had served her with a notice to sue for sexual assault. The alleged assault is said to have taken place in a Californian hotel in 2013 when Bennett, now 22, was just two months past his 17th birthday. The age of consent in California is 18. Argento has denied the allegations, claiming the assault never took place. She admits that a payment was made to Bennett by her then-boyfriend, Anthony Bourdain, to stop him from harassing them as they were already in the middle of the Weinstein scandal. She claims Bennett was in financial trouble and wanted to extract money from her when her name appeared in papers as an accuser in Weinstein's case. "I am deeply shocked and hurt having read the that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett," she said in a statement. Rose McGowan, a friend of Argento, also distanced herself from the actor, tweeting that her "heart was broken" and that she would continue "continue my work on behalf of victims everywhere. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors has launched the new version of its premium SUV Outlander in India, priced at Rs 31.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The seven-seat SUV is powered by a 2.4 litre petrol engine mated with 4-wheel drive CVT automatic transmission, HMFCL said in a statement. Hindustan Motors Finance Corporation Ltd (HMFCL) is the India distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles. "The Outlander has established itself as an outstanding product in the premium SUV segment. With its contemporary new look, the dominant toughness of Outlander has never been more appealing and we believe that it will set new benchmarks in its segment," HMFCL Managing Director Uttam Bose said in a statement. The new engine provides better performance, capability and refinement customers in this premium SUV segment expect, he added. The SUV comes with various features like dual zone AC air filters, electric parking break with auto hold function, sliding sunroof and keyless operation system, among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six people have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 53-year-old man near here on suspicion that he was a child lifter, police said today. The man was attacked by a group when he, along with his friend, was returning home on August 19 after collecting some donations for Bakrid. While he was about to start his new two-wheeler, children who were playing there gathered and he offered them sweets. Suddenly, a group caught hold of him alleging that he was a child lifter, tied him to a pole and started thrashing him even as he pleaded with them that he was innocent. His friend managed to escape. Police, who rushed to the spot, rescued him and later arrested six persons allegedly involved in the attack. The man has been admitted him to government Wenlock hospital and his condition is stated to be stable,police said. A video of the attack has gone viral on the social media. In his complaint to police, the man said there were at least 40 people in the mob that attacked him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah today handed over urns containing ashes of Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the party's state unit chiefs for leading 'Asthi Kalash Yatra' in their states as its top brass embarked on an exercise to firm up the legacy of the saffron stalwart. Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj joined Modi and Shah in handing over the urns at a ceremony. The ashes of the former prime minister will be immersed in over 100 rivers across the country following a procession in which, Shah said, people could offer tributes to Vajpayee. The party has decided to take out the 'Asthi Kalash Yatra' in all the states of the country so that citizens could offer their tributes to the popular leader, Shah tweeted. Processions will start from today from state capitals and pass through all blocks, party leaders said. BJP governments across the country have already undertaken a number of measures to cement the legacy of the leader, whose popular appeal and affable manners won it support of the masses and also new allies. Many of them have announced memorials, some like Chhattisgarh named a city after him and some like Maharashtra decided to set up chairs in his name in universities. Several 'yatras' will be held in many states so that they can pass through all district and blocks, they said. Since Vajpayee, 93, died on August 16 following a prolonged illness, the BJP has organised a number of events, including a ceremony for immersing his ashes in Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar on August 19.Shah, other top party leaders like Singh and Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand chief ministers were present on the occasion. It had also organised an all-party prayer meeting on August 20 to pay tribute to Vajpayee, who had led the BJP to victory in two back to back Lok Sabha elections and became the first opposition leader to compete a full term as prime minister. Leaders of all major parties paid rich tributes to him. Modi had cited outpouring of emotions across the country following Vajpayee's death even though he was away from public glare for a decade due to poor health, to emphasise on his enduring appeal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pardoned a total of 188 people linked to the "Hirak" protest movement on the occasion of Eid al-Adha religious feast, the National Council on Human Rights said. The council initially reported yesterday that royal pardons had been granted to 11 activists serving sentences of two to three years in prison for their part in the Al-Hirak al-Shaabi, or "Popular Movement" whose protests rocked the northern Rif region in 2016-2017. The other pardons concern people sentenced in connection with the demonstrations in the disadvantaged region, according to the Moroccan press. It was not immediately possible to get confirmation from the justice ministry, which published the list of people granted royal pardons. The social unrest linked to Hirak began in October 2016 after the death of a fisherman and spiralled into a wave of protests demanding more development in the neglected Rif region and railing against corruption and unemployment. The pardoned Hirak detainees were immediately released and the rights council has begun coordinating with local authorities in various cities to prepare for their return home, according to a council official. A Casablanca court on June 26 sentenced 53 Hirak members to prison terms ranging from one year to 20 years. The severity of the punishment sparked anger and protests, along with appeals for royal clemency. The total number of convictions tied to Hirak are not known, but the protests have led to more than 400 arrests, the rights council says. The movement's leader Nasser Zafzafi, sentenced with three companions to 20 years in prison for threatening the security of the state, was not among those on the pardon list. Nor was journalist Hamid el Mahdaoui, sentenced to three years for covering the events. The defendants in the Casablanca trial have appealed and the hearing is scheduled for October. Amnesty International has called for the verdicts and sentences to be overturned "due to the unfair nature of their trials". Authorities have said the trials were fair. The 2016 protests began when fisherman Mouhcine Fikri was crushed to death in a rubbish truck, while he was apparently trying to retrieve swordfish seized by authorities as it was caught out of season. Subsequent unrest in the Rif region, where the marginalised Berber ethnic group is the majority, focused on social issues as demonstrators demanded jobs and development. Morocco is marked by glaring social and territorial inequalities, against a backdrop of high unemployment among young people. In 2017, the north African kingdom was ranked 123 out of 188 countries on the UN's Human Development Index. Royal pardons are traditionally handed down at major holidays. Mohamed VI also pardoned 522 people for Youth Day yesterday, which is also the birthday of the monarch, who turned 55. On Monday, the anniversary of "the revolution of the king and the people", he had also granted 428 pardons, including for 22 Salafists convicted of extremism or terrorism but who had volunteered for a "Reconciliation" reintegration programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sending a message of communal amity, a mosque in Kerala's Malappuram district has provided shelter and food to several Hindu families displaced by the massive floods, while groups of Muslim men have assisted in cleaning two Hindu shrines affected by the deluge. The Juma Masjid, located at Akampadam in Chaliyar village in northern Malappuram, has virtually turned into a relief camp since the second spell of rains started devastating the northern districts on August 8. As many as 17 displaced Hindu families, including women, children and the elderly were given space to sleep inside the mosque, provided food prepared at its canteen and given rice, pulses and other essential materials when they returned home. Most of the 78 people, who were given shelter at the Juma Masjid, were Hindus, Chaliyar village panchayat chief P T Usman said. "There were 26 families who had sought refuge in the mosque, a majority of them Hindus. Though we opened the relief camp at the mosque on August 8, the activities started in full swing only after August 14, following a series of landslides that rocked the district," he told PTI. The Hindu families returned two days ago as water receded from their submerged homes, Usman said. "The rest returned home after taking part in the observance of Bakrid today," he added. Meanwhile, two groups of Muslim men assisted in cleaning Hindu shrines in Wayanad and Malappuram districts. A Vishnu temple at Venniyode in Wayanad and a shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa at Mannarkkad in Malappuram, inundated due to the floods, were cleaned by them. Many shared the photos of the Muslim men cleaning the temples on social media. A total of 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents in Kerala since August 8. Nearly 14.50 lakh people from 3.91 lakh families have taken shelter in about 3,879 relief camps across the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With a mosque opening its portals to distressed Hindus and Muslims cleaning temples, the murderous monsoon seems to have washed away the barriers of religious differences in rain-ravaged Kerala. Amid the distress triggered by the floods, a mosque in northern Malappuram, one of the worst-hit districts, has offered shelter to 17 displaced Hindu families, including women, children and the elderly. The Juma Masjid, located at Akampadam in Chaliyar village, has virtually turned a relief camp since the second spell of rains started to devastate the northern districts on August 8. Cutting across religion and caste, the displaced people were given space to sleep inside the mosque, provided food prepared at its canteen and given rice, pulses and other essential materials when they returned home. Most of the 78 people, who were given shelter at the Juma Masjid, were Hindus, Chaliyar village panchayat chief P T Usman said. "There were 26 families who had sought refuge in the mosque, a majority of them Hindus. Though we opened the relief camp at the mosque on August 8, the activities started in full swing only after August 14, following a series of landslides that rocked the district," he told PTI. The Hindu families returned two days ago as water receded from their submerged homes, Usman said. "The rest returned home after taking part in the observance of Bakrid today," he added. Meanwhile, two groups of Muslim men had no hesitation in cleaning Hindu shrines in Wayanad and Malappuram districts. A Vishnu temple at Venniyode in Wayanad and a shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa at Mannarkkad in Malappuram, inundated due to the floods, were cleaned by them. Many shared the photos of the Muslim men cleaning the temples on social media. A total of 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents in Kerala since August 8. Nearly 14.50 lakh people from 3.91 lakh families have taken shelter in about 3,879 relief camps across the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Mumbai Maersk, operated by APM Terminals Mumbai, has set a world record in loading the highest number of containers, surpassing the 19,000-TEU-mark, the shipping line has said. The vessel loaded 19,038 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) setting a new world record, which is a fete not only for a Maersk vessel, but also for any vessel in the world, the shipping line said in a statement today. The world record load of 19,038 TEU has raised a new bar for Maersk by surpassing the Madison Maersk, a first generation triple-E class vessel, which had clocked the previous record of loading 18,215 TEU in 2015. The Mumbai Maersk, a second generation triple-E class vessel with a nominal capacity of 20,568 TEU, had left the Tanjung Pelepas port in Malaysia over the weekend and is sailing into Europe with the first port of call expected at Rotterdam on September 5. The Mumbai Maersk is the newest to enter the triple-E fleet in May this year and is deployed on the Asia-to-Europe service, the company said. Commenting on the achievement, Keith Svendsen, chief operating officer, APM Terminals, said, "This record on most loaded containers during a port stay shows that we are well- positioned to offer world-class service to our clients." APM Terminals Mumbai is part of APM Terminals Global Terminal Network and operates as a joint venture between APM Terminals and the state-run Container Corporation of India from the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) near here. APM Terminals is the country's largest container terminal in terms of container throughput (TEUs), representing 18 per cent of the nation's containerised cargo. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Muslims in Nagaland today celebrated Eid ul-Adha with religious fervour and also made sacrificial offerings. With majority of the Muslim community residing in and around the state capital Kohima and commercial hub Dimapur, thousands marked the day by performing special namaz at idgahs in the two districts. Nagaland Governor P B Acharya and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extended greetings to the people on the occasion. Eid ul-Adha is also known as the festival of sacrifice or Bakrid and Eid ul-Azha. The governor conveyed his warm greetings to the people of Nagaland and wished for harmony and brotherhood in the society. Acharya hoped that the sacred occasion will usher in goodwill and harmony and further strengthen the values of composite society everywhere. "May this Eid bring you cheer, peace and happiness and may it foster goodwill and brotherhood", Chief Minister Rio tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Muslims living in West Bengal since childhood don't need to worry about the NRC, BJP MP Roopa Ganguly today said, while urging a section of political parties not to politicise every issue "for the sake of national interest". Ganguly's statement comes against the backdrop of a war of words between the TMC and the BJP over the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. "Pakistan was formed after the Partition on the basis that it becomes a Muslim country. Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) was mainly for Muslims. West Bengal was made part of India as it was for Hindus, who had come from (the then) East Pakistan because they were driven out from there," Ganguly said on the sidelines of a programme here. "Those who are living in India since their childhood, including Muslims, do not need to worry about the NRC," she said. "The Muslims who are living in Bengal since their childhood (for many decades) need not to worry about the NRC. There are certain things which should not be politicised for the sake of national interest," Ganguly said. The TMC has accused the BJP of being "anti-Bengali" and said it tried to divide the people on religious lines. The BJP in its turn had accused the TMC government of turning the state into a safe haven for Bangladeshi infiltrators for the sake of vote bank politics. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) has released a video using satellite data that provides an estimate of rainfall and shows the spread of the resulting severe flooding in Kerala, and parts of Karnataka. The summer monsoon is a regular feature this time of year in India, and it can bring heavy rains to the region. However, periodically areas of low pressure can form within the general monsoon trough and bring even more rain. Kerala is facing its worst floods in nearly a century that has left at least 231 people dead, and forced over thousands of people out of their homes. The Centre has declared this calamity of 'severe nature'. Although the extreme Himalayan topography is much more well-known, another contributing factor to the heavy rains along the southwest coast of India is the Western Ghats, said in a statement. Though much smaller than the Himalayas, this mountain range runs parallel to the West Coast of India with many peaks over 2,000 metres. As a result, the Western Ghats are well positioned to enhance rainfall along the West Coast of India as they intercept the moisture laden air being drawn in off the warm waters of the northern Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea as part of the southwest monsoon circulation. The Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) is used to estimate precipitation from a combination of passive microwave sensors, including microwave sensor and infrared data. GPM is the Global Precipitation Measurement mission core satellite. GPM is a joint mission between and the Japan Aerospace Agency, JAXA. Rainfall accumulations from August 13 to 20, 2018 showed two bands of heavy rain across India. The first band appeared much broader and extends across the northern part of the peninsula with weekly rainfall totals ranging from over 5 inches towards the western half of the peninsula to as much as 14 inches over parts of the eastern half towards the Bay of Bengal. The first band is associated with the general monsoon circulation. The second band appeared more concentrated and intense and is closely aligned with the southwest coast of India and the Western Ghats where onshore flow was enhanced by an area of low pressure embedded within the general monsoon. Weekly rainfall totals in this band are generally over 10 inches with embedded areas exceeding 16 inches. The maximum estimated value from IMERG in this band was 18.5 inches. The Southern Naval command today called off its 14-day long rescue operations in the flood-hit Kerala, saying there were no more requests for evacuation as waters receding in affected areas. It also said the Naval personnel rescued a total of 16,005 people during 'Operation Madad', launched on August 9 for assisting the state administration and undertaking disaster relief operations. "The Southern Naval Command recalled all rescue teams deployed for #OperationMadad as flood waters receded and no more requests for rescue were received," a Defence release said here. According to the Disaster Management State Control room, 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents since August 8. Nearly 14.50 lakh people belonging to 3.91 lakh families are still lodged in 3,879 relief camps across the state. Besides the Navy, personnel of the Army, the Air Force and Coast Guard were also involved in the rescue and relief operations along with civil administration. Army's Southern Command chief Lt Gen D R Soni had on Monday said its personnel would continue to be engaged in the rescue operations in flood-hit Kerala till the situation stabilised. The Defence forces were involved in several daring rescue acts such as the air-lifting of a pregnant woman, winching up of a two-year old which won them widespread appreciation. The Navy said that in addition to the rescue of the marooned, ten air sorties amounting to 15 hours of flying were undertaken by various naval aircraft, mainly for air dropping of relief supplies especially food and medicines. Relief materials including fresh water, provisions, ready to eat meals and medicines which arrived onboard two ships of the Western Naval Command were distributed in various localities in coordination with the civil administration. The Naval air station, 'Garuda', continued facilitating civil aircraft operations, in addition to the military flying requirements, the release said. The Naval airport was being used in view of the closure of the international airport at nearby Nedumbassery in the wake of floods. Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, and Indigo operated ATR 72 aircraft during the day. The air station was also extensively used to airlift medical teams, food and medicines as required by the state government so that the relief supplies could quickly reach the needy people, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Nepal government has formed a seven-member committee to hold talks with China to implement a bilateral agreement on energy cooperation, officials said. The two countries had signed the MoU on Energy Cooperation during the visit of Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China during the third week of June. Energy Secretary Anup Kumar Upadhyay has been appointed as the co-chair of the committee, which includes representatives from Nepal Electricity Authority and the Energy Ministry as its members. The committee meeting will be held in Kathmandu on September 27 and 28. The meeting will hold discussions on energy cooperation and progress on investment exchange in the sector, the officials said. The committee will prepare the ground for creating a conducive to promote investment in the energy development from both government and private sectors. Nepal had signed similar energy cooperation agreements with India and Bangladesh also. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) C K Birla group company Orient Electric Ltd today said it was targeting 15-20 per cent topline growth during the current fiscal on the back of strong performance in its core businesses. "In 2017-18, we grew by 12 per cent to Rs 1,700 crore against industry growth rate of 7-8 per cent. While, in the current fiscal, we hope to maintain strong growth at 15-20 per cent in topline," Orient Electric Senior VP and business head, fans Atul Jain said today at a press conference here. Fans remain the company's mainstay contributing 70 per cent to the total revenue. The company has also forayed into appliances, lighting and switchgear in the last 4-5 years. Jain said that the company is confident of maintaining profitability in sync with its expansion during the fiscal. On fan business, he said the company has become a leader in the premium segment with 40 per cent marketshare. "We are targeting to take the marketshare of premium fan to 50 per cent," Jain said. Premium fans comprise 15 per cent of total fan business of Orient while decorative is 20-25 per cent. The rest of the fan revenue comes from mass and entry segment. "In the next 2-3 years, we expect premium and decorative fans to gain ground and command 50 per cent of the total fans business," Jain said. He said the overall fans business in the organised sector has been growing following the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) last year but competition is also getting intense. Orient exports its fans to some 35 countries which account for 18-20 per cent of revenue but in the next 2-3 years the company expects this pie to expand to 25 per cent, Jain said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Orissa High Court has quashed the affidavit clause in the state government's Grant-in-Aid (GIA) policy for teachers. Adjudicating over a writ petition challenging the 2017 policy, Justice A K Rath, in his ruling, said the clause infringed on the fundamental rights of the teachers. The affidavit clause would require the teachers to submit an affidavit that they would not resort to any legal action in future after accepting the new GIA policy, the petitioner's counsel Buddhadev Routray said. The policy promises the teachers financial benefits such as basic pay, grade pay and increments. In the earlier block grant system, they were getting only a consolidated amount. The high court order, bringing relief to the teachers, was delivered yesterday, but they have been continuing their dharna at Bhubaneswar. School and college teachers were on dharna for a week to press for their demands including abolition of the affidavit clause. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 2.83 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas till date, with 204 pilgrims visiting today, an official spokesperson said. "On the 56th day of the ongoing Amarnath yatra, 204 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave.Till date, 2,83,725 pilgrims had the 'darshan' of the 'shivling' at the holy cave," he said. The 60-day annual yatra commenced from the twin routes of Baltal in Ganderbal district and Pahalgam in Anantnag district of the Valley on June 28. It is scheduled to conclude on August 26, coinciding with the festival of 'Raksha Bandhan'. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sattviko, a packaged food startup, today said it has raised funding from multiple investors, including Helion Venture founder Ashish Gupta, former EY India Head Sunil Chandiramani and others. Set up in 2014, the company had raised its pre-series A funding in September last year from a clutch of investors led by Raman Roy (Nasscom). The startup in a statement claimed that it used the amount to grow six times in FY2017-18, and it aims to further grow by Rs 50 crore in FY2018-19 by making use of the fresh capital. "Till date, we have spread our wings to 10 major cities of India and across all large retailers...Our next step is to initiate our Dubai and US operation. Over time, we will endeavour to penetrate across geographies and borders, introducing the Sattwik taste of Indian-origin recipes and healthy food items to the world," Prasoon Gupta, co-founder of Sattviko, said. Sattviko, which registered Rs 70 lakh revenue in the first year, now aims to touch Rs 45 crore mark in the coming years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar returned today from the USA where he had gone for a medical check-up. Parrikar, who underwent three-month-long treatment for a pancreatic ailment at a hospital in the United States earlier, undertook another journey to that country on August 10 for a follow-up. He landed at the Goa airport this evening by a regular flight and was seen walking out of the airport terminal. As he came out, he was accompanied by Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik and state BJP president Vinay Tendulkar. BJP sources said that Naik and Tendulkar had landed a little earlier from Delhi, bringing with them two urns of ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for immersion in rivers in the state. Parrikar (62) had gone to the US for treatment in the first week of March, and returned in the last week of June. After that he attended the monsoon session of the Goa Assembly before flying to the US again on August 10. The urns of Vajpayee's ashes would be kept at the BJP headquarters in Panaji where party workers can pay their respects to the departed leader, BJP sources said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders handed urns containing Vajpayee's ashes to state BJP chiefs in Delhi earlier today. Parrikar will immerse the ashes in the River Mandovi, while South Goa member of Parliament Narendra Sawaikar will immerse them in the River Zuari on August 24, BJP sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hailed the performance of Indian Wushu players at the Asian Games underway in Jakarta, saying they are doing a wonderful job. He said Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh's bronze medal in the 60-kg category is a matter of immense joy for every Indian. In a series of tweets, he also appreciated the "phenomenal effort" by Narender Grewal. "Delighted that he has won the bronze in the Wushu 65 kg Sanda event. I am sure he will continue to make India proud in the times to come," Modi wrote. He also appreciated the performance of Santosh Kumar and N Roshibina Devi, saying "our Wushu champions are doing wonderfully in Jakarta". Kumar and Roshibina Devi won bronze in separate Wushu events. Modi also commended the shooters for bringing "more glory home". "India congratulates Rahi Sarnobat for the well-deserved gold in the 25m air pistol event at the @asiangames2018," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a day's visit tomorrow to Gujarat where he will attend four functions, including convocation of the Gujarat Forensic Science University, officials said. At a public meeting in Jujwa village near Valsad town, he will witness the collective e-griha-pravesh (online house warming) of beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (gramin), a flagship scheme of the Centre which envisions housing for all, an official release said. More than one lakh houses have been completed in Gujarat under the scheme, it said. From the same venue, he would perform the ground- breaking ceremony of a water supply project meant for the tribal population in Dharampur and Kaprada talukas. After the event in Valsad, the PM would go to Junagadh town in Saurashtra to inaugurate various projects, including a newly-built hospital of the Gujarat Medical and Education Research Society and two fisheries colleges at Veraval town in the Gir Somnath district, another official said. The PM would also address a public meeting at the Police Training College ground near Junagadh. Later, Modi will preside over the convocation ceremony of the Gujarat Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar. Before leaving for Delhi, he will also attend a meeting of the Somnath temple trust, of which he is one of the trustees. BJP president Amit Shah, who is also a trustee of the temple, is expected to be present in the meeting. Former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel is the president of the temple's trust. The prime minister was earlier supposed to be in his home state on July 20, but his visit was postponed due to heavy rains in several parts of the state, especially in south Gujarat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister and senior BJP leaders handed urns with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes to party presidents from across the country at a function in New Delhi on Wednesday. Party chief Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. as well as members of Vajpayee's family, were present at the event held in the BJP headquarters here. The BJP has decided to take out 'asthi kalash yatras' in all districts and immerse the ashes in rivers across the country. The yatra was being organised as party workers and people in the country wanted to pay tribute to the late prime minister, who died last week after prolonged illness at the age of 93, party leaders said. ALSO READ: Former PM Vajpayee's ashes to be immersed in Ganga at Patna on August 22 Processions will start from state capitals and will pass through all blocks, they said. Delhi Police personnel saved the life of a couple who were trapped in a building at central Delhi's Paharganj area where a fire broke out early this morning. The local police received a call about the fire in a street of Chuna Mandi in Paharganj around 6 am, a senior police officer said. The fire had started at the first floor, trapping people who were on upper floors as they were sleeping at the time, the officer said. It was very difficult to go upstairs to save the trapped people. However, constables Manoj Kumar and Amit, with the help of other policemen, broke open the lock of an adjacent building to reach them, he said. A couple was seen crying for help, with the woman hanging from the grille of building's balcony on second floor. "The staff without caring for their life, reached the balcony of the second floor, made a human chain to reach the parapet. The woman, who was about to fall down, was saved first and later her husband was also rescued in a similar fashion," said the officer. One man who was also trapped in the fire had jumped down to save himself and was injured in the act. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, said the officer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the operations to rescue those stranded in rain-ravaged areas in Kerala near completion, a political war erupted today with Congress-led UDF Opposition and BJP blaming the state government for a "man-made disaster". Training its guns on the Left-led state government, Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala demanded a judicial probe into the circumstances that led to opening of shutters of 40-odd dams at a time in the state. "The government had no idea which areas would be submerged when nine dams across the Pamba river, 11 dams in the Periyar in Idukki and Ernakulam districts and six across Chalakudy river in Thrissur were opened," he said. Though there was an increase of 41.44 per cent rainfall this time, the flood situation worsened not because of the downpour, but due to the opening of shutters of 44 dams at a time without giving prior warning, the Congress leader alleged. "It was a man-made disaster," Chennithala said. Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) state president P S Sreedharan Pillai also blamed the Pinarayi Vijayan government for the deluge and said there was "lack of foresight" on part of the state. However, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) chairman K P Sreedharan Nair denied the allegations, saying there was no lapse on part of the board which owns the dams and that they were opened only after enough alerts were issued. There is no point in blaming the board for opening the dams as most of the rivers were overflowing due to heavy rains, he said. Terming the charges as "baseless," Dam Safety Chairman C N Ramachandran Nair said, "Everyone knows water was rising in the reservoirs and rivers were in spate. Now the allegations are being levelled only for the sake of blaming somebody". Amrita Singh, Chairperson, Special Centre for Disaster Research and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor, attacked the state government and said the flood was not caused merely due to excess rain. "This was caused by human blunder. The Kerala government could have prevented it, but did not have the foresight to do so," she said in a Facebook post. Even as the controversy played out, Kerala turned its attention to cleaning of houses and public places which were damaged in the unprecedented rains that lashed the state. As people left camps, many found mud and slush up to six feet level in front of their houses and interiors. Fridges, television sets and other electronic equipment were all lying upside down in the turbid waters. Many children lost their books and certificates. Many people lost their Aadhaar and ration cards. "We will have to start afresh. Right from the beginning," a woman lamented. Another major problem being faced by those returning home is the severe drinking water shortage as the wells are contaminated with muddy water. Piped water supply is yet to begin in many places. In a show of unity, a group of Muslim youths cleaned temples in Malappuram and Wayanad districts. According to the Disaster Management State Control room, 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents since August 8. Nearly 14.50 lakh people belonging to 3.91 lakh families are still lodged in 3,879 relief camps across the state. The largest number of people in relief camps was in the worst-hit Ernakulam district with 5.32 lakh of them in 850 camps. Though water has started receding in some places, areas near the river banks and Kuttanand in Alapuzha continue to be under water. More than 3,000 squads under health and local self-government departments have started the process of cleaning houses and public places, official sources said. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said most of the stranded people have been rescued and searches would continue in isolated houses to find if more persons were trapped. The state, which suffered an estimated loss of Rs 20,000 crore in the deluge, has sought from the Centre a relief package of Rs 2,600 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the centrally-sponsored programmes. The state had also sought an immediate relief of Rs 2,000 crore to take up relief works. The Centre had yesterday released Rs 600 crore assistance to the state. The Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) had received donations to the tune of Rs 309 crore till last evening through online and deposits in the special SBI account. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has offered USD 100 million (about Rs 700 crore) to the rain-ravaged state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian President Vladimir Putin today defended his appearance at the Austrian foreign minister's wedding after his dance with the bride caused a furore. "The trip was purely private," he told a press conference in the Black Sea resort of Sochi while meeting Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto. Nevertheless he said that "despite the festivities we were able to speak both to the foreign minister and to the Austrian Chancellor (Sebastian Kurz)". Austria plays a "very positive role" not only in two-way relations but "in arranging dialogue between Russia and the European Union," he said. Putin was one of a small group of guests at Saturday's wedding of Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl in a wine-growing village in the southeastern Austria. A video showing the bride thanking Putin with a deep bow after a dance together has gone viral and prompted a hail of criticism from her opponents. Putin said the wedding guests were "all grown-ups, with serious positions in society and in government" but were also "very open and joyous." The Russian strongman, a keen judo practitioner, said he had bonded with the groom, businessman Wolfgang Meilinger. The groom "is a former sportsman, a judo practitioner, and that always brings you closer together," Putin said. Although Kneissl, 53, is independent, she was nominated to her role by the far-right Freedom Party. The party supports Russia's claim of sovereignty over Crimea -- which Moscow seized from Ukraine in in 2014 -- and advocates the easing of economic sanctions levied against Moscow over its role in the Ukrainian conflict. It also has a "cooperation pact" with Putin's United Russia party. Even before the wedding, Austrian opposition politicians had criticised the invitation to Putin, saying it undermined the country's claim to be an "honest broker" between Europe and Russia. Russia has been accused of seeking to weaken and divide the EU, notably by maintaining links with populist parties in several European countries. Kneissl invited Putin to her wedding when he visited Vienna this year. He attended the event along with a traditional Cossack choir from southern Russia who performed folk songs, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Speculation has swirled over Putin's own relationship status since he and his wife Lyudmila announced in 2013 that they were divorcing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australia, India, and the should work with partner countries to oppose the establishment of permanent Chinese military bases in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), according to a key recommendation made by four think tanks from Quad countries. A list of 20 policy recommendations for the Quad countries by the think tanks were released in New Delhi on Wednesday. They suggested the Quad nations should work in the IOR to help maintain independent security and economic policies by supporting high-quality alternatives to unilateral Chinese investments and "political alignments with regional objectives". The Indo-Pacific has been witnessing China muscling in, especially in the hydrocarbon-rich that has multiple claimants. China has also been aggressively wooing developing countries with infrastructure projects which have dubbed by critics as a debt traps. One of the suggestions for the and was also to consider participation in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to encourage high-standards for projects involving China and to build their economic cooperation with others, including and "Australia, India, Japan and the should should work with partner countries to oppose establishment of permanent Chinese military bases in the IOR. "This should include demonstrating to China that its security needs can be met through cooperation and consultation with other nations and without recourse to a disruptive unilateral military presence," a recommendation said. The think tanks, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan, Vivekananda India Foundation (VIF), University, and Sasakawa Peace Foundation, USA, came together to form the 'Quadripartite Commission on Indian Ocean Regional Security'. They also suggested that India, the US and Japan should invite to participate in the currently trilateral maritime exercise. "Australia, India, Japan and the US should enhance sea land defence capabilities in the Indian Ocean. Each nation will need to make judgement about its capabilities based on its interests. "For instance, naval fleet will need to evolve to allow increasingly long-range operations. This may require consideration in Japan of new options such as nuclear propulsion for its submarines," said one of the recommendations. The report also suggests that the Quad countries should cooperate with and support the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and other regional framework in the Indian Ocean and South Asia. Quad is a grouping of four countries to pursue their common interest in the Indo-Pacific. The leaders of the four countries met at Manila in November last year to hold their first talks. In June, senior officials of the Quad countries held their second consultative meeting in Singapore on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations senior officials meeting. Hideki Asari, the deputy chief of the Mission of Japan, who was also present at the event, said the officials agreed to meet regularly to deepen the discussion on various issues. Radhika Apte and Manav, the stars of the new Netflix original "Ghoul", attended the premiere of their show here. The premiere took place last night at the Great Eastern Mills in Byculla and in an apparent nod to the show's genre, both the actors walked the "black carpet" at the event. The series director Patrick Graham also graced the black carpet along with producers Vikramaditya Motwane and Kilian Kerwin. The premiere event was also attended by their industry colleagues like Anurag Kashyap, Jim Sarbh, Sanya Malhotra, Sanjay Kapoor and Siddharth Roy Kapur. "Ghoul", the first Indian horror series from the streaming giant, is based on an Arabic folklore. The story follows a prisoner who arrives at a remote military interrogation centre and turns the tables on his interrogators, exposing their most shameful secrets. The three-episode series, produced in partnership with Phantom Films, Ivanhoe and Blumhouse, has been written by Graham. The series will be available on Netflix from August 24 onwards. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rahi Sarnobat today became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Asian Games gold medal as she triumphed after prevailing in a double shoot-off in the 25m pistol event here. The 27-year-old shot a games record score on her way to wining the yellow metal at the Jakabaring Shooting Range. The final went into shoot-off after Rahi and Naphaswan Yangpaiboon of Thailand were tied on 34 points. Both Rahi and Yangpaiboon shot four out of five shots in the first shoot-off, and then in the second shoot-off the Indian prevailed over her opponent by missing one less. However, it turned out to be a disappointing outing for the fancied Manu Bhaker, as the 16-year-old finished sixth after entering the final with a qualification games record score of 593. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the weakening of low pressure area over Bay of Bengal, rainfall subsided in Odisha today, bringing relief to people who have been affected by the deluge over the past few days. The meteorological department has ruled out downpour in the state in the next four days. "There is no likelihood of heavy rain in Odisha at least for the next four days as the low pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal has weakened," H R Biswas, the director of meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar, told PTI. Biswas, however, clarified that sporadic rainfall and light showers may continue in some areas, adding that a change in weather condition is likely after August 25. "After August 25, one or two places in Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Kendrapara districts may receive intermittent rainfall," he added. The situation in rain-ravaged southern districts of Odisha, particularly Malkangiri, improved considerably today with water receding from the low-lying areas, officials said. Normalcy has returned to Mathili, Khairput, Padia and Motu areas of Malkangiri district and some other regions in neighbouring Koraput and Rayagada, which have been marooned by the heavy rain since August 18, they stated. Malkangiri Collector Manish Agarwal said the road connectivity between Malkangiri and Jeypore, disrupted due to submergence of Pangam river bridge on National Highway-326, has been restored. Parts of the bridge that have been damaged by the deluge are currently being repaired by officials of National Highways Authority of India, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's clean energy sector is expected to attract additional investments worth USD 1 billion (Rs 6,987 crore) during the renewable energy expo in Greater Noida next month, an official said today. The Renewable Energy India (REI) 2018 will be organised by B2B events organiser UBM India from September 18 to 20. "We are expecting that an additional investment of USD 1 billion would come in the renewable energy space in the country due to REI 2018," said UBM India MD Yogesh Mudras here at curtain raiser press meet. Mudras informed that the response to this edition of expo is better than last year as around 50 countries are participating as compared to 40 in 2017. "Besides, the number of exhibitors has increased to 750 from 700 last year. We are expecting 35,000 visitors this time, up from 30,000 last year," he added. REI is a global platform where India's green economy community congregates to discuss industry trends, challenges and market insights including the Indian regulatory framework. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With rehabilitaton work in full swing in rain-ravaged Kodagu, Karnataka government today said all efforts would be made to restore normalcy at the earliest in the district where torrential rains that lashed the district last week have claimed 12 lives. Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge announced Rs 25 crore aid towards relief measures. "The social welfare ministry has reserved a care package of Rs. 25 crore. We hope this will address immediate needs. The road to recovery will be hard and long, but we will try restore normalcy sooner than later," he said in a statement. Thousands have been rendered homeless in the rains that left a trail of destruction. Several houses were inundated and people affected. The government is making every effort to rescue and provide relief to those marooned, Kharge said. He directed officials of the social welfare department to tour the district and assess the damage caused by the unprecedented rains. "The department will survey and take immediate action as soon as the rains subside, " he said. The National Disaster Response Force personnel are working in tandem with the state government to carry out relief operations. Police personnel have also been engaged, he added. Meanwhile, Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji visited flood-affected people of Somwarpet taluk and assured them of all help. Repair on roads was going on in full swing at Jodupala and surrounding areas bordering Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts, which had been severely hit by flash floods and landslides last week. Fire and Rescue service personnel, police, forest department staff and volunteers are carrying out rescue operations at Jodupala. Earth movers have been engaged to remove huge boulders blocking the highway, Puttur assistant commissioner Krishnamurthy said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly one million Rohingya Muslims marked Eid al-Adha today in the world's largest refugee camp, almost a year to the day since a brutal military crackdown drove the persecuted minority from Myanmar in huge numbers. Prayers were offered in makeshift mosques across southern Bangladesh to celebrate the Islamic festival of sacrifice as cows were slaughtered in muddy fields across the sprawling camps. In Kutupalong, a gigantic hill settlement crammed with hundreds of thousands of refugees, a muezzin called the faithful to pray as children played on a wooden carousel and ran about in dirt alleyways in new clothes for the special day. For many refugees, this Eid al-Adha is the first since their violent expulsion from western Myanmar a year ago in a campaign of orchestrated violence likened by US and UN officials to ethnic cleansing. Myanmar's military, backed by armed Buddhist militias, began sweeping through Rohingya villages in August 2017 just days before Eid celebrations got underway. Sayed Hussain spent last year's Eid hiding in the hills of Rakhine State after fleeing an attack on his village. "We couldn't sacrifice cows there. We didn't have anything to eat. In Bangladesh... we can slaughter cows. Praise and thanks be to Allah," the 19-year-old told AFP. Mohammad Jasim, a 16-year-old refugee born and raised in Kutupalong camp, was grateful his relatives in Myanmar had escaped the violence last year to join his family in Bangladesh. "This year's Eid is much better than previous years. All my relatives are here, so we're having a good time." Muslims traditionally sacrifice animals for the three-day Eid al-Adha feast, a tribute to the prophet Abraham slaughtering a lamb after God spared Ishmael, his son. Those able to make the sacrifice known as qurbani will consume some of the meat and give the rest to the poor unable to buy food. In Cox's Bazar near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, where squalid camps host generations of Rohingya refugees expelled from western Myanmar, there is much need, and little to go around. Cows, goats and sheep flooded local markets catering to the displaced Muslims in the lead up to Eid. Some better-off families pooled whatever cash they could muster to make the Islamic sacrifice, buying shares in a cow or goat. But for most refugees, such luxuries are wildly beyond their means. Barred from legally working, and surviving hand to mouth on charity, this Eid has for many been overshadowed by the misery in Bangladesh. The sight of animals being fattened for slaughter taunted Mohammad Amin, a teenager who remembered the home-cooked meat delicacies and special gifts reserved for the holiest Islamic festivity back home. "But here, we don't have any money to slaughter cows or buy new clothes," the downcast 15-year-old told AFP at Jamtoli camp, a new settlement for recently arrived refugees. The influx of refugees delivered a bumper year for Bangladeshi livestock trader Aktar Hussain and others like him, who counted wads of cash at a busy cattle market market adjacent to the camps. "This has been my best year yet," he told AFP, as prospective Rohingya buyers examined a sturdy brown cow in a muddy clearing. "Last year, I sold 15 cows at Eid. This year, I've already sold 50." The festival differs from Eid al-Fitr, the other major festival in the Islamic calendar, which was celebrated in June in Muslim-majority Bangladesh after the fasting month of Ramadan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees living in sprawling camps in Bangladesh are celebrating the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, praying for better lives as they wonder if they'll ever again celebrate at their homes in Myanmar. People streamed into makeshift mosques in the camps, the children dressed in new clothing. Those who could afford it feasted on buffalo meat. Muslims often slaughter sheep, cattle or goats on Eid Al-Adha, and distribute some of the meat to the poor. More than 700,000 Rohingya poured into Bangladesh last year, fleeing a brutal crackdown in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar, where the Muslim Rohingya have long faced discrimination. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Floods in the river Godavari in East and West Godavari districts in the last one week caused damage to the tune of Rs 600 crore, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said here today. He announced a compensation of Rs 25,000 per hectare to the crops damaged in the flood. The Chief Minister stated this after conducting an aerial survey of the affected areas. Paddy crop in about 11,000 hectares in the two districts considered the rice bowl of Andhra Pradesh remained submerged, though agriculture department officials see some chance of revival once the water in the fields dries up. Cotton too suffered extensive damage in about 1,300 hectares, but there is no chance of any revival, the officials said. Official sources said the state government would submit a report on the flood damages to the Centre, seeking financial assistance, after a complete assessment in the next few days. The two districts have been ravaged by the floods for the past six days. The Chief Minister reviewed the situation with Collectors of the two districts and other officials in Rajamahendravaram airport and later told reporters that steps would be taken to overcome the submergence problem of Erra Kalava (red canal) on a permanent basis. "This canal caused the major damage in West Godavari district," he pointed out. Causeways damaged in the flood would be rebuilt while roads in the region would be repaired at a cost of Rs 35 crore, he added. Meanwhile, the Godavari continued to be in spate with the flood discharge crossing 15.24 lakh cusecs at Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage in Dowaleswaram by this evening. The discharge that was 14,34,636 cusecs late last night, rose to 15,24,268 cusecs this afternoon and remained steady. On the other hand, flood discharge in river Krishna at Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada fell by half to just about 75,107 cusecs this evening from a high of 1.50 lakh cusecs last evening. Inflow into the Srisailam reservoir, however, witnessed a sharp increase today with the level almost touching the Full Reservoir Level (FRL). Srisailam now holds 206.1 tmc ft of water at 883.3 feet as against the FRL of 215 tmc ft (885 ft), and as such, 2,12,365 cusecs was being released into the Nagarjuna Sagar dam downstream. Copious inflows of 1,83,579 cusecs from Srisailam has resulted in Nagarjuna Sagar slowing inching towards the FRL, with the storage now at 216.88 tmc ft (553.2 feet). However, about 100 tmc ft more water is required for Nagarjuna Sagar to fill to its capacity of 312 tmc feet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hundreds of people gathered in outer Delhi's Mianwali Nagar after rumours spread that the leftover of slaughtered animals being disposed off after Eid ul-Adha were of cows, following which security was tightened in the area, police said. Around 600 people, including members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, gathered near a MCD dustbin where the leftover was being dumped. They alleged that the leftover were of cows and created a ruckus. Police rushed to the spot to avert any tension and seized the leftover. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Seju Kuruvilla said police force has been deployed in the area and the samples have been sent for examination. The officer said the mob has been dispersed. Police force has also been deployed outside a mosque in the area to ensure that no untoward incident happens in the area, said another officer. He said there was police deployed in the area as a precautionary measure since early morning and when the incident was reported, they immediately reached the spot. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI has sought a meeting with the members of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) which was earlier probing the multi-crore-rupee Saradha scam to get access to documents and clarity on some issues, a spokesperson of the central agency said. "We want to proceed with (investigation into) the Saradha scam for which the CBI is seeking a meeting with the members of the SIT, comprising few police officers who are now in different positions," the agency's spokesperson told PTI. He said the purpose of the meeting is to plug the gaps which are hampering the investigation process. The CBI wrote a letter to the West Bengal director general of police on August 18 for a meeting with the SIT members at the place and time of their convenience between August 21 and 25, he said. "But so far we have not got any response either from the DGP or any of the SIT members," he added. The West Bengal government had formed the SIT in 2013 with officers drawn from the state's CID and Kolkata Police. The Supreme Court had ordered a probe into the Saradha scam, which surfaced in 2013, and transferred the case to the CBI next year. Thousands of investors were left in a lurch by the scam and it led to the arrest of many leaders and ministers of the state's ruling Trinamool Congress. All of them are now out on bail. Saradha group founder Sudipta Sen and his close associate Debjani Mukherjee, who were arrested in 2013 from Kashmir, are still in jail custody. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court has acquitted a man, serving 10 year jail term for allegedly raping his 15-year-old cousin in 2001 at Faridabad, holding that the offence has not been established. A bench of Justices N V Ramana and Mohan M Shantanagoudar set aside the verdict of the Punjab and Haryana High Court upholding the trial court's 2011 judgement convicting Sham Singh and his brother Jai Singh. While Sham Singh, who has been in prison for seven years, moved the apex court, his brother and co-convict Jai Singh did not file the plea as he has already served the ten-year jail term in the case. The apex court took note of the fact that the testimonies of two defence witnesses, who had held the 'panchayat' in the matter, did not refer to the offence of rape and moreover, their statements were not rebutted in the trial. It said there was "every possibility of false implication of the accused in this matter to take revenge against the family of the accused because of long-standing disputes, as alleged, between the two families". The High Court, while upholding the conviction of two brothers in the case, however, had acquitted their mother due to want of evidence against her. In its order, the apex court noted that the wife, children, sister and mother of the accused persons were present in the house when the alleged incident took place and said that in such a scenario, the incident was highly unlikely. "The fact that at the residential house of the appellant (accused), wherein all the inmates of the house including the mother, children, sister and wife of the accused were living, such a brutal offence of rape could not have been executed without attracting the attention of anyone at that point of time, would make the prosecution version seriously improbable. "We are of the view that the doubtful and suspicious nature of the evidence sought to be relied upon to substantiate the circumstances in this case, themselves suffer from serious infirmities and lack of legal credibility to merit acceptance in the hands of the court of law," it said, adding it was a case where incriminating materials were lacking against the accused. According to the FIR, the accused had in August 2001 forcibly took the victim into their house, tied her hands on a cot with rope and committed rape on her. Both the accused had denied the allegations and claimed it to be false because of the family enmity that existed between the victim's family and the family of the accused. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Choice of seating in the lecture hall can affect a college student's performance, a study suggests. Lectures are a staple of higher education, and understanding how students interact and learn within the lecture theatre environment is central to successful learning. Researchers from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK examined students' reasons for choosing particular seats in a lecture hall, and investigated how seating positions correlate with student performance. "Interaction is a key part of learning and knowing who the students are interacting with can be a great benefit when designing activities," said David P Smith of Sheffield Hallam University. Many students preferred being able to sit with their friends, while others were more concerned with either attracting or avoiding the lecturer's attention. Some students chose seats that allowed them to see and hear clearly, while others picked easily vacatable seats that made them feel less anxious, researchers said. Friendship groups who sat together tended to achieve similar grades, and students who sat alone at the edges tended to do worse than average. Lecturers may be able to use these findings to provide assistance to anxious students, and to support the learning of all students by encouraging interactions between the different groups. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three men, from whom a pistol was allegedly seized by the CBI which is probing the murder case of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, were remanded to police custody for two days by a court in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Aurangabad police yesterday registered a case for illegal possession of weapons against Ajinkya Surle (19), Shubham Surle (20) and Rohit Rege (23) under the Arms Act. They were produced before a magistrate's court this afternoon, and the court sent them to police custody for two days, said an official from the City Chowk Police Station. "We will question them from where they got these weapons and what was the motive for acquiring them," the official said. The CBI last week arrested Sachin Andure, who hailed from Aurangabad. The agency claimed he was one of the shooters who fired on Dabholkar, a renowned anti-superstition activist, in Pune in August 2013. Yesterday, the CBI conducted searches at the premises of Andure's brothers-in-law Ajinkya and Shubham Surle, and his friend Rohit Rege, and recovered a 7.65 mm pistol, three live cartridges, a sword and a chopper. The agency questioned them, and later filed a complaint about recovery of weapons with local police. A CBI official had said that it would probe if the pistol had been used in Dabholkar's killing and send it to a forensic science lab for ballistic report. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiv Sena today called for enactment of a law to facilitate the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying the picture of Parliament after the Lok Sabha polls next year looked "uncertain". To say the Ram temple would be built by a consensus was like Pakistan saying it had nothing to do with Kashmir and the state belonged to India, the Sena opined. It further asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to refrain from wearing a saffron headgear until the Ram temple issue was resolved. The comments of the NDA constituent came days after Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said the Centre could opt for the legislative route for the construction of the Ram temple if the need arose and there was no other way out. The previous government was voted out of power as it could neither build a consensus over the Ram temple issue nor was there a decision by the Supreme Court on it, the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece "Saamana". The BJP got a majority in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and won the highest number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, it noted. Along with the Sena, several other parties wanted the temple to be built and hence, the government should not have a problem in enacting a law for its construction, it said. "Today you have a majority in Parliament. However, the picture for 2019 is uncertain," the Uddhav-Thackeray-led outfit said. It added that if a law had to be passed, it had to be done now and the government could consider calling a special two-day session of Parliament for it. Taking a dig at Modi, the Sena said the prime minister wore a saffron turban while delivering the Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red fort, even though "Lord Ram is still in exile". "The Prime minister should say he will not wear a saffron turban till the Ram temple is constructed," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven labourers were injured when an under construction bailey bridge collapsed in Manipur's Jiribam district today, police said. The bailey bridge was being constructed over Gorkhale river to connect Borberkra village to Jattarpur. At around 8 am this morning the bridge collapsed injuring seven labourers, they said. The injured labourers were rushed to Borbekra health centre from where they were referred to a hospital in Silchar in neighbouring Assam, the police said. District officials said the 160 feet long bailey bridge was being constructed by a private contractor and the project was being funded by the Rural Development Ministry under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Expressing anguish at the killing of BJP worker Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Kashmir, party president Amit Shah today said extremists cannot stop the valley's youths from choosing a better future and that the cycle of violence will not last long. Bhat's sacrifice will not go in vain and the BJP stands firmly with his family, Shah said in tweet while offering his condolences. "Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta, Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves. This cycle of violence won't last long," he said. Shabir Ahmad Bhat was kidnapped by suspected terrorists last night and his bullet-riddled body was found in the fields at Rakh-e-Litter area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara today, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For the fourth year in a row, Shia and Sunni Muslims today offered joint namaz on Eid-ul-Azha at Shahnajaf Imambara in Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow. The namaz was followed by an Eid Milan programme organised and managed by a team of non-Muslim volunteers. Several known faces, including former DGP Javeed Ahmad, participated in the joint namaz. The organisers had made special arrangements this year for women to offer prayers. Participants from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, who were visiting Lucknow for the festival, participated in the programme organised to promote communal harmony. The namaz was led by Maulana Mustafa Nadvi. Like previous years, citizens from other religious communities were present to witness the event and lend support to the cause during the Eid Milan programme organised by Shoulder to Shoulder Foundation, a non-profit organisation. In view of the devastation caused by floods in Kerala, the volunteers had kept donation boxes at the venue for people to contribute to help rebuild the southern state. These were particularly useful for those not adept at net banking and other such means. The amount collected will be transferred to the Kerala Chief Minister's Relief Fund. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Shikha Talsania will be turning showstopper for celebrated designer Narendra Kumar at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2018. Kumar will be presenting the collection titled 'Never Hyde', in collaboration with leading plus size store aLL Primero on the last day of the fashion extravaganza. "It is a new experience for me and I am excited to be walking for aLL Primero by Narendra Kumar. I appreciate aLL for their commitment towards their motto of 'Fashion for all'," Shikha said in a statement. Kumar's LFW collection offers a variety of styles like athleisure, day and evening wear. The range is driven by multiple fabrics that are easy to wear and durable, such as ponte roma, interlock knit, jacquard, terry wool, looper knit, moss crepe and cotton linen. LFW opened today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu today expressed his displeasure over the non-compliance of some of the requirements during the construction of the upcoming Sindhudurg airport in Maharashtra and asked officials for early compliance, according to a government statement. Reviewing the on-going work at the airport, Prabhu, who chaired the third review meeting of the greenfield airport within a month, directed officials to ensure early compliance of the requirements and constantly review the progress made, it said. "The minister has again directed solving of the pinpointed issues. The minister said the safety of passengers is paramount and no compromise will ever be made in that aspect," the statement added. The airport is being constructed at Parule Chipi in Sindhudurg district by IRB Sindhudurg Airport on a design-build-finance-operate-transfer basis for Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation. With a 2,500-metre-long runway, the airport will have a capacity to handle 200 departing and 200 arriving passengers during peak hours. The civil aviation ministry had said it was expecting to complete the airport project by June. Once functional, Sindhudurg will be the state's 14th airport. At present, it has three functional international and 13 domestic airports. An airport in Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri will provide better connectivity to the Konkan region of Maharashtra, parts of Goa, north Karnataka and western Maharashtra, Prabhu had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC has acquired 49 per cent stake in realty firm Provenance Land for an estimated Rs 1,000 crore, according to sources. GIC has been investing heavily in the Indian real estate market in the past few years. It had in December last year bought 33.34 per stake in DLF's rental arm DLF Cyber City Developers Ltd (DCCDL) for about Rs 9,000 crore. DCCDL holds 27 million sq ft of price commercial assets earning an annual rental income of Rs 2,400 crore. Provenance owns 4.5 acres at Worli in central Mumbai where the company already has a 5-star Four Seasons Hotel which has 202 rooms. It plans to develop Four Seasons Private Residences and a office tower with 7 lakh sq ft area. "GIC is acquiring a significant minority stake in Provenance Land, the developer that first introduced the Four Seasons brand into India," the two companies said in a joint statement. When contacted, Provenance Land MD Adarsh Jatia did not disclose the deal value or the stake diluted by it. Market sources said however that GIC has bought 49 per cent stake for an estimated Rs 1,000 crore. Jatia said the office tower would be delivered by 2022 while the branded private residences by 2020. "This investment marks a key milestone for Provenance Land, as it directly bears out the intent to expand quickly and strategically into new best-in-class developments and deliver on our vision," Jatia said. With our Worli development, he said the company is bringing a marque mixed-used project in the heart of Mumbai. "GIC's investment brings us their international expertise in these asset classes. Their core strengths of a disciplined approach to investing long-term capital and sound governance structures will no doubt help us create additional value for all stakeholders," Jatia said. Chief Investment Officer of GIC Real Estate Lee Kok Sun said: "As a long-term global investor, we continue to have a positive outlook in India's growth potential in the long run. This investment is a unique opportunity to acquire a stake in a high-end mixed-use development situated in a prime location in Mumbai." The proposed office development is an attractive proposition, given continued demand for quality office space and expected long-term rental growth in Mumbai, he added. "We believe this well-located, high-quality project will generate resilient returns in the long run and look forward to partnering with Provenance Land on this joint venture," said Lee Kok Sun. Provenace has delivered a portfolio of five greenfield hospitality projects across India. It has now forayed into diversified mixed used developments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC has acquired a 'significant minority' stake in for an undisclosed amount, the firm said. GIC had in December last year bought 33.34 per stake in DLF's rental arm DLF Cyber City Developers Ltd (DCCDL) for about Rs 90 billion. DCCDL holds 27 million sq ft of price commercial assets earning an annual rental income of Rs 24 billion. Provenance Land, which first introduced the Four Seasons brand in India, owns a mixed-use development project spread over four acres of prime freehold land in Worli, central Mumbai, the company said in a statement. The project comprises a 5-star Four Seasons Hotel having 202 rooms, Four Seasons Private Residences and a proposed office tower. MD Adarsh Jatia said: "This investment marks a key milestone for Provenance Land, as it directly bears out the intent to expand quickly and strategically into new best-in-class developments and deliver on our vision." With our Worli development, he said the company is bringing a marque mixed-used project in the heart of Mumbai. "GIC's investment brings us their international expertise in these asset classes. Their core strengths of a disciplined approach to investing long-term capital and sound governance structures will no doubt help us create additional value for all stakeholders," Jatia said. Lee Kok Sun, Chief Investment Officer of GIC Real Estate, said: "As a long-term global investor, we continue to have a positive outlook in India's growth potential in the long run. This investment is a unique opportunity to acquire a stake in a high-end mixed-use development situated in a prime location in Mumbai." The proposed office development is an attractive proposition, given continued demand for quality office space and expected long-term rental growth in Mumbai. "We believe this well-located, high-quality project will generate resilient returns in the long run and look forward to partnering with on this joint venture," said Lee Kok Sun. Provenace has delivered a portfolio of five greenfield hospitality projects across India. It has now forayed into diversified mixed used developments. The Telangana government today announced a 27 per cent share in the profit of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) to its employees for 2017-18. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao instructed the Chairman and Managing Director of the company, owned by the Telangana government and the Centre on a 51:49 equity basis, to increase the profit share from 25 per cent in the previous to 27 per cent. Rao also said the Performance Related Pay (PRP) which has been due for the last eight years to the officers of the company be paid immediately, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said. Leaders of employees unions and representatives of officers association met the Chief Minister today. The company which has a workforce of over 56,000 had clocked a net profit of Rs 1,212 crore in 2017-18. The chief minister assured the officers that the government would allot them land in Hyderabad for constructing houses. Besides, Rs. 10 lakhs interest free loan facility would be extended to the officers and other employees for house building on par with Singareni coal mine workers, the release said. The government was also considering entrusting the responsibility of mining in Bayyaram Mines to Singareni, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Budget carrier SpiceJet today announced the launch of a daily direct international flight between Hyderabad and Bangkok. In the domestic sector, the airline announced daily direct flights between Hyderabad and Guwahati, and between Guwahati and Patna. The flights will begin operation from October 10, SpiceJet said in a statement. "The inaugural fare on the domestic routes are as low as Rs 3,099 whereas on the international route of Hyderabad-Bangkok the inaugural fare for the to and fro journey is Rs 9,999 and Rs 8,299 respectively," the statement read. "We see immense potential in these routes and are proud to be the only Indian carrier to provide direct connectivity between Hyderabad and Bangkok," the statement said, quoting chief sales and revenue officer of the airline Shilpa Bhatia. According to the statement, the flight to Bangkok will leave from Hyderabad at 4.30 pm and reach there 9.40 pm. It will leave from Bangkok at 10.40 pm and arrive Hyderabad at 1.40 am. SpiceJet operates 412 average daily flights to 55 destinations, including 48 domestic and 7 international ones. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today said he would initiate talks with Pakistan to send back five Pakistani nationals sentenced to death in the island nation for drug trafficking. Sirisena's remarks come a month after he had said Sri Lanka would go ahead with implementing the death penalty on drug dealers, ending a near-half century moratorium on capital punishment. I will talk to the new government in Pakistan to send them back to their country, the President said in Jaffna today. Drug trafficking is punishable by death in Sri Lanka. The five Pakistanis are among 18 people on death row for drug offences. Police claimed the 18 convicts ran a drug business from prison. President Sirisena had last month told his Cabinet that he was ready to sign the death warrants of repeat drug offenders. Sri Lanka's last hanging took place in June 1976. Since then successive presidents have refused to sign death warrants to hang convicts. Sirisena had taken the decision despite Sri Lanka becoming party to a UN moratorium on death penalty in 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The stand-off between artistes and producers of Bengali TV serials remained unresolved for the fifth day today, with no shooting taking place in any of the eight studios of the city. The producers' association said it was ready for talks with no pre-condition, while the artistes body maintained that dialogue would start only after getting a formal letter from the other side. Following a call by the Artists' Forum demanding regularisation of their payment, the actors were on a ceasework from August 18. A spokesman of the Welfare Association of Television Producers (WATP) said the producers were ready for talks with the Forum but there should not be any pre-condition. Forum General Secretary Arindam Ganguly maintained that talks with the WATP can take place only after getting a formal letter from the producers inviting it for dialogue. Ganguly said the Forum wanted that all artistes should get their dues as decided in a meeting between the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of East India and the producers on July 7 and they should not be forced to work for more than 14 hours. The WATP spokesman said the 14-hour stipulation may not be feasible during outdoor shoots, as it takes time to make all arrangements before a shoot. But still they were ready for talks on every issue without any pre-conditions with the Forum which had "unilaterally called the ceasework from August 18", he said. Ganguly, on the other hand, said the actors had turned up at studios and were ready to begin shoots on August 18, but the WATP showed no urgency in addressing their wage problem. The Forum demands that payment of salaries of every artiste be paid within the 15th of the next month and hourly basis of payment if the shooting schedule of an artiste exceeds 10 hours. It said this arrangement has been agreed upon in the July 8 meeting between the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of East India, the Forum and the producers. The WATP, however, said the July 8 meeting did not pass any resolution about arrangement of payment and only recorded the minutes. Ganguly said many producers paid the wage of the artistes in the given time, but many did not and the Forum took up the agitation in the interest of every artiste. The WATP said the producers had made arrangement for payment of artistes by August 15 but it could not succeed because of holidays. Due to the disruption of the shooting schedule, the channels were forced to go for repeat telecast of the episodes aired earlier. In another development, the Eastern India Motion Pictures' Association (EIMPA) held an emergency meeting where 100 of its members demanded that the resolutions of an earlier meeting on raising payment of technicians of film shoots be formalised before August 31. An EIMPA spokesperson said discussions were on with the technicians' body about the demand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the stand-off between artistes and producers of Bengali TV serials remained unresolved for the fifth day, the West Bengal Government today called a meeting with the warring sides tomorrow. Following a call by the Artists' Forum demanding regularisation of their payment, the actors were on a ceasework from August 18 and no shooting of serials took place in any of the eight studios of the city till then. The producers' association said it was ready for talks with no pre-condition, while the artistes body maintained that dialogue would start only after getting a formal letter from the other side. A meeting called by the state owned West Bengal Telly Academy tomorrow to be attended by representatives of the Artists' Forum, the WATP and state government to resolve the impasse, a source said. "We will try to arrive at a solution acceptable to all sides at the meeting," the source said. Earlier, a spokesman of the Welfare Association of Television Producers (WATP) said the producers were ready for talks with the Forum but there should not be any pre-condition. Forum General Secretary Arindam Ganguly maintained that talks with the WATP can take place only after getting a formal letter from the producers inviting it for dialogue. Ganguly said the Forum wanted that all artistes should get their dues as decided in a meeting between the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of East India and the producers on July 7 and they should not be forced to work for more than 14 hours. The WATP spokesman said the 14-hour stipulation may not be feasible during outdoor shoots, as it takes time to make all arrangements before a shoot. But still they were ready for talks on every issue without any pre-conditions with the Forum which had "unilaterally called the ceasework from August 18", he said. Ganguly, on the other hand, said the actors had turned up at studios and were ready to begin shoots on August 18, but the WATP showed no urgency in addressing their wage problem. The Forum demands that payment of salaries of every artiste be paid within the 15th of the next month and hourly basis of payment if the shooting schedule of an artiste exceeds 10 hours. It said this arrangement has been agreed upon in the July 8 meeting between the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of East India, the Forum and the producers. The WATP, however, said the July 8 meeting did not pass any resolution about arrangement of payment and only recorded the minutes. Ganguly said many producers paid the wage of the artistes in the given time, but many did not and the Forum took up the agitation in the interest of every artiste. The WATP said the producers had made arrangement for payment of artistes by August 15 but it could not succeed because of holidays. Due to the disruption of the shooting schedule, the channels were forced to go for repeat telecast of the episodes aired earlier. In another development, the Eastern India Motion Pictures' Association (EIMPA) held an emergency meeting where 100 of its members demanded that the resolutions of an earlier meeting on raising payment of technicians of film shoots be formalised before August 31. An EIMPA spokesperson said discussions were on with the technicians' body about the demand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bakrid was today observed in a subdued manner in Kerala, which is slowly recovering from the rain fury that has claimed 231 lives since August 8, while in neighbouring Tamil Nadu prayers were offered for the well-being of those affected in the deluge. Hundreds of faithful thronged the mosques across Kerala in large numbers to mark the festival of sacrifice. Special prayers were held at mosques for those who have lost their lives in the rains and floods and those who continue to suffer. But, the number of special eidgahs was comparatively low at many places in the wake of water yet to recede in the low-lying areas and the ongoing rescue-and-relief operations. At many mosques, volunteers were seen collecting donations for the flood-hit people from the devotees. Giving out the festival messages, religious scholars and clerics urged the faithful to contribute generously to rebuild the lives of the flood-hit people. Moulavi V P Suhaib, Imam of the Palamyam Juma Masjid here, urged the people to extend all possible help to those affected. "A large number of people are suffering due to the floods, help them, extend all possible support to them," he said, while leading the eidgah at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium here. The Imam also urged the faithful to donate the money they had kept aside for the celebrations to the affected people. Latheef, hailing from Kollam district, said it was a low-key Bakrid this year. "We had a special prayer at the mosque for the departed souls. We were urged by the cleric to offer ourselves to help those suffering due to the floods," he said. Maiza, a non-resident Keralite woman, who came here from the Gulf to celebrate Bakrid, said her family had decided not to buy new clothes or prepare any special delicacies to mark the festival. "It used to be a colourful occasion. But this time, we have decided to keep it a low-key affair to express our solidarity with the people in distress," the homemaker said. With Kerala being hit hard by the torrential rains, Muslims across Tamil Nadu offered prayers for those affected in the deluge on the occasion of Bakrid. Indian Union Muslim League Tamil Nadu state general secretary Abubucker said donations were collected in all the districts of Tamil Nadu where the prayers took place. Mosques in Chennai, especially at Pulianthope, Royapettah, Triplicane and Thousand lights, saw large number of the faithful offering prayers and donations. The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam collected funds at places where it organised Bakrid celebrations, a leader said. Haj committee leader Aboobacker said "It is a day to celebrate the importance of sacrifice and tolerance. Muslims must take this day as an opportunity to visit their brothers and sisters belonging to other religions and share food and ensure that people live in harmony. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bakrid was today observed in a subdued manner in Kerala, which is slowly recovering from the rain fury that has claimed 231 lives since August 8. Hundreds of faithful thronged the mosques across the state in large numbers to mark the festival of sacrifice. Special prayers were held at mosques for those who have lost their lives in the rains and floods and those who continue to suffer. But, the number of special eidgahs was comparatively low at many places in the wake of water yet to recede in the low-lying areas and the ongoing rescue-and-relief operations. At many mosques, volunteers were seen collecting donations for the flood-hit people from the devotees. Giving out the festival messages, religious scholars and clerics urged the faithful to contribute generously to rebuild the lives of the flood-hit people. Moulavi V P Suhaib, Imam of the Palamyam Juma Masjid here, urged the people to extend all possible help to those affected. "A large number of people are suffering due to the floods, help them, extend all possible support to them," he said, while leading the eidgah at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium here. The Imam also urged the faithful to donate the money they had kept aside for the celebrations to the affected people. Latheef, hailing from Kollam district, said it was a low-key Bakrid this year. "We had a special prayer at the mosque for the departed souls. We were urged by the cleric to offer ourselves to help those suffering due to the floods," he said. Maiza, a non-resident Keralite woman, who came here from the Gulf to celebrate Bakrid, said her family had decided not to buy new clothes or prepare any special delicacies to mark the festival. "It used to be a colourful occasion. But this time, we have decided to keep it a low-key affair to express our solidarity with the people in distress," the homemaker said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP's veteran leader Subramanian Swamy today met former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa. Swamy visited Rajapaksa's ancestral home at Madamulana to call on the former Sri Lankan leader, Rajapaksa's office said. He invited Rajapaksa for an event in New Delhi. "It was a hugely enjoyable trip to South Sri Lanka to meet Fmr SL President Sri Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family. He is a man to be admired for his decisiveness to wipe out the LTTE terror and incidentally also soothen India's hurt feelings due to Rajiv's (Gandhi) assassination by the LTTE," Swamy tweeted. He also paid last respects to Rajapaksa's younger brother Chandra Rajapaksa who passed away yesterday. In Colombo today, he had a 'chance meeting' with former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed, who is currently on exile in the country. "He (Nasheed) is apprehensive of gross rigging in their forthcoming election. India cannot allow that as a neighbour and also since current usurper President (Abdulla) Yamin has humiliated Indians recently. We need an action plan," Swamy tweeted. Nasheed is a popular leader in The Maldives, having been at the forefront of a pro-democracy campaign for over two decades, but is disqualified from participation in the presidential election because of a 13-year prison sentence. He has been convicted in 2015 on widely criticised terrorism charges. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The head of Syria's leading jihadist alliance today warned opposition factions in Idlib against taking part in any talks with the regime towards a government takeover of the province. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) chief Abu Mohamed al-Jolani spoke after President Bashar al-Assad warned that he aimed to retake control of the northwestern province on the Turkish border. The head of HTS, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, warned fellow jihadists and other opposition fighters in Idlib, Syria's last rebel-held province, against handing over their arms in surrender deals with the regime. "The weapons of the revolution and jihad... are a red line on which concessions are unacceptable, and they will never be put on the negotiations table," he said. Jolani's HTS alliance controls around 60 per cent of Idlib, while other Turkey-supported rebel groups hold most of the rest. The regime holds a small patch in the province's southeast. "As soon as one of us thinks about negotiating over their weapons, they will have lost them," said Jolani in a video posted on his group's Telegram account. "Just thinking about surrendering to the enemy and handing over weapons is treason." The Russia-backed regime has this year retaken key territory from rebels through a combination of deadly bombardment and surrender deals, both near Damascus and in the south. "The people of the north will not allow what happened in the south" to happen again in Idlib, the HTS leader said. In recent weeks, HTS and other rebel groups have arrested dozens of people, accusing them of collusion with the regime and working towards surrender deals. "The regime and its allies have tried to follow the same tactic of the so-called 'reconciliation' deals that struck down the southern" provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, he said. "But your brothers in the north from all factions realised what the enemy's plans were, so we faced them and arrested their leaders, and thwarted the regime's plan," he said. Analysts say any regime offensive will probably be limited to a small area of Idlib, with a deal between Russia and Turkey likely to determine the fate of the rest of the province. Turkey has forces deployed at observation points throughout the province. But, said Jolani, "our people need to realise that the Turkish observation points in the north cannot be relied on to face the enemy." "Political stances can change in an instant," he said. Since it started in 2011, with the brutal repression of anti-Assad protests, Syria's civil war has killed more than 350,000 people and displaced millions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tajikistan released an independent journalist and comedian today in an unexpected move after his imprisonment last month prompted widespread criticism from international rights groups. Khayrullo Mirsaidov, 40, in July received a 12-year jail term on charges including embezzlement and providing false testimony, which he denied. Today, a higher court in the impoverished ex-Soviet nation freed him on appeal after reducing his sentence to a fine, his lawyer Bakhtiyer Nasrulloyev told Tajik media. Mirsaidov was ordered to pay a fine of around 80,000 Tajik somoni ( USD 8,500 or 7,300 euros), the lawyer said. Today's court hearing was closed to journalists. Amnesty International hailed the verdict as a "rare victory for freedom of expression", while adding that Mirsaidov should never have been charged in the first place. Until his arrest, Mirsaidov headed a troupe of Tajik comedians who competed in televised contests run by Russia called KVN or Club of the Funny and Inventive. The charges concerned funding he received from the Tajik government. He is also an independent journalist who has written critically of authorities for local and international media. Rights groups including Human Rights Watch and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee raised concerns after his sentence that he was being punished for challenging local authorities over corruption related to the distribution of funds for the troupe. He spent nine months in prison while awaiting trial and his family had to pay USD 13,000 to compensate the state for the allegedly embezzled money. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All donations to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund are tax-free, while contributions to NGOs meant for Kerala flood victims will get 50 per cent income tax rebate. Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) accepts voluntary contributions from individuals, organisations and trusts. All contributions towards this fund are exempt from income tax under section 80(G). "For non-governmental organisations (NGOs), it depends if they have exemption under the Income Tax Act. If so, 80G allows 50 per cent rebate," he told PTI here. An official said donations to the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund have also been exempted from income tax. In order to facilitate speedy issue of 80(G) Income Tax receipts, donors should provide the transaction details of donations deposited directly in any of the PMNRF collection banks along with the address of the donor through e-mail at pmnrf@gov.in A government official said private donations from abroad to Kerala flood victims have no restrictions if they follow certain rules and routes, even though India as a policy does not accept any donation from foreign governments for disaster victims. He said individuals and private entities can contribute for the Kerala flood victims subject to certain conditions. There is also no ban on foreign contributions to FCRA-registered NGOs, which are working among the flood victims in Kerala. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has offered USD 100 million (about Rs 700 crore) aid to the rain-ravaged state, but the Indian government is unlikely to accept it. The Kerala government had sought an immediate relief of Rs 2,000 crore to take up relief works. The Centre had yesterday released Rs 600 crore assistance to the state. The Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) had received donations to the tune of Rs 309 crore till last evening through online and deposits in the special SBI account. The state, which suffered an estimated loss of Rs 20,000 crore in the deluge, has sought from the Centre a relief package of Rs 2,600 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the centrally-sponsored programmes. According to the Disaster Management State Control room, 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents since August 8. Nearly 14.50 lakh people belonging to 3.91 lakh families are still lodged in 3,879 relief camps across the state. This year's flood in Kerala has been termed as the worst since 1924. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The agitating school and college block grant teachers today announced that the agitation will continue till a permanent solution is reached on their demands. The teachers and employees of 4000 schools and 1500 colleges are sitting on dharna at the Mahatma Gandhi Marg here demanding fulfillment of their 7-point charter of demands since August 16. The teachers under the aegis of All Odisha School- College Teachers and Employees United Forum have been demanding abolition of block grant, full grant without any conditions, service conditions, pension benefits and others. Though the government last year announced to abolish the block grant form of salary payment for teachers and introduction of Grant-In-Aid (GIA) format, the teacher body alleged that the administration diluted the GIA policy and their demands are not fulfilled. The ministerial-level meeting chaired by Finance minister S B Behera last evening discussed over teachers demands, but could not take any decision. The meeting remained inconclusive. "The government is sympathetically considering demands of teachers. Another meeting of the committee will be convened soon," Behera said requesting the block grant teachers to withdraw their strike and join duties. However, the agitators decided to continue their strike till the demands are met. "We will take a decision on August 24. We hope the government will fulfill our demands by then," said Golak Nayak, a teachers leader. "The agitation will continue till a permanent solution is reached," said Pabitra Mahala, convener of the united forum. Asked about studies of students, Nayak said: "Now our teachers are participating the dharna on rotation basis and some teachers are in schools and colleges. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A teenage girl died today while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Baramati in Pune district, days after she allegedly attempted suicide over sexual harassment, the police said. The 16-year-old girl had allegedly consumed a poisonous substance at her residence in Songaon village, over 100 kms from Pune, on August 11, a Baramati police official said. He said the deceased was a student of class 11 in a junior college in her village. She had complained to her family members about the frequent sexual harassment she had been facing at the hands of a youth from the village, according to the official. "The youth used to harass her when she used to walk down to her college in the village. The brother of the girl had reprimanded the youth and warned him against repeating his act. However, the youth continued to harass the girl," the official said. Police are trying to ascertain the exact age of the youth. The official claimed the family members of the girl didn't approach the police in the past. Citing a complaint filed by the kin of the deceased, the official said that prima facie the girl took the extreme step, as she was unable to cope with the sexual harassment. The girl had not left behind any suicide note. "She allegedly drank a chemical meant for tick control in cattle on August 11. She was taken to hospital (in Baramati). She died today during treatment," he said. Police have registered a case against the youth under section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). No arrest is made yet, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Inside a Hindu temple in a shanty area in Pakistan's Karachi city, Anum Agha wearing the traditional Muslim Hijab greets her students with 'salaam' and gets a loud 'Jai Shri Ram' in response. Anum runs a school inside the temple in the Basti Guru area of the southern port city. The school is situated in the middle of an informal Hindu settlement which is facing constant threats from land grabbers. But Anum is determined to impart knowledge about education, health and basic rights to the children of the minority community. In the settlement, 80 to 90 Hindu families live in a close cluster of wooden huts and some semi-constructed houses. One can see Anum holding discussions with children of the settlement after her classes are over. "Everyone is surprised when I tell them about our school inside this temple but we had no other place to hold our classes when I first started coming here last year," she told PTI. The classes are conducted in the main area of the temple. The walls of the temple are plastered with posters of Hindu deities and statues of Hindu Gods placed up on a higher perch. The lack of basic facilities is noticeable as one moves around the settlement located in Rehman Colony near Mahmoodabad but for land grabbers, it is not an ordinary piece of land. "There have been at least two incidents in the last four years when some huts were set on fire and the Hindu families were threatened and told to get out of the area," Shiva Dharni, a community leader, said. Recently authorities also cut electricity and water connections to the Basti, which was set up in the 60s when the Hindu families migrated from Ghotki in interior Sindh to Karachi. The area witnessed tensions a few years ago when a Muslim resident apparently started propagating an idea that a mosque should be constructed over the land. "These land grabbers try to persuade the Muslim clerics that having a settlement of lower caste Hindu in the center of a proper Muslim neighbourhood is unacceptable," Arif Habib, who heads the non-governmental Initiator Human Development Foundation which has brought Anum to run the school in the temple, said. "These are vulnerable communities and they are under threat from non-state actors, I mean land grabbers who want them to evacuate the plot where this settlement is located," he said. Anum reluctantly admits that some of the Muslim residents living around the settlement don't like her involvement with the scheduled caste Hindu families and her holding classes. "But I do it because these people are not even aware of their basic rights. Their children want to gain knowledge and education. Some of them attended other schools in the area but faced social and religious issues," Anum said. She said that the Hindu elders were very happy that their children, specially the girls, don't have to leave the settlement for education. Asked whether she has faced difficulties as a Muslim teacher, Anum said she did face challenges. "But I never talk about religion and avoid hurting their sensitivities. I try to keep them focused on different subjects and religion is not one of them," she said. "I respect them as human beings and they respect me back. That is how we work. We celebrate religious festivals together. I say salaam to them and they respond with Jai Shri Ram." She feels the school can serve as an example of how different communities can co-exist peacefully in the Muslim majority nation while respecting each other. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terrorists shot dead a policeman in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district today when he was returning home after offering Eid prayers, police said. Fayaz Ahmad Shah was shot dead by terrorists near his home at Awgam, a police official said. He said Shah was undergoing a recruitment training course at Talwara and he had come home to celebrate Eid with his family. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has briefed the senior leadership of the WHO, the United Nations and the International Red Cross here on the humanitarian crisis in Kerala which has been devastated by unprecedented floods, his office said in a statement. Tharoor, a Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, discussed with them the possibilities for assisting Kerala which is struggling to find its feet after the devastating deluge that left 231 dead in a fortnight and displaced over 14 lakh people. The meetings were also aimed at identifying avenues through which international organisations can support relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding operations in the state, the statement said. "Tharoor held a series of high-level discussions in Geneva with the senior leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations and the International Red Cross to brief them on the devastating humanitarian crisis of flooding in the southern Indian state of Kerala and explore possibilities for assistance," it said. Tharoor travelled in his individual capacity and at his own expense as an MP from Kerala and as a former UN Under-Secretary-General, the statement said. This reach was primarily due to a moral responsibility he felt as a Keralite to explore possibilities of international assistance and support to alleviate the sufferings of fellow Keralites, it said. Tharoor has also written to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the impressions gained from his briefings with the UN agencies in Geneva and the possible course of actions for the state, if required, the statement said. Tharoor also briefed the Indian Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Rajiv Chander, in detail on both August 20 and 21 about his meetings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Themis Medicare today said its Haridwar facility in Uttarakhand has received European Union-Good Manufacturing Practice (EU-GMP) certificate for oral and topical manufacturing sections. "With this, the company can commercialise its products in the European Union (EU) countries," Themis Medicare said in a filing to BSE. As per the European Medicines Agency, any manufacturer of medicines intended for the EU market, must comply with GMP. The certification will also give access to the company to commercialise its products from the plant in the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PICS) markets, Themis Medicare said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A top leader of the militant outfit United Socialist Revolutionary Army (USRA) was today shot dead by unidentified persons in Manipur's Churachandpur district, police said. Lalminthang Vaiphei, the self styled 'commander-in -chief' of USRA was shot dead in front of zonal education office, Churachandpur town, they said. Motive behind killing of the USRA leader was not known, police said adding that a case has been filed at Churachandpur police station for further investigation. The body of Vaiphei was sent to Churachandpur District Hospital for postmortem, they added. The USRA is active in Churachandpur district, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donald Trump today claimed that his predecessor Barack Obama had a campaign finance violation that was "easily settled", a day after the US President's former lawyer Micheal Cohen implicated the US President by pleading guilty to campaign finance laws. In a stunning admission that implicates Trump, his former lawyer Cohen, 51, pleaded guilty to buying the silence of two women about their alleged affairs with Trump. The admission to paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 US election potentially leaves the US president in legal jeopardy. In a series of tweets, Trump slammed Cohen, saying he is not a good lawyer and is making up stories while praising his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort as a "brave man". "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!" Trump tweeted, a day after Cohen admitted in a Manhattan court that he had paid two women in 2016, at the direction of Trump, to silence them from speaking out their alleged affairs with him in violation of federal campaign laws. "I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. "Justice" took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to "break" - make up stories in order to get a "deal". Such respect for a brave man!" Trump said in the second tweet. In a separate tweet, the Presidnet said: "A large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case. Witch Hunt!" He said Cohen pleaded guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that "are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!" Cohen's extraordinary admission in court came just as Manafort was convicted of five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failure to disclose a foreign bank account in a separate court. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining 10 counts, and the judge declared a mistrial on those charges. Cohen, 51, yesterday pleaded guilty in the Southern District of New York on charges of tax evasion, making false statements to a federally-insured bank and campaign finance violations. The most stunning admission he made in court before US District Judge William Pauley was that in 2016, Cohen had made payments of USD 280,000 to silence two women who otherwise planned to speak publicly about their alleged affairs with a presidential candidate, thereby "intending to influence the 2016 presidential election". The presidential candidate here is Trump and the payments were to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy playmate, a clear implication of the President. Cohen's lawyer has said that his client has information that would be of interest to special counsel Robert Mueller, investigating Trump campaign's possible involvement in Russia's interference in the 2016 election and is happy to share it with him. "...he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. "If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?" Lanny Davis, an attorney for Cohen, had said in an interview with MSNBC. He said "Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows. "... not just about the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election which the Trump Tower meeting was all about but also knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) has insisted he did nothing wrong after his longtime attorney implicated him in illicit hush payments made before the 2016 election, as experts warned the legal maelstrom swirling around the Republican leader could further threaten his presidency. On perhaps the worst day of Trump's tumultuous time in office, his former fixer Michael Cohen told a federal judge on Tuesday he had made illegal campaign contributions -- in the form of payments to silence women alleging affairs with Trump -- at his boss' request. Cohen's statements came on a day of head-spinning political drama for Trump, whose former campaign chief Paul Manafort was found guilty within the same hour of federal tax and bank fraud, in the first case sent to trial by the special prosecutor probing Russian meddling in the 2016 election. While the full implications for the real estate mogul-turned-president remain unclear, Cohen's statements -- and the prospect of more revelations to come -- puts Trump in legal peril. But the mercurial US leader yesterday appeared determined to ride out the latest storm. After first accusing Cohen of making up "stories" to cut a plea deal, he then tweeted that Cohen's actions were "not a crime," and went further in an interview with "Fox and Friends", saying they were "not even a campaign violation". In that interview, Trump said the hush payments were financed with his own money -- to which Cohen had access -- and that while he had no knowledge of them at the time, he had since been fully transparent. "My first question when I heard about it was, 'Did they come out of the campaign?', because that could be a little dicey," he said of the payments -- believed to have been made to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. "But they didn't come out of the campaign," he said. "They came from me and I tweeted about it." Despite Trump's defiant tone, Washington-based campaign finance expert Kate Belinski, of the Nossaman law firm, said to expect legal consequences for both Trump and his campaign -- most likely in the form of a civil complaint before the Federal Election Commission. Cohen has meanwhile pleaded guilty to two counts of violating campaign finance laws, along with six counts of fraud -- identifying Trump as his co-conspirator when it came to the hush payments. In a string of interviews early yesterday, Cohen's own lawyer Lanny Davis took aim squarely at the president, dubbing him a "criminal". "He committed a crime," Davis told CBS News. "If he were not president, he clearly would be indicted and jailed for that crime." In practice, an indictment is highly unlikely: since 2000, the Justice Department position has been that a sitting president is "immune from indictment as well as from further criminal process". And while the president could theoretically be impeached, it remains a remote prospect in a Republican-dominated Congress where even Democrats are focused on letting Robert Mueller's Russia probe play out. But Cohen's cooperation with investigators may yet pose a wider threat. Writing on the Lawfare blog, former White House counsel Bob Bauer said the Cohen plea will resonate "unmistakably" with Mueller's investigation, "which also concerns what a candidate is prepared to do to win an election and then cover his tracks". "As (Richard) Nixon found when one of his lawyers also became a witness for the government, this can be the beginning of very hard times." The White House insisted Trump was not concerned "at all" that Cohen might implicate the US president by cooperating with Mueller. "He knows that he did nothing wrong and that there was no collusion," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. But Davis told CBS News that Cohen knew of election tampering efforts during the 2016 campaign that would be "of interest to the special counsel." Rather than cut a deal, Manafort chose to leave his fate to a jury, prompting speculation he was hoping for a pardon -- something Trump has not ruled out. After four days of deliberations, the 69-year-old was found guilty of eight counts of financial fraud. Even as Manafort learned of his fate, the 51-year-old Cohen was revealing in Manhattan how he made hush payments "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office", and "with the purpose of influencing the election". Davis said Cohen was now determined "to put his family and country first and tell the truth about Donald Trump". Trump's response was to discredit Cohen -- contrasting his actions with the "brave" Manafort. "Unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break' - make up stories in order to get a 'deal,'" tweeted the president. A five-foot-long cobra was rescued from Delhi Race Course premises, while another was rescued from the basement of a factory in Bawana's DSIIDC area, a wildlife conservation NGO said today. Both the serpents are currently under observation and will be released in their natural habitat once they are declared fit by veterinarians, Manager of Wildlife SOS Special Projects Wasim Akram said. The NGO was alerted about the presence of a snake in Delhi Race Course premises on Tuesday evening, following which two rescuers were sent to the spot. The cobra was nestled inside a hole and was rescued, the NGO said. Another cobra found amid a pile of storage boxes inside a garment factory in Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) premises, it said. Cobras use their venom primarily to hunt prey like rats, mice and frogs. People get accidentally bitten when they step on the snake or an untrained person attempts to catch or handle these snakes, Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Eid festivity in militancy-hit Kashmir was marred with violent incidents in which terrorists shot dead two policemen today in two districts of the state, police said. The first incident took place when Fayaz Ahmad Shah, an under training police constable, was shot when he was returning home after offering Eid prayers in Kulgam, one of the worst militancy-hit districts of South Kashmir. Shah, 34, was working with the Jammu and Kashmir Police as a Special Police Officer and had been given an out-of-turn promotion and selected as a constable. He was undergoing training at Talwara in Jammu region and had come home. Terrorists pumped bullets at Shah from a close range near his house. He died on the spot. A pall of gloom descended on the policeman's native Zazripora village when the of his death broke out. The Eid festivities turned into mourning at Shah's residence with his two minor daughters, aged five and two, unable to understand the sudden rush of people to their residence and the frequent breakdown of their mother and aged grandmother. The family was inconsolable when his body wrapped in tricolour was brought to their residence. A wreath laying ceremony was held at district police lines Kulgam where officers led by Senior Superintendent of Police Harmeet Singh paid floral tributes to the police official. Director General of Police S P Vaid termed the incident a "dastardly act". "It only shows the frustration of terrorists who are resorting to such a cowardly act of attacking an unarmed policeman," he said. Another Special Police Officer identified as Mohammad Yaqoob Shah was shot at in Pulwama district. He was declared brought dead at the hospital. Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Swayam Prakash Pani led the police team to pay tributes to Shah at district police lines in Pulwama, another worst militancy-hit district. In another incident, body of a BJP worker identified as Shabir Ahmad Bhat was found in north Kashmir's Kupwara district. He was reportedly kidnapped by suspected terrorists last night. His bullet-riddled body was found in the fields at Rakh-e-Litter area of Kupwara, a police official said. The incident evoked sharp reaction from BJP president Amit Shah who said extremists cannot stop the valley's youths from choosing a better future and that the cycle of violence will not last long. "Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta, Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves. This cycle of violence won't last long," he tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Two tribals, a 30-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man were allegedly confined for two days and "beaten up" in a farmhouse in Mahabubnagar district by their employer for not attending work, police said today. The incident occurred in Nakkalabanda village and their employer Khurshid "resorted to this act" after the duo did not report to work last week, they said. The duo was employed for labour by Khurshid in his farmhouse around six months ago after he paid them Rs 30,000 each as advance, a senior police official told PTI over phone. After the two failedf to turn up for work following illness, the farmhouse owner "forcibly" took them from the village and "confined" them in a room at his farmhouse on Friday night. One of the victims managed to escape on Sunday and approached police, who rescued the woman from the farmhouse. Following a complaint police registered a case under IPC Sections342 (wrongful confinement), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means)and under relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and launched a hunt to nab the farmhouse owner,the police official added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donald Trump stood accused of conspiring to commit campaign fraud and two of his closest aides faced jail time, after court proceedings that delivered a legal and political one-two punch to his embattled presidency. In a drama that played out simultaneously across two US cities yesterday, two key aides each faced eight separate charges stemming from a federal investigation into the 2016 presidential election. In New York, Trump's long-time attack-dog fixer Michael Cohen pled guilty to eight counts including making illegal campaign contributions. In a sensational twist he pointed to the president as a coconspirator. Cohen pled guilty to illegally making pre-election hush payments, including to porn star Stormy Daniels, who says she had an affair with Trump. But as part of a plea deal Cohen said he acted "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office." "I participated in this conduct with the purpose of influencing the election," a visibly crestfallen Cohen told the judge, his voice trembling at times as he addressed the packed courtroom. That admission put Trump himself in legal jeopardy and raised the prospect that a trusted lieutenant is ready to spill secrets, gathered over decades, in exchange for a reduced sentence. The White House refused to comment on Cohen's allegation, with press secretary Sarah Sanders tersely telling reporters: "Refer you to the President's outside counsel." While the Cohen drama was unfolding in New York, a jury in Virginia found Trump's one-time campaign chairman Paul Manafort guilty on eight counts including bank fraud, tax fraud and a failure to declare foreign bank accounts. Trump expressed regret, calling Manafort "a good man." "I feel very sad about that," Trump told reporters as he arrived in West Virginia for a rally, claiming the conviction was part of a "witch hunt" after the 2016 election. "It's a very sad thing that happened, this has nothing to do with Russian collusion." Trump also sought to distance himself from Manafort -- who was instrumental in the 72-year-old securing the 2016 Republican nomination. "He worked for many, many people," said Trump, citing campaigns for former president Ronald Reagan and vice presidential candidate Bob Dole. But it is Cohen's decision to enter a plea deal that may pose the most problems for the White House. While it is US legal tradition that the president cannot be tried, the allegation, if proven will only increase calls for his impeachment. Questioned by a federal judge in Manhattan, Cohen indicated he had paid sums of USD 130,000 and USD 150,000 each to two women who claimed they had affairs with Trump. The two women are believed Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, a Playboy model who the president also denies having an affair with. Cohen said he made the payments "at the request of a candidate" to silence "information that would be prejudicial to the candidate and the campaign." In addition to two counts of violating campaign finance laws, Cohen pleaded guilty to five counts of tax fraud and one of bank fraud during the hearing before US District Judge William Pauley. The judge informed the 51-year-old Cohen he faced a maximum of 65 years of imprisonment, with his sentenced set to be handed down on Dec 12. The US president had spent much of yesterday cooped up at the White House, as rainstorms raged outside and the two high profile legal cases with profound implications for his presidency reached their coda. At a courthouse close to Washington, jurors spent four days deliberating on the 18 charges against Manafort. While the jury was unable to reach a verdict on 10 counts, prompting the judge to declare a partial mistrial, Manafort was found guilty on the eight remaining charges. These included five counts of making false income tax returns, two counts of bank fraud and one of failure to report foreign bank and financial accounts. Each of the bank fraud counts carries a significant maximum sentence and the 69-year-old could theoretically live out the remainder of his years in prison -- though a legal expert contacted by AFP predicted his sentence would in reality run to under a decade. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A leading UK university has launched a campaign to fight the stigma attached to menopause by encouraging its staff to talk about the middle-aged phenomena openly. The drive, launched earlier this month at the University of Leicester, aim to create a model to destigmatize menopause at workplace. We are taking steps to remove the taboo at Leicester by having more open conversations about menopause, Dr Andrea Davies, from the University of Leicester School of Business, said. As part of the initiative, Davies recently launched monthly Menopause Cafes, where male and female colleagues are encouraged to come together and talk about the taboo subject. Facts about menopause are not well known. Sharing information and creating awareness is the first key step for having confident conversations around menopause for everyone. We have also found that men are keen to know more to support their family and female colleagues, she said. The catalyst for the initiative has been a UK government-commissioned report authored by a team from the University of Leicester School of Business. It led to Leicester becoming the first university in the UK to have a menopause policy, under which it is working on a portfolio of projects at workplace - engaging with organizations and employers across Britain on the report's recommendations. According to Davies, embedded in the policy is guidance for line managers and women to start confident conversations. Alongside is a menopause factsheet as well as a video. Menopause transition is different for all women and a one-size-fits-all approach does not match what we know about menopause, she said. Similar schemes have since been rolled out at the University of Manchester, Severn Trent Water company and Nottinghamshire Police, as employers look to support older female colleagues going through the biological transition. According to the report, workplace symptoms for menopause, which occurs at the age of 51 on an average, include headaches, hot flushes, depression and excessive tiredness. The UK Government's Equalities Office has recommended that employers provide desk fans to help menopausal women manage their symptoms. They should also provide cold water fountains, places to rest, special absence policies and ensure uniforms are made from non-synthetic materials. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A senior Treasury official today warned that the United States has more economic sanctions on Russia in the pipeline, after the US blacklisted two Russian companies for trading with North Korea. "Absolutely ... You will continue without a doubt to see more from this administration," Sigal Mandelker, US Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence told a Senate hearing when asked if more sanctions were forthcoming. "We have imposed major costs on Russia," she told the Senate Banking Committee. "We believe its adventurism undoubtedly has been checked by the knowledge that we can bring much more economic pain to bear using our authorities -- and that we will not hesitate to do so if its conduct does not demonstrably and significantly change." The statement came shortly after the Treasury slapped punitive sanctions on two Russian shipping firms and six Russian-flagged vessels linked to the firms for violating economic sanctions on North Korea. The Treasury said Primorye Maritime Logistics Co. and Gudzon Shipping Co. own a tanker, the M/V Patriot, which conducted ship-to-ship transfers of oil to North Korea tankers twice earlier this year. That violated a UN-backed embargo on doing business with North Korea (DPRK), part of an effort to pressure Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programs. "Ship-to-ship transfers with North Korea-flagged vessels from Russia or elsewhere of any goods being supplied, sold, or transferred to or from the DPRK are prohibited under the UN Security Council resolutions," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "Consequences for violating these sanctions will remain in place until we have achieved the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea." The sanctions freeze any of the companies' assets in US jurisdiction and severely restrict their access to the global financial system. The US has blacklisted numerous major Russian corporations and powerful figures, both from government and business, in the circle of President Vladimir Putin. Mandelker said Russia's continuing "malign activity" around the world -- interfering with US elections, supporting the Assad regime in Syria, using chemical weapons in an assassination attempt in Britain, and violating its own citizens' human rights -- requires the US to keep up pressure. Also on Tuesday Microsoft announced that it had shut down six fake websites set up by Russia's GRU intelligence designed to redirect traffic from two US conservative thinktanks and the US Senate. Mandelker said the sanctions have had a hefty impact on the Russian economy, cutting foreign investment and slashing the wealth of the billionaire oligarchs close to Putin. "Targeting these Russian individuals and entities have made them radioactive, as we have made clear to the world that those who choose to do business with them do so at their own peril," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Uttarakhand government held a roadshow in Bengaluru today to woo business leaders ahead of an investors summit to be held in Dehradun in October. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat projected the state as investor-friendly, promising to fulfil all their requirements. "We have created an investor-friendly bureaucracy in Uttarakhand. Whatever be the requirements of the investors we will attend to them," Rawat said at the roadshow. Offering all support to investors, he said, "Apart from air connectivity we will soon have a rail route which will take only 3.5 hours from Delhi to reach Dehradun". The key agenda of the roadshow was to share investment opportunities in the hilly state and to seek active participation from the investors in Karnataka in the forthcoming summit, an official release here said. 'Destination Uttarakhand: Investors Summit' scheduled to be held here between October 7 and 8 will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chief minister highlighted 12 focus sectors in which there was great potential for investments in the state, including Food Processing, Horticulture & Floriculture, Herbal & Aromatic, Tourism & Hospitality, Wellness & AYUSH, Pharmaceuticals, Automobiles, Natural Fibers, IT, Renewable Energy, Biotechnology and Film Shooting. "From huge industry potential to inexpensive electricity, the state has a well-developed infrastructure that nurtures entrepreneurship," state Industry Secretary Manisha Panwar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Full Year Results 2018 Brisbane, Aug 22, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - OtherLevels Holdings Limited ( ASX:OLV ) ("OtherLevels" or the "Company") today releases its results for the year ended 30 June 2018.Key Financial highlights for the period:- 56% increase in revenue to $5.25m from $3.37m in FY17.- 33% increase in customer receipts to $5.62m (excluding R&D) from $4.2m in FY17.- 73% improvement in EBITDA to a loss of ($1.1m) from a loss of ($4.1m) in FY17.- 62% improvement in NPAT to ($1.7m) from a loss of ($4.5m) in FY17.- 57% improvement in net operating and investing cashflow to ($1.7m) from ($3.9) in FY17.- 10% cash expense reduction at $8.1m in FY18 compared to $8.9m in FY17.- Positive operational cashflow in Q2 and Q3.Operational Achievements and HighlightsFY18 saw the Company achieve a continued increase in group revenues and cash receipts as well as positive operational cashflow in two quarters.Total revenue grew by 56% for the year including a 53% increase in licence revenue, 55% increase in professional services revenue and 87% increase in managed services revenue. EBITDA improved by 73% to a loss of ($1.1m) and the Company expects to achieve positive EBITDA in FY19.Revenue from UK and European operations grew 79% and now constitute 66% of total revenue. The Australian business saw 45% growth and now represents 17% of total revenue. The US business remained strong and also contributed 17% of total revenue.The Company achieved its focus of maximizing operating cash flow with a disciplined approach to expenditure. The goal of positive operating and investing cashflow was achieved in both Q2 and Q3 of FY18, and the Company's goal is to achieve positive operating cash flow through FY19.OtherLevels applied for a Research and Development rebate of $0.768m for the FY18 year, which has been processed and was received in August 2018.FY19 StrategyThe Company continues to focus on the lotteries and wagering sector and sees on-going opportunities within the sector due to the transition from government to outsourced operation of regulated lotteries in Europe and the US. The Company added another national European lottery operator as a client during the period and is confident of securing its first US state-based lottery client in FY19. OtherLevels knowledge and expertise within the sector also contributed to signing the Company's first lottery funded, not for profit client, shortly after year end.Consolidation in the UK market creates both challenges and opportunities for Otherlevels due to management turnover and platform consolidation. In turn, this has created a number of emerging and high-growth companies that are well placed to take advantage of OtherLevels technology and services.The Company also sees further opportunities driven by loyalty, membership and visitor website conversion within the travel and hospitality sectors. OtherLevels already has one of the world's top 3 hotel operators as a major client, as well one of the world's largest travel operators. Across this sector there is a continuous need to both drive engagement with members and guests, as well as increase the conversion of site visitors into known members.In addition, OtherLevels has identified that activating a mid-market strategy will accelerate growth whilst mitigating the reliance on enterprise customers.Mid-market clients typically have limited marketing resources, and a high dependence on digital agencies and email marketing. Outsourcing of non-core services is more common, and solutions are often delivered as service packages combining services and technology, again making it easier to buy. This mirrors the company's existing managed service experiences and also accelerates the buying process.Intelligent Messaging remains at the core of the OtherLevels platform and remains a strategic initiative for the Company.The Company continues to review its partnering strategies. In FY19, OtherLevels will focus on a smaller number of deeper partnerships to ensure early joint client success and create referenceable clients as the basis for a successful partnership. OtherLevels membership of the Salesforce partner program, and the Company's integration with Salesforce is a key element of the partner roadmap, and partnerships that enhance new sales and distribution are being prioritized.In summary, during FY19 the Company will maintain a strong focus on achieving positive operational cash flow, and continued cost management discipline, while growing shareholder value.To view the Annual Report, please visit:About Otherlevels Holdings Ltd OtherLevels Holdings Ltd (ASX:OLV) (FRA:7OL) is a leading second-generation digital marketing platform with offices in Europe, the US and Australia. The OtherLevels platform enables clients to acquire sooner, engage smarter and retain longer across desktop, mobile web and apps audiences. The OtherLevels platform offers both Intelligent Messaging for Conversion, and Intelligent Messaging for Marketing Clouds and CRM, hence delivering both acquisition and engagement capabilities for digital marketers. OtherLevels leading clients include Camelot (UK), Tatts/Tabcorp, Coles, Flight Centre, IHG, LadbrokesCoral, Betfred and Doubledown. For more information, please visit http://otherlevels.com. For media enquiries please contact media@otherlevels.com. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes were brought here today from New Delhi by Rajasthan BJP chief BJP chief Madan Lal Saini, as part of the party's 'asthi kalash yatra'. The ashes were then taken to BJP state headquarters where party workers and people from different walks of life paid floral tribute to the departed soul. Rajsthan Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Arun Chaturvedi, who had accompanied Saini to bring the ashesh from New Delhi, said that it would be taken to Pushkar, Kota and Beneshwar Dham tomorrow. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje would immerse the ashesh in Pushkar, Saini would do it in Kota and Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria would immerse the ashes in Beneshwar Dham. The BJP has decided to take out yatras with urns carrying ashes of the party stalwart in all districts and immerse those in rivers across the country. A similar procession was taken out in Haridwar on August 19, where Shah along with Union minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his Uttrakhand counterpart Trivendra Singh were present to bid farewell to the departed leader. Later, the ashes were immersed in the Ganga river by Vajpayee's family members and BJP leaders. The former prime minister died in the national capital on August 16 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. His mortal remains were consigned to the flames at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna in Delhi the next day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ashes of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee were today immersed in Sabarmati river here by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The ashes were immersed at Sabarmati riverfront by Rupani in the presence of state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani and several other key party leaders. After the immersion, Rupani announced that the place at the riverfront from where the ashes were immersed in the river would now be called as 'Atal ghat'. Earlier during the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders handed over the urns containing Vajpayee's ashes to state party presidents, including Vaghani, at a function in Delhi today. Vaghani arrived at the city airport with the ashes in the afternoon. The state BJP had announced that Vajpayee's ashes will be immersed in six rivers of the state, starting from Sabarmati river today. "From the airport, the ashes were taken to Khadia, where 'Jan Sangh', the earlier avatar of the BJP, used to run its office. Vajpayee had visited that office several times," a party leader said. The party later took out 'Asthi Kalash Yatra', wherein the ashes were taken out through some old areas in the city in a specially-designed truck. The yatra culminated at Sabarmati riverfront, from where Rupani immersed the ashes amid the chants of "Vajpayee Amar Rahe" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jay". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An urn containing the ashes of Atal Bihari Vajpayee was today brought to Jharkhand, the state created during his prime ministership. The ashes, collected by BJP's Jharkhand unit president Laxman Gilua in New Delhi, are likely to be immersed in five rivers of the state tomorrow, party sources said. The urn was brought from the airport here in a procession to an auditorium where Governor Droupadi Murmu, Chief Minister Raghubar Das and others remembered Vajpayee at a programme. "I have only a few words to pay tribute (to Vajpayee) because his character, ability and wisdom cannot be defined in words," Murmu said. Stating that she came to public life seeing Vajpayee's ideology, Murmu said he worked for connecting village to village, panchayat to panchayat, district to district, state to state and individual to individual. Jharkhand was created on November 15, 2000, on the birth anniversary of iconic tribal leader Birsa Munda, she said adding that a separate tribal affairs ministry was also created during the time when Vajpayee was the prime minister. In his address, Chief Minister Raghubar Das said he believed that even now Vajpayee was among the people and would remain with them as his ideals give inspiration to them. "A person like Atal ji takes birth in ages, (he was) a karma yogi, orator, successful political leader and a poet," Das said. Besides Jharkhand, Vajpayee created two others states - Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh, he said. Assembly Speaker Dinesh Oraon, Leader of Opposition Hemant Soren and others also spoke on the occasion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The urn containing the ashes of late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee reached Odisha today and will be immersed in the Bay of Bengal in Puri tomorrow, party sources said. State BJP President Basant Panda returned to Bhubaneswar with the asthi kalash (urn) this evening. He had received the urn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah in New Delhi earlier today, the sources said. The urn is kept at the BJP state headquarters here to allow the people to pay their tribute to the late leader, said BJP leader Prithiviraj Harichandan. Harichandan said the urn containing the ashes will be taken to Puri in a procession from Bhubaneswar. BJP has also planned an all party meeting on August 24 here in Vajpayee's memory, BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee were taken to various states from the national capital today for immersion in rivers across the country as part of the BJP's 'asthi kalash yatra'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah handed over urns containing the ashes of the late leader to the party's state unit chiefs. Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj joined Modi and Shah in handing over the urns here. The ashes of the former prime minister was were brought to Madhya Pradesh by state BJP president Rakesh Singh and received by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Bhopal. The urn would be kept at the state party headquarters and immersed in 10 rivers in the state in the coming days. In Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur received the urn and it was kept at the iconic Ridge for people to pay tributes to the late leader. The former prime minister's ashes were immersed in the Beas river in Punjab. It was brought by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and state BJP chief Shwait Malik. In Haryana, Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the ashes would be immersed in rivers at two places, Pehowa in Kurukshetra and Hathnikundin Yamunanagar on August 23. Rajasthan Minister Arun Chaturvedi brought the ashes to Rajasthan. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje would immerse the ashes in Pushkar, BJP state chief Madan Lal Saini in Kota and Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria in Beneshwar Dham. In Bihar's capital Patna, the urn was kept at the state BJP headquarters and the immersion of the ashes will take place from tomorrow. The ashes of the late leader also reached Odisha today and will be immersed in the Bay of Bengal in Puri tomorrow. In neighbhouring West Bengal, the ashes will be immersed in various rivers of the state and at Gangasagar. In Jharkhand the ashes would be immersed in five rivers tomorrow In the northeastern states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh the ashes will be immersed in the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, and at the holy Parashuram Kund, respectively. The ashes were immersed in the Sabarmati river in Gujarat by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in the presence of state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani and key party leaders. Rupani announced that the place from where the ashes were immersed would now be called as 'Atal Ghat'. The ashes were brought to the Hyderabad and will be immersed in the Godavari, Krishna, Musi and Tungabhadra rivers in the coming days. The urn has been kept at the state headquarters. The urn containing the ashes of the former prime minister would be brought to Uttar Pradesh tomorrow. The ashes of the former prime minister will be immersed in over 100 rivers across the country following a procession. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would be immersed at the holy Parashuram Kund in Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit district on August 24, BJP sources said. State BJP president Tapir Gao and the unit's treasurer Vikas Aggarwal will escort the urn containing the late leaders ashes from New Delhi to Naharlagun helipad on August 23. The urn will be taken in a motorcade to BJP headquarters here for all rank and file of the party to pay their last respects before being kept at the Dorjee Khandu Convention Hall to allow the general people to pay their respects to the former prime minister, state BJP general secretary Jarpum Gamlin said. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and a BJP team headed by Gao and Gamlin along with media persons will fly with the urn in a helicopter from Naharlagun helipad to Parashuram Kund on August 24 for the immersion. Lohit and Namsai district commissioners and superintendents of police have been asked to make necessary arrangements for the immersion. A condolence meeting will be organized as desired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu and will be attended by all ministers, MLAs and government officials, official sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Streaming platform Hulu is planning to revive popular mystery series "Veronica Mars". The streaming platform is close to lock a deal for a new installment of the crime series with actor Kristen Bell set to reprise her role as sleuth Veronica Mars. According to The Hollywood Reporter, show creator Rob Thomas and series star Kristen Bell are also on board the project. The series premiered on UPN network in September 2004, during television studio's final two years, and ended in May 2007, airing for three seasons total. It follows Veronica Mars, a California teen sleuth and student (Bell) who moonlit as a private investigator under the tutelage of her detective father (Enrico Colantoni). A series was also adapted into a feature film by Thomas that released in 2014. The film followed Mars returning to Neptune, California, for a 10-year high school reunion, only to be pulled back into a murder mystery involving her former boyfriend. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vietnam today jailed two American citizens and 10 others from an outlawed US-based "terrorist" group for attempting to overthrow the state after they spread anti-government leaflets and tried to incite protests last year. Critics of the communist regime are routinely jailed in the one-party state. Most are loosely-linked bloggers, activists and rights lawyers, with few groups designated as "terrorist organisations". One of those groups is the California-based Provisional National Government of Vietnam (PNGV), an anti-communist organisation with its own self-appointed prime minister that pledges allegiance to the former South Vietnam regime. Twelve of their members were jailed for between five and 14 years after a two-day trial in Ho Chi Minh City for "attempting to overthrow the state", according to Phap Luat newspaper, the mouthpiece of the city's justice department. They were accused of printing 4,000 leaflets, plotting to take over national radio and calling for demonstrations on April 30 last year -- celebrated as "reunification day" to mark the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. The group included two American citizens, Phan Angel and Nguyen James Han, who allegedly travelled to Vietnam from the United States to help the failed plot, state media reported. They were the only two to receive the harshest sentences of 14 years in prison and will be deported after serving their sentences. "The defendants' behaviour was extremely serious, violating national security, undermining the country's stability and development (and) causing political and social disorder," the official Vietnam Agency quoted the court decision as saying. US embassy spokesman Pope Thrower said the safety of American citizens was a top priority. "We will continue to monitor Mr Nguyen's welfare, advocate for him and provide consular services until his release," Thrower said in a statement. The embassy was not authorised to speak about Phan. The foiled plan was allegedly set to coincide with a failed attack on Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat international airport last year, for which 15 PNGV members were convicted. The group was also accused of bombing a police station in the city in June and injuring three people. The PNGV was established in 1990 in California, where large numbers of Vietnamese refugees settled after the end of the war. Its members, many who wear the yellow-and-red-striped southern flag of the former Saigon regime, say their aim is to "liberate Vietnam from communism". Hanoi and Washington now enjoy close ties, although a number of incidents involving US citizens in Vietnam this year have created a diplomatic headache between the former foes. Michael Nguyen, a California-based father of four is in custody for "attempting to overthrow the state", while American student Will Nguyen was convicted and deported last month for disturbing public order after joining protests in Ho Chi Minh City. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States, France and Britain have threatened to respond if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad uses chemical weapons in its offensive to retake Idlib province. In a joint statement yesterday, the three powers said they were "gravely concerned" over the military offensive in Idlib and the resulting humanitarian consequences. "We also underline our concern at the potential for further - and illegal - use of chemical weapons," they said. "We remain resolved to act if the Assad regime uses chemical weapons again." The three UN Security Council powers released the joint statement to mark the fifth anniversary of the sarin attack in Ghouta that killed more than 300 people. That attack, which the West blamed on Assad's forces, led to a US-Russian agreement to rid Syria of its chemical stockpile and its means to produce the deadly chemicals. "Our position on the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons is unchanged," said the statement. "As we have demonstrated, we will respond appropriately to any further use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime, which has had such devastating humanitarian consequences for the Syrian population." The United States, France and Britain in April launched airstrikes on Syrian targets in response to a chemical weapons attack in the town of Douma that left scores dead. The one-night operation hit three sites in Syria amid warnings from Russia that a military intervention could lead to a broader war. After seven years of war, Assad has set his sights on retaking control of the Idlib, the biggest area in rebel-held hands, which borders Turkey. The regime holds the southeastern tip of the province that is home to some 2.5 million people -- more than half displaced by Syria's war or bused into Idlib under surrender deals. The council is scheduled to discuss the humanitarian situation in Syria next week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Student leader Kanhaiya Kumar today questioned the delay in the arrest made by the CBI in the 2013 murder case of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. The Central Bureau of Investigation last week arrested a man on a tip-off by Maharashtra police, claiming he was one of the two shooters who fired on and killed Dabholkar in Pune in August 2013. Speaking at the Mumbai Press Club, Kumar asked why it took so long to make the arrest in the case. "Five years have passed since Dabholkar's death. Why the arrest was not made earlier? Maharashtra police could have made the arrest (instead of tipping off CBI). Police in neighbouring state (Karnataka) arrested killers of (journalist) Gauri Lankesh," he said. Kumar alleged that the group involved in Lankesh's murder is being protected by the government to "terrorise those who speak or write against it". He claimed that one of the persons arrested recently by Maharashtra Police for allegedly conspiring to trigger blasts in the state had tried to heckle him when he had addressed a public meeting in Mumbai. The BJP-led government at the Centre was trying to overthrow "constitutional democracy" and establish "mob-rule", he said. There was an undeclared emergency in the country, Kumar said, adding that anti-BJP parties should come together with a common minimum programme. When asked about his own political plans, he said he was already a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI). "I can not say for sure if I would fight elections...but I may fight if you (media) support," he said. On the recent attack on his fellow student leader from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Umar Khalid, in Delhi, Kumar said such attacks are aimed at silencing critics and deflect people's attention from real issues like unemployment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) FY18 Revenue up 44%, EBITDA up 45%, NPAT up 28% ------------------------------------------------------------ $m FY17 FY18 % change ------------------------------------------------------------ Total revenue 153.8 221.6 +44% Operating profit 41.5 58.4 +41% Net profit attributable to equity holders 31.9 40.8 +28% Earnings per share (cents) 10.9 13.9 +28% Dividend per share (cents) 1.2 1.65 +38% ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ $m FY17 FY18 % change ------------------------------------------------------------ Total revenue 153.8 221.6 +44% Gross profit 131.1 187.3 +43% Total operating expenses (77.2) (109.3) +42% EBITDA 53.9 78.0 +45% EBITDA margin 35% 35% - Free cash flow 34.5 43.5 +26% ------------------------------------------------------------ Sydney, Aug 22, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - WiseTech Global Ltd ( ASX:WTC ) ( OTCMKTS:WTCHF ) announces FY18 revenue up 44%, EBITDA up 45%, NPAT up 28%.Key statutory results FY17 vs FY18- Total revenue of $221.6m, up 44%- Net profit attributable to equity holders of $40.8m, up 28%- Fully franked final dividend of 1.65 cents per shareKey performance indicators FY18 vs FY17- Recurring revenue 99% (CargoWise One)- Annual attrition rate of <1% by CargoWise One customer- EBITDA of $78.0m, up 45%- EBITDA margin 35% (48% excluding acquisitions) (see Note 1 below)Strong growth in revenues while expanding global platformCEO, Richard White, said "Our global operations continued to deliver high quality growth in FY18 with revenues up 44% to $221.6m and EBITDA up 45% to $78m, while we focused on accelerating the flywheels of our global growth and industry penetration, driven by geographic expansion, relentless innovation and deepening product capability, global data sets, and rapid adoption by the world's largest logistics providers."The power and strength of our CargoWise One global platform is reflected in its 99% recurring revenue and annual customer attrition rate of <1% and our EBITDA margin is 48% (excluding acquisitions)- all delivered while enlarging our geographic footprint and significantly expanding our pipeline of innovation to further build our leadership position."Highlights from execution of strategic growth initiatives- We delivered significant revenue growth driven primarily by continued strong organic growth across our global business, the addition of over 550 internally developed product enhancements and features to our CargoWise One technology platform, and the acquisition of 15 strategic assets in new geographies and adjacent technologies from which we will accelerate our future growth.- Continued strong organic revenue growth with revenues from existing and new customers up $44.6m - importantly every CargoWise One customer cohort as measured in the last ten years grew revenue in FY18.- Overall, 24 of the top 25 Global Freight Forwarders (see Note 2 below) are customers as are 34 of the top 50 global 3PLs (see Note 3 below) yet global penetration still in the early stage with significant runway for years to come- We have progressed product development in China, Italy, Germany and Brazil, and across our global adjacencies. Throughout FY18 and to August 2018, we announced 22 valuable geographic and adjacent acquisitions across Australasia, Asia, Europe and the Americas.- We have also invested resources into machine learning, natural language processing, process automation and guided decision support, driven by vast volumes of transactional and border agency data sets to enable enhanced compliance, due diligence, risk assessment and risk mitigation.Delivery on our growth strategyThe key strategic developments in the year were:Expansion of our global platformWe invested $76.4m and 51% of our people in product development, further expanding our pipeline of commercialisable innovations and delivering hundreds of product upgrades seamlessly across the CargoWise One global platform. We are accelerating our development capability within our development teams across 20 countries.The hundreds of upgrades include initiatives such as:- launch of BorderWise in Dec 2017 with regional rollout to Australia, New Zealand and the United States of our comprehensive border compliance engine and subsequent rollout across Europe, Mexico and Singapore to come;- expanded and embedded global tracking across the platform covering vessels and containers for 90% of ocean volumes;- WiseRates, additional functionality in rates automation and bookings;- launch of PAVE, a technology layer applied across our CargoWise One workflow engine;- completion of native China customs and localised CargoWise One platform (including sales, content, education and certification materials); and- regulatory upgrades for a myriad of government changes including US Automated Commercial Environment, Canada-EU Free Trade, Malaysian uCustoms, Australian GST, China golden tax regime and German ATLAS release.A sample of larger pipeline components include:- international e-commerce integrated fulfilment solution for high volume, low value e-commerce shipments from origin to door, currently in pilot test with development partner;- comprehensive port integration for bookings, manifests, status terminal releases, container load plans and VGM to terminals, carriers, customs and agents;- Universal Customs Engine designed to deliver complex, multi-year localisations in a fraction of time and cost;- advancements in architecture engine, GLOW, which allows rapid product development across multiple operating systems on any device, by non-technical staff;- global air cargo tracking, including air waybill tracking, events and automations allowing exception-based logistics transaction execution; and- integration of acquired adjacencies and our innovation developments to build out the cargo chain ecosystem for rates, schedules and bookings.We have also invested resources into machine learning, natural language processing, process automation and guided decision support, driven by vast volumes of transactional and border agency data sets to enable enhanced compliance, due diligence, risk assessment and risk mitigation.Greater usage by existing customersWe experienced continuing existing customer revenue growth of $32.1m which delivered 72% of the FY18 organic revenue growth. This growth was generated by:- our large customer base increasing their use of the CargoWise One platform, adding transactions, users and geographies, and moving into more modules;- increasing usage by many of the world's largest freight forwarding groups. We have 24 of the top 25 global freight forwarders as customers and 7 of the top 25 who are on, or have completed, global forwarding rollout, including DSV, DHL and Yusen. The DHL Global Forwarding rollout commenced in FY17 is making significant progress across EMEA and Asia;- continued transition of customer licensing (excluding acquisitions), with 99% of CargoWise One revenues generated from On-Demand licensing, an access-as-needed, monthly payment based on usage licence and select customers moving off static transition pricing arrangements to standard transaction-based licence arrangements; and- further growth in revenue from larger multi-region customers - 34 of the top 50 global 3PLs are now customers, yet, our top 10 customers contribute only 29% of revenue (FY17: 27%).Increasing the number of new customers on the platformRevenue growth from new customers rose $12.5m in FY18. New customer wins in FY18 progressed with larger 3PL customers, including Kuehne + Nagel, Expolanka Intl, "K" Line Logistics and Logwin, which are expected to roll out over the coming years. As we increase our global penetration, we also continue to sign new customer deals with customers where we have a pre-existing relationship in another region so those new customers add to our existing customers' revenue. Regardless, we are still in early penetration of both new and existing customers.Stimulated network effectsWe harness important natural network effects that exist because of the necessarily collaborative nature of supply chain execution and the inherent effect of our deeply integrated global platform. We further stimulate these effects with targeted partner programs through WiseBusiness, WiseService and WiseTechnical partners, the WisePartner Referral Program, Certified Professional and deeper WiseIndustry programs for freight forwarding network groups globally. We currently have ~230 external WisePartner organisations across the world, actively referring, promoting or implementing our platform.In addition, each new geography and adjacency we acquire adds a valuable point on our strategic map, accelerates the network effects and makes CargoWise One even more compelling to local and global logistics providers and their customers. In FY18, we leveraged our acquired business relationships with key global customers and explored connections between the adjacent acquisitions, CargoWise One and geographic footholds. We also implemented development partnerships with large regional and global rollout customers on pilot technology developments which will drive network effects across the customer base.Accelerating organic growth through acquisitionsIn expanding geographically, we buy into market positions that would take years to build, and we then integrate the acquired industry and developer talent and customers over time to accelerate our organic growth. We further utilise acquisitions in key adjacent technology to facilitate our development of globally scalable innovations, to fuel the convergence of technologies that add to our next generation of automations and machine learning and to grow and enhance our extensive global data and transaction sets.In FY18, we have progressed product development in China, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Ireland and Australasia, and across our global adjacencies including global rates management, border compliance and land transport. In addition, we announced a further 22 valuable geographic and adjacent acquisitions across Brazil, Taiwan, Australia, North America, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Belgium, Latin America and Turkey.Throughout FY18 and to August 2018, our acquisitions for geographic expansion included:- on 1 August 2017, we completed the acquisition of Bysoft, the largest provider of customs and logistics compliance solutions to the logistics industry across Brazil, the largest economy in South America;- on 31 August 2017, we completed the acquisition of the Prolink business, a leading provider of customs and forwarding solutions across Taiwan and China which gives us additional regional strength to accelerate our growth throughout Asia;- on 31 January 2018, we completed the acquisitions of two European customs solutions providers, both headquartered in Dublin: ABM Data Systems, a leading pan-European developer and provider of customs clearance solutions and CustomsMatters, a leading Irish provider of customs solutions;- on 28 February 2018, we completed the acquisition of Intris, the leading Belgian provider of freight forwarding, customs and warehousing management solutions;- on 31 March 2018, we completed the acquisition of LSP Solutions, a leading provider of customs and warehouse management solutions in the Netherlands, Europe's largest port and critical transport hub;- on 1 May 2018, we completed the acquisitions of two leading Latin American freight forwarding and logistics solutions providers, Forward and Softcargo, who together provide freight forwarding solutions to 16 countries across Latin America;- on 1 May 2018, we completed the acquisition of EasyLog, a leading customs solutions provider in France, the second largest importer and exporter country in Europe;- on 2 July 2018, we completed the acquisition of Ulukom, a leading logistics and customs solutions provider in Turkey ? one of Europe's largest trading partners bridging Europe, the Middle East and Asia;- on 2 July 2018, we completed the acquisition of Fenix Data Systems, a Canadian customs management solutions provider with specialised focus on cross-border road and rail movements;- in August 2018, we committed to bring Multi Consult (the leading provider of customs solutions in Italy, along with their expert solutions for freight forwarding, local TMS and WMS) into the WiseTech Group; and- on 9 August 2018, we announced the acquisition of Taric, a leading provider of customs management solutions in Spain who will accelerate the European development of our global BorderWise solution and extend customs and compliance capabilities for our recent acquisitions of freight forwarding solution providers across Latin America.Throughout FY18 and to August 2018 our acquisitions for adjacencies and technologies convergent with our innovation pipeline included:- on 9 August 2017, we acquired the Digerati business, a leading provider of tariff research and compliance tools utilised by the Australasian customs broking community and on 26 July 2017, we acquired reference data provider, TradeFox, both of which we utilised to enhance our cross-border compliance engine, BorderWise;- on 31 August 2017, we completed the acquisition of CMS Transport Systems, a leading Australasian provider of road transport and logistics management systems. This acquisition allows us to further accelerate our local developments in land transport and integrated telematics;- on 12 September 2017, we completed the acquisition of Netherlands-based Cargoguide, a leading provider of global air freight rate management solutions and on 29 September 2017, we completed the acquisition of US-based CargoSphere, a leading provider of global ocean freight rate management solutions. These global rate management solutions enable freight forwarders to save millions of hours annually and optimise margins by accessing, organising and systematising rates, contracts and quotes;- on 1 February 2018, we completed the acquisition of Gartner-rated Microlistics, a leading provider of specialist warehouse management solutions for enterprise, express, third-party logistics and cold storage across Asia Pacific and North America;- on 2 July 2018, we completed the acquisition of SaaS Transportation, a specialist Less Than Truckload ("LTL") transport management solutions provider in the United States with US LTL road rate capabilities which will expand our road booking and road rates offering;- on 2 July 2018, we completed the acquisition of Pierbridge, a leading parcel transportation management solutions ("TMS") provider, whose enterprise-class, multi-carrier, parcel shipping solution, allows freight forwarders, warehouses and shippers, such as online retailers, to more efficiently manage high volumes of parcel shipments, and will enable our customers to ship with US-based global couriers; and- on 16 August 2018, we announced the acquisition of Trinium Technologies, a leading intermodal trucking TMS and container tracking provider in the United States and Canada.These acquisitions are at various stages of completion and integration and, once fully embedded over the coming years, they will expand the functionality, scope and value of our industry-leading technology and provide a strong base for further accelerating our long-term organic growth.Accordingly, we will continue to execute on our considerable pipeline of near-term, mid-term and long-term acquisition opportunities in our target areas of Asia, Europe and North America.DividendWe declared a final dividend of 1.65 cents per share, payable on 8 October 2018. This is in line with our policy - a payout ratio of up to 20% of annual statutory NPAT. The dividend will be fully franked and the record date is 12 September 2018.OutlookWiseTech Global Founder and CEO, Richard White, said "In FY19 we will continue to execute our five levers of growth. We will continue relentless innovation and maximize the opportunities available to us from building out our global platform. We will continue to acquire leading market positions in key geographic markets for the world's manufactured trade flows and valuable adjacencies to add to our innovation pipeline that can be grown to a global scale. As we expand geographically, we have also been widening our reach into and across the supply chain. Moving out from our stronghold of international logistics and complex cross border compliance to leverage our innovation pipeline and put in place the key technologies and assets to start building unassailable ecosystems. And we will accelerate the growth from the network effect of our new geographic markets and dozens of new technology adjacencies with our integrated global CargoWise One platform across 130 countries, significant multi-year innovation pipeline and thousands of customers worldwide.""We are expanding into more products, more geographies and more adjacencies driving our long-term growth with each innovation and acquisition. Our advances in product development and expanded global footprint, ensure we are exceptionally well-placed to meet the needs of logistics providers. With over half our global workforce across 20 development centres focused on innovation in complex cross border logistics and decades of expertise in solving the perennial pain points of industry, we have the competence, capability and capacity to build the ecosystems for the world's supply chains and we are moving ever closer to achieving our goal"Guidance for FY19 revenue and earningsFounder and CEO, Richard White, said "The strong momentum and significant organic growth of the Group during FY18, the power of the CargoWise One platform, annual customer attrition rate of less than 1% and continued relentless investment in innovation and expansion across our global business give us confidence to expect, subject to currency movements (see Note 4 below):FY19 revenue of $315m - $325m, revenue growth of 42% - 47%,EBITDA of $100m - $105m and EBITDA growth of 28% - 35%."Investor Presentation - Please refer to the WTC FY18 Results Investor Presentation released today for detailed financial data and analysis.Analyst Briefing - The results presentation webcast to discuss WiseTech Global's FY18 financial results will be held at 10.30am (Sydney time) today. The webcast and briefing audio will be available at http://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/XHIDPWF1 Notes:1 Acquisitions are those businesses acquired since 2012 and not embedded into CargoWise One.2 Armstrong & Associates: Top 25 Global Freight Forwarders List, ranked by 2017 logistics gross revenue/turnover and freight forwarding volumes.3 Armstrong & Associates: Top 50 Global Third Party Logistics Providers List, ranked by 2017 logistics gross revenue/turnover.4 Our revenue is invoiced in a range of currencies, reflecting the global nature of our customer base and as a result is impacted by movements in foreign exchange rates. Our FY19 guidance is based on rates provided within the Investor Briefing Materials released to the ASX on 22 August 2018.To view tables and figures, please visit:To view FY18 Results investor presentation, please visit:About WiseTech Global Ltd WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX:WTC) is a leading developer and provider of software solutions to the logistics execution industry globally. Our customers include over 17,000 of the world's logistics companies across 160 countries, including 41 of the top 50 global thirdparty logistics providers and all of the 25 largest global freight forwarders worldwide2. Our flagship platform, CargoWise, forms an integral link in the global supply chain and executes over 50 billion data transactions annually. At WiseTech, we are relentless about innovation, adding over 4,000 product enhancements to our global platform in the past five years while bringing meaningful continual improvement to the world's supply chains. Our breakthrough software solutions are renowned for their powerful productivity, extensive functionality, comprehensive integration, deep compliance capabilities, and truly global reach. For more information about WiseTech Global or CargoWise, please visit wisetechglobal.com and cargowise.com The incessant whirring of the rotors of around 65 helicopters engaged in rescue and relief operations from INS Garuda naval air station in flood-ravaged Kerala is likely to cease from tomorrow, an official said. The helicopters in operation belong to the Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Army Aviation, the official said. "The five Army Aviation choppers operating from INS Garuda will shift to another location on August 24," the official told PTI. The choppers were in operation when most roads were submerged and only bridges were seen. In the first three days, the emphasis was on rescue and later it shifted to providing relief, although in many cases, both types of operations continued, he said. "Army Aviation operates mostly in north India and the North-East. It was asked to move some of its elements to Kerala as the situation was grim, with many villages fully cut off and stagnant water not receding," he said. "Many people are still staying in make-shift camps, temples, churches, community spaces and are dependent on helicopters for essential supplies like food, drinking water and medicines. With collapse of infrastructure like bridges and roads, the only hope was boats and helicopters," he said. "INS Garuda (in Kochi) is from where all rescue and coordination is being carried out in north Kerala for the past week. Two Dorniers (fixed-wing aircraft working as 'aerial air traffic control') have been flying overhead, guiding all helicopter traffic and coordination in air," he said. At times, with nearly zero visibility the chopper sorties were made to flooded places, he said. At INS Garuda, Lt Col Sujeet Bhosale was the Army Aviation's pointsman during the massive rescue and relief operation from the naval air base. "As a senior engineering officer, keeping the choppers operationally ready 24x7 and looking after overall safety and security of aircraft is a key responsibility," he said. "Coordination for goods (food, medicines and clothes) collection, distribution, loading, prioritisation, segregation and changing failed aircraft components in time was my responsibility," the officer who handles logistics, technical and administration aspects in aviation said. "With heavy workload, it was a hectic but challenging job coordinating the relief operations," Lt Col Bhosale, an alumnus of Sainik School Satara in Maharashtra, said. Most of the roads have been opened for traffic, and hence relief material like food and medicines can go by road now, he said. The "dumping" of food, medicines, clothes and other material by Air Force C-17 and AN-32 transport aircraft is happening at Thiruvananthapuram airfield, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With its eyes on the premium smartphone market in India, Chinese tech major Xiaomi today launched its sub-brand Poco that will compete with high-end devices from the stables of OnePlus, Apple and Samsung. Poco -- which launched its maiden smartphone 'F1' today priced at Rs 20,999 onwards -- will use the manufacturing and supply chain as well as the after-sales network of the Chinese parent. "Poco brand is focussed on innovation and has a different positioning. Our first handset - F1 - is for the power users....We don't think Poco will impact Xiaomi sales, Poco will be complementary to Xiaomi," its Global Head Alvin Tse said. Over the past few years, a number of handset makers like Huawei (Honor) and Micromax (Yu) have launched sub-brands to cater to the Indian consumers. Poco F1 features Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 platform, 'LiquidCool' cooling system technology, up to 8GB RAM and 256 GB storage, along with a 4,000 mAh battery. The device -- in multiple variants -- will hit the shelves in India on August 29 and roll out around the world gradually. "Poco stands for 'a little'. As a small outfit within Xiaomi, Poco has the freedom to start from scratch, zeroing in on the product choices and technologies that matter. The brand focusses on delivering performance and innovation, which we believe will resonate with tech enthusiasts," Jai Mani, Head of Product at Poco Global, said. The premium smartphone segment in India as a category is growing at a strong pace and is currently dominated by OnePlus, Apple and Samsung. In a recent interview, Xiaomi Vice President and India Managing Director Manu Jain had told PTI that while the company was focussing on mid and mass categories -- which occupy the biggest share of the market -- it was also keen on expanding its presence in the above Rs 20,000-price category. It had recently launched Android One-based Mi A2 in India priced at Rs 16,999 onwards. Its Mi MIX 2, the most premium device in Xiaomi's portfolio, is priced at Rs 29,999. The premium category is estimated to account for less than 10 per cent of the Indian market in terms of shipment. The value contribution, however, is higher. The segment is also growing at a strong pace in India, which is among the largest smartphone markets globally. Players like vivo and Honor are also aggressively looking at tapping into the segment with their devices offering premium features. According to Counterpoint Research, OnePlus had 40 per cent share, followed by Samsung (34 per cent) and Apple (14 per cent) in the June 2018 quarter. These three brands contributed to 88 per cent of the premium handset market as compared to 95 per cent a quarter ago. While the Counterpoint report did not disclose the number of devices shipped under the premium segment, market experts estimate that quarterly smartphone shipments range between 1-1.5 million units. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Batting strongly for restructuring the rehabilitation policy for displaced Kashmiri Pandits, Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj protested against the Centre and the state government outside the Governor House in Jammu today. Led by YAIKS president, R K Bhat, more than 500 young men and women from the community raised slogans in support of their demands and sat on a 'dharna' for several hours. Carrying placards that read "Fight for Right", "I am a Kashmiri Pandit, I love my Identity" and "Give me justice", the protestors demanded that their demands be fulfilled immediately. Bhat alleged that the rehabilitation package for Kashmiri Pandits announced by the Centre a few years ago is an eyewash. "We urge government to restructure, redesign and revise this package by holding a proper dialogue with its organisation and its representatives immediately as a confidence building measure," he told reporters. YAIKS is an organisation advocating for interest of the youth, unemployed, educated persons from the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community in Jammu. The Centre had announced a rehabilitation package for the displaced Kashmiri Pandits with a one-time compensation of Rs seven lakh to every migrant family besides the Prime Minister Employment Package for 6,000 Kashmiri Pandit youths. The protestors urged the governor to sanction 3,000 more jobs for unemployed, displaced youths. Bhat said the government had agreed that whoever returns to Kashmir will be provided employment as per the candidate's eligibility. "But when the migrant youth applied for job as per their qualification, unfortunately, most of the candidates were dropped for unknown reasons," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Zimbabwe's capital was under tight security today as the Constitutional Court began to hear the main opposition party's challenge to the results of last month's historic presidential election. Police barricaded the streets around the court in central Harare amid high tensions over the crucial case which will decide if President Emmerson Mnangagwa's election victory is valid. The opposition claims the vote had "gross mathematical errors" and it seeks a fresh election or a declaration that its candidate Nelson Chamisa is the winner of the July 30 vote. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission declared Mnangagwa narrowly won with 50.8 percent of the vote, avoiding a runoff. Chamisa received 44.3 per cent, the commission said. The election was the first after the fall of longtime leader Robert Mugabe, who stepped down under military pressure in November. Many hoped the peaceful vote would launch a new era for Zimbabwe but two days later six people were killed when the military swept into the capital to disperse opposition protesters. Western election observers and diplomats condemned the "excessive" use of force. European Union election observers were in court today; Mnangagwa badly needs a credible electoral process as a key step in removing international sanctions. Chamisa's challenge claims the electoral commission bumped up Mnangagwa's figures through double counts and the creation of "ghost" polling stations. It also alleges that some polling stations recorded more voters than those registered to vote. "It's like a kid was playing with the figures," a lawyer for the opposition, Thabani Mpofu, told the court. He alleged that 16 polling stations had identical results and that "massive doctoring" took place. Chief Justice Luke Malaba, however, pressed the opposition for the original election results forms to back up their allegations: "We cannot act on generalities." Mnangagwa and the electoral commission argue the opposition's application should be dismissed on a technicality, saying it was filed too late and that papers were not properly served on respondents. In his affidavit, Mnangagwa argues the court should not hear Chamisa'a application because he "scandalized" the court by claiming during political rallies that the judiciary was biased toward the ruling party, ZANU-PF. Mnangagwa also accuses Chamisa of making "illusionary promises" to voters during campaign. The case was being televised live by the state broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, but the courts ruled that the proceedings could not be livestreamed on social media. Journalists and others accredited by the court were following proceedings from a giant television screen on the court premises, but they were not permitted to carry mobile phones or laptops. Chamisa's lawyers in court said they had not been allowed to bring in electronic gadgets, either. According to Veritas, a legal think tank based in Harare, the court can declare a winner or invalidate the election and call for a fresh election or make any other order it considers "just and appropriate." If the court upholds Mnangagwa's win the inauguration would take place within 48 hours. This is not the first time the opposition has challenged election results in court. Following the 2013 presidential election, then main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai filed a challenge but later withdrew it, claiming he would not get a fair hearing. The court declined his withdrawal and proceeded to rule on the case in favour of Mugabe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Toby Sterling and Bart H. MeijerAMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Adyen, the payments processor for Netflix and Facebook, reported a 75 percent jump in first-half net profit, further bolstering its shares which have more than doubled since their initial public offering in June.The addition of new household names such as eBay, Valve and Dunkin' Donuts to Adyen's platform helped spur earnings growth along with existing customers processing more payments, Chief Executive Pieter van der Does said.Amsterdam-based Adyen said net profit in January-June rose to 48.2 million euros ($55 million), while sales ... By Foo Yun CheeBRUSSELS (Reuters) - Apple is set to win unconditional EU antitrust approval for its planned acquisition of British music discovery app Shazam, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.The deal, announced in December last year, would help the iPhone maker better compete with Spotify, the industry leader in music streaming services. Shazam identifies songs when a smartphone is pointed at an audio source.The European Commission opened a full-scale investigation into the deal in April, emblematic of its recent worries that companies may buy a data-rich rival to mine ... (Reuters) - Australian oil and gas firm Santos Ltd said on Wednesday it has agreed to buy privately held Quadrant Energy for at least $2.15 billion, bagging access to what may be the biggest oil find off Western Australia in over two decades.The deal comes soon after Quadrant and junior joint venture partner Carnarvon Petroleum reported what Carnarvon called a "truly incredible" oil discovery, sending Carnarvon shares rocketing to a nine-year high.Energy consultants Wood Mackenzie estimated the find could hold well above 150 million barrels of oil, albeit without knowing the boundaries of the ... LONDON (Reuters) - Banks should not assume that customers have been negligent when they fall for scams peddled by increasingly sophisticated fraudsters, Britain's financial ombudsman said on Wednesday. The ombudsman, which deals with disputes between banks and their clients, said lenders regularly say they are not liable for money a customer has lost to fraud because that customer acted with "gross negligence"."But it's not fair to automatically call a customer grossly negligent simply because they have fallen for a scam," said Caroline Wayman, chief ombudsman and chief executive of the ... LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will step up its planning for a no-deal Brexit on Thursday as it publishes a series of notes advising people and businesses how to protect themselves from the potential disruption of a clean break with the European Union.With less than eight months to go until the March 29 exit day, Britain has yet to reach a divorce agreement with the bloc. Negotiations resumed on Tuesday but diplomats in Brussels expect an informal deadline of October to be missed.More than 80 technical notices are expected over the coming weeks, with media reporting they will cover everything ... By Lesley WroughtonWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S.-Turkey business groups on Tuesday warned that a political dispute between the NATO allies was affecting investor confidence and had forced some firms to suspend investment plans.In interviews with Reuters, the heads of the American Turkish Council and Turkey-U.S. Business Council, which jointly represent 250 companies, called on President Donald Trump and President Tayyip Erdogan to meet to end the dispute over the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson."Only the two presidents can put this relationship back on track," said Mehmet Ali ... More Wide High-Grade Lithium Intersections Further Grow Potential of BP33 Adelaide, Aug 22, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging Australian lithium developer, Core Exploration Ltd ( ASX:CXO ) ("Core" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce several new high-grade intersections returned from the current RC drilling program designed to grow the existing resource base at the BP33 Prospect within Core's 100%-owned Finniss Lithium Project near Darwin in the Northern Territory.HIGHLIGHTS- Wide and high-grade lithium assay results continue at BP33 Prospect from RC drilling designed to grow the existing resource base:o 63m @ 1.50% Li2O from 76m (FRC 169)o 43m @ 1.78% Li2O from 157m (FRC166) including:-- 10m @ 2.00% Li2O from 159mo 59m@ 1.59% Li2O from 198m (FRC 174) including:-- 25m @ 2.00% Li2O from 222m- The wide spodumene intersections indicate an increased thickness and grade down-plunge;- Additional RC drill assays pending from BP33;- Follow-up phase of diamond drilling to re-commence shortly at BP33 ahead of new resource estimation;- Second round of resource extension RC/DD drilling is advancing well at Grants;- Exploration RC rig has recently commenced drilling at Sandra's prospect.Core's most recent phase of drilling has focused on the potential southern extension of the current resource and infill at BP33 and has achieved a number of outstanding intersections including:- 43m @ 1.78% Li2O from 157m (FRC166) including:o 10m @ 2.00% Li2O from 159mand 9m @ 1.35% Li2O from 207m- 47m @ 1.30% Li2O from 65m (FRC168)- 63m @ 1.50% Li2O from 76m (FRC169)- 17m @ 0.98% Li2O from 199m (FRC172)and 21m @ 1.47% Li2O from 239m- 59m @ 1.59% Li2O from 198m including (FRC174):o 25m @ 2.00% Li2O from 222mand 12m @ 1.11% Li2O from 182mThe current extensional drilling at BP33 will be incorporated into a new Mineral Resource estimate in the coming months and is expected to have a positive impact on estimates.Similarly, new drilling positioned within the currently defined Resource at BP33 is expected to enable an upgrade in the classification of the BP33 Mineral Resource to higher confidence categories (see Figures 1 and 2 in link below).The drilling demonstrated that BP33 continues and appears to increase in width and grade at depth immediately south of the current Resource area. In the very south of the deposit, drill intersections of pegmatite tend to become broken up by intervals of host rock, so it would appear that the pegmatite changes from a coherent tabular body to a segmented series of narrower sheets, dipping at between 75 and 45 degrees to the east. Holes in the far south that were testing for continuation in that direction showed that indeed it continues but is thinner and less mineralised (see Figures 1 and 2 in link below).Drilling in the central part of the body intersected thicker and higher-grade pegmatite than expected and highlights the strong potential for a broader plunging ore body than previously forecast at BP33. Grades below approximately 100m RL tend to be well above the Mineral Resource average of 1.4% Li2O, with continuous intervals up to 25m grading over 2% Li2O (see Table 1 in link below).Drilling: Next StepsBP33A follow-up phase of predominantly diamond drilling is planned over the coming weeks focusing on better defining the potential eastern, southern and deeper extensions of the BP33 ore body.GrantsThe follow-up resource extension drill program at Grants is currently progressing well with results expected through September (see Figure 3 in link below).Sandras, Booths, Lees, Carlton, Hang GongExploration drilling is currently underway at the spodumene pegmatite at Sandra's (see Figure 4 in link below).Exploration drilling will also be testing prospective spodumene pegmatites at Booths and Lees and looking to further define spodumene mineralisation recently identified at Carlton and Hang Gong over coming weeks (see Figures 3 and 4 in link below).Core's Managing Director, Stephen Biggins commented:"The high lithium grades and thicknesses in these new drillholes are positive for expanding and increasing the confidence level of the Resource at BP33 over coming months. The higher grades and improved continuity from our recent drilling should potentially have a material impact on the economics of the Finniss Lithium Project.The addition of BP33, as well as the potential for further mineralisation across the project, highlights the significant value that we are building for shareholders.We are busy with the Finniss BFS and look forward to increasing the mine life and value of the project."To view tables and figures, please visit:About Core Lithium Ltd Core Lithium Ltd (ASX:CXO) is an emerging lithium producer focused on development of its Finniss Project near Darwin in the Northern Territory. Core owns 100% of Finniss, a major developing project that lies close to existing infrastructure such as the Darwin Port, grid power, gas and rail infrastructure. The Finniss Project covers a 500km2 tenement holding and 25 historic pegmatite mines. The project area is about 80km from Darwin Port. Exploration work has generated a near term development timeline, with feasibility studies to be completed over the course of 2018 ahead of receipt of approvals in early 2019 and planned first production during 2019. An aggressive exploration program is under way, which has confirmed the high quality prospectivity across much of the Finniss Project area. Core's stated ambition is to upgrade Finniss' resource base to fast-track commercialisation options. BEIJING (Reuters) - COFCO Meat Holdings Ltd has imported pork from Chile, the European Union and alternative countries, the Chinese pig farming company said on Wednesday, as Beijing's hefty tariffs on U.S. pork upends traditional trade routes.The subsidiary of China's state-owned grains-to-property conglomerate COFCO said its trading division had diversified origins for its pork imports and developed customers from other countries to cope with the impact of the deepening trade war between the world's top two economies.The cost of imported pork from the United States has significantly ... HONG KONG (Reuters) - Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group Co Ltd is borrowing a club loan of up to $800 million, its first offshore loan in almost two years, Reuters Loan Pricing Corp reported on Wednesday citing sources. The company was on financial strains after China's regulators last year told banks to stop providing funding for several of Wanda's overseas acquisitions, part of a crackdown on what Beijing sees as irrational spending by some domestic conglomerates. The three-year loan will be used for Wanda's refinancing and working capital, sources told LPC. Wanda has obtained the ... By Cate Cadell(Reuters) - Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Inc reported its second-quarter revenue surged 68.3 percent, as strong smartphone sales complemented a jump in revenue at its smaller, but fast-growing connected devices business.Xiaomi, whose cheap smartphones have become very popular in price-conscious countries such as India, said on Wednesday its revenue from overseas markets more than doubled from the year-ago period. This is the first set of results released by Xiaomi since it raised $4.72 billion in a high-profile initial public offering in June, valuing the firm at ... Some Chinese coal traders handling US imports have begun sourcing future supplies domestically, people with knowledge of the matter said, as they await delivery of the last US cargoes to arrive before hefty tariffs kick in on Thursday in a deepening trade row between the world's top two economies. At least six cargoes of US coal were due to arrive this month, Thomson Reuters Eikon shipping data showed, but at least three were still en route or waiting off ports to unload cargo on Wednesday. From Thursday, the United States will impose new tariffs on $16 billion of goods and ... BOGOTA (Reuters) - The Colombian government is examining possible help for coffee farmers hit by low international prices, the agriculture minister said on Wednesday, after repeated requests for aid by the country's coffee growers' federation.Colombia is the world's largest producer of washed arabica and the federation represents some 550,000 families.The global benchmark futures contract for arabica coffee prices fell to a 12-year low, at 99.35 cents per lb, on Wednesday, hurt by a weak currency in top grower Brazil.This marked its first fall below $1 per lb since July 2006, a level below ... By Gus TrompizPARIS (Reuters) - European farmers are counting the cost of a summer heatwave that has shrunk cereal harvests and shrivelled pastures, leaving some farms struggling to survive and shutting the EU out of lucrative export markets.The severe weather in Europe has coincided with adverse growing conditions in other major grain producing zones such as Russia and Australia, raising the risk that supplies in exporting countries will be eroded to their smallest in years.The latest harvest estimates have underlined the impact of drought and heatwaves in northern Europe. Germany's farmers' ... By Toby Sterling and Bart H. MeijerAMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Adyen, the Dutch company which processes payments for Netflix and Facebook, reported at 75 percent jump in first-half net profit, driven by existing and new customers including retailer eBay.It was the first earnings report for the Amsterdam-based Adyen as a public company, whose wild initial public offering in June saw shares rise 100 percent from the IPO price of 240 euros per share. Net profit in the first half rose to 48.2 million euros ($55.1 million), up 75 percent from a year ago. Sales soared 67 percent to 156.4 million ... By Noah Barkin and Caroline CopleyBERLIN (Reuters) - European and U.S. pharmaceutical associations have waded into a diplomatic row between Germany and Saudi Arabia, warning that ongoing restrictions on German-made drugs could hurt Saudi patients and dampen future investment in the kingdom.In a strongly worded letter to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a copy of which has been seen by Reuters, the associations highlighted the level of concern in Germany and elsewhere about restrictive procurement measures implemented by Riyadh in response to criticism of its policies. While a human rights ... By Amanda Cooper and Shadia NasrallaLONDON (Reuters) - Fire engines were sent to Essar Oil UK's 200,000 barrel per day oil refinery in northwest England on Wednesday after smoke was spotted, although the scale of the fire was unclear, a local fire service spokeswoman said."There was a report of a large plume of black smoke. We have several pumps at the scene," a spokeswoman for the Cheshire fire service said. In a statement, the service said engines from five locations were on the scene.She added there had been no reports of casualties. Essar was not immediately available for ... By Amanda Cooper and Shadia NasrallaLONDON (Reuters) - A fire which broke out at a Shell-owned chemical plant on the same site as Essar Oil UK's Stanlow refinery in northwestern England on Wednesday has been extinguished. Essar said that operations at its refinery were unaffected by the fire, the cause of which is currently unclear. The Shell Higher Olefins Plant (SHOP) is separated from the refinery by a road and rail tracks. Essar operates the chemical plant as well as the refinery."Earlier this afternoon, a fire occurred at the SHOP chemical plant," an Essar spokesman said. The fire was ... (Reuters) - A former executive with Swiss bank Julius Baer pleaded guilty on Wednesday for his role in a billion-dollar scheme to launder money embezzled from the Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA, the U.S. Justice Department said.Matthias Krull, 44, a German national who is a former Julius Baer Panama vice chairman, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, the department said in a statement. (Reporting by Eric Beech in Washington)(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Alexandra Harney and Ben HirschlerSHANGHAI/LONDON (Reuters) - A toxin inadvertently produced in the manufacture of a widely prescribed medicine but not spotted for years raises questions about regulators' ability to detect risks in a sprawling global drug supply chain increasingly reliant on factories in China.China's Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical, which produces bulk ingredients for drugmakers, told its customers in late June it had found NDMA in its valsartan, an off-patent blood pressure drug originally developed by Novartis.The discovery means that some of the 10 billion pills ... HONG KONG (Reuters) - AAC Technologies Holdings Inc, an acoustic components supplier to Apple Inc, said on Wednesday quarterly net profit declined for the first time in nearly four years, bruised by a sluggish smartphone market.Net profit in the second quarter ended June was 653 million yuan ($95 million), down 38.7 percent from a year earlier and representing the first fall since the third quarter of 2014.Revenue slipped 14.5 percent to 3.79 billion yuan, the worst decline since 2009.AAC, which supplies acoustic and haptic components for the iPhone, is estimated to rely on Apple for half of ... MILAN (Reuters) - Italy's state lawyers have found no grounds to void a tender to sell the Ilva steel plant to industry giant ArcelorMittal, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.The sources, who were confirming a report in Italian daily Il Messaggero, said the state lawyers had ruled out any major flaws with the tender proceeding though the government could still decide to void it in the public interest. ArcelorMittal won a tender to buy Ilva in 2017 and had been due to take over the ailing firm in July, but Italy's new anti-establishment government has delayed the process ... By Yoshifumi Takemoto and Kazuhiko TamakiTOKYO (Reuters) - Japan and China are in talks to resume a currency swap arrangement between their central banks and expand it roughly 10-fold, people with direct knowledge of the matter said, in a sign of warming ties between Asia's two biggest economies.The previous arrangement was allowed to expire in September 2013 amid a low point in Sino-Japanese ties. Relations had soured in recent years due to territorial disputes and tensions over Japan's wartime history.Two Japanese officials with direct knowledge of the deal said China and Japan have begun ... (Reuters) - Four major Japanese utility and engineering companies entered an alliance to combine all their nuclear operations under a combined company, Japan's Nikkei business daily said on Wednesday.Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc (TEPCO) , Hitachi Ltd , Toshiba and Chubu Electric Power Co Inc have entered negotiations into the possibility of jointly decommissioning obsolete reactors, Nikkei said. (https://s.nikkei.com/2nUx6DI)None of the companies were available for comment, outside market hours. The move comes seven years after the Fukushima disaster that resulted in a ... (Reuters) - Indian carrier Jet Airways Ltd said https://www.bseindia.com/xml-data/corpfiling/AttachLive/f418acfd-7a4f-4da7-90de-f123a872997a.pdf on Wednesday it would consider cost-reduction measures and a turnaround plan at its Aug. 27 board meeting, which would also take up June-quarter financial results.The beleaguered airline had deferred its first-quarter results by a few weeks after its audit committee declined to sign off on them "pending closure of certain matters". (Reporting by Sharnya G in Bengaluru; Editing by Sai Sachin Ravikumar)(This story has not been edited by Business ... KUWAIT (Reuters) - OPEC and other oil exporting producers are expected to agree on a mechanism to monitor their crude production before the end of the year, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Bakhit al-Rashidi said on Wednesday.A committee set up by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied non-OPEC exporters would review their crude output at a meeting in Algeria next month, he told reporters while touring an electricity station."The production numbers of OPEC and (countries) outside OPEC will be reviewed at the meeting in Algeria, and before the end of the current year, there will ... By Alexander Hubner and Jorn PoltzMUNICH (Reuters) - Industrial gases giants Linde and Praxair are in talks to try to salvage their $83 billion merger after U.S. competition regulators demanded they sell assets that generate more than $4.3 billion in sales.Linde said on Wednesday the divestments were expected to reach a level that would allow either party to abandon the deal, although the German company added that talks continued with both Praxair and regulators.Analysts said they still expected the deal to go ahead, though they cautioned the asset sales could make the deal less attractive ... WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mexico's economy minister Ildefonso Guajardo said on Wednesday that talks with the United States to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would resume on Thursday morning. He told reporters outside the U.S. Trade Representative's office in Washington that Wednesday's meetings had concluded and that he would provide no further statement for the day on the ongoing renegotiation. (Reporting by Sharay Angulo, Writing by Daina Beth Solomon)(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) REDDING, Calif - There may be faster help for those needing assistance from the DMV after the Carr Fire. DMV representative are available at the disaster recovery center on Hilltop Drive in Redding for those needed new licenses, registration forms, or lost documents. Officials with FEMA say many people have said it can take hours at the DMV, whereas this center can take less than 30 minutes. You get to meet with people face to face and if you're missing any documentation or if there is anything you need to follow with your registration you can come directly here and we have staff that will be assisting you. Said FEMA employee Jovanna Garcia. The center is open daily from nine in the morning to seven in the evening. By Tina Bellon(Reuters) - A Missouri trial court judge has affirmed the massive $4.69 billion verdict against Johnson & Johnson in a case involving 22 women and their families who alleged the company's talc-based products, including its baby powder, contain asbestos and caused them to develop ovarian cancer.J&J in a statement on Wednesday said it would continue to pursue all available appellate remedies. The company, which denies the allegations and says its talc is safe, previously said it was confident the verdict would be overturned on appeal.In a series of orders on Tuesday evening, ... LONDON (Reuters) - Avast, the cyber security firm that listed in May, said margins would improve this year after a first half that saw adjusted revenue grow 8.5 percent to $394.3 million.The company, which pioneered the "freemium" model in security software by giving away its basic product, said it had performed strongly, with the top line growing in line with expectations and a slight outperformance on the bottom line."We are on track to deliver on full-year guidance of high single digit revenue growth, with slight EBITDA margin improvement," Chief Executive Vincent Steckler said, referring ... By Ed StoddardJOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Some Nike stores were closed in South Africa on Wednesday after public outcry over a racist comment by a man that local media said had links to the sportswear company.Nike declined to comment on the store closures, but issued a statement reiterating its "long-standing commitment to diversity, inclusion and respect", adding that the man seen in a video posted online was not a company employee.In the video, taken at a beach resort, a white man with a South African accent says: "And not one kaffir in sight. Fucking heaven on earth." The "K word" as it is ... By Jane ChungSEOUL (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Wednesday, supported by a drop in U.S. crude inventories and a weaker dollar, along with concerns about a potential shortfall of Iranian oil from November due to U.S. sanctions.Brent crude oil futures were at $72.83 per barrel at 0234 GMT, up 20 cents, or 0.3 percent, from their last close.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 28 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $66.12 per barrel.U.S. crude inventories fell by 5.2 million barrels in the week to Aug.17, to 405.6 million barrels, ahead of analysts' forecasts for a fall of 1.5 million ... By Jane ChungSEOUL (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Wednesday, supported by a drop in U.S. crude inventories, while a potential shortfall of Iranian oil from November due to U.S. sanctions added to the positive tone.Brent crude oil futures were at $72.80 per barrel at 0109 GMT, up 18 cents, or 0.25 percent, from their last close.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 26 cents, or 0.39 percent, at $66.10 per barrel.U.S. crude inventories fell by 5.2 million barrels in the week to Aug.17, to 405.6 million barrels, ahead of analysts' forecasts for a fall of 1.5 million barrels, ... MILAN (Reuters) - Tyre-maker Pirelli said on Wednesday it did not see any significant changes in the tyre market that could impact its forecasts for the current year.Earlier on Wednesday German automotive supplier Continental AG cut its 2018 sales and margin guidance, citing lower revenues, higher costs for developing hybrid and electric car technologies, and unspecified warranty claims, sending its shares down 14 percent.Analysts at Evercore ISI said there did not appear to be a broader read-across for the sector. (Reporting by Giulia Segreti)(This story has not been edited by Business ... By Elisabeth O'LearyGLASGOW, Scotland (Reuters) - Scotland's large budget deficit shrank in the last financial year to its lowest since 2012 but remained far larger in percentage terms than that of the United Kingdom as a whole, Scottish government data showed on Wednesday.The health of Scotland's economy, as Britain prepares to leave the European Union in March 2019, is a key issue affecting Scottish voters' appetite for independence. Opinion polls put support for independence at about 45 percent.Data showed that Scotland's net fiscal deficit shrank to 13.4 billion pounds ($17.1 billion) in ... By Allison Lampert and Brenda GohDENVER/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Two U.S. airlines on Tuesday cut routes between China and the United States, underscoring increasingly tough competition from state-backed Chinese rivals as they aggressively expand their fleets with cut-price tickets.American Airlines, the largest U.S. carrier by passengers, said it would drop a route between Chicago and Shanghai, canceling the second direct flight from the U.S. city to China in four months. It had canceled a flight to Beijing in May, although it still operates daily flights to the capital from Los Angeles and ... SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Prosecutors say that the man suspected of being the "Golden State Killer" will be tried in Sacramento. Authorities say DeAngelo, 72, committed a series of killings, rapes and other crimes over 11 years, from 1975 to 1986, in Northern and Southern California. Law enforcement officials nicknamed the perpetrator the Golden State Killer, who was also known as the East Area Rapist and the Original Night Stalker. Joseph Deangelo's trial will be held in Sacramento. He is suspected to be the "Golden State Killer." Joseph Deangelo's trial will be held in Sacramento. He is suspected to be the "Golden State Killer." Prosecutors in six counties filed an amended felony complaint in Sacramento Superior Court that combined the previous cases against DeAngelo in those counties. Those charges include 13 counts of murder with special circumstances, including murder committed during the course of a burglary and rape, prosecutors said. The amended complaint also includes 13 new charges of kidnapping to commit robbery, with sentencing enhancements for using a firearm and a knife during those alleged crimes, authorities said. If convicted, Deangelo could face the death sentence. Police arrested Deangelo on April 25 at his suburban Sacramento home after years of searching for the suspected killer. CNN contributed to this article. By David Lawder and Sharay AnguloWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. and Mexican officials postponed ministerial talks aiming for a breakthrough in the revamp of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) until Wednesday, although one member of the incoming Mexican government met U.S. officials on Tuesday.Since restarting last month, the talks have focused on ironing out differences between Mexico and the United States which cut to the heart of U.S. President Donald Trump's complaint that NAFTA has hollowed out U.S. manufacturing to Mexico's benefit.Trump has threatened to withdraw from the ... By David LawderWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. and Chinese officials are set to resume contentious trade talks on Wednesday under the cloud of a prediction by U.S. President Donald Trump that there would be no real progress.The discussions among mid-level officials could set a framework for further negotiations as each country prepares to hit the other with new tariffs on Thursday in a deepening dispute over China's economic policies.Trump has threatened to impose duties on virtually all of the more than $500 billion of Chinese goods exported to the United States unless it meets his demands.The ... LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has notified EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd and Doosan Babcock of its intention to prosecute both companies over a non nuclear-related health and safety matter, the ONR said on Wednesday.The charge relates to an incident in April at the Hinkley Point B nuclear plant owned by France's EDF , which resulted in injury to a Doosan Babcock employee.There was no radiological risk to workers or the public, the ONR said, giving no further details as the case is now the subject of active court proceedings."We are reviewing the charges ... The government has asked its biggest state-owned firm Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to list its overseas unit ONGC Videsh on the stock exchanges as part of the push to raise more resources through disinvestment of shares. Department of Investment and Public Asset Management has written a letter to ONGC stating that a listing would also help unlock value in the unit by improving its corporate governance and efficiency. The letter, sent last week, did not state how much of ONGC should be offered to outside investors. The letter said any state-owned firm with a positive net worth and no accumulated loss should be listed to unlock value. The listing would help the government meet its divestment targets and make up for a failed plan earlier this year to sell a stake in national carrier Air India. The government holds a 67.45 per cent stake in ONGC Videsh's parent ONGC and gains from a listing could be transferred to the government via a special dividend. ONGC Videsh, a 100 per cent subsidiary of ONGC, suffered losses during the low crude price environment between 2014 and 2017 but its earnings have since recovered. The company has investments in 11 producing assets in countries including Russia, Brazil and Iran. The firm posted a net profit of $152 million and contributed 5 per cent to ONGC's overall net earnings in the latest fiscal year ended March 2018. ONGC had helped the government meet its disinvestment target last fiscal when it bought a 51.11 per cent stake in state-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) for Rs 36,915 crore. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) student Mohammad Aamir Ali's story is of the kind that eventually becomes a legend for future generations. Ali, who had scored well in the JMI school board examinations failed to secure a seat in a BTech course for three years. When his first attempt did not result in success, Ali took admission in JMI's Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. However, this was followed by two more unsuccessful attempts. Through all this, Ali did not give up on his passion. He continued working on a project on electric vehicles. Ali said that there is a lack of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in India and if he succeeds in his project the cost of charging electric vehicles would become nearly zero, as mentioned in a report in The Hindu. The project eventually caught the eye of a United States-based firm, Frisson Motor Werks. Frission Motor Werks found the project through JMI's website and contacted university officials. The project was featured on the university's website because his professors and mentors were very impressed by Ali's work. After a month of communication via social media platforms, Skype and telephonic interviews, Frisson Motor Werks offered Ali a job. The North Carolina-based company offered Ali a role of battery management system engineer at an annual package of $1,00,008 or Rs 70 lakh approximately. The university said that this is the highest package any student of JMI has ever received since its inception. Ali's father, Shamshad Ali works as an electrician at JMI. He said that Ali would ask questions about the functioning of electrical equipment that even he could not answer being an electrician. (Edited by Anwesha Madhukalya) The monsoon fury wreaked havoc in Kerala, killing over 234 people and displacing over 15 lakh people across the state. Kerala has suffered huge losses to personal as well as government properties. People from all across the country, the Centre as well as the state governments and countries like the UAE, have extended financial support to the flood-ravaged state. Amid reports of such devastation, there are several stories of unsung heroes, which have touched the hearts of Indians. Mahindra & Mahindra Chairman Anand Mahindra, who's very active on Twitter, shared one such picture on the social media website that shows a journalist hugging a man who has been rescued from a flood-hit area. "Just saw this pic on the net. Apparently, a Punjab TV journalist comforting a man in Kerala who he had helped take to a safer place... This is the India that makes me proud. This is Incredible India...," tweeted Mahindra. Just saw this pic on the net. Apparently a Punjab TV journalist comforting a man in Kerala who he had helped take to a safer place.. This is the India that makes me proud. This is Incredible India... pic.twitter.com/aYrjN71zo5 - anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 22, 2018 Recently, a fisherman, Jaisal KP, had been widely praised for laying on a water-logged area to ensure that women and children use his back to climb onboard a boat. The video of this selfless act was widely shared on social media. The fishermen community was praised by the Kerala CM who called them "real heroes". "When they return home to their own districts, the administration there should ensure that they are given a heroes welcome,'' he said. A Kerala college student, who was recently trolled on social media for selling fish after college hours, also contributed Rs 1.5 lakh to the CM Disaster Relief Fund. The story of Hanan Hamid, a college student from Thrissur, had gone viral on social media after a Malayalam newspaper reported how she earned a living by travelling 65km to sell fish. PTI quoted Hanan saying that the money was donated by various people after the story of her struggle to fund her studies and take care of her family was widely shared on the social media. "I had got the amount from people and I am happy to give back the amount to the needy," she said. The UAE government has also promised to provide Rs 700 crore financial assistance to Kerala. A sizeable number of Malayali people work in the Muslim country. State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also promised the people to rebuild a 'new Kerala'. The Kerala government has also asked for Rs 2,600-crore special package from the Centre for the redevelopment of flood-hit areas. The state has issued an order for granting of Rs 25,000 to each panchayat ward in the flood-affected areas for cleaning efforts. Similarly, Corporation and Municipal wards in the affected areas will be given Rs 50,000. Cabinet decided to submit to the Central Govt a comprehensive plan that will enable the rehabilitation of the affected people and the rebuilding of Kerala. Our aim is not merely a restoration of the State to pre-flood times but the creation of a new Kerala. #KeralaFloodRelief - CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 21, 2018 Meanwhile, the Southern Naval command on Wednesday called off its 14-day long rescue operations in Kerala, saying there were no more requests for evacuation as waters receding in affected areas. (Edited by Manoj Sharma) Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence has filed a defamation suit against Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, Prithviraj Chavan, Sanjay Nirupam, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and others after they failed to respond to a 'cease and desist' notice issued against them by the company over the Rafale deal. Anil Ambani had previously sent two letters addressed to Congress President Rahul Gandhi, asking his party to refrain from making unsubstantiated statements. An IndiaToday.In report says the notice had been sent in the form of a 'cease and desist' letter that asked the Congress party to stop spreading "misinformation" about Reliance Defence but since they failed to respond the company would fight the case in court. The 'cease and desist' letter, sent to Congress national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill, asked the Congress leaders, including Surjewala, Chavan and others, have been making "incorrect, frivolous and misleading statements" about the selection of Reliance Defence for a joint venture with French defence major Dassault Aviation as part of the Rafale deal. Shergil is one of the members of the Congress task force on the Rafael Deal. He said he is not scared of such notices. Received "Cease & Desist" Notice from Sh Anil Ambani threatening me with legal consequences if I speak on #RafaleDeal; My reply-I'm a Congress Soldier, a Proud Punjabi who doesn't get scared with such notices-Tax Payer of this country deserves to know why they paid extra 42000 Cr - Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) August 22, 2018 The Congress party has been consistently targeting the BJP-led NDA government and Anil Ambani's company over the Rafale deal. In his letter to Rahul Gandhi in December 2017, Ambani had said he was "personally saddened" after Gandhi asked PM Modi to explain his "Reliance on someone with nil experience in aerospace for the Rafale deal?". Accusing the Congress of spearheading a "vilification campaign" at the behest of the company rivals, Reliance Defence has warned these leaders from making frivolous and defamatory statements regarding the deal. Under the deal between India and France, India would buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, and as part of the offset obligation, the French Dassault Aviation would invest 100 million euros in India to make the components for the fighter jets and Falcon civilian aircraft. Ambani had earlier claimed that the decision to choose his company as a joint venture partner was an independent agreement between the two companies, and that the government of India had no role to play in it. In his recent letter to Rahul Gandhi, the billionaire businessman had said the Congress had been misinformed, misdirected and misled on the Rafale deal, and that not a single component worth a single rupee was to be manufactured by Reliance for these 36 Rafale jets. The Congress has also been accusing massive irregularities in the Rafale deal , alleging that the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government for the procurement of 126 Rafale jets. The deal negotiated by the UPA could not be inked. The Congress has also been pressing for price details of the deal, but the NDA government has refused to divulge them citing confidentiality provisions of a 2008 Indo-France pact. (Edited by Manoj Sharma) In a first-of-its-kind decision, the Supreme Court has ordered the auction of personal properties belonging to directors of real estate firm Unitech to refund hassled homebuyers. A Chief Justice bench directed a court-mandated committee led by former Delhi High Court judge Justice SN Dhingra to go ahead with the sale of unencumbered assests of Unitech directors, according to a PTI report. Two plots of land owned by Unitech in Kolkata will also go under the hammer, as directed by the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and AM Khanwilkar. The bench asked the committee to disburse Rs 25 crore among the homebuyers on pro rata basis and allowed amicus curiae Pawanshree Agarwal to appoint two more persons to help him in the process. Back in July, the apex court had asked the Dhingra committee to proceed with the auction of Unitech's properties in Agra and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. The panel was formed in May for expeditious auction of Unitech assets worth over Rs 600 crore. The sale of personal assets of Unitech directors was ordered after the top court was informed that the sale of Agra assets was facing trouble. On the other hand, Unitech sources, as quoted by The Times of India in a report said that this decision is too harsh on directors as most of them are paid employees. The sale of personal assets will cause a great deal of loss and hardship for the directors and families, the report said while quoting Unietch sources. Moreover, the firm's counsel informed the court that US-based Candor Investment has agreed to pay Rs 116 crore for Unietch's two parcel of land in Kolkata. The court asked the firm to make a deposit of Rs 50 lakh in court registry to establish bona fide, the report further said. The Supreme Court will hear the matter on September 11 now. The proceeds from the sale of these properties are to be utilised for refunding homebuyers as well as other interested entities. A total of 4,688 homebuyers have requested refunds to the tune of Rs 1,865 crore instead of the flats they booked in various projects by Unitech. Unitech's Managing Director Sanjay Chandra and his brother Ajay Chandra are in jail for nearly a year now. Sanjay has been seeking interim bail from the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court turned down his plea in August last year in a criminal case filed in 2015 by 158 homebuyers of Unitech projects Wild Flower Country and Anthea Project in Gurugram. The apex court had asked the firm to submit Rs 750 crore by December 31, 2017 to secure bail for its managing director, but it failed to do so. Edited by Vivek Punj After touching all-time highs in the recent past, petrol and diesel prices can see a further surge as the country braces for a reduction in oil import from Iran. The US sanctions on Iran will have direct impact on petrol and diesel prices in India, which imports around 80 per cent of its oil requirement. Iran is the third largest exporter of crude oil to India after Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Petrol touched an all-time high of Rs 86.24 in Mumbai in May, while diesel was at Rs 72.48. During the period, the rates were higher than usual in other main cities too, including Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata. The prices have dropped a bit since then in alignment to the global crude oil rates. On Thursday, petrol and diesel were priced at Rs 85 and Rs 73.36 in Mumbai. But, this may not last long. Blame it on the US! As the US sanctions against the Gulf country comes into effect on November 4, a supply shortage could spike the crude oil price to as high as $100 a barrel, according to a Bank of America Merrill Lynch report published in May. It's obvious the petrol and diesel prices in India will rise too if this happens. And it's not just the consumers who will take the beating. A weak rupee coupled with cut in crude oil import and strong OPEC stance on oil production could spell trouble for the Indian oil refiners too. They are hoping to secure a waiver from the US. The US had assured that it would increase the oil export to India from 8 million barrels in 2017 to over 15 million barrels a month from July 2018. However, import cost could still hurt as Iran offers several perks -- like free shipping and relaxed credit norms -- to India. ...but the Saudis are responsible too The US sanctions on Iran is not the only reason for India to be worried about a possible spike in petrol and diesel prices. Saudi Arabia is playing its own game that can have an equally damaging effect on the fuel prices. The world's second largest oil producer, has started cutting production just a month after agreeing to increase the output. In July, it cut its oil production by an average of 200,000 barrels per day - a move that is likely to create oil shortage in global market. Earlier, France-based BNP Paribas had said that because of the US sanctions on Iran, oil production from the OPEC would come down from an average of 32.1 million barrels per day in 2018 to 31.7 million in 2019. In its monthly report, OPEC said that the group's total output in last month averaged 32.32 million barrels a day - up 41,000 barrels a day from June. The increase in output was a result of oil producing countries agreeing to lift the cap on production. The prices of crude had fallen by more than half due to excessive supply and booming US shale production. The US, China and India had urged OPEC countries to increase the supply to prevent an oil deficit that could undermine global economic growth. NEW WINDSOR, New York - A plane landed safely in New York on Monday after having to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff. The plane blew two tires during takeoff. It was leaving New Jersey and was en route to London, United Kingdom. After the incident, the plane made an effort to burn off fuel by circling around lower Connecticut for around five hours. Among the passengers was rapper Post Malone. Despite complications, the pilot was able to land the plane safely at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, New York. While P.V. Narasimha Rao and Dr Manmohan Singh are credited as being the architects of India's economic reforms, it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee who rolled out the economic template and policies that would be followed by prime ministers who succeeded him. While Vajpayee is known for his dignity, his unfailing courtesy, his wit and oratorical skills and ability to take opposition parties along, the economic contribution of his government is often overlooked. He attracted some brilliant, committed and highly educated followers, gave them critical portfolios and set about fixing many of India's long standing problems. So you had Arun Shourie rolling up his sleeves and chalking out a blue print for selling off ailing PSUs, which the government should never have been running. You had Yashwant Sinha moving to simplify taxes and free up businesses even further and creating an atmosphere conducive for attracting more foreign direct investment (and later on Jaswant Singh carrying on the path of liberalisation after taking over as finance minister). You had Major General B.C. Khanduri connecting India through the highway projects. And you had Pramod Mahajan changing the telecom policy that would allow mobile penetration at affordable rates, making India the cheapest country for mobile telephony. In between, a change in the Budget had allowed IT services companies to charge all expenditure on their Y2K business as revenue expenditure, which led them to grow at breakneck speed. Finally, the Vajpayee government brought in Asset Reconstruction Companies , the first move to help banks deal with bad loans, and the credit bureau. None of these was easy. Vajpayee was running a coalition government with attendant pulls and pushes. The RSS was reportedly not very happy with him either because they saw him as too liberal and too welcoming of foreign direct investment. And, post Pokhran, many developed countries tried to stymie India's economy in big and small ways. In the diplomatic arena, Vajpayee was soft-spoken, suave and not frightened of extending an olive branch to Pakistan. But he had enough steel - which Musharraf found out in the Kargil war. Equally, Pokhran showed theworld that India was not just a nuclear power, but perfectly comfortable in showing off its capabilities on the nuclear front. Vajpayee is no more, but no one can doubt his contribution on economic, political and diplomatic fronts. An influential 'Baba' and his family with a weakness for materialism; two young businessmen loaded with nearly Rs10,000 crore from an asset sale; and a family confidante have together cooked a cauldron that Bollywood potboilers are made of. Their machinations wrecked a flourishing empire and vapourised nearly $3.2 billion (Rs22,500 crore then) into thin air. Business chatter has been abuzz ever since brothers Malvinder and Shivinder Singh's debt pile of nearly Rs 13,000 crore came to light two years back. That was shocking considering that, as recently as June 2008, they had hit gold with Rs9,576 crore in cash from Japan's Daiichi Sankyo for the sale of India's then largest pharmaceuticals company Ranbaxy Laboratories-an inheritance from father Parvinder Singh. How could they squander Rs22,500 crore, lose control of prized possessions such as Fortis Healthcare, once the country's largest hospital chain, and one of the largest NBFCs Religare Enterprises-all in a span of less than a decade? Two years after the Singh-Daiichi deal, Ajay and Swati Piramal also sold their pharma business to Abbott Laboratories for Rs18,000 crore. They re-invested the money to build assets worth Rs25,000 crore in just the listed companies across realty, finance and pharmaceutical research. Also Read: Shivinder Singh says Sunil Godhwani 'orchestrated' transactions, left them with 'debt load' For long, the Singh brothers kept their fall from grace a closely guarded secret, avoiding meetings and discussions on the topic. But, for the first time ever, here is the inside story of how the brothers not just lost their wealth but also their companies and reputation. "Today we have lost control of all our key businesses - Fortis, SRL and Religare in our committed effort to repay our debts and also as a result of invocation of pledged shares by the banks. This has ultimately led to insignificant shareholding remaining with us in these businesses," Malvinder and Shivinder Singh said in a joint email response to our questions. Such decimation of a flourishing and diversified empire within a decade is unprecedented in India's corporate history. So, how did this happen? The answer lies hidden in a maze of a dozen companies. But before we get to that, let's understand the family dynamics between the Baba, Gurinder Singh Dhillon, the brothers and family confidante Sunil Naraindas Godhwani. Dhillon-better known as 'Babaji' or the 'Saint of Beas' is the spiritual guru of the Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB). The head of RSSB works pro bono, draws no salary nor any benefits from the sect. Dhillon battled cancer and recovered from it in 2013. RSSB has over two million followers and a vast land bank across the country. It has over 5,000 centres that can accommodate between 50 and 5 lakh people during congregations. The sect is a 1918 breakaway faction of the Radha Soami sect founded at Agra in 1861 by Shiv Dayal Singh. Dhillon has headed the sect since inheriting it in 1990 from maternal uncle Charan Singh who was the spiritual guru between 1951 and 1990. Charan Singhs daughter Nimmi Singh is Malvinder & Shivinders mother and wife of Late Parvinder Singh. Thus, Dhillon is the brothers' maternal uncle. In comes confidante Godhwani, who was recommended and backed by Dhillon to run non-banking finance company Religare Enterprises. The Singhs often referred to him as their third brother but he once said he owed his allegiance to nobody except Dhillon. He is now called the "self-proclaimed third brother". The bond was to strengthen further as Godhwani's daughter Simran was engaged to Dhillon's younger son Gurkirat. The proposed marriage, however, never went through as the two parted ways. It was fine as long as it was all within the family. But that was not to be. Too much money spoiled the brotherhood. There are three dimensions to the Singh potboiler-Singh brothers' relationship with Dhillon; their ties with each other and the relationship with Godhwani. In the first, being the head of the sect and a father figure to Singh brothers, Dhillon had an upper hand; in the second, equal partners Malvinder and Shivinder were led by Malvinder; in the third, Godhwani, being backed by the Dhillons, pretty much ran Religare independently. But it all begins and ends with money. Once the proceeds of the Ranbaxy sale were received, the Singh brothers paid nearly Rs2,000 crore in taxes and previous loan repayments. Of the remaining Rs7,500 crore, Rs1,750 crore were invested in Religare to fund its growth; about Rs2,230 crore was invested in Fortis' growth. But most importantly, Rs2,700 crore were transferred to companies owned by the Dhillon family, Gurinder Dhillons wife Shabnam Dhillon and companies associated with RSSB's senior functionaries. While Religare and Fortis are examples of reckless expansion and its consequences, the money transferred to Dhillon and associates-which (with interest) is now estimated to be between Rs4000-5,000 crore-remains unpaid to the Singhs. It isnt clear why this money was never returned. Dhillon and the Singh brothers did not respond to detailed questions on whether this money was owed to Dhillon and associates for any previous transactions or was only loaned to them. Loaded with massive cash, Religare and Fortis went on a rapid-fire expansion and acquisition spree. On the other hand, the Dhillon family and RSSB associates got lured by the real estate sector, which was delivering phenomenal returns between 2008 and 2011. Recipient companies raised further loans at 12-14 per cent interest to buy more real estate. All turned out to be fatal errors. Once the slowdown hit, Religare and Fortis were unable to service the massive debt raised during the expansion spree (see graphic). The Singh brothers' only fallback option may have been funds given to Dhillon and associates. But that was not to be. In the slowdown-ravaged economy, the real estate sector had gone into a spiral by then and prices crashed. The Dhillons were trapped and so were the brothers. A detailed mail sent to Dhillons and Singhs did not elicit any response on this. There began a vicious cycle of mortgaging assets and equity in group companies to raise loans to pay off previous liabilities. RoC records show that between 2008 and 2016, group holding companies RHC Holding and Oscar Investments pledged immovable properties and shares valued at up to Rs15,276 crore to various banks and financial institutions, including to Nimmi Singh, to raise resources between them. Of these, just RHC's pledges (some of which may have been to raise resources to pay off previous loans) starting November 8, 2010, add up to an astounding Rs12,800 crore. RHC Holding and Oscar Investments, which had debt of barely Rs15 crore and Rs60 crore, respectively, in March 2009, had total outstanding debt of Rs4,063 crore and Rs840 crore in March 2016 & March 2017, respectively (the latest data available with RoC). As they scrambled to pay off debts, the Singh brothers' resolution efforts were blocked multiple times by Daiichi Sankyo through court-led interventions to ensure the brothers had enough assets to pay off the $500 million arbitration order it had won against them. Daiichi Sankyo had accused the Singh brothers of concealing crucial information during the sale of Ranbaxy. Singhs have contested this claim. The order is currently reserved by Court of Appeals in Singapore and is expected anytime now. As they moved to settle their dues by selling assets in group companies, Daiichi Sankyo moved court to protect its interest by securing several injunctions preventing them from divesting their assets or equity. In the last hearing of the case on August 10, the Delhi High Court froze all bank accounts of the brothers alleging they misled the courts. Starved of cash, businesses went into a tailspin. Since debt remained unpaid and the value of the pledged shares dropped due to build-up of losses at Fortis and Religare, the lenders invoked hypothecation. Promoter holding in the two key companies, Fortis and Religare, which was 63 per cent and 72 per cent, fell to 0.6 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively. The Singhs lost control and stepped down from both the firms in February 2018. While Fortis will now be owned by Malaysia's IHH Healthcare, which has emerged as the highest bidder, Religare is controlled by PE firm Bay Capital. "Given the circumstances and immense challenges facing us today, we assure all our stakeholders that we are doing whatever it takes to resolve the issues and will not shy away from our current responsibilities. We have been constantly making all possible efforts to clear our liabilities. Unfortunately, the adverse ruling by the Delhi High Court and the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the Daiichi Sankyo arbitration case, compounded the problems, resulting in severe liquidity pressures, which has triggered unanticipated defaults with banks and lenders. Such large and complex matters will need time," says the Singh brothers' response. All-Is-One 'Prius Platinum, Ground Floor, D3, District Centre, Saket, New Delhi-110017' could pass off as a nondescript address. Until you notice a striking similarity: Company after company registering it as their official address in the RoC records. At least 16 at last count. Many of them have even declared the same email ID in the RoC records: cs.gysgroup@gmail.com; and are also being audited by the same firm. Prius Real Estate, Prius Commercial Projects, Best Healthcare, Modland Wears, Fern Healthcare, Addon Realty, Hillgrow Infrastructure, Bestest Developers, Platinum Infrastructure. Even the Singh family's holding companies, RHC Holding and Oscar Investments, have declared it as their address. Nearly Rs2,700 crore was routed to these Dhillon-RSSB functionaries companies between 2009 and 2012 through a layered and complex web of subsidiaries. Of that, Rs2,000 crore was invested in two firms--Prius Real Estate and Prius Commercial Projects. RoC records say Prius Commercial is 84 per cent owned by Dhillons wife Shabnam and 16 per cent by RSSB Delhi head Yuvraj Narain Gorwaney. Prius Real Estate is 50:50 owned by Dhillons elder son Gurpreet and RSSBs Rajveer Singh. Addon Realty, which got Rs100 crore from Fortis, is also run by RSSB's Yuvraj Narain Gorwaney, his wife Sangeeta Narain and another Satsangi and Singh brothers cousin Sharanbir Singh Sandhu. SGGD Projects is run by brothers Vaibhav and Rahul Wadhwa, both employees of RSSB at Beas. Rahul Wadhwa was also a former Fortis employee. Lowe Infra and Wellness is another realty firm run by Sharanbir Singh Sandhu and Rahul Wadhwa. Singhs now own a majority of this firm. Hillgrow is run by another senior RSSB functionary & Singhs cousin, Jagatbir Singh Sandhu, as its director and signatory. While many of these firms are alleged to be directly or indirectly controlled by the Dhillon family, the Dhillons themselves have had direct dealings with Singh family firms. During Religares public issue in 2007, 62.50 lakh shares representing 9.17 per cent equity each were allotted to Dhillons sons Gurpreet and Gurkirat. Prius Platinum's swank six-floor building in Saket district centre is one of the biggest real estate ventures where the Dhillon/RSSB associates money was sunk. Besides the Saket property, Prius Commercial owns three properties in Noida, one in Ahmedabad and another in Mumbais Vile Parle. Dhillons attempt to sell these properties to Blackstone have not materialised so far. Prius Commercials website claims: "We own over two million square feet of commercial office space with another 1.5 million square feet in development and land capacity to develop a further 4.5 million square feet". Prius Platinum, though, is still sparsely occupied. The reception and adminstration get edgy as soon as Dhillons and Singhs are enquired about. The names of Dhillon/RSSB associates companies are displayed in a glass plaque behind the reception but guards warn against photography. At least some of these firms have gained notoriety ever since law firm Luthra & Luthra, which was hired to investigate a case of Rs473 crore being siphoned off from Fortis Healthcare, mentioned Fern, Modland and Best as the companies to whom the money was transferred, allegedly against management advice and without proper sanctions. A claim that is denied by Singhs. Invoking Godhwani Sunil Naraindas Godhwani is no ordinary man. A follower of the sect, Godhwani was set to be sect head Dhillon's in-law as his daughter Simran was to marry Dhillon's younger son Gurkirat. The Godhwani family ran a leather business and had been known to the Singhs for two generations. He was backed by the Dhillons (who owned over 13 per cent of the company) to run Religare (earlier called Fortis Finance) in 2001. Godhwani dreamt big. He strategised to make Religare a global financial powerhouse as the firm expanded rapidly into lending (Religare Finvest), capital markets (Religare Securities), wealth management (Religare Wealth Management), asset management, insurance, housing finance as well as commodities. Its 2007 IPO, which was offered at Rs185 per share, listed at a premium and even shot past Rs500 a share before the global financial bust in 2008. Religare Enterprises had revenues of Rs896 crore, net profit of Rs91 crore and a market cap of Rs2,819 crore at the time of the Ranbaxy deal. From there it peaked to a consolidated revenue of Rs4,502 crore (March 2016), net profit of Rs320 crore (March 2015) and a marketcap of Rs6,762 crore (March 2011). Most crucially, the growth was heavily debt-funded. Its total debt shot up nearly 16 times from Rs1,272 crore in 2008/09 right after the Ranbaxy deal to over Rs20,222 crore by the end of March 2016. By its very nature, financial services business needs to raise debt to lend further. However, clearly Religare's debt burden had gone out of hand, over-shooting revenue and profit growth. Religare was now paying nine times the annual interest of Rs1,698 crore in 2017 as against Rs182 crore in 2008. Though several businesses were losing money, the biggest drain on Religare were subsidiaries Religare Capital Markets and Ligare Aviation; the latter was run by Godhwani's brother Sanjay Godhwani. Ligare reported net losses of Rs590 crore between 2008 and 2014, the last reported results. The debt on Ligare's balance sheet shot up from Rs3.85 crore in 2007 to Rs730 crore in 2010. The other drain, Religare Capital Markets, reported losses worth Rs1,628 crore between 2011 and 2016 (the last reported). Lending arm Religare Finvest also reported a net loss of Rs350 crore in 2016/17 while its debt shot up from Rs1,695 crore in 2008 to Rs17,218 crore in 2016. During 2008/18, for the 10 Fortis subsidiaries and eight Religare subsidiaries whose data has been filed with RoC, Religare subsidiaries reported losses worth Rs2,047 crore and Fortis subsidiaries Rs650 crore. At the consolidated level, the company went into the red soon after. From a net profit of Rs92 crore in 2008, it reported net losses of Rs295 crore, Rs149 crore and Rs481 crore between 2010/11 & 2012/13. This was followed by three years of profits and then another Rs123 crore loss in 2016/17. Religare is now under the regulatory lens. In 2016, the Reserve Bank of India, or RBI, reprimanded Religare's lending firm, Religare Finvest, for Rs1,200 crore worth of loans given without due diligence. Singh brothers have alleged that besides Religare, the entire network of investment companies as well as funds in their own holding firms, Oscar and RHC Holding, were managed and operated by Sunil Godhwani independently. Sources close to Godhwani, however, say the brothers were informed of every move and they signed on most of the documents. Investment and routing of funds is a major bone of contention now and may be a precursor to a possible legal battle in the near future. One of the sore points between the Singhs and Godhwani was Godhwani's failed commitment to the Singhs to secure a bank licence. Religare's application was rejected by regulator RBI. While the Singhs are believed to have blamed Godhwani, the latter blamed it on the Singhs saying Daiichi Sankyo's allegations after the Ranbaxy deal scuttled his chances of securing the bank licence. It widened the rift. Meanwhile, investor pressure built up. In July, 2017, ratings firm India Ratings & Research put Religare Enterprises, Religare Finvest and Religare Housing Development Finance on negative rating watch list. It also downgraded the holding company, RHC Holding, to default. Earlier, another ratings firm, Care Ratings, had downgraded Religare Finvest and placed it on credit watch citing corporate governance and disclosure observations. "The ability of the company to timely execute the strategic sale of its assets and eliminate the exposure to its corporate loan book, grow its loan portfolio and improve its profitability while improving its asset quality are the key rating sensitivities," the Care Ratings report said. Matters came to a head in November 2016 when subsidiary Religare Finvest had to write off Rs794 crore due to non-receipt of dues from Strategic Credit Capital associated with ABG Shipyard. The loan and the write-off is under regulatory scrutiny. Another entity, Religare Corporate Services, fully owned by RHC Holdings, was set up in September 2011. It has consistently incurred net losses worth Rs843 crore in five years between 2011/12 and 2015/16, the last data available with RoC. Yet another controversial proposal was Religare Enterprises' plan to sell its health insurance business for nearly Rs1,100 crore. Of that, it proposed to pay Rs500 crore to Religare Capital Markets, which was to pass this to its Mauritius arm Religare Capital Markets International Mauritius. It is this firm that had borrowed the amount from Axis Bank. Religare Enterprises, in turn, planned to write off the amount since Religare Capital Markets was incurring losses. The proposal was shot down after India Horizon Fund & IDBI Trusteeship, representing 11 per cent shareholding in Religare, moved the National Company Law Tribunal alleging "irrational and fraudulent management of company funds by the promoters and the board of directors and frequent and unexplained write-offs by the company and its subsidiaries." The Singh brothers, who had not been on the board of Religare since April 2010, returned after the write-off. The disagreements finally led to Godhwani stepping down as CMD in July 2016 and exiting the company in September, 2017. But the brothers stint was shortlived. They lost control of Religare in February 2018 once lenders invoked their shareholding against unpaid loans. "Religare is in the present situation due to the legacy issues of the previous management led by Mr. Sunil Godhwani. The serious mismanagement under this leadership drew the attention and intervention of the regulators," says a statement issued by Religare in February this year, just before the brothers lost control. Godhwani did not respond to questions sent to him. He has not been seen either in Beas or with the Singhs since. His last appearance was a fleeting presence at the prayer meeting in Delhi following the cremation of Singh brothers' grandmother (Charan Singhs wife) Fortis's Misadventures Fair enough! Even if Religare's boom and bust cycle may be blamed on its then managing director & CEO Sunil Godhwani, what about Fortis, which was under direct executive management and control of the Singh brothers? Flash back to December 2015 when Shivinder resigned from the Fortis board to head to the Radha Soami Satsang in Beas. Fortis had grown to Rs828 crore in revenues and had reported its first net loss of Rs33 crore in six years in fiscal 2014/15. But by the time he delivered his first pravachan (discourse) at Beas in May 2017, Fortis was already a financial wreck. While he was going through his rigorous one-year induction at Beas, being transferred from one department to another, in late 2016, Rs473 crore was allegedly sucked out by the promoters from Fortis Hospitals (subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare) to pay debt in private holding companies. It was too massive a blow to the financials of a company whose total revenue is still in the sub-Rs1,000 crore region. A statement from Fortis later explained: "Fortis Hospitals?has deployed funds in secured short-term investments with companies in normal course of treasury operations. These entities?have become part of the promoter group due to a shareholding change in those entities. Subsequently, the same loans have been recognised as related party transactions?". But Fortis went into a cash crunch. Serious Frauds Investigation Office and Sebi are probing alleged financial irregularities under Singh brothers, including the charge that the promoters allegedly transferred Rs473 crore from the company without approvals. Singhs have claimed the money was given to a company that was not a related party when it was transferred but was subsequently acquired by the promoters and hence it became a related-party transaction. Shivinder is now believed to be back in Delhi sorting the group's financial mess. But Fortis had its golden run as well. As soon as the Ranbaxy proceeds were injected into Fortis Healthcare, its business went into a dream run. From revenue and net profit of Rs190 crore and Rs2.68 crore, respectively, it grew 2.5 times to Rs599 crore while profits shot up nine times to Rs24 crore by 2013/14. By 2012/13, Fortis had gone ahead of Apollo Hospitals as India's largest hospital chain by revenue (though Apollo reclaimed its top rank right after). Since then, it has reported losses of Rs34 crore, Rs40 crore and Rs75 crore in the following three years. A big reason why Fortis is in the red is the nearly Rs270 crore licence fee it pays to the RHT Trust in Singapore. RHT owns 12 of Fortis' clinical establishments and two hospitals (Delhi and Gurgaon). The Fortis acquisition deal by IHH requires buying out the RHT assets as well to eliminate the annual licence fee. What transpired in the interim was a phase of reckless global expansion across Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Vietnam and Dubai funded entirely through acquisitions of over $1 billion. Malvinder himself moved to Singapore to manage international operations. In 2010, Singhs even got into a takeover battle for Singapore's Parkway vis-a-vis Malaysia's sovereign fund Khazanah. The Singhs finally had to pull out and sell their stake in Parkway also to Khazanah. That was also the beginning of flipping the international acquisition and expansion strategy to focus entirely on the Indian market starting 2012-13. "Their M&A driven global expansion strategy was, perhaps, conceived without finer understanding of the complexities and challenges that come in the scale-up of such a plan. The time they took to roll out their expansion plans was perhaps too short," says Muralidharan Nair, partner, advisory, life sciences, Ernst & Young. In 2017 Fortis tried to buy back the assets of Singapore's RHT Trust which are located in India for Rs4,750 crore but met with opposition. The objective was to eliminate the annual licence fees. But by February 2018, the Singh brothers lost control of the company when lenders invoked their shareholding pledged with them against shares of Fortis. In the quarter ended March, 2018, Fortis reported a net loss of Rs914 crore. Of that, Rs834 crore was due to write-offs arising out of losses from advances, goodwill and inter-corporate deposits and other provisions. Sword Of Damocles The pending resolution of the $500 million arbitration won by Daiichi-Sankyo remains a Sword of Damocles hanging over Singhss head. In case the final award (currently reserved by the Court of Appeals in Singapore) also goes against them, where will that money come from? "We have challenged the majority Arbitration Award in Singapore Courts and the hearing for the same has concluded. The matter is reserved for judgement. We maintain that there was no misrepresentation or concealment in the Ranbaxy deal to Daiichi Sankyo and these are false accusations made against us four years after Daiichi Sankyo bought Ranbaxy (after around 9-10 months of due-diligence). The products made by Ranbaxy had always been of good quality which even the US FDA maintained in their statements (US FDA Press Statement dt. Feb 25, 2009)," says the brothers' response. Singhs say that despite all the accusations by Daiichi Sankyo, Daiichi made a profit in 2015 (Rs223.30 crore from the sale of Ranbaxy to Sun Pharma; additionally Daiichi received benefits in the nature of interparty transfer of assets, dividends Rs53.74 crore, synergies in excess of Rs600 crore and tax benefits of over Rs8,000 crore amongst others). "Daiichi Sankyo since long has been making all possible efforts to try and sabotage the Fortis/SRL/Religare deal (blocking infusion of funds/equity and demerger). Their constant blocking of any economically accretive proposals goes to show that their objective and motive is not to secure their award but rather being vindictive in nature to hurt the larger stakeholders of our group. Their repeated actions have negatively impacted Indian banks, all our shareholders and employees. To date, the FDA has no evidence that these drugs do not meet their quality specifications and has not identified any health risks associated with currently marketed Ranbaxy products." Unaswered Questions With both the Dhillons and the Singh brothers refusing to respond to detailed questionnaires, it's hard to decipher what transpired in their business dealings. But l'affaire Dhillon-Singh leaves several unanswered questions: Were the brothers consumed by naivete in not just handing over a substantial chunk of their wealth to the Dhillon family and RSSB associates but also in giving Godhwani a free hand? Naivete is surely not one of their virtues. So why did the Singhs let it go this bad, this fast? Or, was the money actually owed to Dhillon family and associates? As a result, it was never returned! Or, in Shivinder's apparent desire to emerge as the sect's next spiritual head, the brothers gave loans to further his chances of being backed by Dhillon to head the sect and its sprawling operations. Singh brothers say: "Our immediate focus is to resolve all open issues and bring them to closure by repaying all debts and liabilities. We will continue to sell our assets in compliance with the court orders in order to clear all our debts. We as entrepreneurs created and built Fortis and SRL Diagnostics as leading healthcare institutions that they are today. We believe in the India growth story. After resolving the current issues and overcoming the present challenges, we will make all possible efforts to rebound, taking learnings from these difficult circumstances, and continue our entrepreneurial journey in India and be a part of the nation building exercise." "We would now like to fight for our Justice and Pride...and not for economics only," say the brothers in their response. Meanwhile, industry wonders how much bigger a hole will this dig for the Singhs before they can redeem themselves. With both Religare and Fortis slipping out of their hands, the brothers are believed to be operating out of one of the group's oldest offices at Hanuman Road while another office at Marina Building is readied. Marina is where their grandfather Bhai Mohan Singh began what would be a flourishing empire at its peak. It may just be the most auspicious location to reboot and restart. @rajeevdubey 22 Aug 2018, 12:16 PM Flood hit Kerala seeks hike in borrowing limit to 4.5% to raise Rs 10,500 crore Battling its worst flood in nearly a century, Kerala is planning to raise an additional Rs 10,500 crore debt for rehabilitation and rebuilding. To achieve this, the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said that his government will ask Centre to raise the ceiling on borrowing for the state to 4.5 per cent of the GDP. The borrowing limit is currently capped at 3 per cent. GSK seeks mid-September bids for $4 billion Indian Horlicks unit GlaxoSmithKline is seeking initial bids by mid-September for its India-focused Horlicks health nutrition business, which is expected to fetch more than $4 billion as reported by Reuters. The British drugmaker started a review of Horlicks and some smaller products, after buying Novartis out of their consumer healthcare venture for $13 billion in March. Potential acquirers are likely to include major food and consumer products groups, such as Nestle, Pepsico and Reckitt Benckiser, the sources said. Promoter holding in 15 Tata companies valued at $100 bn; Ambani family's wealth at $53 bn The aggregate value of promoter holdings in 15 top Tata group companies has crossed $100 billion (Rs 7.03 lakh cr), thanks to the recent surge in TCS and Titan stocks and the depreciation witnessed in the Indian rupee. TCS value by Monday's closing stood at Rs 7.7 lakh crore, as compared to Rs 7.83 lakh crore of RIL. Titan is the second most valued company (Rs 81,889 crore) in Tata group, followed by Tata Motors (Rs 77,828 crore) and Tata Steel (Rs 67,521 crore). RIL's share price jumped by 2.61 per cent to Rs 1235.15 on Monday and it catapulted the wealth of Ambani family to Rs 3.7 lakh crore ($53 billion). Govt tells state oil firm ONGC to list overseas unit The government has asked its biggest state-owned firm Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to list its overseas unit ONGC Videsh on the stock exchanges as part of the push to raise more resources through disinvestment of shares. Department of Investment and Public Asset Management has written a letter to ONGC stating that a listing would also help unlock value in the unit by improving its corporate governance and efficiency. The letter, sent last week, did not state how much of ONGC should be offered to outside investors. Govt plans to transfer Air India's non-core assets to special purpose vehicle The government is looking at transferring Air India's non-core assets and "unsustainable debt" to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) as part of measures to revive the national carrier. After the proposed strategic disinvestment of Air India failed to take off in May, the government has been looking at ways to bolster the carrier. Against this backdrop, the official at the Finance Ministry said that efforts are on to sell non-core assets of Air India. SC says Unitech Directors' Assets To Be Sold To Repay Home Buyers The Supreme Court has directed a panel to go ahead with sale of unencumbered assets of the directors of real estate major Unitech Ltd to refund money to troubled home buyers. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked the panel to start with the sale of the firm's properties in Kolkata. The bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, directed the committee to disburse Rs. 25 crore to home buyers on pro rata basis. Paytm launches its own AI cloud for India One97 Communications Limited has partnered Alibaba to launch artificial intellingence-based cloud computing platform 'Paytm AI Cloud for India' for developers, startups and enterprises. The platform offers business-centric apps for organisations that need high-quality solutions for cloud computing, ready-to-use services to automate workflow, easy to integrate payments, among others. The company said Paytm AI Cloud processes and stores all their consumer data locally in servers located only in India while conforming to the highest security and privacy standards. Paytm plans to soon offer an enterprise-messaging solution in partnership with DingTalk Fake messages: Govt lists its wishlist for WhatsApp, company agrees to Govt demand The Government on Tuesday told WhatsApp to appoint a grievance officer, set up a corporate entity in India and find a mechanism to check on the origin of fake messages at the earliest. After this high level meeting in Delhi, the Union IT Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad informed that the Facebook-owned company has agreed to the Government's demands. WhatsApp CEO Chris Daniels is in India this week as the company is trying to address concerns around fake news on its messaging platform which have led to horrific crimes like mob-lynching. According to sources, Daniels will be in India for 4-5 days and meet business and Government officials during his visit. European Union leaders are likely to have to hold an emergency summit in November to consider any Brexit agreement struck with Britain, missing an informal deadline the previous month, diplomats in Brussels said. Negotiations on the divorce deal resume after the summer break on Tuesday, but expectations that they can be wrapped up for a regular EU summit in October are fading. Some diplomats told Reuters the process could even slip into December, leaving little time for ratification of an agreement before Britain becomes the first country ever to leave the bloc in March 2019. "There is definitely going to be a real push for October and we'll probably not be able to quite get there. So, while it has not formally been confirmed as yet, an extra summit in November looks most likely," said a senior EU diplomat. Agreeing the terms of Brexit, as well as an outline of Britain's future ties with the EU, is proving a tall order. Delays have stirred talk that Britain could crash out of the EU with no agreements to replace nearly five decades of close cooperation in everything from food standards to space exploration and global diplomacy. Britain's Brexit minister Dominic Raab and the EU negotiator Michel Barnier meet at 1230 GMT in Brussels. The Oct. 18-19 summit of all EU leaders has long been cast as the make-or-break moment for a Brexit deal, leaving enough time for the elaborate ratification process by EU member states and the European Parliament. But persistent disagreements, mostly over how to avoid border checks between the Irish Republic and the British province of Northern Ireland, have now cast that into doubt. Gabriele Zimmer, a leftist German member of the European Parliament who deals with Brexit doubts a deal can be reached by October. "It will be very hard," she said. "We didn't see any concrete proposal that would work on the Irish border issue. November is the last moment. December is already too late for us." The European Parliament goes into recess at the turn of the year and will then focus increasingly on May elections to the legislature. Brussels and London want the negotiations to speed up but another diplomat also said people and businesses affected by Brexit would have to wait longer for any clarity on a deal. "Most probably not October. November is more likely," the diplomat said. "December is really the very, very last call. If there is still nothing at the turn of the year, it's hard to see businesses would not start implementing contingency plans." The sources stressed political infighting in Britain as a risk factor, pointing to the annual conference of Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party on Sept. 30-Oct. 3. Other milestones include a Sept. 19-20 informal gathering of EU leaders in Salzburg, Austria, where May is expected to make her case. The last regular summit this year is scheduled for Dec. 13-14. Asked whether it was still the British government's aim to reach a deal in October, a spokeswoman for May said: "That is certainly what we are working towards, yes." London has fumed at a Brussels-proposed emergency plan under which Northern Ireland would effectively remain largely run by EU trade rules after Brexit, unless better ideas emerge. One EU official offered cautious optimism that the gaps could be bridged by October: "It could still happen, maybe we will get there." Britain is not the only one under pressure. The unity of the remaining 27 EU states in facing off with Britain has started to crack as the risk of a damaging "no-deal" Brexit rises. Poland's EU minister Konrad Szymanski told his peers in July the bloc may soon be forced to chose between Ireland and having any deal with Britain. This marked a departure from the EU's mantra of standing by Ireland, where both sides fear a return to border checks could revive decades of violence. But Warsaw has made clear that trade with Britain and mutual safeguards for citizens' rights - more than three million EU nationals live in Britain, roughly half of them Poles - may be more important. On its side, Britain is due to release this week a set of papers on potential effects of a 'no-deal' Brexit. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Jobs that offer earlier starts and a shorter working week are most appealing to Irish people in employment, with 48% saying that they would prefer to start work before 9am and finish before 5pm. This is according to new research released today by McDonalds Ireland. This study, conducted by YouGov in July and August, coincided with a prediction by the Central Bank that the number of Irish people in employment will rise to a record 2.3 million over the next two years. Starting at 8am and finishing by 4pm was the most popular option for a working day, chosen by 31% of respondents. Only 23% would consider 9am to 5pm to be their most preferable working hours, followed by 7am-3pm (17%). If given the option, 32% of people would accept a longer work day for a shorter work week. The research reveals the top priorities for what Irish adults would consider a good job. A friendly and sociable work environment, flexibility, a high salary, location and opportunities for progression are the criteria that ranked highest among the respondents. Flexibility is becoming a feature of the Irish workers life with 45% of respondents saying that they currently work the hours that suit them. Of those who work flexibly, 82% feel that flexible working makes them more positive towards their job, while 79% say it will result in them staying with their current employer for longer. In terms of general attitudes towards flexible working, 65% of people believe that attitudes have improved over the last 5 years. However, 27% think that their employer would not allow them to work flexibly. Speaking this week, CEO of McDonalds UK & Ireland, Paul Pomroy said, "People are looking for jobs that work for them. This research reflects our belief that to attract, retain and motivate, employers need to create opportunities that genuinely work for people whatever their age, life stage, or ambition. The business case is clear, as are the links to improved happiness and wellbeing people simply dont want to work 9-5 anymore. They want to work more flexibly, but that doesnt diminish ambition, desire or opportunity to progress." Source: www.businessworld.ie Sculptures of a giant panda and African elephant in a Beijing parterre on Wednesday mark the upcoming summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which will be held in the Chinese capital. Photo: VCG Delegates from dozens of African countries are expected to meet in Beijing in September for the sixth summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Chinas official platform for engaging with the continent. Here are five things you need to know about the summit. What does China aim to achieve? The summit will be chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and features the rosy theme China and Africa: toward an even stronger community with a shared future through win-win cooperation. A major focus will be economic cooperation, at a time when trade tension between China and the U.S. is pushing the Asian country to strengthen ties within the global South. At the BRICS summit in July, leaders from China, South Africa, Russia, India and Brazil met to discuss trade cooperation, and signed a communique expressing their support for a rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system. Delegations at the FOCAC summit are expected to further align the summits theme with the Belt and Road Initiative, the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the African Unions Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of individual African countries, according to a commentary published by Chinas state news agency, Xinhua. What do other FOCAC member states hope to get from the summit? The African countries participating in this years FOCAC summit, which include all countries on the continent except eSwatini (formerly known as Swaziland), span a wide range of economic conditions and policy goals. But there are some common themes, including infrastructure investment and trade. President Alpha Conde of mineral-rich Guinea in West Africa, for instance, told the state-owned China Global Television Network that his country plans to strengthen local cooperation related to mineral exports to China. Meanwhile, President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana has reportedly revealed plans to ask China for concessional loans or grants to fund the countrys road network and other infrastructure projects. Jeremy Stevens, the Beijing-based chief China economist of Standard Bank of South Africa, said he will be watching closely how Africa aligns itself more comprehensively with OBOR, referring to the Belt and Road Initiative. It is a clear priority for Beijing and most of the large Chinese companies that have built the roads, bridges and ports in Africa are now focused on OBOR. Africa needs to come up with a way to be part of this play, Stevens told Caixin. What have the results of Sino-African economic cooperation been so far? China has been the largest source of bilateral loans to African countries since 1998, according to a January report by the Brookings Africa Growth Initiative. During the same period, trade between China and African countries grew more than fortyfold, although Chinese foreign direct investment in the continent remains low at around 5% of total inflow. The increase in trade and financing flows between China and Africa have boosted growth in many African countries and helped address crucial bottlenecks to industrial development and structural transformation, while helping Chinese suppliers gain valuable project contracts on the continent, according to the Brookings report. But African exports to China have fallen below Chinese exports to Africa in the years since the previous FOCAC summit in 2015. Typically, Africa is selling raw materials to China, and then purchasing higher-value add products from China. Indeed, some of Chinas fastest growing export markets since 2010 have been in Africa, Stevens from Standard Bank told Caixin. At some point, some of that production needs to be relocated to Africa, where markets are sizable, Stevens said. Somehow, the discussion needs to be why that isnt happening faster; what can Africa do better on this score to attract Chinese manufacturing; and what policies can be put in place to motivate that offshoring to Africa. How has the world perceived Chinas involvement in Africa? Reactions to Chinas growing involvement in African economies have run the gamut from celebrating South-South cooperation to accusing China of harboring colonialist motivations. Some 62% of people surveyed in 37 African countries in 2015 said Chinas economic and political influence on their country was mostly positive, according to pan-African research organization Afrobarometer. But voices criticizing Chinas practice of extending massive loans as a debt trap for African countries have grown louder in recent years. Beijing has responded to these allegations, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang saying in March that China has laid emphasis on enhancing African countries capability for independent and sustainable development so as to avoid adding to African countries debt burden. What tangible results will the summit produce? Every FOCAC summit ends with the unveiling of a three-year action plan to be carried out by China and the African countries participating in the forum. At the last summit, held in Johannesburg in 2015, China pledged to provide $60 billion in funding for the continent by 2018 through a combination of grants, aid, loans, and export credit. China also committed to assisting in a number of projects, including government scholarships for African youths, and a drive to bring satellite TV access to 10,000 villages across the continent. Contact reporter Teng Jing Xuan (jingxuanteng@caixin.com) SUSANVILLE, Calif. - Two died and three were injured in a fatal collision in Susanville on August 21. According reports from California Highway Patrol, Douglas Hansken, 67, of Chester, was traveling northbound on US-395 in a black GMC Sierra pickup. A silver Chevrolet Cruze with four passengers was traveling southbound on US-395. To the rear of the Chevrolet Cruze was a white Hyundai Elantra with five passengers. To the rear of that vehicle was a silver Ford Escape with four passengers. Hanksen's vehicle swerved across the solid double yellow lines and into the southbound lane, side swiping the silver Chevrolet. Following that impact, the GMC continued driving in the southbound lane and struck the white Hyundai head on. The GMC then rolled on its side and was struck by the Ford. As a result of the collision, both northbound and southbound lanes were blocked. One subject was pronounced dead on the scene, and all other subjects involved in the collision were transported by medical personnel to hospitals for treatment. Another subject was pronounced dead at Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nevada. The names of the victims have not yet been released. Hansken was arrested at the scene for driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter. Due to the extend of his injuries, he was flown by air ambulance to Renown Medical Center. Stay tuned for more updates. This is a developing story. A prominent legislator is calling for the overhaul of Chinas household registration system, arguing that it is squandering the countrys huge population benefits by reducing the ability of migrant laborers to work into their later years. The hukou system is a decades-long policy that affects what social benefits citizens are able to receive and to where they can relocate. The system shortens the work life of migrant laborers by one-third, or 15 years of their work life, said Huang Qifan, a vice chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of Chinas top legislature, the National Peoples Congress. Thats because they are less competitive in the job market after 45 and have no access to government job-creation programs available only to those registered as local residents, he said at the Fourth China Smart City International Expo, held in the southern city of Shenzhen. Job training is one of numerous social benefits to which locals have access but which may be off-limits to migrants who have not obtained a hukou where they reside. The hukou system, in place for six decades, was designed to restrict the flow of residents from rural to urban areas, as residency was tied closely to access to benefits, such as monthly rations, under Chinas planned economy. But after China began to open up in the late 1970s, the system could no longer rigidly prevent people from moving around. However, it still limits nonlocals access to public services such as public schools and government-subsidized homes. Huang, an outspoken legislator and the former mayor of the southwestern municipality of Chongqing, called for speedy overhaul of the controversial system so that China could still tap into the dividend from its abundant pool of migrant laborers. Most of those laborers leave their families behind due to restrictions linked to the hukou. The workers often return to their native homes for two months a year for holidays, usually during the Chinese Lunar New Year a loss of another sixth of their work lives, Huang said. Workforce benefits due to Chinas large population decline quickly even as the countrys urbanization rate remains low, at about 60%, he said. Large Chinese cities have seen a worsening labor shortage after the hukou system failed to fully relocate an expected 280 million migrant laborers into cities, he said. For cities, Huang said that regulators need to ensure a balance between demand and supply of laborers, and a balance of land supplies and housing development. Contact reporter Li Rongde (rongdeli@caixin.com) (CNN) -- An undocumented immigrant has been charged with first-degree murder in the presumed death of Mollie Tibbetts, an Iowa college student who went missing on July 18, officials said Tuesday. The body that officials believe is that of Tibbetts, 20, was found Tuesday, said Rick Rahn, special agent in charge at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. An autopsy is planned for Wednesday. Authorities said surveillance video helped them determine a suspect. He led them to a cornfield where the woman's remains were found. The suspect, Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, is an undocumented immigrant who authorities believe has been in the area for four to seven years, Rahn said. Charges were filed in the district court in Poweshiek County. Authorities said the suspect followed Tibbetts on July 18 and then abducted her . The autopsy will determine when Tibbetts died and how. Rahn said Tibbetts' digital footprint, which included data from a fitness tracker known as a Fitbit, played a role in solving the case. Tibbetts' father, Rob Tibbetts, when reached earlier Tuesday, had no comment. Mollie Tibbetts, a University of Iowa student, was last seen jogging on July 18 in the small community of Brooklyn, Iowa, about an hour east of Des Moines, according to the Poweshiek County Sheriff's Office. Before she went missing, Tibbetts' brother dropped her off at her boyfriend's house so she could dog-sit, HLN reported. Her family reported her missing after she did not show up for work the next day. Investigators launched an extensive search for Tibbetts across the area, including in ponds, fields and from the air. Rahn said last week that authorities had received more than 1,500 tips and conducted more than 500 interviews in the case. Tibbetts was studying psychology and wanted to get a doctorate and write books, her father said. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada We are a federal body accountable to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. We serve Canadians by delivering high-quality impact assessments that look at both positive and negative environmental, economic, social, and health impacts of potential projects. We contribute to informed decision making on major projects in support of sustainable development in Canada. news, latest-news The French-Australian Preschool in Red Hill has celebrated an important milestone. French Ambassador Christophe Penot on August 7 turned the first sod on a $2.6 million building project the school community has been working towards for years. The project will see two new classrooms constructed, replacing an old demountable building. The front of the existing building will also be extended to provide an office and welcome area for parents. Director Veronique Danjou said the turning of the sod marked the culmination of many years of dedicated planning and fundraising by families, who raised $1.4 million, the remainder being borrrowed. The work should be finished by Christmas. We are very excited about the beautifully designed spaces for our students, families and staff. We are immensely grateful for the efforts of the preschool board and the generosity of our parent community and the wider community,'' she said. Students at the school wore hard hats and high-vis vests for the sod turning ceremony. The French Australian Preschool has been providing bilingual French-English education to Canberra kids since 1973. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/e58b0372-39c9-4687-a6a3-7d1a468f566d/r0_290_1204_970_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Does teaching excite you? How do you like moving into higher echelons of postings in a well secured government job? Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) is in need of 19 faculties, 18 for law and 1 for English. The employment is for the post of Assistant Professor at the Government Law College of Arunachal Pradesh. Applicants must produce proof of a good academic record and selection will be made on the basis of their performance in the interview. The application form can be downloaded from the official website and the fee must be paid through DD. Make A Grand Second Innings In Your Career At The Indian Railways APPSC Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Assistant Professor Organisation Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) Educational Qualification Master's degree in law and English from an Indian university along with completion of UGC NET Experience Desirable Skills Required Communication skills Job Location Arunachal Pradesh Salary Scale INR 15600 to INR 45000 Industry Civil services Application Start Date August 16, 2018 Application End Date September 5, 2018 Maximum Age Limit 37 years Application Fee INR 100 Also Read: Save Lives Through SAIL Recruitment For Doctors How To Apply For APPSC Recruitment 2018 In order to apply for APPSC Recruitment 2018, follow these steps: Step 1: Log on to the APPSC official website. Step 2: On the left-hand side of the home page, under APPLICATION FORM, click on the link that reads, Assistant Professor - Govt Law College. Step 3: The application form will be loaded in a new screen. Save it to your computer and take a printout of it. Step 4: Enter your details in the fields provided. Send the applications to APPSC. APPSC Recruitment 2018 Application Format And Mailing Address Superscribe on the envelope, "Application for the post of Assistant Professor" and send it to: The Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, ltanagar-79111 (AP). Follow the link - http://www.appsc.gov.in/Advt_Asstt_Pro_Law_2018.pdf to read the detailed official notification. Rajasthan Subordinate & Ministerial Services Selection Board (RSMSSB) has released an employment notification calling out aspirants to apply for the post of Nursery Teacher. 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 5 pay matrix. The last date to apply for the government job is Oct 28, 2018. The selection process is through a written exam. Candidates can apply and pay the fees online through the official website from Sep 29, 2018. Also Read: Teachers Day Speech: Sample Speech for Students in English & Hindi RSMSSB Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Nursery Teacher Organisation Rajasthan Subordinate & Ministerial Services Selection Board (RSMSSB) Educational Qualification Class 12 passouts who have completed 2 years of NTT course Experience Freshers can apply Skills Required Communication skills Job Location Rajasthan Salary Scale Level 5 pay matrix Industry Teaching Application Start Date September 29, 2018 Application End Date October 28, 2018 Age Limit 18 to 40 years Application Fee INR 450 Also Read: Teachers Day: 5 Most Fascinating Teachers of India How To Apply For RSMSSB Recruitment 2018 In order to apply for RSMSSB Recruitment 2018, follow these steps: Step 1: Log on to the RSMSSB official website. Step 2: Click on the link that reads, Recruitment Advertisement. Step 3: The list of notifications will be displayeed on the screen. Against the relevant notification click on the link that reads, Apply Online. (The notification with application link will appear only from Sep 29, 2018.) Step 4: The application form will be displayed on the screen. Enter your details in the fields provided. Step 5: Submit the details and complete the application process. Follow the link - http://www.rsmssb.rajasthan.gov.in/Static/files/fullAdv_NTT_21082018.pdf to read the detailed official notification. Meanwhile, the results of the Teachers Recruitment 2018 for elementary education have also been released. Click here to know the results. The Hartford plans to snatch up The Navigators Group in a $2.1 billion cash deal that will boost its specialty insurance and reinsurance offerings while giving it a larger global reach. Plans call for Hartford to pay $70 per share in a transaction that was approved by both companies boards of directors. Navigators shareholders must still approve the deal, and there are other customary closing conditions ahead. The transaction is expected to close in the 2019 first half. The $70 per share offer price represents a multiple of 1.78 times Navigators fully diluted tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2018 and an 18.6 percent premium to the 90-trading-day average stock price. Theres also a go-shop provision designed to give other potential acquirers the opportunity to determine whether they are interested in proposing to acquire Navigators. Under this provision, Navigators will have 30 days to solicit competing acquisition proposals. If the board of directors accepts a competing proposal during the go-shop period that Hartford does not match, the successful competing bidder would pay a termination fee to Hartford. Strategic Plans Realized Christopher Swift, Hartfords chairman and CEO, said that the Navigators deal will help the property/casualty insurer meet its key strategic plans. It expands our product offerings and geographic reach, and adds tenured and proven underwriting and industry talent while strengthening our value proposition to agents and customers, Swift said in prepared remarks. The Hartford will be getting an insurer founded in 1974 with a focus in the global marine, construction and energy industries, plus U.S. excess casualty and surplus lines. Navigators also has a presence in Lloyds, as well as growing underwriting operations in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The bulk of Navigators business involves U.S. Insurance but it also has sizable International Insurance and Global Reinsurance operations. In recent calls with analysts, Swift has said the insurer was prepared to again use its excess capital for an acquisition if a suitable opportunity arose, particularly in commercial lines specialties and verticals where it has already recently done bolt-on transactions, including Maxum excess and surplus, Aetna group and life, and Foremost small business accounts. He said the insurer was interested in targets with up to $2 billion in premium. Navigators matches that target. For full-year 2017, Navigators reported gross written premiums of $1.7 billion and net written premiums of $1.3 billion. Its combined ratio for full-year 2017 was 103.2, the first time since 2011 it failed to come in under 100. Net income was $40.5 million, and net operating earnings were $35.0 million. About 58 percent of its gross written premiums is in the U.S. Its global reinsurance business is largely focused on accident and health. Based in Stamford, Conn., Navigators has 22 U.S. and eight international locations. The company brings with it 820 employees globally who will become part of Hartford upon closing. About 600 Navigators staff members are based in the U.S. and 150 are located in the U.K. Stanley A. Galanski, Navigators president and CEO, said in prepared remarks that the combination will create exciting opportunities to deliver enhanced value to our brokers and policyholders. Enough Cash on Hand The Hartford said it has enough capital to fund the acquisition but will consider alternative sources of capital prior to the closing. It does not intend to issue common equity in connection with the acquisition. For 2020, the insurer expects the acquisition to be accretive to net income by $30-$75 million and to core earnings by $60-$95 million. This includes a contribution from Navigators of $80-$125 million to net income and $110-$145 million to core earnings, offset by a reduction of approximately $50 million in The Hartfords net investment income, after tax, due to the cash used to fund the acquisition. All of these estimates are preliminary and will be updated based on market conditions, business plans, financial results and other developments between now and closing. Plans for The Hartford to acquire Navigators comes as Navigators itself has pursued acquisitions this year and The Hartford was a a possible acquisition target. In June, Navigators completed its acquisition of Belgian specialty insurer Bracht, Deckers & Mackelbert NV, a specialty underwriting agency, and its affiliated insurance company, Assurances Continentales Continentale Verzekeringen NV. Both companies are headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium. Navigators paid 35 million ($41.3 million) in cash for BDM and ASCO. As part of the transaction, Navigators also acquired Canal Re SA, a Luxembourg reinsurance company and a wholly owned subsidiary of ASCO. Earlier this summer, The Hartford was itself the target of speculation that Europes largest insurer, Allianz, was interested in buying it. *Insurance Journal contributed to this story. Sources: The Hartford, The Navigators Group Hurricane Lane has lost some of its punch as it prepares to brush past Hawaii but still threatens to inflict tens of millions of dollars in damages on the islands. The storm weakened to Category 4 hurricane Wednesday the second most powerful on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale with winds of 155 miles (250 kilometers) per hour, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said in a statement at 8 a.m. local time. Its expected to pass southwest of Hawaii on Thursday and Friday, sparing the islands a direct hit. It is not going to be a big insurance event if it stays on track, said Chuck Watson, a disaster modeler at Enki Research in Savannah, Georgia. It will be in the tens of millions of dollars depending on what tree falls on what expensive veranda. Air Travel Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines Group Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., United Continental Holdings Inc. and Alaska Air Group Inc. have issued travel waivers, allowing passengers who have booked trips through the region to change reservations without fees. Carriers are not expecting major disruptions as long as the storm doesnt veer from its current track. Our flight schedule as it currently stands has us getting in before the storm, said Drake Castaneda, a Delta spokesman. Most of them are not on the ground very long. Delta and other airlines are monitoring the storms track, spokesmen said. Hurricanes regularly graze Hawaii, but direct strikes are rare. In 1992, Hurricane Iniki hit the islands, killing at least seven and causing about $1.8 billion in damages, according to a National Weather Service report. While Lane is in the same area, it isnt forecast to follow Inikis track. The storm, about 445 miles southeast of Honolulu, has triggered a hurricane warning for the Big Island, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe. It will get dangerously close to the state from Thursday to Saturday, dropping 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 centimeters) of rain, causing flash floods and landslides, the hurricane center said. The first strong winds should reach the Big Island by Thursday. Lane is on track to collide with another weather system over the next two days that could drag it further west and weaken it with wind shear, Watson said. The storms gusts could weaken to 100 mph, or Category 2 strength, by Friday. It could be a tropical storm within 72 hours. It should really rip up the storm, Watson said. A lot is going to depend on that turn and the shear developing as forecast. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Photo: The Canadian Press Nicholas Butcher arrives at provincial court in Halifax in April. The step father of a Montreal-born businesswoman and yoga instructor has denounced the "misogyny and entitlement" of the Halifax man who was ordered Wednesday to serve at least 15 years in prison for her murder. Nicholas Butcher stabbed 32-year-old Kristin Johnston to death inside her Halifax-area home on March 26, 2016, and was convicted of second-degree murder in April. The conviction carries an automatic life sentence, but Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Joshua Arnold ruled Wednesday that Butcher would be able to apply for parole after serving 15 years, less 880 days for time served. Tom Bourne, Johnston's step father, told reporters afterwards he was always taught to forgive people. "But what I have to forgive here with respect to this is pretty significant," said Bourne outside of the courtroom. "I have to forgive the stabbing death of Kristin; the misogyny and entitlement, cruelty and objectification of Krissy; his 10 hours of stalking behaviours and his controlling behaviours; his invasion of her privacy; his refusal to desist in his actions despite the advice of a friend." Bourne said his natural instinct would be to "do to him what he did to her," but that he has to try and move past that feeling. "I can only speak for myself here, but if I don't manage to forgive him, I'm going to be pretty twisted and beaten up forever," he said. Bourne said Johnston's death has caused "misery" and "suffering" to her mother, her father, her siblings, and so many others. "What was particularly hard to deal with was the trashing of Krissy's reputation during the trial," said Bourne, likely referring to how Butcher claimed he was acting in self defence when he stabbed Johnston. "Not content with killing her, he proceeded to try and kill her reputation." Arnold recounted the harrowing details of the murder Wednesday as Butcher, wearing a dark suit and glasses, sat emotionless at his lawyer's bench. He described how Butcher read Johnston's Facebook messages and twice showed up unannounced to an apartment where Johnston was hanging out with friends, the second time finding her becoming intimate with someone. Butcher then demanded she return home with him. "Shortly after they arrived (home), Kristin Johnston changed her clothes and was lying in bed at her most vulnerable. Mr. Butcher then murdered Ms. Johnston. He put a pillow over her face and stabbed, slashed and cut her in the neck 10 times," said Arnold. "Mr. Butcher then attempted suicide by cutting his own arm with a knife and a razor lying next to Ms. Johnston in bed. When this did not work, he stabbed himself in the neck 13 times. When this did not work, Mr. Butcher retrieved a mitre saw from storage in the basement, brought it to the bedroom, and then cut his own arm off." The jury heard that Butcher's right hand had been surgically reattached. Ecebol expected to meet 25-30% of Bolivian demand 22 August 2018 Empresa Publica Productiva Cementos de Bolivia (Ecebol) is expected to meet 25-30 per cent of the country's cement demand from production at its Oruro and Potosi facilities once operational. The producer has been forecasted to sell 3m bags of cement during the 1H19 period, according to Esmerk. Ecebol is expected to launch on the market once the Oruro plant begins operations, with tests at the facility due to start at the end of this month. In 2019 production at the facility is likely to reach 80 per cent of full capacity. However, the Potosi factory will not come online until 2020. Published under Hanson UK starts graduate recruitment drive 22 August 2018 Hanson UK is looking to recruit graduates of science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by offering starting salaries of GBP25,000 (US$32,190) rising to GBP50,000 in five years under a structured graduate trainee programme. The cement company aims to challenge new recruits by teaching them different areas of the business over a period of two to three years. Graduates could enjoy working in Germany at Hanson's parent company HeidelbergCement as well at plants in the UK, including, Ketton, Rutland, Robblesdale and Clitheroe. Hanson UK is currently investing GBP20m at its Padeswood plant, which employs 96 people, by adding a new vertical roller mill which is being commissioined in early 2019. Published under New dry port to repurpose Himal Cement land 22 August 2018 Part of the land formerly occupied by the now closed Himal Cement plant in Nepal has been purchased as part of a new government development to build a dry port in Chobhar. A government agency called the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) has awarded contracts for the new US$22m development that will be completed by the end of January 2020. The government acquired 53ha of land belonging to the closed Himal Cement and 10ha of unoccupied land for the project. The development is already behind schedule as it took a long time to transfer the landownership to the Ministry of Industry. The Department of Forest had handed over portions of Himal Cement property that had been covered in forest to the community forest and locals had encroached on the land since the closure of the factory. Published under Chinese President Xi Jinping is to chair the 2018 Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which is scheduled for Sept. 3-4 in Beijing. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang made the announcement Monday, noting that Xi would also hold relevant activities on the sidelines of the summit. The summit will be themed China and Africa: toward an even stronger community with a shared future through win-win cooperation. Leaders of FOCAC members are invited to attend the summit, and representatives of related regional organizations in Africa and international organizations will also participate in relevant activities. King Mohammed VI of Morocco stressed the need for a new strategy to promote youth employment by putting young people at the heart of the new development model. In a speech on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People, the Monarch reveals a practical road map to solve the problem of youth unemployment and the reform of education, and he called for an integrated youth strategy , stressing that special consideration be given to finding the most effective means to improve young peoples circumstances. The king deplored that despite the overall economic growth one in four youths remain unemployed. The figures are even more disturbing in urban areas. In this regards, the King reiterated the need for revamping the educational system, which has been producing unemployed people especially in certain branches of study, where graduates as everyone knows find it extremely hard to access the job market. Such a waste of public resources, he said, hinders Moroccos development and affects the living conditions of many Moroccans. The King also called for addressing the issue of brain drain and called for offering attractive incentives as well as the appropriate inducements to encourage qualified people to settle in Morocco. In light of the above, the king also stressed the need for a review of public mechanisms for youth employment and decided that a national meeting on employment and training should be convened before the end of the year. The meeting is meant to make practical decisions, devise new solutions, launch initiatives and chart a specific roadmap to improve the employment situation. Equally, he called for giving priority to specialties, which create jobs, and to develop an effective means of giving students career guidance to help them choose between academic studies and vocational training, depending on their abilities and personal preference. The Monarch stressed that a thorough review of vocational training programs is urgently needed to align them with the needs of businesses and the public sector, and to make sure they are adapted to changes in industry and trades in general, thereby increasing the chances of graduates to access professional life. Further attention therefore needs to be given to vocational training at all levels, and to creating a new generation of centers for the vocational training of young people, keeping in mind current needs as well as the particularities and expectations of each region, he insisted. The informal sector was also an area to which the King pointed out as necessitating integration in the formal economy by providing proper, motivating training to people involved in the informal sector, as well as social security and assistance for self-employment and business creation. Calling the Government to give incentives to young people to set up small and medium-sized enterprises in their fields of competence, in addition to promoting self-employment and the creation of socially responsible businesses, the Monarch stressed the need for establishing a compulsory three-to-six month foreign language course at each training institution and include foreign language learning at all levels of education, especially in technical and scientific branches. We must give our young people what they need in the areas of education, employment, health and so on. More importantly, we must enhance their confidence and give them hope in the future, said the King, underlining that he has always regarded young people as the countrys true wealth. Here are some ways to celebrate Halloween around Pueblo news The South China Morning Post has reported that a Chinese drug company produced nearly 500,000 substandard vaccines for babies, roughly double an earlier estimate by authorities investigating a safety scandal. Chinas drug regulator in July accused Changchun Changsheng Bio-technology of selling 252,600 doses of ineffective DPT vaccines to inoculate children against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus. Further investigations found that the company had produced an additional substandard batch of DPT vaccines, raising the total to 499,800 doses, says thereport. The vaccine maker in question, Changchun Changsheng Bio-technology, after an official investigation, wasalso found to have been forging production data for more than four years. An investigation team, set up by the Chinese government had found that the vaccine maker had mixed some batches of its rabies vaccines with expired products and had not recorded incorrect dates or batch numbers and kept improper records since April 2014. It had also made about 252,600 ineffective vaccines for diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus that were given to hundreds of thousands of babies some as young as three months old. Reports say China has already begun a recall on the faulty batches, it had even notified countries that imported the questionable vaccines. It was reported that India had even banned importation of rabies vaccine from the company, owing to the scandal.Dozens of parents who said their children had been affected by theshots protested outside the National Health Commission in Beijing last week, asking for compensation for their childrens medical bills and access to quality vaccines. China's President Xi Jinping decried the situation, assuring a thorough investigation on the matter, but that seems to be medicine after death as some parents say they have no more faith in the system. In addition, Naturalnews.com reports that the government of China is currently being criticized for being more concerned about saving face than making things right with the children who were subjected to the faulty vaccines. Quoting Yanzhong Huang writing for the Nikkei Asian Review, it says: 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. The state media has been accused of not putting priority in the reportage of the issue, rather they accuse groups of blowing the issue out of proportion and the government has also reportedly banned coverage of the vaccines. Scmp.com reports that Fu King-wa, an assistant professor who heads a project, monitoring censorship on Weibo (Chinas version of twitter), reports that the rate at which posts related to the scandal were being screened peaked on Sunday. For every 10,000 posts made across the 120,000 accounts monitored, an average of 63 were blocked, he said. One post that was removed by the censors said: People from the drug and vaccine regulator should resign immediately, this is shameful! China is currently being used as a testing ground for police state censorship technology, says Mike Adams, a writer for Naturalnews.com. Top tech companies are working diligently with China to steal the elections and destroy the United States of America. When this technology is perfected, companies such as Apple, Google, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, intend to put it to use in America. The article suggests that the censorship purge now being witnessed in America is a communist China blueprint thats being deployed against the American people as part of a literal information warfare (infowar) chapter of an escalating world war on freedom and liberty. China has long censored what people can read and view online within their borders, now it has been noticed that the country is trying to move beyond this to also try to censor what people and companies from other countries are saying about it online. China uses the Great Firewall to exert digital control, this technology enables the government to limit what people can see online. Lately they have also begun to broaden their censorship efforts by attempting to monitor what its citizens are saying on non-Chinese applications. China would occasionally pressure companies like Google and Facebook, both blocked in China, to delete particular content that do not meet their censorship requirements. Sometimes it would also push social media users themselves to inspire self-censorship. It can be recalled that The New York Times had earlier in March, shared the story of Mr. Zhang Guanghongwho was one of the first known cases of the Chinese government monitoring speech in non-Chinese sites. Mr. Zhang, a Chinese human rights activist, decided last fall to share an article with a group of friends in and outside China that criticized Chinas president. In doing this, he used WhatsApp, an American app used by almost no one in China. Months later, Mr. Zhang was detained in China; to be charged with insulting Chinas government and the Communist Party. The evidence, according to his lawyer, included printouts of what Mr. Zhang shared and said in the WhatsApp group. China tech experts said the information on Mr. Zhang bust have been obtained wither by hacking his phone or through a spy in the group chat. Tech companies do not wat to displease the Chinese government as most of these companies would want to tap into Chinas huge internet market which holds over 700 million people. These companies seek to please the communist government by bending the rules however China sees fit, refusing to get the American involved lest it turns into a political war where the companies stand to gain nothing. Facebook created a censorship tool it did not use and released an app in the country without putting its name to it. Apple is moving data storage for its Chinese customers into China and last year took down software that skirts Chinas internet blocks from its China App Store. Google recently said it would open a new artificial intelligence lab in the country. Reports Sim Chi Yin, writer for the New York Times. Who Can We Trust? Christian Examiner Contributor | 21 August, 2018 by Bob Williamson I was appalled recently to learn that the state of Pennsylvania has investigated and found over 1000 children, mainly boys, that have been sexually abused by Catholic priests. 300 priests have been implicated, but many have either grown old and died, or the statute of limitations has run out and they can no longer be prosecuted for their crimes. Keep in mind this is but one state. The evidence compiled came from the Catholic church's own records. Years of protection and coverups have been afforded through Bishops and other higher ups and most pedophile priests have escaped any punishment for their crimes. These findings would seem to indicate that a portion of the church has become one of the largest pedophile organizations in the world. Ugh.... Why don't they do something about it? I wonder what is wrong with this religious institution. This issue does not go away and is I believe far more widespread than anyone can imagine. The Pennsylvania investigators said they were concerned that the 1000-plus victims they have identified are but a small representation of how many children were molested. I had high hopes that Pope Francis would lead the way in reforms for the Catholic church; however, he seems to be sinking in a quagmire of a pedophile swamp. He has stirred controversy with a litany of progressive-style ideas on migration and climate issues, and in other contentious areas, but has made little progress in removing the pedophile cancer that blights the institution that he leads. What are his priorities? I've known a few Catholic priests, and they seem to be Godly men, for the most part. They must remain celibate as part of their vows, and therein lies a big problem for many of them. I would like to know what percentage of those who enter the priesthood did so entirely for the purpose of having a steady supply of young altar boys to molest. I would prefer to think that most of these men simply fell to the temptation of pedophilia after becoming priests. Interestingly, Pope Francis is set to change the wording of the world's most famous prayer, the Lord's prayer, by the end of this year, with the world-famous line "lead us not unto temptation" being altered to "do not let us enter into temptation." The Pope explained why he supported the change in an interview last year, stating that the prayer currently suggests that the Lord might actually lead us into sin. He said: "I'm the one who falls. But it's not (God) who pushes me into temptation to see how I fall. No, a father does not do this. A father helps us up immediately." "It's Satan who leads us into temptation, that's his department." How discouraging it must be for people all over the world, especially the 1.2 billion members of that church, to see his emphasis on issues like this, when there is so much more important work to be done. I read just this morning where China is on a rampage against Christians. They are tearing down posters of Jesus and replacing them with photos of Chairman Xi. Children are not allowed to attend church and members are being heavily persecuted as pariahs of that society. Ironically, like the Catholic church, China has a population of 1.2 billion people. Barna conducted a huge survey a couple of years ago that asked what were the five most important things to pastors. The results were: Attendance Giving Number of staff Number of square feet in their facilities Number of programs Aren't most of these answers related to ego, power, and personal recognition? Are these leaders serving God or themselves? How can the Gospel be effectively preached with attitudes like this being so prevalent? Whatever became of evangelism, discipleship, missionary work, helping those less fortunate, and prayer? Is it so puzzling to understand why the church is shrinking? Many church leaders are serving God and love Jesus with all their hearts. What a shame their good reputations are maligned by those who serve their own lusts and desires. Make no mistake thougha church leaders are no different than the rest of us when it comes to temptation. There are consequences for yielding to sin, be it sexual sin, or corruption, or vanity, lying, or whatever. Gal. 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. Renowned businessman and serial entrepreneur, Bob Williamson, has achieved national acclaim for his business acumen and philanthropic efforts. All told, Williamson has founded over 20 successful businesses. His largest business accomplishment to date was the establishment of one of the most successful food service technology companies in the United States, Horizon Software International; a company that he sold in 2008 for $75 million that revolutionized the institutionalized food service market with its innovative software. His last business venture was the development of $40 million Honey Lake Resort and Spa that was built on his 4800 acre quail hunting plantation near Tallahassee, Florida in 2010. NAIROBI, Kenya, August 22, 2018 (Morning Star News) A church outside Kampala, capital of Uganda, has closed after months of area Muslims pelting its gatherings with rocks, sources said. The final blow came on Aug. 4, when a stone thrown through a window struck Pastor Moreen Sanyu of Greater Love Church in Namasuba Para Zone, Wakiso District, and knocked her unconscious, sources said. Pastor Sanyu said she was preaching when the stone smashed through the window pane and struck her on the forehead. I fell down and became unconscious, she told Morning Star News. When I woke up, there were only a few members who surrounded me the rest of the church members had fled in different directions. She was rushed to a hospital in Namasuba, where she was treated for two days before being discharged. The next Sunday, Aug. 11, no one came to the worship service, she said. The church had grown quickly after beginning on May 4, 2017 in a predominantly Muslim area, swelling to 400 people at one point, she said. Islamist stone attacks had reduced attendance at worship services to 150 by the end of July, before worshippers stopped coming after the Aug. 4 attack out of fear for their lives. I am not ready to lose my life by attending the church, one church member who requested anonymity told Morning Star News. Area Muslims had made strident complaints to the area chief about Muslims leaving Islam to join the church congregation, a sheikh (Islamic teacher) told Morning Star News. We cannot watch our children joining infidels church, said the sheikh, who requested anonymity. The pastor has no respect for other peoples religion, especially our innocent and immature children in Islamic faith. In furious tones, he said local Muslims will not allow the church to operate. We have not persuaded the Christians to join our faith, hence why should the church keep on stealing our members? he said. Asked to respond, Pastor Sanyu told Morning Star News by phone that she did not target children. I just shared the gospel of Christ and his love for humanity with my Muslim neighbors, and they freely accepted the Christian faith, especially when many sick people that I prayed for got healed, she said. I did not persuade them nor steal them to join my church. Seeing no possibility of continuing church services in the area, she said that she is concerned about the fate of the church members. I need prayers and material support to relocate to another area at this trying moment, lest I lose all my members, and therefore I will have labored in vain for the kingdom of God, she said. Muslims threw stones at the church building for months, cutting short programs and evening Bible studies, she said. The throwing of stones broke glass windows and destroyed a solar panel, and as well as there was the uttering of abusive and threatening words to me and my church members, Pastor Sanyu said. Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Ugandas population. 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/ ? Police found what they believe to be the body of Mollie Tibbetts, the 20-year-old college student who went missing in July. The body was found in a field southeast of Brooklyn, Iowa. The identity has not been confirmed, however, we believe it to be the body of Mollie Tibbetts, said Rick Rahn, a special agent of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. A 24-year-old undocumented immigrant has been charged with first-degree murder in the case. He has been identified as Cristhian Bahena Rivera. He lives in rural Poweshiek County. According to The New York Times, Rivera was from Mexico. You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly from Mexico, and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman, said President Donald Trump. It shouldve never happened. Illegally in our country. Weve had a huge impact, but the laws are so bad, the immigration laws are such a disgrace. Tibbetts went missing on July 18 after going for a run. Police have not released the cause of death. An autopsy is set for Wednesday. Police later reviewed security video footage that showed Riveras car. The video also shows Tibbets running near Boundary and Middle Streets when a dark-colored Chevy Malibu appears and drives back and forth. Rivera told police he pursued a woman running in the area and then parked his car and ran behind her and beside her. He then said she told him she was going to call the police. Rivera said he panicked and he has blocked his memory of what happened next. He said he found himself driving and noticed an ear piece from headphones in his lap and remembered he put the woman in the trunk. He took her body out and left her in the cornfield. Later, he showed police where he left the body. Photo courtesy: Pexels/Pixabay Recently, the magnitude of sexual assault and harassment in all areas of our society has become evident through movements like #MeToo, #ChurchToo, #TimesUp, and #SilenceIsNotSpiritual, which have brought awareness to a previously hidden sad reality in our midst. In what ways have complementarian or egalitarian positions influenced this situation? Why is sexual harassment too common in churches and among Christians? Recently, stories from prominent complementarian and egalitarian contexts show neither position is completely safe from discriminating against women. We all can do better. Regardless of our culture, background, and gender, all human beings are essentially and ontologically the same. We all are created in the image of God. As bearers of Gods image, we all share the same value and dignity. We are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14). The imago Dei defines our essence as human beings. Our gender and cultural, personal, and experiential variables are secondary and not essential. They are important, but not fundamental. Nevertheless, our gender is foundational to our existence. God created human beings in his image as male and female, and they complement each other (Gen. 1:27). Both genders are called to rule the earth as Gods representatives and were created to be in relationship with each other and with all human beings. Each gender is fully human, but both genders are needed to represent the completeness of humanity. Males and females are both the same in essence as fully human beings, but at the same time they are different. So, it becomes imperative to clarify if these gender differences have implications for church ministry. Intriguingly, the discussion tends to focus primarily on women and their roles and traditionally assumes men can lead and have authority over others regardless of their gender. Quintessential questions related to gender in church ministry are usually expressed in the following way: What can women do in ministry? Should a woman hold an office such as elder, bishop, or deaconess? Should women be ordained? Should women lead men? What do submission and headship mean? The answers we give to these questions for community life, marriage, and Christian ministry represent our theological framework for gender. A Spectrum of Views Believers who affirm the authority of Gods Word for matters of faith and practice differ in their understanding of gender roles, specifically in marriage and church ministry. The two main categories representing the different positions are conventionally called complementarian and egalitarian. Complementarians believe that men and women have different roles and responsibilities, thus, they complement each other. Egalitarians believe that men and women have equal roles and responsibilities regardless of gender differences. The basic point of disagreement is whether one gender (male) has the intrinsic authority of hierarchy over the other (female) in marriage and church ministry. Complementarians believe that Genesis 1 and 2 establishes the foundation for the different roles and responsibilities of men and women. The creation account teaches male headship in marriage, a relationship instituted by God in which a man and a woman complement each other. 1 Corinthians 11:3-10 teaches that the relative position of men and women is similar to the hierarchical structure within the Godhead. 1 Corinthians 14:3435 and 1 Timothy 2:815 forbid women to teach or exercise authority over men in the local church. Ephesians 5:22 and 1 Peter 3:1 exhort wives to submit to their husbands. Therefore, a husband should have the final authority in his home and men should have the final authority in the local church. Article continues below Egalitarians believe that the creation account establishes the foundation for equal partnership of men and women in the world and in ministry. In marriage, a woman serves God with her husband in a relationship of equality and mutuality. Ephesians 5:21 calls all believers to submit to one another as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. In spite of the patriarchal cultural context, there are multiple examples of women serving God in leadership situations in the Bible. Jesus, by his teachings and actions, affirmed the worth and value of women as equals to men. In the New Testament, there are also various examples of women prophesying, teaching, and serving the Lord alongside men. In fact, Galatians 3:28 clearly teaches that in Christ there are no longer gender distinctions and that both male and female are equals. Passages that seem to indicate that men should have authority over women are to be interpreted in their specific cultural context and do not apply to the modern times. Sandra Glahn, a Dallas Theological Seminary professor, has identified seven different views of believers who affirm the inerrancy of the Scriptures. These categories are helpful because they represent the spectrum of positions beyond the basic categories of complementarian and egalitarian. Not all egalitarians would identify as feminists and not all complementarians would call themselves extreme traditionalists or patriarchal. Therefore, although not perfect, this outline provides a useful description of possibilities within the broad main positions. Glahn divides the different gender views in the following way: 1. Traditionalists. I am personally not sure if this should be the right term, but this group believes that women are ontologically inferior to men in some ways and, consequently, men should have preference and more authority than women. This position was popular in history including some key church fathers and theologians like Tertullian, Augustine, Aquinas, and John Knox. 2. Complementarians who believe that male headship or authority applies over all women. 3. Complementarians who believe that male headship or authority over women applies in the home and church, but not necessarily in other institutions or in society in general. 4. Complementarians who believe that male headship or authority only applies between a husband and his wife. 5. Complementarians who believe that head (rather than headship) is a scriptural metaphor, not a leadership description. Therefore, the husband still has authority over his wife, but in a more organic way. 6. Some complementarians and egalitarians do not believe in hierarchy but in voluntary submission of the wife. They believe the husband is the head of his wife and not the head over his wife because authority is not a synonym of or definition for head. 7. Egalitarians who believe that mutual submission is the ideal in marriage and that there are no limits for women in church ministry. Both complementarians and egalitarians attempt to base their perspectives on the Bible. We all have an opinion, but as followers of Christ we live under the authority of the Word of God and we are called to obey Christ and his commandments. As believers, we all have blind spots and we need the body of Christ to help us grow in our faith under the lordship of Christ and the guidance of the Scriptures. Both groups have a desire to be biblical, which is something to be commended. I appreciate the common agreement between complementarians and egalitarians about the intrinsic value of men and women. Both groups start with the premise that both genders have the same dignity, although they differ on their roles and responsibilities. In the same way, I appreciate the importance they give to marriage and to church ministry. Both groups believe that the biblical model for men and women at church should generally look like the Christian model at home between a husband and a wife. Article continues below Weaknesses on Both Sides Theological or ministry positions are not inerrant and I find unsatisfying the traditional complementarian and egalitarian positions in four areas: First, when each side encounters problematic passages that seem to contradict their position, they endeavor to fit those passages into their position. Rather than trying to force the biblical meaning of a passage to accommodate our perspectives, we need to live with the tension of possible different interpretations. Second, both sides attempt to establish important doctrinal positions with great ministry implications based on difficult passages. Third, complementarians and egalitarians both seem to have a limited perspective on the deep ways in which culture affects our biblical interpretation. Both positions do interact with the cultural context of biblical passages, but at times it seems they do it to merely justify their positions. In the biblical world, relationships are the foundation for rules and regulations and not vice versa as in the West. Therefore, as the outstanding book Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes explains in the chapter First Things First: Rules and relationships, in the ancient world they did not expect that all rules apply to all people all the time and they were comfortable with the tension that modern Western scholars struggle to reconcile with some biblical passages regarding gender. Fourth, there seems to be a mainly Western and modern perspective that dominates the positions perspectives. Their main proponents are Western, mainly from the United States, and they miss the richness of the body of Christ worldwide. However, in some contexts, the perspectives about what constitutes authority, family, and the workplace are not as clear as in our Western context. In the same way, in countries where Christians are the minority, the limitations on womens participation in church ministry are not as relevant as they are in our Western context. Theology is always practical. Theological perspectives have implications and consequences for life and ministry. When theological positions, like those on gender, relate to the core of our humanity, the repercussions are relevant and with major impact. Therefore, sometimes it seems that complementarians and egalitarians disagree with each other at the level of theory, but in reality, these disagreements shape the lives of many men and women who desire to honor the Lord and live according to the standards of the Scriptures. Questions Worth Asking Many have noticed that while women often read male authors, men rarely read female authors. Are women considered women first before they are considered human? Further, men often speak as generic humans, but can women only speak as women? Are both complementarian and egalitarian perspectives guilty of overemphasizing gender? Does the focus primarily on women affect the way they are perceived and treated not as human beings, but as women? Complementarians and egalitarians must continually ask themselves about the implications of their perspectives. Are their positions pertinent to all believers at all times? Biblical principles should be universal and not only applicable to a specific time and cultural context. Bible teacher Beth Moore wrote a poignant article describing her experience with discrimination because of her gender. In this letter, she asks male Christian leaders not to tolerate misogyny and dismissiveness toward women. Within hours, Thabiti Anyabwile, a well-known pastor, wrote a letter of apology to Beth Moore and his sisters in Christ for subtly promoting this discrimination in his life and ministry. Article continues below These beautiful letters accurately describe the need for Christian leaders to better teach and model gender issues according to Gods design and not cultural or personal preferences. Similarities in Difference Gender is Gods idea and it is good. I believe it becomes imperative that we start the gender discussion establishing the similarities between men and women. Genesis 1:2628 and Ephesians 5:2133 are extremely helpful for understanding gender differences. In Genesis 1, God defines the foundation and purpose of all human beings, both males and females, as having dominion over the earth and its creatures as Gods representatives. This Original Commission is the foundation for understanding the Great Commission in Matthew 28 in which both men and women are called to make disciples of all nations and to teach them to obey Christs commandments. With this commission to all humanity as a basis, Paul in Ephesians 5 establishes and defines the roles and responsibilities of husbands and wives in the context of marriage. This gives us some hint of the way men and women may differ, but Pauls focus is on Christ and the church. Paul is insistent that in all relationships, Christ must be the center and the model for all interactions. The Bible also calls all believers to teach and admonish one another regardless of their gender (Col. 3:16). The image of the body of Christ does not make distinction between male and female. Men and women are coheirs and children of God with the same value and giftedness. I personally believe that though women are free to use all of their giftedness in teaching and leading in the church, the role of elder seems biblically to be relegated to men. However, this perspective must give room for exceptions. Perhaps, one of the main struggles in the gender debate is that men tend to be insecure and are fearful of inviting women to church leadership. This Fathom article from a complementarian pastors wife argues that Christian leaders who support this perspective can do a better job protecting women from all forms of abuse. I think the gender discussion between complementarians and egalitarians is important, but secondary to foundational Christian doctrine. Christ is the center, not gender. He is sovereign over his church and also is sovereign over marriage and family. He is the Lord of the universe, and we must live under his lordship. We are also called to place other peoples interests before ours and to imitate Christs example (Phil. 2). The Holy Spirit, by Gods grace, produces the fruit that empowers us to live sacrificially for God and others. With this in mind, whether complementarian or egalitarian, perhaps we might ponder the challenging words of pastor Carlos A. Rodriguez (@HappySonship): Dear Church, Jesus protected women. Empowered women. Honored women publicly. Released the voice of women. Confided in women. Was funded by women. Celebrated women by name. Learned from women. Respected women. And spoke of women as examples to follow. Your turn. Octavio Javier Esqueda is professor of Christian higher education in the doctoral programs in educational studies at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He has several publications on Christian higher education, theological education, and the Spanish Reformation. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11.19 "there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized" Unity in Christ is important (Galatians 3.28) and special (Psalm 133). "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." (Romans 12.18) And yet our pursuit of peace and unity must never come at the expense of holiness (Hebrews 12.14) that 'set apart' mentality and morality that distinguishes those who are for Christ from those who are in action if not in word anti-Christ. There have been, are, and will be occasions when God desires division and when splits and schisms are truly sanctified occurrences. The Apostle Paul warns the church in Rome: "...watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. " (Romans 16:17-18) Paul calls for division from those who cause division primarily through their separation of from Biblical orthodoxy. Elsewhere Jude warns that Christians contending for the faith will face opposition from "scoffers, following their own ungodly passions. It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit." (Jude 18) Christians and churches are increasingly faced with a choice. Unite in error or divide over truth. While easy to unite in error, churches who do this displease God and fail to truly help this confused sin-sick world, losing their role as a lampstand for Christ and ensuring their condemnation. Dividing over truth, while messy, sad, and damaging comes having exhausted all options for unity in truth and with the promise of protection and preservation given to all who remain faithful to Christ. Consider the example of St Thomas' in Edinburgh, Scotland one of the largest churches in Edinburgh. St Thomas' has been a part of the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) but has now voted to leave that wing of the Anglican Communion. The reason? The SEC has recently decided to become the first Anglican body in the UK to officially endorse same-sex marriage. St. Thomas' is not alone in their departure. While separation from the SEC has not occurred en-masse several other churches have left or are considering leaving. David McCarthy, Rector at St Thomas' has said the decision was "very painful". St Thomas' decision does not come from an unhealthy sadistic craving for schism. McCarthy says, "We have not done it easily. We have had many tears and many sleepless nights. It is a tragic necessity." McCarthy is right. St Thomas' and others' separation from the SEC is divinely inspired and is the only option for the sake of their own standing before God. As Rev. McCarthy notes "it is the Episcopal Church who are leaving us. They are leaving orthodoxy." What can be defined as 'orthodoxy' in the Christian faith has been set and established. God's created plan, pattern, and purpose for marriage as between one man and one woman for life is inarguable. The Bible's millennia old teaching has not shifted with recent trends. Indeed the Scriptures recognize mankind's propensity to ignorance and instability and resulting attempts to twist its teaching (2 Peter 3.16), departing from orthodoxy "by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons" (1 Timothy 4.1). What then? St. Thomas' and other churches' amputation of the gangrenous SEC must be seen as sad, but life-saving. Sad, because the SEC has forsaken its first love and adulterously embraced the world's heterodox prostitution. Sad because in succumbing to society's sexy come hither, the SEC has irreversibly infected itself in such a way as to ensure its being cut off from God's Kingdom. Life-saving because in separating themselves, St. Thomas' and others have indicated their desire to continue serving and obey God and His way. The schism occurring within Anglicanism over same-sex marriage will and indeed must continue for holiness to be kept. For those who in pain are separating themselves from their wayward association, be encouraged and remember 'We must obey God rather than man' (Acts 5.29). For those still floundering in the increasingly murky depths of church networks embracing apostasy there is one call; in the words of the Apostle Peter on Pentecost "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment It's time to take seriously Simon Peter's Holy Spirit-given words: "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) It's time to understand that the Revelation is not a comic book. It is the "Apocalypse," the lifting of the veil between the material and spiritual dimensions so we can see what is really going on in the chaos that was once a cosmos. Behind the veil we learn that there is "war in heaven," but the forces of the evil one are not powerful enough to defeat the angelic armies led by the archangel, Michael. Thus the "great dragon" has been "thrown down to the earth," his fallen angels with him. (Revelation 12) The evidences of the battle have been seen across history. There are levels of evil so incomprehensible that even skeptics wonder at the source. Herod's slaughter of the infants and the continuing infanticide of a sex-without-consequences culture... the enslavement that turnedand still doeshumans into chattel through slavery, the modern form in the "civilized" West being sex trafficking... the atrocities of the Holocaust, and the horrors of those now who use creative skills to bring new levels of suffering... a world of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Un... But now we know that the adversary has been working subtly, below the radar sweep of these big targets. Exposed are preachers whose Sunday gatherings and conferences were packed with believing, expectant people. We grieve as we learn of priests in the hundreds who consecrate the sacraments, but who we know now to be themselves unconsecrated in lifestyle and behavior. We learn that they are sexual adventurers and exploiters who make a mockery of all they profess to be in the dark spirit of the worst of the Renaissance curia. Centuries ago, Ezekiel was sitting with the elders of Judah when the Lord pulled back the curtain so he could see what was going on in the inner sancta of the Temple. "Go in and see the wicked abominations they are committing here," said God to his prophet, speaking of Temple leaders. Ezekiel saw seventy elders engaged in abominations in the dark chambers. (Ezekiel 8) Have we come to this? Are we living in an era of the fulfillment of abominations in the temple of God? What has happened should not surprise us. The two primary targets of the powers of darkness are the Home and the Church. These are at the core of societal stability because they are the major institutions for the ministry of the Kingdom of God and its cosmos-order of righteousness-justice, peace, and joy in the hell-twisted world. (Romans 14:17) No wonder there is an all-out assault on fathers in the family and in the church. We look at the landscape littered with the wreckage of ministers and their ministries, be they Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Evangelical, Charismaticwhateverand we ask: How could it happen? As an 18-year old college student I asked that about the evangelist who led me to Christ four years earlier, and then, later, was headlined for his marital infidelity. The wise professor to whom I addressed the question answered simply: "It happened because he believed it could not happen to him." Satan relishes our hubris. Whether we hold the sacramental chalice or the souls of a congregation, the beginning of destruction lies in the hubristic heart. The Apostle Paul tells us how it works: "Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down on your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27) The target within us is our spirit, but the enemy launches his assault on the soul, the seat of thought, emotion, and volition. Anger is but one example of how he is able to establish a beachhead within us. Galatians 5 lists more ground in our souls vulnerable to demonic assault: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, and carousing. (Galatians 5:19-21) Hubris blinds us to the possibilities of our personal corruption, and we forget that we each have particular temptations that will easily "beset" us. (Hebrews 12:1) We need the humility of acknowledging to the Lord and ourselves where we are the most vulnerable. We must not outrun the holy angels assigned to minister to us by going where they will not accompany us. (Hebrews 1:14) It's time to go on high alert. Wallace Henley is senior associate pastor at Houston's Second Baptist Church, and Chair of Belhaven University's Master of Ministry Leadership degree. He is a former White House and Congressional aide, and co-author of "God and Churchill", with Winston Churchill's great-grandson, Jonathan Sandys. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The left frequently resorts to the legal system to shut down conservatives, since the courts are dominated by the left. One way they do so is to file a groundless lawsuit known as a SLAPP, a strategic lawsuit against public participation. It's to shut down some type of free speech and usually takes the form of a defamation claim. The plaintiffs don't expect to win. Instead, the lawsuit is meant to intimidate and overwhelm a victim with costly litigation that can last years. Discovery alone can cost thousands of dollars. The average activist, journalist or blogger doesn't make a big salary so they're easy targets. The smackdown also has a chilling effect on others who might be considering the same type of speech or speaking up to defend a victim. Judges aren't able to discern at the beginning of one of these lawsuits that they are groundless. As a result, state legislatures around the country have started passing anti-SLAPP legislation. There are now 28 states with anti-SLAPP laws. They generally permit a victim to ask the court to dismiss one of these lawsuits early on. Penalties include awarding attorneys fees against the plaintiff. One of the most notorious instigators of SLAPP lawsuits is Brett Kimberlin. He is a left-wing activist who was convicted of perpetrating the 1978 Speedway bombings. But when conservative bloggers mentioned his past in their articles, he came after them with lawsuits. He warned one conservative blogger, "I have filed over a hundred lawsuits and another one will be no sweat for me. On the other hand, it will cost you a lot of time and money and for what." That blogger, Patrick Frey, was fortunate enough to find pro bono counsel to represent him against the groundless lawsuit. But it took six years to wind down. A fairly recent SLAPP lawsuit involved the "Clock Boy." Ahmed Mohamed brought a clock to high school that looked like a bomb. A teacher referred him to school administrators, and he was briefly arrested. His family claimed that it was discrimination because he was a Muslim. Several conservative pundits discussed the case in the media, some labeling it a hoax. The father of Mohamed filed a lawsuit against them. The case was eventually dismissed. David Yerushalmi, senior counsel at American Freedom Law Center, which represented one of the defendants, said it was "Islamist warfare," using lawsuits to label as "Islamophobic" any "public criticism of a sharia-centric, jihad-driven Islam." In February, a professor who sued a conservative leaning scientific publication for defamation withdrew his $10 million lawsuit. Stanford University professor Mark Jacobson sued the National Academy of Sciences and Christopher Clack, an author who co-wrote a piece critical of Jacobsen. Jacobsen had suggested in a co-authored paper that renewable energy sources alone could power the U.S. by 2050. Clack wrote in in his critique, "We find that their analysis involves errors, inappropriate methods, and implausible assumptions." Jacobsen admitted after withdrawing his lawsuit, "It should never have gone to court in the first place. I was expecting them to settle." These lawsuits strike close to home for me. I was recently threatened with a groundless defamation lawsuit over an article I wrote. The big name law firm gave me 24 hours to take the article down or legal action would be contemplated. When I didn't comply, they sent the same exact letter to my employer's address apparently to intimidate my employer. The article wasn't even written for my employer, but in my personal capacity for another publication. They haven't sued me yet, but I'm not holding my breath. Fortunately I'm an attorney so I'm less afraid of legal mumbo jumbo than the average person. Others in my situation might have caved and taken down the article, effectively suppressing their free speech. Numerous friends advised me to delete the article, merely to avoid years of costly litigation. Unfortunately, not all anti-SLAPP laws are broadly written to protect bloggers and journalists. Some only protect "issues of public interest." Aggressive litigants will forum shop to pick a state to sue in that either has no anti-SLAPP law or a weak version. There is no anti-SLAPP law on the federal level, so suing in federal court is another option. Trial lawyers, who contribute large amounts to the Democrats every year, have put up strong opposition to any federal legislation. This important legislation needs to be enacted everywhere in its strongest form, otherwise the First Amendment is in jeopardy. home World Emergency appeal for most vulnerable victims of Kerala floods Christian Aid has launched an emergency appeal to support victims of widespread flooding in India's Kerala state. Extensive flooding across the region has left more than 350 people dead and another million without homes. Christian Aid is working to provide practical assistance to 20,000 of the poorest and most vulnerable people by supplying safe drinking water, sanitation supplies, hygiene products and materials for shelter. Ram Kishan, Christian Aid's Regional Emergency Manager, said: 'What I have seen and been hearing here is on a scale not seen for a hundred years.' The floods were triggered by heavy monsoon rains over the summer. Although the rains have started to ease off in the last few days, thousands are unable to return to their homes and are seeking shelter in camps. Christian Aid's Emergency Programme Officer Shivani Rana said the full extent of the damage is not yet known as many areas are still out of reach due to the high water levels. She said it will be hard for people to rebuild their livelihoods once the flood waters have receded: 'Many people are currently sheltering in camps and one major worry is how they're going to recover their lives when they try to go home. For some families, everything they had has been washed away or ruined.' Christian Aid will focus funds raised through the appeal on the Wayanad district, in the north of the state, and Idukki district in central Kerala. It aims to support 10,000 people across the two districts, particularly the Dalits and 'Tribals,' who are among the most marginalised people groups in India. The UK government-backed Start Fund has already given a 77,000 grant to the Christian Aid appeal but the charity is seeking more donations to scale up its emergency response. Kishan said: 'Christian Aid's appeal for support is needed to help us provide clean water, shelter and emergency food supplies and more important livelihood support for people who have been forced to flee their homes.' People can donate to the Christian Aid Kerala Floods Appeal by visiting www.caid.org.uk/kerala Source: Christian Today home Faith Franklin Graham criticizes Chelsea Clinton over abortion comments Evangelist Franklin Graham and other pro-life conservatives are denouncing Chelsea Clinton's claim that abortion has led to economic growth in the U.S. Clinton's comments were condemned as being like those who defend slavery or the killing of Jews by the Nazis. "Chelsea Clinton claims that legalizing abortion added trillions of dollars to the economy. What a lie," Graham wrote on Facebook Wednesday. "Hitler probably also claimed that killing the Jews would be good for their economy. Legalizing abortion hasn't added anything to our country, it has only taken away. It has cost this nation more than 60 million lives a lives precious to God. "Just think of the contribution these people would have made. There will be another high cost. I believe God will judge America for allowing the heinous murder of our own children in the womb," he added before assuring women who've had abortions that God will forgive them and help to alleviate their guilt. "Not only will He forgive you, He will save you for eternity a and you will be reunited one day in Heaven with that child," Graham added. Speaking at the pro-abortion event "Rise Up for Roe" in New York City on Aug. 11 a which is part of a 10-city tour sponsored by Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and the Demand Justice Initiative to rally against Judge Bret Kavanaugh, President Trump's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court a Clinton said: Whether you fundamentally care about reproductive rights and access right, because these are not the same thing, if you care about social justice or economic justice, agency a you have to care about this. It is not a disconnected fact a to address this T-shirt of 1973 a that American women entering the labor force from 1973 to 2009 added three-and-a-half trillion dollars to our economy. Right? The net, new entrance of women a that is not disconnected from the fact that Roe became the law of the land in January of 1973. So I think, whatever it is that people say they care about, I think that you can connect to this issue. In response, the Susan B. Anthony List, a nonprofit that seeks to advance pro-life women in politics, said Clinton "couldn't be more wrong" and tweeted a link to its partner, Life Issues Institute, which noted: "She should consider the 60 million aborted babies who won't enter the labor force or pay into Social Security. Their parents won't purchase diapers, clothing, toys, cars or houses to accommodate them. ... Yes, abortion's had a huge impact on America's economy and it hasn't been good. Not only are we hurting economically, we're missing 60 million blessings from God and the good they would have contributed," Brad Mattes of the institute said. Many others, such as the National Right to Life organization, also condemned Clinton for suggesting that the "dismemberment" of 60 million babies is great for Americans' pocketbooks. Clinton, the daughter for former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said in a tweet Tuesday that her words have been misrepresented. In defense of her argument, she highlighted a study published in the American Journal of Public Health by Diana Greene Foster, a professor and researcher at UC San Francisco, who advocates for abortion rights. The study, which Foster wrote about in an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times, argues that women who seek and obtain an abortion are better off financially than those who are unable to obtain an abortion in states where late-second or third-trimester abortions are restricted. "Reproductive rights have always been economic rights," Clinton tweeted. "A recent study found denying women a often already mothers a a wanted abortion results in years of less employment & more family poverty." The study's conclusion states: "Women denied an abortion were more likely than were women who received an abortion to experience economic hardship and insecurity lasting years. Laws that restrict access to abortion may result in worsened economic outcomes for women." Researchers did not interview women who originally sought an abortion but subsequently decided they wanted to carry their babies to term to find out their socioeconomic status in the years that followed. Foster notes in her op-ed that for pro-lifers, "... science that shows the economic harms to women who are denied access to abortion is heartless, overlooking the obvious loss of life to put a crude monetary value on the natural sacrifices of motherhood." Among its list of 10 reasons why women should decide against abortion, the pro-life group Live Action says women shouldn't be made to feel as though they're incapable of caring for a baby while continuing to work or finishing their degree. Similarly, it adds that some pro-life pregnancy centers help women who are struggling financially to get out of debt and achieve their education and career goals. Conservative commentator Erick Erickson also engaged Clinton on Twitter and compared her comments to the Confederacy's defense of salvery. "In the 1800's [sic], slave owners said slavery was about economic rights," Erickson said. "Always and without fail the arguments of the abortion movement in the United States mirror the arguments of slave owners. Both are grave evils." Clinton responded to Erickson by saying her comments were "not the same at all." "Hi Erick a protecting reproductive health rights is first about protecting women's human rights and health," she tweeted on Wednesday. "From 1973-1985, American women's deaths from abortion declined 5-fold. And, reproductive rights are about women's economic rights and agency. It's ... not the same at all." Over 340 women have died from legal abortions in the U.S., according to Life Dynamics, a Texas-based pro-life group that tracks reported deaths of women following an abortion. This article was originally published in The Christian Post and is re-published here with permission home US Satanists protest Ten Commandments monument at Arkansas State Capitol with giant goat-headed statue Some Christians recently protested against a giant Satanic Temple statue unveiled at the Arkansas State Capitol, holding Bible verse messages against a Satanic rally. CBS News reported that in total 150 people, both Satanists and Christians, were present at the unveiling of the Satanic statue of a goat-headed, winged creature called Baphomet at the state capitol last Thursday. The Satanic Temple organized what it called a First Amendment rally, insisting that since the capitol allows a monument of the Ten Commandments to stand on its grounds, so should their symbol be allowed as well. "If you're going to have one religious monument up then it should be open to others, and if you don't agree with that then let's just not have any at all," argued Satanic Arkansas co-founder Ivy Forrester. The nearly 8-foot tall statue of Baphomet stood in its place for less than a day, however, with the Satanic group removing it later on Thursday. The group says that only legislative sponsorship can allow monuments to stand, but argues that Christians are given special privilege as their Ten Commandments monument is permitted. Christians at the rally on Thursday displayed signs with messages from the Bible, KATV reported. John 3:16 was quoted, reading: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Another sign quoted one of the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:3: "You shall have no other Gods before me." "I am the Lord your God," states Exodus 20:2. The Satanic Temple has held numerous state campaigns against Ten Commandment monuments, recently getting Oklahoma's Supreme Court to rule that its own monument was unconstitutional and had to be taken down. Republican Senator Jason Rapert, who sponsored Arkansas' Ten Commandments monument, said that legislators will never allow a permanent statue of Baphomet to be erected at the capitol. Rapert insisted that he respects the Satanic Temple's First Amendment rights, but at the same time said that the group members are "extremists" and "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 Arkansas Ten Commandments monument previously suffered vandalism attacks, with a man smashing it to pieces in 2017, less than 24 hours after it was installed. Several public space incidents where the Satanic Temple has demanded equal representation and where Christians have counter-protested have led to all religious monuments being taken down. Such was the case last year at Belle Plaine's Veterans Memorial Park in Minnesota, which removed a Christian memorial featuring a soldier kneeling before a cross and a Bible, in order to prevent a Satanic memorial to soldiers being erected at the same place. This article was originally published in The Christian Post and is re-published here with permission Christian Aid launches appeal as Kerala floods leave hundreds dead and a million people homeless Christian Aid has launched an emergency appeal to support victims of widespread flooding in India's Kerala state. Extensive flooding across the region has left more than 350 people dead and another million without homes. Christian Aid is working to provide practical assistance to 20,000 of the poorest and most vulnerable people by supplying safe drinking water, sanitation supplies, hygiene products and materials for shelter. Ram Kishan, Christian Aid's Regional Emergency Manager, said: 'What I have seen and been hearing here is on a scale not seen for a hundred years.' The floods were triggered by heavy monsoon rains over the summer. Although the rains have started to ease off in the last few days, thousands are unable to return to their homes and are seeking shelter in camps. Christian Aid's Emergency Programme Officer Shivani Rana said the full extent of the damage is not yet known as many areas are still out of reach due to the high water levels. She said it will be hard for people to rebuild their livelihoods once the flood waters have receded: 'Many people are currently sheltering in camps and one major worry is how they're going to recover their lives when they try to go home. For some families, everything they had has been washed away or ruined.' Christian Aid will focus funds raised through the appeal on the Wayanad district, in the north of the state, and Idukki district in central Kerala. It aims to support 10,000 people across the two districts, particularly the Dalits and 'Tribals,' who are among the most marginalised people groups in India. The UK government-backed Start Fund has already given a 77,000 grant to the Christian Aid appeal but the charity is seeking more donations to scale up its emergency response. Kishan said: 'Christian Aid's appeal for support is needed to help us provide clean water, shelter and emergency food supplies and more important livelihood support for people who have been forced to flee their homes.' People can donate to the Christian Aid Kerala Floods Appeal by visiting www.caid.org.uk/kerala Satanists protest Ten Commandments monument at Arkansas State Capitol by unveiling giant goat-headed statue Some Christians recently protested against a giant Satanic Temple statue unveiled at the Arkansas State Capitol, holding Bible verse messages against a Satanic rally. CBS News reported that in total 150 people, both Satanists and Christians, were present at the unveiling of the Satanic statue of a goat-headed, winged creature called Baphomet at the state capitol last Thursday. The Satanic Temple organized what it called a First Amendment rally, insisting that since the capitol allows a monument of the Ten Commandments to stand on its grounds, so should their symbol be allowed as well. "If you're going to have one religious monument up then it should be open to others, and if you don't agree with that then let's just not have any at all," argued Satanic Arkansas co-founder Ivy Forrester. The nearly 8-foot tall statue of Baphomet stood in its place for less than a day, however, with the Satanic group removing it later on Thursday. The group says that only legislative sponsorship can allow monuments to stand, but argues that Christians are given special privilege as their Ten Commandments monument is permitted. Christians at the rally on Thursday displayed signs with messages from the Bible, KATV reported. John 3:16 was quoted, reading: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Another sign quoted one of the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:3: "You shall have no other Gods before me." "I am the Lord your God," states Exodus 20:2. The Satanic Temple has held numerous state campaigns against Ten Commandment monuments, recently getting Oklahoma's Supreme Court to rule that its own monument was unconstitutional and had to be taken down. Republican Senator Jason Rapert, who sponsored Arkansas' Ten Commandments monument, said that legislators will never allow a permanent statue of Baphomet to be erected at the capitol. Rapert insisted that he respects the Satanic Temple's First Amendment rights, but at the same time said that the group members are "extremists" and "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 Arkansas Ten Commandments monument previously suffered vandalism attacks, with a man smashing it to pieces in 2017, less than 24 hours after it was installed. Several public space incidents where the Satanic Temple has demanded equal representation and where Christians have counter-protested have led to all religious monuments being taken down. Such was the case last year at Belle Plaine's Veterans Memorial Park in Minnesota, which removed a Christian memorial featuring a soldier kneeling before a cross and a Bible, in order to prevent a Satanic memorial to soldiers being erected at the same place. This article was originally published in The Christian Post and is re-published here with permission Is artificial intelligence set to become arts next medium? AI artwork sells for $432,500 nearly 45 times its high estimate as Christies becomes the first auction house to offer a work of art created by an algorithm The portrait in its gilt frame depicts a portly gentleman, possibly French and to judge by his dark frockcoat and plain white collar a man of the church. The work appears unfinished: the facial features are somewhat indistinct and there are blank areas of canvas. Oddly, the whole composition is displaced slightly to the north-west. A label on the wall states that the sitter is a man named Edmond Belamy, but the giveaway clue as to the origins of the work is the artists signature at the bottom right. In cursive Gallic script it reads: Image Obvious This portrait, however, is not the product of a human mind. It was created by an artificial intelligence, an algorithm defined by that algebraic formula with its many parentheses. And when it went under the hammer in the Prints & Multiples sale at Christies on 23-25 October, Portrait of Edmond Belamy sold for an incredible $432,500, signalling the arrival of AI art on the world auction stage. The painting, if that is the right term, is one of a group of portraits of the fictional Belamy family created by Obvious, a Paris-based collective consisting of Hugo Caselles-Dupre, Pierre Fautrel and Gauthier Vernier. They are engaged in exploring the interface between art and artificial intelligence, and their method goes by the acronym GAN, which stands for generative adversarial network. The algorithm is composed of two parts, says Caselles-Dupre. On one side is the Generator, on the other the Discriminator. We fed the system with a data set of 15,000 portraits painted between the 14th century to the 20th. The Generator makes a new image based on the set, then the Discriminator tries to spot the difference between a human-made image and one created by the Generator. The aim is to fool the Discriminator into thinking that the new images are real-life portraits. Then we have a result. We found that portraits provided the best way to illustrate our point, which is that algorithms are able to emulate creativity Hugo Caselles-Dupre of Obvious But one of the beguiling things about the depiction of Edmond Belamy is that it departs from a human idea of an 18th-century portrait. There is something weirdly contemporary about him: he looks unnervingly like one of Glenn Browns art-historical appropriations. Why might that be? It is an attribute of the model that there is distortion, says Caselles-Dupre. The Discriminator is looking for the features of the image a face, shoulders and for now it is more easily fooled than a human eye. It must also surely be the case that portraiture is an extremely tough genre for AI to take on, since humans are highly attuned to the curves and complexities of a face in a way that a machine cannot be. It turns out that the difficulty was part of the collectives thinking. We did some work with nudes and landscapes, and we also tried feeding the algorithm sets of works by famous painters. But we found that portraits provided the best way to illustrate our point, which is that algorithms are able to emulate creativity. AICAN, Ich bin ein Berliner, 2017. Image: AICAN.io Ahmed Elgammal AICAN, Permutations, 2017. Image: AICAN.io Ahmed Elgammal Elsewhere in the AI world, researchers are playing other art-historical games. Ahmed Elgammal, director of the Art and Artificial Intelligence Lab at Rutgers University in New Jersey, is working with a system that he calls CAN a creative rather a generative network. The basic binary hokey-cokey is the same maker and judge, artist and critic but CAN is specifically programmed to produce novelty, something different from what it sees in the data set, which in this case consists of all manner of paintings from the 14th century on. I am surprised by the output every time I run it, says Elgammal. An interesting question is: why is so much of the CANs art abstract? I think it is because the algorithm has grasped that art progresses in a certain trajectory. If it wants to make something novel, then it cannot go back and produce figurative works as existed before the 20th century. It has to move forward. The network has learned that it finds more solutions when it tends toward abstraction: that is where there is the space for novelty. This raises the intriguing notion that AI algorithms do not merely make pictures, they also tend to model the course of art history as if arts long progression from figuration to abstraction were part of a program that has been running in the collective unconscious for half a millennium, and the whole story of our visual culture were a mathematical inevitability. No AI researchers are claiming that much just yet. They are still addressing the fundamental question of whether the images produced by their networks can be called art at all. One way to do that, surely, is to conduct a kind of visual Turing test, to show the output of the algorithms to human evaluators, flesh-and-blood discriminators, and ask if they can tell the difference. If you consider the whole process, then what you have is something more like conceptual art than traditional painting Ahmed Elgammal, director of the Art and Artificial Intelligence Lab at Rutgers University Yes, we have done that, says Elgammal. We mixed human-generated art and art from machines, and posed questions direct ones, such as Do you think this painting was produced by a machine or a human artist? and also indirect ones such as, How inspiring do you find this work?. We measured the difference in responses towards the human art and the machine art, and found that there is very little difference. Actually, some people are more inspired by the art that is done by machine. Can such a poll constitute proof that an algorithm is capable of producing indisputable works of art? Perhaps it can if you define a work of art as an image produced by an intelligence with an aesthetic intent. But if you define art more broadly as an attempt to say something about the wider world, to express ones own sensibilities and anxieties and feelings, then AI art must fall short, because no machine mind can have that urge and perhaps never will. Hugo Caselles-Dupre of Obvious readily concedes that for sure, the machine did not want to put emotions into the pictures. And in research terms, the idea of a robot having an open-world experience, and using it to make something new that is pure science fiction for now. Portrait of Le Comte de Belamy, 2018, head of the fictitious Belamy family (and Edmond de Belamy's great grandfather) created by the GAN mind Obvious Portrait of La Comtesse de Belamy, 2018, the fictitious wife of Le Comte Obvious That leaves open the question of authorship. Is it really the algorithm, as the signature on the Belamy portrait implies? If the artist is the one that creates the image, then that would be the machine, says Caselles-Dupre. If the artist is the one that holds the vision and wants to share the message, then that would be us. Elgammal, speaking about his own experiments, broadly agrees: Yes, if you look just at the form, and ignore the things that art is about, then the algorithm is just generating visual forms and following aesthetic principles extracted from existing art. But if you consider the whole process, then what you have is something more like conceptual art than traditional painting. There is a human in the loop, asking questions, and the machine is giving answers. That whole thing is the art, not just the picture that comes out at the end. You could say that at this point it is a collaboration between two artists one human, one a machine. And that leads me to think about the future in which AI will become a new medium for art. La famille de Belamy all the portraits in GANs fictitious Belamy family tree. Image Obvious A company that helps seniors and their families locate assisted living options announced the launch of a Houston franchise Wednesday. Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Assisted Living Locators offers a no-cost service locating assisted living throughout the southwest Houston metro area, including Fort Bend, Harris and Brazoria counties, the company said in a news release. Musket Corp., part of the Loves Family of Companies specializing in commodity supply, trading and logistics, has moved into renovated headquarters at the top of America Tower, 2929 Allen Parkway. The company, which relocated from downtowns Heritage Plaza this spring, updated the 1980s-era space, which previously served as executive offices for American General Life Insurance Co. The space has really tall ceilings and gets a lot of natural light. It was all covered with dark wood paneling, said Terri Kohanbashiri, project manager and designer for Abel Design Group. Former offices with private bathrooms were torn out to open up views of the city and neighboring Buffalo Bayou Park. The new space incorporates both private offices along the windows and open work spaces including a trading floor, Kohanbashiri said. Textures and woods were used in the finishes to soften the space. A central spiral staircase designed to foster collaboration between different groups serves as a focal point at the entry of the office, which can accommodate more than 220 employees. Musket, which has additional offices in Oklahoma City and Phoenix, occupies 42,300 square feet on floors 41 through 43. Kristen Rabel and Elliott Hirshfeld of CBRE represented landlord, American General Life Insurance Co. Reggie Beavan, Joshua Brown and Evan Roland with Jackson Cooksey (Newmark) represented Musket. The opportunity of having the top floors in a landmark building, with perhaps the most unique view of Houston, could not be passed up, Musket managing director and vice president JP Fjeld-Hansen said in an email. He said the design and amenities make the workplace more enjoyable, enhancing productivity and recruiting. Other companies under Oklahoma-based Loves umbrella include Loves Travel Stops, Gemini Motor Transport, Trillium CNG and Speedco. katherine.feser@chron.com twitter.com/kfeser A former head of one of the worlds largest drug trafficking cartels could face life in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to nearly two decades worth of crimes. Jorge Equardo Costilla-Sanchez, 46, was the head of the Gulf Cartel between 2003 and 2012, when he was arrested by the Mexican Navy. The FBI was at the time offering a $5 million reward for the capture of Costilla-Sanchez, a former Matamoras police officer who eventually helped run many of the crime syndicate's trafficking and extortion operations. He was later extradited to the United States. In a press release Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas said Costilla-Sanchez was an integral part of the Gulf Cartel's drug smuggling and money laundering operations dating as far back as 1998. He now faces at least 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, as well as two counts of assault on a federal officer. The latter charges stem from a 1999 standoff with FBI and DEA agents transporting an informant, during which Costilla-Sanchez and former cartel boss Osiel Cardenas-Guillen blocked a road and pulled weapons on the agents. In a 2010 interview with the Houston Chronicle, one of the federal agents involved in the standoff described the gold-plated AK-47 brandished at him by Cardenas-Guillen, the drug lord who preceded Costilla-Sanchez. "I knew what they'd do to me, said DEA agent Joe DuBois. I'd seen many pictures of the bodies they leave behind. The only way we were getting out was to talk our way out. Cardenas-Guillen was later indicted for the incident, as well as various drug trafficking charges, by a federal grand jury in Brownsville. He was arrested by Mexican authorities in 2003, and after his extradition to the United States agreed to give information about the cartels drug operations in exchange for a more lenient plea bargain. With Cardenas-Guillen in an American jail cell, Costilla-Sanchez took charge of the Gulf Cartel, according to the press release. According to news reports, he oversaw the drug gang amid a violent, brutal conflict with its armed branch, the Zetas, whose splintering to form a new cartel in 2010 has since significantly weakened the Gulf Cartel, Costilla, also known as El Coss, is believed to have joined the cartel in the late 1990s, reportedly rising over time from a sicario hitman to the leader of an international drug, murder and extortion ring worth billions of dollars. He became an important leader within the ranks of the Gulf cartel but always maintained a low profile. For years there were very few photos of him, longtime Mexican journalist Ricardo Ravelo said in 2015. Costillaz's sentencing has been set for Jan. 4, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Hilda G. Tagle. He could also face a money judgment for proceeds he obtained during his participation in the conspiracy. That amount will be determined at the time of his sentencing. A group of students hit the streets of Houston armed with cameras and guidance from National Geographic experts to show how far the city has come, and how far it has to go, one year after Hurricane Harvey. Over the course of a week, Houston high school and college students attended National Geographic's photo camp. The camp, which was lead by National Geographic photographers Dominic Bracco and Kirsten Luce, taught students the basic elements of photography using Olympus OMD EM10 cameras provided by the media company. A typical day at the camp, which ran from Aug. 13-17, began at 10 a.m. at the Houston Center for Photography. Bracco and Luce taught students basics like shutter speed, aperture, and framing before breaking off for the afternoon to take photos around the city. HURRICANE HARVEY: A closer look at Houston's biblical floods Some students linked up with Recovery Houston, a volunteer organization, to take photos of homes still being rebuilt. One home still in need of work belonged to Tiffaney Lambert, a resident of Houston's Fifth ward, said Will Thompson, National Geographic's coordinator for media innovation. Some photos of Lambert in her damaged home were taken by Jennifer Montoya. "Lambert was forced to leave her home after Hurricane Harvey. Repairs have been difficult, and one year later, her family, some of whom had to move in with relatives in a different state, have yet to move back in," Thompson said. The photography camp culminated with a pop-up exhibit Aug. 17 at the Houston Center of Photography. The camp was made possible with the help of 21st Century Fox which donated $500,000 to United Way of Greater Houston's relief fund. Swipe through to see photos from students who participated in the National Geographic's photo camp. 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 report released Monday indicates that the Mexican Zetas cartel controlled government operations at all levels in the state of Coahuila, Mexico, including by bribing the current and former governors of the region with millions of dollars. The document also highlighted the that Los Zetas, which are one of the most violent and sophisticated Mexican cartels, has also penetrated several United States territories. Coahuila, which borders Texas, is the center of the Zetas operations. The report, by the Human Rights Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law in cooperation with the Centro Diocesano para los Derechos Humanos Fray Juan de Larios in Coahuila, is based on an analysis of witness testimonies from U.S. federal trials against Zeta members in Texas initiated between 2013 and 2016. The report concludes that the cartel committed numerous human right abuses and that public institutions, law enforcement agencies and politicians played a role in the commission and impunity of them. "We found connections and collusions between the Zetas and authorities of Coahuila at all levels of government, from municipalities and police chiefs up to the current and previous governors of the state," said Ariel Dulitzky, a law professor and director of the Human Rights Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin. Witnesses cite examples Dulitzky said this is the first report that compiled and analyzed the information about the Zetas' involvement with authorities and perpetration of human right violations arising from the court documents from trials in Austin, San Antonio and Del Rio. The report said that multiple witnesses described how the Zetas cartel bribed the current and previous governors of Coahuila, the brothers Ruben Moreira Valdez and Humberto Moreira Valdez, respectively, to gain control of the state. In one example provided in the report, a witness named Rodrigo Humberto Uribe Tapia, who was an investment adviser in Piedras Negras at the border with Eagle Pass, and an accountant for the Zetas, said he personally delivered two payments of $2 million in cash to the current governor. Courtesy Photo The witness said the money was delivered via the governor's secretary, Vicente Chaires, and the state's attorney general, Jesus Torres Charles. Ruben Moreira, who assumed the governorship in 2011 and is finishing his term, has denied any involvement with the cartel. Referring to the previous governor, the report cites witness Adolfo Efren Tavira-Alvarado, who described an instance where "the Zetas delivered a payment to Ruben Moreira at a ranch belonging to another drug trafficker, Beto Casas, in a Suburban filled with suitcases full of money." Operated freely But the report said testimonies show that the corruption and penetration in all the power hierarchy of government and politics permitted the Zetas to operate freely in the state. Many police officers received wages not only to look the other way but to perform tasks for the Zetas directly, including fighting rival cartels, the report said. According to the report, the only exception to the Zetas' power over public authorities and law enforcement agencies seems to have been the Mexican navy. Another conclusion the report derived from the analysis "is that the Zetas cartel is definitely operating in the United States," Dulitzky said. Among the U.S. places identified as areas where the Zetas has a presence are San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Eagle Pass and Dallas. It also has presence identified by the report in other U.S. cities such as Chicago and Atlanta and in the states of New Mexico, California and Oklahoma. "It's important to note the international nature of cartels such as this one and the role the U.S. plays in this dynamic," Dulitzky. For example, the report said that multiple witnesses spoke to the smuggling of high-caliber weapons - such as AK-47s - from the U.S. to Mexico. Dulitzky also said that from all the data analyzed, "it's clear that the U.S. government has now significant undisclosed information that could be very helpful in helping to address human right violations" in Mexico. olivia.tallet@chron.com Twitter: oliviaptallet MIDDLETOWN One of the first events the new owners of Eli Cannons Tap Room, Rocco and Aubrey LaMonica, coordinated earlier this month continued the North End bars tradition of giving back to the community. In all, 700 beer aficionados attended the 9th Annual Eli Cannons Charitable Beer Fest Aug. 6. As beer lovers sampled brews from Connecticut and throughout the Northeast, the sold-out event raised a record-breaking $17,844 for the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, according to a news release. Courtesy of the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce / Courtesy of the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Ted Poe received a standing ovation as he gave his last few words. The seven-term congressman made one of his final public speeches at the Focus on Federal Government luncheon at the Walden Country Club on Tuesday as he prepares for retirement. The former judge spoke to the crowd of local politicians and business leaders about what is currently going on in Washington D.C. and how they will help fund flood prevention projects in the area. Harvey is foremost on all of our minds. Congress actually did some policy exchange regarding Harvey that didnt wait and appropriated three bills, Poe said. The last bill was $89 billion, thats just a number, but that is the most Congress has ever appropriated in any natural disaster in American history. According to the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association, Congress passed the $89 billion bill, also known as the Disaster Response Bill in February. The Disaster Response Bill addresses 2017 hurricanes and wildfires. Poe said the $89 billion bill is not only for recovery but for preventative measures as well. About $15 billion will be allocated for flood and storm damage reduction projects. Of this, $10.425 billion must be used for states affected by Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria. About $135 million will also be allocated to the United States Army Corps of Engineers for investigations, including feasibility and regional studies. USACE must use $75 million for states affected by Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria. That money technically is appropriated by Congress and goes through the governors office (and) its managed by the (Texas General) Land Office and thats how the money will be spent throughout Texas, Poe said. Poe suggested to build two additional reservoirs in the Lake Houston area. A long-term plan was first designed and thought of back in 1939, Poe said. The corps of engineers recommended in 1939 that there be a third reservoir. But World War II came around and it never got built. So maybe its time to build a third reservoir and a fourth reservoir, the fourth one to protect the Kingwood/Humble area, the third one to protect down there from the San Jacinto River. Another topic Poe brought up was tax breaks. Most Americans will see a $2,700 tax break that they will get back next year. Some will get more than that, some will get less, but the tax bill is good. Its good for business and the economy is growing because of that tax legislation, Poe said. Poe said the federal government has brought in more revenue this year than ever. Before officially retiring from Congress Poe plans on help those who are victims of sexual assault. H.R. Bill 3415 known as the Megan Rondini Act was introduced to Congress in 2017. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to designate a hospital as a SAFE-ready facility with a sexual assault forensic examiner or a telemedicine system of such examiners. Poe introduced this bill with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, D-New York. Megan Rondini was a woman who was from Austin and attended the University of Alabama. She committed suicide a year after she was allegedly raped in 2015. According to a previous article, Rondini contacted the police and went to the hospital after escaping her alleged rapist, but the hospital didnt have a sexual assault forensic examiner and the DNA from her rape kit was never properly examined. Poe said about 1 in 5 women who attend a university will be sexually assaulted. The congressman concluded his speech to the crowd by remembering all the good times hes had throughout this seven terms in Congress. We love the community, seeing it grow and (Im) very proud to be your advocate, be your person in Washington D.C. I get to represent the best people on Earth right here in Harris County Poe said. Poe has been representing the second congressional district in Texas, which includes Humble, Kingwood and Atascocita, since 2004. He has served as a criminal court judge in Harris County for 22 years and served 8 years in the Harris County District Attorneys Office. The congressman posted a tweet on Twitter on Nov.7 saying he will not seek re-election and is looking forward to spending more time with his family. kaila.contreras@chron.com There is good news for Bay Area diners who have a hankering for decadent, greasy cheeseburgers with exotic toppings like peanut butter and Cheetos. Hubcap Grill, Ricky Craig's beloved burger chain, opens today in Seabrook, at 1918 NASA Parkway. BURGERTOWN: Take a bite out of these top Houston burgers Craig, whose downtown Houston location on Prairie has become a certified weekday lunch staple the past decade, purchased the old Red Door Cafe digs and began transforming it into another of his burger stops. The previous tenants moved out late last year. This is Craig's fifth Hubcap Grill, following the downtown address, his Heights spot, a Strand storefront on Galveston Island, and an outpost inside Terminal A at Bush Intercontinental Airport. COME HUNGRY: Houston's best hole-in-the-wall restaurants to try The Seabrook location takes the place of his Kemah Hubcap which closed in late March just after Kemah's busy spring break season wrapped up. Craig was in search of a bigger dining room, a covered outside deck, and room for beer taps. "We outgrew the Kemah location and we were at the mercy of the weather," Craig said. "Winter and summer were hard." Kemah's Highway 146 is also about to undergo a widening project which would have hurt business too so as Craig sees it he is moving at the best time. The building where Craig and company is serving up burgers, fries, and craft beer has been repainted and adorned with car hubcaps on the exterior. The interior has been spruced up, according to Craig, with new appliances and decor. A custom chandelier made out of a tire should be a hit on Instagram. With the summer months typically bringing the masses to Seabrook to partake in sun and saltwater, Craig is excited to open this new Hubcap's doors. EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE: Top 100 restaurants in Houston revealed "Seabrook is a cool community," Craig said. " I think it's a great location. People seem to be excited." Last year the Houston Chronicle's Alison Cook wrote about Hubcap Grill's offerings, noting "loose-textured, hand-formed patties of never-frozen beef, with their aggressive sear and spectacular drippage," "twice-fried hand-cut french fries" and "madcap stacks of toppings." Hubcap's biggest-selling specialty burgers are the Hubcap Decker double cheeseburger, the Greek Burger, the Philly Cheese Steak Burger, and the Hangover Burger which comes with country cream gravy as a topping. The famous Sticky Burger is made with peanut butter and the Cheesy Crunchy has Cheetos inside it. Craig Hlavaty is a reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com. Exxon Mobil is planning a $1.9 billion expansion at its Baytown petrochemical complex. The expansion would add a two-unit plastics processing plant on the north side of Exxon Mobil's Baytown complex, according to a tax abatement application. The company said the project -- which it says is still being evaluated -- would create 25 permanent jobs at a salary of $62,971. The company expects construction to begin in mid-2021 and would be completed by 2023. RELATED: Exxon Mobil fires up multi-billion dollar petrochemical expansion The project was first reported by the Houston Business Journal. Exxon Mobil did not immediately comment. The expansion plans were detailed in an application for Chapter 313 tax exemptions with the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District. Chapter 313 tax exemptions can be granted by school districts for qualifying projects. The proposed expansion would follow Exxon Mobil's recent start up of a multi-billion petrochemical plant at the Baytown complex, which includes a cracker that processes the natural gas liquid ethane into into ethylene, the primary feedstock for most plastics. The expansion increased ethylene production by 1.5 million metric tons a year. The company also recently completed an expansion at its Mont Belvieu plant, adding 1.3 million tons of production capacity to make polyethylene, the world's most common plastic. Exxon Mobil is also partnering with Saudi Arabia's government-owned Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corp. or SABIC to build a $10 billion chemicals and plastics complex north of Corpus Christi. Following a traumatic year where many students found themselves displaced after the worst disaster in the history of Liberty County, the Texas Education Agency has released their numbers for the educational year 2017-2018. The agency showed mercy to those districts that were affected by Hurricane Harvey, only two of them were given a rating this yearDevers and Hardin. The numbers show a different dynamic occurring within each district, but overall, state-wide, they are up from the previous year. The breakdown of numbers is where the work will begin for administrators as they digest much of what they already know, but now must confront in the new school year. There are three major categories that reflect the numbers and ratings. Student Achievement is the results of the cumulative knowledge of students from the entire years educational efforts as reflected on their testing. School Progress demonstrates the performance of students over time and a comparative look at schools with similar demographics, etc. The final category is a Closing The Gaps domain with a glance at how each demographic population is performing. Student Achievement isnt just the STAAR testing grade expectations and completion, but also includes college, career, and military readiness. This category is particularly significant if students are to be ready on Day One to begin classes at a college level without having remediation. The STAAR test in this category is weighted at 40 percent, college, career, and military readiness at 40 percent, and the final category is graduation rate at 20 percent. According to the txschools.org website, School Progress is based on a schools strengths. There are two components in this category where the strength of the school is its students who have shown a lot of academic progress and the school scores higher in academic growth, while other schools outperform their peers by scoring higher in Relative Performance. The TEA uses the higher of the two scores for school progress. Lastly, the Closing The Gaps category is broken down by each of the major groups in the school. Those may reflect racial/ethnic groups, special education, economically disadvantaged, and others. Each of those are broken down into four sub-categories and measured against state goals for those areas then a final score is tabulated. At least 30 percent of the campus or district score comes from Closing The Gaps, the other 70 percent from the other two categories. All campus indicators this year were still measured by Met Standard, Met Alternative Standard, or Improvement Required labels. Those will end this year and beginning in 2019, all campuses will receive an A-F label. Here are the Liberty County district ratings first and the campus ratings follow: CLEVELAND ISD (Not Rated - 69) Cleveland High School (Met Standard / 60) Disciplinary Alternative Education (Not Rated / NA) Frederick A. Douglass Learning Academy (Met Standard / 67) Cleveland Middle School (Met Standard / 75) Northside Elementary (Met Standard / 75) Eastside Elementary (Met Standard / 73) Southside Primary (Met Standard / 73) DAYTON ISD (Not Rated - 72) Dayton High School (Met Standard / 76) Fredda Nottingham Alternative Education (Not Rated / NA) Wilson Junior High (Met Standard / 69) Austin Elementary (Met Standard / 74) Colbert Elementary (Met Standard / 74) Richter Elementary (Met Standard / 61) Brown Elementary (Met Standard / 67) DEVERS ISD (A - 96) Devers Junior High (Met Standard / 95) Devers Elementary (Met Standard / 97) HARDIN ISD (C - 72) Hardin High School (Met Standard / 79) Hardin Junior High (Met Standard / 81) Hardin Intermediate (Met Standard / 68) Hardin Elementary (Improvement Required / 59) HULL-DAISETTA ISD (Not Rated - 81) Hull-Daisetta High School (Met Standard / 79) Hull-Daisetta Junior High School (Met Standard / 87) Hull-Daisetta Elementary (Met Standard / 66) LIBERTY ISD (Not Rated - 77) Liberty High School (Met Standard / 78) Liberty Middle School (Met Standard / 78) Liberty Elementary (Met Standard / 71) San Jacinto Elementary (Met Standard / 71) TARKINGTON ISD (Not Rated - 79) Tarkington High School (Met Standard / 79) Tarkington Middle School (Met Standard / 73) Tarkington Intermediate (Met Standard / 80) Tarkington Primary (Met Standard / 68) dtaylor@hcnonline.com A relaxed atmosphere that welcomes shorts and flip-flops for performances at downtowns stately theaters and grandest halls is one way of making the arts less intimidating. Another is making those shows free and only a half-hour in length. Approachability and exposure to a wide variety of genres from local performing arts groups is the goal for Theater District Houstons Open House on Sunday, said Kathryn McNiel, the districts CEO. During the free, festival-style event to kick off the 2018-2019 theater season, attendees can hop in and out of various downtown venues, including the Wortham Center, Jones Hall, the Hobby Center and Alley Theatre. Louisiana Street will be closed to vehicles for the occasion. You can get a feel for what touches you and what motivates you, McNiel said. Its a way to explore the creativity inside your own person. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Theater Districts Open House, though its the 24th iteration last years event was canceled because of Hurricane Harvey. But there are some exciting new additions, besides the fact that, for many, it will be a first look at some of the venues that were damaged by Harvey. For the first time, the Open House extends to Jones Plaza, where a stage will be erected for kid-friendly arts and crafts and live acts, including jazz and mariachi performances by students from Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) and youth cast members from Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS). Theatrical makeup artists will be on hand to paint kids faces like their favorite character from the Houston Ballets The Nutcracker or Houston Grand Operas La Boheme. Inside the Wortham Center, kids have a chance to meet those same characters from The Nutcracker. Members of the Houston Ballet will lead 20-minute beginner ballet classes, as well. At Jones Hall, kids can stroll through the Houston Symphonys instrument petting zoo, to touch, feel and play instruments. Open House When: Noon-5 p.m. Sunday Where: In and around Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana Details: Free; more info at theaterdistrictopenhouse.com See More Collapse Free trolleys will usher families to other stops, including the Hobby Center, where they can sing along to popular Broadway show tunes with TUTS. At the Alley, visitors can learn the theatrics of stage fighting, using balloon swords, with the cast of The Three Musketeers. Or, said McNiel, Maybe you dont want to be on stage. Maybe youd rather be behind the stage making the costumes or helping with set design or figuring out how to move the stage. The Alleys backstage tour gives an insiders perspective on some of those roles. For a break from the shows, there are food trucks at each venue and free boat rides along Buffalo Bayou. The days lineup also includes a ballet costume exhibit, a juggler, piano solo, student poetry readings, dance troupes, a ukulele set, and the culminating event a full, one-hour show by the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall. Across the street at Jones Plaza, kids who have been inspired can make their own costume, prop, stage or set. Local community outreach group Bayou City Play is setting up a pop-up playground of recycled materials, including cardboard boxes, fabric, drainage pipes, insulation and shoots of bamboo. Founder Jill Wood, a school librarian, said the materials encourage the kind of open play and creativity that give children a chance to process the arts to which theyve just been exposed, perhaps by crafting mouse ears or giant piano keys. Theyll see performances and come and play through those performances, Wood said. To experiment with art, they need the time and the freedom to incorporate that into their own lives. Allison Bagley is a writer in Houston. Houston has long had a thriving independent movie production scene, especially when it comes to horror. However, despite a long history of producing good-quality features and shorts starring minor celebrities and local talent, few if any home-produced productions have really broken out in the traditional sense you know, big theatrical releases. Thats why more and more Bayou City filmmakers are using new outlets to leave the distribution system behind and release content on their own. Courtney Sandifer and Chuck Norfolk are going that route. Earlier this year, they wrapped up filming a black comedy called Life Insurance Lottery, about a man at the end of his rope who joins a club where everyone makes everyone else their policy beneficiaries. Dark hilarity ensues. Norfolk has had films in the past that were picked up by distributors, including Getting Schooled (2017) and The Haunted Trailer (2014), starring Ron Jeremy, a man famous for being in a different type of film. Their production experience was underwhelming. Weve yet to make our money back on either Haunted Trailer or Getting Schooled, Norfolk says about film distributors. They bring in a bunch of movies, throw some money at them to see what pops. Theyll take them to some new markets a few times a year. Getting Schooled is in the United Arab Emirates, Sweden and, recently, India. I could do that myself. Its possible, if not easy. One of the things Norfolk is looking forward to with self-distribution is more information on sales. He says detailed statistics on sales come quarterly (if at all) and rarely have the sort of demographic data that people need to maximize their marketing. By doing things himself, he can get that data. Say I want to put $500 in a Facebook ad, Norfolk says. Within the run of the ad, we can see if that did anything and if it was something wed want to do in the future. Its a great tool for microbudget filmmakers. Well never have that information from the distributor. Currently, streaming the films through Amazon Prime seems to be the best way to go. Thats what Joe Grisaffi says about movies like Dead of Knight and Conjoined, which hes taken to the streaming platform. Filmmakers can now upload their films directly for no fee, choosing whether to make them rentable or downloadable. Amazon takes half of the profits and pays out by the hours streamed. For Dead of Night, Grisaffis most popular film, hes made as much as $600 a month. The most important thing to me is that I actually get the money, versus going through a distributor where, frankly, you dont know if youre going to get paid or not, Grisaffi says. If Amazon takes half and the distributor takes 25 percent, thats even less that you get, if you get it at all. A lot of distributors dont put much money into marketing, so the filmmakers end up marketing it. Ive seen so many friends put money into marketing and never see anything from it. Now, I put in the effort and actually see the results financially. The marketing hustle hasnt changed much for the indie filmmaker. Convention appearances are still a prime way for local directors and producers to reach audiences. And there are more grass roots approaches. Grisaffi, for instance, takes flyers for his films with him whenever he attends the movies so he can hand them out to other horror fans. Comicpalooza is another prime ground for striking up relationships with potential fans. People are more likely to buy a DVD if youll sign it or watch a film if theyve met you, Grisaffi says. Stephen Wolfe is another director headed for self-release. His horror-comedy Doll Factory is one of Houstons most famous unreleased films as it sits waiting for a release date from the distributor. In the meantime, hes returned to horror shorts. The latest is Curse, a tale of gruesome revenge from a scorned deep web snuff filmmaker and hacker thats due out late this summer. Wolfe is more interested in building an audience at this junction than monetary gain, and hes headed to YouTube. With shorts, its more about getting exposure or using as a proof of concept, Wolfe says. Hes looking into prominent horror YouTube channels like Kings of Horror, which boasts over 500,000 subscribers and reaches thousands of viewers through their releases on YouTube. A horror short going viral certainly has its advantages. Swedish filmmakers David F. Sandberg and Lotta Losten hit gold with their short Lights Out, which garnered enough attention to eventually become a major feature produced by James Wan, of The Conjuring and Saw fame. Shorts.tv is another outlet for the aspiring short-form filmmaker. A 24/7 HD channel celebrating short works, its the perfect place for works like Curse to find a home, and they take individual submissions. There are many paths open to filmmakers who want to get their work out that dont involve traditional distribution. However, the most important thing is having a film to show in the first place. Sometimes, Grisaffi says, finished is better than perfect. Jef Rouner is a writer in Houston. The Evelyn Rubenstein JCC of Houston has announced its Community Read for the Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival, Nov. 3-13. Rachel Kadish will be speaking on her new book, The Weight of Ink on Monday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. The J is calling for book clubs around the city to join the event by reading The Weight Of Ink this fall. Stefani Twyford and Lori Farris, 2018 Community Read Co-Chairs, are excited to see The Weight of Ink in the line-up for this years Book Festival. We feel that The Weight of Ink is not only a significant addition to the historical fiction category, but we are also fascinated with the insights into the gender roles that have suppressed women throughout time. Winner of the 2017 National Jewish Book Award, Kadishs novel weaves together the lives of two London women separated by centuries. An emigrant from Amsterdam in the 1660s, who becomes a scribe for a blind rabbi, and an unwell historian who has a passion for Jewish history become connected when the historian is approached by a former student who has discovered seventeenth-century Jewish documents. Uncovering the identity of the scribe, who marked her pages as Aleph, will be the historians ultimate project. Let the J know if your book club wants to read along. Contact Andrea Wolfe at awolfe@erjcchouston.org for VIP book club benets. Participating book clubs will get discussion questions and are invited to a pre-event meet and greet with the author. The Weight of Ink will be for sale at the J after Aug. 27 and comes with free admission to the Nov. 5 event. Visit erjcchouston.org for more information about our programs and services. Find the J on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #JBAF. A 27-year-old Conroe woman has been charged with intoxication manslaughter and tampering with evidence after police say she allegedly hit three pedestrians walking their bikes along Texas 105 Tuesday afternoon, killing a man. Kristina Nicole Hardin, 27, was arrested by the Conroe Police Department after they responded to an auto-pedestrian crash in the 1900 block of Texas 105 at approximately 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Three adult pedestrians were walking in the same area, but on the shoulder, Conroe Police Sgt. Jeff Smith said. It appears that the driver of a black SUV, who was westbound on Highway 105, struck two of the adults as they were walking. AUTO SHOP SHOOTING: Employees return fire after man starts shooting, sheriff reports An adult man died at the scene while another adult woman was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The third pedestrian was not injured and was interviewed by officers and detectives at the scene. The mans identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin. According to witnesses at the scene, Hardin allegedly tossed a bottle of pills out of the car not long after the accident which is why she is also charged with tampering with physical evidence. Hardin was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on Tuesday evening on charges of intoxication manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence arising from the fatal auto-pedestrian crash that occurred on Highway 105, Montgomery County District Attorneys Office Vehicular Crimes Chief Andrew James said. Her bond on each charge is set at $50,000. The crash investigation is ongoing. Hardin has since bonded out of jail. No attorney of record has been listed yet. Previously, Hardin was arrested for misdemeanor driving while intoxicated in 2014 where she was found guilty and given probation for one year. This most recent fatal accident does not sit far from three other crosses along the same stretch of roadway that marks other fatal accidents. jennifer.summer@hcnonline.com With the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey here, Montgomery County residents who flooded continue to rebuild but it remains a work in progress. For the city of Conroe, the devastation from the storm has resulted in $8.2 million in expenses to repair flood-damaged properties with expected costs of $27.2 million when all of the repairs are completed. The city of Conroe was hit pretty hard, said city of Conroe Emergency Coordinator Kassie Laughlin. We are still working on repairs. The waste water treatment plant repair should be completed by the end of the year. They have been up-and-running since Hurricane Harvey, but we needed to make these repairs. We still have a long way to go on the police gun range and training facility. At $14 million, the citys wastewater treatment plant tops the repair cost list, followed by the Conroe Police Department gun range and training facility at $6.2 million, a waste water treatment berm at $3 million and the police gun range and training facility berm at $3 million. In talking with several of the first responders, Laughlin said many of them were focused on rescues during the storm, but were also scared because they didnt know how fast the water would rise and wanted to make sure they were able to rescue all of the residents who needed help. At one point, first responders were at an assisted living facility in Conroe, trying to get residents out as the water continued to rush into the building. I really think the planning we did as a city and response of supplies and people when we saw water being released from the Lake Conroe Dam is what made us successful and that no one died in the city of Conroe as a result of Hurricane Harvey, Laughlin said. When we saw the water rising, we were able to jump and get the residents out of their homes, that were directly affected by the water release, in the middle of the night. We werent quite sure how fast the water was rising. Laughlin commended the Conroe Fire Department, Conroe Police Department and all other first responders who helped them during Hurricane Harvey, adding, they all did a phenomenal job. If it wasnt sure them, we would have lost people. It was exhausting work and several of our firefighters, police officers and others who work in the city were affected by flooding in their houses. For future disaster response, they learned several lessons and are working to improve their mapping capabilities as a result of their response during Hurricane Harvey. They are also increasing the number of staff for Conroe Fire Department stations to move toward a four-man staffing on trucks responding to emergencies which will also help with the response to large disasters such as Harvey. They are also making improvements to the citys Emergency Management Office for it to be more up-to-date and improve response. Were looking at different programs and grants to mitigate some of the damages we would see in emergencies like this, Laughlin said. The takeaway from this is to make sure you are prepared for any kind of emergency. We will take the opportunity of this disaster to improve our city and better protect our citizens. Water rescues and response First responders and rescue workers cite Aug. 25-30, 2017, as their busiest times for high-water rescues and debris removal as Harvey moved through the area. In total, there were 241 water rescues and five reported deaths in Montgomery County as recorded by the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. The Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constables Office has also worked throughout the year to add to their rescue fleet in an effort to be prepared for any natural disaster in the future especially since their crews were dispatched to 45 different rescues and rescued a total of 131 citizens. To further assist fellow law enforcement agencies in the county during Hurricane Harvey, the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office worked to respond to drownings, evacuations, water rescues for people and animals, disturbances and burglaries. We barricade or block off roads and we attempt to remove trees, MCSO Lt. Scott Spencer said. We also provide security for shelters and for red cross areas. We felt good (about our response.) We came together as a team and did what we are trained to do for our community. Our men and women were tired, but they know the job has to do be done and they definitely got it done. We are so proud of their efforts. They did while still having to take care of their families during the hurricane or their houses. When asked if Hurricane Harvey prompted MCSO to change their response, Spencer stated no because they have responded to other natural disasters and continue to tailor their response to the situation at hand. It showed us that we can count on our law enforcement partners as well as our community partners to work together to get things done, Spencer said. We learn from every event and work together to make it better for the next one. It is an ever-evolving process, training for an event takes time, dedication and a true public servant heart and mindset. Response to flooding In response to the flooding issue that plagued neighborhoods situated in the San Jacinto watershed and those near the Lake Conroe Dam, the San Jacinto River Authority has joined in the with Harris County Flood Control District for a regional study and conducting their own studies through grants provided by the Texas Water Development Board. This Phase I project updates floodplain information on the studied streams within Montgomery County improves the existing hydrologic monitoring network in the county in order to enhance flood early warning capabilities of the region and investigates structural and nonstructural flood damage reduction projects for selected tributaries in the city of Conroe, primarily Alligator Creek. SJRA representatives stated that the second part of the project grant focuses on additional data for managing releases from Lake Conroe and for measuring the floodplain impacts on the West Fork down to Lake Creek. The first part of the Phase II grant would look at gate operation tools for the Lake Conroe watershed such as compiling real-time data from the rain gauges to know how much water is on the ground, precipitation forecasts from the National Weather Service, stream flow, current lake level elevation and current gate position in an effort to provide more accurate data for future gate operations during rainfall events. One part of Phase II also includes the Spring Creek Study that will determine the feasibility of one or more regional flood storage reservoirs, identify approximate size and boundaries of potential reservoirs, assess the general design, approximate cost and environmental impacts and benefit-cost analysis and identify potential funding options. The paperwork for Phase II of the grant for additional projects was submitted to TWDB on July 11 and they expect to hear an answer in September as to whether they will receive funding for these next projects. jennifer.summer@hcnonline.com A man who fired a gun at employees of a Porter auto repair shop was wounded by employees who returned fire, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said. The sheriff's office reported a man identified as Andres Camarena, 28, allegedly got into an argument with the owner of Denali Motorsports at 24232 Loop 494 in Porter. "The man was upset about car repairs," MCSO Lt. Scott Spencer said. "An argument between Camarena and the owner of the business ensued which became physical. Once the physical fight ended, Camarena allegedly returned to his vehicle, retrieved a gun and reportedly fired at employees and the business owner." Law enforcement authorities from the scene also added they believe the argument evolved into a gun battle between the suspect and the owner. The owner of the business along with another employee at the business returned fire, striking the suspect and his vehicle, the sheriff's office said. MCSO worked throughout the morning and a portion of the afternoon to locate the man, who fled in a white Chevrolet Caprice with bullet holes in the driver's side of the car and windshield. During their investigation, MCSO deputies believed Camarena had been shot since there was blood at the scene, but none of the employees were injured during the incident. They searched the area as well as local hospitals, discovering the suspect had driven himself for treatment to Memorial Hermann Northeast in Humble. MCSO reported that it remains unknown how many times Camarena was shot. "The suspect is being treated for gunshot wounds and will be transported to a trauma hospital in Houston," Spencer said. The sheriff's office tweeted that schools in the area were placed on lockdown, which were lifted a short time later. jennifer.summer@hcnonline.com A bank teller has been accused of signaling multiple suspects to rob a woman who had withdrawn $75,000 in cash from Wallis State Bank last Friday, triggering a violent beating that left the woman hospitalized with a broken shoulder, according to police. The teller, Shelby Taylor Wyse, 25, was working last Friday morning at the Wallis State Bank on FM1960 when the victim made the transaction near Wyse's work station, police said. Authorities believe she sent a "go signal" to the suspects, one of whom was her boyfriend. FOLLOW UP: 2nd suspect ID'd in brutal beating, robbery attempt caught on camera Wyse was booked into Harris County Jail on Wednesday on a charge of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Her bail has been set at $75,000. Two other suspects have been identified as Travonn Johnson and Davis Mitchell, who are in custody without bond. At Wyse's probably cause hearing Wednesday, prosecutors said Wyse was in a dating relationship with Johnson, who drove a vehicle leased in her name during the robbery. Johnson has also been accused of attacking Wyse on at least two previous occasions, according to court records. During the robbery investigation, police viewed video surveillance footage from the bank that appeared to show Wyse watching the victim during the transaction, prosecutors said during Wednesday's hearing. The video then showed Wyse sending a text message, which police presume to be a signal to the other suspects. Harris County Pct. 4 Constable Mark Herman said investigators are still working to obtain a search warrant for the Wyse's phone to read the message. After the $75,000 transaction, police said Johnson and Mitchell followed the victim in separate cars around 9:30 a.m. The woman eventually pulled into a Valero convenience store in the 23200 block of Northwest Freeway in Jersey Village. She and her husband work at a check cashing business inside the store on Fridays, Herman said. Video surveillance footage shows the woman walking into the store when a suspect whom police identified as Mitchell attacked the woman and yanked at her purse. While the woman resisted, her husband came to her defense and fought Mitchell. That's when a black Chrysler 300 pulled up to the location and a man now believed to be Johnson got out. The video appears to show Johnson stomping and beating the couple. At one point, he appears to get back in the car and back over the man and woman. RECENT ROBBERY: Houston man's robbery at gun point caught on camera The woman never let go of her purse but sustained a broken shoulder, Herman said. The husband was treated on the scene for "cuts and bruises," he said. Both Johnson and Mitchell are facing charges of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Herman added that his office is still looking for more people involved in the crime, but he did not want to comment Thursday on the number of additional suspects. During the investigation, police tracked down Wyse after they learned that she leased the Chrysler 300 used in the robbery at a local Budget Rent a Car. When confronted about the car, Wyse said the vehicle was stolen the morning of the robbery, but she never filed a report with police, prosecutors said. The woman's connection to Johnson can be traced back to at least May 2017, when the Harris County Pct. 7 Constable's Office charged Johnson with assaulting Wyse once on May 1 and again on May 16, court records show. Johnson allegedly pushed her in a pool and "gouged her right eye" with his finger on May 1. On May 16, he was accused of hitting her with his hand and breaking her nails. Wade Bainum, a Harris County Public Defender, said during Wyse's hearing Wednesday that she's been living in Houston for six years and has an 8-year-old child. He said she did not appear to have any previous criminal history. Officials at the Wallis State Bank declined to comment on the matter. 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 High school beef is believed to be behind a drive-by shooting that injured a woman while she slept in her home in the Greater Inwood area, said Sgt. Scott Ashmore of the Harris County Sheriff's Office. This is the second time the home has been the target of a drive-by shooting in the past several months, Ashmore said. A high school feud might have motivated the violence, he said. Matteo Colombo/Getty Images Mexican authorities said they found eight dead bodies in the resort city of Cancun on Tuesday. Four of the bodies were found shot to death, with two of the victims left in an abandoned taxi and two others dismembered and left in plastic bags at a different location, according to the Associated Press. To Ana Sierra, when you lose your belongings, the little things really do mean a lot. The soap, towels, toothbrushes, shoes, hairbrushes, books, stuffed animals, a favorite blanket all of Sierras familys items were lost during Hurricane Harvey, and she and her family have spent much of the last year living with relatives. Its like starting all over, Sierra said. Sierra recently attended a restoration fair at the BakerRipley-Cleveland Campus, 720 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, with her daughter and mother. The fairs are held every Thursday for families in the Pasadena, South Houston, Sagemont and Edgebrook areas who are still affected by Harvey. In partnership with the city of Houston and Harris County, the restoration fairs are part of BakerRipleys long-term disaster relief program to help in that continuing recovery. There, residents needing help can talk to BakerRipley restoration coordinators or disaster case managers who will connect them with resources on site that include Harris Center-Texans Recovering Together, which provides free counseling services, and Lone Star Legal Aid, which works with impacted residents who do not have the resources to pay for an attorney and gives them tips on avoiding various types of shams such as renter and home repair fraud. But many residents who come in week after week are there for seemingly less complicated reasons, and thats where BakerRipley is making the most impact. One year later, in addition to dealing with their rebuilding efforts, families are still trying to meet the most basic needs. In conjunction with (other services), were providing what we call unmet needs cleaning equipment, hygiene products, bedding and this is happening on a weekly basis, said Shawn McCann, restoration coordinator for BakerRipley. Harvey help What: BakerRipley-Cleveland Campus conducts "restoration fairs" every Thursday for families in the Pasadena, South Houston, Sagemont and Edgebrook areas who are still affected by Harvey. When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: BakerRipley-Cleveland Campus, 720 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena Details: 713-944-9186 See More Collapse According to BakerRipley spokeswoman Frida Villalobos, the agency serves approximately 100 families a week at each of the three BakerRipley restoration centers, which are in Pasadena, Greenspoint and East Aldine. The service will continue through December at three locations. For people who were already struggling financially, this just added to the challenge of day-by-day living, said Margie Pena, community developer for BakerRipley. Many, Pena said, lost jobs along with homes. BakerRipley distributes bags and boxes of items along with supplementary gift cards from various retail stores like Walmart. The agency sees some repeat appearances from area families as well as new faces week after week, McCann said. Its not uncommon to see car-pooling: three or four families who have had to move in together and theyre putting their efforts together, he said. Victorina Jimenez comes to the restoration fairs and shares stories with others. The 50-year South Houston resident is still living in a semi-repaired apartment. She lost a vehicle and most of her belongings. I heard they are helping with things like cleaning supplies and other things I still need, she said. Her neighbor, 30-year old Mariella Amaya, is still without air conditioning in her home. She recently made her first visit to the recovery fair. She lost everything, too. Both Jimenez and Amaya say that FEMA provided some temporary relief. Amaya has three small children who are preparing to start school at Pasadena ISD. Amaya planned to attend the backpack distribution event that weekend. With Gods help, we keep going, and what theyre doing here is a blessing. The entire first floor of the home she shares with her parents, brother and two-year old daughter was soaked from the flooding. While the family had flood insurance, those funds went so far, and the family is rebuilding on their own, but that takes time, and resources. Bills still have to be paid, she said. Its the seemingly ordinary things the clothes, household items - that can leave a void in the families daily lives. It could be paper towels, toilet paper, toothbrushes it could be the same thing every week. Theyve been stretching every dollar they have, and we are providing these things so they dont have to spend money on them, said Pena. But the stories are not just about set-backs, Pena said. Something like this also pulls out the strength of the people who persevere, she said. Ana Sierra recently started a new job, her family has moved back into their home and is rebuilding on their own. Her 2-year old daughter, Adrianna, took home a coloring book from the restoration fair. Its those little things, said Sierra, that can help bring some normalcy to daily life, especially to a child. Adrianna still shudders at the sound of rain, according to her mother. While Sierra is more hopeful than shes been in a year, the anxiety is still something she has to hide from her family. I cant cry in front of my daughter, and I have to be strong for my family, but theres still that need to talk to somebody about it, she said. yorozco@hcnonline.com Pearland residents missing school supplies, clothing or their wallets might consider checking with the Pearland Police Department, which has several items that were recovered recently from throughout the city. A backpack and its contents were found Aug. 13 in the 13300 block of Paxton Hill Court, police said. Police filed a found property report after a firearm was discovered Aug. 18 in the eastbound lane of the 4000 block of Broadway. A lost wallet was found the same day in the 3600 block of Bluebird Way, police said. Finally, a large box of childrens costumes was found Aug. 19 in the 7900 block of Broadway Street, police said. Theft Police arrested a Houston man, 26, and woman, 17, for shoplifting Aug. 13 in the 2700 block of Pearland Parkway. A Yeti cooler was stolen Aug. 13 from Dicks Sporting Goods, 11200 Broadway, police said. Shoplifting was reported Aug. 14 in the 2800 block of Business Center Drive, police said. Theft occurred Aug. 1 in the 2500 block of Main Street, according to an Aug. 14 police report. Police took a Houston man, 66, and woman, 52, into custody for shoplifting Aug. 14 in the 2800 block of Business Center Drive. A package was stolen from a victims residence Aug. 13 in the 10000 block of Forest Spring Lane, according to an Aug. 14 police report. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported Aug. 15 in the 2800 block of Miller Ranch Road, police said. A tablet was stolen between Aug. 1 and Aug. 15, according to a police report filed in the 2100 block of Kingsley Drive. Police completed a theft report Aug. 15 in the 1900 block of Roaring Springs Drive. Shoplifting was reported Aug. 16 in the 1900 block of Main Street, police said. Theft occurred Aug. 15 in the 2600 block of Old Alvin Road, according to an Aug. 16 police report. Police filed a theft report Aug. 16 in the 2100 block of Broadway Street. A Pearland woman, 37, was arrested for shoplifting Aug. 16 in the 2800 block of Business Center Drive, police said. Theft was reported Aug. 16 in the 2100 block of Kingsley Drive, police said. Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle occurred between June 26 and Aug. 16, according to a police report filed Aug. 16 in the 11700 block of Broadway Street. Police filed two shoplifting reports Aug. 16 in the 2800 block of Business Center Drive. Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle occurred Aug. 17 or Aug. 18 in the 2800 block of Oak Road, police said. Theft was reported Aug. 18 in the 3000 block of Pearland Parkway, police said. Theft and criminal mischief were reported Aug. 18 in the 1400 block of Broadway Street, police said. An unknown suspect stole a wallet Aug. 18 in the 2600 block of Pearland Parkway, police said. Two female suspects and one male suspect committed theft Aug. 18 in the 10000 block of Broadway Street, police said. An Aug. 17 theft was reported Aug. 19 in the 6600 block of Broadway Street, police said. Shoplifting occurred Aug. 18 in the 2800 block of Business Center Drive, according to an Aug. 19 police report. Theft was reported Aug. 19 in the 11100 block of Broadway Street, police said. Burglary A vehicle was burglarized Aug. 13 in the 2700 block of Shady Creek Drive, police said. Property was stolen from vehicles Aug. 12 or Aug. 13 in the 2000 block of Isla Drive, police said. Motor vehicle burglary occurred between July 28 and Aug. 13, according to a police report filed Aug. 13 in the 3000 block of Trail Creek Court. Someone entered a vehicle and stole property Aug. 13 or Aug. 14 in the 4900 block of Clover Lane, police said. A vehicle burglary occurred between Aug. 12 and Aug. 14 in the 4700 block of Linden Place, police said. Someone burglarized a building Aug. 15 in the 1800 block of Pearland Parkway, police said. A motor vehicle was burglarized July 1 in the 2400 block of Business Center Drive, according to a police report filed Aug. 15. Police filed a motor vehicle burglary report Aug. 16 in the 1900 block of Country Place Parkway. Motor vehicle burglaries was reported Aug. 16 and 18 in the 1000 block of Bass Pro Drive, police said. Police filed a motor vehicle burglary report Aug. 18 in the 2200 block of Business Center Drive. Someone burglarized two vehicles Aug. 19 in the 2700 block of Pearland Parkway, police said. Fraud, forgery Credit card abuse occurred between July 18 and Aug. 13, according to a police report filed Aug. 13 in the 6400 block of Scott Lane. A victims debit card number was used to make several unauthorized transactions Aug. 14, according to a police report filed in the 2300 block of Colleen Drive. Police filed a forgery report Aug. 15 in the 10900 block of Memorial Hermann Drive. Credit or debit card abuse occurred Aug. 17 in the 1700 block of Bracket Court, police said. Narcotics Police arrested a Webster man, 30, for marijuana possession Aug. 13 in the 2700 block of Broadway Street. A Pearland man, 30, was arrested for marijuana possession Aug. 13 in the 2600 block of Main Street, police said. A Pearland man, 35, was taken into custody for marijuana possession Aug. 15 in the 4000 block of Veterans Drive, police said. Police arrested a Brookside Village man, 29, for possession of a dangerous drug and a prohibited weapon Aug. 15 in the 1900 block of Oday Road. A 26-year-old Pearland woman was arrested for marijuana possession and driving while license invalid Aug. 15 in the 4000 block of Harkey Road, police said. Police arrested a Pearland man, 45, for possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license invalid and a warrant Aug. 16 in the 2000 block of Broadway Street. A 41-year-old Pearland woman was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, police said. Police took a Houston man, 39, into custody for marijuana possession Aug. 17 in the 3500 block of Main Street. A Houston man, 34, was arrested for marijuana possession and 12 outstanding warrants Aug. 17 in the 5200 block of Shank Road, police said. A 19-year-old Houston man was arrested for marijuana possession Aug. 17 in the 2600 block of Business Center Drive, police said. A League City man, 34, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance Aug. 17 in the 2900 block of Old Chocolate Bayou Road, police said. Police arrested a Houston man, 36, for marijuana possession Aug. 18 in the 16600 block of Texas 288. A Richmond woman, 31, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia Aug. 18 in the 2800 block of Business Center Drive, police said. Police arrested a Missouri City woman, 38, for possession of a controlled substance and DWI Aug. 19 in the 11000 block of Shadow Creek Parkway. Threats, harassment Police filed a terroristic threat report Aug. 13 in the 2000 block of Cullen Parkway. Unknown suspects harassed victims between July 8 and Aug. 14 in the 12200 block of Rosemont Lane, police said. Harassment was reported between Aug. 6 and Aug. 16 in the 3300 block of Hazystone Lane, police said. Threats were reported Aug. 17 in the 5500 block of Bailey Road, police said. Police arrested a Manvel woman, 62, for making a terroristic threat Aug. 17 in the 10600 block of Broadway Street. A terroristic threat occurred July 24, according to a police report filed Aug. 17 in the 4100 block of Seminole Drive. Harassing phone calls were reported Aug. 17 in the 6500 block of Broadway Street, police said. Police filed a harassment report after two males allegedly sent threatening text messages to each other Aug. 18 in the 2500 block of Cullen Parkway. Disorderly conduct Police arrested a 21-year-old Jackson, Alabama, man for disorderly conduct and failure to identify after a disturbance Aug. 13 in the 6500 block of Broadway Street. A Pearland man, 28, was arrested for disorderly conduct Aug. 19 in the 2100 block of Lee Road, police said. Assault Family violence was reported Aug. 3 in the 1300 block of Broadway Street, police said. A Pearland woman, 56, received a citation for assault, family violence Aug. 15 in the 3600 block of Helen Lane, police said. A woman reported that her ex-husband assaulted her Aug. 16 in the 2900 block of Halfmoon Bay Drive, police said. Police arrested a Pearland man, 27, for assaulting his girlfriend Aug. 17 in the 5100 block of Halbert Drive. A Houston woman, 55, received a citation for assault Aug. 17 in the 6100 block of Winter Oak Street, police said. Police filed an assault report Aug. 19 in the 2100 block of Broadway Street. Criminal trespass Police arrested a Corpus Christi man, 42, for criminal trespass Aug. 13 in the 13600 block of Hatfield Road. Criminal trespass was reported Aug. 14 in the 2900 block of Saxton Court, police said. Police filed a criminal trespass report Aug. 19 in the 2000 block of Orchard Frost Drive. Driving while intoxicated A crash investigation led to the arrest of a Red Oak man, 22, for DWI Aug. 13 in the 3300 block of Manvel Road, police said. Police took a Pearland man, 63, into custody for DWI Aug. 17 in the 2900 block of Broadway Street. A Houston man, 24, was taken into custody for DWI after an accident Aug. 18 in the 17600 block of Texas 288, police said. Public intoxication A Manvel man, 46, was arrested for public intoxication Aug. 16 at Valero, 12712 Broadway Street, police said. Police took a Houston man, 34, into custody for public intoxication Aug. 19 in the 13900 block of Texas 288. Criminal mischief A yard ornament was thrown through the back window of a complainants vehicle Aug. 12 or Aug. 13 in the 3900 block of Bracket Drive, police said. Two rugs were damaged Aug. 13 in the 5600 block of West Orange Street, police said. Property damage was reported Aug. 13 in the 3200 block of South Nolan Court, police said. Police conducted a criminal mischief investigation Aug. 13 in the 2800 block of Tranquility Lakes Boulevard. Criminal mischief was reported Aug. 15 in the 2200 block of North Houston Avenue, police said. Police filed a criminal mischief report Aug. 17 in the 2000 block of Broadway Street. Vandalism was reported Aug. 17 in the 6500 block of Broadway Street, police said. Police investigated a report of criminal mischief Aug. 18 in the 1900 block of Main Street. Child pornography Police filed a report for possession of child pornography Aug. 14 in the 2500 block of Cullen Parkway. Failure to identify A Spring man, 24, was arrested for failure to identify as a fugitive and warrants Aug. 15 in the 1700 block of Broadway Street, police said. Evidence tampering Police arrested an Alvin man, 21, for evidence tampering Aug. 19 in the 4400 block of Main Street. A 25-year-old Houston man was taken into custody for warrants, police said. Weapons An Alvin man, 37, was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon Aug. 19 in the 1500 block of Main Street, police said. Traffic Police arrested a Houston man, 30, for a fictitious drivers license Aug. 13 in the 14700 block of Cullen Boulevard. A Houston woman, 50, was taken into custody for driving while license invalid and fictitious license plate Aug. 19 in the 2000 block of Cullen Parkway, police said. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Harvey the nonprofit social service agency Interfaith of The Woodlands collected donations, distributed essential goods and began a long-term action plan to assist people in need after losing everything. It really puts perspective in your life of whats important, Interfaith CEO Missy Herndon said. It really shows the resilience of people. On Monday, Aug. 28, three days after the storm made landfall southwest of Houston, Herndon activated the Interfaith staff at full alert. What they found when they arrived was nothing short of astounding, Herndon said. People and whatever cars could pass the high waters formed a line that reached Panther Creek Drive, almost a quarter mile away. The majority werent seeking help they were looking to donate. We always have a budget to prepare for disasters that could happen, Herndon said. But nobody could prepare for Harvey. Before long, the sheer amount of donations overwhelmed the squat green building where Interfaith is housed. Within 24 hours, the hallways were choked with donated goods and Interfaith began storing the heaps in the chapel and the school next door. Just in time, Herndon said, Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal asked the organization to manage donation redistribution for the entire county on Aug. 29. On Sept. 2, the center, temporarily housed at the Falcon Steel Americans 225,000 square foot warehouse in Conroe, opened its doors the same day, the 2,800 volunteers rallied by Interfaith staff began guiding what would eventually become 3,866 people in need. The organized chaos of the stockpile reached as far as the eye could see, with sections of the space reserved for clothes, food, water and household and personal items. In our history of Interfaith, even with all of the disasters that weve been through, weve never received the outpouring of support that we did during Harvey, Herndon said. Interfaith of The Woodlandss Hurricane Harvey recovery by the numbers: $1 million in total donations to aid short- and long-term recovery in the community, partially made up of three $250,000 donations 28,260 people helped by Interfaith either monetarily or through material donations 225,000 square foot warehouse in Conroe turned into a donation redistribution center 2,800 donation distribution volunteers 3,866 people and 669 families helped in the immediate aftermath See More Collapse Three weeks after opening the massive center on Pollock Drive, Interfaith shut the enormous steel hangar doors and turned its attention toward the future. Our initial goal was to get people out of the rain and put them into shelters, Herndon said. To get them food, get them water and get them someplace safe. After their initial needs food, water, shelter and clothing were met, Interfaith staff got to work on long-term solutions for community members seeking their guidance and financial support post-storm. In total, more than $1 million was donated to Interfaith for hurricane recovery efforts and were made up, in part, by three separate quarter-million dollar donations. Interfaith provided the more than 650 families, who left their homes with no more than the clothes on their backs, with bed frames, gas vouchers, and gift cards to Ashley Furniture, Walmart and Target. Weve transitioned as those families have gotten back on their feet, Herndon said. Soon after the storm, the organization partnered with Montgomery County Community Assistance Recovery Efforts and Services and the United Way to fund long-term recovery for the 6,300 families still seeking assistance to date. The partnership will allow Interfaith to provide continued service as the clock ticks away from Harvey. Despite the loss of life and property the greater Houston area suffered during the storm and in its aftermath, Herndon said, the staff of Interfaith learned a valuable lesson as they continue to coordinate with Montgomery County and the Township to provide relief. People are really, really good in this county and continually shine when it comes time to take care of each other, Herndon said. So there is an expectation that theyll continue to do that. The official candidate filing period for the 2018 Woodlands Township Board of Directors election ended at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 20, with one last candidate filing papers for the Nov. 6 election. Unlike the contentious 2016 election, this years ballot will have fewer names and only three contested races. Incumbent directors Gordy Bunch, Brian Boniface, John Anthony Brown and Bruce Rieser all filed their candidate papers early in the filing period, and after Mondays deadline, only three incumbents had challengers. A history professor was found guilty of discrimination and harassment after writing on Facebook that he hated white people, leading an advocacy group to complain that Rutgers University had violated his right to free speech. In May, James Livingston, a tenured professor who is white and lives in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, wrote on social media about his frustration over the gentrification of the neighborhood. "OK, officially, I now hate white people," he posted. "I am a white people, for God's sake, but can we keep them--us--us out of my neighborhood?" He wrote that the restaurant he was in was "overrun with little Caucasian ---holes who know their parents will approve of everything they do," and announced, "I hereby resign from my race." The post was removed by Facebook for violating standards on hate speech. Livingston later wrote, "I just don't want little Caucasians overrunning my life . . . remand them to the suburbs, where they and their parents can colonize every restaurant." His words were quickly picked up by the media, starting with the Daily Caller, and provoked immediate outrage. Livingston faced a barrage of hate emails, slur-laced insults and death threats. He also faced an investigation by Rutgers, which had also received messages complaining about his words. Livingston told university officials that he was writing satirically, that his words weren't a true expression of racism, and that he had a right to express his opinions, according to a copy of the investigation that he shared with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. The report concluded, "Professor Livingston's statements were clearly insulting and degrading to Caucasians. While he may indeed have merely meant to express his views on gentrification, he exercised astonishingly poor judgment in his choice of words. "Professor Livingston clearly was on notice that his words were offensive, yet instead of clarifying that he meant to comment on gentrification, he chose to make another belligerent barb against whites. Given Professor Livingston's insistence on making disparaging racial comments, a reasonable student may have concerns that he or she would be stigmatized in his classes because of his or her race. As such, Professor Livingston's comments violated University Policy." He was found guilty of violating the school's policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment. His appeal was denied, according to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, which has asked the school to reverse the decision, and he faces disciplinary action that could include discharge. A spokeswoman for Rutgers declined to discuss the case, saying they could not discuss the specifics of a personnel matter. "I allowed FIRE to publicize this finding not simply on my own behalf, but because I believe the intellectual mission of Rutgers, a place to which I've devoted my career, is in peril, and being overridden for the sake of public relations," Livingston said in a statement. "Allowing human resource administrators to tell a professor of 30 years what he can and can't say on Facebook means that the tradition of academic freedom in our public universities is essentially over. I respect that tradition too much not to protest." "I'm also a fan of the Constitution, which is equally under assault here," Livingston said. "I very much hope the university will see its way to overturning this finding of 'reverse racism' and reaffirming the democratic freedoms that Rutgers has long stood for." Rutgers' president has defended the rights of faculty to speak freely, even when their words offend others. "Both academic freedom and our First Amendment rights are at the core of what we do," Robert Barchi wrote. "Our University policy on speech is clear. All members of our community enjoy the rights of free expression guaranteed by the First Amendment. Faculty members, as private citizens, enjoy the same freedoms of speech and expression as any private citizen and shall be free from institutional discipline in the exercise of these rights." The report on the investigation into Livingston noted that "the university does, however, demand that the conduct of a faculty member 'be in accordance with standards dictated by law,' " and that "the First Amendment generally affords a public employer substantial latitude to discipline employees for speech." "It is reasonable to predict that the university's core function of educating a diverse student body may be disrupted by Professor Livingston's public statements," the report found, with numerous anonymous complaints that he was racist. Student government leaders did not immediately respond to messages Wednesday about the case. Will Creeley of FIRE said the university had found Livingston guilty of either altering a workplace environment or hurting students' ability to get an education, despite the fact that there is no evidence that Rutgers received a complaint from anyone at the university about Livingston's remarks. "The concern for public relations goes to the heart of this case," he said. "It's very easy for outrage mobs to seize upon a professor's comment on social media, amplify it, deluge an institution with hate mail ... and ask for action." The First Amendment clearly protects private citizens employed by government agencies - such as a public university - to speak about matters of public concern, such as gentrification, Creeley said, and that right is particularly important for faculty members. "You may not agree with the faculty member, but the First Amendment exists to protect speech that challenges you or asks you to think about things in a different way." California Attorney General Xavier Becerra insists that his state isn't at war with President Donald Trump, even as he files lawsuits against the administration at a breakneck pace and warns of an existential threat to democracy. "What Donald Trump is doing is asking us to backslide. We don't wish to backslide," Becerra said Tuesday during a meeting with Bloomberg News reporters and editors in New York. Becerra and California Governor Jerry Brown have positioned their state as a champion of the so-called Trump resistance -- Brown has even called it "war" -- but Becerra said he's fighting for Californians, and not against a single force. "My job is to protect the people, the values and the resources of the State of California. That's my job," he said. "Someone wants to get in the way, we have to take them on. I don't categorize that as war." Becerra has filed 41 lawsuits against the Trump administration, has more in the works and has also signed onto other states' suits challenging federal policy. He said he believes that many of the administration's actions will ultimately be scrapped by the courts because they are based on numbers that don't add up, questionable science and ignorance of precedents. That includes the administration's pollution limits on auto emissions, announced this month, and coal-fired power plants, announced Tuesday. "We're going to continue to do what we need to do, and that could include suing the Trump administration yet again on trying to backslide on a very important protection," Becerra said of the power plant proposal. In addition to environmental issues, Becerra has challenged the administration's policies on immigration and scolded Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar over proposed changes in the way Medicaid pays home-care workers. On yet another front, he said Tuesday that he expected California, the largest U.S. state, to play a leading role in a nationwide legal battle over the opioid crisis. "The two words that we keep raising in most of our filings in court against this administration just reverberate: arbitrary and capricious," Becerra said. A former 12-term congressman representing a predominantly Latino section of Los Angeles, Becerra, 60, was appointed to his current post early last year by Brown and is up for election to a full term in November. He was a potential running mate for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and spent a substantial amount of time for her campaigning in Nevada, a key early state in the presidential nominating process. As for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, he signaled a run was unlikely but wouldn't rule it out when asked. "Whatever I get I'm going to earn," he said after a six-second pause. "I feel fortunate to be able to be in a place to make a difference. Did I ever think I would be the AG for California? No. Did I ever think I'd run for Congress? No. Did I ever think I'd be in elected office? No. It's gone well, I hope I've been able to show that I can make a difference," he said. "I meant what I said to my daughters: The sky really is the limit for you. And so it will be for me. But whatever I get, whatever that is, it'll come because I earned it. Not because I just want it." When a reporter told him that wasn't a no, he replied: "It's a never a no because if the sky's the limit, but I'm not telling you I'm out there searching for something. I'm really happy doing what I'm doing." Becerra wouldn't say much about the 2020 prospects of Senator Kamala Harris, who he succeeded as California's attorney general, or about the rest of the potential field. " think the sky's the limit for Kamala Harris. I think she's proven that, and we're fortunate on the Democratic side," he said, adding, "There are a lot of very capable people who are making noise." He left the House as the fourth-ranking Democrat, on the verge of being term-limited out of his post as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and with limited options for another leadership role, given the dominance and longevity of the three leaders ahead of him - Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and Jim Clyburn. Even so, he's not in the camp of some Democrats who are jostling for leadership changes. Becerra said he thinks the angst is, more than anything else, a symptom of the party's lack of power. "I would attribute most of what you're hearing externally about the House Democratic caucus to the fact that Democrats are in the minority," he said. "I don't think you heard a lot of people complaining about leadership in 2007, '08, '09 or '10 when Democrats were busy getting a whole bunch of stuff done." That all changes if Democrats take back the chamber in the midterm elections. "Winning the majority cures a lot of this because all of a sudden you have a lot of people who will be needed to step up and do a lot," he said. "And, by the way, that's when they're going to find out that it's not always fun to be in leadership because you sometimes have to take positions that may not sit well with some faction in your constituency or whatever else." Pelosi, the current minority leader and a fellow Californian, is on good footing no matter what happens in November, Becerra said. "My bet," he said, is that "Nancy Pelosi will win a race in the House Democratic caucus because she's earned it, because she's proven herself." As the simmering debate over immigration flared up yet again earlier this year, Washington's policy of separating migrant families unfolded on California's border with Mexico. Becerra was asked about the Trump administration considering regulations it hoped to use to supersede the Flores Settlement Agreement, which limits the time migrant children can spend in federal custody to 20 days and which it used to justify its family separation policy. Becerra said that wouldn't work. "It shows how President Trump just -- the synapses aren't connecting. You can't just abandon a settlement"reached through the courts, he said. "I guess he, once again, thinks that he can just undo it because he's president. No, he can't. Not if our laws and institutions are still working." - - - Bloomberg's Ryan Beene and Jared S. Hopkins contributed to this report. 2018 Bloomberg L.P. President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has "knowledge" about computer hacking and collusion that may interest Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, Cohen's lawyer said. One day after Cohen pleaded guilty to illegal campaign finance charges over hush money paid to a porn actress and a former Playboy model -- all but naming Trump as having ordered him to do it -- Cohen's lawyer said Wednesday he would be happy to share the information with the special counsel or Congress. "It's my observation that Mr. Cohen has knowledge that would be of interest to the special counsel about the issue of whether Donald Trump, ahead of time, knew about the hacking of emails, which is a computer crime," attorney Lanny Davis told CNN in an interview Wednesday. Davis told MSNBC Tuesday night that Cohen's knowledge involves the "possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election." Cohen would not accept a pardon from Trump, if offered, Davis said. "Not only is he not hoping for it, he would not accept a pardon. He considers a pardon from somebody who has acted so corruptly as president to be something he would never accept," Davis told NBC Wednesday. Trump suffered through perhaps the worst day of his presidency Tuesday as his personal lawyer implicated him in a crime at almost the same time his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, became a convicted felon. Moments after the charges in Cohen's plea were read aloud in a Manhattan courtroom, Manafort was convicted on eight counts of tax and bank fraud charges, boosting Mueller's investigation. The dueling sagas were the clearest sign yet of the political and legal peril that is increasingly threatening Trump's presidency. While the legal ramifications will take more time to unfold, the political damage is already being felt, with Democrats seizing on the rulings. "The White House looks increasingly like a criminal enterprise with the convictions today of President Trump's former campaign manager and personal lawyer," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said in a statement. A president who won election in part by labeling his opponent, Hillary Clinton, a criminal -- complete with chants of "lock her up!" at campaign rallies -- has now seen three close associates brought down by federal prosecutors, including his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Mueller's probe into whether the Trump campaign was involved in Russia's interference in the 2016 elections continues. But Mueller handed off the Cohen case to federal prosecutors in New York, which means that his guilty plea intensifies a second -- and entirely separate -- investigation that could threaten the president. Trump tried to shrug off the Manafort conviction, telling reporters Tuesday that "it had nothing to do with Russian collusion, so we continue the witch hunt." His lawyer, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, R, said the Cohen plea deal wasn't related to Trump. "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen," he said in a statement. "It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time." Cohen didn't name Trump in court, referring instead to a "candidate" who directed him to make the illegal payments. Davis was more direct, saying in a statement later Tuesday that Cohen "stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election." A U.S. prosecutor told the judge the purpose of the payments was to ensure that the individuals did not disclose "alleged affairs with the candidate." In addition to a $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels, Cohen admitted to making an illegal contribution of $150,000, which was how much former Playmate Karen McDougal received from the National Enquirer's publisher to quash her story about an alleged affair. Cohen has been under investigation since at least April, when the FBI raided his home and office. Democrats immediately seized on the news to attack the president, as they look ahead to congressional elections in November where they hope to win back at least one chamber of Congress. And a number of Republicans also said the developments marked a significant turning point for Trump. "It's a big day, it's a bad day," said John Dean, former White House counsel for Richard Nixon, on the implications of Cohen's plea on Trump and his presidency. "I think we've established today that we have a criminal president, and that is historic." Aboard Air Force One en route to West Virginia, Trump watched Fox News coverage of the Manafort verdict and Cohen's plea, two people near him said. They described the president as somber but calm, and added that he said nothing critical about Cohen or Manafort. One aide said that Trump is battle-tested at this point and knows how to deal with extreme stress. But there was no joking around on Air Force One as there sometimes is. People close to the president reassured him and shared ways to deal with fallout from double-barreled bad news. What Trump was most interested in: how it's all playing. Aides were aware Tuesday was a very bad day and were relieved the president wasn't sitting in the White House residence tied to the television for the evening. His travel companions, Rep. Alex Mooney and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, both of West Virginia, and Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, distracted him with conversation about legislative issues and other topics, the people added. In West Virginia, he did a private roundtable, a photo line, then the re-election campaign rally, surrounded by people who were happy to see him. Some of Trump's aides and allies were worried about the consequences of the day's events. Two of them expressed concern for the country. Two others said it is now likelier that Democrats will win the House in November. "Today clarifies that November is a referendum on impeachment -- an up-or-down vote," Steve Bannon, Trump's former chief strategist, said. "Every Trump supporter needs to get with the program." If Trump knew about the payments and that they were illegal, he could be charged with violating election law for accepting illegal payments and not disclosing them, said Paul S. Ryan, a campaign finance lawyer with Common Cause. Current Justice Department guidelines state that a sitting president cannot be indicted, and that any wrongdoing should be referred to Congress for impeachment proceedings. Those guidelines aren't binding. After first denying knowledge of the payment, Trump admitted in May to reimbursing Cohen for a $130,000 payment made on the eve of the election to Daniels, the porn actress, although he denied the transaction had anything to do with the campaign or involved campaign funds. Trump was also heard on a 2016 recording made by Cohen that appears to show Trump was informed of the payments. At nearly the same time in a Virginia courtroom, Manafort was found guilty on five counts of tax fraud, one count of failing to file a financial document with the government, and two counts of bank fraud. The jury couldn't reach a decision on the other 10 counts. He was accused of lying to tax authorities about his income and offshore tax accounts, failing to file reports about those accounts, and defrauding banks to get loans. The case was the first brought by Mueller to go to trial and gives weight to his investigation. Mueller has charged 32 people and secured five guilty pleas. "It's a witch hunt and it's a disgrace," Trump said Tuesday of the Manafort verdict. "This has nothing what they started out looking for -- Russians involved in our campaign, there were none." Trump declined to answer questions on Cohen. - With assistance from Bloomberg's Margaret Talev, Erik Larson, Adam Haigh and Todd White. Serbia took delivery of two more Russian MiG-29 fighter jets, the country's Ministry of Defense announced yesterday. Those two secondhand jets are part of an extensive overhaul program conducted in Russia under a US$213 million contract. The two MiG-29 fighter jets recently handed over to the Serbian Air Force (Credit: Ministry of Defence of Serbia) The Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attended the ceremony at the Batajnica airbase, close to the Serbian capital, Belgrade, thanking Russian President Vladimir Putin for helping make Serbias armed forces stronger. Vucic declared that the repaired MiGs should be named after Serbian pilots and other "heroes" who defended Serbia during the "NATO aggression" in 1999. The President pointed out that "Today is an important day for Serbia. Today we have seen the mighty wings of Serbia." Serbia started receiving MiG-29 fighter jets donated by the Russian government in October 2017, with a first batch of two aircraft delivered by one An-124-100 cargo plane. In December 2016, the government in Belgrade said Russia had agreed to donate six MiG-29 fighter jets to Serbia's Air Force. Moscow had also agreed to extend to 14 years the service life of the Serbian Air Force fleet of Russian-made MiG-29s, including the donated aircraft. A Meredosia man is facing a first-degree murder charge in the May stabbing death of a Rushville man. The Morgan County states attorney filed the charge Tuesday against Dustin A. Finlaw, 18, of Meredosia. Finlaw already was being held on other charges related to the investigation of the death of Robert L. Utter, 42, of Rushville. Utter was found stabbed to death May 24. Finlaw now faces three counts of first-degree murder. States Attorney Gray Noll said the three counts all are related to the same incident. In Illinois, first-degree murder can be charged in three different ways, Noll said. The documents for the first count charge that Finlaw committed the offense and knowingly and without lawful justification, and with the intent to kill or with the intent to cause (or) do great bodily harm, knowingly struck Robert L. Utter multiple times with a knife, thereby causing the death of Robert L. Utter. The second count charges that Finlaw committed the act knowing said acts could cause the death of Utter. The third count charges that Finlaw committed the act knowing that such acts created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to Utter. Finlaw already had been charged with aggravated assault of two police officers, resisting arrest, falsifying information and destroying a cellphone believed to have evidence about the homicide. The other charges still are being held as a separate matter related to the investigation and not to the act of murder, Noll said. If convicted, Finlaw could face from 20 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by three years of mandatory supervised release. His sentence would not be probational. Bail on the new charge has been set at $1 million. He is scheduled to appear in court at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 4 for a preliminary hearing. Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha. Law enforcement officials in Iowa have charged a man with murdering 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbets, saying he admitted to abducting her as she ran on a country road and eventually led them to the field where her body was buried under corn stalks. The suspect was identified as 24-year-old Christian Bahena-Rivera, who authorities said was an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who had been living in the United States for at least four years. Rivera was charged with first-degree murder, with a potential penalty of life in prison, according to Rick Rahn, a special agent in charge for the sector at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Tibbetts, who was studying psychology the University of Iowa, had been missing since leaving for a run from her boyfriend's house in Brooklyn, Iowa, a small town of about 1,500 where she is originally from. The case unraveled in dramatic fashion on Tuesday as reports emerged in the morning that authorities had found Tibbetts' body, followed by an afternoon announcement that Bahena-Rivera had been arrested and charged. Rahn declined to give many details about Tibbetts' killing, citing the ongoing investigation. He said that Rivera told investigators that he saw her running, approached her and ran along side or behind her, even relaying to authorities that Tibbetts had grabbed her phone and threatened to call the police. He continued to pursue her and then abducted her, Rahn said. The case is certain to add fuel to the explosive and racially-tinged debate about immigration, as President Donald Trump's border wall, which he touts as a symbol of security, remains an unfulfilled and unfunded campaign promise. At a rally in West Virginia on Tuesday night, Trump appeared to reference the case and the arrest of the "illegal alien" from Mexico. "You saw what happened to that beautiful, incredible young woman. Should have never happened. Illegally in our country," he said. "The immigration laws are such a disgrace. We're getting them changed." "Heartbroken by the news about Mollie Tibbetts," Vice President Mike Pence wrote on Twitter. "We commend the swift action by local, state, & federal investigators working in Iowa in apprehending an illegal immigrant, who's now charged with first-degree murder." The broad contours of Tibbetts' death are reminiscent of the murder of Kate Steinle, a 32-year-old white woman whose 2015 death, after she was struck by a bullet in a popular area of San Francisco, has become a cri de cur for Trump and other conservatives and proponents of harsher immigration laws. An undocumented immigrant, Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, was later convicted on gun charges related to Steinle's death. Zarate had already been deported from the United States five times. Tibbetts disappeared on July 18 after she had gone out to jog. For more than a month, federal, state and local authorities had scoured the rural county for, sifting through electronic data from her Fitbit, cellphone and social media accounts for any clue about what happened to her. Rahn said that investigators had talked to hundreds of people and received more than 4,000 tips, but the break in the case came within the last two weeks when they found someone with a security camera system while canvassing a neighborhood. The videos had captured images of Tibbetts running as well as a Black Chevy Malibu that investigators said they traced to Bahena-Rivera, informing a determination that Rivera was one of the last people to see her running, Rahn said. They conducted a lengthy interview with Bahena-Rivera yesterday after approaching him for the first time, in which he told them about seeing her running and how he pursued her. "He was very compliant," Rahn said. "He was willing to talk to us. There was no fight or struggle of any kind." After the interview was over, Rivera lead them to her body in a cornfield, Rahn said. Stalks had been placed over the corpse, Rahn said. Rahn said that officials believed that Rivera was employed but declined to specify how or with whom. The results of an autopsy are still pending, and Rahn did not specify a cause of death. Rivera is currently being held at the Poweshiek County jail, he said. A representative for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that the agency lodged an immigration detainer on Bahena-Rivera with local authorities after his arrest on Tuesday. Tibbetts was born in San Francisco and moved to Brooklyn with her mother when she was in second grade. She won state speech competitions, was involved in theater and ran cross-country. --- Video Embed Code Video: Authorities said University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts, 20, was found dead about a month after she went missing in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18.(Allie Caren/The Washington Post) Embed code: ABC/Randy HolmesMetallica drummer Lars Ulrich will participate in an upcoming talk with photography duo Herring & Herring on October 19 at The Cooper Union in New York City. While you may not know Herring & Herring by name, if you know Metallica, you've probably seen their work. The duo, made up of photographers Dimitri Scheblanov and Jesper Carlsen, worked on the album artwork for Hardwired...to Self-Destruct, and directed the videos for "Halo on Fire," "Am I Savage?" and "Now That We're Dead." "The guys have shot us numerous other times, both in the studio and at live shows, and we're always blown away by their creativity and distinctive style," Metallica says. Ulrich's talk with Herring & Herring will be free and open to the public, and you can RSVP now. Visit Metallica.com for more info. Metallica will kick off a U.S. tour in support of Hardwired...to Self-Destruct on September 2 in Madison, Wisconsin. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. By Nathan Gain The Austrian Armed Forces will receive an undisclosed extra budget to procure three additional S-70A Black Hawk helicopters, the country's MoD announced today on its website. This follow-on order is part of a potential 400 million "Civil Protection Package" approved today by the OVP-FPO government, Austrian newspapers confirmed. A Bundesheer S-70A Black Hawk multirole helicopter (Credit: Bundesheer) With this three additional choppers, the Austrian Air Force Medium Transport Helicopter Squadron, based in Langenlebarn Air Base, will be increased to 12 S-70A helicopters. "For the first time, you can reach a full squadron capability," said a Defense Ministry spokesman. The Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk is highly reliable for missions in high altitude and bad weather conditions, notably thanks to the de-icing system fitted on main and tail rotors. Powered by two T700-GE-701D (1940 HP) engines, it has a maximum speed of 360 km/h and an operational ceiling of 3,600m. It can carry up to 20 persons in a range of 500 km, or 1,600 km with additional fuel tanks. In addition to the purchase of more Black Hawks, the Austrian government also agreed to launch the acquisition process of 12 new light multi-purpose helicopters to replace an aged fleet of 21 Alouette IIIs, which are used by the Austrian Armed Forces since 1968. Although the old Alouettes won't be grounded before 2023, the Austrian military is facing are with providing the necessary spare parts, which are becoming scarce, as few armies in the world still fly this helicopter. The story of the late, Texas-based songwriter Blaze Foley has for years been dusted with mythology. He was born in Arkansas, and grew up in a traveling musical family. He spent time living in a treehouse in Georgia with writer and actor Sybil Rosen, who is a central part of Blaze. Then he settled in Texas, where he made music and ran with songwriters like Townes Van Zandt. He had songs covered by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, and after he was shot and killed in Austin in 1989, Foley had songs written about him by Van Zandt and Lucinda Williams. None of his music was released until 1999, which allowed the mythology to grow. He became the subject of a documentary and a book, and now is the focus of Blaze, a film directed by Ethan Hawke, which opens Friday. When I wrote about Foley 17 years ago, I found a friend of Foleys named Joe Bucher, who remembered the songwriters time in Georgia, a crucial period of creativity in his career. Bucher told me I needed to track down Sybil Rosen, a writer/actor/artist Foley was dating during the time he lived in the treehouse in the 70s. But connections then werent quite as easy to make as they are now that Foley is the subject of a feature film. After writing about Foley again in 2009, I received a book in the mail: Living in the Woods in a Tree, Rosens account of her time with Foley, in Georgia in a treehouse. Shed documented the early creative years of Foleys life in a way I could not, because one, she was there, and two, she possessed a poets heart and skill. Rosens book covers one stage among three or four in Foleys life. But it became the backbone of Hawkes new film. And justifiably so. Rosen wrote openly and beautifully about their time together. In a love story about a muse and about music the music lives on in one way, and the muse in another, even when theyre intertwined. Rosen was connected to Foley before he became a myth, and before he bought into his own myth, which ultimately proved ruinous. She was there when he was an aspiring artist trying to bottle lightning. Hawke describes Rosens involvement in the film as crucial, even beyond her book. During a promotional appearance for the film at Houstons Rockefellers a week ago, he told a story about Rosen urging him to shoot one last scene of Foley and her howling at a full moon. Hawke knew the moon doesnt show up on film, and he got his director of photography to back him up. Rosen persisted. So they put actors Benjamin Dickey (Foley) and Alia Shawkat (Rosen) in the treehouse, and had them howl at the moon with film rolling. Hawke recounted an unscripted magical moment when nearby wolves howled back. Nearly 20 years after writing about Foley the first time, I finally had an audience with Rosen, who talked about specifics but also touched on the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which she describes as being related to The Velveteen Rabbit, an appreciation of something old and worn, like slippers or a plush toy with a value that extends well beyond its initial importance. Through Foley was a guy who loved duct tape, Rosen frames his myth as being something appreciated as wabi-sabi. The softness is softer and any rougher edges also have been worn away 20 years after Foley died. Q: You may not know this, but I tried to find you with no small amount of effort. But failed. On two occasions. A: Well difficult connections can be rewarding. I think it bodes well. Theres a Blaze-ian level of (expletive) up that feels appropriate there. Q: The two of you split up, what, 40 years ago? There has to be some oddness to all the attention he commands years later. A: I know, the story seems endless. But its the momentum from the force of his, I dont know what do you call it? His spirit? His intention? But I think its all anchored in the music, which is amazing. And there are times where I still kind of feel him there. Like hes looking down and saying, I told you so. Q: Did you start to see him as a footnote? There was a decade after he died where nobody could hear his music. And then everything started to change around 2000. A: Yes, it was interesting because there was a period of stasis, in a way, and then kaboom. A lot of that changed. And its been amazing. When Ethan pulled together a film crew for the movie, it was mostly young people. And all of them seemed to know Blaze. I knew people were interested in him, young people, too, like Kings of Leon and the Avett Brothers. But its been interesting to see others find him and his songs. Q: The treehouse is such a big part of his story even before people in Texas knew him. A: Yes, the treehouse element in Blazes story is now sort of mythic. I really have come to believe everybody has a treehouse in them. Its something you get to live out, or long for your entire life. But you say the words, tree house, and people light up. Its ancient, I suppose. Translate that into film and imagery and it becomes something more interesting. It has stunned me because Im this real participant in a myth. Its very, very odd. But its funny I was emailing with Alia Shawkat, who played me. And were physically quite similar. And she said, I cant wait to get into the treehouse. I might never want to leave. There are people who are just drawn to that. Im a playwright, so there are aspects of that I see in other actors and characters. Its been a layered experience. I watch it with so many different minds about it. Q: Ethan described the story as elusive until he found your book. Did you trust him from go? Or did it take a while? A: From the first encounter I trusted him, because of what he was telling me. It was his feeling for the music, first of all. Which was the heart of his intention and the whole enterprise. Music is at the heart of it. And making a movie about a homeless musician who loved duct tape, that made sense to me. And the integrity of what he wanted to do was undeniable. We all brought things to the story. Wed tussle about things, but he found a great structure that moved back and forth across time. We had similar questions about the structure about time and space. But the script is kind of this thing that touches on all these different lives. Its not a script, its a story. Because of Ethans theater background, he was open to improvisation. I know thats something people say. But he was playful and spontaneous and there are scenes in the movie that happened in an instant. He saw some possibility. Q: Your part of this story ends before a lot of his recorded music. What have you thought about the music that has been released over the past 15 years? A: Its been interesting. Theres one place hes talking on the Outhouse album, where he says he has a picture of the treehouse in his pocket. I wanted to know if that was true. I was so curious about what was in his wallet. Q: Did he talk much about the years before you knew him? Theres not a lot of documentation for those missing years. A: He had some missing years, but he also had this band Buzzards Roost with his cousins. He was a roadie, and they gave him the name Deputy Dog. He was heavy then, and wore this flat hat. I dont think it was a very good experience. But he realized he wanted to play music instead of moving other peoples guitars around. The next thing anybody knows, hes in Carrollton, Ga., and skinny. Theres a scene in the movie about how he lost all the weight, and he answered Thorazine. I dont know what to say about that. But he may have spent some time in the Georgia mental health system. They wouldnt give me the information because I wasnt a family member. We jumped the broom to get married, I thought that might count. It didnt. Q: Theres still a lot of mystery to him. But it seems better to let some of that be. A: Sure. Part of the mystique is the mystery. For a long time the mystique was his obscurity. Thats not really true any more. After this movie comes out, well see what it does for awareness. Im curious to see if hell become less compelling the more people know who he is. But I dont think that will happen. andrew.dansby@chron.com Iran was behind a sprawling disinformation operation on Facebook that targeted hundreds of thousands of people around the world, the social media company said Tuesday night, underscoring Silicon Valley's increasingly global war on disinformation. The Iranian effort dated to 2011 and had ties to state media operations in that country, Facebook said, involving hundreds of accounts on both Facebook and its sister site, Instagram. It also spread to Twitter and YouTube, which both companies said they also removed. The fake Iranian accounts bought ads on Facebook and used it to organize events. Facebook also deleted some unrelated fake accounts originating in Russia, which which has been the main focus of reporting on disinformation operations targeting the United States. Tuesday night's revelations were unusual because the disinformation targeted people in many countries -- the Middle East, Latin America, the U.K. and the U.S., Facebook said -- and involved a nation-state actor other than Russia. Facebook officials said their actions showed that they are moving more aggressively than in 2016, when the company was widely criticized for not more effectively detecting and combating disinformation on its service. "As I've said before, security is not something that you ever fully solve," Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said on a call with reporters. "Our adversaries are sophisticated and well-funded but the shift we have made from reactive to proactive detection is a big change and is going to make Facebook safer over time." On the heels of Facebook's revelations Tuesday evening, Twitter also said that the company had removed 284 accounts for engaging in "coordinated manipulation." Twitter said the accounts also appeared to originate from Iran. YouTube, which belongs to Google, removed at least one account tied to Iran, Google said. The revelations demonstrated how the production of disinformation has become a global endeavor that involves multiple governments and shadowy actors who use sophisticated methods to mask their identities and locations. A recent report from the Oxford Internet Institute, a research lab associated with Oxford University, found active organized disinformation campaigns taking place on social media in 48 countries, up from 28 in 2017. More for you Facebook uncovers disinformation operation ahead of midterm elections "I've been saying for months that there's no way the problem of social media manipulation is limited to a single troll farm in St. Petersburg, and that fact is now beyond a doubt," said Sen. Mark Warner, Va., the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Facebook said the revelations emerged from a tip received in July from cybersecurity firm FireEye, and from internal investigations. The company said it had worked closely with law enforcement in both the U.S. in the U.K. on the investigation, and had briefed the Treasury Department and the State Department, because the U.S has sanctions on Iran. Facebook officials described a multi-part investigation, starting with FireEye's tip in July that an entity called the "Liberty Front Press" led to connections with Iranian state media dating back as long as seven years ago. Overall this group had 147 pages, accounts and groups on Facebook and 76 on Instagram, reaching more than 200,000 followers while buying more than $6,000 of ads and organizing three events. The discovery appears to be one of the first publicly documented instances of an Iranian influence conducted through U.S. social media, said Lee Foster, FireEye manager of information operations analysis. "It's significant in that it shows it's not just Russia that's engaged in this activity," Foster said. "This demonstrates that there are other actors out there who appear to see value in engaging in such activity to shape political discourse." A different set of accounts, which was unrelated to the Iranian accounts, were tied to Russian military intelligence, the company said. A third group, who Facebook didn't identify, was sharing information about Middle East politics in Arabic and Farsi. The narratives these groups promoted included anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes, as well as support for specific U.S. policies favorable to Iran, such as the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, according to a blog post by FireEye. The FireEye post also said that it had identified Twitter accounts directly affiliated with the Facebook pages that were linked to phone numbers with the +98 Iranian country code. "These were distinct campaigns and we have not identified any link or coordination between them," Facebook said in a blog post. "However, they used similar tactics by creating networks of accounts to mislead others about who they were and what they were doing." Facebook traced the groups using a variety of forensic methods, including searching publicly available website registration information, and tracking IP addresses and Facebook pages sharing the same administrators. The new revelations frustrated some members of Congress, who have been urging both the Trump administration and the tech industry to take more decisive and swift steps to thwart Russia and others from spreading disinformation online. Facebook, Twitter and Google are expected to testify at a September 5 hearing in the Senate focused on foreign interference in U.S. politics and social media. Earlier Tuesday, lawmakers heard from members of the intelligence community who warned that not only Russia but other countries, like Iran and North Korea, remain cybersecurity threats. "Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea will pose the greatest cyber threats to the U.S. during the next year," said Michael Moss, the deputy director of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center, an entity within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. His comments came in prepared remarks submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Moss also told lawmakers that "Tehran probably views cyberattacks as a versatile tool to respond to perceived provocations, despite Iran's recent restraint from conducting cyber attacks against the U.S. or Western allies." Facebook was a major target of Russian disinformation in 2016, hosting 470 pages and accounts that the company later discovered were created by the Internet Research Agency, in St. Petersburg. The agency bought thousands of ads targeting Americans, often with rubles, and created posts that reached 126 million Americans, frequently with divisive messages. More recently, the company also took down 32 pages and accounts last month that reached 290,000 people with ads, events and regular posts on topics such as race, fascism and feminism. Those accounts were mainly critical of Donald Trump, which differed from 2016, when Russian disinformation messaging focused on bolstering his candidacy and undermining his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. The moves were among several steps taken by technology companies ahead of the coming congressional midterm elections, which U.S. officials and independent experts have said are a major target for Russian disinformation. The crop of pages that were removed on Tuesday did not relate to the midterms, but Facebook executives said they were remaining vigilant. Microsoft announced this week that it had taken down six websites created by notorious Russian hacker group APT28 - also known as Fancy Bear - and that two of the sites were designed to mimic ones from two Washington think tanks that have been critical of Russia, the International Republican Institute and the Hudson Institute. Microsoft also has said that two political candidates had been subjected to spear-phishing attacks. "We get that 2018 is a very important election year so this is really serious, and this is a top priority," said Zuckerberg. "We are taking a lot of steps to make sure we do what we need to here." From fragments of DNA in a 50,000-year-old finger bone, scientists have identified a fascinating new character in the story of our evolution: the first-known offspring of parents from two different branches of the human family tree. The bone belonged to a 13-year-old girl whose mother was a Neanderthal - one of the ancient people who inhabited Europe and Asia between 450,000 and 40,000 years ago. But the girl's father was a Denisovan - a mysterious offshoot of the genus Homo known only from a few bits of bone and the faint signatures that still linger in the genomes of modern humans. The report Wednesday in the journal Nature adds to a growing body of evidence that ancient hominids - including some of our own direct ancestors - interacted and interbred repeatedly over the course of evolutionary history. Modern genetic analyses suggest that people of European and Asian ancestry have roughly 2 percent Neanderthal DNA, and some East Asians and Pacific Islanders can trace as much as 6 percent of their genetic material to the Denisovans. The intermingling was pervasive enough that some scientists question whether our extinct cousins should be considered a subpopulation of Homo sapiens, rather than a distinct species, as they are typically defined today. But in those studies, any prehistoric hanky-panky seemed like an abstraction - something done by unknown people untold millennia ago. "The cool thing about this is, this is extremely direct evidence," said Svante Paabo, a molecular geneticist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany who led the new research. "We've almost caught them in the act, so to speak." Eight years ago, Paabo was part of the team of scientists who sequenced DNA from bits of human bone found on the floor of a remote cavern in the mountains of Siberia. The mitochondrial DNA - a type of genetic material passed down from a person's mother - was unrecognizable. "Whoever carried this DNA out of Africa is some new creature that hasn't been on our radar screen so far," his colleague Johannes Krause told The Washington Post at the time. Krause, Paabo and their colleagues named the new hominid after Denisova Cave, where the 40,000-year-old remains were found. Subsequent studies allowed researchers to piece together the person's nuclear DNA - the paired chromosomes inherited from both parents, which are stored in the nucleus of every cell. They also uncovered remains of additional Denisovan individuals, as well as those of a Neanderthal woman who lived in the cave tens of thousands of years earlier. It turns out that Denisovans were a distinct lineage of protohuman that split off from Neanderthals about 400,000 years ago. Both groups shared a common ancestor who migrated out of Africa a few hundred thousand years before that. Their group split off lineage that led to Homo sapiens sometime in the past million years. As a result, scientists like to compare the planet during that period to J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth - except instead of hobbits, dwarves and elves, there were different kinds of humans. Denisovans have been found only in that single cave. But Neanderthal fossils show they flourished in Eurasia, ranging in location from the British Isles to the mountains of Siberia until, about 40,000 years ago, they abruptly vanished from the face of the Earth. Around the same time, the Eurasian population of a new primate - Homo sapiens - began to explode. "Something happened that only we survived," Paabo speculated in 2010. He proposed a few possible narratives, all of them grim: Maybe modern humans out-competed our cousins for precious resources. Or maybe we just killed them. But "Denisova 11" - the owner of the genome sequence reported Wednesday - highlights a more romantic, more complex and increasingly compelling story. "This paper and other papers are showing the model of having isolated populations is not quite accurate," said Emilia Huerta-Sanchez, a population geneticist at Brown University who was not involved in the new research. Huerta-Sanchez is among the scientists who do not consider Neanderthals, Denisovans and modern humans separate species. "These other groups that co-existed with us ... are part of our story," she said. Like any modern human, the newly analyzed 13-year-old's nuclear DNA contained 23 chromosome pairs, one from each parent. Half of those chromosomes (as well as all of her mitochondrial DNA) bore the molecular markers of a Neanderthal - her mother. But they didn't resemble the genes of the "Altai Neanderthal" who had lived in Denisova Cave thousands of years before. Instead, she seemed more closely related to a Neanderthal woman who lived in Croatia around the same time. This implies that Neanderthals undertook multiple migrations across Eurasia, said Viviane Slon, an evolutionary geneticist who works with Paabo at the Max Planck Institute and was lead author of the Nature study. Further details were revealed by looking at chromosomes that came from the girl's father. He was certainly Denisovan, but he bore additional traces of a distant Neanderthal ancestor. That means in this single genome, scientists can now pinpoint two distinct instances of inter-hominid intermingling. Such interactions were probably quite rare, Slon said, otherwise the populations would not have maintained their distinctiveness. At the time of Denisova 11s birth, the genomes Neanderthals and Denisovans were much more different than those of even the most distantly related humans alive today. This "admixture" - as such inter-population mating events are called - is not at all the same thing as a marriage between people of different ancestries. And yet, the evidence suggests that when different hominids did meet, they recognized one another as fellow humans. "It may not be this violent story," Paabo said. It may be that Neanderthals and Denisovans mixed with influx of modern humans migrating out of Africa and became absorbed into the larger population. "And now they live on in people today." DALLAS (AP) A father was charged with capital murder Tuesday after police said he stabbed his 16-month-old son at a Dallas-area apartment complex. Blair Ness, 27, is charged in the death of his toddler son, Ashton Ness. Authorities said the father was shot in the leg by a neighbor trying to stop the attack on Sunday. Lewisville police Capt. Mike Lane said Ness had significant injuries to his hand from the knife, along with the shooting wound. Police also said witnesses reported that Ness yelled "Jesus is coming" before the attack. There's no clear motive behind the slaying. Authorities said Tuesday that detectives were interviewing the suspect. Bond was set at $1.5 million. According to a police affidavit, the attack is believed to have begun inside Ness' apartment, which was filled with a smoky haze and smelled of newly burnt marijuana. Police found a large blood stain on the master bedroom carpet, with a blood-stained folding knife and skull fragments lying by the bedroom door. Officers found a trail of blood leading outside to where neighbors witnessed the attack, and several kitchen knives were found in the grass next to a pool of blood, the affidavit stated. Ness was found on a patio and was subdued with a shock gun when he refused police commands. As he was being handcuffed, Ness said: "I know everyone's mad. I'm mad. I killed my son," according to the affidavit. Ness' girlfriend and the child's mother, Alexandra Murphy, arrived shortly after police. She said that when she left for work earlier Sunday, Ness was feeding their son. She said she could think of no reason why Ness would want to hurt their son, according to the affidavit. Ness had been reading the Bible extensively recently, she said, and they had been attending church services. A California man pleaded not guilty to acting as a covert agent of the government of Iran and was ordered detained Tuesday by a U.S. judge on charges of secretly monitoring a Jewish center in Chicago and American members of an exiled Iranian opposition group. U.S. Magistrate Michael Harvey of the District of Columbia said the case as alleged bore "hallmarks of state action,' and held Majid Ghorbani, 59, until trial. The judge cited the purported use of code names, countersurveillance tactics and "tasking" orders to infiltrate the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK), or People's Mujahideen of Iran, a dissident group that seeks regime change in Iran. Ghorbani, an Iranian citizen and permanent U.S. resident of Costa Mesa, California, and co-defendant Ahmadreza Mohammadi Doostdar, 38, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, were arrested Aug. 9 and indicted Monday on charges of acting as agents of Iran, violating U.S. sanctions, and conspiracy. Doostdar is set to appear in federal court Wednesday in Chicago. Although the men are not charged with espionage, prosecutors told the court they intend to use information obtained under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows collection of electronic communications overseas. Ghorbani's home and Doostdar's luggage were searched surreptitiously, and U.S. authorities recorded conversations the men conducted on pay phones and in their vehicles. In a statement Tuesday, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, a Paris-based group linked to the MEK and two of whose members were allegedly targeted by the operation, called the defendants Iranian Intelligence Ministry agents. The group likened the case to those of two people arrested and charged with plotting to bomb an MEK rally in France in July and two others accused of terrorism against the group in Albania in March. "The Iranian Resistance once again reiterates the need to prosecute and expel all the regime's Intelligence Ministry and Quds Force agents and all known and undercover agents and mercenaries who pursue the regime's plots in the U.S. and Europe," the group said. In an hour-long hearing in federal court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Kenerson said that Ghorbani posed a serious risk of flight and that his charges carried a statutory maximum of 35 years in prison if run consecutively. "The [U.S.] government cannot stop him from going into a consulate, embassy or the Iranian interests section" of the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, nor from obtaining a new Iranian passport and leaving the country, Kenerson said. "There's no force field that prevents him from doing anything," he added, including continuing to put at risk "U.S. citizens on American soil for exercising their constitutional rights." According to charging documents, Doostdar entered the United States in about July 2017, allegedly to gather intelligence about targets considered enemies of the Tehran government, and made contact with Ghorbani. Prosecutors translated Ghorbani's recorded remarks in Farsi as saying he "penetrated" the MEK to send information back to Tehran for "targeting" packages - data the FBI said can be used for the neutralization, arrest, recruitment, or cyber exploitation of a target, as well as "capture/kill operations." The FBI said Ghorbani named two Washington, D.C.-based men he surveilled, Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the NCRI's Washington office and an MEK spokesman, and Ali Safavi, president of the Near East Policy Research consulting firm in Washington. Ghorbani, prosecutors said in a court filing, "noted of one of the subjects, '[expletive] is . . . working for Mossad now . . . he is one of those [expletive] Jews . . . I swear; [expletive] needs one - one shot." Ghorbani's attorney, Assistant Federal Defender Mary Petras, said that Ghorbani's alleged statements were translated and out of context, and she denied that he posed a serious risk of flight. He has lived for 20 years in the United States since immigrating with his parents, sister and brother, lives with his younger brother in Orange County, California, and worked as a waiter at the same restaurant for a decade, she said. Petras noted that Ghorbani's daughter and her fiance were present in the courtroom, traveling from their home in California to support her father. Prosecutors alleged that Ghorbani was paid $2,000 by Doostdar in late 2017 after turning over photographs of demonstrators at a Sept. 20, 2017, rally in New York City against the Iranian government. An FBI affidavit also said that Ghorbani traveled to Iran to conduct an "in-person briefing" in March and allegedly discussed clandestine methods to provide photos he took of an Iran Freedom Convention for Human Rights in Washington, D.C., on May 4. Both events were supported by the MEK, which was listed by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist group from 1997 until 2012. However, Petras said that Ghorbani is accused of taking "photographs of two events" and "two known individuals," containing information that is publicly available on the Internet, including in videos and data "uploaded by MEK itself." Petras said there is no evidence that Ghorbani traveled to meet with any agent of the Iranian government, as opposed to a possible government supporter, or opponent of MEK. Gov. Greg Abbott this week announced his office would award $1.8 million in grant funding to the City of Santa Fe and the Santa Fe Independent School District to develop a long-term resiliency center and counseling services. The grants come a little more than three months after a 17-year-old gunman opened fire at the district's sole high school, killing 10 and wounding 13. Students returned to the fortified school on Monday to begin the 2018-2019 school year. "As the Santa Fe community continues to struggle with the tragedy that occurred this past spring, these grants will provide welcome relief," Abbott said in a statement Monday. "I thank our local, state, and federal partners for their work in making these funds available, and the state of Texas will continue to assist the entire Santa Fe community in the aftermath of this tragedy." READ ALSO: More than just first-day jitters as Santa Fe students return three months after shooting The City of Santa Fe will use its portion of the grant funding to support communication services, donor management, social activities and case management at its resiliency center, which will serve as a focal point for the city's ongoing mental health response to the massacre. At Santa Fe ISD, the funding will be used to hire three licensed professional counselors and a family and marriage counselor as students and employees work through issues related to post-traumatic stress. Explainer: What security changes are coming to Santa Fe schools after shooting? So far, the Office of the Governor's Criminal Justice Division has awarded over $5.7 million in grants to Santa Fe, surrounding communities and responding agencies since the May 18 mass shooting. The funds have supported a range of services from mental health counselors, crisis response, behavioral threat assessments, statewide active shooter training and communications. Those that have received grant funding through the governor's office thus far include: City of Santa Fe - $1,507,985 Galveston County - $61,146 Gulf Coast Center - $1,242,223 National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) - $32,000 Santa Fe ISD - $322,000 Texas Commission on Law Enforcement - $114,586 Texas Education Service Center (ESC) Region 4 - $687,586 Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) - $1,121,620 Texas State University ALERRT Center - $575,000 Texas State University School Safety Center - $81,022 In late May, the U.S. Department of Education awarded a $1 million grant to Santa Fe ISD to help the district recover from the shooting. Project School Emergency Response to Violence grants are given to school districts nationwide after traumatic events. The district also has received numerous donations, including 16 metal detectors and an anonymous gift of eight AR-15s, rifle optics, rental fees for the Texas City Municipal Rifle Range, tuition for a shooting course and as much as $4,800 worth of ammunition for its police department. A teacher at Cypress Springs High School was suffering from depression and had stopped taking her medication when she had sex and smoked marijuana with a 15-year-old student last year, her friends and family told a judge during a Tuesday sentencing hearing. Michelle Schiffer, 24, appeared in a Houston courtroom for a sentencing hearing facing the possibility of 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in May to one charge of improper relationship with a student. After hearing from the victims mother and Schiffers friends and family - who packed one side of the courtroom - state District Judge Robert Johnson postponed the hearing so he would have more time to consider the teachers sentence. It was an unusual step by Johnson, a first term judge who was elected in 2016. Harris County judges routinely announce their decisions at the conclusion of a sentencing hearing because they have had months to review the evidence and pre-sentence investigation files. On Tuesday, Schiffers defense team and family asked the judge to consider the fact that she will never teach again and sentence her to deferred adjudication probation, which means if she successfully completes it, she would not have a conviction on her record. She has a Scarlet letter thats going to last the rest of her life, defense attorney Grant Scheiner said. And that is part of the punishment. He noted that Schiffer remains engaged to a U.S. Marine who is on active duty out of the country and is planning on getting married in November. Prosecutor Keaton Forcht asked the judge to consider the full range of punishment, from probation all the way to 20 years in prison. AN INCREASE: Texas saw boom in teacher-student sex scandals in 2016 Today is about (the victim). Michelle Schiffer had sex with a child. Forcht told the judge, reminding him of evidence that Schiffer took photographs of her exposed breasts and sent the photos to other students along with her phone number. This isnt a heat of the moment thing. This is over a series of months with different students. During her testimony, the mother of the student Schiffer had sex with broke down in tears. I dont think any mother should have to go through this, she said sobbing. You trust those people. You put your trust in those people. She also wiped tears from her eyes as Schiffers friends and family defended the woman facing prison time and testified that she suffers from depression and was not taking her medication. Shes horrified about what she did to that poor young man. I think shes remorseful, said Schiffers mother, Mary Schiffer. She knows what she did was wrong. She made a series of bad choices to bring her to that place. Since then, she has really become consistent with (her therapy and medication.) She said her daughter is planning to marry her fiance, a U.S. Marine, in November. He is disappointed, of course, and upset by her actions, but he loves her and is standing by her, Mary Schiffer said. LOOKING FOR 'SAFEGUARDS': Judge urges area superintendents to step up efforts to end teacher-student sex Michelle Schiffer did not testify Tuesday and communicated her remorse in a two-page letter to the judge as part of the pre-sentence investigation. Brian Rogers covers Houston crime and courts. You can email him at brian.rogers@chron.com and follow him on Twitter at @brianjrogers. Early voting on the $2.5 billion Harris County flood bond ended Tuesday amid lower-than-expected turnout, though county officials are hoping for a deluge of voters in regular balloting Saturday. Tuesday was by far the best day of early voting with 12,478 in-person voters. To date, 40,087 mail-in ballots have been returned, and 52,604 residents have voted in person, for a total of 92,691 votes, according to Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart. Stanart is projecting about 7.5 percent of the countys 2.3 million registered voters will cast ballots, down from initial projections of 10 percent to 15 percent. The turnout has not been as extensive as we would like to see, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle said. In my heart, I wish we would have a much larger turnout. The early voting numbers, while low compared to typical midterm November elections, did surpass early balloting in Harris County for the November 2017 state constitutional amendment election. In that polling, there were just over 46,200 in-person early voters and just 12,200 mail-in early voters. Commissioners Court purposely scheduled the vote on Saturday because Aug. 25 is the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. Although Cagle initially leaned toward holding the bond vote on Election Day in November, he agreed with other commisssioners that an August vote would have several advantages. It would allow Harris County to quickly access as much as $2 billion in federal matching funds, he said, complete some projects in time for the 2019 hurricane season and show voters county government takes flooding seriously in the wake of Harvey. Doing it now shows that we are listening, said Cagle, who spent much of Tuesday urging Precinct 4 residents to vote. Were going to address these substantive issues in a timely way. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said he had no comment on Stanarts turnout projection. Spokesman Joe Stinebaker said the judge is hoping for a higher turnout Saturday, when many residents are off from work. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said the low turnout numbers should remind residents of the importance of showing up at the polls Saturday. The bond would fund more than 230 flood mitigation projects across the county, which would repair infrastructure, improve channels, create detention basins, buy out homes and buildings that have flooded repeatedly, and pay for engineering studies. The bond will increase property taxes for property owners by 2 cents to 3 cents per $100 of assessed home value, according to county budget analysts. Those who are disabled or above the age of 65, and whose home is worth less than $200,000, would pay no additional taxes. zach.despart@chron.com twitter.com/zachdespart A family is one step closer to finding out what happened to a loved one who disappeared more than 26 years ago in East Houston. A human skull found near a garbage dump Feb. 1, 1992, by a motorist on Port Houston Street was identified as Patricia Ann Castillo using DNA evidence. Castillo who was 21 at the time, vanished June 1, 1991. She was last seen on Delmar Street near her grandmother's home, said her sister Miranda Moreno. Castillo's older sister Trina Flores, now 49, submitted a DNA sample to the National Institute of Justice in June of 2017 during the second annual Missing in Harris County Day held by the Harris County's Institute of Forensic Sciences. A little over a year later, the institute called Flores and said the remains belonged to her sister. COLD CASE: Man charged in murder case that went cold under disgraced Houston detective "I was just in total shock. I couldn't talk," Flores said."'My sister is dead?' I asked. I was so in shock." Flores said the medical examiner told her the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. Moreno was just five years old when Castillo went missing. Now 32, she remembers her sister as a warm person who loved New Kids On The Block, Cyndi Lauper, and watching MTV. Castillo was lovingly called "Gordie," which is Spanish for chubby, a nickname she got when she was a child. When their mother Yolanda wasn't able to care for Moreno when she got off the bus after school, Castillo would fill in. One of the most cherished memories Moreno has of her sister was when she took her to the Houston Zoo. Castillo's disappearance shook her family. Moreno recalled canvassing her neighborhood and local washateria with fliers imploring people to call their home with any information. Moreno's aunt plastered her back windshield with the flier. Castillo's family never held a funeral for her out of hope that she would come home. Moreno had a hard time believing her remains had been found. "Never in a million years did I ever imagine that they would only find her skull. I want to know where the rest of her is and what happened," Moreno said. "It was surprising but it wasn't surprising. What was surprising was that the remains have been in Harris County the whole time. I can't understand how she's been there all this time and they couldn't put both stories together." DNA was recovered from the skull and submitted into the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) in 2004 with no results yielded, said Tricia Bentley, spokeswoman for Harris County's Institute of Forensic Sciences. In April of 2018, the University of North Texas (UNT) notified the institute that their laboratory was able to extract a more complete genetic profile of the deceased individual, and the updated profile was consistent with a female, but there was no identification at that time, Bentley said. A second notification was received Aug. 13 from UNT that there were genetic similarities between the DNA extracted from the skull and from Castillo's sister that were sufficient to positively identify the remains, Bentley said. DNA identification is not an instant process, said J. Todd Matthews, director of case management and communications for the National Missing & Unidentified Persons System, which is a National Institute of Justice program. It is not uncommon for delays to occur due to incomplete or missing records. Obtaining and analyzing DNA was also not a common law enforcement practice until after 1994, Matthews said. Without the Castillo family DNA sample submission last summer, a match would likely never have happened, Matthews added. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences received and ruled out dozens of possible links between the skull and other missing persons during the years Castillo remained unidentified, Bentley said. A request for comment has been placed with the Houston Police Department. A Houston Chronicle article from Feb. 3, 1992, stated that Castillo's body may have been torn apart by animals, but a ground search uncovered no other parts. Castillo's remains were interred in an unmarked grave in the Harris County Cemetery. Her family now plans on having Castillo exhumed and moved to Fulshear, Texas, where her father is buried. 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 Two men were flown to the hospital after they were shot in Baytown Wednesday morning. The men, 23 and 18, were standing outside at Nevada Street near Illinois Street around 1:15 a.m. when an unknown vehicle pulled up and opened fire, according to Baytown police. NASA researchers are using technology straight out of a science fiction novel to track Earth's changing climate with greater precision than ever before: space lasers. Next month, the space agency will launch the Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) about 300 miles above Earth, where it will use six lasers to measure the changing heights of Earth's polar ice over the course of its three-year mission. The $1.1 billion mission "will advance our knowledge of how the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica contribute to sea level rise," said Michael Freilich, director of the Earth Science Division in NASA's Science Mission Directorate, in a statement. MELTING ICE: Antarctic ice loss has tripled since 2012, NASA researchers find Melting ice sheets and glaciers caused by global warming is one of the primary reasons sea level is rising across the globe. Sea level rises an average of .3 centimeters per year, according to NASA researchers, and a study published in conjunction with the European Space Agency in June found that Antarctic ice loss has tripled since 2012, causing sea levels across the globe to rise faster now than ever before in history. This could have huge ramifications in coastal areas, such as Houston and Galveston. A recent study conducted by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi found that in 2100, sea level rise (estimated to be 2.4 feet by that time) would cause 10 feet of water to inundate the area 12 hours prior to a hurricane's landfall. It would only get worse when the hurricane made landfall. CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE: Sea level rise would drastically increase damage from hurricanes around Galveston Bay, study finds But predicting how much sea level will rise over the next century and how it will impact humans can be difficult. That's where ICESat-2 comes into play. Using a laser that sends 10,000 pulses per second, the satellite will measure the average yearly elevation change of Antarctica and Greenland ice to within the width of a pencil. "In the time it takes a person to blink, [the laser] will have taken 5,000 measurements," said Tom Neumann, the mission's deputy project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. "And it will do that every minute of every hours of every day for the next three years." ICESat-2 has been in the works for about 10 years. It is the second iteration of this satellite. The first which used a much less precise laser was operational from 2003 to 2009 and provided the space agency with elevation data needed to determine the mass balance of Earth's ice sheets, as well as information about cloud properties. It was decommissioned in 2010. Despite President Donald Trump's take on climate change, NASA has continued to work on missions including ICESat-2 and others like it. READ MORE: Trump's budget axes 5 climate change projects from NASA Earlier this year, the agency also launched the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO), tasked with measuring changes in how mass is redistributed within Earth's atmosphere, land oceans and ice sheets. Neither were among the five climate change-related projects that Trumped wants to eliminate in his $19.9 billion NASA budget for the coming fiscal year. That budget must be approved by Congress. ICESat-2 is scheduled to launch on Sept. 15 from California-based Vandenberg Air Force Base. The mission is slated for three years, but it can be extended to as many as 10 years. Alex Stuckey covers NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. AUSTIN The gun issued to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lupe Valdez while she was Dallas County sheriff has been located after it was reported missing earlier this year. A search this week uncovered the Beretta 9 mm pistol in the departments property room, according to a statement from the Dallas County Sheriffs office. The gun had been turned in on January 2, but wasnt entered into inventory at that time, the release said. A previous audit had failed to locate the firearm. Sheriff (Marian) Brown and the Sheriffs Department offer their sincere apologies to former Sheriff Lupe Valdez for any distress and hardship that was created as a result of the Departments mistake, the statement said. The Sheriffs Department is in the process of reviewing how this oversight occurred and will be taking steps to implement measures to insure this type of incident does not occur again. The Dallas Morning News first reported earlier this month that Valdezs department-issued pistol had gone missing. Critics attacked Valdezs credibility and Republican Gov. Greg Abbotts campaign posted an online video questioning whether she was responsible enough to lead the state. In a written statement, Valdez said she has been a responsible gun owner for more than 40 years and has always followed protocol when returning issued property. As a law enforcement officer, I made a commitment to keep the public safe and will continue to do so, she said. My opponent considered this a slam dunk, thinking this would distract from his unwillingness to keep our communities safe from gun violence, but I will not be strong-armed from keeping him accountable for his failures or be silenced on the need for gun reform. Valdez was first elected sheriff of Dallas County in 2004. She stepped down in December to run for governor and won the Democratic party primary in a run-off. This post has been updated with a comment from Valdez. amorris@express-news.net University of Texas-Austin researchers have found that air pollution shortens human lives globally by more than one year -- an alarming fact as Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey's landfall, which caused thousands of pounds of toxic fumes to spew from refineries and chemical plants. "The fact that fine particle air pollution is a major global killer is already well known," said Joshua Apte, a UT-Austin assistant professor. "Here, we were able to systematically identify how air pollution also substantially shortens lives around the world. What we found is that air pollution has a very large effect on survival." The study, published Wednesday in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, examined outdoor air pollution in 185 countries. They chose to focus on fine particle air pollution because it can easily enter the lungs and increases the risk of respiratory diseases, cancer and heart attacks. This kind of pollution typically comes from power plants, industrial emissions, fires and motor vehicles, the study stated. The study was funded by the Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions, a research collaboration supported by the Environmental Protection Agency. Apte in a statement said the discovery is important, but context is everything. "A body count saying 90,000 Americans or 1.1 million Indians die per year from air pollution is large but faceless," he said. "Saying that, on average, a population lives a year less than they would have otherwise that is something relatable." The study's publication comes just a week after the Environmental Integrity Project, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, released a 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. SPEWING TOXIC FUMES: Hurricane Harvey-caused water and air pollution likely far higher than residents realize The report found that at least 6.6 million pounds of air pollution and 150 million gallons of sewage and industrial discharge were released during the storm. Questions remain about just how much air and water pollution truly was released in the aftermath of Harvey and how much of it could or should have been avoided by better planning, maintenance and procedures. SILENT SPILLS, PART 1: In Houston and beyond, Harvey's spills leave a toxic legacy The project's findings confirm reporting by the Houston Chronicle and the Associated Press published in a series, called "Silent Spills," 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. Alex Stuckey covers NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. Intelligent digital assistants comb through big data to discover an obscure insight, triggering real-time rerouting of the supply chain and capitalizing on unmet demand. Software bots automate repetitive data entry tasks, freeing up knowledge workers to focus on analysis and ideation. At an industrial site, predictive analytics uncover a glitch and proactively initiate a fix, heading off the need to deploy operators to avert a downtime disaster. In every corner of every business, digital technologies are actively transforming how workers get their jobs done. Technology has always been about boosting efficiency and productivity, but this latest technology wave aims for much more. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, the internet of things (IoT), big data and predictive analytics, among other innovations, are being tapped by companies to upend the employee experience, creating novel job types, demanding fresh skills and ushering in a new era of human and machine collaboration. As companies digitize, whats left for employees is more complex and difficult to do, explains Kristine Dery, research scientist at MITs Center for Information Systems Research, part of the Sloan School of Management. Employee experience is figuring out how to engage more easily in the world of work that enables employees to do more complex things easier. Derys group uses two factors to define employee experience: work complexity, or how hard it is to get work done in an organization, and behavioral norms around collaboration, creativity and empowerment. In some cases, digital capabilities enhance how employees work, making processes more efficient or more accurate, she explains. However, the real differentiator is when digital technology is leveraged to redefine work, replacing, augmenting or creating new roles and tasks, she explains. As this transition gets underway, there are mounting concerns that automation will replace human workers. While true to some degree, experts argue that most of the displacement will occur for routine, highly repetitive and scalable tasks, enabling workers to shift focus to different types of work. According to research from Accenture, nearly three-quarters of executives surveyed (74 percent) said they plan to use AI to automate tasks to a large or very large degree in the next three years, but almost all (97 percent) intend to use AI to enhance worker capabilities. To ensure a successful transition, experts say organizations must figure out the right intersection of humans and intelligent machines. Fifty-four percent of those surveyed by Accenture said human-machine collaboration is important to achieving strategic priorities, while 46 percent believe traditional job descriptions are now obsolete and 29 percent have already redesigned job roles extensively. Weve never seen change like this, says Katherine Lavelle, managing director of Accentures Strategy, Talent & Organization practice in North America. This is about generating new levels of capabilities and results for clients and customers augmented through smart automation and humans. Whoever figures out the collaboration between the two is poised to win the war. Training and reskilling workers will be essential to creating an enhanced employee experience that redefines the nature of work. In some ways, well go back to the basics on things we put a value on prior to automation, Lavelle says. Human communication, synthesis and judgment, negotiation, managing costs and integration points there will be a renewed emphasis on human interaction across functions. Those companies delivering outstanding employee-facing digital capabilities will achieve more than simply modernizing and sprucing up the workforce they are likely to reap significant performance gains. According to MITs research, companies in the top quarter of those delivering high-grade employee experience are twice as innovative in delivering new products and services, report double the customer satisfaction, and enjoy 25 percent greater profitability. This is not just about skills or efficiency, Lavelle says. Organizations are viewing smart automation as the new age where they can take performance to another level. Read ahead to see how five 2018 CIO 100 award winners are riding the digital wave to transform work and enhance employee experience. A decade ago, if you had to work over the weekend, youd go to the office for the best high-speed internet, access to scanners, color printerseven to use your work computer. Those days are gone. Why? Because your office hasnt kept pace with consumer technology. Today, your employees likely have a better home office than what you offer. Plus, theres probably a nearby coffee shop serving single-origin pour-overs. And I bet that coffee shop is nicer than your officewith better coffee, too. Before the age of the iPhone and everyone having access beautiful, mobile technology, the office was the most productive place to work. That began to shift in 2008 when Apple launched its App Store, ushering in an age where consumer expectations about technology were raised. First, mobile devices gave us an experience that exceeded our personal computers and laptops. Then we became used to having a similarly beautiful experience on our televisions, from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Fire and Apple TV. And now, IoT devices are making everything from our fridges to our toothbrushes more interactive, intuitive and easy to use. Think about it this way: before leaving to come to your office, any one of your employees could ask their smart home speaker to water the grass, turn off the lights and lock the door. Or they could check their phone to see how they slept, track the elevation gain on their run or order an Uber. And then they leave that connected environmentwhere everything is tailored to their preferencesand come to your office, a place thats likely stuck in the 1990s. That old office concept doesnt cut it anymore. And not just due to a lack of technology, but a lack of thought about the employee experience. Our personal lives are filled with apps and devices thatve been designed based on UX principles to make things easierto make everyday tasks more enjoyable. I mean, think about the last time you downloaded an app with a bad user experience. Whatd you do? Did you keep using it? No. You deleted it. Because there was likely another app out there that could accomplish the same thing but had a better user experience. Guess what, that same thought-process extends beyond your employees personal lives. While they cant just delete your company from their phones, your employees can find a better user experience elsewhere. So, if you want to create an environment that people actually want to come to, put some thought into your employees user experience. Here are five approaches to improve that user experience: 1. Fix one thing Pick one thing and fix it. For example, booking meeting rooms is a major productivity pain point at many offices. Fixing that begins with learning what is not working correctly and then designing the optimal consumer journey. As with all good UX design, your solution will evolve over time, improving with extensive user testing. And after fixing one problem, apply the same process to other pain points, whether thats booking desk space for visiting staff, improving your benefits enrollment process or promoting your wellness programs. 2. Listen Beyond improving employee productivity tools, dont assume that a keg on Friday or a foosball table in the breakroom will make people happy. Instead, ask them what irks them and, if possible, make improvements. Every office has something that frustrates its employees, and that thing may not be readily apparent. So ask. Find out what could be optimized, then dive in. For most employees, its the little things that make a difference. 3. Treat employees like customers If your company put as much effort into the employee experience as it does the customer experience, would anything change? Probably. Take banking for example: to improve the customer experience, banks put so much time, thought and effort into creating apps that make mobile banking easyand that effort paid off. Banking is still the same, but the customer experience is vastly different than it used to be, with higher customer satisfaction scores and increased usage of mobile banking apps. Now, if you extended even a fraction of that amount of effort to improve the employee experience, imagine the impact on your workforce. 4. Set zones Great modern workplaces need spaces for collaboration and spaces for individuals to work without distractions. Those spaces must work seamlessly as employees shift from one area to another. Everything from docking stations to wireless connections for laptops should work as easily as getting online at Starbucks. A clunky experience makes employees want to work anywhere but the office. 5. Use data Modern offices use visual display screens as a tool to boost employee engagement. Those screens should push data to the employees, so they dont have to seek out the information they need. That could be information about a significant client having a major service outage, sales data or a problem on a manufacturing production line. Todays workforce wants to be empowered with information, so they can act proactively and avoid the confusion and frustration caused by information siloes. Finally, having made these improvements, office managers should seek regular feedback from simple employee surveys. That information, in turn, should be used to iterate and make constant, small improvements that will ensure that your office is a truly productive and engaging place to work. Today, its not just pay and benefits that matter when it comes to hiring and keeping talented employees. The work environment needs to be better than what they can get at home. Audio Transcript Paul Beston: Hello, welcome to another edition of 10 Blocks, City Journals Podcast. Im Paul Beston, managing editor of City Journal, and Im here today with Matthew Hennessey, the associate op-ed editor of The Wall Street Journal. Matt has written a book called Zero Hour for Gen X: How the Last Adult Generation Can Save America from Millennials, published by Encounter. Its a book that warns about the all-pervasive role that technology is playing in our lives and that is a familiar topic by now to many of us, but Matt looks at it in a fresh way, through a generational lens. And he argues that if anyone is going to guide us toward a more proportionate, reasonable relationship with technology, its those Americans who belong to Generation X, because they remember a time when technology didnt mediate every minute of our lives. Matt, thanks for joining us. So, speaking of Generation X, its almost like one of those terms, you know, it used to be so pervasive and you dont hear it as much as you once did. So, to start with a question you are probably going to get a lot of, how do you define Generation X, and while you are at it, the millennials and the baby boomer in terms of the generational boundaries that frame them? Matthew Hennessey: Yeah, you are right. I find that people do often want to start there because while most people are very familiar with the term baby boomers and are increasingly familiar with the term millennials, Generation X has largely been forgotten or ignored. As you said, it was once on the tip of everybodys tongue. So, the way I look at it is like this. The original term to refer to this cohort of Americans that I call Generation X was the baby bust. So, they were defined in relation to what came before, which was the baby boom. And the baby boom ran out of gas sometime in the early 60s or the mid 60s. So, you could say Generation X starts about 1965. Thats how I look at it. About 1965 and runs to about 1980. Having said that, a lot of people ask me all the time, well I dont know if Im Generation X. I was born in 1963. What does that make me? Well, it doesnt make you anything, really. I mean, we all know people who seem to have been born in a, you know, with the soul of someone from a previous generation, but that, you know, look young, or whatever. So, these definitions are fuzzy. Paul Beston: Sure. Matthew Hennessey: You cant just, you know, no one rang a bell in 1980 and said okay Generation X is over, lets begin this millennial era. A lot of these things are sort of, they are determined in hindsight. So many cultural events and epics, you know, we dont realize that we are in them until, in some cases, decades have gone by. Paul Beston: Right, and there is always kind of a lag. I mean the front end of a generation and the back end of it is always kind of hard to Matthew Hennessey: Theres a lot of mixing Paul Beston: to reconcile that. Matthew Hennessey: Yes. Paul Beston: You know, because you didnt really experience the same things. But it is a general framework that we use. Matthew Hennessey: Yeah. So, the baby boom started after the Second World War, I think people are very familiar with that storyline. Gen X starts sometime in the mid 60s and runs out of gas, like I said, in the early 80s, probably no later than 81 or 82. If you were born in 1982 I guess youre getting close to forty now, right? You are in your late thirties. So, we dont tend to think of people who are currently in their late thirties as being millennials but, you know, depending on the way they are living their lives we might. So, the cutoff for millennials probably at this point, you know, the oldest millennials are probably 35 right now. And, again, there is some debate over whether, you know, kids who are in college right now in 2018 can actually be rightly called millennials. Some people think that thats a different generation. I tend to think that if you are 18 or 19 now you are the very tail end of the millennial cohort. Paul Beston: And like most generations, Generation X rightly or wrongly, acquired a kind of reputational character, at least in the media. What was that and how did it compare with, you know, how the boomers were portrayed, often by boomers, and how the millennials are kind of known and thought of today? Matthew Hennessey: Yeah, well the Generation X moment which kind of happened in the early 90s, lets say. From about 1990 to about 95 or 96, something like that, where Generation X was sort of identified as a particular American type that was, you know so, at the time we were viewed as slightly melancholy, dissatisfied with our lot, you know, like we had prolonged our adolescence, that we werent as, you know, get up and go as the generations that had come before. Of course, people say that about every generation of youngsters that comes along. I think most people agree that Generation X kind of outgrew that stereotype and sort of got on with the business of living. What changed, ultimately, and the reason why what differentiates Generation X from, lets say the millennials in terms of how they experienced maturity, or approaching maturity in their twenties, is that the Internet came along. And the technological landscape shifted dramatically as Gen-Xers were really beyond the age of being able to fully incorporate it into their lives. So, you know, I always tell this story. I remember that I was probably 20 Im 44 now I was probably closer to 30. Its hard to believe at this point now since we all spend all day long online and staring at our phones. I was probably closer to 30 before I even checked my email every day. So thats how radical this change has been. And so, the book, while it is concerned with the differences between the generations, I really tried to focus in on our different generational approaches to this new technology and how it has shaped us. Paul Beston: Right, and thats really the crux of the book because its talking about things that a lot of people are talking about today regarding the technology and the role it is playing in our lives Matthew Hennessey: Yeah, the Gen-X and the millennials the war between you know, the generations, is what gets the headlines and I admit it gets the headlines in my book. But the book is about something a little more complicated than just oh millennials are crap, or whatever. Paul Beston: Sure, no I mean, one of the things you do so well in the book is weave personal stories into the larger canvas of the story you are telling. And you are, as you said, when you were born, I mean, you are one of those Gen-Xers that is not ambiguous, you are definitely a Generation X because you were born in the 1970s, so there is no confusion where you place. Matthew Hennessey: No, theres no confusion there. Paul Beston: But you know, you talk about your own growing up as a Generation Xer of course you didnt think of yourself as that yet but you have very evocative reminisces of what life was like back then. Its funny to say back then, but thats what it is, you know, compared to now. From things like socializing, meeting friends, asking girls out on dates, buying music, buying records. You know, talk about some of those experiences and also what habits you think that those instilled, which again, goes to the crux of the book. That is, it makes people from this generation in certain ways fundamentally different than the younger crowd. Matthew Hennessey: Well, one of the things that I think about frequently is postcards. I find postcards to be a real interesting marker to talk about with people who are, you know, in their thirties or younger. This idea that you could actually like youd go on vacation, say, with your family in the summertime for a week, and you would spend the first two days at the beach buying a bunch of postcards to send to all your friends back in your you know, in your town or whatever. Say hey, here we are at the beach, well see you next week. Paul Beston: Right. Matthew Hennessey: And it really seemed like you were far away. It really seemed like you had gone somewhere even if you were, you know, an hour away from home. Paul Beston: Right. And the postcards never got there until you were back home. Matthew Hennessey: Sometimes that was true, but you loved to get a postcard from somebody, from your aunt who went to San Francisco or something like that. Paul Beston: Right. Matthew Hennessey: That was a real experience that is totally gone. I mean, maybe people send postcards now, here and there, but what it meant, what it signifies to me is that there was a time and it wasnt that long ago where you had to be satisfied being out of touch with someone that you wanted to be in touch with, perhaps that you loved or that you enjoyed being around you simply had to accept that they werent going to be in touch with you for a while. You might have to wait a couple of days to get the answer to your question. You might have to Paul Beston: Right. Matthew Hennessey: Right. So, what did that do? Why is that important? Its important because on some level it cultivated in people an understanding that what we often call delayed gratification that you have to, you have to be patient in order to get satisfaction. Paul Beston: Right, and old-fashioned television comes out, ironically, looking good in this treatment. Because, you know this is this technology that really became widely dispersed in the 50s and there are all these warnings about how it was going to destroy kids brains and turn off from reading. And it has had some of that effect, but in your context, old-fashioned TV, network TV, we had to put it on, you know, if you are going to see a show you had to be home at 7:00 or 8:00 to see it and there was no other way to see it also cultivated this waiting Matthew Hennessey: Yeah, in a strange way Paul Beston: which today is people just get whenever, everything is one-touch. Matthew Hennessey: Yeah, nobody has ever said like watching TV was really good for you or anything like that. I mean, so, you know, of course grownups back in those days used to wag their fingers and say like you shouldnt be watching the boob tube, you are melting your brain and all that kind of stuff. But as I point out in the book, and as you just sort of sketched out, it was oddly, required some discipline. Paul Beston: Yes. Matthew Hennessey: There was, you know, a TV Guide and it told you that your show was going to be on at 8:00 on a Tuesday night, and if you didnt get in front of a TV at 8:00 on a Tuesday night, you were out of luck. And people lived their lives accordingly. For better or for worse, they changed their plans in order to be in front of the TV at that time. Was it a good thing or a bad thing? I dont know. I mean, you could probably make a pretty fair case that now we have a lot more convenience in terms of the things that we can do and that probably makes us more productive or, you know Paul Beston: But also more impatient. Matthew Hennessey: Also more impatient, thats exactly right. Thats the downside of all this stuff. And I get a lot of, I get a lot of response when Im talking about this stuff that sort of suggests that, you know, oh, well you are just now an old man now, youre just what those old people were who were waving their finger in your face about the television thats just you now. And so Paul Beston: Right, is that some of the pushback you have heard so far from the book? And to me this is obviously a book that makes an argument and so people are going to have different views. Matthew Hennessey: Yeah, I get a lot of that. Thats, I mean, thats what I would say to me. That, you know, you are just nostalgic for a time thats lost and you are not with the latest and you are confused and disoriented by this new wave of technology and youre just moaning about it. And you need to get with the program. Paul Beston: Right. Matthew Hennessey: You know, thats a fair criticism. I think I deal with it pretty head-on in the book. What I wasnt expecting which is, Ive been accused by some people of not going far enough. With not, for instance, taking on the, you know, the disruptions like some of the larger questions. You know, I frame this mostly in regard to my own life and how Ive experienced these disruptions. But I have found that some people say well why dont you go further? Why dont you talk about, you know, the breakdown of the family or the sort of corrosive effects that these technologies have had on all these other areas of life? Paul Beston: And you have accounts, you know, you have anecdotes about that which are very telling in the book. I mean, I think the one that a lot of readers will relate to is the one you tell about making pancakes Matthew Hennessey: Oh yeah. Paul Beston: for your kids on Saturday mornings. And, I mean, this is getting to the technology side of it. I mean, we have talked about the generational. So, the all-pervasive nature of these devices, which we are all familiar with now, we know about it. We are starting to get concerned about it. We are not really sure what to do about it. But you are dramatizing that in everyday life and then we are going to talk a little bit at the end about some of the other stuff about the Silicon Valley crowd and their plans for the future and you know, the aspects of that that trouble you, but the pancake story is very evocative. Its a timeless episode that people have been doing forever and yet there is this new presence there that wasnt there, maybe even ten years ago, thats distracting you from the time with your kids. Matthew Hennessey: Yeah, so what happened was, and this is probably the seed that was planted that ultimately flowered as this book. I make pancakes with my kids on Saturday mornings. I work all week. Its not easy to get time with my kids in the morning or in the evening before and after work, so on Saturday mornings I really enjoy and cherish this time making pancakes with my kids and I help, you know, the little ones stir the batter and all this kind of stuff, and we make a big to-do about it. The pancakes are quite good I might add. So, one day a year or two ago I noticed that I was kind of distracted. I was making the pancakes with the kids, but I kept checking my phone. I was sort of, my mind was wandering constantly, I was thinking whats going on on Twitter or Facebook. Did I get any emails? I cant remember exactly what was going on that day, but you know, I have to admit that it was a day like any other day where I was wanting to be sort of having a morning with my kids and I found that I was totally distracted and I wasnt myself. And it occurred to me as I thought about it more that I didnt used to be like that. That I used to be quite capable of, you know, putting the phone down or not worrying whether someone was trying to get in touch with me, or saying something nasty about me on social media, or you know, sharing a piece that I had written. I used to be quite capable of putting all that aside for a couple of hours at least or a day, or a weekend and picking it up again on Monday morning. And I noticed that something had shifted. Something pretty dramatic had shifted. So, I wanted to explore that and thats ultimately what led me down the road, that led to this sort of analysis of how the generations were different and the role of technology and the role of the people who make technology. Paul Beston: Right. And you broaden the scope, you know, as the chapters unfold, and one of your big targets is what has become known as the Internet of Things. So, you know, the increasingly computerized cars, the self-driving cars are obviously coming out soon, but I mean our own cars that we drive today are increasingly technologically out of our hands. This Amazon Echo is a big subject for you. The Alexa taking orders around the house. What is it, you know, succinctly, I mean, what does it do? Some people love this Internet of Things, they cant wait for it to roll out further. What is your objection to it and what troubles you about it? Matthew Hennessey: Well, I find it really creepy. Thats what troubles me about it. So, I have numerous examples in the book of, you know, things that have made the news that are related to these, you know, the Amazon Echo is the one that people are most familiar with, but Google has their own version of it, so does Apple, these personal digital assistants Paul Beston: Right. Matthew Hennessey: that you have in your home that are always on and always listening and waiting for you to ask them to perform some function. Its almost like we have all had this experience of being on the Internet and looking at a product or maybe, you know, Googling something and then turning around an hour or two or a day later and seeing that you are getting bombarded with ads for that thing. So, we have all sort of made peace with the idea that we are out there, they are watching us, we do something on the Internet and were going to get those ads. But lately I dont know if you have had this experience, I have, where you start to wonder hey is my phone listening to my conversations while Im just sitting here talking with you, because I mentioned that thing, that ice cream or whatever to you, and now Im getting ads for it online when Im running around. Whats going on here? Paul Beston: Right. Matthew Hennessey: Well, whats going on here is that all of these appliances, from our phones to our coffeemakers, to our dishwashers, to our cars, as you mentioned, will shortly if they arent already, be spying on us, listening to us. And theyre going to want to be able to talk to each other too. Thats sort of the ethos here is that your coffeemaker wants to be able to order coffee for you when youre running low. So, its going to make that call on its own eventually. Thats what Silicon Valley is hoping to get to. Paul Beston: Right. Matthew Hennessey: Or, whats another good example? Your car will want to be able to talk to your Amazon Echo to let it know that it need new wipers and can you order them, that kind of thing. You can see how it would be very convenient. You can see how, in some ways, wow, things are going to be easier. Im going to have more free time. Im not going to have to go shopping, all that kind of jazz. But I think its also, you know, you dont have to be paranoid to see how it could potentially have some serious negative consequences on the way you live your life if a company, or several companies, based very far away from where you live is listening to your daily conversations. The one example I use in the book which I think people can actually relate to is, in the car. How many times have you been driving in your car and somebody cuts you off or somebody did something to you and prompted you to say something that you, you might have thought better of a little later, or you might have been embarrassed of, something, angry outburst or something. Would you really want that on record somewhere? Would you really want your car to be sort of taping you as youre talking? I think most people could see how that could one day potentially be twisted and used against them in ways that, I mean, you know, you just have to watch TV Paul Beston: Sure, we are always connected Matthew Hennessey: Yeah, to be always connected and to be always surveilled. I mean, I really do think of it in those terms. I think that the goal of many of these Silicon Valley companies is to get a spy in your living room so that they can now this is the thing that is the most fascinating so that they can more accurately target you for advertising. They want to sell you products. So, at the moment they can only find out what you want when you make a move, when you go online and you hunt around, you put your cursor over something for a little while and hover it, look at it for thirty seconds Paul Beston: Right. Matthew Hennessey: they know, oh, hes interested in that hat. Lets send him some ads for that hat. How much better would it be for them if they could actually hear you talking to your wife about, you know, Christmas presents for the kids? Theyd get right on it. Paul Beston: Thats why you describe it as East Germany with kickass customer service. Matthew Hennessey: Yeah, well Im just trying to use evocative language that get peoples attention. Paul Beston: That works, that gets through. And yet we do seem, I mean, largely acquiescent, at least so far. I mean, the convenience aspect of this is self-evident, as you say. I mean some of these things are great and they are very convenient, but at the cost of privacy and autonomy. Matthew Hennessey: One of the things that people ask me is well what am I supposed to do about this? You say its Zero Hour for Gen X. What am I supposed to do? Im supposed to go Paul Beston: Right. This is where the generational them comes back. Matthew Hennessey: Im supposed to go the generational barricades and, you know, beat back the millennial hordes? This Internet of Things is the sort of, to me anyway, its one of the things that Generation X needs to really push back on, because we are, we are currently at the age where we are raising children and we are buying homes and we are sort of, you know, we are the adult generation. We are in mid-life. And we have the power, we have the resources to push back against some of these things and we have the ability to say we dont want a vacuum cleaner that is connected to the Internet. Paul Beston: Right. Matthew Hennessey: We just dont need that, you know, or GPS. Or, you know, we can vacuum the house, you know, we know when we need to go to the dentist. We dont need our toothbrush telling us its been you know, six months since youve been to the dentist, pal, and you need to go. So, when people ask me all the time what am I supposed to do about it, this is one of those things. Like somehow figure out a way through your shopping habits, if need be, to tell the people who are pushing this vision of the world that you dont want it. Paul Beston: Right. And I mean, this is a very fortuitous time for your book to come out because, of course, with the recent stock market rout that Facebook has suffered, in part because of its record with privacy. Matthew Hennessey: Yeah. Well, 2018 Paul Beston: People are slowly, people do seem to be Matthew Hennessey: Could be. Paul Beston: starting to, I mean, its too early to say. They still have, you know, these products still have enormous, you know, usage and pervasiveness in peoples lives, but this is a different scenario we are seeing, at least right now. Matthew Hennessey: Im hopeful. I think that perhaps this is the year that we will look back on and say wait a minute. That was when people sort of really got hip to what was going on. You have to remember that this industry is all very new. Paul Beston: Its very new. Matthew Hennessey: Its a decade old, maybe. As I was saying earlier, I mean I didnt even check my email until fifteen years ago. So, now its been ten years of Facebook and, you know, they are finally sort of, people are finally sort of saying, hey wait a minute, maybe this social media always constantly connected revolution went a little too far too fast. And we need to thats essentially what Im asking people to do with this book, is just slow down. Think about it. Think critically about the lifestyle that Silicon Valley is pushing on all of us. Im not saying get rid of your phone. I have a phone. I have Twitter. I have all that stuff. Paul Beston: Sure. Matthew Hennessey: Im trying to be much more mindful thats a word that people love to use these days Im trying to be much more mindful about the way I use those things and the way they use me. Paul Beston: I have been talking with Matthew Hennessey about his new book Zero Hour for Gen X, which is out now. Dont forget to check out more about this episode and a link to Matts book on our website at www.city-journal.org. You can also see and find Matts work on The Wall Street Journals opinion pages. You can follow Matt on Twitter, @MattHennessey. We would also love to hear your comments about todays episode on Twitter, @CityJournal. And lastly, if you like our show and want to hear more, please leave ratings and reviews on iTunes. Thanks for listening and thanks, Matt, for joining us. Matthew Hennessey: My pleasure Paul. Thank you. The Charity Commission has today issued an official warning to the RSPCA over a settlement paid out to the acting chief executive. The regulator criticised trustees for not being fully informed before making a significant payment to the acting chief executive and said this amounted to mismanagement. Michael Ward took over as acting chief executive in 2017, after previous leader Jeremy Cooper left with immediate effect. Ward was reported to have been offered a six-figure pay off when he left - also with immediate effect - earlier this year. Chris Sherwood took up the post of chief executive earlier this month. He is the charitys eighth leader in 11 years. The Commission said that charity's chair, vice-chair, treasurer and deputy treasurer failed to comply with their duty to ensure they were sufficiently informed before making a decision about the settlement to the acting chief executive and that this amounted to mismanagement. It has ordered the charity to provide formal training for council members so they are fully aware of their responsibilities as trustees and to implement the recommendations of an independent governance review. It is not the first time RPCA has made a substantial pay out to a former executive. RSPCAs accounts for the year ending December 2017 show the highest earner received between 190,000 and 199,999 - 50,000 more than the usual pay for the chief executive. The charity did not say who had received that payment, although it may have been Jeremy Cooper. Governance has fallen short The Commission said that the RSPCA has fallen short and that it must takes steps to address underlying governance issues. David Holdsworth, registrar of charities for England and Wales and deputy chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: The RSPCA is a much-loved national institution performing a crucial role in animal protection, with its staff and volunteers undertaking vital work. The public, and the RSPCAs many members and supporters, need it to succeed and to deliver important benefits for society. They rightly expect that it should be run by its trustees to the highest standards. Unfortunately, that has not been the case and the charitys governance has fallen short which has led to people asking legitimate questions about the pay-out to the former executive. He added that trustees must take immediate steps to improve the charitys governance. Holdsworth said there were signs that the charity had made a good start but it needed to go further and work constructively with the regulator and its new chief executive to make further progress. The recent election of a new council [trustees], the introduction of a new code of conduct and the recruitment of a new chief executive, provide an opportunity for a fresh start for the charity. The trustees must now show leadership, and work with the new chief executive in driving forward the required improvements in governance. He warned that if the Commission was not satisfied with the RSPCAs response we will not hesitate to take further regulatory action. RSPCA: We are moving in the right direction The RSPCA said it has already implemented 90 per cent of the recommendations made by the governance review. Findings from an overarching governance review were published a year ago and made 40 recommendations. At the time the payment was made Daphne Harris was chair of the RSPCA. She has since completed her term and a new chair, Paul Draycott, has been selected. Harris is still on the council, the RSCPA's term for board of trustees. In the foreword to the 2017 annual report Harris made special mention of the acting chief executive, Ward, describing him as exemplary. A spokesman said: "The RSPCA ruling council is fully committed to the very highest standards of governance. Council continues to implement the recommendations of the Governance Review, with more than 90 per cent of them completed, and is working hard with our new chief executive on the outstanding items. We are confident that the Society is moving in the right direction - as indicated by the 2018 You Gov Brand Index naming the RSPCA as the most improved charity brand. Council remains united in its commitment to ensuring the RSPCA is a modern, outward looking organisation that is fully focused on pursuing our goal of creating a world which is kinder to animals. The Inspiring Impact programme, which aims to improve impact measurement in the charity sector, has awarded 600,000 through the Big Lottery Fund. The funding means that the programme, which started in 2012, has been secured until 2021. It has also been supplemented by 15,000 from City Bridge Trust. The Inspiring Impact programme will be delivered by New Philanthropy Capital, NCVO Charities Evaluation Service, Social Value UK, Evaluation Support Scotland, Community Evaluation Northern Ireland and Wales Council for Voluntary Action to continue supporting charities and funders across the United Kingdom to improve their impact practice. The funding continues the Inspiring Impact programme, which and has so far supported over 50,000 charities with over 1m funding, and brings it together with the Impact Management Programme, running since 2016. The BLF awarded the programme 600,000 in 2015, and provided 280,000 in 2012 when it was set up. The Inspiring Impact programme is aimed at charities who want to understand and improve their impact, and offers grants that charities and social enterprises can spend on understanding improving their impact. Nearly 2m of grants have previously been awarded across the UK. Inspiring Impact also has a website that brings together free resources from across the sector, including the Data Diagnostic, a 5-minute questionnaire that provides tailored recommendations about what data to collect. Over 100,000 people have used the website already. The programme also offers networks that bring people together to share what works and learn from each other. The voluntary sector looks different in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales so local partners will adapt their activities to local demand. Sally Higham, independent chair of Inspiring Impact 2018-21 and chief executive of RunAClub, said: We are delighted to have received this funding from the Big Lottery Fund. Its a testament to the difference the project has made over its life so far, helping charities up and down the country understand - and prove - the difference they make. We have integrated elements of codesign into the program, with solid online resources, to ensure the content is as grass roots and charity led as possible. This will make what is a unique and vital programme even more useful for charities, reach more people and create more impact for charities across the UK. Joe Ferns, UK funding director at the Big Lottery Fund, said: Thanks to National Lottery funding, a number of charities and community organisations will be better equipped to measure the impact of their work. This will not only improve practise but also support organisations to explore how they grow and develop their services. 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 four charity regulators in the UK and Republic of Ireland have announced they are holding a governance review of the SORP committee after concerns were raised about its composition and approach. The SORP committee sets the Statement of Recommended Practice, the rules governing charity accounts. A review was agreed by the committee earlier this year after former member Joe Saxton resigned in protest at the lack of transparency in charity accounts. Today the regulators launched the review, which will aim to gain assurance that the SORP-making process commands confidence and addresses the transparency and public confidence challenges facing charities. Its other main aim is to assure the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) that any revised arrangements adhere to the FRC policy on developing SORPs. The charity regulators said that as a minimum the governance review will consider: the composition of the advisory SORP committee identification of, and engagement with, key stakeholders in the SORP development process the extent to which the views of key stakeholders have been recognised in the process potential of changes to membership of the SORP committee should the FRC agree the remit of the SORP to make recommendations covering non-statutory financial reporting by charities The governance review will be undertaken during 2018 and any recommendations from it will be taken forward by the SORP-making body in 2019 in time for the development of the next full SORP, tentatively scheduled for 2021. Panel appointed The review will be undertaken by an oversight panel comprising Sarah Atkinson, director of policy, planning and communication at the Charity Commission for England and Wales, Judith Hayhow, head of support services at the Scottish charity regulator OSCR, Punam McGookin, head of charity services at Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) and Tom Malone, head of compliance and enforcement at the Charities Regulator, which covers the Republic of Ireland. The panel, which will also include an observer nominated by the FRC, will determine the conduct of the review, the taking of evidence, publicising of the process, and the identification and invitation of participants. Staff of the Charity Commission for England and Wales and OSCR will assist the panel. Gareth Morgan, emeritus professor of charity studies at Sheffield Hallam University, has been appointed to oversee the work of the panel. Morgan said: As someone who has had a long interest in the Charities SORP, both as an academic researcher and as a practitioner, I am very much aware of its significance in achieving massive improvements in charity accounts and reporting since the first modern SORP was issued in 1995. In the circumstances, it is entirely right to begin with a review of the governance processes in developing new versions of the SORP, and I am honoured to have been asked to chair that review. Laura Anderson, OSCRs head of professional advice and intelligence and one of the joint chairs of the SORP Committee, said: The review comes at a critical juncture as we look to take stock and develop the next SORP with the needs of all four charity law jurisdictions in mind. To be effective we need a SORP process that is fully representative and delivers a SORP that it is clear, accurate and meets the reporting needs of the users of charity reports and accounts whilst upholding the standards issued by the FRC. The review follows the addition of the CCNI as joint members of the SORP-making body in June. The FRC have also approved the inclusion of the Irish Charities Regulator in the body but this is subject to the SORP being formally adopted for use in the Republic of Ireland and made mandatory for Irish charities. 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 Thursday 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 test slated to begin late next month will 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. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. As temperatures rise in the U.S. West, so do the flames. The years with the most acres burned by wildfires have some of the hottest temperatures, an Associated Press analysis of fire and weather data found. As human-caused climate change has warmed the world over the past 35 years, the land consumed by flames has more than doubled. Experts say the way global warming worsens wildfires comes down to the basic dynamics of fire. Fires need ignition, oxygen and fuel. And whats really changed is fuel the trees, brush and other plants that go up in flames. Hotter drier weather means our fuels are drier so its easier for fires to start and spread and burn more intensely, said University of Alberta fire scientist Mike Flannigan. Its simple, he said: The warmer it is, the more fire we see. Federal fire and weather data show higher air temperatures are turbo-charging fire season. The five hottest Aprils to Septembers out west produced years that on average burned more than 13,500 square miles (35,000 square kilometers), according to data at the National Interagency Fire Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Thats triple the average for the five coldest Aprils to Septembers. The western summer so far is more than 3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 degrees Celsius) warmer than the 20th century average. California in July logged its hottest month in 124 years of record-keeping. The five years with the most acres burned since 1983 averaged 63.4 degrees from April to September. Thats 1.2 degrees warmer than average and 2.4 degrees hotter than the years with the least acres burned, APs data analysis shows. In California, the five years with the most acres burned (not including this year) average 2.1 degrees warmer than the five years with the least acres burned. A degree or two may seem like not much, but for fuel it is crucial. The hotter it is, the more water evaporates from plants. When fuel dries faster, fires spread more and burn more intensely, experts said. For every 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit that the air warms, it needs 15 percent more rain to make up for the drying of the fuel, Flannigan said. Fuel moisture levels in California and Oregon are flirting with record dry levels, NOAA western regional climate center director Tim Brown said. And low humidity is the key driver of wildfire spread, according to University of Colorado fire scientist Jennifer Balch who says the western U.S. soon will start to see wildfires of 1 million acres (1,562 square miles). Veteran Colorado hotshot firefighter Mike Sugaski used to consider 10,000-acre (16-square mile) fires big, now he fights ones 10 times that or more. You kind of keep saying How can they get much worse? But they do, Sugaski said. The number of U.S. wildfires hasnt changed much over the last few decades, but the area consumed has soared. The year 2000 seemed to be some kind of turning point, said Randy Eardley, the fire centers chief spokesman. From 1983 to 1999, the United States didnt reach 10,000 square miles burned annually. Since then, 10 years have had more than 10,000 square miles burned including 2017, 2015 and 2006 when more than 15,000 square miles burned. Some people who reject mainstream climate science point to statistics that seem to show far more acres burned in the 1930s and 1940s. But the fire centers Eardley said statistics before 1983 are not reliable because fires may be double counted, tripled counted or more. Nationally, more than 8,900 square miles (23,050 kilometers) have burned this year, about 28 percent more than the 10-year average as of mid-August. California is having one of its worst years. Scientists generally avoid blaming global warming for specific extreme events without extensive analysis, but scientists have done those extensive examinations on wildfire. John Abatzgolou of the University of Idaho looked at forest fires and dry conditions in the western United States from 1979 to 2015 and compared that to computer simulations of what would be expected with no human-caused climate change. He concluded that global warming had a role in an extra 16,200 square miles (42,000 square kilometers) of forests burning since 1984. A study of the 2015 Alaska fire season the second biggest on record did a similar simulation analysis, concluding that climate change from the burning of coal, oil and gas increased the risk of the fire season being that severe by 34 to 60 percent. One 2015 study said globally fire seasons are about 18.7 percent longer since 1979. Another study that year says climate change is increasing extreme wildfire risk in California where wildfires already are year round. Also, drought and bark beetles have killed 129 million trees in California since 2016, creating more fuel. Contrary to fire scientists, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke this week told Breitbart radio that whats driving increased wildfires is an increase in fuel. He said the government has been held hostage by environmental terrorist groups that oppose clearing dead trees that they say provide wildlife habitat. Zinke, however, has acknowledged that climate change was a factor in worsening wildfires. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Slowing activity at Hawaiis Kilauea volcano has prompted scientists on Friday to downgrade their alert level for the mountain. The U.S. Geological Survey issued a watch for Kilaueas ground hazards, down from a warning. But scientists say this doesnt mean the eruption, which has destroyed more than 700 homes since May, is over. Kilauea has paused for days, weeks and even months during previous eruptions. Lava mostly stopped flowing on Aug. 6. Theres a crusted-over lava pond inside a fissure cone and just a few spots where lava is entering the ocean. The volcanos summit hasnt collapsed since Aug. 2. Sulfur dioxide emissions are the lowest theyve been since 2007. The agency has maintained a warning alert for Kilauea since May 3, when cracks began shooting lava out of the ground in the Big Islands Leilani Estates neighborhood. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, meanwhile, said it was taking advantage of the lull to assess damage to the park. The damage assessment produced by specialized team will provide the foundation of the parks recovery plan, the National Park Service said. Cindy Orlando, the park superintendent, said the agency is exploring short-term repairs to safely reopen at least part of the park. The science informs the decisions we make, she said. Two million people visit the Big Island park each year, making it the states biggest tourist attraction. But the park has been closed since May because of the dangers posed by the eruption. Thats hurt the islands tourism-dependent economy. The number of travelers to the island dropped 4.8 percent in June from the same month last year. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- Deer culling could be a possibility in Beachwood by year's end, if residents say they want it. At City Council's Public Works Committee meeting Monday, Mayor Martin Horwitz said the subject of thinning the city's deer population comes up frequently when he speaks with residents. "Both block parties I was at this weekend, people asked me about deer culling," Horwitz said. While the mayor said the subject is not a pleasant one, it is one that must be discussed, as residents complain about deer walking through and gathering in yards and eating their plants. "Culling is a complicated, detailed process," Horwitz said. "You need an ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) permit. And, what needs to be done before anything else is a community survey." The survey, he said, would tell the city if residents want to proceed with culling, and why, and where deer are gathering. "That survey process really needs to start now," Horwitz said. "The culling process would start by the end of the year." Horwitz noted that other communities, before starting a culling program, have started with a community survey. In the summer of 2016, the City of Lyndhurst surveyed its residents via an online survey. Lyndhurst's survey was posted, however, the summer after deer were first culled in that city. The Lyndhurst program was the subject of protests by opponents of deer culling. In particular, protesters opposed Lyndhurst's trap-and-bolt method, in which a bolt was put through the head, at close range, of captured deer. Pepper Pike, beginning in 2015, began culling deer using archers. The archers only killed deer on private property where homeowners allowed culling. Horwitz said Beachwood would look to team with neighboring Shaker Heights, and possibly Cleveland Heights, on a sharpshooting program. In March 2016, Shaker Heights City Council approved a sharpshooting program to thin the deer population. Later that year, as culling approached, those opposed to sharpshooting deer protested in Shaker Heights. "It's not an issue I'm passionate about," Beachwood Councilman James Pasch said. "My concern isn't so much about deer eating people's plants. My concern is for Lyme Disease. People can get really sick really fast from Lyme Disease." Lyme Disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of blacklegged ticks, which deer can carry. "This is a regional problem," said Councilman Alec Isaacson, advocating that Beachwood team with other cities. "Reducing the (deer) population in Beachwood isn't going to help elsewhere." Horwitz said that if residents show in the survey that they want to proceed with culling, the city would examine the possibility of using the services of retired Shaker Heights police officer Jim Mariano, who has gone on to form Precision Wildlife Management, which culls Shaker's deer population. PWM lures deer from around the area to a common spot at which sharpshooters kill the deer. Horwitz said that such a shooting area would be in Beachwood, but is not yet sure where. Beachwood Police Chief Gary Haba said that the deer population figures in Beachwood "don't seem high to me," but added that a culling program "should be driven by people who live here (in Beachwood)." Haba released figures that show that deer sightings, reported deer injuries and general deer complaints in Beachwood totaled 56 in 2015, 41 in 2016 and 34 in 2017. There have been 26 thus far in 2018. He noted that since deer wander, some of these complaints could be about the same deer. Since 2015, police or the animal warden have dispatched 21 injured deer. The number of reported motor vehicle accidents in Beachwood involving deer since 2015 have totaled 27, with none being reported in 2018. Committee chair and Councilman Justin Berns said that if the survey shows that residents favor deer culling, "we have to move forward." Council is expected to vote on administering the survey in September. OHIO CITY, Ohio - Canadian Nav Singh immigrated to Northeast Ohio with the intention of buying a building and opening a pizza shop. He purchased a site in the heart of Ohio City -- and even did training with a local pizza franchise -- when on a quick trip to visit a friend in Memphis, he discovered Southern-style barbecue and had to rethink his plans. Singh, who is from Toronto, said his hometown doesn't have American-style barbecue and one he tried it, he was hooked on the smoky flavor of the meat. Singh traveled the barbecue competition circuit for a while to learn the secrets of making great barbecue. That is where he met award-winning Pit Master Eddie J. The two clicked and Ohio City BBQ was born. Ohio City BBQ is one of 20 finalists in Cleveland's Best Barbecue contest. Each establishment was nominated, and then voted into the finals, by our readers. We invite you to vote for your favorite BBQ joint daily through Aug. 28. The poll resets each morning at 9 a.m. We visited Ohio City BBQ on Aug. 3. Scroll down to see our taste test review of its foods. Goodness, look at this BBQ spread! Were at Top 20 finalist Ohio City BBQ for Clevelands Best Barbecue contest. Posted by cleveland.com on Friday, August 3, 2018 Ohio City BBQ Address: 3829 Lorain Ave., Cleveland Phone: 216-417-5987 Website: ohiocitybbq.com Social media Facebook: facebook.com/ohiocitybbq Twitter: @ohiocitybbq Instagram: @ohiocitybbq/ How many different kinds of BBQ are on the menu? Five: Pulled Pork, Ribs, Brisket, Sausage and Chicken. How many sauce options? Three: Sweet & Smoky, Hotter than Hell and Liquid Gold. Best Sellers: Pulled Pork and Ribs Most unique item on the menu: Chicken and waffles Taste Test Review Cleveland's Best reporters Yadi Rodriguez, Brenda Cain and Kristen Davis, along with celebrity host/comedian Mike Polk, visited Ohio City BBQon Aug. 3. At each of the finalist restaurants, we're sampling all kinds of barbecue, including ribs, pulled pork, brisket and chicken -- as well as many sides and a dish the restaurant felt was its best or most unique offering. Pork Ribs: "Great outer crunch, then the meat falls right off the bone," said Rodriguez. "Amazing, you can tell these were made with love and care," Polk said. Pulled Pork: "This was tender and you could really taste the smoke," Davis said. "Succulent tender meat that doesn't need sauce, but tastes great with it," said Cain. Brisket: "Let's be honest, we have had some pretty dry brisket on this journey, but this is not," said Polk. "Really good brisket - tender and juicy. Good-sized slices," Davis said. Chicken: "Crunchy skin and yet the meat was tender and moist," said Rodriguez. "Well cooked. Lots of char on the outside, juicy on the inside," said Davis. Sides: Potato Salad: "This was the freshest we have had, with a great down-home and traditional flavor. Absolutely delicious," said Cain. "Creamy and mellow. Made with redskin potatoes," Davis said. Mac n Cheese: "Tender noodles, cheesy with plenty of homemade taste," said Rodriguez. "Rich cheese flavor," Davis said. Cole Slaw: "Sweet and creamy dressing and fresh vegetables, just a little too much dressing for my taste," said Cain. "Sweet. Good crunch. Good variety of veggies," said Davis. Collard Greens: "Perfectly cooked. Fresh flavor. Love the addition of pulled pork," Cain said. "Not my cup of tea, but I did like that they had pulled pork in them," Rodriguez said. Corn Bread: "A little on the dry side, but with a mild flavor," said Davis. "Good addition to the meal," Cain said. Peach Cobbler: "The fruit really shines in this dessert. Possibly one of the best things we have eaten on this journey," said Davis. "Really good, served nice and warm so that it tasted like it had just come out of the oven," Rodriguez said. Sauces: Sweet & Smoky: "I am not surprised Eddie J. won awards with this one. Sweet and tangy," said Davis. "This sauce complemented everything I put it on," said Cain. Hotter than Hell: "Wow! Definitely a kick to this one," Rodriguez said. "There is just a hint of sweetness, but the heat burns a little and lingers," Davis said. Liquid Gold: "I loved this sauce! Great mustardy tang with a bit of a kick," said Cain. Why not join us in our quest to find the Best Barbecue in Greater Cleveland? Check out the schedule of our visits. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is scheduled to give remarks today in Cleveland about the nation's opioid epidemic. Sessions, appointed last year by President Donald Trump, is expected to talk about law enforcement's role in combatting the nation's drug epidemic. The news conference will take place at the U.S. Attorney's Office, which is in the federal courthouse in downtown Cleveland. U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman will also be at the news conference, along with other Justice Department officials from Washington, D.C. Watch Attorney General Jeff Sessions in Cleveland speaking about nations opioid crisis. What role do you think law enforcement should take? Posted by cleveland.com on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 Sessions and his Justice Department have pushed the idea that increased prosecution will lead to fewer overdoses deaths. While prosecutors brought cases against drug dealers suspected of selling a dose to someone who died during the previous administration, Sessions has also told U.S. attorneys to charge and pursue "the most serious, readily provable offense" in cases they bring involving drugs and violent crime. His view on these cases is similar to law enforcement during the so-called War on Drugs in the 1980s and 1990s, when prosecutors sought to address the crack-cocaine epidemic and violent crime through aggressive enforcement of federal laws. Many of those prosecuted at the time were poor, black men, and experts say the War on Drugs caused the prison population in the U.S. to dramatically grow. While Sessions has traveled to Ohio since being sworn in as attorney general, Wednesday's trip is Sessions' first trip to Cleveland in his new role. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office to pursue an appeal of a lower court's ruling tossing the 2016 guilty plea of two men accused of setting fire to a Parma house. Prosecutor Michael O'Malley's office has three days to file a memorandum of jurisdiction to convince the Supreme Court that it should take up the appeal. Shawn Miller, 27, and William Looby, 25, pleaded guilty in November 2016 to aggravated arson and felonious assault charges that accused them of using gasoline and road flares to light a blaze that engulfed an occupied State Road home. One man in the home was hurt and had to be treated at a local hospital. Several other people in the home at the time were unharmed. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Janet Burnside sentenced both men to eight years in prison. Another man, Robert Bailey-Burline, pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated arson and attempted felonious assault charges and received a two-year sentence. Lawyers representing Miller and Looby filed an appeal in 2017 arguing that Burnside did not explicitly advise them that he was waiving his Constitutional right to trial and to confront his witnesses when he pleaded guilty. A transcript from Miller and Looby's plea hearings showed that Burnside told them he had those rights, but did not come out and say that he was giving them up by admitting his guilt. O'Malley's office argued that the plea should stand because the judge laid out their rights and both men said they understood them. A three-judge panel at the 8th District Court of Appeals sided 2-1 with Miller and found that judges are required to explicitly tell defendants they are giving up their rights when pleading guilty. The judges wiped away the guilty pleas and sentences of both Miller and Looby and sent the case back to Burnside. The court then refused a request by the prosecutor's office to allow the full bench to decide the case, and O'Malley's office filed a notice of appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court arguing the appellate court's decision conflicting with other lower-court rulings. The Supreme Court rejected a request by lawyers for Miller that asked the court not to let O'Malley's office appeal the case. To comment on this post, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments page. FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- The Senior Center roof will be replaced beginning next month, with the estimated $554,000 project expected to be completed in late fall. "There are a few issues going on that we need to correct," Fairview Park Director of Public Service & Development Shawn Leininger said. "We need to make improvements to the installation of the attic space. Right now, it causes the attic to overheat and basically cook the asphalt shingles on the roof in the summertime. "Then, in the wintertime, we have ice dams that form on the roof. All of which deteriorate the roof shingles and shorten the life of the roof," Leininger said. "So this project, we're going to improve the ventilation of the air that moves through the attic and replace the roof. With those improvements, we'll get the longevity out of the roof we expect to find." The Senior Center, which was completed around the turn of the century, started to experience roof leaks roughly two years ago. "We have a tarp over the back part of the roof, but it's a temporary fix," Leininger said. "We didn't pull the trigger on the roof replacement right away. We spent our time going through and making sure we evaluated the different options." Those options included finding funding to cover the expenditure. Council earmarked $70,600 that the city received from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) toward the project, as well as a recently awarded $150,000 Cuyahoga County Municipal Grant. "The balance of the project is from city funds," Leininger said. "There's $235,000 coming from the cable franchise fund and the remaining balance of $100,000 from the Senior Center general fund. The engineer's estimate includes the design, inspection and construction costs." In other Fairview Park leaking roof news, the Gemini Center natatorium's $1.5 million replacement project is currently under design. The issue involves warm air getting into the wall cavity, turning into condensation and leaking into the natatorium. The weather-related leaking only takes place during frigid winter temperatures. "There are a few things that we have to button up on the design," Leininger said. "I'll be asking City Council to authorize the administration to go out to bid. We hope to bid it later this year so we can be first in line for projects in 2019." LYNDHURST, Ohio -- Warrant arrest, Mayfield Road: At 11:30 a.m. Aug. 14, an employee of Bangs Salon, 5135 Mayfield Road, reported that a customer was refusing to pay for services rendered. The customer was refusing to leave the salon and was attempting to start fights with staff and other customers. Police spoke with the woman, 32, of Cleveland Heights, who it was discovered was wanted on warrants issued by police in Euclid, Cleveland Heights and Macedonia. The woman was turned over to Macedonia police. Open container, Mayfield Road: At 3:15 a.m. Aug. 20, an officer stopped a car due to a traffic violation. Upon approaching the car, the officer could smell the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. No marijuana was found, but the officer did cite the driver, a Warrensville Heights woman, 23, for having an open container of alcohol in her car. Drug abuse, Mayfield Road: At 8:45 p.m. Aug. 18, police were called to Plato's Closet clothing store, 5688 Mayfield Road, on a shoplifting report. The suspect, 21, of Mayfield Heights, was not shoplifting, as he paid for items he selected. Officers identified the man, but did not detain him. After releasing the man, it was learned that he was wanted on a warrant. Police followed the man to a parked car and arrested him on the warrant. The man in the car's driver's seat, also 21 and from Mayfield Heights, was cited for marijuana possession. Domestic violence, Camberly Drive: At 8:50 a.m. Aug. 18, a caller reported that her adult brother was yelling at her and refusing to leave her home. The brother was agitated over an incident that had occurred the night before when he struck his wife. When the man, 47, did leave the woman's house, before officers' arrival, the woman told dispatch that she was concerned for the welfare of her brother's son, 11. Officers checked the area for the man's car, as he was in the vehicle with his son. When the man returned home, he was arrested for domestic violence. Grand theft, Cedar Road: At 11:55 p.m. Aug. 16, a man reported that more than $4,000 and casino chips were stolen from his car as he worked out at LA Fitness, 25145 Cedar Road. Suspicion, Richmond Road: At 11:40 a.m. Aug. 13, a resident reported that two men came onto his property and asked him for water. The strangers then walked into the man's back yard and looked around. They then left in a black four-door Lexus truck. The resident only saw a portion of the vehicle's license plate number. Mayfield Heights police reported that they had dealt with a similar incident in that city a week earlier. The men could not be located. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. AKRON, Ohio -- An Akron grandfather charged in the shooting death of his grandson told police over three years ago that his grandson attacked him during a fight, according to police records. Dann E. Schaffer, 61, is charged with murder in the slaying of his grandson, Cody J. Czerpak, 22. The fatal shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. Sunday at a home in the 500 block of Rothrock Avenue, Akron police said. The pair got into a fight and Schaffer shot Czerpak once in the chest, killing him, police said. Investigators provided very few details about the shooting, but a July 2015 Akron police reveals the tumult in their relationship was nothing new. Officers were called to the same home on Rothrock Avenue on July 15, 2015, just after 6 p.m. after Schaffer reported that his grandfather punched him in the face, the report says. Czerpak told the officers at the time that everyone was arguing when he walked into the room and that his grandfather attacked him, the report says. He said that he defended himself and started punching his grandfather after the attack, the report says. Investigators noted Schaffer had a bloody nose but refused treatment. Czerpak also had a bruise on the left side of his face, authorities said. Czerpak was charged with domestic violence but later pleaded guilty to a lesser disorderly conduct charge. He was ordered to pay over $200 in court fees and was sentenced to 28-days in jail that was suspended, according to Akron Municipal Court Records. The police report was released after cleveland.com requested a list of calls made to the house in the last three years. Officers have been called to the home for numerous domestic incidents but the 2015 fight appears to be the only incident between the two. Schaffer was being held in the Summit County Jail on a $1 million bail. He is scheduled to appear in Summit County Common Pleas Court Sept. 7. Court records show Schaffer has a criminal history that includes forgery and a series of drug possession charges over the course of several years. To comment on this story, visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments page. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A man arrested on several warrants slipped out of his handcuffs and jumped out of a moving Cleveland police cruiser in downtown Cleveland as the officers drove him to jail. The man-- Norman Jones, 21, of Cleveland -- was eventually arrested after the officers chased him into a vacant downtown building. He is charged with escape, a fifth-degree felony. Cleveland police officers about 10:30 p.m. Saturday spotted Jones sitting in the front porch of his home on Larchmere Avenue, police reports say. Jones ran inside the house and out the backdoor, police reports say. The officers ran after him. The chase lasted about 15 minutes until the officers arrested Jones several blocks away on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Woodstock Avenue, according to police reports. The officers handcuffed Jones and put him in the back of their cruiser, police reports say. Jones complained that the cuffs were too tight, police reports say. The officers said they followed the city's use-of-force policy that dictates they loosen cuffs in that situation, police reports say. The officers also left part of one of the cruiser's windows down in the backseat because Jones was breathing heavily after the foot chase and they wanted to make sure he had enough air, police reports say. The officers drove Jones to the Cuyahoga County Jail. But a few blocks away, Jones slipped his right hand out of the handcuffs, reached out of the open window and unlocked the cruiser's door, according to police reports. The officers ran after Jones but lost sight of him near West 2nd Street and Public Square, according to police. An officer heard a door slam and realized Jones went inside the vacant 75 Public Square building, which is under renovation, police reports say. Officers surrounded the building, went inside and heard Jones inside a room. The officers ordered him out, but Jones said he was lying on the ground, police reports say. The officers went inside, found Jones on the ground and arrested him again, police reports say. Jones has warrants that accuse him of skipping court hearings for charges he faces in an aggravated robbery in Maple Heights and in a prescription-pill deception ring. In the Maple Heights case, Jones is accused of trying to steal more than $1,000 in items from the Home Depot on Libby Road. He put the items in a shopping car and moved it to the back of the store near an exit, according to court records. He walked to his truck and an employee followed him. Jones sped at the employee, nearly hitting him, and pointed a gun at the man as he drove by, according to court records. He pleaded not guilty in both cases. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is one of several out-of-state philanthropists pushing an Ohio measure that would bar prison sentences for individuals convicted of drug possession. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's advocacy arm contributed $1 million to support Ohio Issue 1, according to state campaign finance reports filed earlier this month. The Ohio Safe and Healthy Communities Campaign, which is backing the proposed constitutional amendment, raised $4.1 million this year through the end of July. All but $19,000 came from donors outside of Ohio. Other big donations include: $1 million from the Open Society Policy Center, a 501(c)4 organization founded by billionaire George Soros and $1 million from the Open Philanthropy Project, which is funded by Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz and his wife, Cari Tuna. California businessman Nicholas Pritzker and his wife, Susan, contributed $50,000 and $10,000, respectively. Opposition to Issue 1 isn't as deep-pocketed. Formally, the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association and Ohio Common Pleas Judges' Association have opposed the measure. The Ohio Judicial Conference has not yet taken a position, but its Executive Director Paul Pfeifer, a former Ohio Supreme Court Justice, co-authored the official arguments against Issue 1. Why the interest in Issue 1? The Neighborhood Safety, Drug Treatment, and Rehabilitation Amendment would: Reclassify drug possession offenses as misdemeanor crimes, except for drug possession or trafficking offenses currently categorized as first-, second- or third-degree felonies; Prohibit jail sentences for drug possession until an individual's third offense within 24 months; Allow inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes to reduce their sentences up to 25 percent for completing rehabilitative, work or educational programming; Apply cost savings from reduced prison expenses to drug treatment programs and crime victim services. The issue is backed by the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a coalition of labor unions, faith-based organizations and community organizers. The measure has attracted the support of organizations and individuals that advocate more lenient sentencing for low-level crimes and greater opportunities for individuals to contribute to society after leaving prison. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, founded by the Facebook mogul and his wife, Priscilla Chan, said Issue 1 will "put taxpayer dollars to better use by reducing reliance on prisons to address certain non-violent offenses, including drug use and possession." "Relying on incarceration to solve addiction and the conditions that drive lower level crimes actually doesn't make communities safer, and it results in huge expenses to taxpayers with devastating impact to individuals, families, and entire communities," said Ana Zamora, criminal justice manager at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, in a statement. Ohio prisons Director Gary Mohr expressed support for the proposal during a City Club event last week but came short of endorsing it. Mohr has advocated for alternatives to prison for drug possession convictions, which he says are driving inmate population increases. Who opposes Issue 1? Wednesday's meeting of the Ohio Ballot Board offered a preview of the debate voters will see leading up to Election Day. After an hour of back and forth from both sides, the bipartisan Ballot Board approved an amendment summary Ohio voters will see on their ballots in November. Pfeifer and Louis Tobin of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association said the measure has several flaws that will make Ohio less safe. Among them: The language dealing with drug trafficking offenses uses the word "conviction" instead of offense; Courts wouldn't be able to use prison as a threat to get someone into drug treatment programs, which Pfeifer said is sometimes the only way someone gets treatment; Costs for drug treatment and rehabilitation would be shifted to local governments. "There are not many people who are addicted to these serious drugs who voluntarily go into drug treatment," Pfeifer told the Ballot Board. "It just doesn't happen. Families try. They can't get them there. Friends try." Unlike other states, Tobin said, Ohio does not have a "possession with intent to sell" offense. Tobin said by referring to felony drug possession convictions instead of offenses, individuals caught with large amounts of drugs could get way with only a misdemeanor conviction if the prosecutor can't prove they were actually selling the drugs. Don McTigue, attorney for the Safe and Healthy Communities Campaign, disagreed with Tobin's line of reasoning. "That's stupid," McTigue said. He referenced Ohio law that presumes a felony trafficking offense if the amount exceeds a certain threshold. Read the proposed drug treatment amendment on your mobile device. NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio -- Bus drivers, mechanics, secretaries, custodians, special-education aides, food-service workers and other non-teaching employees in the North Royalton City School District will receive 2 percent raises in each of the next three years, under a new contract the school board approved last week. Superintendent Greg Gurka said the increases will add about $151,000 to the district's annual $50 million operating budget. However, the district will save money -- although the estimated amount wasn't clear in time for this story -- because workers have agreed to pay more toward their healthcare benefits. At the Aug. 13 school board meeting, Gurka praised both the district's bargaining team and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, which represents the non-teaching workers, "for their professionalism, collaborative spirit and willingness to talk and discuss issues and concepts." "Once again, the North Royalton way is evident in these negotiations," Gurka said. Board member Dr. John Kelly also commended negotiators. "A good, professional, collaborative process leads to rewards other than just the (contract)," Kelly said. "It leads to continued willingness to work together, and that is a huge asset for our district, and I'm glad we were able to retain that going forward." The 2 percent increases mirror those given in June to teachers, psychologists, therapists and counselors, represented by the North Royalton Education Association. The new contract, which runs from August 2018 through July 2021, covers 242 OAPSE workers. Hourly rates for these workers now range from $11.66 for cleaners to $17.95 for bus drivers. The average salary is $20,210. Gurka didn't say how much single workers and workers with families contributed toward their healthcare premiums under the old contract. Under the new contract, the amounts will rise to $83 a month for singles and $142 for families in the contract's first year, $91 a month for singles and $158 for families in the second year, and $100 a month for singles and $175 for families in the third year. It also wasn't known in time for this story whether workers will pay higher copays for emergency room visits and office appointments, or whether they will pay more for prescription drugs, under the new contract. Also last week, the board approved "compensation plans" for workers represented by the Central Office Professional Staff Association and the North Royalton Principals Association, in addition to central office administrators. Gurka said these workers will also receive 2 percent increases annually for the next three years. The raises will cost the district $54,000 a year. Gurka said COPSA members earn between $35,000 and $74,100 a year, and the average salary is $52,000. For administrators, the starting base salary is $75,132, and the average salary for principals and central office workers is $90,746. As for healthcare, COPSA members will pay the same amount toward their premiums as OAPSE members. Principals and central office administrators will pay the same premium amounts as teachers, which is $125 a month for single workers and $250 a month for family coverage. The Senate health committee will hold an oversight hearing on the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday, Aug. 29. Chairman Lamar Alexander Tuesday said, Congress has taken a number of steps to help the FDA keep up with the rapid pace of discoveries while continuing to ensure the safety of new drugs and devices. During this hearing, we will hear from the FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb about how the FDA is balancing encouraging innovative treatments and therapies while protecting patients from unsafe and ineffective treatments, and explore what else Congress can do to help ensure Americans are benefiting from biomedical research. Over the last two years, the HELP Committee has worked to pass 21st Century Cures and the FDA Reauthorization Act to make sure FDA has the tools it needs to take advantage of this time in science. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday to discuss the findings of the university's investigation involving Urban Meyer. Soon after that -- that day or in the days following -- President Michael Drake will make his final decision regarding Meyer's future with the program. On this episode of our Buckeye Talk Podcast, we're giving our final thoughts on the investigation, answering some of your questions and predicting what we think will happen. You can always submit questions via Twitter to the @BuckeyeTalkPod account. You can also now submit questions, comments and complaints via email to BuckeyeTalkPod@gmail.com. Before listening to the podcast below, make sure to subscribe to Buckeye Talk at any of these places: * Buckeye Talk on iTunes * Buckeye Talk on Google Play * Buckeye Talk on Stitcher * Buckeye Talk on Spotify SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- With a temporary roof set for installation on Fernway Elementary School by month's end, the Shaker Heights Board of Education heard proposals Aug. 16 from architects about the prospect of rebuilding the fire-damaged school. Meanwhile, the school district administration continued to work out the logistics of moving more than 300 students into three other buildings, as classes were set to resume Wednesday (Aug. 22). "The board invited the bids to help us assess whether Fernway can be rebuilt," district spokesman Scott Stephens said Monday. "This was basically a commitment to rebuild, based on structural feasibility and cost." The community is still recovering from the July 10 fire that started on the roof, where it was primarily contained, although it took about 300,000 gallons of water to do so. "Depending on the weather, we will have a temporary roof on by the end of the month or so," Stephens said. And that roof is designed so that a permanent one can be placed on top of it. "It won't have to be removed, saving additional time and expense," Stephens added. It remains likely that the displaced Fernway students will be spared any further moves from their temporary classrooms during this school year. "We believe this shared-space plan is for the duration of the year," Interim Superintendent Stephen Wilkins said earlier. "It's best to keep it settled so kids don't have to make another transition." Under that plan, Fernway kindergartners will attend Onaway Elementary, with first-graders going to Boulevard and grades 2-4 and special education students having their classes at Woodbury. Fernway Principal Chris Hayward will also be assigned to Woodbury, although he will be keeping regular tabs on the other buildings. In addition to gaining city approval for the temporary roof and ordering the materials, custodial crews began delivering furniture to the temporary Fernway classrooms at Boulevard, Onaway and Woodbury around Aug. 12. Hayward said that transportation will be provided to all Fernway students to prevent them from having to cross any busy streets. District employees will be on each school bus to assist students who haven't ridden them before. On the request for proposals from architects, Stephens said Monday that the district should be selecting one soon, with the goal of rebuilding Fernway. "We are hopeful this architectural and engineering help will allow us all to gain a better understanding of the scope of the project and the time and cost involved in rebuilding the school," an Aug. 7 board statement said. That press release also noted that the district had already hired a public adjuster and insurance counsel "to help us successfully sort through the complex insurance settlement process." Attorney Bob Rutter explained to the board late last month that the district's $11 million-plus policy looks "perfectly adequate." The package includes $9 million for building damage, $2 million for personal property, as well as limited additional coverage for debris removal and $1 million for "extra" expenses, such as additional buses. There is also additional building and computer coverage. Shaker School Treasurer Bryan Christman said last month that the insurance company had already given the district a $975,000 advance. Shaker Heights Fire Chief Patrick Sweeney said Tuesday that the investigation is wrapping up and that further information on cause and origin could be released soon. The issue of damage totals -- structure and contents -- have already been taken over by the district's insurance carrier. The school board also publicly thanked its disaster recovery team for responding with tireless efforts to clean up and stabilize the building. "Finally, our heartfelt thanks go out to the district admin team, the mayor, other city officials, neighboring school districts, alumni and friends," the press release added. "And a special thanks to Principal Hayward, teachers and staff, who have been so resilient during difficult circumstances. "Most of all, we thank the entire Shaker Heights community for its incredible support, patience and understanding." For the opening day of school Wednesday (Aug. 22), Fernway students were going to be officially welcomed with a flag-raising ceremony on the front lawn of Woodbury at 2:15 p.m. women working.jpg Ohio ranks in the middle of the pack compared other states across the country, according to a new national list. "Woman on phone during meeting" by Tom Percy is licensed under CC by 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When it comes to women's equality, Ohio ranks in the middle of the pack, a national ranking shows. The Buckeye State sits at No. 24 on Wallet Hub's state-by-state look at women's equity in the United States. Basically, Ohio isn't terrible for women, but the state's not great either, when you evaluate the state's female political empowerment, education, health and work environment all together as a whole. The best places to be a woman, according to Wallet Hub? New York, Minnesota and Maine. The worst? Utah. The United States overall is ranked 45th compared to 144 nations when it comes to gender equality, according World Economic Forum statistics cited by Wallet Hub. What can be done to fix the gap in women's pay? "Policies that help women increase their educational attainment and work experience, break into traditionally male-dominated occupations, and minimize the disruption to their work due to child care should help close the gender pay gap," Lisa Jepsen, University of Northern Iowa economics professor, told Wallet Hub. Wallet Hub used three factors to score women's equality. Political empowerment Ohio ranked 36th nationally for political empowerment, which evaluated the disparity of women's representation in elected office at the state and federal level. Women make up 22 percent of the Ohio statehouse, according to the Rutgers University Center for Women and Politics. That's not too far away from national average of female representation in state legislatures, which sits at 25 percent. There are three women from Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives, and no female U.S. Senators. The state has one female statewide executive, Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor. Education and Health Ohio ranked third for educational and health, which examined the disparity of women earning an advanced degree before age 25. It also examined disparities in math scores and the cost of doctor's office visits. There's virtually no gap in educational attainment of advanced degrees in Ohio, according to the 2016 American Community Survey. About 10 percent of Ohio women over 25 had a professional or graduate degree. Nearly the same percent of men -- 9.9 percent -- earned the same degrees in the state. There was a one-point gap in average mathematics scores between fourth-grade Ohio girls and boys in 2017, according to the Nation's Report Card. Boys scored an average of 241 out of 500. Girls scored 240. Workplace environment Ohio ranked 27th nationally for workplace environment, which evaluated a number of factors, including the disparity in women's income, unemployment, job security, poverty rate and entrepreneurial-ship rate. It also examined the disparity of women in executive positions and in minimum wage workers. Ohio women working full time earned a median of $38,750 annually in 2016 -- 77 percent of what men earn, according to research conducted by the American Association of University Women. SOLON, Ohio -- City Council gave second reading Monday to the Kerem Lake winery rezoning initiative as the "expedited election matter" entered its second week of litigation before the Ohio Supreme Court. A request for a court order was filed after council declined on Aug. 6 to waive the three-reading rule in order for the proposal to be forwarded to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in time to appear on the November ballot. The county deadline was two days later, on Aug. 8. When that was not met, five of the 870 valid petitioners who signed on for the ballot initiative turned to the state's high court for an order compelling the city and the county to put the rezoning measure before voters on Nov. 6. The latest brief filed Aug. 20 against the city and the county also requests that the state Supreme Court "further clarify that the proposed rezoning ordinance cannot be subjected to a ward veto in being placed on the ballot." Under Solon's ordinances, which require that all rezoning requests be put before the voters, there is also a "home ward veto" provision that calls for passage not only citywide, but in the ward where the rezoning is being sought. That would be Ward Three, where the most vocal opposition has come from the nearby Thornbury subdivision regarding the creation of a mixed-use district that would replace the current single-family residential zoning. The petitioners and developers seeking the court order against the city also want the "home ward veto" provision declared unconstitutional. The lawsuit, filed by petitioners' attorney Majeed G. Makhlouf, along with the owner and developer's legal counsel ,Jordan Berns, accuses the city of initially attempting to "thwart" their rezoning request at the Planning Commission level. Once the developer opted to bypass the Planning Commission and go the route of an initiative petition, city officials are further accused of "stalling" the process after the signatures were collected. According to the latest brief, to which the city still had time to respond this week, council's "indefensible delays and unjustified insistence of requiring three readings" has come from political pressure "to appease the few, albeit very vocal, opponents." City Law Director Tom Lobe told council Aug. 6 that the legislative body was well within its legal parameters to stick with three readings. Makhlouf countered that the city hasn't done so on an initiative petitiion "in at least 25 years." Berns argued on Aug. 6 that the ordinance should have been certified on a one-reading, emergency basis to get it to the county elections board in time. The brief also cites Third Ward Councilman Jeremy Zelwin's criticism of the density of the proposed residential component, as well as the commercial aspect, along with his request to go with three readings. Alan Melamed, spokesman for property owner Yisrael Harris and his development company, BNH Enterprise Corp., said what is currently being proposed is considerably less than the "absolute maximum" of 500 units that the rezoning would allow around the centerpiece winery. As for the commercial and retail proposed, Melamed likened it to a "10,000-square-foot European village" on the roughly 100-acre property. And about 20 acres of that is a man-made lake created by the previous owner, the late Dr. Stephen Luczek, when he installed a dam in the early 1990s. The proposed development plans call for vineyards sloping down on the north side of the dam. "There is no plan to develop on the west side of the lake," Melamed said, with Thornbury located on the eastern side. Melamed added that the mixed-use development would actually preserve more green space -- 70 to 80 percent of the existing woods -- than if the rezoning measure failed. "This is the prime piece of undeveloped real estate in Solon," he noted. "One of the things that's important to consider is that voters have a chance to protect up to 80 percent of the existing green space." Otherwise, BNH Corp. might be forced to go with "a complete clear-cut of the woods, right up to the lake, for single-family housing, maximizing the number of spaces available," Melamed said. After the 14-day period allotted for legal briefs to be prepared by both sides, Melamed said the state Supreme Court will have some time to read them over and render a ruling before the Sept. 22 deadline when military ballots are mailed out, 45 days prior to the election. Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg answers questions about the improper use of millions of users' data by a political consultancy, at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, in this still image taken from Reuters TV May 22, 2018 ReutersTV | Reuters Facebook said that it's removed pages and content originating in Iran and Russia for "coordinated inauthentic behavior," the social network's latest effort to clean up the site in the aftermath of the 2016 election. The company said in a blog post on Tuesday that it's removed 652 pages, groups and accounts, which targeted people in the Middle East, Latin America, U.K. and the U.S. "These were distinct campaigns and we have not identified any link or coordination between them," the company said. "However, they used similar tactics by creating networks of accounts to mislead others about who they were and what they were doing." Facebook's latest update on election meddling and platform abuse comes a month after it revealed a coordinated misinformation campaign around the coming midterm elections in November. The company said in July that it had removed 32 fake accounts and pages from both Facebook and Instagram after finding evidence of what Facebook called "inauthentic behavior." In a call with reporters after Tuesday's blog post, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that it's as important for Facebook to build relationships with law enforcement, governments and other countries to exchange information as it is for the company to develop its own tools for weeding out problematic content. "We think that there's a lot of good work happening on both of those fronts," he said. "This is a top priority for our company." A Facebook spokesperson said on the call that the company had originally planned to release the new information on Thursday, but moved up the announcement. Facebook is continuing to deal with sophisticated abuse on the platform following the 2016 presidential election, when the Kremlin-linked Internet Research Agency purchased ads on the site that ultimately reached as many as 126 million users. Facebook previously declined to say whether the activity it detected was also carried out by Russian agents, though the tactics were similar. The accounts typically operated under fake identities, posting incendiary comments around political and social issues and organizing real-world events. President Donald Trump focused exclusively on topics besides Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen at a West Virginia rally on Tuesday night. Here he is shown speaking earlier this month in Ohio. President Donald Trump avoided mentioning either his former campaign boss Paul Manafort, or his former longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, during a campaign rally in West Virginia on Tuesday night, just hours after Manafort had been convicted of, and Cohen had pleaded guilty to, eight separate felony counts each. In New York, Cohen had pleaded guilty in federal court to five counts of tax fraud, one of bank fraud and two felony campaign finance violations. He had also implicated Trump in the campaign finance violations, testifying under oath that "a candidate" for federal office had directed him to make illicit payments to two women, payments which were intended to influence the 2016 presidential elections. Two hundred miles south of Cohen's courtroom, in Alexandria, Virginia, Trump's former 2016 campaign chair, Paul Manafort was found guilty of eight unrelated felonies: Five counts of felony tax fraud, one count of failing to report a foreign bank account, and two counts of bank fraud. And while Cohen did not name Trump in court adhering to the Justice Department's policy of not naming unindicted individuals Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis later said that Trump "directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen," Davis asked, "then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?" And while much of the country's news broadcasts Tuesday evening were focused on Cohen and Manafort, the two newly minted felons, Trump, for his part, took the stage in Charleston and delivered a speech that contained few clues of the catastrophic afternoon he and his presidency had endured. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters upon his departure from the White House in Washington, August 17, 2018. President Donald Trump on Tuesday responded to the news that his former campaign chief, Paul Manafort, was convicted of eight counts in his federal criminal trial. "Paul Manafort is a good man... it doesn't involve me but it's a very sad thing... it had nothing to do with Russian collusion," Trump told reporters during a campaign trip to West Virginia. The president, however, ignored questions about his longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleading guilty to eight counts of federal crimes, including campaign finance violations. Cohen admitted to making illegal payments at the direction of a candidate for federal office, who is widely perceived to be Trump. President Donald Trump speaks with the news media before boarding Marine One for travel to Europe from the White House, in Washington, July 10, 2018. President Donald Trump said Tuesday night that the U.S. would slap a 25 percent tariff on cars coming from the European Union. The president's statement came hours after The Wall Street Journal reported that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said he had postponed an August timeline to publish a report on auto tariffs. "We're going to put a 25 percent tax on every car that comes into the United States from the European Union," Trump said at a campaign rally in West Virginia. Ross told The Journal that it wasn't clear that a report on potential tariffs would come out by the end of August. The Commerce secretary also declined to set a new timeline, according to the newspaper. He said the report was being delayed because of ongoing negotiations with Mexico, Canada, and the European Commission. There are a few things that are almost guaranteed to reel in a good candidate and maybe even convince them to relocate. A high salary is one of them, according to a survey conducted by job search site Glassdoor. That's why, in today's tight labor market, employers are offering up perks, benefits and even bonuses to attract and retain top talent. Recently, Glassdoor compiled a list of seven companies offering everything from gift cards and tuition reimbursements to $30,000 hiring bonuses to fill in-demand jobs in nursing, trucking and teaching. Take a look below to see what companies you should apply to if you're looking to collect a bonus on top of your salary: WASHINGTON President Trump's trade war with China is about to hit home for many consumers. This week, the administration will impose a 10 percent tariff on another $16 billion worth of Chinese products, bringing the total so far to $50 billion. Officials are now weighing a 25 percent tariff on another $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, including materials used in many of the consumer products that were spared in the first round. Nearly 400 companies, trade groups and others are descending on Washington this week to testify at six days of hearings before the United States trade representative. While some are speaking out in support of the tariffs, a majority of those testifying are opposed and trying to persuade American trade officials not to tax the Chinese products or materials they depend on. They warn the tariffs could force them to raise prices and potentially destroy their businesses. Whether you're a college student, a parent, an entrepreneur, an outdoor enthusiast or a retiree, the tariffs could ultimately affect the products you covet. More from The New York Times: Trade war worries Iowa republicans in a close house race China's consumption downgrade: skip avocados, cocktails and kids From a space station in Argentina, China expands its reach in Latin America Here are some of the items that the tariffs could hit and that are being discussed at this week's hearings: Alibaba is surging after posting double-digit quarterly revenue growth early Thursday. This is just the beginning of its growth, according to one trader. Boris Schlossberg, managing director of FX strategy at BK Asset Management, told CNBC's "Trading Nation" on Wednesday that he expects big things from the Chinese e-commerce company. Here's why: Alibaba is one of the biggest companies in the world, with a market cap of nearly $500 billion, but because it has its hands in so many businesses it can be hard for investors to understand its potential. It is a major player in everything from business to business sales, online shopping and payments, the next generation of brick-and-mortar stores and even cloud computing. But, when you strip away its financials, the company makes all of its profits from its core commerce businesses. It has been able to produce stellar results growing revenue 61 percent on a year-over-year basis and increasing free cash flow by more than 400 percent in the past 4 years. The stock has sold off on recent concerns about U.S.-China trade tensions and if relations continue to sour between the two largest economies in the world, Alibaba may feel more downside heat in the near term. Alibaba is ultimately a bet on the growth of the Chinese middle class, and with its massively dominant position in the world's most populous economy, it is one of the purest long-term bets on global growth in a consumer market that still has many years of double-digit gains ahead of it. The stock has fallen below the $200-per-share mark on U.S.-China concerns, and if it slips toward $150 on any disappointing earnings news, it would offer a great buying opportunity for investors with a three- to five-year horizon. Bottom line: Alibaba may be under pressure right now, but its future looks bright. Amazon could reach a $2.5 trillion stock market value by 2024, and its very profitable cloud business is a big reason why, according to a new report from MKM Partners. MKM's Rob Sanderson wrote on Wednesday that Amazon Web Services could be worth $1 trillion in six years, more than the current market cap of the entire company, which currently sits at $929 billion. Apple crossed the trillion-dollar mark earlier this month. "We still think that AMZN is the best long-term growth investment available to investors today," Sanderson wrote. He raised his 12-month price target to $2,215 from $1,840. In addition to improving margins at AWS, Sanderson expects greater profitability in the company's fulfillment operations following aggressive expansion in 2016 and 2017, and he sees Amazon investing heavily on fresh food delivery. The company spent $13.4 billion last year on the acquisition of Whole Foods. By 2025, Amazon will control 14.5 percent of the U.S. retail market, putting it ahead of Walmart, Sanderson predicts. As for AWS, Sanderson projects a 35 percent operating margin in 2024, up from 26,9 percent in the second quarter and a high of 28.5 percent at the end of 2015. By 2025, AWS will represent almost 32 percent of Amazon's $88 billion in profit, according to Sanderson's estimates. Even so, Sanderson's model does see AWS growth moderating to 37 percent in 2019 from 46 percent this year. In recent quarters Google and Microsoft have both said they expect their competing public clouds to grow faster than AWS, which is by far the market leader. Big U.S. airlines measure the success of their cheapest, most restrictive fares by how many passengers pay up to avoid them. American Airlines next month is easing a key restriction of these so-called basic economy tickets a ban on carry-on bags in the overhead bin for travelers using its cheapest domestic tickets. The change, set for Sept. 5, makes these tickets look more like rival Delta Air Lines' basic economy product. "There are other features of that product that we think will continue to provide us sell-up rates," Kurt Stache, American's senior vice president of marketing, loyalty and sales, told reporters at the Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit in Denver. "We think it will be in the 50 percent range." Personal debt is the highest it's ever been in the United States but a large majority of Americans are dealing with it responsibly, and that's encouraging, says Kali McFadden, a senior research analyst at the loan brokerage company LendingTree. About 95 percent of borrowers who live in the largest 100 American metros are paying their bills on time, according to a LendingTree report. Researchers used credit reports from the first quarter of 2018 from more than nine million of its users. They ranked the largest 100 American metros by the percentage of people who had at least one account overdue, and they found that nine out of the top 10 cities with residents most likely to pay their bills on time were west of the Rocky Mountains. There's no clear reason for the geographic trend but McFadden says the explanation may be a combination of local conditions and the economic profiles of the people who live there. "Seeing this cluster along the West Coast and in Utah, it's kind of hard to avoid the conclusion that there's a cultural factor at play there," she says. In a previous report, LendingTree studied which region purchased the oldest used cars. The Pacific Northwest was at the top of that list, too. "There might just be a culture of financial prudence there," McFadden says. Here are the top 10 cities where Americans pay their bills on time. The top of the unfinished abandoned skyscraper Torre de David, which is leaning in Caracas on August 21, 2018 following a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck in the Venezuelan northeastern state of Sucre according to the US Geological Survey. A major earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck Venezuela's eastern coast, home to largely poor fishing communities, on Tuesday and shook buildings in Caracas, Colombian capital Bogota, and on islands in the Caribbean. There were no immediate reports of injuries, Venezuelan Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said in an internet broadcast on Tuesday. But worried Venezuelans with relatives close to the epicenter said they were struggling to contact their family members due to shaky phone lines. The quake hit just as the oil-rich nation is wrestling with a crippling economic crisis. Medicine is running short, hospitals are barely functioning and there are severe shortages of basics like chicken and milk. It was not immediately clear if there was any damage to Venezuela's oil industry, which oversees the world's biggest crude reserves. State oil company PDVSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Center canceled an earlier warning of a possible tsunami along the coast near the epicenter, some 190 kilometers (118 miles) from Cumana, the capital of the eastern state of Sucre. In Venezuela's picturesque palm tree-dotted northern coast, residents said the long quake was terrifying. The tremor made residents nauseous, caused lamps to swing and led people to dash into the streets. "I had gotten into bed to watch the news on TV and my bed started to move as if it was made of water," said Elia Sanchez, a doctor in Cumana. "We had to go down nine floors, it felt like it would never end." Rosymer Rodriguez, who was also in Cumana, said she could not see any significant damage but that people were still fearful. "There are still people in the street. There are people packing bags in case there are aftershocks," said Rodriguez. The quake was also felt in capital Caracas, where residents rushed out of office buildings, as well as in nearby island nations like Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Lucia, to the west and north. Residents in Trinidad and Tobago shared video online showing some damage to buildings. A geophysicist from the United States Geological Survey, Jessica Turner, said the quake's depth, 76.5 miles (123 km) below the surface, would dampen some of the shaking but not enough to prevent damage. "A 7.3 magnitude quake is going to cause some damage particularly as in this area, structures are vulnerable. The Earth is able to absorb some of the energy, but a 7.3 quake produces a lot of energy," she said by telephone. President Donald Trump's restraint Wednesday morning on Twitter allowed the stock market to absorb the Cohen-Manafort bombshells in stride, said veteran trader Art Cashin. The reaction on Wall Street was "amazingly benign," the UBS director of floor operations at the NYSE, told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." "But I think that's because the [tweets] from the president have been amazingly benign given his past history." TWEET 1 TWEET 2 TWEET 3 TWEET 4 Late Tuesday, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges in New York as ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted of fraud by a federal jury in Virginia. The sentiment in the stock market which seems to care more about a stronger economy than Trump's legal troubles could swing if Democrats are able to win a majority in the House in the November elections, Cashin said. Some Democrats have already started to rumble about impeachment. (If the House were to decide to impeach a president, the Senate must then vote to convict or acquit.) "I don't think [Trump] will ever by fully impeached," Cashin said, but he warned that such proceedings, if pursued, could tie up the federal government for years. "For now, it's watchful waiting." "The market would be a little concerned if they thought the progress that we're making on deregulation and things like that were to suddenly dry up because the government becomes paralyzed with introspection," he said. Cashin said it's hard to draw any parallels on market reaction to the Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon situations because the political and economic environments were so different. On Dec. 19, 1998, President Clinton was impeached by the House on charges of lying under oath about the Monica Lewinsky affair. Clinton was acquitted by the Senate. Nixon decided to resign as president in August 1974 as impeachment proceedings were underway. So when he met recently with the United States' 2018 "national teacher of the year," he was eager to share how her work is helping to positively influence other students especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. "When I was a student, I was lucky to have some inspiring teachers including a wonderful librarian when I was in the fourth grade and a chemistry teacher in high school who challenged me and brought out my best. They helped make me the person I am today," the Microsoft co-founder wrote in a blog post published Tuesday. But when it comes to those who helped shape him into the billionaire businessman he is today, Gates credits an often unsung group: his teachers. Mandy Manning was named "teacher of the year" by the Council of Chief State School Officers in April in recognition of her work teaching English to newly arrived refugee and immigrant students at the Newcomer Center at Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane, Washington. She was also named Washington state's 2018 Teacher of the Year. Manning told Gates that many of her students have fled war and extreme poverty in their home countries and arrived in the U.S. with no English, but are "innately hopeful, because they came out alive." So she strives to show them how school is relevant and can lead to a more optimistic future. "You can become a time traveler, seeing yourself in the future going to a university," Manning is quoted as saying in Gates' post. Manning, who has been a teacher for 19 years, said she believes demonstrating the value of education is important not just for students but for wider society. "To be welcomed with open arms and to know that people want you there; that is going to make a tremendous difference in how they interact in their new community ... how they move forward in life," she said. Manning added that she hopes teachers can be given more of a voice when it comes to shaping education policy going forward. She is currently taking time out from teaching to visit schools and educators across the U.S. to share her experiences of educating underprivileged students. "It's mostly about cultural exchange," she said. "I bring back what I learn, and they hopefully have learned a little from me." Democrats might have more work to do than usual in New Jersey. Sen. Bob Menendez's lead in his re-election bid over Republican challenger Bob Hugin has dwindled with his favorability rating underwater, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday. Forty-three percent of voters back the incumbent Democrat, while 37 percent support the GOP former pharmaceutical executive, the survey said. Another poll released by the university in March before the state held primary elections or Menendez was "severely admonished" by the Senate's ethics panel for his behavior in office found a 17 percentage point edge for the Democrat. The poll result shows Democrats may have to labor to keep a Senate seat in a state that a Republican has not represented in the chamber since the early 1980s. The party hardly needs a competitive race in a traditional stronghold, as Democrats and independents who caucus with them defend 26 Senate seats this year. Ten of those are in states President Donald Trump won in 2016. Though the race appears much closer than Democrats would want it, the state's partisan leanings still favor Menendez. A midterm year marked by Democratic enthusiasm could also help the senator avoid an upset. Hugin, the former CEO of drugmaker Celgene, has used his personal wealth to fund a barrage of television ads in the state branding himself as an independent voice and characterizing Menendez as corrupt. The Republican had given more than $15 million to his campaign as of June 30, and it had already spent $8.6 million. It had $8.1 million in cash on hand at the time. Earlier this year, prosecutors acquitted Menendez, who faced allegations that he gave political favors to a wealthy Florida eye doctor in exchange for gifts. But the Democrat did face admonishment from his colleagues in April. Menendez's campaign has one advantage. It started its multi-million dollar ad campaign only this week. The Democrat's campaign had spent about $3.9 million as of June 30, less than half of what Hugin's campaign had shelled out. It had about $6.4 million in cash at that time. In a TV ad released Wednesday, Menendez accused Hugin of lining his pockets "to the tune of millions by gouging cancer patients." Hugin has said he is proud of his record of job creation at Celgene, and argued that it "created value" by putting nearly 40 percent of its revenue back into research and development of new products. Wednesday's Quinnipiac poll shows some potential trouble spots for both candidates. Only 29 percent of voters said they had a favorable opinion of Menendez, versus 47 percent who responded that they have an unfavorable view. In addition, about 49 percent said they believe he was involved in serious wrongdoing. Only 16 percent answered that they do not think so, while 31 percent said they had not heard enough to make a judgment. Forty percent of voters said they approve of the job Menendez is doing as senator, while 47 percent responded that they disapprove. The poll also suggests that Hugin still has issues getting his name out, despite his spending on ads. While the former executive had a positive favorability rating in the Quinnipiac survey, more than half of respondents said they hadn't heard enough about him to know whether they like him. In a statement, Hugin communications director Megan Piwowar contended that the poll shows Menendez "is running scared and he should be." Conversely, Menendez campaign communications director Steven Sandberg argued that the survey shows "how resilient and strong the support is" for Menendez despite Hugin's heavy ad spending. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive in Hong Kong, China, ahead of celebrations marking the city's handover from British to Chinese rule on June 29, 2017. China is introducing a new system it says will improve the lives of people from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan by allowing those who live, work or study in the mainland to obtain local residence permits. But lurking in the details of the initiative is a warning: The status can be revoked through "harming national sovereignty, security, honor and interest." It is a stark reminder of the potential perils of life in the country for non-mainland Chinese. It comes as analysts say China under President Xi Jinping is using a "carrot and stick" approach to further tighten links with the three regions through economic incentives and other inducements, while at the same time, driving home Beijing's position of power. The clause on security "is a clear statement of a hardening attitude in China: If you want to make money from us, obey our rules (even the ones you don't agree with)," said Jonathan Sullivan, director of the China Policy Institute at the University of Nottingham. "The qualifier is, as often in China, vague and open to interpretation, and could be used for any number of 'transgressions,'" he told CNBC in an email. From September, people from the three locations can apply for the residence permits, the State Council, China's cabinet, announced last week. Permit-holders can "enjoy public services and other conveniences similar to those of mainland residents" in areas such as employment, social security and legal services, the official Xinhua news agency said. The new permits will have the same 18-digit serial numbers as those used by mainland Chinese, Xinhua added. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the city's top official, welcomed the development. "It fully reflects President Xi Jinping's people-centered development approach, as well as the central government's care and concern for the people of Hong Kong," she said in a press release on Aug. 16, when the regulation was announced. Sullivan said he will be watching to see whether potential security violations would include activities that takes place outside China. "For instance, would China monitor the social media of a Taiwanese card-holder while they are in Taiwan, and sanction transgressions," he said. While that may sound unlikely, it is already happening to celebrities and other public figures, he added. Chen Siqi doesn't eat out so much anymore. Li Keli cut down on travel and takes her son to a public playground instead. Wang Jiazhi stopped dating. Welcome to China's "consumption downgrade" culture, a potentially worrisome development for Beijing and the world. For years, the conversation in China was about "consumption upgrades." As the economy took off, China's middle class now more than 400 million strong and still growing decided to spend those bigger paychecks. It traded up from local brands to Nikes, from cheap phones to iPhones, from tea to $5 Starbucks lattes. More from The New York Times: Burying 'one child' limints, China pushes women to have more babies China's strong economic growth figures belie signs of weakness China's economic growth looks strong. Maybe too strong. Today, China's economy is slowing, and shopping has slowed with it. The stock market is slumping. China's currency has lost some of its value. The trade war with President Trump has left many Chinese feeling pessimistic about the future. China's consumer culture has by no means ground to a halt. But in the streets and on the Chinese internet, the talk is about cutting back in ways big and small. Quit avocado. Ride bikes instead of taxis. Drink beer instead of cocktails and make sure that beer isn't craft. Order a medium-size milk tea instead of a large. Give up the gym, and take up dancing in public squares like a grandmother. Some people joke about eating meat instead of tofu, as American tariffs have made imported soybeans more expensive. Perhaps most worrisome for China's leaders, many young Chinese are increasingly reluctant to have children. A post headlined "This Generation of Young Chinese, Brace for the Bitter Days Ahead," by Ming Na, a blogger, received more than 300,000 views on the social media platform WeChat last weekend. She advised young people to stop going to shopping malls and nightclubs. "The age of the consumption downgrade," Ms. Na wrote, "has arrived with a big crashing sound." Chen Siqi hears the message. The 30-year-old accountant in Beijing recently bought a garbage bin on Pinduoduo, a Chinese app focused on cheap, sometimes iffy goods that initially enjoyed appeal only in rural areas. She makes about $1,400 a month after taxes, but nearly half of it goes to the rent on her one-bedroom apartment. Ms. Chen said she had reached the age when she wanted to live in her own apartment instead of sharing with others. To save money, she now cooks at home a few times a week and buys clothes mostly from cheap online vendors and the Japanese basics brand Uniqlo. "I would like to have a nicer lifestyle but don't know how I can afford it," she said. A Chinese consumption downgrade could be felt around the world. Chinese spenders have been a key driver of their country's economic growth in recent years. China, in turn, has played a major role in global growth. Chinese consumers help global companies like Apple, General Motors, Volkswagen and many others. A consumption downgrade could also embolden Mr. Trump in his trade fight with China, as he gambles that Beijing can't take much more economic damage. On paper, the Chinese economy looks strong. Look closer, and the cracks begin to show. Retail sales this year have grown at their slowest pace in more than a decade. Wages in the private sector are growing at their slowest pace since the global financial crisis. The stock market has fallen by one-fifth. Last week, JD.com, a Chinese e-commerce company, reported disappointing quarterly results. JD.com's focus is providing China's growing middle class with quality products. Investors are watching closely to see whether the Alibaba Group, China's biggest online retailer, will report weak results as well on Thursday. Long-term factors are driving down spending among young people in particular. The cost of education is going up. Housing in rich cities like Beijing has become unaffordable for many. Housing is so expensive that Wang Jiazhi moved out of his own home. The 34-year-old semiconductor engineer in the southern city of Shenzhen bought a one-bedroom apartment in 2016. In addition to a mortgage of more than $700 a month, he needs to pay his relatives back for the money he borrowed for the down payment. So he rents his apartment and shares a four-bedroom apartment with nine other men. This way, Mr. Wang who makes about $2,000 a month after taxes saves $160 a month. Like many Chinese men, Mr. Wang believes he needs an apartment in order to find a wife. But he is under so much pressure with his mortgage and debt, and with supporting his aging parents in the countryside, that he has had to postpone his plan for marriage. His prospects weren't good anyway: To save money, he has stopped dating. "I work long hours every day," he said. "It makes me feel occupied." So the consumption downgrade is in. Even as China's stock market has sputtered, shares in companies that make affordable staples like erguotou, a cheap hard liquor, and pickled vegetables have bucked the trend. "Drink erguotou with pickled vegetables," said Ms. Na, the blogger, quoting popular Chinese internet memes. "Take a ride with Mobike," she added, naming a bike-share company that offers two-wheeled rides for pennies. Even the only children of middle-class families, a group that is largely financially secure, can feel anxious about their future. Wu Xiaoqiong, 28, is the only child of a civil servant and a doctor in the eastern province of Hefei. She works at a big internet company in Beijing with monthly pay of $1,500 after taxes. When she got married last year, her parents and her husband's parents each put in half of the down payment for a one-bedroom apartment a typical arrangement for many Chinese middle-class families. Nearly two-thirds of the couple's monthly income goes to the mortgage and toward the rent of a small apartment in Shanghai, where her husband works at a state-owned bank. Her consumption downgrade plan is to remain childless. "We have almost no savings and no retirement plans," she said. "My parents have been supporting me financially. How can I afford a child?" Others are saying no to bigger households a problem for a Chinese government worried about the country's aging population. When asked whether she would consider having a second child, Li Keli, an accountant at an electronics maker in the southern city of Huizhou, said, "Absolutely not." Her factory laid off two-thirds of its workers in June when the United States-China trade war escalated. Her monthly pay of $500 was cut by 10 percent. She used to take her son, 7, to visit nearby cities on weekends. Now she takes him to the playgrounds of big residential complexes because they're free. Many high earners feel anxious as well. Chen Ying, 33, an architect in Shanghai, said her consumption downgrade plan involved not shopping in department stores. Ms. Chen said she did not expect her pay to rise too much in the future. Her younger colleagues do not make as much as when she first started four years ago, and her pay now is lower than that of older colleagues with similar experience four years ago. She used to get pay raises of 15 percent to 20 percent a year rates that weren't uncommon at fast-growing industries in China in the past decade. Now she expects the raises to be 5 percent, if she gets them at all. She has started to think about retirement, but doesn't know where to begin. "In the past we had many inflated expectations," she said. "Now we don't expect so much." CNBC's said on Wednesday the stock market cares more about stronger economic growth than President Donald Trump's legal troubles. The U.S. is seeing the "strongest consumer ever," Cramer said, praising Target CEO Brian Cornell for pointing that out. In a CNBC interview Wednesday after Target reported earnings, Cornell credited the strongest consumer environment he's "ever seen" in his career for strong quarterly results at the retailer. Consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. That type of pronouncement from a CEO who gets a window into the economy through the diverse offerings at Target seems to be outweighing the risk to Trump from Tuesday's Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort bombshells, Cramer said on "Squawk on the Street." "The president, what does he have to do with the price-to-earnings ratio of Johnson & Johnson" or any other company? Cramer said as a way to highlight that politics was taking a backseat to stock-picking metrics. "The market likes profits," he said, citing robust fundamentals as a reason Wall Street on Wednesday has been able to largely shrug off former Trump lawyer Cohen's guilty plea and former Trump campaign chairman Manafort's conviction. Before the plea and jury verdict were announced on Tuesday, the hit an all-time high for the first time in seven months but failed to close at a record. The bull market could become the longest ever on Wednesday, at 3,453 days old. Cramer, the host of "Mad Money," said there will be people "selling until they see the midterms" no matter what. The November midterm elections will decide whether Republicans can hold on to their majorities in the House and even the Senate. "This is about impeachment versus non-impeachment," Cramer said. If the House were to flip Democrat, the chances that Trump might face impeachment proceedings could increase, he said. However, he added, he could see Democrats deciding to forego impeachment on concerns that it could "hurt their bigger agenda" of trying to take back the White House in 2020. Cramer did say he is concerned about whether Chinese President Xi Jinping may try to press any perceived Trump weakness in the U.S.-China trade dispute. "I most fear President Xi saying, 'You know what, I am president for life, and this guy [Trump] may not even be president for much longer,'" Cramer said. Chinese officials are in Washington Wednesday to resume negotiations with their U.S. counterparts aimed at resolving the trade differences between the world's two largest economies. Europe should look to bypass U.S. payment systems by creating its own financial channels, a European monetary fund and international bank transfer system like SWIFT, Germany's foreign minister has said. Writing in the German Handelsblatt newspaper, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called for the setting up of independent payment channels, largely as a way for European businesses to avoid U.S. sanctions targeting any firms -- whether inside or outside the U.S. that do business with Iran. "As Europeans, we have clearly told the Americans that we consider phasing out the nuclear deal with Iran a mistake.," Maas said in an op-ed for Handelsblatt on Wednesday. "Meanwhile, first U.S. sanctions are back in force. In this situation, it is of strategic importance that we clearly tell Washington: we want to work together. But we will not let you act over our heads. Therefore, it was right to protect European companies from legal sanctions," he said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends a two-euro-coin presentation in Berlin on January 29, 2015. Tobias Schwarz | AFP | Getty Images "It is therefore essential that we strengthen European autonomy by setting up payment channels independent of the U.S., creating a European Monetary Fund and building an independent SWIFT system. The devil is in a thousand details," he added. "But every day that the (Iran) agreement continues to exist is better than the highly explosive crisis that otherwise looms in the Middle East." While the SWIFT system oversees international bank transfers, the creation of a European monetary fund would solidify the bloc's ability to assist countries hit with economic crisis. The creation of independent financial channels would allow it and its businesses to avoid prohibitive sanctions but would likely deepen an ideological schism between the U.S. and Europe that has grown during Trump's presidency. However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters Wednesday that while relations with the U.S. had changed, she was not in favor of creating a new payments system. "We have some problems in our dealings with Iran, no question, on the other hand we know that on questions of terrorist financing, for example, SWIFT is very important," Reuters reported the German leader as saying. Breaking with the past Tom Steyer holds one of his Need to Impeach town hall meetings on March 20, 2018, in Largo, Md. Most Democrats avoided talking about booting President Donald Trump from office after his former lawyer Michael Cohen's claim that the president directed him to commit a crime. Not Tom Steyer. The billionaire former hedge fund manager's Need to Impeach campaign quickly launched digital ads Tuesday escalating calls to impeach Trump. The videos followed Cohen's guilty plea for campaign finance violations and other federal crimes, and former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort's conviction on eight counts of fraud and other charges. Both developments happened only minutes apart on Tuesday. Steyer tweet Steyer is not done. Tuesday's events directly motivated Need to Impeach to redouble its efforts and cut a new television ad calling for impeachment due to corruption, Kevin Mack, the group's lead strategist, told CNBC on Wednesday. He expects the group will spend at least $1 million nationally to place the ad, which will film in the next 48 hours. The plan will set Steyer at odds with the vast majority of Democratic leaders and strategists, who consider an impeachment push risky now as the party tries to flip at least 23 GOP-held House seats and take control of the chamber. Many Democrats worry that talk of removing Trump will motivate Republicans in swing districts, where the minority party hopes to capitalize on a voter enthusiasm advantage in November. In May, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called impeachment a "divisive issue" and "not the path the party should go on" this year. Cohen's plea and Manafort's conviction have not changed the California Democrat's views, Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said. Some Democratic representatives in safe seats, such as Maxine Waters of California and Al Green of Texas, have called for the president's impeachment. But the idea has not gained traction among other House Democrats or challengers running for GOP seats, despite Steyer's efforts. The House has the constitutional power to impeach or formally charge an official. The Senate can then convict and remove the official from office. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is dedicated to electing House Democrats, has not pushed for Trump's impeachment and its strategy is unlikely to change. Asked about the issue Wednesday, a DCCC spokesman pointed to ads released by swing district candidates in states such as Virginia, North Carolina and Minnesota in recent days. Those ads highlighted issues such as health-care affordability and national security and did not mention impeachment. Other candidates have echoed that strategy on the trail. Tom Malinowski, a Democrat aiming to unseat GOP Rep. Leonard Lance in New Jersey's competitive 7th District, held an event with voters Tuesday night shortly after the Cohen plea and Manafort conviction. Asked whether he would vote for impeachment, Malinowski said he wanted to protect the democratic process and make decisions based on evidence. That would mean not impeaching a president because of "strong feelings," he said. "What I will fall on my sword for is protecting that process," the former Obama administration State Department official said. Kim Schrier, a Democrat running in the highly competitive Washington 8th District, also is not supporting impeachment following the Cohen and Manafort developments. Americans "deserve to learn all the facts and understand just how far this corruption extends," and electing a Democratic House majority will help to ensure that special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation goes to its conclusion, Schrier campaign spokeswoman Katie Rodihan told CNBC. Democratic National Party Chairman Tom Perez speaks as about 300 people rally to protest against President Donald Trump's firing of Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey outside the White House May 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Democratic National Committee found a suspected attempt to hack into its voter database, a Democratic official confirmed to CNBC. When the party discovered on Tuesday an apparent phishing campaign targeting its voter files, it notified law enforcement and took steps to boost security, the official said. Hackers did not gain entry to the party's system, VoteBuilder, or modify voter information, the person said. CNN first reported that the DNC detected a hacking attempt and contacted the FBI about it. "This attempt is further proof that there are constant threats as we head into midterm elections and we must remain vigilant in order to prevent future attacks," DNC Chief Security Officer Bob Lord said in a statement. "While it's clear that the actors were going after the party's most sensitive information the voter file the DNC was able to prevent a hack by working with the cyber ecosystem to identify it and take steps to stop it." It is not clear who is responsible for the apparent hacking attempt. The FBI did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. The suspected attack comes at a time of high alert for political parties and campaigns ahead of November's midterm elections. The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Russia carried out a campaign to influence the 2016 election partly through attacks on the DNC and Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta. Intelligence officials have warned that foreign actors could try again to affect this year's midterms, when Republicans and Democrats will fight for control of Congress. Cyberattack attempts have already apparently started. Microsoft said Tuesday it detected hacking attempts targeting conservative political groups. Moscow denied the allegations. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who is running in one of the year's most pivotal races, previously said Russians unsuccessfully tried to hack her Senate computer network. The Democratic official told CNBC that Tuesday's attempt to break into the party's voter file involved a fake login page. The attacker tried to get usernames and passwords. The person said a security firm and cloud service provider told the DNC about the attempt, and the party was able to stop it by suspending the attacker's account. Lord briefed state parties about the suspected attack on Wednesday morning. European stocks finished Wednesday's session on a relatively muted note, as investors continued to monitor trade talks between the world's two largest economies. The pan-European STOXX 600 provisionally closed around the flatline, off 0.03 percent, with the majority of sectors closing flat or on a positive note. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 popped 0.11 percent by the close, while France's CAC 40 rose 0.22 percent and Germany's DAX closed up just 0.01 percent. Most peripheral markets finished in the black. While the majority of European sectors finished higher, automakers posted sharp declines Wednesday after President Donald Trump said at a campaign rally that the U.S. would slap 25 percent tariffs on "every car that comes into the United States from the European Union." The sector tanked 2.75 percent. In a Wall Street Journal interview published Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that a decision regarding autos charges would be delayed because of ongoing negotiations with Mexico, Canada and the European Commission. He declined to set a new timeline. By the market close, all European carmakers ended in the red, with shares of Schaeffler, Michelin and Faurecia down 4 percent or more. Germany's Continental, however, saw shares slide 13.2 percent after it issued a profit warning, causing other auto supplier stocks to stumble. On the opposite end, energy stocks posted solid gains on the back of a sharp rise in oil prices. Crude futures popped more than 2 percent after Europe's close following a data release that showed a larger-than-expected drop in U.S. crude inventories. Looking at individual stocks, hearing aid maker GN Store Nord was Europe's bigger gainer on the STOXX 600 after raising its 2018 sales and profit outlook. The stock shot up by 7.5 percent. Wood Group popped 6.5 percent, building upon yesterday's gains, after Barclays raised its price target on the stock. Elsewhere, Norway's Marine Harvest came under pressure Wednesday, after the company one of the world's largest salmon producers cut its 2018 output forecast. Shares of the firm fell more than 1 percent by the close. Trade war Facebook, Twitter, and Alphabet collectively removed hundreds of accounts tied to an alleged Iranian propaganda operation on Tuesday, while Facebook took down a second campaign it said was linked to Russia. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the accounts identified on his company's platform were part of two separate campaigns, the first from Iran with some ties to state-owned media, the second linked to sources which Washington has previously named as Russian military intelligence services. Officials in Iran, where it is a holiday to mark the Muslim Eid al-Adha festival, were not immediately available to comment. Moscow has repeatedly denied using hacking or fake social media accounts to influence foreign elections. The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The move by Facebook and others is the latest attempt by global social media giants to guard against political interference on their platforms. It comes as concerns are rising about foreign attempts to disrupt the U.S. midterm elections in November. The United States earlier this year indicted 13 Russians for alleged attempts to meddle in U.S. politics, but the latest alleged Iranian activity, exposed by cybersecurity firm FireEye, suggests the problem may be more widespread. "It really shows it's not just Russia that engages in this type of activity," Lee Foster, an information operations analyst with FireEye, told Reuters. FireEye said the Iranian campaign used a network of fake news websites and fraudulent social media personas spread across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Plus, and YouTube, to push narratives in line with Tehran's interests. The Iranian mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment. The activity was aimed at users in the United States, Britain, Latin America and Middle East up through this month, FireEye said, and included "anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes" as well as advocacy of policies favorable to Iran such as the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal. FireEye said the Iranian activity did not appear "dedicated" to influencing the upcoming election, though some of the posts aimed at U.S. users did adopt "left-leaning identities" and took stances against President Donald Trump. That activity "could suggest a more active attempt to influence domestic U.S. political discourse" is forthcoming, Foster said, but "we just haven't seen that yet." Social media stocks could top out if the major tech titans don't figure out how to address the misinformation on their platforms, serial entrepreneur and former AOL executive Jon Brod told CNBC on Wednesday. "I don't think we've reached peak social. I think these are very powerful platforms," Brod said on CNBC's "Squawk Alley." "I do think we have identified an existential crisis within these platforms, which is misinformation that if not addressed quickly and efficiently could result in a plateau," he argued. Brod's comments come after technology companies, including Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet's Google, look to regain user trust by purging fake accounts and introducing new tools to control privacy. Facebook said in a blog post Tuesday that it removed pages and content originating in Iran and Russia for "coordinated inauthentic behavior." Twitter and Alphabet also removed accounts tied to alleged Iranian propaganda. Facebook has started assigning users a reputation score, predicting their trustworthiness, The Washington Post reported. Brod, co-founder of encrypted messenger app Confide, stressed that misinformation and fake news is a growing, global problem. "Misinformation on social media is no longer a localized episodic problem, but rather a global, everyday problem. This isn't simply about midterms and Russia and the U.S. and general elections, it's about everything, everyday, all over the world." Social media giants, such as Facebook and Twitter, have "become a replacement for newspapers" and have "democratized information," Brod said. But if these companies don't slow the spread of misinformation, Brod said, he sees user growth and stock value plateauing. "We are seeing Twitter increase costs to handle this, and that's affecting their stock price. We are seeing some effect on active users across the board. But I do think if this can be addressed efficiently, quickly, well over time, we haven't seen the peak," he said. Elad Gil, former vice president of corporate strategy at Twitter, said on CNBC that social media behemoths of today are safe in the short term but users will likely begin to defect in a few years. "I do think that in a couple years, we will see the next wave of social products simply because you see younger people defect to new platforms over time," said Gil, also an angel investor and start-up advisor. "But for now, we are in an era of maturity and consolidation in the market," Gil said in the same "Squawk Alley" interview as Brod. Whether or not the current companies dominate social networks in the future, Brod said social media will continue to be important. "We can now publish information to millions ... potentially billions of people without a gatekeeper. That is incredibly powerful, and I don't think it's going away any time soon," he said. Twitter's mission has subtly shifted over the past several years. In 2014, the company's mission easily fit within the old 140-character limit: "To give everyone the power to create and share ideas and information instantly, without barriers." Just as the social media company's character limit has evolved, so has the company's mission. Today, Twitter says it's goal is "to power positive global change by fostering respectful conversations, creating deeper human connections and encouraging diverse interactions among individuals and teams, across our organization, and on the platform resulting in a more globally inclusive culture and more globally diverse workforce." It's a mission that's weathered scrutiny in recent months Twitter purged millions of fake accounts and faced criticism for its reluctance to condemn conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. But despite the controversy, Jim Cramer says Twitter is a smart company to invest in, and employees seem to agree. "When I ask people why they joined Twitter, they always say is because they believe in the purpose that we serve," Steve Bonomo, Twitter's head of global talent acquisition and people analytics, tells CNBC Make It. According to Bonomo, Twitter received more than 150,000 applications last year, and today, the company has over 450 open positions. Twitter, like the rest of the industry, is hungry for tech talent and actively searching for workers who can help the company achieve their mission. Here's how you can land a job at Twitter. Twitter's New York offices Courtesy of Twitter Network In order to compete for software engineers, data analysts and even non-technical workers, Twitter proactively networks with potential employees. "I think any company that's going after software engineers will realize that the vast majority of your hires come through referrals and networking and proactive outbound communication," says Bonomo. "Most of the great software engineers and other great workers that are out there are happily employed. Their managers are trying to do everything to keep them there. We literally need to go out there and build relationships to get people." If you want to land a job at Twitter, focus on building one of these relationships. Leverage your existing network of friends, family members and coworkers, attend industry events and reach out to Twitter employees with careers you admire. Be sure to flex your networking muscles, because the people at Twitter may be actively looking for someone just like you. Keep up Once you've built a relationship with someone who can refer you, buckle up. "It happens pretty quick," says Bonomo. "We do try to expedite the process, because we do know that most people are not just talking to one company and we need to move pretty fast." The first step of the company's interview process is connecting with a recruiter, followed by a brief phone conversation in which Twitter can better explain the role and the applicant can discuss their interests and experiences. During this stage, and in all other stages, applicants should be prepared to discuss how their desires and expertise make them a great fit for Twitter. Next, applicants will have a phone or video interview with a hiring manager. This step is aimed at determining whether a potential employee has the right background for the role. Some workers then face a technical interview that tests relevant skills like coding, data analysis and engineering. Applicants who reach this stage are then invited to one of the Twitter offices to participate in a panel interview with potential coworkers and managers. The employees then compare several candidates, and eventually extend offers. Bonomo says this entire process usually takes between one and two weeks, which means that applicants should get their interview practice in ahead of time. Prepare answers to common interview questions before your first interview so that you aren't struggling to fit in prep between stages. Twitter Offices Kim Kulish/Corbis via Getty Images Prove your passion The first journey by an autonomous truck on a highway in South Korea has taken place, the Hyundai Motor Company said Wednesday. The auto firm's Xcient truck, which has a maximum load capacity of 40 tons, drove around 40 kilometers between Uiwang and Incheon. The vehicle made its trip Tuesday and used an autonomous driving system. This allowed it to accelerate, decelerate, steer and maneuver through traffic without needing input from a human. A human driver was, however, on board to take control as and when required. "This successful demonstration proves that innovative autonomous driving technology can be used to transform the trade logistics industry," Maik Ziegler, director of the Commercial Vehicle R&D Strategy Group at the Hyundai Motor Company, said in a statement. South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport issued Hyundai with a temporary autonomous driving license for the demonstration. This represented the first time that a heavy-duty truck had been given such a license, Hyundai said. During the demonstration, the truck traveled 40 kilometers in one hour. Hyundai said that further "autonomous navigation technology tests" were being planned for the future. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. A much-anticipated shipping revolution could spark a dramatic upswing in diesel fuel demand over the coming months, energy analysts have told CNBC. New rules coming into force in less than 18 months time are seen as a source of great concern for some of the world's biggest oil producers. That's because the global shipping industry is widely thought to be ill-prepared for the looming sea change. 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. Amid a broader push towards cleaner energy markets, the IMO is set to ban shipping vessels using fuel with a sulfur content higher than 0.5 percent, compared to levels of 3.5 percent at present. The most commonly used marine fuel is thought to have a sulfur content of around 2.7 percent. "The demise of diesel has been well documented over recent years, as global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions continue to power the rise of hybrid and electric vehicles," Richard Robinson, manager of the Ashburton Global Energy Fund, told CNBC via email. "However, far from a diesel death knell, we expect to see a resurgence in the use of the fuel," he added. The reckoning has arrived for President Donald Trump. The trouble for him and fellow Republicans legal and political will only get worse from here. Two different federal courtrooms, one in New York and one outside Washington, demonstrated starkly on Tuesday that the 45th president has operated within a circle of criminality. One produced eight guilty verdicts against former Trump campaign boss Paul Manafort; the other eight guilty pleas from former Trump fixer Michael Cohen. That makes Trump's 2016 campaign chairman, his White House national security advisor and longtime personal lawyer all convicted or admitted felons. Cohen, the personal lawyer, said he committed campaign finance crimes at Trump's direction in the form of hush-money payments to conceal extramarital affairs. Cohen and former national security advisor Michael Flynn are already assisting the federal prosecutors investigating Trump. Manafort, facing the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison with another trial coming in weeks, has heightened incentive to cooperate as well. Trump and his allies sought comfort by asserting that none of Tuesday's legal proceedings involved collusion with Russia to influence the 2016 election. That is true. But all the president's men under prosecutorial scrutiny have important Russian connections that are problematic for Trump. Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller has only shown a fraction of the evidence he has amassed. The New York Times has reported that Cohen's longstanding ties to Russian interests include an ownership interest in an uncle's catering hall frequented by Russian organized crime figures. During the 2016 campaign, Cohen sought on Trump's behalf to develop real estate in Moscow. Manafort received tens of millions of dollars from allies of Vladimir Putin for political consulting in Ukraine. Manafort attempted to use his job as Trump's unpaid campaign chairman to alleviate financial pressure after his Ukrainian patrons lost power. Along with the president's son and son-in-law, he participated in the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting arranged to receive Russian government dirt on Hillary Clinton. With Trump openly urging them on, Russian intelligence subsequently dumped dirt publicly via WikiLeaks. Flynn has pleaded guilty to lying about conversations with a Russian diplomat concerning sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama, lies then repeated publicly by Vice President Mike Pence. Mueller has not revealed what Flynn has told him about Trump's role, if any, in those conversations as a cooperating witness seeking to lighten his punishment. All this tightens the vise not only on Trump but on Republican candidates on the ballot in midterm elections only three months away. Democrats already hold the upper hand in the race for control of the House; their chances in capturing the Senate are much smaller, but improving. The felony indictments of Trump's first two allies in Congress Reps. Chris Collins of New York and Duncan Hunter of California underscore the emptiness of GOP claims that their new president would "drain the swamp." Corruption will be a significant theme for Democratic campaigns this fall. Trump's weak public standing remains above the 40 percent level mainly because of the strong economy. But his reliance on crude demagoguery about immigration before friendly campaign audiences including Tuesday night in West Virginia demonstrates that his principal economic arguments lack punch with the electorate. Average workers have gained little from Trump's tax cuts, and his trade wars threaten to cost more jobs than they save. Republican lawmakers will not suddenly abandon Trump any more than Republican lawmakers suddenly abandoned Richard Nixon 45 years as the flames of Watergate grew higher. Their survival instincts won't permit it, given the allegiance of Trump's diminished but still fervent base among GOP voters. But concrete legal developments erode political defenses. There will soon be fewer Republican members of Congress than hold office today. A Democratic-controlled House is almost certain to impeach him. As Cohen's unindicted co-conspirator, Trump, retains a personal legal shield from the longstanding Justice Department policy that sitting presidents cannot face prosecution. The immediate relevance of the accusation from his long-time fixer concerns how long Trump remains the sitting president. WATCH: Trump calls Mueller investigation a witch hunt Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini speaks during a statement after a bilateral meeting prior to the European Union member states' interior and justice ministers conference on July 11, 2018 in Innsbruck, Austria. Italy has now turned into the weak link of the euro zone and market participants shouldn't rule out the possibility of a debt crisis further down the road, one economist told CNBC Wednesday. Traders are increasingly wary of developments in Italy, where a recently established populist coalition has vowed to spend more, despite carrying the second largest public debt pile in the euro area. The government is currently preparing its budget plans for 2019 the first time for this new government in what will be a key test for investors. "We have to see how the government does its fiscal numbers, it they don't add up by the end of September, things could indeed get somewhat rough for Italy," Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe." At the moment, there is no clarity on how the right-wing Lega and the leftist Five Star Movement (M5S) will put together a budget that will raise pensions and the available income for households. The fiscal plans are likely to deviate from previous commitments with Europe, but analysts are questioning how big the discrepancies will be. "This grave uncertainty about the fiscal plans is a significant rollback for Italy because it does mean that down the road, an Italian debt crisis (which) would look pretty unlikely a year ago is now a possibility," Schmieding said. Under previous governments, Italy approved new labor laws as well as constitutional changes, which were welcomed by market watchers. Issues with certain lenders, including Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena and its bad loans, were also fixed. Former President Jimmy Carter might have once called the white mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue his home, but now, he lives in a much, much more modest abode. Carter, the nation's 39th president and oldest-living former president in U.S. history at 96 years old, lives a fairly normal and frugal life, The Washington Post reported in 2018. In fact, Carter still lives in the ranch house he built himself in 1961. The home, in rural Plains, Georgia (about a 2-hour drive south of Atlanta) is a two-bedroom ranch assessed at just $167,000, which is "less than the value of the armored Secret Service vehicles parked outside," the Post reports. It's also less than the median home price in Georgia, which is $213,026, according to real estate site Zillow. Jimmy Carter's Georgia home Library of Congress In addition to his affordable home, Carter's frugal tendencies include spending weekends dining with neighbors on paper plates with bargain-brand wine, the Post says. In addition, it says he and wife Rosalynn make their own yogurt. Carter has also been known to buy his clothes at his local Dollar General store, according to a 2011 Rolling Stone story (he showed up for the store's opening in Plains in 2004), and he often flies commercial. In recent years, Carter has made much of his income from writing books, the Post repored; he has published at least 33, including a children's book and reflections on his presidency. (Thriftbooks.com lists 46 books.) Carter also receives a $210,700 annual pension, as do all former presidents, plus the federal government gives all ex-presidents an allowance for things like travel and office space. In 2017, Carter got more than $230,000 in such allowances, according to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, a conservative advocacy group. A porch view of Jimmy Carter's Georgia house Library of Congress Carter's modest lifestyle is sharply different from those of other living former presidents. In 2017, former President Barack Obama purchased an $8.1 million mansion in Washington, and is well known for his family's tradition of taking a summer vacation to the picturesque (and pricey) Martha's Vineyard. Billionaire Ken Langone told CNBC on Wednesday that he and his wife, Elaine, are helping give medical students free tuition as a way of sharing the American dream. New York University announced earlier this month that it will offer free tuition for every student attending its medical school. The co-founder of Home Depot and chair of the board of trustees of the NYU Langone Medical Center, and his wife, donated $100 million to help fund the tuition. Langone, a businessman and philanthropist, said Wednesday that in the next 15 years there will be a critical shortage of doctors, particularly in primary care, pediatrics and OB-GYN. Langone added these are areas of medicine that don't pay well but are important. "If you look at my life and Elaine and you look at the opportunities we've had and you look at where we are, there's no place on this Earth better than America," Langone said in a "Power Lunch" interview. "I think everything you can do to continue to be a great country, we all win." The average medical school debt increased from around $160,000 in 2010 to about $179,000 in 2016, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Medical Association. The NYU plan waives tuition of around $55,000. It does not cover room and board fees. Langone said that will provide medical students with some relief during a very challenging time. He said he hopes other medical schools will join NYU's effort. "We didn't do this to stimulate more applications," Langone, who is worth $3.6 billion, according to Forbes, said. "We think we're giving them a good start in life to leave here debt free. And we think it's the right thing to do." President Donald Trump's new approach to trade will fix the mistakes of past leaders and even out U.S. trade deficits, Republican billionaire Ken Langone told CNBC on Wednesday. "The president made a good point last week when he said, it isn't the people that are running these other countries, it was our leaders who kept giving them what they wanted and no pushback," Langone told "Power Lunch." "For too long we've been patsies, and now it's time to level the playing field," he added. The Trump administration is expected to move forward with another round of tariffs on Chinese goods this week, and China is expected to respond in kind. As of Thursday, a total of $50 billion of goods on each side will be taxed. It's the second round of tariffs imposed by the two countries this year, and there could be more to come on as much as $200 billion in Chinese goods. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Mexico are nearing an informal deal to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement, although Mexican officials have said Canada will also have to be present before any accord is struck. Langone, who co-founded Home Depot, praised Trump's efforts to rectify what he says is a situation perpetuated by past leaders. "We have been at a disadvantage with our trading partners for a number of years and it's been allowed to slide. Wait till next year, wait till next year, wait till next year nothing ever happened," he said. "I am thrilled that we are addressing the issue in a positive way, that we're not going to continue to let it slide," he added. Langone also applauded Trump's negotiations with Mexico, Canada and Germany, saying he thinks once a bilateral deal with Mexico goes through, Canada will come to the table "and all of a sudden we are back to NAFTA." He also said he thinks China is beginning to feel the pressure. As for Trump's negotiating tactics, Langone said he would not challenge them, although he admitted his own approach might be a little different. "If this tactic becomes a strategy, then I'll worry. But I don't think we've given this thing enough time to play out," Langone said. "And I think eventually good sense will reign. Free trade is good for everybody us and our trading partners both." Meanwhile, New York University announced earlier this month that it will offer free tuition for every student attending its medical school. Langone, who is chair of the board of trustees of the NYU Langone Medical Center, and his wife, donated $100 million to help fund the tuition. Investors seem to like Marvin Ellison's turnaround plans for Lowe's. The home improvement chain Wednesday reported second-quarter earnings and revenue that surpassed analysts' expectations, but same-store sales fell short and weren't nearly as strong as rival Home Depot. The North Carolina-based retailer also announced it will be shuttering its 99 Orchard Supply Hardware stores by year-end to "aggressively rationalize store inventory," in what was one of Ellison's first major decisions since joining the company as CEO July 2. Lowe's trimmed its full-year outlook because of this, saying it expects to incur between $390 million and $475 million in charges related to the closures in the second half of 2018. Lowe's shares fell more than 5 percent in premarket trading on the earnings report before mounting a strong rebound. The stock was up more than 9 percent in midday trading after Ellison outlined the company's turnaround plan on an analyst call. "For me, having worked for three different retailers, the one thing retailers do a good job of is evaluating their real estate portfolios on an annual basis," Ellison told CNBC in an interview. "Closing Orchard Supply was a very difficult decision," but it will allow Lowe's to spend shareholders' money elsewhere, including on improving supply chain, he said. Net income for the quarter ended Aug. 3 was $1.52 billion, or $1.86 a share, compared with $1.42 billion, or $1.68 per share, a year ago. Excluding one-time items, Lowe's earned $2.07 a share, 5 cents ahead of analysts' expectations, based on a poll by Thomson Reuters. Revenue climbed 7.1 percent to $20.89 billion, again ahead of the $20.78 billion anticipated by analysts. Sales at Lowe's stores open for at least 12 months were up 5.2 percent, compared with a forecast for growth of 5.3 percent. Far outpacing Lowe's, Home Depot reported same-store sales growth last week of 8 percent for the second quarter. "The company has unfortunately become distracted over the past few years. And specifically we have chased initiatives that did not add value and were not core to our retail business," Ellison told analysts on a conference call. "Our in-store technology is dated, overall execution is impaired by complexity, we have a large number of out-of-stocks in our stores that must be addressed, and we need to increase the rigor with which we evaluate capital investments." Ellison, J.C. Penney's former CEO and a top executive at Home Depot for more than a decade, just took the helm as CEO of Lowe's last month, succeeding Robert Niblock. The home improvement retailer has since brought on a new head of stores, Joseph McFarland, who also came from Penney, along with a new head of supply chain, Donald Frieson, who came from Walmart. Lowe's also on Wednesday named David Denton, chief financial officer of CVS Health, as CFO. His appointment is effective as soon as CVS acquires Aetna, expected to close in the second half of this year. He will succeed Marshall Croom, whose retirement was previously announced. Ellison is anticipated by industry analysts to shake things up at Lowe's, which often falls under the shadows of Home Depot. Activist investor D.E. Shaw & Co. built a stake in Lowe's earlier this year, CNBC reported, concerned about the company's performance relative to peers. More broadly, Lowe's has benefited as consumer confidence strengthens in the U.S. and unemployment rates remain low. Shoppers are seen investing in their homes in particular to increase property values. "The good news is unemployment is going down, which is great for the macro-economy and that only helps us to have more customers with more disposable income to spend," Ellison told CNBC. Looking to the full year, Lowe's said it expects to earn between $4.50 and $4.60 a share, with same-store sales climbing as much as 3 percent. The company had previously been calling for earnings per share between $5.40 and $5.50, with same-store sales increasing as much as 3.5 percent. The new forecast accounts for the Orchard closures and inventory cuts, Lowe's said. "Overall, today's actions reflect CEO Ellison's decision to move quickly to change the business, although the lower financial outlook came in sooner than expected," Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman said in a research note. Lowe's shares are up about 7 percent so far this year, bringing the company's stock value to about $87 billion. That compares with Home Depot, which has a market cap of about $232 billion and has watched its shares climb a little more than 8 percent over the same period. McDonald's is sponsoring new job training and apprenticeship programs in its hometown of Chicago and abroad as part of a new "youth opportunity" initiative aimed at reducing unemployment among younger workers. The fast-food chain hopes to put to work some of the 64 million young people, 16 to 24 years old, who International Labour Organization says are currently unemployed. The initiative is aimed at removing barriers to employment for 2 million younger workers globally by 2025. The program includes pre-employment job readiness training, employment opportunities and workplace development programs, in an attempt to put a dent in the global youth unemployment rate, which stood at 13.6 percent last year, more than double the overall unemployment rate, according to the World Bank. "This makes real sense for a business like McDonald's, as one of the largest employers of young people in the world," said David Fairhurst, McDonald's executive vice president. "We think we have one of the strongest suites, particularly around youth, to take people at any stage of development and bring them up the ladder." In Chicago, McDonald's will be distributing $1 million in grants to local community organizations to deliver job readiness training to those who have less access to such opportunities. Beyond that, another $1 million will be distributed in grant money to Skills for Chicagoland's Future to develop an apprenticeship program with City Colleges Chicago. The company is often a stepping stone for many as their first job some 60 percent of its restaurant workforce is 16 to 24 years old. Those who get hired at McDonald's would be eligible for leadership training at Hamburger University and for college help through its Archways to Opportunity program, which awards scholarships for high school and college tuition. "For people seeking opportunities, we can take them from pre-employment all the way through senior management," Fairhurst said. He said McDonald's hopes to reach 4,000 young people in Chicago with pre-employment training, and potentially bring the model to other cities in need next year. The announcement comes as the U.S. labor market continues to tighten in the face of a strong economy, proving challenging for employers of all sizes in nearly every industry to attract and retain quality talent. "The U.S. is feeling the pinch of the shrinking labor market, which is why we are investing in recruitment, employer reputation and making sure that brand and reputation is all based on real deliverables," Fairhurst said. "We think this will be a serious way of engaging [talent]." In Europe, McDonald's and participating franchisees are teaming to offer 43,000 apprenticeships by 2025. The company recently commissioned Morning Consult to conduct a study on workforce preparedness that found soft skills including teamwork, customer service and responsibility were overwhelmingly important for young people positioning themselves to succeed in new careers. These skills were seen as more critical than hard skills like computer programming or accounting. What's more, first jobs are seen as key in developing these skills. "The biggest barriers to entry for [opportunity youth] are things like confidence, social skills, communication. Through no fault of their own, they need a helping hand around some of the basics of applying for a job. We are trying to help with those soft skills," Fairhurst said. McDonald's isn't alone in its mission to provide opportunities for unemployed young people. Other big food and beverage companies including Starbucks are doing their part to tackle youth unemployment domestically. The coffee giant is part of the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, a coalition of 50 leading U.S. businesses that also includes FedEx and Walmart, committed to reaching 1 million "opportunity youth" hires by the year 2021. Lanny Davis, attorney for ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, said Wednesday his client would not accept a pardon from President Donald Trump if one were ever offered. "Not only is he not hoping for it, he would not accept a pardon. He considers a pardon from somebody who has acted so corruptly as president to be something he would never expect," Davis said in an interview on NBC's "TODAY." The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on Davis' remarks. Davis also said Cohen is willing to share information with special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russia's attack on the 2016 campaign and any potential conspiracy between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign to sway the election. Cohen "is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows, not just about the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American Democracy system in the 2016 election, ... but also knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr. Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on," Davis told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. Comments from Davis, who served in the White House under President Bill Clinton and remains close to the Clinton family, came after Cohen pleaded guilty in federal court in New York on Tuesday to eight felony counts of tax fraud, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. The U.S. Attorney's office said Cohen pleaded guilty for facilitating payments to prevent two women from discussing their "alleged affairs with a presidential candidate, thereby intending to influence the 2016 presidential election." Mueller, as part of his election meddling probe, had referred the Cohen case to federal prosecutors in Manhattan. Cohen's plea came as a federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, convicted former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort on eight counts of fraud and other charges. "I feel very badly for Paul Manafort," Trump said Tuesday after landing in West Virginia for a campaign rally. But he added the conviction "doesn't involve me" and has "nothing to do with Russian collusion." The president did not comment on Cohen's plea deal, and did not mention either Cohen or Manafort during his speech at the rally Tuesday night. Trump broke his silence on Cohen on Wednesday morning, however. "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer," the president tweeted, "I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!" TWEET Lanny Davis, attorney and former Clinton political strategist, speaks during an interview last May. President Donald Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, has pleaded guilty to tax fraud and campaign finance violations. Now, he's asking for your money. Lanny Davis, the public face of Cohen's legal team, said Wednesday he has set up a "truth fund" to help pay Cohen's legal fees. The page, hosted late Tuesday on crowdfunding site GoFundMe, promises that all donations will go "to help Michael Cohen and his family as he goes forward on his journey to tell the truth about Donald Trump." Not long before he admitted guilt on eight criminal counts in Manhattan federal court Tuesday afternoon, Cohen held high-profile roles as Trump's longtime personal attorney, a leader of the Trump Organization and deputy finance chairman of the Republican National Committee. Now the GoFundMe page for his cause is asking for $500,000 in crowdfunded donations. In just over 11 hours, the campaign raised more than $34,000. Davis, a former aide to President Bill Clinton, swept through the morning political talk-show circuit Wednesday. He repeatedly argued that Cohen's plea deal directly implicates Trump. Davis also said that Cohen has valuable information to provide special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible links between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia. "Michael Cohen is going to be telling the truth to whoever asks him," Davis said on MNSBC's "Morning Joe," adding, "there are some issues that I think would be of interest." But Davis said Cohen and his family are "suffering," and he directed viewers toward the crowdfunding page. "We ask everybody who is interested in Michael being able to tell the truth to help him out," Davis said. A spokeswoman for Davis did not immediately respond to CNBC's questions about the legal fund. This isn't the first time that someone in the slew of cases orbiting Trump and the Russia investigations has turned to online crowdsourced legal funds. Former Trump campaign advisor Michael Caputo, who was questioned by Mueller's team, has raised more than $330,000 in four months through his own GoFundMe page. Jessica Denson, who worked to help elect Trump and is now suing the campaign over an allegedly hostile work environment, has had less success, raising just over $1,300 in one month. Maria Butina, the Russian gun-rights activist accused of working as a Kremlin agent, recently set up a page asking for help in fighting the U.S. government's attempt to try her for what the page says are "crimes she did not commit." Roger Stone, a longtime GOP operative and Trump confidant, has also pleaded for cash. Stone has offered differing accounts of his legal debts, and the website for his fund is less transparent about where the funds are going than those of his colleagues. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen arrives at his hotel in New York City, June 20, 2018. Investigators in New York have subpoenaed President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen as part of a probe of the Trump Foundation. "A subpoena has been issued to Michael Cohen for relevant information in light of the public disclosures made yesterday," James Gazzale, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, told CNBC on Wednesday. A source familiar with the investigation told CNBC that anything the Tax Department uncovers through its investigation will be referred to the New York State Attorney General's Office for prosecution. Cohen pleaded guilty on Tuesday to eight criminal charges, including tax fraud and campaign finance crimes, in New York federal court. He said that during the 2016 presidential campaign he had unlawfully facilitated payments to two women who have said they had sex with the president. Trump and his lawyers have denied wrongdoing. Gazzale said his department will work with the Attorney General's office, as well as the Manhattan District Attorney. Cohen's lawyer, former Clinton White House aide Lanny Davis, has said Trump himself "directed" Cohen "to commit a crime." Davis has also expressed a willingness for Cohen to cooperate with state and federal prosecutors, including special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Quietly, one major Dow stock is making new highs, and no one is talking about it. After being stuck in a sideways range since early 2013, Verizon is finally breaking out, hitting its highest level in two years this week. The stock has rallied 18 percent during the last three months and is now testing a key resistance level. If it can break above its 2017 and 2018 high of $55, it will give it an important higher high, which is quite positive on a technical basis. Just above that level is the 2016 all-time high of just under $57. A break above that would give it a lot of upside momentum. Given how strong other defensive sectors have been recently utilities, consumer staples and health care stocks are leading the market over the last three months this beaten down defensive name could be a compelling one going forward. Especially since its dividend yield is more than 4 percent. Aside from a strong technical picture, Verizon looks particularly attractive given how poorly high flyers like Facebook, Twitter and Netflix have been acting lately. There's still a lot of momentum money out there, and I believe Verizon could be a good name to rotate into as we move into the historically dangerous September and October time frame. Defensive groups have been outperforming the broader market since the spring, so those who have already been rotating toward a more defensive stance recently have not only been adding protection to their portfolios, but they're also beating they while doing it. Bottom line: Verizon looks good from all angles. Pressure is building on U.S. President Donald Trump to take tougher actions against Russia, an expert said on Wednesday after the U.S. Treasury announced a series of new sanctions on Moscow. Calls for more potent measures to punish Russia are coming from both within and outside the U.S. Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, has been accused of undermining democracies and violating international rules with activities including tampering with the U.S. election and poisoning a former Russian spy in the U.K. "There're a lot of things going on right now that are calling for (an) increase in sanctions against Russia," Eugene Chausovsky, senior Eurasia analyst at consulting firm Stratfor, told CNBC's "The Rundown" on Wednesday. Domestically, criminal charges against two of Trump's former aides campaign manager Paul Manafort and long-time lawyer Michael Cohen could strengthen the case for Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller's probe to continue, Chausovsky said. Mueller is investigating possible Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Manafort's trial was a major victory for Mueller's probe, and Cohen came under investigation by federal prosecutors in New York City after a referral by the special counsel's team. Several members in Congress have also questioned whether the Trump administration has gone far enough to rein in the Kremlin's behavior, The Wall Street Journal reported. Internationally, U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Tuesday urged the European Union to "stand shoulder to shoulder" with the U.S. in sanctioning Russia. The U.S. Treasury on Tuesday said it blacklisted two Russian companies and six vessels for violating United Nations sanctions on North Korea. In addition, two other firms one Russian and one Slovakian along with two Russian individuals were called out for helping another company avoid U.S. sanctions. Those latest actions by the U.S. are "mild," said Chausovsky, because they target specific companies and individuals for "very specific issues." But tougher sanctions against an entire industry in Russia or very large Russian companies could come in the next few months, he added. Saudi Arabia has scrapped its plans to list shares of state-owned energy giant Aramco on stock exchanges, according to Reuters, but the kingdom is disputing that report. The nation's powerful crown prince still wants to take Aramco public at some point in the future, sources familiar with the process told CNBC. The IPO is now less urgent because oil prices have rebounded above $70 a barrel, relieving pressure on Saudi finances, sources said. Multiple sources told CNBC it would be inaccurate to say Aramco has canceled the IPO. Work associated with the offering has indeed slowed down as Aramco focuses on another large deal, but advisers have not been dismissed indefinitely, one of the sources said. An initial public offering from Aramco is expected to be the largest ever and is at the center of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious plan to overhaul the Saudi economy. The Saudis hope to attract a $2 trillion valuation for Aramco, the world's largest oil company, though some outside analysts have pegged its value at half that amount. Doubt has been swirling around the IPO for months as the kingdom deferred making decisions on key parts of the stock market debut, including where to list shares overseas. Skepticism only grew deeper earlier this year when sources familiar with the process said Aramco would first list on its domestic exchange, the Tadawul, and put off an international listing. Simon Dawson | Bloomberg | Getty Images Now, the kingdom will no longer seek to publicly list shares at home or abroad and Saudi Aramco has dismissed advisers working on the deal, several sources told Reuters. One source said the decision to cancel the IPO had been made "some time ago." Aramco is now focusing on acquiring a stake in Saudi Basic Industries, or SABIC, a domestic petrochemical company, source told CNBC. That in part explains why advisers on the Aramco deal have been sidelined, the sources said. Aramco initially declined to comment, but on Wednesday evening, the company's chairman and Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al Falih issued a statement calling the Reuters report was not true. "The Government remains committed to the IPO of Saudi Aramco at a time of its own choosing when conditions are optimum," Falih said. "This timing will depend on multiple factors, including favorable market conditions, and a downstream acquisition which the Company will pursue in the next few months, as directed by its Board of Directors. If Saudi Aramco confirms the report, it would mark the end of more than 2 years of intense market speculation, competition among exchanges and jockeying among banks for a role in the lucrative offering. Crown Prince Mohammed first made the plans public in January 2016, when he was still the kingdom's deputy crown prince. The plan emerged during the depths of a crushing oil price downturn that sent crude futures from more than $100 a barrel to less than $30. The rout pushed Saudi Arabia's budget into a deficit and ultimately forced the kingdom to coordinate production cuts among about two dozen oil-producing nations. Saudi Arabia hoped to raise about $100 billion by offering the public the opportunity to own a small portion of Aramco. The kingdom planned to use the funds to expand its sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, and underwrite the crown prince's Vision 2030, a blueprint to diversify the nation's economy. Stock exchanges in New York, London and Hong Kong emerged leading contenders to list Aramco shares. The crown prince reportedly favored listing on the New York Stock Exchange, but market watchers questioned whether Aramco, known for its secrecy, could meet the NYSE's stringent transparency standards. Amin Nasser, CEO of Aramco, told CNBC earlier this year that his company was prepared for a public offering in the second half of 2018, but was waiting for the government to choose an exchange. Indecision over the listing venue snarled the process, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year. Aramco in July confirmed media reports that it had entered talks with the Public Investment Fund, to acquire a "strategic stake" in SABIC, the Saudi petrochemical company. The fund has a 70 percent stake in SABIC. Aramco said the move would be consistent with Aramco's strategy of diversifying into high value businesses, including refining crude oil into fuels and processing byproducts into petrochemicals like plastics. Aramco currently focuses on producing crude oil from that nation's vast reserves. The deal would also allow the Public Investment Fund to generate cash from its investment in SABIC. WATCH: What is Saudi Aramco? In this photo taken Oct. 27, 2010, Russian scientists Sergey Zimov and his son Nikita Zimov extract air samples from frozen soil near the town of Chersky in Siberia 6,600 kms (4,000 miles) east of Moscow, Russia. But the Zimovs' research suggests the winter re-freeze in 2017-2018 did not penetrate all the way to the permanently frozen ground beneath, leaving an intermediate layer of thawed ground sandwiched between the surface and the permafrost. The top few layers of earth in the Arctic freeze in the winter and thaw out in the spring. But at a certain depth, the earth remains frozen solid year-round. This is aptly named "permafrost." Some permafrost has been frozen for up to hundreds of thousands of years. Father and son scientists Sergey and Nikita Zimov found surprising slushy and muddy turf near the far eastern Russian town of Cherskiy, 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, when the ground should have been frozen. The new research was reported Wednesday by National Geographic . If confirmed, scientists say, this could be yet another sign of climate change in a sensitive environment, and the thawed earth could have other troubling consequences. Some of the ground in the Arctic region is typically frozen most of the year round, but there is new evidence some of it may not be freezing at all, not even in the winter. That unfrozen layer is surprising and potentially worrying, said Max Holmes, deputy director and senior scientist at Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts. "It is a big change," Holmes told CNBC. "Is it across the Arctic? Is it going to happen this year? Those are the big questions. But it is a striking change." The Arctic has been warming for years. The twist in the story is that an unusually large amount of snow in the region this past winter may be to blame, as it could have acted as an insulator that trapped heat in the ground. So there is a chance this may not happen again if snowfall is light next winter. The odd thing is that global warming could be causing the higher level of snow. One hypothesis is that the warming in the Arctic could be contributing to more evaporation from sea ice, which in turn provides the moisture in the atmosphere that makes more snow, he said. It is important to note that the Zimovs' research has not been peer-reviewed or published and that some skeptics say more research is needed. But another scientist, Vladimir Romanovsky at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, has seen similar evidence in his own work. If further evidence bears out their findings, it is a sign the region is warming faster than previously thought. Evidence has suggested that thawing permafrost has its own consequences. Scientists estimate it contains roughly twice the carbon found in the atmosphere. There are about 1,500 billion tons of carbon locked up in the decaying plant matter found in the permafrost. That is almost twice as much as the roughly 850 billion tons found in the atmosphere, Holmes said. The frozen ground is the only thing keeping the plant matter from decaying and releasing carbon into the atmosphere. Carbon gases are widely considered the primary contributors to global warming. "There is a lot of carbon locked up in permafrost, and we should hope that it stays there," Holmes said. "This heightens the concern that it doesn't." But with the ground already soft in the Arctic, the decay that comes with the spring thaw could get a head start, and it could be even harder for the ground to refreeze next winter, Holmes said. Read the full story in National Geographic. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz looks to have a fight on his hands to keep his Senate seat in red Texas. The conservative holds only a slim edge over insurgent Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke, according to an NBC News/Marist poll released Wednesday. Cruz garners 49 percent of support among registered voters in Texas, while 45 percent of respondents back O'Rourke. Six percent of registered voters are undecided. The survey is the latest to show O'Rourke, a third-term representative, within striking distance of the first-term incumbent Cruz. An upset in Texas which has not had a Democratic senator in about 25 years would mark a major coup for Democrats, who face a brutal Senate map in this year's midterms. O'Rourke has posted eye-popping fundraising totals and sparked grassroots enthusiasm in Texas. He has an opening in the state, where 46 percent of adults a slight plurality disapprove of the job Trump is doing as president, according to the NBC/Marist poll. Still, the state's Republican roots, and Cruz's own impressive cash haul, will make winning a challenge for the El Paso-area Democrat. While O'Rourke has made the race closer, Cruz has generally led in public polling and still appears to be the favorite. Nonpartisan election analysis sites Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball rate the race as "lean" Republican and "likely" Republican, respectively. O'Rourke, a 45-year-old former punk rocker, has run a more liberal campaign than some would expect for a statewide candidate in a Texas. He favors abortion rights and has called for tighter gun restrictions. He has pushed for protections for young undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Here are the 10 top colleges in the U.S., according to Forbes: The Forbes ranking of top colleges differs from many other college rankings in that it doesn't consider "input" statistics, such as SAT scores and acceptance rates. Instead, Forbes ranks schools according to a composite score made up of alumni salary (20 percent), student debt (20 percent), student experience (20 percent), alumni professional accomplishments (15 percent), academic success (12.5 percent) and graduation rate (12.5 percent). Many publications release school rankings, but opinions vary on what makes an institution a top university. Harvard topped the Forbes' list and five other Ivy League schools also cracked the top 10. Columbia and Cornell were the only Ivy League schools not to make it into this bracket, coming in 13th and 15th, respectively. The remaining entries on the list include prestigious schools like Stanford and Duke, as well as two technology-focused institutions MIT and CalTech. All of the schools in the top 10 are private not-for-profit institutions. The University of California, Berkeley came in 14th this year, the highest ranking for a public university in the history of the Forbes list. Like this story? Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube! Don't miss: The Trump administration is giving states a pathway to keep coal power plants running, and many will likely seize the opportunity. The window opened Tuesday when the Environmental Protection Agency revealed its plan to scrap President Barack Obama's greenhouse gas regulations for the nation's power plants. The Trump administration intends to replace the rules with a policy that will make it easier for states to continue burning coal. President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested the rule would help keep the nation's embattled coal plants online, advancing his goal of reviving the coal industry. "We're canceling Obama's illegal anti-coal destroying regulations, the so-called Clean Power Plan," he said during a rally in Charleston, West Virginia. "Just today we announced our new Affordable Clean Energy proposal that will help our coal-fired power plants and save consumers you, me, everybody billions and billions of dollars." There are at least 16 states that oppose Trump's move, but many governors will welcome the reversal. More than two dozen U.S. states took part in a lawsuit to overturn Obama's Clean Power Plan. Much of that opposition came from regions where coal plants are fighting to maintain their foothold: Appalachia, the Great Plains, the Midwest, the Southeast and Texas. Rep. Tom Cole (L) (R-OK) looks on during a House Budget Committee markup of the Republican health care bill on Capitol Hill on March 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. "If something comes out that is clear and convincing and impeachable, I think members will act," Cole said. He called it "too soon" for a congressional impeachment inquiry, though "I'll leave that to the Judiciary Committee." And as Robert Mueller's Russia investigation continues, Cole didn't rule out even a GOP Congress acting to cut Trump's presidency short. The allegation that Trump ordered crimes to which Cohen has pleaded guilty is "potentially very dangerous," the eight-term lawmaker said. Taken together, he added, the Manafort and Cohen cases weaken the Republican campaign to keep control of Congress so long as Democrats don't overplay their hand with a rush toward impeachment. The Oklahoma conservative, in a Wednesday interview, didn't hide his alarm over the eight felony convictions of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and eight felony guilty pleas by Trump lawyer Michael Cohen . He warned his party against retreating into "a fantasy world" that assumes Trump's predicament is not both disturbing and hazardous for the GOP. The legal bombshells that exploded around President Donald Trump on Tuesday sent most congressional Republicans diving for cover. Rep. Tom Cole isn't one of them. Cole's words represent a red flag for fellow Republicans. A former chair of the Oklahoma GOP, chief of staff for the national party and head of the House campaign committee, he is among the most politically savvy members of the Republican caucus. The most immediate consequence of Tuesday's legal developments, he said, is provide Mueller with additional insulation from Trump allies seeking to shut down his investigation. Though the Manafort charges didn't concern Russian meddling, he explained, the guilty verdicts mean "you can't dismiss it as a witch hunt." "I don't know what it is," Cole said of the special counsel probe. "Yesterday was a pretty sobering day. The Mueller probe needs to be allowed to proceed." Cole said neither Manafort's convictions nor Cohen's allegations by themselves would be enough to make Republicans turn against Trump. But he acknowledged prosecutors may have other evidence to back up Cohen's claims, and that Mueller may have unrevealed evidence about other crimes, including crimes involving Russia. "I'm disturbed at what I see," Cole continued. "I've heard some on our side say this will help Republicans rile up our base. That, to me, is laughable." Cole faces no November jeopardy himself. He's already been renominated in an overwhelmingly Republican district west of Oklahoma City. But he fears that uncertainty about what Mueller will uncover represents a "sword of Damocles" over Republicans in more competitive districts. And though both the GOP leadership and rank and file have remained steadfast behind Trump, he offered the example of Richard Nixon as evidence of how political winds can change. During the Watergate scandal, Nixon's allies on Capitol Hill stood by him months after majority Democrats initiated an impeachment inquiry. But that wall of protection collapsed, triggering his resignation, after the Supreme Court forced the release of White House tape recordings that irrefutably showed Nixon's participation in the Watergate cover-up. "There wasn't any resistance once the tapes were out," recalled Cole, who that year was finishing graduate school. Cole would hardly relish the constitutional crisis that a presidential impeachment attempt would represent. He noted the strong impulse among lawmakers to "give the president of your own party the benefit of the doubt." But "every now and then," Cole concluded, "you have a legacy moment." Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, Mexico's secretary of economy, speaks to members of the media while arriving for a meeting at the office of the U.S. Trade Representative in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. The U.S. is near an informal NAFTA deal with Mexico, though a Mexican official said all three sides would need to be present on a handshake. The U.S. Trade Representative office is saying there is no deal yet, however, and there are still major issues to work through. But a Mexican official said the issues could be worked out within hours. Negotiators had hoped to seal up an agreement by the end of the week. There is hedged optimism on that front. Mexico's economy minister said all three sides Mexico, the U.S. and Canada would need to be present for even a handshake deal. Canada would reenter the negotiations and have about a week to reach a tri-lateral deal in order to get it signed before Mexico's political leadership turns over on December 1. Politico reported on Tuesday the Trump administration is planning to announce it has achieved a breakthrough in its NAFTA negotiations with Mexico, citing three sources close to the talks. Politico said government officials plan to announce the two sides have made progress and Trump is expected to attend Thursday's event. One source called the announcement a "handshake" deal, according to the media outlet. One source familiar with the situation told CNBC Tuesday's news about President Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, may throw the timing off of any trade announcement because it was a "major distraction." Cohen plead guilty to eight counts related to tax fraud, excessive campaign contributions, making false statements to a financial institution, and unlawful corporate contributions. Trump economic advisor Kevin Hassett told CNBC earlier this week the U.S. was near a deal with Mexico on NAFTA. "We're even closer" to reaching a trade deal with Mexico after Mexican negotiators were in Washington for most of last week, he said Monday. One of the trade advisors for incoming Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told reporters on Tuesday the goal was still for a deal by the end of the week. The Mexican peso gained vs. the U.S. dollar after the report. See the full Politico report here. With reporting by Kayla Tausche and Mary Catherine Wellons As the world wakes up to the political storm unfolding in the U.S. around some of Donald Trump's closest former associates, questions are being asked whether the president could now be impeached although that scenario appears unlikely. The political firestorm reached new heights Tuesday with Trump's former campaign chief, Paul Manafort, and his former lawyer Michael Cohen appearing in separate courts. Manafort was convicted by a jury and Cohen pleaded guilty to separate felony charges. "Together, what these things are going do is that they're going to fuel talk of impeachment," Peter Trubowitz, head of international relations at the London School of Economics, told CNBC on Wednesday, calling it a "double whammy" of the Manafort and Cohen outcomes. "Mr. Trump had a pretty bad day yesterday, and it's really hard to know what's worse here, the indictment of his former election campaign chairman Paul Manafort, or the plea bargain by Michael Cohen, the president's former personal lawyer for violating campaign finance laws," Trubowitz told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe." President Donald Trump waves from his vehicle as he prepares to depart for Dubuque, Iowa, from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, July 26, 2018. Joshua Roberts | Reuters In New York on Tuesday, Cohen pleaded guilty in a federal court to eight felony counts of tax fraud, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Potentially the most damaging counts that Cohen pleaded guilty to appeared to implicate Trump directly when he admitted to making payments to two women at the direction of an unidentified candidate for political office, who appeared to be the president. Those payments, Cohen said, were made to influence the outcome of the election. Separately on Tuesday, a jury found Manafort guilty of eight felonies unrelated to the 2016 election: five counts of felony tax fraud, one count of failing to report a foreign bank account and two counts of bank fraud. Manafort's conviction was for charges unrelated to the 2016 campaign. Reacting to the news as he arrived at a campaign rally at West Virginia on Tuesday, Trump expressed sympathy for both of his former aides, saying "I feel badly for both. I must tell you that Paul Manafort is a good man," according to a White House transcript. Trump yet again called special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election a "witch hunt." Trump and the Kremlin deny allegations of collusion to influence the 2016 election outcome. Nonetheless, Trubowitz said the developments represented a victory for Mueller. "It's going to make it harder for Republicans in Congress to call for an end to his investigation. He's (Mueller) now got something he can show for his efforts," Trubowitz said. "The second (trial), the plea bargain (by Michael Cohen), makes it harder even though Mr. Trump was doing this yesterday in West Virginia for him to insist that this is all a witch hunt, because Cohen pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a grand jury investigation led by the U.S. attorney's office and southern district of New York, i.e. not from Mr. Mueller," Trubowitz added. The White House did not immediately respond when CNBC requested comment on this story. With Cohen facing up to five years in prison, questions are being raised as to whether Trump could also be prosecuted. Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis said Tuesday after the proceedings, "If those payments (of hush money) were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?" Despite impeachment talk, it's no easy task to remove a president in such a way. Presidents Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson were impeached, but both were acquitted by the Senate. President Richard Nixon resigned before a likely impeachment. There are three impeachable offenses: treason, bribery and the more opaque "high crimes and misdemeanors," but the House of Representatives has the responsibility to accuse the president of one of those things. If a majority in the House agrees, a president is then impeached. The Senate then votes on impeachment, which under the U.S. Constitution requires a two-thirds majority. In Trump's case, starting the impeachment process would require a mass revolt by Republicans against him in the GOP-controlled House, an event even less likely than normal with midterm elections coming in November. Even Democrats are mostly keeping quiet about impeachment to avoid motivating the Republican base before the elections. Public opinion polls have also shown a general unease among the American public when asked if they would like to see Trump impeached should the Democrats win control of the House. Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to U.S. President Donald Trump, exits from federal court in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Mark Kauzlarich | Bloomberg | Getty Images Jacob Parakilas, the deputy head of the U.S. and Americas program at the think tank Chatham House in London, told CNBC that the political implications of the Manafort and Cohen proceedings were not clear cut. "It's fair to say that any day that sees close associates of the sitting president convicted and pleading guilty to numerous crimes is not a great day for the Republican Party. Yet that said, the (midterms) are still a few months away, and the news cycle these days is so incredibly rapid that if these things don't develop further, it's possible they'll be consumed into a bigger narrative that may or may not favor the Democrats," he said. "But I don't think this is the last we're hearing of either Manafort or Cohen, I don't think this is the end of their sagas." Richard Johnson, a professor in U.S. politics at Lancaster University, also remarked that he would "urge caution to those who think impeachment is around the corner." "Impeachment is a political process. The jury is 100 U.S. senators, whose overwhelming concern is re-election and, even more pertinently for some, re-nomination. Two-thirds of them must vote to convict. We're in a new partisan landscape from the 1970s. Even if Democrats take control of the House, will there be around 17 Republican senators willing to vote with around 50 Democrats to convict a Republican president? I doubt it," he said in a research note. Market reaction U.S. stock index futures were in the red ahead of Wednesday's open but the political fallout from the Manafort and Cohen cases is also being weighed with Sino-U.S. trade talks starting Wednesday. Paul Donovan, a global economist and managing director at UBS Wealth Management, said in a note Wednesday that "President Trump faces either double trouble (Cohen and Manafort) or a witch hunt, depending on your perspective." "Does this matter for markets? It might matter if the president's political capital with Congress was undermined, affecting policy. However, the president does not have that much political capital with Congress and is not asking Congress to pass laws they do not want to pass," he said. President Donald Trump ripped his former personal lawyer and fixer in a series of posts Wednesday on Twitter, a day after Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a number of crimes and implicated the president in a scheme to unlawfully silence two women who claim they had sex with him. The president joked that Cohen was a poor lawyer, and charged without evidence that, unlike Paul Manafort, the president's former campaign chairman who was convicted on a number of felony charges on Tuesday, Cohen made up stories in order to get a plea deal Tweet Tweet 2 Cohen admitted on Tuesday to facilitating payments to two women who have alleged affairs with the president. Those payments, Cohen said, were made to influence the outcome of the 2016 election. Cohen's plea came just as Trump's former campaign chairman Manafort was found guilty on eight charges related to financial fraud by federal jury in Virginia in the first trial brought by special counsel Robert Mueller. The president praised Manafort on Wednesday, saying that "unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break'" "Such respect for a brave man," Trump said. The tweets are the president's first substantial comment on Cohen's plea deal. On Tuesday, the president said he felt "badly" for Cohen and Manafort, according to a transcript provided by the White House, but did not mention either man during a rally he held in West Virginia hours after Cohen appeared in court to enter his guilty plea. Earlier Wednesday, Cohen's attorney, Lanny Davis, said his client would not accept a pardon from the president if it were offered. "He considers a pardon from somebody who has acted so corruptly as president to be something he would never expect," Davis said in an interview on NBC's "TODAY" show. Cohen worked as a lawyer at the president's real estate company, The Trump Organization, for more than a decade, and was known as one of the president's most trusted confidants. Cohen continued to serve as Trump's personal attorney once Trump became president. After an April raid on Cohen's New York hotel and office by federal investigators, Trump's outside counsel, Rudy Giuliani, said that Cohen had left the legal team. Correction: Paul Manafort was found guilty by a federal jury in Virginia. An earlier version mischaracterized the jury. United Airlines' latest challenge: Make a good night's sleep possible on smaller planes. The carrier is developing seats that recline into flat beds for some of its recently ordered Boeing 737s, United President Scott Kirby told reporters at the Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit in Denver on Tuesday. The company is betting travelers will pay more for the premium seating, which it expects to offer mainly on cross-country flights. United is testing the seat for its first-class cabin aboard some of the 100 Boeing 737 Max 10s, the largest version of the Max line, which United ordered last year. It expects to begin flying them in 2020 and use the planes to replace some of its old Boeing 757s. United does offer lie-flat seats in the front of the cabin on the older, Boeing 757 planes, but the airline would be the first in the U.S. to put this type of seat on 737s. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and JetBlue offer lie-flat seats on transcontinental routes, the latter two on narrowbody Airbus jets. Kirby said the airline could fly the lie-flat product to and from cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington and New York. "We think there is demand but it's almost exclusively trans con demand," said Kirby. Since it unveiled its new international business class, called Polaris, in mid-2016, United has focused on the promise of sleep and rest for high-paying flyers. United is testing a second version of its new lie-flat seat for domestic routes.Last year, Dubai-based Fly Dubai, unveiled lie-flat beds in business class for its 737 MAX 8 jets. The Treasury Department and the IRS are preparing regulations on the viability of tax workarounds adopted by several high-tax states. Some lawyers are questioning whether the agencies might set their sights on other states' tax credit programs, too. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which went into effect this year, capped the state and local tax (SALT) deduction at $10,000 that filers can claim on their federal tax returns. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut recently passed laws to create a workaround: They will permit municipalities to establish charitable funds to pay for local services and offer property tax credits to incentivize homeowners to make contributions. Those who donate to the funds can claim a charitable tax deduction on their federal returns, exceeding the $10,000 cap on SALT deductions. The IRS and Treasury announced they would be issuing rules to address these plans. It's unclear whether the regulation will affect already existing programs in Alabama, South Carolina and other states. "Everyone expects them to be fairly broad in how they go about this and how to protect these well-intentioned state charitable credit programs that have been around long before this issue came into play," said Howard Wagner, a partner in the national tax office for Crowe LLP. It's when you get up and above a 70 percent tax credit that's when taxpayers start to view these as not being charitable programs at all but as ways to pad their own bank accounts. Carl Davis research director, Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy "These kinds of programs aren't new," said Daniel Rosen, a partner in the North America tax practice group at Baker & McKenzie. "There are over 30 states that enable some kind of state tax credit in exchange for contributions to a state-sponsored fund or a private charitable fund," he said. "I don't see a way the IRS can credibly thread the needle, attack New Jersey and leave in place Alabama." Countering that, Lesley Searcy, executive director for the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund said, "Our program has been in place since 2013 well before the new tax law." "We hope that any new IRS rules around the charitable deduction will not hurt tax-credit scholarship programs, and we certainly don't think there would be any intent to do so," she said. The Yellowhammer State's scholarship fund allows individuals to donate up to 50 percent of their Alabama income-tax liability or $50,000. Donors collect a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on their state returns. Here's what you should know about state tax-credit programs that are currently available to the charitably inclined. State tax credits Osman Orsal | Reuters A research paper authored by a group of tax law academics pointed to more than 100 existing state charitable tax-credit plans in 33 states. Those plans vary from conservation easements to private school tuition scholarship programs. For instance, individuals and businesses who pay South Carolina taxes can make a donation to Exceptional SC, a scholarship fund for children with exceptional needs, and claim a dollar-for-dollar tax credit against their state income-tax liability. Indiana offers a school scholarship tax credit to individuals or businesses who donate to scholarship-granting organizations. Those who give to an eligible organization may take advantage of a 50 percent credit against their state tax liability. What's your intent? Peter Dazeley | Photographer's Choice | Getty Images A main point of contention among tax experts is whether these programs are similar to the new plans sprouting in New York and New Jersey. "None of these [existing] programs were designed as ways to reduce federal tax liability," said Jared Walczak, senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation. "They are intended to promote giving, and the tax deductions weren't capped when they were created." A key distinction is whether the contribution is made to provide a charitable benefit or paid in lieu of a tax. "Any payment made in satisfaction of a liability is considered a tax payment," Walczak said. Rosen of Baker & McKenzie, however, said that it's difficult to draw a legal distinction between the new SALT workarounds and plans that already exist. He said that the tax code considers two points when it comes to charitable contributions: Is the organization entitled to receive charitable contributions? Did the donor receive something of value in exchange for the donation? "If you have an old car in your driveway and you hear an ad for Kars for Kids, then you just want to get rid of the car," Rosen said. "You don't need to have a charitable intent to make the contribution." Proceed with caution Daniel Grill | Getty Images The North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea. The top commander of U.S. troops in South Korea said on Wednesday he supports moves to withdraw some outposts along the fortified border with North Korea, despite the risks. South Korea's defence ministry has said it plans to reduce guard posts and equipment along the demilitarized zone on its border with North Korea as part of efforts to reduce tension and build trust with its northern neighbor. "I have some concerns about what that means militarily for the ability to defend along the Military Demarcation Line," U.S. General Vincent Brooks told reporters on Wednesday. But he said that the risk is "a reasonable degree" and the move represents a good opportunity to reduce tensions. Brooks also said that his troops are finding "other ways" to maintain readiness in the absence of major military drills, which were cancelled or delayed by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of a deal with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. Target reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings on the back of its best same-store sales growth in 13 years. The report sent Target shares up by more than 3 percent. "Sentiment in the financial markets was so low after the crisis that it appeared we were going to get a bounce," said Jeff Zipper, managing director of investments at U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management. "But I don't think we were expecting one of this magnitude." The current bull market turned 3,453 days old on Wednesday . In that time, the S&P 500 has skyrocketed more than 300 percent in that time period. On Tuesday, it tied the one that ran from October 1990 to March 2000. Wednesday's moves took place as the current bull market was set to become the longest on record. Target shares jumped on strong earnings, helping stocks offset some of the losses. Home-improvement retailer Lowe's also reported better-than-expected earnings, sending its stock up more than 6 percent. The closed largely unchanged at 2,861.82 as energy and tech outperformed. Energy stocks were boosted by a 3 percent rally in oil. The Nasdaq Composite , meanwhile, rose 0.4 percent to close at 7.889.10 as Netflix and Amazon gained 1.9 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 89 points, however, closing at 25,733.60. Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer, pleaded guilty to eight counts related to tax fraud, campaign contributions, making false statements to a financial institution, and unlawful corporate contributions. Cohen also admitted to making payments to two women at the direction of Trump. Meanwhile, former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight counts in a separate case. Five of those counts pertained to tax fraud, two to bank fraud and one to failing to file foreign bank account reports. Stock futures fell overnight after the news came out but quickly jumped off their lows. "I'm not sure investors are going to care," said Bruce McCain, chief investment strategist at Key Private Bank. "A lot of the conversation this morning is surrounding the fact that what they need to impeach is not there." "There is going to be a controversy, some uncertainty ... but a present it is a nonevent" compared to the other issues the market is dealing with. Also helping to boost sentiment was a Politico report that said a "handshake" deal between the U.S. and Mexico on NAFTA could be announced on Thursday. The report, which cites three sources close to the talks, said that time has been cleared on the White House schedule for the announcement. The report comes as a nine-member delegation from Beijing is set to start talks with U.S. officials in Washington today, with the hope of finding ways to relieve friction between the two nations. The meeting comes as fresh tariffs from the U.S. on $16 billion of Chinese goods are due to come into effect this week, with Beijing having imposed the same amount in retaliatory levies on the States. "The political disruptions being caused by Trump are creating a lot of noise in the market," said Janet Johnston, a portfolio manager at TrimTabs Asset Management. "But the underlying fundamentals remain strong." The Federal Reserve released the minutes from its meeting earlier this month. The minutes showed central bank officials are concerned that the ongoing trade war is the biggest threat to an otherwise "strong" economy. "It's a tricky situation for the Fed," said Anwiti Bahuguna, senior portfolio manager at Columbia Threadneedle Investments. "The trade war is a known issue for the market" but "the Fed knows it can only react to it; they can't do much about it because it's not their policy realm." Retail earnings continue to roll in , with Target (TGT) and Lowe's (LOW) out this morning. Target beat expectations on profit, revenue and same-store sales, and issued rosy forward guidance. The stock surged. (CNBC) Meanwhile, Lowe's shares were under pressure after the home improvement chain cut full-year guidance and missed on quarterly same-store sales. Earnings and revenue at Lowe's did exceed forecasts. (CNBC) Facebook (FB) removed pages and content originating in Iran and Russia for "coordinated inauthentic behavior," the social network's latest effort to clean up the site in the aftermath of the 2016 election. (CNBC) * Twitter and Alphabet also remove accounts tied to an alleged Iranian propaganda (Reuters) A federal grand jury indicted Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-California, and his wife for allegedly misusing campaign funds and filing false campaign records. Hunter was one of the first in Congress to endorse Trump in the 2016 election. (CNBC) President Trump's top economic advisor, Larry Kudlow, hosted the publisher of a white nationalist publication at his birthday party last weekend. Kudlow, a former CNBC contributor, said he didn't know Peter Brimelow's views. (CNBC) Hurricane Lane intensified to a Category 5 last night, threatening to become the first hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii in nearly three decades. Hurricane Hector skirted the Hawaiian Islands earlier this month. (USA Today) American Airlines (AAL) is cutting some of its international flights, including some money-losing service to China, as the world's largest airline faces a profit-crimping surge in fuel prices. (CNBC) United Airlines (UAL) is developing seats that recline into flat beds for some of its recently-ordered Boeing 737s. It would become the first carrier in the U.S. to offer lie-flat seats on this type of plane. (CNBC) Walmart (WMT) has ratcheted up its battle with Amazon, planting a stake on Amazon's turf by selling e-books for the first time, starting today, in partnership with Japan's top e-commerce company. (USA Today) [The stream is slated to start at 2:15 p.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is set to face reporters for the first time since President Donald Trump's former lawyer pleaded guilty to a number of crimes and his ex-campaign chairman was found guilty on eight counts in a tax fraud trial. Paul Manafort, who led Trump's campaign for several months in 2016, on Tuesday was found guilty on eight counts,including bank fraud and failing to file foreign bank account reports. His trial was the first to come from charges lodged by special counsel Robert Mueller as part of his investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The Alexandria, Virginia trial and Manafort's second trial coming up in September are not directly related to the Russia probe. At nearly the same time on Tuesday, Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen agreed to a plea deal with federal prosecutors in Manhattan. He admitted guilt on eight counts, including tax fraud and campaign finance violations related to payments he made to women before the election. Without using his name, Cohen said "a candidate" for federal office directed him to make illicit payments to two women meant to influence the 2016 elections. In a tweet Wednesday morning, Trump complained that Cohen's campaign finance crimes were not being treated fairly compared to Barack Obama's. Trump tweet Obama Nikki Fried, a Democrat running for agriculture commissioner in Florida, has made no secret of her support for medical marijuana. Further expansion of the state's program is the highest priority on her campaign website. Before entering the race, she ran a lobbying firm, Igniting Florida, and described herself as "one of most visible faces and key activists in Florida's burgeoning medical cannabis industry." Even so, employees at Wells Fargo, where her campaign held an account, had questions about her platform. More from The New York Times: Banks say no to marijuana money, legal or not As marijuana sales grow, start-ups step in for wary banks Where pot entrepreneurs go when the banks just say no The bank, which says it has a policy against serving marijuana-related businesses, had noticed that Ms. Fried was "advocating for expanded patient access to medical marijuana." It asked the campaign in July whether it would be receiving money from "lobbyists from the medical marijuana industry in any capacity." The campaign replied that, yes, Ms. Fried would be receiving donations from lobbyists as well as "executives, employees and corporations in the medical marijuana industry." Last week, the campaign said it had received written notice that Wells Fargo was closing its account. On Monday, Ms. Fried urged her supporters to consider pulling their money from the bank. "This is absolutely unprecedented," she said in a telephone interview. "I've been in this campaign since the beginning of June. Everybody in Florida knows that I'm one of the main proponents of the expansion of medical marijuana." Wells Fargo isn't the first bank to close a customer's account over money that could be related to the sale of marijuana, which is legal in some form in states including Florida but still prohibited by federal law. That conflict has had banks large and small walking a line for more than a decade, since the first states began changing their cannabis laws. Marijuana growers have struggled to open and maintain bank accounts, and dispensaries have relied on cash to do business instead of credit cards. Businesses like construction companies and electricians that provide services to the growers and distributors have also had problems. The biggest banks are traditionally the most cautious. But Wells Fargo's scrutiny of Ms. Fried's political beliefs set its decision apart. "If a bank is going to start drawing a line based on a candidate's particular advocacy, where does a bank draw that line?" asked Christian Bax, who until Aug. 10 was Florida's medical marijuana director. "Is it going to extend to every candidate in Florida who advocates for medical marijuana?" A Wells Fargo spokeswoman declined to discuss Ms. Fried's case specifically, but said the bank has a policy of avoiding the marijuana industry. "It is Wells Fargo's policy not to knowingly bank or provide services to marijuana businesses or for activities related to those businesses, based on federal laws under which the sale and use of marijuana is illegal even if state laws differ," the spokeswoman, Bridget Braxton, said in a statement. "We continually review our banking relationships to ensure we adhere to strict regulatory and risk guidelines." Erik Gordon, assistant professor at University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, said that while it was highly unlikely that Ms. Fried could successfully claim Wells Fargo had impeded her right to free speech, the bank's move seemed to him "like semi-paranoid overkill." "They're seeing the word 'marijuana' they're seeing a word that could indicate danger and are assuming that the danger exists without thinking carefully about what's going on," he said. Banks have gotten mixed signals about marijuana from the federal government. In 2013, the Justice Department announced that it would not commit resources to prosecuting legitimate marijuana businesses and would instead focus on things like breaking up drug-trafficking rings and preventing the sale of marijuana to children. But the Trump administration rescinded that guidance in January, saying prosecutors should use their discretion to prosecute marijuana-related cases just as they would for any other category of offenses. Banks generally take their cue from the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which, in 2014, offered a checklist of things to watch for when providing banking services to legal marijuana businesses, with an eye toward ensuring that banks don't end up accidentally providing services to criminals. Wells Fargo's regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, said it did not encourage or discourage banks from providing services to specific industries. "We expect banks to assess the risks posed by individual customers on a case-by-case basis and to implement appropriate controls to manage their relationships," said Bryan Hubbard, a spokesman for the agency. Florida began in 2015 to put together a framework for giving patients, including people with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, access to medical marijuana. More than a dozen businesses are licensed to provide medical marijuana in the state, and around 120,000 people have cards that give them access to the drug. But some advocates, including Ms. Fried, say the state isn't moving fast enough to expand access, and four Democratic candidates for governor have advocated decriminalization or legalization of recreational marijuana in some form. Democrats and Republicans alike are getting the support of the marijuana industry. For example, one Florida marijuana grower, Surterra Holdings, gave $25,000 to the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign this year. Surterra also donated to four current Republican state representatives. Bank lobbyists say it's up to Congress to offer guidance. "This is symptomatic of the confusion created by conflicts between state and federal law on marijuana-related issues, and banks have no clear rules of the road," said Jeff Sigmund, a spokesman for the American Bankers Association. But in closing a campaign account, Wells stands alone. Representatives for Bank of America, Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase said their banks did not have policies that would prevent them from offering services to a candidate like Ms. Fried. Neither, it seems, does BB&T, which now maintains Ms. Fried's campaign account. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump was not discussing a potential pardon for his ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort, a day after Manafort was found guilty on eight criminal charges by a federal jury in Virginia. "Once again, that is not something that has been up for discussion," Sanders said. Earlier on Wednesday, Trump praised his former political aide. "I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter. He compared Manafort favorably to Michael Cohen, the president's former personal attorney. Trump accused Cohen of lying to prosecutors in order to get a deal. Cohen pleaded guilty to a range of financial crimes on Tuesday, including facilitating unlawful payments, at Trump's direction, to two women who have said they had sex with the president before he was elected. Trump and his attorneys have denied wrongdoing. Trump tweet In a Wednesday tweet, Trump said that Manafort, who was convicted on a range of counts related to financial fraud, refused to "break." Manafort was prosecuted by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the investigation into links between Trump's associates and Russia. One of Trump's attorneys had raised the possibility of pardoning Manafort last year before the globetrotting former political consultant was indicted, The New York Times reported in March. The attorney who raised the possibility with Manafort's team, John Dowd, has since left Trump's legal team. Dowd has denied raising the possibility of pardons. Does the Church today need mission agencies, like CMS, USPG and Mothers Union (to name but three amongst many)? Isnt the amazing growth of the Church in the global south both eloquent testimony to the success of mission agencies - and evidence that theyre not needed anymore? Recently I joined the Navigators of Faith for one leg of their sea voyage around Britain. The aim is to follow in the wake of the Celtic saints who did so much to spread the Christian faith around the British Isles and beyond. These saints tended to be monks who were sent out on mission from their communities to take the gospel wherever the wind (and the wind of the Spirit) took them. Inevitably it was not a wholly organised enterprise, but dependent on much that was outside their control, the wind and the tides not least. That came home to me forcefully as I sat in the cockpit of the Rival Star, some 17 miles off the North Yorkshire coast, when a bee alighted on my yellow jacket. I was rather surprised to see him so far from home. 'Tough luck, chum,' I thought to myself, 'you're not going to last long out here.' But he seemed quite unconcerned with what I took to be his fate. In fact as he sunned himself on my jacket he took time and trouble to preen and clean himself, busily putting two of his six legs to good use. And a few seconds later off he flew, I know not where. But he was not, I suspect (and as I had thought) lost. Others were busy too, that sunny, still afternoon. Gannets flew purposefully and beautifully overhead. A seal snorted, startlingly, behind me, studied me and went on his way. Puffins whirred past. And a lone minke whale arched its back, several times as it surfaced for fresh lungfuls of precious air. 'Not all those who wander are lost' says Gandalf in Tolkeins 'Lord of the Rings', and our afternoon companions didn't seem lost either. The Celtic monks in whose wake we sailed 'wandered for the love of God'. And they were not lost either. They may not always have known where they went. But they always knew why they went: to make the good news of Jesus Christ known. We in the West live in a society which can be very focused on direction, but have little clue as to purpose. How much better to be confident in purpose even if the direction isn't always clear like my friend the bee, and, indeed, those ancient Celtic monks. And theres a lesson in that for the Church of today. We still need to be ready to be taken where the wind of the Spirit leads us, always ready to surrender our sense of direction to the greater purposes of our God. At our best the mission agencies have done just that, being ready to be led onwards and outwards by the Spirit, in a way that is often harder for the Church in its more institutional and settled form. The Western world of today is not so far removed from that of the 6th and 7h Centuries. Indeed post-Christian Europe is in a very similar situation. We need today what my predecessor, Max Warren, called, The Spirit of Iona, and it may be that pioneering spirit is best expressed through the mission agencies. Indeed for Warren, The Missionary Societies of the Church are the true safeguard and citadel of the spirit of Iona.[1] In that theres a challenge to us in those agencies; a challenge to ensure that we keep the flame of that spirit burning bright. But theres also a reminder to the church in its more settled form: to learn afresh how to wander for the love of God, with a clear sense of purpose, even as we wait for the wind of the Spirit to make our direction plain. And we in the mission agencies may be best placed to help the wider Church do just that. Canon Philip Mounstephen is Executive Leader of Church Mission Society Panera Breads grilled cheese sandwiches dont come with peanut butter, but as a precaution, Elissa Russo says she advised a Massachusetts store that her daughter has a severe peanut allergy -- twice. She was ordering the meal online and had left warnings about her daughters allergy throughout the comments sections in the delivery portal. After the food arrived, Russos six-year-old took one bite into her grilled cheese and said it tasted funny. Her parents opened the sandwich and saw about two tablespoons of peanut butter inside. The girl was hospitalized and suffered post-traumatic stress from her near-death experience, her family said in 2016. Now, the lawsuit that the Russos originally filed two years ago is set to head to a jury after a Massachusetts judge on Thursday rejected Panera Breads arguments that it should not be responsible for what happens at its franchise locations. A jury could find that a national chain was negligent based on how a franchise served a child with a food allergy, the family's attorney told the Boston Globe on Friday. Confused by order The girl's father John Russo had said that the franchise manager initially blamed a confused worker with a language barrier for the mix-up, but Russo was unconvinced, noting that the word for allergy in both Spanish and Portuguese is the markedly similar alergia. However, at a deposition last year, the worker who was reportedly responsible for making the sandwich said, through a Spanish translator, that she was really confused by the online order. She admitted to putting peanut butter in the sandwich but portrayed it as a genuine mistake. The Russo family is suing both the Panera Bread corporate chain and the owner of the franchise, PR Franchise Group, for negligence, assault and battery, and intentional or reckless infliction of emotional distress. This ought to be a warning bell to restaurants that it could be considered civil assault and battery to serve an allergen to someone who has a severe allergy, the familys attorney added to the Globe. Fatal allergic reactions Lawsuits accusing restaurants of poisoning patrons with food allergies typically dont get very far if the judge presiding over the case buys the food industry's arguments that restaurant patrons are responsible for their own health. But in several lawsuits in recent years, people suing restaurants have successfully convinced juries that they or their loved ones had taken extra steps to warn restaurant workers about their allergies, only to get burned anyway. In Canada, a hunter said he was assured by his waitress that the cheesecake he wanted did not contain any nuts. His resulting allergic reaction cost the waitress and the local Travelodge $25,000 after a jury determined that the waitress hadnt bothered to check an ingredients list in the kitchen indicating that the cheesecake contained walnuts. And in the United Kingdom, a 38-year-old bar manager was found dead in his home, near a food container that had no peanuts written on it. The restaurant he ordered take-out from had switched from using almond powder to a cheaper, peanut-based nut mix in its Tikka Masala and did not tell consumers. Restaurant owner Mohammed Zaman was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to six years in prison in 2016 for the patrons death. Research has shown that food allergies are on the rise in children. Anecdotally, some parents of children with severe allergies have described facing snarky comments or worse from people who apparently dont believe that their childrens allergies are real. One study in the journal Pediatrics found that bullying is common in food-allergic children. 80% Website amaiascapeslucena.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 326 bytes (0.32 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-04-17, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. Posted on: August 22, 2018 1:13 PM A bishop in South Sudan has written an open letter to church and government leaders, calling for an end to bribery and violence. In the letter, Bishop of the Diocese of Malek, Peter Jon Mayom, condemns corruption and calls for all Christians, particularly leaders, to set examples of holiness. Bishop Peter encourages the Church to take the current ceasefire in South Sudan as opportunity turn away from former patterns of behaviour. It is time to tell the leaders, whether in the Church or in the government, that the Lord God has given us a chance for peace and reconciliation, he writes. It is a chance to change and put things right. It is not time to loot and kill innocent people anymore. It is time to deliver service to our citizens. He believes that South Sudan as a whole needs to change its ways, and is convinced that the Church must set an example for the government. We need a change of heart and mind, to turn to God and it is the Churchs job to do that. In his experience, leadership in South Sudan is an opportunity to take advantage of public resources. Bishop Peter reminds readers of the Biblical reaction to corruption, such as bribes. He goes on to meditate on the impact of extortion on a society. In his mind, the erosion of moral values, loss of public trust, the undermining of democracy and oppression are direct consequences of this kind of behaviour. In Matthew 5:13, the Bible says You are like the salt for all mankind. But if the salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to made it salty again. It becomes worthless, to it is thrown out and people trample on it. Bishop Peter explains. As salt, we should learn the principles for facing a corrupt system or people. Bishop Peter composed the letter after his experience representing the Episcopal Church of South Sudan at the South Sudan Council of Churches. Reflecting on his own experience facing corruption, Bishop Peter admitted to feeling powerless at times. I ended up fighting a war I couldnt win and I felt discouraged. At the same time, Bishop Peter recognises that his message wont be easy for some to hear. He does hope that it encourages others. Most of the people who do not benefit from corruptionwhether in the government or in the Churchwill be happy with it, he said. Those who do benefit will not be happy with me. Particularly those I have confronted directly. He hopes that in time this letter will cause a change of heart on all levels of society, including the government. I know that I am whistle blower. Let anyone who has the spiritual capacity amongst the South Sudanese listen to it and act decisively. CORNWALL, Ontario Jesse Whitford, 21, of Cornwall was arrested on Aug. 16, 2018 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged the man breached his probation conditions and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On Aug. 16, 2018, the man attended police headquarters to deal with the matter. He was taken into custody on the strength of the warrant and released to appear in court on Sept. 18, 2018. BREACH CORNWALL, Ontario Gobinath Sivanathan, 27, of Cornwall was arrested on Aug. 16, 2018 and charged with breach of recognizance for being outside his residence after consuming alcohol. It is alleged on Aug. 16, 2018, police located the intoxicated man in breach of his conditions. During the investigation the man was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. CALLS FOR SERVICE There were 57 calls for service in the City of Cornwall in the last 24 hours (8 a.m. the previous day to 8 a.m. the day of the release). To see whats happening in your neighbourhood visit our Crime Plot Map. CCPS reserves the right not to post all calls for service in order to protect the identity of the victims. CORNWALL, Ontario A former Cornwall resident and founder of Cow Patti, a professional comedy dinner theatre, has landed a role in a Hollywood movie. East Texas Oil is an uplifting comedy, said AnneMarie Lea. It is based on an absolutely true story about the greatest oil strike in history! The movie, she said, is definitely family entertainment. It will make us laugh and inspire our better natures. East Oil Texas, filmed near Calgary, Alberta, is set in 1931. It revolves around a pair of super-slippery men who hit a small Texas town looking to con lonely widows of their money. Lea plays the role of Therma Lou Jones, a widow. This movie is directed by Kevin Sorbo, the actor who played TVs Hercules before becoming a film maker. East Oil Texas is set for release next year. The film leads are Sorbo, John Ratzenberger and Sam Sorbo. The crew was all Canadian and I have to say it was one of the most integral, kind and giving sets I have ever been on, said Lee. I refer to everyone from the costume gals to the lovely Rachel who did my hair, to drivers, the Hollywood producers. Sorbo is best known for his time playing titular hero in the series Hercules. Lea said everyone gave 110 per cent of themselves to this project. I think that was because everyone was valued and felt genuine appreciation for all contributions of talent and skill. The film is set in the small town of Cornville, Texas. When con men arrive in the town, the unthinkable happens. The men actually strike oil, thats just the first of the miracles that start popping forth from the dead soil. The movie was filmed in a huge, family owned ranch, which has been featured in many western films over the years. Lea, her husband Tom and their children once lived in Alberta. They left Calgary, where Cow Patti was inaugurated in 1997. At one time Cow Patti performed theatre at the Ramada Inn in Cornwall. Cow Patti is now celebrating 22 years in production. Lea and her family returned to Alberta 2010 however, Lee still travels to Morrisburg, to perform at the Upper Canada Theatre. The safety of a child should never be compromised for the convenience of the caregiver, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Many parents allow their children to stop using booster seats before it is time. The most common excuse reported to Safe Journey of the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office is because their children dont want to ride in a booster seat and the parents dont want to argue the point with their children. It is the responsibility of the parent and of the vehicle driver to insure the safety of minor passengers when traveling, said officials. It is the law, too. In Tennessee, children are to ride in a properly used car seat or booster seat until the child reaches the age of nine years and the height of 49. Both of these milestones must be met before the child moves into the vehicles lap and shoulder belt system. Also, when traveling to other states, it is the responsibility of the parent and the driver to observe the car seat and booster seat laws in the state currently driving in. Just as you must obey the speed limit in other states, you must obey the child passenger safety laws, said officials. The right car seat or booster seat can save a childs life. The right car seat or booster is the one that fits a child according to the manufacturers recommendations for age, height and weight. According to Tennessee law, the car seat or booster seat must be used properly, so installation is critical. Begin by checking the vehicle owners manual to confirm recommended seating positions. Next, check the booster seats recommendations for installation and use. Finally, have the installation and fit checked by a certified child passenger safety technician. Dont move a child to the vehicle seat belt system too soon. Many children who are nine years old and over 49 tall do not properly fit the vehicles belt system. Understanding what Islam isand is notis a matter of eternal consequence. One of the greatest dangers Christians face is being unable to distinguish truth from fiction. Unfortunately, many self-identifying Christians, either naive, misinformed, or deceived, make false claims about Islam, and believe they are true. But, one cannot know what is true without knowing what is false. Discerning the difference requires wisdom and courage. Here are five key points about Islam, which are also explained in my new book, What Every Christian Needs to Know About Islam , for Christians to consider to better understand an ideology that is often misrepresented by the mediaand the church. 1. Theres a difference between being a Muslim and an Islamist. In the same way that secular (nominal) Christians do not represent Christianity, it is important to understand that the same is true of Islam. A Muslim by birth, geography, culture or nationality is not the same as an Islamist who follows the teachings of the Quran and embraces Sharia law (which are regulations outlined in the Quran, and Islamic jurisprudence). The first is a secular or cultural Muslim; the second is not. Islam means submission to Allah and to the law of the Quran. It is a political ideology that is totalitarian in nature and encompasses all areas of life. Islam is not a race or ethnicity. Any person, regardless of ethnicity or nationality, can follow it. 2. The vast majority of Muslims are not Arabs. Arabs only account for roughly 20 percent of Muslims worldwide. In fact, by population, Indonesia has more Muslims than the entire Middle East combined. Image courtesy: Pew Research Center 3. All Muslims do not adhere to a single belief system. No one can categorically state what all Muslims believe (other than pointing to the Five Pillars of Islam). For example, a Muslim acquaintance of mine is similar to many Muslims in America. She was unaware of much of what I explained to her from the Quran because she has not read it. She is a naturalized citizen who immigrated to America over twenty years ago from Senegal with her Roman Catholic Senegalese husband. They are both spiritual, not religious. To her, being a Muslim is based on performing good works, meditating, fasting, and praying. But according to the Quran, no true female follower of Islam can marry a non-Muslim man unless she is doing so under the auspices of taqiyya, which is Quran-sanctioned deceit. If not, and her husband refuses to become a Muslim, he would be killed under Sharia law. She might be spared, although still severely punished. If she chose to leave Islam, she and her entire family would be killed. Because she is living in America this is less likely to happen. 4. Islam is not a peaceful religion according to its doctrine. Secular Muslims and especially formerly devout Islamists, cannot freely leave Islam, or deny the Qur'an or Islam, without fear of being killed. The Quran instructs that they be killed. After a series of caliphs ruled over Muslims, the ulema (Islamic scholars) sought to define the Muslim existence within their immediate geopolitical context. In doing so, they divided all of humanity into two categories: Dar al-Harb and Dar el-Salam. Dar al-Harb means, House of War, which includes everyone who rejects Islam, the Quran, Allah, and Muhammad; in essence all non-Muslims. Dar el-Salam means, House of Peace, which includes everyone who submits (Islm) and is ruled by Sharia law in every area of his or her lives. Although the terms used to describe this two-fold existence are not mentioned specifically in the Quran, they are taught in all Islamic schools of thought. The Sunni Hanafi School of Islamic Jurisprudence teaches that rulers of Muslim lands bordering enemy territory, Dar al-Harb, (all non-Muslim lands), are obligated to wage jihad against their neighbors. Contrary to the English and western meaning of peace, the Islamic definition exists only within the two-fold mindset of humanitys condition: those who are at peace (under Islamic rule) and those who are not. In theory, Islamic peace exists under Sharia law. But in reality, those already living in Dar el-Salam do not experience the western view of peace. Peace does not exist for most women and children who are subjugated to extreme cruelty and abuse. The majority of Muslim women and girls, including those in America, are in arranged marriages, subjugated to FGM, and are primary victims of honor killings. (Human rights abuses under Islam are surveyed in book 3 of the series.) And, even under Dar el-Salam, as was the case during and after Muhammads life, Islamists have never stopped fighting each other. War and violence coexists with Dar el-Salam. 5. Most Muslims are illiterate and have never read the Qur'an. Muslims are not to be considered enemies to kill but as an unreached people group in need of the gospel. Based on research cited in my book, 40 percent of the population of Muslim states falls below the poverty level. Fifty-seven Islamic countries are the worlds poorest and most illiterate. Sixty percent of Muslims worldwide are illiterate; fifty percent of Arab women cannot read. Efforts to teach Muslims to read and provide a Bible in their language, have resulted in many coming to Christ, living a life of freedom and true peace. Christians can support ministries like Open Doors, Voice of Martyrs, or Samaritans Purse that are reaching Muslims worldwide, providing humanitarian aid and Bibles in their languages. But there is also an immediate need and opportunity in our own backyards. Because of failed immigration policies, more Muslims are in America than ever beforepresenting an incredible opportunity for Christians to share the gospel. The last chapter of the book shares testimonies from former Muslims, who after they came to America and met Christians, accepted Christ. Ones mother had sent him to a jihad training camp as a child. Another trained for the terrorist organization Hezbollah. Yet they were not beyond Gods reach. Because of the U.S. Constitution, Muslims have the freedom to leave Islam without fear of being killed. As Christians, we have the responsibility and opportunity to point to the origin of freedom: Jesus Christ. Bethany Blankley previously worked in the press offices of four U.S. Senators, one U.S. Congressman, a New York governor, and several non-profits. She earned her MTh from New College at The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and her BA with honors in Political Science from the University of Maryland. She is a past fellow of the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal and LAbri Fellowship. She is the First Place Winner of the 2017 Xulon Press Christian Writers Award. Follow her: BethanyBlankley.com, @BethanyBlankley, and https://www.facebook.com/BlankleyBethany/. Her book is available for purchase at Xulon Press and Amazon . Book cover image: BethanyBlankley Article photo courtesy: Pixabay/Afshad P&O Australia announced today it had sold the Pacific Jewel; a buyer was not named and the 70,285-ton ship will leave the fleet in early 2019. "A jewel by name and nature," said President Sture Myrmell. "Pacific Jewel leaves us in March next year but please rest assured we will be contacting guests with bookings on Jewel after this time offering cruises that best match their needs." It is the second vessel the company has sold in recent months, as the Pacific Eden was also sold earlier this year and will head to Cruise & Maritime Voyages in 2019. It continues the trend of a hot secondhand cruise market. At the same time, P&O announced that it would receive the Star Princess from Princess Cruises in late 2021. The company will also takeover the Golden Princess in 2020. The Pacific Jewel entered service in 1990 as the Crown Princess after being built by Fincantieri. It also served as the A'Rosa Blu, AIDAblu and Ocean Village Two before moving to P&O Australia as the Pacific Jewel in 2009. Contributed Photo / EnCon Police / Contributed Photo MERIDEN Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police are hoping someone with information about what happened to a red-tailed hawk will come forward. On Tuesday, an injured juvenile red-tailed hawk was found at a home near the exit 4 ramp on Interstate 691 and West Main Street in Meriden. Federal health officials said there is not a measles outbreak sweeping the nation, despite what was reported in some news outlets. But one local health expert said there are still more cases of the vaccine-preventable disease than there should be. On Aug. 14, media reports began circulating of an outbreak that involved 107 measles cases and included 21 states, Connecticut among them. But the story was inaccurate, claimed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a letter sent to state health departments last week. The CDC said some news organizations had misinterpreted data on its website stating that there had been 107 individual measles cases between Jan. 1 and July 14 of this year. There is not one unified measles outbreak occurring in the United States, the CDC reported in its letter. Though some media organizations reporting the story did specify that the 100-plus cases was a seven-month total, they still referred to it as an outbreak, which it isnt at least not according to the CDC, which classifies a measles outbreak as three or more cases in the same region in a month. The agency states that there have been eight such outbreaks this year. Semantics aside, this does still seem likely to be a robust year for the illness, although not alarmingly so, said Dr. Goran Miljkovic, infectious disease physician at Bridgeport Hospital. In 2017, there was a total of 118 measles cases for the whole year and, in 2016, there were 86. There are still (several) months left in the year, Miljkovic said. It does seem like well have more cases than last year. But I dont think its necessarily outside of the pattern that weve seen over the past few years. I dont see any particular issue that would make this a worse season than normal. In Connecticut, there have been three measles cases so far this year, although, there are no active measles cases in Connecticut right now, said state Department of Public Health spokesperson Maura Downes, in an email. The last measles case in the state was reported in early May, in an adult in Hartford County. Though the states cases were reported within a couple of weeks of each other, Downes said they didnt constitute an outbreak, either. They were completely separate cases, she said in an email. Two were children in the same household and the other was completely unrelated. State records show that there were no reported measles cases in 2017, only one in 2016 and zero in 2015. There were, however, five measles cases in 2015. Miljkovic said that technically, any case number of measles is too high, given that there is a vaccine available for the illness. The idea would be to totally eradicate it, he said. There has been controversy about the measles vaccine, with some parents concerned that it could be linked to autism. However, the 1998 study showing that link has long since been discredited, as the author, Andrew Wakefield, was found to have accepted money from a lawyer looking to sue vaccine manufacturers. Subsequent research hasnt shown a link between the vaccine and autism. Update: According to the state's attorney, the case against Wunda Pangu was dismissed. MILFORD Two city residents were recently arrested in two separate incidents where they each allegedly threatened to kill a woman, police said Tuesday. Wunda Pangu, 23, of Midwood Road, was charged with second-degree threatening. And 44-year-old Huseyin Unal, of East Broadway, faces that same charge. Police said that on Monday, officers were first dispatched to a home on Marino Drive around 1:50 p.m. on a report of a possible domestic violence incident that had happened earlier that day. An investigation led officers to arrest Pangu, who is accused of threatening to kill a woman during a verbal arguement. Later that day, around 5:30 p.m., police got a complaint that a man left a threatening voicemail on the complainants phone. Through an investigation, police were able to arrest Unal, who is accused of threatening to kill a woman in the voicemail. Police said Pangu was released on a promise to appear and was scheduled to be in court on Tuesday. Unal was held on a $25,000 bond, police said. He was also expected in court on Tuesday. There were no updated court records available for either man later Tuesday night. Though the two incidents have similarities, Milford Police Officer Mike DeVito said they are different cases entirely. BRIDGEPORT Andrew Evins cant wait to get back to South Carolina to face murder charges. Cant local police take me? he asked Superior Court Judge Tracy Lee Dayton on Wednesday afternoon after she told him he would be held until South Carolina law enforcement can get here. Evins, 23, is accused of fatally shooting 23-year-old Jervaughn McKins in the stomach on Aug. 12 in his native Eutawville, S.C. Police said Evins shot McKins following a dispute. He then fled the state. The U.S. Marshals in South Carolina were asked to assist the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Department in locating Evins. Police said they developed information that Evins, who has no family in this area, had fled to Connecticut. Evins was arrested Tuesday morning by the U.S. Marshal Violent Fugitive Task Force at the Rodeway Inn in Stratford without incident. Evins has two active state warrants charging him with murder and possession of a weapon. During a court hearing on Tuesday he waived extradition back to South Carolina. SHELTON Two controversial proposals that had hundreds of residents demanding rejections were unanimously shot down Tuesday night by the Planning and Zoning Commission to the cheers of nearly 125 residents. The first involved plans by John Guedes of Primrose Development LLC in Bridgeport to build 20 single-family homes on what would amount to about 5 acres of land behind the Huntington Congregational Church. I cant think of a single reason to grant this, Elaine Matto, told her fellow commissioners moments before the vote. She urged the audience to take their energy and efforts to the alderman and mayor and convince them to purchase the land for a civic purpose. Meanwhile the church, through pastor Lucille Fritz, wrote a letter to the Commission, outlining their reasons for selling the property. With an aging congregation and buildings, we are faced with economic challenges, she wrote. To keep our ministry to our community and world continuing, we decided to sell the property. She warned that if at some point in the future we close our doors and sell the whole church campus, the face of the Huntington Green may be forever changed. Ludwig Spinelli, a Shelton resident and chief executive officer of Opitmus Health Care, took the opposite view and urged the commission to not only deny this project but rid the city of the planned development district zone which allows such proposals. It turns my stomach, said Spinelli, a former commission alternate. Change the zoning regulations and get rid of the PDD district. The second rejection involved Developer John Pauls plans to build 17 houses on half-acre lots upon 23 acres of forest land off Booth Hill and Waverly Roads. The area is zoned for a house per acre. But Pauls proposal was the first attempt by a developer to use the new Design Residential District which took effect last fall. It allows for cluster housing on smaller lots if 30 percent of the entire property is designated for open space. But several residents including John Papa said much of this open space has little practical use. George Logan, an Ansonia state senator in his position as Aquarion Water Companys director of environmental management, wrote the commission citing concerns of a large development so close to a reservoir. But all is not lost for Paul, a Trumbull developer. He previously received approval to build six houses on 6 acres on the site. In one of 24 letters sent to the commission, Caroline Kleczkowski wonder if city hall is trying to turn Shelton into Milford or Bridgeport by approving cluster housing. Over development is how the protected wetlands have become strip malls full of corporate companies further driving small businesses out of Shelton and Connecticut, she wrote. New neighborhoods have popped up (built by slap em together builders with houses that have a number of years guarantee, that is until the LLC is dissolved and the new homeowner is chasing a contracting company that does not exist... Editors Note: In this series, The Way We Work, Entrepreneur Associate Editor Lydia Belanger examines how people foster productivity, focus, collaboration, creativity and culture in the workplace. Whether youre an independent contractor, freelancer or even a small-business owner, you shouldnt expect to face entrepreneurship and all of its responsibilities alone. You probably have a support group of some kind, whether its a network of friends or an official professional group. One of the more complicated aspects free agents have to figure out is health insurance. But now, one long-contended, less lonely option is gaining traction on the federal level: association health plans (AHP). In short, AHPs are groups of self-employed individuals that band together by geography or industry to obtain healthcare coverage as if they were a single large employer, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). In June, the DOL passed a rule expanding access to AHPs, following the signing of President Donald Trump's executive order, Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States in October 2017, which outlined plans for the expansion. By April 1, 2019, the government will allow new associations to form for this purpose, as well as for associations that are already out there to establish themselves as AHPs if they have not already done so. Related: Why This Entrepreneur Thinks Uber Drivers Should Be His Employees AHPs are a decades-old concept, and many already exist. However, whats new this year is that geographic barriers are no longer a factor for people in the same industry who are interested in forming an AHP together, which is meant to drastically expand access. Also, sole proprietors will now be able to join them, along with small businesses, and obtain coverage for themselves and their families. For example, freelance writers across the country could join forces and form their own association. The caveat is, a group of self-employed folks cant just form an AHP for health insurance and no other reason, explains David Feinberg, VP of operations and risk at HR platform Justworks. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 4 million Americans will join an AHP by 2023, but additional context may make that projection seem a bit ambitious. The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), a long proponent of AHPs, has even cooled on the idea after years of advocacy, given the ways the new rules are structured. That said, associations are soon going to be within reach for many entrepreneurs that may never otherwise have considered them to fulfill their needs, health insurance and beyond. Entrepreneur spoke with Feinberg and two other experts (on the gig economy and healthcare plan management, respectively) to find out more about whats at stake with AHPs. 1. States tend to regulate one type of AHP more loosely than the other. This article wont go too far into the weeds on the differences between the two types of AHPs -- self-funded and fully-insured. Itll focus less on how theyre funded, per se, and more on what factors might limit each type. Self-funded AHPs are regulated primarily at the federal level, meaning states will be less likely to limit what is covered under them, and interested groups of entrepreneurs cant establish them until Jan. 1, 2019. Fully-insured AHPs, on the other hand, are allowed beginning next week (Sept. 1). Plans need to be self-funded, in my opinion, to offer the greatest flexibility in terms of whats covered," Feinberg says. He adds the caveat that there are certain states that have laws on the books specific to AHPs and self-funding. Given the fact that the biggest change within the DOLs recent rule is that AHPs can form across state lines, this might mean that a self-funded association decides to form in a more lenient state, then offer its plan to people broadly. (Think of it along the lines of how many LLCs set up in Delaware.) But that doesnt mean that other states wont perceive these approach as a loophole and fight it. 2. States are already suing the Department of Labor. Last month, 12 states filed a lawsuit against the DOL on the grounds that it exempts a significant portion of the health insurance market from the Affordable Care Acts consumer protections, or eschews Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance with coverage of what are called essential health benefits . As Freelancers Union blog contributor Carol Poster contends in a June 21, 2018 post, the proposed changes to AHP regulations were explicitly intended to undermine the ACA insurance marketplaces and cause them to fail. When people band together across geography, they might self-select into a group of people that doesnt have common health insurance coverage needs, from maternity care to mental health care to opioid treatment programs. A larger-size association would likely mitigate this, but its still important for entrepreneurs to pay attention to. Entrepreneurs will have to make their choice between state-level marketplaces and AHPs after comparing pricing and coverage, keeping in mind the ability of each individual state to further regulate certain conditions or procedures AHPs can or cannot cover, explains Bryan Komornik, a director with business and tech consultancy West Monroe Partners and a member of the firms healthcare practice. I would suggest not necessarily getting caught up in whether its AHP or not AHP, Komornik says. Its about the right type of coverage for you. And if you dont know where to start or how to make sense of your options, identify and reach out to a broker or someone who you trust who understands it to help you through the complexities and administrative challenges with getting enrolled, Komornik advises. As an entrepreneur, you cant just do it all by yourself. 3. Even without the states lawsuit, the new rules arent written into law. The states challenges are just one potential hurdle to the viability of AHPs. President Trumps executive order is just that: an executive order, not a law. You have to at least bear in mind that with a new administration, that executive order could be changed, Feinberg says. 4. Insurance companies and healthcare providers also have to get on board. Theres a storied history of AHPs, not all of which ended well both for carriers and employees, Feinberg says. Theyre looking to underwrite this properly. For example, AHPs cant create different rate structures or deny coverage based on health status or pre-existing conditions, but they can for part-time vs. full-time workers, or HVAC contractors in New York vs. computer programmers in New York. As far as these different rate structures go, Poster makes an important point on the Freelancers Union blog: AHPs can vary charges by industry, raising the specter of higher costs for industries that traditionally employ more women or ethnic minorities. Anyone selecting insurance also has to be aware that, if theyre already committed to a certain physician or specialist, that medical professional may not be covered under a new plan, Komornik notes. 5. Health insurance is only one thing AHPs offer With some of the looming obstacles to AHPs established, Feinberg says that entrepreneurs still have a lot to gain from them. Anything that offers competition in the marketplace and affords people the opportunity to get affordable health insurance relative to their needs is a good thing, Feinberg says. At the end of the day, I would rather see those who dont have access today, or dont have access to affordable coverage, get the coverage they need. After freelancers evaluate whether the coverage provided in an AHP corresponds with their needs, they should look at what else its founded on. Again, AHPs have to have a reason besides health insurance for forming. They might host an industry conference or receive group discounts on supplies or software purchases, Feinberg says. Moreover, the association can have existed before, for purposes unrelated to insurance, then pursue insurance and AHP status through the appropriate channels (the insurers and the government) on top of its previous initiatives. Related: Four Tips To Control Your Company's Health Insurance Premiums 6. and theres a practical reason for that. AHPs have to provide more than health insurance to their members for a reason. They have to be from common trade, for instance, to mitigate risk. By requiring that members have things in common, it allows the insurer to have a better idea of who the members are and what health needs they bring to the table. If a payer is uncertain as to the level of risk within a given pool of people, it will err on the side of charging a higher premium, Komornik explains. Thats also why he says franchise businesses seem to be prime candidates for AHPs. You already have a platform or a product which is the same, aside from potentially your location, and a workforce that also falls into that same type of trade, Komornik says. Individual sole contributors have to do a lot more legwork to educate themselves to make the right decision. 7. Lower-cost AHPs may destabilize the ACA plan market. One major concern about AHPs is that, because theyre not bound to ACA rules regarding coverage of essential health benefits, theyll sometimes be less expensive than ACA plans. Entrepreneurs who pursue AHPs to save money may find themselves faced with a hefty medical bill down the road if they require treatment that isnt covered by their AHP. Meanwhile, if people with fewer health issues are enticed by lower-cost AHPs with less comprehensive coverage, "the impact could be that ACA plans are left with Americans in poorer health and, as a result, monthly premiums will continue to rise," Ryan McCostlin of benefits brokerage and HR software company Bernard Health told the Society of Human Resource Management. On the other hand, some worry that people with more health issues will seek out AHPs because theyll need insurance, creating a higher-risk pool and therefore making the AHP more expensive. 8. Competition will be fierce. Just as AHPs will compete with ACA plans, theyll also compete with each other. If associations spun off and were making money for a health insurer, now you have a competitive market where another health insurer would be interested in it, Feinberg says. Conversely, if an AHP has attracted a pool of participants which has tremendous or uncertain health risk, an insurer may back away. The goal of building an association should be to strengthen the leverage by teaming up with others and make your market position better to lower those costs, Komornik says. Competition will also be a factor in terms of employee turnover. For small businesses participating in AHPs, if the AHP opts out of say, maternity care or mental health coverage, some employees may quit their jobs and try to find another employer with a benefits package that meets their needs. 9. The costs of getting set up may outweigh the savings. While inadequate coverage may present surprise costs despite the affordability of an AHP, so may the administrative costs of enrolling in one. Whether youre spending your own time doing research or working with a broker or another expert to determine which plan is right for you, the health insurance selection process will almost certainly cost time and money. This is not an issue specific to AHPs, of course, says Arun Sundararajan, professor of business at New York University and author of The Sharing Economy. Freelancers have not gotten to the point where theyre factoring in those additional costs when pricing their services, Sundararajan says. And independent workers wages often arent sufficient to cover them. One benefit of AHPs is that theyre a collective to turn to for answers, Sundararajan says. While there are a number of ways in which independent workers can potentially replicate the benefits that full-time workers have, the challenge is often bandwidth and the ability to have the right options placed in front of you, Sundararajan says. He points out that, just as full-time employees often chat amongst themselves about their plan options, AHP participants may be able to lean on one another for guidance. 10. They show promise for independent workers to form collectives to other ends. While AHPs already must provide value beyond insurance, such as conferences or shared resources, they also may pave the way for independent workers to mobilize and amplify their voices regarding aspects such as wages and income stabilization. If AHPs are starting to sound like unions, well, that might be a rabbit hole for another article, but there are obvious differences, such as the lack of an AFL-CIO equivalent to back up the associations. Still, Sundararajan says, people joining forces to fulfill an essential need such as health insurance could plan the seed to for the group to morph into something bigger. There are certain organizational inefficiencies that are associated with a lot of todays unions, which are in particular sort of wedded to this notion that work comes in full-time employment chunks that we call jobs, Sundararajan says. The basis for collective bargaining and strengthening worker voice in the future of freelance work is going to have to come from a new generation of collectives. Related: 10 Things to Know About Association Health Plans, a Potential Solution to Entrepreneurs' Healthcare Problem What Employees, Employers and Job Hunters Should Look for When It Comes to Workplace Harassment Policies What This Company Has Learned From Making It Mandatory for Employees to Take 4 Weeks of Vacation Per Year Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Britain's top diplomat praised President Donald Trump for increasingly strong sanctions against Russia and called on Europeans to match his efforts, whether in response to a nerve agent attack in England last spring, election interference or the annexation of Crimea. Russia's "aggressive and malign behavior undermines the international order that keeps us safe," Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Tuesday in a speech at the U.S. Institute of Peace. "Of course we must engage with Moscow, but we must also be blunt. Russia's foreign policy under President [Vladimir] Putin has made the world a more dangerous place." Trump has a "very different style of politics," including his prolific use of social media, and has engaged in dialogue with the Russian leader, Hunt said. But "I think it's very important to look at what he does as well as what he says." "What you see is an approach to foreign policy that is . . . absolutely focused on upholding the international order," Hunt said. "If you look at his actions, he's actually willing to be very tough, tougher in fact that many of his predecessors." While Trump's admiring outreach toward Putin has raised bipartisan concerns in this country, Hunt's assessment echoes the administration's own emphasis on deeds rather than words. It comes at a time when Britain, following passage of a 2016 referendum calling for withdrawal from the European Union, is seeking reassurance in closer trade relations with the United States. Asked Monday whether he would consider lifting a range of current sanctions against Russia, Trump said: "No. I haven't thought about it. But no, I'm not considering it at all." "I would consider it if they do something that would be good for us," he said in an interview with Reuters. But "we have a lot of things we can do good for each other," he said, mentioning Syria and Ukraine without elaboration. Trump said Putin "never brought up" the sanctions issue during a two-hour meeting the two leaders had without aides last month in Helsinki. In the interview, Trump also again raised questions about Russian responsibility for election interference, saying that "if it was Russia," the ongoing special-council investigation of Russia and Trump "played right into the Russians' hands." Wess Mitchell, the administration's top diplomat for Europe, appeared more certain of Russian responsibility Tuesday, telling the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Putin was bent on ripping apart the social fabric of the United States. "Putin's thesis is that the American Constitution is an experiment that will fail if challenged in the right way from within," Mitchell said during a hearing. "Putin wants to break apart the American republic, not by influencing an election or two but by systematically inflaming the fault lines that exist within our society." In his speech, Hunt pointed to the administration's expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats to punish Moscow for its use of a military-grade nerve agent in an unsuccessful attempt to murder Sergei Skripal, a former Russian spy living in Salisbury, England, with his daughter. The United States, he said, acted even before the rest of Europe, he said. "Today the United Kingdom asks its allies to go further by calling on the European Union to ensure its sanctions against Russia are comprehensive and that we truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the U.S.," Hunt said. "That means calling out and responding to transgressions with one voice wherever and whenever they occur, from the streets of Salisbury to the heart of Crimea," which Russia unilaterally annexed from Ukraine. While all 28 members of the European Union joined to condemn the Salisbury attack, some members - including right-wing governments in Italy and Greece - have called for Europe to develop closer relations with Russia rather than pushing it away. James Nixey, head of the Russia and Eurasia program at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said the European Union was reluctant to match the United States' tougher sanctions in part because the bloc is "far from united" on what its response to Russia should be. The European Union is "more exposed to Russia" than the United States, given its geography and economic ties, Nixey said. "It is more worried about the effect of the EU economy and the severity of the Russian response." Russia has denied involvement in the Salisbury attack, which both Sergei and Yulia Skripal survived. Another victim, Dawn Sturgess, later died after handling a perfume bottle that British investigators said held residue of the Russian nerve agent known as Novichok. This week, Trump is due to impose additional sanctions, mandated under a 1991 law to punish the use of chemical and biological weapons, followed by even harsher measures within 90 days if Russia does not acknowledge and destroy such weapons and allow international inspections. Responding to Hunt, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that "our British colleagues have pretty high self-esteem." Despite Britain's plans to leave the European Union, Lavrov said at a news conference in Sochi, it was "trying to dictate foreign policy to the EU." "Now it turns out that London wants to dictate foreign policy with regard to Russia to Washington, as well," he said. The visit here by Hunt, who served for many years as Britain's health minister, is his first since becoming foreign secretary in July. He replaced Boris Johnson, the Brexit hard-liner who resigned in anger over the soft, pro-business strategy pursued by Prime Minister Theresa May in leaving the European Union. In addition to punishment for the Salisbury attack, the Trump administration separately imposed two new sets of sanctions Tuesday against Russian companies related to North Korea and to Russian intelligence. The Treasury Department levied sanctions on two companies based in Vladivostok for using their Russia-flagged ships to conduct ship-to-ship transfers of oil to ships bound for North Korea. Such ship-to-ship transfers are prohibited under United Nations Security Council resolutions. The Treasury Department also targeted two companies that supplied underwater diving equipment to Russian government agencies, including the Federal Security Service (FSB), which has been under sanctions since 2016. Meanwhile, Sigal Mandelker, Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, told Congress that U.S. sanctions against Russia overall have had a significant impact on the Russian economy and blocked hundreds of millions of dollars in Russian assets in the United States. "Our efforts, taken together with our partners across the U.S. Government and around the world, are guided by a clear understanding of the threat Russia poses to the United States and to our friends and allies," she said in remarks prepared for delivery to the Senate Banking Committee. "The breadth and brazenness of Russia's malign conduct demands a firm and vigorous response," Mandelker said. The administration has placed sanctions on 217 Russian-related people and companies since 2017, which she said included close Putin associates and a "veritable 'who's who' of Russia's most prominent companies." The British call to continue and increase sanctions against Russia came a day after the software giant Microsoft uncovered fresh attempts by Russian hackers, with ties to the Russian military intelligence agency, to create fake websites to mimic two conservative Washington think tanks, the Hudson Institute and the International Republican Institute. Microsoft said the latest attempts were mounted by the same Russian group that hacked into Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Mitchell, in the diplomat's congressional testimony, withheld endorsement of a new sanctions legislation package, called the Deter Act, that would impose new penalties if the director of national intelligence uncovered Russian efforts to interfere in future U.S. elections. - - - The Washington Post's John Hudson and Carol Morello in Washington, William Booth and Karla Adam in London, and Natalia Abbakumova in Moscow contributed to this report. WASHINGTON - Lanny Davis, a lawyer for President Donald Trump's former attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, said Wednesday that Trump's alleged direction of hush payments to two women amounts to impeachable offenses and that Cohen has no interest in being "dirtied" by a presidential pardon of his crimes. Davis' comments came during a whirlwind media tour the morning after Cohen admitted in federal court in Manhattan that he violated campaign finance laws by paying hush money to two women at what he said was at Trump's behest. In a string of radio and television interviews - including two that aired simultaneously on TV - Davis delivered an array of stinging assessments of Trump that served to further distance Cohen from a president for whom he once said he would take a bullet. As Davis made the rounds, Trump broke his silence on Cohen's pleas, writing in a wise-cracking tweet: "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!" In a round of media interviews, Davis suggested that Cohen has information that would be of interest to the special counsel and other law enforcement officials scrutinizing Trump, but he stopped short of offering details. On Wednesday, New York state's tax-collecting agency said it had issued a subpoena to Cohen for information related to the president's personal charity, the Donald J. Trump Foundation. A spokesman for the agency said that the subpoena was sent "in light of the public disclosures" made Tuesday. The spokesman would not specify what the subpoena seeks. Both Trump and his foundation have already been sued by the New York attorney general, who alleged that the foundation had engaged in "persistently illegal conduct" under the future president's leadership. The state tax-collecting agency and the attorney general are still investigating. In multiple interviews, Davis, a Democrat who served as special counsel to former president Bill Clinton, noted that Cohen grew disillusioned with Trump after watching his friendly demeanor toward Russian President Vladimir Putin at their July summit in Helsinki, Finland. "He certainly found Donald Trump as president to be unsuitable to hold the office after Helsinki," Davis said on NBC's "Today" show. "He worried about the future of our country with somebody who was aligning himself with Mr. Putin." In interviews, Davis also sized up the implications for Trump of allegedly having directed Cohen to make payments to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and adult-film star Stormy Daniels. Both women have alleged that they had sexual affairs with Trump, which he has denied. "There is no dispute that Donald Trump committed a crime," Davis, a major supporter of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid, asserted on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "Donald Trump is guilty of a crime, and a president of the United States being guilty of a crime is far beyond what has been classically called impeachable offenses," Davis said during an interview that aired earlier on NPR. (That view was at odds with those of several legal commentators who also appeared on the morning shows.) Asked on NPR whether Cohen would accept a pardon of his admitted crimes from Trump, Davis gave an emphatic "no." "I know that Mr. Cohen would never accept a pardon from a man that he considers to be both corrupt and a dangerous person in the Oval Office, and he has flatly authorized me to say under no circumstances would he accept a pardon from Mr. Trump," Davis said. He went on to criticize Trump as someone "who uses the pardon power in a way that no president in American history has ever used a pardon, to relieve people who have committed crimes who are political cronies of his." "Mr. Cohen is not interested in being dirtied by a pardon from such a man," Davis said. Among those who have received Trump pardons: controversial former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza and Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney. While on CNN a little later, he offered that Cohen would probably be willing to testify before Congress about what he knows about Trump's knowledge of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Davis raised eyebrows on that front on Tuesday night, saying during an interview on MSNBC that Cohen has knowledge "of interest" to special counsel Robert Mueller, who is probing the Russian interference and whether there was coordination between Russia and Trump's campaign. On "The Rachel Maddow Show" on MSNBC, Davis said his client had "knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr. Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on." Davis also discussed that issue with The Washington Post. "I know everyone's interested in the same question: What does [Cohen] know and is it going to be harmful to Trump?" Davis told the Post. During Wednesday's media blitz, Davis said he was choosing his words carefully as he continued to talk about the subject. "I said it's my observation that Mr. Cohen has knowledge that would be of interest to the special counsel about the issue of whether Donald Trump ahead of time knew about the hacking of emails, which is a computer crime that was the subject of the indictment of the 12 Russians," Davis said on CNN. "And we'll just have to see what Mr. Cohen is able to say from direct knowledge when and if he discusses this with the special counsel." Speaking of the special counsel, Davis had nothing but praise for Mueller and the way he has conducted his investigation. "He's a great man, operating silently like a submarine. No leaks," Davis said. Between TV interviews on Wednesday, Davis also spoke with newspapers, including The Washington Post again. In that inteview, as he did during several TV appearances, Davis encouraged donations to Cohen's new "Truth Fund," which has been set up on the GoFundMe website. Davis said the fund was set up to defray Cohen's legal expenses. Davis described Cohen as a man who is now committed to "the truth, his family and his country." Cohen's page to raise funds says it is seeking a $500,000 goal. It describes itself as helping Cohen and his family. For Zimbabwe's long-ruling party, the July 30 election was intended to legitimize President Emmerson Mnangagwa, ushering in a new era of global investment into a perilously fragile economy. In the wake of a deeply flawed contest, whether that effort is successful might rest with the international community. While Mnangagwa and his challenger Nelson Chamisa are currently battling in court over the final results, a debate is underway in Washington over how to respond. Regardless of the court ruling, the verdict is already in: Mnangagwa is no reformer and no longer deserves any benefit of the doubt. Instead, the pre-election environment, the management of the vote, and the post-election violence all show why Washington must maintain pressure for a truly democratic transition. The government of Zimbabwe is desperate for international approval. Mnangagwa needed to win at the polls to justify the November 2017 coup that forced then-President Robert Mugabe to resign. He hopes to end his country's isolation, end sanctions, get debt relief and borrow again from international creditors. All of these steps require a clean election. But the vote did not go according to plan, at least not for those who hoped to see a democratic transition. Immediate attention is now on Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court, where the ruling party and the electoral commission are defending the announced results, which give Mnangagwa a narrow 50.6 percent victory, avoiding a runoff by less than 30,000 votes. Chamisa is challenging the outcome. The United States is right to closely watch the court case and the technical details of the vote. But they don't tell the whole story. Election day is just one slice of judging whether an election is free, fair and credible. Zimbabwe's court also cannot be counted on to be impartial. That's why Washington must assess the bigger picture. Major problems were apparent before the first ballot was cast. Days after polling stations closed, the European Union observers noted the "un-level playing field." The National Democratic Institute/International Republican Institute mission, co-led by African and American dignitaries, also expressed concerns that the process had "not made the mark." Voter suppression was blatant. Opposition supporters faced difficulties registering in Chamisa's urban strongholds. The government disenfranchised at least 2 million citizens living outside the country by making no provisions, as dictated by the constitution, to allow them vote by mail or at overseas embassies. The election was also skewed by Mnangagwa's extreme exploitation of incumbency. The media was heavily biased in his favor while the ruling party used public resources to distribute food to voters. The greatest likely distortion of the vote was systematic intimidation by the security forces. Party agents deliberately spread rumors that fingerprints on the voter roll allow the government to trace individual votes. This had a chilling effect since citizens remember the 2008 election when the military and party militias attacked villages that voted for the opposition. Senior political leaders also openly declared that the army would accept only a Mnangagwa victory. While it is difficult to quantify precisely how much each of these factors affected the vote, the manipulation, intimidation and voter exclusion are undoubtedly greater than the now twice-revised narrow margin. If the pre-election environment was bad, the aftermath was even worse. The military shot seven civilians dead, all in plain view of international journalists. Then, reminiscent of 2008, an army crackdown was unleashed on members of Chamisa's party. According to human rights groups, army units raided homes, raping and beating dozens, while senior opposition officials were forced into hiding. So what should the United States now do? Washington should not consider financial assistance or reduction of sanctions until the military is off the streets and democratic reforms are genuinely implemented. This remains our only leverage, and we should not yield it lightly. Mnangagwa's request that the United States approve the elections and "let bygones be bygones" for past atrocities must be firmly rejected. Holding the line does not mean disengagement. Despite the regime's propaganda, the United States has never stopped engaging with Zimbabwe. Our diplomats, our public health officials, our business community and our civil society all have maintained robust connections to the country. That should not change. The world was hoping that Zimbabwe's election would be a turning point. Instead, it has proved the opposite: Mugabe is gone, but his dictatorship remains. Recent events have shown that Mnangagwa's rule will deliver more of the same old corrupt and self-serving policies, violent suppression of dissent, and quasi-military governance. American influence cannot be purchased by ignoring the injustice right before our eyes. If the United States willingly accepts an obvious political charade, then we are reduced to complicity, not agency. Worse, if we decide that the status quo is the best that can be hoped for, we would turn our backs on the countless Zimbabweans who have risked everything to save their country. Instead of resignation. policymakers eager for action should reinvigorate the woeful U.S. budgetary support for democracy and governance in southern Africa. Despite Mnangagwa's best attempts to claim a new democratic era, Zimbabwe's deeply flawed election cycle has only exposed that the new boss is same as the old boss. The United States should join brave Zimbabwean patriots in demanding better. - - - Gavin, formerly President Barack Obama's senior Africa director at the National Security Council and U.S. ambassador to Botswana, is senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Moss, formerly deputy assistant secretary of state for Africa, is a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development. Noyes is a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The authors were part of a pre-election assessment mission to Zimbabwe. Paul Manafort has been found guilty of eight felonies and could spend the rest of his life in prison. That prospect undoubtedly has a way of focusing the mind. The question is, what will Manafort do now? Despite the sideshows involving the judge quarreling with the prosecutors and the drama of the jury deliberations, the outcome of Manafort's trial in the Eastern District of Virginia never looked much in doubt. The government presented what seemed to be an overwhelming case, based largely on financial records and other documents that don't lie and can't be cross-examined. The defense put on no case, choosing to argue that the government had not met its burden. Although the defendant is never required to present evidence, it's a gutsy move to put nothing at all before the jury. But in this case, the decision seemed driven less by boldness than by necessity: Given the documentary evidence, there was little the defense could say. The best hope of Manafort's lawyers was to poke holes in the prosecutor's presentation, portray Manafort's associate Rick Gates as the real villain and try to raise a doubt in the mind of at least one juror. It appears they succeeded in about half the counts - no small feat. But in the end, conviction on eight felony counts carrying potentially decades in prison cannot be seen as anything but a win for the government and a devastating blow to Manafort. In this situation, eight is more than enough. A dry financial-crimes case like this typically would not generate daily headlines and long lines of people seeking to watch the proceedings. But the interest in Manafort, of course, stems from his ties to the Trump campaign and his potential ability to cooperate in the broader investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller. And that status means the president's former campaign chairman still has some options. If Manafort were inclined to cooperate with Mueller, the logical time would have been before going to trial. Prosecutors are less likely to look favorably upon a witness who seeks to cooperate only after forcing the government to convict him. But Manafort is in an unusual situation: He has a second major case against him set to begin in the District of Columbia next month. He could still cut a deal that would include the government's dismissing some or all of those charges in exchange for his cooperation. And though the charges he was just found guilty of carry potentially decades in prison, his time could be greatly reduced if prosecutors spoke favorably about his cooperation at his sentencing. So the door to potential cooperation is not completely closed to Manafort. Nevertheless, his refusal so far to cut a deal seems so illogical that you have to wonder what's really going on. Perhaps, as many have suggested, he is counting on a presidential pardon. But it's awfully risky to wager your freedom on a pardon from an erratic president who has at times distanced himself from you and who would face enormous political blowback from such an act. And there are still potential state charges against Manafort lurking in the background - charges for which President Donald Trump cannot grant a pardon. It's also possible Manafort simply doesn't want to be a "snitch" as a matter of principle - although given the portrait of Manafort's principles that emerged at trial, it seems odd that he would choose to die on that particular hill. Or perhaps Manafort truly has no information to offer that would be valuable to Mueller's investigation. That, too, seems hard to believe, given his role as Trump's campaign chairman during the critical period involving the campaign's contacts with Russians. Even if the information would not necessarily lead to criminal charges, it seems very unlikely that Manafort knows nothing Mueller would find worthwhile. And as long as we're speculating, we can't rule out the possibility that Manafort has stayed silent out of fear for his safety. His cooperation could potentially implicate some very powerful people in Russia. Given the way those figures sometimes deal with their enemies, Manafort may believe that spending the rest of his days in a minimum-security prison is preferable to ending up with polonium in his tea. So what's next for Manafort? We should know soon. His trial in Washington is set to begin Sept. 17. If he is finally going to decide to cooperate, the time is now. If he proceeds to trial in Washington, it will be a sure sign that, for whatever reason, he will not voluntarily tell Mueller what he knows. In the meantime, as Tuesday's guilty plea by former Trump attorney Michael Cohen demonstrates, the legal train involving those closest to the president will move forward - regardless of whether Manafort gets on board. - - - Eliason teaches white-collar criminal law at George Washington University Law School. For more than 100 years, Navigant Credit Union has provided financial services to individuals and families in the Blackstone Valley area of Rhode Island. Incorporated in 1915 as La Credit Union de Notre Dame de Central Falls, the financial institution was the states first credit union. While the name was changed to Navigant Credit Union more than 80 years later to reflect the ability to serve a larger geographic area, the unwavering mission to improve the financial lives of its members has remained the same. From humble beginnings, Navigant CU has experienced significant growth. At the end of its first year in operation, the credit union recorded assets of $22,000. Today, with more than $1.9 billion in assets, 80,000 members, and 18 locations throughout Rhode Island, Navigant Credit Union is among the largest credit unions in the state and one of the strongest in the country. One credit union CEO whose headquarters narrowly escaped California wildfires in October of 2017 and which is now being threatened by a new blaze is facing the sobering fact that possibly the worst is still to come. Brett Martinez, CEO of the $4.3-billion Redwood CU here, acknowledged that it is not comforting knowing the 2018 California fire season lies ahead, even has it has learned some difficult lessons when it comes to fires. It sounds crazy to say that we are approaching the beginning of the fire season, said Martinez. I know they say the fire season is now 12 months of the year here. But there still is the time of the year when fires are more likely to occur. When we got hit bad last year by fires it was the first week October, and that is just ahead. So this has been a very bad stretch for fires in California and its still very early in the fire season. As John Cassidy, CEO at the $973-million Sierra Central CU in Yuba City, Calif., told CUToday.info in a previous report, bracing for more frequent and larger fires has become the new normal in California. Martinez agreed. Russian Military Spy Software Is On Home Routers The Russian military is inside hundreds of thousands of routers owned by Americans and others around the world, a top U.S. cybersecurity official said on Friday. The presence of Russian malware on the routers, first revealed in May, could enable the Kremlin to steal individuals data or enlist their devices in a massive attack intended to disrupt global economic activity or target institutions. On May 27, Justice Department officials asked Americans to reboot their routers to stop the attack. Afterwards, the world largely forgot about it. Thats a mistake, said Rob Joyce, senior advisor to the director of the National Security Agency and the former White House cybersecurity coordinator. The Russian malware is still there, said Joyce. On May 8, cybersecurity company Talos observed a spike in mostly Ukrainian victims of a new malware attack. Dubbed VPN Filter, the malware used code similar to the BlackEnergy tool that Russian forces have used (in modified form) to attack Ukrainian infrastructure. The U.S. intelligence community believes the culprits are the hackers known as APT 28 or Fancy Bear, Russian military operatives who were behind information attacks against the Democratic National Committee, State Department, and others. The new malware, if activated, could allow the Russian military to peer into the online activities of hundreds of thousands of people. The Cisco-Talos reports on the incident estimated hundreds of thousands of devices affected worldwide, Joyce said. Specifically, the May 23 report said, at least 500,000 victims in up to 54 countries. The malware executes in three stages, according to the Talos report. The first stage is akin to a tick burrowing into a victims skin, to dig in with its teeth by changing the infected devices non-volatile persistent memory, the portion of the memory that persists even after the machine is turned off. During this phase, the malware also establishes links to any servers it finds. Stages two and three are about receiving and executing the orders. These could include: stealing traffic data from the victim (via port 80), launching man in the middle attacks, using the router as a platform to attack other computers as part of a botnet, or overwriting the memory on the router to render it unusable. The U.S. government effort to stop the attack was effective at knocking down their command and control. But and this is a but we havent seen talked about that much there was a persistent stage one on all of those routers, said Joyce. If it was at a stage-two or stage-three implant, it knocked it back to one, which was power- and reboot-persistent. At that point, we couldnt call back out via those two methods to re-establish command and control, he told the crowd. Bottom line: Its still on those routers and if you know the wake-up knock you can go in, control those routers, and put a stage two or three back on them What do you think the odds are that the actors in Russia who put those down have the addresses of the places where the put the malware? I think its pretty high, he said. Whats needed now, Joyce said, is for government, industry, and cybersecurity professionals to find a way to straightforwardly tell individuals how to detect the presence of the malware on their routers and then to restore the device to its trustworthy state. The government wont be able to do that for them because, again, these are consumer devicesThats the sort of thing were up against. Joyce served as the head of the NSAs elite tailored access operations division. In effect, he was the official who presided over the NSAs most sophisticated hacking research before joining the White House as cybersecurity coordinator. In April, the White House announced that Joyce would leave that job to return to the NSA, where he currently serves as an advisor to the director, Army Gen. Paul Nakasone, who also heads the militarys U.S. Cyber Command. He used the majority of his Friday talk at DEFCON to focus on China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea and their malicious behavior online. Like other cybersecurity professionals, he said that North Koreas malicious targeting of financial institutions, particularly South Korean e-currency exchanges, was likely to continue. He also said that he expected to see probing of newly deployed missile defense radars and batteries in the region, such as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, in South Korea. Iranian hackers also pose a threat, Joyce said, saying that the demise of the Iran nuclear deal hinted at more attacks to come. When bilateral relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia decreased, we think that was a major factor in that January 2017 data deletion attacks in Saudi, he said, referring to an incident where Iran state-backed hackers attacked 15 Saudi government and media targets with malware that was strikingly similar to the 2012 Shamoon malware that Iran deployed against Saudi oil interests. As we move to a point where the U.S. has just re-imposed sanctions on Iran, theres a lot of focus on, How are they going to respond? Defense One: You Might Also Read: Can Russian Hackers Be Stopped? Books on the run from Somerset County libraries to just about anywhere The aftermath of a disaster is often focused on getting back to normal life. But there is a bigger 'disaster' that is perennially playing out in India politics. Even as Kerala faces the humongous task of rehabilitating its people and rebuilding the state following the unprecedented floods and landslides that have caused colossal loss of life and property, a huge debate has broken out over whether Kerala floods qualify to be declared a national disaster or not. Another issue that has been caught in a furious debate is whether the Centre should accept the aid of Rs 700 crore offered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Kerala towards it relief funds. According to various news reports, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government is "unlikely to accept the offer over tax issues and a policy put in the place by the Congress Party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in 2004". India reportedly has not taken aid from any nation since 2007 and the policy is unlikely to change now. (Credit: PTI photo) The government reportedly has taken the decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tackle the situation, as it feels it has the "wherewithal to deal with the calamity". However, the final decision will be taken by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The ministry, however, has said that it hasn't got any offer or proposal yet. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, reportedly called up Prime Minister Modi and made the offer for assistance. The government of Maldives has also also decided to donate $50,000 for the flood-affected people of Kerala. It is understood that the UN is also offering some assistance for Kerala. In another development, an ambassador from Thailand reportedly has said that India has made it clear that it would not accept international aid for flood relief in Kerala. India has refused to accept overseas donations for flood relief in Kerala, says Thailand's Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi: https://t.co/TiRUU2ThHA#KeralaFloods #KeralaReliefFund #KeralaFloodsRelief pic.twitter.com/ksCrAlMOgk IANS Tweets (@ians_india) August 22, 2018 Coming back to the debate over whether or not to accept aid from any other country, India reportedly has not taken aid from any nation or multinational organisation since 2007 and the policy is unlikely to change now, sources claim. The Centre had apparently declined foreign aid offers even during the floods in Uttarakhand and Kashmir. Former MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin had said after the 2013 Uttarakhand floods that India had declined Russias offer of help as India has the adequate ability to deal with any emergencies. However, the decision to accept or decline UAEs offer has already become a thorny issue. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has in a series of tweets earlier expressed his gratitude to the UAE for the offer. The governments both Centre and state must ensure timely relief and rehabilitation to the flood-ravaged people. (Credit: PTI photo) The state has a privileged relationship with the UAE. It is like a second country for the Kerala community, and we express our thanks and appreciation to the brotherly state of the United Arab Emirates for this support, he said in one of his tweets. Kerala has sought a Rs 2,600 crore special package from the Centre for the massive rebuilding exercise. The central government has so far released Rs 600 crore. The chief minister had earlier said the state had suffered damages of about Rs 20,000 crore. Meanwhile, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac said the Centre's financial package for Kerala may fall far below requirement and it should not deny others a chance to help the flood-hit state. The Kerala minister told this to NDTV in an interview. But others argue that India has "refused all bilateral aid for disaster as its economy grew, marking a new era of self-reliance". India did not even accept bilateral aid after the devastating tsunami in 2004, or the flash flood in Uttarakhand. After the tsunami, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said, "We feel that we can cope with the situation on our own and we will take their help if needed." According to this Indian Express report, there are two reasons for such a policy. The news report quoted unnamed source as saying: Firstly, the governments since then have felt that India has the capacity to handle disasters like these. And secondly, accepting from any one government opens the floodgates for others as well, and it would be diplomatically difficult to refuse from some while accepting from others. This policy is, however, limited to foreign governments, and does not extend to individuals and charity organisations. It is not possible to curtail aid from NRIs in foreign countries or NGOs working in the disaster management sector. Their funds can be accepted through the remittance route, the source said. According to the same news report, the government has a standard template to respond to any offer of assistance that has been circulated to all Indian embassies across the world. The Indian diplomats are expected to express gratitude to foreign government officials and diplomats for their sentiments and offer, but are to be politely told that the government has no requirement as of now, but will let them know if and when the need arises, the Indian official said. Standard templates and government protocols notwithstanding, what Kerala and its people need and deserve at the moment is immediate help. The governments both Centre and state must ensure timely relief and rehabilitation to the flood-ravaged people. Politics over relief work is the worst crisis to befall a nation. Also read: Kerala floods: How rescue operations to save dogs, cows, goats are melting hearts Wall Street analysts have given Concord Medical Services 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 Concord Medical Services 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 [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. 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Read More 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). 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 26 minutes ago US, EU say deal on steel tariffs will help on climate change ROME (AP) President Joe Biden said Sunday a new U.S. and European Union trade agreement would crack down on dirty steel that produces carbon emissions that are blamed for climate change and also patch Read Article Governor Bill Haslam, Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger, and Mayor Andy Berke joined with students, parents and community leaders to cut the ribbon to open the new VW eLab at Hixson Middle School Tuesday. Hixson Middle was one of eight new VW eLabs opened this school year in Hamilton County Schools. The other VW eLabs are located at Brainerd High, Brown Middle, Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts, Hixson High, Ooltewah Middle, Orchard Knob Middle and Soddy Daisy Middle. The Hixson Middle VW eLab is representative of eight of the additional VW eLabs at schools in Hamilton County Schools opening this year to give more students access to new high tech digital fabrication. The ribbon cutting at Hixson Middle is the second round of Volkswagen eLabs to be funded by a partnership between Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations and the state of Tennessee. The Hixson eLab and the other seven locations are part of a Volkswagen eLabs initiative to provide students with access to digital fabrication tools including automated manufacturing equipment, programmable microcomputers, renewable energy kits, 3D printers, robotics, and laser cutters that will empower the young learners to engage in authentic problem-solving, said officials. The addition of the eight new eLabs was the second round of VW eLabs awarded to schools in Hamilton County as a result of a $1 million donation by Volkswagen Chattanooga and the state of Tennessee to fund the program. With the opening of the first eight VW eLabs last year there are now a total of 16 eLabs in Hamilton County Schools helping to prepare children for the future. In the labs, students are designing and 3D printing orthopedic devices for people and pets with special needs, conducting research on the viability of autonomous electric vehicles and taking salvaged parts from a computer to build a robot. Seven labs successfully launched student-run entrepreneurial ventures to run a classroom-based business. Hands-on learning nurtures creativity and innovation through design, said Nicole Koesling, Volkswagen Chattanooga senior vice president of human resources. We have seen firsthand how this method increases engagement with students and improves their problem-solving skills. The Volkswagen eLabs allow students to discover for themselves how to solve real-world challenges using the latest technology. I am amazed by what Hamilton County students are doing in the Volkswagen eLabs, the tools they are using and the solutions they are discovering, said Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. Hamilton County Schools is leading the way in workforce development with these groundbreaking eLabs, and I thank Volkswagen for its investment in our schools. The Volkswagen eLabs have created excitement for learning, and you can see that in the eyes of the children in the labs, said Dr. Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. These labs open a new world of possibilities in instruction for teachers and prepare students to be future ready. Training of teachers and resources are key, and the Public Education Foundation plays an important role in the partnership by providing training, research, and resources to teachers, principals, and schools, said officials. "Volkswagen eLabs are changing how our children are learning, said Dan Challener, president of PEF. Thanks to these labs and the extraordinary teachers who lead the learning, students are now using cutting-edge tools to wrestle with real problems can you build a water filtration system without electricity? Can drones deliver eggs? Can you build a solar-powered go-cart? Each Volkswagen eLab is implemented by a Volkswagen eLab Innovation Team to help ensure utilization to the maximum capacity. The teams are led by teachers, dubbed Volkswagen eLab Specialists, who are equipped with skills in facilitating learning through digital fabrication. "This work is truly transformational for our community," said PEF Director of Innovation Michael Stone. "Volkswagen eLabs Specialists are redefining what is possible in the classroom, and their students are engaging in revolutionary learning experiences that are reshaping how they think about their future." The 16 Hamilton County Schools that have received Volkswagen eLabs are: Brainerd High School* Brown Middle School* Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Center for Creative Arts* Dalewood Middle School East Hamilton Middle School Hixson Middle School* Hixson High School* The Howard School Hunter Middle School Normal Park Museum Magnet School Ooltewah Middle School* Orchard Knob Middle School* Red Bank High School Sale Creek Middle High School Soddy Daisy Middle School* *New addition in 2018 Schools were selected through a competitive proposal process by representatives from Volkswagen Chattanooga, Tennessee Department of Education, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Hamilton County Department of Education, and PEF. Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. is a supplier of precision instruments and services. The firm manufactures weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, packaging, logistics, and food retailing applications. It also manufactures several related analytical instruments and provides automated chemistry solutions used in drug and chemical compound discovery and development; and also, metal detection and other end-of-line inspection systems used in production and packaging and provides solutions for use in certain process analytics applications. Its operations are conducted by the following segments: U. S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations and Other. The U.S. Operations segment represents certain of the company's marketing and producing organizations located in the United States. The Swiss Operations segment includes marketing and producing organizations located in Switzerland, as well as extensive R&D operations that are responsible for the development, production, and marketing of precision instruments, including weighing, analytical, and measurement technologies for use in a variety of industrial and laboratory applications. Th Read More Wall Street analysts have given PetroQuest Energy 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 PetroQuest Energy 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 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. Thomson Reuters Corporation provides business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. The Corporates segment provides a suite of content-enabled technology solutions for legal, tax, regulatory, compliance, and IT professionals. The Tax & Accounting Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on tax offerings and automating tax workflows to tax, accounting, and audit professionals in accounting firms. The Reuters News segment provides business, financial, national, and international news to professionals through desktop terminals, media organizations, and industry events, as well as directly to consumers. The Global Print segment offers legal and tax information primarily in print format to legal and tax professionals, governments, law schools, and corporations. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Thomson Reuters Corporation is a subsidiary of The Woodbridge Company Limited. Read More Weatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, and surface well testing and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; managed pressure drilling, conventional mud-logging, drilling instrumentation, gas analysis, wellsite consultancy, and open hole and cased-hole logging services; reservoir solutions and software products; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides equipment and drilling tools; tubular handling, management, and connection services; equipment rental services; and onshore contract drilling and related services through a fleet of land drilling and workover rigs. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Berry: 159422 Canada Inc., ACE PLASTICS (ZHUHAI) COMPANY LIMITED, AEP Canada Inc., AEP Industries, AEP Industries Finance Inc., AT Films Inc, AT Films US Inc, AVINTIV Acquisition Corporation, AVINTIV Inc., AVINTIV Specialty Materials Inc., Ace Classic Medical Components (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ace Corporation Holdings Limited, Ace Industrial Technologies Limited, Ace Medical Components Co Limited, Ace Mold (HeFei) Company Limited, Ace Mold (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ace Mold (Zhuhai) Company Limited, Ace Mold Company Limited, Ace Mold Industrial (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ace Mold Industrial (Shenzhen) Company Limited, Ace Plastics (Shenzhen) Company Limited, Ace Plastics Company Limited, Ace Plastics Technologies Limited, AeroCon LLC, Aspen Industrial S.A. de C.V., Astra Plastique SAS, Astrapak Gauteng Proprietary Limited, Astrapak Investments Proprietary Limited, Astrapak Manufacturing Holdings Proprietary Limited, Astrapak Property Holdings Proprietary Limited, BP Parallel LLC, BPI 2010 Limited, BPI Europe BV, BPI Formipac France SARL, BPI General Partner Limited, BPI International (No 2) Limited, BPI International Limited, BPI Limited, BPI Limited Partner Limited, BPI Pension Funding Limited Partnership, BPI Pension Trustees Limited, BPRex Brazil Holding Inc., BPRex Closure Systems LLC, BPRex Closures Kentucky Inc., BPRex Closures LLC, BPRex Delta Inc., BPRex Healthcare Brookville Inc., BPRex Healthcare Offranville SAS, BPRex Healthcare Packaging Inc., BPRex Partipacoes Ltda, BPRex Pharma Packaging India Private Limted, BPRex Plastic Packaging (India) Private Limited, BPRex Plastic Packaging Inc., BPRex Plastic Packaging de Mexico S.A. de C.V., BPRex Plastic Services Company Inc., BPRex Plasticos Do Brasil Ltda, BPRex Product Design & Engineering Inc., BPRex Singapore Pte. Ltd., BPRex Specialty Products Puerto Rico Inc., BPRex de Mexico S.A. de R.L. de CV, BPSW19 Limited, Barplas Limited, Bender GmbH, Berry Acquisition Company do Brasil Ltda., Berry Aschersleben GmbH, Berry Belgium NV, Berry Bramlage Kolding A/S, Berry Dombuhl GmbH, Berry EKE NV, Berry Europe GmbH, Berry Film Products Acquisition Company Inc., Berry Film Products Company Inc., Berry Film Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Berry Gent NV, Berry Global Escrow Corporation, Berry Global Films LLC, Berry Global France Holdings SAS, Berry Global Group Inc., Berry Global Inc., Berry Global International Financing Limited, Berry Global International Holdings Limited, Berry Global UK Holding Limited, Berry Holding Company do Brasil Ltda., Berry Holding Denmark A/S, Berry PET Power France SASU, Berry Packaging Holdings (Sweden) AB, Berry Packaging Holdings France SARL, Berry Packaging Norway AS, Berry Plastics Acquisition Corporation V, Berry Plastics Acquisition Corporation XII, Berry Plastics Acquisition Corporation XIII, Berry Plastics Acquisition Corporation XIV LLC, Berry Plastics Acquisition LLC II, Berry Plastics Acquisition LLC X, Berry Plastics Asia Pacific Limited, Berry Plastics Asia Pte. Ltd., Berry Plastics Canada Inc., Berry Plastics Design LLC, Berry Plastics Escrow LLC, Berry Plastics Filmco Inc., Berry Plastics France Holdings SAS, Berry Plastics GmbH, Berry Plastics Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Berry Plastics Hong Kong Limited, Berry Plastics IK LLC, Berry Plastics International B.V., Berry Plastics International GmbH, Berry Plastics International LLC, Berry Plastics Malaysia SDN BHD, Berry Plastics Opco Inc., Berry Plastics Qingdao Limited, Berry Plastics SP Inc., Berry Plastics Technical Services Inc., Berry Plastics de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Berry Specialty Tapes LLC, Berry Sterling Corporation, Berry Superfos Balkan d o o, Berry Superfos Bouxwiller SAS, Berry Superfos Bremervorde Management GmbH, Berry Superfos Bremervorde Packaging GmbH, Berry Superfos Bremervorde Print GmbH, Berry Superfos Italy SRL, Berry Superfos La Genete SAS, Berry Superfos Lidkoping AB, Berry Superfos Lubien Sp z o o, Berry Superfos Melborne PTY LTD, Berry Superfos Mullsjo AB, Berry Superfos Opfenbach GmbH, Berry Superfos Packaging Solutions Kaltenkirchen GmbH, Berry Superfos Pori Oy, Berry Superfos Poznan Sp z o o, Berry Superfos Randers A/S, Berry Superfos Stilling A/S, Berry Superfos Wetteren NV, Berry UK Holdings Limited, Berry do Brasil Ltda., Bonlam S.A. DE C.V., Brithene Films Limited, British Polythene Industries Limited, British Polythene Limited, Brownoak (Final) Assured Tenancies Limited, CPI Holding Corporation, CSM Mexico SPV LLC, CVP Limited, Calnay Limited, Caplas LLC, Caplas Neptune LLC, Captive Plastics Holdings LLC, Captive Plastics LLC, Cardinal Packaging Inc., Chicopee Asia Limited, Chicopee Holdings B.V., Chicopee Holdings C.V., Chicopee Inc., Chocksett Road Limited Partnership, Chocksett Road Realty Trust, Clopay Plastic Products Company Inc., Coflex Films Limited, Combipac BV, Companhai Providencia Industria e Comercio, Covalence Specialty Adhesives LLC, Covalence Specialty Coatings LLC, DT Acquisition Inc., Delta Polythene Limited, Dominion Textile (USA) L.L.C., Dominion Textile Inc., Dongguan First Packaging Co. Limited, Dongguan United Packaging Co. Limited, Dounor SAS, Drumrace Limited, Dumpling Rock LLC, ESE BV, ESE France SA, ESE GmbH, ESE Holding SASU, ESE Holdings Limited, ESE Kft, ESE NV, ESE Sp. z o.o., ESE Sweden Holding AB, ESE World BV, ESE World Limited, Estero Porch LLC, Exlshrink Limited, Fabrene Inc., Fabrene L.L.C., Fiberweb (Tianjin) Specialty Nonwovens Company Limited, Fiberweb Asia Pacific Limited, Fiberweb Berlin GmbH, Fiberweb France SAS, Fiberweb Geos Inc., Fiberweb Geosynthetics Limited, Fiberweb Geosynthetiques Sarl, Fiberweb Holding Deutschland GmbH, Fiberweb Holdings Limited, Fiberweb Italia SRL, Fiberweb LLC, Fiberweb Limited, Fiberweb Terno D'Isola Srl, Financiere Daunou 1 SA, Flexfilm Limited, Fortune Best Trading Limited, GCS Holdco Finance I SA, GCS Holdco Finance II SARL, GDMH SA, Galion Distribution SARL, Galion International SA, Galion SA, Galion Senegal SA, Genius World Holding Ltd, Global Closure Systems America 1 Inc., Global Closure Systems France 1 SAS, Global Closure Systems France 2 SAS, Global Closure Systems Germany GmbH, Global Closure Systems Spain SLU, Global Closure Systems UK Limited, Grafco Industries Limited Partnership, Grupo de Servicios Berpla S. de R.L. de C.V., ITUB ehf, Innocan France SARL, Irish Polythene Industries Limited, J P Plast S R O, J P Plast Slovakia spol S R O, Jacinto Mexico S.A. de C.V., Jagtenberg Beheer BV, Jagtenberg Packaging BV, Jiangmen United Packaging Co. Limited, Jordan Plastics Limited, Kerr Group LLC, Knight Plastics LLC, LLC ESE South America S.R.L., LLC RPC Bramlage Yekaterinburg, Laddawn Inc., Lamb's Grove LLC, Letica Resources Inc., Lunifera Investments Proprietary Limited, Lustroid Limited, M & H Plastics Inc, Manuplastics Limited, Manuplastics Products Limited, Marcom Plastics Proprietary Limited, Massmould Limited, Maynard & Harris (EBT Trustees) Limited, Maynard & Harris Group Limited, Maynard & Harris Holdings Limited, Maynard & Harris Plastics, Maynard & Harris Plastics (UK) Limited, Maynard & Harris Plastics Pension Trustee Limited, Megafilm Limited, Millham LLC, Minster Polythene Films Limited, Moore and Company (Nottingham) Limited, Multicom SRL, Nanhai Nanxin Non Woven Co. Ltd, Nordfolien GmbH, Nordfolien Polska Sp. z o.o., Obrist (Thailand) Co Limited, Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH, Obrist Eastern Europe SRL, Obrist Iberia SLU, Obrist Italia Srl, Old Hickory Steamworks LLC, PET Power BV, PET Power Handels GmbH, PET Power Holding B V, PET-Power Deutschland GmbH, PGI Acquisition Limited, PGI Argentina S.A., PGI Colombia LTDA, PGI Europe Inc., PGI France Holdings SAS, PGI France SAS, PGI Holdings B.V., PGI Netherlands Holdings (NO. 2) B.V., PGI Netherlands Holdings B.V., PGI Non-Woven (China) Company Limited, PGI Nonwovens (Mauritius), PGI Nonwovens B.V., PGI Nonwovens Germany GmbH, PGI Polimeros Do Brazil S.A., PGI Polymer Inc., PGI Spain S.L. U, PWS Danmark A/S, PWS Finland OY, PWS Nordic AB, PWS Norge AS, Packerware LLC, Pescor Inc., Pfizer Investment Ltd, Plasco UK Limited, Plasgran Limited, Plastiape S.p.A., Plastiape Sp. z o.o., Pliant International LLC, Pliant LLC, Pliant de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Poly-Seal LLC, Polycrop Limited, Polymer Group Holdings C.V., Polythene Films Limited, Prime Label & Screen Incorporated, Pristine Brands Corporation, Promens AS [Czech Republic], Promens AS [Estonia], Promens Annezin SAS, Promens Asia Limited, Promens Deventer BV, Promens Deventer Holding BV, Promens Do Brasil Servicos Ltda, Promens Firenze SRL, Promens Food Packaging Limited, Promens France SAS, Promens Germany GMBH, Promens Hockenheim GmbH, Promens Holding OU, Promens Holding UK Limited, Promens Huningue SAS, Promens Italy SRL, Promens Miedzyrzecz Sp. z.o.o., Promens Monastir SARL, Promens Montoir de Bretagne SAS, Promens Munchen GmbH, Promens Nitra S R O, Promens OY, Promens Packaging GmbH, Promens Packaging Limited, Promens Packaging SA Unipersonal, Promens Personal Healthcare GmbH, Promens Reykjavik ehf, Promens Rijen BV, Promens SA, Promens SARL, Promens Unterstutzungseinrichtung GmbH, Promens Zevenaar BV, Providencia USA Inc., RG Ecotec, RPC 2017 Holding Company Limited, RPC ACE Plastics (Hefei) Co Limited, RPC Ace Company Limited, RPC Africa Holdings Pty Limited, RPC Asia Pacific Holdings Limited, RPC Astrapak Proprietary Limited, RPC Australia Holdings Pty Limited, RPC Beaute Marolles SAS, RPC Bramlage Antwerpen NV, RPC Bramlage DHS BV, RPC Bramlage Dinklage GmbH & Co KG, RPC Bramlage Division GmbH & Co KG, RPC Bramlage Food GmbH, RPC Bramlage GmbH, RPC Bramlage Inc., RPC Bramlage Vel'ky Meder s.r.o., RPC Bramlage Warszawa Sp Z O O, RPC Bramlage Werkzeugbau GmbH & Co KG, RPC Containers Limited, RPC Containers Pension Trustees Limited, RPC Emballages Moirans SAS, RPC Emballages Montpont SAS, RPC Emballages SAS, RPC Envases SA, RPC Europe Limited, RPC Finance Limited, RPC Folio Holdings GmbH, RPC Formatec GmbH, RPC Formatec Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, RPC Group, RPC Group Ltd fka RPC Group Plc, RPC Group Management Limited, RPC Group Share Trustee Limited, RPC Leopard Holdings Inc., RPC Neutraubling GmbH, RPC Packaging (Deutschland) BV & Co KG, RPC Packaging (Jiaxing) Company Limited, RPC Packaging BV, RPC Packaging Brasil Industria e Comercio de Embalagens Ltda, RPC Packaging Europe BV, RPC Packaging Holdings (Deutschland) BV & Co KG, RPC Packaging Holdings (Norway) AS, RPC Packaging Holdings (US) Inc, RPC Packaging Holdings BV, RPC Packaging Holdings Brazil BV, RPC Packaging Holdings Limited, RPC Packaging Kerkrade BV, RPC Packaging Limited, RPC Pisces Holdings Limited, RPC Promens Group AS, RPC Promens Group BV, RPC Promens Inc., RPC Promens Industrial Crailsheim GmbH, RPC Promens Industrial Jagtenberg B.V, RPC Promens Innocan BVBA, RPC Promens International BV, RPC Superfos Besancon SAS, RPC Superfos Ede BV, RPC Superfos Pamplona SA, RPC Superfos US Inc., RPC Tedeco-Gizeh (UK) Limited, RPC Tedeco-Gizeh Troyes SAS, RPC Verpackungen Kutenholz GmbH, RPC Verwaltungsgesellschaft BV, RPC WIKO GmbH, RPC Wiko Verwaltungsgellschaft GmbH, RPC Zeller Plastik Libertyville Inc., Rafypak S.A. de C.V., Rigid Plastic Containers Finance Limited, Rigid Plastic Containers Holdings Limited, Rigid Plastic Containers Packaging Limited, Robinplast BVBA, Roll-A-Rap Limited, Rollpak Corporation, Romfilms Limited, SC Romfilms SRL, SCI Vertuquet, SPA Galion Algerie, Saeplast Americas Inc, Saeplast Chile SPA, Saeplast Iceland ehf, Saeplast Norway AS, Saeplast Spain SA, Saffron Acquisition LLC, Sanders Polyfilms Limited, Scott & Robertson Limited, Seroptic Lustroid Limited, Setco LLC, Shenzhen Howyecen Automotive Electronics Company Limited, Spec Molders Proprietary Limited, Spec Tool and Die and General Engineering Proprietary Limited, Specialised Industrial Designs Proprietary Limited, Stag Plastics Limited, Strata Products Limited, Sugden LLC, Sun Coast Industries LLC, Superfos Runcorn Limited, Superfos Tamworth Limited, Suzhou Berry Film Products Co. Ltd., Synergy Packaging Pty Limited, Tempra ehf, Terram Defencell Limited, Terram Geosynthetics Private Limited, Terram Limited, Tyco Acquisition Alpha LLC, UAB ESE Baltija, UK Polyfilm Limited, UK Polythene Limited, Uniplast Holdings LLC, Uniplast U.S. Inc., V M B Limited, Venture Packaging Inc., Venture Packaging Midwest Inc., Weener Plastop Proprietary Limited, Widnes Films Limited, Wiko (UK) Limited, Zedcor Limited, Zeller Engineering GmbH, Zeller Plastik Deutschland GmbH, Zeller Plastik Espana SLU, Zeller Plastik France SAS, Zeller Plastik Italia Srl, Zeller Plastik Mexico SA de CV, Zeller Plastik Philippines Inc, Zeller Plastik Poland Sp. z o.o., Zeller Plastik Shanghai Limited, iTUB AS, and iTUB Danmark ApS. Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the exploration and development of iron ore properties. Its flagship asset is the Zanaga Iron Ore Project located in the south west of the Republic of Congo. The company was formerly known as Jumelles Holdings Limited and changed its name to Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited in October 2010. Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Road Town, the British Virgin Islands. Read More Wall Street analysts have given Goldman Sachs Hedge Industry VIP 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 Goldman Sachs Hedge Industry VIP ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells, and services medical devices and software products for treating cancer and other medical conditions worldwide. It operates through Oncology Systems and Proton Solutions segments. The Oncology Systems segment offers hardware and software products for treating cancer with radiotherapy, fixed field intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiotherapy, artificial intelligence based adaptive radiotherapy, and brachytherapy, as well as quality assurance equipment. Its products include linear accelerators, brachytherapy afterloaders, treatment accessories, and quality assurance software; and information management, treatment planning, image processing, clinical knowledge exchange, patient care management, decision-making support, and practice management software. This segment serves university research and community hospitals, private and governmental institutions, healthcare agencies, physicians' offices, medical oncology practices, radiotherapy centers, and cancer care clinics. The Proton Solutions segment designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and services products and systems for delivering proton therapy for the treatment of cancer. The company has a strategic agreement with McKesson Corp. to supply treatment delivery systems and planning, services, and radiotherapy information system solutions to its U.S. Oncology Network and Vantage Oncology affiliated sites of care; and a strategic partnership with Siemens AG to represent Siemens diagnostic imaging products to radiation oncology clinics in the United States and other select markets. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. was formerly known as Varian Associates, Inc. and changed its name to Varian Medical Systems, Inc. in April 1999. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Read More SunTrust Banks, Inc. operates as the holding company for SunTrust Bank that provides various financial services for consumers, businesses, corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit entities in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Wholesale. The Consumer segment provides deposits and payments; home equity and personal credit lines; auto, student, and other lending products; credit cards; discount/online and full-service brokerage products; professional investment advisory products and services; and trust services, as well as family office solutions. This segment also offers residential mortgage products in the secondary market. The Wholesale segment provides capital markets solutions, including advisory, capital raising, and financial risk management; asset-based financing solutions, such as securitizations, asset-based lending, equipment financing, and structured real estate arrangements; cash management services and auto dealer financing solutions; investment banking solutions; and credit and deposit, fee-based product offering, multi-family agency lending, advisory, commercial mortgage brokerage, and tailored financing and equity investment solutions. This segment also offers treasury and payment solutions, such as operating various electronic and paper payment types, which comprise card, wire transfer, automated clearing house, check, and cash; and provides services clients to manage their accounts online. The company offers its products and services through a network of traditional and in-store branches, automated teller machines, Internet, mobile, and telephone banking channels. As of December 31, 2018, it operated 1,218 full-service banking offices located in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. SunTrust Banks, Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 contact@marketbeat.com | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. The following companies are subsidiares of Becton, Dickinson and: (Bard Istanbul Healthcare Limited Company), Accuri Cytometers, Accuri Cytometers Inc., Adaptec, Alverix, Alverix Inc., Atto Bioscience, BD Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., BD Infection Prevention BV, BD Kiestra BV, BD Kiestra Total Lab Automation, BD Rapid Diagnostic (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., BD San Luis Potosi S.A. de C.V., BD Switzerland Sarl, BD Ventures LLC, BD West Africa Limited, BDX INO LLC, Bard (Thailand) Limited, Bard ASDI Inc., Bard Access Systems Inc., Bard Acquisition Sub Inc., Bard Australia Pty. Limited, Bard Benelux N.V., Bard Brachytherapy Inc., Bard Brasil Industria e Comercio de Produtos Para a Saude Ltda., Bard Canada Inc., Bard Chile S.p.A., Bard Colombia S.A.S., Bard Czech Republic s.r.o., Bard Devices Inc., Bard Dublin ITC Limited, Bard EMEA Finance Center Sp.z o.o., Bard European Distribution Center N.V., Bard Finance B.V. & Co. KG., Bard Financial Services Ltd., Bard Finland OY, Bard France S.A.S., Bard Global Holdings I LLC, Bard Global Holdings II LLC, Bard Global Holdings III LLC, Bard Healthcare Inc., Bard Healthcare Science (Shanghai) Limited, Bard Hellas S.A., Bard Holding SAS, Bard Holdings Limited, Bard Holdings Netherlands B.V., Bard Hong Kong Limited, Bard IP Holdings Inc., Bard India Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Bard International Holdings B.V., Bard International Inc., Bard Korea Ltd., Bard Limited, Bard MRL Acquisition Corp., Bard Malaysia Healthcare Sdn. Bhd., Bard Medica SA, Bard Medical Devices (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Bard Medical R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Bard Medical SA (Proprietary) Limited, Bard Mexico Realty S. de R.L. de C.V., Bard Norden AB, Bard Norway AS, Bard Pacific Health Care Company Ltd., Bard Peripheral Vascular Inc., Bard Poland Sp. z.o.o., Bard Productos Plasticos e Medicos Ltda., Bard Reynosa S.A. de C.V., Bard S.r.l., Bard Sdn. Bhd., Bard Shannon Limited, Bard Singapore Private Limited, Bard Sourcing Office Singapore Pte. Ltd., Bard Sweden AB, Bard UK Newco Limited, Bard de Espana S.A., Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Limited, Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Management Limited, Becton Dickinson (Mauritius) Limited, Becton Dickinson (Pty) Ltd., Becton Dickinson (Thailand) Limited, Becton Dickinson A.G., Becton Dickinson A/S, Becton Dickinson Argentina S.R.L., Becton Dickinson Asia Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson Asia Limited, Becton Dickinson Austria GmbH, Becton Dickinson Austria Holdings GmbH, Becton Dickinson B.V., Becton Dickinson B.V. Saudi Limited Company, Becton Dickinson Benelux N.V., Becton Dickinson Biosciences Systems and Reagents Inc., Becton Dickinson Canada Inc., Becton Dickinson Caribe Ltd., Becton Dickinson Croatia d.o.o., Becton Dickinson Czechia s.r.o., Becton Dickinson Dispensing Belgium BVBA, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Denmark A/S, Becton Dickinson Dispensing France SAS, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Ireland Limited, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Norway, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Spain S.L.U., Becton Dickinson Dispensing UK Ltd., Becton Dickinson Distribution Center N.V., Becton Dickinson East Africa Ltd., Becton Dickinson Euro Finance Sarl, Becton Dickinson Europe Holdings S.A.S., Becton Dickinson France S.A.S., Becton Dickinson GSA Beteilgungs GmbH, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings I Inc., Becton Dickinson Global Holdings II LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings IV LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings V LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings VI LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings VII LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Services Centre Sdn. Bdn., Becton Dickinson GmbH, Becton Dickinson Guatemala S.A., Becton Dickinson Hellas S.A., Becton Dickinson Holdings Limited, Becton Dickinson Holdings Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Hungary Kft., Becton Dickinson India Private Limited, Becton Dickinson Industrias Cirurgicas Ltda., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy AB, Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Holdings UK Limited, Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Systems Inc., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Systems Inc. S.A. de C.V., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy UK, Becton Dickinson Insulin Syringe Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings II Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings III Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Israel Ltd., Becton Dickinson Italia S.p.A., Becton Dickinson Ithalat Ihracat Limited Sirketi, Becton Dickinson Korea Holding Inc., Becton Dickinson Korea Ltd., Becton Dickinson Ltd., Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.L., Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Global Holdings Sarl, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings II S.a.r.L, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings III S.a.r.L, Becton Dickinson Malaysia Inc., Becton Dickinson Management GmbH & Co. KG, Becton Dickinson Matrex Holdings Inc., Becton Dickinson Medical (S) Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Devices (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Products Pte. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Technology (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Global Holdings II C.V., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Holdings B.V., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Holdings II B.V., Becton Dickinson Norway AS, Becton Dickinson O.Y., Becton Dickinson Overseas Services Ltd., Becton Dickinson Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., Becton Dickinson Penel Limited, Becton Dickinson Philippines Inc., Becton Dickinson Polska Sp.z.o.o., Becton Dickinson Portugal Unipessoal Lda., Becton Dickinson Pty. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Research Centre Ireland Limited, Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH, Becton Dickinson Rowa Italy Srl, Becton Dickinson S.A., Becton Dickinson Sample Collection GmbH, Becton Dickinson Scot Financing L.L.P., Becton Dickinson Scot Financing L.P., Becton Dickinson Sdn. Bhd., Becton Dickinson Slovakia s.r.o., Becton Dickinson Sweden AB, Becton Dickinson Sweden Holdings AB, Becton Dickinson Switzerland Global Holdings SarL, Becton Dickinson Technology Campus India, Becton Dickinson U.K. Limited, Becton Dickinson UK Financing I Ltd., Becton Dickinson UK Financing II Ltd., Becton Dickinson Venezuela C.A., Becton Dickinson Venture LLC, Becton Dickinson Verwaltungs GmbH, Becton Dickinson Vostok LLC, Becton Dickinson Worldwide Investments Sa.r.L., Becton Dickinson Zambia Limited, Becton Dickinson and Company Ltd., Becton Dickinson de Colombia Ltda., Becton Dickinson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Becton Dickinson del Uruguay S.A., Benex Ltd., Biometric Imaging, Bridger Biomed Inc., C. R. Bard, C. R. Bard (Portugal)-Produtos e Artigos Medicos e Farmaceuticos, C. R. Bard Do Brazil Productos Medicos Ltds., C. R. Bard GmbH, C. R. Bard Inc., C. R. Bard Netherlands Sales B.V., CME America LLC, CME Ltd., CME Medical (UK) Limited, CME UK (Holdings) Limited, CRISI Medical Systems, CRISI Medical Systems Inc., Caesarea Medical Electronics, Cardal II LLC, Care Fusion Development Private Limited, CareFusion, CareFusion (Barbados) SrL, CareFusion (Shanghai) Commercial and Trading Co. Limited, CareFusion 213 LLC, CareFusion 2200 Inc., CareFusion 2201 Inc., CareFusion 302 LLC, CareFusion 303 Inc., CareFusion Asia (HK) Limited, CareFusion BH 335 d.o.o. Cazin, CareFusion Corporation, CareFusion D.R. 203 Ltd., CareFusion France 309 S.A.S., CareFusion Germany 318 GmbH, CareFusion Iberia 308 S.L., CareFusion Israel 330 Ltd., CareFusion Italy 312 S.p.A., CareFusion Manufacturing LLC, CareFusion Mexico 215 S.A. de C.V., CareFusion Netherlands 328 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 503 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 504 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands Financing 283 C.V., CareFusion Resources LLC, CareFusion S.A. 319 (Proprietary) Limited, CareFusion Solutions LLC, CareFusion U.K. 244 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 305 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 306 Limited, Carmel Pharma AB, Carmel Pharma Inc, Cato Software Solutions, Cell Analysis Systems Inc, Cellular Research, Cellular Research Inc., Clearstream Technologies Group Limited, Clearstream Technologies Limited, Clontech Laboratories Inc, Corporativo BD de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Cubex, Cytopeia, DLD (Bermuda) Ltd., DVL Acquisition Sub Inc., Davol Inc., Davol International Limited, Davol Surgical Innovations S.A. de C.V., Difco Laboratories Incorporated, Distribuidora BD Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dutch American Manufacturers (D.A.M.) B.V., Dymax Corporation, Embo Medical Limited, Enturia de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Enturican Inc., FJ International Inc., FlowCardia Inc., FlowCardia LLC, FlowJo LLC, Franklin Lakes Enterprises L.L.C., GSL Solutions, Gamer Lasertechnik GmbH, GenCell Biosystems, GenCell Biosystems Ltd., GeneOhm Sciences, GeneOhm Sciences Canada Inc., Gentest Corporation, Gesco International Inc., Gesco International LLC, HandyLab Inc, HandyLab Inc., IBD Holdings LLC, Ionotophoretics Corporation, JoHome LLC, Kabushiki Kaisha Medicon (Medicon Inc.), Liberator Health and Education Services Inc., Liberator Health and Wellness Inc., Liberator Medical Holdings Inc., Liberator Medical Supply Inc., LifeBond, Limited Liability Company Bard Rus, Loma Vista Medical Inc., Loma Vista Medical LLC, Lutonix Inc., Med-Design Corporation, Med-Design Investment Holdings Inc., Med-Safe Systems Inc., MedChem Products Inc., Medafor Inc., Medegen LLC, Medinservice.com Inc., Medivance Inc., NAT Diagnostics, NAT Diagnostics Inc., NOW Medical Distribution Inc., NOW Medical Distribution LLC, Navarre Biomedical LLC, Navarre Biomedical Ltd., Neomend Inc., Nippon Becton Dickinson Company Ltd., Omega Biosystems Incorporated, P.R.C.(Isialys)Societe a responsabilitie limitee(Societe a associe unique), PT Becton Dickinson Indonesia, PharMingen, PreAnalytiX GmbH, Pristine Access Technologies Inc., ProSeed Inc., Procesos para Esterilizacion S.A. de C.V., Productos Bard de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Productos Para el Cuidado de la Salud S.A. de C.V., Puls Medical Devices AS LC, PureWick Corporation, Roberts Laboratories Inc., Rochester Medical Corporation, Rochester Medical Ltd., Saf-T-Med, Safety Syringes, Safety Syringes Inc., Sendal S.L.U., SenoRx Inc., SenoRx LLC, Shield Healthcare Centers Inc., Sirigen, Sirigen II Limited, Sirigen Inc., Sistemas Medicos ALARIS S.A. de C.V., Specialized Cooperative Corporation, Specialized Health Products Inc., Specialized Health Products International Inc., Specialized Health Products International LLC, Staged Diabetes Management LLC, Straub Medical, Straub Medical, Straub Medical (US) LLC, Straub Medical (United Kingdom) Ltd., Straub Medical France, Surgical Site Solutions Inc., TVA Medical, TVA Medical GmbH, TVA Medical Inc., Tepha, Touchstone Medical Limited, Tri-County Medical & Ostomy Supplies Inc., TriPath Imaging, TriPath Imaging Inc., Vas-Cath Incorporated, Vascular Pathways Inc., Velano Vascular, Venetec International Inc., Venetec International LLC, Y-Med Inc., and Y-Med LLC. The following companies are subsidiares of BlackRock: Acero Cooperatief U.A., Acero Holdings I B.V., Amethyst Merger Sub LLC, AnalytX Hosting LLC, AnalytX LLC, AnalytX Software LLC, Aperio, Aperio, Aquila Heywood, Asia-Pacific Private Credit Opportunities Fund I (GenPar) Ltd., BAA Holdings LLC, BFM Holdco LLC, BLK (Gallatin) Holdings LLC, BLK SMI LLC, BR Acquisition Mexico S.A. de C.V., BR Jersey International Holdings L.P., Beijing eFront Software Company Limited, BlackRock (Barbados) Finco 1 SRL, BlackRock (Channel Islands) Limited, BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., BlackRock (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco II Pte. Ltd., BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco Pte. Limited, BlackRock (Singapore) Limited, BlackRock AP Investment Holdco LLC, BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited, BlackRock Advisors LLC, BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Limited, BlackRock Alternative Advisors GP Holdings LLC, BlackRock Alternatives Management LLC, BlackRock Argentina Asesorias Ltda., BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Deutschland AG, BlackRock Asset Management International Inc., BlackRock Asset Management Investor Services Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited, BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AG, BlackRock Asset Management UK Limited, BlackRock Australia Holdco Pty. Ltd., BlackRock Brasil Gestora de Investimentos Ltda., BlackRock Cal 1 Investor LLC, BlackRock Canada Holdings LP, BlackRock Canada Holdings ULC, BlackRock Capital Holdings Inc., BlackRock Capital Investment Advisors LLC, BlackRock Capital Management Inc., BlackRock Cayco Limited, BlackRock Cayman 1 LP, BlackRock Cayman Capital Holdings Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco 2 Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco 3 Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco Limited, BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited, BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited, BlackRock Cayman Z Limited, BlackRock Channel Islands Holdco Limited, BlackRock Chile Asesorias Limitada, BlackRock Colombia Holdco LLC, BlackRock Colombia Infraestructura S.A.S., BlackRock Colombia SAS, BlackRock Company Secretarial Services (UK) Limited, BlackRock Corporation US Inc., BlackRock Delaware Holdings Inc., BlackRock Enterprise Management Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Europe Development Management Limited, BlackRock Execution Services, BlackRock Finance Europe Limited, BlackRock Financial Management Inc., BlackRock Finco LLC, BlackRock Finco UK Ltd., BlackRock First Partner Limited, BlackRock France SAS, BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Fund Management Company S.A., BlackRock Fund Managers Limited, BlackRock Funding International Ltd., BlackRock Funds Services Group LLC, BlackRock Germany GmBH, BlackRock Group Limited, BlackRock HK Holdco Limited, BlackRock Holdco 2 Inc., BlackRock Holdco 3 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 4 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 5 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 6 LLC, BlackRock Hungary Kft, BlackRock Index Services LLC, BlackRock Infrastructure Management I LLC, BlackRock Institutional Services Inc., BlackRock Institutional Trust Company National Association, BlackRock International Holdings Inc., BlackRock International Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Dublin) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Korea) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Investment Management (Taiwan) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management Ireland Holdings Limited, BlackRock Investment Management LLC, BlackRock Investments LLC, BlackRock Japan Co. Ltd., BlackRock Japan Holdings GK, BlackRock Jersey Finco 2 Limited, BlackRock Latin America Holdco LLC, BlackRock Latin American Holdings B.V., BlackRock Life Limited, BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l., BlackRock Luxembourg Holdco S.a r.l., BlackRock Mexican Holdco B.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura I S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura II S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura III S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager II S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager III S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager S de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Operadora S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, BlackRock Mortgage Ventures LLC, BlackRock Niagara LLC, BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., BlackRock Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock PC Holdings LLC, BlackRock Pensions Limited, BlackRock Peru Asesorias S.A., BlackRock Property Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Property France S.a.r.l., BlackRock Property Lux S.a.r.l., BlackRock Property Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., BlackRock Realty Advisors Inc., BlackRock Saudi Arabia, BlackRock Scale Holdings LLC, BlackRock Services India Private Limited, BlackRock Singapore III Pte. Ltd., BlackRock Slovakia s.r.o., BlackRock Strategic Investors GP LLC, BlackRock Strategic Investors LP, BlackRock Trident Holding Company Limited, BlackRock UK (Alpha) Limited, BlackRock UK (Beta) Limited, BlackRock UK (Delta) LP, BlackRock UK (Gamma) Limited, BlackRock UK (Sigma) Limited, BlackRock UK 2 LLP, BlackRock UK 3 LLP, BlackRock UK 4 LLP, BlackRock UK A LLP, BlackRock UK Holdco 2 Limited, BlackRock UK Holdco Limited, Blackhawk Investment Holding LLC, CIE Automotive, Cachematrix Holdings, Cachematrix Holdings LLC, Cachematrix Integrations Private Limited, Cachematrix Software Solutions LLC, Cachematrix UK Limited, FutureAdvisor Inc., Glass Mountain Pipeline, Global Energy & Power Infrastructure Advisors LLC, Global Energy & Power Infrastructure II Advisors LLC, Grosvenor Alternate Partner Limited, Grosvenor Ventures Limited, HLX Financial Holdings LLC, MGPA (Bermuda) Limited, MGPA (Exec) Limited, MGPA Limited, Mercury Carry Company Ltd., Mercury Private Equity MUST 3 (Jersey) Limited, Object Capital Technology Inc., Phoenix Acquisition B.V., Phoenix Acquisitions Holdings LLC, Portfolio Administration & Management Ltd., Prestadora de Servicios Integrales BlackRock Mexico S.A. de C.V., SVOF/MM LLC, St. Albans House Nominees (Jersey) Ltd., State Street Research & Management, Tennenbaum Capital Partners LLC, Tennenbaum Capital Partners LLC, Tlali Acero S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR, Trident Merger LLC, eFront, eFront, eFront (Jersey) Limited, eFront DMLT Holdings LLC, eFront DMLT Holdings S.R.L, eFront DR S.R.L, eFront Do Brasil Solucoes Informaticas Para Sistemas Financeiros Ltda., eFront FZ-LLC, eFront Financial Solutions Inc., eFront GmbH, eFront Holding II SAS, eFront Holdings SAS, eFront Hong Kong Limited, eFront II SAS, eFront Kabushiki Kaisha, eFront Ltd, eFront SAS, eFront Singapore Pte. Ltd, eFront Software Luxembourg S.a r.l., eFront Solutions Financeieres Inc., eFront d.o.o. Beograd, iShares (DE) I Investmentaktiengesellschaft mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, and iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC. Canadian Zinc Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and development of natural resource properties in Canada. The company's principal project is the Prairie Creek mine, a zinc-lead-silver property located in the Northwest Territories. It also owns a mineral land package in central Newfoundland, which comprises lead, copper, silver, gold, and zinc deposits. The company was formerly known as San Andreas Resources Corporation and changed its name to Canadian Zinc Corporation in May 1999. Canadian Zinc Corporation was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen Coding GmbH, Allen France SAS, Alpine Automation Limited, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Holdings Inc., Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Arylux Hungary Elektromechanikus Alkatreszgyarto Kft, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix (Suzhou) Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Holdings Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel (Ireland) Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Buell Industries Inc., CAPMAX Logistica S.A. de C.V., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS (Australia) Pty Limited, CS (Finance) Europe S.a.r.l., CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, CSMTS LLC, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures (Australasia) S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur (Shanghai) Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Dorbyl U.K. (Holdings) Limited, Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO (Holding) AG, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elga Skandinavian AS, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, FEG Investments L.L.C., Fasver, Filtertek, Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech (Taicang) Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart (Japan) K.K., Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart Foster Belgium, Hobart International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW (China) Investment Company Limited, ITW (Deutschland) GmbH, ITW (EU) Holdings Ltd., ITW (European) Finance Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW (Ningbo) Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Alpha Sarl, ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components (Chongqing) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components (Langfang) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium, ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS (UK) Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Contamination Control (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Delta Sarl, ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.A., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Finance Designated Activity Company, ITW Finance Europe S.A., ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW France Finance Alpha S.A.S., ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments II Inc., ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics (Thailand) Ltd., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Italy S.R.L. in liquidazione, ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France (Luxembourg) S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings UK, ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW Hungary Finance Beta Kft, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Finance Srl, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lombard Holdings Inc., ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW M FILMS II LLC, ITW MH LLC, ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology (China) Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Plastic (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Philippines Holdings LLC, ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Spraytec, ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Servicios Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Ideal Molding Technologies LLC, Illinois Tool Works (Chile) Limitada, Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Norway AS, Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron (Shanghai) Ltd., Instron (Thailand) Limited, Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Holdings Limited, Instron International Limited, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, International Leasing Company LLC, International Truss Systems Proprietary Limited, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kester Components (M) Sdn. Bhd., Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems (Canada) Inc., Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MOA Enterprises Inc, Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, Norden Olje AB, North Star Imaging Europe, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited (Enping), Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Penta Dnepr LLC, Penta Sever OOO, Penta Volga OOO, Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., Ramset Fasteners (Hong Kong) Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco (Nederland) B.V., Simco Japan Inc., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Hong Kong) Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Taiwan) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes BVBA, Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek (China) Limited, Teknek (Japan) Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V.B.A., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta (Guangzhou) Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Vesta Global Limited, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, ZF TRW (Engineered Fasteners and Components), and Zip-Pak International B.V.. The following companies are subsidiares of IQVIA: 159 SOLUTIONS, 159 Technology Solutions Private Ltd, AHM Global Operations Inc., AHM Global Services LLC, AHM Logistics Inc. (Canada), AIECO IT Solutions India Private Ltd., ALIMED Egeszsegugyi Szolgaltato Kft., Advanced Health Media LLC, Advanced Health Media Services, Aileron Solutions, Albatross Financial Solutions Limited, Appature, Ardentia International Limited, Ascott Sales Integration, Asesorias IQVIA Solutions Chile Limitada, Asserta Centroamerica Medicion de Mercados, BUZZEOPDMA LLC, Battaerd Mansley Pty. Ltd., Benefit Canada, Benefit Holding, BioFortis, CDS - Center de Service SAS, COORDINATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, CRM Health Korea Ltd., CSD Health Korea Ltd., Cambridge Pharma Consultancy, Cambridge Pharma Consultancy Limited, Cegedim Venezuela C.A., Cenduit (India) Services Private Company Limited, Cenduit Limited, Cenduit Mauritius Holdings Company, Clinical Financial Services, Clinical Lab Minority Shareholder Limited, Coordinated Management Holdings L.L.C., Cote Orphan, Cote Orphan Consulting UK Limited, DATA NICHE ASSOCIATES, Datadina Ecuador S.A., Dataline Software Limited, Datec Industria e Comercio, Dimensiions Healthcare LLC, Drug Dev Inc., DrugDev, DrugDev Limited, EA Institute L.L.C., ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES, EPS Research Limited, EPS Software Limited, Epernicus, Forcea NV, Foresight Group International UK LTD, Foresight Group Japan G.K., Foresight IT Solutions Consulting India Private Limited, GRACE DATA CORPORATION, Global Crown Investment Limited, HIGHPOINT SOLUTIONS, Hospital Marketing Services Ltd., Hotel Lot C-8B, IMS (GIBRALTAR) HOLDING LIMITED, IMS (UK) Pension Plan Trustee Company Limited, IMS AB, IMS CHINAMETRIK INC., IMS HEALTH GROUP LIMITED, IMS HEALTH KOREA LTD, IMS HEALTH KOREA LTD., IMS HEALTH PUERTO RICO INC., IMS HEALTH TAIWAN LTD., IMS Health (Australia) Partnership, IMS Health Analytics Services Private Limited, IMS Health Bangladesh Limited, IMS Health Bolivia S.R.L., IMS Health Cyprus LTD, IMS Health Egypt Limited, IMS Health Information Solutions Argentina S.A., IMS Health Information Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd, IMS Health Information Solutions India Private Ltd., IMS Health Information Solutions Japan K.K., IMS Health Lanka (Private) Limited, IMS Health Networks Limited, IMS Health Pakistan (Private) Limited, IMS Health Paraguay SRL, IMS Health Surveys Limited, IMS Health Technology Solutions (China) Co. Ltd., IMS Health Technology Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd, IMS Health Technology Solutions Colombia Ltda., IMS Health Technology Solutions Holdings AB, IMS Health Technology Solutions Hungary Ltd., IMS Health Technology Solutions India Private Ltd., IMS Health Technology Solutions Japan K.K., IMS Health Technology Solutions Kazakhstan, IMS Health Technology Solutions LLC, IMS Health Technology Solutions Sweden AB, IMS Health Technology TUNISIA, IMS Health Tunisia sarl, IMS Health Uruguay S.A., IMS Health de Venezuela C.A., IMS Holdings (U.K.) Limited, IMS Hospital Group Limited, IMS Information Solutions Medical Research Limited, IMS Information Solutions UK Ltd., IMS International (Proprietary) Limited, IMS Market Research Consult (Beijing), IMS Meridian Limited, IMS Meridian Research Limited, IMS Republica Dominicana, IMS SOFTWARE SERVICES LTD., IMS Technology Solutions UK Limited, INTERCONTINENTAL MEDICAL STATISTICS INTERNATIONAL, IPP Informacion Promocional y Publicitaria S.A. de C.V., IPP Technology Solutions Mexico SA de CV (FKA Cegedim Mexico SA de CV), IQVA Romania S.R.L., IQVIA (Thialand) Co. Ltd., IQVIA AB, IQVIA AG, IQVIA AG (Mexico Branch), IQVIA AG (UK Branch), IQVIA Adriatic d.o.o. za Konzalting, IQVIA Asia Pacific Commercial Holdings LLC, IQVIA Beteiligungs-gesellschaft mbH, IQVIA BioSciences Holdings LLC, IQVIA CHINAMETRIK INC., IQVIA COMMERCIAL FINANCE INC., IQVIA COMMERCIAL INDIA HOLDINGS CORP., IQVIA COMMERCIAL LICENSING ASSOCIATES LLC, IQVIA COMMERCIAL SERVICES LLC, IQVIA COMMERCIAL TRADING CORP., IQVIA Clinical AB, IQVIA Commercial Deutschland GmbH, IQVIA Commercial GmbH & Co. OHG, IQVIA Commercial I LLC, IQVIA Commercial Software GmbH, IQVIA Commercial Sp. z.o.o., IQVIA Commerical Consulting Sp. z.o.o., IQVIA Consulting Solutions bvba, IQVIA Consulting and Information Services India Private Limited, IQVIA Finance Ireland Designated Activity Company, IQVIA GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC., IQVIA Healthcare QFC branch, IQVIA Hellas Technology Solutions S.A., IQVIA Holdings France SAS, IQVIA IES (UK) Limited, IQVIA IES Brasil Ltda., IQVIA IES Europe Limited, IQVIA IES European Holdings, IQVIA IES Italia S.r.l., IQVIA IES OY, IQVIA IES Overseas Holdings Limited, IQVIA IES Portugal, IQVIA IES Portugal Unipressoal Ltda., IQVIA IES Puerto Rico Inc., IQVIA II Technology Solutions Portugal, IQVIA INC., IQVIA INFORMATION MEDICAL STATISTICS (ISRAEL) LTD., IQVIA Information, IQVIA Information Solutions (China) Co., IQVIA Information Solutions GmbH, IQVIA Informations Solutions France SAS, IQVIA Istanbul Saglik Hizmetler Arastirma ve Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, IQVIA Korea Co. Ltd., IQVIA LTD, IQVIA Market Intelligence LLC, IQVIA Marktforschung GmbH, IQVIA Maroc SARL, IQVIA Mauritius Holdings, IQVIA Medical Communications & Consulting, IQVIA Medical Development (Dalian) Co., IQVIA Medical Education Inc., IQVIA Medical Radar AB, IQVIA Operations France SAS, IQVIA PHARMA Inc., IQVIA Partners AS, IQVIA Pharma Services Corp., IQVIA Pharmaceutical Marketing Services Ltd., IQVIA Phase One Services LLC, IQVIA RDS (India) Private Limited, IQVIA RDS (Pty.) Limited, IQVIA RDS AG, IQVIA RDS Argentina S.A., IQVIA RDS Asia Inc., IQVIA RDS Austria GmbH, IQVIA RDS BT Inc., IQVIA RDS Brasil Ltda., IQVIA RDS Bulgaria EOOD, IQVIA RDS Canada ULC, IQVIA RDS Chile, IQVIA RDS Colombia S.A.S., IQVIA RDS Consulting Inc., IQVIA RDS ESTONIA OU, IQVIA RDS East Asia Pte. Ltd., IQVIA RDS Eastern Holdings GmbH, IQVIA RDS Finland OY, IQVIA RDS France SAS (formerly, IQVIA RDS Funding LLC, IQVIA RDS GesmbH, IQVIA RDS GesmbH Greek Branch, IQVIA RDS Guatemala S.A., IQVIA RDS Holdings, IQVIA RDS Hong Kong Limited, IQVIA RDS ISRAEL LTD., IQVIA RDS Inc., IQVIA RDS Ireland (Finance) Ltd., IQVIA RDS Ireland Ltd., IQVIA RDS Italy Srl, IQVIA RDS Latin America LLC, IQVIA RDS Latvia SIA, IQVIA RDS Magyarorszag Gyogyszerfejlesztesi es Tanacsado Kft., IQVIA RDS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., IQVIA RDS Moscow, IQVIA RDS Novosibirsk, IQVIA RDS Panama Inc., IQVIA RDS Peru S.r.l., IQVIA RDS Philippines Inc., IQVIA RDS Poland Sp. Zoo, IQVIA RDS Pty. Limited, IQVIA RDS Slovakia s.r.o., IQVIA RDS Spain, IQVIA RDS Spain S.L., IQVIA RDS St. Petersburg, IQVIA RDS Support Sarl, IQVIA RDS Switzerland sarl, IQVIA RDS Taiwan Ltd., IQVIA RDS Transfer LLC, IQVIA RDS UAB, IQVIA RDS UK Holdings Ltd., IQVIA RDS and Integrated Services Belgium NV, IQVIA RDS d.o.o. Beograd, IQVIA SOLUTIONS ASIA PTE. LTD., IQVIA SOLUTIONS CANADA INC., IQVIA SOLUTIONS JAPAN K.K., IQVIA SOLUTIONS OPERATIONS CENTER PHLIPPINES INC., IQVIA SOLUTIONS PHILIPINES, IQVIA SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, IQVIA Services Japan K.K., IQVIA Solutions (NZ) Limited, IQVIA Solutions (Pty.) Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Argentina S.A., IQVIA Solutions Australia Holdings Pty. Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd., IQVIA Solutions B.V., IQVIA Solutions Belgium S.P.R.L., IQVIA Solutions Bulgaria EOOD, IQVIA Solutions Colombia S.A., IQVIA Solutions Consulting Myanmar Company Limited, IQVIA Solutions Denmark AS, IQVIA Solutions Enterprise Management Consulting (Shanghai) Co., IQVIA Solutions Finance B.V., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK I Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK II Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK III Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK V Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finland OY, IQVIA Solutions Global Holdings UK Ltd., IQVIA Solutions GmbH, IQVIA Solutions HQ Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Holdings (Pty.) Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Hong Kong Limited, IQVIA Solutions Ireland Limited, IQVIA Solutions Italy W.r.l., IQVIA Solutions Kazakhstan LLC, IQVIA Solutions LLC, IQVIA Solutions Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., IQVIA Solutions Norway AS, IQVIA Solutions Pharmaceutical SRL, IQVIA Solutions Portugal, IQVIA Solutions Regional Pte. Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Services Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Sweden AB, IQVIA Solutions UK Investments Ltd., IQVIA Solutions UK Limited, IQVIA Solutions a.s., IQVIA Solutions del Peru S.A., IQVIA Solutions do Brasil Ltda., IQVIA Solutions s.r.o., IQVIA Solucoes de Tecnologia DO Brazil Ltda., IQVIA Staff Services Sp.A., IQVIA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES CORP., IQVIA Technology Services Ltd., IQVIA Technology Solutions Egypt LLC, IQVIA Technology Solutions Finland OY, IQVIA Technology Solutions Poland SP. z.o.o., IQVIA Technology Solutions Romania Srl, IQVIA Technology Solutions S.R.O. Branch Bulgaria, IQVIA Technology Solutions Ukraine LLC, IQVIA Technology Solutions s.r.o., IQVIA Technology and Services AG, IQVIA Tibbi Istatistik Ticaret ve Musavirlik Ltd. Sirketi, IQVIA Trading Management Inc., IQVIA World Publications Ltd., IQVIA Zagreb d.o.o., Iasist Holdco Limited, Iasist Potugal, Iasist SAU Agencia en Chile, Iasist Sociedad Anonima Unipersonal, Impact RX, Infocus Health Limited, Infopharm Ltd., Innovex Holdings I LLC, Innovex Merger Corp., Innovex Saglik Hizmetleri Arastirma ve Danismanlik Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Innovex Saglik Urunleri Pazarlame ve Hizmet Danismanlik Anonim Sirketi, Institute of Medical Communications NCO, Interstatistik AG, Kun Tai Medical Development Hong Kong Limited, Kun Tuo Medical Research & Development (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Laboratorie Novex Pharma Sarl, Laboratorio Commuq Pharma SL, Linguamatics, M&H Informatics (BD) LTD., M-TAG Australia Pty. Ltd., MED-VANTAGE, MG Recherche, Mecurial Insights Holding Pty. Ltd., Mecurial Insights Pty. Ltd., Mercados Y Analisis, Meridian Research Vietnam Ltd., Nordisk Medicin Information AB, Novella Clinical LLC, Novella Clinical Ltd., Novex Pharma Gmbh, Novex Pharma Laboratorio S.L., Novex Pharma Limited, Nuevo Health Pty Ltd, Onkodatamed GmbH, Operaciones Centralizadas Latinoamericana Limitada, Optimum Contact Limited, Outcome Sciences LLC, PILGRIM SOFTWARE HOLDING B.V., POLARIS MANAGEMENT PARTNERS LLC, POLARIS SOLUTIONS LLC, PR Editions S.A.S., PT IMS Health Indonesia, PT Quintiles Indonesia, Penderwood Limited, PharmARC Consulting Services GmbH, PharmARC Inc., Pharma Deals Limited, Pharma Strategy Group Ltd., Pharmadata s.r.o., Pharmaforce, Pilgrim Quality Solutions EMEA BV, Pilgrim Software Asia PVT, Polaris Solutions BV, Polaris Solutions Ltd., Primeum IQVIA SAS, Privacy Analytics Inc., Professional Pharmaceutical Marketing Services (Pty.) Ltd., Pygargus AB, Q Squared Solutions (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Q Squared Solutions (India) Private Limited, Q Squared Solutions (Quest) LLC, Q Squared Solutions (Quest) Limited, Q Squared Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Q Squared Solutions B.V., Q Squared Solutions BioSciences LLC, Q Squared Solutions China (Quest) Limited, Q Squared Solutions China Limited, Q Squared Solutions Expression Analysis LLC, Q Squared Solutions Holdings B.V., Q Squared Solutions Holdings LLC, Q Squared Solutions Holdings Limited, Q Squared Solutions K.K., Q Squared Solutions LLC, Q Squared Solutions Limited, Q Squared Solutions Proprietary Limited, Q Squared Solutions Pte. Ltd., Q Squared Solutions S.A., Q2 Metrics, Q2 Solutions, QIMS Pharma Services SA DE CV, QUINTILES MEXICO, QUINTILESIMS EUROPEAN HOLDINGS II C.V., Qcare Site Services, Quintiles B.V., Quintiles Benin Ltd., Quintiles Clindata (Pty.) Limited, Quintiles Clindepharm (Pty.) Limited, Quintiles Clinical and Commercial Nigeria Limited, Quintiles Commercial ApS, Quintiles Commercial Germany GmbH, Quintiles Commercial Rus LLC, Quintiles Commercial South Africa (Pty) Limited, Quintiles Commercial US. Inc., Quintiles Costa Rica S.A., Quintiles Czech Republic, Quintiles Denmark, Quintiles East Africa Limited, Quintiles Egypt LLC, Quintiles Enterprise Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Quintiles Finance Sarl, Quintiles Finance Uruguay, Quintiles GmbH, Quintiles Holdings S.a.r.l., Quintiles IMS European Holdings C.V., Quintiles Lanka Private Limited, Quintiles Latin America Inc., Quintiles Luxembourg European Holding, Quintiles Luxembourg European Holding S.a.r.l., Quintiles Luxembourg France Holdings SARL, Quintiles Medical Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Quintiles Netherlands, Quintiles New Zealand, Quintiles Norway, Quintiles Phase One Clinical Trials India Private Limited, Quintiles Russia LLC, Quintiles S.a.r.l., Quintiles Site Services, Quintiles South Africa (PTY.) Limited, Quintiles UK (Japan Holdings) Limited, Quintiles Ukraine, Quintiles Vietnam, Quintiles West Africa Limited, RX India LLC, Radar Acquisition Blocker, Redsite Limited, Reportive SA, STI Technologies Limited, Schwarzeck Verlag GmbH, Secureconsent, Shanghai IMS Market Research Co. Ltd., Source Informatics Limited, Spartan Leasing Corporation, Statfinn Oy, Strategique Sante, THE AMUNDSEN GROUP, Targeted Molecular Diagnostics, Tarius A/S, Temas Srl - Societa Unipersonale, TforG Connect BVBA, Themis Limited, UAB IQVIA Commercial, VALUEMEDICS RESEARCH, VCG&A Inc., and iGuard. 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 Daimler AG, together its subsidiaries, develops and manufactures passenger cars, trucks, vans, and buses in Germany and internationally. It operates through Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans, Daimler Trucks and Buses, and Daimler Mobility segments. The Mercedes-Benz Cars segment offers premium and luxury vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz brand, including the Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, and Mercedes-EQ brands; small cars under the smart brand name; and ecosystem of Mercedes-Benz under the Mercedes me brand, as well as vans and related services under the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner brands. Daimler Trucks and Buses segment offers its trucks and special vehicles under the Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Western Star, FUSO, and BharatBenz brands; and buses under the Mercedes-Benz, Setra, Thomas Built Buses, and FU brands, as well as bus chassis. The Daimler Mobility segment provides financing and leasing packages for end-customers and dealers; and automotive insurance brokerage, banking, investment, and fleet management services under the Athlon brand. It also sells vehicle related spare parts and accessories. Daimler AG was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany Read More Wall Street analysts have given SPDR Nuveen Barclays Short Term Municipal 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 SPDR Nuveen Barclays Short Term Municipal Bond ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. The following companies are subsidiares of 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. Cartier Resources Inc. engages in the acquisition and exploration of mining properties in Canada. The company explores for gold deposits. Its flagship project is the Chimo mine property located to the east of Val-d'Or, Quebec. The company also holds interest in Benoist, Fenton, Wilson, Cadillac Extension, Dollier, and MacCormack metal deposit projects, which are located in Quebec. Cartier Resources Inc. was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Val-d'Or, Canada. Read More Wall Street analysts have given iShares Core 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 Core 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. Wall Street analysts have given iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 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 S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. 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 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. Parkland Corporation operates as a marketer, distributor, and refiner of fuel and petroleum products in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canada, International, USA, Supply, and Corporate segments. The Canada segment supplies and supports a coast-to-coast network of 1,860 retail gas stations under the Ultramar, Esso, Fas Gas Plus, Chevron, Pioneer, and Race Trac as well as operates convenience stores under the On the Run/MarchA Express brand. Additionally it offers bulk fuel, bulk and cylinder exchange propane, heating oil, lubricants, and other related products and services to commercial, industrial, and residential customers in various industries, such as oil and gas, construction, mining, forestry, fishing, and transportation under the Ultramar, Bluewave Energy, Pipeline Commercial, Chevron, Columbia Fuels, and Sparlings Propane brands. The International segment operates retail service stations under the Esso, Shell, and Sol brands; and delivers and supplies gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, propane, and lubricants to customers in various sectors, including power, oil and gas, and mining. The USA segment operates a network of gas stations; and delivers bulk fuel, lubricants, and other related products and services under the Farstad Oil, Rhinehart Oil, Tropic Oil, Superpumper, Harts, and On the Run brands. The Supply segment manufactures transportation fuels; transports, stores, and markets fuels, crude oil, and liquid petroleum gases; and manufactures and sells aviation fuel to airlines. This segment also engages in the wholesale, supply, and distribution business. The company was formerly known as Parkland Fuel Corporation and changed its name to Parkland Corporation in May 2020. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.: 2235158 Alberta Limited, A.J. Amer Agency, AHC Digital LLC, AIX Limited, AJG Coal LLC, AJG Financial Services LLC, AJG Meadows LLC, AJG North America ULC, AJG RCF LLC, AJGRMS of Louisiana LLC, ARM RE Ltda., AVIATION INSURANCE SERVICES, AVRECO, Ace IRM Insurance Broking Group, Acumus Holdings Limited, Acumus Interco Limited, Acumus Ltd, Adams & Associates International, Adaptive Marketing LLC, Adco General Corporation, Advanced Benefit Advisors, Aequus Trade Credit, Affinity Marketing Group, Ahrold Fay Rosenberg, Aires Consulting Group, Alesco Risk Management Services Limited, Alize Limited, Allied Claims Administration Inc., Alternative Market Specialists, Altman & Cronin Benefit Consultants, American Freedom Carriers Inc., American Security Services Corp., American Wholesalers Underwriting Ltd, Andrew-Anthony Insurance Agency, Anthony Hodges Consulting Limited, Antrobus Investments Limited, AquaSurance, Argentis, Argentis Financial Group Limited, Argentis Financial Management Limited, Argus Benefits, Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle, Artex (SAC) Limited, Artex Cedar Hill, Artex Corporate Services (Malta) Limited, Artex Corporate Services Limited, Artex Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Holdings (Malta) Limited, Artex Insurance (Guernsey) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance (Tennessee) PCCIC Inc., Artex Insurance Brokers (Malta) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance ICC Limited, Artex Intermediaries Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Bermuda) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Cayman) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Guernsey) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (International) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Malta) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (UK) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions Inc., Arthur J Gallagher (Norway) Holdings AS, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AUS) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Illinois), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Insurance Brokers of California Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher (Aus) Pty Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Bermuda) Holding Partnership, Arthur J. Gallagher (Life Solutions) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (U.S.) LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Asesoria S.A.C., Arthur J. Gallagher Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd., Arthur J. Gallagher Brokerage & Risk Management Services LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Broking (NZ) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Financial Services Professionals Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Group Quebec ULC, Arthur J. Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Latin America LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Management (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Real Estate Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services (Hawaii) Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services of Utah Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher School Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Service Company LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Services (UK) Ltd, Ashmore & Associates Insurance Agency, Atlantic Risk Management Corp., Atrex Insurance (Cayman) SPC Limited, Avantek Pty Ltd, Axe Insurance PCC Limited, BIS Insurance Services, Baker - Tillys employment benefits solutions, Ballard Benefit Works, Bankers Financial Benefits, Barmore Insurance Agency, Behnke & Co. Inc., Bellisle Pty Ltd, Belmont Associates Consultants, Belmont Insurance Holdings Limited, Belmont International, Belmont International Limited, Benefit Development Group, Benefit Management Group, BenefitLink Resource Group, Benefits Planning & Insurance Agency, Benefits Unlimited, Bennett & Shade Co., Bergvall Marine, Bergvall Marine A.S., Besselman & Little Agency, Big Savings Insurance Agency Inc., Blenheim Park Ltd, Blenheim Park Services Limited, Blue Holdings Pty Ltd, Blue Horizon Insurance Services, Blue Water Benefits, BluePeak Advisors, Blueleaf Consulting Pty Ltd., Bluewater Incorporated Cell Insurance Company, Bollinger Inc., Bollinger Insurance Services Inc., Bowen Miclette Britt & Merry of Arkansas Inc., Brendis & Brendis, Brim AB, Broker Benefit Services, Brokerage Professionals, Brown Hobbs & McMurray Insurance, Bultman/Bell Associates Inc., Burkwald & Associates, Burns-Fazzi Brock & Associates, Bushong Insurance Associates, C&B Consulting Group, CGM Gallagher Insruance Brokers (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited, CJM Solutions Inc., CMA Solutions LLC, Cairnstone Financial, California Insurance Center, Capital Bauer Insurance Agency, Capitol Benefits Group, Capsicum CRLA LLP, Capsicum Re Brasil Participacoes Ltda, Capsicum Re Latin America Corretora De Resseguros Ltda, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Bermuda Limited, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Miami Inc., Carefree Marketing Inc., Carpenter Cammack & Associates, Cashan & Co., Castle Insurance Associates, Centennial Insurance Agency, Charity First Insurance Services Inc., Charles Allen Agency, Charter Lakes Insurance Agency, Chris Schroeder Insurance, Christie-Phoenix, Cintran Claims Canada Limited, Classic Insurance Services, Cleaveland Insurance Group, Cohen & Lord Insurance Brokers, Cohn Financial Group, Coleman Group Holdings Limited, Coleman Holdings Limited, College and University Scholastic Excess Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Commercial Insurance Brokers, Complete Benefit Alliance, Complete Financial Balance, Complete Financial Balance Pty Ltd, Consolidated Casualty Specialties LLC, Construction Risk Solutions, Contego Underwriting Limited, Contego Underwriting Ltd, Continental Excess & Surplus, Convergence Risk Services Ltd, Copper Mountain Assurance Inc., Cornwall & Stevens Co., Corporate Benefit Advisors, Corporate Life Consultants, Countrywide Accident Assistance Limited, Coverdell & Company Inc., Coverdell Canada Corporation, Cowles and Connell, Craig M. Ferguson & Co., Crist Elliott Machette Insurance Services, Crombie Lockwood (NZ) Limited, Davis-Poston & Associates, Denman Consulting Services, Detlefs Johnson & Partners, DiBrina Group, Dickinson & Associates, Discount Development Services L.L.C., Discovery Benefit Solutions, Dodson-Bateman & Co., Donald P. Pipino Co. Ltd., E. S. Susanin Inc., EHE Holdings LLC, EHS Holdings Limited, Elantis Premium Funding (NZ) Limited, Elantis Premium Funding Limited, Elite Benefits Insurance Marketing Services, Employee Benefits Analysis Corp., Employee Benefits of The Carolinas, Encore Insurance & Bonding, Everett James, Evolution Risk Services Limited, Evolution Technology Services Limited, Evolution Underwriting Group, Evolution Underwriting Group Limited, Evolution Underwriting Limited, Excel Insurance Services, FYI Direct Canada Corporation, FYI Direct LLC, Farallone Pacific Insurance Services, Fenchurch Faris Limited, Fidelity Benefits & Insurance Services, Financial Profiles Inc., Finergy Solutions Pty Ltd, First Agency, First Iowa Insurance Agency, First Premium Inc., First Premium Insurance Group, Fish & Schulkamp, Fishermans Insurance Services, Foley Healthcare Limited, Fortress Financial Solutions Pty Ltd, Fortress Insurance LLC, Foundation Strategies, Fox Lawson & Associates, Franklin-Case Agency LLC, Fraser MacAndrew Ryan Limited, Friary Intermediate Limited, Fuller & O'Brien, G.S. Chapman & Associates Insurance Brokers, G.S. Levine Insurance Services, GBS (Australia) Holdings Pty Ltd, GBS Administrators Inc., GBS Insurance and Financial Services Inc., GBS Retirement Services Inc., GBS Specialty Markets LLC, GGB Finance 1 Limited, GGB Finance 2 Limited, GGB Finance 3 Limited, GGB Finance 4 Limited, GPL Assurance, GPL Assurance Inc., Gabor Insurance Services, Gale Smith & Co. Inc., Gallagher (Bermuda) Insurance Solutions Ltd., Gallagher - Grace/Mayer Insurance Agency, Gallagher Bassett Aires Inc., Gallagher Bassett Canada Inc., Gallagher Bassett Insurance Services Ltd., Gallagher Bassett International Ltd., Gallagher Bassett NZ Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. , Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Workers Compensation Victoria Pty Ltd., Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services (Holdings) Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services Management Company Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Pty Ltd, Gallagher Benefits Consulting Limited, Gallagher Bomford Couch Wilson, Gallagher Burgess, Gallagher Canada Acquisition Corporation, Gallagher Caribbean Group Limited, Gallagher Clean Energy LLC, Gallagher Communications Limited, Gallagher Community Clinic RPG LLC, Gallagher Consulting Ltda, Gallagher Corporate Services LLC, Gallagher Coyle, Gallagher CyberRisk, Gallagher Energy Risk Services Inc., Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC, Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Bermuda Company Limited, Gallagher Holdings Four (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Three (UK) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (Barbados) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Kitts & Nevis) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Vincent) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers Jamaica Limited, Gallagher International Cash Management s.r.l., Gallagher International Holdings (US) Inc., Gallagher Investment Advisors LLC, Gallagher Inwest Group, Gallagher Koster, Gallagher Lambert Group, Gallagher Madison Risk & Insurance Services, Gallagher Mauritius Holdings, Gallagher Mississippi Brokerage LLC, Gallagher RE Colombia Ltda Corredores de Reaseguros SA, Gallagher Risk & Reward Limited, Gallagher Risk Group LLC, Gallagher Risk Placements Pty Ltd, Gallagher SKS, Gallagher Service Center LLP, Gallagher-Tarantino, Galtney Group, Game Day Insurance Inc., Gardner & White Corp., Gardner Marine Agency, Garza Long Group, Gatehouse Consulting Limited, Gault Armstrong Kemble Pty Ltd, Gault Armstrong SARL, Giles Group, Giles Holdings Limited, Giles Insurance Brokers, Gillis Ellis & Baker Inc., Goodman Insurance Agency, Grandy Pratt Co., Greenseed Alternative Mangaers Platform Ltd, Grossman & Associates, Group Benefits of Arkansas, Group Insurance Associates, Gruppo Marcucci, HLG Holdings Limited, HMG-PCMS Limited, HPF Investments LLC, HR Owen Insurance Services Limited, Hagan Newkirk Financial Services, Hagedorn & Company, Hardman & Howell Benefits, Harlequin Insurance PCC Limited, Hartstein Associates Inc., Healthcare Professionals Purchasing Group LLC, Healthcare Risk Solutions, Heath Lambert Group Ltd., Heath Lambert Limited, Heath Lambert Overseas Limited, Heiser Insurance Agency, Henderson Phillips Fine Arts Insurance, Herbruck Alder & Co., Heritage Insurance Brokers (CI) Limited, Hesse & Partner AG, Hesse Consulting, Hexagon ICC Limited, Hexagon Insurance PCC Limited, Hill Chesson & Woody, Hogan Insurance Services, Home & Travel Limited, Honour Point Limited, Horseshoe Corporate Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services USA Inc., Horseshoe ILS Services UK Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Advisors US LLC, Horseshoe Insurance Advisory Ltd., Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings US Inc., Horseshoe Management (Gibraltar) Limited, Horseshoe Management (Ireland) Ltd, Horseshoe Management Ltd., Horseshoe PCC Limited, Horseshoe Re Limited, Horseshoe Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Services (Pty) Ltd, Horton Insurance Agency, Housing Authorities Services Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Human Resource Management Systems, I-Protect Underwriting Pty Ltd, IBIS Advisors, IBS Reinsurance Singapore Pte Ltd, ILS Fund Services Ltd., ISG International, ITI Solutions, Igloo Insurance PCC Limited, Independent Benefit Services, Independent Fiduciary Services, Ink Underwriting Agencies Limited, InsSync Group Pty Ltd, Inspire Underwriting Limited, Instrat Insurance Brokers, Instrat Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Instrat Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Insurance Acquisitions Holdings Limited, Insurance Associates Inc., Insurance Dialogue Limited, Insurance Dialogue Ltd., Insurance Plans Agency, Insurance Plus Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Insurance Point, Insurance Risk Managers of Missouri Inc., Insure My Villa Limited, Insure Pty Ltd, Integrated Healthcare Strategies, InterNational Insurance Group, InterPacific Underwriting Agencies, Intermountain Financial Benefits, Interstate Insurance Underwriters, JPGAC LLC, James F. Reda & Associates, James R. Weir Insurance Agency, Jenkins and Associates, Joe E. Martin Inc., John P. Woods Co. Inc., Jones Brown, Jones Brown Group Inc., Jones Brown Insurance Solutions Inc., Joseph Distel, Joseph James & Associates Insurance Agency, Just Landlords Insurance Services Ltd, KDC Associates, KRW Insurance Agency, Kahl Insurance Services, Kaler Carney Liffler & Co. Inc., Kane Group - Insurance Management Operations, Kelly Financial, Kent Kent & Tingle and RBS, Keyser Benefits Corp., Kingspark Enterprises Pty Ltd, L&R Benefits, LSG Insurance Partners, Learn About Money Limited, Lewis & Associates Insurance Brokers, Leystone Insurance & Financial, Life Plans Unlimited, Lincoln Financial Management, Longfellow Financial, Lucas Fettes Limited, Lucas Fettes and Partners Limited, Lutgert Insurance, MA Underwriting Pty Ltd, MDM Insurance Associates, MG Advanced Coal Technologies-1 LLC, MGA Insurance Services, MRS Holdings Ltd., Madison Scott & Associates, Managed Healthcare Solutions, Mannequin Insurance PCC Limited, Marchetti Robertson & Brickell Insurance, Marine Insurance Service, Martin Gordon & Jones Inc., McDowall Associates Human Resource Consultants, McIntyre Risk Management, McLean Insurance Agency, McNeary, McPherson Benefits Group, McRory & Co., Mecacem Insurance SPC Ltd, MedInsights Inc., Melton Insurance Associates, Memberworks Canada LLC, Merit Insurance, Metcom Excess, Metzler Bros. Insurance, Meyers-Reynolds & Associates, Mid America Group, Midwest Surety Services, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers Limited, Mike Henry Insurance Funding Limited, Miller Buettner & Parrott, Miller-Harrison Insurance Services, Milne Alexander Pty Ltd, Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers, Monument Insurance (NZ) Limited, Monument Llc, Monument Premium Funding Limited, Mortgage Insurance Agency, Murphy Consultants, Mutual Insurance Services, NationAir Aviation Insurance, National Administration Co., National Ethics Association, National Transportation Adjusters, Nelson/Monarch Insurance Services, Nicoud Insurance Services, NiiS/Apex Group Holdings, Nonprofit Insurance Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Noraxis Capital Corp, Nordic Forsakring & Riskhantering AB, North Alabama Insurance, Nourse Insurance Brokers, O'Gorman & Young, OAMPS (UK) Limited, OAMPS Gault Armstrong Pty Ltd, OAMPS Limited, OAMPS Special Risks Ltd, Offshore Market Placements Limited, Optimum Talent, Orb Financial Services, Orb Financial Services Limited, Osprey Insurance Brokers Limited, Oval Group, Oval Healthcare Limited, Oval Insurance Broking Limited, Oval Limited, Oval Management Services Limited, Oxygen Insurance Managers, P2 Group, PEN Insurance Management Advisors Ltd, PT IBS Insurance Broking Service, Pacific Insurance Agency, Palmer Atlantic Insurance, Palmer Atlantic Insurance Ltd, Palmer Atlantic Risk Services Ltd., Park Row Associates, Parkstar Enterprises Pty Ltd, Parmia Pty Ltd, PartnerSource, Pastel Holding (NZ) Company, Pastel Holdings Pty Limited, Pastel Purchaser (NZ) Limited, Pastel Purchaser Pty Limited, Pavey Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Pavey Group Holdings Limited, Pavey Group Limited, Pearson Dunn Insurance Inc., Pen Underwriting Canada Limited, Pen Underwriting Group Pty. Ltd., Pen Underwriting Limited, Pen Underwriting Pty Ltd, Persing Dyckman & Toynbee Inc., Personal Advice Services Pty Ltd, Petty Burton Associates, Pointer Insurance Agency, Portmore Insurance Brokers (Wilshire) Limited, Portmore Insurance Brokers Limited, Potter-Holden & Co., Powell Insurance Agency, Premier Insurance Services Inc., Premier Risk Services, Premium Finance Corporation, Preston-Patterson, ProSource Financial, Professional Agents Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Professional Claims Managers, Proinova AB, Proinova Agency AB, Pronto California Agency LLC, Pronto California General Agency LLC, Pronto Florida Claims LLC, Pronto Florida General Agency LLC, Pronto Franchise LLC, Pronto General Agency Ltd, Pronto General Agency Management LLC, Pronto Holdco Inc., Pronto Holding California LLC, Pronto Holding Florida LLC, Pronto Insurance Agency of Laredo Inc., Pronto Premium Finance LLC, Property & Commercial Ltd., Property Insurance Initatives Limited, Property and Commercial Limited, Protected Insurance Company, Protection Plan Association Inc., Protek Group Limited, Providium Consulting Group, Ptarmigan Underwriting Agency Limited, Ptarmigan Underwriting UK Limited, Purple Bridge Claims Management Limited, Purple Bridge Finance Limited, Purple Bridge Group Limited, Purple Bridge Investments Limited, Purple Bridge Online Services Limited, Purple Bridge Publishing Limited, Quantum Underwriting Solutions Limited, Quillco 226 Limited, Quillco 227 Limited, R. L. Youngdahl & Associates, R.G. Speno Inc., R.W. Scobie, RA Rossborough (Guernsey) Ltd., RA Rossborough (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, REGENCY Group inc., RGA Referencing Limited, RGA Underwriting Limited, RIL Administrators (Guernsey) Ltd., RJ Dutton Inc., RSM Insurance Services Limited, Reassurance Holdings Inc., Rebholz Insurance Agency, Reid Manson Ltd., Reimbursement Services, Rentguard Limited, Reward Management Limited, Reynolds & Rodar Insurance Group, Riley & Associates, Rio 587 Limited, Rio 588 Limited, Risk & Reward Group, Risk Management Partners Limited, Risk Placement Services Inc., Risk Planners, Risk Services (NW) Limited, Risk Services (NW) Ltd., Risk Solutions Group Limited, Robert A. Schneider Agency, Robert Keith & Associates, Roberts & Roberts Insurance Service, Robinson-Adams Insurance, Rossborough Healthcare International Ltd, Rossborough Insurance (IOM) Ltd., Rossborough Insurance Services Ltd. (Jersey), S. A. Freerks & Associates, SEG Insurance Ltd, SGB-NIA Insurance Brokers, SHILLING Ltd, SKANCO International, SMERI AB, SRS Underwriting Pty Ltd, Secure Enterprises Pty Ltd, Securitas Re, Sellers Group, Sentinel Indemnity LLC, Septagon Insurance PCC Limited, Shuford Insurance Agency, Sigma II Insurance Agency, Sinclair Billard and Weld Limited, Sobieski & Bradley, Solid Benefit Guidance, Spanjers Insurance Agency, Spataro Insurance Agency, Specialised Broking Associates, Specialty Risk, Stackhouse Poland, Stackhouse Poland Bidco Limited, Stackhouse Poland Group Limited, Stackhouse Poland Holdings Limited, Stackhouse Poland Midco Limited, Stackouse Poland Limited, Stanton Group, Stark Johnson & Stinson Inc., Steel Agency, Strata Solicitors Ltd, Strategic Health Plans Corp., Strathearn Insurance Brokers, Strathearn Insurance Brokers (Qld) Trading Trust, Strathern Insurance Group Pty Ltd, Strathern Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Strathern Unit Trust, Strong Financial Resources, Summit Insurance Group, Sunday and Associates, Sunderland Insurance Services, Super Advice Corporate Services Pty Ltd, Taylor Benefits, Texas Insurance Agency, Texas Insurance Managers, The BeneTex Group, The Buchholz Planning, The Chapman Group, The Commonwealth Consulting Group, The Daniels Group Inc., The EHE Group LLC, The EHE Insurance Agency LLC, The Eagle Insurance Agency LLC, The Eriksen Group, The Forker Company, The Gleason Agency, The Great Lakes Agency, The HR Group, The Hawk Agency, The Human Capital Group, The Lance Group, The Levitt/Kristan Co., The MW Bagnall Company, The Old Greenwich Consulting Group, The Parks Johnson Agency, The Plus Companies Inc., The Presidio Group, The Producers Choice, The Rains Group, The Splinter Group, The Titan Group, The Treiber Group, The Woodsmall Companies Inc., Title & Covenant Brokers Ltd., Title Investments Limited, Tom Sherwin Insurance Agency, Total Reward Group, Total Rewards Group (Holdings) Limited, Towle Agency, Transwestern, Tri-State General Insurance Agency, Triad Insurance Agency, Triad USA, Tribeca Strategic Advisors, Trinder & Norwood, Trip Mate, Trissel Graham & Toole, Tropp & Co., Tudor Risk Services, Tyloma Holdings Limited, Uni-Care Inc., Unison Inc., Universico Group, Unoccupied Direct Limited, V2V Holdings LLC, VEBA Service Group, Vasek Insurance Services Limited, Velo ACU LLC, Velo Holdings Inc., Verbag AG., Vertrue LLC, Victory Insurance Agency, Vincent L. Braband Insurance, Vital Benefits, Voluntary Benefits Solutions, W. E. Kingsley Co. Inc., WM. W. George & Associates, Walker Taylor Agency, Welling Associates, Wesfarmers Insurance - Insurance Brokerage Operations, Western Benefit Solutions, White & Company Insurance, Whitehaven Insurance Group, William Gallagher Associates Insurance Brokers, William H. Connolly & Co., Williams Insurance Agency Inc., Williams-Manny Insurance Group, Winn & Company Insurance Brokers, Wischmeyer Benefit Partners, Woodbrook Underwriting Agencies, Woods & Grooms, WorkCare Northwest, Worksite Communications, Y. S. Liedman & Associates, YOA Capsicum Reinsurance Broker Limited, Zenor Limited, Zuber Insurance Agency, and e3 Financial. The Boeing Co. is an aerospace company, which engages in the manufacture of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space and Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital. The Commercial Airplanes segment includes the development, production, and market of commercial jet aircraft and provides fleet support services, principally to the commercial airline industry worldwide. The Defense, Space and Security segment refers to the research, development, production and modification of manned and unmanned military aircraft and weapons systems for global strike, including fighter and combat rotorcraft aircraft and missile systems; global mobility, including tanker, rotorcraft and tilt-rotor aircraft; and airborne surveillance and reconnaissance, including command and control, battle management and airborne anti-submarine aircraft. The Global Services segment provides services to commercial and defense customers. The Boeing Capital segment seeks to ensure that Boeing customers have the financing they need to buy and take delivery of their Boeing product and manages overall financing exposure. T Read More Suburban Propane Partners LP engages in the business of liquefied petroleum gas business. It operates through the following business segments: Propane; Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels; Natural Gas and Electricity; and All Other. The Propane segment engages in natural gas processing and petroleum refining. It also used in residential and commercial applications, industrial applications and agriculture. The Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels segment refers to the marketing and distribution of fuel oil, kerosene, diesel fuel and gasoline primarily to the northeast region of the United States. The Natural Gas and Electricity segment pertains to the generation, transmission, and distribution of natural gas and electricity among residential and small commercial customers. The All Other segment include the sale, installation and service of whole-house heating products, air cleaners, humidifiers, and space heaters to the customer who uses propane, fuel oil, natural gas and electricity businesses. The company was founded by Mark Anton in 1928 and is headquartered in Whippany, NJ. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of The Travelers Companies: 10762962 Canada Inc., 350 Market Street LLC, 8527512 Canada Inc., Aetna Life and Casualty Co, American Equity Insurance Company, American Equity Specialty Insurance Company, Aprilgrange Limited, Arch Street North LLC, Auto Hartford Investments LLC, Bayhill Restaurant II Associates, Camperdown Corporation, Constitution State Services LLC, Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Discover Specialty Insurance Company, F&G UK Underwriters Limited, Farmington Casualty Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters Inc., First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, Gulf Underwriters Insurance Company, IHP Capital Partners Fund VIII L.P., Northbrook Holdings Inc., Northfield Insurance Company, Northland Casualty Company, Northland Insurance Company, Phoenix UK Investments LLC, SPC Insurance Agency Inc., Select Insurance Company, Simply Business Holdings Inc., Simply Business Inc., St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul Guardian Insurance Company, St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company, St. Paul Protective Insurance Company, St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Standard Fire Properties LLC, Standard Fire UK Investments LLC, TCI Global Services Inc., TPC Investments Inc., TPC U.K. Investments LLC, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford Connecticut, The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Company, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, The Family Business Institute LLC, The Phoenix Insurance Company, The St. Paul Companies Inc., The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Travelers Casualty Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, The Travelers Indemnity Company of Connecticut, The Travelers Lloyds Insurance Company, TravCo Insurance Company, Travelers (Bermuda) Limited, Travelers Brazil Acquisition LLC, Travelers Brazil Holding LLC, Travelers Casualty Company of Connecticut, Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, Travelers Casualty UK Investments LLC, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Europe Limited, Travelers Commercial Casualty Company, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Travelers Constitution State Insurance Company, Travelers Distribution Alliance Inc., Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company, Travelers Global Inc., Travelers Indemnity U.K. Investments LLC, Travelers Insurance Company Limited, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada, Travelers Insurance Designated Activity Company, Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc., Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, Travelers London Limited, Travelers MGA Inc., Travelers Management Limited, Travelers Marine LLC, Travelers Participacoes em Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Personal Insurance Company, Travelers Personal Security Insurance Company, Travelers Property Casualty Company of America, Travelers Property Casualty Corp., Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Travelers Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Syndicate Management Limited, Travelers Texas MGA Inc., Travelers Underwriting Agency Limited, Ultramar Travel Management, United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Xbridge Limited, Zensurance Brokers Inc., and Zensurance Inc.. Imagine being born into a country where you were denied the right to vote just because you were a woman. That was primarily the situation for most American women prior to August 18, 1920, when Tennessee became the last state that could possibly ratify the 19th Amendment. The 72-year struggle for women to become enfranchised became a reality with Tennessees action which enshrined their right to vote in all elections in the U.S. Constitution. We proudly state that all American women vote today thanks to Tennessee. Suffragists had to win in no fewer than 36 legislatures, while their opponents, the entrenched and well-heeled Antis, could kill the amendment by squashing it in just 13 legislatures. Behind the Antis formally organized battalions a National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage (for ladies) and the American Constitutional League (for gentlemen) stood the suffragists real and most powerful enemies, a shadowy conglomerate of special interests referred to as the whiskey ring, the railroad trust, and the manufacturers lobby. After passage in Congress on June 4, 1919, there were 34 state ratifications from June 10, 1919, until March 10, 1920. On March 22, 1920, the Washington state legislature was called into special session and unanimously completed ratification number 35. Where was number 36? With final victory so amazingly and tantalizingly close, the ratification campaign stalled. Six states, all Southern, had already rejected the amendment. Only seven states had not yet acted, and three of these Florida, Louisiana, and North Carolina were also from the deep and Democratic South. No chance there where memories of federally-controlled elections during the dark days of Reconstruction still rankled, and the 19th Amendment, with its Section 2 granting enforcement powers to Congress, was anathema. There was no hope in Connecticut or Vermont. It fell to Tennessee, a border state with well-organized pro-suffrage groups National American Woman Suffrage Association and National Womans Party stalwarts and anti-suffrage factions, to become The Perfect 36. The reluctant governor, A.H. Roberts, conveniently called a special session for August 9, 1920, after his party primary. After extensive heated debate and parliamentary maneuverings, the state Senate concurred 25-4. The House vote was a cliffhanger. It passed 50-46 on August 18, 1920, and survived constitutional challenges so that Tennessees ratification made votes for women the law of the land. The late Carol Lynn Yellin, co-author of The Perfect 36: Tennessee Delivers Woman Suffrage, said the suffragists were the greatest politicians the world has ever seen because they won the right to vote without having it. As the national centennial in 2020 draws closer, there will be increased interest in this nonviolent revolution. We have put together the Tennessee Woman Suffrage Heritage Trail website to identify those sites and people who were instrumental in the woman suffrage movement. The East Tennessee Maps section has several individuals and locations listed. This will be helpful for heritage tourism, researchers, students preparing for History Day competitions, Scout troops, and anyone who wants to know more about these ordinary people who did extraordinary things. The suffragists proved democracy works. It also serves as a reminder that every woman who is in elective or appointive office owes a debt of gratitude to the suffragists who made their careers possible. There were numerous heroes and heroines in Tennessee. We are identifying the suffrage-related sites, markers, monuments, and individuals whose contributions should be remembered. The two of us have worked to get more public art honoring the suffragists placed across the state. There is a dearth of statuary honoring women, so were pleased to have more public art recognizing the suffragists. Chattanooga has the Abby Crawford Milton marker at 100 McCallie Ave. which recognizes this outstanding suffragist. We welcome suggestions at twsheritagetrail@gmail.com for more items to include. As we celebrate Tennessees greatest gift to our country, be sure to register and vote. Paula F. Casey and Jacque Hillman (ANSA) - Cosenza, August 21 - The death toll from a flash flood that hit hikers in a mountain-river canyon in Calabria Monday rose to 10 Tuesday as one of those injured died in hospital, but three missing hikers were found alive. The victim died because of a chest trauma in Cosenza hospital, local sources said. He had been gravely injured in the flood that swept away a group of hikers in the Pollino National Park. A search is on for the three missing hikers, police sources said Tuesday. Carabinieri said three mountain rescue teams from Umbria, Campania and Basilicata were taking part in the search. An eight-year-old girl saved after the flash flood was found next to a dead body, rescuers said. The girl, Chiara, "was semi-conscious but in a clear state of shock," a doctor said. "Her parents were almost certainly among the victims," said the doctor, Pasquale Gagliardi, head of the regional copter rescue unit. Calabrian prosecutors on Tuesday opened a probe into the disaster. The probe, against person or persons unknown, posits the possible charges of culpable manslaughter, culpable bodily harm, flooding and negligence, judicial sources said. So far no autopsies have been ordered, said prosecutor Eugenio Facciolla. "The first thought," he said, "is to save as many people as possible and then identify the victims. "We will assess the case this afternoon". The bodies were said to bear the typical signs of being dragged down a river. Three young people from Puglia missing after the flood were found alive on Tuesday, local sources said. The trio, aged 21, 22 and 23, had been camped out to the north of the scene of the tragedy, sources said, in an area without cellphone coverage. A friend of theirs told police on Twitter they were OK. It is "99.9% certain" that there are no missing people now left after the flood, Environment Minister Sergio Costa said Tuesday. Speaking after a public order meeting at Civita, near the scene of the tragedy, he said "it is 99.9% certain that there are no more missing among the people involved in the flash flood of the Raganello River". Following is the unofficial list of the 10 victims: 1 Paola Romagnoli, born Bergamo, 1963, university researcher. 2 Antonio de Rasis, 1986, Trebisacce (Cosenza) 3 Gianfranco Fumarola, 1975, Martina Franca (Taranto) 4 Maria Immacolata Marrazzo, 1975, Ercolano (Naples) 5 Carmela Tammaro, 1977, Naples 6 Antonio Santopaolo, 1974, Naples 7 Miriam Mezzolla, 1991, Taranto 8 Carlo Maurici, 1983, Rome 9 Valentina Venditti, 1984, Rome 10 Claudia Giampietro, 1987, Conversano (Bari). One of the 10 was a rescuer who worked at the Rigopiano hotel disaster in 2017, sources said Tuesday. Antonio De Rasis, 32, a civil protection volunteer, was among the guides leading hikers through Calabrian gorges when a rain-swollen river struck them. The Hotel Rigopiano in Abruzzo was hit by an avalanche in January 2017 that killed 29 people. De Rasis was among the rescuers who pulled out 11 people alive. President Sergio Mattarella said Tuesday "all our country feels great sadness for this new tragedy that caused so many deaths and injuries in the Pollino Park. "I voice the utmost solidarity with the victims' relatives and the injured and I thank the rescue persons who operated and are still operating, with their customary abnegation, in difficult conditions". Premier Giuseppe Conte voiced "concern and sadness". "I am continuing to follow with concern and sadness the developments in the tragedy of the #Pollino (National Park)", he tweeted. "It is unfortunately a matter of 10 dead, 11 injured and 23 people rescued unhurt. "Thank you to the tireless rescue machine. "The government is close to the families of the victims and to the injured". Calabria Governor Mario Oliverio called a regional day of mourning for Wednesday. Civil Protection department chief Angelo Borrelli said Tuesday a yellow weather alert had been in place when the hikers were hit by the river swell. "There was the yellow alert. And I remind everyone that there can also be deaths with a yellow alert," he said. He said the tragedy had been "in some ways foreseeable". Borrelli called for a national platform to work with regional agencies on weather alerts in the wake of the tragedy. Borrelli said he had spoken about it with Premier Conte. He said "it is one of the main points of my renewed position". A nine-year-old girl was placed in deep sedation after being critically injured in the flood. The girl was hit full on by the swell of the Raganello River in the Gole di Raganello area. She is being sedated in Rome's Policlinico Gemelli Hospital after being moved from a Calabrian hospital. The girl, who is being artificially ventilated, is suffering acute respiratory insufficiency due to inhaling muddy water, doctors said. She is in the Gemelli IC unit. (ANSA) - Rome, August 22 - It is Italy and not Malta that is not respecting migrant agreements, Valletta said Wednesday in response to tough-on-migrants Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. "Unfortunately Italy has still not respected its commitments on the redistribution mechanism launched by Malta with respect to the migrants offloaded onto the island by Lifeline on June 27," the Maltese government said. Salvini yesterday accused Malta of not respecting its commitments "on a previous redistribution mechanism established by the Italian authorities", Valletta said. Salvini has prevented 177 migrants rescued by coast guard ship Diciotti from landing at Catania. Agrigento prosecutors are probing the case for "unlawful holding". (ANSA) - Catania, August 22 - Catania minors' prosecutors on Wednesday wrote to the interior and transport ministers, the head of the civil liberties and immigration department and the local prefect urging them to let unaccompanied minors off the Diciotti coast guard ship docked in the Sicilian city. The ship currently holds 177 migrants including 29 unaccompanied minors. Agrigento prosecutor Luigi Patronaggio on Wednesday boarded the Dicotti coast guard ship in a probe into the allegedly unlawful detention of the 177 migrants who have been aboard the ship for five days and prevented from landing for two days. The probe may lead to charges of abduction, legal sources said. The probe is as yet against person or persons unknown. If it were to target Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who has ordered the migrants kept on board until the EU agrees to redistribute them, the case will be put to a special ministers' tribunal, the sources said. Libya will refuse "all initiatives aimed at repatriating migrants to its territory", Foreign Minister Muhammad Sayala said Wednesday. Sayala, a member of the national unity government, told the LANA news agency that "Libya will in no way accept what is being reported by some news outlets regarding the repatriation of illegal migrants towards the North African countries they have come from". Interior Minister Salvini has said Italy will send back the 177 migrants to Libya unless the EU agrees to redistribute them. They are currently at Catania but have been prevented from landing pending the EU's response. (ANSA) - Rome, August 22 - Libya will refuse "all initiatives aimed at repatriating migrants to its territory", Foreign Minister Muhammad Sayala said Wednesday. Sayala, a member of the national unity government, told the LANA news agency that "Libya will in no way accept what is being reported by some news outlets regarding the repatriation of illegal migrants towards the North African countries they have come from". Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has said Italy will send back 177 migrants to Libya unless the EU agrees to redistribute them. They are currently at Catania but have been prevented from landing pending the EU's response. Italian KFOR contingent donates water tanks, PCs in Kosovo To vulnerable communities and firefighters (ANSAmed) - PEC/PEJA (KOSOVO), AUGUST 22 - Two significant donations have been made in recent days to Kosovo citizens by Italian soldiers from the 5th Alpine Regiment, currently deployed in the country as part of the KFOR peacekeeping operation. As reported in a statement issued by the Italian contingent of the NATO-led force, on August 14 the personnel of the Italian Civilian Military Cooperation (CIMIC) donated several 1,500-liter tanks that will be used for the collection of drinking water and for irrigation to help the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian (RAE) community of Nepolje/Nepole, which is living in a particularly difficult situation as concerns the availability of running water. The situation has been aggravated by the summer heat. On August 15, a number of personal computers and a projector were donated to the firefighters of Djakovica/Gjakova to equip a room used for didactic purposes for training and other courses. These activities are part of the CIMIC mandate and work towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of local institutions as well as providing immediate support for the population for their basic needs. (ANSAmed). Larry Hughes is a Founding Fellow in the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance and a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Dalhousie University. This article was originally published on The Conversation , which features includes relevant and informed articles, written by researchers and academics in their areas of expertise and edited by experienced journalists. In mid-August, Khalid al-Falih, Saudi Arabias energy minister, announced that the diplomatic rift with Canada wouldnt affect the flow of Saudi crude oil to the Irving refinery in Saint John, N.B. There are at least two reasons why this decision should not have come as a surprise: Firstly, in 2017, Saudi crude exports to the Irving refinery netted Saudi Arabia about $2.5 billion. This was a small but undoubtedly useful contribution towards their support of pro-government forces in the Yemeni civil war. Secondly, more than half of the Irving refinerys production is exported to the United States. Cutting supplies to the refinery would have caused shortages of gasoline and other fuels in the U.S. and resulted in unnecessary friction between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Although Saudi exports of crude oil to the Saint John refinery are small (37.3 million barrels in 2017) compared with their exports to other countries, theyre significant for the Maritimes. For example, in 2017, Saudi Arabia exported 346 million barrels to the U.S. and about 465 million barrels to Japan. Yet the contribution to the Saint John refinery amounts to almost 40 per cent of the refinerys supply. The region needs to think more seriously about its reliance on Saudi crude oil and consider replacing these supplies with those from trusted sources. Maritime oil demand On the downstream side, approximately one-third of the refinerys output meets most of the Maritime provinces demand for refined petroleum products such as gasoline, home-heating oil and diesel fuel. While unlikely, if Saudi Arabia ever did cut off its oil exports to Canada, the impact would be felt across the Maritime provinces. Shutterstock In the immediate aftermath of such an event, demand would have to be met from existing stocks of crude oil at the refinery and with refined product stored within the Maritimes. Any threat of shortages would have to be managed by several different levels of government. To relieve these shortages, crude oil or refined product or both would need to be purchased on the spot market, probably resulting in higher prices for petroleum products for consumers. Pipeline to the east Prior to the Saudis announcement, a number of political pundits suggested that improving the East Coasts energy security would simply be a matter of reviving the Energy East pipeline. Once built, Western Canadian crude could then reach the Saint John refinery to help meet the oil demand in the Maritimes and other countries. This argument overlooks the fact that it will take years to get the necessary federal and provincial approval before construction of the pipeline could begin. At present, there are very few ways in which Canadian crude oil could improve energy security in the Maritime provinces. Read more: The major trade implications of the Canada-Saudi Arabia spat One could be Enbridges Line 9B pipeline, which sends 300,000 barrels per day from western Canada via Westover, Ont. to Montreal. About one-third of Line 9Bs daily capacity, shipped by tanker from Montreal to Saint John, would be sufficient to replace Saudi supply. Despite this, Line 9Bs entire supply is destined for refineries in Quebec: Suncor in Montreal, and to the Valero refinery in Levis, by a pair of Panamax ice-certified tankers that operate year-round. Other Canadian sources With Line 9Bs supply spoken for, the Maritime provinces are limited to two other possible sources of Canadian crude: Western Canada (by rail) and offshore Newfoundland and Labrador (by ship). The Irving refinery has a railway yard with capacity for rail tank cars holding about 145,000 barrels of crude oil. Since the railway yard already handles crude from across North America, there may be limitations on how much additional crude-by-rail it could deal with safely. Over half of Newfoundland and Labradors annual production of about 80 million barrels of crude oil is exported to the U.S. and elsewhere. However, contractual obligations mean that very little of this oil is available to the Maritimes. Read more: The Saudi-Canada spat: Both countries are wrong Events of the past few weeks have shown that the Saudis can act unpredictably. Had maintaining a supply of crude oil to Canada not been in the Saudis interest, the situation in the Maritime provinces would be quite different today. The reliance on Saudi crude oil continues to threaten energy security in the Maritimes. The region needs to improve its energy security by replacing Saudi crude oil with supplies from Canadian and other trusted sources. Progetto Mediterranea tells of visit aboard Aquarius (ANSAmed) - ROME, AUGUST 22 - The crew of the sailboat Progetto Mediterranea, a scientific and cultural expedition that has been travelling for years in the Mediterranean - and of which ANSAmed is a media partner - on its website told the story of its recent visit aboard the Aquarius. The Aquarius is the SOS Mediterranee migrant search-and-rescue ship that has been forced in recent weeks to wait at sea with migrants aboard for a European port that would allow it to dock. "On July 23, 2018, the crew of Progetto Mediterranea met the ship Aquarius, of SOS Mediterranee, in Marseille, in one of the rare moments it wasn't in its theatre of operations," the statement said. "SOS Mediterranee rented the Aquarius in 2016 to make it the principle vessel of the then-new humanitarian NGO whose objective is 'save, protect, witness'," it said. Writer and sailor Simone Perotti and the members of the Progetto Mediterranea crew boarded the Aquarius just prior to the media firestorm over NGOs and Italian port closures to migrants. He asked questions of logistician Benedetta Collini and rescue worker Alessandro Montanari. "How come you didn't immediately and forcefully, alone or with other NGOs, defend yourselves from the accusations of facilitating (illegal migration) and exploitation that many made against you?" the Mediterranea crew asked. Collini responded: "Yes, we were unprepared. But you have to understand that from 2016 to now, only two years have passed, and we've put all our efforts into setting up the ship and its crews, collaborating with Doctors Without Borders, and working to save more than 27,000 people. We thought the communication could be faced later on. Now we are working on it". Regarding financing, she said: "We don't get one euro from Italy or the European Union. Only donations, the majority from small private donors". Alessandro Montanari said: "When an Italian Navy ship makes a rescue, Italian taxpayers obviously take on a large cost. We don't cost anyone anything, and we always work in collaboration with port authorities and other institutional entities. We were a great team, until the ports closed". The video of the visit is visible in its entirety on the expedition's website, www.progettomediterranea.com.(ANSAmed). The Dayton art scene has been exploding over the past few years in both the city and suburbs. The 3rd annual ArtFest of the Miami Valley will bring us "CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS". Beavercreeks Community Park is home to ArtFest of the Miami Valley, a festival dedicated to bringing awareness and appreciation for the local art scene. Each year the public is invited to nominate local artists who are dedicated to enhancing the community in which we live through art. This year the committee received nominations for many talented and worthy artists. One artist received multiple nominations recognizing her artistic abilities as well as her continuous involvement and dedication to enriching our community through sharing her creative mind and strong leadership skills. The Committee is delighted to announce Jes McMillan as ArtFests 2018 Featured Artist. I had the pleasure of meeting with Jes to discuss her many endeavors to improve the community that we call home. Born in Columbus, Jes has proudly called Dayton home since she was five. As we discussed her passion for her city, she fondly recalled many memories of living in Dayton. Jes recalled the first time she cut glass for a high school art project. Her first project didnt pan out the way she had envisioned and she felt driven to try again. This drive led her to her first 2ft x 4ft mosaic. Her experience of cutting, grinding and laying glass to create mosaics sealed the deal for Jes blossoming career in the arts. Jes attended The Art Institute of Pittsburg earning a degree in Industrial Design and Engineering. She was quickly offered a position representing her school working booths at festivals and teaching people to create mosaic coasters. She went on to direct a large summer camp with the YMCA, before deciding it was time to return home to Ohio. Back in Dayton, Jes continued to create her own work and accepted a position at K-12 & TEJAS Gallery where she headed a community mosaic project. The large collaborative project took over a year to complete. It was during this project that Jes feels her career as an artist shifted towards fostering community through art. You can do basically anything if you join people together, and art is a really great way to do that. Jes is the founder of Mosaic Institute of Greater Dayton. MI is currently working on painting a mural on the Keowee and First Street train overpass. This mural welcomes folks to the East Dayton Art District. Jes and her fellow artists are dedicated to branding the East Dayton Art District in order to create awareness of the local talent in the area. Their goal is to support economic growth and a sense of community, through art. My heart is definitely with the community, says Jes. Jes recently received a grant and a group of volunteers from UpDayton to kick-start a community mosaic project named The Wall of Perseverance. The purpose of the project is to raise awareness of the Daytons opioid crisis and honor those our community has lost to this tragic epidemic. Jes will once again collaborate with community members, inviting those whose lives have been impacted to join in. Crane Studio Market, currently comprised of 13 artist studios, celebrated its first birthday August 11th. Jes opened the space last year with the intention of grouping like-minded artist together. Jes works on both community and individual projects in Mosaic Institute's space inside Crane Studio Market. Her future plans include getting her work into galleries and to continue growing as an artist. For now (and I suspect for a long time to come), her heart and passion belong to Dayton. Jes fierce enthusiasm for establishing community through her many endeavors is what lead the ArtFest committee to honor her as this years featured artist. Be sure to visit Jes at her booth where you can congratulate her and shop her artwork. You can learn more about what she is up to by visiting www.midayton.org. ArtFest is about bringing a love for art and all things creative to the community in an interactive fashion. Over 40 local artists and artisans will showcase a wide variety of methods. Artists spend much time, skill, and energy creating many types of art that will be available to observe and purchase. Enjoy a variety of opportunities to get hands-on and create. With live music and performances all day, you can expect to be entertained, while you shop and visit with local artists. Please join us September 16, 2018, from 11 AM-6 PM to shop, create, and meet local artists and congratulate Jes McMillian on her achievements. Company with debt in a so-called leveraged buyout, is not an option for Tesla given that is already servicing a debt mountain of some $11 billion and is not making any money. (Photo: AP) Tesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musks contemplated $72 billion take-private deal is presenting investments bankers with a dilemma: heed concerns about how feasible it is or risk missing out on what could be this years biggest and most high-profile acquisition. Musk did not just catch investors and analysts off guard earlier this month by announcing on Twitter he was considering taking the US electric car maker private. He also sent shockwaves throughout the investment banking world, which reacted to the news with both excitement and bewilderment. This is because no company of Teslas size has ever been taken private by financial investors as Musk has suggested, as opposed to being acquired by a bigger company. Moreover, the standard method of doing so, saddling the company with debt in a so-called leveraged buyout, is not an option for Tesla given that is already servicing a debt mountain of some $11 billion and is not making any money. It reported an operating loss in 2017 of $1.6 billion. Debate over the deals feasibility has polarized bankers. During one conference call at an investment bank last week, discussion on whether the deal represented a major opportunity or a fools errand degenerated into a shouting match, according to one of the bankers who provided the details on condition that neither he nor the bank, which decided not to pursue a role, are disclosed. Given the size of a deal, the companys debt capacity and cash flow, bankers seem similarly chary about this deal happening anytime soon, said Stefan Selig, a former top Bank of America Corp banker who is the founder of financial and strategic advisory firm BridgePark Advisors LLC, which is not involved in the deal. Bankers aspiring to advise on the deal are courting Musk and Teslas special board committee that will independently consider the merits of Musks expected offer. Working for Musk could also come with reputational risk, given that the US Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the factual accuracy of his assertion on Twitter that funding for the deal was secured, sources have said. However, many bankers said this would not be a deterrent given the magnitude of the potential deal. Thats likely not enough to color a bankers view on whether or not there is an opportunity, said Ted Smith, a co-founder and partner of Union Square Advisors, a technology boutique investment bank. Union Square is not trying to win a role in the Tesla deal. Musk, who owns about a fifth of Tesla, said in a blog post last week the effective size of the deal would be much smaller than the $72 billion equity valuation of his offer, because, according to his estimate, two-thirds of the company's shareholders would choose the option he will offer them of "rolling" their stakes and continue to be investors in a private company, rather than cash out. Musk also said that Saudi Arabias PIF, which became a Tesla shareholder earlier this year with a stake of just under 5 percent, could help him fund the cash portion of the deal, through sources close to the secretive sovereign wealth fund have played down that prospect. TROPHY DEAL There is no precedent for major institutional shareholders and thousands of mom-and-pop investors rolling their stakes in a transaction of this size, and legal experts have warned that carrying this out would require navigating a regulatory minefield. If the deal was structured like a leveraged buyout, advisers to Tesla could earn $90 million to $120 million in fees, while advisers to Musks investor group would earn $30 million to $50 million, and debt financing fees could reach $500 million, according to estimates from financial advisory firm Freeman & Co. However, if the Tesla deal is done with equity partners and little debt, as Musk envisions, the fees would be substantially lower, according to Freeman, making it more of a trophy rather than a lucrative assignment for bankers. Last week, bankers at Goldman Sachs Group Inc decided to take the plunge by offering to advise Musk. Goldman bankers have had close ties with him for more than a decade, leading Teslas initial public offering in 2010. Goldman Sachs declined to comment. Morgan Stanley equity research analysts said on Tuesday they had ceased coverage of Tesla, and sources confirmed that the bank was also close to being hired by Musk. Tesla has declined to comment on the matter. This is despite Morgan Stanley currently advising aspiring Tesla rival Lucid Motors Inc on attracting a potential investment from PIF, sources told Reuters. Morgan Stanley has been a top financier of Tesla over the years, making it a prime candidate to arrange any debt financing needed, the sources said. Morgan Stanley declined to comment. Still up for grabs is the financial advisory mandate to be awarded by Teslas special committee. Evercore Partners Inc, which advised Tesla two years ago in its $2.6 billion acquisition of renewable energy company SolarCity and is also advising PIF on its potential investment in Lucid Motors, is one of the banks vying to advise Teslas special committee, according to the sources. Evercore declined to comment. Other investment banks vying for the Tesla special committee financial advisory role include Centerview Partners, Lazard Ltd, Moelis & Co, and Perella Weinberg Partners LP, according to the sources. The banks did not respond to requests for comment. (ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, AUGUST 22 - Ahead of the European Day of Remembrance of the Victims of All Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes, First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans made a statement Wednesday warning against extremist rhetoric. He noted that similar threats are seen today as those when the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact was signed on August 23, 1939. The pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, he noted, ''plunged Europe even deeper into one of its darkest periods. Millions of people were murdered and generations of fellow Europeans scarred.'' Now, ''79 years later, our common values of human dignity, fundamental rights, rule of law and democracy are challenged again by extremist, nationalist and divisive rhetoric,'' he said. ''By guarding and passing on the memory of past atrocities to the next generation of Europeans, we help to inoculate ourselves against repeating them, and we recall the importance of defending the human rights of every European,'' he said in the statement on the European Commission website. ''We must continue to tell the story of what happened in Europe's past, so that we do not make the same mistakes in the future.'' (ANSAmed). Banks have to undertake a two-year transaction audit when they start the resolution process through IBC. New Delhi: In a stern warning to bankers, the Finance Ministry has asked chief executives of public sector banks (PSBs) to check all NPA accounts exceeding Rs 50 crore for fraud or they could face criminal conspiracy charges, according to official sources. This missive comes in the light of arrest of Bhushan Steel's erstwhile promoter Neeraj Singal by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) for allegedly siphoning off funds. The sources said that bankers could be held accountable under Section 120B of Indian Penal Code if they fail to report fraud in an account which is later unearthed by investigating agencies, sources said. If the investigating agencies find diversion of funds in those defaulting accounts, bankers may be liable to face criminal proceedings, the sources said, adding that this advisory is like an extra precaution to keep bankers from getting into legal tangles. More than a dozen companies undergoing bankruptcy resolution are being reviewed by banks and investigating agencies for fraudulent activities including diversion of funds. Indian banks are facing mounting non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans, especially at PSBs, which have reached over Rs 8 lakh crore. In addition, several banking frauds have been unearthed, including the Rs 14,000 crore scam at PNB, carried out allegedly by diamond jeweller Nirav Modi and his associates. A senior government official confirmed the development and said that some discrepancies have been pointed out in the case of a steel maker and a real estate firm among 10-12 companies. "There were some inputs and lenders who have been asked to provide transaction details of last five years. If required, banks will also undertake forensic audit," he said. Earlier this month, SFIO arrested Singal for alleged diversion of Rs 2,000 crore, raised through loans from state-owned banks. "Similar modus operandi has been used by other promoters also," said another government official, adding that there have been intelligence inputs on associate companies being used for similar transactions. SFIO is also looking into the books of companies which are currently undergoing debt resolution, he said, adding that this has been done on the basis of specific inputs provided by the ministry of corporate affairs. During the resolution process, the extensive audit of bankrupt companies has thrown up financial irregularities in several cases. In June 2017, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had identified 12 stressed accounts, each having more than Rs 5,000 crore of outstanding loans and accounting for 25 per cent of total non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks for immediate referral under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). In August, RBI had sent a list of 28 more firms to lenders for resolution by December 2017. "These accounts also have some firms from the second list and those where later banks filed cases in NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal)," said a bank executive aware of the developments. The NCLT benches handle banks' bad debt resolution under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Banks have to undertake a two-year transaction audit when they start the resolution process through IBC. In case there are any issues or specific information, banks also conduct a forensic audit. In August 2017, SFIO was given powers to arrest people for company law violations. SFIO is a multidisciplinary organisation having experts for prosecution of white-collar crimes and frauds under the company law. NCLT has so far taken decision on 655 cases under IBC that include more than 200 that have been admitted to various NCLT benches. Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, whos best known for his romantic dramas, says that he wants to take up more projects as a producer. His soon-to-release production, Laila Majnu, has been directed by his brother Sajid Ali, while Imtiaz himself has played the role of creative director. I conceptualised Laila Majnu. Though its an age-old saga, love is an enigma that has never truly been uncovered, he says. Talking about his obvious inclination towards romances, he adds, There is no personal influence in my work. However, whenever I set out to write or direct a film, romance comes naturally to me. Its not like I introduce romance in my scripts because it sells. Rohit Shetty makes action films, and those sell too. If I try to make a film with action and romance, I dont know how it will fare. The filmmaker reveals that hes got four scripts ready, and his production house will announce a new project soon. Writing takes up a lot of time, but I want to make at least two of those films under my own production house, he says. Talking about the simple dreams that he came to Mumbai with, Imtiaz says, I came to Mumbai with the intention of joining Bollywood. I just wanted to be able to afford a rented home and to run my kitchen. To get married as well, but lets not talk about that. Since he mentions marriage, we have to ask him about the rumours doing the rounds regarding his budding romance with a celebrity chef, but he just shakes his head to indicate the negative and moves on. The illustrious filmmaker reveals that he thinks his daughter is a much better director than him. She made a short film called Lift when she was only 16, and it was much better than my films. Right now, she is not involved in my work, shes completing her studies. But she has a good sense of writing and direction, so she is my bouncing board. Whether she is inclined to take up direction or acting cant be said, he says. HT19 Director Danny Boyle has dropped out of directing next James Bond movie due to "creative differences" with the producers. The official James Bond Twitter account shared the news of Boyle's departure, saying the filmmaker chose to walk out of the project. "Michael G Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25," the official James Bond Twitter account tweeted. The producers had announced in May this year that the 61-year-old director, who won the 2009 Best Director Oscar for his India-set "Slumdog Millionaire" and has critically-acclaimed titles such as "Trainspotting" and "127 Hours" to his credit, will be helming the new Bond film. The film will be the last outing for actor Daniel Craig as the famed British spy, having played the part in four previous films - "Casino Royale", "Quantum of Solace", "Skyfall" and "Spectre". The as-yet untitled film had previously been given a release date of 25 October 2019 in the UK. In March, Boyle had said that he was working on film's script along with his frequent collaborator John Hodge. The film would have marked a reunion between Boyle and Craig, following the actor's cameo in the director's 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony production. The producers are yet to announce a replacement for Boyle. Director Peter Berg's 'Mile 22' was filmed on a surprisingly short 42-day shoot between November 2017 and February 2018, filming the majority of its interiors in Atlanta, Georgia during the first five weeks, before moving to Bogota, Colombia for the remainder of the shoot, where the exterior action scenes were staged in the middle of the bustling city on practical locations. To lay the groundwork for filming an action film of this scale, which would involve multiple street closures, car chases, gunfire, and explosions, the filmmakers began speaking with officials of the Colombian government and the City of Bogota back in June of 2017. One of the most important special permits the filmmakers had to get was to allow aerial filming in what were normally the citys no-fly zones. With the entire mission monitored by drones operated by the Over watch team, that meant cameras in the air on nearly every filming day in order to get the required surveillance footage. Even the Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos and Bogota Mayor Enrique Penalosa rolled out the red carpet for the filmmakers, including cooperation from the national police, the transit authority, and the military. It was remarkable how President Santos and his government really opened up their city to us, Peter Berg said. We were basically given keys to the city. We were allowed to go into their equivalent of Times Square and shut it down for 10 days and do some pretty hectic stuff. The fact that we were able to use the real city and interact with the real city in a pretty kinetic way really helped give us the look we were going for. The President and his family even got personally involved in the film; the Presidents son, Esteban Santos, who recently graduated from the University of Virginia, appears in the film as a U.S. Embassy military guard. Then, during a visit to set, President Santos found himself in the middle of the action, as Peter Berg handed him a Panavision camera that he operated during a scene featuring Mark Wahlberg. The film is slated to release on August 24. Rumour has it that actress Samantha may share screen space with Anirudh in a promotional song for her upcoming film U Turn. The bilingual thriller made in Tamil and Telugu has no songs. But the makers have decided to include a promotional song as a crowd-pleaser. Reportedly, the song has been picturised on Samantha Akkineni and Anirudh Ravichander, and its been composed by the latter. The peppy number wont be part of the film, a source reveals. Whats even more interesting is that the actress has not two but three films slated for release on the same day. U Turn and Seema Raja with Sivakarthikeyan are both scheduled to hit silver screens on September 13, and now we hear that Nenjamellam Pala Vannam, the Tamil version of her Telugu film Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu with Mahesh Babu, will also come out on the same day. Says Rajaraja, who has written the Tamil dialogues for Nenjamellam..., Telugu films are normally associated with mass masala themes and action sequences. But Seethamma was a family entertainer that spoke about the importance of traditional family values. Tamil audiences recently welcomed the family drama Kadaikutti Singam, so we thought it was the right time to release Nenjamellam. Every Friday, we witness a slew of Tamil film releases, with some small films struggling to find theatres. In the midst of this chaos, the Tamil dubbed version of a Ukrainian 3D animated fantasy film, The Stolen Princess, has managed to grab nearly 100 screens across Tamil Nadu. The film is set to release on August 24, when it will compete with Merkku Thodarchi Malai, Lakshmi, Echchrikkai and Kalari. The Stolen Princess is an engaging fairy tale with a captivating storyline, fascinating characters, and interesting subplots. Its based in an era of valiant knights, beautiful princesses, and sorcerers, which never ceases to please audiences, says the media house thats releasing it. The festival honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command. Before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, however, God provided a ram to sacrifice instead. (Photo: AP) The 'Festival of Sacrifice' or Eid al-Adha is the second of the two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year, the other being Eid al-Fitr. The festival honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command. Before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, however, God provided a ram to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this, an animal is sacrificed and divided into three parts. One third of the share is given to the poor and needy; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours; and the remaining third is retained by the family. According to the lunar calendar, the day falls every year in Dhul Hijja, which is the last month of the Hijri calendar: The festival marks the final day of Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha is one of the greatest celebrations of Islam. Muslims across the world take to the streets and gather at a place of worship, promoting brotherhood among different groups of society. People greet each other Eid Mubarak and exchange gifts and sweets. The day ends with a grand feast where three meals are prepared, one for the family, friends and the neighbourhood, the other for the poor and the third for the immediate family. Meanwhile, sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik took to Twitter to extend Eid greetings. "#EidMubarak"On the eve of #EidAlAdha ,I extend my warm greetings & best wishes to all. One of My sandart at puri beach, India pic.twitter.com/VULH6xkn3z Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) August 22, 2018 And the Uttar Pradesh government has denied permission of animal slaughter in open in the state. The Yogi Adityanath-government has also prohibited selfies during animal sacrifice. Rajahmundry: A school teacher was thrashed and paraded naked for impregnating a minor girl at Eluru in West Godavari in the late hours on Tuesday. Kari Rambabu, 38, hailing from Kurnool is working as an English teacher in a local private school for several years. He pampered the minor girl when she was his student while studying Class X. He used to make her write on the blackboard stating that her hand-writing was good. He also used to postpone the exams when she did not prepare well. Her friends used to coax her to ask the teacher to postpone the exam when they were not prepared. Now the girl aged 17, is a III-year polytechnic course at a local private polytechnic college. Rambabu has been continuing his relationship with her even after she moved to another college to pursue her higher studies. His wife left him about eight months back due to family issues. Since then, he has been living alone in his house in the town. He started inviting the minor to his house on the pretext of correcting answer scripts of Class X students and developed a physical relationship with her, by promising to marry her. They have been in a relationship for the last six months. On August 19, he took the girl to the temple at Dwaraka Tirumala and married her secretly. On August 21, the girl developed severe stomach ache and when she informed her parents about it, they took her to a private hospital where the doctor declared that she was five months pregnant. Her parents were shocked and asked her about it. She then revealed about her relationship with the school teacher. The parents made her call him and invited him home. When he came home, they asked him what he did to the girl. The teacher confessed to the crime and asked her parents to keep the girl at home and offered to give a monthly maintenance of Rs 4,000 to keep the issue a secret. Angered by this, the girls parents, family members and locals thrashed him severely and paraded him naked on the National Highway late on Tuesday night. Learning about the development, the police rushed there, rescued him and admitted him to a local government hospital. Later, the girl was also sent to the government hospital for medical examination. Based on a complaint from the girls mother, police booked a case under Section 6 of PoCSO Act and also under Section 376 of IPC in the wee hours of Wednesday at II-town police station. Eluru DSP K. Eswara Rao said, Based on preliminary inquiry, the school teacher confessed to the crime and we will arrest him as soon as he gets discharged from the hospital. Addressing the media, Chouhan said, 'As per the provisions to penalise such culprits with the harshest of punishment, 13 people have so far been sentenced to death.' (Photo: File | PTI) Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday confirmed that a total of 13 individuals have been sentenced to death in connection with the raping of minor girls in the state. Madhya Pradesh was the first state to promulgate a law to award death penalty to individuals accused in rape of minor girls. The law, which awards the death penalty to rapists of girls below the age of 12, was unanimously passed in the state assembly in December last year. Addressing the media, Chouhan said, "As per the provisions to penalise such culprits with the harshest of punishment, 13 people have so far been sentenced to death." Speaking on the steps being taken to put a stop to such incidents in the future, Chouhan said, "On one hand, we are imparting lessons and inculcating the right values, and on the other hand, strict punishments, a culmination of the two will help us prevent such incidents from happening." When asked to comment on the death penalty awarded to two culprits earlier on Tuesday, Chouhan said, "Today I can say that my heart is satisfied." The two accused, Irfan and Asif, had abducted a seven-year-old girl from her school in Hafiz colony in Mandsaur in June this year. The duo then tortured and raped the girl before killing her and throwing her body at a secluded spot in the city. Also Read: 2 men get death for raping 8-yr-old girl in Madhya Pradeshs Mandsaur Following the incident, the two men were arrested, while a Special Investigation Team was set up to investigate the matter. The two accused were awarded the death sentence by a special court in Mandsaur earlier on Tuesday. Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead on August 20, 2013, by bike-borne assailants while returning home from a morning walk in Pune. (Photo: File) Aurangabad: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday recovered a country-made pistol in Aurangabad in Maharashtra, similar to the one used in the killing of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in 2013, and filed a complaint with the police against three people, officials said. A khukri, three live rounds and a 7.65-bore pistol were recovered on the basis of leads given by Sachin Prakasrao Andure who was arrested recently by the CBI, they said. The CBI has filed a complaint with the Aurangabad police against three people for allegedly possessing the country-made pistol, an illegal weapon, they said. The CBI will send the pistol for ballistic examination to ascertain whether it was used in the killing of Dabholkar, they said. The recovery was made following searches at houses of two friends and a relative of Andure, they said. Andure, a resident of Aurangabad, was arrested on August 18. He is believed to be one of the shooters who fired upon Dabholkar in Pune on August 20, 2013 in broad daylight, the officials said. The fatal shot killed Dabholkar who was the founder of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS). The arrest was made on a tip-off from the Maharashtra Anti Terror Squad after it had arrested three people in connection with a separate case of arms recovery. The CBI had also arrested former Shiv Sena corporator Shrikant Pangarkar in connection with the killing of Dabholkar. Italy not respecting migrant deals Malta tells Salvini 'On migrants that landed from Lifeline June 27' (ANSAmed) - Rome, August 22 - It is Italy and not Malta that is not respecting migrant agreements, Valletta said Wednesday in response to tough-on-migrants Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. "Unfortunately Italy has still not respected its commitments on the redistribution mechanism launched by Malta with respect to the migrants offloaded onto the island by Lifeline on June 27," the Maltese government said. Salvini yesterday accused Malta of not respecting its commitments "on a previous redistribution mechanism established by the Italian authorities", Valletta said. Salvini has prevented 177 migrants rescued by coast guard ship Diciotti from landing at Catania. Agrigento prosecutors are probing the case for "unlawful holding". NC leader Farooq Abdullah remained unfazed and continued with his prayers, saying the jeering and booing were by his 'own people' who were misguided. (Photo: File) Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah was heckled during Eid prayers at the 17th-century Hazratbal mosque here on Wednesday, two days after he chanted "Bharat Mata ki Jai" during a prayer meeting for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The National Conference leader remained unfazed and continued with his prayers, saying the jeering and booing were by his "own people" who were misguided. A section of the gathering shouted slogans of "Farooq Abdullah go back" and "Hum kya chahte, azaadi" at the Hazratbal mosque, where Abdullah has traditionally offered Eid prayers. When a section of slogan shouting youths tried to approach Abdullah, who was sitting on a chair in the front row because of his ill-health, some people joined hands to make a human chain to prevent them from doing so. Security personnel also threw a ring around the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar to protect him. "I did not leave the venue and completed my prayers. They are my own people. They are misguided and I cannot escape my duties of being their leader," Abdullah told news agency PTI while receiving people at his residence. "Some people were agitated but that does not mean I will escape. I have a task of keeping everyone united," he said. Abdullah wondered why the issue was being blown out of proportion by a section of the media. "A politician, at times, has to face people's anger. I only hope these misguided youths are counselled properly," he said. On August 20, Abdullah had made an emotional speech and chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai during a prayer meeting for the late BJP stalwart Vajpayee in New Delhi. Eight fire fighting engines were rushed to the location to bring the blaze under control. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) New Delhi: A fire broke out at Doordarshan Kendra at Mandi House in central Delhi. Eight fire fighting engines were rushed to the location to bring the blaze under control. The fire broke out at the air-conditioning plant of national broadcaster Doordarshan's office. The Delhi Fire Service received a call around 12:50 pm. 'The fire was controlled within 10 minutes. 8 fire tenders are present on the spot. No casualty has been reported,' news agency ANI quoted a fire official saying. Further details are awaited. Thiruvananthapuram: Soon after flood-hit Keralas Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has promised an assistance of USD 100 million (about Rs 700 crore) for the states reconstruction, sources said the Central government has decided to decline all offers of financial help from foreign countries. Vijayan, who chaired a meeting of the state Cabinet to seek a Rs 2,600 crore special package from the NDA government under Centrally-sponsored schemes and called a special meeting of the state Assembly on August 30 to discuss the flood situation, said, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and made the offer for assistance. Read: UAE gives Rs 700 crore to help rebuild flood-ravaged Kerala Sources in New Delhi said that the NDA government has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the challenges. Kerala has struggled to find its feet after the devastating deluge that left 223 dead in a fortnight. About 10.78 lakh people, including 2.12 lakh women and one lakh children under 12, have been displaced and sheltered in 3,200 relief camps. On Monday, the Union home ministry declared Kerala floods, the worst in 100 years, a calamity of severe nature. This tag paves the way for higher Central assistance to the state. The chief minister had earlier estimated the damage to be about Rs 20,000 crore and so far the Centre has, in phases, announced interim assistance of Rs 680 crore for the state. On the Union governments decision not to accept offers of financial help from foreign countries, sources said that New Delhi wants to convey that the country is capable of handling the flood situation on its own both, financially and logistically. According to some reports, even the previous UPA-2 government had declined foreign aid in 2013 when floods struck Uttarakhand. The Modi-government has apparently also communicated to all embassies its position on not accepting foreign financial help for Kerala tragedy. In a message to Indian missions, the government said, If a foreign government makes an offer of help, you may kindly express your appreciation for the sincere sentiments and willingness to assist... Earlier, Vijayan told reporters that Kerala would ask the Centre to hike the limit of loan it can secure from the open market for the massive rebuilding exercise. Under the present arrangement, Kerala can obtain three per cent of its gross state domestic product (GSDP) as loans and wants the limit to be raised to 4.5 per cent so the state can mobilise an additional Rs 10,500 crore from the open market, he said. With rains easing and water receding in some areas of flood-ravaged Kerala, people started returning to their homes as Union minister KJ Alphons appealed for cooked food and skilled workers to rehabilitate the displaced people. Also Read: Not food, clothes but technical aid needed to rebuild Kerala: KJ Alphons Though there has been some respite from the rain in the last two days, the water level has not come down in several areas of the Ernakulam, Thrissur, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kollam districts, officials said State government officials and defence forces said rescue efforts will continue till the last person is brought to safety. As the state drowned in unprecedented misery, the Muslim festival of Id-ul-Adha on Wednesday is expected to be low key. State government events to mark the Onam festival on August 25 have also been cancelled. Also Read: Ravaged by rains, floods, Kerala cancels Onam celebrations this year Road and rail services have resumed in most parts of the state but clearing houses of the debris washed up by surging flood water is a daunting task. The state government is also preparing a comprehensive health action programme to prevent outbreak of water-borne diseases. The Southern Air Command has said the Indian Air Force (IAF) said it will continue all out efforts in coordination with the civil administration to ensure that the people of the Kerala recover quickly from the calamity. A total of 364 helicopter sorties were flown, 1.25 lakh kg of supplies dropped and 574 people rescued, a release said. The state level bankers committee has also decided to declare a moratorium on agriculture loan for one year. Kochi airport was shut down after it was flooded due to incessant rains. (Photo: File) Kochi: The Kochi airport which was shut due to severe flooding will now open on August 29 instead of the earlier date of August 26. The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) said in a statement that the date was extended due to the concern expressed by the stakeholders of the airlines. The CIAL also said that 90 per cent of their staffers were affected by the floods. Thus, the date was extended and operations will now resume on August 29. After intense rescue operations, the Southern Naval command today called off its 14-day long operation in flood-hit Kerala, saying there were no more requests for evacuation as waters were receding in affected areas. It also said the Naval personnel rescued a total of 16,005 people during 'Operation Madad', launched on August 9 for assisting the state administration and undertaking disaster relief operations. "The Southern Naval Command recalled all rescue teams deployed for #OperationMadad as flood waters receded and no more requests for rescue were received," a Defence release said here. Besides the Navy, personnel of the Army, the Air Force and Coast Guard were also involved in the rescue and relief operations along with civil administration. Army's Southern Command chief Lt Gen D R Soni had on Monday said its personnel would continue to be engaged in the rescue operations in flood-hit Kerala till the situation stabilised. The Defence forces were involved in several daring rescue acts such as the air-lifting of a pregnant woman, winching up of a two-year-old which won them widespread appreciation. The Navy said that in addition to the rescue of the marooned, ten air sorties amounting to 15 hours of flying were undertaken by various naval aircraft, mainly for air dropping of relief supplies especially food and medicines. Relief materials including fresh water, provisions, ready to eat meals and medicines which arrived onboard two ships of the Western Naval Command were distributed in various localities in coordination with the civil administration. The Naval airport was being used in view of the closure of the international airport at nearby Nedumbassery in the wake of floods. Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, and Indigo operated ATR 72 aircraft during the day. The air station was also extensively used to airlift medical teams, food and medicines as required by the state government so that the relief supplies could quickly reach the needy people, the release said. Bengaluru: Seeing a large number of organisations raising funds for Kodagu, which has been devastated by floods and landslides, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has appealed to people not to donate in cash for the victims of the disaster. Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Mr Kumaraswamy said there were reports of some unscrupulous elements raising funds in the guise of providing relief to the people of Kodagu and pocketing it themselves. If anyone wants to donate cash to provide relief to Kodagu, a counter has been opened in the Chief Minister's home office, where they will receive a receipt on giving a cheque. People can also transfer money online to the official account opened for relief work, he said. Mr Kumaraswamy revealed that so far seven deaths had been confirmed in the district and four people were missing. If the media has any more information about more missing people it should bring it to the attention of the authorities concerned, he pleaded. As abandoned and isolated houses were being looted by miscreants following the landslides, the superintendent of police had been directed to post policemen or home guards near abandoned houses to protect properties, and at least one home guard would now be posted at such houses even in remote areas, he assured. People trapped in the building are being rescued using a crane. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) Mumbai: Four people have died after a level-3 fire broke out at Crystal Tower residential apartment in Mumbai's Parel on Wednesday morning. The fire broke out on the 12th floor of Crystal Tower near Hindmata Cinema which gradually spread to the 13th, 14th and 15th floors. People were rescued with help of crane and were rushed to KEM Hospital. Confirming the deaths, Dean KEM hospital Avinash Supe said, Total 20 victims were brought to the hospital. Four are dead, one of them a woman. Other 16 patients, six of them women, are stable. Initially, 10 fire-fighting engines were pressed into service but later additional 10 fire brigades and four water tankers were rushed to the spot. The fire, initially classified as Level 2, was later jacked up to Level 3. Deputy chief fire officer R Chaudhari said, Height and congestion proved a major challenge in fire fighting. And the buildings fire fighting system was not working, so that is a major problem in dealing with high-rise fires. The fire brigade control room got a message about the blaze on the 12th floor of the 'Crystal Tower' building, located near Hindmata Cinema, at 8.32 am, said an official in the fire department. The smoke from the raging fire spread rapidly and residents were trapped on the building's staircases, Mumbai Fire Brigade chief P S Rahangdale said. The cause of the blaze remains unknown. On December 29, 2017, a massive fire broke out in Mumbai's Kamala Mills compound which claimed the lives of 14 people. Following the incident, the local authorities introduced several strict measures to ensure safety norms. The Yogi Adityanath-government also asked the officials to take action against those flouting the rules. (Photo: File) Lucknow: As the country is celebrating Eid al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh government has denied permission of animal slaughter in open in the state. The Yogi Adityanath-government has also prohibited selfies during animal sacrifice. In a video conference with district magistrates, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed police and administration to ensure sacrifice of animals on Bakr-Eid was not done in the open, and that blood and offal is not dumped in open drains, so that religious sentiments of other communities are not hurt. The government also asked the officials to take action against those flouting the rules. A trend has emerged in the last few years where on Eid al-Adha social media gets flooded with selfies featuring animals before and after the sacrifice. The chief minister has also asked officials to maintain law and order and ensure electricity and water supply isn't disrupted in the state. The police have also been instructed to ensure that protected animals are not sacrificed on the festival and to step up vigilance in areas where the Kanwar Yatra - an annual pilgrimage undertaken by Lord Shiva's devotees - is in progress. The second of the two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year, Eid al-Adha ot the Feast of the Sacrifice honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Gods command. However, before he could commit the act, God provided him with a ram to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this, a male goat is sacrificed and divided into three parts: one third of the share is given to the poor and needy; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours; and the remaining third is retained by the family. Indian Navy had launched Operation Madad which comprised of Lt Cdr Nandu, Lt Tejjeet Singh Gill, Lt Avdhesh Dubey and two others to lead the team. (Photo: Facebook | @TejjeetSinghGill) Mumbai: Kerala floods which have been declared as a severe calamity by the Centre has claimed at least 216 lives and left 7.24 lakh people homeless. Indian Navy and other rescue team are working on war footing to rescue those stranded and airlifting them to relief camps. Indian Navy had launched Operation Madad which comprised of Lt Cdr Nandu, Lt Tejjeet Singh Gill, Lt Avdhesh Dubey and two others to lead the team. Under Operation Madad, several teams were formed and diverted to different zones which included MARCOS officers. Talking about the difficulties faced by the officers, people initially werent cooperative with the teams as they werent ready to come out of their homes. Some people trapped in waist-deep water, in fact, asked the teams to arrange a television set or refrigerators for them. One of the victims asked not to save her, but protect her passport as she had to travel to Dubai. People were unwilling to leave their houses as they were optimistic that situation would improve over the days. Some were worried about the damage that their houses would incur if they leave as there would be no one to maintain and clean them. With a lot of explanations and struggle, teams managed to convince those stranded by saying that the rescue operations would become difficult if the situation gets worse Though the teams were sent to different zones of the states, Chengannur, Palakkad, Karthikappally Pandanad, Kaliserry, Edanad were taken care of the leadership team. Navy ensured to support people of Kerala through the air as well. Chetak, Indian Navys lightweight helicopter flown by Lt Bhaskar Raghuvanshi were sent to places where there was space restriction. Landing issue and weather were few factors that were restricting the officers to help those stranded. Basic amenities and relief materials were given through rooftops and balconies. Apart from providing basic services, Chetak was primarily used to airlift people who were in dire need of help or had to be taken out due to a medical emergency. Some people were generous, sending old people and children and those who required immediate medical aid. These gestures of people were appreciated by the pilot and the rescue team. Varma was critical about demonetisation and said although the decision to implement it was taken with a good intention, it was not implemented properly and led to a lot of problems. (Photo: File) Kolkata: JD(U) national general secretary Pavan Kumar Varma on Wednesday said the BJP was unlikely to repeat its performance of 2014 in the next Lok Sabha polls but the NDA would still bag more seats than the proposed opposition front. He reminisced about the "human touch" of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in coalition politics and said he knew how to take along coalition partners irrespective of differences. "The BJP has many as 40 coalition partners in the states... Some of its most important and visible partners are annoyed with the BJP. For instance, the Shiv Sena and the Akali Dal," Varma told reporters in Kolkata "It appears to be that the BJP, which is currently the largest party of the country, will find it difficult to repeat its performance in the same manner like in 2014. But it'll be much more than the number of seats that will be won by the proposed opposition front," he said. The next Lok Sabha election is due next year and the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) is part of the NDA. Varma was critical about demonetisation and said although the decision to implement it was taken with a good intention, it was not implemented properly and led to a lot of problems. "I also have problems with the way nationalism is being projected today. I'm not ready to take certificates from others on nationalism," he added. Namdeo Bhagat, a Shiv Sena member of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), allegedly molested the teen at his farmhouse in Dighode village. (Photo: Facebook) Mumbai: A Shiv Sena corporator from Navi Mumbai has been charged with molesting a 19-year-old college student after promising to help her financially, said police. Namdeo Bhagat, a Shiv Sena member of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), allegedly molested the teen at his farmhouse in Dighode village near the coastal town of Uran in adjoining Raigad district on Sunday last, a police official said. The 51-year-old corporator, who is also a member of the NMMC standing committee, had called the student to his farmhouse on the pretext of helping her financially, he said. The woman filed a complaint after which an offence under the Indian Penal Code was registered against the corporator on Monday at the Uran police station, the official said. Namdeo Bhagat is absconding, he said, adding further probe is underway. Supreme Court also directed the committee to disburse Rs 25 crore to home buyers on pro rata basis and allowed lawyer Pawanshree Agarwal, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae, to appoint two more persons to help him in the process. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed a panel headed by former Delhi High Court judge Justice SN Dhingra to go ahead with sale of unencumbered assets of the directors of real estate major Unitech Ltd to refund money to hassled home buyers. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked the panel to proceed with the sale of the firm's properties in Kolkata. The bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, directed the committee to disburse Rs 25 crore to home buyers on pro rata basis and allowed lawyer Pawanshree Agarwal, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae, to appoint two more persons to help him in the process. "The committee may proceed with the sale/auction of unencumbered assets of the directors (of Unitech Ltd)," the bench said, and posted the matter for further hearing on September 11. The court had on July 5 asked the Justice Dhingra panel to proceed with auction of Unitech Limited's unencumbered properties at Agra and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu to refund money to home buyers. The top court had earlier set up the three-member panel for "expeditious" auction of over 600 acres of land of the real estate firm for refunding money to home buyers who do not want possession of their homes or flats. The Income Tax department had also moved the apex court for making itself a party in the ongoing litigation claiming that the real estate firm owed it Rs 950 crore as tax. Sanjay Chandra, the Managing Director of the firm and his brother Ajay Chandra are in jail. The Supreme Court had asked all directors of Unitech Ltd and its subsidiaries to furnish details of their personal assets and warned them that if Rs 100 crore was not deposited by May 11, their assets would be auctioned. Sanjay Chandra is seeking interim bail from the top court after the Delhi High Court on August 11 last year had rejected the plea in a criminal case lodged in 2015 by 158 home buyers of Unitech projects -- 'Wild Flower Country' and 'Anthea Project' -- situated at Gurgaon in Haryana. Over 1.10 lakh employees working at fuel stations are under threat as the sales officers of these Indian Oil companies are working at the behest of the ministry of oil and gases, dealers said. Hyderabad: Sales officers of the Indian Oil Company (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Limited (BPL) have forced their way into Telangana state and Andhra Pradesh fuel stations to gather personal data of employees, including Aadhar, religion, caste, constituency, bank account and even educational backdrop, under the guise of enrolling the staff for a skill development programme. Over 1.10 lakh employees working at fuel stations are under threat as the sales officers of these Indian Oil companies are working at the behest of the ministry of oil and gases, dealers said. So far, no letter has been issued to any dealer from the three public sector oil companies asking them to send data of their employees for what is known as the Recognition of Prior Learning. However, dealers told the Deccan Chronicle that the sales officers of these companies were manually collecting data from stations for weeks now. But, unlike Haryana and Punjab, no dealers in the two states have protested the move. General Secretary of TS Oil and Gas Dealers, G Vinay Kumar confirmed that over a few weeks now sales officers of IOC, BPL and HPCL have been visiting fuel stations for data collection. Without any prior notice or letter seeking staff details, the sales officers visited petrol bunks in Telangana pressurising the dealer for staff information. In a few cases, where the dealer refused, the officer carried out a manual survey and collected information. There are over 3,600 petrol bunks across Telangana and 2,750 in Andhra Pradesh. Each bunk employs over 20 members, that adds up to around 1.10 lakh employees. President of TS Dealers Association, Rajiv Amaram, who recently had a fallout with Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Debendra Pradhan alleged, A team of 23 dealers from TS and AP met the Union Minister during the recent parliament session. He refused to welcome our request on various issues. He alleged that all were assigned dealerships during the UPA regime and are enjoying high commission from Indian oil companies and the system has to be tightened. This is incorrect because there is a standard process to bag a dealership from publishing advertising to a cycle of interviews and background check. R. Gopal Krishna, President of AP Federation of Petroleum traders added, Only 10 per cent of staff disclosed their details while the other 90 per cent refused. Dealers too are firm on not disclosing information to these officers. Hyderabad: Irrigation projects in the Godavari basin are facing a peculiar situation. Despite 15 lakh cusecs of water being released into the sea at Dowleswaram due to heavy floods, the projects upstream of Godavari like Sriramsagar (SRSP) are not getting good inflow. The SRSP will receive good inflows only if there is rainfall in upstream Maharashtra. The Babli project in Maharashtra will have to fill to the brim first and only then will Maharashtra release water downstream to the SRSP project. In Telangana, there are two major irrigation projects directly on the River Godavari apart from several small projects on tributaries of the Godavari. The Yellampalli reservoir receives water at full reservoir level, while the SRSP has not been receiving sufficient inflow. Due to floods in the tributaries of the Godavari River like Pranahitha, Indravati, Sabari and others, Godavari has been receiving heavy inflow of water for its projects. This water goes to Dowleswaram through Khammam. There are no projects in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to fill the reservoirs with this water. The capacity of Dowleswaram barrage is around 4 TMC but due to silt in the barrage it is not possible to store more than 2 TMC, the officials said. The heavy rains in thick forests of Adilabad and Nirmal districts and its catchment area resulted in the Kadem reservoir getting flooded. When the gates of the Kadem reservoir lifted, the flood water reached Yellampalli. If the Polavaram Project construction is completed the Andhra Pradesh government will be able to store water which is now falling into the sea. If there is heavy rain in Maharashtra, the SRSP will receive inflow of water. If Manjeera gets good inflow, the SRSP will also receive water. A large portion of Manjeera is in Maharashtra and Karnataka. However, in the catchment area of Manjeera also, there has been no rainfall. Since the last two days, the SRSP has been receiving inflows to the tune of about 2 lakh cusecs due to the Viswapuri and Gaikwad dams, the gates of which have been opened by Maharashtra. New Delhi: The Supreme Court has cautioned the courts from proceeding with the trial when police had roped in all the relatives of husband as accused in dowry harassment cases. The bench said the courts should be careful in proceeding against the distant relatives in crimes pertaining to matrimonial disputes and dowry deaths. Writing the judgment Justice Rao said the relatives of the husband should not be roped in on the basis of omnibus allegations unless specific instances of their involvement in the crime are made out. In this case, the wife of K. Subba Rao of Telangana state was married in 2008 and they were residing in USA. After a few years of marriage, the wife returned to India and filed a complaint alleging harassment by her husband and his family members. The police filed chargesheet against the husband and the relatives. The bench said that except the statement that the appellants supported the husband who was harassing the wife nothing indicating their involvement was mentioned. Chennai: Irked by the dumping of garbage in their locality and apathy of officials in removing the garbage pile, three persons climbed a 150ft cellphone tower on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday. The protesters were identified as Dhinakaran (35), a private bus driver, Prabakaran (24), a cable TV operator, and Vikram (36), a lorry driver of Thirumalai Alwarpuram near Pallavaram. Crowd that gathered under the cellphone tower when the protesters climbed up and threatened to jump. (Photo:DC) According to police, Dhinakaran, Prabakaran and Vikram climbed the tower on Thirumalai Alwarpuram Main Road around 6:30 am on Wednesday. On seeing this, local residents implored them to come down but in vain. Immediately, the residents alerted Shankar Nagar police, who in turn, rushed to the spot. Even though the police tried to persuade them to come down, the trio refused to and had sought actions to stop garbage lorry owners who are dumping in the locality, police said. Police also informed the protesters that they had already arrested and are investigating a garbage lorry owner - Arokiya Raja (40) for dumping in the area. On promise by the police of severe actions against the persons dumping in the locality, they were brought down. But one of the protestors, Dhinakaran became unconscious due to low pressure and was sent to Chromepet Government Hospital for treatment whereas the other two were taken to Shankar Nagar police station for further investigation. Universities have been asked to ensure strict adherence to the advisory and to create more awareness among the younger generation who are vulnerable. Hyderabad: The University Grants Commission has directed all varsities and higher education institutions to ban the sale of junk food on their campuses. Universities have been asked to ensure strict adherence to the advisory and to create more awareness among the younger generation who are vulnerable. A circular released by the commission said, Banning junk food in colleges would set new standards for healthy food and make the students live better and learn better. It would also reduce obesity levels in young learners, thus preventing lifestyle diseases, which have a direct link with excess weight. The circular by UGC reads, All the universities are requested to take necessary action by implementing measures to sensitize the students on the ill effects of junk food. Universities can serve as important data sources on students health. Information on markers like body mass index, percentage of body weight vs waist hip ratio etc. can help in creating awareness among students towards their health. Orientation programmes for faculty and staff should be conducted on health issues. Wellness clusters should be created under the students welfare department where counselling should be done regarding proper nutrition, proper exercise and healthy habits, the circular reads. However, the students are unhappy about the ban because they say the quality of the food they get in hostels is not upto the mark and UGC should also address the horrible food provided in the hostels at varsities. A student union leader from the University of Hyderabad, Kuldeep Singh said, Promoting a healthy lifestyle among students is always a welcome step but imposition of such a move can always backfire. Especially in the context of UGC's unwillingness to address the issue of horrible food provided in messes and canteens inside the campus. This move of UGC can only be welcomed if they issue strict instructions to the universities and institutes to ensure quality and hygienic food at canteens. If universities are given the right to ban a particular type of food then they must also be forced to ensure proper food in messes and canteens through a circular. If students are falling prey to illnesses (unhealthy lifestyle) due to the addiction to junk food then they are also getting ill because of the bad food provided. This is an issue which almost all the universities administrations do not pay any heed to, he added. Hyderabad: In the footsteps of Twitter, Facebook is giving rating to users but not publicly like Uber. In order to avoid people indiscriminately flagging news as fake and try to game the system, Facebook is rating users. It is not just fake news, but user often report things that they disagree. In order to know which flaggers are trustworthy, Facebook came out with a rating system. The report of the users is cross-checked with fact news checkers. In India, the agency has tied up with fact news checking agencies. The feature is used only by the social media platforms misinformation team for measuring trustworthiness. An international news agency in an interview with Facebook executive Tessa Lyons confirmed the rating about the platform's battle against "fake news." The company claims to be doing this to ensure effectiveness in the fight against fake news. However, this is not the first company to do it. Uber allows drivers to rate their customers and the rating is visible in the user profile. Twitter has been using scoring to help recommend members to follow. Mr Naresh Arora, Director of DesignBoxed who ran political social media campaigns said, Considering Facebook and Twitter's user base in India, this move is sure to check the misuse of these platforms. Even though steps have been taken to ensure user authentication, but this space needs to be pursued more stringently and effectively, especially in the wake of recent developments in India with the spread of misinformation, which has even resulted in incidents of lynching. However, with Facebook being unregulated territory, there is no way to know user score. Additionally since the information is not out in open, the kind of data Facebook is using to process without informing them is questionable. Mr Mahender Yadav, facebook page admin, said, It true that people report posts that are not objectionable, especially in our states followers of one actor tend to report that of other. It happened not just in Facebook, even on YouTube and Twitter. Bias make even not fake posts as one. But to assess each report and give a credibility score, Facebook will be using lot more information than merely a post in page. A persons views may change and it may be using previous history as well. Facebook needs to follow Indias Data Protection Law and EUs GDPR Law. Hyderabad: State BJP leaders are attempting to block the TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Raos plans to go for early Assembly polls in December along with Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. They brought to the notice of the BJP high command that early polls will only benefit either the TRS or the Congress and the BJP gains nothing from this. Moreover, they argued that Mr Rao was not reliable and even if the BJP helps Mr Rao for the early Assembly polls there is no guarantee that he will sail with the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections which will be held in April/May 2019 citing an example of how he ignored his promise to merge the TRS with the Congress in 2014 if the Congress granted statehood for Telangana. State BJP leaders submitted a report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and partys national president Amit Shah on the pros and cons of early elections against orginial schedule. BJP state leaders cautioned that Mr Raos promises should not be believed blindly. Hyderabad: The Congress high command has been giving top priority to Telangana state in the hope that the party will come to power in the state in the forthcoming elections. After a successful two-day visit to Hyderabad, Congress President Rahul Gandhi will visit Telangana in September. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is also likely to visit Telangana next month. Both the leaders will visit the state separately to participate in the Praja Chaitanya Bus Yatra conducting by the TPCC. The TPCC has decided to conduct the next phase of the Bus Yatra from September 1. So far, the TPCC has covered about 40 Assembly constituencies through the bus yatra. The party wants to cover all the remaining constituencies in the next phase. The TRS is very strong in north Telangana region. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for the first time spoke about granting separate statehood to Telangana in the Karimnagar public meeting in the recent past. TPCC is planning to conduct a huge public meeting in this region with Sonia Gandhi. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Raos son and IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao is representing the ruling party from Karimnagar (old) district. There are speculations that CM KCR may contest from the Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency along with the Gajwel Assembly constituency in the forthcoming elections. Keeping this in mind, the TPCC is planning to conduct a public meeting at Karimnagar. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi will participate in a public meeting in south Telangana region. Opposition Leader in the Telangana Legislative Council and the Chairman of TPCC Bus Yatra Committee Shabbier Ali said that they were planning to invite Sonia Gandhi to participate at the end of the Bus Yatra and Rahul Gandhi will participate from another place. Hyderabad: A majority of the ministers and senior TRS leaders on Wednesday strongly felt that it was not desirable to opt for early Assembly polls in December as wished by party chief and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao going by the sentiment that early polls never favoured ruling parties. Mr Rao on Wednesday convened an emergency meeting at Pragathi Bhavan to discuss early polls. However, the general mood in the meeting was to go for polls as originally scheduled in April/May 2019. The CMs view, incidentally, was that there was a feel good factor among people towards the TRS government and the party should cash in on this by going for early Assembly polls in Decmeber. Ministers cited instances of Atal Behari Vajpayee and N. Chandrababu Naidu biting the dust in 2004 in their bid to cash in on the feel good factor. They stressed that Vajpayee governments India Shining campaign and N. Chandrababu Naidus Swarnaandhrapradesh in 2004 planned on feel good factor concept had backfired. TRS party sources told the CM that TRS was bound to win the next elections and in these circumstances questioned the need for going against the sentiment and taking unnecessary risks by going for early polls, which never favoured ruling parties. Mr Rao is also learnt to have agreed to the opinions expressed by ministers and senior leaders and told them that he never talked about early polls. He only meant that elections if held any time before the six-month remainder of the tenure of the Assembly would not be termed as early polls and that the Election Commission had the power to hold elections for states which had just six-month tenure left. TRS party sources said Mr Rao pitched for early polls in December as the state received good rainfall this month, all projects were brimming with water which would result in bumper kharif production, Mission Bhagiratha to provide tap water to all households would become operational by Dasara in October and Rythu Bandhu second instalment distribution of `4,000 per acre to over 58 lakh farmers was scheduled in November. All these factors would contribute to the feel good factor towards TRS and help to retain power. The ministers agreed that there was a feel-good-factor for TRS due to the implementation of 45 types of welfare schemes by spending over Rs 40,000 crore per year and this would definitely help the TRS retain power in the next elections. But their only concern was about 'sentiment' which always worked against the ruling party going for early polls. It was decided to hold the meeting of party's the Legislature and Parliamentary Party wings at Telangana Bhavan on August 24 to discuss this issue at large. It was also decided that on September 2, the TRS would hold Pragati Nivedana Sabha, a massive public meeting at Kongara Kalan village on the outskirts of the city. As many as 25 lakh party workers and people are expected to attend the public meeting where the TRS leadership is expected to present a progress report on its achievements in the past four years. Mr Rao called on party workers to begin preparing for the public meeting, to be held in a sprawling venue spread over 1,600 acres at Kongara Kalan near the Outer Ring Road. Hyderabad: Congress MLA A. Revanth Reddy asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi why he was supporting the proposal of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on early polls to the assembly separately. Revanth said if elections were held separately, it would become a financial burden. He said that if Mr Modi cooperated with the CM for his political benefit, it would show that a secret understanding was struck between the BJP and the TRS. Mr Reddy challenged the CM to conduct Pragathi Nivedana Sabha on September 2 as announced earlier. He also alleged that the Chief Minister wanted to go with the MIM in the assembly elections and BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. He asked MIM to think about the Chief Ministers stand on this issue. He added that the TPCC Chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy was talking about early elections to the assembly to prepare the cadre to face the elections. Revanth Reddy pointed out that AP Chief Minister and TD President N Chandrababu Naidu categorically said that those who had an alliance with the BJP or secret ties were their political enemies. In such a case, it was clear in Telangana, that the TRS was TDs enemy. We have to wait to know who are TDs friends, he jibed. The worst floods in a century in Kerala have left hundreds of people dead, many missing and lakhs taking shelter in relief camps. The state will take years to recover. But watching the images and listening to stories from thousands of miles away, another thing has also become clear goodness has gone viral. And it is not just the official agencies from the Centre and the state government, tasked to rescue and provide relief. Ordinary people are rising above adversity and lending a helping hand. Some images and stories will be hard to forget. Like the one of a fisherman who voluntarily kneeled down with his face barely above the flood waters, offering his back for women and children to step on and climb onto rescue boats. Or that of the doctor from Kerala who postponed his marriage and moved to a relief camp to treat flood victims. Or the elderly woman who was rescued in a cooking vessel after her home was flooded in Thrissur. In Aluva district, the Indian Navy airlifted a pregnant woman paralysed from the waist down and flew her to safety. A college-going girl from Thrissur, who had faced vicious online trolling when the media reported that she travelled long distances to sell fish for a living, has contributed Rs 1.5 lakh to the Kerala chief ministers disaster relief fund. The Indian Police Service Association tweeted a picture of a policeman rescuing a newborn baby. An eight-year-old girl in neighbouring Tamil Nadu donated all the money she had been saving for four years to buy a bicycle to help the disaster relief effort. The arc of generosity stretches far and wide. Even as one writes this column, there are reports of Tibetans from Kodaikanal driving to Kerala with food, sweaters and other supplies; and Kashmiri volunteers leaving for Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to join the relief effort in the flood-battered state. I heard more uplifting tales of everyday heroism in flood-ravaged Kerala from Unni Karunakara, former international president of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, or Doctors Without Borders) and well-known global health advocate. Karunakara, who was in Allepey district recently for a family wedding, spoke about the amazing civic response. The fishermen, the electricity workers, transport workers etc. kept things going. Our village was not affected though water levels were rising. Thats why people were moved there. MSF is in Wayanad district, rather remote and more devastated. The wedding was to be in Guruvayoor temple and no one could get there, so my mother managed to get it all moved to Ambalapuzha temple, down the road from us, in two days. On his Facebook page, a tax official hailing from Kerala lauded the spirit of the fishermen who voluntarily and spontaneously came with their boats to rescue stranded people. I heard one of them saying that he had left his wife and kids who were having fever, to rescue the stranded. I would not have done it so selflessly! Hats off. The massive rescue carried out by the fishermen of Kerala reminded me of Dunkirk. Here is a good example of how to manage disasters. The local community in the forefront supported by the forces of the government. Even as the disaster takes its toll, and severe challenges loom ahead, people are getting married, giving birth, grieving, coping, helping. Simultaneously. This is the genius of India. We dont compartmentalise. People who have lost all can think of others even in their hour of sorrow. Kerala is not the only state to be hit by the current floods. Kodagu, in neighbouring Karnataka, has been badly hit as well. Many roads have cracked open, many residents forced into shelters and the coffee plantations the backbone of the local economy may take years to recover. In the middle of this, and at a time when India seems increasingly polarised, Suntikoppa, a small town in Karnataka, offers a healing image of communal harmony. The town has turned its church, temple and madrasa into relief camps to help provide shelter to flood victims in Kodagu district. Food for everyone is being cooked in the madrasa and carried to the temple and church. It is tempting to get carried away by this upsurge of goodness. And yet, as numerous stories filtering in show, the disaster has also brought the bigots crawling out of the woodwork. It has brought out the worst in many people who seek to sharpen the various divides political, religious, geographical that exist in the country. Some are spreading malicious rumours, fake news, pitting Indians against other Indians, by viewing them as Hindus, Christians, Muslims, trying to rank those who are helping. An Indian-origin academic sitting in the United States advises his followers on the social media to donate only to Hindus from Kerala. Some other worthies tried to publicly insinuate that Kerala may be facing the wrath of Lord Ayyappa due to efforts to let menstruating women enter the Sabarimala temple. Yet others have chosen to vent bile by insinuating that the calamity was spurred on by Malayalees who ate beef. The good news is that such poison has been ignored by most people in Kerala. Flooded Kerala has shown us what resilience means and what a joint rescue effort by officials and the people can achieve. Now it is time to move to the next step in disaster management relief, and that includes proactively tackling the health problems likely to arise as the floodwaters recede. By all accounts, Kerala is pulling out all stops to prevent disease outbreaks, especially of infectious diseases caused by unclean and stagnant water diarrhoea, malaria, dengue, chikunguniya and so on. Medical teams are working round the clock at all relief camps and the health department has issued advisories to help prevent infections. The people of Kerala have already shown they will not let the bigots win. There is every reason for confidence that together they will win through the next stages too. Bihar governor Satya Pal Maliks transfer to Srinagar Raj Bhavan was not expected, though it was felt in political and administrative quarters that the incumbent, N.N. Vohra, now 82, who was in office for a decade, was looking to bow out after being a steady, dignified, presence through a turbulent phase. Mr Vohra was a man of vast experience. He had served as Union home secretary, Cabinet Secretary and Prime Ministers principal secretary. He commanded the respect of top officials in the system who dealt with Kashmir, including the Army, paramilitary forces and the intelligence services. Mr Vohra was appointed J&K governor by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi kept him on. However, he is said to have been of a different approach than that of the Modi government on the sensitive issue of Article 35A of the Constitution. Also, he was thought to be in favour of tightening the flabby administrative setup in the Valley while the state is under Governor's Rule before fresh polls in the state. It is through Article 35A that the inherent rights of J&Ks permanent residents (known as state subjects from the time before the accession of the princely state of J&K to the Indian Union on specified terms, which includes the stipulation that those from outside J&K cannot acquire property in the state) are safeguarded. Also, it is through this article that permanent residents of J&K become citizens of India. This provision has been challenged by a RSS-friendly NGO and the matter is before the Supreme Court. The Centre is apparently in favour of holding panchayat polls in J&K in a couple of months. This is certain to be a delicate exercise calling for boldness mixed with caution that comes from area expertise and experience. Mr Vohra could have been urged to stay on until the local bodies election. A fresh incumbent is bound to need time to adjust to the far from propitious circumstances in Kashmir. If this hasnt happened, its likely that sudden differences cropped up between Raj Bhavan and the powers-that-be in New Delhi. To change the governor when J&K is under Governors Rule is, to say the least, extraordinary. Since Pakistan-fed insurgency gripped Kashmir in the late 1980s, politicians havent been appointed governors in J&K. If the Centre wanted to insert a political figure into the gubernatorial slot in Kashmir, perhaps this was not the right time to experiment. And, if the Centre was adamant in having a political appointee in place at this particular time, a senior figure with Kashmir experience may have been ideal perhaps even a senior statesman from Kashmir itself. Mr Malik, the new appointee, is unlikely to be in a position to render any useful local advice to the Centre. Reports of sexual and physical violence against women in Western contexts are increasing. In Australia, for example, intimate partner violence is the greatest health risk factor for women aged between 25 and 44, and reported rates of sexual assault nationally have been climbing for the past five years. Reports are increasing in wealthy global cities in particular including London, Paris, Toronto and New York. This has been at least partially attributed by some to the success of the #MeToo movement, though in the absence of quality data, this alone cannot explain what is occurring. Globally, violence against women has been treated by international institutions as a global pandemic (World Bank), as a global issue (Unesco) and as a major public health problem (WHO). Such definitions draw on epidemiological terminology as though such violence is an illness that may be directly treated by controlled interventions. In this context, factors such as poverty, lack of education and even natural disaster are considered to be key contributing factors to physical and sexual violence against women and increasingly in form where governments direct both domestic resources and foreign aid aimed at improving womens rights. But if this analysis were complete, why would rates of violence be increasing in places where poverty is lower, rates of education higher, and women more engaged in public life than ever before? In my forthcoming book The New Demagogues: Populism, Religion and Masculinity, I argue that we need to reframe how we view violence against girls and women. I have framed the term ideological masculinity to describe a new and more potent kind of gendered violence which is political and power-based. All too often violence against women and children, particularly murders of former wives and children, is described in the language of personal tragedy. Cases are individualised with defences of mental illness or personal circumstances. But these narratives cannot possibly explain the increase in physical and sexual violence we are seeing. Similarly, the psychological concept of toxic masculinity has been a valuable advocacy concept, though falls short in addressing the full dimension of the issue. I argue that there is a common, politically-charged narrative, grounded in the hatred of women. The misogyny that drives such violence treats women in much the same way as terrorists fighting in the name of an ethnic or religious cause to dehumanise their enemies as representatives of the evil other. Ideological masculinity may be best understood as a self-sustaining political narrative centered on male victimhood, dispossession and depravation. In its full ideologically-driven manifestation, it is radical, seeking to promote a return to a perceived period of male supremacy, now lost to womens rights and self-effacing men. It seeks to punish women who have stepped out of line through sexual, physical or verbal assault in the real world, or online. I consider ideological masculinity, in its most radical manifestations, to constitute an emerging form of violent extremism. Imagine a set of concentric circles. At ground zero, there are groups such as the Incel (involuntary celibates) movement that encourage extremes of physical and sexual violence against women who have deprived them of their rights to reproduction and sexual pleasure. Incels are very active online but their violent extremism has already escalated to terrorism in cases such as the Toronto van attack by Alek Minassian in April and the Ell iot Rodger attack at the University of California in 2014. Close to ground zero, perhaps within the same circle, we see threats to rape and murder women in online environments on the basis of their political perspectives. Female commentators, particularly self-identified feminists, in the social media landscape are routinely subjected to threats of rape and murder that are both designed to evoke fear and force them back to the domestic sphere. The violent language and actions of ideological masculinity fit neatly into the definition of violent extremism as the beliefs and actions of people who support or use violence to achieve ideological, religious or political goals. This includes terrorism and other forms of politically-motivated and communal violence and it also includes the language and symbolic behaviours that threaten or support such violence. Little is being done to effectively curb the violent extremism of ideological masculinity. In one of many such recent incidents, Ryan Hawkins, a 20-year-old Adelaide man, wrote in response to a political post by feminist commentator Clementine Ford threatening, Im going to bash and rape you stupid little ****. Lesbian scum. Ford shared the message to her thousands of followers, resulting in media scrutiny and a half-hearted apology but no police charges. Imagine if instead a young Muslim man had threatened to rape and murder a woman commentator in the name of the ISIS. He would likely have faced prosecution on terrorism charges (on the grounds that the threat was against the public and advanced a political, religious or ideological cause) and the common defence given to Hawkins that his language was mere rhetoric would have counted for little. Terms such as cyber hate are inadequate for substantially changing public policy. We require a radical reframing of how we view violence towards girls and women which positions ideological masculinity as an emerging form of violent extremism, that uses violent language, individual violent actions and sometimes terrorism to advance an ideological agenda. (The author is the Director of the Institute for Religion, Politics and Society at the Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia) The idea of holding simultaneous elections could be compared with the big elephant which has two kinds of teeth - one, the trunks, which are beautiful, a good showpiece to keep in drawing rooms, and the other, which are inside the mouth used for eating, which we don't see. The argument for holding simultaneous elections to save money, which draws large support from people, could be compared with the trunk of the elephant, which everyone likes. But we fail to analyse the fallout of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, just like while appreciating the trunk we fail to see the inner teeth of the elephant. There are dangers of India moving from a federal to a unitary form of government if elections are held simultaneously. The smaller regional parties will be at the receiving end. This is the inner teeth that we fail to see: simultaneous elections will definitely save some money but the price we might pay will be enormous -- losing the federal character of the country, an important feature for the development of different regions of India. While the issue of holding simultaneous elections is yet to be debated carefully, I am happy to note that the proposal seems to have received a setback on the grounds of "feasibility", at least till the next Lok Sabha polls in mid-2019. Reacting to recent news reports about the possibility of holding elections in at least 11 states along with the Lok Sabha polls, chief election commissioner O.P. Rawat, citing constitutional, legal and logistical difficulties (such as VVPAT, EVMs, availability of police forces and polling personnel) has made it clear it may be extremely difficult to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and 11 Assemblies in May 2019. He also spelt out that it would be impossible to hold these polls if the Lok Sabha elections due in 2019 is advanced to late 2018, to be held along with Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram, which are due by late December. Given the existing constitutional provisions, there is hardly any possibility of postponing the Assembly elections in the four states due in December 2018. At least the idea of simultaneous elections does not seem to be feasible till the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. At best, the Assembly elections in a few more states (Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana) could be clubbed along some others (Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Telangana) which fall in the natural cycle of having simultaneous polls along with the Lok Sabha elections by advancing the Assembly elections in these states. There is, of course, no harm in holding elections to state Assemblies along with the Lok Sabha polls if the election cycles are the same and even in clubbing a few states along with the parliamentary elections even if these were due in those states a few months later, but making it mandatory by law to hold elections for all Assemblies along with the Lok Sabha seems to be an idea which is neither desirable nor feasible. The argument against holding simultaneous elections on the ground of having its impact on the federal character is even stronger. There is clear evidence from past elections to prove that in many instances, voters tend to vote for the same party for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies when the elections are held together. It's more a rule than an exception. Since the 1989 general elections, there have been 31 cases of simultaneous elections for state Assemblies and the Lok Sabha -- Andhra Pradesh (1989, 1999, 2004 and 2014), Odisha (2004, 2009 and 2014), Karnataka (1989, 1999 and 2004), Sikkim (2009 and 2014), Tamil Nadu (1989, 1991 and 1996), Maharashtra (1999), Assam (1991 and 1996), Haryana 1991 and 1996), Kerala (1989, 1991 and 1996), Uttar Pradesh (1989 and 1991), West Bengal (1991 and 1996), Arunachal Pradesh (2009 and 2014) and Telangana (2014). When elections were held the same day to elect MLAs and MPs, in 24 of these 31 elections, voters voted in more or less similar manner -- the dominant party polled more or less similar votes in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Only in seven instances, the voters were able to make a clear distinction between the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, and voted differently. Voters were able to make such a distinction only in states where regional parties are very strong, such as Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Regional parties manage to get decent votes in the Assembly elections but not for the Lok Sabha. The fear is that if elections for the Assembly and Lok Sabha are held the same day, the regional parties may get further marginalised as a large number of voters might tend to vote for the same party in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. There is no denying the fact that holding simultaneous elections would reduce the government's expenses on the conduct of elections, but this would hardly help to reduce the expenses incurred by the candidates and political parties, which is the biggest part of election expenses. The logic of the government not being able to function properly due to frequent elections seems to be a weak argument as the model code of conduct is in operation only for a few months, and nothing prevents governments from carrying out development work for remaining part of their term. India is one country, but we must recognise the existence of 29 states, with each having its own elected government, given the constitutional division of power. It gives the country a truly federal character. But simultaneous elections would slowly and gradually hurt these smaller regional parties, and we might see them disappearing from the political scene. The regional parties are the symbol of the expression of regional aspirations and issues relating to marginalised people, who have felt left out of the country's development process. Studies have indicated smaller regional parties get more votes from marginalised communities such as dalits, adivasis and OBCs, so the disappearance of the smaller parties would mean the virtual disenfranchisement of the marginalised sections of Indian voters. Earth Anthem has been translated into over 30 languages worldwide. (Photo: ANI) Earth Anthem is a poem-song penned by Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K. in 2008 and was launched in 2013 on World Environment Day. With growing global support towards an anthem for the planet, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has also backed the Earth Anthem. In a letter of support, Mauricio Dionisio de Souza, the National Representative of IUCN in Brazil, has called Earth Anthem- a global and important initiative to promote the conservation of nature among nations. IUCN was created in 1948 and has since evolved into the world's largest environmental network. Earth Anthem is a poem-song penned by Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K. in 2008 and was launched in 2013 on World Environment Day. It has been translated into over 30 languages worldwide, spoken by over 90 per cent of the humanity. World known violinist Dr L. Subramaniam composed music for the anthem in June 2017 and the Symphonic Orchestra of Brasilia performed it in February 2018. UNESCO has called Earth Anthem 'a creative and inspiring thought which would help in bringing the world together.' Earth Anthem is supported by Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Bollywood actor Manisha Koirala, Dada Saheb Phalke award-winning director Shyam Benegal, Oscar award-winning director Jefferey D. Brown, among other prominent personalities across the world. Thousands of schools spread over the globe use Earth Anthem to celebrate Earth Day and World Environment Day. Earth Anthem is also supported by Habitat for Humanity. 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. iPhones account for one in every two smartphones sold in Japan. Japan is aiming to force wireless carriers to cut their monthly fees and stop bundling the cost of smartphones with wireless services, a senior telecoms ministry source said on Tuesday, in a move that is likely to hit Apple Inc. Japans top wireless carriers, NTT Docomo Inc, KDDI Corp and SoftBank Group Corp, typically provide phones without upfront charges as part of fixed-term contracts that can cost as much as 10,000 yen ($90.51) a month. Customers effectively pay for handsets in instalments. The government, which sees these contracts as muddying the cost of handsets and mobile fees and creating barriers to entry, wants carriers to charge separately for phones, the senior telecoms ministry source told Reuters. An end to bundling could hit dominant player Apples iPhone sales as consumers opt for cheaper devices. iPhones account for one in every two smartphones sold in Japan, according to MM Research Institute Ltd, with the device first introduced there by SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son in 2008. Apple may have breached antitrust rules by forcing Japanese carriers to offer discounts on iPhones and charge higher monthly fees, the countrys regulators said last month, giving the US firm an advantage over rivals such as Samsung Electronics. Shares of Japans wireless carriers fell by up to 5 per cent earlier in the day, in a steady broader market, after Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga was quoted by Kyodo News as saying that they have room to slash wireless fees by 40 per cent. Japan hopes that by reducing the burden of wireless fees on households it can stimulate spending in other areas as the Bank of Japan battles to reflate the economy. Wireless costs are suppressing other spending, the ministry source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Telecoms fees as a percentage of total household spending have continued to rise, government figures show, reaching 4.2 per cent last year, driven by higher wireless costs. A KDDI spokeswoman said the carrier has created plans that separate the cost of the handset and carrier fees and has lowered fees for customers. A Docomo spokesman says the firm has cut costs for customers and continues to consider changes to fees based on the wishes of customers. A SoftBank spokeswoman said the carrier continues to examine how to improve services for customers. Apple was not immediately available to comment outside of US business hours. 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. Facebook has significantly stepped up policing of its platform since last year, when it acknowledged that Russian agents successfully ran political influence operations on its platform that were aimed at swaying the 2016 presidential election. (Photo: File | AP) San Francisco: Facebook has identified and banned hundreds of accounts, groups and pages engaged in misleading political behaviour, a far larger discovery than a "sophisticated" effort it reported three weeks ago with great fanfare. The social network said on Tuesday that it had removed 652 pages, groups, and accounts linked to Russia and, unexpectedly, Iran, for "coordinated inauthentic behaviour" that included the sharing of political material. Facebook has significantly stepped up policing of its platform since last year, when it acknowledged that Russian agents successfully ran political influence operations on its platform that were aimed at swaying the 2016 presidential election. Other social media networks have done likewise, and continue to turn up fresh evidence of political disinformation campaigns. Facebook's action in late July against 32 accounts possibly linked to Russia generally involved US political activity ahead of the midterm elections in November. By contrast, the latest group of apparently fake accounts appeared more intent on influencing US foreign policy and regional politics in the Middle East. Shortly after Facebook's announcement, Twitter revealed that it had also suspended 284 accounts for "coordinated manipulation," many of them apparently originating from Iran. A day earlier, Microsoft also reported a new Russian effort to impersonate conservative US websites, potentially as part of an espionage campaign. The social network said it had not concluded its review of the material and declined to say how or why the state-backed actors were behaving the way they did. But it said it has informed the US and UK governments as well as the US. "There's a lot we don't know yet," CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on a hastily called conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. "You're going to see people try to abuse the services in every way possible ... including now nation states," he said. He described the deception campaigns as "sophisticated and well-funded efforts that aren't going to stop." FireEye, a cybersecurity firm that alerted Facebook to some of this activity, noted that it "does not appear to have been specifically designed to influence the 2018 US midterm elections, as it extends well beyond US audiences and US politics." Facebook said its latest action on Tuesday morning resulted from four investigations three involving Iran, one involving Russia. The first focused on a group called "Liberty Front Press" that set up multiple accounts on Facebook and Instagram that were followed by 155,000 other accounts. The group was linked to Iranian state media based on website registrations, IP addresses and administrator accounts, Facebook said. The first accounts were created in 2013 and posted political content about the Middle East, the UK, and the US, although the focus on the West increased starting last year, Facebook said. "The Iranians are now following the Kremlin's playbook," said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee. On September 5, leaders of Facebook, Google and Twitter are scheduled to testify before the intelligence committee about their efforts to combat political disinformation on their social media networks. FireEye called the Liberty Front Press group an influence operation apparently aimed at promoting Iranian political interests "including anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes" and support for the US-Iran nuclear deal. President Donald Trump withdrew the US from that agreement earlier this year. While that group did not appear to be attempting to influence the US midterms, FireEye said its analysis "does not preclude such attempts being made." Several social media personas it found related to the group masqueraded as liberal US activists who supported Sen. Bernie Sanders. One persona also used the Twitter handle "@berniecratss" and listed its location as the United States even though the phone number associated with it began with Iran's country code, +98. The group's activity included "significant anti-Trump messaging," but FireEye said in a detailed report "the activity extends well beyond US audiences and US politics." The second group also had multiple accounts and 15,000 followers. The group was linked to "Liberty Front Press" and attempted to hack people's accounts to spread malware. Facebook said it disrupted those attempts. A third group also operated out of Iran had as many as 813,000 followers, and also shared political content about the Middle East, the UK and US. In all the Iranian-linked groups spent some USD 12,000 in advertising and hosted 28 different events. A fourth group that attempted to influence politics in Syria and the Ukraine was connected to sources that Facebook said the US had linked to Russian military intelligence. "We're working closely with US law enforcement on this investigation," Facebook said in a blog post. In late July, Facebook also removed 32 apparently fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram that collectively had nearly 300,000 followers, including thousands that expressed interest in events they promoted. A militant wearing a suicide vest blew himself up just after midnight at Adnan al-Ganams house in the village of Asdira, Colonel Khalil al-Sahn, the police chief of surrounding Shirqat district, told Reuters. (Representational Image) Iraq: A suicide attack on a former Iraqi lawmakers house killed at least six tribal militiamen and wounded seven others in a northern Sunni Muslim village early on Wednesday, police said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but Islamic State militants operate in the area. A militant wearing a suicide vest blew himself up just after midnight at Adnan al-Ganams house in the village of Asdira, Colonel Khalil al-Sahn, the police chief of surrounding Shirqat district, told Reuters. Those killed were members of the Tribal Mobilisation Forces, a network of Sunni militias that back the government in its fight against Islamic State, he said. The village is north of Tikrit, the capital of Iraqs Salahuddin province. Islamic State, which had seized control of much of northern Iraq in 2014, lost Shirqat to US-backed Iraqi security forces supported by Sunni tribal fighters in 2016. A small number of militants are still operating in the area and are capable of launching sporadic attacks, security officials say. Iraq declared victory over Islamic State in December but security officials say the militants are likely to wage an insurgency after their self-proclaimed caliphate collapsed and they were dislodged from all the territory they held. Its fighters have kept up a campaign of kidnap and killing, mainly in the provinces of Kirkuk, Diyala and Salahuddin. The Chattanooga State Foundations Dinner of Firsts will be held on Thursday evening, November 29 at The Chattanoogan. The Dinner of Firsts is Chattanooga States signature FUNdraising event with a toast and roast honoring a community leader who is the first in their family to attend college. This seventh annual dinner event will honor local community leader David Wade, with Reggie Piercy serving as event chair. In addition to being a first generation college student, Mr. Wade is a Chattanooga State graduate and the president and CEO of EPB. Those roasting Mr. Wade include Todd Crawford, Joe Ferguson, Richard Rogers, Steve Rogers, Justin Wade and Aaron Webb. Jed Mescon will serve as the master of ceremonies. Chattanooga State once again welcomes Jeff Jackson, market president of First Tennessee Bank, along with Greg Vital, president and CEO of Independent Healthcare Properties and Morning Pointe, as presenting sponsors and evening co-hosts. Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for first-generation students and are divided equally between the annual First in the Family Scholarship and the Tom Edd Wilson First in the Family Endowed Scholarship. "Nearly half of Chattanooga State students that apply for financial aid are the first in their families to attend college. Earnings from the first six years have provided more than $340,000 in scholarship support for first-generation students," official said. For information on sponsorship levels and donations for Dinner of Firsts 2018, visit chattanoogastate.edu/dof or contact Tammy Sawyers at 423-697-3359 or tammy.sawyers@chattanoogastate.edu. Critical about the recent police action against Africans living in Bengaluru, the Pan-African Federation and Students Union on Wednesday termed the recent police raids as inhuman and demanded that the police accept them as any other foreign nationals. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, the federation office-bearers said that the recent police action has created panic among the community. Acknowledging that the community students are in the grip of fear, the office bearers demanded that the Foreign Regionals Registration Office (FRRO) be given powers to extend student visas for foreign nationals. However, the office bearers hailed the work of several senior police officers with special reference to former additional commissioner of police (Crime) P Harishekaran. He was the first officer to really relate with the Africans. He would personally visit police stations and tell them how to interact with people from Africa. If the same officer is reinstated, then things may settle down, said Bosco Kawweesi, an advocate of the federation. Dedicated officer Following clashes with African students in 2015, Harishekaran had collaborated with African community leaders to create the African Students Coordination Committee (PASCC) to address grievances faced by students. The federation demanded that a dedicated officer be appointed to coordinate between FRRO and Africans, sanction bail to the Africans arrested during the raid last month and close cases against those overstaying on their visas enabling them to return home. As of Wednesday, one Nigerian and one New Guinean had been released on bail, with two Nigerians scheduled for release on Thursday, according to Kaweesi. Lawyers are currently working to help three pregnant women receive bail on Monday, according to various representatives. Preye, president of the Nigerian Students Union, expressed anguish over FRRO for refusing to grant visa extensions to students in the first place and delaying the delivery of exit papers. We need the process to be speeded up if an African wants to go home, he demanded. Lack of proper papers FRRO senior officer Labhu Ram (IPS) told DH that Africans often lack the proper documentation to receive extensions or exit papers. We are granting if they have all the documents. Many times they do not, Ram said, adding, If they have any grievances, they can come to our office and we will try to resolve them. Many African, however, are leaving anyway, citing concerns about growing animosity toward their communities. Bosco admitted his belief that the law is being implemented selectively. On Wednesday night, one Nigerian man was detained at Kothnur police station for overstaying his visa. Twelve dental students from Malaysia, Jordan and Slovakia attended a two-week summer training programme at Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Manipal, to get an exposure to the various aspects of dentistry as practised in India. The training programme was organised by MCODS every year for the benefit of overseas students to get hands-on experience. This year it started with Dr Raghu Radhakrishnan, director of International Affairs and Collaborations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, formally inaugurating the programme. MCODS Dean Dr Keerthilatha M Pai handed over participation certificates to the students. Dr Shashidhar Acharya, the programme coordinator, said, It was a great learning experience for the students. They go back with newfound knowledge and experience which can influence their careers. The participants also had a meeting with MAHE Vice-Chancellor Dr H Vinod Bhat. During the two-week programme, the students had exposure to the various aspects of dentistry as practised in India. They attended lectures, demonstrations and hands-on training in various cutting-edge dental procedures, like laser therapy, laminate tooth preparation, orthodontic appliance making and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). They even got to see some oral conditions unique to India. Warning China not to play "mind games" with it, Swaziland, Taiwan's last remaining ally in Africa, on Wednesday rebuffed Beijing's overtures to switch ties before next month's summit with African leaders in the Chinese capital. El Salvador, one of the 18 countries which recognised Taiwan as a separate nation, on Tuesday broke off ties with it and established diplomatic relations with China as Beijing continues to chip away Taiwans dwindling allies, alluring them with its economic clout. China, which is holding a major two-day summit of African leaders starting from September 3, has urged Swaziland to join the event by severing links with Taiwan. Briefing the media here about the summit, China's assistant foreign minister Chen Xiaodong said Swaziland did not have relations with Beijing "for reasons that everyone knows". "We look forward to and hope that all African nations, with none left behind, can take part in positive China-Africa cooperation, and become a member of the largest family get-together, Chen was quoted as saying by Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post. In response to China's call, Swaziland's foreign affairs minister Mgwagwa Gamedze, who is on a visit to Taiwan, said his country will not switch its allegiance to China. "They (China) must not play mind games because our relationship with Taiwan is over 50 years so we will not dump them," the report quoted Gamedze as saying to Taiwanese media. "We have no desire to change camps since Taiwan has been good to us," he said. Leaders of all African countries, except Swaziland, are expected to attend the summit. Beijing slams United States Meanwhile, China also hit out at the US for threatening El Salvador for ditching Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said why should the US object when it has recognised China itself adhering to the 'One China' policy. The US established ties with China nearly four decades ago. However, the US government is now thwarting and even deterring other countries from establishing normal relations with China, Lu said. The US ambassador to El Salvador, Jean Manes, in a tweet sharply has criticised the decision of the Central American nation, saying it is worrisome for many reasons and without doubt this will impact our relationship with the government. While the US has recognised China and adheres to the 'One China' policy four decades ago, it remained close to Taiwan. The 'One China' policy states that Taiwan and Tibet are part of Chinas mainland. China made the 'One China' policy a prerequisite for countries to establish diplomatic ties with it. China views Taiwan as its inalienable part which has to be reunified with the mainland, even by force. Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the media that the summit of the African leaders will "usher in a new era for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Africa's development". "China will engage with Africa in equal consultation, plan together, work together and benefit together," he said. "Africa is a natural extension of the BRI and also there is a close historical links. It is an important area for the BRI. Many African countries are keen interested in participating in BRI cooperation, he said. Indias has been vocal in expressing its opposition to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The $50 billion CPEC is a flagship project of the BRI, which is a pet initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Seven foreign destinations have been identified by the government to roll out the international version of UDAN to enable people to fly abroad for cheaper options. The Ministry of Civil Aviation released the draft UDAN -International scheme on Tuesday evening. As per the draft, the scheme provides for a subsidy to selected airlines for the unsold seats from the number of seats as a bid by the airline to make operations viable. There is no cap on airfare as in the Regional Connectivity Scheme though the plan has its origin from this programme. This scheme is aimed at encouraging airlines to start international operations from states to chosen destinations. Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday said the scheme will involve a state government-led effort wherein the states will propose the list of routes to be connected. "Presently, Assam and Andhra Pradesh have come forward to participate under the scheme," he said. Under the scheme, the states will be responsible for funding the financial benefits. "The scheme envisages providing monetary support, in the form of a subsidy per seat, for the unsold seats from the number of seats as a bid by the airline to make operations viable," he said. The objective of the UDAN (International) scheme is to enhance international air connectivity between Indian states and select international destinations through the provision of financial support to airlines. It is the next step after the positive domestic impact of UDAN, he added. As of now, eight routes have been identified, from Guwahati to Dhaka, Kathmandu, Yangon, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok as well as Vijayawada to Singapore and Dubai. As per the draft, subsidy per seat proposed from Guwahati ranges between Rs 2,370 (Dhaka) and Rs 7,880 (Singapore). "With the International Air Connectivity Scheme-UDAN, we trying to make flying to international destinations more accessible to our citizens. This will help improve overall connectivity and spur trade, tourism and economic growth in the country," Prabhu said. According to the draft, some states also felt that facilitating/stimulating international air connectivity like it was done for regional domestic routes would be "desirable" from a public policy perspective and may need financial support, at least in the initial period, to trigger participation of airlines. "Such state governments desire to have direct scheduled flights between their respective states and select international destinations to promote socio-economic growth," the draft said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stuck to his predecessor Manmohan Singh's policy and turned down offers from the United Arab Emirates and several other foreign governments for assistance to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction works in flood-ravaged Kerala. New Delhi has thanked the governments of the foreign nations like UAE, Qatar, Thailand and Maldives for offering assistance to provide relief and rehabilitation of people in flood-affected areas in Kerala as well as for reconstruction of houses and public infrastructure in the State. The government however politely rejected all offers of assistance from the foreign nations. The Government of India deeply appreciates offers from several countries, including from foreign governments, to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts after the tragic floods, Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said on Wednesday, adding: In line with the existing policy, the Government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts. Sources in New Delhi said that Modi Government's decision to decline individual offers of aids from foreign governments was in sync with the policy formulated by the erstwhile Congress-led UPA regime headed by Manmohan Singh almost 14 years ago when the Tsunami hit the southern coast of India in December 2004. Singh had then decided against accepting aid from foreign governments, stating that India would use its own resources to respond to the calamity, to rehabilitate people affected by it and to reconstruct houses and infrastructure in the areas devastated by it. The decision had in fact been in sync with New Delhi's efforts to project growing economic clout of India. The Government of India had rather provided assistance to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand, which had also been hit by the Tsunami. The MEA spokesperson on Wednesday clarified that the Government would welcome contributions to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund from the Non-Resident Indians, People of Indian Origin and international entities such as foundations. Kerala floods...Seeing what we can do...Friends caring about each other...Stay Strong Kerala! Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Thailand's ambassador to India, posted on Twitter on August 18 last, as he was checking with Bangkok what Thailand Government could do to help New Delhi to support flood-affected people in the southern State. Modi Government, however, later informally conveyed to the Embassy of Thailand that it would use its own resources to support the Government of Kerala to rehabilitate flood-affected people and rebuild infrastructure in the State. Informally informed with regret that GOI (Government of India) is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you the people of Bharat, Thailand's envoy to India tweeted again on Tuesday. Modi himself took to Twitter to thank UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum after he offered assistance for Kerala. A big thanks to @hhshkmohd for his gracious offer to support people of Kerala during this difficult time. His concern reflects the special ties between governments and people of India and UAE, tweeted Prime Minister. The UAE Prime Minister, who is also the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, earlier posted on Twitter pictures of the devastation caused by the flood in Kerala, with messages of solidarity in Malayalam. The state of Kerala in India is currently witnessing huge floods, the most devastating in a century. Hundreds have been killed, hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Ahead of Eid Al Adha, do not forget to extend a helping hand to our brothers in India, tweeted Sheikh Mohammed. The Mangaluru (South) Anti Rowdy Squad, succeeded in arresting five notorious rowdy-sheeters and seized the narcoticMDMA Crysta-- two pistols and 22 live rounds of ammunition, from the gang. DCP (Crime) Uma Prashanth said, that the arrest was made while checking vehicles. The Anti Rowdy Squad headed by an ACP were on rounds near Gurpura Bridge. The police seized a car worth Rs 7 lakh, 11 ganja balls worth Rs 5,500, the narcotic MDMA Crystal (100 gram) worth Rs 1.80 lakh, two pistols, 22 live rounds worth Rs 1.15 lakh, 11 mobiles worth Rs 81,000 and Rs 63,690 cash. The value of the total property seized is Rs 11,45,190. The arrested are T H Riyaz (38) from Pavoor, Usman Rafiq (29) of Salethooru, Abdul Rauf (30) from Uppala, Imthiyaz Ahammed (40) of Uppala and Hajwar (30) from Jogi Mutt Road in Vittal. During interrogation, the accused revealed that they were smuggling drugs from Mumbai for sale in Kerala and Karnataka . DCP Uma said that the prime accused T H Riyaz, was a notorious history-sheeter wanted in over 40 cases in Kerala. Riyaz was engaged in smuggling narcotics from Mumbai to be sold in different parts of Kerala and Karnataka. There are warrants against him issued by courts in Payangadi and Bekala police stations in Kerala. There are seven cases against Usman Rafiq in Karnataka and Kerala. He is also wanted in a murder case in Manjeshwara Police Station in Kerala. There was also a case registered against him for possessing a pistol illegally, at Sanjaya Nagara Police Station four months ago. He was released on bail recently. Abdul Rauf, along with Riyaz, was active in selling narcotics. There are three cases against Imthiyaz Ahmed in Manjeshwara Police sation. Rainfall reduced considerably in flood-ravaged Kodagu district on Tuesday with the number of relief camps going up to 51, housing 7,594 victims. The sun shone bright for most part of the day facilitating rescue operations, which are in the last leg. Rescue teams trekked isolated villages and checked houses, looking for survivors. No distress call was received on Tuesday, authorities said. Currently, 899 rescue personnel are stationed in the district. A private telecom company launched efforts to restore its network connectivity at 14 sites in Harangi, Kondangeri and Madikeri on a war-footing. With rainfall subsiding substantially, rescue teams were able to discover new areas of damage. For example, at Hattihole, it was found that a landslide had caused two buildings to slide down a long way. It was said that rescue personnel were in search of a dead body here, but this could not be confirmed. Private bus services are yet to commence in the district. Shops are facing acute shortage of essential commodities. Hotels too are still closed. A search operation for missing persons was carried out at Jodupala, Madenandu and 2nd Monnangeri. The district administration has decided to suspend the rescue operation of those stranded in hilly areas. Three missing cases have been reported. The condition of families in line houses in coffee estates is still not known. ADGP Bhaskar Rao, who is in charge of rescue operations, said, it has been decided to use drones in eight places to search for missing persons and cattle. For the first time, drones are being used during a natural calamity, he said. He said 1,735 persons had fallen ill in the hills and they were rescued using ropes. In the second phase, using footbridges, all domestic animals will be rescued. Rao said rumours were being spread on social media in the name of astrologers on possible earthquake in Kodagu. The media should not carry such news, the ADGP said. Legal action will be initiated against those who spread fake news, he said. District incharge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh said, video footage from Kerala is being shown as that from Kodagu in the electronic media. This creates tension among the victims. The district is returning to normalcy. Escom officials from Ramnagar, Mysuru and Hassan are engaged in restoring power supply. The repair of over 100 electricity poles is in progress. A total of 32 villages are in distress in the district. Such villages are being supplied with essential materials. A man has gone missing following a landslide at Hattihole in the district. The missing man is Francis Monteiro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center five miles south of Artesia will hold its annual Field Day Thursday, Aug. 23. A Continuing Education Unit workshop will be held prior to the Field Day at 1:30 p.m. Three CEUs will be available. There is no charge for this workshop, which will cover an entomology update, herbicide resistance, and WPS updates. Starting at 3:30 p.m. will be a diagnostic clinic. Attendees should bring any weeds, insects, diseased plants, or questions they would like the experts to address. Registration for Field Day will start at 4 p.m., followed by dinner at 5 p.m., provided by the Yucca CowBelles. The Field Day keynote speaker will be Alisa Ogden, past-president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association. Prior to the field tours, Dr. Kevin Lombard, NMSU agronomist, will demonstrate the processing of fresh hops for microbreweries and will discuss the potential for hops production in southeastern New Mexico. Children ages 3 and up are welcome to come out to the field for an insect safari. Long pants and closed shoes are recommended. Field tours will include visits to jujube tree plots. Jujubes are Chinese fruits similar to figs, which grow well in New Mexico. Dr. Jane Pierce will cover insect pest updates. Dr Gill Giese, NMSU viticulturist, will visit grape plots and discuss harvesting decisions. Dr. Kulbhushan Grover, a research and extension agronomist in sustainable crop production, will discuss Guar as a potential new crop in New Mexico. Dr. Soum Sonogo, a plant pathologist from Las Cruces, will discuss a new race of fusarium (FOV4), which has been found nearby in El Paso, Texas, and Dr. Robert Flynn will show plots that have been irrigated with salty water and discuss the potential to use produced water in agriculture. The evening will end with a make-your-own sundae bar and a drawing for a Lifetime 55-quart High Performance cooler for participants. By the Times Staff A Delaware County priest who faced drug charges after a package containing illegal substances was delivered to the parish has been deemed not suitable for ministry by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The move against Monsignor Gregory J. Parlante, who served as pastor at St. Cornelius Church in Chadds Ford until spring 2017, was announced by the archdiocese Sunday night. The archdiocese also announced a similar not suitable for ministry tag against the Rev. Andrew McCormick, who had faced allegations of child abuse. Both priests had been on administrative leave. Parlante, 61, was charged in January with possession of methamphetamines, as well as stealing about $5,500 from the Sunday collections to pay for drugs he received through the mail, according to authorities and court documents. He had requested a leave of absence after parish staff discovered a package containing drugs that was mailed to him at the parish office. Parlante entered into a probationary program for first-time, non-violent offenders. He was ordered to perform 64 hours of community service, pay back the money he stole from the parish and complete one year of probation. The Archdiocesan Office of Investigations began an internal investigation in January after the criminal investigation had concluded and determined Parlante was no longer suitable for ministry after finding substantiated violations of the Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries. The Archdiocesan Professional Responsibilities Review Board also recommended to Archbishop Charles Chaput that Parlante was not suitable for ministry based those violations, according to a release from the archdiocese. Chaput accepted that recommendation and informed Parlante last week of the final decision. Parishioners at St. Cornelius were also told of the decision over the weekend. The circumstances of Monsignor Parlantes absence have been painful ones for several months, pastor Monsignor David Diamond told the parishioners in a statement provided by archdiocese spokesman Ken Gavin Monday. This is a sad moment for all of us as a family of God, but our parish will survive and our church will survive, aid Diamond. I ask that you continue in your resolve to be disciples of Jesus and despite the darkness of sin respond to His invitation and grace to build up the kingdom of God in our world. McCormick had faced trial twice in connection with the child abuse charge, but juries failed to reach a verdict in both instances. The archdiocese said McCormick will no longer be allowed to function as a priest and instead will enter into a supervised life of prayer and penance after a church investigation found substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. McCormick had served at parishes in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia and Bridgeport. Parlantes arrest came seven months after Pennsylvania State Police executed a search warrant involving a mailed delivery of suspected illegal drugs, later identified as methamphetamines, at the sprawling church campus. It was during the course of the investigation of the suspicious package that authorities learned Parlante had been removing funds from the churchs Sunday collection, according to the probable cause affidavit written by state Trooper John Hanosek. According to the probable cause affidavit, church maintenance staff was cleaning out Parlantes office on the morning of May 26, 2017, after the pastor had been removed from employment at the parish for medical reasons. When they opened the top drawer of Parlantes computer desk, they found a U.S. Postal package addressed to the priest. Staffers opened the package and found a clear plastic bag containing crystals, later determined to be methamphetamine, the affidavit states. A church volunteer interviewed as part of the investigation said she saw Parlante remove about $500 in cash from each Sunday collection from January of 2017 until his leave of absence in March of 2017, according to the affidavit. Parlante reportedly told the volunteer that he needed the money for payment to substitute priests and altar boys, the affidavit states. The defendant removed approximately $5,500 in cash from the St. Cornelius Sunday collection in the year of 2017, the affidavit states. Parlante, who was ordained in 1982, had also served at Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor from 1990 to 1992 and in the vocation office for the Diocesan Priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood from 1992 to 1997. PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired left-handed reliever Luis Avilan from the Chicago White Sox for minor league right-hander Felix Paulino. Avilan has a 3.86 ERA with 14 walks, 46 strikeouts and two home runs allowed in 39 2/3 innings for the White Sox this season. Left-handed batters have a .214 batting average against Avilan. He is 19-10 with a 3.09 ERA in 287 career games. Paulino went 4-4 with a 3.91 ERA in 31 games between Single-A Clearwater and Double-A Reading. To make room for Avilan on the 40-man roster, right-hander Jose Taveras has been designated for assignment. We heard from the grand jury. And it was horrific. Again. The grand jury had heard from the victims. And their pain was palpable. Again. We heard from the bishops, vowing to make changes and pledging to help the victims. Again. After a few days we heard from the Vatican, describing the shame of what had happened and the agony of the victims as criminal and morally reprehensible. Again. On Sunday we heard from parishioners, openly questioning how this could have happened and where the church goes from here. Again. Some even suggested they would either stay away or refuse to contribute to the collection basket. Finally, on Monday, we heard from the one person who had not yet weighed in on the monstrous grand jury report released last week that laid bare in horrific detail the worst sins of the church. The grand jury eviscerated a culture of priest abuse in six Pennsylvania dioceses, more than 300 clerics who abused 1,000 children, boys and girls, for decades with the seeming assurance that there were probably at least as many who had not been identified. Even worse was the actions of superiors and higher-ups in the church, who engaged in a pattern of cover-ups intended not to aid, comfort and assist the young victims, but to protect the church at all costs. Pope Francis did not mince words. Thank God for that. In a letter issued to Catholics around the world, the pontiff condemned what too many in the Catholic church have tried to explain away for decades. He called sex abuse of children by priests a crime, along with the massive cover-up that has been the hallmark of each of these grand jury proceedings, first in Philadelphia, then in Altoona-Johnstown, and now, in horrific detail, in the remaining six Pennsylvania dioceses. We showed no care for the little ones; we abandoned them, Pope Francis declared. The letter, issued in seven languages, came as the pope embarked on a trip to Ireland, another staunchly Catholic nation where the churchs reputation has been stained by the familiar refrain of priests preying on their young charges, and their superiors covering it up. The pope sought to offer solace to the victims, vow transparency and accountability in the wake of the latest headlines, and institute changes to insure perhaps once and for all that this not happen again. No effort must be spared to create a culture able to prevent such situations from happening, but also to prevent the possibility of their being covered up and perpetuated, the pope said in his letter. And he appears ready to take action in that regard, including sanctioning bishops who took part in the cover-up, in effect allowing problem priests to continue to prey on untold more victims after being shuffled off to different parishes. Unfortunately, the pope did not specify what type of measures he would take. He also did not weigh in on the legislative tug of war that has surrounded this issue for years. Legislation in Pennsylvania would lift the statute of limitations on criminal charges in such cases, as well as opening a window to allow past victims to bring civil actions against the church and get their day in court. The church, Catholic groups and the insurance industry have consistently put up fierce resistance to such a move, saying it could bankrupt many dioceses, and lead to more painful parish and school closings, Perhaps the best sign from the pontiff was one specific word. Instead of referring to sins and omissions, which is how the U.S. bishops conference responded to the most recent grand jury report, Pope Francis used a much more exact and devastating noun: Crimes. Let us beg forgiveness for our own sins and the sins of others, the pope wrote. An awareness of sin helps us to acknowledge the errors, the crimes and the wounds caused in the past and allows us, in the present, to be more open and committed along a journey of renewed conversion. It took a week, but the popes voice was stern and resolute. Now he must act to take the necessary steps to assist the victims, identify and root out the abusers as well as their protectors. He is right. It is a crime. And there is one word we never want to hear again in connection with these evil, unspeakable acts: Again. As Utahs children bound into a new school year, 12 percent of those children nearly 80,000 students will walk through the doors of a charter school. This month marks the 20th anniversary of charter schools operating in Utah, and the sacrifices made by Utahs early charter school pioneers should not be forgotten. Every family attending one of Utahs more than 140 charter schools today owes a debt of gratitude to people largely unknown: people like Sonia Woodbury, Julie Adamic, Eric and Michelle Smith, Roberta Hardy, Steve and Nancy Winitzky and so many others. The work of charter school founders and their advocates in the school districts and Legislature have enriched public education throughout the state. Twenty years ago, the state requested proposal submissions for a new type of public school. At the time, several of the educators who would become the founders of the first charter schools were already imagining new school models. These innovators worried about the exclusivity that comes with charging private school tuition, so they jumped at the chance to reach more Utah families by opening free public charter schools. Over the next few years, eight intrepid schools opened their doors: Pinnacle Canyon Academy, Soldier Hollow Charter School, Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts, Uintah River High School, City Academy, John Hancock Academy, Thomas Edison Academy and Timpanogos Academy. Opening a new school is an exciting moment that represents years of hard work, but many bumps in the road lay ahead for these pilot schools. During those first years, more than one school founder remembers anxiously waiting in state offices to receive the promised funds for teacher salaries. Charter schools were something entirely new in the Utah education system, and there was plenty of frustration as questions arose with no immediate answers questions that required the continual creation of new guidelines. Amidst policy and funding concerns, those associated with these new schools found themselves battling misunderstandings and unfounded stigmas. Banding together for support in the face of opposition, those early school founders created the first charter school association. They worked tirelessly with lawmakers and the State Board of Education to set educational standards and create best practices. Their efforts paved the way for further innovation. Charter schools are meant to lift their neighboring district schools and raise the bar in meeting student needs. Only recently has one of the many hurdles facing the mission of charter schools been overcome. In 2016, Rep. Steve Eliason and Sen. Howard Stephenson worked closely with the School Boards Association and the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools to make Utah one of the first states to fund charter and district schools equitably. As we celebrate 20 successful years of charter schools, its important to remember how far weve come and the people who have helped us get here. If you see one of those early founders today, you may notice they look a little worn out. They have given their all to a cause they believe in Utahs children. Thank you for your audacious vision and unflappable grit. SALT LAKE CITY Nearly 30 years ago, I endured a blistering rebuke from a high-level Utah government official because I had reported that the states cold fusion advisory committee closed its meeting to reporters. You remember cold fusion or maybe you dont. By now, an entire generation was supposed to have been warmed by its glow. Instead, anyone under 35 probably hasnt heard of it. The passage of time can be cruel to things people once felt were important. The cold fusion balloon is shriveled and crammed into a dusty corner of state history, so it may be hard to remember how full of gas it once was. I had quoted a local attorney who said that, because the committee was talking about how to spend taxpayer money, taxpayers ought to know what was being said. But on that day in 1989, the high-level official told me I just didnt understand how big cold fusion was going to be for Utah. Here I was, worried about something as insignificant as whether a meeting was open or closed, when something much larger was at stake, he said. Thats a stark example of government secrecy, but not an isolated one. In 32 years of covering politics in Utah, Ive got a file cabinet full of them. In the mid-'80s, I was covering a tense Salt Lake County budget hearing. Revenues were flat and needs were great. The county commissioners in charge of the meeting called for a 15-minute break to calm everyone down. Those 15 minutes turned into nearly an hour before I and other reporters became suspicious. We found them, together with all county administrators, huddled in a conference room in the auditors office. Their faces dropped as we walked in. Ten years ago, members of the West Jordan City Council were surprised to see a lot of regular folks at a work session to discuss the budget. That almost never happens. They welcomed this by speaking in tones so soft audience members couldnt hear a word. The mayor at the time said budget decisions are hard, and its even harder to make them in front of an audience. That sums it up fairly succinctly. Convincing, yes, except politicians are hired by voters to handle tax money they force the public to pay. They dont have the luxury corporate board members have when discussing money customers pay voluntarily. To quote the musical Hamilton, politicians learn quickly that winning was easy governing is harder. Which brings me to the Utah Inland Port Authority Board. It is charged with setting up and administering a port in the northwest corner of Salt Lake City that will handle customs and distribution for what could be billions of dollars in goods something proponents believe will spur growth and strengthen the local economy. In recent days, its three committees have been meeting behind closed doors. Of all the public bodies in the state, this one ought to be the most concerned with transparency. The authority was formed in the shadows and introduced during the final hours of this years legislative session. Salt Lake Citys mayor has complained of being blindsided, and that the authority usurps the citys powers. Two of the authoritys original board members, including the speaker of the House, resigned because they had property interests too close to the project. The authority board's chairman, Derek Miller, said the board is subject to the states Open and Public Meetings Act, but its committees are not. Those committees consist of four or five members of the 11-member board, which isnt enough to constitute a quorum. Media attorney Jeff Hunt disagrees. Using that reasoning, he told me, any local government could just outsource all the work of the board and put it under wraps by delegating it to a committee. The open meetings act exists to have politicians deliberate the publics business openly, not to simply present a final decision for a public vote. Otherwise, why have such a law at all? Take it from someone who has been around awhile. This sounds a lot like cold fusion, with the exception that international trade has the potential to keep a lot more homes heated in the winter and cooled in the summer. No public purpose is so important that the public shouldnt see whats happening. WEST VALLEY CITY On a 5-acre parcel ringed by houses, students at Roots Charter High School attempt to address real-world problems on a working farm using book learning and know-how gained by cultivating crops, raising livestock, even keeping bees. Since June, they have also learned multiple lessons about predators as a feral dog has repeatedly killed livestock raised by students at the school, some of the animals they owned themselves. Xander Hemmert, a senior who was part of the charter school's inaugural class when it opened in 2016, said Roots students "were just in shock that our animals were attacked and we didn't even know it was a dog." As the attacks continued, students started spending nights on the farm to protect their livestock and alert animal control officers of the dog's return. The attacks are attributed to a feral dog described as an Akita-German shepherd mix. The dog reportedly belonged to a homeless person who lived in the area but recently passed away, said school Director Taylor Bastian. Some people in the neighborhood have been feeding the dog, "and that's not helping," Bastian said. According to Hemmert, some neighbors said they feed the dog because they want to help capture it while others "see it just as a dog and not thousands of dollars of loss and emotional trauma to students who have lost animals." The losses have been frustrating for the students because they feel as though their hands are tied in attempting to control the dog, Hemmert said. "Even though it's a farm property, we still can't shoot a projectile on the property even if something's threatening our livestock," he said. West Valley City Mayor Ron Bigelow, who toured the school's farm Tuesday along with Kerry Gibson, deputy director of the state Division of Natural Resources, said the state and other municipalities have pledged to work with the city's animal services officers to capture the dog. West Valley animal services officers have thus far been unable to capture the dog because it is accustomed to running free. "They pull up and stop and the dog is off like a shot," Bigelow said. Bigelow said the West Valley City Council will discuss the issue during its meeting Tuesday night. "It needs to come to an end," Bigelow said. Since June, two alpacas, two goats and two sheep have been killed. A piglet that was attacked recently had to be euthanized on Tuesday, Bastian said. The dog does not eat the animals it kills. "When an animal dies, it greatly affects their educational experience," Bastian said. Gibson said the Division of Natural Resource has larger traps and can help capture the dog by providing additional manpower to surround the dog the next time it is spotted. It appears that the this particular dog "got a taste of blood and is killing for sport at this point. It takes off after an attack," Gibson said. Bastian said all of the school's 180 students spend time working on the farm, with some more involved than others. The school plans to evolve into a farm-to-table experience for students, he said. The school has an active Future Farmers of America chapter and a several students showed livestock at this summer's Salt Lake County Fair and sold their animals in the fair's junior livestock auction. As the school year gets underway and the dog attacks continue, some students who own livestock are keeping them elsewhere, which increases the cost and time required for their care. The farm's fencing is "obviously, inadequate," Bastian said. The school has set up a GoFundMe account to raise money to improve fencing, replace students' animals, cover costs of veterinary care and purchase "herd-protecting animals to keep other livestock safe." Royce Van Tassell, executive director of the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools, said he hopes that drawing attention to the attacks will help educate neighbors and the public how they can best help. When Roots Charter High School opened, he met a student who had been arrested multiple times. Since enrolling in Roots, he hasn't been arrested once. "It says there's something important happening here," Van Tassell said. SALT LAKE CITY Backers of a 10-cents-a-gallon increase in gas taxes to boost funding for Utah schools unveiled a new TV commercial Tuesday that's set to start airing later this week. In the 30-second spot set to begin airing Thursday, three young students seated in a classroom appear to hack onto the airwaves to deliver a message in support of what will appear as Question 1 on the November ballot. "We really need your help," they say together hurriedly, rattling off statistics about students falling behind in key subjects despite "awesome" teachers and promising the increase will only amount to about $4 a month for drivers. "The kids are the ones that are affected by the lack of investment in the schools," said Austin Cox, campaign manager for Our Schools Now, the group seeking more funding for education. Originally, Our Schools Now sought to increase sales and income tax rates in Utah to raise some $700 million for education but reached a complicated compromise with state lawmakers last session to improve funding. That compromise included putting a nonbinding question before voters in November about whether gas taxes should go up by 10 cents a gallon to free up other revenues now earmarked for transportation. The final decision will be up to the 2019 Legislature. Adding 10 cents to the current 29.4 cents a gallon state gas tax is expected to bring in about $180 million in the first full budget year that begins July 1, 2019, according to the Legislative Fiscal Analyst's Office. Some of the money from the increase would be used for local road needs under the terms of the compromise, which also included a five-year freeze on the state property tax levy. That freeze could mean as much as $125 million in additional revenue annually by 2020 as property values rise. Lawmakers also gave schools a record $500 million in new money last session. At a news conference Tuesday held at Heartland Elementary School in West Jordan, a pile of school supplies valued at $479 was displayed. Cox said that's how much teachers typically contribute in supplies bought with their own money. "We wanted to be a in a school today because the funding from Question 1 is going to be invested directly in classrooms," Cox said. He said school teachers overall spend about $13 million annually supplementing their classrooms. "It's time to put our kids first by investing in students and teachers," he said. CEDAR CITY A naked man was shot Tuesday after allegedly kicking in the door of a home of two elderly people during an attempted burglary, officials said. About 12:40 p.m., the man, identified as Christian Holbert, 24, broke into the home near 4000 South and 17800 West in Cedar City, according to a news release from the Iron County Sheriff's Office. One of the homeowners ordered the nude Holbert to leave, the office said. "The homeowners felt threatened by the male and his demeanor and as a result, the suspect was shot multiple times with a handgun," the release stated. "After being shot, the suspect was trying to get up from the ground and would not listen to the victims. The suspect was naked and being irrational with the victims while inside the home," officials said. After Holbert left the home, deputies found him "still naked" nearby and "being noncompliant," the release stated. The deputies used a Taser on him, which had "little to no impact," officials said. Holbert was eventually restrained and flown to Dixie Regional Medical Center in serious condition. "At this time no charges are being filed against the homeowners," the release stated. Officials say they will recommend charges against Holbert after the incident is investigated. Correction: An earlier version misspelled Christian Holbert's name as Tolbert. SALT LAKE CITY As the Wasatch Front continues to face a shortfall of affordable housing, Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski on Tuesday celebrated the progress her administration has made to tee up about 2,000 new units over the next several years to begin closing Salt Lake City's 7,500-unit gap. The mayor also announced two more proposals to help accomplish the goals laid out in her five-year housing plan, Growing SLC one to incentivize developers to build more affordable units using fee waivers, and one to preserve existing housing stock by requiring replacement of units if they're redeveloped through a revamped city ordinance. If approved by the City Council, Biskupski's proposal would expand fee waivers for developers who set aside at least 20 percent of a project's units for low-income residents. Biskupski also proposed replacing the city's existing "but ineffective" policy to require all levels of housing stock to be replaced if it's redeveloped. The mayor's announcements come amid what political leaders have been calling a "housing crisis." A recent state report estimated Utah has a shortfall of about 40,000 affordable units for extremely low-income households. It's been less than a year since the City Council adopted Biskupski's five-year housing plan, but already "our team has been busy laying the groundwork for a more affordable future," Biskupski said at a news conference on the rooftop of Liberty Blvd Apartments, a 266-unit mixed-income project that began leasing in March. Biskupski applauded her administration's work on Growing SLC, saying she's "most proud" of city leaders for securing new ongoing revenue to invest in affordable housing programs with the 0.25 percent sales tax hike approved earlier this year. "With a five-year housing plan and the funding from the sales tax increase that was secured, the next few steps and many years to come will be a turning point in affordable housing in Salt Lake City," Biskupski said. "We know there is no single solution when it comes to promoting and preserving affordable housing," she said. "Our goal as a city is to become invested in the development of housing so we can ensure affordability is included in as many projects as possible." In an interview, Biskupski said the city expects to add at least 2,000 new affordable units by the end of 2019, but Melissa Jensen, director of Housing and Neighborhood Development for Salt Lake City, said those units likely won't become available until closer to the end of 2020. "This is a big deal," Biskupski said. "I'm stoked." Biskupski praised the work of her Blue Ribbon Commission, a board of community organizations, developers and financiers that focus on securing tax increments for affordable housing projects. Since the launch of the five-year plan, the commission has successfully secured tax increments for three deeply affordable housing projects. City officials have also launched a $1 million affordable housing renovation pilot program to help landlords improve the quality of their affordable rental units and created a land trust that preserves affordable housing in perpetuity. So far, six homes have been put into the trust, Jensen said. "All of these are just one step in the right direction," Jensen said. "We have five years to work on this plan, and what we understand is there's no one single solution, but a myriad and the city is deeply, deeply committed to the issue and finding the best solution." Jensen said the affordable housing crisis is "personal" to her. She grew up in a home that struggled financially. "You can talk to anyone today, and they will have a story of their struggle," Jensen said. "For me, the struggle isn't new. I remember thinking to myself, 'Isn't it a normal thing that you share a room with you mother until you're 15?' "That is not normal, I will tell you," Jensen said, "but it is normal for many families who struggle to keep a roof over their head like I did." Pat Slabaugh, 65, who moved into an affordable unit in the Liberty Blvd Apartments, said she moved from England to Utah with her ex-husband and bought a home in Tooele because it was affordable. But when she couldn't work for three months after a surgery, she had to sell. "I looked and looked and searched and searched for ages," Slabaugh said. "The way rents have gone up is absolutely insane." Lucky enough to land one of the affordable units at the Liberty Blvd Apartments, Slabaugh said she loves her 2-bedroom apartment. "It's absolutely necessary," Slabaugh said of programs to increase affordable housing availability. "There's no other way around it." Connor Prescott, a 25-year-old who moved into an affordable unit at the Liberty Blvd Apartments about a month ago, said he and his girlfriend, Hannah Petersen, pay $633 a month for their one-bedroom apartment. That's compared to what they were previously paying to live in a $1,200 two-bedroom with a roommate at a different apartment complex just a few blocks away. Living there, they were living "paycheck to paycheck," he said. Prescott, a personal trainer, said he and his girlfriend, who is attending the University of Utah, have struggled to find financial security while they sought to begin their careers, but now things are getting easier, and they're actually able to begin building a savings account. "It's a relief to finally be able to enjoy (our life)," Prescott said. "You're happy to come home. There's no stress." SALT LAKE CITY What do worship services and first dates have in common? They both inspire stand-up comedy acts, according to Greg Kyte, a comedian based in Provo. "You'd be hard-pressed to find a comedian who doesn't do material about dating or marriage. Religion isn't quite as ubiquitous as that, but it's maybe the next closest thing," he said. It would also be hard to find a comedian who hasn't worried about responses to a faith-related joke, he added. Religion is a sensitive subject, and people don't laugh when they're offended. "Some of the best comedy comes from breaking taboos. But you've got to do it in a way that's truly funny" to your audience, Kyte said. That qualification helps explain a recent controversy involving members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and comedian David Cross, who is known for portraying Tobias on "Arrested Development." Cross advertised his Aug. 22 show in Salt Lake City by sharing an image of himself wearing the faith's sacred temple garments, sparking an outcry on Twitter. Cross didn't apologize because his core audience celebrates irreverence, other performers said. Comedians don't have a shared ethical standard, so they rely on their own instincts and fan responses to guide how they joke about faith. "I'm not going to sacrifice my moral code for a few laughs," said Salaam Bhatti, a Muslim who launched his stand-up career while attending law school in New York City. I'm not going to sacrifice my moral code for a few laughs. Salaam Bhatti, a Muslim who launched his stand-up career while attending law school in New York City Faith and comedy Kyte talks about faith in his act because it's a big part of life in Utah. He tries to acknowledge the prominence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints without turning it into a punchline. "Everybody here who isn't Mormon still has to interact with the Mormon faith a lot, so I talk about it," he said. "I try to make sure the jokes are structured in such a way that Mormons will feel good about themselves in the middle of it." He'll soon launch a "Comedy Church" series in Salt Lake City, bringing together comedians to joke about religion without being mean. That's a difficult proposition, but he thinks it will pay off. "There will be times in the show where we will cross lines for some people and for me," he said. "But I'll give notes to performers and we'll find a fun, comfortable place." Kyte's desire to build a respectful environment comes from his evangelical Christian upbringing. Although he's no longer religious, he can appreciate deep faith. "I know what it's like to come from a very religious place and I feel like, because of that, I don't want to be mean towards somebody else," said Kyte, who describes himself as agnostic. It's common for comedians who were raised religious or currently attend church to take extra care with faith-related jokes, performers said. These comedians can visualize the people they might offend. "I just want people to have fun. If it seems like it's something that's going to hurt people's feelings, then I'll avoid it," said Matty Litwack, who grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family, during a panel on religion and comedy at Religion News Association's annual conference in 2016. Jenna Kim Jones, a Latter-day Saint who was on the panel with Litwack, said she wouldn't throw her own faith group under the bus to get a few laughs. "It's a little bit complicated when you bring religion into your act," said Jones, who served as narrator for the film "Meet the Mormons." "It's something I believe in so I want to respect that." Comedians learn to balance their own sense of what's funny with audience responses, said Bhatti. During his stand-up career, he avoided cheap jokes at another faith group's expense, but he didn't back down from sharing his own faith-related struggles. "I've gotten blowback from Muslims for joking about my experience as a Muslim," Bhatti said. "I just say, 'Listen. This is what I've gone through. If you don't experience it, that's great.'" Collin Williams, a Utah comedian known for tackling sensitive topics like suicide, said that being willing to take a risk and address controversial subjects can pay off in unexpected ways. "I did (my show on suicide) for me, but people watching it have gained a different perspective on their friends' depression or (a) friend who wanted to commit suicide. It helped them," he said. Taking offense Al Fike has strong feelings about the relationship between religion and comedy. He thinks of his own career as a form of service to God and earned national attention for starting a Christian Comedy Night at an improv club in Dallas. "My purpose in life is not to be a comedian. My purpose is to glorify God in everything I do," he said. However, even Fike resists interfering with the comedy acts he finds offensive. He was horrified when one comedian he knew used a microphone to imitate nailing Jesus Christ to a cross, but Fike was still willing to watch his act and take notes on comedic timing and methods. "It's hurting them, not me," he said, noting that irreverent comedians miss out on some business opportunities and the benefits of personal faith. In general, there's little to be gained from trying to convince a comedian that he or she is being offensive, Kyte said. "It's hard to have a deep conversation about another person's experiences and what's sacred to them and why it's sacred to them. It takes more than a typical audience member-comedian interaction," he said. One benefit of Cross' controversial advertisement is that it helped some people avoid wasting money on something that would offend them, Kyte added. "By tweeting that tweet, he's probably doing a service to anyone who was contemplating going to his show," he said. "He's not for everyone." Cross has not apologized for his advertisement. Instead, he reshared the image, joking that the first 10 minutes of his set in Salt Lake City were going to be "on fire." Ruth Watkins, president of the University of Utah, released a statement condemning religious intolerance, but said the show will go on. The school's Twitter account deleted its retweet of the image. "The offensive use of sacred religious imagery in a tweet by David Cross promoting his performance at Kingsbury Hall was in opposition to the university's values of respect and inclusivity," Watkins said. SALT LAKE CITY Congress could consider creating a national three-digit suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline number similar to 911 as early as next year. Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, said Tuesday that the Federal Communications Commission and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration have nearly finished a report on the effectiveness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veteran Crisis Line. President Donald Trump signed a bill last week that Stewart and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, sponsored calling for those agencies to recommend the best national three-digit number for the hotline. Crisis numbers save lives. Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy "There are some of those numbers that the telecoms know that they're going to have to give up for this," he said, adding there is resistance to that but that he's confident it can be done. The FCC, Stewart said, would be involved in an advisory role, "but we can legislatively compel this." He said he expects Congress to consider establishing the three-digit hotline next January or February. Stewart joined Utah lawmakers, mental health crisis workers and families who have lost loved ones to suicide at the state Capitol on Tuesday to celebrate passage of the bill. "There were times that I did not believe this day would ever come. It has been a long and hard road. We have lost so many and so much, but we've saved some, too," said Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West Valley City. Thatcher conceived the idea for a Utah three-digit suicide prevention line in 2012 but it never gained traction in the state Legislature. He turned to Stewart and Hatch who didn't hesitate to bring federal legislation. The "biggest gaping hole" in government providing mental health services is that no one knows where to turn in a moment of crisis and "how is that acceptable?" he said. "If you get help, you live. It's that simple," he said. The national suicide prevention hotline number 1-800-273-TALK is cumbersome and hard to remember, Stewart said, adding most people have never heard of it. Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, said he saw a man standing alone on a freeway bridge in the Fort Union area a couple of years ago. Sensing something wasn't right, he said he dialed 911 from his car. He said he later learned three Utah Highway Patrol troopers were honored for rescuing the man. "Crisis numbers save lives," he said. Nearly 45,000 Americans died by suicide in 2016, a statistic that includes increases in a majority of states between 1999 and 2016, according to a report the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released in June. Other states with particularly large increases included Utah, Idaho, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Vermont and New Hampshire, each with increases of between 43 and nearly 58 percent. If you or somebody you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or text "HOME" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Utah youths with smartphones can also download the SafeUT app for around-the-clock counseling and crisis intervention. PROVO, Utah Enticements, both positive and negative are real, Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president, taught during the annual Campus Education Week devotional at Brigham Young University. "It is what we choose to do with (enticements) when they occur that will make all the difference in our daily lives, she said. Can you be excited and motivated realizing that you can use every enticement to progress spiritually? Speaking to thousands of people gathered in the Marriott Center on the universitys campus on Aug. 21, Sister Jones said that enticements attractions or temptations in a persons daily life are inevitable. Are we aware that we are continually being enticed to progress or to regress? she asked. Read the full Church News article here. SALT LAKE CITY Heres a look at the news Aug. 21. Comedians can create controversy over religion Comedians dont ignore religion. But sometimes its hard for them to figure out the best way to talk about faith, according to the Deseret News. Earlier this week, comedian David Cross advertised his upcoming show in Salt Lake City with an image of him wearing temple garments of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Irreverence is a familiar topic for Cross and his fans. Comedians don't have a shared ethical standard, so they rely on their own instincts and fan responses to guide how they joke about faith, according to the Deseret News. Read more. Trump campaign wont visit Utah President Donald Trump plans to visit several states in the run-up to the 2018 midterms. Utah isnt one of them, according to the Deseret News. A person familiar with the president's thinking who spoke to the Deseret News said Trump would visit North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Kentucky and Tennessee. "The president is his party's best political asset to raise money, unify the base, drive turnout and pass the policies that Americans voted for in 2016. He's prepared to do all he's able to do to help elect more partners this fall," the person said. Read more. Ex-Trump lawyer pleads guilty in a hush-money scheme President Donald Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to campaign finance violations and other charges, according to the Associated Press. Cohen said he and Trump arranged payment of hush money to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model in order to influence the election. Cohen's account appears to implicate Trump himself in a crime, though whether or when a president can be prosecuted remains a matter of legal dispute, according to the Associated Press. On Tuesday, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted of eight financial crimes in the first trial out of the ongoing Russian investigation. Read more. Salt Lake City mayor stoked about affordable housing Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski said Tuesday shes most proud of city leaders coming together to invest in affordable housing in Utahs capital city, according to the Deseret News. Biskupski celebrated her teams ability to prepare about 2,000 new units for the next several years, closing a 7,500-unit gap in affordable housing in Salt Lake City. "With a five-year housing plan and the funding from the sales tax increase that was secured, the next few steps and many years to come will be a turning point in affordable housing in Salt Lake City," Biskupski said. "We know there is no single solution when it comes to promoting and preserving affordable housing," she said. "Our goal as a city is to become invested in the development of housing so we can ensure affordability is included in as many projects as possible." Read more. AROUND THE WEB: MILLCREEK A man kicked open the door of his estranged wife's apartment early Wednesday and beat her and their 13-year-old daughter with a crowbar, killing the woman and critically injuring his daughter, according to police. Walter Brantzeg, 54, was arrested about 9 a.m. near 4500 South and 300 East after calling a couple of local TV stations on his cellphone while driving away from his wife's apartment. He allegedly told reporters what he had done, according to Unified Police Sgt. Melody Gray. Those reporters contacted Unified police who pinged his phone and found him. Gray said officers had to "talk him into" surrendering as he was initially resistant. The tragic events began just after 7 a.m. when Walter Brantzeg arrived at Valerie Sue Brantzeg's apartment near 850 W. 3900 South at the Riverbend Apartments. The estranged couple was having "custodial issues," Gray said. Brantzeg beat both his estranged wife and daughter with a crowbar, she said. Valerie Brantzeg, 50, was able to run outside her apartment and scream for help, alerting neighbors who called 911. She then went back into her apartment where police found her. Gray said Walter Brantzeg fled the scene before officers arrived. Paramedics worked on the woman in the back of an ambulance while still in the apartment complex parking lot, but she died from her injuries, Gray said. The girl suffered head injuries and was incoherent when emergency crews arrived, Gray said. She was taken to Primary Children's Hospital in extremely critical condition. Both the Salt Lake and Granite school districts were made aware Wednesday of what had happened. The 13-year-old girl was just starting her first year at Granite Park Junior High School, according to Granite spokesman Ben Horsley. She had transferred this year from the Salt Lake School District, he said. Grief counselors were being made available at the schools where the girl has friends. Pamela Hart, a neighbor who knew both the mother and daughter, said "they were very well-known in the Riverbend Community and very kind people," calling the daughter a "very vivacious girl." Hart said she and others were aware Valerie Brantzeg was dealing with domestic violence issues. "Domestic violence needs to be addressed more. Hear women who cry when they need help," Hart said. According to court records, Valerie Brantzeg filed for temporary separation from her husband on July 31. From about the mid-1980s to the early-2000s, Brantzeg had several convictions related to aggravated assault and one for sex abuse of a child about 30 years ago, according to court records. In a statement, Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera offered condolences to the family of Valerie Brantzeg and her daughter. "The Unified Police Department's investigative team is working diligently to ensure justice for the victims of this heinous crime," Rivera said. Rivera also encouraged those who are in abusive relationships to use the state's resources to get help. The YWCA's Women in Jeopardy program can be reached at 801-537-8600, and a confidential statewide Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online at udvc.org. Contributing: Ladd Egan, Jed Boal SALT LAKE CITY President Donald Trumps former lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty in a New York court Tuesday to violating campaign laws, according to the Associated Press. On the same day, a jury in Alexandria, Virginia, convicted former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort of bank and tax fraud charges. Both incidents came within hours of each other, creating a flash flood of news related to the president, who held a rally in West Virginia Tuesday night as he begins a stump campaign for the 2018 midterms. Between Cohen and Manafort, theres a lot to uncover. Weve collected a few stories from across multiple news sources to help you catch up on whats going on. Takeaways: There are six takeaways from Tuesday, according to NPR, including that Tuesday was a remarkable and potentially consequential day in the Trump presidency. It also showed that Tuesdays events show special counsel Robert Muellers investigation for Trump could go in multiple directions now that theres key evidence against Cohen and Manafort. Read at NPR. Trump responds to Manafort: President Trump praised Manafort after he was found guilty on eight counts. He also called Muellers investigation a witch hunt, according to CNN. Trump responds on Twitter: President Trump shared a few tweets about everything Tuesday. If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018 I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. Justice took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to break - make up stories in order to get a deal. Such respect for a brave man! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018 A large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case. Witch Hunt! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018 Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018 Media reaction: The news hit like a flash flood Tuesday, according to CNNs Brian Stelter, who put together a look at how the media reacted to the news. For example, the Drudge Report called the days events as Trump Hell Hour. Cutting a deal: Manafort could still a cut a deal to avoid years in prison, according to The Atlantic. More from Cohen?: Cohens attorney Lanny Davis said Cohen has information that should be of interest to Mueller in the ongoing Russia probe, according to Business Insider. Will any of this matter for Trump?: Its unclear if all of this news will impact Trump and his supporters. Hes remained politically bulletproof, according to BBC. How long will it last? Read more at BBC. All eyes on Trump: Manafort and Cohen will likely suffer jail time for the crimes they committed. But, according to The Atlantics Adam Serwer, system corruption in America may not hurt Trump at all. Should Trump pardon?: Fox News opinion writerJohn Yoo said its possible Trump will pardon Manafort or Cohen. But Yoo suggests Trump shouldnt do that, saying he should not use a valuable tool of executive power to protect a political crony. Read more Fox News. Trumps presidency on a cliffhanger: CNNs Stephen Collinson wrote an analysis piece that said Tuesday resembled a cliffhanger finale of a Netflix show since it tied up some plots but unleashed deeper, more consequential intrigues to tee up more compelling sequels to come. And that may evolve into existential questions for the Trump presidency itself. Follow the money: Reuters took a deep dive into how Muellers team made the Manafort case that led to his conviction on Tuesday. Lock her up: Trump held a rally in West Virginia Tuesday. His supporters chanted lock her up when he mentioned former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on the same day Manafort and Cohen were convicted on felony charges, The Huffington Post reported. BOUNTIFUL The badly decomposed body of a man who was last seen a week ago was discovered by Bountiful police, resulting in the arrest of a Nevada man for investigation of murder. Taniela Siale Lopiseni Salakielu, 22, of Henderson, Nevada, was arrested Wednedsay. On Sunday, a family member of Rand Hatch, 50, went to his house, 1433 E. Lakeview Drive, to check on him. Hatch had not been seen for 10 days, said Bountiful Police Lt. Dave Edwards. Inside, police found Hatch's body in an advanced state of decomposition. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be trauma, he said. Hatch's vehicle was missing. Detectives collecting evidence soon determined Salakielu was a person of interest. Hatch's missing car was found abandoned in Sunset, Edwards said. When police found Salakielu, he said he had gotten into a fight with Hatch, Edwards said. Another witness told police that Salakielu then assaulted Hatch. Edwards did not know Wednesday what the fight was over or how the two men were acquainted. Salakielu's arrest comes just a few days after he was charged in 2nd District Court with assault, a class A misdemeanor; and unlawful detention, a class B misdemeanor. According to a Davis County Jail report, on July 26 Salakielu assaulted his girlfriend on "numerous instances" throughout the day, even demanding at one point "while they were driving her vehicle, that she find somewhere to park so he could assault her. "Feeling scared and not having a phone to call for her she complied with his demands and Taniela punched her numerous times in the arm, leg and head, causing her to almost lose consciousness," the report states. Salakielu also held the woman's hand under a lighter, causing minor burns, according to the report. Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting the YWCA's Women in Jeopardy program at 801-537-8600, or the confidential statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online at udvc.org. SALT LAKE CITY The Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, which evaluates judges so Utah voters may make informed decisions about retaining a judge in office, has added four new commissioners. The four are Aden Batar, retired Supreme Court Justice Christine M. Durham, Blair Hodson and Bridget K. Romano. The new commissioners join the independent, 13-member panel established by the Utah Legislature in 2008. The legislative, judicial and executive branches of government each appoint several commissioners. No more than half of the commissioners may be attorneys, and no more than half may belong to the same political party. Batar is director of immigration and refugee resettlement at Catholic Community Services of Utah. Batar has received various accolades for his contributions to Utahs immigrant and refugee populations, including the 2018 New Pioneer award from the Salt Lake Chamber, and the Gandhi Peace Award from the Utah Gandhi Alliance for Peace in 2017. He serves on the University of Utah alumni board, Refugee Service Office advisory board and is a member of Welcoming Salt Lakes New Americans Task Force His appointment is by the Utah State Senate. Durham was the first woman appointed to Utahs Supreme Court, where she served as a justice for more than 30 years, including service as chief justice, before retiring in 2017. Among her many service contributions, she is past-president of the Conference of Chief Justices of the United States and has served on the American Bar Associations Council on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. She is a recipient of the 2007 William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence and the 2008 Transparent Courthouse Award from the Institute for the Advancement of the Legal System at the University of Denver. Durhams appointment is by the Utah Supreme Court. Hodson is executive director of the Rocky Mountain Innocence Center. He has over 10 years of nonprofit experience in operations and development, and has a particular interest in the establishment of mutually beneficial partnerships between the private and nonprofit sectors. Hodson's appointment is by the Utah Supreme Court. Romano is assistant division administrator in the Salt Lake County District Attorneys civil division, where her focus is civil litigation. Prior to joining the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office, she served as chief civil deputy and solicitor general in the Utah Attorney Generals Office. Romano has served as chairwoman of the Utah State Bars Appellate Practice Section and is on the Utah Supreme Courts Advisory Committee on the Rules of Appellate Procedure. Romanos appointment is by Gov. Gary Herbert. SALT LAKE CITY It's too early to say whether President Donald Trump committed a crime as his former lawyer and fixer asserted while pleading guilty to breaking campaign finance laws and other charges in court, Rep. Chris Stewart said Wednesday. The Utah Republican said there might be some implications for Trump regarding Federal Election Commission violations, but it's not clear to him what those would be. "I don't know that we know that yet. I think we should let the process play out, by the way. Let them go through what any other candidate or elected official would go through. That is, if there was a potential violation, let the FEC investigate that," Stewart said. Stewart was one of few Republicans to speak on the issue Wednesday. Michael Cohen said in a federal court hearing in New York on Tuesday that Trump directed him to arrange the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to fend off damage to his election campaign. Cohen admitted to lying about his income to evade income taxes, lying to banks to obtain loans and making illegal contributions to benefit Trump's White House bid. Also Tuesday, a federal court jury in Virgina found Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign manager, guilty of tax fraud and bank fraud in a separate case. Stewart said he sees no ties to the Trump campaign because those crimes happened long before Manafort's association with the president. He said Manafort should go to jail and Trump shouldn't even think about pardoning him. "I think it's a terrible idea, and I don't think the president's considering it. But I hope he's not. Why in the world would you pardon this individual? Why treat him any differently than any other person who broke the law?" Stewart said. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, also weighed in on the Manafort and Cohen cases, telling reporters Wednesday the news constituted "serious charges." "Well I'm not very happy about it," he said of the hush money. "It should never have happened to begin with." "Naturally it makes you very concerned, but the president should not be held responsible for the actions of the people he's trusted," Hatch said. Hatch also told the New York Times Wednesday that he believes Trump is a changed man since taking office. "Eight years ago to 10 years ago, Trump was not what I consider to be a pillar of virtue," Hatch told the Times. "I think he has changed a lot of his life once he was elected. I think Trump is a much better person today than he was then." Hatch went on to say that, "I think most people in this country realize that Donald Trump comes from a different world. He comes from New York City, he comes from a slam-bang, difficult world. It is amazing he is as good as he is. If anything, you have to give him plaudits for the way he has run the country as president," the Times reported. The Democratic and Republican candidates seeking to replace Hatch expressed their thoughts on Twitter. "Know a man by his friends. The president cannot distance himself from the crimes of his former personal attorney or his campaign chair," said Jenny Wilson, a Democratic Salt County Council member. Mitt Romney, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, tweeted, "The events of the last 24 hours confirm that conduct by highly placed individuals was both dishonorable and illegal. Also confirmed is my faith in our justice system and my conviction that we are a nation committed to the rule of law." Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, called the Cohen indictment "troubling" and said Americans deserve to know more. "The allegations in this indictment are going to be adjudicated one way or another, and until we know more about how it will be adjudicated I think it is premature to speculate about the allegations in the indictment," he said in a statement. Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, said in a statement that countless Americans have given their lives to ensure laws apply to everyone equally. "The recent conviction of Paul Manafort and guilty plea from Michael Cohen show that none are above the law. As always, I support the processes through which legal wrongdoing is brought to light and believe we must let those processes play out," she said. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, expressed similar thoughts. "We are a nation of laws and those laws are upheld by a sound legal system," he said in a statement. "While many are hungry for finality, we must all respect the thorough nature of the system and allow justice to run its course." Stewart said he continues to back the president's goals for the country, even though some of Trump's personal behavior puts him in a tough spot as a congressman. "It's not the first time that I've had this problem where I support the president's agenda," Stewart said. "But when it comes to his personal behavior and some of the other things, it puts me in a bind because I can't support those and I've been clear on that." Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, was in South America on official business for the House Foreign Affairs Committee and unavailable for comment, his spokeswoman, Katie Thompson, said. Contributing: Lisa Riley Roche PLEASANT GROVE Pleasant Grove police say the mystery of a badly decomposing body found inside a house, where it had possibly remained undetected for as long as a year, will take some time to solve. On Tuesday, code enforcement officers went to a house at 45 E. 100 North to try and locate the owner to talk about his very unkept yard, according to police. Officers had reportedly been trying to contact the homeowner for months. But when officials went to the door leading to the room where the body, believed to be a man, was found, there were "suspicious objects" attached to the door, said Pleasant Grove Police Lt. Britt Smith. Based on previous threats the man who lived in the house had made to law enforcement, including some threats involving explosives, a bomb squad was called to the house, he said. Smith did not go into detail Wednesday about what kind of objects were found hanging on the door. However, he said, "There was no bomb-making materials identified, there were no explosives" in the house. Additionally, when asked if anything was found in the house that could have caused harm to someone, he said no. The skeletal remains of a dog were also found in the yard, still chained up. Although police believe they know the identity of the body, Smith said positively identifying him "will be a challenge." Forensic examiners will have to rely on dental records, he said. But in order to do that, police have to figure out who the man's dentist was and when the last time he saw a dentist may have been. "It will be a challenge," he said. Then, police have to find the man's next of kin. Smith said police believe the man has at least one relative, but as of Wednesday police did not know that person's name or much information about that person at all. When asked how the man could have been dead a year without being found, Smith said the person believed to have died was very reclusive. "The reports that we're getting is he didn't have any family. So for an individual who doesn't have any family, is very reclusive, has mental health issues ..." he trailed off. Smith said the man also owned a house in Provo, and neighbors both there and in Pleasant Grove would assume the man was at his other house when they didn't see him for awhile. Although the death is considered suspicious because of the circumstances surrounding its discovery, Smith said there was no indication that anyone else was involved. STANSBURY PARK Gov. Gary Herbert watched a demonstration of the Won-Doors at Rose Springs Elementary School in Stansbury Park on Wednesday, a system that can wall off areas of a school at the push of a button. Won-Door Corp., a Utah company that manufactures horizontal sliding fire doors, donated the system to the school. Other private partners donated their services for the installation of the doors. The newly renovated school, which serves about 430 students, has some of the latest safety features statewide, including a video doorbell that requires visitors to present ID to gain entry and a network of surveillance cameras. The governor also met with Tooele County School District counselors to discuss equally important aspects of school climate, creating an environment where students' emotional needs are tended to and they feel safe to learn, he said. "The next area this administration is going to emphasize is more counselors," Herbert said. Maresa Manzione, president of the Tooele County Board of Education, said increasing the number of school counselors is important. The school district received a $250,000 matching grant from the state to help increase the number of elementary school counselors. There is one counselor for every two elementary schools in the school district. HB264, sponsored by Rep Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, authorized the Utah State Board of Education to award matching grants to school districts and charter schools to increase numbers of counselors in elementary schools. Manzione said it has been challenging to find enough school counselors to hire and keep their caseloads manageable. "We have to be mindful and watchful of this salary situation," she said. School counselors told Herbert that some students they work with lack food, clothing and in some cases, housing. The school district's homeless liaison connects families to many services they need, also accompanying counselors on home visits. Sometimes, parents reach out to school counselors for help. One woman described how a mom recovering from drug addiction told a school counselor she and her child were living in a trailer parked in a driveway that had no water or electricity. "My point is, she knew she could come to school and tell her story," a school counselor told the governor. The district uses a social-emotional learning curriculum in its schools to support students and enhance school climate. Use of the Second Step program has resulted in fewer students referred to school administrators for behavioral issues. The district received a federal grant to implement the program, although this is the final year of the grant. Even as the curriculum was being implemented, the school district experienced a series of student suicides and one death. After five years of using Second Step strategies, the 2017 Student Health and Risk Prevention Survey showed decreases in suicide and depression indicators; a decrease in marijuana, alcohol and cigarette use; and reduced gang involvement and school bullying. The curriculum was developed by the nonprofit Committee for Children. The organization's programs reach more than 14 million children in more than 70 countries, according to its website. Earlier in the day, Herbert ate lunch with students, working his way around the room to greet them with high-fives and words of encouragement for a successful school year. Rachel MacPherson, a sixth-grader, said she was "excited" to meet Herbert. "I get to rub it in my siblings' faces," she said. Another sixth-grader, Kaimen Wendt, said his parents got to meet the president so he was grateful for a chance to meet Utah's governor. "Usually, I haven't been to too many places where someone big is coming," Kaimen said. Both students said they feel safe at school. "There's many things at school that keep me safe. There's tons of adults to make sure that you're safe. Now there's tons of drills that keep you safe," Kaimen said. The new security doors will take some getting used to, Rachel said. "I'm kind of excited for the doors and also kind of scared. What if the doors shut on you or on your ankle or something?" she said. Superintendent Scott Rogers said he anticipates that the fire doors closest to the school entry will be activated more frequently than others because there are times that the staff and students need to shelter in place, usually because of some type of police activity in the area. After a lunch of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy a school lunch classic Herbert examined the school's safety features, in particular the Won-Door system. Improving the safety of Utah schools will be achieved "step by step," the governor said. "This is going to be an evolution. This is not the only option, it is an option. It obviously looks like a good option," Herbert said of the Won-Door system. "This is a good step in the right direction. I'm impressed with what I see." Rogers said schools need physical safety features and drills but they also need caring and compassionate adults who reassure students. "What I've learned is, you need a balanced approach. You really can't address safety issues unless you really address student life issues and social-emotional learning," he said. SALT LAKE CITY Utah Valley University has asked a judge to toss a whistleblower lawsuit from its former Title IX director. Attorneys for the school argue in Tuesday court filings that Melissa Frost could not have been fired for alleging potential violations of federal antidiscrimination law, because administrators didn't know she was gathering information about them at the time. The university also claims that Utah law protecting whistleblowers doesn't apply to Frost because the actions she took against her employer fell under the scope of her job responsibilities. As a Title IX coordinator, she was charged with investigating sexual assault and harassment, and making sure the university complies with federal law against gender discrimination. Frost, who was hired to head UVU's new Title IX office in 2014 and fired in June 2017, sued the school in 3rd District Court in May. She alleged school officials were slow to refer students the Title IX office and that a sexual assault case involving athletes dragged on for more than a year. In addition, she claimed campus police took gay male students' sexual assault complaints less seriously and said administrators were reluctant to hold trainings to make clear that sexual orientation and gender identity are protected from discrimination. A week after her firing, Frost filed a complaint against the university with the U.S. Department Education's Office for Civil Rights, alleging Title IX violations and retaliation for her voicing her concerns about compliance. A federal civil rights probe is pending. Her suit seeks reinstatement at UVU, plus payment for lost wages, benefits and seniority rights, and other damages if she is not reinstated. UVU has said it is a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for everyone, in part because of its commitment to Title IX. The school said Wednesday in the statement that the facts would prevail. A school spokesman in a Wednesday statement reiterated that the university had hired an outside investigator who reviewed Frost's claim of retaliation and found it was unsubstantiated. Frost gave the investigator a summary of her concerns and told the school's attorney she was about to start an investigation into allegations by three women against white men in upper management, according to the suit. Attorneys for UVU included in the Tuesday court filings an April 2017 memo that recommended Frost be removed from her director role and made an investigator, saying she used "coercive tactics to force students who are victims to participate in what is supposed to be a voluntary process" of reporting Title IX violations. Another memo dated June 2017 gave her notice of the school's intent to terminate her and said complaints against her "intensified" over several months. It added Frost gave "a perception that you are more focused on 'documenting noncompliance' and building a case to protect yourself than on resolving investigations in a timely manner." Frost, in a handwritten note on the document, wrote that she disagreed, hadn't been informed of many of the issues, and that the termination was direct retaliation. The school earlier this month filed a counterclaim alleging misconduct on Frost's part for allegedly withholding documents from UVU. It sought attorney fees and other damages, and asked the court to order Frost to give back confidential materials and bar her from releasing them to others. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. SALT LAKE CITY Utah Transit Authority trustees quickly approved a $600,000 contract Wednesday with a San Francisco law firm to provide three years of federal monitoring required under a nonprosecution agreement. The contract, with the law firm of Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass, was passed by the board without debate as part of a package of consent items approved earlier in the day by the board's Finance and Audit Committee. Federal monitoring was mandated under the terms of UTA's deal with the U.S. Attorney's Office, announced in April 2017, to avoid prosecution in exchange for cooperating with an ongoing investigation into transit dealings. "We've been ready, willing and able," UTA board Chairman Greg Bell told reporters. But it apparently took time for both the federal authorities and the transit agency to agree on a monitor. UTA Interim Executive Director Steve Meyer said the U.S. Attorney's Office rejected a firm selected by the transit agency through a procurement process, so "we then had some better discussions, and understand their scope." The San Franciso-based firm was selected as a result of a second bid, Meyer said. The contract is set to take effect Aug. 29 of this year and continue through the same date in 2021. Meyer said UTA has to pay the entire cost, expected to be $600,000. He said whether the monitoring lasts the full three years is up for discussion. "Should we get some credit for the time since the agreement was signed? We don't know. That'll be a point of discussion," Meyer said. He said their role is "to watch" what UTA does. Background materials provided to the committee describe the contract as needed to "verify continued compliance" and recommend additional reforms in areas of concern identified in the agreement. Those "core issues" are described as inadequate controls over federal funds; improper property acquisition and disposal, including inadequate oversight of transit-oriented development projects; not complying with ethical standards; and improper approval of executive bonuses. UTA has been the subject of several critical legislative audits, and the 2018 Legislature passed a sweeping overhaul of the transit agency that includes replacing the board with a three-member management team before Nov. 1. Bell said he was "hopeful" the federal monitoring could be avoided. "We've changed so much," Bell told reporters, although he said there was "no formal effort" to renegotiate that part of the deal. The monitoring should not be full time, Bell said. "They're not going to be resident here. They're going to check as they want to check and audit as they want to audit. But it's not a full-time, we're in your house, watching what you do," he said. Pressed on the details of the monitoring arrangement, Bell said, "You're acting like we have a choice, right? We didn't pick them, the attorneys. It's not our idea. It's just done." SALT LAKE CITY Brigham Young University is challenging a State Records Committee decision ordering the school to release the recording of a campus police interview with a former Missionary Training Center president who allegedly raped a sister missionary 34 years ago. The Provo-based university, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, filed a petition for judicial review in 4th District Court on Tuesday seeking to overturn the "erroneous" decision. Lawyers for the school argue BYU and its police force are a "private, nongovernmental entity" not subject to Utah's Government Records and Access and Management Act. Even if GRAMA applied to BYU, the audio recording KUTV requested from university police would be a private record not subject to disclosure under GRAMA in any event. An excerpt from BYU's complaint In March and April, KUTV, the Truth and Transparency Foundation and Corbin T. Volluz in separate requests under GRAMA sought a 2017 BYU police interview with Joseph L. Bishop. Campus police denied the requests and subsequent appeals, contending BYU and the police department are not subject to GRAMA. KUTV, the transparency foundation and Volluz appealed to the State Records Committee. After oral argument and testimony in July, the committee found that BYU improperly classified the records as private. Releasing the recording would not be a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy because the information in the interview has already been made public, according to the decision. Also, the committee said BYU did not provide a valid reason for keeping information from a closed investigation nonpublic. Under state law, the committee's decision may be appealed by filing a complaint for judicial review in state court. BYU says in its complaint that campus police "voluntarily" provided some documents to KUTV but denied the request for the audio recording because university police is an "internal department of a private university" not a government entity subject to the state's open records law. "Even if GRAMA applied to BYU, the audio recording KUTV requested from university police would be a private record not subject to disclosure under GRAMA in any event," according to the complaint. McKenna Denson alleged Bishop raped her while she was a missionary at the MTC in 1984. He has denied the accusation. The 55-year-old Colorado woman sued Bishop and the LDS Church for sexual assault and battery, negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, fraudulent nondisclosure and fraudulent concealment. A federal judge earlier this month dismissed her claims against Bishop and all but the fraudulent concealment claim against the church, ruling that the statute of limitations has expired. Denson posed as a reporter to confront Bishop last December when she said the former MTC president told her about his sexual history and addiction. Her interview became public when a website released their taped conversation and its 76-page transcript. Unlike Ford that recently announced plans to concentrate its platforms on current key segments such as SUVs and trucks, GM has no plan to kill the passenger car architecture the Commodore currently sits on. I dont think we want to abandon car platforms. I think from a car planning state of point - and I believe Ive been around long enough to know - there are things that happen in the world that we cannot control such as gas prices and economic conditions. A combination of those may induce whats not totally rational behaviour when buying a car and when that happens the last thing we dont want to be able to do is provide what the customer wants." At one stage it seemed like General Motors was considering pulling the pin - not committing to what the future of Holden would look like and edging its iconic Chevrolet bow tie into showrooms - but new local management and the flash appearance of top Detroit execs in Melbourne this week to announce a further $28 million investment in R&D added that although GM's worried about the lion brand, theyre very proud of the name and theres no exit plan for it. The developments contrast with what recently-departed Holden director Mark Bernhard had to deal with closing factory doors, laying off a large number of workers and supplying only vague answers about the future of PSA-owned products. With ex-Toyota boss David Buttner now at the helm, the American parent company says theres no expiry date for the Commodore, the Astra hatchback is safe, and new platforms for future models such as the Camaro and electric vehicles will be right-hand drive ready. Its the most positive either brand has been about Holdens future since shutting factory doors. Reuss, who spent 18 months as head of Holden and secured $600 million funding to continue building small cars at its Elizabeth plant, appears to have been instrumental in building support in Detroit for the iconic Australian brand, saying that the name will stay and theres no deadline yet for Holden to perform against its current slide in market share. Im sure it helps, he says of his experience here. Im sure my boss listens to me because Ive lived here, and she hasnt, and that matters and she knows. Theres nothing guaranteed forever but you gotta make sure you get resources in place to go as hard as you can. We have no exit plan, no timeline," he tells Drive. "No we dont have any of that, I believe in Dave and I think his approach is right which is to show improvement every month and thats a great way to look at it. If you start looking at horizons and throwing darts at a board, well thats frankly not the way to do that. People say what we should do in five years, ten years or whatever. Weve got a great product portfolio and were going to have an even more filled-out portfolio, no question about that. Lets go as hard as we can. Dr Adele Commins, Head of Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music at Dundalk Institute of Technology, was presented with a special token of appreciation from Ard Stiurthoir Labhras O Murchu at the launch of Seachtain na Gaeilge ag Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Drogheda last week. Adele and DkIT student Ciara Brannigan led a team of volunteers who have been working throughout the summer to prepare a range of events that were attractive to all age groups and people with all levels of Irish. Sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge, these events included Irish language classes, family fun, storytelling and dancing. Presiding over the launch in the Highlanes Gallery, Adele noted the strong Irish language heritage in the region including the poets Peadar O Doirnin and Seamus Dall MacCurta and the important role of scholar Peadar O Dubhha. She performed a song in Irish with her husband Daithi Kearney, also a lecturer in music at DkIT. The presentation to Adele held further significance as she was a piano accordion student of the late Rory Kennedy. Best known in music circles as the leader of the Siamsa Ceili Band who won three All-Ireland titles in a row between 1967 and 1969, Rory was also prominent in Conradh na Gaeilge in Dundalk and was himself recognised for his role in promoting the Irish language by Cumann na Sagart. Adele presented a paper on Rory at the O Ghluin go Gluin symposium in association with the Creative Arts Research Centre at the Fleadh on Friday and also performed for both the President, Michael D. Higgins, and the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, when they visited the Fleadh. Seachtain na Gaeilge was an integral part of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Drogheda and all of the Irish language activities were very well attended. It is hoped that people will continue to incorporate the language into their everyday lives and planning will begin again soon for next years Fleadh in Drogheda. Following newspaper reports that Fianna Fail and the SDLP are in talks over a possible merger in Northern Ireland, the Dundalk Democrat spoke to Louth Fianna Fail TD Declan Breathnach to get his views. Deputy Breathnach, passed off the reports as media speculation, but said he would always be willing to communicate with like-minded parties. This is part of on-going speculation over a period of time between the Irish News, the Belfast Telegraph and now the Irish Times, he said. He continued, While I have not been party to any such reported discussions I have always said that Fianna Fail have and will continue to have communications with like-minded parties and people in the interest of the island of Ireland and its citizens. Any discussions between the SDLP and Fianna Fail leadership have been personal to them and I welcome that this is on-going. Deputy Breathnach spoke of his past work with his contemporaries in Northern Ireland: Fianna Fail will always act for and on behalf of all on this island as I have always done myself in my past engagements at Local Authority level and my involvement with the Memorandum of Understanding between Louth County Council and Newry and Mourne District Council and with the East Border Region. This continues now at parliamentary level being Fianna Fail Spokesperson on North-South Bodies and Cross-Border Co-Operation and being Vice-Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, and through my involvement with the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, he concluded. 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. 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. For the first time ever erman electrical and electronic exports cracked the 100 billion euro limit. German electrical and electronic exports rose by 3.8 percent year-on-year to 17.5 billion euros in June of this year. In the first half of 2018 as a whole, they came to EUR 101.7 billion, 4.3 percent above the prior-year figure. "For the first time ever, the 100 billion euro mark was exceeded in a half-year," says ZVEI Chief Economist Dr. Andreas Gontermann. Industry exports to the industrialized countries increased by 3.2 percent to 66.0 billion euros in the first half of the year. Exports to the emerging markets grew twice as fast (+ 6.5 % to 35.7 billion euros). There were hardly any changes in the ranking of the largest customers in the first half of the year: China ranked first with 10.2 billion euros, 12.2 percent more exports than in the previous year. In the USA, German electronics were sold for a total of EUR 8.5 billion which represents a small decrease of 0.9 percent. France remains third. From January to June, electrical and electronic exports increased by 2.0 percent to 6.2 billion euros. The highest growth among the top ten customer countries was achieved by the Netherlands (+ 14.3 % to 5.4 billion euros). Deliveries to the United Kingdom fell by 0.7 percent to 5.1 billion euros in the first half of the year. Turkey, which is currently struggling with a currency crisis, ranked 17th in the export customer ranking of the German electrical and electronic industry last year. Between 2000 and 2017, industry exports to the country on the Bosporus almost tripled. Domestic electrical exports to Turkey are currently more or less stagnating. There was a slight decline of 0.2 percent to EUR 257.0 million in June and of 0.5 percent to EUR 1.5 billion for the first half of the year as a whole. According to ZVEI calculations, the global electrical and electronic market grew by 6 percent to 4,223 billion euros last year. "For 2018 and 2019 we expect growth of 5 and 4 percent," says Dr. Gontermann. The Asian market (+ 6 % and + 5 %) should grow faster than the American (+ 5 % and + 4 %) and European (+ 4 % and + 3 %) markets. The largest individual country markets in 2017 was China again (1,692 billion euros), the USA (598 billion euros), Japan (297 billion euros), South Korea (182 billion euros), and Germany (122 billion euros). China could grow by 7 percent this year and 6 percent next year, the USA by 5 percent in 2018 and 4 percent in 2019, while forecasts for Japan (+ 2 % and + 1 %) and South Korea (both + 1 %) are more moderate. The German market is expected to grow 4 percent in 2018 and 3 percent in 2019. The world's largest market segments are electronic components (990 billion euros), information and communication technology (852 billion euros), and automation (522 billion euros). Growth rates of 6 and 4 percent are expected for electronic components in 2018 and 2019, 4.5 and 3.5 percent for ICT, and 5 and 4 percent for automation. As the demand for robust security defense grows by the day, the market for cybersecurity technology has exploded, as well as the number of available solutions. To help you navigate this growing marketplace, we provide our recommendations for the worlds leading cybersecurity technology providers, based on user reviews, product features and benefits, analyst reports, independent security tests, and use cases. Between high-profile ransomware attacks and mergers, it is a time of high stakes and great change for the industry. Here are our picks for the top 20 cybersecurity vendors plus 10 honorable mentions with the caveat that at least a couple of those 30 companies are likely to merge. Read on. The Best Cybersecurity Companies Product profiles in depth Palo Alto Networks Headquarters: Santa Clara, California Founded: 2005 Annual Revenue: $4.2 billion Cybersecurity product categories: Next-generation firewall, UEBA, cloud security, endpoint protection, threat detection and prevention, application framework Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 12 Topping our list is Palo Alto Networks (PANW), and for one very good reason: No vendor offers better security. The companys results in rigorous independent tests have been stellar, whether in next-gen firewalls (NGFW), endpoint detection and response (EDR) or any other area. Its endpoint security tests have been consistently excellent, including in the new MITRE protection tests. And cybersecurity buyers have taken notice. Revenue at the 16-year-old Santa Clara firm is expected to grow 23% this year to top $4 billion. In all, weve named Palo Alto to 12 top product lists, and we expect that number to grow in the coming months. In addition to NGFW and EDR, these are the other areas where Palo Alto ranks among the best: Fortinet Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California Founded: 2000 Annual Revenue: $2.6 billion Cybersecurity product categories: Network firewalls, anti-virus, intrusion prevention, Network access control (NAC), web application firewalls and endpoint security. Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 11 With $2.6 billion in revenue and growing at a healthy 17%, Fortinet is expected to hit $3 billion in sales this year. The network security vendor is another that doesnt shy away from rigorous testing, and thats landed the company on 11 of our top cybersecurity product lists. Fortinet has been steadily building a reputation as one of the top security companies around. Customer satisfaction ratings are high and analysts have lauded the company too. Gartner gave it top place in unified threat management (UTM), and it was named a Leader in next-gen firewalls (NGFW). And the company continues to evolve and look to the future: it ranked well in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for WAN Edge Infrastructure, and has earned another year near the top of our list. Cisco Headquarters: San Jose, California Founded: 1984 Annual Revenue: $49.7 billion Cybersecurity product categories: Next-generation firewalls, next-generation intrusion prevention, CASB, web gateway, NAC, advanced malware protection, email security, endpoint security, security management, VPN, security services Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 10 Cisco (CSCO) is a perennial favorite on this list. The networking pioneer has used its market dominance to move into adjacent markets, among them network security. With $3.2 billion in revenue and double-digit growth, security is one of Ciscos strongest markets. Customers are often Cisco shops gravitating toward its firewall, endpoint and other products, but when you have nearly $50 billion in annual sales, your existing customers are a pretty big market, and Cisco has had its wins elsewhere too. Cisco has made 10 of our top security product lists: identity and access management (IAM), web gateways, NGFW, IDPS, CASB, NAC, cybersecurity products, XDR, network security and zero trust, with the companys early leadership in the emerging and important zero trust market its most impressive recent accomplishment. Crowdstrike Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California Founded: 2011 Annual Revenue: $1.4 billion Cybersecurity product categories: EDR and XDR Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 4 While CrowdStrike (CRWD) made four of our lists EDR, XDR, MDR and cybersecurity coming out on top of the very competitive EDR market is no small accomplishment, and the companys XDR platform leaves it well positioned for the future too. Apparently IT security buyers agree: Analysts expect stunning 56% revenue growth this fiscal year to rocket past the $1 billion sales mark. The 10-year-old Sunnyvale company could further gain after successfully fending off a SolarWinds-related attack, a distinction shared with Palo Alto Networks. IBM Headquarters: Armonk, New York Founded: 1911 Annual Revenue: $74.3 billion Cybersecurity product categories: Security analytics, services, patch management, encryption, SIEM, security orchestration, mobile security, fraud protection, network security, data protection, threat intelligence, application security, endpoint protection, identity and access management, authentication, database security, mainframe security Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 9 IBMs deceptively large security business is spread across a number of business lines, like software and services, and the company doesnt break out security revenues separately, but Big Blue is a powerhouse, making nine of our top security product lists: SIEM, IAM, encryption, database security, threat intelligence, single sign-on, patch management, managed security services, and cybersecurity products. Customer ratings are about average and the companys speed in adding updates isnt the best, but it remains popular with analyst firms like Gartner. IBMs biggest strength might be its research depth, witness its impressive recent strides in homomorphic encryption. OneTrust Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia Founded: 2016 Annual Revenue: Privately held; GrowJo estimates $221 million Cybersecurity product categories: privacy and compliance tools Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 1 Rocketing up the list this year is OneTrust. Startups crave unicorn status, a mark of success that means the private equity market has valued the company at $1 billion or more. OneTrust has done way better than that, raising $920 million in actual funding, for a $5.3 billion valuation. The privacy compliance technology company has ridden data privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA to become the fastest-growing company in America, according to Inc., number 4 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, and has earned a spot on our hot cybersecurity startups list too. A stunning rise for the 5-year-old Atlanta-based company. Okta Headquarters: San Francisco Founded: 2009 Annual Revenue: $1.2 billion Cybersecurity product categories: Zero trust, IAM, SSO, network security Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 4 Okta has a unique value proposition as a quick and easy way for organizations to get started implementing zero trust. With easy to use, deploy and manage products, its no wonder revenues are expected to soar 46% to $1.2 billion this year. In addition to zero trust, the 12-year-old San Francisco-based company also made our top IAM, network security and single sign-on lists. Zscaler Headquarters: San Jose, CA Founded: 2007 Annual Revenue: $663 million Cybersecurity product categories: Web gateways, zero trust, cloud security, edge security Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 2 Zscaler (ZS) is another one with outsized growth for an established company: analysts are expecting sales to surge 53% to $663 million this year. Zscaler, now in its 14th year, offers a broad cloud security platform that positions the San Jose-based company well for important emerging trends like zero trust, edge security and secure access service edge (SASE). Zscaler made our top web gateways list and received a mention for its zero trust efforts too. KnowBe4 Headquarters: Clearwater, Florida Founded: 2010 Annual Revenue: $240 million Cybersecurity product categories: Cybersecurity awareness training Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 1 KnowBe4 (KNBE) recently went public, so we can get a look at its finances for the first time. Not surprisingly, the numbers are impressive, with recurring annual revenue up 42% to $240 million in the companys most recent earnings report. Founder and CEO Stu SJouwerman turned his vision for employee cybersecurity training into a dominant position in the all-important market. Its a pretty secure market too, given that employees are the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain and ransomware and phishing remain top threats. The company boasts deep cybersecurity experience, leading to forays into other markets like compliance and email security. Darktrace Headquarters: Cambridge, UK Founded: 2013 Annual Revenue: $278 million Cybersecurity product categories: AI, threat detection, incident response, IDPS Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 2 UK-based Darktrace has made a name for itself as an innovator in AI-based security. We placed the company on our top IDPS list, but with broad detection and response capabilities, the 8-year-old venture between British intelligence agencies and Cambridge University mathematicians is not easy to categorize. A recent IPO gave investors a good look at the companys finances, and 40% revenue growth suggests plenty of demand for this pioneering product. Proofpoint Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California Founded: 2002 Annual Revenue: $1.2 billion Cybersecurity product categories: Advanced threat protection, email protection, encryption, data loss prevention, CASB, threat intelligence Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 4 Proofpoints (PFPT) revenues are expected to grow 15% to clear the $1 billion mark this year, as the Sunnyvale-based company rides a SECaaS product portfolio that has landed it on our top CASB, data loss prevention (DLP), zero trust and threat intelligence lists. Proofpoint offers email protection, network sandboxing, security awareness training, cloud protection and more. It lags KnowBe4 in security awareness training, but its acquisition of Wombat is a statement that it intends to take that market seriously. Rapid7 Headquarters: Boston, Mass. Founded: 2000 Annual Revenue: $503 million Cybersecurity product categories: SIEM, vulnerability management, application security, UEBA Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 7 Rapid7 (RPD) is a top SIEM, MDR, vulnerability management, vulnerability scanning, breach and attack simulation, application security and UEBA vendor, a broad portfolio that will lead the Boston-based cybersecurity company to 22% growth this year and more than $500 million in sales. Check Point Headquarters: Tel Aviv, Israel, and San Carlos, California Founded: 1993 Annual Revenue: $2.14 billion Cybersecurity product categories: Advanced threat prevention, next generation firewall, UTM, encryption, secure gateway appliances, endpoint protection, remote access, cloud security, mobile security, zero trust, incident response Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 12 Check Points 4% revenue growth may not turn heads, but it offers as complete a security portfolio in the industry, and with strong security and value too. Firewalls, gateways, UTM, EDR, threat intelligence, incident response, encryption and data loss prevention are just some of the areas the company ranks highly in. It is a Leader in Gartner MQs for UTM and NGFW. Customer satisfaction ratings are about average, but it comes up in eSecurity Planet top vendor lists regularly and has established a sound revenue base. Its EDR offerings are among the biggest bargains in the industry. Trend Micro Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan Founded: 1988 Annual Revenue: $1.75 billion Cybersecurity product categories: hybrid cloud security, intrusion prevention, advanced threat protection, encryption, endpoint security, email security, Web security, SaaS security, IoT security, threat intelligence Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 7 Trend Micro is another big name with modest growth and a dependable revenue base, with a broad array of security solutions that protect more than half a million organizations and a huge number of endpoints. The one area where it excels is in endpoint protection, where Gartner has included it as a Leader for 15 years, and impressive independent tests back that up. Customer satisfaction ratings appear to be on the rise and a bit above average even. IDPS, endpoint security, encryption, XDR, cloud security, and DLP are areas weve rated the companys products highly in. Forrester just scored it highest in cloud workload security. With its AWS relationship and the release of a security services platform for organizations building applications in the cloud, Trend Micro is gradually making its way up the standings. Broadcom Headquarters: San Jose, California Founded: 1991 Annual Revenue: $27.25 billion Cybersecurity product categories: Advanced threat protection, managed services, endpoint security, encryption, web gateway, email security, network security, cloud security, antivirus, identity theft protection, website security, mainframe security Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 13 Getting acquired by chipmaker Broadcom hasnt been a bad thing for the Symantec enterprise security business. With more than $27 billion in revenue and a 14% growth rate, theres plenty of cash to bankroll promising investments. Symantec has made 13 of our top product lists, including endpoint security, CASB, WAF, web gateways, managed services, encryption, XDR, access management, DLP and zero trust. Symantec does well in Gartner MQs, tops in secure web gateways and a Leader in endpoint protection and managed security services. It even has decent product satisfaction scores. A longtime leader thats not content to rest on its laurels. McAfee Enterprise Headquarters: Santa Clara, California Founded: 1987 Annual Revenue: Privately held Cybersecurity product categories: consumer antivirus and privacy protection, identity theft prevention, IDPS, web gateways, mobile security, enterprise cloud security, data protection, encryption, endpoint security, network security, security management, server security, security analytics, SIEM, web security, consulting, database security Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 12 Speaking of acquisitions, these next two should be considered together, because McAfees enterprise business and RSA are now both owned by Symphony Technology Group (STG) which has also acquired FireEyes products business and announced plans to merge McAfee Enterprise and FireEye Products. McAfee has been a major player in security for a long time. It doesnt seem to dominate any particular slice of the market, but it offers a lot of products that do consistently well in diverse areas. Weve named McAfee products to top security products lists a dozen times, among them IDPS, SIEM, endpoint protection, secure web gateways, XDR, CASB, threat intelligence, encryption and DLP. Its customer satisfaction ratings are decent, too. Whatever the future holds, its sure to be interesting. RSA Headquarters: Bedford, Massachusetts Founded: 1982 Annual Revenue: Undisclosed Cybersecurity product categories: SIEM, GRC, threat intelligence, network traffic analysis and forensics, endpoint security, security orchestration, UEBA, malware detection, fraud prevention, identity and access management Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 5 RSA is another big name facing a period of uncertainty, yet for now remains an independent company within STGs security portfolio. RSA boasts strong products, a respected name and its eponymous conference among its considerable assets. Weve given the company high marks in GRC, threat intelligence, encryption, SIEM and UEBA, among other areas. Customer ratings have been solid. The company has strong name recognition, but hasnt stood out as much as that name would suggest. Further, weaknesses in RSA keys have called into question the security of its platform. Sophos Headquarters: Abingdon, United Kingdom Founded: 1985 Annual Revenue: Privately held; most recent data suggests $544 million in fiscal 2020 Cybersecurity product categories: Firewalls, unified threat management, secure web gateway, secure email gateway, security management, anti-phishing, endpoint protection, mobile security, encryption, server security, consumer antivirus and Web filtering Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 9 Sophos is one of the oldest security vendors on this list, from the 1980s era that also saw the founding of RSA, McAfee, Symantec and Trend Micro. It offers strong security in a number of areas, often at value pricing. That combination has landed Sophos on nine of our top products lists: WAF, NGFW, UTM, EDR, encryption, XDR, MDR, and even antivirus. Unlike Symantec and McAfee, which have separated their consumer and enterprise businesses, Sophos and Trend Micro have retained control of their consumer products, and Sophos offers a very good one that even uses some of its enterprise EDR artificial intelligence (AI). Other areas of strength include firewalls and network and cloud security, giving the company a good base for the emerging XDR market. It made the Leaders quadrant of Gartners MQs for endpoint protection and UTM. Customer satisfaction has improved recently and is now even a little above average in some areas. Its acquisition by Thoma Bravo makes financial visibility murkier, an unfortunate trend in security in general with the number of private takeovers that have happened. Splunk Headquarters: San Francisco, California Founded: 2003 Annual Revenue: $2.53 billion Cybersecurity product categories: Security analytics, SIEM, user behavior analytics (UEBA), ransomware prevention, security automation Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 2 Splunk is primarily an IT management vendor, but the company changed the security market with its cloud-based SIEM solution, and its still gaining traction, with double-digit growth expected the next couple of years. The Splunk platform can get pricey, but its also a low-upfront cost way for organizations to get into security analytics and SIEM. The company came up tops in Gartners MQ for SIEM but customer satisfaction ratings have slipped recently, in part because of pricing. Still, the company has taken a good chunk of business from long-term market incumbents and it looks like it will continue to do so for the next few years. We rate Splunk highly in both SIEM and security analytics. Microsoft Headquarters: Redmond, Washington Founded: 1975 Annual Revenue: $166.2 billion Cybersecurity product categories: Identity and access management, UEBA, threat protection, information protection, security management, cloud security, DDoS protection, application gateway Appearances on eSecurity Planets Top Vendors lists: 4 Rounding out our list of the top security companies is Microsoft, which has quietly built up a large security portfolio. This includes Active Directory for identity and access management, Microsoft Defender, Azure cloud security services such as Security Center, Key Vault, Azure DDoS Protection, Azure Information Protection and Application Gateway for protecting Web applications. Its position in our rankings comes due to its general strong showing in all areas considered, and its overall analyst rating. Gartner placed Microsoft as tops in its Magic Quadrants (MQs) for endpoint protection and access management. Whats been really surprising is Defenders very strong showing in the rigorous MITRE ATT&CK testing, with an unbroken string of stellar results. With the impressive security capabilities the software giant has developed, we can all hope the company uses some of that expertise to make Windows more secure. See our picks for top cybersecurity startups Honorable Mentions The cybersecurity industry is loaded with great companies. The following didnt quite make our cut for the top cybersecurity companies, but that doesnt mean they dont have great products and services. Some continue to gain traction, while in other cases mergers and private equity takeovers and in the case of Mandiant Solutions, FireEyes sale and merger with McAfee have limited our visibility, but all these vendors have made our top product lists and will meet the needs of many users. Methodology Cybersecurity is the top spending priority of CIOs, ahead of more strategic IT investments like AI and cloud, according to a recent Gartner survey. With the damage a breach can do to a companys intellectual property and reputation not to mention heavy fines under data privacy laws companies have been pouring money into the $150 billion enterprise security market. But who are the market leaders? To find out, eSecurity Planet routinely conducts an analysis of the worlds largest and hottest cybersecurity vendors and ranks the top ones. The biggest surprises in this list are the number of smaller vendors that are rapidly moving up, ahead of some more established names. Specialization can be a good thing in cybersecurity, witness CrowdStrikes 56% growth rate. The vendors at the top of the list shouldnt surprise longtime readers Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet have continued to impress us and a number of other vendors have withstood the test of time to stay on the list. Vendors were evaluated based on their annual revenue, growth rate, range and quality of products, appearance on eSecurity Planets top security product lists, user reviews, independent test results, analyst reports and venture capital funding, among other factors. eSecurity Planet Editor Paul Shread contributed to this research article By harnessing repositories of satellite data, scientists have discovered that human settlements with low flood protection levels tend to resettle further away from rivers after catastrophic flood events compared to settlements with more protective infrastructure. The findings shed light on the various strategies that communities adapt to cope with flood risk, a key topic in an age when booming populations mean that more people live in flood-prone areas. Floods have often been some of the most destructive natural disasters in both ancient and modern times, causing over $1 trillion in economic damages and more than 226,000 casualties worldwide between 1980 and 2014. These costs have significantly increased compared to previous decades due to urbanization and population growth near flood-prone rivers, making it imperative to understand how people adapt and respond to the risk of flooding events. Here, a research team led by Johanna Mard examined satellite data on the distribution of artificial lighting in 16 countries from 1992-2013, and deduced how the distribution of human settlements changed in response to flooding events. The scientists also investigated in more detail four "hotspot areas" with differing hydrologic and socio-economic contexts, such as the Mekong River in Southeast Asia and the Brisbane River in Australia. The large-scale analysis showed that human proximity to rivers increased for most countries during the time period, and the increase in distance correlated with the number of flood fatalities; Mozambique, which experienced the most flood fatalities, had the largest proximity increase at around 1,000 meters. This relocation tendency was muted in countries such as the U.S. and The Netherlands that harbor more structural flood protections such as levees and reservoirs. Mard et al. say their research provides a framework for other scientists to improve simulations of flood risk and further characterize global patterns of flood response. ### Drs. Jonathan Rothberg, Roger Klein and Kevin Halling to be recognized for their lifetime achievements and longstanding commitment to advancing patient care and the field of molecular diagnostics ROCKVILLE, Md. - August 22, 2018 - The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), the premier global, molecular diagnostics professional society, today announced the recipients of this year's Award for Excellence in Molecular Diagnostics, Jeffrey A. Kant Leadership Award and Meritorious Service Award. These prestigious accolades will be presented in November during the AMP 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo in San Antonio, Texas. Award for Excellence in Molecular Diagnostics Jonathan M. Rothberg, PhD Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Butterfly Network, Inc., Guilford, CT, USA Dr. Rothberg will receive AMP's highest honor for his groundbreaking work and noteworthy achievements in genomics. He is the founder of multiple life science and medical device companies including CuraGen, 454 Life Sciences, Ion Torrent, RainDance Technologies, Hyperfine Research, Quantum-Si, Lam Therapeutics, and Butterfly Network. With Butterfly Network, Dr. Rothberg aims to democratize medical imaging with the world's lowest cost ($2k) and first whole-body scanner. He is best known for inventing massively parallel (Next-generation) DNA sequencing. When the technology was brought to market in 2008, it became the first new way to sequence genomes since Sanger and Gilbert won the Nobel Prize for their method in 1980. Among his many honors, Dr. Rothberg is a recipient of the U.S. National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the country's highest honor for technological achievement. Following his award presentation, Dr. Rothberg will deliver a special keynote lecture, "Reimagining Healthcare: Next Generation DNA Sequencing to Ultrasound-on-a-Chip." Jeffrey A. Kant Leadership Award Roger D. Klein, MD, JD Roger D. Klein, MD JD, Consulting Faculty Fellow, Center for Law, Science and Innovation in the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA Expert, Federalist Society Regulatory Transparency Project, FDA & Health Working Group AMP is recognizing Dr. Klein, an active member since 2002, for exceptional leadership in the advancement of our mission and vision. He is the current Chair of AMP's Solid Tumor Subdivision, a member of AMP's Strategic Opportunities Committee, and a member of AMP's Board of Directors. Previously, Dr. Klein served as Chair of the Professional Relations Committee from 2011-2017 and on the AMP Economic Affairs Committee and numerous other distinguished working groups and projects. Dr. Klein has played a pivotal role in helping to shape and influence CPT coding, pricing, reimbursement, accreditation quality, regulatory, and intellectual property policies that profoundly impact our membership and our field. In addition, Dr. Klein was a key expert, advisor, and representative for AMP in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., the landmark lawsuit in which the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously invalidated patents on human genes, a decision that proved central to the adoption of massively parallel sequencing in the clinic. AMP Meritorious Service Award Kevin C. Halling, MD PhD Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Dr. Halling is being recognized for his outstanding and countless volunteer efforts over the years. He has been a member of AMP since its inception and served as the Director of AMP's Molecular Genetic Pathology Review Course in 2007, 2009 and 2011. Dr. Halling's insights and dedicated service helped shape the hallmark course, which is now offered both online and in-person. Over the last decade, approximately 350 individuals have taken the courses to prepare for the Molecular Genetic Pathology (MGP) Subspecialty Certification Exam or to update and review their molecular diagnostics skill-set. "Drs. Rothberg, Klein and Halling have made indispensable contributions to the molecular diagnostics field," said Kojo Elenitoba-Johnson, MD, AMP President. "It is my privilege to present them with AMP's highest honors and publicly recognize them for their continued commitment to the advancement of our community and the patients we serve." For more information on the AMP 2018 Annual Meeting, please visit our meeting website. Register for the AMP 2018 Annual Meeting here. ### ABOUT AMP The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) was founded in 1995 to provide structure and leadership to the emerging field of molecular diagnostics. AMP's 2,400+ members practice in the various disciplines of molecular diagnostics, including bioinformatics, infectious diseases, inherited conditions, and oncology. They include individuals from academic and community medical centers, government, and industry; including pathologist and doctoral scientist laboratory directors; basic and translational scientists; technologists; and trainees. Through the efforts of its Board of Directors, Committees, Working Groups, and members, AMP is the primary resource for expertise, education, and collaboration in one of the fastest growing fields in healthcare. AMP members influence policy and regulation on the national and international levels, ultimately serving to advance innovation in the field and protect patient access to high quality, appropriate testing. For more information, visit http://www.amp.org. Follow AMP on Twitter: @AMPath. Physical therapy in the emergency department after a fall may help reduce future fall-related visits to the emergency department Falls are the leading cause of illness and death among Americans aged 65 and older. In 2014, some 2.8 million older adults visited the emergency department (ED) for a fall-related injury. And over time, the ED visit rate for falls among older adults has grown to 68.8 per 1,000 older adults (as of 2010). Older adults who visit the ED for a fall are at high risk for both revisiting the ED and dying. In fact, some estimates show that 25 percent of older adults visiting the ED for a fall returned for at least one additional fall-related visit. Fifteen percent of those older adults died within the following year. Because so many older adults visit an ED due to falls, many experts see an opportunity for EDs to play a role in reducing future falls among older adults who are at high risk. In a new study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, researchers explored whether older adults who received physical therapy (PT) services while in the ED for a fall experienced fewer fall-related repeat visits to the ED. The research team used Medicare claims data representing Medicare beneficiaries from across the country. The information examined differences in 30-day and 60-day ED repeat visit rates among older adults who visited the ED for a fall and who received PT services in the ED. The researchers compared that to older adults who did not receive PT services in the ED after a fall. PT services in the ED can include getting information, a diagnosis, and a referral for follow-up PT care after discharge. The researchers reviewed records for people aged 65 and over who had visited the ED for a fall, excluding people who died during the 30-day and 60-day follow up period. Receiving PT services in the ED during an initial visit for a fall was linked to a lower chance of returning to the ED for another fall within 30 and 60 days. Geriatric care experts have previously recommended that older adults who visit the ED should be screened for high fall risk and referred, when appropriate, to physical therapists or other members of the healthcare team. In fact, previous studies have shown that when older adults follow special PT or exercise routines after a fall, they can reduce the risk of future falls. In spite of these findings, PT assessments and referral services remain rare in the ED. Older adults who go to the ED for a fall rarely receive the kind of examination and referral for PT services they need, said the researchers. The researchers also said that their results suggest that EDs could play an important role in lowering fall-related ED revisits. That role is primarily to connect people treated for a fall to appropriate follow-up care. "In our sample, only 3.2 percent of older adults who had a fall-related ED visit received PT services during that visit," said the researchers. ### This summary is from "Association Between Physical Therapy in the Emergency Department and Emergency Department Revisits for Older Adult Fallers: A Nationally-representative Analysis." It appears online ahead of print in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The study authors are Adriane Lesser, MS; Juhi Israni, MS; Tyler Kent; and Kelly Ko, PhD, of West Health Institute, La Jolla, CA. About the Health in Aging Foundation This research summary was developed as a public education tool by the Health in Aging Foundation. The Foundation is a national non-profit established in 1999 by the American Geriatrics Society to bring the knowledge and expertise of geriatrics healthcare professionals to the public. We are committed to ensuring that people are empowered to advocate for high-quality care by providing them with trustworthy information and reliable resources. Last year, we reached nearly 1 million people with our resources through HealthinAging.org. We also help nurture current and future geriatrics leaders by supporting opportunities to attend educational events and increase exposure to principles of excellence on caring for older adults. For more information or to support the Foundation's work, visit http://www.HealthinAgingFoundation.org. About the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Included in more than 9,000 library collections around the world, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) highlights emerging insights on principles of aging, approaches to older patients, geriatric syndromes, geriatric psychiatry, and geriatric diseases and disorders. First published in 1953, JAGS is now one of the oldest and most impactful publications on gerontology and geriatrics, according to ISI Journal Citation Reports. Visit wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/JGS for more details. About the American Geriatrics Society Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for-profit society of geriatrics healthcare professionals that has--for 75 years--worked to improve the health, independence, and quality of life of older people. Its nearly 6,000 members include geriatricians, geriatric nurses, social workers, family practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and internists. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy. For more information, visit AmericanGeriatrics.org. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Foundation announced the nine winners of its 2018 graduate awards. Through its Foundation and supported by nearly 30,000 members, AIAA awards academic scholarships and STEM educational grants to support the next generation of aerospace professionals. Each academic year the AIAA Foundation presents the Orville and Wilbur Wright Graduate Awards. These $5,000 awards, given in memory of the Wright brothers' contributions to the evolution of flight, honor full-time graduate students. The winners are: Tobias Niederwieser, University of Colorado - Boulder, Boulder, Colorado Joshua Wagner, Rice University, Houston, Texas In addition, Emily Matula, University of Colorado - Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, received the Neil Armstrong Graduate Award. This $5,000 award honors the character and achievements of the late astronaut, military pilot and educator, Neil A. Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the moon. Regis Thedin, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, received the John Leland Atwood Graduate Award. Established in 1999, the $1,250 award, sponsored by endowments from Rockwell and what is now The Boeing Company and named in memory of John Leland "Lee" Atwood, former chief executive officer of Rockwell, North America, recognizes a student actively engaged in research in the areas covered by the technical committees (TC) of AIAA. Three AIAA TCs also presented graduate awards: Nicoletta Fala, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, received the General Aviation Systems TC's $1,000 William T. Piper Sr. General Aviation Systems Graduate Award. Andrew Harris, University of Colorado - Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, received the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) TC's $2,500 Guidance, Navigation and Control Graduate Award. Bharvi Chhaya, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, received the Modeling and Simulation TC's $3,500 Luis de Florez Graduate Award. Debolina Dasgupta, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, received the Propellants and Combustion TC's $1,250 Martin Summerfield Propellants and Combustion Graduate Award. James Braun, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, received the Air Breathing Propulsion TC's $1,000 Gordon C. Oates Air Breathing Propulsion Graduate Award. ### Please visit the AIAA Foundation's Scholarship and Graduate Awards section for more information. About the AIAA Foundation The AIAA Foundation seeks to "make it exciting, make it empowering, and make it fun." That simple, compelling philosophy drives the Foundation's commitment to math, science, and technology education. The AIAA Foundation offers a wealth of resources to support educators from K-12 through university: scholarships, classroom grants, design competitions, and student conferences, improving scientific literacy and advancing the arts and sciences of aerospace. For more information on the AIAA Foundation and its programs for students, teachers, and professionals, please visit http://www.aiaafoundation.org. About AIAA The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world's largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 85 countries, and 95 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit http://www.aiaa.org, or follow us on Twitter @AIAA. With Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, as a hub, the world's first global research network into climate change denial has now been established. Building on a brand-new research publication showing the links between conservatism, xenophobia and climate change denial, the network will study how the growth of right-wing nationalism in Europe has contributed to an increase in climate change denial. Scientific awareness of the greenhouse effect, and human influence on the climate, has existed for over three decades. During the 1980s, there was a strong environmental movement and a political consensus on the issue, but in recent years, climate change denial - denying that changes to the climate are due to human influence on the environment - has increased. "Two strong groups have joined forces on this issue - the extractive industry, and right-wing nationalists. The combination has taken the current debate to a much more dramatic level than previously, at the same time as our window of opportunity is disappearing." This is the analysis of Chalmers researcher Martin Hultman, Associate Professor in Science, Technology and Environmental studies, and research leader for the comprehensive project: "Why don't we take climate change seriously? A study of climate change denial", which is now collecting the world's foremost researchers in this area. In the project, the network will examine the ideas and interests behind climate change denial, with a particular focus on right-wing nationalism, extractive industries, and conservative thinktanks. The goal is to increase understanding of climate change denial, and its influence on political decision-making, but also to raise awareness among the general public, those in power, research institutes, and industry. Right-wing nationalism's links to climate change denial are a relatively unresearched topic, but Environmental Sociology recently published an article where Hultman and his research colleagues show the connections between conservatism, xenophobia, and climate change denial, through a study in Norway. Hultman explains that many of the right-wing nationalist parties in Europe now have climate change denial as one of their most important issues. "These parties are increasing in significance. We see it in Denmark and Norway, in Britain with UKIP, and Front National in France. But also, in Sweden, with the Sweden Democrats' suspicion towards SMHI (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute), their dismissal of the Paris Agreement and of climate laws, and in their appraisal of climate change denier Vaclav Klaus as a freedom-fighting hero," he says. Hultman also mentions the Trump administration in the USA as a prime example. Through the new research project, a unique international collaborative platform for research into climate change denial, Centre for Studies of Climate Change Denialism (CEFORCED), will be established, which will connect around 40 of the world's foremost scientific experts in the area and pave the way for international comparisons. The platform builds upon the world's first conference in the subject, which Hultman and Professor Riley Dunlap of Oklahoma State University organised in 2016. "Thanks to this international platform, we can investigate how climate change denial arguments arise and are spread - and see differences and similarities in different cultural contexts," says Hultman. An important foundation of the project will be a broad, interdisciplinary view of climate change denial, linking together different disciplines such as geopolitics, environmental psychology, technological history, environmental sociology, gender research, environmental history, energy policy, environmental humanism and technology and science studies. "We do not dismiss climate change denial as something limited to, for example, powerful, older men with strong connections to the fossil-fuels industry - even if such organised groups do play important roles. Knowledge of climate change and its causes has been around for a long time, so firstly, we also need to understand the type of reactions and everyday denials that explain why we don't take the greenhouse effect seriously - even when we see the consequences in front of our eyes." According to Martin Hultman, there are strong reasons for the prevalence of climate change denial, and why it can be so difficult to take in the implications of climate science. "Around 80 percent of all energy bought and sold in the world is oil, coal, or gas. The world's economy runs on this type of energy, which is destroying our habitat at the same time. This makes climate science's findings problematic, because it means that many in Sweden - and in other countries which use these resources to maintain their lifestyle - need to change their way of life, and many of the most powerful companies in the world will have to change their business models. At the same time, a more climate-friendly lifestyle involves a lot of what many of us hold dear. For example, more time socialising, more contact with nature, better health and less stress. " Global research network on climate change denial established The project "Why don't we take climate change seriously? A study of climate change denial" is a multi-year, interdisciplinary and international project, which is financed by the Swedish Energy Agency. The project establishes the world's first research network on climate change denial - the Centre for Studies of Climate Change Denialism (CEFORCED), which includes around 40 scientific experts, including among others, Professor Riley Dunlap of Oklahoma State University. The project shall investigate right-wing nationalism, Conservative thinktanks, and extractive industries as key focuses. * Right-wing nationalism: The project will map right-wing nationalist parties in Europe and their arguments around climate change denialism. Among other things, Twitter and other internet discussion groups will be analysed. * Extractive industries: The project will undertake a historical investigation into Sweden's extractive industries -what they have learned about climate change, and how they have acted, as well as connecting knowledge to international studies into the debate. * Conservative thinktanks: The project maps out how conservative thinktanks in Sweden analyse and communicate around climate, as well as their connections to lobby groups of similar character. Different forms of climate change denial According to earlier research, several forms of climate change denial exist: * Organised: Groups such as Klimatsans (Climate Sense) or Stockholmsinitiativet (The Stockholm Initiative) in Sweden, as well as lobby groups like the Heartland Institute in the USA, which support and spread climate change denial. * Party Political: Political parties such as UKIP in Britain, and AfD in Germany among others, who work against different forms of climate policy. * Response denial: For example, when people in positions of power make decisions such as the construction of Salen airport in the Swedish mountains, running totally counter to the climate policies they claim to support. * Everyday denial: When people act as though as they unaware of climate change, and, for example, fly several times a year to foreign countries. ### For more information, contact: Martin Hultman, Associate Professor in Science, Technology and Environmental studies, Department of Technology Management and Economics, Chalmers University of Technology +46-709-450112, +46-31-772 63 78 martin.hultman@chalmers.se Some scientific publications on climate denial: Right-wing nationalism Krange, O. Kaltenborn, B.& Hultman, M. (2018). "Cool Dudes in Norway: Climate Change denial among conservative Norwegian Men". Environmental Sociology. McCright, A., Dunlap, R (2011) "Cool dudes: The denial of climate change among conservative white males in the United States" Global Environmental Change Forchtner, B., Kroneder, A., & Wetzel, D. (2018). "Being Skeptical? Exploring Far-Right Climate-Change Communication in Germany". Environmental Communication Hultman, M., Bjork A. & Viinikka, T. (forthcoming publication), "Far-right and climate change denial. Denouncing environmental challenges via anti-establishment rhetoric, marketing of doubts, industrial/breadwinner masculinities enactments and ethno-nationalism.". In Contemporary Environmental Communication by the Far Right in Europe ed. Forchtner, Klvraa & Wodak London: Routledge Anshelm, J., & Hultman, M. (2014). A green fatwa? Climate change as a threat to the masculinity of industrial modernity. NORMA: International Journal for Masculinity Studies, 9(2), 84-96. Extractive industries Supran,G; Oreskes, N (2017). "Assessing ExxonMobil's climate change communications (1977-2014)". Environmental Research Letters. Oreskes, N., & Conway, E. M. (2011). Merchants of doubt: How a handful of scientists obscured the truth on issues from tobacco smoke to global warming. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. Young, N., Coutinho, A. (2013). "Government, Anti-Reflexivity, and the Construction of Public Ignorance about Climate Change: Australia and Canada Compared". Global Environmental Politics. Conservative thinktanks Brulle, R (2014) "Institutionalizing delay: foundation funding and the creation of U.S. climate change counter-movement organizations". Climatic Change. Bohr, J. (2016) "The 'climatism' cartel: why climate change deniers oppose market-based mitigation policy". Environmental Politics Dunlap, R, & Jacques (2013) "Climate Change Denial Books and Conservative Think Tanks. Exploring the Connection". The American Behavioral Scientist Anshelm, J., & Hultman, M. (2014). Discourses of global climate change: apocalyptic framing and political antagonisms. Routledge. London CLEVELAND--Last summer, Case Western Reserve University undergraduate student Chris Carr spotted what looked like a "smudge" on deep sky images taken from the university's Burrell Schmidt telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in southwest Arizona. It was so faint he hardly saw it. But he flagged it for Astronomy Professor Chris Mihos, with whom he'd been working the past two weeks, and explored the coordinates further. What they found pointed to the detection of a new galaxy about 37 million lightyears away. "I wasn't quite sure how to feel," Carr, now a rising senior studying physics and astronomy, said of the discovery. "It's not really something you are prepared for, especially this early. "As Professor Mihos, our collaborators and I learned more about this bizarre smudge in our images, the significance of the discovery really began to come into focus, and that's when it sunk in that this was something truly special." Announcing the finding on Twitter, Mihos thanked Carr for his "smudge-spotting eyes." Carr's discovery is part of the Leo I galaxy group, and while its origins remain unclear, the researchers stated it is the "lowest surface brightness object ever detected via integrated light." ### Their research paper, titled "BST1047+1156: An Extremely Diffuse and Gas-rich Object in the Leo I Group," was recently published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, with Carr as the second author. Science on the airwaves Listeners to a local student-operated radio station WRUW-FM 91.1, may already be familiar with Carr, who has hosted his own show on the station. His show, Enter Galactic, tackles some of life's most vexing questions from the origins of the universe to the existence of aliens. Growing up, Carr always had thoughtful conversations with family and friends--at times extending into morning hours. Enter Galactic is inspired by those late-night sessions, although now the discussions are with Case Western Reserve faculty and experts. Brazilian scientists succeeded in generating for the first time, functional sensory neurons responsive to chemical irritants reaching a major milestone in the understanding of skin physiology, sensoriality and pain mechanisms Rio de Janeiro, August, 22nd - After 5 years of collaboration between scientists from the D'Or Institute for Research & Education and L'Oreal R&I, in partnership with UFRJ, Unicamp and Embrapa, the discoveries were published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. The teams were able to generate, in the laboratory, human neurons responsive to sensorial stimuli. Following stem cell reprogramming, the team at the D'Or Institute grew neurons in conditions close to human physiology, in the presence of keratinocytes. The crosstalk between these two cell types and the release of substance produced by keratinocytes allowed the in vitro development and the maturation of the sensory neurons and further confirmed the key role of neurons in sustaining skin renewal. The newly generated sensory neurons exhibit specific characteristics, including the detection of painful stimuli and the release of chemicals responsible for transmitting pain signals to the brain. This achievement paves the way for multiple applications in both the medical and the cosmetic research fields. ''One possible application for this methodology is to study how these neurons act in diseases such as chronic pain, which affects millions of people in Brazil and in the world. There is also a great potential for the study of analgesic and anxiolytic drugs", adds Stevens Rehen, corresponding author and principal investigator at both D'Or Institute and UFRJ. ''The outcome of this exciting collaboration with our partners in Brazil will allow us on the one hand to deepen our understanding of one key component of the skin physiology that was hard to grasp due to the lack of availability of such cells, and on the other hand to develop reconstructed human skin with enhanced neuro-inflammation predictivity and ultimately the next beauty products for sensitive and aged skin'', says Charbel Bouez, head of advanced research, L'OREAL R&I America. ### * Publication reference: Guimaraes, M.P.Z.*, De Vecchi, R.*, Madeiro, R., Vitoria, G., Jaroslaw, S.K., Paulsen, B., Lima, I., Da Silva, F.R., Breton, L., Rehen, S.K. Generation of iPSC-derived Human Peripheral Sensory Neurons Releasing Substance P Elicited By Trpv1 Agonists. Frontiers In Molecular Neuroscience. Doi: 10.3389/Fnmol.2018.00277. Philadelphia, August 22, 2018 - Despite increasing awareness about atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke continues to be the first manifestation of AF in some patients. Therefore, early detection and regular heart monitoring are important for such patients. Current monitoring technology devices can be cumbersome, some are limited in duration and others are invasive, and many usually require a trip to the doctor's office. With the rise of smart phone-enabled medical peripherals, a new area of focus is ambulatory detection of AF. A study published in HeartRhythm found that a mobile heart monitor, paired with a smart device and an app, and supported by an automated algorithm can effectively and accurately detect AF, especially when supported by physician overread. The Kardia Mobile Cardiac Monitor (KMCM) is a small two-electrode cardiac rhythm recorder that hooks up to a smart device. It enables patients to record a 30-second rhythm strip. In this study, scientists ran the data collected by the devices through KMCM's new automated rhythm analysis, which uses an algorithm specifically developed to detect AF. Investigators designed the study to directly compare the results obtained from the mobile monitoring to that of a traditional 12-lead ECG recording analyzed by a doctor. AF patients underwent almost simultaneous recording by both the mobile monitoring device and a traditional ECG. When the results were compared, they found that when the conditions were met for the automated rhythm analysis to provide a diagnosis, it had 96.6 percent sensitivity and 94.1 percent specificity for AF detection compared to physician-interpreted ECGs. "This study is the first independent validation of this smartphone monitor system in the clinical setting using near simultaneous 12-lead ECGs," said lead investigator Khaldoun G. Tarakji, MD, MPH, Section of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA. "In addition to providing an instantaneous rhythm interpretation, this smartphone monitor system is able to transmit a recording to a secure server where the recordings can be directly reviewed." The false negative detection rate was low (3.4 percent); however, the automated system failed to classify some of the results as either "Normal" or "Possible AF." When these results were analyzed by investigators, they found that the majority of these "unclassified" readings fell outside the predefined bounds for the algorithm (e.g., the recordings were less than 30 seconds in duration, the heart rate recorded was under 50 beats per minute [bpm] or over 100 bpm, or that there was too much noise during the rhythm capture). "Given the predefined algorithm operating parameters and high rate of "unclassified" recordings with resultant missed AF instances, this smartphone monitor's algorithm is not suited to be a replacement for physician analysis," noted Dr. Tarakji. "However, given its highly accurate performance when able to provide an interpretation, it holds potential as an adjunct to clinical decision making. Patients can use an automated AF detection as a basis for pursuing additional medical follow-up, and clinicians may use it to develop treatment plans supported by more objective data rather than relying only on symptoms." Study participants found the KMCM device and app easy to use. Having access to a mobile monitoring device also helped ease anxiety related to their AF diagnosis. Investigators hope that in the future, these types of smart device apps and devices will help doctors and patients form more of a care partnership, in which they can work together as a team to monitor chronic conditions like AF. "The ability to record your own rhythm strip and directly visualize it and share it with your physician was fictional up until a few years ago. We live in an exciting era in which technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace. As a medical community, we have a duty to test these products, assess their accuracy, and more importantly, examine their ability to change outcomes. Abundance of data could become noise if it does not come with guidance about proper management of the information. Our obligation through proper clinical studies is to provide guidance about the best use of these tools. As physicians, we should not view these products as threats, but rather as an opportunity to provide better and more effective care for our patients," concluded Dr. Tarakji. ### Hybridization, the inter-breeding of bird species, is a widespread phenomenon, which is best illustrated in Estonia by the lesser spotted eagle and the greater spotted eagle. However, due to the fact that the migration strategies of both bird species are completely different, studying their offspring, or hybrids, helps ornithologists discover a lot about their migration secrets. The lesser spotted eagle is an early leaving far-traveller, the greater spotted eagle is a late leaving short- and middle-distance traveller, explained Ulo Vali, senior researcher at the chair of biological diversity and nature tourism of Estonian University of Life Sciences. According to Vali, on the one hand, hybridization causes confusion among ornithologists, but on the other hand it is worrying, because the existence of the rare species, the greater spotted eagle, may be in danger. At the same time, studying of hybrids helps find answers to different ecological questions. "With their hybridization, birds offer scientists an excellent inter-breeding experiment from nature, which helps explain factors affecting the migration of birds." Thus, for instance, it has been believed for a long time that the timing, direction and length of migration of passerines with a shorter life-span is mostly determined by genetic factors and for bigger birds with a longer life-span, it is more important to learn from their parents and others of the same species. It has only been possible so far to conduct experiments mainly with small passerines in order to check these assumptions. The research of migration of big birds with a longer life-span has been hampered by the inadequate technical capacities. In an international study managed by Ulo Vali, senior researcher at Estonian University of Life Sciences, the results of which were recently published in an article in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the migration pattern of spotted eagle hybrids or bigger birds with a longer life-span was discussed. For following the migration, GPS transmitters tracking the exact location of hybrid specimens were fitted with them in Estonia, Lithuania and Poland. The data has been gathered for more than a decade and to obtain a better overview, researchers compiled a thorough migration database. It was found out that hybrids most frequently depart as early as lesser spotted eagles; however, they don't fly as far as them, which could have been predicted based on the important role of social factors. Instead, the hybrids rather chose to overwinter at the latitudes more typical of greater spotted eagles. In addition, the variety of their migration routes and size of winter territories was more characteristic of the greater spotted eagle. These results show that although social and territorial factors can impact the migration strategies of birds with a longer life-span, the role of genetic factors in these species is bigger than presumed. ### More than an eon ago, the sun shone dimmer than it does today, but the Earth stayed warm due to a strong greenhouse gas effect, geoscience theory holds. Astronomer Carl Sagan coined this "the Faint Young Sun Paradox," and for decades, researchers have searched for the right balance of atmospheric gases that could have kept early Earth cozy. A new study led by the Georgia Institute of Technology suggests that nitrous oxide, known for its use as the dental sedative laughing gas, may have played a significant role. The research team carried out experiments and atmospheric computer modeling that in detail substantiated an existing hypothesis about the presence of nitrous oxide (N2O), a powerful greenhouse gas, in the ancient atmosphere. Established research has already pointed to high levels of carbon dioxide and methane, but they may not have been plentiful enough to sufficiently keep the globe warm without the help of N2O. Jennifer Glass, an assistant professor at Georgia Tech, and Chloe Stanton, formerly an undergraduate research assistant in the Glass lab at Georgia Tech, published the study in the journal Geobiology the week of August 20, 2018. Their work was funded by the NASA Astrobiology Institute. Stanton is now a graduate research assistant at the Pennsylvania State University. No 'boring billion' The study focused on the middle of the Proterozoic Eon, over a billion years ago. The proliferation of complex life was still a few hundred million years out, and the pace of our planet's evolution probably appeared deceptively slow. "People in our field often refer to this middle chapter in Earth's history roughly 1.8 to 0.8 billion years ago as the 'boring billion' because we classically think of it as a very stable period," said Stanton, the study's first author. "But there were many important processes affecting ocean and atmospheric chemistry during this time." Chemistry in mid-Proterozoic ocean was heavily influenced by abundant soluble ferrous iron (Fe2+) in oxygen-free deep waters. Ancient iron key "The ocean chemistry was completely different back then," said Glass, the study's principal investigator. "Today's oceans are well-oxygenated, so iron rapidly rusts and drops out of solution. Oxygen was low in Proterozoic oceans, so they were filled with ferrous iron, which is highly reactive." In lab experiments, Stanton found that Fe2+ in seawater reacts rapidly with nitrogen molecules, especially nitric oxide, to yield nitrous oxide in a process called chemodenitrification. This nitrous oxide (N2O) can then bubble up into the atmosphere. When Stanton plugged the higher fluxes of nitrous oxide into the atmospheric model, the results showed that nitrous oxide could have reached ten times today's levels if mid-Proterozoic oxygen concentrations were 10 percent of those today. This higher nitrous oxide would have provided an extra boost of global warming under the Faint Young Sun. Breathing laughing gas Nitrous oxide could have also been what some ancient life breathed. Even today, some microbes can breathe nitrous oxide when oxygen is low. There are many similarities between the enzymes that microbes use to breathe nitric and nitrous oxides and enzymes used to breathe oxygen. Previous studies have suggested that the latter evolved from the former two. The Georgia Tech model provides a plentiful source of nitrous oxide in ancient iron-rich seas for this evolutionary scenario. And prior to the Proterozoic, when oxygen was extremely low, early aquatic microbes could have already been breathing nitrous oxide. "It's quite possible that life was breathing laughing gas long before it began breathing oxygen," Glass said. "Chemodenitrification might have supplied microbes with a steady source of it." ### The paper was co-authored by Chris Reinhard of Georgia Tech, James Kasting of the Pennsylvania State University, Nathaniel Ostrom and Joshua Haslun of Michigan State University, and Timothy Lyons of the University of California Riverside. The research was funded by grant NNA15BB03A from the NASA Astrobiology Institute. Findings, opinions, and conclusions are those of the authors and not necessarily of the NASA Astrobiology Program. Scientists at Harvard Medical School say they have ended a 40-year-quest for the elusive identity of the sensor protein responsible for hearing and balance. The results of their research, reported Aug. 22 in Neuron, reveal that TMC1, a protein discovered in 2002, forms a sound- and motion-activated pore that allows the conversion of sound and head movement into nerve signals that travel to the brain--a signaling cascade that enables hearing and balance. Scientists have long known that when the delicate cells in our inner ear detect sound and movement, they convert them into signals. Where and how this conversion occurs has been the subject of intense scientific debate. No more, the authors say. "The search for this sensor protein has led to numerous dead ends, but we think this discovery ends the quest," said David Corey, co-senior author on the study and the Bertarelli Professor of Translational Medical Science at Harvard Medical School. "We believe our findings settle that issue for good and yield definitive proof that TMC1 is the critical molecular sensor that converts sound and motion into electrical signals the brain can understand," said co-senior author Jeffrey Holt, Harvard Medical School professor of otolaryngology and of neurology at Boston Children's Hospital. "It is, indeed, the gatekeeper of hearing." The researchers say their findings lay the groundwork for precision-targeted therapies to treat hearing loss that occurs when the TMC1 molecular gate is malformed or missing. Hearing loss is the most common neurologic disorder affecting more than 460 million people worldwide. "To design optimal treatments for hearing loss, we need to know the molecules and their structures where disease-causing malfunctions arise, and our findings are an important step in that direction," Holt said. The senses--vision, touch, taste, pain, smell and hearing--help animals navigate the world and survive in it. The conversion of sensory input into signals that travel to the brain for analysis and interpretation is central to this process. The "molecular converters" for most senses have been identified. The one for hearing, however, remained elusive, partly due to the hard-to-access anatomical location of the inner ear--within the densest bone of the human body--and partly because of the comparatively few auditory cells available for retrieval, dissection and imaging. The human retina has a hundred million sensory cells, compared with a precious few 16,000 in the human inner ear. As far back as the 19th century, scientists knew that cells located in the inner ear--called hair cells for the bristle-like tufts that line their surface--played a role in hearing. The stage was set in the late 1800s by Swedish physician and anatomist Gustaf Retzius, who described in detail the structure and cellular makeup of the inner ear. The basics of signal propagation from the inner ear to the brain were elucidated in the 1970s. Scientists demonstrated that proteins in the membranes of hair cells could open, allowing the influx of electrically charged ions such as calcium and potassium. Once inside the cell, those ions initiate signal transmission to the brain. Following the 2002 discovery of the TMC1 gene, research into its role languished for nearly a decade. In 2011, a team led by Holt demonstrated that TMC1 was required for auditory transduction in hair cells. The finding sparked a vigorous debate about the exact role TMC1 played: Was it a central character or part of the supporting cast? That debate has now been put to rest, Holt said. In an initial set of experiments, the research team found that TMC1 proteins assemble in pairs to form sound-activated pores, or ion channels. Given that most ion-channel proteins form clusters of three to seven units, TMC1's minimalistic pairing was a surprise. It also offered a helpful clue into its structure. Next, to map out the molecular architecture of the TMC1 protein, the scientists turned to computer predictive modeling. Such models work by predicting the most probable arrangement of a protein's building blocks based on the configuration of a close relative with a known structure. The algorithm revealed that TMC1's closest relative with known structure was a protein known as TMEM16. Each protein's function is determined by its structure--the specific sequence and arrangement of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. TMEM16's amino acid arrangement yielded a possible amino acid model for TMC1. But to verify the accuracy of the model and to pinpoint the precise location of the sound-activated pores, the researchers had to take their model out of the digital realm and into the real world of living hair cells of mice. Substituting 17 amino acids--one at a time--the researchers gauged whether and how each single substitution altered the cells' ability to respond to sound and allow the flow of ions. Of the 17 amino acid substitutions, 11 altered the influx of ions, and five did so dramatically, reducing ion flow by up to 80 percent, compared with nonmodified cells. One particular substitution blocked calcium influx completely, a finding that confirmed the precise location of the pore that normally allows calcium and potassium influx to initiate signal transmission. This approach, Corey said, was akin to what an engineer might do to figure out how each part of an engine works. "Hair cells, like car engines, are complex machines that need to be studied as they are running," Corey said. "You can't figure out how a piston or a spark plug works by itself. You have to modify the part, put it back in the engine and then gauge its effect on performance." TMC1 is found in mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles--a sign of evolutionary conservation at work. "The fact that evolution has conserved this protein across all vertebrate species underscores how critical it is for survival," Holt said. The ability to hear a sound and distinguish its meaning as a threat or a mere nuisance, for example, is crucial for biologic survival--think hearing the sound of a bear approaching in the woods. But among many higher species, hearing is also important for social bonding and interaction--think recognizing different voices or changes in voice patterns and intonation. The exquisitely complex ability to detect changes in intonation begins with the opening of a tiny molecular gate in TMC1. "We now know that TMC1 forms the pore that enables sound detection in animals ranging from fish to birds to humans," Corey said. "It is truly the protein that lets us hear." ### Co-authors included Bifeng Pan, Nurunisa Akyuz, Xiao-Ping Liu, Yukako Asai, Carl Nist-Lund, Bence Gyorgy, Bruce Derfler and Walrati Limapichat, of Harvard Medical School; Kiyoto Kurima of the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; Sanket Walujkar, Lahiru Wimalasena, and Marcos Sotomayor of Ohio State University. The work was funded through grants from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (R01-DC013521, R01-DC000304, R01 696 DC015271 and F32 DC016210), with additional support came from NIDCD intramural research fund Z01-DC000060-698 10. Relevant disclosures: Holt holds patents on TMC1 gene therapy and is a scientific adviser to several companies developing inner-ear therapies. New Orleans, LA - A study led by Christopher Marrero, MD, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, reports that despite Medicaid expansion, access to outpatient orthopaedic care in Louisiana remains significantly limited for patients with Medicaid insurance. The findings are published online as an Article in Press in the Journal of the National Medication Association, available at https://www.journalnma.org/article/S0027-9684(18)30124-X/fulltext. "This project was done to explore how limited access to orthopaedic care is in Louisiana for Medicaid patients despite Medicaid expansion," says Dr. Marrero. "This is important because approximately one-third of the Louisiana population is enrolled in Medicaid. The limited access can and frequently does cause a delay in care, which can translate into more difficult treatments and poorer outcomes. This limited access is probably true in other specialties of medicine as well." The research team obtained a list of potentially eligible orthopaedic surgeons in Louisiana from a public database. The study focused on orthopaedic surgeons who had received at least one Louisiana Medicaid payment from August 1, 2016 - January 31, 2017, which represented about 75% of the practicing orthopaedic surgeons in the state. The team sampled unique clinical practices rather than individual providers. They called each practice following a standard script requesting an appointment for a recommended follow-up for an orthopaedic injury treated in an Emergency Room. To avoid discrimination, the callers used generic American names. Callers made the earliest available appointment, although they cancelled before the call ended or immediately thereafter. The objectives were to secure an appointment and determine the wait time. Sixty percent of the practices queried were private practices with only one surgeon. Twenty-six parishes had practices that qualified for the study, and of those, only 11 parishes had practices that offered an appointment. The researchers report that of the 93 practices included in the study, 17, or 18.3%, offered an appointment. Of those, 10, or 58.8%, were within a week, 2 (11.8%) were within two weeks, and 5 (29.4%) were more than two weeks from the date of the phone call. The practices that offered an appointment represented 41, or 13.3%, of the 309 orthopaedic surgeons in the study. "Of note, 19 (46.3%) of the 41 orthopedic surgeons were LSU Health faculty practicing in the public state-funded safety-net system," Marrero adds. "Moreover, the majority of next available appointments at safety-net facilities were two weeks or more from the date of contact. If these safety-net surgeons are excluded, the percentage that offered an appointment drops to 7.1%." The study found that Medicaid patients seeking outpatient orthopaedic care have access to only about 10% of the orthopaedic workforce in Louisiana, and 5% when safety-net facilities are excluded. The authors cite two major contributing factors - the geographic maldistribution of orthopaedic practices in Louisiana and low reimbursement. Of Louisiana's 64 parishes, only 11 have orthopaedic practices that accept Medicaid, and four of those are where LSU Health safety-net public facilities are located. Previous research suggests that increasing reimbursements may result in more Medicaid-accepting practices. The authors conclude their results taken with those of other studies suggest that a shift in policy may be warranted. ### Other members of the research team included Claudia Leonardi, PhD, Assistant Research Professor in Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health, and Linus Igbokwe at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's flagship and most comprehensive health sciences university, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public School of Public Health, and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in public and private hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research in a number of areas in a worldwide arena, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment, or cure disease. To learn more, visit http://www.lsuhsc.edu, http://www.twitter.com/LSUHealthNO, or http://www.facebook.com/LSUHSC. The CRISPR Journal, a new peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers, announces the publication of its third issue. The Journal is dedicated to validating and publishing outstanding research and commentary on all aspects of CRISPR and gene editing, including CRISPR biology, technology and genome editing, and commentary and debate of key policy, regulatory, and ethical issues affecting the field. The Journal, led by Editor-in-Chief Rodolphe Barrangou, PhD (North Carolina State University) and Executive Editor Dr. Kevin Davies, is published bimonthly online and in print. See http://www.crisprjournal.com for more information. This press release is copyright Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Its use is granted only for journalists and news media receiving it directly from The CRISPR Journal. For full-text copies of articles or to arrange interviews with Dr. Barrangou, Dr. Davies, authors, or members of the editorial board, contact Kathryn Ryan (kryan@liebertpub.com) at the Publisher. 1. EDITORIAL: A RESPONSE TO THE EU COURT RULING Last month, a ruling from the European Union Court of Justice declared that gene edited crops using new tools such as CRISPR must fall under GMO guidelines, dealing a potentially devastating blow to the development of enhanced crops and their underlying industry in Europe. ''It will be impossible to rationalize why archaic mutagenesis tools that randomly and heavily alter DNA supersede precise editing that can be implemented in DNA-free versions," says Editor-in-Chief Rodolphe Barrangou in the August lead editorial. While assailing the EU Court ruling, Barrangou articulates how the scientific community must learn from this decision and counter by taking a more active role in outreach to non-scientists and the general public. "We must do our part as experts and evangelists to advance the acceptance of science and technology, and better and more responsibly promote valuable and impactful technologies." This message echoes the theme of another editorial in this issue, in which Barrangou and guest author Carol Lynn Curchoe recall their participation in a formal debate at the Oxford Union earlier this year, where they successfully joined in opposition to the house motion that "Genetic Engineering undermines the nature of humanity." Contact: Rodolphe Barrangou (North Carolina State University) 2. OFF-TARGET EFFECTS IN HIV THERAPY Despite significant improvements in anti-HIV therapies over the past two decades, scientists are still looking to devise a cure that would effectively excise the integrated HIV genome from infected cells. Thanks to the emergence of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, researchers now have the means to remove the latent HIV-1 proviral genome from these infected cells, but efficacy is dependent on the negligibility of off-target effects. In a new report published in The CRISPR Journal, researchers at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia have conducted a thorough computational analysis of potential off-target editing effects. Based on the high rate of specificity seen with multiple guide RNAs, the authors conclude that their in silico results "bode well for the potential of a CRISPR-Cas9-mediated HIV-1 therapeutic strategy." That being said, "in the search for a gRNA template that causes minimal off-target effects, it will be critical that the gRNA be tested against patient samples to con?rm these in silico predictions." Contact: Will Dampier or Brian Wigdahl (Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia) 3. CRISPR: ON THE EDGE OF GLORY In a new paper in the August issue of The CRISPR Journal, researchers at the University of Texas, Dallas report a high-throughput CRISPR-based methodology for delineating the role of network edges. Using p53 and its network of upstream and downstream regulators as a model system, including microRNAs, the authors show how a novel CRISPR-based edge screening can be used to dissect important biological interactions essential to cell growth and survival, without impacting the nodes in the same network. They propose the use of this technique for general analysis of biological networks to identify previously hidden interactions and opportunities for intervention. Contact: Leonidas Bleris (University of Texas, Dallas) 4. P53: GUARDIAN OF GENOME EDITING (First Cut) British geneticist Sir David Lane, who recently moved his research lab to Singapore, famously dubbed the tumor suppressor gene p53 as the "Guardian of the Genome." P53 has been thrust back into the spotlight following the recent publication of a pair of papers in Nature Medicine, which revealed its crucial role in both determining editing ef?ciency and preserving genome integrity of edited cells. In this "First Cut" review, Lane and postdoctoral fellow Teresa Ho conclude that the p53 articles raise questions regarding "the safety of CRISPR-Cas9 editing in clinical applications without stringent scrutiny of the resultant Cas9-edited cells" and whether treated patients might require long-term monitoring. But ultimately suggest that the findings are "a cautionary rather than apocalyptic tale." Contact: Teresa Ho (A*Star, Singapore) 5. ETHICS: SOLIDARITY IN THE AGE OF CRISPR (First Cut) The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is an independent body that examines and reports on ethical issues in biology and medicine. In their recently published report on "Genome Editing and Human Reproduction" they recommended to implement gene editing "only in circumstances in which it cannot reasonably be expected to produce or exacerbate social division or the unmitigated marginalisation or disadvantage of groups within society." This theme, and the attendant need for greater public engagement, is the focus of a "First Cut" by Johns Hopkins bioethicist Debra Mathews. "We will need to be humble, as well as dogged in our efforts to build trusting and trustworthy alliances among scientists, publics, and those engaged in governance," writes Mathews. Contact: Debra Mathews (Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University) 6. IT'S A (CONDITIONAL) GENE KNOCKOUT Gene targeting has been a critical tool in the molecular biology arsenal for decades. In a new article published in The CRISPR Journal, researchers at the Weizmann Institute in Israel report a strategy that combines CRISPR-Cas9 with another gene targeting system, Cre-LoxP. The method enables the conditional targeting of essential genes in mammalian cell tissue culture. The authors say the method is simple, robust, and results in complete depletion of the protein of interest. Contact: Chaim Kahana (Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel). ### Together with their sister group the Neandertals, Denisovans are the closest extinct relatives of currently living humans. "We knew from previous studies that Neandertals and Denisovans must have occasionally had children together", says Viviane Slon, researcher at the MPI-EVA and one of three first authors of the study. "But I never thought we would be so lucky as to find an actual offspring of the two groups." The ancient individual is only represented by a single small bone fragment. "The fragment is part of a long bone, and we can estimate that this individual was at least 13 years old", says Bence Viola of the University of Toronto. The bone fragment was found in 2012 at Denisova Cave (Russia) by Russian archaeologists. It was brought to Leipzig for genetic analyses after it was identified as a hominin bone based on its protein composition. "An interesting aspect of this genome is that it allows us to learn things about two populations - the Neandertals from the mother's side, and the Denisovans from the father's side", explains Fabrizio Mafessoni from the MPI-EVA who co-authored the study. The researchers determined that the mother was genetically closer to Neandertals who lived in western Europe than to a Neandertal individual that lived earlier in Denisova Cave. This shows that Neandertals migrated between western and eastern Eurasia tens of thousands of years before their disappearance. Analyses of the genome also revealed that the Denisovan father had at least one Neandertal ancestor further back in his family tree. "So from this single genome, we are able to detect multiple instances of interactions between Neandertals and Denisovans", says Benjamin Vernot from the MPI-EVA, the third co-author of the study. "It is striking that we find this Neandertal/Denisovan child among the handful of ancient individuals whose genomes have been sequenced", adds Svante Paabo, Director of the Department of Evolutionary Genetics at the MPI-EVA and lead author of the study. "Neandertals and Denisovans may not have had many opportunities to meet. But when they did, they must have mated frequently - much more so than we previously thought." ### Original publication: Viviane Slon, Fabrizio Mafessoni, Benjamin Vernot, Cesare de Filippo, Steffi Grote, Bence Viola, Mateja Hajdinjak, Stephane Peyregne, Sarah Nagel, Samantha Brown, Katerina Douka, Tom Higham, Maxim B. Kozlikin, Michael V. Shunkov, Anatoly P. Derevianko, Janet Kelso, Matthias Meyer, Kay Prufer, Svante Paabo The genome of the offspring of a Neandertal mother and a Denisovan father, Nature, 22 August 2018 Contact: Prof. Dr. Svante Paabo Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig +49 341 3550 500 paabo@eva.mpg.de Dr. Viviane Slon Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig viviane_slon@eva.mpg.de Dr. Benjamin Vernot Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig +49 341 3550 787 benjamin_vernot@eva.mpg.de Parrots--highly intelligent and highly verbal--may also ruffle their head feathers and blush to communicate visually, according to a new study published August 22 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Aline Bertin of the INRA Centre Val de Loire, France and colleagues. The study extends the understanding of the complex social lives of these remarkable birds. The authors studied five hand-reared captive blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) interacting with one another and with their human caretakers. They assessed the feather position (ruffled or sleeked) on the crown, nape, and cheek, as well as the presence or absence of blushing on the bare skin of the cheek. They found that feather ruffling was more common when the birds were not in motion, such as during social interactions and resting periods. Crown feather ruffling and blushing were both more common when the human caretaker was actively interacting with the parrot by talking and maintaining eye contact than when the keeper was in the room but ignoring and turning their backs to the bird. Together, these results suggest that head feather ruffling is associated with states of lower arousal and positive social interactions, the authors concluded. "How birds use facial displays and whether they communicate their inner subjective feelings is a question that is crucial to deepening our understanding of bird sentience," say Bertin et al. "Although caution must be exercised when interpreting these data due to the small sample size, we argue that crown ruffling and skin color variation may provide facial indicators of birds' inner subjective feelings. On a practical level, parrots are popular companion animals, with millions of parrots being kept as pets, and understanding visual communication in parrots may help to assess their well-being in captive conditions." Bertin summarizes: "Blushing may not be a characteristic unique to humans: the featherless cheek of the blue-and-yellow macaw parrot reveals rapid skin color changes in situations associated with emotion. The macaw's particularly complex face may enable communication of emotion via color and feather displays." ### In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS ONE: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0201762 Citation: Bertin A, Beraud A, Lansade L, Blache M-C, Diot A, Mulot B, et al. (2018) Facial display and blushing: Means of visual communication in blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara Ararauna)? PLoS ONE 13(8): e0201762. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201762 Funding: The Association Beauval Nature pour la Recherche et la Conservation and the Zooparc de Beauval provided financial support to Arielle Beraud. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. In the world of plant-feeding insects, who shows up first to the party determines the overall success of the gathering; yet viruses can disrupt these intricate relationships, according to researchers at Penn State. "We found further evidence that viruses manipulate more advanced organisms to improve their own fitness," said Mitzy Porras, a recent doctoral graduate in entomology, working with Tomas Carlo, associate professor of biology, and Ed Rajotte, professor of entomology." In other words, their ability to pass on their genome to the next generation of viruses." Porras and her colleagues studied the order of arrival of two species of aphids to wheat plants. "Species that share the same limiting resource -- in this case wheat plants -- normally are expected to compete with each other for that resource," she said. "But we found that the order of arrival to the host plant affects the outcome of the ecological interactions." Porras explained that in the absence of viruses, the aphid species Rhopalosiphum padi typically is the first to invade wheat plants, while Rhopalosiphum maidis arrives later. If the opposite occurs -- R. maidis arrives first -- then the success of R. padi is hindered. However, when R. padi infects the plant with barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), two things change: the success of late-arriving R. maidis increases and, if R. maidis arrives first, then late-arriving R. padi has no trouble colonizing the plant. "The virus increases nutrients in the plant, including sugars, sterols and amino acids, and may change the anatomy of the plant's leaves, making the leaves easier for aphids to find and access the nutritious sap," said Porras. "The aphids end up feeding for longer periods of time, which results in boosted reproductive success. The better the aphids do, the higher the probability that they will spread the virus to the host plant and to other aphids." The findings appeared recently in Scientific Reports. Porras and her colleagues designed a set of field and laboratory experiments in which they manipulated the presence of virus strains within aphids, along with the order of aphid species arrival to wheat plants. They recorded the time it took for the aphids to start feeding, the duration of feeding and the reproductive health of the aphids. They also examined how aphid foraging affected the nutritional quality of host plants and plant virus strains. "We placed electronic micro-sensors on individual insects and plants to measure feeding events with precision," said Porras. "Specifically, we measured two key parameters of aphid foraging -- the time taken by aphids to reach the phloem (the nutritious plant sap), and the duration of ingestions." The team extracted viruses from plants, and used ELISA tests -- which detect specific antibodies -- to identify the types of viruses within the plants. In addition, they used a variety of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques to analyze the plants for nutrient content. "We learned that viruses play an important role in changing the nature of the interactions between and among species," said Porras. "It's fascinating that something as small as a virus with such a simple genome can manipulate more advanced organisms for its own benefit." ### Other authors on the paper include Consuelo De Moraes and Mark Mescher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and Tomas Carlo, associate professor of biology, Penn State. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture supported this research. You don't focus as well as you think you do. That's the fundamental finding of a team of researchers from Princeton University and the University of California-Berkeley who studied monkeys and humans and discovered that attention pulses in and out four times per second. "Our subjective experience of the visual world is an illusion," said Sabine Kastner, a professor of psychology and the Princeton Neuroscience Institute (PNI). "Perception is discontinuous, going rhythmically through short time windows when we can perceive more or less." The researchers use different metaphors to describe this throb of attention, including a spotlight that waxes and wanes in its intensity. Four times per second -- once every 250 milliseconds -- the spotlight dims and the house lights come up. Instead of focusing on the action "onstage," your brain takes in everything else around you, say the scientists. Their work appears as a set of back-to-back papers in in the Aug. 22 issue of Neuron; one paper focuses on human research subjects, the other on macaque monkeys. "The question is: How can something that varies in time support our seemingly continuous perception of the world?" said Berkeley's Randolph Helfrich, first author on the human-focused paper. "There are only two options: Is the data wrong, or is our understanding of our perception biased? Our research shows that it's the latter. Our brains fuse our perceptions into a coherent movie -- we don't experience the gaps." Perception doesn't flicker on and off, the researchers emphasized, but four times per second it cycles between periods of maximum focus and periods of a broader situational awareness. "Every 250 milliseconds, you have an opportunity to switch attention," said Ian Fiebelkorn, an associate research scholar in PNI and the first author on the macaque-focused paper. You won't necessarily shift your focus to a new subject, he said, but your brain has a chance to re-examine your priorities and decide if it wants to. Brain rhythms have been known for almost a century, since electroencephalograms -- better known as EEGs -- were invented in 1924. "But we didn't really understand what these rhythms are for," said Kastner, who was the senior author on both papers. "We can now link brain rhythms for the first time to our behavior, on a moment-to-moment basis. ... This is a very surprising finding, more since these rhythmic processes are evolutionarily old -- we find them in non-human primates as well as in our own species." This pulsing attention must present an evolutionary advantage, the researchers suggest, perhaps because focusing too intently on one subject could allow a threat to catch us by surprise. "Attention is fluid, and you want it to be fluid," said Fiebelkorn. "You don't want to be over-locked on anything. It seems like it's an evolutionary advantage to have these windows of opportunity where you're checking in with your environment." "It's an elegant way to allocate brain resources -- to sample the environment and not have any lapses," said Robert Knight, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Berkeley and a co-author on the human-focused paper. Kastner's lab focuses on macaque research, so she reached out to Knight's lab, which does similar studies on humans. The resulting papers are unprecedented, Knight said. "This is cross-species validation of a fundamental aspect of human behavior," he said. "I have not seen any back-to-back human and monkey papers appear anywhere ... and these are in the same issue of Neuron, a preeminent journal." Fiebelkorn agreed: "We have an assumption that what we find in the monkey will hold up in humans, but it's rarely checked as carefully as it is here." "Originally, we wanted to study something very different," said Kastner. "We wanted to ask how we can select objects from our cluttered visual environments. ... We were particularly looking at how the intake of visual information unfolds over time -- something that is rarely done in behavioral studies -- and this revealed the rhythmic structure of perception. It was a complete surprise finding." ### "A dynamic interplay within the frontoparietal network underlies rhythmic spatial attention" by Ian Fiebelkorn, Mark Pinsk and Sabine Kastner (DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.07.038) and "Neural mechanisms of sustained attention are rhythmic" by Randolph Helfrich, Ian Fiebelkorn, Sara Szczepanski, Jack Lin, Josef Parvizi, Robert Knight and Sabine Kastner (DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.07.032) were supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship), an intramural fellowship from the University of Oslo Department of Psychology, the McDonnell Foundation and several grants from the National Institute of Health: R01MH109954, R37NS21135, training fellowship F32EY023465, the National Institute of Mental Health grant R01MH064063, the Silvio O. Conte Center grant 1P50MH109429, and the National Eye Institute grants RO1EY017699 and R21EY023565. Rice University nanoscientists have demonstrated a method for loading iron inside nanoparticles to create MRI contrast agents that outperform gadolinium chelates, the mainstay contrast agent that is facing increased scrutiny due to potential safety concerns. "The possibility of eliminating gadolinium exposure and getting a two-fold improvement in T1 MRI contrast performance is going to intrigue radiologists," said Rice's Naomi Halas, the lead researcher on the project. "When they hear we've done this with iron I expect they will be very surprised." Contrast agents are drugs that improve MRI images and make them easier for radiologists to interpret. Radiologists can "weight" the results of an MRI and make specific tissues appear either brighter or darker by varying the conditions of the test. Two weighting techniques -- T1 and T2 -- are used. While iron-based contrast agents are frequently employed for T2 scans, there are few clinically available alternatives to gadolinium for T1 tests. "Iron chelates aren't new," Halas said. "It's widely believed they are wholly impractical for T1 contrast, but this study is a perfect illustration of how differently things can behave when you engineer at the nanoscale." Halas and colleagues from Rice and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center describe their findings in a paper available online in the American Chemical Society journal ACS Nano. In the study, they created a modified version of nanomatryoshkas, concentric layered nanoparticles that draw their name from Russian nesting dolls. Nanomatryoshkas and nanoshells, another layered nanoparticle Halas invented at Rice more than 20 years ago, are about 20 times smaller than a red blood cell and made up of layers of conductive metal and non-conductive silica. By varying the thickness of the layers, Halas' team tunes the particles to interact with specific wavelengths of light. For instance, both nanoshells and nanomatryoshkas can convert otherwise harmless near-infrared light to heat. This localized, intense heating has been used to destroy cancer in several trials of nanoshells, including an ongoing trial for the treatment of prostate cancer. The new study is the latest chapter in Halas' efforts to create light-activated nanoparticles with a combination of therapeutic and diagnostic features. These "theranostic" particles could allow clinicians to diagnose and treat cancer in the same office or hospital visit. Luke Henderson, a Rice graduate student and lead author of the ACS Nano paper, said, "If clinicians could visualize the particles through some sort of imaging, therapy could be faster and more effective. For example, imagine a scenario where a scan is performed to verify the size and placement of the tumor, heat is then generated to treat the tumor and another scan follows to verify that the entire tumor was destroyed." When Henderson, a chemist, joined Halas' Laboratory for Nanophotonics in 2016, Halas' team had already shown it could add fluorescent dyes to nanomatryoshkas to make them visible in diagnostic scans. Work was also underway on a study published in 2017 that showed gadolinium chelates could be embedded in the silica layer for MRI contrast. MRI scanners image the body's interior by briefly aligning the nuclei of hydrogen atoms and measuring how long it takes the nuclei to "relax" to their resting state. Relaxation properties vary by tissue, and by repeatedly aligning nuclei and measuring relaxation times, an MRI scanner builds a detailed image of the body's organs, tissues and structures. Contrast agents improve scan resolution by increasing the relaxation rate of particles. Gadolinium chelates revolutionized MRI testing when they were introduced in the late 1980s and have been used more than 400 million times. Though gadolinium is a toxic metal, the chelating process covers each gadolinium ion with an organic wrap that reduces exposure and allows the drug to pass from the body via urination within a few hours In 2013, Japanese scientists made the surprising discovery that gadolinium from contrast agents had accumulated in the brains of some patients, and subsequent studies found similar deposits in bones and other organs. While no adverse health effects have been associated with gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents, the FDA required drug makers to add warnings to the medication guides for eight widely used gadolinium-based contrast agents in December 2017. "In the earlier work with gadolinium, we noticed that the nanomatryoshka design enhanced the relaxivities of the embedded gadolinium chelates," Henderson said. "At the same time, we were hearing more calls from the medical community for alternatives to gadolinium, and we decided to try iron chelates and see if we got the same sort of enhancement." The results surprised everyone. Not only was Henderson able to boost the relaxivities for iron, he was able to load about four times more iron into each nanomatryoshkas. That allowed the iron-laden nanomatryoshkas to perform twice as well as clinically available gadolinium chelates. Henderson also found a generic way to change the type of metal that was loaded. By adding unloaded chelate molecules to the silica first, he found he could load metal by soaking the particles in a bath of metal salts. By changing the metals in the bath, he found he could easily load different paramagnetic ions, including manganese, into the nanomatryoshkas. After the metal ions were loaded into the silica, the final layer of the nanomatryoshka, the outer gold shell, was added. The shell, which is vital for plasmonics, also serves as barrier to prevent ion leeching. Henderson said the gold barrier also had a secondary benefit for the fluorescent dyes he added for dual-mode diagnostics. "All fluorescent dyes are subject to photo bleaching, which means they fade over time and eventually won't give off a measureable signal," Henderson said. "Even if you freeze them, which slows down bleaching, they typically don't last more than a couple of weeks. I was looking at an old sample of nanomatryoshkas that had been in the fridge for months, and I found they were still fluorescing quite well. When we looked more closely at this we found the dyes were about 23 times more stable when they were inside the nanomatryoshkas." ### Halas is Rice's Stanley C. Moore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and professor of chemistry, bioengineering, physics and astronomy, and materials science and nanoengineering. Additional co-authors include Oara Neumann, Runmin Zhang and Peter Nordlander, all of Rice; Valeria Marangoni, formerly of Rice and currently with the Graphene and Nanomaterials Research Center at Mackenzie Presbyterian University in Sao Paulo; and Caterina Kaffes, Murali Ravoori, Vikas Kundra and James Bankson, all of MD Anderson. The research was supported by the J. Evans Attwell-Welch Fellowship program from Rice's Smalley-Curl Institute, the Robert A. Welch Foundation, the Sao Paulo Research Foundation, the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health. Halas is co-founder of Nanospectra Biosciences, the Houston-based company that is developing and sponsoring clinical trials of photothermal therapies for cancer and other diseases based on her nanoparticles. A copy of the paper is available at: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsnano.8b03368 Other photonics research stories from Rice: Nanoshells could deliver more chemo with fewer side effects -- Nov. 8, 2017 http://news.rice.edu/2017/11/08/nanoshells-could-deliver-more-chemo-with-fewer-side-effects/ Freshwater from salt water using only solar energy -- June 19, 2017 http://news.rice.edu/2017/06/19/freshwater-from-salt-water-using-only-solar-energy/ Rice lab expands palette for color-changing glass -- March 8, 2017 http://news.rice.edu/2017/03/08/rice-lab-expands-palette-for-color-changing-glass/ Rice's 'antenna-reactor' catalysts offer best of both worlds -- July 18, 2016 http://news.rice.edu/2016/07/18/rices-antenna-reactor-catalysts-offer-best-of-both-worlds/ Rice experts unveil submicroscopic tunable, optical amplifier -- May 9, 2016 http://news.rice.edu/2016/05/09/rice-experts-unveil-submicroscopic-tunable-optical-amplifier/ Nanoscale drawbridges open path to color displays -- Dec. 4, 2015 http://news.rice.edu/2015/12/04/nanoscale-drawbridges-open-path-to-color-displays/ Rice finding could lead to cheap, efficient metal-based solar cells -- July 22, 2015 http://news.rice.edu/2015/07/22/rice-finding-could-lead-to-cheap-efficient-metal-based-solar-cells/ This release can be found online at news.rice.edu. Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews. Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,970 undergraduates and 2,934 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 2 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview. SAN ANTONIO -- August 22, 2018 -- Southwest Research Institute scientists are investigating using the latest remote-sensing technology to assess groundwater recharge more accurately. This information is critical for water resource managers, especially in arid regions. Groundwater collects in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock. Resources are replenished or recharged by precipitation moving slowly through geologic formations called aquifers. Groundwater supplies drinking water for about half of the U.S. population, including 99 percent of the rural population. "When managing groundwater resources, particularly in more arid environments, the greatest uncertainty lies in recharge rates," said Dr. Ronald Green, a groundwater hydrologist at SwRI. He will discuss this program at the Texas Groundwater Summit, sponsored by the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts (TAGD), August 29. Measuring recharge is difficult. Scientists have used various surface-based techniques to evaluate, model and infer recharge. Increased availability of remotely sensed data from multiple satellite platforms could allow scientists to estimate recharge more precisely. "Hilly topography and arid environments pose special challenges and opportunities for remote-sensing applications," Green said. "Using the Google Earth Engine, we combine precise elevation models, optical data and the Sentinel-1 satellite's two- and three-dimensional images of landscapes." The SwRI team also integrates data from two new satellite systems, the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) platform and the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS). The SMAP observatory measures the amount of water in the top 2 inches of soil. While designed to measure ocean winds during hurricanes, the SwRI-built CYGNSS constellation also makes measurements over land. These data might prove complementary to SMAP measurements. "Our research also assesses how vegetation affects recharge while refining precipitation patterns across watershed areas," Green said. "Improvements in data acquisition and interpretation will improve recharge estimates. This is particularly important in drier regions where water demand is rapidly outpacing availability." The Texas Groundwater Summit promotes and supports sound management of groundwater based on local conditions and good science. TAGD members represent 85 local groundwater conservation districts and 42 groundwater-related businesses in the state. ### For more information, see: https://www.swri.org/industries/water-resource-services. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will collaborate with the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) to develop and produce a camera on the spacecraft to Mars scheduled for launch in 2020 at the earliest. The two parties signed the Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (R&DA) on Mars Exploration Project ("the Collaborative Agreement") at a ceremony today (22 August 2018). The project is in support of the nation's first Mars probe tentatively scheduled for 2020, which aims to conduct an orbital and surface exploration of Mars in a single mission, the first-ever attempt in the world. The spacecraft for the Mars probe will compose of an orbiter, a lander and a rover. Under the Collaborative Agreement, PolyU is to design and produce a camera, "Mars Landing Surveillance Camera" ("Mars Camera"), which will be located on the outside top surface of the Mars Lander. The Mars Camera will monitor the deployment status of the Mars Rover with respect to the status of the solar panel, antenna, as well as the rover's movement. The information is critical for the successful movement of the Mars Rover onto the Mars surface. Professor Alex WAI, Vice President (Research Development) of PolyU, and Ms ZHOU Hong, Senior Vice President of CAST, signed the Collaborative Agreement on PolyU campus. Witnesses of the ceremony were: Mr Kevin YEUNG, Secretary for Education, HKSAR Government; Professor LI Lu, Director General of Education, Science and Technology Department, The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in HKSAR; Mr Carlson TONG, Chairman, University Grants Committee; Mr T C CHAN, Chairman of the Council, PolyU; Professor Timothy W. TONG, President of PolyU; Mr ZHAO Xiaojin, Executive Senior Vice President, CAST; Mr SUN Jing , Director General, Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, CAST; and Ms HE Nan, Director, Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, CAST. Chairman of the PolyU Council, Mr T C CHAN, said at his welcome remarks, "PolyU is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with experience in space missions. Our researchers have been involved in a number of national and international space exploration projects since the 1990s. It is our pleasure to work with CAST again to advance space technology and research through the joint development of Mars Landing Surveillance Camera, and support the nation's Mars Exploration Programme. We are keen to capitalise PolyU's expertise to further contribute to the development of the nation's space industry." Capitalising on its wealth of experience in developing state-of-the-art space tools, PolyU will mobilise a 20-member-strong research team led by Professor YUNG Kai-leung, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of its Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, to work closely with CAST experts on the development of the Mars Camera. The Mars Camera will have to be light in weight (around 380 grammes) while strong and durable under extreme temperatures during the extended period of space travelling between Earth and Mars (over nine months), followed by operation under extremely low temperature on the Mars surface. It will also be able to tolerate impact shock of 6,200G (i.e. 6,200 times of the force of earth's gravity). Despite having a wide angle field of view (a maximum of 120 degrees horizontally and a maximum of 120 degrees vertically), the Mars Camera will have low image distortion. Professor YUNG said, "Among all the difficulties in the research and development (R&D) work, the two biggest challenges are the wide field of view with low distortion optics under high impact force with little available mass, and the high reliability required under a prolong period of extreme temperatures, radiation, mechanical vibration, etc." The PolyU team, capitalizing on its experiences of previous space projects and synergising core technologies ready for its R&D work, is confident to complete and deliver the Mars Camera with the corresponding space qualification experiments within next year, ready for the launch in 2020. PolyU has been actively participating in space exploration projects through designing and manufacturing sophisticated space tools in the past decade. These include the "Mars Rock Corer" for the European Space Agency's 2003 Mars Express Mission, the "Soil Preparation System" for the Sino-Russian Space Mission in 2011. Being the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong that possesses international space qualification experiences, PolyU has been contributing unreservedly to the nation's space projects since the longstanding partnership between PolyU and CAST began in 2010. The two parties signed a pact for the establishment of a Joint Laboratory in Precision Engineering for Space Applications, and CAST donated advanced space research equipment to the Joint Laboratory. In the nation's lunar exploration programme, Professor YUNG collaborated with the mainland experts to develop a "Camera Pointing System" for Chang'e 3 and Chang'e 4, and then the "Surface Sampling and Packing System" for Chang'e 5 and Chang'e 6. ### Press Contact : Professor YUNG Kai-leung Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Telephone : (852) 2766 6592 Email : kl.yung@polyu.edu.hk For the first time, physicists at CERN have observed a benchmark atomic energy transition in anithydrogen, a major step toward manipulating a basic form of antimatter For the first time, physicists at CERN have observed a benchmark atomic energy transition in anithydrogen, a major step toward cooling and manipulating the basic form of antimatter. "The Lyman-alpha transition is the most basic, important transition in regular hydrogen atoms, and to capture the same phenomenon in antihydrogen opens up a new era in antimatter science," said Takamasa Momose, the University of British Columbia chemist and physicist who led the development of the laser system used to manipulate the anithydrogen. "This approach is a gateway to cooling down antihydrogen, which will greatly improve the precision of our measurements and allow us test how antimatter and gravity interact, which is still a mystery." The results were published today in Nature. Antimatter, annihilated on impact with matter, is notoriously tricky to capture and work with. But its study is key to solving one of the great mysteries of the universe: why anti-matter, which should have existed in equal amounts to matter at the time of the Big Bang, has all but disappeared. "This gets us just a bit closer to answering some of these big questions in physics," said Makoto Fujiwara, Canada's spokesperson for CERN's ALPHA antihydrogen research collaboration, and a physicist with TRIUMF, Canada's particle accelerator centre. "Over the past decades, scientists have been able to revolutionize atomic physics using optical manipulation and laser cooling, and with this result we can begin applying the same tools to probing the mysteries of antimatter." An antihydrogen atom, consisting of an antiproton and positron, is the antimatter counterpart of a hydrogen atom, made of a single proton with an orbiting electron. The so-called Lyman-alpha transition, first seen in hydrogen more than 100 years ago, is measured as a series of ultraviolet emissions when a hydrogen atom's electron is prompted to shift from a low orbital to a high orbital. Using laser pulses lasting nano seconds, Momose, Fujiwara, Canadian colleagues, and the international ALPHA collaboration at CERN, were able to achieve the same transition in several hundred antihydrogen atoms magnetically trapped in a vacuum. Aside from the very real challenge of trapping that many antihydrogen atoms long enough to work with them, fine-tuning the laser system components took years. "You can't actually see the laser pulses you're using to excite the antihydrogen and shift the orbitals," says Momose. "So, our team was essentially working and trouble-shooting the laser system in the blind!" The team's next step is to use the laser innovation to help produce cold and dense sample of anti-atoms for precision spectroscopy and gravity measurements. ### About ALPHA ALPHA is an international antimatter research collaboration based at CERN, comprised of 50 scientists from eight countries. The Canadian ALPHA team consists of scientists and students from the University of British Columbia (UBC), TRIUMF, Simon Fraser University, the University of Calgary, and York University. The Lyman-alpha laser team is led by Takamasa Momose (UBC), and consists of scientists, students, postdocs from UBC, TRIUMF and Calgary. ALPHA-Canada research is funded in part by NSERC, NRC/TRIUMF and the CFI. About CERN At the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. They use the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study the basic constituents of matter - the fundamental particles. The particles are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives the physicists clues about how the particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Carers for people with cancer are between 5 and 7 times more likely to have mental health problems than the general population, according to a landmark new study. The Dimbleby Cancer Care funded study identifies a major public health concern, according to the lead author Gunn Grande, Professor of Palliative Care at The University of Manchester. The study, 'Psychological morbidity* and general health among family caregivers during end of life cancer care: a retrospective census survey' reveals 83% of family carers of people with cancer have clinically significant distress - compared to just 15% of the general population. The study retrospectively measured carers' psychological health and general health during the patient's last three months of life. The study, which was supported by NIHR CLAHRC GM and carried out by the Universities of Manchester, Newcastle and Groningen in the Netherlands, has been published in the journal, Palliative Medicine. The team received responses from 1,504 carers through a national four-month post bereavement postal survey in the autumn of 2015. The survey was sent via the Office for National Statistics to 5,271 relatives who registered a death in May 2015. Local carers groups helped shape the material. The survey revealed: Psychological morbidity at clinically significant levels was substantially higher among carers than the general population (83% versus 15%), with prevalence 5-7 times higher across all age groups. Overall carers' general health scores were lower than population scores, median 75 (interquartile range 50-80) versus 80 but differences were more marked at younger ages. Female carers had worse psychological morbidity and general health than male carers. Gunn Grande, Professor of Palliative Care at The University of Manchester, led the study. She stated: "We were aware that carers' psychological health suffers when caring for the terminally ill, but we were surprised at the sheer scale of the problem. We found that the vast majority of carers suffered psychological morbidity at a level where further clinical investigation is recommended and where, for instance, their ability to concentrate, make decisions and deal with problems may be affected. If we can ensure that carers feel better supported, we are likely to reduce some of the more extreme stresses of caregiving, so that carers are more able to carry on their valuable work without being 'broken' by the experience". The Dimbleby Cancer Care Research Fund has awarded over 2.7million in funding since 2004 to research projects looking at all aspects of cancer care. Chair of the charity, broadcaster, Jonathan Dimbleby said: "This latest research reflects what unfortunately we see every day through our work; caring for someone with cancer can have a huge impact on your own health. The role these carers play is vital, but they need better support, which is why Dimbleby Cancer Care exists. "Caring for a loved one going through cancer can be both distressing and challenging and we are there to support them, be it through our information centres, our psychological support, complementary therapies and benefits advice teams or our recently launched Cancer Care Map website, which for the first time enables us to reach across the UK. It is clear from this research that ongoing support for carers is very much needed and would prevent a breakdown in caregiving and may ultimately, in the long term, produce cost savings for the NHS.". This is the second of three sets of findings to be published from the study. The first set, published last year showed that family carers of people with cancer on average provide almost 70 hours of care a week to look after their relatives in the last three months of life. The final results focusing on the economic value to society of their work will be published at a later date. ### Dimbleby Cancer Care was set up in 1966 in memory of broadcaster Richard Dimbleby and is based at Guy's Cancer Centre in Southwark, London. It provides practical and psychological support to people living with cancer and to their families and carers. The charity runs the UK wide online directory of support services http://www.cancercaremap.org which helps people locate care and support services in their local area wherever they are in the UK and has its own information and support centres at Guy's Cancer Centre and Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup. *'Psychological morbidity is not a specific disease. It simply means that a person is not healthy psychologically, including mental health issues, distress and anxiety For more press information please contact: Sarah@BluebirdPR.co.uk or 07870210025 Mike Addelman Media Relations Officer Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health University of Manchester michael.addelman@manchester.ac.uk 0161 275 2111 07717 881567 Notes to editor Jonathan Dimbleby and Professor Gunn are available for comment Case study, Tony Bonser, is available for interviews About Dimbleby Cancer Care Dimbleby Cancer Care provides practical and psychological support for people living with cancer, their families and carers. The charity was set up in 1966 in memory of renowned broadcaster Richard Dimbleby and is based at Guy's Cancer Centre, London. Its mission is to help make better for people facing cancer in the UK. It does this in three ways: through its online directory of support serviceshttp://www.cancercaremap.org to help people across the UK find care and support services nearest to them; through its Information and Support centres at Guy's Cancer Centre and Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, which offer a drop-in information service, specialist welfare benefits advice, psychological support, complementary therapies and the provision of Dimbleby pillows for cancer patients; and through the Dimbleby Cancer Care Research Fund which has awarded over 2.7million in funding since 2004 to research projects looking at all aspects of cancer care. Dimbleby Cancer Care receives no government funding and relies solely on public donations.http://www.dimblebycancercare.org. About The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR): improving the health and wealth of the nation through research. Established by the Department of Health and Social Care, the NIHR: funds high quality research to improve health trains and supports health researchers provides world-class research facilities works with the life sciences industry and charities to benefit all involves patients and the public at every step For further information, visit the NIHR website http://www.nihr.ac.uk About NIHR CLAHRC GM The National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care Greater Manchester (NIHR CLAHRC GM) is a partnership between providers and commissioners from the NHS, industry, the third sector and the University of Manchester. Hosted by Salford NHS Foundation Trust, It aims to improve the health of people in Greater Manchester and beyond through carrying out research and putting it into practice. Find out more at http://www.clahrc-gm.nihr.ac.uk or follow us on Twitter: @CLAHRC_GM About The University of Manchester The University of Manchester, a member of the prestigious Russell Group, is the UK's largest single-site university with more than 40,000 students - including more than 10,000 from overseas. It is consistently ranked among the world's elite for graduate employability. The University is also one of the country's major research institutions, rated fifth in the UK in terms of 'research power' (REF 2014). World-class research is carried out across a diverse range of fields including cancer, advanced materials, global inequalities, energy and industrial biotechnology. No fewer than 25 Nobel laureates have either worked or studied here. It is the only UK university to have social responsibility among its core strategic objectives, with staff and students alike dedicated to making a positive difference in communities around the world. Manchester is ranked 29th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2018 and 6th in the UK. Visit http://www.manchester.ac.uk for further information. Facts and figures: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/facts-figures/ Research Beacons: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/beacons/ News and media contacts: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/ A team of researchers led by the University of Minnesota has developed a new material that could potentially improve the efficiency of computer processing and memory. The researchers have filed a patent on the material with support from the Semiconductor Research Corporation, and people in the semiconductor industry have already requested samples of the material. The findings are published in Nature Materials, a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Nature Publishing Group. "We used a quantum material that has attracted a lot of attention by the semiconductor industry in the past few years, but created it in unique way that resulted in a material with new physical and spin-electronic properties that could greatly improve computing and memory efficiency," said lead researcher Jian-Ping Wang, a University of Minnesota Distinguished McKnight Professor and Robert F. Hartmann Chair in electrical engineering. The new material is in a class of materials called "topological insulators," which have been studied recently by physics and materials research communities and the semiconductor industry because of their unique spin-electronic transport and magnetic properties. Topological insulators are usually created using a single crystal growth process. Another common fabrication technique uses a process called Molecular Beam Epitaxy in which crystals are grown in a thin film. Both of these techniques cannot be easily scaled up for use in the semiconductor industry. In this study, researchers started with bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3), a compound of bismuth and selenium. They then used a thin film deposition technique called "sputtering," which is driven by the momentum exchange between the ions and atoms in the target materials due to collisions. While the sputtering technique is common in the semiconductor industry, this is the first time it has been used to create a topological insulator material that could be scaled up for semiconductor and magnetic industry applications. However, the fact that the sputtering technique worked was not the most surprising part of the experiment. The nano-sized grains of less than 6 nanometers in the sputtered topological insulator layer created new physical properties for the material that changed the behavior of the electrons in the material. After testing the new material, the researchers found it to be 18 times more efficient in computing processing and memory compared to current materials. "As the size of the grains decreased, we experienced what we call 'quantum confinement' in which the electrons in the material act differently giving us more control over the electron behavior," said study co-author Tony Low, a University of Minnesota assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering. Researchers studied the material using the University of Minnesota's unique high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a microscopy technique in which a beam of electrons is transmitted through a specimen to form an image. "Using our advanced aberration-corrected scanning TEM we managed to identify those nano-sized grains and their interfaces in the film," said Andre Mkhoyan, a University of Minnesota associate professor of chemical engineering and materials science and electron microscopy expert. Researchers say this is only the beginning and that this discovery could open the door to more advances in the semiconductor industry as well as related industries, such as magnetic random access memory (MRAM) technology. "With the new physics of these materials could come many new applications," said Mahendra DC (Dangi Chhetri), first author of the paper and a physics Ph.D. student in Professor Wang's lab. Wang agrees that this cutting-edge research could make a big impact. "Using the sputtering process to fabricate a quantum material like a bismuth-selenide-based topological insulator is against the intuitive instincts of all researchers in the field and actually is not supported by any existing theory," Wang said. "Four years ago, with a strong support from Semiconductor Research Corporation and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, we started with a big idea to search for a practical pathway to grow and apply the topological insulator material for future computing and memory devices. Our surprising experimental discovery led to a new theory for topological insulator materials. "Research is all about being patient and collaborating with team members. This time there was a big pay off," Wang said. ### In addition to Wang, Low, Mkhoyan, and DC, other researchers who were part of the team included University of Minnesota post-doctoral researchers and graduate students Mahdi Jamali, Junyang Chen, Danielle Hickey, Delin Zhang, Zhengyang Zhao, Hongshi Li, Patrick Quarterman, Yang Lv, and associate professor Aurelien Manchon from King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. This research was funded by the Center for Spintronic Materials, Interfaces and Novel Architectures (C-SPIN) at the University of Minnesota, a Semiconductor Research Corporation program sponsored by the Microelectronics Advanced Research Corp. (MARCO) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This research used the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering Characterization Facility. The research was supported in part by the National Science Foundation through University of Minnesota Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (No. DMR-1420013); and the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering's Minnesota Nano Center supported in part by the National Science Foundation through the NSF through the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN). To read the full research paper entitled "Room-temperature high spin-orbit torque due to quantum confinement in sputtered BixSe(1-x) films," visit the Nature Materials website. Despite plants and vegetation being key to the Earth's ecosystem, little is known about the origin of their roots. However in new research, published in Nature, Oxford University scientists describe a transitional root fossils from the earliest land ecosystem that sheds light on how roots have evolved. The findings suggest that plant roots have evolved more than once, and that the characteristics of roots developed in a step-wise manner - with the central root organ evolving first. And the root cap subsequently coming later. Dr Sandy Hetherington and Professor Liam Dolan - both of Oxford's Department of Plant Sciences and Magdalen College Oxford, conducted a microscopic study of the oldest known plant ecosystem - the 407 million-year-old Rhynie chert. Dr Hetherington said: 'The level of preservation in the Rhynie chert is truly remarkable - it never ceases to amaze me that I am able to examine the cellular organisation of plants that were growing 407 million years ago. It provides an exceptional window into life on the terrestrial surface at that time.' The defining feature of modern-day plant roots is the meristem -- a self-renewing structure that is covered by a cap at its apex. Root meristems are hard to spot in the fragmentary fossil record, which can make it challenging to unearth the evolutionary origin of roots. The authors found evidence of root meristems belonging to the lycopsid plant Asteroxylon mackiei. Lycopsids - commonly known as club mosses, are vascular plants (those with tissues that internally move resources) whose lineage branched off early, before the other higher plants (the euphyllophytes). The team were able to build a 3D reconstruction of the fossil meristem. The fossil analysis reveals that the meristems of A. mackiei lack both root hairs and caps -- they are covered instead by a continuous layer of surface tissue. This structure makes these roots unique among the vascular plants. The paper's conclusion suggests that these roots are a transitional step towards modern-style, rooted vascular plants. The findings support the idea that, as this cap-less transitional structure appears in a plant that is already a lycopsid, roots with caps evolved separately in lycopsids and euphyllophytes from their common, root-less ancestors. Discussing plans to expand on this work, Professor Dolan said: 'Our discovery suggests that plant organs were built up step-by-step during the course of plant evolution. 'The evolution of roots was a critical time in Earth's history and resulted in a dramatic reduction of atmospheric carbon. Now that we know that roots evolved in a step by step manner, we can go back to ancient rocks looking for structures that are missing "parts" that are present in extant roots. 'I really want to find out where root caps came from. They seemed to have appeared out of thin air. They are very important in extant roots; the root cap is important to protect the root as it pushes through the soil and it is the site where roots detect gravity. How did these ancient roots manage without a cap to provide these functions?' ### Notes to editors: Images (with credit details and captions) are available to download here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bl2o5k2i17qpc66/AAA_dCgS_5btYRHivaeJaLnXa?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/home/Asteroxylon%20Press%20Release The full paper will be available here: DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0445-z The research was supported by grants from Magdalen College, University of Oxford, the European Research Council and the European Commission. The Chattanooga Choral Society is recruiting new as well as old members to join in celebrating the rich legacy of African American Music. Auditions for vocal placement purposes and rehearsal will begin Monday from 7-8:30 p.m. at First Baptist of East 8th Street. For more information contact Michael Mitchell, director, at 645-6412. PITTSBURGH (August 21, 2018) ... The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) awarded $400,000 to the University of Pittsburgh to support two graduate fellowships in nuclear engineering over the next four years. Daniel Cole, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science (MEMS) and director of the Swanson School of Engineering's Stephen R. Tritch Program in Nuclear Engineering, will serve as principal investigator for the project. "The Nuclear Engineering Program dates back to 2006 when industry partners approached the Swanson School leadership for assistance with current and projected workforce development challenges," Dr. Cole said. "We started undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in Nuclear Engineering and have grown the program since." In 2017, thermal science researcher Heng Ban joined the Swanson School's MEMS department as R. K. Mellon Professor in Energy. He will serve as co-principal investigator of the project along with adjunct professor Thomas Congedo. Dr. Ban will be responsible for research and relationships with national labs involved in nuclear energy, and Dr. Congedo will establish industry relationships and act as a career advisor for fellows. Both professors will leverage the strong regional presence of labs and companies involved in nuclear power technology in southwestern Pennsylvania including Westinghouse, General Electric, Bettis Naval Nuclear Laboratory, Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc., Holtec International Corporation, and FirstEnergy. "Our program began with a strong educational focus on nuclear operations, and we have recruited reputable full-time faculty to the Swanson School who are capable of bringing in graduate fellowship awards from organizations like the NRC," said Dr. Cole. The NRC awarded 51 grants totaling more than $15 million in 2018 to 40 academic institutions. Recipients included four-year universities and colleges, two-year trade schools and community colleges, and other institutions federally recognized as educational establishments. The grants specifically focus on developing individuals with skills to benefit nuclear advancement and safety in fields such as health physics, radiochemistry, probabilistic risk assessment, seismology, and other nuclear-related areas. "These two new fellows will receive an educational experience that leads to a PhD and either a graduate certificate or MS in Nuclear Engineering and help grow the research portion of our program," said Dr. Cole. "In addition to providing classes in nuclear engineering, we will really be able to push the development of cutting-edge nuclear technologies for the benefit of regional industry and the surrounding communities." ### New research conducted by evolutionary biologists worldwide paints cities as evolutionary "change agents", says a trio of biologists from the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) who selected and edited the studies. A compilation of 15 new research papers, published today as a special issue of Proceedings of the Royal Society B, confirms that (a) cities frequently alter evolution by natural selection; (b) species are adapting to cities worldwide; and (c) new commensal species - those that live alongside humans - have arisen in response to the environmental demands and challenges imposed by urbanization. Marc Johnson holds clover"These papers greatly advance our knowledge of urban evolutionary biology," says Marc Johnson, an associate professor of biology at UTM and director of the Centre for Urban Environments. "These are the same evolutionary mechanisms first identified by Charles Darwin more than 150 years ago and the findings from these studies will be increasingly important as more and more of the world's population flocks to urban environments. "It's pretty remarkable. For years, biologists ignored cities, seeing them as 'anti-life', and only recently biologists began to realize that cities are agents of change, driving evolution of organisms living around us and even some living on us." In creating the issue, Johnson co-edited the project with two PhD candidates in ecology and evolutionary biology at UTM, James Santangelo and Ruth Rivkin. Santangelo also contributed a study to the compilation, developing the first theoretical models that predict evolutionary outcomes in urban environments. The special issue contains many other studies that also illustrate its key evolutionary findings. For example, a Belgian study of Daphnia magna, a type of zooplankton of freshwater ponds and lakes, demonstrates that cities frequently alter natural selection. Leuven researcher Kristien Brans and her colleagues collected Daphnia from ponds in both urban and rural locations and put them into holding tanks in the lab. They elevated the water temperature in the tanks and by measuring their protein metabolization and development were able to determine that the urban Daphnia were able to handle the stress of warmer temperatures more easily than their rural counterparts. Given that cities are warmer than rural areas, this ability to adapt to a warmer and often more stressful climate is essential, Johnson notes. Burrowing owlsParallel evolutionary changes in diverse urban locations are shown by a study of burrowing owl populations in South America, a project led by Jakob Mueller in Germany. He and his colleagues determined that separate groups of burrowing owls native to various South American cities had developed similar genetic responses, even though there was no cross-breeding between the populations. Urban environments share numerous features that likely account for these similar changes. The issue also illustrates how urban areas influence the evolution of invasive species and pests; in many cases, humans become agents for the dispersal and movement of their genes. For instance, Tina Arredondo and her colleagues at Portland State University in Oregon studied the spread of an invasive grass species, Brachypodium sylvaticum, across urban-rural boundaries and discovered that humans were actively involved in its spread, unwittingly carrying seeds as they pursued recreational activities on local waterways. "We are facilitating the dispersal and expansion of the plant's range to new areas," says Rivkin. "Humans are complicit in altering the genetic distribution of a variety of species." The special issue of Proceedings of the Royal Society B addresses some of the most pressing gaps in our understanding of urban evolutionary ecology and points the way forward for further study. "This issue marks the beginning of a very important area of research," Johnson says. "It will allow us to understand evolutionary biology more generally and to realize how important it is for humans and the environment in which we live. It also has important implications for understanding how organisms persist. Santangelo notes that additional research into urban evolutionary biology can also help us become better stewards of our urban environments. "Understanding how cities shape the evolution of urban populations can facilitate designing management strategies for urban pests and help minimize the impact of humans on the spread of invasive species," he says. Johnson adds, "There's lots to explore. This is just the start of a long and interesting road of scientific discovery." ### Media contacts: James Santangelo PhD candidate, University of Toronto Mississauga 647-828-9003 james.santangelo37@gmail.com Ruth Rivkin PhD candidate, University of Toronto Mississauga 226-820-6008 ruthrivkin@gmail.com Marc Johnson Director, Centre for Urban Environments 647-929-8707 marc.johnson@utoronto.ca Nicolle Wahl Assistant Director, Communications, UTM 905-569-4656 nicolle.wahl@utoronto.ca Air pollution shortens human lives by more than a year, according to a new study from a team of leading environmental engineers and public health researchers. Better air quality could lead to a significant extension of lifespans around the world. This is the first time that data on air pollution and lifespan has been studied together in order to examine the global variations in how they affect overall life expectancy. The researchers looked at outdoor air pollution from particulate matter (PM) smaller than 2.5 microns. These fine particles can enter deep into the lungs, and breathing PM2.5 is associated with increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, respiratory diseases and cancer. PM2.5 pollution comes from power plants, cars and trucks, fires, agriculture and industrial emissions. Led by Joshua Apte in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, the team used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study to measure PM2.5 air pollution exposure and its consequences in 185 countries. They then quantified the national impact on life expectancy for each individual country as well as on a global scale. The findings were published Aug. 22 in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. "The fact that fine particle air pollution is a major global killer is already well known," said Apte, who is an assistant professor in the Cockrell School's Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering and in the Dell Medical School's Department of Population Health. "And we all care about how long we live. Here, we were able to systematically identify how air pollution also substantially shortens lives around the world. What we found is that air pollution has a very large effect on survival - on average about a year globally." In the context of other significant phenomena negatively affecting human survival rates, Apte said this is a big number. "For example, it's considerably larger than the benefit in survival we might see if we found cures for both lung and breast cancer combined," he said. "In countries like India and China, the benefit for elderly people of improving air quality would be especially large. For much of Asia, if air pollution were removed as a risk for death, 60-year-olds would have a 15 percent to 20 percent higher chance of living to age 85 or older." Apte believes this discovery is especially important for the context it provides. "A body count saying 90,000 Americans or 1.1 million Indians die per year from air pollution is large but faceless," he said. "Saying that, on average, a population lives a year less than they would have otherwise -- that is something relatable." ### The study was funded through the Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions, an interdisciplinary research collaboration supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Apte was joined in this study by colleagues from University of British Columbia, Imperial College London, Brigham Young University and the Health Effects Institute. For years, a commonly used tactic for protecting threatened and endangered animals in Puget Sound was to cordon off areas to fishing. More than 100 marine protected areas exist around the Sound to protect shoreline critters and help fish populations such as rockfish recover to healthy numbers. But protecting Puget Sound is not just about recovering certain species of fish. As the region continues to grow, it is also about protecting the livelihoods and diverse cultures of the people who live there, and balancing their needs with the needs of the natural world. A team of University of Washington researchers and their collaborators tackled this quandary in a study spanning years and miles, across Puget Sound's rural towns and urban centers. Through surveys and interviews with residents, tribal members, boaters, and state and federal agency contacts, they found that policies are shifting toward restoration projects that include input from more groups and offer a range of benefits to Puget Sound, including flood control, salmon recovery, recreation and habitat protection. The researchers published their results online in June in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management. They believe this study is the first to document what has been a five- to 10-year policy shift in Puget Sound. Their study provides insights on how future restoration policies can meet the needs of various constituencies in the region. "Understanding how to manage resources in Puget Sound is going to require understanding how different social groups use and interact with these resources going back many thousands of years," said study principal investigator and corresponding author Patrick Christie, a UW professor of marine and environmental affairs and of international studies. Christie, together with UW marine and environmental affairs professor David Fluharty and colleagues, initially focused their study on marine protected areas in Puget Sound. Washington state has a long history of designating areas under different authorities to protect habitats for long-lived rockfish and to create marine reserves for recreational SCUBA diving. A network of marine protected areas across the country also employs this tactic to protect marine ecosystems and endangered species in the ocean. But the designation of new marine protected areas has largely stalled across the Puget Sound region. As the researchers collected information through questionnaires distributed in public places near 12 of Puget Sound's marine protected areas, they realized many local residents, boaters and fishers were unaware of the purposes for restricting fishing access in specific areas. Additionally, tribes co-manage fisheries in Puget Sound -- a federal treaty right reaffirmed in 1974 through the Boldt Decision. They have voiced an expectation to play a leadership role in the decision and process of setting up marine protected areas in line with their legal rights as resource co-managers, and expect clear scientific justification that protected areas are the best tool to protect Puget Sound salmon and other species. The researchers say marine protected areas likely do play a positive role in some situations in Puget Sound, but that restoration projects that engage more people and reflect multiple interests are likely to take the lead in future years. "In a sense, the advocates for marine protected areas maybe aren't willing to meet the bar that the tribes have clearly articulated," Fluharty said. "The process needs to recognize they are co-managers of the resource, and there has to be very clear scientific justification that marine protected areas are the right tool for the problem." To recover salmon populations in Puget Sound, for example, requires a broader and more complex effort spanning marine and estuarine waters, as well as habitat protections throughout entire watersheds. The second half of their study looks at an example of a restoration project that involved various social groups and produced multiple benefits -- a potential model for future restoration in Puget Sound. A similar approach has been used for the Nisqually Delta restoration project along Interstate 5 northeast of Olympia, as well as for the Ebey Slough restoration adjacent to I-5 near Marysville. The Qwuloolt project ("marsh" in Lushootseed, the traditional language of the Tulalip and other Coast Salish local tribes) was a large-scale, Tulalip Tribes-led effort north of Everett, Washington, to restore the mouth of the Snohomish River -- key salmon habitat -- by breaching dikes that had for years allowed the area to be used as farmland. The project lasted two decades and cost nearly $20.5 million, and it is largely seen as a success, mainly because of the negotiating and relationship building among a slew of constituencies. From their interviews with Qwuloolt project leadership and technical advisors, the researchers acknowledge that future projects modeled on this example need to cost less and move more quickly, but the basic framework of involving all parties and remembering that diverse social interests and cultures are part of the equation in Puget Sound are key to their success. "Frankly, if we want successful policy, we need to be attentive to types of work that highlight collaborative, inclusive planning processes, and a shift from policies that are government-led and not as inclusive of human dimensions toward others that are more collaborative," Christie said. ### Other co-authors are Haley Kennard, a UW School of Marine and Environmental Affairs graduate and the Washington Sea Grant Marc Hershman Marine Policy Fellow at the Makah Tribe; Richard Pollnac of the University of Rhode Island; Brad Warren of the National Fisheries Conservation Center; and Terry Williams of the Tulalip Tribes. The research was funded by Washington Sea Grant and the Puget Sound Partnership. For more information, contact Christie at patrickc@uw.edu. Forest ecosystems are elementary for a climatic balance. Countries such as China have recognized this fact; for years, they have been conducting extensive afforestation programs to compensate their rising CO2 emissions. As part of the global carbon cycle, forests take up about 45 percent of the carbon from the environment and bind it in the soil and as biomass over long periods of time. At the same time, trees can take up or release carbon in the short term, as well. Until now, however, there has been little research into whether the number of tree species in a forest has an influence on the carbon cycle in the ecosystem. A team of researchers from Switzerland, Germany and China has now collated comprehensive data on 27 forest allotments in the province of Zhejiang in subtropical southeastern China for a period of six years. The researchers, including some from UZH - investigated the amount of long-term, stored carbon (C stock) and the short-term carbon exchange (C flux). The forest allotments were chosen to represent a richness gradient ranging from three to 20 tree species and an age range from 22 to 116-year-old tree stands. Each additional species contributes 6.4 percent higher carbon stores Previous afforestation efforts in China have already contributed considerably to reducing the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. "However, China has limited its program to monocultures," explains Bernhard Schmid, professor of environmental sciences at the University of Zurich. "We wanted to find out whether a mixture of tree species compensates more carbon than just a single tree species." The researchers discovered that species-rich forests have a faster carbon cycle than those with just a few species. With increased species richness, more carbon is stored both above and below ground in trunks, roots, deadwood, mold and soil. Estimations of the team of researchers have shown that 6.4 percent more carbon can be compensated with each additional tree species in an allotment. In addition, older trees accumulate more carbon than younger ones. $300 million a year blown out into the atmosphere "Projected to all of China, additional carbon at a value of $300 million a year could have been absorbed from the atmosphere from 1977 to 2008 if species-rich allotments with 10 tree species had been planted instead of monocultures," says Bernhard Schmid. To reduce the atmospheric CO2 impact, the researchers therefore suggest planting species-rich tree mixtures in global reforestation programs as much as possible instead of using monocultures. The goals of fighting against global warming and preventing further loss of biodiversity in forests could thus be reached at the same time. ### Literature: Xiaojuan Liu, Stefan Trogisch, Jin-Sheng He, Pascal A. Niklaus, Helge Bruelheide, Zhiyao Tang, Alexandra Erfmeier, Michael Scherer-Lorenzen, Katherina A. Pietsch, Bo Yang, Peter Ku?hn, Thomas Scholten, Yuanyuan Huang, Chao Wang, Michael Staab, Katrin N. Leppert, Christian Wirth, Bernhard Schmid and Keping Ma. Tree species richness increases ecosystem carbon storage in subtropical forests. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 22 August 2018, DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1240 Lectures are a staple of higher education, and understanding how students interact and learn within the lecture theatre environment is central to successful learning. In a new study published in FEBS Open Bio, researchers examined students' reasons for choosing particular seats in a lecture hall, and investigated how seating positions correlate with student performance. Many students preferred being able to sit with their friends, while others were more concerned with either attracting or avoiding the lecturer's attention. Some students chose seats that allowed them to see and hear clearly, while others picked easily vacatable seats that made them feel less anxious. Friendship groups who sat together tended to achieve similar grades, and students who sat alone at the edges tended to do worse than average. Lecturers may be able to use these findings to provide assistance to anxious students, and to support the learning of all students by encouraging interactions between the different groups. "Interaction is a key part of learning and knowing who the students are interacting with can be a great benefit when designing activities," said lead author Dr. David P. Smith, of Sheffield Hallam University, in the UK. ### Additional Information Link to Study: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2211-5463.12494 About Journal FEBS Open Bio is an online-only open access journal for the rapid publication of research articles in molecular and cellular life sciences in both health and disease. The journal's peer review process focuses on the technical soundness of papers, leaving the assessment of their impact and importance to the scientific community. FEBS Open Bio publishes experimental findings, critical analysis, methodological and technical innovations, and hypotheses. Novel or innovative work is encouraged, but papers describing sound science of a confirmatory nature in developing fields or extending knowledge of an important topic from one organism to another will also be considered. Articles originally submitted to other FEBS publications (FEBS Letters, FEBS Journal and Molecular Oncology) can be transferred for consideration by FEBS Open Bio with their original reviewer reports, without the need to resubmit or reformat the manuscript. The Education section of FEBS Open Bio is devoted to research articles in molecular and cellular life sciences education, with the aim of disseminating advice on education techniques and resources. Article dealing with best practice, innovative methods, teaching bioinformatics, and use of technology in education are welcome, as are those more specifically aimed at internationalization, training or career planning. About Wiley Wiley is a global leader in education and scholarly research. Our online scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, combined with our digital learning, assessment and certification solutions help universities, learned societies, businesses, governments and individuals increase the academic and professional impact of their work. For more than 210 years, we have delivered consistent performance to our stakeholders. The company's website can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. A team of researchers from Waseda University, the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Harvard University, and the National Institute for Polar Research discovered silica mineral quartz in a primitive meteorite, becoming the first in the world to present direct evidence of silica condensation within the solar protoplanetary disk and coming a step closer to understanding solar formation and evolution. Though previous infrared spectroscopic observations have suggested the existence of silica in young and newly formed T Tauri stars as well as in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in their last phase of life, no evidence of gas-solid condensation of silica had actually been found in primitive meteorites from the early stages of our solar system. In this study, the scientists studied the primitive meteorite Yamato-793261 (Y-793261), a carbonaceous chondrite collected from an ice field near the Yamato Mountains during the 20th Japan Antarctic Research Expedition in 1979. "The degree of crystallinity of organic matter in Y-793261 shows that it did not undergo thermal metamorphism," explains Timothy Jay Fagan, professor of geochemistry at Waseda University. "This confirms that Y-793261 preserves minerals and textures of its nebular origin, providing us with records of the early solar system." A major component of chondrites includes refractory inclusions, which formed at high temperatures and are the oldest solar system solids dated. Refractory inclusions can be subdivided into calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) and amoeboid olivine aggregates (AOAs). The research team found an AOA in Y-793261 containing typical AOA minerals and ultrarefractory (very high temperature) scandium- and zirconium-bearing minerals along with the quartz (which forms at comparatively lower temperature). "Such variety in minerals implies that the AOA condensed from nebular gas to solid over a wide temperature range from approximately 1500 - 900C," Professor Fagan points out. "This aggregate is the first of its kind to be found in our solar system." They also found that the quartz in the AOA has an oxygen isotopic composition close to the Sun's. This isotopic composition is typical of refractory inclusions in general, which indicates that refractory inclusions formed close to the protosun (approximately 0.1 AU, or 1/10 of the distance from the Earth to the Sun). The fact that the quartz in the Y-793261 shares this isotopic composition indicates that the quartz formed in the same setting in the solar nebula. However, silica condensation from solar nebula gas is hypothetically impossible if minerals and gas remain in equilibrium during condensation. This finding serves as evidence that the AOA formed from a rapidly cooling gas. As silica-poor minerals condensed from the gas, the gas changed composition, becoming more silica-rich, until the quartz became stable and crystallized. Professor Fagan says that the origin of Y-793261 is most likely an astronomical object near 162173 Ryugu (commonly known as Ryugu), an asteroid named after a dragon's palace from an old Japanese folktale. Currently being investigated by the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa 2, Ryugu may share the same properties as Y-793261 and potentially provide more records on the early solar system. "By combining ongoing research on meteorites with new results from Ryugu, we hope to better understand the thermal events and transfers of mass that occurred during the beginning stages of our solar system." This study was published online in Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) on July 2, 2018 (EST). ### Reference Title: First evidence for silica condensation within the solar protoplanetary disk Authors: Mutsumi Komatsu, Timothy Fagan, Alexander Krot, Kazuhide Nagashima, Michail Petaev, Makoto Kimura, Akira Yamaguchi Published online in Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) on July 2, 2018 (EST) DOI: 101073/pnas.1722265115 University news on this study About Waseda University Waseda University is a leading private, non-profit institution of higher education based in central Tokyo, enrolling over 50,000 students in the 13 undergraduate and 20 graduate schools. Founded in 1882, Waseda cherishes three guiding principles: academic independence, practical innovation and the education of enlightened citizens. Established to mold future leaders, Waseda continues to fulfill this mission, counting among its alumni seven prime ministers and countless other politicians, business leaders, journalists, diplomats, scholars, scientists, actors, writers, athletes and artists. The University is also number one in Japan in international activities, including the number of international students, and has the broadest range of degree programs fully taught in English. - Are there any other items I can ask for during offer negotiations other than the salary and the visa type? Anything else that I dont know of and can smoothen my transition? Click to expand... - What type of visa should I ask for in the negotiations? Something that would help me with the citizenship in the future and maybe allow my wife to work in a few years. Click to expand... - What is the average after-tax salary that Ill be getting? I know it is a very difficult system and Ive been trying to wrap my head around it for a couple of days but I just want to know a range I can expect. Click to expand... - Is this offer good for a mid-30s couple? We go out twice a week, we dont drink, wed love a short European city break twice a year if our budget allows. Click to expand... OK, the main thing is that it's the employer that handles getting you a visa. Normally they have to obtain authorization to hire a foreigner and that can take some time. It's unlikely to be the case for you, but there have been some folks through here reporting that potential employers expect them to obtain a visa. Run far and fast from any arrangement like that.The visa system in France is very different from the US system, so the type of visa the employer secures for you shouldn't have any real effect over your ability to apply for citizenship once you fulfill the requirements.Main ones are relocation assistance (both moving costs and any relocation assistance in finding a place to live and getting set up with utilities and all). I'd also at least ask for tax assistance for the first year or two. (Worst they can say is "no.") As Americans, you'll have to continue to file US taxes as well as French and it can really help to have paid help the first couple of years. After that you can follow the example of what got filed in previous years.As I mentioned, there's not really much you can do on that score. A standard "salaire" visa is probably what you want. There are "catches" to things like "salaire en mission" (but I think you have to be transferred for that one) or the "passeport talent." After a couple of years, or if your wife finds a job she's interested in, she can probably get work authorization with little or no problem.The new system of withholding for income tax doesn't kick in until 2019, so that part of it is really difficult to know (especially since the withholding levels are based on your prior year's French taxes - not clear at this point how they will figure that for a new arrival from outside France), but traditionally you can count on withholding of about 25% or so for "cotisations" (social insurances - "payroll taxes" in US parlance).Honestly, that salary is considered quite good and is better than a good part of most families in France. One big factor is that you spend your money differently here - for one simple example, health care costs are mostly reimbursed (depending on the employer's mutuelle set-up) so that entire item is pretty much eliminated from your budget. If you have a company car, another big chunk of expenditures eliminated. Also, if you're working in Paris, you may very well be entitled to having your employer pick up one-half of your monthly transit pass.Cheers,Bev 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. A discount savings for Grand Circle Travel land tours or cruises has been made available by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. The savings offer is valid for first time travelers and can be utilized by any senior according to the AALTCI director. "We are pleased today to announce a $100-per-person discount that is now available to our organization's members who help older Americans plan for long-term care," announced Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance a membership-supported organization. "The special savings is offered to our members but is open for insurance agents at large as well as to any consumer age 62 or older." To take advantage of the Grand Circle savings offer, a traveler merely needs to mention Slome's name and the special Code 932019 when making a reservation. "This discount is ideal for Association members but we're able to make it available to anyone," Slome added. The Association announced the special savings as the latest benefit available that also includes discounts on continuing education, errors and omissions insurance as well as hearing programs for seniors. "There is more to life than selling insurance," Slome remarked during his call with the organization's members. An avid traveler, Slome shared that he had just returned from exploring Mongolia and the Gobi desert. Jesse Slome is founder and director of several insurance trade organizations that advocate for the importance of planning and support insurance professionals who market long-term care insurance, Medicare Supplement insurance and other health-related products. According to online resources, Grand Circle Travel has more than 30 offices worldwide and approximately 3,500 associates, guides, and crew serving more than 110,000 travelers per year. To learn more about long-term care insurance costs or to request a long-term care insurance quote from a local professional, visit the Association's website at www.aaltci.org or call 818-597-3227. Wednesday, August 22, 2018 The Herman Trend Alert August 22, 2018 Increasing Global Anxiety With so much uncertainty in the world, it is no surprise that Ipsos, a global research consultancy with offices in 89 countries would conduct a new worldwide poll regarding what is stressing people around the world. In their monthly "What Worries the World" study, Ipsos found the majority of people polled believe their countries are "on the wrong track" (56 percent). Increasing healthcare costs create stress Since most of our readers live in the United States, we will start there. The number one concern for US citizens is healthcare. According to CNBC, since 2009, employee out-of-pocket costs for a family of four increased a staggering 69 percent in the forms of higher co-pays and higher deductibles, not to mention an incredible 105 percent growth in employee premium contributions. During the same period, employer premiums rose 62 percent. Between 2008 and 2015, the percentage of family income spent on healthcare went from 8 to 12 percent! This increase means people have less money today as a direct result of the rising costs of healthcare. Different concerns abroad For global citizens outside of the US in 28 countries, the picture is different. The Ipsos poll found four major concerns for people around the world: Unemployment, Poverty/Social Inequality, Crime/Violence and Financial/Political Corruption. Unemployment tops the global list Unemployment is the leading fear for people outside of the US. The most worried nations about this issue are Italy (66 percent) and South Korea (64 percent), followed by Spain (58 percent). Russia with 41 percent has seen the largest increase in concern with a rise of 11 percentage points from the previous month (30 percent). The second most worrisome was Poverty/Social Inequality The countries most most concerned about Poverty/Social Inequality are Russia (64 percent), Hungary (57 percent), and Serbia (54 percent). As well as being the country most apprehensive about this issue, Russia is the country with the biggest increase in concern month over month, with a rise of 7 percentage points (57 percent). Interestingly, the least worried country about this issue is Turkey (22 percent). Issues of Crime/Violence and Corruption are also worrying citizens Worries about Crime/Violence are highest within South and Central America with Peruvians at 67 percent, Mexicans at 63 percent, and Chileans at 59 percent. Worries about Financial/Political Corruption are highest in Peru (62 percent) and Malaysia (60 percent), followed by South Africa (55 percent) and Spain (54 percent). What the current numbers mean for the future What futurists do is look at trends. With a possible change in US congressional leadership after November, we believe that in 2019, there will be a slowdown in the exponential rise of consumer healthcare costs. In South and Central America, as well as some of the Asian countries, we think there will be increases in concern about crime, violence, and corruption unless and until leaders emerge who are willing to put their countries before their self-interest. Looking at the historical perspective, we are not expecting this more positive development any time soon. We also anticipate a global economic hit (especially in the US) from the repercussions of Trump's tariff war. Bottom line, we can all expect more uncertainty and increased stress. To read the complete article, visit here. Copyright 1998-2018 by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist. 336-210-3548 or http://www.hermangroup.com. To sign up, visit http://www.HermanTrendAlert.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." A Houston pipeline and storage company received a $200 million equity commitment from a San Antonio energy investment firm. Candor Midstream, LLC, which was formed in 2017, on Tuesday announced the investment by EnCap Flatrock Midstream. The investment firm has a history of making investments in start-up oil and gas companies. Candor Midstream is led by President and CEO Darrel Hagerman, a former executive with Crestwood Midstream Partners LP and Enbridge. The money could be used to acquire existing assets or to start new projects. RELATED: Apache and investment firm form $3.5 billion pipeline company EnCap Flatrock Midstream was involved in funding two Houston energy firms that spent $2.6 billion on assets owned by oil giant Occidental Petroleum. The oil and gas explorer, also known as Oxy, sold its crude oil export Ingleside Energy Center Terminal to Moda Midstream and its Centurion pipeline system from West Texas to Cushing, Okla. to Lotus Midstream. Both privately held companies are backed by EnCap Flatrock Midstream. The sales came as Occidental was expanding its Ingleside export terminal to handle greater volumes. But the company has been increasingly focused on oil and gas production in West Texas Permian Basin oil field, and has been selling its other assets in recent years. Some of the candidates elected to seats on the Edgewood Independent School District board this Nov. 6 will have to wait awhile before taking office as the district eases out from under a state takeover. But trustees elected to South San Antonio ISD will have to hit the ground running to tackle budget problems and declining enrollment. They and other school districts hold board elections in November. Early voting runs from Oct. 22 to Nov. 2. Edgewood ISD In Edgewood ISD, two current board members who were appointed by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath in 2016 are seeking elected office: Stella Camacho, 54, and Richard Santoyo, 63. Camacho is unopposed for Place 2 on the board while Santoyo faces Dina Serrano, 34, a community activist, in the race for Place 6. James Hernandez, 26, who recently lost a bid for a seat on the Alamo Colleges board, is running unopposed for Place 1. Luis Gomez, 67, who ran in 2016 before dropping out because he was also working for the district as a construction consultant, is running unapposed for Place 3. All are seeking four-year terms. But Edgewood ISD is still under state oversight. This summer it began a slow transition back to a locally elected seven-member board, with a timetable that calls for a completely elected board by May 2020 but that gives Morath the discretion to set the pace and order of replacing the appointees with elected trustees. Only two members currently on the board are elected. Camacho, a freelance bookkeeper and tax prepareer, said she decided to run for election because she wanted to see the work she started through its finish. The state-appointed board of managers recently hired superintendent Eduardo Hernandez, and Camacho said she wants to continue supporting him while he spearheads a turnaround in the district. South San Antonio ISD In South San Antonio ISD, candidates are running in the wake of an unsuccessful tax ratification election which would have raised more than $6 million in revenue had it passed. The district is now faced with plugging a $6.4 million budget deficit in other ways when it considers adopting the 2018-19 budget on Wednesday. Additionally, the new South San board is expected to be sworn in soon after the district selects a new superintendent. Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra is leaving the district this school year and returning to a teaching position with Texas A&M University. Trustees recently approved a search timeline that could result in a new leader being named by early October. Four single-member South San board seats will be up for election, with incumbents in contention for all but one position. In District 1, incumbent Angelina Osteguin, 44, who has served as board president since late 2016 and presided over South Sans efforts to overcome state oversight and board infighting, is running for reelection. She will be opposed by Mandy Martinez, 33, who works as a senior specialist. Edward Mungia, 25, a staffer for San Antonio City Councilman Rey Saldana who was appointed to the vacant District 3 seat in January, will face Homer Flores, 46, a salesman and graduate of South San High School, along with his three children. The election is for a partial term that expires in November 2020. Similarly, Luis Rodriguez, 65, who was appointed to fill the vacant seat in District 6 in March, will face Gilbert Rodriguez, 44, an information technology specialist and South San alumnus. Two of his four children are also district graduates, and the other two attend Shepard Middle School. The races winner will serve a full term. The incumbent trustee in District 4, Leticia Guerra, is not seeking reelection for the seat she has held since 2014. Shirley Ibarra Pena, 45, a patient services representative, is running unopposed for it. Somerset ISD In Somerset ISD, two candidates are vying for the District 2 spot being vacated by Board President Omar Pachecano, who is retiring. Tim Segura, 45, is a human resources director with Talent Acquisition. Bea Villarreal, 53, is a teacher in the district. Villarreal must resign her employment in the district if elected, Somerset spokesman Maury Vasquez noted. Incumbents Don Green, Elizabeth Hansen and Sandra Rosales are running unopposed for their places. Each are running for four-year terms. East Central ISD There are two contested races in East Central ISD. Incumbent Michael Feller faces challenger Monique Presas, a former board member, for the District 2 seat. In District 5, Gloria Gutierrez, a retired regional business director for the Texas Health and Human Services Department, is challenging incumbent James Mulkey. Presas once ran against Feller and won in 2003. Last year, she stepped down because her daughter, a registered nurse, went to work as a teacher in the districts health cccupations program. Feller was appointed to fill the rest of the term. State law allows for an elected official forced to step down due to the hiring of a relative to run for the office a year after the hiring. Presas said her daughters employment would not affect her decision-making. School board members look at a department as a whole, she added, and rarely make decisions about a single employee. Similarly, Gutierrez is seeking the board seat she once held before stepping down for the same reason her son started a teaching job in East Central ISD. Mulkey was appointed to finish her term in 2011. Mulkey said he hopes to stay on to continue seeing work through that hed been involved in, including a $86.1 million bond voters approved in 2016. Incumbents Dell Braziel, District 7, and Steve Bryant, District 1 and board president, are running unopposed. Krista Torralva covers several school districts and public universities in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | Krista.Torralva@express-news.net | Twitter: @KMTorralva The Childrens Shelter of San Antonio, recently picked to handle the next phase of a statewide plan to radically change foster care in Texas, stands ready to take on what largely had been the states role: Keeping children safe in foster care, and helping them leave it as soon as possible. Shelter CEO Annette Rodriguez said other goals include better addressing the underlying trauma caused by abuse or neglect and keeping children in their home communities, so they can stay close to family members, schools and friends. Right now, 30 to 40 percent of kiddos who are removed are placed out of Bexar County, and weve got to try and bring them back, Rodriguez said at a presentation about the contract Tuesday. RELATED: Time does not stand still for foster children Bexar County becomes the third area statewide to embrace the so-called community-based care model, which became law last year with the passage of Senate Bill 11. Part of efforts to reform Texas beleaguered foster care system, the new model uses a single private contractor instead of the state to manage and oversee a network of foster care providers, or subcontractors, and related childrens and youth services within a certain region. The Texas Department of Protective and Family Services retains the role of investigating claims of abuse and neglect and removing children. A new division of the shelter called Family Tapestry will over time take on roles previously performed by DFPS, such as handling caseworker visits, coordinating childrens medical care and therapies, and overseeing court-related duties. READ ALSO: Texas Child Protection chief slams foster care pregnancy report For this work, it will receive about $35 million a year from the state, but that money will flow mainly to the subcontractors, Rodriguez said. The staff at the Childrens Shelter stands to increase from 71 to 400 as the program is phased-in over a period of years, she said, with an eye toward keeping caseworkers loads manageable. Each year in Bexar County, more than 5,000 children are removed from their families because of abuse or neglect, and about 2,600 end up in foster care, records show. The community-based model roll-out is happening as the state continues to deal with a federal judges ruling in 2015 that said the Texas foster care system leaves abused and neglected children more damaged than when they came into state care. Proponents say it moves decision-making to the local level, where it belongs, and factors in the unique needs and strengths of individual communities. . Critics have argued it takes critical oversight out of the states hands and sets childrens needs against the needs, including financial, of private entities. The move has had its problems. READ ALSO: 1,700 Texas foster children ran away last year, 245 currently missing A state audit found that the single contractor in the Fort Worth region, ACH Child and Family Services the very first in the roll-out wasnt monitoring some foster families adequately, and the state had failed to document how well ACH was doing its job in places. Rodriguez said those issues have been addressed and contractors are learning from prior missteps. Its a process for all of us, she said. Since that first contract, we have modified and changed and enhanced procedures. Former DFPS Commissioner Judge John Specia spoke at Tuesdays event, saying the new model will be an improvement over the present statewide patchwork of 350 contractors that work with DFPS in handling foster care. This is new, this is transformative, he said. Its going to take us working harder and closer together. Change is hard, change is necessary. Because the current system is not working. Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | mstoeltje@express-news.net | Twitter: @mstoeltje A total hydraulic failure caused the fatal crash of a T-38C Talon jet trainer last year near Del Rio killing one of the two pilots because he forgot to arm his ejection seat and became trapped in the cockpit when the plane plunged to the ground, the Air Force said Wednesday. Capt. Paul J. Barbour, 32, of Van Nuys, California, was killed because he overlooked the ejection seat in a preflight check, according to a newly released mishap report. His fellow pilot, Capt. Joshua Hammervold, ejected and survived the crash with injuries. The report said the pilots tried to avoid houses below. Those few extra seconds in the out-of-control craft may not have left Barbour enough time to realize he hadnt armed his seat to eject, according to the report. SEE THE FULL REPORT: Aircraft Accident Investigation The plane went down Nov. 20 on a routine training mission in a field between two subdivisions about 12 miles northwest of Laughlin AFB, not far from Lake Amistad outside Del Rio. Barbour, an instructor pilot who also served as aircrew flight equipment flight commander with the 47th Operations Support Squadron at Laughlin, was survived by his wife, parents and a sister. A look at the T-38C Talon The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer with an exceptional safety record. Air Education and Training Command is its primary user for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training. Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration also use the T-38. The T-38 needs as little as 2,300 feet of runway to take off and can climb from sea level to nearly 30,000 feet in one minute. Primary function: Advanced jet pilot trainer Builder: Northrop Corp. Power plant: Two General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojet engines with afterburners Thrust: 2,050 pounds dry thrust; 2,900 with afterburners Length: 46 feet, 4 inches Height: 12 feet, 10 inches Wingspan: 25 feet, 3 inches Speed: 812 mph (Mach 1.08 at sea level) Ceiling: Above 55,000 feet Maximum takeoff weight: 12,093 pounds Range: 1,093 miles Armament: T-38A/C, none; AT-38B, provisions for practice bomb dispenser Unit cost: $756,000 (1961 constant dollars) Crew: Two, typically student and instructor Date deployed: March 1961 Inventory: Active force, 472 Source: U.S. Air Force See More Collapse An airframe mounted gearbox failed on the left engine, resulting in the loss of the left generator and left hydraulic pump. The two pilots intended to make an emergency landing at Laughlin, but while on final approach discovered the plane lost other electrical systems with the failure of the right engine hydraulic pump and the right airframe mounted gearbox. The plane was uncontrollable leaving ejection as the only suitable alternative, the report stated. The (crew) transmitted their intent to eject, but delayed ejection over concern for a populated area below. Both pilots were instructors and experienced flyers. Barbour had 1,027 flight hours at the time of the crash, with 822 of them in the B-52 bomber prior to his assignment as an Undergraduate Pilot Training instructor. He was undergoing requalification training as an instructor after returning from a non-flying deployment in Africa. Flying in the back seat of the T-38, he and Hammervold let a verbal distraction keep them from completing a checklist before takeoff. A transcript of Barbour calling out the items as Hammervold confirmed them was included in the report. Barbour: K, ready canopies? Hammervold: Ready. Barbour: Clights on please. Hammervold: Lights on. Barbour: IFF is good. Confirm pitot heat on. Hammervold: Pitot heat on. Barbour: And the speed brakes centered and up. Hammervold: Centered and up. This is where I usually go 60 as youre straightening out. Barbour then replied, Oh yeah!... Oops, thanks. Here we go, and continued to call out the jargon of a pilot preparing for takeoff. Max. One, two good swings. MACS, tires, and were go jet. 145. Come on baby. Gear, flaps. 200 and below 16. Heres 250. The report noted that the checklist and confirmation ended after (Hammervold) interrupted the normal flow with the comment, this is where I usually go 60 as youre straightening out, Barbour did not call out the last two checklist items: verifying in both seats that a lever has armed the ejection seat and a selector is turned to a position that allows either pilot to start the ejection process for both seats. Out of habit, Hammervold armed his own seat. The Accident Investigation Board president, Brig. Gen.-select Joel Carey, concluded that besides the gearbox failure as the cause, other factors in the crash were a lack of maintenance guidance to address similar repeated failures of the aircraft. Including the day of the crash, the right gearbox assembly, installed in 2015, had failed seven times, all resulting in a sheared shaft, the report stated. The left gearbox assembly had five previous failures, none of which broke the shaft. However, the timing of the gearbox failures fell outside the definition of recurring discrepancy guidelines that require maintenance action and that a pattern of failure, was therefore, not discovered or identified, the report said. Carey found the pilots failure to complete the checklist caused Barbours death, and that a delay of about a minute in their decision to eject because of concern for populated areas below them was one of several factors that substantially contributed to the mishap. A transcript showed the pilots concluded at 3:45 p.m. they couldnt fly the plane. No I can barely control it. Can you control it from the back? Hammervold asked Barbour. Barbour took over the plane. We have a dual hydraulic fail. Expect that were going to be getting out of the aircraft, Hammervold reported over an emergency frequency. He then told Hammervold that he wanted to try to avoid houses on the ground. Hammervold agreed. OK. Lets see. Im full left stick. Oh man, I dont like these houses, Barbour said just before 3:46 p.m. Sixteen seconds later, Barbour told Hammervold, Its going to roll on us, dude, were going to have to go in a sec. Still, both pilots delayed the command to eject for another 10 seconds before simultaneously shouting, Bail out, bail out, bail out! The jets right wing was dipping and the plane banked in a slightly nose low attitude at around 2,000 to 2,500 feet above the ground when Hammervold pulled his election handle, with the seat clearing the plane two seconds later. Barbour tried to eject, but never got out of the aircraft. If the crew had not waited after realizing they couldnt land the plane, they might have had time to discover that Barbours ejection system was not armed, although there is no way of knowing whether this would have occurred, the report stated. As the events transpired, 7 seconds elapsed from the time (Hammervold) ejected until the (plane) impacted the ground. The plane left a crater and sparked a small brush fire on land owned by the National Parks Service, near the San Pedro Amistad National Recreation Area. Residents and law enforcement officers rushed to the scene. The arming lever of Barbours ejection seat and other evidence at the site confirmed it was improperly placed in the SAFE mode, preventing self-initiated ejection, the report said. Laughlin is one of four Air Education and Training Command undergraduate pilot training bases where novices learn to fly. Flight operations were suspended but resumed the following week at the base, home to 3,000 airmen and civilians. Three T-38 jets have crashed in the 2018 fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, including the one that killed Barbour and a crash Friday during a training mission out of Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma, in which the single pilot on board safely ejected. An AETC spokeswoman, 1st Lt. Geneva Giaimo, said there were no Talon crashes from 2014 to 2017. sigc@express-news.net Nearly three years after he was sentenced to federal prison for taking bribes from a San Antonio attorney, a former state district judge lost an appeal in which he claimed he did more special favors for others, including his own defense lawyers. Angus McGinty alleged former law partners Alan Brown and Jay Norton swayed him not to cooperate with an FBI investigation because they were among those suspected of corruption at the Bexar County Courthouse. McGinty argued that Brown and Nortons alleged potential criminal liability created a conflict that infringed on his Sixth Amendment right to effective counsel. The allegations, which helped McGinty avoid prison for two years, were kept under wraps for at least two years, until a three-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday issued a ruling disclosing them. The ruling also led to documents in the San Antonio case being unsealed that showed the allegations were a reason McGinty was able to delay serving his two-year prison sentence. In the 14-page ruling, the appeals court found that McGinty had implicitly waived a claim of conflict-of-interest, even though no hearing was held to specifically discuss the allegations that Brown and Norton came under FBI suspicion. The appeals court stressed that the FBI was unable to substantiate allegations against Brown and Norton. The pair vehemently denied the allegations in interviews. The 5th Circuit said there is no constitutional requirement for such a hearing. Instead, the proper inquiry is to evaluate the circumstances of each case as well as the background of the defendant. It found that given his more than 20 years in the legal system as a lawyer, state prosecutor, and state judge, McGinty was more sophisticated than those unfamiliar with the law. Even if McGintys experience somehow left him ignorant to the risk of conflicts and his right to unconflicted counsel, the court wrote, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez brought those points home when he conducted a hearing to take up another potential conflict that might exist. Before and while he pleaded guilty, McGinty waived any conflict issues after being informed that Brown and Norton had represented a client who had previously hired Albert Acevedo, the attorney who admitted bribing McGinty. Related: Ex-Bexar jailers plead not guilty to drug charges McGintys court-appointed appellate lawyer, David Gonzalez, disagreed with the ruling, and plans to appeal. Gonzalez stressed that intent with the appeal was not to disparage the integrity of Brown and Norton, but to show that the government should have disclosed to the trial judge, in this case Rodriguez, that there could be a conflict, given that Acevedo had first mentioned in December 2013 that he believed Brown and Norton were currying favor illegally with McGinty. That way, McGinty could have obtained a lawyer not connected to Bexar County. My concern was the government knew there was a conflict and there should have been a hearing or it should have been (fully) disclosed, Gonzalez said. The appeals ruling opened new wounds in a case that rocked the Bexar courthouse years earlier. Originally, the FBI opened a general corruption investigation in 2013 into nonspecific players at the courthouse, according to records that Judge Rodriguez unsealed this week. The investigation soon focused partly on McGinty after an FBI informant recorded Acevedo boasting about bribing McGinty, and wiretap evidence from Acevedos phone helped them mount a case. Acevedo also agreed to cooperate, and he helped the FBI collect more evidence against McGinty. McGinty resigned from the 114th District Court seat in February 2014, pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud in June 2015 and admitted that he accepted less than $7,000 in car repairs and other services from Acevedo in exchange for favors from the bench that benefited Acevedos clients. Judge Rodriguez sentenced McGinty in June 2015 to two years in the penitentiary, ordering him to turn himself in by November 2015. Related: San Antonio judge warns attorneys to behave or he'll make them kiss in front of the Alamo But McGinty persuaded Rodriguez to put off his turn-in date, and in December 2015, he met with the FBI and claimed he had received favors from several lawyers while serving as judge. He singled out Brown and Norton, and stated that the two attorneys had given him cash and free legal representation, the 5th Circuit opinion states. McGinty specifically alleged that Brown gave him an envelope of cash after McGinty set bond for one of Browns clients. He also stated that Brown came to his chambers to talk about a client, and that before discussing the case, Brown asked how Nortons (free) representation of McGinty was going. McGinty said that he sentenced Browns client to probation rather than prison based on the favors he received from Brown and Norton. McGinty also told the FBI that he had initially wanted to cooperate with the government, but he was persuaded against it by Brown and Norton. After Rodriguez learned about McGintys claims several months after sentencing, Rodriguez appointed attorney Gonzalez, of Austin, to handle McGintys post-conviction appeal issues. After mulling some of the the arguments under seal, Rodriguez rejected McGintys claims in April 2017, finding that he failed to show Norton and Browns performance was deficient or that any deficiency prejudiced McGintys defense, according to documents Rodriguez unsealed this week. Norton and Brown say McGinty made false claims against them in an act of desperation. Its dishonesty on the worst level, said Norton, who is now head of the trial division at the Bexar County District Attorneys Office. He is doing exactly what he professed to hate. What McGinty said is a bald face lie, said Brown, who first learned of the allegations over the weekend while out of state. After McGinty made his claims, a search of McGintys text messages turned up nothing incriminating. Further investigation by FBI agents showed that the defendant McGinty claimed received probation due to Brown and Nortons influence actually got his break based on a plea deal negotiated with the prosecutor in that case, the appeals court said. In the end, federal prosecutors in New Mexico, who handled the entire case because the San Antonio-based Western District of Texas stepped aside, declined to prosecute Brown and Norton, according to the appeals ruling. The panel also admonished prosecutors that the prudent course in a case like this is promptly and fully to disclose a potential conflict to the district court. McGinty eventually began his prison term in September 2017. He is serving his prison time in Memphis, Tennessee, and is to be released next year. Acevedo, meanwhile, gave up his law license after pleading guilty to a bribery-related charge and served 10 months of his 366-day sentence. Guillermo Contreras covers federal court and immigration news in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland Luis Solis wished his girlfriend good night at 10 p.m. Monday and prepared to leave his apartment, then caught a faint scent of smoke. His family keeps candles lit at night, so he assumed one had tipped over. He checked his daughters' room first. Everything was fine. Then the bathroom and his bedroom. Fine. Then he saw a haze of smoke in the living room and heard muffled screaming for help coming from outside. Fear kicked in when he opened the apartment door and thick black smoke rushed into his third-story unit from a massive fire that soon destroyed his and several other apartments at the Ashler Oaks complex in the 4100 block of Parkdale Street. The fire killed one woman, injured two others and displaced at least 10 people, officials said. As soon as Solis got his daughters, ages 3 and 8, and his girlfriend out, he heard a loud pop and saw his apartment consumed by a fireball. The flames just came out, and I was just thinking all of our stuff is gone. We're going to have to start all over, from square one, he said. Others were even less fortunate. The woman killed in the blaze has not been identified, but Solis said she and her son lived in a unit on the second floor. The son and another man tried to rush in to save her, but the fire overpowered them. Firefighters found her in her bed. The woman's granddaughter came to the apartment to deliver food to her around 9 a.m. Tuesday and broke down in tears when police told her what happened, Solis said. A man who lived directly under Solis, Tai Bannister, was in the intensive care unit at University Hospital, according to family members. He and his two sons were able to escape, but he went back to save his two dogs, said Anna Rodriguez, 31, mother to one of Bannister's grandsons. The fire was too strong, she said, so Bannister tossed the dogs from the second-story unit and was injured when he fell, Rodriguez said. Though in serious condition, Bannister expressed concern about his missing service dog, Jax, an Australian shepherd-blue heeler mix. Also injured in the fall, Jax was found Tuesday morning and treated at a veterinarian's office. Another man received cuts and burns to his hands and smoke inhalation, firefighters said. He also was taken to University Hospital for treatment. Residents described chaotic scenes as the blaze consumed the structure, with people screaming and trying to perform rescues before firefighters could arrive. San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood said his crews found people hanging out of windows. It was bad. I've never seen anything like that in my life, said one resident, Dawnte Hawkings, 22. It looked like some end of the world type stuff. Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire. The investigation may be a delicate one, as two of the four destroyed units are structurally compromised. They're completely demolished, Hood said. For us to be able to stop this (fire) at this four units was pretty amazing. On Tuesday afternoon, SAFD spokesman Joe Arrington said the investigation was taking a while because of the amount of damage caused by the fire. Hawkings lives across the parking lot from the burned building and was largely unaffected. But he still wants to move. He said the apartment's management sent out a gas leak notification last week, providing residents tips on what to do if they smelled gas. Representatives of Ashler Oaks were not immediately available for comment. Solis said the building was not equipped with a sprinkler system, and said he and other residents heard no fire alarms. He said he spoke with managers, who told him residents are responsible for ensuring their smoke detectors are working. The apartments were built in 1968, according to Bexar County Appraisal District records. San Antonio doesnt require multifamily properties that old to be retrofitted with fire sprinklers unless they go through a major remodel or a change in occupancy, said SAFD spokesman Joe Arrington. The latter means a change in the number of apartment units or the purpose for which the buildings are used. Since 2003, the city has required all newly constructed apartment complexes, multifamily dwellings and hotels to be equipped with fire sprinkler systems, regardless of how many stories they are, Arrington said. Prior to that time, San Antonio followed a rule that took effect in 1988, requiring fire sprinklers in newly constructed multifamily buildings at least three stories tall or containing 16 or more apartments per building. The city changed its code in 2015 to require sprinklers in all high rises, regardless of when built, after a fire killed five residents at the Wedgwood Senior Apartments, a high-rise building in nearby Castle Hills, in December 2014. Advocates say fire sprinkler systems save lives. From 2005 to 2016, only two people died in fires at Texas multifamily residential buildings equipped with automatic extinguishing systems, while 144 victims perished statewide in fires at such buildings lacking the equipment, according to a report from the state fire marshals office. Where you sleep, you ought to be protected because thats where youre the most vulnerable, said Shane Ray, president of the National Fire Sprinkler Association. Fire sprinklers buy time - and time buys life. So in these residential properties, the fire sprinklers there are to allow people time to escape. But if fire sprinklers arent required in older apartment buildings and the property owners or managers arent aware of the risks then they typically wont install them, he said. It is cost effective, Ray said of the equipment. Obviously, the owner of the apartments is at much less risk and liability. But the occupants are much less likely to die. The Texas Property Code requires landlords to install at least one smoke alarm in each bedroom of a rented dwelling. In dwellings where the same hallway leads to multiple bedrooms, the law also requires landlords to install at least one smoke alarm in the corridor near those bedrooms. Those smoke alarms dont necessarily have to feed into a central system, Arrington said. The Texas Property Code says battery-powered smoke alarms that arent interconnected are sufficient for rented dwellings that were occupied before September 2011. Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdowns One person died and two others were injured in an apartment fire near the Medical Center late Monday that had firefighters scrambling to help victims who were trying to escape the blaze San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood said people were hanging out of windows when firefighters arrived after 10:08 p.m. in the 4100 block of Parkdale Drive. The second and third floors in unit 12 were engulfed in flames, firefighters said. RELATED: 23-year-old San Antonio man accused of stabbing, choking friend to death after baby shower Hood said as firefighters were conducting multiple rescues, they found a person lying in bed on the second floor. "They put a ladder up, broke the window ... the room flashed on them," Hood said. The chief said a "flashover," a phenomenon that occurs when a room reaches high heat, filled the room with flames. The firefighters were unable to get inside, Hood said. "We made a valiant attempt to get this person out, but unfortunately, sadly she didn't survive," Hood said. Two others injured during the incident were taken to University Hospital. Now Playing: More than 30 units responded to an apartment complex fire at 10:08 p.m. in near the Medical Center, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Video: Jacob Beltran One person is in serious condition from jumping out of a window, Hood said. A second person was transported for cuts and burns. Four of the apartment units were "destroyed," Hood said. "They're completely demolished," he said. "For us to be able to stop this (fire) at this four units was pretty amazing." Hood said there was limited access for firefighters to get their equipment in and reach the blaze. Eight adults and two children were displaced by the fire. "There's a lot of confusion with folks running out of the apartments," he said. Firefighters do not yet know the cause of the fire or where it originated from. Hood said that two of the apartments were structurally unstable, and that there were still several hot spots on the remaining structures. "We're being cautious as we continue to knock down the fire," Hood said. Arson investigators were examining the scene. jbeltran@express-news.net | Twitter: @JBfromSA A San Antonio police officer did not follow protocol while responding to a call that resulted in her shooting and killing a woman with a history of mental illness, according to police suspension records obtained by the San Antonio Express-News. Officer Crystal Estrada disregarded a handgun magazine she saw in the womans home, which would have indicated the woman could be armed. After the officers forced their way into the room where the woman had barricaded herself and discovered she had a gun, Estrada sent an unarmed cadet to help in trying to disarm her, the records show. Estrada, who has been with the department for six years, was initially handed a month-long suspension in connection with the Jan. 27 shooting, but the suspension was reduced to one week because of her rights under the collective bargaining agreement. According to police, officers were called to the 13600 block of Bluffcircle after Kirsten Kloppe, 43, reported that someone was stalking her. After talking to Kloppe and her mother, Estrada decided to take Kloppe into custody under an emergency detention, which an officer can do when someone is deemed mentally ill and poses a substantial risk of harming herself or others. When Kloppe found out she was going to be taken into custody, she ran upstairs and barricaded herself behind an attic or closet door, authorities said. While Estrada and other officers were searching for a tool to pry open the door, Estrada noticed a handgun magazine. Nevertheless, Officer Estrada and Officer (Roland) Pacheco decided to force their way through the barricaded door, where they found Ms. Kloppe holding a handgun, according to the suspension document. Pacheco tried to disarm Kloppe, and Estrada ordered a cadet to assist him, according to the document. As the struggle continued, Estrada shot Kloppe in the torso when she feared Kloppe would harm her or the other officers, officials said. The report faults Estradas judgment for ordering the unarmed cadet to help disarm Kloppe and disregarding the handgun magazine she saw in the home as an indicator that Kloppe was armed. Estrada is also cited in the report for failing to properly load her two spare magazines, according to the document. The suspension was in effect from Aug. 14 to Aug. 20. San Antonio used more than 46 billion gallons of water from the beginning of 2018 through July 28 at least enough to fill 470 Alamodomes. Overall, that number is somewhere between 15 and 25 percent lower than it was two decades ago, said Brandon Leister, the conservation manager for the San Antonio Water System. "What that tells us and what that's showing us is that conservation is actually working, because as a city we're using less water per person across the board," Leister said. Though there's no easy way to compare water usage rates across the country, San Antonio is generally considered a low-water using city, according to Leister. "Nationally, we probably have the longest-running traditional historical water conservation efforts," Leister said. "Our efforts started in 1992 and we've never looked back since then, and we just continue to adjust with our customers." The majority of people in the Alamo City manage their water use, according to San Antonio Water System Communications Manager Anne Hayden but not everyone. According to records obtained through an open records request from the water system regarding water usage from Jan. 1, 2018, through July 31, 2018, 20 residential used a combined 18 million gallons of water, enough to supply 363 average households. The 20 largest commercial accounts used even more water. Combined, they consumed about 2.5 percent of the entire city's water use during that time period. But their water use is essential for operations, and they are also some of the biggest water savers in the city, Leister said. "They understand that if they're able to conserve, that it helps their bottom line," Leister said. "On the residential side, you know that's where it starts to get a little tricky. I guess where I'm going with that is if a residential customer can afford it and have that lifestyle, they're going to. And you're going to see some of those customers on the list." How do some residential properties use so much water? Irrigation systems are typically the biggest culprit causing high water use, but it's not always intentional. When reached for comment, several of the city's top residential water users complained of faulty pipes, broken valves, and sprinkler leaks that resulted in thousands of dollars of unanticipated expenses. "We are very conservative by nature and very aware of the water situation in San Antonio and we would never abuse the water privileges," said Nita Kiolbassa, who lives at one of the properties with the highest consumption. The home used more than 645,000 gallons. She said they have experienced three "very upsetting" leaks in their back alley, which went unnoticed for a period of time. "We've got all these brown spots (on our lawn) except for, unfortunately, our back alley looks very very green," Kiolbassa said. "We are addressing it as we speak." Two others on the list echoed Kiolbassa's sentiments, one of whom described the situation as "a catastrophic and ongoing breakdown in my irrigation system that has cost me quite literally thousands of dollars in water bills as well as plumbing bills." But leaks and breakdowns are not the cause of the majority of the properties landing on the list, according to Hayden. Most of the homeowners could not be reached for comment, but Hayden said it is not the first time many of the top users appeared on that list. Overhead images of the properties show the majority of them have pools, and Hayden said she's also known high water users to have vanity lakes before. The highest water use, however, is simply from watering the lawn, even if users are following the water restriction regulations. A sprinkler system in an average yard might use anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000 gallons of water during a 20-minute sprinkling session. On larger properties, that amount could be as high as 18,000 to 28,000 gallons for the same 20 minutes, Leister said. The top water user in San Antonio for the first seven months of the year used almost 2.4 million gallons of water. Four homes used more than 1 million gallons. "It's people really not having an understanding of the impact of when they turn that irrigation system on, how much water that actually is," Leister said. "There's a disconnect there." Why do some companies need so much water? The biggest commercial users account for even more water than the residential users, but it's more justifiable, said Leister. The companies on the top 20 list are also among the biggest savers, many of them using recycled water -- which is what the River Walk uses -- or saving and reusing their own. "I think it's safe to say that they're all actively participating in conservation programs," Hayden said. "Not only is it better for their bottom line, but they're also rewarded by their owners for becoming more efficient." An H-E-B production facility, for instance, which consistently lands at the top of the list, has found a way to save and reuse water while cleaning out their milk trucks a 23-step, hour-and-a-half process required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Leister said. A chip manufacturer in the city, which also uses a substantial amount of water, was able to maintain the same water consumption throughout the entire year despite 50 percent production growth, Leister said. "All of them are conservation-minded," Leister said. What happens to residents and companies who land on those lists? The San Antonio Water System has a working relationship with most of the companies on the high water consumption list and consistently works with them to decrease water usage, so companies on the list typically don't experience much change. But residents who land on the list are greeted with a letter in the mail, notifying them of their status. The water system offers to work with them to decrease their water usage, most often their outdoor usage. System officials suggest consultations to improve the efficiency of irrigation systems and encourage homeowners to convert landscapes to patioscapes. Decades ago, increasing efficiency was as simple as swapping out a 9-gallon-per-flush toilet for one more efficient (toilets now can use as few as 1.28 gallons per flush), but with outdoor water use, the system often has to form relationships with customers to remind them about ways to conserve water. "We find...you can't just interact with a customer one time and expect them to change their behavior," Leister said. "Our desire is to have as many and as much interaction multiple times with a customer." For those who are not water conscious, there is typically no required reaction unless the homeowners are breaking water restriction regulations. During 2018, the water system has issued just over 2,800 warnings and nearly 450 citations for breaking regulations city-wide, a comparable number to other drought years. Tips to conserve water The San Antonio Water System employs three tactics to help people conserve water: Incentive, education and regulation. An annual coupon program provides homeowners with $200 vouchers to convert a 200-square-foot landscape into a patioscape or a water-saver landscape area. Customers can redeem up to four coupons per year and up to eight per lifetime. The 2018 program kicked off Wednesday. The system also offers suggestions for improved landscape designs and water-efficient plants on a Pinterest-esq webpage. "Now is a good time to walk around your yard and see what's dead. That area near the street that gets way too much sun and can't make anything survive out there? Take it out," Hayden said. "Save some money, get rid of the grass. It just takes too much water to keep it alive." Regulation currently, second-stage water restrictions is the third tactic. Customers who receive bills that suddenly and unexpectedly increase can find their likely culprits online. Leaks in irrigation, sprinklers and hoses, toilets, water softeners and pools are the top five offenders. S. M. Chavey is a staff writer for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here. | sarah.chavey@express-news.net | 210-250-3122 | Twitter: @smchavey The political action committee that sued the local fire union over its petition campaign for three proposed charter amendments filed an appeal Wednesday, asking justices to overturn the trial courts decision and strip the measures from the Nov. 6 ballot. The Secure San Antonios Future PAC failed to persuade state Judge Cathleen Stryker on Aug. 15 to block the city from placing the item on the ballot, which was all but assured after the San Antonio Professional Fire Fighters Association gathered enough petition signatures calling for a referendum on three charter amendments. The PAC sued after the fire union failed to disclose it paid $510,000 to Texas Petition Strategies, a Central Texas political firm that had previously handled a charter-amendment petition campaign for the Houston firefighters union. A day after Stryker denied the PACs request for a restraining order, the City Council placed the three amendments on the ballot. Mikal Watts, the attorney representing the Secure San Antonios Future PAC, has asked the 4th Court of Appeals to overturn the trial courts decision before Sept. 5, when the ballots are printed. RELATED: PAC seeks criminal charges for fire union, others for allegedly violating election law The only way the three proposed (charter amendments) were submitted to the ballot by City Council on August 16, 2018 was because they were supported by signatures gathered on the illegally procured petitions paid for by the Fire Fighters Union, Local 624, the Watts appeals filing says. The proposed amendments would make it easier to use referendums to challenge council ordinances; cap the pay for future city managers; and give the fire union unilateral power to take contract negotiations to binding arbitration. Cris Feldman, the attorney representing the fire union, said he and his clients are confident in their position that the union did not violate state law. The opposition is certainly going to elaborate lengths to keep this matter from the voting public, he said. Its time to let the people of SA let their voices be heard at the ballot box in November. Union boss Chris Steele did not return a phone call seeking comment. Having alleged that the fire union illegally funded the petition campaign through use of union dues, Watts argues that the signatures should be tossed out. RELATED: San Antonio fire union to sue city over alleged First Amendment violation Watts said that, in a similar case from El Paso, a district judge denied a request to invalidate signatures on a petition that had been illegally funded. The appeals court there overturned the ruling and ultimately threw out the petitions. Opponents of the measures have said that if approved, the charter amendments would cause substantial damage to the local economy. Mayor Ron Nirenberg and other elected officials say the unions proposed amendments would severely erode the citys ability to operate effectively. Two of the nations major credit-ratings agencies have warned that the citys AAA bond status is in jeopardy. Setting aside other impacts, San Antonio would spend tens of millions of dollars more annually on interest, instead of capital-improvement projects, with each downgrade. People in four of the five biggest cities in Texas reported a total of about 5,000 misplaced or stolen guns last year, a fraction of the more than 40,000 firearms that go missing annually in the Lone Star State, according to estimates based on FBI data. But Gov. Greg Abbotts suggestion for a new Texas law requiring gun owners to report losses or thefts of firearms to police went nowhere this summer a task force of lawmakers assembled after the massacre at Santa Fe High School in May didnt even discuss it. As students return to Santa Fe High School this week, there is no momentum for the reporting law already adopted in 11 states and the District of Columbia, experts consider it one of the least controversial forms of gun-control or for any of the other gun-control measures Abbott asked lawmakers to research. The senate select committee charged with studying Abbotts safety plan this summer instead recommended safety measures that focus on tighter security on campus and increasing access to mental health services so troubled students can be spotted sooner and get help. BACK TO SCHOOL: More than just first-day jitters as Santa Fe students return three months after shooting The mandatory reporting law would make it a misdemeanor for a gun owner to fail to report a lost or stolen gun within 10 days. Stolen guns pose a significant risk to community safety, Abbott said in the safety plan he wrote after the Santa Fe shooting. Whether stolen from a gun store or an individual gun owner, these guns often head straight into the illegal underground gun market, where they are sold, traded, and used to facilitate violent crimes. Alice Tripp, legislative director and lobbyist for the Texas State Rifle Association, said the mandatory reporting law would do little to stop crime, and would instead punish crime victims. (What if theyve) been on vacation and they find out a week late? Now they're eligible for some giant blinking fine, or worse? I mean, that's just stupid, she said. Many gun owners dont have serial numbers and other identification information on hand before the theft or burglary occurs, Tripp said, raising another question about the usefulness of mandatory reporting laws. In 2017, there were 2,127 firearms reported stolen to the Harris County Sheriffs Department. During the same year, 1,730 firearms were reported stolen to the Dallas Police Department, and 193 were reported to the El Paso Police Department. From 2010 to 2015, 4,600 firearms were reported stolen to the Austin Police Department. During the same period, lost and stolen guns were recovered in connection to at least 600 criminal offenses, Austin police records show. Stolen gun data from San Antonio police, requested by a reporter three weeks ago, has not yet been made available. Because local law enforcement agencies independently decide how to keep track of stolen weapons reports, its difficult to know how many guns are stolen each year in Texas, said Eugenio Weigend, associate director for Gun Violence Prevention team at the Center for American American Progress. RECOVERY: Abbott announces another $1.8 million in grants for Santa Fe The most accurate count of lost or stolen guns comes from the FBI, which aggregates data from local law enforcement agencies. By analyzing the FBIs data set, the Center for American Progress estimates that over $79 million worth of firearms were stolen in Texas between 2012 and 2015, amounting to over 177,000 guns. What the estimates suggest is that it's a huge number of guns stolen per year, (whatever research) you use, Weigend said. Those figures alone are very scary. There's tons of guns being circulated that are stolen or lost that most likely will end up being used to commit a crime. Abbott also asked lawmakers to consider red-flag gun laws, which would expand current protective order laws and force gun owners to surrender their weapons if theyre deemed dangerous by a judge. Opposed by gun-rights groups, that proposal was quickly shut down by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick after hours of public testimony in both the house and senate. The other three gun control measures outlined in Abbotts proposal included strengthening gun storage laws, creating a case management system to close reporting gaps in background checks for firearm purchases, and requiring more timely reports to law enforcement about individuals who can no longer own guns. But those proposals gained little to no attention from lawmakers over the summer. Re: Squabble over CPS revenue underscores city-county rift, Puro San Antonio, Gilbert Garcia, Sunday: From the perspective of many of Precinct 3 Commissioner Kevin Wolffs constituents, his proposal to divert roughly $40 million of CPS revenue from the city of San Antonio to Bexar County is unwelcome. Most of the countys general fund is spent on jail and judicial services, while 77 percent of the citys general fund is spent on police officers, firefighters, EMS providers, parks and streets. Perhaps Wolffs proposal to take money away from public safety personnel, street repairs and parks in San Antonio and spend it on county jails and courts has some appeal for inmates, lawyers and non-city residents. But for most of the 77 percent of Bexar County residents who live in the city of San Antonio and appreciate the basic services that the citys shrewd investment in CPS helps pay for, Wolffs idea is imprudent. Dave Pasley Inefficient dictator? John Brennan, Omarosa Manigault Newman and the editors, reporters and publisher of this newspaper appear not to be in prison. If Donald Trump is a dictator, he is a darned inefficient one. I see articles from named people against everything the president does. Do you somehow think you can change peoples mind by throwing names of powerful people at them? Your problem is that it is the unpowerful people who are being helped by his policies. Boohoo if you have lost your power base. Penelope Talley Take his, too About my security clearance: As a retired Medical Service Corps officer, I fully understand the position that retired Adm. William McRaven has taken regarding his security clearance. In my last assignment on active duty, I too had a top secret security clearance. I retired on Sept. 30 1994. If it has not elapsed, I join the admiral in requesting that it be revoked! The behavior of the current administration cannot stand without the appropriate criticism and resistance. John Olmstead Croatia plans to secure additional long haul services after American Airlines announced plans to launch seasonal operations from the United States to Dubrovnik next summer, which will mark the resumption of flights between the two countries after 28 years. The Croatian Minister for Tourism, Gari Capelli said, "This year, a total of seventy new routes were launched to Croatia. This is the result of our project aimed at positioning the country as an airline destination, for which the Ministry and the Croatian National Tourist Board have allocated four million euros. This has allowed us to extend our reach beyond traditional foreign markets to far-away markets such as China, South Korea and the United States". Next week, Korean Air will commence scheduled services between Seoul and Zagreb, while earlier this summer Air Canada Rouge launched seasonal operations from Toronto to the Croatian capital. Zagreb Airport's General Manager, Jacques Feron, said recently, "Next year we hope for flights between Montreal and Zagreb to be launched. We also anticipate to finalise talks for the arrival of a Chinese carrier because Croatia is becoming of growing interest to Chinese tourists". The Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, added, "We are attempting to reach an agreement over nonstop flights between Zagreb, Beijing and Shanghai". Furthermore, the Croatian government has authorised the Minister for Sea, Transport and Infrastructure to commence talks with his Japanese counterpart over the establishment of scheduled flights between Zagreb and Tokyo. All Nippon Airways (ANA) has maintained summer charters from Japan to Dubrovnik for several years. The Minister for Tourism noted that, "Flights are crucial for boosting visitor numbers, especially from far-away markets. Several years ago, a very small number of holidaymakers arrived to Croatia by plane. Today, that figure is constantly growing. According to our estimates, it will amount to some 20% in 2018". The budget for the project entitled "Positioning Croatia as an airline destination" will be doubled next year. "The project aims to attract carriers from far-away markets. The Ministry's strategic goal is to develop Croatia as a destination which is accessible to various airlines, particularly before and after the height of the summer season", Mr Cappelli said. The Hartford Financial Services Group is acquiring the Stamford-based Navigators Group for $2.1 billion, with the merger agreement authorizing a go-shop period for Navigators to weigh any other offers that might surface. Navigators sells specialty lines of property and casualty insurance, including for complex risks in maritime, construction and energy industries. Shares were up 9 percent in Wednesday trading to nearly $70 a share, the amount of The Hartfords cash offer for the companys shares. Earlier this year, The Hartfords CEO Chris Swift had expressed interest in his company increasing its lines of specialty insurance via acquisition. From ... building the business, investing in our business, looking at acquisition opportunities I mean, thats been our consistent philosophy for a number of years now, Swift said in a late July conference call. Its just sort of our playbook of priorities that we would go down on exploring. That trail has led The Hartford to nearby Stamford, where Navigators established its headquarters in 2013 nearly four decades after it was founded, relocating from Rye Brook, N.Y. The state of Connecticut helped underwrite the cost of the relocation with $11.5 million in assistance in exchange for Navigators pledging to maintain a workforce of at least 200 people. Under CEO Stan Galanski, Navigators has its main office at 400 Atlantic St. in downtown Stamford, which is the headquarters offices for cable giant Charter Communications. The Hartford did not state immediately whether it would maintain the Navigators office in Stamford going forward, with the companys lease running through October 2023 and Navigators having made notable additions to Stamford civic life with the sponsoring of an annual triathlon for adults and kids, and volunteer efforts by its employees. Navigators entered 2018 with a total workforce of about 730 people, including 150 in the United Kingdom and most of the rest in the United States. In addition to Stamford, the company lists 20 more U.S. offices, including a location in Danbury where it is hiring for about 10 open jobs spanning claims and underwriting, with Farmington and New York City also home to Navigators offices. For its part, The Hartford has long been a fixture on varying lists of top employers, both in the Hartford area as well as nationally for the diversity represented in its hiring efforts and internal policies. Galanski joined Navigators Group in 2001 from a predecessor company of reinsurer XL Catlin which has a large office in Stamford, having worked earlier in his career at American International Group and Chubb. Robert Mendelsohn chairs the Navigators board of directors, with Mendelsohn a former executive of the Greenwich-based specialty insurance underwriter W.R. Berkley. The board includes company founder Terence Deeks, who is the largest single shareholder of Navigators with an 11 percent stake valued at $223 million under The Hartfords offer. Major institutional shareholders include BlackRock, Dimensional Fund Advisors and Vanguard Group. Navigators net premiums were up 14 percent in the second quarter to $379 million, with profits up more than half to $32.1 million. The company was coming off a $37.7 million loss last year, driven by the triple whammy of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria that drove claims of more than $67 million. For the same period, The Hartford booked earnings of $582 million after a $40 million loss in the second quarter of 2017, with revenue up 14 percent to $4.8 billion. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman GREENWICH As the owner of the Greenwich gourmet bakery/sandwich shop Something Natural, Seth Hirschel used to end his day with a bit of a bread dilemma. His staff baked dozens of artisan loaves, but demand varied and hed often find himself staging an impromptu buy-one, get-one sale or going door-to-door to share his rye, herb and Portuguese beauties with nearby merchants. Enter Food Rescue US. For the last six months, the Norwalk-based organization has sent food rescuers to Something Natural each day to pick up any leftover loaves and transport them to a food pantry, shelter or other agency where they wont go to waste. They take about 10 to 20 loaves a day, said Hirschel. It makes me feel good because the food is going to good use for people who need it. Thats the simple, successful idea behind Food Rescue US, which was founded in 2011 by two friends looking for a technological solution to the problem of hunger, said Carol Shattuck, who has been CEO since April. A Greenwich resident, Shattuck was finishing up close to 13 years at Americares when she joined the Food Rescue board of directors in 2015. This really intrigued me, she said. I loved the model and I loved the mission. So how does it work? Donors from restaurants to markets to college cafeterias register and list the kinds and amounts of food theyd like to donate. Agencies, in turn, register with the program and list what sorts of perishable and non-perishable foods they need to serve their populations. Thats where the technology comes in getting the donations to those who need them. Volunteers download the Food Rescue US app to their phones and can easily see donations that need to be rescued in their area. Volunteers can choose to adopt a regular rescue run or pick and choose available rescues when they have some spare time. Amira Mantoura has been rescuing food for a few years now. The Greenwich mother of three typically picks up donations from Trader Joes or other outlets three times a week on her way home from work. Store workers help her load her SUV with up to 15 banana boxes of donations often food thats right on the cusp of its sell-by date or has a packaging issue and shes off to the receiving agency. It doesnt have to be an inconvenience, she said. Its not a burden. And its definitely helping the fight against hunger, said Alison Sherman, Food Rescues communications director. According to Feeding America statistics from 2016, there is an overall food insecurity rate of 11.6 percent in Connecticut. The organization estimated about 29,370 children in Fairfield County do not have access to enough food to live a healthy, active life. Shattuck said there are about 10 restaurants and grocers donating to the cause and more than 50 active rescuers in Greenwich alone. The organization has sites as far away as Oregon, New Mexico and Florida. The University of Notre Dame and Ohio State and Duke universities all participate in their regions, as do many Fairfield County chefs determined not to waste food. We have a lot of relationships with chefs, Shattuck said. Some are relatively waste free. In Fairfield County, Food Rescue logs about 130 rescues a week. Nationally, it estimates it is providing 600,000 meals a month through the program. Shattuck gets in on the act when she has time. On a recent Saturday, she knew shed be driving to Stamford, so she checked the app, swung by Whole Foods and made a delivery. It all happened just seamlessly, she said. For more information on Food Rescue US, visit foodrescue.us. GREENWICH Atoms. Cosmic. Vibrations. Democracy. Self-importance. These words took on new meaning during a discussion about Leonard Bernstein, who would have turned 100 Saturday, at the Nantucket Project headquarters in downtown Greenwich Monday night. Throw out what you were expecting, Im not giving you a lecture of the history of Leonard Bernstein, said Steve Rowland, who facilitated the conversation. Instead, Rowland who produced the award-winning radio show Leonard Bernstein: An American Life used his oral biography as a platform to rehash questions the composer wrestled with in life, on the origins of life, the universality of music and the purpose of art. That openness is exactly what we hope for, said Scott Williams, the Nantucket Projects president. The house hosts two conversations each month, open to the public, as part of the organizations Mason Street Project, a local, low-key iteration of the Nantucket Projects annual ideas conference in September. That event, on Nantucket Island, draws multiple speakers and hundreds of attendees. Bernstein, famous for conducting the New York Philharmonic and for composing West Side Story, was not exposed to music as a young child, unlike many of his stature, Rowland began. As he researched his subject, he discovered the extent of the composers intellectual talents and his social conscience, aspects of Bernsteins life he introduced through excerpts of his radio show. Rowland played a bit from an interview with American pianist Leon Fleisher. The musician recalled how after shows, Bernstein would say: I was really on the edge of the abyss there. Before Rowland continued, Greenwich resident Tish Richardson asked, What does that mean? The audience grabbed hold of the concept of the abyss. To feel so full of passion, to feel the intention that could take you apart, to feel so inspired by a thing that you could lose yourself except that you cant because you have to keep it together to convey it, New York City-based performance artist Barbara Ann Michaels said. The abyss would be falling apart and the edge would be all the skill you had to practice in order to keep from doing so. When his presentation ended, Rowland passed out waffle cones with papers inside. In groups of two, people associated words on the papers with the themes Rowland introduced. Westport photographer Stephen Wilkes had atoms, which he associated with a letter Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis wrote to Bernstein and Rowland included in his presentation. In it, she thanked Bernstein for the piece of music he conducted for the funeral of her brother-in-law, Robert. When you think about it, each musician is like an atom, and Bernsteins gift was to stir these individual atoms and create this energy wave ... that got passed to Jackie in particular, Wilkes said. It affected her so deeply she had to write about it, and that letter stored the energy until you discovered it, and now that you discovered it, its creating more and more ripples after the fact. Rowlands eyes widened and he jotted down the comparison. This is a really good example of collective genius, thank you, Rowland said. Richardson had self-important, which begged the question if Bernstein had that quality. Some people have a sense they have a place in the world and that place is to speak out and show their ideas, Richardson said. Rowland agreed, and said people who have made contributions to humanity, including Bernstein, could be thanked for their self-importance. Williams lauded Rowland for weaving Bernsteins interests in science, music and existence into one story that got nearly all the audience members to speak. Hes the real deal, Williams said. I was completely blown away. Rowland, a Seattle resident, combined the talk with visits to New York City. Williams said Rowland has a shot at getting his show broadcast again. Its been broadcast once, and when it was, it won all these awards, Williams said. It seems more applicable now than ever, given that its his 100th birthday. The program aired on public radio in 2008. Among its honors was a Peabody Award. When asked if Monday nights discussion demonstrated Bernsteins importance to the Greenwich community, Williams had two words: Heck yes. For the producer who spent seven years making the radio show and getting to know Bernstein through others current celebrations of the composer remind him of the Bernsteins absence. Its too bad Lenny is not around to guide us the way he used to be, Rowland said. jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com Contributed Photo / Orange Police Department / Contributed Photo ORANGE A Stratford man was charged with driving under the influence after he was spotted by cops hitting a curb while driving, police said Monday. Adriano Bursey, 23, of Stratford, was charged with driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Colombia Capped 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 Colombia Capped ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Wall Street analysts have given Mongolia Growth Group a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but Mongolia Growth Group wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Ormat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. The Energy Storage segment consists of battery energy storage systems as a service and management of curtailable customer loads under contracts with U.S. retail energy providers and directly with large commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, NV. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Aptiv: A.E. Enterprises LLC, APTIVPORT SERVICES S.A., Alambrados y Circuitos Electricos S. de R.L. de C.V., Antaya Technologies, Antaya Technologies Asia Ltd., Antaya Technologies Corp., Aptiv (China) Holding Company Limited, Aptiv (China) Technology Company Limited, Aptiv (Shanghai) International Management Company Ltd., Aptiv (UK) Holdings Limited, Aptiv Asia Pacific Holdings (UK) LLP, Aptiv China Holdings (US) LLC, Aptiv Components (Shanghai) Company Limited, Aptiv Components India Private Ltd., Aptiv Connection Systems (Nantong) Ltd., Aptiv Connection Systems (Shanghai) Ltd., Aptiv Connection Systems Holding Deutschland GmbH, Aptiv Connection Systems Holding Hong Kong Limited, Aptiv Connection Systems Holdings (US) LLC, Aptiv Connection Systems Hungary Kft, Aptiv Connection Systems India Private Limited, Aptiv Connection Systems Korea LLC, Aptiv Connection Systems Services Austria GmbH, Aptiv Connection Systems Services Italia S.P.A., Aptiv Connection Systems Services Japan Ltd., Aptiv Contract Services Ciudad Juarez S. de R.L. de C.V., Aptiv Contract Services Matamoros S. de R.L. de C.V., Aptiv Contract Services Noreste S. de R.L. de C.V., Aptiv Contract Services Nuevo Laredo S. de R.L. de C.V., Aptiv Contract Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Aptiv Contract Services Sweden AB, Aptiv Contract Services Tamaulipas S. de R.L. de C.V., Aptiv Contract Services Tijuana S. de R.L. de C.V., Aptiv Contract Services Zacatecas S. de R.L. de C.V., Aptiv Contract Services d.o.o. Leskovac, Aptiv Contract Services de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aptiv Corporation, Aptiv Electrical Centers (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Aptiv Electronics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Aptiv European Holdings (UK) Limited, Aptiv Financial Holdings (UK) LLP, Aptiv Financial Investment Services (UK) Limited, Aptiv Financial Management LLC, Aptiv Financial Services (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Aptiv Financial Services (UK) Limited, Aptiv Global Financial Services (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Aptiv Global Financing Limited, Aptiv Global Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Aptiv Global Holdings (UK) Limited, Aptiv Global Holdings 2 (Luxembourg) S.ar.l, Aptiv Global Holdings Limited, Aptiv Global Investments UK LLP, Aptiv Global Investments UK LLP Luxembourg Branch, Aptiv Global Operations Limited, Aptiv Global Real Estate Services (US) LLC, Aptiv Holdfi (UK) Limited, Aptiv Holding Company LLC, Aptiv Holdings (Austria) GmbH, Aptiv Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Aptiv Holdings (UK) Limited, Aptiv Holdings (US) LLC, Aptiv Holdings Asia Pacific (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Aptiv Holdings Deutschland GmbH, Aptiv Holdings France SAS, Aptiv Holdings Limited, Aptiv Holdings Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aptiv Holdings US Limited, Aptiv International Company LLC, Aptiv International Financial Services (UK) LLP, Aptiv International Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Aptiv International Holdings (UK) LLP, Aptiv International Holdings (US) LLC, Aptiv International Holdings 2 (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Aptiv International Holdings UK Two LLP, Aptiv International Operations Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Aptiv International Services Company LLC, Aptiv Korea LLC, Aptiv Latin America Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Aptiv Latin America Holdings (UK) LLP, Aptiv Luxembourg Financial Services S.a r.l., Aptiv Luxembourg Holdings (UK) Limited, Aptiv Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Aptiv Malta Holdings Limited, Aptiv Manufactura e Servicos de Distribuicao Ltda., Aptiv Manufacturing Management Services S.a r.l., Aptiv Medical Systems LLC, Aptiv Mexican Holdings (US) LLC, Aptiv Mobility Services Austria MAT GmbH, Aptiv Mobility Services Deutschland GmbH, Aptiv Mobility Services Japan Ltd., Aptiv Mobility Services d.o.o. Novi Sad, Aptiv Properties Management Services (US) LLC, Aptiv S&P Mobility Services Spain S.L., Aptiv S&P Solutions Holdings (Spain) S.L., Aptiv Safety & Mobility Services Singapore Pte. Ltd., Aptiv Safety Services Deutschland GmbH, Aptiv Services 2 France SAS, Aptiv Services 2 US Inc., Aptiv Services 3 (US) LLC, Aptiv Services 4 US LLC, Aptiv Services 5 US LLC, Aptiv Services Austria GPD. GmbH & Co KG, Aptiv Services Belgium N.V., Aptiv Services Czech s.r.o., Aptiv Services Deutschland GmbH, Aptiv Services Honduras S. de R.L. de C.V., Aptiv Services Hungary Kft., Aptiv Services Italia S.r.l., Aptiv Services Macedonia DOOEL Skopje, Aptiv Services Netherlands B.V., Aptiv Services Poland S.A., Aptiv Services Tunisia Sarl, Aptiv Services UK Limited, Aptiv Services US LLC, Aptiv Services Ukraine LLC, Aptiv Technologies Limited, Aptiv Technology Services & Solutions S.R.L., Aptiv Trade Management Services (US) LLC, Aptiv Turkey Teknoloji Hizmetleri Limited Sirketi, Aptiv UK Pension Trustees Limited, Aptiv US Operations Holdings LLC, Aptiv US Services General Partnership, Arcomex S.A. de C.V., Arneses Electricos Automotrices S.A. de C.V., Auburn Enterprises LLC, Autoensambles y Logistica S.A. de C.V., Cablena S.L., Centro Tecnico Herramental S. de R.L. de C.V., Control Tec LLC, Control-Tec LLC, Cordaflex Espana S.A., Cordaflex S.A. de C.V., Daehan Electronics Yantai Co. Ltd., Delphi Automotive Systems Maroc S.A., Delphi Connection Systems Morocco S.A.S., Delphi Packard Kenitra S.A., Delphi Packard Meknes, Delphi Packard Moldova Noua S.R.L., Delphi Packard Tanger SA, Falmat Inc., Gabocom Ltd, Gabocom Sarl, Gabriel de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Harwich Holding GmbH, Harwich Holdings LLC, Harwich Holdings SAS, HellermannTyton (Proprietary) Limited, HellermannTyton (Wuxi) Electrical Accessories Company Limited, HellermannTyton AB, HellermannTyton AB Branch Office, HellermannTyton AS, HellermannTyton Alpha S.a r.l., HellermannTyton Australia Pty Ltd, HellermannTyton BV, HellermannTyton Beta S.a r.l., HellermannTyton Canada Inc., HellermannTyton Co. Ltd, HellermannTyton Corporation, HellermannTyton Data Limited, HellermannTyton Engineering GmbH, HellermannTyton Espana SL, HellermannTyton Finance PLC, HellermannTyton GmbH (Austria), HellermannTyton GmbH (Germany), HellermannTyton Group PLC, HellermannTyton Holdings AB, HellermannTyton Holdings Limited, HellermannTyton Kft, HellermannTyton Limited, HellermannTyton Limited Branch Office, HellermannTyton Ltda, HellermannTyton Manufacturas S. de R.L. de C.V., HellermannTyton Maroc S.ar.l., HellermannTyton OOO, HellermannTyton Private Limited, HellermannTyton Pte Limited, HellermannTyton Rohvel SL, HellermannTyton S. de R.L. de C.V., HellermannTyton SAS, HellermannTyton Services GmbH, HellermannTyton Services SARL AU, HellermannTyton Srl, HellermannTyton YH, HellermannTyton sp. z.o.o., Hellermanntyton Group, Hellermanntyton Morocco SARL AU, Inmobiliaria Marlis S.A., Inmuebles Wagon S.A., Interessengemeinschaft fur Rundfunkschutzrechte GmbH, Interessengemeinschaft fur Rundfunkschutzrechte GmbH Schutzrechtsverwertung & Co. KG, KUM Co. Ltd., KUM LLC, KUMAP Co. Ltd., Movimento (Shanghai) Co Ltd., Movimento Europe GmbH, Movimento Group, Movimento Group AB, Movimento Inc., Movimento International S. de R.L. de C.V., Noteco Comercio e Participacoes Ltda., On-Site Limited, Ottomatika, Ottomatika Inc., PT Aptiv Components Indonesia, Phoenix Assets Holdings Ltd., Pipe Holding GmbH, Potio Holding GmbH, ProSTEP Produktions Technologie AG, Productos Delco de Chihuahua S. de R.L. de C.V., PureDepth, PureDepth Inc., PureDepth Incorporated Limited, PureDepth Limited, Rebafin GmbH, Rio Bravo Electricos S. de R.L. de C.V., Staeng Limited, Tyson Intermediate Holdco Corp., Tyson Upper Intermediate Holdco Corp., Unterstutzungsgesellschaft mbH Delphi Deutschland, Unwired Holdings Inc., Unwired Technology, WF Global (BVI) Limited, WF Global (HK) Limited, Winchester Holding Inc., Winchester Interconnect, Winchester Interconnect (M) Sdn. Bhd., Winchester Interconnect (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Winchester Interconnect (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Winchester Interconnect CM Corporation, Winchester Interconnect Cable Assemblies LLC, Winchester Interconnect Corporation, Winchester Interconnect Hermetics LLC, Winchester Interconnect RF Corporation, Winchester Interconnect Ruggedized Corporation, YanCheng SeMyung Electronics Co. Ltd., gabo Systemtechnik, gabo Systemtechnik GmbH, nuTonomy, nuTonomy Asia Pte. Ltd., and nuTonomy Inc.. Wall Street analysts have given Botswana Diamonds a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but Botswana Diamonds wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Sweden ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares MSCI Sweden ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Grupo Supervielle SA operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of banking services. It operates through the following segments: Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Treasury, Consumer, Insurance and Asset Management and Other Services. The Retail Banking segment involves in granting of loans and other credit products such as deposits of physical persons. The Corporate Banking segment focuses in advisory services at a corporate and financial level, as well as the administration of assets and loans targeted to big clients. The Treasury segment operates with Government Securities of the Group, syndicated loans, and financial lease. The Consumer segment consists of loans and other credit products targeted to middle and lower-middle income sectors and non-financial products and services. The Insurance segment comprises insurance products, with a focus on life insurance. The Asset Management and Other Services segment offers mutual funds and other products and services. The company was founded on October 8, 1979 and is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Read More Westpac Banking Corp. engages in the provision of banking and financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Bank, Business Bank, BT Financial Group (Australia), Westpac Institutional Bank, Westpac New Zealand and Group Businesses. The Consumer Bank segment covers consumer banking products and services under the Westpac, St. George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne and RAMS brands. The Business Bank segment involves in sales and customer service of small-to-medium enterprise, commercial and agribusiness customers under the Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA brands. The BT Financial Group (Australia) segment manages wealth and insurance division. The Westpac Institutional Bank segment delivers a range of financial services to commercial, corporate, institutional, and government customers. The Westpac New Zealand segment comprises sales and service of banking, wealth, and insurance products for consumer, business, and institutional customers. The Group Businesses segment treasury which is responsible for the management of the Group's balance sheet, group technology which includes functions for the Australian businesses, and core support which covers Read More Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Denmark 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 Denmark ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. China Hydroelectric Corporation is a developer, owner and operator of small hydroelectric power projects in China. The projects are located in Zhejiang, Fujian, Yunnan and Sichuan. As of December 31, 2012, wholly owns 22 operating hydroelectric power projects and have controlling interests in three operating hydroelectric power projects. In March 2012, the Company sold 100% of the Yuanping hydroelectric power project. In April 2013, the Company sold the Yuheng hydroelectric power project, a 30 megawatt (MW) project located in Fujian province. In July 2014, the Company announced that it has completed the merger with CPT Wyndham Sub Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CPT Wyndham Holdings Ltd. Read More ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio The U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Development agency is investing nearly $60.5 million the single largest dollar obligation in Ohio Rural Development history to modernize and improve rural water service in Belmont County. Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett made the announcement Aug. 17 during her trip to Ohio. USDA is providing the funding a $45.5 million direct loan combined with a $15 million grant through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. It can be used to finance drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents. Funds will help build a new, 6-million gallon-per-day water treatment plant and a new administration building with laboratory. The water system also will benefit from technical upgrades such as state-of-the-art meter reading and water-quality monitoring. Countywide system The Belmont County Water System encompasses more than 500 miles of water lines. In addition to the 9,700 rural residents it directly serves, the system provides water to 23,300 residents through wholesale agreements with the villages of Belmont, Bethesda, Flushing, New Athens, Bellaire, and Morristown, along with the city of St. Clairsville, and the Tri-County Water Authority area of Jefferson County. Shale oil connection Belmont County has garnered national media attention as the potential location of a multi-billion-dollar natural gas ethane, or cracker, plant near Dilles Bottom, Ohio. This water improvement project will serve as the platform for Belmont County to absorb new demands for future development. Other Ohio projects On Aug. 14, the Rural Development agency also announced a package that includes $2.2 million in loans and a grant of $1.87 million to extend water lines in the Lake Milton region of Mahoning County. Another Ohio project in the Scioto River area, coordinated by the Earnhart Hill Regional Water & Sewer District, received $1 million in loans and a $675,000 Rural Development grant to upgrade the districts wastewater treatment plant. These two projects were part of an announcement of more than $124 million to improve rural water infrastructure in 23 states. Infrastructure focus In Fiscal Year 2018, Congress provided a historic level of funding for water and wastewater infrastructure. The 2018 omnibus spending bill includes $5.2 billion for USDA loans and grants, up from $1.8 billion in FY 2017. Eligible rural communities and water districts can apply online for funding to maintain, modernize or build water and wastewater systems. They can visit the interactive RD Apply tool, or they can apply through one of USDA Rural Developments state or field offices. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. Farmers and landowners are urging the police to take hare coursing seriously as a rural crime and prioritise tackling offenders as the new season kicks off. Hare coursing is a rural crime where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares, with gambling on the outcome common practice. The crime becomes more prevalent following harvest when large areas of arable land are cleared of crops, making it easier to travel across fields. The CLA, which represents landowners and farmers, has written to police and crime commissioners to urge them to help stop the sinister tactics, threats and intimidation used by hare coursers and arrest those caught in the act. Hare coursing is a major concern for many, particularly in the East of England. The crime has increased steadily in recent years. Cambridgeshire, one of the worst counties affected, reported nearly a 40% rise in reported incidents from 1184 cases in 2016 to 1634 in 2017. It follows news that more than 300 incidents of hare coursing has been recorded in the space of one month in Lincolnshire, severely impacting local farmers and their livelihoods. The rise in hare coursing has increased efforts to rid the countryside of it, as 31 police forces join farmers in stamping the practice out. The police forces, representing over 90% of forces facing issues with hare coursing in England and Wales, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have joined the NFU to highlight the illegal activity. 'Hardened criminals' CLA President and Cambridgeshire farmer, Tim Breitmeyer said that every year following harvest, farmers and landowners "brace themselves" for a rise in hare coursing. "We appreciate that police have a range of significant pressures but we want to ensure that tackling hare coursing remains a priority," Mr Breitmeyer said. It is a misconception for people to think this is a minor crime in the countryside. Those involved in hare coursing are hardened criminals often using threats, intimidation and in some cases violence, against anyone who questions or challenges their actions. These criminals dont think twice about trespassing on land, damaging crops and property. Nor do they give any consideration to the welfare of the hares involved, or the poor dogs frequently abandoned after the chase. Mr Breitmeyer added: As the recent National Rural Crime Survey has shown, those who work or live in rural areas feel vulnerable to crime. It is little surprise that many feel isolated and the criminals who roam the countryside to go hare coursing only add to this feeling of unease. Sentencing guidelines Within the letter, the CLA highlights its own work to deter hare coursing, which includes an action plan where it believes steps should be taken to tackle the crime. This includes the introduction of specific sentencing guidelines for hare coursing, the National Wildlife Crime Unit to be given sufficient resources to be able to treat hare coursing as a priority and for the police to be able to reclaim kennelling costs of dogs from offenders. The CLA recommends that any suspicious activity in the countryside should be reported to the police on 101, but people should not be reticent about calling 999 if they suspect a crime is actually taking place. However, it highlights that any violent criminal should not be tackled directly by members of the public, and calls to the police to report incidents of coursing should be made from a discrete location. Millions of Brits will learn about the little-known Lowline cattle breed as it makes its debut television appearance on BBC's Countryfile. Wessex Lowlines, a business based near Blandford, will appear on the Sunday night programme after being visited by Cotswold farmer and presenter Adam Henson earlier this month. It is thought to be the first time Lowline cattle have appeared on UK national television. Lowline cattle are the product of a research project carried out at the Trangie Research Centre in New South Wales from pedigree registered Aberdeen Angus stock purchased from Scotland, the USA, Canada and Australia in 1929, with additional top purebred Angus cattle being brought into the herd, according to Wessex Lowlines. From 1964 the research herd was completely closed to additional outside animals. In the early 1990s the Lowline herd was released into the open market. Purchased animals have since moved to New Zealand, USA and Canada and the UK. 'Largest in Europe' Wessex Lowlines farm manager, David Maughan said the TV appearance is a "fantastic opportunity" to promote the breed. We have been growing our herd of Lowlines for more than eight years and it is now the largest in Europe, but most farmers and smallholders wont know about them," Mr Maughan said. BBC Countryfile and Adam Henson were interested because we are doing something a bit different. Lowlines are smaller than many commercial breeds but you can keep more per acre of land and they are docile, easy-handling, grass-fed animals, and the beef tastes amazing. During the visit Adam met the small team of people who run the farm and tasted some Lowline steaks from the on-site farm shop. Wessex Lowlines say they hope the programme will generate bookings from like-minded farmers and smallholders who can see the cattle first-hand at an open day on 7 October. The programme is due to air at 7pm on Sunday 26 August on BBC One. The prospect of the UK leaving the EU next March with no trade deal in place is "worrying and would have serious implications" for the UKs beef and sheep sectors. Livestock representatives from the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), NFU Scotland and NFU Cymru say a no-deal Brexit will leave the sector "vulnerable". The comments by the farming unions were made following a recent meeting in Belfast. Discussions focused on the possibility of a no-deal Brexit outcome and the UKs future agricultural policy. UFU beef and lamb chairman, Sam Chesney said free and frictionless access to export markets in the EU is "vital" to the survival of the livestock sector. A no deal outcome is very risky we would face up to 60 per cent tariffs on exports and could result in unfair competition in the UK market from lower standard meat imported from outside of Europe. It would put the livestock sector in serious jeopardy, Mr Chesney said. 'Critical to rural economy' Wyn Evans, an upland farmer from Mid Wales and Chairman of the NFU Cymru Livestock Board, has labelled sheep production "critical" to the rural economy of Wales. He said it also brings environmental benefits The Government in its future trade talks with the EU must ensure that we have measures in place that continue to allow tariff free and unfettered access to export markets in Europe," Mr Evans said. This is vital to maintaining the already tight margins in this sector." Mr Evans said the whole of the rural economy would be affected and the knock on effect lower production levels would have on the landscape and the environment. He said a "critical level" of supply of high quality PGI status Welsh lambs is "essential" to keep a viable processing sector in Wales. Thousands of farmers The UK currently exports more than 380 million worth of lamb and sheepmeat, with the vast majority being exported to European markets. Farmers worry that any imposition of barriers to trade as a result of Brexit will impact thousands of sheep and cattle farming businesses across the UK. NFU Scotland Livestock Committee Vice Chairman, Jimmy Ireland said a no deal Brexit could have "unthinkable consequences" on Scottish farms and crofts. He has also called for the UK government to secure future protection of Scottish food names, such as Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI. These names are synonymous with quality, and farmers feel the industry must be protected from imitation, both in the United Kingdom and the European Union. Future support for the food and farming sector must deliver on-farm profitability that ensures there is a critical mass of cattle and sheep to drive productivity across the supply chain, Mr Ireland said. The farming unions have confirmed they will work together throughout summer and autumn in a bid to highlight the importance of avoiding a no deal Brexit as the UK enters a "critical period" in the Brexit negotiations. Eight pig producers from across Europe have won international awards for their innovation in pig production, including one British farmer. They are the winning entrants in the EU PiG Innovation Group Grand Prix and have each been awarded the title of EU PiG Ambassador. It is an annual competition designed to identify best practice on pig farms and share it with pig producers throughout the European network and beyond. British farmer David Goodier has won best practice in the 'precision production' category. The farrow-to-finish producer is measuring and managing gilt body condition more accurately. This is to help retain more young sows in the herd and improve sow lifetime productivity, while reducing the replacement rate of gilts and associated costs. EU PiG coordinator Ben Williams, of AHDB in the UK said of the competition: It shares new knowledge and practical case studies all in one place online, helping producers across Europe find out about the ideas and systems already out there that can help improve their own farms efficiency and sustainability. Its a bit like going on a study tour without having to travel. EU PiG is providing another way for producers to pick up information and experience directly from each other. Mr Williams added: It is about connecting pig producers and others across Europe to help ensure an evermore efficient and competitive industry. 2018 EU PiG Grand Prix winners Precision Daily manure removal to reduce emissions - Netherlands Improving young sow retention - United Kingdom Meat quality Easy weighing of pigs for slaughter - Netherlands Olive oil as a source of fat for pigs - Belgium Welfare Birth management in loose farrowing systems - Austria Novelty enrichment material - Spain Health Different feeds as zinc oxide alternatives - Belgium Cross-company approach to PRRS - Belgium 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. Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson has become the highest paid actress in the world, according to an international 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 Angelina Jolie, who is 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 previous year. Reese Witherspoon, 42, is at number five with USD 16.5 million. The rest of the top 10 included 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. Next Story : Celebrate World Pasta Day With Three Yummy Pasta Dishes Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Five days ago, the nation lost Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was known to be a great leader and a prolific writer and orator. He passed away on August 16 at the age of 93. He was admitted at Delhi's AIIMS hospital since June this year. However, his health deteriorated and later he was put on life support systems. Salman Khan, who is currently busy shooting for Bharat in Malta, took to his Twitter handle yesterday to express his grief at the death of the former Prime Minister. The superstar tweeted, "Truly a sad feeing to have lost a great leader, noble politician, orator and an exceptional human being like Atal ji." Unfortunately following this tweet, the netizens felt that the tribute came in too late and started trolling him on Twitter for the same. Here's what some of them had to say. @mayur_valodra_ '@BeingSalmanKhan Bhai ka Net Slow tha , abhi network Mila hog.' @philosofateem 'Bada jaldi realise kiya bhai ne..woh bhee itnaa sad feeings' se bhara tweet!' @Richatriya 'Tiger so raha tha ' @Wordsslay 'Jab jaago tab savera.' Meanwhile, Salman also expressed his grief at the loss of life in the devastating Kerala floods. He tweeted, "Still deeply saddened by the calamity that has hit Kerala, my heart goes out to all who have suffered a loss and very happy to hear all the souls who have gone back to help out the victims." The Big Lineup As many as 5 Malayalam movies were lined up for release during the Onam season of 2018. Biju Menon's Padayottam, Nivin Pauly's Kayamkulam Kochunni, Mammootty's Oru Kuttanadan Blog, Fahadh Faasil's Varatha and Tovino Thomas's Theevdandi, etc., were the films expected to release during the Onam season. Official Confirmation Now, it has been confirmed that none of these films will be in the theatres during the Onam season. According to a recent report by Times Of India, MC Bobby, who is the official of Film Exhibitors United Organization of Kerala (FEUOK), has stated that all the releases have been postponed. The Release Plan In the report, it has also been mentioned that the Kerala Film Chambers Of Commerce has called a meeting with the producers, exhibitors and distributors to find a proper slot for releasing these movies. MC Bobby has mentioned that they are planning to release one movie/week in the weeks to come. At The Theatres Meanwhile, some of the theatres across the state are functioning. The theatres are playing some of the previous Malayalam movie releases like Iblis, Oru Pazhaya Bomb Kadha, etc. Other language releases like Vishwaroopam 2, Gold, etc., too are in the theatres. Mouni Roy became a household name with her role of Sati in Devon Ke Dev - Mahadev. Also, the actress' show Naagin topped the TRP chart. After impressing the television viewers, the actress made her Bollywood debut with Gold that stars Akshay Kumar. She went on to win lot of hearts with her debut movie as well! Apart from fans many television actors appreciated her work and the film also received a lot of praises! But it looks like this particular television actor didn't like the film! We are talking about &TV's Siddhi Vinayak's actor Shardul Pandit, who took to his Facebook account to criticize the film. And it looks like the actor didn't like Akshay Kumar's performance as well! Although Shradul called Mouni pretty, he raised questions about Mouni's lip job! The actor later deleted the post. In his post, Shardul wrote, "Gold is a sad attempt at making a testosterone version of Chakde. Just coz it was independence day it doesnt mean you have to make a film with forced patriotism. Editors love rubber. Mouni what a pretty girl why that sad lip job though. Akshay Kumar speaks bengali in punjabi. Save your 450 rs give it a miss." - (sic) Well, it has to be seen on how Mouni Roy or Akshay Kumar would react to Shardul's comment! After Gold, Mouni has become super busy with a bunch of Bollywood projects. She has signed Rajkummar Rao's Made in China, Ranbir Kapoor & Alia Bhatt's film Brahmastra and John Abraham's Romeo Akbar Walter. Also, the actress revealed that she won't leave television for Bollywood. Yeh Hai Mohabbatein Spoiler: Raman & Ishita Are Stuck In A Cave; Sudha Chandran To Enter The Show! Dashing! The Megastar's son and noted Telugu actor Ram Charan looked dashing as he attended the event. As expected, he was in a good mood and enjoyed the lively celebrations to the fullest. Allu Aravind And Allu Arjun Make Their Presence Allu Arjun and his dad/noted producer Allu Aravind too attended the event. Here, they can be seen sharing the stage with comedian Sunil. Interestingly, Allu Aravind has collaborated with Chiru on many occasions. Some of their most notable films include Vijetha and the Bollywood hit Pratibandh. Some Priceless Bonding! This is quite a priceless photo indeed! In it, Ram Charan can be seen bonding with his cousin/Tollywood heartthrob Varun Tej. Needless to say, both the young men look smart and seem to be enjoying each other's company to the fullest. Bunny At His Smartest Best Here is another photo of Tollywood actor Allu Arjun. 'Bunny' can be seen in a casual yet cool getup that he carries off like a boss. His confident body language gels quite well with his look and ups its recall value in a big way. That's how you make an impact! Absolutely Priceless! In this awesome photo, Ram Charan can be seen bonding with Allu Arjun and Allu Aravind. In some ways, the photo bears testimony to the power of the 'Mega Family' and this makes it priceless! Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 21, 2018) - Blackrock Gold Corporation (TSXV: BRC) is pleased to announce the results of voting at its Special and Annual General Meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders, which was held on August 17, 2018, in Vancouver, British Columbia. All but one of the matters submitted to the shareholders for approval, as set out in the Company's notice of meeting and information circular dated July 23, 2018, were approved by the requisite majority of votes cast at the Meeting. Shareholders approved setting the number of directors for the ensuing year at six (6), and the election of Deepak Malhotra, Hendrik van Alphen, Alan H.C. Carter, Thomas S. Bruington II, Catalin Kilofliski, and Gregory Schifrin as directors for the ensuing year. Upon management's review of the proxies submitted for the Meeting, management determined not to proceed at this time with seeking shareholder approval to amend the Company's Articles and, therefore, the Company's current Articles remain in effect. The Company continues to diligently and methodically plan work on the Silver Cloud Project, and to build a highly qualified technical team to further advance the project. More information will be provided to the shareholders in coming weeks. About Blackrock Gold Corp. Blackrock Gold Corp. is a discovery driven, junior exploration company focused on uncovering the next big economic gold deposit. Anchored by a seasoned board, the Company is focused on blue-sky opportunities, with an aim to acquire large-scale land packages that are in prolific gold belts within stable jurisdictions. For further information, please contact: Gregory L. Schifrin, Chief Executive Officer Email: gschifrin@blackrockgoldcorp.com Phone: 1 - 208-290-1180 Website: www.blackrockgold.ca 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. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES CHENGDU, China, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Chengdu, a megacity in western China, will soon hold a business promotion event in Moscow, under the theme "Openness and Cooperation, Win-Win Opportunity for Countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt". The event aims to support the implementation of China's Belt and Road initiative and opening up policy as well as assist Chengdu's transformation into western China's international gateway city and a pioneer for the country's opening up in the inland region. Additionally, it will promote in-depth cooperation between Chengdu and Russia in trade, investment and cross-border e-commerce. As the key part of the event, the Chengdu Trade, Logistics and Tourism Promotion 2018 and Signing Ceremony will be held on August 24 in Moscow, where nearly 200 representatives, from the Embassy of China in Moscow, the Moscow government, the municipal government of Chengdu, Russian business associations and companies as well as Chengdu-based firms will discuss cooperation opportunities. The event will promote the business opportunities in Chengdu's commerce and trade, travel and tourism, conventions and exhibitions as well as the Chengdu-Europe freight train services. Connected by the China-Europe Block Train, Qingbaijiang Railway Port in the Chengdu Pilot Free Trade Zone has built a cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zone focused on railway port services. During the event, companies based in Chengdu and Russia are scheduled to sign cooperation agreements for several projects. For the first time, the event will collaborate with a Russian online platform that supply commodities from China, providing Russian consumers with a wide range of high quality and affordable products made in Chengdu and other regions in Sichuan province. In addition, cross-border e-commerce and foreign trade companies from Chengdu will inspect products made in Russia, to boost mutual trade. Backed by partnerships with cross-border e-commerce platforms in countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt, products made in Chengdu will become more widely available around the globe, said the organizer. With the implementation of the Belt and Road initiative, direct flights and cargo block trains have been launched between Chengdu and Russia, linking the two sides more closely in economic, trade and cultural exchange and cooperation. In 2017, foreign trade between Chengdu and Russia reached 3.45 billion yuan ($504.3 million), growing 77.3 percent year-on-year. Currently, 19 Russian-funded companies have established a presence in Chengdu, backed by 1.01 million dollars in investment. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/733224/ChinaDaily_freight_train.jpg Dow Jones received a payment from EQS/DGAP to publish this press release. EQS-News / 22/08/2018 / 11:13 UTC+8 *For Immediate Release 22 August 2018* *China 21st Century Education Group Limited ? - 21 ??????????* _(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)_ *(Stock Code: 1598)* *21st Century Education 2018 Interim Result * *Financial Highlights**(*For the six months ended of 30 June 2018) Revenue amounted to approximately RMB101.6million, representing a YOY increase of approximately 13.5% Gross profit amounted to approximately RMB49.5million, representing a YOY increase of approximately 13.8%. Profit for the period amounted to approximately RMB29.3million, representing a YOY increase of 2.8%. Adjusted Net Profit amounted to approximately RMB39.8 million, representing a YOY increase of approximately 20.6%. Total number of students was 21,682, representing a YOY increase of approximately 46.3% (22 August 2018 - Hong Kong) *China 21st Century Education Group Limited *("21st Century Education" or the "Company" and its subsidiaries (together, the "Group") stock code:1598) is pleased to announce the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2018 (the "Reporting Period"), together with the comparative figures for the corresponding period of 2017. During the Reporting Period, the Group recorded the revenue approximately RMB101.6 million (As of 2017: RMB89.5 million), representing a year-on-year ("YOY") increase of approximately 13.5%. Gross profit of the Group increased by 13.8% in 2018 to RMB49.5 million (As of 2017: RMB43.5 million). Profit for the period increased by 2.8% to RMB29.3 million (As of 2017: RMB28.5 million). Adjusted Net Profit increased by 20.6% in 2018 to RMB39.8 million (As of 2017: RMB33.0 million). Total number of students was 21,682, representing an increase of 46.3% in 2018 (As of 2017: 14,820). The Company drive revenue primarily from tuition (including tutoring fees) of schools from its students, boarding fees and service income for provision of college operation services to the west campus of Sifang College. The increase of revenue mainly due to the increased number of student recruitment and average. Other income and gains consisted of (i) interest income from banks; (ii) site use fees charged to certain secondary vocational schools and companies in connection with usage of the premises and facilities of the Shijiazhuang Institute of Technology to organize teaching activities and training sessions for external use; and (iii) gains incurred from early childhood education management output. Being located in the core integrated area of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province, the Company has strategic layout in place targeting at the most dynamic cultural and economic circles in north China. The Company focus on the operation of education asset, derive revenue from diverse sources including tertiary education and open education, K12 tutorial programs and preschool education, and have expand its customer coverage. Considering students as its priority, the Company committed to unremittingly providing clients with customized services and solutions based on individual demands. Leveraging on its self-innovated education system and standardized management, the Company dedicate to offering more friendly and convenient education services for students. As of 30 June 2018, the Company had obtained all licenses, permits, approvals and certificates necessary to conduct operations in all material respects from the relevant government authorities in the PRC, and such licenses, permits, approvals and certificates have been examined and verified in the 2017 annual verification as scheduled and remained in full effect. Shijiazhuang Institute of Technology, Shijiazhuang High-tech Industrial Development Zone Tianshan Saintach Kindergarten* (????????????????????) and Shijiazhuang City Chang'an District Saintach Tutorial School* (??????????????) were awarded 2017 Annual Inspection Excellent School (Kindergarten) by Education Department of Hebei Province* (??????), Examination and Approval Bureau of Shijiazhuang Hi-tech Industrial Developmental Zone* (???????????) and Shijiazhuang Chang'an Education Bureau*(??????????). With the deepening enforcement of the "Outline of the Plan for Coordinated Development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region" (???????????), the capital's functional shift has accelerated, and the demand for industrial workers has escalated. According to the Frost & Sullivan Report, the compound growth rate of students enrolled to the private higher vocational colleges in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Integrated Area of 4.1% is higher than that of undergraduate and postgraduate of 3.4%. After the two-child policy liberalized and the birth population gradually reached the school age, the compound growth rate of students enrolled to the private kindergarten reached 11.6%, much higher than that of the public kindergarten that had increased the speed of opening kindergartens for inclusive kindergartens of 2.0%. The Company increase the number of schools, expand the volume of students and diversification of customer base by centering on the "Endogenous Growth + Extension through Merger and Acquisition". In order to grow a significant presence in Hebei Province and the Beijing-Tianjin- Hebei Integrated Area, approximately 60% of the funds raised by the listing will be used for the acquisition and construction of schools. It is estimated that 13 kindergartens and 8 to 10 after-school tutoring centers will be increased through acquisitions by the end of 2019, with an aim of building a leading brand in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Recently, the Company tend to acquire over 7 kindergartens in Beijing or other regions of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Area to expand service area. 21st Century Education significantly grow its successful business as a large private education service provider in Hebei Province and the larger Integrated Area. Thanks to the policy of integration of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, adjustment of economic structure, transformation and upgrade of industries and introduction of business, it is expected that there will be a leapfrog development in Hebei Province, and the income of residents in Hebei Province will increase with the development of economy. The market demands for preschool education and K12 after-school tutoring as well as the skilled talents are increasing, which provide opportunities for the development of higher education. THE END *About China 21st Century Education Group Limited* China 21st Century Education Group Limited ("21st Century Education" or the "Company"), is a large established private education service provider based in Hebei Province, China, serving a wide range of students from preschool students in its kindergartens, to primary school, middle school and high school students in its tutorial centers, to junior college and continuing education students in its college. As of the Latest Practicable Date, the Company had a total of 15 schools located in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, including one private college (Shijiazhuang Institute of Technology), six Saintach Tutorial Schools (consisting of 11 Saintach Tutorial Centers) and eight Saintach Kindergartens. Total student enrollment in the 2017-2018 school was 21,682; Saintach Tutorial Centers ranked fourth and seventh in terms of total revenue in the year ended December 31, 2017 among private tutoring service providers in Shijiazhuang and Hebei Province, with a market share of 2.8% and 0.4%, respectively. The Company plans to expand its business and network in Hebei Province and the larger Integrated Area, and to strengthen its brand reputation. This press release is issued by *Wonderful Sky Financial Group Company Ltd. *on behalf of *China 21st Century Education Group Limited* For further information, please contact: *Wonderful Sky Financial Group Company Ltd.* Angie Li / Lesley Zhang / Kimma Niu Tel: (852) 3970 2273 / 3970 2182 / 3970 2112 Fax: (852) 3102 0210 Email: po@wsfg.hk / lesleyzhang@wsfg.hk / kimmaniuq@wsfg.hk Document: http://n.eqs.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=NREHBSJCUH [1] Document title: 21st Century Education 2018 Interim Result 22/08/2018 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com 1: https://link.cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=0d099b66e74738629939360c1ef9e2d3&application_id=716225&site_id=vwd&application_name=news (END) Dow Jones Newswires August 21, 2018 23:14 ET (03:14 GMT) Feintool International Holding AG / First semester results of financial year 2018: Feintool's net sales and EBIT grow at double-digit rates . Processed and transmitted by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. In the first half of 2018, the technology company increased its net sales by 13.6 percent year-on-year to CHF 337.3 million. In local currency, organic growth amounts to 7.3%. The operating earnings (EBIT) in the same period increased by 14.4% to CHF 25.7 million. Feintool also expects to see positive business development for the year as a whole. For Feintool, the long-term strategy, with its focus on fineblanking and forming combined with consistent internationalization and technical innovation, has once again proven its worth. In addition, Feintool is investing in the growth market of electrification and expanding its strategic business fields into the market for electric motor components. Dynamic market environment The growth of the global automotive industry continued in 2018. According to estimates 1, global car production increased by 2.5% year-on-year. Feintool benefited from this positive industry trend and grew - despite challenging general conditions -, outpacing the market in every relevant region. Positive business development During the period under review, the Feintool Group generated net sales of CHF 337.3 million, which corresponds to an increase of 13.6%. Adjusted for currency and acquisition effects, the company achieved growth of 7.3%. EBITDA increased by CHF 5.4 million to 45.4 million in the first six months of the year and operating earnings (EBIT) by 14.4% - or by 10.9% in local currency - to CHF 25.7 million. This corresponds to an unchanged EBIT margin of 7.6 %. The Group result amounted to CHF 16.9 million (previous year CHF 14.0 million) and thus increased - adjusted for currency effects - by 19.8%. 1 LMC Automotive. Parts production a growth driver both in Europe and increasingly China Of all the corporate divisions, the System Parts segment, in which Feintool is globally active with the high-volume production of precision fineblanked and formed components, accounted for the largest share of sales. During the first half of the year, the segment grew by 7.3% to CHF 295.2 million in local currency, generating 87.3% of the consolidated sales. Once again, all regions have grown. Europe (+ 6.6% in local currency) is driven by increased sales volumes of new products. Asia (+ 27.1% in local currency) is benefiting on the one hand from the acquisition in the previous year, and on the other from steadily increasing releases from our customers. Despite a stagnating market, Feintool was still able to grow by 2.2% (in local currency) in North America. However, part of this increase is due to higher steel prices. Europe contributed 57.7% to sales in the parts area, while the US share was 31.1%, and that of Asia 11.2%. In the Fineblanking Technology segment, in which Feintool offers comprehensive technological solutions for fineblanking, net sales increased by an encouraging 43.7% to CHF 53.3 million. With excellent sales of press systems, the segment posted its highest net sales and number of new orders in eight years in the first half of 2018. Optimistic outlook Feintool expects the positive business development to continue in the second half of financial year 2018, albeit in a market environment characterized by political uncertainties and by the waste gas measuring cycle. Overall - taking into account the acquisition of Stanz- und LaserTechnik Jessen GmbH - we expect to see net sales of between CHF 670 million and CHF 700 million and an EBIT margin similar to that of the first half of 2018. Overview of key financial indicators Change in local currency in %1 Change in %1 Jan. 1 - June 30, 2018 CHF millions Jan. 1 - June 30, 2017 CHF millions Net revenue 10.3 13.6 337.3 296.8 EBITDA 9.9 13.4 45.4 40.0 Operating earnings (EBIT) 10.9 14.4 25.7 22.5 Group result 19.8 20.3 16.9 14.0 Free cash flow -25.2 -47.4 Total assets (comparison period ending Dec. 31, 2017) 6.4 635.9 597.4 Shareholder's equity (comparison period ending Dec. 31, 2017) 5.0 266.9 255.2 Net sales1 - Fineblanking Technology segment 43.7 43.7 53.3 37.1 - System Parts segment 7.3 11.0 295.2 266.0 Consolidated Feintool Group total 10.3 13.6 337.3 296.8 Orders received investment goods 17.4 17.4 57.9 49.3 Order backlog investment goods -0.5 0.0 47.2 47.2 Expected releases - high-volume parts production 18.7 24.0 295.9 238.6 Change in local currency in %1 Change in %1 Apr. 1 - June 30, 2018 CHF millions Apr. 1 - June 30, 2018 CHF millions Net sales - Fineblanking Technology segment 53.7 53.9 30.7 20.0 - System Parts segment 7.8 12.6 150.3 133.4 Consolidated Feintool Group total 11.8 16.0 176.0 151.8 Orders received investment goods 27.0 27.4 28.6 22.4 1 compared to the same period in the previous year All detailed information on the 2018 half-year report can be found at http://www.feintool.com/de/unternehmen/investor-relations.html (http://www.feintool.com/de/unternehmen/investor-relations.html) Feintool in brief Feintool is an internationally active technology and market leader in the field of fineblanking as well as a global provider of high-quality and cost-effective fineblanked and formed components As an innovation driver, Feintool consistently pushes the boundaries of fineblanking and develops smart solutions for its customers' ideas with two possibilities for implementation: On the one hand, the delivery of fineblanking systems and innovative tools and, on the other hand, the complete production of precise fineblanked and formed components in high outputs for demanding industrial applications. Feintool covers the entire process chain. The processes used by Feintool support the trends in the automobile industry. Thus, Feintool is a project and development partner in the field of lightweight construction, module variations, and alternative drive concepts such as hybrid and electric. The company, founded in 1959 and headquartered in Lyss, Switzerland, has its own production plants and technology centres in Europe, the United States, China, and Japan, so it is always near its customers. Around 2,600 employees and 70 trainees work worldwide on new solutions and create key advantages for Feintool customers. Feintool International Holding AG Industriering 8 3250 Lyss Switzerland Media Spokesperson Karin Labhart Telephone +41 32 387 51 57 Mobile +41 79 609 22 02 karin.labhart@feintool.com (mailto:karin.labhart@feintool.com) www.feintool.com (http://www.feintool.com) The press release can be downloaded from the following link: Press Release (PDF) (http://hugin.info/100443/R/2212088/862340.pdf) Appointment of Chief Financial Officer Capita plc ("Capita" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Patrick Butcher is to join the Company as Chief Financial Officer. Patrick is expected to join the company and the Capita Board at the end of the year. Patrick joins Capita from Go Ahead Group plc where he has been Chief Financial Officer since 2016. Patrick has 19 years of experience as a finance director, including six years as Group Finance Director at Network Rail from 2009. His early career was spent at Deloitte & Touche, where he trained as a Chartered Accountant, and worked across its audit and management consultancy practices. Further to the announcement on 18 July 2018, the Board has agreed with Nick Greatorex that he will step down from the Board and leave Capita on 30 September 2018. Jon Lewis, CEO of Capita, said: "I am delighted to welcome Patrick to Capita. He is an accomplished Chief Financial Officer with first class strategic financial management experience developed over 25 years, including 19 years in finance director roles. "Patrick is joining Capita at an exciting time. We have de-levered the balance sheet, disposed of non-core assets, started to reduce costs and invest in the business. We are looking forward to adding Patrick's new perspective, energy and experience to support the good start we have made with our transformation programme and new strategy, delivering the commitments we have made to all our stakeholders." For further information: Investor enquiries Andrew Ripper, Head of Investor Relations Fiona O'Nolan, Investor Relations Director Tel: 020 7654 2220/020 7654 2281 Email: IRteam@capita.co.uk Media enquiries Powerscourt Rory Godson Matthew O'Toole Tel: 020 7250 1446 capita@powerscourt-group.com Notes to editors In accordance with the UK Listing Rules, the Company confirms that there are no further details that are required to be disclosed under paragraph LR9.6.13(1) - (6) of the UK Listing Rules in respect of Patrick Butcher. Capita is a leading provider of technology enabled business services, operating across five key markets: Software; People Solutions; Customer Management; IT & Networks and Government Services. Working across the UK, Europe, India and South Africa, we use our expertise, talent and technology to partner with our clients to transform services and add value for all their stakeholders. Capita is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (CPI.L). Further information on Capita can be found at: http://www.capita.com This announcement contains inside information. LEI no. CMIGEWPLHL4M7ZV0IZ88. DGAP-Ad-hoc: GN Store Nord A/S / Key word(s): Bond GN Store Nord A/S: Interim Report Q2 2018: Continued double digit organic revenue growth drives strong EBITA margin increase. GN Audio upgrades organic growth guidance 22-Aug-2018 / 07:30 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. *- *GN Store Nord delivered 11% organic revenue growth in Q2 2018. Revenue growth was 7% including around (5)% impact from development in foreign exchange rates - EBITA margin increased 1.5 percentage points in Q2 2018 as a function of strong operational execution - EPS increased 10% compared to Q2 2017 - Continued strong cash conversion at 75% in Q2 2018 - GN Audio's organic growth guidance for 2018 is upgraded to "16-19%" from "up to 15%" following the strong performance in Q2 2018. The financial guidance for GN Hearing is unchanged - GN Hearing delivered 6% organic revenue growth in Q2 2018. Revenue growth was 1% including around (5)% impact from the development in foreign exchange rates - EBITA increased 9% to DKK 278 million. The EBITA margin increased 1.4 percentage points vs Q2 2017 and reached 19.4% - Free cash flow excl. M&A was DKK 106 million in Q2 2018, translating into a cash conversion of 38%, reflecting investments in growth including inventory build ups ahead of the launch of the world's first Premium-Plus hearing aid: ReSound LiNX Quattro, announced early August - GN Audio delivered unprecedented 19% organic revenue growth in Q2 2018. Revenue growth was 16% including around (4)% impact from the development in foreign exchange rates. The continued strong momentum was driven by Jabra's professional headset business - EBITA increased 23% to DKK 207 million, compared to DKK 168 million in Q2 2017. The EBITA margin increased 1.1 percentage points vs Q2 2017 and reached 18.3% - Free cash flow excl. M&A was DKK 289 million in Q2 2018 compared to DKK 131 million in Q2 2017. Cash conversion at 140% *Quotes from the executive management* Anders Hedegaard, CEO of GN Hearing: _"In Q2, we saw continued strong demand in the important independent market for our ground-breaking ReSound LiNX 3D product family. And in August we announced our new Premium-Plus ReSound LiNX Quattro hearing aid, confirming that our innovation machine continues to deliver. With the combination of ReSound LiNX 3D and the newly announced ReSound LiNX Quattro we are on track to deliver on our promises for 2018."_ Rene Svendsen-Tune, CEO of GN Audio: _"I'm very pleased with the continued strong execution and performance across the entire organization. Again in Q2, we delivered market-leading organic growth - surpassing our own ambitious targets. Our CC&O business continued to deliver strong double digit organic growth, and our consumer business returned to positive organic growth."_ *Teleconference* GN will host a teleconference at 11.00 am CEST today. Please visit www.gn.com/investor to access the teleconference. Presentation material will be available on the website approximately one hour prior to the teleconference. For further information please contact: Peter Justesen VP - Investor Relations & Treasury GN Store Nord A/S Tel: +45 45 75 87 16 or Rune Sandager Senior Investor Relations Manager GN Store Nord A/S Tel: +45 45 75 92 57 22-Aug-2018 CET/CEST The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de Language: English Company: GN Store Nord A/S Lautrupbjerg 7 2750 Ballerup Denmark Phone: +45 457 50000 E-mail: investor@gn.com Internet: www.gn.com ISIN: DK0010272632 WKN: 854734 Listed: Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange End of Announcement DGAP News Service 716243 22-Aug-2018 CET/CEST (END) Dow Jones Newswires August 22, 2018 01:30 ET (05:30 GMT) AMSTERDAM, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- B2C Europe, a company that specialises in cross-border ecommerce distribution, has published a report that provides a range of insightful information in the field of sustainable and social deliveries. The report is based on the company's own research to find out the views of European consumers on sustainability and the impact of ecommerce logistics. It appears that consumers consider the environment more important than delivery speed. Global ecommerce is growing rapidly, and this will only continue in the coming years. The increasing number of online purchases also causes an increase of deliveries, delivery options and higher consumer expectations. This growth together with the complexity of the logistics industry requires new and innovative solutions for bottlenecks that are experience within the industry. Two of these new niche markets in logistics are green delivery and social delivery. Initiatives in these niche markets can serve as an alternative to the traditional delivery networks where vans on fossil fuel are the norm and polluting trucks drive into city centres. The future of the industry lies in its sustainability and sociality. If we want the system to continue to function, then these themes should be given priority. This involves responsible delivery systems that make smart use of society. The research shows that consumers are not aware of the environmental costs of their choices, for example when choosing an express delivery option. It turns out that more than half of online shoppers (58%) are not aware of the fact that express delivery has more of a negative impact on the environment than standard delivery. In addition, it appears that consumers will choose a more sustainable delivery when they are aware of the consequences. Informing online shoppers - making them consciously aware of the impact of their choices and offering green options - is needed to make responsible choices in delivery. The report includes insights on alternatives to the traditional delivery systems and the necessary innovations in the field of sustainability and the involvement of society. Trends concerning sustainable ecommerce logistics are also explored as well as the increasingly crucial attitudes of the European consumer. The surveys were completed by 1,999 people across the UK, France and The Netherlands, to understand the shopping behaviour and choices consumers make when shopping online. The online survey was implemented by ResearchNow. To download the whitepaper click here. Meet B2C Europe: B2C Europe is the frontrunner in cross-border logistics. The one access to any distribution and returns network across Europe and beyond. Founded in 2000 B2C Europe was the first independent logistic fullservice provider for cross-border parcels in Europe. Our first-to-market innovative solutions set the standard in ecommerce crossborder logistics. B2C Europe is carrier independent. Based in 9 countries, local, we operate the largest multi carrier network in Europe. WOLKERSDORF, Austria, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Network Rail confirmed that CPL Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of SPL Powerlines UK, will continue to work on the L2C (Midland Mainline) and H2M (Shotts) electrification projects. The total contract value of the two projects is GBP 320.5 mill. / EUR 357.6 mill. This confirmation of the continuation of the electrification projects by Powerlines follows SPL Powerlines UK acquisition of the 50% shares previously held by Carillion, who were declared bankrupt on 15.01.2018, in the Joint Venture CPL. Since its acquisition in March 2018, CPL Ltd. has been owned 100% by Powerlines Group. Around 200 former Carillion staff have been taken on by SPL Powerlines UK since the beginning of April. The UK subsidiaries of the Austrian Powerlines Group employ a staff of over 550 people, making Powerlines one of the UK's market leaders in rail electrification and one of the ten largest Austrian subsidiaries in the UK. The contract confirmation ensures the job security for all the company's employees. Gerhard Ehringer, CEO of the Powerlines Group, said: "I'm particularly delighted that Network Rail relies on Powerlines' capability to deliver and works with us on the successful continuation and completion of the two major projects. The purchase of Border Rail Ltd. in 2009 marked our entry into the UK market. Now, nine years later, the UK has become the most important market for the Powerlines Group, alongside Germany." Powerlines Group The Powerlines Group is an international corporate group active in the RAIL, PRODUCTS and ENERGY markets. Powerlines is a system supplier in the RAIL industry and offers international customers a comprehensive range of services for railway electrification - including consulting and engineering, products, installation and maintenance. In the PRODUCTS industry Powerlines develops and distributes innovative components and complete systems for railway electrification. In the ENERGY industry Powerlines plans, installs and maintains high voltage transmission lines for energy providers. Powerlines Group is one of the market leaders in Austria, Germany, the UK and Scandinavia. www.powerlines-group.com Enquiries: Jaqueline Konstanda jaqueline.konstanda@powerlines-group.com +43-676/577-07-46 The call is the second of its kind, and part of the 50 MW incentive scheme that the government of the island launched in November. Malta is targeting to reach 200 MW of PV capacity by 2020.The Maltese Ministry for Energy and Conservation of Water has launched the second tender for PV projects with a capacity of over 1 MW. The tender, the Maltese government said in a press release, is part of the incentive scheme for large-scale solar it launched in November of 2017, which was itself conceived in the frame of the revised National Action Plan for renewable energy that the Maltese government released ... 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. CENTRAL REGION, SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / August 22, 2018 / Singapore-based blockchain security company, Sentinel Protocol, launched it's Crypto Scam Protection Solution for the crypto community. The Crypto Scam Protection Solution prevents rampant scam and hacking attempts taking place during crypto transfers, payments, and transactions, as well as Initial Coin Offerings (ICO). This solution is the first use case of Sentinel Protocol's core product, the decentralized Threat Reputation Database (TRDB). The TRDB is known as the first blockchain-based blacklist and whitelist database that gathers, validates, and stores crowdsourced crypto-related data. In the crypto world, fraud victims occur because their funds were sent to the wrong wallet address. Due to the nature of blockchain, these transactions cannot be reversed. "If what's flagged as fake or malicious wallet addresses and websites become widely known within the crypto community, we can prevent additional victims from the same types." said John Kirch, the Chief Evangelist of Sentinel Protocol, while explaining the product launch. He added: "Using collective intelligence, we can collect more data faster, more so than any other conventional method. This is why our partnered crypto exchanges, wallets, and payment services are waiting for our database API." The Crypto Scam Protection Solution consists of three products: Uppward Chrome Extension Sentinel Portal Decentralized Threat Reputation Database (TRDB). Individual crypto users will be using the Uppward Chrome Extension simply by installing the extension on their browser. They can check the authenticity of any wallet address or receive alerts if they visit phishing sites. Since the Uppward Chrome Extension works as a search engine for any crypto related data, it is expected to prevent crypto users from sending funds to fake wallet addresses from social media impersonation accounts or imposter ICO project sites. It also supports a reporting feature where hacking incidents or scam findings can be reported and subsequently reviewed by security experts. The Sentinel Portal is a community tool for globally distributed security experts to review and analyze reported scams and hacking incidents in the history of cryptocurrencies. Security experts and white hat hackers from France, Russia, Korea, United States, Vietnam and so on have been interviewed and selected as Pre-Sentinels to participate in the initial version of the Sentinel Portal. Their collective intelligence and consensus practices will be benchmarked and utilized for the full version of the Sentinel Portal, which will be released in Q4 2018. The decentralized Threat Reputation Database is the first crowdsourced threat intelligence database built on the blockchain. For anybody to easily search and check any data related to crypto, the TRDB is stored on the public blockchain, specifically on the EOS platform. Both whitelisted and blacklisted data will be easily searchable through the Uppward Chrome Extension. Contact: Dan Edelstein pr@marketacross.com +972-545-464-238 SOURCE: Sentinel Protocol Ship Finance International Limited (NYSE: SFL) ("Ship Finance" or the "Company") announces that it has agreed to acquire three large container vessels in combination with long term time charters to a leading container line. The vessels are modern eco-design built in 2015 with approximately 10,600 TEU carrying capacity. The Company expects to take delivery of the vessels in the near term, and the purchase price is confidential. The charters will run for a period of minimum 6 years, with options for the charterer to extend the charters up to 10 years. There is also a purchase option with profit split at the end of the initial period. Our fixed rate charter backlog will increase by approximately $260 million, increasing to approximately $430 million if the charter extension options are exercised. The EBITDA contribution from the vessels is estimated to approximately $35.5 million per year. We have received an offer for a $200 million intermediary bank financing to part-finance the acquisition of these vessels. The balance will be funded by cash at hand. The Company expects to arrange a long term financing in due course. Ole B. Hjertaker, CEO of Ship Finance Management AS, said in a comment: "This acquisition highlights our strength and ability to achieve sustained growth through repeat transactions with the world's largest liner companies. We have firmly established ourselves as a quality operator of vessels, and our financial flexibility enables us execute swiftly on new transactions. Over the last five months we have added more than $800 million to our charter backlog and expect to continue increasing our fleet of vessels and charter backlog in 2018". August 22, 2018 The Board of Directors Ship Finance International Limited Hamilton, Bermuda Questions can be directed to Ship Finance Management AS: Investor and Analyst Contacts: Harald Gurvin, Chief Financial Officer, Ship Finance Management AS +47 23 11 40 09 Andre Reppen, Senior Vice President, Ship Finance Management AS +47 23 11 40 55 Media Contact: Ole B. Hjertaker, Chief Executive Officer, Ship Finance Management AS +47 23 11 40 11 About Ship Finance Ship Finance International Limited (NYSE: SFL) has a unique track record in the maritime industry, being consistently profitable and paying dividends every quarter since 2004. The Company's fleet of more than 80 vessels is split between tankers, bulkers, container vessels and offshore assets, and Ship Finance's long term distribution capacity is supported by a portfolio of long term charters and significant growth in the asset base over time. More information can be found on the Company's website: www.shipfinance.bm Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release may contain forward looking statements. These statements are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including Ship Finance management's examination of historical operating trends. Although Ship Finance believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond its control, Ship Finance cannot give assurance that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or intentions. Important factors that, in the Company's view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in this presentation include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions including fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in the Company's operating expenses including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 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: Ship Finance International Limited via Globenewswire President of the World's First Artificial Intelligence Trading Software Invited to Provide Expert Insight on Recent Study About Millennials and Retirement WESLEY CHAPEL, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 22, 2018 / Lane Mendelsohn, the President of VantagePoint Software, the first artificial intelligence trading software available to the retail investor and traders, was invited to speak live on Mike Siegel's radio show to talk about Millennials and retirement. According to a recent study, the top three financial goals for Millennials are owning a house, being debt free and retiring comfortably. However, the issue is that most Millennials have not yet opened a retirement account or begun putting money aside for retirement. Mike Siegel, 30-year veteran radio host, invited artificial intelligence trading expert Lane Mendelsohn to provide insight on this phenomenon. The full interview is available here. Mendelsohn, whose financial trading software, VantagePoint, uses patented, artificial intelligence-based indicators to predict stock market trends, blames lack of proper trading tools and knowledge. Due to the uncertainty of the stock market, many people are frightened to invest in fear of losing their hard-earned funds because they are not confident in their trading knowledge. According to Mendelsohn, it is very important to break people of these fears because the compounding interest that results from opening a retirement account is the key to a healthy retirement and will be far more fruitful in the end then just saving cash. He believes the way to diminish these fears, is having the proper tools and education. Mendelsohn's AI forecasting has achieved a documented 86% accuracy in stocks, futures and forex. 'You've got to get the right tools, the right education, and you need to start thinking about the future now so that you can position yourself and your family to prosper in the coming years. There is a lot of opportunity for those who are in the know. 'said Mendelsohn. VantagePoint, the software that Lane's father Louis Mendelsohn developed back in the late 1980's, is still helping to empower traders and investors today by using its proprietary technology to stack the odds in their favor, giving them the information and confidence they need to make the right decisions at the right time and the software continues to push the limits of technology for the benefit of individual investors and traders. A free demo and market forecast is available at https://www.vantagepointsoftware.com/demo/ or by calling 800-732-5407. About Market Technologies Headquartered in Wesley Chapel, Fla., Market Technologies, creators of VantagePoint Software, is a leader in trading software research and software development. VantagePoint forecasts Stocks, Futures, Forex, and ETFs with proven accuracy of up to 86%. Using artificial intelligence, VantagePoint's patented Neural Network processes predicts changes in market trend direction up to three days in advance, enabling traders to get in and out of trades at optimal times with confidence. MEDIA CONTACT Jen Aquilino Communications Specialist 8139730496 JenA@vantagepointsoftware.com SOURCE: VantagePoint Software According to the latest market research report released by Technavio, the global contact lens solutions market is expected to accelerate at a CAGR of around 2% during the forecast period. The increased preference for contact lenses over spectacles is one of the key factors triggering the growth of the market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180822005302/en/ Technavio has published a new market research report on the global contact lens solutions market from 2018-2022. (Graphic: Business Wire) This research report titled 'Global Contact Lens Solutions Market 2018-2022' provides an in-depth analysis of the market in terms of revenue and emerging market trends. It also includes an up-to-date analysis and forecasts for various market segments and all geographical regions. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing The market research analysis categorizes the global contact lens solutions market into the following regions: Americas EMEA APAC In 2017, the Americas led for the highest market share of around 39%. This was due to the presence of developed healthcare infrastructure and government funding for drug development in this region, which encourages the development of contact lens solutions. Besides, the region has also witnessed an increasing number of innovative product launches in countries such as the US and Canada. Global contact lens solutions market: Top emerging trend Growing popularity of antimicrobial contact lenses and natural eye highlights is an emerging trend in the contact lens solutions market. Researchers have suggested the introduction of an antimicrobial coating on the surface of contact lenses to minimize the chances of an infection. These antimicrobial lenses are lined with peptide named melamine. Melamine is formed by the body's own immune system and aids in protecting the eye from various microbes, permitting the use of contact lenses for a longer duration. With the use of antimicrobial contact lenses, only 4 out of 10,000 users are prone to eye infection of any sort. The reduction of chances of eye infection from antimicrobial contact lenses results in an increased demand for the product, thus benefitting the global contact lens solutions market. Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Technavio's report provides expert market research on the following topics: Executive Report Market Outline Global Contact Lens Solutions Market Overview Market Insights Market Sizing and Forecasts Market Growth Market Drivers and Challenges Key Emerging Trends Market Segmentation Analysis Regional comparison (APAC, Americas, and EMEA) Key leading countries Market segmentation by distribution channel (retail stores and online stores) Vendor Landscape Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario Analysis of top vendors (Menicon, Novartis, The Cooper Companies, and Valeant) About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180822005302/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 www.technavio.com Aviation Stakeholders can now pre-register for the free, global Aircraft Locating and Emergency Response Tracking (ALERT) service, operated by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) MCLEAN, Virginia, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Aireon and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) announced today, that Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), Aircraft Operators, Regulators and Search and Rescue Organizations can now pre-register for their free, global Aircraft Locating and Emergency Response Tracking (ALERT) service. The Aireon ALERT service will provide the last known position of an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)-equipped aircraft that is in an apparent distress state or experiencing a loss in communication. The service is only available to aviation stakeholders and offers precise position reports, free of charge. The Aireon ALERT system is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2019 and will be operated out of the IAA North Atlantic Communications Centre in Ballygirreen, County Clare, Ireland. Enabled by Aireon's unique space-based ADS-B service, Aireon ALERT will fill a critical need within the aviation industry. For the first time, ANSPs, Aircraft Operators, Regulators and Search and Rescue organizations will have access, on request, to exact position data for an aircraft in distress over the oceans, remote areas and anywhere else they may need aircraft position information in an emergency. "We are proud to host and operate the world's first truly global aircraft locating and emergency response tracking facility, based on the AireonSM system's capabilities," said Peter Kearney, Chief Executive Officer of the IAA. "Our facility will be providing Aireon ALERT services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. As long as an aircraft is broadcasting on 1090 MHz ADS-B, we will be able to locate it anywhere worldwide. This is a unique and secure cloud-based service, designed to the highest data protection standards." "Aireon is proud to support a much-needed solution to the aviation industry," said Don Thoma, CEO of Aireon. "For the first time, the Aireon ALERT service will deliver the most precise location data for emergency and distress situations over the oceans and remote areas, typically void of ground-based infrastructure. We recognize that our system has unique capabilities, and with that comes a responsibility to help prevent future tragedies." Users of the service do not need to be customers of either Aireon or the IAA to use the service; they simply need to be registered. Once a stakeholder has registered and been approved for Aireon ALERT, should an emergency arise, it can contact the 24/7/365 operations facility to obtain the last known position of its aircraft. This will include a map of the last 15 minutes of flight, with one plot per minute and a 4-dimensional report including altitude, latitude, longitude and time information. Based on the situation, additional tracking information may also be provided. Aireon ALERT will be provided as a public service, free of charge to registered stakeholders. To pre-register for Aireon ALERT, ANSPs, Aircraft Operators, Regulators and Search and Rescue Organizations should visit www.aireonalert.com. For additional information about Aireon ALERT, please visit www.aireonalert.com For more information about Aireon, please visit www.aireon.com. For more information on the Irish Aviation Authority, please visit www.iaa.ie About the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is a commercial semi-state company. The IAA has three main functions: the provision of air traffic management and related services in Irish controlled airspace, the safety regulation of the civil aviation industry in Ireland and the oversight of civil aviation security in Ireland. The IAA is a founding partner of Aireon and hosts the Aireon ALERT service at its North Atlantic Communications Centre in Ballygirreen, County Clare, Ireland. For more information about the IAA, visit: www.iaa.ie. About Aireon LLC Aireon is deploying a space-based air traffic surveillance system for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipped aircraft throughout the entire globe. Aireon will harness next-generation aviation surveillance technologies that are currently ground-based and, for the first time ever, extend their reach globally to significantly improve efficiency, enhance safety, reduce emissions and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. Real-time ADS-B surveillance will cover oceanic, polar and remote regions, as well as augment existing ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. In partnership with leading Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) from around the world, like NAV CANADA, ENAV, NATS and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon will have an operational, global, space-based air traffic surveillance system in 2018. For more information, please visit www.aireon.com. Press Contacts: Manus Weed Irish Aviation Authority +353 (0) 87 690 33 86 manus.weed@iaa.ie Jessie Hillenbrand Aireon +1 (703) 287-7452 Jessie.Hillenbrand@Aireon.com Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/732670/Aireon_ALERT.mp4 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/732669/Aireon_Logo.jpg Bert Poston of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit has been named District Attorney of the Year for 2018 during the 2018 Summer Conference sponsored July 22-25, on Jekyll Island by the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia (PAC). Each year during the conference, held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center, the District Attorneys Association of Georgia presents this award to recognize outstanding leadership and dedication in the field of prosecution. Bert Postons ability to accomplish so many things including maintaining and prosecuting major cases in our offices, overseeing the daily operations of our office and performing other duties as district attorney that have helped many in the field of prosecution, as well as being a great leader for our office, community, state, and his family makes him more than qualified to receive this years District Attorney of the Year award, said April Parker, domestic violence investigator in the DAs Office, who nominated him for the honor. Thank you, Bert, for your years of service and dedication to our state. PAC Executive Director Peter J. Skandalakis said the council is extremely proud of the prosecutors, investigators and victim advocates honored during the Summer Conference and their dedication to serve the justice system in Georgia. It is no surprise these individuals are the example we follow every day, he said. Mr. Poston began his career as an intern with a District Attorneys Office in 1990 while attending the University of Georgia Law School. He has worked as an attorney in the DAs Office since 1992 and has been the district attorney in the Conasauga Judicial Circuit since February 2012. Mr. Poston has written computer programs for his circuit which have made it run more efficiently. He helped establish Georgias first felony Domestic Violence Court, which is now a model for the state, and has served as chairman of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council, where he has served in many capacities representing prosecutors and victims across the state. Throughout his years of service, our office has received multiple calls and letters from victims and others in our community recognizing his efforts and compassion in serving our community as a prosecutor, Ms. Parker said. As a domestic violence investigator, Ms. Parker and prosecutor Susan Beck went to Mr. Poston concerned about a sentencing issue in Family Violence Battery cases. At that time a second Family Violence Battery conviction was a felony, but we had a defendant that had a prior Domestic Violence Murder conviction and a new Family Violence Battery case and the Family Violence Battery was only a misdemeanor, Ms. Parker said. Bert immediately started working to get the statute changed. Through his efforts, and the help of others, the sentencing for Family Violence Battery was changed to include any forcible felony, in July 2016. In 2017 when a group of people started advocating to change the Victim Rights Statute in Georgia, Mr. Poston began working with legislators to write the bill that passed this year known as Marcis Law. Through his diligence working with others on Marcis Law, the statute avoided changes that could have had an adverse effect on prosecutors ability to make prosecutorial decisions in victim cases. Mr. Poston has served as chairman of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council, where he has served in many capacities representing prosecutors and victims across the state. He is a member of multiple boards helping local victims and also serves in many other capacities in the community. CHANGZHOU, China, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Solar has been under the spotlight since the company delisted from the US stock market and became a private company in March 2017. Although the majority of the players in the PV sector have recently dealt with obstacles, Trina Solar Chairman Jifan Gao recently said in an interview that, the company's cash inventory remains at a high level. The company sold more than 4GW of sales volume including modules and solar farms in the first half of 2018, generating more than 2.04 billion USD in revenue, up more than 13 percent compared to the prior year period. For the full year of 2018, it remains quite likely that the company's total sales revenue will exceed that booked in 2017. A sound globalization strategy reduces risk At present, Trina Solar has expanded to 103 countries and regions globally, with offices in around 40 countries and employees that come from 38 countries. Statistics show that the Company realized over 9GW in global coverage. Mr. Gao believes that establishing a globalized business system bolsters Trina Solar's ability to withstand market volatility; when volatility occurs in a market, other markets may provide a balance. "Even when the market is at its best - both in China and overseas - we are still able to guarantee the supply overseas. In 2017, Trina Solar's overseas sales exceeded China's sales. From the supply point of view, overseas market contributed over 55%. This is why Trina Solar remains unruffled by the fluctuations in the market and also forms the basis for confidence in achieving annual growth as opposed to the market outlook." Mr. Gao said. Trina Solar has 6 major management centers in China, Japan, Singapore, US, Europe, and Latin America. The target is to not only achieve globalization, but also gradually achieve localization. In addition to mature markets such as the US, Europe, and Japan, Trina Solar began exploring emerging markets since 2016, including those where Trina Solar has grown rapidly such as Ukraine, the Middle East, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Trina Solar has achieved over 60% market share in some emerging countries, and at least 20-30% market share in others. Staying the course with a healthy cash flow Mr. Gao reveals that in the first half of the year, Trina Solar sold some solar farms. Total capacity of the farms was about 900MW. This helped Trina Solar to raise a lot of cash and effectively lower the company's debt ratio. "Furthermore, we will still continue to provide mid-term and long-term management services to help operate these solar farms." Trina Solar's debt ratio has now been reduced to 62% as of middle of the year, compared to 67.5% at the start of the year. Trina Solar's cash reserves have also been maintained at a relatively healthy level. As of end of last year, Trina Solar's cash reserves were 643 million USD, and as of 30 June 2018, it had grown to 687 million USD. At the same time, Trina Solar's total credit limit has exceeded 2.9 billion USD. It still has a balance of 1 billion USD. In the face of adjustments in the industry, Trina Solar can still grow with ease. Under the robust management of Gao Jifan, Trina Solar has long established a risk management committee. "We evaluate the major risks that are forecast and provide dedicated management of these major risks." Mr. Gao said. Stay at the top of one's game with capacity upgrades and iterations The rise of international trade barriers is happening in total contradiction to the globalization trend of business development. Trina Solar took both into consideration when the PV maker began to sketch out plans for the globalization of its capacity a few years ago. Following putting 1GW of cell capacity and 1GW of module capacity into production in Thailand, Trina Solar's 1GW cell plant in Vietnam and 700MW module plant in Malaysia have recently become operational. The company also has module manufacturing partners in Turkey. Combined with domestic capacity, the company's global module and cell capacity has now reached approximately 8.5GW and 8.5GW respectively. "In terms of capacity, we made sure to have in place a structurally meaningful production portfolio rather than simply pursuing scale, as we need to maintain the competitiveness and leadership of our own capacity," Mr. Gao said. Collaboration in terms of capacity with external partners must at all times be in strict compliance with Trina Solar's quality system, including the requirements for material and suppliers, in order to close our capacity gap while preserving quality of product. While planning out the structural portfolio, Trina Solar kept a focus on capacity iterations. After an overall consideration of market supply capability and the technology roadmap, Trina Solar upgraded and transformed its capacity this year. At this time, 2GW in capacity is undergoing a conversion to a polycrystalline high efficiency MCCE process. The company will complete the conversion to PERC and PERT of approximately 3.5GW in capacity by the end of the year followed by an additional 3GW in mid-2019, bringing the total PERC and PERT capacity to 6.5GW. Furthermore, Trina Solar is also seeking to further expand capacity while undertaking a labor reduction through automation and intelligent upgrading. In 2010, Trina Solar had 16,000 employees managing a capacity of 1.5GW. The company's workforce has been reduced to 15,000 while capacity is being continually increased to more than 8.5GW. The company is also engaged in intelligent and integrated PV solutions and the energy internet, among other new areas of development. The way to meet challenges is through a full-scale transformation of the business Facing the challenges of the digital age, Trina Solar is experiencing profound innovation and revolution, on both the management side internally and product side externally. Trina Solar has transformed from the previous professional manager model to a model similar to a business partnership. Since 2017, Trina Solar has decided to aggressively drive the business units and platforms inclusive of production sectors, sales and also cover downstream solar module solutions and Energy Internet aspects. From an outside perspective, another example that best showcases Trina Solar's reform directions, besides the above mentioned management systems, would be the launch in March 2018 of "TrinaPro" smart PV solutions. Mr. Gao says TrinaPro as an 'all in one' smart solar system that includes premium components, optimized system integration and smart O&M interconnection. "The TrinaPro system can sense the entire environment and calculate automatically how best to maximize electricity generation. TrinaPro, by optimizing the combination of bi-facial solar module, tracking system and smart inverter, can boost up to 30% the power output," said Mr. Gao "We no longer use simple power generating modules, but by harnessing the power of data and the optimized design of the entire system, we further increase the overall efficiency. By bringing greater value to our customers, Trina Solar can transform from a product supplier to a value-add supplier for our customers." Gao Jifan believes the development of Trina Solar's business is progressing well thanks in part to TrinaPro and other smart power generation systems. "This is the main reason for Trina Solar's growth in the first half of this year." he added. LONDON, August 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, who released the UK's export strategy yesterday, exports in goods and services rose by 4.4% last year, and the value of exports has doubled since 1997. Deborah Collier, digital business expert, and President at global e-commerce authority - The Certificate in Online Business, had described Brexit and the UK EU Trade Agreement as a "Hot Potato". She adds "The UK Export Strategy has made no mention or provision for Brexit, except to focus on selling to countries outside the EU." Citing credible E-Commerce industry statistics - 62.7% of UK E-Commerce exports are sold to the EU - the largest economy in the world, she adds "If we leave the EU without an agreement, the products and services we sell will be liable for import tariffs. Even if UK businesses cover those costs through price reduction, which is highly unrealistic, EU Customers will still have the inconvenience of having to pay import costs on delivery. This inconvenience alone is enough to deter buyers. The UK cannot afford to lose this volume of trade." Collier explains "One of the key benefits of e-commerce is access to new markets globally. Barriers to trade are customs, taxation, shipping and distribution costs, as well as legal regulations." There are heightened costs and competitive challenges when trading internationally. Desirable and competitively priced products and services are paramount. "Uniqueness will be one area the UK needs to focus on, to stay ahead of other international competition", adds Collier International shipping costs and the ability for entrepreneurs and small businesses to implement a strategy to alleviate the additional costs of distribution to non-EU countries, is a major challenge. "I am particularly concerned about the livelihoods of small businesses and individual online traders", says Collier, who is a champion for entrepreneurship. Deborah Collier urges the UK government to address the EU trade issue "head-on", and to consider the realities and challenges of internal trade to businesses of all sizes, with countries outside the European Union. Notes to Editor Deborah Collier is a respected leader and strategic advisor in all areas of digital business, and in particular e-commerce. As well as working as an internal advisor for PriceWaterhouseCoopers during her early career, she has trained, advised and developed strategies for government organisations, well-known blue-chip organisations and SME's around the globe. She has been referenced by the International press and recently appeared on Channel 4 News. Deborah is the President and founder of global digital skills certification authority The Certificate in Online Business which has certified leaders and teams at the likes of Mars, Huawei, L'Oreal, Procter & Gamble, Three, House of Fraser, Schneider Electric, Ernst & Young, South African Post Office, as well as international banks, shipping companies and airlines. Visit: COBCertified.com, DeborahCollier.com and twitter account @DeborahMCollier for further information and credentials. Technavio analysts forecast the global automotive fasteners market to grow at a CAGR of over 4% during the forecast period, according to their latest market research report. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180822005337/en/ Technavio has published a new market research report on the global automotive fasteners market from 2018-2022. (Graphic: Business Wire) The new forms and functions in fastening technology is one of the major trends being witnessed in the global automotive fasteners market 2018-2022. The automotive industry is growing rapidly based on technological advancements. So, to sustain in the market, automotive component manufacturers are adopting new technologies. Automotive fastener manufacturers have expanded their product offerings to comply with technological advancements. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing According to Technavio analysts, one of the key factors contributing to the growth of the global automotive fasteners market is the cost advantages of using plastic automotive fasteners: Global automotive fasteners market: Cost advantages of using plastic automotive fasteners Plastics are replacing metal in numerous automotive applications. For example, plastic clips are replacing metal brackets, which are used in automotive fluid routing assemblies as mounting supports for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and brake lines. According to a senior analyst at Technavio for research on automotive components, "There are multiple cost advantages in using plastic in place of metals. Plastic fasteners' non-corrosiveness and versatility to make complex shapes would drive the global automotive fasteners market during the forecast period." Global automotive fasteners market: Segmentation analysis The global automotive fasteners market research report provides market segmentation by region (the Americas, EMEA, and APAC). It provides an in-depth analysis of the prominent factors influencing the market, including drivers, opportunities, trends, and industry-specific challenges. APAC led the market in 2017 with a market share of nearly 53%. The region is expected to dominate the market through 2022, with an increase in its market share. Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Some of the key topics covered in the report include: Market Landscape Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market size and forecast Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation Geographical Segmentation Regional comparison Key leading countries Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180822005337/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 www.technavio.com 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. Company Releases RiskForesight 2.0 platform and supports VMware Cloud Provider Program (VCPP) as Independent Software Vendor (ISV) partner at VMworld 2018 US FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Caveonix, the company providing proactive defense against risks in the hybrid cloud, today announced a new collaboration with VMware where its comprehensive hybrid cloud workload protection platform, RiskForesight, is now available through the VMware Cloud Provider Program. The program includes value-added solutions from VMware and its partners that are delivered on a rental basis to customers through its cloud provider partners. Caveonix's RiskForesight platform is available for any VMware Cloud Provider Program partner to consume through the program. "As an emerging company providing proactive risk management solutions for the hybrid cloud security market, this exciting collaboration validates the unique capabilities that the RiskForesight platform brings to our customers," said Kaus Phaltankar, Co-Founder, President and Chief Technology Officer of Caveonix. "Enterprises want the ability to not only detect IT, cyber and compliance risks in their hybrid cloud environments, but they also need to be able to continuously predict top risks and act to mitigate those risks to improve their risk posture for protection of their hybrid cloud workloads. RiskForesight fills the unique requirements of server workload protection in the modern hybrid cloud security market." Caveonix's RiskForesight is the industry's first multi-tenant cyber risk and compliance management platform for the hybrid cloud, enabling service providers to offer full workload protection to their customers. RiskForesight's engine, CaveoIQ, leverages predictive analytics and machine learning to build IT, cyber and compliance risk mitigation models across the full cyber control plane to enable security, network, compliance and policy enforcement of all cloud-based workloads. "We're pleased to add Caveonix as a VMware Cloud Provider Program ISV partner," said Ajay Patel, senior vice president and general manager of VMware's Cloud Provider Software Business Unit. "Caveonix's RiskForesight platform can enhance service providers' ability to not only identify and control but also to address server workload-centric protection and policy needs of workloads running on a mix of physical machines, virtual machines and containers in hybrid environments of private, public and managed clouds." "As we announce the RiskForesight 2.0 platform at VMworld supporting the VMware Cloud Provider Program, the company momentum has never been stronger," said Timothy Sullivan, CEO and Co-Founder of Caveonix. "Kaus and I are excited to partner and integrate with VMware on a multitude of platforms in order to bring the industry's first real hybrid cloud protection platform to thousands of VMware Cloud Provider partners globally." Caveonix will be exhibiting at VMworld 2018 US in Las Vegas, NV on August 26-31, 2018 and is available to connect further in the New Innovator Section #1074 at Kiosk I. To learn more about the RiskForesight platform, visit http://caveonix.com. About Caveonix Caveonix is redefining comprehensive and continuous hybrid cloud workload protection on a single platform. Caveonix's flagship product, RiskForesight, allows service providers and enterprises to continuously detect, predict and act on security threats and vulnerabilities impacting their hybrid cloud workloads, offering full stack visibility into cloud infrastructure, platforms, applications and data. RiskForesight's engine, CaveoIQ, leverages predictive analytics and machine learning to build IT, cyber and compliance risk mitigation models across the full cyber control plane to ensure security, network, compliance and policy enforcement of all your cloud-based workloads. For more information, visit: www.caveonix.com. VMware, VMworld, and VMware Cloud Provider Program are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. The firm's Competitive Start Fund continues to advance female-led Irish companies across a diverse range of industries. In 2017, Enterprise Ireland invested more than $36 million in over 180 start-up companies 37% of these investments were to female entrepreneurs. Today, Enterprise Ireland maintains a $1.2 million competitive start-up fund solely for female entrepreneurs, last year, 46% of companies who received Competitive Start-Up funds from Enterprise Ireland were female-led. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180822005143/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) "Enterprise Ireland wants to see more women scaling their businesses successfully," said Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland. "We are very proud to work with many, inspiring female entrepreneurs, facilitating their access to new markets and growing their opportunities." The Competitive Start Fund (CSF) was created to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capability to succeed in global markets. The fund is designed to enable those companies to reach key technical and commercial milestones. According to Sinnamon, the fund aims to support early stage start-ups specifically for Female Entrepreneurs or female-led start-ups, active in the Manufacturing and Internationally Traded Services sectors including the following subsectors: Internet, Games, Apps, Mobile, SaaS, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Lifesciences, Food, Cleantech and Industrial Products. "We need to address all of the constraints that are impacting the growth of women-owned start-ups," said Sinnamon. "In 2012, only 7% of the startups we were dealing with were female-led. We decided to try to understand some of the issues that might be impacting this." According to research by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, women in the United States are 18% less likely than men to perceive they have the capability to start a business. Sinnamon is working to address this confidence gap and boost the number of women owned businesses. "In trying to increase the number of female-owned high potential startups, we boiled it down to three key issues: access to finance, confidence, and a lack of role models or access to networks," said Sinnamon. By tackling each of these three key areas, Enterprise Ireland has been able to increase the proportion of female owned start-ups in its portfolio from 7% to 22%. While there is still progress to be made, supporting female entrepreneurship is paying off with continued growth of female-led startups. Here are just a few recent success examples: Cloud KPI CloudKPI is an analytics platform that helps SaaS businesses predict their future performance, enabling them make decisions today to deliver better outcomes tomorrow. CloudKPI's reporting and predictive analytics offer SaaS teams an automated solution to consolidate cross-business data, formulate accurate SaaS metrics and deliver insight exclusively tailored for SaaS. Cocoa Brown Cocoa Brown launched four years ago with the world's first 1 HOUR TAN and has since gained cult-status internationally amongst celebrities and beauty editors, from the pages of Teen Vogue to The Oscars red carpet. Cocoa Brown products are sold in almost 15,000 stores around the world, from the UK to Scandinavia, North America, Russia, Australia and Europe. GirlCrew There are countless apps available to find a date, but what about new friends? GirlCrew has created a unique platform focused on connecting women for friendship and chats. They launched their app in the U.S. this year after raising almost $1 million from investors including LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner. GirlCrew's three female co-founders, Elva Carri, Pamela Newenham and Aine Mulloy, are passionate about enabling women to make friends, network in a social and professional capacity, seek advice and share knowledge. PharmaPod The Pharmapod Solution is a smart, intuitive and profession-specific platform designed to facilitate effective compliance with pharmacy legislation and complement the workflow within the pharmacy, reducing the risk of litigation through error prevention. It enables pharmacists to systematically record medication-related incidents and risks in practice and carry out effective root-cause analysis. Salaso Salaso is passionate about the power and value of exercise to enhance recovery from injury and support the management of pain and musculoskeletal conditions. Regardless of whether you are an elite athlete recovering from injury, someone dealing with an ongoing chronic painful condition or if you are recovering from an operation such as a total hip replacement, Salaso believes there is always an exercise that can improve your physical health and wellbeing. About Enterprise Ireland Enterprise Ireland is the Irish State agency that works with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland partners with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland's international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth and regional development, and help create and sustain employment in Ireland. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180822005143/en/ Contacts: Brand Definition Daniel O'Connell, 212-660-2555 Ext. 12 Daniel@brand-definition.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 22, 2018) - Osprey Gold Development Ltd. (the "Company" or "Osprey") (TSXV: OS) (OTCQB: OSSPF) is pleased to provide initial results from its ongoing exploration programs at the Caribou Gold Project ("Caribou") in Nova Scotia, Canada. Caribou is located approximately 80 kilometres ("km") northeast of the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and 8 km north of Atlantic Gold's Moose River Consolidated mill site. These first results demonstrate support for the Company's geologic thesis that Caribou contains significant disseminated gold zones starting at surface. Key Points: Channel sampling from trench 18ELK-01 at the Elk Zone, in the northwest portion of the property, has returned 8.0 meters ("m") of 1.2 grams per tonne gold ("g/t Au") within a broader intercept of 24.7 m of 0.7 g/t Au. The trench terminated in mineralization and remains open to the north and south. The Company plans to extend this trench in both directions and has proposed an additional trench along strike approximately 75 m to the east. The Company is currently trenching and channel sampling at the Caffery Zone (trench "18Caf-01"), located approximately 1 km south of the Elk Zone on the south limb of the property's main structure, the Caribou-Cochrane Hill anticline. This zone was one of the earliest areas mined on the property historically; however, it saw less overall production than several other significant zones and shafts. In addition to trenching, Osprey has sampled and is re-assaying two historic drill holes from the Caffery Zone of the property. Results from these two holes, and the five holes previously sampled (see News Release dated June 21, 2018) will be reported as they become available. See accompanying map for trench locations and visit the Company's website at www.ospreygold.com for more information. "These first results are a great step toward proving our geologic thesis that Caribou contains significant disseminated gold zones starting at surface, where mineralization is present outside the quartz veins within the host argillites and greywackes," said Company President Cooper Quinn. "While Osprey is pleased to have defined high grade resources at its Goldenville project and historic high-grade mineralization on other projects, including Caribou, the successful extraction of disseminated gold zones via open pit mining is what has really reinvigorated the Nova Scotia gold camp, led by Atlantic Gold at its nearby Moose River Consolidated operation. These initial trench results from Caribou provide an early "proof of concept" for our team to expand this program. We're looking forward to testing for the potential expansion of this mineralization with additional trenching and channel sampling at Caribou to develop these targets for drilling." In addition to trenching work, Osprey has sampled and is re-assaying two historic drill holes from the Caffery Zone of the property. These holes had previously only been sampled where mineralized quartz veins had been present, Osprey has now sampled broader intervals of host sediments where previously overlooked mineralized argillites may be present. These two holes, and the five holes previously sampled by the Company (see News Release dated June 21, 2018) have been sent to the lab for analysis and results will be reported as they become available. Work underway at Caribou, including sampling of historic core, and the ongoing trenching and channel sampling programs are a critical first step to determining Caribou's potential to host significant zones of potentially bulk mineable, open-pit extractable, gold mineralization in a cost-effective way. The results of this analysis will help the Company fully develop drill targets on the project, and test for disseminated mineralization within the host sediments suggested in historic reports and data. Previous exploration at Caribou, like much of the Meguma Terrane, was focused on high-grade vein-hosted gold, dismissing potentially mineralized surrounding host rocks. Recent exploration successes by other operators in the trend focus on disseminated, bulk mineable zones that encompass both higher grade veins and disseminated gold in the surrounding sediments (chiefly argillite). Figure 1 - Caribou Project overview, showing the location of current trenching as well as major shaft locations, and the Caribou-Cochrane Hill Anticline. Cannot view Figure 1? Please visit http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5059/38215_a1534906563609_59.jpg to view this image About the Caribou Property Strategically located, 8 km north of Atlantic Gold's Touquoy Mine and Moose River Consolidated mill site and surrounded by Atlantic Gold claim holdings; Historic drill results in stockwork zones include 11.2 m grading 10.86 g/t Au in Hole CM-98-01 and 9.8 m grading 12.2 g/t Au in Hole SB-88-11; Project area includes broad areas of Halifax Group argillites, which overlie the quartzite/ argillite Goldenville Group, host rock for gold bearing quartz veining, and are largely unexplored at Caribou; Reported past production of over 100,000 gold ounces between 1869 and 1955, as reported in a historical technical report prepared for Scorpio Gold Corporation by Guy Mac Gillivray, P.Geo. of W.G. Shaw and Associates Limited in a report dated October 8, 2008 (the "Historical Report"); An inferred historic resource of 94,763 ounces of gold in 350,305 tonnes grading 8.81 g/t Au, uncut (the "Historic Estimate"); and Using a grade cap for gold of 47.0 g/t Au (to compensate for nugget effect) the Historical Estimate for the Caribou Gold Property is 350,305 tonnes grading 5.83 g/t Au, or 67,425 ounces of gold; The reader is cautioned that a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify this Historical Estimate as current resources and Osprey is not treating this Historical Estimate as a current mineral resource. While this estimate was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and the "Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Definition Guidelines" in effect at the time, there is no guarantee that it would be consistent with current standards and it should not be regarded as consistent with current standards. The Historical Estimate is relevant to obtain a reference to mineral potential present on the property. The Company has not undertaken any verification of the historical data upon which the historical estimates are based on. About Goldenville and Osprey Osprey is focused on exploring five historically producing gold properties in Nova Scotia, Canada. Osprey has the option to earn 100% (subject to certain royalties) in all five properties, including the Goldenville Gold Project, Nova Scotia's largest historic gold producer. Goldenville hosts a current NI 43-101 Inferred Resource of 2,800,000 tonnes at 3.20 g/t gold for 288,000 ounces of gold (2,800,000 tonnes at 4.96 g/t gold for 447,000 ounces of gold uncapped) near the town of Sherbrooke, NS. All five properties in Osprey's current portfolio have a history of high-grade gold production. A copy of the Company's technical report titled "Technical Report on the Goldenville Property, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia Canada" prepared by David G. Thomas, M.Sc., P. Geo. and Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P. Geo. is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. A Quality Control/Quality Assurance program, including the insertion of Standards and Blanks, has been implemented. The 2018 exploration program on the Company's properties is performed under the supervision of Perry MacKinnon, P.Geo, Vice-President of Exploration of Osprey Gold Development Ltd. and a 'Qualified Person' under NI 43-101. Mr. MacKinnon has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release. Additional information regarding Osprey and the Goldenville property is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and at www.ospreygold.com. For further information please contact: ON BEHALF OF OSPREY GOLD DEVELOPMENT LTD., "Cooper Quinn" Cooper Quinn, President and Director For further information please contact Osprey at (778)986-8192 or cooper@ospreygold.com 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. All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Osprey within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Osprey provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to exploration findings, results and recommendations, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Osprey's public filings under Osprey's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Osprey has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or 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. Osprey disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law. PUNE, India, August 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Hybrid Cloud Market by Component, Service Type (Cloud Management and Orchestration, Disaster Recovery, and Hybrid Hosting), Service Model, Organization Size (SMEs and Large Enterprises), Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market size is expected to grow from USD 44.60 billion in 2018 to USD 97.64 billion by 2023, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.0% during the forecast period. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Browse 75 market data Tables and 52 Figures spread through 154 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Hybrid Cloud Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/hybrid-cloud-market-1150.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report The major factors that are expected to drive the growth of the Hybrid Cloud Market include the growing demand from organizations for agile, scalable, and cost-efficient computing; rising need of standards for interoperability between cloud services and existing systems; increasing demand to avoid vendor lock-in; and growing number of digital services and their applications. The rising need for more computational power and rapidly increasing adoption rate of the hybrid cloud are expected to open new avenues for the Hybrid Cloud Market. Solution segment is expected to hold a larger market size during the forecast period. The demand for hybrid cloud is increasing as organizations are deploying the hybrid cloud solution to overcome complexities existing in the traditional Information Technology (IT) environment. Moreover, the hybrid cloud solution offers numerous benefits, such as the reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), high security, flexibility, agility, and improved economies of scale. Ask for PDF Brochure:https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=1150 Hybrid hosting segment is estimated to hold the largest market size in 2018. Hybrid hosting offers numerous benefits, such as access through a single point of contact; sharing the network infrastructure; and monitoring, delivering, and managing hosting services. It offers organizations the ability to integrate co-location, dedicated servers, and virtualized environments to construct a hybrid hosting environment. Furthermore, it enables organizations to host their interoperable applications and workloads on the most appropriate hosting platform, based on their requirements. Infrastructure-as-a-service segment is expected to hold the largest market size during the forecast period. The major advantage that has led to the popularity of Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) is its role in transferring workloads from on-premises systems to the cloud during peak demand. This advantage of IaaS helps allocate resources for more important business processes. Moreover, it helps organizations enhance their performance, increase delivery speed, improve productivity, and provide flexible computing capabilities, both in public and private cloud environments. The IaaS deployment can lead to a massive amount of processor load and network usage, thus monitoring and managing the IaaS resources are critical for smooth business operations. The IaaS service model is mostly used in the public cloud, based on the pay-as-you-go model, to leverage benefits of compute, storage, and networking. Banking, financial services, and insurance vertical is estimated to hold the largest market size in 2018. The hybrid cloud solution provides the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) vertical security and data privacy, high availability, scalability and performance, transparency and compliance support, openness and ease of integration, secure storage and backup, global file locking, and data control and oversights, among others. Hybrid cloud provides a seamless, user-friendly Application Programming Interface (API) to migrate applications between different infrastructure with ease and in less time. North America is expected to hold the largest market share from 2018 to 2023. North America is expected to hold the largest share of the Hybrid Cloud Market from 2018 to 2023, due to the increased cloud enablement activities and growing trends in the cloud marketplace. Regulations, such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), govern the North American industrial environment. These factors would eventually propel the demand for hybrid cloud, due to advantages, such as cloud governance, security, and compliance. The US and Canada are expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the Hybrid Cloud Market in North America. APAC is expected to offer potential growth opportunities to the Hybrid Cloud Market during the forecast period. Major vendors providing hybrid cloud solutions and services include IBM (US), Microsoft (US), Cisco Systems (US), AWS (US), Oracle (US), Google (US), VMware (US), Alibaba (China), Equinix (US), Rackspace (US), NetApp (US), Atos (US), Fujitsu (Japan), CenturyLink (Louisiana), HPE (US), DXC (US), RightScale (US), Micro Focus (US), NTT Communications (Japan), Dell EMC (US), Citrix (US), Pure Storage (US), Unitas Global (US), and Quest Software(US). Know more about the Hybrid Cloud Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/hybrid-cloud-market-1150.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/hybrid-cloud-market.asp Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets Four Major SMETS2 Contracts Now in Place for Aclara CAMBRIDGE, England, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Aclara, a leading supplier of smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) to electric, gas and water utilities, has been awarded a contract with National Grid Smart to provide the SMETS2 (smart metering equipment technical specifications: second version) smart electricity meter, the SGM1400, as well as CPA-certified gas meters to National Grid Smart's customers in the United Kingdom. Aclara already has a significant share of the smart electricity meter market in the UK. Its SGM1300TM SMETS1 smart electricity meters are being widely deployed and will soon be upgraded to the more advanced SMETS2 meters by the Data Communications Company, the entity that supports the mass rollout of smart electricity and gas meters to homes and small businesses. "Aclara has a proven track record as a reliable, customer-focused partner to utilities around the world, with great technical support and experience not only in large-scale projects but also with smart meters here in the UK. We are proud to have been awarded a contract for the provision of SMETS2 meters from National Grid Smart. We are committed to making the rollout of the SMETS2 smart meter program as smooth as possible," said Allan Connolly, president of Aclara and divisional vice president of Hubbell Power Systems. Aclara's SGM1400 SMETS2 smart electricity meter, developed specifically to support large-scale smart meter deployment in the UK's national smart meter rollout program, received Commercial Product Assurance (CPA) certification by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in September 2017. Last April, Smart gas meters provided by FLONIDAN, Aclara's strategic partner for the SMETS2 rollout, also were granted CPA certification, meaning that both smart electricity and gas meters provided by Aclara can be deployed immediately in the National Grid Smart implementation. CPA certification allows energy suppliers to install the SMETS2 smart meters in large-scale deployments that are part of the UK's National Smart Metering Implementation Program. This initiative mandates installation of approximately 53 million smart electricity and gas meters in more than 30 million homes and businesses in Wales, Scotland and England by the end of 2020. "We hope that this agreement is the start of a wider relationship between Aclara and National Grid, including working together on opportunities in the UK, United States and globally. It builds on our success in the UK Smart Metering market, which includes providing SMETS1 meters to three of the Big Six UK Energy Suppliers and represents our fourth major SMETS2 contract in the UK," said Jason Subirana, vice president, international, Aclara. National Grid Smart provides energy suppliers with turnkey solutions to meet their smart metering obligations. They are an established and recognised partner within the industry that design and deliver the right smart solution to ensure first class customer experience for both energy suppliers and their customers. National Grid Smart is part of National Grid plc, one of the largest investor-owned utilities, focused on transmission activities in electricity and gas. About Aclara Aclara, now part of the Hubbell Power Systems family of brands, is a world-class supplier of smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) and services to more than 800 water, gas, and electric utilities globally. Aclara SIS offerings include smart meters and other field devices, advanced metering infrastructure and software and services that enable utilities to predict and respond to conditions, leverage their distribution networks effectively, and engage with their customers. Aclara won a Frost & Sullivan Global Smart Energy Networks Enabling Technology Leadership Award in 2017 and was named a finalist in three categories of the Platts Global Energy Awards in 2016. Visit us at Aclara.com, follow us on Twitter @AclaraSolutions or read our blog. About Hubbell Power Systems Hubbell Power Systems, Inc. (HPS) is a subsidiary of Hubbell Incorporated and an international manufacturer of quality transmission, distribution, substation, OEM and telecommunications products for a broad range of non-residential and residential construction and electric, gas and water utility applications. With revenues of $1.1 billion, HPS operates manufacturing facilities in the United States and around the world. The headquarters is located in Columbia, South Carolina. Aclara Media Contacts: Nancy Talley Ann Seamonds Aclara Seamonds & Company 440-528-7287 978-764-5528 ntalley@aclara.com seamonds@seamonds.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/386124/Aclara_Primary_Logo.jpg LONDON, August 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Taking place for the third year in a row, The Official Animal Rights March on August 25 will bring together thousands of vegans to call for an end to all animal oppression. Founded in 2016 by Surge, a UK-based animal rights organisation, the march is a celebration of the successes of the vegan movement, but also a show of solidarity for all those who are being needlessly exploited worldwide. By marching through central London, the event also raises awareness of the plight of non-human animals to the thousands of bystanders and shows the exponential growth of veganism across the world. Ed Winters, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Surge, stated: "For too long, non-human persons have been seen unworthy of consideration within society, treated as objects and property. This march is an embodiment of society's changing attitudes towards non-human animals and is a precursor for a world that doesn't just talk about equality and peace but alsolives by it. "The lives of non-human animals belong only to them and their existence on this planet is as valuable to them as ours is to us. Society must wake up and no longer treat life that does not resemble our own as inferior or less worthy. The future is vegan, so the only question is, which side of history do you choose to stand on?" The march will start at Millbank, SW1P 3JA, and end with speeches in Hyde Park. Ed Winters and high-profile vegan campaigner and actor Evanna Lynch will be among the speakers. Berlin, Manila, Melbourne and New York are among the 24 cities also holding an Official Animal Rights March on August 25, making it truly worldwide event. http://www.theofficialanimalrightsmarch.com NOTES FOR EDITORS Surge is an animal rights organisation determined to create a world where compassion towards all non-human animals is the norm. We spread awareness, educate and assert a peaceful stance against animal exploitation. Animal oppression is not a matter of welfare, but one of liberation. In the last 12 months, Surge has organised the London Fashion Week anti-fur campaign, produced the UK farming documentary and expose Land of Hope and Glory, and completed a tour of 40 UK universities providing vegan education and outreach. http://www.surgeactivism.com STOCKHOLM, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Stockholm IT Ventures AB (SITV) (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: SVAB) (ISIN SE 0006027546), a Swedish technology company specialising in cryptocurrency production and blockchain technology, today announced that its subsidiary, Blocktrade Technology Ltd. (BTT), has signed a software license agreement with Valens Bank. The agreement stipulates that Valens bank shall use the BTT Crypto Trading Toolbox exclusively for Crypto Fund Trading. Valens Bank, a multi-currency financial services startup, is best known for its high-quality traffic for international payments across all major currencies. This is the second agreement the company has entered with Stockholm IT Ventures for the purpose of expanding SITV into digital financial services. Thereby, the agreement between Blocktrade Technology and Valens Bank strengthens the partnership with a unique product offering that is not available anywhere else in the world. "It's an exciting time to partner with Stockholm IT Ventures and Blocktrade Technology's innovative approach to the crypto space," said Torben Pedersen, Director, Valens Bank. "We are confident that this software will offer great value to clients and give pro-traders the market edge all are looking for. We have made a thorough due diligence of the BTT software in live trading situations and are amazed by its performance." Blocktrade Technology will receive a yearly license fee of 1.5 % on deployed capital into the trading program set forth by Valens Bank. The partners will work together diligently the next few weeks to integrate the back-end mechanics that will enable an official launch in September 2018 for Valens Bank clients. "We are proud to deliver our first license deal with Valens Bank. The agreement is perfectly in line with Blocktrade Technology's strategic goals and approach for Institutional investors and banks who aim to offer great returns on investments." said Fredrik Waijnstad, Managing Director Blocktrade Technology. "For us, this agreement is yet another proof of concept and what we believe to be one of many high value deals to come this year." About Stockholm IT Ventures AB Stockholm IT Ventures AB is a Swedish public company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2014 under the ticker symbol SVAB. The company specialises in cryptocurrency mining and production, and in blockchain related technology. For more information, visit www.stockholmit.co. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Details on the company's Bytemine (BYTM) token and White Paper can be found here: www.bytemine.io. Media Contacts: Vibrate Communications for Stockholm IT Ventures leslie@vibratecommunications.com tyrone@vibratecommunications.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/stockholm-it-ventures/r/stockholm-it-ventures-ab-subsidiary-blocktrade-technology-solidifies-exclusive-license-agreement-wit,c2598544 Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - August 22, 2018) - Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton announced today that an additional investor roundtable to discuss the Commission's recently proposed rules regarding the obligations of financial professionals to investors will be held in Baltimore on the evening of Sept. 20, 2018. Commissioners Kara Stein and Robert Jackson are expected to join Chairman Clayton and senior SEC staff at this event. Six roundtable discussions already have taken place in Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Denver. In these roundtables, Main Street investors have had the opportunity to speak directly with Chairman Clayton and senior staff about the SEC's efforts to enhance retail investor protection and promote choice and access to a variety of investment services and products. "These investor roundtables have been incredibly valuable, and I have enjoyed engaging directly with our Main Street investors. It is important to me that we hear retail investors' perspectives on how our proposed rules can better align standards of conduct with what they expect of their investment professionals," said Chairman Clayton. "We have had many insightful discussions and received some great ideas. I look forward to speaking with more investors in Baltimore about their experiences." Chairman Clayton also today issued a statement discussing his impressions from the earlier investor roundtables. Investors who have not been able to attend one of the roundtables in-person are invited to share their insights with the SEC by going to www.sec.gov/Tell-Us. Details about the upcoming investor roundtable in Baltimore can be found below. The event is free and open to the public and the media. Participants should be retail investors who work with, or are considering working with, a financial professional and have no affiliation with the financial services industry. Please note that the number of participants will be limited. Location: The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, 830 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 Date: Sept. 20, 2018 Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET) RSVP: outreach@sec.gov Background On April 18, 2018, the Commission voted to propose a package of rulemakings and interpretations designed to enhance the quality and transparency of investors' relationships with investment advisers and broker-dealers while preserving access to a variety of types of advice relationships and investment products. For additional information, see the Commission's press release, fact sheet and proposed Regulation Best Interest rule here. On April 24, 2018, Chairman Clayton issued a statement announcing that he had asked SEC staff to put together a series of roundtables focused on the retail investor to be held in different cities across the country. The roundtables are intended to gather information directly from those investors most affected by the Commission's rulemaking. On June 29, 2018, Chairman Clayton issued a press release inviting Main Street investors to "Tell Us' about their investor experience and providing details on the initial series of roundtables. Transcripts of the prior roundtables are available in the comment file. For general information about the investor roundtables, contact Suzanne McGovern from the SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy at: outreach@sec.gov. Strategic expansion will meet increasing global demand for biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing COPENHAGEN, Denmark and BOTHELL, Washington, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- AGC Biologics, a global leader in clinical and commercial manufacturing of therapeutic proteins, announced today that as part of its global expansion strategy, the company is increasing manufacturing capacity at its Copenhagen, Denmark facility. The Copenhagen facility will add a Single-use Bioreactor (SUB) 6Pack suite, consisting of six 2000L production bioreactors and a 2000L seed train. The addition of this proprietary bioreactor configuration will enable more flexible, innovative and customized cGMP production capabilities, offering scales from 2000L to 12000L within a single run. The six bioreactors will be run in single unit operations or in groups; simultaneously, sequentially or staggered; to meet each client's specific production needs. The expansion also includes additional capabilities for harvesting, purification, buffer and media production that will support the processing of different therapeutic proteins, including high antibody titer processes. The new suites are scheduled to be online in November 2018, and are expected to support the manufacturing of several commercial products. "We're very pleased to implement this important capital expansion that addresses our clients' evolving needs for increased capacity and customization in development and production," said Gustavo Mahler, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of AGC Biologics. "The investment in our Copenhagen site enables AGC Biologics to offer more production capabilities within accelerated timelines, while continuing to provide our deep industry expertise, continuous innovation and proven technical excellence." About AGC Biologics AGC Biologics is a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), with a strong commitment to deliver the highest standard of service to our clients and partners. AGC Biologics is the product of the convergence and integration of Asahi Glass Company (AGC) Bioscience, Biomeva GmbH, and CMC Biologics. The company currently employs more than 850 employees worldwide. Our extensive network spans three continents, with cGMP-compliant facilities in Seattle, WA; Berkeley, CA; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Yokohama, Japan; and Chiba, Japan. AGC Biologics offers deep industry expertise and unique customized services for the scale-up and cGMP manufacture of protein-based therapeutics; from pre-clinical to commercial production, for mammalian and microbial. Our integrated service offerings include cell line development, bioprocess development, formulation, analytical testing, antibody drug development and conjugation, cell banking and storage, and protein expression - including our proprietary CHEF1 Expression System for mammalian production. Further information can be found at www.agcbio.com. AGC Biologics Media Contact Information: Bob Broeze Chief Business Officer Email: bbroeze@agcbio.com Phone: +1 609.273.3414 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/624983/AGC_Biologics_logo_Logo.jpg Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 22, 2018) - Carube Copper Corp. (TSXV: CUC) is pleased to report high grade gold assays from soil and rock chip sampling at the Company's 100% owned Main Ridge Project in Jamaica. The Company is undertaking a mapping and sampling program to follow up results of exploration conducted by BHP in the early 1990's which subsequently lead to development of a small open pit gold mine at the Pennants deposit by AusJam Mining Ltd (AusJam). Highlights of the Carube work completed to date include: Coherent high tenor gold-in-soil anomaly with gold values ranging from 0.05 ppm to 6.13 ppm, defined over approximately two kilometres of strike to the northwest of a historical resource of 75,500t at 20.4g/t gold, called the Pennants deposit 1 & 2 . Two mineralized structures identified, one being a major low angle fault potentially extending two kilometres west from the bonanza grade vein mined at Pennants. Grab samples up to 6.1g/t gold and 13.9g/t gold reported from Donkey Hill and Mango Valley prospects, respectively Figure 1: Main Ridge Project area, showing gold in soils and the Donkey Hill and Mango Valley prospects in respect to the former Pennants Open Pit gold mine.Note: The historic Pennants Gold Mine lies along strike but outside Carube's Main Ridge SEPL. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2661/38225_a1534963427624_15.jpg Mr. Stephen Hughes, CEO, commented: "Potential for high grade mineralisation in the Main Ridge Project area has been known for some time, however these first pass results now confirm prospectivity over more than 2km in a soil gold anomaly. Our geologists have defined two priority areas with strong gold mineralization, and outcropping vein systems that show similar features to that of the high-grade vein at the historical Pennants Gold Mine, located immediately east of Main Ridge. We have ramped up activity at Main Ridge project area and plan to rapidly advance the target to drilling stage" Historical drill data indicates the presence of bonanza gold grades at Pennants, including several drill holes reporting individual sample assays above the upper assay limit of 500g/t gold. Two holes (MD28 and MD6, Figure 1) drilled within Carube's Main Ridge Special Exclusive Prospecting License (SEPL) tenement by AusJam reported 3.1m @ 17.0g/t gold in MD28 and 1.4m @ 2.7g/t gold in MD6 (drill results are historical in nature and have not been independently confirmed3). Recent mapping has uncovered a low angle quartz vein system at three locations in the Main Ridge Project area, with a potential strike length of two kilometres. The width of the mapped low angle structure is variable, ranging from 1 to 5 metres in apparent thickness. Donkey Hill Prospect At the Donkey Hill prospect, a large low angle (20-30 degree dip) quartz vein within a 2-5 meter wide fault zone was mapped and sampled with rock chip grab samples assaying up to 6.1g/t gold. Steeply dipping, millimetre to centimetre scale quartz-sulphide veins cross cut the low angle structure. A total of 80 infill soil samples were also collected at a 25m line and 25m sample spacing. Soils confirmed and further defined the historical gold in soil anomaly with up to 2.5g/t gold in soils reported. Mango Valley Prospect Geological mapping and rock sampling were also undertaken at the Mango Valley prospect area, located proximal to the former Pennants gold mine. Initial results confirmed the presence of a similar low angle quartz vein within a 1 to 3 metre wide shear zone that is also cross cut by steeply dipping quartz veins. Rock chip grab samples collected in the vicinity of historical drill hole MD28 assayed up to 13.9g/t gold (see Figure 1). This will be more accurately defined as the mapping and sampling program develops. The mineralized structure appears to have the same strike and dip as the vein system at the former Pennants open pit mine and remains open to the northwest and southeast. Based on the interpretation of the digital terrain model and the recent assay results, detailed follow up exploration has already commenced to define priority targets for drilling. 1Published report, Geochemical exploration for gold in Jamaica: A comparison of stream sediment and soil surveys, Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 4, 161-170, 1 May 2004, authored by Robert G. Garrett, Gerald C. Lalor and Mitko Vutchkov 2The mineral reserve cited above is presented as a historical estimate and uses historical terminology which does not conform to current NI43-101 standards. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Although the historical estimates are believed to be based on reasonable assumptions, they were calculated prior to the implementation of National Instrument 43-101. These historical estimates do not meet current standards as defined under sections 1.2 and 1.3 of NI 43-101; consequently, the issuer is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. 3Data from the above drill results are historical results and it is unknown what type of quality-control programs were performed at the time. The QP also advises that true width of the above results cannot be determined at this time. QP Statement: This press release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Shannon Baird, P.Geo., Carube Copper's Exploration Manager, in his capacity as a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101. About Carube Copper Carube Copper is focused on creating substantive long-term value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of world class copper and gold deposits. Carube currently holds a 100% interest in 11 licenses covering 535 square kilometres of highly prospective copper-gold terrain in Jamaica, and a 100% interest in three porphyry copper-gold properties covering 492sqkm within the Cascade Magmatic Arc in southwestern British Columbia. Carube is actively searching for additional high potential copper and gold properties to add to its portfolio. Stephen Hughes, CEO and President +1 (647) 517-4574 shughes@carubecopper.com Jeff Ackert, Vice President, Business Development +1 (647) 957-2249 jackert@carubecopper.com www.carubecopper.com Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. DISCLAIMER & FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, and by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on currently available information, Carube Copper Corp. provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Factors which cause results to differ materially are set out in the Company's documents filed on SEDAR. Undue reliance should not be placed on "forward looking statements". IMPORTANT NOTICE: Carube Copper hereby incorporates the entire disclaimer set forth on its website at http://www.carubecopper.com/uploads/1/6/5/2/16521880/disclaimers-and-forward-statements.pdf Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 22, 2018) - Contact Gold Corp. (TSXV: C) (the "Company" or "Contact Gold") is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2018. Contact Gold's extensive land holdings are on the prolific Carlin, Independence and Northern Nevada Rift gold trends which host numerous gold deposits and mines. Contact Gold's land position comprises approximately 275 km2 of target-rich mineral tenure hosting numerous known gold occurrences, ranging from early- to advanced-exploration and resource definition stage (the "Contact Gold Properties"). The Company's focus is on the Pony Creek gold project. Quarterly highlights and recent developments Announced results for initial 3 holes at the new 2 kilometre ("km") long "West Target" at Pony Creek, including 0.42 g/t Au over 33.53 metres oxide from 4.57 metres ("m") in discovery hole PC18-018. The West Target is 1 km from the property's "Bowl Zone". ("m") in discovery hole PC18-018. The West Target is 1 km from the property's "Bowl Zone". Reported initial 10 drill holes at the Bowl Zone from the ongoing 2018 program at Pony Creek, including: 0.91 g/t Au over 27.43 m from 28.96 m in drill hole PC18-01 0.53 g/t Au over 59.44 m from 1.52 m in drill hole PC18-02 2.51 g/t Au over 47.24 m from 86.87 m in drill hole PC18-03 1.00 g/t Au over 92.97 m from 50.29 m in drill hole PC18-04 0.18 g/t Au over 25.91 m oxide from surface in drill hole PC18-07 0.61 g/t Au over 21.34 m from 103.63 in drill hole PC18-012 Reported positive results of initial metallurgical test work completed on samples from Pony Creek. Acquired at no cost, a significant package of CSAMT data relating to the northern-most claims at Pony Creek, including the Moleen and Elliot Dome targets; adjacent to property and targets controlled by Gold Standard Ventures. Drill pad building at the previously undrilled Moleen and Elliot Dome targets at Pony Creek, and at the Company's North Star property have been completed. Outlook Exploration activities and the related budget for 2018 will continue to focus on creating value at Pony Creek with an aggressive and systematic exploration program. The Company is fully-funded for the planned program. The 2018 drill program is focusing on several priority target areas at Pony Creek: the new discovery at West Target, the North Zone, the historical resource area at the Bowl Zone, and the never-before drilled Elliot Dome and Moleen targets. For an updated map of the 2018 targets areas and drill collar locations at Pony Creek, see: http://www.contactgold.com/_resources/news/Pony-Creek-Plan-Map.pdf The 2018 program has been designed to: Increase the footprint of oxidized gold mineralization at the Bowl Zone, West Target and North Zone Discover new zones of gold mineralization at West Target and the Moleen and Elliot Dome targets Continue to generate and drill test additional targets There is currently one reverse circulation (RC) drill rig operating on a 24-hour shift, and the Company plans to add another drill rig in the Fall. The planned program includes drilling 70 holes (16,000 metres) on newly-generated, previously undrilled targets, and to expand the existing gold zones at Pony Creek. Results for 15 RC drill holes (approximately 3,000 metres) are pending as of the date of this news release), with continued drilling anticipated through the remainder of the year. An additional 12 holes will be dedicated to West Target as follow-up to the recently announced new discovery. The approved 2018 exploration budget is approximately $4.7 million. The Company also expects to complete a separate drill program at the North Star property (6-8 drill holes), which is immediately north of Gold Standard Ventures' North Dark Star deposit. Selected financial data Details of financial results as at and for the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2018 are described in the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto, as prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") (the "Interim Financial Statements"), and the MD&A for the corresponding periods; copies of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The following selected financial data is derived from the Interim Financial Statements. Unless otherwise stated, the information herein, and in the tables below, is presented in Canadian $000s, except per share data. Attributable to shareholders: Three months ended June 30, 2018 Three months ended June 30, 2017 Six months ended June 30, 2018 Six months ended June 30, 2017 Loss for the period $ 2,845 $ 373 $ 4,078 $ 837 Other comprehensive loss(income) $ (811) $ 1,569 $ (1,901) $ 1,569 Loss and comprehensive loss $ 2,033 $ 1,942 $ 2,177 $ 2,406 Basic and diluted loss per share $ 0.06 $ 0.01 $ 0.08 $ 0.04 As at June 30, 2018 As at December 31, 2017 Cash $ 3,725,964 $ 6,176,258 Working capital $ 3,534,890 $ 6,239,022 Total assets $ 44,781,211 $ 45,424,278 Current liabilities $ 564,272 $ 524,212 Preferred shares $ 10,078,111 $ 9,466,747 Shareholders' deficit $ 34,041,470 $ 35,348,230 Losses attributable to shareholders for the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2018 of $2.84 million and $4.08 million, respectively, include expenditures for (i) exploration and evaluation on the Contact Gold Properties ($1.35 million and $1.96 million for each of the three- and six-month periods), (ii) professional, legal and advisory fees, administration & office expenditures, wages and salaries, and investor relations activities (in aggregate for the three- and six-month periods $0.54 million and $0.97 million), and (iii) non-cash stock-based compensation expense of ($0.38 million and $0.67 million for each of the three- and six-month periods). The Company also recognized non-cash gains, offsetting operating activities through each of the periods. These gains include a fair value adjustment recognized on the embedded derivatives within the Company's Preferred Shares of $0.03 million and $0.59 million for each of the three- and six-month periods. Losses for the comparative three- and six-month periods reflect the professional, legal and advisory fees incurred in order to close the transactions that established Contact Gold, and administrative expenditures, wages and salaries, and investor relations activities (in aggregate, $0.17 million and $0.64 million, respectively), net of the fair value adjustment recognized on the embedded derivatives in the comparative periods. During the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2018, exploration and evaluation expenditures predominantly related to activity at the Pony Creek property, including the evaluation and review of data generated through 2017 and the ongoing 2018 drilling program. Approximately $1.60 million in expenditures had been incurred through June 30, 2018 for exploration at Pony Creek (through June 30, 2017: $0.05 million). Other comprehensive income attributable to shareholders for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2018 was $0.81 million, and $1.90 million, respectively (three- and six-months ended June 30, 2017: losses of $1.57 million and $1.57 million). Other comprehensive income/loss reflects predominantly the foreign currency impact arising on the post-acquisition carrying value of the Contact Gold Properties. Net cash operating outflows for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2018 of $1.47 million and $2.57 million, respectively, reflects primarily (i) ongoing activity and exploration at Pony Creek, (ii) investor relations and head office costs, and (iii) the settlement of balances due to service providers and vendors at prior period ends. The Company's has elected to capitalize mineral property acquisition costs, and expense exploration expenditures as incurred. Total assets at June 30, 2018 comprise primarily: exploration and evaluation assets of $40.45 million, including the "bump" of $35.01 million recorded on closing of the acquisition to acquire the Contact Gold Properties net of a $1.91 million foreign currency adjustment, and $3.73 million in cash. At December 31, 2017, total assets included primarily capitalized mineral property acquisition costs of $38.5 million, the carrying value of prepaid mineral property claims fees of $0.19 million, and $6.18 million in cash. Total liabilities at June 30, 2018 include the value of the Preferred Shares ($10.08 million), and accounts payable and accruals ($0.56 million). At December 31, 2017, the balance of total liabilities included the value of the Preferred Shares ($9.47 million), and accounts payable and accruals ($0.52 million). Accumulated other comprehensive loss of $0.89 million at June 30, 2018 (December 31, 2017: $2.79 million) reflects the aggregate foreign currency impact on the translation to Canadian dollars of the value of the Contact Gold Properties. The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Vance Spalding, CPG, VP Exploration, Contact Gold, who is a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). All of the Contact Gold Properties are early stage exploration properties and do not contain any mineral resource estimates as defined by NI 43-101. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource estimate at any of Contact Gold Properties. Scientific and technical information contained herein is subject to all of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in a technical report entitled "Technical Report on the Pony Creek Gold Project, Elko County, Nevada, USA" dated April 18, 2017, and effective March 15, 2017), prepared by Michael M. Gustin, C.P.G. of Mine Developments Associates of Reno, Nevada (the "Technical Report"), which can be viewed under Contact Gold's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and reference should be made to the full details of the Technical Report. Additional information about the Company is available at www.contactgold.com. For more information, please contact (604) 449-3361 for either: John Wenger, Chief Financial Officer wenger@contactgold.com John Glanville Director, Investor Relations glanville@contactgold.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to planned expenditures through the remainder of the year, and the anticipated exploration activities of the Company at Pony Creek, Dixie Flats and North Star. These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include; business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar to United States dollar exchange rate); change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Air India's debt burden was more than Rs 48,000 crore at the end of March 2017. The government has refused to bail out Air India and the Finance Ministry has turned down the Rs 300-billion fund infusion proposal for the national carrier. The government's latest move comes in the view of Air India not having a clear turnaround plan, says a report in the Business Standard. Instead, the government is looking at transferring Air India's non-core assets and "unsustainable debt" to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) as part of measures to revive the national carrier, a top official said on Tuesday. After the proposed strategic disinvestment of Air India failed to take off in May, the government has been looking at ways to bolster the carrier. Against this backdrop, the official at the Finance Ministry said that efforts are on to sell non-core assets of Air India. As part of the disinvestment process, which has been shelved, for now, the government had proposed creating a special purpose vehicle wherein the non-core assets and "unsustainable debt" would be transferred there. The official said that proposal and encashing the non-core assets are being pursued as it would also help the airline stand on its feet. "This was also proposed for Air India when we had gone for hunting of proposed bidder for Air India," the official added. The national carrier's debt burden was more than Rs 48,000 crore at the end of March 2017. It is staying afloat on a bailout package extended by the previous UPA regime in 2012. In the current financial year, the airline has received an equity infusion of Rs 650 crore up to June. TAP and a Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP) were approved for Air India by the previous UPA regime in 2012. Last month, the government sought Parliament's nod for Rs 980 crore as supplementary grants for equity infusion into the airline. According to the official, there is no plan "as of now" to make additional capital infusion into Air India. --With inputs from PTI The relief material coming from foreign countries for flood-hit Kerala has been exempted from the customs duty and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) New Delhi: Union finance minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said that the last date of filing the GSTR 3B has been extended to 5 October for Kerala and for other states, it will be 24 August. "Due to flood situation in Kerala, the last date of filling GSTR 3B has been extended to 5 October in the state," said Piyush Goyal while addressing the media. Adding to this he said that the relief material coming from foreign countries for flood-hit Kerala has been exempted from the customs duty and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). "The government is committed to help Kerala in this time of devastation," he said, adding, "We have decided that all the relief materials coming from foreign countries for the Kerala Relief Funds are exempted from the customs duty as well as GST." Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed Insurance Companies to hold special camps for assessment and timely release of compensation to the affected families and beneficiaries, under Social Security Schemes. Directions have also been issued for early clearance of claims under Fasal Bima Yojana to agriculturists. He further directed National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to repair main national highways, damaged due to floods, on priority. Central Public Sector like NTPC and Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) have also been directed to be available to render all possible assistance to the state government in restoring power lines. Bhalla was of the view that it is a chicken and egg story because charging stations would not be set up without enough e-vehicles and e-vehicles sales would not pick up unless there is enough facility to charge these vehicles. New Delhi: Power Secretary AK Bhalla on Tuesday said the government is considering providing a subsidy for encouraging setting up of e-vehicle charging infrastructure under a policy, to be unveiled in coming days. Bhalla was of the view that it is a chicken and egg story because charging stations would not be set up without enough e-vehicles and e-vehicles sales would not pick up unless there is enough facility to charge these vehicles. "We are bringing a policy in consultation with heavy industries ministry that how these chargers can be established. Whether we need to support that with a subsidy, to begin with," he said speaking at the launch of "#InnovateToINSPIRE: Creating Future Energy Solutions" by the World Bank, World Resources Institute (WRI), and Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL). He further said, "E-mobility is an area where the government has been working. We have clarified that for (setting up) charging infra does not need a licence as it is a service-oriented activity. In draft tariff policy, we have put certain policy statement for encouraging power supply to these charging stations. We have notified technical standards for charging infrastructure." Talking about UJALA scheme, he said it has led to huge savings as against the target to distribute 77 crore LED bulbs, 118 crore have already been distributed. Bhalla expressed concerns over increasing gap between energy requirement and supply in view of more and more induction of renewables like wind and solar in the system. He said, "The gap is increasing and it is a big challenge. We are setting up renewable energy management centres. We have sanctioned 11 such centres. We are heading much ahead of time of our target of generation installed capacity of more than 40 per cent from non-fossil fuels. We will definitely be achieving this ahead of 2030 deadline." The 'innovate to inspire' challenge is open to participants across the world and aims to address specific issues inhibiting grid stability and adoption of e-mobility, while also endeavouring to expand the markets and applications for energy efficiency interventions across India. The registration and application submissions for the challenge are open to participants from 21 August to 12 October, 2018. The challenge invites participants to submit sustainable and scalable solutions to seven specific challenges spanning grid management, e-mobility, energy efficiency and energy market transformation. These challenges include development of weather and wind forecasting tools to assist renewable energy generation, economically-viable energy storage systems, devices for minimising standby energy losses, business models for driving energy efficiency in cold storage, cheaper and higher-range electric vehicles than those currently available in market, financial instruments for sustainable funding and securitising energy-related innovations. Luckily for the film, the director seemed to know how to deal with the problem and get the best out of the actor. Manoj Bajpayee, who will soon be seen in filmmaker Dipesh Jains psychological thriller Gali Guleiyan, reveals that he came dangerously close to suffering a breakdown during the making of the film in which he plays a man who loses his grip over reality. We were shut in the claustrophobic gullies of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, and I was playing a man troubled to the point of not being able to tell the difference between make-believe and reality. On our 20th day on location, I asked Dipesh to shut down the shoot because the role was affecting more deeply than I expected. I was on the verge of having a mental breakdown. Luckily for the film, the director seemed to know how to deal with the problem and get the best out of the actor. Dipesh would shoot a traumatic sequence and then lock me up in a room where I had no choice but to sleep. Id come out refreshed and do another scene and be knocked out, psychologically, again. It went on like this until the end of the shoot. I had a tough time drawing a line between my character and me. I didnt know where one ended and the other began. The actor reveals that one of the first things he did after completing the film, was to get rid of all physical characteristics he associated with his character. I shaved off all the facial hair, trimmed my hair and generally discarded the unkempt, dishevelled look of a man who has stopped caring about how he looks. I had to look at myself in the mirror for days and remind myself that, this was the real me, and not the man that I had played in the film. At the films completion party, I guzzled down a whole bottle of wine to forget the man I had become. But despite his best efforts, he found that leaving behind his character was not as easy as changing his hairstyle and his clothes. Somewhere, the traumatised, disoriented, misfits that I have played, have stayed with me. When people meet me after a gap of some years, they say that I look older than I should. Thats because I carry all these existentially burdened characters within me, he says. Not surprisingly, Manoj says that his role in Gali Guleiyan has been his toughest one to date. Not only is it the toughest character Ive played, its also one of the most complex ones written in Indian cinema. The challenge was not physical, but emotional, he says. And yet, his more commercial roles, like the one in Satyameva Jayate, are the ones that end up getting an audience. But the actor dismisses that line of thought, saying, Thats a very pessimistic view of my career. If I started thinking like that, Id never be able to give my all to films like Aligarh and Gali Guleiyan. And who said that Satyameva Jayate was not challenging? The challenge is not to get sucked into the system. To be a part of it, and yet remain detached and fight it. Because you know that mainstream cinema will never accept you. It will only use you for your talent. So you use the reality of that situation to fuel your idealism. Every Satyameva Jayate that succeeds, gives me the power to do three Aligarhs and Gali Guleiyans. GSK started a strategic review of Horlicks - a malt-based drink brand popular in India and some smaller products, after buying Novartis out of their consumer healthcare venture for $13 billion in March. London: GlaxoSmithKline is seeking initial bids by mid-September for its India-focused Horlicks health nutrition business, which is expected to fetch more than $4 billion, two people familiar with the situation said on Tuesday. The British drugmaker started a strategic review of Horlicks - a malt-based drink brand popular in India and some smaller products, after buying Novartis out of their consumer healthcare venture for $13 billion in March. Potential acquirers are likely to include major food and consumer products groups, such as Nestle, Pepsico and Reckitt Benckiser, the sources said. The large Indian consumer business could also be of interest to other food and drink companies. GSK, Nestle and Reckitt declined to comment, while officials at Pepsico were not immediately available. The timing of the bidding process was first reported by Bloomberg. The main asset on the block in the sale is GSKs 72.5 percent stake in its Indian subsidiary GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, which is famous for Horlicks but also makes other products, including the chocolate-flavoured malt-based drink Boost. Horlicks is more than 140 years old with origins dating back to 1873, when two British-born men, James and William Horlick, founded a company in Chicago to manufacture the drink. It was introduced to India by Indian soldiers who had fought with the British Army in the First World War. Nestle, the worlds biggest packaged food company, has previously told GSK privately of its interest in Horlicks on several occasions, people familiar with the matter told Reuters earlier this year. Nestle already owns the malt drink Milo, but it is not a big seller in India. GSK is being advised by Morgan Stanley and Greenhill. The strength of the Chartered Accountant fraternity has grown to over 2.70 lakh members and about 8 lakh active students New Delhi: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) will launch an exclusive job portal next month for its members amid rising demand for chartered accountants. The Committee for Members in Industry & Business of ICAI will formally launch the portal on 1 September. "The demand of chartered accountants is growing. We used to place 3,000 candidates in campus placements now it has doubled to 6,000 candidates. The demand for CAs have increased manifold across segments," Dhiraj Kumar Khandelwal Chairman CMI&B ICAI told PTI. He further noted that this job portal has details of all its members. It has video Curriculum Vitae (CVs), which gives recognition and value to the CV. Moreover, the member profile can be updated through LinkedIn. The portal also has a solution for Flexi-hour working. "It will not only act as a great support system for CA Job seekers but also help organisations, which will have a big pool of world-class CAs to choose from. Also, all information shared on the portal is absolutely safe and there is no fear it being used for commercial gains," he said. CMI&B is also offering free registration and job postings to organisations till 29th August, 2018. "Being the regulator of the chartered accountant profession, the authentic database of CAs is available with ICAI. This portal has been specifically designed for serving CAs and is totally unique, which will work as a one-stop solution for CA job seekers and job providers," Khandelwal said. ICAI is a statutory body established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 for regulating the profession in India. The strength of the Chartered Accountant fraternity has grown to over 2.70 lakh members and about 8 lakh active students. The MINISO brand, which was launched in August 2017, at present operates 26 stores in India - 21 in Delhi/NCR, three in Mumbai, one in Bengaluru and two in Lucknow. New Delhi: Japanese retail brand MINISO has completed one year of operation in India and achieved its annual target of Rs 700 crore revenue for 2017-18. The brand, which was launched in August 2017, at present operates 26 stores in India - 21 in Delhi/NCR, three in Mumbai, one in Bengaluru and two in Lucknow. It plans to take its store count to 800 by 2019 by increasing its spread in existing cities and entering new cities across the country. MINISO India plans to expand its business by increasing its footprint across the country. The company aims to open 200 stores by this year end and hopes to increase it to 800 by the year 2019, the company said in a statement. "India is one of the top five markets in terms of revenue for MINISO. To expand our presence in India, we have initiated our franchise model and have already started five franchise stores in India," MINISO Global Chief Designer and CoFounder Miyake Junya said. "MINISO India has extensive plans to start operations in Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Jaipur while tapping into tier 2 and tier 3 markets. This rapid expansion will be done through company-owned model and through franchise partners as well," the company added. Jet Airways, which has been flying for over 25 years, is facing financial woes and its share price has taken a beating in recent weeks. New Delhi: Amid Jet Airways facing turbulent times, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu has made it clear that private airlines have to deal with issues facing them on their own and the government's role can only be at the policy level. The minister's comments come at a time when the airline industry is grappling with tough times as high oil prices and stiff competition are crimping the profitability of carriers. When asked about the current situation at Jet Airways, Prabhu said, "We are not aware about their position." The full-service carrier, which has been flying for over 25 years, is facing financial woes. Earlier this month, it also deferred the announcement of June quarter results. The airline's share price has taken a beating in recent weeks. "We are not aware about their (Jet Airways) position. As far as private airlines are concerned, they will have to deal with whatever issues they are dealing with. At the Ministry of (Civil) Aviation we can only deal at the policy level, Prabhu said in an interview. Jet Airways is facing financial stress and on 9 August the company held off from announcing the unaudited financial results for the June quarter. The airline's board is scheduled to meet on 27 August to consider and approve the unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended June 30. The carrier is also under the scanner of markets regulator Sebi for alleged disclosure lapses. Shares of the airline tumbled nearly 4 percent today after reports that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs Ministry is looking into alleged fund diversions at the carrier. In a regulatory filing, Jet Airways said it "has not received any communication from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in this regard". About the overall situation in the airline industry, the minister said that whenever the fuel prices go up, the airlines get badly affected because it is a variable cost and cannot be absorbed into business model immediately. "Now, we will have to work on it. Not only India but globally. Some of the global airlines are facing serious problems. We have no control over the oil prices. One of the things we are trying to pursue is to put the ATF (Aviation Turbine Fuel) into the GST," he said. The Civil Aviation Ministry has been working on efforts to bring jet fuel under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. This missive comes in the light of the arrest of Bhushan Steel's erstwhile promoter Neeraj Singal by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) for allegedly siphoning off funds. New Delhi: In a stern warning to bankers, the Finance Ministry has asked chief executives of public sector banks (PSBs) to check all NPA accounts exceeding Rs 50 crore for fraud or they could face criminal conspiracy charges, according to official sources. This missive comes in the light of the arrest of Bhushan Steel's erstwhile promoter Neeraj Singal by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) for allegedly siphoning off funds. The sources said that bankers could be held accountable under Section 120B of Indian Penal Code if they fail to report fraud in an account which is later unearthed by investigating agencies, sources said. If the investigating agencies find diversion of funds in those defaulting accounts, bankers may be liable to face criminal proceedings, the sources said, adding that this advisory is like an extra precaution to keep bankers from getting into legal tangles. More than a dozen companies undergoing bankruptcy resolution are being reviewed by banks and investigating agencies for fraudulent activities including diversion of funds. Indian banks are facing mounting non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans, especially at PSBs, which have reached over Rs 8 lakh crore. In addition, several banking frauds have been unearthed, including the Rs 14,000 crore scam at PNB, carried out allegedly by diamond jeweller Nirav Modi and his associates. A senior government official confirmed the development and said that some discrepancies have been pointed out in the case of a steelmaker and a real estate firm among 10-12 companies. "There were some inputs and lenders who have been asked to provide transaction details of last five years. If required, banks will also undertake a forensic audit," he said. Earlier this month, SFIO arrested Singal for alleged diversion of Rs 2,000 crore, raised through loans from state-owned banks. "Similar modus operandi has been used by other promoters also," said another government official, adding that there have been intelligence inputs on associate companies being used for similar transactions. SFIO is also looking into the books of companies which are currently undergoing debt resolution, he said, adding that this has been done on the basis of specific inputs provided by the ministry of corporate affairs. During the resolution process, the extensive audit of bankrupt companies has thrown up financial irregularities in several cases. In June 2017, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had identified 12 stressed accounts, each having more than Rs 5,000 crore of outstanding loans and accounting for 25 percent of total non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks for immediate referral under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). In August, RBI had sent a list of 28 more firms to lenders for resolution by December 2017. "These accounts also have some firms from the second list and those where later banks filed cases in NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal)," said a bank executive aware of the developments. The NCLT benches handle banks' bad debt resolution under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Banks have to undertake a two-year transaction audit when they start the resolution process through IBC. In case there are any issues or specific information, banks also conduct a forensic audit. In August 2017, SFIO was given powers to arrest people for company law violations. SFIO is a multidisciplinary organisation having experts for the prosecution of white-collar crimes and frauds under the company law. NCLT has so far taken a decision on 655 cases under IBC that include more than 200 that have been admitted to various NCLT benches. Under the flexi-fare scheme, applicable in premium trains such as Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi, the base fare increases by 10 percent with every 10 percent of berths sold, subject to a prescribed maximum limit. New Delhi: Senior railway officials ruled out any rollback of the flexi-fare scheme. Under the scheme, applicable in premium trains such as Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi, the base fare increases by 10 percent with every 10 percent of berths sold, subject to a prescribed maximum limit. There was, however, no change in the existing fare for first AC and Executive Class tickets. One of the officials further said that the flexi-fare scheme is only applicable in just 1.5 percent of mail and express trains -- 168 out of 12,500. He also refuted reports that due to the flexi-fare scheme, seats in many premium trains remained vacant. The railways had on 9 September 2016 introduced the flexi fare scheme. But on 19 December 2016, the railways started to provide 10 percent rebate on any seat left vacant after the preparation of the reservation chart, done a few hours before a train is to depart. Earlier on 20 July this year, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report highlighted that tickets on the Indian Railways' premium trains were much higher as compared to airfares. Coming down heavily on the flexi fare scheme, the CAG report said, "For the 120 advance reservation period (ARP) of 120 days, travel by air was found to be cheapest mode in 17 directions of travel. In the remaining nine directions though, the airfare was higher and the difference in fare was only up to Rs 600." The railways will soon float a tender for procuring CCTV cameras for 6,000 stations and will install GPS in its premium trains to know the running status real time, the official said. Provenance Land, which first introduced the Four Seasons brand in India, owns a mixed-use development project spread over four acres of prime freehold land in Worli, central Mumbai New Delhi: Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC has acquired a 'significant minority' stake in Provenance Land for an undisclosed amount, the realty firm said. GIC had in December last year bought 33.34 percent stake in DLF's rental arm DLF Cyber City Developers Ltd (DCCDL) for about Rs 9,000 crore. DCCDL holds 27 million sq ft of price commercial assets earning an annual rental income of Rs 2,400 crore. Provenance Land, which first introduced the Four Seasons brand in India, owns a mixed-use development project spread over four acres of prime freehold land in Worli, central Mumbai, the company said in a statement. The project comprises a 5-star Four Seasons Hotel having 202 rooms, Four Seasons Private Residences and a proposed office tower. Provenance Land MD Adarsh Jatia said: "This investment marks a key milestone for Provenance Land, as it directly bears out the intent to expand quickly and strategically into new best-in-class developments and deliver on our vision." With our Worli development, he said the company is bringing a marque mixed-used project in the heart of Mumbai. "GIC's investment brings us their international expertise in these asset classes. Their core strengths of a disciplined approach to investing long-term capital and sound governance structures will no doubt help us create additional value for all stakeholders," Jatia said. Lee Kok Sun, Chief Investment Officer of GIC Real Estate, said: "As a long-term global investor, we continue to have a positive outlook for India's growth potential in the long run. This investment is a unique opportunity to acquire a stake in a high-end mixed-use development situated in a prime location in Mumbai." The proposed office development is an attractive proposition, given continued demand for quality office space and expected long-term rental growth in Mumbai. "We believe this well-located, high-quality project will generate resilient returns in the long run and look forward to partnering with Provenance Land on this joint venture," said Lee Kok Sun. Provenance has delivered a portfolio of five greenfield hospitality projects across India. It has now forayed into diversified mixed-used developments. UltraTech had said it would acquire the cement business of BK Birla Group company Century Textiles and Industries through a share swap deal New Delhi: Aditya Birla Group firm UltraTech on Tuesday said it has received an approval from the fair trade regulator Competition Commission for the acquisition of the cement business of Century Textiles and Industries. The company said the CCI has given its approval for the share swap deal between the companies, Ultratech said in a regulatory filing. On 20 May, UltraTech said it would acquire the cement business of BK Birla Group company Century Textiles and Industries through a share swap deal, a move which would further consolidate its position as market leader in the segment. "...the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has by its letter dated 21 August, 2018 informed the company that it has approved the proposed combination under sub-section (1) of section 31 of the Competition Act, 2012," Ultratech said. However, the copy of the CCI order is awaited, it added. The board of directors of UltraTech Cement on 20 May, 2018 approved a scheme of arrangement amongst Century Textiles and Industries and its respective shareholders and creditors, the Aditya Birla Group firm said in a statement. The transaction would provide UltraTech an opportunity to further strengthen its presence in the east and central markets, extending its footprint in the Western and Southern markets in the country. Century Textiles has three integrated cement units situated in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra with a total capacity of 11.4 mtpa (million tonnes per annum) and a grinding unit in West Bengal of 2.0 mtpa. In February this year, Anthem Inc's Indian arm Legato Health Technologies had taken on lease about 1.5 lakh sq ft of office space in 'Embassy Manyata Business Park' project in Bengaluru. New Delhi: US-based health insurance company Anthem Inc has taken on lease 3 lakh sq ft office space in Bengaluru and Hyderabad from two real estate developers, Embassy and GAR group, for its back-office operations, according to sources. Global property consultant Savills India helped Anthem Inc for leasing transaction as well as managing the project. In February this year, Anthem Inc's Indian arm Legato Health Technologies had taken on lease about 1.5 lakh sq ft of office space in 'Embassy Manyata Business Park' project in Bengaluru. According to sources, Legato has leased 1 lakh sq ft of office space more in Embassy Manyata Business Park, taking the total absorption to 2.5 lakh sq ft. Moreover, Legato has taken 2 lakh sq ft of office space from realty firm GAR group in its 'Laxmi Infobahn' project located at new financial district Kokapet, Hyderabad. The US firm will use this space for its captive backoffice work, sources said. While the leasing deal in Bengaluru has been done at a rent of about Rs 75-80 per sq ft per month, the rent for Hyderabad properties is around 50 per sq ft. Embassy group spokesperson declined to comment. Savills India Country Manager (Worldwide Occupier Services) Bhavin Thakker, too, declined to comment on this deal. Embassy Group is the country's leading commercial real estate developer with over 30 million sq ft of completed assets and another 20 million sq ft under various stages of development. Embassy Manyata project is spread across 110.5 acre in North Bengaluru, with a potential built up area of 18.5 million sq ft, of which 10.5 million sq ft is currently built. Given the scale of its business in India, footwear maker Crocs doesn't see local manufacturing as economically viable as yet. US-based footwear maker Crocs Inc. is shutting company-owned manufacturing plants in order to streamline operations, a media report said. The American firm that sells plastic clogs has also decided to boost investment in India as the demand for its products is on the rise. "For us, given the scale of the business, we don't see it (local manufacturing) as economically viable yet," Crocs global CFO & EVP Carrie Teffner was quoted as saying by The Times of India. Crocs sees India as one of the growth drivers in the Asian market. "A few years ago, India was not among the top five markets given the size at that time but, given the growth trajectory it is on, it has the opportunity to grow into one of our top-tier markets," Teffner told the newspaper. At present, Crocs' product offering includes flats, loafers, sneakers, flip-flops, and its signature clogs. The company is following a similar business strategy in Europe and in Latin America. Earlier this month, the footwear firm decided to close company-owned manufacturing units in Italy and Mexico, by the year's end. The company also announced the outsourcing of additional manufacturing and the closure of a distribution facility in Mexico. That apart, Crocs is closing less productive retail stores as leases expire, to focus more on online sales. In March 2017, before the roll out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Crocs said it would look at manufacturing its products locally if the tax regime favoured the footwear sector. "We do have business plans in place based on certain assumptions on GST (rates). If it is favourable, we are going to plan manufacturing products in India. We will take the decision in 6-8 months," Crocs India Managing Director Deepak Chhabra had said. He further said: "At present, there are no incentives for manufacturing locally. VAT rates for footwear are much higher than apparel. Unless there is benefit of making in India, there is no point in doing it." With inputs from PTI Farooq Abdullah was heckled during Eid prayers in Srinagar, 2 days after he chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' during prayer meeting for Vajpayee. NC leader Farooq Abdullah remained unfazed and continued with his prayers, saying the jeering and booing were by his 'own people' who were misguided. (Photo: File) Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah was heckled during Eid prayers at the 17th-century Hazratbal mosque here on Wednesday, two days after he chanted "Bharat Mata ki Jai" during a prayer meeting for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The National Conference leader remained unfazed and continued with his prayers, saying the jeering and booing were by his "own people" who were misguided. A section of the gathering shouted slogans of "Farooq Abdullah go back" and "Hum kya chahte, azaadi" at the Hazratbal mosque, where Abdullah has traditionally offered Eid prayers. When a section of slogan shouting youths tried to approach Abdullah, who was sitting on a chair in the front row because of his ill-health, some people joined hands to make a human chain to prevent them from doing so. Security personnel also threw a ring around the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar to protect him. "I did not leave the venue and completed my prayers. They are my own people. They are misguided and I cannot escape my duties of being their leader," Abdullah told news agency PTI while receiving people at his residence. "Some people were agitated but that does not mean I will escape. I have a task of keeping everyone united," he said. Abdullah wondered why the issue was being blown out of proportion by a section of the media. "A politician, at times, has to face people's anger. I only hope these misguided youths are counselled properly," he said. On August 20, Abdullah had made an emotional speech and chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai during a prayer meeting for the late BJP stalwart Vajpayee in New Delhi. A decreasing income differential between public and private sector jobs, particularly at the entry-level, is driving the youth towards government jobs. Theres a growing preference for government jobs in Indian cities, a trend that clearly indicates young Indians are prioritising job security over rapid career growth, promised by most private sector employers. A decreasing income differential between public and private sector jobs, particularly at the entry-level, is seen as fuelling the abovementioned trend. Through August, some 2.4 crore job aspirants will give online recruitment tests that seek to fill some 1,20,000 vacancies in the Indian Railways (IR), according to a government notification. The railway recruitment drive seeks to appoint assistant loco pilots (ALPs), technicians and other staffers. The third category of jobs is typically reserved for diploma holders and school pass outs. Meanwhile, in Karnataka, engineering graduates are reportedly chasing vacancies at the Indian armed forces and at state-run defence equipment makers, reported The New Indian Express. Professor KN Balasubramanya Murthy, Vice-Chancellor, PES University, told The New Indian Express: Although there were offers from the public sector earlier too, now students have a better understanding about these opportunities. The work environment and job profiles in these companies are good too. Data from two rounds of national youth surveys, conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) Lokniti research programme, has revealed that the attraction of a government job has not logged any decline over the last 10 years, reported the Mint. The share of youth who prefer a government job grew marginally to 65 percent in 2016. Meanwhile, the share of youth who prefer a private sector job nearly halved to seven percent between the two rounds of the survey, conducted in 2016 and 2007. Furthermore, the share of those looking to dabble in entrepreneurship has risen slightly to 19 percent over the same period, the Mint report added. The 2016 and 2007 surveys polled 6,122 and 5,513 people respectively. A 50-year-old homeless woman was mowed down by a speeding SUV allegedly being driven by a young woman on the wrong side of the road in the posh Connaught Place area of Lutyens' Delhi, police said on Tuesday night New Delhi: A 50-year-old homeless woman was mowed down by a speeding SUV allegedly being driven by a young woman on the wrong side of the road in the posh Connaught Place area of Lutyens' Delhi, police said on Tuesday night. The homeless woman was dragged for nearly 300 metres by the vehicle a Jeep Compass on Sunday night on Shaheed Singh Marg, they said. The accused was identified as Shreya Aggarwal (20), a resident of Bareilly. She was accompanied by her two friends Baby Rani and Megha at the time of the accident, police said. Aggarwal is pursuing a fashion designing course at an institute in Mumbai, they said. She had taken a turn on the wrong side of the road and was stopped by policemen at a picket, where she was arrested, a police officer said. She was released later on bail, the official said. Police said Aggarwal had panicked after hitting the homeless woman and attempted to escape from the crime scene. The victim was stuck on the left rear wheel of the vehicle, the official said. Police said Aggarwal had come to meet her friends in Delhi and had a flight to catch the same night from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport for Mumbai. The homeless woman was later identified as Phoolwati. She was rushed to the hospital where she was declared brought dead by doctors, police said. An eye-witness said she was in trauma after the accident. "The woman was badly injured and stuck on the left side of the car. We were all screaming and running behind the car but the driver did not stop and kept on accelerating the vehicle," the witness said. Another eye-witness said the vehicle dragged the woman for 300 metres. "It was a horrific sight. Police had to forcefully stop the vehicle by putting barricades. People had to overturn the car to pull the woman out. It was a [horrible] sight," the other eyewitness said. The victim's husband, Sushil, died of tuberculosis two years ago and she is survived by three children - Shankar, Geeta and Ritu. "She was the only bread-earner of her family. Her 19-year-old son Shanker is unemployed. She used to work in Shiv Mandir in Connaught Place as a cleaner and also worked as a rag picker," said Kiran, an inmate of the shelter home near Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, where the victim lived with her son. Phoolwati's elder daughter, Geeta, is a widow while her 20-year-old daughter Ritu is pursuing fashion designing from an institute in Naraina. "Ritu has never lived with her family. She spent her childhood at Salaam Baalak Trust and is currently pursuing a course in fashion designing at an institute in Naraina. The education is being funded by the trust," said Santosh Kumar Gupta, a coordinator at the trust. Shanker has studied up to Class 8 and is currently preparing for Class 10 board exams. The victim had been living with her son in a shelter home run by 'Humana People to People India' near Bangla Sahib Gurudwara for close to eight years now. A case has been registered against Aggarwal and further investigation was underway, police said. The outgoing Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, who is set to retire in October, has some big judgments to look into before he demits his office. The outgoing Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, who is set to retire in October, has some big judgments to look into before he demits his office. Misra is expected to deliver judgments in cases pertaining to the legality of Aadhaar and whether to refer the issue of mosques being essential to Islam to a larger bench, a case that may have a bearing on the Ayodhya dispute as well. Aadhaar hearing The Aadhaar case in which the court has to take a call on the constitutional validity of the Centre's all-pervasive scheme, is among the major awaited verdicts by the top court. There has been an uproar over the issue as activists have termed the govt's scheme as an unreasonable restriction on the right of a citizen to privacy, which has been declared a fundamental right by the apex court. Senior advocate KTS Tulsi had earlier in court drawn attention to reports that 210 central websites were breached, exposing personal data of consumers who had linked Aadhaar and thus there is a fear that an all-invasive approach could further worsen the damage in such a situation. But since Misra has already concluded a four-month-long hearing in the case in May considered the second lengthiest in the history of the Supreme Court he would tend to the urgency. Though, according to The Economic Times report, he has several more weighty Constitutional matters for consideration before him including contentious subjects like, whether charged lawmakers must be disqualified and an order on the religious rights of Hindu and Parsi women. The CJI will also rule on the legality of curbs on women of certain ages entering the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Misra, while hearing the case on Section 377 in July, had indicated that its collapse will allow people from the LGBTQ community to come to court to overcome discrimination and claim their individual rights. A declaration from the court will remove the ancillary disqualifications for people joining services, contesting elections. It will no longer be seen as moral turpitude, the CJI had observed. Misra, while reserving the court's verdict, had said that if the law criminalising gay sex is struck down, it would awaken the LGBTQ community members and help them to live "life to the fullest". Thus, equally forthright decisions are expected out him during his last two months in service. Ram Mandir Case: Is mosque integral to Islam The outgoing CJI is also expected to rule on whether to refer the issue of mosques being essential to Islam to a larger bench before the court finalises its verdict on it since an earlier ruling which had said that mosques weren't essential to Islam had led the Muslim community to protest fearing it would compromise their claim in the Ayodhya land dispute. In July, the Supreme Court reserved its order on a plea by Muslim groups of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute seeking reconsideration by a larger bench the observations made by it in a 1994 verdict that a mosque was not integral to Islam. M Siddiq, one of the original litigants of the Ayodhya case who died and is being represented through his legal heir, had assailed certain findings of the 1994 verdict in the case of M Ismail Faruqui holding that a mosque was not integral to the prayers offered by the followers of Islam. It was argued by Muslim groups before a special bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices Ashok Bhushan and SA Nazeer that the "sweeping" observation of the apex court in the verdict needed to be reconsidered by a five-judge bench as "it had and will have a bearing" on the Babri Masjid-Ram Temple land dispute case. "The order is reserved," the bench had said and asked the parties to give written submissions by 24 July. Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for legal representative of Siddiq, said the observations that mosques are not essential for practising Islam were made by the apex court without conducting any enquiry or considering the religious texts. "It was a sweeping observation which requires to be reconsidered before the apex court hears the title dispute," he said. At the outset, sharp exchanges of words took place when a lawyer objected to Dhavan's earlier remarks that Hindu Taliban had destroyed the Babri mosque in 1991. He cannot be allowed to use such words against the entire Hindu community, the lawyer said. The destruction of Babri mosque was a terrorist act. I will not take back my words. I stand by my words, Dhavan said. Sabarimala case The verdict on women's entry into the Sabrimala temple would also be keenly awaited, given the controversy surrounding it in light of the Kerala floods. According to reports, some people had shared rumours on social media that the heavy rains in the state were due to the curse of Lord Ayyappa who was angered on women being allowed inside the Sabrimala temple premises. Hence, a final SC judgement on focusing on whether excluding women in the age group of 10-50 years constitutes an "essential religious practice" under Article 25, and whether "a religious institution can assert a claim in that regard under the umbrella of right to manage its own affairs in the matters of religion", would be much sought for. But, CJI Dipak Misra will only have 25 working days to hear these cases before he hands over the command to his successor. The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the Maharashtra government to take all necessary steps to ensure safety on beaches in the city ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the Maharashtra government to take all necessary steps to ensure safety on beaches in the city ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Thousands of people throng the beaches in Mumbai on the last day of the festival, which will commence on 13 September, for immersion of Ganesh idols. A division bench of Justices SM Kemkar and SV Kotwal was hearing a public interest litigation filed by NGO Janhit Manch on the issue of beach safety. The PIL was filed in 2016 after 14 college students drowned at the Murud-Janjira beach in the neighbouring Raigad district. "The state government must coordinate with local authorities and ensure that all necessary steps are taken to safeguard beaches ahead of the Ganesh festival," the court said. The court also directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to seek permission from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) to erect temporary watch towers at the Girgaum Chowpatty beach in south Mumbai. "The MCZMA shall take (a) decision on it by 10 September. The BMC shall also seek permission to erect permanent watch towers which the MCZMA shall decide expeditiously," the court said. The BMC lawyer informed the court that the civic body had recently appointed over 90 lifeguards who will be deployed on the beaches. Besides, there would be patrolling jeeps, he said. "The jeeps should not be stationary. They should be moving up and down the beach. Haven't you watched Baywatch?" Justice Kemkar asked, referring to the popular American TV series. "Use modern means," he added. The court posted the petition for further hearing on 16 October. The proverbial long arm of the law is finally catching up with radical Hindu group Sanatan Sanstha and individuals from other fringe groups. The proverbial long arm of the law is finally catching up with radical Hindu group Sanatan Sanstha and individuals from other fringe groups. The crackdown against the extremist fringe in cases related to the murders of Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and MM Kalburgi is led by the CBI and Maharashtra ATS. The CBI is within the purview of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre and the Maharashtra ATS is within the purview of the Devendra Fadnavis government. Goa, where Sanatan Sanstha is based, is ruled by the Manohar Parrikar government. And the police there is deeply involved in the investigation. The way the investigations are going forward arrests of some accused persons and recovery of huge amounts of arms and ammunition, mostly country made stuff clearly indicates that the BJP governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra and Goa have taken a considered decision that the law must take its own course, irrespective of the caste, creed and religion of those behind the heinous crimes. By doing so, the political leadership in the Modi government has intended to send a message across that it wouldnt distinguish on the basis of the colour of terror and those trying to disturb communal harmony. The government agencies are simply doing their legally obligated duty. But then, its no secret that actions of law enforcement agencies are often guided by the whims of political leadership. In the present case, the Centre has shown desired conviction to let its various arms perform their rightful duty. After ATS raids and recovery of arms and ammunition from a hideout of a fringe group, Maharastra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis issued a strong statement against the group in question, indicating the resolve of the state government to go after these anti-social elements. News18 reported how Maharastra government had collected a lot of documentary evidence against Sanatan Sanstha in 2011 and had sent a formal proposal to the then UPA government at the Centre to ban the outfit. Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had told News18, "When I was the CM in April 2011, Maharashtra Police brought before me a lot of documentary evidence and a big dossier on this organisation. After studying it, we came to the conclusion that we should ban this organisation and sent a formal proposal to the Union Home Ministry. The deliberations went on for two years from 2011 to 2013. But ultimately, the Congress-led UPA government developed cold feet because of the fear of being branded anti-Hindu ahead of the 2014 elections. The Modi government has indicated that it does not have any such fears. In fact, any extreme act by a radical fringe group is counterproductive for BJPs image and impacts it socially and electorally. Political rivals and critics may question Modi over every single crime, particularly those of socially and communally sensitive nature. But the fact remains that he has been conscious enough to take a position even when he was chief minister of Gujarat. At that time, VHP and other such organiations which claimed to aggressively stand for the Hindu cause were marginalised. The likes of Pravin Togadia were declared persona non grata, no communal flare up was allowed in post-2002 Gujarat, no matter how provocative the situation may have been. Many temples, which had come up on public land, were removed for redevelopment of regions concerned and miscreants were booked under the law. As prime minister, he has come out strongly against lynching of any kind and against the so-called gau rakshaks. He has directed the state governments to come down heavily against these elements. His words may not have yielded results the way he wanted it, but it also a fact that after he sent out a clear signal, the state governments and their agencies began reacting to such situation with some sincerity. Modi cant allow the fringe to take away his central plank, development, something for which people overwhelmingly voted him to power in 2014. So far, the actions of fringe would stick to BJP. That was because the BJP leadership didnt take them on as it should have done otherwise. The murder of Gauri Lankesh proved to be hugely detrimental for BJP's image. Though it was not an issue in Karnataka elections, its impact was felt in the rest of the nation. Now that leads from investigations in the Lankesh murder have led to fringe groups in Goa and Maharashtra, the BJP leadership is using that as an opportunity to make its position clear in this count Hindu fringe is different from Hindutva or cultural nationalism that BJP has been propagating. Clashes have erupted in Jammu and Kashmir' Anantnag district between youth and the police. According to CNN News18, massive stone pelting was reported from Anantnag's Janglatmandi area after Eid prayers. Clashes have erupted in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district between youths and the police. According to CNN-News18, major cases of stone-pelting were reported from Anantnag's Janglatmandi area after Eid prayers. According to sources, the police retaliated by firing tear smoke shells and the mob dispersed after the police action. Clashes were also reported from Srinagar's Eidgah but, according to the report, no one was injured so far. The protesters here raised pro-freedom slogans during clashes with police. #JammuAndKashmir: Clashes break out between security forces and protesters in Srinagar. pic.twitter.com/stmdTN7pvK ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 #WATCH: Protesters pelt stones on a police vehicle & attack it with sticks as protests erupt in Anantnag. #JammuAndKashmir. pic.twitter.com/N5rC0Uw8qD ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 According to ANI, some people were also seen waving the Pakistan national flag and flags of the Islamic State in Srinagar. #JammuAndKashmir: People seen waving national flag of Pakistan and flag of ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) in Srinagar. pic.twitter.com/i4STtWy49q ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 Meanwhile, a BJP affiliate, Shabir Ahmed Bhat, was shot dead by terrorists in the Pulwama district in the wee hours of Wednesday and terrorists shot dead a police personnel outside an eidgah in Kulgam's Zazripora area. However, separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq criticised the authorities for showing "total disrespect and disregard for congregational Eid prayers" by firing "pellets" and "tear gas shells". The Facebook post stated that the fund has received Rs 210 crore so far, in addition to the pledge for a financial aid of Rs 160 Crore. It said that the payment received through online portals have crossed Rs 80 crore as of 20 August. The Chief Minister's Office, Kerala on Tuesday released a record of donors who contributed to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund through cheques, thanking the response from the 'kind hearts' around the world. The Facebook post stated that the fund has received Rs 210 crore so far, in addition to the pledge for a financial aid of Rs 160 Crore. It said that the payment received through online portals have crossed Rs 80 crore as of 20 August. The post lists the donors who contributed to the relief fund through cheques as well as the amount. Online contributions have been made through seven payment gateways facilitating payments from accounts in 57 banks and by using four UPIs and international credit and debit cards. The list contains names of 379 contributors, which includes private companies, NGO's, educational institutes, hospitals, politicians and individuals. The transparency by the Kerala government has been lauded by the people. The comments on the post are mainly those thanking the government for being transparent and honest. The post was published amid controversies surrounding funds released to the flood-hit state. The United Arab Emirates (USE) extended $100 million (roughly Rs 700 crore) as financial assistance which was higher than the monetary assistance provided by the Centre which was Rs 600 crore. Government officials then stated that the government is unlikely to accept any foreign financial assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. They said the government has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation. It was also reported that a fake bank account was attempting to collect funds in the name of Kerala Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund. The account has now been blocked, according to the NewsMinute. With the Rs 600 crore released by the Centre, the government also decided to waive customs duty and the inter-state GST on the relief material being sent for the people affected in the state. Public sector oil marketing companies have contributed Rs 25 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister's Relief Fund. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has opened special points in flood-affected regions of the state for LPG distribution. Besides granting permission for non-certified vehicles to carry LPG cylinders, the petroleum ministry has also made available 3.2 lakh LPG cylinders and 2.2 lakh regulators. So far, the railway ministry has supplied 24 lakh litres of drinking water, in addition to 2.7 lakh water bottles, to Kerala. It has also made arrangements to supply bedsheets and blankets to the flood victims and is transporting relief material from various states free of cost. The health ministry will supply three crore chlorine tablets in addition to the one crore tablets supplied earlier. At least 30 tonnes of bleaching powder and 1.76 lakh sanitary pads have also been sent. Additional quantities will be transported in the next few days. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries is supplying essential spices, salt, tea and coffee, as per the state government's requirements. There was also controversy stating that the Centre had asked the state government to pay for the food grains that it would be sending to the state as relief material. 223 people have lost their lives since 8 August in the state. Over 10.78 lakh people, including 2.12 lakh women and 1 lakh children below 12 years of age, are taking shelter in as many as 3,200 relief camps a fortnight after the monsoon rampaged through the state in its second spell that The Kerala government on Tuesday also sought a Rs 2,600-crore special package from the Centre for rehabilitation work. The chief minister had earlier said the state had suffered damages of about Rs 20,000 crore. Here are some ways you can contribute to CM Relief Fund for Kerala Flood Relief and rehabilitation. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders handed urns with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes to party presidents Kolkata: The ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was brought to the city on Wednesday and will be immersed in various rivers across West Bengal. The 'asthi kalash' was brought to Kolkata on Wednesday by state BJP president Dilip Ghosh and will be taken to Gangasagar on Thursday where it will be immersed as part of the party's country-wide programme, a party leader said. Gangasagar is an island off the coast of Bengal where the Ganga river meets the Bay of Bengal. The contents of the main kalash (urn) will be divided into four other urns. The main urn will be immersed at Gangasagar and the four other urns will be taken to north Bengal, Farakka, Bankura and Nabadwip, he said. "The people of these areas too want to pay their respects to Vajpayeeji so it will be taken there and immersed in rivers there," Jaiprakash Majumdar, vice-president of West Bengal BJP unit told PTI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders handed urns with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes to party presidents from across the country at a function in Delhi on Wednesday. The BJP has decided to take out 'asthi kalash yatras' in all districts and immerse the ashes in rivers across the country. Processions will start from the state capitals and will pass through all blocks, party leaders said. The Eid festivities turned into mourning at under training police constable Fayaz Ahmad Shah's residence in Kashmir, with his two minor daughters unable to understand the sudden rush of people to their residence and the frequent breakdown of their mother and aged grandmother. In militancy-hit Kashmir, the Eid al-Adha celebrations were marred by violent incidents in which militants killed three policemen on Wednesday in two districts Kulgam and Pulwama. The first incident took place when Fayaz Ahmad Shah, an under training police constable, was shot when he was returning home after offering Eid prayers in Kulgam, one of the worst militancy-hit districts of South Kashmir. Shah, 34, was working with the Jammu and Kashmir Police as a special police officer and had been given an out-of-turn promotion and selected as a constable. He was undergoing training at Talwara in Jammu region and had come home. Militants pumped bullets at Shah from a close range near his house. He died on the spot. A pall of gloom descended on the policeman's native Zazripora village when the news of his death broke out. The Eid festivities turned into mourning at Shah's residence with his two minor daughters, aged five and two, unable to understand the sudden rush of people to their residence and the frequent breakdown of their mother and aged grandmother. The family was inconsolable when his body wrapped in tricolour was brought to their residence. A wreath laying ceremony was held at district police lines Kulgam where officers led by Senior Superintendent of Police Harmeet Singh paid floral tributes to the police official. Director General of Police SP Vaid termed the incident a "dastardly act". "It only shows the frustration of terrorists (militants) who are resorting to such a cowardly act of attacking an unarmed policeman," he said. Another special police officer identified as Mohammad Yaqoob Shah was shot at in Pulwama district. He was declared brought dead at the hospital. Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Swayam Prakash Pani led the police team to pay tributes to Shah at district police lines in Pulwama, another worst militancy-hit district. On Wednessday night, militants also shot dead inspector Mohammad Asharf Dar at his residence in Pulwama, ANI reported. In another incident, body of a BJP worker identified as Shabir Ahmad Bhat was found in north Kashmir's Kupwara district. He was reportedly kidnapped by suspected militants on Tuesday night. His bullet-riddled body was found in the fields at Rakh-e-Litter area of Kupwara, a police official told PTI. The incident evoked sharp reaction from BJP president Amit Shah who said extremists cannot stop the Valley's youths from choosing a better future and that the cycle of violence will not last long. Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta, Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves. This cycle of violence won't last long. pic.twitter.com/hAOb4ptPeo Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 22, 2018 With inputs from PTI Police arrested the accused builder Abdul Razak Ismail Supariwala in connection with the fire incident at Crystal Tower in Mumbai's Parel Police on Wednesday arrested builder Abdul Razak Ismail Supariwala in connection with the fire at Crystal Tower in Mumbai's Parel, in which four people lost their lives. ANI reported that an FIR was lodged against Supariwala under Sections 304, 336, 337, 338 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3(3) of Maharashtra Fire Prevention & Life Safety Act 2006. A preliminary investigation by the Mumbai fire department revealed that the building flouted several safety norms. At least 22 people suffered injuries when a fire engulfed the 17-storey residential complex located near Hindmata Cinema in Parel. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the building did not have the mandatory Occupation Certificate granted by the civic body, but it was already occupied by around 58 flat owners. The injured have been shifted to civic-run King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital in Parel. Four firemen were among the 22 people who suffered from suffocation. They were rushed to the nearby KEM Hospital, where four of them, including an elderly woman, were declared dead. "All the injured were stable," the BMC said. The building was declared unsafe by the fire department and it had recommended disconnection of electricity and water supply. With inputs from PTI At present, UP and Uttarakhand are the only states that do not have the facility of anticipatory bail. Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath Cabinet, on Tuesday, restored the provision for anticipatory bail in Uttar Pradesh after a gap of almost 42 years. The provision for anticipatory bail was revoked in 1976 and the state government had informed the Supreme Court last month that planned to restore the provision. During the Emergency, the UP government had amended the Code Of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), in 1976 and withdrawn the provision of anticipatory bail in the state. At present, UP and Uttarakhand are the only states that do not have the facility of anticipatory bail. So, in most criminal cases, the accused are first arrested and then they have to seek either regular bail or quashing of charges before the high court, thereby overcrowding jails. In 2010, the Mayawati government had passed a law providing for anticipatory bail, but the then President, while seeking some clarifications, had sent it back to the governor in September 2011. Since then, the UP government has not got the amended proposal passed in the Assembly. Senior Congress leader and former union minister Gurudas Kamat died on Wednesday after a brief illness. Kamat died at a private hospital in Delhi. He was 63. New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Gurudas Kamat died in Delhi after suffering a heart attack early on Wednesday, family sources said. We are extremely shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of our Senior Leader and Former Union Minister Shri Gurudas Kamat. Our thoughts and prayers with his family. pic.twitter.com/Z2EqeAkGCB MumbaiCongress (@INCMumbai) August 22, 2018 He was 63. Kamat was taken to Primus Hospital in Chanakyapuri around 7 am, after he complained of breathlessness, but he died on the way. The sources said he was given tea by his staff in the morning when he complained of sudden breathlessness and was immediately rushed to the hospital by his driver. He was alone at his Vasant Enclave private residence at the time. His family rushed from Mumbai to take the body back. Kamat wished people "Eid Mubarak" on Twitter Tuesday night. His last tweet was at 11.44 pm wishing happiness on the occasion of Eid-Al-Adha. Congress president Sonia Gandhi visited the hospital and paid her last respects to the departed leader. His sudden death sent shock waves in the Congress, with former president Pranab Mukherjee expressing shock over his untimely demise. "Shocked and pained at the sudden and untimely demise of Shri Gurudas Kamat. A colleague in the government and the party for many years, his passing away at such young age is tragic," Mukherjee said in a tweet. Home minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his anguish. "Anguished by the sudden demise of former Union minister and senior Congress leader Shri Gurudas Kamat. He was a seasoned leader who had also served the nation as the MoS in the MHA. My thoughts are with his family and supporters," he said on Twitter. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the sudden demise of Congress Leader Sh Gurudas Kamat ji. No words are enough to describe the sense of loss. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and followers. I pray for the departed soul." A five-time member of Parliament from the Mumbai and was also the president of the NSUI from 1976 to 1980. He was the Union minister of state for home affairs with the additional charge of communications and information technology from 2009 to 2011. In July 2011, he resigned as the minister. He was also a former president of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee. An advocate by profession, Kamat was a commerce graduate from the R A Podar College in Mumbai. He had a law degree from the Government Law College in Mumbai. Hyderabad Police on Tuesday rescued three children who were kidnapped by two women abductors. Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police on Tuesday rescued three children who were kidnapped by two women abductors. As per the police, one of the boys, Ayush, was kidnapped by the two women from Secunderabad Railway Station on Monday while his mother had gone to buy breakfast. When the mother did not find her child, she immediately complained to the Railway Police and later to the local police. Acting on the complaint, the police team checked the CCTV footage and spotted that two women took Ayush with them and later boarded an RTC bus. Upon interrogation, the conductor of the bus recalled and shared information about the accused women, following which the police team began a search operation to nab them. Subsequently, the two women were held and Ayush, along with two other abducted children, were rescued. Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court in April 2017. Pakistan claims that its security forces arrested him from its Balochistan province in March, 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran. Islamabad: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hear for a week in February the case of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on spying charges, according to a media report on Wednesday. Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by the military court in April 2017. Pakistan claim that its security forces arrested Jadhav from its Balochistan province in March, 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran. India denies all charges. India moved the ICJ in May 2017 against the verdict. The ICJ halted Jadhav's execution on India's appeal pending the final verdict by it. Geo TV, citing sources, said the world court will hear the case daily for a week in February 2019. In its submission, Pakistan had stated that Jadhav is not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities. The recent arrests in Maharashtra in connection with rationalist Narendra Dabholkar's murder in 2013 have helped the investigators to establish the missing links between the four murder plots that were executed in a similar manner. Two arrests were recently made in connection with the 2013 murder case of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. The development has helped investigators trace the missing links between the four plots to kill Dabholkar as well as journalist Gauri Lankesh and scholars Govind Pansare and MM Kalburgi. The investigation witnessed another major development on Tuesday when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) seized a firearm suspected to be used in Dabholkar's murder. Along with a countrymade 7.65-bore pistol and three cartridges the same as the one used in the Dabholkar murder the CBI and the ATS also seized a sword and a 'khukri' in Aurangabad on Tuesday. The pistol will be sent for ballistic examination to ascertain whether it was used in the rationalist's killing. How did the CBI-ATS find the pistol? On 10 August, the Maharashtra ATS arrested three men Vaibhav Raut, Sharad Kalaskar and Sudhanwa Gondhalekar in Aurangabad and seized at least 20 crude bombs, other explosives and material used to make bombs. Sources told IANS that the three were involved in a plan to carry out terror attacks in Mumbai, Pune, Solapur and Satara districts around the Independence Day. During their interrogation, Kalaskar is believed to have revealed that he and Sachin Andure the key suspect in the Dabholkar murder case were involved in killing the rationalist in broad daylight on 20 August, 2013. The CBI arrested Andure from Pune on Saturday. Upon his arrest, Andure informed the investigators about the countrymade pistol, after which the CBI and ATS raided the homes of his cousin and a friend on Tuesday. A Pune court has remanded him in CBI custody till 26 August. A diary helped trace the links After Lankesh was killed in Bengaluru in 2017, many drew parallels between her murder and those of Dabholkar and Kalburgi, allegedly committed by fringe Hindutva groups. Dabholkar was shot dead in Pune in 2013, Pansare in Kolhapur in 2015, and Kalburgi in Karnataka in 2015. In June, the Karnataka Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested one Amol Kale in connection with the Lankesh's murder. Although the Bengaluru Police first arrested him in an attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and Arms Act case on 21 May, the SIT took custody of him in June after he was suspected to be involved in the plot to kill the journalist. A diary seized from Kale had the names of several "targets", including Lankesh. The names of Dabholkar's family members and Pansare were also on the "hit list". The diary, written in code, mentioned 50 potential shooters hailing from Karnataka and Maharashtra to carry out the tasks. Several of these being trained in Belgaum, Hubballi and Pune to use weapons like guns, pistols and air guns, according to the diary. The link between the four murders Recently, the SIT said that among those arrested in connection with Lankesh's murder, five suspects were also involved in Kalburgi's killing. The Criminal Investigation Department, which is investigating Kalburgi's death, said the SIT's leads were credible. An SIT source told The News Minute that the link between the four murders was obvious. "When the SIT questioned Kale about the use of the same weapon in Lankesh and Kalburgi's murders, he told the investigators that the weapon was named Sudarshan Chakra after Lord Krishna's weapon. They believed that the weapon was auspicious and was the one that would help them achieve their goal," the source was quoted as saying. The report added that the SIT hopes the investigation will end in "a few months" and is in touch with the agencies looking into the other three murders. On 19 August, the Maharashtra ATS arrested former Shiv Sena corporator Shrikant Pangarkar in connection with the seizure of crude bombs and weapons from different parts of the state between 9 and 11 August. Quoting sources, India Today reported that Pangarkar has links with all four murders and was behind an underground organisation that was floated to kill rationalists. What now? The CBI and the Maharashtra ATS are now investigating the links among various right-wing organisations suspected to be involved in the four murders. The agencies are looking into their contacts elsewhere in the country, their other possible targets and their modus operandi. Political parties like the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party have sought a ban on various Hindutva organisations like the Sanatan Sanstha in the wake of the arms haul in Palghar. On Monday, Dabholkar's family members and activists held a protest rally called 'Jawab Do' in Pune from the Omkareshwar Bridge, where Dabholkar was shot dead five years ago, till Sane Guruji Smarak. At the rally, Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's great grandson, questioned the delay in arresting the main shooters. "Even if they are penalised or convicted, the real perpetrators or outfits at whose behest Dabholkar, Pansare, Kalburgi and Lankesh were killed, will never be penalised because courts cannot penalise or prosecute such outfits," he said, adding that such outfits should be isolated socially. Noted film actor and director Amol Palekar, who participated in the protest rally, also criticised the Maharashtra government for the "slow pace" of investigation into the Dabholkar case. "If the government takes five years to arrest two people, how much time will it take to reach the real conspirators? Whatever progress was made in the case in terms of arrests was because of the constant pressure from the judiciary," he said. With inputs from agencies Srinagar locals heckled and protested against Farooq Abdullah when he visited the mosque by hurled shoes and disrupting the congregation. He was forced to leave the prayer ground. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah was heckled during Eid prayers at the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar on Wednesday for chanting "Bharat maata ki jai" and "Jai Hind" while paying his tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The crowd began to jeer at Abdullah even before the imam leading the congregational prayers could begin the Eid sermon. Local residents at the dargah in Srinagar heckled and protested against the leader when he visited the mosque. Dozens of youth also hurled shoes and disrupted the congregation, forcing Abdullah to leave the prayer ground. Hazratbal dargah, where the former chief minister was heckled, is considered a traditional National Conference bastion. Reacting to the taunting, the National Conference chief said he was not scared of anyone. "If they (the hecklers) think that this act will bring freedom, I would like to tell them to free themselves from disease, hunger and beggary first," he was quoted as saying by ANI. Today, the time has come to have a peaceful dialogue between India and Pakistan. There is a need to get rid of hatred. This country belongs to Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians and all those who live here: Farooq Abdullah pic.twitter.com/EUJAczRF9c ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 In a conversation with News18, Abdullah called the hecklers "urchins" and said they should remember that Kashmir is a part of India. Twitter users also did not hold back on their criticism of Abdullah. There is no Indian in Kashmir like Farooq Abdullah. Similarly, there is no Pakistani in Kashmir like Farooq Abdullah. He is the ultimate manifestation of our confusion. Junaid Qureshi (@JQ_plaintalk) August 21, 2018 Stop Mr Farooq Abdullah ,your praises for Vajpyee jee carry no logic.He buried ur autonomy resolution & prince Umar Abdullah still continued in his cabnit.Sorry to say ur dynasty has always stabbed https://t.co/yc73a11UmW build ur bridges using our blood & Skelton Er. Rasheed (@mlalangate) August 17, 2018 Maja as gaya... What a moment to see Farooq Abdullah chanting nationalist slogans and behaving like one of us.. Nice welcome feeling.. Keep it up Farooq Abdullah and family and it will be a new beginning for J&K Booknest.in (@nkgupta22) August 22, 2018 Nothing surprising about that bit of Showmanship! #FarooqAbdullah is known to sing 'secular' bhajans in Delhi & openly advocate Separatism while delivering fiery speeches in Kashmir! RD (@DharRenuka) August 20, 2018 With inputs from IANS From drowned to critical dogs, trapped cobras to injured elephants, the number of animal casualties during the Kerala floods runs high. Editor's note: Described as one of the worst since 1924 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the rains in Kerala have left over 350 dead and rendered thousands of people homeless. According to the latest tally, 80,000 have been rescued so far. Over 1,500 relief camps have been set up across the state that currently house at least 2,23,139 people. In a multi-part series, Firstpost will attempt to analyse the short-term and long-term impact of these unprecedented floods on the lives of the people, economy of the state, and the environment. *** During disasters, nearly every call for rescue has an urgency to it, and everyone thinks his situation is more critical than another's. So when the animal rescue helpline, set up during the Kerala floods, got a call saying there were snakes up a tree in Chengannur, a town in Alappuzha district, it was dealt with as yet another critical call as was designed because snakes tend to escape faster and create more panic than any other animal. However, when the due of Dinesh Baba and Arjun arrived in Chengannur to rescue the reptiles, they were in no way prepared for what they saw there fast flowing water everywhere, and around 200 people gathered around the tree with their phones out taking selfies. Among this chaos were two large pythons, nervously coiled up in the tree. It was apparent that the snakes had taken refuge up in the branches from the deluge, choosing the safety of the tree over being swept away by the floodwaters. It is a rare sight to see two snakes together, and just the novelty of the situation could have put the reptiles' lives in danger. Had they attempted to move out of that haven, the 200 off gathered around the tree would not have blinked before beating them to a brutal death. Baba and Arjun's timing could not have been any better, as they quickly disbursed the crowd and secured and moved the snakes to safety, before handing them over to Forest Department officials, as is the protocol. Incidents such as this only make Kerala a unique experience for unexpected reasons. As the flood spread, little did we realise the fury it would unleash on the state, and authorities did not fathom that it would leave such a large footprint from Wayanad to Pathanamthitta. Except for two districts, the deluge has left a lasting imprint across the remaining districts of Kerala. Kerala has always been a bother for animal rescues and facilities and has always had a dearth of rescuers and welfare workers. This is why everyone was caught by surprise when the floods arrived and reality stuck. However, the wonderful network of animal welfare workers, NGOs, volunteers and rescuers from across the countries soon connected, and within a couple of days, we swung into action to take on the massive task of helping the animals stranded in the floods. The small network of local rescuers in Kerala were on their feet instantly, rushing to take animals to safety, helping people move them to higher zones and also helping to bring the rest together. Soon after, people from other states started springing to action. Chennai and Bangalore responded instantly, with rescuers trying to find means to get to areas that needed help, making Kochi their point of convergence. The teams with their special areas of expertise moved in at great speed, bringing together different experiences to do what was needed to handle something of this magnitude. When we got started, we did not have any idea of the scale of destruction and disruption caused by the Kerala floods. So what began as a spontaneous train of thought to save every animal we possibly could quickly transformed into a strategic and structured rescue operation. Through known people and shared numbers, calls started pouring in, and soon, the handful who were running around to try to save the hapless animals were inundated with messages. So this made channeling the calls the first course of action. Overnight, a call centre was activated, a dedicated number procured and tech solutions deployed to establish a streamlined way to gather, sort and handle cases. Fourteen district coordinators were assigned, with teams of rescuers and volunteers armed with packs of food and basic relief material raring to go after cases. The call centre began to receive phone calls as social media helped spread the message, and cases were assigned and relayed to the respective coordinators. Chaos soon changed to control. In the meantime, other organisations and volunteers mobilised teams came in from other cities with food supplies and other material, tapping into every known contact for help. Some kind-hearted people even called to offer space for the stranded animals, while others opened their doors to help set up makeshift shelters. However, as more and more rescuers ventured out, they found themselves losing the battle to the rising waters. Movement became a problem, leaving them with the task of locating boats and rafts to ferry the animals to safe zones, especially from the low lying areas of Aluva and Chengannur. Access was a nightmare, with volunteers losing sense of direction and landmarks. Road signs meant nothing! But thankfully, data networks pulled through as rescuers jumped from vehicle to boat and boat to kayak when they could, even swimming and wading through the waters when required. It's clear that the rescues weren't without challenges. On a number of occasions, the operation would start with just the description of the scenario "please save my dogs, they are in my house and have not eaten for three days now." Rescuers would get there with a heavy heart, readying themselves for the most ghastly sights, only to be greeted by the resilient animals jumping with joy on the sight of help. Amid the dire state of affairs, this often gave the welfare workers an opportunity to break into mini celebrations and enjoy the sight of the animals gulping down their food. Take the case of the 18 dogs rescuers Nishant and Peter encountered in Chengannur. What was expected to be a rescue of just a few dogs turned into a nightmarish operation. The duo reached the spot only to find the 18 dogs locked in dingy cages, and floodwaters already at their level. German Shepherds, Dachshunds, Labradors, Beagles the place reeked of unethical breeding, made clearer by the terrible state the dogs were in. Had the rescuers not reached the spot, the sight that would have greeted people after the floods would have been imprinted in their minds for long. Sadly, not all the attempts had a happy ending. From drowned to critical dogs, trapped cobras to injured elephants, the number of animal casualties runs high. It would be myopic to rejoice at the sign of a low toll among domestic animals, as the real figure will be revealed only after the water recedes and authorities take stock. The damage caused by the floods is extensive, and animals have a tough fight as they vie for attention, space and priority in a place where human casualties and costs of infrastructure destruction are humongous. Rescuers had this experience at several places, when animals were denied space on boats and trucks while people were being evacuated to safer ground. The situation is expected to only get worse for the animals, given that this is all in a state known for its reckless culling of stray dogs and also for the number of elephants that have died in captivity, taking the veil off the colourful decorated exhibits at temple festivals. This is why one of the first social media campaigns launched to help animals during the floods was to ask people not to leave their pets behind, helpless. Locking them in rooms, chaining them to poles and sealing them in cages were all wrong ways to curb their natural survival instincts. Some sensible thinking here could have saved more lives. Educating people, creating awareness, spreading the message of love and coexistence and collaborative efforts to build infrastructure for the safekeeping and welfare of animals is all required. Flash camps to care for the rescued, abandoned, affected and sick animals and vaccinations, rejuvenation, treatment and surgeries will all take priority as things unravel, when the state rises again from the calamity. Remember, all of this is out of our understanding of the situation in cities and towns, of animals both domestic and captive. But the real impact of the floods in the jungles is an enigma. A frightening, spine-chilling saga has yet to unfold. From what we have heard, it is going to be numbing. Stay connected, and let's do our best to give the deserving a new lease of life. If you care for animals and the ecosystem that has been destroyed beyond measure, join hands to help. You can volunteer to join those on the ground rescuing the trapped, sick and dead animals. If you are in Kerala, you can offer support by providing some space in your home, office, shop or garage to an animal in need till it can be taken to a rightful place. If you are outside Kerala, you can help rescuers, NGOs and vets with supplies and relief material from food bowls to antiseptics and vaccines to antibiotics or better, open your purse to build a corpus. When the rest of Kerala shakes itself dry and rises again, animals will also need a place they can call their own, a shelter they can be taken to when the need arises and a place to provide healthcare. The author is an animal activist and motivational speaker The magnitude of the Kerala catastrophe could have been minimised if the agencies involved in reservoir management had used a technically sound approach in the opening of the dam gates. The magnitude of the Kerala catastrophe could have been minimised if the agencies involved in reservoir management had used a technically sound approach in the opening of the dam gates, said Professor Nayan Sharma, a dam expert and former professor at IIT Roorkee. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Sharma, who visited a number of dam sites in the southern state along with a dam break analysis team formed by the Kerala government in 2011, said that there should be a proper inquiry on why no technically sound method was followed while opening up the dam gates. It is a known scientific reality that no gate of any dam with a full reservoir should be opened all of a sudden. It should be opened gradually within a long span of time to prevent flooding. But in the case of Kerala, it was seen that the gates of 35 dams were opened at the same time, which resulted in the massive flood, he added. On 15 August, after rainwater brimmed 35 out of 39 dams in Kerala, gates of these dams were flung open, wreaking havoc in the state. He added that instead of following a technically sound reservoir management system, the authorities waited for the dam reservoirs to be full before opening their gates. "There are technically sound methods to open gates of dams. If followed, it could have prevented the the catastrophe to a great extent. But the way the government decided to open the gates of 35 dams at the same time, it does not seem that any technically sound method for managing the reservoirs is used in Kerala, he explained. Sharma, who is currently working as an honorary professor at Nottingham University in the United Kingdom, further asserted, "It was a wrong decision to open all the dam gates in one go on the part of officials of the dam management authorities and they should be held responsible for it." Significantly, anti-dam activists have been attributing catastrophic floods to big dams for a long time. But Sharma said that dams themselves are not the cause of flooding, but faulty water resource management of the dams is. A dam can be multi-purpose. One of such purposes could be flood control. But then, the proportion of usage of reservoir water in various purposes should be balanced to meet the demands in changing circumstances, he asserted. He added that in a sound reservoir management system, the dam authorities should ensure that reservoirs are empty before the monsoon begins. To decide upon opening and closing of dam gates, it is now a global norm to use Global Precipitation Measurement Mission data provided by NASA about rainfall. It does not seem such data was used in Kerala, he said. Providing a series of suggestions as to how to prevent such a catastrophe in Kerala, he said that the reservoir management system requires rigorous review by experts. The system also needs to be re-claibrated with changing environmental conditions. Suggesting an overall study about the performance of the dams, he said, Have the dams outlived their lives? Do the dams have enough flood cushion? Should it be increased? Do the dams have modernised early warning system to evacuate the people living in lower reaches before the gates are opened? These questions are to be inquired into in a time-bound study. He also cited the example of France, where several existing dams were renovated using a new technology called 'Piano Key Weir to increase storage capacity, a mission in which he also participated. He also suggested that a detailed Catchment Area Treatment system should be adopted to restore the rivers by removing encroachments in river bed, adding that conservation techniques should be applied in the hills to prevent further sedimentation in the rivers. Sharma, who was also a part of a global team constituted by European Commission to gauge the effect of climate change in Danube and Brahmaputra river, attributes global warming to the sudden increase in rainfall. Rise in temperature has triggered change in air circulation pattern, which in turn has caused erratic monsoon behavior. The sudden increase in rainfall in Kerala can be surmised to be a result of it, he added. Kerala witnessed a rainfall of 2,346.6 mm this monsoon, which is far less than 3,368 mm received in the year 1924. But in 1924, that amount of rainfall was received in four months and this time around, it was received in around just two and a half months. Heavy rainfall is a cause of the flood," he said. Significantly, in the last one decade, various states including Bihar, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Assam have suffered floods of a similar magnitude. Sharma said that apart from global warming, massive quarrying, mining encroachment of river beds, unfavourable agricultural practices and deforestation have resulted in destabilisation of rivers by way of pouring massive silt in them. Apart from stopping such practices, the states can also use Flood Monitoring Information System to prevent the menace of deluge. After a massive flood occurred in Bihar due to overflow of the Kosi river, the state government used this system as a preventive measure. In this system, the river is monitored in real-time basis from Patna and any possible breach in the embankments is prevented by immediate measures, he added. Sharma, who was also a member of a high-level expert committee formed by the ministry of water resources for a study on the Kosi river, said that though the state government is fighting tooth and nail to prevent flooding in the Kosi river, a possibility of similar floods cannot be ruled out in the near future due to massive deforestation and encroachment in the river in its upper reaches in Nepal. Migrant workers claimed that many relief camps and volunteers in Kerala were told to leave their camps. There are about 8 to 10 lakh workers from West Bengal who have been working in Kerala. Most of them are in Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Wayanad and Palakkad districts, which are the worst-affected in the floods. Editor's note: Described as one of the worst since 1924 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the rains in Kerala have left over 350 dead and rendered thousands of people homeless. According to the latest tally, 80,000 have been rescued so far. Over 1,500 relief camps have been set up across the state that currently house at least 2,23,139 people. In a multi-part series, Firstpost will attempt to analyse the short-term and long-term impact of these unprecedented floods on the lives of the people, economy of the state, and the environment. *** "Those who are bringing relief materials please don't forget migrant camps." In Ranni, I noticed that a few volunteers refused to give aid to migrant workers and were found looking for Malayalis. "Please don't discriminate. We have to save our land as well as the people who came trusting our land," says Sahadevan Negetropist, one of the volunteers. Migrant workers claimed that many relief camps and volunteers were told to leave their camps. There are about 8 to 10 lakh workers from West Bengal who have been working in Kerala. Most of them are in Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Wayanad and Palakkad districts, which are the worst-affected in the floods. A rough estimate from the ground is that more than 1 lakh Bengali workers are in helpless conditions. The workers and volunteers have put in a request with the West Bengal government to send a special team to take care of these workers and make arrangements for a special train to Ernakulam from Howrah via Alleppey, Trivandrum, Madurai and Chennai. The state government's order is crucial because the workers are currently living in low lands, most of which is under water, and soon may face shortage of food and drinking water. The Kerala government and other independent organisations from different states have taken conginisance of the condition of the migrant workers and are reaching out to them in different ways. The labour department has started a centralised coordination system to help migrant labourers in Kerala who are affected by the floods and they will be based out of Thampanoor KSRTC stand. Migrant labourers across Kerala can seek help from the center and information will be provided in their own languages. One can call the centre on: 0471-2330833, 7012109743. The locals, too, have been responding to the situation by turning up at the stations with food and supplies. Various social media posts started floating messages about the plight of the migrant workers and urged people to arrange for food and water. "Brothers didn't leave hungry. At, 11 pm night, Anilettan (Anil Krishnan) posted on a WhatsApp group about the announcement of special train from Ernakulam for migrant workers. He told us we need to arrange food for these workers. Many unknown volunteers loaded food from indoor stadium. In three trips, we loaded food to station. With the help of a loading worker, we unloaded food at various sections of platforms," says Sarath Kalapthy, one of the volunteers, who was helping out the migrant workers. There are various volunteer groups who are running multi-lingual call centres to cater to the needs of the Hindi, Bengali and Odiya migrant workers. The team is also catering to the needs of illiterate workers in the form of producing audio clips in their respective colloquial languages. Migrant labourers hailing majorly from Bengal and Assam had started leaving Kerala by 18 August. They reached Howrah station on 20 August. On 19, there were three special trains (2.30 pm to Chennai, 6 pm to Howrah and 10 pm to Howrah)and one additional train at 11 pm to Howrah). On 20 August, there are three special trains (4.30pm till Bhubaneswar, 6.30 till Silchar, 11.30 till Howrah). More than 12,000 labourers have already left Kerala and will reach Howrah station. Their travel was mostly free till Howrah and Chennai. But after reaching Howrah station, these workers will need of special attention. For those who are from Assam, either special trains or free road transport needs to be arranged, along with food and water supplies. The next special train for migrant workers will start from Ernakulam South Station to Bhubaneswar on 24 August at 5.30 pm. Travel in this train will be free. The train is arranged by the Odisha government. While there are arrangements being made for the migrant workers for communication, transport and food, the larger question that looms here is the post-flood rehabilitation? Will the workers return to Kerala? Will the respective state governments be able to make necessary arrangements for the workers? The trade union workers and the volunteers are pooling in efforts to rebuild workers' camps and tribal villages. "We are planning on inviting volunteers from different parts of the country to contribute towards reconstruction and rehabilitation work," says Sahadevan. The Government of India has taken the stand that it will meet the financial demands emanating out of the damages inflicted by the heavy rains in Kerala from domestic sources The Government of India has taken the stand that it will meet the financial demands emanating out of the damages inflicted by the heavy rains in Kerala from domestic sources. This is in context of the reported telephone call from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi making the offer of assistance worth $100 million (Rs 700 crore). It would be churlish to decline the UAE's offer given the symbiotic ties between it and Kerala, which has the distinction of having sent around 80 percent of the three-million-strong Indian diaspora to the Emirates. It has been a win-win relationship between UAE and Kerala with its enterprising youngsters going there in search of greener pastures mainly in its booming construction industry which has been in decline, of late. Certainly, there have been stray reports of exploitation of laborers from India but that does not detract from the mutually-beneficial relationship. UAE perhaps felt impelled to help Kerala in its hour of crisis may be partially to atone for such exploitation. Whatever the motives, it would be wrong to stand on false prestige in an hour of crisis. Had the help come from Pakistan, we could have with reason bristled with indignation at the feigned act of magnanimity. Former prime minister Indira Gandhi was hailed for her boldness and her faith in self-dependency when she ended the US PL480 program under which India got free wheat. She followed it up with the green revolution that transformed the agrarian landscape in a largely fecund part of the country. Farmers got their livelihood. To become inured to foreign help for essentials can be devastating for a country when hostilities break out, besides rendering its own workers jobless and hence, worthless. But the UAE offer of help comes without any condescension or strings-attached. Would we say no to the Swiss or a Red Cross offer of help when a natural calamity breaks out? It may be recalled that Switzerland has a formidable reputation for its disaster readiness and infrastructure. Qatar has offered almost Rs 35 crore (~$5 million) while the Maldives too has offered to pitch in with a modest $50,000. It is one thing to seek UN help reports have emerged of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor arrogating to himself that role, but quite another to accept the help that is being offered without condescension or strings-attached. If foreign aid is coming to non-profit organisations (NGOs) that are registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), then they will not be taxed. But if donations are received by NGOs that are not registered, then it is counted as the income of the NGO and that will be taxed, a senior Indian government official has said. But the UAE's offer is government-to-government and there is no need to be defensive or cautious about it in this hour of need to rehabilitate the ravaged state. The initial assessment of losses is pegged at Rs 20,000 crore. The Central government itself has pitched in with help of just Rs 600 crore, while other states are offering tiny slivers of this amount for which they cannot be blamed. Of course, the Centre has promised more after making a final analysis. Autarky is denounced as a pigheaded economic policy that superficially sounds noble in the name of self-dependency. And self-dependency sounds even more adamant and unreasonable in the face of a natural calamity. That the UPA too spurned foreign help during the Uttarakhand calamity is no grounds for the NDA to follow suit. The UAE might even have the agenda of keeping its Keralite labour in good humor while offering to help, but one should not look a gift horse in its mouth. The author is a senior columnist. He tweets @SMurlidharan Oommen Chandy said the Centre should take further steps to provide maximum possible assistance to Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram: Congress on Wednesday termed as disappointing the reports that the Centre was unlikely to accept any foreign financial aid for flood relief work in Kerala and requested the prime minister to take steps to amend the rules. The rules should be such that they eradicate the sufferings of the people, former Chief Minister and Congress leader Oommen Chandy said. "If there exists any obstacles against the acceptance of foreign financial aid, kindly look into the matter seriously and bring in suitable modifications, he said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chandy said the Centre should take further steps to provide maximum possible assistance to Kerala, where the floods have claimed the lives of 231 people, besides rendering over 14 lakh people homeless. He said the financial assistance announced by the Centre was 'disappointing', taking into account the magnitude of the crisis. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered around Rs 700 crore as financial assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. Opposition leader in the Assembly Ramesh Chennithala said that there was nothing wrong in accepting the UAE aid. While announcing the UAE offer, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had stated that lakhs of people of the state consider UAE as their 'second home.' Around three million Indians live and work in the UAE out of which 80 percent are from Kerala. On Tuesday, official sources had said in New Delhi that the government is unlikely to accept any foreign financial assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. They said that the government has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation. Maurya had said that if the need arises a Bill for the construction of a Ram temple could be brought in the Parliament. Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday announced that a grand city named after Lord Vishnu would be developed, which would have a spectacular temple inspired by Cambodias sprawling Angkor Wat, in the state if his party comes to power. Significantly, Mr Yadavs comments come after BJP leader and UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya last week raked the Ram temple issue and suggested there could be a legislative route for the construction of a temple in Ayodhya. We will develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu over 2,000 acres of land near Lion Safari (Etawah). We have a lot of land in Chambal ravines and the city will have a grand Vishnu temple, that will be a copy of famous Angkor Wat temple, Mr Yadav, a former UP chief minister, told PTI. Earlier, Mr Maurya had said that if the need arises a Bill for the construction of a Ram temple could be brought in the Parliament. The UP deputy chief minister had suggested that the bill could be brought if there was no way out and his party had the adequate strength in both houses of the Parliament. At present, in Parliament, we do not have the adequate strength. Even if we bring the matter in Lok Sabha, our strength in the Rajya Sabha is less, and it will definitely be defeated. Every devotee of Lord Ram knows this. The court will soon give its judgement, Mr Maurya had said. Mr Yadav, however, promised that if voted to power, he will develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu, whose incarnations Lord Ram and Lord Krishna were. The Malayalam news channels despite some shortcomings did a commendable job of covering the Kerala floods, within the limited time and resources available. In Kerala, the media's planned festive hype around Onam was drowned even before it could surface, with this century's worst flood hitting 14 districts of the state. Onam is a marketing occasion for the electronic media in the consumer paradise that is 'God's Own Country', but it was washed away amid news of the death and destruction that accompanied the deluge. The coverage of the Kerala floods brought the instant attention of lakhs of viewers towards Malayalam news channels, which closely monitored the situation minute-by-minute, reporting on the plight of those affected. What was amazing was the speed with which the regional channels deployed reporters at various dangerous locations even as roads turned into fast-flowing rivers, houses and trees crumbled along with mountain slopes, and human life was caught in the torrential current of water. Leading news channels like Asianet News, Mathrubhumi, Kairali, Manorama, Surya and others bombarded viewers with visuals of submerged houses, the insistent force of the water, vanishing bridges and roads, people marooned on the rooftops of their homes, and of course the rescue operations by the armed forces and local volunteers. Kerala has about 10 Malayalam dailies with multiple editions and over 10 regional news channels which churn out news, opinionated discussions and debates through the day, late into the night. Being a literate state with highly politically aware readers and viewers, editorial management is a huge challenge in Kerala especially in times of a mammoth calamity like the recent floods. Even on a sunny day, for Malayalis, politics is a predominant concern: from footpath tea shops to the corridors of the state Assembly, everything is left or right (yet may never be considered wrong). Coalition politics has its own advantages; periodically, the Left will lose the mandate to the Right, so the media is used to pulling off a balancing act. While mainline channels showed the vulnerabilities and impending dangers posed by the aggressive flood waters, the smaller channels also broadcast location-based interviews of people waiting to be rescued. Jai Hind a channel considered 'closer' to the Congress party initially questioned the state government for not handing over the administration to the armed forces. Another investigative channel, Mangalam TV, showed clips of minister K Raju who spoke about the grim situation due to rains and floods on 15 August, only to take a flight the very next day to Germany to attend an Onam programme there, leaving the people and the state to God's mercy. Asianet, Mathrubhumi, Manorama, Kairali, Janam and Amritha channels extensively covered rescue operations by NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and relief camps from different districts of the state from Wayanad to Idukki. Landslides, roadblocks, rivers flowing over bridges and the grounded Kochi airport turning in to an island with water on all sides these were the visuals that one found on the news. The live coverage of watery hell unfolding at Chengannur, Allapuzha, Munnar, Aluva, Paravoor, Chalakudy, Kudran, Nelliampathy, Wayanad and other places gave a dramatic picture of the situation as it unfolded. In fact, all the channels highlighted the story of a pregnant rescuee who was airlifted to a Naval hospital and subsequently gave birth there. DD Malayalam had lined up experts from different fields in a debate on the floods and the abuse of environment and ecology. Reporter channel probed the rain and flood situation from an astrological angle. Now almost all channels have shifted their cameras to pan onto the damaged houses from within, on the dead animals, conditions in the relief camps, relief materials piled up at the Trivandrum and Kochi Naval airports. Politicians, activists, celebrities and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kerala and the joint meeting with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan have also dominated TV screens. The Malayalam media, however, could not get on board Thiruvanthapuram's star MP Shashi Tharoor during this crisis. Kerala floods; key developments: State faces mammoth rehabilitation task; lack of workers as migrants move back Environmental experts Prof Madhav Gadgil and Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan's Committee Reports were touched upon by a few channels; however, a full-fledged discussion would have been purposeful. The entire focus of channels was on the rescue and rehabilitation measures in various flooded areas as this was in the larger interest of diaspora Malayalis living outside the state. Of course, the heroic service of the fishermen with their boats cannot be ignored, their contribution needs to be showcased besides the selfless service of Sewa Bharati volunteers. The news channels also failed to highlight the lack of a proper sewerage and solid waste management system in the state. Flood waters were flowing through the road as floodplains were occupied by houses and buildings without an effective drainage system in many towns. Meanwhile, social media was on another tangent with views and counter views regarding "the curse of Sabarimala Ayyappa causing the Kerala floods". TV channels did not give credence to such views. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) should have also received a prime time slot for educating both policy makers and the people in general on how to combat a natural crisis. Another important issue which most of the channels could not stress upon through their numerous panel discussions was about the reservoir and dam management during such critical situations. The state government should have handed over dam management to the Engineering Task Force (ETF) of the Army, they would not have waited till the dams reached danger levels to take action. The media also could have given a likely flood map with the help of experts (a contingency plan was not in place). It seemed after 1924, the state government's planners never expected floods of this magnitude in Kerala. As usual, priority was given to political views, opinions and government briefings. Overall though, the Malayalam channels despite some shortcomings have done a commendable job of covering the Kerala floods, within the limited time and resources available. Sriprakash Menon is a documentary film maker, journalist and media consultant As 14.50 lakh people in Kerala try to survive the ravages of the worst flood in almost a century, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha chief Swami Chakrapani on Wednesday said only those who don't eat beef should be helped as it is a sin to help beef eaters. As 14.50 lakh people in Kerala try to survive the ravages of the worst flood in almost a century, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha chief Swami Chakrapani on Wednesday said only those who don't eat beef should be helped as it is a sin to help beef eaters. The self-styled godman also said that many innocent people died because a few people kill the 'gaumata and exhibit it in shops', Times Now reported. "I am also appealing for help in Kerala. But help should be given to those who respect nature and creatures. When roti was available to people in Kerala, they were slaughtering the cow to eat her meat. So, what I mean is that Hindus should provide help to those who avoid cow meat," Chakrapani said. The statement comes at a time when 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents since 8 August. Nearly 14.50 lakh people from 3.91 lakh families are still in about 3,879 relief camps across the state. The largest number of people in relief camps was in the worst-affected Ernakulam district with a total of 5.32 lakh in 850 camps. In the last few days, social media has witnessed its share of bigoted statements as several hatemongers have blamed the Kerala floods on Hindus consuming beef and women being allowed into the Sabarimala temple. On Wednesday, RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy defended himself for his comment saying women being allowed to the temple caused floods. Twitter users had reacted to his statement, defending which, Gurumurthy, who was recently appointed as an independent director at the Reserve Bank of India, clarified that he never said that because women were allowed in the shrine, the state was ravaged by floods. Amidst all the challenges of rehabilitating Kerala flood survivors, many twitter users have also called for aid for people of their particular community. A disturbing tweet by advocate Prashant Patel Umrao had demonstrated the uncomfortable aspect of the massive rescue operations which were underway in Kerala. Advocate Umrao had tweeted: "Donate to @sewabharati & @Sewa_Global only for Kerala #KeralaFloodRelief to save Hindus. Others countries & people are assisting their own communities only, It's the ground reality, keeping emotions aside." Legal counsel Smita Dikshit had also quoted a tweet and said: "This woman finds nothing wrong with Christians calling for aid for Christians in Kerala and conversion attempts. Neither with pro-Dalit handles as they are the fertile fields for future conversions, yet has every issue with Hindu organisations (sic) stepping in for charity. Bigotry personified." With inputs from PTI Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said that he held 'high-level briefings' to discuss about possible help to Kerala at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva during his one-day visit there. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said that he held "high-level briefings" to discuss about possible help to Kerala at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva during his one-day visit there. Tharoor had gone to Geneva on Monday to pay condolences to former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan's family. Annan had passed away on 18 August and Tharoor filed a petition in court for him to be allowed to travel to Geneva to meet his family as he had been close to Annan from his days with the United Nations. Tharoor who is facing trial in the death case of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, was then granted permission by a Delhi court as his counsel said that he would return by Tuesday. Tharoor's lawyer had also said in court that he wanted to seek aid for Kerala flood relief from the UN authorities during his trip to Geneva. However, this had courted controversy with people asking Tharoor to not "beg" in front foreign organisations and many asking as to who gave him permission to do so on India's behalf. Thus, Tharoor has now put up a Facebook post in which he has explained that his visit was purely in "personal capacity" and completely funded by him and that he held these talks after consulation with the Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Tharoor in a Facebook post has written that he met with a host of officials including Michael Mller, Under-Secretary-General and Director-General, UNOG (UN Offices in Geneva) and with Deputy Director and Chief of Emergency Programmes of OCHA, DeputyDirectors-General Dr Peter Salama (Emergency Preparedness and Response) and Dr Soumya Swaminathan (Programmes) and Mr. Peter Maurer, President, the International Committee of the Red Cross on the "ongoing humanitarian crisis of floods in Kerala, and to identify avenues through which international organisations can support relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding operations in the state". And based on his conversation with these officials, Tharoor has presented in front of the state and central government, a host of "conclusions and recommendations": The state government could examine whether it requires a multi-sector needs assessment by UN agencies (WHO, UNICEF, OCHA) Depending on whether the quantum of long-term reconstruction assistance from the central government is adequate, the state government could give thought to holding an international reconstruction conference to 'Rebuild Kerala better' in partnership with the UN system so that significant international assistance in reconstruction can be facilitated The state government could request for the 2 million WHO stock of anti-cholera vaccines to minimise the risk of grave water-borne diseases The state government could accept ICRC/Gujarat Forensics University support as deemed appropriate Since the Government of India does not wish to request international assistance directly, it is entirely feasible to operationalise any and all of the above by negotiating with the UN system to have the UN offer what we need, on a no-objection basis from the Government of India, Tharoor has suggested in his post. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that justice was served in the Mandsaur gang-rape case as the two accused were sentenced to death. A special court in Mandsaur sentenced the two accused in the rape case of a seven-year-old girl, on Tuesday. "Death sentence is the only punishment for those involved in such heinous crimes," Chouhan said in a statement. He assured the best possible treatment to the victim and said his government would also take care of her education and future needs. Praising the Mandsaur area police team, Chouhan said: "Justice has been delivered because of the dedication and hard work of the team which led to the completion of the investigation within eight days." The victim was abducted while she was waiting for her father outside her school. She was gang-raped on 26 June, her throat was slit and left to die. A day later, the Madhya Pradesh police arrested Irfan alias Bhaiyu, a 20-year-old labourer, on the basis of CCTV footage. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, all 11 tehsils in Gadchiroli received heavy to very heavy rainfall with an average of over 91 mm in four hours. Incessant rains for the last three days have unleashed a trail of destruction in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli inundating over 200 villages in the southern part of the district and submerging roads and bridges that connect them to the blocks and district headquarters. All major rivers and streams of the district located in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra are in spate destroying paddy fields and sweeping away livestock although no loss of human lives has been reported so far. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, all 11 tehsils in Gadchiroli received heavy to very heavy rainfall with an average of over 91 mm in four hours. The Sironcha and Bhamragad tehsils in south Gadchiroli recorded over 144 mm rainfall. With the tribal community leading the demographic composition of the district, Gadchiroli has a dense forest cover and four major rivers of Godavari, Pranhita, Vainganaga and Dina. Besides, over eight small rivers and their tributaries flow through and along the borders of the district. There have been heavy rains in the south, south-east and south-central Gadchiroli for the last week. Over 15 villages in Bhamragad that is south Gadchiroli are cut off. Around 50 villages from Atapalli and also villages from Aheri and Sironcha tehsils are also cut off. This is happening as there are many small or major rivers in the area. Many bridges that were built long ago are of small heights. Hence bridges and roads are getting submerged and villages are getting cut off. But our disaster management cell is attending to all the calls," said district disaster management officer Krishna Reddy. Zila Parishad member Lalsu Nagoti expressed unhappiness over the fact that the plea for a new bridge has fallen on deaf ears so far. Every year in the three months of monsoon, most of these villages including those in Bhamragad tehsil remain cut off from other areas as the bridge on the Parlkota river that connects Bhamragad to other areas get submerged. We have been demanding for a new bridge for many years. Vilasrao Deshmukh when he was the chief minister promised a new bridge when he had come to this region for a visit. But later nothing went ahead on that front," said Nagoti. The low height of another bridge nearly caused a disaster but was averted due to the timely intervention of people nearby. A Gadchiroli-Hyderabad bus with 25 passengers had fallen into a stream from a bridge in Aheri taluka as the height of the bridge is low and the bridge does not have railings. Fortunately, youths from surrounding villages saved all the passengers. The residential school at Aheri arranged for the food and lodging for the passengers for the night," said the Zila Parishad member. As per information from the revenue department, over 100 houses in south Gadchiroli have either collapsed or are damaged badly due to the heavy rains. The department is now trying to gauge the extent of the damage. Bhamragad taluka is among the worst-hit areas forcing residents to take shelters in schools and religious places. Their miseries have been compounded with a shortage of food items and there is no electricity and mobile phones are hardly working due to poor connectivity. Due to the floods, people have become vulnerable to vector-borne diseases particularly elephant legs that are caused by Culex mosquitoes that breed in filthy water. "We are conducting a drive from 7 to 31 August in which we will reach every household for check-ups and give medicines. The number of patients with fever and elephant legs are increasing," said Kunal Modaisa, a doctor with the health department in Gadchiroli. Meanwhile, Ambrish Atram, guardian minister of Gadchiroli, visited the flood-affected areas and asked officials to record all the losses. I would get help from the government, said Atram. Condemning the killing of BJP worker in the valley, Mehbooba Mufti urged to initiate a dialogue and political process of reconciliation to end violence in Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar: Condemning the killing of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker in the valley, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday urged to initiate a dialogue and political process of reconciliation to end violence in the state. Re-tweeting BJP national president Amit Shah's tweet where the latter had lambasted the extremists, Mehbooba said, "Find myself at a loss of words to condemn such a bastardly act on the occasion of Eid. No party worker irrespective of his political affiliations deserves to be killed. Only way to end this senseless cycle of violence is to initiate a political process of reconciliation and dialogue." Coming down heavily on extremists, Shah on Wednesday morning took to his twitter and asserted that the militants cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future. "Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta, Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama. This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves. This cycle of violence won't last long," Shah said. Shabir Ahmad Bhat, a BJP worker, was shot dead by terrorists in Kashmir's Pulwama. 10 fire engines, four water tankers, officials of the Mumbai Police and electrical mechanics were on the spot and they were making efforts to control the level 4 fire. A preliminary investigation by the Mumbai fire department revealed that the Crescent Tower building in Parel, where four people lost their lives after a blaze started Wednesday morning, was flouting several safety norms. At least 22 people also suffered injuries when at around 8.40 am a fire engulfed the residential complex located near Hindmata Cinema in Mumbai's Parel. The fire department had to either use hydraulic lifts or access the upper floors through the building's staircase donning breathing apertures in absence of the fire safety structure. Around 100 people are said to have been rescued, the injured have been shifted to civic-run King Edward Memorial Hospital in Parel. At least 22 people, including four firemen, suffered from suffocation. They were rushed to the nearby KEM Hospital, where four of them, including an elderly woman, were declared brought dead, the city civic body said in a statement. All the injured were stable, the BMC said. Two of the deceased were identified as Bablu Shaikh (36) and Shubhada Shelke (62), the civic body said, while the identity of the other two deceased is yet to be ascertained. According to News18, two people out of the four lost their lives because they used the lift. A police official said that in a fire situations people are always advised to not to use the elevator. However, some people had panicked and tried to get out of the building using the lift. The residents who were trapped on the top floor were evacuated using a crane. The fire, which was reportedly caused due to a short circuit, was confined to electric wiring in the duct between 12th and 16th floor. However, due to the tremendous heat, all occupants on upper floor got trapped. Besides, the smoke from the raging fire spread rapidly and residents were trapped on the building's staircases as well. Twelve fire engines and four water tankers were used to douse the fire and the cooling operations were still underway. Mumbai Police officials and electrical mechanics are also present at the spot. Kanchan Dulani, 49, a resident who had a flat on the 11th floor of the building, told Firstpost that she was at home when the fire started. She tried to rush out of the flat but her front door was in flames. She said the firefighters could reach her only after half an hour. Mumbai fire brigade chief Prabhat Rahangdale said that the area around the lift of the 12th floor was the worst affected. The fire brigade reported that the Crystal Tower's internal fire-fighting system was not in a working condition. A major tragedy could be averted only because of timely intervention, which would have been impossible in a heavy-traffic area such as Hindmata and Elphinstone Road. However, Wednesday being a public holiday, the traffic situation was better and the injured could be promptly shifted to hospitals; the fire brigade could also rush in with the resources within time. The fire brigade also declared Crystal Tower as unsafe for occupation. It asked the authorities to disconnect electric and water supply of the building and the fire department has also asked the police to book responsible persons for criminal negligence, Rahangdale said. The Chief promoter of the informal building committee Jayshree Patil told Firstpost that the builder had refused to pay the property tax from the time it was bought from the landlord. She says there was no development agreement even then. The residents kept trying to get the builder to pay the tax, and get the Occupancy Certificate, but it didn't happen. Mumbai mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar lauded the firefighting department and the local police for their prompt response. He said that a thorough investigation will be launched and if anyone was found guilty then the law will take its course. Meanwhile, at least 13 lives were saved due to the timely intervention of a good Samaritan. Zen Sadavarte, a 10-year-old child remembered instructions she had read online and kept her calm to use simple survival techniques. As soon as she saw the smoke entering their house, she opened the windows and knocked on her neighbours' doors to alert them as well. She also made a breathing mask with cotton and water for each person and asked them to inhale and exhale through it until help came. In June of 2018, a major blaze had broken out at Beaumonde Towers in Mumbai's Prabhadevi which was doused after five hours, according to officials from the fire department. More than 90 residents were evacuated and no injuries were reported. A massive fire engulfed a pub in Mumbai's Kamala Mills area on 29 December, killing 14 people and injuring 21. Most of those killed or wounded were youngsters celebrating a birthday. The fire engulfed portions of three separate pubs which were situated adjacent to each other. With inputs from agencies and Firstpost contributors Follow LIVE updates on Mumbai fire here Mumbai fire LIVE update: A statement from the fire brigade said that the Crystal Tower is declared unsafe. The authorities have been asked to disconnect electric supply and water supply of the said tower and the fire department has also asked the police to book responsible persons for criminal negligence. Auto refresh feeds Two people have reportedly lost their lives in a fire at a residential building, Crystal Tower near Hindmata Cinema in Parel. Fourteen people have been injured. According to CNN-News18, the firemen have managed to contain the fire at the 12th floor at the moment. The heavily populated area is would have been at a risk of much higher toll count had the fire not been controlled in time. At least 14 people have been rushed to a local hospital for suffocation. However, an update on the condition of those injured was no available immediately. The blaze broke out at the 9th and 10th floor of the 16-storey building which is located near Hindmata Cinema. As per initial information, the fire is suspected to have been caused by short-circuit. According to News18, the authorities have rushed ambulances from the KEM hospital as a precautionary measure. Earlier, 14 people were rushed to the hospital. Since most offices and markets in the area are shut today because of a public holiday on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha. This facilitated the movement of ambulances in an otherwise high-traffic area. According to reports, 20 fire engines, four water tankers, officials of the Mumbai Police and electrical mechanics were on the spot and they were making efforts to control the blaze. The fire brigade personnel are breaking open doors of all flats on the affected floors to ensure that no one is stuck inside. The authorities present at the location say that since the bodies were recovered from the elevator, it is likely that these people may have died due to suffocation. A police official, speaking to CNN-News18, said that in a fire situations people are always advised to not use the elevator. However, some people had panicked and tried to get out of the building using the lift. Two more people have succumbed to their injuries at the hospital taking the total toll to four. Over 10 people have been injured in the incident and the rescue operations are on. Mumbai Fire Brigade chief PS Rahangdale said that several safety norms were flouted at Crystal Tower, where four people have been killed. Rahangdale said that an initial investigation has revealed that the building did not have any firefighting structure in place. Senior Shiv Sena Manisha Kayande said that the authorities will take stern action anybody who may be found guilty of negligence or flouting norms. She, however, also lamented the lack of public awareness of safety measures. She said that it was a society's responsibility to conduct fire audits every year and conduct safety drills. But people don't take these things seriously. A firefighter has said that the building was not fired compliant as essential firefighting equipments and structure was missing. He said that renovation work was going on in a flat on the 12th floor where the fire started. He said that the electrical circuit in the building was faulty. Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar lauded the firefighting department and Mumbai Police for their prompt response. He said that the initial investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a short circuit in an apartment on the 12th floor. He also said that a thorough investigation will be launched and anyone found guilty will not be spared. Kanchan Dulani, 49, who had a flat on the 11th floor of the building, said she was at home when the fire started and tried to rush out of the flat but her front door was in flames. She said the firefighters came after around half an hour later. Her son was calling them and they kept saying, "We have already sent fire brigades to the spot". The official also said that safety norms were flouted because of which the firefighters had to face a lot of difficulty in evacuating people. A senior BMC official said that the Crystal Tower did not have the compulsory occupational clearance from BMC and the residents were served a notice recently. He alsop said that a notice from the department was sent in 2016, however, the builders neglected the norms. Crystal Tower did not have occupation clearance from BMC, says senior BMC official A statement from the fire brigade said that the Crystal Tower is declared unsafe. The authorities have been asked to disconnect electric supply and water supply of the said tower and the fire department has also asked the police to book responsible persons for criminal negligence, Mumbai fire brigade chief Prabhat Rahangdale said. The 16 injured, including six women, were undergoing treatment and their condition was reported to be stable, it said. Two of the deceased were identified as Bablu Shaikh (36) and Shubhada Shelke (62), the civic body said. The identity of two other deceased has not been ascertained yet. The police is trying to determine who all were present in the building at the time of the tragedy. At least 20 people suffered from suffocation due to the smoke. They were rushed to the nearby KEM Hospital, where four of them, including a woman, were declared brought dead, the city civic body said in a statement. Mumbai fire brigade chief Prabhat Rahangdale said that the area around the lift of the12th floor was the worst affected. Fire in the electrical wiring kept in duct area had caused smoke and heat on the entire floor, because of which people on the upper floors were trapped. The firefighting operation was carried out with the help of 4 lines(2 big, small and high pressure) of 12 fire engines. The fire brigade reported that the Crystal Tower's internal fire-fighting system was not in a working condition. A statement from the department said that it was a major challenge to move all fire-fighting resources to the upper floors as there were no firefighting structures in place. A major tragedy could be averted only because of timely intervention, which would have been impossible in a heavy-traffic area such as Hindmata and Elphinstone Road. However, owing to a public holiday today, the injured could be promptly shifted to hospitals and the fire brigade could rush in with all resources within time. Zen Sadavarte (10), who lives on the 16th floor helped save 13 people by "keeping calm" and using "simple techniques" she read about online. She says as soon as her family saw the smoke entering their house, she opened the windows and knocked on her neighbours' doors to alert them. She says she made a purifier with cotton and water for each person and asked them to inhale and exhale through it until help came. A firefighter has said that the building was not fired compliant as essential firefighting equipments and structure was missing. He said that renovation work was going on in a flat on the 12th floor where the fire started. He said that the electrical circuit in the building was faulty. Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar lauded the firefighting department and Mumbai Police for their prompt response. He said that the initial investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a short circuit in an apartment on the 12th floor. He also said that a thorough investigation will be launched and anyone found guilty will not be spared. Kanchan Dulani, 49, who had a flat on the 11th floor of the building, said she was at home when the fire started and tried to rush out of the flat but her front door was in flames. She said the firefighters came after around half an hour later. Her son was calling them and they kept saying, "We have already sent fire brigades to the spot". The official also said that safety norms were flouted because of which the firefighters had to face a lot of difficulty in evacuating people. A senior BMC official said that the Crystal Tower did not have the compulsory occupational clearance from BMC and the residents were served a notice recently. He alsop said that a notice from the department was sent in 2016, however, the builders neglected the norms. Crystal Tower did not have occupation clearance from BMC, says senior BMC official A statement from the fire brigade said that the Crystal Tower is declared unsafe. The authorities have been asked to disconnect electric supply and water supply of the said tower and the fire department has also asked the police to book responsible persons for criminal negligence, Mumbai fire brigade chief Prabhat Rahangdale said. The 16 injured, including six women, were undergoing treatment and their condition was reported to be stable, it said. Two of the deceased were identified as Bablu Shaikh (36) and Shubhada Shelke (62), the civic body said. The identity of two other deceased has not been ascertained yet. The police is trying to determine who all were present in the building at the time of the tragedy. At least 20 people suffered from suffocation due to the smoke. They were rushed to the nearby KEM Hospital, where four of them, including a woman, were declared brought dead, the city civic body said in a statement. Mumbai fire brigade chief Prabhat Rahangdale said that the area around the lift of the12th floor was the worst affected. Fire in the electrical wiring kept in duct area had caused smoke and heat on the entire floor, because of which people on the upper floors were trapped. The firefighting operation was carried out with the help of 4 lines(2 big, small and high pressure) of 12 fire engines. The fire brigade reported that the Crystal Tower's internal fire-fighting system was not in a working condition. A statement from the department said that it was a major challenge to move all fire-fighting resources to the upper floors as there were no firefighting structures in place. A major tragedy could be averted only because of timely intervention, which would have been impossible in a heavy-traffic area such as Hindmata and Elphinstone Road. However, owing to a public holiday today, the injured could be promptly shifted to hospitals and the fire brigade could rush in with all resources within time. Zen Sadavarte (10), who lives on the 16th floor helped save 13 people by "keeping calm" and using "simple techniques" she read about online. She says as soon as her family saw the smoke entering their house, she opened the windows and knocked on her neighbours' doors to alert them. She says she made a purifier with cotton and water for each person and asked them to inhale and exhale through it until help came. Mumbai fire Latest update: According to the fire department, four firefighters sustained injuries while trying to douse the blaze. Moreover, 18 residents were also injured while four people were killed in the fire. A statement from the fire brigade said that the Crystal Tower is declared unsafe. The authorities have been asked to disconnect electric supply and water supply of the said tower and the fire department has also asked the police to book responsible persons for criminal negligence. Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar lauded the firefighting department and Mumbai Police for their prompt response. He said that the initial investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a short circuit in an apartment on the 12th floor. He also said that a thorough investigation will be launched and anyone found guilty will not be spared. Two more people have succumbed to their injuries at the hospital taking the total toll to four. Over 10 people have been injured in the incident and the rescue operations are on. Two people have reportedly lost their lives in a fire at a residential building, Crystal Tower near Hindmata Cinema in Parel. Fourteen people have been injured. A level-3 fire that broke out in Crystal Tower near Hindmata Cinema in Parel area earlier on Wednesday has now been doused, reports said. Fire brigade officials have gone inside the building to search for any trapped person inside. Total eight people were rescued and sent to KEM Hospital, ANI reported. Earlier reports said that 20 fire tenders have been rushed to Crystal Tower near Hindmata Cinema in Parel where fire broke out on the 12th floor of the building. No casualties have been reported yet. #UPDATE: 20 fire tenders rushed to Crystal Tower near Hindmata Cinema in Parel where fire broke out on 12th floor of the tower. No casualties reported till now. People trapped inside being rescued using cranes.Some people taken to hospital after rescue.Rescue operation on.#Mumbai pic.twitter.com/VDLuYdDIqE ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 Initially, ten fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire department, initially, said it was a level-2 fire, reported The Hindustan Times, but it was soon upgraded to a level-3 fire. The fire broke out on the 12th floor of the residential building, reports said. Crystal tower has a total of sixteen floors. #UPDATE: The Level-2 fire that broke out in Crystal Tower near Hindmata Cinema in Parel area now becomes Level-3 fire. Ten fire fighting tenders have rushed to the spot. People trapped inside the tower are being rescued using a crane. Rescue operation is underway. #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/stUgBaQQzX ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 ANI reported that those trapped inside the building were being rescued with the help of cranes. In June of 2018, a major blaze had broken out at Beaumonde Towers in Mumbai's Prabhadevi which was doused after five hours, according to officials from the fire department. More than 90 residents were evacuated and no injuries were reported. From Rajasthans Kota Doira to Odishas tussar silk sarees, the stage will also be celebrating women spinners and weavers. Over the last few decades, Indian fashion designers have made their mark in the global market with their sartorial designs. But now, designers and entrepreneurs are looking to showcase fabrics and weaves that are an intrinsic part of Indias heritage, thereby encouraging sustainability. The idea behind the sustainable movement is to make the fashion industry more socially responsible by helping the artisans and weavers who work on traditional themes. In its seventh year, the upcoming edition of Lakme Fashion Week will celebrate such indigenous crafts and artisans through a series of curated shows that seeks collaboration between skilled artisans and innovative designers from around the country. Since 2012, there have been constant efforts in bringing to fore craftsmen and their work and the upcoming edition of the fashion week will see handwoven fabrics from Rajasthan and Odisha, intricate khadi weaves, Kanjivaram and ecological fibres. Designer Karishma Shahani Khan who will be presenting the work of Kota Women Weavers Organisation from Rajasthan has picked Kota Doria - a fine fabric made of a blend of silk and cotton, to showcase her designs. Predominantly made by women, the fabric is sheer and light in nature despite using a lot of zari work. But over a period of time, it has lost its place in textile list, says Karishma whose label Ka-Sha along with Craftmark has given a modern twist to this traditional piece of fabric that's mainly used for saree or dress. For instance, a stitch saree dress can be worn during the day or at an event. The clothes have to be contextual to our functional lives and I have tried to give it more shape, forms, and technique that you wouldnt see in this textile, inherently. We have worked with the traditional motif but with a slightly modern twist, like polka dots but with zari and their traditional white colours, explains Karishma. The designer describes Kota Doria as a fabric with a very translucent qualy yet not fragile. Its a simple fabric but with an interesting grid patternthats its trademark. The best thing about the fabric is, you can wear it in any season, she smiles. From deep indigo blue to pastel mint green, Karishma has used a colour palate of eight to nine colours along with a lot of white and silver zari. From Rajasthans Kota Doira to Odishas tussar silk sarees, the stage will also be celebrating women spinners and weavers. Inspired by the Chausat Yogini Temple, the 64 tantric female deities of Odisha, designer Gunjun Jains Yogini collection celebrates womanhood representing varied expressions of modern-day Yoginis through handwoven sarees styled in experimental drapes teamed with workwear blouses. A weaver engaged in the work of weaving. Her designs will have a special focus on Odisha and will introduce hand woven khadi textures and fabrics. Using regional traditional techniques of Ikat and Jala, the couturier has given a contemporary language to the classic temple border of kumbha by reinterpreting it in different ways. We tried to re-capture the curvilinear ikats and have worked on a range of Ikat textiles known for their intricate and fine lines, almost like thin pencil drawings, says Gunjan adding that her designs also narrates the story of a 500-year-old textile tree between Odisha and South East Asia. This year will also see digitally driven designer-artisan collaboration with three clusters and designers. While brands such as Indigene and THREE have collaborated with weavers from in Odisha and Bihar, designers such as Naushad Ali will present a collection of handloom trench coats, trousers, dresses and jumpsuits made by the Musiri weavers in Tiruchirappalli. Musiri is well known for good quality cotton, predominantly used for saree, says Naushad who explains how he epicycles the traditional materials. We dont use the material or the fabric as it is as our aim is to have customers buy and wear it. For instance, gold plays an important role in the saree down south and is usually seen on the borders. Keeping the same quality as the base fabric, we have removed the borders and put gold throughout the fabric in simple checks, explains Naushad who has also done a lot of layering, trench coats, and bold jackets. From rural West Bengal, Eka by Rina Singh is presenting hand spun and woven textile using the technique of Kata Makur Kaj, as called in rural Bengal or Cut Shuttle in layman language. We have done a cut shuttle technique which was earlier used in saree borders but not anymore as it is time-consuming and is expensive. But it is so interesting that I have increased the weight of the fabric in khadi, done a cut shuttle where I have done a colour contrast. We have also used woodblock in chintz print on the fabric, says Rina whose collection also features Sojani embroidery from Kashmir on woolen dresses, khadi, and linen. But, how viable is our sustainable fashion market? Experts believe that fashion is no longer just about trends and innovative designs, it is also a means to encourage dialogue on sustainable choices. Naushad further explains that with sustainable fabric, a weaver can only make 1.5meters a day. The process is much slower, time-consuming and we work for four months on creating the fabric. It is but obvious for the fabric to be expensive. It is not expensive because of its sustainability, but because of the process that is involved, he says. Karishma seconds his opinion and adds that one needs to understand where the product is coming from. A lot of effort goes into making a fabric giving an end product so pure that it can't be replicated by a machine. It is handmade and the amount of human hours it takes is precious. It moves through multiple hands and not a machine, she stresses. Narendra Modi will be on a day's visit to Gujarat Thursday where he will attend four functions, including the convocation of the Gujarat Forensic Science University and a meeting of the Somnath temple trust Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a day's visit to Gujarat on Thursday where he will attend four functions, including the convocation of the Gujarat Forensic Science University and a meeting of the Somnath temple trust. "The meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust - the PM is one of its seven trustees - will be held at the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar, (sic)" trust secretary PK Laheri told PTI. "The prime minister will arrive in the morning and address a public meeting in Jujwa village near Valsad town, where he will attend the collective e-griha pravesh (online house warming) of beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (gramin), (sic)" an official release said. According to the release, more than one lakh houses have been built in the state under the Centre's flagship scheme which envisions housing for all. From the same venue, Modi would perform the ground-breaking ceremony of a water supply project meant for the tribal population in Dharampur and Kaprada talukas. "After the event in Valsad, the prime minister would go to Junagadh town in Saurashtra to inaugurate various projects, including a newly-built hospital of the Gujarat Medical and Education Research Society and two fisheries colleges at Veraval town in the Gir Somnath district," another official said. Modi would also address a public meeting at the Police Training College ground near Junagadh. Later, he will preside over the convocation ceremony of the Gujarat Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar and before leaving for Delhi, he will attend the meeting of the Somnath temple trust in the evening. BJP president Amit Shah, who is also a trustee of the temple, is expected to be present in the meeting. "All the seven trustees, including Modi, will remain present in the trust's 117th meeting," said Laheri, who is also a trustee of the temple. The other trustees of the temple are - Keshubhai Patel, who is also the chairman of the trust, veteran BJP leader LK Advani, businessman Harshvardhan Neotia and noted scholar JD Parmar. The temple is situated in Prabhas Patan town, commonly known as Somnath town, in Gir-Somnath district of Saurashtra region and attracts thousands of devotees every day. The prime minister was earlier supposed to be in his home state on 20 July, but his visit was postponed due to heavy rains in several parts of the state, especially in south Gujarat. Bikash Kanti Nath's wife and daughter both made it to the Assam NRC final draft, as did 11 members of Bikash's extended family making him the odd one out. Editor's Note: Of the 4 million who didn't make it to NRC, 2.48 lakh have been marked as 'D' voters. The Supreme Court has asked Assam government not to take any coercive action on those who are found to be without proper documents as required under recent National Register of Citizens. NRC, a product of Assam Accord, is expected to solve the fear of Bangladeshi immigrants that has been prevalent in the state for quite some time now. The Centre proposed in 1999 an updated NRC in Assam to solve the problem of "illegal immigration" and two pilot projects were conducted in Dhubri and Barpeta districts. But breaking out of a riot in Barpeta grounded the project. In 2005, when All Assam Student Union opposed the prime minister's visit to the state, tripartite talk between AASU, State government, and the Centre resulted in a decision to prepare a model for the NRC process, which was delayed yet again by over 5 years by the state government. It was only when Abhijeet Sharma of Assam Public Works (APW), an NGO, filed a writ petition in 2009 that the SC's direct intervention led to the start of NRC process in 2014. Firstpost will run a series which will feature 30 profiles in 30 days of those residents of Assam who have not been covered under the final draft of NRC which will decide if they continue to live in the state that they call 'home'. *** Silchar: Bikash Kanti Nath, a lifelong resident of Silchar in Assam, got the "shock of his life" when he found himself excluded from the National Register of Citizens (NRC). After serving the government for over three decades, the 62-year-old retired government servant had never thought that the final draft, released on 30 July, would leave him feeling insecure in his home state. "I am still not able to come to terms with the fact that my name was not there. I was born and brought up here, completed my education here and was an employee under the government of Assam for more than three decades," he said. Bikashs father Birendra Kumar Nath, who died in 1956, had been an employee at the Assam Secretariat in Shillong since 1948, when the city served as the state's capital. His younger brother Nripendra Kumar Nath, 91, who lives in the same locality, says that Birendra had also worked as a teacher in the 1930s and as an air raid instructor with the Assam Civil Defence Department during the days of World War II. "We faced a tough time after his (Birendra's) demise and decided to move to Silchar, which was part of undivided Assam back then. Now, when the NRC is being updated after so many decades, the officials concerned have excluded my nephew's name, claiming that his documentation is insufficient. I would like to know how a document issued by the Air Civil Defence Department of Assam in 1944 is insufficient to prove that a family has been living in Assam since much before the cut off period of 1971," Nripendra says, adding that the family will pursue the legal fight to ensure that Bikash is recognised as an Assamese. The papers Bikash submitted to the NRC authorities include a 1944 document related to his father, which was issued by Assam's director of civil defence and the voter lists of 1966 and 1993. While the document on his father included details of only his parents, the voter lists mentioned Bikash's name, as well. Bikash completed his schooling from Adharchand Higher Secondary School in 1972 one of the oldest educational institutes in Silchar. He graduated from Silchar's Gurucharan College in 1977 with a degree in Zoology and got his master's degree from Kalyani University in West Bengal in 1979. In 2016, Bikash retired from service as the district fishery development officer and settled in Karimganj's Vivekananda Road area in Silchar. While his wife Suparna Nath works as a teacher at South Point School in the city, their daughter Barnali Nath is a PhD student at the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati. On 17 December, a couple of weeks before the first NRC draft was released, NRC Sewa Kendra officials had visited their house for verification, Bikash said. "The officials checked the documents and said everything was okay." "When I contacted the Sewa Kendra after my name did not appear in the first NRC draft, they told me that the process was underway and my name would definitely appear in the second and final draft," he said, also talking about the harassment entailed in making frequent visits to the Sewa Kendra after being left out of the first list. His wife and daughter both made it to the NRC final draft, as did 11 members of Bikash's extended family making him the odd one out. "I have valid documents to prove my citizenship. It is disturbing to imagine the consequences in case my name is missing from the final NRC, as well. My family members are very worried about this," Bikash said. "Although the days ahead will be full of worries, I am hopeful that my name will appear in the final list." With inputs from Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha The authors are Assam-based freelance writers and members of 101Reporters.com West Bengal BJP MP Roopa Ganguly on Wednesday said Partition was done so that Pakistan becomes a Muslim nation, Bangladesh remains for Muslims and Bengal part of India as it was for Hindus who returned from Bangladesh West Bengal BJP MP Roopa Ganguly has stirred up a controversy by alluding that West Bengal was intended to be a state for Hindus. Ganguly, on Wednesday, said that India was divided so that Pakistan and Bangladesh are for Muslims, and Bengal, which is a part of India remains as it was for Hindus who returned from Bangladesh, ANI reported. The statement was a reply to a question on what Ganguly's views were on Citizenship Bill...that 'Hindus are refugees, Muslims are infiltrators'? Ganguly also said that those who are born in India or are living since childhood, including Muslims, need not worry about National Register of Citizens (NRC). Politically incorrect...Partition was done so Pak becomes Muslim nation; Bangladesh mainly for Muslims,Bengal part of India as it was for Hindus who returned from Bangladesh: R Ganguly on 'your views on Citizenship Bill...that 'Hindus are refugees, Muslims infiltrators'? (21.08) pic.twitter.com/Dqw1NJEVWA ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 Only Hindus aren't refugees, Buddhists, Jains are refugees too who came from different parts of the world to India: Roopa Ganguly, BJP when asked 'what are your views on Citizenship Bill...that 'Hindus are refugees, Muslims are infiltrators'? (21.08.2018) pic.twitter.com/FniyRHjb61 ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 Ganguly's statements come a few days after BJP national vice-president Om Mathur said that the country would not be allowed to become a 'dharamshala' and that National Register of Citizens (NRC) would be implemented throughout the country after the 2019 general election. The entire country is suffering from the problem of Bangladeshi infiltrators. There is not a single city or town which is not suffering from the problem of Bangladeshi infiltrators, Mathur had told reporters. As parties have been busy slinging mud at each other, the West Bengal unit of Congress has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP of resorting to "narrow-minded" politics by "misguiding" people over the NRC issue. With inputs from agencies With rehabilitation work in full swing in rain-ravaged Kodagu, Karnataka Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge announced Rs 25 crore aid towards relief measures Bengaluru: With rehabilitation work in full swing in rain-ravaged Kodagu, Karnataka government Wednesday said all efforts would be made to restore normalcy at the earliest in the district where torrential rains that lashed the district last week have claimed 12 lives. Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge announced Rs 25 crore aid towards relief measures. "The social welfare ministry has reserved a care package of Rs 25 crore. We hope this will address immediate needs. The road to recovery will be hard and long, but we will try restore normalcy sooner than later," he said in a statement. Thousands have been rendered homeless in the rains that left a trail of destruction. "Several houses were inundated and people affected. The government is making every effort to rescue and provide relief to those marooned," Kharge said. He directed officials of the social welfare department to tour the district and assess the damage caused by the unprecedented rains. "The department will survey and take immediate action as soon as the rains subside," he said. "National Disaster Response Force personnel are working in tandem with the state government to carry out relief operations. Police personnel have also been engaged," he added. Meanwhile, Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji visited flood-affected people of Somwarpet taluk and assured them of all help. Repair on roads was going on in full swing at Jodupala and surrounding areas bordering Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts, which had been severely hit by flash floods and landslides last week. Fire and Rescue service personnel, police, forest department staff and volunteers are carrying out rescue operations at Jodupala. "Earth movers have been engaged to remove huge boulders blocking the highway," Puttur assistant commissioner Krishnamurthy said. An official release said NGOs and members of the local community in Kodagu are also involved in rescue operations, which has so far saved 4,450 people. According to the release, as many as 70 earthmovers have been deployed to clear debris and 20 four-wheel drive vehicles deployed for quick movement of rescue teams. "Two doctors with paramedics are posted in every relief camps, where hygiene was being monitored by health inspectors to prevent any outbreak of disease," the release said. The release also said, "For restoration and rehabilitation, a three member team from NGRI (National Geophysical Research Institute) visited Kodagu and set up a seismic monitoring center at a school to closely monitor seismic activity there." "Engineers and personnel from Madras Engineer Group are being deputed to Kodagu for road restoration and clearance of debris," it said. Gurumurthy said that he does not often respond to 'online abuse' but because a 'political leader of a responsible party' brought in his appointment at the RBI, he wanted to 'set the record straight.' RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy is on the defensive as Twitter users descended on him for linking Kerala floods and the Supreme Court ruling allowing women inside the Sabarimala temple. Gurumurthy, who was recently appointed as an independent director at the Reserve Bank of India, clarified that he never said that because women were allowed in the shrine, the state was ravaged by floods. He said that he was merely commenting on the 'public view' "It is a comment on people's view. Where is the God Vs Law in this? In fact in Hindu philosophy which is doctrinally most liberal says God is subject to law i.e Dharma. Sri Rama coronated as King asks Vasishta "Am I the supreme?" Vasishta says: "No, law i.e Dharma is supreme." He further added that his tweet was his personal opinion on a completely different subject matter, therefore it had no connection with his recent appointment as a board member of the RBI. "What has my appointment to the RBI board to do with my views? I am an independent director. Not bound by any rules not to express my view freely. It is not a paid job. I accepted it, on persuasion, almost pressure, for putting forth my views on MSMEs which are under stress," Gurumurthy said. Asserting his freedom to express his independent views, Gurumurthy said if given a choice between any post and his freedom to hold and express an opinion, he will always choose the latter. "On a choice between my right to express my views and RBI directorship, undoubtedly choice tomorrow will be the former. I have rejected any number of positions, to retain my right to speak what the liberals and pseudo seculars dislike. I will continue to do so despite all abuse," he said. Gurumurthy had stirred up a row after he said that the Supreme Court may want to review its decision to allow women inside the shrine because of the Kerala floods. "Supreme court judges may like to see if there is any connection between the case and what is happening in Sabarimala. Even if there is one in a million chance of a link people would not like the case decided against Ayyappan," he tweeted. While his tweet was framed in the passive, the right-wing thinker was quoting another user who had said that since the Supreme Court allowed everyone (read women) inside the shrine, the lord has denied entry to everyone. Supreme court judges may like to see if there is any connection between the case and what is happening in Sabarimala. Even if there is one in a million chance of a link people would not like the case decided against Ayyappan. https://t.co/0k1818QZGU S Gurumurthy (@sgurumurthy) August 17, 2018 Gurumurthy also attacked those criticising him. "Amazed at the hypocrisy of Indian intellectuals who trash people's faith. 99% Indians believe in God. 100%, including liberals, seculars, intellectuals, believe in astrology. Atheist Karunanidhi's followers prayed for him. I am among those who look to God but not astrology." Gurumurthy said that he does not often respond to 'online abuse' but because a 'political leader of a responsible party' brought in his appointment at the RBI, he wanted to 'set the record straight.' "I wanted to ignore what was actually abuse masquerading as debate as I don't respond to abuse. But when a political leader of a responsible party also made same charge against me, even referring my RBI appointment (which has no relevance to the tweet) I decided to respond... This response is triggered by the statement of the politburo member of CPM that I made a hate statement in the Twitter as an RBI director. That is false as explained in the 1at tweet. Where is ref to RBI director in my twitter handle. To set record straight I had to respond," he said. Satya Pal Malik, the newly appointed governor of Jammu and Kashmir, will be administered the oath of office on Thursday. New Delhi: Satya Pal Malik, the newly appointed governor of Jammu and Kashmir, will be administered the oath of office on Thursday, ending the five-decade-long practice of retired bureaucrats being appointed to the post, officials said on Wednesday. Malik (72) has the experience of working with almost all political hues of the country and will be the first career politician to assume the position after Karan Singh, who held the office from 1965 to 1967. Malik, former governor of Bihar, arrived in Srinagar in a chartered plane Wednesday. Outgoing Governor NN Vohra, who was at the helm of affairs for the last 10 years, Wednesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a courtesy visit. He also met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The militancy-hit state is at present under the Governor's rule after the BJP withdrew support from its alliance partner People's Democratic Party (PDP) in June, 2018. Vohra, a 1959-batch Punjab cadre IAS officer, had remained the choice of the central government irrespective of the party in power due to his knowledge, expertise and negotiation skills. Just as he saw Jammu and Kashmir through its worst crises, including the Amarnath agitation row in 2008, Vohra also witnessed the rise and fall of militancy in Punjab. He was the home secretary of Punjab after Operation Blue Star in 1984 when the state was in the thick of a bloody struggle for Khalistan, and the Army stormed into the Golden Temple. In 1993, soon after the serial bombings in Mumbai, Vohra was appointed the Union home secretary. From 1990 to 1993, he was the defence secretary. After his retirement in 1994, he had submitted a report of a committee, which studied the problem of criminalisation in politics and examined the criminal-politician-bureaucrat nexus in India. Malik, who will be taking over the reins on Thursday, is a career politician who started as a student leader in Meerut University and became an MLA of Charan Singh's Bhartiya Kranti Dal from Baghpat, in Uttar Pradesh, in 1974. He had joined the Congress in 1984, and became a Rajya Sabha MP, but resigned three years later against the backdrop of the Bofors scam. He switched to the VP Singh-led Janta Dal in 1988 and became an MP from Aligarh in 1989. In 2004, Malik joined the BJP and unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections, losing to former prime minister Charan Singh's son Ajit Singh. Before taking oath as Bihar governor on 4 October, 2017, he was in-charge of the BJP's Kisan Morcha. New Delhi, the argument goes, wants a pliant instrument to enforce a Hindu nationalist agenda aimed at undermining Kashmirs federal autonomythus setting the stage for another epic crisis. New Delhi: The Curfew Flower, GuleCurfew, he was called, the strange excrescence that blossomed in the summer of 1984, nurtured by prime minister Indira Gandhis hubris and hatred. For 72 days of his first three months as chief minister, Ghulam Mohammad Shah was compelled to keep Kashmirs enraged residents locked in their homes. The palace coup that put Shah in office discredited the idea of democracy for an entire generationand laid the foundation for the Islamist insurgency that still rages. The story of the Curfew Flower hangs over the appointment, on Tuesday night, of Satya Pal Malik as Jammu and Kashmirs new governor. Prime minister Indira Gandhis campaign to dethrone chief minister Farooq Abdullah, which began soon after his election in 1983, was doggedly resisted by governor BK Nehru. In the face of sane counsel, she appointed a new governor to deliver the coup de grace. For many in and outside Kashmir, the appointment of a politician with no Kashmir experience or credentials is a signal that New Delhi is poised to repeat that historic blunder. New Delhi, the argument goes, wants a pliant instrument to enforce a Hindu nationalist agenda aimed at undermining Kashmirs federal autonomythus setting the stage for another epic crisis. Perhaps thats true. But perhaps, just perhaps, this is true: Prime Minister Narendra Modis government is facing up to the fact that the real problem in Kashmir today isnt terrorism, but the politics which feeds it. Local and legislature elections looming, New Delhi needs a governor with hands-on political experience who can help weave together the sundered threads of Kashmirs political fabric. From the windows of Ranbir Mahal, now the Governors palace in Jammu, Maharaja Hari Singh would have looked out on columns of birds circling above the corpses rotting in his woods. From March, 1947, Hindu and Sikh refugees from Sialkot and Rawalpindi had begun arriving in the city, bringing with them their stories of horror. That summer, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers began planning reprisals. The Dogra state, fearful of its Muslim subjects, provided them with weapons and leadership. Journalist GK Reddy published an interview in The Civil & Military Gazette on 28 October, 1947 a mad orgy of Dogra violence against unarmed Muslims [that] should put any self-respecting human being to shame. Later, Kashmirs first elected ruler, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, would explain the impact of the Partition carnage on Kashmir. There isn't a single Muslim in Kapurthala, Alwar or Bharatpur Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah said. Kashmiris, he went on, fear the same fate lies ahead for them, too. The forces unleashed at Partition relentlessly tested Governor Vohra through his ten years in office. From 2006, a new Islamist movement in Kashmir began catalysing around the ruins of the decade-old insurgency. The movement finally exploded in 2008 after the lease of land to the Amarnath temple by chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azads government. Islamist patriarch Syed Ali Shah Geelani charged India with working to alter the demographic character of our State. I caution my nation that if we do not wake up now, India and its stooges will succeed and we will lose our land forever. Even though the Amarnath crisis was defused, the story didnt end there. The decade since then has seen a new generation of young people in Kashmir radicalised in the course of street battles with police. That has manifested itself in an increase of recruitment to jihadist groups, which has risen steadily since 2014. Parallel to this, the Hindu religious right wing has grown across Jammu. In 2015, ethnic-Kashmiri truck driver Zakir Bhat was burned alive by a Hindu nationalist mob, amidst claims he was smuggling cattle. In 2017, a Gujjar family was attacked in Reasi; several members suffered serious injuries. There have been dozens of smaller incidents. Muslims who fear annihilation by a Hindu state have sharpened their support for anti-India jihadists. Hindus frightened by the prospect that they would be destroyed by a Pakistan-backed Islamist insurgency have also mobilised for conflict. For the most part, political parties have had an opportunistic relationship with chauvinist mobilisations, seeing them as a tool to discredit their opponents. The reason for these tactics is self-evident. Long having abandoned the progressive, secular-nationalist politics that saw them develop into mass movements, the Congress and the National Conference degenerated into organisations concerned principally with the dispensation of patronage derived from control of development funds. In search of a continuous mass base, they had to turn to other issues to corral their constituencies. Fighting off competition from the Jamaat-e-Islami in 1977, Sheikh Abdullah attacked its alliance with the Janata Party whose hands were still red with the blood of Muslims. The strategy paid off: the National Conference was decimated in the Hindu-majority constituencies of Jammu but won all 42 seats in Kashmir. Then, in 1983, prime minister Indira Gandhi conducted an incendiary campaign in Jammu, built around the claim that there was discrimination against the region because it was part of Hindu India. In March 1987 rally in Srinagar, Muslim United Front candidatesstriving to beat-off the Congress-National Front alliancedeclared that Islam could not survive under the authority of a secular state. One MUF leader even wrote it was time to arouse the sense of jihad and martyrdom among the youth. Prime Minister Gandhis 1983 coup was followed, in 1987, the formation of an electoral cartel between both the National Conference and Congressand flagrant rigging. These events persuaded many Kashmiris that their votes simply didnt matter. Indias counter-insurgency successes restored orderand provided a foundation for the foundations of the restoration of democracy in 1995. Elites could have changed the course of events after 1995but failed to build a new democratic compact. The new political order made up almost entirely of figures from the old, failed one, proved it had learned nothing from history. The consequences have been predictable: yet another generation alienated from democratic politics and seduced by the chimaera of building a religious utopia. Peace will need the crafting of a new elite consensus, built around regional reconciliation, and an opening up of politics itself to new forces and figures. Politiciansnot police officersneed to shepherd the process. Perhapsjust perhapsGovernor Malik can begin the conversations needed to walk Kashmir away from the edge. Zen Sadavarte, who was present inside the Mumbai building when the fire broke out, said that as soon as her family saw the smoke entering their house, she opened the windows and knocked on her neighbours' doors to alert them. Zen Sadavarte, a 10-year-old student, emerged a hero in the fire that broke out in a residential building Crystal Tower near Hindmata Cinema in Mumbai's Parel. She was responsible for saving many lives by taking charge and assisting the safe evacuation of people caught in the fire. Zen, who was present inside the building when the fire broke out, said that as soon as her family saw the smoke entering their house, she opened the windows and knocked on her neighbours' doors to alert them. She says she made a purifier with cotton and water for each person and asked them to inhale and exhale through it until help came. As a result, they were able to withstand the smoke long enough to be rescued by the fire department. DNA reported that she credited her school teacher, who told her that it is essential to remain calm in the event of a fire and to use wet clothes. The fire brigade control room got a message at 8.32 am about the blaze on the 12th floor of the 17-storey building. The smoke from the raging fire spread rapidly, trapping the residents in the stairs, Mumbai Fire Brigade chief PS Rahangdale told News18. Sixteen people suffered from suffocation due to the smoke. They were rushed to the nearby KEM Hospital, where two of them were declared brought dead, the city civic body said in a statement. Around 100 people are said to have been rescued. With inputs from Natasha Trivedi Former prime minister Manmohan Singh had made it clear after the 2004 Tsunami in Tamil Nadu that India will refuse bilateral assistance from foreign governments and brought a shift in the disaster aid policy to reduce dependence on other countries for relief. The issue of whether India will reverse its stand on disaster aid policy set in December 2004 has been raised following Kerala chief ministers declaration that UAE had offered Rs 700 crore for the states flood victims. Union minister KJ Alphons told Firstpost, that any assistance by a foreign government towards relief operations in flood-ravaged Kerala will be subject to clearance by the Government of India. Even as UAE and other foreign governments have offered aid, the Centre may stick to the policy set by the UPA government in 2004. For now, while the government is not looking at contributions from foreign governments, efforts from private entities towards relief and rehabilitation would continue and according to sources, the Centre cannot stop foreign NGOs and aid organisations with Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) clearances to contribute relief efforts in Kerala, reported India Today. Previously India had accepted foreign aid in response and relief after all the disasters. However, after the tsunami hit on 26 December, 2004, Manmohan Singh, who was then the prime minister had announced that India will not accept foreign aid for rescue and relief operations. Singh had said, We feel that we can cope with the situation on our own and we will take their help if needed. India had accepted foreign aid during the Uttarkashi earthquake in 1991, Latur quake in 1993, Gujarat earthquake of 2001, Bengal cyclone in 2002 and also during the Bihar floods of 2004. But after the tsunami, Manmohan, who also brought a shift in countrys economic policy in 1991, made it clear that India will refuse bilateral assistance and thus brought a change in the disaster aid policy. In 2013, when US Secretary of State had announced Rs 90 lakh ($150,000) as an aid for the Uttarakhand flood victims, then finance minister P Chidambaram had responded saying that India would instead approach international agencies such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank for loans for the state. In July of 2013, Syed Akbaruddin who was the spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs had told to The Telegraph, As a general policy in case of rescue and relief operations, we have followed the practice that we have adequate ability to respond to emergency requirements. The change in the policy was an attempt by India to reduce its dependence on foreign aid and instead showcase its economic power. People also gave alms to the needy who had gathered around the mosques and Idgahs. Pigeons fly past as people gather to offer Id-ul-Zuha prayers at Jama Masjid in Old Delhi on Wednesday. (Photo:AP) New Delhi: Faithfuls gathered in mosques and Idgahs and hordes of people wearing their festive best revelled in streets and market places to celebrate Id ul-Zuha in the city on Wednesday. From the iconic Jama Masjid and Fathepuri Masjid in Old Delhi to Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah in South Delhi, Muslims offered special prayers (namaz) in the morning to seek blessings of the almighty. Id ul-Zuha marks the prophets sacrifice of a lamb after God spared his son prophet Ismail. After the prayers, people exchanged greetings and gifts, and embraced each other in the spirit of harmony. A festive atmosphere prevailed near the Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk areas where people bought sweets and savouries to welcome friends and relatives. Elders offered eidee (money) to children, and markets bustled with activities, as children and their parents jostled to buy toys and other items from shops around mosques. People also gave alms to the needy who had gathered around the mosques and Idgahs. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal greeted people on the festive occasion. He wrote a greeting message on Twitter. Markets in various areas in the city were decked up for Id, one of the most joyous days in the Islamic calendar. Special arrangements were made by the Delhi police to manage the crowd and ensure safety and security around religious places in the national capital. The minister's comment came hours after the UAE, Maldives and Qatar pledged assistance to India for relief and rehabilitation measures in Kerala. Any assistance by a foreign government towards relief operations in flood-ravaged Kerala will be subject to clearance by the Government of India, Union minister KJ Alphons told Firstpost. The Kerala minister's comment came hours after the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Maldives and Qatar pledged assistance to the Indian government for relief and rehabilitation measures in the state. "Any assistance from foreign countries and I am only talking about foreign countries is to be decided by the Government of India. Whether to accept (the offers) or not is to be decided only by the Government of India," Alphons said. When asked if the monetary value of the UAE's assistance for flood relief in Kerala exceeded that offered by the Centre, Alphons reiterated that such assistance by the UAE will first have to be decided upon by the central government. So, is the government likely to eventually accept the disaster relief aid being offered by foreign nations? "I dont know, this is to be decided by the Government of India not by me or the government of Kerala. It is a policy decision of the government," the minister said. Alphons added that even UPA government had "taken a decision that we will not take any foreign assistance" in events of natural disasters, although he added that he was unsure of the details of said decision. India is following the disaster aid policy adopted in December 2004 by the then ruling UPA government led by Manmohan Singh. "We feel that we can cope with the situation on our own and we will take their help if needed," Manmohan had said then. If the Centre accepts the assistance from UAE, it will be reversing a 14-year-old convention. Until the 2004 tsunami, the government had accepted aid for several calamities, including the Uttarkashi earthquake (1991), Latur earthquake (1993), Gujarat earthquake (2001), West Bengal cyclone (2002) and Bihar floods (2004). But in late 2004, the government's policy towards such aid had a "watershed moment". "We are following the policy since 2004, and have been turning down assistance from foreign governments since then. In Kerala also, we are sticking to that policy, the report quoted a government source as saying. This policy now puts the significant monetary aid for Kerala in limbo. On Tuesday, the UAE extended $100 million (about Rs 700 crore) as financial assistance to rebuild the southern Indian state. UAE, which is home to 2.6 million Indians who constitue 30 percent of its population, tops the list of countries that have offered aid to India to help with the aftermath of the Kerala floods. Qatar has announced a donation of $5 million. The country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted on Sunday announcing its plan to provide the monetary aid. The Maldives, which shares rickety ties with India under its present regime, also stepped in and offered a $50,000 (about Rs 35 lakh) assistance to Kerala. In China, the Indian diaspora in association with the Malayalee Association has raised over Rs 14 lakh for the welfare of flood relief victims in Kerala, PTI had reported. The international assistance comes in addition to the Rs 600 crore immediate assistance given by the Centre as interim relief. Initially, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had visited the state on 12 August and declared an immediate assistance of Rs 100 crore to Kerala. Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to the state on 16 August, had announced an additional aid of Rs 500 crore. Ananya Vajpeyi and Kaushal Panwar opened and traversed a faultline in Sanskritic scholarship whose very acknowledgement is a courageous act. As a rule, story and scholarship do not bode together. It is said that the romantic sway of story-telling dilutes the seriousness of scholarship, an enterprise identifiably divorced from personal narrative. Yet, at the Seventeenth (17th) World Sanskrit Conference (2018) at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, something as audacious was attempted. Tucked away but into the repertoire of serious scholarly presentations on philology and textual analysis was a public forum on Gender and Caste in Sanskrit Studies narrated through the personal, eliciting the title, The Story of Our Sanskrit. This discussion, as vaunted as contentious, featured Ananya Vajpeyi, a fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) and Kaushal Panwar, an assistant professor at Motilal Nehru College, University of Delhi who, as a Dalit scholar of Sanskrit, has been the subject of both radical laudation and conservative castigation. Panwar, of the Balmiki caste by social location, has defied several orthodoxies and tribulations to become a scholar of Sanskrit, including working as a manual scavenger to fund her education and bearing trenchant discrimination at the hands of her teachers, friends, and colleagues. For Panwar, Sanskrit remains an act of affirmative sabotage using which she can decipher and deconstruct the literary tonalities which prefigure her socio-political struggles as a lower-caste woman. For Vajpeyi, negotiating the stifling confines of Sanskritic scholarship in India has been a similarly tumultuous course. Nothing in my experience or education up to that time had prepared me for the sheer wall of prejudice, she writes of her experience with Sanskritic scholarship in India, that blocked the access of someone like me to the particular aspects of the history, ideology and politics of Sanskrit that I was interested in. Here I was female, a north Indian in south India, a student enrolled at a foreign university, a Hindi-speaker, and only tenuously and dubiously of a caste that pandits considered acceptable. My teachers and I struggled to communicate, but in the end, most things were lost in translation. A well-known Sanskrit professor in Maharashtra told me that only perverted women became scholars, a pronouncement that brought several months of our readings to an abrupt close one afternoon, and ensured I never again returned to meet him. In a re-phrasing, in featuring two women, one of whom Dalit, the panel furnished critical space to two groups historically and traditionally prohibited from the exercise of Sanskrit, whether in reading, writing, or even speaking it. In narrating their stories of navigating a language tailored to their social exclusion, Vajpeyi and Panwar opened and traversed a faultline in Sanskritic scholarship whose very acknowledgement is a courageous act. Such courage, however, was lost on the august audience of Sanskrit scholars from India and Vajpeyi reported (in a private Facebook post) encountering a boorish audience unwilling to listen, let alone accept, their story of Sanskrit, exhibiting, in her words, the worst reactionary tendencies in the field. Yet, for anyone familiar with the operation of Sanskrit scholars in India, although one is wary of making a monolithic representation of the purva-paksha, this is but unfamiliar. In 2016, to take merely one example, an assortment of experts had petitioned Rohan Murty to revoke philologist Sheldon Pollocks editorship from his Murty Classical Library of India (MCLI). The premise of the case was grounded in Pollocks politics, particularly worrying about which, the petition detailed, was his support for seditious students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and his deep antipathy towards Indian intellectual traditions and knowledge systems. The petition, as it goes without saying, was a condemnation of the outsider, a practice that Sanskritic scholarship has never perfectly eschewed and only extended from women and the Dalit to the foreigner engaging with its traditions. It is undeniable that the Sanskrit intellectual system has much to be valued and of use to address concerns of the contemporary, a fact that both Vajpeyi and Panwar acknowledge, but it is also truthful that the Sanskritic intellectual tradition has been complicit, through its historical practitioners, in the subordination of women and the lower castes, or those not dvija. Vajpeyi and Panwar, in highlighting their stories of Sanskrit, punctured any romantic idealisation of the Sanskritic world, further bemoaning that the Sanskritic academy remains insulated and exclusionary to this day. In their furore, attendant Sanskrit scholars from India at the conference seemingly validated the grievance and revealed its ramifying manifestations in startling practice; this, in turn, renders the cultural glorification of the bygone world of Sanskrit, a political habit in increasing parlance since the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in 2014, patently hollow. Such a close-mindedly egregious zeal to keep the outsider out is a script of the Sanskritic past, but it also militates against the historical cosmopolitanism of Sanskrit which we know of to the debt of Sheldon Pollock. As her student, and panelist at the forum, Vajpeyi wrote, Prof Pollocks most enduring contribution is surely his argument about the historically unique cosmopolitanism of Sanskrit, that allowed it to become the principal carrier of widely shared ideas about morality, sovereignty and beauty across a huge swathe of Asia throughout the first millennium, without any of the propellant fuels of empire and imperial dissemination neither an army, nor a religion, nor capital (naturally, in the pre-modern world). Related is his model of the cosmopolitan vernacular, where he shows how several vernacular languages in South Asia and beyond became cosmopolitan. Perhaps the story of our Sanskrit, then, will have to be told and retold till the birth of scholarly reflexivity, and its reorientation to the purpose that Sanskrit was always, in Pollocks vein, meant to serve. On 15 August, Ashutosh left the Aam Aadmi Party and on Wednesday, Ashish Khetan tweeted about his departure from active politics. In the winter of 2015, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was in peak election mode. A civil society movement against corruption had evolved into a political party and, for the first time, had given the national capital a truly triangular electoral contest. During the campaign, Kejriwal referred to the Indian democracy as jantantra the rule of the people. To hold people together, in 67 out of 70 seats, isnt easy. Collective angst against identifiable enemies like corruption can align with a single mans conviction and promises. But to hold a party together, its members who generate thought capital around its ideals need to be able to evolve without having to leave it. On 15 August, Ashutosh left the Aam Aadmi Party and on Wednesday, Ashish Khetan tweeted about his departure from active politics for the sake of focusing on his legal practice. Party sources speculate Khetan may be heading to the US to pursue an LLM degree anytime soon. While posts on Twitter make it seem like the two former journalists moved on amicably and for personal reasons, it is a fact that neither was considered for a Lok Sabha ticket in 2019. Knowing fully well that such claims could surface, Khetan tweeted a newspaper clipping that cites the reason for his exit as the denial of a Lok Sabha ticket from the New Delhi constituency, and dismissed it as an extrapolation. Last year, businessman Sushil Gupta and chartered accountant ND Gupta were given Rajya Sabha tickets. The former quit Congress in November 2017 and immediately joined AAP and the two are now headed to Parliament to represent AAP. The possibility of AAP's cadres being demoralised because of the opportunistic entry of those who can finance the partys plans in Delhi and Haryana is a fair conclusion. Khetan had contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 from the New Delhi constituency and had lost to BJP's Meenakshi Lekhi. Ashutosh, on the other hand, had contested from the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency for AAP and had come in third. When senior ideologues Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan moved on from AAP and formed Swaraj India, the narrative around their exit was the sycophancy surrounding Kejriwal and the departure of AAP from its egalitarian ethos. The drifting away of younger leaders, who worked longer within the party while it was in power to build and oversee delivery of promises, can now weaken the young party's ability to implement its ideas. In 2014, Ashish Khetan, along with Meera Sanyal, Adarsh Shastri, Preeti Sharma Menon and Roshan Shankar, pitched a research project on Delhi for a blueprint which could solve Delhi's intractable problems. Invitations were sent to domain experts, researchers, scientists and bureaucrats from India and around the world to engage on a 70-point agenda. Sources within AAP say that the advisory body called the Delhi Dialogue Commission, which democratises leadership and makes the party horizontal in its organisational structure, wouldnt have been possible without Khetans valuable insights. DDCs 21 tasks included Dilli Dehat (rural Delhi), mahila suraksha (women's safety), and jhuggi jhopris (JJ clusters). In Ashutoshs case, the indications that prabharis would be given Lok Sabha tickets and that he wasn't made a prabhari or given a Rajya Sabha ticket, may have led him to find other promising avenues. Ashutosh had used AAP as a vehicle to channel his goals for a democratic civil society. He was a strong anti-caste and liberal voice within the party and stood for individualism amidst collectivism. This came out especially when Sandip Kumar was caught in a sex tape controversy and Kejriwal was about to take a moral stand. It was Ashutosh who stood up to protect him, stating that private and public life are separate and that there isn't any criminality in the act. It was also his strong view that AAP should contest in Goa. Another person leading the party in Goa was Pankaj Gupta, who is now a Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha prabhari and in the race for becoming the Lok Sabha candidate. Sources within the party confessed that the financial strain that comes from becoming a part of a political movement is a reality for many at AAP. One more theory floating within the party is that the ongoing turf war between the Delhi government and the L-G has drained many of the partys senior leaders. Khetan was also heckled at the Delhi secretariat along with Environment minister Imran Hussain by a mob, soon after the alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash at the chief minister's residence. Unlike Kapil Mishra, MLA from Karawal Nagar, Khetan and Ashutosh have announced their distancing from AAP gracefully and without lashing out at the party or the man who heads it. However, the voluntary withdrawal of the two intellectual heavyweights before the completion of AAP's first tenure and a year before the 2019 Assembly elections can leave behind a vacuum which will not be filled up easily. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a deep emotional relationship with Vajpayee right from his days as an RSS pracharak. History is replete with images of leaders walking in the street with of a sense of sheer triumphalism. For example, the people of Paris erupted with joy and gave vent to their suppressed emotions when Charles De Gaulle walked on the street to reclaim Frances freedom towards the end of World War II in 1944. But there is hardly any precedent of a head of the state walking behind the hearse for over four miles in a sultry hot weather to pay respect to his mentor and predecessor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is bound to go down in history as an extraordinary event for a different reason. Instead of triumphalism, this walk was a profound expression of sorrow, tinged with a sense of irreparable loss. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Just when the hearse was about to leave the BJP headquarters in the afternoon of on 17 August, Modi asked officers of the special protection group (SPG) about arrangements. Sir, the car-cade is ready, an SPG official replied. Let it come. I will walk behind the hearse, was his spontaneous response that stunned the security officers into silence. There was a frantic activity to throw a ring around the prime minister as it was not an easy walk. Some ministers followed him and those who couldn't boarded their official vehicles to reach the funeral venue. The fact that Modi did not insist on anyone following him underlined that it was his own personal decision. Modi shared a deep emotional relationship with Vajpayee right from his days as an RSS pracharak. The glimpse of this relation was evident when a collection of Modis poems was released by Vajpayee in 1999 at Panchvati in the prime ministers residence. I am learning poetry under the tutelage of Vajpayee ji by clutching on to his finger (Ungli pakadkar chalna seekh raha hun), Modi had said while eulogising his leader. Vajpayee also responded in kind. Few know that the decision to send Modi to Gujarat as the chief minister in October 2001 was taken by Vajpayee and only grudgingly endorsed by his number two, LK Advani. In fact, there had been uneasiness in the central leadership over Gujarat getting prominence in the news for all the wrong reasons. Chief minister Keshubhai Patel had proved himself thoroughly inept in handling the administration as there were reports of nepotism and corruption all around. More seriously, his handling of the aftermath of the massive earthquake that rocked the state in 2001, particularly the Kutch region, came in for serious criticism. Vajpayee was especially irked at the situation though Patel was considered to be close to Advani. However, post-earthquake Gujarat proved to be politically too volatile. Given Modis popularity among the partys cadre and his performance as the partys general secretary, he emerged as the consensus choice in the partys central leadership. Since Vajpayee was quite keen to install him as chief minister, everybody else fell in line. Modis elevation as the chief minister needs to be seen in the context of his relationship with Vajpayee in the past. In 1986 when Modi made the transition from the RSS to the BJP, he soon acquired the status of a decisive strongman as the partys general secretary (organisation) in Gujarat. Having won the Ahmedabad municipal elections against all odds and successfully strategising the BJPs victory in 1990 in the state Assembly election in alliance with Chimanbhai Patel, Modi had already acquired a tall stature in a short time. In all these years, he closely interacted with Vajpayee and learnt the art of politics and oratory that connected with the masses. Modi was one with Vajpayee on the issue of reservation for the socially underprivileged. In the early and mid-1980s, Gujarat had been simmering with caste divides as the anti-reservation stir had turned violent at some places. Vajpayee steadfastly favoured reservation and in a meeting, he said, Even if God tells me to do away with the reservation, I will never do it. The BJP insulated itself from the stir as it turned into communal violence in Ahmedabad. In 1985, Ahmedabad reeled under communal violence for over six months during the stint of Madhavsinh Solanki as chief minister. Modi as a new entrant in power politics closely watched Vajpayees moves and learnt from him. But Vajpayees most critical intervention came in Modis life when Shankersinh Vaghela revolted against Keshubhai Patel in 1995 and demanded that Modi, the party general secretary, be shunted out of the state. Vajpayee who mediated between the warring factions grudgingly agreed to this condition. Modi was exiled from his own state only to return as the chief minister in 2001, again at the instance of Vajpayee. Of course, Vajpayee directly or indirectly shaped Modis political career. And Modi was astute enough to build on the legacy of Vajpayee who combined flexibility in his personality without losing his ideological mooring and commitment to the party. True, he wanted Modi to resign after the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat. But he withdrew the moment he knew that any such move would not be taken well by the partys cadre. He was particularly peeved with the inept handling of the situation but never let his personal view come in conflict with the partys ideological position. After losing the Lok Sabha election in 2004, Vajpayee is believed to have realised the limitations of old politics and his own failing health. In his nearly 13-year reign, Modi borrowed largely from Vajpayees skills of negotiating contradictions within the ideological parivar while retaining his popularity among the masses. In essence, he expanded Vajpayees political legacy by building a robust organisational structure for the BJP, roping in allies without compromising the BJP's organic expansion. And at the same time he captured the popular imagination. When Modi walked behind the hearse in the unbearable heat, it was not only a silent tribute to the leader whose legacy he was furthering; it was also a determined attempt to build an unparalleled political icon in Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Contrary to the Sangh Parivar's ethos of not deifying individuals, Modi knows better than most that a party needs its own towering icons to define its futuristic political and ideological compass. Also Read Atal Bihari Vajpayee's most profound creative disruptions in Indian politics: A three-hour lunch with the Advanis Atal Bihari Vajpayee's most profound creative disruptions in Indian politics: A camaraderie that built a legacy The state unit heads of the BJP along with the Union ministers from their respective states were assigned to carry out 'Asthi Kalash Yatra' in all states to immerse the ashes in holy rivers. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah on Wednesday handed over urns containing ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to state unit chiefs of the party who will take out processions with it to mark the legacy of the popular leader. The state unit heads of the BJP along with the Union ministers from their respective states were assigned to carry out 'Asthi Kalash Yatra' in all states to immerse the ashes in holy rivers. The urns carrying the ashes of Vajpayee were handed over by Modi and other senior leaders of the BJP to party's state unit chiefs in a programme organised at the BJP's old head office in New Delhi. Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as well as members of Vajpayee's family were also present. The party had decided to take out the 'Asthi Kalash Yatra' in all the states of the country, so that all the citizens could offer their tributes to the popular leader, Shah tweeted. The BJP decided to take out the yatras in all districts, the party leaders said. The yatra was being organised as party workers and people in the country wanted to pay tributes to Vajpayee, who died last week after a prolonged illness at the age of 93, they said. Processions will start from Wednesday from state capitals and pass through all blocks, they added. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday claimed that the incidents of lynching in India were due to 'anger' emanating from joblessness. New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday claimed that the incidents of lynching in India were due to "anger" emanating from joblessness and "destruction" of small businesses due to demonetisation and the "poorly implemented" GST by the ruling BJP. In his address in Hamburg, Germany, Gandhi traced the creation of Islamic State to warn against a similar situation at home if people are excluded from the development process. "It is very dangerous in the 21st century to exclude people. If you don't give people a vision in the 21st century somebody else will give them one." "And that's the real risk of excluding large number of people from our development processes," he said, accusing the BJP government of excluding tribals, Dalits and minorities from the development process. Asserting that the transformation taking place in the world requires certain protection for people, he accused the current dispensation in India of taking these protections away from them and hitting the informal economy through demonetisation and GST, causing anger which is leading to lynching incidents. "They (the BJP government) feel that tribal communities, poor farmers, lower caste people, minorities shouldn't get the same benefits as the elite," the Congress president alleged. Gandhi claimed that the other thing the BJP has done is that they have started attacking the support structures created to help certain groups of people. "That's not the only damage they've done. There's something much more dangerous," he said. He alleged that a couple of years back Prime Minister Narendra Modi "demonetised the Indian economy and destroyed the cash flow" of all small and medium businesses rendering millions jobless. "They imposed a badly conceptualised GST which complicated lives further," Gandhi said. "Large numbers of people who worked in small businesses were forced back to the villages and these three things that the government has done has made India angry." "And that's what you get to read in the newspapers. When you hear about lynchings, when you hear about attacks on Dalits in India, when you hear about attacks on minorities in India, that's the reason for it," Gandhi said. He said that some of his own party members did not like it when he hugged Modi in Parliament. Gandhi also said there is a big job problem in India but the prime minister refuses to see it. "You have to (first) accept the problem, to fix it," he said. Gandhi also spoke about India and its progress over the last 70 years. Referring to his famous hug, after a no-holds-barred attack during a Parliament debate last month, Gandhi said, "When I hugged PM Modi in Parliament, some within my party did not like it." The Congress president also talked about his father, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's assailants. "When I saw the man who killed my father lying dead in a field in Sri Lanka, I did not like it, I saw his crying children in him," he said. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, responsible for the killing of Rajiv Gandhi, was shot dead by Sri Lankan troops in 2009. President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday appointed governors for seven states Bihar, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Tripura. President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday appointed governors for seven states Bihar, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Tripura. Governor Satya Pal Malik has been transferred from Bihar to Jammu and Kashmir to replace NN Vohra, while senior BJP leader Lalji Tandon has been appointed the Governor of Bihar, replacing Malik. Kaptan Singh Solanki, the Governor of Haryana, has been transferred to Tripura, while Satyadev Narayan Arya will be the new Haryana governor. Tripura governor Tathagata Roy has been transferred to Meghalaya, and Ganga Prasad, the Governor of Meghalaya, has been transferred to Sikkim. Baby Rani Maurya will be the new Governor of Uttarakhand. Here are brief profiles of the seven newly-appointed governors: Satya Pal Malik - Jammu & Kashmir Malik will be the first career politician to be appointed to the position in the last 51 years, indicating a change in the strategy of the centre which has so far relied on former bureaucrats to run show in the troubled state. The 72-year-old Malik has been associated with almost all political hues, starting as a socialist student leader to the vice president of the BJP, before being appointed as the Bihar governor last year. He will be the first career politician to be appointed as the governor of Jammu and Kashmir in 51 years after Karan Singh, whose term had ended in 1967. Since 1967, the post has been occupied only by retired civil servants, diplomats, police officers and Army generals. His appointment may also been seen in the light of the changing political scenario with talks doing rounds about disgruntled elements in the PDP joining hands with the BJP. Inspired by Ram Manohar Lohia, Malik started his political career as a student leader in Meerut University and became MLA of Charan Singh's Bhartiya Kranti Dal from Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh in 1974. A socialist, Malik served as a member of Rajya Sabha for the party from 1980 till 1984 when he joined Congress. But resigned three years later in the backdrop of the Bofors scam. He switched to the V P Singh-led Janta Dal in 1988 and became an MP from Aligarh on its ticket in 1989. In 2004, Malik joined the BJP and unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha elections, losing to former prime minister Charan Singh's son Ajit Singh. Before taking oath as Bihar governor on 4 October, 2017, he was in-charge of the BJP's Kisan Morcha. He was the Union minister of state, parliamentary affairs and tourism from 21 April, 1990 to 10 November, 1990. Tathagata Roy - Meghalaya Known for his pro-Hindutva views and some extremely controversial statements, Roy was BJP's West Bengal unit president from 2002 to 2006 and had twice unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha elections on party ticket. Before the beginning of his political career in 1990, Roy was part of the Calcutta Metro railway project and had designed the Calcutta Metro, according to The Week. The article also said that after the 2002 Gujarat riots, Roy "was the first in the BJP to come in support of Modi". In June 2017, Roy had tweeted about how Syama Prasad Mukherjee, who had founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, had said in his diary that "the Hindu-Muslim problem won't be solved without a civil war". In January 2016, Roy had suggested that the bodies of the terrorists killed in the Pathankot attack be wrapped in pigskin. "I seriously suggest Russian treatment to terrorists' carcasses. Wrap them in pigskin,bury them face down in pig excreta. No chance of Houris," he had said on Twitter. In November 2015, Roy in an interview to The Economic Times had said, "People have the right to eat what they want but the scales would be even when Muslims come out and have pork in the open. And that day, we can really call it war against intolerance." In April 2015, Roy had said that if Hindus of West Bengal did not reject secularism and polarise, they would be "annihilated". In March that year, Roy had painted the 2002 Gujarat riots as positive action. And back in August 2014, Roy had congratulated UP BJP for bringing up the infamous 'Love Jihad' issue and had even suggested that the issue be taken up in West Bengal. Lalji Tandon - Bihar A BJP stalwart from Uttar Pradesh and a close aide of late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Tandon has been crucial for BJP in Lucknow, as Ratan Mani Lal explains in this Firstpost article. Tandon has been a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council for two terms (1978-84). He has also been an MLA from Lucknow West for three terms from 1996 to 2009. On 12 April, 2004, a stampede took place in Lucknow when hundreds of women gathered at a market to collect free saris being distributed. The programme was organised to celebrate Tandon's birthday. In 2007, Tandon was given a clean chit in the sari stampede case, News18 had reported. Ganga Prasad - Sikkim Prasad was a member of the legislative council in Bihar for 18 years and a former leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly. He was a businessman by profession but started his political career as a Jan Sangh member in 1967 and held various organisational posts in it as well as in BJP. During his tenure as Meghalaya governor, Prasad returned the controversial Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018, according to The New Indian Express. Kaptan Singh Solanki -Tripura A former Rajya Sabha member, Solanki was appointed the Governor of Haryana in 2014. Solanki was elected to the Rajya Sabha in August 2009. Satyadev Narayan Arya - Haryana 73-year-old Arya is an eight-term MLA from Bihar. He was a minister in the 2010 BJP-JDU government in the state. Baby Rani Maurya - Uttarakhand The 61-year-old Maurya is a BJP leader from Agra. DNA reports that Maurya had also previously held the post of Agra mayor. With inputs from PTI Indo-Asian News Service South Korean electronics giant Samsung has donated $3,00,000 (approximately Rs 2 crore) for the relief work in Kerala, which has been battered by torrential rains and floods, the company said on 22 August. "We have donated $3,00,000 as relief fund towards the cause. We wish speedy recovery for those who are affected," said DJ Koh, president and CEO of IT and Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics. About one million people are sheltered in over 3,000 relief camps in Kerala following the devastating floods, the worst since 1924. The death toll in the monsoon rains, which began on May 29, has been estimated at 370. Shomik Sen Bhattacharjee Oppo today launched it's latest F-series mid-ranger in India, the Oppo F9 Pro, at a price of Rs 23,990. Though that places it right where it's predecessor, the Oppo F7 stood, the sub-Rs 25,000 segment is filled with smartphones which are all quite impressive on paper. Before we dive into a specifications war, let's have a look at what's new in the Oppo F9 Pro. To begin with, one of the biggest upgrades the F9 Plus brings to the Oppo F7 is on the design front. Oppo introduces new gradient colour combinations, which makes the F9 Pro look a lot like Huawei's phones, but with its own set of additions. The phone will be sold in three colours Sunrise Red, Twilight Blue and Starry Purple. The Oppo F9 Pro also showcases what Oppo likes to call a Waterdrop Screen design, which is basically a notch made smaller. The name has been derived from the fact that the notch on the front actually looks like a waterdrop and houses nothing but the front-facing camera. With this design, Oppo manages to achieve an impressive screen-to-body ratio of 90.8 percent and also fit in a large 6.3-inch display into a body which is just marginally larger. Inside, nothing much has changed. We get an octa-core MediaTek Helio P60 SoC which is adequate, but nothing to write home about. Phones priced at a third of its price (the Realme 1) also feature the same chipset, so it does come across as a surprise that Oppo decided to stick to it. The base RAM has been increased to 6 GB, up from 4 GB, and you get 64 GB of internal storage which is expandable up to 256 GB via a microSD card. Oppo has also thrown in a beefy 3,500 mAh battery with support for its fast VOOC charging standard. Competition in the price range includes the overall performer, the Nokia 7 Plus, Oppo's direct rival, the Vivo V9, the Samsung Galaxy A6 Plus and the Xiaomi Mi A2. Smartphone Oppo F9 Pro Vivo V9 Samsung Galaxy A6+ Xiaomi Mi A2 Nokia 7 Plus Display Size (inch) 6.3 6.3 6 5.99 6 Resolution (pixels) 2340 x 1080 2280 x 1080 1080 x 2220 2,160 x 1,080 1,080 x 2160 Pixel Density (PPI) 409 400 411 403 403 Display Type IPS LCD IPS LCD Super AMOLED LTPS IPS LCD IPS LCD Dimensions(mm) 156.7 x 74 x 8 154.81 x 75.03 x 7.89 160.2 x 75.7 x 7.9 158.7 x 75.4 x 7.3 158.4x75.6x8 Weight (gm) 169 150 186 168 TBA Dual SIM Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes SIM Type Nano-SIM Nano-SIM Nano-SIM Nano-SIM Nano-SIM Connectivity Types GSM / HSPA / LTE GSM / WCDMA / LTE GSM / HSPA / LTE GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE Processor Mediatek Helio P60 Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 CPU Cores Octa-core Octa-core Octa-core Octa-core Octa-core CPU Clock Speed (GHz) 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 8x Cortex-A53 @ 2.2 Ghz 8x ARM Cortex A53 @ 1.8 4x Kryo 260 @ 2.2 GHz & 4x Kryo 260 @ 1.8 GHz 4x Kryo 260 @ 2.2 GHz & 4x Kryo 260 @ 1.8 GHz GPU Mali-G72 MP3 Adreno 506 Adreno 506 Adreno 512 Adreno 512 RAM 6 GB 4 GB 4/3 GB 4 GB, 6 GB 4 GB Ruggedness IP54 On-Board Memory 64 GB 64 GB 32, 64 GB 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB 64 GB Expandable Memory Yes, upto 256 GB Yes, upto 256 GB Yes, up to 256 GB No Yes, up to 256 GB Sensors Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass Fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Compass Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Compass Primary Camera 16 MP, f/1.8 2 MP, f/2.4 16 MP f/2.0 and 5 MP 16 MP, f/1.7 5 MP, f/1.9 12 MP, f/1.75 and 20 MP, f/1.75 12 MP, f/1.75 and 13 MP, f/2.6 Optical Image Stabilization No No No - TBA Camera Array Dual Camera Dual Camera Dual Camera Dual Camera Dual Camera Autofocus System Phase detection autofocus Phase Detection Autofocus Phase-detection autofocus Phase detection Dual pixel phase detection Autofocus Secondary Camera 25 MP, f/2.0 24 MP, f/2.0 24 MP, f/1.9 20 MP, f/2.2 16 MP, f/2.0 Video Capture 1080p@30fps 4K @ 30fps 1080p@30fps 720p @120 fps, 1080p @ 30 fps, 2160p @ 30 fps 720p @120 fps, 1080p @ 30 fps, 2160p @ 30 fps Flash LED Dual-LED LED LED Dual-LED OS Version Android Oreo 8.1 Android Oreo 8.1 Android 8.0 Oreo Android Oreo 8.1 Android Oreo 8.1 AI (Smart Assistant) Google Assistant Google Assistant Yes, Bixby Google Assistant Google Assistant GPS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, WiFi Direct, hotspot Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, WiFi Direct, hotspot Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, WiFi Direct, hotspot Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot Bluetooth v4.2, A2DP, LE v4.2, A2DP, LE v4.2, A2DP, LE v5, A2DP, LE v5, A2DP, LE NFC No No Yes No Yes Infrared No No No Yes No Fingerprint Scanner Yes, Rear button Yes, Rear button Yes, Rear button Yes Yes, Rear button 3.5mm jack Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Radio No Yes Yes, FM Radio No FM Radio USB Type microUSB microUSB 2.0 microUSB Type-C Reversible connector Type-C Reversible connector USB Standard USB v2.0 USB v2.0 USB v2.0 USB v2.0 USB v2.0 Battery (mAh) 3,500 3,260 3,500 3,010 3,800 Fast charging Yes, VOOC No No Yes Yes Colors Sunrise Red, Twilight Blue, Starry Purple Pearl Black, Champagne Gold, Pearl Black, Sapphire Blue Black, Gold, Blue, Lavender Gold, Lake Blue, Black Black/Copper, White/Copper Prices in India Rs 23,990 Rs 20,990 Rs 21,990 Starting at Rs 16,999 Rs 25,999 While the Mi A2 and the Nokia 7 Plus offer a better processor on paper, the Oppo F9 Pro certainly has an edge over the two if selfies are all that you care about. The Galaxy A6 Plus, on the other hand, is still the only phone in the mix that offers an AMOLED display at the price making it a great buy if you watch a lot of video content. The Vivo V9 though does seem to lose steam and fails to make much of a dent when it comes to comparing phones in this range. But with Vivo planning to launch the Vivo V11 Pro on 6 September, the F9 Pro might have an upgraded direct rival to take on. Do hold on for our in-depth review of the smartphone though if you want to find out how it fares and whether it makes sense shelling out Rs 23,990 for the device. The Oppo F9 Pro goes on sale later this month on 31 August, exclusively on Flipkart online, and will be available through offline outlets as well. Meanwhile, you can go ahead and pre-order the phone on Flipkart right now. Reuters The Russian authorities deny allegations from Microsoft that hackers linked to Russias government tried to target the websites of two right-wing US think-tanks, the Interfax news agency reported on 21 August. The software giant said it had thwarted the Russia-linked attempts last week, which it suggested showed Moscow was broadening its attacks in the build-up to November elections. Interfax cited an unnamed Russian diplomatic source on Tuesday as describing Microsofts allegations as part of a political game. Microsoft is playing political games, it cited the source as saying. The (mid-term US) elections have not happened yet, but there are already allegations. Microsoft was acting like a prosecutor rather than a private company, Interfax quoted the source as adding. 20 fire fighting engines have rushed to the spot, the BMC disaster management officials said. People trapped in the building are being rescued using a crane. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) Mumbai: Four people have died after a level-3 fire broke out at Crystal Tower residential apartment in Mumbai's Parel on Wednesday morning. The fire broke out on the 12th floor of Crystal Tower near Hindmata Cinema which gradually spread to the 13th, 14th and 15th floors. People were rescued with help of crane and were rushed to KEM Hospital. Confirming the deaths, Dean KEM hospital Avinash Supe said, Total 20 victims were brought to the hospital. Four are dead, one of them a woman. Other 16 patients, six of them women, are stable. Initially, 10 fire-fighting engines were pressed into service but later additional 10 fire brigades and four water tankers were rushed to the spot. The fire, initially classified as Level 2, was later jacked up to Level 3. Deputy chief fire officer R Chaudhari said, Height and congestion proved a major challenge in fire fighting. And the buildings fire fighting system was not working, so that is a major problem in dealing with high-rise fires. The fire brigade control room got a message about the blaze on the 12th floor of the 'Crystal Tower' building, located near Hindmata Cinema, at 8.32 am, said an official in the fire department. The smoke from the raging fire spread rapidly and residents were trapped on the building's staircases, Mumbai Fire Brigade chief P S Rahangdale said. The cause of the blaze remains unknown. On December 29, 2017, a massive fire broke out in Mumbai's Kamala Mills compound which claimed the lives of 14 people. Following the incident, the local authorities introduced several strict measures to ensure safety norms. tech2 News Staff Samsung Galaxy Note 9, which launched earlier this month, will finally arrive in the Indian markets on 22 August at 12.30 pm. The event will take place in New Delhi. The Galaxy Note 9 is one of the most anticipated devices of the year and the launch can be considered on power with an iPhone announcement. You can view the event by clicking here. The event will most likely be live streamed from Samsung India's official Facebook page. Samsung has been tweeting about the India launch of the new phone on both of its Twitter and Facebook pages. Meanwhile, Tech2 will also be covering the Note 9 launch event live from New Delhi. You can catch our live blog and tweets about the much-awaited device. The South Korean giant will launch two variants of the device: a 6 GB RAM device with 128 GB internal storage and an 8 GB RAM variant with 512 GB storage. Interestingly, for the 512 GB variant, if you insert a 512 GB microSD card, the device will have a mammoth 1 TB of storage. It is expected to come in three colour variants: Ocean Blue, Midnight Black, and Metallic Copper. In terms of specifications, the phone will have a 6.4-inch QHD Plus display. It packs an Exynos 9810 SoC chipset. Camera-wise, the device will sport a 12 MP + 12MP dual camera setup, at the rear and an 8 MP front-facing camera. The primary camera on the Note 9 retains the variable aperture mechanism of the S9 and S9 Plus. The device also packs in a massive 4,000 mAh battery. The Galaxy Note 9 will also include a Bluetooth-enabled S Pen that will come with improved features such as capturing snaps, acting as a remote control for YouTube videos, among others. Pre-booking for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 in India began on 10 August. The 128 GB variant of the phone will be available at Rs 67,900 and 512 GB will be available at Rs 84,900. tech2 News Staff From being a mere microblogging website to a platform for discussing politics and other discourses, trolling people and sending them threats, Twitter has certainly come a long way, maybe not the way even founder Jack Dorsey had expected. The recent trend of dragging old tweets and using that against people, Dorsey thinks that an archive of old tweets is basically a record for people "to understand decisions made in the past and mistakes from those decisions, or benefits from those decisions." The most recent incident where old tweets were used against a person being termination of Hollywood director James Gunn from Guardians of Galaxy Vol. 3 where he joked about rape and paedophilia. However, this has also increased the level of toxicity on Twitter over political discourses. Dorsey says that introducing 240-words character limit was one such experiment. To clarify ones stand. Clearly, it has created more problem than solving. According to him, they are still figuring out ways to allow more "nuanced" and "contoured" discussions. According to an interview with Buzzfeed News, Dorsey believes that there is more than one side to Twitter than just being about topics and interests. He further gives an example that today an account is followed because it is defined by a single interest, but that person's account may have multiple interests. On the contrary, that one interest of the person then becomes the representative of all interests. He adds, "So weve only given to people very coarse-grained tools with which to manage their experience. Following accounts being the number one and we need to break that." However, what happens when an account of a public figure like the US President Donald Trump crosses the line and tweets about bombing North Korea which was clearly a threat. According to Twitter's Legal, Policy and Trust & Safety Lead, Vijaya Gadde, their focus is on protecting private citizens more than public ones. According to her whatever Trump tweets may not be of public interest, which seems quite twisted since the voice of a public figure is enough to influence decisions or instigate problems. Let's not forget the famous "420" tweet of Tesla CEO Elon Musk when he decided to take the company private which led to a plunge in Tesla shares. However, if there is a problem they will check it on a case by case basis. Jack Dorsey is confused about the status of Twitter. He wants to bring a change but does not have tools for it. He wants the platform to be impartial and transparent but like he says not everything is perfect and all he and his team can do is to "shine more light" on the problem. Reuters Uber Technologies Inc has hired a chief financial officer, the ride-services company said on Tuesday, filling a long-standing vacancy and clearing the way for a much-anticipated initial public offering next year. Uber said it had hired Nelson Chai, a financial services veteran with deep connections to the banks and deal-makers Uber must impress ahead of what is expected to be a large, complicated IPO. It lost more than $1 billion per quarter in three of the last six quarters. Still, it hopes its growth potential will attract investors. Uber must meet its self-imposed deadline of an IPO next year or a shareholder provision that would lift transfer restrictions on shares could create a chaotic market of buying and selling Uber stock. The CFO position has been empty since 2015, when Brent Callinicos departed. Previous Uber Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick had shown little interest in hiring a replacement, but the search stepped up last year under new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. Ubers most senior finance executive, Prabir Adarkar, left last month to become CFO at meal-delivery service DoorDash, further depleting the department. Ubers lack of a CFO, and the protracted search for one had worried investors. Operating without such a senior manager is rare for a company the size of Uber, whose net revenue, after payment for drivers, promotions and refunds, was $2.8 billion in the second quarter this year. A CFO is also vital for conducting an initial public offering. I know people at the major investment banks, Chai, 53, said in an interview. After the announcement (from Uber) goes out I expect to become a lot more popular with people from my past. Chai has had stints at Merrill Lynch, where he worked as CFO through the financial crisis, and Bank of America after it bought Merrill Lynch in 2008. He was also president of commercial lending bank CIT Group. Previously, he worked as CFO at Archipelago Holdings and helped take that electronic stock exchange public in 2004. It was later bought by the New York Stock Exchange, where Chai worked as CFO until 2007. Most recently, he was president and CEO of insurance provider The Warranty Group, placed there by private equity firm TPG to improve the companys performance. His relationship with TPG, an Uber investor and board member, and especially John Thain, another Uber board member who ran CIT Group, Merrill Lynch and the New York Stock Exchange, led him to Uber. Chai said had breakfast with Khosrowshahi in June, his introduction to the job and the man he would work for. He will be a great partner for me and the entire management team as we move toward becoming a public company, Khosrowshahi said. Uber chose Chai after making an offer to VMware CFO Zane Rowe this past spring. Rowe turned it down under pressure from his board, according to people familiar with the matter. Monumental task Chai acknowledged Uber must work to convince public market investors it can keep growing and that it has a path to profitability after losing more than $4 billion last year. Revenue for the second quarter was up 8 percent over the first quarter and more than 60 percent from last year. Potential investors will challenge him to explain the sphere of business at Uber, which has oscillated between investing and divesting in products, strategies and geographies. This year Uber sold its Russia and Southeast Asia businesses while pledging to invest heavily in India. It scrapped its autonomous trucking effort while doubling down on its freight-hauling business. It bought an electric bikes company and is eyeing a scooter service, but retrenched from its self-driving car ambitions. The bigger part is going to be talking through some of the strategy choices the company has made to invest in and shareholder return, Chai said. Uber had a number of executive vacancies to fill since Kalanick departed, and not all have gone smoothly. Chief Operating Officer Barney Harford, picked by Khosrowshahi, has been accused of making racially insensitive comments, prompting an internal probe. Chai is based in New York City, and said he is currently looking for an apartment in San Francisco and starts the job next month. Asheeta Regidi The Union IT and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, in a recent meeting with the Whatsapp CEO Chris Daniels, has requested Whatsapp to comply with certain requirements. As per this report, this includes the following: That a grievance officer be appointed in India to deal with fake news To set up a corporate entity and a local head in India To follow the law of the land or face charges of abetment To store data of Indians locally in order to start payment operations in India Ensure traceability of messages which are being circulated at a mass level in an area at a particular time This article looks at the impact these requirements will have on Whatsapp. On the one hand, the requirements have been imposed in relation to the increasing fake news menace, and on the other, in relation to Whatsapps proposed payment service. Corporate entity in India and compliance with Indian laws The requirement to set up a corporate entity in India arises in relation to Whatsapps proposed payment service. Based on publicly available information, Whatsapp Payments is a payment service founded on UPI payments. As per the NPCIs Procedural Guidelines, to be a payment service provider providing UPI-related payment services, the entity must be a regulated entity under the RBI, as per the Banking Regulation Act. However, it isnt clear what form of a regulated entity Whatsapp will be required to take. For instance, payment banks and pre-paid payment instruments (mobile wallets) are both required to be companies incorporated in India. The government has, along the same lines, thus required Whatsapp also to establish a corporate entity in India Having a local presence in India is likely to bring about other changes in the laws applicable to Whatsapp as well. For example, Section 43A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which awards compensation for failure to protect data, applies only to body corporates present in India. The new Draft Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 (the PDP Bill) does change this through its vast extra-territorial jurisdiction. Another issue that arises with companies located abroad is with holding them accountable for violations of laws in India. The terms and conditions of such companies often select foreign laws as well as foreign venues for filing suits. For instance, under Whatsapps current T&Cs, courts in California will have jurisdiction over any dispute that arises. Greater compliance with Indian laws will certainly be necessitated through a local presence in India. It will have to be seen if this will also necessitate changes in the jurisdiction clauses in the T&Cs. Data localisation norms In relation to privacy, another issue that arises is the data localisation norms that have been imposed in relation to the payment data. The provisions of the PDP Bill immediately come to mind, and the requirement imposed on WhatsApp is among the first clear signs of how the government plans to impose the proposed data localization requirements for critical personal data under the Bill. At this stage, it isnt clear if the government is prohibiting WhatsApp from taking the data outside the country, or if only the data mirroring requirements, i.e., to store at least one live copy of the data in a server within India, have been imposed. Compliance with Indian privacy laws In relation to fake news and from the perspective of privacy, the need to comply with Indian laws will mean that Whatsapps services will have to be compliant with a number of laws, including those on enabling decryption, monitoring and interception by the government. This is in addition to the direct requirement of traceability of fake news messages. These, together, will have an impact on the level of privacy to the users, both in terms of the end-to-end encryption as well as the extent of governmental access. Similar attempts can be seen by governments elsewhere as well, be it the FBIs attempt to gain a backdoor to the iPhone, or the recent reports of the US Government attempting to force Facebook to allow it to wiretap Facebook messenger. The lack of access to data in the hands of companies like Facebook, Google, and Whatsapp implies that many a time, Indian governmental requests for data were turned down. The lack of adequate international cooperation for investigation, be it through inadequate Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties or the failure to ratify the Budapest Treaty, are among the issues faced with investigations. These requirements will enable easier access to the data. Investigations have been hampered in the past through the refusal of such companies to provide data on users suspected to be involved. At the same time, the issue of government surveillance is such that the privacy offered by these companies has become an important layer of protection for the people. Do these requirements solve fake news? Ensuring the traceability of fake news messages via Whatsapp may or may not lead to the originator of the message. The data localisation norms relate to payment data only and so will have no impact on fake news. The requirement to comply with laws will ensure more access to data, but may or may not resolve the issue of fake news. Yet another issue here is how Whatsapp will be required to comply with laws in relation to the lynching itself when India has no clear laws on lynching. The government has, here, threatened to charge Whatsapp with abetment if it fails to fix the fake news problem. Impact of the requirements On the whole, the extent to which new requirements are imposed may or may not actually help tackle fake news or enable better investigations. One thing that is certain is that these requirements tighten governmental control over such entities while simultaneously ensuring easier accessibility of data to the government. Privacy concerns, naturally, follow. As discussed here, singling out Whatsapp for the fake news menace is unlikely to solve the problem, and the government needs to resort to more collective measures to solve the problem at hand. The author is a lawyer specializing in technology, privacy and cyber laws. tech2 News Staff A team of NASA scientists has found definitive evidence of frozen water on the moon's surface. The deposits of ice were discovered in patches at the South and North poles of the moon, where maximum are still a very frigid 157C, courtesy of a tiny tilt in the moon's axis, due to which it receives sparse amounts of sunlight. In a study led by Shuai Li of the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, and Richard Elphic from the NASA Ames Research Center in California, scientists used data collected by NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) to identify three signatures that verified the long-standing hypothesis about lunar water. The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) is an instrument uniquely equipped to confirm the long-standing theory about the presence of lunar water and was launched aboard Chandrayaan-1 by Indian Space Research Organisation in 2008. Not only did M3 pick up on the reflective property of water, the state the water was confirmed using a method of detection called near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Each polar face of the moon showed different amounts of water and area of spread. There have also been indications in past research about possible signs of water on the moon, but the new study suggests that the data could be artefacts from the unusually-reflective soil. The abundance and distribution of ice on the moon are distinct from those on other airless bodies in the inner solar system such as Mercury and Ceres, which may be associated with the unique formation and evolution process of our moon," describes the study published in PNAS. If the volume of lunar water turns out to be abundant, the research suggests that it could open up possibilities for human moon missions to harvest it as a resource to sustain astronauts for longer. This is far easier than the previously reigning hypothesis that water on the moon was buried under its surface. The study highlights an important goal in NASA's long-term ambition of understanding Earth's natural satellite learning how widely the ice is distributed, and how it came to be. Agence France-Presse President Donald Trump's administration announced a plan on Tuesday to weaken regulations on US coal plants, giving a boost to an industry that former leader Barack Obama had hoped to phase out to cut harmful emissions that drive global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency's new Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule would allow states the flexibility to set their own standards for performance at existing coal-fired power plants, rather than follow a single federal standard. The EPA says the measure is designed to replace Obama's 2015 Clean Power Plan, which called for cuts to greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, and a shift toward solar, wind and less polluting natural gas. The move marks the latest effort by Trump's administration to roll back the environmental legacy of his Democratic predecessor, having already pulled out of the 2015 Paris climate accord aimed at slashing global fossil fuel emissions. Obama's energy plan aimed to usher in the strictest anti-pollution measures in history on power plants, but was put on hold in 2016 by the US Supreme Court. Trump, whose ascent to the presidency effectively killed off the plan, had blasted it as "intrusive" and claimed it would "kill jobs." The president trumpeted the plan at a rally late Tuesday in the coal-producing state of West Virginia. "We are putting our great coal miners back to work," he said, adding: "We love clean, beautiful, West Virginia coal." Earlier, EPA acting administrator Andrew Wheeler told reporters in a call: "The era of top-down, one-size-fits-all federal mandates is over." The new plan could take months or even years to take effect. Legal challenges are already lining up, as the proposal awaits a 60-day comment period before it can be finalised. Critics warned the plan will boost emissions from power plants, which emit about 28 percent of US greenhouse gases, and worsen global warming. "Under this proposal, the air will be dirtier and we'll be less healthy as a country because President Trump is siding with a few powerful special interests," said Democratic senator Chuck Schumer. Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the plan called for "only modest efficiency improvements at individual power plants, which will barely make a dent in cutting heat-trapping emissions from the electricity sector, and could even, under some circumstances, lead to increased emissions depending on how much the plants are run." Kimmell said the new rules "would also result in more pollution from nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury and other harmful pollutants." Coal in decline The White House said in a statement that, if finalized, the rule "will significantly decrease bureaucratic red tape and compliance costs, keeping American energy affordable and competitive on the world stage." The White House claimed it would also save $6.4 billion in compliance costs for industry, compared to the Obama plan. "We're the only country in the world doing this, looking at coal as the future instead of understanding the future is about clean air, the future is about clean energy," Gina McCarthy, who served as EPA administrator under Obama, told CNN. Despite Trump's support for coal plants, there have been many closures. Some 40 percent of coal plants in operation in 2010 are now closed or slated to close, according to estimates from the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. According to Bob Perciasepe, president of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, "EPA is now proposing a plan that will essentially be ignored by most of the industry." Bill Wehrum, administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, acknowledged that the industry "continues to transform in front of our eyes." "What we see is an ongoing significant shift in the direction of natural gas and renewable energy generation," he told reporters. Wehrum said that because of the shifting energy landscape, he expected emissions to fall at a rate "roughly comparable" to the goals outlined under the Obama-era plan, which called for a 26 percent cut in greenhouse gases from power plants by 2025, compared to 2005 levels. According to former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, a leading philanthropist and climate activist, coal is a losing proposition. "Americans are demanding cleaner air and cheaper, cleaner energy -- and cities, states and businesses are delivering," he said in a statement. "Wind, solar and other clean energy sources are beating coal in the marketplace, which is benefiting both public health and the economy. That will continue to happen even if the EPA keeps spitting in the wind." Agence France-Presse Scientists said on Tuesday they have confirmed the existence of ice on the Moon's surface for the first time, a discovery that could one day help humans survive there. Signs of ice on the Moon have been reported by scientists for years, but previous observations could have been explained by other phenomena, such as unusually reflective lunar soil, the study authors said. "This is the first time scientists have definitive evidence for the presence of water ice on the surface," lead author Shuai Li of the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology told AFP. The ice mainly lies in the frigid shadows of craters at the lunar poles, and was detected using instruments that flew on the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, launched in 2008 by the Indian Space Research Organisation. Using data from NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) instrument, researchers identified three chemical signatures "that definitively prove there is water ice at the surface of the Moon," said a NASA statement. The polar regions where the ice lies are "super cold," Li said, noting that the warmest temperatures never reach above minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit (-157 Celsius. It is unclear exactly how much ice exists on the surface, since the instruments could only detect ice within a few millimeters of the Moon's surface, he said. But NASA said if there is enough of the ice, "water would possibly be accessible as a resource for future expeditions to explore and even stay on the Moon." The US space agency is aiming to return humans to the Moon in the coming years for the first time since the storied Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s. Li said the best way to find out more about the Moon's ice and how to tap into it as a resource would be to send a robotic rover to explore the lunar poles. The full study was published in Monday's edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. With two men who played prominent roles on the president's campaign convicted of multiple criminal charges, the investigations circled ever closer to Donald Trump. But for all that, Trump spent more than an hour at a rally in Charleston speaking of his accomplishments in office. Washington: US President Donald Trump confronted one of the most perilous moments of his presidency after two onetime members of his inner circle simultaneously were labeled "guilty" of criminal charges. Although Trump largely ignored the jarring back-to-back blows at a campaign rally in West Virginia, questions mounted about his possible legal exposure and political future. In a split screen for the history books, Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted of financial crimes at nearly the same moment on Tuesday that Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of felonies, including campaign finance violations that the lawyer said he carried out in coordination with Trump. With two men who played prominent roles on the president's campaign convicted of multiple criminal charges, the investigations circled ever closer to Trump. But for all that, Trump spent more than an hour at a rally in Charleston on Tuesday night painting a rosy view of his accomplishments in office, ticking off developments on trade, taxes, North Korea and even his plans for a Space Force. "What we're doing is winning," Trump told cheering supporters. "Where is the collusion?" he demanded, underscoring that Manafort's crimes had occurred before he became involved with the Trump campaign. "You know they're still looking for collusion." The president did say he felt "badly for both" men, but he largely ignored Cohen's guilty pleas to eight felonies. Manafort was convicted in Virginia on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice. Cohen pleaded guilty in New York, saying he and Trump had arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. It is the Cohen case that places Trump in the most jeopardy, legal experts said, as the longtime personal "fixer" acknowledged his role in a scheme to pay off women who accused the future president of sexual misconduct. "It's going to be hard for the president to try to discredit all this. It's circling him," said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor who is not involved in the case. Trump has shown an uncanny ability to shake off a relentless stream of accusations and jolting statements that provoked outrage. His loyal base of supporters has stayed with him despite his effort to blame "both sides" for the deadly violence between white nationalists and anti-racist protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, for one, and his refusal to side with the US intelligence services over Russia's Vladimir Putin in Helsinki last month, among other controversies. Case in point, the crowd in West Virginia loudly chanted Trump's campaign staples "Drain the swamp!" and "Lock her up!" despite the fresh corruption convictions and looming prison sentences for his former advisers. Manafort's conviction served as a vindication of Mueller's work as investigators continue to probe potential misdeeds by the president and those in his orbit. Mueller's team also had referred evidence in the Cohen case to federal prosecutors in New York. Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani sought to cast the blame solely on Cohen in a Tuesday statement, saying: "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen." Trump's legal team has also been engaged in a months long negotiation with Mueller's team about a potential sit-down with the president, but has objected to the scope of the questions. In a separate courtroom on Tuesday, prosecutors and defense attorneys for former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn agreed to postpone his sentencing after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a Russian official, in a sign his cooperation was still needed in the Mueller probe. The afternoon of explosive legal developments comes as the White House is refocusing itself around the upcoming midterms and as Trump allies like Steve Bannon seek to frame the election as a referendum on the potential impeachment of the president. Trump confidants have long argued that the president's fate in such a scenario would ultimately be more a matter of politics than law. Of Cohen's plea, Bannon argued on Tuesday that it "takes away the argument from those who are telling the president it's not that bad if he loses the House. This now becomes more than ever a national election on the issue of impeachment." The president seemed to convey the stakes in Charleston, warning the crowd that "You aren't just voting for a candidate. You're voting for which party controls the House and which party controls the Senate." Trump confidants reasserted late Tuesday that it is the White House position that a president cannot be indicted, referring to a 2000 opinion of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to executive branch agencies. Trump's lawyers have said Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mueller's office has never independently confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he or she departs the White House. Michael Avenatti, a lawyer pressing a civil case against Trump for Daniels, who has said she had sex with the president, tweeted Tuesday that the resolution of the criminal case against Cohen "should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it." The Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit. That ruling did not directly address whether a president could be subpoenaed to testify in a criminal investigation. Despite blustery public denials, the fate of Manafort and Cohen has worried the president's inner circle. For many around Trump, Cohen has represented a greater threat than even the Russia investigation, drawing from his decade of working as the then-celebrity real estate developer's fixer. An FBI raid on Cohen's New York office and hotel room in April rattled the president, who has complained publicly about what he felt was government overreach while privately worrying about what material Cohen may have had after working for the Trump Organization for a decade. Those in Trump's orbit, including Giuliani, have steadily ratcheted up attacks on Cohen, suggesting he was untrustworthy and lying about what he knew about Trump's business dealings. When Cohen's team produced a recording that the former fixer had made of Trump discussing a payment to silence a woman about an alleged affair, Giuliani sought to impugn Cohen's credibility and question his loyalty. Trump stewed for weeks over the media coverage of the Manafort trial. Though the proceedings were not connected to Russian election interference, Trump has seethed to confidants that he views the Manafort charges as "a warning shot" from Mueller. As he watched the courtroom proceedings, he told confidants that he feared his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., could at some point be the one on trial, according to two people familiar with his thinking but not authorized to discuss private conversations. "What matters is that a jury found that the facts presented to them by the special prosecutor warranted a conviction of someone who surrounds the president," Weinstein said. The disappearance of a well-liked college student from America's heartland had touched many people since she vanished one month ago while out for a run. But the stunning news that a Mexican man living in the U.S. illegally has allegedly confessed to kidnapping and murdering her thrust the case into the middle of the contentious immigration debate and midterm elections. Iowa: The disappearance of a well-liked college student from America's heartland had touched many people since she vanished one month ago while out for a run. But the stunning news that a Mexican man living in the U.S. illegally has allegedly confessed to kidnapping and murdering her thrust the case into the middle of the contentious immigration debate and midterm elections. President Donald Trump seized on the man's arrest in the death of Mollie Tibbetts on Tuesday to call the nation's immigration laws "a disgrace" that will only be fixed by electing more Republicans. Iowa's Republican governor, facing a tough re-election challenge in November, blasted an immigration system that "allowed a predator like this to live in our community." And Iowa's two GOP U.S. senators called the death a tragedy that "could have been prevented." Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of the 20-year-old Tibbetts, whose 18 July disappearance set off a massive search involving state and federal authorities. Rivera led investigators early Tuesday to a body believed to be Tibbetts in a cornfield about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of Brooklyn, Iowa, where Tibbetts was last seen going for a routine evening run, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation special agent Rick Rahn said. "I can't speak about the motive. I can just tell you that it seemed that he followed her, seemed to be drawn to her on that particular day, for whatever reason he chose to abduct her," Rahn told reporters at a news conference outside the sheriff's office in Montezuma, where Rivera was jailed on $1 million cash-only bond. Within hours, Trump noted the arrest at a rally in West Virginia on a day when his former personal lawyer and ex-campaign chairman both faced major legal problems. "You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly, from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman," Trump told the crowd in Charleston. "Should've never happened. Illegally in our country. We've had a huge impact, but the laws are so bad. The immigration laws are such a disgrace, we're getting them changed, but we have to get more Republicans. We have to get 'em." Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said residents were heartbroken and angry. U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst vowed: "We cannot allow these tragedies to continue." Trump has made further crackdown on illegal immigration a core policy of his administration. He often has claimed widespread crime by people living in the country illegally, citing among other things the indictments of 11 suspected MS-13 gang members from El Salvador charged in connection with the slayings of two Virginia teens. Trump also has held events at the White House with members of "angel families," whose relatives were killed by immigrants. Although Trump claims legal U.S. residents are less likely to commit crime, several studies from social scientists and the libertarian think tank Cato Institute find that isn't accurate and that states with a higher share of people living in the country illegally have lower violent crime rates. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it lodged a federal immigration detainer for Rivera after he was arrested on the murder charge. That move means the agency has probable cause to believe he is subject to deportation. Investigators said they believed Rivera had lived in the area from four to seven years. In a statement late Tuesday, Yarrabee Farms said Rivera had worked at its farms for the last four years and was an employee in good standing. The Brooklyn-based company said it was shocked to hear that Rivera was charged in Tibbetts' death. Yarrabee Farms is owned by the family of Craig Lang, a prominent Republican who previously served as president of the Iowa Farm Bureau. A search of Iowa court records revealed no prior criminal history, and it's unclear whether he had ever been subject to prior deportation proceedings. Rivera's Facebook page described him as being from Guayabillo, a community of less than 500 people in the Mexican state of Guerrero. It's about a three-hour drive from the resort city of Acapulco. Investigators said they zeroed in on Rivera after obtaining footage from surveillance cameras in Brooklyn. The footage showed a Chevy Malibu connected to Rivera that was driving back and forth as Tibbetts was running in the area, Rahn said. An affidavit attached to the criminal complaint against Rivera alleged that he admitted to investigators he got out of his car and started running alongside Tibbetts. Tibbetts grabbed her phone and said she was going to call the police. The affidavit said Rivera panicked and then said he blacked out. Rivera next remembers seeing her earphones on his lap, and taking her bloody body out of the trunk of his car, it said. "The defendant further described during the interview that he dragged Tibbetts on foot from his vehicle to a secluded location in a cornfield," the affidavit said. Investigators said they had earlier searched the area for Tibbetts but didn't find her, noting the body was covered by corn stalks when recovered early Tuesday. Rahn said Rivera was cooperating with investigators and speaking with the help of a translator. He said an autopsy would be performed on the body Wednesday by the state medical examiner's office, which would assist investigators in understanding whether Tibbetts had been assaulted or tried to fight him off. A conviction on first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole in Iowa, which doesn't have the death penalty. Tibbetts would have started her junior year at the University of Iowa, where she was a psychology major. Her disappearance set off a massive search involving dozens of officers from the FBI, as well as state and local agencies. They focused much of their efforts in and around Brooklyn, searching farm fields, ponds and homes. Investigators asked anyone who was around five locations, including a car wash, a truck stop and a farm south of town, to report if they saw anything suspicious on 18 July. Tibbetts' family released a statement Wednesday thanking people from around the world for the "outpouring of love and support that has been shared in Mollie's name." The statement added, "We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Mollie in our hearts forever." At Brooklyn City Hall, City Clerk Sheri Sharer said Tuesday was a sad day for the town. "It never crossed our mind that she wouldn't come home safe," she said. The 51-year-old corporator had called the student to his farmhouse on the pretext of helping her financially. Namdeo Bhagat, a Shiv Sena member of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), allegedly molested the teen at his farmhouse in Dighode village. (Photo: Facebook) Mumbai: A Shiv Sena corporator from Navi Mumbai has been charged with molesting a 19-year-old college student after promising to help her financially, said police. Namdeo Bhagat, a Shiv Sena member of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), allegedly molested the teen at his farmhouse in Dighode village near the coastal town of Uran in adjoining Raigad district on Sunday last, a police official said. The 51-year-old corporator, who is also a member of the NMMC standing committee, had called the student to his farmhouse on the pretext of helping her financially, he said. The woman filed a complaint after which an offence under the Indian Penal Code was registered against the corporator on Monday at the Uran police station, the official said. Namdeo Bhagat is absconding, he said, adding further probe is underway. A bad day in court for his former associates could foreshadow hard days ahead for US President Donald Trump. But it's unlikely he'll find himself in a courtroom facing criminal charges, at least while he's president. A bad day in court for his former associates could foreshadow hard days ahead for US President Donald Trump. But it's unlikely he'll find himself in a courtroom facing criminal charges, at least while he's president. On Tuesday, Trump's former personal lawyer and "fixer," Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to campaign-finance violations. Cohen said Trump directed him to arrange the payment of hush money to two women who claimed they had affairs with Trump, acknowledging the payments were made to influence the election. Around the same time, a jury found former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort guilty of eight financial crimes unrelated to the campaign. It was the first trial victory for prosecutors in the office of special counsel Robert Mueller, whose investigation Trump has derided as a witch hunt. Both cases have increased buzz about possible impeachment. But indictments are another matter. Legal experts generally agree that sitting presidents can't be indicted. Some questions and answers about the legal implications for Trump of the Cohen and Manafort cases: Does Cohen's guilty plea mean that Trump has done wrong? Cohen said in a New York court that he made one payment "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office" and the other "under direction of the same candidate." The amounts and dates all line up with the payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Prosecutors did not go as far as Cohen did in open court in pointing the finger at the president, saying Cohen acted "in coordination with a candidate or campaign for federal office for purposes of influencing the election." Legal experts said there could be multiple reasons for government lawyers' more cautious statements. Daniel Petalas, former prosecutor in the Justice Department's public integrity section, said the issue of whether Trump violated the law comes down to whether Trump "tried to influence an election, whether he knew and directed it and whether he knew it was improper." But Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani said in a statement: "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen." Trump denied to reporters in April that he knew anything about Cohen's payments to Daniels, though the explanations from the president and Giuliani have shifted multiples times since. Does Cohen's guilty plea mean that Trump could be forced to answer questions? Trump's lawyers have been negotiating with Mueller about whether the president would submit to an interview as part of Mueller's Russia investigation. Now Daniels' attorney Michael Avenatti says he'll renew efforts to get Trump to submit to a deposition in a lawsuit Daniels filed to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement she signed ahead of the 2016 election. Avenatti tweeted that the Cohen pleas should "permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it." Daniels' case is currently on hold, but Avenatti said he'll be looking to get that hold lifted. The Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones against President Bill Clinton, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit. But that ruling did not directly address whether a president could be subpoenaed to testify in a criminal investigation, a question the Supreme Court may have to confront if Mueller tries to compel Trump's testimony in his probe. If there's evidence of wrongdoing, can Trump be indicted? The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to executive branch agencies, has held that a sitting president cannot be indicted. Trump's lawyers have said that Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mueller's office has never independently confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he or she leaves the White House. Sol Wisenberg, who conducted grand jury questioning of Clinton as deputy independent counsel during the Whitewater investigation, said he still wanted to see more details of Cohen's plea deal. But he said: "Obviously it's not good for Trump. The stuff on Stormy Daniels is not good for Trump." "I'm assuming he's not going to be indicted because he's a sitting president," Wisenberg said. "But it leads him closer to ultimate impeachment proceedings, particularly if the Democrats take back the House." How does Cohen's plea align with the Mueller probe? While the Manafort case was part of Mueller's investigation, the Cohen case was not. It was handled by prosecutors in New York. Still, it could give Mueller a boost. Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, argued that Cohen's plea knocks back the argument that the investigations swirling around Trump are a "witch hunt," as the president has called Mueller's Russia investigation. "No longer can you say Mueller is on a witch hunt when you have his own lawyer pleading guilty to things that were designed to impact the election," she said. Could Trump pardon himself if it goes down to the wire? Trump has already shown he's not afraid to use his pardon power, particularly for those he has viewed as unfair victims of partisanship. He pardoned Joe Arpaio, the former Arizona sheriff who clashed with a judge on immigration, and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, a Bush administration official convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in a leak case. As for whether a president can pardon himself, not surprisingly, courts have never had to answer that question. Giuliani, Trump's lawyer, has said it won't come to that anyway. "Pardoning himself would be unthinkable and probably lead to immediate impeachment," Giuliani told NBC's "Meet the Press" in June. "And he has no need to do it, he's done nothing wrong." Still, Giuliani argued that Trump "probably does" have the power to pardon himself. Chinas economic and political footprint in Malaysia has been growing over the years. It is time India seriously engaged veteran politician and Malaysias new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The 93-year-old Mahathirs unexpected second innings in Malaysias highest political office promises to be very interesting, particularly for his countrys relationship with China. He is currently on a five-day official tour of China, first since becoming prime minister. He is not shy about expressing his opinions. One of the major reasons attributed to the stunning electoral triumph of the Opposition coalition he formally led was the rising national debt and gross financial mismanagement of former prime minister Najib Razak and his family. Another one was the China factor. While outside the circle of power, Mahathirs stinging criticism of Chinese investment deals with Malaysia during his predecessors tenure underpinned his foreign policy agenda. Throughout his electoral campaign, he maintained that he would renegotiate those agreements with China which were found lopsided against Malaysia. Ever since he has returned to power in May, with his physical and intellectual faculties surprisingly intact, Malaysians have witnessed unprecedented domestic political changes along with an independent-minded and pragmatic approach to international diplomacy. Much to Beijings dismay, the Mahathir government has taken the bold step of suspending many high-profile Chinese investments deals, igniting prospects of shaking Southeast Asias geopolitical landscape. India must seize this opportunity. Chinese president Xi Jinpings grand geopolitical bet the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) had received extremely warm reception under the previous scandal-tainted government led by Razak. In particular, Chinese investments in the East Coast Railway (ECR) and Melaka Gateway became the centrepiece of the BRI. In fact, the ambitious ECR project whose 85 percent cost is financed by Chinese soft loans with the rest coming from Malaysian lenders has been envisaged as a viable alternative to the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea. Projected as a game changer by the previous government, the ECR would connect Malaysias east coast to Port Klang on the west coast. Now, the Chinese companies handling the ECR project have been handed suspension notices. The Melaka Gateway project, another multi-billion harbour project built on artificial islands that will include a new deep-sea port, is also under scanner. Mahathir has said: We dont think they are viable. So if we can, we would like to just drop the projects. The South China Sea is a controversial issue among many ASEAN countries and China. Mahathirs vocal stance on the South China Sea has indicated that he would like Malaysia to become more assertive on the issue. He has been very blunt in expressing his dissatisfaction over attempts being made to militarise the South China Sea, warning that warships cannot be permanently stationed there. According to Mahathir, We are all for ships, even warships, passing through, but not stationed here. It is a warning to everyone. Dons create tension unnecessarily. Many renowned Malaysians have also criticised Forest City and other real estate projects built by Chinese companies for Chinese homebuyers as a type of neo-colonialism. While the Malaysian desire for Chinese economic and infrastructural assistance is real, so are concerns over Chinese investment. Mahathirs concerns on the viability of Chinas grand connectivity projects are not unfounded, and they only vindicate Indias apprehensions regarding Chinas misuse of sovereign debt to bend other states to its will. It has been pointed out that the BRI is a modern-day version of the predatory practices used against China in the colonial period, which began with the Opium Wars of the mid-nineteenth century and ended with the Communist takeover in 1949. With huge infrastructure projects, China is simultaneously addressing overcapacity at home by boosting exports while advancing its strategic interests by securing natural resources and promoting the international use of its currency. Mahathir does not want Malaysia to become another victim of Chinas debt-trap diplomacy, which has threatened Sri Lankas sovereignty. Sri Lanka, unable to pay the huge debt to China, has recently handed over its strategically located Hambantota port to China under a 99-year lease arrangement. Kenyas severe debt to China is now threatening to send its economy into an irreversible tailspin, with loan repayments to Chinese State-owned banks skyrocketing to mammoth proportions. The list of countries trapped in the Chinese debt has been expanding by the day. Mahathir may have realised that if corrective steps are not taken, Xis promise of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will further erode Malaysian sovereignty. Over the last one decade, China has emerged as Malaysias largest trading partner, with bilateral trade expected to exceed $100 billion at the end of this year. Chinas economic and political footprint in Malaysia has been growing over the years. According to an estimate, around $2.36 billion went from China to Malaysia in 2017, marking an increase of 350 percent from 2013. Optimists believe that trade ties between the two countries are too big to fail. Mahathir has also clarified that he is not against China and is only interested in redressing abnormalities. Malaysia is a trading nation, and cannot afford to stop doing business with China. But by re-examining Chinese investments in Malaysia, Mahathir seeks to reset the tone of bilateral relations. China is also conscious of the dangers inherent in allowing the trust deficit to widen. It is trying to build a new relationship with the Mahathir government so that stalled projects could be restarted at the earliest. Recently, Beijing had despatched State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and vice-minister of the international department of the Communist Party of Chinas Central Committee Guo Yezhou to Kuala Lumpur. Now, red carpets have been rolled out for Mahathir who arrived in China on August 17 for a five-day visit. Amid escalating trade and security tensions with Washington and growing suspicions in the Western world regarding Chinas evolving strategic ambitions, pragmatists in Beijing are trying to convince the communist leadership to fine-tune Chinas increasingly aggressive foreign policy approach. Moreover, Beijing does not have many options but to take a more unassuming stance to win over neighbouring countries. Chinas recent overtures to India and Japan need to be viewed as a part of this strategy, and Malaysia is likely to benefit from this shift. Mahathirs government is cash-strapped from the endemic corruption of the Najib era, and his desire to renegotiate Chinese projects is very much understandable. Mahathir was a feared strongman during his more than two decades as prime minister until 2003. His leadership brought economic prosperity to the nation which gained independence from British rule in 1957 and lifted many Malay families from poverty. The dominant Malay community defines its identity with strong reference to the Islamic faith, though Malaysia is a pluralistic society with many ethnicities and religions living together. Indians in Malaysia are referred to those people who have ethnic origins in South Asia. In fact, Mahathir is also of Indian origin; his paternal ancestors migrated to Malaya from Kerala in the late 19th century. But Mahathir always championed the cause of Malay rights to emphasise his Malay identity. However, last year, a former deputy prime minister took a dig at Mahathirs Indian ancestry, alleging that Mahathir was identified as Mahathir a/l Iskandar Kutty on his identity card. The word a/l meaning son of is a naming convention used by people of Indian origin, whereas ethnic Malays identify as bin, which also means son of. In her response to the controversy, Mahathirs daughter did not deny her Indian heritage, arguing that Mahathirs grandfather Iskandar had married into a prominent Malay family. The revival of Mahathirs Look East policy is also an extension of the China factor. His first state visit was to Japan in June 2018, followed by a second visit in August 2018. Mahathirs first overseas trip to Tokyo was both symbolic as well as indicative of his determination to ease dependence on China and to boost Malaysias bargaining power. Mahathir is very keen to revive the East Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC), an idea first mooted by him decades ago but Japanese hesitation and American opposition had nipped it in bud. Its reinvention will rebalance the geopolitical game in Southeast Asia. Mahathir wants the creation of EAEC with Japan in the lead, and India and China as partners. Japans image in Malaysia is more positive than Chinas. The strong trade and investment ties between the two are also underpinned by the Malaysia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. Mahathirs manoeuvring to secure low-cost capital and investments from Japan is set to trigger a strategic re-balancing with huge geopolitical implications. Given Indias strategic proximity with Japan, New Delhi would welcome Tokyo playing a bigger role in the region. As Indias interests and capabilities grow, New Delhis vigorous attempts to Act East assume particular significance as far as enhancing Indias connectivity to ASEAN is concerned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several concrete foreign policy steps vis-a-vis Southeast Asia. The India-ASEAN Summit held in January this year when all the 10 leaders of ASEAN joined Indias Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi has taken ties to a new level. The growing acceptability of the Indo-Pacific as a strategic concept can further broaden Indias engagement with the east. Modi cemented Indias ties with three of the most influential Southeast Asian nations a few months ago. Besides visiting Indonesia and Singapore to sign many important deals, he paid a special visit to Kuala Lumpur for a courtesy call on Mahathir. The two leaders were reported to have had a productive exchange of views on strengthening the strategic partnership between their countries. Modi last visited Malaysia in November 2015. Though Malaysias refusal to deport the controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India for alleged terror activities and money laundering, may have annoyed Indias security agencies, the issue should be treated as a minor irritant in the bilateral relationship which needs to be strengthened further. Indias mission Malaysia needs to be bolder and bigger if ASEAN is to be weaned away from Chinas orbit. MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday it needed to understand if there was political will in Washington to cooperate with Russia as it prepared for a meeting between U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton and his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday it needed to understand if there was political will in Washington to cooperate with Russia as it prepared for a meeting between U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton and his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev. The two men are due to meet in Geneva for talks on Thursday in the first high-level meeting since the Russian and U.S. presidents held talks in Helsinki in July. Patrushev plans to bring Bolton a set of proposals on cooperation between Moscow and Washington and is optimistic about the reaction from the American side, he was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency in Geneva on Wednesday evening. Themes like "strategic stability, regional security," the situations in Syria and Ukraine as well as bilateral relations between Russia and the United States are expected to be discussed during the meeting, Patrushev added. U.S. President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin last month, an event Moscow quickly chalked up as a triumph. However, a new salvo of U.S. sanctions was announced in the wake of the meeting after Trump came under fire at home for his handling of the summit. "The worsening of bilateral relations is continuing, we need to identify some kind of areas for cooperation and also to understand if there are any such areas and whether our counterpart (the United States) has a desire for this," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call. Peskov said Putin had met his Security Council on Wednesday to discuss problems in U.S.-Russia relations ahead of the meeting between Bolton and Patrushev. During a trip to Israel on Wednesday, Bolton told Reuters that Russian forces were "stuck" in Syria and that Moscow was looking for other countries to fund post-war reconstruction there. Russia launched an intervention in Syria in 2015, turning the tide of the war in favour of its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Peskov said Moscow disagreed with Bolton's statement, saying Moscow was helping to facilitate the return of refugees to Syria and to start the reconstruction process. "The statement that Russia is stuck is not correct, even more so coming from our colleagues in Washington. We shouldn't forget that American soldiers are also on Syrian territory," said Peskov. (Reporting by Polina Nikolskaya and Polina Devitt; writing by Tom Balmforth and Polina Devitt; editing by Andrew Osborn and Toby Chopra) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Malaysia will shelve three China-backed projects worth a total $22 billion until the debt-laden Southeast Asian nation can afford to pay for them Beijing: Malaysia will shelve three China-backed projects worth a total $22 billion until the debt-laden Southeast Asian nation can afford to pay for them, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Tuesday during a visit to Beijing. The projects include a railway connecting Malaysia's east coast to southern Thailand and Kuala Lumpur, and two gas pipelines. "I explained to (the Chinese leaders) why we can't have the ECRL (East Coast Rail Link)," Mahathir told Malaysian reporters at the end of his five-day visit, saying the project "will be deferred until such time when we can afford (it)". "It's about borrowing too much money, which we cannot afford, we cannot repay, and also because we don't need those projects for Malaysia at this moment... our problem now is how to solve our financial deficit." Mahathir is trying to reduce Malaysia's national debt, which has ballooned to some $250 billion. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang acknowledged that "any cooperation between the two countries will inevitably lead to problems of one kind or another". "We take a long-term view of the relationship between our two countries and will resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation," Lu told a regular press briefing. After meeting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday, Mahathir said he believed China would help Malaysia resolve its fiscal problems. The Malaysian leader also warned against "a new version of colonialism happening because poor countries are unable to compete with rich countries just in terms of open free trade". Lack of transparency The $20-billion rail project was given to China's largest engineering firm, the China Communications Construction Company, and mostly financed by a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China. Malaysia's finance ministry said in July that 88 percent of the cost of the two gas pipelines worth 9.4 billion ringgit ($2.32 billion) had been paid to their Chinese contractor despite only 13 percent of the work being completed. One pipeline is in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island and the other runs from Malacca in peninsular Malaysia to the northern state of Kedah. "We do not find the need for... (the pipeline projects)," Mahathir said. "It costs too much money. And we have to cancel or defer it to a later stage." In May, Mahathir shelved separate plans to build a high-speed railway between Singapore and Malaysia which had been agreed several years ago, saying it was too costly. Despite the threat to revise China-linked contracts, Mahathir sought to strengthen business ties with Beijing during the trip. China is the top trading partner of Malaysia, which is home to a substantial ethnic Chinese minority. Relations were warm under the previous government of Prime Minister Najib Razak, and Chinese investment in the country surged as Beijing signed deals for major infrastructure and construction projects. The projects shelved by Mahathir are part of China's ambitious Belt and Road initiative, an international trade infrastructure programme aimed at reviving Silk Road routes across the globe. China's financial largesse has raised concerns over the vulnerability of poorer nations to such massive debt. In 2017, Sri Lanka was forced to hand over majority control of its Hambantota port to China after failing to repay its loans. The criminal campaign finance case against US President Donald Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, revealed a complex, illegal operation to stifle sex stories and distribute hush money. His name is Donald John Trump, but federal prosecutors have a simpler moniker for the 45th president: Individual 1. Dry legalese and generic aliases could do nothing to tone down the tale of the scheme to protect Trump outlined in court documents on Tuesday. The criminal campaign finance case against the presidents former lawyer, Michael Cohen, revealed a complex, illegal operation to stifle sex stories and distribute hush money. The documents also lay out new details about the involvement of Trumps real estate company. Cohens plea agreement and the details it revealed now pose a direct threat to the president, perhaps one even more damaging than the separate special counsel investigation examining whether the presidents campaign coordinated with Russia to sway the 2016 election. The colourful cast of characters depicted in documents includes a Playboy model and a porn actress who reported having sex years earlier with the married Trump; a tabloid executive who relished juicy scandals but also his own friendship with the candidate; and a lawyer eager at all costs to protect the interests of his star client. At the core of the intrigue is Trump himself, referenced obliquely but unmistakably as Individual 1 a man who prosecutors note, in formulaic but wry phrasing, began his bid on or about 16 June, 2015. Just two months later, as Trump stunned the political world with his rise, the chairman of a tabloid media company offered the campaign some assistance, the documents said. The company agreed to flag for Cohen and the campaign unflattering, unpublished stories about Trumps relationships with women so they could be purchased and their publication avoided, prosecutors said. The company eventually did exactly that, allowing for Cohen throughout the campaign to arrange for the stories to be bought and suppressed with the express purpose of influencing the election. The strategy is known in tabloid circles as catch and kill. The company is not named in the court filings and neither are the women, but description matches that of American Media Incorporated (AMI), the parent company of the National Enquirer, and its chairman, David Pecker, a longtime Trump friend and ally. The timing and amount of the payments line up with those paid to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal to buy their silence in the weeks and months leading up to the election. Although the plan was in place nearly a year earlier, the first arrangement began in June 2016, weeks after Trump had clinched the Republican nomination. McDougal, prosecutors allege, began attempting to sell a story of a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006 and 2007. As promised, it didnt take long for Cohen to be notified and to take action, promising to reimburse his tabloid friends for the purchase of her tale. That August, prosecutors allege, AMI struck a $150,000 deal with McDougal to buy her story, feature her on two magazine stories and publish more than 100 of her stories. Despite the cover and article features to the agreement, its principal purpose, as understood by those involved, including Michael Cohen, the defendant, was to suppress Woman-1s story so as to prevent it from influencing the election, prosecutors wrote. The pattern repeated that October, this time with Daniels, who had her own story of a sexual relationship with Trump that she was prepared to tell in the National Enquirer. In that case, Cohen and a lawyer for Daniels, whose real name is Clifford, negotiated a $130,000 payment to buy her silence. According to the government, the deal nearly fell apart just weeks before the election. Cohen was slow in finalizing the payment and was warned that Daniels was close to completing a separate deal with another outlet to make her story public. Cohen received an encrypted telephone message from someone matching Peckers description and from another top editor at the publication before agreeing to make the payment and calling Daniels lawyer to finalize the arrangement, prosecutors said. On 26 October, 2016, just weeks before the election, Cohen drew down $131,000 from a home equity line of credit he obtained by lying about his debt and cash flow. He wired funds to a lawyer for Daniels, falsely saying that it was for a retainer, and soon after received copies of a signed confidential agreement with the actress. Prosecutors allege that Trump Organization executives ultimately reimbursed Cohen for both the $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels and another $50,000 for tech services that Cohen had solicited on the Trump campaigns behalf. Prosecutors cited an email in which one unnamed Trump Organization executive told another to pay Cohen $420,000 out of the trust, according to the indictment, disguising the money as payment owed to Cohen under a legal retainer agreement. In truth and in fact, there was no such retainer agreement, prosecutors wrote. For federal prosecutors who have spent months investigating the presidents lawyer, the timing of the payments was no accident. They dont say specifically that Trump directed Cohen to make the payments an allegation Cohen made in court. The documents do note that Cohen coordinated with one or more members of the campaign. The money, the government says, was intended to influence the 2016 presidential election. The intent is essential to the governments case. Corporations are not permitted to contribute to campaigns and money intended to influence an election must be reported as a contribution. The money to Daniels and McDougal was not. All told, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight crimes, including a campaign finance violation, tax evasion and making false statements to a bank. He could get about four to five years in prison at sentencing 12 December. As for Trump, his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said there is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the governments charges against Mr Cohen. Its true the Justice Department did not go as far as Cohen did in pointing the finger at Trump, but legal experts say the allegations bring the president closer into his associates criminal conduct, especially if it can be established that he conspired with Cohen to knowingly violate campaign finance law. The president has certain protections while a sitting president, but if it were true, and he was aware and tried to influence an election, that could be a federal felony offence, said Daniel Petalas, a former Justice Department public corruption prosecutor. This strikes close to home. Nepal government has formed a committee to hold talks with China to implement a key bilateral agreement on energy cooperation Kathmandu: The Nepal government has formed a committee to hold talks with China to implement a key bilateral agreement on energy cooperation, which could potentially end the land-locked nation's decades-long dependency on India for its power needs. Nepal and China had signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Energy Cooperation during the visit of Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to Beijing in June. Nepal, which used to import its entire energy needs from India, turned to China in 2015, after facing crippling oil supply shortages following the economic blockade at the Indo-Nepal border by agitating ethnic Madhesis. The Madhesis, who are Indian-origin inhabitants of the Terai region bordering India, alleged that Nepal's new constitution promulgated by the then government did not give them sufficient political representation. At the height of the economic blockade, which triggered a wave of anti-India sentiments in the country, Nepal began strengthening ties with China, courting infrastructure investments and signing deals on energy. "To implement the MoU with China, Energy Secretary Anup Kumar Upadhyay has been appointed as the co-chair of the seven-member committee. The panel includes representatives from Nepal Electricity Authority and the Energy Ministry as its members," officials said. "The committee meeting, which will be held in Kathmandu on 27 September and 28 September, will deliberate on energy cooperation and progress on investment exchange in the sector," they said. The committee will prepare the ground for creating a conducive environment to promote investment in the energy development from both government and private sectors. Nepal had signed a similar energy cooperation agreement with Bangladesh also earlier in August. EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, on a four day trip to boost his party's fortunes in Scotland, will meet asylum seekers in Glasgow on Wednesday amid a row about the treatment of would-be immigrants. His trip comes after polls suggested Labour support in Scotland has been slipping since its encouraging performance in last year's UK-wide election EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, on a four day trip to boost his party's fortunes in Scotland, will meet asylum seekers in Glasgow on Wednesday amid a row about the treatment of would-be immigrants. His trip comes after polls suggested Labour support in Scotland has been slipping since its encouraging performance in last year's UK-wide election. Corbyn, who has steered Labour to the left, is calling for Britain to roll back its "dangerous and failed" policy of contracting private firms like Serco , G4S and Capita to deliver and manage public services in healthcare, transport and detention centres. The row over immigrants blew up after Serco announced a plan to change the locks on the homes of asylum seekers whose applications had been refused. Following protests and campaigns by refugee charities, the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Labour, Serco announced a "pause" in the plan earlier this month. "Private firms have no business profiting from the detention of refugees and asylum seekers and we will end the ugly and discredited system of private firms running immigration detention centres," Corbyn will say, according to a statement. With Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservatives deeply divided and struggling to deliver Brexit in time for a March 2019 deadline, there are few points to separate the leading parties in opinion polls. On Monday, the British government announced it had taken over the running of a major prison in England from G4S after it had become unmanageable, the latest in a string of failed private sector projects to run public services. "Labour will end this shameful situation and close Yarl's Wood and Brook House detention centres, investing the money spent on locking people up on services that support survivors of modern slavery, human trafficking and domestic violence instead," Corbyn will say. A spokesman for Serco declined to comment. Yarl's Wood and Brook House in southern England are run by Serco and G4S respectively, where immigrants and asylum seekers are detained. Brook House, at Gatwick airport was at the centre of an abuse scandal earlier this year. Labour policies like nationalising the rail and water industries helped the party deny the pro-privatisation Conservatives a majority government in the 2017 election. (Reporting by Elisabeth O'Leary; editing by Stephen Addison) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Samsung announced the Galaxy Watch at its New York event earlier this month in Wi-Fi and LTE versions. Now the company started taking pre-orders for the LTE version of the smartwatch in the U.S. that would head to T-Mobile. Even this is available in 46mm and 42mm options with 1.3-inch and 1.2-inch (360360 pixels) Circular Super AMOLED Always On Display with the latest Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ protection and has rotating bezel. Samsung Galaxy Watch Specifications 1.2-inch / 1.3-inch (360360 pixels) Circular Super AMOLED Always On display,Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ protection 1.15GHz Dual-Core Exynos 9110 processor 768MB RAM (Bluetooth) / 1.5GB RAM (LTE), 4GB internal memory Tizen Based Wearable OS 4.0 (Compatible with Android 5.0 or later and iPhone 5 and above, iOS 9.0 or above) 5ATM + IP68 water resistance, MIL STD 810G Dimensions (46mm): 446 x 49 x 13; Weight: 63g (without strap) Dimensions (42mm) 41.9 x 45.7 x 12.7; Weight: 49g (without strap) Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Heart Rate, Ambient Light, Barometer 4G LTE (Optional), Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi b/g/n, NFC, A-GPS/Glonass 472mAh (46mm) / 270mAh (42mm) Li-ion battery with wireless charging (WPC Inductive), up to 4 days of battery life The Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE 46mm version comes in Silver and costs $379.99 (Rs. 26,550 approx.) in the US and the Galaxy Watch LTE 42mm in Midnight Black and Rose Gold options cost $399.99 (Rs. 27,950 approx.). It is already available for pre-order from Samsung Shop online in the U.S. for T-Mobile and will ship starting from the week of September 2nd. Those who pre-order will get a free Urban Dress Band / Essex Leather Band / Urban Traveller Leather Band depending on the version you order. Netflix is said to be testing a way to bypass iTunes billing system in more than 33 markets across the globe. Starting from September 30th, the Netflix customers in selected markets across Europe, Latin America and Asia will be unable to pay using iTunes. instead, Users will be redirected to the mobile web version to log payment details directly with Netflix. Spotify has moved away from iTunes for payments. With Apple now being a company with $1 trillion market cap, it makes very little sense for any company to cut Apple in more than it has to on its direct customer relationships. Netflix has been testing such a billing process since June, starting first in 10 countries and then expanding to 33 from August 2 until September 30. During this time, users in the select markets using iOS device will get the ability to sign up in the app with only iTunes Mode Of Payment. 2. Ability to log into Netflix but not sign up which is possible only on the mobile browser. The full list of countries where the billing test is running includes Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and Thailand. Though the company is calling this as Test, the company has been gradually shifting its customer relationships on other platforms to more direct billing. Netflix stopped accepting Google Play to pay for its service. Currently, Apple takes a 30% cut on the first year of a subscription and goes down to 15 percent for subsequent years. With Netflix posting a miss in its quarterly revenues and subscriber additions in June and growth may be slowing, now might be a good time for the company to refocus the margin it is making on its 130 million+ users. These payments move comes at the same time where it is testing other experimental features video promos between episodes. Source Xiaomis sub-brand POCO just launched the F1, the companys first smartphone in India, as it had promised. It has a 6.18-inch Full HD+ 2.5D curved glass display with a notch, is powered by Snapdragon 845 with up to 8GB RAM and LiquidCool Technology. It runs Android 8.1 (Oreo) with MIUI on top with POCO launcher, and the company has promised Android 9.0 (Pie) update in Q4 2018. It has a 12-megapixel rear camera with LED flash along with a secondary 5-megapixel camera to capture portrait shots, real-time AI, intelligent scene recognition that can detect 206 scenes across 25 categories. It also comes with a 20-megapixel front camera with AI features and pixel binning. It has IR face unlock that can unlock the phone 0.4 seconds, even in pitch darkness. It features a hard-coated polycarbonate unibody design and also comes in Kevlar back option called Armored Edition that uses Kevlar aramid fibre, as you can see in the image above. It has a fingerprint sensor on the back, has Dual 4G VoLTE as well as 4G+ that promises up to 275% faster data throughput over conventional 4G and packs a 4000mAh battery with support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging, and also includes 9V/2A (18W) charger in the box. POCO F1 specifications 6.18-inch (2246 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 18.7:9 2.5D curved glass display, 1500:1 contrast ratio, 84% NTSC color gamut, Corning Gorilla Glass protection Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform with Adreno 630 GPU 6GB/8GB LPDDR4x RAM, 64GB / 128GB/256GB (UFS 2.1) storage, expandable memory with up to 256GB with microSD Android 8.1 (Oreo) with MIUI 9, upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano / microSD) 12MP rear camera with dual LED Flash, f/1.9 aperture, 1.4m pixel size, Sony IMX363 sensor, Dual Pixel auto focus, secondary 5MP camera with Samsung sensor 20MP front-facing camera with /2.0 aperture Fingerprint sensor, IR face unlock 3.5mm audio jack, Dirac HD, Dual Smart PA Dimensions: 155.5x 75.3x 8.8; Weight: 180g Dual 4G+ VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5, GPS + GLONASS, USB Type-C 4000mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging The POCO F1 comes in Graphite Black, Steel Blue and Rosso Red colors as well as Armored Edition with Kevlar back. It also comes with a soft case in the box. Price POCO F1 6GB RAM + 64GB storage Rs. 20,999 POCO F1 6GB RAM + 128GB storage Rs. 23,999 POCO F1 8GB RAM + 256GB storage Rs. 28,999 POCO F1 8GB RAM + 256GB storage Kevlar Armored Edition Rs. 29,999 Ultra-slim case with matte finish Rs. 399 Armored case with Kevlar finish Rs. 799 POCO Mobile Skins Rs. 299 It will be available exclusively on Flipkart and Mi.com from August 29th at 12PM. Check out the hands-on impressions here. Launch offers Rs. 1000 off for HDFC Bank credit/debit card holders during first sale Rs. 8000 instant benefits, up to 6TB additional data for Jio users An aspiring author at the New Yorker in the 1930s penned a touching and clever obituary for his adored Scottish Terrier, Daisy, after her young life was cut short by a yellow cab which had jumped the curb on a rainy New York day. That obit writer was E.B. White, lover of dogs, animals and all Gods good creation. He also became the famed author of the likes of Charlottes Web, Stuart Little, and Strunk and Whites Elements of Style (a joyous reference manual which you may have groaned about as an exasperated English student trying to figure out whether you should use that or which though you were nearly certain THAT it didnt much matter WHICH you used, but Mrs. Johnson, your 8th grade English teacher insisted it was a matter of national security.) A Quirkish Habit and Chronic Perplexity He offers this insightful description of a puzzling and quirkish habit his Scottish Terrier developed: She also developed, without instruction or encouragement, a curious habit of holding people firmly by the ankle without actually biting them a habit that gave her an immense personal advantage and won her many enemies. As far as I know, she never even broke the thread of a sock, so delicate was her grasp (like a retrievers), but her point of view was questionable, and her attitude was beyond explaining to the person whose ankle was at stake. So why the bizarre practice of gentle, ankle grabbing? He ventures a guess: For my own amusement, I often tried to diagnose this quirkish temper, and I think I understand it: she suffered from a chronic perplexity, and it relieved her to take hold of something. From the jaws of Scotties, God has ordained, if not praise, at least some revelatory instruction, or so it would appear. No Thunder Shirts or Calming Coats Little Daisy, like we, suffered from a chronic perplexity. She, we were told, was an early invalid of sorts, with a leg that had been badly injured. But beyond that, White insinuates an inner unrest. And canines in those days didnt have anxiety meds, Thunder Shirts or Calming Coats for soothing their disquieted and jumpy insides. We know all about chronic perplexity, even if the term initially throws us. Its a good summation of life on a planet where so many things go so very unwell. And even when they do go well, we have our own nuisance-selves with which to contend. We are agitated and dont know why. Empty and unsure how to be filled. Scared and unclear how to be made brave again. We are desperate for sleep, and cant get more than a teaspoon of it. Sciatic pain shoots down our legs and screams in our brains. We ache from the loss of precious stalwarts in our lives to whom we mattered and who mattered so very much to us. And we anticipate more of that conflicted ache, as formerly, (just a few minutes ago, right?) smock wearing, pig-tailed wonders start talking about college and boyfriends. Or we anticipate sons becoming fathers and are dizzied over what seems such a rapid reversal; the one whose diapers we changed is soon to be changing our grandchilds. Our perplexity doesnt stop. And it may take different forms in different seasons. Our quarter life perplexities undo us for a time and the perplexities of existing in our 70s do their destabilizing work as well. We receive few exemptions from the befuddlements, hurts, longings and perplexities of being creatures without very much power after all, subject to great vulnerabilities, and therefore to pain, and unable to see or control the future. Disquieting Inner Interrogation And our inner lawyer interrogates us. What are you going to do? Why did you do it like that? How will we make it? Am I doing my job right? Am I in the right job? How am I to teach my kids? Why did I end up all alone? Will I ever marry? Will my grandkids turn out ok? Am I going to have enough money? What if something happens to me? What happens if I die? When I die? If I get cancer? A symphony of chronic perplexities nag at us. For Daisy the Scottie, ankle-attachment proved a worthwhile, albeit self-prescribed, remedy. Adhering herself gently to the ankles of passers-by made some soothing sense. It relieved her to take hold of something. Youll notice, perhaps, that taking hold of something is easy enough for us to do for comfort as well. Some stabilizing something that makes us feel safe. If we can be perfect enough, realize our family aspirations, get more money, have enough people value what we do, then, perhaps we will know a moments relief. We were made to take hold of something. We are creatures of craving. Driven by stormy longings and loud appetites that rarely get entirely bedded back down by the fulfillments we seek. Our Sometimes Saddest Day A professor once said, The saddest day in a PhDs life is the day after receiving her PhD. A multi-year quest, driven by the perplexities of wanting to matter, to achieve, and to make a mark, might only result in disappointment when the Holy Grail we were seeking has been firmly taken into hand. We have the degree. Now what? We are still stuck with ourselves. And in these uncertain conditions. Most of us have grabbed ahold of plenty in hopes of getting relief, and sometimes it worked, for a bit. Maybe weve come to realize or at least wonder, whether the unrest that makes us want to take hold of something for relief, is a design feature. What if your trouble and mine, could be construed as the Apostle Paul once reckoned his? In recounting to the church at Corinth (2 Cor. 1) his terrifying ordeal in Asia, he enlightens us to his own take on chronic perplexity: We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. Pretty perplexing Id say. And so, what relief was there? What was there to take hold of? He clarifies: But this happened so THAT we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. His distressed perplexity was a distressing gadfly to chase him to take hold of God who reverses, delivers, and soothes. Over and over again. For him, it became such a habit that later he could in an other place (Phil. 3:12) insist that he now labors to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus had taken hold of him. A Built-In Personalized Invitation Chronic perplexity turns out to be a built-in and personalized invitation to the One whose affectionate presence heals us and whom we ourselves were made to adore. A summons is issued through our chronic perplexity, one from whom Augustine confirmed a remedy for his own ruined and cramped soul. In his own chronic perplexity, consumed with having spent a life of seeking relief by taking hold of fruitless joys that he feared to lose, we read of his inner distress driving him to find another Hand to which to reach out...a Hand that had already first reached out to him: Oh! How shall I find rest in You? Who will send You into my heart to inebriate it, so that I may forget my woes, and embrace You my only good? What are You to me? Have compassion on me, that I may speak. What am I to You that You demand my love, and unless I give it You art angry, and threaten me with great sorrows? Is it, then, a light sorrow not to love You? Alas! Alas! Tell me of Your compassion, O Lord my God, what You are to me. Say unto my soul, I am your salvation. So speak that I may hear. Behold, Lord, the ears of my heart are before You; open them, and say unto my soul, I am your salvation. When I hear, may I run and lay hold on You. As autumn approaches, and with it, an increase of longing, nostalgia, frenetic busy-ness and stabs of chronic perplexity, perhaps we might also hear a summons and run like Daisy and Augustine and Paul, not toward an ankle to bite, or toward fruitless joys, but toward Christ who comforts us in all our troubles, satisfies our desires with good things, and even raises the dead. ------ Contact Eric Youngblood, pastor of Rock Creek Fellowship on Lookout Mountain, at eric@rockcreekfellowship.org Apart from the 21 injured, four were brought dead to the hospital. Mumbai: Close to 21 people were injured after a major fire gutted three apartments of the 12th floor of Crystal Tower, Parel, were admitted to the King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital nearby on Wednesday. Luckily, they are stable, with a few to be discharged on Thursday itself, revealed the hospital authorities. Apart from the 21 injured, four were brought dead to the hospital. The survivors include Jayant Sawant (57), who ran towards the apartment to rescue his aunt Shubhada Shelke only to succeed in rescuing other women while losing his aunt in the fire. A close relative of the samaritan said, Mr Sawant, who resided in the Patel building close by, rushed to the spot when he saw smoke billowing from the 12th floor of Crystal Tower. He wanted to save his aunt Ms Shelke but ended up helping other women get out of the complex. Ms Shelke (62) was among the four persons brought dead to KEM Hospital. Her body was completely charred, said hospital authorities. Mr Sawants relative said, His condition is stable now but he has been crying continuously and has not been informed about his aunts demise. Dr Avinash Supe, dean, KEM Hospital, said, All the injured are stable and a few will be discharged by Wednesday evening and a few on Thursday. Only the ones with serious burns will have to stay a while longer. Developer arrested Bhoiwada police have arrested Abdul Razak Ismail Supariwala (developer) late on Wednesday after a case was registered as the fire was doused. The complainant in the case is Vinod Dattaram Mayekar, divisional fire officer, Wadala command centre, officials said. We have registered the case against the accused developer and further investigation will follow, said N. Ambika, deputy commissioner of police, zone IV. The case has been registered under IPC sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 336 (endangering life and personal safety of others) and other sections of the Maha Fire Prevention and Life Safety Act. HMD Global at the Nokia 6.1 Plus launch in India had announced that it is rolling out new camera experiences with enhanced functionality and user experience for Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus, and Nokia 6.1 users. Today it has started rolling out the features for the phones. The AI stickers is available for Nokia 8 Sirocco and Nokia 7 Plus. This update lets users easily switch between aspect ratios and shooting functions, as well as adjust parameters within different camera modes, such as the intensity of effects like Bokeh and Beautify. Furthermore, it also brings Google Lens and Motions integration directly into the viewfinder. Google Lens provide information about the world around you in real time like overlaying information about objects right in the viewfinder or copy-paste text from the real world to your phone. As for the Motions, it allows you to capture short videos which can be shared directly to messaging services and social media as a GIF. The update is available via Google Play Store for the said smartphones. I read a very surprising article in USA Today the other day. It seems that we American consumers of telephone services have been paying an excise tax on our phone bills for a heck of a long time. Apparently, this tax was imposed back in 1898 -- get this -- to help pay for the Spanish-American War. Well, that war ended before the 20th century even began, and we're well into the 21st century now. Doesn't it seem like something's wrong here? Doesn't it make you think about banding with friends and tossing your phones into Boston Harbor? The article made me dig out my last phone bill from Verizon (NYSE:VZ) . There it was -- "Federal Excise Tax." You'll probably find it listed on your bill, too. If your monthly bill amounts to around $100, at the current 3% rate for the tax (which has been as high as 25% in past years), you'll be paying $3 per month for this tax, or $36 per year. Heavy phone users might pay $100 or more per year. And all this, to pay for the Spanish-American War? Even folks at AT&T (NYSE:T) don't like this tax. Jim Cicconi, AT&T's general counsel, has said that, "This is a 19th-century tax on a 21st-century technology. It makes no sense, and it ought to be repealed." Fortunately, some in Congress agree, too. Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) and nearly 100 co-sponsors recently introduced legislation to repeal the tax. USA Today noted: "This year, consumers and businesses will fork out another $6 billion in general excise taxes -- enough to pay for the Spanish-American War all over again, notes Rep. Christopher Cox, (R-Calif.)." Other businesses supporting repeal include Verizon, SBC, Time Warner (NYSE:TWX) , Radio Shack (NYSE:RSH) , Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) , and America Online. Courts have been finding the tax groundless, too, siding with consumers against the IRS more than half a dozen times. In SmartMoney, Donald Luskin noted that some anti-war activists are refusing to pay the tax, arguing that it supports the war in Iraq. Luskin also added: "According to the San Francisco Examiner, AT&T says 'we believe this is an illegal tax.' Ask them in writing to remove the tax from your bill, and they'll do it. 'We'll go into our system and make an adjustment,' AT&T says. But, they warn, 'we will have to report you to the government.'" Learn more in our Tax Center and our Tax Strategies discussion board. Also useful is the IRS website. And by the way, if thinking about taxes in general makes your head hurt and you'd like an actual person (a financial pro, no less) to talk to about your financial situation, look into our TMF Money Advisor. It's a valuable service, featuring customized, personalized independent advice from a variety of objective financial experts. Time Warner is a Motley Fool Stock Advisor pick. Try a 30-day free subscription and gain access to the best of David and Tom Gardner's stock ideas. Longtime Fool contributor Selena Maranjian owns shares of Time Warner and Comcast. The Fool has an ironclad disclosure policy. FASTSIGNS Recruiting Franchise Candidates At National Business Media Show In New Jersey Aug. 23-24 No. 1-ranked Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Franchisor Recruiting Qualified Franchisee Candidates across the U.S. through Co-brand and Conversion Franchise Offerings August 22, 2018 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas -- FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today that it will be attending and sponsoring the National Business Media Show in Meadowlands, New Jersey, Aug. 23-24, 2018, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center, to recruit existing sign and print shop owners to help the brand grow throughout the U.S. Local entrepreneurs are invited to meet with the brand's franchise development team at booth #216 to learn more about co-brand and conversion franchise offerings with FASTSIGNS. "FASTSIGNS has a unique franchise offering for existing business owners within the print and signage industry through our co-brand and conversion opportunities. We look forward to exploring possibilities with entrepreneurs at the National Business Media Show in New Jersey to discuss what FASTSIGNS has to offer as we continue to target growth throughout the Northeast," said Mark Jameson, EVP of Franchise Support and Development, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. "Our business model has proven to drive sales, reduce supply costs, and offer training, research, new product development, and operational support unmatched by any other in our industry." For any existing business looking to expand into this fast-paced market, FASTSIGNS gives the added support and training needed to make the process smooth. Whether an existing print-based business or a photography studio, FASTSIGNS' co-brand centers receive the same assistance as any new franchisee, with the added bonus of being able to exclude established revenue streams, outside of the FASTSIGNS core business offering, from future royalty payments. Both the co-brand franchise opportunity and conversion can be started with only $15,000 down on the initial franchise fee. As part of the International Franchise Association's (IFA) VetFran program, FASTSIGNS offers veterans a 50-percent reduction on the franchise fee -- a savings of $23,750. FASTSIGNS is thrilled to be the only franchisor in its segment to offer a development incentive specifically to veterans and first responders. "FASTSIGNS provides all of the tools and flexibility that have been critical to operating our business. The support site and staff deliver all the necessary ingredients for success," said Denise Acquaye, who operates FASTSIGNS in Newark, New Jersey, with her husband, Robert. "The support staff will stay on the phone many hours, if needed, to resolve any issue we may have. This dedication to success makes us proud to be owners of a FASTSIGNS franchise." In 2018, FASTSIGNS plans to open an additional 45 centers across the U.S. Throughout North America, FASTSIGNS has over 400 markets ready for development. Internationally, FASTSIGNS is continuing to seek qualified candidates to grow its international footprint in target markets throughout the world, including New Zealand, Brazil, Quebec, North Africa, Southeast Asia, India, Europe, and Latin America. FASTSIGNS International, Inc. was ranked the #1 franchise opportunity in its category and 70 overall on Entrepreneur magazine's 2018 Franchise 500, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Acknowledged by entrepreneurs and franchisors as a top competitive tool of measurement, the Franchise 500 recognizes FASTSIGNS, the only sign, graphics, and visual communications franchise to be recognized in the top 100, for its exceptional performance in areas including financial strength and stability, growth rate and brand power. FASTSIGNS also has been recognized for its franchisee satisfaction by being named a World Class Franchise by the Franchise Research Institute for five consecutive years and has been ranked by Franchise Business Review as one of the "Best of the Best" for franchisee satisfaction for the last 10 years. Additionally, FASTSIGNS also was named to Franchise Business Review's "Innovative Franchises" list in 2017 and a "Best-in-Category" franchise by Franchise Business Review in 2018. The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) recently recognized FASTSIGNS International, Inc. with a special six-year Franchisees' Choice designation for its strong relationship with Canadian franchisees, as well as extensive franchisee training and support. For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson (mark.jameson@fastsigns.com or 214-346-5679). About FASTSIGNS FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of almost 700 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS centers in ten countries including the US, Canada, England, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Chile, Malta, and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE). FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive sign and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including decor, events, wearables and marketing materials. Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com. Follow the brand on Twitter @FASTSIGNS, Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS or LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fastsigns. ### Add to Request List Added Request Information Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Main Squeeze Juice Co. Inks 3 Store Deal in Louisiana August 22, 2018 // Franchising.com // NEW ORLEANS, La. - Main Squeeze Juice Co. is firing up the blenders. On June 21, National Smoothie Day, the juice and smoothie concept signed a development deal with Russell Mosely for three stores in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge. Mosely's first 1,600 square foot store will be located at Long Farm Village and is slated to open by in the first quarter of 2019. "The health market and clean eating trend has been growing--it's no longer a trend, it's a way of life that many are choosing to adopt," Mosely said. "Main Squeeze may be the newest player in the juice market, but it is unlike the others. The juice and smoothies not only make healthy easier, but they make it taste better too. You want to go on a juice cleanse with Main Squeeze. We are excited to bring the nutritious and delicious smoothies and juices we have grown to love to Baton Rouge." Mosely, an attorney at Mosely Law Firm, is also the developer of Long Farm Village. When he came across Main Squeeze Juice Co., he felt that it would be a wonderful addition to the development and decided to franchise the location and two others himself. "With two sons, I'm constantly trying to find somewhere that is quick, affordable, nutritious and delicious, and something the kids like, and I know I'm not alone in that quest," added Mosely. "My family loves Main Squeeze and I'm confident the rest of the community will, too." Main Squeeze's mission is to make healthy easier, and the company's nutritionist-designed, superfood-centric menu does exactly that by offering a daily source of plant-based nutrition packed with natural and quick energy. The concept's proprietary recipes feature chef-inspired cold-pressed juices and superfood smoothies, along with one-, two- and three-day juice cleanse programs, wellness shots, and acai bowls created from organic and wild-harvested acai berries from the Amazon rainforest in Northeast Brazil. "Health begins and ends with how you choose to fuel your body and your lifestyle," said Thomas Nieto, CEO of Main Squeeze. "We strongly believe in reviving the idea of 'food as medicine' through our menu - combining the timeless simplicity of fruits and vegetables in a nourishing and refreshing way." With two locations open and operating in Lake Charles, Louisiana and Katy, Texas, Main Squeeze Juice Co. plans to open seven stores in 2018, bringing the total to nine. According to Nieto, the brand currently has 30 additional franchisee- and corporate-owned locations under development, including the company's flagship store, co-owned by Marques and Emily Colston, in New Orleans. About Main Squeeze Juice Co. Founded in 2016 and franchising since August of 2017, Main Squeeze Juice Co. is a New Orleans, Louisiana-based juice and smoothie bar franchise whose nutritionist-designed, superfood-inspired menu seeks to change the lives of those looking for a healthier and more convenient way of fulfilling their nutritional goals. With two locations currently open and operating, Main Squeeze Juice Co. has nearly 30 locations in development and plans to have seven of those locations open by the end of the year. Additionally, they plan to bring on 50+ franchisee- and corporate-owned stores throughout the Southeast by the end of the year. For more information, visit www.mainsqueezefranchise.com. ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus The US Treasury said the sanctioned companies helped Divetechnoservices evade previously imposed sanctions. , the United States sanctioned Divetechnoservices, also based in Saint Petersburg, for procuring underwater equipment and diving systems for Russian government agencies.(Representational image) The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on two Russians, one Russian company and one Slovakian company for what Washington said were their actions to help another Russian company avoid sanctions over the countrys malicious cyber-related activities. The US Treasury said in a statement that the sanctioned companies, Saint Petersburg-based Vela-Marine Ltd and Slovakia-based Lacno S.R.O., and the two individuals helped Divetechnoservices evade previously imposed sanctions. In June, the United States sanctioned Divetechnoservices, also based in Saint Petersburg, for procuring underwater equipment and diving systems for Russian government agencies, including Russias FSB intelligence agency. The Obama administration sanctioned the FSB in December 2016, citing the Russian governments aggressive harassment of US officials and cyber operations aimed at the 2016 US presidential election. In a statement on the Russian foreign ministrys website, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called the latest sanctions groundless and promised a response from Moscow. Ryabkovs criticism extended to separate sanctions Washington imposed on Tuesday on two Russian shipping companies that it said were involved in transferring refined petroleum products to North Korean vessels in violation of Unite Nations restrictions. The US Treasury said the two individuals targeted on Tuesday under the cyber-related sanctions program, Marina Igorevna Tsareva and Anton Aleksandrovich Nagibin, had both helped Divetechnoservices attempt to circumvent US sanctions. The head of Vela-Marine told Reuters he did not understand why his company was being designated. Speaking by telephone, Andrei Kuklin, head of the company, said, Unfortunately I cannot comment. I dont understand what the problem is. Reuters was unable to immediately determine contact information for Lacno, which does not have its own website and which does not list any contact number on the Slovak finance ministry registry of firms website. Nagibin did not answer a call seeking comment. Reuters was not immediately able to identify contact information for Tsareva. (Source) 29-yr-old Algerian man, identified by media as Abdelouahab Taib, invoked name of Allah during the assault in town of Cornella de Llobregat, Special police forces leave after searching the apartment of a man who tried to attack a police station in Cornella near the northeastern Spanish city of Barcelona on August 20, 2018. (Photo: AFP) Barcelona: A man shot dead as he tried to attack a Spanish police station had come out as gay months prior and wanted to commit suicide, his wife said according to Spanish media. The 29-year-old Algerian man, identified by media as Abdelouahab Taib, invoked the name of Allah during the assault early Monday morning in the town of Cornella de Llobregat in the region of Catalonia, which authorities are treating as a terrorist attack. In her declaration to the Mossos dEsquadra, Catalonias police force, his wife, a Spaniard who had reportedly converted to Islam after meeting him, said he had told her two months ago that he was homosexual, the regions La Vanguardia daily and other media reported. He reportedly felt shame about this as it conflicted with his Muslim religion, she said. Then two weeks ago, she told him she wanted to divorce and she told police she suspected his attack was a suicide attempt, the daily said. Neither the interior ministry nor the Mossos would comment on the reports. Taib arrived at the closed police station in Cornella de Llobregat near Barcelona at 5.45 am (9.15am IST) on Monday and repeatedly pressed the buzzer to be let in, Rafel Comes, a commissioner with the Mossos dEsquadra, told reporters. After police allowed him in, the man pulled out a large knife and lunged at officers in a clearly premeditated desire to kill an agent of our force, Comes said on Monday. The officer used her gun to save her own life, Comes said, adding the man shouted Allah as well as words the police officers did not understand. These are enough indication to treat the events being investigated as a terrorist attack. In seven years of conflict over one million Syrians have fled to the land of the cedars; the goal is to accelerate their return home. Damascus and Beirut intend to strengthen security cooperation for border patrolling and land control. The links with Assad are a source of internal political confrontation in Lebanon. Damascus (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun recently discussed the refugee problem, one of the most serious consequences of the conflict that has been bloodying Syria for seven years, in a telephone conversation. According to sources of al-Akhbar newspaper, the two leaders have investigated ways and means "to accelerate their return home". In addition to the refugee emergency, Damascus and Beirut have begun a series of talks to strengthen cooperation on the military level, confirming a growing stabilization of Syria. In this context the head of the Lebanese army Jospeh Aoun also held talks with his Syrian counterpart Ali Abdullah Ayoub, who also holds the position of Minister of Defense. The objective is to create a "joint security coordination" between the two countries. for a better control of the borders and to counter the extremist and terrorist activities of the groups present on the territory. The controversial issue of commercial and diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria has long been the subject of discussions and bitter controversy between Beirut's political and government leadership. The current premier Saad Hariri, a Sunni close to Riyadh, has recently declared that there will be no government if the pro-Damascus faction insists "in the restoration" of the ties with neighboring Syria. However, according to pro-Hezbollah journalist Salem Zahran, the Prime Minister later informed the leaders of the radical Shia movement that his words were a "slip." On the subject of refugees, in January a Lebanese minister had spoken of a drop to below one million. However, according to UN experts, the situation is getting more complicated and today they are "more vulnerable than ever". Nine out of 10 have applied for cash loans and are now overwhelmed with debt. Each household spends on average $ 98 a month, 44 of which are used for eating. According to UN figures, 84% of refugees find refuge in Turkey (which hosts 2.9 million people), Pakistan (1.4 million), Lebanon (over one million, out of a total of four million inhabitants), Iran (979.400 migrants), Uganda (940.800) and Ethiopia (761.600). The refugee problem is the cause of a progressive economic and social weakening for Lebanon, now more and more on the verge of collapse. Caritas experts have recently defined the burden as "unsustainable". Nevertheless, Beirut has made great efforts in these years of conflict, working to "protect, promote and integrate" as desired by Pope Francis in his Message 2018 for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. by Nirmala Carvalho Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar: "The prayers of the Kandhamal Christians are a gift to all". Then the invitation: "Do not be afraid, put your trust in Jesus, pray and fast. And all the difficulties will be overcome ". Cuttack-Bhubaneswar (AsiaNews) - "All the difficulties of families can be overcome through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, through prayer and fasting. In the end, peace is gathered ". He told AsiaNews mgr. John Barwa, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar. As the World Meeting of Families takes place in Dublin, the bishop reflected on the challenges of Kandhamal couples. He recalled that Card. Oswald Gracias, president of the Indian Bishops' Conference (CBCI), will preside over the Sunday Mass on 26 August in Ireland. For this reason he will not be present at the Mass of Reconciliation, Thanksgiving and Peace that the diocese will hold on the 25th, on the 10th anniversary of the Orissa pogroms, the most ferocious anti-Christian persecution ever in India. He later underlined: "All the families of Orissa pray for the meeting [in Dublin], send their prayers and ask for blessings for Orissa, India and the whole world". The Archbishop, the prayers of the Kandhamal Christians "are a gift for everyone". With these prayers, he adds, "we want to strengthen families, strengthen ties and build family relationships". Archbishop Barwa emphasizes that "the challenges exist in every family, regardless of wealth or poverty, belonging to caste or tribal group. But these challenges can be overcome by entrusting ourselves to Christ ". He later recalled that after the 2008 pogroms, "a Christian from Canada, a member of the 'Couples for Christ' association, has served here for a year and helped rebuild families torn by grief. At that time he became ill and was admitted to the hospital. As soon as he recovered, he returned to take care of the families. He was a great witness [to the faith] ". The Archbishop maintains that "the Christian community believes in a God who is a God of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. Even after 10 years, we remember how hatred and anger can hurt our society. We wish to remember what happened so that it does not happen again. We have no hostility towards anyone. Like St. Paul the Apostle, we believe that we are in fact troubled on every side, but not crushed; we are upset, but do not despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; hit but not killed '(2 Cor 4: 8-9) ". "This - continues the archbishop - is the power of the Good News for families, that is, that Jesus Christ overcomes every problem and tribulation". Finally he invites: "Do not be afraid, put your trust in Jesus, pray and fast. And all the difficulties will be overcome". by Mathias Hariyadi In July 2016, complaints by an ethnic Chinese Buddhist woman triggered one of the worst episodes of anti-Buddhist violence in Tanjung Balai (North Sumatra). For a leader of Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest moderate Islamic movement in the country and the world, the verdict was "inappropriate". Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The Medan District Court in North Sumatra province sentenced an ethnic Chinese Buddhist woman to 18 months of prison for "offending Islam". Meiliana (pictured), a 44-year-old resident of Tanjung Balai, was accused of blasphemy in 2016 for saying that the azan (the Islamic call to prayer) of a nearby mosque was "too noisy" and "harmful" to her ears. In reading his decision yesterday, Judge Wahyu Prasetyo Wibowo accepted the prosecutions argument, and found the accused guilty of violating x Articles 156 and 156a of the Penal Code, which are controversial. The prosecution based its case on a fatwa issued by the local chapter of the Council of the Indonesian ulema (MUI), which had described Meilianas behaviour as "blasphemous". For years, human rights activists have called for the repeal or modification of the existing rules concerning blasphemy, noting that in such cases MUI fatwas often influence courts and law enforcement. In July 2016, Meiliana's remarks triggered one of the worst episodes of sectarian violence in Tanjung Balai regency. Feeling offended, groups of Islamic extremists torched at least six Buddhist temples and houses of prayer. The police arrested 19 people for their involvement in the riots: eight were indicted for plunder, nine for property destruction and two for inciting violence. All defendants received sentences of one to four months in prison. Meiliana is one of the first people to be sent to prison for complaining about the volume of loudspeakers used by muezzins, despite an appeal from the Council of Indonesian mosques that invites the latter to use their equipment "wisely". The sentence against her has been harshly criticised by the Executive Council of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which, with 90 million members, is the largest moderate Islamic movement in the country and the world. Nu leaders describe the ruling as "inappropriate", noting the "baselessness of the criteria judges and government regulations use to define the defamatory nature of the incriminating statements". Speaking about the matter, Robikin Emhas, head of Human Rights Office of NUs Executive Council, said: "I do not think that Meiliana's complaints about the 'annoying' call to prayer are an act of religious defamation. They do not express hatred or hostility against believers." "As a moderate Muslim I think that what Meiliana did should be considered as 'constructive' criticism by Muslims in Tanjung Balai, who live with people with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds." by Bernardo Cervellera Only the Chinese Communist Party knows what "sincization" means. The five-year plan prepared by the Patriotic Association and the Council of Bishops serves to destroy the values present in religions. Submission creates fear and drives people away from religions. Rome (AsiaNews) - Sinicization "is a trap", a way to "intimidate the Catholic Church"; it has the purpose of "distorting the creed of all religious communities" in China. These are the thoughts of two Chinese Catholics, Peter of Hebei, and Paul of Shaanxi referring to the program wanted by Xi Jinping to assimilate religions to Chinese culture and society, a program that provides for submission to the Communist Party and verification of assimilation by the Patriotic Association (PA), the Partys long arm over religious communities. The PA and the Council of Bishops have already prepared a five-year plan for the implementation of sinicization. By the end of August, every diocese in China will have to present its plan at a diocesan level. Dear father, I read with interest his article on the sinicization. You are right. Sinicization is a trap indeed. It forces the Catholic strictly to obey government. On the other hand, sinicization will be a standard for judging what is wrong or not according to the government`s desire. Sinicization is also a intimidation for Chinese Catholic. Because it will be compel our mind to fear them on everything. Paul Shaanxi There is no precise definition of the term " sinicization". The interpretation depends exclusively on the Party. Hence, sinicization means only the absolute and total obedience to the Partys wishes. And since the Party is atheist, this campaign aims to distort the beliefs of all religious communities. These, in assimilating themselves to the will of the Party, will lose their values and become less credible, so the Party can eliminate all its rivals. It is obvious that the Council of Chinese bishops and the Patriotic Association will have to follow the political line of the Party: this explains the five-year plan that was recently published. If the red flag - a symbol of communist power - takes the place of the crucifix in the church; if people have to sing the national anthem before mass; if the priest glorifies the atheist party in his homily; if the police have to register all the faithful who enter the places of worship, who will want to participate anymore in religious activities? Peter Beijing General Wei Fenghe makes his first visit after last years standoff. Chinas Defence Minister met with Prime Minister Modi. This visit will deepen our bilateral military exchanges and cooperation on security, enhance mutual trust and push forward the new development of our military ties to protect peace on the border, Wei said. Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) China and India appear to be turning towards friendlier relations following a period of tensions. The new detente is epitomised by yesterdays meeting in Delhi between Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Weis is the first visit to India by a senior Chinese military leader after last year's military tensions over the Doklam plateau. Wei, who is also a general in the Peoples Liberation Army, told Modi during a visit to New Delhi that friendly cooperation has become the main component of China and Indias inter-military relations. This visit will deepen our bilateral military exchanges and cooperation on security, enhance mutual trust and push forward the new development of our military ties to protect peace on the border, Wei said. Modi praised the thousands of years of friendship between India and China, saying his previous meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping had resulted in good relations. Wei will also meet Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to further discuss security and stability on the border. Between June and August last year, hundreds of Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in a 73-day military standoff in Doklam, which China calls Donglang, an area claimed by both China and Indias ally Bhutan, as India strongly objected to Chinas construction of a road there. China claimed that its army was building the road within its territory and demanded an immediate withdrawal of Indian troops from the disputed plateau. A few days after the attack in late July, the Tajik President blamed an opposition party, banned in 2015, for the attack. Alleged extremists have been tried in secret. The crackdown on dissent and religions is counterproductive, fuelling extremism. Dushanbe (AsiaNews/Agencies) Central Asian leaders are using the threat of the Islamic State (IS) group and Islamic extremism to suppress dissent in the name of national security. Central Asian countries have been on high alert against terrorism since IS claimed responsibility for the 29 July attack in Tajikistan in which four foreign tourists were killed. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, who has been in power for 26 years, took the opportunity provided by the attack to crack down on the banned Islamic Renaissance Party (IRP). Even though IS had already claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack, state TV reported on 31 July that 14 IRP members had been arrested in connection with it. They were put on trial in secrecy and it is unclear what evidence was presented to convict them. For Eurasianet, Rahmon wants to smear the opposition party - banished and labelled as "terrorist" in 2015 by associating it to IS, partly to persuade Western governments not to give political asylum to its exiled members. Dushanbe's repression against the opposition and its grip on religions have increased. However, according to the Jamestown Foundation, more repression will likely boost extremism in the poorest Central Asian republic, something also visible in other former Soviet republics in the region. In a report, Al Jazeera yesterday noted that the Turkmenistan government does not openly discuss the problem of the Islamic State but has jailed many young people for "excessive religiosity". In Uzbekistan, the legacy of the harsh repression under the late Islam Karimov is still felt even though he died in December 2016. His successor, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has embarked on reforms but has been struggling to bring real change to the country's politics. Many people are still tried for religious extremism and there is no real political opposition in the country. In 2016, Kazakhstan blamed IS for an attack that killed 25 people, even though the Islamist group never claimed responsibility. Following the incident, President Nursultan Nazarbayev set up a Ministry of Religious Affairs and Civil Society, which has outlawed hijabs, banned minors from taking part in religious rites, and forced mosques to report the donations they receive. According to Fergana News, charges of extremism are used to target civil society activists. by Biju Veticad Biju Veticad came back in May to help others. Faced with the natural disaster caused by monsoon rains, he went to work with the Diocese of Changanacherry to bring relief. Two Hindu families and one Muslim family found shelter in his home. Changanacherry (AsiaNews) The death toll caused by the Kerala floods has reached 410 and more than a million people have been forced into refugee camps. Monsoon rains stooped two days ago but the impact has been devastating with roads, houses and crops wiped out. The Indian state is on its knees. Critics have begun criticising the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Experts are saying that the flood was preventable and that the authorities underestimated the effects of climate change. The Indian government has thus come under close scrutiny, especially after it refused foreign aid, most notably INR 7 billion (US$ 100 million) from the United Arab Emirates. So far, it has allocated INR 5 billion rupees (US$ 70 million), whilst the initial estimate of losses is 86.13 billion rupees (US$ 1.2 billion). In Kerala, those who could left everything before the last wave of landslides and flooding. Those who remained, like Biju Veticad, a former seminarist of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), have rolled up their sleeves and gone to work with the diocese and state authorities. Here is his story. In Kerala we had a great calamity: floods and landslides. In early August, the monsoons caused great havoc in certain parts of Kerala. Some people had already left their homes in Alappuzha District. Everything seemed to be back to normal until more rain came in mid-August, which forced the authorities to release water from 27 dams in the state (in all 80 dams), causing floods in a number of cities, from the north to the south of Kerala. This lasted for days. In several places, water rose to the second floor of buildings and people had to climb onto roofs and terraces. In various parts of the state, landslides swept away houses, including the hometown of Fr Sabu. Rescuers have to use boats to move around in the cities. It rained for two days. Displaced people are still in shelters. In the parishes of our diocese (Changanacherry), we have welcomed more than 40,000 people from Kuttanadu (Alappuzha district-Back Waters area). I got in touch directly with the City of Changanacherry. I have been busy in shelters and I visited some abandoned suburbs. I came back to Kerala in May to help. Three displaced families, two Hindu and one Muslim, found shelter at my home. We have never had such an experience. Despite the suffering, this is a wonderful experience of harmony and love. People do not talk about religion or politics. Everyone is busy doing what they can. Our parishes and the diocese have already started the process of recovery in the Alappuzha area. As a low-lying area, Kuttanadu-Alappuzha gets all the water. Father Sabu told me that his family is fine. PIME has several confreres and many sisters in Kerala. Since I went through this in person, I thought I would share it with you and ask for your prayers. May the Lord give us the strength to get everything back together. I heard about the collapse of the Morandi Bridge [in Genoa]. I keep Italy in my prayer. Thank you. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Fine Gold Edition is 57 times costlier than the original News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Caviar makes the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 luxurious. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is an expensive device with a price tag of $1,000. But that price tag looks cheap when compared to the Galaxy Note 9 Fine Gold Edition from the luxury phone brand Caviar. The new model first picked up by SamMobile, comes sans the standard glass back in favor of a custom panel made out of a kilogram of gold. The pictures also suggest that the volume and power buttons have received gold counterparts. The new gold edition has been priced at $3.87 million rubles (~$57,470). While the 512GB will be selling for an extra 20,000 rubles (~$298). Also, the gold rear panel means the device might not support wireless charging. Caviar also has a 'cheaper' Galaxy Note 9 models, starting at 239,000 rubles (~$3,549) for a Black Onyx Edition. This model uses an onyx and gold-plated design. Speaking of the smartphone, the recent teardown revealed how the company managed to bring some obvious changes to the new flagship. The teardown mainly focused mostly on how Samsung used space. It shows how the company reorganized the components, connectors, and other elements to enhance repairability and durability while keeping the aesthetics similar. For instance, the Galaxy Note 9's fingerprint sensor is secured underneath the cameras. The internal space allocated for the S Pen and has been built to withstand drops. For making the device easily reparable, Samsung has used a lego-style adapter to fix the USB Type-C connector. The previous model required the whole board to be removed just to replace a broken plug, but the new design will make things easier to repair. This would also make the repairs more affordable with fewer components would require the whole motherboard replacement. With regard to the allocation of space, the company got the chance to use a bigger battery for the latest flagship. The body and frame of the device have not grown in any drastic way. The company accomplished this by reducing the size of other components such as the motherboard and the connections. Due to the smaller components and space-saving approach, it also allows for the new bigger speaker. As for the Galaxy Note 9, the 6.4-inch end-to-end display offering a large screen space. It is powered by an octa-core (2.7GHz quad-core and a 1.7GHz quad-core) 64-bit 10nm processor. The chipset will most likely be Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 845 SoC or Samsung's Exynos 9810 SoC as the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus. 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 India launch today at 12:30 PM: Watch the live stream here News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu This could be yet another affordable flagship smartphone in India. We have been coming across reports regarding a new Xiaomi smartphone called Pocophone for the past few weeks. Earlier this month, the company confirmed that the Poco sub-brand will also mark its presence in India. Later, Xiaomi also sent out media invites for a launch event to happen in New Delhi on August 22 to unveil the Poco F1. The official teasers regarding the smartphone have revealed some information such as the powerful hardware for a faster performance. Though the other aspects of this smartphone remain unknown for now, it is expected to be an affordable flagship device from the company. The other information that is known is that the Pocophone will be exclusive to the online retailer Flipkart though the availability date is yet to be revealed. Xiaomi Poco F1 live stream To put an end to all the speculations regarding this smartphone, Xiaomi will take the wraps off this device today at 12:30 PM at an event in New Delhi. You can follow the live stream to catch up with the action live from the company's Facebook and Twitter pages and the official website. Expected Poco F1 specifications From the existing reports, the Poco F1 is said to feature a 5.99-inch FHD+ 2.5D curved glass display with a resolution of 2246 x 1080 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19:9. At its core, this upcoming Xiaomi smartphone might make use of an octa-core Snapdragon 845 SoC paired with Adreno 630 GPU, 6GB RAM and 64GB/128GB storage space. The same can be expanded further using a microSD card. Running Android 8.1 Oreo topped with MIUI 9.0, the Xiaomi Poco F1 is expected to come with a hybrid dual SIM feature, a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS and a USB Type-C port. It also comes with a 3.5mm audio jack. A 4000mAh battery is said to power the smartphone along with Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging support. For imaging, the Pocophone is believed to have a dual-camera module at its rear with a 12MP primary sensor with dual LED flash and a 5MP secondary sensor. Up front, it might flaunt a 20MP selfie camera along with a dedicated LED flash and 3D face unlock. Best Mobiles in India Yu Televentures teases a new smartphone launch in India: YuFaceOff News oi-Vivek The Yu Yotopia is the only flagship smartphone from the brand Smartphone makers like Xiaomi, Honor, Oppo, and Vivo have been launching a plenty of devices with state of the art features. It looks like Yu Televenture, a Micromax India's sub-smartphone brand is all set to launch a new smartphone in India after a long gap. The company has now shared a new teaser across different social media platforms regarding an upcoming product (probably a smartphone). According to the teaser, which has a hashtag #YuFaceOff and an Ace card hints towards the launch of a mid-tier smartphone, which is expected to offer greater value for money proposition. Expected features The teaser does not reveal much about the upcoming product in any way. Looking closely at the picture does re-affirm that the company might launch a smartphone with a notch on top of the display, similar to the one seen on the Apple iPhone X. The smartphone is likely to have an FHD+ display with a notch (as mentioned before) offering higher screen to body ratio. The device might come with either a MediaTek or a Qualcomm SoC, as the company has launched smartphones with both chipsets at a different price point. Dual camera is the talk of the town in the smartphone industry and the upcoming smartphone from YU is also expected to offer a dual camera setup. As the brand is making a comeback to the Indian smartphone space, the company is most likely to launch a device to get back the attention. So, the company is most likely to launch a mid-tier smartphone, which is expected to be priced at less than Rs 20,000 price mark. The concept of Yu Televenture was made to offer high-quality smartphones at an affordable price tag. Smartphones like Yu Yureka, Yu Yuphoria, and the Yu Yotopia were all ahead of their time. However, some of the Yu smartphones that came after these devices did not do well. In the last few months, the smartphone market space in India has changed a lot and to compete against the likes of the Xiaomi, Poco, Oppo, Vivo, and Honor. YU should make a great product with a great pricing as well. As we get near the launch of the smartphone new #YuFaceOff smartphone in India. 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 TechTown Foundation will host its inaugural Technology and Wine on Thursday, Sept. 27, from 6-8 p.m., at its offices at The Edney, 1100 Market St., Second Floor. Admission is $50, and includes a complimentary selection of wines and hors d'oeuvres. The fundraiser will benefit STEAM and technology opportunities for area youth. New and returning guests are encouraged to see TechTown in its new space among local start-ups in the innovation district at The Edney Innovation Center. They may also get hands-on, experiencing the center's technology, including robotics, circuitry, 3D design and film. In its sixth year, the technology learning center offers year-round programming and summer camps, dedicated to inspiring the next generation of young innovators. Register to attend at gotechtown.org/product/technologyandwine. The event is sponsored by Athens Distributing. For more information about the event, or TechTown, visit www.gotechtown.org. by Paul N. Hung Catholics in the Asian country are closely following the World Meeting of Families. Courses, pastoral programmes and catechesis across the country accompany and support young couples from marriage onwards. For Catholic sociological researchers, welcoming and integrating rural migrants in new parishes is a priority. Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) Catholic families in Vietnam face a number of challenges at present, ranging from economic problems and rural exodus to a crisis of values and difficult integration. Although many Vietnamese Catholics could not attend the World Meeting of Families currently underway in Dublin (Ireland, 21-26 August), they have been closely following the event from home. In a reminder to the faithful, Mgr Giuse (Joseph) Chau Ngoc Tri, bishop of Lang Son-Cao Bang and president of the Pontifical Council for the Family of Vietnam, said that "it is possible to discover the meaning of faith in the family." "God has given us the gift of faith, said the prelate, and God has used our parents to make the seed of life grow and sprout in us. Speaking to AsiaNews, some Catholic sociological researchers note that "nowadays, most families suffer from the countrys moral and economic crises. This has a very negative impact on family life and childrens education. "As far as their religious life is concerned, these families often struggle to integrate in new communities or parishes. For this reason, it is necessary to open ones arms and welcome them. Parishes are like their home: here faith finds strength." Catholics represent only 7 per cent of Vietnams population. As a result of migration, many of them move to cities where they are even more in the minority. One consequence is the rising number of mixed marriages. Given this situation, the Church of Vietnam invites the faithful to "accompany these families and support them in their faith, so that they can bear witness to the Gospel and bring Jesus to all their relatives." Responding to Pope Franciss appeals for a greater commitment to the family apostolate, Vietnamese bishops have launched various initiatives in the past three years. Courses, pastoral programmes and catechesis accompany young couples from marriage onward and support them even in times of economic difficulty. "The family is a cell of the Church, said Lorenso Vu Van Trinh, of the Order of Friars Minor. It is a natural and fundamental school for childrens education. "Families play a very important role in helping young people to live their faith with strength. If the parents live virtuously and love each other, children will follow their example." Air Force improves interoperability, strengthens Indo-Pacific partnerships By Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters, 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published August 21, 2018 ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE DARWIN, Australia -- Airmen from the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, concluded their participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2018 Aug. 17, following three weeks of training events conducted in Northern Territory, Australia. Hosted by Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, this year's exercise included both U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps assets, alongside 15 other countries, including Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Sweden and the Philippines. Combined, these nations exercised approximately 140 aircraft in one of the largest airspaces in the world during the training. "Large force exercises like Pitch Black allow us to partner with different nations and improve our interoperability," said Lt. Col. Joseph Miranda, 80th Fighter Squadron commander. "It also gives us the opportunity to build upon existing relationships and establish new ones." During this exercise, F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots from the 80th FS accomplished basic fighter maneuver training with dissimilar aircraft, and two pilots were upgraded to the role of mission commander. This role allowed the pilots to lead the planning, execution and debrief portions of the exercise. "It's part of the normal progression of upgrade training that we would usually accomplish as fighter pilots, but getting to accomplish that here in Australia was a unique opportunity," said Capt. Benjamin Saunders, 80th FS pilot, and one of two pilots who upgraded to mission commander. "I oversaw roughly 80 aircraft during my mission commander upgrade, helping to execute the operation with all of these different units, airframes and experiences from our allied partners." In addition to upgrade training, the 80th FS contributed to approximately 162 sorties with more than 355 flying hours completed, along with 8th Maintenance Group maintenance personnel dedicating more than 340 hours to the exercise. Some Airmen experienced their first multi-national large force exercise during PBK18. "Exercise Pitch Black was a great training environment for newer maintainers like myself to collaborate with allied nations," said Airman 1st Class Carmen Bamba, 80th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief. "Pitch Black has pushed me to new limits and taught me skills that I can use in the future." This exercise is an example of how strong relationships can be fostered between regional, coalition and allied nations. "We're proud of the relationship we've forged with the (U.S. Air Force) and Pacific Air Forces through Exercise Pitch Black, and we look forward to working with the PACAF again during future Pitch Black exercises," said RAAF Group Capt. Robert Denney, Task Force Unit Headquarters commander during Pitch Black 18. "We benefit from many bilateral and multilateral exercises with PACAF like Exercises Cope North (in Guam) and Red Flag Alaska, so it's great for us to host the 80th Fighter Squadron at this year's Exercise Pitch Black." Denney said the relationship with PACAF at Pitch Black will continue going into Exercise Pitch Black 2020 and beyond. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ninth Air Force adds joint flavor to STAFFEX 18-5 By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Dick, Ninth Air Force Public Affairs / Published August 21, 2018 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFNS) -- Ninth Air Force advanced through its fifth Staff Exercise Aug. 13 through 17, focusing on operations in the U.S. Southern Command theater. Ninth Air Force leaders are using STAFFEXs to enable Airmen assigned to the organization to become proficient in tasks required of a Joint Task Force headquarters staff. Leveraging lessons learned in previous exercises, this iteration concentrated on the joint planning process and forming a JTF headquarters, adding the functions of writing a concept of operations and operational order to the mix. "The JPP is a perishable skill. One must continue to plan under the JPP for it to become repetitious, routine, familiar, and habitual," said retired Col. Rhude Cherry III, a contracted Apogee Engineering LLC site lead for the JTF and Rear Mission Support Element. Previously the Ninth Air Force deputy commander, Cherry was heavily involved in developing plans to transform Ninth Air Force into a certified JTF-capable headquarters. He compared refining the JPP to learning to cook or bake a new recipe in the kitchen. According to Cherry, one would initially be unfamiliar with the recipe and maybe the layout of the kitchen. As he or she uses the recipe more often, the individual would become more familiar with the recipe and kitchen, and ultimately, the recipe would become second nature. In this way, the JPP becomes second nature to those who continually use it. "You always want to improve from the last exercise, and the only way to do that is by continuing to conduct the JPP at each one," Cherry added. In addition to the Air Force, the Army contributed to this STAFFEX. Five Soldiers from the West Virginia Army National Guard participated. "Our joint mission partner brought tremendously valuable experience," said Air Force Col. Mark Dmytryszyn, Ninth Air Force chief of staff. "They added not only forcible entry options but brought capability and capacity to other mission areas (such as) humanitarian relief options, security and stability, and valuable civil affairs interactions including medical assistance and security training. We look forward to continuing to integrate opportunities with our sister service partners who bring experience across the continuum of conflict." One such mission area involved the J-3 Operations Directorate where Army Staff Sgt. Patrick Connell, WVARNG STAFFEX security forces liaison officer, facilitated key special operations forces knowledge for the exercise. "I provided a lot of the SOF perspective during the COA (course of action) portion, offering those second and third order effects of a large-scale operation," Connell said. The LNO added that due to his familiarity with aspects of the JPP he was able to help with writing the OPORD, as well as provide planning considerations to the J-3 directorate on certain capabilities of Army units. Air Force Col. Sean Cosden, J-3 director, highlighted Connell's efforts and said Ninth Air Force "never would have been able to (write the OPORD) without his Army expertise." As Ninth Air Force progresses toward initial certification in December, future STAFFEXs will familiarize participants with other combatant commands and mission sets, in addition to the JPP and forming process. Additionally, each STAFFEX helps the Ninth Air Force move closer toward achieving Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein's vision -- an Air Force JTF-capable headquarters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Multinational Snipers Strengthen Desert Capabilities in Spain Aug. 21, 2018 By Army 1st Lt. Benjamin Haulenbeek U.S. Special Operations Command Europe ALBACETE, Spain -- Snipers from Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain attended the International Special Training Centre's Desert Sniper Course last month at the Chinchilla Training Area here. ISTC is a multinational education and training facility for tactical-level, advanced and specialized training of multinational special operations forces and similar units, employing the skills of multinational instructors and subject matter experts. The Desert Sniper Course is designed to teach experienced sniper teams skills for operating in desert environments. "The students that come to this course all have prior experience," said a U.S. Army sniper instructor assigned to ISTC. "We help them build upon what they already know in order to operate in a desert environment. During the course we teach them concealment techniques and stalking in desert terrain. This culminates with students conducting missions where they put their newly learned skills to the test." Because of the nature of their work, the snipers' names are not used in this article. Snipers operating in dry or barren environments must take extra measures to alleviate the effects of heat that can increase the challenges when constructing concealed positions, known as hide sites. Unique Camouflage Requirements "The biggest challenges snipers will encounter during most desert operations are the unique camouflage requirements, the heat and exposure to the harsh environment, and having to engage targets at extreme distances," the U.S. instructor said. The first week of the course gave students the opportunity to acclimate to the environment. "We ease into operations by conducting ranges where they collect data for their rifles and learn about environmental considerations such as heat mirage and strong winds that affect their ability to make long shots," the instructor said. "From there, they practice building hide sites and stalking to refine the skills they'll need when conducting missions during week two." ISTC's ability to conduct and train across various countries in Europe provides NATO and partner nations the opportunity to participate in cost effective training close to home. "Spain is the perfect place to conduct this type of training," a Spanish sniper instructor. "We have the right kind of climate and terrain to replicate the conditions that a sniper team will encounter when deployed in a desert. We also have the space needed to conduct ranges for long-distance shooting, something that is not easy to find in Europe." With snipers from multiple countries, the opportunity to share knowledge helped all those who attended. "One of the greatest benefits is that our courses bring together knowledge and resources from so many places," the ISTC operations and plans officer said. "By combining efforts and sharing knowledge, the nations that participate in course like Desert Sniper are able to reinforce alliances and strengthen their capability to work together." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Release No. NR-242-18 August 21, 2018 DoD Announces the Return of the USNS Comfort to the Western Hemisphere This Fall DOD announces the return of the USNS Comfort to the Western hemisphere this fall. This marks the sixth hospital ship deployment to the region since 2007 and reflects the United States' steadfast commitment of friendship and solidarity with the Americas. Working with partner nations, the hospital ship will provide life-saving treatment and medical care to thousands. U.S. service members and medical professionals will work alongside regional partners to support ongoing humanitarian response efforts, to include addressing the impacts of the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis. Working with our partners in Colombia and elsewhere, the hospital ship teams will provide much-needed medical assistance, relieving the pressure of increased population flows on partner national health systems. For more information, please contact U.S. Southern Command. http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1608454/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel approves construction of 650 new settler units near Ramallah Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 03:15PM Israeli officials have approved plans for the construction of hundreds of new housing units at a settlement in the central part of the occupied West Bank irrespective of the international outcry against the Tel Aviv regime's land expropriation and settlement expansion policies in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israeli Hebrew-language daily newspaper Israel Hayom reported on Tuesday that the authorities have given the green light for 650 units to be built in Beit El settlement adjacent to Ramallah. The report added that the settler units will accommodate extremists from Olbana and Darinov neighborhoods, whom were evacuated from their areas in 2012 and 2015 respectively. Less than a month before US President Donald Trump took office, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2334, calling on Israel to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem" al-Quds. About 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds. Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital. The last round of Israeli-Palestinian talks collapsed in 2014. Among the major sticking points in those negotiations was Israel's continued settlement expansion on Palestinian territories. Trump backtracked on Washington's support for a "two-state solution" earlier this year, saying he would support any solution favored by both sides. "Looking at two-state or one-state, I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one both parties like. I can live with either one," the US president said during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on February 15. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni forces shoot down two Saudi-led spy drones in Jizan Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 01:02PM Yemeni air defense units have shot down two Saudi-led reconnaissance drones in flight over a border area in the kingdom's southwestern province of Jizan. Yemen's Arabic-language al-Masirah satellite television network, citing an unnamed military source, reported that the drones were shot down over the province's Jabal al-Doud area on Tuesday. On July 27, Yemeni forces managed to shoot down another Saudi-led spy drone in the kingdom's southern province of Asir, less than a week after destroying a similar drone in Saudi Arabia's southern province of Najran. Some 20 spy drones have been shot down since the Saudi war on the impoverished country began over three years ago. Additionally on Tuesday, Yemeni army forces, supported by allied fighters from Popular Committees, managed to kill a number of Saudi-led mercenaries in the eastern parts of Jabal al-Doud, seizing some weapons and ammunition. Al-Masirah reported that there were some Sudanese servicemen among the mercenaries. Saudi Arabia and some of its allies, including the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Sudan, launched a brutal war, code-named Operation Decisive Storm, against Yemen in March 2015 in an attempt to reinstall Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Yemen's former president and a staunch ally of Riyadh, and crush the popular Houthi Ansarullah movement. The movement, which is a significant aid to the Yemeni army in defending the country against the invading forces, has been running state affairs in the absence of an effective administration during the past three years. The imposed war initially consisted of a bombing campaign but was later coupled with a naval blockade and the deployment of ground forces into Yemen. Some 15,000 Yemenis have been killed and thousands more injured since the onset of the Saudi-led aggression. The Saudi-led aggression has also taken a heavy toll on the country's infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories. The United Nations has already said that a record 22.2 million Yemenis are in dire need of food, including 8.4 million threatened by severe hunger. Several Western countries, the United States and Britain in particular, are also accused of being complicit in the ongoing aggression as they supply the Riyadh regime with advanced weapons and military equipment as well as logistical and intelligence assistance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthi leader hails defeat of Saudi, allies on Yemen's west coast Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 08:51AM The leader of Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement has highlighted the failure of the Saudi regime and its allies in their push to capture the strategic port city of Hudaydah, saying the enemies have faced defeat on the country's west coast. Malik Badreddin al-Houthi made the remarks on Monday in a statement issued on the occasion of Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) Muslim festivities. The Houthi leader said Yemen's west coast has turned into "a field of defeats for our enemies," adding, "We ask God to take revenge on Al Saud for its crimes and treachery against Islam and Muslims." "Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are two regimes that excelled each other in hypocrisy and treachery in order to prove their complaisance to the United States and Israel," the statement added. The Houthi leader also condemned the Saudi regime for denying Yemeni nationals the right to go on Hajj pilgrimage in the kingdom. Ansarullah has been defending the Arab world's poorest nation against a Saudi-led coalition of invaders. The coalition, which features many of Riyadh's allies, most notably the Emirates, began the campaign in March 2015, killing tens of thousands of people in the impoverished country. The United States provides aerial refueling to the Saudi-led coalition's aircraft, while helping out the invading forces with heavy arms support and bombing coordinates. Washington has also deployed a commando force on the border between the kingdom and Yemen to destroy the Houthis' arms caches. Now, the Saudi-led coalition has turned its sights on the coastline, especially the port city of al-Hudaydah, which receives the bulk of Yemen's imports. The Houthis and their allied army forces have put up stiff resistance against the offensive targeting the littoral stretch. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Militants raid area near Kabul, fire rockets in ongoing fight Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 07:37AM Afghan security forces are engaged in intense fighting with militants, who have attacked an area near the capital, Kabul, officials say. "This morning, a group of terrorists took over a building in Reka Khana and fired several rockets toward Kabul," Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said on Tuesday. "Two people have been wounded. Security forces are fighting the terrorists," he added. Reports said that military helicopters were firing above the Eidgah Mosque in the city's old quarter, where smoke could be seen rising. A heavy security presence was also reported near the Kabul Stadium in the same area. Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai said multiple rockets had been fired at at least two areas of Kabul, and confirmed that clashes were underway near the mosque. He said he could not confirm any casualties yet. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. A security official said some of the missiles fell near the presidential palace, where Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was making a speech marking the first day of the Islamic Eid al-Adha holiday. The attack comes two days after Ghani offered the Taliban militant group a three-month ceasefire. The Taliban rejected that offer, saying they would continue their attacks in the country. "There are groups that continue the violence; and with firing of rockets, they cannot stop the people of Afghanistan's development," Ghani commented on the rocket attacks. Not long after the attack started, Afghan officials announced that the Taliban militant group had freed 160 civilians who had been kidnapped elsewhere, in northern Afghanistan, on Monday but were keeping at least 20 others captive. Taliban militants abducted passengers traveling on three buses almost 200 people near the northern Afghan province of Kunduz on Monday. "More than 160 civilians have reached home safely but at least 20 soldiers and policemen have been taken to an undisclosed location by the Taliban," said Ghulam Rabani Rabani, a provincial council member in Kunduz. The Taliban were ousted from power in 2001 following a US-led invasion. That war, which continues to this day, has failed to bring stability to the country despite the presence of thousands of foreign forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Three Militants Killed In Dramatic Kabul Battle During President's Speech RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan August 21, 2018 KABUL -- Afghan officials say three gunmen have been killed in central Kabul after they fired a barrage of rockets while President Ashraf Ghani was making a speech to mark the start of the Islamic Eid al-Adha holiday. In a dramatic battle in the heart of the capital, Afghan Army helicopters flew above a mosque in Kabul's old quarter on August 21 and at least one fired rockets at the militants' position. Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish confirmed that the three militants were killed after they seized a building near the Eidgah Mosque. Danish described the gunmen as "terrorists," but did not say whether they were Taliban fighters, Islamic State (IS) extremists, or militants from another group. There was no immediate claim of responsibility regarding the militants, who fired rockets that exploded near the presidential palace in Kabul, near the U.S. Embassy compound, and near government buildings. Ghani heard the explosions and interrupted his Eid al-Adha message to say: "If they are thinking the rocket attack will keep Afghans down, they are wrong. There are groups that continue the violence. With the firing of rockets, they cannot stop the development of the people of Afghanistan." Altogether, officials report that at least 12 rockets exploded in the area. Danish said there were no injuries from the rocket attacks. He said two Afghan police officers were wounded in the ensuing battle. The clash came a day after a cease-fire offer from Ghani was rejected by Taliban commanders who vowed to continue their attacks. Meanwhile, Afghan officials have confirmed that 20 hostages held by the Taliban in the northern province of Kunduz are members of the Afghan security forces. A Taliban spokesman said they group were being held as "prisoners." They were among some 180 passengers who were removed from three buses that were passing through Taliban-controlled territory In Kunduz Province early on August 20. About 160 of the hostages were freed and reached government-controlled territory by August 21. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and Tolo News Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/several-explosions -heard-in-kabul/29444851.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 Serbia Takes Delivery Of Two Russian MiG-29 Fighter Jets August 21, 2018 Serbia has taken delivery of two Russian MiG-29 fighter jets -- the first of six planes that are part of an arms deal between Belgrade and Moscow. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attended the ceremony on August 21 at a military airport close to Belgrade. Russia has donated Serbia a total of six secondhand MiGs and the two that flew on August 21 have undergone extensive repair by the Russians as part of the deal. The total cost Belgrade is paying Russia for the overhaul and maintenance of the six jets is about 185 million euros ($213 million.) Produced between 1989 and 1991, the warplanes are somewhat newer than Serbia's four existing MiGs -- which were delivered in 1987. Serbia claims military neutrality and formally wants to join the European Union. But it is also negotiating additional arms purchases from Russia, including attack and transport helicopters, Buk-M1 and Buk-M2 air-defense missile systems, and Tunguska antiaircraft systems. Based on reporting by AP and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-takes-delivery-of- two-russian-mig-29-fighter-jets/29445808.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 Former Trump Campaign Manager Manafort Found Guilty of Tax Fraud, Bank Fraud Sputnik News 23:25 21.08.2018(updated 00:35 22.08.2018) Among the charges he was found guilty of are five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. The jury said in a note it had not reached consensus on the other 10 counts, and the judge declared a mistrial on those counts. Judge Thomas S. Ellis III excused the jury after the verdict and encouraged members not to talk to the press but did not bar them from doing so, saying, "I suggest to you that you have a duty of confidentiality." The first trial of Paul Manafort, briefly the manager of US President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign, went on for four weeks and the jury deliberated for four days. The trial at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, is the first stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russia's supposed role in the 2016 US election. In this case, Mueller's probe turned up evidence of financial crimes, but no connection to Russia, or to the Trump campaign. Prosecutors argued that Manafort hid money in foreign bank accounts and failed to claim it on his taxes. They also argued that he obtained $20 million in falsified bank loans. All 27 witnesses during the trial were for the prosecution Manafort's defense team called none. The jury found that Manafort stashed $15 million in secret foreign bank accounts, many of them based in Cyprus, to hide money he received while working for then-Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych. During their four days of deliberations, the jury asked Judge Ellis for several clarifications, including the definition of the term "reasonable doubt," as they were required to find guilt beyond reasonable doubt in order to convict Manafort. Other questions included clarification of the requirements for US citizens to report financial interests in foreign bank accounts and what a shell company is, since Manafort allegedly used such an entity to accept payments and move money into secret bank accounts. Manafort faces up to 305 years in prison. The charges he has been found guilty of so far carry steep sentences. Each of five counts of subscribing to a false income tax return carries a maximum of three years in federal prison; the count of failing to report a foreign bank account carries a five-year maximum sentence; and each of his two counts of bank fraud carries a maximum of 30 years behind bars. The 10 counts remaining include two counts of bank fraud, all five counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and three counts of failing to report foreign bank accounts. Judge Ellis has not yet set a sentencing date and has given prosecutors until August 29 to decide whether to retry Manafort on the deadlocked charges. US Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) told Reuters Tuesday that any attempt by Trump to pardon Manafort "would be a gross abuse of power" and would require an immediate congressional response. Burr heads the Senates Intelligence Committee. Manafort's attorney, Kevin Downing, told the press outside the courthouse Tuesday that his client thanks Judge Ellis for a fair trial and the jury for their thoughtful deliberation. He noted that Manafort is "reviewing all options" and that they were disappointed not to get a hung jury on all counts. Regardless of the outcome of the remainder of this trial, Manafort faces a second trial in Washington, DC, next month, focused on allegations of lying to the FBI, money laundering and foreign lobbying. Mueller's office has supplied prosecutors with more than double the amount of evidence as the first trial over 1,000 exhibits, compared to 400 displayed in the Virginia case according to a court filing Thursday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan, Sri Lanka Agree to Boost Maritime Security Cooperation Sputnik News 18:31 21.08.2018(updated 20:51 21.08.2018) Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka. The visit is expected to enhance the defense cooperation between the two countries amid the growing assertiveness of China in the Indian Ocean region. In addition to seeking maritime cooperation, Japan is helping Sri Lanka fulfill several economic projects. Japan and Sri Lanka have agreed to further enhance maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean. The understanding was reached during a meeting between the visiting Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena. Japan has also pledged assistance to develop Sri Lanka's maritime security. This is the first-ever visit by a Japanese Defense Minister to Sri Lanka. The visiting Japanese Minister is also scheduled to visit Chinese-built and operated Hambantota Port in Southern Sri Lanka as well as the proposed new port in Trincomalee which is to be developed with Japanese and Indian assistance. Meanwhile, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force ship Ikazuchi has also arrived at Trincomalee Harbor. The ship is on a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka. The Mission Commander of the ship Captain Royoko Azuma, along with other officers, paid a courtesy call on Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Sumith Weerasinghe at the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters and held cordial discussions focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation, a statement from the Sri Lankan Navy read. During the three-day stay, the ship's crew is scheduled to take part in various activities to enhance mutual cooperation between the Japanese and Sri Lankan Navies. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swedish Air Force Fighter Jet Crashes After Collision With Bird Sputnik News 13:24 21.08.2018(updated 13:47 21.08.2018) According to Sweden's Armed Forces, a jet fighter has crashed in southern Sweden, apparently after striking a bird. The armed forces said that the pilot of the Swedish-built JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet ejected safely. "The pilot bailed out and he has apparently waved at the rescue helicopter and he seems to be okay at least. We don't know much more at the moment," spokesperson Johan Lundberg told TT news agency, as cited by the Local Sweden. The fighter jet crashed near Karlskrona 160 kilometers of Malmo. Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a Swedish multi-role fighter of the fourth generation developed by SAAB Avionics. Since 1997, it is in service with the Swedish Air Force. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow Confirms Taliban's Participation in Meeting on Afghanistan Sputnik News 05:32 21.08.2018 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Representatives of the Taliban movement will attend the Moscow format of Afghan reconciliation talks scheduled for September 4, Russian Foreign Ministry's Second Asian Department Director Zamir Kabulov said Monday. On Monday, Kabulov told Sputnik that Russia expected the Taliban to participate in the upcoming conference. Later in the day, the Wall Steet Journal reported citing sources that Taliban representatives had agreed to participate in this meeting. Afghan Ambassador to Russia Abdul Qayyum Kochai told Sputnik that Kabul did not mind the participation of the Taliban in the meeting. "Yes, they will come on September 4. Preparation for the meeting is now underway," Kabulov told the Izvestiya newspaper. Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Moscow maintains contacts with the Taliban only to ensure the safety of Russian citizens in Afghanistan and to encourage this group to join the process of national reconciliation. In March 2018, Kabulov said that contacts between Moscow and the Taliban had been established several years ago, when Russia was seriously concerned about the possibility of terrorist threats to Russian overseas institutions and citizens. The diplomat stressed the importance to clarify the plans of the Taliban leadership towards the Russians, and Moscow received assurances that the Taliban had no hostile intentions towards Russian citizens and institutions. The latest diplomatic efforts on Afghanistan come amid Kabul's bids to reach a lasting ceasefire. On Sunday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced a conditional ceasefire with the Taliban to mark the upcoming Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday. The ceasefire began on Monday and is projected to last until November 19. The president stressed that the ceasefire would be established only if the radical movement agreed to cease hostilities. However, local media reported earlier on Monday that the Taliban movement kidnapped passengers travelling on three buses in Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province despite the announcement of the ceasefire. In June, the two sides declared a ceasefire timed to the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The government then prolonged the duration of the truce. The Taliban, however, did not follow suit. Afghanistan's government forces have long been fighting Taliban insurgency, as well as the Islamic State terrorist group (Daesh, outlawed in Russia), with the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces conducting joint counterterrorist operations across the country. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General repeats call for support to Lake Chad countries after latest Boko Haram attack 21 August 2018 - The recent killing of villagers in Nigeria's Borno State has been condemned by the UN Secretary-General. At least 19 people were killed when fighters with the terrorist group Boko Haram attacked the village of Malairi on Sunday, according to media reports. UN chief Antonio Guterres is calling for those responsible for their deaths to be brought to justice. "The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the persisting violence in the Lake Chad Basin region," said his spokesman, in a statement issued on Monday evening. "He commends national and regional initiatives to bring peace and stability to the area and to address the root causes of the conflict." The Lake Chad Basin region includes Cameroon, Chad and Niger, as well as Nigeria. The Boko Haram insurgency began in north-eastern Nigeria nearly a decade ago, spilling over the border to the neighbouring countries. The group's activities, which include abductions and forcing captives to serve as suicide bombers, have displaced around 10 million people, as of 2017. The Secretary-General again called on the international community to increase support to regional efforts to fight the militants, which include the establishment of a Multinational Joint Task Force. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Submitted by Gastrofork Special to the Post There are a couple of Scuies around in Vancouver. They have a bar now, pizza by weight and a selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches. I ordered lox pizza and it was pretty good: a light fare that I devoured pretty quickly. The staff was generally very friendly. It got super busy during the lunch hour. I cant say we had the best service: I got my pizza right away, but my soup came 45 minutes or so later. The sandwich came 30 minutes from their order time. They asked us to pay again for the soup. We couldnt remember if we had paid or not, so we did. After we sat back down, one of the servers informed us we already did so we got a refund. I would return for some spritz and some easy cafe drinking. I dont know if I can go for lunch again especially my lunch is usually just an hour long. The food is good though: if you can maybe get there at 11:45, I think thats when you can beat the lunch crowd rush. Baker and Table 6414 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC Food: 5 Service: 4.5 Value: 4.5 Ambiance: 4 OVERALL: 4.5 Gastrofork is a Vancouver based food and travel blog. Gastrofork has been featured in Eat In Eat Out Magazine, is one of the top blogs on urbanspoon and named Top 100 Blogs to Follow in 2013. more reviews at gastrofork.ca IS Claims Mortar Strike on Kabul During Eid Festivities By Ayesha Tanzeem August 21, 2018 Islamic State's Amaq News Agency issued a statement Tuesday claiming responsibility for what it called a mortar strike on the presidential palace earlier in the day. A barrage of rockets hit Kabul, just as President Ashraf Ghani was on television delivering his address for the Muslim holy festival Eid-al-Adha in a special ceremony at the presidential palace. At least one rocket landed near the palace in Kabul's green zone. Kabul police said a group of five suicide bombers hid behind Kabul's Eidgah mosque and fired multiple rockets from there towards various parts of town. A security source confirmed at least 10 rockets were fired, but local media reported more. Four of the suicide bombers have died in clashes with the local security forces. Ghani, who continued his address, said Afghans cannot be cowed by such attacks. He also said the government was prepared for such an incident on Eid. Hashmatullah Stanikzai, a spokesman for Kabul police, said the police seized a vehicle belonging to the attackers. Tuesday is also the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism established last year by the United Nations General Assembly. In its message, the U.N. said victims of terrorist attacks are too soon forgotten. "We rarely hear about those who were killed and injured; the ordinary women, men, girls and boys, who were going about their daily business when their lives ended or were changed forever. We rarely hear about their surviving families, friends and communities, who must learn to live with the burden of terrorism for their entire lives," the message said, adding, "We need to provide victims with long-term assistance, including financial, legal, medical and psychosocial support." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cameroon Chiefs Flee Separatist Violence in Southwest By Moki Edwin Kindzeka August 21, 2018 Dozens of Cameroon's tribal rulers have fled their palaces in the English-speaking southwest region after armed men pulled the chief of the Balondo people out of church and killed him. Separatists have abducted and killed other chiefs in the region, allegedly for collaborating with the government. At the Catholic church in Buea, southwestern Cameroon, people gathered to pray on Sunday afternoon for the late chief Stephen Itoh Esoh. A week ago, gunmen pulled the supreme chief of the Balondo people out of the Baptist church in Ekondo Titi village and shot him dead. Among those praying was Peter Njumbe, a Cameroon lawmaker. He said if the chief had listened to them, he might still be alive. The chief refused to run away from Ekondo Titi, said Njumbe. He would not abdicate from his throne because of death threats. He would only abdicate if his own people told him they no longer wanted him and that he should leave the throne, says Njumbe. The chief would not abdicate his responsibilities, he added. Strikes and violence erupted in the English-speaking northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon in late 2016, in response to the forced use of French in schools, courts and other public institutions. A separatist movement is pushing for independence under the name Ambazonia. Chief Itoh is the eighth traditional ruler killed by armed men in the southwest region within the past four months. Since July, the separatists have abducted seven other chiefs in the southwest and three in the northwest they accused of collaborating with the government. They circulated videos on social media of the chiefs pledging their allegiance to armed separatists, presumably under duress. One of the abducted chiefs was later found dead, provoking widespread condemnation, while the others were released. Many traditional rulers have fled the English-speaking regions to avoid becoming targets, according to the government. Chief Joseph Ebong of Atati village escaped to Nigeria after being threatened with violence. Speaking by phone, he said he will only return to Cameroon when peace returns to English-speaking areas. "We are appealing to both the national and international community to turn their eye on Cameroon and try to see how they can solve this problem before we shrink into a full-fledged, full-scale war," Ebong said. Traditional rulers say Cameroon's military offers them little protection. The governor of the southwest region of Cameroon, Bernard Okalia Bilai, is calling on the chiefs to return. He says the military has been deployed to defend the people, including the chiefs. "They should come back to their homes. The forces of law and order are there to protect them against all acts of terrorism," Bilai said. "The traditional rulers, we invite them to come back." The attacks on the tribal chiefs have generated widespread criticism of the separatists in Cameroon. Ebenezer Teba is a member of the elite in the southwestern town of Lebialem. He says the assaults on traditional rulers custodians of ancestral traditions are unacceptable. "It is an atrocity that has reached its apex," Teba said. "Of course, those who are attacking are known. They are those claiming to be fighting for the independence of southern Cameroons. They are attacking traditional rulers because they feel these traditional rulers are giving information to government troops to enable government troops to attack them. So they want all traditional rulers, they are forcing all traditional rulers, to support their course." Sociologist Bernard Arrey, however, blames the chiefs. He says they are getting involved in politics and taking sides against the wishes of their people. "Chiefs are meddling into politics," Arrey said. "It is not strange to see chiefs treated like common citizens. Chiefs have lost control of their population, they have lost control of their dignity. Most of them are even victims of these fighters because they think that the chiefs are some sort a liaison, they relay information. They are some sort of a sell-out to the government forces." The armed separatists have never denied responsibility for the abductions and killings. They have instead issued warnings on social media against any chief collaborating with the government. Cameroon's government says it is counting on the chiefs to help end the fighting in the English-speaking region. The government says hundreds of people, including more than a hundred policemen and troops, have died in violent clashes since January. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jury Convicts Ex-Trump Campaign Chair, Ex-Trump Lawyer Pleads Guilty By Steve Herman August 21, 2018 U.S. President Donald Trump is lamenting Tuesday's conviction on federal criminal charges of his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, who now faces the possibility of decades in prison. "It's a very sad thing that happened," Trump told reporters on the tarmac of Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia, adding he felt very badly for Manafort, who a jury found guilty of eight fraud charges. The jury in Alexandria, Virginia, after four days of deliberation, could not reach a unanimous decision on 10 other charges and the judge declared a mistrial on those counts. "This started as Russian collusion this is a witch hunt that ends in disgrace. But this has nothing to do what they started out, looking for Russians involved in our campaign. There were none," Trump told reporters, prior to speaking at a campaign rally in Charleston. "We continue the witch hunt," he added. Longtime personal attorney A more serious potential legal development for Trump came around the same time as the Manafort verdict when his longtime personal attorney and fixer entered guilty pleas to multiple charges and stated that hush payments to two women "for the principal purpose of influencing the election" were ordered by the presidential candidate in 2016. "The factual basis of the plea, potentially implicating the president in illegal campaign finance violations, adds to the president's legal jeopardy," Representative Adam Schiff of California, who is the top opposition member on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, said his client is fulfilling a promise "to put his family and country first and tell the truth about Donald Trump." Davis, on Twitter, said if the payments by Cohen to the two women who have said they had a sexual relationship with Trump were a crime, "then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?" Cohen's plea was entered in a federal courtroom in New York City but did not include an agreement to cooperate with prosecutors, but attorneys say it does not preclude him from assisting the investigation of the special counsel, which brought the charges against Manafort and is examining ties between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Trump has frequently criticized the probe, led by former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller, and called for it to be shut down. But the president has refrained from taking action that could lead to the dismantling of the investigation. White House reaction Asked to comment about Tuesday's courtroom actions involving those formerly involved with Trump, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders referred reporters to the president's tarmac comments about Manafort and to Trump's outside counsel for reaction to Cohen's plea deal. David Abraham, a professor at the University of Miami School of Law, said the Manafort conviction shows "the Mueller investigation has discovered the rot at the core of the Trump circle and though this conviction is on the basis of Manafort's pre-Trump engagement, it demonstrates the kind of activities and the kinds of people who are at the heart of the Trump campaign." "What was important for the Mueller inquiry about this trial is that an across the board acquittal would have fed the resources of the Trump circle who were trying to discredit the inquiry altogether. This is clear and definite proof of the rot," Abraham added. One of Trump's lawyers, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, issued a statement after Cohen's plea, saying, "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen." Giuliani's statement accused the longtime loyal aide of Trump of "lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time." Paul Schiff Berman, a professor of law at George Washington University Law School, said Cohen's plea could endanger Trump legally. "Certainly so in the Cohen guilty verdict, he is potentially now an unindicted co-conspirator and could be indicted," he said. "Now there is an open question as to whether a sitting president can be indicted for a criminal wrongdoing." "In terms of a direct political consequence, I'm not sure that there is one, but that doesn't mean that the pressure doesn't get stronger and stronger and stronger on Trump," Schiff Berman added. U.S. Attorney Robert Khuzami, who prosecuted Cohen, said in a statement that the disgraced lawyer's "day of reckoning serves as a reminder that we are a nation of laws, with one set of rules that applies equally to everyone." Asked about the possible legal consequences for the president, Preet Bharara, the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York who was fired by Trump, said on CNN that "there's something called impeachment if there's evidence of a crime." Even on the Fox News Channel, which is consistently supportive of Trump, there was brief discussion of the possibility of impeachment proceedings if Democrats are able to take control of the House of Representatives in November's midterm election. "It's all crumbling on top of the president's head," NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd said as he came on air on the MSNBC channel just moments after details emerged about the Manafort convictions and the Cohen plea deal. Manafort faces a second trial next month in Washington, where he will face charges focused on allegations of lying to the FBI, lobbying for foreign governments and money laundering. If convicted, Manafort could receive a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Abraham said Manafort's trial in September "comes closer to the lobbying for foreign powers and in that sense it comes much closer ... to the core of the Trump campaign activities than this trial did." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi garrison targeted by Yemen ballistic missile IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Aug 22, IRNA -- Yemeni Army's missile unit targeted a Saudi garrison in Jizan in south of Saudi Arabia with a ballistic missile on Tuesday. According to Al-Massira, the Badr 1 missile precisely hit the target. However, Saudi media claimed that an anti-missile system has intercepted the missile over Jizan. Meanwhile, Yemeni Army's missile unit targeted UAE forces' headquarters in the west coast. Last Thursday, Yemeni Army's missile unit also targeted positions of UAE forces in the same region. Artillery unit of the Yemeni army also shelled Saudi military positions in Najran, south of Saudi Arabia. Yemeni authorities have frequently announced that the missile attacks are in retaliation for the crimes being committed by Saudi Arabia and its allies against the innocent people of Yemen. In March 2015 Saudi Arabia and some of its Arab allies launched a large scale military aggression against the impoverished Arab country in a bid to bring back to power deposed Yemeni president Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. So far 14,000 innocent Yemeni people have been killed and the country has been turned into ruins as a result of Saudi Arabian aggression. 8072**1396 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen Army fires ballistic missile at UAE forces' headquarters IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Aug 22, IRNA -- Yemeni Army's missile unit targeted UAE forces' headquarters in the west coast. According to al-Massira news website, the Yemeni army has dealt a pinpoint blow to the site in west coast region. Last Thursday, Yemeni Army's missile unit targeted positions of UAE forces in the same region. Artillery unit of the Yemeni army also hit Saudi military positions in Najran, south of Saudi Arabia. Over 14,000 Yemenis have been killed and thousands more injured since the onset of the Saudi-led aggression on Yemen in March 2015. The United Nations says a record 22.2 million Yemenis are in need of food aid, including 8.4 million threatened by severe hunger. 8072**1396 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump's former campaign chief Manafort convicted on 8 counts People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 07:17, August 22, 2018 WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Paul Manafort, former campaign chairman of U.S. President Donald Trump, was on Tuesday found guilty on eight out of 18 criminal charges of bank and tax fraud by a jury at the federal court in northern Virginia, according to multiple news reports. Manafort's conviction is the first secured at trial by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team. Five of the guilty verdicts were for filing false tax documents, and the other three involved foreign bank account registration and bank fraud. Judge T.S. Ellis III declared a mistrial in the other 10 charges on which jurors said they could not reach a verdict. The result came after days of deliberations by six male, six female jurors and weeks of exchanges of evidence and testimony in the trial. CNN hailed the verdict as "a major if not complete victory" for the ongoing Mueller probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, while Fox News called it "a highly publicized showdown" between the White House and Mueller in the past few weeks. However, the case didn't specifically address any alleged collusion between Trump associates or officials and the Russian government. Trump has repeatedly attacked the Mueller probe as a "rigged witch hunt." "I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad," Trump told reporters in the White House on Friday, saying Manafort "happens to be a very good person." Manafort, 69, was a veteran lobbyist. He joined Trump's campaign team in March 2016 and spent three months as Trump's campaign chairman until mid August of that year. However, the charges largely stem from Manafort's time working for a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine before the 2016 U.S. elections, though the trial is widely seen as a key test of the strength of Mueller's investigation. Manafort is also facing a separate trial in Washington D.C. on charges of money laundering and fraud conspiracy, which is scheduled for September. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Jury Finds Manafort Guilty Of Bank Fraud, Other Charges Mike Eckel August 22, 2018 WASHINGTON A U.S. federal jury has found Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman for President Donald Trump, guilty on eight of 18 counts in his trial on tax-evasion and bank-fraud charges. The verdict, announced on August 21 in Alexandria, Virginia, came on the same day as Trump's longtime personal lawyer agreed to plead guilty to campaign finance violations and other criminal charges. Both cases highlight the mounting legal problems Trump faces. Both are connected to the investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who has been looking into interactions between Trump associates and Russian officials, as well as Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election. Neither deal directly with Russia, though the case against Manafort focused on income he received from his lucrative political consulting business in Ukraine for lawmakers and former President Viktor Yanukovych. In Virginia, prosecutors charged that Manafort hid millions of dollars to avoid taxes as he sought to bankroll an extravagant lifestyle. The jury agreed with the prosecution's findings that Manafort illegally shielded some of his income, and also lied to fraudulently obtain bank loans. News reports said Manafort and his wife, Kathleen, appeared somber faced as the judge announced the verdict. The jury failed to reach agreement on 10 other charges, and prosecutors said they intend to indicate next week whether they will seek a retrial on those charges. Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, defense lawyer Kevin Downing said Manafort was "disappointed" by the verdict, but he said that Manafort also wanted to thank the judge for a "fair trial." Trump said in televised comments that the case does not implicate him in any crimes, but he felt badly for Manafort. "It does not involve me," he said, as he arrived for a campaign rally in West Virginia. "It has nothing to do with Russian collusion," he said, adding that Mueller's "witch hunt" nevertheless will continue. Whether prosecutors retry Manafort may hinge in part on a second federal trial against him that is scheduled to begin in Washington, D.C., next month. That trial will feature charges of defrauding the United States and witness tampering, and could yield even more damaging revelations about Russia's interference efforts. While Manafort's trials are significant, many legal observers have watched the case against Michael Cohen even more attentively because of the potential for more direct problems for Trump. Cohen's case reportedly grew out of Mueller's efforts, but was transferred to the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan, one of the most influential U.S. attorneys' offices in the country. Cohen served for years as Trump's personal lawyer and "fixer"helping to negotiate deals and protect Trump and his family. In April, federal agents raided Cohen's home and office and seized millions of pages of documents and bank records. No charges were brought against him immediately, but authorities indicated that the investigation was focused on possible violations of U.S. election law. In Manhattan federal court, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts in all, including tax evasion. In the plea, he said he arranged payment during the 2016 presidential election of so-called "hush money" to two women who said they had affairs with Trump. News reports said Cohen did not name the two women or even Trump, saying only that he worked "at the direction of a candidate." Court filings also don't identify the women or Trump. However, Cohen told the judge in Manhattan federal court that the payments were "for the principal purpose of influencing the election" in 2016. That coincides with news reports, and other materials, that have identified the two women Stephanie Clifford and Karen McDougal and Trump himself. The hush money payments are important because Cohen said they occurred during the election campaign, and they would possibly amount a campaign contribution. U.S. election law requires any contribution to a political candidate to be publicly disclosed, which neither Trump nor his campaign apparently did. That could be charged as a felony violation. Trump has repeatedly denied having the affairs, and has also alternated between insulting Cohen and lamenting his legal problems. Trump has also repeatedly railed against Mueller's investigation, calling it a "witch hunt" and questioning its legal basis and asserting bias on the part of Mueller's team. With his plea, Cohen became the fifth Trump associate to have pleaded guilty or be charged since Trump took office. Others include his first national security adviser Michael Flynn and Manafort's deputy Rick Gates, who testified against his boss during the Virginia trial. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-jury-finds-manafort- guilty-of-bank-fraud-other-charges/29446049.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 Pentagon, White House at Odds Over Trashed Plans for Military Parade Sputnik News 00:40 22.08.2018 Days after US President Donald Trump took to Twitter last week and announced that the military parade in Washington, DC, was canceled, new reports are painting a conflicting story regarding how things actually panned out. According to Pentagon spokesperson Col. Rob Manning, Trump reportedly pulled the plug on the parade before any member of the US Defense Department had the chance to inform him of an official cost estimate. "The president of the United States was not briefed by any member of the Department of Defense on the cost associated with the parade, before making the decision to cancel the event," Manning told reporters Monday. "The planning committee for the parade had not reached a point where they had briefed the senior leadership in the department." Manning later stressed that he couldn't explain why Trump ultimately decided to cancel the event, referring reporters to the White House. Over yonder at the White House, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders indicated that both White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and US Secretary of Defense James Mattis were aware of the hefty price tag and spilled the beans to Trump. "Secretary Mattis briefed the president on the parade a couple of weeks ago, and the following day, Gen. Kelly briefed him on the costs of what Sec. Mattis had laid out," Sanders explained to The New York Post. Sanders issued the statement following media reports that indicated Mattis had scoffed at the $92 million estimate by publications.When questioned about the amount during his trip to Colombia, Mattis told reporters that whoever offered the estimate was "probably smoking something." The parade, which was planned for November 10 to mark the anniversary of the end of World War I, was requested by POTUS after he was impressed by France's celebration of Bastille Day, the French holiday celebrated on July 14. Upon returning to the US, 45 proceeded to request that government officials draft some options for holding a similar event in the nation's capital. Trump's request was widely criticized by US officials, who quickly called the move unnecessary, citing high costs for the parade and securities needed for the event. The August 16 CNBC report which initially provided the $92 million figure indicated the Pentagon would need to fork over roughly $50 million for the transportation of aircraft, equipment and personnel for the event. The remaining $42 million would be covered by interagency partners, including the Department of Homeland Security. This report came after the cost was previously estimated to be $12 million, according to three US defense officials cited by CNN in July. In tweets announcing the parade was no more, Trump declared that there was still a chance the event could take place next year, adding that he now plans to attend a parade at Andrews Air Force Base. However, it should be noted that the only upcoming event to take place at the base is an air show scheduled for May 2019, Military.com reported, citing Pentagon officials. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We are taking new steps against broadening threats to democracy Aug 20, 2018 | Brad Smith - President It's clear that democracies around the world are under attack. Foreign entities are launching cyber strikes to disrupt elections and sow discord. Unfortunately, the internet has become an avenue for some governments to steal and leak information, spread disinformation, and probe and potentially attempt to tamper with voting systems. We saw this during the United States general election in 2016, last May during the French presidential election, and now in a broadening way as Americans are preparing for the November midterm elections. Broadening cyberthreats to both U.S. political parties make clear that the tech sector will need to do more to help protect the democratic process. Last week, Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) successfully executed a court order to disrupt and transfer control of six internet domains created by a group widely associated with the Russian government and known as Strontium, or alternatively Fancy Bear or APT28. We have now used this approach 12 times in two years to shut down 84 fake websites associated with this group. Attackers want their attacks to look as realistic as possible and they therefore create websites and URLs that look like sites their targeted victims would expect to receive email from or visit. The sites involved in last week's order fit this description. We're concerned that these and other attempts pose security threats to a broadening array of groups connected with both American political parties in the run-up to the 2018 elections. That's why today we are expanding Microsoft's Defending Democracy Program with a new initiative called Microsoft AccountGuard. This initiative will provide state-of-the-art cybersecurity protection at no extra cost to all candidates and campaign offices at the federal, state and local level, as well as think tanks and political organizations we now believe are under attack. The technology is free of charge to candidates, campaigns and related political institutions using Office 365. As a special master appointed by a federal judge concluded in the recent court order obtained by DCU, there is "good cause" to believe that Strontium is "likely to continue" its conduct. In the face of this continuing activity, we must work on the assumption that these attacks will broaden further. An effective response will require even more work to bring people and expertise together from across governments, political parties, campaigns and the tech sector. An expansion of political targets Last week's order transferred control of the six internet domains listed below from Strontium to Microsoft, preventing Strontium from using them and enabling us to more closely look for evidence of what Strontium intended to do with the domains. These six domains are listed here: Importantly, these domains show a broadening of entities targeted by Strontium's activities. One appears to mimic the domain of the International Republican Institute, which promotes democratic principles and is led by a notable board of directors, including six Republican senators and a leading senatorial candidate. Another is similar to the domain used by the Hudson Institute, which hosts prominent discussions on topics including cybersecurity, among other important activities. Other domains appear to reference the U.S. Senate but are not specific to particular offices. To be clear, we currently have no evidence these domains were used in any successful attacks before the DCU transferred control of them, nor do we have evidence to indicate the identity of the ultimate targets of any planned attack involving these domains. Microsoft has notified both nonprofit organizations. Both have responded quickly, and Microsoft will continue to work closely with them and other targeted organizations on countering cybersecurity threats to their systems. We've also been monitoring and addressing domain activity with Senate IT staff the past several months, following prior attacks we detected on the staffs of two current senators. Despite last week's steps, we are concerned by the continued activity targeting these and other sites and directed toward elected officials, politicians, political groups and think tanks across the political spectrum in the United States. Taken together, this pattern mirrors the type of activity we saw prior to the 2016 election in the United States and the 2017 election in France. Our new Microsoft AccountGuard initiative AccountGuard will provide three services that will cover both organizational and personal email accounts: Threat notification across accounts. The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center will enable Microsoft to detect and provide notification of attacks in a unified way across both organizational and personal email systems. For political campaigns and other eligible organizations, when an attack is identified, this will provide a more comprehensive view of attacks against campaign staff. When verifiable threats are detected, Microsoft will provide personal and expedited recommendations to campaigns and campaign staff to secure their systems. Security guidance and ongoing education. Officials, campaigns and related political organizations will receive guidance to help make their networks and email systems more secure. This can include applying multi-factor authentication, installing the latest security updates and guidance for setting up systems that ensure only those people who need data and documents can access them. AccountGuard will provide updated briefings and training to address evolving cyberattack trends. Early adopter opportunities. Microsoft will provide preview releases of new security features on a par with the services offered to our large corporate and government account customers. You can read a more complete description of Microsoft AccountGuard in today's blog by Tom Burt, the corporate vice president who heads Microsoft's Customer Security and Trust group. Microsoft's Defending Democracy Program Since we launched Microsoft's Defending Democracy Program in April, we have focused on four priorities: protecting campaigns from hacking, protecting voting and the electoral process, increasing political advertising transparency, and defending against disinformation campaigns. In the coming months, we will offer AccountGuard in additional countries, as we continue to invest in and evolve other aspects of the Defending Democracy Program. Our Defending Democracy Program is an important piece of our work to protect customers and promote cyberdiplomacy around the world. While cybersecurity starts with Microsoft and other companies in the tech sector, it's ultimately a shared responsibility with customers and governments around the world. Together with our industry partners, we've launched the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, now endorsed by 44 leading tech companies to protect and empower civilians online and to improve the security, stability and resilience of cyberspace. And we will continue to call for stronger adherence to existing international norms and the creation of new international laws like a Digital Geneva Convention. As last week's court order and today's AccountGuard initiative reflect, we are committed not only to stronger principles and laws but stronger action as well. A democracy requires vigilance In 1787, as the American constitutional convention reached its conclusion in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin was asked as he departed Independence Hall what type of government the delegates had created. He famously replied, "A republic, if you can keep it." We can only keep our democratic societies secure if candidates can run campaigns and voters can go to the polls untainted by foreign cyberattacks. Democracy requires vigilance and at times action by citizens to protect and maintain it. No individual or company can hope to meet this imperative by itself. We all need to do our part. We're committed to doing our part by helping to protect candidates and campaigns in preserving their voices and votes no matter what party they support. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian hackers targeted Senate, US think tanks: Microsoft Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 10:08PM US-based tech giant Microsoft has accused Russia of seeking to launch cyber attacks on the US Senate in the run-up to the November's congressional elections. In a report published on Tuesday, the corporation claimed that hackers linked to the Russian government sought to launch cyber attacks on the US Senate and two conservative American think tanks, with Moscow strongly denying the allegation. Microsoft said it thwarted the Russia-linked attempts last week by taking control of six web domains that hackers had created to mimic the pages that belonged to The International Republican Institute and The Hudson Institute. Microsoft said hackers could have used the domains to send emails to Senate staffers or people working for the two institutes in a bid to trick them into handing over information like their login credentials usernames and passwords. The world's biggest software company said it has shut down 84 fake websites in 12 court-approved actions over the past two years. "We're concerned that these and other attempts pose security threats to a broadening array of groups connected with both American political parties in the run-up to the 2018 elections," Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a blog post. Russian authorities reject Microsoft's accusations Hours after the Microsoft report was released, the Kremlin said it did not understand allegations from the US corporation and that they lacked evidence. "We don't know what hackers they are talking about," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters at a news conference in Moscow on Tuesday. "... Who exactly are they talking about? We don't understand what the proof and the basis is for them drawing these kinds of conclusions. Such information (proof) is lacking," he added. Russia's Foreign Ministry denounced Microsoft's accusations in a statement and said, "It is regrettable that a large international company, which has been working in the Russian market for a long time, quite actively and successfully, has to take part in a witch-hunt that has engulfed Washington." Russia's Interfax news agency also cited an unnamed Russian diplomatic source as describing the allegations as part of a political game. "Microsoft is playing political games," it cited the source as saying. "The (mid-term US) elections have not happened yet, but there are already allegations." Microsoft was acting like a prosecutor rather than a private company, Interfax quoted the source as adding. The Tuesday report published by the world's biggest software company comes amid increasing cyber-tensions between Moscow and Washington ahead of the congressional votes in November. Last month, a federal grand jury in the US indicted 12 Russian intelligence officers on charges of hacking the computer networks of 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party. US Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a former FBI director, has been running a high-profile investigation into allegations that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump won the 2016 US presidential election against Clinton only because Moscow had rigged the election in his favor. US intelligence agencies claim Russia-linked hackers provided WikiLeaks with damaging information -- in the form of thousands of hacked emails -- about Clinton to skew the 2016 presidential election in favor of Trump. Trump has repeatedly denied allegations that his campaign colluded with Russians and has condemned the investigations. Russian President Putin has also denied the allegations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Microsoft Reveals Russian Hacking Attempts Ahead Of U.S. Elections RFE/RL August 21, 2018 Microsoft says it has uncovered new Russian hacking attempts to target U.S. political groups ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November. The company said a hacking group linked to Russia's government had created fake Internet domains in order to mimic the websites of two conservative Washington-based think tanks that have been critical of the Kremlin -- the Hudson Institute and the International Republican Institute. It said the Russian hackers also created three fake domains designed to look as if they belonged to the U.S. Senate. Microsoft calls the hacking group Strontium. Others call it Fancy Bear or APT28. An indictment from U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller has tied the hackers to Russian's main intelligence agency, known as the GRU, and to the 2016 e-mail hacking of both the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's presidential election campaign. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that the Russian government played a role in the incidents or had links to the hackers. "We do not know what influence these alleged actions will have on future elections," Peskov told journalists in Moscow on August 21. "We do not know what hackers they are talking about, how they influenced elections, or what those conclusions were based on." The Russian Foreign Ministry later denounced the accusations put forward by Microsoft as part of "a witch-hunt that has engulfed Washington." Known as a "spear-phishing" attack, the fake websites noted by Microsoft attempt to persuade target victims to click on links that expose them to computer infiltration, hidden surveillance, and data theft. Microsoft's president and chief legal officer, Brad Smith, said there was no sign the hackers successfully infiltrated either conservative think tank. Both groups said they try to be vigilant about "spear-phishing" attacks because their global pro-democracy work often angers authoritarian governments. The International Republican Institute is led by a board that includes six Republican senators, as well as prominent Russia critic Mitt Romney, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Utah this autumn. Microsoft's latest announcement on Russian hackers comes less than a month after a similar discovery by Microsoft led U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat running for reelection in November, to announce that Russian hackers tried unsuccessfully to break into her Senate computer network. Microsoft has been waging a legal battle with Strontium since bringing a lawsuit in a U.S. federal court in the summer of 2016. With court approval allowing it to seize certain fake domains, Microsoft has used the courts to shut down 84 fake websites created by the Russian hackers -- including the most recently announced websites. Microsoft has argued in court that by setting up fake but realistic-looking domains, the hackers misuse Microsoft trademarks and services to hack into targeted computer networks, install malware, and steal sensitive e-mails and other data. Smith said on August 21 that Microsoft was now offering free cybersecurity protection to all U.S. political candidates, campaigns, and political organizations that use Microsoft software. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and The New York Times Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/microsoft- reveals-russian-hacking-attempts-ahead-of -u-s-elections/29445157.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 DoD Report Details China's Growing Military, Economic Power Aug. 21, 2018 By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON -- China is not an enemy, but it is certainly an adversary of the United States, and the Defense Department's 2018 report to Congress examines the trends in Chinese military developments. Congress mandates the report, titled "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China." While the report highlights military developments, it also addresses China's whole-of-government approach to competition. China's economic development is fueling extraordinary changes in relationships it maintains around the world, according to the report. On the face of it, China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative sounds benign it looks to build infrastructure for developing countries and Chinese neighbors. Chinese leaders have funded serious projects as far away as Africa under the initiative. They have built roads in Pakistan and made major inroads in Malaysia. China has a major stake in Sri Lanka. Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Laos and Djibouti also are involved. The Chinese government seeks to overturn the established international order that has kept the peace in the region since World War II and allowed Asian countries to develop. But "One Belt, One Road" money and projects come with strings. The "one road" leads to China, and nations are susceptible to Chinese influence on many levels political, military, and especially, economic. Economic Clout In 2017, China used its economic clout in South Korea as a bludgeon to get Seoul to not allow the United States to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system in the country as a counterweight to North Korea's nuclear missile program. The Chinese government informally lowered the boom on South Korea economically to influence the THAAD decision. South Korean cars and other exports were embargoed. About a quarter of all goods South Korea exports goes to China, so this had an immediate effect on the economy. In addition, tourism suffered, as nearly half of all entries to South Korea are from China, and South Korean retail stores in China were crippled. The South Korean government decided to allow the THAAD to deploy, but China's economic muscle movement had to be noted in other global capitals. South China Sea "In its regional territorial and maritime disputes, China continued construction of outposts in the Spratly Islands, but also continued outreach to South China Sea claimants to further its goal of effectively controlling disputed areas," the DoD reports says in its executive summary. In other words, China is using military power and diplomatic efforts in tandem to claim the South China Sea. The People's Liberation Army has come a long way from the human-wave attacks of the Korean War, and Chinese leaders want to build a military worthy of a global power. "Chinese military strategy documents highlight the requirement for a People's Liberation Army able to secure Chinese national interests overseas, including a growing emphasis on the importance of the maritime and information domains, offensive air operations, long-distance mobility operations, and space and cyber operations," the report says. Chinese military planners looked at what the United States accomplished in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991 and charted their way forward. The PLA is fundamentally restructuring to challenge and beat any military in the world. The PLA still the largest force in the world actually cut people to streamline command and control and modernize forces. The Chinese seek to win at all levels of conflict, from regional conflicts to wars with peer competitors. "Reforms seek to streamline command and control structures and improve jointness at all levels," the report said. The PLA is using realistic training scenarios and exercising troops and equipment regularly. New Capabilities China is investing billions in new capabilities including artificial intelligence, hypersonic technology, offensive cyber capabilities and more. China also has launched an aircraft carrier and added many new ships to the PLA Navy. The Chinese Navy is more active and making more port calls than in years past. Further, the PLA Marine Corps is expanding from 10,000 personnel to 30,000. The PLA Air Force has been reassigned a nuclear mission, giving China a nuclear triad -- along with missile and subs -- for the first time. Cyber operations play a significant role in the Chinese military. The PLA has a large corps of trained and ready personnel. Cyber espionage is common, and there are those who believe China was able to get plans of the F-35 Thunderbolt II joint strike fighter, which they incorporated into its J-20 stealth fighter. The U.S. National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy recognize that China and Russia are strategic competitors of the United States. Still, the United States must engage with China, and maintenance of cordial military-to-military relations is in both nations' best interests. "While the Department of Defense engages substantively with the People's Liberation Army, DoD will also continue to monitor and adapt to China's evolving military strategy, doctrine and force development, and encourage China to be more transparent about its military modernization," the report says. The United States military will adapt to counter and get ahead of moves by any competitor, DoD officials said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN watchdog says no indication North Korea nuclear activities stopped Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 05:46PM The UN nuclear watchdog says there is no indication that North Korea has stopped its nuclear activities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a report seen Tuesday expressed concern about North Korea's nuclear activities. "The continuation and further development of the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea]'s nuclear program and related statements by the DPRK are a cause for grave concern." said the report, referring to North Korea's official name. The report by Director General Yukiya Amano is to be submitted to the IAEA's board meeting next month. The IAEA says the North is developing its nuclear program despite a previous pledge to halt it. North Korea expelled the agency's inspectors in 2009 and never allowed them to return. Despite that, the IAEA says it has continued with the verification of the North's operations through satellite imagery and open source information. "As the agency remains unable to carry out verification activities in the DPRK, its knowledge of the DPRK's nuclear program is limited and, as further nuclear activities take place in the country, this knowledge is declining." The agency found out that a steam plant connected to a radiochemical laboratory at the Yongbyon nuclear site had been in operation in recent months. Steam charges and the outflow of cooling water at the Yongbyon experimental nuclear power plant had also been observed "consistent with the reactor's operation," it noted The IAEA found "indications consistent with the use of the reported centrifuge enrichment facility located within the plant, including the operation of the cooling units as well as regular movements of vehicles." "Since December 2015, when the current operational cycle started, there have been indications consistent with several short periods of reactor shutdown. However, none of these periods were of sufficient duration for the complete reactor core to have been discharged. The agency's observations indicate that the current operational cycle is longer than the previous one," it said. In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met with US President Donald Trump in Singapore and agreed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. While the summit was seen as a test for diplomacy that could end the long-running nuclear standoff, foreign policy experts say the stakes are high if it does not result in a nuclear agreement. The North Korean leader has already told Trump that denuclearization depends on ceasing antagonism between the two nations, while the United States says tough sanctions will remain in place against the North until its complete denuclearization. Dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program and verifying it would be a large and complex task. The IAEA has said previously it stands ready to help verify any future agreements between the US and North Korea over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. North Korea earlier said its nuclear arsenal was a deterrent against potential US aggression. Pyongyang says it will not give up on its nuclear deterrence unless Washington ends its hostile policy toward the country and dissolves the US-led UN command in South Korea. Thousands of US soldiers are stationed in South Korea and Japan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO, Trump Have Fingers on Scales of German Fighter Jet Decision Sputnik News 00:51 22.08.2018(updated 00:57 22.08.2018) Even as Berlin studies aircraft options - including the F-35 - to replace its fleet of Tornado fighters, it seems the decision may be driven more by politics than by a technical assessment of military aircraft sophistication. The US might push the German Ministry of Defense toward its own expensive aircraft, Business Insider opined Tuesday. As commander in chief, US President Donald Trump has touted sales of aircraft, missiles and other armaments to nations including Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Trump has called on NATO members to spend more money on their militaries and has singled out Germany specifically, which is on pace to attain the largest current account surplus in the world in 2018, the Financial Times reported Monday. Germany buying F-35s would benefit Lockheed Martin, the US defense giant based in Maryland. Germany has limited its search to four aircraft, with Lockheed Martin's F-35 one of them. The remaining menu options include Boeing's F-15 Strike Eagles and F/A-18 Super Hornets as well as the Eurofighter Typhoon. The F-35 has already become a political third rail in Germany: after being warned that expressing a preference in favor of the F-35 could get him fired, the German air force's chief of staff was sent to an early retirement anyway, though it was unclear if he actually violated the ultimatum. According to Handelsblatt, a German business newspaper, the ouster was "overtly political." "This overtly political move seems to make a decision in favor of the Eurofighter a foregone conclusion. But it comes amid a fierce transatlantic debate about Germany's military preparedness and its willingness to carry its own weight within NATO. US President Donald Trump has been particularly vocal in criticizing Germany for what he sees as free-riding on the back of American defense spending," Handelsblatt reported in April. The "age of Trump" weighs heavily on the aircraft decision, Defense News reports. "If it was just technical, this [Tornado replacement program] would not be an issue. But right now, everything is political between Germany and the United States," said Christian Mollig, deputy director at the German Council on Foreign Relations. No decision has been made, and it's not clear when there will be a decision. For months, Sputnik has reported that Germany's MoD is leaning away from the F-35, a disposition that may be justified by the aircraft's unproven combat history, well-documented record of technical and mechanical issues and hefty price tag. Instead, certain German policymakers prefer the Typhoon. This preference was made clear when Berlin asked the Pentagon in June whether it would be possible to certify the jet to carry nuclear weapons, a NATO treaty requirement. The US fighter aircraft Germany is considering have already been certified or are slated to be certified within 10 years or so, in the case of some F-35 variants. To meet its NATO obligations, the plane Germany chooses would almost certainly need to be able to carry those weapons. Getting those Typhoons in shape to handle nuclear weapons could take five to 10 years, "potentially throwing a big wrench in the Luftwaffe's [the German air force's] timing," Defense News reported August 17. Since the Pentagon has the opportunity to respond to Berlin about whether those Typhoons can be nuclear-capable like the Tornados have been, US analysts speculate that the Pentagon has an outsized influence in Berlin's final decision. The argument goes like this: If, for some reason, the Pentagon replies by saying the Typhoon can't be outfitted with nuclear weapons or that the costs would be astronomical, the F-35 would become a more viable option by virtue of being the newest and most network-centric aircraft among the US offerings, not to mention its ability to fly with a low radar cross section a trait the ousted German air force chief of staff praised. The Pentagon has stayed mum about the topic, like Germany's MoD. "The German Tornado replacement program is a sovereign national decision," a Pentagon spokesperson said recently, noting that the progress on "policy reviews" taking place at the Defense Department will be kept private, according to Defense News. One alternative route is to push back the decision altogether by cancelling the Tornado replacement program, which would force Berlin to soak up the rising costs of keeping aging Typhoons airworthy, according to Karl-Heinz Kamp, president of the Federal Academy for Security Policy in Germany. "There does not have to be a nuclear Tornado replacement. That's why they will keep flying the Tornados, despite the price tag and despite having asked about a Eurofighter nuclear certification in Washington," Kamp forecasted August 17, Defense News reported. Defense News further added that in the eyes of many Germans, having nuclear weapons under the NATO alliance is more of a liability than the strategic edge NATO proponents claim it to be. At least one compelling reason for Germany to defer a decision is its already-cemented partnership with France on the development of a next-generation "superfighter." While the German-French alternative seems attractive for German and French politicians seeking to protect Europe's economic and strategic interests, it reportedly won't be available until the middle of the century. But moving ahead with F-35s would kill the superfighter's development, according to the head of the military division at Airbus, one of the companies involved in the project. "As soon as Germany becomes an F-35 nation, any cooperation with France on combat aircraft dies," Dirk Hoke said earlier this year, Handelsblatt reported. While France and Germany are the only nations formally aligned on the sixth-generation fighter aircraft, "we are certain this should be a truly European project," a spokesperson for Airbus told Sputnik Mundo in July. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran military power solely defensive: President IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Aug 21, IRNA -- Iran's defense preparedness not aimed at warmongering, but seeking sustainable peace, said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday. "Lack of defensive power means a green light to the enemies,' said President Rouhani speaking at the ceremony of Defense Industry Day in the Iranian capital. 'We are all responsible to ensure, with the lowest price possible, security, power and dignity of the Iranian people,' Rouhani said. Saying that the Iranians are 'the people of peace and cooperation", He added, "Discipline, training, faith and readiness of the armed forces must be at a level that enemies would not dare to commit any act of aggression". "Marking Iran's Defense Industry Day in August every year is very important because everybody can witness achievements made by the researchers in the defense industry over a year," added President Rouhani. He also said, "History tells us that if we are not powerful and don't follow our goals decisively, there are others that will defeat us." Saying that one cannot make sure that all human beings walk in the right path, Rouhani said, "In addition to being in a critical geographical region, the country has been subject to Iranophobia during the past 40 years". Rouhani said in the past 40 years, Iran has demonstrated that it is not seeking to exercise any act of aggression against any country. "At critical junctures, Iran chose to help its neighboring countries instead of invading them. For example, we have hosted many Iraqi and Kuwaiti refugees during Saddam's invasion of Kuwait; "The Iranians have always sought to have peaceful coexistence and interaction with other countries. In the recent years that terrorism had spread through the region, although it was not apparently a threat against Iran, we voluntarily rushed to help the people of the region and had an effective role in clearing the countries of the region of terrorists". President Rouhani emphasized that Iran must reinforce its defense powers to defend the country against those who look at this land's resources and geographical position with greedy eyes. "Our readiness is not readiness for war, but readiness for creating and protecting sustainable peace," he said. "When we say the Iranian people are ready to bravely defend the nation, it means that they want to protect sustainable peace. Lack of sufficient readiness and capability means being exposed to war, but increasing defense power means seeking peace," he stressed. Rouhani also said, "All we are trying to do and all we are spending on our country's defense power are to prevent any war and costly acts of aggression imposed on our country.' "Today, some countries in our vicinity are apparently trying to guarantee their security. They are doing this in a very costly way, they are buying weapons with the highest prices possible and yet they cannot use them efficiently. So to use them, they have to hire foreign military advisors," he said. 9417**2044 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU needs payment systems independent of US to save JCPOA: Germany Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 05:02PM German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas says European countries need to adopt payment systems independent of the United States if they seek to keep a historic nuclear deal signed with Iran alive after Washington's withdrawal from it. In his statement written in the Handelsblatt business daily, the German foreign minister added that it was "right to legally protect European companies from sanctions." "That's why it is indispensable that we strengthen European autonomy by creating payment channels that are independent of the United States, a European Monetary Fund and an independent SWIFT system," Mass said in the article to be published on Wednesday. The United States has ramped up pressure on Iran after US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington in May from the landmark nuclear agreement, reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in 2015, and decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran. Under the deal, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions. In defiance of warnings from the European Union, the JCPOA signatories and many international players, President Trump signed an executive order on August 6 re-imposing a first round of sanctions on Iran, which were lifted under the nuclear deal, to levy "maximum economic pressure" on the Islamic Republic. The top German diplomat emphasized that Europe considered as a mistake the US move to pull out of the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but was ready to work with the United States. "Every day the deal is alive is better than the highly explosive crisis that would otherwise threaten the Middle East," he added. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that European countries must be ready to bear the expenses if they want to safeguard their long-term interests in the face of the United States' law-breaking behavior after quitting a nuclear deal with Iran. He added, "Europeans have been very good in declaring their positions [on the JCPOA], but to pay that price, they need to make a decision and they have only a limited time for that decision and cannot wait forever." Earlier this month, the European Union threatened to impose sanctions on companies that stop doing business with Iran in compliance with the US sanctions snapback mechanism. "If EU companies abide by US secondary sanctions, they will, in turn, be sanctioned by the EU," Nathalie Tocci, an aide to the 28-nation bloc's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said. Iran's First Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri said on Sunday that Tehran is looking for solutions to continue selling its crude oil after the United States re-imposed its sanctions on the country's energy sector in early November. Speaking in an interview with IRNA, Jahangiri noted that European countries have told Iran's Foreign Ministry that they will be taking measures before US sanctions come into effect against the country's oil and banking sectors to make up for any possible losses that Tehran may suffer. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's defense power contributes to sustainable peace: Rouhani Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 10:04AM President Hassan Rouhani has called on the Iranian Armed Forces to strengthen their preparedness in the face of enemy threats, saying the country's defense power contributes to "sustainable peace." He made the remarks on Tuesday during a defense show in Tehran, where Iran's first domestic fighter jet was unveiled on the eve of the National Defense Industry Day. "History tells us that if we fail to be powerful and stand firm on our objectives, there are others who will bring us to our knees," Rouhani emphasized. The president further highlighted the geopolitical importance of the region surrounding Iran and said "enemies have over the past 40 years spread Iranophobia and sought to make people believe that Iran poses a threat to their existence, survival and dignity." He also underlined the need for the country to preserve its defense readiness, saying, "When we say we are ready for defense, it means that we seek the establishment of sustainable peace." Rouhani further called on the Iranian nation "to prepare itself against people and powers, which have greedily set their sights on the country's territory, resources and sensitive geographical position," Rouhani said. He urged all political, military, economic and cultural sectors to help provide national security, dignity and power "at the lowest cost possible." The president defined deterrence as "the power that makes the enemy find an invasion costly in its calculations," and said, "The discipline, education, faith, motivation, weapons and readiness of our Armed Forces can reach a level that no one would dare to attack us." 'US not trusted by Iran, own allies' Rouhani also touched on the US decades-long enmity towards Iran and said, "Why does the US not attack us? Because it is aware of our power and the cost [that it will entail]." The Islamic Republic has grown "100 percent distrustful of the US," he said. "It's not only us who do not trust America. Today even Europe and China do not trust them; even America's allies like Canada have lost their trust." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Unveils First Domestically Made Fighter Jet Sputnik News 11:39 21.08.2018(updated 13:44 21.08.2018) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Iran unveiled the country's first domestically designed and built Kowsar fighter on Tuesday ahead of the National Day of Defense Industry, Tasnim News Agency reported. According to Tasnim News Agency, the fighter conducted the first demonstration flight during a special ceremony attended by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The jet is capable of carrying various weapons and could be used for aerial support missions, the news agency added. On Saturday, Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami announced the unveiling ceremony of the new aircraft, noting that Iran was acting within the framework of the active deterrence strategy to "acquire whatever is necessary for defense." The Minister added that Tehran would also continue developing new missiles. Iran is currently facing the reintroduction of US sanctions. Part of the restrictions against Iran went into force earlier this month, while the second portion is expected to take effect in the fall. In May, US President Donald Trump said that the United States would leave Iran's nuclear deal, which stipulated that Tehran should ensure the peaceful nature of its missile program in exchange for gradual lifting of international sanctions. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address S Korea Plans to Remove Nearly Ten Guard Posts at Border With N Korea Minister Sputnik News 12:19 21.08.2018(updated 12:24 21.08.2018) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - South Korea is planning to close nearly 10 guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as part of efforts aimed at reducing military tensions with North Korea, the Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday citing South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo. "What it means is that we will withdraw one or two guard posts first and then additional ones The [South's] closest guard post lies about 700 meters away [from the North's] We will start pulling out the guard posts that are within 1 kilometer [of the North's guard posts]," Song said, as quoted by the news agency. The minister, however, did not name any specific timeline for the implementation of such measures. The relations between Seoul and Pyongyang have been showing signs of detente since the beginning of 2018. In January, North Korea reopened a border hotline with the South that had been closed for almost two years, while on April 27, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met at the Panmunjom truce village, where they signed a joint declaration agreeing to renew economic cooperation in several areas. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK will press US for tougher sanctions against Russia Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 07:52AM Britain's new foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, is set to push the United States into slapping tougher sanctions on Russia, in response to Moscow's "malign" behavior around the world. In a visit to the US on Tuesday, the top UK diplomat aims to make efforts to garner allies support for tougher "sanctions against Russia". In Hunt's first major speech since taking over from Boris Johnson, he will reiterate the "special relationship" between UK and US and ask allies to " stand shoulder to shoulder" against Moscow. "And today the United Kingdom asks its allies to go further by calling on the European Union to ensure its sanctions against Russia are comprehensive, and that we truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the US," Hunt is set to tell the audience at the US Institute of Peace in Washington. Hunt will also urge the US-led NATO forces to take a tougher stance against Russia over its alleged use of a chemical agent novichok in the Salisbury poisonings and the reunion of Crimea. He will say that the West must engage with Russia, yet be "blunt" about how the Russian president "has made the world a more dangerous place". "[Russia's] aggressive and malign behavior undermines the international order that keeps us safe we must engage with Moscow, but we must also be blunt [Vladimir] Putin has made the world a more dangerous place." Western nations must call "transgressions with one voice whenever and wherever they occur, from the streets of Salisbury to the fate of Crimea." Earlier this month the United States, citing the Salisbury incident, imposed sanctions against Russia covering national-security related goods. Washington has promised to increase the pressure until Moscow gave "reliable assurances" it would no longer use chemical weapons. In addition, without directly challenging the legitimacy of Donald Trump's election as president in 2016, Hunt will specifically call for tighter regulation of online political advertising and new measures to prevent cyber attacks on electoral machinery. Hunt will also throw out a challenge to Trump's protectionist policies by warning a weakening of free trade will only damage western economies, and ultimately western political power. His speech later on Tuesday will also outline other issues of concern to Britain's foreign policy, including telling China that "with economic power comes political responsibility", and criticizing their inaction over chemical weapons and Crimea. On Brexit, where negotiations have become bogged down as the deadline for reaching an exit deal with the EU approaches, Hunt will repeat a message he has been delivering to European leaders over the summer. "The risk of a messy divorce, as opposed to the friendship we seek, would be a fissure in relations between European allies that would take a generation to heal... now is the time for the European Commission to engage with an open mind with the fair and constructive proposals made by the Prime Minister." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump 'Would Consider' Lifting Russia Sanctions For Concession On Ukraine, Syria RFE/RL August 21, 2018 U.S. President Donald Trump has said in an interview with Reuters that he isn't considering lifting sanctions on Russia, but he would consider doing so if Russia gave him something he wants in Ukraine or Syria. "I'm not considering it at all. No. I would consider it if they do something that would be good for us. But I wouldn't consider it without that," Trump said in the interview released late on August 20. Trump then suggested areas where he could foresee making a deal with Russia over sanctions. "We have a lot of things we can do good for each other. You have Syria. You have Ukraine. You have many other things," he said. Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on August 21 the Kremlin welcomed Trump's comments indicating readiness to cooperate with Moscow, but that it would "welcome even more some kind of concrete actions." Trump told Reuters that Putin did not ask him to lift U.S. sanctions during their summit in Helsinki last month. But he said the two in a private meeting that lasted nearly two hours did talk about Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and incursion into eastern Ukraine, as well as the Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. "I mentioned Crimea, sure. I always mention Crimea whenever I mention Ukraine. Putin and I had a very good discussion. It was a very -- I think it was a very good discussion for both parties. I mentioned the gas pipeline going to Germany," Trump said. 'They'd Like Economic Development' The U.S. first imposed sanctions on Russia over its annexation of Crimea in 2014, and since then has steadily ratcheted up and expanded the sanctions, citing alleged abuses from Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to its alleged chemical weapons attack on a Russian ex-spy this year in Britain. Washington has also threatened to impose sanctions over the Nord Stream pipeline, which it maintains will increase German and European dependence on Russian energy. On an issue related to sanctions -- Russia's faltering economy -- Trump told Reuters that Putin seemed eager for help at the summit. "I think they would like economic development. And that's a big thing for them," he said. "We had a very good, I guess, close to two-hour meeting. We had another good meeting with a lot of our representatives there. We talked about Israel, we talked about insecurity for Israel, we talked about Syria, we talked about Ukraine," he said. On other subjects during the Reuters interview, Trump said it was "most likely" that he will have a second meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the two nations negotiate over ridding the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons. And Trump said he has worries about falling into what he called a "perjury trap" if he agrees to be interviewed by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading an investigation into ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 election campaign. Trump said his testimony, for example, might contradict the testimony of former FBI Director James Comey, who Trump fired last year when he was leading the Russia investigation. Trump contended that Comey is a "proven liar," without providing evidence. "So if I say something and he says something, and it's my word against his, and he's best friends with Mueller, so Mueller might say: 'Well, I believe Comey,' and even if I'm telling the truth, that makes me a liar. That's no good," Trump told Reuters. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-reuters- interviewe-says-would-consider-lifting-russia- sanction-concession-ukraine-syria/29444726.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 U.S. Cracks Down On Russian Nationals, Company, Threatens 'More Economic Pain' RFE/RL's Russian Service August 21, 2018 The U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on several Russian nationals and companies as Washington warned it was ready to tighten the economic screws further on Moscow if it did not change its ways. "Though Russia's malign activities continue, we believe its adventurism undoubtedly has been checked by the knowledge that we can bring much more economic pain to bear using our powerful range of authorities," acting Deputy Treasury Secretary Sigal Mandelker told the Senate Banking Committee on August 21. "We will not hesitate to do so if its conduct does not demonstrably and significantly change," Mandelker added. U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken often of improving ties with the Kremlin, but even a face-to-face meeting in Helsinki last month with Russian President Vladimir Putin has failed to turn relations around. U.S. lawmakers have called for more action to punish Russia for its 2014 annexation of Crimea, involvement in conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, and what U.S. intelligence agencies have described as cyberattacks seeking to influence U.S. elections. Putin has repeatedly rejected accusations of attempting to influence U.S. elections, including the 2016 presidential vote that brought a shock victory to Trump. Mandelker's comments came after the Treasury announced sanctions on two Russian nationals, as well as a Russian company and a Slovak firm, for attempting to evade U.S. sanctions that target malicious cyber-related activities. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called the new sanctions groundless and promised a response from Moscow. The Treasury said St. Petersburg-based Vela-Marine Ltd and Slovakia-based Lacno S.R.O., as well as the two individuals, Marina Igorevna Tsareva and Anton Aleksandrovich Nagibin, were linked to a previously sanctioned entity -- Divetechnoservices. "The Treasury Department is disrupting Russian efforts to circumvent our sanctions," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement. "Today's action against these deceptive actors is critical to ensure that the public is aware of the tactics undertaken by designated parties and that these actors remain blocked from the U.S. financial system," Mnuchin added. Divetechnoservice, a company that builds one-man submersibles that may have been used to tap underwater communications cables, was sanctioned in June for procuring underwater equipment and diving systems for Russian government agencies, including Russia's FSB intelligence agency. In addition, the Treasury announced sanctions on two Russian shipping companies and six vessels it said were involved in the transfer of refined petroleum products to North Korean vessels in violation of UN restrictions. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-cracks-down- on-russian-nationals-company-for-attempting- to-evade-sanctions/29445833.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 Statement of Assistant Secretary Marshall Billingslea Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations U.S. Department of the Treasury August 21, 2018 Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Menendez, and distinguished Members of the Committee. It is my pleasure to be invited here today, and to speak about a very serious and continued threat to the security of our nation and our allies. The Treasury Department has a clear understanding of the continued threat posed by Russia's malign activities and works every single day, together with other agencies and foreign partners, to counter that threat. Russia's continuing occupation of Crimea, human rights abuses, malicious cyber-attacks, illicit procurement of sensitive defense and intelligence technologies, election interference and other influence efforts, as well as their support to the Assad regime's massacre of its own citizens, are unacceptable. Treasury has made countering Russian aggression a top priority, and consequently, our actions to date have resulted in an unprecedented level of financial pressure against those working on behalf of the Kremlin and in key sectors of the Russian economy targeted by U.S. sanctions. Treasury will continue to do its part to impose costs in response to Russian malign activity, leveraging all of the tools and authorities that we have. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share with you today some of what the Department of the Treasury is doing to support the Administration's whole-of-government Russia strategy. First, I'd like to take a moment to put the Russia challenge into context. Russia has spent decades developing complex and resilient networks to raise, transfer, hide, and obscure the origin and movement of the funds generated through illicit activity, including corruption, sanctions evasion, and arms sales. Their highly sophisticated apparatus relies on state and non-state agents and proxies; Russian oligarchs, for example, use their wealth and influence to advance the Kremlin's malign agenda at home and abroad. Russia, however, is also unique from other countries subject to broad U.S. sanctions in several important ways, including the sophistication and scale of its malign activity, and we have tailored our approach accordingly. We cannot, for example, counter Russian aggression in the same way we approach countries like North Korea or Iran. Russia's economy and resource base are more sizeable, and is fully integrated into the global economy and international financial system. North Korea and Iran, on the other hand, for decades have been largely or almost entirely isolated from the global financial system. Because Russia's integration presents an especially unique challenge, we've surgically deployed Treasury tools to balance maximizing pressure on Russia while minimizing unintentional spillovers to the United States, our European allies, and the global economy. For example, a number of Russia's state owned entities and oligarch-owned businesses are intricately integrated into other economies and global supply chains, including the economies of some of our closest NATO allies. We designated RUSAL, the second-largest producer and supplier of aluminum in the world, on April 6 for being owned and controlled by EN+, which is owned or controlled by the Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. As a result of our designations, Deripaska's estimated net worth has dropped by more than 50%, and the share price of EN+ fell from $12.20 to $5.40 on the London Stock Exchange following its designation. The core of our approach is to leverage every tool available to us to impose costs upon those acting on or behalf of the Kremlin against U.S. interests, and to increase financial pressure on Russia to advance our national security priorities while simultaneously mitigating unnecessary impacts on the United States, our European allies, and the global economy. Since January 2017, this Administration has sanctioned 217 Russian-related individuals and entities for a broad range of sanctionable conduct, 200 of which were sanctioned by Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Of those, 136 were designated under Ukraine/Russia-related sanctions authorities codified by the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA. During this Administration, Treasury has used our sanctions authorities to counter a wide spectrum of Russia's destabilizing activities, including malign cyber activity, interference in U.S. elections, and support to rogue states. In total, OFAC has also imposed blocking sanctions on 14 Russian banks and sectoral sanctions on 124 Russian financial institutions, including any 50% or more-owned subsidiaries. Furthermore, OFAC has imposed blocking sanctions on 20 Russian energy firms and sectoral sanctions on another 80 Russian energy firms. We've seen our actions have immediate effect. For example, the RUSAL designation in April was part of a much larger sanctions package of seven Russian oligarchs along with 12 companies they own or control, 17 senior Russian government officials, and a state-owned Russian weapons trading company and that company's subsidiary, a Russian bank. Among those sanctioned on April 6 were oligarchs Oleg Deripaska and Viktor Vekselberg, as well as Putin's son in law Kirill Shamalov; and the heads of state-owned companies such as Gazprom, Gazprombank, and VTB Bank. One of Treasury's objectives in designating Deripaska and Vekselberg, and indeed our objective in targeting oligarchs more broadly, is to make it more difficult for them to wield their influence and power to engage in malign activities. The impact of our April 6 designation was felt within a single day. According to public reporting, the combined net worth of Russia's 27 wealthiest people fell by an estimated $16 billion in one day, Moscow-traded stocks had their biggest drop in four years, and the ruble fell to its weakest position since late 2016. Viktor Vekselberg's net worth has dropped an estimated $3 billion, and foreign governments have launched investigations in response to his designation and subsequently frozen Vekselberg's assets in their jurisdictions. Vekselberg's Renova Group was forced to divest from ventures in Switzerland and Italy. While our Russia sanctions program is among our most active, sanctions are not and cannot be the only tool on which we rely. The scale and sophistication of Russian malign activity is far more advanced than that of other states currently subject to broad U.S. sanctions. Further, the size of the Russian economy and its deep integration into the global economy and financial system present a unique challenge. As I've testified before, a key reason we have been so effective in countering malign activity and illicit finance is we implement comprehensive financial diplomacy. Accordingly, in certain circumstances other tools will either complement or far more effectively advance our national security interests in countering Russian aggression. For example: Engagement with foreign governments : Senior and working-level Treasury officials frequently engage and consult with foreign counterparts regarding our Russia efforts. We leverage relationships painstakingly built over many years to consult, pre-notify of pending actions, share information regarding observed typologies, and urge them to match U.S. designations. Since the passage of CAATSA, Treasury has traveled extensively to discuss the implementation of the Russia-related provisions of that statute with foreign and finance ministries. When appropriate, Treasury also supports foreign partners' designations and enforcement actions, including by providing financial intelligence. In some cases partners need more than one-off support, and in these cases Treasury offers technical assistance to build partners' institutional capacity to effectively address procedural, legislative, or other gaps. : Senior and working-level Treasury officials frequently engage and consult with foreign counterparts regarding our Russia efforts. We leverage relationships painstakingly built over many years to consult, pre-notify of pending actions, share information regarding observed typologies, and urge them to match U.S. designations. Since the passage of CAATSA, Treasury has traveled extensively to discuss the implementation of the Russia-related provisions of that statute with foreign and finance ministries. When appropriate, Treasury also supports foreign partners' designations and enforcement actions, including by providing financial intelligence. In some cases partners need more than one-off support, and in these cases Treasury offers technical assistance to build partners' institutional capacity to effectively address procedural, legislative, or other gaps. Engagement with the private sector at home and abroad : Treasury regularly meets with U.S. and foreign private sector entities to explain our sanctions regulations and actions, and share information, typologies of illicit activity, and best practices, among other things. For example, we have held roundtables with banks in jurisdictions at elevated levels of risk for Russian money laundering, including Cyprus and Latvia, to convey the risks and also to urge relevant industry authorities to take steps to prevent the exploitation of their respective financial sectors by bad actors. We also use private sector engagement opportunities to communicate our intent to aggressively enforce U.S. sanctions, and to pursue entities that facilitate Russian malign activity. : Treasury regularly meets with U.S. and foreign private sector entities to explain our sanctions regulations and actions, and share information, typologies of illicit activity, and best practices, among other things. For example, we have held roundtables with banks in jurisdictions at elevated levels of risk for Russian money laundering, including Cyprus and Latvia, to convey the risks and also to urge relevant industry authorities to take steps to prevent the exploitation of their respective financial sectors by bad actors. We also use private sector engagement opportunities to communicate our intent to aggressively enforce U.S. sanctions, and to pursue entities that facilitate Russian malign activity. Advance multilateral efforts: Treasury works multilaterally to strengthen international anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) standards and to ensure that these measures are effectively implemented around the world. For example, Treasury officials have engaged with international partners under the G-7+ Contact Group, a group of likeminded countries coordinating efforts to counter Russian malign influence. The United States also currently holds the presidency of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). At FATF, Treasury works to strengthen international AML/CFT standards and ensure that these measures are effectively implemented around the world. For example, the FATF's efforts to ensure that all jurisdictions apply a high level of scrutiny to the financial activities of politically exposed persons (PEPs) and collect information on the beneficial owners of legal entities helps to detect attempts by Russian officials to launder, hide, or move the proceeds of corruption. Similarly, the FATF's work to promote the global implementation of United Nations (UN) sanctions and hold underperforming countries accountable through its "grey list" process helps undermine Russian attempts to circumvent international prohibitions on dealings with North Korea, Iran, or other UN-listed programs. Indeed, the U.S. named the countering of proliferation finance as one of the priorities of the FATF during the current U.S. presidency, in an effort intended to harden the world's financial systems against the type of illicit procurement and proliferation activity in which Russian actors are regularly involved. All FATF members are evaluated against their effectiveness in implementing FATF standards. Russia, as a FATF member, will be subject to rigorous assessment and peer review of its AML/CFT regime beginning in 2019. Treasury works multilaterally to strengthen international anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) standards and to ensure that these measures are effectively implemented around the world. For example, Treasury officials have engaged with international partners under the G-7+ Contact Group, a group of likeminded countries coordinating efforts to counter Russian malign influence. The United States also currently holds the presidency of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). At FATF, Treasury works to strengthen international AML/CFT standards and ensure that these measures are effectively implemented around the world. For example, the FATF's efforts to ensure that all jurisdictions apply a high level of scrutiny to the financial activities of politically exposed persons (PEPs) and collect information on the beneficial owners of legal entities helps to detect attempts by Russian officials to launder, hide, or move the proceeds of corruption. Similarly, the FATF's work to promote the global implementation of United Nations (UN) sanctions and hold underperforming countries accountable through its "grey list" process helps undermine Russian attempts to circumvent international prohibitions on dealings with North Korea, Iran, or other UN-listed programs. Indeed, the U.S. named the countering of proliferation finance as one of the priorities of the FATF during the current U.S. presidency, in an effort intended to harden the world's financial systems against the type of illicit procurement and proliferation activity in which Russian actors are regularly involved. All FATF members are evaluated against their effectiveness in implementing FATF standards. Russia, as a FATF member, will be subject to rigorous assessment and peer review of its AML/CFT regime beginning in 2019. Deploy other authorities: As Treasury works aggressively to deter and prevent illicit Russian financial activity abroad, we are simultaneously protecting the U.S. financial system. For example, on February 16, 2018, Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a finding pursuant to Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act that Latvia-based ABLV Bank AS (ABLV) was a financial institution of primary money laundering concern. In its public notice of proposed rulemaking, FinCEN cited multiple instances of institutionalized money laundering in which ABLV management solicited high-risk shell company activity that enabled the bank and its customers to launder funds. ABLV's facilitation of shell company activity typically benefitted illicit actors engaged in an array of illicit conduct, including transnational organized criminal activity, corruption, and sanctions evasion, emanating mostly from Russia and former Commonwealth of Independent States. Pursuant to this finding, FinCEN proposed the imposition of a prohibition on U.S. financial institutions from opening or maintaining correspondent accounts for, or on behalf of, ABLV. As Treasury works aggressively to deter and prevent illicit Russian financial activity abroad, we are simultaneously protecting the U.S. financial system. For example, on February 16, 2018, Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a finding pursuant to Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act that Latvia-based ABLV Bank AS (ABLV) was a financial institution of primary money laundering concern. In its public notice of proposed rulemaking, FinCEN cited multiple instances of institutionalized money laundering in which ABLV management solicited high-risk shell company activity that enabled the bank and its customers to launder funds. ABLV's facilitation of shell company activity typically benefitted illicit actors engaged in an array of illicit conduct, including transnational organized criminal activity, corruption, and sanctions evasion, emanating mostly from Russia and former Commonwealth of Independent States. Pursuant to this finding, FinCEN proposed the imposition of a prohibition on U.S. financial institutions from opening or maintaining correspondent accounts for, or on behalf of, ABLV. Public affairs engagement: Finally, Treasury officials work with the domestic and foreign media to disseminate information, including information on designations and sanctions evasion, to ensure information is made available to appropriate audiences. Before concluding, I would be remiss if I did not speak to the tremendous effort it takes on the part of Treasury's professional staff to implement all of our programs, liaise with other country partners, and with the private sector. Our team travels around the world to ensure our sanctions are effectively implemented and the real-world risks of transacting with designated individuals and entities are fully understood. Treasury staff fields thousands of inquiries each year regarding compliance and licensing issues many highly complicated questions that require substantial amounts of time and effort. On top of this, we are mandated to prepare and submit at least 80 reports to Congress in 2018 reports that require thousands of hours of work. Treasury's Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence is a small component compared to our interagency partners. As you can see, Treasury has aggressively targeted the range of Russian malign activity through our tools and authorities. In coordination with our interagency and international partners, we will continue to maintain pressure against the Kremlin. I would like to end my comments here, and welcome your questions. #### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Britain Confident Trump Will Stand Up to Putin By Jeff Seldin August 21, 2018 Britain's foreign secretary is calling for traditional Western allies to join in a united front against Russia's "aggressive and malign behavior," expressing confidence that the United States under President Donald Trump will lead the way. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told an audience in Washington it is essential for the U.S., Britain and the European Union to stand firm against Russian President Vladimir Putin's increasingly dangerous attacks on long-standing international norms. "Those who don't share our values, need to know that there will always be a serious price to pay if red lines are crossed by the territorial incursions, the use of banned weapons, or increasingly cyberattacks," Hunt said Tuesday prior to talks with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "He [Putin] is testing us," Hunt added. "He is just wanting to see just how robust and how united the West is." Actions against Russia Hunt said there are several reasons for optimism, praising the United States for its strong stance on Russia following the March poisoning of a former Russian agent and his daughter in the British town of Salisbury. The U.S. expelled 60 Russian diplomats and imposed sanctions, pointing to the use of a Soviet-era nerve toxin known as Novichok. U.S. and British officials have also accused Russia of seeking to interfere with their elections. At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on assertions that Russia sought to meddle in the U.S. election, taking to social media to dismiss an investigation into Russia's actions as a "rigged witch hunt." And in an interview Monday with the Reuters news agency, Trump said he would consider lifting sanctions against Russia in exchange for cooperation in Syria or Ukraine. Hunt downplayed such concerns. "President Trump is the most active president on social media that there's ever been," the British foreign secretary said. "It's a different style of politics, but I think it's important to look at what he does as well as what he says." "What you see is an approach to foreign policy that is different to his predecessors but is absolutely focused on upholding the international order," Hunt said. "If you look at his actions he is also prepared to be very tough tougher actually than a number of his predecessors to make sure people get the message about vital red lines." As if to back up Hunt's assertions, top administration officials told U.S. lawmakers Tuesday they are prepared to impose additional sanctions on Russia if its behavior does not change. Strategy against Russia The administration's strategy is to "continue raising the costs until Russian aggression ceases, while keeping the door open to dialogue," Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Already, existing sanctions are believed to have cost Russia up to $10 billion in arms sales alone, while slashing foreign investment by 80 percent. "Though Russia's malign activities continue, we believe its adventurism undoubtedly has been checked by the knowledge that we can bring much more economic pain to bear," Acting Deputy Treasury Secretary Sigal Mandelker told the Senate Banking Committee. "We will not hesitate to do so if its conduct does not demonstrably and significantly change." Separately Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions against two Russian companies and a Russian individual for helping Moscow try to avoid existing sanctions due to Russia's cyber activities. It also slapped Russian shipping companies with new sanctions for violating United Nations restrictions transferring refined petroleum products to North Korea. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov responded Tuesday in a statement on the ministry's website, saying the new U.S. sanctions were groundless, promising a response from Moscow. Still, some lawmakers and other officials are concerned Russia's behavior is not changing quickly enough. Microsoft said late Monday it had detected and disrupted efforts by the Kremlin-linked group known as Fancy Bear or APT28, to hack into or attack conservative U.S. think tanks as well as several U.S. senators. Moscow has rejected Microsoft's allegations, saying there is no evidence to support them. Information from Reuters was used in this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia: No talks with US over Iran's exit from Syria IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Moscow, Aug 21, IRNA -- Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that his country has had no talks with the US over Ira's withdrawal from Syria. Aksed whether Russia has held negotiations with the US to reduce Iran's clout in Syria, he told reporters that there was not such a thing. Based on the western media outlets, US national security adviser John Bolton has recently claimed that the US, Israel and Russia have common interests in minimizing Iran's influence in Syria and Putin and Trump have reached agreements in this respect. In response to a question on Trump's proposal to abolish anti-Russia sanctions against cooperation between Washington and Moscow on Syria and Ukraine, he said that Russia plays more part in settlement of Syrian issues than other countries. 8072**1396 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Refugees Concerned Over Russia's Repatriation Plan By Nisan Ahmado August 21, 2018 Syrian refugees and aid groups, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, are concerned about a plan proposed by Russia to repatriate Syrians from Lebanon and Jordan to Syria, calling the move premature and risky, as the country is still not prepared and safe enough for the return of refugees. "Returnees receive counseling by UNHCR prior to their departure. UNHCR so far does not facilitate returns because we believe that conditions are not yet ready. But we provide counseling to those refugees that approach the government [Jordan] and UNHCR with a wish to return," Nida Yassin, of UNHCR's external relations in Jordan, told VOA. "UNHCR strongly believes it is important that refugees make their own informed decisions about returning, and that it should be completely voluntary," Yassin said. Russia is reportedly mulling over a plan with the Syrian government and some of the countries that host Syrian refugees to facilitate the return of refugees to Syria. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his visit to Germany to discuss Syria and refugee issues with German officials, stressed on the importance of returning Syrians to their country. "I remind you that there are a million refugees in Jordan and a million in Lebanon. There are 3 million refugees in Turkey. This is potentially a huge burden on Europe, so it is better to do everything possible so that they can return home," Putin told reporters in Berlin. Russian officials have called on international donors to help support the reconstruction of war-torn Syria and facilitate the return of Syrian refugees back to their country. Last month, Alexander Lavrentyev, Russia's envoy to Syria, visited Damascus, Amman and Beirut, and urged key actors in Syria not to "politicize" what he called a "humanitarian issue." He also called on international organizations to support the process of rebuilding Syria. Syrian state media also reported last week that the Syrian government had created a coordination committee to help facilitate the potential return of refugees. Political points Some experts charge that under the pretext of humanitarian aid, Russia is actually making an effort to score political points for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad following his military gains in recent months against the country's rebels, with the help of Russia. "Russia knows the file of refugees will be the passage to convince the rest of the world of rehabilitating the Syrian regime and start financing reconstruction," Khattar Abou Diab, a professor of international affairs at the University of Paris in France, told VOA. Abou Diab added that with millions of Syrians displaced internally and externally, the priority should be to stabilize the country and prepare the ground for the people to return voluntarily. There is some support for the Russian plan among regional countries. The Lebanese government welcomed it. US stance Russia has discussed its plan with the United States as well, but both countries failed to reach an agreement. The United States emphasized following UNHCR's procedure. "We support refugees going home under these conditions safe, voluntary, dignified returns at the time of their choosing and when it is safe to do so," Heather Nauert, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said during a briefing last month. "I don't think the situation, as UNHCR backs up right now, allows for that at this time. Hopefully, someday people will be able to head back home," Nauert added. Refugees' voices Refugees such as Huda al-Khteeb are concerned they might be repatriated to Syria against their will. "I am against returning to Syria at this moment. I have my fears over retaliation and persecution," al-Khteeb, a Syrian refugee in Lebanon, told VOA. Al-Khteeb lost her husband in 2011 after Syrian forces shot him during a peaceful protest in the Damascus countryside. One of her sons was also killed when he tried to defect from the Syrian army in 2012. Al-Khteeb said Syrian forces killed her son in retaliation. Al-Khteeb fled to Lebanon after her house in the Qalamoun area of northeast Damascus was destroyed during a bombing by Syrian forces. Now, she lives in the Arsal area of northeastern Lebanon. Despite being homesick, she fears for her safety and that of another son, who was injured and paralyzed in a shelling by pro-Assad forces in 2012. Despite the risks, some refugees still want to return to Syria, as they have experienced hardships and dire conditions in the refugee camps outside of Syria. Political transition Some displaced Syrians say that a political transition in Syria will give them a sense of security for returning home. "We want to go back to our homes. But after seven years of destruction and death, who will guarantee people's safety?" Khalid Ayoush, a Syrian refugee in Lebanon, told VOA. "Only a political change can guarantee the return of the refugees," he said. Ayoush said there are many unanswered questions regarding the situation of different refugee groups, including men between 18 and 45 years of age and who are by law required to sign up for two years of military service. "There is also those who defected from the army. What will be their fate? What about the young men who were called to enlist in military service, and they will probably be taken to fight on the frontlines?" Ayoush asked. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians have been killed in the country's seven-year civil war, with millions displaced internally and externally. UNHCR estimates that the population in pre-war Syria was 22 million. Now, about 6 million have been internally displaced, and more than 5 million have left the country, temporarily settling in neighboring countries, including Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. Some have also gone to Europe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan cuts ties with El Salvador ROC Central News Agency 2018/08/21 11:53:40 Taipei, Aug. 21 (CNA) Taiwan is cutting diplomatic ties with El Salvador after the Central American nation asked Taiwan for an "astronomical sum" of financial aid, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu () announced Tuesday. Wu said Taiwan will halt all bilateral cooperative projects, cut all assistance to the former ally, and pull out its diplomatic staff and technical missions from the country that has had ties with the Republic of China since 1933. Wu again accused China's government of engaging in money diplomacy to brutally lure away Taiwan's allies but stressed Taiwan will not back down from Beijing's pressure. According to the foreign minister, El Salvador had been in talks with Beijing on the possibility of establishing diplomatic ties since June 2018, and Taiwan had been doing its best to persuade the country to reconsider the decision but to no avail. Sensing that it had done all it could diplomatically, the Foreign Ministry decided to announce the severing of ties with El Salvador at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Wu said. The announcement came one day after President Tsai Ing-wen () returned from an nine-day state visit to two diplomatic allies, Paraguay and Belize, that including stopovers in Los Angeles and Houston. El Salvador is the fifth diplomatic ally to switch its loyalty from Taiwan to China since Tsai took office in May 2016, often because of promises of huge financial assistance packages or loans from Beijing. Wu revealed that over the past year, El Salvador's government repeatedly asked Taiwan to invest in its Port of La Union development project. But after a team inspected the site, Taiwan did not see the project as viable and felt it would result in serious debt for both Taiwan and El Salvador, Wu said. "As a responsible government, we certainly could not put our money into the 'unrealistic' project," the minister said. Also, the Central American nation is scheduled to hold a presidential election in February 2019, and the administration of President Salvador Sanchez Ceren, which is trailing in the race, asked Taiwan's government to fund its campaign, Wu said. "Such a request runs counter to the democratic principles we uphold, and we certainly could not agree," he said. In a nationally televised speech, Sanchez Ceren said his country was cutting diplomatic and commercial ties with Taiwan and would establish full diplomatic and commercial relations with the People's Republic China. "This is a step in the right direction, corresponding to the principles of international law, international relations and the inevitable trends of our times. It will also enable great benefits for the country," Sanchez Ceren was quoted as saying by Salvadoran media. He also said Salvadoran students in Taiwan would be moved to China in the coming days to ensure their opportunities to study. According to Salvadoran media, opposition figures blasted the government for making the decision without any national discussion or studying its economic impact, calling it "shameful" and "nefarious." U.S. Senator Marco Rubio said on Twitter before the severing of ties was announced that it would be a terrible mistake for El Salvador to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. "Maybe they think China $ will help governing party win elections in 2019. But will cause real harm to relationship with U.S." It was the first time the Tsai administration pre-emptively announced it was severing diplomatic relations with a formal ally before that ally declared it was switching recognition to Beijing, according to Wu. The pre-emptive announcement came as El Salvador was meeting a Chinese delegation to prepare for the shift in relations to Beijing, according to El Salvador newspaper La Prensa. The decision leaves Taiwan with 17 diplomatic allies. (By Joseph Yeh) enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan denounces China for taking its allies, brutish suppression ROC Central News Agency 2018/08/21 18:57:42 Taipei, Aug. 21 (CNA) The Mainland Affairs Council lodged a strong protest Tuesday over China, which it denounced for constantly brutally wresting allies away from the Republic of China (Taiwan) in an attempt to press Taiwan into submitting to its political stance. The protest was made following Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu's () announcement earlier in the day that Taiwan is cutting diplomatic relations with El Salvador after the Central American nation asked Taiwan for an "astronomical sum" of financial assistance for a port development project. In a statement, the top agency in charge of China policy criticized Beijing for continuously ignoring Taipei's goodwill requests for dialogue on peace in Taiwan Strait. China's repeated suppression of Taiwan, which the agency described as "the source of unrest maliciously damaging the peace and stability in the strait and the region," harms the Taiwanese people's feelings, rights and interests. This brutish suppression will only serve to make Taiwanese people hold together more firmly, the agency said. It reiterated the government's determination to defend the country's national sovereignty and dignity, as well as the people's rights and welfare, saying that the government will maintain its existing policy. "Taiwan has stern faith in self-defense and a democratic system against communist China's brutish practices," the agency said. Meanwhile, ruling and opposition lawmakers all contended that China's luring away of Taiwan's allies does not help the development of cross-strait relations. Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Wang Ting-yu () said Taiwan's foreign policy leaves the country no room to satisfy El Salvador with its unreasonable request. "In order to stifle Taiwan's diplomatic progress in the United States, China is willing to satisfy El Salvador's needs. The Chinese taxpayers should think about whether their money has been spent correctly," Wang said. Opposition Kuomintang spokesman Hung Meng-kai () urged China to respect the fact that the ROC exists and to refrain from squeezing Taiwan's international space. Meanwhile, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je () suggested that Beijing should not let nationalism expand excessively. "It should be wiser in handling cross-strait affairs," said the popular political independent, who is seeking his second term in year-end elections. On the other hand, he suggested, Taiwan should be able to stand on its own in the international community. "Taiwan should not put its future into the hands of the goodwill of other (countries)," the outspoken mayor said. El Salvador is the fifth diplomatic ally to switch its loyalty from Taiwan to China since Tsai Ing-wen () of the independence-leaning DPP took office in May 2016, often because of promises of huge financial assistance packages or loans from Beijing. The latest cut in ties reduces the number of countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan to as few as 17. (By Chai Sze-chia, Fang Cheng-chung, Lee Shu-hua, Liang Pei-chi and Elizabeth Hsu) Enditem/J NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's suppression of Taiwan leaves no room for appeasement: Tsai ROC Central News Agency 2018/08/21 14:28:41 Taipei, Aug. 21 (CNA) China's many actions to suppress Taiwan have implications for not only Taiwan but the world because they demonstrate Beijing's ambition to challenge and replace the existing international order, President Tsai Ing-wen () said Tuesday. "I would like to remind the international community that this is not just about Taiwan. The severity of the situation has left no room to appease (China)," Tsai said. Tsai made her appeal at an impromptu press conference at 12:20 p.m. after her administration announced pre-emptively five hours earlier that it was terminating diplomatic ties with El Salvador as the Central American country prepared to switch recognition to China. Since Tsai took office in May 2016, Taiwan has lost five diplomatic allies -- Sao Tome and Principe, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso and now El Salvador -- that have been lured away by financial incentives from China. Tsai said her administration has been aware of the possible shift in recognition for a while and has tried to work with international friends to prevent El Salvador from becoming a diplomatic battlefield involving the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. "Regrettably, the Chinese government had no intention to step back but instead scaled up its pressure (on El Salvador), with the aim of breaking the resolve of Taiwan's people to go out into the world," the president said. China's behavior around the world, whether interfering in the internal affairs of other nations or disrupting the international economic order, has created high levels of disruption in the world, Tsai argued. "China nowadays is not just a threat to Taiwan," she said. Tsai said her administration will continue to cooperate with like-minded countries to confront China's international behavior, which she described as gradually spinning out of control. (By Shih Hsiu-chuan) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan summons El Salvador envoy to protest break in ties ROC Central News Agency 2018/08/21 14:49:41 Taipei, Aug. 21 (CNA) Vice Foreign Minister Jose Maria Liu () on Tuesday summoned El Salvador's ambassador to Taiwan to lodge a protest over her country's decision to change allegiance to Beijing. In a brief meeting with Liu, ambassador Marta Chang de Tsien () promised to relay Taiwan's protest to her government, while pledging to negotiate a deadline on when the two sides need to complete the shutdown of the embassies in their respective countries, according to a MOFA statement. Chang expressed regret over her government's decision, according to a diplomatic official who was present during the meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity. She also insisted that she was not aware of the decision until around 10 a.m. Tuesday when she received word of the situation from her government, the official said. Chang, who has been posted in Taipei since 2010, is a second-generation ethnic Chinese in El Salvador. Chang's husband, Tsien Lo-shen (), serves as a senior advisor to the ROC Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission, according to MOFA. Taiwan moved pre-emptively Tuesday morning to declare an end to diplomatic relations with the Central American country after sensing that El Salvador was about to announce the severing of ties with Taiwan. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu () said the breaking point was Taiwan's refusal to provide an "astronomical" amount of financial support to help El Salvador develop one of its ports. In a nationally televised speech, El Salvador President Salvador Sanchez Ceren later announced his country was ending ties with Taiwan and would establish full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's luring of allies infringes on Taiwan sovereignty: Tsai ROC Central News Agency 2018/08/21 17:23:42 Taipei, Aug. 21 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () said Tuesday that the way China has been pressuring the allies of the Republic of China (Taiwan) into switching diplomatic allegiance to Beijing is tantamount to "infringement on our sovereignty." At a press conference, President Tsai called for national unity to "defend the status quo of the ROC (Taiwan)," after her administration announced a decision to sever diplomatic relations with El Salvador because the Central American country was preparing to switch recognition to China. The loss of Taiwan's fifth ally since Tsai took office, and the third in the past four months, came one day after she returned from a trip to Paraguay and Belize, during which she made two transit stops in the United States that were seen as a breakthrough in U.S.-Taiwan ties. At Tuesday's press conference, Tsai said that as a member of the international community, Taiwan is entitled to a place in the world, and its 23 million people have the same rights to freedom and equality as the peoples of other nations. Taiwan is entitled to its independent sovereignty and dignity, Tsai added. "These are universal principles that we believe in." Tsai said China's efforts to lure diplomatic allies away from Taiwan were part of a broader strategy to suppress Taiwan through tactics such as intimidation and military coercion, an approach that has not changed over the years and has now become "all pervasive." "I want to let everyone know that due to its actions, China has crossed the line with all the major political parties in Taiwan," Tsai said. She urged the people of Taiwan to unite against "the encroachment on the sovereignty of the nation." "Undermining the ROC's diplomatic relations with its allies amounts to challenging the bottom line," Tsai said. She said that even though people in Taiwan hold differing views on cross-Taiwan Strait relations, they share common ground on the issue of safeguarding the status quo of the ROC (Taiwan). Only by showing unity can Taiwan send a message to China that it should not misgauge the bottom line and should not think it can disrupt Taiwan society by inciting divisions among politicians or political parties, Tsai said. The president said that since she took office in May 2016, the Taiwanese people have shown the world that they will not be thwarted in defending their freedom and democracy from any threat, nor will they abandon their commitment to contributing to the international community. She also called on Taiwan's diplomatic allies to value their longstanding friendship with Taiwan and its contribution to their development. (By Shih Hsiu-chuan) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan vents anger after losing another ally to China Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 06:29AM Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has voiced anger at Beijing's "increasingly-out-of-control" behavior following El Salvador's move to sever ties with her self-proclaimed government in favor of China. Speaking in Taipei on Tuesday, Tsai said her government now having diplomatic relations with only 17 countries would not bow to pressure from China. She made the remarks after El Salvador's President Salvador Sanchez Ceren announced in a nationally-televised speech earlier that his government had broken off ties with Taipei and established relations with Beijing instead. Almost all world countries recognize Chinese sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan. Tsai blamed China for El Salvador's move, saying it was further evidence of China's efforts to squeeze Taipei. "We will turn to countries with similar values to fight together against China's increasingly out-of-control international behavior," she said. Taiwan claims that China buys off its increasingly dwindling diplomatic partners with generous aid packages. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu had said at a press conference earlier, "We are not willing to continue with the money competition with China." China, however, denies such allegations, saying Taiwan is historically part of its territory, with no right to formal diplomatic ties of its own with other countries. Wu condemned what it called Beijing's "crude actions," saying, "Pressure from China would only make Taiwan more determined to continue our path of democracy and freedom." He claimed that the government in San Salvador had been continuously asking for "massive funding support" since last year for a port development, but Taipei had been unable to assist with the "unsuitable project" after an assessment. Tsai recently wrapped up a visit to Latin America, during which she had two brief stopovers in the United States. China has objected to the brief stopovers, with its Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang saying Beijing is "against all countries that have diplomatic ties with China, including the US, conducting official exchanges with Taiwan." Tsai said earlier on Monday that pressure would only boost Taiwan's "determination to go abroad." The US, too, recognizes Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan, but it has long courted Taipei in an attempt to counter China. US President Donald Trump signed the so-called Taiwan Travel Act this year, which encourages high-level visits between the two sides, despite Beijing's strong opposition. His administration approved $1.4 billion in arms sales to Taiwan last year and is now opening a new de facto embassy in a suburb of Taipei. Taiwan, in the meantime, is losing allies one after another, with El Salvador being the fifth diplomatic loss since Tsai took office in 2016. The West African state of Burkina Faso cut ties with Taiwan in May, following similar moves earlier by the Dominican Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, and Panama. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address El Salvador Establishes Diplomatic Relations With China, Breaks Ties With Taiwan Sputnik News 07:14 21.08.2018(updated 08:03 21.08.2018) BEIJING (Sputnik) - The government of El Salvador announced on Tuesday the establishment of diplomatic relations with China after breaking official ties with Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Minister of El Salvador Carlos Castaneda signed a joint communique on Tuesday morning on the establishment of diplomatic relations between People's Republic of China and the Republic of El Salvador. Taiwan President responded to the move by saying that cutting ties shows China's pressure on Taiwan, stressing that Taiwan would fight against China's "increasingly out of control" behaviour. El Salvador became the third country that broke off relations with Taiwan over the past few months. Dominican Republic and Burkina Faso announced a similar decision on May 1 and May 24, respectively. At the moment, there are only 17 states retaining official ties with Taiwan. Official relations between central Chinese authorities and Taiwan stopped in 1949, when the Kuomintang government led by Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taipei after being defeated by the Chinese Communist Party, establishing the Republic of China on the island. Informal contacts resumed in 1980s. Beijing does not recognize Taiwanese independence and claims the island is part of China. Taiwan similarly does not recognize the central government in Beijing. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's arms producer says Turkey will receive S-400 missile system in 2019 Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 03:40PM Russia will commence delivering its advanced S-400 anti-aircraft missile defense system to Turkey next year, a report says, much to the ire of Ankara's NATO allies, particularly the United States. On Tuesday, the Interfax news agency cited Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport as announcing the news, adding that the state intermediary agency would also switch to using local currencies instead of the US dollar in deals with foreign trade partners. Back on April 3, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin said in Ankara that they had agreed to expedite the delivery of S-400 missile systems. At the time it was said that the delivery could be made between late 2019 and early 2020. The S-400 system, whose full name is the Triumph Mobile Multiple Anti-Aircraft Missile System (AAMS), is an advanced Russian missile system designed to detect, track, and destroy planes, drones, or missiles as far as 402 kilometers away. It has previously been sold only to China and India. Washington has time and again warned Turkey against the consequences of its decision to buy the S-400 missile batteries from Russia, saying the White House could slap Ankara with sanctions over such a purchase. Turkey is striving to strengthen its air defense capabilities, particularly after the US decided in 2015 to withdraw its Patriot surface-to-air missile system from the Anatolian country's border with Syria, a move that notably weakened Turkey's air defense. Before gravitating towards Russia, the Turkish military reportedly withdrew from a $3.4 billion contract for a similar Chinese system after purported pressure from Washington. Turkey's relations with its Western allies in NATO have been strained over a range of issues. Erdogan has been critical of the US for supporting Kurdish groups in Syria that he says are responsible for terror attacks inside Turkey. Ankara has also condemned Washington's refusal to hand over Fethullah Gulen, a powerful US-based Turkish opposition figure, whom Ankara accuses of having masterminded the July 2016 coup attempt against the Turkish government. But the detention of an American pastor named Andrew Brunson in Turkey over terror-related charges has caused the biggest rift between the two countries in recent weeks. Brunson, 50, was indicted by a Turkish court on charges of having links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group and the Gulen's movement. The pastor, who has already spent nearly two years behind bars in Turkey, has denied the charges, calling them "shameful and disgusting." If he is found guilty, he will face up to 35 years in jail. His imprisonment and then house arrest have caused one of the deepest rows between Turkey and the US. The Turkish lira has already lost about 30 percent of its value against the US dollar since the beginning of August, when tensions between the two NATO allies soared unprecedentedly over the detained pastor. Back on August 21, Rosoboronexport said that it would no longer conduct its sales to foreign customers in US dollars, allowing purchases in local currencies, including Turkish lira. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said that Washington said that he had ordered to double US tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively. The US is the world's biggest steel importer, and Turkey is the sixth-largest steel exporter to the US. On Wednesday, a Turkish court rejected Washington's latest appeal for Brunson's release. Later the same day, Ankara increased duties on imports of some key US products such as rice, hard alcohol, leaf tobacco, cosmetics and cars in a tit-for-tat move. Erdogan on Saturday said his country will not "surrender" to the US under sanctions imposed over the detention of Brunson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish foreign minister says Trump's Turkey policy self-defeating Iran Press TV Tue Aug 21, 2018 03:04PM Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has described US President Donald Trump's recent sanctions policy targeting Ankara as "self-defeating." In a Monday article for USA Today, Cavusoglu wrote that the US attempts to undermine Turkish economy had hurt the NATO alliance. "Aiming to undermine an ally's economy to score domestic political points is deeply misguided. Alienating an ally with which your country shares vital national interests is self-defeating," Cavusoglu said The article outlined that the tensions between Ankara and Washington have to resolved through diplomacy, not tariffs. According to Cavusoglu, the tariffs sanctioned by the US on Turkey will not just harm Turkey, but also harm the US and Europe. "The economic sanctions Mr. Trump's administration is imposing on Turkey, however, are poised to disrupt any atmosphere of cooperation all while global threats demand that we strengthen, not weaken, the ties that bind us together." The top Turkish diplomat used the warning by the US Chamber of Commerce, which told Trump that his actions "harm the US economy and undermine American global leadership." "This reckless escalation needs to stop," said Cavusoglu. The Turkish FM noted that both countries agree on a wide range of issues although they may have different views on significant ones. "For everyone's sake, we should address our disagreements with diplomacy, rather than threats and provocation, and with a commitment to facts and perspective." He also highlighted the strategic importance of its Incirlik airbase being used by US-led coalition forces purportedly fighting Daesh terrorists in neighboring Syria. "Over the past two years, we have arrested hundreds of suspected ISIS [Daesh] members, helping to prevent the group's spread to Western capitals. In the face of this threat, Turkey has been the tip of the spear," Cavusoglu added. Elsewhere in his article, Cavusoglu strongly denounced Trump's decision to double US tariffs on a number of Turkish products, while imposing sanctions on two Turkish ministers over the arrest of American pastor Andrew Brunson. Turkey is not a "rogue regime that can be shaken down on a whim," Cavusoglu said. The article comes as ties between Ankara and Washington are in an unprecedented crisis over the continued detention of Brunson. Turkey and the US are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington's imposition of sanctions on two government ministers for not releasing Brunson, who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey. On August 10, Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling US tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports. Last Wednesday, in retaliation, Turkey increased tariffs on several US goods, including alcohol and tobacco products as well as cars. The dispute between Washington and Ankara that reached new intensity over the detention of the pastor in Turkey has hammered the lira and also raised questions over the future partnership between the two NATO allies. Writing in The New York Times, Erdogan earlier said, "Washington must give up the misguided notion that our relationship can be asymmetrical and come to terms with the fact that Turkey has alternatives." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Says It Will Start Delivering S-400 Defense System To Turkey In 2019 RFE/RL August 21, 2018 Russia's state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, says it will begin delivering its advanced S-400 antiaircraft missile systems to Turkey in 2019. Rosoboronexport also said on August 21 that it would stop conducting its sales to foreign customers in U.S. dollars, allowing purchases in local currencies. The announcement comes as Turkey faces a crisis over its weakening lira currency amid worsening relations with the United States. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on August 20 that Turkey's currency crisis is the result of an "attack" on his country's economy. Washington has voiced concern over NATO-member Turkey's purchase of Russian-made S-400 missiles, arguing that its deployment could risk the security of several U.S.-made weapons that Ankara uses -- including the F-35 warplane. The United States has also imposed sanctions against Turkey over the continued detention in the country of an American pastor. Washington has also increased tariffs on Turkey. Erdogan said the aim of those he blamed for Turkey's currency crisis was to bring "Turkey and its people to their knees." But he said Turkey had the power and ability to overcome the crisis. U.S. President Donald Trump last week signed a defense spending bill that includes delaying the delivery of F-35 fighter jets pending a Pentagon report. U.S. lawmakers have been working to block the delivery in response to the American pastor's arrest and Turkey's pledge to buy Russian S-400 missile systems. With reporting by Reuters, Interfax, and RIA Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-says- it-will-start-delivering-s-400-defense-system-to- turkey-in-2019/29445516.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 Ukraine Launches Probe Into Suspected Business Dealings Between Ex-Officials, Manafort Christopher Miller August 21, 2018 Ukrainian authorities have launched an investigation into whether former state officials paid Paul Manafort for political consulting work, the country's prosecutor-general says. Yuriy Lutsenko told journalists in Kyiv on August 21 that Ukraine's State Fiscal Service opened criminal proceedings against ex-officials who served during Viktor Yanukovych's presidency and were suspected of paying Manafort for his work for Yanukovych and his Party of Regions. Under Ukrainian law, state officials do not have the right to engage in business, Lutsenko said. Lutsenko did not name any of the suspects, but at least six Ukrainian oligarchs and politicians, including four who held public office during Yanukovych's term, are alleged to have paid a total of $65.9 million to Manafort for consulting work, according to documents released by a U.S. court. Three other cases related to Manafort's professional activities in Ukraine are currently being investigated by the country's Prosecutor General's Office. Manafort himself is not facing any charges in Ukraine. The announcement of the new probe comes as the jury in Manafort's trial at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, entered its fourth day of deliberations. Manafort, the former campaign chairman of U.S. President Donald Trump, faces 18 counts of tax evasion and banking fraud, with many of the charges centering on allegations that he illegally avoided taxes on some of the millions of dollars he earned from his political consulting work for Yanukovych and his party between 2010 and 2014. If convicted, Manafort could spend the rest of his life in prison. During his press briefing, Lutsenko cited the hundreds of documents presented by U.S. prosecutors in the trial and the testimony of one of its star witnesses, Manafort's former deputy, Rick Gates, as the reason behind the opening of the new investigation. "There has been testimony that Manafort received funds for his consulting services for disgraced ex-President Viktor Yanukovych and the Party of Regions from specific politicians of Ukraine," Lutsenko said, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. Gates has testified in court that those who transferred millions of dollars to a Manafort account in Cyprus included Yanukovych's former chief of staff, Serhiy Lyovochkin; ex-Infrastructure Minister Borys Kolesnikov; former National Security Council Secretary Andriy Klyuyev; and lawmaker Serhiy Tihipko. None of the men could immediately be reached for comment. "Therefore, we opened a criminal case into possible violations of these state officials at that time," Lutsenko said, adding that the State Fiscal Service "will obviously work with those jurisdictions in the territory of which there are mainly offshore companies mentioned during Manafort's trial." Lutsenko conceded that the investigation will be a slog but said investigators would see it through. "If it is proved" that any civil servant provided funds to Manafort, he said, "then he will be held liable in accordance with current Ukrainian legislation." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-launches-probe -into-suspected-business-dealings-between-ex- officials-manafort/29445960.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 August 22, 2018 - Rosita Mining Corp. (RST: TSX-V) (Frankfurt & Munich - 5LM1) ("Rosita" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has increased its land holding in Newfoundland by adding to the previously announced Marilyn Three Property (announced August 14, 2018). The additional land package was staked to cover prospective geology along the contact of the Botwood Group and the Mount Peyton Intrusive. Also, the additional claims cover parallel epithermal textured boulder trains and the possible strike extension of the in situ epithermal system.As previously announced: The Marilyn Three Property is located within a northeast-trending belt of Silurian volcanic, volcaniclastic and sedimentary rocks, adjacent to a large bimodal intrusive. This intrusive (The Mount Peyton complex) is thought to be responsible for the large regional fault structure located within the larger area and within the property. The project now consists of 161 claim blocks representing exclusive exploration rights to a land package of approximately 9,945 acres (4,025 hectares) and lies within the same belt of rock and on trend with the mineral license hosting Sokoman Iron Corp. 's recently announced discovery hole ( Sokoman Iron Corp. (SIC-TSXV) news release dated July 24, on its Moosehead gold project, where Sokoman Iron reported a drill intersection of 44.96 grams per tonne gold over 11.9 metres). Additionally, within the property, recent work has identified quartz sub-crop blocks (enriched in silver, arsenic and antimony) with assays up to 4.8g/t Au. These blocks are located approximately 150m west of a recently identified 10-15m wide epithermal vein system in outcrop. Appearances and textures indicate the vein outcrop is a fully preserved epithermal quartz veined system with potential significant grades just below the surface within the boiling zone. Rosita is responsible to the Vendors for the additional staking costs for the additional 57 claim blocks. In addition, Rosita announces that it has established a wholly-owned subsidiary named Moosehead Gold Inc. to hold its property in this emerging gold exploration play. The technical contents of this news release were approved by John F. Cook, MIMMM, a qualified person as defined by the National Instrument 43-101. The properties have not been the subject of an NI 43-101 technical report. Please see map below. Click Image To View Full Size About Rosita Mining Corporation Rosita is a junior mining and exploration company focused on growing shareholder value through the development of the Santa Rita stockpiles and tailings and advancing accretive exploration opportunities. Rosita and Calibre Mining Corp. hold 67% and 33% interests respectively in the copper-gold-silver supergene/skarn/porphyry project in Nicaragua located 275 kilometres northeast of Managua. Sugject to regualary approval, the Company has acquired a 100% interest in the Marilyn Three Projcet in Newfoundland, comprised of 161 claim blocks. Signed "John Cook" Contact: John Cook, CEO Rosita Mining Corp. Telephone: (416) 200-8073 E-mail: johncook@kos.net For more information please visit www.rositaminingcorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor it 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. Cautionary Statements: Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the re-instatement of trading and the identification, negotiation and completion of a transaction sufficient to meet listing requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Risk factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by forward-looking information include, among other things: conditions imposed by the NEX and/or TSX Venture Exchange; changes in tax laws, general economic and business conditions; and changes in the regulatory regulation. The Company cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Copyright (c) 2018 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. By Tom Sear, PhD Candidate, UNSW Canberra Cyber, Australian Defence Force Academy, UNSW Author provided Russia was behind an enormous effort to influence politics in the US and the UK, but was Australia targeted too? In this series Hacking #auspol we explore how covert foreign influence operates in Australia, and what we can do about it. New evidence shows that the infamous Russian troll factory, the Internet Research Agency (IRA), targeted Australian politics on social media between 2015 and 2017 and that other Russian outlets may continue to conduct influence operations. Russian intervention in the 2016 US election has generated considerable attention around the world. But while that attack was unprecedented in scope, Russia is not the only perpetrator of foreign influence, and the United States is not the only target. The recent passage of legislation by the Australian Parliament targeting foreign lobbyists and strengthening regulations around espionage are a response to growing concerns about foreign influence operations in Australia. Read more: Weaponized information seeks a new target in cyberspace: Users' minds What Russian interference in Australia looks like In its effort to aid US lawmakers investigating Russian influence on US politics, Twitter identified 3,841 accounts suspected of operating out of the Internet Research Agency in St Petersburg. Researchers from Clemson University in the US released 3 million tweets from those accounts last month. Our analysis of this data set shows how these accounts targeted Australian politics particularly in reaction to the Australian response to the downing of flight MH17. Some 5,000 tweets mention the terms #auspol, Australia or MH17 with Australia the most common of the three. Examples of their interventions in #auspol include: @ALFREDTHREE: Tony Abbot used and manipulated terror threat as a political weapon @ADRIENNE_GG #My4WordNewYearsResolution. Give The Government Hell. #AusPol. These are not retweets, but original tweets from IRA troll accounts, and both have an objective of undermining support for the government. Author provided The jump in activity focusing on MH17 correlates with the Australian governments response to the Russian missile attack on MH17, when Australia deployed fighter aircraft to operate in Syrian airspace where Russian aircraft were also operational. During this period, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) was also confronted by Russian military cyber operations. The spike that occurs in February 2017 actually has nothing to do with politics and instead refers to a hashtag game. These Russian accounts encouraged people to come up with Australian names for popular US television programs. Examples include, @AIDEN7757: Gallipoli of Thrones #MakeTVShowsAustralian, @ERICARUTTER: Sheila the explorer #MakeTVShowsAustralian, and @CALEBPAAR: American Drongo #MakeTVShowsAustralian. While this may seem like innocent fun, it is also a technique of spy craft. Assets, in this case, Australian citizens, are recruited on neutral, non-political terms before they are shifted towards political topics. #auspol targeted during budget and by-elections Studies of Russian Twitter trolls show that they are distinct from other actors in that they tend to link to and promote official Russian propaganda outlets. To better understand the role played by these accounts in Australian politics, we collected tweets using the hashtag #auspol from 4 May to 30 July 2018. That period runs from the lead-up to the 2018 budget through the by-elections held the end of July. The #auspol hashtag has been used on Twitter to aggregate discussions about Australian politics since June 2010. The purpose of this research is not to identify specific troll accounts, but to identify how Russian propaganda materials are becoming involved in social media discussions about Australian politics. For this analysis we focus on Sputnik and RT (formerly Russia Today). We call these outlets propaganda for two reasons. Firstly, they are recognised as such by the United States Department of Justice which has recently required them to register under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Second, these outlets describe themselves in terms of their propaganda function with RT explaining that their purpose is to: [acquaint] an international audience with the Russian viewpoint. Author provided The above network map of #auspol tweets which mention Russian propaganda outlets, or link to their reporting, indicates that these accounts appear most commonly in discussions with News Corporation media platforms. There is also a wider international focus including Russian diplomatic delegations. These results contrast with the normal #auspol mention network, which contains a much broader range of domestic political actors and media organisations. Author provided Targeting the Australian right The data suggest that Russian influence operations may be targeting the political right in Australia at this time. There is also an emphasis on international topics, such as terrorism, and UK, EU, and US politics. The hashtag #abledanger (and the typo #abeldanger) also figures prominently. It refers to a blog that promotes conspiracy theories about American politics. The hashtag network map of #auspol without Russian propaganda references looks considerably different. It reflects domestic political concerns such as the budget or debate over My Health Record, refugee policy and districts that were holding by-elections. Author provided Building relationships to sow division There are two ways to think about how information is exchanged in the public sphere. One is a rational model, where claims are backed by evidence. The other is a narrative model, where people reason through stories that resonate with them. Many contemporary theories of democracy rely on the rational model, but foreign influence operations make use of the fact that people behave more in line with the narrative model. Disinformation, in this context, is not so much the distribution of falsehoods for political effect, but rather communications designed to manipulate a target audience in a manner favourable to the perpetrator. In early 2015, Twitter accounts affiliated with the Internet Research Agency focused almost as much on nonpolitical topics as they did on political topics. These accounts are human-controlled accounts, so-called trolls, and they operate differently from bots. Bots are automated to promote specific topics, hashtags, so they often lack the nuanced communication abilities of human-controlled accounts. This makes them less effective in strategically moving an audience than troll accounts run by humans. By contrast, troll accounts are able to develop relationships, and its often through these relationships that political opinions are developed and voting decisions made. Read more: Regulate social media platforms before it's too late Adversarial actors, such as Russia, try to shift the identifications of a target audience from one political affiliation to another. One way of doing this is to break identifications with governing organisations by promoting a sense of insecurity and danger. For example, there was a tragic case earlier this year where a man killed himself along with several members of his family. The ABC reported the news with the headline: Margaret River Murder-Suicide: Seven People Found Dead at Home Near WA Holiday Town. Meanwhile, the Russian news outlet Russia Today (RT) reported the news with the headline: Seven People, Including 4 Children Shot Dead in Southwestern Australia. Whereas the ABC headline alerts readers that there is no ongoing threat, the RT headline leaves it open, despite having the same information as the ABC buried down in the text of the article. The difference seems minor, but there is increasing evidence that repeated messaging like this can have the effect of eroding support for political authorities and institutions. It helps build a narrative that these institutions are incapable of addressing the needs of their citizens. Russian influence operations continue These data should not be overstated. Of the 632,398 #auspol tweets collected from early May until 30 July, only 119 mentioned or linked to Russian propaganda outlets. Nonetheless, the Russian tweets shed light on Russias propaganda efforts in Australia. The data set indicates that they are trying to cultivate an audience here through memes, hashtag games, and Aussie cultural references. And the network maps suggest they are trying to move Australians views on foreign affairs, particularly by targeting reporting on News Corporation outlets. Read more: We researched Russian trolls and figured out exactly how they neutralise certain news Democracies are, by their nature, open political systems. That makes them particularly vulnerable to influence efforts by foreign adversaries. The attacks on the 2016 US election have provided adversaries with a playbook to engage in operations against countries like Australia. The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Originally published in The Conversation. Steve Mack/Getty ImagesThe Queen of Soul died without leaving a will or trust, and her four sons have filed documents to be named beneficiaries of her estate. "I was after her for a number of years to do a trust," Aretha Franklin's attorney Don Wilson tells the Detroit Free Press. "It would have expedited things and kept them out of probate, and kept things private." Franklin's sons filed court documents on Tuesday listing themselves as interested parties in her estate. Her niece, Sabrina Owens, requested to be appointed as personal representative of the estate. Franklin passed away on August 16 at her home in Detroit from pancreatic cancer. She was 76. Under Michigan law, when an unmarried person dies without a will, their assets are divided equally among any children. Wilson is concerned that other family members, and possibly creditors, could become involved and create a battle over the Queen's fortune. "I just hope [Franklin's estate] doesn't end up getting so hotly contested," Wilson says. "Any time they don't leave a trust or will, there always ends up being a fight." A private funeral for Aretha will be held on August 31 at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit. There will be public viewings on August 28 and 29 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, also in Detroit, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Southern Adventist Universitys School of Nursing announced that it will host a site review for continuing accreditation of its Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters, and Clinical Doctorate programs by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The public is invited to meet the site visit team and share comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled at 4 p.m. on Oct. 4, in Florida Hospital Hall, the nursing building on the campus of Southern Adventist University. Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted directly to: Dr. Marsal Stoll, Chief Executive Officer Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850 Atlanta, Ga. 30326 Or email: mstoll@acenursing.org All written comments should be received by the ACEN by Sept. 25. NEW MILFORD A controversial solar project that would generate 20 megawatts of power on Candlewood Mountain will no longer get tax benefits from the town. Mayor Pete Bass notified Candlewood Solar, the projects developer and a subset of Ameresco, that the town would not implement the negotiated payment in lieu of taxes agreement from February 2017. Ameresco officials could not be reached for comment. The project, which was approved by the Connecticut Siting Council last year, would clear-cut about 70 acres of trees to install about 60,000 panels. It was opposed by residents and environmentalists who argued clear-cutting the 70 acres or so of trees would harm wildlifes habitats on the mountain, reduce property values and cause erosion. Pilots at adjacent Candlewood Farms also argued the panels would create a glare. Bass says the town is not implementing the agreement because the project has not, and is not likely to, receive approval from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which was one of the agreements contingents, according to a press release. DEEP officials could not be reached for comment. Under the agreement, the power company and the company that owns the land would pay the town a total of $2.7 million over the solar farms 20-year life span, with amounts increasing from $75,000 the first year to about $200,000 the last year. The agreement was negotiated by former Mayor David Gronbach and approved by the Town Council in a 5-4 vote with Gronbach casting a rare tie-breaking vote in January 2017. The language was finalized and approved by the council with a 5-2-1 vote the following month. It drew criticism from business owners in the community who said the tax benefits were unfair. Company representatives argued that they are paying the same amount of money, just spread out over a longer period of time and the project was not affordable because the panels were so expensive at the start, but depreciated as it went on. Rescue Candlewood Mountain, a group of residents, filed an appeal of the Siting Councils decision earlier this year, and filed a brief with the Superior Court earlier this month. Bass said he and Town Attorney D. Randall DiBella learned DEEP opposed the project through that appeal, though they heard some of the concerns from the department during the hearing itself. DEEP didnt testify during the hearing, though the state Department of Agriculture did, arguing the project clear-cut too many acres of core forest an initiative the two departments took up last year with the passage of a law. The law requires the siting council to balance preservation of forests and farmland against promotion of alternative energy projects. However that law went into effect a few days after the petition was filed and so the council ruled it didnt apply. Since the appeal was filed, DEEP submitted testimony that storm water management and drainage issues were not adequately addressed in the application process and no decommissioning plan was presented. Bass said when he saw that, he knew the companies cannot fulfill the PILOT agreement. Thomas Oh knew he faced an uphill battle in his bid this November to unseat incumbent Rep. Don Beyer, D, in a northern Virginia district that hasn't sent a Republican to Congress in 28 years. But being called a Nazi hasn't helped. Last week, Oh publicly distanced himself from Corey Stewart, the U.S. Senate candidate at the top of the GOP ticket who has associated with white supremacists, after several voters voiced disgust because Oh's campaign signs were near Stewart's signs at public events. "We were at a farmer's market in the McLean area and a woman did not let her kids take candy from our stand, saying: 'Don't take candy from a Nazi' and I was like: What the heck?" said Oh, a 26-year-old son of Korean immigrants. Oh, who disagrees with Stewart's hard line on immigration and his desire to preserve Confederate monuments, has asked volunteers to keep his campaign materials at a distance from Stewart's signs and palm cards, a fact first reported by the Richmond Times Dispatch. Most of the 10 other Republicans running for Congress in Virginia have also tried to distance themselves from Stewart, who models himself after President Donald Trump in a state where the president is unpopular and during an election cycle when a Democratic wave is predicted. Several Republicans candidates have opted against campaigning with Stewart, telling the Post that they prefer to "run our own campaign." "I'm the candidate in the 5th congressional district and I'm going to do my own thing," said Denver Riggleman, a Charlottesville-area Republican businessman who is running against journalist Leslie Cockburn, D, to take over the 5th congressional district seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Tom Garrett, R. Searching for an analogy to describe the effect that Stewart has had on his race, Oh turned to the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. "It's like when people say all Muslims are terrorists - which we know is not true - because Osama Bin Laden was a terrorist," he said. "I'm not going against Corey by any means at all. I'm just saying our campaigns are different." Stewart, the chair of the Prince William County board of supervisors who is challenging Sen. Tim Kaine, D, takes pride in being called a brash, politically incorrect Republican party outsider. But the label has cost him. Heavy Republican donors and state party leaders have largely abandoned his campaign, leaving Stewart with roughly $143,000 in available funds compared to Kaine's $6 million, according to the most recent federal campaign disclosures. Riggleman said he believes Stewart has good intentions but made "some bad decisions" in his Senate campaign, including links to white supremacists such as Paul Nehlen and Jason Kessler that Stewart has been forced to repeatedly disavow. Stewart also faced a backlash from local leaders in the city of Danville last month for comparing that community to a dystopian nightmare after a textile mill and some tobacco companies left the area a decade ago. His campaign was also derided by Kaine supporters earlier this month for splicing a picture of a young Kaine in Honduras, where he worked as a Jesuit missionary during the 1980's, with right-wing contra soldiers in Nicaragua in an attempt to make it appear that the senator supports left-wing extremists. As the Nov. 8 elections approach, other Republican candidates don't seem eager to appear alongside Stewart. Rep. Robert Wittman, whose eastern district includes portions of Prince William and Faquier counties, recently told conservative radio host John Fredericks that his schedule is too full to include any joint appearances with Stewart while he works to fend off a challenge from Democrat Vangie Williams. Rep. Scott Taylor, who is facing a serious challenge from Democrat Elaine Luria in his purple Virginia Beach-area district, bristled at the suggestion that Stewart would hurt his campaign, telling the Virginia Pilot last month "I don't give a s--- about Corey Stewart." In northern Virginia, Rep. Barbara Comstock, R, who is battling for reelection against state Sen. Jennifer Wexton, D, has been pointedly silent on whether she supports Stewart's campaign. Earlier this week, Comstock name-dropped Kaine in a photo she tweeted of herself and other local Republicans at an India Independence Day celebration held in Fairfax County. Stewart was not invited to that event, said Puneet Ahluwalia, a Comstock supporter who helped organize the celebration. A spokesperson for Comstock did not respond to messages for comment. Quentin Kidd, director of Christopher Newport University's Wason Center for Public Policy, said it's smart for other Republican candidates to steer clear of Stewart at this point, particularly in close contests where they have to appeal to moderates in order to win. In those situations, where voters may be inclined to split their vote between Kaine and the local Republican, "any congressional candidate who is going to embrace Corey Stewart is essentially telling those voters to stay away," Kidd said. "So, it makes perfect sense for these Republicans to say: 'We're going to try to run our own campaign, we're going to try to carve out our own message." Stewart said he plans to join some of his fellow Republicans at campaign events, but would not name any. One congressional candidate, Del. Ben Cline in the solidly Republican 6th congressional district where Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R, is stepping down, has campaigned with Stewart. A spokesman for Cline said he didn't want to discuss Stewart, adding that the gubernatorial candidate has lower poll numbers in the district than Cline. "It's a problematic situation," the spokesman said. "There's a real potential for there to be a pretty negative impact for people downballot." Stewart said he understands if some candidates need to distance themselves from him in order to win, arguing that he would still benefit if those candidates drive Republican voters to the polls. "If they want to call me names, or if they want to slap me around, I don't care," he said. "I just want them to win because if they get their voters out, those voters more than likely are going to vote for me." Ryan McAdams, a Republican evangelical minister taking on incumbent Rep. Donald McEachin, D, in a district southeast of Richmond that independent analysts say is solidly Democratic, has turned to other Republicans for help. His campaign has arranged for Reps. Wittman, Taylor and Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, to join McAdams at future events, and they're waiting to hear whether Vice President Mike Pence can also lend a hand. About Stewart, McAdams said he's open to the possibility of joint events. But then he demurred. "Our schedule, to be very honest, is very filled up," McAdams said, adding that he has nothing against Stewart. "So, I don't know even know if there's a lot of opportunity for us to do anything major." A federal judge in Seattle will decide Monday whether to block a Texas-based company from making digital blueprints for 3-D printed firearms publicly available online. The legal controversy has sparked a national conversation about the implications of untraceable plastic guns and constitutional rights. Tuesday's hearing stems from a lawsuit filed July 30 by eight attorneys general and the District of Columbia against the State Department, which had agreed to allow Defense Distributed to publish an arsenal of firearms blueprints online in a planned settlement. The states are arguing that the release of 3-D printable designs threatens national security and abridges states' ability to pass and police gun laws. On July 31, Judge Robert Lasnik of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, citing risks to public safety, granted the attorneys general's request. "If an injunction is not issued and the status quo alters at midnight tonight, the proliferation of these firearms will have many of the negative impacts on a state level that the federal government once feared on the international stage," Lasnik said. Since then, 11 other state attorneys general have joined the battle against the State Department. The states requested a permanent injunction from the court, aiming to permanently ban Defense Distributed founder Cody Wilson from posting the 3-D designs on the Internet. Lasnik is expected to make a final decision by Aug. 27; the current order is in place until the following day. "We were grateful the Court carefully considered our arguments, and look forward to the ruling," said Joshua Blackman, Wilson's attorney. Wilson's critics say his plan could put unregulated and difficult-to-detect weapons in the wrong hands. The legal battle over weapon-design files dates back to 2013, when Wilson manufactured the first printed handgun; his design, though plastic, used a metal firing pin. Days after Wilson made the blueprints available online, the federal government stepped in and demanded that he remove the files. Wilson did, then sued the State Department. According to State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, the Justice Department worked with the State Department throughout the multiyear legal battle. DOJ ultimately recommended settling the suit, predicting a loss in court on First Amendment grounds. In June, the federal government entered into an agreement, permitting Wilson to publish his arsenal of firearm blueprints online. He intended to do so Aug. 1. Hours before he planned to publish, Lasnik stopped him. To coincide with the hearing, Wilson launched a fundraising campaign on Monday. Consumed by four pending lawsuits, he hopes to raise $400,000 in donations - by credit card, bitcoin and bitcoin Cash - to support his fight. Roger Ver of bitcoin Cash, who could not be reached for comment, intends to match contributions, according to Wilson. "Defense Distributed is a defense contractor, only our contracts aren't with the state. We contract with the public," Wilson told The Washington Post, promising to build a new defense-type application if the public funds the litigation. "It's a statement of disruption. We can develop things that they don't know they're mad about yet." Last Thursday, the Department of Justice filed a brief accusing the 19 attorneys general of misreading the terms of the department's settlement with Wilson. "This case is not about the regulation of U.S. persons who wish to utilize a 3-D printer to manufacture their own small-caliber firearms. Rather, this case concerns the Department of State's delegated authority to control the export of defense articles and services, or technical data related thereto, that raise military or intelligence concerns," wrote the department. "The domestic harms about which Plaintiffs are allegedly concerned are not properly regulated by the Department under current law." The State Department, which regulates weapons exports, does not have the power to ban dissemination of information to U.S. citizens due to some possibility a person may misuse it, according to court documents. "Plaintiffs' allegations of harm are not reasonably attributable to the Department's regulation of exports, but rather focus on the possibility that third parties will commit violations of the Undetectable Firearms Act or other relevant laws that are not at issue in this case," wrote the department. Still, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has reiterated that it is illegal to manufacture plastic guns that are undetectable. "We will not stand for the evasion, especially the flouting, of current law and will take action to ensure that individuals who violate the law by making plastic firearms and rendering them undetectable, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent," Sessions said in a statement Thursday. Gun-safety supporters, such as the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, have also argued that 3-D printed weapons - that avoid layers of federal and state gun-control policies, such as permits and background checks - are not "typically possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes," and, therefore, are not protected under the Second Amendment. Other legal experts have focused on the wide-reaching First Amendment implications of a ruling that bars Wilson from releasing the files. They suggest that prohibiting publication of computer code - that has been available for download since at least 2013, according to Nauert - amounts to a violation of free speech. In the Women Entrepreneur series My First Moves, we talk to founders about that pivotal moment when they decided to turn their business idea into a realityand the first steps they took to make it happen. Karen John knew she wanted to start a business and knew she loved design, a discipline shed worked in throughout her career. But she had her a-ha moment at a Dutch design conference, where a discussion of What Design Can Do in various markets helped her target her passion: to create modern, functional furniture and storage for the modern workspace. One of the researchers at the conference had looked into how much time were spending at workspaces, and it just connected the dots between time Id spend in tech cultures and in creative cultures, John says. Companies need to find the balance between design and utility. Her company, Heartwork, launched in 2012, is out to do just that: improve spaces to support todays thoughtful office culture. Heres how she got there. RELATED: How Two Sisters Turned This Wearable Art Textile Experiment Into a Bustling Global Enterprise. 1: Crunch the numbers. Johns career history was varied but synergistic: shed studied industrial design, as well as manufacturing and engineering, and worked across those disciplines at big brands, such as Design Within Reach as well as at a small tech startup in Austin. But it was the combination of those experiences that helped her identify a gap in the market: well-designed office furniture for brands that cared about culture and the people who worked for them. I always knew I wanted to start my own business -- if I had to stack rank my own values, freedom would be at the top, she says. When she found herself at a career crossroads in 2012, she knew it was now or never. Starting a business is the fastest path to personal development, because youre always in a bottleneck. But as she put together a business model, she realized that it would cost her more to continue living in her home base of New York City than it would to actually start the company. So she moved across the country and spent the first year of entrepreneurship in Portland, Oregon. It was great in terms of creative community and from a cost of living standpoint, John says. Still, it came with its own set of costs. I did this based on the rational I saw on paper and forgot that I was going to be alone, she says. You leave [behind] your friends and emotional network. 2: Pick a name you believe in (and stick with it). As John was considering what to call her company, she focused on the problem it was trying to solve for inspiration. I was seeing the gap between these tech companies that had strong cultures but disconnected spaces,' she says. She toyed with Desk and Chair, but ultimately decided it sounded like a retail company. I needed a name that would give me the runway and the room to connect with a broader audience. She thought up Heartwork and immediately fell in love -- though she was the only one. I told my family the name and got this long voicemail from them while I was at the gym, she says. They were like, Karen, we have some concerns, and left me 10 ideas they thought were better. They were worried that Heartwork sounded like a cardiologist. In the end, they came around. You have to hold a vision and talk about something people cant see, John says. The hardest time is that beginning part. RELATED: In Pitching Your Business, Take Every 'No' and a 'Not Now,' Says This Founder. 3: Develop your debut product -- and get creative about creating revenue streams. John knew that storage was the first problem shed tackle. It was the one category people treated like a commodity and not a design product, she says. But the development process was longer than she expected, and she needed to find a way to keep the nascent business afloat. On the side, I started working with some facilities managers at tech companies and offered to help them find product that was already on the market, she says. If they needed soundproof booths, Id help them source it. Id get my trade discount, pass that along, and keep 5 percent or something silly. It was a way to learn and understand what people are looking for. Its a move she recommends other entrepreneurs make. I think a lot of entrepreneurs put a wall up when theyre starting companies and want to finish everything before they really launch, but you have to start selling something as soon as possible, she says. And it gave me cash flow. 4: Take the time to get it right. Finding the right manufacturing partners is a universal challenge for any entrepreneur in the product space, and John was no exception. As she was developing early designs and prototypes, a lot of people were either manufacturing in China or didnt have the flexibility to do the colors we wanted, she says. But rather than accept what was available to her, she pushed. I developed the paint colors myself, she says. She worked with designer Laura Guido-Clark -- a contact from her Design Within Reach days -- and found a small paint manufacturer that could produce the color and get swatches to John much faster than the six-week wait time the big players offered. People who manufacture well are some of the best people out there, John says, appreciative of the partners she now can rely on. Theres a lot of care and integrity. RELATED: This Millennial Founder Decorated Her Dorm Room Using Product She Created. 5: Find the best path to growth. Following Heartworks launch, the company was still bootstrapped, so spending big bucks on marketing wasnt an option. But John had another plan. I went out to architects and designers, because they were the ones working on projects with clients who care about design, she says. I needed to align with people who were already interested. In addition to being a smart way of capitalizing on existing relationships and generating business leads, it also proved to be valuable, if not accidental, R&D. Its been one of the most satisfying things, how much time I get to spend working with and listening to our clients, John says. Architects and designers tell me exactly what theyre looking for, so weve built a very responsive product development and supply chain. Related: How This Founder Bootstrapped an Office Furniture Company That Targeted What Other Furniture Companies Are Missing The Founder of Miss Jessie's Got Retail Placement by Asking a Stock Boy for Intel How a First Date Led to Multimillion-Dollar Confection Company Sugarfina Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved WESTPORT When Leah Bornstein went to 323 Main Street to see her friends stepfathers band play, she was stunned by what she saw on the restaurants cocktail menu. It was a drink that the restaurant called The Tuskegee Experiment. The name refers to the U.S. governments 40-year medical experiment that left hundreds of African-American men with syphilis untreated, so scientists could study the progression of the disease. The study began in 1932 in collaboration with Tuskegee University, a historically black college in Alabama. The episode has become a historical marker of institutionalized racism. I was appalled when I saw (the drink name), said Bornstein, a New York City resident who noted she was at 323 with other people, none of whom had been to the restaurant before, on Aug. 11. Bornstein said she later spoke with the bartender and called and emailed the owner to have the cocktail removed. By the following Friday, Aug. 17, the Tuskegee cocktail was no longer on the menu. Two days before, on Aug. 15, Bornsteins friend, Eric Armour posted a photo of 323s cocktail menu, which included the Tuskegee drink, on Facebook and wrote, Umm. This is ridiculously horrible. According to the photo of the specialty cocktail menu Armour posted, the Tuskegee drink included rum, lime, pineapple and jalapeno mash, and a dash of Tabasco. Cocktails titled The Red October, Cold War Margarita and Capetown Transfusion were also on the menu. Affluent and predominantly white, Westport has had some recent racial controversy. The town garnered national attention last year when the fourth annual installment of TEAM Westports Teen Diversity Essay Contest had white privilege as its topic. The contest became the center of heated debate in Westport, with sides dividing on the question of whether topic was valid and timely or in itself biased. The owner of 323, which describes itself as a friendly neighborhood restaurant serving American cuisine, has not responded to repeated calls for comment. Emily Clayton, 323s bar manager, said last week that she had never heard of a cocktail called The Tuskegee Experiment at the restaurant. When asked for the specialty cocktail menu, Clayton looked through the bar menus but said the cocktail menu was missing. It looks like its being updated, because I dont see them in any of the books, she Clayton said. I had heard someone come in and say something about it but I was confused because weve never had a cocktail by that name, Clayton said in response to the cocktail controversy. But on the restaurants Facebook page, management appeared to acknowledge the drinks existence. ... we sincerely apologize for our insensitivity and the lack of forethought on our part, the restaurant said in response to a complaint. The name of the drink was clearly inappropriate, and we will seriously be considering the history and impact behind the names on future menus. Brenda Penn-Williams, president of the Norwalk NAACP, called out the restaurant for choosing such a name for a drink. The Norwalk NAACP condemns 323 Main Restaurant for naming a drink after The Tuskegee Experiment, based on facts the Tuskegee syphilis experiment was an infamous, unethical and malicious clinical study conducted between 1932 thru 1972 by the U.S. Public Health Service which was mean and evil, Penn-Williams said. To conduct such an experiment on rural, uneducated African-American men which was the leading cause of death is a travesty of injustice and a lack of human regard, she said. It is a shame that 323 Main Restaurant continued with the same racist mind set in these times. svaughan@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2638; @SophieCVaughan1 These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Samsung's newest wearable, the Galaxy Watch, got announced alongside the Galaxy Note9 smartphone earlier this month. And starting now you can pre-order one for T-Mobile, with LTE, straight from Samsung's US online store, if you visit the Sources linked below. The carrier itself doesn't seem to have begun accepting pre-orders, but if you're impatient you can do the deed over at Samsung.com. The 42mm watch will set you back $379.99, while the 46mm model is priced at $399.99. The former's price is $4.99 more than TMo will charge for it, while the latter sees no difference. Obviously when T-Mobile does start pre-orders, it will offer the option to grab the watch on an installment plan. So if you want to go that route, waiting is still best. However, if you intended to pay the full price upfront anyway, pre-ordering from Samsung should ensure you'll be among the first people in the US to rock a Galaxy Watch on your wrist. The pre-orders are due to start shipping the week of September 2. Delivery is free, and if you pre-order you'll get a free additional band for your wearable - the exact one varies based on the color version of the watch you order. Speaking of which, you can pick between rose gold and Midnight Black for the 42mm model, while the 46mm device is only available in silver for now. To learn more about Samsung's Galaxy Watch, don't miss our hands-on review. Source 1 | Source 2 The second quarter of 2018 is behind our backs and companies keep publishing their financial results for the three-month period. The latest smartphone manufacturer to do so is Xiaomi which reported $2.1 billion profit in its first quarter as a public company. The company managed to ship 32 million smartphones between April and June, bringing CNY30,5 billion (about $4.5 billion) in revenue. Two-thirds of the company revenue came from smartphones. More than CNY10 billion came from the smart products division, which includes smart TV, fitness bands and other home appliances. The net profit for Q2 2018 is CNY14.6 billion, which is equal to $2.1 billion, but the company recorded an operating loss of CNY7.6 billion due to administration costs around the IPO listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Xiaomi has done miracles on the global scene and now 36% of the revenue comes from international markets. The worldwide growth is 151% on a yearly basis, the report revealed. Although the increase comes predominantly from India, Xiaomi said there is progress in Indonesia and European countries. We might see numbers increasing in the following months after the Pocophone F1 launch from today. The phone is the cheapest Snapdragon 845-powered flagship on the market and as we established in our review - it is poised to be the new flagship killer. Source Introduction Xiaomi's announcements have been relatively predictable so far, but the introduction of a new Poco sub-brand was a surprising move. It sounds like a marketing experiment - deliver flagship specs at cutthroat prices. Sound familiar? Well, it does remind of how OnePlus came to be, but we're not sure the new Pocophone F1 is headed in the same direction. Poco is still just a brand, and not a separate company and they stand on the shoulders of Xiaomi's logistics and after sales support network. The feeling of deja-vu aside, OnePlus has proven to mostly stand up to its promises through the years and we're yet to see how Poco will fare. Xiaomi really likes the meaning of small embedded within its names - Xiaomi or Mi written in Chinese means millet - little rice, while Pocophone in Spanish means little phone. Because they start small and dream big. And it does ring nicely with the Poco launch. Anyway, the Pocophone F1 is not just big promises and polished PR. Just on the contrary - looking at its specs sheet it may have enough power to redefine the whole concept of mid-range and flagship segments. But only if this strategy keeps it going forward at least another generation or two. The Pocophone F1 comes with a bezel-less screen and a notch. The notch here accommodates an infrared camera and an IR illuminator for face unlock, and there is also a 20MP selfie snapper. In charge of processing is Qualcomm's most powerful chipset - the Snapdragon 845 - enhanced with liquid cooling. There is also a dual-camera on the back with large pixels and a bright lens, while the massive 4,000mAh battery should help power the whole thing for quite some time. Pocophone F1 specs Body: Plastic frame, Kevlar or Plastic back, Gorilla Glass front Plastic frame, Kevlar or Plastic back, Gorilla Glass front Display: 6.18" IPS LCD, 2,246x1,080px resolution, 18.7:9 aspect ratio, 403ppi. 6.18" IPS LCD, 2,246x1,080px resolution, 18.7:9 aspect ratio, 403ppi. Rear camera: Primary 12MP, Type 1/2.55" sensor, 1.4m pixel size, f/1.9 aperture, dual pixel PDAF; Secondary 5MP - serving as depth sensor. 2160p/30fps, 1080p/240fps slow motion. Primary 12MP, Type 1/2.55" sensor, 1.4m pixel size, f/1.9 aperture, dual pixel PDAF; Secondary 5MP - serving as depth sensor. 2160p/30fps, 1080p/240fps slow motion. Front camera: 20MP, 0.9m pixel size, f/2.0 aperture; 1080p/30fps video recording. 20MP, 0.9m pixel size, f/2.0 aperture; 1080p/30fps video recording. OS: Android 8.1 Oreo; MIUI 9.5 for Poco custom overlay, MIUI 10 on the way. Android 8.1 Oreo; MIUI 9.5 for Poco custom overlay, MIUI 10 on the way. Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845: octa-core CPU (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver), Adreno 630 GPU. Qualcomm Snapdragon 845: octa-core CPU (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver), Adreno 630 GPU. Memory: 6/8GB of RAM; 64/128/256GB storage; (hybrid) microSD slot. 6/8GB of RAM; 64/128/256GB storage; (hybrid) microSD slot. Battery: 4,000mAh Li-Po; QuickCharge 3.0 fast charging. 4,000mAh Li-Po; QuickCharge 3.0 fast charging. Connectivity: Dual-SIM; LTE-A, 4-Band carrier aggregation, Cat.16/13 (1Gbps/150Mbps); USB-C; Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac; dual-band GPS; Bluetooth 5.0; FM radio Dual-SIM; LTE-A, 4-Band carrier aggregation, Cat.16/13 (1Gbps/150Mbps); USB-C; Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac; dual-band GPS; Bluetooth 5.0; FM radio Misc: Rear-mounted fingerprint reader; stereo speakers; infrared face recognition; 3.5mm jack. Xiaomi stressed the Pocophone brand will be operating independently, but you will be seeing the by Xiaomi inscription for some time, so the people can remember the sub-brand will be fully relying on the Xiaomi's service network for support of any kind. Operating independently will also allow Pocophone to release faster updates. The F1 has been promised the Poco-customized version of MIUI 10 in just a month after its release. They also promise an update to Android Pie in three months, and updates will keep coming regularly after that, too. Finally, this independence will also help the management to focus on selling the Pocophones in other markets outside of Xiaomi's traditional places of operation. Of course, the focus on the Indian market will remain high. We are very excited to meet the Pocophone F1. So, let's unbox this thing and see what's all the fuss about. Unboxing the Pocophone F1 The Pocophone F1 comes packed within a sweet black/yellow box. Inside you'll find an 18W QC3.0-compatible fast charger and a USB Type-C white cable. There is also a transparent silicone case inside the yellow paper compartment. 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 - 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 Haiti - News : Zapping... School books, everything will be ready Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet, the resigning Minister of Education, confirms that 75% of the 1.5 million subsidized textbooks are already ready and should be available in the next few days in bookshops. All of the books endowed (400,000) are available. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25218-haiti-flash-back-to-school-assistance-measures-and-promises-of-president-moise.html Moise asks for the convocation of the Dominican Ambassador Jovenel Moise, asked the Chancellor Antonio Rodrigue, to convenes the Dominican Ambassador in Haiti, Alberto Despradel to explain the incidents that took place on August 18 at the border between Haitian civilians and Dominican soldiers, having made 6 wounded by bullets among Haitians. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25292-haiti-flash-shootout-at-the-border-the-details.html Access to Justice for Women in Detainees Project Friday at Cabaret Women's Prison, Minujust launched its project of access to justice and support to women prisoners and victims of prolonged or arbitrary preventive detention. A 12-month project aimed at reducing the rate of prolonged or arbitrary preventive detention and reintegrating nearly 217 women by a multidisciplinary support. No need to analyze PM documents ? According to Me Monferrier Dorva, the Prime Minister named Jean Henry Ceant should be installed in his office at the Primature, the Parliament did not have to form a Commission to investigate the Prime Minister's documents, they were already validated during his candidacy for the Presidency. Right of persons with disabilities to culture As part of an advocacy project for the right of persons with disabilities to culture, the Organization of Disabled and Disabled Children of Haiti (OEDHH) funded by DRF, a delegation of the OEDHH paid a visit to the Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, Gerald Oriol Jr. Training on Training on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene The UPGRADE program closed a training session on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) at the GANVIH Health Center in Martissant, for the benefit of a Club made up of around 20 mothers. Conducted in collaboration with the Multipurpose Community Health Workers of the Ministry of Health, this activity is part of a series of training and awareness-raising on behavioral change, designed around the following themes: Environmental hygiene, critical moments of handwashing, diseases related to water, vector diseases, sanitation, excreta management and improved toilets among others... HL/ HaitiLibre Havre Police Department Officers investigated a Tuesday 10:38 a.m. complaint from a First Street West caller of restraining order violation. -- Natasha Rose Lohman of Havre, 27, was issued a summons on a charge of endangering the welfare of children after a caller at a First Street business reported an unsupervised child at 12:04 p.m. Tuesday. -- A Seventh Avenue caller reported an abandoned bike at 2:04 p.m. Tuesday. -- A caller on First Street asked for help with her daughter Tuesday at 5:39 p.m. The caller later reported the girl returned home. -- An arrested was made after a Se... Rex Renk, Democrat candidate for Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court, talks to Frank, left, and Karen LaTray, both from Chinook. The clerk of the Montana Supreme Court is not an office that most people think about, but it is an office of crucial importance, Democratic candidate Rex Renk said Tuesday in Havre. "Montanans have a constitutional right to know and to observe how the state's government works," Renk said, "while also having the constitutional right to individual privacy." Renk, who faces Libertarian Roger Roots of Livingtson and Republican Bowen Greenwood of Helena in November's general election, held a meet-and-greet Tuesday at the Hill County Democratic Headquarters, speaking to people about the import... Editor, I want to personally thank VMWare, Team4Tech and CoSN for selecting Havre as a Good Gigs Trek destination. As a precursor to the arrival of the Good Gigs Trek team, in early August, Havre Public Schools received a technology hardware package from VMware/Dell valued at $95,432.73 donated to the Havre Public Schools Education Foundation. In no way do I want to minimize this gift as the impact it will have from both a fiscal and technology perspective is beyond appreciated. This number does not come close to the final fiscal gift that Havre Public Schools received as a result of parti... Researchers at Yale School of Public Health and their scientific partners have found that having a depressed spouse can increase ones own depressive symptoms as well as cognitive decline over time in late life. The findings are published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Because spouses emotions and intellectual activities influence each other in daily life, we expected that spouses mental and cognitive health would also be related over time. And this is what we found, said Joan Monin, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Yale School of Public Health. These findings suggest that not only is it important to monitor, prevent, and treat mental and cognitive health problems in individuals, but also their close relationship partners. JOAN MONIN Because previous epidemiological studies have found that spouses share many health behaviors and health conditions in late life, Monin and her co-authors were interested in whether spouses cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms were also related. Using data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, which included 1,028 married couples age 60 and over, Monin and her team looked at associations and changes over time in spouses depressive symptoms and 3MS scores, a common clinical measure of cognitive functioning, at three visits spanning 7 years. It should be noted the strength of the associations between spouses depressive symptoms and cognitive decline were relatively small in this study. For one standard deviation change in depressive symptoms, the partners cognitive impairment score increased 0.20 points. However, small partner influences over an extended period are important to document as it is possible that these influences have additive effects. Although we know that spouses mental and cognitive health is related from this study, our next step is to uncover specific behaviors that may account for these spousal influences, Monin said. These findings suggest that not only is it important to monitor, prevent, and treat mental and cognitive health problems in individuals, but also their close relationship partners. The study was co-authored by Margaret Doyle, Peter H. Van Ness, Richard Schulz, Richard A. Marottoli, Kira Birditt, Brooke C. Feeney and Yale School of Public Health Professor Trace Kershaw. The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Yale School of Public Health Reports from cannabis users that the drug reduces the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be explained by new research from the University of Bath. Reports from cannabis users that the drug reduces the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may finally be explained by new research from the University of Bath showing that cannabinoids help control and prevent intestine inflammation in mice. This is the first time scientists have reported a biological mechanism to explain why some marijuana users have reported beneficial effects from cannabis on intestine inflammation conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. Researchers from Bath, working with colleagues at University of Massachusetts Medical School, hope that their findings will help develop new drugs and treatments for gut disorders, which affect millions of people around the world and are caused when the bodys immune defences mistakenly attack the lining of the intestine. The research is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The team discovered that gut inflammation is regulated by two processes, which are constantly in flux to respond to changing conditions in our intestines. Previous scientific research had identified the first process, a pathway promoting an aggressive immune response in the gut, which is useful to destroy dangerous pathogens but which can damage the lining of the intestine when immune cells attack indiscriminately. The second process, described in this research for the first time, turns off this inflammation response, via molecules transported across the cells lining the gut into the intestine cavity. Crucially this downregulation response requires a naturally-produced molecule called an endocannabinoid, which is very similar to cannabinoid molecules found in cannabis. If the endocannabinoid isnt present, inflammation isnt kept in balance and it can flare up, as the bodys immune system cells attack the intestinal lining. The researchers think that because cannabis use introduces cannabinoids into the body, these molecules could help relieve gut inflammation as the naturally produced endocannabinoids normally would. Professor Randy Mrsny from the University of Bath Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, said: We need to be clear that while this is a plausible explanation for why marijuana users have reported cannabis relieves symptoms of IBD we have only worked in mice and have not proven this experimentally in humans. However our results may provide a mechanistic explanation for anecdotal data that cannabinoid exposure benefits some colitis patients. For the first time we have identified a counterbalance to the inflammation response in the intestine and we hope that these findings will help us develop new ways to treat bowel diseases. Professor Beth McCormick, from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, said: Theres been a lot of anecdotal evidence about the benefits of medical marijuana, but there hasnt been a lot of science to back it up. For the first time, we have an understanding of the molecules involved in the process and how endocannabinoids and cannabinoids control inflammation. This gives clinical researchers a new drug target to explore to treat patients that suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases, and perhaps other diseases, as well. The global market for colitis drugs is predicted to be worth $606Bn by 2022. The research was funded by the USAs National Institutes of Health (NIH). University of Bath 2018 Picking a fresh apple is her dream come true Olive Vasquez will pick apples and ride in the Apple Festival parade. Many Henderson County residents might take apple picking for granted. But for a little girl from Florida, picking and eating an apple directly off the tree is a dream come true. Six-year-old Olive Vasquez of Jacksonville, Florida was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor, a rare type of kidney cancer, shortly before entering pre-kindergarten. Results from an imaging test showed a tumor on one of her kidneys. Physicians removed Olives kidney and she began a regimen of intense chemotherapy. Throughout the treatment, Olive needed a feeding tube, lost her hair and experienced extreme energy loss. Olives physicians notified Dreams Come True of Jacksonville Inc., which helps children battling life-threatening illnesses to achieve their dream wish. The organization quickly got to work making her apple-picking dream a reality. Trip considerations were made since Olive is only allowed to go a limited distance from her home base. In addition, she would need easy access to hospitals with physicians trained to treat her in the case of an emergency. The team from Dreams Come True did a Google search and quickly found that Henderson County, one of the Southern-most apple growing regions, would be the best place to visit for apples. As they dug deeper, they found the N.C. Apple Festival website, where they discovered that a picturesque mountain town celebrated apples every year for four days. Anyone that loves apples that much, festival organizers thought, deserves some recognition from the town thats famous for growing them. We could have just had her come up, go to the festival and pick some apples, but we wanted to do more than that, said Cheryl Gudger-Thompson, this years Apple Festival president. Olive, her mom and dad, her 9-year-old sister and her 1-year-old sister are driving from Jacksonville to Hendersonville on Thursday, Aug. 30, and are staying at Cascades Mountain Resort until Tuesday, Sept. 4. She will be able to enjoy the pool and waterslide at Cascades. She will be introduced during the opening ceremony Friday morning. Her and her family will go to Stepps Hillcrest Orchard on Sunday to pick apples. Then on Monday, the Farm Bureau Association is sponsoring a float for Olive and her family to ride in the King Apple Parade. Dreams Come True of Jacksonville is not affiliated with a national organization. It relies strictly on the generosity of individuals and corporate supporters to provide the funding and in-kind resources necessary to create unforgettable memories for children who live or are treated in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. They will provide Olives family with spending money and pay for their accommodations. Meals are being provided by local restaurants and Goldsmith by Rudi is making Olive a special charm commemorating her trip. Many sponsors have come together to make this little girls dream come true, Gudger-Thompson said. Right now she thinks she is just coming to pick apples so we are doing a video to send to her before the trip of all the things she will be doing. Dreams Come True fulfills a variety of kids wishes, including week-long trips to theme parks, swimming with dolphins and meeting celebrities. She had all these options laid out before her and she still just wanted to pick apples, Gudger-Thompson said. That is what I think makes this story so special. She was one of the red hot favourites from the get-go, so it was no great surprise when Kirsten Mate Maher was crowned the 2018 International Rose of Tralee last night. The Waterford Rose, who works in a boutique in the city, took the crown from last year's Offaly Rose Dr Jennifer Byrne. Kirsten (21) was hoping to study at WIT next month. "I'm speechless. I just want to say a huge thank you to all the girls in front of me and behind me," she said. Kirsten, who was overwhelmed with tears of joy, is the third Waterford representative to be name the Rose of Tralee Brilliant Jennifer handed over more than just her Rose of Tralee crown last night - she imparted some advice too. She believed this year's festival had surpassed itself, proving it was a brilliant platform for starting a national discussion. Race, divorce and childhood obesity were among serious issues touched on during the show. "I think everyone will agree with me that the Rose of Tralee has moved to a whole new level. On Monday night there were things represented that probably weren't previously," said Jennifer. For her, it was keeping her friends and family involved in everything she did that made her year as the Rose so special. She said that if she had one piece of advice for her successor, it would be to "always involve your nearest and dearest". She revealed this was a piece of advice she received during her reign as Rose, and definitely some wisdom she would pass on to the next Rose. "I got so many opportunities around Ireland and all around the world, so those words stayed with me in all the hotels," she said. The bottom line for the Offaly woman was: "Don't go through the whole year by yourself, include those people who are close to you." Before the result, the front-runners with the bookies were Kirsten, Carlow Rose Shauna Ray Lacey and the Chicago Rose Katie Callahan. While the first night of the show was jam-packed with quirky moments - everything from jui jitsu to napkin origami and a cow - the festival concluded with a little less of the high-jinks. Many of the final 14 Roses last night chose to sing a party-piece, while teacher and Galway Rose Deirdre O'Sullivan opted to show off her prowess on the flute. German Rose Giulia Kearney was worried her voice wouldn't hold up. "I'm singing but, as you can hear, my voice is leaving me. So I have had to drink a lot of water and tea." Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern has revealed she has read the script for the forthcoming film and is confident fans of the show will be delighted with it. The US actress, who played Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham in the hit ITV series, will reprise her role for its big screen outing. "We are starting very soon and that's as much as I know," she told ITV's Good Morning Britain. "I will get back to you on that, so far it's so good. "I've read a script. It's good, you fans will love it," It was finally confirmed that a film of the successful series would be made in July after months of speculation. The show's creator, Julian Fellowes, has written the film's screenplay, and he will also be co-producer. The period drama came to an end with a Christmas special in 2015 after the sixth series. McGovern will next be seen starring in the 10th-anniversary production of Yasmina Reza's play God Of Carnage, where she will feature opposite Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, at the Theatre Royal Bath. McGovern is also starring in the film The Chaperone, written by Fellowes, which is due for release before the Downton Abbey movie arrives in cinemas. Iconic "It's the same period but it's a script that Julian adapted from a book that I brought to him and we both love it," she said. "It's about Louise Brooks, who is a famous, iconic movie star, who, as a young girl, travelled from Kansas to New York and she's accompanied by a middle-aged housewife. "It's the story of their journey before she became a big movie star." Madonna has fired back in response to the criticism she received following her speech about Aretha Franklin at the MTV Video Music Awards, saying that it was not intended to be a tribute in the first place. The pop star took to the stage at the event and talked about the 'Queen of Soul', who died last week, sharing a memory about her own rise to fame and how Franklin had helped her, inadvertently. However, her homage was not well-received, and she was widely criticised for talking mostly about herself and barely referencing Franklin. Inspiring Madonna posted on Instagram: "Just to clarify: I was asked to present video of the year by MTV! And then they asked me to share any anecdotes I had in my career connected to Aretha Franklin! "I shared a part of my journey and thanked Aretha for inspiring me along the way. "I did not intend to do a tribute to her! That would be impossible in 2 minutes with all the noise and tinsel of an award show. I could never do her justice in this context or environment. "Unfortunately most people have short attention spans, and are so quick to judge. I love Aretha! R.E.S.P.E.C.T." During the ceremony, Madonna (60) told the audience at the Radio City Music Hall in New York how Franklin "changed the course of my life", revealing that it was a performance of one of Aretha's songs that helped to launch her own career. Telling her story, Madonna said she was living in Detroit with "$35 in my pocket" and being repeatedly rejected from auditions for "not being pretty enough". Then, during an audition as a backing dancer for a French disco performer, she decided to sing Franklin's (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. Throughout her speech, the Material Girl hit-maker focused mainly on her own story, talking about the low points and highlights in her rise to fame. She concluded: "You are probably all wondering why I am telling you this story. None of this would have happened without our lady of soul. "She led me where I am today. I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us. Our R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Long live the queen." The tribute ended with a clip of Franklin singing I Say a Little Prayer. Stars and viewers thought Madonna's message was too focused on herself. American television presenter Charlamagne Tha God tweeted: "How the #VMA's close with Queen Aretha's 'Respect' after giving us the whitest performance of the night with Post Malone and Aerosmith??? I wasn't ready for the transition..." Alicia Garza, an activist and writer who co-founded the Black Lives Matter movement, tweeted: "Whoever at the #VMAs let Madonna get on stage and give a tribute to @ArethaFranklin or whatever that was really should be out of a job right about... now. "I mean there was LEVELS to that. An entire boom could be written about the LEVELS to this. Whiteness has NO SHAME. #VMAs." Garza added: "I need some sage. They just whited Aretha and she ain't even cold yet. I hope she sends a thunderbolt to strike this blasphemy down. #VMAs." Hate Television producer Elgin Charles wrote: "I hate that Madonna manages to make EVERYTHING about herself - even when speaking on behalf of our luminaries. "Aretha was deserving of a better "tribute" than that." Journalist Yashar Ali tweeted: "As a lifelong Madonna fan it pains me to say this... but this is what happens when you don't have anyone in your life who tells you that you shouldn't do something or tells you that you're acting out of control." Comedian and actor Roy Wood Jnr teased with a fake quote summarising the speech, tweeting: "'If it wasn't for Aretha, we wouldn't have Madonna' - Madonna." Franklin died aged 76 last week at her home in Detroit after a battle with cancer. A field hospital has been set up to treat people who fall seriously ill in the 500,000-strong crowd attending the papal mass in the Phoenix Park on Sunday. Senior doctors warned that up to 750 people might need care. Emergency department doctors are concerned about the potential lack of medics to attend the stricken. A number of wards at St Mary's Hospital, which is mostly used as a nursing home, have been secured and will be manned by consultants and a paediatrician, the Herald has learned. It comes after the HSE app- ointed Dr Patrick Plunkett as medical director for the mass. He is a former head of the ED at St James's Hospital and a veteran of the St John Ambulance. Dr Plunkett said he expected a number of people to suffer heart attacks, but a plan to have a system of quick alert and fast access to care was now in place. ED consultants warned that between 250 and 750 people would be sick enough to need to be taken to hospital, while between 1,000 and 3,000 more would require first aid on site. "All the first aid will be administered in the perimeter of the crowd, but we have protected space in St Mary's Hospital for people who are really ill. That will be staffed by doctors and nurses," Dr Plunkett said. Earlier, the body representing hospital ED consultants said that while volunteer first aid services and ambulance staff would be on site to provide care, they would not provide medical support. shortages "An on-site medical facility is planned with the aim of resuscitating and stabilising the most critically ill before transport to a hospital emergency department, but it is not adequately staffed," the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine said. "Because of ongoing staff shortages, the main A&E departments in Dublin hospitals are struggling to bring in extra medical and nursing staff to cope with the additional patients." Dr Plunkett said he hoped to bring in more emergency doctors, but increasing the number of medics at the Park might mean a reduction in cover at hospital EDs. "I am very hopeful doctors will step up to the mark," he added. "They are known to stretch themselves to help out, but as we know, emergency departments are not brimming with doctors." First aid will be provided by St John Ambulance, the Irish Red Cross and Order of Malta. "We have spotters right through the crowd at an elevated height. They will direct first aid to people," Dr Plunkett said. "The patient will be taken in a buggy to a hub which is a 12 metre by 12 metre tent with advanced paramedics and medical staff." He added that people were at no higher risk of heart attack at the event than if they were walking along O'Connell Street, but the challenge would be to get them out of the crowd. People will face a walk to the mass and will be standing for a prolonged period and have to walk out of the park. "A lot of people will feel exhilarated but wrecked," Dr Plunkett said. He advised people not to forget their medication. "Bring extra water, sunscreen, a hat and poncho," he said. "They should also have food with them. There will be 150 food and drink outlets in 10 service areas." Louise Dunleavy with some of the holy oils available in St Marys Parish Shop in Navan Got a headache? There's a holy oil for that. St Aspirin for headache and St Dympna for anxiety and depression are two of the biggest sellers in a new range of oils that are causing a stir in a Catholic parish shop in Meath. There's even an oil for marriages that are in trouble. The oils are so popular that Navan shop manager Louise Dunleavy has extended the varieties from 20 to more than 50 - and customers can't get enough. The range is produced by Blessed Call To Love in Tierworker, Kells, and the Navan Parish Shop on the grounds of St Mary's Church is the only store in the north-east that stocks them. They are also sold in Veritas in Dublin and Knock Shrine Bookshop, as well as outlets in Limerick, Galway, Donegal, Wexford, Cork and Longford. "St Peregrine for those affected by cancer is our best seller but followed closely by St Dympna for anxiety and depression and St Aspirin for headache and migraine," said Louise. "There is also St Expedite, who is the patron saint of financial stress, and St Nonnosus for student stress and there's also an oil for St John Paul II. "Another popular one is St Joseph's healing oil for marriages, and this is often used to try and get an estranged spouse back. "The oils start at 6.95 and come with a little prayer. The Blessed Call To Love group ask for testimony from those who use them so there's anecdotal evidence that they work. "We advise the customer gets the oils blessed by any of our priests here in Navan, who are only too willing to do it. "It's all very much faith-based, so obviously we recommend people seek professional advice from their GP as well. "Often, people buy them for friends or family as a way of trying to help. It's as much about the intention than anything else. Demand "The oils have flown out the door so we'll continue selling them to meet demand." According to the Blessed Call To Love website: "Our Irish blessings oil on prayer cloths accompanied with a prayer for healing make a special gift for those who want their friends or relatives to know that they are remembered in prayer. "It's a simple way to let people know that they are thought of and that somebody is with them in their time of need." Being a conservative does involve both bravery and blindness. How can it be both? My high school graduating class members keep in touch often. I know how they vote, what their prejudices are and how staunch they are proudly being conservative. Doing a bit of reading of late I came across a quote by a very old Greek philosopher, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. "Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom myself to consider the nature of the universe loves nothing so much as to change things which are and to make new things like them. For everything that exist is in a manner the seed of that which will be." Those friends of mine and so many others in both government and industry hold tightly to rules that defy explanation. So many, I feel, operate from fear of change. Holding onto so-called hot button issues like gay marriage, women the right to vote, transgender issues, all encompass fear of change. It is, I feel, testimony to the bravery of so many that say "what will be will be" and welcome change. I grew up during WW II. Rationing was part of my home. Squeezing the margarine pill to make it all yellow; the 5c savings books; gasoline stickers inside car windows and one activity I did and got 25c a bag collecting Milkweed for parachutes, so told. Those days are past and now with electric cars and even gay marriage society and its people move on. Resisting change, as so many of the louder voices suggest, means to me that change is wrong, maybe evil? Maybe a few conservatives that read this message to them is explain why being a conservative is so valued. So many voted for Donald Trump knowing much of his questionable ethics and morals. Was that a conservative decision of something else? A few more words, "always run the short way and the short way is the natural, don't forget that." Robert Brooks * * * The nature of truth is this. When there are multiple truth claims, only one can be true. So if Mr. Brooks' view is truth, then mine is false. And if mine is true, then his is false. I find my truth in a text that has stood the test of time, and will outlive both Mr. Brook and Mr. West. We know that text as the Holy Bible, Gods Word. Truth cannot be rooted in change, otherwise it is not absolute and thus it is not truth. So pointing to change as the substance of what one should embrace ignores the foundational question: What is truth? Pontius Pilate asked Jesus that question: What is Truth? Yet, standing right in front of him was the One who claimed, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me. If Jesus referred to Himself as truth, then anyone or anything that contradicts Jesus is in fact not true, or a lie. And if Jesus claimed He was the only path to the Father, then that exclusive claim is at odds with the beliefs of literally billions of people. So who is right? Ill chose the Son of Gods claim over others. But, at the end of the day, rather than looking to editorial columns, political parties, or man-made ideologies, that change as quickly as a baby's diaper, I would encourage you to ground your truth in the unchanging nature of God and the Words He has chosen to share with us. By the way, Mr. Brooks, I have identified as a political conservative throughout my entire life and I did not vote for Donald Trump precisely because of the truths I understand from Scripture, which I must be honest and admit that I sadly fall short of every day. But that leads to another truth, that my God is a loving and forgiving Father, because of the sacrifice of His perfect Son. I hope you have a great day. And thanks for sharing your truth claims. Mark West * * * Mr. Brooks, As for your question as to why President Trump was voted in. Sometimes in life we must choose between the lesser of two evils and pray we were right. Hillary Clinton was not and never will be an option for many voters, especially when it comes to ethics and morals as her past will continue to follow her. We could go over the list again but whats the point. Just the mentioning of her name sends chills up my spine. Chris Morgan * * * Mr. Brooks, As a former Republican, I can appreciate your words of wisdom. Thank you for sharing them. I would like to build on what you wrote by pointing out what you left off. It takes bravery and blindness to be a liberal. Change for change's sake does not always equate to progress. Change by force leads to resentment and a longer, more soiled battle for change. Your opinion piece made a lot of Liberals nod along while the conservative digs in a little deeper to fight change. Those in government and industry often hold tightly to rules that defy explanation. They often shake the ant farm if for no other reason than to attempt to shape progress to their vision. We watched Councilman Anderson try to make change here in Chattanooga despite the wheel of progress that was already in motion. Less than two years later, Justice Kennedy wrote the majority opinion that (had it not been rejected in referendum) would have made Councilman Anderson's ordinance obsolete. Was I a "brave and blind," "fearfilled" Conservative for opposing the Domestic Partner's benefit? I was labeled as such. Did I want legal same sex marriage? Absolutely, but not at the cost of paying for every city employee to have a +1 on their benefits. I agree that conservatives can be an unsavory bunch, but where I differ is that the liberals are not accepting of someone who thinks that change needs the natural logic you speak of. Many people voted for DJT, while overlooking questionable ethics and morals. Just as many people (actually more) voted for HRC while overlooking questionable ethics and morals (progressives support those who stay in an abusive relationship in order to advance in their career, right? I'm with her; she's with him; he's with someone else). So many voted to see a woman become president, not because she was the best fit, but because she was the quickest, easiest way to make change. Look, I don't think that change is wrong or evil. I change my clothes every day and with good reason. But there are plenty things I don't change, and with good reason. I cook chicken to 165 degrees because I don't want to get sick. I segregate my laundry. The things that I find to be wrong and evil are the motivations of the duopoly of our political parties. This is why I am no longer a Republican. This is also why I cannot be a Democrat. Republicans think everything has to regress and Democrats think everything needs to be a cause. Check out of those two boxes and come join us in the middle. You'll find that there's a lot of people like you and you can vote your conscience. You'll also find that people you once adored are just as bad as the people you vilified. Tim Giordano * * * Well Chris, in this case you got it wrong when choosing between the lesser of two evils. Better luck next time. David Turner 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 New Delhi : As the new dispensation took charge in Pakistan, Indian agencies have warned of attacks from Pakistan, especially from the sea. The Intelligence Bureau warning suggests that Pakistan army would look to keep the Indian Army busy in Jammu and Kashmir and the bordering areas, while it launches a sea borne attack. This is the second time in two months that the agencies have warned of a seaborne attack from Pakistan. In July, the agencies had said that two groups, the Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Lashkar-e-Tayiba are training to carry out seaborne attacks on India. With the election process on in Pakistan, there was a bit of a slowdown in terror related activities. The agencies in India warned that after the election process is completed, Pakistan would look to step up the heat on India. The alert suggests that the terrorists of both the groups are training hard in a bid to launch an attack on the Indian Navy. The threat looms large in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, an IB officer told OneIndia. Several intelligence reports available with OneIndia state that the naval wing of these groups is handled by the Musa Company, which is the special services group of the Pakistan Army. The naval wing of these terrorist groups is not often used by terror groups. It is part of the surprise element, the reports state. Since 2004, it had become mandatory for every Lashkar-e-Tayiba recruit to undergo a certain amount of maritime training. This apart, the terrorists also take part in classes on elementary flying. As part of the training programme, the first class is held in Thakot and then at Murdike. The training programme comes to a close at Karachi and each of these sessions is conducted by officers of the Musa company. Officials say that this is a strategic ploy by Pakistan. While it would look to keep the Indian agencies busy on land, it would look to stage an attack along the 7,500 kilometre coastline. The attack, the IB warns would be specifically on the Indian Navy. They would look to target strategic assets of the Navy such as INS Chakra and the INS Vikramaditya. The Lashkar-e-Tayiba poses a bigger threat In a bid to boost up the maritime capabilities, the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and the al-Shahbab came together in 2011. The coming together of these two outfits was specifically to spruce up their maritime capabilities. Investigations conducted have revealed that the pirates from Somalia who are dominant on Indian waters were sponsored by the al-Shahbab group which is linked to the al-Qaeda. It was the ISI that had suggested that the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and the al-Shahbab come together and carry out strikes. The idea was to send out the terrorists along with some of the pirates in a bid to carry out strikes. Since manning all vessels is an impossible task for India alone, it became necessary to seek the cooperation of other nations such as Africa. The Lashkar-e-Tayiba on the other hand entered into several alliances in a bid to spruce up its maritime capabilities. An operative by the name Abu Yakub was tasked with coordinating with the al-Shahbab. A plan hatched back in 2011 indicated that these groups would send out several pirates into the sea in a bid to keep the Indian Navy busy. On the other hand they would take advantage of the situation and then get their terrorists to launch an attack on the Navy. Post the 26/11 attack, maritime security had been increased. There are over 400 warships which are on guard. In addition to this several more coastal police stations were set up and the fishermen were roped in to provide human intelligence. Source : One India At a time when there is significant focus on the growing warmth in Indias relations with the US, it makes sense to look at the role the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee played in this. Vajpayees US policy was characterised by a deftness not often seen in Indian foreign policy at the time. On July 14, 2003, he chaired a crucial meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to decide whether India should send troops to Iraq to operate alongside the US and British troops following the invasion of that country. The Vajpayee government was under tremendous pressure from the US government and a section of Indian media, who construed it as a good opportunity to mend ties with Washington, and which could perhaps convince the then Bush administration to lift the sanctions imposed against India after Pokhran II. Vajpayee asked a simple question to his CCS: Would Indian troops and weapons be used against Iraqi citizens? The decision not to send troops to Iraq was taken after the answer was in the affirmative. Great leaders have a tremendous sense of timing and Vajpayee was gifted in abundance in that respect. Had he bowed to American and strategic expert pressure, India would have been in a quagmire and its credibility in West Asia would have taken a nosedive. His views on the supply of weaponry to the Afghanistan army after the 2001 Afghan war were no different as he did not want Indians to be the enemy of the Afghan people. While some of his right-wing contemporaries saw him to be malleable at times, Vajpayee not only had the steel to conduct the Pokhran II tests but to also identify a state which committed armed aggression against India in 1962 as one reason why India couldnt turn its back on nuclear weapons. Yet, he used the draft nuclear doctrine in 1999 to announce no first use policy to signal Indias commitment to peace. That between-the-lines message, interestingly, came in on May 13, 1998 in a letter to the then US President Bill Clinton. India conducted the tests at a time when an influential section of strategic experts wanted it to sign the discriminatory Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT). His indirectly naming of China in the letter was treated as some sort of sacrilege by some. Back then, Pakistan was the perennial third wheel in India-Pakistan relations. The US still considered Pakistan a closer ally than India and was declared as a major Non-NATO ally by US Secretary of State Colin Powell on March 18, 2004, during his Islamabad trip without even sharing it with New Delhi his previous stop. In 1999, even as he directed the Indian military to evict Pakistani army intruders from the Kargil sector, Vajpayee took the high ground and said no Indian troops or fighter jets would cross the Line of Control (LoC) into Occupied Kashmir. He also chose not to attend the July 4,1999, meeting at Blair House in Washington with the then Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and President Clinton, who ultimately brokered the deal that facilitated the withdrawal of Pakistan. Again, keeping national interests paramount, Vajpayee ordered mobilisation of forces against Islamabad after Pakistan-based terrorist groups conducted the December 13, 2001, strike on Indian Parliament. The troop mobilisation gave India the option of going into a full-fledged war or putting global and US pressure on Pakistan on cross-border terrorism. His message to the US which, by then, had woken up to the global impact of terror groups, was straightforward: India would do everything to protect itself, but with maturity that behoved a country with global interests. Vajpayees steely brinkmanship paid dividends. The then Pakistan dictator Pervez Musharraf was forced to make a public statement on January 12, 2002, in which he banned four terrorists groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed (involved in the Parliament attack). Musharraf made it clear that no organisation would be allowed to carry out terrorism on the pretext of Kashmir. It was due to Vajpayees deft diplomacy that Kashmir became a symbol of cross border terrorism by Pakistan and not so-called freedom struggle. Indeed, despite severe US sanctions after Pokhran II, Vajpayee started the nuclear dialogue with the US and had the audacity to propose the separation of Indian civilian and military nuclear reactors to visiting US Secretary of State Colin Powell on July 28, 2002. This laid the foundation of the 2005 India-US nuclear agreement although it is another matter that hardliners within his own party later opposed the arrangement during the Manmohan Singh government. But by that time Vajpayee had become old and infirm. shishir.gupta@hindustantimes.com Like every Indian festival, Eid celebrations are also centered around food. Eid Al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims across the world. This year it will be celebrated on August 22, Wednesday. Family and friends come together and cook traditional recipes, which is then enjoyed by everyone. We bring you five best recipes that you can make to celebrate the festival. Chicken shami kebab Ingredients: 1 cup chana dal, 500 gram chicken thigh (cubes, boneless), 2 tsp coriander whole, 7 cloves (laung), 10 clack pepper (whole), 2 small Cinnamon sticks, 1 tbsp red chilli (crushed), 7 pieces dry red chili (whole), 2 tbsp Salt, 2 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp carom seeds (ajwain), 6 eggs, Coriander leaves (chopped), Mint leaves, (chopped), 6 green chilies, 1 tbsp ginger, 10 cloves garlic (Chopped), Oil (For frying) Method: Boil the chana dal along with the chicken thigh cubes and spices. Let the chicken cook. Strain and keep aside to cool. Then add 3 eggs, chopped coriander, mint, green chillies, ginger and garlic. Mix well and mince. Make round shape kebabs of the mixture. Coat the kebabs in the remaining eggs slightly, and pan fry them in oil. Sheermal Ingredients: 3 cups maida, 1 cup milk, 2 tbsp extra milk, 1 tsp sugar, cup ghee and salt to taste and saffron strands. Method: Soak saffron strands in milk. Mix the flour, salt, sugar and add melted ghee. Rub in the ghee, add a little milk to knead a soft dough. Cover and keep aside for 2 hours. Knead again and keep aside for 2 hours. Roll into 6 inches round and inches thick and prick all over. Cool on a tawa over high heat and then lower to cook some more. Smear milk solution, cooking a little and served with ghee. Laksa pulao Ingredients: 300 gm fresh French beans, 50 gm almonds, 500 gm basmati rice, 60 gm desi ghee, (clarified butter), 30 gm laksa leaves, chopped, 20 gm fresh turmeric, chopped, 20 gm ginger, chopped, 20 gm garlic, chopped, 40 gm onion, chopped, 3-4 fresh green chilli, chopped, a pinch of pepper powder for seasoning, a pinch of salt for seasoning Garnish: Sliced golden fried onions, slit green chilli, chopped laksa leaves Method: Method: Clean the French beans and boil until tender. Remove and place them into ice water to maintain crispiness and color. Blanch the almonds and then peel and slit them in half from the center. Heat the desi ghee in a pan, add the garlic, onion, ginger, saute till onions are translucent. Add fresh turmeric and green chilli and stir fry. Add the beans and laksa leaves. Cook till beans are done. Season with salt and pepper powder. .Take a flat, thick bottomed pan, add oil and heat it to saute the rice for a minute. Add 500 ml of water, the sauteed vegetables, almonds and some chopped laksa leaves. Place over a low flame till the rice is cooked (all the water should have evaporated from the pan). .Spoon the pulao onto a platter, garnish with fried onions and green chilli. Meethe chawal Ingredients: 1 cup sela chawal (parboiled rice), blanched, 1 1/4 cup sugar, 4 cups Water, 1 tsp yellow colouring (optional), 2-3 cloves, 4 green cardamoms, 10-12 raisins, 5 almonds, 1/4 cup ghee, dough to seal. Method Bring the water to a boil and add the drained out rice, yellow colour, laung and elaichi. When it comes to a boil, lower the heat and simmer, till the rice is almost cooked (about 12 minutes). Drain the rice and rinse twice, in cold water and leave in a colander to drain. In a heavy based pan, heat the ghee and fry the raisins and the almonds and saute till they change colour a little. Remove the nuts and keep aside and add the rice in the same ghee and mix well. Grease the edge of the lid and line a rolled string of dough along it. Grease the dough a little too. Lower the heat, remove half the rice and sprinkle half the sugar, and then layer the rest of the rice and the rest of the sugar over it. Put the lid on to seal and place the pan over a griddle (tawa) over low heat for about 1/2 an hour. Break the seal and serve garnished with the raisins and the nuts. Sheer sewai Ingredients 250 gram vermicelli, roasted, 4 tbsp ghee, 750 ml milk, 400 gram sugar, 1/2 tsp saffron strands (soaked in 1 tbsp of water), 100 gram khoya (crumbled), 2 tbsp raisins, 1 tbsp pistachio, 1 tbsp almond slivers, roasted, 2 tbsp cashew nuts, to decorate silver leaf Method: Fry vermicelli in hot ghee. Pour in milk. Allow it to simmer for two minutes. Add sugar and continue cooking until sugar dissolves. Stir in saffron, khoya, raisins and nuts. Decorate with silver leaf, remaining saffron and dried fruit. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Sonakshi Sinhas upcoming film, Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi, is up for release. The film is a sequel of the sleeper hit, Happy Bhag Jayegi, with Diana Penty in the lead. The delightful film had a Punjabi girl who runs away from her marriage only to land up in Pakistan. Her fiance, the police of Pakistan and sundry other people are after her and a comedy of errors follows. Happy is a funny personshe obviously has a distinct comic streak to her and is often oblivious of it herself. She often finds herself in untenable situations but invariably wriggles out of them. Happy is set to make you laugh again. However, is Happy a singular character in planet Bollywood? Not quite. In the recent past, there have a handful of quirky female characters, who have the spunk, the audacity, the humanity, the vulnerability and the strength in equal measure to make our day. A clear example is Tanuja Trivedi (Tanu) from the Tanu Weds Manu series. The girl is blessed with such madness and oddities that simply beholding her is likely to make you smile. Then her eccentricities will keep you hooked. She does everything that good girls from good families arent expected to do in a largely conservative Indiashe drinks and smokes (more for the kicks), has boyfriends (may have even had a history), is nearly always at loggerheads with daddy dear while her extended family is almost always aghast at her free-spirited nature. Kangana Ranauts Tanu Weds Manu was a monster hit. Coming to women with a mind of their own, Geet from Imtiaz Alis Jab We Met is another sparkling example. As a vivacious girl who refuses to bow down to what the society and her family expects her to do, Geet believes in following her heart. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor in a scene from Jab We Met. All the girls in Jab We Met are having so much fun. Meenamma Alagasunsaram from Chennai Express is yet another such character. Deepikas character makes one laugh from the word go. She is running away from a loving but domineering father, a local don at that. She too has her own prince in shining armour but funnily, for the most part, shes the one doing the rescue! It is this that makes her independent, in command of her world and a wonderful watch. She too has her moments of weaknesses but for most parts, she charms us with her spunk. If you thought that these qualities come packaged in a certain typeusually nubile, privileged and moneyed--then it is time you gave it a slight shake. For a definite departure from the norm is Vidya Balans Tumhari Sulu. Sulu is a middle-aged woman, mother of a 11-year old and from a middle class background. Yet, nothing stops her from giving wings to her ambitions. A housewife by the day who fills her time winning pressure cookers in radio shows, she transforms into a late night RJ whose show caters to a largely male audience. Sulu embraces her job with the gusto of a newbie and emerges a hit, of course. She is not in the least apologetic and even ambitious. A delightful Vidya Balan as Sulochana Dubey in Tumhari Sulu. Many moons back, Yashraj Films came out with a charming film called Bunty Aur Babli, where Rani Mukerjis Babli was a precursor to such characters. Babli is a regular small town girl, with big dreams in her eyes but little opportunity. She wants to be a model, Miss India to be precise, and studies models astutely. Faced by parents unwilling to support her fanciful ideas, she runs away from home! Mercifully, she meets another loser Bunty, also on the run from an uneventful railway ki naukri to explore the world beyond. Mercifully, despite all the twists and turns, life comes a full circle for them. Babli in Bunty Aur Babli aspires to be a model and runs away from home. There are other notable mention into this growing list of free-willed women but they may not be as comicFarah from Dil Dhadakne Do will impress you with her will, Laila in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara will live her life on her own terms and even help a guy discover himself while at it. Author tweets @mniveditatweets Follow @htshowbiz for more Sunny Leones love for her husband Daniel Weber and her kids - Nisha, Noah and Asher - is for everyone to see on her Instagram account. The actor and host of reality show Splitsvilla, recently spoke to Humans of Bombay about how she met her husband Daniel and their life together. She said, We met through Daniels band mate at a club in Vegas. He says it was love at first sight, not for me though, because all we did was make small talk there werent any floating hearts or violins. But somehow he got my number and email ID. What I liked though, is that he didnt call me but emailed me instead -- thats how we started talking. Sunny was actually late for her first date, but Daniel had patiently waited. The two then spoke for hours and there was the violin moment. The actor spoke about their long courtship period and said, It was just us talking and getting to know each other. I remember when I was in Oman, in the middle of nowhere -- he sent me a mixed CD and flowers from across the world! I had a stack of calling cards because of how much we spoke! I was in love. Speaking about how Daniel proposed to her, Sunny said, I remember how it happened like it was yesterday. I was looking around for a box to put my ring in. Randomly, he gave me this beautiful mahogany box which he had made. It said, with love, Daniel. I was so excited with the box when he just casually said, I also have another ring for you! YES!! I was jumping -- how could I not? Im so lucky to have him. The proposal was so simple and quiet -- exactly how I wanted it. She added, Its been 7 years now, and were just the same.. He supports every dream of mine like its his own-- he makes me believe that anything is possible. And when were all together, the kids, me and Danny making us breakfast...life itself is a dream, one I cant believe Im living. The actor had recently starred in a biopic titled Karenjit Kaur - The Untold Story of Sunny Leone, which received good response from audience. The actor also has a cosmetic line of her own called, Star Stuck by Sunny Leone. Follow @htshowbiz for more The political message of the week has come from the Gandhi family. It is a significant message: A tweet from Rahul Gandhi praising Dr Manmohan Singhs economic performance. For working quietly and diligently at building Indias economy, without tall talk or flaunting of 56 inches. His inspiration was that rare slip-up from the Modi government, which has otherwise mastered the weaponisation of data, when the back-series of GDP growth rates based on the new parameters surfaced on the ministry of statistics website. It showed the UPAs 10 years in a better light than the NDAs four. The data was taken down in panic and hidden under an obscure URL but with a warning to avoid using it. But Rahul Gandhi had received his political epiphany. During its two terms, the Congress-UPA government functioned as two different political entities, party and government. They did not always work parallelly and were often at cross-purposes. Dr Manmohan Singhs core belief was the same as in 1991-96. That only economic growth can lift Indias remaining poorest out of poverty; growth needs animal spirits of capitalism with its imperfections and then, the redistributive state kicks in, with a lot more to give away. If you dont have surpluses, what do you distribute? The record growth of his first seven years brought the cash for funding loan-waivers, right to food and education. In his first term, a workable balance was maintained. The trouble began after he won his second term. Who and what was to get the credit for this counter-intuitive second term, with much better numbers so you wont even need another Treaty of Versailles (Common Minimum Programme) with the Left? This despite the nuclear deal which is supposed to have alienated the Muslims from the Congress. It became a classical factivist versus activist debate. All those arguing that the party had been rewarded for growth and Manmohan Singhs skill in not reversing, but carrying forward Vajpayees reform momentum were outside of politics. Within the Congress, the question was easily settled: It wasnt Manmohan Singh governments growth that got Sonia Gandhis Congress a second term. It was the Sonia-NAC yojanas and rights-based handouts that won them a larger mandate and Manmohan Singh was given a new innings. All feudal systems, including family-run parties, follow a common pattern. Durbaris are quick to figure out which argument is going to win and that ends all debate. A formidable set of establishment intellectuals took control of 10, Janpath, and began tugging at Sonia Gandhis conscience with fine durbari skills: Growth is ok, but, maam, nobodys thinking of the poor, the farmers, the tribals. They are suffering and Congress is losing them. None of these had ever fought even a college or RWA (Resident Welfare Association) election. In the year India crossed nine per cent growth (over 10% under the new series), I heard a leading and particularly pampered member of Sonias NAC say ruefully, yeh kya hai, nine per cent growth, and 91% destruction. All this kept getting back to Manmohan Singh, demoralising him completely. This is when UPAs growth momentum collapsed, as evident again in the new data. A series of blunders on the political economy followed: Incorrigible statist Pranab Mukherjee as finance minister, resumption of what PM Modi correctly described as phone-banking, retrospective Vodafone tax and then that incredibly arrogant and later dodgy environmental activism that killed the mining and energy businesses. All contributed greatly to the bank NPA curse Modis NDA inherited. Yet, see where Indian politics has ended up. Rahul Gandhi, who inherited 10, Janpaths povertarianism which reduced Congress to 44, is hailing Manmohanomics. Narendra Modi, who rode to 282 promising record economic growth would wish that the comparative growth figures had never come out. Since he is among our sharpest politicians ever, he would also know what broke his own momentum: It was that economic decision, driven by some ecclesiastical logic of jaadu-economics (sorry Surjit Bhalla, stealing it from you). It took away, exactly, as Manmohan Singh said in Parliament, two per cent from our net GDP. Thats the NDA-UPA growth gap in the new series. If Rahul Gandhi is hailing it, and Modi government is hiding from it, what does it tell us? It is reasonable to conclude that in the long term, good economics defeats bad politics. That lazy good-economics-is-bad-politics punditry should be buried. The views expressed are personal Just a week after Aam Aadmi Partys Ashutosh resigned, citing personal reasons, another top AAP leader Ashish Khetan has quit the party, news agency PTI reported quoting sources . Khetan, who did not deny the resignation, on Wednesday said he was not involved in active politics at the moment and was not interested in rumours. I had resigned from DDC in April, to join the legal profession. That is all. Not interested in rumours, Khaitan tweeted, referring to the Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission, an advisory body of the Delhi government. I am completely focussed on my legal practice and not involved in active politics at the moment. Rest is all extrapolation, he said in another tweet. Khetan had resigned as DDC vice chairman citing frustration due to the tussle between the Centre and the AAP-led government. Sources in party, according the news agency PTI, said Ashish Khetan had sent his resignation to AAP chief and Delhi chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on August 15, the day Ashutosh had announced his resignation from the party, citing very, very personal reasons.. Every journey has an end. My association with AAP which was beautiful/revolutionary has also an end. I have resigned from the PARTY/requested PAC [political action committee] to accept the same. It is purely from a very very personal reason. Thanks to party/all of them who supported me Throughout (sic). Thanks, Ashutosh had said on Twitter. I had resigned from DDC in April, to join the legal profession. That is all. Not interested in rumours Ashish Khetan (@AashishKhetan) August 22, 2018 Both resignations are yet to be accepted by Kejriwal, party insiders said. Refusing Ashutoshs resignation, Arvind Kejriwal said he would try his best to keep the former TV journalist within the fold. Kejriwal and other party leaders, through series of tweets on Wednesday, urged Ashutosh to reconsider his decision. How can we accept ur resignation? Na, is janam mein toh nahi (No, not in this life), Kejriwal tweeted. In another tweet, the CM expressed his love for the leader. Sir, hum sab aapko bohut pyaar karte hain (we all love you a lot), the tweet read. AAP sources claimed Khetan wanted to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the New Delhi parliamentary seat that he had lost to BJPs Meenakshi Lekhi in 2014. But his demand was not being accepted by the leadership and he had been upset for a while. The Delhi governments enquiry report in the Bawana factory fire, which killed 17 people in January this year, has blamed the failure of multiple agencies for the disaster. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has now asked a high-powered committee that prepared the report to fix responsibility of individual officers in every department or agency involved. The high-powered committee received the report back from the office of the lieutenant governor (L-G) Anil Baijal with the CMs remarks on Tuesday. The report has blamed five agencies North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, state labour department, Delhi Fire Services and Delhi Police for lapses that resulted in the blaze. We will be asking all the agencies to submit a list of officers responsible. The probe report was submitted a few months ago and has been accepted by the government. However, it has come back from the CM and the L-Gs office today, said an official. The multiplicity of agencies, the official said, made it difficult to fix responsibility. The DSIIDC, which set up the Bawana Industrial Area in outer Delhi by allocating plots to factory-owners, doesnt have mandate for its monitoring, which should ideally be the case. We are working on the committees suggestion on interlinking the process of seeking and granting approvals for issuing licenses. The minute a licence is issued or cancelled it will be updated in the database of all agencies, said a north corporation official. It was also found that the labour department did not have the names and credentials of the Bawana factory that caught fire with it. Also, the Delhi Police was not aware of crackers being manufactured from the factory, said officials. Officials in the labour department blamed the MCD stating that most factories in Bawana operate without a licence from the civic body. The labour department hence had no details of the people working there. Delhi Police PRO Madhur Verma said, The crime branch is investigating the case. The high-powered committee, headed by home secretary Manoj Parida, has also made several recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future. These include short- and long term measures such as a central agency for regulating the units, industrial estates to have their own fire-fighting mechanism and change in fire laws. In this case it is suggested that DSIIDC must act as the chief regulator for industrial areas set up them. Also, it must have a small fire station under it to be ready to deal with an emergency, another official said. Mohanjeet Singh, chief managing director, DSIIDC, however, said he is yet to see the report. So far we are only responsible for providing plots and ensuring construction. The sanction of building plan and licencing is with the municipal corporation. We had earlier suggested that if these industrial estates are notified as industrial townships then DSIIDC can be the single agency looking after the operations, Singh said. Delhi fire services chief GC Mishra also said, I havent seen the report. We need manpower to look after the city. However, the suggestion of industrial pockets having their own fire station is welcome. A fire broke out in an AC plant of Doordarshan Bhawan at Mandi House, a Delhi Fire Service official said. A call was received about the fire at 12.50 pm and five fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire was controlled within 10 minutes, he said. Watch: Policemen rescue couple from a massive fire in Delhis Paharganj The AC plant is situated on the ground floor of the Doordarshan Bhawan, the official said. No casualties or injury has been reported yet, he added. A man working with a Union minister allegedly killed himself at his Sarojini Nagar residence in the early hours of Monday, police said. Kundan Kumar, 31, was employed privately by Union minister for rural development and panchayati raj Narendra Singh Tomar. He lived with his wife Shivani and a six-month-old son in Laxmibai Nagar in Sarojini Nagar. Romil Baaniya, deputy commissioner of police (south), said no suicide note was recovered from Kumar and the suicide appeared to be a result of domestic issues. Another investigator said that Kumar and his wife were going through a marital discord and lived in separate rooms in the same house. Kumar returned home around 10pm on Sunday and retired to his room. Around 2am on Monday, his wife wanted to speak to him and knocked on his door, but received no response. When she checked from the balcony window, she found Kumar hanging from the ceiling fan, said the DCP. She immediately alerted the neighbours and the police after which the door was broken down and Kumar brought down. He was rushed to Safdarjung Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. The DCP said that a crime team had inspected the death spot and found no evidence of foul play so far. Inquest proceedings are on in the case and the body has been handed over to Kumars family after post-mortem, said an officer. An official with the ministry denied the polices report that Kumar was his personal assistant. Kumar was a lower divisional clerk who was privately employed by the minister at his office, said the official, adding that he was not an Indian Government servant. A native of Bihar, Kumar never displayed any anxieties at work and was seen a jovial person, said the official. A security guard of a nationalised bank in south Delhis Defence Colony allegedly fired a shot with his licensed gun inside the bank on Tuesday, leaving one of the customers injured. Police have arrested the accused. Some witnesses alleged that the guard had fired the shot at one of the employees, after he caught the guard sleeping during office hours, but had missed the target. The police said they are yet to ascertain the allegations. Police have identified the accused as Rudra Pal Singh, an ex-serviceman who lives in Mahipalpur. According to them, the police received a PCR call around 1.30pm at the Defence Colony police station reporting that the security guard of a bank has fired a shot inside the bank. When the police reached the spot, the guard was identified. The injured customer was identified as one Rajender Singh, from Badarpur. He had sustained a bullet injury on his back. The weapon of offence was recovered from the spot along with one empty cartridge and five live cartridges. The customer was rushed to a hospital where he underwent treatment. His condition is said to be stable, deputy commissioner of police (south), Romil Baaniya, said. The guard has been booked for under sections 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and the Arms Act of the IPC, Baaniya added. He said that on being questioned, the guard claimed to have fired the shot accidentally. However, some of the witnesses told police that he and a staffer had a verbal spat after which the guard allegedly fired the shot aiming at him but missed. The DCP said that the police are questioning the witnesses and the bank staff. All possible angles are being looked into, he said. An employee of the bank, Manilal, said that the officer had questioned the guard on catching him asleep. The officer asked the guard who will provide safety if he will keep sleeping at work. On this, the guard stood up and fired the shot which hit one of our customers, Manilal said. In a first for India, medical insurance for the treatment of mental illnesses will be available as in cases of physical illnesses, Union Health Minister J P Nadda announced on Twitter on August 19. Three days before Mr Naddas tweet, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) had issued a directive that asked insurance companies to make provisions to cover mental illnesses in their policies along with physical illnesses. Indias progressive mental health legislation, the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, kicked in on May 29 this year. According to the Act: Every insurer shall make provisions for medical insurance for treatment of mental illness on the same basis as is available for treatment of physical illness. According to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, mental illness is defined as substantial disorder of thinking, mood, perception, orientation or memory that grossly impairs judgement, behaviour, the capacity to recognise reality or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life. Both the IRDA directive and Mr Naddas announcement are steps in the right direction. This will benefit millions of patients as well as help create awareness about mental health issues in the country. According to the World Health Organisation, with more than 300 million people suffering from it, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. In India, according to the National Mental Health Survey, 2016, carried out by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, an estimated 150 million people require mental health interventions. With only 5,615 psychiatrists almost all of them in big cities and state or district capitals registered with the Indian Psychiatric Society, theres a clear paucity of professionals to diagnose and treat them. Although mental health experts have welcomed the announcement, a few anomalies need to be addressed. The insurance market in India is yet to evolve when it comes to outpatient treatment. Typically, most health insurance policies pay only for hospitalisation. As things stand, an insurance policy is likely to cover the patient if the person is hospitalised owing to a mental illness but not cover counselling fees for a psychiatrist or medication. Only a small fraction of people with mental health ailments need hospitalisation. Thanks to the push from the government, once insurance firms switch to underwriting outpatient costs, it could encourage people to seek help and reduce the stigma. Italian actor and sexual abuse campaigner Asia Argento denied Tuesday having had a sexual relationship five years ago with an underage teen, calling the allegations part of "a long-standing persecution". The New York Times reported on Sunday that Argento, 42, a Harvey Weinstein accuser and leading figure in the #MeToo movement, had paid actor and rock musician Jimmy Bennett $380,000 over the alleged 2013 incident at a Los Angeles hotel. Bennett was two months past his 17th birthday at the time of the alleged encounter, while Argento was 37. The legal age of consent in California is 18. In a statement Argento said her late boyfriend, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain who committed suicide in June, gave money to Bennett upon the condition that "we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life," "I strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article... as circulated also in national and international news," a statement issued by her agent said. "I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett," it goes on. Argento says that she was linked to Bennett "during several years by friendship only". In this file photo taken on May 19, 2018 Italian actress Asia Argento poses as she arrives for the closing ceremony and the screening of the film The Man Who Killed Don Quixote at the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. (AFP) The pair had acted together in the 2004 film The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things, in which Argento plays Bennett's troubled mother. Argento said the friendship "ended when, subsequent to my exposure in the Weinstein case, Bennett -- who was then undergoing severe economic problems and had previously undertaken legal actions against his own family requesting millions in damages -- unexpectedly made an exorbitant request of money from me." Addressing the issue of the payment of money to Bennett, Argento explained that Bourdain "was afraid of the possible negative publicity that such a person, whom he considered dangerous, could have brought upon us". "We decided to deal compassionately with Bennett's demand for help and give it to him. Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life," the statement said. "This is, therefore, the umpteenth development of a sequence of events that brings me great sadness and that constitutes a long-standing persecution," Argento said, before pledging to take "all necessary initiatives for my protection before all competent venues". In this March 8, 2018 file photo, actresses Asia Argento, left, and Rose McGowan pose during a demonstration to mark the international Women's Day in Rome. (AP) Argento became a powerful voice for the #MeToo movement after accusing Hollywood producer Weinstein of raping her when she was 21 in his hotel room in 1997 during the Cannes film festival. Bennett's legal action was launched a month after Argento's accusations against Weinstein were made public, according to the New York Times report, which added that Bennett's lawyer claimed his client recalled the hotel encounter after seeing Argento present herself as a victim of sexual assault. Argento made an emotional speech at this year's Cannes festival, telling the audience: "Things have changed. We are not going to allow you to get away with it." Weinstein's lawyer Ben Brafman has sought to capitalise on the allegations against Argento, accusing her of "duplicity" and "a stunning level of hypocrisy". On Monday police in California said that Argento was not currently under active investigation over the Times report but that "enquiries will be made". The reality singing television show X Factor Italy on which Argento is a judge has said it would cut ties with her if the allegation was confirmed. The profile of the foreign ministrys interpreters appears to be on an upswing with minister Sushma Swaraj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi showing a preference to speak in Hindi at most diplomatic events. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) has now started sending Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers for training in at least four foreign languages so they can double as interpreters at high-level meetings. It has also been taking steps to hone the language skills of its existing team of interpreters. Not just that, the ministry has, for the first time, approved two joint secretary-level posts for its interpreter cadre. So far, an interpreter would have only reached to the post of director by the time of retirement. We have taken a slew of measures necessary for addressing the increasing requirements for interpretation. This is required as high-level bilateral and multilateral engagements of the Government of India are significantly enhanced, said an official. Traditionally, the MEA has used IFS officers proficient in Mandarin as interpreters. Two such officers are Pranay Verma, who heads the East Asia division in the ministry, and Madhu Sudan, a 2007-batch officer who was the interpreter at the Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jingping earlier this year. Now, IFS officers are being sent for special training in Russian, French, Arabic and Spanish. This is part of the plan to have IFS officers who can double as interpreters during high-level exchanges, said another official. Other measures have been taken too, the official said. To widen the pool of interpreters, the ministry of external affairs now sends all IFS (B) officers who get promoted into the IFS. Then we give a chance to serving diplomats to go back to language stations to refresh their skills. The missions have also been instructed to conduct classes in a way that hones the foreign language skills of posted officials, he said. But getting the right kind of interpreter has always been a tall order for the MEA. It took a while for Nilakshi Saha Sinha, a director-level officer, to become a more or less constant member on the Prime Ministers team of interpreters. She is trained in French but equally proficient in English and Hindi, too. Former minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor was a bit iffy on how far these measures would work. Its a positive step but slightly contradictory. IFS officers who are mainstream diplomatic professionals are being trained and asked to serve as interpreters. Meanwhile, interpreters who do not perform mainstream diplomatic functions are being promoted to joint secretary level. I am not sure whether the two courses of action arent two opposite approaches to the same problem, he said. Tharoor said the issue of additional trained manpower was gaining urgency. We still do not have enough diplomats to open all the missions we need to or to staff the ones we do have adequately. A country like India deserves better than the skimpy human resources we permit ourselves, he said. Earlier this year, a parliamentary committee had said that the linguistic base of Indias diplomats was far from adequate. The Committee were constrained to note that the linguistic base of Indias diplomats is largely limited to the five UN languages only and roughly 35 percent of the Officers posted abroad are serving in their respective language zones. Moreover, out of around 770 IFS Officers in service, the number of Officers with proficiency in a foreign language is only 569. It may easily be inferred that around 200 IFS Officers are not equipped with any foreign language, the committee said in a report submitted to Parliament in January this year. As a part of its larger national effort to both celebrate the life and perpetuate the political legacy of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah will hand over to the partys state unit chiefs urns containing Vajpayees ashes on Wednesday. The leaders will then take out yatras in their respective states, before the urns are immersed in different rivers across the country, a senior BJP leader said. This is only one element in a larger push by the party, and the states ruled by the party, to entrench Vajpayees contribution in national memory from renaming schemes, projects, universities, and cities, to introducing his life in school textbooks. Wednesdays event has been organised at the BJPs old office on Ashoka Road, which served as the party headquarters during Vajpayees active days in politics, the leader cited above said. He was our tallest leader and the events following his death will be large in scale, added the leader, who asked not to be named. A second leader said the response to his death over the past few days had shown that Vajpayee, despite being away from the limelight for close to a decade, still had a special place in the public imagination. It is the partys duty to take the message of his life across the country, he said. Vajpayee died on August 16 at the age of 93. An all-party prayer meeting, held in his memory, in New Delhi on August 20 saw leaders from different ideologies in attendance. The BJP has put on hold till August 28 all other party events, to organise prayer meetings, Kalash Yatras, and other events in memory of Vajpayee. Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh announced that Naya Raipur the administrative capital of the tribal state will be named Atal Nagar, Bilaspur University as Atal Bihari Vajpayee University, and narrow gauge lines as Atal Path. Maharashtras finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announced setting up of a study chair in the name of Vajpayee in each of its 13 universities. The state unit of the BJP will also organise a prayer meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday and in 13 other cities over the next week. Vajpayees ashes will be immersed in 11 rivers of these 13 cities, Mungantiwar said. The Himachal Pradesh government, too, has decided to recommend to the Centre to name the soon-to-be-ready Rohtang tunnel, which links the Lahaul valley with the rest of the world, after Vajpayee. A statue of Vajpayee will be erected at the Mall or the ridge in Shimla and a memorial built in Manali. The state cabinet also decided to rename the Mukhya Mantri Adarsh Vidya Kendra Scheme launched by the state government as Atal Adarsh Vidya Kendra and Mukhya Mantri Aashirwad Scheme as Atal Aashirwad scheme. The state cabinet also decided to send a proposal to the union government to rename the Kol Dam project after Vajpayee. The Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP, too, announced that Vajpayees ashes will be immersed at six locations in the state, including the Cauvery river, on August 26. The BJP state president, Tamilisai Soundararajan, said the ashes would be immersed in the sea at Chennai, Rameswaram and Kanniyakumari. Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa also announced that Vajpayees ashes will be immersed in eight rivers in the state, including the Cauvery. The Madhya Pradesh unit of the BJP will take out 10 Kalash Yatras in different parts of the state before the ashes are immersed in different rivers. Nine of the yatras will commence from the BJP state headquarters in Bhopal, while a tenth one will begin from Gwalior, Vajpayees birthplace, said state BJP media cell in-charge Lokendra Parashar. Madhya Pradesh goes to polls later this year. In Uttarakhand, the director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Ravikant, said a 750-seat auditorium being built in the campus will be named after the former prime minister. BJP-ruled Jharkhand announced on Tuesday that the life and thoughts of the former prime minister will be included in the school curriculum. The BJP will organise Kisan Sammelan in all assembly constituencies of Rajasthan in mid-September to create awareness about farmer-friendly policies of the centre and state governments among the rural community. The party also plans conventions of its five wings dealing with the SCs, STs, OBCs, women and youths. Talking about the farmer meets, Rajasthan BJPs Kisan Morcha vice-president Prabhu Pandya said, We are holding a series of meetings at district level to prepare for the convention. The dates have to be finalised as conventions of other morchas (wings) are also being held. We will ensure good participation of farmers at each convention, where our leaders will talk about the farmer-friendly steps taken by the government, he said. More than 65% population in Rajasthan is dependent on agriculture and the state has witnessed a rise in the incidents of farmer suicides in the past one year in the Hadauti region. The state government has already announced a series of sops for the agriculture sector. Meanwhile, chief minister Vasundhara Raje plans to hold Gaurav Sabhas in October in the assembly constituencies left out during the Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra. An official release said that apart from Raje, national leaders of the BJP would also take part in the meets. Since the meets will take place at the divisional headquarters, no meet has been scheduled at the divisional headquarters during the yatra. The Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra will cover 165 constituencies out of the total 200, as the remaining constituencies will not be covered mainly because these are in remote locations and the BJP is looking to wrap up the yatra by September 30. The party also plans to hold conventions of all other morchas (wings) of the party. Our five morchas (cells), the SC morcha, the ST morcha, OBC Morcha, Mahila Morcha, and Yuva Morcha will be involved in this exercise, state BJP president Madanlal Saini said. The party will also hold a convention for the beneficiaries of the governments welfare schemes at assembly constituency level and another convention for party workers will be held at the booth level. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday said it has recovered a pistol that may have been used to murder Dr Narendra Dabholkar a social activist and rationalist in August 2013. The weapon has been sent for forensic tests. The investigative agency recovered the 7.65mm bore pistol and some sharp weapons in a raid conducted with the assistance of the anti-terrorist squad at Aurangabad on Monday night. Three close aides of the prime accused, 26-year-old Sachin Andure, were also detained. They were identified as Rohit Rege, Nachiket Ingale and Ajinkya Surle all residents of Aurangabad. Andure had handed over the pistol to his brother-in-law before his arrest, who in turn gave it to Rege. We have recovered the pistol and sent it for ballistic examination. As of today, we cannot say with certainty that the same pistol was used to shoot at Dr Dabholkar, said SR Singh, the CBI officer investigating the case, adding that the trio are being questioned. The CBI said that Andure, who was arrested on Saturday, had been trained in marksmanship at multiple places across Maharashtra and Karnataka. It was on the basis of his confession that investigators were able to conduct the raid, resulting in the recovery of the weapons. According to investigators, Andure had named Virendra Tawade an ENT surgeon and member of the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS) as the main conspirator in Dr Dhabolkars murder. The HJS is an offshoot of the Sanatan Sanstha, a larger rightwing group. Tawade was arrested by the CBI from Panvel in June 2016. CBI officials further said that six names were found in the diary of right-wing activist Amol Kale, who was arrested for the murder of Kannada journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh. Arrested by the Karnataka special investigation team in the case, he is also believed to be one of the key conspirators in Dhabolkars killing. Kale a resident of Pimpri-Chinchwad near Pune was first arrested by the Bengaluru police on May 21. He was taken into custody in connection with Lankeshs murder ten days later. Another name found in Kales diary was that of Nandkumar Nair, the CBI official who arrested Tawade. He was codenamed Rakshas, investigators said. All the six on the alleged hitlist have been accorded police protection. Special judge Archana S Mujumdar has remanded Andure in seven days CBI custody until August 26. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) wants to interrogate three serving and one retired IPS officer in Bengal in connection with the Rs 2,460 Saradha Group chit fund scam. On Monday, the investigative agency sent an email to the state police director general, Virendra a couple of days back seeking green signal for interrogating these four police officers. The four police officers that CBI seeks to interrogate include the Kolkata police commissioner, Rajeev Kumar, additional commissioner (I) of Kolkata Police, Vineet Kumar Goyal, inspector general (rail), Tamal Basu and retired IPS officer, Pallab Kanti Ghosh. However, CBI officers, speaking on conditions of anonymity, said they did not receive any response to their request. None of the IPS officers turned up for questioning. The move may be politically significant since it comes in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. The Saradha scam is one of the politically sensitive scams in the state since a few prominent leaders of ruling Trinamool Congress such as former minister Madan Mitra, former Rajya Sabha MPs Kunal Ghosh, Srinjoy Bose, party vice president Rajat Majumdar were allegedly involved in it. Trinamool leaders were tight-lipped. Only the chief minister can speak on this issue, said a minister, who did not wish to be named. BJPs general secretary in West Bengal, Sayantan Basu said that if the police officers have nothing to hide, they should not avoid interrogation. As police officers they should cooperate in any investigation to reveal the culprits and beneficiaries of a scam of such magnitude, he said. Leader of the Left parties in Bengal Assembly, Sujan Chakrabarty said that since the CBI enquiry is following a Supreme Court order, it is the duty of every one to cooperate in the investigation. All the four officers were members of the SIT formed by the Bengal government to probe the scam. (With PTI inputs) The sudden transfer of Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) superintendent of police here, in the midst of the ongoing probe into the sexual abuse of minor girls at the Muzaffarpur shelter home and days before he was due to submit a report to the high court, has drawn flak from opposition leaders and officials. JP Mishra, who was transferred to Patna barely two months ago, was transferred on Tuesday evening with immediate effect and posted as superintendent of police in the office of deputy inspector general of police, Patna range. Devendra Singh, SP, CBI (Anti-Corruption Bureau, Lucknow) has been given the additional charge held by Mishra. A CBI spokesperson said that Mishra had been transferred to Patna from Jammu and Kashmir on health grounds and has been given rest for some time. Devendra Singh had earlier stayed in Patna and hence he has been given the charge. Mishra will continue to cooperate with Singh, he said. With Mishra about to submit the action taken report (ATR) in the Patna high court by Thursday, opposition attacked the shifting So after Bihar Governor, CM Nitish Kumar also got CBI SP transferred. Tomorrow he would have submitted progress report on Muzaffarpur shelter home mass rape case in the HC. The investigation was reaching to Patna Sir as mentioned in Brajesh Thakurs diary. Chacha wait and watch, whos he? tweeted leader of opposition Tejaswhi Prasad Yadav. A senior official said that the CBI had interrogated UNICEF counsellor Sunil Kumar Jha in the Muzaffarpur shelter home case and next would have been those to whom Jha reported. The CBI was moving scientifically in the case. Many bigwigs who allowed rules to be ignored to give the likes of Brajesh Thakur free run would have come in the probes ambit, he added. The official said that the CBI might portray the transfer as routine, but the timing had left ample scope for the people to speculate. The CBI was looking into the financial and other related aspects to get to the genesis of the entire episode, he added. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha said if this was a routine transfer, the definition and meaning of word routine should be changed. Another senior leader said that Mishra was zeroing in on the political and bureaucratic connections of Thakur, which was perhaps not acceptable. Mishra was going about his job seriously and wasted no time in interrogating former minister Manju Verma and her husband Chandrashekhar Verma. Perhaps, before he could move further ahead, his wings were clipped, he added. An FIR was lodged against former social welfare minister Verma and her husband under the Arms Act after the CBI raids at various locations across the state, including the residences of the former minister in Patna and Begusarai, led to seizure of 50 cartridges. KJ Alphons, Union minister of state (independent charge) for tourism, has been the main connect between the BJP-led Centre and CPI(M)-ruled Kerala since the worst floods in a century struck the state. Hailing from Kottayam, Alphons well understands the scale of the devastation in Kerala. He accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Rajnath Singh during their aerial survey of Kerala and has ensured that the Centre and the state worked in tandem at a difficult time. Alphons was, however, highly critical of the Opposition Congress for raking up controversies at an inappropriate time in an interview with HT. Excerpts: How is the situation on ground? I am really relieved. I feared many bodies would surface once the water receded. Worst is over. Sunny side of Kerala is up. After punishing the state badly for more than a week, the sun which had disappeared is back. The compassionate Kerala is at work. When I see materials pouring in from various parts of the state, I really envy the resilience of my state. (What is) gone is gone, we have no time to shed tears. Life has to go on. So whats next for the battered state? We, both the state and the Centre, will have to re-build Kerala. The Centre is with the state and both will meet this challenge jointly. From day one, we have been assuring the state about this and we will keep our word. Did you ever see chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan complaining about the Centre or the latter blaming the CM? Look, it was the biggest rescue work in the history of the country. More than one million of our people are in camps. The timely deployment of central forces limited casualties to an extent. We both worked with clock-like precision. We have to swim together. But the Congress says the Prime Ministers relief was too little and the Centre failed to declare it a national disaster? Even at the worst time, the principal Opposition party is playing dirty politics. What is a national disaster? There is no such thing. We told the high court it was a calamity of severe nature. What else you need? Rahul Gandhi, well, we can imagine he will make such statements because he is new to politics, but shocked to hear the same from a veteran like A K Antony who was the longest-serving defence minister of the country. Another demand was to hand over everything to the Army, it is not possible in a federal polity. You cannot make controversies just for the sake of controversies. It is not time for cheap politics either. Does it mean fierce opponents like the CPI(M) and BJP are closing ranks? No, I dont want to talk politics now. My only concern is how Kerala can stand on its feet. How will the Centre bail out Kerala? See what the PM and HM have announced are interim reliefs. There is a protocol for announcing such aid and we are on it. Worst-affected sectors are houses and roads and the PM has already announced that the National Building Construction Corporation and National Highway Authority will help in both. What Kerala needs more are plumbers, electricians and carpenters to put life back into the state. The PM has already said the Centre would be there and I dont have to repeat it frequently. Chinese defence minister, Wei Fenghes ongoing landmark visit to India will strengthen bilateral military ties and enhance trust, Chinas state media has said, adding it will help in implementing the Wuhan consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping. Defence minister and state councilor Wei met Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday soon after beginning his four-day visit. Wei said he believed that his visit would help implement the consensus reached between leaders of the two countries, deepen military and security exchanges and cooperation, and build mutual trust. The two countries should jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in border area so as to contribute to a closer development partnership, Wei was quoted by official news agency, Xinhua as saying. The visit marks the comprehensive recovery of ties between China and India after the Doklam standoff last year, Qian Feng from the Beijing-based National Strategy Institute of Tsinghua University told the Global Times.The establishment of a mutual military trust mechanism is likely to be an important topic at the talks, Qian noted. The two sides will expand cooperation and manage disputes so that the overall situation between the two countries will not be affected before the border issue is fully resolved, Qian added. Ma Jiali, an expert on Sino-Indian affairs and a director at China Reform Forum, told the state-controlled China Daily newspaper that the positive development in Sino-Indian military relations and overall ties will continue, and the two countries will also likely resume their seventh Hand-in-Hand joint military exercises later this year. If China and India can finally create a hotline between the two militaries, which has been in the pipeline for some time, it will further improve communication, reduce misunderstandings and misjudgments, and prevent border conflicts, Li Li, south Asia expert at Tsinghua University's Institute of International Relations, said. A single visit, however, will not smoothen the complicated ties between China and India, said Ye Hailin, a south Asian expert from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. Congress is bracing to take on the incumbent BJP government in Chhattisgarh and is confident of winning considering that Raman Singh has been in power for 15 years. Ritesh Mishra spoke to Congress Chhattisgarh in-charge Panna Lal Punia on the party strategy for polls, issues that will be raised, alliance with BSP and Ajit Jogi factor. Excerpts: Raman Singh is doling out freebies such as free mobile phones and salary increments and so on. How do you plan to counter all this? Raman Singh is fighting a lost battle. People are aware about the hollowness of this promise. People know it is their own money that is being re-routed to them through these superficial freebies. It would have been better had Singh created more employment avenues. The government has failed to implement social sector schemes and evidence of that is 30 lakh complaints Singh received during his Vikas Yatra. You know that Congress lacks resources and manpower like BJP. How do you plan to deal with this? It is true that BJP has no dearth of money. In this fight between peoples power and money, we are relying on the strength of our grass-root leadership. We have got in touch with party workers at booth levels and have trained our cadres through Sankalp Shivirs to take on the BJP. I dont think we are weak at the ground level as perceived. For motivating the ground level cadres, we made them interact with our leader Rahul Gandhi. By doing this, we have tried to ensure that our cadre is not poached by rivals. Congress suffered huge loss among its Scheduled Caste vote-bank in the last election. What steps are being taken that the repeated does not happen in this election? Ajit Jogi and his modus operandi of governance was the major reason behind Congress failure at the SC seats in last election. It must be understood that even at the SC reserved seats, mere SC votes are not sufficient for victory. For a victory, support of other communities is required. Ajit Jogi had alienated the traders, businessmen, OBCs, upper caste and urban people by his hostile style of working. Now, we do not have a face, who is hated by people like Jogi. Ajit Jogis wife Renu Jogi is seeking ticket from Congress. What do you have to say? Congress will follow its standard procedure for allocation of the tickets. Renu Jogi, being a Congress MLA, has all the right to apply for Congress ticket, and will have undergo the same screening process. Whether she gets the ticket or not will depend on the result of this process. It is said that state Congress Chief Bhupesh Baghel has personal grudge against Ajit Jogi. What do you have to say? It is not a grudge but a genuine concern of a dedicated party worker about a person who had been partys nemesis and has back stabbed Congress for his own vested interests. It is a natural reaction that should not be given any other colour. The Congress state executive has not been formed yet. Is infighting the reason for the delay? There is no sign of infighting because all our top leaders are working in unison for the cause of party. There is no leadership vacuum. The sole reason behind the non-formation is our involvement in other important works such as organising Sankalp Shivirs, teaching ground level cadre etc. We shall very soon form the state executive. Charan Das Mahant has said that Congress cannot give more than 5 seats to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). What will be the nature of coalition between Gondawana Ganatantra Party (GGP), BSP and Congress? It is his personal opinion. We are still in process of forming a coalition. The intricacies regarding the seat sharing are yet to be finalised. In principle, we are for the alliance, but the real picture will emerge once everything is finalised. BJP has declared that it will deny tickets of many sitting MLAs. Has Congress a similar plan? Congress is not BJP in any aspect. Tickets will be given to the candidates depending upon their suitability on individual seat and their winnability. Scheduled Tribe (ST) seats have been Congress bastion. What are you doing to retain them? We have a strong team working assiduously in ST seats, especially in the Bastar region. Our party men from Telangana and Odisha are also there. I am sure we will do well in the ST seats also. Opposition parties in flood-ravaged Kerala on Wednesday accused the government of abruptly opening the shutters of the states 40-odd dams and said a little planning and warning would have helped people cope with the disaster better. The Congress said the worst floods in a century to strike the state was a man-made disaster and sought a judicial probe into circumstances that led to it and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed the unplanned opening of sluice gates of the dams. The situation could have been different if dam management was done properly. Leave alone scientists, even common people pleaded dam authorities to release the water gradually but they kept on waiting to generate maximum power, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said as he sought action against electricity and dam officials. He also accused the government of sitting over forecasts of the meteorological department. Congress leader and former power minister Aryadan Mohammed said the damage could have been limited if authorities had acted on time. During the south-west monsoon in 2013 Idukki dam was full but we anticipated danger and opened shutters of small satellite dams. But now we waited till the eleventh hour and opened all dams together, he said. The BJPs state unit president PS Sreedharan Pillai said the impact of the floods could have been minimised if the government had done its homework properly. Experts have also questioned whether the water should have been discharged earlier than before and gradually from the bulging Idukki, Cheruthoni and Edamalayar dams. Water levels at several dams touched the brim by July-end but Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), which manages most of these dams, chose to open the shutters by mid-August, they said. Well-known environmental scientist Madhav Gadgil has scoffed the statement of some leaders that another dam across the famous waterfall in Athirapally should have contained the damage in Thrissur and Ernakulam districts. In Kerala, water is managed most unscientifically. Sadly, many leaders still seek more dams, he said. The government has, however, maintained there were no flaws in opening the shutters and the state electricity boards chairperson NS Pillai denied there was any delay. We managed the situation till the last minute but torrential rains were beyond any control. At one point, we even feared some of the dams would burst but we effectively contained such a situation. It is highly improper to blame SEB officials, Pillai said. State Dam Management Authoritys chairperson Justice CN Ramachandran also said officials took all precautions before the shutters were opened. A senior revenue official said the clearance to opening shutters will now be given on the basis of the request of the dam in-charge after gauging the seriousness of the situation. He added that both district collector and police chief will be also informed about it. The Centre has declared the devastating floods in Kerala a calamity of severe nature as the state braced for the gigantic task of reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure and rehabilitation of people rendered homeless. More than 370 people were killed and hundreds of thousands were driven from their homes. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah was heckled during Eid prayers at the 17th century Hazratbal mosque in Srinagar on Wednesday, two days after he chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai during a prayer meeting for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The National Conference leader remained unfazed and continued with his prayers, saying the jeering and booing were by his own people who were misguided. A section of the gathering shouted slogans of Farooq Abdullah go back and Hum kya chahte, azaadi at the Hazratbal mosque, where Abdullah has traditionally offered Eid prayers. When a section of slogan shouting youths tried to approach Abdullah, who was sitting on a chair in the front row because of his ill-health, some people joined hands to make a human chain to prevent them from doing so. Security personnel also threw a ring around the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar to protect him. I did not leave the venue and completed my prayers. They are my own people. They are misguided and I cannot escape my duties of being their leader, Abdullah told PTI while receiving people at his residence. Some people were agitated but that does not mean I will escape. I have a task of keeping everyone united, he said. Abdullah wondered why the issue was being blown out of proportion by a section of the media. A politician, at times, has to face peoples anger. I only hope these misguided youths are counselled properly, he said. On August 20, Abdullah had made an emotional speech and chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai during a prayer meeting for the late BJP stalwart Vajpayee in New Delhi. A fire broke out in a building at central Delhis Paharganj area early on Wednesday. Delhi police personnel saved the life of a couple who were trapped in the building. The local police received a call about the fire in a street of Chuna Mandi in Paharganj around 6 am, a senior police officer said. The fire had started at the first floor, trapping people who were on upper floors as they were sleeping at the time, the officer said. It was very difficult to go upstairs to save the trapped people. However, constables Manoj Kumar and Amit, with the help of other policemen, broke open the lock of an adjacent building to reach them, he said. A couple was seen crying for help, with the woman hanging from the grille of buildings balcony on second floor. The staff without caring for their life, reached the balcony of the second floor, made a human chain to reach the parapet. The woman, who was about to fall down, was saved first and later her husband was also rescued in a similar fashion, said the officer. One man who was also trapped in the fire had jumped down to save himself and was injured in the act. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, said the officer. Four people died and 27 others were injured in a major fire that gutted the 12th floor of a residential building in central Mumbais Parel on Wednesday, exposing flagrant violations of safety codes and bringing back memories of a blaze that killed 14 people in the area last December. Fire brigade officials said the fire started in the electric duct on the 12th floor of Crystal Tower, and the area around the lift was the worst affected. Two people were found charred inside the elevator. The two other bodies were found in the corridors. The 16-storey building neither had an occupation certificate, nor were mandatory fire safety regulations followed, officials added. Several illegal alterations were made to the structure, and the builder used the refuge area, meant to save residents in the event of a fire, to build more flats. The fire brigade rescued at least 35 people. The four who died were identified as Shubhada Shirke, Hasan Shaikh, Sanjeev Nair, and Ashok Sampat. Crystal Towers firefighting system was not operational, said P Rahangdale, the chief fire officer. Despite being a high-rise, it did not have a refuge area, fire alarms or a riser system. There was an open electric duct in the centre of the building, which should have been sealed. This acted as a literal chimney and carried the dense smoke to the upper floors. All corridors were smoke logged, Rahangdale said. The Mumbai civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), disconnected electricity and water to the building until it complied with fire safety rules. The fire brigade declared the building unsafe and sealed it. This is the fourth blaze in Mumbai since June. On June 1, a fire broke out at Scindia House in south Mumbai. On June 9, a part of Patel Chambers in south Mumbais Fort Area collapsed after a fire. And on June 13, a fire engulfed the top three floors of the 32-storey Beaumonde Towers in Prabhadevi in Dadar, a short distance away from Crystal Tower. No casualties were reported from any of these incidents. But the worst fire in recent times broke out in a restaurant in the Kamala Mills area of Lower Parel shortly after midnight on December 29 last year. The fire swiftly spread to other buildings, killing 14 people. Probes later found a lack of firefighting equipment and several violations of the building code. An elderly woman rescued from the top floors of the building. (Pratik Chorge/HT Photo) In Crystal Tower, the fire brigade found the electric duct that carries cables from the metre room (normally on the ground floor) was sealed by residents with combustible material instead of cement. Electric ducts are not to be tampered with by residents. They are extremely important from the fire safety point of view, said R Chaudhari, the deputy chief fire officer. Kishor Desai, the assistant commissioner of the F South ward, under whose jurisdiction the area falls, said the building did not have an occupation certificate. The BMC had served it a notice for unauthorised occupation in 2016. Fire brigade carries out rescue operations at Crystal Tower in Parel, Mumbai. (Pratik Chorge/HT Photo) The BMC said it will register a case against the building and file a complaint of negligence with the police against those responsible for maintaining the building. The builder, Razak Ismail Haji Issa of Sapna Developers, however said the building was in the process of applying for an occupation certificate. We planned to remove the violation (the flats built on refuge areas). Of the four flats constructed in the refuge area, three have already been demolished, while one was to be removed soon. The flats constructed on the 16th floor, in place of the gymnasium shown in the building plan, also had to be regularised with the remaining Floor Space Index, Issa said. Former Union Minister and Senior Congress leader Gurudas Kamat died of cardiac arrest on Wednesday morning at Primus Hospital in New Delhis Chanakyapuri. He was 63. The five-term MP from Mumbai North-East and North-West was on visit to Delhi to meet senior party leader Ahmed Patel and was supposed to return Mumbai on Wednesday evening. Shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the sudden demise of Senior Congress leader Sh. Gurudas Kamat ji. His passing away is an irreparable loss for us. My heartfelt condolences to his family members, may god give them strength to bear this loss. May his soul Rest in peace. Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) August 22, 2018 He had served as the union minister of state for home affairs and minister of state for communications and information technology during UPA-2 regime from 2009 to 2011. He had resigned as minister in 2011 after he felt he was sidelined by shifting to comparatively insignificant portfolio during cabinet reshuffle. He was Mumbai Congress president for five years during 2003 to 2008. Shocked ... My leader Gurudas Kamat is no more . It is my personal loss as well as unrepairable loss of Congress party. pic.twitter.com/2IbtK4rD1o Satyajeet Tambe Patil (@satyajeettambe) August 22, 2018 In 2016, he had resigned as party member announcing that he was retiring from active politics. According to the sources, the resignation was triggered after his differences with the party leadership over the leadership in Mumbai unit. He later withdrew the resignation. According to party sources in Mumbai he had no major ailment except sugar and blood pressure problems he was facing for the last few years. He had participated in Rajiv Ek Soch, the programme in remembrance of former prime minister late Rajiv Gandhi in his former constituency North East two days ago. He had delivered a speech for about half an hour in the programme. The recent arrest of two men, Sachin Andhure and Sharad Kalaskar, alleged to have shot dead rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in Pune in 2013, appears to have scotched earlier suspicions of the Central Bureau of Investigation on two other men, Vinay Pawar and Sarong Akolkar, as the shooters. Based on eyewitness accounts and sketches, investigators initially suspected Pawar and Akolkar but they were not charged in the case, though their names figured in the charge sheet filed on September 6, 2016, and they remained prime suspects. Now, new investigation leads show that another of set of shooters may have been involved in killing of Dr Dabholkar since what they have narrated to investigators also matches with the other accounts that the CBI has gathered, said CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal. The charge sheet named Virendrasinh Tawde, a member of the extremist organisation Sanatan Sanstha, as the mastermind of the crime. Dayal said the new suspected shooters were also in touch with Tawde. During his questioning, Kalaskar admitted his direct role in the murder of Dabholkar. Kalaskar was driving the bike, and Andhure was riding pillion. Andhure fired two rounds from the pistol, said a police officer privy to the investigation on the condition of anonymity. Kalaskars profile matched with the sketch Pune police had prepared based on eyewitness accounts, added the officer. Five years ago, two motorcycle-borne assailants fired three to four rounds of bullets on Dabholkar while he was out walking at the Omkareshwar bridge in Pune on August 20. A doctor, writer and rationalist, Dabholkar was widely respected in Maharashtra and wrote extensively in Marathi against superstition. He was part of several anti-superstition bodies and had tried several times to institute state legislation against black magic and superstition. On Tuesday, a joint team of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and CBI recovered a 7.65mm countrymade pistol, three live cartridges, a dagger, one air pistol and a sword, and arrested three persons identified as Shubham Surle, Ajinkya Surle and Rohit Rege from Aurangabad. The arrests were based on Andhures interrogation. The countrymade pistol, federal investigators say, might be one of two 7.65mm bore pistols used to commit the murder of not just Dabholkar, but of rationalist Govind Pansare in February 2015, writer MM Kalburgi in August 2015 and journalist Gauri Lankesh in Karnataka in 2017. Dabholkar, Pansare and Kalburgi were all strong critics of religious superstition and practices such as black magic. Lankesh often wrote against extremist politics. Andhures name had cropped up during the interrogation of Kalaskar, who was arrested along with Vaibav Raut and Sudhanva Ghondhalekar on August 10. The recovery of a pistol at the instance of one of the alleged shooters makes our case more strong against them, added Dayal. Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar returned on Wednesday from the USA where he had gone for a medical check-up. Parrikar, who underwent three-month-long treatment for a pancreatic ailment at a hospital in the United States earlier, undertook another journey to that country on August 10 for a follow-up. He landed at the Goa airport this evening by a regular flight and was seen walking out of the airport terminal. As he came out, he was accompanied by Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik and state BJP president Vinay Tendulkar. BJP sources said that Naik and Tendulkar had landed a little earlier from Delhi, bringing with them two urns of ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for immersion in rivers in the state. Parrikar (62) had gone to the US for treatment in the first week of March, and returned in the last week of June. After that he attended the monsoon session of the Goa Assembly before flying to the US again on August 10. The urns of Vajpayees ashes would be kept at the BJP headquarters in Panaji where party workers can pay their respects to the departed leader, BJP sources said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders handed urns containing Vajpayees ashes to state BJP chiefs in Delhi earlier today. Parrikar will immerse the ashes in the River Mandovi, while South Goa member of Parliament Narendra Sawaikar will immerse them in the River Zuari on August 24, BJP sources said. Government doctors right to voluntary retirement is not absolute and can be curtailed in public interest, the Supreme Court has ruled. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and S Abdul Nazeer delivered the judgment on Tuesday on an appeal filed by the Uttar Pradesh government against a high court order directing it to relieve four doctors who had sought voluntary retirement. Allowing the appeal, the top court said, In view of the scarcity of doctors and the unfortunate privatisation and commercialisation of the noble medical profession, for maintaining the efficiency of the State Medical Services, the decision taken by the Government (denying permission to retire) is permissible as per rules and cannot be interfered with. The order said the concept of public interest could be invoked by the government when voluntary retirement sought by an employee would be against the public interest. The provisions cannot be said to be violative of any of the rights. Four doctors employed in various capacities with the Uttar Pradesh medical services department had sought voluntary retirement but the government kept their applications pending. The doctors then approached the Allahabad High Court, which directed the state to relieve them. The state, however, moved the top court against the order. The court ruled that in case all doctors were permitted to retire, there would be a chaos and no doctor would be left in the Government hospitals, which would be against the concept of the welfare state and injurious to public interest. It continued: In the instant case, where the rights of the public are involved in obtaining treatment, the State Government has taken a decision as per Explanations to decline the prayer for voluntary retirement considering the public interest. It cannot be said that State has committed any illegality or its decision suffers from any vice of arbitrariness. The judgment also deprecated the practice by doctors to seek voluntary retirement when they are transferred. In other states too, it is seen sometime that when a doctor is transferred from one place to another, the doctor forwards application resigning from the post or seeks voluntary retirement as he does not want to move out and leave his lucrative private practice and joins the duty only when he obtains posting back to the place of his choice. In such a scenario, people cannot be deprived of the services of good doctors. When I fought my first election in 2004, Gurudas Kamat was the Mumbai Congress chief. There was a certain baggage to our relationship in the beginning, as my father and he had political differences. Even during my first polls, there was an apprehension in political circles whether he would hurt my prospects. But, he didnt and was instead quite helpful and co-operative. Over the years, as fellow MPs, who worked for 10 years together, we shared a good rapport. He was a firebrand leader, combative and even mercurial, someone who wore his likes and dislikes on his sleeve, but this went with his overall personality. I would give him high marks for having a sound political mind. He was someone who knew how to strategise for elections and run a campaign. He had a lot of ideas on how to reach out to Mumbaiites and knew what would click with the people. He was a good organiser. Despite their differences, my father (former Union minister and former Mumbai Congress chief the late Murli Deora) and Gurudas Kamat knew how to co-exist and resolve their issues without putting them on public display. He (Kamat) used to tell me that my father knows exactly when and how to patch up and resolve issues without taking them to a boil. As a child, I have seen Gurudas Kamat come home for a meal or a cup of chai to discuss issues with my father. As Members of Parliament (MPs) later, both of us would meet in Delhi, Mumbai and even on flights. Despite our minor political differences, we got along well. Beyond politics, a lot of our conversations would be about food. He was a foodie and very proud of his Karwari antecedents. He was quite excited when he heard I was marrying a Shetty, as my wifes family comes from Mangalore and his family was from north Karwar. He also knew my father-in-law. His untimely demise comes as a shock and is a loss to the Congress party. (Milind Deora is a former Union minister, a former MP from south Mumbai, and a Congress leader) As told to Ketaki Ghoge India has refused to accept overseas donations for flood relief in Kerala, Thailand has said amid indications that the country is unlikely accept foreign financial assistance for rebuilding the rain-ravaged state, including the Rs 700 crore offered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Informally informed with regret that the Government of India is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you, the people of Bharat, Thai Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi said in a tweet on Tuesday. The UAE, home to hundreds of thousands of Keralites, had offered Rs 700 crore as flood relief for Kerala. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, called up prime minister Modi and made the offer for assistance, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in Thiruvananthapuram. The Maldives and Qatar also reportedly offered donations, while the United Nations has also offered some assistance. However, India is unlikely to accept any foreign financial assistance for Kerala, official sources said, adding that the government has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation, according to a PTI report. Vijayan however on Wednesday evening claimed foreign aid was allowed as per the disaster management policy. The 2016 National Disaster Management Policy says, if government of another country voluntarily offers assistance as a goodwill gesture in solidarity with the disaster victims, the central government may accept the offer. Right now only talk is happening, let us see what happens, he said at a press conference, as per ANI. Earlier on Wednesday, Congress leader AK Antony asked the Modi government to rewrite the rules so that financial support can come from abroad for flood-hit Kerala. If the rule was changed by the previous government, I have no qualms to say that the Modi government should rewrite it. With the present rule, it may not be possible to accept the $100 million announced by the UAE government for Kerala. So change the rules, he said, reported IANS. It was during the first Congress-led UPA government that the rules was altered that financial assistance from foreign countries should not be accepted after natural disasters. According to ANI, former Kerala chief minister Ommen Chandy, in a letter to Modi, said: Unfortunately, I am sorry to say that the financial assistance announced by the Government of India is quite disappointing as far the magnitude of the crisis is concerned. Battered Kerala is trying to return to normalcy as the rains relent and flood waters subside but experts say it could take years for the state to help rebuild its peoples lives, destroyed in one of the worst floods in a century and officials admit that rebuilding the state will be a daunting task. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 373 people have lost their lives and 32 others went missing in Kerala since May 30. There has also been extensive damage to roads, bridges, standing crops as well as private property. While the Centre on Tuesday released Rs 600 crore to the state, the Kerala government has sought a Rs 2,600-crore special package and also demanded the Centre to raise the limit of money it can borrow from the market, from the existing level of 3% of the states gross domestic product. Vijayan said Kerala desperately needed more money and resources to tide over the crisis and present borrowing limit was an impediment. Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that playing a balancing role between the US and China should be one of Indias key foreign policy goals, while criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not protecting vulnerable sections and refusing to accept problems in job creation. At the Bucerius Summer School in the German city of Hamburg, Gandhi spoke and took questions about a range of domestic issues both economic and social and gave a wider view of his foreign policy perspective that may find resonance in the political dialogues ahead of the 2019 general election. India has a deep relation with the US. But India cant ignore the fact that China is growing extremely fast and we need to balance our position. I think certain values India brings to the table. So, India and Europes role would be to balance the narrative, he said. We are closer to the US than we are to the Chinese. One of our leaders was asked, Do you lean left or right? She replied, No we stand straight. I think this is pretty much our stand too, he added. Switching to domestic issues, Gandhi said that some people were being left out of Indias growth story. The idea was that India should transform for all with the support of the government. Pretty much all governments followed this principle until the last one (Modi government). They dont feel every people should have access to benefits. Dalits, minorities should not get the benefits that rich people get, he said. He alleged that the right to food and right to guaranteed work have been weakened by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime. The PM demonetised currencies and destroyed cash flow for small and medium industries, he said, and added, my main problem with the Indian PM is that India has a job problem but our PM refuses to acknowledge it. Giving an example of the isolation of Tikriti community seen as the genesis of the Islamic State -- after the second Gulf War, he said that it was important to reach out to people. If you dont embrace them, he said, someone else might, and they may not have the right vision. Hate is a choice. So, in Congress we try to carry as many as them in this possible transition. There is a lot of hatred in world but not enough listening, Gandhi said. He also said that some people in his party didnt like his act of hugging the PM and quipped that now Opposition leaders are sceptical about him. The basic idea is that if someone hates you, responding their hate with hate is foolish as it wont solve any problem, Gandhi said. Some of my party colleagues told me you should not have hugged him. But I disagreed, he said amid applause. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised Gandhi and suggested that he had crossed the line by bringing up IS in the Indian context. Horrified to hear Congress President RahulG justifying the formation of ISIS in Syria ..and giving out a veiled threat that if Modiji doesnt give vision to India then soon someone else (read ISIS) would give the vision..Unbelievable ..Hes a PM aspirant?? BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra tweeted. Gandhi will hold another public meeting in Berlin on Thursday, before travelling to the UK India is unlikely to change its 15-year-old policy of not accepting bilateral financial assistance for rescue and relief operations, an official familiar with the development said, even as a reported offer by the United Arab Emirates of Rs 700 crore for flood relief in Kerala has acquired political undertones. India may, however, not be averse to treating some offers as humanitarian aid or reconstruction plans under other schemes, the people indicated. The details of the schemes could be worked out later, the people added. Late on Tuesday, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyanon tweeted that he had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the devastation caused by the floods in Kerala. My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. We stand with the Indian people. Our relief and charitable institutions are helping with relief efforts, he had added. The official cited above said Indian embassies have been told to politely reiterate to any host country that makes any offer of bilateral relief for the Kerala floods that it was against Indias policy to accept such aid. Informally informed with regret that GOI (Government of India) is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you people of Bharat, Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Thailands envoy to India said in a tweet on Wednesday, indicating that Thailand had made a similar offer. He did not specify the amount that had been offered. A second official explained that there are norms laid down in practice going back a decade-and-a-half on receiving for aid for relief. GOI doesnt accept bilateral aid for relief. There are humanitarian aid, which is different from this, or certain projects that are taken up later with external funding in these areas. This is something on which the government takes an appropriate call at a later stage, said the official, who asked not to be named. The national disaster management plan, adopted in May 2016, makes almost the same point. As a matter of policy, Government of India doesnt issue appeal for foreign assistance in the wake of a disaster. If the national government of another country voluntarily offers assistance as a goodwill gesture in solidarity with disaster victims, the Central government may accept the offer. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India is required to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which is primarily responsible for reviewing foreign offers of assistance, a section of the plan reads. Watch: Lucknow citizens Stand with Kerala, organise camps to collect funds Congress leader AK Antony on Wednesday asked the Modi government to rewrite the rules so that financial support can come from abroad for flood-hit Kerala.If the rule was changed by the previous government, I have no qualms to say that the Modi government should rewrite it, Antony said. With the present rule, it may not be possible to accept the $100 million announced by the UAE government for Kerala. So change the rules, he said. Former foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh, who was a joint secretary in the finance ministry and prepared a note in this regard at the time, said: The policy of not receiving aid was deliberated in detail first when Jaswant Singh was the finance minister under the NDA government. It was like this too many countries were offering small aid. All these aids came with stringent conditions and compliance and monitoring reports, and it was too cumbersome for the money that was coming in. But, Mansingh asserted, there has always been a humanitarian assistance discretion that the government can use in dealing with aid on a case-by-case basis. Late on Wednesday night, in the wake of the offers, the MEA spokesperson said India deeply appreciated offers from several countries, including from foreign governments, to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts after the tragic floods. In line with the existing policy, the Government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts. Contributions to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund and the Chief Ministers Relief Fund from NRIs, PIOs and international entities such as foundations would, however, be welcome. The river Pamba has changed its course in the area around Sabarimala in Keralas Pathanamthitta district, forcing the local authorities and the Travancore Devaswom Board to ban entry of devotees into the hilltop shrine. Assessing the damage on Wednesday, Travancore Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar appealed to the Centre and state governments to help with funds to bring the area back to normal. The loss is around Rs 100 crore. The height of sand that has piled up here is around 50 feet. Two bridges have disappeared and the river has changed its course, he said. It is the first time in recent history that devotees will not be allowed in Sabarimala shrine during Onam, Keralas biggest festival. Padmakumar said the decision followed a report by the special commission in the high court. We have to abide by the court directive, he said. To reports that police were stopping devotees on the way and sending them back, he asked: How will they go? Theres no bridge there now and you cant cross over the present course of the river. Meanwhile, as some social media users claimed the flood disaster was the wrath of Lord Ayyappa following the recent controversy over entry of women into the hill shrine, it invited a furious backlash from others. While those linking the two events say that it was because injustice has been done to Sabarimala - by questioning the ethos and dragging a case to the Supreme Court - that the disaster unfolded, others feel that those should not be linked. It is just an emotional outburst of a popular sentiment. However, we shouldnt link Sabarimala case and Kerala floods, says Rahul Easwar, author and activist. RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy had taken to Twitter on the issue, posting: Supreme Court judges may like to see if there is any connection between the case and what is happening in Sabarimala. Even if there is one in a million chance of a link people would not like the case decided against Ayyappa. Following brickbats, he clarified saying this was a comment on peoples view. However, devotees are a disappointed lot. I usually visit Sabarimala three times every year; during the Mandala Pooja season, Vishu and Onam. This time I will have to break that tradition, says Santhosh Kumar, a software professional in Ernakulam. Ayyappa devotees in Tamil Nadu who were planning to visit Sabarimala this season are making a beeline to other Ayyappa shrines in Raja Annaimalapuram and Madippakkam areas of Chennai. Both the temples have 18 holy steps like in Sabarimala. According to A Ponnusamy, a senior priest who has climbed Sabarimala more than 18 times, the devotees were left with no option but to visit local temples to complete the rituals. A devotee who needs to visit the Ayyappa temple, observing fast and other traditions for 41 days, has to wear a chain of tulsi beads from a guruswamy. In order to complete the rituals, they have to visit another Ayyappa temple which has 18 holy steps, explains Ponnusamy. K Ayyappan, state secretary, Akhila Bharata Ayyappa Seva Sangham, Tamil Nadu, said that there is nothing wrong in visiting nearby Ayyappa temples to complete rituals under such an unexpected situation. Raja Annamalaipuram temple and Madippakkam Ayyappan temples has 18 holy steps like Sabarimala. So, the trustees have allocated separate time slots for devotees who have worn holy beads and observed fasting to do the Neyyabishegam ritual. Even many senior citizens who cannot climb the mountain in Sabarimala were visiting these temples every year, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The 35-year-old man who killed his wife and three daughters and then hanged himself on Monday in Uttar Pradeshs Allahabad was battling depression, police have said. The deaths were discovered late on Monday evening in Peepalgaon area as the family grew suspicious after Manoj Kushwaha and his wife Shweta, 30, and daughters Shrishti, 8, Shivani, 4, and Shreya, 3, did not come out of their rooms and raised an alarm, police said. Manoj was found hanging from a ceiling fan and the bodies of Shreya and Shrishti were found in a suitcase and an almirah respectively after the doors, which were locked from inside, were broken by the police. Shivanis body was found lying on the floor in the room. Police said Manoj first killed his wife Shweta and then strangled his three daughters. Allahabads senior superintendent of police Nitin Tiwari said the body of his wife was found inside a refrigerator. He said they were investigating the deaths from all angles. The postmortem reports have established that the three children and Shweta were strangled to death while Manojs died by hanging. Manojs father Gulab Chandra Kushwaha told the police he and one of his three sons Gopal went to the fields in the morning and returned home for lunch around 12pm before going back to work. During his brief visit, he found Manojs three daughters at home. In the afternoon, Manoj along with his wife and kids went inside their rooms. When they were not seen later, my wife Sadhna knocked on their door but got no response. When we returned home and failed to get any response once again, we informed the neighbours including gram pradhan and the police, Gulab Chandra said. Additional director general of police SN Sabat, inspector general Mohit Agrawal, SSP Tiwari, superintendent of police (city) Brijesh Srivastava and circle officer (civil lines) Shrish Chandra reached the Kushwahas home along with Dhumanganj police, members of the dog squad and the forensic team. Chandra said Sadhna, who was at home at the time of the incident, told them that the television was on at high volume inside Manojs room all through the afternoon. Sadhna has informed that Manoj and his wife Shweta had regular fights and on Monday he even did not go to the field with his brother and father, he added. In the afternoon, she heard one of his daughters crying in the room but did not suspect anything as both Manoj and Shweta were also inside the room. She got worried only in the evening when no one came out of the room, he said. The bodies were cremated on Tuesday evening, police said. The deaths come barely two months after 11 members of a family were found dead under mysterious circumstances in Delhis Burari. Their final autopsy confirmed they died due to hanging and there was no foul play. An evangelist urging people to reject government schemes such as Aadhaar, the public distribution system and even adult franchise, has come to the attention of the Meghalaya government, who are planning action against him. Speaking to HT over phone from his hometown Pynursla, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong said, I have been informed by several people that a person who goes by the surname Phawa is misleading the people in Khasi-Jaintia hills and somehow convincing them to abstain from such welfare schemes which is very much against the constitution. I asked them to file a FIR against that person so that the government can immediately initiate an investigation. We will act as per the law of the land and punish him suitably. Over the past several months, rumours about the evangelists activities have been doing the rounds in East and South West Khasi Hills districts as well as Jaintia Hills. Apparently, he goes around asking parents to stop sending their children to school, surrender their job cards and ration cards and absolutely abstain from Aadhaar enrolment which, he said, was actually the Mark of the Beast 666 (Satan) as mentioned in the Bible. He also alleged to have convinced several families to follow these instructions. Last year, there were also reports that scores of people in Pynursla and Mawkynrew areas in East Khasi Hills districts were convinced that voting was evil and would bring bad luck. So while some used sticks, etc. to press the button in the EVMs in the assembly elections, others simply did not vote. Herbert Lyngdoh, superintendent of police of South West Khasi Hills district where such rumours are going viral, told HT that he too had heard such rumours in the recent past but said it is yet to be ascertained whether they are true or not. If someone comes forward and complaints to us formally, we will immediately launch an investigation to ascertain the veracity of the rumours, he said. As of now we dont even know his full name, whether he is a preacher or a Church leader and from which denomination.... It is still very much at the rumour stage. The Indian navy on Wednesday called off its 14-day long rescue operations in flood-hit Kerala during which it had evacuated 16,005 people, saying there were no more more requests for evacuation as flood waters were receding in affected areas. The Southern Naval Command recalled all rescue teams deployed for #OperationMadad as flood waters receded and no more requests for rescue were received, a defence release said. Operation Madad had been launched on August 9. Besides the navy, personnel of the Army, the Air Force and Coast Guard were also involved in the rescue and relief operations along with the civil administration, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and volunteers, including fishermen. Armys Southern Command chief Lt Gen DR Soni had on Monday said its personnel would continue to be engaged in the rescue operations in the flood-hit state till the situation stabilised. Read: Unsung heroes at the helm of rescue, relief efforts in flood-hit Kerala Defence forces were involved in several daring rescue acts such as the air-lifting of a pregnant woman, winching up of a two-year old which won them widespread appreciation. Commending their contribution to relief and rescue operations, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that the government has decided to organise a farewell on August 26 to express its gratitude, reported ANI. The Navy said that in addition to the rescue of the marooned, ten air sorties amounting to 15 hours of flying were undertaken by various naval aircraft, mainly for air dropping of relief supplies especially food and medicines. Relief materials including fresh water, provisions, ready to eat meals and medicines which arrived onboard two ships of the Western Naval Command were distributed in various localities in coordination with the civil administration. The Naval air station, Garuda, continued facilitating civil aircraft operations, in addition to the military flying requirements, the release said. The Naval airport was being used in view of the closure of the Kochi international airport at nearby Nedumbassery in the wake of floods. Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, and Indigo operated ATR 72 aircraft during the day. The air station was also extensively used to airlift medical teams, food and medicines as required by the state government so that the relief supplies could quickly reach the needy people, the release said. Meanwhile, the Kochi International Airport, shut on August 15 due to floods, will now reopen on August 29, it was announced on Wednesday, reported IANS. Closed on August 15 after it was flooded when various dams in Idukki district opened their sluice gates in the wake of torrential rains, the airport was earlier slated to open on August 26. Officials said the opening had been put off by three days as 90% of the staff had been affected by Keralas worst flooding in a century and they needed to report to work. (With PTI inputs) Youngsters, mostly millennials, are standing in a row to unload a consignment of relief material that has just arrived in a mini van. In minutes, the packets are shifted inside a huge hall where the materials are sorted out and packed in different boxes, all in another couple of minutes. The boxes - labelled and stacked under various categories such as cooking oil, sanitary napkins, baby food and other essentials - are mounting in the hall and then taken out and loaded on a vehicle bound for an affected area. The entire gathering breaks into an applause when a truck loaded with relief material leaves. This scene from Government Womens College auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram is being replicated in all parts of the state. As Kerala emerges from the devastating floods that ravaged most of the state, it has got a reason to smile. People of the state are showing the world how to forget political, regional and religious differences to join hands in the hour of need. Our only concern was to save the lives of those who were in trouble, says Pradeep Freddy, 19, who was part of a 16-member team from Thiruvananthapuram that was on a rescue mission in badly-affected Aluva and Chengannur. Fishermen and locals push a boat onto a truck after relief operations ended in Alappuzha district in Kerala on August 21. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO) Nothing is better than helping someone when in need, says the first year BA student of St Xaviers College. He is from the fishermen community and goes on the sea and labours at a workshop to meet his needs, including college fees. Walk into any relief collection centre, you will be met with people from all walks of life coming in with sacks of rice, cartons of medicines and other essentials. An elderly woman who used her pension money to buy biscuits and bread, a beggar who came to donate coins totalling Rs 300, an autorickshaw driver who used his days earnings to get a bagful of groceries - heartwarming stories are pouring in from all parts of the state after the tragedy on a scale that at least two generations havent seen. Read: NASA releases video tracking monsoon rains behind Kerala floods It was heartening to see people setting aside all differences and caring for one another during these difficult times, says Aadharsh AV, a volunteer working in Mananthavady, Wayanad. One of the collection centres here received a huge bundle of clothes, mostly branded shirts and trousers of high value, from Bengaluru. The authorites were forced to shift the entire load to another relief camp as people in our area, mostly comprising plantation workers and tribals, needed foodgrains and other essentials more, says Aadharsh, who is a freelance journalist. The relief collection points are teeming with volunteers and flooded with material to an extent that the authorities had to send advisories via social media that certain things are not needed anymore. The teams are coordinating with the collectorate in the respective district to ensure that the supply meets demand. Staff at a relief camp at Chengannur, in Alappuzha district on August 21. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO) We have been getting an overwhelming response and have already despatched tonnes of relief material to the affected areas, says Bindu Joy, a decoupage artist, who works for Anbodu Trivandrum, an organisation working for flood relief. Even the carton boxes, tapes, and food for volunteers are sponsored by good samaritans, she adds. About 230 camps in Wayanad are working fine, thanks to donations from all quarters as well as neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Now our focus is on rehabilitating those who lost their homes in landslides, says Keshvendra Kumar, district collector in charge, Wayanad. Enthusiastic kids are coming in hoardes to help. We make them work in shifts so that no one is disappointed, says Vanchiyoor P Babu, development standing committee chairman, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has sent a team of 350 members, including cleaning volunteers, carpenters, plumbers and cook to help rehabilitation work in Chengannur, one of the worst-hit areas on Tuesday. The group will also have a medical team. Relief camps in Aluva have enough supply of food and medicines, thanks to Ernakulam area that was not flooded. All our relief material came from there, says Mahesh Pillai, a software engineer with Tata Consultancy Services, who was part of rescue and relief efforts in Aluva. Theres no time to waste for these youngsters who put in their days and nights to lend a helping hand to those in need. If we dont help when something happens in our state, then who would? says volunteer Shravan S Nair who has completed his Bachelor of Computer Applications. Thiruvananthapuram collector K Vasuki has instructed educational institutions to mark as present those students who volunteered to help with rescue and relief efforts in the district. Their selfless efforts were priceless, she said in a press release that also instructed officials to initiate action against institutions that flout the order. Read: Centre and state will rebuild Kerala together, says Union minister KJ Alphons Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a one-day visit to Gujarat on Thursday where he will attend four functions, including the convocation of the Gujarat Forensic Science University and a meeting of the Somnath temple trust. The meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust -- the PM is one of its seven trustees -- will be held at the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar, trust secretary P K Laheri told PTI. The prime minister will arrive in the morning and address a public meeting in Jujwa village near Valsad town, where he will attend the collective e-griha pravesh (online house warming) of beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (gramin), an official release said. More than one lakh houses have been built in the state under the Centres flagship scheme which envisions housing for all, it said. From the same venue, Modi would perform the ground-breaking ceremony of a water supply project meant for the tribal population in Dharampur and Kaprada talukas. After the event in Valsad, the prime minister would go to Junagadh town in Saurashtra to inaugurate various projects, including a newly-built hospital of the Gujarat Medical and Education Research Society and two fisheries colleges at Veraval town in the Gir Somnath district, another official said. Modi would also address a public meeting at the Police Training College ground near Junagadh. Later, he will preside over the convocation ceremony of the Gujarat Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar and before leaving for Delhi, he will attend the meeting of the Somnath temple trust in the evening. BJP president Amit Shah, who is also a trustee of the temple, is expected to be present in the meeting. All the seven trustees, including Modi, will remain present in the trusts 117th meeting, said Laheri, who is also a trustee of the temple. The other trustees of the temple are - Keshubhai Patel, who is also the chairman of the trust, veteran BJP leader L K Advani, businessman Harshvardhan Neotia and noted scholar J D Parmar. The temple is situated in Prabhas Patan town, commonly known as Somnath town, in Gir-Somnath district of Saurashtra region and attracts thousands of devotees every day. The prime minister was earlier supposed to be in his home state on July 20, but his visit was postponed due to heavy rains in several parts of the state, especially in south Gujarat. Clashes broke out between police and people, protesting against the alleged dilution of Article 35A, at several places in Kashmir soon after Eid prayers on Wednesday. Article 35A of the Indian Constitution prohibits non-permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir from acquiring immovable property, government jobs, scholarships and aid in the state, among other related provisions. The top court is hearing a clutch of petitions questioning the constitutional validity of Article 35A and fixed August 27 as the next date. Police fired tear gas and pellets and charged with batons to disperse the people, who gathered after the prayers in many districts including south Kashmirs Anantnag town. Shame on the authorities who showed total disrespect and disregard for congregational Eid prayers at Eidgah today as tear gas shells and even pellets were fired on Eid day, How inhuman can it get! Inspite of that people showed resilience large congregation held at Eidgah, Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq tweeted. A police spokesperson, however, said that Eid prayers concluded peacefully across Kashmir in which thousands of devotees took part different parts of the valley. Isolated incidents of stone pelting by miscreants was reported from Eid Gah Srinagar, Janglat Mandi Anantnag and Sopore after the conclusion of Eid prayers. However, police exhibited the utmost restraint in containing stone pelting mob, the spokesperson said. The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz had asked people to organise protests outside mosques and Eidgahs against attempts to remove Article 35A. The biggest congregation was held at Eidgah in Srinagar where thousands of people attended Eid prayers. The Hurriyat chairman asked people to remain alert in his Eid sermon and start a mass agitation in Kashmir in case the constitutional provision relating to the state is struck down by the Supreme Court. Separatist leaders have called for a two-day-long strike in Kashmir from August 26. Majority of people in Kashmir feel that the Centre is deliberately trying to tinker the special status of the restive state and efforts are being made to remove the Article 35A as the National Governmental Organisation, which had filed a petition with the Supreme Court for abolishing the Article 35A is being supported by the BJP. Amid threats of opposition from various groups, Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje will begin the second leg of her Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra from Jaisalmer on August 24. Raje will fly from Jaipur to Jaisalmer on the morning of August 24 and begin her yatra with a public meeting in Jaisalmer after which she will visit the Ramdevra temple in Pokran and address a public meeting there, BJP spokesperson Vimal Katiyar said. The second phase of the yatra will be held from August 24 to September 2. Raje will hold public meetings at 20 places in 33 assembly constituencies of Jodhpur division covering Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Pali, Sirohi, Jalore and districts and will travel 1,285 km. The yatra will have a three-day break August 26-28, Katiyar said. On August 24 and 25, the yatra will cover constituencies in Jaisalmer and Jodhpur districts. On August 29, it will travel between Pali and and Sirohi districts. On August 30, the yatra will pass through constituencies in Sirohi district and will cover constituencies in Jalore district on August 31. On September 1 and 2, it will travel through Barmer district and return to Jodhpur on September 2 evening. Interestingly the yatra is covering six of seven constituencies in Barmer leaving out Sheo which is represented by BJP MLA Manvendra Singh, and son of senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh. Raje was scheduled to begin the second leg of the yatra in Bharatpur division on August 16, 17, 19 and 20. However, the party decided to postpone the Bharatpur leg of the yatra after the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Sources said the decision was also influenced by threats of opposition to the yatra by the Gurjar community. BJP national president Amit Shah had flagged off Rajes poll yatra from Charbhuja temple in Rajsamand district on August 4. The yatra from August 4 to 10 covered 23 assembly constituencies in Udaipur division. Gaurav sabhas in left out constituencies in October Chief minister Vasundhara Raje will hold Gaurav Sabhas in October in assembly constituencies that are left out during the Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra. An official release said that apart from Raje, national leaders of the BJP would also take part in theses sabhas. Since the sabhas will take place at the divisional headquarters, no sabha has been scheduled at the divisional headquarters during the yatra. The release also said that Gaurav sabhas would be held in all those assembly constituencies that are left out of the route of the Gaurav yatra. Raje will address these sabhas which will be held in October, the release said. The Gaurav Yatra is scheduled to cover 165 constituencies. A Rs 700 crore offer by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to aid Kerala acquired political undertones on Wednesday as parties in the flood-ravaged state came together to urge the Centre to relax a current policy that bars bilateral financial assistance for rescue and relief operations. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said he will talk to the Prime Minister on the issue. Our people contributed immensely in building that nation (UAE) so it cannot be considered as a different country. There is a strong emotional boding between two nations, he tweeted. The Congress, too, urged the Centre to reconsider, saying rejecting the aid will send the wrong signal to the country where more than 600,000 Indians are employed. If the rule was changed by the previous UPA regime I dont have any problem to say the Modi government should correct it, former defence minister AK Antony said in Alappuzha. The CPI(M) also asked the Union government not to cling on to technicalities. Rules are there to be changed. If somebody commits a mistake it doesnt mean others should also do it. Battered badly the state needs such assistance to stand on its feet, said R S Ramachandran Pillai, a politburo member. The central government has already announced Rs 600 crore in aid, and also assured relief materials including food grain, medicines would be provided, as requested. Coming to the aid of Sofiya Khatun, a 50-year-old facing deportation on the ground of being an illegal migrant, the Supreme Court asked the Assam government to file a report by September 5 explaining how she could be a foreigner if her parents, five brothers and husband were all Indian citizens. Khatun, held in an Assam detention centre since 2016, has challenged the Barpeta Foreigners Tribunal and the Assam high court orders declaring her a foreigner after she could not prove a link to her father, Hasan Munshi, due to a mismatch in the spelling of his name in various voter lists. The two orders also held she was not able to give her correct place and date of birth, which are vital to prove citizenship. But her brothers and her husband, all Indian citizens, have come out in her defence, filing affidavits in the Supreme Court. Hearing the petition filed by Khatun, a bench of Justices Kurien Joseph and Sanjay Kishan Kaul recently asked the Assam government a series of questions: Is it true that five brothers of the petitioner are citizens of India? Is it true that the husband of the petitioner is a citizen of India? And is it true that father and mother of the petitioner are citizens of India? Khatun in 1996 was classified as a D (doubtful) Voter. The foreigners tribunal issued notices, asking her to prove her citizenship. But she was unable to give her correct place and date of birth. In her petition to the SC, Khatun has said she is illiterate, and since her grandparents and parents were dead, she could not get the typological errors in their names corrected. Anomalies in the spellings of names are extremely common though unfortunate occurrence and in no way are a reflection on the claims of citizenship of the petitioner, her petition said. To meet the paucity of trained school counsellors in the country, the Union health ministry is launching a programme to train more than 10 lakh school teachers to identify signs of stress, emotional issues, substance abuse and bullying among students. Two teachers each in all government and government-aided schools will be trained to hold the special one-hour-long class once a week. It helps to have trained teachers in school as children wouldnt visit a doctor unless they are sick, leading to many health conditions remaining undiagnosed for long. This way we will be able to pick up signs early and take preventive measures, said a senior health ministry official, requesting anonymity. In case of symptoms of any serious conditions, the child will be referred to a specialist. We are in the process of finalising the curriculum that is going to be largely interactive. We have made a conscious effort to design age-appropriate content to hold the interest of children. By month end the curriculum will be finalised and after that training will begin. India has 26 crore (260 million) school-going children studying in around 11 lakh (1.1 million)schools. Activities are being drafted for children in three categoriesclasses 1 to 5 (primary), 6 to 8 (upper primary) and 9 to 12 (till senior secondary). Health experts welcome the move Given the shortage of psychologists and psychiatrists, which is 300% and 250% respectively, I am totally for screening and support at the basic level. Even two counsellors per school is not enough as some schools have 5,000-6,000 children, so the counsellor cannot devote enough time to each one, says Dr Samir Parikh, director, department of mental health and behavioural sciences, Fortis Healthcare. The health ministry is taking up the project in partnership with human resource development ministry. Seven labourers were injured when an under construction bailey bridge collapsed in Manipurs Jiribam district on Wednesday, police said. The bailey bridge was being constructed over Gorkhale river to connect Borberkra village to Jattarpur. At around 8 am this morning the bridge collapsed injuring seven labourers, they said. The injured labourers were rushed to Borbekra health centre from where they were referred to a hospital in Silchar in neighbouring Assam, the police said. District officials said the 160-foot long bailey bridge was being constructed by a private contractor and the project was being funded by the Rural Development Ministry under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. A year ahead of Assembly polls, the Maharashtra government opened up large tracts of industrial-use land in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) for residential and commercial development. The move allows unused industrial plots in MMR to be used for building houses, malls and offices with approval of the civic commissioner and a payment of a premium 20% of the ready reckoner rate of the plot to the government. The states urban development department (UDD) issued a final notification to its Industrial to Residential policy for civic bodies of Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira-Bhayander, Ulhasnagar and Bhiwandi-Nizampur. These civic bodies share common development control rules (DCR) norms for construction and urban planning in an area. A separate notification was issued for the Navi Mumbai civic body. The notification said that out of the total Floor Space Index (FSI) utilised for the development, a minimum of 25% is to be reserved for commercial development. Floor Space Index (FSI) typically indicates how high a developer can build on a plot. It is the ratio of total built-up area to the size of the plot. The notification, however, made it clear that in cases where the land had been originally acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, permission of the state government will be required. The decision is being seen as a windfall for developers since it will open up several unused industrial plots across the seven cities for development, and also increase housing stock in MMR. However, this may not translate into affordable homes for citizens. The notification states that provision of inclusive housing shall not be applicable while allowing such conversion. So while the state has made it mandatory that 20 per cent of the basic FSI utilised should be for building residential tenements with built-up area of 30 sq metres and 50 sq metres (322 sq feet to 538 sq feet), the developer can sell these in the open market. That effectively means developers can join small flats and sell them. A senior UDD official admitted that while a condition has been put in to ensure smaller tenements, it may not lead to affordable homes. Urban planning experts said the governments premise for creating public housing itself was flawed. There is a complete lack of transparency while formulating such policies. Does the government know how much of industrial land will be opened up for residential development through this move. Is the housing being planned in tandem with transportation systems? said Pankaj Joshi, director, Urban Design and Research Institute (UDRI), adding that affordable homes can be built only by public agencies. The state could have made it mandatory to reserve a portion of this development for low-cost homes. These houses could have been handed over to Mhada, which could have auctioned them, said Joshi. Builders, too, are sceptical about the move bringing them gains. It is a welcome move, but I dont see this necessarily as a windfall for developers. It will also not lead to price correction as developers will have to pay a premium for conversion and there will be other levies, said Nayan Shah, president of CREDAI-MCHI, apex body of developers A Shiv Sena corporator from Navi Mumbai has been booked on charges of molesting a 19-year-old college student after promising to help her financially, police said on Tuesday. Namdeo Bhagat, a Shiv Sena member of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), allegedly molested the woman at his farmhouse in Dighode village near the coastal town of Uran in adjoining Raigad district on Sunday last, a police official said. The 51-year-old corporator, who is also a member of the NMMC standing committee, had called the victim to his farmhouse on the pretext of helping her financially, he said. The woman filed a complaint after which an offence under IPC section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) was registered against the corporator on Monday at Uran police station, the official said. Bhagat is absconding, he said, adding further probe is underway. The ground staff of the Parsi Tower of Silence at Malabar Hill, including the Khandias the traditional corpse bearers who carry bodies into the towers went on mass casual leave on Tuesday demanding bonus payments, forcing the Doongerwadi management to depend on volunteers for performing the last rites. The members from Doongerwadis management committee consigned two bodies to the towers on Tuesday, for the last rites. The two funerals took place on Tuesday afternoon. There was no delay in the last rites of the bodies because six office bearers and two youths from the community volunteered to do the work, said Vistaspar Mehta, manager, Doongerwadi. Though the leave was limited for a day, the Bombay Parsi Punchayat (BPP), which manages the Doongerwadi, said they will seek legal help to act against the employees if they convert the leave to strike. The work at Doongerwadi amounts to essential services. We may consult our lawyer to see the legal options we have. If employees convert the leave to strike, we will act against them, said Kersi Randeria, Bombay Parsi Punchayat (BPP) trustee. The class four employees, who went on leave, are a part of the Mumbai Mazdoor Union. In a letter written to the BPP before the Parsi New Year on Friday, Dhunji Naterwalla, the general secretary of the union said for the first time, the employees would be observing the New Year by consuming masoor dal instead of chicken pulav. Every year we receive our bonus before the Parsi New Year. This year despite repeated requests, we havent got our dues, Naterwalla said. But according to BPP, bonus can be paid 10 days prior to either Ganpati, Parsi New Year or Diwali. Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik are still going strong. The model and her pop star boyfriend have been dating since 2015, with a minor break-up in March 2018 that only lasted a few weeks. Gigi and Zayn celebrated Eid al-Adha 2018, one of the holiest Muslim holidays, with their families. Gigi posted on her Instagram story this love-filled photo of Zayn with his younger sister Waliyha Azad: A post shared by HELLO! Pakistan (@hellopakistan) on Aug 21, 2018 at 9:20pm PDT Waliyha posted the same holiday photo on her own Instagram story. But Zayn did not post any photos. Gigis and model sister Bella Hadids father and her mother Yolanda Hadids ex-husband Mohamed Hadid is a Palestinian-American real estate developer. Gigi and Bella have rarely spoken about their religious upbringing. In an interview with Porter magazine in 2017, Bella said their father was always religious, and he always prayed with us, adding, I am proud to be a Muslim. A post shared by Trisha Malik (@trishamalik1069) on Sep 1, 2017 at 4:37pm PDT Zayn told the London Evening Standard in an interview, Im not currently practising but I was raised in the Islamic faith, so it will always be with me, and I identify a lot with the culture. But Im just me. I dont want to be defined by my religion or my cultural background. Eid al-Adha is celebrated at the end of an annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. The holiday is marked by prayers, gifts and family meals. Follow @htshowbiz for more As against 655 people testing positive for influenza A H1N1 virus and 108 succumbing to the illness in 2017, this year, only 31 people reported positive for the virus since January, according to a report by the Pune municipal corporations (PMC) health department. Health authorities, however, are taking necessary precautions in view of weather conditions becoming favourable for the virus, Dr Shashikant Jadhav, joint director health services, said in an interview. While two deaths due to influenza A H1N1 have been reported in the city, currently, there are seven patients on ventilator support. Last week, the state health department officials met to take a review of the preparedness for the virus and to ensure that the situation remains under control. In the meeting, which was called by the state health minister Dr Deepak Sawant, the experts stressed on maintaining no panic mode. Dr Sanjeev Kamble, director of the state health department, said, Compared to last year the number of cases are extremely minimal and the mortality too has decreased. In fact, in the meeting held by the minister where all the district health officers and corporation medical officers were called, it was observed that the critical cases or the number of patients on ventilator too are low. Dr Kamble said the stock for the treatment of influenza A H1N1 was in need of replenishment. Tamiflu, which is given to patients suffering from influenza A H1N1, is extremely important and we are running out of stock. We have only a few days ago appealed to the central health ministry to send us the required amount of tamiflu tablets. All the medical officers of the districts have been instructed to purchase tamiflu from their own budget till the Centre sends the sufficient stock, Dr Kamble said. As per the report, in all 5.56 lakh people have been screened for the virus and around 5,318 were given tamiflu till Tuesday, he said. Swine flu active in alternate years Dr Anjali Sabne, assistant health officer, PMC, had said in an earlier interview, It has been observed that H1N1 virus is more active during alternate years. Hence, last year there were fewer cases of swine flu and the number of deaths were also much less. Deaths due to swine flu reported in the city in 2015 stood at 153, while 10 died in 2016. There were 108 deaths due to swine flu in 2017. Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has urged the Centre to seek access for Sikh pilgrims to the Kartarpur Sahib shrine in Pakistan, an issue which local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said figured briefly during his visit to Islamabad for the swearing-in ceremony of Imran Khan. Amarinder urged external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to take up the matter with her Pakistan counterpart for having a corridor from the international border to Kartarpur opened so that devotees can visit the historic gurdwara during the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, a Punjab government statement said on Wednesday. In a letter to the Union minister, the CM has asked her to make a personal effort on the issue, saying it has been a longstanding demand of the Sikh community. The letter by Amarinder has come after Sidhu, during his visit to Pakistan on August 16, claimed that Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has assured him to open the corridor on the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak. The corridor will allow devotees to visit the gurdwara in Kartarpur, which is located across the Ravi, around 4km from the international border near Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district, said Amarinder. The CM said the 550th birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, who breathed his last in Kartarpur, is being observed in November 2019. The then prime minister Manmohan Singh too had given assurances on the corridor during his visits to Punjab on September 1, 2004, said Amarinder. A man has been arrested in the US for allegedly killing a Sikh man who was found stabbed to death at his store in New Jersey last week. Terlok Singh, 55, was found dead by his cousin on August 16 in his store with an apparent stab wound in the chest. It was the third incident targeting the minority Sikh community in the country in three weeks. Ubiera, 55, of Newark has been arrested and charged with the murder of Singh, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino said. Ubiera did odd jobs at the store and a detention hearing is schedule for him tomorrow. The Essex County Prosecutors office had called the incident a homicide. 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. 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, had expressed condolences to Singhs family, friends and local community. Simran Jeet Singh, a visiting scholar at New York Universitys Center 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. P SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pakistans state-run TV channel on Wednesday ended its ban on coverage of opposition politicians, with its Twitter feed giving equal prominence to Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) chief Shahbaz Sharif and Sindh chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah of the Pakistan Peoples Party. All political parties and their leaders are getting coverage on PTV #EidAladha activities of opposition leaders also covered by PTV. Political censorship lifted from @PTVNewsOfficial & @RadioPakistan, Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said in a tweet. To journalist Zarrar Khuhro, who tweeted: Am i having an LSD flashback or is @PTVNewsOfficial actually giving news about opposition politicians??, he responded: Next is PTV English ll need your n other friends input to make it a Regional player Inshallah. Chaudhry, who is also the information secretary of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, had Tuesday announced the Imran Khan government issued directives for complete editorial independence of state media, adding that drastic changes will be visible in the Information Department in the next three months. As per vision of @ImranKhanPTI Ended political censorship on PTV, clear instructions issued for a complete editorial independence on PTV and Radio Pakistan, drastic changes [will] be visible in Information Dept in coming 3 months Inshallah, he posted on Twitter. All political parties and their leaders are getting coverage on PTV #EidAladha activities of opposition leaders also covered by PTV. Political censorship lifted from @PTVNewsOfficial & @RadioPakistan, Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said in a tweet. To journalist Zarrar Khuhro, who tweeted: Am i having an LSD flashback or is @PTVNewsOfficial actually giving news about opposition politicians??, he responded: Next is PTV English ll need your n other friends input to make it a Regional player Inshallah. Chaudhry, who is also the information secretary of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, had Tuesday announced the Imran Khan government issued directives for complete editorial independence of state media, adding that drastic changes will be visible in the Information Department in the next three months. As per vision of @ImranKhanPTI Ended political censorship on PTV, clear instructions issued for a complete editorial independence on PTV and Radio Pakistan, drastic changes [will] be visible in Information Dept in coming 3 months Inshallah, he posted on Twitter. Saudi Arabias public prosecutor is seeking the death penalty against five human rights activists from the kingdoms Eastern Province currently on trial in a secretive terrorism court, groups including Human Rights Watch (HRW) said. Among the detainees is Israa al-Ghomgham, whom Saudi activists said was the first woman to possibly face the death penalty for rights-related work. Charges against her include incitement to protest and providing moral support to rioters. Any execution is appalling, but seeking the death penalty for activists like Israa al-Ghomgham, who are not even accused of violent behaviour, is monstrous, Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW, said in a statement on Wednesday. ALQST, a London-based Saudi rights group, reported the decision involving Ghomghams case earlier this week. A government communications office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Activists said the trial was ongoing, and denied social media reports that the detainees had already been executed. Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy where public protests and political parties are banned, has enacted some high-profile social and economic reforms in recent years under powerful young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. They have, however, been accompanied by a crackdown on dissent, with dozens of clerics, intellectuals and activists arrested in the past year, including women who had campaigned for the right to drive in the deeply conservative Muslim country. A roundup of senior royals, ministers and businessmen last November on charges of corruption sent shockwaves through the kingdom, stunning allies and foreign investors. Most of those detainees were released after reaching undisclosed financial settlements with the government. Ghomgham is a prominent Shia Muslim activist who documented mass demonstrations in the Eastern Province starting in 2011. She was arrested from her home in December 2015 along with her husband. Most of the countrys Shia minority lives in the oil-producing Eastern Province and some have complained that their religious ceremonies are banned or interfered with by Sunni authorities, and that they lack opportunities for work and education. The government has denied the charges. Saudi Arabia has previously executed Shia activists on what rights groups called politically-motivated charges. It views protests among Shias in the context of tensions with Shiite power and regional rival Iran, which it has accused of fomenting the unrest. The authorities have carried out security operations against suspected Shia militants in the Eastern Province, which has seen unrest and occasional armed attacks for years. US president Donald Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in a New York court on Tuesday to campaign finance violation and bank fraud and implicated his then boss, without naming him, for payments made to two women for their silence about their affairs with Trump. At about the same time, Paul Manafort, a former chairman of Trumps presidential campaign, was found guilty by a jury in Virginia of eight counts of bank and tax fraud that could put him in jail for up to 10 years. The jury was deadlocked on 10 other counts. The trial judge, TS Ellis III, declared a mistrial on those charges. Cohens guilty plea to eight counts of federal crimes, which could together get him from four to five years in jail, is perhaps the more damaging of the two developments for Trump as it directly implicates the president in a federal crime, which even his allies acknowledged was a serious issue. Cohen, Trumps former fixer who had once boasted he would take a bullet for his boss, told the trial court judge William H Pauley III under oath that he had made one payment in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office and the second was made under direction of the same candidate. A court paper filed by prosecutors said Cohen made the payments in order to influence the 2016 presidential election and that he had coordinated with one or more members of the campaign, including through meetings and phone calls, about the fact, nature, and timing of the payments. A prosecutor later said Cohan had acted for the principal purpose of influencing the election. Cohen did not name Trump or the two women in the court and neither did the court documents nor the press statement from the office of the US attorney of South District of New York, which is prosecuting the case. But he had by implication. Today he (Cohen) stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldnt they be a crime for Donald Trump? his attorney Lanny Davis made it clearer, up front, in a statement. As the sitting president, Trump cannot be indicted, or criminally charged, according to current guidelines from the department of justice. But he could be charged the moment he leaves office, either after the first term or the second should be he re-elected. Chances of these charges leading to impeachment proceedings would depend on whether or not they could constitute, experts said, high crime and misdemeanor. Cohen had arranged for a news publication in the summer of 2016 to pay former Playboy model Karen McDougal $150,000 for her story about an affair with Trump, which the president has denied. The article never ran. The same publication later alerted Cohen about an adult film star Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, who had offered her story about her relationship with Trump, which the president has also denied. The former fixer had paid her $130,000 for her silence. These payments violated campaign finance laws. He has also pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax evasion of $4 million in connection with a taxi-permit business. Trumps lawyer Rudy Giuliano denied Cohens plea deal and the charges implicated the president. There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the governments charges against Mr Cohen. It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr Cohens actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time, he has said in a statement. The president himself has not yet remarked on Cohen, but he did say Manafort is a good man and that its a very sad thing he has been convicted. As before he maintained tax evasion and bank fraud charges against Manafort had anything to do with the campaign. It doesnt involve me, but I still feel -- you know, its a very sad thing that happened. This has nothing to do with Russian collusion, Trump said. Manafort was found guilty of bank fraud and tax regarding his personal financial transactions and payments he had received working as a lobbyist for the government of Ukraine. Though he has been investigated and charged by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is probing Russian interference in the 2016 elections, charges pressed against him showed no connections, unlike the others such as former national security adviser Michael Flynn and campaign aide George Papadopoulos. In a trial lasting three weeks, prosecutors had argued Manafort had hidden millions in overseas banks, concealed taxable income and had portrayed him as a big-spender who, among other things, spent $15,000 on an ostrich leather jacket. Though disappointed by the verdict, Manaforts attorney said in a short statement later, his client thanked the judge and the jury for giving him a fair trial and that he is evaluating all options at this time. Manafort is also on trial in a federal court in Washington DC for not registering himself an agent for a foreign government and for witness tampering. L ondon's councils were not always cash-strapped. The civic pride of our forefathers led to a profusion of magnificent town halls being built across the capital between the mid-1860s and the start of the Second World War. Architectural styles ranged from the opulent Edwardian Baroque masterpiece in Woolwich to Haverings unadorned International Moderne design. But long before the dawning of the age of austerity in 2009, these municipal masterpieces were being seen as costly to maintain and inefficient, often thanks to the 1965 borough boundary changes that left many buildings surplus to requirements. NEW ROLES FOR OUR TIMES Their size and grandeur offers myriad possibilities for conversion. The first residential project was in Bermondsey when its 1928 town hall extension became Bath House Lofts, a 41-apartment scheme that won the Evening Standard New Homes Award 2015 for Conversions in London. Our New Homes Award winner: the 1928 Bermondsey Town Hall extension became Bath House Lofts, with 41 flats. Today, approaching completion in Acton, west London is The Old Town Hall, a splendid Grade II-listed Baroque Palazzo-style building. Its 58 apartments retain many heritage features, such as hefty fireplaces, panelled walls and high ceilings. Prices range from 405,000 for a third-floor studio to 725,000 for a two-bedroom duplex. Thirteen new-build apartments offer either a balcony or terrace. Help to Buy is available, as is shared ownership. Call 020 8012 7427. Acton is looking forward to the Crossrail effect putting the fizz back into the area Acton Central station is on the new Elizabeth line, with four services an hour from December next year. Acton is already feeling the vibe with a lively pub scene, a regular market and a new leisure centre. In Brixton, the redevelopment of Lambeths municipal buildings will add some pizzazz to the town centre. The magnificent Baroque Revival centrepiece will retain its civic functions, while Art Deco extension Ivor House offers 26 one- and two-bedroom flats. The remaining two-bedroom homes start at 675,000. A later extension, Hambrook House, has been demolished and construction has begun on 94 new homes. Across the entire scheme 40 per cent will be affordable. Call 020 3603 5546. From 499,950: studios and flats at the Hornsey Town Hall redevelopment. Through Savills (020 7409 8756) In north London, the distinctive Grade II* Hornsey Town Hall on the English Heritage At Risk register for nearly 20 years should emerge in 2020 as a new hotel, part of the Dorsett chain, plus an arts centre and 135 new homes by award-winning Make Architects. Planning for Far East Consortiums 30 million restoration, which includes a new fountain and upgraded public realm, was approved by Haringey council in June. Call Savills on 020 7409 8756 for more information. An exciting project is gathering pace in east London, putting the 1937 Waltham Forest Town Hall a fine example of Continental Classicism at the centre of a new neighbourhood to include 500 new homes with a minimum of 35 per cent affordable. Completion is estimated for 2020-21. And in Hammersmith, prestigious local practice Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners will renovate the historic Thirties town hall, demolish its eyesore extension and build hundreds of new homes, half of which are set to be affordable. Waltham Forest Town Hall campus is being transformed into 500 homes, including affordable apartments / Alamy Stock Photo Town hall renaissances are not always residential. Bethnal Greens became the luxurious Town Hall Hotel in 2010. Lansbury Heritage Hotel near Canary Wharf, formerly known as Old Poplar Town Hall, is a TripAdvisor favourite. Camdens brutalist Euston Road extension is opening imminently as the 270-bed Standard London, while plans to turn Ealings neo-Gothic showpiece into a boutique hotel were approved by the council last month. Educational use offers another opportunity. Dagenhams modernist Civic Centre building is now Coventry Universitys London campus; Edwardian Deptford Town Hall is part of Goldsmiths University of London, and handsome Brent was reborn in 2015 as a French school. Cultural activities also fit well. On September 6, three years after the fire that nearly destroyed it, Battersea Arts Centre will reopen in the Victorian former Battersea Town Hall. And since 2016, Southwarks town hall has been a community arts hub, student accommodation and Theatre Peckham. The Urdang Academy of musical theatre restored ornate Finsbury Town Hall as its new home in 2007, though the stunning Art Nouveau Grand Hall still serves as a wedding venue. A TOUCH OF ROMANCE Many London town halls have found a commercial role as venues for civil weddings, including celebrity favourite Marylebone, which reopened in January after a 60 million refurbishment paid for by the London Business School, which shares the site. Celebrity favourite: Sir Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell in 2011 after their wedding at Marylebone Town Hall, which reopened this year after a 60 million refurb / Alamy Stock Photo Another legendary venue, Chelsea Old Town Hall, is undergoing a major face lift which should complete early next year. However, not all town halls come to a happy ending. Grand Victorian Kensington Town Hall was demolished in 1982, hours before it could be listed. Campaigners recently stopped Southall Town Hall from becoming a Hindu temple but Ealing council still wants to sell it. Mexico Tourism Increase by 7.3% in First Half of 2018 Cancun, Mexico - New tourism numbers announced Monday revealed an astounding 20.6 million international visitors arrived in Mexico through the first six months of 2018. According to the Riviera Maya News, Mexico's Ministry of Tourism said the first-half numbers represent a 7.3 percent increase when compared to last year, which saw 19.2 million international tourists arrive through the first six months. Mexico tourism officials also reported around 4.2 million cruise ship passengers arrived in the country in the first half of the year, a 10.4 percent increase from the same period in 2017. In addition, the Tourism Ministry said overall visitor spending increased by 4.3%. As for the hotel industry in Mexico, occupancy rates hit 70 percent during the summer holiday season. Puerto Morelos reported an average hotel occupancy above 90 percent, according to municipal president Laura Fernandez Pina. "This was a great period for our destiny because lodging centers surpassed 100,000 tourists with the financial benefits distributed between lodging, restaurants, purchases and excursions," Fernandez Pina told the Riviera Maya News. "The Ruta de los Cenotes has without a doubt, been a magnet for visitors in this area where they have direct contact with the natural wealth of the destination, such as cenotes and ecological reserves." Tourism authorities in Cancun said hotels reached a 92% average occupancy rate and nearly 100% rate for water activities, including snorkeling tours, catamaran tours and whale shark swimming. Pipeline 22 August 2018 Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is to operate a hotel at the 119-acre (5,183,640-square foot or 481,576- square meter) The Forestias green development at Bangna in Bangkok under an agreement with international property developer Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC). The companies formalized their collaboration, also covering branded residences and the hotel group's first membership club in Asia, at a signing ceremony at the Research & Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC). MQDC CEO Visit Malaisirirat and the developer's President for Hotels & Hospitality, Chris Ow, signed on behalf of the developer with Six Senses represented by Neil Jacobs, CEO and Bernhard Bohnenberger, president of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. "This collaboration is based on a shared goal: to give guests and residents the highest-quality experiences for health and well-being while operating in total harmony with the human and natural environment, an approach MQDC calls for all well-being," said Visit Malaisirirat. "Six Senses has won the devotion of an exacting clientele with its vision of intelligent luxury. MQDC is honored to be hosting this outstanding global brand at its The Forestias, built under our 'sustainnovation' principle with extensive woodlands and green spaces that can contribute to crafted experiences and lasting memories." "Six Senses has chosen The Forestias, its first location in Bangkok, for a 60-room hotel, 36 residences, and the group's first membership club in Asia," said Chief Executive Officer Neil Jacobs. "Under our vision of helping guests reconnect with themselves, others, and the world, Six Senses seeks unique locations where we can operate sustainably and with concern for our surroundings in what we term local sensitivity, global sensibility." "At Six Senses Forestias, our guests and residential owners will enjoy a tranquil haven in easy reach from Bangkok's multitude of cultural and leisure attractions. Their lifestyles will also be enhanced by spectacular on-site facilities and services including our first membership club in Asia, also offering the wider community a chance to enjoy the finest health and wellness amenities," said Jacobs. MQDC's Ow said the developer would contribute expertise in design and management to ensure an exceptional experience. "MQDC's increasing success as a mixed-used property developer is confirmed by this agreement, which follows similar associations with other high-end hotel brands," he added. "Bangkok is the undisputed world capital of hospitality, where the finest hotels and professionals compete to impress the most sophisticated travelers. With our harmonized vision of wellness and sustainability, MQDC and Six Senses will be adding a compelling new option to this rich offering." Appointment 22 August 2018 Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has appointed Claudine Triolo to the role of regional director of sales and marketing for Thailand, Bhutan and Cambodia. Claudine joins the group following an 11-year tenure with Bangkok-based Premier Resorts & Hotels where for the past eight years she performed the duties of the director of sales and marketing. In this role she was responsible for all aspects of sales and marketing activities for three hotels, overseeing sales, reservation and marketing communications teams. Beginning her hospitality and travel career with Asia Transpacific Journeys in Boulder, Colorado in the USA, as a tour operation manager, Claudine relocated to Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2004 as the director of guest communications, before joining Premier Resorts & Hotels in 2012. An American citizen, Claudine earned a Bachelor's Degree (Honors) from Fordham University in New York and a Master's Degree from The Courtauld Institute at the University of London. She majored in art history for both degrees. Claudine has authored several books and articles focusing on culture, art and travel showing her fondness for Thailand and SE Asia. It is not surprising that her leisure pursuits include art, travel and photography. Appointment 22 August 2018 The Marcus Corporation (NYSE:MCS), today announced the appointment of Douglas A. Neis as executive vice president of The Marcus Corporation. He will also continue to serve as chief financial officer and treasurer. Neis is as a member of The Marcus Corporation's executive leadership team and serves on its investment committee. He joined the company in 1986 as controller of the Marcus Theatres division and was quickly promoted to controller of Marcus Restaurants in 1987, which, at the time, managed the company's franchised restaurants including Big Boy, Applebee's and KFC. In 1991, Neis was appointed vice president of planning and administration for Marcus Restaurants, and in 1994, was named director of technology for The Marcus Corporation. He was elected corporate controller in 1995 and was promoted to chief financial officer and treasurer in 1996. Prior to joining The Marcus Corporation, Neis was a manager at the public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche. He is a certified public accountant. In addition to his leadership and achievements at The Marcus Corporation, Neis was honored as CFO of the Year by the Milwaukee Business Journal in 2011. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Marquette University. Opinion Article 22 August 2018 Loyalty begins with a smile. It sounds simple enough however it can be a challenge to receive a smile in today's hectic, overly self-indulgent environment. We focus on selfies, Facebook, Instagram and have slowly lost touch with what is most important, creating face to face relationships that can last the test of time. The hotel industry faces this challenge daily. While reading an article on Skift titled, "Google Finds Customer Service Beats Loyalty Programs," I saw this as such a basic point. Of course, great service will trump a loyalty program every time. In fact, Think from Google, the marketing data and research arm of Google, has revealed that the top three considerations when booking travel. The results showed that 60 percent of respondents cited customer service is the most critical factor. The problem is that finding great customer service has become increasingly harder as we, as a culture, are shying away from direct human communication. Of course, loyalty programs have their place as an incentive for people to stay with a single brand, rent a car from one agency or fly on one airline. But do we have to sacrifice genuine human interaction, that includes a smile, for the sake of a loyalty program? In a perfect world, we should have both. The entire bedrock of the hospitality industry is based on personal service. Though there are different levels of service, including self-service, invariably there is always a hotel employee sitting at the front desk that greets guests upon arrival. This person is the frontline ambassador of the hotel, brand and ultimately of our industry. If this person welcomes a guest with a frown or is looking down at a computer screen or ream of paper, the initial instinct of any guest is to feel unappreciated. It's just human nature. On the other hand, when a guest is greeted with a smile and a sincere hello, there is a true sense of happiness. On a biochemical level, smiling releases endorphins, and serotonin. Endorphins are natural painkillers. The more endorphins your brain releases, the more your body can fight off symptoms of illness or depression. Similarly, serotonin is a brain chemical that acts as a natural anti-depressant. The power of a smile is quite incredible when you think about it. Smiling can even decrease one's blood pressure. Having just returned from a family vacation in Europe, it became evident to me the impact a smile can have. We spent ten days on a massive road trip traveling from Germany, thru Austria and then to Hungary. The experiences we had in each country and at each hotel were very different. Driving can be exhausting, (especially when your focusing on not getting the family killed while on the Autobahn). When we pulled up to our hotel, the first thing we all really wanted was to feel at home. On this trip, I must say that the most welcoming country that we visited was Hungary. Yes, Hungary. We were in Budapest to attend the annual Formula 1 race held at the Hungaroring motorsport race track just outside the city. The Budapest hotel we stayed went above and beyond for us. Their staff members, from front desk to restaurant, always had friendly smiles on their faces. It was such pleasurable experience. This hotel has won our loyalty. We will never stay anywhere else while in Budapest, and we are planning to return next year. I guess what I would like to emphasize is that our industry needs to get back to the basics. Training our employees to fully understand that without guests, we do not have hotels, and without hotels, they do not have jobs. And with that, the most simple, yet essential element of great guest service is the smile. Used as a relationship driver, a smile can do amazing things. It's time that we focus on driving true guest loyalty the old-fashioned way. Today's pressures, technology, and distractions can make us all grumpy from time to time, but when a smile is given, a smile is most likely returned, and loyalty will follow. On December 12th, 2015, Keith Troup was murdered at the Chevron gas station on Old National Highway in College Park, Georgia. Troup was a local legend and a mentor to many, including College Park native Gunna, as well as Zone 3s Young Thug. Troups name can be found scatteredallthroughoutYoung Thugs discography and immortalized on Gunna records such as Rich Bitch or Pedestrian Through the untimely passing of their mutual mentor, Gunna and Thug were bonded for life. Less than a year after Troups passing, Gunna made his official debut on Floyd Mayweather, off Young Thugs Jeffery, alongside high-profile acts such as Gucci Mane and Travis Scott. Even though he existed in relative obscurity, Gunnas ability was apparent as he managed to keep up with some of the most vibrant names in rap. About another year and the first two Drip Season mixtapes later, Gunnas burgeoning creativity resulted inDrip or Drown, a sharp collaborative EP with YSLs foremost producer, Wheezy. With Young Thug and the YSL label fully on his side, all that was left was for Gunna was to release a universally accepted body of work. Cue: Drip Season 3. Februarys Drip Season 3 was a blockbuster success; even Diddy could be seen dancing to the mixtape on Instagram. Not only did it spawn Gunnas biggest hit to date, it also teased a newfound chemistry with QCs Lil Baby (also another close friend of Thuggers). The duo, aware enough to capitalize off of their infectious energy, returned quickly with Sold Out Dates, an unbearably catchy collab joint that will undoubtedly become a significant bookend in both their careers. Although he may still be unfamiliar to a few of you, Gunnas buzz is reaching fever pitch, on the verge of boiling over to mainstream success. If Gunna continues aligning himself with industry darlings, collabing with artists such as Nav, Playboi Carti, and Lil Uzi Vert, he will surely become one of the most talked-about rappers of 2019. So, before you have to force your way on to a crowded bandwagon, here is a list of the YSL rappers essential songs (not including features). "Outta Sight Outta Mind" (2016) A Drip Season highlight, this track also marks Gunna's first music video after joining up with YSL. "Can't Relate" (2016) Cant Relate is a great snapshot of Gunna at his most raw as he works out the idiosyncrasies of the silky vocals hes since developed. "Young N*gga" (2016) When he first got started, Gunna felt a bit too shy for the main stage. However, tracks like this one quickly proved that he had a defiant, war-ready energy about him. "Rockstar Status" (2016) Another track from Gunnas first project (Drip Season), Rockstar Status is a high-octane ode to the finer things in life. "Cop Me A Foreign (ft. Young Thug)" (2016) Of all the official collaborations with Young Thug - including standouts like Secure the Vibe and King Kong - its Cop Me A Foreign that stands as the most catchy experiment between the two. "Beat Da Case (ft. Offset)" (2017) After the success of Bad & Boujee, Offset saw a breakout year in 2017. One of his best verses of the year can be found on this track with Gunna. Although Migos and YSL dont seem to be collaborating much these days, the existence of this song begs for further Gunna x Offset tracks. "Phase" (2017) The lead single from Drip Season 2, Phase is a conflicted, soulful look at the turbulent road to better days. "Japan" (2017) Where Phase was the come-up story, Japan paints an exciting look at Gunnas newfound success while casting greater, global aspirations. "Don't Give Up" (2017) A few key tracks in Gunnas discog, such as this one or Drip Season 3s Money Dont Change You, offer an introspective look at the young mans approach to life. A strong proponent of perseverance and patience, these insights into Gunnas state of mind prove him to be a disarmingly grounded artist. In the accompanying music video, Gunna's pleas of "don't give up" seem to be directed at his own mother as she struggles with the choices her son has been forced to make. "Drip or Drown" (2017) Dont Give Up is Drip or Drowns emotional anchor; contrastingly, this titular track is a cold-hearted declaration of swagger. Its a prime showcase of Gunnas rapidly developing hit-making capabilities. Shortly after its release, Drip or Drown became a viral hit, spawning countless memes and setting the stage for Gunnas remarkable 2018. (A Lil Yachty remix of the track eventually became a bonus track on Drip Season 3). "Spending Addiction" (2018) The promising songwriting showcased throughout Gunnas first three projects finally came to fruition on this years breakout mixtape, Drip Season 3, which is teeming with addictive hooks, somber autobiographical reflections, and increasingly quotable verses. Spending Addiction in particular successfully mixes Gunnas standard bravado with endearing passages about incarcerated friends he hasnt seen since his first year of high school. "Pedestrian" (2018) If one thing is clear about YSL, its that those who claim the movement are often far from regular pedestrians. And although Gunnas songwriting often paints him as the common man, easily relatable and comforting in his motivational talk, Pedestrian is one of those joints where he just gets to talk his shit. Speaking in slime language, as it were. "Oh Okay (ft. Young Thug & Lil Baby)" (2018) We all know this one, right? Our biggest takeaway from "Oh Okay" is that a collab tape between Young Thug and his two most prominent children (three, if you include Lil Uzi) would absolutely break the internet (and birth another stylistic movement for outsiders to emulate). "Toast Up" (2018) Drip Season 3 has over half a dozen highlights that could take this spot. My Soul, No Joke, Car Sick with Nav, Lies About You with Lil Durk - but we figured it was appropriate to reserve the spot for the closing track that Diddy showered with praise. "Sold Out Dates" (2018) Finally, the icing on the cake. Sold Out Dates is one of the best standalone rap songs of the year and positions Lil Baby as the Rich Homie Quan to Gunnas Young Thug. Hopefully, their rumored collab tape Drip Harder is on the way sooner than later. In the meantime, you can find further Gunna and Lil Baby collabs on Baby projects such as Perfect Timing and Harder Than Ever, as well as on the newly released YSL compilation album, Slime Language. The plot thickens. Asia Argento is a talented actress, and her name became infamous last year when she stepped forward to admit that Harvey Weinstein raped her. Argento was a leader in the #MeToo movement, but now, she's getting Me Too'd. Life comes at you fast. The New York Times broke the story just a few days ago, that Argento paid $380,000 to keep Jimmy Bennett silent about a sexual encounter between the two. Bennett originally starred with Argento in The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things in 2004 when he was eight years old. The two remained friends for years after. The allegations painted a story of a lustful Argento, who gave a 17-year-old Bennett a few drinks and proceeded to take advantage of him in 2013. Allegedly, she gave Bennett oral sex before initiating intercourse. When the story broke, Argento denied that she had ever had sex with Bennett. She claimed that Bennett was going through a financial hardship, and he contacted her for help. Argento was dating Anthony Bourdain at the time, and the actress stated that the late celebrity chef advised and funded the $380,000 to keep Bennett out of the way. "I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennet," she wrote. It appears she was lying. TMZ reported that they had seen a photo of Bennett and Argento together in bed post-sex, but now, they have published it. Argento and Bennett met at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Marina del Rey, CA on May 9, 2013. She posted non-sexual, but very cozy, pictures with the teen on the same date on her Instagram, confirming that the two were definitely together at the hotel on that day. The post-sex photo though, is very incriminating. To anyone familiar with intimate moments, the shirtless satisfied looks on both Bennett and Argento's faces are obvious. That's not even the worst part. TMZ also got their hands on screenshots of a text message conversation between Argento and one of her friends. In the texts, Argento writes, "I had sex with him it felt weird. I didn't know he was a minor until the shakedown letter." She continued on to write, "The public knows nothing, only what NYT wrote. Which is one sided. The shakedown letter. The horny kid jumped me." Argento also reveals that Bennett said she was her "sexual fantasy" since he was 12, and she shared a photo with her friend of a note Bennett wrote her after they had sex. Apparently, Bennett was sending her unsolicited nudes for years after their encounter, and was still lusting after Argento until his legal team decided to turn the situation into a money grab. Check out the text conversation here. Call me old-fashioned, but dragging your deceased former lover into a sexual assault scandal doesn't seem like the most respectful thing to do. Let's start at the beginning. Asia Argento helped pioneer the #MeToo movement when she came forward as one of the first accusers of Harvey Weinstein. According to reports, Argento was contacted by the legal team of Jimmy Bennett soon after. Bennett starred alongside Argento in The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things in 2004 when he was eight years old. The two remained close, and Bennett's lawyer alleged that his client claimed Argento sexually assaulted him years later. Allegedly, Argento got Bennett liquored up and performed oral sex on him before engaging in intercourse. The incident reportedly took place at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Marina del Rey, CA on May 9, 2013. Bennett was 17 at the time. Bennett's legal team threatened to sue, and The New York Times, obtained evidence that Argento paid $380,000 to Bennett in installments to keep the story hidden. That went well. After news of Argento's hypocrisy hit the web, the entire #MeToo movement was placed under a microscope. Now, Argento has responded to the statutory rape allegations. Yashar Ali released the statement from Argento, that begins, "I strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article dated 20 August 2018, as circulated also in national and international news." "I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false," she continued. "I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennet." Why the payoff then Argento? She claims that Bennett was motivated by asevere economic problemsa that made the former child star also sue his family for millions looking for a check. When Bennett came knocking at his friend Argento's door for cash, her boyfriend at the time, Anthony Bourdain, decided to step in. "Anthony insisted the matter be handled privately and this was also what Bennett wanted,a Argento continued. aAnthony was afraid of the possible negative publicity that such person, whom he considered dangerous, could have brought upon us. We decided to deal compassionately with Bennettas demand for help and give it to him. Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life.a Eddie Murphy's 39-year old girlfriend Paige Butcher is sporting a baby bump "you just can't hide." Paige and her beau Eddie Murphy already have one daughter together, born on May 3rd, 2016. And still, the question of the baby's paternal lines will persist until the day Eddie confirms it himself, given his track record with flying the coop. His girlfriend Paige was sported hiding her bump beneath a floral maxi dress while she stepped out for a maintenance day in West Hollywood. The above photo has elicited quite the response from tabloids who have tried in vain to reach Paige, Eddie, or his management for the scoop. The couple who have been dating since 2012, have been known to keep a low profile and refuse to sign up for Social Media accounts in their semi-retired state(s). The bulk of Eddie Murphy's 9 children were conceived with his ex-wife of 13 years Nicole Mitchell, with whom he split around the time he met Paige on the set of Big Momma's House 2. His most famous pregnancy issue came about around the same time, shortly after his divorce with Mitchell was finalized. Mel B aka Scary Spice filed a paternity claim against Murphy, after Murphy flatly denied any responsibility in the matter. Murphy was proven wrong and Mel B gave birth to a baby girl on the comedian's 46th birthday. One of the best things about the Trump presidency is the fact that Jim Carrey keeps trolling the president with artwork. The legendary comedian, actor, and artist has been posting his pieces online for the last year, depicting his picture of the current administration. In case you missed it, this week marked an important victory for Trump opposers. The president's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to five counts of tax evasion, one count of making an excessive campaign contribution, and several other financially motivated charges. He could receive 65 years in prison if convicted of all charges, but since Cohen took a plea deal, he's more likely to serve only a few years. His plea deal is dependent on him giving up a mountain of evidence on Trump when it comes to Stormy Daniels, the payoff, and the Russians. Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight counts of financial crimes, and can be sentenced to a maximum of 80 years in prison. Carrey posted his latest piece of art on Twitter, where he references the Cohen and Manafort guilty verdicts. "Manafort, GUILTY! Cohen, GUILTY!" wrote Carrey under his artwork, which depicts Trump hanging by his heels with an America flag wrapped around his ankles. "Flynn, Guilty! Gates, Guilty! Whats happening to All the Best People?" Carrey sarcastically joked, mocking Trump's speeches during his presidential run promising to bring in the best people. Tekashi 6ix9ine is facing a few ongoing legal battles, including an assault case against him. In order to put chances on his side in court proceedings, the rapper made a formal request formal request to the judge presiding over the matter. The rap star, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, doesn't want his stage name to grace the lips of those present in court. He has asked the judge to bar prosecutors from doing so. Instead of using his alias, the prosecutors would be asked to refer to him by his legal name. The terms "accused" and "defendant" would also welcome according to the legal documents that were filed. The defendant insists that the use of his stage name would only be leveraged against him by attaching "derogatory and satirically unflattering labels" to his character. Tekashi's current trial involves his alleged assaulting of a 16-year-old at the Galleria Mall earlier this year. The victim claims the celebrity chocked him in January. The teen is said to have been filming a video of the New York native with his cellphone before the defendant turned around and ordered him to delete it. Then, Tekashi grabbed him by the neck. The young artist's arraignment is set for Wednesday. T.I. was so outraged by a story he heard out of Florida that he decided to become a mediator in the situation. A 15 year-old teen had her lunch meal tossed in the garbage by a cafeteria worker after coming up 15 cents short at the register. T.I. voiced his outrage in response to a Tweet by Kristen Clarke, the President & Executive Director of The National Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, who broke the story to the masses. T.I.'s response accounted for his facial expression with downright foul-faced emojis. The Grand Hustle CEO firmly believes that situations like these dissuade young folks from pursuing post-secondary education, his words: "This is the kinda sh*t that deters kids from coming to school." T.I. then offered to pay the teenager's lunches for the remainder of the year, provided he was put in touch with the student or her family. The studen'ts mother Kimberly Aiken confirmed that her daughter spent the rest of day without any food in her system. Roger Edgcomb, a spokesperson for the school's in the area, affirmed his commitment to broker the issue with the school and the Aiken family. The National Lawyer's Committee headed by Kristen Clarke has already opened a GoFundMe account in the teen's honor. For about 15 years, the Houston sales company 7 Point Group sold electricity door-to-door, at grocery stores and during special events on behalf of NRG, the largest electricity seller in Texas, with brands such as Reliant Energy, Green Mountain Energy and Pennywise Power. Business was so good that this spring NRG and 7 Point executives sat down over a steak dinner to talk about growth strategies, recalled 7 Points president, Marco A. Romero III. But just a couple of weeks later, the long relationship came to a crashing end with a late night phone call from NRG telling Romero that he and his company were fired. It made no sense, said Romero, who estimates his 300 or so agents were responsible about 70 percent of NRGs outside sales. Now, the one-time business partners are in the middle of a nasty breakup, fighting in court over non-compete agreements and whether 7 Point used confidential NRG information to sell electricity for rival companies. For the moment, 7 Point has essentially shut down after a state district court in Harris County ordered the company to temporarily stop selling electricity in Harris County and most places in Texas. The 7 Point Group has appealed that ruling. The legal dispute, now before the states Fourteenth Court of Appeals, will likely drag on for months, but it opens another window on Texas deregulated power markets and the fierce competition among electricity retailers to sign up customers. As with other mature markets, such as credit cards and cell phones, the way to grow is to poach customers from competitors, prompting aggressive tactics to lure those customers away. In Texas, most of the selling of electricity plans is done by marketing companies hired by power providers. The marketing firms use armies of sales agents to pitch plans at grocery stores, sporting events or door-to-door. Good sales people can make six-figure incomes, industry officials say. NRG paid 7 Point as much as $325 in commissions for each new customer, according to court records. The 7 Point Group has several contracts with NRG, including one signed four years ago to sell electricity plans door-to-door in Texas and others to pitch NRG plans at retail stores and community events, according to court documents. The contracts included non-compete clauses, meaning that neither 7 Point or its representatives who work as independent contractors could sell electricity on behalf of an NRG competitor for at least six months after the contract was terminated They troubles began, according to NRG, when it discovered its business partner had opened an office in McAllen to sell power for rival companies Amigo Energy and Just Energy in meat markets and other stores in Houston, Dallas and the Rio Grande Valley. The 7 Point Groups McAllen office operated under the name. E.P. Distributors, which NRG described as a sham operation in court papers, designed to hide 7 Points involvement. This vendor was circumventing our business rules and the terms of our contract, said NRG spokeswoman Pat Hammond. In April, NRG fired 7 Point and sued the company in state district court in Harris County, alleging its former business partner breached its contract. NRG also accused 7 Point of saddling the electricity retailer millions of dollars in bad debt when the sales team found a loophole in the Green Mountain enrollment process that allowed sales representatives to bypass a credit check, which could enable sales reps to sign up more customers and boost commissions, but leave Green Mountain with customers who didnt pay bills. Executives of the 7 Point Group scoff at that suggestion. They say they were just following orders of NRG executives, whose compensation is tied to meeting sales goals, to sign up new customers as fast as possible after Hurricane Harvey, including those who might not typically qualify because of low credit scores They did it to hit their bonuses, Romero, 7 Points president, said in an interview. But now, he said, theyre throwing me under the bus to protect themselves. Romero also disputes the allegation his company took confidential information from NRG. He noted that his company was among the first to set up tents and talk with shoppers at grocery stores, instead of just hiring people to walk around with sandwich boards. The technique, which Romero said his company first employed on behalf of Green Mountain Energy in 2006, help sell as many as 1,500 plans a week. NRG bought Green Mountain in 2010 for $350 million in cash We were the ones teaching (NRG) all of these years, said Romero. Executives of 7 Point said in court documents they had little choice but to establish a new entity because NRG was trying to circumvent the sales agreement by hiring 7 Point sales representatives directly, instead of through their company. The 7 Point Group was constantly attacked and bullied by NRG, according to the companys appeal. Romero tried to convince NRG to drop its non-compete restrictions, according to court documents, and when he couldnt reach a deal and keep his business going Romero assigned an employee to create E.P. Distributors to tap into a sector of the retail energy services market that NRG typically avoids: selling power to customers who lack Social Security numbers or those with low credit scores. In May, state district judge Wesley Ward issued a temporary injunction against 7 Point which prevents the company from selling electricity on behalf of any provider in Harris County and most of Texas, and set the case for trial in October. The 7 Point Group appealed the injunction to the Fourteenth Court of Appeals, saying it was too broad because it prevents the company from selling electricity in counties in which it does not currently operate and in stores in which it never sold NRG electricity, according to court records. The non-compete also bars sales agents who never signed the agreement from working, 7 Point argued. The 7 Point Group closed its Houston office last week. Not only are legal fees mounting, Romero said, but other marketing companies are hiring away his carefully recruited sales team. Were basically losing everything, said Romero. lynn.sixel@chron.com twitter.com/lmsixel At a time when energy companies are positioning themselves for a lower-carbon world by investing heavily in natural gas, it would seem relatively easy to sell them on developing huge reserves of the cleaner burning fuel. Unless those reserves are in the territorial waters of Israel. Nearly a decade after natural gas was discovered off its coast, Israel is still struggling to enlist foreign firms to explore its vast deposits in the Mediterranean Sea, in part because oil and gas companies are wary of alienating Arab countries in which they have long done business. So far only one foreign company, Noble Energy of Houston, is operating there. And last year, when Israel launched its first-ever auction of offshore blocks, it attracted just two bidders a Greek company and a group from India. This history is what brought Shay Luvshis to Houston. Luvshis, 38, is Israels energy consul, sent here to recruit American and international oil and gas firms to explore Israeli waters in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. About year after opening an office here, the Energy Ministrys first outside of Israel, Luvshis says he and other officials have held advanced talks with Exxon Mobil, the French oil major Total and the Australian oil and gas company Woodside Petroleum, among others. Exxon and Total declined to comment. Woodside said it regularly reviews opportunities around the world. If everything had gone well (in the past) we wouldnt be here, said Luvhsis. Israel is the new kid on the block as an emerging energy region. Israel has long been the odd-man out, energy-wise, in the Middle East, home to some of the worlds biggest oil producers, and the subject of wisecracks about ending up in one of the few places in the region without oil. All that changed in 2009, when Noble Energy discovered natural gas in the Tamar field about 50 miles off the Israeli coast, in waters more than 5,000 feet deep. Noble followed that in 2010 with another discovery in the Leviathan field, about 30 miles southwest of Tamar. Israel and Luvshis are now searching for the next Noble or, more precisely, the next several Nobles, a search that runs headlong into geopolitics. One large oil company, which Luvshis declined to name, refused to take a meeting with him out of fear of damaging its relations with Arab countries, most of which dont recognize Israel. At a recent cocktail party in Houston, he said, the companys executives admitted as much to him. Middle East politics, however, have not been the only hurdle for Israels efforts to attract international energy companies. Israels regulatory framework for developing the gas fields is new and untested, as Nobles experience illustrated. Amid public uproar and litigation over who should benefit from Israels s natural resources, the Israeli government eventually forced Noble to reduce its ownership stake and banned the Houston producer from participating in bidding for more offshore blocks to promote competition. Noble earlier this year sold 7.5 percent of its holdings in the Tamar project, reducing its stake to 35 percent. It holds approximately 40 percent in the Leviathan development. Despite the controversies and shifting regulatory climate, Noble says it is happy working in Israel. But its roller coaster ride has added another level of unease about doing business in Israel among energy companies, analysts said. Israel has a pretty tough sell in the current environment, said Jim Krane, a Rice University fellow for energy studies in the Middle East. Its resolved now, but Noble was pretty unhappy. A lot of companies that might have been attracted to Israel were turned off by that. A Noble story Noble, founded more than 85 years ago as Samedan Oil Corp., acquired its first offshore block in the Gulf of Mexico in the late 1960s. As it grew over the years, it sought to extend its success to international waters and found willing partners in Israel, including its partner in the Tamar and Leviathan field, the Delek Group, one of Israels largest oil and gas companies. Noble made small natural gas discoveries in 1999 and 2000, but it took 10 more years of advances in seismic imaging technologies before Noble found the vast reserves of the Tamar and Leviathan beneath salt formations. Those finds combine for more than 30 trillion cubic feet of gas, enough to power Israel for decades. For Noble, the fields will equate to almost 20 percent of its global production after the $4 billion Leviathan project comes online at the end of 2019. Nobles Leviathan platform is under construction near Corpus Christi. Its really the emergence of a new deepwater basin, said Keith Elliott, Nobles senior vice president for the Eastern Mediterranean. But with the big discoveries came a lot of attention from politicians, regulators and the Israeli public. Suddenly, Israel was rich in energy, and for the first time, had to wrestle with how it would develop the resource and who would benefit from it. Noble had the backing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but other politicians and citizens criticized the terms of the governments contract with Noble as too generous, arguing that they essentially gave the Houston company a monopoly on the production of natural gas. Some called for the government to nationalize the oil and gas industry. Ultimately, Noble agreed to less generous terms, divested some of its holdings, and moved forward with its development of Leviathan. Noble can continue to expand within its existing offshore blocks in Israeli waters as well as explore other sections of the Mediterranean under the jurisdiction of other nations, such as Egypt. The region looks promising. In 2015, off the coast of Egypt, the Italian oil and gas company Eni found the Zohr field, which could prove more bountiful than Leviathan. Elliott said Noble has no hard feelings. Rules, regulations and business practices of the U.S. oil and gas industry have developed over more than 100 years, he noted, while Israel is just getting started. It can be kind of frustrating for us, Elliott acknowledged. But that they were able to get through that whole process in five years is pretty phenomenal. Looking forward Luvshis and his team also had a rocky start in Houston. Just two days after arriving, Hurricane Harvey made landfall, forcing their evacuation to Dallas and contributing to delays that kept them from getting their office in Greenway Plaza really running until the beginning of 2018. Since then, Luvshis, who worked eight years in Economy Ministry before becoming Israels first energy consul last year, has pushed ahead with efforts to convince oil and gas companies to invest in Israels nascent industry. Those efforts received a boost in June, when Israel and the U.S. Energy Department agreed to establish a joint Center of Excellence in Energy, Engineering and Water Technology, to develop, share and disseminate technologies in areas important to the energy industry, including fossil fuels, cybersecurity and energy storage and efficiency. This collaboration with the U.S. industry should be bolstered by a sturdy, certain regulatory regime put in place for the development of Israels energy resources, Luvshis said. Israeli officials believe another 75 trillion cubic feet of gas is waiting to be discovered in its territorial waters, as well as several billion barrels of crude oil. Israel plans to put another 20 or so offshore blocks up for auction in November. It has also sweetened the deal for foreign energy companies by allowing them to export more of the natural gas they produce in Israel. Earlier this year, for example, Delek and Noble signed a $15 billion deal to sell natural gas to Egypt. Noble also has its on eye of two liquefied natural gas processing plants in Egypt, which would allow Noble to export more of the natural gas produced in the region. In addition, Israel is developing the $7 billion Eastern Mediterranean gas pipeline, nicknamed East Med, that would run to Western Europe through Cyprus and Greece. Ultimately, it could reduce the European dependence on natural gas from Russia, a major concern given the Wests tense relations with the government of President Vladmir Putin. Its a very ambitious project, Luvshis said. A couple years ago when we talked about this project, people thought we were hallucinating because it sounds like a dream. For now, Luvshis faces the reality of selling the energy story of his home country. He sees it as a long-term prospect, but added that the time could be ripe for U.S. oil and gas companies to look overseas with commodity markets healthy again. After all, he said, there are more oil and gas fields than just the booming Permian Basin in West Texas. Prices are rising and companies are looking for other opportunities beyond the Permian and the unconventional shale, he said. Israel is very keen to promote the arrival of new oil and gas companies. We want competition. Collin Eaton contributed to this report. jordan.blum@chron.com LyondellBasell this week will complete two major milestones in an ambitious growth strategy to further transform a company that has already become one of the worlds largest petrochemical producers, just eight years after emerging from bankruptcy. The Houston company on Wednesday will begin construction on its priciest project to date, a $2.4 billion plant in Channelview that will produce propylene oxide and tertiary butyl alcohol chemicals used in either polyurethane foam or high-octane gasoline. The plant, slated for completion in 2021, would be the largest of its kind in the world. The groundbreaking follows LyondellBasells acquisition on Tuesday of Ohio plastics maker A. Schulman, a $2.25 billion deal that will double the size of its plastics compounding business, which blends melted plastics with additives to achieve certain properties. The acquisition, announced earlier this year, will expand the companys capacity to produce plastic compounds for use in consumer and industrial products, including automobiles, packaging, electronics and construction materials. The announcements mark a turning point for LyondellBasell, formed in 2007 by the merger of Lyondell Chemical of Houston and Basell of the Netherlands in a debt-laden deal that resulted in bankruptcy. After emerging in 2010, the restructured company implemented a plan to reduce operating costs and expand existing facilities when most of its competitors were building new plants to capitalize on cheap natural gas from West Texas and elsewhere. It wasn't until 2015, when Bob Patel became chief executive, that the company shifted its strategy to include building new plants and growing through acquisitions. The challenge, he said, was reorienting a corporate culture that for years had been more focused on fixing its operations than growing. When you think about growth, it has to be both top down and bottom up, he said. It was the natural next step in the evolution of our company. LyondellBasell then staffed up to regain the know-how to carry out that strategy. The company undertook a series of small acquisitions and began construction last year on a $725 million plant to produce polyethylene, the worlds most common plastic, at its La Porte complex. Now, that growth plan has kicked off in earnest. Jim Sheehan, a chemicals analyst with the Atlanta investment bank SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, said the focus on new investments and long-term growth is significant for a company that for years has returned much of its cash to shareholders through buybacks and dividends. Its been a big change in strategic priorities for the company, he said. People trust the management to pursue a more aggressive strategy. The Channelview plant is expected to supply both the U.S. and foreign markets with materials for products such as seat cushions, mattresses and insulation. It will also produce emissions-reducing gasoline additives, most of which will be destined for Mexico, Latin America and Asia. The project is one of several planned for the Gulf Coast in the coming years. Patel said the company plans to decide on whether to build a new plant to produce polypropylene, a common plastic, during the first half of next year. And once its polyethylene plant in La Porte starts up, likely next year, he said the company will consider building a second one. Id like to be in a position for us to build another one very quickly, he said. The A. Schulman deal is relatively small for LyondellBasell, which which reported $34.5 billion in revenue last year, but its the companys first major acquisition since the 2007 merger. The companys existing compounding segment uses polypropylene to create products such as lighter-weight bumpers and door panels for automotive manufacturing, a business Patel called quite successful, but very narrow. With the acquisition, that segment will grow to include polyethylene compounding to expand its product offerings. The acquisition could prelude a much bigger deal that would give LyondellBasell a substantial footprint in Latin America. The company said earlier this year that it's engaged in exclusive talks to acquire Brazilian petrochemical giant Braskem, which is co-owned by Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht and Petrobras, Brazil's state-controlled oil producer. LyondellBasell is negotiating with Odrebecht regarding a potential merger, which would a make the Houston company the world's largest producer of two common plastics. Petrobras has said it would consider a purchase offer should the negotiations conclude successfully. Patel declined to comment on the status of negotiations, but said the deal has the potential to make both LyondellBasell and Braskem stronger and more competitive. Already, he added, Braskem deploys a significant amount of LyondellBasell's process technology in most of its polypropylene plants in Latin America, where demand for plastics and other petrochemical products is projected to grow significanly in coming decades. We know them quite well, Patel said. I think it's a unique opportunity for a company like ours to gain a meaningful position in Latin America in a growing market. katherine.blunt@chron.com twitter.com/katherineblunt The latest U.S. assessment of how much money OPEC rakes in from oil exports confirmed one thing: Cutting supplies worked. In its annual OPEC Revenues Fact Sheet, released Tuesday, the Energy Information Administration estimates OPECs export revenue was $567 billion in 2017, up 26 percent in real terms. Thats despite the groups average crude oil production dropping slightly compared with 2016. Such is the magic of higher prices and collective supply restrictions. Yet the numbers also show just how big a hole OPEC now finds itself in. Because 26 percent growth is great, obviously, but just how great depends on where youre starting from: The scale of OPECs challenge becomes even clearer when you factor in population growth. PREVIOUSLY: OPEC lifted crude production in July The EIAs projection of just over $1,400 of revenue for each person in the OPEC countries this year is similar to what it was in 2004 (just over $1,250 in real terms). Back then, though, Brent crude oil averaged about $50 a barrel in real terms against a projection of almost $72 this year. Of course, having to share the spoils between an extra 140 million people an increase of 38 percent will tend to do that to the math. Whats more, the equation only gets harder: The World Bank projects OPECs population to rise by another 129 million by 2030. Beneath the headline numbers there are vast disparities. Nigerias per-capita oil-export income last year was just $179 and change, the lowest in the group and a mere 1.5 percent of Qatars, which led with almost $12,000 per person. Whats more, in absolute terms, Nigeria accounts for more than half the expected increase in OPECs population by 2030. Lets not forget Venezuela, where revenue per capita has slumped over the past several years on a combination of lower prices and lower production, with the latter making an outsize contribution to the supply cuts that have helped the wider group. The ratio of revenue for those living in OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia versus those unfortunate enough to be in Venezuela tells that story. And given current production trends, that ratio will almost certainly tick higher this year. RELATED: US sanctions on Iran up the ante in Mideast oil price war If youre wondering why the likes of Saudi Arabia are attempting to shift their economies away from being overly dependent on oil revenue and quickly these charts go a long way to explaining it. Saudi Arabias per-capita income from oil exports last year of almost $5,100 was less than half the level of five years before. And while it is bound to be higher this year on a combination of rising production and prices, a return to the heady levels of $10,000-plus per man, woman and child is unlikely absent a price-spike. There are, as usual, plenty of potential spike scenarios out there, encompassing everything from Iranian conflict to the effects of tighter regulations on marine fuel, but even todays prices are having an impact on demand. Dont forget, also, that higher prices encourage higher oil production in North America and other non-OPEC regions. In a report also published on Tuesday, Bassam Fattouh and Andreas Economou of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies examined the balancing act Saudi Arabia is striving to maintain this year. They conclude that OPECs de facto leader is trying to manage the oil market for now within a band of $70 to $80 a barrel as it tries to earn enough income without hurting demand (and also keeping on the right side of the White House ahead of midterms). That is an extraordinarily narrow channel to navigate in the face of so many buffeting forces. The latter include chronic challenges presented by competing energy technologies, non-OPEC supply and efforts to fight climate change. RELATED: Why Trump shouldn't leverage the government's emergency oil supply to bolster the GOP But these are compounded by another big one: OPECs own weaknesses. Countries like Saudi Arabia are attempting to manage transitions in both the energy market and their own societies, and all on reduced income from oil exports supporting expanding populations. Future price spikes may offer windfalls but would also do structural damage to oil demand. The apparent win of the past year should be set in the context of this broader fragility. Liam Denning is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy, mining and commodities. He previously was editor of the Wall Street Journal's Heard on the Street column and wrote for the Financial Times' Lex column. He was also an investment banker. 2018 Bloomberg L.P. After months of speculation about what would replace the failed Peska restaurant at BLVD Place in Uptown comes word that one of Houston's most iconic restaurant brands will take the space. Welcome the first new outpost of the Original Ninfa's on Navigation. Legacy Restaurants announced Tuesday afternoon it has signed a lease to go into 1700 Post Oak in the space formerly occupied by Peska Seafood Culture, the grand and costly restaurant that opened in June 2015 and closed in November 2017 after several attempts to revive and rebrand the business. The space will now house The Original Ninfa's Uptown Houston, opening late spring 2019. "We are pleased to announce that our BLVD Place story is becoming even more exciting." said James C. Mastandrea, Whitestone's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The successful addition of Ninfa's will be another great traffic driver to the property. The signing is another step in our process to transform BLVD Place into a true community-centered property. Coupled with the recent announcement of Rooftop Cinema Club opening in October, coupled with its five restaurants from which to choose, BLVD Place has become the 'must-go' destination in Uptown Houston." ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Peli Peli Kitchen broadens its reach inside new Whole Foods Market 365 Whitestone REIT is the company that acquired BLVD Place. For Legacy, which operates the Original Ninfa's on Navigation and Antone's Famous Po'Boys, Tuesday has been a day of change. Earlier it announced that it was creating a new concept, Mama Ninfa's Tacos y Tortas, and installing it first in Understory, the new culinary market in the tunnel system downtown with plans to open an additional three to four similar restaurants in the next one to two years in Houston. Now the news that the original Ninfa's the house that the late, legendary Mama Ninfa Laurenzo built is opening a new outpost. "We have been looking for a premier location for the first 'new' Original Ninfa's, and we have been focused on the Galleria/Uptown area for some time," said Legacy Restaurants CEO Jonathan Horowitz. "The size of this space and its location are just what we were searching for. As for the restaurant itself, we don't see the need to make any significant changes to The Original Ninfa's formula both the classic items and the exciting new additions chef (Alex) Padilla has made over the past 12 years are extremely popular with our guests. If it's not broken, we're not going to try to fix it." $120 COST: Is this Houstons most expensive sandwich? The former Peska space will offer seating for about 280 guests in the 6,300-square-foot restaurant with a generous patio. Horowitz said that the same menu at the Original Ninfa's will be available in the new location. That means the famous fajitas and tacos al carbon washed down by Ninfaritas. Austin-based architect and designer Michael Hsu, who is also designing the new Ninfa's Tacos y Tortas concept, will redesign the Peska space that will have a tortilla-making station like the original as well as expand the kitchen space to accommodate a wood-burning oven and grill. Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Follow him on the podcast BBQ State of Mind to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture. Now Playing: A few weeks back Chron.com celebrated Chicken Fried Steak Day, that most Texas of foodie holidays, by listing the best places to get the belly-busting dish in the Houston area. One of the most popular places on the list and among Facebook commenters was Houston institution Hickory Hollow, which has two locations - one off Washington Avenue (101 Heights) and another off of Fallbrook (8038 Fallbrook) - for your Texas comfort food needs. Video: Craig Hlavaty, Hickory Hollow Houston is full of old-school eateries still alive and slinging food to the masses. Although 31 years doesn't sound like a very long time, in Houston years that's ancient. There's Barbecue Inn on Houston's north side which has a chicken-fried steak that some locals say rivals that at Hickory Hollow. Open since 1946, its the interior and exteriors haven't changed much since opening all those years ago. Muslims across Houston are preparing to celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of their holiest days of the years. Many liken the festivities to Christmas, a time worshipers look forward to year-round, complete with joyous expectations and months of planning. Still, despite all the thrill, energy and commotion, many non-Muslims are unaware of the holiday. Thats something Imam Mohammad Khan hopes will change. The director of religious affairs for the Islamic Society of Greater Houston explained that Eid al-Adha pays homage to Abraham, a religious leader well-known beyond Islam. Abraham is the father of monotheism, Mohammad Khan said. We all share him in our history, the Jews, the Muslims and the Christians. Muslims call him Ibrahim and believe that he and his son built the Kaaba, a square shrine in Mecca. All Muslims, if they are able, visit the Kaaba on their pilgrimage or hajj to the holy city. Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the end of the month when the hajj takes place. Since Islam follows a lunar calendar, the date changes each year. This year, the celebration began Monday evening and ends Tuesday. Most Muslims are not able to go on the pilgrimage, said Imam Rizwan Khan of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Greater Houston. But we all participate in spirit. All Muslims celebrate the spirit of going on the hajj. He leads his congregation each year in a sermon about Ibrahim. Christians or Jews might be surprised by the similarities they see in the story and also the love for Ibrahim, he said. This can be definitely something that can unite people. Muslims, Jews and Christians mutually love Abraham. Rizwan Khan will tell the story of how Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son at Gods direction. Muslims believe Ishmael was the son involved in the ritual, while Isaac is in the Judeo-Christian tradition. When Ibraham carries out Gods commandment, he finds Ishmael replaced with a ram instead. Rizwan Khan said there are a number of angles to the story and lessons that can be gained in its retelling. The central lesson is of sacrifice, sincerity and the expression of love, he said. Its about his willingness to always sacrifice for the sake of God without reservation, without fear of his personal loss. In celebration of God replacing Ishmael with an animal, Muslims now sacrifice a goat or lamb in observance of the holiday. Masrur Javed M.J. Khan, president of the board of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, recalls celebrating Eid al-Adha as a child in Pakistan. The day of celebration was different, he said. My family used to buy the goat or lamb weeks in advance. The family would develop a bond with the animal they would later have to take to slaughter. Youre sacrificing something that you cherish, something you love, M.J. Khan said. Our elders would educate us that this is what sacrifice is all about. Sacrifice is giving up something you cherish. He said Muslims have three days to sacrifice an animal. They are only allowed to keep a third of the meat for themselves. Another third must go to poor families, and the remainder is given to friends or family. M.J. Khan said that nowadays, in the U.S., Muslim families do not keep the animals at home. They will either arrange an order to pick up at a slaughterhouse or send money overseas to give all of the meat directly to those in need. M.J. Khan added that charity is an essential part of Islam. How you take care of the destitute and the poor is what life is all about, he said. Dr. Amir Malik of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community also grew up in Pakistan. When he came to the U.S., he found a farm where he could take his children to learn about sacrifice. I needed them to gain an understanding of why we do this, he said. We learn to sacrifice our ego and become more spiritual and more connected with God. Sacrifice should not be taken lightly. These days, he sends money back home to a village in Pakistan so they can do the slaughter there. Its still hard to get meat in impoverished areas in Pakistan, he said. Malik looks forward each year to joining with the Muslim community for Eid al-Adha. Everyone dresses up and we all go to the mosque, he said. Then we get together for a meal. We go visit family and friends. The day is spent exchanging gifts. Imam Mohammad Khan said another tradition is retained from early celebrations of the Eid al-Adha. When people went on hajj in antiquity, they would go without the intention of returning, Mohammad Khan said. It was such an arduous task. It was a journey that could last half a decade. People didnt know if you would return. People would write their wills before leaving, as well as ask for forgiveness for any transgressions. Any type of mistreatment, we do our best to rectify, Mohammad Khan said. Any outstanding debts, you do your best to satisfy. This is a celebration of sacrifice, a celebration of monotheism and a celebration of giving back to the community and rectifying the hearts of the community. He believes the Jewish community can relate the experience to the celebration of Yom Kippur. We have a shared holiday, he said. Hajj is a time of atonement. You are forgiven the sins of the past. Its very similar to the Jewish tradition. In addition, M.J. Khan said Eid al-Adha is meant to be a time when an entire community comes together to pray and to get to know each other better. This is engrained in Islam, he said. When people dont know each other, it creates unnecessary barriers. We need to bring those barriers down. Imam Rizwan Khan agreed that increasing understanding is key. About 99 percent of Islam is not understood because of negative perceptions, he said. Holidays celebrated by Muslims are very similar. Every holiday is really a celebration and expression of gratitude, of friends and family getting together and sharing. We all have the need to love one another and find our connection with one another. He is convinced that non-Muslims would recognize the second half of the holiday as the same as their own, one spent eating a large meal, gathering with loved ones and exchanging gifts. Its just a celebration of peace and happiness, he said. Rizwan Khan said the doors of his mosque are open to anyone who would like to attend the prayer service in the morning of Eid al-Adha. Everything we do in the mosque is open, he said. We never have closed doors. Come and observe with us, or people can even observe their own prayer in their Jewish, Christian or Hindu perspective. M.J. Khan also invites Houstonians to experience Eid al-Adha firsthand. Each mosque will be holding the prayer, he said. People should come and see. Many mosques will distribute the meat. Come and share. Imam Mohammad Khan hopes that by observing the holiday together, greater understanding will result. We Muslims are here to stand up for love, he said. Were here to stand for solidarity with humanity and our neighbors. Lindsay Peyton is a writer in Houston. After several days, the flooding was still raging. Each morning, the rescue crews tuned into the engineers describing which areas the reservoirs would flood next. Unbeknownst to us, the data the engineers were relying on were decades old. When they would announce that a neighborhood would see two feet of water over eight hours, it turned into five feet of water in two hours. The texts and calls for rescue were coming in faster from civilian dispatchers than we could handle, and we relied on text threads of addresses, needs and a phone number. Then I opened a Google map and my heart sank. "Pick a blue dot and report your progress," said Scott, who was with one of the Harvey dispatch teams. The entire map of Houston was blue. I zoomed and zoomed until I saw actual locations. There were thousands, and all of them were listed as "Life Threatening." FIFTY-ONE INCHES: Five Houstonians brave America's worst storm I picked one to the west of Loop 610 and called. A terrified man answered. "My phone is low, and we are trapped in the attic," he shouted. "The water is rising, and we have no way out." I tried to calm him and his wife. "I'm on my way right now and should be there within the hour," I explained. "I'm the closest one." I said, "You will be OK. I just need to confirm your address." "No, no, no," he blurted in panic. "That's the address, but we are in Port Arthur." My throat tightened, and I couldn't speak. At the time, Port Arthur was only accessible by helicopter, plane or military boat. I could not possibly get there. My voice cracked as I told him to remain calm. I'd relay the information immediately, I said. He said they could hear boats, but the boats couldn't hear them. I told him to stay in touch by text to save his battery, and I wept as I drove to my next rescue. I got updates from him for an hour until there was nothing. I continued to call for weeks and only got his voicemail. I told myself that they were OK and got out, and I remained hopeful. At this point, I had become a lead dispatcher for Zello, a communication app. I was leading rescue groups into some of the hardest-hit areas in and around Houston and had seen more than we were ready for. We were not first responders. We were just regular people with day jobs. I ran an arts nonprofit, and Matthew, my boat co-captain, was a musician. Days in, we hadn't slept and were barely eating. Each night, we were instructed to leave. But people were still out there who needed help, and it broke me every sunset. The Memorial neighborhood experienced major devastation. From a collapsed wall of Beltway 8 and combined with the bayou, the area was a roaring river of up to 12-foot deep water. Request came in for missing persons, immediate rescues and body recovery. The loss of life in the area was extreme. One morning, a call came in about a complex where dozens were trapped, and power and water were to be shut off later that day. Looting had been escalating, and we overheard an official on the water say that there was a possible killing the day before, making operations even more treacherous. But first we had to deal with another complex. With currents too strong for our small boats, we needed to axe our way through a wooden fence to approach it from the side. Dozens of families needed rescued. Within the hour, the waters had risen to our chests, and walking became difficult. We had to be quick to get to the other complex. Boating window to window, we gave out instructions. Families were collected one at a time and delivered to high-water military vehicles. The power was still on in the buildings, which made it incredibly dangerous for everyone. The risk of electrocution was real. Strangely, the water was rising, but the sun was shining bright. This made it impossible to convince those who were not willing to leave that the area needed to be evacuated. Now. DEVELOPING STORM: Nature ruled, man reacted. Hurricane Harvey was Houston's reckoning But staying was not an option, with the power being shut off soon and the possibility of heavily armed looters. I climbed up a ladder to talk to an elderly woman. She was upset and shaking her head. She didn't speak English, but I stayed on the ladder to try to convince her to come with us. Eventually, I was able to get a translator who could speak Korean. The translator told me that the woman said she was terrified and wanted to try to wait it out, since she had power. Expressing the dangers didn't seem to matter. By now, the military and fire department were boating through the area demanding that we volunteers leave. It had been over an hour that I stood on that ladder, though, and I was not going without her. Any more losses were too much, and I would not allow it. Only my team remained, begging me to come with them. The woman had retreated from the window and would not return, and I was not allowed to enter for safety reasons. I demanded that my team leave without me, but they wouldn't. I climbed back into the boat. Matthew explained that we did all we could. For the following week, I tried to find the woman. One day that I had no boat I walked the mile to her in strong currents, only to have to be pulled out by another rescue group. Eventually, a group of Marines took me there. No one answered the door. The balcony door she had been at was broken, and there was blood on the glass. The Marines insisted I come back down to the boat, explaining that I couldn't enter and that, more than likely, she had been rescued. We were needed elsewhere, besides. I have since journeyed back to that complex five times now and haven't found her. Fear prevented me from researching any further, and I choose to believe that she made it out OK, and so did I. It was more than I could process. I said to myself, I have failed her, and now she is gone. On the day we last saw her, we rescued close to a hundred people from that block. The teams and I must understand that fact. Editor's note: This is the second installment of a three-part Hurricane Harvey rescue diary. Read the first installment. Paul Middendorf is a curator and executive director of galleryHOMELAND. During Hurricane Harvey, he did rescue and recovery for weeks and founded Houston Rescue Clinic with Maggie Dillard Judge. Get the Gray Matters newsletter. It does all it can. After watching nonstop coverage of the hurricane and the incredible rescues that were taking place, I got in bed at 10:30 on Tuesday night. I had been glued to the TV for days. Every time I would change the channel in an attempt to get my mind on something else for a few minutes, I was drawn right back in. I finally turned off the TV and picked up my phone to do a quick check of email and Facebook. I read an article about the Cajun Navy and the thousands of selfless volunteers who have shown up to this city en masse. The article explained they were using a walkie-talkie-type app called Zello to communicate with each other, locate victims, get directions, etc. I downloaded the app, found the Cajun Navy channel and started listening. I was completely enthralled. Voice after voice after voice coming though my phone in the dark, some asking for help, some saying they were on their way. Most of the transmissions I was hearing when I first tuned in were from Houston, but within 30 minutes or so, calls started coming in from Port Arthur and Orange. Harvey had moved east from Houston and was pummeling East Texas. ZELLO: Hurricane Irma just made a digital walkie-talkie the No. 1 app online Dale Dye/Courtesy Holly Hartman Call after call from citizens saying they were trapped in their houses and needed boat rescue. None of the volunteer rescuers had made it to that area from Houston, but as soon as the calls started coming in, they were moving out, driving as fast as they could into the middle of Harvey. As I was listening, I quickly figured out that there were a few moderators on the app that were in charge and very experienced in using this method of communication during emergencies. One in particular, Brittney, was giving directions, taking rescue requests, and prioritizing calls and rescues. At one point, she said something that made me realize she's a nurse, so I immediately understood why she was so effective in this situation. A couple of other women (who were working from other parts of the country, not Houston) who had been taking calls from victims and logging in the information came on the line around 12:30 and said they had to sign off so they could get to bed. They asked if there was anyone who could work through the night to keep taking rescue requests and log them. I sat up and turned on my light. I timidly pushed the "talk" button and said, "I can." READ ALSO: How to get around Houston's horrible traffic jams after Harvey Barbara Pace Mumphrey I GOT a two-minute "training" session and a "good luck!" One of the key suggestions of the training session was that when I received a rescue request, I needed to try to call the person making the request if possible to get more details and to ensure that it was a legitimate request. Unfortunately, there had been reports of people calling in fake rescue requests and then robbing the volunteers when they arrived. Despicable. After I received each request and had called the person making the request, I was to log their information on a designated website, let the requester know the ID number they'd been assigned and move on to the next call. EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN/NYT Within minutes, I was on the phone with Karen. Karen was in a house in Port Arthur, sitting on her kitchen cabinet with seven other adults, two teenagers and a newborn. The water was almost to the counter tops. I assured here we would get someone to her as soon as we could and told her to stay safe. READ ALSO: Flooding causes sinkhole on Beltway 8 frontage road It was 1:15 a.m.. By this time, Cajun Navy rescuers had begun arriving in Port Arthur. They were begging to be let in the water, but the Coast Guard understandably wouldn't grant them permission because the storm was just too strong. It was gut-wrenching to hear so many calls coming in and having to tell them there was nothing we could do until the storm calmed down a little. The local authorities were doing the best they could, but they were far outnumbered and also unable to get to everyone in the treacherous conditions. I took several more calls and quickly realized there was no way I could call to verify every request. They were coming in faster than I could type them into the website data bank. I would listen to the request, write down their info and start typing it in. In the time I could enter one request, three more would come in. I was originally just sitting up in bed with my laptop on my lap, phone in hand and a notepad on my nightstand. Pretty quickly, I moved to my dining room table, plugged in my computer and phone and poured a huge glass of iced tea. I started out taking notes nice and neat on printer paper. That quickly turned into chaotic scribbles. I was having trouble reading my own handwriting at times. I got a request from Chad. I had enough time to call him. Trapped in their house, he and his wife had water up to their chests. He told me they were about to go to their attic. I begged him not to do that and told him he had to go to his roof instead. He said there was no way for them to do that. I told him he didn't have a choice. I asked him to keep calling 911, over and over. When we hung up, I texted him other numbers to try the Coast Guard, the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management, the Air Force. It was 2:20 a.m.. I spoke to another woman whose name I can't even remember. I didn't call her directly but we had a few exchanges through the app. She told me she and her kids were sitting on their kitchen counter and needed rescuing, but she was scared to get off the counter when boats arrived because there were snakes in the water in their house. I took request after request after request. Name...phone number...address...number of adults...number of children...number of elderly...medical conditions. I would then type this information in as fast I could so the dispatchers could send the rescuers out. After submitting the information, I received an ID number that I was supposed to relay to the person requesting the rescue. We asked them to remember the number so they could give it to their rescuers when they were finally picked up. We could then mark them safe in the system, avoiding the dilemma of rescuers looking for people who had already been saved by someone else. It was around this time that I heard one of the dispatchers who goes by Goose ping in to our channel to let us know that the Cajun Navy still had no boats on the water. Conditions were still too dangerous. I had mistakenly assumed we had boats in the water by then. No wonder we had so many people desperately begging for rescue. No one was coming for them. All night long I had been telling them to "hang on, we'll be there soon." I didn't know I had been lying to them. EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN/NYT AROUND 3 a.m., I got a request from a teenage boy in Orange who was screaming so hysterically I couldn't even understand him. I got his phone number and told him I'd call him directly. The second he answered, he was screaming that his brother and cousin were laying in the backyard, unresponsive, possibly electrocuted. I'm sad to say that I don't even remember this boy's name. I know I asked, but in the conversation that ensued, I forgot it. He told me that his brother and cousin had been near a shed in the backyard for over an hour, but they couldn't get to them because of the rising water and the storm. I told him they needed to try to get to them and that I was getting help to them as soon as I could. I think he thought I was an official 911 dispatcher, as he kept asking me why the police weren't there. He said he'd called 911 "at least 100 times" and they never answered. He then told me he and another cousin were going to go outside to check on the young men in the yard. I told him I'd wait. He put the phone down. I listened. And waited. I could hear panicked conversation and rain and sloshing water. After a very long seven or eight minutes, I suddenly heard the most blood-curdling, gut-wrenching screaming I've ever heard. I heard a little girl screaming at the top of her lungs. I heard a boy's voice screaming "no, no, no, noooooo" over and over. I felt nauseated. And completely helpless. I started screaming into the phone..."Hello! Hello!" He picked up the phone. "Miss, I think my brother is dead! He's not breathing! Should we do CPR? What do we do?" "Do you know CPR? Yes, try CPR!" "What do I do?" he screamed. Before I could answer, he dropped the phone again. More chaos. More screaming. Guttural. Desperate. He came back to the phone. "He's not moving! I don't know what to do! I have to go get my cousin!" I asked him to put his mom on the phone. A woman's voice. Much calmer than I expected. "Hello?" "Hello, I'm Holly. I'm trying to get some help to you. Tell me what's going on. What's your name?" "Margaret. My boy is gone! His lips are purple. He's gone." I desperately searched for words. Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle "Margaret, I'm so very sorry. Where is your nephew?" "He's in the yard. They're trying to get him now." "Who else is with you?" Margaret told me she was with her other kids four or five people total, if I remember correctly and that they were up to their waists in water. "My boy is on the table." Her voice cracked. "They're out there trying to get my nephew now. Please get someone here, please," she begged. I assured her we would. But I knew there were still no boats in the water. I hung up and called the Coast Guard number we'd been given. They answered immediately, but the person I was talking to was actually in Houston. I quickly explained who I was and what I had just experienced and gave them Margaret's address. He assured me he would let the Coast Guard in Orange know about the family. I hung up and called the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management. Shockingly, he answered on the second ring. "Address!" he barked. "Hi, my name is Holly Har-" "I know why you're calling! Where are you?" "I don't need help. I'm working with the Cajun Navy dispatchers and need someone to get to a family I just spoke with." I explained the situation and gave them the address "Jesus Christ," he sighed. He sounded completely defeated. "I know you're doing the best you can. Just please get to this family." "We will. We're going to have a lot of deaths here tonight." I got up from my table to take a break and try to process what had just happened. I had just interjected myself into a family's most horrible moment. As quickly as I had crossed paths with them, they were gone. A 15-minute interaction that will stay with me for a lifetime. I went to the bathroom, refilled my tea, walked around a bit, thinking to myself, "What are you doing?? You're not qualified to do this!" Then I sat back down and went back to it. Karen Warren/Staff Photographer AROUND 4:30, I got a request from a young woman in Beaumont who was trying to get her 87-year-old grandfather, Chester, rescued in Port Arthur. He lived alone and had water to his shins. I couldn't hear her well through the app, so I called her directly. She told me her grandfather couldn't get through to 911 and she was really scared for him. I assured her someone would get to him and that he would be okay. There were still no Cajun Navy boats in the water. At some point, I'd heard another volunteer mention that a woman who lived on Sassine Street and her three kids had retreated to their attic to escape rising waters. I pinged in and told the volunteer that she had to call the woman back and tell her to get out of the attic and go to her roof. The volunteer came back on the line and said that she'd talked to the woman, but she refused to move because her kids couldn't swim. I asked if she had anything they could use to break through the attic roof. No. We got word around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday seven hours after the first calls stared coming in from Port Arthur that the Cajun Navy had finally been let in the water. Reports of rescues started coming in. I was finally able to mark one of my cases "safe." I kept taking calls all day Wednesday. Throughout the night and into Wednesday, I was texting with Chad and Shaundra, the young woman calling for her grandfather. Chad told me the water was almost to their necks and they still hadn't gone to the roof. Shaundra texted me repeatedly, asking why no one had gotten to her grandfather. The water had risen to his chest. I promised her someone would get there. The rescues and the "safe" status reports were increasing by the hour. I turned on the TV at some point and started seeing scenes of the same people and situations I was listening to on the app. Around 10:00, I heard one of the rescuers who uses the handle Cowboy ask about "the woman in the attic on Sassine Street." I immediately pinged in, and Cowboy asked me to call him. He wanted the address again and wanted to know when we had last heard from the lady in the attic. I told him I had no idea because the volunteer who originally took that call had signed off. Cowboy said he was a few minutes away from Sassine St. and didn't know if he should request another boat with "breaching equipment" or a helicopter. I suggested helicopter, hoping the family had somehow made it to the roof. The calls for rescue were slowing down but continued to come in at a steady pace. Every 20 to 30 minutes, I'd remind the rescuers that Chester, Shaundra's grandfather, still needed a rescue from 19th Street. And I kept telling Shaundra that they would get there. EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN/NYT She finally said she was just going to get in the car and drive from Beaumont to Port Arthur to get him herself. I told her to be careful and let me know she made it. 20 minutes later she texted me to say that they'd been stopped by flood waters and couldn't get there. She told she was afraid he was going to die. Around 11:30, I realized I hadn't heard Cowboy on the line with a report about Sassine Street. I asked on the app if we had had any update. My phone rang. It was Cowboy. "We got to Sassine. It's confirmed." "Confirmed?" I frantically asked. "Confirmed what? What does that mean? Does that mean they're dead?" "Yes. Water past the roof. They never left the attic. We sent divers in." I thanked him for letting me know and off he went to the next rescue. Used by permission. AT 3:02 p.m., I got a text from Shaundra that said "[Mam], I thank you so much. He is on his way to the bowling alley." A few minutes later: "Thank you [mam]. He was on a boat at first now he is on a truck." I let out a huge sigh of relief. I think I may have actually said "Thank you, God" out loud. I texted Chad at 5:30 p.m. to see if he was safe. I didn't hear back from him until 7:30 Thursday morning: "We are safe now." I pinged Goose to ask him if he knew if Margaret, the mother who lost her son and her nephew, and her other kids had been rescued. He said they had. I have texted Margaret to ask her how she was doing. I still haven't heard from her. I've been scanning reports from Orange to see if her family has been mentioned. I need to know the names of the two boys who died. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, I closed my laptop. I'd been awake 34 hours and wasn't even tired. I was emotionally drained, but there was no way I could've slept right then. I thought back on the last day and half and couldn't believe what I had just heard and experienced. Even as I type this, it seems surreal. I don't know how police officers and firefighters and 911 dispatchers and EMTs do this every day. What I do know: I am grateful beyond measure that they do it. And thank God for the Cajun Navy. How many more people would be dead today if not for our first responders and the thousands of volunteers here? What if a flood of this magnitude had happened 20 years ago, before cell phones and social media? The deaths would be in the hundreds. I saw a meme on Facebook today that said, "Someone needs to erect a statue honoring the regular dude with a bass boat." It was meant to be funny, but it's actually spot-on. On Thursday, I got another text from Shaundra. It was a picture of her and her grandfather. I sent a selfie back to her and told her I was going to find a way to meet them in person someday. I really hope I get to do that. Used by permission Holly Hartman has been a teacher for 22 years. She currently teaches journalism and is the yearbook and newspaper adviser at Memorial High School in Spring Branch ISD. This story originally appeared as a post on her Facebook page. Bookmark Gray Matters. Then pour yourself a huge glass of iced tea. WASHINGTON In two courtrooms 200 miles apart on Tuesday, President Donald Trumps almost daily attempts to dismiss the criminal investigations that have engulfed his White House all but collapsed. Trump has long mocked the investigations as rigged witch hunts, pursued by Democrats and abetted by a dishonest news media. But even the presidents staunchest defenders acknowledged privately that the legal setbacks he suffered within minutes of each other could open fissures among Republicans on Capitol Hill and expose Trump to the possibility of impeachment. In Manhattan, Michael Cohen, the presidents former lawyer, admitted in court that Trump directed him to break campaign finance laws by paying off two women who said they had sexual relationships with Trump. And in Alexandria, Virginia, a jury found Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, guilty of eight counts of tax and bank fraud the most significant victory yet for the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III. A president who has labored under the cloud of investigations from almost the moment he took office, Trump now faces an increasingly grim legal and political landscape. Mueller is methodically investigating whether Trump and members of his campaign conspired with a foreign power to win the election and whether the president tried to obstruct the investigation from the White House. And the president is months away from congressional elections that could hobble the second half of his presidency. Democrats seized on the judgments against Manafort and Cohen they both face years in prison to argue that Trump was suffused by a culture of graft and corruption, an argument that could prove powerful for an already galvanized party in the midterm contests. Inside the West Wing, aides to Trump numbed and desensitized by breathless news cycles blaring headlines about the presidents behavior said privately Tuesday afternoon that they were having trouble assessing how devastating the days legal events might be. Trumps advisers spent hours working on a statement that was attributed to his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, but privately several said they could not come up with something to explain away Cohens admissions beyond calling him a liar. As he landed in Charleston, West Virginia, for a rally with supporters Tuesday night, a grim-faced Trump sidestepped questions about Cohen. He defended Manafort as a good man who had been ensnared in an investigation that ranged far beyond its original mandate. It had nothing to do with Russian collusion, Trump told reporters. We continue the witch hunt. Later, the president largely ignored the dramatic courtroom events during a raucous rally in which his fervent supporters cheered the presidents usual rants about trade, illegal immigration, Democratic obstruction and the news media. Where is the collusion? Find some collusion, he said before shifting topics to declare that illegal immigration is the beating heart of the coming elections. The effect of Manaforts conviction and Cohens guilty plea on the investigation itself was unpredictable, according to legal experts. But Democrats said it put the lie to Trumps argument that Mueller was engaged in a political investigation. It shows that Mueller and prosecutors in New York are conducting a professional investigation, following the facts where they lead, and obtaining serious felony convictions, said Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. They also dramatically increase the likelihood that both men cooperate with the government. Schiff said Cohens admission that he violated campaign finance laws in paying hush money to two women adds to the presidents legal jeopardy, though Trumps advisers played down the likelihood that a sitting president would be indicted for such violations. There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the governments charges against Mr. Cohen, said Giuliani, Trumps lawyer, in a statement. It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohens actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time. Cohen was blunt about the presidents culpability as he stood in court and admitted his guilt: In coordination with, and at the direction of, a candidate for federal office, Cohen said he conspired with a media company to keep secret Trumps affairs with Stephanie Clifford, a pornographic film actress known as Stormy Daniels. Mr. Cohen, when you took all of these acts that youve described, did you know that what you were doing was wrong and illegal? the judge asked. Cohen answered, Yes, your honor. The startling charge directed at the president carried echoes of President Richard M. Nixon, who was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the special prosecutors investigation of Watergate. And it raised the prospect that Trumps presidency could be at risk by impeachment in Congress even if the sprawling Russia investigation never definitively concludes that there was collusion or obstruction of justice. Cohen worked for decades as Trumps personal lawyer and fixer. He was privy to the innermost details of the presidents business dealings and personal life once saying he would take a bullet for him. While Muellers investigation grinds on reaching into the murky depths of Russian money laundering or Russias shadowy efforts to hack the 2016 election Cohens case throws a white-hot spotlight on the behavior of Trump and his closest confidants. It also makes it harder for Trump or his aides to distance themselves from Cohens wrongdoing. Though he also pleaded guilty to tax and bank fraud, related to his ownership of New York City taxi medallions, the heart of the case against Cohen is the payments to women he made on behalf and at the behest of his most celebrated client. With Cohens plea, five associates of the president have either pleaded guilty or been convicted of crimes since Trump took office. In addition to Cohen and Manafort, they include Michael Flynn, the presidents first national security adviser; Rick Gates, the former deputy campaign chairman, and George Papadopoulos, who advised the campaign on foreign policy issues. Trumps mood tracked a tumultuous day. In the morning, the president was chipper, monitoring Fox News and commenting to aides on the headlines he saw, according to people who spoke with him. But Trump was already snappish with aides in the West Wing before the Manafort verdict was announced and before Cohen pleaded guilty, according to people familiar with his conversations. By then, it had become clear that Cohen was likely to plead guilty to several crimes. Trumps churlish mood had not lightened by the time he boarded Air Force One for the rally in West Virginia, and learned the details of his plea. The presidents team quickly tried to paint Cohen as a liar, and noted that prosecutors had not targeted Trump. People close to Trump privately acknowledged that the declarations from Cohen, made under oath in open court, could have significant political ramifications. While impeachment discussions have always been treated as having a potential positive effect of turning out Republican voters, the statements Cohen made were stark and took it out of the realm of the theoretical. I think impeachment is now squarely going to define the midterms, said Rob Stutzman, a Republican strategist who has been critical of Trump. Its inescapable now that Democrats can legitimately raise that issue. He added, Theres a lot of Republican members of Congress sitting in tough districts that are going to have to really think hard about how theyre going to finesse this in the days ahead. What makes it harder for Republicans, he said, is that this did not emerge from the Mueller inquiry. This isnt something from the deep state, he said. This is a classic B team type of bumbling screw up of covering up mistresses. And, he added, Itll be very hard to distance the president. You would assume that theres legitimate evidence that the president was aware that those invoices were not for services rendered. You already have the one tape. Brian Walsh, a former spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said that it was too early to say whether this would damage the president, but he noted he is already suffering with suburban voters. I think the presidents most ardent supporters will continue to defend him with blinders on but to any neutral observer watching this, its impossible to believe that Cohen would engage in this conduct without his client signing off on it or at least being aware of it, he said. I think many will take a wait-and-see attitude, he added. What it does is serve as another tremendous distraction for Republicans running for re-election and already facing tough political headwinds. Every day that Republicans are being asked about legal questions surrounding the president is a day theyre not delivering the message they want to be delivering on the campaign trail. This article originally appeared in The New York Times A teacher at Cypress Springs High School was suffering from depression and had stopped taking her medication when she had sex and smoked marijuana with a 15-year-old student last year, her friends and family told a judge during a Tuesday sentencing hearing. Michelle Schiffer, 24, appeared in a Houston courtroom for a sentencing hearing facing the possibility of 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in May to one charge of improper relationship with a student. After hearing from the victims mother and Schiffers friends and family - who packed one side of the courtroom - state District Judge Robert Johnson postponed the hearing so he would have more time to consider the teachers sentence. Now Playing: Cypress Springs HS teacher charged for allegedly having sex with student Video: Fox 26 Houston It was an unusual step by Johnson, a first term judge who was elected in 2016. Harris County judges routinely announce their decisions at the conclusion of a sentencing hearing because they have had months to review the evidence and pre-sentence investigation files. On Tuesday, Schiffers defense team and family asked the judge to consider the fact that she will never teach again and sentence her to deferred adjudication probation, which means if she successfully completes it, she would not have a conviction on her record. She has a Scarlet letter thats going to last the rest of her life, defense attorney Grant Scheiner said. And that is part of the punishment. He noted that Schiffer remains engaged to a U.S. Marine who is on active duty out of the country and is planning on getting married in November. Prosecutor Keaton Forcht asked the judge to consider the full range of punishment, from probation all the way to 20 years in prison. AN INCREASE: Texas saw boom in teacher-student sex scandals in 2016 Today is about (the victim). Michelle Schiffer had sex with a child. Forcht told the judge, reminding him of evidence that Schiffer took photographs of her exposed breasts and sent the photos to other students along with her phone number. This isnt a heat of the moment thing. This is over a series of months with different students. During her testimony, the mother of the student Schiffer had sex with broke down in tears. I dont think any mother should have to go through this, she said sobbing. You trust those people. You put your trust in those people. She also wiped tears from her eyes as Schiffers friends and family defended the woman facing prison time and testified that she suffers from depression and was not taking her medication. Shes horrified about what she did to that poor young man. I think shes remorseful, said Schiffers mother, Mary Schiffer. She knows what she did was wrong. She made a series of bad choices to bring her to that place. Since then, she has really become consistent with (her therapy and medication.) She said her daughter is planning to marry her fiance, a U.S. Marine, in November. He is disappointed, of course, and upset by her actions, but he loves her and is standing by her, Mary Schiffer said. LOOKING FOR 'SAFEGUARDS': Judge urges area superintendents to step up efforts to end teacher-student sex Michelle Schiffer did not testify Tuesday and communicated her remorse in a two-page letter to the judge as part of the pre-sentence investigation. Brian Rogers covers Houston crime and courts. You can email him at brian.rogers@chron.com and follow him on Twitter at @brianjrogers. A campaign to generate support for Saturdays flood-protection bond election raised $1.2 million in less than three months, most of it from engineering or real estate interests, campaign finance reports show. The Fight Flooding Political Action Committee, organized at the end of May, had spent about $714,000 and had about $512,000 on hand as of Aug. 15, according to reports filed with the Harris County Clerks office. The organization has used television, radio, social media, direct mail and other tools to inform voters about the $2.5 billion bond package and urge support, said Auggie Campbell, the PACs treasurer. A Houston Chronicle review of campaign finance reports showed the Fight Flooding PAC raised at least $450,000 from people, organizations or companies connected to the real estate industry, including developers, home builders, agents and construction contractors. In addition, at least $250,000 came from engineering companies, their executives or groups representing them. The biggest single donor was the American Council of Engineering Companies, which made three gifts totaling $140,300. The second-largest gift was $100,000 from Nancy Kinder, a prominent Houston philanthropist. Rice University political science professor Mark Jones said $1.2 million was an impressive total for a bond election, particularly since the flood bond proposal enjoys widespread support and has not drawn any organized opposition. In a recent survey by the University of Houstons Hobby School of Public Affairs, 55 percent of respondents said they intended to vote for the bonds and just 10 percent said they would vote no, with the rest undecided. I think that if the politicians had evidence that it was a tighter election, they could have raised more money, Jones said. Almost half the respondents in thesurvey said they were extremely concerned or very concerned that much of the money from the bond issue would go to politically connected developers or construction firms rather than directly to flood-risk reduction projects. Campbell said voters are right to be concerned about the use of the bond proceeds: We need to watch where these dollars are spent and make sure theyre spent wisely, he said. Donors representing the engineering or real estate industries, Campbell said, were motivated by a desire to ensure that as many voters as possible understood what was at stake in the bond election. Jones, however, said many of those donors likely had other motivations. Engineers may have been licking their chops at potential design contracts for flood mitigation projects funded by the bond proceeds, Jones said. And donations from developers and other real estate interests, he said, likely reflect the expectation that more parcels of land could be developed profitably if flood risks were reduced. Theyre giving because they believe this bond proposal will improve the bottom lines of their business, Jones said. Harris County held a series of public meetings to get ideas about use of the funds, and those meetings led to some changes in the planned projects. Jim Blackburn, a Houston lawyer who often critical of local government on flood-related issues, has praised the transparency of the process. County Judge Ed Emmett, the chairman of the Fight Flooding organization, said the broader Houston business community not just the engineering and real estate sectors has a keen interest in flood mitigation. He noted that the Greater Houston Partnership, the regions primary business group, donated $25,000 to the Fight Flooding PAC. If youre going to raise money on the basis of keeping the economy strong and the community resilient, you go to the people who have the money and have an interest in the topic, Emmett said. The business community, he said, wants to make sure that Houston and Harris County continue to be seen as a place that you want to locate your business. Developers, builders and the local real estate industry want to dispel the perception that investment in Houston may be unwise because of flood risks, said Scott Davis, senior vice president of Meyers Research, a Houston real estate consultancy. Mitigation projects funded by the bonds will help ease these concerns, he said. The industry has really stepped forward to support this, and wanted to exhibit some leadership on addressing this infrastructure problem, Davis said. Moreover, he added, there are a lot of people in our industry who really do care about our city. Emmett said the public outreach funded by the PAC was necessary despite the evidence of strong support for the bond proposal. He recalled a 2013 bond election to fund a new criminal justice facility known as a joint processing center. Nobody opposed it, not a single word was uttered against it, and it passed countywide by 400 votes, Emmett said. That really got my attention. Even after months of news coverage and public meetings, Emmett said, he still gets emails from voters who say they intend to vote against the bonds because they do not know how the money will be used. You have to make a case, Emmett said. You have to be on paid media. mike.snyder@chron.com Twitter.com/chronsnyder This story published online Thursday, Dec. 7 and appeared in print Saturday, Dec. 9. Inside a squat, brick building at the base of Barker reservoir, Richard Long tossed and turned in his cot near midnight. Dread and adrenaline kept him from drifting off. Water levels at the Addicks and Barker dams west of Houston, the city's primary defense during a major storm, were rising faster than he'd seen in his 38 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Addicks had climbed 28 feet since Hurricane Harvey made landfall along the central Texas coast on Aug. 25, two days earlier. Barker had risen 22 feet. Both dams likely would break their record pool levels within 24 hours. Richard Long U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Manager Addicks/Barker. Long, 61, has been with the Army Corps since the 1970s and has warned for years that development upstream of the reservoirs is harmful. After decades of successfully taming Buffalo Bayou by impounding storm runoff inside the reservoirs until the skies cleared, the Corps had finally faced its Sophie's Choice with Harvey: release water during a monster storm and doom houses along the bayou, or risk letting the water flow out from around the ends of the dams and over the emergency spillways perhaps triggering a much bigger disaster. Uncontrolled flows would risk erosion and failure of the earthen berms, potentially sending a catastrophic wall of water into the heart of the nation's fourth-largest city. If the dams failed, thousands could die. The Corps had announced that releases would start at 2 a.m. at Addicks two hours away. But the reservoirs were rising faster than engineers had predicted. And even with the releases, the Corps' models showed the reservoir pool would climb so high that water would flow around the north end of Addicks for the first time in the dam's 70 years of operation. The releases also wouldn't spare homes built within the footprint of the reservoirs as the water level climbed toward the spillway. Many of those homes were doomed, too, Long knew. Rain thrashed the roof. Long's mind raced from the dams to his wife, who was with his 89-year-old father at their home in Fulshear, 20 miles away, watching the water rise in the streets. Suddenly, the dam's captain, Chuck Ciliske, appeared at Long's door. The parking lot was flooding. The Corps' own building would be next. "Richard," he said, "We've got to go." Between midnight and 1 a.m., after Long and Ciliske abandoned the office, two groups of Corps employees climbed onto metal platforms that hold the control panels for the flood gates. Standing in the unrelenting rain, they opened the gates, the platforms vibrating as they sent murky stormwater downstream and into the already raging bayou. The trillion gallons of water that Harvey dumped on Harris County during four days in August enough to fill the Astrodome more than 3,300 times revealed the downside of Houston's dynamic economy. The region's growth formula, which relies heavily on abundant, cheap housing and lax regulation, suddenly had a death toll in the dozens and a price tag in the billions. Houston's deference to developers was evidenced by the thousands of homes built in known flood plains and floodways, clogging the path of rushing floodwater and causing it to rise. Developers not only had built out to the bases of the reservoirs that once sat on the far western flank of Harris County, but inside them within their flood pools and right up to their emergency spillways. Over time, Houstonians became desensitized to the risks of living about 50 feet above sea level. Prompted by a national flood insurance program that encouraged them to build in vulnerable areas, residents built closer and closer to the bayou that carries floodwater away from the reservoirs and out to the Gulf of Mexico. The county's extensive network of drainage channels enough to stretch from Los Angeles to New York could not keep up with the average of 34 inches that fell within four days. Some portions of southeast Texas recorded 60 inches of rain. The National Weather Service had to add two more shades of purple to its maps to show how much water had fallen from the sky. Before Harvey, proposals for major infrastructure projects, such as a third reservoir and dam and a dike for Galveston Bay, had gained little traction in Congress because of their multibillion-dollar price tags. The condition of Addicks and Barker had deteriorated so much that they were on the list of the country's most dangerous dams. All of this left local leaders to contend not only with the most rainfall in U.S. history, but with the consequences of decades of political inertia. RELATED COVERAGE: The Chronicle takes a closer look at Houston's biblical flooding during Hurricane Harvey. Interviews and records obtained by the Houston Chronicle show that, within a span of 72 hours, officials faced one agonizing decision after another as each inch of Harvey's rain increased the flooding and spread the misery. Harvey was Houston's reckoning. Nature ruled. Man reacted. *** Jeff Lindner sank into one of the 98 chairs on the floor of the windowless emergency operations center, a cavernous building near Interstate 10 and the 610 West loop. Lindner, meteorologist for the Harris County Flood Control District, had watched Harvey intensify on the radar over a span of 40 hours from an ordinary tropical depression into a Category 4 hurricane the first to strike the Texas coast since Ike in 2008. Harvey's eye made landfall at 10 p.m. the night before on San Jose Island, northeast of Corpus Christi. Winds peaked at 130 mph, and the storm surge reached 12 feet. Jeff Lindner Harris County Flood Control meteorologist. Lindner, whose home is the Addicks reservoir spillway, became one of the best-known figures during Harvey, handling hard questions on the flooding. His home did not flood. Most hurricanes typically move inland, away from the coast. But Harvey was predicted to stall over southeast Texas for days. The National Weather Service was forecasting rainfall totals for Harris County of 20 to 30 inches, with isolated totals of 35 inches or more. Lindner, 35, knew Harvey's forecast was unprecedented. He'd done his best in TV appearances to explain what to expect. But how do you explain what 30 inches of rain looks like? Lindner checked the county's rainfall gauges. More than 2 inches had fallen within an hour near his house near Addicks reservoir. He was grateful that his wife, Lillie, and two children, ages 3 and 5, had left for Smithville, up near Austin, the day before. He needed to focus. *** Long, 61, had started working for the Corps of Engineers in the 1970s, back when development upstream of the reservoirs had just started and they were largely surrounded by pastures and rice fields. For years, he'd warned that every inch of concrete poured upstream of the reservoirs made flooding into Addicks and Barker worse. Long sent emails internally opposing the construction of the Grand Parkway upstream from Addicks in 2011, warning of negative impacts from more development upstream. "Additional impervious surfaces within the Addicks and Barker watershed will increase the volume of flows into the reservoirs, the rate at which flows get to the reservoirs, and the size of the pool generated within the reservoirs," he warned. It was built anyway, and more subdivisions sprouted near it. Flood control officials said they had worked with Harris County commissioners to strengthen flood mitigation requirements upstream of the reservoirs last spring. But there were already thousands of homes inside the reservoirs, in the spillways and near Buffalo Bayou, which runs through Houston's energy corridor and downtown before dumping into Galveston Bay. The city blamed the county. The county blamed the city. Everybody blamed Congress. Long was planning to retire once the Corps finished a $75 million construction project to replace the aging outlets on the dams, which discharge stormwater through gates into the bayou. The old outlets, still in use, had been reinforced and grouted since the Corps found voids and seepage beneath them in 2009. But those were temporary fixes: The Corps had ranked Addicks and Barker among the six most dangerous dams in its inventory of more than 700, calling them "extremely high risk." For years, Corps officials have requested $3 million for a study that would re-evaluate the future of the reservoirs in light of all of the development around them and address lingering safety concerns. Harris County flood control officials had agreed to pay for half the cost, planning to examine what could happen if water went over the emergency spillway or around the ends of the dams. They also had proposed studying the impacts of higher rates of release from the dams on neighborhoods downstream. The Corps and the county never got those answers. The study was not funded. On his computer monitor, Long watched the reservoirs rise. He'd been amazed in 2016 by how fast they'd climbed during the Tax Day storm, which set records for pools for both dams. Addicks had reached 102.65 feet, its flood pool within a foot of the height where it would have reached neighborhoods built in the reservoir. Barker topped out at 95.24, roughly 2 feet away from the level at which it would have reached homes. At their peak, the reservoirs held a record 68 billion gallons of water enough to fill the Astrodome 222 times. Long thought he'd retire without seeing another storm like that. But it was clear from the gauges that Tax Day had nothing on Harvey. Addicks was up to 86 feet. The gauge at Barker had broken. Lindner and National Weather Service meteorologists traded messages in a chat room. "Plan is to issue a Flash Flood Emergency to include parts of S and SW Houston in Harris County and parts of E Fort Bend County," a weather service meteorologist wrote. "I agree," Lindner wrote. Brays Bayou is rising rapidly, Lindner warned three minutes later. The bayou runs from south of Barker Reservoir east through neighborhoods that include Meyerland and Braeswood Place. "Jeff," the NWS meteorologist replied, "going out with warning on Brays." The southeast side of the city, stretching down to Galveston Bay, was getting pounded. Gauges in Friendswood southeast of Houston showed 6.6 inches of rain in an hour. South Houston had 5 inches in a hour. Stretches of Interstate 10 flooded. Parts of downtown were underwater. "Life threatening conditions developing," Lindner tweeted. "Stay at your location." In a metro area of 6.6 million people, hundreds of thousands were threatened by flooding. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, 68, took to the lectern in the operations center for a hasty news conference at 10:40 p.m. Emmett, the top elected official in the county, had suffered a mild stroke two weeks earlier and temporarily lost his vision. He was hospitalized and then released, his vision restored, and told to take it easy. Emmett had followed doctor's orders, mostly, until Harvey hit. The mayor and police chief barely made it in time; they had to abandon their vehicles near Old Katy Road and wade into the emergency operations center on foot. Behind them, the storm radar swirled on a big screen. Harvey was living up to the dire predictions. Judge Ed Emmett The countys top executive. Emmett, 68, had a stroke weeks before Harvey. His youngest daughter and her family evacuated their home in an airboat. Emmett spoke to a cluster of reporters and to his audience on Facebook live. "This," he said, "is what we've been worried about." *** Police Chief Art Acevedo, who stands 6 feet tall, waded through waist-high water in Greenspoint around 1 a.m. in his uniform, helping evacuate two apartment complexes that had flooded near Greens Bayou. "Stay in twos!" Acevedo yelled. "You got the baby?" he yelled. Yes, someone yelled in the darkness. Acevedo had mobilized all his officers on Friday night as Harvey approached. He waited in the rain on a Houston Fire Department boat, his uniform soggy from the downpour and fetid bayou water. Officers instead commandeered two buses from the airport and loaded the evacuees. Thousands of people called 9-1-1, panicking. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo Acevedo spent days out in the storm helping evacuate flood victims. His hardest decision came with the death of one of his officers. Water reached the ceilings of some single-story homes along Interstate 45 and in southeast Houston. 9-1-1 overloaded. Some callers got no answer. Others were put on hold as they watched the floodwater rise. Acevedo arrived at the operations center in the darkness, prepared to order all of his officers to start working 24-hour shifts until further notice. As he peeled off his uniform shirt, cockroaches jumped off him and scurried across the floor. *** Bob Royall and Rodney Reed, assistant chiefs with the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, took calls from local fire departments from their seats near Lindner in the emergency center. They'd assembled a database of more than 40 boats and dozens of high-water vehicles owned by local fire departments, not including Houston's. A man was clinging to the Texas 225 bridge in rushing floodwater. Royall called the U.S. Coast Guard. The helicopter pilot couldn't reach the man but spotted a pregnant woman and child who had climbed up on a roof. The crew flew them to safety. Royall and Reed enlisted constables with airboats to reach stranded ambulances. Rodney Reed Assistant chief with the Harris County Fire Marshals Office. He ran the fire desk with Bob Royall in the countys Emergency Operations Center. Bob Royall Assistant chief with the Harris County Fire Marshals Office. He ran the fire desk with Rodney Reed in the countys Emergency Operations Center. At daybreak, Royall stood next to Harris County Emergency Management Director Mark Sloan and stared at a big-screen TV with the radar of the storm. Another band of rain swirled over the city. His phone buzzed with requests from local fire departments begging for boats and rescue vehicles. He had none left. It was the emptiest feeling of his life. He picked up his cellphone and texted his wife and two grown sons. When you wake up in the morning, he typed, I want you to understand this has been the worst night of my career. RELATED: Harvey laid bare lack of resources, training at Houston Fire Department Hurricane Harvey high-water rescues The Houston Fire Department responded to more than 7,800 calls for help from residents trapped by high water during Hurricane Harvey. More than 4,000 calls came in on Aug. 27 during the storm's peak. The map below shows areas in Meyerland and along Buffalo Bayou where most the rescues took place during Aug. 27. Click the map below to see how HFD responded minute-by-minute. Reed, 35, ducked into the emergency center library, feeling helpless. He bumped into Gray Stansell with Harris County Risk Management. "We might as well call in civilians," Reed grumbled to Stansell. "You should tell the judge," Stansell replied. "Tell the judge what?" asked Emmett, who had just walked into the library. Reed turned around and saw Emmett, who had only slept two hours the night before. Frustrated with the Red Cross, the judge had spent the last day trying to get shelters open, and he was taking heat from the media about not calling for an evacuation. "To where?" he had asked. No one knew where the rain was going to be the heaviest. His youngest daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren had evacuated on an airboat from their Braes Heights neighborhood, where floodwater had reached some roofs and the middle of stop signs. Gov. Greg Abbott had assured Emmett that morning that trucks and boats were ready to help. But they were just outside of the county, and the roads were impassable. "Can we put a call out to citizens?" Reed asked Emmett. "Well," Emmett replied, "what's your plan?" Reed said they'd have volunteer rescuers call the emergency center. The operators would write down names, where the volunteers were, what kind of rescue equipment they had. They'd make sure they had life vests and then send them to the nearest fire department staging spot. That way, instead of people out there doing their own thing, there would be some order to it, he said. "That's a good idea," the judge said. "You'd better hurry up, because I'm going downstairs and I'm going to brief the media." *** Roughly 400 miles northeast of the heart of the storm, Aaron Byrd's phone vibrated during Sunday school at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vicksburg, close to the Mississippi River. Byrd, a 40-year-old civil research engineer in the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, glanced down and saw it was an email from the lab's director, who was on assignment to the Corps' Operations Center. Oh no, he thought. The Addicks and Barker dams are among the most critical dams in the Corps' inventory, the email read. We need information on them now. Byrd helped develop an inundation modeling technology that can forecast flood depths up to five days in advance. Aaron Byrd Civil research engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, Miss. Byrd and his team of researchers used a supercomputer to predict and map inundation during the storm. The Corps' technology collects data on the water levels on the ground, topography, forecast rainfall and other factors. Then a supercomputer calculates millions of math equations that produce maps showing the flow of water. The Corps had used it during hurricanes Irene in 2011 and Sandy in 2012. That Friday, Byrd and his team had used it to monitor Harvey as it hit the Texas coast. At that point, the forecast included in the Corps' bulletin on Addicks and Barker was relatively unremarkable: 10 to 15 inches of rain. No overtopping was expected, the bulletin said. But Harvey had defied that forecast. Byrd stood up in Sunday school and walked to the door, heading for the lab. *** Emmett stood at the lectern in the press room, his glasses on the tip of his nose. The county had deployed "every available rescue asset," he said. People were still stranded and needed help. State resources couldn't get in because of the flooding. "We can't wait for assets to come from the outside," he said. "So those of you who have boats and high-water vehicles that can be used in neighborhoods to help move people out of harm's way: We need your help." Harvey 911 dispatches, minute by minute The Houston Emergency Center received more than 120,000 emergency calls during the five days that Hurricane Harvey pounded Houston with relentless rainfall. The map shows minute by minute where Houston Police Department officers were dispatched to assist residents crying for help. Click on the map to begin the animation and double click the map to pause. Lindner, the meteorologist, followed Emmett at the lectern, looking solemn in a white button-down shirt. "We're facing a catastrophe that we haven't faced before. This is unprecedented, like the judge said," Lindner said. "Every single watershed, all 22 of our watersheds, are over banks." The rain was starting to let up a bit, but Lindner and the Corps were closely watching the water levels in Addicks and Barker, which were still climbing. To the northeast, near the San Jacinto River, neighborhoods in Kingwood and Humble were flooding. The San Jacinto River Authority was releasing 39,600 cubic feet per second from the Lake Conroe Dam, a record. Greenspoint, in north Houston, had flooded so badly that people waded through neck-deep water. Lindner's home had flooded when he lived there in 2001 during Tropical Storm Allison. He kept thinking about it, how helpless he felt as the water poured in, and he panicked, lifting things to counters, seeing what he could save. "I know what you're going through," Lindner said during the news conference. "I know you're scared. I know you're panicked. I know you feel a desperation right now. But know that help is coming." *** Byrd, the civil research engineer in the Corps' lab, pulled together data on the dams. How did they work? What kind of condition were they in? Where was the water going to spill, if it went around the edges of the dams? When Addicks and Barker were built in the 1940s, the original plans called for three reservoirs, not two, and a levee on Cypress Creek north of Addicks. A system of canals was supposed to carry water from Addicks and Barker to Galveston Bay. But the discharge canals were shelved because rapid development made the land too costly. Since the 1940s, Houston's population swelled from about 385,000 to more than 6.6 million, including its surrounding suburbs. The levee was never built. As originally designed, four of the dams' five outlets had no gates. That allowed for a combined, uncontrolled discharge into Buffalo Bayou of 15,700 cubic feet per second. As the land near the bayou developed, people complained of damage from the discharges. By the 1960s, all of the outlets had gates to allow for controlled releases from the dams. Now, with heavier development, it is allowed to release only 2,000 cubic feet per second combined from the two dams, as measured by a gauge in Buffalo Bayou at Piney Point, about 10 miles downstream from Barker. In order to exceed 2,000 cfs, the dam operator needs permission from Corps officials in Dallas. Some streets and homes downstream of the reservoirs flood when the combined release rate from the reservoirs exceeds approximately 4,000 cubic feet per second, flood control records show. That means the dams are holding more water than originally intended, and for longer. Their design is unusual, Byrd noted, in that they don't tie into hills. Each is miles long and shaped like a V. So once the depression fills up, the dams are vulnerable to "flanking flows" water going around the ends. Byrd's job was to answer one question: where would all the water go once it hit the ground? Byrd ate bacon cheddar potato chips from the vending machine for dinner at his desk, marveling at Harvey's rainfall totals and the forecast, which called for more rain. *** Police Chief Acevedo rode in the passenger seat of a Hummer, heading north on deserted Interstate 45, past flooded cars, and into downtown, trying to reach police headquarters. It was Day 2 of heavy rain. Police were still having trouble reaching some people who needed to be rescued, but the hundreds of volunteers with boats had made a huge difference. "Now the dams are about to open," he said. "That's not music to my ears." The water levels in the reservoirs climbed faster than the Corps had anticipated when it announced plans to start releases at 2 a.m. at Addicks and 11 a.m. at Barker. Seconds before midnight, a Corps hydraulic engineer sent an email to local officials and Corps employees: "We are beginning releases on both reservoirs right now." The releases would start at 800 cubic feet per second from each reservoir, for a combined 718,000 gallons per minute, the Corps official wrote. During the next 10 hours, the goal was to increase that to 8,000 cubic feet per second, or 3.5 million gallons a minute. Francisco Sanchez, the county's emergency management public information officer, awoke on his cot in the emergency center to pounding on the door. A voice resounded in the hallway: "The water is going out!" *** Byrd had a model running that took into account the flooding already occurring, the rainfall, the releases and the forecast. The flooding would not just be "one home here, one home there," he saw. "It was going to be miles and miles of homes." The Corps asked Byrd to run a second model. People had built homes inside the reservoirs, he was told. Some of them would start flooding within hours, once the flood pool reached 103.4 feet in Addicks. At 9 a.m., it was at 103.37. Addicks is built to hold water up to 108 feet above sea level before it flows around the north end of the dam; above 111.5, the water would top the emergency spillway. The math is simple. Some of the homes would be nearly 8 feet underwater if the reservoir level reached the spillway. Barker had the same problem. The emergency spillway was at 105.1 feet. The lowest homes were 97.1 feet. The Corps wanted to know which homes were going to flood, and where, to get the information to first responders. Byrd pulled up Google Earth. He felt like falling out of his chair. He called another researcher over to his computer. It showed row after row of homes in the flood pools, thousands of them. Byrd scanned the area near Addicks' spillway. There was a commercial center and sprawling subdivisions with two-story homes at the bottom of the spillway. "How did they get permission to build there?" Edmond Russo with the Corps took to the lectern, reading from a prepared statement. Water behind both dams had reached record levels, he said. Addicks was at 104.36 feet. Barker had reached 98.59 feet. Homes in both flood pools started taking on water. The discharge rates for Addicks reached 2,600 cubic feet per second. Barker reached 2,100 cfs. The Corps was trying to ramp the releases up, he said. "We would prefer not to let the water build up in the dam and go over the spillways because at that point we will not have control over the water," Russo said. Buffalo Bayou was holding steady, Lindner said at the news conference. The releases were not expected to result in a rise in the bayou not at the current rates. But it had already reached record levels, and it wasn't dropping. Lindner studied the models of Addicks and the map of the spillway. If the pool hit 109.5 feet, the Corps had warned that the uncontrolled releases around the north end of Addicks would become stronger and spread faster and farther. He and his wife knew when they bought a house in a neighborhood near the Addicks spillway that this was possible. He just didn't think it would ever really happen. Lindner called his wife, Lillie, in Smithville. "We might get water in the house," he said. He heard her catch her breath. *** Acevedo, the police chief, stared at the floodwater below the overpass at Hardy Toll Road and Beltway 8, still 16.5 feet deep. Detectives had traced Sgt. Steve Perez's vehicle here but couldn't be sure he was below. His wife had reported the 34-year veteran missing after he left home around 4 a.m. Sunday in the pouring rain. He never made it to his command post. Acevedo wanted to send in a dive team, he said, but he feared it was too dangerous because it was already dark. He couldn't justify risking lives for what he knew would be a recovery mission, not a rescue. Acevedo said a prayer for Perez's family and his soul. He left the car underwater until daybreak. *** Addicks had reached 108.1 feet. It was full. Water started flowing around the north end of the dam, at the rate of a few thousand gallons per minute. The drainage system outside the reservoir, near the intersection of Brittmore Park and Tanner Road, had been able to absorb much of it. It was starting to threaten two subdivisions, Twin Lakes on Eldridge and Lakes on Eldridge. Barker had reached 101.5 feet. Some homes in the reservoirs had 5 feet of water in them. Discharges had reached 7,300 cubic feet per second, Russo said, up from 4,700 the previous afternoon. *** Russo read from another prepared statement: Addicks had reached 108.9 feet. Barker was at 101.46. "Earlier today, we had to make the decision to make more aggressive releases than what we told the public before in order to maintain the functionality of our structures," Russo said. "We understand the frustration this has caused for many people and pray for the safety and well being of those who have been impacted." The current discharge rate, Russo said, was a combined 13,000 cubic feet per second. The goal was to reach 16,000 cubic feet per second, he said. Flooding along Buffalo Bayou was increasing, Lindner said at the news conference. The gauge at Dairy Ashford showed it had risen 1 foot and was expected to rise another 1.5 feet that night. Flood control officials had seen it from a helicopter earlier that day, Lindner said. There was "massive inundation never before seen in that portion of the bayou watershed." A third of Harris County an area the size of Austin was underwater. Epilogue Addicks climbed to 109.09 feet, just 0.41 inches from reaching the benchmark the Corps feared involving potential for heavier flows around the north end of the dam, before starting to drop on Aug. 30. Barker also peaked that day, reaching 101.56 feet. Flooding along Buffalo Bayou continued for days. Mayor Sylvester Turner issued evacuation orders for homes and apartments with standing water in them along the energy corridor south of Addicks and east of Barker, citing the Corps' releases from the dams. Lindner's home in a neighborhood near the spillway did not flood. Gray Stansell's home in Bellaire did flood. Sgt. Perez was laid to rest at a funeral attended by thousands. Releases from the Lake Conroe dam peaked at more than 79,000 cubic feet per second. The Corps announced the reservoirs were empty on Oct. 17. It is being sued by more than 1,000 plaintiffs in state and federal court. Who's who Richard Long U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Manager Addicks/Barker. Long, 61, has been with the Army Corps since the 1970s and has warned for years that development upstream of the reservoirs is harmful. Jeff Lindner Harris County Flood Control meteorologist. Lindner, whose home is the Addicks reservoir spillway, became one of the best-known figures during Harvey, handling hard questions on the flooding. His home did not flood. Judge Ed Emmett The countys top executive. Emmett, 68, had a stroke weeks before Harvey. His youngest daughter and her family evacuated their home in an airboat. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo Acevedo spent days out in the storm helping evacuate flood victims. His hardest decision came with the death of one of his officers. Aaron Byrd Civil research engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, Miss. Byrd and his team of researchers used a supercomputer to predict and map inundation during the storm. Rodney Reed Assistant chief with the Harris County Fire Marshals Office. He ran the fire desk with Bob Royall in the countys Emergency Operations Center. Bob Royall Assistant chief with the Harris County Fire Marshals Office. He ran the fire desk with Rodney Reed in the countys Emergency Operations Center. About our investigation: "Developing Storm" Hurricane Harvey was the most destructive storm in Houston's history. The late-August storm dumped up to 60 inches of rain on southeast Texas, but the resulting damage was multiplied by actions taken and not taken during the past 50 years. Our seven-part series explains why the storm's damage was both a natural and man-made disaster. Susan Carroll joined the Chronicle in 2006 and works as an investigative/projects reporter. Along with colleagues Matt Dempsey and Mark Collette, her 2016 work on the danger posed by chemical plants in southeast Texas won awards from the National Press Foundation and Investigative Reporters and Editors. Carroll previously covered the U.S.-Mexico border for the Arizona Republic and the Tucson Citizen. She can be reached by e-mail at Susan.Carroll@chron.com or by Twitter: @_SusanCarroll Multimedia by Houston Chronicle staff Interactives by John D. Harden and Rachael Gleason Audience engagement by Rachael Gleason Design by Jordan Rubio Get engaged Where do we go from here? Seven Houston-area leaders discussed flooding causes and solutions at a Greater Houston After Harvey forum hosted by the Houston Chronicle in early December. Watch Wednesday night's keynote address by Jim Blackburn, co-director of Rice University's Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center. Read his thoughts on living around water. Sign up for our Facebook community to share your Harvey story, engage with other community members and ask our reporters questions. Join the discussion on Twitter: #HoustonAfterHarvey. Subscribe The Houston Chronicle is dedicated to serving the public interest with fact-based journalism. That mission has never been more important. Show your support for our journalism at HoustonChronicle.com/subscribe. Texas police arrested a 75-year-old woman on Tuesday in connection to a massive case of animal cruelty involving hundreds of neglected animals. The Grimes County Sheriff's Office said Doris Bevier Clark turned herself in to police after an investigation of her property found nearly 300 animals, mostly malnourished dogs and horses, living in poor conditions. In total, police discovered 242 dogs and 49 miniature horses. Graphic images show the conditions the animals suffered, including rusted and waste-filled cages. The animals were discovered last week after an anonymous complaint of animal cruelty was made against the residence, located east of College Station. The animals were seized by the Houston Humane Society and the Animal Investigation & Rescue Organization of Dallas. LATEST: Texas priest accused of molesting teens goes missing Clark is facing multiple charges of animal cruelty to livestock animals and non-livestock animals, a class A misdemeanor. "A Class A misdemeanor is the highest-level charge applicable to this case in the Texas Penal Code," detailed the Grimes County Sheriff's Office in a prepared statement. "These charges of animal cruelty are not cumulative in punishment and the punishment is the same regardless of how many separate cases of animal cruelty are filed." Clark was released from Crimes County Jail after posting bail for $10,000. Fernando Ramirez covers Texas news and politics. Read him on our breaking news site and on our subscriber site. | Fernando.ramirez@chron.com | @fernramirez93 Now Playing: A total of five bodies have been recovered from the Iconic Village apartment complex after a fire Friday, July 20, 2018. Video: Courtesy Chhabindra Gautam The owner and managers of a San Marcos apartment complex where five people were found dead after a catastrophic fire last month have denied any wrongdoing and are seeking to move a lawsuit filed against them to Hays County. The response marks the first time the defendants have publicly addressed claims of gross negligence raised by the lawsuit, which was filed by the father of James Phillip Miranda, 23, one of the victims who perished July 20 at Iconic Village Apartments. Chasing Orion: This is the fourth in a series of stories leading up to the April 2019 launch of Orions launch abort system, which is managed by NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. Thirty-six horns surround the 22,000-pound spacecraft at NASAs Glenn Research Center in Ohio, just waiting to fill the room with noise loud enough to vibrate the module. Their time will come, likely Friday, when personnel at the Ohio center turn the noise up to 155 decibels louder than gunshots, fireworks or a jet plane taking off. This is the acoustic test for the space capsule, designed to ensure that it is structurally sound before NASA officials launch it from Cape Canaveral, Fla., in April 2019. On that day in April, the capsule will fulfill its only purpose before sinking to the bottom of the ocean: testing the primary safety feature for Orion, the spacecraft that will take humans back to the moon for the first time in 50 years. Called the launch abort system, the safety feature will allow the spacecrafts eventual four-person crew to escape if the rocket explodes. When they test the launch abort system, that has really powerful motors that pull the crew module away from the rocket in case of failure structurally on the crew module, that can be a big load, said Nicole Smith, the Glenn Research Centers lead test project manager. We want to make sure it can withstand that dynamic environment. It will be easy for Glenn personnel to tell if it cant once tests begin Friday: Screws will begin to come loose or cracks may surface on the module, Smith said. Its not like its going to explode but we can see where there are structural failures, Smith said, and fix them if necessary. The acoustic test is just the next phase of assessments the module must pass before the April 2019 launch. The Ohio center received the module last week, shipped from NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. Personnel at the Houston center have been working on the module since March, where they outfitted it with flight computers, communication systems and about 800 data sensors. They also put it through flight simulations, as well as weight and center of gravity testing because it must have the exact same measurements as the real Orion when humans are on board. The Orion spacecraft has been in various stages of design for nearly two decades, its destination oscillating between the moon and Mars depending on White House leadership. A return to the moon is a top priority for President Donald Trumps administration and his $19.9 billion proposed budget for the next fiscal year tasks NASA with launching an unmanned Orion flight by 2021, followed by a launch of Americans around the moon in 2023. The simplified module will not be reused once the test is complete. Additional capsules for the unmanned and crewed missions are under construction elsewhere. The Space Launch System the most powerful rocket NASA has ever built that will send Orion to space as well as the ground systems for launch, also are being developed simultaneously. From start to finish, the abort system test is expected to account for only $256 million of the programs more than $11 billion budget, according to NASA. Johnson personnel also are designing Orions cockpit and flight software, spacesuits and parachutes. Johnson is home to the nations astronaut corps, where human space flight research and training take place. It also is home to the International Space Stations mission operations and the Orion program. Over the next week or two, Smith said the simplified module will be subjected to six different tests in Ohio, each lasting about three minutes each. Glenn personnel will ship the capsule back to Houston shortly after Labor Day, so personnel can attach the capsule to the separation ring, which links the module to the rocket booster and allows it to separate from the rocket if necessary. In the meantime, Johnson personnel will begin outfitting the separation ring much like they did with the capsule several months ago. alex.stuckey@chron.com twitter.com/alexdstuckey Since news broke months ago about her husbands criminal record, Bexar County Republican Party Chair Cynthia Brehm has tried to suppress the truth about her familys disturbing history even as some in the party have pushed for her ouster. That history just got even more disturbing. U.S. Army court documents revealed appalling new details about the governments evidence against Norman Brehm, a retired lieutenant colonel and Cynthia Brehms husband of 22 years. The documents show that Cynthia Brehm was informed about details of her husbands case as it unfolded and benefited from its outcome. According to the documents, Norman Brehm gave a full confession detailing not only indecent liberties taken in 1999 with Cynthia Brehms then-14-year-old daughter from a previous marriage but also describing more than 10 years of egregious sexual molestation of three young relatives. These descriptions are horrific. Norman Brehm began conditioning one girl when she was 5 years old, the documents state. It began with me exposing myself, and progressed to showing her pornographic magazines, and having her masturbate me and then having her perform oral sex on me, Norman Brehm admitted, according to the documents. He initiated a similar regimen with a 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl, showing them adult and child pornography materials, exposing himself to them while he masturbated and on one occasion rubbing (the girls) breasts. His stepdaughter Cynthia Brehms daughter also testified that Norman Brehm exposed himself to her and asked her to rub his groin and genital area, according to the documents. Related: SAFA still 'proud' of Brehm Despite the governments crushing evidence against Norman Brehm, he received an extremely favorable plea agreement, the documents state. After pleading guilty to just two offenses indecency with a child and making a false statement he received a sentence of five years confinement, later reduced to just two years. In his own affidavit, Norman Brehm wrote that his defense counsel informed both me and my wife about details of the case. And Cynthia Brehm benefited financially from her husbands plea deal, which included a promise from the convening authority to waive automatic forfeitures for a period of six months for the benefit of his wife, according to court records. After pleading guilty, Norman appealed the case, citing a court ruling on statute of limitations defenses. The documents obtained by the Express-News include briefs filed by the government as it sought to quash his appeal. For unknown reasons, the Army did not forward the charge sheet to prosecutors until 2006. On that basis, the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals set aside the guilty findings in May 2009. In May, defending her husbands actions to Republican Party officials, Cynthia Brehm mentioned only the indecency charge to which he pleaded guilty: So heres the story, she said. My husband got involved in pornography and he flashed my 14-year-old daughter. As a fuller account of her husbands behavior has emerged, calls for the chair to step down have only intensified. Brehm did not return a call seeking comment for this column. This month, precinct Chair Becky Edler wrote a resolution asking the partys executive board to form a committee to investigate rumors and allegations regarding the conduct of (Cynthia Brehm), which, if true, would tend to injure the good name of this organization, disturb its well-being, hamper its work, violate its bylaws and rules, and that the committee be instructed, if it concludes the rumors and allegations are well-founded, to report resolutions covering its recommendations. The board refused to take up the resolution, however, thanks in part to Lynette Boggs-Perez, the partys legal counsel, who warned: There is nothing in Texas law to bar Chairman Brehm from seeking injunctive relief against the party or naming the BCRP as a defendant in a lawsuit. Edler called that a not very well-veiled threat. The battle against Brehm, though, isnt over. She didnt commit the crime, but she had full knowledge about it and she lied about it, Edler told me Monday. That shows bad judgment. She does not represent our party values. She told lies about it, and you cant have someone like that representing our party. I dont feel like she has the moral ground to do that. bchasnoff@express-news.net Now Playing: V.P. Mike Pence tours NASA facility in Huntsville Video: WVTM Vice President Mike Pence is back in Texas on Wednesday to commemorate Hurricane Harvey making landfall nearly one year ago and to help U.S. Rep. John Culberson in his re-election bid. Pences first stop will be in Rockport at noon, where he is scheduled to speak at the First Baptist Church of Rockport just a few miles from where Hurricane Harvey first made landfall at about 10 p.m. and devastated the city of about 11,000 people. You can say this for President Donald Trump: When the raids on his attorney Michael Cohens house, hotel and office occurred, he knew it was trouble, as his slew of tweets at the time showed. About four months after Cohen saw FBI agents cart out boxes of documents, he surrendered to the FBI and entered a plea deal in federal court to a total of eight counts, five for tax evasion, one for a false statement to a bank and two related to campaign-finance charges. Most important, the plea states that Cohen, in committing the campaign-finance violations, acted at the behest of the candidate. There is only one candidate. The president of the United States has now been implicated in a federal crime by his longtime lawyer. Take that in. The details of those and Cohens obligations, if any, to cooperate will unfold. Trump was right to be panicked back in April, and since then weve all learned of more damaging facts that Cohen may substantiate. Cohen is at the intersection of at least three possibly disastrous legal stories. OPINION: Republicans think if Trump does it, it's not a crime RELATED: Ex-Trump lawyer Cohen pleads guilty in hush-money scheme First, Cohen allegedly was involved in the payment of hush money to silence multiple women with whom Trump allegedly had extra-marital affairs. The political fallout will depend on how many women and the circumstances of those payments. The criminal liability here concerns violation of campaign-finance rules as part of a deliberate attempt to conceal large amounts of money from voters. Blaming Cohen exclusively will be hard for Trump to pull off, given the tape we already have heard. If there is other evidence documenting Trumps involvement, his legal problem worsens. Second, Cohen has been Trumps fixer and dealmaker for years. He was at the center of the failed Trump Tower project in Russia and likely would have been privy to other Russia-related transactions, if any, over years. Trump has insisted the special counsel not go into his personal finances. The chances that special counsel Robert Mueller III and his team are doing just that and will continue digging with Cohen as a guide has gone up dramatically. Third, Cohen may have plenty of other information relating to Trump campaign contacts with Russia and to Trumps own efforts to conceal them and disable the investigation. Goodness knows what recordings, documents and firsthand recollections he may have. What, for example, does he know about the Trump Tower meeting in June 2016? What, if anything, does he know about contacts that members of the Trump team had with Russia during the campaign and/or the transition? Given that the White House counsel Donald McGahn, who is not Trumps personal lawyer, has spent 30 hours or more with the special counsel, it is not as if Cohen would be the only witness to possible impropriety. Cohen and McGahn may bolster one anothers accounts. Cohen matters because he may have critical information relating to all three of these evolving stories. Moreover, he cannot be written off as someone peripherally related to Trump. He cannot be written off as a coffee boy or as someone who went in and out of Trumps orbit in a matter of weeks. In short, Cohens plea is a crushing blow because he is the first cooperating witness that could implicate Trump directly in all three matters - the women and campaign money, Trumps business dealings, and the Trump campaigns Russia connections. Buckle up. Trump now goes from the frying pan into the fire. Rubin writes reported opinion from a center-right perspective for The Washington Post. Last year, it was announced that a renewed Howard Middle School would return in the $125 million school improvement plan for Hamilton County Schools. Community members now have an opportunity to join in the planning process to design the school. Community meetings are scheduled for tomorrow and Friday in the Howard High gymnasium. The meeting on Thursday will begin at 5 p.m. and the Friday meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. "The meeting schedule was formatted with varied times to give more residents in the community an opportunity to participate in one of the sessions," officials said. "The meetings will use a collaborative design process to allow those attending to have their voice heard in the look, feel and function of the school. The collaborative design process seeks to bring everyone to the table to talk about what the community would like to see as part of the schools design. Participants will brainstorm how a renovation of the building can re-imagine Howard Middle and best prepare all children for high school and success after graduation. Academic and building design innovations are both open for discussion during the meetings. "2Revolutions, a national education design lab, will participate in the meetings. The group is working with the district and the community to define the challenges the school may face, explore the challenges from different perspectives, brainstorm possibilities, seek the best options, and then design real-world solutions for the Howard Middle School project." Board member Tiffanie Robinson, of District 4, will also participate in the meeting, along with administrators from the Opportunity Zone and Howard. Our goal is to design a unique and creative plan for Howard Middle School, said Ms. Robinson. Howard Middle School is part of the Opportunity Zone learning community of Hamilton County Schools and will serve children in The Howard Schools feeder pattern. Given many businesses are managing up to five generations of workers, theres much to be gained by striving for a workplace culture that brings out the best across generations, according to Nan Dow, executive practice director of RiseSmart Australia and New Zealand a Randstad company. These generational differences are quite literally the future of work and having such a rich and diverse talent pool can be a huge advantage for businesses, said Dow. In order to create a positive culture that gets work done, businesses need to encourage employees to look beyond preconceived stereotypes and bias. Even though most industries are on board with age diversity at work, the report revealed that some sectors are well ahead of the curve when it came to embracing a multi-generational workplace. Indeed, the industry sectors leading the age-diversity charge are general business (95%) followed by education (95%) and construction (92%). Indonesian women turn to innovation on the riverbank July 28,2018 | Source: Tempo Every day, Mariatun almost never gets a chance to take a break. In the morning, she and her husband would spend time in the Kapuas Hulu watershed (DAS) not far from their home in the Nanga Leboyan village, Kapus Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Until noon, the couple would catch fish from a lanting (raft) and place them in a rice sack. They would only go home once they feel they have caught enough fish, mostly toman (snakehead). While her husband can immediately rest after, Mariatun must first prepare her fish to be sold. "I turn some into salted fish. The rest are smoked," said the 45-year-old woman. Mariatun usually sells her salted fish for Rp35,000-45,000 per kilogram, while her smoked fish are sold for Rp120,000 per kilogram. But since over a year ago, Mariatun has had more to do. Now she no longer only processes the fish into salted and smoked fish; she also turns them into various food products, such as nuggets, fish balls, sausages, crackers and dried fish flakes, known as abon. Mariatun is not alone in her work. An additional 25 other fisherwomen, all Nanga Leboyan residents, also process their catch. The women are joined in the Danau Semangit Womens Group. Members of the group are starting to acquire specific expertise in creating food products from fish, after receiving assistance from Konsorsium Dian Tama since September 2016. A number of NGOs are joined under the consortium led by the Dian Tama Foundation, namely Riak Bumi, Kaban, LPS-AIR, Kompak and Periau Danau Sentarum Association. At first, Mariatun and her friends were trained on how to create various food products from fish. Besides knowledge, the Nanga Leboyan women were also given cooking and packaging equipment, such as a vacuum sealer. "We still use simple equipment such as woks, steamers and a machine for mincing fish," said Mariatun. In the training, the consortium also invited the women fishers and farmers to be involved in the organization, stressing the importance of working with other fisherwomen and managing their funds together. "Its nice to own your own business, but working with other women is also important to improve harmony," said Mariatun. When the group was formed, Mariatun became the person in charge of the group. Involvement in an organization was nothing new for Mariatun, who was previously involved in the Leboyan Honey Farmers Group, also assisted by Dian Tama. But in this organization, only a handful of women were involved in management. In her new fisherwomens group, Mariatun feels she is exposed to new experiences and challenges, especially because some of the groups members are busy caring for their children and with household tasks. It is no wonder that five members have already left because they had trouble managing their time, although there were a few who expected instant profit. "In fact, any type of business requires time, and here were also learning organization skills," she said. Almost every day, Mariatun and her group learn how to process fish into sausages and other food products, financing this endeavor from the money they make selling fish crackers. To make crackers, they need Rp160,000-320,000 for buying 25 kilograms of sago. Their raw crackers are then sold for Rp25,000-30,000 per kilogram. Mariatun says her group has so far consumed their products themselves, although they do sell small amounts to their neighbors and in schools. The reason is that they cannot yet produce sausages, nuggets and other food products in large quantities every day. They are still improving recipes so that their snacks are consumer-worthy. "But this year, our target is to sell our groups products to traditional markets in Kapuas Hulu," she explained. 2012 - TEMPO INTI MEDIA TBK Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. NGOs urge Thai Govt to strengthen efforts to eliminate labour abuse from fishing industry August 21,2018 | Source: FIS A total of 28 NGOs have signed a statement pointing out that the Thai government must not yield to attempts by the National Fishing Association of Thailand (NFAT) to derail the ratification of the international Work in Fishing Convention, which protects fishers from human rights abuses. According to one of these environmental organisations, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), through the very nature of their work, fishers are especially vulnerable to human trafficking as well as forced, bonded and slave labour, operating as they do in isolated and hazardous conditions. EJF highlights that to protect this vulnerable group, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has established basic standards of decent work in the fishing industry. The NGO states that ratifying the ILOs Work in Fishing Convention would prevent workers from being exploited by unscrupulous employers who engage in forced labour and debt bondage, pay below minimum wage, and refuse to ensure overtime is voluntary and compensated all issues which have plagued the Thai fishing industry. EJF informs that the Thai government has already made strong moves towards ratifying the convention, holding meetings and public hearings on the topic, but, the NGO points out that it has recently come under pressure from the NFAT to drop it. We commend the Thai governments commitment to this process so far and urge it to ratify the agreement by the end of 2018. This convention is one of the most tangible measures available to preserve and elevate workers rights and would demonstrate Thailands leadership in combatting labour abuse and exploitation in its fishing industry, says EJF Steve Trent, one of the statements signatories. The NGOs say that efforts to reject the convention by NFAT are sadly unsurprising given it has reneged on previous promises to cooperate with the government to eliminate human and labour rights abuses in the fishing industry. The statement says that NFATs continuing demand for exemptions to the child labour laws, for instance, which prevent anyone under 18 from working in the fishing industry, demonstrates shocking disregard for human rights and the safety of children. The NGOs highlight that as well as providing crucial protection for fishers aboard Thai vessels, ratifying the convention could also solve the labour shortage in the Thai fishing industry. The environmental organisations state that currently, many countries which might provide a source of migrant fishers are reluctant to enter formal agreements with Thailand over the flow of workers because of Thailands reputation for serious and pervasive labour rights abuses. Together with the adoption of other key ILO measures such as those guaranteeing freedom of association and collective bargaining, ratifying the Work in Fisheries convention would show that Thailand is committed to treating its workforce well. In their view, these measures would also send a credible and powerful message to the international community, including seafood buyers, that Thailand is firmly committed to eliminating human trafficking, forced labour and other forms of exploitation from its fishing industry. 1995 - 2018 Fish Info & Services Co.Ltd Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. Desperate Iranian regime alleged to be selling out fishing rights to China August 20,2018 | Source: Tsarizm On 18th August, the Tasnim News Agency, close to the IRGC Quds force, published a piece declaring the Iranian regime has allowed Chinese fisherman to hunt in Iranian deep waters, reported sources inside Iran. Mohammad Ali Hassanzadeh, deputy chief of Ports and Maritime Organization, said: Chinese ships have signed an official long-term agreement with Irans Fishery that allows them to fish up to 200 meters deep in Irans waters in the Gulf of Oman. Allowing Chinese ships to trawl the bottom of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman is among the treasonous policies of the Iranian regime. Its also in line with their other policies like exporting Iranian soil and potable water to Arab states of the Persian Gulf and Iraq, or selling out Iranian shares in the Caspian Sea to Irans northern neighbors to secure their support with international bodies. Around 300 foreign persons are working on Iranian vessels and around 85 vessels are active in the Lantern Fish field in southern Iranian waters. Trawling is the practice of dragging heavily weighted nets across the seafloor to sweep up the fish like cod and haddock that thrive there. The long-term consequences for the eco system and fisheries are devastating. The deputy chief of Irans Ports and Maritime Organization said, Chinese ships have official agreements for long-term leases that allows them to fish in 200 meter deep waters of Iran in the Gulf of Oman. It seems the technology of these Chinese boats doesnt exist in Iran so that we can fish in 200-meter-deep waters. He continued: The Chinese have an official warrant and agreement to fish in 200 meter deep waters. As to whether the crews are Chinese or not, it should be said that currently the crews of all boats that frequent ports are from every country. Chinese fisherman with their industrial fishing boats use high voltage electricity to increase their rewards. This method hurts aquatic animals that are out of the fishing radius. On 8 May, an Iranian fisherman from Parsian Port told a reporter from state-run ISNA News Agency: Why are Chinese boats allowed to enter Iranian waters and destroy everything while this type of fishing is forbidden? Why can allow foreign fisherman in Iranian waters and nobody cares, but when an Iranian fisher enters the water of other countries around the Persian Gulf, they will be instantly stopped and sent to courts? Another fisherman said, The Chinese take everything they get by fishing and weve had clashes with them a number of times over why they destroy the sea bottom by trawling, but they dont listen and it is beyond our power to force them. 2013 - 2018 Tsarizm [Creative Destruction Media LLC] Theme(s): Others. Imperial Valley News Center Former Nazi Labor Camp Guard Jakiw Palij Removed to Germany Washington, DC - Jakiw Palij, a former Nazi labor camp guard in German-occupied Poland and a postwar resident of Queens, New York, has been removed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Germany, Attorney General Jeff Sessions of the U.S. Department of Justice, Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division and ICE Deputy Director and Acting Director Ronald D. Vitiello announced today. ICE removed Palij based on an order of removal obtained by the Department of Justice in 2004. The United States will never be a safe haven for those who have participated in atrocities, war crimes, and human rights abuses, said Attorney General Sessions. Jakiw Palij lied about his Nazi past to immigrate to this country and then fraudulently become an American citizen. He had no right to citizenship or to even be in this country. Today, the Justice Departmentled by Eli Rosenbaum and our fabulous team in the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, formerly the Office of Special Investigationssuccessfully helped remove him from the United States, as we have done with 67 other Nazis in the past. I want to thank our partners at the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security for all of their hard work in removing this Nazi criminal from our country. Nazi war criminals and human rights violators have no safe haven on our shores, said Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. We will relentlessly pursue them, wherever they may be found, and bring them to justice. The arrest and removal of Jakiw Palij to Germany is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the men and women of ICE, who faithfully enforce our immigration laws to protect the American people. Palij, 95, was born in a part of Poland that is situated in present-day Ukraine, immigrated to the United States in 1949 and became a U.S. citizen in 1957. He concealed his Nazi service by telling U.S. immigration officials that he had spent the war years working until 1944 on his fathers farm in his hometown, which was previously a part of Poland and is now in Ukraine, and then in a German factory. As Palij admitted to Justice Department officials in 2001, he was trained at the SS Training Camp in Trawniki, in Nazi-occupied Poland, in the spring of 1943. Documents subsequently filed in court by the Justice Department showed that men who trained at Trawniki participated in implementing the Third Reichs plan to murder Jews in Poland, code-named Operation Reinhard. On Nov. 3, 1943, some 6,000 Jewish men, women and children incarcerated at Trawniki were shot to death in one of the largest single massacres of the Holocaust. By helping to prevent the escape of these prisoners during his service at Trawniki, Palij played an indispensable role in ensuring that they later met their tragic fate at the hands of the Nazis. On May 9, 2002, the Criminal Divisions then-Office of Special Investigations (OSI) and the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Eastern District of New York filed a four-count complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, to revoke Palijs citizenship. The complaint was based primarily upon his wartime activities as an armed guard of Jewish prisoners at Trawniki, who were confined there under inhumane conditions. Palijs U.S. citizenship was revoked in August 2003 by a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York based on his wartime activities and postwar immigration fraud. In November 2003, the government placed Palij in immigration removal proceedings. In decisions issued on June 10 and Aug. 23, 2004, U.S. Immigration Judge Robert Owens ordered Palijs deportation to Ukraine, Poland or Germany, or any other country that would admit him, on the basis of his participation in Nazi-sponsored acts of persecution while serving during World War II as an armed guard at the Trawniki forced-labor camp in Nazi-occupied Poland under the direction of the government of Germany and his subsequent concealment of that service when he immigrated to the United States. As Judge Owens wrote in his decision ordering Palijs deportation, the Jews massacred at Trawniki had spent at least half a year in camps guarded by Trawniki-trained men, including Jakiw Palij. In December 2005, the Board of Immigration Appeals denied Palijs appeal. The removal of Palij to Germany was effectuated through close cooperation between the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and State. For nearly four decades, the Justice Department has vigorously pursued its mission to expel Nazi persecutors from the United States. The Palij case was the product of the Departments longtime efforts to identify, investigate and take legal action against participants in Nazi crimes of persecution who reside in the United States. Since OSI began operations in 1979, that office and its successor, the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, have won cases against 108 individuals who participated in Nazi crimes of persecution. In addition, attempts to enter the United States by more than 180 individuals implicated in wartime Axis crimes have been prevented as a result of the Watch List program initiated by OSI and enforced in cooperation with the Departments of State and Homeland Security. This removal was supported by ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations and Office of the Principal Legal Advisor as well as the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC). The HRVWCC is comprised of ICE HSIs Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit, ICEs Human Rights Law Section, FBIs International Human Rights Unit and HRSP. Established in 2009, the HRVWCC furthers the governments efforts to identify, locate and prosecute human rights abusers in the United States, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. The HRVWCC leverages the expertise of a select group of agents, lawyers, intelligence and research specialists, historians and analysts who direct the governments broader enforcement efforts against these offenders. The case was investigated, litigated and supervised over the years by a host of attorneys and historians in OSI, the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of New York, and HRSP, including Director Eli M. Rosenbaum, Senior Trial Attorney Susan L. Siegal and Chief Historian Dr. Jeffrey Richter, all of whom have served with HRSP since its 2010 creation. Mexican Lawyer Heads to Prison for Drug Trafficking Laredo, Texas - A 30-year-old Mexican resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiring to import and importing nearly 15 kilograms of heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Nestor Omar Duenas-Jimenez, of Villa de Alvarez, Colima, Mexico, pleaded guilty May 1, 2018. Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo handed Duenas-Jimenez a 63-month sentence. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings following the sentence. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that given his education and background, Duenas-Jimenez should have known better. Duenas-Jimenez is licensed to practice law in Mexico. On March 4, 2018, Duenas-Jimenez applied for admission into the United States from Mexico via the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge driving a Chevrolet Cruze. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers referred him to secondary inspection, during which time they discovered 14.66 kilograms of heroin hidden in his vehicle. At the hearing, Duenas-Jimenez said he tried smuggling the narcotics because he wanted money to buy a new car. Authorities estimate the drugs have a street value of $450,000. He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Giselle S. Guerra prosecuted the case. Passing of Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan Washington, DC - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: "I am saddened to hear of the passing of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and express my condolences to the Annan family and to the people of his home country of Ghana. "Mr. Annan spent his life advocating for peace and human dignity during his long career at the United Nations. "Even after leaving his post as Secretary-General he embodied the mission of the United Nations, by sowing the seeds of peace as Chair of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders committed to advancing the cause of peace and promoting human rights around the world. "I join the international community in remembering his remarkable service to the world." Mexican National Arrested for Heroin Trafficking Boston, Massachusetts - A Mexican national was arrested yesterday in connection with drug trafficking activities that resulted in the seizure of approximately four kilograms of suspected heroin. Miguel Angel Torres Morales, 39, was charged today by criminal complaint with possession with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. According to court documents, a cooperating witness arranged to purchase four kilograms of china white, referring to fentanyl, from a large-scale narcotics distributor for $55,000 per kilogram. The distributor agreed to deliver the drugs to the cooperating witness using a courier. On Aug. 20, 2018, Torres Morales drove a tractor trailer to the area of the Park and Ride parking lot on Granite Avenue in Milton to deliver the drugs. Federal agents stopped the tractor trailer and, in a cabinet behind the drivers seat, located four brick-packed kilograms of tan powder wrapped in cellophane. A field test of the powder tested positive for heroin. The charge of possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. Torres Morales will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren A. Graber of Lellings Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Afghan Government's Ceasefire Announcement Washington, DC - The United States welcomes the announcement by the Afghan government of a ceasefire conditioned on Taliban participation. This plan responds to the clear and continued call of the Afghan people for peace. The last ceasefire in Afghanistan revealed the deep desire of the Afghan people to end the conflict, and we hope another ceasefire will move the country closer to sustainable security. The United States and our international partners support this initiative by the Afghan people and the Afghan government, and we call on the Taliban to participate. It is our hope, and that of the international community, that the Afghan people may celebrate Eid al-Adha this year in peace, free from fear. The United States supports President Ghani's offer for comprehensive negotiations on a mutually agreed agenda. We remain ready to support, facilitate, and participate in direct negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. There are no obstacles to talks. It is time for peace. Afghanistan Independence Day Washington, DC - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: "On behalf of President Trump and the American people, I warmly congratulate the Afghan people as they celebrate their 99th anniversary of independence on August 19. "We commend the people of Afghanistans resolve and determination in continuing to strive for a future of peace and prosperity. The United States stands in steadfast support of the Afghan government efforts to achieve peace. During my first visit to Afghanistan as Secretary of State last month, I reiterated that the United States and Afghanistan are enduring partners. We are behind you in your fight against terrorism, and support you as you strengthen democratic governance by holding transparent and credible elections in the year ahead. "Our strong relationship is based on a shared vision for a secure, stable, and prosperous future for Afghanistan. We join the people of Afghanistan in celebrating your independence and look forward to continuing its goal of achieving a peaceful future for your country." Maduro Regime Crackdown Following August 4 Incident Washington, DC - The United States condemns the political violence that occurred on August 4, and urges the Maduro regime to respect the rule of law, exercise restraint, and safeguard the presumption of innocence for all accused. The Venezuelan governments response to this incident has been to arbitrarily detain some individuals and a failure to follow due process. In addition, there have been violations of parliamentary immunity, which is protected by Venezuelas Constitution. The United States condemns the alleged use of torture to elicit confessions. We join the international community in calling for an independent expert commission to investigate the August 4 incident. We urge the Maduro regime to respect the human rights of all persons detained in Venezuela and reiterate our call for the immediate release of all those who are arbitrarily detained, including political prisoners. The Government of Venezuela is responsible for the widespread instability and suffering in Venezuela. The Maduro regime has systematically stripped millions of Venezuelans of their basic rights as citizens, and limited their access to food, medical care, and basic security. We encourage the Maduro regime to accept international assistance and pursue policies that alleviate the humanitarian crisis and restore democratic freedoms. The United States stands with the Venezuelan people in their dream of living free in a prosperous and democratic country. What The Fork: Not Just Diwali, Sweets are an Integral Part of Indian Culture, Writes Kunal Vijayakar As a college sophomore in 2015, Terren Klein learned very quickly the value of public-opinion polls. In solidarity with other campus-based Black Lives Matter protests around the country, students demonstrated at Dartmouth College's Baker-Berry Library. While the protest lasted just one day, it was all students at the New Hampshire institution could talk about for the rest of the quarter. Like many of his peers, Klein wanted to make sense of the commotion, which he thought was getting distorted on social media. The most polarized opinions surfaced there, by its nature, while the middle ground--that is, the view held by a majority of people--was getting lost. "I think people went away with crazy misrepresentations of how divided their campus was," Klein says. So Klein, a government major, set out to create a platform that both fosters conversations but also ensures they are grounded in data. So rather than just thinking you know how people around you feel about certain issues--for instance, gun control and sexual assault--you'll have actual data. Plan of Action Today, that platform--which Klein and fellow Dartmouth undergrad Robin Jayaswal founded in the fall of 2016--is available at 39 college campuses. It has collected more than 13 million responses and boasts 10,000 active daily users. The company is also part of Y Combinator's summer 2018 batch. The Mountain View, California-based accelerator is known for launching heavyweights like Airbnb, Dropbox, and Reddit, to name a few. As the August 23 demo day looms, Klein hopes he can sell investors on the uniqueness of Pulse. "We think there's this thirst for reliable data on the level of communities, and there's not really a platform out there that's doing that," says Klein, who graduated in the spring of 2017. Here's how it works: Users submit questions, which are voted on by members of the community, but the Pulse team gets the final say on which are chosen. To ensure samples are representative (so a survey requesting opinions of the Greek system doesn't only contain affiliated students, for example), Pulse offers users points that can be exchanged for rewards like free Sennheiser headphones and an iPhone X. Users can break down results by category, but only if enough people in that subgroup have taken the survey to protect users' anonymity. Margins of error are always published. While the startup hasn't settled on a revenue model yet, the founders are considering charging colleges, companies, and politicians to use the app to conduct surveys on college students. They've already done a trial run for consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Promising Premise Pulse isn't the first app to try to tap into student opinion. Yik Yak and Whatsgoodly have both emerged in the past five years as platforms for students to share opinions and poll one another anonymously. And there are giants in the space like SurveyMonkey. Pulse doesn't want to be the clearinghouse for campus rumors or become a white-label survey product, however. Instead, it aims to provide its users with reliable data about their community. Users can, for instance, learn what percentage of students at their school would date a Trump supporter. And a comment section allows students to discuss the results. The company's premise certainly has potential, says Jeffrey Carr, clinical professor of marketing and entrepreneurship at New York University's Stern School of Business. Carr says that the Googles and Facebooks only provide companies and organizations with "transactional" data--what people are doing and when--and give little answer to why, a void Pulse can potentially fill. "They know what website you're on. They're observing your behaviors," Carr says."[What's needed] is explanations of why people are doing these things. What's in people's hearts and minds?" So far, that theory is bearing out. Pulse has seen a 2,000 percent increase in daily active users since joining Y Combinator in June, despite school not being in session. Carr says that while user growth is encouraging, Pulse's biggest challenge in monetizing will be proving its survey data is reliable without undermining its users' trust. University of Colorado-Boulder philosophy professor David Barnett was accustomed to puzzling out solutions to wide-ranging problems on his own. Can you ever experience anything objectively? Is time linear? In 2010, he began grappling with a far different, but no less universal problem: His iPhone's headphones kept getting tangled up in his pocket. His first attempt at a solution was to glue some large clothing buttons to the back of his phone and wrap his cord around them. The rig worked but it protruded significantly, and friends began joking at his expense. "Within weeks I was thinking about how to get the buttons to collapse and not look so ridiculous," Barnett says. The lanky, sandy-haired professor visited kitchen and camping stores, and found no solution, save various space-saving products that used an accordion mechanism to collapse. He then taught himself a 3-D design software called SolidWorks and went through more than 60 rounds of models and 100 prototypes. He spent his entire savings on the endeavor--and even after 100 tries, it was tough to get the little back-of-the-phone button to expand and collapse reliably. Then what Barnett unironically calls "a fortunate thing" occurred: His house burned down in a wildfire. An insurance payment easily covered a rebuild, but instead of replacing most of its contents, he used much of the money to make more widgets, which he'd started to call PopSockets. He bolstered the payment with about $500,000 from local investors, plus a small Kickstarter campaign in 2012, and started building a real business in Boulder to design, market, and sell the product. Within two years, the company had a working version of what would become a PopSocket. And it wasn't long before the $10 product was gaining a cult following--the silver-dollar-size back-of-phone buttons were useful not just for cord storage, but also for gripping the device. Their colorful, trendy designs--emojis, marbles, mandalas--took off among young people in particular. They could help prop up a phone at an angle convenient for video-viewing, and prevented drops and breaks by selfie-takers. Word-of-mouth--which came easily, as the bright buttons were natural conversation starters--was all the amplification PopSockets needed. Between 2014 and 2017, the company would grow revenue by an astounding 17,423 percent, reaching $169 million in 2017. The road to PopSockets' ubiquity was far from smooth, though. In 2014, as sales should have been ramping up, Barnett was back in the red, more than $40,000 in debt. He was counting on a large shipment of PopSockets to help move the company to the black, but when it arrived, every one was defective beyond repair. Barnett, by this point, couldn't simply walk away and return his teaching job. He'd muddied that possibility by inserting himself into a university sexual assault investigation of one of his graduate students. Barnett felt the school had suppressed evidence in its investigation of the case, and filed a complaint against the university in August 2013. "The university threw everything they could at me, including a good bit of dishonesty," Barnett says. (A spokesman for the university says it "provided appropriate due process throughout that case and did it in a fair and honest manner.") He was accused of retaliation against the student who lodged the complaint, and while termination proceedings against him began, he was put on paid leave--which he used to work on PopSockets. Barnett worked late nights with his few PopSockets employees, doing inventory and getting orders shipped out. "If you know David, you know nothing fazes him," says Stacey Belcher, PopSockets' accounting manager, who has been with the company since 2014. She recalls that she and others would ask him whether they should be worried that he was being investigated. "No, we'll be fine," he'd say. "David was always OK," Belcher says. Sure enough, just as losing his home in a wildfire provided a silver lining for Barnett, so too did the investigation. He was not found to have retaliated against the female student, but was found to have "engaged in conduct below minimum standards of professional integrity." Barnett denies having done so. Ultimately, he settled with the university, receiving a $290,000 payment for leaving his tenured position and forfeiting any potential legal claims. Again, he says he put the entire sum into PopSockets. Overwhelming demand By the fall of 2016, the company was shipping out up to 10,000 PopSockets a day out of Boulder. In December it received 30,000 orders over a weekend. The company couldn't keep up, and had to temporarily cease taking orders online. It wasn't a good look--and it didn't feel good to be disappointing customers. But simultaneously, it was becoming clear to Barnett and his team that the company was turning a corner. After recording $3 million in 2015 revenue, it was on track to hit almost $20 million in 2016. The following year the company improved its long-unreliable supply chain, and continued hiring rapidly in Boulder to handle the fast growth. Barnett has focused significant effort over the past couple years on something very important to him personally: giving back. He and his colleagues had been too swamped to build a charitable arm of the company, so in January 2017, Barnett hired his buddy Michael Zakin as vice president of social impact. The company embarked the following quarter on donating a percentage of its ample profits to a nonprofit or cause. First up: four organizations that support those with Parkinson's disease. Next: the Arthritis Foundation. It has given $2.5 million in cash and goods to date. Executives say PopSockets is still in fast-growth mode, and it is just cracking international markets: In 2017, 4 percent of sales were international; in 2018, an anticipated 10 percent will be. While the company has been free of major problems over the past two years, as it soars toward having sold 100 million PopSockets, at least one member of the team can get a bit nostalgic for the early days when Barnett's personal setbacks ended up benefiting the business. "Anything bad that happens to him, he manages to flip it," Belcher says. "And it ends up good somehow." EXPLORE MORE Inc. 5000 COMPANIES Nancy Hua moved to the U.S. from China in 1989. She excelled in high school, got a full ride to MIT, went into finance, and became a star trader. But her mother's illness led her to launch the tech company Apptimize--and shifted her thinking about what's really important in work and life. --As told to Zachary Lipez I was born in China. My dad left for America when I was 1, and my mom left when I was 2. I lived with other people--family, and my dad's professors--until I was 4. I have two birthdays. When I left China, my parents got me a passport and my mom changed my birth month to August, because for the Chinese the number eight is lucky--she thought it would be more fortunate. (She changed her own birthday to August 8, 1958. That's a lot of eights.) My dad went to graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh and became a science professor. My mom was a waitress. She never went to college. But she ended up managing that restaurant and starting a translation business. We never had money when I was growing up. I had to get free lunch from the school. I got a scholarship to MIT and went into finance. I knew I'd be good at it, and we needed money. I did an internship at Merrill Lynch. I didn't think I was very good. As in "nothing I'm doing matters, and nothing the people around me are doing matters." We had a lot of meetings and downtime, and, especially for an intern, there was nothing that had any stakes. But I met the proprietary trading group and thought: "This is related to what I learned in school." I became a trader, and moved to Chicago to work for Getco. My mom got cancer, and I moved my trading team to New York City to be closer to her. She was dying. And my dad also had cancer. But he recovered. I feel a lot of regret that I wasn't entirely present while my parents were sick. I dealt with it by working a lot. You know, like, "I'm depressed because my parents are sick, so I'm going to focus on this thing where I'm in control." Even though she was dying, my mom was always worried about me and my cat, and about my health, because I wasn't eating that much. When my mother died, I emailed everyone in her address book. Hundreds of people emailed me back, and they were so sad. Since we were in America, and no one else in our family was, my mother always emphasized that I should connect with other people. "I don't view us as all that successful yet. As a company, we could still die." I struggled a lot with that, because I was a really weird kid. I was an only child, because of China's one-child policy. Until I was maybe 24, I don't think I related very effectively with normal people. When I was growing up, we moved around Pittsburgh a lot--and I'd never tell any of my friends that I was moving. I didn't think it was a big deal that I wasn't coming back. But I learned from my mom, eventually, how to connect with adults. After she died, I did some reflecting. I enjoyed trading, but I no longer saw the reason. I could have stayed at it and become a rich dick. It would have been fine. But I wanted something more. I left, and the company gave me a noncompete, which is pretty common in finance: They pay you, and you just do whatever. But when I don't work, I get depressed, because I feel useless. I didn't like traveling, but I knew that that was what everyone was supposed to do, so I traveled a lot. But I would stay in each country for only a day or two. All nerds read Hacker News, and that's how I found out about [Y Combinator co-founder] Paul Graham. He says that startups are supposed to make things that people want. With trading, you don't think about that, because you don't have customers, so for the first time, I was thinking, "What do other people want?" I couldn't do a consumer-based thing, because I'm not a normal consumer. I don't like buying stuff--I assume that people selling most stuff are leading you to think it will make you happy in some way. Enterprise software isn't like that. It's more rational: People buy it because they think it will make them more money. Which is why I wanted to start an enterprise company. And I wanted to start a company that was in a really new field, that was changing rapidly, and that was related to mobile. That's how we landed on Apptimize. People use our product to make different versions of their website and mobile apps, and then they can test the different versions on their consumers easily. It was the only thing, among a number of other data- and analytics-related ideas, that people actually wanted. We applied to Y Combinator, and we got in. Graham told us, "You guys are going to have no trouble raising money." We ended up raising $21 million. I don't view us as all that successful yet. As a company, we could still die. (I don't know if this is good to say.) There's this pattern: If we just do this next thing, everything will be great. That's just not true. You meet a goal, and then it's on to the next thing. After we closed a deal with one of our first customers, Rakuten--which is like the Amazon of the rest of the world--we knew everything was going to be OK. We were like, "Wow--people really want our product, and they will pay six figures for it." That was a huge deal. And I don't think we celebrated at all. I think I undercelebrate. But we were immediately looking to the next contract. I've been thinking about what success really means, and how I should have loved my mom more and been better at connecting with her. Now, I channel that into my team. When I first started, the company was about expressing myself, or proving what I could do. Now it's more about making sure the team is learning, that they're hitting their personal goals, and that we're all connected and growing. That's what my mom taught me. She was very loving. Long-term, that's what motivates. You really can't go that far on your own ambitions. Her Long Journey to the American Dream What's the most indulgent business expense you've ever allowed your company? Office bunny food. Number of vacation days I took last year: 6.5 What was the funniest thing that happened in the first year of your business? My team's telling me they couldn't afford not to work on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If you were to start another company, what would you do differently? Stick to the cultural fits in our hiring profile. EXPLORE MORE Inc. 5000 COMPANIES I recently read an article in the NY Times about negotiating salaries, and it irked me. Author AC Shilton quotes Kim Churches, Chief Executive of the American Association of University Women, who states that when involved in salary negotiations "don't be timid, but use the right inflection and wording choices". This advice, is of course, in the section about women being more likely to be penalized when attempting to negotiate the salaries they desire. As a woman who has been both an employee, and an employer, this advice is like telling women that they should dress conservatively if they don't want to get raped. Negotiating for a salary should not be about how you dress up the conversation, or about the right verbal innuendo, it should be about the facts. As a business owner, I don't negotiate on fantasies, I negotiate on reality. I expect any employee--man or woman--coming to the bargaining table to be able to discuss the following 3 points. 1. Be clear about you have accomplished. I don't pay for what you might do. I pay for what you can show me you have done. I base my compensation offers, whether in initial hiring negotiations or when it comes to raises, on the means my company has available to it, and what the market price is for the skills I am looking to acquire. Those two numbers are easy to identify and don't involve much subjectivity. By putting them together, I try to make a fair and reasonable salary suggestion. When you make your ask, you should know what the market is paying for the experience and talents you possess. That is your starting point. Anything beyond that needs to have an explanation--and it should be concrete. If you can cite specific accomplishments you have made (at my company or any other) that aren't figured into my offer number, then tell me about them, in detail. Help me to understand why they make you more valuable, and I'll try to find a way to move my offer up. I am convinced by proof--sales attained, goals met, precise contributions made. The only language you need to worry about is being able to clearly articulate these accomplishments. Your inflection won't get you a dime more or less. 2. Tell me how you have added/will add value to my company. When I begin my hiring process, I have a pretty good idea of the type of skills I need you to have in order to be successful at the position you are applying for. Two things are certain, however, I don't have a crystal ball and I can always be taught something new. If you believe that you are able to add value to my company in a way I haven't considered, now is the time to lay it on me. When I determine how much I can compensate you, I don't pull the number out of the air. I do research, I consider what I am getting in exchange, and also what I can afford. Getting me to acknowledge your extras won't happen because you talk nice or use industry jargon. I will pay attention to concise examples, clear explanations, and specific results. That you want more money may be the case, but it does not mean it is always feasible on my end. Help me give you what you desire by showing me that you will help me pay for that extra financial commitment by the way you wield your know-how for my company. 3. Describe what you have done/can do that is outside the job description that you are being considered for or are currently doing. This last point pertains more to you if you already work for my company and are looking for additional compensation. Do not, and I repeat, do not, tell me all the things you do for my company that are in your job description and for which you are already being paid. I will not now nor ever give you more money for something for which you are already remunerated. If you want more, demonstrate to me that you have done something that exceeds what you have been asked to do. Fill me in on the initiative you took to do something more than I expected. Make me understand that your contribution moved my company forward, and quantify that advance. Whether you are male or female makes no difference--if you can point out where you have given more of yourself than I required, I will listen at any time, and happily discuss making sure you are compensated for your efforts. Be aware, however, that I do not pay for the responsibilities you might take on, in the same way in which I would not pay you for possibly showing up on your first day. Two lives are turned upside down by a dramatic ultimatum in Anchor and Hope. It's the latest film by Spanish writer/director Carlos Marques-Marcet, with Oona Chaplin and Natalia Tena starring as Eva and Kat, a couple living a carefree, yet humble lifestyle in a London canal boat. Now in their mid-30s, Eva has desires for her future that she makes well-known to Kat: she wants a child. But Kat resists, worried it may impact the bohemian future she envisions for the both of them. However, when Kat's best friend Roger (David Verdaguer), drops in from Barcelona, the trio start to toy with the idea of creating a baby together. Screen International praised the film as "a romantic comedy that champions lifestyles that don't fit the suburban mould through choice and economic necessity". The best films of 2018 (so far) Show all 17 1 /17 The best films of 2018 (so far) The best films of 2018 (so far) The Guardians From its slow-burning beginning, The Guardians develops into an epic melodrama. Its a wartime story in which, for a change, the men are relegated to supporting roles. It follows in a tradition of French rural family sagas like Jean De Florette or Manon Des Sources. The landscapes and the changing seasons play as much of a part in the story as the main characters. The best films of 2018 (so far) Dark River Dark River offers little such consolation. It has some lyrical and delicate moments but the mood is generally overwhelmingly bleak and lugubrious. Incest and abuse dont leave much space for any comic interludes. This is a powerful film with a grinding intensity about it. Light relief it isnt but Dark River still has quite an impact. Alamy The best films of 2018 (so far) Zama Late on in Argentinean director Lucrecia Martels startling, highly original new feature, Zama, a character who has just had both his arms cut off, is advised to shove your stumps in the sand if you dont bleed out, youll survive. Its a grisly, darkly humorous moment in a film that continually surprises us with both its brutality and its lyricism. The Match Factory The best films of 2018 (so far) The Breadwinner The most dispiriting aspect of this otherwise enrapturing Oscar-nominated animated feature is that its storyline still seems so current. The film depicts an Afghan society in which women dont have a face. It is set during the Taliban rule, which lasted from the mid-1990s until late 2001, but this doesnt feel like a period piece. Seventeen years after the Taliban were ousted from power in Afghanistan following the US invasion, the plight of women in the country appears hardly to have improved. GKIDS The best films of 2018 (so far) BlacKkKlansman Spike Lees work sometimes risks sensory overload. He fires off so many different ideas and storytelling styles that audiences can become bamboozled by his scattergun approach. BlacKkKlansman is one of his very best films because the digressions are as entertaining as ever but dont get in the way of the main story. AP The best films of 2018 (so far) Early Man Much of the pleasure in Aardman films has always lain in their gently ironic, Alan Bennett-like humour. They take very exotic characters and subject matter but then deal with them in a matter-of-fact fashion. They make a virtue out of their own relative modesty. Early Man isnt the flashiest animated feature that youll see this year but it is certainly the most likeable. The best films of 2018 (so far) Isle of Dogs Like all of Wes Andersons work, Isle Of Dogs is very stylised, very offbeat and characterised by its extremely dry and often ironic humour. This Japanese-set stop-motion fable is also gorgeous to look at packed full of intricate visual detail. It deals with some weighty themes (ethnic cleansing, fascism and corruption) but does so in an idiosyncratic fashion. The best films of 2018 (so far) Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri Writer-director Martin McDonagh has a host of award-winning plays behind him but his movies havent always lived up to his stage work. This one certainly does. It shares some of the dark and nihilistic humour found in McDonaghs previous film, Seven Psychopaths. The best films of 2018 (so far) A Quiet Place In an era of wearisome poltergeist movies, haunted house stories and torture porn, A Quiet Place is a refreshingly pared-down and very original affair. Director John Krasinski relies on editing, sound effects and off-screen action to crank up the tension. We do see the creatures from time to time, sometimes even in extreme closeup. They are very grotesque, bigger versions of the polyp-like succubus which exploded out of John Hurts stomach in Alien. However, the most terrifying moments here come when the humans are waiting for them to appear, desperately hoping that they wont. Paramount Pictures The best films of 2018 (so far) Lady Bird Lady Bird is one of the best American coming-of-age films since Barry Levinsons Diner. Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, it offers an utterly winning mix of humour, poignancy and sharp-eyed social observation. Gerwig approaches her subject matter with the same tenderness and affectionate irony with which the adolescent Lady Bird regards Sacramento. Gerwig also shows Lady Birds heroism as the young heroine strives against the odds to become the very best version of herself she can be. A24 The best films of 2018 (so far) Phantom Thread If Phantom Thread is indeed Daniel Day-Lewiss final film as an actor, he is going out on a wondrously bizarre note. This must be the oddest film in his career, one in which he gives a typically commanding but very idiosyncratic performance. Almost everything here is jarring but generally in a very positive way. The best films of 2018 (so far) First Reformed It is not so long ago that Paul Schrader seemed to be giving up on cinema. The American writer-director (whose credits include Taxi Driver, American Gigolo and Affliction) had taken to making movies like the sour Hollywood satire The Canyons with Lindsay Lohan and the cartoonishly violent Dog Eat Dog, shot cheaply, aimed at a VOD audience. The former had a montage of closed-down movie theatres. In interviews, Schrader struck a gloomy note about the future of the industry. This is why First Reformed is so refreshing. This is not just Schraders best film in a very long while. It is also a re-affirmation of the directors belief in the medium. Rex The best films of 2018 (so far) The Happy Prince Oscar Wilde goes to ruin in Rupert Everetts debut feature as director. Everett also wrote and stars in the film, giving a grandstanding performance as the Irish writer at the end of his life, after his release from prison, where he has been doing hard labour for gross indecency. This is a moving and surprising biopic that squeezes out every last drop of pathos from its subject matter. BBC Films The best films of 2018 (so far) Black Panther Black Panther is not only one of the most entertaining recent superhero films but has an intelligence and a political dimension that such inchoate offerings as Suicide Squad and Justice League completely lacked. It is an action movie which touches on Pan-Africanism and which owes as much to Malcolm X as it does to Batman or Captain America. Marvel Studios/Disney The best films of 2018 (so far) Sicilian Ghost Story Sicilian Ghost Story is a genre-bending affair that combines elements of teen romance, gothic psycho-drama and political thriller. It is loosely based on a true story of a boy called Giuseppe Di Matteo whose father, an ex-member of the Sicilian Mafia, turned grass against his erstwhile associates. The Mafia responded by kidnapping Giuseppe and keeping him in captivity for nearly 800 days. Altitude The best films of 2018 (so far) First Man First Man is all about understated heroism. Its affecting precisely because Armstrong (played with quiet intensity by Ryan Gosling) doesnt feel the continual need to boast about his mission. The film is a tearjerker but a very subtle one. AP The best films of 2018 (so far) Dogman Dogman is one of the best Italian films of recent times, a modern day neo realist fable that bears comparison with the great work of Fellini, Rossellini, De Sica et al. Its main character, the dog groomer Marcello (Marcello Fonte), is a wonderful creation: loveable, vulnerable, seedy and comic all at the same time. Curzon Artificial Eye Oona Chaplin also happens to star onscreen here with her real-life mother, Geraldine Chapman, the fourth child of screen legend Charlie Chaplin. Anchor and Hope hits UK cinemas 28 September. Follow Independent Culture on Facebook for all the latest on Film, TV, Music, and more. It is not so long ago that Paul Schrader seemed to be giving up on cinema. The American writer-director (whose credits include Taxi Driver, American Gigolo and Affliction) had taken to making movies like the sour Hollywood satire The Canyons with Lindsay Lohan and the cartoonishly violent Dog Eat Dog, shot cheaply, aimed at a VOD audience. The former had a montage of closed-down movie theatres. In interviews, Schrader struck a gloomy note about the future of the industry. This is why First Reformed is so refreshing. This is not just Schraders best film in a very long while. It is also a re-affirmation of the directors belief in the medium. The film is full of echoes of other filmmakers whose work Schrader admires. A story of a priest facing a crisis of faith, one of its most obvious influences is Ingmar Bergmans Winter Light. Its magical realist scene of levitation could come from a Tarkovsky movie. Schraders admiration for the French director Robert Bresson is well chronicled. Thankfully, these references dont weigh down First Reformed, which has an austere intensity all of its own. Ethan Hawke stars as Ernst Toller, a priest whose church, the First Reformed, is about to celebrate its 250th anniversary. The congregation is dwindling. The church itself is a draughty old building. There is a leak in the mens restroom. It is shabby and very old-fashioned when compared to its bigger, newer, shinier and better funded near neighbour, Abundant Life. The Reverend Toller is keeping a journal. He writes in longhand and promises to show no mercy in what he reveals about himself. Schrader immediately establishes a sharp contrast between the reserved and dutiful Toller we see going about his business in the church and the tormented figure, drinking whisky at his desk as he commits his thoughts to paper in what may turn out to be a suicide note. Toller has plenty to feel guilty about. His son, who enlisted on his advice, died in the Iraq war. His marriage crumbled in the wake of the sons death. Tollers health is failing. At first, Tollers faith appears solid enough. When a pregnant young wife, Mary (Amanda Seyfried), asks him to speak to her husband, environmental activist Michael (Philip Ettinger), he is exhilarated to do so. Michael is extremely wary about bringing a child into a world in which climate change threatens disaster. He wants Mary to terminate the pregnancy. Toller makes familiar arguments about following the righteous path. Michael seems to listen but his eventual response shocks Toller profoundly. This is a film about a mans spiritual crisis but it has a strong eco-undertow. One of the most visually striking scenes is when the Reverend preaches a sermon at a toxic waste site with rusting ships and rubbish in the background. Hawke gives a complex and moving performance as the priest, dedicated to others but being eaten away by his self-loathing. Schrader may be a veteran filmmaker but he retains some of the same subversiveness and adolescent desire to shock that was there at the start of his career when he was a young screenwriter working on Taxi Driver. The Reverend Toller is like a more mature and religious version of Travis Bickle, the vigilante Robert De Niro played in that movie. Like Travis, Toller wants to clean up the filth. In his case, its not pimps and lowlife New York hustlers he is targeting but cynical big businesses like Balq Industries which give huge amounts of money to the church even as they leave pollution and devastation in their wake. First Reformed is unsettling and deeply ambiguous. As he watches videos of suicide bombers or wraps himself in barbed wire, Toller appears unhinged a self-pitying and masochistic psychopath. He can be wantonly cruel. We see him hissing at a choir leader, who cares for him and with whom it is implied that he had a brief affair, that he despises her. However, he is also the films conscience and its most lucid figure. His relationship with the pregnant woman (Seyfried) is hard to decipher. It goes well beyond that of a priest with a troubled member of his congregation. We are unsure whether it is shared faith, despair or even lust that bring them together. For you, every hour is the darkest hour, Toller is warned by a senior church colleague who advises him to do something in the real world. By retreating into the spiritual realm and agonising over human weakness, the priest is driving himself towards despair. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Schrader, whose 1972 book Transcendental Style in Film focused on the work of Ozu, Bresson and Dreyer, has deliberately made an old-fashioned art house film, shot in box-like academy ratio and dealing with self-consciously heavy subject matter. The surprise is that it makes such gripping viewing. The director and his star demonstrate together that you dont need superheroes, VFX or shootouts for a film to grab an audiences attention. Against the odds, this story about a middle-aged reverend struggling desperately to make sense of his life is just as dramatic and surprising as even the most intricately plotted thriller. Nicki Minaj has cancelled her North American tour with Future. Events promoter Live Nation said in a statement: Following her unforgettable VMA performance, Nicki Minaj has decided to reevaluate elements of production on the NickiHndrxx Tour. [and] to contribute more time to rehearsal ahead of the tours launch to make certain her fans get the absolute best quality show that they deserve. The NickiHndrxx Tour was set to kick off 23 September, in Washington DC, with all North American dates now cancelled, set to be rescheduled for next May at a later date. Future will not co-headline the new dates due to scheduling conflicts. Minaj's tour will now start 21 February 2019 in Munich, Germany as planned; dates continue until 28 March, when the tour will reach Geneva, Switzerland. The musician took to Twitter expand on the motivations behind the cancellation, stating that the two-month delay on releasing Queen hadn't left her with enough rehearsal time to deliver a satisfactory show for fans. "[Creative director] Jamie King and I are working tirelessly to give you guys the best show of my life, and I really apologise, but it'll be worth it," she told fans in the video posted to her social media. Live Nation is offering refunds to those who purchased tickets for the North American leg of The NickiHndrxx Tour. The extraordinary life of Joseph Merrick, better known as "The Elephant Man", will be brought to the screen once more, thanks to a new BBC drama. The role has been tackled by major names in the past: Bernard Pomerance's 1979 play The Elephant Man has seen the likes of David Bowie, Mark Hamill, and Bradley Cooper in the role of Merrick, with John Hurt also memorably starring in David Lynch's 1980 film of the same name. However, the task now comes down to Stranger Things' own Charlie Heaton, in a two-part drama that marks a fresh take on Merrick's legacy, written by Neil McKay. The Elephant Man will track Merrick's working-class upbringing in Leicestershire, his four years spent in a workhouse, through to his time travelling Britain and Europe as one of the "human novelty" exhibitions that spiked in popularity during the Victorian era. Furthermore, it will examine his uneasy friendship with Dr Frederick Treves; a man whose humiliating medical examinations left him feeling like "an animal in a cattle market", but who also cared and supported him during the final years of his life. Merrick died in hospital in 1890, aged 27. Im extremely excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to take on the portrayal of Joseph Merrick in the BBCs adaption of The Elephant Man," Heaton said of the role. "This is such a special role and a challenge for any actor. Joseph has such an incredible story and I cant wait to go on this journey and bring him to life. Filming will take place in Wales, directed by Richard Laxton, and will air next year. Follow Independent Culture on Facebook for all the latest on Film, TV, Music, and more. There is a correlation between increased Facebook use and real-life attacks on refugees in Germany, according to a landmark study. Researchers at the University of Warwick studied attacks in Germany across a two-year period and discovered that towns with an above-average use of Facebook experienced more violence against refugees. The study, Fanning the Flames of Hate: Social Media and Hate Crime, used Facebook data to investigate the link between anti-refugee sentiment on the social network and hate crime. The trend was not attributed to general internet use, but rather specifically the use of Facebook, where racist vitriol is stoked within groups on the platform. Exposure to such anti-refugee sentiment had a causal effect on violence, the study suggests. Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Show all 5 1 /5 Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures The researchers used Germany as a case study, where the right-wing party Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) has recently gained a major social media presence. "We show that right-wing anti-refugee sentiment on Facebook predicts violent crimes against refugees in otherwise similar municipalities with higher social media usage," the study's authors write. "Our results suggest that social media can act as a propagation mechanism between online hate speech and real-life violent crime." Across Germany, the researchers suggested that one-tenth of all violence against refugees was a result of this effect. Facebook declined to comment on the study but told The New York Times: "Our approach on what is allowed on Facebook has evolved over time and continues to change as we learn from experts in the field." The study that more research is needed to demonstrate effective ways to tackle online hate speech. It closes: "By quantifying the extent of the problem, our paper aims to make a first step towards identifying potential harm arising from extended social media usage." A hopeful Nasa intern has lost the position before she even started after swearing at a member of Nasa's space council on Twitter. The since-deleted tweet caused thousands to react on the social media platform, eventually bringing the thread to the attention of the US space agency. "Everyone shut the f*** up I got accepted for a Nasa internship," the Twitter user, who goes by the name Naomi H, wrote on Tuesday. When another user replied, "Language", she responded: "Suck my d*** and balls I'm working at Nasa." Nasa unveils space tourism posters Show all 6 1 /6 Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters Nasa's canny decision to commission sumptuous vintage-inspired posters by Seattle design firm Invisible Creature has firmly placed space travel back where it belongs: in the imagination of travellers Nasa Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters It is particularly fitting that the Nasa commission went to Don and Ryan Clark, who have been running Invisible Creature since 2006, undertaking projects for the likes of Nike and Target Nasa Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters "We were ecstatic, just because our grandfather was an illustrator at Nasa for 30 years," says Clark Nasa Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters The artwork harks back to the Jet Age-era posters commissioned by Howard Hughes' Trans World Airlines and its rival United in the 1950s and 1960s, when the work of David Klein (for TWA) and Stan Galli (for United) glamorised and essentially branded this new age of air travel Nasa Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters It doesn't matter that Nasa has no plans for a "Grand Tour" of Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus Nasa Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters If global travel is for daydreamers, going beyond the atmosphere is for true space cadets Nasa Unfortunately for her, the person who responded was Homer Hickam, a former Nasa engineer and author who now serves on the organisation that oversees the space agency. His response to her profanity-filled tweet simply stated: "And I am on the National Space Council that oversees Nasa." Recommended Nasa astronaut plays the first ever game of tennis in space Naomi H has since made her tweets protected and changed her bio to: "Taking a break from Twitter for a while." Mr Hickam also deleted his tweets when the thread began to attract attention, as he claims to have not wanted to get her in trouble with Nasa. He explained his motivations in a blog post, saying that he had no role in her losing the offer of an internship at the space agency. "I do not hire and fire at the agency or have any say on employment whatsoever," Mr Hickam wrote. "As it turned out, it was due to the Nasa hashtag her friends used that called the agency's attention to it long after my comments were gone." The engineer said the woman reached out to him with an apology, which he "heartily accepted". Despite losing the internship, there may still be a happy ending for the Nasa hopeful. "After talking to her and looking at her resume, I am certain she deserves a position in the aerispace industry and I'm doing all I can to secure her one that will be better than she lost," Mr Hickam added. "I have also talked to the folks that had to do with her internship and made absolutely certain that there will be no black mark on her record. They have told me she may reapply." Nasa boss Jim Bridenstine has laid out his grand vision to use the water on the Moon to power the space exploration of the future. The agency should launch a new and "sustainable" mission of human exploration of our nearest neighbour, he said. And the new discovery that there is water ice on the lunar surface is a key part of that mission. Eventually, it could become something far more spectacular. He laid out a vision of tugs going back and forth between Earth and the Moon, which would have a space station built around it and serve as a launching point for missions to Mars and deeper into the solar system. "We know that there's hundreds of billions of tons of water ice on the surface of the moon," Bridenstine said in an interview in Washington on Tuesday, a day after Nasa unveiled its analysis of data collected from lunar orbit by a spacecraft from India. Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427 more commonly known as WR 124 and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region The findings, published on Monday, mark the first time scientists have confirmed by direct observation the presence of water on the moon's surface - in hundreds of patches of ice deposited in the darkest and coldest reaches of its polar regions. The discovery holds tantalizing implications for efforts to return humans to the moon for the first time in half a century. The presence of water offers a potentially valuable resource not only for drinking but for producing more rocket fuel and oxygen to breathe. Bridenstine, a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and Oklahoma congressman tapped by President Donald Trump in April as Nasa chief, spoke about "hundreds of billions of tons" of water ice that he said were now known to be available on the lunar surface. But much remains to be learned. NASA lunar scientist Sarah Noble told Reuters separately by phone that it is still unknown how much ice is actually present on the moon and how easy it would be to extract in sufficient quantities to be of practical use. "We have lots of models that give us different answers. We can't know how much water there is," she said, adding that it will ultimately take surface exploration by robotic landers or rovers, in more than one place, to find out. Most of the newly confirmed frozen water is concentrated in the shadows of craters at both poles, where the temperature never rises higher than minus-250 degrees Fahrenheit. Although the moon was long believed to be entirely dry or nearly devoid of moisture, scientists have found increasing evidence in recent years that water exists there. A NASA rocket sent crashing into a permanently shadowed lunar crater near the moon's south pole in 2009 kicked up a plume of material from beneath the surface that included water. A study published the following year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that water is likely widespread within the moon's rocky interior, in concentrations ranging from 64 parts per billion to five parts per million. Bridenstine spoke to Reuters about making the next generation of lunar exploration a "sustainable enterprise," using rockets and other space vehicles that could be used again and again. "So we want tugs that go from Earth orbit to lunar orbit to be reusable. We want a space station around the moon to be there for a very long period of time, and we want landers that go back and forth between the space station around the moon and the surface of the moon," Bridenstine said. NASA's previous program of human moon exploration ended with the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Trump last December announced a goal of sending American astronauts back to the moon, with the ultimate goal of establishing "a foundation for an eventual mission to Mars." The Trump administration's $19.9 billion budget proposal for NASA for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 includes $10.5 billion for human space exploration. The budget supports development of NASA's new Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft designed to carry a crew into space. The administration envisioned a SLS/Orion test flight around the moon without a crew in 2020, followed by a fly-around mission with a crew in 2023. As part of the budget proposal, NASA also is planning to build the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway - a space station in moon orbit - in the 2020s. NASA said the power and propulsion unit, its initial component, is targeted to launch in 2022. In May, NASA canceled a lunar rover that was under development, a project envisioned as the first mission to conduct mining somewhere other than Earth. Additional reporting by Reuters The governments guidance on a potential no deal Brexit is better late than never, business groups said ahead of publication of MPs plans on Thursday. Among the so-called technical notices set to be published is an impact paper detailing the possible scenario for the financial services industry. The plan for banks and businesses was not expected to be among the first batch of notices released, as it likely to stir up controversy. However, companies have been calling out for more clarity on the future for months now, and on Wednesday, business groups issued a cautious welcome in anticipation of more details on how industry will be affected if the UK crashes out of the EU with no agreement in place. Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: Businesses have waited too long for answers to some basic questions around Brexit - and have been particularly frustrated by the lack of clear guidance on some of the issues that are within the UK governments own control. No deal preparations should have happened far earlier, and the onus is on government to move quickly and give businesses as much detailed technical information as possible to avoid significant disruption in any scenario. Mr Marshall said it will assess the governments plans on the basis of whether firms have the clarity they need so that they can continue to conduct business both here at home and across borders on 30 March 2019, and said the BCC will not hesitate to tell ministers if we find the content unclear or unhelpful to business decision-making. Allie Renison, head of Europe and trade policy at the Institute of Directors, said: The publication of no-deal guidance has been a long time coming, but its better late than never. While a no deal scenario would be bad for businesses, no deal with no planning would be worse. She added that the way the notices are communicated and disseminated will be just as important as their contents, and said the government should ensure that the information trickles down to all businesses in the supply chain, particularly to smaller firms which are typically less resourced, and are less likely to have made preparations so far. Mike Cherry, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, agreed that smaller firms will be the ones hardest hit by a disorderly exit from the EU. Unlike bigger businesses, they do not have the resources or capacity in the short term to deal with a sudden and sweeping change to the way they do business, he said. If you are a small business that trades with the EU or employs someone from the EU, or if you a self-employed EU citizen working in the UK, you need easily accessible information that will explain how a sudden Brexit will impact you and your business while providing practical steps to soften this impact. Mr Cherry added: Engagement is critical to make sure that the UKs small business community start preparing for a no deal Brexit and so that government gets a better understanding of the consequences of this scenario for the sector. This will allow them to put in place remedies, such as tax credits or export vouchers, to better support smaller firms if they are faced with a no deal Brexit. The FSB has previously warned that the government must do everything in its power to avoid a cliff-edge Brexit. Uber has agreed to pay 56 current and former employees a total $1.9m (1.5m) to settle sexual harassment claims. The ride hailing company will also pay the workers an additional $11,000 each, on average, as part of a class action brought by 485 people who say they were discriminated against during their time at Uber. The payouts are part of a $10m settlement agreed in March. A final hearing to approve the settlement is due to be held in California on 6 November. Two Latina engineers who led the class action allege they were paid less than white, Asian and male colleagues. The pair say they were subject to harassment and a hostile work environment at Uber because of their ethnicity and gender. A spokesperson said: "We agree with the plaintiff's motion which states that 'the class has responded extremely favourably to the settlement' with amounts that are 'fair, reasonable, and adequate." The payouts were calculated based on factors including the severity and duration of the alleged misconduct, the existence of supporting evidence, impact on the victim and the alleged perpetrators job title. However, settling the case will not draw a line under the long running problems Uber has faced over its workplace culture. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) began investigating the firm in August 2017 over separate gender discrimination allegations. Uber tips and tricks Show all 11 1 /11 Uber tips and tricks Uber tips and tricks Split fares with friends You can easily split a fare with your fellow riders, by swiping up from the bottom of the app during the journey, tapping your selected payment method and selecting Split Fare. After that, enter the names or phone numbers of the people youd like to spread the cost of your ride with. Theyll be notified immediately, but will need to accept before the trip ends. Uber tips and tricks Save money with uberPool If youre in no rush to get somewhere and are planning to travel alone or with one other person, you can save a lot of money by requesting an uberPool. You can either first select the uberPool option on the slider at the bottom of the app, or pick the uberX option and then choose Find an uberPool Match. Once youve entered your destination, the app will try to match you with other people that are heading the same way. Uber tips and tricks Change pickup location after requesting a ride Uber lets you change your pickup location after youve already made your booking. Just tap the Edit option next to your pickup location, type in or drag the pin to the new address and hit Confirm. You can, however, only do this once, and you cant change the location to anywhere outside of the circle displayed on the app. Uber tips and tricks Control the music You can control the music in the car on the iPhone version of the Uber app by linking it to your Spotify Premium account. If you match with a driver who has connected music, youll see a Music bar at the bottom of the screen. Tap it, log into your account, connect to the car's speakers with Bluetooth, an AUX cable or USB, and play. Uber tips and tricks Save addresses If you regularly use Uber to travel to the same places, you can save some time by listing them as Favourites in the app. In the Settings menu, youll be prompted to add your home and work addresses, but you can save additional locations by tapping the More Saved Places option. Uber tips and tricks Schedule a trip You can schedule a ride up to 30 days in advance by tapping the symbol of a car with clock, just to the right of the Where To? bar. After youve selected your date and a 15-minute pickup window, you can edit the pickup location by tapping Current Location. Uber tips and tricks Automate your expenses If you use Uber for both personal and work purposes, its worth setting up a business profile. You can link it to your work email address - which is where receipts will be sent - and a different credit card too. In Settings, scroll down and tap Add Business Profile. Better still, you can hook it up to your Concur, Expensify, Chrome River or Certify account, to make the expenses process a lot smoother. Uber tips and tricks Share your trip details You can share the details of your trip, including the first name and vehicle information of your driver, and your real-time map location, with your friends and family for peace of mind. Once you've requested a ride and entered your destination, slide up from the bottom of your screen and tap Share My ETA. Uber tips and tricks Use Uber in Google Maps You can order an Uber through Google Maps, which can save you the hassle of switching between apps and copying and pasting an address. At the end of the trip, you can choose to either use the payment method saved with Uber or the one saved with Google. Uber tips and tricks Earn credit You can easily earn Uber credit by inviting your friends to create their own accounts. All you need to do is tap Free Trips in the main menu and Invite Friends. For every new user you manage to sign up, youll earn 5 of credit (and theyll get their first trip free). Uber tips and tricks See your rating Uber relies on customers and drivers rating each other in the app, and you can see your score in the main menu, right beneath your name. If yours isnt appearing, its probably because you havent taken enough trips yet. Former Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick stepped down in June 2017 after allegations of widespread sexual harassment and gender discrimination at the company he founded. His resignation came after a review related to revelations about the toxic culture at Ubers Silicon Valley office, made in a 3,000-word blog post by Susan Fowler, a former engineer at the company. In the furore that followed, two external investigations uncovered hundreds of complaints about sexual harassment and other workplace practices, resulting in dozens of employees being fired. Close What is the new GCSE grading system? The number of students receiving the top GCSE grades rose for first time in seven years despite major reforms The proportion of entries scoring a C or above or a 4 under the new grading system increased by 0.5 percentage points from 66.4 per cent last year to 66.9 per cent. Tens of thousands of teenagers received their GCSE results in England, Wales and Northern Ireland amid major exam reforms. Last year, the GCSE pass rates fell and the number of pupils attaining the top grades dropped to the lowest point in a decade. Grades were awarded in the new tougher GCSE subjects maths and English last summer. Students in England received the new numerical grades in a further 20 subjects this year. Headteachers have raised concerns that the new GCSE grading system sends a "demoralising message" to students who are likely to score lower results in their exams. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said it had concerns about pupils performing at the lower end of the grading scale. "Our concern, however, is over those pupils at the other end of the scale who are taking exams which are harder than their predecessors and who have been told by the Government that a grade 4 is a 'standard pass' and a grade 5 is a 'strong pass'," Malcolm Trobe, ASCL deputy general secretary said. "That is a very demoralising message to those who achieve grades 1, 2 and 3, and the new system does not work very well for them at all." See below how we covered GCSE results day A-level results 2018 in pictures Show all 21 1 /21 A-level results 2018 in pictures A-level results 2018 in pictures Students celebrate their A Level results from Ark Academy in Wembley PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Charlie Jenner, Nathan Sharp and Abhinav Boddu receive their A Level results at Norwich School PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Students collect their A Level results at Brighton College PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Students celebrate their A Level results from Ark Academy in Wembley PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Twins Himmat (left) and Arjun Sohal, who both got 3 A's in Maths, Physics and Chemistry, and will both be going to Bath Universirty to study Chemical Engineering, celebrate their A Level results at Peter Symonds College, Winchester PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Students celebrate their A Level results from Ark Academy in Wembley PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Alex Cox receiving his A Level results at Mander Portman Woodward College, Edgbaston, Birmingham PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Students react as they receive their 'A' level results at Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form in London Reuters A-level results 2018 in pictures Moyle Oloko with her results at Brighton College in East Sussex PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Grace El-Mokadem, Maddie Backhouse, Claudia Ballard and Sophie Plumber read their A Level results at Brighton College in East Sussex PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Twins Emily and Molly Goldberg receive their A Level results at Merchant Taylor School in Crosby, Merseyside PA A-level results 2018 in pictures A student reacts as she receives her 'A' level results at Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form in London REUTERS A-level results 2018 in pictures Students react as they receive their 'A' level results at Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form in London Reuters A-level results 2018 in pictures Simran Kaur Bahia 20 receiving her A Level results gaining an A*, A and B at Mander Portman Woodward College, Edgbaston PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Students pose for a photograph as they receive their A Level results from from Merchant Taylor School in Crosby, Merseyside PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Amanda Georgevic with daughter Phoebe Georgevic 19, who got two A's and one B in her A Level results at Mander Portman Woodward College, Edgbaston PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Students react as they receive their 'A' level results at Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form in London Reuters A-level results 2018 in pictures Harriet Selway, 17, left, and Niamh Davies, 17, right, both from Horfield, Bristol, react as they open their A Level results at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School PA A-level results 2018 in pictures Eleanor Elizabeth Sykes 18 receiving her A Level results gaining 2 A's at Mander Portman Woodward College, Edgbaston PA A-level results 2018 in pictures A group of students talk after receiving their A Level results at Mander Portman Woodward College PA A-level results 2018 in pictures A student reacts as she receives her 'A' level results at Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form in London Reuters Those in Wales and Northern Ireland will continue to receive their grades in the traditional A* to G format. The new linear GCSEs which have harder content, less coursework, and more exams at the end of two years are now being graded using 9 to 1, rather than A* to G. Only 732 16-year-olds in England, who took at least seven new GCSEs, scored a clean sweep of 9s in all subjects. Hundreds of thousands of teenagers are waiting to receive their GCSE results on Thursday after a long summer away from school. Year 11 pupils in England will be given numerical grades in most subjects this summer. Alphabetical grades for GCSEs are being replaced with the new grading system amid exam reforms. What do the numerical grades mean? The new GCSEs in England are being graded under a nine-point numerical system with 9 as the top grade and 1 at the bottom rather than the traditional eight-point alphabetical A* to G scale. It is not easy to make comparisons between the two grading scales apart from at three points: The bottom of a grade 7 is equivalent to bottom of a grade A The bottom of a grade 4 is equivalent to bottom of a grade C The bottom of a grade 1 is equivalent to bottom of a grade G UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 23 October 2021 Partner of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Stella Morris and Editor in Chief of WikiLeaks Kristinn Hrafnsson attend a protest ahead of the appeal hearing over Assange's extradition, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 22 October 2021 Palace Gardener Justine Howlett adds the finishing touches to pumpkins bearing the face of Henry VIII and his wives, at Hampton Court Palace. PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2021 Flooded fields near Lingfield in Surrey, after southern England was hit overnight by heavy rain and strong winds from Storm Aurore moving in from France PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2021 A wing surfer enjoys the strong winds as they surf in the sea off of Hayling Island in Hampshire PA UK news in pictures 19 October 2021 Actor Jude Law holds hands with Little Amal, a 3.5-metre-tall puppet of a nine-year-old Syrian girl, as it arrives in Folkestone, Kent, as part of the Handspring Puppet Company's 'The Walk' PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2021 A view over Southend-on-Sea in Essex, which is set to become a city in tribute to Sir David Amess MP, who spent years campaigning for the change Getty UK news in pictures 17 October 2021 Members of the Essex Bangladeshi Welfare Association pay their respects by floral tributes laid at the scene where Sir David Amess MP was killed at Belfairs Methodist Church, in Leigh-on-Sea Reuters UK news in pictures 16 October 2021 Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer, Priti Patel and Lindsay Hoyle pay respects to Sir David Amess at Belfairs Methodist Church, in Leigh-on-Sea, the site of his death EPA UK news in pictures 15 October 2021 A person lays flowers at the scene near the Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after he was stabbed several times at a constituency surgery. A man has been arrested and officers are not looking for anyone else PA UK news in pictures 14 October 2021 A red deer stag during rutting season in Bushy Park, Richmond, south west London, which is home to over 300 red and fallow deer PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2021 Police officers detain a man as Insulate Britain activists block a roundabout at a junction on the M25 motorway during a protest in Thurrock Reuters UK news in pictures 12 October 2021 The aerial climate installation by Swiss artivist Dan Acher 'We Are Watching' is unveiled at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2021 A young girl is helped by a Border Force officer as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2021 People walk past a life-size sculpture of British singer John Lennon entitled "Imagine", by sculptor Lawrence Holofcener, displayed to mark what would have been the 81st birthday for the former member of the Beatles in Carnaby Street Reuters UK news in pictures 8 October 2021 WW II veteran, 96-year-old Lorna Cockayne, who served in the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS), popularly and officially known as the Wrens, as a Bletchley Park codebreaker, poses for a photograph with the Legion d'honneur after receiving it during a ceremony at the Pear at Parley in Ferndown, Bournemouth PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2021 British comedian Jo Brand poses with cut-out silhouettes representing women outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters New Scotland Yard, to highlight violence against women by male police officers or former police officers AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 6 October 2021 A protester, wearing a mask of Johnson, holds a sign reading Question it all on the final day of the Tory conference Getty UK news in pictures 5 October 2021 Members of Insulate Britain outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, before a hearing over the injunction banning the environmental activists from blocking the M25 PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2021 A delegate passes a street cleaner on the second day of the annual Conservative Party Conference being held at the Manchester Central convention centre AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2021 Margaret Thatcher-themed mugs for sale at the annual Conservative Party conference in Manchester EPA UK news in pictures 2 October 2021 A couple make their way through a flooded underpass in Bristol as a yellow weather warning for rain and wind is issued for parts of the UK Tom Wren/SWNS UK news in pictures 1 October 2021 A driver talks to members of the media after passing his HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) driving test at National Driving Centre in Croydon, south London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 30 September 2021 The centrepiece One Thousand Springs by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is seen ahead of the beginning of the Japan Festival, a celebration of the countrys plants, art and culture running from 2-31 October, at Kew Gardens in London PA UK news in pictures 29 September 2021 The family of Betty Campbell unveil the bronze sculpture of her during the unveiling of the statue in Central Square, Cardiff, of Betty Campbell, Wales' first black headteacher PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2021 A sign referring to the lack of fuel is placed at the entrance to a petrol station in London AP UK news in pictures 27 September 2021 Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London PA UK news in pictures 26 September 2021 Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer watches the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur match at The Font pub in Brighton PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2021 Scottish pro-independence supporters hold a march and rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK news in pictures 24 September 2021 Police officers remove two protesters from the top of a tanker, as Insulate Britain block the A20 in Kent, which provides access to the Port of Dover in Kent. The environmental activists have moved location after been banned from campaigning on the M25 motorway in London PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2021 Gabriella, the seven year old daughter of imprisoned British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, joins in a game on a giant snakes and ladders board in Parliament Square, to show the ups and downs of her mothers case to mark the 2,000 days she has been detained in Iran AP UK news in pictures 22 September 2021 A new sign hangs on the Millicent Fawcett statue after it was altered by CrackTheCrises coalition activists to highlight the climate crisis as a feminist struggle in Parliament Square in London EPA UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA A grade 9 is the top grade and it will be harder to achieve than the old A*. Last year, 732 students in England achieved a clean sweep of grade 9s compared to thousands who used to get straight A*s. The new grading scale is only being applied in England. Will the numerical grades apply to all GCSEs this summer? In 2017, 9 to 1 grades were used for the first time in maths, English language and English literature. Last year, the numerical grades were used in another 20 reformed GCSE subjects, including core academic courses such as the sciences, modern foreign languages, history and geography. This summer, new grades will be awarded for the first time in a further 25 subjects including business, design and technology, and many languages such as Chinese and Italian. Next year, all students in England will receive numerical grades for their GCSEs, rather than a mix of letters and numbers, as all subjects will have moved over to the new grading system. What grade is now seen as a pass? Grade C under the old system used to be widely considered as a good GCSE pass. Schools and colleges used to look for five GCSEs at grade C or above in their entry requirements for courses. Under the new grading system for the tougher GCSEs, the Department for Education (DfE) recognises grade 4 - similar to a grade C as a standard pass in all subjects. Students who do not hold a grade 4 or above in English and/or maths must resit their exams. But the DfE also sees a grade 5 the equivalent of a high C or low B as a strong pass. Schools are held to account on the percentage of students achieving at least a grade 5 in maths and English. Why was the grading system changed? The idea was introduced by Michael Gove, the former education secretary, to allow for more differentiation at the top end of scale to help universities and employers set apart the top achievers. The numerical grades were also introduced to clearly distinguish the tougher reformed GCSEs from the old legacy GCSEs which had A* to G grades. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The move is part of a wider reform of exams which has seen a complete overhaul of the content and structure of GCSEs. The new courses feature less coursework than the old GCSE qualifications, and modular courses, which saw pupils sit papers throughout their studies, have been scrapped in favour of linear GCSEs where pupils take their exams at the end of the two-year course. Are the changes well understood? There have been concerns raised in the past that employers, parents and universities will be confused by the numerical grades which will appear on CVs and Ucas applications. Previous surveys found that almost a quarter (23 per cent) of employers wrongly believed that 1 was the top grade, compared with 64 per cent who correctly stated that 9 was the highest grade. By all accounts, the first time an Israeli met Yasser Arafat was in July 1982, after Uri Avnery a white-haired war veteran, left-wing politician and muckraking journalist boarded the Palestinian leaders armoured Mercedes in the streets of West Beirut. The car swerved through the alleyways of a city under siege, one month into an Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and ferried Avnery to an ordinary apartment building where he spent two and a half hours interviewing the Palestine Liberation Organisation chairman, a man many Israelis deemed a terrorist. Accompanied by a German television crew, they discussed the possibility of peace in the Middle East and according to Robet Fisk, bonded over a game of chess. There was a joke about Mr Arafat not being married, Avnery later said. I said if he would marry an Israeli girl it would solve the whole problem. He said if it would solve the problem, he would do it that day. Avnery with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah in 2002 (AP) As scenes of his meeting with Arafat aired on Israeli television, Avnery returned home to face accusations of treason. The countrys attorney general later said no crime had been committed, but the episode cemented Avnerys reputation as a political renegade and leading advocate of two states for two nations a position that often put him at odds with Israeli officials. When he died, aged 94, at a hospital in Tel Aviv after suffering a stroke, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin called him the eternal opposition figure in a tweet, whose struggle for free speech paved the way for Israel as a young country. Avnery was a dominant and divisive figure in Israel, where he called for secularism in the countrys politics, negotiations with the Islamist group Hamas, recognition of the right of Palestinians to establish their own state and shared control of Jerusalem. Once dubbed Government Enemy No 1 by the chief of Israels internal security service, he spent four decades as editor in chief of the news magazine Haolam Hazeh (This World), a now-defunct weekly that published exposes of government corruption alongside left-wing political columns and, on its back cover, photos of scantily clad women. He ran one of the few truly independent and unabashedly critical newspapers in the states early years, said Haviv Rettig Gur, senior analyst with The Times of Israel. Uri is one of the first serious journalists who introduced into our profession in Israel an ethos of independent criticism. Though he was on the deep left on the issues, he could critique left-wing parties as readily as right-wing ones. In his youth, the German-born Avnery championed an ideology known as revisionist Zionism, which called for a Jewish state that would extend from the Mediterranean through the modern state of Jordan. His views shifted leftward while fighting for Israeli independence, and after writing a bestselling war book he became one of the first prominent Israelis to openly call for a two-state solution. When Avnery came out in support of Arafat, insisting that the Palestinian leader sought peace, he effectively pioneered ... the argument at the heart of the Oslo project, said Gur, referring to the 1990s negotiations between Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. That peace process has long since stalled, although Avnery expressed confidence that a breakthrough would occur. He had, he told The Independent in 2012, the misfortune of being an incorrigible optimist, as his views were increasingly out of step with Israels political leadership and even the countrys political left. With his wife Rachel Avnery in 2001 (EPA) He was ahead of his time and then lagged behind it, said Diana Buttu, a former legal adviser to the Palestinian negotiating team. Now the conversation among left-wing Israelis is no longer about two states. Its about challenging and actually denouncing Zionism, acknowledging the wrongs of the past ... His death, in a lot of ways, marks the end of the two-state solution he was the last activist I know of that was really calling for it. Avnery was born Helmut Ostermann in Beckum, Germany, in the early 1920s, and raised in Hanover, where his father worked in finance. The family immigrated to what was then the British mandate of Palestine when Helmut was 10, months after Hitler came to power. They soon slipped into poverty, and Avnery left school at 14 to work as a clerk in a law office. He also joined the Irgun, a paramilitary group that, he told Haaretz, planted bombs in markets in Jaffa and in Haifa, which killed dozens of women and children. He left the organisation after several years, and wrote in a 2014 memoir, Optimistic, that he learned that the difference between a freedom fighter and a terrorist depends on your perspective. Avnery served with an Israeli commando unit during the countrys 1948 war of independence, during which he was wounded by machine-gun fire on the Egyptian front. About that time he also adopted his last name, Hebraizing the name of his brother Werner, who died during the war. Acclaim for Avnerys journalistic war book, In the Fields of the Philistines (1949) was followed by dismay at its sequel, The Other Side of the Coin (1950), which alleged wartime atrocities. It brought Avnery his first dose of public scorn, which continued in earnest after he acquired Haolam Hazeh in 1950. The magazines circulation was never more than 25,000, according to The Jerusalem Report, although Avnery said each issue found its way to about 150,000 readers. That figure apparently did not include David Ben-Gurion, Israels first prime minister, who reportedly referred to it only as that certain weekly, refusing to use its name. Before Avnery sold the magazine in 1990 (it closed several years later), he and its newsroom inspired frequent controversy and sometimes outright violence. He said the publications offices were bombed three times, that fingers on both his hands were once broken during a nighttime ambush, that the newsrooms archives were burned down in 1972 and that three years later he was stabbed by an alleged lunatic who tried to kill him. A defamation law that Avnery said was targeting the magazine led him into electoral politics. Establishing a small new political party, he was elected to the Knesset in 1965, re-elected four years later and after losing at the polls in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War served part of a third term, from 1979 to 1981. Avnery was out of office when he made contact with Arafat, at a meeting that was closely monitored by Israeli forces. This year, in the book Rise and Kill First, journalist Ronen Bergman reported that an Israeli special-ops team was organised to assassinate Arafat, and unsuccessfully attempted to follow Avnery to the meeting in an effort to ferret out the Palestinian leaders location. The group, codenamed Salt Fish, lost Arafats car in the alleys of south Beirut, Bergman reported, and had planned to kill Avnery as well if necessary. That fact was long unknown to Avnery, who in 2003 joined Arafat in Ramallah, during the second intifada, to act as a human shield. He believed apparently incorrectly that his presence might have prevented a possible assassination of Arafat by Israel. With his wife, the former Rachel Gruenbaum, Avnery founded the activist group Gush Shalom (Peace Bloc). Together they received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the Alternative Nobel Prize, in 2001, when they were cited for their unwavering conviction, in the midst of violence, that peace can only be achieved through justice and reconciliation. Avnerys wife died in 2011. They had no children, and he said his political actions sometimes caused tension with the rest of his family. When his mother died, she scorned him in her will, reportedly writing that he would receive no inheritance since he didnt take care of me and instead went to visit that murderer Yasser Arafat. In recent years, Avnery wrote regular columns for Haaretz, most recently condemning the newly passed nation-state law, which formally declares Israel a homeland for the Jewish people. Calling it a semi-fascist piece of legislation, he wrote that its outcome was clear: No democracy. No equality. A state of the Jews, for the Jews, by the Jews. Uri Avnery, journalist, born 10 September 1923, died 20 August 2018 Washington Post An appreciation by Haim Baram Avnery, pictured in 2011, was badly beaten and stabbed by Israeli fascists (Getty) (AFP/Getty) Uri Avnery was by far the best journalist in the history of Israel. Contrary to his erratic reputation Avnery was a consistent and hardworking man, whose dedication to the cause of peace has never been in doubt. Born in Hanover, Germany in 1923, Avnerys rather wealthy family immigrated to Palestine in 1933. His father realised as soon as Adolf Hitler became chancellor that there was no future for Jews in the Nazi Germany. The family had become impoverished and ran a small laundry in Tel Aviv. Uri himself had to leave school at the age of 13, and worked hard for the family business. He was very keen on the idea of forming a Hebrew entity, toiling with the Arabs to build a harmonious society while keeping the separate national identities intact. His very north European appearance and cold manners concealed a very passionate personality. He was one of the first pioneers of the idea, to reconcile the national ambitions of both sides to the conflict, even when the very word Palestinians was virtually banned by both Likud and the Labour Party. I had worked with him for many years and learned from him everything about journalism. He was not a leftist in the conventional meaning of the term. He was liberal-radical with contempt to Russian version of command economy. In my eyes he seemed a bit reactionary on global politics and social policies but I soon realised the revolutionary potential of his opposition to the Israeli-Zionist establishment. Avnery, the brave soldier in the 1948-1949 Israeli-Arab war was severely wounded, spent more than a year in hospital and published two seminal books about the war and the deportation of the Palestinian population. He never hid his active and ardent role in the fighting nor had he been ashamed of it. Alongside with our colleagues in the Israeli Council for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, Matti Peled and Yaacov Arnon, Avnery worked with the PLO moderates to bridge the enormous gap between Israel and the PLO. In the course of his journalistic and political career he was badly beaten and stabbed by Israeli fascists. Set up in 1950, his weekly magazine Haolam Hazeh excelled in exposing crimes against the Palestinians as well as the establishments corruption. He maintained that Mossad poisoned Arafat. After more than 30 years he had to sell the magazine. This was a tragedy for him and for many others, myself included. I owe him a great debt: for many years he had encouraged me to publish a column in Haolam Hazeh, dedicated to world and especially to third world affairs. Our political differences had never hampered our friendship. Perhaps he was reputed to be a cold man, but I always challenged his reputation. At 94 he has still retained his good looks and unending curiosity and energy. The parting is sad, but proud. He prevented many good journalists from becoming lackeys of the vile establishment in our country. Haim Baram is an Israeli journalist A gigantic volcanic eruption in Indonesia led to the wet and muddy conditions which contributed to Napoleon Bonapartes defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, a study has suggested. Two months before the battle changed the course of European history, Mount Tambora erupted on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa, killing 100,000 people and hurling huge plumes of ash up to 62 miles into the atmosphere. The electrically-charged ash short circuited the ionosphere, the upper atmospheric layer responsible for cloud formation, researchers from Imperial College London said. It led to a pulse of cloud formation which brought heavy rain across Europe and played a part in the French emperors defeat. Lead scientist Dr Matthew Genge said: Previously, geologists thought that volcanic ash gets trapped in the lower atmosphere, because volcanic plumes rise buoyantly. My research, however, shows that ash can be shot into the upper atmosphere by electrical forces. A series of experiments and computer simulations showed charged volcanic particles smaller than 0.2 millions of a metre in diameter could be propelled into the ionosphere during large eruptions. There, they disturbed electrical currents in the ionosphere, leading to unusual levels of cloud formation and rain, according to the study published in the journal Geology. Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary Similar disturbance to the ionosphere was reported after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. Dr Genge added: Victor Hugo in the novel Les Miserables said of the Battle of Waterloo: an unseasonably clouded sky sufficed to bring about the collapse of a world. Now we are a step closer to understanding Tamboras part in the battle from half a world away. A bone belonging to a very unusual teenage girl has once again shaken up our understanding of human history. Around 50,000 years ago, Eurasia was home to two very distinct groups of humans, separated by thousands of years of evolution the Neanderthals and the Denisovans. Now analysis of a bone fragment from a Siberian cave has revealed the girl it came from had a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father. Recommended Mysterious ancient humans prompt rethink of early brain evolution Scientists have been gradually unpicking the complicated relationships of our distant ancestors, using ancient DNA. Increasingly, these efforts have suggested few displayed any form of prejudice when selecting partners. "But I never thought we would be so lucky as to find an actual offspring of the two groups, says Dr Viviane Slon, one of the researchers behind the discovery at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. The bone fragment 'Denisova 11' from several angles (T. Higham, University of Oxford) Denisova Cave, which is so far the only place physical evidence of the mysterious Denisovans been unearthed, has proved to be a treasure trove of human history. The bone fragment, Denisova 11, that the new study was based on was discovered there by Russian archaeologists in 2012 before being taken to Germany for genetic analysis. Researchers at Tel Aviv University shed new light on early modern human evolution The key message from the new discovery, outlined in the journal Nature, is that not only was interbreeding happening, it was happening a lot. To find an actual hybrid of such a mating in a still sparse fossil record must surely indicate that these matings could not have been rare events, at least when the populations met each other, under whatever circumstances, said Professor Chris Stringer, an expert in human origins based at the Natural History Museum, who was not involved in the research. Analysis of the genome also revealed that the Denisovan father of the girl, who was 13 at the time of death, had at least one Neandertal ancestor further back in his family tree, meaning there were multiple instances of interbreeding within this one family. Archaeologists (clockwise from top) Richard Roberts, Vladimir Ulianov and Maxim Kozlikin in the east Cchamber of Denisova Cave (IAET SB RAS, Sergei Zelensky) (IAET SB RAS, Sergei Zelensky) "Neanderthals and Denisovans may not have had many opportunities to meet, said Professor Svante Paabo, a pioneer in the exploration of ancient human DNA who also worked on the new study. But when they did, they must have mated frequently much more so than we previously thought." Professor Mark Thomas, an evolutionary geneticist at University College London who was not involved in the research, said the evidence for interbreeding between ancient human lineages can be seen to this day in the DNA of modern people. Around 5 per cent of DNA in some people today, particularly those from Papua New Guinea, is thought to be Denisovan in origin. Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary Ample evidence of breeding between humans and Neanderthals has emerged in recent years, including a modern human specimen from Romania who had a Neanderthal ancestor just four generations back. The really interesting thing is we seem to have caught one of them in the act, again Prof Thomas told The Independent. While Neanderthals and Denisovans were similar enough to produce offspring, these ancient human lineages would have been far more genetically distinct than any human groups alive today. Prof Thomas added: Clearly they werent racist so its a lesson from our distant relatives. Laziness is an effective evolutionary strategy that ensures the survival of the species, according to a theory laid out in a new paper. This survival of the slacker idea has emerged from a study of creatures living on the Atlantic sea floor and how they have fared over the past five million years. The work suggested that a slow pace of life can be a good strategy that helps individuals, species and even whole groups of species last longer. Although the research was based on lowly molluscs such as sea slugs, sea snails and shellfish, the authors suggested this could be a general principle that applies to higher animals as well. The scientists carried out an extensive study of the energy needs of 299 species of extinct and living bivalves and gastropods over millions of years. Those that had managed to escape extinction and survived to the present day tended to be low maintenance species with minimal energy requirements. Molluscs that had gone the way of the dinosaurs and disappeared had higher metabolic rates than their still flourishing cousins. Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary US ecologist Professor Bruce Lieberman, who co-led the University of Kansas team, said: Maybe in the long term the best evolutionary strategy for animals is to be lassitudinous and sluggish. The lower the metabolic rate, the more likely the species you belong to will survive. Instead of survival of the fittest, maybe a better metaphor for the history of life is survival of the laziest or at least survival of the sluggish. The findings, reported in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, could have important implications for forecasting the fate of species affected by climate change, said the scientists. Dr Luke Strotz, also from the University of Kansas, said: In a sense, were looking at a potential predictor of extinction probability. Recommended Seafood emissions have spiked due to demand for lobsters and shrimp At the species level, metabolic rate isnt the be all, end all of extinction there are a lot of factors at play. But these results say that the metabolic rate of an organism is a component of extinction likelihood. With a higher metabolic rate, a species is more likely to go extinct. So, its another tool in the toolbox. This will increase our understanding of the mechanisms that drive extinction and help us to better determine the likelihood of a species going extinct. Energy consumption had a bigger impact on species that were narrowly distributed, the researchers found. Species with a narrowly confined range were far more likely to go extinct if they had a high metabolic rate. Molluscs were used for the study because of the huge amount of available data on living and extinct bivalve and gastropod species. Recommended Mysterious ancient humans prompt rethink of early brain evolution The team now plans followup work to see if survival of the laziest natural selection applies to other kinds of animals. Dr Strotz added: There is a question as to whether this is just a mollusc phenomenon. Theres some justification, given the size of this data set, and the long amount of time it covers, that its generalisable. But you need to look can it apply to vertebrates? Can it apply on land? The oldest animal ever known was a 507-year-old clam from the Icelandic seabed called Ming. The incredibly low metabolic rates of Ming and its fellow ocean quahog clams is thought to be responsible for their long lifespans. Unfortunately, Mings long life was brought to an abrupt end in 2006 when scientists assessing its age killed it by opening its shell. Additional reporting by PA A dog which spent four hours stuck underground in a rabbit warren was rescued by firefighters who listened for his heartbeat. Rescuers utilised the life detector listening equipment they use to find people in collapsed buildings to pinpoint where the dog was after he disappeared in a field. They dug down and found the pet, named Bear, who was in good health but bewildered after his ordeal on Monday afternoon. Recommended How sniffer dogs are helping protect honeybees from decimation The Chorkie a cross between a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire Terrier was reunited with his owner after firefighters rescued him from a field in Linlithgow, West Lothian. Watch manager Alan Roy said: This was certainly one of our most unusual call-outs. The crew initially tried to find the dog by digging into the field without success, but we were determined not to give up on this brave little animal. The life detector listening equipment is used in urban search and rescue situations where we try to locate people in collapsed buildings. Using a series of sequences, we were able to pinpoint the approximate location of Bear, who was stuck down one of the rabbit warrens. World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Show all 11 1 /11 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog owned by Megan Brainard, stands onstage after being announced the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Megan Brainard reacts after her dog Zsa Zsa, bottom, is announced the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Zsa Zsa stands onstage after being announced the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Rascal Deux is held by owner Dane Andrew AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Wild Thang, a Pekingese, stands onstage AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Himisaboo, Chinese Crested and Dachshund mix, walks onstage AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog, walks onstage AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Meatloaf, a bulldog mix, walks onstage AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Martha, a Neopolitan Mastiff who won the 2017 World's Ugliest Dog Contest, stands onstage before this year's winner was announced AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog, stands onstage with Megan Brainard, before being announced the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Josie, a Chinese Crested mix, is checked by judges Debbie Abrams, right, and Jo Ling Kent AP We dug down and were able to retrieve the dog, who appeared a bit bewildered but in good health. It was crucial we acted as quick as possible so the animal didnt injure itself. He was hydrated with water after his ordeal and after some cuddles from the crew and his owner, he looked set to go chasing the rabbits again. It is not the first time firefighters have helped with an unusual incident involving animals. They supported RZSS Edinburgh Zoo vets during a dental procedure involving Bertus the greater one-horned Indian rhino in November 2016. They drew on their skills in searching collapsed buildings to safely manoeuvre the two-tonne animal safely into the correct position for the operation. In the same year, they used their rope and water rescue skills to save a horse that was stuck in two feet of mud at the bottom of a slope. PA New guidelines for police treatment of female detainees on their periods have been proposed by the Home Office. Ministers are consulting over how to make sure women in custody are treated with dignity. It comes after a watchdog suggested conditions while in police detention could breach human rights and equality laws. Earlier this year, the Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA), said police were routinely ignoring the needs of women who were menstruating. The organisation which monitors the treatment of detainees said people are often held in police cells without access to hygienic sanitary protection or provisions for washing and changing. It revealed many were not even able to speak to a female police officer. The watchdog told of how one woman had her clothes removed and was dressed in a paper suit. Despite being on her period, her underwear was removed and she was refused any sanitary protection. Labour MP Danielle Rowley addresses period poverty in Commons She was left in a state of vulnerability sufficient to cause concern for her wellbeing, bleeding in a paper suit, alone in a cell, the ICVA said. Under the government proposals, forces will now be required to ask female detainees at the earliest opportunity if they are likely to need sanitary products while in custody. Police will also have to make them aware that the items will be provided free of charge and ensure all such detainees can speak to a female member of staff if requested.Everyone who is held in custody should be treated with dignity and have their needs respected, Nick Hurd, the policing minister, said. Our proposals should leave forces across the country in no doubt of their responsibilities towards women in custody. Period euphemisms around the World Show all 8 1 /8 Period euphemisms around the World Period euphemisms around the World Germany 'Erdbeerwoche': translates as 'strawberry week' iStock Period euphemisms around the World France 'Les Anglais out debarque' or 'The English have arrived' referring to past wars with England and possibly the British army's red coats Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World Brazil 'Eustou Com Chico' or "I'm with Chico' in reference to socialist Chico Mendes and possibly his gruesome assassination in the late 80's Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World Finland The Finnish affectionately refer to periods and pms as 'Hullum Lechman Tauti' or 'mad cow disease' Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World The United States Though there are many varied terms, a popular americans commonly refer to periods as 'Aunt Flo' iStock Period euphemisms around the World China In China you may hear 'its little sister to come in' iStock Period euphemisms around the World Denmark 'Der Er Kommunister i Lysthuset' or 'There are communists in the funhouse' Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World South Africa A famed colloquialism for a period in South Africa is 'Grannys stuck in traffic' iStock Katie Kempen, chief executive of the ICVA, said the proposals were a significant step forward in ensuring that the dignity of female detainees is upheld in police cells. The watchdog represents local independent custody visiting schemes, where local members of the public visit police cells to keep an eye on detainees rights, wellbeing, and entitlements. In January, the body wrote to the then-home secretary, Amber Rudd, to draw attention to concerns. Gabby Edlin, chief executive and founder of the charitable project Bloody Good Period, applauded the new guidelines but said it was important to note the context in which they had arisen. It should not be forgotten that the reason this has happened is because people do not talk about periods, she told The Independent. The fact this has only just been considered is not only a travesty but is embarrassing. The guidelines will make people aware that the needs of people who menstruate are not an extra. Menstruating is not a choice. Regardless of who you are or where you are, if you come onto your period, you need to have access to sanitary products. You would not deny anyone the chance to use the toilet. In custody, you are in a vulnerable position, you need to have stuff for your period taken care of. This silence which surrounds periods means it has been used as a weapon against women holding back products from women is a form of abuse. A majority of people in a region that voted heavily to leave the European Union now supports a fresh referendum if Theresa May fails to achieve a deal with Brussels, according to a new poll. A survey of almost 1,000 voters in the northeast by YouGov, comes as Dominic Raab, the Brexit secretary, prepares to release the first tranche of technical notes on Thursday, setting out the consequences of a no-deal outcome for various sectors of the economy. Commissioned by the Peoples Vote campaign an organisation set up to advocate a new EU referendum the poll suggests 54 per cent of people in the region which voted by a 16-point margin to leave the EU in 2016 would back a fresh vote in a no-deal scenario. A further 22 per cent of respondents said they would prefer MPs to vote in parliament when the prime minister returns from negotiations in Brussels, while 24 per cent said they did not know. The results also showed 40 per cent of respondents would support a new referendum even if Ms May manages to secure a deal, with 35 per cent opposed and 25 per cent unsure. The findings came after The Independents campaign for a Final Say referendum on any Brexit deal gathered pace, with more than 700,000 people having signed the petition. Peter Kellner, the former president of the YouGov polling company, said the political significance of support for a fresh vote in the region among Labour voters is hard to overstate. The poll shows that of Labour voters in the northeast, 67 per cent said they would support a new vote if there is no deal, and 57 per cent would back the idea even if Ms May returns this year with an agreement. Brexit casualties Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit casualties Brexit casualties Andrea Jenkyns - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary at the ministry for housing, communities and local government role May 2018 - The Morley and Outwood MP said: We want to see a new relationship with Europe, with a new model not enjoyed by other countries nothing that leaves us half-in, half-out. And in order to achieve this, we need to leave the customs union. Ms Jenkyns also said she wished to dedicate more of her time to Parliaments influential Exiting the European Union select committee, after a series of unbalanced reports produced by MPs PA Brexit casualties David Davis - Resigned from Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union role July 2018 - quit following a major row with May over her plans for post-Brexit relations with the EU. Davis resignation letter said: As you know there have been a significant number of occasions in the last year or so on which I have disagreed with the Number 10 policy line, ranging from accepting the [European] Commissions sequencing of negotiations, through to the language on Northern Ireland in the December Joint Report. At each stage I have accepted collective responsibility because it is part of my task to find workable compromises, and because I considered it was still possible to deliver on the mandate of the referendum, and on our manifesto commitment to leave the Customs Union and the Single Market. I am afraid that I think the current trend of policy and tactics is making that look less and less likely. He went on to argue that the general direction of Ms Mays policies would leave the UK in at best a weak negotiating position, and possibly an inescapable one. AFP/Getty Brexit casualties Steve Baker - Resigned from Minister at the Department for Exiting the European Union role July 2018 - Mr Baker, a key Tory figure in the Leave campaign, was David Daviss main lieutenant at Dexeu, and was hailed as courageous and principled by other Brexiteer Tories as he also left. Reuters Brexit casualties Boris Johnson - Resigned from Foreign Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Mr Johnson said: "On Friday, I acknowledged that my side of the argument were too few to prevail and congratulated you on at least reaching a Cabinet decision on the way forward. "As I said then, the government now has a song to sing. "The trouble is that I have practised the words over the weekend and find that they stick in the throat." Reuters Brexit casualties Conor Burns - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary role July 2018 - A Brexit supporter who worked alongside Boris Johnson stated in his resignation letter: I've decided it's time to have greater freedom. I want to see the referendum result respected. And there are other areas of policy I want to speak more openly on. Rex Brexit casualties Chris Green - Resigned from Department for Transport role July 2018 - The Bolton West MP said: "Parliament overwhelmingly decided to give the decision of whether to leave or remain in the European Union to the British people and they made an unambiguous decision that we ought to leave. "I have always understood the idea in 'Brexit means Brexit' is that the final deal should be clear to me and my constituents - that we have, in no uncertain terms, left the European Union. Twitter Ads info and privacy "The direction the negotiations had been taking have suggested that we would not really leave the EU and the conclusion and statements following the Chequers summit confirmed my fears. "I recognise that delivering Brexit is challenging, however I had hoped at tonight's meeting that there would be some certainty that my fears were unfounded but, instead, they have been confirmed. "I have been grateful for the opportunity to serve as Parliamentary Private Secretary and it is with regret that I offer my resignation with immediate effect." PA Brexit casualties Maria Caulfield - Resigned from Conservative Party vice-chair for women role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. Lewes MP warned that the direction of travel did not fully embrace the opportunities that Brexit can provide. Ms Caulfield said in her letter to the PM: The policy may assuage vested interests, but the voters will find out and their representatives will be found out. This policy will be bad for our country and bad for the party. The direct consequences of that will be prime minister Corbyn. PA Brexit casualties Ben Bradley - Resigned from Conservative Party vice-chair for young people role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. The Mansfield MP said: I admit that I voted to Remain in that ballot. What has swayed me over the last two years to fully back the Brexit vision is the immense opportunities that are available from global trade, and for the ability for Britain to be an outward looking nation in control of our own destiny once again. I fear that this agreement at Chequers damages those opportunities; that being tied to EU regulations, and the EU tying our hands when seeking to make new trade agreements, will be the worst of all worlds if we do not deliver Brexit in spirit as well as in name, then we are handing Jeremy Corbyn the keys to No10. PA Brexit casualties Robert Courts - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. MP Mr Courts said: I have taken a very difficult decision to resign my position as [parliamentary private secretary] to express discontent with the Chequers [plans] in votes tomorrow. I had to think who I wanted to see in the mirror for the rest of my life. I cannot tell the people of Woxon that I support the proposals in their current form. Getty Brexit casualties Scott Mann - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. "I fear elements of the Brexit white paper will inevitably put me in direct conflict with the views expressed by a large section of my constituents. I am not prepared to compromise their wishes to deliver a watered-down Brexit. "The residents of North Cornwall made it very clear that they wish to have control over our fishery, our agricultural policy, our money, our laws and our borders. I will evaluate those principles against the Brexit white paper and ensure that I vote in line with their wishes." Rex Mr Kellner added: Labours leadership, and many of its MPs have been cautious about backing UK membership of the EU, or [supporting] a public vote, for fear of alienating pro-Brexit Labour voters. This survey shows that the reason for fear has significantly diminished and the greater danger now for Labour could be to alienate the big and growing ... pro-EU and pro public vote majority among Labour supporters, even in the partys heartlands. Labour has repeatedly refused to rule out supporting a fresh public vote on the final terms of any Brexit deal, but the partys shadow international trade secretary, Barry Gardiner, said this week such a move could lead to civil disobedience and social disruption in Britain. At the 2016 referendum voters in 11 out of 12 areas in the northeast voted to leave the EU by a large margin the new poll suggests the divide is now evenly split. Asked how they would vote in a referendum today, 42 per cent of respondents said they would back remain while the same proportion said they would support leave. Nearly 10 per cent said they did not know and 7 per cent said they would not vote. When pollsters removed dont knows, they found a 50-50 split between remain and leave voters. Mr Kellner said: On the night of the Brexit referendum two years ago, the early results from the northeast showed the strength of leave support, especially in Labours northern heartlands. YouGovs new survey shows that a public vote today would produce a very different result. Instead of the crushing 16-point victory for the leave campaign two years ago, the two sides are running neck and neck, with both on 50 per cent. The swing in the northeast is higher than the national average; and there is a clear reason for this. The region is more strongly Labour than any other: the party has 26 of the northeasts 29 MPs. And while the views of the relatively small number of Conservative voters towards Brexit are virtually unchanged, Labour voters have moved from 59 per cent to 68 per cent remain. The surveys total sample size was 962 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 31 July and 20 August 2018. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18 and over). Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will hold talks with top officials in the administration of Donald Trump, just as the president struggles to contain the fallout from a major fraud scandal. Mr Hunt will meet secretary of state Mike Pompeo, chief of staff John Kelly and adviser Jared Kushner, Mr Trumps son-in-law, in Washington DC. It comes after Mr Trumps former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen admitted he made hush money payments to two women at the direction of the president, just moments after the US leaders former campaign chief Paul Manafort was convicted of fraud offences. Mr Hunt was in the States to make his first major foreign policy speech and in a bid to shore up creaking relations with the US amid the turmoil of Mr Trumps presidency. On Tuesday he called on the EU to maintain pressure on Russia and ensure that we truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the US. That means calling out and responding to transgressions with one voice wherever and whenever they occur, from the streets of Salisbury to the heart of Crimea, he said. The US has also expelled dozens of Russian diplomats following the March poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skirpal in Salisbury, that in July claimed the life of Dawn Sturgess. Donald Trump calls Paul Manafort 'a good man' following eight counts of bank and tax fraud The Foreign Secretary will also travel to New York on Thursday to address the UN Security Council on the work of the UK and the US to fight against Islamic State. But the visit has been overshadowed after Cohen pleaded guilty to charges including campaign finance fraud stemming from hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal. The lawyers admission came almost simultaneously with the conviction of Mr Trumps ex-campaign chief Paul Manafort for fraud offences. Press conference following Michael Cohen's charge with campaign finance violations, fraud and tax evasion The crimes pre-dated the veteran political players time as head of Mr Trumps 2016 White House bid, although they were prosecuted as part of an investigation into Russian interference in the election. Led by special counsel Robert Mueller, the probe is investigating allegations that associates of Mr Trump colluded with Russian figures to influence the vote. On Tuesday Mr Trump renewed his attack on the investigation, calling it a witch hunt and Manaforts conviction a disgrace. Mr Muellers probe has sought the extradition of 13 Russians indicted over interference in the 2016 election, while Washington has imposed sanctions on the Kremlin. Hawaii is on high alert as Hurricane Lane has strengthened to a maximum Category 5 cyclone and is forecast to bear down on the islands bringing storm-force winds, heavy rain and dangerous waves. Residents have been stockpiling food and water, and schools and public sector jobs have been suspended. Official warnings have been issued for Hawaii and Maui counties, in the eastern part of the islands, where the first dangerous gusts could hit on Thursday. As of Wednesday morning, the hurricane is about 500 miles (804 kilometres) southeast of Honolulu. The US National Weather Service said data from their aircraft indicate maximum sustained winds have increased to near 160mph (260km/h) with higher gusts, upgrading Lane from a Category 4 to a Category 5 storm. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65km) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220km), the service said. The storm is forecast to move dangerously close to the main Hawaiian islands as a hurricane later this week, potentially bringing damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding from heavy rainfall, the weather service's Central Pacific Hurricane Centre warned as Lane tracked closer to the state. The storm had been moving west, but it is expected to turn northwest toward Hawaii on Wednesday. There remains uncertainty as to whether the hurricanes path will move to the north or south, meteorologist Gavin Shigesato said, adding: Its still a very strong storm. "It is much too early to confidently determine which, if any, of the main Hawaiian islands will be directly impacted by Lane," the weather service said. But even if the eye of the hurricane does not hit Hawaii directly, the huge weather system will likely move very close to the islands between Thursday and Saturday. In this scenario, Hawaii could still be battered by devastating gusts and significant rainfall, the hurricane centre said. The latest bulletin from the National Weather Service said in addition to high winds, the heavy rain could affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands from late Wednesday into the weekend, leading to flash flooding and landslides. Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches with isolated amounts greater than 20 inches over the Hawaiian Islands, the service said. In addition, residents can expect dangerous conditions on the coast, though with less dangerous conditions on north-facing shores. The service said: Large swells generated by Lane will impact the Hawaiian Islands, beginning tonight on the Big Island, spreading across the remainder of the island chain on Wednesday. These swells will produce large and potentially damaging surf along exposed west, south and east facing shorelines. Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Show all 45 1 /45 Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Recently planted palm trees lie strewn across the road as Hurricane Irma passes by in Miami Beach, Fla. 10 September 2017. AP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Damage outside the Mercure hotel in Marigot, on the Bay of Nettle, on the island of Saint-Martin AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures People pick up debris in Fajardo as Hurricane Irma howled past Puerto Rico after thrashing several smaller Caribbean islands Reuters/Alvin Baez Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The category 4 hurricane made landfall in the United States in the Florida Keys at 9:10 a.m. after raking across the north coast of Cuba. 10 September 2017 Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A Royal Air Force Puma has been delivered to the US Virgin Islands to assist with the humanitarian efforts post Hurricane Irma. The Puma will be delivering Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief in support of the Department for International Development. Royal Air Force logisticians from RAF Brize Norton have assisted with the delivery of military personnel and aid cargo to the Caribbean to support disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Irma. RAF aircraft including, C-17 A400M and Voyager are supporting a Joint Task Force of RAF, Royal Marines, Army and RN personnel who are supporting the Department for International Development as it delivers aid to stricken Caribbean Islands. MoD Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Flamingos at Zoo Miami, are shown in a temporary enclosure in a hurricane resistant structure within the zoo, Saturday, 9 September 2017 in Miami. Though most animals will reman in their secure structures, the cheetahs and some birds will ride out the storm in temporary housing. AP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Boats are seen at a marina in South Beach as Hurricane Irma arrives at south Florida, in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. 10 September 2017 Reuters Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Storm clouds are seen over Fisher Island as Hurricane Irma approaches on 9 September 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. Florida is in the path of the Hurricane which may come ashore at category 4 Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Waves crash over a seawall at the mouth of the Miami River from Biscayne Bay, Fla., as Hurricane Irma passes by. 10 September 2017 AP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Some of the damage on Saint Martin EPA/Gerben Van Es/Dutch Department of Defence Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures The skyline is seen as the outerbands of Hurricane Irma start to reach Florida on 9 September 2017 in Miami, Florida. Florida is in the path of the Hurricane which may come ashore at category 4. Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A tree toped by hurricane Irma is seen on a empty street in Remedios, Cuba, 9 September 2017. Hurricane Irma reached Cuba bringing winds between 160 and 190 kilometers per hour. The hurricane has hit the north coast of the island. EPA Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures James Constantineau loads sands bags in his truck as he prepares for the approach of Hurricane Irma Saturday, 9 September 2017, in East Palatka, Fla. Gov. Rick Scott is urging anyone living in an evacuation zone in southwest Florida to leave by noon as the threat of Hurricane Irma has shifted west. AP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures The Fort Louis Marina in Marigot is seen on 8 September 2017 in Saint-Martin island, devastated by Hurricane Irma. AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Destruction in Orient Bay on the island of Saint-Martin AFP/Getty Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures The wreckage in Orient Bay on the island of Saint-Martin AFP/Getty Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures View of the aftermath of Hurricane Irma on Saint Martin Reuters Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A mobile network tower snapped in two by the hurricane on the island of Barbuda ABS TV Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A house reduced to rubble on the island of Saint Barthelemy AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures General view of damage on Saint Martin Reuters Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A damaged Casino Royale on Saint Martin after the passage of Hurricane Irma Anna Mazur/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures An aerial photograph taken and released by the Dutch department of Defense shows the damage of Hurricane Irma in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, the Dutch section of the Caribbean Island Gerben Van Es/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Flooded houses in Gustavia on the island of Saint-Barthelemy Kevin Barrallon/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures The damage on the island of Saint-Martin, a day after Hurricane Irma hit AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A man carrying an umbrella is battered by the wind in Fajardo, Puerto Rico Reuters/Alvin Baez Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A lone police car on patrol during the passing of Hurricane Irma in Fajardo, Puerto Rico Jose Jimenez/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Haitian people walk through the wind and rain on a beach in Cap-Haitien on September 7 as Hurricane Irma approaches Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A flooded street on the island of Saint Martin AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A tree collapsed on a house in Saint Martin Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A hotel in Saint Martin is gutted by floodwater during the hurricane Guadeloupe 1ere Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Cars submerged in Saint Martin Rinsy Xieng Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Debris floats amongst the floodwater in Saint Martin @la1ere Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Household items float down the street in Gustavia, Saint-Barthelemy Carole Greaux Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures The coast of Saint Martin is flooded as the hurricane hits the island Meteo Express Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A whole street underwater in Saint Martin @la1ere Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A car crashes into the tree amongst the chaos in Saint Martin @Bondtehond Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A building on the Saint Martin seafront, destroyed by the hurricane @Bondtehond Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A mobile home overturned at Princess Juliana International Airport in Saint Martin @Bondtehond Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Palm trees bend in the wind in San Juan, Puerto Rico as Hurricane Irma slammed across islands in the northern Caribbean Reuters/Alvin Baez Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A woman runs in the rain as Hurricane Irma slammed into San Juan, Puerto Rico Reuters/Alvin Baez Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A picture taken on September 5, 2017 shows a view of the Baie Nettle beach in Marigot, with the wind blowing ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irma AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A man rides past a boarded up house as part of preparations ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irma on September 5, 2017, in the French overseas island of Guadeloupe Helene Valenzuela/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Employees of the Mercure Hotel fill sand bags on the Baie Nettle beach in Marigot, as part of the preparations for the arrival of Hurricane Irma Lionel Chamoiseau/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures People in line at Costco, as they find out the store has ran out of water on September 5, 2017 in North Miami Michele Eve Sandberg/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Night view of the city of Cap-Haitien, in the north of Haiti, 240 km from Port-au-Prince, on September 5, 2017 Hector Retamal/AFP Hurricane Lane comes just two weeks after Hurricane Hector prompted the mayor of Hawaii county to declare a state of emergency, but the eye of the storm eventually swept past the islands to the south. Agencies contributed to this report A sexual assault case involving actor Kevin Spacey is currently under review in Los Angeles, prosecutors said. Greg Risling, a spokesman for the Californian city's District Attorney said it "was presented yesterday to our office by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department". He added the case remained "under review". Additional details surrounding the sexual assault case remained unclear as of Wednesday afternoon. Representatives for Mr Spacey did not immediately respond to enquiries. The District Attorneys office said earlier this year that it was reviewing another sexual assault case involving Spacey which dated back to 1992. Over 30 men have accused the Hollywood star of inappropriate sexual conduct, including Anthony Rapp, who accused Mr Spacey of making sexual advances on him when he was 14-years-old. Rapp said he was given the strength to speak out by the bravery of so many women coming forward after allegations against Harvey Weinstein sparked conversations about sexual abuse and harassment in the entertainment industry. Rapp has since joined #MeToo movement, which has seen thousands of men and women speak out about sexual misconduct in the workplace and shaped an international conversation about harassment and power in the workplace. Robin Wright talks about Kevin Spacey for the first time since allegations Mr Spacey has also been accused of inappropriate conduct by at least 20 people from when he served as the artistic director of Londons Old Vic theatre between 1995 and 2013. Scotland Yard also have six open investigations against the Oscar-winning actor. The actor has apologised to Mr Rapp in a public letter which also simultaneously addressed his sexuality, saying he was sorry for his deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour before coming out as a gay man. Critics denounced the apology, noting the timing of the revelations surrounding his sexuality. He has since been removed from his starring role on the Netflix hit series House of Cards, which is currently in production for its sixth and final season. Michael Cohen's lawyer has said his client will refuse any pardon from Donald Trump, branding the US president a "criminal". Lanny Davis, who was hired by Mr Cohen last month, told National Public Radio Mr Trump's former attorney would "never" accept a pardon from "a man that he considers to be a corrupt and a dangerous person". The unexpected statement comes as yet another blow to Mr Trump's chances of extricating himself from what is developing into a legal minefield. Mr Davis has said his client has information on the president that would interest special counsel Robert Mueller, investigating possible links between the Trump campaign and Russia. Asked on CNN whether his client would speak to Mr Mueller, Mr Davis said that: I do believe that he has information about Mr Trump that would be of interest both in Washington as well as New York state. I know that he wants to tell the truth about Mr Trump and when he first came to me we had long conversations about his views, about the suitability of Mr Trump to be president of the United States, and I believe that Michael Cohen is motivated for his country as well as concern about his family. And he will tell the truth. Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Show all 16 1 /16 Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions New York Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Washington Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Newsday Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions St Louis Post Dispatch Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Chicago Sun Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Star Ledger Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Daily News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The New York Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions San Francisco Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Boston Globe Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Houston Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Miami Herald Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Detroit Free Press Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Wall Street Journal Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Dallas Morning News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions USA Today On Tuesday, Mr Cohen pleaded guilty to eight charges, including to campaign finance violations that may put Mr Trump in legal jeopardy. Mr Cohen, one of Mr Trumps closest associates for more than a decade, said he arranged to make payments for [the] principal purpose of influencing the election at the direction of a candidate for federal office. He did not give the candidates name, although he was working for Mr Trump at the time. The president is alleged to have attempted to buy the silence of two women he is accused of having extramarital relationships with. Many pundits saw a pardon for Mr Cohen as one of Mr Trump's best chances of keeping his former lawyer from further revealing the inner workings of his campaign and subsequent period in the White House. Press conference following Michael Cohen's charge with campaign finance violations, fraud and tax evasion "He has flatly authorised me to say under no circumstances would he accept a pardon from Mr Trump, who uses the pardon power in a way that no president in American history has ever used," Mr Davis said. He accused Mr Trump of using the power to "relieve people of guilt" for "political cronies" who "committed crimes", adding, "Mr Cohen is not interested in being dirtied by a pardon from such a man". Mr Davis said Mr Trump directed Mr Cohen to commit campaign finance laws, meaning he was "guilty of a crime" that was "far beyond what has classically been called impeachable offences". The president of the United States is a criminal," he continued. "He has not plead guilty to a crime but his own lawyers have described him directing somebody to do something that is a criminal act, which is to hush up his affairs with two women, and thats not what this is about, its about his hushing up those affairs in order to influence the outcome of an election." Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters Mr Davis was apparently referring to comments in May by Rudy Giuliani, shortly after the former New York mayor joined Mr Trump's legal team, in which he said the president had reimbursed Mr Cohen for payments made to adult actress Stormy Daniels. In a New York court on Tuesday, Mr Cohen told a judge he was aware of what he was doing before pleading guilty to the charges, admitting that he worked at the direction of" Mr Trump when he attempted to buy the silence of Karen McDougal, a former Playboy playmate who claims she had an affair with the president in 2016. Mr Cohen also admitted he worked with and at the direction of the same candidate to deliver a $130,000 (100,000) payment to Ms Daniels, in order to silence her claims about an affair. In the NPR interview on Wednesday morning, Mr Davis again raised the possibility of Mr Cohen providing information that would be "of interest" to Mr Mueller. Donald Trump's praise for a Latino US Border Patrol agent, who he said "speaks perfect English," has been met with fierce backlash from his critics. The president introduced Adrian Anzaldua during an event honouring members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Custom and Border Protection (CBP), celebrating the border patrol agent for discovering 78 undocumented immigrants held inside a smugglers trailer. "Adrian, come here, I want to ask you a question. So how did you Come here, cmere," he began, as Mr Anzaldua made his way to the podium. "Youre not nervous, are you? Speaks perfect English! Come here." Mr Anzaldua went on to shake the presidents hand and describe what happened when he located the group of migrants, saying, "I quickly asked for backup, and backup got there, and the subjects were transported back to...the checkpoint, and all of them were in good health". However, by Tuesday morning, the focus did not appear to be on Mr Anzalduas actions, but rather Mr Trumps comments regarding his fluency in the English language. The praise was described as "offensive" and derogatory by Twitter users and political analysts, who also noted that the president repeatedly referred to the CBP as "CBC," which actually stands for the Congressional Black Caucus. Mr Trump has repeatedly drawn backlash for his comments towards minorities and the Hispanic community. He kicked off his 2016 presidential campaign by describing Mexicans who migrate to the US as rapists and "criminals," degraded a Mexican American judge and questioned his ability to serve in his role due to his heritage, along with a host of other controversial statements hes made regarding other ethnicities. Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Show all 8 1 /8 Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Mishawaka, Indiana AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Washington DC AFP/Getty Images Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy New York Mayor Bill De Blasio speaks in Tornillo, Texas alongside the many other US mayors who have called for detained immigrant children to be reunited with their families AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Albuquerque Mayor Tim Kelle leaves a teddy bear as a gift for detained immigrant children in Tornillo, Texas AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti leave sandals as gifts for detained immigrant children in Tornillo, Texas AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy San Diego, California EPA Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy US embassy, Mexico City AFP/Getty Images Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy San Diego, California EPA "Between the constant references to 'CBC' and the weirdly patronizing comment about Anzaldua, the event left the distinct impression that the actual agents of ICE and CBP arent really the people Trump cares about," wrote Voxs Dara Lind. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. John Dean, a key witness in the Watergate scandal that engulfed former President Richard Nixon, says Donald Trumps personal attorney has identified the president as a criminal and implicated him in a campaign conspiracy. Mr Dean served as White House counsel for Mr Nixon from July 1970 to April 1973, and aided in the cover-up of the Watergate burglaries. He later testified against the president in exchange for a lighter sentence. The story shares parallels with that of Michael Cohen, Mr Trumps long-time attorney and personal fixer, who pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges of tax fraud, making false statements to a bank, and campaign finance violations. Mr Cohen also admitted to having concealed damaging information "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office. While he did not identify Mr Trump directly, he was easily identified as the candidate in question. He has pretty much identified the president as a criminal. He said he did it at his behest, Mr Dean told Time after the hearing. If [Trump] werent President, he probably would be named as a co-conspirator and indicted. Mr Trump tweeted on Wednesday morning that the campaign finance violations Mr Cohen pleaded guilty to, were "not a crime" and he has denied any conspiracy. Senator Richard Blumenthal says the US is in a Watergate moment after Michael Cohen pleads guilty Mr Cohen on Tuesday admitted to paying one woman $130,000 for her silence, and coordinating a payment of $150,000 from American Media Inc to another. Mr Trump has denied having an affair with either woman. Although mr Cohen did not name them, the two women are adult film star Siormy daniels, real name Mr Dean made a direct comparison on Tuesday between Mr Trump and Mr Cohens activities and the infamous Watergate scandal. Its conspiracy, Mr Dean said of the two mens dealings. Watergate was a conspiracy. This is a campaign conspiracy. Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Show all 16 1 /16 Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions New York Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Washington Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Newsday Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions St Louis Post Dispatch Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Chicago Sun Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Star Ledger Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Daily News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The New York Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions San Francisco Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Boston Globe Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Houston Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Miami Herald Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Detroit Free Press Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Wall Street Journal Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Dallas Morning News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions USA Today The comments were echoed by Lanny Davis, an attorney for Mr Cohen, who told CBS News on Wednesday that Mr Trump had committed a crime and should be indicted. Mr Dean said he had been in contact with Mr Davis in the run-up to Mr Cohens plea, and that the attorney had asked for a refresher on the events in the Watergate case. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee, told CNN the country was in a "Watergate moment". "We need bipartisanship now more than ever to protect the special counsel and to stop and I must underscore stop any consideration of pardons," Mr Blumenthal said, referring to Robert Mueller, the special counsel whose investigation lead to the charges against Mr Cohen. Mr Trump did not comment on Mr Cohens guilty plea during a campaign rally on Tuesday night, but did express sympathy for his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, who was convicted that same day on charges of bank fraud and tax evasion. On Wednesday morning, he tweeted simply: If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen! The conviction of one key Donald Trump aide and the admission of guilt by another over a string of financial misdemeanours have once more raised the question of impeaching the US president. Mr Trumps long-serving attorney Michael Cohen and ex-campaign manager Paul Manafort were both found guilty by courts in New York and Virginia on Tuesday of charges arising from FBI special counsel Robert Muellers ongoing investigation into the possibility of Russian agents conspiring to hack the 2016 presidential election. Mr Cohens guilty plea included the confession that he had arranged to pay hush money to Playboy playmate Karen McDougal and porn star Stormy Daniels at the direction of the candidate to ensure they stayed silent on allegations he had sexual affairs with them prior to accepting the Republican nomination. Heres everything you need to know. How does impeachment work? In accordance with the US Constitution, impeachment can be instigated by a majority vote in the House of Representatives against any civil officer of the federal government, not just the president, if there is reason to suspect them of treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanours. The House Judiciary Committee investigates whether charges are warranted and, if the consensus is yes, articles are duly drafted laying out the accusations. These are then voted on by the House as a whole. Assuming the vote passes in favour of impeachment, the articles are then handed on to the Senate, which serves as a court presided over by the chief justice of the United States, presently John Glover Roberts Jr. Senators swear an oath to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws. Managers are appointed from among the senators to prosecute the case, while the accused is entitled to present a defence during trial hearings. Once both sides have been heard, the Senate votes on each article of impeachment, conviction coming if two-thirds of members find the defendant guilty. Should that happen, the Senate finally hands downs its punishment, be it removal from office or a ban on their ever holding federal authority again. The vague nature of the phrase high crimes and misdemeanours has led to some disagreement about what precisely constitutes an impeachable offence. It is generally interpreted as meaning behaviour unbefitting of the office held or in violation of the public trust, rather than pushing an unpopular policy or acting incompetently. As Gerald Ford once quipped: An impeachable offence is whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history. How likely is Donald Trumps impeachment? Brian Klaas, a former US campaign adviser, told The Independent Mr Trump had suffered both legal and political damage from Tuesdays courtroom drama and there is now a real risk his former lawyer might cooperate with Mr Muellers probe and reveal further incriminating details of their time together. The odds of Trump either being impeached or somehow not finishing his term went up significantly yesterday, Mr Klass said. There is a growing consensus among at least Democrats and independents, if not Mr Trumps core base, that he is surrounding himself by criminals. There are a lot of people in Mr Trumps inner circle who are either convicted of or pleading guilty to crimes. Cohen and Manafort became the third and fourth Trump allies to be charged as a result of Mr Muellers investigation, following ex-national security chief Michael Flynn and aide George Papadopoulos admitting lying to the FBI over the Trump camps associations with Russia. Whether the alleged Stormy Daniels pay-off is enough to merit impeachment is open to doubt. Its impact on the election campaign was, after all, indirect, potentially affecting Mr Trumps public image with voters but not the electoral process in itself. Further revelations could yet appear, of course, as the president is not without enemies. Cohens lawyer, Lanny Davis, insists his client wants to tell the truth about his 12-year association with the property mogul turned reality TV star and others like Omarosa Manigault appear to have stories to tell. As The Independents Sean OGrady has suggested, the upcoming mid-term elections in November could effectively serve as a referendum on whether or not to press ahead with impeachment proceedings much more likely if the Democrats were to gain ground in the Senate, where the Republicans currently hold 51 seats to their 46. Have there been previous attempts to impeach Donald Trump? Yes. Last November, six House Democrats moved to have the president impeached on five articles, the most significant being his firing of FBI director James Comey in May, which they regarded as an obstruction of justice into the bureaus ongoing Russia investigation. The Democrats also cited violation of the Constitutions foreign and domestic emoluments clause, barring a president from receiving gifts from foreign governments or profiting from their office respectively, the latter targeting Mr Trumps sprawling luxury property empire. They also argued he had undermined democracy through his derisive comments about the courts system and persistent attacks on the free press. However, the proposal faced an uphill battle as a result of Republican dominance of the House and failed to win the support of Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi, who felt it was premature to pursue the matter before the FBI had concluded its Kremlin probe and because the articles had more to do with personal dislike of the president than hard facts. Has any president ever been removed from office by impeachment? No American president has, to date, ever been removed from office through the impeachment and conviction process. Launching proceedings against a president is a complex business and promises to throw the government into disarray, dominating the media agenda for months and leaving the authority of the White House diminished, even if the defendant were eventually acquitted. Andrew Johnson was impeached in 1868 over his removal of secretary of war Edwin McMasters Stanton in violation of the Tenure of Office Act but acquitted thanks to his having the sound support of a Democratic majority. Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Show all 16 1 /16 Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions New York Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Washington Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Newsday Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions St Louis Post Dispatch Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Chicago Sun Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Star Ledger Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Daily News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The New York Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions San Francisco Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Boston Globe Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Houston Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Miami Herald Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Detroit Free Press Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Wall Street Journal Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Dallas Morning News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions USA Today Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace in the face of imminent impeachment proceedings by the House over the Watergate scandal, preventing the need for setting them in motion. Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 on grounds of perjury before a grand jury and obstruction of justice as a result of his attempts to conceal an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. However, he was later acquitted of those charges by the Senate in 1999. A Republican senator's previous comments about presidential impeachment have resurfaced after Donald Trump's former attorney and campaign manager were convicted of financial crimes. Lindsey Graham issued a muted response after attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign laws and Paul Manafort was convicted eight counts of bank fraud. Emphasising that neither of the cases alleged collusion with the Russian government on the part of the Trump campaign, the South Carolina senator said: "The American legal system is working its will." He also urged special prosecutor Robert Mueller to wrap up his probe into the matter quickly. The statement stood in stark contrast with Mr Grahams comments on the House floor in 1999, as the body weighed the impeachment of then-President Bill Clinton You dont even have to be convicted of a crime to lose your job in this constitutional republic, if this body determines that your conduct as a public official is clearly out of bounds in your role, Mr Graham said at the time. He added: Impeachment is not about punishment. Impeachment is about cleansing the office. Impeachment is about restoring honour and integrity to the office. Michael Cohen's lawyer says he has information on Donald Trump The comments were uncovered by MSNBC host Lawrence ODonnell, who posted a clip of the senators speech on Twitter. Every reporter must now ask @LindseyGrahamSC if he still believes in the standard he set for removing a president in the impeachment of Bill Clinton, Mr ODonnell wrote. Democrats have been cautious about mooting impeachment for Mr Trump but the idea has been raised in some quarters after Mr Manafort and Mr Cohen were convicted. Mr Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts, including campaign finance violations stemming from his work on the Trump campaign. He claimed to have paid off women with damaging information on the president "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office a reference to then-candidate Trump. The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images Senator Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee, said Mr Cohen's plea was the first to directly allege potential criminal activity by the President. Brian Klaas, a former US campaign adviser, told The Independent that the odds of Mr Trump failing to finish his term went up significantly. There is a growing consensus among at least Democrats and independents, if not Mr Trump's core base, that he is surrounding himself by criminals, Mr Klaas said. The chances that Donald Trump will not see out his full term as president increased dramatically yesterday with two former advisers facing lengthy spells in prison, analysts said. The conviction of the presidents former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and the plea deal entered by his ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, significantly raised the odds of impeachment, indictment or Mr Trump resigning from office, political experts said. The setbacks refocused attention on Robert Mueller's inquiry into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, with the likelihood that Cohen will now cooperate with the investigation said to be very high. Brian Klaas, a former US campaign adviser, said Mr Trump suffered both legal and political damage from Tuesdays courtroom drama and there was now a "real risk" that Cohen would cooperate with the Mueller probe. The odds of Trump either being impeached or somehow not finishing his term went up significantly yesterday, he told The Independent. There is a growing consensus among at least Democrats and independents, if not Mr Trump's core base, that he is surrounding himself by criminals. There are a lot of people in Mr Trumps inner circle who are either convicted of or pleading guilty to crimes. He said the conviction of Manafort by a jury rather than the FBI or a judge undercuts his claims that this is a witch-hunt or that it is fake news. Michael Cohen's lawyer says he has information on Donald Trump Mr Trump has proved adept at shaking off criticism and outrunning controversy, but David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor who is not involved in the case, said it would now be "hard for the president to try to discredit all this. It's circling him. The path to impeachment requires a simple majority vote in the House of Representatives, which the Republicans currently control by a margin of 23 seats, and a senate trial in which two-thirds would need to vote to convict Mr Trump. Analysts said the political fallout from the Manafort and Cohen cases would also increase the chances of the Democrats taking control of the House in November. Manafort was convicted of financial crimes at nearly the same moment Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of crimes including campaign finance violations that the lawyer said he carried out in coordination with Mr Trump. Rodell Mollineau, a senior Democratic strategist, said the news "adds to a constant drumbeat that will ultimately affect some independent voters" and help Democrats at the polls. Asked about the chances of impeachment, Dr Klaas said it was still a very high hurdle to clear, but it could happen if the Republican calculation is that sticking with Trump is more damaging than abandoning him. Donald Trump calls Paul Manafort 'a good man' following eight counts of bank and tax fraud He also raised the prospect of the president being indicted while in office. There is a divide among constitutional legal scholars as to whether it is constitutional or not to indict a sitting president, Dr Klaas, of the London School of Economics, said, adding that it remained a possibility. There is one outcome in which Mr Mueller decides he has enough evidence to try and indict President Trump, but we dont know how likely that is, we dont know if it is possible, we dont know if the Supreme Court would agree to it. The fact that president has handpicked the latest supreme court judge potentially creates the risk of a conflict of interest in a very, very important court case that could arise in the future against the president. Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Show all 16 1 /16 Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions New York Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Washington Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Newsday Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions St Louis Post Dispatch Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Chicago Sun Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Star Ledger Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Daily News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The New York Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions San Francisco Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Boston Globe Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Houston Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Miami Herald Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Detroit Free Press Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Wall Street Journal Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Dallas Morning News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions USA Today Of the two latest developments, Cohen's plea deal is said to be more troublesome for the president. The presidents former fixer testified that Mr Trump directed him to commit a crime by arranging payments ahead of the 2016 election to silence two women who said they had had affairs with the New York billionaire businessman. Mr Trump stayed silent on the Cohen case when questioned by reporters on Tuesday evening, but Dr Klaas said there was a very high likelihood the presidents former personal lawyer would now cooperate in some form with federal prosecutors against Mr Trump. Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis on Tuesday indicated that Cohen had information of interest to the Mueller inquiry. I do believe that he has information about Mr Trump that would be of interest both in Washington as well as New York state. I know that he wants to tell the truth about Mr Trump and when he first came to me we had long conversations about his views, about the suitability of Mr Trump to be president of the United States, and I believe that Michael Cohen is motivated for his country as well as concern about his family. And he will tell the truth. Cohen could die in jail so there is a real risk for him that this is not just something that will go away and it will tempt him to testify against the president, Dr Klaas said. Cohens own lawyer has said his client would refuse a pardon from Mr Trump, but any attempt to do so would herald a constitutional crisis, Dr Klaas added, because it will be so damaging to have a situation in which the president was either using pardons to avoid his own criminal liability or potentially to pardon himself, which is something that he has dangled in the past. One of the most dramatic days of Donald Trumps presidency has, inevitably, dominated headlines in the US. The media consensus is that the dual convictions of his former campaign manager Paul Manafort and personal ex-lawyer Michael Cohen has left a serious dent in the American leaders credibility. Cohen's claim that the president had commissioned his crimes has been seen as particularly damaging, prompting calls for Congress to open an investigations into Mr Trump. "Cohen implicates Trump in payoffs to to women," ran the Boston Globe front page, while the Washington Post's said: "Conviction tighten squeeze on Trump." The latter's editorial described the president as an alleged co-conspirator in the White House who had surrounded himself with shady characters, fringe ideologues and other opportunistic hangers-on. Mr Trump cannot pretend these crimes did not occur or that they have nothing to do with him, it said, after his former fixer claimed he had been acting on orders when he paid hush money to an adult film actress and former Playboy model in a bid to influence the presidential election. Congress must open investigations into Mr Trumps role in the crime Mr Cohen has admitted to, the editorial concluded. The New York Times said Tuesdays developments had conclusively exposed as false Mr Trumps attempts to discredit Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the presidential election. Only a complete fantasist that is, only President Trump and his cult could continue to claim that this investigation of foreign subversion of an American election, which has already yielded dozens of other indictments and several guilty pleas, is a hoax or scam or rigged witch hunt, said the papers editorial, headlined All the Presidents Crooks. Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Show all 16 1 /16 Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions New York Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Washington Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Newsday Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions St Louis Post Dispatch Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Chicago Sun Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Star Ledger Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Daily News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The New York Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions San Francisco Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Boston Globe Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Houston Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Miami Herald Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Detroit Free Press Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Wall Street Journal Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Dallas Morning News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions USA Today The convictions were seen as vindication for Mr Mueller, who the Washington Post said "continues to demonstrate with quiet professionalism and steady results that his investigation is anything but the 'witch hunt' of Mr Trump's insult-mongering". But the Wall Street Journal suggested that Manafort and Cohens crimes, while a damaging commentary on the shady operators Donald Trump associated with, were unlikely to be enough to pose a threat to his presidency. The evidence in both cases is unrelated to the Russian collusion claims that set these prosecutions in motion, ran its editorial, adding: Voters may want to see more than evidence about payments to a porn star to overturn the results of a presidential election. Labor Day takes place on the first Monday of September every year in the US and honours the American worker. While many associate the occasion with the end of summer and an opportunity for parades, parties, picnics, barbecues and shopping sprees, the day was inaugurated in the late 19th century out of respect for organised labour and the rights of the individual. The US Department of Labor describes the holiday, this year taking place on 6 September, as a creation of the labour movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Federal offices are closed across the country and the US Postal Service delivers no mail. All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of mans prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race or nation Samuel Gompers, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, once explained. The first Labor Day was held on 5 September 1882 in New York City at the instigation of the Central Labor Union with a street parade held in Union Square. Other cities followed suit and Oregon became the first state to make it an official holiday in 1887. By 1894, 34 states observed the date, prompting the president, Grover Cleveland, to sign a bill into law that June making it an official national holiday. That decision coincided with one of the darkest episodes in the history of American industrial relations, the Pullman Strike, which saw 4,000 American Railway Union workers on Chicagos South Side, led by Eugene V Debs, engage in a series of wildcat strikes between 11 May and 20 July 1894, protesting the poor working conditions and low wages offered by the railroad car manufacturer. The company stood firm and refused to recognise the demonstrations, resulting in rioting in which 37 people were killed, 57 injured and $80m of damage caused before the US Army could restore order. Labor Day thus played an important role in stabilising, resetting and advancing Americas relationship with its working men and women in the aftermath of that tragedy. In 2021, the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus is continuing to cause havoc and leading to staffing shortages at many American businesses, adding a complicating factor to the question of which ones remain open. Unlike Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, most major retailers and grocery stores will be open on Labor Day, explains USA Today. National restaurant chains, including Starbucks, McDonalds, Dunkin and Chilis, are open and on-demand services such as Postmates, Grubhub, UberEats and DoorDash will deliver orders on Monday for participating local and national restaurants. Among those definitely closed are Costco and Tijuana Flats but heres a comprehensive list of stores and restaurants that are open, although readers are advised to check with their nearest branch to make sure and for that venues exact holiday opening hours. India appears poised to reject offers of millions of pounds in foreign aid for the flooding crisis in the southern state of Kerala, instead relying on its own ability to tackle the enormous clean-up operation. Keralas state government has estimated the losses from the flooding, which began on 8 August, will amount to 2.2bn-2.7bn. Nearly 400 people have died and more than one million have been displaced from their homes. In the wake of the disaster, the UAE, Qatar and the Maldives came forward with offers of financial aid amounting to nearly 82m. Recommended More than 1m evacuated in Kerala as fishing fleet comes to rescue Indias prime minister, Narendra Modi, tweeted to thank the UAEs prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose offer made up the bulk of the total. He wrote: A big thanks to @hhshkmohd for his gracious offer to support people of Kerala during this difficult time. His concern reflects the special ties between governments and people of India and UAE. But India will follow the precedent set in December 2004 when the then-prime minister Manmohan Singh refused international aid for the victims of a huge tsunami that killed more than 12,000 people. We feel that we can cope with the situation on our own, Mr Singh said at the time. The language of Mr Modis tweet giving thanks for the offer without explicitly accepting or rejecting it follows the diplomatic playbook set since then. In the last 14 years, India has politely refused aid from the likes of the US, Russia and Japan following an earthquake in Kashmir in 2005 and floods in 2013 and 2014. In response to queries regarding media reports on international assistance for flood relief measures, an official government spokesperson said: "The Government of India deeply appreciates offers from several countries, including from foreign governments, to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts after the tragic floods. "In line with the existing policy, the Government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts. Contributions to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund from NRIs, PIOs and international entities such as foundations would, however, be welcome." According to the Business Standard, a document has been circulated among those coordinating the recovery effort in Kerala advising them to direct all offers of foreign aid to the central government. You may politely convey to your interlocutors that in the present circumstances, the government of India has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the challenge, it adds. Any Indian diplomats approached by foreign governments should express gratitude for their sentiments and offer, but [foreign officials] are to be politely told that the government has no requirement as of now [for aid], a senior official told the Indian Express. Private offers of aid from individuals based outside India not least from the large Keralan diaspora are still being welcomed, partly because they do not come with the same diplomatic implications. Finance minister Piyush Goyal announced that the government was exempting customs duties and sales tax for consignments of aid and materials for Kerala from abroad, saying: India stands with Kerala in this hour of need. 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 And Mr Modi pledged Rs 5bn (55m) of emergency funding to Kerala after he flew over the disaster-stricken region on Saturday. That was only a quarter of the Rs 20bn the state government had asked for in immediate aid, but the office of the chief minister nonetheless tweeted to express our thanks to the centre for [this] assistance. Meanwhile on Wednesday, aid workers warned it could yet be days before the full scale of the damage from the flooding becomes known. Unusually strong monsoon rains finally eased off earlier this week, but vast swaths of the tropical state, known for its idyllic villages and beautiful beaches, remain underwater or coated with mud, and many people have no drinking water or electricity. "We know the humanitarian needs are enormous, but it will be some time before we know just how big that is," Ray Kancharla, a manager with the aid group Save The Children, said in a statement. Pinarayi Vijayan, Keralas chief minister, sent out a message of greeting to those celebrating the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha in such challenging conditions. The people of Kerala are in a great struggle to rebuild their lives after the flood, he wrote on Twitter. May this Eid be an inspiration for all of them. Two powerful typhoons in as many days are set to hit Japan, with heavy rain and fierce winds expected to batter parts of the country still recovering from flooding and landslides last month. The Meteorological Agency warned Typhoon Cimaron would likely strike the western regions of Shikoku, Hiroshima and Chugoku between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, a day after an earlier tropical cyclone brushed past the south of the country. Typhoon Soulik swept past Japans south coast on Wednesday with winds of up to 130mph, injuring two people but leaving the mainland largely unscathed. Recommended Japan flooding deaths surpass 200 amid warnings of more landslides Soulik is now on course for the Korean Peninsula with the equivalent strength of a Category 3 hurricane, and is forecast to inundate South Korea's Jeju Island with up to 30cm of rain in 36 hours. "The most significant damaging wind will occur from Jeju Island into western South Korea, with the strongest winds along coastal areas," said AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Thompson. Cimaron was the strength of a Category 2 hurricane, which have sustained winds of up to 110mph, as it swept north across the west Pacific Ocean on Wednesday. Japans Meteorological Agency warned of torrential downpours and high tides, and more than a metre of rain forecast to fall on some areas. Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan Show all 15 1 /15 Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan People await resuce in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture AP Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan A car stands on its nose in Okayama prefecture as flooding hits Japan Getty Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan A rescue helicopter is on the scene of a landslide in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi prefecture AP Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan An emergency crew attends to a train that has been derailed by a tree on the tracks. Heavy rain has caused landslides in Saga prefecture AFP/Getty Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture AFP/Getty Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan A car is trapped in mud flows in Saka, Hiroshima prefecture AFP/Getty Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture AFP/Getty Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan Rescue teams transport people from the Mabi Memorial Hospital in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture AFP/Getty Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture AFP/Getty Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan Soldiers search for victims in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture AFP/Getty Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan A road is damaged in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture AP Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan Rescue teams attend to inpatients, staff and residents at the Mabi Memorial Hospital in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture EPA Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture EPA Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan Police clear debris in Kumano, Hiroshima prefecture AFP/Getty Heavy rain leads to flooding and landslides in Japan Residents take shelter in an evacuation centre in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture AFP/Getty The government has set up a response unit to deal with possible disruption and residents have been urged to be on guard for evacuation orders. The cyclone has also forced the UK and Japan to abandon plans for a simulated amphibious beach assault near Mount Fuji this week. The drill would have been the first exercise between British and Japanese troops in the country. A Royal Marine detachment and Japanese amphibious troops had planned to storm the beach from boats launched from the British Navys flagship amphibious assault carrier HMS Albion on Friday. Japan floods: Warnings of more landslides to come The dual storms come after more than 200 people were killed in the countrys worst flooding for 36 years in July. Record downpours caused widespread landslides and burst riverbanks across much of western and parts of central Japan last month, forcing more than two million residents across 29 prefectures to flee their homes. There are fears the latest typhoon could reverse repair work following the devastating floods. Police in Italy are searching for two English-speaking tourists who posed naked for photographs in a fountain at a monument in Rome commemorating the country's war dead. The pair were filmed posing for photographs in the fountain at the Altare della Patria, or Alter of the Fatherland, which commemorates the reunification of Italy and holds the tomb of an unknown soldier killed in the First World War. In the footage, one of the men pulls down his underwear, tucks his genitals between his legs and poses in the fountain in PIazza Venezia. Police have enlisted the help of foreign consulates to identify the men, according to local media reports. They said the gesture "seriously offends the national sentiment and memory of the fallen to whom the monument is dedicated". Italy's interior minister, Matteo Salvini, shared an article containing footage of the men on Twitter and said: "I would know how to 'educate' these idiots if they get caught, Italy is not their bathroom!" It is illegal to swim or bathe in Rome's historic fountains and those who do so risk being fined. United States sanctions on Iran have had a profound negative impact on the Iranian economy but Washington does not want to force a regime change, Donald Trumps national security advisor has said. John Bolton, who became the presidents advisor in March, was speaking from Jerusalem as he wrapped up three days of talks with leading Israeli officials, including the countrys president Reuven Rivlin and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr Bolton said the US decision to reimpose sanctions on Tehran had seen a far greater impact than initially predicted. He pointed to recent anti-government rallies across Iran as an example of internal rage directed at the Iranian government but maintained that the US had no interest in forcing a leadership change in the country. Just to be clear, regime change in Iran is not American policy. But what we want is massive change in the regimes behaviour, Mr Bolton said from the King David hotel. By bringing the hammer down again, by reimposing American sanctions we have seen a profound negative effect on Iran. I think actually more serious than we would have predicted. To the best of our knowledge [the protests] are not organised. This is not some kind of a conspiracy in Iran, it is just regular people saying they are fed up with the government. Mr Trumps decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal worried many European countries that have sought to salvage the agreement, which saw Iran halt any nuclear weapons programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. It also angered Iran, which is struggling with a wave of unrest back home. Thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in recent weeks protesting against soaring unemployment, food prices and the collapse of the rial, which has lost half of its value since April. Many fear additional sanctions will only pile further pressure on the embattled Iranian economy, sparking accusations that the US had deliberately tightened the screws to push for a new government in Iran. Mr Bolton dismissed the claims and said the 2015 deal was scrapped because it gave new life new assets to Iran allowing it to better pursue its nuclear intentions. Mr Bolton also spoke about Syria, where the Israeli authorities fear Iran, and its proxies, are building a permanent footprint in the country from which to attack Israel. Israel has come under attack from Iran in Syria and so has repeatedly bombed Iranian military infrastructure in the country, a move that Mr Bolton called a legitimate act of self-defence. Mr Bolton is due in Geneva on Thursday where he will meet his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev to discuss the increasingly complex battlefield in Syria. Russia, like Iran, intervened militarily to back Syrias president Bashar al-Assad. But according to Mr Bolton, Russian president Vladimir Putin told US officials that while he would also like to see Iranian forces exit Syria, he said I cant do it myself. Perhaps joint US-Russian efforts might be sufficient, Mr Bolton suggested in Wednesdays meeting. Iran protests in pictures Show all 11 1 /11 Iran protests in pictures Iran protests in pictures University students at an anti-government protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests in pictures A university student at a protest inside Tehran University while a smoke grenade is thrown by anti-riot Iranian police, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests in pictures University students at a protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests in pictures University students run away from the police during an anti-government protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests in pictures An image grab taken from a handout video released by Iran's Mehr News agency reportedly shows a group of men pulling at a fence in a street in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AFP/Getty Iran protests in pictures Demonstrators gather to protest in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests in pictures Iranians chant slogans as they march in support of the government near the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AFP/Getty Iran protests in pictures Iranians chant slogans as they march in support of the government near the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, December 30 2017 Iran protests in pictures Iranian clerics take part during a state-organized rally against anti-government protests in the country, in the holy city of Qom, south west Iran, 3 January 2018 EPA Iran protests in pictures In this photo provided by the Iranian Students' News Agency, a clergyman takes a picture of a pro-government demonstration in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, Iran, 3 January 2018 ISNA via AP Iran protests in pictures Pro-government demonstrators gather at the Massoumeh shrine in Iran's holy city of Qom, some 130 kilometres south of Tehran, 3 January 2018 AFP/Getty Mr Bolton was also questioned about the USs long-awaited and much-speculated Middle East peace plan for Israel and the Palestinian territories. He said a lot of progress had been made but offered no time frame. The deal, which Trump officials promised is the most comprehensive peace package ever, is being spearheaded by top White House aide and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, who toured the region in June. The Palestinians have dismissed the US as a viable mediator after Mr Trump moved the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a contested city that both Palestinians and Israeli claim as their capital. At a West Virginia rally on Tuesday, Mr Trump said Israel would pay a higher price for the embassy move adding that the Palestinians will get something very good in return as its their turn next. An activist who has been on hunger strike for four weeks to protest against the Bahraini governments treatment of his imprisoned father has asked Britain's Queen for help. Ali Mushaima began his protest outside Bahrains embassy in Knightsbridge, London on 1 August over the detention of his 70-year-old father, opposition leader Hassan Mushaima, whom rights groups say is being denied proper medical care. Hassan was arrested in 2011 along with dozens of other Shia leaders over his role in anti-government protests during the height of the Arab Spring uprisings across the region. The queens friendship with Bahrain's King Hamad is well documented. The pair share a love of horses and the queen often hosts her Bahraini counterpart at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. The UKs gift of a three-year-old stallion to the king last year was met with outrage from human rights groups, which accused the government of turning a blind eye to the Bahraini authorities escalating crackdown on dissent. Ali is nonetheless hoping the queen might leverage this friendship to help his cause. In an open letter to the royal, he wrote: This week I will be celebrating Eid in Belgrave Square rather than at home, with my beloved wife and four-month-old daughter. While I will only be denied the comfort of home on this special day, at least I will be celebrating as a free man. My father, instead, is being forced to spend yet another Eid behind bars. I would like to ask your majesty to use the influence and strong friendship with the king of Bahrain to help me save my father. All I ask for is for him to be treated humanely, including access to adequate medical treatment, books, and family visitation without subjecting him to humiliating measures. No End to Torture in Bahrain - Human Rights Watch The royal household did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment. As a constitutional monarch, the queen must stay neutral on political matters. But Ali said he wrote the symbolic letter after growing frustrated at a lack of response to his demands so far. Now in the fourth week of a hunger strike, he said his doctor has expressed concern at his rapid weight loss, but he has nonetheless vowed to stop intaking sugars and salts next week if Bahraini officials do not improve his fathers conditions. Hassan needs regular check ups to ensure a cancer from a decade ago has not returned, as well as treatment from high blood pressure, diabetes and a urinary tract infection, his son said. Bahrain's secret terror Show all 2 1 /2 Bahrain's secret terror Bahrain's secret terror EPA Bahrain's secret terror GETTY IMAGES His medication is running out and authorities had not supplied him with new pills, Ali said, and he has not been allowed visits from his family since February 2017 or access to books. Earlier this month the Bahraini embassy in London denied Hassan was being mistreated, saying he had been to the prison medical clinic 16 times since the beginning of 2018. Ali himself has been resident in London since 2006. He was tried by Bahraini courts in absentia, sentenced to 45 years in jail and has had his citizenship revoked. We believe that only by working with Bahrain can we hope to bring about the changes we would like to see, the UK foreign office said in a statement. When it comes to President Donald Trump, what you see is what you get and what most of us see is a shallow slimeball. Trump shows little respect for women, poor folks, smart people or just about anyone of colour. He brags about grabbing women by the pussy, is facing lawsuits for sexual assault, locks migrant children up and has declared bankruptcy six times. He is a slave to Americas gun lobby, has suggested Mexicans are rapists and doesnt seem to believe climate change is a genuine phenomenon. Never has there been a man less capable of representing my country to the world. Never has there been a man who so blatantly tramples upon the freedoms and values that America holds dear. And never has there been a man who so flagrantly cares less about the lives and wellbeing of his people. Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Show all 16 1 /16 Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions New York Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Washington Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Newsday Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions St Louis Post Dispatch Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Chicago Sun Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Star Ledger Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Daily News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The New York Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions San Francisco Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Boston Globe Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Houston Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Miami Herald Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Detroit Free Press Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Wall Street Journal Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Dallas Morning News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions USA Today History remembers Richard Nixon as some sort of monster but at least he had the common decency to resign when he was caught. Trump lacks both common decency and common sense and thats why, in the wake of this weeks judgements, hes finally got to go. Mercifully, it appears that national day of reckoning could be fast approaching. Trumps cronies are finally turning on their master and burying him in a series of legal predicaments from which not even Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan can rescue him. Yesterday, Trumps former lawyer and campaign manager were both convicted of a string of financial crimes, with Michael Cohen explicitly implicating the president in involvement in campaign finance violations. What were those campaign violations? According to his former aide Cohen, the president has been lying about paying off women he was afraid might blab about their alleged affairs. Michael Cohen's lawyer says he will not accept pardon from 'criminal' Donald Trump Cohen testified under oath Trump directed him to buy the silence of a Playboy playmate and a porn star for the sole purpose of protecting the reality TV star-turned presidents tumultuous sideshow bid for the highest office. According to Cohens lawyer, that means Trump should be facing criminal charges too. The wackiest part of this real-life political fantasy drama? A president lying to the American people about porn star hush money and potential campaign finance violations might not even be the biggest problem for the White House to deal with right now. While were all lapping up Cohen and his Playboy money pit over on Stage A, we cant forget about that dog Omarosa Manigault, her stacks of taped conversations with the president, claims of corruption and Trump using the n-word over at the sunshine pavilion. And then what about the looming threat of a Trump subpoena from Robert Mueller, for dodgy dealings with the Russians, on Stage B? This is unbearable. Trump wasnt fit to be president before all these skeletons started to pour out of his closet. Now, each and every day, he makes a mockery of the United States and everything we stand for. The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Show all 14 1 /14 The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Time for a break-up? Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Sometimes simplicity works best. The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Theres no place for Trump's other policies in our society. Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Many were quick to point out that in the UK, Trump means 'fart'. Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Some people were looking out for The Queen Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests There's a Mean Girl's quote for every occasion Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests There were a lot of hair references at the march toupee. Sorry, today. Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Frack off. The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Try and read this out without singing it... Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests A message all Brits will understand. Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Simple, and to the point Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests We don't entirely understand this one, but we do rather like it Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests The Inbetweeners sends a hilariously petulant message Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Never underestimate Cher Horowitz Harriet Hall Thats why Trump must be impeached and, my fellow American citizens, you and I have the power to make that happen. If you want Trump to stop greasing up the Oval Office with Big Mac wrappers, get up and do something about it. Write to your representative. Call your senator. Theyre the ones who can kickstart impeachment, and theyre elected by us. If youre unfortunate enough to be represented by a Trump acolyte incapable of independent thought, then get out there and campaign for their replacement. Get involved. Vote for somebody with the courage to listen, to do whats right and vote to peacefully rid us of this great orange buffoon. America is better than this. We are better than this. If youre sick and tired of listening to a debate about who the president did or did not have sex with if youd rather focus on solving genuine problems and trying to make our society a better place then its time for action. Nash Riggins is an American writer based in Scotland This weekend, Pope Francis will touch down in an Ireland that has changed dramatically in recent years. It is practically unrecognisable from the country that received its last papal visit nearly 40 years ago. John Paul IIs 1979 visit was the stuff of legend a major cultural event now embedded in my country's national history. Two and a half million people attended events across the country, including 1.2 million people who went to the mass in Dublins Phoenix Park that was around one third of the population. After the visit, an entire generation of newborn baby boys were named John Paul. This was an Ireland still committed to its faith, and largely, still trusting of the Catholic Church. Now, in the words of W B Yeats, all has changed, changed utterly. In the 1990s, Ireland became a sort of ground zero in the clerical sexual abuse scandal which would mire the church globally. Pope John Paul II visits Dublin, Ireland in 1979 From the physical abuse dished out in church-run schools to the virtual enslavement of fallen women in Magdalene laundries, from the discovery of infant remains at the Tuam baby home to the relentless revelations of decades of child sexual abuse, Ireland has been coming to terms with a legacy of collective, national trauma. Undoubtedly, Pope Francis will be met with a great deal of enthusiasm, but the crowds will be much diminished when compared with the biblical scenes of 1979. This will be a reflection of general church attendance among Catholics, which was around 90 per cent in the 1970s, but pales at less than 30 per cent today. This is perhaps unsurprising, considering the journey we've been on. Ireland has cast off the shackles of the churchs dogmatic conservatism, and emerged as a vibrant and liberal European society, as evidenced by the gay Taoiseach who will greet the Pope, and our recent referendums on same-sex marriage and abortion reform. On both occasions, the Catholic Church was given a startling reminder that it had lost all moral authority to comment on the issues, let alone attempt to influence peoples votes. So as Pope Francis arrives to attend the World Meeting of Families, the Catholic Church in Ireland stands at a crossroads. It is incumbent upon him to take the right path, and reset the relationship if it is not beyond repair. The church no longer rules this country with an iron fist, but instead he can reach out the hand of friendship. Francis has finally announced he will meet with survivors of clerical sexual abuse on his visit, which is welcome, but he should go further still. The past can never be erased, but at the very least, our nation is owed a public apology. It might not mean much to those who have long since washed their hands of the organisation, but there remain many committed Catholics in Ireland who want to believe and trust in the church. Amid the flag-waving and selling of lollipopes, they deserve some honesty and remorse from their leader. When John Paul II visited, he famously got down on his knees to kiss the ground at Dublin Airport. This weekend, Francis should get down on his knees to beg for our forgiveness. Its all getting a bit All the Presidents Men, isnt it? Like Watergate uncannily so in this respect the waters of the scandal are starting to splash at the presidents feet. Donald Trumps former presidential campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been convicted of a variety of fraud charges, albeit not directly linked to the president; and his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, has claimed that Trump ordered to him to pay hush money to two women to prevent embarrassment during the 2016 presidential campaign, for the principal purpose of influencing the election. The point is that he was, he says, ordered to do so by Trump himself (rather than Cohen acting at his own discretion on his own account). That would, it is said, be an indictable, or impeachable, offence. And its far from over. On one single day of politico-judicial drama unseen since the saga that destroyed Richard Milhous Nixon, Manafort has been found guilty of eight counts of financial crimes, directly as a result of the wider probe into the 2016 presidential election being spearheaded by special counsel Robert Mueller. A further 10 charges were, basically, suspended as they were declared mistrials (the rest, obviously, were not). What happens next is in some doubt because Manafort also faces another trial, in Washington DC, this time on charges of failure to register his foreign lobbying and relating to conspiracy to launder money, all relating to his activities in Ukraine. Sooner or later, though, there will be more probes, more convictions, more plea bargains and more questions. In due course the Mueller investigation will, we know, pursue other witnesses, and more charges may emerge. Some of Trumps former staffers and allies, such as Omarosa Manigault Newman, may bring about more stories about legally questionable activities before and after Trump took office. As more officials leave the Trump administration, either of their own accord or after some bust-up, the political embarrassments are bound to mount up, as they always do. The more pertinent question is whether these ex-officials reveal anything that is legally problematic, which might, after all, implicate themselves in some way. Then there is what, if any, Kompromat the Russians hold on Trump, as the wilder rumours have it. Again, there is a huge difference, for the purposes of impeachment, between stuff thats just in bad taste or nutty, and actions that plainly transgress a relevant law or obligation, as per the oath of office that Trump took in front of that vast crowd on 20 January 2017. Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Show all 16 1 /16 Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions New York Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Washington Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Newsday Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions St Louis Post Dispatch Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Chicago Sun Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Star Ledger Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Daily News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The New York Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions San Francisco Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Boston Globe Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Houston Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Miami Herald Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Detroit Free Press Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Wall Street Journal Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Dallas Morning News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions USA Today Legally, the president occupies a special place in the constitution, and rightly so. He should be free of undue harassment from any quarter, and no democracy could function where its elected chief executive could be deposed because of some trumped-up charges. He does not go before a judge, but before the legislature. That is key. First, the House Judiciary Committee holds hearings and, if necessary, prepares articles of impeachment. These are the charges against the official. Second, if a majority of the committee votes to approve the articles, the whole House debates and votes on them. Third, if a majority of the House votes to impeach the official on any article, then the official must then stand trial in the Senate. Then, for the official to be removed from office, two thirds of the Senate must vote to convict the official. Upon conviction, the official is automatically removed from office and, if the Senate so decides, may be forbidden from holding government office again. Two thirds. Presently the Republicans hold 51 seats in the Senate and the Democrats 46, with two independents. In November, there are 35 seats up for election, of which 26 are already held by Democrats. You may draw your own conclusions. The US Constitution sets specific grounds for impeachment. They are treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanours. To be impeached and removed from office, the House and Senate must find that the president committed one such of these acts. So, as President Nixon put it in his resignation speech in 1974, the process of impeachment is deliberately difficult, and is a mix of the legal, in its early stages, and the political, in the end. First you need an impeachable offence. Do we have that yet? Does directing another person (as Cohen alleges) to pay hush money to Stormy Daniels and/or Karen McDougal amount to a high crime and misdemeanour? Even if it did, you might well argue, as will no doubt happen, that this sort of thing if it occurred happens quite often with well-known personalities, who need to be discreet about affairs and the like. The argument would run that it would have occurred anyway and had nothing to do with the campaign itself. Also arguable is that the revelations, had they come out, would have altered the course of the election, which, given the Teflon quality of the Trump campaign, is far from obvious. Nor, it might be said, were the payments, which are in any case challenged, intended to sway the election. But a court would also have to settle findings of fact whether the moneys were paid, when and by whom; what Trump knew; and what Trump then did or did not do in ordering payment(s) to be made. As Trump himself said, it may amount to his word against Cohens. There may be other charges, as there were in the Watergate affair. In the case of Cohen, indeed, there may also be more where that came from, as a part of his putative plea bargain. The same goes for Manafort. To launch a successful impeachment process, you need evidence and appropriate charges. These are possible. To win an impeachment case, you need Congress behind you and against a popularly elected president with lots of his own supporters there. This is less possible. Bill Clinton was impeached, you may recall, in 1998 after Ken Starr amassed evidence over the Lewinsky and other affairs, but ultimately found not guilty because his party in the Senate voted for him. The same happened with the only other impeachment of a president, that of Andrew Johnson in 1868. In its later stages the process is deeply political, and deeply difficult. Impeachment, for the British to understand, would be like Theresa May being charged with an offence and it being decided not by the normal courts but by the House of Commons. Back in 1974, President Nixon knew he was in trouble when even his most rabid right-wing Republican supporters, the likes of Senator Barry Goldwater, began to desert him publicly. Hence his remark in that resignation speech that he was quitting before his trial because, I no longer have a strong enough political base in the Congress to justify continuing that effort. As long as there was such a base, I felt strongly that it was necessary to see the constitutional process through to its conclusion, that to do otherwise would be unfaithful to the spirit of that deliberately difficult process and a dangerously destabilising precedent for the future. In other words, Tricky Dicky had done the numbers and knew he didnt stand a chance. In due course his successor, Gerald Ford, pardoned him. So for the authorities to depose Donald Trump they need support in the Congress, and for that this Novembers midterm elections will be especially crucial. They may, in effect, end up as a referendum on impeaching Trump, and that makes the result still more unpredictable. Unlike Richard Nixon, but like Bill Clinton, Trump has a booming (so far) economy behind him, and is delivering in his campaign promises about protection and America First (misguided or not as they may be). It is not impossible that he and the Republicans loyal to him will do better in the autumn than many expect. Weirdly, the very threat of impeachment might mobilise the Trump base. But what if the charges were so grave say, for example, of collusion with the Russians, that even the Trumpists could not support him in conscience? (And it is true that many Republicans quietly loathe Trump.) Would Trump simply refuse to go? When they thought Richard Nixon might not go quietly, and might use his role as commander in chief of the US military to resist arrest, Nixons chief of staff, Al Haig, made arrangements to ensure that the presidents orders would not stand. It was quite a fevered atmosphere in that White House. You would think, though, that Trump would use any and all means at his disposal to resist being levered out of office. The very threat of a Trumpian gotterdammerung might deter some in Congress from pursuing impeachment or, in due course, finding him guilty. Finally, and really not to be underestimated, we have to turn to the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln before we get carried away: In this age, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed. Whoever moulds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes, or pronounces judicial decisions. If Trump, via his rallies, his tweets, his bombast, and indeed his political and economic delivery, can mould public opinion his way, then he will survive the pressure of impeachment and even prosper from it. He is, as President Macron said, not a classical politician, and he seems to cope with the pressures surprisingly well. Hes had quite a few scrapes in his business and private life. This may just turn out to be one more. Impeachment would take so long, and be resisted so attritionally at every turn, that Trump could easily be past his term of office before anything caught up with him fatally. By which time hed be gone and it wouldnt seem to matter much. If he stuck around for a second term and managed to get re-elected even with impeachment hanging around his neck then the chances of him being convicted would seem slim indeed. In either case President Mike Pence, or President Ivanka Trump, or whoever else succeeds him, could dish out a presidential pardon. Or hell end up in jail. Dublin is in the grip of Pope merchandise mania as the country gears up for the pontiffs visit to Ireland this weekend. Irish-based businesses have set up next to sellers from places as far away as Bethlehem and Belarus, offering everything from candelabras to priest vestments and alter wine tasting to thirsty pilgrims. Pope Franciss image can be seen branded on T-shirts, rosary beads, Bibles, childrens storybooks, priest vestments, candles, jewellery boxes, bags, glasses, cups and other merchandise. Hundreds of stall holders have descended on the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) for the World Meeting of Families to sell their wares to thousands of visitors attending from all over the world. One of the most popular stalls on Wednesday was the Pope doll stall. Expand Close Limited edition Pope dolls for sale during the World Meeting of Families (Brian Lawless/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Limited edition Pope dolls for sale during the World Meeting of Families (Brian Lawless/PA) The dolls, which retail at 35 euro, are manufactured in Spain and were brought to Ireland from Germany. Olivier Brady, who mans the stall, says he was surprised at how popular the figurines are across all age ranges. Theyve been on quite a journey already to get to Dublin, and it was worth it as theyre really popular. Theyre limited edition, as only 10,000 have been made, so people have been keen to get them. We thought it would be mostly older people buying them for grandchildren and things like that, but weve had people of all ages buying them, from teenagers to pensioners. As theyre limited Im sure they will be a collectors item very soon. Afif Khader travelled from Bethlehem to sell his olive wood carvings. This particular carving skill from the Holy Land dates back to the fourth century and has been passed from generation to generation. Holy Land Crafters carve nativity scenes, crucifixes, religious statuettes and busts costing from 10 euro up to more than 200. This years World Meeting of Families is Mr Khaders first, as he usually sells his group crafts in local churches. Im really happy to be here and show and sell our carvings to the Irish people, theyre very popular, people really like them, he said. You couldn't have the World Meeting of Families without the ultimate family car! Check out our stained glass KAROQ for @SkodaIRL at the RDS this weekend celebrating the modern Irish family in all its forms #PopeInIreland #WMOF2018 pic.twitter.com/tGr0nBbxAm Boys + Girls (@BoysandGirlsLtd) August 22, 2018 St Killians Church Shrine and Supply Sales from Cahir, Co Tipperary, is the only alter wine supplier in Ireland, and it was offering testers to interested visitors. Eugene Kilbride, from the supplier, said people have been interested in learning about the wine, which is produced in Spain and has an alcohol content of 15%. We sell red and white alter wine, mostly to churches, but sometimes priests will buy a bottle for their retired colleagues and things like that. Were the only candelabra producer in Ireland too, everything in the candelabras are Irish-made, through Irish jobs, with a new design and smokeless candles which are better for newer churches. Missionaries and charities from across the globe also hosted stalls for visitors to learn about the work Catholic charities do abroad. Counselling, marriage services, mindfulness apps and alcohol and offender outreach stands could all be accessed by those interested. The WMOF will culminate with the closing papal mass in Phoenix Park on Sunday. More than 37,000 people from 116 countries are expected to attend the RDS for a series of events as part of the Catholic festival. The European Union will not abandon its founding principles in order the facilitate a Brexit deal with the UK, its chief negotiator has said. Michel Barnier said it was possible for the UK and EU to find "common ground" and create "a partnership that has no precedent" after meeting with Britain's Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab in Brussels. But speaking to reporters alongside the UK cabinet minister he said that relationship had to "respect the single market and the foundations of the European project". The speed of negotiations is to increase ahead of a self- imposed deadline of October to hammer out a deal. It comes amid raised fears a no-deal Brexit is becoming more likely as the deadline to agree a deal looms ever closer. Mr Raab admitted there were still some "significant issues" to overcome, including their future trade relationship and the Northern Irish Border. UK Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit blueprint, hammered out at a tumultuous summit in July, called for a "facilitated customs arrangement" between the EU and Britain plus a "common rule book" for trade in goods, with both already ruled out by Brussels. Asked why the EU seemed unwilling to give ground on its principles to get a deal, Mr Barnier said: "Why would we? The UK is leaving the European Union, it is not the other way around. "The UK is leaving and it is its choice and we respect that choice whilst regretting it. But the European Union is based on principles and values, on rules. "It is a whole ecosystem which is integrated of rules and laws and standards, of supervision and of certification... which the UK knows very, very well because we built it together, didn't we? We have been building it over some 40 or so years together. "So those principles will remain our principles because that is the way it is. They are the principles on which the single market is based." Mr Raab, who will return to Brussels for further talks next week, said: "There are still some significant issues to overcome - yes on Northern Ireland, I think we both recognise that - but also on the future relationship." IFA president Joe Healy has said the fact that the low cost loan scheme announced in last years budget still hasnt been rolled out is farcical. Speaking at the organisations pre budget submission launch, Mr Healy said its imperative that the scheme is introduced to help farmers weather the storm of current unprecedented and long term challenges to the sector. We saw a huge demand for low cost loans last year. Within three weeks of being out to the people they were over subscribed and that shows the demand that was there for them. We need an immediate roll-out of the scheme, the fact that it still hasnt been introduced is farcical. IFA economist Edel Kelly highlighted how this was one of the toughest years on Irish farms not just due to the weather but due to policy and political uncertainty of CAP and Brexit. This was probably one of the toughest years on Irish farms. This year highlights that the ongoing uncertainty of Brexit and weather events are putting increased pressure on farmers, said Ms Kelly. The organisation also renewed its call for a targeted 200 per suckler cow payment and increased ANC funding of 73m to reverse cuts since 2009 and restore the value of payments. Other measures included in the submission are: My first job this Tuesday morning is to extend my congratulations to my mother's county, Limerick on Sunday's All Ireland success. My mother is 88 years young and I can only begin to imagine her anxiety as eight minutes of injury time was announced because I as a Waterford man was already in heart-stopping country. From a position of apparent unassailable strength with 10 minutes to go Limerick could afford to look down as Galway appeared to scramble in vain in the foothills. They reckoned without Joe Canning, the messiah of Galway hurling. He looked up and with every free driven over the black spot gave his team the belief that they could and would retain their crown. And then he buried the 21m free. It was close but it was close enough, one point, just one point separated two great counties at the final whistle. And with that whistle a very proud Limerick woman sitting up in her bed could at last afford to breath and smile. Now to matters of a less Godly nature, factory cattle prices. Early yesterday morning the general view was that factory prices would hold at least at last week's levels: 3.90/kg for bullocks and 4.00/kg for heifers, with maybe an extra 5c/kg knocking about here and there for exceptional orders or if factories were running a little tight on numbers. However, as the morning wore on I started to get reports that factory bosses were actively trying to get back control of the price situation. Instead of there being maybe 5c/kg extra available here and there, the possibility being mooted was that base prices might actually be cut by 5c/kg. A lot of this thinking appeared to be based in and around the midlands and west. As we went to press my information is that bullock and heifer prices have held and that the factories don't quiet have Joe Canning's knack of being able to pull things back to within touching distance, especially as last week's kill was back to 34,114hd. Also holding are prices for young bulls and cull cows. After six weeks of stronger than average cull cow slaughterings, that saw over 9,000 culls going through the system weekly from about the end of June to the middle of July, the feeling among many is that as that figure has slipped below the 7,000 mark. The worst of that particular supply spike may finally be over. In the short-term then cow prices remain unchanged with R grades in the 3.40-3.45/kg range, O grades on 3.20-3.25/kg and P+s at 3.05-2.90/kg. The other goodish P grades are further back at 2.80/kg. The amount of cover is a deciding factor in the price on many occasions because, with the best will in the world, most would agree that you can only do so much with a big bag of bones. Your big 23-month well-fed bull is the other end of the scale from that big bag of bones. Here you're into serious conformation and weight if you're at the heavy end. And yesterday I had reports that heavy U-grade stock were in demand among some factories. Prices of up to 4.10/kg were reported as having been offered. In general, however, U-grade prices up to 24 months were running from 4.00-4.05/kg, with R grades on 3.90-3.95/kg, while O grades continue on 3.80-3.85/kg. John Reihill (right) at Top Oils Dublin terminal in the 1970s Irving's acquisition of Tedcastle Group brings the Reihill family's 70-year involvement with the company to a close. The business, initially known as Tedcastle McCormick, was bought by the Reihills in 1951 and was originally focused on importing and distributing British coal. John Reihill - son of JP Reihill who had acquired the business - was credited with a move to start importing cheaper coal from Poland, which went down well with consumers. Over time the family shifted deeper into the oil business, and opened two separate oil terminals in the 1970s. Later the brand changed from Tedcastles Oil Products to Top - with the introduction of the green livery that persists to the present day. Around the turn of the millennium, John Reihill took control of the business by buying out his brother Frank and nephew Shane. Shane Reihill has had a successful career outside the family business. He is the founder of investment company TVC Holdings, which put money into businesses including software firm CR2, hotels business Dalata, and what was known as UTV Media. TVC was listed in Dublin and London but was taken off the stock exchange in 2014 with 91m of assets (cash and UTV shares) being distributed to shareholders. Shane Reihill, a keen poker player who has participated in international tournaments, had just under 30pc of the business. John Reihill, the figure probably most associated with the growth of Top Oil, died in 2013. He had resided at Deepwell, a Blackrock mansion in which the family had built up a large collection of Irish art. Th house was sold for a reported 8m after his death. An Irish Independent obituary of John Reihill described him as "more than just a successful businessman". "He was a philanthropist, a gregarious host, a sportsman, a traveller - and, most of all, a family man." Now Tedcastle Group is passing on to another family dynasty - the Irvings. Arthur Irving - with a fortune of $4.4bn according to 'Forbes' - is the chairman of Irving Oil and part of the third generation of the family business. His grandfather started the business in the late 19th century. Guineys has 10 stores here, including shops in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Kilkenny The Guineys department store chain is set to take over one of the vacant BHS units in Belfast city centre. The unit, in Castle Place, will be the first Guineys outlet to open in Northern Ireland. The store is expected to open towards the end of this year. "We are excited to venture into this new market and Belfast, being a major retail destination, provides consistently strong trading figures," said a spokesman. "The location is in a prime spot within the city centre and the space is ideal for Guineys to be able to deliver its large product range. "Guineys offers unbeatable value in home furnishings and fashion and prides itself on having new and exciting deals on offer at all times." Guineys said it had no further plans for expansion in Northern Ireland but that it would be opening a new store in Dundalk, Co Louth towards the end of this year. Accounts filed for the 12 months to January last year recorded accumulated profits of 13.8m at the family owned chain. The retailer has 10 outlets, including stores in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Kilkenny. It returned to profit in 2015 following the crash. The most recent accounts show the business had 224 employees, with staff costs of 4.4m. The business posted an after-tax profit of 2m for the year to the end of January 2017. Canadian multinational Irving Oil has agreed to buy the company behind Top Oil. The Reihill family is selling the business, known as the Tedcastle Group, for an undisclosed sum. However, it's understood to be well in excess of 100m. Top Oil has a petrol station business, an aviation fuel business, and is also a supplier of home heating oil. The deal is still subject to regulatory approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Tedcastle Holdings deputy chairman Raymond Reihill said it was "a very significant day for the extended family and our business in Ireland". "We are delighted to hand over the reins, on completion of these agreements, to another family company and are confident that the business will continue to grow and prosper." Irving Oil said the deal would "ultimately enable it to further expand its business across the Atlantic basin", having previously purchased Ireland's sole refinery in the Co Cork village of Whitegate in 2016. "This is a great day for our company," said Arthur Irving, the chairman of Irving Oil. "We are proud to be doing business in Ireland and are looking forward to working with everyone at Top Oil. We're excited about the future." Irving said the Top Oil brand would be maintained, as would the existing workforce. Top Oil has a terminal at Dublin Port, 20 inland oil depots, 200 dealer and company-owned forecourts. The petrol station business is particularly competitive in Ireland, with Top Oil facing the likes of listed company Applegreen, US giant Valero which owns Texaco, the long-established brand Maxol, and Canadian business Couche Tard which recently bought Topaz and rebranded it as Circle K. Both Applegreen and Topaz have spoken about plans to diversify their offerings with more of a focus on food, which tends to be a higher-margin business than fuel. Top Oil will also face a challenge as society seeks to shift away from oil towards cleaner sources of fuel. "We're excited about this opportunity to grow our business in Ireland and work with the Top Oil team," said Irving Oil president Ian Whitcomb. "We have worked hard to build strong customer relationships and establish meaningful community partnerships in Ireland and are delighted to continue to grow our business in this area. It's a natural fit for us." Tedcastle is an unlimited company and so does not have to file detailed financial accounts. Its history dates back to 1800, when it was originally founded by Robert Tedcastle as a coal-importing business servicing Dublin. It came into the ownership of the Reihill family in 1951. According to the Top Oil website, the Tedcastle Group also includes a business called Bruce Lindsay. Also part of the business is Tedcastle Properties, which looks after the group's property interests both here and in the UK. Dublin-based Top Oil has a 200-year history and operates on both sides of the Border. "We are looking forward to joining Irving Oil and continuing to grow and develop our business under its umbrella," said CEO Gerard Boylan. "We share a common commitment to our employees, customers and the wider community," he added. Law firm LK Shields advised Tedcastle on the sale, along with IBI Corporate Finance. Irving, based in Saint John, New Brunswick, moved into Europe in 2014 with an office in London. Founded in 1924, it operates Canada's largest refinery as well as a network of distribution terminals and petrol stations. Top Oil is based in Dublin. Banks have been accused of breaching EU regulations by quoting massive fees for mortgage holders who want to break out of a fixed rate to get a cheaper one. The Central Bank has been called on to probe the fees, with the situation described as having the potential to turn into the next tracker-like scandal. Some borrowers have previously locked in fixed rates of 4.99pc, but could now get a rate of 2.3pc. But some lenders are quoting more than 2,500 to break out of existing fixed contracts. Founder of Askaboutmoney.com, Brendan Burgess, claimed the banks are breaching EU regulations. He said the Central Bank would "wake up in two years and discover this is a scandal like the tracker issue". AIB was singled out by Mr Burgess as it is quoting huge breakage fees, while its subsidiary EBS often doesn't charge any fee. AIB quotes up to 2,500 for those on a fixed rate to break out of it, a so-called redemption fee. Homeowners who locked into fixed rates a few years ago are paying rates as high as 4.99pc. Ulster Bank has a two-year fixed rate of 2.3pc, with KBC offering a one-year rate of 2.9pc. Mr Burgess said: "The banks are clearly operating outside the law." He questioned how some banks could quote a breakage fee of zero and others wanted thousands of euro. Mr Burgess advised people who are locked into high fixed rates to ask their lenders to quote a breakage fee. If it is high he said they should make a complaint to the financial services ombudsman. The EU's 2016 mortgage credit directive means banks have had to change how they calculate a breakage fee when a mortgage holder wants to exit a fixed rate early. Previously, banks calculated the fee based on the money they would lose until the end of the term from not getting the higher rate. It was also known as a prepayment penalty. But the EU directive means they can only charge a penalty based on what they would earn from keeping the mortgage funds on deposit, the so-called interbank rate. As deposits are at or near zero, this means breakage should be very low, Mr Burgess said. The Central Bank said it could not comment on individual banks, but was engaging with some lenders to ensure compliance with the terms of the EU regulations. "If consumers are aware of any specific issues, the Central Bank welcomes all information which will assist it in fulfilling its objectives of regulating financial service providers and ensuring that the best interests of consumers of financial services are protected," the regulator said. A spokesperson for AIB said AIB Bank and EBS have different breakage methodologies, which is as a result of their backgrounds as independent entities in the market. The spokesperson said AIB, EBS and Haven do not impose any penalties or other administration fees for operational costs incurred in breaking a fixed rate mortgage contract over and above the break funding formula. It said it does not make any profit from the application of breakage costs to customers. A lawsuit has accused Google of illegally tracking the location of users using their searches and web activity. The tracking continues even if users turn off 'Location History', according to an investigation by the Associated Press and Princeton University last week. A separate function, Web & App Activity, continues to store data on the location of iPhone and Android users. San Diego resident Napoleon Patacsil issued the legal challenge in California. He stated that Google's "principal goal was to surreptitiously monitor [the claimant] and to allow third-parties to do the same". If a class action is granted, millions of smartphone users in the US could try to join the case. Patacsil is seeking unspecified damages for Google's alleged violations of privacy laws. The legal challenge is one of the first issued under California's Consumer Privacy Act, which was brought in earlier this year and is considered to be the state's own version of Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). GDPR is an EU regulation that came into force on May 25 under which companies must have a valid and lawful purpose when collecting data such as location. One of these is that the individual has given clear consent for the company to process their personal data for a specific purpose. Companies that break the data rules can face fines of 19.5m of up to 4pc of global turnover, which could potentially add up to a 4.22bn fine for Google parent company Alphabet. Google has yet to face a challenge over this specific aspect of its location tracking in Europe. Facebook's removal of hundreds of fake pages, groups and accounts which targeted UK politics is "the tip of the iceberg", according to the chairman of the parliamentary fake news inquiry. Conservative MP Damian Collins called for greater transparency from Facebook after the social network announced late on Tuesday it had removed more than 650 accounts linked to Iran which had posed as news organisations or grassroots activists. "They've found a few hundred here or there targeting the UK and US and there were 30,000 removed close to the French election, but my concern is that this would be the tip of the iceberg," Mr Collins said. An internal investigation by the world's biggest social network found four groups across Facebook and Instagram which spent thousands of pounds on advertising and had hundreds of thousands of followers. The activity, some of which dates back to 2011, included spreading political messages and attempting to hack other people's accounts or spread malware, according to Facebook's head of cyber security policy. Writing on the company's blog, Nathaniel Gleischer said: "We've removed 652 pages, groups and accounts for coordinated inauthentic behaviour that originated in Iran and targeted people across multiple internet services in the Middle East, Latin America, UK and US." Separate activity from Russia which targeted politics in Syria and Ukraine was also removed, he said. Pages called The British Left and Free Scotland 2014 shared posts about Jeremy Corbyn, Brexit, Boris Johnson and the Queen while others discussed Donald Trump's presidency and the Israel-Palestinian conflict. "There's a lot we don't know yet," Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said on a conference call with reporters on Tuesday afternoon. "With pages in particular it should be clear to users from which country that is being operated from," said Mr Collins. "Users should also know whether the person operating the page is deliberately hiding their identity," he added. Facebook increased transparency around the history of certain pages and political advertising earlier this year after whistleblowers revealed Russian agents and controversial data firm Cambridge Analytica targeted voters during the 2016 US election and the Brexit vote. In July, the Electoral Commission fined official Brexit campaign group Vote Leave and reported senior figures to the police for breaking electoral law with Facebook adverts targeting voters in the build-up to the EU referendum in 2016. "We'll see more of this activity between now and the US mid-term elections (in November). But Facebook has not really been investing in looking at this activity and the problem is probably much larger than we've seen," said Mr Collins. Cybersecurity firm FireEye first alerted Facebook to a network of pages operating under the name Liberty Front Press, posing as "news and civil society organisations". Mr Gleischer said website data linked 74 pages, 70 accounts and three groups which targeted UK and US politics on Facebook, as well as 76 Instagram accounts, to Iran's state media. These pages hosted three events and spent more than 6,000 dollars (4,666) in advertising, he said, although he gave no details about the events and adverts or what would happen to the money paid to Facebook for promotion. "About 155,000 accounts followed at least one of these pages, 2,300 accounts joined at least one of these groups, and more than 48,000 accounts followed at least one of these Instagram accounts," he said. A second, smaller network linked to Liberty Front Press tried to hack into user accounts and spread malware. The oldest network was created in 2011 and largely posted about Middle East politics in Arabic and Farsi but also shared content in the UK and US, including the page Free Scotland 2014. The network spent more more 6,000 dollars in advertising on Facebook and Instagram, paid for in US dollars, Turkish lira and Indian rupees between July 2012 and April 2018. Facebook said it was still investigating the networks and has shared information with the US and UK governments. FireEye plans to release a full report into the activity but has not specified a date. Mr Collins said the fake news inquiry will release its final report in the autumn, after the Information Commissioner completes a parallel investigation into how Facebook handles users' personal information. US stocks climbed to a record high, as an expanding economy and surging earnings erased a six-month drought in which stocks tumbled into a correction and price volatility briefly tripled. The dollar retreated as investors speculated the Trump administration would ease trade tensions with China. The S&P 500 Index rose 0.6pc to an all-time high, marking another milestone in a nine-year bull run that's by some measures now tied for the longest in history. Stocks have been buoyed by a surging American economy, with gross domestic product expanding at the fastest pace in four years during the April-June period and corporate America posting two quarters of 20pc profit increases. "It certainly was a shock how rapidly the market ran up in January, but now that we're eight months into the year, that sort of a rise for the market overall makes sense," Peter Jankovskis, co-chief investment officer at Oakbrook Investments, said. "It's taken a while for companies to grow into that profit level to support those prices. At this point, it's not too surprising." While it took half a year, the recovery rewarded equity investors who held on in the face of turbulent bond yields, Federal Reserve rate hikes and President Donald Trump's global tariff war. US shares rose yesterday amid signs that low-level talks between Chinese and American trade representatives may lead to some cooling of rhetoric on the months-long spat. The Trump administration plans to slap tariffs on $16bn of goods on the same day and China is poised to retaliate. In Dublin the Iseq index of Irish shares was little-changed, rising 0.14pc to 6735.54. Aryzta was the top performer in rising over 6pc - but is still down almost 70pc this year. Irish film Michael Inside has received a major international boost after being named among 49 recommended for a nomination by the European Film Academy and EFA Productions. In the coming weeks, around 3,500 members of the academy will vote for the nominations from the shortlisted films. Categ- ories include European Film, Actor, Actress, Director and Screenwriter. Expand Close Michael Inside director Frank Berry / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Inside director Frank Berry The nominations will then be announced at the Seville European Film Festival on November 10. Michael Inside tells the story of 18-year-old Michael McCrea, who lives with his grandfather Francis in Dublin. Expand Close Dafhyd Flynn in Michael Inside. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dafhyd Flynn in Michael Inside. His world is turned upside down when he is caught with a bag of drugs he was holding for a friend's older brother and is sentenced to three months in prison. The film stars Dafhyd Flynn (below) as the title character, along with Lalor Roddy and Moe Dunford. Acclaimed director Lenny Abrahamson praised the recognition the film has received, saying it was "great news and very much deserved". Methamphetamine worth an estimated 6,000 has been seized by revenue officers at a house in Cork City. 100g of the drug was discovered by gardai during the search yesterday morning. An Irish man (48) was arrested following the seizure and he was detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and has since been charged. He is set to appear before Cork City District Court this morning. The discovery was made as a result of a joint operation between Revenue Officers, and Gardai from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOC) and the Divisional Drugs Unit in Anglesea St. The operation is part of an ongoing investigation targeting the importation of drugs into the country. A man accused of murdering his father told gardai: "He was my dad and I love him very much. I would have done anything for him." David Fortune (31) gave the response when charged with murdering his father Gerard Fortune (63), who was found stabbed at their home in Dublin on Sunday night. He was remanded in custody for a week when he appeared in Dublin District Court yesterday afternoon. David Fortune, also known as David O'Leary, is charged with murdering his father, a hospital care worker, at their home at Rutland Grove, Crumlin, Dublin on August 19. Garda Sergeant Brendan O'Halloran told Judge Mary Dorgan he arrested the accused at Crumlin garda station for the purpose of charge at 12.52am yesterday "for the offence of murder of Gerard Fortune". Harm The accused made no reply when he was cautioned that he was not obliged to say anything. At 1.55am, he was charged in Sgt O'Halloran's presence and handed a copy of the charge sheet. In reply to the charge, he said: "I never meant to harm anyone. He was my dad and I love him very much. I would have done anything for him." Sgt O'Halloran said the accused used both surnames. Defence solicitor Brian Coveney said, given the nature of the charge, he was making no application for bail on his client's behalf. Bail can only be granted in the High Court on a murder charge. He was consenting to the defendant being remanded in custody for a week. Judge Dorgan granted free legal aid after Mr Coveney made an application and handed a statement of the accused's financial means in to court. The accused was not working and there was no Garda objection to legal aid. She remanded Mr Fortune in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday, August 28. The accused, wearing a red Adidas T-shirt, grey tracksuit bottoms and black runners, did not address the court during the brief hearing. Weeping He appeared visibly distressed as he sat through the proceedings and gestured towards weeping family members in the public gallery as he left the court. Gardai and emergency services were called to the house at around 8pm on Sunday. Gerard Fortune had suffered a stab wound and was removed by ambulance to St James's Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. AN eight-year-old boy allegedly stabbed a man three times in the chest and arm during a melee between feuding neighbours. The boy is suspected of stabbing a man three times, including in the chest and arm, after he stormed a house belonging to people that his family is allegedly feuding with. Details revealed that this also led to a 13-year-old boy being beaten over the head with a hammer. The two victims are brothers and both suffered horrendous injuries according to sources. Kilmainham gardai are investigating the row that broke out in a house in Inchicore, in the capitals south inner city, on Saturday evening. Two women and a 13-year-old boy were arrested by officers. The arrested juvenile is not the boy who was beaten over the head with the hammer. The trio were all released without charge after being held at different south city garda stations over the weekend. The eight-year-old cannot be prosecuted for the vicious knife attack because he is below the age of criminal responsibility. Instead, gardai are expected to liaise with specialist social workers in an attempt to manage his situation. It is understood that officers in the south inner city are on high alert over the possibility of more arrests. A senior source revealed that two men were treated at St Jamess Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. It is understood that they have both since been discharged. There was a 13-year-old boy who suffered serious head injuries after being beaten over the head with a hammer and a 23-year-old man who was stabbed three times, including in the chest, the source said. They are expected to be OK but no one really knows what is going to happen in relation to this feud between neighbours. It has been going on for a number of months and it is very hard to know what really started it. There are fears rampant violent criminality in the south inner city is now spiralling out of control. The fact that an eight-year-old boy is suspected of alleged direct involvement in an attempted knife murder is considered to be a new low by detectives. The last time that laws governing the age of criminal responsibility were amended was in 2006, when it was raised from seven to 12. This means that children who have not reached the age of 12 cannot be charged with an offence. There is an exception for children aged 10 or 11 who can be charged with murder, manslaughter, rape or aggravated sexual assault. However, the eight-year-old stab suspect cannot be prosecuted on a charge of attempted murder. Sources said gardai were frustrated they could not take a more active involvement in the case of the child. It is understood that officers feel heavily under-resourced in this particular area of the city. What happened in that house in Inchicore on Saturday night was outrageous it was a real low in terms of crime in Ireland, one source said. It was also revealed that some of the people involved in the feud have links to a man who accidentally shot dead his friend in 2011. Dean Short, of Lally Road, Ballyfermot, admitted killing Paul McCarthy (18) at a house at Emmet Road, Inchicore, when he appeared in court two-anda-half years ago. Short (19) and Mr McCarthy were among a group of five teenagers smoking cannabis and playing with a loaded gun in the bedroom of a house in Myra Close, Emmet Road, on May 9, 2011. Mr McCarthy took the gun out of a bag and started laughing and waving the firearm around. After his friends told him to get it away from them, he told them to relax and said the gun did not work, before putting it down on the bed. Short then picked the weapon up and pointed it at Mr McCarthy and said: How do you like it now, Paulie? The gun went off in his hand, shooting Mr McCarthy in the head. He died a few hours later in hospital. All four teenagers then ran from the bedroom, but Short went back and took the gun. He dropped it into the garden as he fled. He handed himself in to gardai the next day and admitted what he had done. Judge Mary Ellen Ring told Short that to point a gun even in jest was recklessness in the extreme. However, she accepted that he did not set out to kill Mr McCarthy. She sentenced Short to five-and-a-half years in prison, with one-and-a-half years suspended. Middle Valley Church of God, 1703 Thrasher Pike in Hixson, announces that Pastor Mitch McClure will speak on the topic, "Don't Forget God," in the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday. This sermon is part of a series entitled, "Learning How to Live," which is based on the book of Ecclesiastes. "The writer, Solomon was considered the wisest man who ever lived. Queen Sheba of Egypt declared his great knowledge. Solomon gives us the perspective of living life with death in view," officials said. Pastor McClure will lead the congregation in a time of worship and prayer on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Each Sunday at 9:30 a.m., Sunday school classes are available for all age groups. Pastor McClure is leading an interactive Bible study based on John McTernans' book, "As America Has Done To Israel." This study will be held each Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the administrative classroom. Pastor McClure said, "Israel was chosen by Jehovah God to be His people and He gave them specific promises. They exist today because of His promised covenant. Israel must be blessed if we are to be blessed. This will be one of our most interesting and eye-opening studies. We'd love to have many attend and participate." "Middle Valley Church of God has been involved in community from the same location since 1946 and continues to partner with many local organizations. The church also is involved in multiple ministries in Cusuna, Honduras with orphans and widows," officials said. All services are open to the public and everyone is welcome to participate." For additional information, contact Pastor Mitch McClure at the church office at 423-843-1539. According to a report by the Central Statistics Office last year, Irish people aged 18 to 24 had the highest rates of binge drinking in the European Union. Binge drinking is defined as six or more standard drinks in one session, equivalent to three pints of beer or six pub measures of spirits. The CSO data showed more than a quarter of men and more than 15pc of women aged 18 to 24 in Ireland engaged in binge drinking at least once a week in 2014. "There are certain sudden conditions you can experience if you drink heavily for a few days in a row," says Dr Bobby Smyth, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, HSE. "For example, acute pancreatitis, where the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short period of time and ceases to work properly. This can cause a huge amount of discomfort." Then, there are the longer-term effects of alcohol consumption - the ones after the hangover. "Drinking above the recommended low-risk guidelines can lead to unhealthy weight gain, poor memory, heart problems and other diseases." Eventful nights However, Dr Smyth says it is not so much the cumulative damage of drinking over the years that is the most worrying, "the main issue or risk for college students is the intoxication-based events, what happens when you are very drunk. For example, having an accident that could be hugely life altering or, even life-ending. "Plus, you can be much more vulnerable to assault, such as sexual assault or 'one-punch attacks'. This is where a random person will hit someone on the head and it is not the impact of the punch that could potentially kill them, but if they fall and hit their head off the ground." Dr Smyth continues, "Drinking with the intention of getting drunk is common among young adults. They're very much focused on the air of excitement of what might happen, that it will all be fun and positive. And, often it is. But, it is concerning that it can get messy and unpleasant. "Most people who get drunk regularly will be able to look back at incidents or occasions where they were perhaps a little lucky. They might have had no memory of getting home, or they could have climbed over a 15ft high wall, fallen and ended up with a head injury." There is also the fact that excessive alcohol consumption may lead to overdosing, which Dr Smyth says many people do not realise is a real problem. "Alcohol overdoses have killed more people in Ireland over the years than heroin overdoses have. If your blood alcohol level hits 300mg/dL, you become unconscious. At 400mg/dL, you could die. So, if you are constantly passing out, then you're close to point where you could have a fatal overdose. Passing out is the body's protection mechanism, it switches you off to not drink anymore. "We tend to laugh about those things. But, truth is, some people are paying an enormous price for those occasions that the rest of us ended up laughing about." Making choices Dr Smyth worries that the more people rely on alcohol to have a good night, the more it becomes impossible to have a night out without drinking. "There are, of course, people who have chosen not to drink at all by choice and I really think these people should be acknowledged and applauded. But, people around the world can enjoy themselves without getting as hammered as we do in Ireland. Many of us feel it is impossible to enjoy ourselves unless we are drunk." Dr Smyth says that the reason behind this is usually to do with how we view ourselves. "People say they need to get drunk to go out, but they should be asking themselves, why? When you're in the company of the people you like best in the world, then why do you need a chemical to feel happiness in that situation? "Some people who aren't really in the best of form might decide to drink in order to deal with that. However, alcohol tends to make a bad mood worse. For people who have a tendency towards depression or experience suicidal thoughts, alcohol is particularly risky." Research has shown that in Ireland, alcohol is a factor in more than half of all suicides and over one third of cases of deliberate self-harm. "There is very clear evidence that alcohol is not something which has a universally positive impact on mood, in fact it can be absolutely the opposite for some unfortunate people," says Dr Smyth. "If you're feeling a bit down, I would advise avoiding alcohol. If you can, try to find someone else who is willing to do something where the focus of the evening doesn't become drinking." Parental guidance For parents who are concerned that their son or daughter may be drinking excessively or taking other drugs, Dr Smyth advises approaching the subject with care. "If you are concerned, don't get into investigator mode to try and find more evidence to back up your concern. Calmly say to your son or daughter that you are a bit worried about how they are drinking. Drug use can be less obvious to parents unless they see someone using, come across drugs, or see changes like huge amounts of money being spent and no evidence of anything being purchased with it. "Avoid charging into their room and making accusations. It's about expressing concern and offering to provide support. Where there is a constant pattern of poor decision making around drink or drugs, it might be reasonable to point the person towards a professional. "Most of the colleges have mental health supports there which could be a port of call for some people, whatever difficulties they are facing." For more on the effects of alcohol on the body, see www.askaboutalcohol.ie According to the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report from 2015, Ireland has one of the highest shares of third-level graduates in the European Union. But, while this is great news for Ireland, according to a new report by the European Commission, Irish students also pay the second highest fees in Europe after the UK, with fees of 3,000. While more than 40pc of students in Ireland do not have to pay fees as they are entitled to means-tested grants, back-to-college costs are rising every year. In the latest Eurostudent study from 2017, approximately 36pc of the total student population say that they are experiencing serious financial problems. Final year college student, Laura Marrinan, 22 from Co Clare, says the SUSI Grant was able to help her financially survive for most of her time in college. But, the year she wasn't eligible for this grant, she had to take out a loan. "I got the SUSI Grant in years one, three and four which paid for my registration fees," says Laura. "But, in year two, I was not permitted to have the grant. I had to take out a loan to cover the cost of my college fees. While I always had help from my parents when my money got low, I also had to work part-time and throughout the summers to cover my rent and other costs." Research carried out by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ICLU) into the cost of third-level education in 2016 revealed that 22pc of students used their existing savings to pay their education costs. Also, 17pc rely on grants, 13pc take out loans and 68pc of students work an average of 17 hours per week during their college year. While this money assists with all aspects of living at college, including travel, rent and food, just over a quarter of students are forced to work in order to cover their educational costs specifically. But, there are students who find working during their terms very helpful to them in the long run. Nursing student, Nicola Cullen, 23 from Co Wexford, says that while her family were able to occasionally help her financially, she still worked throughout her time at college. "It was difficult at times, but my family were very good to me and took that pressure off. They really supported me. I have been working at jobs nearly my entire time in college too. I think that the part-time work is going to really help me in my future career." Working while in college can be a great idea for many as it can add to their CV and their experience in the workplace. But, if a student is working a job, does this cut back on how much parents must help out? The price of education According to the 2017 Eurostudent study, 42pc of a student's expenditure is met by either a parent or a partner. It also shows that full-time students are now more reliant on financial support from parents or others than they were five years ago. The Money Doctor, John Lowe, a financial advisor, says that the expenses for third level are so costly that it would take the average parent their entire child's lifetime up to college age to save up enough money. "The cost of sending one child to university for four years is around 42,000," says John Lowe. "If you save the 140 Child Benefit received every month for 17 years, you would only accumulate 28,000, which is still 14,000 short of the average cost. But parents usually use that payment to look after their child and can't save it up. "While it's expensive in Ireland, I think we are lucky to not have the system in the United States, where it is simply impossible for any parent earning an average salary to fund their child through college. There, the cost of college could be upwards of 150,000 for the full four years. Students get an interest-free loan, pay nothing while studying and then when they get their first job, for the first 10 years of their working life, 30pc of their income goes to paying that debt. I think we would all rather see young graduates saving for a house than paying back loans so early in their lives." With the cost of college out of the grasp of the average parent's income, should they cover the full cost? "It completely depends on the circumstances. On the one hand it could help with their own financial independence, but on the other hand, you don't want them to lose focus on their studies. My own daughter did not have a part-time job as she needed to study in her final year of her Computer Science degree. This turned out well because she got a First in her degree. "You also want a student to enjoy their life, whether that's going to a concert or going to the cinema. When you see the real cost in terms of hours worked, you realise that a student can't really work all those hours while studying. The minimum wage is 9.80 and if they bought a concert ticket at 100, they would have to work nearly 10 hours to see that one concert." John says that most careers require an undergraduate degree and that parents should try to help their children with their education. But for how long should a parent be expected to pay for their child's education? John says that when children get past their undergraduate degree, they are adults and should be able to pay their own way. "Doing a masters or any other postgrad should be up to the student themselves. And it's not just education - my daughter wants to take a year or two off after she finishes her degree, but she won't be getting any funding for that. In my own opinion, the parent's role is complete at this stage and now it's up to them. But, of course this is an individual choice for parents to make." A teenager who was diagnosed with a brain tumour as a toddler thanked her neurosurgeon for saving her life several times with her signature batch of brownies. Katie Kennedy (15), from Naas, Co Kildare, was among a number of current and former patients at Dublins Beaumont Hospital who returned to the hospital yesterday to thank medical staff for going the extra mile in their care. Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour at just 18 months of age, Katie credits consultant neurosurgeon John Caird with saving her life several times over. He performed life-saving brain surgery on her in June 2014 when the tumour had grown to the size of a grapefruit. And while she is still undergoing treatment to keep the tumour at bay, she said Mr Caird is nothing short of a hero. I have no words, she said of her debt of gratitude to him. Mr Caird was among a number of consultants, physicians and nurses and their patients who attended the Beaumont Hospital Foundations annual Honour Your Heroes reception at the hospital. Molly Martens, who, along with her father, Thomas Martens, murdered her husband Jason Corbett. Photo: Donnie Roberts/The Dispatch KILLER Molly Martens has had her sentence for the murder of her Irish husband extended by four years because of repeated breaches of US prison rules. Martens (34) and her father, retired FBI agent Tom Martens (68), were convicted last summer in the US of the second-degree murder of businessman and father-of-two Jason Corbett (39). The North Carolina Department of Public Safety indicated Martens now has a scheduled release date from her second-degree murder sentence of April 15, 2041 four years longer than her former projected release date of August 3, 2037. The former nanny now faces serving 24 years behind bars. Martens underwent a major custody review in North Carolina on August 1, just 24 hours before the third anniversary of the brutal murder of her Irish husband. The Tennessee-born woman was transferred back to a high security prison in North Carolina two months ago after being cited for three separate breaches of prison rules, two alone in the space of a couple of hours. The custody review took place as Mr Corbetts family admitted their pain has not eased in the three years since his brutal murder by his wife and father-in-law. Nightmare Mr Corbetts mother, Rita, and his sister, Tracey Corbett-Lynch, said they have faced a never-ending nightmare of pain and loss. Tracey said the Co Limerick family can never forget what was done to Jason. The last few days have been very hard because they force everyone who loved Jason to relive the pain of losing him, she said. There is no escape from wondering about what those last few days of Jasons life must have been like and the unforgivable pain and cruelty he was subjected to on the night of his murder by people he loved and trusted but who betrayed him in the worst way possible. After being attacked by his wife and father-in-law on August 2, 2015, while he was asleep in bed at his North Carolina home, Mr Corbett was then cruelly left to die on the bedroom floor. Martens and her father were accused by prosecutors of deliberately delaying their call to emergency services to ensure Mr Corbett had died when they arrived. Ms Corbett-Lynch has written a best-selling tribute to her brother, entitled My Brother Jason. Pope Francis says he hopes his visit to Ireland will help to increase reconciliation and unity between Christians on the island. In a special video message ahead of his arrival on Saturday, the pontiff also said he was "excited" at returning to Ireland, where he spent time learning English in 1980. Although the specific reason for his visit to Ireland is the World Meeting of Families, he said he wanted to "include all the members of the Irish family" in his trip. He hoped it would "further the growth of unity and reconciliation among all Christ's followers, as a sign of that lasting peace which is God's dream for the human family". The Pope also paid tribute to families, who he said faced many challenges today in their efforts to bring up children with sound values. He added: "I know that many people are working hard to prepare for my visit, and I thank all of them from my heart. I ask everyone to pray that this great festival will be a moment of joy and serenity, a caress of Jesus's tender love for all families, and indeed, for all God's children." Echoing Pope John Paul II when he visited Ireland in 1979, Pope Francis added: "Young people are the future." Pilgrims Meanwhile, the World Meeting of Families officially got underway last night as thousands of pilgrims flocked to the RDS for the opening ceremony. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin welcomed the crowds who made the journey from the Irish Church's 26 dioceses as well as international visitors from 116 countries. He told those gathered that the family is not "a remote ideological notion" and should be a place where compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience and forgiveness are learned, practiced and spread. Describing the opening ceremony as "important", he said it was the culmination of months of preparation. As he was speaking, flanked by Cardinal Kevin Farrell of the Dicastery of Laity, Family and Life in the Vatican, each of the Irish Church's 26 Catholic dioceses were holding their own liturgies to mark the occasion. The archbishop said that "whatever of the past, here in Dublin the World Meeting is something much more profound" which was to reflect the words, "You are God's chosen race; he loves you". "Over my lifetime, family life has changed," he said and added that families in Ireland today have many opportunities and many new challenges and that these would be looked at over the next three days in the RDS. "We pray for those who have never experienced such love or from whom such love was stolen through abuse or neglect," he added. A woman whose sister vanished from a mother and baby home is holding a silent vigil at the same time as the papal Mass in Dublin. Annette McKay's mother Maggie O'Connor, from Co Galway, was sent to the Bon Secours mother and baby home when she was 17. She was pregnant after being raped. Ms McKay (64) knew nothing of her oldest sister, Mary O'Connor, for years. The child is reported to have died in the mother and baby home in 1943 from natural causes. However, Ms McKay believes her sister was illegally adopted. Ms McKay is holding the vigil in Tuam, Co Galway, as a show of support. "The vigil is our way of saying to survivors, you are not alone. The message is that you shouldn't be alone, we're there in solidarity and support." Gathering outside Tuam Town Hall, the group plans to walk the 30-minute route to the former site of Tuam Mother and Baby home. In 2013, local historian Catherine Corless discovered official records showing that around 800 children died at the home in Tuam. Ms Corless believes most of the children are buried on the site, part of which had a local authority estate built on it in the 1970s. In March, a commission of investigation announced it had found "a significant number of human remains" at the site. Ms McKay said the Pope's visit to Knock shrine was a missed opportunity to send out a signal of change from the Church. "There should be some proper recognition and repentance on behalf of the Church. "It's not good enough, these people matter. Their lives mattered. I think he should visit Tuam, imagine the message that would've sent, instead of going to Knock - business as usual. "There needs to be a complete and utter awakening in the Church to the depths of what it has been responsible for." Her mother died in April, suffering from dementia in her later years, which Ms McKay called "a blessing" as she could finally live her life in peace after years of torment and depression due to her treatment. Ms McKay said: "I don't have time to cry. I need to do this for my mother ... I want her story to matter, Maggie mattered and her baby mattered. "You cannot concrete over Ireland's history." Tom, Sinead, Sophia (12), Murie (10) and Luc McGloughlin from Lusk in Dublin at the opening prayer of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS Dublin Photo: Justin Farrelly Sisters Monica, Lucy, Magdalena and Maura from Drumcondra at the opening prayer of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS Dublin Photo: Justin Farrelly The opening prayer of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS Dublin Photo: Justin Farrelly Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin and Cardinal Kevin Farell arriving at the opening prayer of the World Meeting of Families at the RDS Dublin Photo: Justin Farrelly. The opening day of the World Meeting of families begins with an admission of failure to protect children and a vow to do better. Teresa Kettelkamp, of the Pontifical Council Commission for the Protection of Minors has admitted that revelations of abuse within the Church have infuriated and embarrassed her and have made her feel that she has failed. She said all church leaders and indeed all Catholics have felt deep disappointment at what has happened and she personally feels that she is under judgement. Though proud to be a Catholic, she said she: I feel embarrassed, frustrated and sad and I have no words to defend our failures other than that we will try to do better. She was speaking at a press conference on a panel that also included archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect for the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life; Father Tim Bartlett, Secretary General of WMOF208 and Dr Mary Aiken, an expert on cyber crime at Europol. Ms Kettlekamp said that having read the Grand Jury report on the extent of sexual abuse within the church in Pennsylvania, USA, she still did not know if she had all the facts on what the church knew and what they did or did not do. Put to Archbishop Martin that survivors have indicated that it is not enough for him to say sorry for abuse within the church here, the archbishop defended his stance, saying: I havent just said sorry. The archdiocese has done much to assist investigations and he had provided the Commission with some 80,000 documents which formed the bulk of its evidence, he said. I believe the truth will make you free even if the truth is unpleasant, he said. Here in Ireland we have made extensive progress, he said, with mandatory reporting and the church had a good relationship of trust with the police. However the archbishop said that in Ireland because of industrial schools and day schools, Magdalene laundries and mother and baby homes as well as the abuse by priests within parishes, that the numbers of abuse are immense and many people are still holding in their hearts the sadness of abuse. The levels of prosecution are also very low because of the courts system, he said, adding: Its not an easy thing for someone to tell their story in court or worse, to hear their story being told by others. He said the judicial system needs to make it easier for victims to come forward. More to follow Even the most rational, cool-headed parent dreads their childs first vaccinations. I had no doubt about the benefits of immunisation for my one-year-old daughters future health, yet at our first appointment, the scream she made when the needle went into her tiny, chubby thigh made me weep (which then set the nurse off). Nevertheless, the alarming recent recurrence of measles in the UK and Europe is a reminder that the protection the injections gave her were worth the short-term trauma. Measles, which had virtually disappeared in the UK and much of the developed world, is returning with a vengeance, despite the fact weve had a cheap and effective vaccine for it since the 1960s. Cases quadrupled in Europe in 2017 and at least 35 people died, according to the World Health Organisation. The countries worst affected have been Ukraine, Romania and Italy where poorly funded health systems and cultural beliefs among some groups mean take-up of the vaccine is patchy. But the modern pace of migration and foreign travel has seen the disease spreading across the continent, including to Belgium, Portugal, France and Germany; measles is also on the rise in the United States and even Australia. According to a WHO report, at least 37 people are thought to have have died this year from the disease. In the first six months of 2018, more than 41,000 children and adults contracted measles across the continent a number far exceeding the 12-month totals reported for every year this decade. In England and Wales there have already been 760 suspected cases of measles so far this year more than twice as many as reported in the whole of 2017 with outbreaks from Birmingham to London, Leeds, Liverpool and Cardiff. Technically, measles has been eradicated in the UK, but the disease is being imported as a result of unvaccinated children and adults travelling to countries with large outbreaks, including Italy where the vaccination schedule and supply is less robust. Health authorities are now on high alert and governments are so concerned about the return of measles that laws have been recently passed in France, Germany and Italy making it mandatory that all parents give their children the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab, or at least consult their doctor about it. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, but experts warn that the elimination of the disease in large regions of the world has caused many to become dangerously complacent about the need for widespread immunisation. Twenty years ago, people queued up to have the whooping cough jab because it was killing children - the risk was obvious and present, says Adam Finn, professor of pediatrics at the University of Bristol. Now, no one is dying from these things. The main driver of people buying into a vaccine is fear, and without that fear it opens people up to doubt. All this is compounded by persistent anti-vaccine movements, which have a long history in the UK and Europe. This year marks two decades since the British researcher Andrew Wakefield published a paper linking the MMR with autism, prompting a wave of hysteria across the world, and a dramatic fall in the rate of parents vaccinating their children. Wakefield was later struck off, and his theory has been exposed as groundless in multiple studies since, but for many the stigma surrounding the vaccine stuck and planted seeds of doubt and worry in peoples minds. When my daughter had her first dose recently, I was struck by the number of friends and family members - rational and well educated people - who expressed vague suspicion about it; I know at least one couple who chose not to give their baby the jab. Though coverage of the MMR among babies in the UK is now high, the latest figures from NHS Digital showed it fell in England last year for the third year in a row, and is still below the WHO target of 95 per cent. Wakefield has to carry some responsibility for whats going on here, says Professor Finn. A lot of people still see the MMR jab as controversial. Theres a question mark. Theres an element of doubt which didnt really exist before, in my view. Take-up of the MMR is now back to pre-Wakefield levels, but a generation of children who were born at the height of the controversy and didnt have the jab are now at university age, when close contact means diseases like measles can spread quickly. There are still a significant number of people who didnt get the vaccination historically because of the MMR scare, says Professor Finn. Measles is incredibly infectious, and if youve never had it and you didnt get the vaccine, its a bit like being in a forest of dried trees waiting for someone to strike a match. And if you think getting measles is no big deal, it is worth listening to Andrew Wilson whose 19-year-old daughter caught measles in February, having just started her second term at university. We got a phone call about 10 oclock at night from her housemate saying theyd just called an ambulance because her heart rate was through the roof, shed come out in a rash and her temperature was over 40 degrees, says Andrew, 48, who lives in the Isle of Wight. She was in hospital for a week, being sick constantly and unable to eat. She lost a stone in weight, only being slight to begin with. I was shocked. I had no idea measles was so serious. She has thankfully made a full recovery, having provided details to the hospital of every person she had been in touch with in the previous days to prevent further infection. But Andrew remains haunted by his decision not to vaccinate her as a baby. Around the time she was born there were all these scare stories about autism, he recalls. As a parent, a little bit of information can be dangerous. I was concerned about having a child with a new immune system being bombarded with all these vaccines. So we took the decision not to. Which, in hindsight, was not a good decision. Andrew and his wife agreed they would vaccinate their children when they got older, and he arranged for his daughter to have the MMR jab, with other vaccinations, before university. The family are now uncertain about whether she was actually given the injection, or whether she was, but still caught measles because she was undervaccinated, having only had one jab and not the follow up booster needed for the best level of protection. I suppose people will hear this and think we were stupid and its our own fault - and yes, I feel stupid, says Andrew. It was an extremely upsetting experience. Its not something I would ever want to put my children through again, and if it comes to grandkids later down the line, I would want them to be vaccinated. The MMR is safe and effective at any age, and experts are urging anyone who missed having the vaccination to have it - especially anyone who is planning to travel to countries suffering measles outbreaks, such as Italy. Also they should check that they have had their booster - which usually comes two years after the first MMR vaccination. The [current] cases of measles are often older teens who didnt have the MMR as babies because of the concerns in the press, says Helen Bedford, professor of childrens health at University College London. You can completely understand why, 20 years ago, parents were concerned about the jabs. Now they think, My child is too old to have it, and never have it done. Today, the anti-vaccine movement remains small but vocal, with a strong presence on social media; it was bolstered by the election of Donald Trump, who has shown support for the theory that vaccines cause autism. Andrew Wakefield, unable to practise in the UK, continues to promote his agenda in the US; he attended President Trumps inaugural ball in 2017. In Texas, where Wakefield now lives, vaccination rates are reportedly falling. In the era of fake news, Professor Finn says public health bodies must rethink how they communicate to the public. I hear people saying how destructive and awful the anti-vaccine movement is, but all were doing is putting leaflets into GP waiting rooms, while the rest of the world gets their information from social media. Weve got to pull our socks up. Depressingly, experts warn that the consequences of Western paranoia about vaccinations will be felt most sharply in lower income countries, where malnutrition and poor healthcare mean the disease is much more likely to kill. Only two years ago, Latin America declared measles eradicated, after a massive, decades-long campaign by the WHO. Now, its back again: a virulent outbreak in Venezuela has already killed at least 54 children. Proof, if it were needed, that vaccination is an act for the greater good. Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] Car-value expert Gillian Keogh teams up with Motoring Editor Eddie Cunningham to help you make the right choice with your next purchase. Gillian is Editor of a monthly guidebook on the values of used cars produced by the Motor Trade Publishers team. The team supplies a car-valuing service to the motor trade, insurance companies and finance houses We have a 151 diesel Toyota Corolla and are looking to change next year. Budget between 25 and 30K. We do approx 20,000km a year. We have a one-year-old baby and are hoping to have another soon so we'd like to accommodate two car seats with room for another person in the back without going for a seven-seater. We were hoping to get a new hybrid but I think we might be seriously limiting our options. We are also open to buying a one-year-old car if that would get us what we want within our budget. Gillian: The obvious answer is to get yourself to your local Toyota dealer and change up to the C-HR 1.8 hybrid. A new Sport model would be at the top end of your budget with a price of 30,400 but if you can get a one-year-old Luna Sport or Sol model, it would be a better option. This is assuming your budget is including your trade-in. However, its shape might not be 100pc what you want for an adult in the back in between two car seats. With two ISOfix locations in the back, it is fine for little ones, but it may feel cramped for a big child. The Toyota Prius+ might be a better option - 171 Luxury models are going for 28k to 29k and would suit your needs. A new-model Peugeot 3008 SUV or Seat Ateca SUV are worth looking at too. Not available in hybrid yet but they have petrol and diesel options and you could go new or one-year-old in both. Eddie: I'd push for a new Peugeot 3008 SUV, which is all the car you want for your family at this stage. It's nice inside and has great room. I like the SEAT Ateca too, on price especially. But one really worth thinking about is the KIA Niro plug-in hybrid. It might stretch your upper limit a little but you are into a hybrid, and that seems to be important for you. And it is really well equipped. Give it serious consideration. We have a KIA Sportage 2013 diesel (170,000km) due for trade-in. We are an almost retired couple and the children have flown the nest, so we're thinking of a Mercedes. Budget of 20,000-ish including trade-in. Annual mileage: approx 20,000kms. Can you please recommend a model (saloon)? We are thinking C-Class. Not interested in A-Class. Gillian: The new model C-Class C180 petrol sells every bit as well as the C180 diesel, so start there. The model launched in May 14 and you should be able to find a 142 Avantgarde auto in budget. You have a hugely popular model to trade in or sell privately (if you don't mind the extra work involved), but your kilometre reading is higher than average, so bear this in mind with the money you are hoping to get for it. If you like the C-Class, also look at a BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 or jump on the hybrid train with the Lexus IS300h. They are all priced around the same and you may not have thought of them. Eddie: I'd go along with most of that, Gillian. Stick with the Mercedes C-Class. I think I'd go diesel on your mileage but the petrol is a decent alternative, and in these days of uncertainty trade-in future value might swing it for you. I recently had the Lexus IS300h for a day and I have to say I was really impressed with it. It's a car that's often overlooked. Good value and well-equipped. C-Class diesel or Lexus IS300h for me. My 80-year-old wife, who has limited mobility, drives a 142 C180 Mercedes automatic petrol (30,000km). She would like to change to a smaller new car with the following: easy to get in and out of, automatic, parking sensors, reversing camera, folding rear seats. Gillian: Folding rear seats, smaller and with good access sounds like a compact SUV to me. And buying new makes it easy to include parking sensors and reversing camera. The kilometre reading on her current car suggests she does very little driving, so I recommend a petrol and suggest a SEAT Arona as a starting point. The 1.2 SE Auto will mean adding a little something to the money you get for the C180 but we aren't talking a huge amount. If she has something to add to the pot - and I am thinking up to 10k - then the Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 is a choice. It's where I'd put my money. If she wanted to go posh again, the Audi Q2 is a good choice too, as is BMW X1, both excellent in automatic. Eddie: I've recommended the Honda Jazz to a few people in similar situations and they've come back delighted with the choice. It has reasonable height, is compact and there are automatic versions. Not sure of your budget but you won't have to worry much about buying a new one with your low-mileage Merc as a trade-in. I like the options Gillian outlined too. An automatic Volkswagen T-Roc is a good buy. I drive a 171 Volvo V40, 1.6 diesel, D2 model. It has just under 15,000km on the clock (approximately 11k/year). I am looking to change to an SUV for the higher seat/entry (need it to be waist-high entry seating), automatic transmission and with heated seats. I'm not currently doing the mileage that necessitates a diesel but am fine with that as an option. Budget 30,000 (including trade-in). Might stretch higher. I am changing vehicles based on medical advice, hence the waist height (and heated) seats. I am nervous of the new testing due in September, and while I would like to change now I am prepared to wait until January if you think there might be better options. I'm in a three-year PCP agreement, so I'll carry that forward or pay it off and use a car loan. Some of the smaller SUVs' seating position is too low (T-Roc) for me (5ft 8in) so it seems a more middle ground SUV is where I will have to look. Gillian: For the best trade-in, you should stick with the Volvo brand and a used XC60 is a good place to start. The only issue with going used is that finding a model with heated seats might be difficult. You would also need to go back down the years and that can be hard for some. I wouldn't rule out buying now if you are suffering with your current seating. Here are some new models that will allow you to add heated seats to your order now or January if you decide to wait. SEAT Ateca 1.4 TSi SE DSG at 30,825 seems to fit in nicely. Good value for money. I'd have no reservations here. Stretching the budget would get you into the KIA Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. I am thinking something a little fresher for you. Although the Qashqai has been around for a long time, its petrol options make it more appealing. Skoda's Karoq comes with auto in its Ambition and Style spec. Eddie: I'd wait until January for several reasons: better choice of petrol and hybrid models, better idea of how this whole new taxation system is going to work on prices, better time to buy - you'll get a whole year as opposed to a few months if you opt for now. So all in all, I'd wait. And come back to us in a couple of months. But something tells me a petrol Qashqai will be top of your list. My wife and I are moving back from the UK early next year. Keen to take advantage of the VRT rules and hoping to bring back two cars - one for us and one for purposes of selling on after 12 months of having it in Ireland. Car one will be a future family car (baby expected in Feb), budget 15k-16.5k and hoping to get an 18-month old car, 1.6 litre to 2litre, petrol or diesel, will be city car with one or two longer journeys a month. Have looked at KIA Sportage, Mazda 6 and Hyundai saloon. Any suggestions/recommendations? The second car is purely to bring savings home and to hopefully make decent profit 12 months after returning when we sell. Budget can be stretched to 20k to 22k Gillian: I strongly suggest you get fully up to speed with VRT exemption regulations. The saloon market is not great here right now, so while you might pick up some deals on a Mazda6 and i40, they might not be the best long-term buy. If you like the Sportage, go for it. I am not sure you will get an 18-month-old for budget. A 2016 plate may be more realistic. Other popular models to consider are the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai. The new Peugeot 3008 is a good seller here and the UK. I suggest you look for one of these. For car two, if your budget is the remainder of the 20 to 22k (= 3 to 5k), go for something that's hard to get your hands on here and you can enjoy driving for the time you own it. How about a MINI? If you wanted to be a bit more mainstream, look for a Honda Jazz or Skoda Fabia, both always in demand. If you have the larger budget, the UK is a good place to pick up a well-specced Audi, be it an A3 saloon, A4 or A5. I think the A3 in a classy spec would be worth a shot too. Eddie: On the first car, Gillian has picked excellent options. I'm more concerned with the second. I'm taking your budget to be up to 22k. I'd go with an Audi A4 - always a rock-solid buy. I take it you will use it here over the 12 months before you intend to sell. Just be careful to check out all the VRT regulations, especially the length of time you have it in England and here before sale. The Revenue have been helpful in pointing out several rules. Suffice to say, you need to meet a list of requirements. You'd do well to take time to study them on the Revenue website. Here's one rule: "To qualify, the vehicle must have been in your possession outside the State for at least six months before your transfer to Ireland. "The vehicle would not qualify if it has not been in use by the reader for at least six months before the transfer to Ireland." Help us help you WE love getting your enquiries and try to reply to as many as possible here or via email. The ones dealt with here often represent a cross section of individual questions. You can help us help you with our free, independent, advice by including the following in your queries: * Budget (including trade-in). * Annual mileage (in kms). * Size of car required (number of seats). * Present car (make, model, year and mileage) if relevant. ecunningham@independent.ie Kevin Spacey is under investigation in the US and UK (Tim Whitby/PA) Prosecutors in California are reviewing a second sexual assault case against actor Kevin Spacey. The Los Angeles County District Attorneys office said they received the case against the actor on Tuesday from the sheriffs department. Greg Risling, spokesman for the DA, said in a statement: A sex assault case was presented yesterday to our office by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department involving Kevin Spacey. It remains under review. The first US case was put forward to prosecutors in April. Expand Close Kevin Spacey attending the Olivier Awards (Ian West/PA Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kevin Spacey attending the Olivier Awards (Ian West/PA Images) The ex-House Of Cards actor, 59, is being investigated in the UK for six sexual assault claims over 22 years. Actor Anthony Rapp was the first to make an allegation, claiming he was 14 when a 26-year-old Spacey made a sexual advance to him in 1986. Spacey has faced a number of repercussions since allegations of sexual assault against him emerged, most recently clocking in a dire 126 US dollars (98) on the opening day of his film Billionaire Boys Club. He was also sacked from Netflix show House Of Cards and erased from Sir Ridley Scotts All The Money In The World. Video of the Day Spacey was artistic director at Londons The Old Vic theatre between 2004 and 2015. The thickest sea ice in the Arctic has started to break up, opening waters north of Greenland that are normally frozen, experts have warned. One meteorologist described the phenomenon - recorded for the first time this year - as "scary", and scientists said it could prove catastrophic for polar bears and seals. The sea off the north coast of Greenland had long been known as "the last ice area" because it was expected to be the last place to remain frozen, given it had the oldest and thickest ice. But now scientists are warning that the ice has broken up twice this year, due to warm winds and heatwaves in the northern hemisphere. As a result, the ice has been pushed farther away from the coast than at any time since satellite records began in the 1970s. The changes could force scientists to revise their theories about which part of the Arctic will withstand global warming the longest. Professor Peter Wadhams, who heads the Polar Ocean Physics Group at Cambridge University, said the trend would also have "serious" consequences for polar bears and seals. "The north coast of Greenland, with its very steep cliffs, is a denning area for polar bears," Prof Wadhams said. "They dig holes in the snow and come out in the spring and go hunting. But, if the pack ice has moved offshore, they come out of hibernation and are left without an area to hunt. "They can't swim very far. If this becomes a permanent feature with ice away from the coast, polar bears won't have any ice to hunt on. You would lose the polar bear habitat," he said. Ruth Mottram of the Danish Meteorological Institute said: "Almost all of the ice to the north of Greenland is quite shattered and broken up and therefore more mobile. "Open water off the north coast of Greenland is unusual. This area has often been called 'the last ice area' as it has been suggested that the last perennial sea ice in the Arctic will occur here. The events of the last week suggest that, actually, the last ice area may be farther west." Walt Meier, a senior research scientist at the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre, said: "The ice there has nowhere else to go so it piles up. On average, it's over 4m thick and can be piled up into ridges 20 metres thick or more. This thick, compacted ice is generally not easily moved around. "However, that was not the case this past winter [in February and March] and now the ice is being pushed away from the coast by the winds." Thomas Lavergne, a scientist at the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, said that even if the water closes over in a few days, the harm will have been done. Men carry supplies to those stranded by floods in Pandanad more than one million people have swarmed relief camps in Indias Kerala state to escape monsoon floods. Photo: Getty The Indian military is scaling down rescue operations in the southern state of Kerala, where intense floods killed more than 200 people and drove hundreds of thousands from their homes. Decreasing rains and floodwaters means the navy can cut back on its rescue teams in Kerala, navy spokesman Captain DK Sharma said. The navy has rescued a total of nearly 16,000 people in the state. People have begun leaving Kerala's relief camps over the past couple days, heading to their homes to check on damage and begin the long process of cleaning up. Intense rains, which began on August 8, had decreased substantially by Monday. Meteorologists are expecting light-to-moderate rains in the coming days. While water and electricity have been returned to parts of flood-stricken Kerala, the state's utilities were working to restore services to vast areas that still had no power. Just outside the city of Kochi, thousands of people have been leaving the grounds of Union Christian College, one of more than 3,000 relief camps created amid the havoc. A week ago, volunteers at the camp estimated 10,000 people were jammed into the schools' buildings. Now, there are perhaps 1,500. Abdullah Aliyar has been living in the camp with his relatives. On Monday, he returned briefly to his home to be confronted by "sludge and muck nearly up to my knees". For now his family is staying at the college. He doesn't know when they'll be able to return. Mr Turnbull was challenged by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton after he declared the leadership of the government vacant yesterday. Photo: AP Malcolm Turnbull, the Australian prime minister, has survived a leadership challenge that could have led to a sixth change in less than 11 years. Mr Turnbull was challenged by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton after he declared the leadership of the government vacant yesterday. In a Liberal Party room meeting, the prime minister succeeded in a leadership ballot, winning 48 votes to Mr Dutton's 35. Mr Dutton resigned from his cabinet role after the defeat. The move came amid a backbench uprising as opinion polls showed the government on course for a heavy defeat by the opposition Labour party in an election due next year. Mr Turnbull called on his government to unite or risk defeat at the next election. "United we will maintain the strong momentum and the great achievements our government has made," the prime minister said in Canberra. The disunity came to a head on Monday when Mr Turnbull was forced to shelve plans to embed carbon emissions targets in law. Mr Turnbull's position remained in jeopardy despite surviving Dutton's leadership challenge. "We've seen it so often in Australian politics - this two-stage act play in removing a prime minister - and, given how close the vote was, there's definitely more to come," said Haydon Manning, a political science professor at Flinders University in South Australia state. Australia has gone through an extraordinary period of political instability since Prime Minister John Howard lost power in 2007 after more than 11 years in office. Mr Turnbull will next month become Australia's longest serving prime minister since Howard, having held the office for three years and four days. Labour prime minister Kevin Rudd was ousted by his deputy Julia Gillard in 2010. He later returned the favour and stormed back to power in 2013 shortly before losing the election to Tony Abbott's Liberal/National coalition. Mr Abbott was then unseated in a party coup by Mr Turnbull in 2015. Mr Abbott is now a vocal backbencher and is widely seen as a key instigator of the move against the prime minister this week, which has left Mr Turnbull heading a party where 35 people do not want him as leader. Damian Drum, a lawmaker in The Nationals' party, a junior coalition partner, called on Mr Abbott to resign from Parliament. "He vowed that he wouldn't be a wrecker," Mr Drum said. "That's exactly what he's been - he needs to get out of the joint." US president Donald Trumps former personal lawyer has pleaded guilty to election campaign finance violations while his former campaign chairman was convicted of financial fraud raising questions about the presidents own potential legal jeopardy. Most damaging to Mr Trump were statements by his long-standing lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who admitted that he and Mr Trump had arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model in order to influence the 2016 election. Mr Trump has tried to distance himself from the matter, ignoring the back-to-back blows at a campaign rally in West Virginia and declaring that his administration is still winning. However, David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor, said: Its going to be hard for the president to try to discredit all this. Its circling him. Mr Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted of financial crimes at nearly the same moment that Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of offences, including campaign finance violations that the lawyer said he carried out in co-ordination with Mr Trump. Expand Close Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of charges at a court in New York AP/Craig Ruttle) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of charges at a court in New York AP/Craig Ruttle) With two men who played prominent roles on the presidents campaign convicted of multiple criminal charges, investigations are circling ever closer to Mr Trump. Despite this, the US leader spent more than an hour at a rally in Charleston on Tuesday night painting a rosy view of his accomplishments in office, ticking off developments on trade, taxes, North Korea and even his plans for a Space Force. What were doing is winning, Mr Trump told his cheering supporters. And he demanded: Where is the collusion? The president underlined the fact that Manaforts crimes had occurred before he became involved with the Trump campaign. You know theyre still looking for collusion. The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 21, 2018 The president did say he felt badly for both men, but he largely ignored Cohens guilty pleas to eight felonies. Manafort was convicted in Virginia on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice. Cohen pleaded guilty in New York, saying he and Mr Trump had arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. Mr Trump has shown an uncanny ability to shake off a relentless stream of accusations and jolting statements that provoked outrage. His loyal base of supporters has stayed with him despite his effort to blame both sides for the deadly violence between white nationalists and anti-racist protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as his refusal to side with the US intelligence services over Russias Vladimir Putin in Helsinki last month, among other controversies. Expand Close Paul Manafort was found guilty of eight financial crimes (Dana Verkouteren/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Paul Manafort was found guilty of eight financial crimes (Dana Verkouteren/AP) The crowd in West Virginia loudly chanted Mr Trumps campaign slogans such as Drain the swamp! and Lock her up! despite the fresh corruption convictions and looming prison sentences for his former advisers. Manaforts conviction served as a vindication of Mr Muellers work as investigators continue to probe potential misdeeds by the president and those in his orbit. Mr Muellers team also had referred evidence in the Cohen case to federal prosecutors in New York. Mr Trumps lawyer Rudy Giuliani sought to cast the blame solely on Cohen, saying: There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the governments charges against Mr Cohen. Mr Trumps legal team has also been engaged in negotiations with Mr Muellers representatives about a potential sit-down with the president, but has objected to the scope of the questions. Expand Close Cohen admitted arranging to pay hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cohen admitted arranging to pay hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels (AP) In a separate courtroom on Tuesday, prosecutors and defence attorneys for former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn agreed to postpone his sentencing after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a Russian official, in a sign his co-operation is still needed in the Mueller probe. The explosive legal developments come as the White House refocuses itself around the upcoming mid-term elections, and as Trump allies like Steve Bannon seek to frame the election as a referendum on the potential impeachment of the president. Insiders have long argued that the presidents fate in such a scenario would ultimately be more a matter of politics than law. Regarding Cohens pleas, Mr Bannon argued that it takes away the argument from those who are telling the president its not that bad if he loses the House. This now becomes more than ever a national election on the issue of impeachment. Expand Close The explosive double blow for the US president has raised questions over his own legal standing (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The explosive double blow for the US president has raised questions over his own legal standing (AP) Insiders in the Trump camp reasserted that it is the White House position that a president cannot be indicted, referring to a 2000 opinion of the US justice departments Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to executive branch agencies. Mr Trumps lawyers have said Mr Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mr Muellers office has never independently confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he or she departs the White House. Michael Avenatti, a lawyer pressing a civil case against the president for Ms Daniels, who has said she had sex with the president, tweeted on Tuesday that the resolution of the criminal case against Cohen should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. The Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit. That ruling did not directly address whether a president could be subpoenaed to testify in a criminal investigation. The simple procedure was found to shrink glands on average by 36pc. (stock photo) A new five-minute steam treatment for an enlarged prostate has been hailed as a breakthrough by surgeons following tests. The simple procedure was found to shrink glands on average by 36pc - but while the result was similar to other treatments, it had far less severe side-effects. The process, conducted by surgeons at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on 150 men, involves injecting an enlarged prostate with jets of steam without the need for surgery. Current procedures, while effective, can lead to loss of sexual function, bleeding and incontinence with patients kept in hospitals for days. It was reported that health watchdogs are ready to give it the green light for NHS use. Half of all men over the age of 50, and 60pc of those over 60, are thought to have an enlarged prostate, studies have suggested. The steam treatment, called Rezum, involves having steam is injected at 1cm intervals, killing enough prostate tissue to shrink the enlarged gland. Other hospitals are poised to roll out the treatment as soon as they get the OK from health watchdog Nice. Shaun Walmsley, a convicted murderer who was on the run for more than a year Photo credit: Merseyside Police/PA Wire A CONVICTED murderer who escaped from prison 18 months ago has been arrested. Shaun Walmsley (29) fled when two men armed with a knife and a gun confronted prison guards outside Aintree University Hospital during a visit from HMP Walton in Liverpool in February 2017. He was held on Tuesday afternoon when armed officers stopped a car in the Harehills district of Leeds. In a statement, Merseyside Police said: "Escaped prisoner Shaun Walmsley is back in custody following a proactive operation by officers from Merseyside Police and West Yorkshire Police earlier yesterday. "Walmsley has been charged with escape from lawful custody and will appear at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates' Court today." Walmsley was sentenced to life in June 2015 for his part in the murder of Anthony Duffy. Mr Duffy, 33, was lured to an address in Aintree in May 2014 and "repeatedly stabbed". Walmsley escaped from custody on February 21 last year during the scheduled hospital appointment and used a gold-coloured Volvo as the getaway vehicle which was later found abandoned in Fazakerley. Police had put up a reward of 20,000 (22,250) of Walmsley's own money for information leading to his capture. The money was seized following his arrest and conviction for the murder. Detectives also worked with officers from the National Crime Agency and police forces in Europe to locate Walmsley. Italy's environmental minister yesterday urged prosecutors to look at both possible criminal responsibility and administrative lapses that may have contributed to the deaths of 10 people swept away by a flash flood as they hiked through a narrow gorge in the southern region of Calabria. Rescue workers saved 23 people after a torrent some two metres deep filled the narrow Raganello Gorge, which features rock faces as high as 700 meters inside the vast Pollino National Park. Eleven people were taken to hospital, including four children who lost either one or both of their parents. Three people who had been listed as missing were found elsewhere, but officials had not yet called off the search as there may be hikers in the gorge without a guide. "Italy is tired of crying for the dead. Enough," Environment Minister Sergio Costa said during a visit to the scene. "If what happened is the result of negligence, sloppiness or a lack of awareness of the risks, we are facing a serious situation that we need to get to the bottom of." The tragedy came six days after a highway bridge collapse in the northern port city of Genoa killed 43 people. Italian prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into the gorge deaths, and the government has asked for a separate administrative proceeding to determine if there were lapses that contributed to the deaths. Prosecutor Eugenio Facciolla said authorities were investigating possible charges including manslaughter, causing bodily harm and official negligence. No target has been identified. Questions focused on whether weather alerts had been properly issued and heeded, and whether access to the gorge and its challenging terrains should be better regulated. Meteorologists say that the intense rainfall that provoked the torrent was not particularly extraordinary for the period. Still, rescue workers and officials said flash floods in the gorge are rare in the summer, and that one of that magnitude had not registered for decades. "Without a doubt, the event was of a weight we have not seen for many years. We are talking about at least ninety years ago," the president of the Pollino National Park, Domenico Pappaterra, said. Pappaterra said the park's own guides don't bring hikers through the canyon, and he said that only well-equipped and trained trekkers should access the upper part of the canyon. The lower area, near a man-made stone crossing known as Devil's Bridge, is more accessible to casual tourists. "There are those out for an adventure, and they do it in a careless way," he said. The victims, who were among two groups of trekkers on an excursion, appeared to have been spread throughout the 12-kilometre long gorge. Pasquale Gagliardi, a doctor with an emergency helicopter service, said that one of the survivors was an eight-year-old girl, found in a state of shock next to a body. Her parents were believed to be among the dead. Italian media reported that the dead were all Italians. Mr Costa said Dutch tourists were among those who survived. Norman Bettison - the Hillsborough disaster police chief who said Liverpool fans made policing the tragedy "harder than it needed to be" - has had his criminal charges dropped. He will not be prosecuted for charges of misconduct in a public office which related to telling alleged lies about his involvement in the aftermath of Hillsborough and the culpability of fans. At Preston Crown Court yesterday, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the case would be discontinued, citing changes in evidence, including a witness's death. The 62-year-old had been charged with four counts of misconduct in a public office, relating to alleged lies he told about his role in the aftermath of the tragedy in which 96 Liverpool fans died. Submissions on an application relating to the former Merseyside and West Yorkshire chief constable were heard by judge Peter Openshaw as around a dozen relatives of some of the victims of the disaster sat in the public gallery. Mr Bettison remained seated after the charges were discontinued as relatives of the victims filed out of court, some making loud comment in his direction. The court had earlier heard one of the two witnesses the CPS relied on for three of the charges, relating to statements he allegedly made blaming Liverpool fans for the disaster, had since died and "significant contradictions" had come to light in the accounts given by the other witness. Sarah Whitehouse, prosecuting, said the CPS had a duty to review the evidence and the decision was reached there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. Talking outside of court, Mr Bettison read out a statement, saying: "The loss of loved ones who will never come home from Hillsborough is an enduring tragedy. Such a devastating loss is deserving of all our sympathies, and that has always included mine. Nothing in my experience over the past six years has done anything to diminish that sympathy. Vindicates "My involvement in the events around Hillsborough has often been misrepresented, even in parliament. Since then, I've been forced to deny strenuously that I've done anything wrong in the aftermath of the disaster. Today's outcome vindicates that position." The alleged lies Mr Bettison was accused of included: Untruthfully describing his role in the South Yorkshire Police response as "peripheral" in a comment to then chief inspector of constabulary David O'Dowd, in 1998, when Mr Bettison applied for the job of chief constable in Merseyside. Lying to Merseyside Police Authority when he said he had never attempted to shift blame for the disaster "on to the shoulders of Liverpool supporters". Lying in a statement issued on September 13, 2012, following the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report, when he said he had never offered any interpretation other than that the behaviour of Liverpool fans did not cause the disaster. Accused of misconduct over a statement released the following day in which he said he had never "besmirched" Liverpool fans. Sue Hemming, CPS director of legal services, said: "The CPS has a duty to keep all cases under continuing review. Since the original decision to charge Norman Bettison in June 2017 there have been a number of significant developments which have affected the available evidence. "These include changes in the evidence of two witnesses and the death of a third witness. "Our latest review of the evidence has concluded the collective impact of these developments means there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. I appreciate this news will be disappointing for the families and the CPS will meet with them in person to explain the decision." ( Daily Telegraph London) African immigrants celebrate as they enter the immigrant center CETI in the Spanish enclave Ceuta, after some 200 refugees crossed the border fence between Morocco and Ceuta REUTERS/JFabian Bimmer African immigrants wait in a row as they enter the immigrant center CETI in the Spanish enclave Ceuta REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer African immigrants celebrate as they enter the immigrant center CETI in the Spanish enclave Ceuta REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer About 220 African migrants forced their way through a barbed wire fence into Spains North African enclave of Ceuta on Monday, clashing with Spanish police who tried to prevent them from crossing the border with Morocco. Thirty-two migrants were treated in hospital for minor injuries after pushing their way through two gates just before 2 a.m. local time, while three Spanish policemen also needed medical attention, the government said. The Guardia Civil said seven policemen were burned by acid and quicklime, a skin irritant, allegedly thrown by some of the migrants as they over-ran border defences. Several migrants collapsed from exhaustion after crossing into Spanish territory, Reuters photographs showed. Their legal status in Spain has yet to be determined, and police were searching for some who fled into hills inside the territory, it said. Expand Close African immigrants celebrate as they enter the immigrant center CETI in the Spanish enclave Ceuta, after some 200 refugees crossed the border fence between Morocco and Ceuta REUTERS/JFabian Bimmer / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp African immigrants celebrate as they enter the immigrant center CETI in the Spanish enclave Ceuta, after some 200 refugees crossed the border fence between Morocco and Ceuta REUTERS/JFabian Bimmer Spains two enclaves in Morocco, Ceuta and Melilla, have been favored entry points into Europe for African migrants, who either climb over their border fences or swim along their coastlines. After thousands crossed over in 2014 and 2015, Spain stepped up security, partly funded by European authorities, and passed a law enabling its border police to refuse refugees the opportunity to apply for asylum. Since then Libya has become a more common departure point for African migrants, most from sub-Saharan countries, who attempt the crossing to Italy in rickety boats that often break down or sink. More 3,740 migrant deaths have been recorded this year in the central Mediterranean, most along that route. Fashion and homeware retailer Laura Ashley has seen annual profits crash to just 100,000 following a sales slide and hefty writedowns on a property sold in Singapore. The group, which owns 160 stores across the UK, saw statutory pre-tax profits tumble from 6.3 million the previous year as retail like-for-like sales slid 0.4% in difficult trading. The result was also dragged lower by a 4.7 million hit on the sale of the Singapore property, which had originally been bought to become its Asian headquarters as part of plans to expand into the region. Profits also dropped sharply on an underlying basis, down a third at 5.6 million for the year to June 30, against 8.4 million the previous year. Laura Ashley chairman Khoo Kay Peng said: As set out at the time of the interim results, the trading environment for the first half of the year was challenging and the board expected these difficult trading conditions to continue into the second half of the year. This proved to be the case and, given the softer trading environment for the year ended June 30 2018, we are disappointed to report a fall in profits. UK sales dropped 6.3% to 236 million over the year amid uncertainty in the market and the closure of stores. Laura Ashley opened one store and shut eight across the UK over the year and revealed it plans to close another five in the year ahead, with two new outlets opened. It said furniture sales were knocked in particular by weak consumer confidence, falling 4.1% on a like-for-like basis as shoppers put off buying expensive items, such as sofas and beds. But the group said it was encouraged by its performance online, with like-for-like internet sales up 4.1% and now accounting for 25% of retail revenues. Its fashion division was also a bright spot, with comparable sales lifting 9.7% in an extremely competitive sector. Laura Ashley said it was looking to expand its new hotel venture, with plans for more hotels across the UK and internationally after the success of its franchised hotel in the Lake District, The Belsfield. It will also add to its fledgling tea rooms chain, with two more due to be added in October after the first was launched in Solihull in June last year. Michael Cohen, president Donald Trump's former personal lawyer and "fixer", pleaded guilty yesterday to campaign-finance violations and other charges. He said he and Mr Trump arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former 'Playboy' model to influence the election. Expand Close Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Photo: Reuters/Yuri Gripas/File Photo / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Photo: Reuters/Yuri Gripas/File Photo Under a plea bargain reached with federal prosecutors, Cohen (51) could get about four to five years in prison at his sentencing on December 12. Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts in all, including tax evasion and making a false statement to a financial institution. In entering the plea, Cohen did not specifically name the two women or even Mr Trump, recounting instead that he worked with an "unnamed candidate". However, the amounts and the dates all lined up with the payments made to Daniels and 'Playboy' Playmate Karen McDougal. Cohen's plea follows months of scrutiny from federal investigations and a falling-out with the president, whom he previously said he would "take a bullet" for. The FBI raided Cohen's hotel room, home and office in April and seized more than four million items. The search sought bank records, communications with Mr Trump's campaign and information on a $130,000 (112,000) payment to Ms Daniels and a $150,000 (130,000) one to Ms McDougal. Both women claimed Mr Trump had affairs with them, which he denies. Mr Trump ignored questions about Cohen after he arrived on Air Force One for a campaign visit to West Virginia. The president has fumed publicly about what he felt was government overreach, while privately worrying about what material Cohen may have after working for the Trump Organization for a decade. Special counsel Robert Mueller's team is looking into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. The team referred the case involving Cohen's financial dealings to federal prosecutors in Manhattan. In what was a double blow to the White House administration, Paul Manafort, the long -time political operative who for months led Donald Trump's winning US presidential campaign, was yesterday separately found guilty of eight financial crimes in the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the president's associates. A judge declared a mistrial on 10 other counts the jury could not agree on. The jury returned the decision after deliberating four days on tax and bank fraud charges against Manafort, who led the Trump election effort during a crucial stretch of 2016. Manafort was found guilty of five counts of filing false tax returns on tens of millions of dollars in Ukrainian political consulting income. He was also convicted of failing to report a foreign bank account and of two bank fraud charges that accused him of lying to banks to obtain millions of dollars in loans after his income dried up. The outcome almost certainly guarantees years of prison for Manafort but the verdict also raised immediate questions of whether Mr Trump would seek to pardon Manafort, the lone American charged by Mr Mueller to opt for trial instead of cooperate. The trial was the first of two for Manafort. He faces a trial later this year in the District of Columbia on charges of conspiracy against the US, conspiracy to launder money, making false statements and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Ukrainian interests. He is also accused of witness tampering. Donald Trump is accused of directing a former lawyer to make payments to women (Craig Hudson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) Donald Trumps former personal lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, has pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and alleged the president directed him to pay hush money to two women. Here are some of the key questions around the development. Does Cohens guilty plea mean Mr Trump broke the law? Cohen said in court that he made one payment in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office and the other under direction of the same candidate. The amounts and dates all line up with the payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Prosecutors did not go as far as Cohen did in open court in pointing the finger at the president, saying Cohen acted in coordination with a candidate or campaign for federal office for purposes of influencing the election. Expand Close Michael Cohen made the allegations in court documents (AP/Craig Ruttle) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Cohen made the allegations in court documents (AP/Craig Ruttle) Why did they phrase it like that? Legal experts said there could be multiple reasons for the government lawyers more cautious statements. Daniel Petalas, former prosecutor in the Justice Departments public integrity section, said the issue of whether Mr Trump violated the law comes down to whether the then-presidential candidate tried to influence an election, whether he knew and directed it and whether he knew it was improper. But Mr Trumps attorney Rudy Giuliani said in a statement: There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the governments charges against Mr. Cohen. Pardoning himself would be unthinkable and probably lead to immediate impeachment.Rudy Giuliani Does Cohens plea relate to the Russia investigation? The Cohen case was not part of special counsel Robert Muellers probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. It was handled by prosecutors in New York. Still, it could give Mr Mueller a boost. Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, argued that Cohens plea undermines the argument that the investigations swirling around Mr Trump are a witch hunt, as the president has called Mr Muellers Russia investigation. Does Cohens plea mean Mr Trump could be forced to answer questions? Mr Trumps lawyers have been negotiating with Mr Mueller about whether the president would be interviewed as part of his Russia investigation. Now Ms Daniels attorney Michael Avenatti says he will renew efforts to get Mr Trump to submit to a deposition in a lawsuit the porn star filed to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement she signed ahead of the 2016 election. Ms Daniels case is currently on hold, but Mr Avenatti said he will be looking to get the hold lifted. The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 21, 2018 Is there a precedent? The US Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones against former president Bill Clinton, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit. But that ruling did not directly address whether a president could be summoned to give evidence in a criminal investigation, a question the Supreme Court may have to confront if Mr Mueller tries to compel Mr Trumps to give evidence in his probe. Expand Close Stormy Daniels (AP file/Ringo H.W. Chiu, FILE) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stormy Daniels (AP file/Ringo H.W. Chiu, FILE) If there is evidence of wrongdoing, can the president be indicted? The US Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to executive branch agencies, has held that a sitting president cannot be indicted. Mr Trumps lawyers have said that Mr Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mr Muellers office has never independently confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he or she leaves the White House. Expand Close Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election (AP/Andrew Harnik, File) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election (AP/Andrew Harnik, File) Could Mr Trump pardon himself? Mr Trump has already shown he is not afraid to use his pardon power, particularly for those he has viewed as unfair victims of partisanship. He pardoned a former Arizona sheriff who clashed with a judge on immigration and a Bush administration official convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in a leak case. As for whether a president can pardon himself, not surprisingly, courts have never had to answer that question. Mr Giuliani has said it would be unthinkable and probably lead to immediate impeachment. Still, Mr Giuliani argued that Trump probably does have the power to pardon himself. What about Paul Manafort? The long-time political operative who for months led Mr Trumps presidential campaign was found guilty of eight financial crimes in the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the presidents associates. The jury found him guilty of five counts of filing false tax returns on tens of millions of dollars in Ukrainian political consulting income. He was also convicted of failing to report foreign bank accounts in 2012 and of two bank fraud charges that accused him of lying to obtain millions of dollars in loans after his consulting income dried up. What next for Manafort? The outcome almost certainly guarantees years of prison for Manafort. It also appears to vindicate the ability of Mr Muellers team to secure convictions from a jury of average citizens despite months of partisan attacks, including from Mr Trump. Expand Close Paul Manafort was convicted of eight charges (Jose Luis Magana/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Paul Manafort was convicted of eight charges (Jose Luis Magana/AP) The verdict raised immediate questions of whether the president would seek to pardon Manafort, the lone American charged by Mr Mueller to opt for trial instead of cooperation. The president called the outcome a disgrace and suggested Manafort had been treated worse than gangster Al Capone. The trial was the first of two for Manafort. He faces another later this year on charges of conspiracy against the US, conspiracy to launder money, making false statements and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Ukrainian interests. He is also accused of witness tampering in that case. Stormy Daniels claimed she had an affair with the president (Ringo Chiu/AP) Donald Trump is accused of directing a former lawyer to make payments to women (Craig Hudson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen testified on Tuesday that Mr Trump had directed him to commit a crime by arranging payments ahead of the 2016 presidential election to silence two women who said they had affairs with Mr Trump. Mr Cohen's voice cracked several times as he pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges in federal court in Manhattan, including tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Facing up to five years in prison, the admissions were a dramatic change from Mr Cohen's earlier boasts that he was Trump's "fixer" and would "take a bullet" for the president. Most legal experts say a sitting president cannot be indicted for a crime, but the Constitution allows Congress to impeach and remove a president from office for "high crimes and misdemeanors." Mr Cohens accusation increases political pressure for Mr Trump ahead of Novembers congressional elections where Democrats are trying to regain control of the House of Representatives and Senate. Mr Cohen told Judge William Pauley III that "in coordination with, and at the direction of, a candidate for federal office" he arranged payments to two women for their silence "for the principal purpose of influencing the election." Adult-film star Stormy Daniels was given $130,000 (112,000) and former Playboy model Karen McDougal was paid $150,000 ($130,000). Mr Cohen did not name Mr Trump in court, but his lawyer, Lanny Davis, said afterward that he was referring to the president. "Today he (Cohen) stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election," Mr Davis said in a statement. "If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?" Mr Davis said. Donald Trump has denied having affairs with the women. His lawyer Rudy Giuliani has said the payments were made to spare Mr Trump and his family embarrassment and were unrelated to the campaign. Mr Trump did not mention Mr Cohen at a rally in West Virginia hours later. Mr Giuliani lashed out at Mr Cohen on Tuesday, calling him a "devious little rat" and saying he had a history of lying. "I think the president is absolutely in the clear," Mr Giuliani told Reuters. "The Cohen thing is over." Under US election law, campaign contributions, defined as things of value given to a campaign to influence an election, must be disclosed. A payment intended to silence allegations of an affair just before an election could constitute a campaign contribution, which is limited to $2,700 per person per election, some experts said. Ross Garber, a lawyer who has represented four Republican governors in impeachment proceedings, said Mr Cohens statement dramatically increases the likelihood that, were Democrats to take control of the House in the midterms, they would begin an impeachment investigation. "The odds of an investigation have definitely gone up, Mr Garber said. Read More MUELLER PROBE LED TO COHEN The guilty pleas came in the same hour that a federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, convicted former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort of eight charges of tax and bank fraud and failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. The Manafort conviction resulted from US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign. The charges against Manafort mostly predate his work on Trump's campaign. The probe also led to a referral from Mr Mueller about Mr Cohen to federal prosecutors in New York who began their own probe of the longtime Trump lawyer. Donald Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion and has called the Mueller investigation a "witch hunt." Russia has denied meddling in the election, although US intelligence agencies have concluded Moscow interfered. Mr Mueller has also brought indictments against 12 Russian intelligence officers in the hacking of Democratic National Committee emails. Mr Cohen is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 12 and his bail was set at $500,000. Mr Davis told CNN he believed his client had information that would be of interest to the special counsel, but did not give further details. Mr Mueller's investigation, which began in May 2017, has resulted in the indictment of more than 30 people and five guilty pleas. The White House pushed back forcefully on Wednesday against suggestions that a plea deal struck by US President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen implicated Trump in a crime. "As the president has said, we've stated many times, he did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him," press secretary Sarah Sanders said at a White House briefing. "Just because Michael Cohen made a plea deal doesn't mean that that implicates the president on anything." Expand Close Michael Cohen (Richard Drew/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Cohen (Richard Drew/AP) Cohen on Tuesday pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges of tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. He told a federal court in Manhattan that Trump directed him to arrange payments ahead of the 2016 presidential election to silence two women who said they had affairs with Trump. In the wake of the Cohen's plea, Senate Democrats on Wednesday demanded that upcoming confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh be delayed, with some calling Trump an "co-conspirator." Earlier, the president lashed out at Cohen in a Twitter post by saying the campaign finance violations Cohen pleaded guilty to in federal court in New York were not a crime - even though prosecutors and Cohen agreed that they were. Trump made the claim without offering any evidence. Read More At the same time, Trump on Twitter praised former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was convicted on Tuesday of multiple counts of fraud, as a "brave man" for not cooperating with federal authorities. Fox News released excerpts of an interview conducted with Trump on Wednesday in which the president said he knew of the payments made by Cohen "later on" but did not elaborate. After first denying that he knew anything about Cohen's actions, Trump earlier this year acknowledged he reimbursed Cohen for payments he made in late 2016 to Stormy Daniels, an adult-film actress whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Daniels has alleged she had a relationship with Trump. Expand Close President Donald Trump / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Donald Trump In July, CNN released an audio recording reportedly made by Cohen that features the lawyer and Trump in September 2016 discussing whether to buy the rights to the story of Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who also has alleged an affair with Trump. The president has insisted he paid Cohen out of personal funds and that the payments were not intended to benefit his campaign but to resolve a personal matter. "They weren't taken out of campaign finance. That's a big thing," Trump said in the Fox interview. "They didn't come out of the campaign; they came from me." TIMING IS QUESTIONED Expand Close Cohen admitted arranging to pay hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cohen admitted arranging to pay hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels (AP) Trump critics have argued the case being made by the president that the payments to Daniels and McDougal were personal do not hold up given the timing only weeks before the election. "If this was a personal matter, why wasnt she paid off after the affair or in the intervening decade?" said Paul S. Ryan, the head of litigation at Common Cause. "The election was what made her story valuable." Cohen attorney Lanny Davis said his client had information that would be of interest to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether the 2016 Trump campaign conspired with Russia to influence the election. Davis set up a website to collect donations for Cohen's legal expenses. Asked at the briefing if Trump was concerned about what Cohen might tell Mueller, Sanders replied: I dont think the president is concerned at all. He knows that he did nothing wrong and that there was no collusion." New York investigators on Wednesday issued a subpoena to Cohen in connection with the state's criminal investigation of the Trump Foundation, a state official said. Read More Trump has granted presidential pardons to conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza and former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio but Cohen attorney Lanny Davis said his client would not accept one. "Mr. Cohen is not interested in being dirtied by a pardon from such a man," Davis told NPR. Cohen's plea came as Manafort was found guilty on eight charges in a separate financial fraud trial in Alexandria, Virginia, stemming from a federal investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign. In a morning tweet, Trump said, "I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. 'Justice' took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break' - make up stories in order to get a 'deal.'" The Cohen and Manafort cases ratchet up political pressure on Trump and fellow Republicans ahead of November elections in which Democrats are seeking to take control of Congress. The Mueller investigation, which has clouded Trump's presidency for more than a year, and Tuesday's developments also increase pressure on him personally. While Cohen did not name Trump in court on Tuesday, referring to him as "the candidate," Davis on Wednesday accused the president of being directly involved. PRESSURE FROM DEMOCRATS Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, speaking on the Senate floor on Wednesday, insisted the confirmation hearing scheduled for Kavanaugh in early September be pushed back. Other Senate Democrats said they were canceling their meetings with Kavanaugh and considered his nomination tainted. Schumer said he was concerned that Kavanaugh, a federal appeals judge, told him on Tuesday that presidents should not be subject to criminal or civil investigations or even be required to comply with related subpoenas while in office and that impeachment by Congress is the only legal recourse. On the Senate floor, Schumer argued that Trump should not be permitted to select a Supreme Court justice who could ultimately end up hearing a case involving the president. A president identified as a co-conspirator of a federal crime, an accusation not made by a political enemy but by the closest of his own confidants, is on the verge of making a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, a court that may someday soon determine the extent of the presidents legal jeopardy, Schumer said. Congressional Republicans still were taking measure of the situation, with Senator John Cornyn, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, saying Cohen's "credibility is in tatters because he's basically been all over the map in terms of what his story is." Cornyn said Congress would continue investigating claims of Russian interference in the 2016 election but noted that "nothing we heard yesterday has anything to do with Russia, or the reason why director Mueller was appointed special counsel." Russia has denied U.S. intelligence community findings that it interfered with the 2016 election with the aim of boosting Trump and hampering Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton. Trump has denied any collusion by his campaign with Moscow and repeatedly called Mueller's investigation a witch hunt. Donald Trump has criticised his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, a day after his former fixer implicated the US president in a campaign cover-up to buy the silence of women who said they had sexual relationships with him. As he faced a growing threat to his presidency, Mr Trump accused Cohen of making up stories in order to get a deal' from US federal prosecutors. Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations which he said he carried out in co-ordination with Mr Trump. Mr Trump tweeted: If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen! Cohens admission to the crimes in a federal court in New York came at nearly the same moment Mr Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, was convicted by a jury in Virginia of financial offences. Manafort faces separate charges in September in the District of Columbia which include acting as a foreign agent. The double whammy followed inquiries by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russias attempts to sway voters in the 2016 election. He is examining the hacking of Democrats emails, whether the Trump campaign may have co-operated, and if the president himself obstructed justice in investigating both. Mr Trump denounced the probe again on Twitter as a witch hunt. Cohens lawyer, Lanny Davis, said his client has information that would be of interest to the special counsel. Mr Davis said Cohen is not looking for a presidential pardon. He said: My observation is that the topics relating to hacking and the crime of hacking that there are subjects that Michael Cohen could address that would be of interest to the special counsel. Mr Trump soon weighed in on Twitter, taking his shot at Cohen and praising Manafort, saying with regard to the latter he has such respect for a brave man! Manafort, Mr Trump wrote, had tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to break.' However there is no doubt that Cohens acknowledgement of a co-ordinated pay-off scheme puts Mr Trumps presidency on the defensive. David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor who is not involved in the case, said: Its going to be hard for the president to try to discredit all this. Its circling him. Manafort and Cohen played prominent roles in Mr Trumps political rise in 2016. Cohen said once he would take a bullet for Mr Trump, and was intimately familiar with Trumps personal, business and political dealing for more than a decade. He released a secretly recorded audio tape of Mr Trump discussing a payout made via a third party to model Karen McDougal who claims she had a sexual relationship with Mr Trump in 2006. Expand Close Michael Cohen admitted several offences (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Cohen admitted several offences (AP) The fixer initially denied making the payments to the women McDougal, and adult film actress Stormy Daniels or that Mr Trump had any knowledge of them. However, he changed his story as prosecutors closed in. Mr Davis told CNN of his client: There has been an evolution in his loyalty toward Donald Trump. The payments to the women could be regarded as an illegal campaign expenditure if the money was clearly meant to influence the 2016 election. Mr Trump, on Twitter, maintained otherwise, saying: Michael Cohen plead (sic) guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. He also complained that President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled! Mr Trump was apparently referring to a fine levied on the former presidents 2008 campaign over missing and delayed disclosure of high-dollar donors in the final days of that race. In a deal with federal prosecutors, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts, including tax evasion. He could get about four to five years in prison when he is sentenced on December 12. Manafort was convicted of eight felony counts, including charges of filing false tax returns and failing to report foreign bank accounts. Prosecutors will decide whether to retry him on 10 other charges. Manafort was a well-connected Republican consultant and lobbyist who prosecutors say made 60 million dollars (46 million) in foreign money working for Russia-backed politicians in Ukraine. He was campaign chairman for months during the Republican nomination battle in 2016. Donald Trump has been accused of directing a former lawyer to make payments to women (AP/Alex Brandon) Donald Trump has confronted one of the most perilous moments of his presidency after a former lawyer pleaded guilty to campaign financing charges and a former election chief was convicted of fraud. Although the US president largely ignored the jarring back-to-back blows at a campaign rally in West Virginia, questions mounted about his possible legal exposure and political future. Mr Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, was convicted of financial crimes at nearly the same moment Mr Trumps former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to a series of charges on Tuesday. The crimes include campaign finance violations that the lawyer said he carried out in coordination with Mr Trump. With two men who played prominent roles on the presidents campaign convicted of multiple criminal charges, the investigations circled ever closer to Mr Trump. However the president spent more than an hour at a rally in Charleston painting a rosy view of his accomplishments in office, ticking off developments on trade, taxes, North Korea and even his plans for a space force. What were doing is winning, Mr Trump told cheering supporters. Where is the collusion? he demanded, underscoring that Manaforts crimes had occurred before he became involved with his 2016 campaign. You know theyre still looking for collusion, the president said. Mr Trump did say he felt badly for both men, but he largely ignored Cohens guilty pleas to eight felonies. It's going to be hard for the president to try to discredit all this. It's circling himFormer federal prosecutor David Weinstein. Manafort was convicted on Tuesday in Virginia on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice. Cohen pleaded guilty in New York, saying he and Mr Trump had arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. It is the Cohen case that places Mr Trump in the most jeopardy, legal experts said, as the longtime personal fixer acknowledged his role in a scheme to pay off women who accused the future president of sexual misconduct. Its going to be hard for the president to try to discredit all this. Its circling him, said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor who is not involved in the case. The crowd in West Virginia loudly chanted drain the swamp! and lock her up! in reference to old rival Hillary Clinton despite the fresh corruption convictions and looming prison sentences for his former advisers. Expand Close Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of charges at a court in New York AP/Craig Ruttle) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of charges at a court in New York AP/Craig Ruttle) Manaforts conviction served as a vindication of Mr Muellers work as investigators continue to probe potential misdeeds by the president and those in his orbit. Mr Muellers team also had referred evidence in the Cohen case to federal prosecutors in New York. Mr Trumps current attorney, Rudy Giuliani, sought to cast the blame solely on Cohen in a statement, saying: There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the governments charges against Mr Cohen. Mr Trumps legal team has also been engaged in negotiation with Muellers team for months about a potential sit-down with the president, but has objected to the scope of the questions. In a separate courtroom on Tuesday, prosecutors and defence attorneys for Mr Trumps former national security adviser Michael Flynn agreed to postpone his sentencing after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a Russian official. It was a sign his cooperation was still needed in Mr Muellers probe. The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 21, 2018 Mr Trumps allies reasserted late on Tuesday that it is the White House position that a president cannot be indicted, referring to a 2000 opinion of the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to executive branch agencies. The presidents lawyers have said Mr Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mr Muellers office has never independently confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he or she departs the White House. Michael Avenatti, a lawyer pressing a civil case against Mr Trump for Ms Daniels, who has said she had sex with the president, tweeted on Tuesday that the resolution of the criminal case against Cohen should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. The Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit. That ruling did not directly address whether a president could be summonsed to give evidence in a criminal investigation. Prosecutors in California are reviewing a second sexual assault case against actor Kevin Spacey. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said they received the case against the actor on Tuesday from the sheriff's department. Greg Risling, spokesman for the DA, said in a statement: "A sex assault case was presented yesterday to our office by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department involving Kevin Spacey. "It remains under review." The first US case was put forward to prosecutors in April. The ex-House Of Cards actor, 59, is being investigated in the UK for six sexual assault claims over 22 years. Actor Anthony Rapp was the first to make an allegation, claiming he was 14 when a 26-year-old Spacey made a sexual advance to him in 1986. Spacey has faced a number of repercussions since allegations of sexual assault against him emerged, most recently clocking in a dire 126 US dollars (98) on the opening day of his film Billionaire Boys Club. He was also sacked from Netflix show House Of Cards and erased from Sir Ridley Scott's All The Money In The World. Spacey was artistic director at London's The Old Vic theatre between 2004 and 2015. 'Native America' debuts on PBS on October 23 Robbie Robertson (Mohawk) narrates upcoming seriesBy Kevin Abourezk The idea was born in 2001 in Honduras, inside the ancient Mayan city of Copan. As Gary Glassman crawled around the tomb of the citys first ruler, he began wondering whether the technology and knowledge necessary to construct Copan might have been shared with other indigenous cultures across the Americas. Here in the middle of the Honduran jungle was this incredible jewel of a city, with giant beautiful temple pyramids, incredible sculpture and murals, their own writing system and a system of advanced astronomy far exceeding the European astronomy of the time, he said. I just started wondering, Where did it all come from? Where did it begin, and is there a connection between what was going there in Central America with North America and South America? Gary Glassman, seen during filming in Teotihuacan, Mexico, at the Pyramid of the Moon, serves as executive producer and director of PBS America. Photo: Providence Pictures So he began researching. What he found became the basis for a new documentary, one that he will unveil this fall on PBS. Native America will be a four-part series from Glassman's production company, Providence Pictures , that will premiere at 9pm EST on Tuesday, October 23, and run through November 13. ( Check local listings for details ). The series was produced with the active participation of Native communities and filmed across two continents. The documentary focuses on recent discoveries and oral histories of Native people that demonstrate a belief system shared through social networks by indigenous people. The foundational belief system is basically that we as humans are part of nature, connected to sky, earth, water and all living things, Glassman said. Granted access to Native communities, the series presents many indigenous traditions, including a pilgrimage to ancestral ruins at Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, a trek across lost territories in the American West and an investiture ceremony for a chief in the Pacific Northwest. Julianna Brannum, a citizen of the Comanche Nation, serves as series producer of PBS America. She is seen here in Lawton, Oklahoma. Photo: Lynsey Jones Native America also follows field archaeologists using 21st century tools such as multispectral imaging and DNA analysis to uncover narratives of Americas past, venturing into Amazonian caves containing the Americas earliest art and interactive solar calendar and exploring a massive tunnel beneath a pyramid at the center of one of ancient Americas largest cities. Robbie Robertson , Mohawk and member of the famed rock group The Band, narrates the series. Glassman serves as executive producer and director, while Julianna Brannum, a citizen of the Comanche Nation , is the series producer and talent liaison. Glassman said he felt it was important to hire a Native filmmaker to help with the project in order to ensure accuracy and authenticity of Native representation. We wanted to make a very strong collaboration with Native communities and wanted to involved Native communities in a truly collaborative way right from the beginning, he said. Brannum, whose first film The Creek Runs Red premiered on Independent Lens in Fall 2007, said one of the most surprising discoveries she made while working on Native America was of a valley near Taos, New Mexico, where her people once painted thousands of images on rocks. A nomadic people, the Comanche left little evidence of their culture so finding the rock art was an important archaeological discovery for the tribe, Brannum said. It was very much like a gallery of the history of our people, she said. A post shared by Providence Pictures (@providence_pictures) on Jul 19, 2017 at 5:50pm PDT Famed Mohawk musician Robbie Robertson, left, serves as narrator of PBS America. He is seen here with executive producer and director Gary Glassman. The first episode offers a sweeping answer to the question: Who were Americas first peoples? The episode combines ancient wisdom and modern science to answer that question and shows viewers Amazonian cave paintings, Mexican burial chambers, New Mexicos Chaco Canyon and waves off Californias coast. The second episode explores the rise of ancient monarchies and democracies, examining lost cities in Mexico, a temple in Peru and a potlatch ceremony in the Pacific Northwest. The third episode looks at cosmological secrets of ancient America, exploring massive pyramids and 3D-scanning a lost city of monumental mounds on the Mississippi River. The fourth and final episode examines how resistance, survival and revival are revealed through an empire of horse-mounted Comanche warriors, secret messages encoded in an Aztec manuscript and a grass bridge in the Andes that spans mountains and centuries. Brannum said shes hopeful Native America will change viewers perspectives on the wealth of indigenous knowledge that was used to establish modern societies. She also hopes viewers walk away with a greater understanding of contemporary Native people. Were still alive. Were doing well, she said. Our cultures are vibrant and strong. For me, thats the most important takeaway. Glassman said he hopes viewers will understand the centuries of warfare and removal Native people across the Americas have had to endure and how generous they remain today. Native people are alive and well and managed to survive and thrive through the worst demographic devastation in the history of the world and 500 years of genocidal warfare and politics, and still are willing to share incredible knowledge that can be beneficial to everyone in the world, he said. Join the Conversation 1. AR Rahman Wins Hearts Yet Again, Changes Lyrics Of His Song To 'Don't Worry Kerala' Mid-Concert Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman recently paid a tribute to Kerala during a stage show in the US. It was while he was performing his cult song 'Mustafa Mustafa' in a packed Concert in California, that he tweaked the lyrics of the song, to incorporate 'Don't worry Kerala' into the song. In his own unique style, he requested Kerala to not worry. 2. 'Mhaari Chhoriyan Chhoron Se Kam Hai Ke', Aamir Khan Congratulates Vinesh Phogat On Her Victory Aamir Khan, whose Dangal revolved around the lives of Vineshs star cousins Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari was proud and happy with Vinesh's victory. He took to his social media accounts to congratulate Vinesh. 3. Milind Soman Rubbishes Rumours Of Participating In Bigg Boss 12, Says He Hasn't Been Approached In another interview with Tellychakkar.com, he said, No I am not a part of the Bigg Boss house. I wouldnt mind being locked in a house with 20 other people. It would be fun to be very honest, but as of now, I am NOT a part of the house and nor is my wife Ankita. Afshan Azad tied the knot with her soulmate Nabil Kazi last week! As if the fairytale wedding wasnt enough, the highlight was the mini Harry Potter reunion. 5. Taking A Dig At Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Sunny Deol Says Biopics Don't Show The Essence Of A Character Recently, Sunny Deol was asked if he would like a biopic to be made on him, to which, he said, Not really. I am not much into it unless and until it is made in a very realistic form, if there is something to it and not just because it is a trend, just because biopic chal raha hai toh. Now, the funda of biopics is very different. Kerala is going through one of the worst natural disasters ever recorded. Severe flooding has hit the state with unusual high rains and landslides, killing over 350 people. The state needs all the help it needs as far as basic amenities are concerned. Apart from state CMs, even UAE recently donated crores of rupees to help flood-stricken victims. Even Indian celebs are going out of their way to come to the rescue of Kerala. Here's taking a look at 12 stars who have lend a helping hand to flood-ravaged Kerala. Take a look. 1. Rajeev Pillai Twitter Popular model and Malayalam actor Rajeev Pillai who will be portraying the role of a young man, Shakeela (Richa Chadha) falls in love with, has postponed his marriage to help with the Kerala relief work. "My friend and costar in Shakeela, Rajeev Pillai, postponed his wedding, which was to happen three days ago, in order to help out in rescue efforts in his hometown of Nannoor, Kerala. They made rafts, carried boats by road to the low lying areas, made good use of all the muscle. Bravo!" In the picture and video that has been shared by Richa, Pillai can be see extending help in the rescue operation. He is seen carrying a raft. A few days ago, the actor himself shared a post outside of his home. 2. Tovino Thomas Looks like Malayalam award-winning actor Tovino Thomas doesn't seem to believe in arm chair activism or limiting his contribution to signing off cheques for Kerala. He has gone to rescue people from ground zero and is helping in rescuing people from water logged homes. Now the situation is slightly OK. Rescue is almost over as we have managed to cart majority of the residents into relief camps. Now our next step is to rehabilitate them into their ravaged homes, said Thomas to Gulf News, who has been constantly uploading videos on their collective rescue mission. 3. Siddharth The same sense of anger and abandonment. #Kerala is today where #TamilNadu was in 2015. Wake up #India #GodsOwnCountry is sinking. They need help. We can each make a difference. Starting with the #NationalMedia Let's talk about #KeralaFloods more. Much more. https://t.co/Gfikj2HT4Y Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) August 16, 2018 Rang De Basanti actor, Siddharth urged people to contribute whatever they can to the people affected by the floods in Kerala. Infact, after contributing to the relief work, he threw a challenge. 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? the actor wrote. He took a dig at all the other Kiki challenge, ice bucket challenge, sticky note challenge and told people to take this one instead. 4. Esha Gupta Bollywood actor Esha Gupta was one of the few celebrities who decided to contribute her day's earnings to the CMO relief fund. She pleaded other celebs and her followers too to make any kind of donation, small or big, for the flood stricken state. 5. Sushant Singh Rajput Joining this long list of supporters is Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who has extended a hefty donation of 1 crore rupees for the Kerala Relief fund. It was after a fan raised a request on his Instagram page, that in no time Sushant made an instant donation. 6. Shah Rukh Khan Twitter Resul Pookutty, who had won Oscar for Best Sound Mixing for Slumdog Millionaire expressed his gratitude for Shah Rukh Khan. The star never mentioned it on any social media accounts and quietly donated which speaks a lot and his fans are in love with him all over again. Thank you so much @iamsrk me personally and the people of kerala are indebted to you for your generosity and quick action...respect resul pookutty (@resulp) August 17, 2018 7. Prabhas Twitter After many south stars contributed, next in line was Baahubali actor Prabhas. He donated Rs 25 lakh at the Kerala CMO relief fund. 8. Chiranjeevi Tollywood Chiranjeevi and son Ram Charan too have extended their support by donating Rs 25 lakh each for the relief fund. 9. Hrithik Roshan The situation in Kerala is critical. Help is required. Please lets come forward and do whatever we can. Our friends in Kerela need us right now. I have contributed a sum and I request you all to do whatever you can. God bless #KerelaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/lllier4SDE Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) August 18, 2018 Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan too made a generous donation. A source in a leading daily revealed, When Hrithik got to know about the disaster, he quietly sent across a few people from his team to get an understanding of all the help the victims and the state required. Though he was shooting for the last schedule of his film Super 30 in Mumbai, he kept in touch with them over the phone to take updates and act accordingly. He will continue to do so till the state recuperates. 10. Sonal Chauhan Sonal Chauhan too took her day's earnings and contributed to the CM relief fund. 11. Ali Fazal Ali Fazal too contributed and has even listed the contribution link to his Instagram account. He also mentioned about how people can donate on Paytm as well. 12. Varun Dhawan If you can help please contribute in anyway possible. I was finding how to help out and @Actor_Siddharth tweet helped me find out about the @CMOKerala relief fund. #istandwithkerela pic.twitter.com/VGyrGeKQWv Varun MAUJI Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) August 16, 2018 Disturbed by Kerala floods, Varun Dhawan is standing with the state. Varun mentioned how heartbreaking it is to see people suffering there and he's donated to the best of his ability. Sonam Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma, Arjun Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan and Shahid Kapoor among many others from the Indian film fratenity have come together to bring the state back to normalcy. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas gave the most pleasant surprise to their fans on August 18 when they announced their relationship post their official engagement. And since then, fans are gushing over the sweet-adorable love that they share. So much so, that Indians are now referring to Nick Jonas as Jija Ji. Post the engagement the couple is back to work. Nick released a teaser of his upcoming song yesterday and he was bombarded with comments from Indian fans where most of them called him Jiju/Jija Ji. On the other side, Priyanka Chopra is back on the sets of Shonali Boses The Sky Is Pink. Of course, she received a warm welcome from her the cast and the crew of the movie. To celebrate Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas engagement, the crew cut an adorable cake. Take a look at it below. Whats more? The team decorated PCs vanity van with a huge ballon ring. The Sky Is Pink is based on the life of Aisha Chaudhary, who after being diagnosed with deficiency disorder at the age of 13 became a motivational speaker. Apart from Priyanka Chopra, the movie also stars Farhan Akhtar and Zaira Wasim. Just a couple of months back, we got to witness one of our old childhood companions walking down the aisle. Yes, i am talking about Neville Longbottom aka Matthew Lewis. It still feels like yesterday, when we used to eagerly wait for a Harry Potter movie to release, right? twitter Entering the married celebs bandwagon is another Harry Potter actress. Congratulations are in order for Padma Patil, you guys! Remember the Bangladeshi-origin girl who accompanied Ron Weasley for the Yule Ball in Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire? Afshan Azad tied the knot with her soulmate Nabil Kazi last week! As if the fairytale wedding wasnt enough, the highlight was the mini Harry Potter reunion. Ginny Weasley played by Bonnie Wright and Cho Chang played by Katie Leung attended Afshan and Nabils wedding! twitter In fact, Bonnie even posted a snap of the trio with the sweetest caption that read, Over the moon to have been there with you today Afshan. We love you so much! Congratulations to you and Nabil, wishing you so much joy in your married life together. Katie also posted a couple of snaps and wrote, Celebrating our beautiful bride @afshanazads special day. #walima. The lovely couple had a traditional Bangladeshi wedding last week and then hosted a reception for their friends and family. Posting a photo from the wedding last week, Afshan she wrote: Incredibly blessed. After a year of planning on my own, the tears and tantrums, today was an absolute dream. Married and moved out of Manchester to start my new life. Thank you to my incredible family and friends, without you Im nothing. Best wedding ever, even if I do say so myself! Keep us in your prayers. #KazadWedding #RoyalWedding If this doesn't make you feel old, nothing else will! The massive success of Rajkummar Raos Sanju has brought back the recurring trend of biographical films in Bollywood. A lot of biopics are in the works including the ones on Saina Nehwal, Gulshan Kumar, Rakesh Sharma and Jayalalitha among others. After Sanjay Dutts biopic received a great response from the audiences and critics, a lot of other actors have been asked if they would want a film to be made on their life stories. Akshay Kumar, for instance, didnt quite like the idea of a biopic being made on him. He said he would be a fool if he did that. thebetterminds.com Recently, Sunny Deol was asked if he would like a biopic to be made on him, to which, he said, Not really. I am not much into it unless and until it is made in a very realistic form, if there is something to it and not just because it is a trend, just because biopic chal raha hai toh. Now, the funda of biopics is very different. Furthermore, commenting on the kind of biopics that are made these days, Sunny Deol said that the actors and directors often fail to get into the essence of the character. Look Hollywood, Tom Hanks in Sully, look at the way he gets indulged in the character. We don't get to play such characters and even if we do, say like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, for me, you don't get into the character of Milkha. We are more interested in making the body, we are more interested in what the camera work is going to be but we don't get into the essence of the character. I don't think today the directors or actors go into the soul of the character, he was quoted as saying by Pinkvilla during a media interaction. Do you agree with Sunny Deol? Tell us in the comments section below. Also Read: Dimple Kapadia And Sunny Deol's 'Rumoured Romance' In London Is All Over The Internet Kerala floods might have killed hundreds and displaced lakhs of people but they have also washed away caste barriers and discrimination. A mosque in the flood ravaged state opened its doors to provide shelter to Hindus, who were stuck in floods. Juma Masjid in northern Malappuram, which is one of the worst affected districts is celebrating Eid this year in the most diverse way possible. The mosque has provided shelter to 17 displaced Hindu families including women, children and the elderly. Chaliyar village panchayat chief P T Usman, told PTI, "There were 26 families who had sought refuge in the mosque, a majority of them Hindus. Though we opened the relief camp at the mosque on August 8, the activities started in full swing only after August 14, following a series of landslides that rocked the district. Photo: AFP The victims were given space to sleep, proper food from the canteen consisting of rice, pulses and other essential materials. Many families later returned home because water had receded from their homes. They took part in Bakrid today, after which they left for their respective homes. Receding flood waters has left rescuers with a grim task of hunting for bodies. The death toll has now reached over 400. The fear of outbreak of a disease looms large. Financial assistance and donations have flown to the state from all over the world. Talent is the only virtue that cant be discriminated on the basis of caste, creed, religion or financial status. Determination and hard work will always pay off in the end. While reading these lines, many who are struggling to achieve their dreams wonder if these things are said only for namesake, but nothing fruitful emerges when it comes to reality. However, the son of an electrician has set an example in the real world by grabbing a pay package of $100,000 in an American firm. Mohammad Aamir Ali, the son of an electrician at Jamia Millia Islamia is the only Jamia diploma holder to receive such a high amount. Ali who has six other brothers, scored good in the JMI school board examinations but was unable to clear Jamias B-tech course for three consecutive years. Due to financial constraints, he couldnt pursue an architecture course at NIT Jharkhand. Finally in 2015, he took admission for a diploma in mechanical engineering. Photo: The Hindu/Mohammad Ali who is an electrician at Jamia Millia Islamia Young Ali then developed a theory to charge electric vehicles. He tells TOI, "Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is a major challenge in India. I developed a theory. If I succeed, the cost of charging vehicles will be almost zero. But initially, my teachers didn't believe me as it was a new area of work. However, assistant professor Waqar Alam finally realised the potential of my work and guided me. I made a prototype of my research and showcased it in the Talimi Mela of Jamia. He later sent his expression of interest to the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Professor Zeeshan Hussain, director of CIE promoted the project at various levels ands got it uploaded on the University website. The idea appealed to an American automobile company, Frisson Motor Werks, Charlotte, North Carolina. The firm contacted him through the university and offered him a lucrative job as a battery management system engineer. Alis father Shamshad Ali couldnt be more happier. His son always had a lot of questions regarding the functioning of electrical equipment and electricity, however, Shamshad couldnt answer all of them despite being an electrician for so many years. He advised Ali to work hard and finally he reaped the rewards for his efforts. Jharkhand has been caught in the eye of the storm due to the rising rape incidents. On August 16, two minor girls were gangraped by 11 men at a lonely place in Lohardaga. All the accused have been arrested by the police on the basis of complaint filed by the victims. The two girls were travelling with their neighbour when their vehicle broke down and they called a friend for help, who in turn, reportedly sent 11 men who later gangraped the girls. On the way to their destination, the motorcycle on which three people (two girls and their neighbour) were travelling broke down. One of the girls called her friend for help. Representational Image However, instead of sending a mechanic, the friend sent 11 of his friends to the site. Upon reaching the location, the group of men thrashed the neighbour and took the girls to a remote place and took turns to rape them. They even took away the girls cell phones. The girls later registered an FIR at Sadar police station and a probe is underway. Meanwhile, the police have arrested all the 11 accused men and cell phones have been recovered from the house of the accused. Kerala which is trying to recover from an unprecedented flood is getting massive support from various corners as the state to rebuild itself. The flood ravaged state has so far managed to raise Rs 210 crore through the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund in addition to the pledge for financial assistance of Rs 160 crores. A number of people from all walks of life have been making their contributions to help those in distress. Now two teenage siblings from Kerala have expressed desire to handover an acre of land, gifted by their father, to the government. In a letter, Kannur resident and Class eleventh student Swaha said she and her younger brother Brahma desired to donate the land to the CMDRF. "We have decided to donate one acre of our agricultural land, which our father had kept for our future to the CMDRF. We have taken the permission from our father for this. How should we do this?" the siblings asked in a letter to the school authorities. According to the Kerala government figures, a total of 223 people have been killed and 33 others are still missing. A total of 1247496 displaced people are currently living in 3941 relief camps. The state government has estimated that Kerala has suffered losses worth nearly Rs 20,000 crore in the flood. The Central Government has so far announced a total of Rs 600 crore as interim relief to the state. Eid al-Adha, one of the biggest day for Muslims across the world has turned out to be a nightmare for the Keralite Muslims due to the deadly floods in the state. With the state still reeling under the aftermath of the worst flooding in a century, people were in no condition to celebrate. Forget celebration, a lot of Muslims even found it difficult to offer Eid Namaz as a lot of Masjids are still covered with water. It was under this circumstances, a temple in Kerala's Thrissur district opened its doors to Muslims to offer prayers, setting a great example of love and harmony. The Purappillikavu Rakteshwari Temple in Mala welcomed Muslims to offer Eid prayers in a hall in the compound itself. According to locals, almost all the Masjids in the neighbouring areas are still inundated and the Muslim brothers were thankful to the temple authorities for letting them offer namaz there. "We are all humans first. Not just in the face of such a tragedy, we should always remember that we are all the children of one God. I hope to see such harmony prevail in the coming days too, where we can work together on relief and offering help to people still in need," a temple official said. As the world marked Eid, the Muslim community in Kerala largely refrained from celebrations. Not only this, people across the nation are contributing to help the flood victims. People love their social media, and we have varieties of it at our disposal now. Of course, there are preferences, and it seems were gravitating mostly towards ones like WhatsApp that allow instant messaging, as opposed to just feed-scrollers. It seems that the worldwide social media game winner is none other than Facebook-owned WhatsApp. According to a Forbes report this week, quoting data from app research firm Apptopia, people around the world spent a staggering 85 billion hours on the app in the last three months. As the report points out, thats approximately 11.425 hours for every human being alive on Planet Earth. On the other hand, Facebook itself only garnered about 30 billion hours. Its clear that WhatsApp is the global messaging app of choice, said Apptopia spokesperson Adam Blacker in the story. Apps having to do with communication take up most of our time spent on our mobile apps. Taking into consideration the time spent across iOS and Android, WhatsApp, WeChat, and Facebook reign supreme. Messenger, Pandora, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Google Maps, and Spotify round out the top 10 list. Its important to note that WeChat has made its way to this list despite the report not including data from Chinas Android third-party app stores. It's a feather in the cap for Facebook that four of the top 10 list are apps it owns. Google also has two, thanks to Google Maps and YouTube. And while Android also reflected WhatsApp as a leader, it seems Facebooks main app is most popular on iOS. As far as games go, Clash of Clans is still a winner with 3.83 billions hours spent on the app in the last three months. Its closely followed by My Talking Tom and Candy Crush Saga. Recent entry PUBG Mobile has also made a niche for itself at number 9, while newcomer Fortnite has clawed its way to the number 4 slot. At Gamescom this week, Nvidia released its latest GPUs, the first based on the new Turing architecture and the Nvidia RTX platform. In other words, weve just got the best gaming chips weve ever seen yet, and its going to change how you experience PC gaming. Images courtesy: Nvidia The new chips fuses next-generation shaders with real-time ray tracing, as well as all-new AI capabilities. In fact, its probably the biggest generational jump in performance weve seen in a while. The new Turing architecture includes something called a dedicated RT Core. This is hardware designed to power ray tracing. For those of you out of the loop. Ray tracing is a complex technique to render realistic lighting by calculating how individual rays of light will interact with different objects in a scene. This gives you realistic reflections and shadows, ones that youd be hard pressed to tell from a sight actually in front of your eyes. Unfortunately this is immensely taxing on a chip, and has been too resource-intensive to achieve in real time, at least until now. One of the new lines is Quadro RTX, which is meant for professional use rather than gaming. This shows in the price tag, with the flagship Quadro RTX 8000 costing a whopping $10,000, when it ships at the end of the year. The new Turing architecture On the other hand, theres the more consumer-focused RTX 2000 series. Thanks to Turing architecture, these chips are also capable of achieving real time ray-tracing, and will succeed the GTX 1080 as the pinnacle of Nvidia's gaming crown. This lineup includes the RTX 2070, RTX 2080, and RTX 2080 Ti. With this arsenal, Nvidia is promising up to 6X the performance of previous-generation graphics cards. In fact, theyre boasting of achieving even 4K gaming at 60 fps on the most demanding titles. Manufacturers like MSI, Asus, and Gigabyte have all already said theyre including the RTX 2080 and RTX 2080 Ti. Even game developers like EA, Square ENix, and Epic Games are on board with titles like Battlefield V, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Metro Exodus. The RTX 2070 is clocked at 1410MHz, with 2304 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR6 RAM, the lightest of the bunch. The RTX 2080 meanwhile is clocked at 1515MHz with 2944 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR6 RAM. However while both offer performance alongside ray tracing, only the 2080 is designed for overclocking. The RTX 2080 Ti meanwhile is the flagship of the bunch, and is clocked at 1350MHz with 4352 CUDA cores and 11GB of GDDR6 RAM. For those of you modding your own PCs, Nvidia recommends a 650W power supply, as the regular RTX 2080 draws up to 215 watts. Pre-orders on the RTX 2000 series chips begin today, with the 2080 and 2080 Ti being available starting September 20, and the 2070 in October. The RTX 2070 will run you up $499 (Rs 51,200 here in India), the RTX 2080 at $699 (Rs 68,500), and the RTX 2080 Ti at $999 (Rs 1,02,500). Deepfakes is a theme that was in the news quite often during the start of 2018. For good reason too, it let AI enthusiasts with even the barest knowledge of coding render anyones face into a fake video. Now, porn companies are jumping on the bandwagon. Deepfakes, when it emerged, was a particularly troubling application of artificial intelligence. It started off as a video editing system that combined AI with face recognition. Reddit user deepfakes, a self-proclaimed programmer, built the software and first tested it out by putting actress Gal Gadots face on the female performer in a porn video. Eventually, he simplified the softwares UI and opened it out to the public, unleashing a maelstrom of revenge porn. The problem got so out of hand that even porn sites like Pornhub began cracking down, removing the non-consensual pornography. Despite that however, at least some people were attempting to use the programs capabilities for good, like cheaply and efficiently editing out Henry Cavills mustache for Justice League. No, that's not the real Katy Perry Now, it seems at least one porn site is ready to use the technology in a way we should have all seen coming. Naughty America this week launched a service that lets customers pay to customise a pornographic clip as they see fit. They can pay to include their likeness alongside their favourite pornstar, and even change the background of the scene. We see customization and personalization as the future, Naughty America CEO, Andreas Hronopoulos, told Variety. Using a deepfakes-like program, the creator can train the AI on hundreds of sample images to learn the various expressions a particular face can make. Then its a simple matter of having the AI recognise the face you want changed and swap it out with an AI generated version of the one it trained on. In Naughty Americas demos, the face swaps are pretty seamless, and the background changes moreso. All youll have to do is send Naughty America a set of photos and videos of yourself so they can image you with different facial expressions, and from different angles. The larger the sample size, the more effective your likeness will be. The company meanwhile will get consent from the actor being swapped out of the scene. Simple edits will supposedly cost you a few hundred dollars, but more complicated changes and longer videos, will run you up thousands. No, that's not the real Daisy Ridley either Unfortunately, the company hasnt yet announced how it plans to authenticate requests from users, ie whether a submitted set of photos and videos to train the AI was given consent. After all, whats to stop someone from pulling another persons photos from a Facebook or Instagram, page, and submitting a request in their name? Its also up to Naughty America to watermark the resulting videos, and provide other forms of immediately accessible proof to show the videos are edited and not original. Thats just the most immediate step the company can take with respect to preventing deepfakes from becoming the new manipulation tool, but others are also looking into it. Everyone likes to play smartphone games, even people that dont call themselves gamers. However, sometimes even casual gamers can get really serious about a hobby. In fact, it seems women are more likely to spend money on a smartphone game than men are. According to a study by market research firm Liftoff, female users are 79 percent more likely to drop cash on a mobile games in-app purchases than men are. It reports that women will purchase in-app content after buying a game 16.7 percent of the time, which is why developers would be advised to target this segment. This is despite the fact that it takes an estimated $0.18 more to make a game more appealing to female users than male. A closer examination of conversion rates reveals females are in fact the most valuable gamers, the report says. The study looked at data collected from 350 different apps between June 2017 to May 2018, and compared it to the same period between 2016 and 2017. In the span of one year, female users in-app purchases have nearly doubled. In addition, the most popular category for female users is puzzle games, but theyre also fans of those recommended by word of mouth. Aside from that, it seems it costs more to get iOS gamers to commit to an app than it does those on Android. However, once theyve installed and played, an iOS user is more likely to spend money within the app. Despite this, developers will more likely continue to focus on Android because its a faster growing market, with about 1.5 million new devices activated everyday. Gamers standards also seem to differ by region. Its reportedly becoming tougher to get Asian gamers to make in-app purchases, so the focus is shifting towards those in Europe, Russia, Africa, and the Middle East. As the images and videos of Kerala being flooded splashed across our TV screens, most of us could feel our hearts sinking. Crumbling houses, drowning vehicles and people fighting to stay alive the macabre just got worse after the first couple of days. The only silver lining in this situation was how the common man responded to the call for help. People donated money, clothes, sanitary pads, food basically whatever they could. Fishermen from Mariyanadu rescuing stranded people at Chengannur. Interesting fact is that Mariyanadu team who went to Chengannur took food for 100 people along with their boats. They distributed it in Chengannur. Kudos #KeralaFloods (10/n) pic.twitter.com/3N45AHyckd Jikku Varghese Jacob (@Jikkuvarghese) August 21, 2018 But most of us do not expect a 12-year-old child to gauge the severity of the situation and donate money, especially when she is in dire need of it herself. Meet Akshaya, the girl from Tamil Nadu who donated Rs 5,000 for the flood-affected people in Kerala. Doesnt sound like an exorbitant amount, does it? Maybe not to most of us, but this money was a part of the money she had crowd-sourced for her own heart surgery. BCCL Akshaya suffers from a congenital heart disease. For this, she needs to undergo a heart surgery that will cost her around Rs 2.5 Lakh. Since her family is not well off, they do not have money to pay for her operation. Hence, Akshaya resorted to raising money through crowdfunding with the help of social media platforms. Her surgery is scheduled for November and so far, she has been able to collect Rs 20,000. It was out of this amount, that she donated Rs 5,000 thats about one-fourth of the amount. #Kerala: Army built a 35 feet long bridge and rescued 100 people (approx) including children and senior citizens from Malampuzha's Valiyakadu village #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/PvY1EHRnZT ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018 So, its not really about how much she donated, but about the emotion and the heart in the gesture. A girl who is in dire need of money in order to finance her own surgery, and is doing so through crowdfunding because her family cannot afford it, found it in her heart to donate some of it to the people of Kerala. I wanted to be of some help to the people of Kerala, as they had come forward to help me when I wanted Rs 3.5 Lakh in November last year for my first operation, TOI quotes her as saying. She had crowdfunded money for her first surgery too. A Sadik the guy who has been helping Akshaya mobilise funds told TOI She is awaiting her second and final operation this November, after which she will be able to lead a normal life. We hope that her kindness and generosity come back to her in form of money for her operation because a gesture like that should never go unreciprocated. Motorcyclists can get pretty notorious on roads in India - a record number of accidents are being reported every day. These accidents happen due to the carelessness of people, the callous attitude towards driving, and distractions. A motorist and his wife were literally thrown off their bike yesterday when they tried to overtake a scooter in Bangalore. While they fell off the bike, the vehicle remained upright and took a halt near a road divider, with their child. What shocked everyone was the miraculous escape this child made. Death escapade Mistakes Highlighted - speed, no helmets, overtaking from left side & using mobile phones.. Why the baby was supposed to pay the price for your mistakes? Fortunately, the kid was unhurt and safe. PS:These kinds of miracles don't happen often!#AbideTrafficRules pic.twitter.com/ecOm6ZLCpL BCP MAN (@HMLokesh) August 20, 2018 It's quite unusual for a bike to balance itself, especially after a hit and this has shaken many spectators. The incident was captured by a man who was travelling in the car just behind the couple on Arishinkunte Road in Nelamangala. In his recording, it can be clearly seen that the child landed unhurt on the divider. "Why [was the] baby supposed to pay the price for your mistakes?" asked a Bengaluru cop who handles social media for the city police. Unfortunately, the child's parents are now being charged for speeding and not taking proper precautions like wearing a helmet, overtaking from the left side and using mobile phones". Yes, this is that time of the year when all of us get to eat seviya, baida roti, mutton korma, badami ghosht and more. If you haven't already guessed, it's Eid. India began the celebrations of Eid al-Adha 21 August and will end it on the evening of Wednesday, 22 August. This is also the day that many of us know as Bakrid - the day commemorated by a feast prepared by the sacrificed animals. People sacrifice sheep and goats on this day and then invite their friends and family for a delectable meal. People in #Lucknow are preparing to celebrate an eco-friendly #Bakrid by cutting cakes with a goat image. A buyer at a bakery says, The custom of sacrificing an animal on Bakrid is not right. I appeal to everyone to celebrate the festival by cutting a cake instead of an animal. pic.twitter.com/C5EJ73dKM1 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 21, 2018 However, things are about to take a turn. A guy in Lucknow is preparing to cut a cake instead of goats and sheep. The hope is that this eco-friendly way of celebrating Bakrid will encourage more and more people to do something along similar lines. The custom of sacrificing an animal on Bakrid is not right. I appeal to everyone to celebrate the festival by cutting a cake instead of an animal, a buyer was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The initiative was taken by a buyer at a bakery shop who insisted everyone to celebrate this festival with cakes. What a great idea! 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. New Delhi, Aug 17: 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. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. comments powered by Disqus FICO found that the number of US firms reporting that they have no cybersecurity insurance dropped, from 50% in 2017 to 24% in 2018. However, the same report found that only 32% of US firms said their cybersecurity insurance covers all risks. Its is great to see that progress is being made but still surprising, that nearly a quarter of US firms surveyed have no cybersecurity insurance coverage, commented FICO vice president for cybersecurity solutions Doug Clare. Clare believes the increase in cybersecurity insurance coverage numbers is due to the rise in publicized data breaches. Given the number of large-scale and very public breaches in recent years, its not surprising that weve seen a big increase in US organizations investing in it over the past 12 months, but theres still some way to go, he explained. As the insurance market matures and the litigation and fines increase we expect more firms will also go beyond basic coverage to seek insurance that is more comprehensive. Despite the promising increase in overall insurance coverage, some industries continue to lag behind in adoption. The survey found that 70% of US healthcare firms said that they had no cybersecurity insurance compared to 10% of financial services firms saying they had no cyber coverage. Related stories: Zero trust networks represent the next wave of cybersecurity - EY Marsh says NotPetya was not cyber war As a college graduate in 1985, young Middleton never really had insurance on his radar. However, he was working weekends as a tour guide at a local historic house, when a relative suggested he go for an interview at Armfield, Harrison and Thomas insurance agency in Northern Virginia. He got a job and that was that. Thirty-three years later and Middleton has now converged his passions for theater and insurance. He described working with clients who are extremely talented and focused on their art as tremendously satisfying and says he has the best job in the insurance industry. Seeing their [performing arts] product and being a part of that process is a unique opportunity for an insurance organization, Middleton commented. There are few insurance companies that are interested in working with the arts, and fewer still that have programs focusing on them. Contractors, retailers and wholesalers have always been a target for insurance companies, but performing artists are anathema to most. [At Arts Insurance Program] weve had to do a lot of education with the carriers to either develop our own proprietary programs or just to open their eyes to the opportunities that exist in this segment. This process was only accomplished through premium and loss information development, proving that this was profitable business. Pushing this boulder up the hill was a real struggle until we hit an economically viable plateau and was able to back up our concept with numbers. Middletons uphill struggle has certainly paid off. He features as one of Insurance Business Americas Top Producers 2018 for his significant achievements in the arts sector. He attributes his programs success to the support of Maury, Donnelly and Parr, who enabled his vision of working with clients of all sizes in the arts community, not just the largest organizations. Middleton said this enabled him to build credibility in the eyes of new prospects and gain opportunities for new business. Arguably the greatest factor behind Middletons success, however, is his sheer passion for theater and performing arts. Outside of work, hes a patron and supporter of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Theater and he makes every effort to see the Broadway shows that he insures. Seeing your name in a Playbill program is a huge validation of your work, he added. Any new producer hoping to succeed in the insurance industry should find a niche industry that you enjoy and work within that culture, Middleton told Insurance Business. Join their associations, become knowledgeable of their needs, support their fundraisers and get to know the people involved, not just the decision makers, but the front-line people. Who are the big insurance players in that market and how are your competitors positioned? Build a network of other professionals that work in these groups - attorneys, accountants, financial consultants can all be a great source of business. Once youre able to obtain referrals and have validated just on business from this group, you have positioned yourself for success. But, remember that your attention to this group has gotten you here, if you lose focus, your mistakes will also bring you down. They all know each other, so keep providing excellent service. Laziness will destroy all of your hard work. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that Steward Carney Hospital does not have a duty of care after a patient released from an involuntary psychiatric commitment fatally stabbed his neighbor. The court found the order of civil commitment to hold the patient did not impose an independent duty on the hospital for his treatment and did not require the hospital to exercise any medical judgment regarding his release. Case Background This case came about after the patients family took him to Steward Carney Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation on January 7, 2012. The Boston-area emergency services program recommended that he be admitted for stabilization and a medical evaluation, which noted the patient said he had threatened to kill a family member. The evaluation form stated he had a history of psychiatric illness, including a previous episode in which he had been brought to the hospital after police responded to a report that he was threatening his mother with a knife. The patient remained in the emergency room until a bed in the hospitals psychiatric unit became available, and his treating physician filed a petition for emergency restraint and hospitalization for a period of three days. At the end of the three-day period, the superintendent of the hospital filed a petition for commitment. Massachusetts law allows the superintendent of a psychiatric facility to seek an initial commitment of up to six months, along with an extension of that commitment for up to one year when the superintendent determines that the failure to hospitalize would create a likelihood of serious harm by reason of mental illness. Following a hearing, a judge of the Boston Municipal Court found the patient was mentally ill and failure to retain him in a facility would create a likelihood of serious harm. As a result, the judge ordered him to be committed to the [hospital] for a period not to exceed six months or until there is no longer a likelihood of serious harm by reason of mental illness, whichever period is shorter. On January 30, 2012, the patients treating physician examined him and determined he no longer presented a serious risk of harm due to his mental illness. The physician noted his behavior had improved with medication, he appeared to be at his usual baseline level of functioning and his aggression toward other patients had ceased. He was released that day. On February 21, 2012, the patient broke into the home of Mary L. Miller, his neighbor, and stabbed her to death. Millers then eight-year-old granddaughter was present in the apartment at the time, although she was not attacked and was physically unharmed. Court Proceedings The plaintiffs filed a complaint in the Superior Court, claiming wrongful death due to negligence; wrongful death by gross negligence; wrongful death by willful, wanton and reckless conduct; conscious pain and suffering due to willful, wanton and reckless conduct; conscious pain and suffering due to gross negligence; and conscious pain and suffering due to negligence. The plaintiffs also brought claims on behalf of Millers granddaughter for reckless infliction of emotional distress and grossly negligent infliction of emotional distress, and claims on behalf of the granddaughters mother for consequential damages for loss of consortium and expenses for mental health care. The claims were alleged separately against each of the defendants. All of the claims were based on the plaintiffs assertion that the hospital violated the January 19, 2012, Order of the Justice of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston ordering the patient be committed to the hospital for a period of up to six months or until there is no longer a likelihood of serious harm by reason of mental illness, whichever period is shorter. They claimed the hospital violated this order by releasing the patient eleven days later. The defendants filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that they owed no legal duty to the plaintiffs, there is no cause of action in negligence for violating a court order and there was no special relationship that gave rise to a duty to control the patient. Following oral arguments and a supplemental briefing, a Superior Court judge granted the defendants motion for summary judgment. The judge concluded that the hospital owed no duty of care to the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs appealed, maintaining that the commitment order was directed at the hospital alone, the hospital then delegated the duty to a particular physician, and as a result, the hospital was responsible for the decision to release the patient. The plaintiffs maintained that the hospital could not delegate this duty to an employee, pointing to the text of the commitment order requiring the patient be committed to the hospital and to the deposition testimony by the superintendent stating he understood the commitment order to be directed at the hospital. Additionally, the plaintiffs claimed the duty created by the order exists independently of any duty owed by the licensed medical providers who signed the petitions for commitment and release. With this in mind, the plaintiffs contended the hospital violated a nondelegable duty of care. The court determined, however, that the clinical determination to release the patient could only have been made by an individual mental health professional in this case, his treating physician. any negligence in authorizing his release under the terms of the order of commitment belonged to this treating clinician, who was required to use professional medical judgment in determining that commitment was required and when it was no longer needed, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice Frank Gaziano wrote in his opinion. This is because the Massachusetts Legislature has determined a qualified mental health professional can make a clinical determination to release a psychiatric patient without notifying the court that issued the order of commitment, as a clinician is in the best position to determine whether a patient no longer poses a threat of serious harm, according to the opinion document. The Legislature chose not to impose a separate duty on a hospital and not to delay the release of a patient that the hospital no longer has a legal right to confine, the opinion document added. Continuing to hold a patient where a mental health professional has determined that there is no threat of serious harm would result in a violation of the patients constitutional liberty interest, Gaziano wrote. That said, Gaziano added that a hospital is not necessarily free from all liability resulting from a clinical determination that a patient no longer presents a risk of serious bodily harm due to mental illness. A hospital can be liable under a theory of respondeat superior for the actions of its medical professionals arising out of an employment relationship. In addition, a hospital owes third parties a duty of reasonable care in hiring, training and supervising the medical professionals who care for its patients. In this case, however, the plaintiffs did not raise any claim of vicarious liability, and they did not bring separate claims against the individual medical professionals who provided care to the patient and who ordered his release. The plaintiffs also did not allege negligent hiring, training or supervision in their complaint. Nonetheless, the hospitals duty to control is more narrow than the plaintiffs contend, Gaziano wrote, adding that the hospital had a duty to hold the patient while he was lawfully committed for up to six months. The hospitals duty to control the patient, however, ceased when his treating physician reached the clinical judgment that he no longer presented a likelihood of serious harm by reason of mental illness and released him. Under the terms of the commitment order, his commitment to the hospital was no longer authorized once the clinical determination was made, Gaziano wrote in the opinion document. The hospitals act of releasing him was not merely proper, it was required by the terms of the order. Gaziano added that while Millers death was tragic, because the hospital did not owe a duty of care to Miller or to her family at the time of her death, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the superior court judges decision to grant summary judgment to the hospital. Topics Lawsuits Claims Massachusetts Medical Professional Liability The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance is investigating the marketing and sale in New Jersey of insurance sponsored by the National Rifle Association for potential violations of state insurance laws. The Department is examining Overland Park, Kansas-based Lockton Affinity LLC as the insurance broker for potential violations related to the marketing and sale of NRA-sponsored insurance under the Carry Guard Program. It is also examining Chicago-based Illinois Union, a member of the Chubb group, for potential violations in its role as the underwriter of the insurance product. Lockton Affinity has received an inquiry from the state of New Jersey, a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Insurance Journal. We take compliance matters seriously and will work with state regulators to address any concerns. Lockton has been in business for more than 50 years, and our commitment to regulatory compliance and doing whats best for our clients is unwavering. The NRA Carry Guard Insurance Program is advertised as personal firearms liability insurance, including self-defense insurance, for those who lawfully carry firearms and their families, including protection against civil liability, the cost to defend against civil and criminal legal actions and immediate access to attorney referrals. The coverage is advertised as including supplementary payments as needed for bail and criminal defense legal retainer fees, among other costs. New Jersey law requires insurance companies selling to residents within the state to comply with specific requirements, said Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride in a press release issued by the Department. The Department has reviewed findings by the New York Department of Financial Services associated with the marketing and sale of Carry Guard insurance in New York and is examining the marketing and sale of this product in New Jersey to determine if, and to what extent, this activity violated state insurance laws, Indeed, The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) in May fined Chubb Ltd. and its subsidiary, Illinois Union Insurance Company, $1.3 million for underwriting the National Rifle Association (NRA)-branded Carry Guard insurance program in violation of New York insurance law, as reported by Insurance Journal. Through a consent order with DFS regarding the Carry Guard program, Chubb previously consented to certain violations of New York law governing the sale of policies in the states excess lines market, according to a previously emailed Chubb statement. Chubb recognizes its responsibility to ensure that its policies comply with New York law, according to the statement. Chubb at all times intended and believed its coverage to be in full compliance with New York law. Chubb believes that this settlement is the best way to resolve the coverage questions raised by the department and is fully committed to cooperating with the department to remediate any issues or concerns regarding the Carry Guard program. The Chubb settlement came after Insurance Journal also reported in May that insurance broker Lockton would pay a $7 million fine for administering the Carry Guard program through its Lockton Affinity subsidiary, which is a licensed excess line broker in New York. The settlement with Lockton was considered the first in New York regulators broader investigation of the matter. Among the findings in the New York Carry Guard investigation was that the NRA, which does not have a license from NYDFS to conduct insurance business in New York, actively marketed and solicited for the Carry Guard program through a website, email and direct mail, among other channels. As the NRA has previously stated, it acted appropriately at all times, said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and counsel for the NRA, in a previously emailed statement regarding the Chubb consent order. The NRA relied upon Lockton and its assurances that the Carry Guard program complied with all applicable state regulations. In an amended version of a federal lawsuit filed in May, the Virginia-based NRA said it lost insurance coverage after New Yorks enforcement actions against companies underwriting Carry Guard. It said the Cuomo administration was persuading other insurers to avoid doing business with the NRA. Cuomo has said the state is filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The NRA is not licensed to sell insurance in New Jersey. In a preliminary investigation by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, it found that Lockton marketed and sold Carry Guard insurance (certificates) to New Jersey residents, and that coverage remains in force in the state. The Department has contacted both Lockton and Illinois Union. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance is also investigating the marketing and sale in New Jersey of other firearm-related insurance programs for potential violations of state insurance laws. Related: Topics New York Illinois New Jersey Chubb Lockton U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a disaster declaration for Connecticut following severe storms that included four tornadoes. The tornadoes touched down in six towns in Connecticut during the May 15 storms. Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy asked the federal government to help with the recovery. Trump approved the federal assistance Monday. The White House says federal funding is available for eligible municipal and state expenses on a cost-sharing basis. Malloys request for assistance for individuals impacted by the storms remains under federal review. Two people died in Danbury and New Fairfield when trees hit their vehicles. Malloy says the storms had a devastating impact, causing significant damage thats still being cleaned up and repaired months later. The White House says federal funding is also available throughout the state to prepare for disasters. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Connecticut Hannover Re announced that Chief Executive Officer Ulrich Wallin will retire following the companys annual general meeting on May 8, 2019. He will be succeeded on that date by Jean-Jacques Henchoz (53), who has been appointed as a member of the executive board, effective April 1, 2019. Replacing Henchoz at Swiss Re is Russell Higginbotham, who on Sept. 1, will become CEO Reinsurance EMEA and regional president EMEA and member of Swiss Res group executive committee. Since 2011, Henchoz has been in charge of the region Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Swiss Re, taking responsibility for both the life and non-life business of Swiss Re in this region. In January 2012, he was appointed as a member of the executive committee of the Swiss Re Group. He had previously served with Swiss Re in a number of different positions since 1998, including in the role of CEO of the subsidiary Swiss Re Canada in the period between 2005 and 2010. Henchoz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Business Administration from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Lausanne. He is a Swiss citizen. We are profoundly grateful to Ulrich Wallin for his tremendous entrepreneurial achievements, said Herbert K. Haas, chairman of the supervisory board of Hannover Ruck SE. Under his expert and prudent direction Hannover Re has significantly expanded its market position as a leading reinsurer and further enhanced its diversification and sustained profitability. He said that Jean-Jacques Henchoz is a very seasoned reinsurance manager who will continue to drive the companys successful development. In a statement, Hannover Re said Wallin can look back on an extremely successful career spanning 35 years with Hannover Re. In 2001, he was appointed to the executive board, becoming chief executive officer in 2009. Under his leadership, Hannover Re has grown its gross written premium from roughly 10.3 billion ($11.9 billion) to around 17.8 billion ($20.5 billion) and boosted its group net income from some 700 million ($807.5 million) to around 1 billion ($1.2 billion), said the company. Hannover Res share price has more than quadrupled from 27 ($31.2) to 115 ($132.7). Source: Hannover Re Related: Swiss Re Names Higginbotham as CEO Reinsurance EMEA, Succeeding Henchoz Topics Swiss Re QBEs restructuring over the last year has focused on exiting loss-making businesses and portfolios, while rigorously emphasizing profitable underwriting across the group. Good progress has been made as demonstrated in the financials, along with strong premium rate increases, top line growth, improvements in the underlying quality of earnings and a strengthened balance sheet, according to Group Chief Executive Pat Regan. Indeed, the numbers positively reflect QBEs restructuring efforts. For the first six months of 2018, QBE reported a net profit of A$358 million ($263.4 million), compared to A$345 million ($253.8 million) in H1 2017. The combined ratio 95.8 percent also improved from last years 98.2 percent and its full year combined ratio of 104.8 percent. We have made significant progress in simplifying the business this year, said Regan in an analysts call to discuss the financial results. He explained that the company has exited a number of countries and those portfolios that contributed to volatility and last years underwriting losses. For the full year, the company reported a A$1.3 billion ($956.3 million) after-tax loss on unprecedented natural catastrophe claims. Since January, when Regan became CEO, QBE has sold its Latin American operations to Zurich Insurance for $409 million, sold its underperforming business in Thailand and began exiting from North American personal lines. (This month, the company announced it sold its personal insurance independent agency policies in 47 states to Safeco Insurance, a division of Liberty Mutual. The deal was effective on Aug. 15.) During the half, QBE also executed a loss portfolio transfer to exit its Hong Kong construction workers comp business. Other actions taken include mobilization of the companys Brilliant Basics program, which was first piloted in 2016 and rolled out across the company this year. The program aims to ensure high standards for underwriting, pricing and claims management across all countries and portfolios. In addition, to address deterioration in performance, QBE implemented a comprehensive remediation plan covering specific actions for each of its business cells. These cell reviews began in the second half of 2016, continued throughout 2017 and into 2018. Regan said the cell review process is now fully established across the group, with more than 300 cell reviews completed across the four divisions involving over 100 cells globally during the first half. We are now a more focused organization on the markets and on the profits where we can have scale and can deliver an acceptable return to our shareholders, he said. Regan noted he is pleased with rate increases the company has achieved across each of QBEs major divisions, despite the extended period of declining rates globally. Weve achieved average rate increases across each of the three major divisions, coming in at 4.6 percent overall for the group. This isnt just something that happens by accident, he said. Our detailed portfolio analysis is designed really to target the right increase in the right segments, subsegments, and sub-subsegments, and down to policy level, to drive overall strong rate increases, increase our rate adequacy, and also keep strong retention levels. North America saw average premium rate increases of 3.1 percent, compared with only 0.9 percent in H1 2017, while Europe saw an overall rate increase of 4.8 percent, compared with a 1.1 percent average rate reduction in the same period last year, according to QBEs H1 financial statement. Further, pricing momentum remained strong in Australia and New Zealand, which saw average rate increases of 6.6 percent, compared with 5.0 percent in H1 2017. Indeed, Regan said QBEs combined ratio of 95.8 percent reflects a strong result from its Australian and New Zealand business. Even in Asia, where market conditions remain very tough, the early benefits from our remediation program are becoming evident with more selective underwriting, exit from certain non-profitable lines of business, reducing retention as designed, but also starting to drive better growth in our rates there, Regan said. The level of price competition in QBEs Asia Pacific operations has abated somewhat with an average premium rate increase of 0.3 percent achieved, compared with a reduction of 3.9 percent in the prior period, said the companys H1 financial statement. Although QBE has focused on remediation of its bottom-line, Regan said it was important to highlight its top-line performance because some people wonder whether the company will suffer from shrinking premiums as a result of these intensive underwriting reviews, cell reviews and its Brilliant Basics program. Despite its focus on rigorous underwriting, during the half, gross written premium increased 4 percent from A$7.6 billion ($5.6 billion) to A$7.9 billion ($5.8 billion). Regan pointed to the companys underlying growth of 2 percent during the first half, which was primarily driven by rate increases, but also strong retention and some targeted, very targeted, new business rates. Our detailed portfolio analysis is designed really to target the right increase in the right segments, subsegments, and sub-subsegments, and down to policy level to drive overall strong rate increases, increase our rate adequacy, and also keep strong retention levels, Regan added. We are now eight months into a significant program change. I am pleased with the progress we have made and with the result for the half year, he affirmed. Having said that, theres still much that we need to do At the core of future of improvements for the business will be building on the progress were making on Brilliant Basic agenda, while continuing to maintain the intensity and the discipline of the cell review process. If we can do both of these things, Im confident well see further benefits. Topics Profit Loss Underwriting Cincinnati Financial Corp. announced that Jacob F. Scherer Jr., chief insurance officer and executive vice president of its lead subsidiary, The Cincinnati Insurance Co., plans to retire in August 2019. The company also announced his replacement and other leadership changes to be effective before Scherers retirement. They include: Stephen M. Spray, senior vice president Commercial Lines, becoming chief insurance officer and assuming executive oversight of the companys property/casualty insurance operations. Sean M. Givler, CIC, CRM, senior vice president Sales & Marketing, assuming leadership of the companys commercial lines operations. Angela O. Delaney, assistant secretary Sales Field, assuming leadership of property/casualty insurance sales and marketing operations. Spray has almost 30 years of industry experience, having previously served as an agent, an underwriter and a field marketing representative. Spray also helped establish the companys excess and surplus lines operations, created the Target Markets division and led property/casualty sales and marketing. Givler, who has held a variety of positions in underwriting and field sales over his more than 20 years with the company, was most recently the senior executive responsible for relationships with the companys independent agents and for the execution of its field strategy. Delaney currently oversees field marketing representatives and agency relationships in Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington. The 30-year veteran of the industry has held positions of increasing authority and responsibility in field sales since joining the company in 1998. She was appointed as an officer of Cincinnati Insurance earlier this year. In a media statement about Scherers retirement and related leadership changes, Steven J. Johnston, president and chief executive officer, said that Scherer guided the development of a new generation of leaders ready to keep the company moving forward, instilling the future leaders with the clear understanding of the advantages we earn through our unwavering support of the independent agency system. Source: Cincinnati Financial Corporation Topics Property Casualty As the data insurance agencies and brokerages continues to grow, agency managers are faced with having to answer how, why and where they can successfully analyze and use all of this data. The answer to the why is simple: To grow a profitable agency book of business. But the answers to how and where to use certain data sets isnt so simple. In deciding how and where to focus on data analytics, Andy Niver advises agencies to begin by focusing on small data first; that is, the data their own agencies have. Forget about big data, said Niver, who is vice president of innovation and analytics at ReSource Pro, a provider of operations efficiency and business process services for the insurance industry. Small data is your data, and theres value there already that you dont generate right now. Whether dealing with big or small data, analytics begins at the top. Any analytic data starts from top down, Niver said. What decision are you trying to make? Are you trying to grow? Optimize employee performance? Retain business? Its important for leaders to narrow the scope of the decision. Then, the agency can learn what metrics and data are needed to measure those things and start to gather data on those particular areas. Dont try to tackle the entire ocean of data. You cant. You will get paralysis on where to start, so narrow your focus on what decision you want to make. Thats ultimately the starting point, Niver said. Independent agencies already have all of the data they need to help in marketing, sales, agency growth, employee performance and more, believes Laird Rixford, CEO of Carrollton, Texas-based Insurance Technologies Corp. (ITC), a provider of software and services to independent agents and insurance carriers. The amount of data that an agency holds is really everything that they need, Rixford said. All that information is in their systems, from a comparative rater, to an agency management system, to an automated marketing system. Its all there for them to use. However, if the right type of data isnt collected by the agency, it wont help. Rixford urges agencies to be sure they are collecting sufficient information from clients to help in marketing. Marketing information can be anything from an email address to a phone number to how many cars an insured has. Or whether they own their house, he said. Rixford advises agency owners to continuously track and measure data to see how well theyre collecting customer data and better understand the demographics of their market. Agents should ask for details about their insureds houses or how many kids they have. Mostly, they should not be afraid to ask for information. Weve seen agencies that say the majority of their customers dont have email addresses but maybe they are too afraid to ask, Rixford said. All of these are marketing questions that you can [use to] come up with data. Then, that will create opportunities, not only with prospects, but also with existing customers. Agencies can supplement that data with data from third parties, Rixford said. This can be as simple as visiting a tax assessors office to look up whether an insured has a home, a swimming pool, the homes condition, a new fence, etc. All of these things can be used to better understand clients and how agencies can be using the data to help on marketing, he said. Big Picture View Agencies can use their own data to paint a simple big picture view of whats happening in the agency, according to Joshua Peterson, vice president of product management for Applied Systems Data Products Group. However, he warns, that agencies can easily get lost in the weeds in this process. According to Peterson, current and more urgent concerns tend to come first in the agency world, but bigger picture views are what help agency management steer the ship toward growth. The amount of data at agents fingertips today and the various ways in which it can be segmented can give owners a clearer picture of whats going on with an agencys book of business and overall employee performance, he said. All of the agents activities and work, and all the interactions that they are having with their clients, all the interactions that theyre having with their insureds, and just the overall transactions that are taking place all of that information is what is critical to paint the picture of how things are doing, Peterson said. Peterson advises owners to ask two questions: in on growth an the other in retention. First, Am I growing? Let me look at my new business. Am I generating a lot of new business and growing both on the account level and on the individual policy and cross-sell level? Next, How is my business looking in terms of retention? It may be great that Im generating all these new clients and my sales staff is doing really, really well, but if at the end of the day, Im churning through all of those and losing them on retention and servicing, thats a huge drag. He said data analytics can help provide a picture of how the agency is performing in selling and retaining, and how the overall book is performing as a business. This is probably the key area agencies should focus on when it comes to data, Peterson said. Applied Systems recently released a white paper titled, Data Analytics: Turning Information into Insights that explains the difference between traditional business reporting and data analytics. Traditional reporting provides historical business insights at an aggregate level by summarizing raw data to determine what happened at a specific time in the past. It is usually performed manually, with the resulting output in Excel spreadsheets. While the data is static and can be viewed alongside other data elements, whats missing from reporting is the ability to understand why something happened, the paper says. Data analytics, on the other hand, gets down to the root cause. Data analytics answers more complex business questions such as the why and explains business results and what might happen in the future versus simply giving a description. In todays landscape, Peterson believes agencies should rely on business intelligence and analytics to give a quicker and clearer picture of whats going on at their agency. Benchmarking tools and industry level information are going to give them additional perspective on all of their own internal data, he said. For instance, he noted IVANS publishes a monthly index report so agents and in fact, carriers and underwriters can understand on a year-over-year basis whether commercial lines of business are increasing or decreasing. These tools provide agencies with a level set beyond their own agency data. Employee Performance and Health Some agencies use data analytics to measure employee performance and health. Peterson knows of agencies looking at producers to see how theyre performing on a time series or month-over-month or looking at where the business is coming from. Sales is not the only area where analytics can help. Agency managers can look at analytics for evaluating servicing performance as well. Bottlenecks in servicing are one of the first issues worth identifying. Do I have retention issues around areas where my staff is spending too much time and might be overloaded? Peterson said. Or do I have particular clients that are extremely demanding and I need to balance out the service load based on those clients? Agency managers can take that information directly from their agency management system and quickly interact with the data to resolve those issues, he said. Nivers firm, ReSource Pro, offers a data analytics tool for agencies that helps with policy checking, which is a common and necessary practice in all agencies. We are measuring the errors we find in the policies, and agencies can use that data for a number of things, but a main purpose is mitigating where the errors coming from and how to stop that, he said. Niver says agencies use that data as a performance management tool for employees. The data analysis allows agencies to review where the error came from and by what employee or employees in the business process. That discovery allows managers to ask the questions: Are there people who need better training? Are there opportunities to improve the process? Every time you touch an error, thats cost, Niver said. Another area where data is improving employee performance is in basic staffing ratios, he said. The common refrain in any agency is, Wow, I need another account manager, or I need more staff,' Niver said. But that may not always be the solution to a workload concern. ReSource Pro helped one client create a model to predict staffing and whether the firm needs a new person. The model helps agencies in what Niver says is capacity planning to better understand if an agency department is productive and track data to a benchmark on what their performance level should be within their team. That ties into capacity, but it also ties into performance metrics, he said. Beyond Agency System Data Agency management systems are an important source of data, but not the only source. Some agencies are moving beyond data in agency management systems to measure employee performance and well-being. When I came to this company about six years ago, this organization did not have any type of platform for recruitment or for gathering any kind of data. It was all done pretty much with Excel spreadsheets and so on, Marty Guastella, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Oswald Companies based in Cleveland, Ohio, told Insurance Journal. Guastella began creating a plan that included fully implementing a human resources information system that would lead to tracking and analysis data for employees goals, achievements and well-being. The firm is now in its fourth year of using the system. As the years progress and more data is entered, the agency believes it will become an even better performance management tool. Its based on a completely different approach where the individual candidate identifies goals of achievement and then tracks their progress against that target over a 12-month period, Guastella said. So we can evaluate, for example, that 95 percent of our employees at month six or month seven have achieved 50 percent of their goals. So, maybe the goal takes all year to get done, but theyre at 50 percent. ReSource Pros Niver stressed it all begins at the top. Guastella said thats how it is at Oswald. The executive leadership team will say: This is what we think as a company we need to achieve this year in total goals. We need to grow by X percent, or X million. We need to improve communication by X percent whatever it is, soft and hard data, Guastella said. Then we communicate those goals to the next layer in management. That next layer manager sets goals and communicates for their division down to their next level manager, who eventually sets goals and communicates it all the way down to their employees, Guastella explained. All managers and employees set professional objectives and weigh them to determine a percentage to goal, he said. So, the idea is that the manager becomes sort of a conductor of the orchestra, while each person plays their instrument to the best of their own abilities because they set their own objectives, he said. Executive leadership can then run reports to reveal how many goals have been set, what percentage have completed their goals, and what percentage are behind in their goals. Its a very employee-driven performance system as opposed to the typical rate this person on a scale of one to 10,' he said. Guastella says the human resources information system is also used to track and analyze wellness data that could have a bad effect on employee performance. For example, if we can look at the entire prescription [drug] usage [of employees], we can find out that 10 percent of the population are using medication for stress, he said. Well, if thats the case and Im just hypothetically [speaking] then I might provide for the course of a month or two chair massages for employees. Guastella and managers would do the same for an employee performance metric. We use the analytics to say, OK, were at mid-year. What percentage of our population has completed their goals and what percentage is behind and why?' he said, adding that doesnt mean you throw the baby out with the bath water. Often, there are good reasons employees may not be meeting their goals. Im a very, very strong believer in sitting down and talking to the individual people involved and determining those reasons, he said. The same consideration is taken even when employees meet their goals too easily. Perhaps they took on goals that were too low, he explained. Despite its useful place, performance management tools like this are not the sole answer, Guastella admits. Theres definitely a place for it, like any other tool but its not the end all, he said. Workflow and Process Agencies are turning to data analytics to help manage automated workflows and business processes, according to Steven Finch, vice president of strategic solutions at Vertafore. While agency managers have been dealing with automated workflow and business for years, there is a new emphasis now. First, it was the initial race to paperless, and then it was more electronic communication with carriers as well as different ways policy owners expect to interact with their carriers, he noted. Now, everybody has really started to address it because there hasnt been much change in agency workflow over the last 20 years. Finch sees agencies starting to change. Typically, agencies used the agency management system to manage data measuring how many transactions or client interactions occurred. Go create an activity that subsequently we can report on and manage based on that information. So, agencies created work flows like that, Finch said. Today, agencies are using modern visualization tools now available from Vertafore and others to readdress traditional work flows. Vertafores recently released tool, Business Process Analytics, allows users to visualize agency workflow trends to reduce task cycle items and free up workflow capacity. It takes all of the data, all of the work thats moving through the organization as part of the automated workflow, and extracts that [data] and visualizes those trends for agencies dynamically, Finch said. The visuals are dynamic views delivered on a dashboard showing users where they either have a bottleneck or capacity for added workload. The tool accounts for seasonality of workload as well, such as renewal season or a regionally busy time of year. Agencies can identify when and why they might need to make a decision on workload long before an issue arises, he said. Agencies should be aware of these new data analytic tools and be looking for vertical solutions in the marketplace, he said. They need to move beyond just reporting and start to discover and explore their own data using these tools, Finch believes. The basic premise behind changes to agency workflow and business process is efficiency. The number one aspiration is always to have licensed employees doing customer-facing activities. We dont want them to be doing processing tasks, for example, Fitch said. We dont want them to do cancellations. We dont want them to do policy checking and things like that. Changes to workflow and processes will help agencies find bottlenecks and remove reasons for work not getting to the right person, he explained. It gives you the information that you can act on, he said. While revenue per employees is a very important measurement, and tracking it is important, it doesnt tell you why or how you can raise or lower that number, Fitch said. Analytics provides you with the why and how to raise that number, which is still a very important measurement, but just the definition of that value doesnt really do anything for you. Wells is editor-in-chief of Insurance Journal Magazine. This article was originally published in the July 16, 2018 issue of Insurance Journal Magazine. Topics Agencies Tech Data Driven Human Resources Hospital staff and physicians who are willing to explain, apologize for and resolve adverse medical events significantly reduce legal defense and liability costs, according to a study led by Dr. Florence R. LeCraw, an Atlanta anesthesiologist and adjunct professor at Georgia State University. The study, published this year in the Journal of Patient Safety and Risk Management, found that a program at Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga, Tenn. led to a 66 percent reduction in legal claims filed, a 51 percent reduction in defense costs and a 53 percent reduction in the time required to close cases. No medical error occurred in 65 percent of the adverse events reported. The study using Erlangers Communication and Resolution Program (CRP), initiated in January 2009, examined 12 years of data (2004-2015) at Erlanger, a five-hospital system that treats 600,000 patients annually. Doctors at Erlanger are not employed by the hospital, and they purchase their own professional liability insurance. LeCraw and economist Thomas Mroz of Georgia States Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, health economist Daniel Montanera from the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, and medical and risk management experts from the Erlanger Health System participated in the research. When medical errors were explained to the patients and their families following the protocol established by Erlangers CRP, 43 percent were resolved by apology alone, even though 60 percent of those patients had legal representation, according to Dr. LeCraw. The studys findings led John Antalis, M.D., leader of the Medical Association of Georgia, to submit a resolution to the American Medical Association to endorse the communication and resolution program as a viable malpractice resolution practice. The study also was cited when the American Medical Associations House of Delegates voted to adopt a resolution supporting CRP at its November 2017 meeting. The AMA vote and the results from our study add further confirmation that apologizing to patients for bad outcomes from medical error through CRP isnt just the right and honorable thing for physicians to do, it greatly reduces legal costs, stress and the needless, costly practice of defensive medicine by physicians, Dr. LeCraw said. This protocol, in contrast to the deny and defend legal approach to medical error, accelerates the process of improving the quality of healthcare delivery by empowering everyone to communicate openly and transparently about what went wrong and to focus quickly on how such episodes can be prevented in the future. Topics Claims Georgia Medical Professional Liability A new task force created to investigate the high cost of auto insurance in Louisiana held its first meeting on Aug. 21, the Louisiana Department of Insurance reports. The Louisiana High Auto Rates Task Force was formed by Insurance Commissioner James Donelon to look into high auto insurance rates in the State of Louisiana and make recommendations to the legislature for actions to lower rates. The 2018 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature passed a House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 47) and Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 55) urging and requesting the Louisiana Department of Insurance to assemble a task force to address the high cost of auto insurance during the 2018 Regular Session. High auto insurance rates have plagued Louisiana families for years, and while weve come up with some band-aids, we havent seen any silver bullet solutions, Donelon said in a departmental release. Im hopeful that recommendations made by this task force will be successful where previous efforts have failed. Commissioner Donelon has appointed industry and community leaders to serve as members of the task force including Representative Kirk Talbot, chairman; Senator John Smith, vice chairman; Senator Wesley Bishop; Rich Piazza, Louisiana Department of Insurance and representatives from each of the following: Property Casualty Insurers Association of America; American Insurance Association; National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies; Professional Insurance Agents of Louisiana; Louisiana Association of Justices; and Louisiana Motor Transport Association Inc. Source: Louisiana Department of Insurance Topics Auto Louisiana Sam Siddons and Craig Morelos have joined the property/casualty practice at EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants as principals, reporting to EPIC Managing Principal and Southwest Region Director KJ Wagner. Siddons will be responsible for new business development, the design, placement and management of property/casualty insurance programs; and providing risk management strategies and solutions for mid-market and large clients across a range of industries. His primary area of focus is in construction and commercial real estate. Siddons joins EPIC from USI Insurance Services in Austin, Texas, where he was a sales executive. Previously, Siddons held positions with Frank Siddons Insurance Agency in Austin. Morelos will be responsible for new business development, the design, placement and management of property/casualty and workers compensation insurance programs; and providing risk management strategies and solutions for mid-market and large clients across a range of industries. Morelos joins EPIC from USI Insurance Services in Austin, where he was vice president, Property & Casualty. Previously, Morelos also held positions with Dean & Draper Insurance Agency. Source: EPIC Topics Agencies Property Casualty What Is SEC Form BD? SEC Form BD is the form that needs to be completed and submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in order to apply for registration as a broker-dealer in the United States. The form must also be updated via amendments any time that there are changes to the information on file. Key Takeaways Any prospective broker-dealer must file SEC Form BD with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to register as a broker-dealer. SEC Form BD is known as the Uniform Application for Broker-Dealer Registration. Various information in the form needs to be included, such as management policies, names of executives, past securities violations, account holdings, and any legal proceedings. Broker-dealers must file SEC Form BD when registering with the SEC, self-regulatory organizations (SROs), and any jurisdiction. SEC Form BD is filed through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's (FINRA's) Central Registration Depository (CRD) system. Form BD is one of six different Uniform Registration Forms; the others being Form U4, Form U5, Form BDW, Form BR, and Form U6. Understanding SEC Form BD Boker-dealers are in the business of buying and selling financial securities for their own accounts as well as for customers. Before being able to transact in any financial aspect, broker-dealers must register with the appropriate authorities and file the correct paperwork. SEC Form BD (the "Uniform Application for Broker-Dealer Registration") requires that the applying company disclose background information, including management policies that direct the firm, the names of executives and general partners, successor information, and any current legal proceedings or previous securities violations. The provisions that require all securities brokers to be registered with the SEC are covered under Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. SEC Form BD is used by broker-dealers to register with the SEC, Self-Regulatory Organizations (SRO), and any jurisdiction. Broker-Dealers must file Form BD through the Central Registration Depository (CRD) system, operated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Filing SEC Form BD Form BD is one of six different Uniform Registration Forms that are used to file information electronically with FINRAs Web CRD. When the applicant is filing with the CRD for the first time, a full paper Form BD is required. In addition, some jurisdictions may require a separate paper filing of Form BD. The applicant should contact the appropriate jurisdiction(s) for specific filing requirements. The other Uniform Registration Forms are as follows: Form U4: This form is used by representatives of broker-dealers and investment advisers for registration. This form is used by representatives of broker-dealers and investment advisers for registration. Form U5: This form is used by broker-dealers and investment advisers to end a representative's registration. This form is used by broker-dealers and investment advisers to end a representative's registration. Form BDW: This form is used by broker-dealers that wish to terminate their registration as a broker-dealer. This form is used by broker-dealers that wish to terminate their registration as a broker-dealer. Form BR: This form is used to register or close branch offices of broker-dealers. This form is used to register or close branch offices of broker-dealers. Form U6: This form is used to report disciplinary action against broker-dealers. Web CRD is the central licensing and registration system used by the U.S. securities industry and its regulators. The CRD contains the registration records of broker-dealer firms and their associated individuals including their qualifications, employment, and disclosure histories. It also facilitates the processing of form filings, fingerprint submissions, qualification exams, and continuing education sessions. Web CRD is a secure system that only firms and regulators that have been granted access by FINRA can use. Whenever a broker-dealer has any information on a previously filed form that changes, then they have to file a new Form BD indicating these changes. Required Information in SEC Form BD Information that needs to be answered in the form includes the type of organization filing (corporation, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), etc.), the month the fiscal year ends, any arrangements with other individuals or entities related to recordkeeping, the type of registration (such as if the broker-dealer will only trade government securities), or the holding of accounts or funds. The applying entity must also check off all of the types of business it intends to do and the types of financial securities it plans on doing business in. These are just a few of the areas SEC Form BD touches upon. It is in general a comprehensive form covering a significant amount of detail. Janice Kew Steinhoff International has suspended former chief financial officer Ben La Grange and ex-director Stehan Grobler in the first action taken against executives by the company as part of an ongoing investigation into the retailer groups finances following an accounting scandal. South Africa-based Steinhoff owns multiple retail businesses in the US and Europe and is best known in Ireland as the owner of the Dealz and Poundland discount stores. While Mr La Grange and Mr Grobler stepped down from their roles earlier this year, they remained on consultancy deals, Steinhoff said. The company appointed auditors at PwC to probe its accounts after the uncovering of irregularities triggered a share-price collapse late last year. Mr La Grange worked under Steinhoff ex-chief executive Markus Jooste, who quit when the scandal erupted. Mr La Grange could be legally ordered to appear before a South African parliamentary committee after declining to attend a scheduled hearing next week. The severity of Steinhoffs accounting crisis and subsequent impact on public-sector pension funds requires Mr La Grange to be held to account, the finance committee said in a statement. He had remained as an employee at the owner of Conforama in France and Mattress Firm in the US to help repair the companys finances. Mr La Grange wont attend next weeks hearing as his lawyer is unavailable, the committee said. Mr Jooste has also repeatedly refused to appear, with his lawyer saying he is no longer a Steinhoff employee. The politicians are looking into the viability of a subpoena for the ex-CEO. Bloomberg and Irish Examiner People planning to use illegal drugs at this years Electric Picnic festival are being advised to take a tester dose first and not to mix substances. The Ana Liffey Drug Project is running a harm- reduction service at the three-day festival, which will be attended by 55,000 people. For the second year, volunteers will provide information and materials on illegal drugs and alcohol, as well as one-to-one advice and referral to other services. Ana Liffey CEO Tony Duffin said that the charity neither promotes nor denounces substance use, but rather responds to problems associated with it. Obviously, it is not safe to drink alcohol to excess; and it is certainly true that it is safer not to take illicit or unknown drugs at all, he said. However, we are aware that some people attending music festivals do drink excessively and take drugs; and everyone needs to work together to reduce the potential for harm. Hi all, I had a great morning, with @dawntruss & @tinanyc87, training just some of the people volunteering with @AnaLiffey for #ElectricPicnic All Retweets are gratefully received & help raise awareness of our work to keep people who use drugs #SaferFromHarm. Cheers, Tony pic.twitter.com/PyP4Jcgw9R Tony Duffin (@tonyduffin) August 18, 2018 Mr Duffin said it is important that people can access accurate and non-judgemental information at Electric Picnic, which is on the weekend of August 31 to September 2. He said that many people who intend to take illicit or unknown drugs at music festivals plan their weekend consumption in advance. Their harm-reduction advice includes: Do not purchase from a supplier you do not know; Do not use drugs alone; and stay with your friends and do not leave anybody intoxicated on their own; Start with a tester dose but, remember, nobody can advise you on what is a safe dose of illicit or unknown drugs; Take breaks, get enough sleep, eat well, and rehydrate; Dont mix your drugs and remember that alcohol and drugs can mix to cause overdose or other adverse effects Mr Duffin said gardai have publicly warned those attending festivals that there will be no tolerance of drugs. This refers to an interview given by the gardais leading drug officer to the Irish Examiner earlier this month. Detective Sergeant Brian Roberts of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau said people are more blind now than ever before in terms of the dangers posed by what they are taking. This is due to a double risk of drugs either containing very high, and dangerous, purity levels or containing completely unknown, and toxic, substances. Mr Duffin said there are no drug-free music festivals and commended Electric Picnic for hosting the project. He said policing alone will not work and a public health approach is also needed. He said 71 people presented to their tent last year, 51 of whom were male. All were aged in their late teens or early 20s. Substances ingested included alcohol, cannabis, MDMA, LSD, GHB, ketamine, and methamphetamine. Whether it is a weekend temptation or a mid-week emergency dinner, fast food has been the convenient choice for most South Africans, with the industry enjoying robust growth over the past 10 years. Source: Statista Graphics by Insight Survey What are the key factors that are driving the growth of the local and global markets? What are the local and global industry challenges currently restraining market growth? What are the latest South African fast food and street food trends (food trucks, on-demand mobile ordering)? How did fast food companies perform in 2017/18, what is the strategic focus and expansion plans? How is each of the fast food competitors positioned in the market? What are the latest marketing and advertising news for each of the fast food competitors? What is the pricing and recent promotions by category: Burgers, Chicken, Pizza, Pies What is the local consumption and purchasing trends in the fast food industry However, for the first time in many years, the income from fast food and take-away outlets have declined substantially during the first half of 2018, putting significant stress on the fast food industry. The saviour for the industry may potentially be the continued development of online food delivery services that have simplified access, and in the process, assisted in sustaining an industry that is experiencing increasing pressure.latestuncovers the global and local fast food markets based on the latest information and research. It describes the market drivers and restraints as well as the relevant global and local market trends to present an objective insight into the South African fast food industry environment, market dynamics and its future.The global fast food market was valued at US$651bn in 2017 and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% between 2018 and 2022. As illustrated in the graph below, certain key brands continue to dominate. In terms of brand value, McDonalds is the largest global fast food brand in 2018 valued at US$126bn, followed by Starbucks and Subway valued at US$44.5bn and US$18.8bn, respectively.Technological innovation will be one of the key drivers of growth for the fast food industry in the future. In South Africa, it has become particularly important for fast food franchises to ensure they have effective systems in place that enable consumers to order and buy online.A rapidly growing number of consumers are opting for the convenience of online delivery services when purchasing fast food. Currently, Mr D Food and UberEats are South Africas top two online ordering platforms. Mr D Food, which is owned by multinational Naspers, has a network of over 1,400 restaurants and delivers to over 1,900 suburbs in South Africa, whilehas a network of approximately 1,200 restaurants in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, Durban, and Pretoria., the CEO of Mr D Food, says that the companys success has been strongly related to its ability to transform from a phone ordering business to an online ordering service. The transition has been particularly successful as themobile app has been downloaded over one million times and over R500m in orders were processed through the app in the last year. Mr D Foods also claims to have 270,000 active users per month and 2.6 deliveries per customer per month., which operates in 100 cities in 27 countries, is another influential player in online food delivery services in South Africa. In, the food delivery app stated that it had surpassed over 550,000 downloads in South Africa and is getting over 10,000 additional downloads every week. UberEats also introduced restaurant ratings, which allows consumers to see how users in their city have rated a specific restaurant.Despite the significant growth of online delivery in South Africa over the last few years, there is still the potential for more growth in the future., Naspers Ventures CEO, says that food delivery in South Africa is still under-penetrated and will continue to show rapid growth in the future.The(137 pages) provides a dynamic synthesis of industry research, examining the local and global fast food industry from a uniquely holistic perspective, with detailed insights into the entire value chain from analysing competitors to discussing retailing, pricing and purchasing trends.Please note that the 137-page report is available for purchase for R25,000 (excluding VAT). Alternatively, individual sections can be purchased for R9,000 (excluding VAT). For additional information simply contact us at az.oc.yevrusthgisni@ofni or directly on (021) 045-0202.For a full brochure please go to: South African Fast Food Landscape Report 2018 Insight Survey is a South African B2B market research company with more than 10 years of heritage, focusing on business-to-business (B2B) and industry research to ensure smarter, more-profitable business decisions are made with reduced investment risk.We offer market research solutions to help you to successfully improve or expand your business, enter new markets, launch new products or better understand your internal or external environment.Our bespoke Competitive Business Intelligence Research can help give you the edge in a global marketplace, empowering your business to overcome industry challenges quickly and effectively, and enabling you to realise your potential and achieve your vision.From strategic overviews of your businesss competitive environment through to specific competitor profiles, our customised Competitive Intelligence Research is designed to meet your unique needs.For more information, go to www.insightsurvey.co.za Amid the sea of statistics and targets in the Garda Siochanas annual report for last year, there is an issue of public interest that has not previously received much if any publicity. There were 61 volatile situations, described as hostage, barricade and suicide incidents, that gardai were called to deal with in 2017. Many people will recall the tragedy of Abbeylara, Co Longford, and the death of John Carthy in April 2000, and the necessity of a professional, structured and trained response to such incidents. The report said all 61 incidents last year were resolved successfully. This is a result worth highlighting given the prospect of a different outcome. The report said those gardai involved were from the little-known National Negotiation Unit and the organisations specialist firearms intervention squads, the regional Armed Support Units and the elite Emergency Response Unit. The 61 incidents involved the threat of harm to another person, whether by being kept hostage or barricaded into a home by an individual, or the threat that the individual was threatening to harm him or herself. The report said the situations were resolved either through the work of National Negotiation Unit negotiators or intervention by Armed Support Units or Emergency Response Unit. There is no doubt that such negotiation and intervention helped to prevent loss of life in some instances, it said. The report said it has seen a rise in such situations in recent years. The National Negotiation Unit has noticed an increase in such incidents and they are continuing to liaise with mental health professionals at Dundrum Central Mental Hospital in an effort to identify any patterns emerging, it said. The National Negotiation Unit, as well as the Armed Support Units and Emergency Response Unit, comes under the remit of a recently established Special Tactics and Operations Command, part of the Garda Security and Intelligence Section. The report highlights the scale of activity involving the Armed Support Units and Emergency Response Unit. In Dublin alone, there were 383 requests to have the Armed Support Units available to divisions, including 295 situations over armed backup in searches and arrests. There were 63 cases where the Armed Support Units was needed for large-scale public events, escorting a high-risk suspect to court, where a suspect was released from prison or to deal with organised crime activity. Reflecting the level of Garda operations targeting the Kinahan-Hutch feud, the Armed Support Units took part in 980 Hybrid checkpoints, on average, per month during 2017. The Emergency Response Unit was involved in high-level operations against gangs (and dissidents), including the arrest of four members of an organised crime group about to commit a murder and the arrest of another four members, caught in possession of three firearms, also about to carry out an assassination. Elsewhere, the work of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau in targeting criminal gangs is detailed. This included 26 threats to life operations, in which assassination attempts were thwarted, resulting in seven people being charged with conspiracy to murder in three cases. A total of 29 firearms and 1,900 rounds of ammunition were recovered. In addition, nearly 3.5m in cash was confiscated and 75.6m worth of drugs seized. Though the report doesnt give the number of drug seizures, the valuation compares to 29m worth of drugs seized in 2016. Last years rise was driven by hauls of cannabis herb, jumping from 480kg (worth 9.6m) in 2016 to 2.6 tonnes (53m) in 2017. Seizures of cocaine fell (91kg to 52kg), as did heroin (38kg to 18kg). Information was less detailed on the Special Detective Unit in relation to combating terrorism, though the report did say the Counter Terrorism Domestic Investigation Unit recovered AK47 assault rifles and rockets as well as explosives. The Special Detective Unit arrested people following an investigation into the leadership of the Real IRA and one man (Seamus McGrane) was convicted of directing terrorism. In other areas, the report said the Victim Identification Unit, based in the Online Child Exploitation Unit, identified 35 victims of child sexual exploitation since it was set up in July 2017. It said the Garda National Immigration Bureau conducted 31 arrests under Operation Vantage, targeting sham marriages, and hundreds of immigration permissions were revoked. A further 22 people were detected under Operation Sonnet, targeting illegal immigration. Some 3,900 people were refused entry. The Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit recovered 45 vehicles, worth 1.4m, while the Intellectual Property Crime Unit directed the removal of 194 web pages selling counterfeit goods and foodstuffs. Support units * The Garda Dog Unit (GDU) was involved in 472 searches in 2017, including in missing person cases, drugs, firearms, explosives, and stolen property. On March 25, the GDU with a drugs and firearms detection dog assisted Drogheda gardai with the search of two premises and surrounding areas in the aftermath of shots being fired through the front window of a house. During the course of the search, the dog detected a shell casing used in the shooting as well as a small amount of heroin. The GDU member indicated to the search team an area where a firearm could possibly have been discarded and, as a result, a loaded 9mm handgun was located that had been thrown over the back wall of the premises by a suspect. * The Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) was used in 1,904 incidents in 2017, totalling 1,055 hours. It was involved in the apprehension of 170 suspects, locating 10 missing persons and the recovery of 61 vehicles. This included a dramatic, cross-city tracking of a male armed with a machine gun who hijacked a number of vehicles on October 23. GASU directed ground units and the man was arrested. Barricades * Gardai responded to a call for assistance when a man barricaded himself in his home with a full petrol cannister and stated he was going to burn his house down. The front hall had been doused with petrol and the front door completely barricaded. A Garda negotiator and on-scene commander were summoned and the ERU was placed on stand-by. An emergency action plan was put into action and the rear door was breached and entry gained. The male was detained under the Mental Health Act. * The ASU responded to a call where it was alleged a man had stabbed his wife. They noticed blood on the front door, so a decision was made to breach the door and search the apartment. Two people were found with stab wounds. The woman appeared to be dead for some time, while the male was found with a knife protruding from his chest. ASU gardai performed CPR on the man until paramedics arrived. The report said the decision of the ASU to breach the door in a timely fashion, resulted in the male surviving and being brought before the courts and charged with the murder of his wife. By Sean ORiordan Plans are being drawn up to install interactive touchscreen technology in old telephone boxes to aid tourism businesses on the Beara peninsula. Its expected that the first of these will become operational by next summer in Castletownbere and that the touchscreen service will be then rolled out to other tourist destinations on the peninsula. Castletownbere Development Association (CDA) has received planning permission to erect an old-style P&T phone box in the towns Main St which will house the interactive technology. CDA chairman Cian Murphy said that using technology is a move into the future. Were a young committee and forward-thinking. Weve got a tourist office but its hard to keep it open all the time. We thought this was the type of new approach which was needed, said Mr Murphy. Eir recently decommissioned six phone boxes in the town and the development association purchased two of them primarily to buy the space that was needed to put in an older type phone box which will have the technology installed in it. Eir gave us the two phone boxes for 25 each, which was very decent of them, he said. We dont know what were going to do with them at present. We just wanted the space which is outside St Peters Church. CDA has been in touch with a company in Dublin which manufactures replicas of the older style phone boxes. Were hoping it will be operational for the start of the tourism season next summer, said Mr Murphy. He added that CDA is working with the city and county councils on the interactive technology. We want to develop it to serve tourism on the entire Beara peninsula. We also plan to have a free telephone service with it which will enable tourists to contact hotels and B&Bs to book rooms and for those seeking to book restaurants. It will basically be a one-stop-shop for tourists. Mr Murphy said it is hoped to expand the interactive touchscreen service into other villages on the peninsula and have them all hooked up to each other. This is the future. Were trying to be unique, he said. Meanwhile, the development association is waiting on an architect/conservationist report on the former St Peters Church, which it purchased last Christmas. CDA approached the Church of Ireland authorities to buy the building and the adjoining half acre of land and was offered the property for 40,000. An anonymous donor paid the full 40,000 into our account, which was great, said Mr Murphy. CDA plans to turn the building into a community centre. Were one of the few towns in Ireland which doesnt have a community centre and got Leader funding for a report which will tell us what we will be able do with it, said Mr Murphy. He pointed out that the church building wasnt used for more than 10 years and because of this and its age it was important to get expert guidance on how structurally sound it is and what can be done in terms of conserving and developing it. The development of the community centre will be a longer-term project for us, said Mr Murphy. He added that he expects the expert report to be delivered to CDA members shortly. A brave boy battling cancer said he had the best birthday ever as thousands of cards and parcels from well-wishers all over the world were delivered to his home. Fionn Doyle, who turned seven, said it was really cool to see so many cards and presents delivered under armed garda and fire brigade escort to his home in Kildorrery, in north Cork. Ill open maybe a good few of them today but Ill leave the rest of them for my next birthday, he said. Fionn has been battling leukaemia for more than five years. But his parents Eimear and Jack were told in May that their little boy's illness is terminal. Ahead of his birthday, Eimear issued a simple appeal on social media, inviting people to send Fionn a birthday card. She said she expected a few people to respond. But her message resonated around the world. Local postman David Nolan got a garda and fire brigade escort to the Doyle house yesterday, and needed a small army of helpers to deliver dozens of bags of cards, parcels and boxes, which arrived from all over Ireland, Europe and America. Eimear said the fact that so many people responded to her message will give the family strength in the weeks ahead. Days like today are a good distraction and allow us to focus on the moment, and what we have right here in front of us now, she said. We just felt the love from everybody and the support has given us strength for the times when you hit a wall and think you cant keep going...but to think there are so many people behind us gives us the strength to keep going. Don't miss tomorrow's Irish Examiner for this moving story. Labour leader Brendan Howlin has warned any split in the party will result in its failure, insisting that just changing the leader would not have a substantive impact with voters. Defending his position amid calls from Labour councillors for a debate on the leadership, the Wexford TD again refused to commit to a special meeting with disgruntled members. The party leaders warning came after criticism from Dail colleague Alan Kelly, a likely challenger to Mr Howlin, over an alleged lack of leadership. Tension is building among Labours grassroots and parliamentarians ahead of a pre-Dail meeting in Drogheda on September 16. However, Mr Howlin said that he will not meet councillors in advance of the meeting. Speaking to RTEs Miriam OCallaghan yesterday, Mr Howlin said everybody is entitled to an opinion and reiterated that his leadership style is open and collective. Nonetheless, demands from more than a dozen Labour councillors for a special meeting with him on the leadership issue would not be met as it is summer and people are away, he said. I have to set out my stall vigorously and clearly and I will do that, said Mr Howlin. He denied that the party had disengaged from the membership and instead said he is trying to rebuild it and reconnect with the trade union movement. I knew that people were disillusioned by the party after the last election and I was under no illusion that it was going to be a simple switch. It is the wrong analysis to say that switching the name on the Labour leaders door is going to have that impact, he said, regarding recent bad polls. Asked if Mr Kelly would be a more pragmatic leader, Mr Howlin said: Im not the only voice of the Labour Party. Alan, Jan [OSullivan], Willie [Penrose], Brendan [Ryan], Sean [Sherlock] they are all voices of the Labour Party. There are people who want him to be leader; there are people who wanted him to be leader from day one. However, there was also a clear warning about the possibility of the party splitting over the leadership issue. Already, a group of councillors are privately supporting Mr Kelly while most of the TDs and senators support Mr Howlin remaining, for the moment. Mr Howlin warned: I want a common approach from everybody. If we divide, if it is a matter of X over Y, we will fail. We have to succeed by working together for the values that we stand for, that are relevant now. He also defended his performance in the Dail. Personality politics is now dominating, he admitted, but this does not solve real issues for Irish people. Following criticism from Mr Kelly about an absence of leadership on economic issues, Mr Howlin said it was his strength after spending five years as a minister in public expenditure. Further, he also reiterated a belief that Labour could double its Dail seats to 14 after the next general election. The Union of Students of Ireland (USI) has warned those seeking accommodation for the new academic year to be wary of scams. National housing charity Threshold, the USI and Daft.ie launched the Scamwatch campaign as the offer of CAO places this week triggers the annual rush for accommodation in towns and cities. Threshold said students were a particularly vulnerable group and the USI said that those coming from overseas to study here were most at risk, sometimes putting down money on properties that turn out to be fake. USI president Siona Cahill said students already faced mounting difficulties in securing tenancies given the current housing crisis. We are seeing more cases [of scams] and people are talking about it more, she said. We have some simple advice for anyone seeking rental accommodation. Great Price + Great Pictures = Too Good to be True! Remember it's your money, so if you get a bad feeling, walk away. @TheUSI @daftmedia Find out more at https://t.co/9xN91lihIi pic.twitter.com/6pclgT1B3p Threshold (@ThresholdIRE) August 21, 2018 Students were urged o be aware of offers that appear too good to be true, and to conduct more research by checking rental rates for similar properties in the area, using Google Maps to verify that the property exists, and checking the Register of Landlords on the Residential Tenancies Board website. Those behind the campaign also said students should never agree to rent a property without having properly viewed it and making sure they are happy with the terms and conditions of the letting. Threshold chief executive, John-Mark McCafferty, said: We strongly advise people to be cautious of a landlord who claims to be out of the country and cant show you the property and requests a deposit. Students were also advised to avoid paying in cash, to always get a proper receipt and to never transfer funds via Western Union, Moneybookers or other Electronic Fund Transfer services to someone claiming to be an agent or landlord of a prospective property without verifying their bona fides. They should also ensure the keys work and that they have proper contact details for the landlord or agent. Ms Cahill said there was a difference between scams and bad tenancies, and referred to cases that have come to USI attention in recent times, such as outlandish rents outside of Dublin, and changes or alterations to properties while students were away, including adding more beds or adding more rooms. She also said some students were responding to difficulties in securing properties by turning down valid CAO offers so as to live closer to home, while other students faced travelling unholy distances, with more people in third level having longer commutes to college, often alongside working part-time. At least four county councillors are expected to formally back businessman Sean Gallaghers presidential bid in the coming days as speculation continues to grow that the 2011 election runner-up is set to enter the race. Informed sources said the councillors in different parts of the country will row in behind Mr Gallaghers potential Aras bid this week in order to convince other local politicians crucial to his candidacy to support the businessman. Speaking as Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice confirmed he has asked all Independent TDs and senators to determine by September 5 whether they want to decide as a group on whether to back individual candidates, sources said Mr Gallagher is in regular contact with a coalition of councillors nationwide. While no councillor has publicly said they will support the former Dragons Den panelist, it is understood at least four local politicians are likely to individually confirm their support for Mr Gallagher this week. The move, his supporters believe, could lead to a surge in popularity in key councils which may prove crucial in obtaining the backing of four local authorities needed to become an official candidate. The development emerged as Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway Michael Fitzmaurice said he has asked all 40 Independent TDs and senators to decide by September 5 if they want to choose which candidates to back as a group. Mr Fitzmaurice told the Irish Examiner last night this was because he wants to give all candidates an opportunity to enter the contest if they so wish and that no one should be blocked from seeking the presidency. If successful, it is likely Independent TDs and senators the support of 20 of whom guarantees a person becomes an official candidate will hold a question and answer meeting with all potential candidates early next month. Meanwhile, it is understood Fianna Fail TD Eamon O Cuiv has privately told senior party officials he does not want to run for the presidency, despite intense speculation over a potential bid sparked by a letter from close colleague, Galway councillor Ollie Crowe, to other councillors last month. Businessman Gavin Duffy, Independent senator Joan Freeman, artist Kevin Sharkey and retired Aer Lingus worker Patrick Feeney are continuing to privately meet with councillors. Separately, the newest potential candidate, journalist Gemma O Doherty, told Cork 96FM yesterday that some of her controversial tweets were interfered with before being retweeted. By Niall Murray, Education Correspondent The sudden resignation of Higher Education Authority (HEA) chief executive Graham Love has prompted questions about the relationship between the funding body and the Department of Education. Although there have also been internal tensions with his board, Mr Loves resignation is understood to be mainly due to frustration with the tight control of the department over the HEA and its work. The unexpected announcement comes just over 18 months after the scientist took up the role, and prompted a call for him to be invited to outline the reasons to the Oireachtas education committee. That call from Fianna Fail education spokesman Thomas Byrne was followed by Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane seeking a meeting of the Dail Public Accounts Committee (PAC) next month with HEA chairman Michael Horgan to explain the circumstances. Mr Love did not comment beyond a formal statement posted at lunchtime on the HEA website. In my brief tenure, I have endeavoured to make strategic development a core element of HEA activities, he said. I wish the organisation every success in the future. However, one authority source said there are clear tensions with the department about the HEAs role. Another said these problems have been apparent for a long time, with particular strains about how much legal power it really has around governance of third-level colleges. One person who spoke to the Irish Examiner said there is a feeling of the HEA being used a buffer between the department and controversies at colleges over spending and management issues, but the resources are not being provided to undertake this work. The Department of Education yesterday thanked Mr Love for his contribution to the HEA and the third-level sector, and referred to some of the significant reforms he has been overseeing. A performance delivery agreement and workplan are developed annually between the department and HEA to establish the key targets for the higher education sector, a spokesperson said. In its report last year on a number of spending and governance issues in the sector, the PAC recommended more resources and powers were needed by the HEA if its oversight role is to be carried out effectively. Mr Love and other HEA officials had told TDs at committee hearings that they do not have the legal authority to perform some of the functions they were suggesting the agency should carry out. At a HEA board meeting in March, Mr Love raised relations between staff and board members, prompting a long debate with particular focus on board involvement on different issues. He had raised the issue of trust and mutual understanding between various stakeholders, but especially between the board and HEA staff. In the statement on the HEA website, Mr Horgan said that Mr Love had contributed significantly to the higher education systems development and we in the HEA are sand disappointed that he is leaving. Mr Love is expected to formally leave the position in October, but Mr Horgan said the board will begin work soon to find a permanent replacement. #Newsmaker: Clive McMurray recognised for outstanding event management Earlier this month, FCB Durban MD Clive McMurray was awarded the Outstanding Event Management Award at the GLS Excellence Awards in Chicago, where he was recognised for his exceptional organisation of the annual Global Leadership Summit (GLS) at Kloof Harvest Church since 2012. This award is all about Kloof Harvest Church, the amazing leaders that I have had the privilege to work with and, indeed, the incredible volunteers that give up their time and talent to serve our guests seamlessly and with excellence. McMurray The Summit teaches best practices in leadership while integrating Christian values for principle-based decision-making. Established in Willow Creek, Chicago in 1994, the GLS has expanded into 130 countries, including South Africa since 2005. The Summit is staged and filmed in Chicago in August every year and broadcast to various venues the following months. McMurray was nominated for his detail-oriented approach, support of volunteer recruitment and effective communications skills. He is the best event manager I am privileged to work with, said Janine Couchman, event director of the Willow Creek Association South Africa, in her motivation for McMurray. He is a strong team-builder and has built great teams for the various areas of operation in the GLS. Clive models God-honouring excellence to his team and the volunteers, and firmly believes that effective teams are critical in making the GLS in particular and organisations in general successful. Here, he shares some of the most noteworthy lessons hes learnt in leadership at GLS over the years and how these have equipped him to better perform his role in heading up an advertising agency and in other areas of leadership In the release, you mentioned that this country, organisations and, indeed, people are in desperate need of leadership that adds value and delivers a better future for all. Elaborate on why you believe there is demand for an event such as this in the South African context? In the release, you mentioned that this country, organisations and, indeed, people are in desperate need of leadership that adds value and delivers a better future for all. Elaborate on why you believe there is demand for an event such as this in the South African context? The Summit teaches best practices in leadership while integrating Christian values for principle-based decision-making. Established in Willow Creek, Chicago in 1994, the GLS has expanded into 130 countries, including South Africa since 2005. The Summit is staged and filmed in Chicago in August every year and broadcast to various venues the following months.McMurray was nominated for his detail-oriented approach, support of volunteer recruitment and effective communications skills. He is the best event manager I am privileged to work with, said Janine Couchman, event director of the Willow Creek Association South Africa, in her motivation for McMurray. He is a strong team-builder and has built great teams for the various areas of operation in the GLS. Clive models God-honouring excellence to his team and the volunteers, and firmly believes that effective teams are critical in making the GLS in particular and organisations in general successful.Here, he shares some of the most noteworthy lessons hes learnt in leadership at GLS over the years and how these have equipped him to better perform his role in heading up an advertising agency and in other areas of leadership Leadership in this country and worldwide is invariably seen as a position. The leadership that is taught at the GLS is all about serving people in ones organisation. Its all about influence and indeed the character behind that influence. Its all about adding value to people's lives, rallying them to a better future. Thats what our country and our people need. We need to move leadership from being a noun to being a verb! Its a doing thing! Who should attend and why is it important that they do? Who should attend and why is it important that they do? What are some of the most noteworthy lessons youve learnt in leadership at GLS over the years? What are some of the most noteworthy lessons youve learnt in leadership at GLS over the years? How has GLS equipped you to better perform your role as MD of FCB Durban and in other areas of leadership? How has GLS equipped you to better perform your role as MD of FCB Durban and in other areas of leadership? What are you most looking forward to regarding this years Summit and going forward? What are you most looking forward to regarding this years Summit and going forward? What is your hope or vision for leadership in South Africa? What is your hope or vision for leadership in South Africa? 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 As more and more people get to know about the GLS and the quality content around the kind of leadership that is being presented, so the demand to attend has grown.Anyone who is serious about growing and learning from some of the best leaders in the world. You are guaranteed to learn stuff you've never encountered before and you will leave the Summit better than when you arrived, provided you are prepared to humble yourself to take on the content and action it within your sphere of influence.A leaders key role is to create a working environment that allows people to express their talents and grow. Key to this (to quote Jim Collins) is to get the right people on the bus and to put them into the right seats. Another key thing, make the ride a lot of fun!The first thing is to know that FCB Durban is not about me; its about the incredible people that work here; its about creating a safe, working environment where people can express themselves, grow and develop their God-given talents while having fun at the same time.As a team, we also understand that we come to work, not to work but to be excellent at our profession, and that is to help our clients grow their businesses/brands. Again, it is not about us; it's about our clients!To continue in my journey of learning, growing and serving the people that I have the privilege to lead and engage with. I also want to be a person who is still making notes at 80 years of age!That people come to realise and understand that leadership really matters, and that it benefits everyone if the heart of leadership is all about serving, growing people and indeed being an example for others to follow. By Sean ORiordan The future of a 150-year-old school looks a lot brighter after a number of teachers answered a call for help from islanders living off the southwest coast. People living on Cape Clear recently sent out a nationwide SOS seeking a principal and teacher for the Irish-speaking Scoil Naisiunta Oilean Cleire. There were real fears that they would find it hard to fill the two positions, especially as there is a national shortage of such professionals. In addition, recruiting teachers to national schools on offshore islands is a recurring problem. However, school board of management chairman, Neil O Riagain, has reported that a number of applicants have answered the call. Interviews for the principals position took place on Monday in Skibbereen and interviews for the teacher post will be completed today. Were very happy with the response we got, said Mr O Riagain. We got applications from Connaught, Leinster, and Munster for the positions. He said the applicants are a near even spread between male and female and they vary from recently qualified teachers to highly experienced ones. Mr O Riagain said the appeal carried in the Irish Examiner generated a lot of interest and was followed up by radio stations throughout the country. Islanders also carried out appeals on social media. Islanders were keen to point out that there are a lot of services on Cape Clear, including a shop, pubs, restaurants, a library, and a bus service run under the rural transport scheme. They also pointed out the tremendous community spirit on the island, its natural beauty, and opportunities for bird and whale watching and outdoor pursuits popular such as kayaking and walking. Mr O Riagain said that, in the early 1970s, they were very fortunate to have recruited two gifted young teachers who settled on the island and spent their careers there. However, since they retired it had become harder to recruit teaching staff. Were now very confident that the two teaching roles will be filled when the school opens on August 30, said Mr O Riagain. Its absolutely fantastic. These are permanent teaching positions and we hope to secure the future of the school for a number of years to come. He said the board of management is hoping that 10 children will enrol for the first term of the school year and they will be from senior infants up. Mr O Riagain added that securing the school could make it more attractive for families to settle on the island and provide new blood. Its 150 years since 33 people lost their lives when the Irish Mail, carrying some of Irelands wealthiest people, crashed into runaway trucks filled with paraffin, writes Robert Hume Thirty-three passengers were burned to death when the Irish Mail, one of the fastest and most famous trains of the day, smashed into runaway goods trucks along a lonely stretch of coast in North Wales on August 20, 1868. On board were some of the wealthiest men and women in the country, aristocrats returning to their estates in Ireland via the steamship from Holyhead to Dublin. The Irish Mail had left London Euston at 7.30am and was in the final hour or so of its six-hour journey when the disaster happened. At Llanddulas, near Abergele, two brakemen were fly-shunting trucks on the main line right ahead of the passenger train. Two of these trucks carried barrels of paraffin. Schoolboys George Grundy and Willie Statter, on holiday in north Wales, were having a picnic above the track, watching the Irish Mail climb the hill from Abergele. Suddenly, they glimpsed a short luggage train heading towards the Mail. But a bend in the track obscured the trucks from the express drivers view until the last minute. There was a terrific crash. The locomotive, Prince of Wales, rose up into the air like a horse jumping a fence. For a while it seemed to stand still. Then down it came on top of the trucks, smashing them to pieces and throwing them about like a sea monster spitting out rocks. Burning oil gushed from the trucks and unleashed a column of black smoke, which spiralled up into the hills. As carriage after carriage caught light, George Grundy described a faint whiff of roast dinners in the air. Dozens of labourers from nearby limestone quarries formed a human chain, passing buckets of water from the sea, but it was all to no avail. The fire, wrote a priest from Birmingham, blazed as wildly as the fires of hell. A tangled mass of iron bars and bolts littered the scene; bodies were so horribly charred that identification became almost impossible: Most register entries read simply female/male person unknown. Some bodies had to be pieced together. There were no injured passengers. It was either complete escape, or death. Nothing of this magnitude had ever happened on the railways of Britain and Ireland. Many passengers were identified only by their possessions, placed in wooden fish crates by the line. They provided a poignant reminder of a divided society. Some clearly belonged to a privileged class: A gold watch, a pair of opera glasses, bottles of smelling salts, expensive jewels diamonds, rubies, opals and emeralds sparkling in the sunshine. Beside them lay the possessions of those who served them: A blue hairpin, a crochet needle, an ink bottle. The bodies of rich and poor came to be buried side-by-side in a trench in the churchyard at St Michaels Abergele, with no regard to where they came from or who they were; aristocrats next to their servants. It was totally unprecedented. They included Lord and Lady Farnham; Judge Walter Berwick from the Bankruptcy Court in Dublin, returning from a continental tour; and William Henry Owen, organist at St Bartholomews Church, Dublin. The fates of several passengers had been determined when they boarded the train at Chester. Emerging onto the platform through a connecting archway from the Queen Hotel, their decision to turn right or left was to have huge significance within the next hour. If they turned right and took their seat in one of the rear carriages, they would survive with, at most, a few bruises, but if they turned left to one of the first three carriages behind the locomotive they were destined for a horrific death. By a particularly ironic twist, one of those who died, William B Parkinson, a Blackburn tradesman travelling to the Lakes of Killarney, had bribed the driver of his train to Liverpool to go at full speed so he would be in time to catch the connection with the ill-fated Irish Mail at Chester. Among the survivors were the Duchess of Abercorn, wife of the newly appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and their six children, going to their Tyrone estate. Lord Castlerosse and his family were also spared. The Cork Examiner (August 28, 1868) reported on a service in Kenmare church, offering thanks for their miraculous escape. What caused this tragedy? In the wake of the Manchester Outrages and the Clerkenwell explosion of 1867, many contemporaries immediately suspected sabotage, a terrorist attack. There was talk that the London & North Western Railway was riddled with Fenian signalmen and station workers, determined to kill some of the most influential Anglo-Irish aristocrats in one fell swoop, but the coroner preferred explanations involving human error and negligence. The brakemen should not have been shunting trucks on the main line when an express passenger train was due. Instead of supervising the brakemen, the stationmaster at Llanddulas was eating lunch. The London & North Western Railway had not issued the brakemen with up-to-date books of rules and regulations, nor provided them with watches, so they were unaware the Irish Mail was due. Instead of providing a special train, as the law demanded, the railway company had saved money by transporting barrels of paraffin on an ordinary goods train. The Flint Oil Company claimed carrying paraffin was no more dangerous than carrying Irish whiskey. The London & North Western Railway was found negligent and was ordered to provide 4,000 compensation and pay the funeral expenses. No new measures were introduced as a result of the crash. Existing rules about shunting and carrying paraffin were simply restated. A fateful journey for Farnhams and their staff A statue in Cavan town of Lord Farnham, who was burned to death along with his wife Henry and Anna Maxwell (Lord and Lady Farnham), were returning to Ireland with their four servants, after a holiday at Buxton Spa, Derbyshire. Farnham, 69, who was lame and walked with two sticks, was Conservative MP for Co Cavan, and was affectionately regarded by his tenants. At 11.30am on August 20, they boarded the train at Chester. The station inspector helped them into a first class carriage towards the front of the train, and wished them a pleasant journey. His brother identified Henrys crested gold watch with white face and black Roman numerals: It had stopped at 12.52 and 23 seconds. A scrap of unburned silk dress indicated that another corpse was Lady Farnham. Loose diamonds from her magnificent necklace worth nearly 750,000 in todays money were found scattered along the track. Nearby, a stout body enveloped in crinoline wires was that of her ladyships companion, Elizabeth Strafford. Beside it was found her gold plate for false teeth, a crochet needle and an inkbottle. It was his meerschaum pipe and bible that helped identify valet Edward Outen. Maid, Mary Anne Kellett, and footman, Charles Buckingham, were found clinging to each other, reported the North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser, as if in the moment of the collision they had rushed into each others arms. Journalist Roisin Burke looks at what it means to be psychologically or physically dependent on a substance such as alcohol or drugs and what you can do if you fall foul of addiction. Addiction to drink and drugs is a complex problem that can have a number of contributing factors according to healthcare professionals dealing with substance misuse in Cork. Coordinator of Drug and Alcohol Services for Cork and Kerry, David Lane, who has been working in drug and alcohol treatment for the past 18 years said it is rare to have someone seek help for a single addiction to a particular substance. David Lane It is usually, poly addiction, cross addiction, using more than one substance at a time, but alcohol is often the gateway. It is often the first substance a person will have used and it will be the primary addiction. Mr Lane said within the drug and alcohol services offered by the HSE, they often work with people at the point where their drink and drug use is out of control and they are physically or psychologically dependent on a substance. The drug and alcohol healthcare professional said the HSE offers their service to anyone who may need it. All age groups are treated, from under 18 to people in their 50s and 60s. Speaking about the motivation to get clean, Mr Lane said it can come from varied sources. People come at different times in relation to their addiction. It could be family involvement in encouraging them to get help. Falling into homelessness or ending up in hospitals and other services that exist across the region here, and it is at that point that we pick up people. Mr Lane said the important thing was that people had a genuine desire to improve their lives. Another hugely important thing is people have to be wanting to change and want to recover and have a better quality of life for themselves. Mr Lane stressed that addiction does not discriminate in terms of who falls foul of alcohol or substance abuse. It is not just a problem for the poorer parts of the city. It can happen anyone at any time. People come to us from all walks of life. It doesnt discriminate in terms of social class, gender, age. We see such a massive variety of people coming to us for a selection of problems that they face. Sometimes it is not very straightforward. Some people might be abusing a variety of substances legal and illegal and might have a mental health issue on top of that then again. So we can be dealing with very complex problems at times and it is not easy in terms of resolving the complexities of problems people have in their lives. We do our best, in terms of tackling as many things as we can. Clinical Director of Tabor Lodge Mick Devine said there is a strong connection between mental health and addiction. Mick Devine In a recent report issued by the treatment centre Tabor Lodge, it showed that from a database of 50 clients, 40% reported four or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and over 50% showed a diagnosis of mental health. Mr Devine said ACEs are extremely complex and can take a lot of working through. An ACE can be a parent addicted to drugs or alcohol, a parent in prison or who had mental health challenges, a parent or someone else who sexually abused you or being a witness of domestic violence. The ACEs has the impact on the person of not being able to deal with an experience as it is happening. A lot of ACEs may have stopped people developing healthy coping mechanisms. Mr Devine said the services work collaboratively to help people with complex needs. The people who are succeeding dont have complex needs, they have simple needs. They have an addiction problem, but they still have families intact, they still have accommodation, support, they are trained, educated and employed. It is straightforward to deal with this addiction because all the other supports are in place. When the needs are complex when the ACES are high, accommodation is precarious and the education system has not been a favourable experience for the person, so they are disadvantaged, they are starting from further back. Tabor Lodges clinical director said that there is a very eclectic mix of people who arrive at their door and in many cases they are referred from other services. TUSLA might refer a mother here because they feel the child might be in danger from the mothers addiction. The probation services might refer someone as an alternative to sending someone to prison for drug related crime. A workplace might refer someone, because the alternative is to terminate the employee or a doctor might refer someone or hospitals. There is a whole cluster of people sensitive to when someone needs to come to Tabor Lodge. In terms of recovery, Mick Devine said all addictions are not created equal. I think heroin addiction is very difficult to recover from. The dependency is very strong and the level of social unacceptability is very high. We are more amenable to alcohol addicted people. Probably because we all probably know an alcoholic, we have a kind of a tolerance or familiarity with it We have a very ambiguous relationship with alcohol, one day we hate it and the next it is very endearing and it is a good way to celebrate. We tend to go the extra mile for an alcohol addict, but for a heroin addict, the family member might not have the same patience or tolerance. Mr Devine said another problem with opiates is they are very addictive, very quickly whereas it can take a while to build up an alcohol addiction. Discussing alcohol Mr Lane said even when consumption doesnt reach the level of addiction, you can be doing a lot of harm to yourself. The general population is who we need to target around the harmful effects of alcohol. Its about the impact that it can have at a physical level. It is a carcinogen that we consume regularly. The link between consumption of alcohol and cancer is one the industry is trying to reject for some time. We take for granted the health messages on cigarette packets for instance and how in your face those can be in terms of the link between cancers and cigarettes. People accept there is a very clear link between smoking and cancer. There is a very clear link, supported by research, between alcohol and cancer and we cant continue to ignore it. While it might not get us into trouble with addiction or a need like that, people still need to know there are risks associated with drinking alcohol regularly. Mr Lane said that alcohol is normalised and even glamorised in society and we need to look beyond the marketing campaigns and look at the consequences of consuming large amounts of alcohol. All you need to do is look at what the drinks industry spends on advertising and you would be horrified. You would be horrified with how much is being spent getting people to drink more. Hundreds of millions of euro are spent on advertising in this country. The alcohol problem is stitched into our society For more information on drug and alcohol misuse or to see the supports that are available in your locality, check out the Cork Local Drug and Alcohol task force website on www.corkdrugandalcohol.ie or speak to your GP. Jonathan OBrien: My initial reaction was why? Family members of people with addictions go through a great deal of stress and trauma while coping with their loved ones disease. In 2015 Sinn Fein TD Jonathan OBrien spoke in the Dail about his younger brothers issues with homelessness and heroin addiction. Jonathan OBrien My brother was a heroin addict for four or five years and a gambling addict over 15 years, Mr OBrien told the Evening Echo. Mr OBrien said that his brother tried to kick the habit a number of times and has now been clean for the past two and a half years. Talking about the impact his brothers addiction had on him, Jonathan said it was very upsetting. My initial reaction was I found it hard to believe and I couldnt understand it. I knew before the rest of the family because I am pretty close to my brother and it was very difficult in the sense of not knowing what to do. Mr OBrien said at the start he did not have the knowledge he needed to understand his brothers addiction. I was very ill-informed. I said things like: Why are you doing this? Just give it up. The politician, who has been a TD for the past seven years, said he did not realise that it is how hard it is to give up an addiction. It was quite upsetting. There were a lot of questions, Why? was the main one. The question we asked every day was Why do you keep doing it? Why dont you just stop? You can see the damage you are doing to your life, it is easy, just dont take it. That was the initial reaction because we didnt know too much about heroin addiction and how difficult it was. Mr OBrien said he has walked streets looking for his brother when he was homeless and stuck in the spiral of addiction. When you hear on the radio that someone has been found dead or somebody was pulled out of the river,. last night, your instant reaction is to think, Is it my brother? Its really difficult, knowing you have a loved one addicted to heroin. Offering advice to anyone who may have a loved one struggling with an addiction, Mr OBrien said the first thing he would recommend is to speak to the services. Get as much information as possible. Try and get as much understanding as possible and for me, the most important thing was just to be there for my brother. Its not like he enjoyed doing it. Heroin addiction takes over your life. It absolutely destroys a person. It destroys their ability to think rationally, to look after themselves. Support for family members vital for recovery of addict Family support is a vital element on the path to recovery that is often overlooked. Alvina Cassidy, programme co-ordinator of the family programme at Tabor Lodge, said that family members go through hell and back. Tabor Lodge offers a range of supports to the relatives of an addict in order to relieve the stress and strain they are dealing with. Ms Cassidy said: Family members have been through hell and back. Their focus is on the addicted person and they want to do what they can to support that person mostly. But the focus should also be on how they are deserving of recovery themselves because most families are carrying the brunt of addiction. She added: They have often spent years and years living with addiction. The family programme coordinator said at Tabor Lodge an addiction is treated as a family illness. The symptoms of addiction in the addict are also in the family, but this is often not recognised and not understood. Family members might know that they are stressed out with what they are living with, but they often dont fully really comprehend the level of physical and psychological stress. Ms Cassidy said that it is often the case that family members do not go for treatment until the addict is in treatment, but getting support could be extremely beneficial to the whole family system even before the addict person with addiction is in rehabilitation. We are trying to shift the focus so that family members see they need support long before their relative goes for treatment. Ms Cassidy said an addiction within a family can have devastating effects on the whole unit. They lose sight of their whole life, the addicted person becomes the centre of attention so other members of the family lose out., partners, parents lose out. Their own quality of life suffers. Clinical director of Tabor Lodge Mick Devine said working with the family can be hugely beneficial to the recovery of an addict. The needs of families can be huge. The big thing is to get them to look at themselves. The easiest thing to do is to say that the cause of all the problems in this family is the addict and the addict becomes a scapegoat. Mr Devine said it can be a very sensitive time when an addict returns to the family unit. All eyes are on the addict. and what he/she is doing. We encourage the family to look to themselves and to see where do they need care? So that their wellness is not dependent on the addicts wellness. That is the difficult thing that the families have to wrestle with while here. Mr Devine said while a person is in treatment at Tabor Lodge, it is the perfect opportunity to ask the family to look at how they are doing themselves. The family can start to get some care and treatment for themselves so they can take some responsibility for how they are in such a way, that how they are is not dependent on how the addict is. Its important for the family to grasp that. There is a way back from drug addiction There is a way back from addiction if you fight for it, is the message from former alcohol and drug addict Conor Flynn. Conor, 43, began drinking and dabbling in drugs at the age of 10-11 and continued to use drugs until the age of 36. Conor Flynn Tipp-ex, glue, petrol and nail varnish remover. Anything to get the high, numb feeling in the brain, taking you away from where you were at, he said. A lot of my using came from escapism. Escaping from physical and mental abuse that occurred as a child outside the home. I didnt know how to deal with pain and I was very angry growing up. Conor said his activities became more aggressive as he got older. He moved from hash to cocaine, mushrooms, LSD, tablets, prescribed tablets and eventually onto crack cocaine and heroin. It also led to crime. There was a lot of burglaries, a lot of joy riding, a lot of madness. It was a big mad buzz, he explained. I was constantly breaking and entering, stealing from peoples houses, I was a robber and a thief to feed my habit, I had to find money some way. From 16, the Knocknaheeny native was in and out of prison. He spent more than two decades in and out of prison non-stop, he said. The first time in prison, I thought I was the man. I was full of ego. I felt I had to portray something different to fit into my society. I could never be myself. He also spent time in St Stephens Psychiatric Hospital in Sarsfield Court. All that time, all I wanted was someone to listen to me and understand me, give me a hug, ask me if everything was alright and understand me. I never got that. My parents and my nan were there for me growing up, but it was gone too far. I was very dysfunctional and I was caught up in the madness. He continued, I was running from who I was. Now I know who I am what I am and what I want out of life, but at that time I didnt understand back then and I didnt have a clue what life was about back then. I always wanted to change, I just didnt know how to. The pull to drink and use drugs was more attractive and I knew I would have to give up everything. It was safer to stay in my little bubble. Crime and drug abuse had a damaging impact on all aspects of Conors life, he said. At 22, he had a child. However, his addictions made it difficult to have a proper relationship with her. I didnt even have a relationship with myself, never mind anyone else, he said. At the age of 24, Conor attempted to get clean at An Cuan centre in Dublin. After spending two years there, he soon relapsed. Conor said he didnt use the help available to him when he left the centre. I came out full of arrogance. I thought I had everything sorted, I never used any of the support that was on offer when I came out.I fell back into the old ways, I was on a relapse for 13 and a half years. Conor described his life with an addiction as a horrible existence. It was so hard, I ended up homeless. I was on crack cocaine and heroin. I was homeless for two and a half years. I was in and out of prison, when I came out I was straight back into the same patterns. I was using for a long time. I overdosed once or twice. Conor had a second child and again could not engage with her as he was so far into the spiral of addiction. Weighing just eight stone and living in squats and under bridges, Conor was unrecognisable to who he is now and he had an epiphany moment. I was homeless, I was sick of living that way. I thought to myself Conor you need to get your sh*t together or you are going to die. By the age of 35, Conor said he was strung out to the backbone. The best way to describe a craving is when a baby is crying for a bottle of milk. They have a routine, every couple of hours they need a bottle to relax, to calm down. It is the same thing. Thats what drugs were doing for me. Id rob anybody, didnt matter who it was, family, friends, it didnt matter who I met along the way. I was near death. So lonely, isolated, vulnerable, hurt and angry and I knew the only way I could fix it was if I got off the stuff. I knew I could do it. I had to dig deep and do what I had to do. Conor went to his ex-partner and asked if he would be allowed visitation rights if he got clean. I asked if I got my sh*t together could I see my daughter and she said yes. They thought I was destined to do what I was doing for the rest of my life or end up in a box. He tried to go cold turkey himself in order to be admitted to a detox centre in Carlow called St Francis Farm. I went up for my assessment to St Francis Farm and they said the only way you can get in here is if you come off everything. St Francis Farm At the time Conor was on 110 ml of methadone as well as taking other drugs on top of that. St Francis told Conor if he got down to 50 mls they would take him, so he did. I made the decision there and then. I went off all my medication, went off all drugs. Conor ended up having seizures in his dads bath and was arrested. My body was so used to taking such high volumes of drugs and then suddenly it had nothing. Afterwards, he was taken to an adult psychiatric unit in Shanakiel. After a month, Conor came out of Carraig Mor and a few weeks later he went to St Francis farm. I went into their detox centre. It takes eight weeks to get down off 50 ml of methadone and then I did four months in the treatment part. From there, Conor was housed by Cork Simon in a property on College Road. He became heavily involved in Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Six years later, he is still clean. Im heavily involved in Narcotics Anonymous, that is my saving grace. It was my only structure at the start. I had no friends, no one could trust me because I was very unpredictable. I went every single night for the first two years. It was a safe place. I was able to identify with people there and relate. When people were talking it felt like they were talking about me, but they were just telling their own story and I was identifying. You think to yourself if he went through that and he is two years sober, then I can do it too. It is a fellowship. We help each other to stay clean. As well as attending Narcotics Anonymous, Conor began reeducating himself doing a number of courses. I did courses in woodwork, art, cooking, computers, horticulture, addiction, community development courses, parenting classes, I did a lot. Education gave him exactly what he needed: structure and the opportunity to meet new people. Reflecting on how things have gone, Conor knows how lucky he is. I should be dead, I should be in an asylum, in hospital or dead. I dont know how I managed to stay alive. The recovering addict said that he feels remorse and guilt for the things he did in his past, but he is in a good place now and he can deal with it. I was bringing hassle to my familys door, I was putting my family in dangers way. I never wanted that path. I have a lot of remorse and guilt about it now. His family came back into his life and he is now spending time with his daughters. He has found new friends and has adopted a completely different outlook on life. If I am struggling now, I ask for help. I have no desire to cause anybody any harm anymore. I just want to get on with my life, Im in a nice relationship now and the people in Knocknaheeny are proud of me and my family are proud of me. While he hasnt been able to repair all his relationships, he has accepted his past and is moving on. There is no more anger. I am able to talk about my feelings I got back my voice. My opinion matters. Offering advice to anyone who might be struggling with an addiction, Conor said: Stick around the right people who are doing the right things. Look at the people who are doing it right and stick with them. None of the things in my life would be possible without recovery, meetings, support. The meetings are key when you come out. For the past year and a half, Conor has been working in construction and recently finished working on the new courthouse. I was working on the courthouse, I was one of the last to leave and about 30 prison officers came in to view the building and I was there and they were like Flynn, what are you doing here? A couple of them were delighted to see me doing well. Conor said he still likes to go out partying, but he just doesnt take any substances. I still go out, partying, I do the same things I used to be doing with no drink and no drugs. I decided when I had to get clean, I said Conor, there is so much to change about yourself, but dont change who you are as a person. This report first appeared in the Evening Echo By Paul Keane Former Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney reckons Dublin will make history in 2019 by completing a five-in-a-row of All-Ireland wins. But the experienced boss, who has also managed Meath and Wexford, believes that if Jack OConnor returns to manage a talented young Kerry team they will take Dublin off their perch. McEnaney managed his native Monaghan to a breakthrough All-Ireland minor semi-final berth this month and made the comments in a feature interview with LMFMs Late Lunch. He also tipped Dublin to beat Tyrone in Sunday weeks All-Ireland final by five points plus though reckons their golden era wont last beyond 2019. They will win five-in-a-row, I think this Dublin team will win five-in-a-row, said Banty. The one thing I will say is that theyre not as good as they were. Dublin are not as good as they were last year, theyre not as good as they were two years ago. And I think five-in-a-row (will be won) and its going to end there, if they get it. Kerry is coming with serious talent. Kerry are in the process of finding a replacement for Eamonn Fitzmaurice with OConnor, who guided the county to All-Irelands in 2004, 2006 and 2009, reportedly close to a third spell as chief. Aside from all of the south-Kerry mans experience, he also managed the Kingdom to All-Ireland minor wins in 2014 and 2015 and knows their rising stars inside out. Kerry have won four All-Ireland minor titles in a row, theyre going to win the fifth one I believe, said McEnaney. That will be five minor titles in a row. The oldest of those players is 23 next year. Jack OConnor managed them for two years. Will Jack OConnor manage them again? I think hed be a very safe pair of hands for Kerry because he knows those players, hes been there, hes won All-Irelands on two shifts already. If Jack OConnor comes back in I think he will take Dublin off their perch. McEnaney paid OConnor another huge compliment by suggesting that he managed one of the greatest teams ever, even better than the current Dublin side. Asked if the Kerry and Tyrone teams that carved up eight All-Irelands between them in the 2000s are better than the current Dublin team, McEnaney nodded. Yes, yes is the answer to that question. My belief is that the Tyrone team of the noughties and the Kerry team of the noughties its very hard to pick which team was the best team of that decade, they were that good I believe those two teams were the best two teams of all time. McEnaney was in charge of the Monaghan senior team that lost an All-Ireland quarter-final to Kerry, the eventual champions, by a point in 2007. They came up three points short of Kerry in a Round 3 qualifier in 2008. I changed things, I mixed things up as we went along, I believed we were going to win the All-Ireland, said McEnaney. In 2007 and 2008, I would have felt we could have won the All-Ireland. We missed out on an All-Ireland semi-final position in 2007 by a point against Kerry. But you were coming up against phenomenal forwards; The Gooch, Star Donaghy, Mike Frank Russell, Dara O Cinneide, these boys were phenomenal players. Yet McEnaney suggested Tyrones forwards back then were better and recalled facing them at Croke Park in a Round 4 qualifier in 2005. I came out underneath the Hogan Stand from the dressing-room (for the second-half) and they were already out on the pitch, he said. I looked up towards Hill 16 and the full-forward line was Stephen ONeill, Peter Canavan, Owen Mulligan. I thought, Holy Smoke, Im in trouble here. A phenomenal forward line and then you throw in Brian Dooher into that, Brian McGuigan, they were a brilliant team. We didnt even mention Sean Cavanagh who was left half-forward! They were a phenomenal forward unit and I dont think anybody in the country has had a forward line like it since or before. Donald Trumps former personal attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of fraud, among other crimes, and has implicated the president himself in wrongdoing, writes Neil Visalvanich. Speaking about payments made to porn actress Stormy Daniels and others, supposedly to keep them quiet about alleged affairs with the president, Cohen told a US judge: I participated in this conduct, which on my part took place in Manhattan, for the principal purpose of influencing the election. This would constitute a violation of campaign finance laws, and the implications for Trump are already the subject of speculation. On the same day Cohen took his plea, Trumps former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was also convicted of federal crimes relating to his work with Russian and pro-Russian companies and governments. While we cant know how these sudden twists will impact the current administration long term, they have suddenly injected a new potency into the miasma of scandal that hangs around the president himself. So what might happen to Trump next, and what can the history of presidential scandal tell us about his chances of weathering this storm? Holding steady Ever since Trump was elected, much has been made of his remarkably stubborn approval ratings. Despite the endless controversy and hugely negative news coverage, he has consistently retained the approval of somewhere around 40% of Americans. The reason is clear: while self-identified Democrats and independents strongly disapprove of Trump, Republicans still overwhelmingly support him, with his latest approval figures among those voters as high as 87%. With few exceptions, Republican politicians in Congress have also been relatively reluctant to speak out against the president for fear of retribution from their core voters. On the face of it, this puts Trump well ahead of his most infamous scandal-ridden predecessor, Richard Nixon, whose approval ratings dropped to the mid-to-low 20s at the end of the Watergate scandal, however, in hindsight, many do not realise that Nixon too retained the support of Republican voters and politicians well into the scandals development. Nixons voters and allies in Congress did not abandon him until Presidential Counsel John Dean testified against him to the Senate Watergate Committee, a shocking event followed by the release of audio tapes unambiguously implicating Nixon himself in a criminal cover-up. The same effect could well be at work in Trumps scandals today: depending on what specific evidence Cohen can offer up against Trump, the stubborn Republican support keeping Trump afloat could yet start to crumble. Coming apart On the other hand, the US of the 1970s was far less politically polarised than todays. In these hyper-partisan conditions, theres an alternative scenario in which the president does not just survive, but thrives in the face of scandal. This is what happened after President Bill Clintons affair with Monica Lewinsky exploded into a humiliating attempt to impeach him. Thanks to a booming economy and a more polarised political culture, Clintons approval ratings actually rose at the height of the Lewinsky scandal. Democratic voters never abandoned him, and proved amenable to the administrations portrayal of the scandal: a partisan prosecution for a moral lapse that had no bearing on the presidents performance. Enough independents and centrists were satisfied with Americas economic performance to agree. Dogged by scandal: Bill Clinton in the Oval Office, 1998. Wikimedia Commons. With things going as they are, Trump may be able to preserve what standing he has in the same way. Today as in the late 1990s, the US economy is generally doing well; while real wages remain stagnant, unemployment is remarkably low and overall growth generally strong. Trump is also borrowing from the Clinton playbook in his efforts to paint his various scandals as the machinations of overzealous and corrupt political enemies, calling Robert Muellers investigation the greatest witch hunt in American history. Until now, this strategy has certainly kept base on side, although political independents and more centrist elements in his party dont appear quite so enthusiastic. So what now? Barring some truly unprecedented action in the Washington power structure itself, the ultimate arbiter of wrongdoing will be the American people. They will decide whether Trumps scandals are legitimate, and whether they are important enough to warrant political punishment. And as team Trump will be well aware, the strongest signal they can send that these presidential scandals are unacceptable is to vote and hand Congress over to the Democrats in this Novembers midterm elections. That would dial the up pressure on Trump to a higher level than before. This article was written by Neil Visalvanich of Durham University and was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article here. The World Meeting of Families is focusing on key issues related to family drawn from Pope Francis teachings in The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia). The Congress has been described as "a joyful and enriching occasion for adults, young people and children ... to meet and share, pray and reflect, grow in faith and love, celebrate, as well as gather strength to continue the journey of life." The key themes and topics that will be discussed include: - The role of technology in the Family - The impact of conflict on families and children - Building a more sustainable approach to the economy, work and the environment - Faith and family - Womens leadership roles, globally and locally - The role of education in raising families out of poverty The overarching theme for WMOF2018 in Dublin, Ireland, is "The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World" . This was chosen by Pope Francis from the opening words of The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia). The role of technology in the family Pope Francis has a keen interest in technology, commenting regularly on social media. On the Pope joining Instagram, Mark Zuckerberg welcomed him, commenting: No matter what faith you practice, we can all be inspired by Pope Franciss humility and compassion. Im looking forward to following the Pope -- and watching him continue sharing his message of mercy, equality and justice with the world In paragraph 275 of Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis explained that "In our own day, dominated by stress and rapid technological advances, one of the most important tasks of families is to provide an education in hope". The impact of conflict on families and children Conflict is present at all levels of our lives, from global events to national disputes, right through to local communities and family circles. Pope Francis has acknowledged that there is no perfect family, that we encounter discord even with those we love most dearly. "There is no family that does not know how selfishness, discord, tension and conflict violently attack and at times mortally wound its own communion." (Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia 106) Forced migration of families, resulting from situations of war, persecution, poverty and injustice, and marked by the vicissitudes of a journey that often puts lives at risk, traumatises people and destabilises families (Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia 46). Building a more sustainable approach to the economy, work and the environment During WMOF2018 pilgrims are being into a conversation about caring for 'Our Common Home'. Through prayer, discussion and action Pope Francis is encouraging everyone to think more deeply about how we care for our beautiful world, in our work and in our life. In the family too, we can rethink our habits of consumption and join in caring for the environment as our common home (Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia 277) Faith & Family The Pope has suggested that families are a privileged place where faith can be lived, celebrated, learnt and passed on from generation to generation. Several workshops and activities will explore the joys and challenges of living faith within families today, as well as many topics that can be of support for families trying to live faith within their homes. Love is experienced and nurtured in the daily life of couples and their children (Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia 90). The family lives its spirituality precisely by being at one and the same time a domestic church and a vital cell for transforming the world (Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia 324) Womens leadership roles, globally and locally The grandeur of women includes all the rights derived from their inalienable human dignity but also from their feminine genius, which is essential to society. (Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia 173) There are many, many women who, in the roles they perform daily, with dedication and integrity, at times with heroic courage, have made and do make the most of their accomplishments, their valuable traits in the most varied, specific and specialized skills, joined with the real experience of being mothers and formators. (Pope Francis, 9 June 2017) The role of education in raising families out of poverty The educational mission of families will be explored during the WMOF2018 Pastoral Congress, where the role and rights of parents in education will be discussed, as well as the relationship between education and the welfare of the families, economy, poverty and homelessness, among other topics. A poor person, once removed from a secure family environment, is doubly vulnerable to abandonment and possible harm. (Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia 242) The task of education is to make us sense that the world and society are also our home; it trains us how to live together in this greater home. (Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia 276) Education of children is a most serious duty and at the same time a primary right of parents. (Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia 84) More details and resources on events at the World Meeting of Familes can be found on the official website here - Digital Desk Great change does indeed come dropping slow. The scale of that change may not be obvious immediately, but an inevitable day of reckoning can bring sobering news. And so it is with the Drinks Industry Group of Irelands pre-budget submission. That document records that pubs have closed at the rate of more than two a week for 12 years and that there were 1,477 fewer pubs in Ireland last year than in 2005, a 17.1% drop in businesses. As John B Keanes masterwork The Field shows we have a close relationship with the land we live on. That Irish land prices are among the very highest in the world confirms that. That there is no greater sin, in some families at least, than losing the land suggests that this bond is so very deeply ingrained as to be almost genetic. Despite that the majority of landowners welcome responsible visitors. No Trespassing signs are, thankfully, uncommon. However, an incident in New Zealand, where three surfers faced gunfire at Taharoa, on the west coast of the North Island shows a different, or at least a changed attitude. The attack is blamed on those who believe that only locals should have access to local facilities and that they should be free to live without the relentless intrusion of tourists. Without context a lot of what we do can seem pointless; without context, a lot of what we say can seem hollow, maybe even just emotion-fuelled raging at the dark. Some moments, some grand events, demand context and Pope Francis visit is one of those. In December 2008, almost 10 years ago, this newspaper called for a bishop to resign. Bishop John Magee, like many of his peers, had put the interests of his Church before the safety of his clerics victims. The often-delayed Cloyne Report, published on July 13, 2011, found that Magee had lied to an earlier inquiry when he said the diocese had reported all allegations of clerical child sexual abuse to authorities. Magee stood down as administrator in March 2009. A year later he resigned and became bishop emeritus, a position he still holds. Recalling that sorry saga is one way to shape context especially as it was echoed around the world. Neither is it possible to suggest the context is historical. It is startlingly contemporary as Pope Francis ill-judged defence of Chilean Bishop Juan Barros this year shows. Francis subsequently sacked Barros, who is accused of protecting abusers. That scandal mirrors the Cloyne debacle with a disconcerting symmetry. The Popes participation in last Decembers funeral Mass for Bostons notorious Cardinal Bernard Law, who only enjoyed freedom in the last years of his life because of Vatican sanctuary, must colour the context around his visit too. The determination of religious orders to move assets beyond the reach of the redress process is significant too. Millions of tears have been shed by abuse victims and tens of millions of words have been written about it. Many more will flow. Francis made a contribution to that process this week when he wrote to Catholics expressing anger and remorse. That this institutional mea culpa is just the last in a long series of abjections undermines its credibility. All of his immediate predecessors have made similar declarations. That this latest one came so soon after the publication of a report into how the Catholic hierarchy in Pennsylvania sheltered pedophiles, just as in Cloyne and Chile, undermines it too. That report also offers context on the Irish visit two American cardinals due to speak at the World Meeting of Families have withdrawn over the findings. One, accused of shielding pedophiles, was to speak on child protection. Despite all that around 500,000 people, whose faith endures despite the ongoing exposure of an active evil in their Church, are expected to welcome the Pope and enthusiastically participate in various events. Many, many thousands more, whose faith in the institution of that Church has not endured, will look on, possibly with regret and envy. They are victims too as they have been denied the communal comfort of the faith they once celebrated with deep authenticity. Francis is welcome but that welcome must be qualified. The Catholic Church has done great good in this society, especially in health and education, but the bestiality of the abusers and the dishonesty of their protectors, the corrupt princes of the Church, stains that record in a way that cannot be tolerated by a civilised, independent Republic. Food Uniquely Mandalay Foods Mandalays most unique and delicious foods. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy YANGONMandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar and the countrys last royal capital. Today it is also known as motorbike city. The city has its own history and many famous pagodas and monasteries to visit. But it is also famous for its own uniquely Mandalay foods. This is a list of delicious snacks and dishes native to Mandalay that just dont taste the same anywhere else. Mandalay Moat Ti Mandalay moat ti which is sometimes called Mandalay nan gyi thoke (large noodle salad) is the most popular food native to Mandalay. This noodle salad is a favourite for most Mandalay locals and is usually eaten for breakfast so most moat ti shops open only in the morning. In fact, its hard to find maot ti in the afternoon. For moat ti, thick rice noodles are mixed with chicken curry and fish balls, fresh chopped onion and a few other ingredients but the what makes this dish distinctly the Mandalay style is the addition of a gravy made from roasted bean powder. This combined with some red chili paste and oil turn the thick white rice noodles into a delectable yellow color. Add too little or too much of the main ingredients though, and the dish is ruined. Depending on which shop you try, this dish can taste different every time. The dish can be ordered with different types of rice noodle sizes such as nan lat (medium-sized) and nan gyi (large-sized). The taste of the noodles is a combination of sweet, sour, salty, and fresh. After one plate, your stomach will be full until the afternoon. Shops serve a free soup broth with it which is also tasty. Mandalay Mhee Shay Mandalay mhee shay is another famous food from Mandalay. Mostly, people eat it for breakfast but it can be found in the afternoon as well. While in Mandalay, you will see many small stalls serving mhee shay but the shops located around the corner of 80th and 16th streets are the most famous in town. One of the places serving the best mhee shay on 16th Street doesnt have a name so people just call it 16th Street Mhee Shay. Though this simple place uses small stools for both table and chair and its not very bigmore of a stall than a shopit still draws a huge number of customers. Mhee shay is a rice noodle salad mixed with pork, pigs tail, pigs intestine, pepper and bean sprouts served with a delicious bowl of pork soup. You can adjust the pork ingredients and turn up or down the spice of the dish by telling your preference to the woman of the shop. Mandalay Htoe Moat Htoe moat is a glutinous rice cake topped with cashew nuts, raisins and cream butter. This dessert-style snack is popularly given as a gift. It has a sweet taste and you can choose to reduce the sweetness by ordering the plain version without cream butter and other fruit toppings. Myint Myint Khin and Tin Tin Aye are most the famous htoe moat brands available in Mandalay. A similar dessert called Mandalay la moat is an adaptation of the traditional Chinese moon cake made to have a slightly different taste and style. Both versions of the cake are made using roasted glutinous wheat flour to make the soft outer dough covering. Inside is a paste made using sweet bean or white sugar which is mixed with margarine and inserted into the middle and the cake is then baked. The texture is soft and chewy and the fantastic smell will make you instantly hungry. Of all the famous foods from Mandalay, this one is a must-try. Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018 (11:04 am) - Score 3,777 Richard Tang, the long-time CEO and founder of Rochdale-based broadband and telecoms provider Zen Internet (since 1995), has announced that he is stepping down from his role. Under the plan Richard will effectively swap jobs with Paul Stobart, the companys current Chairman. Over the years Zen has managed to establish a good reputation for itself and is continuing to show good growth. Today Zen is home to almost 500 staff and well over 100,000 customers in the UK, with company turnover reaching 64 million in 2017. Going forward the ISP also aims to become a 100m business within 3 years and a 250m one within 10 years. Richard recently set about laying the ground work for Zens future growth, not least by changing the companys management structure and adopting a board of directors for the first time. As part of that Zen then hired former Sage executive Paul Stobart to chair the company. According to the Manchester Evening News, Richard and Paul now plan to swap jobs within the company on 1st October 2018. The move will free up Richard to do more promotional work as Zen Internet increasingly looks to take on the big four ISPs (BT, Sky Broadband, Virgin Media and TalkTalk). Richard Tan, CEO of Zen Internet, said: Over the last few years I have done more and more to promote the business through my blog, media work and speaking at events. This would give me the chance to become the face of Zen and address our biggest challenge: that most people havent heard of us. At Zen, we believe in doing things differently. It was crucial for me that anyone replacing me as CEO was absolutely aligned with our people-first approach. Paul brings all of that and more: He is an excellent communicator, a visionary, and an inspirational leader of people who brings a wealth of strategic experience in running transformative technology businesses. By the sounds of it Tang will now be looking to emulate Richard Branson by doing wacky stuff and has suggested (tongue in cheek) that he could paraglide across the English Channel promoting Zen But I also want to get the message out there that there is a better way to do business. Richard further suggests that Zen could conceivably revise upwards their 250m target and go for something even bigger. As ever only time will tell and we note that the UK telecoms market is going to become increasingly complicated over the next few years, with many different infrastructure operators now vying to build their own full fibre networks. Zen may have to do some more adapting in the future. Equally there are plenty of cautionary tales to be found from ISPs that grew too quickly and as a result ended up losing some of the quality that made them so attractive in the first place. If Zen does make a push to take on the big boys then theyll need to be careful not to make the same mistakes. August 21, 2018 POCATELLO Making the Idaho State University Honors Program, the premier honors program in Idaho, more visible and strengthening collaborations across campus are among the goals new director Shannon Kobs Nawotniak has for the program. Nawotniak begins this fall replacing Sherri Dientsfrey-Swanson who has retired. Nawotniak is a geosciences associate professor and is active on a number of research grants, including several with NASA. We offer the only honors degree in Idaho, which is very prestigious, Nawotniak said. We offer support and assistance to our Honors students, collegial working groups and small class sizes and are able to help them achieve their many academic goals. The honors students are amazing. She said over the last five years the University Honors Program has grown consistently and can accept a new cohort of 100 each year. The program offers specific housing for its students to create residential learning communities. There are dedicated honors classes, and honors students have access to early enrollment each semester. The program is absolutely student-centric and it is dedicated to creating the most supportive environment possible for these high-achieving students, she said. We support cross-college collaborations that create unique learning experiences for these students, and we help them to take on innovative undergraduate research culminating in a thesis. Prospective students must apply for the program and acceptance is based off a combination of applicants grade point average, university entrance exam scores, writing samples and a letter of reference. Nawotniak said she wants to create more opportunities for the programs students across campus. She said these students are motivated, intelligent and active learners who are a pleasure to teach and who add a great deal to every classroom. Despite the success and strength of the program and what has been achieved, not everyone on campus is aware of the ISU Honors Program, Nawotniak said. Im excited to brag about the incredible Honors Program that Im walking into. Its an honor to work with the incredible students, faculty, and staff who have built, nurtured, and worked with Honors over the years. She said the program will continue to accept 100 students a year. I get to walk into an incredibly healthy program, Nawotniak said. I dont expect to try to grow the program beyond its current number of students because we want to continue to focus on each student as an individual. Dr. Kobs Nawotniak is a phenomenal instructor, mentor, and human being, said Cindy Hill, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs. We look forward to her leading the University Honors Program and expanding it in ways we never imagined. Our students are truly fortunate to have such a dedicated and compassionate director. For more information about the University Honors Program, visit www.isu.edu/honors/. Telecommunications provider Vocus Group has seen a 16% drop in profit for the financial year 2018, with the company recording $127.1 million compared to $152.3 million for the previous financial year. Revenue and underlying earnings were in line with the company's guidance, with revenue coming in at $1.89 billion, a tad above the $1.86 billion in the previous year. Vocus' Commander division, which is focused on small and medium businesses, had a bad year, with revenue falling 15% to $204 million, and the loss of customers "through poor customer service, lack of investment (and a) mismanaged NBN opportunity". Vocus said in its results presentation that the Commander division was "highly skewed to legacy voice and data products (PSTN, ISDN and ADSL)". During the year, Vocus wasto build a subsea cable linking the Solomon Islands to Sydney, after the Federal Government stepped in to prevent the contract going to Chinese giant Huawei. The company completed the construction of the 4600km Australia Singapore Cable in June and it is scheduled to be ready for service by mid-September 2018. More than 2.5Tbps of capacity has been sold on the system. Group managing director and chief executive Kevin Russell said he was pleased that the company had delivered FY18 results in line with the guidance provided in February. "The result has been achieved during a period of significant internal change and challenging market conditions. I would like to thank the Vocus team for their hard work and continued focus in delivering this outcome," he said. Vocus primary focus going forward is growth. Our market share is low relative to our fibre and network infrastructure assets. Our priority is to leverage these assets to maximise profitable growth within our core Australian and New Zealand infrastructure focused businesses. Our target is to double revenue from these businesses over the next five years. My key immediate priority is building the right team. A number of highly experienced executives are joining Vocus in the coming months who believe in the opportunity and who know how to win in market. Combined with a number of internal changes we have made, this will certainly re-invigorate the company and enable us to deliver the growth we are focused on achieving. In June, we closed an upsized bank facility, giving us the financial flexibility to pursue our growth objectives, and removing any requirement to divest assets in order to fund those objectives. Vocus has a new Board, new executive leadership and a new growth strategy to drive sustainable, profitable growth." The company also announced the appointment of two non-executive directors to its board. Bruce Akhurst and Matthew Hanning will both start on 1 September. Akhurst is a director at Tabcorp, adstream, and Paul Ramsay and a former Chairman of Foxtel and former director of a number of Telstra subsidiary companies, including CSL and Telstra Clear. Hanning is the chairman of SAI Global, a non-executive director of Clayton Utz and a senior adviser to Baring Private Equity Asia. Microsoft is set to provide cloud hosting for the trial of the Federal Government's Govpass ID solution in October, after the Digital Transformation Agency, the government agency that will oversee implementation of the ID solution, announced that it had adopted the company's Azure service as its cloud solution. In what could be a rushed statement on Wednesday evening, attributed to Human Services Minister Michael Keenan one of the many who have offered to resign from Cabinet following a leadership spill on Tuesday and thus unsure of how long he will be in the job it was announced that the DTA would shift its day-to-day operations onto Microsoft's Office 365 at Protected level. Microsoft gained Protected cloud status from the Australian Signals Directorate in April for its Office 365 and Azure services. Questions were raised about the certification after the ASD issued a consumer guide containing a number of fiats about the services. There has been speculation about who would host the Govpass trial after Vault, an Australian firm that has Protected cloud status, was unceremoniously kicked out of the job. Vault came to know that it would no longer be doing the job on 7 August. Vault was slated to be the cloud provider while the implementation was handed to the Department of Human Services and the Australian Taxation Office with the DTA to be the overseer. The government allocated $92.4 million in the recent Federal Budget to see the project through to completion. Thus far, after Vault was dumped, the only thing that could be extracted from the DTA was: "A pilot of the end-to-end digital Tax File Number application process featuring the Govpass identity provider, myGovID, is expected to begin in October this year. The Australian Taxation Office will the be first provider of myGovID. More trials will follow next year." In a statement sent to iTWire on Thursday morning, a DTA spokesperson said: "...the DTA's adoption of Microsoft 365 Protected is not related to the digital identity program. The DTA will be using Office 365 for corporate functions." Wednesday's DTA statement said the move towards cloud-based services "is a core component of the Turnbull Governments Digital Transformation Agenda and the DTAs early adoption will serve as a 'proof point' for other agencies also seeking to harness the benefits cloud systems can deliver". "Microsofts new system offers a suite of integrated products that, for the first time, enable consolidation of the DTAs systems onto one cost-effective and highly secure platform," it said. "The DTA has already conducted successful trials of the technology and a full rollout is expected to be completed by the end of this year. "The change will result in improved functionality and productivity, eliminating the need for staff to jump between different systems, depending on the security classification of the work being conducted. "The old arrangements required staff to maintain two separate email accounts, as well as separate logins, passwords and calendars, which will no longer be necessary on the protected platform. In addition to increased productivity, the scalability of cloud services and the reduced maintenance costs associated with traditional on-premises systems will produce cost savings for the agency." Tech21's new Note9 range of cases and screen protectors have arrived, along with a notably new case in Pantones 2018 Colour of the Year: Ultra Violet. Tech21. The company is extremely well known for its mobile device impact protection solutions, and is always ready with new cases and screen protectors for the latest major Apple and Samsung devices. Now that the Note9 has launched, and is just about to hit retail in the next couple of days as I type, it should come as no surprise that Tech21's new "Designed for Samsung" range for the Galaxy Note9 has launched, too. As the company explains, the range features its "most popular designs, including the Evo Check, Pure Clear and Evo Wallet in brand new colours, as well as the first Evo Glass screen protector for curved screens". And. "with the introduction of the Evo Check in Pantones 2018 Colour of the Year, Ultra Violet, customers can protect their new Samsung Galaxy Note9 in style, drop after drop". This "protect drop after drop" business is a core part of the Tech21 offering, and I've certainly found it very useful, indeed, as I've accidentally dropped my phones for various reasons, and, with Tech21, have never experienced any kind of failure or screen breakage. The company also says its cases "enhance a smartphones original beauty", too, and it's all thanks to a "dedicated design team" which "always matches the latest fashion and colour trends". This fashion meets protection focus is exemplified with tech21s new Evo Check for Samsung Galaxy Note9 in the 2018 Pantone Color of the Year, Ultra Violet. We're told the Galaxy Note9s curved screen "inspired tech21 to re-engineer its Evo Glass screen protector. Curved for edge-to-edge protection, Evo Glass not only protects the Samsung Galaxy Note9s screen drop after drop, but it also protects it from day-to-day scratches". And, "as a trusted Designed for Samsung partner, tech21 works in collaboration with Samsung to design each of their products. By working in partnership right from the start, their products are designed to work perfectly with Samsung devices". John Doughty, Tech21 chief executive, said: As a Made for Samsung partner, the protection that Tech21 cases offer means that your Samsung Galaxy Note9 can look as good tomorrow as it does today. Inspired by the level of innovation that we see coming from manufacturers like Samsung, we continuously challenge ourselves to create the most intelligent impact protection on the planet. For this launch were particularly proud of Evo Check for its advanced materials and refined design and the curved Evo Glass screen protector for delivering edge-to-edge protection, drop after drop. Here's the new range of Samsung Galaxy Note9 cases and screen protectors: Evo Check More protection. Refined design. Thin and light, Evo Check protects your phone without adding unnecessary bulk, while the unique check pattern adds subtle detail to your phones original beauty. With patented ribs and tech21s FlexShock impact absorbing material, the Evo Check case absorbs impact energy and protects drop after drop from up to 3.6 metres. Available in Smokey/Black, Orchid, and Ultra Violet (Pantone 2018 Color of the Year) at tech21.com, as well as The Good Guys and Optus and Telstra stores. RRP $54.95. Pure Clear Protect. Reveal. Incredibly thin and beautifully clear, Pure Clear features BulletShield, an impact absorbing material used in bulletproof glass to protect drop after drop from up to 3 metres. The case is up to 10 times more transparent than other leading clear cases and has best-in-class anti-yellowing properties due to tech21s unique UV Protect technology. Available at tech21.com, as well as JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys and Optus and Telstra stores. RRP $54.95. Evo Wallet Travel light. Stay protected. Combining the advanced protection of FlexShock and the convenience of card storage, Evo Wallet keeps your cards accessible and your phone protected drop after drop from up to 3.6 metres. Available in black at tech21.com, as well as JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and Optus stores. RRP $64.95. Screen Protection: Impact Shield Anti-Scratch Advanced protection. Responsive control. Featuring three layers and BulletShield, an impact absorbing material used in bulletproof glass, Impact Shield Anti-Scratch doesn't just protect once, it protects drop after drop. Additionally, the patented applicator included in the box enables perfect installation. Available at tech21.com. RRP $44.95. Evo Glass Unrivalled Protection. Premium Feel. Scientifically proven to protect drop after drop, the Evo Glass protects from day-to-day scratches and preserves that new-screen-feeling longer. Specially made for the Samsung Galaxy Note9 screen, the Evo Glass screen protector fits the subtle curves of your screen for complete edge-to-edge protection. Plus, the patented applicator included in the box enables perfect installation. Available at tech21.com. RRP $54.95. Engagement marketing software provider Marketo has appointed former Retail Food Group retail manager Kevin Wordon as its strategic engagement consultant in Australia and New Zealand. Wordon had a global role at Retail Food Group, where he focused on digital transformation at many Australian enterprises, acting as a partner for chief marketing officers. We are so thrilled to announce that Kevin is joining the team. Kevin has successfully spearheaded digital transformation at a wide variety of leading Australian enterprises making him the perfect partner for chief marketing officers in the region," Will Griffith, managing director, Marketo ANZ. "In his role as strategic engagement consultant, Kevin will help Marketo customers navigate the complexities of digital strategy and transformation to deliver the best possible result." Wordon was earlier the global head of Digital for Flight Centre Travel Group, where he oversaw the digital transformation for the companys eight corporate brands. He has also worked at City Beach, Eagle Boys Pizza, Westfield, and Macquarie Leisure. Marketo said that, having delivered more than 140 digital platforms globally, Wordon would work alongside Marketo customers, helping them lead their organisations digital strategies. Its an exciting time to be a part of the Marketo ANZ team! I cannot wait to start working with local chief marketing officers to help them transform the way they engage with customers and prove their organisational impact, said Wordon. Enterprise digital and marketing transformation is such an exciting place to be right now, and I cant think of a more dynamic place than Marketo to explore this. Almost as many staff as are employed by the Australian Government's Digital Transformation Agency 342 quit the organisation in the last 18 months, a freedom of information request has revealed. This includes the organisation's first full-time chief executive, Gavin Slater. The FoI request, first reported by InnovationAus.com, revealed that 340 staff had left DTA during the last 18 months from December 2016 to June 2018. The DTA had 342 staff on its rolls at the end of June 2018. Sixty percent of the staff were employed in Canberra while the remainder work in Sydney. The DTA has been in the news recently over Govpass, the single-identity service that is supposed to be tested in October. But there is no cloud provider for the service, after the unceremonious dumping of Vault, a company that has gained Protected cloud status from the Australian Signals Directorate, which means it can host top secret government data. Contacted for comment about the staff turnover, a DTA spokesperson said: "The DTA recruits skills and expertise as required to deliver on key priorities. The DTAs workforce is a mix of APS, contractors and secondees that deliver on the governments digital transformation agenda. "DTAs agile ways of working encourage teams to work across projects that start and finish much quicker than the traditional ones. This allows DTA to bring in skills from across the public and private sector for short periods and focus on delivering outcomes in a quick fashion. "DTA is proud of the work we have done involving multi-disciplinary teams from across the APS. This allows us to increase the capability of the public sector and also to deliver outcomes in a truly collaborative way." The NBN Co board has announced Stephen Rue will succeed Bill Morrow as its next chief executive let's hope he doesn't rue the day he took on this job! Is the CEO position of NBN Co an even bigger poisoned chalice than the job of Prime Minister in 2018 at the moment? Time will tell, but Rue's appointment comes as NBN Co says the "network rollout reaches momentum and scale with more than one in two Australians now able to connect to the NBN broadband access network". "All key technologies in the Multi-Technology Mix have been launched, 75% of the construction is now finished, and 99% of the country is either in design, construction or complete." "Following Morrows announcement in April of his intention to step down, the NBN Co Board engaged an executive search firm to undertake a search for his replacement." NBN Co says that "given the unique nature of the NBN access network and the Australian telecommunications environment, with the end of the build phase only two years away, the board concluded that an internal candidate with firsthand experience of driving change and improvement throughout the company would be best placed to help ensure all Australians have access to fast broadband by 2020. "Rue joined NBN Co in July 2014 as chief financial officer. He has been responsible for all financial aspects of the company, as well as driving key operational enhancements across the business, and in partnership with industry. "Prior to joining NBN Co, Rue spent 17 years in various leadership roles, including a decade as chief financial officer, at News Corp Australia. He has also served as a director on a number of boards including Foxtel, REA Group and Australian Associated Press, as well as chairman of the Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club. NBN Co chair Dr Ziggy Switkowski said: I congratulate Stephen on his appointment and am very pleased that he is available and enthusiastic to succeed Bill Morrow as CEO. "With the network construction moving through a critical phase en route to completion in 2020, the board considered Stephens experience, including at NBN Co, and skills in financial, operational and project management to be especially well suited to the challenge. The appointment of a quality internal candidate reduces the risk of loss of momentum in the business from the leadership change, and ensures continuing ownership and accountability for delivery of the NBN Co Corporate Plan." Rue said: I am honoured to lead the dedicated and hardworking team here at NBN Co, as well as continuing to work with our industry partners. "I joined NBN Co because I knew it would make a difference to Australians. I look forward to continuing this journey, which will have a real impact on health, education, job creation and prosperity into the future. Morrow said: I am very pleased that one of my senior executives has been selected and will follow me in this exciting role. Stephen has been an outstanding team member and is a very popular choice for this challenging role. I warmly congratulate Stephen and wish him well. The appointment is effective from 1 September when Morrow will step down from the role. Biography of Stephen Rue Vodafone in New Zealand has been charged by the countrys competition regulator, the Commerce Commission, with allegations it made false representations in invoices sent to its customers. A total of 10 charges have been made against Vodafone for billing customers after their contracts were finished. Charges were filed in Auckland District Court under the Fair Trading Act and cover the period from 1 January 2012 to 1 January 2017. The Commission alleges that, having agreed with a customer to terminate their service part-way through the next month, Vodafone then sent an invoice that included charges for the entire next monthly billing period. As such, the Commission alleges that Vodafone misrepresented its right to payment because its customers only owed payment for the services provided prior to the agreed termination date. The Commission gave no detail of the charges against Vodafone, saying that it could not comment further while the case is before court. The matter will be called in the Auckland District Court for the first time on 11 September. Vodafone provides Internet, mobile and phone services to New Zealand consumers and businesses, and has more than 3000 employees in New Zealand. As reported by iTWire just last week, the Commerce Commission has warned four telecommunications companies, including the countrys largest telco Spark, that they have engaged in conduct which breaches the Fair Trading Act. The warnings came in letters the Commission sent to the telcos MyRepublic, Two Degrees New Zealand, Spark New Zealand and Vodafone New Zealand. The action followed the Commissions announcement in July that retail telecommunications would be an organisation-wide priority for the Commission in 2017-18 and that there are a number of areas across all industries that it will always regard as a priority due to the potential significant impact on consumers, business or markets in New Zealand. Optus' plans to sack 440 workers over the next two months have brought a scathing reaction from the CEPU Communications Union, with the union labelling the decision as another devastating blow to workers . CEPU Communications Union national president Shane Murphy said the decision by Optus management showed clear contempt for its workforce by continuing to slash hundreds of jobs with absolutely no consultation with the workforce, while theyve been sitting at the table with the union to bargain for a new Enterprise Agreement. After announcing over 600 job cuts in May this year, the decision by Optus to slash another 440 jobs from its workforce is utterly devastating to workers and their families, Murphy said. As reported by iTWires Sam Varghese today, Singtel Optus will sack 440 workers over the next two months in what it says is a bid to reduce the number involved in back-office work. The company will make 290 of the 440 roles redundant and create 150 new positions, The Australian reported. In his condemnation of the Optus decision, Murphy said that, the drastic decision was announced today without any consultation with the union. Optus has now axed over 1000 jobs in four months. This is a disgrace. Hundreds of Australian workers will be devastated today after being told they no longer have a job. This shattering news will hit Australian workers and their families hard. The union will be doing everything we can to assist the impacted workers during this incredibly difficult time. We will be working will Optus to ensure every single worker gets the entitlements they deserve. The timing of these continuous and enormous job cuts demonstrates a reprehensible contempt for the Optus workforce. WhatsApp has told India that it will create tools to fight "sinister" messages and help the authorities to stop the flood of hate that has been spread over the app leading to deaths in the country. The assurance was given to India's IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad by WhatsApp chief executive Chris Daniels during a meeting in New Delhi, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Last month, there were reports that Facebook would roll out software changes to make it harder for WhatsApp users to forward messages after rumours led to a spate of deaths in the country. Authorities had pressed the company for action after several people were killed in India, the biggest market for WhatsApp with more than 200 million users. More recently, there have beenthat telecom operators in India had been asked to devise methods of blocking Facebook and WhatsApp in the event that these applications were misused. Prasad said: "It does not need rocket science to locate a message", adding that he had asked the company to work out ways to trace "sinister" messages, like those that led to the deaths. The company had agreed to create the post of grievance officer to handle issues in India, he added. WhatsApp had agreed to comply with the requirement laid down by the Reserve Bank of India that all data from payment firms should be stored locally, Prasad said. Earlier this month, reports said that global payments companies MasterCard, Visa and American Express were lobbying the Indian Government in a bid to avoid having to store customer data locally as mandated back in April. It took 75 tweets, but Ethereum blockchain founder Vitalik Buterin has clarified the roadmap for implementing a new consensus mechanism that promises to greatly increase the speed with which new entries can be added to the distributed electronic ledger technology. Buterin devoted most of the tweets to explaining the history of Ethereum developer efforts to create a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism that would streamline the process while also combating nefarious attacks to control blockchain content. He also clarified that a PoS system will be implemented independently from another effort to roll out sharding on Ethereum. (Sharding is a way of distributing the computational work needed to validate new documents, known as blocks, on the distributed ledger technology). The PoS and sharding development efforts had been part of one project, but they will now be rolled out separately. Proof of Work and Proof of Stake The two most popular mechanisms or algorithms for authenticating new entries on a blockchain and governing changes to the networks are Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake. PoW algorithms force computers on the peer-to-peer (P2P) network to expend CPU power to solve complex cryptographic-based equations before they're authorized to add data to a blockchain ledger; those computer nodes that complete the equations the fastest are rewarded with digital coins, such as Ether on Ethereum or bitcoin on the competing technology. The process of earning cryptocurrency through PoW is known as "mining," as in mining bitcoin. As the name suggests, PoS consensus models enable those with the most digital coins (the greatest stake) to govern a cryptocurrency or business blockchain ledger. To date, however, the most popular blockchain-based cryptocurrencies Bitcoin, Ethereum (Ether) and Litecoin have used PoW as their consensus mechanism. While PoW algorithms are excellent at ensuring the authenticity of new documents posted to a ledger, they're also slow and expensive to run. The PoW process chews up a lot of electricity, both from running processors 24/7 and from the need for cooling server farms dedicated to mining operations. Those mining operations are siphoning off so much electricity that cities and even countries have begun clamping down on mining operations. PoW protocols can also be extremely slow due to the lengthy process involved in solving the mathematical puzzles; approving a new entry on a blockchain ledger can take 10 or more minutes. PoW algorithms are, however, excellent at thwarting users who would try to game the blockchain, as it's simply too expensive to expend the CPU power and time. In contrast, PoS algorithms can complete new blockchain entries in seconds or less. "Proof of Stake algorithms definitely have the potential to overtake Proof of Work," said Vipul Goyal, an associate professor in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). "However, there are still some significant research challenges that need to be overcome before that happens." Twitter Ethereum began working on a PoS system in 2014 and last year introduced the mechanism on a testnet called "Casper" (as in Casper the Friendly Finality Gadget or Casper FFG). Casper was intended to be overlaid on Ethereum's current PoW algorithm. There have also been internal development battles over the way "finality" should be implemented on the Casper PoS system (i.e., how a block should be finalized so it's added to the immutable blockchain). Ethereum developer Vlad Zamfir has been creating a Casper consensus protocol called "Correct by Construction" (CBC). The difference? "Both Vitalik and Vlad agree that penalties for bad behaviour needs to be implemented. They differed on the approach -- primarily, on how harsh those penalties should be," Shawn Dexter, a research analyst with Mango Research, said via email. In the end, a Casper PoS system will likely draw from both FFG and CBC consensus protocols, according to Jon Choi, a developer with the Ethereum Foundation. As with other PoS models, the Casper consensus protocol would work by creating "bonded validators," or users who must place a security deposit down before being allowed to serve as part of the blockchain consensus or voting community. As long as bonded validators act honestly on the blockchain, they can remain in the consensus community; if they attempt to cheat the system, they lose their stake (their money). Ethereum's Casper PoS system would enable a consensus mechanism to process new transactions in about four seconds. A hybrid system Last year, two developments in the effort to implement a new consensus model came in the form of a standalone PoS mechanism named Serenity and a hybrid PoW/PoS system named Metropolis. Metropolis was divided into two phases: the development of a byzantine fault-tolerance mechanism launched last year and a project known as Constantinople the hybrid PoW/PoS system. The Constantinople name was dropped earlier this year and the effort to implement a new Casper PoS and sharding system is now being referred to as Ethereum 2.0. The PoS system, whether hybrid or standalone, was going to require that validators deposit 1,500 Ether coins to become part of the consensus mechanism. In his tweet storm, however, Buterin announced the number of Ether coins required to become a validator will now be 32. Jake Yocom-Piatt, creator of the digital currency network Decred, believes the best governance model is one that employs both PoW and PoS mechanisms, as Buterin and the Ethereum development team are proposing. In a hybrid model, deference is given to the PoS validators who can override bad behavior on the PoW network. "If you're a Proof of Work miner and you're playing games and causing problems on our network, the stakeholders on the network can penalize them and strip them of their rewards," Yocom-Piatt said in an earlier interview. "You can also vote on consensus rule changes. This acts as a dispute-resolution and decision-making mechanism for major decisions in the cryptocurrency," Yocom-Piatt said, referring to new software releases and other blockchain changes. In Ethereum 2.0's latest model, the blockchain would grow in blocks using the current PoW algorithm, "but every 50 blocks is a PoS 'checkpoint'" where finality is assessed via a network of PoS validators, a white paper explained. Over its development lifecycle, the PoS protocol faced a number of challenges, the most difficult of which is what is known as "posterior corruptions," which could undermine the authenticity of a blockchain. For example, a set of users on a blockchain can hold the majority stake, and then sell that stake. In a PoS system, those entities could still hold the cryptographic keys that gave them governing power in the past and use that authority to create a new blockchain or "attack chain" off the primary chain (known as a fork). In effect, validators' money would no longer be on the line but they could still control the blockchain's direction -- a phenomenon known as the "Nothing at Stake" PoS problem. "If the attack chain diverges from the main chain at a fairly recent point in time, this is not a problem, because if validators sign two conflicting messages for the two conflicting chains this can be used as evidence to penalize them and take away their deposits," Buterin wrote in his Twitter thread. "But if the divergence happened long ago (hence, long range attack), attackers could withdraw their deposits, preventing penalties on either chain." To deal with long-range attacks, Ethereum developers introduced a change requiring clients log on at least once every four months and that their deposits take four months to withdraw, so the incentive to avoid a penalty would no longer be available. Ethereum developers also considered other consensus algorithms "inspired by traditional byzantine fault tolerance theory," such as Consensus by Bet, but eventually abandoned them as "too risky." Mango Research's Dexter said the most recent Ethereum update has people confused because much of the explanatory information is contained in comment sections across various forums. Even in an explainer last week, Dexter cautioned things still may change between now and when a PoW/PoS and sharding algorithm is implemented. Casper and sharding will be implemented on the same chain, but not together, Buterin explained. Casper could come first or sharding. Both will be implemented on a new overlay network known as Beacon Chain, which will be a hard fork or off ramp from the current Ethereum blockchain. Computerworld / IDG That fork isn't expected to be contentious, so it's unlikely to result in any "bad effect" on the Ethereum community, according to Dexter. "Hard forks don't have the same stigma in Ethereum like they do in [bitcoin]. In the new version, there will be a one-way smart contract (from the PoW to the Beacon Chain) that will allow users to deposit [32 Eth] in order to become a validator on the PoS chain. Users who deposited the 32 Eth will go in queue to become validators, and can start validating blocks," Dexter said. Buterin ended his Twitter thread by saying there is no formal timeline for implementing the new consensus mechanism. His last tweet said there are still "formal proofs, refinements to the specification, and ongoing progress on implementation," which have already been started by three developer teams. Martha Bennett, a principal analyst with Forrester Research, cautioned against speculating on when Ethereum 2.0 would be released or how it will perform. "The PoS consensus design took several iterations," she said via email, "and we simply won't know until it's been implemented and has been running for a while whether it'll work in the desired fashion or not." This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Reddit 3 Email 699 Shares Among the anecdotes told in the early biographies of the Prophet Muhammad is one about him being harassed by his immediate neighbors in Mecca, in roughly the period 614-622. One way they bothered him was to throw sheep offal through the window of his home in Mecca where he lived with his first wife, Khadija. `Abd al-Malik Ibn Hisham (d. 7 May 833) edited the earlier biography of Muhammad ibn Ishaq (died sometime in the 760s). In his translation of Ibn Hisham, Alfred Guillaume gives this passage to set the scene (Life of Muhammad, p. 191; Ar. 276-77): Those of his neighbors who ill treated the apostle in his house were Abu Lahab [and others] I have been told that one of them used to throw a sheeps uterus at him while he was praying; and one of them used to throw it into his cooking-pot when it had been placed ready for him. Thus the apostle was forced to retire to a wall when he prayed. Then Ibn Hisham gives an anecdote for how the Prophet Muhammad responded to this petty harassment: `Umar ibn `Abdullah ibn `Urwa ibn Zubayr told me on the authority of his father that when they threw this objectionable thing at him the apostle took it out on a stick, and standing at the door of his house, he would say, O Banu `Abdu Manaf, what sort of protection is this? Then he would throw it in the street. I tell this story in my book on Muhammad: The biographers maintain that Muhammads own immediate relatives, including the Muttalib and Banu Hashim of the `Abd Manaf clan of Quraysh, decided to give him their protection even though they were pagans. It was more important to them that he was a kinsman than that he had what Mecca pagans considered strange religious ideas. Other clans of the Quraysh tribe in the city are alleged to have been militant pagans and to have objected to Muhammads denial of the reality of the gods. To a polytheist, a monotheist is a kind of atheist. But, while the pagan clans gave protection to Muhammad and his followers, they couldnt be everywhere all the time, and this anecdote represents the long-suffering Prophet as observing that they sometimes did not seem to be keeping him very safe from the mischief of enemies. The Revisionist academic historians of early Islam, at least in their heyday of the 1970s through recent years, cast severe doubt on these anecdotes about the life of the Prophet, on the grounds that Ibn Hisham, for instance, was writing in the early 800s but Muhammad died in 632. Even if some of his material came from Ibn Ishaq, who was presumably collecting these anecdotes from roughly 100 to 130 years after the Prophets death, that still doesnt get us very close. Since all the evidence we had was literary, how did we really know that the Prophet lived in Mecca or that any of the people mentioned in the early sources really existed? Skepticism is useful in academic study up to a point, since people who hold a particular view of what happened are pressed to clarify how exactly they know what they think they know, and what their sources are, and how primary they are. But there is a difference between healthy skepticism and denialism. I agree that much in the later Muslim biographies of Muhammad is essentially folk stories and later elaborations and tall tales. My own rule of thumb is that if the story isnt like anything in the Quran, then I reject it, or at least see no reason to accept it. But this particular anecdote isnt implausible on the surface, and the Quran does speak of the Meccan pagans insulting, taunting and harassing the Prophet and the early Believers. The Quran advises them to meet this behavior with good wishes and prayers of peace for their foes. So a sigh by the Prophet that his clan protection was imperfect would not contradict these passages of the Quran. For instance, Quran 41:34 (Explanation/ Fussilat) Good deeds and wicked ones are not equal. Repel evil with a higher good, and your enemy will become your devoted patron. Arabic names of this period, as with Norse ones, are more a genealogy than a name. The anecdote about Muhammads reaction to being bothered in this way came from a man named `Umar (i.e. Omar). His father was `Abdullah, and his grandfather was the historian and jurist of Medina, `Urwa (d. 712 or 713). His great-grandfather, Zubayr ibn al-`Awwam (d. 656), had been a companion of the prophet. Gregor Schoeler and Andreas Gorke have identified eight anecdotes about the life of Muhammad which were very widely related by early Muslims, and which they attributed to `Urwa ibn al-Zubayr, the grandfather of the `Umar who told the story about the sheeps uterus. I compared these eight accounts to the Qurans own narratives in my book, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires And now for the big reveal. The Saudi scholar Mohammed Abdullah Alruthaya Almaghthawi (on twitter as @mohammed93athar) has been publishing on Twitter Arabic inscriptions found on rock faces around Medina, the Prophets adopted city from 622. One of these inscriptions goes this way: `Umar ibn `Abdullah ibn `Urwa ibn al-Zubayr has believed in God and bears witness that there is no God but God, and has denied [the idol] Taghut, both in this life and after death. `Umar has written this in the year 96. 96 AH, the Muslim calendar ran from mid-September of 714 to early September of 715. That is, this inscription claims to be from only 82 solar years after the death of Muhammad in 632. Some scholars think the Gospel of John was composed about 80 years after the death of Jesus. The original tweet is here: #_ #_ . . . .#_ pic.twitter.com/LUoRziTnkU (@mohammed93athar) May 24, 2018 This is the photograph of the inscription: Mohammed Abdullah Alruthaya Almaghthawi, the Saudi scholar posting these inscriptions, gives `Umars date of death somewhere in the years 100 and 110 AH, i.e. 718-728 AD. Ibn Ishaq was born in 704 and would have been 24 in 728. So it is entirely possible that he met `Umar and heard this anecdote from him in his youth in Medina. Of course, this simple inscription does not prove that the anecdote of the Prophet being bothered with having sheeps offal tossed at him has any truth to it, only that the alleged relater of the anecdote actually existed and was a Muslim. The biographer Ibn Sa`d confirms that `Urwa ibn al-Zubayrs eldest son was named `Abdullah, so that was the father of our `Umar. `Umar is said to have heard stories of the prophet from his grandfather, the historian `Urwa, when he was young. He did not leave behind any children. This inscription seems to be held in a regional museum in Saudi Arabia, named the Turki al-Rubayli Museum, which suggests that Saudi archeologists have looked carefully at it. I obviously cannot attest its authenticity, but do not see a strong reason to doubt it. Al-Zubayr and his descendants are alleged by later historians to have played an important role in very early Islamic history. Al-Zubayr led a rebellion in 656 against the fourth Commander of the Faithful, Ali. His son `Abdullah (`Urwas brother, d. 692not to be confused with `Urwas eldest son) rebelled against the Umayyad ruler Yazid, ironically at first in conjunction with Alis son Husayn (the grandson of the prophet). Both Abdullah and Husayn were killed by the Umayyads. `Urwa wasnt political but must have sympathized with his brother. He burned many of his writings during that rebellion, which he is said later to have regretted. The inscription by `Umar, `Urwas grandson, tells us nothing about politics but does say something about early Muslim piety in the first century of the faith: `Umar ibn `Abdullah ibn `Urwa ibn al-Zubayr has believed in God and bears witness that there is no God but God, and has denied [the idol] Taghut, both in this life and after death. `Umar has written this in the year 96. It is interesting to me that the author of the inscription made a point of denying the existence of gods. Taghut seems to be an Ethiopian word for graven idols that was adopted into the Arabic of West Arabia (the Hejaz). Maybe I am reaching and the inscription is formulaic. But I suspect that it indicates that North Arabian paganism continued to be practiced in rural areas of Arabia, Transjordan and Syria well into the Umayyad period. Hence, pious Muslims still found it important to distinguish themselves from polytheists and henotheists, who were around them. The monk of northern Iraq writing in the 680s, John bar Penkaye had observed of Umayyad rule, From every man they required only the tribute, and left him free to hold any belief, and there were even some Christians among them: some belonged to the heretics and others to us. While Mu`awiya reigned there was such a great peace in the world as was never heard of, according to our fathers and our fathers fathers. Elsewhere, he complained that under early Muslim rule, Near Eastern Christians were making friendships with Jews and engaging in commerce with infidels (pagans/Hellenes?). See also for the survival of religions other than Islam in the Hejaz, Henry Munt, No two religions: Non-Muslims in the early Islamic Hijaz, 2 Jun 2015, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. Advertisement Reddit Email 126 Shares Human Rights Watch (Beirut) Saudi Arabias Public Prosecution is seeking the death penalty against five Eastern Province activists, including female human rights activist Israa al-Ghomgham, Human Rights Watch said today. The activists, along with one other person not facing execution, are being tried in the countrys terrorism tribunal on charges solely related to their peaceful activism. The Public Prosecution, which reports directly to the king, accused the detained activists of several charges that do not resemble recognizable crimes, including participating in protests in the Qatif region, incitement to protest, chanting slogans hostile to the regime, attempting to inflame public opinion, filming protests and publishing on social media, and providing moral support to rioters. It called for their execution based on the Islamic law principle of tazir, in which the judge has discretion over the definition of what constitutes a crime and over the sentence. Authorities have held all six activists in pretrial detention and without legal representation for over two years. Their next court date has been scheduled for October 28, 2018. Any execution is appalling, but seeking the death penalty for activists like Israa al-Ghomgham, who are not even accused of violent behavior, is monstrous, said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. Every day, the Saudi monarchys unrestrained despotism makes it harder for its public relations teams to spin the fairy tale of reform to allies and international business. Al-Ghomgham is a Shia activist well known for participating in and documenting mass demonstrations in the Eastern Province that began in early 2011, calling for an end to the systematic discrimination that Saudi Shia citizens face in the majority-Sunni country. Authorities arrested al-Ghomgham and her husband in a night raid on their home on December 6, 2015 and have held them in Dammams al-Mabahith prison ever since. Saudi activists told Human Rights Watch that the Public Prosecutions recent demand makes al-Ghomgham the first female activist to possibly face the death penalty for her human rights-related work, which sets a dangerous precedent for other women activists currently behind bars. Saudi Arabias Specialized Criminal Court (SCC), set up in 2008 to try terrorism cases, has since been increasingly used to prosecute peaceful dissidents. The court is notorious for its violations of fair trial standards and has previously sentenced other Shia activists to death on politically motivated charges. The court sentenced a prominent Shia cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, and seven other men to death for their role in the 2011 Eastern Province demonstrations in 2014 and another 14 people in 2016 for participating in the protests. Saudi authorities executed al-Nimr and at least three other Shia men on January 2, 2016 when they carried out the largest mass execution since 1980, putting 47 men to death. International standards, including the Arab Charter on Human Rights, ratified by Saudi Arabia, require countries that retain the death penalty to use it only for the most serious crimes, and in exceptional circumstances. Human Rights Watch opposes capital punishment in all countries and under all circumstances. Capital punishment is unique in its cruelty and finality, and it is inevitably and universally plagued with arbitrariness, prejudice, and error. A recent crackdown on womens rights activists in Saudi Arabia has led to the arrest of at least 13 women under the pretext of maintaining national security. While some have since been released, others remain detained without charge. They are: Loujain al-Hathloul, Aziza al-Yousef, Eman al-Nafjan, Nouf Abdelaziz, Mayaa al-Zahrani, Hatoon al-Fassi, Samar Badawi, Nassema al-Sadah, and Amal al-Harbi. Authorities have accused several of them of serious crimes and local media outlets carried out an unprecedented campaign against them, labeling them traitors. If the Crown Prince is truly serious about reform, he should immediately step in to ensure no activist is unjustly detained for his or her human rights work, added Whitson. Via Human Rights Watch. Bonus video added by Informed Comment: SRW expresses concerns over Israa al-Ghamgham death verdict Reddit Email 472 Shares Historians will mark August 21, 2018, as a turning point in American history. President Donald Trumps personal lawyer pleaded guilty to 8 counts of criminal wrongdoing that could carry a sentence of up to 65 years. Most significantly, he pleaded guilty to having attempted illegally to interfere in an election in coordination with and at the direction of a federal candidate for office. AFP writes, Just days before the election, Cohen paid $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about her past with Trump. He also was involved in buying for $150,000 the rights to the story of Playboy model Karen McDougal about her alleged affair with Trump. Those actions, which involved shell companies and offshore entities controlled by Cohen, got him into legal trouble over banking, tax and campaign finance laws. Cohen initially said he used his own money to pay Daniels and was not reimbursed. Trump, who first denied knowing anything about the payment, has since conceded that Cohen was paid back. Although Cohen was involved in a crime in preventing information from surfacing relevant to the election by basically bribing eyewitnesses, Trumps crime was not exactly the same. If you considered getting his ex-lovers to remain quiet to be a campaign expense, he would have been within his rights to spend money on it. Trumps crime would be in not reporting it to the Federal Election Commission. While some are arguing that neglecting to report a couple hundred thousands of dollars in campaign expenses is a relatively minor crime, that is not really true. Former presidential candidate John Edwards was prosecuted for similar payments, to his lover Rielle Hunter, and the only reason the Federal case failed was that prosecutors couldnt prove the money was paid to keep the public from knowing about the affair, as opposed to keeping Mrs. Edwards in the dark. But given the timing of the payment to Ms. Daniels, and given the knowledge and cooperativeness of Mr. Cohen, prosecutors who brought Trump up on charges would almost certainly prevail. Trump is, of course, unlikely to be put on trial while in the presidency. He could, however, end up being deposed, just as Bill Clinton was, and then he would either have to admit the affair and the payoff or continue to lie about them. The latter course of action, given Cohens own plea, would certainly be perjury. If Democrats can take the House in November, they could launch an investigation that would throw up further evidence for Trump law-breaking, or which might tempt him to continue lying, which could become perjury if he did it in formal circumstances. The crux may be a matter of public opinion more than legal, in the end. Above all, the likelihood that Trumps evangelical base can go on pretending he doesnt have serial affairs, and can go on denying the swampy corruption at the center of this administration, is low. And without that base, Trump has almost nothing. Trump has been clever about having the people around him take the fall, a fate he likely will inflict on his own son, Don Jr., with regard to the meeting with the Russian government agent Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower in summer of 2016. But with Cohens plea, for the first time someone has laid a hand on Trump himself. There are almost certainly emails or recordings to back Cohen up. For the first time since Watergate, the president is an unindicted co-conspirator in a crime under continued investigation. Whether or not impeachment is ultimately in the offing, Trumps crippled presidency just became a quadriplegiac and is now living on borrowed time, one way or another. And, it seems certain that when he goes out of office, he is going to prison for crimes committed in and prosecuted by New York state. Bonus video: Financial Times: Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen pleads guilty VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) (OTC: LUMAF) (Lumina or the Company) announces the results of its annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on August 21, 2018 in Vancouver (the Meeting). At the Meeting, shareholders voted in favour of the spin-out of Luminex Resources Corp. (Luminex) pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement (the Arrangement) under Section 288 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). Under the Arrangement, Luminas current shareholders will receive common shares of Luminex by way of a share exchange, pursuant to which each existing common share of Lumina is exchanged for one new common share of Lumina and 0.15 of a common share of Luminex. Optionholders of Lumina will receive replacement options of Lumina and options of Luminex which are proportionate to, and reflective of, the terms of their existing options. Luminex will hold all of the concessions and properties previously held by Lumina with the exception of the Cangrejos Project and will be capitalized with approximately US$5 million raised from Luminas C$7 million financing that closed on July 26, 2018. The Arrangement remains subject to final approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia and acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange, and is expected to be completed on or about August 31, 2018. Luminex has applied to list its common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange. Luminas shareholders also voted in favour of each of the other matters considered at the Meeting, including voting in favour of electing each of Marshall Koval, Lyle Braaten, Donald Shumka, Michael Steinmann, Stephen Stow and Heye Daun as directors of the Company to hold office for the ensuing year, appointing auditors for the ensuing year and authorizing the board of directors to set their remuneration, approving Luminas 10% Rolling Stock Option Plan, and approving Luminexs Stock Option Plan. About Lumina Gold Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador. The Companys Cangrejos Gold-Copper project is located in El Oro Province, southwest Ecuador, and its Condor Gold-Copper project is located in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, southeast Ecuador. The Company also holds a large and highly prospective land package in Ecuador consisting of 135 thousand hectares. The Company has an experienced management team with a successful track record of advancing and monetizing exploration projects. Further details are available on the Companys website at https://luminagold.com/. LUMINA GOLD CORP. For further information contact: Signed: Marshall Koval Scott Hicks This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Marshall Koval, President & CEO, Director T: +1 604 646 1890 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 news release Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to the securities shareholders and optionholders will receive under the Arrangement; the concessions, properties and capitalization of Luminex after completion of the Arrangement; and completion and timing of completion of the Arrangement. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as will, expected or variations of that word and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about obtaining approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia and acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange for the Arrangement, general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Companys continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacton Gold Inc. (TSXV: PAC, OTC: PACXF) (the Company or Pacton) is pleased to announce that further to the Share Purchase and Option Agreement (SOPA) to acquire up to 80% ownership interest in Arrow (Pilbara) Pty Ltd ("Arrow Pilbara"), an Australian company wholly owned by Arrow Minerals Limited (ASX:AMD) (see news release dated May 14, 2018), the Company which currently owns 51% of Arrow Pilbara has agreed to terms to acquire the remaining 49% ownership in Arrow Pilbara. Arrow Pilbara holds two granted tenement licences and two applications for licences, comprising of a total of 609 km2 (the Property). The Property is an advanced gold project portfolio which consists of conglomerate gold targets within the Witwatersrand Basin age-equivalent Mallina Basin. Highlights of the Transaction: Securing 100% ownership of strategic land holdings totaling 609 km 2 , with recent discovery of gold nuggets from outcropping conglomerates. Nuggets 5 to 10 mm in size have been discovered on the Property. (refer to Company website); , (refer to Company website); Similarity in style to the Witwatersrand Basin Gold deposits of South Africa including uranium anomalies associated with conglomerate gold targets identified from radiometric surveys. Seven conglomerate gold targets have been identified with uranium radiometric anomalies ; ; Directly adjacent and proximal to key exploration properties controlled by Novo Resources Corp., De Grey Mining Ltd., and Kairos Minerals Ltd.; Gold-arsenic anomalies identified along structures which host gold mineralization on adjacent properties. Alec Pismiris, Interim President and CEO of Pacton Gold stated, We are pleased to be able to accelerate the acquisition of Arrow Pilbara and we will continue to work with the team at Arrow Minerals, who assembled this significant portfolio of advanced gold projects with excellent prospectivity. The ownership structure will provide further exploration and discovery upside for the shareholders of Pacton. Pactons Pilbara gold project is fast becoming one of the most significant in the Pilbara region. Share Sale Agreement (Agreement) Terms Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company will acquire the remaining 49% ownership interest in Arrow Pilbara it does not own by paying Arrow a total of $1,000,000 and issuing to Arrow 2,000,0000 common shares (Consideration Shares). Arrow has agreed the Consideration Shares will be subject to a voluntary escrow period to June 30, 2019. By entering the share sale agreement, the Company is released from certain obligations relating to the option to earn a further 29% ownership interest in Arrow Pilbara under the SOPA. Pacton will be required to meet its obligations to payments linked to the grant of two applications for licences and discovery of measured, indicated or inferred resource on the Property. Arrow will retain all rights to explore for, mine and extract lithium, caesium and tantalum from the Property. This transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Pacton Gold Pacton Gold (PAC: TSXV; PACXF: US) is a well-financed Canadian junior with key strategic partners focused on the exploration and development of conglomerate-hosted gold properties located in the district-scale Pilbara gold rush in Western Australia. The Company recently raised approximately $5.5 million, currently controls the third largest conglomerate-hosted gold property portfolio totaling in excess of 2,500 km2, and continues to aggressively review additional accretive acquisitions. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Caldbick, P.Geo., a director of the Company and a Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101. The qualified person has not yet verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in the written disclosure. On Behalf of the Board of Pacton Gold Inc. Alec Pismiris Interim President & CEO For more information, please contact 1-(855)-584-0258 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . This news release may contain or refer to forward-looking information based on current expectations, including, but not limited to the Company acquiring an interest in Arrow Pilbara and completion of the proposed transaction described herein, the prospect of the Company achieving success in exploring the Property and the impact on the Company of these events, including the effect on the share prices. Forward-looking information is subject to significant risks and uncertainties, as actual results may differ materially from forecasted results. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date hereof and we assume no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances. Neither TSX Venture Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange nor their 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. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 22, 2018) - International Cobalt Corp. (CSE: CO), the "Company" or "International Cobalt") is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a Right of First Refusal Agreement ("ROFR)" with Idaho Champion Gold Mines Ltd. ("ICGM" or "Idaho Champion") over four distinct and separate mining projects comprising up to 822 Claims (up to 6,871 hectares) in the Idaho Cobalt Belt, collectively known as the "Champion Projects." (See Figure 1 below for an Idaho Cobalt Belt map with individual project locations). As part of the terms of the agreement, the Company has agreed to invest US$250,000 in the common shares of ICGM at US$0.20 per share as part of an anticipated September 2018 public listing in connection with the proposed Reverse Take Over (RTO) with GoldTrain Resources Inc. ("GoldTrain"), pursuant to which GoldTrain will acquire all of the shares of ICGM and the shareholders of ICGM will acquire control of GoldTrain. The acquisition of the four Champion Projects represents a possible transformative acquisition for the Company. The acquisition would increase International Cobalt's presence and land position in the Idaho Cobalt Belt by 295%, making International Cobalt potentially the largest holder of prospective Cobalt assets in Idaho and one of the largest in North America. The Company believes that the Idaho Cobalt Belt represents the premier district for primary Cobalt discoveries in North America. The region hosts a rich endowment of mineral resources only beginning to be unlocked due to recent exploration activity driven by the price of Cobalt. Modern exploration techniques have proven fruitful in expanding historic resources and making new discoveries. Tim Johnson, President and CEO stated: "We are delighted to be investors in ICGM and wish them all the best in their gold-focused endeavors in Idaho. The ROFR gives us a huge opportunity to significantly add to our existing premier land position and become the preeminent player in the Idaho Cobalt Belt, which in our opinion is the most prospective region for Cobalt discoveries in North America." Jonathan Buick, President of ICGM noted: "We are delighted to have International Cobalt as cornerstone investors, with the possibility to partner with them on our Cobalt Portfolio. The team at International Cobalt is excellent, they are well capitalized, and we support their strategy of unlocking value in the state of Idaho, which we feel to be among the very best jurisdictions in the world for exploration and development with strong support from all levels of Government." Figure 1 Champion Properties The four projects are summarized as follows: Dupuis Project (Dup Claims) 201 claims totaling 1627 Hectares The DUP Claims, located 6 km south of the Blackbird Mine, sit adjacent to, on-trend and immediately south of International Cobalt's Blackbird Creek Project. Underlain by favorable Yellowjacket Formation geology and potential extensions of mineralized trends seen on the Company's Blackbird Creek Project, these claims would significantly increase the discovery potential at Blackbird. Three copper-cobalt occurrences exist on the project; the French Gulch Mine, Victory, and Dupuis. Blackpine North Project (SC Claims) 144 Claims totaling 1165 Hectares The SC Claims are located one km north of eCobalt's Blackpine copper-cobalt Project. The Blackpine Project is host to stratiform sulphide mineralization found in massive sections which typically contain pyrite and chalcopyrite. Aside from the copper rich strata, there are several narrower cobalt-gold rich arsenopyrite-bearing beds present in the copper mineralized section. A non-43-101 compliant historical reserve of 340,000 tons grading 3.5% copper was delineated in the 1960's. The SC Claims are underlain by similar geology to that of the Black Pine Project. Twin Peaks Project (TP and Badger Claims) 377 Claims totaling 2600 Hectares The TP claims are host to the Twin Peaks Copper mine and are surrounded by the Badger claims located in Badger Basin. The historical Twin Peaks mine has been described having broad shear zones of modest grade copper mineralization. In 1996 Formation Capital reported copper results of 2% over a 50-foot width on the Badger Claims. The TP and Badger claims lie approximately 3km east of US Cobalt's Iron Creek Project, recently acquired by First Cobalt Corporation (TSX-V: FCC) for a total implied equity value of approximately $149.9 million on a fully-diluted in-the-money basis at the time of entering the agreement. Ulysses Cobalt Project (IP and GS Claims) 100 Claims totaling 809.4 Hectares The IP and GS Claims are 2 km north of the Ulysses Mine, a historical gold/silver producer located in the Yellowjacket Formation which is associated with Cobalt mineralization in the Region. Two Cobalt occurrences have already been identified south of the Ulysses Project, which attest to the prospective nature of this area. The Yellowjacket Formation in this area is located outside of the prolific "Idaho Cobalt Belt" but is interpreted to have similar geological potential to host cobalt-copper-gold mineralization. *these properties can be seen on the regional Idaho Cobalt Map here NI 43-101 DISCLOSURE Neil McCallum, P.Geol, of Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COBALT International Cobalt Corp. (CSE: CO) is a Canadian based mineral exploration and development business focusing on the burgeoning cobalt sector. The Company seeks to add shareholder value by sourcing and developing projects in safe, progressive jurisdictions adhering to strict environmental and social standards. The company has projects in the Idaho Cobalt belt, one of the premier locations to explore for primary cobalt deposits and in Atlantic Canada with a rich history of mine development and operation. International Cobalt is well funded to pursue its objectives and currently holds in excess of $9 million in treasury at the time of this publication. ABOUT IDAHO CHAMPION Idaho Champion, through its United States subsidiaries, has acquired 11 mining claims in north central Idaho and has staked claims covering more than 1,700 hectares of adjoining exploration ground. It has recently raised more than US$2,000,000 of cash in a Private Placement and is seeking to raise additional cash through the remainder of the Private Placement. Idaho Champion has also entered into an agreement with an arms' length vendor for Idaho Champion to acquire in tranches up to 822 mining claims in northern Idaho covering approximately 6,871 hectares. ABOUT GOLDTRAIN GoldTrain's strategy is to enhance shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration and development of high potential mineral deposits. Headquartered in Toronto, GoldTrain's shares trade on the CSE under the trading symbol "GT". For further information, please visit GoldTrain's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or its corporate website at www.goldtrain.ca. ABOUT THE COBALT MARKET Cobalt prices recently reached a 10 year high of $42.75 US per pound and have shown a steady increase since the mid-point of 2015. As a vital component of many of the lithium-ion batteries used in a wide range of applications from cell phones to electric vehicles (EV), demand for Cobalt is anticipated to remain strong. For more information on the Champion Projects or International Cobalt Corp. please contact: Tyler Lowes tlowes@internationalcobalt,com or 604-329-5097. For more information on Idaho Champion Gold Mines, please contact: Jonathan Buick This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 416-477-7771 x.206 For more information on GoldTrain and the Reverse Take Over with ICGM, please contact: Frank Smeenk This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 416-642-3575 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future acquisitions, production, reserve potential, exploration and development activities and events or developments that the Company, ICGM or GoldTrain expects, are forwardlooking statements. Although management of those companies believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the Company's and GoldTrain's public filings at www.sedar.com for further information. OTTAWA, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. (Cornerstone or the Company) (TSXV:CGP) (Frankfurt:GWN) (Berlin:GWN) (OTC:CTNXF) is pleased to announce the following update on the exploration program at its Cascabel copper-gold porphyry joint venture exploration project in northern Ecuador, in which the Company has a 15% interest financed through to completion of a feasibility study, plus 10% of the shares of joint venture partner and project operator SolGold Plc, for a total direct and indirect interest in Cascabel of approximately 23%. Figures referred to in this news release can be seen in PDF format by accessing the version of this release on the Companys website (www.cornerstoneresources.com) or by clicking on the link below: HIGHLIGHTS: Hole 41-D1-D2 (Alpala Central Infill Drilling): 582m (true width 233m) @ 1.18% copper equivalent ( CuEq 1 ) (0.64% Cu, 0.85g/t Au) (from 1048m depth), incl. 340m (true width 136m) @ 1.54% CuEq (0.78% Cu, 1.21g/t Au) (from 1172m depth. Hole 63 (Alpala Extension Drilling, Western lobe): thus far over 170m of copper sulphide mineralization. Drilling continues. Hole 58-D1 (Alpala Extension Drilling, NW margin): thus far over 640m of copper sulphide mineralization. Drilling continues. Hole 55R-D1 (Alpala Extension Drilling, NW margin): thus far over 480m of copper sulphide mineralization. Drilling continues. Hole 62 (Alpala Extension Drilling, East margin): approximately 400m of visible copper sulphide mineralization. Assay results pending. Hole 65 currently encountering strong mineralization from 762m depth to 832m depth on the Western lobe. Drilling continues. FURTHER INFORMATION: Cascabel is located in northwestern Ecuador in an under-explored northern section of the Andean Copper Belt, 60 km northeast of the undeveloped inferred resource of 982 million tons at 0.89% Cu Llurimaga (formerly Junin) copper project2 (Figure 1). A maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Alpala deposit, estimated from the initial 53,616m of drilling, was announced on January 3, 2018 (see Cornerstone news release 18-01 on that date) and the corresponding Technical Report prepared by SRK Exploration Services Ltd. and qualified persons James Gilbertson, Martin Pittuck, and John Willis in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 was filed at www.sedar.com on February 16, 2018 (Click Here), and indicates resources of: 430Mt @ 0.8% CuEq Indicated and 650Mt @ 0.6% CuEq Inferred (3.4 Mt CuEq Indicated 4.0 Mt CuEq Inferred) at 0.3% CuEq cut off, for a metal inventory of 2.3 Mt Cu and 6.0 Moz Au Indicated and 2.9 Mt Cu and 6.3 Moz Au Inferred, including a high-grade core of 70Mt @ 1.8% CuEq Indicated (1.2Mt CuEq) and 50Mt @ 1.8% CuEq Inferred (0.8 Mt CuEq) at a 1.1% CuEq cut off. A further 50 Mt @ 1.0% CuEq Indicated (1.0 Mt CuEq) and 50 Mt @ 1.0% CuEq Inferred (1.0 Mt CuEq) is added to the high grade core if a 0.9% CuEq cut off is used, giving a high grade core of 220 Mt at a weighted average grade of 1.44% CuEq. A further 83,000m of drilling has been completed (of which assays are outstanding for approximately 7,800m) since development of the maiden MRE (Figure 2), and major resource growth is expected in a revised MRE. JV partner and project operator SolGold believes that assay results from infill and extension drilling at Alpala Central substantiate the existence of a larger and more robust high-grade core than estimated in the MRE. Recent drilling shows that early stage diorite and quartz diorite intrusions, relatively richer in copper and gold, are far more continuous than previously modeled. Figure 3 is a core photo from Hole CSD-18-065 showing the intersection of a D10 Diorite containing moderate Act-propylitic alteration overprinted by weak Argillic alteration. An updated Mineral Resource Estimate is expected to provide a significantly greater resource base for the project upon completion of approximately 17,000m of planned drilling. SolGold is encouraged by mineralization, high grade being encountered in drilling across the western lobe of Alpala, lying in an elevated position, adjacent to the high grade core, while extension drilling along the northwest and east margins of the Alpala deposit continue to add growth to the overall extent of mineralization. Drill hole assays have been received for 113,800m of a total 136,600m on the project. Approximately 7,800m of drilling has assays pending, with 15,000m accounted for as non-assayed top access holes. Highlights of assay results expected to add to the existing MRE at Alpala are shown in the below table: Hole ID DepthFrom m DepthTo m Interval m True width m Cu % Au g/t CuEq % Cut-off (CuEq%) Comment CSD-17-030 658 1158 500 200.0 0.55 0.25 0.71 0.50 CSD-17-030 904 1048 144 57.6 0.72 0.33 0.93 0.70 CSD-17-033 736 1560 824 329.6 0.54 0.42 0.80 0.30 Announced 824m @ 0.80% CuEq, incl. 576m @ 0.93% CuEq. CSD-17-033 850 1426 576 230.4 0.61 0.51 0.93 0.40 CSD-17-033 1218 1388 170 68.0 0.81 1.07 1.48 0.70 CSD-17-033-D1 732 1336 604 241.6 0.51 0.34 0.73 na CSD-17-033-D1 1040 1186 146 58.4 1.09 0.99 1.71 0.30 CSD-17-036 1398 2004.7 606.7 242.7 0.45 0.25 0.61 0.20 bulk, halo CSD-17-036 1490 1844 354 141.6 0.59 0.34 0.81 0.30 CSD-17-037 1380 2222 842 336.8 0.35 0.15 0.44 0.20 CSD-17-037 1644 1842 198 79.2 0.55 0.30 0.74 0.40 CSD-18-041-D1 998 1754 756 302.4 0.53 0.47 0.82 0.30 CSD-18-041-D1 1282 1668 386 154.4 0.70 0.79 1.19 0.50 CSD-18-041-D1 1346 1598 252 100.8 0.86 1.07 1.53 1.00 CSD-18-041-D1-D1 1017.9 1449 431.1 172.4 0.41 0.24 0.56 0.30 CSD-18-041-D1-D1 1202 1449 247 98.8 0.45 0.33 0.65 na open at depth CSD-18-041-D1-D2 926 1779 853 341.2 0.52 0.62 0.91 0.20 open at depth, results below 1438m pending CSD-18-041-D1-D2 1048 1630 582 232.8 0.64 0.85 1.18 0.30 open at depth, results below 1438m pending CSD-18-041-D1-D2 1112 1630 518 207.2 0.68 0.93 1.27 0.40 open at depth, results below 1438m pending CSD-18-041-D1-D2 1172 1512 340 136.0 0.78 1.21 1.54 na CSD-18-041-D1-D2 1310 1456 146 58.4 1.04 2.03 2.32 1.00 open at depth, results below 1438m pending CSD-18-042 448 1176 728 291.2 0.75 0.50 1.06 0.30 CSD-18-042 620 1124 504 201.6 0.92 0.58 1.28 0.40 CSD-18-042 718 1106 388 155.2 1.01 0.68 1.44 0.50 CSD-18-042 840 1094 254 101.6 1.23 0.81 1.78 0.70 CSD-18-042-D2 312 1110 798 319.2 0.32 0.24 0.47 0.10 bulk, halo. CSD-18-042-D2 312 614 302 120.8 0.45 0.50 0.76 0.20 CSD-18-042-D2 312 538 226 90.4 0.62 0.54 0.96 na CSD-18-043 636 1534 898 359.2 0.51 0.40 0.76 0.30 CSD-18-043 932 1410 478 191.2 0.64 0.61 1.02 0.50 CSD-18-043 1090 1408 318 127.2 0.70 0.73 1.16 0.70 CSD-18-043 1108 1268 160 64.0 0.90 1.06 1.56 1.00 CSD-18-048 530 747.8 217.8 87.1 0.50 0.23 0.65 0.30 open at depth CSD-18-048 524 620 96 38.4 0.62 0.39 0.86 0.50 CSD-18-049 850 1700 850 340.0 0.49 0.28 0.66 0.10 CSD-18-049 872 1316 444 177.6 0.60 0.38 0.83 0.30 CSD-18-049 882 1150 268 107.2 0.77 0.56 1.12 0.60 CSD-18-049 890 1010 120 48.0 1.01 0.88 1.57 1.00 CSD-18-051 714 1408 694 277.6 0.43 0.28 0.61 0.20 CSD-18-051 826 1302 476 190.4 0.53 0.36 0.75 0.30 CSD-18-051 1084 1278 194 77.6 0.81 0.74 1.28 0.40 CSD-18-051 1226 1278 52 20.8 1.94 2.48 3.51 0.50 CSD-18-055R 542 1790 1248 499.2 0.61 0.45 0.90 0.10 CSD-18-055R 542 1604 1062 424.8 0.69 0.52 1.02 0.20 CSD-18-055R 1042 1590 548 219.2 0.86 0.80 1.36 0.30 CSD-18-055R 1306 1526 220 88.0 1.22 1.34 2.07 0.60 CSD-18-057 556 1388 832 332.8 0.72 1.10 1.41 0.30 CSD-18-057 814 1376 562 224.8 0.85 1.37 1.72 0.40 CSD-18-057 892 1196 304 121.6 1.15 2.18 2.52 1.00 CSD-18-057 1004 1186 182 72.8 1.49 3.14 3.46 1.50 CSD-18-058 722 1644 922 368.8 0.47 0.26 0.63 0.30 CSD-18-058 1040 1288 248 99.2 0.72 0.51 1.04 0.70 CSD-18-058 1140 1264 124 49.6 0.86 0.59 1.23 1.00 CSD-18-058 1270 1346 76 30.4 0.53 0.28 0.71 0.50 CSD-18-060 796 1122 326 130.4 0.84 0.37 1.08 0.10 CSD-18-060 802 996 194 77.6 1.28 0.54 1.61 0.30 CSD-18-060 814 976 162 64.8 1.45 0.61 1.84 0.50 CSD-18-060 886 976 90 36.0 1.97 0.89 2.53 1.00 Data Aggregation Method: Intercepts reported using copper equivalent cutoff grades with up to 10m internal dilution, excluding bridging to a single sample. Minimum intersection length 50m. Gold Conversion Factor of 0.63 calculated from a copper price of US$3.00/lb and a gold price US$1300/oz. True widths of downhole interval lengths are estimated to be approximately 25% to 50%. Aguinaga Drilling Program Aguinaga drilling is progressing with Hole 11 under way. The drilling program at Aguinaga is in its early stages. As drilling progresses, the geometry and extent of mineralization is becoming more apparent, and SolGold geologists believe potential exists for ongoing discoveries through further drilling. A more detailed update on the Aguinaga drilling program will be forthcoming as assay results are received and initial interpretation work matures. About the Cascabel Joint Venture with SolGold: Exploraciones Novomining S.A. (ENSA), an Ecuadorean company owned by SolGold Plc and Cornerstone, holds 100% of the Cascabel concession. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including SolGolds fully funding the project through to feasibility, SolGold Plc will own 85% of the equity of ENSA and Cornerstone will own the remaining 15% of ENSA. SolGold is funding 100% of the exploration at Cascabel and is the operator of the project. SolGold shall receive 90% of Cornerstones distribution of earnings or dividends from ENSA to which Cornerstone would otherwise be entitled until such time as the amounts so received equal the aggregate amount of expenditures incurred by SolGold that would have otherwise been payable by Cornerstone, plus interest thereon from the dates such expenditures were incurred at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus 2 per cent until such time as SolGold is fully reimbursed. Logging, sampling, assaying and reporting Holes referred to in this release were or are being drilled using HTW, NTW, NQ and BQ core sizes (respectively 7.1, 5.6, 4.8 and 3.7 cm diameter). Geotechnical measurements such as core recovery, fracturing, rock quality designations (RQDs), specific gravity and photographic logging are performed systematically prior to assaying. The core is logged, magnetic susceptibility measured and key alteration minerals identified by experienced loggers and sometimes using an on-site portable spectrometer. Core is then sawed in half at the ENSA core logging facility, and half of the core is delivered by ENSA employees for preparation at ALS Minerals Laboratories (ALS) sample preparation facility in Quito. Core samples are prepared crushing to 70% passing 2 mm (10 mesh), splitting 250 g and pulverizing to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh) (ALS code CRU-31, SPL21 and PUL-32). Prepared samples are then shipped to ALS in Lima, Peru where samples are assayed for a multi-element suite (ALS code ME-MSP61, 1g split, 4-acid digestion, ICP-MS finish). Over limit results for Ag (> 100 g/t) and Cu, (> 1%) are systematically re-assayed (ALS code Ag-AA62, 4-acid digestion, AAS finish). Gold is assayed using a 30 g split, Fire Assay (FA) and AA finish (ALS code Au-AA23). Quality assurance / Quality control (QA/QC) The ALS Laboratory is a qualified assayer that performs and makes available internal assaying controls. Duplicates, certified blanks and standards are systematically used (1 control sample every 15-20 samples). Rejects, a 100 g pulp for each core sample and the remaining half-core are stored for future use and controls. Qualified Person: Yvan Crepeau, MBA, P.Geo., Cornerstones Vice President, Exploration and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for supervising the exploration program at the Cascabel project for Cornerstone and has reviewed and approved the information contained in this news release. About Cornerstone: Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company with a diversified portfolio of projects in Ecuador and Chile, including in the Cascabel gold-enriched copper porphyry joint venture in north west Ecuador. Pending Plan of Arrangement: TSXV approval is still pending in respect of the plan of arrangement to spinoff Cornerstone Exploration Inc., first announced on July 13, 2017. The plan of arrangement received shareholder approval in December 2017 and court approval in January 2018. The Company will put out an update promptly following TSXV approval. Pursuant to the plan of arrangement, Cornerstone will spin off into a new company called Cornerstone Exploration Inc., all of Cornerstones assets except for its interest in the Cascabel concession in Ecuador, shares of SolGold plc and the joint venture with Ecuadorian state mining company ENAMI EP. Cornerstone Exploration will own the drill ready Bella Maria, Shyri NW (Vetas Grandes) and Bramaderos properties in Ecuador, an option to own 100% of the drill ready Cana Brava property in Ecuador, the applications for new properties in Ecuador made by Cornerstone subsidiary La Plata Minerales S.A., the Miocene property in Chile, and Cornerstone's generative exploration databases for Ecuador and Chile. Cornerstone will be re-named Cascabel Gold & Copper Inc. Further information is available on Cornerstones website: www.cornerstoneresources.com and on Twitter. For investor, corporate or media inquiries, please contact: Investor Relations: Mario Drolet (Montreal); Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Tel. (514) 346-3813 Corporate Matters: Sabino Di Paola, CFO (Ottawa); Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Tel. (343) 689-0714 Due to anti-spam laws, many shareholders and others who were previously signed up to receive email updates and who are no longer receiving them may need to re-subscribe at Click Here Cautionary Notice: This news release may contain Forward-Looking Statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of Cornerstones plans, objectives, strategies, intentions and expectations. The words potential, anticipate, forecast, believe, estimate, expect, may, project, plan, and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Statements. Although Cornerstone believes that its expectations reflected in these Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, such statements may involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed in our regulatory filings, viewed on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets, predicting natural geological phenomena and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of an environmental, climatic, natural, political, economic, business, competitive, or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our Forward-Looking Statements. Although Cornerstone believes the facts and information contained in this news release to be as correct and current as possible, Cornerstone does not warrant or make any representation as to the accuracy, validity or completeness of any facts or information contained herein and these statements should not be relied upon as representing its views after the date of this news release. While Cornerstone anticipates that subsequent events may cause its views to change, it expressly disclaims any obligation to update the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein except where outcomes have varied materially from the original statements. On Behalf of the Board, Brooke Macdonald President and CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. ____________________________ 1 All references in this news release to copper equivalent (CuEq) grades are composed of copper and gold values, calculated using a gold conversion factor of 0.63, determined using an updated copper price of USD3.00/pound and an updated gold price of USD1300/ounce. True widths of down hole intersections are estimated to be approximately 25-50%. 2 0.4% Cu cut-off grade; Micon International Co. Ltd. Technical Report for Ascendant Exploration SA, August 20, 2004, pages 28 & 29. Mineralization identified at the Llurimaga copper project is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Cascabel Property. Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer and fixer, pleaded guilty Tuesday to campaign-finance violations and other charges, saying Trump directed him to arrange the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. Michael Cohen leaves Federal court, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in New York.Cohen, has pleaded guilty to charges including campaign finance fraud stemming from hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal. [Photo: AP/Mary Altaffer] Cohen's account appears to implicate Trump himself in a crime, though whether or when a president can be prosecuted remains a matter of legal dispute. The guilty plea was part of a double dose of bad news for Trump: It came at almost the same moment his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted in Alexandria, Virginia, of eight financial crimes in the first trial to come out of special counsel Robert Mueller's sprawling Russia investigation. In a deal reached with federal prosecutors, Cohen, 51, pleaded guilty to eight counts, including tax evasion. He could get about four to five years in prison at sentencing Dec. 12. In entering the plea, Cohen did not name the two women or even Trump, recounting instead that he worked with an "unnamed candidate." But the amounts and the dates all lined up with the $130,000 paid to Daniels and the $150,000 that went to Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal to buy their silence in the weeks and months leading up to the 2016 White House election. Both women claimed to have had affairs with Trump, which he denies. Michael Cohen leaves Federal court, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in New York. Cohen, has pleaded guilty to charges including campaign finance fraud stemming from hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal. [Photo: AP/Mary Altaffer] Cohen, his voice shaky as he answered questions from a federal judge, said one payment was "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office," and the other was made "under direction of the same candidate." Daniel Petalas, a former prosecutor in the Justice Department's public integrity section, said, "This brings President Trump closer into the criminal conduct." "The president has certain protections while a sitting president, but if it were true, and he was aware and tried to influence an election, that could be a federal felony offense," Petalas said. "This strikes close to home." However, in the charging documents, a news release and comments outside the courthouse, prosecutors did not go as far as Cohen did in open court in pointing the finger at the president. Prosecutors said Cohen acted "in coordination with a candidate or campaign for federal office for purposes of influencing the election." As cable networks were showing split-screen coverage of the conviction and plea bargain by two of his former loyalists, Trump himself boarded Air Force One on his way to a rally in West Virginia and ignored shouted questions about the men. Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, noted in a statement that "there is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen." After the court hearing, which ended with Cohen released on $500,000 bail, the lawyer wiped away tears as he gazed out a courthouse window. He left the building and headed straight for a black SUV with tinted windows. A couple of people outside chanted, "Lock him up!" as they recorded the scene with their phones. Under federal law, expenditures to protect a candidate's political fortunes can be construed as campaign contributions, subject to federal laws that bar donations from corporations and set limits on how much can be given. "If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?" Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, tweeted. Cohen's plea follows months of scrutiny from federal investigations and a falling-out with the president, for whom Cohen once said he would "take a bullet." The FBI raided Cohen's hotel room, home and office in April and seized more than 4 million items. The search sought bank records, communications with Trump's campaign and information on the payments to the two women. According to prosecutors, the payment to McDougal was made through the parent company of the National Enquirer. Cohen made the payment to Daniels through his own company and then was reimbursed by Trump, he said. Trump denied to reporters in April that he knew anything about Cohen's payments to Daniels, but the explanations from him and Giuliani have shifted multiple times since. The president has fumed publicly about the raid, branding it "a witch hunt," an assault on attorney-client privilege and a politically motivated attack by enemies in the FBI. But privately he has worried about what information Cohen may have after working for the Trump Organization for a decade. "Obviously it's not good for Trump," Sol Wisenberg, who conducted grand jury questioning of President Bill Clinton during the Whitewater investigation, said of the plea bargain. "I'm assuming he's not going to be indicted because he's a sitting president, Wisenberg added. "But it leads him closer to ultimate impeachment proceedings, particularly if the Democrats take back the House." The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel has held that a president cannot be indicted while in office. Trump's lawyers have said that Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mueller's office has never confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he leaves the White House. Daniels said Tuesday that she and her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, feel vindicated and look forward to apologies "from the people who claimed we were wrong." Nothing made public so far indicates Cohen has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, but Avenatti said he is certain that is happening. Mueller's team, which is looking into Russian interference in the presidential election, came across some of the evidence against Cohen in the course of its investigation and referred the matter to federal prosecutors in New York. Deputy U.S. Attorney Robert Khuzami said that in addition to the campaign finance violations, Cohen failed to report more than $4 million in income between 2012 and 2016, including $1.3 million from his taxi medallion holdings. Cohen also lied to a financial institution by failing to disclose more than $14 million in debt and obtaining a $500,000 home equity line of credit he wasn't entitled to, Khuzami said. Cohen used that credit line to fund the Daniels payment, prosecutors said. After making the hush money payments, Cohen submitted phony invoices to Trump's company, ostensibly for services rendered in 2017, the prosecutor said. "Those involves were a sham," Khuzami said. "He provided no legal services for the year 2017. It was simply a means to obtain reimbursement for the unlawful contributions." Before the election, Cohen had been a trusted member of the Trump organization, working out of an office in Trump Tower next to one used by his boss. He raised millions for Trump's campaign. The president's initial support for Cohen after the raid soon degenerated into a public feud, with Cohen hinting he might cut a deal with prosecutors. When Cohen's team produced a recording he had made of Trump discussing one of the hush-money payments, Trump tweeted: "What kind of lawyer would tape a client? So sad!" A highly-respected member of the clergy was violently attacked and robbed in his home on Saturday evening as he prepared his sermon for Sunday Mass. Father John Delaney was at home in the Parochical House in Coon in North Kilkenny at approximately 5pm on Saturday when the culprit struck. A woman entered the house and brandished a knife, before striking Fr Delaney and causing a laceration to the back of his head. She demanded cash and stole money from the elderly gentleman before fleeing the scene. Fr Delaney managed to raise the alarm and a neighbour brought him to hospital where he was treated for his injuries. Gardai were at the scene within minutes and have carried out a technical examination and are appealing to the public for their assistance. We are appealing for information on a small cream coloured car and we believe that there were two children in the car at the time. The culprit is a female and is described as being of a strong build and tall with dark hair. We are treating this very seriously and although we are following a number of lines of enquiry we are also seeking the co-operation of the public to help solve this particularly heinouss crime. We have a number of officers working on the investigation, said Superintendent Derek Hughes. Local Fianna Fail Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick said that he has visited Fr Delaney at home since the assault and that he is in remarkably good spirits following the attacl. I am absolutely shocked and appalled that a man who has done so much for the community could be accosted in this way. On behalf of the community I want to thank An Garda Siochana who were at Fr Delaneys home within minutes of the alarm been raised. The parishioners here in Coon and in Muckalee and Ballyfoyle were horrified when they heard about this attack. They are reeling that a man who does so much good work in the locality could have been assaulted and robbed. It is beyond shocking. Fortunately Dr John seems to have made a good recovery and he is back home now. He has a very positive attitude to life and his neighbours will rally around, he said. Cllr Fitzpatrick added that the priest was renowned not only in North Kilkenny, where he still celebrates Mass, but throughout the country. He is massively popular and he is revered for his spiritual guidance and his healing work as well as his devotion to the Divine Mercy and celebrates Mass on a regular basis. This is an attack not only on Fr Delaney but on rural Ireland and I am calling for more funding for the Garda Siochana so that extra security measures can be provided for the homes of older people, he added. Anyone with information can contact Castlecomer Garda Station on (056) 444 1222. Excitement is building at the Presentation Secondary School as students, staff and parents make their final preparations for their upcoming visit to Dublin to help host Pope Francis. A special meeting will take place tomorrow (Thursday) at the school where the 80 students will be briefed on the schedule for the Papal visit which takes place this weekend. The group have all been garda vetted and have already had in service training for the event in preparation for the historic event. They will travel to Dublin early on Saturday and stay in one of their sister schools, Colaiste Bhride in Clondalkin. Principal Shane Hallahan said that the group will have a prayer service at the school on Saturday before attending the visitor centre in the Phoenix Park for further training later in the day. The group consists of senior students and includes 15 students who have completed the Leaving Cert and have returned to be part of the Papal celebrations. We are delighted that a number of our Leaving Cert students are taking part. A lot of time and effort has been put into this and we are all very much looking forward to the Mass on Sunday. We have been bowled over by the enthusiasm of the girls , said Mr Hallahan who added that the group is one of the largest school contingent attending the Mass. The students will act as volunteers, directing and helping the crowds, which is expected to be in the region of 500,000. The school's music teacher, Patrice OConnor has been selected to perform for the Pope at the Phoenix Park. Head girl, Aoife Ward said that she was very happy to be participating. It is part of history, she said. Meanwhile Kilkenny choir, Aris, which comprises of former Presentation students will also sing for the Pope, under the direction of Veronica McCarron. Were very honoured to be singing for His Holiness, said Ms McCarron. Ballykeefe Distillery has received another accolade, this time from The Irish Whiskey Masters. The Irish Whiskey Masters, as part of the Global Spirits Masters, which is the largest global Irish Whiskey competition, rewards the finest brands on the world stage. Through a series of blind tastings and recognition of excellence in category, age and design and packaging, a panel of leading spirits and on-trade specialists determine the Irish Whiskey Masters of 2018. Ballykeefe Distillery in the category of Poitin has achieved the highest award, a MASTER medal, a fantastic result for Kilkennys first new make spirit in over 200 years. Poitin has been making a renaissance in recent years. Made from Ballykeefes own malted barley in a traditional copper pot still, Ballykeefe Poitin is a premium super smooth spirit. Its crafted with care that makes it a drink worthy of a fine cocktail or served with ginger ale and a slice of orange, one of the Signature Ballykeefe Serves range. I did not think it was possible to win anything higher than gold but Ballykeefe Poitin has done it, Morgan Ging, MD and owner of Ballykeefe. This award is reserved for very rare and aged spirits, so to win it with our new age Poitin in our first year of production is amazing. Morgan and the team are on the right track for a world class super premium Whiskey when the same spirit completes its three-year aging process in bourbon oak casks. He paid tribute to Barrison Engineering in Italy who produced the custom-made copper stills . Ballykeefe Distillery is the first Whiskey distillery in Kilkenny for over 200 years and revives an Irish tradition of family farm distilleries lost for centuries. Earlier this year, Ballykeefe won an impressive selection of medals earlier this year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, considered the Oscars of the spirits industry. A great speech by Hutt South MP Chris Bishop at Massey. Some extracts: As a few of you may know, I did a lot of debating at both high school and university. I had the privilege of debating for Vic all around the world; including in the famous Oxford and Cambridge Unions. I said in my maiden speech that one of the proudest moments in my life was competing in the Grand Final at Oxford, actually standing at the same dispatch box that David Lange used in the famous 1985 Oxford Union debate about the moral indefensibility of nuclear weapons. Debating is all about free speech , reason; and argument. Ideas are proposed and challenged; supported and critiqued. There is virtually no topic that university debating wont touch; everything from abortion to euthanasia to the death penalty to female genital mutilation to USA foreign policy, the Israel/Palestine conflict, free trade, human rights, everything. As a debater, as a Parliamentarian, and as someone who loves freedom, I worry about where free speech is heading, particularly on university campuses. We must not let the illiberal contagion currently affecting the United States spread to New Zealand. University debating has a long and proud tradition. I want to start by making the positive case for free speech as a fundamental human right. It is worth reminding ourselves of just why free speech is listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and why it is in our own Bill of Rights Act 1990. Let me start with the simple proposition that expression is fundamental to what makes us human. In this sense the right to freedom of expression is important and valuable in and of itself. Freedom of expression allows individuals to articulate their own conception of the good life; to develop and realise their potential as humans capable of reason. It serves, as the US Supreme Court said in Procunier v. Martinez not only the needs of the polity but the needs of the human spirit a spirit that demands self-expression. The right to freedom of expression also undergirds our liberal democratic society. It is impossible to separate out New Zealands democratic traditions from our commitment to free speech. This is why we must be vigilant. The third justification for free speech being a fundamental right is the classical liberal conception of the marketplace of ideas. Unrestricted public debate allows the truth to prevail and the best ideas to win out over bad ones. Those who try and stop free speech tend to have bad ideas, that they dont want challenged. On issues such as what the Treaty of Waitangi means, they have a worldview that they dont think anyone should be allowed to disagree with. Fourth and finally, free speech is often regarded as a societal safety valve. Speech that is suppressed does not cease to exist; it is merely driven underground where it is difficult to subject to criticism in the marketplace of ideas, and where conspiracy rather than truth is likely to triumph. On this rationale it is better to have bad, even offensive ideas, out there in the public domain where they can be defeated. Suppressing speech rarely works. Essentially what your Vice-Chancellor chose to do was appoint herself as the arbiter of what speech qualifies as hate speech and what speech does not; replacing a careful objective judgment by a court with a subjective judgment by herself. That is deeply worrying. Her claim she supports free speech is wrong. One has to judge the VC by her actions, not her words. Goffs decision was, like Professor Thomas, basically discrimination on the grounds of political opinion. Goff seems proud of it. He should wear it as a badge of dishonour, not pride. I well remember the hideous demonstration in the Auckland Town Hall two days out from the 2014 election, with Kim Dotcom and a parade of people telling everyone how to vote. There didnt seem to be any issues with booking a Council venue for that grotesque event. If Kim Dotcom can book a ratepayer funded venue for a controversial political event; why cant two Canadian right-wing provocateurs? Good point. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More Reddit Pinterest Print Tumblr Nine South Korean workers were killed Tuesday in a factory fire in Incheon, just west of Seoul, authorities said. The fire occurred at around 3:43 p.m. at an electronics goods factory production line that reportedly handles hazardous materials. Some workers jumped out of the building before firefighters arrived and lost their lives. Dozens of firetrucks were sent to the scene located inside the Namdong industrial complex. The blaze appears to have started from the fourth floor, according to firefighters. They are trying to determine the exact cause of the fire. (Yonhap) Rabat, Aug 22 (AFP) Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pardoned a total of 188 people linked to the "Hirak" protest movement on the occasion of Eid al-Adha religious feast, the National Council on Human Rights said. The council initially reported yesterday that royal pardons had been granted to 11 activists serving sentences of two to three years in prison for their part in the Al-Hirak al-Shaabi, or "Popular Movement" whose protests rocked the northern Rif region in 2016-2017. The other pardons concern people sentenced in connection with the demonstrations in the disadvantaged region, according to the Moroccan press. It was not immediately possible to get confirmation from the justice ministry, which published the list of people granted royal pardons. The social unrest linked to Hirak began in October 2016 after the death of a fisherman and spiralled into a wave of protests demanding more development in the neglected Rif region and railing against corruption and unemployment. The pardoned Hirak detainees were immediately released and the rights council has begun coordinating with local authorities in various cities to prepare for their return home, according to a council official. A Casablanca court on June 26 sentenced 53 Hirak members to prison terms ranging from one year to 20 years. The severity of the punishment sparked anger and protests, along with appeals for royal clemency. The total number of convictions tied to Hirak are not known, but the protests have led to more than 400 arrests, the rights council says. The movement's leader Nasser Zafzafi, sentenced with three companions to 20 years in prison for threatening the security of the state, was not among those on the pardon list. Nor was journalist Hamid el Mahdaoui, sentenced to three years for covering the events. The defendants in the Casablanca trial have appealed and the hearing is scheduled for October. Amnesty International has called for the verdicts and sentences to be overturned "due to the unfair nature of their trials". Authorities have said the trials were fair. The 2016 protests began when fisherman Mouhcine Fikri was crushed to death in a rubbish truck, while he was apparently trying to retrieve swordfish seized by authorities as it was caught out of season. Subsequent unrest in the Rif region, where the marginalised Berber ethnic group is the majority, focused on social issues as demonstrators demanded jobs and development. Morocco is marked by glaring social and territorial inequalities, against a backdrop of high unemployment among young people. In 2017, the north African kingdom was ranked 123 out of 188 countries on the UN's Human Development Index. Royal pardons are traditionally handed down at major holidays. Mohamed VI also pardoned 522 people for Youth Day yesterday, which is also the birthday of the monarch, who turned 55. On Monday, the anniversary of "the revolution of the king and the people", he had also granted 428 pardons, including for 22 Salafists convicted of extremism or terrorism but who had volunteered for a "Reconciliation" reintegration programme. (AFP) HMB (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Sochi, Aug 22 (AFP) Russian President Vladimir Putin today defended his appearance at the Austrian foreign minister's wedding after his dance with the bride caused a furore. "The trip was purely private," he told a press conference in the Black Sea resort of Sochi while meeting Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto. Nevertheless he said that "despite the festivities we were able to speak both to the foreign minister and to the Austrian Chancellor (Sebastian Kurz)". Austria plays a "very positive role" not only in two-way relations but "in arranging dialogue between Russia and the European Union," he said. Putin was one of a small group of guests at Saturday's wedding of Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl in a wine-growing village in the southeastern Austria. A video showing the bride thanking Putin with a deep bow after a dance together has gone viral and prompted a hail of criticism from her opponents. Putin said the wedding guests were "all grown-ups, with serious positions in society and in government" but were also "very open and joyous." The Russian strongman, a keen judo practitioner, said he had bonded with the groom, businessman Wolfgang Meilinger. The groom "is a former sportsman, a judo practitioner, and that always brings you closer together," Putin said. Although Kneissl, 53, is independent, she was nominated to her role by the far-right Freedom Party. The party supports Russia's claim of sovereignty over Crimea -- which Moscow seized from Ukraine in in 2014 -- and advocates the easing of economic sanctions levied against Moscow over its role in the Ukrainian conflict. It also has a "cooperation pact" with Putin's United Russia party. Even before the wedding, Austrian opposition politicians had criticised the invitation to Putin, saying it undermined the country's claim to be an "honest broker" between Europe and Russia. Russia has been accused of seeking to weaken and divide the EU, notably by maintaining links with populist parties in several European countries. Kneissl invited Putin to her wedding when he visited Vienna this year. He attended the event along with a traditional Cossack choir from southern Russia who performed folk songs, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Speculation has swirled over Putin's own relationship status since he and his wife Lyudmila announced in 2013 that they were divorcing. (AFP) CPS (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington DC, Aug 22: In a rare act of kindness, a woman police sergeant on duty breastfed a crying baby to calm her down. The sergeant was on patrol at a local children's hospital in Argentina's Berrios area when she heard a baby crying. The officer, Celeste Jaqueline Ayala, who recently became a mother was able to guess from the wails that the infant was in urgent need of food, and therefore she breastfed the baby, reported CNN. It was a move unforeseen by her colleagues. So, one of her colleagues, Marcos Heredia, took a picture of her breastfeeding and posted it on Facebook. The post has been shared over 112,000 times till now. In the post, he wrote, "I want to make public this great gesture of love that you had today with that little baby." The incident which took place on August 14 was coincidentally the 'National Day of the Female Officers' in Argentina. The Buenos Aires Provincial Police, while speaking to CNN, confirmed that Ayala spoke to the hospital authorities before breastfeeding the baby. Interestingly, the baby was recently separated from her mother. The reason for which is not known as of yet. Following this rare gesture, Ayala is now promoted to the rank of an officer. An elderly Italian man had to be hospitalised after he fell into a black hole, which was an art installation at Museum of Contemporary Art in Porto, Portugal. The black hole was a piece of art, nearly 2.5 meters deep (8.2 feet) made by British sculptor Anish Kapoor. There were warning signs around the installation, but despite that, the man fell into it. Nudist Museum Opens Doors in Paris! Just 161 Lucky Naturists Got to Participate. The art installation was given a feel like an illusion of a bottomless side. It is called "Descent into Limbo (1992)," creates the illusion of an endless void. The hole and sides were coated in black pigment, to make it look like an infinite pool of dark. Looking down into this black hole was described as a dizzying experience. Unfortunately for this man, his curiosity went too deep as he fell inside. The design was to give an appearance of endless dark space. The sculptor, Anish Kapoor is known for playing well with such optical illusions. He has made other creations as well to show infinite depths of work. 11-Year-Old From Nigeria Creates Realistic Paintings, Wins Praise Globally! Check Pics And Video of His Artworks. The man has suffered back injuries from the fall. The art installation has been closed since then but will reopen soon, there are also some damages to it. It is still unclear how exactly he fell into the hole, despite there being museum staff members to monitor the installation. The incident is serious though reminds much of the cartoon Wile E. Coyote falling for the traps laid by the Road Runner. The cartoon saw several times, the Coyote falling into black holes. The man is now recovering from the injuries. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 22, 2018 01:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). As the Trump administration unveiled its plan Tuesday to gut landmark rules limiting power plant emissions, it made one thing clear: When it comes to environmental regulations, this White House is all about letting states chart their own course. That is, as long as the states in question are coal states, and not those determined to use cleaner energy, like California. The era of top-down, one-size-fits-all mandates is over, Environmental Protection Agency interim chief Andrew Wheeler said on a call with reporters where he presented Trumps replacement for the Obama-era Clean Power Plan. The rewrite, which could prolong the lives of heavily polluting coal plants for decades and pump enough additional soot and smog-forming emissions in the air to cause an estimated 1,400 premature deaths each year, is branded by the Trump administration as the Affordable Clean Energy rule. This rule will continue our progress legally and with the proper respect for the states, Wheeler said. Advertisement That respect for states does not always extend nationwide. It was only a few weeks ago that Trumps EPA was warning that some states California, in particular had run wild with their authority and needed to be tethered back to Washington. Energy and climate were also at issue. But in this case, the Trump administration is displeased that California and allied states plan to go their own way on fuel mileage targets, as the Clean Air Act allows. Those states are not on board with the administrations plan to freeze fuel economy goals for six years, a move that would blunt climate action considerably. Trump administration attorneys filed a voluminous, blistering critique of the way California and other states have been using their Clean Air Act authority, arguing that they are out of line. They even took aim at judges who upheld the states right to exercise that authority, accusing them of misunderstanding the law. But on Tuesday, the administrations posture toward states changed dramatically as it touted the proposed new rule that would be a boon to the coal industry. The Affordable Clean Energy rule abandons the central goal of Obamas Clean Power Plan, to push utilities to shift their operations away from coal and toward cleaner-burning fuels. Under Trumps plan, the coal plants that would have been forced into retirement under Obamas proposal could instead continue operating indefinitely, with only relatively modest modifications. California Gov. Jerry Brown called the Trump administration plan a declaration of war against America and all of humanity. It will not stand, he wrote on Twitter. Truth and common sense will triumph over Trumps insanity. The Trump administration faces an intense court fight. The federal government is obligated under the Clean Air Act to regulate power sector greenhouse gas emissions, and to hold the industry to using the best available technology to contain them. States like California and environmental groups argue that the best available technology is cleaner burning fuels, particularly at a time when it is typically priced more competitively than coal. In regulating greenhouse gas pollution, the EPA is legally required to use the best system of emission reduction, not a mediocre or downright counterproductive system of emission reduction, said Richard Revesz, dean emeritus at NYU School of Law and director of its Institute for Policy Integrity. This proposal is an enormous step backwards, and it will have severe repercussions for public health and the climate. Former Environmental Protection Agency chief Gina McCarthy called the proposal essentially a huge giveaway to coal-fired power plants by giving them a free pass to increase not just carbon pollution but conventional smog and soot. The plan does not set targets for emissions that states need to meet, as the Obama plan did, leaving it instead to the states to do their best to reduce them. In some cases, states may be able to choose not to impose any new restrictions on a coal plant at all. However much people may want EPA to demand new renewable energy [plants] be built instead of fossil fuels plants, we do not have that authority, said Bill Wehrum, who heads the EPAs air and radiation division. We are bringing the agency back to its core function. He acknowledged that the new rule could result in thousands of premature deaths. According to the EPAs own analysis, the Trump plan could lead to 1,400 premature deaths annually by 2030 as a result of the air pollution that gets released along with the greenhouse gases the Clean Power Plan targeted. The Trump plan could also result in 48,000 new cases of asthma and some 21,000 missed days of school annually. Wehrum did not dispute those figures, but said it was inappropriate for the EPA under Obama to use a rule targeted at global warming to also fight such pollution. What we are dealing with here are greenhouse gases, he said. Coal state leaders applauded the approach. The Clean Power Plan clearly overstepped the EPAs legal bounds and directly attacked Americas coal industry, said a statement from Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo). In Wyoming, we know that a one-size-fits-all mandate isnt the best option, so I am glad the Trump administration is working to provide flexibility for states, the energy industry and the entire nation. Even under the administration plan, power sector emissions will continue to decline. The plunging price for natural gas, as well as for solar and wind energy, have pushed utilities to move toward cleaner-burning fuels, regardless of federal regulations. Several states, including California, are already meeting the targets the Obama administration laid out in the Clean Power Plan, even though that plan was never implemented. California does not get any of its electricity from coal. But meeting the emission reduction goals that most climate scientists have laid out for averting catastrophic warming requires more aggressive action than even the Clean Power Plan prescribed. And California and other states would also like to receive some of the flexibility the Trump administration has extended to states like Enzis to chart their own course. Thats particularly true when it comes to regulating emissions from cars, pickups and SUVs, which is looking to be a significantly more formidable challenge than bringing power plant emissions into check. Meredith Hankins, an environmental law scholar at UCLA, wrote in a blog post that she was surprised to see the administration talking up states rights around emissions considering how aggressively it is working to keep California from exercising them. The naked hypocrisy that allows the EPA to cite federalism concerns in rolling back the Clean Power Plan mere weeks after eviscerating states rights to set more protective vehicle standards is truly staggering, she wrote. The latest look at the Trump administration and the rest of Washington More stories from Evan Halper evan.halper@latimes.com | Twitter: @evanhalper President Trumps former personal lawyer and longtime fixer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight charges of felony fraud and campaign finance law violations and implicated Trump for directing him to arrange payments to buy the silence of two former paramours. Cohen, a brash New Yorker who had vowed as recently as last year to take a bullet to protect Trump, now poses what could be a mortal legal threat to his presidency by accusing him in an alleged conspiracy to violate campaign laws. For the record: An earlier version of this article said that Cohen obtained reimbursement from the Trump campaign. It was from the Trump Organization. During a hearing before U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III in Manhattan, Cohen said he had facilitated $280,000 in hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office. Cohen, 51, did not name the candidate, but one of his lawyers, Lanny Davis, tweeted afterward that his client had testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. Advertisement In his guilty plea, Cohen admitted that he helped arrange the payments during the 2016 presidential election that bought until after the election the silence of the two women, who say they had extramarital affairs with Trump years ago. Trump has denied their assertions. Those payments $150,000 from the parent company of the National Enquirer in September 2016 to McDougal, and $130,000 the next month from Cohen himself to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford violated federal campaign law, according to terms of the guilty plea. The law prohibits corporations from donating to a candidate for federal office. Though Cohen personally made the payment to Daniels, he later obtained reimbursement from the Trump Organization. The law forbids individuals from donating more than $2,700 per election to a federal candidate. Cohen could be sentenced to several years in prison, although his sentence could be reduced in exchange for cooperation with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and its possible collaboration with Trumps campaign. Although nothing was said in court about Cohens potential cooperation, Davis said on Twitter that Cohen is fulfilling his promise on July 2 to put his family and country first and tell the truth about Donald Trump. The guilty plea was disclosed just as a federal jury in Alexandria, Va., convicted Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort of eight charges of tax evasion and bank fraud. The judge declared a mistrial on 10 other charges after the jury deadlocked on them. The Manafort verdict marked a clear victory for the special counsel, who brought the charges. Muellers office also collected the initial evidence on Cohen, and passed it to the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan. The two high-profile convictions highlighted the scandals and legal problems that have shrouded the White House since Trump took office. Six people, including the presidents former national security advisor, Michael Flynn, have pleaded guilty. Robert S. Khuzami, a deputy U.S. attorney, told reporters outside the courthouse that Cohen had paid the money to silence two women who had information that he believed would be detrimental to the 2016 campaign and to the candidate. Khuzami said Cohen facilitated the payments for the purpose of influencing the 2016 election. Outside legal experts said in interviews that Cohens guilty plea on the campaign finance charges poses a direct danger to Trump. If [Cohen] violated the campaign finance laws then there would be risk to Trump and his campaign that they violated the campaign finance laws, said Jan W. Baran, a former general counsel of the Republican National Committee who now is a partner at the Washington law firm Wiley Rein. Trump ignored reporters shouted questions about Cohens guilty plea when he landed in Charleston, W.Va., for a nighttime rally with supporters, and the White House declined to comment. Rudolph W. Giuliani, one of the presidents lawyers, defended Trump in a prepared statement. There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the governments charges against Mr. Cohen, Giuliani said. It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohens actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time. Cohen pleaded guilty to a total of eight felonies. Five counts related to tax evasion, in which he failed to report to the IRS approximately $4.1 million of income. A separate count specified that Cohen lied to a lending institution in obtaining a $500,000 line of credit. The remaining two counts were for his campaign law violations. Harry Litman, a former U.S. attorney in Pittsburgh who teaches constitutional law at UCLA and UC San Diego, said the significance of Cohens guilty plea is pretty much equivalent to the question, what does Michael Cohen know about Trumps conduct. Much will hinge, Litman said, on Cohens knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the payments to McDougal and Daniels, and whether Trump knew about them. Those payments, Litman said, very possibly amount to wire fraud, and if Trump was in on them, thats flat out conspiracy. Cohen began working with Trump in 2007, successfully representing the Trump Organization in a dispute with a condominium board in Manhattan. He purchased an apartment in one of the Trump buildings, and wound up representing Trump in various legal disputes. Prosecutors investigated Cohen for months for possible fraud related to his businesses, including a company that owned and leased taxi-operating permits, known as medallions, in New York City and Chicago. The medallions were worth millions of dollars, according to a 22-page document that prosecutors made public Tuesday. Their value has plummeted in recent years as ride-sharing apps have challenged the citys taxi industry. In addition to hiding income from the taxi medallions, Cohen also failed to report to the IRS a $100,000 payment for brokering the sale of property in a private aviation community in Florida, according to the document. It also said Cohen hid $30,000 in profits from brokering the sale of a highly coveted French handbag. On April 9, FBI agents working with federal prosecutors in New York raided Cohens hotel room, apartment, law office and bank boxes, seizing his computers, cellphones, tax records and other materials. Courts later ruled that prosecutors could review most of the material without violating attorney-client privilege. Cohen had gained notoriety as Trumps loyal fixer before the FBI raid, which Trump branded a witch hunt, an illegal assault on privacy and a politically motivated attack by enemies in the FBI. But the presidents initial support for Cohen since has morphed into a public feud, prompting speculation that, to save himself, Cohen might be willing to tell prosecutors some of the secrets he helped Trump keep. Khuzami, the deputy U.S. attorney in New York, said Cohens plea of guilt demonstrates that we are a nation of laws, and the essence of what this case is about is justice and that is a level playing field for all persons. david.willman@latimes.com UPDATES: 5:35 p.m.: This article was updated with reaction and analysis of Cohens guilty plea. 3:25 p.m.: This article was updated with details of the plea deal. 2:18 p.m.: This article was updated with details of the plea arrangement. 12:30 p.m.: This article was updated with details of the expected plea deal. 11:50 a.m.: This article was updated with information Michael Cohen has reached a plea deal. This article was originally published at 11:30 a.m. Aug 22, 2018, 4:41am ET Next Toyota Land Cruiser losing V8? Toyota argues there is a replacement for displacement. Toyota has major mechanical changes in store for the next-generation Land Cruiser, according to a recent report. In most markets, including the United States, the Land Cruiser has offered a V8 engine for over two decades. The next-generation model expected to arrive around the turn of the coming decade will surf the industry's downsizing wave, Japanese magazine Best Car reports. It will instead receive the same twin-turbocharged, 3.5-liter V6 engine found under the hood of the Lexus LS. The six-cylinder makes 416 horsepower in the LS. It will be de-tuned for use in the Land Cruiser, though it's too early to tell how much power it will offer. That will be the SUV's first and most basic engine option. The second, optional choice will be a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain -- a first for the nameplate -- built around a separate 3.5-liter V6. It's the same basic technology found in the LS Hybrid. It's safe to assume the setup will provide a few miles of electric-only driving to satisfy zero-emissions regulations in markets like China. Fear not: downsizing is the only concession the next Land Cruiser will make in the name of modernity. It will retain the rugged body-on-frame architecture it has always used and its dimensions will remain roughly the same. No one knows where Toyota will take the design, though. Best Car learned the next-generation Land Cruiser will begin arriving in showrooms in the summer of 2020, meaning it could make its official debut late next year. Toyota hasn't commented on the report, so we'll have to wait to find out what the future holds for one of the industry's most revered off-roaders. Aug 22, 2018, 10:13am ET Volkswagen to fire more workers over diesel scandal? The latest wave of dismissals is said to focus on engineers and managers. Volkswagen Group is apparently not done purging its ranks of workers implicated in the diesel emissions scandal. Prosecutors reportedly identified at least 39 employees that are referred to as an "inner circle" in orchestrating the cheat, according to German media reports cited by Automotive News. The latest purge is said to focus on engineers and managers. Former development head Heinz-Jakob Neusser, who was suspended in 2015 and indicted by US authorities last year, is the highest-level worker on the list. VW's current chief, Herbert Diess, has downplayed the latest move, noting that it affects a "handful of people." It is unclear if the company's own internal investigation had identified the workers as potentially involved. A Bethlehem woman is accused of assaulting a police officer in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Francheska Bermudez-Arocho Charged is Francheska Noemi Bermudez-Arocho, 29, of the 1100 block of Dover Lane. Bethlehem Township officers shortly after 2 a.m. Wednesday were called to Wal-Mart, 3926 Nazareth Pike, for a report of a man terminated from his job with the retailer and running through the parking lot shirtless. As officers were checking on the former employee's welfare, police said a vehicle pulled into the parking lot and a female passenger later identified as Bermudez-Arocho emerged. She allegedly began yelling at the three officers in the parking lot. One of the officers attempted to stop Bermudez-Arocho as the two other officers were evaluating the man. Bermudez-Arocho refused to comply with officer commands, police said. When the officer went to grab Bermudez-Arocho's arm, Bermudez-Arocho began violently flailing her arms toward the officer, striking her in the left side of the head, police said. The two other officers then joined the struggle as Bermudez-Arocho allegedly continued to resist. She was then placed under arrest. Bermudez-Arocho is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and resisting arrest. She was arraigned before District Judge John Capobianco, who set bail at $25,000. In lieu of bail, Bermudez-Arocho was sent to Northampton County Prison. The judge ordered Bermudez-Arocho remain free from drugs and alcohol. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A Roman Catholic university in Pennsylvania plans to remove the names of three bishops from campus buildings, saying it is acting in solidarity with victims of child sexual abuse following the release of a grand jury report accusing church leaders of helping cover up decades of abuse by priests. The University of Scranton said late Monday that three bishops -- Jerome D. Hannan, J. Carroll McCormick, and James C. Timlin -- in the local diocese were found in last week's Pennsylvania grand jury report to have covered up crimes by priests and put children in harm's way. Hannan served from 1954 until his death in 1965. McCormick served from 1966 until 1983 and died in 1996. Timlin served from 1984 until 2003 and is 91 years old. A similar move is being considered at DeSales University, where two buildings bear the names of former Diocese of Allentown bishops who were also accused of helping cover up abuse. A Scranton Diocese spokesman has said Timlin would not do interviews, but pointed to the diocese's response to the report noting that Timlin instituted a uniform response policy for allegations of abuse and established an internal review board. The move is part of the growing fallout from a grand jury report that says a succession of church leaders helped cover up abuse by some 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania who victimized more than 1,000 children, and possibly many more, since the 1940s. Pope Francis vowed Monday that "no effort must be spared" to root out sex abuse by priests and church cover-ups, but Francis gave no indication that he would sanction complicit bishops or end the Vatican culture of secrecy that has allowed the crisis to fester. At various points in the report, it cites complaints about sexual misconduct by priests with children or teenagers that the three Scranton Diocese bishops did not act on, instead leaving the priests to continue in ministry. Two weeks before the report was released, the Harrisburg Diocese said it would hold past church leadership accountable for the sexual abuse of children by priests and strip the names of bishops going back 70 years from church properties. Dioceses in Pennsylvania have released lists, for the first time, of priests accused of sexual misconduct. Meanwhile, Beaver County fired a county government lawyer after a report showed that, as district attorney in the 1960s, he stopped an investigation into alleged child abuse by a priest to gain political favor from the Pittsburgh Diocese. In Allentown, City Council voted unanimously to fire the city solicitor based on the report's description of him, as the local diocese lawyer, in 2002 attempting to "undermine" and "discredit" a woman who had accused a priest of molesting her two decades earlier. A pickup truck allegedly stolen by a 26-year-old New Jersey native being sought by federal authorities on charges he threatened President Donald Trump was found Tuesday in Pennsylvania. Federal authorities searched a hunting club property in Rush Township, Schuylkill County, but couldn't find Shawn Christy, who has eluded capture for more than two months. "He is an individual that seems to not need human contact," U.S Marshals Service Deputy Robert Clark said at a press conference Tuesday. "He can operate in the woods and it's been a challenge." Christy, who grew up in Maple Shade, has been wanted since he posted messages on Facebook between June 3 and 12 saying that he was going to shoot Trump in the head and was going to use "lethal force" on any law enforcement officer attempting to detain him. according to the FBI. Federal authorities have been looking for Christy, of McAdoo, Pennsylvania, since June 19 when he was charged with interstate communication of threats and threats against the President of the United States. He might also be in possession of several stolen handguns and is also accused of stealing a car in Kentucky that belongs to the brother of Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer. Christy has also allegedly threatened Meyer. There are also arrest warrants out for Christy in Pennsylvania on charges of burglary, probation violation, and failure to appear for an aggravated assault case. He has previously been convicted of harassing former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's lawyers as well as for assaulting a tax collection clerk in Pennsylvania. The truck found Tuesday in the parking lot of a woodworking business in Schuylkill County was stolen in western Maryland, the FBI's Philadelphia office said. The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to Christy's arrest. The Secret Service and the United States Marshals Service might put up additional reward money. Christy is considered armed and dangerous. He is 5-feet-10-inches tall, weighs about 165 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. Christy has a Gothic cross tattoo on his upper, right arm. Asked if he had a message for Christy, Clark, the U.S. Marshals deputy, said "Quite simply - turn yourself in. Get to the nearest police station -- turn yourself in." The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the second time in as many years, the mayor of Phillipsburg faces a recall effort seeking his removal from office. A committee of three residents initiated the first step in the complicated process at Tuesday night's council meeting, presenting a statement of intent to recall Mayor Stephen Ellis that lays out their reasons, accusing the mayor of creating "a hostile environment" and "being a liability to the taxpayers," among other things. In response the following morning, the mayor told lehighvalleylive.com that the effort is led by "a certain group of mercenaries" that he said coordinate before every council meeting to publicly humiliate him. "They're all part of the same cult, whatever you want to call it," Ellis said. "Are they there for the benefit of the town? No way." The recall committee is comprised of Blaine Fehley, William Mravlag Jr. and Meliss Paulus. Fehley -- whose history of exchanges with Ellis include accusing the mayor of assault (the charge was dismissed) -- was involved in a 2017 recall effort that stalled when one of the committee members dropped out. Last October, he said they would abandon that recall until the election of a Republican majority on council, which happened the following month. Ellis, a Democrat, was elected in 2015, upsetting Republican incumbent Harry Wyant's bid for a fifth term. Ellis's term expires in 2019. He has not said if he will seek re-election. The committee's form submitted Tuesday was provided by the town to lehighvalleylive.com. It includes a statement explaining their reasoning for a recall, that reads: "Stephen R. Ellis has violated the Oath of Office he swore to January 1, 2016. After being elected Stephen R. Ellis began to use his position and power to put his interests ahead of the people he was sworn to serve. He fails to enforce the current Town ordinances the elected governing body has successfully voted to put into effect. He has consistently vetoed actions taken by the governing body (actions that have positive impact on the residents' quality of life); therefore creating additional unnecessary expenses to the taxpayers and wasting valuable resources. He has created a hostile environment with the governing body, employees and residents. He fails to be responsive to the residents. There is evidence of failing to abide by the Local Public Contracts Law and OPRA. There is evidence of him being a liability to the taxpayers. There is evidence of behavior unbecoming of an elected official. His actions have created additional unnecessary legal expenses to the taxpayers." The mayor can choose to attach a written response to the petition before signatures are collected. "It's their given right to do it," the mayor said of the recall on Wednesday, before asking aloud: "What are you doing besides embarrassing the town and coming after me?" The recall process was initiated when the town clerk received the notice of intent on Tuesday. The clerk has three business days to review the document. Once approved, the recall committee has 160 days to collect signatures from 25 percent of the registered voters in the town. Assuming no delays, that would give them until late January or early February. The submitted signatures are reviewed by the election official within 10 business days and, if certified, a recall election is scheduled. (MORE: How recall elections work in New Jersey) Few recall efforts ever make it to a vote. The website Ballotpedia has tracked at least 24 recall campaigns in New Jersey that were launched between 2009 and 2017 that did not go to vote. Many couldn't get enough signatures to get the recall question on the ballot. This recall effort comes in another turbulent year in Phillipsburg politics, which has already seen the council publicly investigate the mayor for allegedly offering patronage jobs in his administration. The mayor has repeatedly denied the allegations and the town council ultimately decided to forward the information to law enforcement instead. The town is also attempting to remake itself, including an ambitious redesign of its riverfront. Ellis said he hopes investors won't start "running the other way when they see this insanity." Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The Laois Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is up for a major European award for giving business training to asylum seekers and prisoners in the county. Laois LEO is one of only two Irish finalists, selected in recognition of courses it designed in business start-up training to prisoners and asylum seekers in Laois. It is a finalist in the Responsible and Inclusive Entrepreneurship category in The European Enterprise Promotion Awards this November in Austria. It is a huge honour, said Evelyn Reddin, chief executive officer of Laois LEO. This award is a great honour for LEO Laois in that not only does it recognise the important work we are doing in focusing on entrepreneurship amongst disadvantage areas of our society but it is the first time a Local Enterprise Office has been nominated as a finalist in this European Competition, she told the Leinster Express. She explained why they focused on these groups. Disadvantaged groups can face social barriers to accessing employment opportunities. These barriers can arise because of factors as diverse as ages, gender, nationality or criminal records.Self-employment can offer an alternative source of income. However, some of the same barriers may also limit the ability of individuals to access information needed to become self-employed. We made a decision to adapt out mainstream Start Your Own Business training and mentoring programmes into pilot programmes to meet the needs of these groups in Laois, she said. What they produced is the the first Start Your Own Business Programme in Ireland delivered in an asylum seeker direct provision centre and the first Start Your Own Business programmes delivered in Portlaoise Prison and the Midlands Prison. Two of the largest prisons in Ireland are located in Laois and we recognised an opportunity to engage with the prison population to develop supports which would allow them explore their options for self-employment on release., Ms Reddin said. It is hoped the new direction will reduce levels of ex prisoners reoffending and returning to prison. The decision to offer courses to asylum seekers came about after the government changed rules last February so they can now apply for a permit of self employment, in line with the EU Reception Directive. The direct provision centre for asylum seekers in Emo has approximately 200 residents of whom over 60 received a permit for self-employment in the schemes first month of operation. However, no structures were put in place to advise these recipients on how to register a business, set up a business bank account or sell their service, the CEO explained. Both courses were a success she said. We are now developing further proposals to focus on entrepreneurship amongst migrants in 2019, she said. The European Enterprise Promotion Awards reward promoters of entrepreneurship and small business at national, regional and local level. The second Irish finalist is the ACORNS Rural Female Enterprise Programme. A brand new subject on the syllabus was one of the challenges easily overcome by the students of Portlaoise College, with excellent results across the board in this years Leaving Cert. 70 sixth year students sat the Leaving Certificate at the college and principal Noel Daly said the excellent results were a testament to their hard work and commitment to their studies over the past two years. He revealed that the top mark in the college was between 500 and 600. We are especially proud of the students who successfully studied for the new Politics and Society course and our results in our STEM subjects and 100% pass rate in higher level maths, said Mr Daly. The students worked very hard which was reflected in their results with the majority of our students achieving the points required to study their first choice courses. He said that a number of students have also chosen to defer their place in college and instead study in the various one year full-time courses available at Portlaoise Institute. Adding his praise for the teachers and staff, Mr Daly wished all the students the very best in their future career paths or on their exciting new journeys ahead. Among the students receiving their results was rising Portlaoise musical star Curtis Walsh, who was pleased with his total of 250 and said he now intends to focus on his music. Chris O'Connor, Portlaoise, got 261 and felt he did well in construction. He plans to go on and study mechanical engineering. Caoimhe Grant Akande, Portlaoise, said she was happy with her results. My best was Irish, I wasnt expecting my result in Irish, Im very happy with it, she said, adding that she had got enough points to do a PLC in law in Blackrock. Shantell Lawless, Portlaoise, scored 319, which is enough for her to go on and study teaching in Sligo. She was accompanied on the morning by her mother, who said she was delighted for Shantell and her results were truly deserved. And Jorja Phipps, Portlaoise, who achieved 403, plans to study somewhere in Dublin, possibly on an arts course. She was happy to get a H3 in English and business, and a H5 in maths. She was also one of the students who sat the new subject of politics and society, which she enjoyed. I thought the paper was alright and then I got a H5 so Im really happy, she said. Deputy principal Keith McClearn, revealed that politics and society was one of the colleges best subjects for a new subject. And teacher Sean ONeill said it was great to see that in general the students were happy with their results. They gave it their all and they can do no more after that, he said. There has been a 21 percent decrease in the number of pubs in Laois in the last 12 years according to figures published by Revenue. Figures state that in 2005 Laois had 157 pubs and in 2017, there were 123. The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) has called on Government to help support rural drinks businesses. DIGI has said this industry is a major regional employer with Laois hospitality and drinks businesses enabling 2,536 jobs and generating 34 million in revenue for local tourism economy. The figures are based on an analysis of the liquor licence figures published by Revenue - which tracks the number of premises that have publicans licences (7-day licences that allow the sale of beer, wine and spirits to be consumed on-site). In 2017, there were 7,140 pubs nationwide a decline from 8,617 in 2005. Rural counties saw the most significant drop in pubs, which serve as a major source of employment regionally. In 2005, there were 7,831 pubs in Ireland outside of Dublin. In 2017, that number dropped by 18.7 percent to 6,367. Cork, which has the largest number of pubs, saw the most significant decline in the country. In 2017, Cork had 915 pubs a 25% decrease from 1,221 in 2005. Wicklow, Meath and Dublin saw the smallest decline in publicans license. Wicklow pubs dropped from 158 to 157 while Meath was down three pubs from 210 to 207. In 2017, there were 773 pubs registered in Dublin city and county down only 1.7% from 786 in 2005. However, the number of Dublin pubs in 2017 is 4.3% higher than in 2012 the lowest year for the number of pubs in Dublin. In contrast to publicans licences, off licences saw an increase of 11.8% since 2005. 3,331 premises registered an off licence in 2017, compared to 2,966 in 2005. Licences for wine-only bars and restaurants were also up 3.1% since 2005. Padraig Cribben is the Chief Executive Officer of the Vintners Federation of Ireland and member of DIGI. The number of pubs are down 17.1 percent in the period from 2005 to 2017 which is a worrying statistic. These pubs are small businesses, mainly in rural Ireland, that provide significant employment and continue to create jobs in local communities. In Laois alone, hospitality and drinks businesses enable 2,536 jobs while in Donegal, there are 368 pubs and 7,445 jobs supported by the industry. This demonstrates the scale of employment that this sector creates rurally. However, the sharp decline in the number of pubs is worrying and is further evidence of the need to monitor the industry and ensure the necessary supports are in place to reverse this trend. While the Government committed to assist small rural businesses recover during the recession, business owners in the drinks industry were challenged by two increases in alcohol excise tax in Budget 2012 and Budget 2013. Our punitive alcohol excise tax the second highest in the EU slows the growth of these businesses and impacts their day-to-day operations and bottom line. DIGI is calling on the Government to reduce Irelands high rate of excise tax. A reduction in alcohol excise tax will encourage the growth of our drinks and hospitality sector, return money to Irish consumers and make Ireland more competitive internationally, he said. DIGI is the representative group for the wider drinks and hospitality industry in Ireland whose membership spans manufacturers, distributors and the retail sectors, including Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland; Licenced Vintners Association; Vintners Federation of Ireland; Restaurants Association of Ireland; Irish Hotels Federation and the National Off-Licence Association. Some 90,000 jobs across the country are based on the drinks industry. The industry purchases over 1.1bn of Irish produce annually, exports goods worth over 1.25bn, and provides over 2.3bn worth of excise and VAT income to the state. WATCH: Rose of Tralee 2018 winner is crowned. Laois Civil Defence volunteers will play a major role in the Papal visit next weekend in Phoenix Park and at Knock Shrine. They will be involved on the ground on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 August in both the Phoenix Park and at Knock Shrine in supporting the Principal Response Agencies of the Gardai and the National Ambulance Services. At Knock Shrine, 140 national volunteers will be on duty and coordinated by Rose Doherty who is the Civil Defence Officer for Mayo. The 140 volunteers are drawn from counties Laois, Donegal, Sligo, Roscommon and Galway. While their main role will be assisting the Gardai in terms of safety and stewarding at the event, volunteers will also be involved in supporting the National Ambulance Service. Volunteers will be on duty from Saturday night until Sunday evening. Laois Civil Defence will provide a communications vehicle using the TETRA network to ensure efficient communications between all volunteers and with the Gardai and National Ambulance Service if required. A number of volunteers will also support the Gardai with drone capability if required. A member of Laois Civil Defence drone team took part in one of the largest operations the systems have been used for to date. Teams from Dublin, Laois, Cork South, Cavan, and Wexford completed an aerial survey and digital mapping of the Phoenix Park in advance of the Papal Visit. Roscommon Civil Defence will provide their Welfare unit to provide food for all volunteers on duty over the Saturday night and Sunday. In terms of the Phoenix Park where up to 500,000 people are expected on Sunday the 26 August, overall, there will be approximately 400 Civil Defence volunteers on duty. Dublin Civil Defence will be assisted by volunteers from counties Laois, Wicklow, Clare, Cork, Wexford, Kildare, Limerick, Meath, Monaghan, Kildare, Cavan, Louth and Offaly. Civil Defence will provide a range of equipment including 11 ambulances, 9 fire appliances, 19 heavy vehicles including four wheel drives, large vans and medium size trucks and 2 minibuses for transportation and logistics. Civil Defence will also have a welfare unit in operation to provide food for all volunteers on duty over the Saturday night and Sunday. Newly-crowned Rose of Tralee Kirsten Mate Maher will be the guest of honour at the Curragh Racecourse this Saturday. The Waterford Rose, who scooped the overall crown in the Dome on Monday night, will make one of her first official outings as Rose of Tralee at the Kildare track. Kristen will be one of the judges for the Search for the Best Accessorised Ensemble Competition at the third Tipperary Crystal Rose Race Day. The judges will be specifically reviewing jewellery, hats, handbags, gloves and eyewear amongst other accessories. The prize bonanza will include a series of the Tipperary Crystal fine jewellery ranges and a range of high quality products from the Tipperary Crystal handbag, giftware and homeware collections. The race day on Saturday features a competitive seven race programme and there is also racing on the Sunday. The All-Ireland winning Kildare U20s team will also be guests at Saturdays raceday. A presentation will be made to them by the racecourse and a race will be named The Curragh Celebrating Kildare GAA Success Handicap. Under 18s, accompanied by an adult, will have free entry to the racecourse. Aware, Irelands leading organisation providing support, education and information services around depression and bipolar disorder announced that its popular Life Skills Group Programme will be available to the people of Leitrim again this September. The free programme, nine hours over the course of six weeks, will teach attendees how to better manage the stress of everyday life, recognise and manage unhelpful thoughts, learn new ways of thinking and ultimately begin the journey to a healthier and more confident life. The Aware Life Skills Group Programme will begin on September 11 at Carrick Education Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon. Online registration for the programme is now open and places are available to anyone over 18. Those interested in attending are encouraged to book quickly as places are limited and will fill up fast. The Life Skills Group Programme, has been developed by the renowned cognitive behaviour therapy specialist (CBT), Dr. Chris Williams and is specifically designed to help people learn more about how we think and how this can influence our actions in helpful or unhelpful ways. The Life Skills Group Programme is free to attend, with a refundable 30e booking deposit in place to ensure participants that really want to book a place have the opportunity to do so. The booking fee will be refunded by contacting Aware once all six modules in the course have been completed. Reduced booking fees are available for students, the unemployed, OAPs or those in possession of a medical card. To register and book your place visit: www.aware.ie Also read: Leaving Cert is not fit for purpose says IBEC MINISTER of State Patrick ODonovan has launched a major expansion to diagnostic imaging and CT scan services at the newly-revamped Bon Secours Barringtons Hospital in Limerick city. There are now three diagnostic imaging services under the one operation at the hospital on Georges Quay. Diagnostic imaging allows medical experts and doctors to identify potential medical conditions. In addition to this investment, Barringtons staff also launched a new 128-slice CT scanner, forming part of an extensive programme of investment at the city centre hospital. In all 30,000 scans are provided annually at the hospital across MRI, CT, x-rays, and ultrasounds. Minister Patrick ODonovan welcomed the launch of the services and described the hospital as a future-focussed centre this Monday. CEO of Bon Secours, Bill Maher said it was a positive day in the hospitals development. Everything we do is patient-centric and this is a perfect example. Ultimately, this will ensure the already best-in-class service delivered here is raised to even higher levels thanks to the enhanced efficiencies this will deliver to patients and GPs. It will ensure fast access to diagnostics thanks to all of the modalities required by patients being delivered by a single operator. A key element of the service also is that we have locally based radiologists who not alone are involved in delivering the scans but writing reports themselves, a key differentiator between Bon Secours Diagnostic Imaging and other operators, he said. Malcolm Banks, a member of Bon Secours diagnostic imaging team said their patients require high quality and fast access to their services so they can get accurate and fast clinical results. The service will also build on the Barringtons MRI brand, which was already recognised as the leading provider of MRI services in the region. This now amalgamates with the other diagnostic service providers here to create Bon Secours Diagnostic Imaging. Critically also, this announcement is going to herald a major programme of renewal, with extensive investment in Limerick. Monaleen GP, Dr Emmet Kerin, who is a former president of the National Association of GPs, said he was delighted at the launch of the diagnostic services. From a primary care physician perspective, these results will be available on Health Link, which is the electronics communications system that facilitates the transfer of information referrals and results - between primary and secondary care in Ireland. "In short, once a radiologist finalises his or her report, GPs will have it at their finger-tips, expediting delivery of reports significantly from a standard where many are just sent by post. This is a significant gain for GPs and, more importantly, for our patients as they will receive faster reporting, he explained. THE teenage son of a convicted murderer has been granted bail by the High Court despite a garda objection. The now 16-year-old is accused of the suspicious possession of a sawn-off double-barrelled Beretta shotgun and a quantity of ammunition in Limerick on February 9, 2017. When he first appeared before a sitting of the Childrens Court last month, he was refused bail after gardai expressed fears that he was a flight risk and would not abide by any bail conditions. The weapon, which had been stolen from a house in Dublin two years earlier, was found hidden behind the fireplace of a vacant house in Ballinacurra Weston. The property was owned by Limerick City and County Council. It is alleged the defendant told gardai he had the gun for his own protection but would not elaborate any further. Opposing bail, Detective Garda Barry Moylan said the defendant, who was 14 at the time of the alleged offence, was arrested after gardai encountered him by chance in the Dooradoyle area of the city. He said gardai believe the teenager left the jurisdiction some time last summer before he could be charged and that a European Arrest Warrant was issued earlier this year. He has actively sought to evade the charges, he said. The detective said gardai had concerns the youth would return to the UK and would not stand trial if released. At a vacation sitting of Limerick District Court, Judge Marie Keane was told the defendant had successfully sought bail at the High Court. The judge noted there was some confusion as to who was representing the defendant but granted an application to assign solicitor Sarah Ryan, who has received instructions from the childs mother. Adjourning the case to next month, she told the defendant to listen to Ms Ryan and not other people you may meet along the way. While Limericks hurlers won their Croke Park battle on Sunday, city businesswoman Barbara ODowd is in an All-Ireland final of her own: Tell us a little about Barbaras Beauty Room: Barbaras Beauty Room is nestled in the city suburb of Raheen. We offer a friendly, relaxing atmosphere for all our clients free from the hustle and bustle of the city. Both myself and my colleague Rachel provide every treatment to the highest standard and use only the best products. Nails, brows and tan are our leading treatments. Our motto is friends first, clients second. We are open six days a week with late hours on two of those days to accommodate our clients. Tell us a little about the All-Ireland competition you are engaged in: I was nominated for the title of beautician of the year at the Irish Hair and Beauty Awards 2018 by my wonderful clients. It was their votes and testimonials that enabled me to reach the final ten in my category I am honoured and extremely excited to have been nominated for a national award and I am the only Limerick finalist in my category. Ive been lucky enough to have already received three regional awards for my mobile beauty business at the prestigious Brides of Limerick awards for the last three years in a row. What does your own role entail? I am the owner and proprietor of Barbaras Beauty Room and senior beauty therapist, a position that entails every stage from start to finish. Im required to make decisions that drive the business to where it is today. I ensure that all the products and equipment we use are of the highest standard. I also decide what types of treatments we use and special offers we provide. Where were you born and raised? Im a Limerick girl through and through from Ballykeeffe! I havent moved very far either now Im up the road in Raheen! What is your educational background? My primary school in Dooradoyle was St Pauls National School, after which I attended Laurel Hill Secondary School. I next went to Dublin, where I studied nursing at Trinity College. After two years I decided that nursing wasnt the career for me so I travelled to England where I started my beauty therapy career. I received an NVQ Level 2 in beauty at Evesham College and then moved back to Limerick to further my education at Foxhall Beauty College, where I received the highest standard of beauty therapy diplomas in ITEC, CIBTAC and C.I.D.E.S.C.O. In addition I won the Student of the Year award. How did you get to where you are today? My beauty career began in The Nail Shop in Arthurs Quay, where I obtained valuable in-house training. I also gained practical experience in Dermalogica skin care, advanced waxing and gel nails with nail art. The staff here were well above average and Im still in touch with my good friend and mentor Magda, who taught me everything I know about gel nails....and still does. A short time later I was asked to return to Foxhall as a tutor in beauty. I was honoured and delighted to be asked to serve in such a prestigious establishment and it proved to be an amazing experience. However, I missed the salon environment and working with clients, so after two years I left and set up a mobile business called Beauty Brought 2 You. This involved driving to customers houses providing them with a wide range of beauty treatments in their homes. It proved to be a very personal experience, and Ive gained many friendships from it. My diverse background has helped me relate to other people and enabled me to help them feel better about themselves. However as my business grew, so did the demand, and too much of my time was spent driving from house to house. Thats when i decided to set up Barbaras Beauty Room. Why did you decide to go into business alone? I realised I needed a base for clients who lived far out from Limerick city. It had become too difficult for me to travel using my mobile beauty operation. The demand kept increasing and I felt if I had a base then the clients could come to me and I could fit in more appointments. What are your goals for the next 12 months? Im always looking to expand and Im not shy to try something new. I currently have two businesses running, Beauty Brought 2 You (mobile beauty) and Barbaras Beauty Room (salon room). In addition Im in the process of setting up a website to combine both companies so people can decide which mode best suits their needs. Id really like to push my mobile business for more wedding parties. It's a great experience for the bridal party, because we go to them and provide all the prep treatments (tan, nails, brows). It takes the hassle and pressure out of the wedding process. In business and life, who do you admire? I have great admiration for Marissa Carter, the founder of Cocoa Brown. She has built up her beauty empire through sheer hard work and determination. She is also a busy mum of two like me. In business and life, are you guided by any particular motto? I believe everything happens for a reason, good or bad. Its how you choose to deal with it that matters. Im a glass half full kind of girl. Away from work, what are your pastimes and hobbies? Does housework count as a hobby? Im usually over run with laundry, cooking and cleaning. I am constantly busy raising two small girls. They take up most of my time outside of work... trips to Mungret park, swim lessons and nature walks. We love to go to Kilkee, and were down there most weekends in the summer. When I do get spare time, my partner Kevin and I enjoy going out on our own. Its nice to get a bit of us time. Kevin always supports me in everything I do and he is a great role model in business. I also love socialising with my friends. Friendships are important to keep up no matter how busy you are. I must acknowledge my parents, Margie and Peter for teaching me that if you work hard enough then you will reap the rewards. GARDAI have launched an investigation into an incident in a Limerick city pub, where a man was stabbed this Tuesday night The incident occurred at the North Star Bar at Treaty Terrace, Thomondgate shortly before 9pm. There are reports that a man received stab wounds to the body. A male has been taken to University Hospital Limerick, where his injuries are said to be non life-threatening. This is the second stabbing incident in less than 48 hours in the northside of the city. Gardai have preserved the scene for technical examinations. A spokesperson for the gardai told the Leader this Wednesday morning: "Gardai in Henry Street are investigating an assault incident that occurred at a public house in Thomondgate at approximately 8.45pm [yesterday] evening the 21st August 2018. A man in his late 30s received apparent stab wounds and was brought to University Hospital Limerick. "His injuries are not believed to be life threatening. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing." Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street garda station at 061 212400, or the garda confidential line at 1800-666111. JOHN Kelly, the former CEO of the Irish Chamber Orchestra, has died suddenly in the United States. The viola and fiddle player, who was CEO of the University of Limerick-based orchestra from 1993 to 2012, was 63. The ICO said it was with great sadness and a heavy heart that we note the sudden passing of our great friend and colleague, John Kelly, former CEO of the Irish Chamber Orchestra. John was appointed CEO of the Irish Chamber Orchestra in 1993 and was instrumental in the relocation, redevelopment and expansion of the orchestra until 2012. During his tenure, John played a pivotal role in providing the ICO with its own state-of-the-art home and studio, on campus here at UL and expanding the ICO vision. John Kelly was a tenacious man, who thought big and was never afraid to ask. He was an idealist, a man of great faith with a warm heart. We will miss him greatly. Our deepest sympathies to his beloved daughter Sarah-Jane, her mother Bernie, his wife Ellen, AJ, Beth and his brothers Chris, Gerry, James, Paul and Robert. Charlotte Eglington, marketing manager with the ICO, said John Kellys death has shocked us profoundly. Not alone was John a great boss but he was a good friend. John was a great listener and always at hand with advice. Nothing was a problem and if it was, he would merely suggest you should check it out with the man above, she said. John was always reaching to the stars with his big ambitions and dreams. When we achieved our home in UL no-one but John thought he could achieve it - and of course he did. Well JK is up there shining bright with the best of stars today! Shine on old pal we will miss you, she added. Mr Kelly helped to secure millions of euro in Government funding for the University of Limerick based orchestra during his tenure. In an interview with the Limerick Leader in 2012, he said that directing it over nearly two decades helped him achieve his dream to establish an Irish orchestra that would be recognised as one of the leading chamber orchestras in Europe. Ive thoroughly enjoyed my lengthy tenure with the ICO. Im deeply grateful for the experience Ive gained and very proud of what weve accomplished together, he said after his 19 years at the helm. Under his leadership, the orchestra developed strong relationships with world-class soloists and conductors, commissioned some of Irelands finest new works and toured internationally from the US to China, Singapore and Australia. The ICO also became actively involved in introducing school pupils in disadvantaged areas in Limerick to classical music with great success, believing that music can be an important instrument of social change. In addition to holding Sing out the Strings concerts, comprised of students from these schools, it also introduced scholarships for children of the regeneration areas. Mr Kelly repeatedly called for music to be top of the school agenda, saying You cant tackle these social problems through maths. Kelly, who lived in Killaloe, was originally from Kildare. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London and began playing with the RTE Symphony Orchestra at 18. His father was the composer TC Kelly, who was director of music at Clongowes Wood College, where John grew up. John Horgan of Killaloe Chamber Music Festival, the first series of which Kelly founded, said he was saddened to hear of Johns untimely death. On behalf of our current festival committee I would like to pay tribute to Johns initiative in establishing the first festival as one of his many enormous achievements as CEO the ICO. His legacy in the world of music will long be remembered, he wrote in a post on Facebook. So sorry to hear of the sudden passing of John Kelly today. It was always a pleasure to work with him during his time with @ICOrchestra. https://t.co/wsrHVsUpES UCH (@UCHLimerick) August 21, 2018 Such sudden & sad news today. John was a believer in the power of big thinking - ambitious goals and bold visions. These characteristics plus his charm and talents, helped him achieve a great deal for the @ICOrchestra ; and of course, for his family; Rest in peace, John. Dave_Griffin (@Dave_Griffin) August 21, 2018 So sorry to hear this. Dolans Pub Limerick (@mydolans) August 21, 2018 We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of John Kelly, former CEO of the Irish Chamber Orchestra - a great collaborator and friend to CCI for many years. Deepest condolences to John's family, friends and his colleagues at ICO. May he rest in peace. https://t.co/i60BX42VwK ChamberChoirIreland (@ChamberChoir) August 21, 2018 Our sympathies. RTEConcertOrchestra (@rte_co) August 21, 2018 Very sad and shocking to hear this news. John was a lovely man. https://t.co/gbzRcyZ6vu Ellen Cranitch (@pvespertine) August 21, 2018 A STREET-PARTY was held St Johns Square in Limerick this Tuesday to mark the upcoming visit of Pope Francis in the run up to the World Meeting of Families at the weekend. Launched by Sr Helen Culhane, founder of the Childrens Grief Centre in Limerick and her recently appointed ambassador Olive Foley, wife of the late Munster and Ireland rugby legend Anthony Foley, the event happened simultaneously to others in Catholic dioceses across the country. St Johns Square was pedestrianised for the event, which featured food-stalls, face-painting, music and magic shows. Limerick is expected have a strong a strong presence at the World Meeting of Families, with Bishop Brendan Leahy among the Bishops who will moderate sessions at the three-day event, to which three trains are booked out. The Bishop expressed his deepest gratitude to the people of Limerick for the hugely encouraging send-off he and the diocesan delegates to the World Meeting of Families received at the official celebration on Tuesday. Some 700 people also gathered in St Johns Cathedral for what Bishop Leahy described as a deeply meaningful and spiritual ecumenical prayer service. We are on the cusp of something very exciting for the Church here in Ireland with the visit of Pope Francis at the weekend and the World Meeting of Families already kicked off. The build-up has been a very trying time for many, particularly victims of abuse by clergy and religious, as a lot of dreadful experiences have been recalled over the past few weeks," he said. It has been challenging for all Catholics in Ireland to understand how this could have happened so these weeks have been really difficult and understandably so. Yet yesterday afternoon at our Street Party and last evening at our prayer service in St. Johns there was a real sense of joy at what lies ahead. But there was also very much an acknowledgement that this is a hugely important moment for the Church in Ireland when we look back and atone for the sins of the past, bring the great good also with us that has been done and turn the Church in Ireland to a better future." Larry de Cleir from the Bedford Row Family Project will be on a panel discussing on the impact of conflict on families and children at the World Meeting of Families, as will Christine Hoctor, chaplain in Limerick Prison. Olive Foley will speak on a panel, which will also include rugby legend Ronan OGara, on Celebrating Family and Sport. The most reactive element on the Periodic Table, fluorine has a violent history in the quest for its discovery. Despite the difficult and sometimes explosive properties of fluorine, it is a vital element for humans and animals, which is why it is commonly found in drinking water and toothpaste. Just the facts Atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus): 9 Atomic symbol (on the Periodic Table of Elements): F Atomic weight (average mass of the atom): 18.998 Density: 0.001696 grams per cubic centimeter Phase at room temperature: Gas Melting point: minus 363.32 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 219.62 degrees Celsius) Boiling point: minus 306.62 degrees F (minus 188.12 degrees C) Number of isotopes (atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons): 18 Most common isotopes: F-19 (100 percent natural abundance) History Early chemists tried for years to isolate the element from various fluorides. It wasn't until 1986 that German chemist Karl O. Christie successfully synthesized fluorine, and reported his results in the journal Inorganic Chemistry. Fluorine does not occur free in nature; but in 2012, researchers found small amounts of fluorine trapped in antozonite, a type of radioactive fluorite. For centuries, the mineral fluorspar was used in metal refining. Known today as calcium fluoride (CaF 2 ), it was used as a flux to separate pure metal from the unwanted minerals in ore, according to Chemicool. The "fluor" comes from the Latin word "fluere," meaning "to flow," because that's what fluorspar allowed metals to do. The mineral was also called Bohemian emerald and was used in glass etching, according to the Jefferson Laboratory. Many scientists over the decades attempted to experiment with fluorspar to better learn its properties, as well as its composition. In their experiments, chemists often produced fluoric acid (today known as hydrofluoric acid, HF), an incredibly reactive and dangerous acid. Even small splashes of this acid on skin can be fatal, according to Chemicool. Several scientists were injured, blinded or killed in some of the experiments. In the early 19th century, scientists Andre-Marie Ampere, in France, and Humphry Davy, in England, corresponded about the possibility of a new element within the acid. In 1813, Davy announced the discovery of the new element and named it fluorine from Ampere's suggestion. Henri Moissan, a French chemist, finally isolated fluorine in 1886 after being poisoned several times in his pursuit. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1906 for the isolating fluorine by electrolysis of dry potassium hydrogen fluoride (KHF 2 ) and dry hydrofluoric acid. Uses of fluorine For many years, fluorine salts, or fluorides, have been used in welding and for frosting glass, according to the Royal Society. For example, hydrofluoric acid is used to etch the glass of light bulbs. Fluorine is a vital element in the nuclear energy industry, according to the Royal Society. It is used to make uranium hexafluoride, which is needed to separate uranium isotopes. Sulfur hexafluoride is a gas used to insulate high-power electricity transformers. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were once used in aerosols, refrigerators, air conditioners, foam food packaging, and fire extinguishers. Those uses have been banned since 1996 because they contribute to ozone depletion, according to the National Institutes of Health. Prior to 2009, CFCs were used in inhalers to control asthma but those types of inhalers were phased out in 2013. Fluorine is used in many fluorochemicals, including solvents and high-temperature plastics, such as Teflon (poly(tetrafluoroethene), PTFE). Teflon is well known for its non-stick properties and is used in frying pans. It is also used for cable insulation, for plumber's tape and as the basis of Gore-Tex (used in waterproof shoes and clothing). Fluorine is added to city water supplies in the proportion of about one part per million to help prevent tooth decay, according to the Jefferson Lab. Several fluoride compounds are added to toothpaste, also to help prevent tooth decay. Health and environmental impacts of fluorine Although all humans and animals are exposed to and need minute amounts of fluorine, the element in any large enough dose is extremely toxic and dangerous. According to Lenntech, fluorine can naturally be found in water, air, and both plant and animal-based foods in small amounts. Larger amounts of fluorine are found in a few food products such as tea and shellfish. While small amounts of fluorine are essential for maintaining the strength of our bones and teeth, too much can have the reverse effect of causing osteoporosis or tooth decay, as well has potentially harming the kidneys, nerves, and muscles. In its gaseous form, fluorine is incredibly dangerous. Small amounts of fluorine gas can case eye and nose irritation while larger amounts can be fatal, according to Lenntech. Hydrofluoric acid, as another example, can also prove to be fatal when even a small splash on the skin occurs, according to Chemicool. In the environment, fluorine, the 13th most abundant element in Earth's crust, typically settles within the soil and readily combines with soil, rock, coal and clay, according to Lenntech. Plants may absorb the fluorine from the soil, although high concentrations can lead to damage. Corn and apricots, for example, are among the plants that are most susceptible to damage and growth reduction when exposed to elevated levels of fluorine. Who knew? Because fluorine is the most chemically reactive element, it must be handled with extreme care as it can sometimes explode on contact with all other elements excluding oxygen, helium, neon and krypton, according to Chemicool. Steel wool bursts into flames when exposed to fluorine, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry. Fluorine is also the most electronegative element. Fluorine attracts electrons more readily than any other element. On average, the amount of fluorine in the human body is three milligrams. Fluorine is primarily mined in China, Mongolia, Russia, Mexico and South Africa, according to Minerals Education Coalition. Fluorine is created in sun-like stars towards the end of their lifetime, according to a 2014 article published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. The element is formed under the higher pressures and temperatures within the star when it expands to become a red giant. When the outer layers of the star are pushed away creating a planetary nebula, the fluorine travels along with the other gases into the interstellar medium eventually forming new stars and planets. According to the Journal of Chemistry, approximately 25 percent of drugs and medications, including those for cancer, the central nervous system, and the cardiovascular system, contain some form of fluorine. Current research Although fluorine can be toxic when the concentration within the body is too high, it can also be a beneficial element to include in cancer drugs, according to a 2018 article published in the Journal of Fluorine Chemistry. According to the research, replacing carbon-hydrogen or carbon-oxygen bonds with a carbon-fluorine bond in the active components of the drug usually shows an improvement of the drugs' effectiveness, including higher metabolic stability, increased binding to target molecules, and enhanced membrane permeability. It is hoped that with the increased effectiveness of the drugs, in conjunction with tumor-specific target drugs or targeted drug delivery systems, the quality of life of cancer patients can be greatly improved over traditional methods such as chemotherapy, in which cancer cells, as well as healthy cells, are targeted by the drugs. This new generation of cancer-fighting drugs, as well as fluorine-probes to deliver the drugs, has been tested against cancer stem cells and has shown promise in targeting and fighting the cancer stem cells, according to the study. The researchers found that the drugs that included fluorine were several times more active against various cancer stem cells and exhibited better stability than traditional cancer-fighting drugs. Additional resources This article was updated on Nov. 24, 2020 to include information about the chemical synthesis of fluorine and the discovery of fluorine in nature. Lothagam North Pillar Site was built by eastern Africas earliest herders some 5,000 to 4,300 years ago, and may have taken 900 years to complete. The central burial mound (front) contained an estimated 580 individuals, buried side-by-side without regard for age, gender or class. About 5,000 years ago, a tribe of roving herders paused by a lake in what is now Kenya to bury their dead. Their undertaking (no pun intended) evolved into one of the most massive and monumental construction projects Africa had ever seen. After more than 450 years of digging into bedrock, piling up sandstone slabs and ritually burying generation after generation of the deceased, the tribe completed what researchers now consider the earliest and largest monumental cemetery in eastern Africa: a sprawling field of rocky rings, stone columns and burial mounds known as the LothagamNorth Pillar Site. At only a few feet high apiece, the site's eponymous pillars might not stand as tall or as opulent as other burial monuments of antiquity, like the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt or the Mausoleum of Maussollos in what is now Turkey and that's what makes them remarkable. According to a new study published yesterday (Aug. 20) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Lothagam North was a monument built for the people, by the people. Here, the honored dead are not merely emperors and elites, but rather tribe members of every age and gender, buried side by side without discrimination. [Album: The 7 Ancient Wonders of the World] "The Lothagam North Pillar Site is the earliest known monumental site in eastern Africa, built by the region's first herders," lead study author Elisabeth Hildebrand, an associate professor at Stony Brook University in New York, said in a statement. "This finding makes us reconsider how we define social complexity and the kinds of motives that lead groups of people to create public architecture." The first herders in east Africa The Lothagam North Pillar Site is the oldest of six known monument sites built near Lake Turkana, in Kenya, between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago a time when diminished rainfall led to retreating shorelines that revealed new, fertile plains for herbivores to feed on. In the midst of this environmental shift, culture changed as well. The first herding tribes had just begun spreading into eastern Africa, the researchers wrote in the study. Here, the tribes were forced to develop new technologies, new strategies for survival and new forms of cultural expression. The construction of the Lothagam North Pillar Site essentially a public cemetery was likely one form that expression took. The centerpiece of the site is a raised stone platform roughly 100 feet (30 meters) in diameter, capped with monolithic basalt and sandstone columns hauled from nearly 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) away. Within this platform is a burial chamber that may have once held up to 580 individuals in tightly packed graves, the researchers wrote. Under the stones Lothagam North has been studied as an archaeological wonder since the 1960s, but this new study marks the first time researchers have taken an in-depth look at the social hierarchy (or lack thereof) of the site's dead. According to the researchers, the deceased at Lothagam North were not buried according to any apparent class or caste system. Elders were buried alongside infants, women were buried alongside men and no individual remains were given special treatment that signified them as greater than their deceased peers. Nearly all of the skeletons found in the burial pit were ornamented with colorful jewelry. Many of the dead wore stone beads or jewelry made of ostrich eggshells. Some wore rings and bangles made of hippo ivory, while others wore headdresses made of animal incisors. One corpse wore a headpiece made of 405 gerbil teeth sourced from more than 100 individual gerbils. Many of the estimated 500-or-so residents of Lothagam North Pillar Site were buried in colorful ornamental jewelry. Archaeologists found more than 300 stones and beads in the central burial mound. (Image credit: Carla Klehm) Arrayed around the platform, a cluster of large stone circles and cairns (rough burial mounds made of rocks) gave the whole site a monumental footprint that encompassed more than 15,000 square feet (1,400 square meters) of terrain. Radiocarbon dating of the stones in the central platform revealed that the monument took anywhere from 450 to 900 years to complete. During those centuries of construction, countless friends and neighbors would have gathered at Lothagam North to witnesshundreds of ritual burial ceremonies, the researchers wrote. "The monuments may have served as a place for people to congregate, renew social ties, and reinforce community identity," study co-author Anneke Janzen, an archaeologist at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany, said in the statement. "Information exchange and interaction through shared ritual may have helped mobile herders navigate a rapidly changing physical landscape." According to the researchers, Kenya's herder monuments could help reshape historical perceptions of social change and the emergence of complex societies. Lothagam North may be proof that the construction of massive, long-lasting public monuments do not require the crack of a whip or crowning of a king to carve out a foothold in history, they said. Perhaps all that is required is a strong communal will and a few hundred gerbil teeth. Originally published on Live Science. An artist's illustration of a radio jet spewing out fast-moving material from the quasar PSO J352.4034-15.3373, which lies about 13 billion light-years from Earth. Researchers have used two ancient quasars to provide incredible evidence for quantum entanglement. Using two ancient galactic cores called quasars, researchers have taken a massive step forward toward confirming quantum entanglement a concept that says that the properties of particles can be linked no matter how far apart in the universe they may be. If quantum entanglement is valid, then a pair of entangled particles can exist billions of light-years apart from one another and actions affecting the properties of one particle will affect the properties of the other particle. Albert Einstein described this correlation between particles as "spooky action at a distance." Last year, physicists from MIT, the University of Vienna and other institutions provided strong evidence for quantum entanglement, and now, this same team of scientists has gone even further to confirm quantum entanglement. Scientists looking to prove quantum entanglement have to show that measured correlations between particles cannot be explained by classical physics, according to a statement from MIT describing the new work. In the 1960s, physicist John Bell calculated a theoretical limit, past which correlations between particles must have a quantum, not a classical, explanation. [Time Crystals to Tetraquarks: Quantum Physics in 2017] The distant quasar B1608+656 is smeared into bright arcs by two closer galaxies in the foreground. Researchers have used two ancient quasars, which emitted their light billions of years ago, to provide evidence for quantum entanglement. (Image credit: ESA/Hubble, NASA, Suyu et al.) But there are loopholes in this theoretical limit, in which observations of what seem to be correlated particles have a hidden, classical explanation, the MIT researchers said. One of these loopholes that scientists are working to close is known as the "freedom-of-choice" loophole, or the possibility that an unknown classical influence is affecting a measurement of an entangled particle. With this loophole, researchers observe a quantum correlation when there is none. Last year, this team of scientists demonstrated, using 600-year-old starlight, that if the correlations they observed between particles could be explained by classical physics, this classical origin would have to stem from more than 600 years ago before the star's light ever shone. To close this loophole even further, these researchers have now used distant, ancient quasars luminous, energetic galactic nuclei to see if the correlation between particles can be explained by classical mechanics stemming from earlier than 600 years ago. In other words, they're taking the success of their study from last year and scaling it up to provide further evidence for quantum entanglement. To do this, they chose to use two quasars that emitted light 7.8 billion years ago and 12.2 billion years ago. The researchers used light from these two quasars to determine the angle at which to tilt a polarizer, which measures the orientation of each photon's electric field. They used telescopes located at detectors to measure the wavelength of the entangled photons (light particles) in the light coming from the quasars. If the light was redder than a reference wavelength a measurement used for comparison that is taken at a different wavelength than those being studied the polarizer tilted to measure the incoming photon. If the light was bluer than the reference wavelength, the polarizer would tilt to a different angle to measure the photon. In the study performed last year, researchers used small telescopes that only allowed them to measure light from stars 600 light-years away, but by using larger, more powerful telescopes, the researchers have now managed to measure the light from much older, more distant quasars. In studying entangled photons with these ancient quasars, the team found correlations in over 30,000 pairs of photons. These correlations went well beyond the limit set by Bell, showing that, if there were any classical explanation for the correlated particles, it would have to come from before these ancient quasars emitted light many billions of years ago. "If some conspiracy is happening to simulate quantum mechanics by a mechanism that is actually classical, that mechanism would have had to begin its operations somehow knowing exactly when, where, and how this experiment was going to be done at least 7.8 billion years ago," Alan Guth, a physicist at MIT and a co-author of the new work, said in the statement. "That seems incredibly implausible, so we have very strong evidence that quantum mechanics is the right explanation." So, with these findings, it is "implausible" that the measured correlations have a classical explanation, the researchers said. This is strong evidence that quantum mechanics caused this correlation and that quantum entanglement is valid, they said. "The Earth is about 4.5 billion years old, so any alternative mechanism different from quantum mechanics that might have produced our results by exploiting this loophole would've had to be in place long before even there was a planet Earth, let alone an MIT," David Kaiser, also a physicist at MIT and a co-author of the study, added in the statement. "So we've pushed any alternative explanations back to very early in cosmic history." The work was published Aug. 20 in the journal Physical Review Letters. Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her @chelsea_gohd. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. A U.K. woman contracted a rare STD called donovanosis, which can cause genital ulcers and destroy tissue. Above, a tissue sample taken from a patient with donovanosis, viewed under a microscope. A rare sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can destroy genital tissue has turned up in the United Kingdom, according to news reports. The disease, called donovanosis, was diagnosed in a woman in Southport, England, within the past year, according to local news outlet Liverpool Echo. The woman, who has not been identified, is between the ages of 15 and 25, Liverpool Echo reported. Donovanosis is an STD caused by a bacterium called Klebsiella granulomatis, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The disease is rarely seen in the United States, with only about 100 cases reported per year, mostly among people who have traveled to or are from areas where the disease is common, the NIH says. Donovanosis is also rare in the U.K. But it's common in some tropical areas, including parts of India, Papua New Guinea, the Caribbean, central Australia and southern Africa, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease can start out as small, painless sores (ulcers) on the genitals. The sores slowly get larger and form raised, red bumps that bleed easily, according to SA Health, the public health system in South Australia. As the disease spreads, it can destroy genital tissue and cause the skin around the area to lose color, the NIH says. [Quiz: Test Your STD Smarts] The infection "causes lesions and skin disintegration as the [patient's] flesh effectively consumes itself," Shamir Patel, a pharmacist for the British online pharmacy Chemist-4-U.com, told Liverpool Echo. In the late stages of the disease, symptoms can look like those of advanced genital cancers, the NIH says. The disease is spread through sexual intercourse, but in very rare cases, it may also spread through oral sex, according to the NIH. Symptoms can appear between one and 12 weeks after exposure to the bacteria. Donovanosis is treatable with antibiotics, which usually need to be taken for several weeks. Treating the disease early can reduce the risk of complications, which can include genital damage and scarring, the NIH says. News of the woman's case emerged after Chemist-4-U.com submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to U.K. hospitals as part of an investigation into STDs in the country. It's unclear how the woman became infected, or if she experienced complications from the illness, according to the Daily Mail. Original article on Live Science. Manila (CNN Philippines Life) There are laws, and then there are legacies. After more than two decades of talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) has finally been ratified by the 17th Congress, with a ceremonial signing by the president in Malacanang Palace last Aug. 6. As President Rodrigo Duterte handed MILF Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim a copy of the legislation, he said that he hopes it will finally end decades of conflict that is rooted in the Bangsamoros right to self-determination and recognition of their unique identity. This is the same hope which the Bangsamoro people have carried in their hearts through decades of war and conflict through military operations and misencounters, through displacement and death. It was only a month ago when the Congress bicameral conference committee on the Bangsamoro Organic Law approved what is now the most recent document in a long history of legislative measures for genuine autonomy in the south. This new organic law is the promise of light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. The light, however, feels no less distant. *** At the heart of the Mindanao peace process which gave birth to the BOL is the struggle of the Bangsamoro people to assert their right to self-determination. This assertion, however, tends to be limited by the language of lawmaking. And while their assertion is solid in the language of history that predates the Philippines, the language used in legislation is the language of the Philippine Constitution. The BOL is drafted to affirm the Bangsamoros right to self-determination through legislation, as it seeks to address decades, if not centuries, of historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro people. Bangsamoro Organic Law However, the language of the new organic law seems to suggest dilution instead of affirmation. Right to self-determination has been edited to the right to chart their political future through a democratic process that will secure their identity and posterity, while the words asymmetrical political relationship and parity of esteem, both of which were also in the 2014 draft of the said law, have been deleted entirely. But beyond technicalities, the more striking change is seen in terms of the language of ownership. While all final drafts by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the House of Representatives, and the Senate clearly state whose voice is embodied by the then proposed legislation We, the Bangsamoro People the ratified BOL takes on a different tone: In recognition of the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people and other inhabitants in the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao [...] the Filipino people, by the act of the Congress of the Philippines, do hereby ordain and promulgate this Organic Law. The law shifts from a language of ownership that says ours to a language of distinction that says theirs. In the same way the Bangsamoro is displaced from the lands of their ancestors, they are also displaced in the language of the law. *** While the Philippines built itself as a nation colonized and plundered, treaties and other documents leading to its so-called independence have consistently undermined existing political structures and established communities nations, even of peoples in the peripheries, despite the latters strong objections to the language of these documents. Take, for example, the 1898 Treaty of Paris, through which Spain relinquished its claim over its colonies. As Spain cede[d] to the United States the archipelago known as the Philippine Islands, it also unjustly annexed to a colonized country the lands which the Bangsamoro people successfully defended against the Spanish. Despite strong objections from Bangsamoro leaders, the United States would also eventually cede to the Philippine Republic areas it never owned nor conquered. In 1921, leaders in Sulu wrote to the United States government and said that it would be an act of great injustice to cast our people aside, turnover our country to the Filipinos in the north to be governed by them without our consent and thrust upon us a government not of our own people, nor by our people, nor for our own people. In the 1924 Zamboanga Declaration, leaders from Maguindanao, Lanao, and Zamboanga wrote, it is our firm intention and resolve to declare ourselves independent Constitutional Sultanate to be known to the world as Moro Nation, while the 1935 Dansalan Declaration of the Meranaws declared that our public land should not be given to other people other than the Moro Nation. All these early assertions fell on deaf ears. *** Decades later, the 1976 Tripoli Agreement was signed between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front. It will later become the basis for the establishment of autonomy in the Southern Philippines within the realm of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines. However, the autonomous regions initial 13 provinces was reduced to five provinces and two cities by virtue of a plebiscite. Thus begins the era of the Bangsamoro having to vote in a plebiscite to be part of a region that represents their people, now a minority in the lands their forefathers fought for. Their history speaks of war victors and lands unconquered, that to ask them to cast a vote so they can be part of a region that is rightfully theirs is borderline unreasonable, especially when one annexed to a country without their consent. The recently passed BOL is no exception, as it requires six municipalities and 39 barangays to not only vote yes to the plebiscite, but for their mother units to vote yes on their behalf as well. Meanwhile, history tells us of the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato which required no plebiscite when both were carved out of what used to be the Empire Province of Cotabato. The municipalities of President Quirino and Esperanza were added to the province of Sultan Kudarat. All it took was Marcos Presidential Decree 341, which also then renamed the municipality of Lambayong to Mariano Marcos, the name of the dictators father. It was reverted back to its original name by RA 6676 in 1988. History also tells us of sultanates and kingdoms annexed to a country of the colonized and conquered without any plebiscite, despite objections from the Bangsamoro people. When land is taken away from the Bangsamoro, why dont they get to vote on it? When the Bangsamoro tries to take back what it is rightfully theirs, why do others have to decide on their claim? *** Located more than a thousand kilometers south of Manila is Camp Darapanan, the seat of MILF leadership. On the way to the camp, one can see handmade banners made of green cloth lining the streets of Cotabato City and Maguindanao, with the words Alhamdulillah, Bangsamoro Government written with white paint. The banners are from six years ago, when the Framework Agreement was presented to an emotional audience, and where the realization that a new autonomous region was within reach dawned on the consciousness of the Bangsamoro people. The words on the banners may have faded but they are still legible despite age. Praise be to Allah. Bangsamoro Organic Law These are the same banners that greeted more than 50,000 MILF members and supporters last month, as they followed the roads to Darapanan yet again, this time for the Bangsamoro Consultative Assembly. During the program, MILF Vice Chairman and Bangsamoro Transition Commission Chairman Ghazali Jaafar handed over a copy of the BOL to Ebrahim, who then turned to the audience as he showed the last page which bore the signature of the president. Transitioning from a revolutionary organization and running a government will be a challenge, and we will be facing this challenge squarely because there is no other way, Ebrahim said to the audience. Pushing for a new Bangsamoro law has always been part of the MILFs assertion since the time of the Ramos administration, based on the governments commitment to affirm the Bangsamoros right to self-determination. During the assembly at Camp Darapanan, Jaafar said that the BOL is not a perfect law for us but certainly it is a good law for us to start with. Now that the BOL has been passed, issues have been raised not only about its language, but also about its consistency with past agreements. Despite these, the MILF has accepted the BOL. *** In an editorial published by the MILF Committee on Information last Aug. 2, it explained that the people of the struggle the mujahideen subscribe to the idea that it is men more than law that determines or assures the success of organizations, nations, and states. The imperfections in the law are paid for or balanced by sustained constructive engagements with government and their agencies, including private institutions, as well as the international communities. The language of another may have failed the Bangsamoro people countless times, but it takes more than language to win the peace and claim justice for all. While the ARMM regional government has won numerous gains for the Bangsamoro in terms of good governance and institutional reform, the new Bangsamoro region will require changes never attempted before. Future leaders of the region must ensure that the transition to this new region will be seamless, as the transition offers the possibility of finally solving old problems that persist despite the regions best efforts in the past decade. In 2018 alone, tens of thousands have had to evacuate from their homes in Maguindanao, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, and Sulu, due to military operations against local terror groups. Countless communities need to be rebuilt, including the city of Marawi which means so much to Bangsamoro history and Meranaw identity. While figures on education, health, and employment have been improving in recent years, poverty continues to persist across the region and sociopolitical power remains in the hands of the few. There are laws, and there are legacies. In the case of the Bangsamoro, the fate of their people lies not only in legislation but in the long history of persuasion and perseverance. This legacy is not for any president or legislator to claim or own, but for the Bangsamoro people to build and work on. The work continues. A confirmed case of measles prompted Contra Costa County public health officials on Wednesday to warn residents and visitors they may have been exposed to the highly contagious airborne illness. Exposure to the virus would have occurred at the Chow restaurant in Lafayette on Aug. 14 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., or at the John Muir Medical Center emergency room in Walnut Creek from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, officials said in a statement. The infected person visited a number of popular indoor venues in Contra Costa County, Los Angeles County and Arizona, and officials in the latter areas have issued their own advisories. A statement issued Monday by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department warned people in Santa Monica that they might have been exposed to an infected tourist at six sites between Aug. 8 and Aug. 10. Most people have been vaccinated and therefore are protected and not at risk, even if they have shared the same indoor airspace with a contagious person, said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa Countys chief health officer. However, residents should be aware of the situation, because anyone who was exposed and not protected by vaccine is at risk of developing measles. Privacy laws prevent health officials from releasing identifying information about the person who contracted measles, said Paul Leung, communicable disease program chief for the Contra Costa Department of Public Health. Leung said the patient, who did not know whether he or she had been vaccinated, has recovered and is no longer contagious. Health officials advised anyone who may have been exposed to the patient or develops a high fever and rash to contact a doctor immediately. Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus that is easily spread. Early symptoms typically involve high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, appearing seven to 14 days after exposure. Two to three days later, tiny white spots may appear in the mouth. Three to five days after symptoms appear, a rash of flat red spots begins to appear on the face at the hairline, spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. As the spots appear, a fever may spike to 104 degrees. Measles is relatively rare in the U.S. because most people are vaccinated at the age of 1. People born before 1957 are considered safe, because they either had the disease or developed immunity. People born after 1957 who have not been vaccinated are considered at risk of exposure. Those numbers have swelled in recent years as the vaccination rate has fallen. Contra Costa Countys last reported case of measles was in 2014, Leung said, but six cases were reported earlier this year in Santa Clara County. This is a good reminder to check and see if youve been vaccinated, he said. You dont have to leave the Bay Area to get exposed to measles. Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan The Boy on the Beach: My Family's Escape from Syria and Our Hope fora New Home By Tima Kurdi Simon & Schuster. 272 pp. $26 --- Alan Kurdi's corpse, photographed by a Turkish journalist in the morning's early light on Sept. 2, 2015, looked at first like a sleeping toddler, the 3-year-old's cheek pressed against the sand in breaking water. It was an image that ripped through a crowded news cycle, articulating without words the horror of what was unfolding on the beaches reserved for carefree Mediterranean holidays. Alan was one of millions of Syrians fleeing that country's brutal civil war, but it was the photograph of his death that raised global consciousness to the refugee crisis. The image was shared, retweeted, published and discussed across the world, and then forgotten. Tima Kurdi is Alan's aunt, and her new memoir, "The Boy on the Beach," is an impassioned plea for the rights of refugees through the heartbreaking account of one family's unimaginable loss. Three years after that photograph was first published on front pages across the world, it's hard to remember the moment that once galvanized artists, activists and politicians to action. In 2018, Western societies no longer have the political will or the public appetite to accept refugees. With the success of President Trump's travel ban, the United States has essentially sealed its borders to Syrian refugees, among others. The families who survived the treacherous crossing to Europe are struggling with integration, resigned to crowded housing complexes as xenophobic political parties fundamentally opposed to their presence gain power across the continent. Can one family's personal story return readers to that galvanizing moment of empathy and awakening? That's the test for Kurdi's elegant and deeply moving memoir. The book begins in Canada with Kurdi desperately awaiting word from her younger brother Abdullah that his family has safely crossed the sea. After several painful days of silence, she sees the news photograph of a boy's corpse on her smartphone, immediately recognizing her nephew's red T-shirt and jean shorts as the gifts she gave him on an earlier visit. "'Breaking news' is an apt term for the way that photograph smashed my family into pieces," she writes. The narrative then shifts in time as Kurdi begins to put her broken family's story back together. Jasmine-scented memories of Damascus before the war give way to her own migration to Canada through marriage. During visits to the family she left behind, she sees the devastation of the Syrian uprising and the war that follows. Her siblings decide they have no choice but to flee. It's a narrative that sweeps from the Islamic State-occupied northern villages of Syria to the refugee ghettos of Istanbul, from the shadowy world of smugglers extorting impoverished families to the sea of pain where overcrowded rubber dinghies drown on a daily basis. By keeping the focus on how Abdullah's family is uprooted by the escalating humanitarian crisis, Kurdi avoids the tangled politics and history of the Syrian conflict itself. Those explanations are better read elsewhere. This kind of memoir - the third-world innocent transformed into a heroic figure through unimaginable suffering - is a standard of the memoir-industrial complex. Often ghostwritten and tied to foundational campaigns, these earnest and elegantly packaged texts are designed to inspire and sell. While Kurdi's book has its own didactic moments, the story succeeds by eschewing the impersonal language of good intentions for something more visceral. Kurdi is rarely kind to herself. She neglects her career and family as she campaigns to bring her siblings to Canada as refugees. The countless application forms fall on deaf ears. She struggles with survivor's guilt nestled in Vancouver, B.C., as her siblings languish in Turkish ghettos. These are some of the book's strongest sections with its most devastating revelations. For Kurdi, the asymmetry between her divided selves - a life of privilege in Canada and her family's suffering in Syria - becomes too much to bear. In a state of helplessness, she decides to send her brother $5,000 to pay smugglers for the illegal crossing to Europe. Abdullah, his wife and two sons arrive on the Turkish coast to board a crowded boat in the dark of night. Through later interviews with her brother, the sole survivor of that crossing, Kurdi re-creates the drowning of the family in horrifying detail. A recurring theme in Kurdi's heartbreaking tale is the elegant use of two languages. Each chapter is titled in English and Arabic, with expressions and proverbs from the author's Syrian childhood integrated into the text in Arabic script, transliteration and translation. It's an act of literary unification that echoes the book's message - that despite the struggle involved, two worlds can be threaded into one; that the integration of the unfamiliar is not only possible but also possibly beautiful. Alan Kurdi drowned in the Mediterranean with his mother, Rehanna, and older brother, Ghalib. Tima Kurdi's memoir is timed to coincide with the third anniversary of their deaths. The book doesn't fetishize or harp on the image of Alan's body, rarely succumbing to the pornography of pain so easily found in crisis reporting. Kurdi writes that she is still angry with many of the reporters who got the basic facts of the family's story wrong, beginning with the frequent misspelling of her nephew Alan's name as Aylan. The growing antipathy and distrust for refugees inspired this reclamation of her family's story and its dignity. Kurdi's book is infused with the hope that a new home for Syria's stateless refugees is still possible. Everyone deserves the chance to make a home again, she writes. "We have an Arabic saying: 'trees often transplanted never prosper.' I hope that's not true for people." Kurdi's memoir proves that in an age when images and headlines vanish as fast as they appear, long-form writing in the first person remains a powerful stand against forgetting. This is an accomplished and searing political memoir - one woman's poignant and pointed eulogy for a nephew who deserved more than passing notoriety as the "boy on the beach." --- Qureshi is a culture writer and radio journalist whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, the New York Times, Newsweek and on NPR. A man who was featured on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list sexually assaulted a woman twice, according to Laredo police. Raul Alejandro Martinez, 46, sexually assaulted her a year ago, according to an arrest affidavit. On Aug. 21, 2017, police responded to an alleged sexual assault at a central Laredo home. A woman stated to police that Martinez had sexually assaulted her twice, the affidavit states. READ ALSO: DPS: Sex offender from Laredo added to Texas 10 Most Wanted list In one instance, Martinez held her down while he took off her shorts, according to the record. She told police she repeatedly told him to stop, the affidavit states. At one point, Martinez allegedly told her, "You're my girl so you have to." He later sexually assaulted her again despite her repeatedly denying his advances, the affidavit states. "You're my girl. It's your obligation," Martinez allegedly told her, according to the affidavit. Police arrested him hours after DPS featured him in the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders. RELATED: LPD: Man fails to register as sex offender following release from 10-year prison stint Aside from the LPD warrants, he was also served with three warrants from the Webb County Sheriff's Office for two counts of indecency with a child and one count for failure to register as a sex offender, one warrant from the U.S. Marshals for probation violation and one warrant from the Texas DPS Criminal Investigations Division for failure to register as a sex offender. The Department of Public Safety said Martinez is a convicted sex offender with ties to Laredo and San Antonio. He was convicted of sexual assault in Wisconsin in 1994 after an incident involving a 13-year-old girl. After serving his sentence, he moved to Laredo and registered as a sex offender with local law enforcement. As the new school year begins, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding all Texans - including school staff, parents, students and community members - to download the new iWatchTexas mobile app to help law enforcement protect Texans. DPS is also taking various measures to support local efforts to help enhance the presence of law enforcement in and around schools. As the excitement of a new school year builds in Texas, we are asking everyone to also be mindful of some simple but important measures to stay safe, said Governor Greg Abbott. Whether at school or in your community, Texans should always be aware of their surroundings. Working together to keep an eye out for suspicious activity, our law enforcement officers and the people of Texas can help keep our state and schools safe. At the direction of Governor Abbott, DPS launched the new iWatchTexas mobile app in June to make it easier for the public to report suspicious activity in Texas, including criminal, terroristic or school safety-related threats. The app is free and available for iPhone users on the Apple App Store (iWatchTexas) and for Android users on Google Play (iWatchTexas). Texans can also report suspicious activity online at www.iwatchtx.org or by calling 1-844-643-2251. All reports are confidential. (Providing contact information, which is optional, will allow for additional or clarifying questions.) Our top priority at DPS is protecting the people of Texas, said DPS Director Steven McCraw. At the governors direction, we are working closely with local law enforcement to support their efforts to bolster safety at Texas schools. Were also asking members of the public to do their part by downloading the free iWatchTexas app today and reporting suspicious activity they observe. By doing so, Texans can play an important role in preventing tragedies and potentially saving lives. Preparations for crime, terrorist attacks and threats to school safety may often be seen but not reported. When in doubt, speak up. Here are some examples of behaviors and activities to report: Comments made - written or verbal - regarding killing or harming someone Strangers asking questions about building security features and procedures Briefcase, suitcase, backpack or package is left behind Cars or trucks are left in no-parking zones at important buildings Chemical smells or fumes that are unusual for the location People requesting sensitive information, such as blueprints, security plans or VIP travel schedules, without a need to know Purchasing supplies that could be used to make bombs or weapons Purchasing uniforms without having the proper credentials Taking photographs or videos of security features, such as security cameras or checkpoints The iWatch Texas program is not designed to report emergencies. If a situation requires an emergency response, call 911. Students on every campus deserve a safe and secure environment for learning, said Commissioner of Education Mike Morath. I commend the efforts of the Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies in working with our school districts statewide to assure students remain safe throughout the school day. Following additional direction from Governor Abbott, DPS has also implemented initiatives that focus on working closely with local law enforcement and school officials to increase police presence in and around schools. These initiatives include but are not limited to identifying opportunities for DPS officers to: Attend large school events, such as school performances, sporting events, etc., both on and off duty Schedule Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training with school districts Work with schools to participate in educational and mentorship programs to promote safety messages and continue to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and Texas students, teachers and administrators Partner with schools to identify available work space on campuses where DPS officers can complete administrative duties (i.e., writing reports or holding meetings) Conduct periodic walk-throughs in and around school campuses Conduct routine patrols on school grounds and surrounding areas Take lunch breaks in schools or while parked on school campuses Conduct fitness testing and training on school campuses where permitted Conduct canine training in and around schools Flood control and prevention will be at the top of the agenda for the 86th Texas Legislative Session in 2019, says State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston. Huberty has been working with the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce along with local residents and organizations to prioritize flood prevention projects and identify meaningful legislation to bring to the next session. In general, the Lake Houston area has been ignored for decades and as a result the impact has been significant, Huberty said. The state rep. said he will continue to work with the City of Houston, Governor Greg Abbotts Office and Senator Brandon Creightons Office to create sound public policy. Huberty has been focusing on cracking down on illegal sand mining operations that leak their products into the San Jacinto River and limit the water bodys capacity to hold water during floods. In 2011, Huberty and Senator Tommy Williams, R-Houston, passed House Bill 571, which created a registration program for Aggregate Production Operators through the Texas Commission of Environmental Equality. The program allows APOs to continue operations while enhancing the enforcement capabilities of illegal actors. Huberty later discovered these fines for illegal dumping and illegal runoffs are not enough to prevent illegal actions. We do not offer any standard best practices for registered APOs to follow. We are currently working with the interested parties to craft legislation to encourage these best methods then increase oversight and fines for illegal dumping and improper maintenance of the operation sites, Huberty said. These simple changes will help to prevent issues like the increased flow of sediment from the creeks and bayous into Lake Houston, which we specifically saw following the flooding in August 2017. In the next legislative session Huberty anticipates there will be discussion of the state funding flood prevention projects in the area such as dredging of Lake Houston and the San Jacinto River, but dredging alone will not be enough. We must create additional retention areas for major events. Finally, in working with Harris County and the City of Houston, we must add new and improved flood control gates on Lake Houston so we can get the water out when it does get to our area, Huberty said. The issue is very simple, we are the end of the funnel for multiple watersheds, and we learned that while we can manage a portion of the flow with the current system, large events like the flooding after Hurricane Harvey create the possibility of massive flooding. While Council Member Dave Martin and Mayor Turner have taken preventive measures like lowering Lake Houston prior to major rain falls, this is not sustainable and we need to start the planning and appropriate the necessary funds to get this done as soon as possible, he said. Huberty added that the current dredging project only covers a portion of the San Jacinto River between Hwy. 59 and the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge, there are multiple inlets in Atascocita, Huffman, Walden and Crosby that also need dredging. Capacity has diminished significantly over the last 20 years, where the flooding of homes in places like Walden could have been prevented if those areas were brought back to their original depth. We recognize these will take some time to complete, but we must get these projects moving as well in order to prevent future flooding, Huberty said. In every Texas Legislative Session, lawmakers try to find ways to utilize projects that fit within the purpose of the Economic Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund. Huberty said there have been multiple demands on rainy day funds going into the next two years. As property values decreased, the state has a multi-billion dollar short fall in school funding that has to be covered. I know we possess the ability to create a one-time funding mechanism through the rainy day fund, but we should also create a sustainable funding source for ongoing maintenance. We cannot just dredge one time; it must be ongoing to prevent this from happening again, Huberty said. San Jacinto River Authority General Manager Jace Houston said the state should tap into their rainy day funds for some flood mitigation projects. The costs of some of the kinds of projects were talking about like building a flood control reservoir for example. To build a reservoir it could be (up to) $500 million. The federal government may kick in some matching funds but the local communities cant necessarily afford that on their own, Houston said. It makes a lot of sense to use funds from the rainy day funds to help pay for the local match. Houston said SJRA staff have been working on drafting bills to present to Huberty and Senator Brandon Creighton to bring to the next legislative session. Theres not a single entity that can solve flooding. Theres so many different entities that are impacted so really one of the most important things were doing is were partnering with other water agencies across the State of Texas, other river authorities, other cities to come up with legislation that we can take to Senator Creighton and Representative Huberty and offer to them that will improve all entities ability to prevent flooding, Houston said. One bill the SJRA is working on would allow the dredging of sand to occur in the river channel without having to pay a royalty to the state. Right now if somebody goes in and removes sand from a riverbed, the riverbeds belong to the State of Texas, Houston said. The property underlying a river belongs to the State of Texas. If you remove the sand, its like removing oil or gas. You have to pay a royalty in order to do that. So we are proposing to file a bill. Of course we would offer this up to Senator Creighton or Representative Huberty and others but were working on a bill that would allow the flood control district or the river authority to do a dredging project where we allow a company to go remove sand from the river and not have to pay that royalty. Houston said if this bill is approved in the next legislative session commercial sand operators can go into the river and start removing sediment to create more capacity and mitigate future flooding at no cost. Theyll be willing to do it because they can sell the sand gravel and that is a win-win, Houston said. Over 17,000 homes and 4,000 businesses in the Lake Houston area were affected by Harvey. Looking back now, Huberty says the Lake Houston area has recovered very well since. Huberty, who also lives in the Lake Houston area, suffered damaged to not only his office in Kings Harbor but his own home. Living on Lake Houston, we watched the water rise 15 feet and destroy our backyard and foundation. While we feel lucky to have been spared major flooding, our home did sustain damage, Huberty said. Most of which was not covered under our flood insurance policy. But, we spent weeks as a community digging out, filling hundreds of dumpsters and working together to help one another. While no one ever wants to go through that again, it was amazing to see how we came together as a community to help one another. kaila.contreras@chron.com Fort Bend Republican Women will hold a September Membership Meeting on Monday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. at Gallery Furniture Atrium, 7227 West Grand Parkway South, Richmond. Kelli Metzenthin, executive director of the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, and other representatives will speak on behalf of the Literacy Council and share stories about how literacy is changing lives in Fort Bend County and what the community can do to support literacy programs. The cost for lunch is $15. RSVP to Marilyn Davis at MarilynDavis17@gmail.com by Friday, Sept. 21. Fort Bend RW welcomes elected all officials and those who are candidates on the Nov.7 ballot. Fort Bend Republican Women are asked to bring a guest with them to learn more about the important work of women to help keep Texas Red. Metzenthin has lived in Fort Bend County more than 35 years, and she is an active community volunteer. She brings over 22 years of experience in business finance, fundraising and nonprofit development and has served in her current position for more than five years. One of the many community programs that Texas Federation of Republican Women and National Federation of Republican Women supports is the Barbara Bush Literacy Library Project. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy was founded by former First Lady Barbara Bush on March 6, 1989. Since that time the foundation has awarded nearly $20 million to build or expand over 600 family literacy programs in 47 states. "Local TFRW clubs are encouraged to donate at least 10 books to a local library, school, shelters, etc., in support of this program," said Tina Gibson, president of Fort Bend Republican Women. "Fort Bend RW is honored to participate in literacy programs to improve the quality of life in our community." The 2016 arrest of El Chapo, one of the world's most notorious drug kingpins, left the door open for a new power struggle among Mexican drug cartels. Since then, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel has emerged as one of the fiercest groups cutting into El Chapo's drug-market share, according to the Associated Press. REPORT: Zetas controlled all levels of power in Mexican state, expanded to Houston The Drug Enforcement Administration said in a 2017 drug threat assessment that the Jalisco cartel splintered from El Chapo's Sinaloa cartel around 2010. Now, U.S. and Mexican authorities are targeting the group's leader and founder Nemesio Ruben Oseguera-Cervantes, aka "El Mencho," who has reportedly grown his cartel from a regional drug-trafficking threat to an international crime power. "Through extreme violence, corruption, and extortion, [Jalisco New Generation Cartel] has increased its presence in Mexico, engaging in turf battles throughout the country and steadily expanding their territory and control," according to a press release from the U.S. Department of State. The State Department is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information that leads to the arrest of Oseguera-Cervantes, on top of a $1.6 million reward from Mexican authorities. According to an extensive article in Rolling Stone, Oseguera-Cervantes, 52, was born into a family of poor avocado farmers in Mexico and eventually dropped out of school in the fifth grade. He moved to California in the 80s and began smuggling drugs into the U.S. under several aliases. In the mid-90s, an investigation involving a wiretap revealed his role in a heroin deal that landed Oseguero-Cervantes a five-year prison sentence in West Texas. He was released on parole after three years, and the U.S. Marshals deported him back to Mexico when he was 30 years old. His rise to power started after other powerful cartel leaders were arrested or killed. The gap in leadership left him fighting off competition for control of the Jalisco, Nayarit, and Colima drug distribution networks, the state department's press release said. RELATED: Former drug lord pleads guilty in Texas, faces life in prison The Jalisco cartel's drug operation is centered around methamphetamine, but it also deals wholesale amounts of marijuana, cocaine and heroin. They bring drugs into the United States through various drug trafficking corridors along the southwest border, including the cities of Tijuana, Juarez and Nuevo Laredo, according to the DEA. The cartel's swift rise has also been stained by bloody battles with Mexican authorities. In one of the Jalisco cartel's most notable attacks in 2015, six soldiers were killed after the cartel downed a Mexican military helicopter with the a rocket-propelled grenade. It was the first time a Mexican military aircraft was destroyed by police, the Rolling Stone article said. That same year, the cartel killed at least 15 police officers while pinning them down with machine gun fire and grenade launchers. Oseguera-Cervantes has been charged in a federal indictment in the District of Columbia with drug trafficking, corruption and murder. His wife, Rosalinda Gonzalez Valencia, was arrested earlier this year in Mexico on charges of organized crime and money laundering after she was accused of managing the cartel's finances. 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 ALTON The process of investigating, securing and putting a financing package in place for a proposed, city-owned resource recovery facility continues, but with some difficulty. Were still working on it, were finding it difficult meeting debt service, said Steve Gibson, manager of the Alton wastewater treatment plant. The (May 23 City Council) resolution says the construction cannot be at risk to the taxpayers. The finance people will not let us use environmental credits as a source of payment. As of last week, they (natural gas credits) were at a four-year low, their value has decreased 40-50 percent since the presentation at the April 25 City Council meeting. We are trying to reduce the expenses of the capital equipment and the actual cost of the plant, to hit the debt service level, Gibson said. We are looking at different equipment. The proposed plant had an estimated price tag of $53.4 million last spring. The so-called, Alton Organic Energy plant would convert biosolids, at first mainly sewage and animal manure and possibly food waste later into dewatered solids for fertilizer, ammonia sulfate struvite and renewable natural gas, all of which the city would sell as a revenue source. Alton also would receive tipping fees. The credits to which Gibson referred Renewable Identification Number (RIN) are for natural gas that would be produced at the facility and sold to fuel companies under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Renewable Fuel Standard Program. The program is an unfunded mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand the nations renewable fuels sector while reducing reliance on imported oil. The RINs still could be a source of revenue from the plant, which would be built on 14-15 acres at the Alton Wastewater Treatment Plant site, 19 Chessen Lane. The city would own the facility even if Alton completes the sale of the property and the sanitary sewer system to Illinois American Water, which is pending. On the positive side, Gibson said he has lined up ample sources of feedstock supplies, and has letters of intent, but is wary of having suppliers sign contracts until financing is in place. There are more than 5,000 stock suppliers out there, he said. Part of the plan that the various planning parties presented last spring would be for the facility to process 550 tons per day of biosolids and manure into 7,700 gallons per day of diesel fuel equivalents produced as natural gas. The gas would be purified and compressed and put into a pipeline for distribution. If the group of planners, designers, financial experts and others do put together a financing package, there will be a professional marketing effort to line up more suppliers. This spring, Gibson had used Cork Tree Creative Inc., a public relations firm from Edwardsville, to develop a name and tagline, logo design for the facility and press kit for the April 25 City Council meeting at cost of $4,500; then an additional $301.44 for printing 30 booklets and 75, two-sided flyers, according to information The Telegraph obtained after filing a request under the Freedom of Information Act. The financing bumps-in-the-road are not surprising. At a 40-minute presentation at that April 25 City Council meeting, Tom Crabtree, first vice president for public finance at Stifel Nicolaus of St. Louis, cautioned that with so many unknowns regarding future revenue amounts, it might be tricky to obtain financing. He said Alton could issue general obligation bonds, or a corporate entity could back a revenue bond issue to pay for the facility. All of the things that make it exciting and unique make it more difficult to finance, Crabtree said at the time, with few such plants operating and revenues uncertain, particularly RIN credit prices for biofuel. The ultimate goal is to make payments from plant revenues and, to even make a profit, he said. As a general comparison, one chart in the study shows revenue bond funding would incur $117,166,506 debt service over 20 years time, with excess revenue of $62,634,812. Another chart shows general obligation bonds, guaranteed because the city could use property tax money as payments, would have estimated debt service of $88,540,920 and excess revenue of $91,260,398. A survey from last spring estimates annual gross revenue from the RRF operating at 100 percent capacity as $12,712,371; operating expenses of $5,925,910; leaving net revenue of $6,786,461; with 10-year-total net revenue of $82,538,208. That scenario is based on moderate energy credit prices, which could vary either higher or lower than that mid, $12,712,371. Gibson said he has conference calls generally about every two weeks with representatives from EcoEngineers of Des Moines, Iowa; Stifel Nicolaus; engineers Bartlett and West of Topeka, Kansas; and a trucking firm, to ensure the participants are working together and performing the required tasks. He said he still is optimistic that the group can come up with a workable financing package, and the facility designed to bring in money to the Sewer Fund can be constructed. Reach Linda N. Weller at 618-208-6450 or on Twitter @Linda_Weller JERSEYVILLE A new location has created a great deal of community exposure for the Salvation Army Social Service Center. Julie Goheen, a caseworker for the Salvation Army of Jersey County, said a number of people have come in who didnt even know the Salvation Army had a social service center. The center, primarily used to house the Salvation Armys local food pantry, relocated July 30 to 813 W. Carpenter. It had spent the last quarter-century in a building on Old Carpenter Road. We kind of outgrew the building there, said Julie Goheen, a caseworker for the Salvation Army of Jersey County. The building was 725 square feet, and it worked well for the past 25 years. The new facility is about 3,000 square feet. Goheen said that in addition to more room, it is also modern and allows for more efficient processing of food. The Salvation Army had owned the building for several years and used it for storage, but finally was able to get through all the red tape to renovate the facility. We have everything here now, she said. We have a brand new walk-in freezer, we have a huge refrigerator. With the help of 10 FFA members, it took two hours to move to the new facility. Money for the building and renovation came from a trust established from the estate of Dorothy Westerhold, who died in 2011 at the age of 95. She and her two sisters lived on a farm northwest of town. When she passed away two trust funds were created, one for the Salvation Army, the other for the Childrens Home and AID Society of Illinois. She just always loved The Salvation Army, Goheen said. She always favored the Salvation Army and the Childrens Aid Society, so she left a trust for them and a trust for us. She said there is a lot of need in Jersey County. The food pantry serves about 100 families each month. Some months its more than 150, usually when school is out, Goheen said. The pantry is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She said the move has brought more attention to the food pantry. You cant imagine the people who have come in from the community who think were brand new, she said, adding their only big issue is that some people think it is a thrift store. The attention is also helping keep it well-stocked during the period between summer and the holidays, when donations tend to drop off. They tend to pick up again in November with Scouting for Food, then with Thanksgiving and Christmas collections. Were actually doing fabulous with donations, Goheen said. Theres starting to be a slowdown a little bit. I think people are busy right now. She said they also dont have a lot of cereal. They also continue to look for volunteers. Scott Cousins can be reached at 618-208-6447. BROOKLYN, Iowa - Far from the courtrooms where President Donald Trump was battered this week by bad news, a slaying in small-town Iowa has given him ammunition to defend some of his most raw statements about illegal immigration. A college student was found dead. A 24-year-old Mexican national is charged with murder. The slaying of Mollie Tibbetts and the arrest of this week of farmworker Cristhian Rivera pulled attention away from the convictions of the president's former campaign chairman and personal attorney while providing an example of the kind of criminal fears that fueled Trump's rise to the White House. Investigators have not said how Tibbetts was killed or what happened in the moments after she disappeared July 18 while jogging. But after confessing to her killing Monday, Rivera led police this week to her body in a field. Tibbetts, 20, was a psychology student at the University of Iowa, and her disappearance sparked a month-long search. Administration officials and Republican lawmakers have seized upon the case to rally support ahead of the November midterms while warning that a loss of congressional majorities would expose the president to possible impeachment. Trump has told supporters that Democrats represent "open borders" that would invite a flood of dangerous illegal immigration. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders highlighted Tibbetts' death at the beginning of her press briefing Wednesday before facing questions about the convictions of Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen and ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort. "Sadly, the individual believed to be responsible for the murder is an illegal immigrant," Sanders said, "making this an unfortunate reminder of why we need to strengthen our broken immigration laws." While media coverage of the Manafort and Cohen cases dominated mainstream news outlets, Trump allies sought to refocus attention on Tibbetts' death and the suspect's immigration status. Fox News led its website with a package on the case headlined, "Monster Down the Road," and Vice President Mike Pence and former Trump campaign aide Corey Lewandowski drew attention to her death on Twitter. "We MUST stop illegals from coming to our country and killing innocent people - this is non negotiable," Lewandowski wrote. Republican pollster Chris Wilson, who is working on several battleground Senate races, said he expects more GOP candidates to hammer at the Tibbetts case. "It gets to the basic point Republicans have been making" that the immigration system needs to get stricter, Wilson said. "Immigration as an issue is a winner for Republicans when we make it about security and crime." Immigrants do not commit violent crimes at a higher rate than native-born Americans, according to federal and state crime statistics. A study published in February by the libertarian Cato Institute examining 2015 criminal data in Texas found native-born residents were much more likely to be convicted of a crime than immigrants in the country legally or illegally. Investigators have not found anything indicating that Tibbetts and Rivera knew one another before the attack, Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of Iowa's Division of Criminal Investigation, said in an interview Wednesday. The area where Tibbetts went running is a narrow farm road leading out of town, Mortvedt said, and investigators are looking at whether her killer noticed her by chance or had seen her there on previous occasions. "It's not like a jogging path with benches or picnic tables. It's a city street that turns into county road, with corn fields on both sides," he said. "She was just running on the side of the road." Rivera was taken into custody after agreeing to an interview with investigators, according to Mortvedt, who said state officials have been assisted by the FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations division. Rivera is charged with first-degree murder, and a judge Wednesday set his bail at $5 million. Rivera was in the country illegally and used a stolen identification to satisfy a federal background check at the farm where he worked, according to law enforcement officials and statements Wednesday by his former employer. During a news conference Wednesday, Yarrabee Farms manager Dane Lang said Rivera provided a state-issued photo identification and a Social Security card when he applied for a job nearly four years ago. But those documents were false, Lang said. He said Yarrabee Farms did not use the government's E-Verify system to vet Rivera. Instead, the farm used a program connected to a Social Security Administration database, which didn't flag any problems. Lang would not disclose the name that Rivera used to get a job. "He came to work every day, was on time and got along with his co-workers," Lang said. "All of us are saddened by the tragic death of Mollie and the realization that one of our co-workers was involved. "This is tragic. Mollie's death is tragic. Everyone in our community wishes this didn't happen. I believe we complied. I know we complied with the full extent of the law when we filled out the I-9," he added, referring to federal employment paperwork. He said employees didn't notice a difference in Rivera's behavior after Tibbetts went missing. "This guy stayed around for 35 days after he did this," he said. "Nobody noticed a difference." In a motion asking for a gag order, Rivera's attorney, Allan M. Richards, claimed Wednesday that Rivera was in the country legally, saying that his employer had verified Rivera's status. Richards provided no evidence to back up his assertion in the motion and could not immediately be reached for comment. In statements to investigators, Rivera said he spotted Tibbetts jogging and drove past her several times. The Chevrolet Malibu he was driving appeared in and out of surveillance footage from a camera aimed at the street. "It seemed that he followed her and seemed to be drawn to her on that particular day," Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Agent Rick Rahn told reporters. "And for whatever reason, he chose to abduct her." What happened next, Rivera told authorities, is blocked from his memory, something he said happens when he gets upset or angry. The next thing he recalled, he told investigators, was being inside the car and finding a headphone earpiece in his lap that did not belong to him. That prompted him to open the trunk, where he saw Tibbetts bleeding from the head. Rivera told authorities he carried Tibbetts' body into an isolated cornfield, where he covered her with stalks and walked away. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement representative said that the agency lodged an immigration detainer on Rivera after his arrest, so if he is ever released, he would be deported to Mexico. Within hours of the news conference announcing Rivera's arrest, Trump weighed in on the killing. "You saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful woman (Mollie Tibbetts)," he said at a rally in West Virginia. "Should have never happened. ... The immigration laws are such a disgrace. We're getting them changed." As lawmakers publicly debated what Tibbetts' death said about the nation's immigration system, her family, which had been vocal during the search for the college student, released a statement asking to be "allowed the time to process our devastating loss and share our grief in private." --- The Washington Post's Philip Bump, Christopher Ingraham, Michael E. Miller, David Nakamura and Eli Rosenberg contributed to this report. --- Video Embed Code Video: Authorities announced they are charging Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, with first-degree murder in the death of Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts.(Allie Caren/The Washington Post) Embed code: Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., who has cast himself as a moderate on immigration policy, told voters last week that the president "probably has a more generous plan for DACA than I would [propose]" and that it might be time to "transition to zero tolerance" when it comes to overall immigration policy. The remarks - made at a $25-per-ticket event in his congressional district - were seized on by Democrats who see Coffman as one of their top 2018 targets in taking back the House of Representatives. The congressman won reelection in 2016 even though Hillary Clinton easily carried the Colorado 6th, which encompasses most of Denver's eastern suburbs. Coffman, who has presented himself as a moderate voice willing to stand up to President Donald Trump, has used reelection ads highlighting his work for immigrant communities. Earlier this year Coffman came out strongly against Trump's "zero tolerance" border enforcement policy that resulted in the jailing and separation of migrant families and endorsed a bill from Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California to address the problem. But Coffman's remarks, a recording of which was provided to The Post, demonstrate the difficulties that come with navigating immigration policy as a Republican who sometimes crosses Trump. At one point in the tape, Coffman was asked by an attendee what Congress would do about "anchor babies" - that is, rescinding the practice of birthright citizenship - and Coffman quickly pivoted into an extended riff about how different communities in his district have different immigration-policy priorities. Young immigrants and Mexicans, he said, tended to care more about preserving the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, he said, while Central American immigrants were more concerned about Trump's revocation of temporary protected-status visas. "They've been here forever legally," Coffman added. "It's what to do about that population. I think we have to, I know we have to, transition to zero tolerance." Democrats, however, intended to highlight Coffman's answer - and brand him as a hypocrite who might sign onto immigration-reform bills but cannot be trusted to push them forward. "Behind closed doors, Mike Coffman revealed who he really is: a fraud," said Jason Crow, the Democrat running against Coffman. "In 2016 he said he'd stand up to Donald Trump, and on countless other occasions he's painted himself as a compassionate conservative on immigration. But this demonstrates clearly that when he thinks no one but his base is listening, he believes Donald Trump is too generous on DACA; he believes the zero-tolerance policy that rips children away from their families is correct; and he believes that Washington gridlock on immigration reform is the best-case scenario." In a statement, Coffman's campaign accused Democrats of misrepresenting his remarks to obscure his work. "Mike Coffman has been a bipartisan leader on immigration reform, no matter how much Democratic operatives want to lie about and distort his record," said Coffman's campaign manager, Tyler Sandberg. "Mike led the opposition to the Trump administration's inhumane family-separation policy, something that Trump ultimately backed down on. However, unlike many Democrats in D.C., Mike does not support open borders." The crux of the dispute is what Coffman meant by "zero tolerance." Whereas Crow accuses him of referring to the family-separation policy, that is not the immediate context of his remarks in the recording. Instead, he suggests that would be the goal after wide-ranging immigration reform legislation is passed. "Zero tolerance" is a phrase Coffman has used in the past - before Trump's border policy took effect - including in a pair of 2017 op-ed pieces. One, in the Denver Post, suggests opening a "brief window where those illegally in the country can come out of the shadows," followed by the imposition of tougher laws and enforcement to send a message to would-be illegal immigrants. "We can do that by adopting a policy of 'zero' tolerance," he wrote on Jan. 14, 2017. In the recording obtained by The Post, shortly after the "zero tolerance" comment, Coffman explained that he differs slightly with Trump on the issue of who should and should not get legal status if Congress resolves the status of immigrants brought to the United States as children. "He probably has a more generous plan for DACA than I would, where there are 800,000 enrolled in DACA in the United States," said Coffman. "I think it was an illegal executive order under the Obama administration that will eventually wind up in the Supreme Court, and so we need to do something legislatively to correct that. So he goes to 1.8 million. So he basically says, extrapolates from this, there's probably 1 million people who didn't apply for the program that were eligible for the program. So, I think, he does 1.8 million." Coffman was discussing a White House compromise that was floated in January but soon disappeared from negotiations - one that would include the extension of legal status, and a pathway to citizenship, to around 1.8 million immigrants who either enrolled in DACA or were of an age and immigration status permitting them to. Although Coffman said at the event that he preferred limiting a DACA fix to the smaller population, he voted in June for a House bill that would have granted renewable work permits and a potential path to citizenship to the larger population. Senate Democrats on Wednesday called for delaying confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in the wake of a guilty plea by Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former lawyer, on campaign-finance counts that involve the president. Democrats, who have been seeking leverage to slow down Kavanaugh's consideration, argued that a new justice could be forced to decide questions directly relating to Trump, including whether he must comply with a subpoena from prosecutors and whether he can be indicted while in office. "It is unseemly for the president of the United States to be picking a Supreme Court justice who could soon be effectively a juror in a case involving the president himself," Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said during a floor speech. "The prospect of the president being implicated in some criminal case is no longer a hypothetical that can be dismissed." Schumer said he was asking Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to delay confirmation hearings scheduled to start Sept. 4 - a request Grassley dismissed a couple of hours through a spokesman. White House spokesman Raj Shah dismissed the request as a sign of Democratic desperation. "Democrats pledged to block Judge Kavanaugh with everything they had," Shah said in a written statement. "Frankly, this latest attempt looks increasingly desperate. The Committee has a hearing scheduled for September 4th, and Judge Kavanaugh will be there." Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, also said the call for a delay was misguided. "No, that's an important position, and he's very qualified for it, and there's no reason to hold that up," Hatch said. In interviews, other Democrats advanced similar arguments a day after Cohen entered a guilty plea in a Manhattan federal court on eight counts. Two of those counts implicated Trump directly, with Cohen saying he arranged to pay off two women to keep their stories of alleged affairs with Trump from becoming public before Election Day - in coordination with the then-candidate. Cohen's guilty plea came on the same day that Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, was convicted in a federal court in Alexandria, Va., on eight tax- and bank-fraud charges - a development Schumer said "blackened an already dark cloud hanging over this administration." "It seems at the very minimum we should be withholding this decision on this Supreme Court nominee until the air is cleared," said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill. Echoing many other Democrats, Durbin also called it "premature" to consider impeachment of Trump but stressed that it was important to let special counsel Robert Mueller continue his probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election and other issues stemming from that investigation. Even before Tuesday's events, Democrats had been skeptical of Kavanaugh's views on whether sitting presidents can be the subject of criminal prosecutions. The legal developments have raised the stakes on that issue, senators said. "We have a Supreme Court nominee who's being pushed through . . . that has said through his writings and his speeches that he does not believe the president should be subject to a criminal investigation," said Cory Booker, D-N.J. "What I want right now when it comes to Kavanaugh is to wait for this Mueller probe to be done." In the short term, at least one Democrat said she would cancel a planned one-on-one meeting with Kavanaugh. "I will be canceling my appointment with Judge Kavanaugh, because I would choose not to extend a courtesy to a president who is an unindicted co-conspirator, extend the courtesy of meeting his nominee for the Supreme Court," said Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii. "A judge who has been nominated because the president expects him to protect him." During a television appearance Tuesday, Sen. Kamala Harris, D- Calif., also referred to Trump as an "unindicted co-conspirator." "I would suggest that an unindicted co-conspirator to a crime should not be in the business of having the ability to appoint someone to a lifetime position on the highest court in our land - a court which, invariably, would hear the matters that are the subject of this very discussion," Harris said on MSNBC. In a statement issued Tuesday, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani said there "is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen," and he questioned Cohen's credibility. - - - The Washington Post's Gabriel Pogrund and Felicia Sonmez contributed to this report. --- Video Embed Code Video: Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) called on Republicans to delay the confirmation process for Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh on Aug. 22.(U.S. Senate) Embed code: During independent counsel Kenneth Starr's tumultuous investigation of President Bill Clinton in the 1990s, there were loud objections and even lawsuits filed over Clinton's complaints that information meant to be kept secret was being leaked to the press by Starr's staff. Among those guiding the journalists and authors was a young lawyer named Brett Kavanaugh, now a federal judge and President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court. Interviews with those who dealt with Kavanaugh at the time and documents relating to his confirmation show the nominee to be a savvy Washington source - a go-to member of Starr's team who parried with conspiracy theorists about the Clintons and the death of aide Vincent Foster and found ways to defend the investigation's integrity against broadsides from the White House. Now Senate Democrats are exploring whether Kavanaugh crossed a line in his private communications with outsiders and revealed grand-jury testimony related to Foster's suicide or other matters then under scrutiny in Starr's wide-ranging investigation of Bill and Hillary Clinton. This week, they contacted an author who said Kavanaugh was offered as a confidential source by Starr's deputies, and they were part of a successful effort to convince a judge to order the release later this week of a sealed 1999 report into alleged grand-jury leaks by Starr's office. Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled for Sept. 4. The White House declined to comment. Senior U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth of the District of Columbia Wednesday afternoon granted the request of the watchdog organization American Oversight to release the 62-page report, which was written by Judge John Kern III, acting as a special master. Lamberth said the report should be released by the National Archives as quickly as possible, but no later than 3 p.m. Friday. "There have been 20 years of rumors and speculation about who was doing the leaking on the Starr commission, and just a week after American Oversight asked for this report to be unsealed, we may finally get an answer," said American Oversight Executive Director Austin Evers, "If Judge Kavanaugh was involved in improper leaking of confidential information, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the American people have a right to know before he is confirmed to a lifetime position on the Supreme Court." Justice Department lawyer Elizabeth J. Shapiro had written earlier in the day that the report "investigates allegations of wrongdoing but ultimately finds no violations of anything within the Special Master's investigative mandate." Kavanaugh, in a questionnaire submitted to the Judiciary Committee last month, acknowledged that he had been a source for several books written about the Starr investigation. In addition, "I have also spoken to reporters on background as appropriate or as directed," he said. One of the reporters he talked with was Dan Moldea, who told The Washington Post that Kavanaugh "was the designated person whom the (Office of the Independent Counsel) puts with people like me." Moldea wrote a book called "A Washington Tragedy: How the Death of Vincent Foster Ignited a Political Firestorm." Moldea contrasted the ease with which reporters were able to get inside information about the Starr probe with the strict secrecy widely attributed to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election. "I doubt that Robert Mueller's people are doing that," Moldea said. In meetings with The Post, Moldea played 20-year-old recordings of his conversations with Starr deputies. He said he also played the recordings for Judiciary Committee lawyers Saturday in a meeting they requested. The recordings suggest that Starr's top deputies referred Moldea to Kavanaugh for answers to questions about the Foster matter. Moldea said that Kavanaugh called him and that they arranged to have lunch on Jan. 19, 1998, at the Old Ebbitt Grill near the White House. Moldea said he did not record that conversation, and he declined to discuss it in detail. "I am not going to describe the substance of my off-record conversations with Brett Kavanaugh," he said. At the time of their meeting, Kavanaugh had left Starr's office after concluding an investigation of Foster's death, which was ruled a suicide, and was working at a law firm. He later returned to the independent counsel's office to work on other aspects of the Clinton investigation. Moldea said he has no evidence that Kavanaugh broke any laws, such as sharing information that was presented to a grand jury. In an affidavit he prepared at the time, he said he wanted to be "clear" that he was not alleging "any wrongdoing" by Kavanaugh or another lawyer with the independent counsel's office whom he interviewed. In his book, Moldea describes an interview with an unnamed person at the Old Ebbitt Grill who he said was encouraging speculation that Hillary Clinton had an affair with Foster. The allegation was never proved, but it circulated widely among conspiracy theorists after Foster's death. The inference to the discounted rumor of an affair is prompting questions from Judiciary Committee Democrats. They note that two grand juries had convened to investigate the Whitewater controversy, including issues related to Foster's death. Hillary Clinton testified before one of them in January 1996. In a 1995 memo, Kavanaugh referenced the allegations. "I note that we have asked numerous people about Foster's alleged affair with Mrs. Clinton, but have received no confirmation of it," Kavanaugh wrote to Starr and other lawyers. "If we want to pursue this line of investigation further, however, we should ask Mrs. Clinton about the alleged affair at her next interview." It is not contested that Starr's staff spoke with reporters on a non-attribution basis during the investigation. Starr acknowledged that in a magazine interview at the time, saying it was necessary to protect the integrity of the investigation in the face of White House complaints about it. In February 1998, Starr's office filed 96 declarations from past and present employees denying under threat of perjury that they had any involvement with illegal leaks related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Kavanaugh, who did not rejoin the staff until a couple of months later, was not among those submitting the declarations. Bill Clinton's attorneys, though, went to court about the leaks. In a September 1998 order, U.S. District Judge Norma Holloway Johnson said an initial, cursory review of 24 news reports - from television, magazines and newspapers - suggested that the independent counsel's office had illegally disclosed grand-jury information. Johnson, then the chief judge of the court, appointed Kern to serve as a "special master" and to undertake a "complete and thorough review" of the allegations. Kern was tasked with collecting evidence, with the authority to subpoena documents such as phone records, letters, notes, memos and calendar entries and to interview former and current members of the office. His findings, she wrote, would help her determine whether any members of Starr's office had in fact violated federal rules prohibiting the disclosure of grand-jury material. But an appeals-court panel said Johnson's reading of the law involving the release of grand-jury proceedings was too expansive. The Kern report was never released. - - - The Washington Post's Michael Kranish and Ann E. Marimow contributed to this report. President Donald Trump denied using campaign funds as hush money for women who alleged past affairs with him, a day after federal prosecutors claimed some campaign officials were aware of the payments. Trump told Fox News on Wednesday that he learned of the payments only "later on." His statement contradicts a guilty plea Tuesday by Michael Cohen, his longtime personal attorney and fixer, who said Trump directed him to make the payments and that they violated campaign finance laws. Cohen's attorney, Lanny Davis, said he thinks prosecutors have their own evidence Trump campaign officials knew Trump directed and coordinated the payments to two women in order to influence the 2016 election. "They have plenty of evidence" independent of Cohen's statements indicating that multiple people in the Trump campaign knew of the payments, Davis said Wednesday in an interview. "They wanted Michael to plead guilty to it." Davis pointed to prosecutors' language in the charging document against Cohen that said one or more people in the campaign knew of the payments, although it didn't identify them. This suggests that federal prosecutors may have an ongoing investigation into the Trump campaign. Cohen said Tuesday in court that Trump directed the payments. "My first question when I heard about it was did [the funds] come out of the campaign, because that could be a little dicey," Trump said in the interview with Fox. "And they didn't come out of the campaign, and that's big." After initially denying knowledge of the hush money, Trump was heard on a 2016 recording made by Cohen that appears to show Trump was informed of at least one of the payments. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders repeatedly sidestepped questions at a briefing with reporters on what the president knew and when, instead referring questions to Trump's personal lawyers. "As the president has stated on numerous occasions, he did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him in this," Sanders said. Asked if Trump lied to the American people when he said he didn't know anything about hush money payments to women, Sanders said that was a "ridiculous accusation." Davis also said that Cohen has information that would be of interest to Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and whether there was collusion with Trump or members of his campaign. Cohen observed something that indicated Trump might have had advance knowledge of Russia's hacking, Davis said, declining to provide details. Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegal campaign finance charges over hush money paid to a former porn actress and a former Playboy model -- all but naming Trump as "the candidate" who ordered him to do it. Trump derided Cohen in a tweet early Wednesday and said he didn't think the two alleged campaign finance violations were crimes at all. A person close to Don McGahn, who served as Trump's campaign finance lawyer and is now White House counsel, said McGahn was never consulted by Trump or any campaign officials about the legality of hush money payments made days before the election. Prosecutors could use the failure to consult McGahn as evidence Trump knew the payments were illegal and was trying to hide them. Trump's lawyers could counter that it shows Trump didn't believe the payments amounted to a campaign contribution. The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan said in a statement after Cohen entered his guilty plea that prosecutors will pursue campaign finance violations, signaling other potential targets. The document charging Cohen says he "coordinated with one or more members of the campaign." A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office declined to respond to the comments by Davis, Cohen's lawyer. The Trump campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Davis said in a Bloomberg TV interview earlier Wednesday that there is "most certainly enough evidence now" for Congress to open an investigation into whether Trump directed Cohen to commit a crime. "That would be the first time in American history that we have evidence of a crime of a president in office, with somebody pleading guilty to a crime and saying that he was directed to commit that crime by a president," Davis said. Davis said that his client is "willing to cooperate with anyone who asks him questions," adding that he is "100 percent going to tell the truth." After first denying knowledge of a payment to Stephanie Clifford, the former adult actress known as Stormy Daniels, Trump admitted in May to reimbursing Cohen for the $130,000 payment made on the eve of the election although he maintained the transaction had nothing to do with the campaign and didn't involve campaign funds. Trump was also heard on a 2016 recording made by Cohen that appears to show Trump was informed of the payments. In a barrage of tweets on Wednesday, Trump at first seemed to shrug off Cohen's guilty plea with a quip, saying, "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!" But he later wrote: "Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!" In 2010, the Federal Election Commission fined Barack Obama's 2008 campaign $375,000 for various violations, including accepting $1.4 million in contributions over the legal limit for individual donors. But it found no indication that the candidate was aware of the infractions. Trump suffered through perhaps the worst day of his presidency Tuesday as Cohen implicated him in a crime at almost the same time his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, became a convicted felon. "It's a big day, it's a bad day," said John Dean, former White House counsel for Richard Nixon, on the implications of Cohen's plea on Trump and his presidency. "I think we've established today that we have a criminal president, and that is historic." Moments after the charges in Cohen's plea were read aloud in a Manhattan courtroom, Manafort was convicted on eight counts of tax and bank fraud charges, boosting Mueller's investigation. Trump tweeted Wednesday that Manafort, unlike Cohen, "refused to 'break' -- make up stories in order to get a 'deal."' The president added that "a large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case." - With assistance from Bloomberg's Terrence Dopp, Bill Allison, Toluse Olorunnipa and Kevin Cirilli. To contact the reporters on this story: Chris Strohm in Washington at cstrohm1@bloomberg.net;Shannon Pettypiece in Washington at spettypiece@bloomberg.net;Jennifer Jacobs in Washington at jjacobs68@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alex Wayne at awayne3@bloomberg.net, Mike Dorning, Larry Liebert 2018 Bloomberg L.P. The woman who killed herself last week in the Harris County jail while locked up on a theft charge with $1,500 bail had threatened suicide at least once in the days before her death, according to sources familiar with the case. Debora Lyons had struggled with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder for years before she hanged herself in a common area of the 1200 Baker jail, after her jailers apparently failed to adequately address the warning signs even though they'd been made aware. "She was a good person, she just had mental issues," her daughter, Nina Lyons, told the Chronicle. "It just got too far." It's still not clear exactly what happened and how the 58-year-old was able to kill herself in a common area, but the second suicide in less than a month raised concerns for advocates and lawmakers. READ MORE: Inmate suicide note from Harris County jail points to systemic gaps in mental health care "I think it deserves further inquiry," said state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston. "We got a mess on our hands." The Texas Rangers are investigating. Lyons had been in and out of the jail repeatedly and the facility knew about her mental health history, sources said. She'd racked up a string of theft charges, a criminal record her daughter attributed to medication issues. Following her July 21 arrest on the latest felony theft charge - when she allegedly stole clothes and an airbed totaling less than $2,500 - she was jailed with a low bail amount she wasn't able to pay. She was housed in a dormitory-style mental health step-down cell block, and sources said the guards were made aware of her intent to harm herself. But on Aug. 14 around 6:45 p.m., Lyons hanged herself in a common area outside the view of where guards make their rounds as required by state law. She used a bedsheet to form a handmade noose. The next day, a judge granted her a personal release bond that would have allowed her to go free without paying any money. It's not clear why the court approved the last-minute bond, and Judge Jim Wallace did not respond to a request for comment. Lyons died that same day. READ MORE: Harris County inmate hangs herself, marking jail's 2nd apparent suicide in a month "I was feeling like it was the best for her to be in jail because at least I knew where she was at - but then they let her kill herself," her daughter said. "But if they would've told my momma she was getting out Wednesday, I don't think my momma would've killed herself." The Harris County jail's suicide rate is less than half the national average for county jails nationally, according to federal data. In recent years, the local lock-up has worked to address inmate mental health issues by creating a Bureau of Mental Health and Jail Diversion, and launching two programs to help mentally inmates stay out of solitary confinement. But in this case, experts worried the facility had missed potential red flags. "If the officers had any awareness that this person was potentially suicidal, then they've got an obligation to follow up on that," said Michele Deitch, an attorney and criminal justice consultant who teaches at UT-Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs. "That's really the whole point of making staff more aware and to be trained on suicide prevention." Jay Jenkins, a project attorney with the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, framed the death as indicative of larger problems in the criminal justice system. "Preventable tragedies like Ms. Lyon's suicide will continue to happen," he said, "until we're honest with ourselves about the nature of our criminal justice system and its leaders that continue to insist that long periods of pretrial incarceration for legally innocent humans charged with low level crimes and suffering from mental health issues are okay." Sheriff Ed Gonzalez responded Lyons' death in a tweet late Tuesday. "I am saddened by this tragic loss of life," he wrote. "The men and women of @HCSOTexas will keep striving to make our jail safer. Meanwhile, our lawmakers must find ways to treat mental illnesses outside the jail." Three weeks before Lyons' suicide, Navy veteran Eldon Lee Jackson killed himself in solitary confinement in the same jail building. The 61-year-old was locked up in April, when he tried lighting his house on fire as he slashed his own throat. In violation of a protective order, he repeatedly called his wife, harassing her from the jail, sometimes up to 20 times a day. But when the judge signed an order banning him from phone use, the jail chose to enforce it by placing him in solitary confinement. The next day, he killed himself by forming the gauze used to treat his burns into a handmade noose. His death, which is still under investigation by the Texas Rangers, marked the jail's first suicide of 2018. Federal agents have arrested a principal operator of a canine-training operation after he was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury on charges related to fraud and money laundering. Bradley Croft, 46, who has said he was a founder of Universal K9, was arrested moments ago the San Antonio Express-News confirmed. A reporter observed as a federal grand jury returned several indictments by 3 p.m. that included one against Croft. Agents with the FBI, and the IRS Criminal Investigation division raided Universal K9 at 15329 Tradesman, near Loop 1604, which is billed as a nonprofit, on Aug. 8. Of 31 dogs found on the site, 26 were taken into custody by the city's Animal Care Services. RELATED: Warrant for suspected serial flasher uncovers marijuana operation Councilman Manny Pelaez, who represents the district that includes the site of Universal K9, said in an online post on Aug. 8 that the IRS and the FBI just shut down an operation that was preying on veterans and not doing right by dogs. Thats a good thing worthy of mention and support. San Antonio Police Department officers assisted. The Express-News confirmed that the Department of Veterans Affairs also was involved in the investigation. Universal K9 specifically outreaches to veterans and offers a two-week K9 Handlers course or a ten-week trainers course in which any veteran may utilize his or her GI Bill to cover 100% of course costs, including the canine, Universal K9 said in a lawsuit it filed recently against former students. It costs $12,500 for a 10-month course, according to exhibits included in the lawsuit. Universal K9 is also listed as a nonprofit foundation that donates dogs to police departments nationwide and has been featured on local and national media, including CBS News and the Express-News. Croft is expected to make his initial court appearance on Thursday. Stay tuned for more on this developing story. A crowd of around 400 people of all ages gathered in Orewa to take part in a debate about the End of Life Choice Bill that is currently before Parliament last night. The Bill, sponsored by ACT leader David Seymour, seeks to establish a legal process by which people with a terminal illness or a grievous and irremediable medical condition could have the option of requesting assisted dying if they meet the requirements set out in the Bill. Although the Orewa Arts & Events Centre was packed with people including many who hold firm views on the subject the debate was orderly and subdued, kept under control by MC Vernon Tava. Promoting the Bill was David Seymour and former Labour MP Maryan Street. Opposed was North Shore MP Maggie Barry (deputy chair of the Justice Select Committee that is currently hearing submissions on the Bill) and Dr Stephen Child, a GP and chief medical officer of Southern Cross Health Society. Rodney MP Mark Mitchell, who hosted the debate and also sits on the Justice Select Committee, stayed out of the debate saying his vote would be in accordance with the wishes of a majority of his electorate. A poll was taken on the night and Mr Mitchell continues to canvass the community. During the hour when questions were taken from the floor, a Kerikeri resident called for a binding referendum, rather than reliance on the conscience votes of politicians. A show of hands on this option showed a clear majority in favour. A 16-year-old Mahurangi College student was among those who wanted more clarity on the safeguards proposed in the Bill a question that Dr Child said was the crux of the entire conversation. Those opposed to the Bill are concerned that the lengthy list of safeguards, read to the crowd by Mr Seymour, do not adequately prevent the possibility of issues such as coercion of patients. Ms Barry went so far as to describe the Bill as the ultimate elder abuse. Maryan Street said the issue is one of compassion for people who are dying, while on the other side, the care and medications provided by doctors and at hospices, as well as procedures or treatments that may be available in the future, address that pain and suffering. Seventeen-year-old Orewa College prefect Reid Busby was one of a strong contingent of teenagers who attended the debate. He said he believes that people who are suffering should be able to choose an assisted death. Also in the audience was retired Methodist Minister Dave Mullan of Red Beach, who has cancer and made a submission in favour of the Bill (HM February, 2016). He said last nights debate broke no new ground. Thats the problem with the End of Life Choice discussion, he said. Both sides start from totally different understandings of the meaning of life, death, compassion, and, especially, palliative care. Its great that there was such a good audience. I hope that many of them came without the strong prejudices held by some of us who have grappled with the issues for years. Perhaps last nights newbies can make more dispassionate evaluation of the issues on both sides. If that is taking place around our community, the meeting must be considered a success. The Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois Francis Duffy has said the Catholic Church's handling of clerical sex abuse cannot be ignored and forgotten as pressure mounts on Pope Francis to publicly address its fallout this weekend. The Pontiff has come in for increasing calls to speak openly about a subject which has continued to dog the Vatican since the 81-year-old's elevation to the Catholic Church's top table was confirmed almost five and a half years ago. In keeping with that climate, Bishop Duffy issued a lengthy statement to the Leader this week as he reflected on the Pope's impending visit. Like a number of Church leaders before him, Bishop Duffy stressed the importance of how this week's World Meeting of Families was not allowed pass without reference being made to the enduring legacies brought about by its handling of clerical child sex abuse. I expect that Pope Francis will address in a direct and forthright way the crime of child abuse and its terrible impact on survivors and their families, he said It is not past history, it is present reality; it is an appalling and dark part of the Church's story and cannot be ignored or forgotten. Pope Francis will spend two days in Ireland, touring a number of locations including the shrine in Knock and the Capuchin Day Centre, as well as performing a mass to more than 500,000 people in Phoenix Park on Sunday. Despite those acceptances, Bishop Francis said he remained confident over how the Church had, and continued to make real and tangible difference to communities across the world. Equally, the head of the Ardagh and Clonmacnoise Diocese predicted that similar emphasis would be given to Church reform into the future. He (Pope Francis) will also affirm the extraordinary good that was and is being carried out by Church organisations, religious congregations, parishes, families and individuals, said Bishop Duffy. There is no doubt that initiatives with those on the margins, youth, and small communities and faith formation programmes, while not heralded, are effective and make a positive difference. "I expect he will challenge us to be more inclusive and more innovative in how we reorganise our Church, involving women and men, youth and those who feel excluded." Bishop Francis was just as keen to reminisce over his memories of the last time a Pope came to these shores, conceding the experience was one which still lived with him close to 40 years on. "Thirty nine years ago during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland I was a student in Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth," he said. "I remember very well the sense of anticipation as we walked a few miles to the Phoenix Park, everyone was on foot, no cars to be seen or heard; there was an unusual but happy early morning stillness. "When we reached the place for the Mass I found it a little overwhelming as I had never witnessed such a multitude of people. "There was great excitement when the aircraft flew overhead with the Pope on board and then even more so as his little red helicopter circled the vast assembly just before the Mass. "The three phrases, in heavily accented English, that stand out for me from that historic first visit of a Pope to Ireland are 'Like St Patrick, I too have heard the voice of the Irish calling to me', 'On my knees I beg you to turn away from the paths of violence and return to the ways of peace' and 'Young people of Ireland I love you'. I hope Pope Francis' visit will be even more memorable. "I read in a newspaper two weeks ago the apt comment that Pope Francis speaks 'fluent human'. "I think it is a great description, he is steeped in human life and experience and in profound faith. "He will bring a message of hope and also one that is challenging. "Pope John XXIII is often referred to as 'good' Pope John, now of course he is Saint John XXIII. "He established the Second Vatican Council and is credited with opening the windows of the Church to let in the light of the Holy Spirit. "I like to think of Pope Francis, as doing something similar, he is keeping the Church doors open, he is not closing them, and he is not excluding people. "Instead he is inviting people in to encounter Jesus, with an emphasis on mercy and on joy. "One of the key places of encounter is in the family. I look forward to his engaging with families in Croke Park and to his messages for all of us. "I look forward to the events of the coming week. "It will be good for the Church and good for Ireland. When you hold open a door you never know what will happen. "Pope Francis could surprise us all, such is his radical faith. "Thank God for Pope Francis." Emotions were running high across the county last Wednesday as 574 Leaving Certificate students from nine Longford schools received their exam results. Meanscoil Mhuire In Meanscoil Mhuire Longford, Jade Gill, who hopes to study Psychology in Limerick told the Leader, Im delighted. I didnt expect (such good results), so Im really happy. ALSO READ: Almost 600 students receive Leaving Cert results in Longford today Students in Meanscoil Mhuire were very successful, with 38% of students attaining over 400 points, 27% receiving over 450 points, 15% receiving over 500 points and one student reaching over 600 points. Alison Reid said, Im as happy as I can be, I think I got what I need to get my course. Alison plans on studying microbiology in Athlone Institute of Technology. Shona Rowley is hoping to pursue a career in Primary School teaching following her good results. Im very happy and very shocked, she said. I want to do Primary School teaching. The points were high enough that I thought I wouldnt be able to get them but Im within the range so Im delighted. Meanwhile, Wiktoria Wojcik said: I am happy. I got my first choice I think. I want to do Nursing. I think Im going back to Poland or NUIG. Principal Aoife Mulrennan wished the students well in their future endeavours, while Vice-Principal Mairead Lyons said, Theyre a great bunch of girls with bright futures. St Mel's College Meanwhile, in St Mels College, many students and teachers alike were just as pleased with the results. The lads are very happy, and they look as if theyre getting what they wanted, the majority of them, said Principal Declan Rowley. Were very happy that the lads have achieved what they set out to achieve. Career Guidance teacher, Hazel Concar was on hand to help the boys decipher their results on the day and was thrilled to see so many happy students. Overall, the boys seem to be very happy, she said. They did very well and they worked hard during the year, so they deserve the success that they got. Three students received over 550 points this year in St Mel's, with many more achieving over 400. One student, Daniel Dowd, said Im very happy, Ill probably do a PLC this year and hopefully get to Athlone IT next year. Agimed Bilal also spoke to the Longford Leader last week: Im grand with the results and I want to go to Dublin and do a Business PLC. Ardscoil Phadraig Elsewhere, in Ardscoil Phadraig, there were great celebrations as the class of 2018 collected their results. The number of students achieving the highest grades in higher level papers continues to rise year after year in the Granard school, said Principal Garrett Buckley. This is a reflection of the work ethic of both students and teachers as well as the additional supports which the school has provided over the last few years. The results will enable students to fulfil their ambitions of progressing their education in the areas of Science and PE Teaching, Construction Teaching and Psychiatric Nursing as well as courses in the fields of Science and Engineering, to name but a few. Many of our students are also using their very good results to undertake apprenticeships in various trades. Mr Buckley also acknowledged the continued support of parents, saying he was delighted that the excellent results once again provided confirmation that hardworking students in Ardscoil Phadraig can achieve the points necessary to gain entry to college courses in any discipline that they choose. Cnoc Mhuire Granard Students at Cnoc Mhuire, Granard, were also very happy with their exceptional results on Wednesday last. Many were very nervous before opening their white envelopes but were soon relieved to have done better than expected. Principal Pauline McBrien was delighted with the high standard and commended students, staff and their parents for their commitment and hard work over the past year. Seven students received over 500 points which is a culmination of a lot of hard work. PJ Masterson, Abbeylara along with Granard native, Ruth Donohoe, achieved exceptional results. Deputy principal Sandra Durkan congratulated all of Cnoc Mhuire's students on their excellent results, remarking that many of them have sourced accommodation already as they are confident that they will be offered their CAO choices. Most importantly, students were thankful that the long wait is finally over and that they can move forward to the next stage of their lives. Staff and management at Cnoc Mhuire wish all of their students the very best in the near future. Lanesboro Community College And the success continued in Lanesboro Community College last Wednesday morning as the anxious wait for its 32 Leaving Cert students finally came to an end. The nerves and tension quickly dissipated and was replaced with joy and excitement as students celebrated their wonderful results. With almost half (47%) of students achieving over 400 points, Principal Bernice Martin was overjoyed for the students, their families and teachers. This years students have continued a tradition of excellent results in Lanesboro Community College and we are thrilled for them. And, with a high number sitting Higher Level Maths, Ms Martin was delighted that all received their bonus points. In addition, students achieved H1s in a number of subjects. Lanesboro Community College continues to go from strength to strength and the school looks forward to officially opening a new science building early in the school year. The fully equipped modern science lab is a great addition to the science department and will provide the opportunity for students to continue to excel in STEM subjects. Overall, results were fantastic in County Longford, with CAO offers going out to students early on Monday morning. For more Leaving Cert coverage, see www.longfordleader.ie. With only a limited number of tickets available to the public for Pope Francis visit to Knock as part of the World Meeting of Families this Sunday, August 26, Longford people will be delighted to learn that three tickets have become available in Newtowncashel for the event! Knock Shrine issued a statement only recently in which it encouraged members of the public with tickets who found they could not attend on the day, to pass those tickets on to those who do wish to see the Pope at the Marian Shrine in Co Mayo. In a statement Knock Shrine advised people on how to make the most of this very special occasion and added, Everyone should arrive early for a Gathering Event and stay for the open-air celebration of the Sunday Eucharist after the Popes departure for Dublin. On the morning of the Popes arrival the bells of Knock Shrine will ring out and all churches in the family of six dioceses that make up the ecclesiastical province of Tuam will be invited to ring their bells at the same time to signal the beginning of the gathering at Knock and to extend a warm Cead Mile Failte to Pope Francis. Starting from 8.30am, there will be an uplifting Gathering Event entitled Witness to Faith and Family, a spokesperson continued, before pointing out that together with video presentations, drama and music, pilgrims would subsequently be led in prayer and reflection until the arrival of the Holy Father. Focus will be on the story of Knock through the testimony of the Apparition witnesses and Pope Francis invitation to witness to the joy of faith and family in our contemporary world. Meanwhile, music for the occasion will be provided by Knock Parish Choir with guest musicians and soloists Sibeal Ni Chasaide and Anne Marie Gibbons. Upon his arrival at the Shrine, the Holy Father will move through the assembly in the Pope Mobile arriving at the Apparition Gable at 10am where he will be met by the Rector of the Shrine Father Richard Gibbons. Pope Francis will spend some time in silent prayer at the site of the Apparition before exiting the chapel to deliver a short address and lead pilgrims in the Angelus Prayer and impart his Apostolic Blessing before departing for Ireland West Airport, Knock for his return journey to Dublin. After the departure there will be a concelebrated open-air Mass for the Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time. Father Richard Gibbons will be the main celebrant and the mass will be concluded by 12.30/1pm. This spiritual programme is part of the official ticketed event. For more details on how to get those precious tickets in Newtowncashel, log onto Facebook.com/Newtowncashel Parish Notes. Read Also: Road closures for Pope's visit to Knock St. Mark Armenian Church's biggest event of the year -- the annual Armenian Fest -- will take place Sept. 2 from noon to 6 p.m. "We are such a close-knit community, and even though we're a small parish, we accomplish great things together and for the love of our church. And our festival is a wonderful example of that," said Parish Council member Talene R. Jermakian. The event will take place on the church grounds at 2427 Wilbraham Road in Springfield and feature a live Armenian band, dancing, hot meals including the church's signature lamb shish kebab, authentic Armenian and international pastries and a raffle. "My favorite food would definitely have to be our signature shish kebab," Jermakian said. "We marinate it with our special recipe, and I wait all year for it." She said the pilaf offered is amazing, and for dessert, her favorite is the khadayif, which is shredded phyllo dough with a delicious cream filling, topped with sugar syrup. "I think people really appreciate the home-cooked food and baked goods we serve," she said, adding that that the atmosphere makes everyone happy; "it's contagious!" Food offerings will include kebabs; grape leaves stuffed with onion, rice and herbs;layered phyllo dough triangles filled with cheese mixture; layered phyllo dough squares filled with spinach mixture; slightly sweet knotted roll with sprinkled sesame seeds on top; pastry with chopped nuts, layers of buttered phyllo dough, topped with sugar syrup; pastry with sweetened butter filling; shortbread cookie covered with powdered sugar; Armenian sesame seed cookies. Dinners will be available for take out. Also, St. Mark's parish priest, the Rev. Sevak Gabrielyan, will give tours of the church and explain the Armenian Apostolic faith and history. Many current and former parishioners attend the festival. "It's a perfect time to come together," Jermakian said. "Parishioners who have moved away always come back for our festival." There is a happy and energetic atmosphere at the event. "Our parishioners put their heart and souls into making this a successful event, and really enjoy sharing our Armenian food, culture and church with our community. ... We're thrilled to have 700 people attend our festival, the majority of whom are not Armenian, and really enjoy the day," she said. "You can smell the shish kebab, losh kebab (Armenian lamb/beef burger) and chicken cooking on the grills right on the festival grounds, sounds of live Armenian music, tents filled with baked goods, Armenian artifacts, people dancing, eating delicious food -- it's all great!" The St. Mark community is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The parish began in 1958 as St. John the Divine Armenian Church on Dresden Street, and in 1983, the present church, St. Mark's, was built. Admission to the festival and parking are free. The event will take place rain or shine. All proceeds from the fest will benefit the ministries of St. Mark Armenian Church. For more information, go to stmarkarmenianchurch.org. The Republican each week will put together a slideshow of select clips and comics from the archive from the past 100 years. From the August 21, 1933 edition of The Springfield Evening Union This week's selection of clips, headlines and comics from the past 100 years. This week we feature clips from 1933, 1943 and 1963. Fifty-five years ago, this week, summer vacation time was wrapping up and kids across the region were thinking about their return to school. In Springfield, awards were handed out to campers from the North End Community Center's summer day camp on Plainfield Street. Awards were given out to the top two campers from each age group during a parent-camper party held at the center. From the August 24, 1963 edition of The Springfield Union And in Holyoke, awards were given out at the Holyoke Public Library celebrating the end of the summer reading program. Children received awards for reading the most books and for presenting the best book reports over the summer. From the August 24, 1963 edition of The Springfield Union Twenty years earlier, officials for the Blandford Fair were upset after the Three-County Fair in Northampton decided to move their event to Labor Day weekend. The Blandford Fair had been held over Labor Day for the previous 16 years and had enjoyed solid attendance. Although the two fairs were far enough apart, according to the Massachusetts Fair association rules, to be held at the same time, Blandford officials were concerned that pari-mutuel betting in Northampton, would draw folks away from Blandford. From the August 23, 1943 edition of The Springfield Daily News And back in 1943, a photo of a new pumper truck purchased for the Springfield fire department. The 1250-gallon pumper was purchased from a firm in Buffalo, N.Y. From the August 23, 1943 edition of The Springfield Daily News The pages of The Republican and its predecessors can be found online through the Newsbank Historic archive. The Historic Archive includes editions from 1824 to 1989. Pages and clips can be printed or downloaded in pdf format. The city of Revere is stepping up to help laid off Necco workers by hosting a job fair Wednesday afternoon. The citywide event is expected to attract 60 employers and was coordinated by Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo and the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development Rapid Response Team. It will be open to the public from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Rumney Marsh Academy, 140 American Legion Highway. "We got a great response from the business community after Necco was shut down," Arrigo said in a statement. "We immediately turned our efforts toward helping those who lost their jobs, and as employers started to contact the Mayor's office hoping to connect with the displaced employees, it became apparent that there would be quite a few employers looking to hire workers." The Necco candy plant in Revere closed abruptly last month after the company that bought the 171-year-old candy manufacturer during a bankruptcy auction in May sold the business. About 230 workers lost their jobs. In May, Spangler Candy Co. took home the highest bid for Necco at a federal bankruptcy court auction in Boston, pledging $18.8 million. But in a dramatic turn of events, the deal fell apart and Round Hill -- the second-highest bidder- closed on a deal to acquire Necco for $17.3 million under the Sweetheart Candy Co. LLC entity, owned by Dean, Evan and Daren Metropoulos. Wednesday's job fair will include employers in fields ranging from food production, manufacturing, transportation, health care, airport screeners, maintenance, bank tellers, customer service and more. A 19-year-old Pittsfield man was held without bail on charges that he shot and badly injured another teenager in October Mountain State Forest at his arraignment Wednesday. Kevin Nieves pleaded not guilty to one count of armed assault with intent to murder, kidnapping, assault and battery, and a firearms charge, according to a news release from Berkshire District Attorney Paul Caccviello's office. Authorities say Nieves shot a man near the Ashley Reservoir in October Mountain State Park, in Washington, early Tuesday morning, he said. Police received a 911 call reporting the shooting at 1 a.m. The 19-year-old victim from Cheshire was taken to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield where he underwent surgery. He is being treated in the intensive care unit, according to the DA's office. Authorities have not identified a possible motive or any other additional details about the shooting. The area where the victim was found was at least 5 miles from the nearest designated campsite in the forest, Dom Sacco the Department of Conservation and Recreation's director in Western Massachusetts, told The Berkshire Eagle. "There is no designated camping area, so they shouldn't be camping there," Sacco told the newspaper. "It's a mostly wooded area, other than a few water bodies." The forest off of Washington Mountain Road is a popular party and bonfire spot for high school in the summer, the newspaper reports. The Berkshire Eagle reports that many of this summer's parties have drawn an older crowd and some local gang members. The newspaper reports the shooting happened at one of these parties. Caccaviello declined to comment on whether the shooting happened at a party or if it was gang-related. "We've been aware that there is a party spot," Washington Select Board Chairman Jim Huebner told the newspaper. "What we have done in the past, if we know there is someone there, we have chased them out." The matter remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call state police detectives at 413-499-1112. SPRINGFIELD - A man charged with robbing a Springfield bank while wearing a towel on his head has been indicted by a grand jury. Keeyo Jones, 24, pleaded not guilty Friday in Hampden Superior Court to one count of felony bank robbery and a misdemeanor charge of cocaine possession. The charges were contained in an indictment issued by a Hampden County grand jury on Aug. 7, six weeks after Jones was arrested for allegedly robbing the Citizens Bank branch in the South End. The robbery took place around 9:30 a.m. June 22 when a man wearing black sweatpants, a black hooded sweatshirt and a tan towel on his head approached the teller and handed her a note, according to the arrest report. "I have a gun give me the money," the note said. He left with $1,500 in a bag, and was arrested two days later following a traffic stop. A search turned up a packet of cocaine and $158 in cash stained with red dye in Jones' pants pocket, according to the report, which said a teller placed a dye packet into a bag of $10 and $20 bills during the robbery. Several hours after the robbery, a warrant was issued for Jones, also known as "K-Bricks," after three witnesses picked his picture out of a photo array. Jones was ordered held on $10,000 bail after pleading not guilty in Springfield District Court to armed robbery and possession of cocaine. On Friday, Judge Lauramarie Sirois again set bail at $10,000 and continued the case for a pretrial hearing on Jan. 11. Assistant District Attorney Robert Schmidt is prosecuting the case. Attorney Robert Fleischner is representing Jones. A federal grand jury has indicted former Massachusetts State Police Lt. David Wilson in the overtime abuse scandal roiling the state law enforcement agency, prosecutors said Wednesday. Wilson, a 57-year-old Charlton resident, has been already hit with a criminal complaint, and after an arrest on June 27, appeared in federal court. His post-indictment arraignment hasn't been set yet. His attorney, Leonardo Angiulo of Worcester, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Wilson, during his initial court appearance on June 27, pleaded not guilty to an embezzlement charge. Wilson worked within Troop E, which patrolled the Massachusetts Turnpike, also known as I-90. Troop E was disbanded amid a series of proposed reforms. Gov. Charlie Baker, who has called the alleged overtime abuse a "scam" and a "conspiracy" going back years, tapped Col. Kerry Gilpin to take over the State Police and clean up the troubled agency. Federal prosecutors allege Wilson and other troopers forged citations to look like they were issued during an overtime shift that the troopers didn't work but were paid for anyway. Wilson earned nearly $260,000 in 2016 and racked up $102,062 in overtime, according to the indictment. Prosecutors say he earned $12,450 in overtime pay for shifts he did not work. Wilson, who retired from the State Police this year, has already started receiving pension checks from the state totaling $8,791.02 a month. Theft of government funds carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The other current and former troopers who have been hit with charges are Gary Herman of Chester, Paul Cesan of Southwick, Gregory Raftery of Westwood, Daren DeJong of Uxbridge and Kevin Sweeney of Braintree. Raftery and Sweeney have agreed to plead guilty. The others have put in for not-guilty pleas. A total of 46 troopers are under investigation as part of a internal State Police review of the overtime abuse scandal. This post was updated with corrected information from the indictment. EASTHAMPTON -- One of the state's first recreational cannabis shops is slated to open before the end of the year at the Keystone Mill. Principals with I.N.S.A., Inc. appeared before the Planning Board Tuesday and walked away with a special permit to conduct recreational adult cannabis sales at the site of their current medical marijuana dispensary at 122 Pleasant Street. The permit was granted with six conditions, including a provision to have INSA return in three months, and again in six months, to iron out any problems with parking, traffic, and other protocols. The recreational portion of the shop could be up and running before Thanksgiving, said said Stephen M. Reilly, general counsel for the enterprise. The state is poised to let some marijuana grown for medical purposes be sold as recreational, said Reilly. He described a process where the sales are carefully tracked. The rules could change as the volume of marijuana grown specifically for the adult recreational market catches up, he said. Marijuana rules are in flux as the Cannabis Control Commission takes over regulatory duties from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Moving forward, the CCC will be in charge of both programs. Any waivers granted to INSA by the state must be reported to the city. If the waivers are deemed "major," the Planning Board could take steps to amend the permit. The shop plans to be open between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. Director of Operations Ian Kelly said that he expects traffic to be high for the first six months of sales, and to abate as more recreational cannabis shops open in Western Massachusetts. CEO Mark Zatyrka said that INSA has been a good neighbor in the mixed-use mill district and will continue in that vein. The principals said they have been in communication with Police Chief Robert Alberti, who plans to tour the site once again. INSA has grown and evolved since it opened in February as a medical dispensary. In April, Zatyrka and his team described plans to enter the recreational market. In May, INSA opened a second medical dispensary in Springfield. In July, INSA gained approval to double its marijuana cultivation space up to 89,000 square feet. In August, INSA was provisionally approved by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to sell recreational products. The company negotiated a host community agreement with the city. In addition to the 3 percent community opt-in tax, INSA has agreed to pay Easthampton 3 percent of its gross adult use retail sales. Around 75 people are employed at all INSA facilities. The company says it will up its hiring with the recreational component. Materials that INSA supplied to the Easthampton Planning Board are available on the city's website. A math teacher for the Narragansett School District high school has been arrested and placed on leave after authorities allegedly discovered videos of child pornography in the teacher's possession, officials said Wednesday. Warren Anderson, 26, of Lowell and Harvard, was arrested Tuesday and appeared in federal court in Boston to face charges of receipt and possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts. Anderson was ordered detained pending a probable cause and detention hearing scheduled for Monday. In a letter to the Narragansett Regional School District community, Superintendent Christopher Casavant wrote that Anderson has been placed on leave until further notice and will have no access to or interaction with any members of the school district. "We have been advised by the Department of Homeland Security and local authorities that at this time there is no evidence of localized victimization of any student, past or present, during Mr. Anderson's two year tenure with the District," the letter reads. The superintendent also wrote that authorities said the investigation was centered around Anderson's residence in Lowell. Anderson was interviewed as a part of an ongoing investigation into the online trade of child pornography through the use of Kik messenger, the U.S. Attorney's office said in a statement. Anderson allegedly admitted to accessing the dark web to obtain child pornography, the statement said. Federal agents discovered child pornography including a video of a man repeatedly assaulting a naked 4-year-old girl and an image of a girl between the ages of 3 and 5 being assaulted by a man, the statement said. Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case are asked to call 617-748-3274. SPRINGFIELD -- Chanting "MGM," thousands of employees marched downtown Tuesday after a pep rally in anticipation of Friday's opening of the $960 million MGM Springfield casino. "Yes, it was our employee pep rally. It was held at the MassMutual Center. Three-thousand employees participated," MGM spokesman Saverio Mancini said in an email. The event featured New England Patriot cheerleaders and the Jabbawockeez, a hip-hop dance crew that performs at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, he said. Employees marching down Main and State streets said MGM policy prohibited them from commenting to The Republican, which did nothing to weaken their enthusiasm as they wielded hand-held noise-makers and waved balloons. The 2 million square foot development in the South End of the City of Homes is scheduled to open at 11 a.m. Friday. The debut has everyone from police officers to Hampden Hall of Justice employees bracing for the jam of thousands of visitors. The resort covers 14 acres and the casino will operate seven days a week, round the clock. Features include a 125,000-square-foot gaming floor, 2,550 slot machines, 120 gaming tables, a poker room, high-limit VIP gaming area, five-story boutique hotel, restaurants and shops. Officials at MGM and members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission often tout the potential positives, including thousands of new jobs, from the $960 million Springfield casino slated to open this week. But state regulators are also set to track the potential negative things that come out of the gambling sector. The state law allowing casinos in Massachusetts directs the Gaming Commission to establish baseline data not only for crime, but things like property values and the impact on the state lottery. "So now as the casinos operate, we'll be able to track all of those same variables. Every criminal activity, every unemployment rate, every job start, every property value, we'll track those year after year after year after year," Stephen Crosby, chairman of the Gaming Commission, told reporters. A similar study has looked at the impact of Plainridge Park Casino, a slots parlor that opened on the Massachusetts-Rhode Island border in June 2015. Crime analyst Christopher Bruce said earlier this year, "Rarely was I able to establish a casino relationship, and the general sense from the participating police agencies were that they did not feel that Plainridge Park Casino had contributed significantly to crime or calls for service." The two-year baseline study for the Springfield area will be released in September, and information from the casino's first three months of operation will be available to the commission in January 2019. "Part of the purpose of the study, particularly the criminal data, which we can track pretty much in real time, is to give us a heads up and give other authorities a heads up if there begins to be an issue," Crosby said Wednesday. For example, if there is a spike in drunken driving in the area related to the new casino, the commission can take action, according to Crosby. "If we see things that happen as a result of the casino, then we can take whatever steps are necessary," Crosby said. "Do there need to be more police, are our servers over-serving and not cutting people off early enough, whatever, we can address it immediately." At the casino, there will be State Police detectives and local law enforcement on-site, and a number of "gaming agents" to keep an eye on the operations of the slot machines and the table games. That's all in addition to MGM's own security measures. "You can't escape the cameras," Crosby said. Members of the Gaming Commission held a planning meeting Wednesday, without one member: Bruce Stebbins, who is in Springfield. The commission delegated to Stebbins the authority to issue a conditional certificate of operations that MGM Springfield needs for its grand opening. The final certificate of operations for MGM Springfield will be up for a vote at the commission's Sept. 13 meeting. Members of the Gaming Commission are expected at a press conference on Thursday Aug. 23, just before the grand opening. MGM Springfield President Mike Mathis, Gov. Charlie Baker, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Congressman Richard Neal are also slated to attend the 11 a.m. event. The grand opening on Aug. 24 will include a parade of employees and construction workers, as well as the Budweiser Clydesdales. "Let's go hear the lion roar," Crosby said before adjourning the commission's Wednesday planning meeting, in a reference to MGM's leonine logo. NORTHAMPTON - Police, investigating at least eight vehicle break-ins since Aug. 5, warn residents to avoid leaving valuable items inside their vehicles. The break-ins occurred in various areas of the city and both locked and unlocked vehicles were targeted, primarily during the daytime hours, according to a post on the department's Facebook page. The same post reported a vehicle was stolen Wednesday morning out of a driveway on Lilly Street in the Florence section of the city. Two of the break-ins occurred on King Street and two were reported on North Street. Break-ins were also reported on Fruit Street, West Street, Jackson Street and on Main Street in the Leeds section. The suspect or suspects entered the locked vehicles by smashing windows. Items stolen included iPhones, money, wallets and purses. Police Chief Jody Kasper said investigators are attempting to determine if the break-ins are related. Those whose vehicles have been broken into are asked to report it. The parents of Maddilyn Burgess say their daughter was in an abusive relationship that led to her brutal murder earlier this month. Burgess's parents Cindi Ciani and Bill Burgess told WBZ-TV they are raising money to help other victims escape from their abusive partners. Burgess died Aug. 9 in what police called a murder-suicide. Her body was found in the trunk of a car driven by Gyrth Rutan. Rutan, of Sturbridge, was pulled over by police in Gardiner, Maine, after driving erratically. He got out of the car and shot himself. Investigators found a crime scene at Rutan's house in Sturbridge, according to the office of Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr., but declined to identify the relationship between Burgess and Rutan. Her parents told the television station that Gyrth isolated their 28-year-old daughter, causing her to lose contact with friends. They told WBZ-TV he Gyrth physically and verbally abusive. In June, Burgess took out an emergency restraining order against Gyrth and moved out. It didn't last and they were in contact shortly, Bill Burgess told the television station. Burgess eventually moved back in with Gyrth, her parents said. "I knew something was wrong as soon as the officers asked me my name and came into the house," Ciani told WBZ-TV. "I fell to the floor and the only thing I could say was 'no, no, no my baby girl.'" The parents told the television station they are honoring their daughter through a partnership with the YWCA of Central Massachusetts Daybreak program. They also started a GoFundMe to raise money to help victims in abusive situations. Authorities say a 19-year-old Leominster woman lit her clothes on fire inside a police cruiser and later kicked an officer in the groin after being arrested on a trespassing charge in New Hampshire over the weekend. Officers in Hampton, New Hampshire, found Jeante Driscoll trying to hide near the Kennebunk Savings Bank on Winnacunnet Road on Saturday around 10:20 p.m., according the department. She was given a warning for loitering and told to leave the area, but police once again found her alongside the building a short time later. Authorities said Driscoll refused to leave. She was placed under arrest and managed to light her clothes on fire while being transported to the police station, authorities said. The officer transporting Driscoll pulled the cruiser over, removed her from the car and rolled her around on the ground in order to extinguish the flames. Hampton police said she was brought to the station and treated by the Seabrook Fire Department before being transported to Portsmouth Hospital for her injuries. At the police station, authorities said Driscoll kicked an officer in the groin. She has been charged with criminal trespassing, loitering and assault by prisoners. Driscoll was released on $10,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraignment Oct. 2 in Seabrook, New Hampshire. A private jet carrying rapper Post Malone and 15 others made an emergency landing at New York Stewart International Airport shortly before 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The smooth landing was streamed live on Facebook by CBS affiliate WJZ-TV in Baltimore. The Associated Press confirmed the plane had landed safely. Less 30 minutes after the landing, Malone tweeted his thanks to fans and threw shade on internet trolls: "i landed guys. thank you for your prayers. can't believe how many people wished death on me on this website. [expletive] you. but not today." The Gulfstream IV had two of its tires blow out shortly after takeoff from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey at 10:55 a.m. It was bound for London. At one point, the jet was set to make its emergency landing at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Massachusetts. According to TMZ, an air traffic control informed the Gulfstream pilot to continue to Massachusetts in order to burn more fuel for a safer possible crash landing. The plane had 3,700 gallons of fuel to burn. The 23-year-old Malone, born Austin Richard Post, had performed at the MTV VMA Awards with 21 Savage and Aerosmith on Monday night. He won Song of the Year for "Rockstar." SPRINGFIELD -- Stewart Weldon, accused of killing three women and assaulting many more, will be arraigned Monday in Hampden Superior Court. The arraignment is set for 9 a.m. in courtroom one on the third floor of the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse. Weldon, 40, was indicted last week on a total of 52 counts involving a total of 11 victims. The offenses spanned "over a year's time," the district attorney's office said. The indictments allege that Weldon "did assault and beat" of each of the three women found dead in and around his Page Boulevard home in May. In addition to the murder indictments, Weldon is charged with 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 with intent to rape. Weldon is represented by Brian Murphy in the case being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Max Bennett. The discovery of the bodies came three days after Springfield officers arrested Weldon during a traffic stop. Police charged him with kidnapping and other offenses after a woman in his car -- his girlfriend and the mother of his children -- told officers he'd been holding her captive for a month. Court records show a resident at 1333 Page Blvd. called police on the evening of May 30 to report a "rancid smell." Police sources have told The Republican the caller was Weldon's mother, Constance White, who owns the home. Investigators descended on the property and found the bodies of Kayla Escalante, 27, of Ludlow, and Springfield residents Ernestine Ryans, 47, and 34-year-old America Lyden. Weldon, who has a long criminal history, was arrested twice on default warrants in 2017 before leading police on a car chase on Oct. 14 after officers responded to a report of Weldon assaulting a woman on the street. He allegedly fought with officers after crashing his car, and is accused of biting one of them on the leg. He was initially held on $2,500 bail but petitioned a Superior Court judge for a reduction. On Nov. 21, Judge David Ricciardone set his bail at $1,000, and ordered him confined to his home with a GPS bracelet. In February, Weldon allegedly cut off his bracelet and left it outside the Springfield courthouse. Weldon eluded officers who went to the home on Feb. 21 to arrest him on a warrant, according to Springfield police. Police returned to 1333 Page Boulevard on March 8 but could not locate him. According to the indictments, Escalante and Ryans died after Weldon cut off the GPS device, and after the Feb. 21 attempt to arrest him. Escalante died between April 1 and May 30, and Ryans died between March 1 and May 30, according to the indictments. The indictments listed a wider window for Lyden's death: between Aug. 1, 2017, and May 30, 2018. BELCHERTOWN -- Town Meeting on Monday narrowly rejected a Citizens Petition intended to yank authority previously granted to the Board of Selectmen to negotiate payments from a proposed solar farm. The meeting was delayed nearly a half-hour due to a large number of residents being checked in and given voting cards by officials in the town clerk's office. During the annual Town Meeting in May, voters approved an article granting selectmen authority to negotiate a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with Syncharpha Solar. The company has indicated it would like to build a 7.5-megawatt solar farm on 101 acres of land off North Street, leased from the property owner, W.D. Cowls Inc. To date, Syncarpha has not submitted any formal plans to the municipality. That would begin the review process and allow town government to determine if the proposal should or should not be approved. Following more than an hour of debate and discussion, Town Meeting voted 162-153 in favor of keeping the status quo, thus allowing selectmen to negotiate a tax agreement. A second citizens petition article -- that sought to restrict, to a maximum four acres, the amount of forest that could be chopped down to make way for a solar farm -- was ruled out of order by Town Moderator Joe Bernard, on the advice of the town's lawyer. Attorney Gregg Corbo, of the Boston firm KP Law, said any town meeting article seeking to amend zoning bylaws must first be referred to the Planning Board, which must convene a public hearing. Corbo said no public hearing was held by the Planning Board to consider the four-acre tree cutting limit and therefore that article could not be considered by Town Meeting. Bernard allowed a substitute article, approved by Town Meeting, which referred the proposed zoning amendment to selectmen, who, after consideration, may refer the matter to the Planning Board for review. SPRINGFIELD -- Normand Harnois would have appreciated the ceremony, his daughter said. "My dad would have been truly honored to receive this medal. He proudly served his country and spoke often about his time in Korea," said Kathleen Duquette, eldest daughter of Harnois, who died Nov. 28 at 87. Duquette and other family members attended a ceremony at the Massachusetts Statehouse in Boston Aug. 11 to receive the Ambassador for Peace Medal on behalf of Harnois, a U.S. Army veteran, from the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Korean officials were among those who spoke. The medal is an expression of appreciation for Americans' service during the Korean War from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953. It is available to all Korean War veterans in the United States depending on eligibility. "It was a very moving ceremony," Duquette said. Harnois was born in Lowell and joined the Army when he was 18. He spent 16 months in a field artillery unit, according to Duquette and Harnois' obituary. Harnois worked 35 years for Western Union Telegraph as a communications engineer, manager and technical supervisor for locations in four states, according to his obituary. He lived mostly in Springfield and died at the Wingate at Wilbraham nursing home, Duquette said. He loved the Red Sox, played banjo later in life and enjoyed family time, she said. "He was very proud of his six children and six grandchildren. Holiday gatherings were very important to him," Duquette said. A story in The Republican alerted the family to the availability of the medal, she said. Here is eligibility information regarding the Ambassador for Peace Medal from the state website: A third airline is expected to begin flying out of Worcester Regional Airport, officials say. An announcement about the new airline is planned for Tuesday morning at the airport atop Worcester's Tatnuck Hill, said Worcester County Sheriff Lewis Evangelidis, who is the chairman of the Massport board. Evangelidis would not say which airline is coming to Worcester but said it is a "significant" and well-known airline that will be a nice addition to the airport. The location of the new airline's flight is also expected to be announced Tuesday. This is the second new airline to be announced for Worcester Regional Airport this year. American Airlines and Massport revealed in the spring that two daily flights to Philadelphia International Airport will begin in October. The new airline to be announced Tuesday will join American as well as JetBlue, which has been flying out of Worcester to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando for five years. Since 2013, more than 500,000 passengers have flown on JetBlue through Worcester Regional Airport. In May, JetBlue started daily flights from Worcester to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Rectrix Aviation also offers a 20-minute flight to Cape Cod out of Worcester Regional Airport. At its peak in 1989, Worcester Regional Airport served more than 340,000 people. Massport owns and operates Worcester Regional Airport, in addition to Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston and Hanscom Field. SPRINGFIELD -- The two Democrats running in the Massachusetts' 1st Congressional District will take the debate stage for the first time Wednesday as they seek to make their respective cases to voters ahead of the state's Sept. 4 primary election. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who has represented Western Massachusetts for nearly 30 years, and Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, a Springfield attorney, will square-off in an afternoon debate on WWLP-22News. The Democrats are expected to tout their experience and visions for the Western Massachusetts district, as they go head-to-head on an array of policy issues during the 30-minute matchup. The debate will be broadcast live on 22News and WWLP.com beginning at 12:30 p.m., according to organizers. 22News Anchor Rich Tettemer will moderate the debate. Neal's campaign, in announcing the congressman's participation in the event, said he looked forward "to addressing voters about his role in Congress 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." Campaign Manager Peter Panos added that Neal also planned to share "his vision for fairer taxes, making health care more affordable and accessible, defending Social Security and Medicare, combating the opioid epidemic and addressing income inequality." Although Amatul-Wadud criticized Neal for announcing the televised debate before she said terms had been finalized for the forum, she confirmed that she will join the incumbent on the debate stage. The Democrat said she believes the WWLP debate, as well as another upcoming matchup, "will give voters two opportunities to hear from candidates in a face-to-face forum." Amatul-Wadud and Neal will both take part in an Aug. 30 debate organized by the League of Women Voters and WGBY. Massachusetts' 1st Congressional District includes all of Berkshire County and parts of Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester Counties. Voters who registered ahead of the Aug. 15 deadline will be able to cast ballots in the Sept. 4 primary. Those registered as Democrats can only vote in the Democratic primary, while voters registered as Republicans can only cast ballots in the GOP primary. Those registered as unenrolled in either party can choose what primary they will vote in. A Massachusetts program meant to preserve farmland has at times made it harder for farmers to raise revenue to keep their farms sustainable, according to an audit released Wednesday by Massachusetts Auditor Suzanne Bump. The audit also found the program is not well-monitored, and is overly complicated for farmers. "The processes at the agency are very opaque and lack consistency, making it hard for farmers to enter the program, navigate within it, and pass it on to another farmer," Bump said in a statement. The audit looked at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' Agricultural Preservation Restriction program, in which the state pays a farmer money in exchange for permanent restrictions on the land to make sure it remains used for agriculture. Between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2017, Bump's office visited 60 farms that are part of the program. She found that while many participants were satisfied, some said they had a hard time getting permission for things like getting electricity to a farm stand, building renewable energy systems, opening a brewery or starting agritourism businesses like hosting weddings or farm-to-table dinners. The department said in response to the audit that permission denials are rare, and the department must adhere to federal government requirements and look out for state and taxpayer interests. Bump found that the program also made it harder for farmers to sell their properties, due to a clause that gives the state a right to first refusal when a farmer decides to sell and gives the department other rights in the sale process. Bump wrote that the sale process is complex, lacks transparency and has prevented some farmers from getting maximum benefits. For example, the department stopped a Western Massachusetts farmer from selling to a landscaper who wanted to grow native plants on the land -- even though the farmer had been using the land for that purpose for 13 years. Farmers cannot back out of a sale once the department chooses a bidder, even if the farmer would have preferred a different bid. The department said it denies or modifies sales when it is in the best interest of the preservation of the farmland. In other areas, Bump said the department is not regularly monitoring farmland to ensure that farmers are complying with the Agricultural Preservation Restriction regulations. She said state officials should do more to educate farmers about the program. They should also develop a better system to obtain federal funding for farmland purchases. Katie Gronendyke, a spokeswoman for the Department of Agricultural Resources, said, "The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is committed to preserving and protecting the Commonwealth's valuable and limited agricultural land, helping farmers purchase farmland at affordable prices, and safeguarding the future viability of Massachusetts' agricultural industry....We will continue to review the auditor's report as we evaluate agricultural land preservation procedures and opportunities within the Commonwealth." Last year, the administration created a new grant program to help farmland owners who buy land under APR protection restore the land to commercial farming. A separate grant program provides financial and technical assistance for owners of APR farmland. State officials held four listening sessions this year to hear farmers' concerns about the APR program. An environmental bond bill that Gov. Charlie Baker recently signed into law included $20 million for the APR program. "Under the Agricultural Preservation Restriction, the Department has worked tirelessly to ensure 927 farms on over 73,000 acres across the state are protected from development and preserved for future farmers," Gronendyke said. Bump plans to discuss the audit Thursday on a visit to Westport River Vineyard with Sen. Michael Rodrigues and Rep. Paul Schmid, both of Westport, who have advocated for reforms to the program. This story was updated with Gronendyke's response. Several members of Massachusetts' congressional delegation called for answers and accountability this week following developments in legal cases involving President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen and ex-campaign manager Paul Manafort. The Democrats, who have supported Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation which helped lead to Tuesday's legal actions, rejected the president's oft-repeated claim that the probe into Russian election meddling and obstruction of justice is a "witch hunt" and stressed it must continue. They further contended that the verdict reached in the Manafort case and Cohen's decision to plead guilty to a hush-money scheme underscore the need for federal accountability and efforts to "clean up" Washington. Arguing that "the culture of corruption at this White House and throughout the GOP is staggering," U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, said the American people deserve answers. "The ought to know whether or not their president ordered illegal hush-money payments," he said, following news of Cohen's plea. "No one, including him, is above the law." The American people deserve answers. They ought to know whether or not their President ordered illegal hush-money payments. No one, including him, is above the law. https://t.co/KihIGlzMIg Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) August 21, 2018 U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Melrose, offered that while "Trump's lack of a moral compass hasn't been news for a long time," Tuesday's actions against Manafort and Cohen highlighted the importance of ensuring Mueller can complete his probe. "Within one hour we learned both his campaign chairman and attorney were guilty of felonies," she tweeted. "There's no time to waste when it comes to protecting the Mueller investigation and our democracy." Trumps lack of a moral compass hasnt been news for a long time but today, within 1 hour, we learned both his campaign chairman & attorney were guilty of felonies. Theres no time to waste when it comes to protecting the Mueller investigation- and our democracy. #Cohen #Manafort Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) August 21, 2018 U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, also contended that Mueller's investigation is "not a witch hunt." "Paul Manafort: found guilty. Michael Cohen: pleads guilty, implicates Donald Trump. Donald Trump has nominated a Supreme Court justice who believes he can't be indicted. Not a coincidence," the senator offered. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, meanwhile, argued that the Manafort verdict and Cohen plea are examples of why Congress needs to pass sweeping anti-corruption reforms, like the ones she proposed Tuesday. "Since introducing my bill ... Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign crimes, Paul Manafort convicted on tax fraud. Rep. Duncan Hunter indicted for misuse of campaign funds. And these are just the guys who've been caught," the Democrat said. "Time to clean up Washington." Since introducing my bill to #EndCorruptionNow this AM: Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign crimes. Paul Manafort convicted on tax fraud. Rep. Duncan Hunter indicted for misuse of campaign funds. And these are just the guys who've been caught. Time to clean up Washington. Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) August 21, 2018 Congressman Joe Kennedy III, D-Brookline, agreed on the need for increased accountability. "Six guilty pleas, one Trump campaign chair convicted, two GOP congressmen indicted, one president implicated in court, one indifferent, incompetent GOP Congress," he said. "Time for accountability." The lawmakers' remarks came just hours after Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts, including tax evasion and making a false statement to a financial institution, and Manafort was found guilty of eight financial crimes. Cohen, in entering the plea, said he and Trump arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. The jury in the Manafort case, meanwhile, returned the decision after deliberating four days on the charges of tax evasion and bank fraud. A judge declared a mistrial on 10 other counts. Despite the developments, Trump continued to raise questions about the legal actions and Mueller's probe Wednesday. "A large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case. Witch Hunt!" he tweeted. A large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case. Witch Hunt! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018 The president further argued that "Michael Cohen plead(ed) guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime." BOSTON -- Red Sox pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright are both making strides toward re-joining the team in the coming weeks, according to manager Alex Cora. Wright, who is dealing with a knee injury, will throw live batting practice Friday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The knuckleballer hasn't pitched since June 22 but could become a factor in Boston's bullpen in September. Boston will likely call upon some minor-leaguers from Fort Myers to face Wright. "I don't think there are too many guys lining up to face him on Friday," Cora joked. Rodriguez struck out eight batters in four scoreless innings in a rehab start at Double-A Portland on Monday night and probably will remain in the minors for one more rehab outing. "[They] felt that his cutter was outstanding," Cora said. "He was able to use it backdoor against right-handed hitters. We saw that during the live B.P. in Philly. There's been a lot of talk about his cutter, where he can use it." Cora said that Rodriguez's exact return date is unclear, adding that it could come during Boston's two-game homestand vs. Miami next week or their four-game series in Chicago against the White Sox at the end of the month. BOSTON -- Injured Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia still wouldn't rule out a potential return this season in an appearance on WEEI and NESN on Tuesday afternoon. Dustin Pedroia gave an injury update and talked about the charitable efforts of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon. pic.twitter.com/0LAkMsIG41 NESN (@NESN) August 21, 2018 "I'm preparing right now to hopefully, if it's possible, if the team needs me this year, to be ready," Pedroia said. "I don't know if they know it's possible or not. I don't know if it's possible. All I'm doing right now is working." Pedroia has been away from the team since mid-July, rehabbing his injured knee at home in Arizona. He said Tuesday that he was looking forward to re-joining the team in the near future, whether he plays or not. "I'm getting better every day," Pedroia said. "It's been a long road. Kind of having long days, multiple rehab sessions." Boston's trade deadline acquisition of Ian Kinsler likely means the team does not expect Pedroia back this year. Unless Kinsler or another infielder gets seriously injured in the coming weeks, it's unlikely Pedroia would see the field until next season. Pedroia said he started a running progression last Friday and is continuing to build up strength in the knee and surrounding area. He affirmed his intent to continue playing when fully healthy. "I'm gonna get over this injury," he said. "It's just a matter of when. Hopefully, if it's not this year, then I have three years remaining to play after that." Pedroia, who appeared in only three games this season, said that being sidelined has been made easier by the team's 88-38 record on the year. "If it wasn't going like that, if I had any hair on my head, I would've pulled it out," he said. "Watching every game and shooting guys funny text messages after they do good, that's keeping me going. Just hearing from them during this process. It's been exciting to watch." Manila (CNN Philippines Life) When a House committee approved the National Writing System Act, which seeks to declare Baybayin as the countrys national writing system and aims to put the script to use in street signs, public facilities, government halls, publications, and even food labels, many linguists, historians, and even average Filipinos got upset, to say the least. Baybayin has enjoyed a resurgence over the past few years, with many Filipinos taking an interest in learning the script as a means of tracing ones roots and connecting with ones culture. According to Leo Emmanuel Castro of Sanghabi, an NGO which conducts research and workshops on Filipino culture, most of the people who took an interest in Baybayin in the early days of its resurgence some five to 10 years ago were Fil-Ams. Kasi ito yung mga tao who grew up in an American society and their parents did not teach them the culture of their parents. So nagkaroon ng tension between their identities, he says. They began looking for their roots. Castro says another catalyst for the renewed interest in the ancient script was the boom of arts and crafts and calligraphy in the country. As Filipino calligraphers wanted to hone their skills, they sought out a writing system they could identify with instead of practicing in Japanese or Korean, which they could not understand. Fast forward to today and Baybayin can be found on T-shirts, jewelry, and even on tattoos. However, Baybayin does not encompass the entirety of the Philippines writing systems. Baybayin is, in fact, only one of a number of writing systems that were in use before the Spanish arrived on our shores. And those in opposition of the bills passing worry that relegating one system to the national writing system would erase the diversity of scripts that have and continue to exist around the country, as well as perpetuate a Tagalog-centric national identity. Two of the last scripts that remain in use today belong to the Mangyan group of Mindoro, who simply called their writing system "surat." Illustration by ELLE BATTUNG It is believed that there were at least 16 different types of writing systems present around the Philippines prior to our colonization. Baybayin is just one of them, which was said to be of widespread use among coastal groups such as the Tagalog, Bisaya, Iloko, Pangasinan, Bikol, and Pampanga around the 16th century. One theory is that Baybayin got its name from the word baybay, or seashore in Tagalog. When the Spanish arrived, they studied and used Baybayin to communicate with early Filipinos and teach them Catholicism. This could be why Baybayin is arguably the most popular and heavily documented of scripts. As Filipinos began to learn the Roman alphabet from the Spanish, the use of Baybayin, especially in lowland areas, began to disappear. But in upland areas and remote villages that were difficult for colonizers to reach, some scripts remained intact. There are only two places left in the Philippines that have preserved their ancient syllabic scripts: Mindoro, where the Hanuno'o-Mangyan and the Buhid-Mangyan simply call their scripts Surat Mangyan, and Palawan, where the Tagbanua and Palawan groups share a writing system they simply call surat a word meaning writing. Some ethnolinguists and advocates argue that suyat and surat are the best neutral term to use as a general descriptor of our writing systems. Meanwhile, small groups around the country are making initiatives to popularize scripts that are no longer in use, like the Kulitan script of the Kapampangans. The script of the Hanuno'o Mangyan are usually engraved on bamboo with the use of a small pocket knife and often come in the form of poems called ambahan. Illustration by ELLE BATTUNG Surat Mangyan The Northern Script of the Hanuno'o Mangyan and the Southern Script of the Northern Buhid remain in existence today likely due to the Mangyans relative isolation in the mountains of Mindoro. Dutch anthropologist Antoon Postma, who lived with the Hanuno'o Mangyan for many years, is also credited for helping document and preserve their scripts. There are 18 basic syllables: three vowels (a, i, u) and 15 consonants followed by the vowel a. In Hanuno'o, a diacritic or kudlit written either at the top or on the right of the symbol changes the vowel to i and u respectively. The scripts of the Hanuno'o and Buhid Mangyan have likely remained in existence until today due to the groups' relative isolation in the mountains. Illustration by ELLE BATTUNG A cutting-off symbol, or pamudpod, was introduced by Postma to eliminate the vowel or indicate a final consonant. Hanuno'o is written vertically from bottom to top and left to right, though it can be read from left to right in horizontal lines. In Buhid, the accent is placed above or below the symbols and is written left to right horizontally. These scripts are traditionally engraved on bamboo with the use of a small pocket knife, and can also be found on wooden objects like tobacco containers, lime containers, house beams, and musical instruments, which are used to accompany the incantation of traditional poems written in the scripts: the ambahan and urukay. These poems are used by Mangyan parents in educating their children, by young people during courtship, and by a host greeting a visitor, among others. They tell of the experience of birth and infancy, parental love and the intimate ties of the family union, of death and decay. An ambahan about missing friends. The poem translates to "You, my friends, dearest of all, thinking of you makes me sad. Rivers deep are in between, forest vast keep us apart. But thinking of you with love, as if you are here nearby standing, sitting at my side." Illustration by ELLE BATTUNG These poems are, according to Mangyan poet and National Living Treasure Ginaw Bilog, the key to the Mangyan soul. Postma wrote that the writing system helped the ambahan stay alive, while the existence of the poetry provided the script with sufficient reason (and material) to be used over and over again. Thus, the syllabic script and poetry have mutually assisted each other not to become extinct and forgotten. Tagbanwa/Tagbanua/Apurahuano is the writing system of the Tagbanua group residing in Palawan. Illustration by ELLE BATTUNG Tagbanua and Palawan Similar to the surat Mangyan, the script of the Tagbanua (also known as Tagbanwa) and Palawan groups is a syllabic alphabet consisting of three vowels (a, i, u) and 13 consonants accompanied by the letter a. The script also makes use of a kudlit written above and below the symbol to indicate a change in vowel. Tagbanua script is written in vertical columns from bottom to top and left to right, and read from left to right in horizontal lines. A small knife called pisaw is used to write the script on wooden slabs and bamboo. The script is believed to have originated among the Tagbanua people, who then introduced the writing to the Palawan when Tagbanua workers were taken to Brookes Point in Palawan before the second world war. Both groups are said to have recalled the use of their script in relaying messages and asking for basic goods from friends and family in far off places, as well as in signing legal documents, casting their vote during local, provincial, and national elections, and in writing ownership on animals and trees. Tagbanwa kinship terms from Fletcher Gardner and Ildefonso Maliwanag's "Indic Writings of the Mindoro-Palawan Axis." In English, these words translate to "sibling / cousin / second cousin / the mother / the father / my aunt / uncle / my grandchild / my older sibling / my younger sibling / my relative / my child." Illustration by ELLE BATTUNG The scripts were also reported to have been used in the planting and harvest ritual called lambay it init bau uran, which is done to induce the sun to shine and for the rain to fall during the harvest and planting seasons, and in the pagbuyis, which is done to protect the community from epidemics. The ritual is performed on a large ceremonial platform which a bamboo pole is erected next to and inscribed with syllabic scripts near the top. Today, in contrast to the Mangyan of Mindoro, the Tagbanua and Palawan script is preserved as a cultural relic rather than a communication tool. Kulitan is a script used to write Kapampangan. Illustration by ELLE BATTUNG Kulitan Among the other scripts that are being revived by small groups and movements, Kulitan is one of the most interesting scripts, for it is steeped in mythology. In Michael Raymon M. Pangilinans book, An Introduction to Kulitan, The Indigenous Kapampangan Script, he says the script is written top to bottom, left to right as an homage to the movements of the sun, which is memorialized in a Kapampangan poem. In Kapampangan mythology, the sun god Apung Sinukuan is believed to be the father of Kapampangan civilization. Pangilinan writes that Apung Sinukuan is also known as the god of war, Bayang the destroyer, who appears on the Katipunan flags (which also contain the Baybayin symbol for Ka). The names of Kapampangan speaking places in Kulitan. Illustration by ELLE BATTUNG Mysticism and taboo is also associated with Kulitan. For a time, it was used by mystics and spiritual healers in their rituals, creating charms and talismans. It is said that curses were also written in Kulitan with the belief that the script added potency to the spells. Letters were also written in Kulitan and burnt to communicate with spirits of dead heroes and ancestors. Pangilinan theorizes that it is this attachment to the taboo that prevented people from using the script to communicate everyday matters. Some users of Kulitan also believed that it was taboo to teach foreigners the script. *** Since 1989, Pangilinan and Edwin Navarro Camaya, another Kapampangan cultural advocate, have been corresponding in Kulitan and writing about the script in order to make it more relevant outside of the mystic ways, while Surat Mangyan and the Tagbanua script were declared National Cultural Treasures in 1997 by the National Museum, and were officially inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World register in 1999. The National Museum and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), along with organizations such as the Mangyan Heritage Center, have also worked towards preserving these scripts by establishing schools and other initiatives, encouraging the youths in these communities to learn the scripts of their ancestors. However, as linguists, historians, and concerned citizens have pointed out, these scripts, along with the languages of the groups they belong to, are still in danger of fizzling out of existence. The three languages of the Tagbanua are considered endangered, with only less than 30,000 speakers combined left. A Buhid urukay from Violeta B. Lopez's "The Mangyans of Mindoro." The poem translates to "Like a tree overgrown with branches / my mind is full of turmoil / Though loaded with pain and grief / My dreams continually seek for an end, / Let it be known that I am on my way / Perchance you'll catch up with me." Illustration by ELLE BATTUNG Language contains all the knowledge of your people, says Castro. [Preserving the scripts] will actually help preserve the indigenous languages as well. Kasi itong scripts na to were designed to really fit the language. Though the National Writing System Act seems like a step towards preserving a part of our culture, many argue that it will do just that preserve only one part of our varied and diverse culture, while others get ignored. While it is good that more Filipinos have a renewed interest in the ancient script of Baybayin, it is also good for us to recognize that it isnt the only Filipino writing system. When asked how we can further preserve our rich culture, Castro says that teaching the Philippine languages to children should be a responsibility of their parents. If you don't know the language, malamang hindi mo alam ang kultura mo. So the responsibility really is for the parents to teach their kids the language, and with it, the culture. AT&T has paired up with Aira, a La Jolla, California company, to develop technology to assist those with low vision to read important text, such as labels on medication bottles. Their system relies on Airas augmented reality smart glasses, which contain a camera and allow people with low vision to talk with a remote agent over a cell phone connection. The agent can view the users environment through the camera mounted on the glasses, and speak to them through an earpiece. Interacting with an agent can help users to make sense of their environment, or perform specific tasks such as crossing the street, or helping their children with homework. In this new collaboration, AT&T has created an AI (Artificial Intelligence) platform to reduce the reliance on human agents for text recognition tasks. The system, called Chloe, can automatically read text and relay it to the user through their earpiece. Users simply state Hey Chloe, read this while holding the text in view of the camera, and the AI system will do the rest, using algorithms to analyze and comprehend the text. Heres a quick video introducing the technology: Medgadget had the opportunity to ask Tad Reynes, regional vice president, Internet of Things Healthcare Solutions at AT&T and Greg Stilson, Director of Product Development at Aira, some questions about the product and the concept. Conn Hastings, Medgadget: How did you get involved in this area? How did this collaboration arise? Greg Stilson, Aira: I have been a product manager in the assistive technology industry for the past 12 years. I also am blind myself and had been using the Aira service for about a year prior to joining Aira as the director of product. We have always had a fantastic partnership with AT&T, really working together since Aira started rolling out to customers. Because the Aira experience requires high quality data signal coverage to empower our Aira agents with high quality video from the Explorers glasses or phone camera, we have been working with AT&T to ensure our Explorers have the best signal coverage and quality possible. Tad Reynes, AT&T: We have been working with Aira for about 2 years now. Aira recognized that they needed an IoT carrier to provide connectivity to their smart glasses and initially starting working with AT&T to fill that need. Soon after, we realized that AT&T had capabilities in our Foundry that could assist Aira with the development of their glasses and work on a project to enhance their glasses using AT&T assets and technology. Medgadget: Can you explain the Aira smart glasses concept? Greg Stilson: Absolutely. Currently we are rolling out our new Aira Horizon smart glasses, which consist of a pair of stylish sun glasses with a center mounted camera. These glasses are connected to the dedicated Horizon phone that drives the entire experience. This Horizon phone manages the AT&T data, allows an explorer to call an agent just by double pressing the home button, and also supports Chloe, Airas AI agent. The camera on the glasses provides an Aira agent a 120 degree field of view, as compared to our previous glasses option which provided a 65 degree field of view. It is like our agents all of a sudden got peripheral vision. The glasses connect to the dedicated horizon phone for two reasons, one, the phone battery is what drives the glasses. This allows an explorer to use the Aira service for up to 7 hours of video streaming. And two, it is possible now to use Aira even if you are not a smart phone user. In the past, a user had to download the Aira app to use the service. With Horizon this is no longer a requirement. Someone can literally purchase the service, put on the glasses and double press the call button on the Horizon phone and they will be connected to an Aira agent instantly. This drastically reduces the learning curve. Medgadget: What advantages does the new AI platform offer users? How does the system work, and how accurate is it at interpreting text? Greg Stilson: Currently Chloe, our AI agent is in her early stages of learning. She can help Explorers with voice-based tasks like checking the time and date, identifying the phones signal strength or battery level, and of course can call an agent for the explorer for a hands-free experience. Text is present virtually everywhere in our lives and comes on different colored backgrounds and in varying styles and contrasts. As a general rule, the more contrasted the text, the better the AI will be able to read it. We are currently working on image optimization methods for even more accurate reading. We take for granted all of the things that vision allows us to do every day. Those that are blind or suffering from low vision cannot perform simple tasks that we take for granted. Our AI project focused on recognizing pill bottles and providing feedback on what medications patients were taking and when they should take them. Aira users (Explorers) asked for help from Chloe, who is Airas version of Alexa, and Chloe provided feedback on the pill bottles that the Explorer was holding. The project proved to be very successful. Medgadget: Is the AI text recognition function specifically conceived for interpreting prescriptions or labels on medicines, or is a greater range of text recognition tasks possible? Tad Reynes: There is a far greater range of possibilities for AI outside of prescription recognition. In fact, one of the Explorers that used AI for prescription recognition also used AI to sort through junk mail. This seems like a minor task to the rest of us, but he has been paying someone an hour a week to do this task for him. Medgadget: How has the new system been received by users? Greg Stilson: We currently have users who use the reading feature on a regular basis and have found tasks which it reads with great accuracy. As the feature is used more frequently, we will be able to further improve it based on common task data. Medgadget: Do you have any future plans for the system? Greg Stilson: Absolutely. This spot reading feature is only the beginning for Airas AI path. We obviously want to improve the reading capabilities. But down the road, we plan on further augmenting the agent and explorer experience with many AI benefits, from object recognition, to potentially assisting with navigation support. When it comes to ways that AI can help those who are blind or low vision, the sky is the limit. Link: Aira by Gord Hotchkiss , Featured Contributor, August 21, 2018 Weve all heard about the Google/Facebook duopoly. This was what I was going to write about last week before I got sidetracked. Im back on track now (or, at least, somewhat back on track). So lets start by understanding what a duopoly is. One definition: a situation in which two suppliers dominate the market for a commodity or service. And this, from Wikipedia: In practice, the term is also used where two firms have dominant control over a market. So, to have a duopoly, you need two things: domination and control. First, lets deal with the domination question. In 2017, Google and Facebook together took a very healthy 59% slice of all digital ad revenues in the US. Google captured 38.6% of that, with Facebook capturing 20%. That certainly seems dominant. But if online marketing is the market, that is a very large basket with a lot of different items thrown in. So, lets do a broad categorization to help deconstruct this a bit. Typically, when I try to understand marketing, I like to start with humans -- or, more specifically, what that lump of grey matter we call a brain is doing. advertisement advertisement And if were talking about marketing, were talking about attention -- how our brains are engaging with our environment. That is an interesting way to divide up the market were talking about, because it neatly bisects the attentional market, with Google on one side and Facebook on the other. Google dominates the top-down, intent-driven, attentionally focused market. If youre part of this market, you have something in mind and youre trying to find it. If we use search as a proxy for this attentional state (which is the best proxy I can think of) we see just how dominant Google is. It owns this market to a huge degree. According to Statista, Google had about 87% of the total worldwide search market in April. The key metric here is success. Google needs to be the best way to fulfill those searches. And if market share is any indication, it is. Facebook apparently dominates the bottom-up awareness market. These are the people killing time online, not actively looking with commercial intent. This is more of an awareness play, where attention has to be diverted to an advertising message. Therefore, time spent becomes the key factor. You need to be in front of the right eyeballs, and so you need a lot of eyeballs and a way to target to the right ones. Here's where things get interesting. If we look at share of consumer time, Google dominates here. But there is a huge caveat, which Ill get to in a second. According to a report this spring by Pivotal Research, Google owns just under 28% of all the time we spend consuming digital content. Facebook has just over a 16% share of this market. So why do we have a duopoly and not a monopoly? Its because of that caveat: a whopping slice of Googles time spent dominance comes from YouTube. And YouTube has an entirely different attentional profile, one thats much harder to present advertising against. When youre watching a video on YouTube, your attention is locked on the video. Disrupting that attention erodes the user experience. So Google has had a tough time monetizing YouTube. According to Seeking Alpha, Googles search ad business will account for 68% of its total revenue of $77 billion this year. Thats over 52 billion dollars that is in that top-down attentionally focused bucket. YouTube, which is very much in the bottom-up disruptive bucket, accounts for $12 billion in advertising revenues. Certainly nothing to sneeze at, but not on the same scale as Googles search business. Facebooks revenue, at about $36 billion, is also generated by this same bottom-up market, but they have a different attentional profile. The Facebook user is not as locked in as they are on YouTube. With the right targeting tools, something that Facebook has excelled at, you have a decent chance of gaining their attention long enough to notice your ad. Domination If we look at the second part of the definition of a duopoly -- that of control -- we see some potential chinks in the armor of both Google and Facebook. Typically, market control was in the form of physical constraints against the competition. But in this new type of market, the control can only be in the minds of the users. The barriers to competitive entry are all defined in mental terms. In Googles case, they have a single line of defense: they have to be an unbreakable habit. Habits are mental scripts that depend on two things: obvious environmental cues that trigger habitual behavior, and acceptable outcomes once the script completes. So, to maintain that habit, Google has to ensure that whatever environment you might be in when searching online for something, Google is just a click or two away. Additionally, the company has to meet a certain threshold of success. Habits are tough to break, but there are two areas of vulnerability in Googles dominance. Facebook is a little different. It needs to be addictive. This is a habit taken to the extreme. Addictions depend on pushing certain reward buttons in the brain that lead to an unhealthy behavioral script which becomes obsessive. The more addicted you are to Facebook and its properties, the more successful it will be in its dominance of the market. You can see the inherent contradiction here. Despite Facebooks protests to the contrary, with its current revenue model, it can only succeed at the expense of our mental health. I find these things troubling. When you have two for-profit organizations fighting to dominate a market that is defined in our own minds, you have the potential for a lot of unhealthy corporate decisions. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, August 21, 2018 Faced with civil lawsuits and a new federal investigation, Facebook said Tuesday it's removing thousands of ad-targeting options -- including ones that may enable discrimination based on ethnicity or religion. "Were committed to protecting people from discriminatory advertising on our platforms," Facebook said Tuesday in a blog post. "Thats why were removing over 5,000 targeting options to help prevent misuse. While these options have been used in legitimate ways to reach people interested in a certain product or service, we think minimizing the risk of abuse is more important." The company specifically adds that it will limit advertisers' ability "to exclude audiences that relate to attributes such as ethnicity or religion." advertisement advertisement Among other segments, Facebook has removed the ability to block ads from being seen by users interested in things like Passover, Evangelicalism, Native American culture, Islamic culture, and Buddhism. Facebook also will soon require U.S. advertisers to certify that they have reviewed the company's non-discrimination policies and comply with them. The social networking service says its policies prohibit discrimination, but allow advertisers to target ads "to a specific audience based on known interests" that align with the product or service being sold. Facebook's latest move caps nearly two years of scrutiny surrounding its targeting tools. In October of 2016, ProPublica reported that Facebook's self-service ad tools allowed advertisers to block real estate ads from users Facebook classified as having an "ethnic affinity" of black, Asian-American or Hispanic. A company spokesperson said at the time that the social networking service determines "ethnic affinity" based on pages and posts that users liked or engaged with. After ProPublica's initial report, Facebook updated its ad guidelines to strengthen prohibitions against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, disability, or medical or genetic condition. The company also said it would require advertisers offering housing and employment ads to certify compliance with anti-discrimination laws. Despite the move, ProPublica reported last November that the company still allowed advertisers to prevent minorities from viewing housing ads. In November of 2016, a group of users sued Facebook for allegedly violating civil rights laws by enabling race-based ad targeting. That lawsuit is pending before U.S. District Court Judge Edward Davila in San Jose, California. This March, the National Fair Housing Alliance filed a separate lawsuit against Facebook in federal court in Manhattan. That lawsuit, which remains pending before U.S. District Court Judge John Koeltl, alleges that Facebook enables landlords and brokers to prevent ads from being shown to women, families with children, and users with interests suggesting a disability or particular national origin. Lawyers with the Trump administration told Koeltl Friday that the Department of Housing and Urban Development filed a complaint against Facebook over the allegations raised by the Fair Housing Alliance. Facebook says the decision to eliminate targeting options was in the works before HUD brought its complaint. "Weve been building these tools for a long time and collecting input from different outside groups," a company spokesperson says. Whether Facebook violated any laws with its targeting options remains an unsettled question. It's illegal to publish housing or job ads that discriminate based on factors such as race, religion, sex and national origin, but the Communications Decency Act typically immunizes interactive platforms like Facebook from liability for ads created by users. Last month, Facebook settled an investigation by Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson by promising to stop allowing advertisers to block ads for housing, credit, jobs, insurance and places of public accommodation from people based on ethnic affinities. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, August 22, 2018 Reddit and the Local Media Consortium (LMC) have formed a partnership to educate journalists and media companies on how to build out their digital presence and engage with readers. Fran Wills, CEO of the LMC, said goal of the partnership is to educate all 75 members representing more than 1,700 U.S. digital properties, from local newspapers and broadcast stations to digital media companies. Reddit and the LMC have been working together to build a set of topics for webinars. The classes, which began August 15 and will run through September, focus on engagement and how to distribute content on the Reddit platform. Other webinars include a demo of the publisher tools and how to use them, tracking and analytics, and questions and answers to cover any topics that arise. Alexandra Riccomini, Reddit director of business development and media partnerships, said the platform has been partnering with news organizations for the past two years, analyzing journalists and site visitors. The idea meant to identify patterns in use of content distribution and audiences. advertisement advertisement CrowdTangle and Taboola were the first forays into working with aggregated sets of publishers. LMC represents another step in that direction. Riccomini highlights what makes Reddit different. She said readers typically post national and local news to Reddit daily, along with commentaries about the topic, but many journalists also use the platform to do what the platform calls Ask Me Anything (AMA), using the content to write a follow-up article for their respective publications. There are 330 million active monthly users on Reddit. Some of the most popular AMA on city and local topics have been from local publishers. Many site visitors want to talk about sports, local politics, and other such as food culture, unique experiences and sports. SF Gate, for example, often develops interesting content from Bay Area-California communities from best cheap eats in the city or the high cost of living in San Jose. Publishers have also created content from their engagements with redditcommunities, such as the Boston Globes roundup of the best questions from their AMA in r/nfl. Pop-Up Magazine, known for its live magazine events, is expanding internationally this fall with an event in Toronto, Canada. The tour which features a live journalism format with storytellers from film, print, audio and photography will put on 10 shows in seven cities, its biggest tour yet. Pop-Up Magazine has grown from an audience of 4,500 in 2014 to what they expect to be 45,000 in 2019, Doug McGray, editor-in-chief and cofounder of Pop-Up Magazine, told Publishers Daily. "Toronto is an exciting city, with such a vibrant culture scene. And it will be fun to bring our live, multimedia magazine to a brand-new audience," he said. advertisement advertisement Every year, Pop-Up Magazine goes on an U.S. tour in the spring and fall with different contributors, themes and audiences. The live shows are not recorded. We are not creating a show that we know will be broadcast later." It helps create a feeling of an intimate and inclusive experience for each show, Derek Fagerstrom, one of the founders, previously told Publishers Daily. The 2018 Fall Issue tour will put on three shows in San Francisco and two in Portland. It is also hitting Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. An original, live score will be performed onstage by Magik*Magik Orchestra. The 2018 Fall Issue will, in part, travel to changing small-town America, go inside a controversial terrorist rehabilitation facility, consider the ethics of being mean to robots, attempt to bring a flower back from extinction... [and] look at thirst traps through the ages," Pop-Up Magazine claims. Pop-Up Magazine is partnering with sponsor Marriott Traveler, the hotel's branded magazine, to produce two short travel films that will air during the shows and take audiences to "unexpected spots" in San Francisco and New York. MailChimp is also sponsoring the event. Pop-Up Magazine says more sponsors may be added in the coming weeks. Contributors to the show at Brooklyn's BAM Opera House, for example, include writers and journalists from New York, Los Angeles Times, Wired and The Atlantic, as well as playwrights, authors and photographers. Tickets range from $29 to $76 and can be bought online. by Ray Schultz , August 22, 2018 The GOP email machine seems to be operating in almost real-time. As news broke that lawyer Michael Cohen had reached a deal with federal prosecutors, the Republican National Committee got out an email blast focusing on alleged Democratic scandals. The email, dated August 21, is headlined: Dems Dogged By Their Scandalous Summer, and features the logo RNC Research Brief, according to an image posted by Mediaite, which first reported on the email. The email points to scandals such as the alleged use by Senator Claire McCaskills (D-MO) of a private jet on an RV tour. The so-called laundry list, which is featured on the website GOP.com, also charges that McCaskill's husband, Joseph Shepard, invested in a Cayman Island-linked hedge fund and invested millions in questionable tax breaks. advertisement advertisement Across the country, Democrat Senate candidates are stumbling into the final months of their campaigns after a summer filled with detrimental stories on ethical concerns, scandals, and fact checks, says the copy on the GOP website. In addition, the RNC states: Earlier this month, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) got way over his skis when he claimed Russian operatives had infiltrated Florida's voter registration systems; recent reporting seems to confirm he was likely lying. Cohen pleaded guilty on Tuesday to tax evasion, bank fraud and breaking campaign finance laws. Pointing the finger at the Russian and Iranian governments, Facebook just thwarted two coordinated efforts to sully its network with inauthentic activity. With the help of cybersecurity firm FireEye, the social giant says it has removed 652 Pages, groups and accounts, which targeted users on Facebook and Instagram in the Middle East, Latin America, the United Kingdom and the United States. Facebook had been tracking the campaigns for months before deciding to act. For CEO Mark Zuckerberg, correctly timing such crackdowns is never easy. If we remove [bad actors] too early, its harder to understand their playbook and the extent of their network, Zuckerberg said on a call with members of the press on Tuesday. And it can also make it harder for law enforcement who are running their own investigations, as well. advertisement advertisement Although investigations into both campaigns remain ongoing, Facebook and its security partners have clearly connected them to state-owned media in Iran and Russian military intelligence services. For Facebook and other U.S. tech titans, engaging in geopolitical warfare has become common practice. For example, Microsoft just foiled another attempt by the Russian government to meddle in the U.S. electoral process. On the news, Brad Smith, Microsofts president-Chief Legal Officer, suggested that the problem of foreign actors attempting to meddle with its network is getting worse. Regardless, Facebook executives insist that they are getting better at detecting and discouraging such abuses. Since 2016, weve made significant progress on stopping fake accounts, Guy Rosen, vice president-product management at Facebook, said on the Tuesday press call. Weve worked to develop systems to discover coordinated operations like these ones, as well as financially motivated operations. In addition, Rosen said that Facebook is putting new transparency products in place for both ads and Pages, along with new verification processes. While the full scale of the problem remains unclear, Facebook does appear to be catching bad actors with greater frequency. Just last month, the company said it shut down a coordinated campaign to sow disinformation and discord among U.S. voters. Some of the campaigns activity was consistent with what Facebook had previously seen from the Internet Research Agency (IRA), which has well-known ties to the Kremlin. Walking through the crowded lanes and trying to pick out veggies is a Herculean task. But when your sabziwali looks like a celebrity, suddenly the chore doesn't seem so cumbersome, right? Something like that happened recently, and a woman, looking eerily like the gorgeous Adah Sharma, was spotted selling vegetables. Man, I wish my vegetable seller looked anything like her. Anyway, Adah Sharma seems to have turned into a vegetable vendor for the West. Wearing a simple sari and her fair face polished into a tan-brown shade, Adah was spotted apparently doing a look test for a Hollywood film. By the looks of the picture, it seems like this movie is looking for an Indian to play the cliched role of a brown-skinned sabziwali. Sigh. Why you do this Hollywood? Following the current trend of Bollywood names working in the West, Adah was spotted doing a look test and believe it or not, she looked exactly like our local sabziwali aunty. In order to fit the bill, her complexion was also changed, because apparently, whoever sells veggies has to be super tanned. Sabziwali aunty meet Adah...Adah meet sabziwali aunty: Facebook Facebook Adah looks so much like a normal vendor on the street side, one can already imagine her saying, aloo le lo aloo. Facebook Well, we don't know much about the project, but you've got to give it to Adah for acing the look. Ranbir Kapoor has earned himself the tag of a 'Casanova' over the years, courtesy his rumoured relationships and strings of alleged affairs that have followed him. From dating Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif to being spotted with Pakistani actress Mahira Khan in New York to recently falling for Alia Bhatt, the man's see-sawing love life has always grabbed eyeballs. Instagram Throughout the years, Ranbir has always been linked to a beautiful diva, however, at present, the actor is in a beautiful space, enjoying every bit of his new equation with Alia Bhatt. He even confessed to how this relationship is important, beautiful and sacred to him, but wherever he goes, the tag of being a Casanova comes along. Instagram The actor shared how being branded as such doesn't matter unless it affects his work. "I'm not affected by it as long as it doesn't interfere with my work. I want people to like me not just as an actor, but as a person, too. Sometimes, things are reported correctly and sometimes they're not," said the 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' actor. Instagram "I am not on social media and I don't believe in clarifications and in portraying myself in a certain way. Yes, I have made a lot of mistakes and have also done some good. But sometimes, mistakes are highlighted and not your goodness, but that's fine because it's part and parcel of show business," he added. On the work front, Ranbir is busy with his upcoming film 'Brahmastra' where he will be seen with Alia Bhatt. The movie is all set to hit the screens on 15th August 2019. These are hard times for Kerala. In God's own country, the current mantra is to move past the struggles, hustle hard and rise from its ashes in order to put the state back to its former glory at the earliest. The past week has been a tremendous challenge for the community where people not only had to leave behind their homes for the sake of their lives, but have also been displaced to far off areas in search of a safer place. Facebook While the government and the military personnel carried out their responsibilities round-the-clock and took every possible measure to bring maximum people to safety, it also needs to be admitted that a calamity of this scale couldn't have been brought under control without the active participation of the locals who have come through like superheroes in disguise. The people of Kerala have come together to put on a fight, do their bit and keep up the city's spirit. While trained and equipped people did their bit, many superheroes in disguise stepped in to lend a hand and together, they have managed to inspire the nation and restored its faith in humanity. Reuters We have curated a list of 11 real-life superheroes who have become the face of courage, selflessness and the spirit of brotherhood in Kerala's moment of crisis. 1. The Fishermen Community The fishermen community have become the saving grace of Kerala and its people. Not only have they lent their boats and services, they have also gone out of their way to ensure they reach as many people and help the stranded reach shelters and camps. A special mention also needs to be given to fisherman Jaisal KP who hunched on a flooded road to help the elderly and women board a rescue raft. His act is being applauded by the public. 2. Blanket Merchant Vishnu Kacchawa #Viral Meet Vishnu Kachhawa, the MP native who donated all his blankets to #KeralaFloods victims. It was his 'payback' to the land which has been offering him a livelihood for more than twelve years. This migrant laborer offers us a warm reason to smile. https://t.co/hx5BaqdCNw pic.twitter.com/1BqE5tk4sz Jikku Varghese Jacob (@Jikkuvarghese) August 12, 2018 A door-to-door blanket seller in Kerala and originally hailing from the state of Madhya Pradesh, Vishnu donated all 50 of the blankets he had in stock to those who have been sheltered in Iritty and Kannur rescue camps, upon hearing about the needs of the people when natural calamity struck Kerala. Kudos to the man for this selfless act. 3. Kerala Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas Twitter While people always claim that ministers take the easy way out and look out for their personal interests first, Water Resource Minister of state, Mathew Thomas has silenced the gossip mongers by getting on the ground and helping rescue workers with their efforts. 4. Engineering Students Who Developed Emergency Power Banks When everybody in the state was busy arranging other items of need for the flood victims such as food and clothes, a group of engineering students from Trivandrum's Government Engineering College came out with an ingenious measure to tackle the issue of power cuts that prevented people from charging their phones. The students developed emergency, short-term power banks and distributed around 880 power banks amongst the masses. What a thoughtful move! 5. Indian Navy Officer & Flight Diver Who Airlifted A Stranded Kid This video went viral the moment it surfaced on social media and we totally understand the sentiment. No person with skills and means has held back from helping out the ones in need, and this is just one such incident caught on camera wherein we can see flight diver Amit rescuing a stranded child to safety with pilot-in-command Cdr. Vijay Verma manning the helicopter and airlifting the duo. 6. Leader of Opposition Shedding Political Differences - Ramesh Chennithala Twitter Ramesh Chennithala of Indian National Congress set an example by placing humanity and fraternity above politics in such times of crisis. Like minister of state Mathew Thomas, he can be seen helping out the public and guiding them to safety. We're sure his efforts didn't go unnoticed. 7. Volunteers At The Khalsa Aid Organisation Facebook The Khalsa Aid Organisation has come forward as a team of true heroes who have constantly stoked the hearth to keep the food supply going even in the face of lesser resources. They have relentlessly been cooking for the stranded people and the volunteers have so far distributed food to at least ten thousand people. They are the real heroes of Kerala. 8. NDRF Team Member Kanhaiya Kumar Who Risked His Life To Save A Kid NDRF constable Kanhaiya is being hailed as a hero ever since this video reached the public. Here, he is seen rescuing a child by running across a bridge with the child in his arms minutes before the water level touched the dangerous mark and gave way under the streams pressure. His valiant gesture has made the nation proud. 9. Fire Force Personnel Rushing A Child To The Ambulance YouTube A local photographer Bibin Xavier caught on camera this Fire Force personnel from Kerala who is knee-deep in mud and seems determined to save the child in his arms by rushing him to the nearby ambulance, after he was rescued from the rubble of a house that collapsed due to landslide. We salute his efforts. 10. IAS Officers Delivering Food Supplies To Victims Netizens have constantly been praising the two young IAS officers, MG Rajamanikyam and NSK Umesh who decided to join volunteers and rescue workers instead of delegating the task to them, by carrying loaded sacks of rice on their shoulders to a flood relief camp. Such a novel thing to do. 11. Student & Part-time Fisherseller Hanan Hamid Who Donated 1.5 Lakhs YouTube A B.Sc third-year student from Kerala, Hanan Hamid who caught media attention a few months back when she was trolled by netizens and the public for selling fish in her uniform to help meet ends at home, has donated 1.5 lakhs that she had received from well-wishers from across the state to the flood relief fund, as a way of paying it forward. What an example she has us for all of us. These are the real-life superheroes who have saved the state in their own special ways and we cannot thank them enough for their efforts and restoring our faith in humanity. Qatar's royal family has put its luxury jet up for sale and it could sell for as much much as 500,000,000 (that's 500 million). The Royal Family has a whole fleet of Business Jets often called as the Qatar Amiri fleet. There are almost a dozen planes, and one of them is the Boeing 747-8, the world's largest business jet. The Royal Family has two of these Boeing 747-8s and is now looking to sell one of them. To be more precise, the one up for sale has a registration code VQ-BSK and was delivered just recently in December 2012. The interior redesign was completed in December 2014, and the aircraft finally entered service in January 2015. Controller The aircraft has logged just 436 flight hours along with 200 cycles and is equipped to transport 76 passengers in an extremely luxurious cabin. Onboard facilities include a large bedroom with a double bed, a living room, staterooms and meeting rooms, a bathroom and even its own special hospital. Controller The Boeing 747-8i, also known as the 747 Dreamliner has a list price of US$ 370 million and is designed to carry more than 400 passengers in a three-class layout. Currently, airlines like Lufthansa and British Airways operate this aircraft and it is among the most popular aircrafts in the world, thanks to the legacy of 747 series. Controller Right now it remains unclear as to why the Royal Family is open to selling this crown jewel, the other 747-8 in their fleet is a lot more subtle from the outside though. Keep in mind, even though there are numerous pictures available online about the interiors, there are still many features and additions on board the aircraft that are not meant for everyone's eyes. Controller The Qatar Amiri Fleet also includes a three widebody Airbus A340s and two A330s. For more routine and short turnaround work, it has around eight narrow-body A320s as well as a single A310. Basically yes, the Royal Family has its own mini airline that is waiting round the clock for them. Controller It's unclear who the new buyer will be, or whether there will be one in the first place. Business Jets are a huge liability, and the 747-8 burns fuel and requires maintenance like a monster. In fact, the American President is also going to get a new aircraft, often referred to as the "Air Force One", and its obviously going to be a heavily customized Boeing 747-8. If you're actually thinking of getting one, the Qatar Royal Family is also looking to sell its 40-year-old Boeing 747SP for a considerably lesser US$ 9.5 million. Source: The Guardian MIDDLETOWN The Northern Middlesex YMCA will hold its Sip & Celebrate wine, beer and spirits tasting fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 8 at YMCA Camp Ingersoll in Portland, 5- 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and are available for purchase at the Northern Middlesex YMCA or online at www.midymca.org. The rain date is Sept. 15. All funds raised from this event will benefit the Northern Middlesex YMCAs Annual Campaign which supports high quality programs and services that are so important in closing the achievement gap, nurturing children and teens, improving community health and well-being and supporting those in our community. Liberty Bank is a longstanding supporter of the Middlesex YMCA. Whether its educating our youth, providing opportunities for our employees to make a difference, or collaborating to put an end to homelessness, we are proud to help move the YMCAs mission forward, said Chandler J. Howard, Liberty Bank President and CEO, in a written statement. It is our responsibility to partner with the YMCA to ensure local children, and their parents, succeed now and in the future; this plays a major role in the long-term prosperity of our businesses and good quality of life in our communities. Liberty Bank is the top sponsor of this event as well as lead Business Partner. Sip n Celebrate will feature a variety of wine, beer and spirits for tastings, artisan pizza cooked in a wood burning brick oven served with appetizers, salads and dessert, live music by musician Matt Vizzo, a silent auction, a live auction, and a wine pull. As a cause-driven organization, the Northern Middlesex YMCA is committed to providing high quality services in the areas of health and wellness, fitness, child care, family enrichment, life skills for teens, aquatics, camping, youth development, adult residence and recreation. The Y is for everyone: no child, family or adult is turned away because of inability to pay. The Y is for everyone: no child, family or adult is turned away because of inability to pay. In 2017, the Northern Middlesex YMCA provided over $357,000 of financial assistance to our members, with over $329,000 provided directly to 663 youth enrolled in our after school and summer camp programs. As a result, 488 children were provided an afterschool safe haven for academic support and healthy recreational activities while 175 campers had the opportunity to attend summer camp where they developed self-confidence, self-respect, healthy habits, and leadership skills. The Northern Middlesex YMCA is a non-profit organization founded in 1886. The organization currently serves several thousand people in Middlesex County through various programs that encourage youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. A strong community relationship has made it possible for the Northern Middlesex Y to have a significant reach and provide quality service to all regardless of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation or financial status. Learn more at www.midymca.org. MIDDLETOWN City Councilman Gerald E. Daley isnt finished with the investigation into allegations of gender bias against Mayor Daniel T. Drew. The probe, conducted by a New Haven attorney, found no evidence of wrongdoing as to whether Drew had intervened to block a raise for a female Board of Education employee, as she had charged. These allegations were discussed with the mayor who denied them. ... We cannot conclude one way or the other that the mayor actually influenced the process, the reports author, attorney Margaret P. Mason wrote in her summary. Instead, Mason said the issue should be decided by the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. With some justification, Drew said the report had cleared him even as he denounced Masons handling of the probe. He charges two councilors embarked on a politically motivated attack on him, and in doing, so squandered thousands of dollars only to see me and my staff were cleared tonight multiple times by Masons report, he said. Drew has requested, under the Freedom of Information Act, all correspondence between Mason and members of the council. The Press has filed a request for the same information from the town clerk. The attorney-client relationship contemplated by this agreement is considered terminated when we have completed the services that you have been retained to perform, the engagement letter sent to Mason said. Mason acknowledged during her presentation that subcommittee members charged with requesting the report, including Sebastian Giuliano and Mary Bartolotta, were privy to the information. Did you provide any information, preliminary findings, draft recommendations or outlying bullet points to anyone prior to tonight? Daley asked Mason. I gave an oral report to the subcommittee, she said. What are Councilman Giuliano and Bartolotta hiding? They possess no attorney-client privilege and are refusing to disclose public records, Drew said Wednesday afternoon. Councilman Giuliano and Councilwoman Bartolotta claimed they didnt know what was going on with the investigation. ... They need to tell the truth and stop hiding records. Daley now is insisting the council go back and review the report and, in particular, its $40,000 cost. He outlined his complaints about the report in a three-page memo he circulated to his council colleagues. From what I have heard, most of you, and many taxpayers and residents, are dissatisfied as well, believing that the report raises more questions than it answers. I believe our dissatisfaction is well-justified and stems primarily from one central question What did we get for our $40,000? Daley wrote in the preface to his memo. He contends the report did not live up to its stated goal: conducting an independent investigation of the Office of the Mayor and the Office of the General Counsel in connection with a complaint of alleged violation of sexual and other harassment policy as well as in responding to correspondence from the UPSEU Local #6457. Daley says the investigation did not yield any clear evidence-based conclusions, and did not make any recommendations concerning responding to the letter we received from the union local. As he did when the report was released Aug. 13, Daley focused extensively on a series of interviews Mason and a colleague, Daniel P. Elliott, conducted with a number of city employees. Mason said she was approached by nearly two-dozen city employees at various levels, including a number of those in high-level management positions who asked to speak with her about how they believe personnel decisions are made in City Hall. Some of the employees asked to be interviewed in the offices of Masons firm LeClair/Ryan so their identities would not be captured on the City Hall security camera system, she said. Many of the interviewees wished to speak to us about what they perceived to be unfairness in the hiring processes for various city jobs, Mason said her report. A number of interviewees expressed to us that they felt as though the outcome of various job postings had been predetermined, with in some instances political supporters of the administration having been preselected for positions. Others complained that they or a family member has been targeted for adverse employment actions biased on their political opposition to the administration. Yet others complained that they had been subject to discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics. A number of these employees complaints were brought to the attention of the administration witnesses, who, in turn, denied the allegations and provided what they considered to be justifications for a number of hiring and workplace decisions, Mason wrote. During last weeks councils meeting, Daley repeatedly came back to those interviews, asking Mason whether she had sought out employees who might be more favorably disposed to Drew. Mason countered she had been approached by the employees and did not seek them out, adding she would have gladly spoken with supporters of Drew had they come forward. Daley also repeatedly drew attention to the fact the interviews did not require the employees to swear to the validity of their testimony or to sign statements that recorded their testimony. However, Mason had anticipated that complaint, writing in the introduction to the report, We note that our charge was to serve as investigators and fact-gatherers. Consistent with our charge, our questioning of the interviewees (both administration and non-administration) was non-adversarial; the statements made by the interviewees were not subject to cross examination in the way they might have been in a more formal legal setting, such as testimony at trial or in a deposition. In his memo to the council, Daley said, I understand that some people are claiming that my main purpose in requesting the additional information related to the report and recommendations is to expose the identities of city employees who were interviewed. This is simply untrue. Rather, Daley said his concern was how much time and money was consumed by these interviews. He is asking the council to add an item to its Sept. 4 agenda demanding that the Clerk of the Council provide each member with copies of LeClair/Ryans complete billings/invoices with all supporting documentation that was included and who instructed/authorizing withholding documentation from what was submitted to the Finance Department. The Press has reached out to Giuliano and Bartolotta for comment. Reporter Jeff Mill covers East Hampton, Cromwell and Portland for the Middletown Press. Contact him at jeff.mill@hearstmediact.com. NEW HAVEN An advocate for the homeless has been charged in connection with the distribution of K2 in the city, just days after more than 100 overdoses, many of which took place on the Green. Quentin Q Staggers, 47, of New Haven, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint that charges him with conspiracy to distribute, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of synthetic cannabinoids, or K2. Tom Carson, a spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Connecticut, said there is no public information connecting Staggers to distributing the tainted K2 and that the affidavit and search warrant are sealed. Staggers, wearing a tan jumpsuit, appeared Tuesday in front of Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam for a detention hearing. Margie Staggers, Staggers mother, said she found out Friday that her son had been arrested. She said she doesnt know if the allegations are true but said people cant believe everything they hear. Merriam said Staggers was subject to a rebuttable presumption he would detained unless his lawyer Kelly M. Barrett can reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community if he is released. Barrett said during the court proceeding that she had discussed several options with the probation office, but none were available at this time. Barrett said Staggers has an extensive history of substance abuse and addiction and is looking into an in-patient treatment facility. Merriam then ruled Staggers will be detained until Barrett can present evidence to such a facility, and then the matter can be readdressed. As Staggers was placed back in handcuffs, he locked eyes with his mother and said, Love ya, Mom. I love you too, sweetie. Behave yourself, Margie Staggers said. Absolutely, he replied. Staggers was the third man arrested on charges related to K2 following last weeks more than 100 overdoses by 47 people on the city Green. Some of those who overdosed are homeless. Staggers was homeless for several years, living on the Green for a period of time. He started advocating for better conditions and more opportunities for the homeless community and in November 2017 participated in a march called Housing Not Jail, which demanded the decriminalization of homelessness and provide housing for all and was to secure housing in October 2017 through a voucher system funded by the state Department of Housing, according to his testimony during a legislatures Appropriations Committee hearing. Felix Ayala Melendez, 37, and John Arthur Parker, 53, both of New Haven, also have been arrested in connection with the K2 overdoses. Both Parker and Melendez have been identified by victims/ witnesses in the ongoing New Haven Green K2 Overdose case. Both have been directly linked to the sale and/ or distribution of K2 to some of those victims, police spokesman Officer David Hartman said in a release. Emergency personnel were stained during a 72-hour period as they responded to one emergency call after another last week. City Office of Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana said things started to calm down about 10 p.m. Thursday, when the men allegedly responsible for the distribution of the tainted K2 were taken into custody. A preliminary investigation revealed Melendez was allegedly responsible the distribution of the tainted K2 and police were aware he had an outstanding warrant for violation of probation for alleged failure to complete substance abuse evaluation and treatment, according to an officers affidavit. Officers headed to Melendezs residence, and he was taken into custody without incident. A friend of Melendezs told investigators Melendez buys and uses K2 but wasnt sure if the 37-year-old distributed it, the report said. Melendez then told officers he had K2 in a bag, which contained a green leafy-like substance weighing around 5 grams. Officers also found a half-smoked blunt and 30 zip-close packets containing a green plant-like residue, which tested positive for the presence of synthetic cannabinoids, the report stated. Additionally, an informant told police last Wednesday an individual known as JP was selling K2 on the Green. The informant said when emergency personnel and police officers arrived, JP left the scene and returned to a hotel where he had been staying, according to a separate officers report. From previous investigations, police knew John Parker, who had an active arrest warrant for allegedly selling K2 on the Green Feb. 26, used the moniker JP. Officers went to the hotel where Parker was staying and subsequently arrested him. Parker consented for his room to be searched, and officers allegedly found 33 Ziploc bags containing a green and brown leafy plant-like substance, the report said. Parker told investigators he had been selling K2 to make enough money to pay for a hotel so he is not homeless. He said he buys around three bags of K2 at a time from Bridgeport, for approximately $10 apiece and then separates the bags into six or seven smaller zip-close bags. Parker said by selling each bag for $3 to $5 apiece, he makes around $200 per week. However, he said he smokes K2, so he doesnt make too much money, according to the report. He said he left the area when the overdoses started. Melendez and Parker are both charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Parker also is charged with sale of hallucinogens. Melendez also is charged with violation of probation, and Parker additionally charged with sale of a controlled substance. Police said in a release that all of the K2 samples tested for this case by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency were positive for Fubinaca, a synthetic cannabinoid. jessica.lerner@hearstmediact.com; @jesslerner on Twitter Still undetermined is whether the impact caused the October leak, or if the line was hit by something else at a later date. President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Tech Sgt. John Chapman at a ceremony at the White House Wednesday, marking the first time a U.S. airman has received the military's highest award for valor for operations in America's longest war. It's also the first time an airman has received the award in nearly 50 years. "We're gathered together this afternoon to pay tribute to a fallen warrior, a great warrior, Technical Sergeant John Chapman, and to award him the nation's highest and most revered military honor," Trump said during the ceremony. "Now, John will become the first special tactics airman to receive the congressional Medal of Honor." The president presented the award to Valerie Nessel, Chapman's widow, in front of their two daughters Madison and Brianna, Chapman's mother Terry and sister Lori. In the audience was Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Chief of Staff Gen David Goldfein, as well as other service leaders and members of Congress. Former Air Force secretary Deborah Lee James, who aided in pushing Chapman's medal elevation through, was also among airmen. Related content: Special tactics airmen lined the seats of the East Room for their fellow fallen airman. The official Air Force band played "I'll Be There" as guests arrived before the ceremony. Sitting among five past Medal of Honor recipients was Britt K. Slabinski, who led the SEAL Team 6 unit up Takur Ghar mountain during the mission on March 4, 2002. Slabinski, now a retired master chief special warfare operator, was awarded the Medal of Honor in May for his own heroism during the costly battle. Chapman "was a very brave man, right from the beginning." Trump said. "Today it is our great honor to share his incredible story with the world." Trump summarized the account of how Chapman had led a charge up Takur Ghar to find Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts, a SEAL who was flung out of his helicopter when it crash-landed on the mountain. He fell wounded in his first assault on the enemy, but would regain consciousness and fight on. Air Force officials would determine he fought for more than an hour after his team had presumed him dead. "Even though he was mortally wounded John regained consciousness and continued to fight on, and he really fought on. We have proof of that fight. He really fought. Good genes," Trump said. "Through his extraordinary sacrifice, John helped save more than 20 American service members, some of whom are here today." Army Sergeant Major Raymond DePouli and special tactics Air Force Maj. Gabriel Brown were also acknowledged in the audience. "I know that if John were here, he would attest that all the men on the mountaintop that day were heroes," Nessel said on Tuesday. Nessel and Terry Chapman spoke to reporters outside Washington, D.C., a day ahead of her late husband's ceremony at the White House. They were accompanied by Chapman's former squadron commander, retired Col. Kenneth Rodriguez. "It's team before self," Nessel said. 'Fully Present' Nessel remembers the day two service members came to her door late in the evening to inform her of Chapman's death. Madison and Brianna were both young children. "I looked through the window, and I mean, you know. There was men with uniforms standing there," she said. Neighbors and friends started coming over. But Nessel, married to Chapman for 10 years, said it soon became a blur. Through the years, Nessel and Terry Chapman made sure their girls would learn of Chapman's kindness and service before self -- whether in uniform or as a regular citizen. "He'd walk through the door [fresh] off a training mission and he was daddy. Playing with Barbie dolls with them, reading stories ... he was just fully present," Nessel said. "You would never have known what he was trained to do." After high school, Chapman enlisted in the Air Force in 1985. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Chapman grew up in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Terry Chapman remembers her son asking, "What what do you think about me joining the Air Force?" When his mother said it was a great idea, Chapman replied, "Good, because I already enlisted." Chapman first tried the information systems career field, but it wasn't the job for him, the two women recalled. He eventually cross-trained into the combat controller air force specialty code. "And he loved it," Terry Chapman said. "He was born with this ability to sense people's feelings or sense when people were in need of help." Ten years later, Chapman would find himself attached to a SEAL Team 6 unit, dubbed Mako 30, during Operation Anaconda, a full-scale attempt to clear the Shah-i-Kot Valley of al-Qaida and Taliban forces. The team's task was to establish an outpost atop Takur Ghar at 11,000 feet in thigh-deep snow. Chapman, 36, died during the mission in Afghanistan in 2002. But Chapman's final fight, where he ran from cover to usher in an Army Ranger team on a MH-47 Chinook, occurred well after the special tactics airman had already been presumed dead. "He was shot, and fell to the ground and lost consciousness," Trump said Wednesday. New evidence from a 30-month Pentagon-led investigation proved Chapman lived for more than an hour after the SEAL team he was attached to left. "In this final act of supreme courage, John gave his life for his fellow warriors," Trump said. "Before he was deployed, he said, 'I will do everything that is humanly possible to back my team,'" Terry Chapman said of her son. "And he did that and more," she said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214. A Marine private first class will head to court for a motions hearing Thursday after being accused of unpremeditated murder following the 2015 suffocation death of his wife and aggravated assault of a second woman the following year. Pfc. Timothy A. Irvin is accused of placing his hand over his wife's mouth and nose, preventing her from breathing, while in Okinawa, Japan, on Aug. 30, 2015, according to his charge sheet. In that case, Irvin, who has spent time in pretrial confinement on multiple occasions, has been charged with unpremeditated murder, involuntary manslaughter, one count of aggravated assault with a force likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm, and four counts of falsifying official statements. Thirteen months later, Irvin allegedly attempted to strangle a second woman in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the charge sheet states. He allegedly placed his hands around her throat and squeezed "with a force likely to produce death of grievous bodily harm." For that Sept. 30, 2016, incident, Irvin faces a second charge of aggravated assault with a force likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm and one more count of falsifying official statements. The Marine is scheduled to appear before a judge aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on Thursday. Irvin was assigned to Training Command's Marine Aviation Training Support Group-23, based out of Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. He joined the Marine Corps in February 2014, the charge sheet states. Irvin is accused of falsifying statements to investigators three times in Okinawa in the days and months following his wife's death, and again in Mississippi. On Aug. 31, 2015, the Marine allegedly he told a special agent with Naval Criminal Investigative Service that he and his wife had gone "straight to sleep" the night his wife died. Three days later, he allegedly again told a special agent that he and his wife had gone to bed at the same time and that he assumed she'd remained there and fallen asleep next to him. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred the day of his wife's death, he added, according to the charge sheet, and there were "no domestic issues between the two." In June 2016, his story allegedly changed when he told a special agent that his wife "said 'good night' to me from the couch and I went to sleep before her," sometime between 11:30 p.m. and midnight. Then on September 22, 2016, he allegedly told a special agent he'd gone to bed alone between 9 and 10:30 p.m. while his wife remained on the couch watching TV. All of the statements were "totally false" and known by Irvin "to be so false," the charge sheet states. About a year after his wife's death when Irvin allegedly attempted to strangle the other woman in Mississippi in September 2016, he was again accused of making a false statement, though it's unclear which woman it was about. On April 11, 2017, Irvin allegedly told a special agent that he "didn't know how her clothes came off," which the charge sheet says is "totally false, and was then known by [Irvin] to be so false." Irvin is also accused of using oxycodone on Nov. 27, 2017, and again one week later. His case was been referred to a general court-martial by Brig. Gen. Jason Bohm, the former head of Marine Corps Training Command. It's not immediately clear who is legally representing Irvin. His Thursday motions hearing is scheduled to last for three hours. --Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ginaaharkins. Outgoing U.S. commander Gen. John Nicholson today joined the succession of U.S. leaders who have predicted that the end of war in Afghanistan is in sight, despite the Taliban's ability to launch large-scale attacks and wreak chaos on major cities. Nicholson, who will soon step down as commander of Operation Resolute Support and U.S. Forces - Afghanistan, said today that over the past three months he has seen significant progress in the peace process between the Afghan forces and the Taliban. In June, Afghan forces and the Taliban participated in the first-ever ceasefire since the war began in 2001. Nicholson said the Afghan people's response to the three-day event was "frankly overwhelming." "This first ceasefire really unleashed the Afghan people's desire for peace ... on really a national and unprecedented scale," Nicholson told a group of defense reporters at the Pentagon. Nicholson credited the recent progress to the Trump administration's strategy for dealing with South Asia that was launched about a year ago. "I believe the strategy is working," he said. "Within six months, we have two peace offers on the table -- an open letter from the Taliban to the American people and [Afghan] President Ghani's peace offer. "There will be ups and downs, there will be leap-a-heads, there will be frustrations, there will be two steps forward one step back from time to time, but the process has started and it wouldn't have happened without the South Asia strategy." Nicholson's confident stance on operations in Afghanistan mirrors the positive assessments on Afghanistan that many U.S. leaders have made over the 17 years of war, only to see conditions deteriorate into stalemate. In 2011, Democratic Sen. Carl Levin, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, praised Gen. David Petraeus for being "instrumental in turning the tide in Afghanistan," the Washington Post reported. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., added that Petraeus's leadership is "turning around the war in Afghanistan." In 2014, the Pentagon delivered a report to Congress outlining the progress in Afghanistan. The Afghan national security forces "have done an exceptional job being in the lead in providing security for not one but two elections and put the Taliban on their heels during this fighting season," then-Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said, citing the "Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan." "The Taliban continued to test the ANSF, but were unable to hold any significant terrain and were consistently overmatched when engaged by ANSF, sometimes enabled by coalition air and intelligence support," he said. In July of 2017, Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that Afghan leaders have a new level of confidence about the future of their country. "I haven't seen the degree of optimism in Afghanistan prior to this, [and] that includes my entire time there," said Dunford, who commanded the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan from February 2013 to August 2014. But as they have done in the past, the Taliban continue to demonstrate their prowess on the battlefield. On Aug. 10, Taliban forces launched a major assault on Ghazni, a city located within 100 miles of Kabul. The fighting was fierce during the four-day battle. U.S. Air Force aircraft and U.S. Army AH-64 Apache gunships had to be called in to reinforce Afghan forces. "There was a tough fight; it lasted about four days, and then they were driven out with higher casualties than they inflicted," Nicholson said. "They failed to take the prison, they failed to take the governor's palace, they failed to take the police station they were after, so they didn't seize their objectives. "I acknowledge that the Taliban can launch attacks in cities. ... Do those attacks succeed in gaining and holding new ground? No." A week after the Ghazni fight ended, Afghan President Ghani offered a second ceasefire on Aug. 19, which Nicholson said could continue until Nov. 20. "So far we have not heard if the Taliban will accept or reject the ceasefire," Nicholson said. Nicholson conceded that the past statements of optimism on Afghanistan that many leaders before him have expressed may have been premature. "We certainly wanted to see this war be over many years ago," he said, adding that the long-term, U.S. presence in Afghanistan has been necessary. "We are protecting the homeland; Al-Qaeda, Islamic state and 19 other terrorist groups are here," Nicholson said. "Our presence here is keeping pressure on them ... The Afghans are doing the fighting, they are leading the fight." The Afghan air force is now doing over half the airstrikes in the country, Nicholson said. The U.S. train, advise and assist mission has helped to produce 45 companies of elite Afghan commandos, a number that will be doubled by next year, he added. "So we are seeing progress in terms of the Afghan capabilities; this is not a purely U.S. or coalition fight." -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Volkswagen will soon issue a worldwide recall of about 700,000 of its Tiguan and Touran models due to an issue with the roof lighting, according to a German trade magazine. Reuters reports the information comes from the Kfz-Betrieb trade magazine, and that the recall includes 52,500 in Germany with the other some-650,000 located in other countries around the world. In affected Tiguan and Touran models, humidity could cause a short-circuit in the roof's light strip and lead to a higher risk of either "scorching damage" to the panoramic roof or a vehicle fire. The German trade magazine cites a spokesperson with the automaker in the report. The recall has not yet been initiated, and Volkswagen is still working on a remedy for the defect. Motor 1 reports the recall will affect the current generation of the Tiguan and Touran models manufactured before July 5 of this year. Signs of the problem developing in affected vehicles include the lighting on the panoramic roof not working, as owners are advised to keep a close eye on the roof and its lighting. To search active recalls, use the NHTSA's website to search your 17-character VIN at this link. VIN numbers are typically located under the driver's side windshield, or along the inside of the doors behind the seat or under the steering wheel. To sign up for NHTSA safety alerts for a specific vehicle, sign up at this link. ANN ARBOR, MI - Want to find out how to make your home more energy efficient or go solar? The city of Ann Arbor is inviting residents to hear some tips at a free A2Energy Power Hour event Wednesday night, Aug. 22. The forum is scheduled to take place from 7-8:30 p.m. in the basement of the downtown library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. There will be another similar forum from 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Westgate Branch Library, 2503 Jackson Ave. In an effort to combat climate change and significantly reduce the community's carbon emissions, the city is encouraging local building owners to use energy wisely and invest in renewable energy. The city's goal is to see the equivalent of 2.4 megawatts worth of solar installations in the community each year. According to the city, attendees at Wednesday's forum will be able to learn if their homes are good candidates for adding solar panels. Presenters at the forum will include representatives from the following organizations: Michigan Saves to talk about its contractor network and financing options Washtenaw County staff to talk about its free weatherization and furnace test-and-tune programs for low-income homeowners DTE Energy to discuss its home energy consultations and available rebates Ann Arbor Energy Commission members to share how to go solar Habitat for Humanity to provide information about its refrigerator replacement, furnace test-and-tune, and weatherization programs for income-qualified homeowners Those in attendance will have the opportunity to win prizes for taking part in quizzes throughout the event. To learn more about the city's energy office and initiatives, visit www.a2gov.org/energy. UPDATE: Tabitha Wisecup, 40, of Ypsilanti, succumbed to her injuries Thursday, August 23 at University of Michigan Hospital. Her funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 28 at Adams Funeral Home in Paw Paw. UPDATE: One passenger in critical condition was taken to University of Michigan Hospital, according to Huron Valley Ambulance. Four additional patients had minor injuries and were treated and released on the scene, paramedics say. ANN ARBOR, MI - A stretch of I-94 between Ann Arbor Saline Road and M-14 has been shut down due to a crash. The crash occurred around 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, on I-94 near Ann Arbor-Saline Road, causing major traffic back-ups during rush hour. State police sought help from Ann Arbor police shutting down entrances to the highway. No information was immediately available on injuries or details of the crash. ANN ARBOR, MI - A judge has sided with the city of Ann Arbor in a dispute over the wording of a November ballot proposal. Washtenaw County Circuit Judge David Swartz decided the city can add a lengthy "explanatory caption" to a citizen-initiated ballot proposal for a downtown central park on the city-owned Library Lot. The 200-plus words of extra text, approved by the City Council in a 6-5 vote on July 2, make arguments for selling the Fifth Avenue property to a Chicago developer proposing a 17-story high-rise, a development the group behind the competing park proposal is trying to stop. Swartz, who decided the city has the right to add the arguments for the development to the ballot wording, issued his decision from the bench following a hearing Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 22. Swartz said he believes the council-approved ballot wording is explanatory and provides useful information for voters to consider when deciding the central park proposal. "I do find nothing to be untrue in the language, and I do find that this is simply an example of representative government," he said. "So, for all those reasons stated, the court agrees with the city and the motion is denied." City Attorney Stephen Postema represented the city at the hearing and argued in favor of the council's right to add the extra wording, while Tom Wieder represented the Ann Arbor Central Park Ballot Committee, the plaintiff group behind the November ballot proposal. Wieder filed the group's lawsuit against the city on Aug. 2, objecting to the approved ballot wording, and then filed an emergency motion for partial summary disposition on Aug. 13, requesting expedited consideration since the ballot needs to be finalized by Sept. 4. Wieder didn't dispute the city had a right to add an explanatory caption, but he argued the wording doesn't meet the definition of a caption, doesn't explain the park proposal and isn't impartial. Wieder said the ruling doesn't make any sense and the judge just "parroted what the city said." Postema said he appreciated that Swartz carefully looked at everything in a short timeframe and made the right call. Wieder was joined by Scio Township resident Will Hathaway, a member of the Central Park Ballot Committee. Wieder had choice words for Postema in the hallway after the hearing, responding in frustration after Postema approached Hathaway and suggested the circumstances of the case were "ridiculous." "You just make up s--- and see what will fly and that's what you're doing here," Wieder told Postema. As the bickering continued, a court employee asked them to take their conversation down the hallway, away from the courtroom. Postema, who said he ran cross country with Hathaway in high school, clarified that when he used the word "ridiculous" he was referring to the fact that he had to come in on an expedited basis and file a response in court in a short timeframe, arguing it circumvented court rules and normal procedures. The judge agreed the plaintiff's motion wasn't timely and there was no emergency exception. Wieder said he and his client haven't decided yet whether they'll appeal the decision. The question slated to go before city voters in November is whether to add a section to the city charter stating all city-owned land on the Library Lot block, which includes both the Library Lot and Liberty Plaza, must be retained in public ownership in perpetuity and developed as an urban central park and civic center commons. The extra ballot "caption" for the proposal that the mayor and a majority of council members approved in July states: 1. A buyer has agreed to purchase the surface and air rights above the Library Lane Garage to build a mixed-use development including retail, office space, a hotel, residential units, and a 12,000 square-foot public plaza. If closing is completed, the purchase price will be $10,000,000. Fifty percent (50%) of the net proceeds will go into the City of Ann Arbor's Affordable Housing Fund. The other fifty percent (50%) of net proceeds will go towards paying off the debt incurred in the 2018 purchase of the Y-Lot. The Charter Amendment does not provide funds for affordable housing or debt repayment. 2. The contemplated mixed-use building on top of the Library Lane Garage is estimated to generate $2,300,000 per year in property taxes with $536,000 per year going directly to the City. 3. In 2013, the Parks Advisory Commission (PAC) evaluated the use of City land for downtown parks. The PAC-adopted report states: "Existing downtown parks are not currently utilized to their potential. Given the limits of current parks funding, the development of new parks should not be approved without an identified funding source for capital development, ongoing maintenance, and programming." 4. The Charter Amendment does not provide a funding source for the development, maintenance, or programming of a park and commons. Postema argued voters are entitled to know that information before deciding the ballot proposal, including the fact that the proposal does not identify a funding source for a downtown central park. Wieder explained during Wednesday's proceedings that one of the reasons a lawsuit wasn't filed until Aug. 2, a month after the explanatory caption was approved, was that there was an expectation that the state attorney general's office would be reviewing and issuing an opinion on the matter. When he found out the attorney general's office wasn't sure it had that authority, that's when he turned to the court. The attorney general's office has since stated in an Aug. 15 letter that there is no statutory provision for review of explanatory captions by the attorney general's office, so it didn't issue an opinion on the caption for the Ann Arbor downtown central park proposal. In addition to being a member of the Central Park Ballot Committee, which is now the campaign arm of the citizen initiative for a park on the Library Lot, Hathaway also is a member of the Library Green Conservancy, a nonprofit group that sent out postcard mailers on the issue to city residents ahead of the Aug. 7 primary election. The group's mailers were intended to remind voters how the mayor and his allies, who are in favor of development of the Library Lot and against the park proposal, have voted on the issue. The group took some criticism for not disclosing its donors who helped fund the mailer and it has since released that information, saying the total cost was $3,780 and the following local residents contributed: Doug Aikenhead ($100) Mary Hathaway ($650) Will Hathaway ($330) Gwen and John Nystuen ($600) Jordan Siegel ($500) Frank and Judy Wilhelme ($1,600) According to the group, graphic design services were donated by Susan Cybulski. "The Library Green is in compliance with IRS reporting requirements. It has not crossed the fundraising threshold that would require detailed reporting about donors and is not required to report how it paid for the voter education mailing," the group stated on Aug. 17. "Though not required to, the Library Green Conservancy has decided to provide information about the July 2018 voter education project to put to rest any concerns related to the donors who paid for it." City Council Member Jack Eaton, who ran for mayor and lost in the recent primary, and incoming Council Member Kathy Griswold, who unseated Kirk Westphal in the recent primary, were both in attendance at Wednesday's hearing. Griswold said she doesn't think the city is respecting the will of the people, and she doesn't think the court respected the will of the people on Wednesday, either. BAY CITY, MI -- Two women have filed a lawsuit against a Bay County hospice, alleging they were fired for refusing give medication that could hasten a patient's death and for alerting police to the matter. Police say their investigation of the case is over after a medical examiner found no inappropriate conduct in connection with the man's death. No one has been charged with any wrongdoing. The lawsuit of Tamara Gies and Jillian Brown was filed in Bay County Circuit Court on Monday, Aug. 20. It names Brian's House Community Group Inc. as the defendant and seeks damages exceeding $25,000. Brian's House is located at 664 W. Nebobish Road in Hampton Township. After being closed for five years, it reopened in June 2017 as a "social home," as opposed to an inpatient hospice home, thanks to fundraising and volunteer efforts. Those prescribed hospice care by their doctors can choose their care provider and opt to spend their final days at Brian's House, rather than a nursing home or a residence. Brown and Gies both worked at the facility as caregivers, having been hired in September 2017 and February 2018, respectively, their lawsuit states. The suit states that on or about May 11, 2018, manager Christine Quinn told Brown she had previously worked at Toni & Trish House, an Auburn-based hospice facility. On June 13, a coworker told Gies she had received a piece of paper from a worker on another shift, which detailed a handwritten schedule for a patient to receive morphine and Ativan, the lawsuit says. Gies also overheard another coworker state the paper "was not a doctor's order," the suit alleges. Gies contacted a registered nurse at McLaren Hospice and asked if the note was a doctor's order. The nurse confirmed it was not and was not acceptable, according to the suit. The next day, Brown noted the patient's morphine dose had increased from 0.5 milliliter to 1 milliliter. "Although Ms. Quinn wanted the increased dose administered right away to the patient, the hospice nurse ... cautioned that giving the dose might 'send the patient over the edge,' which is a euphemism for causing the patient to die," the suit states. Contacted by The Bay City Times-MLive, Quinn said Gies and Brown's allegations are false. "As far as the medication, that was something the nurse and doctor instructed," Quinn said Tuesday. The patient died June 16. The same day, Gies met with a Hampton Township police officer to report she and Brown had been instructed by Quinn to give a patient medication against a doctor's order to cause to his death. Gies also spoke with then-President Dwight McCulloch to notify him of the police report, to which McCulloch reacted negatively, the suit states. On June 20, Quinn notified Gies she had been taken off the work schedule and an Employee Discipline Form had been put in her file. The form resulted from Gies "not following chain of command when it came to issues involving distribution of meds and going to law enforcement without allowing Board to do own investigation," the suit states. Brown's name was also removed from the work schedule on June 25. Thereafter, McCulloch told Brown that Quinn wanted her fired for being part of the police report, the lawsuit alleges. Gies on June 26 received a letter authored by Quinn saying she was being fired and referenced Gies "involving outside law enforcement," the suit alleges. Quinn on July 18 told Brown her services were no longer required as well, the suit states. The lawsuit contains two counts -- retaliation in violation of Whistleblower Protection Act and retaliation in violation of Michigan Public Policy. Hampton Township Police Lt. Michael Wedding said that while Gies had filed a report, officers are no longer investigating as Bay County Medical Examiner Dr. Howard Hurt ruled there was no inappropriate conduct in the death of the patient. A court date for the civil lawsuit is pending. A mere 39 votes made the difference in the Aug. 7 approval of a ballot proposal to keep public transportation in place in Macomb County, but a taxpayer advocacy group that advocated against the measure isn't done fighting it. SMART bus system millage renewals passed easily in Wayne and Oakland counties Aug. 7. Washtenaw County also overwhelmingly passed a transit tax renewal. But Macomb County proved to be the most divided in the region when it comes to public transportation. A push earlier this year to place a $5.4-billion regional transit system on proposal the November ballot failed earlier this year, in large part due to lack of interest in Macomb County. The Michigan Taxpayers Alliance is now pursuing a recount that could reverse the narrow approval of keeping Macomb County's existing bus services in place. If the result is reversed, funding for the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) bus system would end. Before the Aug. 7 election, the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance mailed literature to 80,000 households, according to Macomb County Commissioner Leon Drolet, chairman of the group. The mailers urged voters to oppose the millage renewal, claiming the tax cost homeowners more than $11,000 per bus rider each year in property taxes. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, who praised the efficiency of the SMART bus system and advocated for approval of the millage renewal before the election, called the mailer misleading. "The group said we will have time to institute something new," said Hackel, who took exception with claims the bus system could be replaced with private ride sharing applications. "As of November, all of the ridership would've been shut down. Who's going to solve that problem? "To kill it then come up with a plan leaves a lot of people in need of transportation in a vulnerable situation." The Macomb County Board of Canvassers certified the Aug. 7 primary votes on Tuesday, Aug. 21. The results show the renewal passed by 39 votes with 77,500 in favor and 77,461 against. But the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance was ready to initiate a recount. The group paid $9,950 for the recount in 398 precincts in Macomb County. Each precinct costs about $25. "Thirty-nine votes out of 155,000 is statistically a tied election," Drolet said in a news release. "Over $110 million taxpayer dollars that will be taken from citizens and given to SMART are at stake, as is the principle of election integrity. Voters have a right to expect extreme scrutiny when an election is this close." He added the recount will likely be in three weeks. Simon Haddad, vice chair of the group, is the petitioner of the recount. "While we would like to recount every precinct in the County, we are a volunteer taxpayer group with limited resources," Haddad stated. "Unlike SMART, which uses taxpayer dollars to pay for everything, we have to be selective as to how we use our limited resources. "Because absentee ballots have a higher possibility of human error when being processed than election day ballots, we are prioritizing recounting those ballots." FLINT, MI -- An Environmental Protection Agency whistleblower who helped expose Flint's lead in water problems says he told state drinking water officials that the city should have been required to treat Flint River water to make it less corrosive -- something that never happened. Miguel Del Toral, a regional groundwater regulations manager for the EPA, testified Wednesday, Aug. 22, before Genesee District Court Judge Jennifer Manley during the preliminary examinations for four current or former state Department of Environmental Quality officials. The four are Stephen Busch, 42, Michael Prysby, 55, Patrick Cook, 54, and Liane Shekter-Smith, 58, and Del Toral said he communicated with each about what needed to be done. In some cases, EPA officials inquired about corrosion control through emails or phone calls, Del Toral testified, and he recalled discussing the issue with Shekter-Smith in person at EPA's regional headquarter in Chicago. "I expressed concern over the lack of corrosion control in Flint given that they had lead service lines," he said. "Basically I said ... once treatment is in the place, the rule is -- maintain it." Flint water was treated with phosphates for decades while the city purchased pre-treated from the city of Detroit. But when the city, while being run by state-appointed emergency managers, changed its water source from Lake Huron in an effort to cut costs, the DEQ didn't require the treatments to continue. "Given the very high lead levels found at one home and the pre-flushing happening at Flint, I'm worried that the whole town may have much higher lead levels than the compliance results indicated," Del Toral wrote in an April 25, 2015, email to the DEQ. Del Toral's testimony is expected to continue in the preliminary examinations for the four DEQ officials on Sept. 19. Special prosecutor Todd Flood has said he plans to pursue involuntary manslaughter charges against Busch and Shekter-Smith at the conclusion of the exams. Busch, a district supervisor, also faces six additional criminal charges. Shekter-Smith, former chief of the DEQ's Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance, is also charged with misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty. Prysby, a district engineer responsible for Flint, is charged with two counts each of misconduct in office, tampering with evidence and violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Cook is charged with willful neglect of duty, misconduct in office and conspiracy. Del Toral became a hero to some during the water crisis after he authored an interim report on high levels of lead in Flint water on June 24, 2015. Months earlier, other EPA officials also warned the DEQ that the chemistry off Flint River water appeared to be causing transmission pipes to leach lead and iron into the water supply. The interim report also pointed to problems with Flint's water sampling methods, including pre-flushing before collecting samples in homes, a practice known to underestimate lead levels. Del Toral has said his recommendations for action in Flint bogged down as the state contested whether the city should be required to further treat Flint River water. FLINT, MI - A Flint man was sentenced to more than 50 years in prison in connection to a 2015 abduction and rape. Martize Rede-Jordan Evanish was sentenced on Monday, Aug. 22, to serve 52 to 72 years in prison by Genesee Circuit Judge Richard B. Yuille. Evanish was found guilty on July 20 of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count each of kidnapping and armed robbery, as well as six felony weapons charges. "Evanish has a very extensive criminal history," Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said in a statement. "We are pleased to see the judge sentence him to a very lengthy term in prison so that he will not be free to prey on our community any longer." Martize Rede-Jordan Evanish Evanish picked up the victim in his car in the area of Fenton Road and Pettibone Avenue in October 2015 and drove her to another location where a group of men got into the vehicle with guns and a stun gun. The woman was then assaulted by the men and later released, officials previously said. She went door-to-door seeking help before a passerby offered her a phone to call 911. She later identified Evanish and Cordario Arthur-Lavelle Colter, Evanish's half-brother, as suspects in the case after looking at mugshots over the course of the next two months. Colter pleaded guilty in April to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count each of kidnapping and armed robbery, and three felony weapons charges. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Anyone with information on the incident may contact Flint police at 810-237-6901 or report a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-5245 or online at p3tips.com. FLINT, MI - One of the five men charged in the robbery and killing of a 63-year-old man after breaking into the victim's eastside home has taken a plea deal. Dre Shavon Jones, 20, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, three counts of felony firearm, two counts of first-degree home invasion, armed robbery and assault with intent to rob while armed, according to Genesee Circuit Court records. Jones will be sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in prison as part of the plea agreement, according to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. The agreement also calls for Jones to testify truthfully against four other co-defendants charged with the July 11, 2017, murder of Albert Ballard. "He's been consistent throughout, he's going to testify against the others and the family was on board with this disposition," Leyton said of Jones' plea agreement. "Twenty-five plus two is a long time." Jones' attorney, Glenn Cotton, said he had no comment on the case. Leyton will not charge Jones in connection to a robbery that occurred shortly before the murder in the same vicinity. Charges also were filed against Jordan William Alexander, Zicary Lamar Carpenter, Joshua Jeremiah Eubanks and Tyler Jameil Pagel for the home invasion and killing. Officers responded around 5 a.m. on July 11, 2017, to the 100 block of South Cumberland Street -- off of Longway Boulevard -- after a call to 911 in reference to a shooting in the area. Police said Ballard was asleep on a couch on the first floor of his home when the group of five entered the house through an unlocked door. Once inside the house, one suspect held Ballard at gunpoint, telling him to "give him all the money," police previously said. Another suspect began to leave the home with Ballard's television, while the other three teens went to the second floor of the home where Ballard's wife was sleeping, police said. Striking her in the face with another gun, the trio instructed the woman to hand over her money, according to investigators. On the first floor of the house, Ballard went to his kitchen to get his .45-caliber handgun from a cupboard, police said. At that point, police said the teen leaving the house with the television dropped the set and ran out of the home, while Ballard began to run up the stairs of the house to the second floor. After Ballard shot one of the teens in the chest, the teen -- accompanied by his friend who was previously leaving the home with the television -- fled the scene in a vehicle, crashing less than a mile away from the home at the intersection of East Court Street and South Vernon Avenue. Ballard then ran upstairs to protect his wife where he struggled with one of the defendants and several rounds of gunfire rang out, police previously said. One of the bullets struck Ballard, traveling through his arm to his chest. He was later pronounced dead, police said. The jury trial for the four remaining co-defendants is set for Oct. 9, while Jones' sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 5. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- About 100 people who attended a national letter carrier's convention in Grand Rapids have reported flu-like symptoms and health officials are trying to track the source. Kent County Health Department spokesman Steve Kelso said all of the people attended the National Rural Letter Carrier's Association convention at DeVos Place from Aug. 14-17. He said the people live in 25 states and one required a hospital stay. Kelso was told about 3,000 people were at the event. The symptoms generally involve cough, sneezing and fever and health technicians have now taken nasal swabs from attendees nearby -- in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties -- to try to pinpoint the strain of influenza. Kelso said he's not aware of any DeVos Place employees becoming ill, an indicator that the illness may have been spread among the convention attendees and likely was not anything directly related to DeVos. NORTHERN MICHIGAN -- A 43-year-old doctor who police say traded a female patient drug prescriptions for sexual favors has been charged with multiple felonies. Jonathan Robertson, who has offices in Traverse City and Marquette, has been charged with eight counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct for alleged assaults on two women. Staff with the state Attorney General's office allege that two different women were assaulted between October 2014 and April 2015. In one case, attorneys alleged that Robertson forced a woman to perform oral sex in exchange for Suboxone, a drug used in opioid addiction recovery. In a different incident involving the same woman, Robertson allegedly gave her $200 for a prescription after forcing her to perform another sexual favor. The second victim, attorneys said, sought help from Robertson for a sore muscle in her hip. Robertson allegedly sexually assaulted her with his hand and then prescribed her morphine and Dilaudid. Robertson was arraigned Wednesday in Marquette County and held in jail on a bond of $250,000 for each count. BEAR LAKE, MI - A black bear killed by a Grand Rapids business owner is one of the largest ever taken in Michigan. Caledonia resident Jeff Kresnak, the president of Superior Asphalt, Inc., shot the animal during a hunt in Manistee County in September 2017. However, it wasn't until recently that Boone & Crockett, a sort of Guinness Book of Records for wild game records, confirmed just how massive the animal actually was. According to the outdoor club, the 8-year-old male is fifth largest bear ever killed in Michigan and 211th largest ever taken in North America. The Department of Natural Resources estimates the animal's weight to be between 500-600 pounds, but bears are scored by their skull size. This particular animal had a skull of 21 and 15/16ths. "When I went to the DNR post to have it checked in the man said in thirty years he's never seen a bear this large," Kresnak said in an email to MLive. Kresnak was one of several lucky winners of the Michigan Pure Hunt hosted by the DNR. As part of the package he was issued a bear tag for 2017. As an avid hunter who has taken several bears in his career, he had decided he wasn't going to use the tag unless he could take a large male bear. The opportunity presented itself during a visit to family property near Bear Lake last fall. With the help of Jason Ware, an experienced hounds man and owner of Final Chase Outfitters in Frankfort, Kresnak and his party eventually began to track the large bear. "After a few days Jason found a large bear track and we put the Plott Hounds down on the track south of Copemish," Kresnak said. "The large bear ran for miles and miles and the chase went for approximately eight hours. The bear was so large he wouldn't go up a tree. When the hounds got close, would just sit down and growl at the dogs." The high-powered hounds crossed rivers, hills, cedar swamps and any thick cover to track the bear, but Kresnak was unable to get a clean shot. However, the bear was finally killed instantly with a shot taken with less than an hour of daylight remaining. The bear was skinned, and its meat was packed shortly after. Kresnak now has a full-body mount of bear in his cabin along with other furs he's trapped over the decades. PONTIAC, MI - Kip and Kyren Orfield expected to shed a few tears on their wedding day, but they anticipated they would be tears of joy. Not the ones caused by realizing someone has stolen $1,600 from them on the most special day of their lives. But thanks to some quick thinking from friends and family - and the efforts of an international wrestling promotion - their sadness turned to happiness as the couple lived out a once-in-a-lifetime evening with some of their favorite wrestlers. The couple held their wedding ceremony at The Crofoot in Pontiac on Sunday, Aug. 12 with plans of leaving after the ceremony to attend a wrestling show being put on by Progress Wrestling, based out of the U.K. They had their bags packed, tickets secured and plenty of time to enjoy the day with family before heading out to watch professional wrestling together. That all changed as at one point during the day, someone went into the room where Kyren got ready and stole $1,600 out of her purse. The room was away from the common areas and only a few people had access it, according to the groom. That money was to be used to pay some of the vendors who were working that day, leaving the newlyweds with a bill they no longer could pay. Along with the money, their wrestling tickets were stolen as well, throwing everything they had planned into chaos and leaving them scrambling to figure out to do about paying their debts. "The last two hours of the wedding, my wife is upstairs bawling her eyes out," Kip Orfield said. While the couple discussed what to do about the money, their friends and family downstairs reached out to the venue to see if there were any tickets available for the show, and to inform them about the stolen tickets. Almost immediately, officials involved with the show invited the Orfields to the show and assured their friends that the newlyweds would be taken care of. Although it's not a mainstream wrestling company in the U.S., Progress is one of the more well-known promotions around the world, and it was finishing up its first U.S. tour. The show at the Knights of Columbus in Livonia was something the Orfields did not want to miss, but when the event was first announced, they realized it would clash with their wedding. Kyren, however, would not miss the show and suggested they move the wedding up by two hours so they could make it to the event that evening. "It was her call. She decided we were going to go," Orfield said. Once their tickets were stolen, they figured they were going to miss the show. That is until they were told about the invite from company officials. When they arrived, Orfield said they were escorted to seats in the third row and assured they would have them for the entire evening. Soon after, they ran into several of the wrestlers who congratulated them on their wedding day and offered to buy them drinks. From there, several other wrestlers took pictures with them and went out of their way to make the event special. "We were just completely mind blown that they did that," he said. Jim Smallman, one of the co-founders of Progress, even pointed out the newlyweds while he was in the ring doing an interview for the fans. "I think if someone comes straight to one of our shows after they've got married then you have to make a fuss of them!" Smallman said in an email to MLive. "It's genuinely humbling that they'd want to share their special day with us, so I made a point of letting the crowd know they were there and getting them a round of applause; the nature of our crowds meant that they then made about 500 new friends that night, including all of our talent." Kip Orfield said the other fans refused to let them pay for anything throughout the night and were extremely kind to them, offering congratulations and even cheering for the couple when Smallman pointed them out. Smallman said he was unaware that the couple had been robbed when he pointed them out and it was only afterward that he heard that part of their story. As word got around the wrestling community, other companies and fans have offered to help them out as well. One company is bringing the couple out for a weekend of events in Toronto and others have donated to a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the couple to pay off the vendors. "The wrestling community has been so sympathetic. I feel like I've gotten more sympathy out of the wrestling community than from the people more directly related to this," Orfield said. The Orfields have filed a police report with the Oakland County Sheriffs Office and are working with police to determine who stole the money. So far, no suspects have been apprehended. And while the couple is still hurt that someone would steal from them on their wedding day, Kip Orfield says they also believe something good came out of it. "Maybe this person who robbed us gave us a blessing in disguise," he said. Michigan State University is seeking a stay on new lawsuits filed by former patients of Larry Nassar, according to a court motion filed Aug. 17 in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids. At issue is how to process the lawsuits filed since May when MSU agreed to pay a $500 million settlement to victims of Nassar, a former MSU doctor who molested patients under the guise of medical treatment. That settlement includes $75 million set aside for future claimants. The court motion says 51 suits have been filed so far seeking a share of the $75 million. Most potential plaintiffs face a Sept. 10 deadline to pursue a claim. If granted, the stay would give MSU some "breathing room" to process the new lawsuits in an "orderly fashion," said Robert Young, MSU's general counsel and vice president of legal affairs. "Instead of treating these as a series of individual complaints, where you have to give an immediate answer and we would file a motion to dismiss," the stay would allow MSU to go through the lawsuits and "decide which have the most merit and which has the least," Young said. While the 333 original Nassar plaintiffs and their lawyers will control the $425 million, the $75 million set aside for new claimants will be controlled by MSU. MSU can use up to 8 percent of the fund to cover its legal fees and defend itself against new Nassar lawsuits, according to the court documents. "Although many of the new lawsuits are subject to legal defenses--including governmental immunity, the failure to follow statutory notice of intent requirements, applicable statutes of limitations, lack of standing, and other pleading deficiencies--allowing MSU sufficient time to examine and potentially resolve these cases without protracted litigation is in the best interests of all parties and the Court," the motion says. "If a stay is granted, MSU will work with any cooperating plaintiffs to conduct a good faith assessment of all new Nassar-related lawsuits filed with this Court on or before September 10, 2018," the motion said. "MSU anticipates that this process could facilitate the early, out-of-court settlement of new claims, thereby reducing the number of parties and narrowing the issues before this Court. Cases filed after September 10, 2018, and cases that are incapable of early resolution, however, would be subject to motions to dismiss on a coordinated schedule once the stay lifts." Young said that Michigan State is still awaiting signatures from all 333 original plaintiffs to finalize the $500 million settlement agreement. Those signatures are being collected by the plaintiffs' attorneys, he said. EAST JORDAN, MI - Here's a story that's out of this world. It comes courtesy of a group of Michigan students and a Northern Michigan business that partnered to send a sock a shoe to the edge of space. The East Jordan Shoe Club is based on the Charlevoix County community of the same name. Made up of middle school students, the club encourages kids to set goals, work hard, dream big and to give back to their community with the ultimate goal of helping young people kids value themselves so they can value others. The club uses shoes to represent people's stories and encourage students to walk a mile in each other's shoes. Ten of the club's members, all of which are in 8th to 10th grade, participated in the project, which was completed with the help of Socks Kick, a company owned by 2006 East Jordan graduate by Baris Atmaca and his wife Cigdem. "It was full of adventure from planning to finding the base and definitely an exciting project to work on for all involved," the news release reads. "We are looking forward to more projects, which will inspire students to dream big and work, hard to achieve their goals." As part of the two-month project, a shoe owned by Josiah Middaugh, an East Jordan graduate and world champion triathlete, was strapped to a weather balloon that was attached to a parachute and a base. An East Jordan Red Devil branded sock manufactured by Atmaca's company, a GPS tracking device and cameras were then added to the base as well. The balloon was released from the East Jordan Airport. It expanded as it ascended through the atmosphere. When the balloon reached approximately 100,000 feet the balloon popped sending the base back to earth. It took approximately 2 hours to ascent and 30 minutes to descend, according to a news release. Nathan Newman, a sophomore, was the lead in researching and planning the project. The teamalso worked closely with the National Weather Service Office in Gaylord to learn about the best weather conditions for launching the balloon. BATH TOWNSHIP, MI -- The Michigan Department of Transportation says a motorcyclist ignored several warnings and drove his motorcycle through a construction zone Monday. The driver should have listened because he drove the motorcycle into wet concrete where they eventually got stuck and had to ditch the bike. According to ABC 12, the driver ended up in the concrete after trying to maneuver around slowed traffic in a construction zone. The driver entered an area of I-69 in Clinton County that was closed as crews were pouring concrete. Did you lose a motorcycle today, driving on I-69? Always drive safely, and watch out for construction zones. Sometimes you don't see workers or curing concrete. You can pick your bike up at impound, the Sheriff will be waiting. pic.twitter.com/spj49ounrQ MDOT-Lansing/Jackson (@MDOT_LanJxn) August 21, 2018 A foreman on site tried to flag the driver down as they rode by, but the driver continued into the zone and right into the wet cement. After being stopped in their tracks, the driver ditched the bike and fled the scene. Bath Township Police impounded the bike and say the driver will be fined for disregarding the traffic cones and faces a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident. Traffic fines in construction zones are doubled under state law. Michigan officials continue to hunt for the source of the contaminant that prompted an urgent "do not eat" advisory for fish in three southeast Michigan counties. The advisory - issued in early August for the Huron River from Kensington Metropark near Milford into Washtenaw County, north of Ann Arbor - comes after fish tested at 3 to 4 times the state's maximum safety threshold. It also signals ongoing efforts by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to find the source of the PFAS contamination in the Huron River, which affects the Ann Arbor municipal water system. "We're really hoping to figure out the extent of it, where it's coming from and how we can clean it up," said Laura Rubin, executive director of the Huron River Watershed Council. Rubin said the fish advisory was "sudden" and issued by the state with few initial details as more MDEQ resources target the PFAS analysis in the Huron River. The reason, said Teresa Seidel, director of the MDEQ's water resources division, was that the fish testing results required an emergency response. "We saw a high number in our fish samples in Kent Lake, and that caused us to stop everything," she said. The effort ended up affecting three counties: In addition to Washtenaw, they were Oakland and Livingston. PFAS represents a group of water-repellent chemicals known as per- and poly-flourinated compounds, which have links to cancer, liver damage, birth defects and autoimmune diseases. Michigan is midway through thousands of tests to determine the extent of the contamination in the state, with a focus on pollution that affects public health. So far, results prompted an emergency water system shut-down in Parchment, near Kalamazoo. Yet other communities have been affected for longer, including the Oscoda area and northern Kent County. Among water systems showing PFAS findings above a 'non-detect' level is Ann Arbor, where tests going back to 2014 generated readings of 10-43 parts per trillion (ppt). It pulls 85 percent of its drinking water from the Huron River, several miles downstream from Kent Lake. Brian Steiglitz, Ann Arbor's water treatment manager, said the city continued to test for PFAS after initial readings. The average, he said, was 10 ppt, compared to a federal lifetime health advisory of 70 ppt. In the meantime, Ann Arbor started this year to experiment with methods of removing PFAS using granular activated carbon, he said, while the state set up a plan to analyze the Huron River to see if it could determine a PFAS contamination source. Seventeen water samples were pulled from the river on July 24, while the state also planned to test fish. The fish from the Huron River chain of lakes tested high for the PFOS type of the contaminant, which "tends to be the only PFAS found in fish at elevated levels that cause Eat Safe Fish Guidelines," said Angela Minicuci, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Both black crappie and largemouth bass collected in 2017 in Kensington's Kent Lake were used for the fish sampling, according to follow-up data provided by the MDHHS. Ten fish of each type were tested, with black crappie PFOS averaging 1,029 parts per billion (ppb) and the largemouth bass averaging 1,481 ppb. Moving fish into the "do not eat" category comes at a level of 300 ppb of PFOS or higher. In comparison, fish at 9 ppb are considered safe to eat for 16 meals per month, the lowest advisory level in state guidelines for PFOS. The fish had been collected in 2017, and normally would be "analyzed in the following year due to the budgetary process," said Scott Dean, MDEQ spokesperson. However, as the wave of testing near Ann Arbor this summer advanced into PFAS source tracking, the state turned to stored samples for faster results, Dean said. Beyond the fish, MDEQ officials said they're getting closer to identifying a cause for the high PFAS readings in the Huron River. "We have some candidates," said Jon Russell, manager in the MDEQ field operations section. MDEQ staff has been working with regional wastewater treatment operators and sampling industrial customers who are permitted to discharge into the systems, Russell said. In addition, he said, other sources also are being considered, including whether existing groundwater contamination is advancing to the Huron River chain of lakes. Beyond that, Russell said, "we have to look at who's doing firefighting training in the area (and) what other potential sources are there that don't fall into a category, like a clean-up site." Older types of firefighting foam contain PFAS. Additional fish testing remains in progress along the Huron River. They include samples from Base Line and Portage Lakes in Livingston County; stored samples collected in 2015 in Barton Pond, near Ann Arbor; and the Flat Rock impoundment in Wayne County. "The results for those fish should provide us another clue as to the extent of the PFAS contamination," Dean said. JACKSON, MI - A walking tour in downtown Jackson on Saturday will showcase the city's stained-glass architecture. "Stained Glass Windows: An Architectural Tour" takes place Aug. 25, and is hosted by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Jackson County and sponsored by the Jackson Anchor Initiative. Cost is $10 for adults and $8 per child age 16 and younger. Each tour begins with presentation by Jeannette Woodard, president of the architectural company Woodard & Associates. Presentations are given at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 120 N. Jackson St., one of the stops on the tour. The other locations are: St. Mary Star of the Sea Church -- 120 E. Wesley St. St. Paul's Episcopal Church -- 309 S. Jackson St. Trinity Lutheran Church -- 122 W. Wesley St. First Baptist Church -- 201 S. Jackson St. First United Methodist Church -- 275 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson County Tower Building -- 120 W. Michigan Ave. Consumers Mosaic at Horace Blackman Park -- Corner of W. Michigan Avenue and S. Jackson Street. The tour can be completed in about 40 minutes, ACAJC Chairwoman Kate Schwartz said. ACAJC walking tours usually draw aroung 100 people, Schwartz said, but the organization expects more at this one. She said members of the churches are enthusiastic their buildings are being featured. "Sometimes people forget that architecture is part of the creative sector," Schwartz said. "They often think of painting, sculpture, theater and writing but they forget about broadcasting, nature centers, cinemas, films and architecture. It's all creative. We're so happy as an arts and cultural alliance to be able to present to the public art that people are surrounded with all the time they maybe take for granted or forget." Docents will be stationed at historic buildings from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During that time, the Ella Sharp Museum is also presenting a free stained-glass project of tissue paper for children at Horace Blackman Park. Additional support for the architectural tour comes courtesy of a nearly $700 Jackson Community Foundation Art and Literacy Grant. This event acts as the lone ACAJC fundraiser for the year, Schwartz said. All proceeds benefit the ACAJC. KALAMAZOO, MI -- More living space, offices and retail is coming soon to downtown Kalamazoo. Developers held a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday at the corner of Rose and Lovell streets, the future site of a $24.2 million, four-story development. The Hinman Company and AVB Inc. plan to bring 135 apartment units, office space and a corner restaurant or retail business by next year. The 158,824-square-foot building will have 121 market-rate apartments and 14 reduced rent apartments for people making 80 to 120 percent of area median income. Another 8,400-square-feet of space will be available for commercial use on the first floor. Greg Dobson, AVB's chief operating officer, said the project was four years in the making. He thanked partners with the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, economic development organization Southwest Michigan First, Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. and elected officials for their work. Hinman Co. President Roger Hinman said downtown Kalamazoo is at a "historic turning point." The area has changed substantially since his company developed Skyrise Luxury Apartments in 1985. Mayor Bobby Hopewell said the project is just one of many promising developments in Kalamazoo. "Every time we break ground; every time we build something; every time we make opportunities happen, it impacts the quality of life in this community," Hopewell said. Dobson said the development is expected to add to the social fabric of downtown Kalamazoo. More dense housing is coming to an area where studies have shown a need for more units. While around 10,500 people work downtown, only 2,100 live there, according to a W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research study released this year. Young professionals and empty-nesters are flocking downtown. A 2014 analysis by Zimmerman/Volk Associates also found 1,400 units are needed downtown through 2019. Joe Agostinelli, a partner with Southwest Michigan First, said vacancy rates downtown are "essentially at zero." More units are needed for people moving into the region. DKI President Andrew Haan said each new tenant is expected to spend an average of $15,000 annually within a half-mile of their home. Kalamazoo officials had met with multiple developers in the last seven years to find a private use for Lot 2, but none came to fruition. The site is behind City Hall, across from the AT&T building, St. Luke's Episcopal Church and near cozy commercial retail business in the Vine neighborhood. The 2.16-acre site was owned by the city of Kalamazoo and sold to the developers in June for $1.1 million. Through a plan approved by the city's Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, $3.6 million in future tax revenue will be captured to reimburse the developer for remediation efforts over 21 years. The deal was contingent on the creation of a neighborhood enterprise zone, approved June 4. The city agreed to cooperate with developers in obtaining a 12-year, 50 percent tax abatement, according to the sale agreement. The sales agreement guarantees 14 units, 10 percent of the total, are affordable for people making 80 to 120 percent of the area median income. Rates are based on workforce housing figures published by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. According to rates published in April: Monthly rent for five units must be $866 for one-person room and $990 for a two-person room. Monthly rent for five units must be $1,082 for one-person room and $1,237 for a two-person room. Monthly rent for four units must be $1,299 for one-person room and $1,485 for a two-person room. The workforce housing requirement will expire after 21 years. Developers are required to prove in writing each year that rental rates for the units remain reduced until then. A single-level underground parking structure will be created to accommodate 77 vehicles. A total of 85 surface parking spaces is included. Previously-released site plans show the addition of a bike lane on Rose Street and new on-street parking spaces on Cedar and Rose streets. A snowmelt system will be installed under public sidewalks. Future tenants can relax on a roof patio, or on private balconies. There will be a fitness room and space to store bicycles. The project is expected to create five full-time jobs. Construction could begin in the fall and finish next year, with some impact to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Developers agreed to work with Urban Alliance to hire locally for construction and site related work. They are also required to follow the city's anti-discrimination policy regarding ex-offenders. Of the three parcels, 418 S. Rose is the only one on Lot 2 that is not tax-exempt. Once the project is completed, the city estimates its assessed value will increase from $39,700 to $3.8 million. Ground was broken on another development project on a former city-owned surface lot in downtown Kalamazoo earlier this month. Kalamazoo officials sold a portion of Lot 9 across from the Arcadia Creek Festival Site to Catalyst Development Co., LLC. in July. Construction is underway on the $70 million, seven-story mixed-use building with 45 residential units. Catalyst Development Company is planning a 275,000-square-foot building with offices, housing and parking. City Commission approved a purchase agreement last month with Catalyst Development Co. LLC. A portion of Lot 9 across from the Arcadia Creek Festival Site was sold for $714,369, with the developer anticipating the building will cost $60-70 million. Bill Johnston is chairman of Greenleaf Companies, which includes Catalyst Development Company, LLC. Johnston is one of two donors who pledged $70.3 million to the city of Kalamazoo to create the Foundation for Excellence. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Kalamazoo County is closer to joining a class-action lawsuit against pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners voted 6-5 along party lines to negotiate a contract with Southfield-based firm Sommer Schwartz P.C. A final contract will be brought back to the board at a later date. Communities in Michigan and across the country are joining multi-jurisdictional federal civil lawsuits seeking damages for opioid-related deaths, treatment and law enforcement costs. Commissioners Julie Rogers and Ron Kendall have been in discussions with attorneys and Michigan county officials since December 2017. A majority of the board voted on April 3 to support participating in litigation against pharmaceutical companies for manufacturing addictive opiates. Staff were directed on June 19 to issue a request for proposals. Each step of the way, Democrats have supported the lawsuit while Republicans have opposed it. Commissioner Scott McGraw, a Republican who represents the east portion of Portage, reaffirmed his opposition to the "frivolous lawsuit." The agreement states Sommers Schwartz will take 25 percent of the gross award from a settlement, or ruling in the county's favor, before deducting costs and expenses. If attorney's fees are granted, the firm will receive whichever is greater; the contingent fee or the attorney fees. If attorney fees are collected, the firm agreed to only take 35 percent of the total award. Michigan cities and counties are filing federal civil lawsuit filed against some of the largest drug makers and pharmacies in the world on Dec. 19, 2017. The lawsuits seek to force companies to award damages for opioid-related deaths, treatment and law enforcement costs. Versions of the lawsuits allege companies knew drugs they manufactured and sold had the potential to be abused but acted with reckless indifference. The Council of Economic Advisers estimated that the national economic cost of the opioid crisis was $504.0 billion in 2015, according to a 2017 report. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times as potent as morphine, contributed to the death of more than half of people killed by accidental overdose last year in Kalamazoo County. The 79 total drug-related deaths in the county in 2017 is one death fewer than the 7-year high experienced in 2016. According to a county report on opioid abuse, the number of retail opioid prescriptions has steadily decreased to 72.4 per 100 people since peaking in 2011. However, Kalamazoo County remained above the national rate in 2016 -- 66.5 prescriptions per 100 people. The number of accidental opioid-related deaths doubled from 29 to 59 between 2015-16. An average of 24 people were treated for unintentional opioid overdoses each month in 2016. The rate of men treated for opioid-related overdose was twice as high than the rate for women. In 2016, fentanyl accounted for 20 deaths, more than triple the number of deaths associated with the drug in 2015. The average age of a person who died from an overdose is 39.4 years. KALAMAZOO, MI -- A proposal to construct a housing facility for recovering addicts in Kalamazoo County is one step closer to approval. The Kalamazoo Planning Commission on Tuesday, Aug. 21, voted to recommend a rezoning request from a developer seeking to construct a 51-unit permanent housing facility for individuals recovering from substance use disorders. Portage-based Hollander Development Corporation requested the planning commission recommend a parcel of land at 333 E. Alcott St. in the Edison Neighborhood be rezoned from a manufacturing, limited district to a residential, multi-dwelling district. Next, the recommendation will go to the Kalamazoo City Commission, which will also vote on the proposed rezoning. The facility's target population would include those referred from Kalamazoo-area drug treatment courts who are also in good standing in a court-ordered drug treatment program, Hollander Development Corp. President Matt Hollander said at Tuesday's meeting. The facility would not be considered transitional housing because residents would have the opportunity to remain there permanently, Hollander said. "The permanent nature of the housing is precisely the same as the nature of any other housing if you were to move into an apartment complex and be a tenant in good standing with no lease violations," he said. "So, if you're a good tenant who pays your rent and doesn't violate the terms of the lease, you would have the option to stay there as long as you want to." Hollander added that 50 percent or more of the people referred would be recently homeless as defined by the U.S. Department of Urban Housing and Development, something he said is typical of permanent support housing projects. The facility would consist of one or two buildings with one-bedroom units for individuals and two-bedroom units for families, according to planning commission documents. In addition to the apartment units, there would be a community room, fitness area, laundry facilities, staff offices, counseling services and room for other services provided to residents. Many services will be provided through the Kalamazoo Community Healing Center with oversight from the Kalamazoo County Drug Treatment Court Program. Development of the proposed $10.5 million project is headed by Hollander Development Corp. in partnership with the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals, the Cinnaire Corporation and Community Healing Centers, according to planning commission documents. Funding for the development is expected to come mostly from private sector investors who invest in affordable housing in exchange for tax credits, Hollander said. Capital funds are also expected to come from federal programs including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits allocated through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The 2.5-acre parcel up for rezoning is part of a larger 16.13-acre property, portions of which have had historical contamination issues. Once a paper manufacturing site, the Allied Paper Mill is now leveled and part of the Kalamazoo Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, which is marketing portions of the site for reuse. A single vote against the rezoning proposal was cast by Commissioner James Pitts, who said he had concerns over residents living on contaminated ground. "To actually put families in that area without knowing everything about what that's going to cause long term, with people who already are at a disadvantage, they're in a predicament where they're vulnerable," Pitts said. - In addition to the 51 apartment units, a community room, fitness area, laundry facilities, staff offices, counseling and other services would be provided to the residents of the permanent housing facility. The developer has spoken with the director of the Edison Neighborhood Association and neighbors surrounding the subject parcel regarding the rezoning and proposed housing project, according to planning commission documents. Nearly 20 people spoke out about the proposal during an opportunity for public comment Tuesday, some in support and others in opposition. Some Edison Neighborhood residents said they were blindsided by the proposal when it was revealed during an Edison Neighborhood Association meeting Thursday, Aug. 16. Jerry Hoffman, president of the neighborhood association's board, lives four blocks from the proposed development. Hoffman said he was not speaking for the board but, as a citizen, he noticed a great deal of hostility and fear surrounding the project due to a lack of information. "This was, we felt, kind of sprung on us," Hoffman said. "It was just the last couple weeks that we had any notice at all." Other citizens expressed concerns about the impact on property values, crime and about the environmental quality of the site. Those in support of the development included those with past issues with opioid addiction who subsequently struggled to find drug-free housing after recovery. Kaya Sanders, recovery housing program coordinator for Community Healing Centers, oversees six recovery houses in Michigan, four of which are in Kalamazoo County. She supported the project and spoke to the need for a permanent housing facility for recovering addicts in the area. Sanders said the Community Healing Center's 90-day program is currently the only house in Kalamazoo County that provides housing for women and children under 8 while in recovery for substance use disorders. "At the end of 90 days, we have the option of putting women and children on the street or letting them stay and there's no revenue, it doesn't help them, they are defeated, there's no place for them to go," she said. In her time overseeing the recovery houses, Sanders said the police were never called on residents. Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. KALAMAZOO, MI -- A total of $259,000 in grants meant to assist Kalamazoo County's most vulnerable citizens were unused last year. When Kalamazoo County's community action tripartite does not spend all of its funding from state and federal grants in a budget year, the money is carried over to be used in the next year. The advisory board is mandated by the federal government to help the county distribute funds to assist poor, working class and minority citizens. Funds are dedicated to income-eligible people living in poverty. Board Chair Stephanie Moore said the money goes toward things like food vouchers, school supplies, laundry tokens and senior services. Moore, a liaison to the committee, criticized Kalamazoo County leaders in public meetings, local media and on her campaign Facebook page for letting money go unused. Moore alleged $200,000 in community development block grant funds is returned to the state annually. Administrator Tracie Moored addressed the allegations in an Aug. 21 memo to the board. She said the community action agency had a budget of $894,452 last year. Unspent money doesn't go the state or county's general fund, the administrator said. Unused grant dollars go back to the community action agency to be spent next year. "I did misspeak about that, because that is what was told to me," Moore said. "The point I was not making is the funds are not spent particularly in a time when folks need it the most." However, the board chair said long-time issues with funds going unspent. A total of $234,000 was carried over in 2016. The community action board has until Sept. 30 to use its funding. The memo states funds are sometimes unused due to bureaucratic barriers, at the county and state of Michigan, which prevent spending to be approved. Moored told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette Tuesday that funds have gone unused several times since 2011. "All of us on this board and the staff believe there is a better way to provide these services to our citizens," Moored said. Kalamazoo County is considering handing control of the community action board back to the state. Only six community action agencies in Michigan are under county control, while the other 29 statewide agencies are controlled by nonprofits. Ultimately the Board of Commissioners will decide how the community action board is governed. An annual $75,000 allocation from the Kalamazoo County general fund would still employ a person to direct residents toward available resources. Moore and Vice Chair Dale Shugars supported the idea, according to the memo. "We all know it's a problem," Moored said. "We have had this discussion since I came to the board in 2008 ... We have to make a change somewhere." The administrator said she was in the process of setting up a meeting with the community action tripartite board chair and present the idea to the Board of Commissioners when news reports were published last week. The memo references one incident when grant dollars were paid back to the state. In 2015, the county paid back $30,000 in grants after a state audit found funds were released without proper documentation during a 2014 event. Meanwhile, members of the community action board need to be reappointed. At an Aug. 9 meeting, commissioners failed to pass a motion to reappoint Nicky Leigh, Robert Reynolds, Anthony Bradley and Shequita Lewis to new three-year terms on the advisory board. Moore said the four community action tripartite board members, one of whom was Seals' political opponent in the Aug. 7 primary, were not reappointed because they did not interview before the Board of Commissioners. Moore said interviews were not necessary because there were no other applicants. During the Aug. 9 meeting, Moore criticized commissioners for preventing bodies which benefit vulnerable communities from operating. She accused her colleagues of discriminating against the advisory board because it serves minority and low-income residents. While Moore was speaking, she was interrupted by Commissioner Michael Seals. He asked Moore to resolve a point of order, which indicates that he believed a rule was being violated. Seals then made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which passed by a voice vote. Corporate Counsel Beth White said Seals' point-of-order request was not recognized, which allowed a motion to be made from the floor. It was a chaotic end to a heated meeting. Commissioners expressed regret about the display during the Aug. 21 meeting, and resolved to raise the standard of conduct moving forward. Equity was brought up again on Tuesday, during a conversation about a task force established in December 2016. Task force members said an internal review of equitable hiring practices at the county is needed. The board will seek proposals for a consultant to address those issues. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - A nearly seven-fold increase in Muskegon County's phone surcharge for 911 services that will be on the November ballot would fund urgently-needed improvements to the emergency communication system, according to area police and fire chiefs. The proposal would increase the current surcharge of 42 cents per phone per month to $2.75. The surcharge is levied on phone landlines as well as devices with cellular connection, including phones and tablets. The surcharge would raise $3.95 million annually, and it would allow the county to address $25 million in improvement to emergency communication needs over the next 10 years, said Shawn Grabinski, executive director of Muskegon Central Dispatch. The current surcharge raises $650,000 annually, she said. Muskegon Central Dispatch answers 911 emergency calls and dispatches first responders from 26 agencies in the county. The surcharge would allow Central Dispatch to switch from analog communications to an 800 MHz digital system, a switch Grabinski likened to moving from cassette tapes to MP3s. It's a transition that 74 out of 83 counties in Michigan have already made, according to Muskegon Central Dispatch officials. The enhanced communication system would require four new microwave communication towers as well as new radios for first responders. Surcharge proceeds also would be spent on new in-vehicle computers, expanded and improved space for the dispatch center and a revolving fund to replace equipment. Individual municipalities currently pay for their emergency responders' radios. The proposal will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot. The $2.75 surcharge would be assessed starting on July 1, 2019, and, provided Legislative renewal of the law allowing for the surcharge, would be in place indefinitely. It would be levied on individual cell phones - not per cellular plan. For example, a family cellular plan with four phones would be assessed four surcharges. For businesses with multiple lines, the surcharge would be assessed on the first 10 phones and prorated for each additional 10 lines. Muskegon County's old analog system means public safety officials can't communicate with counterparts in other counties who use the upgraded 800 MHz system, said Whitehall Police Chief Roger Squiers. Kent and Ottawa counties are transitioning to digital systems while Oceana and Newaygo counties - among many others - already have. That leaves Muskegon County as a "communication island," Squires said. There are even some areas of the county where current radios do not work well, said Muskegon Township Fire Chief Dave Glotzbach. "We can talk, but it's limited," he said. "When we really need it, we need it to work well." The county's two emergency radio towers rely on fiber optic technology that is threatened with outages from events as unpredictable as a squirrel eating through the cable, Grabinski said. The microwave towers would eliminate the hard wiring that is at risk, she said. Current radios and in-vehicle computers are so outdated they are out of warranty, do not have replacement parts available or are no longer serviceable, Grabinski said. "This is not a want," said Muskegon Heights Police Chief Joseph E. Thomas Jr. "This is a need." More information about the proposed surcharge increase is available at mcd911.net. SAGINAW, MI -- In the wake of a federal grand jury naming 301 Catholic priests alleged to have sexually abused children in Pennsylvania, Saginaw Diocese Bishop Joseph R. Cistone has issued a statement offering his thoughts and prayers for all victims of clergy sex abuse. The statement comes as one of Cistone's own subordinates awaits trial on charges of sexually assaulting juveniles. "My thoughts, prayers and sorrow go out to all victims of clergy sex abuse, especially those whose tragic accounts of abuse are detailed in the grand jury report released in Pennsylvania," Cistone wrote in the Aug. 21 letter published on the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw's website. "The numbers in the report are staggering, and the horrific details of alleged child abuse over 70 years is numbing. People of faith and good will are understandably experiencing deep emotions of anger, betrayal, and a sincere desire for justice. "On behalf of the Diocese of Saginaw," the letter continues, "I remain fully committed to the safety of children." Read the complete letter here. Cistone is named in a lawsuit filed in Saginaw County Circuit Court by attorney Todd J. Weglarz of Southfield firm Fieger, Fieger, Kenney & Harington on behalf of a minor identified as John Doe and an adult representative. Also named in the suit are the Saginaw Diocese and the Rev. Robert J. "Father Bob" DeLand Jr. The suit alleges DeLand, 71, had groomed and molested a teenage boy. Cistone and the Diocese are named as defendants in the suit due to allegations that they knew of DeLand's alleged misconduct with minors but turned a blind eye to it. The suit alleges the defendants' conduct caused the boy pain and suffering, feelings of fear, anger, embarrassment, humiliation, and guilt, sleep disturbances, and mental anguish and depression. In addition to the lawsuit, DeLand has been charged with two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving injury and single counts of attempted second-degree criminal sexual conduct, assault with intent to commit second-degree criminal sexual conduct, gross indecency between males, selling alcohol to a minor, and distributing an imitation controlled substance. DeLand's trial on those charges is to begin with jury selection the morning of Sept. 5. Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson is to preside, with defense attorney Alan A. Crawford representing DeLand. The charges are divided among five files and involve three separate teen males, one of whom is the plaintiff in the lawsuit who testified in several criminal court hearings on April 25 and 27. The two other alleged victims also testified on those days. In his Aug. 21 letter, Cistone noted that in April he appointed retired Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Michael J. Talbot to serve as the Diocese's delegate in independently reviewing matters of alleged sexual misconduct. "At the time," Cistone wrote, "I stated that it was my sincere hope that this step would bring renewed courage to victims -- and their families -- to come forward with a fuller expectation of fairness, justice and healing. We know that the trauma runs deep and long not only for the victims but for their family and loved ones as well. I continued to encourage anyone who has been abused to come forward and report their complaint to civil authorities." Talbot's appointment came a month after Cistone's home and two diocesan offices were raided by police. Police had arrested DeLand prior to that in February, with the Diocese suspending him after. At the time of his arrest, DeLand served as the Diocese's judicial vicar and the pastor of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Freeland. After the police raids, some Saginaw Diocese parishioners called for Cistone's resignation, with some referencing the bishop's past. Prior to coming to Saginaw, Cistone was a high-ranking member of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, a diocese that saw a grand jury report on sexual abuse and cover-up. Among other findings, the 2005 grand jury report alleges Cistone was given several updates in 1996 on efforts to silence a nun who tried informing parishioners about a priest's past, particularly his "predilection for naked children." The year before, Cistone wrote a memo to the cardinal stating accusations of sexual abuse against a priest "has the potential of becoming a PR concern," according to the report. That priest soon resigned but later went on to other posts within the church. In 2012, a lawyer accused Cistone of misleading that grand jury by not acknowledging he witnessed the shredding of documents in 1994 that contained the names of priests suspected of child molestation. Cistone never faced any criminal charges. When Talbot's appointment was announced, the Diocese also named the following five clerics who had been permanently removed from ministry due to credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors: Stanislaus A. Bur John E. Hammer Richard L. Howard Jack J. Leipert Leonard F. Wilkuski In addition, in March the Rev. Ronald J. Dombrowski, 72, was suspended as a "precautionary measure" after a person told the Diocese on March 15 that Dombrowski allegedly sexually abused them when they were a minor. The Diocese forwarded the complaint to law enforcement. No criminal charges have been filed against Dombrowski. Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Mark Gaertner told MLive on Aug. 21 that another area priest not mentioned above is being looked at as "a person of interest." He said he is not aware of any federal grand jury investigation on priest sex abuse locally. A grand jury in Pennsylvania on July 27 released an 887-page report alleging 301 Catholic priests have credibly committed sexual abuse against more than 1,000 children since 1947. Unrelated to the grand jury's findings, the Rev. Kevin Lonergan on Aug. 21 was charged in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, with indecent assault and corruption of minors after being accused of inappropriately touching a 17-year-old girl and sending her nude photos of himself. For the first time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given its seal of approval to a generic EpiPen which could help bring prices on the lifesaving device down. The FDA reports in a news release that it approved EpiPen and EpiPen Jr auto-injectors from Teva Pharmaceuticals USA that comes in 0.3 mg and 0.15 mg strengths. Epinephrine auto-injectors -- commonly referred to as EpiPens -- are the devices that inject a dose of epinephrine into a person's thigh to stop an allergic reaction. Scott Gottlieb, the administration's commissioner, said that this approval represents "our longstanding commitment to advance access to lower cost, safe and effective generic alternatives." "This approval means patients living with severe allergies who require constant access to life-saving epinephrine should have a lower-cost option, as well as another approved product to help protect against potential drug shortages," he said in the release. "The path to developing generic drug-device combination products like this one is challenging. "We remain committed to doing our part to provide scientific and regulatory clarity for sponsors seeking to develop complex generics, as well as prioritize the approval of medicines with little or no generic competition as part of our overarching effort to remove barriers to generic development and market entry of critically important medicines." In the release, the federal agency says it has approved several EpiPen products to treat an allergic reaction that includes generic versions of the EpiPen and Adrenaclick. The FDA says an authorized generic is made using the "same formulation" of the brand name's, but that the packaging is changed to remove the brand name. "In some cases, a company may choose to sell an authorized generic at a lower cost than the brand-name drug product," the release reads. The FDA's interest in generic epinephrine auto-injector products dates back to 2009, which is when it published the first of three drafts and guidelines regarding the approval of any generic option. The New York Times reports the approval of the Teva Pharmaceutical generic version will rival the more expensive brand names such as Mylan's EpiPen. Mylan bought the EpiPen in 2007, and ran into some criticism after raising the price of the life-saving device from less than $100 to more than $600 for two injections. The company has recently run into issues with inventory shortages, which forced the FDA to extend the expiration device on some EpiPen products. "It's a very important approval in advance of back-to-school season, when parents go out and buy these products," Gottlieb, the FDA's commissioner, told the newspaper of the generic EpiPen's approval. "This approval means patients living with severe allergies who require constant access to lifesaving epinephrine should have a lower-cost option, as well as another approved product to help protect against potential drug shortages." WASHINGTON -- Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer for President Donald Trump entered a guilty plea in federal court Tuesday on eight different charges, including campaign-finance violations. While Cohen did not name the president directly, he said that he made payments on behalf of a candidate for office. The first payment was made "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office," and the second payment was made "under direction of the same candidate." The Associated Press reports that the amounts and dates lined up in with alleged payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels and Playboy Playmate and former Michigan resident Karen McDougal. Cohen also pleaded to charges of tax evasion and making a false statement to a financial institution. He could get about four to five years in prison at sentencing Dec. 12 according to the AP. Prosecutors in the case say Cohen issued fake invoices for non-legal services to cover up the payments made by the Trump Organizations to the women. Cohen has been under scrutiny since the FBI raided his home and hotel room in April while investigating a $130,000 payment to Daniels and a $150,000 one to McDougal. Trump denied any knowledge of payments to either women, but has since backed off those claims and his new lawyer, Rudy Giuliani has admitted Trump knew about the payments. Following the raid of his offices, Cohen has said publicly that he will not hide evidence that may implicate Trump in criminal conduct. Cohen's plea came at nearly the exact same time that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was being convicted in of eight financial crimes. Both cases have come as a result of the ongoing investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller. That investigation involves looking into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian hackers. The Detroit Pistons will play their final three preseason games in the state of Michigan before embarking on its 2018-19 regular season schedule. The team's five-game preseason schedule was released on Wednesday, and it includes an October 8 game against Brooklyn and an October 10 game against Washington to be played at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons will close the preseason with a previously announced October 12 game against Cleveland at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Those games come after two road games to open the preseason: at Oklahoma City on October 3 and at San Antonio on October 5. The Pistons will open their training camp on September 25, and open the regular season on October 17 at home against Brooklyn. Detroit Pistons 2018 preseason schedule October 3: at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. October 5: at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. October 8: vs. Brooklyn, 7 p.m. October 10: vs. Washington, 7 p.m. October 12: at Cleveland (Breslin Center, East Lansing), 7:00 p.m. HOLLAND, MI - We've been talking a lot in the past weeks about how August's hot weather has been raising Lake Michigan's temperature to something akin to bath water. Now Mother Nature is flipping the switch. By mid-week, it should feel like someone took big ladle of cold water from the bottom of the lake and poured it all over the top. Tuesday's storms and brisk north winds are causing an upwelling in the lake - when cold water underneath the surface rises to the top. When it's finished, water temperatures that topped 80 degrees at some beaches in the last week could be in the 50s by Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service said. "The Ludington buoy water temp has dropped from 73 to 54 over the last 6 hours," NWS staff at the Grand Rapids office noted on Tuesday night. Temperatures this low could create a hypothermia risk, too, authorities warn. Brrrrr! This will not only be uncomfortable for any swimmers who venture in, but might put crews from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City back in their protective gear. But have patience. Air temperatures are forecast to warm up later this week, and so will the lake's water temperature - eventually. "Warmer temperatures moving in late this weekend will help to warm things back up a bit next week," the NWS said. Private equity and venture capital firms are opening up their investment kitty to fund a new wave of companies in the insurance sector, particularly those in the digital insurance space. In the last 12 months, there has been a slew of investments in the online insurance space, be it digital-only insurance companies, online insurance brokers or even web aggregators. In May 2018, Toffee Insurance, a digital-only insurance platform for millennials, raised $1.5 million (Rs 10 crore approximately) in a round of seed funding led by Kalaari Capital, Omidyar Network and Accion Venture Lab. Founded by Nishant Jain and Rohan Kumar and launched in beta in December 2017, Toffee is a technology platform aimed at providing contextual and relevant insurance offerings to a younger population. Talking about the funding, Vani Kola, Managing Director, Kalaari Capital said that the company (Toffee) was on track to create simple and small ticket size insurance products and distribute them in a very contextual way, which has huge potential to drive mass adoption. Simple, small-ticket insurance drives traffic Investor companies, both in the PE and VC space, told Moneycontrol that since insurance penetration is still very low, there is a large untapped opportunity in the market. "Unlike other insurance companies, digital insurance companies have the unique advantage of selling smaller-ticket products to a larger set of customers. They also tend to be cheaper and have the customer pull," said a senior official at a Mumbai-based private equity firm. Take the example of Acko. Set up by Varun Dua in 2016, Acko General Insurance leverages on data and analytics to provide personalised insurance products through its digital platform. In May 2018, Acko General Insurance raised a new round of investment of $12 million led by e-commerce giant Amazon. During the investment round, Amit Agarwal, SVP and Country Manager, Amazon India had said that Acko being a young and nimble startup bringing technology and data-led innovation to the insurance sector, it will deliver a better insurance experience for customers. The company said that Ashish Dhawan, founder of leading private equity fund ChrysCapital, also made an investment in this round, which also saw participation by existing investor Narayana Murthys Catamaran Ventures. The latest infusion takes Ackos total equity funding to nearly USD 42 million and that too within two years. Push versus pull Insurance is traditionally considered a push product rather than a pull product. Hence, the time taken to sell a policy is much higher than other products that customers buy themselves. Online insurance players have tried to bridge that gap. By simplifying the products and services, these platforms aim to minimise the time taken to buy a policy or resolve a query. For areas like travel and motor insurance, customers tend to buy a product when they are nearing a deadline. Here, the quickest website is the most popular. And that is what attracts investors too. Digital insurance broker Coverfox.com raised $22 million in Series C funding in April. The round was led by IFC, which is a member of the World Bank Group, and other existing investors. The company had previously raised $17 million in all in Series A and Series B funding, from SAIF Partners, Accel and NR Narayana Murthy's private investment arm Catamaran Ventures. The funds will be used to expand to smaller towns and also, specifically address women's needs. Jun Zhang, IFC Country Head for India said that this investment is a part of IFC's push to drive insurance beyond metros and to women who are currently under-served. A unicorn is born In June 2018, insurance web aggregator PolicyBazaar entered the unicorn club with a $1 billion valuation after its parents ETechAces Marketing & Consulting (ETechAces) said that it has raised $200 million in a Series-F investment round led by SoftBank Vision Fund. Existing investors, including InfoEdge (Naukri.com), also participated in the round. Existing investors told Moneycontrol that the reach of PolicyBazaar and the strong brand recall were the two main reasons behind the funding. Insurance web aggregator PolicyBazaar helps consumers compare insurance products and aims at offering them ease of buying. Munish Varma, Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers, said that over the last decade, PolicyBazaar has become synonymous with online insurance shopping in India. This is at a time when the insurance sector still faces issues of trust deficit and only the top 3-4 insurance companies in the life and general insurance sectors write meaningful business. Invest and go While PE/VC investors have an option to directly invest into insurance companies, a lot of stringent rules follow. Not only are they require to have a lock-in period of five years, additional capital has to be provided as and when required. On the other hand, digital companies offer the advantage of a smaller tenure investment opportunity. Since several of these marquee investors follow an 'entry and exit' strategy, online insurance companies who are on an aggressive expansion mode, have low costs and higher volumes are the perfect fit. Online travel firm MakeMyTrip today said it has signed an agreement with Indonesian tourism ministry to promote the Southeast Asian country as a preferred destination in India. Under the partnership, MakeMyTrip and Indonesian tourism ministry will run campaigns across the online travel firm's platforms to endorse tourism to Bali, Jakarta and other regions, the company said in a statement. "We greatly look forward to working with the Ministry of Tourism of Republic of Indonesia to build the tourism momentum in the region," MakeMyTrip Co-Founder and CEO-India Rajesh Magow said. The company will be providing enhanced travel offerings to encourage travellers to explore Indonesia, he added. "Footfall of Indian travellers holidaying in Indonesia has skyrocketed in the last couple of years. The Ministry is taking additional steps in order to get the incremental growth from India," Deputy Minister of Tourism Marketing, Republic of Indonesia, Nia Niscaya said. India continues to be one of the important source markets for Indonesia and over the last few years, travel to Indonesia has seen a significant rise in the number of Indian travellers, the statement said. Unprecedented rains and floods in Kerala will have sharp and significant economic consequences and will adversely impact tourism, which is one of the state's core industries, analysts at CARE Ratings said in a report. The credit rating agency also said that Kerala's finances could take a hit, with the state's gross domestic product being affected by up to 1 percent because of the unfortunate situation. "Lower spending levels during the festival of Onam will impact the consumer goods industry (including auto) and gold. Growth in gross state domestic product (GSDP) can be affected by up to 1 percent," they wrote. Here are a few ways in which the floods will hit Kerala's finances and economy in general. Employment The five worst-affected districts are Idduki, Ernakulam, Kollam, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta, and CARE estimated that employment of nearly 4.13 million individuals in these districts has been affected on account of the deluge and the resultant disruptions. "For the 4.13 million affected working individuals in the five regions, it may be assumed that 20 percent are NRIs. Hence around 3.3 million workers would have their employment in jeopardy," the brokerage said. CARE estimated a wage loss of around Rs 4,000 crore for August (based on the average wage rate of Rs 400 per day for Kerala, according to data available in the 2017-18 annual report of the Ministry of Labour). Tourism CARE also pointed out that Kerala sees a huge demand for MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) activities during April-June and October-March for tourism and social activities. Onam falls in the September quarter, which leads to a high influx of tourists in the state. "The state had witnessed a fall in MICE tourism due to the liquor ban imposed in FY18 as this led to a shift from Kerala to Sri Lanka and Thailand. In FY19, tourism has already been affected due the Nipah virus, now with the floods; a further fall in tourism is expected for around 6-7 months as the state recovers during the peak tourism season," CARE said. Finances to be under strain As such, Kerala's financial position has been strained over the years. The state has a high revenue deficit and has been unable to maintain its fiscal deficit within the target of 3 percent of GSDP. It also carries a high debt burden with outstanding debt of Rs 2.1 lakh crore (2017-18) or 31 percent of GSDP. "The finances of the state are likely to be further pressured owing to the floods. While expenditure towards flood relief and reconstruction would increase, the government income could see some moderation. The revenue deficit would widen further (2018-19 budget has estimated it to be Rs 12,860 crore) and the fiscal deficit too would increase from the budget estimate of 3.1 percent of GSDP (for 2018-19)," CARE said. Increased likelihood of defaults CARE believes that reconstruction activity would entail higher borrowing by the households and businesses, resulting in an increase in bank credit offtake and growth in the region. "Credit growth could grow by 17-21 percent (year-on-year) in Kerala this year assuming all average rebuilding expenditure by households of the order of Rs 50,000-Rs 1 lakh per unit is financed by banks. It is however likely that a large part could be from NBFCs too," the agency said. Tyre stocks have been making news over the past few days, especially after reports about losses to Kerala because of severe rainfall and flooding started emerging. Shares of industry majors like Apollo Tyres, JK Tyre, MRF and Goodyear are down by up to 10 percent so far. Analysts Moneycontrol spoke to attribute this fall to the impact of reduced supply of rubber, a key input for making of tyres. Having said that, experts believe that the impact of the grim situation is likely to be short term and investors may want to focus on the long term growth story in case of tyre companies. For instance, Sharekhan's Head of Research, Gaurav Dua explains that though these are early days to count the impact, the overall sentiment is positive for tyre companies. "Though we believe there could be some increase in rubber prices, production in Indonesia and Malaysia and south-east Asian nations which produce rubber has been fairly good. This should give some support to rubber prices," he told Moneycontrol. Meanwhile, Sanjiv Bhasin of IIFL sees a contrarian play in the tyre space. The expert said the state is going through a tough phase because of the floods and that he hoped for the situation to improve at the earliest. "Rubber prices will be under pressure, but will be temporary. The situation needs to be looked at in two ways. One, Chinese imports have risen on the back of a weaker yuan. Simultaneously, bigger firms always have inventory for 3-4 months. So, inventory and price outlook will be key determinants. If you are a contrarian, rubber and tyre makers could be a bet, where MRF may stand out," Bhasin, EVP-Markets & Corporate Affairs at IIFL told Moneycontrol. Case file According to CARE Ratings' report, Kerala produces 92 percent of the rubber that India uses. So any impact on production could hit supplies, thereby pushing prices up, analysts said. Meanwhile, Apollo Tyres told the exchanges that production operations at the company's plants in Perambra and Kalamassery have been disrupted due to the floods. "The production loss due to this natural calamity is 1,500 MT (approximately). However, consequential loss of profit is not significant," it said. The company produces commercial vehicle tyres and off-highway tyres at the two plants. Kerala has witnessed incessant rain and floods over the past couple of weeks, affecting many districts and resulting in losses of life and property. CARE Ratings expects a hit of 1 percent to the state's GDP because of the negative impact on employment, tourism, and states finances, among others. Saudi Arabia, the second largest producer of crude oil to world, faced an attack on its oil infrastructure facilities on September 14, which caused a sharp increase in fuel prices. Do you know where petrol prices were the highest? Here's a list of the countries where petrol is the cheapest and most expensive. (Note: All price comparisons are on rupee terms only. Global rates as of September, 16 2019 - Image: Reuters) Oil prices rose on Wednesday, supported by a drop in US crude inventories and a weaker dollar, along with concerns about a potential shortfall of Iranian oil from November due to US sanctions. Brent crude oil futures were at $72.83 per barrel at 0234 GMT, up 20 cents, or 0.3 percent, from their last close. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 28 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $66.12 per barrel. US crude inventories fell by 5.2 million barrels in the week to August 17, to 405.6 million barrels, ahead of analysts' forecasts for a fall of 1.5 million barrels, according to data from industry group the American Petroleum Institute. Official data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) is due at 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT) on Wednesday. "Investors are also confident that (official) inventories in the United States will decrease this week," ANZ Bank said in a note. Signs of slowing US crude output growth and a weaker US dollar also provided some support to oil prices, said Kim Kwang-rae, commodity analyst at Samsung Futures in Seoul. The US dollar index against a basket of six major currencies eased on Wednesday to 95.211 after losing 0.7 percent the previous day, weighed by US President Trump's comments on monetary policy. A weaker US dollar makes oil, which is priced in dollars, less expensive to buyers in other currencies. The US Energy Information Administration last week cut its 2018 US crude production growth to 10.68 million barrels per day (bpd), from 10.79 million bpd amid lower crude prices. Concerns also remain over how much oil will be removed from global markets by renewed sanctions on Iran, despite worries that demand growth could weaken amid a trade disputes between the United States and China, the world's two biggest economies. "The Iran issue continues to occupy traders' minds," said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader. Iran, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC's third-largest oil producer, said earlier this week no other OPEC member should be allowed to take over its share of oil exports. Meanwhile, a Chinese trade delegation is in Washington to discuss trade disputes with the US side. But signs of a thaw were unlikely as US President Donald Trump told Reuters in an interview on Monday that he did not expect much progress. Satyapal Malik, the newly appointed governor of Jammu and Kashmir, will be administered the oath of office tomorrow, ending the five-decade-long practice of retired bureaucrats being appointed to the post, officials said today. Malik (72) has the experience of working with almost all political hues of the country, and will be the first career politician to assume the position after Karan Singh, who held the office from 1965 to 1967. Malik, former governor of Bihar, arrived in Srinagar in a chartered plane today. Outgoing Governor N N Vohra, who was at the helm of affairs for the last 10 years, today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a courtesy visit. He also met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Jammu and Kashmir is presently under Governor's rule after the BJP withdrew support from its alliance partner PDP in June this year. Vohra, a 1959-batch Punjab cadre IAS officer, had remained the choice of the central government irrespective of the party in power due to his knowledge, expertise and negotiation skills. Just as he saw Jammu and Kashmir through its worst crises, including the Amarnath agitation row in 2008, Vohra also witnessed the rise and fall of militancy in Punjab. He was the home secretary of Punjab after Operation Blue Star in 1984 when the state was in the thick of a bloody struggle for Khalistan, and the Army stormed into the Golden Temple. In 1993, soon after the serial bombings in Mumbai, Vohra was appointed the Union home secretary. From 1990 to 1993, he was the defence secretary. After his retirement in 1994, he had submitted a report of a committee, which studied the problem of criminalisation in politics and examined the criminal-politician-bureaucrat nexus in India. Malik, who will be taking over the reins tomorrow, is a career politician who started as a student leader in Meerut University and became an MLA of Charan Singh's Bhartiya Kranti Dal from Baghpat, in Uttar Pradesh, in 1974. He had joined the Congress in 1984, and became a Rajya Sabha MP, but resigned three years later against the backdrop of the Bofors scam. He switched to the V P Singh-led Janta Dal in 1988 and became an MP from Aligarh in 1989. In 2004, Malik joined the BJP and unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections, losing to former prime minister Charan Singh's son Ajit Singh. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The staff of J&K Bank will contribute Rs 11 crore to help the flood-affected people of Kerala, a spokesperson for the bank said today. While most of the staffers are donating their six days' salary towards the relief fund in the southern state, the top executives helped enhance the scale of contribution with their salary of up to two months. The staff of the bank has decided to donate six days of their salary to the flood victims in Kerala, a spokesperson for the leading bank of the state said. The Chairman and CEO of the bank, Parvez Ahmed, shall be contributing two months' salary while the executive presidents will donate their one month salary towards the cause, he said. Expressing solidarity with the flood-affected people, Ahmed said "natural disasters of this proportion leave a trail of devastation. They destroy people's homes and crops, lives, bankrupt businesses, and shatter the sense of safety we enjoy as humans. "Having experienced devastating deluge only a few years back, we understand the miseries and are deeply saddened at the unprecedented destruction and hardship that the people of Kerala have been facing in the wake of worst ever floods in the state," he said. 370 people have died and around 20,000 houses damaged in floods in Kerala that have wrecked havoc in the state since August 8. Pictured: An aerial view shows partially submerged houses and church in a flooded area in Kerala. (Image: Reuters) Flood water has begun receding and efforts are now on relief and recovery. Pictured: A volunteer cleaning a house following floods on the outskirts of Kochi. (Image: Reuters) The UAE has offered Rs 700 crore fot the flood-hit state. But the Centre is unlikely to accept any foreign financial assistance. Pictured: People assessing damage caused by floods on the outskirts of Kochi. (Image: AP) Flood victims carry relief material as they walk through a damaged area after floods, at Nelliyampathy Village. (Image: Reuters) According to a Financial Times report, the damage caused by the floods is around Rs 18,840 crore. During early days of flooding, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that overall loss caused by the floods was Rs 8,316 crore. Pictured: An aerial view of partially submerged roads in the state. (Image: Reuters) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a grant of Rs 500 crore, besides the Rs 100 crore declared by Home Minister Rajnath Singh earlier. CM Vijayan is personally donating Rs 1 lakh to the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund. Various states, corporate companies, businessmen and celebrities have also made donations in cash and kind. Pictured: Volunteers work at an aid distribution centre inside a stadium in Kochi. (Image: Reuters) The situation in Kerala is expected to take months to normalise and years before parts of the state are reconstructed. Pictured: Flood-affected women wait in a queue to receive relief material at a camp in Chengannur. (Image: Reuters) Waterlogging has resulted in suspension of operations at Kochi International Airport. The airport is the seventh busiest airport in the country. Commercial flight operations have commenced from a naval airport in Kochi. The naval airport is expected to be used until operations at Kochis commercial airport can resume. Pictured: A man walks inside the flooded Cochin international airport. (Image: Reuters) Total of 58 National Disaster Response Force teams have been working in Kerala, making it the largest deployment of the force in a single state since its inception. Pictured: Rescue workers search for bodies of missing persons after a landslide, triggered by heavy rains and floods. (Image: PTI) CM Vijayan has said that Kerala has enough food to feed the affected people. However, transportation of food material has proved to be a bigger challenge as multiple key highways remain submerged. Pictured: Flood victims wait for food inside a college auditorium, which has been converted into a temporary relief camp, in Kochi. (Image: Reuters) On August 17, Indian Navy personnel evacuated a 25-year old pregnant woman from the terrace of her marooned house in Aluva town. The challenge for Commodore Vijay Verma, who was piloting the Chetak helicopter, was to keep it steady enough for such an attempt. Pictured: The woman with her new-born baby. (Image: PTI) CM Vijayan has thanked fishermen who are participating in rescue operations. The chief minister said that all boats will be awarded Rs 3,000 for each day they participate in rescue operations. The Kerala government will be bearing repair costs of all boats damaged during such work. Pictured: People engage in flood rescue work after Kakkayam dam was opened following incessant rains in Kozhikode. (Image: PTI) A total of 5,645 relief camps have been set up along with 3,700 medical camps across Kerala for flood victims. INS Deepak has reached Kochi with 800 tonnes of freshwater and 18 tonnes of relief material, including medicines. Pictured: People wait for aid on the roof of their house at a flooded area. (Image: Reuters) A person carries a grain sack as his house gets flooded after the Kakkayam dam was opened following heavy rains in Kozhikode. (Image: PTI) People help an elderly woman disembark from an Indian Navy helicopter at a relief camp after being rescued from a flooded area in Kerala. (Image: Reuters) August 25, 2018 / 03:37 PM IST Requirements listed by CMO Kerala: Social Welfare Department has an urgent requirement of approximately 5000 pieces of wheelchairs, crutches and hearing aids each to support its efforts across Kerala. Kudumbasree needs over 40,000 volunteers, 20,000 pairs of Gumboots and 22,000 pairs of Gloves for its efforts in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thrissur and Wayanad districts. Gold medallist India's Rahi Sarnobat with Silver medallist Thailand's N Yangpaiboon (L) and Bronze medal winner Korea's Kim Minjung after the women's 25m pistol event during the 18th Asian Games at Palembang, in Indonesia. (Photo: PTI) People assessing damage caused by floods on the outskirts of Kochi, Kerala. Image: AP) Fire fighters carry out rescue work after a fire broke out at the Crystal Tower at Parel in Mumbai. (Image: PTI) People pay tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as his ashes are brought to be immersed in River Narmada, in Bhopal. (Image: PTI) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt meet at the US State Department in Washington. (Image: Reuters) Protesters throw stones at security personnel amid heavy tear smoke during clashes which erupted at a protest march soon after the Eid al-Adha prayers, in Srinagar. (Image: PTI) People remain on the street after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela. (Image: Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto after a joint news conference following their meeting at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia. (Image: Reuters) Cardinal Eamon Martin gestures during an address at the Papal Congress at the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, Ireland. (Image: Reuters) Four people died and 18 others suffered injuries after a fire broke out in a posh residential building in the Parel area in Mumbai on Wednesday. While 21 injured persons were rushed to KEM Hospital, one was moved to Global hospital. Dean at KEM Hospital, Avinash Supe had told Moneycontrol earlier that 16 injured people were stable. Out of the four dead (3 male +1female), two were found in lift on 12th floor and two were in the lobby of the building -- Crystal Tower. Unsealed building electric duct at each floor level was the major cause of the fire, according to Mumbai Fire brigade chief. The building fire fighting system was also not in working condition. Authorities have declared the building unsafe and have also asked to disconnect electric supply and water supply of the said tower. Police has also been asked to book responsible persons for criminal negligence. According to the fire fighting department, the major challenge was to put all fire fighting resources on upper floor. All upper floors above 12 floor were saved due to timely intervention, the chief added. Fire was confined to electric wiring in electric duct from 12th floor to 16th floor in lift lobby and common corridor, in lift shafts and also to electric wiring installation. Due to tremendous heat all occupants on upper floor got trapped. About 30 stranded persons were rescued with the help of special appliances and building stairway by firemen. The fire brigade control room got a message about the fire, which broke out on the 12th floor of Crystal Tower, which is near Hindmata Cinema, at 8.32 am, the official said. The smoke from the raging fire spread rapidly and residents were trapped on the building's staircases, Mumbai Fire Brigade chief PS Rahangdale said. Eight fire engines, four water tankers, officials of the Mumbai Police and electrical mechanics were on the spot and were making efforts to control the blaze, sources said. People trapped inside were rescued using cranes. The fire was categorised as a level-2 blaze earlier but was later upgraded to level-4, said Tanaji Kamble, from BMC's Disaster Management cell. Further details are awaited. More than 400 people have lost their lives; over seven lakh people have been displaced from their homes; damages worth more than 19500 crore rupees have been reported. Our very own Kerala is going through some of the toughest times in its history. It is time we, as fellow Indians and fellow humans, irrespective of our differences in caste, religion, cuisine, come together and help our friends. And how to go about doing that forms the crux of our story today. What is the extent of damage? What can we do to help? What about insurance claims? What to do if your papers and documents are lost? These will be the questions we will be answering today. My name is Rakesh, and you are listening to Moneycontrol. Insurance claims: State-owned insurers, including Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and several other PSU insurers, have been asked to settle claims instantly by the government. However, industry sources told Moneycontrol that the insurance claims received are still very few and far in between. According to sources, the insurance industry's initial estimates for claims are around Rs 450 crore. A majority of it will be motor insurance, home insurance and life insurance. The chief of a mid-size private life insurer said they would simplify all the processes, but the biggest issues is to gauge whether an individual has a policy. "We have received a few hundred death claims but not all the data has been digitised. So we need to first ascertain whether the person had a policy and if it was in force," said the head of claims at a private life insurer. For home insurance, the struggles will be much higher. Home insurance will cover structure of the house and its contents. Due to all documents being lost, insurance companies are trying to ascertain how to verify the claims filed. Health insurance claims For health insurance claims, most diseases will be water-borne. Insurers said the biggest hurdle is to offer hospitalisation facilities. There have been pregnant women who are entitled to cashless claims, but have not been able to reach hospitals due to connectivity being cut off. "We are also in a fix because only a handful of hospitals are operational and not all of them are in the network. Policy wordings mandate that certain covers will be triggered only if hospitalisation occurs," said the head of underwriting at a state-owned general insurer. Extent of damage During the Chennai floods, the most common claims in motor insurance were related to the engine getting submerged in water. This will be the case with Kerala as well. "There are specific motor covers related to engine protection. Since all data is available digitally, the insurance details can be easily retrieved. However, for large-scale claims, there will be immediate surveys done," said the claims head of a large general insurer. Some insurers like ICICI Lombard General Insurance are making outbound calls to their customers, to check on their safety and also provide them with support on claims that they wish to intimate. Furthermore, for motor customers, the company is also directly coordinating with motor vehicle manufacturers to reach out to the customers, to ensure quick and smooth claims processing. What to do in case of document loss? We asked leading insurance experts to enable you to negotiate this difficult period. Tarun Mathur, Chief Business Officer, Policybazaar.com says there could be a small window to file your claims unless insurers show come leniency due to the severity of the calamity. First thing is to call on the toll-free number of the insurer and update about what has happened. Usually, this has to be done within 7 days but in case of natural calamity insurers take an exception and the timeline can go beyond that, says Mathur. He said for life insurance claims it is advisable to intimate the claim at the earliest after death has happened. In case of a dreaded disease or critical illness claim, it should be intimated only after the end of survival period (after 28/30 days of event occurrence). Also, Govt. has directed insurance companies to set up their own help desk so that customers do not face any issue, Mathur said. As per market practice when it comes to claim intimation it is always the earlier the better; But in case of catastrophic loss delay is justified for factors such as resuming back to normal life takes time. IRDAI clearly lays down that the insurer cannot decline a genuine claim for the delay in intimation or delay on submitting documents due to unavoidable circumstances. Hence if there a delay in intimation the same should be substantiated with good reason for delay, says Balachander Sekhar, CEO, RenewBuy.com In case of motor insurance claims, the insurer makes an exception with the deadlines. Basic details about the policy like policyholders name or his PAN details are to be told to the insurer and the rest will be taken care of by the insurer. If you have lost your documents then basic details like vehicle registration number, mobile number can be passed on to the insurer, basis which they will find your policy number in the system and you can lodge a claim on your behalf. Naval Goel- CEO and Founder of PolicyX.com says the insured should submit the claim form along with the policy documents or along with the FIR (in case of loss). Some companies also provide claim settlement assistants who will come to claimant's home and collect all documents and will help in the settling the claim, Goel said. The claims have to be accompanied by supporting documents. In case you are filing a life insurance claim, Mathur says you need to organise the requisite documents to back the claim. These include: Death Certificate Claimant form A KYC documents of the nominee Bank details of the nominee Original policy document FIR/ PMR in case of unnatural death Medical treatment papers as applicable in case of natural death One can directly contact their insurance advisor or can lodge a claim on the email id of the insurer. The same procedure goes for the general insurance but if you do not have any hardcopy or soft copy of the documents then the same should also be updated to the insurer and they will guide you on the same, Mathur said. Ravichandran N of Kotak General Insurance feels that a copy of insurance and identification documents are stored digitally. There are electronic repositories available for storing insurance documents. In case of natural disasters, most insurance companies will take into account in good spirit and process the claims basis information available with them. 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) China said today it is willing to play a "constructive role" in easing relations between India and Pakistan as it welcomed the "positive" remarks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan on improving bilateral ties. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the improvement and development of relations between India and Pakistan are quite important to regional peace, stability and prosperity. "We have noted relevant reports and we welcome the positive remarks made by the Indian and Pakistani leaders on improving bilateral relations," Lu said while replying to a question on the statements made by the two leaders soon after Khan assumed office. "Both Pakistan and India are important countries in South Asia. As a common neighbour to Pakistan and India, China firmly supports the two sides to enhance dialogue increase mutual trust, properly handle and solve their differences," Lu said. China hopes the two countries can jointly stay committed to regional peace and development, he said. "China is willing to play a constructive role in this aspect," he added. On August 20, Prime Minister Modi had sent a letter to Khan, conveying that New Delhi was looking for constructive and meaningful engagement with Islamabad. Khan in a tweet yesterday expressed Pakistan's willingness to re-start the stalled India-Pakistan peace process and said the two countries must engage in dialogue to resolve their differences, including on the Kashmir issue, and start trade. Asked what he meant by China playing a constructive role, Lu said, "I said we are glad to see the positive remarks made by the India and Pakistan on improving their bilateral relations and all their efforts that are conducive to the improvement of the relations and the peace and stability in the region. We welcome that. We will play a constructive role in that aspect." Pressed further whether he meant that China wants to mediate between India and Pakistan, the spokesman said, "I cannot give you a prejudgement or in what aspect and what area we will do. I cannot give you such prejudgement. In June, the Chinese Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui, was quoted in the media as saying that Sino-Indian ties cannot take the strain of "another" Doklam standoff. According to the reports, he had mooted a "trilateral" China-India-Pakistan dialogue on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference to resolve regional issues and maintain peace. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar at that time had said that India did not received any such suggestion from the Chinese government. India has been maintaining that it is ready to talk to Pakistan only bilaterally without the intervention of any other nation, including China. Aerial view of containers at a loading terminal in the port of Hamburg, Germany. (Image: Reuters) Japan wants Sri Lanka's southern Hambantota port to be "free of military activities", the visiting Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onedera has said amid concerns in the region over the leasing of the facility to China. Onedera, who arrived here yesterday, is the first Japanese defence minister ever to visit Sri Lanka. His visit comes amid the regional concerns over growing Chinese influence in Sri Lanka. Speaking to the Japanese NHK television after his meetings with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Onedera said he had raised the Chinese issue with Sri Lanka. "Despite the lease there was an agreement that port remains free of military activities," Onedera was quoted as saying by NHK. He is also scheduled to visit Hambantota. Sri Lanka and China have entered into a 99-year lease of the Hambantota port which will enable the Chinese to set up an industrial park around the sea port. Sri Lanka has responded to regional concerns, mostly from India, by saying that China would not be allowed to make any military presence at Hambantota, located on a key sea international shipping route. Sri Lanka tried to allay New Delhi's fears over Hambantota by entering into a joint venture with India's airports authority to lease out the Hambantota international airport to manage it. During his meeting with Sirisena yesterday, the two sides had agreed to boost defence cooperation in the maritime sphere. Japan has donated Sri Lanka two coast guards ships. Onedera will also visit Trincomalee, the eastern Sri Lankan port. Coinciding with his visit is the arrival of the Japanese Naval ship "Ikazuchi" in Trincomalee. Labelling Aadhaar as mass surveillance tool created by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and supported by those in power for political benefits, globally known whistleblower Edward Snowden has warned that due to linking the UID with everything, Indians could face a civil death. He also recommended criminal penalty, including jail, for anyone demanding Aadhaar for providing a service that is unrelated with social benefits from the government. Speaking at the fifth edition of Talk Journalism in Jaipur via video conferencing on 11 August 2018, Mr Snowden, who exposed mass surveillance programmes run by the US government, intelligence agencies and big corporations, warned about excessive abuse and privacy violation through demanding Aadhaar for everything by the government and private players. You will be tracked, monitored, and recorded in a hundred different ways and not just by UIDAI, but by the Aadhaar number they created that is being used by every other company and every other group in society, Mr Snowden said. "There should be a criminal penalty on those seeking Aadhaar number for providing any service and they should be sent to jail, if required, for this crime. It has become so vulnerable that if you search a number on the internet, you will get all information of a person," Mr Snowden said while referring to the RS Sharma Aadhaar exposure episode. Read: Aadhaar: TRAI chief RS Sharma's challenge boomeranged as his personal info gets disclosed ) Moments after RS Sharma, chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), shared his Aadhaar number on Twitter with a challenge to 'harm him' on 28 July 2018, several people revealed his personal information, like permanent account number (PAN), his date of birth, mobile numbers, and residential address. Some even claimed to have created a profile on e-shopping sites using these credentials. ( Snowden feels Aadhaar should be used only for social benefit from the government and not for any other service from the government as well as private players. "The biggest crime behind this system is that it is being used for things that are unrelated to what the Government is paying for. To open a bank account, to buy a train ticket, or for more and more services they are demanding not just the number but physical (biometric) verification of your ID card. All these players and corporates have 100 ways of monitoring and abusing your privacy through this system," he added. Commenting on how the UIDAI phone number landed on all Android phones in the country, Snowden raised questions on user rights and privacy in India. A few days ago, millions of Android phone users found UIDAI helpline number 1800-300-1947 in their contact list. While UIDAI tried to distance itself from the helpline number controversy, Google took the blame. It stated, in 2014, the UIDAI helpline number was 'inadvertently coded' in Android release given to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or mobile makers. Mr Snowden, however, expressed concern over this explanation from Google and overall the episode where a number was 'pushed' in mobile phones without the knowledge or explicit consent from the user. He said, Google has about 95% or so market share in India, which is extraordinary. Almost everyone in India uses an Android phone. When you have that kind of position, it is very difficult to make a change that affects the mobile phone of every user in the country and yet somehow, they managed to push this phone number to everybody. "UIDAI should make people aware of how Aadhaar can be misused instead of transferring the blame on Google and pretending not to have any knowledge of the fact. The number of things they (UIDAI) always say is that their data is safe, their biometrics are secure. The idea is not that you can go on the internet and access anyones Aadhaar information directly, but that it is being leaked all over the place. There is an unrelenting train of scandals about Aadhaar, and they should respond to this in a reasonable way. They should be addressing the criticism and reforming the system instead of saying any criticism of us is illegitimate, it is scare-mongering, he added. The global whistleblower, who heads FreedomofPress, also talked about the importance of having free press in a democracy. He said, Rachana Khaira, the journalist from The Tribune, who was able to buy access to Aadhaar system and thus to personal details for just Rs500, deserves an award and not police complaints. There are several people, especially youngsters, who freely share every bit and piece of information with others, without understanding their right to privacy or its implications. One of the reasons could be the statements from the government to not to worry about privacy, data security and rights. "Where did that argument originate from? The answer is from Nazi Germany. But in a free society this should be the opposite. You do not need to explain why you have a right. You do not need to explain why your personal data is valuable or why you need your privacy," Snowden said. Like so many others, Stan Skoko was outraged by what hed seen of the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where TV cameras captured images of officers beating protesters with nightsticks, kicking them and throwing them into police wagons as tear gas floated over Michigan Avenue. So Skoko, a commissioner in Clackamas County, Oregon, near Portland, fired off a note on his office letterhead to Mayor Richard J. Daley. But unlike the withering criticism from reporters and TV anchors covering the street clashes, Skoko wanted to let the mayor know he and the Chicago police had done a great job. Congratulations on the manner in which you handled the ridiculous demonstrations by certain persons of questionable intelligence in your City during the recent Democratic Convention, Skoko wrote. My only criticism of your action is you were too lenient. Fifty years ago this week, violence outside the convention and infighting within it captured the countrys attention, becoming an enduring sign of the political and cultural battles of the era, even for those of us who were born later. But from the vantage point of 2018, its quite clear those divisions didnt end with the 1960s. Neither did the practice of politicians exploiting public anxieties for their own gain and undercutting the civil rights of minorities and dissenters, to the applause of many citizens. Reactionary politics and attacks on the truth itself are again disturbingly common. Last week, I paid a visit to the special collections library at the University of Illinois at Chicago, which houses a rich archive of papers from Daleys decadeslong political career. Among boxes of records from 1968 are scores of letters from people like Skoko, who cheered the mayors crackdown and blamed the whole convention debacle on biased or fictionalized reporting from the media. The facts of what happened are more complicated. Most protesters in Chicago that week were peaceful, though some provoked officers by screaming epithets or throwing rocks, sticks, bathroom tiles and even human feces, according to the official federal report on the convention melees, released late in 1968. But, the report concluded: The nature of the response was unrestrained and indiscriminate police violence on many occasions, particularly at night. That violence was made all the more shocking by the fact that it was often inflicted upon persons who had broken no law, disobeyed no order, made no threat. Newsmen and photographers were singled out for assault. Still, in the days and weeks after the convention, supporters of Daley and the police rallied to their defense, as the letters to City Hall show. The seven members of my family are in complete agreement with the actions of the Chicago Police Department, South Side resident James Boyle wrote the mayor. The mouthings of the New York television bunch made me sick. There must be some way to refute the propaganda that they broadcast during and after the confrontation of our police and the out of town hooligans. Aussie stocks fell sharply yesterday. It was the biggest decline in five months. A worse than expected earnings result from BHP Billiton [ASX:BHP] unnerved investors, and the prospect of more political uncertainty didnt help matters either. The Libs are at it again trying to roll Malcolm Turnbull. This time Peter Dutton is having a crack. Turnbull won yesterdays party room vote, but it probably wont be the last. The hounds are circling again. That means political stability and the absence of leadership will continue to elude Australia. Its been like this ever since the credit crisis of 2008. Maybe the final punishment is that we end up with Bill Shorten in charge? Reading the stock markets reaction Getting back to the markets, youll recall that yesterday I said that its important to watch the markets reaction to the results, and not so much the result itself. In the case of BHP, underlying earnings jumped 33%, but the share price fell nearly 2% on the news. That tells you the market already knew BHP would deliver a big earnings jump, thanks to strongly rising commodity prices over the past year. Is this as good as it gets for BHP? Its still too early to tell. Analysts expect the company to increase earnings per share by around 8% in FY19. Based on the current market price, BHP trades on a price-to-earnings ratio of around 14 times FY19 earnings forecasts. Thats not overly expensive. Not on the surface anyway. But earnings estimates can change dramatically for companies exposed to commodity prices. What looks like good value near the top of the cycle can all of a sudden be very expensive. Say for example commodity price fall 20% across the board, which (ignoring other factors like production levels and operation leverage) leads to a 20% fall in earnings estimates. In this scenario, BHP all of a sudden goes from trading at a reasonable 14 times forecast earnings to around 19 times forecast earnings. While the markets reaction to BHPs FY18 numbers wasnt great, its too early to get bearish. As the chart below shows, BHP is still in a healthy upward trend. A fall below support around $32 will call that into question, and it may suggest BHPs bull run (which started in January 2016) is done for now. Source: Optuma [Click to open new window] Difference of opinion causes volatility Another point to note here is that volatility tends to increase at important cyclical turning points. As you can see, over the past four months, the volatility in BHPs share price has increased markedly, while the stock has essentially gone nowhere. This is often a sign of distribution, a process whereby the early bulls sell out to the latecomers. This difference of opinion causes a lot of volatility for not much overall share price movement. The fact that the share price tried to break higher in July but failed adds to the concern. Thats why $32 will be such an important area to keep an eye on. A break below there will suggest BHP is heading lower. Obviously, the concern is China. As you can see, its stock market has had a horrid 2018. It recently fell back to the lows from early 2016, giving up all the bull market gains. Source: Optuma [Click to open new window] But so far, prices are holding at the lows. To the extent that the Shanghai stock market provides clues on the state of the Chinese economy (hard to tell in a centrally planned economy) it may be as bad as it gets. The issue for BHP and its mate Rio Tinto [ASX:RIO], which last week traded at its lowest level since December, is whether Chinas infrastructure led growth will continue to slow. Thats what their share prices are saying, anyway. As is another China barometer, Caterpillar Inc [NYSE:CAT]. As the chart below shows, it broke below support in June, then tried to recover, before falling again. That chart tells you that Chinas infrastructure led growth is now on the wane. Im not saying China is about to collapse. Rather, there are better ways to play Chinas secular growth story. Source: Optuma [Click to open new window] How? My mate Ryan Dinse has put together a report, Pink Gold , that gives you a different way to benefit from Chinas growth. In short, there is more to the China story than exports of iron ore, copper and coal. And in many cases, this new generation of exports are high value added, meaning they are much more valuable to Australia. I urge you to read the report. Click here for details. Regards, Greg Canavan, Editor, Crisis & Opportunity PS: Financial expert Vern Gowdie explores why a credit collapse could occur in 2018, and how you can protect your assets. Click here for free action plan. Before we dive in, please forgive me: This list is not as whimsically compiled as it might seem. I screened our global equity research to target high-quality stocks (as measured by moat) with stable cash flows (medium or low fair value uncertainty), trading at a meaningful discount to our fair value estimate. The screen yielded a list that was dominated by consumer defensive stocks, many of them tobacco producers, alcoholic beverage-makers, and snack food and soft drink companies. These types of firms tend to be characterized by stable earnings, and many of them pay healthy dividends. They can add some stability to a portfolio as they tend to hold up relatively well during downturns while also participating in rising markets. For example, in 2008, there weren't too many places to hide; the broader Morningstar Global Markets Index lost a savage 42%, while the Morningstar Global Consumer Defensive index lost 24%--still bad but not as brutal. The sector tends to lag in strong equity rallies: Over all short-term periods the Global Consumer Defensive Index lags the Global Markets Index. But over 10-, 15-, and 20-year periods, it has gotten ahead of the broader index by losing less in tough markets. Its an integrated tool that allows you to run your whole mortgage business with one system, and thats the focus. Were trying to build a better mousetrap for brokers. Newton Connectivity Systems is named after the Sir Isaac Newton, and given the ways in which its helped digitize the mortgage industry, that isnt surprising. Neither is the Williss decision to join the Dominion Lending Centres networkwhich was done to accelerate Newtons growth trajectory. It has also brought Newton one step closer to establishing Velocity as the mortgage industrys premier technological platform. Willis expects to have the entire industry plugged in by next year. In December 2016, we were successful in acquiring Marlborough Stirling Canada, said Willis. Marlborough Stirling had been D+H here in Canada, and they struggled to get volume, but they had connection bridges already built to key lenders. So we bought them, changed the name to Newton, which we launched in February 2017, and our goal since that time has been focused on creating more connection bridges with more lenders, because all brokers just want one platform to go to every lender, and now were just focusing on getting everybody on Velocity, and when I say everybody I mean DLC, Mortgage Centre Canada or Mortgage Architects brokers. The Securities and Exchange Commission is going after brokers who sold shares in a group of companies that collapsed when it was revealed that the companies were merely a front for a Ponzi scheme. In January, the SEC announced charges against Robert H. Shapiro and a group of unregistered investment companies he owned called the Woodbridge Group of Companies. Woodbridge advertised its primary business as hard-money lending to commercial property owners who paid 11%-15% annual interest. In reality, according to the SEC, Woodbridge merely fronted a Ponzi scheme, and investors money went not to funding loans, but to paying off earlier investors. All told, Woodbridge allegedly bilked investors out of $1.2 billion. Now the SEC has charged five individuals and four companies for unlawfully selling securities of Woodbridge to retail investors. The Florida-based defendants Barry M. Kornfeld, Ferne Kornfeld, Lynette M. Robbins, Andrew G. Costa, Albert D.Klager and their companies were among Woodbridges top revenue producers, selling more than $243 million in unregistered securities to more than 1,600 investors, the SEC alleged. The agency said that the defendants reaped millions of dollars in commissions on their sales of Woodbridge securities even though they were not registered as broker-dealers and were not permitted to sell securities. ABC/Paula LoboThe world will have new Fall Out Boy music in less than 12 hours. The Chicago rockers are dropping their Lake Effect EP tonight at midnight. Bassist Pete Wentz previously told ABC Radio that the EP would include the full version of the song "Lake Effect Kid," -- originally a demo recorded around the time of FOB's 2008 album Folie a Deux -- as well as a "semi-new" and a "really new" song. Fall Out Boy is releasing the EP to celebrate the band's "biggest homecoming yet" -- a reference to their show at Chicago's Wrigley Field on September 8. Additionally, they're launching something called the M A N I A Experience in Chicago, which is named after their latest album. Details about the the two-day event will be officially announced later this week. The Wrigley show is part of Fall Out Boy's upcoming M A N I A tour, which begins August 29 in Uniondale, New York. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 21) Two soldiers were killed by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Camalig, Albay on Tuesday. The victims were identified as Private First Class (PFC) Cris Aron Consolation and PFC Emmanuel Clarinal, both members of the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Division. According to initial investigation, the two had just arrived in Brgy. Panoypoy onboard a motorcycle when a group of suspected NPA members shot them. Authorities are still conducting an investigation on the incident and the motive for the shooting has not yet been established. On August 10, two soldiers also died while three were injured in an Army clash with suspected communist rebels in the province of Isabela. This is a developing story. Midland County Sheriffs Office A Midland man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly attempted to hit a person with a shovel, according to court documents. Abel Cain Porras-Gardea, 20, was being held Tuesday on a $50,000 bond for a second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The actor who accused Italian actress and director Asia Argento of sexual assault broke his silence Wednesday, three days after a report detailed a deal that the two struck after his claim. In his first public statement on the matter, former child actor and musician Jimmy Bennett said he was "ashamed and afraid to be a part of the public narrative." "I did not initially speak out about my story because I chose to handle it in private with the person who wronged me," he added. "My trauma resurfaced as she came out as a victim herself." Argento has denied allegations laid out in the the New York Times report of the deal. "I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false," Argento said Tuesday. "I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett." The Times reported that in March, Argento "quietly arranged to pay $380,000 to Bennett, "who said she had sexually assaulted him in a California hotel room years earlier," when he was 17 and she was 37. (The age of consent in California is 18.) The newspaper cited documents between Argento's and Bennett's attorneys that were sent to the newspaper by an unknown party through encrypted email. At first, Bennett nor Argento provided comments to the Times, but the story gained considerable traction, especially because Argento has become an outspoken advocate of the #MeToo movement after she went public with accusations of sexual assault against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein in October. On Wednesday, Bennett said, "I was underage when the event took place, and I tried to seek justice in a way that made sense to me at the time because I was not ready to deal with the ramifications of my story becoming public." He continued: "At the time I believed there was still a stigma to being in the situation as a male in our society. I didn't think that people would understand the event that took place from the eyes of a teenage boy." The Times article stated that a lawyer who handled the matter described the deal as "helping Mr. Bennett." Bennett, however, described the 2013 encounter in the hotel as "sexual battery" and said the trauma affected his work, mental health and income, according to the Times. Bennett played Argento's son in a 2004 movie, "The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things." "I was linked to him during several years by friendship only, which ended when, subsequent to my exposure in the Weinstein case, Bennett - who was then undergoing severe economic problems and who had previously undertaken legal actions against his own family requesting millions in damages - unexpectedly made an exorbitant request of money from me," Argento said Tuesday. "Bennett knew my boyfriend, Anthony Bourdain, was a man of great perceived wealth and had his own reputation as a beloved public figure to protect." According to Argento, Bourdain - who died in June - "insisted the matter be handled privately" and was "afraid of the possible negative publicity that such a person, whom he considered dangerous, could have brought upon us." "We decided to deal compassionately with Bennett's demand for help and give it to him. Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life," Argento continued. "This is, therefore, the umpteenth development of a sequence of events that brings me great sadness and that constitutes a long-standing persecution. I have therefore no other choice but to oppose such false allegations and will assume in the short term all necessary initiatives for my protection before all competent venues." The Times report added a new chapter to the ongoing public dialogue around sexual misconduct, sparked in large part by the allegations against Weinstein. On Monday, Weinstein's attorney used the report to try to undermine the accusations made against his client, who faces criminal charges in New York. "This development reveals a stunning level of hypocrisy by Asia Argento, one of the most vocal catalysts who sought to destroy Harvey Weinstein," attorney Benjamin Brafman said. Tarana Burke, the activist who founded #MeToo, weighed in as well, writing in a series of tweets that the movement is "for all of us, including these brave young men who are now coming forward." "My hope is that as more folks come forward, particularly men, that we prepare ourselves for some hard conversations about power and humanity and privilege and harm," she continued. "A shift can happen. This movement is making space for possibility. But, it can only happen after we crack open the whole can of worms and get really comfortable with the uncomfortable reality that there is no one way to be a perpetrator and there is no model survivor. We are imperfectly human and we all have to be accountable for our individual behavior." Some projected crop yields for central Illinois look promising compared to other areas in Illinois and surrounding states, according to a University of Illinois Extension director. Many farm groups, including the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders, have been surveying cornfields in central Illinois to estimate yields and determine county averages, said Aaron Dufelmeier, director of the U of I Extension that serves Calhoun, Cass, Greene, Morgan and Scott counties. Todd Behrends of Virginia, a crop specialist with Country Financial, said a Menard County cornfield survey in which he participated predicted a yield of 226.8 bushels an acre. It appears that (corn yields) could be as good as last year at this point, Behrends said. Some counties may be a little higher than last year and some may be a little lower. The growing season for both corn and soybeans in central Illinois has been good, Dufelmeier said. From spring planting up to this stage of crop progress, we have been very fortunate to receive both adequate and timely rainfalls, he said. Dufelmeier said this years planting season was shorter than last years and is leading to a potentially earlier harvest. Corn and soybeans were being planted at the same time this spring by those farmers that have both a corn and soybean planter, he said. Some other farmers even planted soybeans prior to planting their corn, as advised by agronomists and seed companies. Dufelmeier said some farmers planted soybeans earlier than corn because some research studies suggest there is a yield advantage to an earlier planting date for soybeans. One of the obvious things were seeing this year are taller soybean plants, he said. That may be a result of earlier planting in concert with Mother Nature. Dufelmeier said it appears that soybean yields in central Illinois will be strong. No yield estimates for soybeans have been completed, but based upon visual assessment and some random pod counts per soybean plant with the number of soybeans per pod, (it) would suggest that farmers will have a promising yield, he said. Greg Olson can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1224, or on Twitter @JCNews_Greg. JERSEYVILLE The Illinois 4-H Foundation on Tuesday held its 2018 4-H Hall of Fame celebration event at the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, where Jack Stork was recognized as Jersey Countys 2018 Hall of Fame honoree. Jack is a super supporter of Jersey County 4-H and an all-around great guy, read a press release issued Wednesday. Stork was a 10-year member of 4-H in Randolph County. He is the type of person you want to get to know and have more of and he is always willing to lend a helping hand. Jack has served as a public speaking and general show judge for a number of years, Jersey County 4 -H Foundation president and a member of Extension Council. He is a retired Ag Teacher from the Jersey Community School District and now drives a school bus for the district. Next year he will celebrate 50 years of service with the Jersey Community School District. Jack is an exceptional individual and asset to our 4-H community. JERSEYVILLE Recipients of the Jersey Township Food Pantry will get a little more help thanks to the Monsanto Fund. Jerseyville Monsanto has always been very generous with donations to our food pantry, but this grant from the Monsanto Fund will help us to provide more people in Jersey County with fresh, healthy food, said Sarah Collins, Food Pantry administrator. Following the outbreak of the war with Japan in December 1941, the USS Langley which in 1920 had been converted from the collier USS Jupiter into our first aircraft carrier became part of the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command. With powerful Japanese invasion forces approaching the island of Java in the Dutch East Indies in F ebruary 1942, remaining allied units were withdrawing to Australia and India by sea and air. At 7:44 a.m. Feb. 17, 1942, two American destroyers, Whipple and Edsall, joined the Langely, which was attempting to deliver much-needed fighter aircraft to Tjilatjap. Shortly after noon, Japanese bombers flying at 13,000 feet delivered five direct hits upon the old aircraft carrier, leaving it a blazing wreck. When, at 1:32, Cmdr. Robert T. McConnell, its skipper, ordered abandon ship, Whipple rescued 308 survivors, while Edsall picked up another 19. Proceeding to Christmas Island some 200 miles south of Java at 5:20 the following morning, 276 survivors were transferred to the oiler Pecos, while 32 Army pilots went to the Edsall. When army pilots Gerald Dix and William Ackerman, who had been injured during the attack upon the Langely, were transferred to the oiler, it proved the best thing that had ever happened to them. At 9:30 that morning, the three ships split up with Whipple heading northwest while Edsall steamed northeast. Unfortunately, the destroyer Edsall encountered the large Japanese task force, which included two battleships and a pair of cruisers. Unable to avoid the enemy flotilla, Lt. Joshua Nix, skipper of the World War I destroyer, chose to stand and fight. By skillful maneuvering for more than hour, the ship dodged numerous 16-inch shells from the battleships. It was enemy bombers, however, that finally downed the American destroyer, and it was not until wars end we learned those not killed in the battle were savagely murdered only days after. While anticipating orders to retire from Java, the destroyer Whipples radio man picked up a call for help from the oiler Pecos, which was under attack by Japanese bombers near Christmas Island. While steaming toward the scene in the afternoon, crewmen were busy preparing knotted lines and cargo nets for picking up survivors. After sighting small lights in the water at 7:22 that evening, the destroyer rescued 231 survivors, including lieutenants Dix and Ackerman, from the oiler. Fearing a Japanese carrier reported in the area, Whipple immediately proceeded south eventually joining what remained of the Asiatic Fleet in Australia. February and March 1942 proved a disaster for the United States and its allies who had tried to halt the Japanese invasion of Southeast Asia. Though the survival of the two pilots was remarkable, not long after Ackermann was killed in a training accident back in the States. Following recovery from his injuries, Dix continued flying in Asia, completing 60 combat missions in New Guinea. Upon being transferred to the European Theater, he flew more than 70 missions until his P-51 was shot down. Surviving the crash landing, he was a prisoner of war 11 months until the war came to an end. Retiring from the Air Force as a full colonel, Dix died at 93 in March 2011. Robert Underbrink is a Jacksonville writer. We are not at loggerheads with ... Orchard Supply Hardware Sonora View Photos Sonora, CA After acquiring all Orchard Supply Hardware (OHS) stores in California, Oregon and Florida nationwide five years ago, Lowes has announced all will close by early next year including Sonoras. Company officials made the announcement yesterday citing that it is shutting down all 99 stores to focus on its core home improvement business. Employees, among them 39 at Sonoras store, were told about the decision on yesterday (Tuesday). The companys plan is to shut the doors by the end of its fiscal year, which is February 1. While it was a necessary business decision to exit Orchard Supply Hardware, decisions that impact our people are never easy, Lowes president and CEO Marvin Ellison said in a statement. We will be providing outplacement services for impacted associates, and they will be given priority status if they choose to apply for other Lowes positions. A Sonora store manager referred Clarke Broadcasting to the companys public relations office at Lowes headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina. No one had yet responded before the posting of this article. Lowes will also close a distribution center in Tracy, according to the company. Orchard Supply Hardware was founded in 1931 in San Jose and the stores were bought for more than $200-million by Lowes in June of 2013, as reported here. Shortly after that purchase took place, the company also announced that 22 stores would be shut down, as detailed here, but Sonoras store was able to escape the chopping block that time. A gun-toting woman said farewell to her grandmother before shooting a colleague to death and wounding another at a food distribution plant Monday morning in Missouri City, police said. Suspected assailant Kristine Peralez streamed her final words to her family on Facebook around 2 a.m. and blamed an unspecified person for the violence yet to unfold inside the Ben E. Keith Foods building where she worked on Cravens Road. This is your fault, Perelez said, according to footage obtained by KPRC-TV. I'm sorry for everything. I didn't want it to end like this. Peralez died of a gunshot wound to her upper body after the shooting and Missouri City police are unsure if she killed herself or was wounded in a shootout with an officer. Police said she killed manager Francisco Reyes and wounded Fedencio Janas, who took a bullet to the leg and is being treated at Southwest Memorial Hospital, according to police. Several officers arrived at the facility and one exchanged fire with the shooter, Police Chief Mike Berezin said at a brief news conference Monday morning. Peralez was apprehended and rushed to Memorial Hermann, where she died. It is unclear whose bullet killed her, pending an autopsy. "This has been a tragic situation," the company said in a statement Monday afternoon. "Our thoughts are with the families of all involved. We are currently working with officials to provide any information useful to their active investigation." Police have not determined a motive, Berezin said.Investigators are looking into whether certain employees were targeted. BREAKING MONDAY: Pilot walks away from crash landing near La Porte airport He acknowledged that the shooter posted items on a social media account, which the police department is reviewing. In her 48-second video, Perelez said goodbye to her friends and family. "Tell my grandma I love her," she added. I'm not crazy. About 20 to 25 workers were inside the building when shots were fired, Berezin said. Several employees talked with Peralez before the shooting broke out, he said. Ben E. Keith Foods is a national food distribution company. The Missouri City location opened in 2013 and has 431 employees, according to a Missouri City spokeswoman. The company, like many private employers, prohibits weapons on the job. Officials with Ben E. Keith said the prohibition is placed in both English and Spanish on all entrances to the property. Mondays incident was at least the third time in the past 10 months someone walked into a Houston-area workplace and shot a current or former co-worker. Daniel Ferraretto, a disgruntled ex-mechanic, burst Dec. 27 into the auto repair shop he used to work at, killing two former colleagues, Kendric Wade and Mary McGehee. The furious shooting spree during normal business hours sent employees and customers scrambling. His intent, police said, was to target the owner of Bemer Plus, who dove out a window when the shots rang out. Ferraretto then committed suicide with his own weapon. At another car repair shop in Dickinson on Jan. 12, Joshua Allen Lee, 29, of Friendswood, shot the manager of Gay Family Auto over a dispute of how many hours Lee was assigned to work. Michael Pavlas, 38, was shot numerous times, but none were life-threatening. In a scene unrelated to the workplace, a man fatally shot his wife, nurse Senta Yolanda Authorlee, 53, outside a Meyerland assisted living facility on July 12. Anthony Authorlee, 61, later turned himself in to police. Nationally, workplace murders represent a small share of the homicides in America. Of the 17,250 homicides reported in the U.S. in 2016, 500 or 2.9 percent were workers, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a part of the Centers for Disease Control. However, that was an increase from 2015, when 417 workplace homicides were reported nationally. Nicole Hensley contributed to this report MUNSON, Pa. (AP) Three men face more than 1,400 counts each of sexually abusing animals at a Pennsylvania farm. Prosecutors said Monday that a teenage boy alerted state police to the abuse, which involved a variety of animals. Petersburg current and past residents gathered Saturday to celebrate the annual Petersburg Day. This year's theme was Pride in America-Small Town USA. The event is traditionally celebrated to promote the town, its history and to bring back former residents and students of Petersburg ISD to share memories. Saturday's events kicked off with a moving Veteran/Military Appreciation Ceremony at the Plaza. The town honored those who have served in the military. The Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion and Veterans of Wars participated in the event. A parade followed. Locals and other people from around the area participated in the parade, which featured floats, horse clubs, classic cars, antique tractors and commercial vehicles. The weather was cloudy, mild and cool just right. Petersburg hosted other events throughout the weekend including a softball tournament and a motorcycle fun run, both of which brought teams and motorcycle riders from all over the area. The event also included a barbecue cook-off. Look for results in a later edition of the Plainview Herald. Saturday's festivities concluded with class reunions, an outdoor concert and videos at the town's community center. Adapted from a recent online discussion. Dear Carolyn: I've pretended to go to college for almost four years when I actually dropped out my freshman year. I've been working as a temp since then and living "off campus." My family doesn't know since I fake my grades, account statements, everything. None of them went to college so it hasn't been too hard to fool them. I've used the money they've been giving me to help me afford my room and board. I know I'm going to have come clean soon since they expect me to graduate soon with an engineering degree. I just don't know how to do this. They are going to freak out. They're immigrants and me going to college was their dream. I'm actually thinking of just disappearing for a while and telling them by letter. I know that's the coward's way out but I could come back when it's all blown over and they'll probably be so relieved that I'm back in touch that they won't disown me. Is there a better way to handle this that won't also get me disowned? -- Faking College This knot is so tight and complicated and emotional, and the consequences of "disappearing for a while"(!) potentially so severe, that I urge you not to untie it alone. Please find a good therapist to help you untangle its many threads -- especially your fear of being authentic. If you still live near the school, then there is likely counseling available in the community on a sliding scale based on income. You can call the school's mental health service to see if non-affiliated people have access, and if not, where a good local resource might be. If it's a university that offers degrees in counseling fields, then there might be a clinic where the students train and charge little to nothing for their services. If you have insurance through a temp agency, then find out who provides therapy in-network. However you manage it, please start the work of telling your truth by sharing it with people who are not invested -- as you told me here, which is a start. Make the next person a trained health-care provider who can meet with you regularly. Do not wait any longer to face this, and take care. To: Faking: My brother did something similar, and came clean only when he was in distress because of the lies he told. Please take Carolyn's advice to go for therapy now. My brother told us, went to therapy, and is in a good place. My parents and I accepted him as he is -- a flawed human who made a mistake, the same as us. Please know you're not the only one, and you can get help. -- Anonymous Re: Faking: There's nothing wrong with deciding an engineering degree wasn't for you, but letting your parents subsidize your alternate path without their knowledge wasn't fair. One of your top priorities should be an absolute commitment to pay your parents back. Were it my kid, I would want to hear: "Sorry I did this, please forgive me. Starting right now, I'm going to give you [dollar amount] per week until I've paid you back." It's important to take real actions to prove remorse and bear responsibility for your actions. -- Parent Columnist Carolyn Hax dishes out advice daily. Email Carolyn at Read the Email Carolyn at tellme@washpost.com , follow her on Facebook or chat with her online at noon Eastern time each Friday at www.washingtonpost.com Read the daily Carolyn Hax columns at https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/advice/ HAMDEN Animal Control Officer Mitch Gibbs recently helped rescue a kitten from the unnatural confines of a cars tire area, according to a release. Very fat cat who stands up like a person seeks home Capt. Ronald Smith said in the release that Gibbs went to the area of Dixwell Avenue and Arch Street following a report of a feline stuck in a car tire. Gibbs met the driver of the vehicle, who said she had heard the kitten vocalizing while driving her vehicle. Town resident Michael Morgillo, described as a good Samaritan in the release, was already in the process of trying to aid the kitten by removing the right drivers side tire. The kitten was trapped between the tire and brake pad, Smith said in the release. Morgillo carefully re-positioned and steadied the tire, which allowed AACO Gibbs to remove the 6 week-old kitten without further injury. The kitten was brought to North Haven Animal Hospital for treatment, but was largely unharmed by the ordeal, according to the release. The Animal Control Division is happy to report that the kitten did not sustain any significant injury, said Smith. Click through the slideshow above for stats on pet ownership in the U.S. TOKYO - Men are likelier than women to approve of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet, with the percentage-point gender gap being the widest ever seen for any Cabinet inaugurated after March 1978, according to data based on monthly nationwide surveys conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun. The data also shows that young people's support rate for the Abe Cabinet is higher than that of the older generations. According to the data, the average approval rating for Abe's Cabinet across ages and genders has been 55 percent over the period from the inauguration of his second Cabinet in December 2012 until July this year. The Abe Cabinet's support rate ranks third, only exceeded by 67 percent for the Cabinet of Morihiro Hosokawa (1993-94) and 56 percent for the Cabinet of Junichiro Koizumi (2001-06), among all cabinets inaugurated after March 1978, when The Yomiuri's surveys started. The Cabinet of Masayoshi Ohira, inaugurated in December 1978, was the first to be fully covered by the surveys. By gender, the approval figure for men - an average of numbers obtained by subtracting the disapproval rating for the Abe Cabinet from the approval rating in each survey - is 10.6 percentage points higher than that for women. Support by men exceeded support by women by the largest margin since the survey began on approval ratings for cabinets. The difference by gender is likely to stem from higher evaluation by men of such Abe Cabinet policies as diplomacy and security. By age, the average approval rating of people aged 18 to 29 is the highest at 61 percent. The lowest is 50 percent among those in their 60s. Many previous cabinets gained high support rates from elderly people. The Abe Cabinet is the first cabinet to obtain the highest support rate from young people. The Yomiuri Shimbun had conducted a total of 502 such surveys by July, at least once in a month, to learn about such matters as the approval and disapproval of the Cabinet. Maryland lawmakers heard several hours of closed-door testimony Wednesday in the General Assembly's first major sexual harassment case since the #MeToo movement began. At least five women have said they were interviewed by an independent investigator this spring about an alleged pattern of misconduct by Del. Curt Anderson, D-Baltimore, a veteran legislator and chair of the Baltimore City delegation. Anderson, who attended the hearing in Annapolis, has denied wrongdoing. State lawmakers hired the investigator under new rules passed this year for handling complaints of sexual harassment against members of the Maryland General Assembly - the first major overhaul of anti-harassment procedures in a decade. Before then, the legislature did not track complaints against lawmakers and they were handled in a system that gave discretion to General Assembly leadership. Wednesday's six-hour session of the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics marks one of the final steps in a confidential process that began when the most serious of allegations against Anderson was brought to House Speaker Michael E. Busch, D-Annapolis, in January. Busch referred it to the ethics panel, which hired an outside investigator and began interviewing women in April. The Baltimore Sun first reported the ethics probe. The allegations against Anderson range from an alleged sexual assault of a General Assembly employee 14 years ago to more recent unwanted comments and a kiss of a current colleague. The woman who accused Anderson of sexual assault filed a Baltimore police report in December about the 2004 incident, alleging in the report the delegate locked her in an office and performed oral sex on her against her will. She has said that she did not pursue criminal charges at the time and that, under pressure, dismissed the ethics investigation launched back then. Ethics committee co-chairs Del. Adrienne Jones, D-Baltimore County, and Sen. Ed DeGrange, D-Anne Arundel, declined to comment on Wednesday's proceedings, citing confidentiality laws. Jones said that the committee "finished our work today." Public reaction to the allegations have taken on a racial dimension and provoked response from leaders of the Maryland Democratic Party. After a women's group from Baltimore and others protested, Maryland Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Matthews wrote in a July 27 letter to party leaders that the organization would not be supporting Anderson's campaign. "As you may know, the Maryland Democratic Party runs the statewide Democratic coordinated campaign, and we have no plans to campaign with or for Delegate Curt Anderson in 2018." The party also formed a "working group" to determine how to handle public officials under investigation for sexual harassment. Two longtime colleagues of Anderson from Baltimore - Sen. Joan Carter Conway and Del. Cheryl Glenn, both Democrats - were escorted into the hearing room by ethics staff on Wednesday. Conway said before she testified that she had no first-hand knowledge of any of the allegations and believed she had been summoned as a "character" witness for Anderson. Glenn left the hearing through a side door. She declined to comment. Glenn has pushed back against efforts from some Baltimore Democrats seeking to expedite the ethics investigation so that Anderson could be replaced on the ballot if he is found to have acted improperly. Last week, Glenn told the Baltimore City State Democratic Central Committee that the rush to judgement on Anderson recalls the case of Emmett Till, the teenager lynched in Mississippi in 1955 after he was accused of offending a white woman. Glenn, who said she was speaking on behalf of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, noted that two of the women who spoke with ethics investigators are white. "I'm not standing up here to defend Curt Anderson. I'm standing up here to defend a process," Glenn said during the Aug. 15 meeting. "If he is found guilty, he will have to resign ... If he is found innocent, then he will have to fight to get his reputation back." --- The Washington Post's Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report. In a lower Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday, President Donald Trump's long-time attorney Michael Cohen directly implicated his former boss in a scheme to cover up alleged affairs Trump had with a former Playboy model and an adult film actress in order to prevent their being revealed before the 2016 election. Standing before Judge William Pauley, Cohen admitted guilt on two criminal counts: willfully causing an unlawful corporate contribution and making an excessive campaign contribution. The first count dealt with Cohen's negotiation of an agreement with an unnamed company - the context of the government's delineation of charges makes clear that it's American Media Inc., publisher of the National Enquirer - to pay former Playboy model Karen McDougal $150,000. That payment was aimed at preventing her from being able to share her story of a year-long affair with Trump with any other media outlet. The second count addressed the infamous payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, negotiated by Cohen shortly before the election. That payment, of $130,000, was made with funds drawn from a home equity line of credit obtained by Cohen in 2015. That line of credit was itself obtained fraudulently according to another of the guilty pleas Cohen entered on Tuesday. To the layperson this likely sounds as a slightly more noxious example of business as usual in politics. It's not. Cohen made that very clear when he stood up to accept guilt for his actions, in two phrases. The payment to McDougal was made "in coordination with and at the direction of a candidate for federal office," he said, adding that it was made "for the principal purpose of influencing the election." The Daniels payment was similarly made "in coordination with and at the direction of the same candidate" and for the same reason. Those points are important. Making a payment of $130,000 to bury a story is of dubious legality in the abstract. How and if it violates the law depends on the relationship of the person making the payment to the campaign and whether or not such payments were in the standard course of practice of his business. Cohen's sworn assertions in court make clear that he was acting on behalf of the campaign with the aim of aiding the candidate's election. This wasn't Trump Organization attorney Michael Cohen making yet another payment to yet another woman - it was Cohen on behalf of the campaign making a campaign-related expenditure. Had the Trump campaign paid the $130,000 with legally contributed donations and reported it, it would have been perfectly legal, however politically problematic. It didn't. In fact, Cohen was repaid by the Trump Organization, according the the government's delineation of his crimes. Cohen, it reads, submitted a series of invoices to "a Manhattan-based real estate company" where he'd once worked. Those invoices were meant, among other things, to repay him for the money he gave to Daniels and occurred over the course of 2017. The situation with the payment to McDougal is even more complex. The information document provided by the government walks through the details. Prior to any agreements being signed, the chairman of AMI - Trump's longtime friend David Pecker - allegedly "offered to help deal with negative stories about [Trump]'s relationships with women by, among other things, assisting the campaign in identifying such stories so they could be purchased and their publication avoided." Over the course of the campaign Cohen "was able to arrange for the purchase of two stories so as to suppress them and prevent them from influencing the election," McDougal's and Daniels's. In June 2016, McDougal reached out to an AMI publication (presumably the Enquirer) through an attorney. AMI informed Cohen, who promised to repay AMI if it purchased her story for $150,000. In August, the company agreed to do so. Later that month, Cohen reached an agreement to buy the rights from AMI for $125,000 - a potential purchase revealed in a conversation between Trump and Cohen that Cohen recorded. An agreement was signed and an invoice sent to Cohen, but in early October Pecker told Cohen the deal was off. It's not clear why, but in the same time period the "Access Hollywood" tape was published by The Washington Post. A media outlet can buy stories and decide not to run them. But, it can't coordinate with the campaign to do so. The government document and Cohen's assertions in court suggest that they did. There's a natural question that emerges here: Is Trump himself exposed to criminal liability for these payments? Setting aside the question of whether or not a prosecutor would seek an indictment against a sitting president or even whether such an indictment is possible, it's a question worth answering. Charlie Spies, who served as counsel for Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign, noted that Cohen's admission of guilt didn't necessarily mean that Trump was at risk. Trump could argue the expense was made for a personal purpose - to maintain his personal and professional reputation - rather than for a campaign purpose, he said. Lawrence Noble, former general counsel for the Federal Election Commission, suggested that Trump's actions put him at risk. "If Trump on his own, or through Cohen, coordinated with AMI to buy her story to prevent it from coming out and hurting his campaign, then he solicited and accepted an illegal corporate contribution from AMI," Noble said. That's a violation of federal law. What's more, Noble noted, the reimbursement by the Trump Organization for the Daniels payment was itself problematic. "If Trump authorized or coordinated the Trump Organization reimbursing Cohen for the Daniels payments," Cohen said, "then he is liable for the company making, and his campaign accepting, illegal corporate contributions." Richard Hasen, election law expert at the University of California at Irvine, agreed. Hasen said that Cohen's violations could pose "liability on behalf of the campaign and liability on behalf of the Trump Organization, but there's potential that Trump himself could be personally liable for conspiring to engage in this activity." "If the Justice Department were dealing with an ordinary case not dealing with the president, it sounds like he (Trump) could potentially be charged with a crime," he added. For months - more than a year - Trump has insisted that he is not implicated in the broad investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. His refrain of "no collusion" has became a go-to mantra meant to distance himself and his campaign from wrongdoing. In court on Tuesday, his former attorney and "fixer" made clear that the Russia investigation is not Trump's only worry. --- The Washington Post's Michelle Ye Hee Lee contributed to this report. Sitting around the kitchen table, Brandi Owens waited until her daughter and her two friends finished eating their pancakes before leaving them to take a quick nap. About 10 to 15 minutes after settling into bed with her fiance, Owens heard a loud pop. "I asked him, I said, 'What was that?' " she told The Washington Post. Seconds later, Owens's 12-year-old daughter, Timiyah Landers, came tearing down the hallway, engulfed in flames from her knees to her hair. She "looked like a fireball," Owens said. "She was yelling, 'Help me.' " Owens's fiance, Marquell Sholar, immediately sprang into action, trying to put out the flames while getting Timiyah into the bathroom and inside the bathtub. As Sholar doused the teen in cold water, Owens grabbed at her daughter's flaming clothes with her bare hands, ripping them off. "I was reaching through the fire," Owens said, adding that she didn't even realize she had burned her hands. "It was like a reflex. . . . I didn't even feel the fire, I was just saving my daughter." The couple managed to extinguish the fire, and soon Timiyah was bundled into the car with Owens at the wheel, driving as fast as she could to the nearest hospital. During the five-minute drive, Owens said she felt as if she was on the brink of going insane. Thoughts raced through her mind: What had the girls been doing? What had happened? Interrupting the questions was a single prayer, "Lord, God, please let my baby be okay." Friday was supposed to be a relaxing summer afternoon at home, Owens said. Usually, when Timiyah invites friends over, the girls watch videos or spend hours gabbing away. But now, Timiyah is in intensive care at a children's hospital with nearly half her body covered in severe burns. It was the outcome of attempting a viral Internet dare known as the "fire challenge," which usually involves pouring rubbing alcohol on your body, setting yourself on fire and filming it all. It's just one of numerous social-media-fed stunts - some harmless, some life-threatening - into which young people have been lured over the past few years. Some may remember the "cinnamon challenge," eating a spoonful of ground cinnamon undiluted by water, a reckless exploit that can cause gagging, vomiting, collapsed lungs and hospitalization. Although Owens said she had never heard of the fire challenge before Friday, videos of teens setting themselves on fire started appearing on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube about four years ago. Timiyah is also not the first person to be seriously injured doing it. In July 2014, a 15-year-old from Kentucky sustained second-degree burns after trying the fire challenge. A month later, a 16-year-old in Santa Ana, California, poured nail polish remover on his chest and lit himself on fire. He was hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns. "Being burned alive was one of the worst things you can imagine," the California teen told KABC-TV at the time. "It's my fault. I can't say nothing else besides it was a dumb idea." But teenagers weren't the only group getting in on the trend. In August 2014, a North Carolina mother was arrested and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile for allegedly helping her 16-year-old son try the fire challenge. According to police, Janie Lachelle Talley "was present and aware of what her son (was) doing and facilitated the recording," the Charlotte News Observer reported. Since then, there have been numerous incidents of fire challenges gone awry. Just last month, in a case with striking similarities to Timiyah's, a 12-year-old boy from South Carolina burned more than 40 percent of his body participating in the challenge. Owens said her daughter is on a ventilator and needs a feeding tube. Timiyah has second- and third-degree burns, and most of her body is covered in heavy white bandages. As other seventh-graders prepare to go back to school in a few weeks, Owens said her daughter won't be joining them. Doctors told Owens that Timiyah will be hospitalized for at least the next few months and has about four more surgeries left. Though she hasn't been able to ask Timiyah what happened, Owens said the other girls explained that they were doing the fire challenge. Timiyah had poured rubbing alcohol on her arms, Owens said, and one of the others had lit the fire. One of them had tried the challenge at her own home and sustained only minor burns, so she introduced it to Timiyah and her other friend that afternoon, Owens said. "The girl said it seemed like fun," she said, "you just have to be by water when you're doing the fire challenge, so my daughter offered to try it." While it isn't exactly clear what went wrong, Owens thinks it might have had something to do with the body spray Timiyah was wearing. "When she put the alcohol on her and the girl lit the fire, it just basically blew up because she already had flammable things on her anyway, perfumes and stuff like that," Owens said, adding that Timiyah's friends are also traumatized from the incident. "They weren't expecting it to go that way," she said. "It was just a challenge, so it's a lesson learned for all of them." Beyond people setting themselves on fire, the Internet is the source of a variety of bizarre challenges, many of which leave people wondering one thing: Why? Why would you want to eat a Tide Pod? Why would you want to rub salt on your arm and then put an ice cube on it? Why would you want to snort a condom into your nose and try to pull it out of your mouth? Owens said she thinks her daughter was motivated by curiosity. "When they look on YouTube, they see, 'Oh okay, wow, I want to try that, the outcome with him was okay,' " she said. "Some kids know their right from their wrong, but they can still be curious to try something, to say that they tried it." Now, as Timiyah begins her lengthy road to recovery, Owens said she hopes YouTube will begin taking down videos related to these dangerous challenges. "If we weren't home, she'd have died," Owens said. "Those kids wouldn't have known what to do, but to sit there and let her burn. It'd have been pretty much over for her." WEST HAVEN The city, bolstered by the hiring of a new outside fiscal consultant, came closer Wednesday to having the state Municipal Accountability Review Board approve the five-year recovery plan thats necessary before it can collect millions in recovery state aid. But its not quite there yet. This is by far the closest that weve come so far in the process, MARB chairman and state Office of Policy and Management Commissioner Benjamin Barnes said at a City Hall meeting Wednesday afternoon of the MARBs West Haven Subcommittee. This is a tremendous leap forward compared to where weve been, Barnes said of the latest draft of the plan, written with the assistance of UHY Advisors, a national public accounting firm represented at the meeting by partner Jack Reagan. But Barnes and other subcommittee members offered a number of suggestions of things they still would like to see the five-year plan address. Near the end of the meeting, however, discussion did turn to a possible timetable that could see the five-year plan approved by the full MARB in September. The meeting left Mayor Nancy Rossi, who at past MARB meetings has weathered talk of possibly pushing West Haven into from its current Tier III to Tier IV, which would cede even more control to the state, feeling hopeful. Tier 4, which MARB members also have said they hope to avoid, is a higher level of supervision under which the MARB would have the power to pass and implement an interim budget, raise the citys tax rate or impose mid-year spending cuts and have greater latitude to approve or disapprove new labor contracts. But Tier IV was hardly mentioned Wednesday. What I feel today is that were a lot closer than weve been in the past, Rossi said. She told MARB members that she hoped to see the next draft of the plan go before the City Council on Sept. 10 and then to the full MARB on Sept. 13. The next MARB meeting had been scheduled for Sept. 6, but Barnes said he could probably have it pushed back to Sept. 13 to allow West Haven time to refine the plan and present it to the council and the MARB subcommittee prior to that date. Barnes said he would like to see the city build into the recovery plan a timetable to restore the citys fund balance currently in the red to about 5 percent of the city budget. He said he would like to see it at 10 percent but felt 5 percent was more realistic for a five-year time frame. MARB subcommittee member Patrick J. Egan, former president of the New Haven firefighters union and former assistant chief/executive officer of the New Haven Fire Department, also said he would like to see a fund balance of at least 5 percent of the citys annual budget, which currently is $162.86 million. That would require a fund balance of about $8 million. Both also said they would like the plan to show how the city will fully fund both the police and Fire Department of the City of West Haven Allingtown pension funds during that time. Reagan told the MARB subcommittee that at this point, We have a glide path to increase Police Department pension funding to 100 percent at end of five years, and the Allingtown Fire Department fund to about 90 percent. City Acting Finance Director Linda Savitsky said that so far were very comfortable with the level of rigor shown by UHY Advisors. Among the concerns expressed by MARB members was one first expressed by member Tom Hamilton, chief financial officer for the Norwalk Public Schools and a former West Haven finance director, that the city include a cushion for possible health self-insurance overruns of at least $600,000. Thats in line with the recommendation of The Segal Group, another consultant hired by the city. Savitsky said the city currently has a cushion of about $250,000. Reagan said that with an additional $100,000 the UHY has identified, Id say theres about $350,000. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) The government will allow the importation of galunggong or round scad beginning September. In a statement, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Wednesday said the imports will boost stocks. It cited recent data gathered from consultations with major fisheries stakeholders which revealed a low galunggong production. Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol approved on August 16 the importation of 17,000 metric tons of fish to boost supply. BFAR said the importation will begin Sept. 1, and will run for 90 days. 'Strengthen local production, not importation' Meanwhile, a BFAR official said they are monitoring fish imports in the wake of smuggling reports. BFAR Assistant Director Sammy Malvas said authorities are looking at fish port prices of P100 per kilogram, only to go up once the fish reach markets. "May mga reports sa amin na ang pagbagsak ng isda sa fish port halimbawa galunggong, ibababa ng mga barko natin at fishing companies sa 100 pesos per kilo na price, but makikita natin pagdating sa wet market umabot na siya sa 140 o 160," Malvas said in a media forum Wednesday. [Translation: We received reports that fish that have arrived in fish ports example round scad, the ships and fishing companies would peg prices at 100 pesos per kilo but once we see them in markets, they're priced at 140 or 160 pesos per kilo.] Malvas said they are monitoring second borders or canneries and processing plants receiving volumes of fish imports. Vic Dimagiba, president of consumer group Laban Konsyumer, said vendors claimed of fish smuggling. "Yung issue meron ng galunggong 150, 160, na-discover namin sa interview ng ilan-ilang tindador daw may nakalusot na imported galunggong," Dimagiba said. [Translation: The issue with round scad (their price of) 150, 160, we discovered through our interviews with a few vendors, there were some imported fish that have been smuggled in markets] He added imported produce fish are smaller compared to the local produce. BFAR assured the public that imported galunggong will only be unloaded in accredited facilities for safety controls. It added the importation should follow guidelines, as it will be closely monitored by the bureau as well as the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority. Consumer groups and fisherfolk have criticized the move. The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas) said that instead of exporting and importing, the BFAR should just focus on strengthening local production. "As a solution to this ongoing agricultural crisis, we assert that our country should stop from fish importation and exportation and prioritize local food security and national industrial needs," its statement said. But BFAR insisted this is not the first time the Philippines imported galunggong from other countries, saying imported fish has been used for canning and processing for years. The bureau hopes the galunggong imports will help reduce prices in markets. Driver injured in motorcycle crash VIRGINIA A Virginia man is facing several charges after wrecking his motorcycle near Virginia. According to an Illinois State Police report, Wesley D. Helmich, 30, was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Virginia Road about 7:40 p.m. Sunday. As he was approaching a curve at Old Bethel Church Road, his motorcycle left the road and traveled up an embankment, where it came to rest. Helmich was flown to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield with non-life-threatening injuries. According to state police, the driver was arrested on charges of improper lane use and driving under the influence. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Paul D. Gray, 28, homeless, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 12:56 p.m. Tuesday on a theft charge. Cory A. Gray, 32, of 523 E. Sherman St., White Hall, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 2:37 p.m. Tuesday on a theft charge. Wilbert J.R. Bruner, 54, of 320 Farrell St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 4:02 p.m. Monday on a theft charge. Dennis B. Lancaster, 36, of 15 Harmony Drive was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:39 p.m. Monday on a charge of violating an order of protection. Murrayville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Terry L. Hunnicutt, 56, of 31 Wilson Road, Bluffs, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 10:32 p.m. Monday on charges of illegal possession of liquor by a driver and driving while license is revoked or suspended. Compiled by David C.L. Bauer, Greg Olson and Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree Tom Steyer is a numbers guy. But when it comes to his campaign to impeach Donald Trump, he's got a gut feeling. Sitting backstage ahead of a town hall meeting in Lansing, Michigan, the billionaire listened eagerly as Martha Patzer, the head of digital operations for his Need to Impeach organization, told him the group had collected about 5.6 million signatures seeking the president's removal. "I know it's more than that, I only look at it about five times a day," Steyer said. "Trust me, I will bet you a million dollars on that, and collect." Steyer's intense focus on growing his petition and pressuring Democrats to seek impeachment has put him on a collision course with the party's establishment. Democratic leaders consider his campaign a distraction that could backfire, boosting GOP turnout and jeopardizing their efforts to win control of Congress. The former hedge fund manager and Democratic donor's strategy depends on the party at least winning the House. At town hall events around the country, Steyer is dangling the prospect of impeachment, hoping to inspire Americans who don't regularly cast ballots to turn out in November and change the balance of power in Washington. It will be a tough promise to deliver. To gain a House majority, Democrats need to flip 23 seats, a prospect that independent analysts say is within reach. The party will have a tougher time gaining two seats to control the Senate, where Democrats have 26 seats to defend, compared with just eight for Republicans. A narrow win in either chamber would still leave Steyer with the task of rallying resistant lawmakers to oust the president. Even if Democrats win a House majority and vote to impeach Trump -- only 66 House Democrats voted to advance impeachment in January -- conviction in the Senate requires a two-thirds vote. Steyer, 61, remains unfazed. He says he's consulted 58 legal scholars who say there is already a case for impeachment. He's enlisted psychologists to speculate on the president's mental state. And he's been on a 30-city town hall tour that began in March. "Nobody wants to face this, including me," Steyer said in an interview, referring to impeachment. "Do you really want to believe that your president is breaking the law and not putting the American people first, and corrupt? I don't want to believe that. Unfortunately it's true." Steyer on Tuesday cited the legal troubles of the president's associates to bolster his impeachment drive. The president's former fixer and lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign law at the direction of an unnamed candidate for federal office, and his former campaign chairman was convicted on tax and bank fraud. Cohen's "admission of guilt is further proof that Donald Trump has long been intimately engaged with deceitful, lawless, and corrupt associates," Steyer said in a statement. "The scrutiny surrounding any presidency is slowly piercing the defenses for their criminality and exposing the systemic moral rot that has surrounded Trump for years." In Detroit last week, the 26th stop on his tour, Steyer was met with a standing ovation as he took the stage before 200 people. Wearing navy blue slacks, a colorful beaded belt and a light blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, he paced the stage, speaking in an animated voice as he answered questions from the audience, sometimes drawing applause. At the end, Steyer greeted supporters and took selfies with a long line of them. He plans to spend as much as $120 million this election cycle, with $70 million going toward NextGen America, his organization seeking to turn out young voters and fight climate change, and $50 million toward Need to Impeach. Included in that amount is $10 million in new spending he announced last week to get those who signed the petition to turn out in November. The effort includes TV and digital ads, mailers, a letter writing campaign aimed at infrequent midterm voters in competitive House districts, and 25 field organizers. Steyer is becoming one of the biggest spenders on this year's election, just as he was in the last one. Steyer's funds are primarily going into his two organizations, rather than individual candidates or committees. So far this election cycle, billionaire casino mogul and GOP mega-donor Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam, are the top individual donors. They've given more than $55 million, primarily to two super-political action committees trying to help Republicans keep control of the House and Senate. Michael Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News, has pledged to give millions of dollars in 2018 to help Democrats retake control of the House. Andrea Flitton, a retired customer service representative from Lansing was among the 50 people who showed up at Steyer's event in that city. Flitton, 70, praised Steyer for pushing impeachment. "Something needs to be done, and this is a good movement," she said. "Maybe it won't result in impeachment but it's bringing a lot of people together that have the same basic beliefs." A July 25 Quinnipiac poll that Steyer's group often cites found that 65 percent of Democratic voters want the House to begin impeachment proceedings if the party wins the House. But it also showed that just 39 percent of all voters and 42 percent of independents back impeachment. Democratic officials say independent voters are key to winning swing districts. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has called the impeachment drive a "gift" for Republicans and said the party's candidates should be focused on jobs and the economy. An aide for Pelosi declined to comment, and pointed to comments she made in a Rolling Stone interview last month. "I wish he would spend the money pointing out the horror show that the tax bill is," Pelosi said. The movement is also unpopular in the Senate, where Democrats are defending 10 seats in states Trump won. "I don't pay any attention to Tom Steyer, quite frankly," said Senator Jon Tester of Montana, a former chairman of the Democrats' Senate campaign arm, running for re-election in a state Trump won by 20 points. "There needs to be accountability, but I think it's kind of goofy." Republicans in some contested races are already using the impeachment threat in an attempt to raise money and rally Trump voters. For instance, earlier this month Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz blasted his opponent, Democratic Representative Beto O'Rourke, for supporting an impeachment vote. Democratic "leadership knows that it's not where their candidates should be and we would agree with them," said Michael Ahrens, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee. Steyer personally has endorsed two candidates, including California state Senator Kevin de Leon, a Democrat who supports impeachment and is challenging Senator Dianne Feinstein, another Democrat, who is far ahead in polls. "Republicans consistently go for the jugular while Washington Democrats continually play by the country club rules," de Leon said, adding the if the tables were turned, Republicans would pursue impeachment "in a heart beat." Steyer said the case for impeaching the president needs to be made to the American people. At his Detroit town hall, Steyer acknowledged Washington Democrats oppose his push for impeachment. "Let me explain how we feel about that," he said, drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd. "Are we telling the important truth and are we standing up for the democracy that we inherited?" he said. "If we believe those two things, we are not going to stop." Steyer's aides said the project will help Democrats by getting apathetic voters to the polls. They say they have an average of 10,000 petition signers in the most competitive congressional districts, two-thirds of whom don't regularly vote in midterm elections. "Part of this whole movement is that there are people who are disaffected with the process, or felt like politics wasn't working for them," said Kevin Mack, Need to Impeach's chief strategist. "What the Need to Impeach movement has done is give them a way to get reenergized and get back in the political process." The Steyer organization also has all the makings of a budding political campaign: a large list of followers, a campaign that's building his name recognition and taking him around the country, political advisers who've worked on congressional and presidential campaigns, and money to sustain that movement indefinitely. All that would help Steyer stand out if he decides to join what is likely a big crowd of Democrats vying to challenge Trump in 2020. At town hall meetings, Steyer sounds like he's giving a stump speech -- referring not just to impeachment but describing a "corporate takeover" of America and declining wages. Yet Steyer said he's focused on the midterm elections, not running for office. "If we weren't running Need to Impeach, no one would be running Need to Impeach," he said. The Torrington Police Department reported the following arrests: RISK OF INJURY: Katie Bridges, 23, of 174 Central Ave., Torrington, was arrested on an active warrant on Aug. 7 and charged with risk of injury and sale of a controlled substance. She was released on a $2,500 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Torrington on Aug. 29. ASSAULT: John Whalen, 19, of 28 French St., Torrington, was arrested on Aug. 16 and charged with assault. He was issued a $2,500 bond and was taken to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital under protective custody for medical evaluation. No court date has been set. BURGLARY: Franklin Penny 30, of 246 Brightwood Ave., 2nd floor, Torrington, was arrested on an active warrant on Aug. 14 and charged with third-degree burglary, sixth-degree larceny and second-degree criminal mischief. He was released on a $1,000 surety bond is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Torrington on Aug. 27. BREACH OF PEACE: Morgan Armstrong, 19, of 355 Torcon Drive, Torrington, was arrested on Aug. 12 and charged with second-degree breach of peace. She is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Torrington on Sept. 10. POSSESSION: Tashia Bridges, 27, of 327 Goshen Road, West, Torrington, was arrested on Aug. 6 and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, possession of narcotics paraphernalia in a school zone, risk of injury and interfering with arrest. She was released on a $2,000 surety bond and was scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Torrington on Aug. 31 . POSESSION: Ronnie Duntz, 39, of 95 Woodbine St., Torrington, was arrested on Aug. 8 and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a $500 non-surety bond and was scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Torrington on Sept. 25 . BREACH OF PEACE: Arthur Kowaleski, 53, of no known address, was arrested on Aug. 19 and charged with second-degree breach of peace. He was scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Torrington on Sept. 13 . WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Wednesday praised his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort as a "brave man," saying he "refused to 'break' " during the prosecution that led to convictions Tuesday on eight tax- and bank-fraud charges in federal court. In tweets, Trump sought to contrast Manafort's posture with that of Michael Cohen, the president's former lawyer and fixer, who on Tuesday entered a guilty plea in a Manhattan federal court on eight counts. Two of those counts implicated Trump directly, with Cohen saying he arranged to pay off two women to keep their stories of alleged affairs with Trump from becoming public before Election Day - in coordination with the then-candidate. "I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family," Trump wrote. " 'Justice' took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break.' " "Such respect for a brave man!" Trump added in a tweet that is certain to raise speculation about whether the president might pardon Manafort at some point. A jury in Alexandria, Virginia, convicted Manafort on eight of the 18 tax- and bank-fraud charges on Tuesday. The jury said it was deadlocked on the 10 others. In his tweets, Trump seized on the counts on which Manafort escaped conviction. "A large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case," Trump said, adding: "Witch Hunt." Trump had previously criticized the prosecution of Manafort on charges unrelated to the investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian election interference, calling it a "hoax" in a tweet last month. Earlier Wednesday morning, Trump broke his silence on the guilty plea by Cohen, writing a wisecracking tweet that he would not recommend hiring him as an attorney. "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!" Trump said on Twitter. Trump later contested whether the campaign finance counts to which Cohen pleaded were valid. Cohen has accused Trump of directing him to make payments to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and adult-film star Stormy Daniels to keep them quiet ahead of the 2016 election. Both women have alleged that they had sexual affairs with Trump, which he has denied. During an interview with Fox News recorded Wednesday, Trump said he learned of the payments after they were made - an assertion at odds with Cohen's account. Trump also stressed that his reimbursements to Cohen came from his funds and not his campaign. Cohen said Tuesday that the payments were meant to sway the election, making them a campaign violation. "My first question when I heard about it was, 'Did they come out of the campaign?'" Trump said on Fox. "Because that could be a little dicey. And they didn't come out of the campaign." On Twitter, the president contended the two counts of campaign finance violations to which Cohen pleaded "are not a crime." "President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!" Trump wrote. Trump in his tweet did not spell out what he was referring to regarding former president Barack Obama, but he elaborated a bit more on Fox: "If you look at President Obama, he had a massive campaign violation, but he had a different attorney general, and they viewed it a lot differently." In 2013, Obama's campaign was fined $375,000 by the Federal Election Commission for campaign reporting violations in 2008. It was one of the largest fees levied against a presidential campaign. In his tweets, Trump also accused Cohen of having made up "stories in order to get a 'deal.' " In comments to reporters and during a freewheeling rally in West Virginia on Tuesday night, Trump avoided any mention of Cohen. While in West Virginia, Trump offered brief comments on Manafort. "Paul Manafort's a good man," Trump told reporters. The verdict, he said, "doesn't involve me, but I still feel, you know, it's a very sad thing that happened." A New York state judge rebuffed President Donald Trump's attempt to distance himself from a lawsuit against his security team on Monday, forcing him to face claims that they allegedly attacked a group of peaceful Mexican protesters in 2015. Bronx Supreme Court Judge Fernando Tapia denied Trump's motion to dismiss allegations of assault and battery, destruction of property and negligent hiring and supervising, saying that a jury could find that Trump "authorized and condoned" the guards' conduct. The case was brought against six defendants, including then-presidential candidate Trump, the Trump Organization and Trump security director Keith Schiller, three months after Trump announced his candidacy. On Sept. 3, 2015, Efrain Galicia and four other Mexican demonstrators were confronted outside Trump Tower. The men had gone to protest after the Trump campaign announced that their home country was funneling rapists and drugs runners into the United States, according to court documents reviewed by The Washington Post. Two of the protesters were dressed as Ku Klux Klan members - in white hoods and robes, a reference to white supremacist David Duke's endorsement of Trump - and carried signs that read, "Trump: make America racist again," the documents said. Schiller, then-director of security for the Trump Organization, snatched two of the signs from the men, according to court documents. A struggle ensued, ending with Schiller, a former New York City police officer, violently striking Galicia, who later went to the hospital. Several news outlets aired a surveillance video on television and on social media of a security guard punching a protester, who had attempted to retrieve his sign, The Post previously reported. Trump alleged that he was not involved and, therefore, not personally responsible. But Tapia found that Trump could be held "personally liable," Roger Bernstein and Benjamin Dictor, attorneys for the plaintiffs, told The Post. Tapia wrote that, "an employer may be held vicariously responsible for a tort committed by his or her employee within the scope of employment." The judge based his decision in part on a statement made by Trump at a campaign rally, which he buried in a footnote: "Maybe he should have been roughed up because it was absolutely disgusting what he was doing," Trump said, according to the judge's Monday decision. In an initial victory for the plaintiffs, on Oct. 8, 2015, Tapia granted an injunction for interfering with the demonstration and violating the plaintiffs' First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly. "Inhibition of the demonstrators' fundamental rights is irreparable. Loss of one's right to free speech is considered an irreparable injury," wrote Tapia, noting that the assault occurred on a public sidewalk, as opposed to private property. Monday brought a second series of victories. "Defendants motion to disassociate the actions of Schiller, Uher, and Deck from Trump, his namesake company, and campaign as a matter of law is unavailing," Tapia wrote. The plaintiffs, according to Bernstein and Dictor, will be asking the jury for punitive damages. "Our clients were violently assaulted by then-candidate Trump's security team. We look forward to trying the case against now-President Trump, Keith Schiller and the other defendants in The Bronx." A Texas prison guard has resigned amid an investigation into allegations he fondled a woman outside a Jasper lock-up last year. Now, local activist Quanell X is calling for faster movement on the Office of the Inspector General's criminal investigation into the officer's conduct outside the Goodman Unit. "This guard should be indicted, he should be charged," Quanell told reporters at a Wednesday press conference in downtown Houston. "We want to know what's taken the OIG's office so long to move this case forward to have it fully prosecuted." Sylvia Hidalgo was visiting her fiance at the state prison last fall when she first encountered the officer at the center of the accusations. During one visit, the 47-year-old said, he reached in the window and felt her breast while searching the car before visitation. "I wasn't dressed provocatively," she said. "When I left, I was just in total shock." Getty NEW STUDY: PTSD as common among prison guards as war veterans, according to HoustonChronicle.com report But, fearing the possibility of consequences for her incarcerated fiance, she didn't go public with her claims. Instead, she came back prepared the next time, leaving her phone on the floor near the brake pedal in order to record the interaction. In video released at Wednesday's press conference, a man can be seen reaching into the car and lightly touching Hidalgo's underarm and breast. It's not clear whose arm is shown, but the Texas Department of Criminal Justice confirmed that the guard in question resigned last fall after he was confronted with the allegations. The Chronicle was not able to reach him for comment. "Initially they treated her like she was a suspect not a victim," Quanell said. "Too often when a woman makes an outcry she is treated as a suspect not a victim. This lady is a victim, the video speaks to her being a victim. The video is louder than words." Though he only released one short video clip on Wednesday, Quanell said Hidalgo saved another piece of footage, allegedly showing the officer shushing her as if indicating she shouldn't tell anyone what happened. After Hidalgo came forward with her accusations, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice launched an investigation and the officer resigned, according to prison spokesman Jeremy Desel. Prison officials passed the information along to the independent Office of the Inspector General, which handles criminal probes for the agency. They're expected to hand over their results to prosecutors for possible charges, Desel said. "This is a bad, bad case and it needs to be quickly prosecuted," Quanell said. "TDCJ needs to send a message that they have a zero tolerance policy for this kind of behavior." Though the incidents took place last fall, Hidalgo waited nearly a year to come forward publicly because she feared officers at the unit would retaliate against her fiance, who was released Wednesday. "He's now finally home and free and they can't do anything to him," Quanell said. The inspector general did not immediately respond to a request for comment An Abilene church daycare worker accused of sexually abusing at least five different victims has been released from jail. Five months after his arrest, 25-year-old Benjamin Roberts posted bail after his bond was reduced from $350,000 to $100,000, reports KTAB/KRBC. Roberts was originally arrested by the Abilene Police Department in March after his residence was identified as a place where child pornography was being downloaded, according to court documents obtained by Abilene Reporter-News. The arrest led to further investigation into Robert and his place of work, the Wylie Baptist Church Child Development Center. LATEST: Texas woman accused of animal cruelty toward hundreds of dogs, mini horses Court documents reveal that Robert admitted to police he had sexual thoughts about the children he was supervising at the church. Police said two victims told authorities that Roberts touched them inappropriately. Police also allegedly observed Roberts inappropriately touching and tickling children when they reviewed surveillance footage at the daycare. At least five children, all under the age of 14, are believed to be victims of Roberts, court documents indicate. Police are asking parents to speak to their children about any interactions with Roberts and report any cases of sexual abuse to the Abilene Police Department. Fernando Ramirez covers Texas news and politics. Read him on our breaking news site and on our subscriber site. | Fernando.ramirez@chron.com | @fernramirez93 A DACA recipient who was arrested earlier this month as he left a San Antonio camp protesting the Trump Administrations immigration policies will remain in jail, at least for now. After telling Immigration Judge Justin Adams at a hearing Wednesday that they would seek release on $1,500 bond for Sergio Mapache Salazar, his lawyers abruptly withdrew their request after the defense was presented with potential evidence about Salazars Twitter posts. The information was provided by the Department of Homeland Security in a 21-page response opposing Salazars motion for bond that wasnt made public. The filing contains social media posts allegedly attributed to Salazar on Twitter, Homeland Security Assistant Chief Counsel John Wigglesworth told Adams. Salazar, 18, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, appeared at the hearing via video from a Laredo jail where he was transferred after his arrest on Aug. 3. He remained mostly quiet during the proceedings, which were attended by some supporters and had been expected to reveal why the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force had begun investigating Salazar, who recently graduated from Roosevelt High School. Sources told the Express-News that the social media posts allegedly attributed to Salazar described threats against law enforcement, and against agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in particular. The Twitter account attributed to Salazar had been private, and has since been taken down. But in other social media posts, he has quoted lyrics from protest songs made famous by the Black Panther Party and liked posts that appear anti-establishment or anti-government. Afterward, one of his lawyers, Jonathan Ryan, declined to comment on what was in the governments filing that caused the defense to withdraw its motion seeking bond. Well push forward on a bond hearing after we have time to review (the governments filing) with our client, said Ryan, who is also executive director of the San Antonio-based immigrant advocacy group, Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, or RAICES. Ryan and another RAICES lawyer discussed the document with Salazar by phone for about 45 minutes during an hour break called by the judge. Ryan withdrew the bond request after court resumed. Forty-five minutes was not enough time for an adequate review, Ryan said. We are looking for our client to get a fair shake. RAICES and Salazars father claim the FBI was watching the Salazar home a month ago and then questioned Salazar after his arrest about his online activities and tried to get him to cooperate against other protesters. Sergio has never been in trouble with the law and is strictly nonviolent. Sergio recently graduated (from) high school and is an aspiring filmmaker, RAICES said in a statement at the time. ICE officials said in a statement at the time that the agency does not target immigrants unlawfully present in the United States based on their advocacy positions or in retaliation for critical comments they make. The officials said he was arrested for violating immigration law. Salazar was taken into custody Aug. 3 as he left a camp outside an ICE facility on the North Side where he and other self-proclaimed Occupy ICE protestors have remained since about mid-July. Salazar is not facing criminal charges, but allegations of violating administrative immigration law and is in deportation proceedings. Salazar was born in Mexico but was brought to the United States when he was 2 and had temporary legal status under the controversial Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The Trump administration announced last year that it planned to phase out DACA this year, with a six-month delay for recipients. There are disputes about whether it is unconstitutional and should continue and those battles are being played out in various courts, including in Houston. His attorneys had filed for a DACA extension at least a month before he was arrested, but it was denied, Ryan said. Guillermo Contreras covers federal court and immigration news in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland Cornerstone Christian School released a statement responding to a controversial Facebook video posted by a family who says their daughter was not admitted into the private institution due to her Muslim beliefs. On Saturday, Imad Khalil posted a video to his Facebook page with his 15-year-old stepdaughter, Pamela, and her mother. In the 6-minute post, which has since been viewed more than 101,000 times and shared 1,400 times, the stepfather and teen recounted her experience of trying to register at the Christian school, which is led by Pastor John Hagee. Pamela moved back to the country from Lebanon three days prior to touring Cornerstone, the pair explained. The family said Cornerstone staff spent more than an hour giving them a tour of the campus and introducing Pamela to staff. Before filling out paperwork, the family described the reception as feeling "welcomed" and "excited." RELATED: S.A. school boasts big-name athletic hires amid controversy The family was aware of the school's curriculum, which involves bible instruction and praying, and "had no problem" with it, they said. "Everything was working out really fine," Pamela, a junior, said in the video. "I was convinced I wanted to enter this school and so did my mom." Only after an hour at the school, during the registration process, did school officials ask if she was Muslim, Pamela said. "I didn't think it was a going to be a problem," Pamela said. But the staff folded the application and told her she would not be admitted. Later that day, Cornerstone Christian School released a statement regarding a "Facebook video recently posted by the parent of an individual interested in attending our school," though it does not explicitly name Kahlil's family. The statement explains the school's faith-based curriculum and that the decision to reject the application was made out of "respect" for the faith of others and family. "It is not in a child's best interest to be taught a core theology at school that contradicts the core theology taught at home," the school said in the statement. "We feel such a situation could undermine the parents' efforts to pass their faith onto their child which would imperil the parent-child relationship." RELATED: Great Hearts will reinstate San Antonio teacher who assigned 'positives' of slavery worksheet Khalil said Pamela was crying when she called to update him on the registration ordeal. The stepfather, who has claimed San Antonio as home for 40 years, said he "couldn't believe it." "For this to happen in my hometown, it just blew my mind," he said. "This is her welcome to San Antonio." Facebook posts by both Khalil and Cornerstone garnered support from opposing sides. Cornerstone families pointed out the school's "spiritual" requirements which are listed on the website and demand at least one parent or guardian to be Christian and maintains the right to deny enrollment expel or terminate students and employees if they do not abide by the policies. Kahlil's family and friends argued discrimination and said the school should not have waited until the end of the tour to ask if Pamela was Muslim. Khalil told mySA.com that his family has received support from other Christian schools. He said they have not decided on a school yet, but are considering Clark High School. The school maintained that applicants are treated with "respect" and asked that their "faith tradition" be given the same. Madalyn Mendoza is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| mmendoza@mysa.com | Twitter: @MaddySkye The owner and managers of a San Marcos apartment complex where five people were found dead after a catastrophic fire last month have denied any wrongdoing and are seeking to move a lawsuit filed against them to Hays County. The response marks the first time the defendants have publicly addressed claims of gross negligence raised by the lawsuit, which was filed by the father of James Phillip Miranda, 23, one of the victims who perished July 20 at Iconic Village Apartments. The crash of a T-38C Talon jet trainer last year that claimed the life of one of its pilots was due to a total hydraulic failure in the engine, the Air Force said Wednesday. Capt. Paul J. Barbour, 32, of Van Nuys, California, was killed. A fellow instructor pilot, Capt. Joshua Hammervold, survived the crash with injuries. The plane, which went down Nov. 20 in a field between two subdivisions about 14 miles northwest of Laughlin, not far from Lake Amistad outside Del Rio, was flying a routine training mission when things went awry. Hammervold ejected while Barbour stayed with the plane, prompting speculation that he was trying to avoid hitting any homes in the area. I don't know what the pilot was thinking, Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez said at the time. But it could have been a lot worse had it gone into either one of these two subdivisions. FROM OUR SUBSCRIBER SITE: Commander halted Randolph training flights over pilots' concerns More Information A look at the T-38C Talon The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer with an exceptional safety record. Air Education and Training Command is its primary user for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training. Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration also use the T-38. The T-38 needs as little as 2,300 feet of runway to take off and can climb from sea level to nearly 30,000 feet in one minute. Primary function: Advanced jet pilot trainer Builder: Northrop Corp. Power plant: Two General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojet engines with afterburners Thrust: 2,050 pounds dry thrust; 2,900 with afterburners Length: 46 feet, 4 inches Height: 12 feet, 10 inches Wingspan: 25 feet, 3 inches Speed: 812 mph (Mach 1.08 at sea level) Ceiling: Above 55,000 feet Maximum takeoff weight: 12,093 pounds Range: 1,093 miles Armament: T-38A/C, none; AT-38B, provisions for practice bomb dispenser Unit cost: $756,000 (1961 constant dollars) Crew: Two, typically student and instructor Date deployed: March 1961 Inventory: Active force, 545 SOURCE: U.S. Air Force See More Collapse The report states the ejection system also should have propelled Barbour from the cockpit, but Barbour failed to arm his ejection seat during a preflight checklist and was trapped in the aircraft, said Marilyn Holliday, spokeswoman for the San Antonio-based Air Education and Training Command. At the time, the commander of the 47th Flying Training Wing, Col. Charlie Velino, described crashes like it tragic events, but the Air Force has not said anything further pending the release of the report. Laughlin is one of four AETC ungraduate pilot training bases where novices learn to fly. Flight operations were suspended but resumed the following week at the base, home to 3,000 airmen and civilians. FROM OUR SUBSCRIBER SITE: Pilots report more oxygen system woes, but Air Force says T-6A is safe to fly Hammervold, an instructor pilot with the 87th Flying Training Squadron, ejected. Barbour, an instructor pilot who also served as aircrew flight equipment flight commander with the 47th Operations Support Squadron at Laughlin, stayed with the plane. He is survived by his spouse, mother, father and sister. Skies were clear and the wind calm. The sheriff said a hunter spotted a single parachute, but added that he couldnt say what accounts were given by witnesses who talked with Air Force investigators. AETC said the fatal crash was the first of its kind involving one of its planes since May 1, 2008, when pilots ejected from a T-38 flying out of Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls before it crashed. sigc@express-news.net A San Antonio police officer did not follow protocol while handling a call that resulted in her shooting and killing a mentally ill San Antonio woman, according to police suspension records obtained by mySA.com. Officer Crystal Estrada disregarded a handgun magazine she saw in the woman's home, which would have indicated the woman could be armed. After the officers forced their way into the room where the woman had barricaded herself and discovered she had a gun, Estrada sent an unarmed cadet to help try to disarm her, the records show. Estrada, who has been with the department for six years, was initially handed a month-long suspension in connection to January 27 shooting, but records show the suspension was reduced to one week because of her rights under the collective bargaining agreement. READ MORE: Friends remember mentally ill S.A. mom who was shot by police as loving, troubled According to police, officers responded to a welfare check call in the 13600 block of Bluff Circle after Kirsten Kloppe reported that someone was stalking her. After talking to Kloppe and her mother, Estrada decided to take Kloppe into custody for emergency detention, records show. When she found out she was going to be taken into custody, Kloppe ran upstairs and barricaded herself in a closet, authorities said. While Estrada and other officers were searching for a tool to pry open the door, Estrada noticed a handgun magazine. "Nevertheless, Officer Estrada and Officer (Roland) Pacheco decided to force their way through the barricaded door where they found Ms. Kloppe holding a handgun," according to the suspension document. Pacheco tried to disarm Kloppe, and Estrada ordered a cadet to assist him, according to the document. READ ALSO: Family releases detailed account of morning mother of 3 was gunned down by estranged husband As the struggle continued, Estrada shot Kloppe in the torso as she feared Kloppe would harm her or the other officers, officials said. The report faults Estrada's judgement for ordering the unarmed cadet to help disarm Kloppe and disregarding the handgun magazine she saw in the home as an indicator that Kloppe was armed. Kloppe's friends previously told mySA.com that she had only recently begun to show signs of mental illness. "She became more introverted and then more reclusive," said childhood friend Jamie Valder. "She lost contact with a lot of friends. I still called her and texted her on occasion. Facebook helped us all reconnect, but then she became very paranoid." Another friend, Dana Doffin, said that Kloppe "had a heart of gold and was troubled due to things that happened to her." Estrada is also cited in the report for failing to properly load her two spare magazines, according to the document. The suspension will commence on August 14 and end on August 20, according to the suspension record. Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA A suspected serial flasher in San Antonio is facing additional charges. Last week, San Antonio police sought the public's help in finding Terrence Palumbo, 27, who was wanted for allegedly exposing himself to women on three different instances. Palumbo was arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers overnight Friday while they executed a search warrant at his home, where authorities said they also found several marijuana plants. Since then, police have connected him to four additional incidents of indecent exposure, ranging from March to August, according to police spokesperson Jennifer Rodriguez. RELATED: Records: Officer who fatally shot mentally ill woman handed suspension for protocol breaches Palumbo kept his head down and stayed silent as reporters asked him questions Wednesday after he was arrested on the additional charges. Rodriguez said Palumbo spoke to detectives about the charges against him, but would not reveal what he said due to the ongoing investigation. "We're extremely grateful that our officers were able to arrest him without incident," Rodriguez said. "We consider him extremely dangerous because he could have exposed himself to children." In one instance, Palumbo is accused of exposing himself while "driving aggressively" on a San Antonio highway. In another incident, he allegedly flashed a restaurant employee at a drive thru. Rodriguez is asking any other potential victims to call the San Antonio Special Victims Unit at 210-207-2313. Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA A fire that spread in a double-wide trailer on San Antonio's Northeast Side Tuesday night sent two firefighters to the hospital. Firefighters from Windcrest, Converse, Kirby, Fort Sam Houston and Bexar County responded to the fire call in the 8400 block of Braewick Drive around 11:38 p.m., according to officials at the scene. Though Bill Clinton was a far better talker than he was an orator, at least one of his sentences should be carved in stone: There is nothing wrong with America, he said in his 1993 inaugural address, that cannot be cured by what is right with America. Thats a line Andrew Cuomo might want to commit to memory. The New York governor is in the news for saying last week that America was never that great. He went on to explain that the U.S. will reach greatness when every American is fully engaged while complaining that Donald Trumps Make America Great Again slogan was retrospective and intended to return the country to darker times past. As political gifts to the Trump 2020 campaign go, its hard to think of one so perfectly wrapped. For conservatives, the remark is proof of moral ignominy; for liberals, of political stupidity. But its also a statement more than a few people agree with, not least among progressives Cuomo is trying to woo in his primary campaign against challenger Cynthia Nixon. So its worth reminding ourselves of just what it is that really makes America great. Its in that Clinton line: A capacity for adjustment, self-correction and renewal, unequaled among the nations and inscribed in our founding charter. Unalienable Rights. The consent of the governed. The pursuit of Happiness. Created equal. Other countries rise on strengths that ultimately become their failings, sometimes their downfall. Conquest made Rome vast, proud and overstretched. Militarism united Germany in the late 19th century only to become the source of its catastrophes in the next century. Top-down authoritarian directives built Chinas factory floors and high-speed rail networks. But they also impede the bottom-up flow of information and ideas that makes economies adaptive and creative. The U.S. has also endured reversals, crises and malaise, and committed its share of crimes. There is an extensive literature, dating to the 1780s and continuing through the present, predicting imminent doom or long-term decline. Theres an equally long literature cataloging Americas many sins, most of them real but very few of them all that particular to us, including slavery, ethnic cleansing, territorial conquest, racism and misogyny. But the consistent theme of American history has been one of continual overcoming by way of direct recourse to first principles principles that are timeless and universal, even if they were laid down by hypocrites. Its how Abe Lincoln resolved the crisis of the house divided. Its how the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments were ratified along with the 19th. It is the basis for Martin Luther King Jr.s I Have a Dream speech. Its how the Obergefell case on marriage equality was decided. Its also why a record number of Americans 75 percent, according to a Gallup poll from June continue to believe in the benefits of immigration, despite the Trumpian assault. Other countries accept migrants on the basis of economic necessity or as a humanitarian gesture. Only in America is it the direct consequence of our foundational ideals. Its easy to deprecate some of the puffery and jingoism that often go with affirmations of American greatness. But greatness, like happiness, lies less in the achievement than in the striving and in the question of what we are striving for. A more perfect Union. What does that mean? It is both purely subjective and highly purposeful, a recognition of imperfection and the necessity of change. By coincidence, Cuomos remark came just a few days after the death of Nobel Prize-winning novelist V.S. Naipaul, whose 1990 speech, Our Universal Civilization has since been widely shared. It concludes with Naipauls tribute to this idea of the pursuit of happiness. It is an elastic idea; it fits all men, he said. So much is contained in it: the idea of the individual, responsibility, choice, the life of the intellect, the idea of vocation and perfectibility and achievement. It is an immense human idea. It cannot be reduced to a fixed system. It cannot generate fanaticism. But it is known to exist, and because of that, other more rigid systems in the end blow away. Want to know what makes America great, governor? Look no further. The breakthrough Hollywood film about the Asian experience, told from an Asian perspective, featuring an Asian cast, could have been about the cruel exploitation of Chinese workers in the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. It could have been about the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred Chinese laborers from the U.S. for a decade and denied citizenship to Chinese already here. It could have been about the forced removal of more than 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry to internment camps during World War II. It says something that Crazy Rich Asians is a romantic comedy, concerned more with class than race. Its plot is closer to The Philadelphia Story than to the immigrant struggles of The Joy Luck Club. This has been a source of criticism in some quarters. But it is not a flaw but a feature. The story of Crazy Rich Asians is propelled by the interaction of three ethnically Chinese groups. There are the overseas Chinese, who left China (often because of conflict and famine) in the 19th and 20th centuries and came to dominate the economies of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and the main setting for the movie Singapore. By one estimate they comprise about 6 percent of the combined population of those countries and hold about 60 percent of their corporate wealth. The male lead, played by Henry Golding, is a scion of one of those families. Then there is the nouveau riche, whose growth in wealth has far outstripped their growth in taste. This group provides the protagonists best friend, played by Awkwafina, who dominates every scene she enters with a manic glee. Finally, there are the Asian-Americans, who are viewed with suspicion by the Chinese dynastic families, particularly for their tendency to prefer choice and self-expression to filial responsibilities. The American interloper, played charmingly by Constance Wu, was raised by a single mother, became an economics professor at NYU and innocently enters the buzz saw of Singaporean high society. Without providing any spoilers, the product of the American immigrant experience proves every bit as tough and resourceful as the matriarch of the grand Chinese family and love prevails across the division of class. No film can really encompass the Asian experience, in part because the term Asian is absurdly broad. Part of the context for Crazy Rich Asians is the cultural self-confidence of the overseas Chinese, captured at one point in the movie when a father urges a child to clear his plate with the admonition: Think of all the starving children in America. This is an ethnic group that fully expects to own the future. The other context for the movie is a particular phenomenon the extraordinary success of Chinese and other East Asian immigrants in America. The general outlook of this group is conditioned by the fact that the American dream worked as promised for many of them. The median family income of Asians in America is significantly higher than that of whites. One of their main concerns is the accusation that Harvard stoops to race-conscious admissions practices that artificially lower its number of Asian students. Ive seen some of these trends at the micro level. My wife is Korean. She came to America through international adoption an immigrant experience, not as a tolerated stranger, but as a much-loved member of a family. Growing up in a fundamentalist community, in a nearly all-white suburb, she can recall only two instances of prejudice. Our marriage did not cause controversy. Intermarriage is in the process of scrambling a lot of simple ethnic stories. According to a Pew Research Center study, 29 percent of Asian-American newlyweds in 2015 married someone from a different race or ethnicity. My children thanks to the low-cost proliferation of genetic testing know their background is East Asian, West European, South European and European Jewish, with a hint of Irish, Scottish and Welsh. People with this kind of background and Asian-Americans more generally are likely to be proud of their heritage, but not defined by its divisions and resentments. And they are seeing their story reflected, not in a tragedy, but in a brilliant comedy of class and manners. michaelgerson@washpost.com / GPD GREENWICH A suspect in a home invasion in early August was transported from New York City and booked in Greenwich Wednesday on a raft of criminal charges. Hassan Washington, 46, of Cherry Street, in lower Manhattan, was extradited by Greenwich police officers to face charges in connection with a violent break-in on Brook Drive. Police said Washington was among a group of men who beat up a local man, tied him up and stole personal belongings on Aug. 4. Larry Kudlow, President Donald Trumps top economic adviser, hosted a birthday party for himself in his Redding home over the weekend, with noted guests including reputed white nationalist Peter Brimelow as well as Bob Stefanowski, Republican candidate for governor. Kudlow is the latest White House figure to be associated with Brimelow, the publisher of a website that serves as a platform for white nationalism. His birthday party took place a day after White House speechwriter Darren Beattie was fired when it became public that he spoke on a panel with Brimelow in 2016, according to a report from The Washington Post. Kudlow did not return a request for comment Wednesday. He told The Washington Post that although he has known Brimelow for more than four decades, he was unaware of Brimelows association with white nationalism, and had he been, we would never have invited him. After first declining to comment on Kudlows affiliation with Brimelow, Pat Trueman, Stefanowskis campaign manager, said Stefanowski echoes Kudlows comments that he was unaware of Brimelows reputation as a white nationalist. By around 4:30 p.m., as state Democrats lambasted the GOP candidate for attending the event, Stefanowski issued an expanded statement from his Branford headquarters. This weekend I attended a birthday party for my friend Larry Kudlow, Stefanowski said. Days after, I learned that one of the guests was white nationalist Peter Brimelow. I did not see the guest list before attending, did not notice Brimelow at the party, and could not pick him out of a line up but I was appalled to learn I was in the same room with him. Kudlow has reviewed Stefanowskis economic plan, and the two are mutual friends of Reagan-era economist Arthur Laffer. The Southern Poverty Law Center has characterized Brimelow, who lives in Litchfield, as a white nationalist, although he has rejected the label, instead referring to himself as anti-immigration and a racial nationalist. He is the founder of the anti-immigrant website Vdare.com, which regularly publishes works by white supremacists. Brimelow took to Twitter to defend himself, and said, Ive known Larry for nearly 40 years. I regard him as a personal friend. They knew my first wife, who died, and were most kind to Lydia when I remarried. We agreed to disagree on immigration long ago. Kudlow, a former Democrat, has publicly advocated for immigration reform and a path to legalization for undocumented workers. The Trump administration is under fire for comments the president has made on race and white nationalism. A year ago he said there was blame on both sides after a white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville turned violent, and last week the same week he endorsed Stefanowski for governor he was criticized for referring to his former top African American adviser as a dog. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt Zimbabwe has entered another nail-biting week as it eagerly waits for the full bench of the Constitutional Court (Con-Court) to hear a petition filed by MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, who is seeking to overturn President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwas win. On Wednesday, the court will commence the hearing of the presidential challenge, with a verdict likely by Friday. This comes as regional leaders have called for calm ahead of the hearing at the just-ended Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit held in Namibia. The summit, called upon all stakeholders in Zimbabwe to remain calm while the legal processes regarding the outcome of the election are being considered by the courts and to respect the will of the people of Zimbabwe. In his application, Chamisa claims to have won the election with 60 percent of the vote. But according to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), he got 44,3 percent, while Mnangagwa got 50,8 percent, figures, which have now been revised upwards and downwards respectively by the electoral body. According to the revised Zec figures, Chamisa now has 44,39 percent, while Mnangagwa now stands at 50,6 percent. As consequent to the legal battle, no inauguration has taken place more than two weeks after the disputed poll results were announced. Initially, Mnangagwas inauguration had been slated for August 12 but it had to be cancelled after Chamisa lodged his petition at the Con-Court. Since then, the country has been gripped in uncertainty. Chamisa is seeking the court to nullify the election results and that he be declared the winner or an order for the conducting of fresh elections be granted. Mnangagwa insists he legitimately won the ballot. He told the court that Zec was correct in declaring him the winner, calling on the Con-Court to dismiss Chamisas application with costs. It is now up to the Con-Court led by Chief Justice Luke Malaba to make the final ruling based on the evidence presented before it. Academic Pedzisai Ruhanya wrote on his Twitter account that all the eyes will be on the Con- Court bench. Whatever ruling the court makes, Zimbabwe is in deep crisis of legitimacy that mere legalities cant resolve; not even the Constitutional Court! The public sphere and the social media alike were yesterday dominated with discussions and comments pertaining to the court case. Other Twitter users like Jabusile Shumba, said, ?#Zimbabwe The Constitutional Court has an opportunity to break with the past, demonstrate highest levels of probity and impartiality and restore faith in the judiciary and importantly the people from which the ultimate power is derived. Political analyst Eldred Masunungure said the case was a highly contentious issue, noting some people would be saddened by its outcome while others will celebrate. It is going to be a highly contentious ruling, which is going to receive varying analysis from different players. Whatever the outcome, the net effect is going to deepen the polarisation in the country. It is clear from comparative survey, Zimbabwe has deep polarisation, Masunungure said. He said the court ruling will impact negatively on this deep polarisation, which can only be dealt with if there is a post effect of national healing and reconciliation to bridge the divide between Zanu PF and the MDC Alliance. Masunungure also said there was need for the regional community to assist the country in its quest to bridge the political divisions, adding that the Judiciary will surely have to analyse the evidence presented before it and the rebuttal by Mnangagwa to come up with a fair judgment. He said besides being legal animals, judges were also political animals too and will have to make political considerations that will not impact negatively on the country. He said the courts decision had the effect of leaving the bench being applauded by the international community, like what happened in Kenya or risked being accused by the losers of playing into the hands of the international communitys political pressure. The Thokozani Khupe-led MDC vice president, Obert Gutu, said even after the court ruling the country will still move on. The day is Wednesday, August 22, 2018 and the Constitutional Court will deliver a sound and concise judgement. Zimbabwe will continue to move on. God bless you all my compatriots! he said on Twitter. MDC Alliance national chairperson Morgen Komichi, said the court has a chance to correct the electoral malpractices in the country through his boss application. Con-Court its your time to correct all the disruptions of the democratic practices in the Zimbabwe elections once and for all. Listen to the voice of the Lord, wrote Komichi on Twitter. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday hailed southern African leaders for not congratulating President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa at a summit in Namibia held last week. Heads of State from the 16-nation Sadc met for its 38th summit in Windhoek and in a communique, boldly ignored Mnangagwas victory despite congratulating Angolan President Joao Lourenco and his Movement for the Popular Liberation of Angola (MPLA) partys recent electoral victory. To our colleagues in Sadc, I want to really appreciate the position that they took. They did not congratulate Zanu PF, they did not congratulate Mnangagwa because they know he has not won, Chamisa told a news conference at the partys HQ in central Harare yesterday. I am really happy with that position. Some may want to say Mnangagwa was given the position of deputy chairperson of Sadc Organ Troika. That position is given to a country; it is not Mnangagwas position. I will take up that position as head of State once the process is confirmed. We dont want people who celebrate nothing and want to make it something. He has not been not been appointed, there is no confidence in him even from Sadc. Thats why he came back empty-handed. (Angola) President Joao Lourenco and MPLA were congratulated not Mnangagwa because they know that he has not won this election. The people have voted and they cheated. Sadc, however, urged Zimbabweans to remain calm while the legal process regarding the outcome of the elections that are being considered by the courts continues. To Sadc, please help us to heal the division in the country to cure the illegitimacy crisis that we have, Chamisa said. Sadc must come in and we start to negotiate a respectable exit of Mnangagwa and respectable exit of those who were voted out. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) has dispatched senior judges and jurists to observe MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisas presidential court challenge against President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa, set to be heard at the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) starting today. Arnold Tsunga, Africa director at International Commission of Jurists, yesterday disclosed that three jurists had already been accredited to observe Chamisas presidential petition. The Africa Judges and Jurists Forum will be represented by secretary-general Martin Masiga from Uganda, Retired Chief Justice Earnest Sakala of Zambia and Justice Isaac Lenaola from the Supreme Court of Kenya, Tsunga said. The AJJF works closely with the International Court of Jurists and the latter strongly supports the mission. He added: The three are already in the country and have been accredited. The AJJF, headquartered in South Africa, was formed by African judges and jurists to create space for African judges and jurists to promote the rule of law and development in the region. AJJF, in a statement, said the observation mission will focus on the proceedings of the cases compliance with regional and international human rights law and standards on fair trial. These norms are substantially reflected in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Members of the observation mission will sit and follow proceedings from the courtroom, part of the statement read. At the end of the exercise, the observers will compile and release an independent and impartial report, stating their conclusions on the fair trial dimension of the proceedings. In appropriate cases, they may make recommendations they deem necessary for the improvement of the administration of justice in the future. Masiga said in an environment of polarisation and tension, the presence of international observers gives the litigating parties and their supporters a sense of international assistance and renewed confidence. The presence of the observation mission should help to make sure that justice is both done and seen to be done, Masiga, who is the founder member and incumbent of the forum, said. Chamisas court challenge is expected to be attended by many diplomats and foreign journalists. NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News WAR veterans yesterday accused the United States of extending sanctions on Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of seven civilians by the military on August 1, suggesting the killings were an act of self-defence after Zanu PF property went under siege from the protesters. Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association secretary-general Victor Matemadanda said the US had ignored worst cases of human rights abuses in other parts of Africa, citing the Marikana Mine shooting in South Africa. Despite the wide condemnation of the killings during protests by MDC Alliance supporters demanding that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) release the July 30 presidential results, Matemadanda said the US acted in bad faith and suggested that Zimbabwe must totally ignore all re-engagement efforts with Donald Trumps administration. You go to Zanu PF Harare offices, offices were destroyed. Here at Zanu PF headquarters, buses and property were destroyed. (People come) to attack a party headquarters and they want to vent their anger on Zec and why did they fight Zanu PF when they have a query against Zec? Matemadanda said. What is the logic of saying Zanu PF has a winning candidate from an election that is being run by Zec? You go and attack Zanu PF offices instead of attacking Zec, why? Those were enemies of Zanu PF, clearly, and how from an uniformed point of view you wake up and find your home surrounded by people holding knobkerries, stones and how are you supposed to react? If you wake up, come out from your office and find people throwing stones and destroying property, what law condemns you for reacting. Its American law. Matemadanda accused MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa of hobnobbing with former President Robert Mugabe, whom he accused of engineering the abduction of activist Itai Dzamara in 2015 by suspected State agents. Matemadanda said the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai must be turning in his grave over the relationship between Mugabe and Chamisa. He also accused Mugabe of influencing Chamisa to file an electoral petition that is set to be heard at the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) today. Matemadanda went on to mock MDC Alliance principal Tendai Biti for fleeing to Zambia after suspected elements within the military besieged his family home shortly after the July 30 elections. Biti said he was going to die on the streets if MDC was not going to win, but we found him in the streets of Zambia. How do you take the streets of Harare for Livingstone? he said. Meanwhile, the war veterans are today expected to submit a petition calling on the government to rename Robert Mugabe International Airport. Matemadanda claimed the country had unnecessarily over-honoured Mugabe Last, but not least, he (Mugabe) proved to be a political abortionist who allowed the role-usurpation of his presidency to a clueless wife, leading an uncouth faction. Propelled by the desire to portray the image of Zimbabwe in good light and the historical and future legacy of Zanu PF and Zimbabwe, we humbly and honestly present our petition to have the airport name changed, the petition read. NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News - As Nigerian Muslims join others across the world to celebrate Eid-El-Kabir, Bukola Saraki has called for peaceful coexistence - He urged Nigerians not to forget the sacrifices and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim - Eid-El-Kabir is a day set aside to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to follow Allahs command to sacrifice his son, Ishmael The Senate president, Bukola Saraki, has felicitated with Muslims as they celebrate this year's Eid-el-Kabir. In a message posted on his Twitter handle on Tuesday, August 21, Saraki called on Nigerians to submit to the will of the Almighty and in service of all mankind. The president of the Senate and Wazirin Ilorin was at the Eid Praying Ground, New Eid road, Ilorin, Kwara state with other Muslims. READ ALSO: 2019: It is necessary for PDP to zone presidency to northwest - Kwankwaso Saraki observed prayers at the Eid Praying Ground, New Eid road, Ilorin, Kwara state. Photo Credit: Bukola Saraki Twitter Saraki, a former governor of Kwara sate, urged Nigerians to further devote their prayers at the Eid praying grounds to the call on Allah to restore peace. Photo Credit: Bukola Saraki Twitter Eid-El-Kabir is a day set aside to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to follow Allahs command to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. To allow Muslims mark the day, the federal government had declared Tuesday , August 21 and Wednesday, August 22, as public holidays. in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful, Saraki asked Nigerians to remember the sacrifice and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim. Photo Credit: Bukola Saraki Twitter PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Eid-al-Adha is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year. Photo Credit: Bukola Saraki Twitter Legit.ng earlier reported that President Buhari will be celebrating this years Eid-el Kabir with fellow kinsmen in his home town, Daura, Katsina state. The president on Monday, August 20, left the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 3.06pm. In his Sallah message posted on his official Twitter account (@MBuhari) on Tuesday, August 21, the president called on Nigerians to rise above personal interests and promote harmony in the nation. He also vowed not to rest until the country is free from the ravages of corruption. He said his administration will not relent in its relent in its effort to build and secure a prosperous nation. Nigeria Election 2019: What are Bukola Sarakis chances against President Buhari on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Bishop Okonkwo says a cleric should be bold enough to stand by his or her prophesy and apologize if it does not come to pass - He also brushed aside calls for Igbo presidency in 2023, saying the southeast should look to develop its region instead - He also accused former president Goodluck Jonathan of wasting his opportunity as a minority ruling Nigeria The ex-president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and General Overseer of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) Bishop Mike Okonkwo has advised that church leaders whose prophesies did not come to pass should apologise to the church. Bishop Okonkwo said this in an interview with some newsmen while speaking on Nigerias politics and economic development. In the version of the interview published by Leadership, Bishop Okonkwo said: Anyone who makes a prophetic declaration let him stand by his prophetic declaration, if it didnt come to pass let him come and apologise to the church that he lied. READ ALSO: Enugu APC picks aide to Buhari as Ekweremadus replacement in Senate There is nothing wrong that you make a prophesy and out went over the bar, come to church and tell the church that you lied. What annoys me is that you come and begin to paint it, I didnt say it this way because I said it this way, that is nonsense. You make a prophesy, it fails, you are a human being, come to the church and say I fail. The cleric also knocked the presidential aspirations of his people from the southeast, claiming that they are working for the wrong thing. Bishop Okonkwo says ex-president Jonathan toyed with his opportunity as president from minority region. Im an Igbo man but as far as Im concerned I dont believe in Igbo to call for presidency. Igbos should shut their doors and develop South-east. We are fighting for the wrong thing, lets develop South-east. This nation needs restructuring. The reason everyone is jostling for presidency is because of the juicy largesse that comes from there, let every person go to his own region and develop, make the centre less attractive, unbundle this centre, if you have something to offer, go to your area and get it done. For me, I am not an advocate of Igbo must be president, unless God supernaturally because there is something He wants to do. No doubt Igbos have been marginalised, Im not speaking out of that, they have been deprived Im not speaking out of that, my point is let us not use that as a bait as if we are doing Igbo a favour. Vote for me so that I will give you in 2023, I dont like that, we are all Nigerians. He also accused ex-president Goodluck Jonathan of toying with his opportunity as Nigerias minority ruler. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Everyone is entitled to rule this country, that was my joy when Jonathan became the president of this country, I was excited in the sense that for once let it be said that a minority can rule this country, I was happy that he came on board but unfortunately he played with it and this is here we are. Legit.ng recalls that the special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on new media, Lauretta Onochie, recently verbally attacked the general overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman over failed prophecy. Onochie took to her Twitter page to call out Apostle Suleman, who she said is discrediting Christianity. Primate Ayodeles Predictions About The Upcoming 2019 Elections - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Chris Ngige says President Buhari has fulfilled many of his promises to the people of the south east - Ngige notes that Buhari's government had been generous to the people of the zone - The minister gives details of the president's infrastructural development of the zone Chris Ngige, the labour and employment minister of Nigeria, has revealed that the government of Muhammadu Buhari has been very generous to the people of the south east. He denied that the administrations presence had not been felt in the zone. Ngige reportedly made the declaration during a briefing at Obosi in Idemili North local government area of Anambra state. Sahara Reporters quoted the minister as highlighting the infrastructural efforts in the region, adding: The federal government of Nigeria has been generous to the people of the south east; I am from the south east. READ ALSO: 2019: It is necessary for PDP to zone presidency to northwest - Kwankwaso You see the President promised us infrastructure development and the south east has not been left out. When you talk about infrastructure, you are talking about transport, road infrastructure, air infrastructure, sea, health and power infrastructure. In all these areas, we (south east) have not been left untouched. If you drive from Enugu now to Awka, you will see the work that is ongoing on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway; if you go there and see the thickness of asphalting work, you will marvel. Ngige, who expressed his intention to contest for the Senate in 2019, added: The people who are pressurising me are my constituents; the people of Anambra state and some prominent people from the south east. We are all in agreement that we need to go and better the milieu of the ninth Senate. Many people feel that the present eighth Senate has been engulfed in a battle of supremacy with the executive and they feel that some of us who have tested the executive and legislature should go back. The Senate is not for kindergartens. I am considering it. I am consulting and the result of my consultations will be made known in a fortnight. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Legit.ng earlier reported that Chris Ngige revealed that he is under immense pressure from the South East geo political zone to run for the senate in 2019 and he is giving it a serious consideration. Nigeria Latest News: Primate Ayodeles Predictions About The Upcoming 2019 Elections | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - In the spirit of Eid-El Kabir, Kano governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has freed 170 prisoners serving jail terms across the state - He said the gesture was to complement the federal governments efforts to further reduce congestion in the nations prisons - The governor also gave each of the freed inmates N5,000 as transport fare to their destination Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state has granted freedom to 170 prison inmates across the state. Ganduje, who witnessed the release of the inmates from Goron Dutse Prison on Tuesday, August 21, said the gesture was in the spirit of Eid-El Kabir, NAN reports. READ ALSO: 2019: Dont return Nigeria to Egypt - Lai Mohammed You are part of the people who need our attention at this time and all other times, he said. The governor said that the gesture was to complement the federal governments efforts to further reduce congestion in the nations prisons. Ganduje said that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed all governors to help in decongesting prisons across the country. President Buhari has since directed all governors to help in decongesting our prisons across the country. What we are doing is in compliance with that order given to us, he said. The governor also disclosed that since the inception of his administration in 2015, about 2000 inmates have been released. He advised the ex-inmates to change their attitudes to life and pray for peace and stability in Nigeria. The governor also gave each of the freed inmates N5,000 as transport fare to their destination. Earlier, the comptroller of prisons in Kano, Abdullahi Magaji, thanked the governor for freeing about 2,000 inmates since his coming into office. Magaji advised the freed inmates to stay off crimes to avoid going back to prison. Some of the freed inmates commended the state government for the gesture and promised to shun crimes. The inmates also presented the governor with gifts for his efforts in freeing prison inmates in the state. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Presidency denied reports that President Muhammadu Buhari pardoned 500 prison inmates in Kano state. In tweets posted by the Presidency Office of Digital Engagement (PODE) via its official handle, @DigiCommsNG, it was disclosed that the inmates were actually pardoned by the state governor, Umar Ganduje. How workaholic Governor Ganduje is transforming Kano state - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng - Udoma Ekarika says he is proud to return to the PDP again - Ekarika is optimistic that Governor Udom Emmanuel will win the 2019 election in the state - He accuses a cabal in the state of destroying the PDP and coming to the APC Udoma Ekarika, the factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom, has reportedly defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) days after a former governor and current senator, Godswill Akpabio, left the ruling party in the state. Premium Times reports that Ekarika announced his defection at a political rally organised on Monday, August 20, in Onna by the people of Akwa Ibom south district to endorse Governor Udom Emmanuels bid for re-election. The report said Ekarika, a former commissioner in the state, was narrowly defeated by Akpabio in the 2007 governorship race in the state. READ ALSO: 2019: It is necessary for PDP to zone presidency to northwest - Kwankwaso The report quoted Ekarika as saying: Im coming back from a very useless party called APC, I am proud to become part of PDP again. He also clarified what he meant by useless saying he was referring to the APC chapter in the state and not the national level. Yes, APC in Akwa Ibom state is a useless party because of the useless people who have come to join it, he said. Concerning his claim that he was validly elected chairman of the APC in the state, Ekarika said: My aspiration to lead the party was borne out of my desire to reposition the party for electoral success in 2019 and beyond. But the cabal, who were the destroyers of PDP who came to APC because they believe in impunity and imposition, came to say instead of doing the needful which was to conduct an election, they preferred to do an unconstitutional thing called consensus. There is nothing like consensus in the APC guideline. I was not happy about it; they should have allowed the will of the people to prevail. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Concerning Udoms reelection plan, he said: Udom will not have any tough battle with anybody. What is on the ground is that Victor Attah did two terms, Godswill Akpabio also did two terms, so Udom Emmanuel would be allowed to do two terms too. Apart from that, Udom has done very well. Udom has done very well, I can say it loud. One of the things he has done which Akwa Ibom people appreciate it is that he has brought peace to this state. Legit.ng earlier reported that the former minority leader of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). News Nigeria Today: Who is Nigerias Smartest Politician? | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - A former aide of ex-Presidents Jonathan and Obasanjo has reacted to the presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar - He said Nigeria will need 10 years to recover if Atiku becomes the president - The ex-presidential aide, however, said Nigeria will make history if Senate president Bukola Saraki becomes Nigerias president for a day A former aide of ex-Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo, Doyin Okupe, says Nigeria will not make progress if former vice-president Atiku Abubakar succeeds in his presidential ambition. Recall that Abubakar, a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last year. He is one of the presidential aspirants of the opposition party. However, Okupe said Abubakars presidency would draw Nigeria backwards and that it will take the country ten years to recover from such. READ ALSO: APC factional chairman in Akwa Ibom joins PDP days after Akpabios defection Writing on Twitter on Monday, August 20, Okupe said while he disagrees with Abubakar becoming Nigerias president, it would be a different case with Senate President Bukola Saraki. Saraki had said he is considering running against President Muhammadu Buhari in the next election. If Atiku rules Nigeria for 1 day, it will take us 10 years to recover. If Saraki rules for a day, Nigeria will (bxexcxoxmxe) make history, Okupe tweeted. However, following the heated the tweet generated on Twitter, Okupe on Wednesday, August 22, claimed he did not originate the tweet but did not mention the originator of the tweet nor reveal where he got it from. His tweet: "I did not originate d post saying if Atiku ruled, Nig will not recover in 10yrs, but if SP, it 'll bcom history.I changed bcos history to "will make History".Can never insult Atiku 4 any reason." PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Saraki on Monday, August 20, replied the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying the latter was accommodating inadequacies in the party because of his presidential ambition for 2023. Saraki said this in response to a letter reportedly written by Tinubu giving reasons why the Senate president and others left the APC. The Senate president noted that he had at several times complained to Tinubu and a host of party leaders in the APC about the administration of Muhammadu Buhari as well as the need to carry critical stakeholders along. Nigeria Latest News: Atiku Abubakar - Exclusive Comments About The Elections | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Senator Shehu Sani has revealed the party and the presidential candidate he is endorsing for 2019 elections - The outspoken senator said the ruling APC and President Buhari deserve re-election - He said the achievements of the present administration outweighed its weaknesses and challenges Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) deserve re-election in the 2019 general elections. The activist turned politician stated this while interacting with newsmen who visited him to mark the Salah celebration at his Kaduna residence, Leadership reports. Sani reportedly said that in spite of the challenges bedevilling the nation, the performance of the present administration under the leadership of President Buhari has done more for the good of the nation considering the challenges he has to deal with. READ ALSO: APC factional chairman in Akwa Ibom joins PDP days after Akpabios defection He described President Buhari as a symbol of integrity whose transparency and achievements outweigh the weaknesses and challenges in the polity. He said: It would amount to self-deception and denial to say that in the last three years, there have not been challenges in the country, there are challenges between the APC as a party and governance. But President Buhari has been able to summon the courage to fight corruption and corrupt officials, improved on the economy and the good image of the country among the comity of nations. The present administration under President Buhari has generated the country an exceptional and outstanding recognition globally. The present administration has completed projects and initiated new ones, activities of the insurgents have reduced to the barest minimum and today Nigeria is more peaceful than in the past. Even though he stressed that the achievements of the present administration outweighed its weaknesses and challenges, the senator noted that unemployment and level of poverty among Nigerians is something that is worrisome. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng previously reported that the presidency said President Buhari had demonstrated his fitness to run for a second term by trekking 800 metres from the Eid-praying ground in Daura to his private residence. President Buhari was said to have shunned protocol and opted to trek some 800 metres, acknowledging cheers from Nigerians, who lined up on his home route to catch a glimpse of him. Nigeria Election 2019: Kenneth Okonkwo Interview - Buhari will win on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - The Operation Python Dance III has been condemned by Ohanaeze Ndigbo - The group said Operation Python Dance II would heat up the polity in the southeast region - According to the group, the deployment of soldiers to the region is a move to intimidate resident under guise The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has condemned the Nigerian Army's plan to commence the Operation Python Dance III in states in the southeast region of Nigeria. The Igbo socio-cultural group said the deployment of soldiers to the region is a move to intimidate resident under guise. Speaking on the proposed Operation Python Dance III in the region, the spokesperson for the Ohanaeze, Chuks Ibegbu, said the troops should be deployed to to farms, road construction sites and engage them for city beautification purposes if there are no more defence jobs for them. READ ALSO: Shehu Sani reveals party, presidential candidate he endorses for 2019 elections Ibegbu said sending troops to the region would only cause undue panic in the polity. He said: Nigeria Army should by now be producing medium range missiles and ammunitions for which Nigeria is spending billlions of naira that should have been used to develop the country. Rather, they produce only salt and light weapons at DICON and spend the rest of their time intimidating innocent Nigerians. READ ALSO: You have failed to coordinate and organise National Assembly to offer quality legislation - Miyetti Allah allegedly attacks Saraki We need a peoples Army and security agencies and not intimidators. Let the Army go and produce food for its personnel in Army farms and sell the rest to Nigerian citizens," Ibegbu said. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Nigerian Army had announced its plan to begin an annual training programme of "Operation Python Dance III" popularly referred to as Exercise Egwu Eke III in the southeast states. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app The exercise which had its two previous phases, I and II, would take place in states' formations and units under the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army. The general officer commanding of the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Kabuk, while speaking when he paid a familiarisation visit to the military cantonment, 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) Onitsha, Anambra state, said the operation is a training exercise for troops. TY Danjuma, Nigerian Army and the herdsmen crisis - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - The APC has reacted to the allegations levelled against Tinubu by Saraki - The Senate president had claimed that the APC leader is supporting President Buhari because of his 2023 presidential ambition - The ruling party, however, said that Tinubu has not made nown his presidential ambition, adding that it is too early to be talking about 2023 The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the claim by Senate president Bukola Saraki that its national leader, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, was supporting President Muhammadu Buhari in order to take over from him in 2023. Saraki had on Monday, August 20, said Tinubu was supporting President Buharis re-election with the hope of succeeding the president in 2023. The Senate president also said Tinubu told him he would support Buhari even if he was on a stretcher. READ ALSO: Shehu Sani reveals party, presidential candidate he endorses for 2019 elections Saraki spoke in reaction to a statement on Sunday, August 19, by Tinubu, alleging that the Senate president dumped the APC because of his presidential ambition and selfish quest for power. However, the national publicity secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena, in an interview with The Punch, indicated that it was premature to talk about 2023 presidency, adding that Tinubus presidential ambition had not been communicated to the party. When asked to comment on Sarakis statement, Nabena said: This (Tinubus ambition) has not been communicated to the party, so I cannot comment on it. Besides, why should anybody be talking about 2023 when we are in 2018? Is anybody God? Meanwhile, in his own reaction to the alleged 2023 ambition, a chieftain of Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-cultural association, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said the APC leader must be naive to think that the North will allow him to succeed Buhari in 2023. The 90-year-old statesman also urged the people of the southwest not to allow themselves to be fooled by Tinubu a second time. Tinubu is daydreaming if he thinks the North will ever support his presidential ambition. We have our principles. We are not supporting Buhari under any circumstance and Tinubu cannot lead Yoruba land because all he has done is to lead us astray. All he has done for us is to give some of our people who are close to him appointments. Nothing tangible has been done for Yoruba land. He gave his stooges appointments, nothing more, nothing less. If he has done more than that, let him say it, The Punch quoted him to have said. Adebanjo said the only demand the Yoruba had made was restructuring which the APC had been dishonest about. The Afenifere chieftain said one of the reasons Afenifere supported Buhari in 2007 was because of his promise to restructure the country to allow for true federalism. He said instead of keeping its promise, the APC resorted to setting up a committee on restructuring to deceive Nigerians. How can they be telling us about the restructuring committee, when from the outset, they were supposed to have started restructuring. Who do they think they are fooling? If Tinubu is daydreaming, he shouldnt think others are daydreaming like him, Adebanjo added. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, said that President Buhari and the APC deserve re-election in the 2019 general elections. The activist turned politician stated this while interacting with newsmen who visited him to mark the Salah celebration at his Kaduna residence, Leadership reports. Sani reportedly said that in spite of the challenges bedevilling the nation, the performance of the present administration under the leadership of President Buhari has done more for the good of the nation considering the challenges he has to deal with. Nigeria Election 2019: What are Bukola Sarakis chances against President Buhari | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has said Ayefeles disability does not make him above the law - Ajimobi has blamed those calling him out for the demolition as some of the problems Nigeria has - Music House, which housed Yinka Ayefele's Fresh FM, was demolished on Sunday, August 19 Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has berated popular musician and owner of Fresh FM, Yinka Ayefele, for flouting the laws in the construction of his Music House, which was demolished by the state government on Sunday, August 19. The governor in an interview with BBC Yoruba, said the excuses people are making for Ayefele will not stand in the face of the position of the law. He said the facts that the musician has bad legs (physically handicapped) and is an employer of labour does not mean he should break the law. READ ALSO: Angry Edo youths attack Obasekis convoy, accuse him of discrimination in political affairs Ajimobi said: So also the house they said we demolished. The man did not obey the law. Some are now saying because he has bad legs. So if somebody has bag legs he should be violating the law? They said he employed people. Do armed robbers not employ people? Do we say because armed robbers have employees they should keep stealing? And we told them, that road. But he has spoken, we will pity them. But we have to obey the law. Legit.ng previously reported that the Oyo state government on Monday said that due process was followed in the demolition of the Music House belonging to the popular musician, Yinka Ayefele. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app It also said that no court order restrained it from carrying out its statutory role in the public interest. Waheed Gbadamosi, the Special Adviser to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi on Physical Planning and Development Control, claimed at a press conference in Ibadan that government gave ample opportunity for Music House to regularise its building plan. Please, don't destroy our houses - Nigerians cry out - On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Chris Ngige has accused state governors of delaying an agreement on a new wage structure - The minister said the governors have failed to submit their proposal on the new wage system - According to him, a tripartite Committee would conclude its assignment this month The minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige, has said that the most critical aspect of the process is yet to be finalised. Ngige also accused Nigerian governors of failure to submit their proposal on the new wage system, stating that without a proposal from the governors, there cannot be an agreement on a new wage structure. Speaking to journalists in Anambra state, the labour minister said a tripartite Committee would conclude its assignment this month. READ ALSO: Obasanjo lists 4 problems facing APC, PDP; insists he is not member of ADC Ngige said: I am the deputy chairman (of the committee); I drive it. We have a timetable and we will finish everything about it this end of August, but it is not attainable anymore because even in the committee we have not all finished dotting all the is and agreeing on a figure We couldnt agree on a figure because of two reasons, partly the state governors have not come up with a figure and the state governors are a critical constituent of this discussion. They have six governors in the committee, one from each geo-political zone," Ngige said. READ ALSO: Shehu Sani reveals party, presidential candidate he endorses for 2019 elections He also said that the committee is working with an economic management team to fine-tune whatever the governors bring to the table. So the Governors Forum has not come up with their figure. They say they are still working on it. That was the last submission they made to us and the federal government team. We are working through the Economic management team. The Economic management team dictates the economy of the country and they will now take whatever the governors say and fine-tune with that of the federal government, so that is where we are The national minimum wage tripartite committee is still at work, and is until it brings out its figures, brings out its recommendations pertaining to the national minimum wage. It is only after that that a Bill can be sent to the National Assembly for processing and be sent to Mr. President for assent and for it to become a National Minimum Wage Act," he said. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that governors had warned that 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. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app The governors 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. Ekiti State REC Reveals How INEC Will Stop Rigging In Forthcoming Election | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Wedding photos of a gay Nigerian man and his Brazilian husband have since gone viral on social media, sparking mixed reactions. Being gay might be a crime in Nigeria attracting 14 years imprisonment, but it sure isn't stopping gay people from being with their partners. Over the past few few, more Nigerians in diaspora are becoming opened about their status. Michael Lord Smith's case is no different. The Nigerian author recently sealed the deal with his Brazilian gay lover, Deck Farias, in Sao Paolo, Brazil. The couple took to their respective Facebook pages to share the news with their friends. Michael on his part wrote: "finally the appointed day has come. Thanks to everyone who made this special day possible. Join us In our marvelous journey ahead." READ ALSO: Nigerian indigenous rapper Phyno breaks internet with rare photo of his mother Photos from their wedding Source: Facebook/Michael Lord Smith READ ALSO: I'm done making babies - Timaya declares after welcoming third child Photos from their wedding Source: Facebook/Michael Lord Smith This is one among many other Nigerians who have wedded their gay partners abroad Recall a while ago, Legit.ng reported the news of a Nigerian man identified as Kenny Brandmuse, who got married to his white gay partner in a simple ceremony in the US. Charlie Boy's daughter, Dewy, also recently went public about being gay. She had taken to Instagram to announce that she and her partner had opened a couple account, as a way to celebrate their relationship. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News App et the hottest gist on Africa Love Aid Homosexuals in Nollywood: Myth or Reality? | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - The mentally impaired man who killed Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin of Odo-Oro in Ikole local government area of Ekiti, has been arrested - Caleb Ikechukwu, the police public relations officer, on Tuesday, August 21, revealed that the name of the culprit is Omoniyi Ademola Stephen - Ikechukwu promised locals in the state that the police will be proactive and professional in their investigation of what prompted the killer's crime The police command in Ekiti has arrested the suspected mad man who reportedly killed Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin, the traditional ruler of Odo-Oro in Ikole local government area of the state. READ ALSO: Demolition notice landed me in hospital for five days - Yinka Ayefele The police carried out a high-profile search for him after the suspect stabbed the monarch with a knife and fled into the bush on Monday, August 20, Naija News reports. Oba Ogunsakin was killed just after he presided over a meeting with his council chiefs where matters of community development were deliberated upon Caleb Ikechukwu, the police public relations officer on Tuesday, August 21, revealed that the Oba's killer, identified as Omoniyi Ademola Stephen, has been arrested. Ikechukwu said that Ademola was arrested by 4:30pm on Monday, August 20, around Ajao Market in Ado-Ekiti and he is being investigated. He said: He confessed to the crime and our investigation continues. The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for more investigation. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Ikechukwu assured locals in the area that the police will be professional in their investigation into the circumstances surrounding development. Earlier, Legit.ng had reported that Odo-Oro-Ekiti, a town in Ikole local government area of Ekiti, was on Monday, August 20, thrown into mourning as its traditional ruler, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin, was stabbed to death 32 years after he ascended the throne. Legit.ng gathered that some residents, who spoke, said the traditional ruler was stabbed with a knife by a man suspected to be insane after a meeting of the traditional council. Ekiti Election 2018: Watertight Security in Ado-Ekiti as INEC Expects Election Materials | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - A chieftain of Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo, has reacted to Tinubus alleged 2023 presidential ambition - Adebanjo said the APC leader should not think North will ever support his ambition - He also urged the people of the southwest not to support Tinubu again - Also, Afenifere spokesman, Odumakin, noted that the verbal exchanges between Tinubu and Saraki were all about their personal interests Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a chieftain of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural association, said the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) must be naive to think that the North will allow him to succeed Buhari in 2023. Adebanjo stated this in reaction to Senate president Bukola Sarakis allegation that Tinubu is supporting President Buharis 2019 re-election bid because of his 2023 presidential ambition. The 90-year-old statesman also urged the people of the southwest not to allow themselves to be fooled by Tinubu a second time. READ ALSO: Shehu Sani reveals party, presidential candidate he endorses for 2019 elections Speaking with one of The Punch on Tuesday, August 21, Adebanjo said: Tinubu is daydreaming if he thinks the North will ever support his presidential ambition. We have our principles. We are not supporting Buhari under any circumstance and Tinubu cannot lead Yoruba land because all he has done is to lead us astray. All he has done for us is to give some of our people who are close to him appointments. Nothing tangible has been done for Yoruba land. He gave his stooges appointments, nothing more, nothing less. If he has done more than that, let him say it. Adebanjo said the only demand the Yoruba had made was restructuring which the APC had been dishonest about. The Afenifere chieftain said one of the reasons Afenifere supported Buhari in 2007 was because of his promise to restructure the country to allow for true federalism. He said instead of keeping its promise, the APC resorted to setting up a committee on restructuring to deceive gullible Nigerians and the likes of Tinubu participated in the grand scheme of deception. Adebanjo added: How can they be telling us about the restructuring committee when from the outset, they were supposed to have started restructuring. Who do they think they are fooling? If Tinubu is daydreaming, he shouldnt think others are daydreaming like him. Buhari is a stranger to us in Yoruba land. The only Yoruba supporting him are those benefitting from this corrupt regime. Also, a spokesman of the socio-cultural group, Yinka Odumakin said that the exchange of words between Senate president Bukola Saraki and Chief Bola Tinubu exemplifies the elevation of personal interests and ambitions over national good and development by politicians in the country. Odumakin noted that the verbal exchanges between Tinubu and Saraki were all about their personal interests. He expressed disappointment that the two men were more interested in personal ambitions than in national good and progress. You cannot see anything in these exchanges that talk about national good or higher values. The only thing that was substantial was when Saraki said he was against Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2014. If that was true, it would have been unthinkable in a Nigeria so badly divided as it is today. Clearly, the arguments were about personal interests and ambitions, he noted. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Legit.ng previously reported that the APC had also reacted to Saraki's claim that Tinubu was supporting President Buhari in order to take over from him in 2023. The national publicity secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena, in an interview with The Punch, indicated that it was premature to talk about 2023 presidency, adding that Tinubus presidential ambition had not been communicated to the party. Nigeria Election 2019: What are Bukola Sarakis chances against President Buhari | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng News - National Working Committee of APC has ordered the immediate recommencement of members registration - The exercise will include both fresh registrations and revalidation of existing membership - APC said the exercise will also help in issuance of the Partys permanent memberships cards More Nigerians can now join the All Progressives Congress (APC) has the National Working Committee of the party has ordered the immediate recommencement of the Continuous Nationwide Membership Registration in all 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory. The decision, according to the party was taken in response to calls from members of the public interested in joining the APC to support the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, Punch reports. READ ALSO: 2019: Buhari, APC deserve re-election - Shehu Sani Yekini Nabena, acting national publicity secretary of the party disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday, August 22. The exercise will include both fresh registrations and revalidation of existing membership for the purposes of issuance of the Partys permanent memberships cards. We hereby urge our teeming supporters and members to take advantage of the exercise, the statement read in part. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that former president Olusegun Obasanjo urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to avoid the same political mistakes that have affected the smooth running of major political parties in Nigeria. The former president said all the major parties in Nigeria have image, discipline commitment and leadership deficit. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Legit.ng gathered that Obasanjo who gave the charge when he received the National Working Committee of the ADC, led by the chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, in Abeokuta, Ogun state, said in such a short period, the party had become a force to reckon with in Nigerias politics. 2019: Kenny Martins speaks about Obasanjo's coalition, Buhari's chances - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Two top political stakeholders have aired their views as to why the PDP won the Bogoro local government area of Bauchi in the just concluded by-election - One of them, Daniel Musa, said that people in Boro are loyal to the PDP because of development projects delivered to them by past administrations under the party - Also, Monday Danladi, a former APC councillor in the local government, said that the people decided on their own, having been affiliated to past the PDP-led government especially under Goodluck Ebele Jonathan There have been voiced opinions by political critics as to what influenced the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Bogoro local government area of Bauchi during the recent Senate by-election in the state's south senatorial district. Although the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the polls in every other local government area in the constituency, the trend was broken in Bogoro, the federal constituency that Speaker Yakubu Dogara has represented since 2007, with the PDP winning nearly twice as much votes as the APC in the local council, Vanguard reports. READ ALSO: Nigerian leaders have been using outdated ideas to run the country - Presidential aspirant A political stakeholder, Daniel Musa, told newsmen that Dogara did not go on any campaign for the APC senatorial candidate in his ward, a decision which some see as an indication that he was not interested in the APC's victory. Musa said: The speaker never came out categorically to campaign for any candidate of the political party contesting the election, though there were rumours that he was canvassing for support for the APC, I feel it is not true. Again, there are allegations that his body language depicts he has gone back to the PDP, I feel it is not true because it is just a mere body language and not an official declaration. If he has come back to the PDP, he would have contacted me and told me about it, but I am expecting him from now to 2019 to make that declaration." He stated the APC lost in Bogoro because of the people's loyalty to the PDP which stemmed from development projects delivered to them by former federal and state PDP-led governments. He further said: "All the federal government interventions in Bogoro Local Government Area were brought when the speaker was in the PDP from 2011 to 2015. "He left the party for the APC when he was denied the ticket to contest again, but I think the speaker still loves PDP. Speaking on the PDP's victory, Monday Danladi, a former APC councillor in Bogoro, said that the area became inclined to the party from the time of the Goodluck Jonathan administration and the people have promised to maintain the status quo. Danladi said: I think this was a contributing factor and the people were not necessarily swayed by the influence of the speaker, the people decided on their own." PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Some of the projects include the National Open University Study centre in Tafawa Balewa, the free medical outreaches, and the construction of federal roads. Earlier, Legit.ng had reported that the candidate of the APC, Yahaya Gumau had won the Bauchi south senatorial election held on Saturday, August 11. The PDP only won in Bogoro local government area, the council of Dogara. Nigeria Election 2019: Kenneth Okonkwo Interview - Buhari will win | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng The chief of the Air staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Tuesday, August 21, visited troops of the Nigerian Air Force serving in Yola, Adamawa state capital. The Air chief, the Nigerian Air Force said was in Yola to celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir, in line with his tradition of spending festive periods with troops on the frontline of the fight against insurgency in the northeast. The Air chief's visit was also said to be aimed at boosting the morale of the troops serving in the region. The chief of Air staff was in the northeast with troop on the frontline. Photo credit: Facebook, NAF READ ALSO: Buhari treks 800 metres, Obasanjo plays football, Jonathan jogs - How Nigerian leaders exercise (photos) The Air chief visited Adamawa and Borno states. Photo credit: Facebook, NAF A statement by the director of public relations information for NAF, Ibikunle Daramola said Abubakar also commissioned two newly constructed blocks of 12-units one-bedroom single officers' quarters. His visit was aimed at boosting the moral of troops in the region. Photo credit: Facebook, NAF Daramola said a leisure park at the 163 NAF Hospital, executed by the Commander of the Hospital was also commissioned. Also speaking at the event, the chief of Air staff said his desire is to see all personnel across the nation adequately catered for. He also commissioned some buildings during his visit. Photo credit: Facebook, NAF He also urged personnel to remain apolitical and exhibit the highest level of professionalism, while showing absolute respect for the rights and privileges of citizens. The Air chief expressed gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for his unflinching support to the NAF in providing the necessary conditions and critical resources that had enabled the Service to fulfill its statutory responsibilities. READ ALSO: Shehu Sani reveals party, presidential candidate he endorses for 2019 elections Speaking earlier, the ATF Commander, Air Commodore James Gwani, said that the consistent presence of the CAS in the LAFIYA DOLE Theatre was a huge source of motivation to the personnel that would spur them to greater performance. Gwani thanked the CAS for providing all the necessary facilities that had ensured effective service delivery. The Air chief further proceeded to Maiduguri alongside other senior officers in the force. In Maiduguri, the ATF Commander briefed them on status of air operations in the LAFIYA DOLE Theatre; after which the CAS addressed the troops. During the address, Air Marshal Abubakar commended the troops for their commitment, while conveying President Buhari's appreciation for the excellent job the ATF was doing. He said the successes in the fight against insurgency in the past three years had enabled persons who had been displaced from their communities for several years to safely return to their ancestral homes. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Nigerian Air Force had said that the air task force of Operation Diran Mikiya successfully degraded several notorious armed bandits hideouts in Shamashale village and Rugu forest in Zamfara. Daramola in a statement had said that the bandits also used some makeshift settlements in nearby Rugu forest in the eastern part of Zamfara as bases for their operations. Nigerian Air Force Operations Against Boko Haram | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Social media giants Twitter and Facebook announced that they were removing groups and pages suspected of spreading fake news - Facebook said it removed 652 fake accounts - Twitter also announced it has taken down accounts originating from Iran Social media giants Facebook and Twitter announced that they were removing accounts, groups and pages suspected of spreading fake news, with some of them sponsored by foreign agencies. Facebook said it removed 652 fake accounts. Some of these displayed coordinated inauthentic behaviour that originated in Iran and targeted people across multiple internet services in the Middle East, Latin America, UK and U.S., it said. The U.S. tech giant received a tip in July from cybersecurity firm FireEye about Liberty Front Press, which describes itself as a network of independent media organisations. An investigation found the network was linked to Iranian state media and one component, Quest 4 Truth, had ties with Press TV, an English-language news network affiliated with Iranian state media, Facebook said. It noted that the Iranian media increased posting contents about Britain and the U.S. from 2017. Facebook said it is cooperating with U.S. law enforcement authorities to continue the probe into these activities. READ ALSO: 2019: Buhari, APC deserve re-election - Shehu Sani This is the second time in less than a month that Facebook announced it was removing some foreign-sponsored accounts for coordinated inauthentic behaviour across its platforms, including its photo-sharing service Instagram. Only July 31, Facebook said it deleted 32 pages and accounts that aimed to exert political influence through fake information ahead of the upcoming U.S. mid-term elections. Twitter also announced it has taken down accounts originating from Iran. Working with our industry peers today, we have suspended 284 accounts from Twitter for engaging in coordinated manipulation. Based on our existing analysis, it appears many of these accounts originated from Iran, Twitter said in a post Tuesday. It also said it is engaging with other companies and law enforcement units to proceed with investigations into fake accounts. U.S. social media networks have been under heavy scrutiny recently as federal regulators are concerned about media manipulation by foreign countries ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. There is growing tension between the U.S. and Iran after Washington announced on Aug. 6 it would reimpose the economic sanctions against Tehran that were lifted under a 2015 nuclear accord. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app The sanctions follow U.S. President Donald Trumps decision in May to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal reached between Tehran and the five UN Security Council members plus Germany and the European Union. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has said that he did not describe social media as a technology available to those that are criminal minded. Lagos Police Commissioner Parades Suspected Criminals (Nigeria News) | - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - A Nigerian student has been accused of stealing his fathers severance pay - The young man blamed his fathers selfishness for the alleged act - Ade Giwa, father to the student, has reported him to the police and media Richard Giwa, a Diploma student studying at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) has been accused by father of stealing his money. According to the father, he had been given part payment of his severance pay by the company he earlier worked for. But Richard allegedly stole the payment made into his account and ran away. The father whose name is Ade Giwa made this claim in a statement to the police to whom he reported the crime to. The money which was over N135,000 was reportedly transferred from the fathers account to another account which belonged to the suspect. In a chat with The Punch, Ade Giwa asserted that Richard made the transfer with his phone which was charging at the time. He equally emphasized on the fact that the 22-year-old son had perpetrated the act before and was more or less a criminal despite the seemingly innocent look. Nigerian student steals from his father because he is very stingy Photo Source: Facebook user Richard Giwa READ ALSO: Moshood Abiola Polytechnic's final year student dies while delivering twin babies Elucidating on how he got the money, the 65-year-old Ade explained that the firm he had been working for was shut down in April 2017, and against all hope that he and other workers will be reinstated in the following months to come; he received a forceful retirement letter from his work place. Following this, Ades boss deposited N140, 000 into his account, which was to be a part of his severance pay. It was after that Richard allegedly stole part of the money and left the house. He revealed his extreme shock and disappointment at the action in this statement: I was shocked when I saw the balance in my account. So, I went to my bank and it was there that I was asked who Richard Giwa was and I said he is my son. My account statement was printed for me and I saw the transfer. I went to his mothers house in Amikanle, but I was told that he was nowhere to be found. PAY ATTENTION: Get more Nigerian News on Legit.ng News App Upon contacting Richard, he not only confirmed that he took a sum of N100, 000, he also validated the claim that he took the money while the phone of his father was charging. However, the MAPOLY final year student made several revealing facts about the fact that his father was stingy and has not been seeing to his upkeep as well as his mothers. He went on to add that he had used the money to complete his final year project and also pay for other expenses he had accumulated at school. According to Richard, his father who was not technologically literate entrusted his phone with him and he would go on to see several debit alerts popping on the phone. This was in spite of the fact that the man had claimed to not have a dime when Richard had asked him for money to complete his project and pay for school bills. This was what spurred him to take the action he took: Since I dont want to have an extra year, I transferred N100,000 to pay for my school project and other fees. If I actually want to take his money, I will transfer everything and he will not see me again. PAY ATTENTION: Daily relationship gist and gossips available on Africa Love Aid The young Nigerian was not pleased that his father had wanted to arrest his mother and detain her at Alagolo police division. The imprisonment would have been made possible had the police not insisted that a non-offender could not be dragged into a case which is currently under investigation at the said police station as confirmed by the Lagos state police public relations officer Chike Oti. Meanwhile, Richard has not only warned his father to keep his mother out of the case, he has also promised to refund his father with the money upon getting a job after graduation. Who should be held responsible for exam malpractice? Student, teacher or parents? | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - The Buhari Campaign Organisation has said that the president has a 99.9% chance of winning the 2019 presidential election - The organisation said top politicians have ruined Nigeria's democracy - According to the BCO, Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, Rabiu Kwankwaso and many others are big disasters to Nigeria's democracy The President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organization, (BCO) has described the Senate president, Bukola Saraki; former vice president, Atiku Abubakar; Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and the governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal as Nigeria's biggest disasters. The BCO said the top politicians have ruined Nigeria's democracy. Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, August 22, in Jos, Plateau state capital city, the national coordinator of the BCO, Danladi Pasali, labeled them as empty vessels that only make loud noise without physical muscles to match Buhari's integrity and popularity. READ ALSO: Buhari treks 800 metres, Obasanjo plays football, Jonathan jogs - How Nigerian leaders exercise (photos) Daily Trust reports that Pasali said the defection of Atiku, Saraki, Tambuwal and the rest from All Progressives Congress (APC) to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wouldn't serve as a threat to President Muhammadu Buhari's reelection bid come 2019. Pasali said: "Their defections would not affect the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 and our party is ever ready to deliver on its campaign promises to Nigerians no matter the plot to distract the government." READ ALSO: Shehu Sani reveals party, presidential candidate he endorses for 2019 elections "These are people who left PDP to join APC thinking of themselves and their personal ambition but under President Buhari they didn't get want they want and then left again. They are a big disaster to democracy," he said. The BCO also said that President Buhari has a 99.9% chance of winning 2019 presidential election because he has succeeded in delivering 80 per cent of his electioneering campaign promises. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that President Buharis 2019 re-election bid has been endorsed by the Etsu Patigi, Patigi local government area of Kwara state, Ibrahim Chatta-Umar. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app While receiving youths from Lade, Kpada and Patigi districts in his palace, the monarch said the people of the area will vote for the president in 2019. The royal father said his call for support for Buhari was based on the fact that the presidents achievements had endeared him to people. President Buhari on 2019 presidential election: Will you vote for him? - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Newspaper DOYLESTOWN >> Jarrod Eisenhauer, a detective with the Bucks County District Attorneys Office, has been honored by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the hard work of the Bucks County Detectives in taking down a large-scale drug trafficking ring that sold dangerous drugs in Bucks County and surrounding areas. Eisenhauer was among those honored at the Law Enforcement Partner Agent Awards... As President Muhammadu Buhari celebrates Sallah in his hometown, Daura, in Katsina state, some governors and top politicians have visited to get a feel of the Eid-El-Kabir. Among the politicians were the governors of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun, his Plateau counterpart, Simon Lalong and a former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor-Kalu. Channels Television reports that the governors including other dignitaries arrived Daura on Wednesday, August 22, evening to spend the Sallah holiday with first family. Some governors have visited President Buhari in his hometown. Photo credit: Channels Television READ ALSO: Buhari treks 800 metres, Obasanjo plays football, Jonathan jogs - How Nigerian leaders exercise (photos) Orji Uzor-Kalu was among those who visited President Buhari. Photo credit: Channels Television Other dignitaries who also visited the president include the minister of water resources, Suleiman Adamu Kazaure, and Senator Uche Ekwunife. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that President Buhari left Abuja for Daura on Monday, August 20. The politicians were in Daura to celebrate Eid-El-Kabir with the president. Photo credit: Channels Television The president celebrated in ongoing Eid-El-Kabir in his hometown in Daura area of Katsina state. It was also gathered that the president was at the Daura Eid ground on Tuesday, August 21, to observe this years Eid-el-Kabir. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Thousands also joined the president at the Eid ground for prayers. A large crowd gathered around him as they sang his praises. The president was said to have trekked for over 800 metres from the prayer ground to his private residence amidst chanting of `Sai Baba by well- wishers. Buhari Reacts To APC Senators Betrayal on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Nigeria - Senate president Bukola Saraki has revealed who will win 2019 presidential election - He said that PDP would defeat APC and win 2019 presidential election - The former governor of Kwara state made the disclosure in Ilorin during a harmonization meeting between old and new PDP members in the state The Senate president Bukola Saraki, has held harmonization meeting between old and new members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state, expressing confidence that the party would win the next general election and produce a new president for Nigeria 2019. Nigerian Tribune reports that while addressing ward and local government delegates from the old and new members of the PDP in Kwara state during a harmonisation meeting in Ilorin on Wednesday, August 22, Saraki said that, the future is better and brighter than the past, promising to ensure cohesion between the two sets of party members. Legit.ng gathered that Saraki, who said that he had no anointed candidate in the forthcoming elections in the state, added that the best candidate and the most popular among the people would also be his own candidate. READ ALSO: 2019: Buhari, APC deserve re-election - Shehu Sani He, therefore, warned party elders and other structures against dropping his name in the contest. In 2019, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will produce the president. If we emerge victorious at the federal level all of us will be the beneficiaries. In the state, with your support, we will win the state too. All of you here are the key players in Kwara politics. With unity of purpose, no party can contest with you. We are here to unite all of us under the party we belong to today. I am assuring all members that there will be equity, internal democracy and justice. It is not going to be winners take all. As far as I am concerned everybody here today belongs to our political structure. There is nothing like old or new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We have all become one PDP. There is nobody here that will not say one way or the other we have not been together before. I am very sure that the future is bigger and brighter than the past. I want all of us to be united for the progress and development of Kwara state. Where we are today as far as I am concerned all of you belong to me. As par the politics of the state, nobody can wrest the power from us if we are united. By the grace of us in the forthcoming elections, we will emerge victorious both at the federal and state levels. We will ensure that we work as one party because we have always worked together before. We will see that all the wards and local governments popular candidates emerge based on their popularity and acceptability. I want to emphasise that I dont have any anointed candidate at all levels. I dont have candidates for state Assembly, it is the person you want in your constituency that I will okay. Dont allow anybody to deceive you that I have endorsed any candidate. I implore party leaders and elders not to drop my name to impose unpopular candidates. I dont have candidate for the National Assembly. All of us will collectively choose who becomes the next governor. There will be equity, internal democracy and justice. We will ensure that there is no faction but one PDP. We will ensure that meetings in the local government areas take place in one venue. And we will all work together for the interest of the party. "I want to assure you all that as far as I am concerned everybody belongs to one PDP family and there is no favouritism of one man over the other. I know that when we defected many of your leaders entertained fear that once I come we will take over everything, but there is nothing like that. Please go back home to start the work. I am sure many more will come back and join us because those that left, left under the wrong assumption that it will be different from what it used to be. They were misled that those coming are out to move them away. Nobody is moving you away because this place belongs to you too. "Let us go back and start work closely together and by the grace of God, we will all be victorious. I urge both old and new members of the party to ensure peace and harmony in your wards and local government areas, he said. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, said that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) deserve re-election in the 2019 general elections. Nigeria Election 2019: Kenneth Okonkwo Interview - Buhari will win - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Geoffrey Onyeama said the international community support President Buhari - He said there is a renewed interest in investing in Nigeria - The foreign affairs minister accused Enugu state government of non-performance The minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has said that President Muhammadu Buhari enjoys the support of the international community. Vanguard reports that the minister spoke on Wednesday, August 22 at Awgu, Enugu state, when the Enugu West Peoples Assembly donated vehicles in support of President Buharis 2019 presidential election campaign. He said the report that the international community was afraid to invest in Nigeria was wrong saying the president enjoys a lot of goodwill ahead of the 2019 election. READ ALSO: Amosun, Lalong, others visit Buhari in Daura (photos) He said: The international community is very supportive of President Buhari. As you can see President Buhari has transformed our relationship with foreign countries and also the perception of Nigeria by foreign leaders. An evidence of that is the rate and number of high level foreign leaders that are coming to Nigeria. Next week, for instance, which is very unusual for any country, we are having the UK Prime Minister and two days later will be the visit of the German Chancellor. This shows what they feel about President Buhari, that Nigeria is now a country they want to do business with. On rumour that the president was scaring the international community away, Onyeama said: "Its on the contrary. Mr. President has taken the initiative to establish the presidential enabling business environment council chaired by the Vice President and the world Bank ranks countries according to ease of doing business. Within one year of Mr. President establishing this council, and taking measures to making doing business easier, Nigeria has jumped about 25 places in the world Bank ranking and has been promoted the most impressive jobs in Nigeria in the last one year. so the whole world is seeing that Nigeria under President Buhari is more and more a place of doing business. Onyeama also accused Enugu state of non-performance for the past three years. He said: The state government spends so much money on advertisement but pensioners are not being paid. We want a serious government because Enugu is matured to have a serious government. It is not winning the election that is the matter but plans for governance. It is not about building houses everywhere; I am looking for better governance in Enugu state. The people who elected leaders should be the ones dictating the pace of governance and not in the other way round. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Meanwhile, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has said the decision of patriotic Nigerians to extend Buharis presidency beyond 2019 was borne out of a genuine desire to deepen good governance and transparency in Nigeria. The governor who stated this on Saturday, August 18, while fielding questions from some selected international media said President Buhari has saved the nation from economic calamities caused by deep stealing by the previous administrations in the country, Vanguard reports. Nigeria Election 2019: What are Bukola Sarakis chances against President Buhari | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - PACAC chairman, Itse Sagay, has revealed what Buhari-led government would do if National Assembly fails to pass 2019 election budget - He said the federal government could invoke doctrine of necessity to fun 2019 election - The constitutional lawyer also noted that the overriding necessity of elections and survival of democracy supersede the NASS' powers where democracy is threatened The chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) on Wednesday, August 22, said that the federal government could fund next years general elections by invoking the doctrine of necessity should the National Assembly fail to pass the budget. The Nation reports that the overriding necessity of elections and survival of democracy supersede the National Assemblys powers where democracy is threatened. Legit.ng gathered that Sagay, in a statement, said while the power to approve the budget is only a single item in the Constitution, democracy and its processes, including elections, are what the Constitution are about. READ ALSO: PDP will produce next president - Saraki The statement reads: The failure or refusal by the National Assembly to approve funds for the 2019 election will constitute a sabotage of our democracy, of which the Constitution is the embodiment. If elections are not held, it will mean the collapse of our democracy, leading to chaos and anarchy. The question that arises is simple. Which is more critical to democracy and the survival of Nigeria: Is it (1) the power of the National Assembly to approve budgets or (2) the survival of democracy and Nigeria itself? If the survival of democracy is more important and fundamental to Nigerias existence, then failure to approve the budget for elections will trigger the doctrine of necessity, thus compelling the funding of election without the approval of the National Assembly. It is simply a question of the survival of democracy and the continued existence of Nigeria. The power of approval of budget is just a single item in the whole of the Constitution. On the contrary, elections and democracy which they support, constitute what the whole Constitution is about. Therefore, the overriding necessity and imperative of elections and democracy simply override the power of National Assembly. If the National Assembly refuses or fails to approve the budget for election, the doctrine of necessity will validate the provision of the funds without the National Assemblys approval. Meanwhile, the National Assembly Joint Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would reconvene on August 27 to conclude work on the 2019 INEC budget submitted to it by President Muhammadu Buhari. Co-chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Suleiman Nazif, had said in a statement: Sequel to the ongoing consideration of the INEC 2019 General Election Budget by the joint committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, the general public is hereby informed that work on the budget is in advanced stage and in line with the mandate issued to the joint committee by the leadership of the National Assembly. Equally, the joint committee deliberated on all key attributes of the budget while taking into cognisance the imperative urgency for the budget to be ready in time for the 2019 general election hence, necessitating sacrifice and selflessness from our distinguished and honourable members. Furthermore, it is imperative to state here explicitly that, after an audacious session with all critical stakeholders, the joint committee dissolved into executive structure and agreed to resume on 27th of August, 2018, (after Sallah) to consider the harmonised version of the budget report diligently. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Moreso, the report of the joint committee will be made available for further and appropriate legislative action in earnest. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Senate president Bukola Saraki, on Sunday, August 19, lambasted the executive arm of the government for allegedly submitting the Independent National Electoral Commissions budget for 2019 general elections late. Nigeria Election 2019: Kenneth Okonkwo Interview - Buhari will win - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng A wealthy Nigerian man recently raised eyebrows with his grand gesture of love. Kenneth Bramor is said to have given his first wife a gift literally worth millions of Naira. According to several sources, the Warri based billionaire married a new wife recently. When his first wife Timi heard the news, she was not happy as expected. In a bid to douse her anger, Bramor reportedly bought her a Rolls Royce luxury vehicle worth N300 million. Kenneth Bramor and his new wife Ehi (Image courtesy Guardian) Timi who is said to be the mother of four of Bramohs kids was with him when he had no money. Therefore his reported marriage to a new wife is nothing but a betrayal of her years of suffering. Perhaps after realising this, Bramoh decided to buy her the vehicle as a way to compensate her. A source told Stella Dimoko Korkus: Ken has been with Timi and spent two months straight with her Abroad trying to make it up to her.....The RR is currently parked in the Magodo home Timi normally stays in whenever she is in Nigeria before she heads on to Warri. READ ALSO: Tonto Dikeh laments, says she spent N180k on her son (video) Screenshot showing the Rolls Royce vehicles Kenneth Bramor reportedly bought for himself and his first wife Time (Image courtesy Stella Dimoko Korkus) The Black RR was gifted to Timi for enduring all the heart ache her hubby meted out to her when he married a second wife but all well between them and he has assured her of his love and been by her side and is overlooking all threats from any angle. This is coming after Legit.ng earlier shared the story of a man who colluded with a doctor to remove the womb of his wife because he did not want any more children. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Nigeria Eid el Kabir 2018: Check Out This Cow That Costs N1 Million: Nigeria News Today | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Yves here. While I think this idea has about zero odds of getting done unless the tough-minded EU regulators take it up, it does have the interesting effect of framing a digital solution in libertarian property rights terms that Silicon Valley types love, and using that to show that their level of exploitation is analogous to that of slave masters. This isnt surprising to anyone that has been paying attention, that technology is being used to shrink our commons, but it is encouraging to see someone make that case and not be arguing it from the surveillance perspective, but from the mere value of information vantage. By Dennis Snower, President of Kiel Institute for World Economics and CEPR Research Fellow. Originally published at VoxEU Digital identity management is currently undertaken by central identity providers, with users providing their data free to digital networks that own their digital identities. If users leave their digital networks, they must leave all their digital possessions, including their digital identities, behind. This system is analogous to slavery. It is neither efficient nor equitable. Users have no assurance that the value of the free data they provide bears any relation to the value of the free services they receive. The digital networks have overwhelming market power relative to their users. This column argues for reform in the form of a Digital Freedom Pass, the digital equivalent of a wallet containing verified pieces of an individuals digital identity. The person can then choose which identification to share, with whom, and when, allowing emancipation from our current digital slavery. Imagine a new form of slavery call it slavery 2.0. Slaves provide free labour for their owners; in return, the owners give them free food, clothing and shelter. Furthermore and this is the new twist slaves are free to leave their owners whenever they wish, but when they do so, they must leave everything behind their belongings, their friends and acquaintances, their reputation and all other external aspects of their identity. Would a labour market built on this system be considered efficient and equitable? The obvious answer is: Silly question, of course not! But this silly question turns out to be supremely important for us nowadays, because in the digital world we are all slaves 2.0. We provide information about ourselves for free. This free labour enables digital networks such as the Big Five (Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft) to amass vast fortunes. In return, we receive free apps and other internet services. We are free to leave any networks to which we belong, but when we do so, we must leave everything behind the information about us, our contacts, our ratings, our digital identities on those networks. We have no property rights on the data we generate, and only by generating such data can we derive benefit from our digital networks. This relationship between the digital networks and their users is digital slavery 2.0. An Inefficient and Inequitable System This system is inefficient, since economic markets cannot generate efficiency when the commodities transacted information about individuals in return for some free internet services are free. It is analogous to old-style slaves providing their free labour in return for free food, clothing, and shelter. There is of course no guarantee that, for every individual, the marginal value of the free internet services is equal to the marginal value of the users information. On the contrary, we have every reason to believe that the value of the information supplied by users to the network owners far exceeds the value of the internet services that the users get for free much like the marginal value of slave labour far exceeded the marginal value of the food, clothing, and shelter that the slaves received. People with high skills in generating valuable data have no incentive to employ their talents for this purpose if data are supplied for free. Costless data also gives people no incentive to develop skills that could improve internet services.1 These inefficiencies are tolerated by the digital network providers, since what they lose from these inefficiencies they make up handsomely through the market power gained through digital slavery 2.0. Hal Varian, the chief economist at Google, argues that data nowadays are plentiful and thus virtually worthless, whereas the designers of the networks are scarce and thus generate most of the value of the digital network services. This argument is self-serving. It is analogous to arguing that slave labour, in the heydays of slavery, was plentiful and that most of the value was generated by the designers of the slave plantations. It is impossible to assess the marginal contributions of data users and network designers when one of these groups works for free. Furthermore, as Posner and Weyl (2018) note, it is far from clear that the marginal value of the data generated by network users declines with the amount of data, given that the data are used to handle more and more complex problems (such as face and emotion recognition and predictable cognitive processes). The system is also inequitable, since the owners of the digital networks wield overwhelming power. They own the access to the digital data on which their users rely, much as old-style slave-owners owned the access to their slaves basic necessities. The fact that the slave-owners provided something of value to their slaves did not make the exchange of slave labour for basic necessities equitable. The slave-owners were in a position to exploit their market power to their own material advantage, much like the digital networks nowadays are doing. The Solution: Digital Emancipation There is a straightforward solution to this monstrously unjust and wasteful system: digital emancipation. Just like the emancipation from old-style slavery gave the slaves property rights over their own services, so emancipation from digital slavery must give users property rights on the data they generate. Since users currently dont have property rights on their data, they generally dont know how their information is used. They are subject to manipulative advertising that exploits their data. They are vulnerable to attack by hackers. They are largely powerless in the hands of global digital monopolies. They are vulnerable to digital automatisation, enabling machines to take over the routine work they perform, without giving them the opportunity to put new, user-generated work in its place. All these problems could be overcome by giving digital users property rights over their services. A small but growing number of insightful policymakers are calling for this reform. Recently, at the Global Solutions Summit, Chancellor Merkel suggested that digital data be priced and users be able to sell their data. It is not worth being half-hearted about this reform improving data protection, granting users more information about how their data is used, etc. though doubtlessly there will loud voices from the digital special interest groups calling for half-heartedness. A comprehensive solution offering true emancipation is feasible. We have the knowledge and technology to implement it. All that is required now is political will. The solution could be called the Digital Freedom Pass (DFP). It involves giving each person the digital equivalent of a wallet that contains verified pieces of his or her digital identity. Specifically, it gives each person a private key for an unlimited number of recipients, who can access the encrypted data only if they possess the corresponding public key. The person can then choose which identification to share, with whom and when. This makes the person sovereign over his digital identity, commonly called self-sovereign identity (for excellent summaries, see Der et al. 2017 and Tobin and Reed 2017). In the tech world, a digital identity is information about an entity (for example, an individual) that represents that entity. The digital identity arises from the use of personal information and the actions of individuals on the web. In the real world, you are the provider of your own identity, since you generate the characteristics that enable others to recognise you. On the Internet you have an identity provider, who provides you with an identifier (often a password) in a specific domain that proves that you are you. Currently, identity providers focus on those of your characteristics that are relevant to the organisation and its objectives, without independent regard to you and your objectives. These identifying characteristics belong to the organisation, not to you. Consequently, you wind up with a large number of online personas at a large number of different organisations. By contrast, a self-sovereign identity puts your identity into your own hands. Digital identities need to be secure, which means that they pass requirements of privacy and trustworthiness. Privacy means that only authorised recipients can access your digital identity; trustworthiness means that the information contained in your digital identity is correct. The Cambridge Analytica scandal and other misdeeds suggest serious problems concerning privacy. The absence of authoritative background checks for much of the information that users provide to the digital identity providers creates problems of trustworthiness. Prerequisites for Achieving Digital Emancipation Self-sovereign identities put the individual in control of his or her digital identity, giving her full access to her own data something that is virtually unheard of under the current digital regime. An individuals digital identity needs to be persistent, portable, interoperable, and secure (see Allen 2016 for a more detailed description of these requirements). These are all recognised to be important prerequisites for the achievement of freedom in the digital space. Since individuals are in charge of their digital identities, they will need to take responsibility for satisfying these prerequisites themselves. In order for people to do so, they will need public support in managing their digital identities. For example, they will need to have access to convenient digital sources of evidence for the correctness of their information they provide and receive (through digital signatures of third parties to prove authenticity),2procedures ensuring transparent consensus concerning the content and conduct of transactions, and systems ensuring consistent usage rights for the individuals data. The implementation of such systems can draw on decentralised ledger applications such as blockchain (which verifies the accuracy of ones data decentrally, as it does for Bitcoin) and smart contracts (e.g. Jacobovitz 2016, Meitinger 2017). These applications permit us to look up decentralized identifiers without involving a centralised directory. They allow people to authenticate their data about themselves by using decentralised, verifiable credentials. Since digital identities are meant to function across legal jurisdictions, it will be vital to specify an international legal framework relevant to each transaction. For this purpose, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) uses the principle of Lex loci solutionis, in which transactions are associated with the citizenship of the individuals involved. What I refer to as the Digital Freedom Pass covers the entire constellation of self-sovereign identities, along with supportive technologies and legal systems, and standardised interfaces. The DFP makes users central to the administration of their identities. It enables users to use their identity across multiple locations, but only with their consent. Since decentralised identities are difficult to access, they are also difficult to hack. The prerequisites for the establishment of the DFP require public support, much as governments were required to build the internet and give people access to it. Meeting these prerequisites should be easier, cheaper, and much faster than the large public efforts of the past, such as building water, rail and road networks during the Industrial Revolutions. All that is required is the appropriate political will. Such a scheme has already been conceived and is running in some limited domains. OpenID, an open standard and decentralised authentication protocol, allows users to control their personal data by enabling them to be authenticated by other users without the need for external identity providers. ID2020 is a public-private partnership aiming provide every person on earth with access to a personal, private, secure, persistent, and portable digital identity (ID2020 2017) in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal, Target 16. The DFP could drive such initiatives. The Swiss municipality of Zug has introduced a distributed leger system to implement self-sovereign identities for its residents. Microsoft aims to support decentralised identification technology through Microsoft Authenticator. The DFP provides a basis for the sale of user data to digital companies. The proceeds from such digital sales could be taxed and the revenue used to extend and upgrade internet access, as well as to reduce the cost of internet access for disadvantaged groups. But the DFP will not happen by itself. There are too many digital companies with vested interests in maintaining control over their users data. Slavery also did not disappear by itself. For the DFP to be successful, it needs broad adoption. For broad adoption in the EU, it must be made a legal requirement for the EU. The DFP could play a central role in the creation of a European digital single market and is consistent with the DGPR. Progress on this front could put the EU at the vanguard of a movement to emancipate people worldwide from their current digital slavery. The rise of powerful digital monopolies linked to the rise of inequalities in major market economies, large-scale manipulation of digital users for political purposes, and the widespread inability of digital users to grasp the business purposes that their data serves threatens to undermine market economies and democratic processes. The DFP would spearhead a reversal of these alarming trends, since it would give us property rights over our most important possession information about ourselves and thereby would give us our most valued freedom in the economic realm: the freedom to choose. See orignal post for references Yves here. I have a minor quibble with this otherwise fine piece on the danger posed by Brett Kavanaugh as Supreme Court justice. Even though losing Roe v. Wade would be a bad development, it is not as radical a change as most people believe. Access to abortions is more restricted than most people in blue cities recognize. From the Independent: States such as Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming each only have one licensed abortion clinic and in Kentucky, the state is threatening to close its only one, due to apparent deficiencies in its licensing paperwork. Other states have instituted enforced counselling for women and waiting periods from anything from 24 hours to 3 days, as well as mandatory ultrasound scans before an abortion. Many states also deny health insurance coverage for abortion. Having abortions be legal but not paid for was Nixons idea for limiting abortion rights. And I also fault the so-called womens liberation movement for being in this place. Rather than get the right to abortions enshrined in legislation, as it is in ever other major advanced economy, the early feminists invested a great deal of energy in trying to pass an Equal Rights Amendment rather than nailing down womens rights on key issue, issue by issue, when they had the wind to their backs. By Gaius Publius, a professional writer living on the West Coast of the United States and frequent contributor to DownWithTyranny, digby, Truthout, and Naked Capitalism. Follow him on Twitter @Gaius_Publius, Tumblr and Facebook. GP article archive here. Originally published at DownWithTyranny Image: plherrera via Salon There are not enough philanthropic dollars in America to fund what is currently the need in educationOur desire is to confront the culture in ways that will continue to advance Gods kingdom. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos This begins a short series detailing the radical changes to the way our government operates changes to its constitution if you will that will be force on the nation by an unelected Supreme Court containing Brett Kavanaugh as the final piece of a 5-4 radical majority. The list of these changes is long and frightening. They include: And finally: Conversion of the country, to the greatest extent Court rulings make possible, into Charles Kochs ideal libertarian paradise Thats a hefty, scary list, especially the last, which will not be difficult at all to document. For a hint at what the Koch network (author Nancy MacLeans phrase) has planned for America, consider just some of the constitutional amendments they want to pass at the Constitutional Convention theyre pushing so hard to create. Some items on the list above may look small and manageable, but others are too huge even to contemplate. Striking down Roe v. Wade will turn all states but the most liberal into virtual back alley abortion dens, a horrifying, deadly thought. Ive dealt with the assault on the regulatory state in a preliminary way and will have more on it later. But needless to say, striking down the general right of the Executive Branch to regulate commerce at all will reverse the New Deal almost in its entirety. Consider the nation which those changes will create; then consider the nations response, once the voters, all of them, realize how much has been lost, been given away, never to be gotten back. So lets look briefly, one at a time, at these aspects of a Kavanaugh Court a 5-4 radical right-wing-majority Court starting with religion and religious education, which are intertwined. The Kavanaugh Court on Religious Education When Kavanaugh is confirmed and seated, brace yourselves. Get ready for a series of 5-4 rulings that enshrine giving government money to religious schools, especially those espousing virulent forms of what is inaccurately called fundamentalism. Betsy DeVos stiffled dream, in other words, will be fulfilled from the bench. For a taste of how that would work, consider this piece from the New York Times: Kavanaugh Could Unlock Funding for Religious Education, School Voucher Advocates Say Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, in a speech last year, gave a strong hint at his views on taxpayer support for religious schools when he praised his first judicial hero, Justice William Rehnquist, for determining that the strict wall between church and state was wrong as a matter of law and history. Mr. Rehnquists legacy on religious issues was most profound in ensuring that religious schools and religious institutions could participate as equals in society and in state benefits programs, Judge Kavanaugh, President Trumps nominee to succeed Justice Anthony M. Kennedy on the Supreme Court, declared at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative research organization. Words like that from a Supreme Court nominee are breathing new life into the debate over public funding for sectarian education. Educators see him as crucial to answering a question left by Justice Kennedy after the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional for the state of Missouri to exclude a church-based preschool from competing for public funding to upgrade its playground: Can a church-school playground pave the way for taxpayer funding to flow to private and parochial schools for almost any purpose? The answer to the last question is yes. The purpose of that flow of funds would not be to ensure that a broad spectrum of religious ideas get funded imagine the response from conservatives, for example, if a large group of Muslim madrassas were funded by the U.S. government or one of the states. That response would be like the response from whites if a large group of blacks in, say, Alabama exercised their Scalia-minted Second Amendment rights and took open-carry to the streets. The purpose of that new funding would be to save the nation by creating an army of politically active fundamentalist true believers. Confront the culture to advance Gods Kingdom Voucher programs like the ones conservatives advocate exist to give government money to schools at the intersection of libertarian ideology and fundamentalist religious beliefs schools like those that Dept. of Education secretary Betsy DeVos would like use tax dollars to finance. The Times again: Scott Sargrad, the managing director of primary and secondary education policy at the liberal Center for American Progress, wrote that while Education Secretary Betsy DeVoss school voucher agenda has not gained traction, if confirmed, Kavanaugh may be the solution to her problems. It is not a stretch to imagine a series of 5-to-4 decisions that slowly decimate public education in favor of voucher schemes, Mr. Sargrad wrote. Ms. DeVos has been among the most vocal critics of the legal prohibitions on parochial school vouchers. In a speech to leaders of religious schools this year, she called the prohibitions born out of anti-Catholicism the last acceptable prejudice that should be assigned to the ash heap of history. Ms. DeVos has stalled in her efforts to create a $1 billion school voucher program, but after the Trinity decision, she has moved to loosen regulations that exclude religious colleges from participating in federal aid programs. Heres Ms. DeVos belief about the mission of education: There are not enough philanthropic dollars in America to fund what is currently the need in educationOur desire is to confront the culture in ways that will continue to advance Gods kingdom. DeVos wants to devote government dollars to that mission. And thats the mission a Kavanaugh Court will enshrine into law. Just one of many reasons confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court would be a generational disaster for a nation already in crisis. Using state of the art CGI and the latest underwater technology and working alongside divers, wreck investigators and archaeologists, Ocean Wreck Investigation tells the stories of the final moments of ships and those on board. Thursdays from 9:30pm AEDT. A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) from Our Ladys Childrens Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC) described as one in a million has been presented with an award by Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI)'s Tipperary branch. Anthea Bryce Smith was presented with the Helping Hands 2018 Award in front of her colleagues, friends and family at OLCHC by 9-year-old Maya Gillick, a member of Down Syndrome Irelands Tipperary branch, for her outstanding commitment to patient care. The Helping Hands Award is an annual award presented by Down Syndrome Irelands Tipperary branch to acknowledge a person or a club who has helped beyond what is expected to make the challenges faced by a person with Down syndrome and their families a little easier. Mayas Mum, Linda Gillick, from Nenagh, who nominated Anthea for the prestigious award said, Our hearts melted when my daughters nurse received her award - her dedication, her passion, her patience and kindness are simply beyond words. We are so delighted for Anthea - she is one in a million and has certainly won first place in our hearts. This award has found a very special person and we are so grateful for Anthea every day. Secretary of the charitys Tipperary branch, Sandra Poyzer who was also at the award presentation with her daughter, Aoife added, Anthea has a huge heart and without doubt makes Mayas regular visits to OLCHC so much easier for her Mum, Linda. Anthea is a deserved winner of the Helping Hands 2018 Award. Congratulations to Anthea, her family, and her fantastic work colleagues at OLCHC. Speaking at the award reception, Tracey Wall, Director of Nursing at Our Ladys Childrens Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC) said, Nursing is at the heart of childrens care in OLCHC. We have over 900 nurses in the hospital working across 39 specialities, or in one of the supporting areas such as theatres, outpatient care, palliative care and research. We are proud to recognise all of the nurses who are part of this amazing team, and it is extra special to receive this recognition from an external organisation such as Down Syndrome Ireland. Anthea is certainly one of a kind and this award is a great tribute to her hard work and utmost dedication to her patients. Prof. Billy Bourke, Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist, OLCHC added, I am delighted to be here to share in the celebration of Anthea receiving an award for outstanding commitment to patient care from Down Syndrome Ireland. Anthea is a wonderful member of our Clinical Nurse Specialist team in the Department of Gastroenterology who not only provides exceptional care to all of her patients but develops a unique and lasting bond with each and every one. This award is testament to that. A Save Our Post Office Committee has been formed in a sixth Co. Tipperary rural community - Newcastle - to fight plans to permanently close the village post office. The action group was formed at a public meeting attended by about 50 local residents in Newcastle Community Centre on Monday night. Newcastle joins Clogheen, Ballingarry, Gortnahoe, Littleton and Templetuohy in facing the closure of their post offices due to a controversial voluntary retirement scheme for rural post masters agreed between An Post and the Irish Post Masters Union. Local TD Mattie McGrath said the closure of Newcastle Post Office is due to take place on January 31. His sister, who is aged 67, is the post mistress and is retiring due to ill health. He said her family want to continue to operate the post office in Newcastle but under the terms of the retirement package that option isn't open to them or another shop owner in the village. Deputy McGrath said the next nearest post offices to Newcastle are Ballymacarbry and Ardfinnan. "They may as well be in Nenagh for someone without a car or access to a hackney or taxi, which are not available in Newcastle, he said. The Independent TD said the committee formed to fight the permanent closure of Newcastle Post Office will liaise with Save Our Post Office groups formed in the other five Tipperary communities in relation to co-ordinating their campaign s of action. Deputy McGrath has been highly critical of An Post's move to permanently close post offices in communities where the post masters accept the voluntary redundancy scheme. When news of the raft of rural post office closures emerged earlier this month, he condemned An Post's plans as another example of the "contempt for rural Ireland that is poisoning all levels of central government policy." Last November, he tabled a motion in the Dail on behalf of the Rural Independent Group of TDs proposing a seven point plan to protect and support rural post offices including increasing the services they provide such as community banking. The motion was unanimously passed by Dail members. Today (22 August 2018), the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) received the first lot of Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs), acquired through a NATO project involving 11 Allies and one NATO partner. The PGMs, produced in the United States, will be delivered to their final recipients, Belgium and Denmark, in the coming weeks. The value of this initial acquisition is around 20 million US dollars. The delivery is part of a cooperation effort, launched in 2014 at the NATO Summit in Wales, which offers Allies a framework to acquire air-to-ground PGMs in a cost-effective and flexible way. Working through this NATO initiative, rather than individually, allows Allies to draw upon each others PGM stocks in case of need: during air operations or in a possible crisis. This will also help NATO and Allies to reduce dependence on the US for air missions. This initiative seeks to address a problem that NATO first encountered during the Libya Operation: when some Allies ran out of their stockpiles of munitions, they found it incredibly difficult to use those of other air forces. We realized that we needed a new, flexible approach to the provision of air-to-ground precision-guided munitions. I am happy that this approach is now delivering its first results, said Rose Gottemoeller, NATO Deputy Secretary General. The project is managed by the NSPA on behalf of the Allies. So far, 11 NATO members have joined this effort: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom . NATO partner Finland is also a participant. Following the first delivery today, the second and third rounds of acquisition for PGMs are already underway. While continuing to expand this cooperation in the air domain, NATO has started to build similar frameworks for the acquisition of land and maritime munitions. This is part of NATOs effort to increase joint investments in the critical capabilities that the Alliance needs. Naval forces from Standing NATO Maritime Group One conducted a passing exercise with a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force squadron in the Baltic Sea on Tuesday (21 August 2018). NATO ships sailed alongside cadet training vessel JS Kashima and destroyer JS Makinami for the drills. Japan is NATOs longest-standing partner from outside Europe, and we work together on a range of issues, from security in Afghanistan to nuclear non-proliferation, maritime and cyber security. Canadas Department of National Defence announced on Wednesday (22 August 2018) that Major-General Dany Fortin has been selected to lead the new NATO Mission Iraq. Launched at the Brussels Summit in July, the mission builds on NATOs efforts to train the Iraqi forces as they work to prevent the re-emergence of ISIS and other terrorist groups. Led by Canada, NATOs non-combat mission will include hundreds of trainers, and will also involve setting up military schools to increase the professionalism of the Iraqi forces. (Natural News) On Tuesday the mainstream media all breathlessly reported that special counsel Robert Mueller had secured his first two Trump-tied convictions, after one-time Team Trump 2016 campaign manager Paul Manafort and former personal lawyer Michael Cohen agreed to plea deals for various crimes. What they didnt report again is how hypocritical and grossly unjust this entire situation really is, because as two men whose realcrime was being associated with a president who isnt owned and operated by the Deep State have had their lives ruined, people who committed real crimes against the American people are living and breathing free air, unmolested by a two-tiered system of justice. According to Fox News, a federal jury in Virginia convicted Manafort on eight counts of bank and tax fraud after four days of deliberation, but a mistrial was declared on 10 additional counts that were also related to alleged financial crimes, making him the first campaign associate of President Trump found guilty as part of Muellers investigation. Next, Cohen pleaded guilty to five counts of tax evasion, one count of making false statements to a financial institution, one count of willfully causing an unlawful corporate contribution, and a single count of making an excessive campaign contribution. In addition, he told prosecutors that he violated federal campaign finance laws by arranging hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal at the direction of then-candidate Trump, Fox News said in a separate report. As for the payments, Fox News reported: Deputy U.S. Attorney Robert Khuzami told reporters that in January 2017, Cohen had sought reimbursement for the payments to both women by submitting invoices to the candidates company believed to be the Trump Organization that falsely indicated that Cohen had provided legal services in the year 2017. In fact, [Cohen] provided no legal services for the year 2017, and it was simply a means to obtain reimbursement for the unlawful campaign contribution, Khuzami said. Why hasnt Muellers partisan prosecutors talked to anyone other than Trump people? Naturally, reporters pounced on the president once the verdict and plea deal was announced. I feel very badly for Paul Manafort, POTUS told reporters after Air Force One landed in West Virginia for a political rally. Then he reminded the crack journalists in tow: It has nothing to do with Russian collusion, adding that Muellers probe is a witch hunt. As for Cohen, he told the House Intelligence Committee last year that POTUS had nothing to do with any suspected Russian conspiracy to interfere with the 2016 election. So theres that. Once again, nothing that happened Tuesday indicates President Trump has done anything wrong or impeachable no collusion proof, no evidence he obstructed justice, and certainly nothing at all to do with Russia. (Related: GOP member of House Judiciary Committee to Robert Mueller: Put up or shut about Trump-Russia collusion.) But do you know who based on open-source reporting is likely guilty of one or all of those charges? Hillary Clinton. The Democratic National Committee. James Comey. James Clapper. John Brennan. Glenn Simpson of Fusion GPS. Obama aide Valerie Jarrett. Susan Rice. Sally Yates. Bruce Ohr. Nellie Ohr. Lisa Page. Peter Strzok. Andrew McCabe. And yet for some reason, though his original mandate was to find out if there was Russian collusion, obstruction of justice, or other nefarious behavior related to POTUS Trump and his campaign, Robert Mueller and his team of Democratic prosecutors have never gotten around to asking any of those people a single question related to his mandate. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein oh, sorry Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein hasnt had to explain to anyone in Congress why Mueller is indicting a former Trump lawyer and campaign manager on wholly unrelated charges, either. The fact that Clinton, et al are still breathing free air when she trafficked in classified information and the rest of them colluded with Russian sources to thwart Trumps presidency is the greatest injustice in the history of our country. And it proves without a shadow of a doubt that we now have two justice systems one for the considered elite and one for the rest of us. Read more about Robert Muellers ongoing witch hunt at RobertMueller.news. Sources include: WhiteHouse.news FoxNews.com (Natural News) One of the nations premier America first organizations, Oath Keepers, is developing a new program to train other patriots on how to handle and protect themselves when they are faced with angry mobs of Left-wing Antifa thugs. Founder Stewart Rhodes, in an interview with Infowars War Room program, explained that his organizations Spartan Training Group program is largely based on experiences Oath Keepers members have had facing down Antifa and other far-Left anarchist groups when they attempt to disrupt patriotic free speech events around the country. We have people across the country whove been experienced since the Ferguson riots and protests, the St. Louis-area suburb where Black Lives Matter formed following the justified shooting death of a black suspect by a white police officer. We were in Berkeley twice against Antifa there, we were in Boston, so around the country and Portland [so] weve already had pretty rich experience in going up against Antifa, Stewart said, adding that members have also helped out with hurricane relief efforts in places like Houston and Puerto Rico. So were combining all of that field experience to make sure that weprovide the training and lessons learned from our experiences to all the other groups out there, he continued. Stewart praised other organizations like Patriot Prayer and Proud Boys, whom he said were also doing excellent work already. We just want to make sure we raise the bar of professionalism and skill as the anarchist movement gains strength and support among a wider faction of Americans, he said, adding that he and other Oath Keepers officials believe that at some point increasingly violent Antifa and anarchists will go kinetic that is, begin planting bombs and using firearms to disrupt events and sow chaos. (Related: As Antifa vows bullets for opponents, media yawns and blames the RIGHT for all the violence.) In explaining the Spartan Training Groups, Stewart said anyone who is already with other organizations like local militias could take advantage of the military, law enforcement, EMS, and other experience of Oath Keepers professionals that will be incorporated into the lesson plans. The training will assist average Americans in formulating their own neighborhood watch, church security, and event security and then walk them up a ladder of proficiency so that eventually such groups will be able to assist local sheriffs as a posse, under a constitutional governor to be the state militia, or even to serve as a militia for the United States if called into service by the president. Fundraising for the program has begun The militia concept, Rhodes notes, is premised on a force that federal, state, and local officials can use in a historically constitutional role to secure areas, repel invasions and help put down insurrections, which is what were seeing from the Left right now. Stewart said that he hopes to raise $100,000 in seed money to help launch the Spartan Training Group program. As part of that effort, Oath Keepers is selling raffle tickets for an AR10 .308 Winchester rifle, which is being offered through the groups website. He noted that the program is open to non-Oath Keepers members as well, though participants will be encouraged to join. Rhodes said the program is similar to the Sentinel Program that was initiated by Polk County Florida Sheriff Grady Judd, as a means of providing additional security to schools. Participants will also be trained on how to respond to natural disasters and help provide emergency relief, the objective being capable of aiding local authorities and National Guard troops. War room host Owen Shroyer said that during recent free speech events in Seattle and elsewhere, police have finally begun to step up and become more aggressive towards Antifa thugs. But the violence appears to be increasing, and groups that could back up police would no doubt be a useful resource to local officials, as long as there were no legal or liability issues. Read more about growing Antifa pushback from patriot groups at Patriot.news. See the interview: Sources include: Terrorism.news Infowars.com (Natural News) Monsanto has made enemies all around the world with its toxic products and dirty business tactics, and now theyre finally having to answer for their misdeeds in courts of law across the planet. The firm has been facing a slew of high-profile lawsuits here in the U.S. filed on behalf of cancer patients who were exposed to their glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup, and now theyre set to face a big legal battle in Sri Lanka related to kidney disease deaths. In an announcement last week, Rajarata University Professor Channa Sudath Jayasumana announced that a group made up of patients, the families of deceased farmers, researchers, and farmers organizations would be taking Monsanto and its new owner Bayer, along with other manufacturers of glyphosate-containing herbicides, to the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. At the heart of the legal battle is the connection between herbicides containing glyphosate and a condition known as fatal chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology, or CKDu, which has been responsible for the deaths of 25,000 people in Sri Lanka. CKDu now affects more than 15 percent of working-aged people in the northern area of Sri Lanka. This amounts to 400,000 patients and 25,000 deaths. In the lawsuit, each of the victims and patients will be requesting the equivalent of $620,000 in damages. Although the use of glyphosate was banned in the country in 2015, the government partially lifted that ban earlier this year to help rubber and tea farmers. A 2014 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research Public Health demonstrated a link between glyphosate and CKDu epidemics in a number of poor farming regions throughout the world. Follow-up research noted a further link between herbicides that contain glyphosate in conjunction with heavy metals and CKDu. Monsanto is finally being held accountable Earlier this month, Monsanto was ordered by a San Francisco jury to pay more than $289 million in damages to a California father and former school grounds keeper suffering from non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting white blood cells, that was caused by his exposure to Roundup. Dewayne Johnson had sprayed the herbicide up to 30 times per year on the public school grounds as part of his job. In that case, it wasnt just the fact the glyphosate quite likely caused the mans cancer that made the firm culpable, but also the fact that Monsanto went out of its way to hide scientific evidence that showed glyphosate can cause cancer and instead pretended that glyphosate was no more harmful than salt. They were ordered to shell out $250 million in punitive damages for acting maliciously and recklessly and a further $40 million in actual damages. Johnsons lawyers were able to show that Monsanto targeted academics who voiced their concerns about glyphosates health risks, presenting secret internal Monsanto documents demonstrating their devious acts. Monsanto is facing more than 4,000 lawsuits over similar claims, and that could be enough to bankrupt the evil company. The outcome of Johnsons trial is likely to inspire even more legal action on account of the many people around the world who have been harmed by these products, and the Sri Lankan group behind the kidney disease lawsuit has said that they followed the verdict very closely. Due to glyphosates many dangers, countries around the world have been cracking down on its use. Earlier this month, a federal judge in Brasilia, Brazil, banned new products that contain glyphosate from being registered in the country. In France, the government recently promised that the chemical would be banned for its main uses by the year 2021 and for all uses in five years. These are positive moves, but for many people as well as the environment, the damage has already been done. Sources for this article include: SustainablePulse.com NaturalNews.com Phys.org (Natural News) Its believed that domestication has helped imbue dogs with a greater sense of cooperation after all, theyre more than capable of working with humans as law enforcement dogs, service dogs, and the like. But when it comes to collaborating with other dogs, the results are less than stellar. In fact, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, wolves are much better at cooperation than their domesticated counterparts. Researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna came to this conclusion after conducting a puzzle rope test with dogs and wolves from the Wolf Science Center in Vienna. For their study, they used 12 human-socialized wolves (eight males and four females) and 14 dogs (seven males and seven females) who were either raised as pets or reared in packs like wolves. The puzzle rope test worked like so: An apparatus would dispense food to the animals if they succeeded in simultaneously tugging on two different ropes. Only pulling one rope would result in the puzzle tilting and making it difficult to get the food reward. All of the animals had been exposed to a similar scenario wherein pulling rope resulted in a treat, yet for many this was the first time they had been presented with such a challenge. The researchers performed the experiment hundreds of times using different wolf and dog pairs. In addition, they greatly varied the conditions surrounding the test; for example, using a two-tray task scenario to increase the difficulty, or releasing one half of the pair 10 seconds after the other. By the end, they found that the wolf pairs had outperformed the dog pairs by a significant margin. Out of 416 attempts, 100 turned out successful. Breaking it down further, it means that five out of seven wolf pairs pulled off the task on three to 56 percent of their efforts. On the other hand, the dogs gained their reward a mere two times out of 472 attempts. Moreover, the researchers noted that wolves executed the task best when they were paired with familiar partners that held the same rank as they did in their pack. The wolves were also more willing to approach the apparatus together instead of waiting for the other to advance on it first. By contrast, the dominant dogs would go near the apparatus before their partner, otherwise fights between the pairs would occur. The dogs are really trying to avoid conflict over what they see as a resource. This is what we found in food-sharing studies, where the dominant animal would take the food and the subordinate wouldnt even try to approach, lead author Sara Marshall-Pescini told TheAtlantic.com. With wolves, theres a lot of arguing and it sounds aggressive, but they end up sharing. They have really different strategies in situations of potential conflict. [With the dogs], you see that if you avoid the other individual, you avoid conflict, but you cant cooperate either. Marshall-Pescini added that domestication has made dogs less attentive to one another. She cited the fact that wolves need to work together to bring down larger prey and end up sharing their meals to maintain the integrity of their social bonds. Once humans came into the picture, however, this fell by the wayside as the animals could just as easily scavenge on human refuse by themselves. Encountering another dog would simply result in them continuing their search for food instead of fighting for it. (Related: African dogs vote on group decisions by SNEEZING.) Despite this, dogs can be trained to think and work in harmony, similar to their wild cousins. Dogs that have been raised in the same household and taught not to squabble over resources have a greater chance of unlocking their primal wolf-like skills, as was demonstrated in 2014 at the University of Cambridge. There, search and rescue dogs were able to perform the string-pulling task more successfully than the dogs used in Marshall-Pescini and her colleagues study. Visit NaturalNewsPets.com to learn more about pet behavior. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk TheAtlantic.com PNAS.org (Natural News) Is society getting dumber by the day? It may not just be your imagination: As Dr. Russell Blaylock, a retired neurosurgeron, posits, the stupidity of the masses may be by design. Through a barrage of toxic chemicals and compounds, Blaylock says the government is purposely trying to dumb-down the masses. A dumber society is more easily controlled, after all. Whether its the mercury in vaccines, the fluoride in our water, or the dozens of pesticides applied to our food, its hard not to suspect that the government knows exactly what theyre doing. The toxicity of these chemicals and compounds is well-documented, yet nothing is ever done to reduce the presence of harmful compounds in our environment. Why else would the government willingly pollute the environment, public water supplies and more? Where has intelligence gone? Dr. Blaylock explained in a video lecture that we are bombarded with a stream of toxins that are known to disrupt normal brain function. Were seeing a society that not only has a lot more people of lower IQ, but a lot fewer people of higher IQ. In other words, a dumbing down, a chemical dumbing down of society, he stated. Blaylock contends that this trend has made people more dependent on the government. We have these people of lower IQ, who are totally dependent. Then we have this mass of people who are going to believe anything they are told because they cant really think clearly and very few people of a very high IQ have good cognitive function who can figure this all out, he explained. Thats what they want, Blaylock said. As Natural News writer S.D. Wells explains, the FDA is easily seen as an edifice of fraud. The federal agency, which is purportedly charged with ensuring food and drugs are safe, actually does neither. The FDA never conducts their own testing; they rely on data cherry-picked for them by manufacturers. The FDA doesnt test food additives to see if they are safe, or if they will react negatively with other additives. In short, the FDA knows nothing about whats in our food or how it might affect humans. The same can be said of prescription drugs. Depleting intelligence at every turn There are a bevy of toxins that people are exposed to everyday here in the states. Whether its toxic food additives, mercury-laden vaccines, pesticides and herbicides or fluoride, the sad truth is that toxicity has become a part of daily life for many people. Fluoride is a known neurotoxin, yet it is added to our water supplies in the name of public health. Fluoride is not an essential nutrient; its not a nutrient at all, actually. Almost 67 percent of public water in the U.S. is fluoridated, under the erroneous notion that it will protect teeth against tooth decay. Many of our peer nations have rejected the idea of water fluoridation, such as Denmark, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, China and Japan. Multiple studies have shown that fluoridated water lowers IQ in children so its really best to avoid it. But its not just what theyre adding to food and water and vaccines thats making America stupid: Even the education system is complicit in the plan to dumb down the country. A study by NASA scientists recently confirmed that many people are born creative geniuses but their intelligence is ultimately hampered by the U.S. education system. Perhaps calling it the re-education system would be more appropriate? The end-goal of the government is not to have a free and intelligent society; the globalists would rather turn us into a sea of malleable drones that do as theyre told. See more coverage of stories about societys agenda at Globalism.news. Sources for this article include: Brighteon.com OrganicLifestyleMagazine.com (Natural News) POTUS Donald Trump, who has used social media to perfection by bypassing the hideously biased and dishonest establishment media with his tweets, has had enough of the deplatforming of conservative and pro-presidential voices. And once riled, the president gets results. Likely in response to the banning of Alex Jones and Infowars from several social media and e-commerce platforms over the past week in what appears to have been a coordinated effort, the president on Saturday not only tweeted his displeasure with the anti-First Amendment behavior of sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google/YouTube, and others, but he hinted that he was preparing to have his administration look into the matter. Translation: The social media giants are begging to be regulated by the federal government, and POTUS is willing to make that happen. Social Media is totally discriminating against Republican/Conservative voices. Speaking loudly and clearly for the Trump Administration, we wont let that happen. They are closing down the opinions of many people on the RIGHT, while at the same time doing nothing to others. he wrote, as reported by Infowars. Social Media is totally discriminating against Republican/Conservative voices. Speaking loudly and clearly for the Trump Administration, we wont let that happen. They are closing down the opinions of many people on the RIGHT, while at the same time doing nothing to others. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 18, 2018 ..Censorship is a very dangerous thing & absolutely impossible to police. If you are weeding out Fake News, there is nothing so Fake as CNN & MSNBC, & yet I do not ask that their sick behavior be removed. I get used to it and watch with a grain of salt, or dont watch at all.. he continued. ..Censorship is a very dangerous thing & absolutely impossible to police. If you are weeding out Fake News, there is nothing so Fake as CNN & MSNBC, & yet I do not ask that their sick behavior be removed. I get used to it and watch with a grain of salt, or dont watch at all.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 18, 2018 Then he added: Too many voices are being destroyed, some good & some bad, and that cannot be allowed to happen. Who is making the choices, because I can already tell you that too many mistakes are being made. Let everybody participate, good & bad, and we will all just have to figure it out! .Too many voices are being destroyed, some good & some bad, and that cannot be allowed to happen. Who is making the choices, because I can already tell you that too many mistakes are being made. Let everybody participate, good & bad, and we will all just have to figure it out! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 18, 2018 Jones and Infowars arent the only conservative voices being quashed by the Leftist speech Nazis at Facebook, Twitter, and Google. Is this election meddling? As reported by The Gateway Pundit in June, a study by the influential conservative news site found that Facebook had eliminated a stunning 93 percent of referral traffic to its site as well as other major conservative sites. From The Gateway Pundit to IJR (Independent Journal Review), to The Daily Caller, it has been discovered that traffic to conservative sites from Facebook is down 93 percent, the study said. (Related:Remember when everybody called AlexJones paranoid for claiming censorship was on the rise? Where are the APOLOGIES for him being right all along?) This is not a coincidence as it has not impacted liberal-leaning sites, this is an across-the-board action on Facebooks part to eliminate conservative news and opinion. The presidents own Facebook engagement has dropped by 45 percent after the social media giants algorithm changes. Social media platforms have also been censoring and shadow banning Republican lawmakers and GOP candidates, as The National Sentinel reports: Per Reddit The Donald, Twitter has shadow-banned John James, a black Republican candidate running for the U.S. Senate in Michigan a star candidate, according to POTUS Trump, who has also endorsed him. In addition, the site reported, GOP congressional candidate Ron Bassilian, who is running in Californias 37thDistrict, has had his account on Twitter shadow-banned as well, though his Democratic challengers account hasnt been affected at all. What happens when the quality ban applies to political candidates? Can we declare this election meddling? Bassilian tweeted, a reference to the Russia is meddling in our elections narrative. With these and other actions, the social media behemoths are begging for POTUS Trump and the federal government to regulate them and one Florida lawmaker has already initiated the process. After discovering that his own Twitter account was shadow banned, GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission in July, citing the fact that by banning him but not his Democratic opponent, Twitter was providing an illicit campaign advantage. Read more about big social media censorship at Censorship.news. Sources include: Infowars.com TheNationalSentinel.com Breitbart.com TheGatewayPundit.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is currently in Russia to scout around for military hardware as part of the government's efforts to boost the armed forces' modernization program. The Secretary's itinerary includes touring a military expo to check out the latest Russian defense hardware. The Defense Department said aside from firearms and ammunition, the Philippines is also interested in buying helicopters and possibly the country's first submarines. "We cannot afford nuclear powered submarines. I think that is the stand of the president that do not use vessels, that carry nuclear reactors at the moment," Arsenio Andolong, the agency's spokesperson, said. Submarines are seen to boost territorial defense in regional waters, especially for maritime nations like the Philippines. Navy Chief Robert Empedrad said submarines will deter bullying by other nations. Russia is offering its diesel-electric kilo-class submarines, which it is willing to sell the through a soft loan, possibly with zero interest. Andolong, however, clarified that the two countries have yet to arrive at an agreement. "Wala pang agreement. It was an offer made by the Russia, and we are now taking a look at the hardware they are offering," he said. The Russian government, through its defense minister, last year floated the idea of providing the Philippines with submarines. Other countries like Germany, South Korea, France, Indonesia, and India also expressed interest in becoming the country's supplier of the warship. Lorenzana's trip to Moscow, however, gives Russia the advantage to show off their merchandise. The President Rodrigo Duterte has also previously expressed interest in what Russia has to offer. The official trip also comes a day after a U.S. top official discouraged the Philippines from purchasing submarines from Russia. U.S. Defense Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver on Tuesday said doing so would not be "a helpful thing to the alliance" of the Philippines with the U.S. Duterte, however, shrugged off the warning and hit back at Schriver. "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. (Natural News) The criminal prosecution of Paul Manafort is a witch hunt to destroy Trump. The entire basis of the appointment of Robert Mueller as special prosecutor is fraudulent to begin with: It all started with the anti-Trump Steele dossier that was fabricated by Obamas DOJ to carry out an illegal political coup against then-candidate Donald J. Trump. Obamas DOJ conspired with the FBI to plant spies in the Trump campaign, illegally obtain secret spying (FISA) warrants on Trump associated, then selectively prosecute anyone with proximity to Trump. This was all carried out based on a fraudulent premise. The FISA warrants, for example, were approved based on the fabricated fiction document dreamed up by Obamas DOJ, likely involving Bruce Ohr. Since Trumps election, the deep state swamp has gone into overdrive, carrying out a vast array of fraudulent and criminal activities to attempt to depose a duly-elected President. It has been an all-out war of disinformation and lies, involving the CIA, the FBI, a complicit left-wing media (mostly run by the CIA, of course) and Obama holdovers who still inhabit the swamp and are terrified of an outsider attempting to bring real reform to Washington D.C. The selective prosecutions of Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen have nothing at all to do with the fabricated Russia collusion hoax, which has now been fully dismantled by the research of Greg Jarrett in his book, The Russia Hoax. (Also available as an audio book on Audible.com). This means the very existence of the Robert Mueller prosecution is predicated on a fraud. Even worse, Robert Mueller is actually part of the very conspiracy hes trying to cover up: Massive criminal fraud by Hillary Clinton, who actually did carry out a long list of serious crimes (obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence, selling influence to corporate money masters, exporting Americas uranium to Russia-linked companies, etc.) with the help of Robert Mueller himself. Hillary, of course, was exonerated by James Comey as part of the deep state memory holing of Hillarys crimes to clear her path for becoming President. Notice how theres zero investigation into Hillary Clintons long list of crimes? (Jess Sessions, got off your ass and do your job!) These selective prosecutions of Manafort and Cohen, in other words, have nothing at all to do with truth and equal justice. Instead, they have everything to do with the frantic effort to impeach President Trump by impugning every person who has had contact with Trump, including media personalities like Alex Jones. Watch my full video to understand the implications of whats happening now and why were at risk of all this collapsing into a civil war where patriots defend America against the attempted deep state coup. Brighteon.com/5825166250001 See more of my videos at the Counterthink channel on Brighteon.com. (Natural News) In recent years, vitamin D has been stealing the spotlight as more people learn of its many health benefits. Its great news that something so affordable and accessible can help people stay healthy, but one group thats not so excited about the vitamin D hype is Big Pharma. Although vitamin D supplements are available and selling quite well these days, people can easily get all the vitamin D they need simply by spending some time outdoors. Not only are there few ways to profit from that, but the vitamin prevents so many diseases that it can also keep people from needing medications in general. Perhaps that is why the New York Times, long considered a propaganda rag for Big Pharma, is doing its best to cast a negative light on vitamin D. They cant claim its dangerous because it isnt, so theyve taken a different approach: attacking Dr. Michael Holick, one of the vitamins biggest proponents. In the process, theyre taking the opportunity to cast doubt in peoples minds about the effectiveness of it. Writer Liz Szabo describes a respected Boston University endocrinologist as extreme right from the first sentence. She recounted his efforts to warn people of the dangers of the worlds widespread vitamin D deficiency in ways that make him sound slightly unhinged, quoting him as wondering if the dinosaurs died from weak bones due to the lack of sunlight that followed the asteroid blamed for their extinction. Her real issue with Dr. Holick, however, appears to be the amount of money his recommendations have helped the industry make. In 2017, she reports that supplement sales rose nine-fold over the previous decade to reach $936 million. Meanwhile, in 2016, more than 10 million vitamin D test were ordered by doctors for Medicare patients in a 547 percent rise over 2007; the cost of these tests amounted to $365 million. In theory, a lot of people could have therefore avoided expensive health problems by getting their vitamin D levels in check. Szabo calls out Dr. Holick for his consultancy role with Quest Diagnostics, who perform vitamin D tests among many other lab tests. She says that a paper overseen by the doctor published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism was used by the Endocrine Society to advocate for a significant expansion of vitamin D testing that included groups that generally have lower levels of these important vitamins, such as those who are obese, black, or Hispanic. Its not clear why she thinks that raising awareness of this legitimate health concern and testing vulnerable groups is so bad, but it may have something to do with Big Pharmas lost profits. New York Times has to protect Big Pharma Its not surprising to see the New York Times smearing nutrients that prevent disease. After all, theyve got Big Pharma sponsors to answer to, as evidenced by their support for deadly vaccines. In 2016, the papers Well section cast doubt on studies demonstrating the health benefits of turmeric, dismissing the findings of supportive studies based on their size and questioning its bioavailability. Thankfully, vitamin Ds benefits speak for themselves. Its going to take a lot more than the New York Times discussing one proponents finances to convince people not to focus on this simple health booster. With the sunshine vitamin known to help prevent diseases like heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease, along with its ability to help the body detoxify cancer -causing heavy metals, most people have little to lose and plenty to gain by spending some extra time outside with their limbs exposed. The evidence presented in the article of Dr. Holicks personal financial gains from touting this legitimately good solution is pretty weak, and its nowhere near the level of doctors receiving millions in kickbacks for getting their patients hooked on deadly opioids, for example. Whatever beef the paper may have with Dr. Holick, theyre just making themselves look foolish by attacking this all-star nutrient. Sources for this article include: NYTimes.com Well.Blogs.NYTimes.com Natural.News (Natural News) A feature writer at The New York Times (NYT) has issued an apology for some statements she made on Twitter that may have been offensive. No, it wasnt Sarah Jeong, the infamous white-hating bigot whom the NYT recently hired to its editorial board, who suddenly decided to repent of her racist sins. It was actually Elizabeth Williamson, a colleague of Jeongs at the NYT, who for some reason felt the need to apologize for calling Jeong out for being a racist. Williamson had earlier tweeted out a link to an editorial written by another NYT employee, opinion columnist Bret Stephens, who chastised his employer for not only hiring an openly racist individual, but also defending her racism by blaming it on the white people she hates. Ive seen some acrobatic efforts to explain why Jeongs tweets should be treated as quasi-satirical, hyperbolical and a function of social context,' Stephens wrote, declaring that Jeongs past tweets are, in fact, racist. But the criterion for racism is either objective or its meaningless: If liberals get to decide for themselves who is or isnt a racist according to their political lights, conservatives will be within their rights to ignore them. Stephens full editorial on the subject is definitely worth a read, and Elizabeth Williamson clearly feels the same. Heres @BretStephensNYT offering a classy welcome to a colleague who has yet to prove she deserves one, Williamson tweeted in support of Stephens, and in clear condemnation of Jeongs hiring. As long as youre not white and male, you can say anything you want without repercussions or punishment But not long after tweeting this, Williamson, for whatever reason, decided to backtrack. She deleted the tweet and posted another one apologizing to the public for calling a spade a spade by implicating Sarah Jeong as a white-hating racist. I just deleted my earlier tweet about this column. It was inappropriate. I apologize, Williamson wrote in this follow-up tweet. Its unclear which portions of Williamsons now-deleted tweet she felt inappropriate, considering the litany of hateful, violent, and even genocidal tweets that Jeong shamelessly posted over the course of at least four years. Its unclear whether the Times pressured Williamson to apologize, or whether she caved to the baying of the Twitter outrage mob, wrote Ben Shapiro for The Daily Wire, commenting on the saga. In any case, the irony of an apology from someone criticizing Jeong but not Jeong herself is telling evidence of the perverse mentality of the Times itself. (See Journalism.news for more coverage of the bizarre status of modern journalism.) Remember when Kevin Williamson was fired from the National Review for tweeting about the evils of abortion? A prominent case-in-point that illustrates the free speech double standard in modern-day America depending on your skin color and political leanings is the past firing of Kevin Williamson from the National Review. Stephens addresses this in his opinion column, making some excellent points about how Jeong is basically an untouchable since shes female, non-white, and liberal. Williamson had written a short tweet in which he seemed to suggest that women who obtain abortions should be hanged, Stephens writes. Though he insists this is far from his real view, his fate was sealed when it turned out he had said something similar in a podcast. He was fired almost immediately. If Sarah Jeong was a white male who tweeted the exact same things using black or Jew instead of white, she not only never would have been hired by the NYT, but she probably would have been blacklisted and had her entire career ruined and been declared by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) to be a domestic terrorist. Thats really the crux of the issue here: the fact that so-called privileged white people, and especially white males, are the only group of people in America today who are being deprived of their free speech rights via political correctness. To keep up with the latest news on the white-hating, racist left, visit LiberalMob.com. Sources for this article include: DailyWire.com NaturalNews.com NYTimes.com Leonardo announced that it has made effective the contract, signed on March 14, 2018, for the supply of 28 NH90 medium twin-engine multirole military helicopters to the Ministry of Defense of Qatar. The Qatari Emiri Navy is set to take delivery of 12 NH90 NFH, the maritime variant of the helicopters, from 2022. Leonardo announced that it has made effective the contract, signed on March 14, 2018, for the supply of 28 NH90 medium twin-engine multirole military helicopters to the Ministry of Defense of Qatar. The Qatari Emiri Navy is set to take delivery of 12 NH90 NFH, the maritime variant of the helicopters, from 2022. An NH90 NFH aboard ITS Carlo Margottini during DIMDEX 2018 Qatar has also selected MBDA's Marte ER anti-ship missiles to equip its NH90 helicopters, giving them a potent anti-surface warfare (ASUW) capability. The Qatari Emiri Navy will be the first NH90 user to deploy anti-ship missiles. The deal for the NH90 helicopters was first announced during the DIMDEX Exhibition in Doha in the presence of the Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti and Leonardo Chief Executive Officer Alessandro Profumo. Leonardo will act as overall prime contractor with responsibility for programme management, final assembly and delivery of the 12 NH90 NFH helicopters from its Venice Tessera facility in Northern Italy and an eight-year support and training services package for crews and maintenance technicians. Meanwhile Airbus will be responsible for the final assembly of the 16 NH90 TTH aircraft. Deliveries are expected to start before June 2022 and to continue through to 2025. Leonardo will also supply, contribute to and integrate various equipment, avionics and sensors. The programme could be further extended in the future with the addition of 6 + 6 units in a mix of TTH and NFH variants. During DIMDEX 2018, the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX), CAE was awarded a subcontract from Leonardo Helicopters to provide the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) with a comprehensive NH90 helicopter training solution. Our video coverage of the NH90 announcement during DIMDEX 2018 About NH90 The largest military helicopter programme in Europe, the NH90 is the optimal choice for modern operations thanks to its fully composite airframe with a large cabin, its excellent power-to-weight ratio and its wide range of role equipment. It features a quadraplex fly-by-wire flight control system for reduced pilot workload and enhanced flight handling characteristics. The NH90 is available in two main variants, one dedicated to naval operations, the NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) and the TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) for land based operations. As of today, almost 350 helicopters have been delivered in NFH and TTH variants to customers in 13 nations. Aircraft in service have logged nearly 170,000 flight hours in a wide range of weather and environmental conditions, over land and sea. 543 NH90s have been ordered by customers worldwide to date. The twin-engine, medium-size NH90 helicopter programme is managed by NHIndustries, which is owned by Leonardo, Airbus, and Fokker. Marte ER on MBDA stand DIMDEX 2018 About Marte ER antiship missile Marte ER represents the 3rd generation within the Marte family of missile systems and is derived from Marte MK2/S. The main difference between the two lies in the introduction of a turbo engine in place of the rocket motor. The Marte MK2/S medium-range anti-ship weapon system belongs to the Marte MK2 missile system family and is designed to be used on fast jets and new-generation naval versions of European AW101 and NH90 helicopters for operation against naval targets. Marte ERs design takes into account that Marte MK2/S is already qualified and installed on these two platforms, offering advantages such as same mechanical, functional & electrical helicopter interfaces; same logistic support and no platform hardware changes required. Missile characteristics: Weight: 315 kg Length: 3.60 m Max body diameter: 316 mm Range: well beyond 100 km Speed: High subsonic A bill requiring California prosecutors to erase or reduce tens of thousands of marijuana criminal convictions was approved by the state Legislature on Wednesday and now awaits Gov. Jerry Brown's signature. When voters passed Proposition 64 in 2016 to allow adult use of marijuana, they also eliminated several pot-related crimes. The proposition also applied retroactively to pot convictions, but provided no mechanism or guidance on how those eligible could erase their convictions or have felonies reduced to misdemeanors. The Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would make that happen. The bill orders the state Department of Justice to identify eligible cases between 1975 and 2016 and send the results to the appropriate prosecutor. The state DOJ estimates that almost 220,000 cases are eligible for erasure or reduction. The DOJ has until July 1, 2019, to compile the list of eligible cases and forward it to the appropriate district attorney's office. Prosecutors then have until Jul 1, 2020, to decide which cases on the DOJ list they want to challenge. Since passage of Proposition 64, most California district attorneys have said they didn't have the resources to review their records to identify eligible cases. Non-violent, felony convictions for possession or distribution of less than an ounce of marijuana are eligible for reductions to misdemeanors, though prosecutors can challenge applications based on the person's criminal history. Felons with serious convictions such as murder, rape and robbery that are considered "strikes" under a California law requiring stiff sentences for repeat offenders. Some eligible people hired attorneys and petitioned courts on their own and prosecutors in San Francisco and San Diego counties reviewed past cases and took action on their own to erase or reduces thousands of cases combined. But the vast majority of eligible people have not applied for relief, many of them not even knowing they qualified. Others saw the process as too expensive and complicated. The bill was introduced by Democratic Assemblyman Rob Bonta, who represents parts of Oakland, California, and passed the lower house earlier this year. It passed the Senate 22-8 with bipartisan support on Wednesday. Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, who supported passage, said many with marijuana convictions don't even know they are eligible. Wiener said the bill "creates a simpler pathway for Californians to turn the page." Republican State Sen. Joel Anderson, who represents a rural district east of San Diego, said the bill will enable some eligible people regain their gun rights by reducing felonies to misdemeanors. "This bill will take those people off the prohibited list, save us time and money," Anderson said. Contra Costa County health officials have discovered a measles case in the East Bay and said some residents may have been exposed to the infection after the person visited several public places. Officials said the infected person visited several popular indoor venues in Contra Costa County, Los Angeles County and Arizona during the infectious period. The following places were visited by the person in Contra Costa county, according to officials: Aug. 11 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Emergency Department, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek Aug. 14 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at Chow Restaurant, 53 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette "Most people have been vaccinated and therefore are protected and not at risk, even if they have shared the same indoor air-space with a contagious person," Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Health Officer, said in a statement. "Residents should be aware of the situation because anyone who was exposed and not protected by vaccine is at risk of developing measles," Dr. Farnitano continued. More than 100 people from 21 states were reported to have contracted measles in the first half of 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. There have been a total of 107 cases of measles between Jan. 1 and July 14, 2018. The cases were reported in D.C. and states including California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. The majority of people who have contracted measles were unvaccinated, the CDC says. Because measles is common in other parts of the world, including some countries in Europe and Asia, travelers with measles can bring the disease in the U.S. The disease can spread within the U.S. when it reaches a community with groups of unvaccinated people. Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A rash also forms three to five days after symptoms begin. The disease very contagious and can spread through coughing and sneezing The U.S. experienced a record number of measles cases in 2014 with 667 reported cases from 27 states. It was the greatest number of cases since elimination of the disease was documented in the U.S. in 2000. There was also a large, multi-state outbreak in 2015. It was linked to an amusement park in California, likely originating from a traveler who got infected abroad before visiting the park. A total of 188 people from 24 states and D.C. were reported to have gotten measles. In 2017, 118 people from 15 states and D.C. A total of 86 people from 19 states contracted the disease in 2016. Many of the immigrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at their facility in Richmond have been transferred out of state due to the termination of the federal agency's contract with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, according to the Contra Costa Immigrant Rights Alliance. Sheriff David Livingston announced the termination of the contract last month, warning that the people detained could be relocated to facilities as far away as Colorado or Hawaii, but that it had become expensive and time consuming to manage protests outside the Richmond facility. According to the CCIRA, the detainees in question have primarily ended up in Colorado and Washington. Tony Bravo, a spokesman for CCIRA, said Tuesday that immigration activists would have preferred to see things unfold differently, with Livingston calling on ICE to release their detainees held into Contra Costa County. In a statement issued this morning, the organization called these transfers a "retaliatory move" by the Trump administration. CCIRA and the Immigrant Liberation Movement will be hosting a news conference Wednesday at 11 a.m. outside ICE's San Francisco field office at 632 Sansome St. following a hearing for Hugo Aguilar, one of the detainees still being held in Richmond, according to Bravo. Sheriff Livingston declined to comment on the statement CCIRA issued Tuesday. A Mexican man charged with killing an Iowa college student worked on a dairy farm for years under a false name just a few miles from where the young woman was allegedly abducted while running last month, his employer said Wednesday. Cristhian Bahena Rivera was a good employee who showed up on time to take care of the cows and got along well with his co-workers, said Dane Lang, manager of Yarrabee Farms in Brooklyn, Iowa. A Mexican man charged with killing an Iowa college student worked on a dairy farm for years under a false name just a few miles from where the young woman was allegedly abducted while running last month, his employer said Wednesday. Jean Elle reports The 24-year-old kept coming to work after Mollie Tibbetts disappeared July 18, and "nobody saw a difference" in his demeanor, Lang said. His colleagues were stunned Tuesday to learn that he was not only the suspect in Tibbetts' death, but that he had a different real name than what he went by on the farm, he said. "Our employee is not who he said he was," Lang said at a news conference at the farm. "This was shocking to us." When Rivera was hired in 2014, he presented an out-of-state government-issued photo identification and a matching Social Security card, he said. That information was run through the Social Security Administration's employment-verification system and checked out, he said. Rivera's defense attorney, Allan Richards, acknowledged Wednesday that his client received his paycheck under a different name and that he was uncertain of his immigration status. He said he was prepared to argue that his client was in the country legally, noting that he came to the U.S. as a minor and had worked and paid taxes for years. AP/Ahn Young-joon, File "He showed up every day, and he did his job. He was patted on his back. They turned a blind eye to the reality of documentation," Richards said. Rivera made his initial court appearance Wednesday on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student. Investigators say they believe Rivera was in the country illegally when he abducted Tibbetts as she went on an evening jog, killed her and dumped her body in a cornfield. A judge on Wednesday agreed to increase his bond to $5 million from $1 million after prosecutor Scott Brown noted he was a potential flight risk who was charged with a "heinous crime." Rivera sat stone-faced through much of the hearing, wearing a striped jail jumpsuit, handcuffs and speaking only briefly through a Spanish-speaking interpreter. His attorney, Richards, lashed out at President Donald Trump for publicly declaring his client guilty at a rally Tuesday night in which he called the nation's immigration system a disgrace. He said his client was a hard worker with the equivalent of an eighth-grade education, had no prior criminal record and deserved the presumption of innocence and a fair trial. "Sad and Sorry Trump has weighed in on this matter in national media which will poison the entire possible pool of jury members," Richards wrote in a court filing. Trump noted the arrest at the rally in West Virginia: "You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly, from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman. Should've never happened. Illegally in our country." Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have lodged an immigration detainer for Rivera, a move that means the agency has probable cause to believe he is subject to deportation. Yarrabee Farms is a small family farming operation that dates back to 1860 and has been owned for six generations by the Lang family, which is prominent in the community, farming circles and Republican politics. Dane Lang said the farm had received dozens of disturbing phone calls and messages since the employee's arrest, including threats to kill his dog and burn down his buildings. "This is a scary situation," he said. His father and farm co-owner Craig Lang, a former president of the Iowa Farm Bureau who ran earlier this year for state agriculture secretary, said the farm was cooperating with investigators and had already turned over Rivera's hiring records. He said now was not the time to debate immigration but to grieve the loss of Tibbetts, who was about to start her junior year studying psychology. Rivera led investigators Tuesday to a body believed to be Tibbetts in a cornfield about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of Brooklyn, where she was last seen, police said. Rivera allegedly confessed to following her and then panicking when she threatened to call police. He told authorities that he blacked out and then dumped her bloody body in the secluded location. Investigators have not released the cause and manner of Tibbetts' death and did not release any information following an autopsy conducted Wednesday. Rivera's Facebook page described him as being from Guayabillo, a community of less than 500 people in the Mexican state of Guerrero. It's about a three-hour drive from the resort city of Acapulco. Authorities said they zeroed in on Rivera after obtaining footage from surveillance cameras in Brooklyn. The footage showed a Chevy Malibu connected to Rivera that was driving back and forth as Tibbetts was running in the area. A conviction on first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole in Iowa, which does not have the death penalty. Orchard Supply Hardware stores across the Bay Area and beyond closed their doors early Tuesday and will shut down permanently by the end of the year, according to a company spokeswoman. On Wednesday, customers and workers in San Jose lamented that the closure of more than 40 stores in the Bay Area feels like a nail in the coffin for personalized service. "I'd be surprised if people at other chain stores are as knowledgeable as they are here," Jon Del Conte said. Others were concerned about the impact the closures would have on the senior workforce. "If you notice, many of the people who work here are retired, and they really care," Jeffrey Macredes said. Jackie Hartzell, a spokeswoman for parent company Lowe's, said employees were informed of the permanent shutdown Tuesday, and store liquidations will begin Thursday. Rumors began circulating Tuesday about a possible permanent shutdown of the chain's 99 stores across California, Oregon and Florida. "Shocked," longtime customer Olivia Moreno said. "I grew up going to Orchard Supply for everything. My parents owned a home. Anything they needed for a house." Hartzell said she couldn't comment about employees' severances, but several workers told NBC Bay Area they would be able to stay on until the stores close. At that time, they'll have first priority to be hired at Lowe's stores, they said. Gilbert Sierraz, an assistant store manager in San Jose said he was shocked. "I've been with the company 28 years, and Im kind of surprised," he said. "I wish they had made a different decision." Christine Nicholson was an assistant manager at the Mountain View store until she left last week. "There were a few structure changes recently, and it was very shocking because there were all these great things coming down," she said. OSH was founded in San Jose in 1931 and bought by Lowe's in 2013. It has more than 40 stores in the greater Bay Area and about 4,000 employees across the company. Its headquarters are in South San Jose. After Lowe's bought the chain in 2013, the company began renovating its vintage stores to a more modern format, according to the company website. As recently as Tuesday, stores had banner signs posted that read: "Hiring Happy People." Lowe's Companies Inc. filed its quarterly earnings report Wednesday. Its stock was up nearly 6 percent to $105.52 at closing Wednesday. One day after San Francisco Mayor London Breed blasted the Muni director in a letter, accusing him of "eroding the confidence" of riders in the system, the mayor took a ride on Muni and continued her criticism. Breed said Tuesday you cant push people to use public transportation and then have the transit not work. From widespread delays in service to the recent death of a construction worker, Breed said shes fed up, and her concerns are echoing through City Hall. On Tuesday, Breeds did what shes done for years: She took a ride in Muni to "see what the experience is like. I mean, I know what its like; it's been a couple years." Recently, the ride on Muni has been bumpy. Delays have plagued bus and light rail service, and Aug. 10, a worker for Shimmick Construction, Patrick Ricketts, died while working on the Twin Peaks tunnel after a steal beam collapsed on him. Schimmick had three serious OSHA violations on its record, all under appeal. But the SFMTA didnt catch it. "Ultimately, the director and the board of directors, they are accountable for making this system work," Breed said. SFMTA Director Ed Reiskin responded to the criticism Tuesday. "Weve had a rough couple of weeks and a rough time since shes been in office," he said. "So, its incumbent upon us to kind of restore and rebuild that confidence." Reiskin addressed the letter before meeting privately with the transportation board and explained all contractors are now independently verified. One member applauded the reform. "But that should have been done a long time ago," board member Art Torres said. "And it doesnt take a rocket scientist to Google somebody and find out that theyve had some violations." As Muni promises to do better and bounce back, Breed wants the agency to know shes watching. "Muni has to work well for the people of San Francisco so that it is their first option," she said during Tuesday's ride. "And look, were stuck right now (throws up her arms). Arent we stuck?" Breed told NBC Bay Area she wont discuss personnel matters with the media, but the reality is she cant remove Reiskin. The SFMTA board can, and it so happens Tuesday, he was scheduled to receive his annual evaluation. Verizon is responding to claims by the Santa Clara County Fire Department chief that it throttled the internet connection of an emergency vehicle as firefighters fought the Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest wildfire ever recorded in California history. "This throttling has had a significant impact on our ability to provide emergency services," Santa Clara County Fire Department Chief Anthony Bowden wrote in his declaration. "Verizon imposed these limitations despite being informed that throttling was actively impeding County Fires ability to provide crisis-response and essential emergency services." In a brief filed earlier this week in federal court, the chief alleges that Verizon slowed his department's data plan down to one-two hundredth of the normal speed, making it nearly impossible for firefighters battling the Mendocino Complex to communicate using platforms such as Google Docs, which they rely on to provide each other with live updates during the fight against the fire. Even though the fire department has unlimited data, Verizon allegedly slowed the speeds once the firefighters went over a certain amount. Bowden provided emails that show Verizon offered to restore normal data service if the department would agree to a $99 per month plan, which is three times the amount of its current plan. In a statement, Verizon admits it made a mistake in its communication with the fire department. "Regardless of the plan emergency responders choose, we have a practice to remove data speed restrictions when contacted in emergency situations ... In this situation, we should have lifted the speed restriction when our customer reached out to us. This was a customer support mistake. We are reviewing the situation and will fix any issues going forward," the statement read. The County of Santa Clara, along with 22 states and the California Public Utilities Commission, filed its brief Monday supporting net neutrality in the ongoing litigation to protect an open internet. Verizon stated that "this situation has nothing to do with net neutrality or the current proceeding in court." On the other hand, Santa Clara County Counsel James R. Williams stated, "Verizons throttling has everything to do with net neutrality it shows that the ISPs will act in their economic interests, even at the expense of public safety. That is exactly what the Trump Administrations repeal of Net Neutrality allows and encourages." But California has plans for its own net neutrality laws. Bill SB-822, led by Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, will require an equal playing field on the internet. The final hearing of the bill was heard Wednesday with the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee before it goes to the full Assembly for a vote. A representative for Verizon was in attendance and voiced the company's opposition to the bill. Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile and Comcast were also among other giant companies who sent representatives to voice their opposition. A Verizon representative at the SB-822 hearing reiterates the throttling had nothing to do with net neutrality because the content had nothing to do with slowing down of data, but that it was an error of a customer representative. "I do think that it was evidence, once again, on how critically important internet access is to everything, including public safety. Whatever the reason was for the throttling, it creates problem in terms of slowing down," Wiener said at the hearing. Disclaimer: Comcast owns NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News, MSNBC, and this station. A 30-year-old Roman Catholic priest in Allentown has been accused of sending nude texts to a teen girl last year and groping her behind, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced Tuesday afternoon. Its the latest in a wave of sexual abuse allegations tainting the Catholic Church and casting a shadow over the religious institution. Father Kevin Lonergan, who most recently served as assistant pastor at the Cathedral of St. Catherine Siena, is charged with one count of indecent assault and one count of corrupting a minor, the DAs office said. He was arraigned Tuesday and released on $50,000 unsecured bail. Lonergan allegedly met the 17-year-old victim before mass in August 2017 at Allentowns St. Francis Assisi Church. Shortly after meeting her, Lonergan got the teens number from another church member, Martin said. The two communicated via SnapChat several times between December 2017 and January 2018, according to the DAs investigation. Some of those messages included nude photos of the priest, Martin said. Then, in February 2018, Lonergan hugged the victim and grabbed her buttocks when she tried to pull away, according to the DAs office. The victim remained silent for several months after the assault, but she eventually came forward to officials at her high school. They reported the incident to the Archdiocese of Allentown, which banned Lonergan from ministry in June. Bishop [Alfred] Schlert wanted to act very quickly and transparently to report this and to inform the public of Lonergans removal from active ministry, but he held off doing so at my request in order not to compromise the investigation, Martin said. The arrest of Lonergan, who lives with his parents in Pottsville, adds to an already lengthy list of priests who have been accused of sexually assaulting minors. Last week, a Pennsylvania grand jury released a sweeping report that documented decades of abuse and subsequent cover-ups by clergy members across six dioceses in the state. The charges against Lonergan were not a result of the landmark grand jury investigation but stemmed from a complaint filed in June, after the grand jury had finished its work, authorities said. Pope Francis condemned those so-called predator priests and apologized for the Catholic Churchs sluggish response to the allegations. CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correctly state where Lonergan lives. What to Know Facebook on Tuesday said it took down 652 pages, groups and accounts linked to Russia and Iran for misleading political behavior Twitter also said Tuesday that it suspended 284 accounts -- many apparently originating from Iran -- for "coordinated manipulation" Microsoft earlier in the day revealed it had found a new Russian effort to impersonate conservative U.S. websites ahead of midterm elections Facebook has identified and banned hundreds of accounts, groups and pages engaged in misleading political behavior, a far larger discovery than a "sophisticated" effort it reported three weeks ago with great fanfare. The social network said Tuesday that it had removed 652 pages, groups, and accounts linked to Russia and, unexpectedly, Iran, for "coordinated inauthentic behavior" that included the sharing of political material. Facebook has significantly stepped up policing of its platform since last year, when it acknowledged that Russian agents successfully ran political influence operations on its platform that were aimed at swaying the 2016 presidential election. Other social media networks have done likewise, and continue to turn up fresh evidence of political disinformation campaigns. Facebook's action in late July against 32 accounts possibly linked to Russia generally involved U.S. political activity ahead of the midterm elections in November. By contrast, the latest group of apparently fake accounts appeared more intent on influencing U.S. foreign policy and regional politics in the Middle East. Shortly after Facebook's announcement, Twitter revealed that it had also suspended 284 accounts for "coordinated manipulation," many of them apparently originating from Iran. A day earlier, Microsoft also reported a new Russian effort to impersonate conservative U.S. websites , potentially as part of an espionage campaign. The social network said it had not concluded its review of the material and declined to say how or why the state-backed actors were behaving the way they did. But it said it has informed the U.S. and U.K. governments as well as the U.S. Treasury and State departments because of ongoing sanctions against Iran. "There's a lot we don't know yet," CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on a hastily called conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. "You're going to see people try to abuse the services in every way possible ... including now nation states," he said. He described the deception campaigns as "sophisticated and well-funded efforts that aren't going to stop." FireEye, a cybersecurity firm that alerted Facebook to some of this activity, noted that it "does not appear to have been specifically designed to influence the 2018 U.S. midterm elections, as it extends well beyond U.S. audiences and U.S. politics." Facebook said its latest action on Tuesday morning resulted from four investigations three involving Iran, one involving Russia. The first focused on a group called "Liberty Front Press" that set up multiple accounts on Facebook and Instagram that were followed by 155,000 other accounts. The group was linked to Iranian state media based on website registrations, IP addresses and administrator accounts, Facebook said. The first accounts were created in 2013 and posted political content about the Middle East, the U.K., and the U.S., although the focus on the West increased starting last year, Facebook said. "The Iranians are now following the Kremlin's playbook," said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee. On Sept. 5, leaders of Facebook, Google and Twitter are scheduled to testify before the intelligence committee about their efforts to combat political disinformation on their social media networks. FireEye called the Liberty Front Press group an influence operation apparently aimed at promoting Iranian political interests "including anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian themes" and support for the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal. President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from that agreement earlier this year. While that group did not appear to be attempting to influence the U.S. midterms, FireEye said its analysis "does not preclude such attempts being made." Several social media personas it found related to the group masqueraded as liberal U.S. activists who supported Sen. Bernie Sanders. One persona also used the Twitter handle "@berniecratss" and listed its location as the United States even though the phone number associated with it began with Iran's country code, +98. The group's activity included "significant anti-Trump messaging," but FireEye said in a detailed report "the activity extends well beyond U.S. audiences and U.S. politics." The second group also had multiple accounts and 15,000 followers. The group was linked to "Liberty Front Press" and attempted to hack people's accounts to spread malware. Facebook said it disrupted those attempts. A third group also operated out of Iran had as many as 813,000 followers, and also shared political content about the Middle East, the U.K. and U.S. In all the Iranian-linked groups spent some $12,000 in advertising and hosted 28 different events. A fourth group that attempted to influence politics in Syria and the Ukraine was connected to sources that Facebook said the U.S. had linked to Russian military intelligence. "We're working closely with U.S. law enforcement on this investigation," Facebook said in a blog post . In late July, Facebook also removed 32 apparently fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram that collectively had nearly 300,000 followers, including thousands that expressed interest in events they promoted. Two people were critically injured after crashing into a dump truck Tuesday in Manchester, New Hampshire. Police say four vehicles were involved in the crash shortly before 7 p.m. at the Amoskeag traffic circle. Three of the vehicles, including the dump truck, were stopped at a red light when a speeding car hit the truck from behind, according to authorities. A passenger in the car that hit the dump truck was ejected from the passenger side. The driver was trapped inside for about 25 minutes before being freed. Both were taken to Catholic Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Three other patients were treated and released on scene. Part of the traffic circle was closed as police investigated. A 19-year-old Massachusetts woman lit herself on fire in a New Hampshire police cruiser after being arrested for allegedly trespassing and loitering, according to police. Officers in Hampton say they saw Jeante Driscoll, of Leominster, trying to conceal herself outside Kennebunk Savings Bank on Winnacunnet Road around 10:20 p.m. Saturday. Police say they gave her a warning about loitering and told her to leave the area. Later, police say they saw Driscoll next to the building again and she refused to leave. As police were arresting Driscoll, they say she became agitated, and officers struggled to get her into the car. When they were driving her to the Hampton Police Department, Driscoll lit her clothes on fire. Police stopped the cruiser, pulled Driscoll from the car and rolled her on the ground to put the fire out. Driscoll was treated at the police station by the Seabrook Fire Department, then taken to Portsmouth Hospital. The extent of her injuries was not made clear. In addition to violations for criminal trespassing and loitering, Driscoll faces a misdemeanor charge of assault by prisoner for allegedly kicking an officer in the groin at the police station. Driscoll has been released on $10,000 personal recognizance bail. She is due to be arraigned Oct. 2 at 10th Circuit Court in Seabrook. It was not immediately clear if she had an attorney. Anyone with information is asked to call 603-929-4444. What to Know A White House memo focuses on boosting efficiency at coal-fired power plants and allowing states to reduce "wasteful compliance costs" Critics say focusing on efficiency would keep older, dirtier power plants running, undercutting potential environmental benefits Obama's plan was designed to cut U.S. carbon dioxide emissions to 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 The Trump administration on Tuesday moved to prop up the declining coal industry with an overhaul of Obama-era pollution rules, acknowledging that the increased emissions from aging coal-fired plants could kill hundreds more people annually and cost the country billions of dollars. The proposal broadly increases the authority given to states to decide how and how much to regulate existing coal power plants. The EPA said its Affordable Clean Energy rule "empowers states, promotes energy independence and facilitates economic growth and job creation." "CLEAN COAL," President Donald Trump tweeted ahead of a Tuesday trip to coal country in West Virginia. Trump promoted the plan as making good on his campaign pledge to bring back the coal industry, which is being hit hard by market forces that make natural gas and other cleaner fuels cheaper and more appealing. "Today we are fulfilling the president's agenda," acting EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler told reporters. The proposal dismantles President Barack Obama's 2015 Clean Power Plan, one of his administration's legacy efforts against climate change. The Obama rules, which have been halted by court challenges, would have increased federal regulation of emissions from the nation's electrical grid and broadly promoted cleaner energy, including natural gas and solar and wind power. Michelle Bloodworth, president of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, a trade group that represents coal producers, called the new rule a marked departure from the "gross overreach" of the Obama administration and said it should prevent a host of premature coal-plant retirements. But the Natural Resources Defense Council called the Trump's proposal "Dirty Power Plan." Gina McCarthy, EPA administrator when the Obama plan was developed, said the proposed changes show the Trump administration emphasizing "coal at all costs." The EPA's 289-page regulatory analysis acknowledged that every possible scenario under its proposal projects "small increases" in climate-changing emissions and some pollutants, compared to the Obama plan. EPA officials said they could give no firm projections for the health effects of their plan because that will depend on how states regulate power plants within their borders. But models provided by the agency estimate that under the Trump plan, 300 to 1,500 more people would die prematurely each year by 2030, compared to the Obama plan. The models for the Trump plan also project tens of thousands of additional major asthma attacks and hundreds more heart attacks compared with the Obama plan. When health costs from air pollution soot and smog killing people, increased asthma and heart attacks are factored in, the repeal of the coal power plan would cost the country $1.4 billion to $3.9 billion annually, according to the agency. "It shows that removing the Clean Power Plan would be detrimental to health," said University of North Carolina environmental engineering professor Jason West, who went through the agency's regulatory analysis with The Associated Press. "The cost to society in increases of death and other outcomes from air pollution are greater than the cost to industry from removing the Clean Power Plan," West said. The projection of increased deaths and costs marks "what's extraordinary about this proposal," said Richard Revesz, dean emeritus at the New York University School of Law. "To their credit, they tell us directly, 'We are doing something to cause great harm to the American people.'" Environmentalists and other opponents said they expect legal challenges, arguing the Trump administration is abdicating its responsibilities under the Clean Air Act as set by Congress and the courts. Bill Wehrum, head of the EPA's air office, told reporters that the administration rejects any suggestion the agency has a broad legal duty to combat climate change through regulation of power grids or promotion of cleaner energy. "An important part of what we're doing here is getting us back into our lane," Wehrum said. The EPA called the Obama-era regulations on coal power plants "overly prescriptive and burdensome." Combined with the EPA's proposal earlier this month to ease gas-mileage requirements for vehicles, the move may actually increase the country's climate-changing emissions, according to some former top EPA officials, environmental groups and other opponents. Tuesday's move opens a public-comment period on the proposal before any final approval by the president. Scientists say that without extensive study, they cannot directly link a single weather event to climate change, but that it is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme events such as storms, droughts, floods and wildfires. The new proposal establishes guidelines for states to use when developing any plans to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Critics say the new plan would allow utilities to run older, dirtier power plants more often and extend their operating life. Trump has already vowed to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement as he pushes to revive the coal industry. Obama's plan was designed to cut U.S. carbon dioxide emissions to 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The rule dictated specific emission targets for states and gave officials broad latitude to decide how to achieve reductions. The Supreme Court put the plan on hold in 2016 following a legal challenge by industry and coal-friendly states, an order that remains in effect. Even so, the Obama plan has been a factor in the wave of retirements of coal-fired plants, which also are being squeezed by lower costs for natural gas and renewable power and state mandates that promote energy conservation. Trump has vowed to end what Republicans call a "war on coal" waged by Obama. For the third day in a row, beachgoers are being warned to stay out of Lake Michigan waters as "life-threatening waves and currents" are forecast. Cook and Lake counties in Illinois, as well as Lake and LaPorte counties in Indiana, were all under a Beach Hazard statement through Wednesday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service, which warned of waves ranging from 3 to 6 feet tall. The NWS predicted strong rip currents, which can sweep swimmers into deeper water. It called the conditions life-threatening, warning beachgoers to stay out of the water and avoid areas like piers and break walls. At least 17 Chicago beaches were under a swim ban Wednesday morning following the alert. Two others were under a swim advisory. Beaches under the swim ban included North Avenue, Montrose, Foster, Howard, 12th Street, 57th Street and more. A full list can be found on the Chicago Park District's website. So far this year, authorities say 22 people have drowned in Lake Michigan. One of the most recent victims was 14-year-old Malik Freeman, who died while swimming in Lake Michigan at the Indiana Dunes on Saturday. His parents said he knew how to swim but he was pulled under. The Freeman family said they believe his death could have been prevented with better warnings after another young boy drowned in the same area earlier that day. "If the state park warned us, especially after the 10-year-old died, my son died an hour after him right in the same area," Malik's mother Micah Freeman said. "If they would have sent out a warning or came by and told everybody on the beach that a 10-year-old kid was just pulled out of the water lifeless, we would have went home. Wednesday's alert remains in effect until 3 p.m. in Illinois and through Wednesday evening in Indiana. Two children died Tuesday after being pulled from the Kankakee River in northwest Indiana, authorities said. According to The Times of Northwest Indiana, officials with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said that at around 5:15 p.m., the agency was notified that two children were "in danger of drowning in the river." The children were found in the LaSalle Fish and Wildlife Area, which is located at 4752 W. 1050N in Lake Village, Indiana, near the border between Newton and Lake counties, according to the Times. A 4-year-old child, later identified as Levi Patillo, of the 11900 block of Nassau Lane in Demotte, was taken to Franciscan Health hospital in Crown Point where he was pronounced dead at 6:49 p.m., according to the Lake County coroner's office. Information on the second child was not immediately available. The Lake County Sheriff's Department told the Times that 34-year-old Eric Patillo, of Thayer, was being held on two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in death. Details of the relationship between Patillo and the children was not available, and the investigation into the incident remained ongoing. A man and woman have been targeting suburban and northwest Indiana gas stations in a series of armed robberies this month, according to authorities. About 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, two people walked into a Speedway gas station at 9600 Calumet Ave. in Munster, Indiana, showed a gun and robbed a lone employee, Munster police said. On Tuesday, police released photos of the robbers in the hope of identifying them. The duo is also believed to have robbed two gas stations in Oak Lawn. The most recent happened Monday at a Shell at 10601 S. Cicero Ave. and another was reported Aug. 6 at a Thorntons gas station at 9138 S. Cicero Ave., police said. The robbers also targeted a 7-Eleven store in north suburban Skokie early Aug. 13 at 7950 Crawford Ave. In all the cases, cigarettes and money were taken, police said. The robbers were described as a skinny man in his 20s and a heavy-set, short woman. Anyone with information should call Munster police detectives at (219) 836-6658, or contact their local police department. What to Know Tibbetts vanished on July 18 from her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa. Investigators said she was last seen on a routine jog through the streets of the city. Nearly $400,000 was raised for any tip that led to Tibbetts' safe return. The fund will now likely be used for any information on suspects. A 24-year-old man was charged with the murder of a missing Iowa college student, authorities announced at a press conference. Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, of rural Poweshiek County, was charged with the first degree murder of Mollie Tibbetts, whose disappearance captivated the attention of the nation and sparked a month-long search in the area. A body was discovered covered with corn stalks in a field on Aug. 21 southeast of Brooklyn, Iowa, authorities said. The identity has not yet been confirmed but is believed to be Tibbets, authorities said. An Iowa official said Rivera is being held on federal immigration detainer, the Associated Press reported. Our hearts go out to the Tibbetts family and to the Brooklyn community. It is a loss for all of us, said Poweshiek County Sheriff Tom Kriegel in a statement. We appreciate the support for law enforcement community in their commitment to this investigation, and we thank the Brooklyn community for their support for the investigation. A 24-year-old man was charged with the murder of a missing Iowa college student, authorities announced at a press conference. Authorities discovered video footage shortly after Tibbetts was reported missing from the east side of Brooklyn. The footage was from the day Tibbetts went missing and showed her running in the area. A dark colored Chevy Malibu could be seen numerous times in the area, according to the affidavit. The vehicle was connected to Rivera, authorities said. According to the affidavit, police then questioned Rivera about Tibbetts disappearance. Authorities say Rivera admitted to making contact with a female running in the area. Rivera stated she grabbed her phone and said Im gonna call the police, the affidavit reads. Rivera said he then panicked and got mad and that he then blocked his memory which is what he does when he gets very upset and doesnt remember anything after that until he came to at an intersection. He then drove to a cornfield where he noticed there was an ear piece from headphones in his lapwhich reminded him he had put the jogger in his trunk, the affidavit reads. He went to get her out of the trunk and he noticed blood on the side of her head, the document says. Rivera described he put her over his shoulder and took her about 20 meters into the cornfield and he left her covered in some corn leaves and he left her there, face up. Authorities say Rivera later guided them to the spot where the body, believed to be Tibbetts, was discovered. Authorities thanked the community for its help during the lengthy investigation. Civils are a bright spot on an otherwise dull horizon for construction, according to a recent report. The latest figures from Glenigan, which provides data on the UK construction market, show a drop in both project starts and in value of the work started in the last year. But civil engineering saw a 35% increase on 2017 due to strengthening in both infrastructure and utilities projects. According to the report: Starts in the three months preceding July were 15% down on last year Residential starts were 20% lower than a year ago, with a weakening in both private and social housing projects Non-residential project starts were 18% lower than last year Civil engineering was 35% higher than last year due to a 12% increase in infrastructure starts and an 80% increase in utilities work The value of work starting on-site in the three months preceding July was 15% lower than last year London saw the sharpest decline in starts, at 45% down on last year The South East, East of England, Yorkshire & the Humber, Northern Ireland and Scotland also saw double-digit falls of 16%, 18%, 30%, 37% and 11% respectively The value of project starts in the East Midlands was 41% up on last year and was 14% higher in both the West Midlands and North East. John Newcomb, CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation, said: The private new homes sector has been extremely robust in recent years, so it is somewhat surprising to see residential starts fall back at this stage. It may be a hangover from the poor weather at the start of the year. However, repair, maintenance and improvement work continues to grow, with the Office of National Statistics reporting 0.9% growth in overall construction output. The BMFs Builders Merchants Building Index reported 7.2% growth in sales value over Q2 2018, and we remain confident of continued growth throughout the rest of the year. Steve Turner, Director of Communications at the Home Builders Federation, added: We have seen a massive 74% increase in the number of new homes built over the last four years, and all indicators suggest output will continue to grow. Demand for new homes remains extremely strong. Starts on new sites in the early part of the year were affected by the adverse weather that also hindered output on existing sites. We anticipate any falls will be reversed in the latter part of the year as builders continue to strive to build more, desperately needed homes. Allan Durning, Managing Director of the H&B Buying Group, said: Builders merchants have seen many cycles over the previous decades, and we manage through them. Whats interesting with the timing of this announcement is the current round of shortages of key primary building materials such as bricks, and Class B engineering bricks in particular. Plasterboard, and insulation amongst others. The housing space remains buoyant as we know, fuelled by taxpayers subsidiaries, and RMI is holding up given the desire to improve and not move at local levels. But we have to be conscious that capital projects, with the Brexit implications, is going to impact on investor confidence. Major organisations such as Barclay are currently commenting on their concerns about demand going forward. "Star Wars" actor Adam Driver is bringing his northern Indiana hometown's hate group history to light after saying Ku Klux Klan rallies were frequent during his childhood and that some of his neighbors were Klan members. The Mishawaka native made the comments during a USA Today interview about his role in the new movie "BlacKkKlansman," the Indianapolis Star reported. "If anything, I was more aware of it as a kid growing up in Indiana, because there were always Klan rallies, like, every summer," Driver, 34, told USA Today. "There were people in the Klan who were in our neighborhood." Indiana University professor emeritus James Madison said he doesn't doubt that Driver was exposed to the KKK but doubts he saw many, if any, rallies. "Most of the memories of this sort tend to be grossly exaggerated, but at the same time, it's quite possible that he saw men and women in robes and sheets," said Madison, who is writing a book about the Indiana Klan. "It's quite possible that he saw a burning cross. But not a lot of it." Driver's representatives didn't return the newspaper's messages for comment. There was a KKK rally in nearby South Bend around 2001, when Driver was a teenager, according to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Indiana Grand Dragon Richard Loy was also known at the time to host rallies on his Osceola farm about 10 minutes east of Mishawaka, according to the Washington Post. The KKK had a tight grip on Indiana in the 1920s. Historians estimate that nearly a third of Indiana's native-born white Protestant men were members at one point, Madison said. More than 30 hate groups operate in the state today, with three them affiliated with the Klan, according to the SPLC. The KKK has a waning presence in Indiana, but there are many other groups gaining support in its place, said Heidi Beirich, director of the center's Intelligence Project. "There's research that's been done, that a history of hate groups going all the way back to the '20s Klan also lasts through history, and you see more hate groups in places like that," she said. "History plays a role here." Hawaii residents emptied store shelves Wednesday, claimed the last sheets of plywood to board up windows and drained gas pumps as Hurricane Lane churned toward the state. The category 4 storm could slam into the islands Thursday with winds exceeding 100 mph (161 kph), making it the most powerful storm to hit Hawaii since Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Unlike Florida or Texas, where residents can get in their cars and drive hundreds of miles to safety, people in Hawaii are confined to the islands and can't outrun the powerful winds and driving rain. Instead, they must stay put and make sure they have enough supplies to outlast prolonged power outages and other potential emergencies. "Everyone is starting to buckle down at this point," said Christyl Nagao of Kauai. "Our families are here. We have businesses and this and that. You just have to man your fort and hold on tight." Living in an isolated island state also means the possibility that essential goods can't be shipped to Hawaii if the storm shuts down ports. "You're stuck here and resources might not get here in time," Nagao said. The National Weather Service said Lane is expected to make a gradual turn toward the northwest Wednesday, followed by a more northward motion into the islands on Thursday. "The center of Lane will move very close to or over the main Hawaiian Islands from Thursday through Saturday," the weather service said. The Big Island was already starting to see Lane's first effects Wednesday, Gov. David Ige said at a news conference. The hurricane's outer rain bands were bringing showers to some parts of the island, said Matt Foster, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. The eastern side of the island picked up nearly 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) of rain in three hours, while there was light rain in other areas, Foster said. "Heavy rain in Hilo right now," Hawaii County Managing Director Wil Okabe said of the east side town. But on the west side, "nothing. It's a nice day." Public schools were closed for the rest of the week and local government workers were told to stay home unless they're essential employees. Shelters were being readied to open on Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Officials said they would open shelters on other islands when needed. Officials were also working to help Hawaii's sizeable homeless population, many of whom live near beaches and streams that could flood. Maui County officials warned that those needing to use Molokai's shelter should get there soon because of concerns that high surf could make the main highway on the south coast of the island impassable. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Administrator Tom Travis said there's not enough shelter space statewide. He advised those who are not in flood zones to stay home. Many residents were trying to reinforce older homes made with single-wall construction. "We're planning on boarding up all our windows and sliding doors," Napua Puaoi of Wailuku, Maui, said after buying 16 pieces of plywood from Home Depot. "As soon as my husband comes home he has all the power tools." Molokai real estate agent Pearl Hodgins said she expected the island's two stores to soon run out of bottled water and batteries. Melanie Davis, who lives in a suburb outside Honolulu, said she was gathering canned food and baby formula. "We're getting some bags of rice and of course, some Spam," she said of the canned lunch meat that's popular in Hawaii. She was organizing important documents into a folder birth and marriage certificates, Social Security cards, insurance paperwork and making sure her three children, all under 4, have flotation devices such as swimming vests "just in case." Meteorologist Chevy Chevalier said Lane may drop to a Category 3 by Thursday afternoon but that would still be a major hurricane. "We expect it to gradually weaken as it gets closer to the islands," Chevalier said. "That being said, on our current forecast, as of the afternoon on Thursday, we still have it as a major hurricane." Puaoi said Home Depot opened at 6 a.m., and employees reported there was already a line around the building. "We are fully stocked," she said. "We have about nine cases of water because we're having family stay with us as well, so one case per person." The U.S. Navy was moving its ships and submarines out of Hawaii. All vessels not currently undergoing maintenance were being positioned to help respond after the storm, if needed. Navy aircraft will be kept in hangars or flown to other airfields to avoid the storm. "Everyone in the path of #HurricaneLane please prepare yourselves, heed the advice of State and local officials, and follow @NWSHonolulu for updates. Be safe!" President Donald Trump tweeted. The central Pacific gets fewer hurricanes than other regions, with about only four or five named storms a year. Hawaii rarely gets hit. The last major storm to hit was Iniki in 1992. Others have come close in recent years. Puaoi was 12 when Iniki hit Hawaii. "When it did happen, I just remember, pandemonium, it was all out craziness," she said. Associated Press writers Mark Thiessen, Dan Joling and Seth Borenstein contributed to this report. A New Haven mother who was set to be deported to Bangladesh on Thursday has been granted a stay of deportation, according to her family. The news of the stay came just one day after supporters of Salma Sikandar began a hunger strike against her imminent removal from the country. Supporters rallied outside of the Immigration Customs and Enforcement headquarters in Hartford, hoping for a last-minute miracle on Tuesday. Sikandar's attorney said the stay was denied on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, the family got a call from the deportation officer saying Sikandar's stay had been granted. BREAKING NEWS - A day after supporters of Bangladeshi immigrant Salma Sikandar began a hunger strike against her imminent removal from the country, the family says she has just been granted a stay of deportation. @NBCConnecticut #NBCCT pic.twitter.com/0eRBevVjy9 LESLIE MAYES NBC (@LeslieMayesTV) August 22, 2018 Sikandar came to the U.S. from Bangladesh in 1999 and overstayed her tourist visa. She eventually filed a hardship application to stay in the country for her son, who is an American citizen. He begins his freshman year at Quinnipiac University next week. U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) released a statement after Sikandar was granted a stay. She said in part, I am delighted that Salma Sikandars stay of removal has been granted by ICE. We will continue working with her as well as her family and lawyers to ensure she can remain in the United States. ICE said Sikandar was granted a stay of removal through a decision by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston. Immigration officials said the stay of removal is designed only to provide a temporary relief from removal. It is not a mechanism to permanently stay in the U.S., they said. Sikandar's lawyer said these kinds of stays are typically not less than a year, but he will know more specifics when he gets her paperwork. Prior to being granted the stay, ICE said Sikandar overstayed the requirement of her visa for more than 18 years. President Donald Trump tried his best to appeal to coal country but, amid a truckload of bad political news, the top coal-producing state didn't love him back. Instead, Wyoming voters chose State Treasurer Mark Gordon, a rancher who grew up at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, over political mega-donor Foster Friess in the state's Republican primary for governor. Calling Friess "Strong on Crime, Borders & 2nd Amendment," Trump had endorsed Friess on Twitter as voting got underway Tuesday. Trump hours later walked back Obama-era environmental regulations viewed as economic warfare in coal country and told a West Virginia rally that miners were headed back to work. About 40 percent of the nation's coal comes from Wyoming Trump no doubt got heard out West. Wyoming voters had their own ideas. "This is a governor's race. This is about the state of Wyoming," Gordon said after winning his six-way primary. "President Trump is doing great things that are important for Wyoming in terms of getting our economy going, and all of that. But in the end, I think people in Wyoming concentrated on who's got the experience, who's got the record and who's got the best message going forward for Wyoming." Trump won Wyoming by the widest margin in 2016, but his support here may be seen as a mile wide and an inch deep. After all, Wyoming Republicans by far preferred another candidate, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, in the battle for the GOP presidential nomination that year. Wyoming could even choose a Democrat again. Attorney and former state Rep. Mary Throne, who was raised on a ranch not far from Gordon's and beat three others to win the Democratic nomination for governor, will be a formidable opponent, Gordon said. "Traditionally in Wyoming, we focus on the person and not the party when it comes to electing our governors. And that we like our governors to be independent and thoughtful and all about Wyoming," Throne said Tuesday. The winner will succeed term-limited Gov. Matt Mead. Like Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal, who served two terms before Mead and then on St. Louis-based Arch Coal's board of directors, Throne describes herself as pro-coal. There's no good reason to doubt it. Throne grew up in Campbell County, home to some of the world's biggest open-pit coal mines. While Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort and attorney Michael Cohen were convicted of felonies Friday, the president did pick a winner in Wyoming. Trump endorsed Sen. John Barrasso over a wealthy opponent, Jackson Hole business investor Dave Dodson. Delayed by thunderstorms, Barrasso barely made it back to Wyoming from Washington, D.C., in time to hear he'd won the Republican primary. Busy traveling, Barrasso said he had read little about the news involving Trump's associates. He declined comment on how Trump's political and potentially legal fortunes could affect his work with the White House. "I go to work every day thinking about the people of Wyoming. Every day I wake up I think about Wyoming, jobs, the economy, how we can make life better for the people of Wyoming. I think that the voters saw that," Barrasso said. Barrasso faces Wilson businessman Gary Trauner in the general election. Trauner, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination, ran for the U.S. House twice and came within half a point of beating Republican Rep. Barbara Cubin in 2006. Incumbent Liz Cheney easily won the Republican nomination for Wyoming's lone U.S. House seat. Cheney beat two other Republicans, Blake Stanley of Cheyenne and Rod Miller of Buford. Stanley and Miller both characterized themselves as blue-collar conservatives and ran low-key campaigns. Cheney will run against Laramie businessman Greg Hunter, who beat attorney Travis Helm for the Democratic nomination for U.S. House. A Texas sheriff's deputy accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl and threatening her mother with deportation if she reported the abuse died in jail from an apparent suicide, according to authorities. Jose Nunez, 47, was found dead in his cell at the Karnes Correctional Center, southeast of San Antonio, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Tuesday. Salazar declined to specify how Nunez apparently killed himself, but he said the manner of his death and evidence in the cell led investigators to conclude it was suicide. Nunez, a 10-year veteran of the Bexar County sheriff's office assigned to that county's jail, was locked up at the jail in nearby Karnes County under a policy instituted by Salazar. "Nothing good can come from housing one of our own deputies in our facility," he said, explaining that he wants to avoid any claims of preferential treatment for some inmates and believes it's safer to hold an incarcerated deputy elsewhere. The company that operates the Karnes facility, The GEO Group, didn't immediately reply to an email seeking comment. Nunez was arrested in June on a charge of super aggravated sexual assault of a child. Authorities said the assaults may have been going on for months or even years and that Nunez threatened the girl's mother, who is from Guatemala, with deportation if she reported him. Nunez was related to the pair. Despite the threat, the mother took the girl to a fire station to make a report. Salazar said that even though Nunez has died, the investigation will continue to determine if there were other assault victims. The mother, who Salazar said is in the U.S. legally on a work permit, will remain in the San Antonio area with her daughter during the duration of the investigation. Early voting begins Wednesday in five local school districts that are among a group of at least nine in North Texas looking to increase revenue for operating expenses by putting a Tax Ratification Election (TRE) before their voters this fall. Voters in the Azle Independent School District, Cedar Hill ISD, Duncanville ISD, Ennis ISD and Keller ISD can vote now through Sept. 4, ahead of the Saturday, Sept. 8 Election Day. In addition, voters in the Dallas ISD, Frisco ISD, Lancaster ISD and Richardson ISD will be asked to consider approving a TRE in November. A TRE is a special election that becomes necessary when a school district wants to raise the operating tax rate above the maximum standard amount allowed by Texas law of $1.04. If voters approve the TREs that are proposed in these local school districts it would immediately inject tens of millions of dollars into their maintenance and operating budgets. Many of the districts plan to use the money to provide raises for teachers and staff, and some like the Richardson ISD plan to hire additional staff as well, including more school resource officers. The President of the Richardson ISD Board of Trustees explained that the additional revenue that the TRE would raise approximately $24.5 million is especially necessary because last school year the district had to dip into its financial reserves for $6 million dollars to cover its payroll. We are now at a point where if this (TRE) doesnt pass its important to understand it is not the status quo situation, said Board President Justin Bono. Were going to need to have to make decisions on where to make about $10 million in cuts out of our budget. So these would be hard decisions. Bono and other school board leaders across Texas have long railed against the established system to provide state funding for schools. Many citizens apparently dont understand their districts urgent need for funds in the wake of House Bill 1 in 2006, wrote Robert Seward, a Mesquite ISD trustee and former president of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), in an article published on the TASB website. The Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1 twelve years ago in an effort to address a continuous decline in state funding support for public education, according to Dennis Womack, who wrote a doctoral dissertation for the University of North Texas called, The Impact of Target Revenue Funding on Public School Districts in North Texas. Under Texas law, wealthier school districts - measured in terms of the taxable value of property that lies within the school district borders divided by the number of students in weighted average daily attendance, according to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) - are required to share the wealth with the other, less fortunate school districts in the state. This funding mechanism has been widely derided and referred to as a Robin Hood system. In Richardson, a group of concerned citizens has formed to oppose the proposed TRE on several grounds. Richardson ISD residents are already being taxed out of their homes due to increases in property tax valuations, noted Chris McNutt of Vote NO on the RISD TRE. Ultimately, passing the TRE is only a temporary band-aid and doesnt fix anything. If voters were to vote on teacher salaries exclusively, Im sure you would find a near consensus among RISD residents to vote Yes. We want our teachers to be paid because they are the backbone of our community, McNutt told NBC DFW. But RISD is holding their salaries hostage by pitting them against the very families they serve, and threatening that teachers will not get a raise if they vote No on the TRE. McNutt indicated that voters in the Frisco ISD, where the Board of Trustees just this week called for a TRE vote in November, rejected a TRE in 2016 that district was able to magically find a way to pay their teachers more money after they said it wasnt possible. A North Texas driver is raising concerns about his 2014 Ford Focus transmission, and he's not alone. A few years ago, Brian Sirois became the proud owner of this 2014 Ford Focus. "When I got it, I was very, very pleased. It was great," said Sirois. He said the car was great on gas and had a smooth ride. But in May, the drive became anything but comfortable. "The shifting started getting really rough and was bucking," he explained. Sirois said that shortly after, his check engine light came on. So, he took the car to his mechanic. "He told me other Ford Focuses of the 2014 had the same problem," Sirois recalled. His car had 73,000 miles on it, but after learning this may not be an isolated issue, he decided to take it to a Ford dealership. "Sure enough, they go look at it and they say, 'Yep, this is the same problem we've been seeing,'" he said. The problem was with the transmission control module and the clutch. Sirois said he was told the control module would be covered, but he'd have to pay for the clutch out of pocket because his VIN wasn't on "the list." After asking what the criteria was for deciding what VIN numbers were on the list, Sirois said the service manager couldn't answer the question he just knew the car's VIN didn't qualify. So, Sirois had to pay $1,700 out of pocket. "So, when I got home, I figured I need to do some research on this," Sirois said. "Sure enough, I went online and it seems a lot of people have problems with the 2014 Focus." A number of consumers on carcomplaints.com claim their 2014 Ford Focus is jerking, shuddering, vibrating and shaking, and the transmission is to blame. There was also a class action lawsuit against Ford on behalf of consumers nationwide. The lawsuit claimed that Ford defectively designed its dual-clutch transmission in certain 2012 to 2016 Ford Focus vehicles. "There's a history to this," Sirois said. He wanted to know why certain 2014 Ford Focus transmission repairs were covered, and others weren't. He called NBC 5 Responds to get answers. We've learned that Ford has a "Customer Service Program" that extends coverage on certain 2012 to 2015 Ford Focus vehicles with transmission clutch problems. Ford told us they rely on "the data" to determine which vehicles are included in that program, but wouldn't go into detail about that data. But Ford's corporate office did eventually give Sirois more information. After we got involved, he got a call from a manager at Ford. He said the manager told him the VIN list had to do with where the Focus was manufactured and when it was made. "It sounds like your net's not big enough because my car has exactly the same problem," said Sirois. He said Ford then agreed to pay back half, which comes out to about $850. Sirois said he's happy to have some money back, but hopes that Ford takes a closer look at its transmissions. We heard from another woman in Denton who had a similar problem with her 2014 Ford Focus. Ford also agreed to cover half of her repairs as a gesture of goodwill, which came out to about $500. Ford told NBC 5 the transmission problem is not a safety issue, and customers who are experiencing a problem should see their dealership or call ford customer service. There's currently a settlement in the Ford class action lawsuit involving certain Focus transmissions. Click here for more information. President Donald Trump accused his former lawyer Michael Cohen of lying under pressure of prosecution Wednesday as his White House grappled with allegations that the president had orchestrated a campaign cover-up to buy the silence of two women who claimed he had affairs with them. Confronting mounting legal and political threats, Trump took to Twitter to accuse Cohen of making up "stories in order to get a 'deal'" from federal prosecutors. Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight charges, including campaign finance violations that he said he carried out in coordination with Trump. Behind closed doors, Trump expressed worry and frustration that a man intimately familiar with his political, personal and business dealings for more than a decade had turned on him. Yet his White House signaled no clear strategy for managing the fallout. At a White House briefing, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders insisted at least seven times that Trump had done nothing wrong and was not the subject of criminal charges. She referred substantive questions to the president's personal counsel Rudy Giuliani, who was at a golf course in Scotland. Outside allies of the White House said they had received little guidance on how to respond to the events in their appearances on cable news. And it was not clear the West Wing was assembling any kind of coordinated response. Trump himself publicly denied wrongdoing, sitting down with his favored program "Fox & Friends" for an interview set to air Thursday. In the interview, he argued, incorrectly, that the hush-money payouts weren't "even a campaign violation" because he subsequently reimbursed Cohen for the payments personally instead of with campaign funds. Federal law restricts how much individuals can donate to a campaign, bars corporations from making direct contributions and requires the disclosure of transactions. Cohen had said Tuesday he secretly used shell companies to make payments used to silence former Playboy model Karen McDougal and adult-film actress Stormy Daniels for the purpose of influencing the 2016 election. Trump has insisted that he only found out about the payments after they were made, despite the release of a September 2016 taped conversation in which Trump and Cohen can be heard discussing a deal to pay McDougal for her story of a 2006 affair she says she had with Trump. The White House denied the president had lied, with Sanders calling the assertion "ridiculous." Yet she offered no explanation for Trump's shifting accounts. As Trump vented his frustration, White House aides sought to project a sense of calm. Used to the ever-present shadow of federal investigations, numbed West Wing staffers absorbed near-simultaneous announcements Tuesday of the Cohen plea deal and the conviction of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort on financial charges. Manafort faces trial on separate charges in September in the District of Columbia that include acting as a foreign agent. That Cohen was in trouble was no surprise federal prosecutors raided his offices months ago but Trump and his allies were caught off-guard when he also pleaded guilty to campaign finance crimes, which, for the first time, took the swirling criminal probes directly to the president. Both cases resulted, at least in part, from the work of special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russia's attempts to sway voters in the 2016 election. "The only thing that I have done wrong," Trump tweeted late Wednesday, "is to win an election that was expected to be won by Crooked Hillary Clinton and the Democrats. The problem is, they forgot to campaign in numerous states!" Meanwhile, Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, said Wednesday that Cohen has information "that would be of interest" to the special counsel. "There are subjects that Michael Cohen could address that would be of interest to the special counsel," Davis said in a series of television interviews. Davis also said Cohen is not looking for a presidential pardon. Trump, in turn, praised Manafort as "a brave man!" raising speculation the former campaign operative could become the recipient of a pardon. Manafort, Trump wrote, had "tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break.'" Sanders said the matter of a pardon for Manafort had not been discussed. Among Trump allies, the back-to-back blows were a harbinger of dark days to come for the president. Democrats are eagerly anticipating gaining subpoena power over the White House and many are openly discussing the possibility of impeaching Trump should they retake control of the House in November's midterm elections. And even Trump loyalists acknowledged the judicial proceedings were a blow to the GOP's chances of retaining the majority this year. "They have survived the Russia thing, but no one knows what's next," said former campaign aide Barry Bennett. Debate swirled inside and outside the White House about next steps and how damaging the legal fallout was for the president. Allies of the president stressed an untested legal theory that a sitting president cannot be indicted only impeached. Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci argued that "at the end of the day it will be up to the House and the Senate to decide on the president's presidency." Former George W. Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer stressed that the revelations may be sordid but do not meet the constitutional bar of "high crimes and misdemeanors." "Having an affair and lying about it with a porn star and a Playboy bunny is not impeachable," Fleischer said, "it's Donald Trump." Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Chad Day, Jonathan Lemire and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. A district attorney in Northern California threw out a case against a juvenile suspect after it was revealed the Alameda County Sheriff's Office recorded at least one confidential conversation between him and his attorney. The Alameda County district attorney's office is also reviewing every juvenile criminal case submitted by the sheriff's office this year. The illegal recording claims were made by the county public defender's office in a motion filed Monday in Alameda County Superior Court and appear to be supported by a body-camera video obtained by the newspaper. In the video, Alameda County Sgt. James Russell says several conversations between suspects and their attorneys have been recorded but no one has listened to them. He also discusses the video recording of a juvenile in an attempted robbery case the one that the district attorney has thrown out with Lt. Timothy Schellenberg, who oversees the sheriff's investigations unit out of a detention center in San Leandro. Prosecutors turned over the body-camera video and the video of the juvenile with his attorney to the public defender's office as evidence in a recent criminal case, court documents show. Russell and Schellenberg declined to comment through the Alameda County Sheriff's Office spokesman, Sgt. Ray Kelly. The sheriff's office said it has opened an internal investigation and a spokeswoman said the district attorney's office will investigate whether to file charges. Secretly recording a conversation between a person in custody and the person's attorney is a felony under California law. Similar concerns over violations of attorney-client confidentiality were also raised in Southern California, where sheriff's officials last week struggled to explain In Southern California, concerns over violations of attorney-client confidentiality have also been raised where sheriff's officials last week struggled to explain how more than 1,000 phone calls between jail inmates and their attorneys were improperly recorded by the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the Orange County Register reported . Defense attorney Joel Garson, who triggered the discovery, said the calls were taped because of a technical gaffe in 2015 by telephone carrier GTL Corp. Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens said she first learned of the recordings in mid-June and that she would seek an investigation by the county Office of Independent Review, a civilian watchdog agency. What to Know A woman from Saugus plans to appeal to the California Supreme Court after she suffered catastrophic injuries Kathleen Willhide-Michiulis told NBC4 she has struggled to recover from the trauma of the incident in 2011 The resort denied it was responsible for the injuries and successfully argued the collision was part of the risk of snowboarding A woman from Saugus plans to appeal Wednesday to the California Supreme Court after she suffered catastrophic injuries in a snowboarding accident and had her lawsuit against a ski resort dismissed because she signed a liability waiver. Kathleen Willhide-Michiulis told NBC4 she has struggled to recover from the trauma of the incident in 2011, when she was run-over by a snow tractor while visiting Mammoth Mountain. The resort denied it was responsible for the injuries and successfully argued in court that a collision with a snow tractor was part of the risk of snowboarding, something that was listed on a liability waiver signed with the purchase of a lift pass. "Here I'm thinking I'm going up for a good day with my family and friends - and I don't come home for a year," Willhide-Michiulis said. It was late one afternoon when she said a tractor suddenly turned in front of her. She said she was pulled under the tractor and the spinning blades from a towed snow tiller tore off her left leg. "My right leg was broken in 17 places and my face was, multiple lacerations and multiple fractures," she said. Her attorney, Jae Y. Lee, said he thought the liability waiver should not apply because he believed the resort showed gross negligence in operating the snow tractor on a ski slope that was still open to visitors. "Not only do I feel that they violated their own safety policy, but it's unconscionable to introduce an industrial shredding machine on to a slippery playground," Lee said. A judge in Mono County said the resort's alleged actions did not rise to the level of gross negligence, and therefore, Willhide-Michiulis could not proceed with the lawsuit. A state appeals court recently upheld the judge's decision, affirming the reasoning that a tractor was part of the inherent risk and that warning signs had been posted. Lee said that decision appears to conflict with other gross negligence rulings in California and said he'd like a jury to hear the evidence. "I would like the California Supreme Court to hear this case and rule that a case such as this deserves a day in court," he said. Consumer advocates said if the appeals ruling is allowed to stand, or if the state Supreme Court hears the case and decides in favor of the resort, it would be come even more difficult for someone who signed a waiver - and was then injured as a result of negligence - to try to sue. "It raises the bar for consumers to bring suit against a company that harms them," said Carmen Balber with the group Consumer Watchdog in Santa Monica. "It makes it harder to recover your medical costs, it makes it harder to hold a company accountable, in this circumstance, by taking away the jury's right to make the decision about negligence. All the decisions were made before the consumer got to make their case." An attorney for Mammoth Mountain Resorts told NBC4 the company plans to challenge the appeal. The lawyer said the resort, "is not cavalier about peoples' injuries," and puts an "incredible effort," into making the property safe, but said the lower courts already made the correct rulings to dismiss the lawsuit. What to Know A $20,000 reward is being offered for the arrest of Shawn Richard Christy, 27, of McAdoo, Pennsylvania. Officials say Christy threatened both President Trump and Northamtpton County District Attorney John Morganelli on Facebook. Christy also allegedly stole a 2001 Jeep Cherokee in Kentucky. A Pennsylvania man accused of threatening President Donald Trump and other elected officials has been seen in Maryland, police say. The FBI, U.S. Marshals and the U.S. Secret Service are all attempting to track down the man, who also allegedly threatened to shoot anyone who tried to arrest him, police said. A federal warrant was issued on June 19 for Shawn Richard Christy, 27, of McAdoo, Pennsylvania. The warrant was related to threats Christy made against Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli and Trump on Facebook, officials said. Investigators say Christy wrote, Keep it up Morganelli, I promise Ill put a bullet in your head as soon as I put one in the head of President Donald J. Trump, in a Facebook post. Police say he also threatened police officers and claimed he would use "full lethal force on any law enforcement officer that tries to detain me," police said. On Saturday, police spotted a stolen 2001 Jeep Cherokee believed to be operated by Christy near Nitro, West Virginia. On Sunday, a man was spotted sleeping in a car near Cumberland, Maryland. A citizen identified him as Christy. He was wearing a tan shirt and blue jeans, police said. Christy ran away, police said. Nearby, a 1997 Sierra pick up truck with Pennsylvania plates was stolen, police say. Christy is suspected in the theft. Christy also has multiple arrest warrants in Pennsylvania for burglary, probation violation and failure to appear for an aggravated assault case. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest, investigators say. Christy is also a suspect in the theft of a dark green 2001 Jeep Cherokee with the Kentucky license plate 095-WYT. Officials say the vehicle was stolen on Aug. 9 around 8:30 a.m. on the 900 block of Brockman Keltner Road in Greensburg, Kentucky. The vehicle has a black hood, US Postal Service and Rural Carrier magnets on the sides and backs and a steering wheel on the right side. Officials also believe Christy abandoned a stolen 2012 Toyota Tundra in the area earlier this week. Christy stands 5-foot-10 and weighs about 160 pounds. He has a tattoo of a cross on his right upper arm, short dark blonde hair and a beard. He also speaks with a noticeable lisp and claims to be a survivalist, police said. Officials are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to Christys arrest. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-926-8332 or the FBI at 215-418-4000. Christy is considered armed and dangerous and anyone who spots him should not engage him but instead call authorities immediately. San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter was indicted on multiple charges that he and his wife, Margaret Hunter, converted more than $250,000 in campaign funds to pay for personal expenses. With the November election less than three months away, politicians, the U.S. Attorney's Office and Hunter's father reacted quickly to Tuesday afternoon the charges. Hunters father, Duncan Hunter, Sr., called the charges a late hit, because the indictment came so close to the election. Hunter, Sr. claimed the charges were politically motivated, telling NBC 7 the U.S. Attorneys Office is hoping he wont have a chance to clear his name before the election. Ammar Campa-Najjar, Hunters Democratic opponent, responded to the indictment with a statement that said: "The division, chaos and corruption in Washington has gone too far. Todays indictment confirms just how deep this corruption can reach when someone like Duncan Hunter Jr. is in it for himself instead of representing the people. Now is the time to put country over party and rise against this corruption and rise above the divisive politics. Together, we can bring real change and fresh thinking to represent the people of CA-50." In a statement, House Speaker Paul Ryan called the charges deeply serious. The Ethics Committee deferred its investigation at the request of the Justice Department, Ryan said. Now that he has been indicted, Rep. Hunter will be removed from his committee assignments pending the resolution of this matter. On Twitter, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, The charges against @Rep_Hunter, one of @RealDonaldTrumps first supporters in Congress, are further evidence of the rampant #CultureofCorruption among the Washingon GOP today. @SpeakerRyan must call on Hunter to resign immediately. The charges against @Rep_Hunter, one of @realDonaldTrumps first supporters in Congress, are further evidence of the rampant #CultureOfCorruption among the Washington GOP today. @SpeakerRyan must call on Hunter to resign immediately. https://t.co/4Rm4pYtkOR Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 22, 2018 The U.S. Attorney's Office also answered accusations of political bias from the Hunter campaign, involving a letter citing two prosecutors who attended a Hillary Clinton fundraiser. The United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California and the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. reviewed and rejected Mr. Hunters complaints, Kelly Thornton, Media Relations Director for the U.S. Attorneys Office told NBC 7. The Secret Service requested the prosecutors attendance and routinely asks prosecutors to attend events involving their protectees. On Twitter, Chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County Tony Krvaric said, In America we operate under the presumption of innocence. In due time a jury and voters will have their say regarding Congressman Hunter. Fair minded Americans will not prejudice the outcome. "In America we operate under the presumption of innocence. In due time a jury and voters will have their say regarding Congressman Hunter. Fair minded Americans will not prejudge the outcome." -@TonyKrvaric #ca50 San Diego County GOP (@RPSDC) August 22, 2018 Hunters campaign also called the indictments politically motivated. President Trump, who was at a rally in West Virginia Tuesday evening, has yet to comment on the indictment. What to Know Leon County state court Judge Kevin Carroll ruled Tuesday that the documents are public records under Florida law and cannot be withheld. FDOT had argued that the documents couldn't be made public due to an ongoing federal investigation into the March 15 collapse. A judge has ruled that the Florida Department of Transportation must release public records that might shed light on a bridge collapse in Miami that killed six motorists. Leon County state court Judge Kevin Carroll ruled Tuesday that the documents are public records under Florida law and cannot be withheld. The state agency had argued that the documents couldn't be made public due to an ongoing federal investigation into the March 15 collapse of the Florida International University bridge. The Miami Herald sued the department of transportation after the agency refused to release the documents, citing orders from the National Transportation Safety Board. Both agencies say the NTSB told the state agency not to release records dating from Feb. 19. The state agency says it will review the judge's order. A NTSB report released earlier this month showed large cracks in the bridge just one to two days before it collapsed. The cracks reaching as far as four to six inches into the concrete appeared on the 174-foot bridge after it was set into place on permanent bridge piers across Southwest 8th Street on March 10. The pictures, dated March 13 and 14, show large cracks on the north end of the bridge exactly where the failure occurred. Previous photos provided by the NTSB showed smaller cracks in the bridge before it had been lifted into place. But the cracks revealed in the latest NTSB investigative update are much larger. After the March 13 photos were taken, the project's chief engineer called the state to report the cracks, saying repairs would be needed but that safety didnt appear to be a concern. So no one not the engineer, the construction company, FIU or the state Department of Transportation ordered the road be closed or the bridge shored up before repairs were conducted. The bridge suddenly collapsed on March 15 as a work crew was carrying out the engineer's orders to re-tighten rods that ran through a diagonal concrete truss the same area that was cracking in the newly released photos. Orchard Supply Hardware stores in South Florida and beyond will shut down permanently by the end of the year, according to a company spokeswoman. Jackie Hartzell, a spokeswoman for parent company Lowe's, said employees were informed of the permanent shutdown Tuesday, and store liquidations will begin Thursday. A total of seven stores in South Florida will close, along with two in Napes and two in Orlando. Rumors began circulating Tuesday about a possible permanent shutdown of the chain's 99 stores across California, Oregon and Florida. Hartzell said she couldn't comment about employees' severances, but several workers told NBC Bay Area they would be able to stay on until the stores close. At that time, they'll have first priority to be hired at Lowe's stores, they said. "While it was a necessary business decision to exit Orchard Supply Hardware, decisions that impact our people are never easy. We will be providing outplacement services for impacted associates, and they will be given priority status if they choose to apply for other Lowe's positions," Lowe's president and CEO Marvin Ellison said in a statement. OSH was founded in San Jose in 1931 and bought by Lowe's in 2013. It has about 4,000 employees across the company. After Lowe's bought the chain in 2013, the company began renovating its vintage stores to a more modern format, according to the company website. As recently as Tuesday, stores had banner signs posted that read: "Hiring Happy People." Rep. Keith Ellison, the deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee and first Muslim elected to Congress, won his party's nomination Tuesday for Minnesota attorney general in a race clouded in the final days by an ex-girlfriend's allegation of domestic abuse. The allegation surfaced the weekend before Tuesday's primary when the son of Ellison's former girlfriend, Karen Monahan, posted on Facebook that he had seen angry text messages from Ellison to his mother and a video that showed him dragging Monahan off a bed. Ellison easily emerged out of a crowded field that included state Rep. Debra Hilstrom, former Department of Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, former Ramsey County Attorney Tom Foley and attorney Matt Pelikan. Monahan, a Minneapolis political organizer, said via Twitter that her son's posting was "true" but did not respond to an Associated Press request to review the messages and video. She later told Minnesota Public Radio News that she would not release the video because it is "humiliating." While Ellison called for Sen. Al Franken to step down when sexual misconduct allegations surfaced against him last November, Ellison said Tuesday night that there's a crucial difference in their cases. "In this case, it's not true of me. It's just not true. We'll talk more about it in the coming days," he said. Ellison earlier denied any abuse or threatening messages and said the supposed video "does not exist because I have never behaved in this way." Ellison, 54 and divorced, is a six-term congressman and a leader within the Democratic Party. He became deputy chairman of the DNC last year after falling just short of the top job. Ellison was among candidates rushing to file for Minnesota's attorney general office after incumbent Lori Swanson made a late decision to run for governor. He said he wanted to push back against President Donald Trump's policies that he argued were hurting people, adding that he admired Democratic attorneys general in other states who had done so. He said his priorities included protecting former President Barack Obama's health care law and restoring so-called "net neutrality" provisions scrapped by the Federal Communications Commission under Trump. With a huge fundraising advantage and star power over his opponents including a visit from 2016 presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders Ellison was considered the heavy favorite before the Monahan allegation surfaced. Many voters had cast ballots before Monahan's allegation emerged. More than 117,000 early votes had been received statewide by Monday morning. By comparison, only about 234,000 votes were cast among all parties in the 2014 attorney general primary. | BY Ricki Green | Stockland has released an inspirational Fathers Day campaign via CX Lavender, launching across its national social and owned media channels to an audience of over 415,000 people. The heart-warming, content-led campaign, titled Dad. A small word for a big job, celebrates modern fatherhood and acknowledges the many important roles dads play before encouraging shoppers to thank the father figure in their life this Fathers Day. Says Ben Allen, general manager marketing, Stockland: We are proud to present a Fathers Day campaign that celebrates all dads and father figures across Australia and acknowledges the many different and important roles that fathers play in our families and communities. While Fathers Day is widely celebrated in Australia, it can be less emotive than Mothers Day. Mums tend to get rightfully flooded with appreciation and very personal gifts on their special day. But dads dont always get the attention they deserve and generally receive more practical style presents like socks and tools. With Google Trends data indicating that search volume for Fathers Day is one third of that of Mothers Day, we saw an opportunity to encourage Australians to give their dads the Fathers Day they deserve. With this in mind we collaborated with CX Lavender to create an engrossing and emotional campaign that celebrates the various roles dads play and compels shoppers to think about how they can thank the father figure in their life. Whether the sideline supporter or the strong silent type this Fathers Day were celebrating all kinds of dads. As a local extension of the campaign, Stockland also worked with Ella Smith Communications to create The Dad Files, an editorial and portrait series that celebrates the faces of dads around Australia. The series features a collection of stories from fathers across the country, who have been photographed and asked what fatherhood means to them. These diverse, insightful and tender stories have now been shared across all 39 Stockland shopping centre websites and social media channels as well as featured in pop-up galleries at several Stockland centres. Says Allen: With over 412,000 customer visits to a Stockland shopping centre every day, we see Fathers Day as an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the significant roles dads can play in our lives. We hope this years campaign will inspire our customers to acknowledge, thank and celebrate the inspirational men whove helped raise them. Creative agency: CX Lavender Creative Production: CX Lavender and Taxi Films Editorial production: Ella Smith Communications What to Know Three Long Island police officers were taken to a hospital for treatment after they were attacked by a dumbbell-wielding man in his bedroom Cops had responded to a call about an assault at a group home in Hicksville and found suspect Anthony Robinson in his room Robinson allegedly attacked one of the officers with the dumbbell; he was taken into custody after a struggle Three Long Island police officers were taken to a hospital for treatment after they were attacked by a dumbbell-wielding man in his bedroom Monday, cops say. Nassau County police were called to a group home on West John Street in Hicksville just before 5 p.m. to investigate a report from another resident that he had been attacked by Anthony Robinson. Officers encountered Robinson in his bedroom, and when they confronted him, cops say Robinson raised the metal dumbbell above his head as if to threaten him. The cops tried to grab the dumbbell and Robinson allegedly beat one of them several times in the head with it. After a struggle, he was taken into custody. The officers were treated for varying head, back hand and knee injuries; they're expected to be OK. The resident Robinson allegedly attacked was taken to a hospital with a facial injury. Robinson faces charges of assault, resisting arrest, criminal possession of a weapon and menacing. He is expected to be arraigned Tuesday. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney. What to Know A man living in the U.S. illegally has confessed to kidnapping and killing Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts, authorities say The Food and Drug Administration said people can use some expired EpiPens for a few months longer, to help cover spot shortages James Bond producers, along with star Daniel Craig, announced director Danny Boyle has exited the project over 'creative differences' Get the top headlines of the day in your morning briefing from NBC 4 New York, Monday through Friday. Sign up for our newsletter here. Undocumented Immigrant Charged With Murder of College Student A man from Mexico living in the U.S. illegally has confessed to kidnapping college student Mollie Tibbetts while she was running in her small Iowa hometown, killing her and dumping her body in a cornfield, authorities say. Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of the 20-year-old Tibbetts, whose July 18 disappearance set off a massive search involving state and federal authorities. Rivera led investigators to a body believed to be Tibbetts in a cornfield about 12 miles southeast of Brooklyn, Iowa, where Tibbetts was last seen running, Division of Criminal Investigation special agent Rick Rahn said. The news the highly publicized and gruesome crime was allegedly committed by a person in the country illegally drew immediate outrage. President Trump noted the arrest and called for immigration law changes at a rally in West Virginia. Back-to-Back Legal Blows in Trump Circle Jolt Presidency President Trump confronted one of the most perilous moments of his presidency after two onetime members of his inner circle simultaneously were labeled "guilty" of criminal charges. Although Trump largely ignored the jarring back-to-back blows at a campaign rally in West Virginia, questions mounted about his possible legal exposure and political future. In a split screen for the history books, Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted of financial crimes at nearly the same moment Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of felonies, including campaign finance violations that the lawyer said he carried out in coordination with Trump. With two men who played prominent roles on the president's campaign convicted of multiple criminal charges, the investigations circled ever closer to Trump. FDA Extends EpiPen Expiration to Cover Shortages The Food and Drug Administration said people can use some expired EpiPens for a few months longer, to help cover spot shortages that have put some parents into a panic at the beginning of a new school year, NBC News reported. Some batches of the devices, which inject lifesaving medication to stop severe allergic reactions, can be used for four months beyond their expiration, the FDA said. The affected devices hold the 0.3-milligram dose. The FDA said it reviewed data from Mylan, which sells EpiPen, showing that the product is still effective beyond the expiration date. "We are doing everything we can to help mitigate shortages of these products, especially ahead of the back-to-school season," the FDAs Dr. Janet Woodcock said in a statement. Danny Boyle Departs James Bond Over Creative Differences The next James Bond movie has lost its director. Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, along with star Daniel Craig, announced Danny Boyle has exited the project over "creative differences." Boyle, the director of "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Trainspotting," earlier this year confirmed he would direct the 25th 007 film. Boyle and his regular collaborator John Hodge were working on the script. Production on the film, often referred to as "Bond 25," was to begin in December. The movie is to be Craig's fifth outing as James Bond, though endless speculation on his successor has been ongoing. Most recently, Idris Elba alluded to rumors of his casting by tweeting "Elba. Idris Elba." The 25th Bond film is scheduled for U.S. release on Nov. 8 next year. Post Malones Plane Lands Safely, Responds to Those Who 'Wished Death' on Him A luxury jet carrying rapper Post Malone landed safely in New York, hours after blowing two tires during takeoff at New Jersey's Teterboro Airport. The Gulfstream IV carrying 16 passengers touched down safely at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, nearly five hours after takeoff. Authorities did not confirm the identities of those on board, but Syracuse-born Post Malone tweeted he had landed, with a message for his fans, and for his haters. "Thank you for your prayers. Can't believe how many people wished death on me on this website. F*** you. But not today," he said. After the plane landed, Malone's manager posted an Instagram Story on the runway at Stewart with the caption "THANK YOU LORD." What to Know A $2,500 reward is being offered for tips to help cops locate the mystery gunman taking aim at a posh Upper East Side apartment building The gunfire is coming from across the East River on Roosevelt Island, and officials say they are still investigating the original source One resident of One East River Place found a bullet fragment in their 14-floor room while a woman found a hole in her 32nd-floor window Residents on both sides of the East River are on edge and a $2,500 reward is being offered for tips in locating the mystery shooter who authorities believe is blasting away from somewhere on Roosevelt Island and taking aim on a posh Upper East Side high-rise across the water. Police have posted posters announcing the cash reward while also warning residents there is a shooter in their midst. Authorities are currently looking for a man and a woman in the shootings and have called them persons of interest in reckless endangerment. NYPD Cops have been trying to track down the person responsible for sending bullets whizzing into two separate apartment of One East River Place, a ritzy, 50-story glass rental that overlooks the river. On Wednesday, Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea tweeted surveillance video of the two people who may know something about the shootings. We're seeking to identify the individuals in the video below who may have info regarding the Aug 18 shooting in which shots were fired from Roosevelt Island into Manhattan. Video shows River Rd on Roosevelt Island. Call Crimestoppers (anonymously) 800-577-TIPS pic.twitter.com/tI5COa4i4L Chief Dermot F. Shea (@NYPDDetectives) August 23, 2018 Officials say they are looking into at least two different shootings that left windows shattered and even a bullet fragment on the floor of somebodys living room of a swanky apartment building that has some units going for as much as $7,800. 10 Most Expensive NYC Neighborhoods Ranked by Median Sale Price, According to PropertyShark Investigators say the first shooting happened sometime Thursday overnight into Friday morning. They say the unknown gunman, armed possibly with a handgun, blew a hole in a residents 14-floor window, shattering it, and when the owner of the apartment woke up they found a 32-caliber bullet fragment on the floor. [NATL-NY] See Inside the Airlander 10: World's Biggest Aircraft Will Bring Luxury Travel to New Heights With Bedroom, Bar in the Sky "Its definitely scary. My apartment faces the way where the bullets came in," Tara Coughlin, who lives in the targeted building said. "Its alarmed the building a lot and people are freaking out." The shooter didnt waste much time before sending more gunfire into the air, police said. In the early-morning hours Saturday, a 64-year-old woman was awakened by a loud bang coming from her 32nd-floor living room. Officials said she discovered her window had a small puncture hole in it; the rest of the glass was spider-webbed around it. These Are the Most Charming Small Towns in Each State, According to a Report Chopper 4 was over the Upper East Side high-rise early Tuesday and showed both blown out windows boarded up. No injuries were reported in the random shootings, police said. The New York Post, who first reported the building being shot at, reports, citing police sources, the bullets may be coming from 30 River Road on Roosevelt Island, but police told News 4 the source of the gunfire is still under investigation. These Are the 20 Best High Schools in New York A resident of the high-rise who lives on the 22nd floor told The New York Post, which was first to report the random shootings, she is terrified for her life. Im petrified, Ilene Epstein told the newspaper. Ill move out of my building before I walk around with a bulletproof vest. No arrests have been made, but an NYPD mobile command unit was seen on Roosevelt Island late Tuesday as authorities continued their investigation. These 20 Public High Schools Ranked Highest in New Jersey in New Report What to Know A New York woman convicted of killing her infant daughter in 1985 and suspected of killing seven of her eight other children has been freed The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision says Marybeth Tinning has been released from Taconic Correctional Facility A jury convicted the Marybeth Tinning, a Schenectady resident, of killing her ninth child, 4-year-old Tami Lynne, in December 1985 A 75-year-old New York woman who was convicted of killing her baby daughter in 1985 and suspected of killing seven of her eight other children has been freed from prison. The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision confirmed Tuesday that Marybeth Tinning has been released from Taconic Correctional Facility in Bedford Hills and will be supervised by officials in Schenectady County, where she lives. Her release was approved in July after a parole hearing, her seventh since being imprisoned in 1987. A jury convicted Tinning of killing her ninth child, 4-month-old Tami Lynne, in December 1985. She was one of Marybeth and Joseph Tinning's eight young children to die between 1972 and 1985 under suspicious circumstances. Marybeth Tinning was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. A Hawaii-based Army soldier accused of attempting to support the Islamic State group will plead guilty, his lawyers told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Birney Bervar, one of Sgt. 1st Class Ikaika Kang's attorneys, told the AP that Kang will plead guilty as charged in the indictment, which accuses him of providing material aid to terrorists. Kang is agreeing to a 25-year sentence for charges that could have put him in prison for life, Bervar said. Alexander Silvert, an assistant federal defender representing Kang, also said the soldier has agreed to plead guilty. Court documents allege Kang provided classified military information to undercover agents whom he believed were part of the Islamic State group. Kang is scheduled to withdraw his not guilty plea Thursday, court records show. The hearing was moved from the afternoon to the morning because of concerns about a hurricane headed for Hawaii, Silvert said. A plea agreement hasn't been filed in court yet. A confidential informant told authorities Kang watched videos depicting beheadings and other violence in his room for hours every day, according to court documents. Kang told the informant that if he became an Islamic State member, he would be a suicide bomber and attack Schofield Barracks, a sprawling Army base outside Honolulu, according to an affidavit filed in court. Kang began researching the Muslim religion in 2014, couldn't wait to move to the Middle East to "join the cause" and was "only in the military for a paycheck," the informant said, according to the affidavit. When Kang met with the undercover agents at a home in Honolulu, he pledged allegiance to the group and kissed an Islamic State flag, according to court documents. Kang may suffer from service-related mental health issues that the government was aware of but neglected to treat, Bervar has said previously. Kang has been detained without bail since his arrest last year. Kang is still in the Army, but his duty status is "confined," said Lt. Col. Curt Kellogg, with the 25th Infantry Division. President Donald Trump confronted one of the most perilous moments of his presidency Tuesday after two onetime members of his inner circle simultaneously were labeled "guilty" of criminal charges. Although Trump largely ignored the jarring back-to-back blows at a campaign rally in West Virginia, questions mounted about his possible legal exposure and political future. In a split screen for the history books, Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted of financial crimes at nearly the same moment Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of felonies, including campaign finance violations that the lawyer said he carried out in coordination with Trump. With two men who played prominent roles on the president's campaign convicted of multiple criminal charges, the investigations circled ever closer to Trump. But for all that, Trump spent more than an hour at a rally in Charleston on Tuesday night painting a rosy view of his accomplishments in office, ticking off developments on trade, taxes, North Korea and even his plans for a Space Force. "What we're doing is winning," Trump told cheering supporters. "Where is the collusion?" he demanded, underscoring that Manafort's crimes had occurred before he became involved with the Trump campaign. "You know they're still looking for collusion." The president did say he felt "badly for both" men, but he largely ignored Cohen's guilty pleas to eight felonies until Wednesday morning, when he tweeted a shot at his former lawyer. "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen!" Trump wrote. He continued: "I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. 'Justice' took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break' - make up stories in order to get a 'deal.' Such respect for a brave man!" Manafort was convicted Tuesday in Virginia on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice. Cohen pleaded guilty in New York, saying he and Trump had arranged the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. It is the Cohen case that places Trump in the most jeopardy, legal experts said, as the longtime personal "fixer" acknowledged his role in a scheme to pay off women who accused the future president of sexual misconduct. "It's going to be hard for the president to try to discredit all this. It's circling him," said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor who is not involved in the case. Trump has shown an uncanny ability to shake off a relentless stream of accusations and jolting statements that provoked outrage. His loyal base of supporters has stayed with him despite his effort to blame "both sides" for the deadly violence between white nationalists and anti-racist protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, for one, and his refusal to side with the U.S. intelligence services over Russia's Vladimir Putin in Helsinki last month, among other controversies. Case in point, the crowd in West Virginia loudly chanted Trump's campaign staples "Drain the swamp!" and "Lock her up!" despite the fresh corruption convictions and looming prison sentences for his former advisers. Manafort's conviction served as a vindication of Mueller's work as investigators continue to probe potential misdeeds by the president and those in his orbit. Mueller's team also had referred evidence in the Cohen case to federal prosecutors in New York. Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani sought to cast the blame solely on Cohen in a Tuesday statement, saying: "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen." Trump's legal team has also been engaged in a monthslong negotiation with Mueller's team about a potential sit-down with the president, but has objected to the scope of the questions. In a separate courtroom Tuesday, prosecutors and defense attorneys for former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn agreed to postpone his sentencing after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a Russian official, in a sign his cooperation was still needed in the Mueller probe. The afternoon of explosive legal developments comes as the White House is refocusing itself around the upcoming midterms and as Trump allies like Steve Bannon seek to frame the election as a referendum on the potential impeachment of the president. Trump confidants have long argued that the president's fate in such a scenario would ultimately be more a matter of politics than law. Of Cohen's plea, Bannon argued Tuesday that it "takes away the argument from those who are telling the president it's not that bad if he loses the House. This now becomes more than ever a national election on the issue of impeachment." The president seemed to convey the stakes in Charleston, warning the crowd that "You aren't just voting for a candidate. You're voting for which party controls the House and which party controls the Senate." Trump confidants reasserted late Tuesday that it is the White House position that a president cannot be indicted, referring to a 2000 opinion of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to executive branch agencies. Trump's lawyers have said Mueller plans to adhere to that guidance, though Mueller's office has never independently confirmed that. There would presumably be no bar against charging a president after he or she departs the White House. Michael Avenatti, a lawyer pressing a civil case against Trump for Daniels, who has said she had sex with the president, tweeted Tuesday that the resolution of the criminal case against Cohen "should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it." The Supreme Court in 1997, ruling in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones, held that a sitting president could be made to answer questions as part of a lawsuit. That ruling did not directly address whether a president could be subpoenaed to testify in a criminal investigation. Despite blustery public denials, the fate of Manafort and Cohen has worried the president's inner circle. For many around Trump, Cohen has represented a greater threat than even the Russia investigation, drawing from his decade of working as the then-celebrity real estate developer's fixer. An FBI raid on Cohen's New York office and hotel room in April rattled the president, who has complained publicly about what he felt was government overreach while privately worrying about what material Cohen may have had after working for the Trump Organization for a decade. Those in Trump's orbit, including Giuliani, have steadily ratcheted up attacks on Cohen, suggesting he was untrustworthy and lying about what he knew about Trump's business dealings. When Cohen's team produced a recording that the former fixer had made of Trump discussing a payment to silence a woman about an alleged affair, Giuliani sought to impugn Cohen's credibility and question his loyalty. Trump stewed for weeks over the media coverage of the Manafort trial. Though the proceedings were not connected to Russian election interference, Trump has seethed to confidants that he views the Manafort charges as "a warning shot" from Mueller. As he watched the courtroom proceedings, he told confidants that he feared his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., could at some point be the one on trial, according to two people familiar with his thinking but not authorized to discuss private conversations. "What matters is that a jury found that the facts presented to them by the special prosecutor warranted a conviction of someone who surrounds the president," Weinstein said. Late Tuesday, Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow that Cohen has knowledge on "certain subjects that should be of interest" to Mueller. Cohen is "more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows," he said, adding, "not just about the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election ... but also knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr. Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on. Cohen "would not accept a pardon" from Trump should one be offered, Davis said Friday morning on NBC's "Today" show. Catherine Lucey, Ken Thomas and Eric Tucker contributed to this report. What to Know At least two men in Chester County, Pennsylvania, died this year after taking kratom, a legal herbal supplement. Kratom has sparked debate regarding its safety, with supporters citing its benefits in treating pain and opioid addictions. The FDA warns it's dangerous and isn't a better alternative to prescription opiates. At least two men in Chester County, Pennsylvania, recently died after taking a legal herbal supplement often used to treat opioid addiction and other medical issues, the coroners office said. Caleb Jonathan Sturgis of West Bradford Township died in June from acute mitragynine intoxication after ingesting the botanical supplement kratom. Ryan Jones of Caln Township died in April also after taking kratom. Both overdoses appeared to be accidental, according to the Chester County Coroners Office. Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom, is a plant that grows naturally in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, according to the FDA. Kratom affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine and appears to have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse and dependence. But there are no FDA-approved uses for kratom. "Moreover, the FDA has evidence to show that there are significant safety issues associated with its use," FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a November, 2017 statement. The FDA is aware of 36 deaths associated with the use of products containing kratom, the agency said. The Drug Enforcement Agency tried to ban the herb in 2016 but dropped its attempt after public outcry from users as well as 51 congressmen around the country and across the political aisle. Some of its supporters argued it could be an alternative to drugs like OxyContin. Jon Wilt sells kratom at his West Chester, Pennsylvania, smoke shop Planet Ryo. Wilt told NBC10 he constantly hears success stories about kratom from customers who take it for various reasons, including pain relief, migraines and issues with focusing. Ill take it for pain relief but it doesnt get me high, one customer, who did not want to be identified, told NBC10. According to Wilt however, the biggest reason his customers normally give him is because they believe kratom is safer than the opiates a doctor might prescribe for their pain. Big time for getting off opiates or they dont want to go on them, Wilt said. That is the biggest thing with kratom. In a February memo, the FDA insisted theres no evidence that those advantages exist for kratom and they warn it can be dangerous. FDA officials say carries the potential for abuse, isnt a better alternative to prescription opiates and definitely shouldnt be mixed with other drugs. Dr. Jason Wallach, who teaches pharmaceutical science at the University of the Sciences, believes there should be more clinical trials conducted on kratom before a decision is made about its legality. Its safer than many alternatives, Dr. Wallach said. Wallach also said there needs to be better oversight of the kratom products coming into the country unregulated. You dont always know what youre getting, he said. There have been incidents where kratom has been adulterated with synthetic opioids. Kratom is available without a prescription in many parts of the country. Its use is banned in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, D.C., Wisconsin and Louisiana, however. Kratom is legal in Pennsylvania and Delaware. There is pending legislation on it in New Jersey. CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to remove a statement misattributed to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. A Delaware man charged with a hate crime is accused of assaulting a man at a gay pride festival and groping two others. Dover Police on Tuesday announced the misdemeanor hate crime charge against 31-year-old Sean Wiley in connection with the Aug. 11 Delaware Pride Festival. Dover police spokesman Mark Hoffman says witnesses at the festival flagged police, who found a 62-year-old man bleeding from a punch in the mouth. Wiley was identified as a suspect. Police say he was drunk and shouting slurs at festival attendees. Investigators also determined Wiley "had grabbed private body parts" of a 31-year-old man and 46-year-old woman at the festival. Hoffman says Wiley tried to punch an officer, and was arrested. He faces multiple charges. It's unclear whether he has a lawyer. What to Know Officials have captured all of the suspects accused of ambushing and shooting two detectives in Camden, New Jersey. Ammar Hall, 26, and Alexander DeJesus, 19, were both captured in Philadelphia. Juan Figueroa, 20, was arrested over the weekend. Authorities have captured all of the suspects accused of ambushing and shooting two police detectives in Camden, New Jersey, earlier this month. Ammar Hall, 26, and Alexander DeJesus, 19, were both captured by U.S. Marsals in the Kensington section of Philadelphia Tuesday. Hall was arrested on a Kensington street corner around 5:30 p.m. while DeJesus, who had dyed his hair blonde to change his appearance, was arrested at a Kensington home about an hour later, officials said. Juan Figueroa, 20, was also arrested without incident in Gloucester City, New Jersey over the weekend. All three are charged with first-degree criminal attempted murder in the attack that happened on Aug. 7 at Mt. Vernon Street and Broadway. Police said the officers, who were operating undercover, were sitting at a red light when two of the men walked up and fired at least 10 rounds. One officer was hit in the hand and the other twice in the shoulder. The men were last seen fleeing the area in a white work van, police said. Authorities initially released surveillance photos of persons of interest, but Friday announced charges against the men. The officers were released from the hospital and remain on leave. "These detectives experienced a pretty traumatic incident," Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson said. "We're trying to get them as much help as we can because their psychological injuries are far worse than what their physical injuries are." Figueroa was remanded to the Camden County Jail without bail. Hall and DeJesus will likely be extradited to Camden on Wednesday. What to Know It was the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into President Trump's associates The jury returned the decision after deliberating four days on tax and bank fraud charges against Manafort Manafort led Trump's election effort during a crucial stretch of 2016 Paul Manafort, the longtime political operative who for months led Donald Trump's successful presidential campaign, was found guilty of eight financial crimes Tuesday in the first trial victory of the special counsel investigation into the president's associates. A judge declared a mistrial on 10 other counts the jury could not agree on. The verdict was part of a stunning one-two punch of bad news for the White House, coming as the president's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, was pleading guilty in New York to campaign finance charges arising from hush money payments made to two women who say they had sexual relationships with Trump. The jury returned the decision after deliberating four days on tax and bank fraud charges against Manafort, who led Trump's election effort during a crucial stretch of 2016, including as he clinched the Republican nomination and during the party's convention. Manafort, who appeared jovial earlier in the day amid signs the jury was struggling in its deliberations, focused intently as the clerk read off the charges. He stared down blankly at the defense table, then looked up, expressionless, as the judge finished thanking the jury. His lawyer, Kevin Downing, said Manafort was disappointed at "not getting acquittals all the way through a complete hung jury on all counts." He said Manafort was evaluating all of his options. The jury found Manafort guilty of five counts of filing false tax returns on tens of millions of dollars in Ukrainian political consulting income. He was also convicted of failing to report foreign bank accounts in 2012 and of two bank fraud charges that accused him of lying to obtain millions of dollars in loans after his consulting income dried up. The jury couldn't reach a verdict on three other foreign bank account charges, and the remaining bank fraud and conspiracy counts. No sentencing date has been set. Prosecutors have until Aug. 29 to decide whether they will seek a retrial on the 10 counts where the jury hung. The outcome, though not the across-the-board guilty verdicts prosecutors sought, almost certainly guarantees years of prison for Manafort, who faces another trial this fall in Washington. It also appears to vindicate the ability of special counsel Robert Mueller's team to secure convictions from a jury of average citizens despite months of partisan attacks, including from Trump, on the investigation's integrity. The verdict also raised immediate questions of whether the president would seek to pardon Manafort, the lone American charged by Mueller to opt for trial instead of cooperate. The president has not revealed his thinking but spoke sympathetically throughout the trial of his onetime aide, at one point suggesting he had been treated worse than gangster Al Capone. The president Tuesday called the outcome a "disgrace" and said the case "has nothing to do with Russia collusion." The trial did not resolve the central question behind Mueller's investigation whether Trump associates coordinated with Russia to influence the election. Still, there were occasional references to Manafort's work on the campaign, including emails showing him lobbying Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner on behalf of a banker who approved $16 million in loans because he wanted a job in the Trump administration. Manafort urged Kushner to consider the banker, Stephen Calk, for Secretary of the Army. Though Kushner responded to Manafort's email by saying, "On it!" Calk ultimately did not get an administration post. For the most part, though, jurors heard detailed and sometimes tedious testimony about Manafort's finances and what prosecutors allege was a years-long tax-evasion and fraud scheme. Manafort decided not to put on any witnesses or testify himself. His attorneys said he made the decision because he didn't believe the government had met its burden of proof. His defense team attempted to make the case about the credibility of longtime Manafort protege Rick Gates, attacking the government's star witness as a liar, embezzler and instigator of any crimes as they tried to convince jurors that Manafort didn't willfully violate the law. Gates, another Trump campaign aide, spent three days on the stand, telling jurors how he committed crimes alongside Manafort for years. He admitted to doctoring documents, falsifying information and creating fake loans to lower his former boss' tax bill, and also acknowledged stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars without Manafort's knowledge by filing fake expense reports. Beyond the testimony, prosecutors used emails and other documents to try to establish that Manafort concealed from the IRS, in offshore accounts, millions of dollars in Ukrainian political consulting proceeds. Overall, they said, he avoided paying more than $16 million in taxes. Central to the government's case were depictions of an opulent lifestyle, including a $15,000 ostrich jacket, luxury suits and elaborate real estate that prosecutors say was funded through offshore wire transfers from shell companies in Cyprus and elsewhere. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III repeatedly grew impatient with prosecutors as they sought to demonstrate Manafort's garish tendencies. The clashes between the judge and the prosecution team became a sideshow of sorts during the weeks-long trial, with prosecutors at time struggling to contain their exasperation and the judge even acknowledging at one point that he may have erroneously scolded them. After the verdict Tuesday, Ellis complimented lawyers on both sides for "zealous and effective representation." He also remarked on his surprise at the level of attention the case has received and the criticism he received for his management of the trial. "We all take brickbats in life," Ellis said. The trial in Alexandria, Virginia, is the first of two for Manafort. He faces a trial later this year in the District of Columbia on charges of conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, making false statements and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Ukrainian interests. He is also accused of witness tampering in that case. The authorities of the city of Guadalajara, considered to be one of the most conservative cities in Mexico, approved a law that allows sexual relations in public view, unless there's a public complaint. With the legal reforms, the police will no longer have the authority to sanction public sex acts, so long as there isn't a complaint from a third party. "Having sexual relations or committing acts of exhibitionism of a sexual nature in public places, vacant lots, inside vehicles or in private locations in public view will be considered administrative offenses, as long as a citizen requests police intervention," details the modification to article 14 of the Bylaws of Good Government. The changes were issued in the capital of the state of Jalisco under the argument that the police should focus on combatting crime and not bother those who might be lacking funds to pay for a hotel. That change has caused indignation among many citizens who label it as a moral issue, and also warn that it makes it easier for rapists and pedophiles to abuse their victims. Once these changes go into effect, the police will only be able to detain and fine those who have intimate encounters in public view if there is an expressed complaint from other citizens. This initiative has a history in the world, now that Vondelpark in Amsterdam, one of the most popular public parks in the capital of the Netherlands, has allowed sex in the open air spanning over a decade. The only rules in Amsterdam are to keep the space clean, the activities should be conducted in areas away from dedicated child zones, and if there's too much noise, police can ask the lovers to leave. At least three dozen immigrant recruits who were booted from the U.S. Army after enlisting with a promised pathway to citizenship are being brought back to serve, according to court records filed Monday. Since Aug. 17, the U.S. Army has reinstated 32 reservists, and revoked discharge orders of another six enlistees who had sued. Another 149 discharges have been suspended and are under review, said Army Assistant Deputy for Recruiting and Retention Linden St. Clair, in the filing. The reinstatements follow an Associated Press story in early July that revealed dozens of immigrant enlistees were being discharged or had their contracts cancelled. Some said they were given no reason for their discharge. Others said the Army informed them they'd been labeled as security risks because they have relatives abroad or because the Defense Department had not completed background checks on them. They had enlisted under the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program, known as MAVNI, to increase the number of soldiers with critical language or medical skills. The reinstatements come weeks after the Army reversed course, suspending the discharges at least temporarily. "Effective immediately, you will suspend processing of all involuntary separation actions," read a memo signed by Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Marshall Williams. In mid-July the Army reversed one discharge, for Brazilian reservist Lucas Calixto, 28, who had sued. Nonetheless, discharges of other immigrant enlistees continued. Attorneys sought to bring a class action lawsuit to offer protections to a broader group of reservists and recruits in the program, demanding that prior discharges be revoked and that further separations be halted. The Defense Department has attempted to strengthen security requirements for the program, through which historically immigrants vowed to risk their lives for the promise of U.S. citizenship. President George W. Bush ordered "expedited naturalization" for immigrant soldiers after 9/11 in an effort to swell military ranks. Seven years later the MAVNI program became an official recruiting program. It came under fire from conservatives when President Barack Obama added DACA recipients young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children to the list of eligible enlistees. In response, the military layered on additional security clearances for recruits to pass before heading to boot camp. The Trump Administration added even more hurdles, creating a backlog within the Defense Department. Last fall, hundreds of recruits still in the enlistment process had their contracts canceled. San Diego is known as one of the main exporters of avocados, lemons, and tomatoes and now some farmers want to add coffee to that list. Despite popular belief that coffee beans must be grown in tropical climates like Costa Rica and Colombia, San Diego actually has the right conditions to grow coffee crops. The weather stays hot enough year-round to sustain the plants. Proper watering is crucial to allow the beans to thrive. "As long as we're not in a place that is too cold and keep watering them, the plants keep growing," said Chuck Badger, a coffee farmer based in Rancho Santa Fe and owner of R.E. Badger and Son Farm Management. His half-acre of land, once reserved for lemon trees, is now filled with dozens of coffee plants. "You can currently buy our crop through Blue Bottle," said Badger. Downtown San Diego coffee shops have expressed interest in selling locally-farmed coffee. Badger is currently in talks with Dark Horse Coffee. "They came out to visit our fields and are very excited about it," said Badger. Farmers have only started growing coffee beans in San Diego within the last twelve or so years, Badger said. The idea first took off in Ventura. Coffee beans grow within a red skin, called cascara, on the plant. More and more coffee shops are now flavoring coffee with the sweet cascara skin in order to utilize more of the crop. "We mostly grow arabica coffee," said Badger. "Most of these plants are about two years old." Badger's grandfather started growing avocados in the 1920's. Through the generations, the family switched to citrus fruits. Badger is hoping coffee will be the most profitable plant yet. More than 50 years after it was commissioned, a painting showing the daughters of Air Force Colonel Arthur Mearns writing a letter and praying for his safe return is presented to his wife Pat and daughters Missy and Frances. The emotional ceremony included a missing man fly over, a tribute to the Air Force pilot who was shot down over Vietnam in 1966. It's bringing back so much and there's so much good but there's also sadness for all the families whose sons and husband didn't come home, said Pat. Stationed in Japan during the Vietnam War Mearns, who was a Major at the time, was approaching his 100th mission, which meant his family could soon return to the U.S. We were excited about him coming home," Pat, told NBC 7. But it was on that near final mission on Veterans Day in 1966 that his plane was hit by enemy fire. His airplane was completely on fire, so he bailed out, said Pat. His wingmen didn't know if he had survived. His widow and daughters kept hope alive. We said prayer for our father every day, we sent packages and letters, said Frances. Pat believed her husband was missing in action and worked tirelessly on behalf of service members who were MIA and POWs. She even moved to Washington D.C. for a time. For that effort, two and a half years after his plane was shot down, the Pentagon commissioned a portrait of the Mearns two daughters. Her work so admired by a U.S. Congressman on the Armed Services Committee that he kept a copy of the painting in his office for years as a reminder of service members who were still Missing in Action and Prisoners of War. More than a decade later when the Vietnam War ended Pat learned what had happened to her husband. He was killed in action, she said all those years ago in 1966. When the Congressman died, the decision was made to have the portrait returned to the Mearns Family in Coronado. And on August 21, 2018, the Mearns' family were presented with the painting at Coronados Star Park which brought back so many emotional memories. It really did, it makes us cry," said Missy. I just felt enveloped in the love and the support. That's what was really incredible." And decades after the war in Vietnam ended Pat wants Vietnam veterans and her late husband to know, He was a hero and so are they. And so the painting will hang in the Veterans Museum in Balboa Park as a reminder of the sacrifices of the families who lost loved ones in Vietnam. A new generation of Catholics is stepping outside the church's tainted shadow and creating a modern community that, they say, better reflects the world today. This new generation of believers worship outside the confines of an antiquated and draconian institution that is out to protect itself, they say. This has been a daily practice for many long before a Pennsylvania grand jury report exposed decades of sexual abuse by hundreds of clergy members throughout the state. Weve always had an antagonistic or non-relationship with the bishops, Michael Rocks, president of Dignity Philadelphia, said. We dont trust them to police themselves. Founded in 1973, Dignity is a community of LGBT Catholics who worship in the basement of St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Center City. Their services are frequently led by Kathleen Gibbons Schuck, a woman who was ordained as a priest in 2015. Schuck is one of more than 200 Roman Catholic Women Priests around the world. Their unique sisterhood dates back to 2002 when a group of radical male bishops took it upon themselves to ordain seven women on the Danube River. While the Vatican does not recognize these ministers, Schuck and her sisters remained undeterred. We live below the radar, she said. Its all about community. I believe at the deepest level thats what Jesus calls us all to. Despite their rejection of the traditional Catholic Church, both Rocks and Schuck consider themselves faithful. Rocks is a gay man, and Schuck is married to a man and has a college-aged daughter. Both church leaders are drawn to Catholicisms sense of community. I have found that at times of real trauma, grief, the support of a community has made a difference and helped me get through challenging situations, Schuck said. But her 21-year-old daughter remains cautious, if not cynical, regarding the church her mother embraces. When the grand jury report came out last week, Schucks daughter told her that the news merely exposed a scam for what it really is. Schucks daughter is not alone in her mistrust of organized religion. More than 30 percent of millennials consider themselves to be religiously unaffiliated, according to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center. Even older Americans are increasingly calling themselves atheist or agnostic - almost a quarter of the U.S. population now considers itself unaffiliated compared to just 16 percent in 2007. Whereas it is life-giving and energizing for me, it is not for [my daughter], Schuck said. The Pennsylvania grand jury report forced many Catholics to confront painful realities about the church, but it has not necessarily shaken their faith. Pope Francis issued a letter to believers around the world Monday condemning the crime of priestly sexual abuse and demanding accountability. He begged forgiveness for the pain suffered by victims and said lay Catholics must be involved in any effort to root out abuse and cover-up. His words resonated throughout the world, even drawing the praise of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who spearheaded the grand jury investigation. The popes words also helped to galvanize a new generation of Catholics who want to see the church modernize. I have known and have met priests that are genuinely good, a 23-year-old La Salle University student told NBC10. You cant judge one person by what another person has done. The Philadelphia native asked that her name not be used because her family is active within the local church community. She admits that of her friends, she is the only one who openly practices Catholicism. The others have fallen off, she said. They are too busy with school and work to attend mass, and they dont necessarily understand supporting an organization accused of so much wrongdoing. I was taught church is the people, not the building, she said. The annexation lawsuit filed by the Matlacha Civic Association against the city of Cape Coral took a step forward last week when the Court of Appeals scheduled a hearing for Oct. 17, 2018. Oral argument was requested by the judges, petitioner Michael Hannon said last week. This is a good sign, as the Court of Appeals rarely reverses a case without oral argument. In December 2016, the Cape Coral City Council voted to annex 6 lots on Matlacha Island to the city of Cape Coral. In the days following the annexation, Pine Island residents organized a series of meetings and protest rallies in an attempt to persuade the council to reverse its decision. The Matlacha Civic Association filed a lawsuit against Cape Coral requesting a review of the annexation because the city has not met the requirements of the annexation statute and the property to be annexed creates an illegal pocket or enclave in violation of the statute. The lawsuit further claimed, The purchase and proposed development of the property is an exercise of entrepreneurship not permitted by the City Charter or the Florida Constitution. Circuit Court Judge Keith Kyle of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit for Lee County dismissed the petition because the petition must be denied because the Petitioners lack standing to challenge the petition. Standing is defined as the capacity of a party to bring suit in court. These typically revolve around the requirement that plaintiffs have sustained or will sustain direct injury or harm and that this harm is redressable. Kyle further stated that a party must suffer material injury in order to have standing to challenge the annexation and that the material injury must arise from the governing bodys failure to comply with the procedures and requirements of annexation. Kyle determined that none of the parties suffered material injury. The Matlacha Civic Association petitioners filed a second petition to hereby seek second-tier certiorari review of the Circuit Courts erroneous denial of the Cape Coral Petitioners original certiorari petition, further stating that the Circuit Court applied the wrong law in determining that none of the plaintiffs had standing to challenge Cape Corals unconstitutional use of voluntary annexation. The part of the lawsuit accusing Cape Coral of land speculation has a strong foundation in the law, Hannon said. There are other lawsuits that have been brought against municipalities in other parts of Florida. The Court of Appeals has scheduled oral argument in the Annexation Lawsuit against Cape Coral for Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 9:30 a.m., before Judge Morris Silberman, Judge Patricia J. Kelly and Judge Daniel H. Sleet. Oral argument will occur at the Second District Court of Appeal, Tampa Branch Headquarters, in the courtroom of the Stetson University College Of Law, Tampa Campus, First Floor, 1700 North Tampa St., Tampa. Arguments at the court in Tampa are generally webcast. The webcast feed comes live approximately five minutes before the commencement of oral argument and can be accessed at: www.2dca.org/OralArgument Calendar/oa-streaming.shtml A U.S. Department of Homeland Security team is in Maryland this week to evaluate the state's election systems after officials learned last month about a transaction between a venture fund with Russian ties and a company involved in the state's election infrastructure, Maryland's elections administrator said Tuesday. The Hunt and Incident Response Team from the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center is checking to ensure the election systems hosted by ByteGrid remain secure. They're evaluating whether or not there's any issues with ByteGrid, said Linda Lamone, the state's elections administrator. Gov. Larry Hogan, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch asked for the technical assistance to evaluate the network last month. ByteGrid did not disclose to state officials that it is financed by AltPoint Capital Partners, whose largest investor is a Russian oligarch named Vladimir Potanin, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. ByteGrid hosts Maryland's voter registration system, candidacy and election management system. It also hosts the state's online ballot delivery system and unofficial election night results website. ByteGrid has said the company's investors have no involvement or control in company operations. The FBI briefed state officials about the Russian ties to the company last month and said agents did not believe the state's elections systems had been breached or any crimes had been committed. Separately, Maryland plans to spend about $7 million in federal grants for election security improvements. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission released a report Tuesday showing how states plan to spend $380 million to strengthen voting systems amid ongoing threats from Russia and others. Maryland plans to spend about half of the grant money identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in cybersecurity, including upgrades to equipment and software and hiring an information security expert. The Maryland State Board of Elections also outlined plans to spend about $1.5 million, or about 20 percent of the federal money, on training for the board's information technology personnel. States have until 2023 to spend the money, and they can make changes to their plans. They grow up so fast. Bei Bei, the National Zoo's youngest giant panda, is celebrating his third birthday Wednesday. But the milestone also means that Bei Bei has just one year left living in the District. When he turns 4 years old, Bei Bei will be separated from his mother and sent to China. The zoo's two adult pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, arrived on loan in 2000 but belong to China, as do any cubs they have. Their cubs are eventually sent back to China to participate in a breeding program, according to the National Zoo's website. Bei Bei's older brother, Tai Shan, moved to China in 2010 while his sister, Bao Bao, went last year. To celebrate his birthday, zookeepers gave Bei Bei a panda-friendly birthday cake. Defense lawyers may try to discredit some of the D.C. police officers who have been investigating the slayings of a family and their housekeeper in May 2015. Daron Wint is charged with murder in the deaths of Savvas Savopoulos, 46; his wife, Amy, 47; their 10-year-old son, Philip, and housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa, 57. Wint is accused of holding the victims captive, extorting $40,000 and setting their Northwest Washington mansion on fire. His lawyers filed a motion for materials prosecutors may have that show multiple officers involved in investigating the case have been subject to disciplinary proceedings, have credibility issues or have otherwise been accused of engaging in some form of misconduct. The defense team did not name officers or specify what, if any, misconduct took place. Prosecutors filed to get a protective order limiting the use of internal investigative information involving officer witnesses in this case. Prosecutors said the restrictions will allow them to share the information with the defense while protecting the legitimate privacy interests of law enforcement witnesses from public dissemination of unreliable, irrelevant or inadmissible information. The matter will be decided at a court hearing Friday. Earlier this month, Wint's defense team was granted permission to use evidence they contend proves someone other than Wint is the killer. The prosecution said it has tested hundreds of items found in the Savopoulos home, and DNA linked Wint to five items. Wint pleaded not guilty to 20 felony charges in the brutal crime. The murder charges include four counts each of felony murder in the course of a kidnapping, felony murder in the course of a burglary and felony premeditated murder. Wint faces life in prison without possibility for release on each murder charge. The minimum sentence is 30 years on each murder charge. The trial is scheduled to start in September and could last up to two months. At a Roman Catholic high school in Pennsylvania, the name of Washingtons archbishop recently was covered with spray paint. Now, the school is removing his name for good. Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School will remove Wuerls name from its title after he was cited in a sweeping jury report as having allowed priests accused of sexually abusing children to be reassigned or reinstated while he served as Pittsburgh's bishop for almost 20 years. Bishop David Zubik has accepted these recommendations and is announcing today the new school name is now North Catholic High School, the release said. The Diocese of Pittsburgh said Wednesday that Wuerl made the request to remove his name from Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School on Thursday. The schools sign was vandalized Monday. I respectfully ask that you remove my name from it. In this way, there should be no distraction from the great success of the school and, most importantly, the reason for the school -- the students, Wuerl wrote in a letter on Aug. 16. After the grand jury report on sexual abuse by priests in six Pennsylvania dioceses was released, several school alumni started an online petition asking to have his name removed from the school. The 77-year-old Wuerl apologized for the damage inflicted on the victims, but defended himself for his actions, saying he acted to protect children, promptly investigate allegations and strengthen policies as understanding of child abuse evolved. The move is part of the growing fallout from a grand jury report that accused a succession of church leaders of covering up abuse by 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania since the 1940s. The name of the school became Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School when it first moved to Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania in 2013. A man from Mexico living in the U.S. illegally has confessed to kidnapping college student Mollie Tibbetts while she was running in her small Iowa hometown, killing her and dumping her body in a cornfield, authorities said Tuesday. Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of the 20-year-old Tibbetts, whose July 18 disappearance set off a massive search involving state and federal authorities. Rivera led investigators early Tuesday to a body believed to be Tibbetts in a cornfield about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of Brooklyn, Iowa, where Tibbetts was last seen running, Division of Criminal Investigation special agent Rick Rahn said. "I can't speak about the motive. I can just tell you that it seemed that he followed her, seemed to be drawn to her on that particular day, for whatever reason he chose to abduct her," Rahn told reporters at a news conference outside the sheriff's office in Montezuma, where Rivera was being held on $1 million cash-only bond. The news that the highly publicized and gruesome crime was allegedly committed by a person in the country illegally drew immediate outrage. President Donald Trump noted the arrest and called for immigration law changes at a rally in West Virginia. "You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly, from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman," Trump told the crowd in Charleston. "Should've never happened. Illegally in our country. We've had a huge impact, but the laws are so bad. The immigration laws are such a disgrace, we're getting them changed, but we have to get more Republicans. We have to get 'em." Iowa's two GOP U.S. senators also described Tibbetts' death as a tragedy "that could have been prevented," and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said residents were heartbroken and angry. "We are angry that a broken immigration system allowed a predator like this to live in our community, and we will do all we can to bring justice to Mollie's killer," Reynolds, a Republican, said in a statement. Trump has made further crackdown on illegal immigration a core policy of his administration. He often has claimed widespread crime by people living in the country illegally, citing among other things the indictments of 11 suspected MS-13 gang members from El Salvador charged in connection with the slayings of two Virginia teens. Trump also has held events at the White House with members of "angel families," whose relatives were killed by immigrants. Although Trump claims legal U.S. residents are less likely to commit crime, several studies from social scientists and the libertarian think tank Cato Institute find that isn't accurate and states with a higher share of people living in the country illegally have lower violent crime rates. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that it lodged a federal immigration detainer for Rivera after he was arrested on the murder charge. That move means the agency has probable cause to believe he is subject to deportation. Investigators said they believed Rivera had lived in the area from four to seven years, and Rahn described Rivera as someone who lived in a rural area and kept to himself. Yarrabee Farms, a family-owned company that operates dairy farms in the rolling hills outside Brooklyn, said that Rivera had been an employee in good standing for four years and that it was shocked to learn he was implicated in the crime. The company is owned by the family of Craig Lang, a prominent Republican who previously served as president of the Iowa Farm Bureau. A search of court records revealed no prior criminal history for Rivera in Iowa, and it's unclear whether he had ever been subject to prior deportation proceedings. Rivera's Facebook page described him as being from Guayabillo, a community of less than 500 people in the state of Guerrero. It's about a three-hour drive from the resort city of Acapulco. Investigators said they zeroed in on Rivera after obtaining footage from surveillance cameras in Brooklyn. The footage showed a Chevy Malibu connected to Rivera that was driving back and forth as Tibbetts was running in the area, Rahn said. An affidavit attached to the criminal complaint against Rivera alleged that he admitted to investigators he got out of his car and started running alongside Tibbetts. Tibbetts grabbed her phone and said she was going to call the police. The affidavit says Rivera panicked and then said he blacked out. Rivera next remembers seeing her earphones on his lap, and taking her bloody body out of the trunk of his car, it said. "The defendant further described during the interview that he dragged Tibbetts on foot from his vehicle to a secluded location in a cornfield," the affidavit said. Investigators said they had earlier searched the area for Tibbetts but didn't find her, noting the body was covered by corn stalks when recovered early Tuesday. Rahn said that Rivera was cooperating with investigators and speaking with the help of a translator. He said an autopsy would be performed on the body Wednesday by the state medical examiner's office, which would assist investigators in understanding whether Tibbetts had been assaulted or tried to fight him off. Rivera's initial court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday in Montezuma. A conviction on first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole in Iowa, which doesn't have the death penalty. On Tuesday night, deputies were guarding a trailer where the suspect had lived on a gravel road outside Brooklyn near a dairy farm. Tibbetts' disappearance set off a massive search involving dozens of officers from the FBI, as well as state and local agencies. They focused much of their efforts in and around Brooklyn, searching farm fields, ponds and homes. Investigators asked anyone who was around five locations, including a car wash, a truck stop and a farm south of town, to report if they saw anything suspicious on July 18. Last week, Vice President Mike Pence met privately with the Tibbetts family during a visit to Iowa and told them that "you're on the hearts of every American." At Brooklyn City Hall, city clerk Sheri Sharer said Tuesday was a sad day for the town. "It never crossed our mind that she wouldn't come home safe," she said. The University of Iowa mourned the loss of Tibbetts, a psychology major who would have started her junior year this week. "We are deeply saddened that we've lost a member of the University of Iowa community," said university official Melissa Shivers, who urged students to seek counseling and other support services as needed. Rahn said he met with the parents and other relatives of Tibbetts to inform them of the arrest Tuesday. He told them that the investigation revealed that they had "raised a great daughter." "We got to know Mollie," he said. "She was a phenomenal individual." Tibbetts aunt Billie Jo Calderwood posted a statement on her Facebook page following the arrest of Rivera reading, "Please remember, Evil comes in EVERY color. Our family has been blessed to be surrounded by love, friendship and support throughout this entire ordeal by friends from all different nations and races. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you." Tibbetts, a psychology major originally from Oakland, California, would have started her junior year this week in Iowa City, about 50 miles east of Brooklyn. She was staying with her longtime boyfriend and working while home from school over the summer. Harwich Council on Aging Director Judi Wilson is leaving the post to return to her previous position as director of the Orleans COA. FILE PHOTO HARWICH Council on Aging Director Judi Wilson will have been on the job for just over a year when she leaves in mid-September to return to her former position as COA Director in the Orleans. Wilson tendered her letter of resignation to Town Administrator Christopher Clark on Aug. 10. Wilson took the position in Harwich last Sept. 5, replacing Barbara Anne Foley, who served as director for 18 years. After careful thought and consideration, I am writing to tender my resignation from my position as Harwich Council on Aging Director, Wilson wrote in her resignation letter. I believe in the last year I have made some meaningful improvements in the administration of the department and had a positive impact on staff collaboration and the implementation of new programming initiatives. Her last day of work would be Sept. 15, and she wrote that she is committed to working diligently until then to wrap up projects and make her departure as smooth as possible. I have met some amazing people and worked with some incredible staff and volunteers, but this just hasnt been as good a fit as I hoped it would be, and I will be returning to the Orleans COA, Wilson stated in an email on Tuesday. As you know I assumed the position only a year ago, but we have tackled some significant administrative challenges during this time. Wilson took a pay cut last year when she left the position in Orleans to come to Harwich. Clark said at the time she was a good value and more work they get out of her, the better the opportunity will be to change the job description and make a pay adjustment. Job description and pay adjustments were not made this past year. Clark said he looked at the funding of the position and a market analysis was done. During Wilson's six-month review period, Clark lost his assistant town administrator, and the focus in February was on town meeting and hiring a new assistant. Sometimes things can slide, he said. She was definitely on the radar screen for having that done, Clark told The Chronicle. I think she would have liked to have seen that more aggressively pursued. It was a little later than I liked. But Clark said to get the COA the way Wilson wanted it to be would take a couple of years. He said Wilson was a good person and a good department head, but it's tough competing against a known commodity. It's comfortable going back to what you know, Clark said. She was in Orleans for a long time and had a staff of good people there and had it well in order. The building process to where she had it in Orleans would be a multi-year process here. I believe we have made some meaningful improvements and hope that moving forward new leadership at the Harwich COA will be able to continue the transition of preparing for the growing and changing needs of the seniors and caregivers in the community, Wilson wrote in her email to The Chronicle. The next step is to prepare a memo and advertise the position. Under charter, the town administrator fills in as the department head and he anticipated doing that. The last time the position was vacant, it took 90 days for the recruitment process. If he can find someone to fill in for 90 to 180 days, Clark said he might consider that approach and spend time looking at the job description. Harwich Council on Aging Director Judi Wilson is leaving the post to return to her previous position as director of the Orleans COA. FILE PHOTO What to Know Sen. Elizabeth Warren proposes a new bill that would ban members of Congress and the White House staff from owning individual stocks The legislation would create "conflict-free investment opportunities for federal officials with new investment accounts" The measure comes amid speculation that Warren could run for president in 2020 Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants to ban members of Congress and the White House staff from owning individual stocks and replace them with government-managed investment accounts. Those are just two of the dozens of proposals dotting the Massachusetts Democrat's sweeping new legislative package, the Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act, which she unveiled Tuesday. Warren said the bill is designed to "eliminate the influence of money in federal government." While the measure is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled Senate, it comes amid speculation that Warren could run for president in 2020. President Donald Trump ran on "draining the swamp," but his administration has been racked with corruption scandals, while many of Trump's private businesses have reaped financial gains during the early stages of his term. Warren's bill would also impose a lifetime ban on lobbying for presidents and federal lawmakers, and would bar U.S. lobbyists from using foreign cash to affect American policy. It would slap new taxes on "excessive lobbying" of more than $500,000 a year. It would bind Supreme Court justices to a code of conduct recognized by other federal judges. And, in an apparent jab at Trump, the measure would require presidential candidates to share years of previous tax returns and continue doing so every year if they win. Trump broke with tradition and did not release his tax returns during the 2016 campaign. But in remarks she made Tuesday morning at the National Press Club, Warren said that the roots of political corruption, which have eroded Americans' trust in the government, go back decades before Trump took office. "This problem is far bigger than Trump," Warren said. "It is a crisis. A crisis of faith." Stock rules Warren's proposal also arrives about two weeks after Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., was indicted and arrested by federal law enforcement officials on insider trading charges related to an Australian biotech company of which he was a board member. Collins suspended his re-election campaign in his Trump-friendly district in upstate New York a few days later. Collins has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In pursuit of ending "both the appearance and the potential for financial conflicts of interest," Warren's bill would prohibit federal lawmakers, judges, Cabinet secretaries and other senior congressional staff from owning individual stocks while in office. It would also bar all government officials from holding stocks the value of which might be influenced by their work in office. "Enough of the spectacle of HHS secretaries and herds of congressmen caught up in insider trading schemes," Warren said in the speech. As an apparent alternative to individual stock ownership, the bill would create "conflict-free investment opportunities for federal officials with new investment accounts," according to a synopsis of the bill obtained by CNBC. "They can put their savings in conflict-free investments like mutual funds or they can pick a different line of work," Warren said. These accounts would be managed by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, an independent agency established during the Reagan administration that boasts fewer than 300 employees. A source familiar with the legislation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said it would establish so-called Federal Employee Investment Accounts for senior officials to maintain their stock and securities investments. They can divest from their conflicted assets, the source said, and "temporarily invest the resulting funds" into the federal accounts. Officials would be able to withdraw their funds from the government accounts "at any time without penalty," the source added. Accountability and ambition On Monday, Warren, a longtime critic of Wall Street, teased her new bill by highlighting what she called "examples of how corruption has seeped into Washington" in a series of tweets. Her list of targets included Trump administration officials such as Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and former EPA chief Scott Pruitt. The latter two left the administration under a cloud of scandal. She accused Citibank of working to erode financial regulations, and criticized Exxon Mobil, which she said employs nearly two dozen lobbyists who previously worked for Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill. Warren's new push to sever corporate power from the federal government follows another proposal she outlined less than a week earlier called The Accountable Capitalism Act. That bill would establish a system of federal charters requiring company directors to consider the broader impact of their actions beyond solely their own shareholders. "My proposal says, 'Let's get a little accountability into the system,'" Warren said in an interview last week with CNBC's Jim Cramer. She was also asked to respond to criticism that her proposals were merely part of a bid to run for president in 2020. "First of all, I am running for Senate," said Warren, who is up for re-election this year but is favored to win easily. "But let me say, these are the things I've worked on all my life." She denied any presidential ambitions once more on Tuesday. "I am not running for president in 2020," Warren said in response to a reporter's question. "I'm running for the Senate in 2018." 'It's insane' While Warren established from the outset that her bill aimed at problems beyond the current administration, Trump was still a central character in the speech. "The truth is, it's insane that we have to beg the president of the United States to put the American people ahead of his own business interests. Insane," she said. Her legislation would require the president and the vice president to place all their conflicted assets including their businesses in a blind trust to be sold off. And it would force the IRS to release tax returns from all presidential and vice-presidential candidates stretching back eight years before they launch their campaigns. They would also be required to release their tax returns every year while in office. As a presidential candidate, Trump promised to release his tax returns following a government audit though there was no law stopping him from releasing those documents regardless of an audit. After Trump won the election, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said Trump would not release his tax returns, after all. "We litigated this all through the election," she said in an ABC interview at the time. "People didn't care." Warren also referenced Paul Manafort, Trump's beleaguered ex-campaign chairman, who is currently on trial in Alexandria, Virginia on bank fraud tax crime charges. Manafort's trial, Warren said, "has exposed how foreign governments hide their efforts to influence the American government through lobbying." Her bill would ban Americans from getting paid to lobby for foreign governments. Manafort made millions of dollars as a consultant for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. His charges, brought by special counsel Robert Mueller through an ongoing probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, are related to that Ukraine work. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the Virginia case, as well as similar charges lodged by Mueller in a case in Washington, D.C. federal court. "If foreign governments want to express their views, they can use their diplomats," Warren said in her speech. This story first appeared on CNBC.com. More from CNBC: Massachusetts health officials announced Tuesday they were raising the risk level for West Nile virus from low to moderate statewide. Department of Public Health officials said of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, 162 communities are already considered to be at moderate risk for the virus. Since the virus first appeared in Massachusetts in 2000, the department tells NBC10 Boston this is only the second time the risk level has been increased statewide. The only other such instance came in 2012, when 33 human cases were confirmed in the Bay State. The DPH is urging residents to take precautions against mosquito bites due to the recent hot and humid weather combined with heavy rainfall the region has received which they say provide perfect conditions for mosquitos carrying West Nile to breed. "I strongly encourage everyone to keep using insect repellant and to be especially aware of mosquito activity at dusk and dawn when the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes is greatest. Move indoors if you are getting bitten," said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. In early July, mosquitoes in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood tested positive for West Nile virus for the first time this season. "This year, pretty much everywhere we look for the virus, we're finding it in mosquitoes," said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. Health officials say West Nile can infect people of all ages but people over the age of 50 are at higher risk. The disease is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While there have been no confirmed human cases of the virus this year, Brown says the weather conditions not only increase mosquito breeding, but also the likelihood that they could spread the virus. "We know that heat and the amount of rain that we've had this summer, those certainly contribute to the problem," Brown said. "When the weather is warmer, they develop the ability to transmit that virus, to give it to a person faster." Most people infected with West Nile will have no symptoms but when present, symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur. "August and September are the months when most human cases occur," said Brown. "Thats why we are taking this step today so together we can help keep people from getting sick." A 28-year-old Harwich, Massachusetts man is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday for a double stabbing in Cape Cod. James Metellus is accused of stabbing a 26-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman early Wednesday following an argument with one of the victims in Hyannis. Officials received a call reporting the stabbing at 1:24 a.m. and responded to 26 Yarmouth Road in the Cape Cod town. There, they found the male victim suffering from moderate injuries and the woman with minor injuries. Metellus and the male victim were arguing in a parking lot when things turned violent, according to the Town of Barnstable Police Department. The female victim attempted to intervene when she was injured in the confrontation. Metellus then fled the scene in a black sedan. The victims were taken to Cape Cod Hospital, according to the Hyannis Fire Department. They are expected to recover. Barnstable police notified the Harwich Police Department of the stabbing and officials were able to intercept the suspect during his drive home. Metellus was charged with aggravated assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He is due for arraignment Wednesday at Barnstable District Court. A man from Canada awaiting a fourth trial in the 1988 slayings of two New Hampshire women is scheduled for a plea and sentencing hearing. Anthony Barnaby was brought from Canada to face murder charges in the stabbing deaths. Co-defendant David Caplin pleaded guilty in February to two counts of second-degree murder and received 20 to 40 years in prison. Both lived in the same building in Nashua as 48-year-old Charlene Ranstrom and 32-year-old Brenda Warner. The women were bound, beaten and stabbed to death. Charges at one point were dropped due to suppressed evidence and mistrials. Barnaby faced three trials; all ended with hung juries. A cold case unit filed new charges in 2011 based on modern DNA testing techniques and a witness willing to testify. The hearing's Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is giving small businesses in southern and coastal Maine more than a half million dollars to open up new markets, reduce energy costs and cut back on fossil fuel use. Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree says the grants are Renewable Energy for America Program funds and Value Added Producer Grants that are coming through USDA Rural Development. The grants will go to small businesses in Brunswick, Dresden, Freeport, Newcastle, Sanford and Walpole. The largest grant is a Value Added Producer Grant that is going to Turtle Rock Farm in Brunswick. Pingee says it will help expand markets for farm products. Another grant will provide T&D Wood Energy of Sanford with $200,000 to build a wood pellet manufacturing facility. Police in Williston, Vermont are asking for the publics help in identifying a man accused of taking photographs under a womans dress. An officer responded to the call Tuesday at a Marshalls retail store, where the unidentified man allegedly used his cellphone to take the photo while the victim was bent over. When another customer confronted the man, he fled, according to police. The suspect is described as having red hair and a beard. In surveillance footage stills, the man is seen wearing a cap, red-colored shirt and beige shorts. Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to contact the Williston Police Department at 802-878-6611. What to Know Jorjianna Rittenhour, 32, of Ohio has been charged with negligent homicide in a 37-year-old man's shooting death. Manchester police officers say officers responded to a report of an incident involving a gun on Bridge Street around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. Rittenhour was ordered to be held on $100,000 bail after being found as a danger to the community. A New Hampshire man is dead and an Ohio woman is behind bars, charged with negligent homicide in connection with his death. Jorjianna Rittenhour, 32, of McGuffey, broke down in tears several times as she faced a judge Wednesday in Hillsborough County Superior Court in Manchester. Prosecutors say when police responded to a Bridge Street apartment at about 1:40 a.m Wednesday, Rittenhour told them the accident happened when she was playing with the victims gun. That victim was later identified as Steven Asselin, of Manchester. She was pointing it in his direction, put her finger on the trigger, and fired the gun, said Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Patrice Casian. It subsequently struck the victim in the head and it was a fatal wound. Casian told the judge shes not convinced this was an accident and that more witnesses need to be interviewed. There were two other individuals inside the apartment at the time that havent been questioned, Casian said. This is a pending investigation and there is potential for other charges to arise. Defense Attorney Shelagh ODonnell argued that her client was led to believe the gun wasnt loaded. The report indicates she was told to tap the trigger to see what happened to the red light and that the gun went off, ODonnell told the judge. ODonnell said Rittenhours cooperation after the fatal shooting is proof it was all a tragic accident. Ms. Rittenhour was waiting on scene for the police and she was, in fact, the one who called 911 to have police come to the residence, ODonnell said. Rittenhour is currently a legal resident of Ohio but has been staying in New Hampshire with friends. She was ordered to be held on $100,000 bail and was found to be a danger to the community. Rittenhour sobbed as she was escorted out of court. Plants, factories, and manufacturers in general are embracing IoT, which in turn is driving the use of artificial intelligence at the edge of corporate networks as a way to streamline industrial processes, improve efficiency and detect maintenance issues before they become problems perhaps even big problems that could force plant shutdowns. The AI-powered industrial IoT space already has a couple of its own unicorn startups, such as Uptake with $117 million in funding and a $2.3 billion valuation and C3 IoT with $243 million in VC funding and $1.4-plus billion valuation (the C3 IoT valuation was not publicly updated with its latest $100M round of funding, so its valuation is outdated and conservative). [ Now read 20 hot jobs ambitious IT pros should shoot for. ] At the same time, incumbents such as AWS, Dell, and Cisco are pouring billions into IoT and edge computing. HPE recently invested $4 billion on its intelligent edge, while Microsoft pumped $6.5 billion into its IoT efforts. The competition in this sector is brutal, but the opportunity is big enough that the 10 startups highlighted here still have room to maneuver and time to scale up. Keep an eye on them because one or more could well be the next unicorn in this hot market. Alluvium What they do: Provide an IoT analytics platform that turns complex streams of data into simple, real-time insights Year founded: 2015 Funding: $4 million in seed funding from Work-Bench, IA Ventures, Bloomberg Beta and Lux Capital Headquarters: New York, N.Y. CEO: Drew Conway, who also co-founded DataKind, a global non-profit, and is the co-author of Machine Learning for Hackers. Problem they solve: Industrial operations collect more raw data than even expert operators can manually observe and analyze on their own. It can be difficult to determine what data matters and what is just noise. Important but small blips in the data are easy to miss, which can lead to underperformance, downtime and even safety incidents. Missing important signals within the noise ends up being costly to an industrial operation, both in terms of monetary and productivity losses. How they solve it: Leveraging machine learning and AI, Alluvium helps industrial companies achieve operational stability and improve their production. Alluviums flagship product, Primer, uses machine learning to help companies distill complex, massive streams of raw sensor and production data into usable insights. Industrial teams can rapidly navigate data to identify where and when deviations occur, determine the source of the problem and decide what action to take. Primer creates a Stability Score analysis based on collected data drawn from any timeframe from last night to, say, the past year. Primer helps operators identify anomalies from sensors, single machines or an entire facility to make the changes necessary to keep operations running smoothly. Competitors include: OSIsoft, C3 IoT, Uptake, Foghorn, Presenso, Falkonry, and Manna Customers include: At the time of publication, Alluvium did not have any customers willing to go on the record. Why theyre a hot startup to watch: Alluvium has locked down $4 million in seed funding, and while their team is small and a bit green (not unusual for an early stage startup), Alluvium has entered a high-growth but confusing space. In such a noisy market, Alluviums focus is on simplicity. Alluvium boils down the data generated from complex production systems into a set of metrics that non-experts can understand. The resulting Stability Score provides at-a-glance data points operators can use to easily track key variables that could prevent them from meeting business goals. Arundo Analytics What they do: Helps heavy industrial companies with complex physical assets improve operations through machine learning and other advanced analytical applications Year founded: 2015 Funding: $35 million. Their most recent round, a $28 million Series A, closed in the first half of 2018. Investors included Sundt AS, Stokke Industri, Horizon, Canica, Strmstangen, Arctic Fund Management, Stanford-StartX Fund, and Northgate Partners. Headquarters: Houston, Texas CEO: Tor Jakob Ramsy, who was previously a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he led the technology service lines for the Global Energy Practice and EMEA Big Data/Advanced Analytics. Ramsy was also country manager for McKinsey Norway and led the Business Technology Office in Scandinavia. Problem they solve: Industrial companies face unique challenges when attempting to integrate machine learning and other advanced analytical applications into their daily operations. These challenges include managing complex, highly engineered physical assets; dealing with layers upon layers of equipment and instrumentation that has accrued over many decades; and coping with varying levels of control systems, ERP systems and data stores that are often scattered across multiple operating companies, subsidiaries, acquired entities and even third-party vendors. With that much complexity, ingesting live data and then streaming it to a highly available, cloud- or edge-based machine-learning system is no small task. Even more difficult is pushing out models based on that data in a timely fashion, so the data can inform business decisions. Once you accomplish that, you must still figure out how to scale machine-learning applications from a handful of models to dozens or hundreds of models across the numerous assets and use cases in a typical industrial operation. How they solve it: Arundo Analytics automates the end-to-end challenges that emerge when large industrial companies from oil and gas, power and shipping attempt to use edge analytics to drive daily business decisions. Arundo applies machine learning and advanced analytics to edge data inputs, integrating those inputs into daily business operations and scaling these applications throughout the enterprise. Arundo helps companies deploy machine-learning models to the cloud in order to create enterprise-grade software applications, which the platform then manages. Arundo also offers configurable, out-of-the-box applications for common industrial challenges, including equipment-condition monitoring, system-anomaly detection and a virtual multiphase flow meter, which the startup developed and jointly markets with the global industrial technology company ABB. Competitors include: GE Predix, Siemens Mindsphere, ABB Ability, C3IoT and Uptake Customers include: Equinor, AkerBP, Carnival Maritime, DNV GL and INEOS Why theyre a hot startup to watch: Arundo Analytics has the second-largest VC haul $35 million of all the startups in this roundup. Their leadership team gained experience at McKinsey & Company, Aker Solutions, Siemens and other high-tech and industrial-focused companies. They have a respectable list of early adopting, on-the-record customers, and Arundos out-of-the-box industrial applications help manufacturers quickly overcome common headaches such as anomaly detection. Canvass Analytics What they do: Provide an AI-powered predictive-analytics platform for industrial applications. Year founded: 2016 Funding: The first of two seed-funding rounds led by Real Ventures with participation by Barney Pell closed in May 2017, and financial terms were not disclosed. The second closed in July 2018 and will be announced this month. Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario, Canada CEO: Humera Malik. She previously served as Executive Director for Quexor Group and Director of Product Management for Redknee. Problem they solve: Typical industrial environments are data rich but information poor. A plants connected assets and dynamic processes can generate hundreds and thousands of data points every minute, but less than 10 percent of this data is used to derive insights or aid decision making. Instead, decisions are made based on the personal experience of operators and/or by using outdated tools that are unable to handle voluminous, frequently changing data that comes from a variety of sources. How they solve it: Canvass Analytics real-time AI data models identify trends to help operators understand the variables impacting their industrial processes. The Canvass AI Platform responds to changes in the data in real time, providing operations teams with the most up-to-date information so they can continuously adjust their operations to improve quality, reduce energy consumption and optimize asset health. The Canvass AI Platform simplifies the challenge of rapidly processing large, complex volumes of data by using AI to automate the entire data-science process. The platform distils the millions of data points generated by industrial machines, sensors and operations systems, and identifies patterns and correlations hidden deep within the data to create new insights. These self-learning models adapt to new conditions in real-time ensuring that decisions by operations teams are made with the most accurate data possible. Competitors include: GE Predix, IBM Watson, Uptake Noodle.ai Customers include: At the time of publication, Canvass Analytics did not have any customers willing to go on the record. Why theyre a hot startup to watch: As an early stage startup, Canvass Analytics has locked down two rounds of seed funding to pursue early adopters. The leadership team gained relevant experience at Quexor Group, Redknee, Bell Canada, NorthWest Energy and CHR Solutions. The company has built its platform to continuously ingest massive volumes of data in real-time, which its AI platform uses to improve and then automate operational processes. Falkonry What they do: Provide machine-learning software for industrial operations Year founded: 2012 Funding: $10.9 million. Falkonry closed a $4.6 million Series A in June 2018. Investors included Polaris Partners, Zetta Venture Partners, Presidio Ventures (Sumitomo) and Fortive. Headquarters: Sunnyvale, Calif. CEO: Nikunj Mehta. Prior to Falkonry, Mehta was the VP of Customer Success at C3 IoT. Before that, he was at Oracle, where he led the team that created the IndexedDB standard for databases that is embedded inside all modern browsers. Problem they solve: To compete globally, industrial companies must improve the productivity of their operations and/or embrace new business models, and many industrial companies are turning to data analytics to drive that change. The data generated in manufacturing or process operations, especially time-series data, is very rich in information that can provide actionable insights on the health of the production systems and the products created. Machine learning is ideally suited for analyzing such massive amounts of data. However, hiring data-science consultants has proven inefficient, as they lack the subject matter expertise of the operations teams, and, as a result, such projects can take more than a year to see results. How they solve it: Falkonry applies feature learning and machine learning to multivariate time-series data that is generated by the equipment and production systems in most discrete manufacturing and industrial process operations. Given the high volume and number of signals, most industrial data goes unutilized in operations today. The Falkonry operational machine-learning system is able to discover hidden patterns in the data that cannot be observed by humans or traditional analytics. These patterns, in turn, provide insights to the operating state, and they identify conditions that precede undesired events to issue early warnings. Depending on the process being monitored, such early warnings may occur hours, days or even weeks in advance. Falkonry says that its system acts like a data scientist-in-a-box, meaning no data scientists are required, and it can be quickly deployed by manufacturing engineers or process engineers. Customers start gaining actionable insights within three weeks of deploying the system, which could potentially save companies millions of dollars annually. Competitors include: Cylance, Alluvium, Presenso, Seeq, Sight Machin and SparkCognition Customers include: Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ternium, Ciner Resources and Energias de Portugal (EDP) Why theyre a hot startup to watch: Falkonry has locked down nearly $11 million in funding. Founder and CEO Nikunj Mehta previously served as the VP of Customer Success at C3 IoT, a unicorn IoT startups. Add a customer list that includes the industrial divisions of Toyota and Kawasaki, and Falkonry was a no-brainer for this roundup. Interactor What they do: Provide an edge-computing platforming that connects to any AI system Year founded: 2014 Funding: The startup is backed by an undisclosed amount of funding from private equity (Telos Ventures) and governmental (National Science Foundation, Department of Homeland Security) sources. Headquarters: Sunnyvale, Calif. CEO: David Jung. Previously, he was an engineering leader at both Brocade and Cisco. Problem they solve: As the IoT trend gains steam, the amount of data generated is becoming so large that AI processing at the edge is transitioning from a nice-to-have to a must-have IoT feature. Processing data at the edge is difficult, however, because computing resources are constrained. This is why so many AI IoT vendors attempt to push data to the cloud first, which isnt practical in many industrial applications. How they solve it: Interactors IoT edge software enables companies to apply the latest AI technologies at the edge without any lengthy deployment effort. Interactor acts as small-footprint IoT gateway that sits between edge devices and the cloud. Interactor abstracts all of the components and microservices needed for technologies to interact and/or integrate with one another into a small (about 50MB) executable. Using Interactor, developers and operators can easily integrate the AI of their choice and apply the intelligence closer to the devices for faster response times. Interactor IoT edge software can be run on any IoT gateway or server, and it includes pre-packaged device configurations, security and authentication, messaging, device visibility, logging and error handling. Competitors include: AWS Greengrass, Microsoft Azure Edge, EdgeX Foundry and PTC Kepware Customers include: Cisco, Panasonic, Malaysian Government and MacroBlock Why theyre a hot startup to watch: Interactor hasnt released details of its funding, but its backers include a VC firm and the Department of Homeland Security. DANBURY An expansion is on the way for the Victorian Meadows apartment and townhome complex on Osborne Street. City officials have given the green light to a plan to add 13 more rental units to the back end of the property situated next to the Danbury Hospital and Western Connecticut State University campus. The addition will bring the complex to 52 units in total, including seven apartments that must meet affordable housing requirements, and will add to the surging number of rental units in and around downtown. We havent had one building that hasnt been fully rented before it was completed, developer Bob Botelho said. So its been well received by the general public. Victorian Meadows was first approved by city leaders in late 2009 under the citys housing incentive option to encourage developers to hold rents low for some units in exchange for allowing more density for their projects. The original 39 units at Victorian Meadows were built in phases over the subsequent six years and have become home to many hospital interns and staff because of its proximity to the citys largest employer, Botelho said. The addition will be built on two properties Botelhos company is purchasing to the southeast of the current Meadows buildings closest to Cleveland Street. An existing home on one of the properties will be demolished and two new buildings will go up in its stead, according to the plans. Botelho has not yet provided an estimated start date for construction. Buildings 6 and 7 will include four two-bedroom units, five three-bedroom units and four one-bedroom units. One affordable, handicap accessible unit will be included in each building a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom and will meet the citys affordable housing guidelines based on the average income in the city, putting potential rents in the range of $1,200 to $1,400 per month. The exterior of the buildings will look similar to the style of the existing complex, some of which include red wrought iron pieces imported from Italy, city staff said. We dont do anything that is off the book, its always something very custom, Botelho said. We get together with my trimmers and do something different for every building. The project received a final blessing from the city Planning Commission earlier this month without any opposition from neighbors and glowing reviews from city leaders. Tonight went lickety-split, Commissioner Joel Urice said at the end of the meeting. Part of the reason, for me, is Ive seen the work. They built quite honestly a stellar development over on Osborne Street, he added. Its a great piece of Danbury, so I have less issues with this developer than I might have with someone weve had less than a pleasant experience with. zach.murdock@hearstmediact.com Contributed Photo / Contributed Photo STRATFORD A 23-year-old man wanted for an Aug. 12 murder in South Carolina was taken into custody Tuesday morning by the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force and Stratford Police. Andrew Maxswane Evins, 23, is a suspect in the fatal shooting death of Jervaughn McKins, 23, in Eutawville, S.C. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and UConn President Susan Herbst shared a podium to brag about the incoming class at the states flagship university for the last time and both call it a stellar group. The new Class of 2022 includes 5,500 freshmen enrolled across all UConn campuses. Of those, about 3,764 newcomers are enrolling at the Storrs main campus. Herbst and Malloy made the announcement at a press briefing at the state capitol Wednesday behind a Huskies Nation poster and flanked by incoming freshmen. The new class brings with it the highest average SAT score 1306 in UConn history. There are 175 valedictorians and salutatorians among the class and 50 percent were in the top 10 percent of their high school classes. About 550 freshmen are joining UConns Honors Program, a new high. They are really smart and really talented, Herbst said. More Information Other Husky Class of 2022 stats: About 4,000 are from Connecticut, representing 164 of its 169 towns and cities. More than 40 percent are identified as students of color. About 24,375 undergrads will be enrolled this fall in UConn. Of those, about 19,331 will be based at Storrs. In addition to 5,500 freshman, UConn will also gain about 1,000 transfer students, according to preliminary figures released Wednesday. See More Collapse The freshmen include Annie Foley from Orange, who said she bypassed other schools to stay in Connecticut and go to UConn to major in diagnostic gymnastic science, something not offered at other universities. I knew right away that UConn was the right place for me, she said. Brian Pettway of New Haven, another incoming freshmen, is at UConn to study mechanical engineering and said he was impressed by the resources offered to STEM students. The engineering school is 7 percent larger than it was eight years ago, Malloy said. Samuel Degnan-Morgenstern, who will enter UConn on a merit-based scholarship, said he brought with him 41 college credits earned at Lyman Hall and that UConn accepted them all. I start as a second semester sophomore, he said. Overall, about 80 percent of UConns undergraduate student body hails from Connecticut, a figure that has held steady for about the past decade, officials said. Herbst said the yield is more than luck. Were so successful at recruiting them because we have established a winning formula at UConn: exceptional academics, great faculty and outstanding campus facilities, Herbst said. When you invest in UConn, you are investing in Connecticuts future. Malloy called the growth remarkable, particularly at the regional campuses, including UConn Stamford. We cant be competitive in Connecticut unless we are properly funding our universities, Malloy said. We made significant gains even in a difficult economy. More than 38,000 people applied for UConns freshman class, a record breaker. By comparison, UConn received 13,600 applications in 2001. Officials say the numbers suggest that one out of three 2018 high school graduates in the state applied to UConn. Thousands of students are returning to UConn this week, including about 12,300 moving into Storrs residence halls and about 420 in housing near UConn Stamford where there are now two residence facilities. Freshmen start moving at 7 a.m. Friday, followed by upperclassmen and transfer students over the weekend. Overall, about 23,000 undergraduate students will start classes on Monday at Storrs and the regional campuses. Many thousands of additional students are also enrolled at other locations in UConns schools of law, medicine and dental medicine. BRIDGEWATER While traditional fair rides, food and shopping were a draw for many families at the Bridgewater Country Fair on Saturday, most agreed the day wasnt complete without a visit to the animals. The animals are the main attraction, said Mary Jane Fast, of Fairfield, who watched the Junior Dairy Show from the bleachers with her husband. We love to watch the cows its a tradition thats being carried on for farmers in Connecticut. Like any true country fair, hundreds of cows, pigs, sheep, birds and other farm animals were on display for families to meet. But most had traveled to the fair with their owners not only to greet excited fair-goers, but to compete for top prizes. The Junior Dairy Show, one of the first livestock judging competitions of the day, brought cows out from their stalls one by one into a paddock where a judge inspected and announced a winner in each breed. For Cwen Cole, a 15-year-old from Roxbury, the competition was her first time showing a calf and, it turned out, her first time winning. It was nerve-wracking, Cole said after her 7-month-old brown Swiss calf Frecklez was named the junior champion and grand champion. (When I won) it was kind of a relief. Cole said she was inspired to start showing in livestock competitions while watching a girl who lives on a farm where she works compete and because of her love of the cows. The first show made her excited to come back next year, Cole said. Other competitors were returning contestants, like 18-year-old Sara Pokrywka, of New Preston, who said Saturday was her 11th and last time competing in the junior shows. Her 1-year-old cow, Twister, was the runner-up to Frecklez. Seeing farmers and handlers who live nearby, like Pokrywka and Cole, is typical of most country fairs, said Don Nelson, a judge in the neighboring poultry barn. A breeder, exhibitor and judge with the American Poultry Association, Nelson said he judges about a dozen of the 20 or so fairs in Connecticut each year. Most, he said, attract different groups of animals because they are often local to that area. The Bridgewater fair has become one of the bigger livestock competition fairs in the state because there are still a lot of those local farms, he said. Its still rural up here, so its not as developed, Nelson said. On Saturday, there were about 240 birds to judge, but that number can jump up to 400 in other years. Robert Bernardo, who assisted Nelson, said the low number was probably because of the bad weather. Nelson, who judges at the Bridgewater fair each year, said he started by showing birds of his own and got certified as a judge because he enjoyed it so much. I enjoy seeing the birds, he said. Theres a lot of nice chickens, and a lot of nice people, too. The Community Culinary School of Northwestern Connecticut, based in New Milford, is accepting applications for its next session. The next 12-week program will start Sept. 10 at St. Johns Episcopal Church along Whittlesey Avenue. If you love to cook and are interested in an exciting new career opportunity, you may be a good candidate for the Community Culinary School, said Dawn Hammacott, executive director of the school. The New Milford/Danbury area has more than 500 businesses that employ food service personnel, Hammacott said. The industry is always in need of reliable, trained employees, she said. The school trains people ages 18 and older for jobs in food service. Instructed by chef Justin Elander, a 2008 graduate of the Community Culinary School, the students will learn a range of cooking techniques in a full-scale kitchen. The school also arranges internships for all students, trains them in the life skills necessary to getting and keeping a job and assists with job placement. Additionally, the meals students prepare are distributed to those in need through the New Milford Food Bank. Tuition is free for qualifying candidates. The school was established in 2007 to provide unemployed and underemployed men and women with the skills they need to find jobs with career paths in the food service industry. Classes will be held Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Johns Episcopal Church, 7 Whittlesey Ave. The school is modeled on the Community Kitchen program of the anti-hunger organization Feeding America. It relies largely on donations and grants, and has received support from the Connecticut Community Foundation, the Harcourt Foundation, the Meserve Memorial Fund, Union Savings Bank, Savings Bank of Danbury, Diebold Foundation, Womans Club of Danbury/New Fairfield, and other area foundations and civic organizations. For more information, call Dawn Hammacott at 203-512-5791 or email culinaryschool@sbcglobal.net. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) The President reiterated his claim that illegal drugs in the country are now being imported from Taiwan. In a speech Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte said there are no more laboratories producing illegal drugs in the country as all of them are being supplied by the Taiwan-based Bamboo Triad, one of the world's most powerful drug syndicates. "Now, there is no more laboratory if at all dito sa Pilipinas [here in the Philippines]. They are avoiding it because it's very dangerousSo what we have now is imported. It comes from the Bamboo Triad," he said during the the Conference of the League of Municipalities Visayas chapter. The President first made this claim in his speech in September 2017, when he emphasized that the country's drug problem comes from Taiwan. He also mentioned the 14K or Hong Kong Triad as a supplier. "Itong drugs ngayon [These drugs], it's being operated by the 14K, Bamboo Triad. They have taken over," he said previously. "It's actually from Taiwan at lahat na [it's everything]." The Bamboo Triad was among the drug syndicates identified by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as a top supplier of shabu in the Philippines. PDEA also named the 14K Triad, and the China-based Sun Yee On Triad as lead smugglers. READ: Three global drug syndicates supply shabu to Philippines President Duterte also criticized the United States for allegedly covering up their failure to control their drug problem by labelling marijuana as a "beneficial" drug, based on a documentary he watched. "They cannot control marijuana, so they just had to come up with a statement that marijuana sometimes or maybe is a chemical that is beneficial because it kills pain," he said. He said although some drugs are considered organic, shabu poses a greater threat due to its chemical nature. "Itong [This] shabu is characterized as the most toxic and lethal. Simply because shabu comes from a mixture of chemicals. Unlike cocaine, cannabis, or heroin, they are extracts from the poppy, organic. Itong [This] shabu, chemical," he said. Duterte's statements come amid an ongoing investigation on a multi-billion peso shabu shipment from another Taiwan-based drug syndicate, that has allegedly slipped through government inspection. The President previously dismissed the incident as "pure speculation." READ: Duterte: Entry of 6.8 billion worth of shabu is 'pure speculation' Every other Wednesday since May, Community Housing & Resources has been hosting a Give Back Wednesday at one of its supporters locations. Each location donates a percentage of its daily sales to CHR. The next event will take place today, Aug. 22, at Matzaluna The Italian Kitchen, at 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Also part of the Give Back Wednesday campaign, Baileys General Store donates a portion of its wine sale proceeds every Wednesday. Businesses interested in participating can contact CHR Executive Director Melissa Rice at 239-472-1189 or Melissa.rice@sanibelchr.org. Value in Health, the official journal of ISPOR (the professional society for health economics and outcomes research), announced today the publication of a scoping review of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pilot Clinical Outcome Assessment Compendium. The results indicate that most of the patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measures sampled violate a fundamental premise of patient-focused drug development: that patients are engaged in the development. The report, Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in the Food and Drug Administration Pilot Compendium: Meeting Today's Standards for Patient Engagement in Development?, was published in the August 2018 issue of Value in Health. Since 2009, the FDA has led a movement to develop clinical outcome assessment tools that capture relevant treatment benefit as characterized by patients themselves. As part of that movement, in 2016 the FDA released a Pilot Clinical Outcome Assessment Compendium (COA Compendium) intended to foster patient-focused drug development. The COA Compendium includes a list of COA measures discussed in product labels between 2003 and 2014 or that have undergone qualification. This scoping review attempted to identify when and how patients were engaged during the development of a sample of PRO measures included in the Compendium. In total, 26 PRO measures were analyzed. Among PRO measures sampled, only 6 of 26 included patient engagement during both concept elicitation and cognitive interviewing, indicating that most included measures may do little to advance the COA Compendium's stated goal of "fostering patient-focused drug development." Furthermore, there is no documentation included in the COA Compendium on the level of patient engagement in the development of any of the included measures. "For the FDA Pilot COA Compendium to fulfill its purpose of fostering patient-focused drug development, it needs fine-tuning to reflect today's standards, improving transparency and facilitating clear identification of included measures so that the level of patient engagement, among other factors, can be properly assessed," said author Elisabeth Oehrlein, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA. "Researchers often think that just adding a PRO measure to a study means the study is patient centered. But, PRO measures aren't inherently patient centered-;it just means you are asking patients to provide information. It doesn't necessarily mean that the patient cares about the information they are providing. That's why patient engagement and adhering to the FDA's guidance is so important. We hope that our analysis highlights a number of considerations for both researchers interested in using the current COA Compendium and for FDA as it refines the document." A global study conducted by the international "Brainstorm Consortium" has, for the first time, analyzed the genome of 1.1 million patients with psychiatric and neurological disorders and has shown that certain brain disorders are genetically related. For example, there is a significant correlation between psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. The Austrian child and adolescent psychiatrist Andreas Karwautz from MedUni Vienna's Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry was involved in the study, which was recently published in the leading journal "Science". Hitherto, psychiatric disorders such as anorexia, depression and schizophrenia, for example, have predominantly been diagnosed phenotypically, based on the presenting symptoms. However, in most cases this gave rise to a certain lack of clarity, since many classification models fail to provide an adequate description of the particular disorders. Andreas Karwautz, child and adolescent psychiatrist at MedUni Vienna's Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and co-author of the study says: "There is no such thing as 'simple' depression or 'simple' anorexia that does not exhibit symptoms of other mental disorders. A diagnosis is always heterogeneous." The large-scale, international study conducted by the Brainstorm Consortium, which comprises several working groups from Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has now analyzed genomic data from around 265,000 psychiatric and neurological patients, as well as 785,000 healthy people. The study investigated whether there is a correlation between disorders with certain genetic features. For the purposes of the recent study, the common hereditary factors of fifteen neurological diseases and ten psychiatric diseases were analyzed. MedUni Vienna provided data from patients from the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, who were suffering from eating disorders. The study authors looked at three key aspects: psychiatric and neurological disorders were each considered as an individual group and then in comparison to each other. The main findings are as follows: some psychiatric disorders have significant genetic commonalities, which increase the risk of patients who develop one disorder also developing the correlated disorder. This is the case for schizophrenia, depressive episodes, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder and ADHD but not for Tourette's or autism, which hardly exhibit any genetic correlations. On the other hand, depression and anxiety disorder are closely related genetically, even if their symptoms are very different. The same applies to anorexia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The findings on the second aspect indicate that, according to the study, there is generally a greater genetic difference between neurological diseases within their own group. The third main aspect of the analysis showed that they also differ genetically from the various psychiatric disorders, with the exception of migraine. This was found to have correlations with ADHD, Tourette syndrome and depressive episodes. The study therefore showed that there are overlaps when it comes to specific genetic predispositions, thereby casting doubt upon traditional diagnostic classifications. From the material, it is also possible to see that genetically correlated diseases, such as psychoses, for example, have similar symptoms, which occur in both schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Karwautz explains: "This genome analysis, which for the first time involved statistically significant case numbers, forms a good basis for improving the psychiatric classification models with the aid of well-founded neurobiological diagnostics. As a researcher, I am delighted that my work at MedUni Vienna has enabled me to contribute to this global endeavor. insights from industry Keith Harding & Graham Dixon Medical Director, Welsh Wound Innovation CEO, Neem Biotech An interview with Prof. Harding, CBE, and Dr Dixon, PhD, conducted by Alina Shrourou, BSC What is a hard-to-heal wound? There are many definitions of hard-to-heal. More conventionally, it's based on underlying etiology of the wound, but in practice it's any wound that has not healed within a timely fashion. This is often due to a lack of coordinated care. Many of those patients receive multiple courses of antibiotics and antimicrobial therapy, because clinicians aren't sure what they're looking at. Not all wounds are necessarily hard-to-heal from the beginning, but because of the need for improvements and coordination of care, many of those patients that are seen in clinical practice become hard-to-heal. Photographee.eu/Shutterstock.com How do hard-to-heal wounds contribute to antimicrobial resistance? Many believe that you can diagnose the infection exclusively on a microbiological swab, therefore a lot of patients receive unnecessary and inappropriate antibiotic therapy. If we were to do nothing to address the current gaps in managing hard to heal wounds, the problem of antimicrobial resistance would continue to get worse, and the ability to heal wounds would become 10 times more difficult. At the recent RCP Innovation in Medicine conference, were there any specific highlights or trends that stood out? It was great to see that the Royal College of Physicians, a well-established organization, are very interested in wound infection. One of the big problems that we've had for years is to get recognition that wounds and problems associated with wound healing are an important clinical issue. The poster that Neem Biotech presented there was a very good example of people sitting up and taking notice that this is an important clinical problem. What was the importance of presenting Neem's wound healing research findings? The fact we were invited and able to present at the event is a good sign from our perspective especially as the focus of the meeting was around innovations in medicine and we believe our approach to antimicrobial resistance and wound care in particular, is innovative. This is the first time that we've gone out publicly in the wound space. Previously we have been active in cystic fibrosis, which is another focus of our research efforts, but through involvement with Keith and further reviews of strategy, we've now additionally focused on wound healing. As the Royal College of Physicians is such a prestigious society and it was a 500th anniversary, it was a very high-profile event within the UK. We were fortunate to have Keith and our chief medical officer available, both of whom are physicians and members of the society. Can you give an overview of the key findings of the work presented on Neem's poster? Our developments have been inspired by a discovery from a natural compound, garlic, which was part of Neem's history. We are working with a novel mechanism, which is quorum sensing inhibition and is essentially the way that the bacteria communicate. When they get to a certain density of cells they start to release chemicals which communicate between the cells. This results in the production of virulence factors, of which biofilm production is a good example. We have shown that we can affect these virulence factors, particularly the biofilm. We can affect biofilms when they're made up of mixed populations of bacteria, which is clinically relevant as this mirrors the environment you would see in the wound or in a respiratory infection. We've shown that our approach works well in synergy with either antibiotics and/or antiseptics, which can be used as standard of care in treatment of wounds, and it has no negative impact on wound healing. Our interest is in addressing a new and challenging aspect of wound infection in terms of quorum sensing and biofilm formation. One of the things that many of my clinical colleagues believe is that the only infected wound is either a wound that has grown bacteria, which is incorrect, or a patient who has evidence of spreading infection cellulitis or sepsis, which is also incorrect. The work covered in our poster addresses the gaps in current understanding and clinical management of hard-to-heal wounds. It discusses the issue that many of the existing therapies that we use for infection, such as systemic antibiotics or topical antimicrobials, have limited effect when clinicians believe there may be a biofilm present. This ability to disrupt the biofilm, opens up new opportunities for us to manage a very complex, and very common and expensive clinical problem. How have the poster findings been received by the medical and scientific communities to date? The community in general, whether scientific or medical, have been very interested and excited by our findings because it's a novel approach to antimicrobial resistance, which as we know is a problem. It's been accepted by most of the major governments as an issue, and there's quite a bit of research funding available to try and overcome this. We've been out in the cystic fibrosis space for a year or so, where biofilms are known to be important in respiratory infections. It's got the view of scientists, physicians, even patients in CF and some of the patient foundations. For example, we've just been awarded a UK CF Trust Innovation Award to help us to take it forward in the CF space. Given adequate and appropriate intervention, would hard-to-heal wounds become a thing of the past? Unfortunately, its unlikely that our innovations will cause hard-to-heal wounds to disappear completely because there may be many reasons why a wound is hard-to-heal. The one thing that this technology offers is an ability to intervene in wounds where infection is either the main cause, or one of the causes for a wound to become hard to heal. What would your top tip be for policy makers, public health authorities and members of the public to ensure that hard-to-heal wounds are managed most effectively? My tips would be to go and collect the data and realize how common and how expensive the problem is. Work that we've done in Wales has shown that 78,000 patients a year will see their GP with a diagnosis wound. That will lead to the consumption of 328 million or 6% of NHS budget. Other studies that we've done have shown that across Wales, when we surveyed eight and a half thousand patients in 66 hospitals, 30% of all hospital inpatients have a wound. We know from many studies from many countries that the current standard of care provision is poor at best. Coordinating services, providing a comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and therapeutic intervention for patients can lead to better outcomes and even save money for healthcare systems. The advantage that we've got in Wales is that the co-location of innovative companies such as Neem and the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre provides companies, clinicians and academics with a coordinated approach to address the common and neglected problem of wounds and wound healing. About Graham Dixon Dr Graham Dixon is Neem Biotechs Chief Executive Officer. He obtained a PhD in biochemistry at Swansea University and has spent over 25 years in Big Pharma, VC funded and publicly listed biotechnology companies. As Chief Scientific Officer, Graham has led over ten positive proof of concept programmes in humans and been a part of several new drug approval programmes in biotechnology companies as diverse as Onexo, Sensorion, Addex Therapeutics, Galapagos, Entomed and F2G. In Grahams experience, every successful programme that takes a molecule from an idea through to its embodied form in the clinic is another career highlight. About Prof. Keith Harding Professor Harding CBE is the Welsh Wound Innovation Centres Medical Director. He has worked tirelessly as a clinician, researcher and organisation head to improve the state-of-the-art in wound healing over the past three decades. He is qualified as a medical practitioner in both general surgery and general practice and has held senior academic roles including external professorial appointments in the UK and Australia and the Dean of Clinical Innovation at Cardiff University. He has authored over 350 wound healing publications and lead several European and international expert groups and wound healing societies. He is Editor-in-chief of the International Wound Journal and was awarded the prestigious Learned Society of Wales Fellowship in 2014. Prof Harding has successfully raised more than 45million for wound healing service delivery and was instrumental in setting up the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre as the first dedicated wound healing centre in the world. On the back of the success of this centre, a 9 million budget was allocated by NHS Wales in 2018 to set up Innovation Centres in a number of clinical subjects using the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre model. He, along with collaborators, were also awarded 24million to create a Clinical Innovation ecosystem along the M4 corridor in South Wales in 2018. Prof Harding was awarded a CBE in 2013 for services to Medicine and Health Care. Ophthotech Corporation announced today that scientists at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) and University of Florida published proof-of-concept study results on an adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy product candidate for the treatment of rhodopsin-mediated autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RHO-adRP) licensed by Ophthotech. Their work conducted in a naturally occurring canine model of the disease was published online ahead of print in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS). In June 2018, Ophthotech announced that it entered into an exclusive global license agreement with the University of Florida Research Foundation and Penn for rights to develop and commercialize this novel AAV gene therapy product candidate for the treatment of RHO-adRP. In addition to the exclusive license agreement, Ophthotech and Penn have also entered into a master sponsored research agreement, facilitated by the Penn Center for Innovation, pursuant to which Ophthotech and Penn plan to conduct additional preclinical studies of the RHO-adRP product candidate and a natural history study in RHO-adRP patients. This publication is entitled: "Mutation-independent Rhodopsin Gene Therapy by Knockdown and Replacement with a Single AAV vector" by Artur V. Cideciyan, Raghavi Sudharsan, Valerie L. Dufour, Michael T. Massengill, Simone Iwabe, Malgorzata Swider, Brianna Lisi, Alexander Sumaroka, Luis Felipe Marinho, Tatyana Appelbaum, Brian Rossmiller, William W. Hauswirth, Samuel G. Jacobson, Alfred S. Lewin, Gustavo D. Aguirre, and William A. Beltran. PNAS 2018. RHO-adRP is an orphan monogenic inherited retinal disease that is characterized by progressive and severe loss of vision, and is caused by more than 150 different mutations in the RHO gene. The construct for the RHO-adRP product candidate combines a transgene expressing a highly efficient, novel short hairpin RNA (shRNA) designed to target and knock-down endogenous rhodopsin (RHO) in a mutation-independent manner with a human RHO replacement transgene made resistant to RNA interference, in a single AAV2/5 vector. This construct was tested in a naturally-occurring canine disease model of RHO-adRP by investigators at Penn, resulting in a complete suppression of the endogenous RHO RNA while the human RHO replacement transgene resulted in up to 30% of normal RHO protein levels. Long term (over 8 months) anatomic and functional preservation was demonstrated with retinal imaging and electrophysiology. Ophthotech believes these results further confirm the therapeutic benefit of a similar knock-down and replacement approach that was tested in mice by investigators at the University of Florida, the results of which were previously published in Human Gene Therapy in 2012. "Our prior research indicated that the canine animal model may provide useful predictive data when developing treatment strategies for patients with degenerative retinal diseases," stated Professor William A. Beltran, DVM, PhD, Director of the Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. "We are honored to have our preclinical research in AAV therapy for RHO-adRP published in PNAS." "We are excited to collaborate with prominent scientists in the field of degenerative retinal diseases at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Florida and congratulate them on the strength and elegance of this publication," stated Kourous A. Rezaei, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Ophthotech. "We are intrigued by these proof-of-concept results in the canine disease model which further support the potential therapeutic impact of this AAV gene therapy product in patients with RHO-adRP. We are commencing IND-enabling activities, and based on current timelines and subject to regulatory review, we expect to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for the treatment of RHO-adRP in 2020." The critical, structural changes that enveloped viruses, such as HIV, Ebola and influenza, undergo before invading host cells have been revealed by scientists using nano-infrared spectroscopic imaging, according to a study led by Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. The researchers found that an antiviral compound was effective in stopping the influenza virus from entering host cells during lower pH exposure, the optimal condition for the virus to cause infection. The findings, which provide important details on how enveloped viruses attack a host and a possible way to prevent these viral attacks, are published in the journal PLoS One. Enveloped viruses are among the most deadly known viruses. These viruses have an outer membrane covering their genetic material, and to invade host cells enveloped viruses must first attach to a cell and then open their membrane to release genetic material. Originally, scientists believed this mechanism was controlled by the host cell. In this study, which focused on influenza virus, the researchers examined the structural changes that occur for the virus to open and release its genetic material. They conducted the experiment in the absence of cells and instead simulated the cell environment. When influenza virus infects a person's body, it goes from a neutral environment outside the cell to a more acidic environment (a lower pH) inside the cell. To simulate the cell environment for this study, the researchers made the environment more acidic. The researchers exposed influenza virus particles to the lower pH and monitored structural changes in the virus. "What we saw is that even without the cell, if we change the environment, the virus particle will break and release the genetic material," said Dr. Ming Luo, a senior author of the study and professor in the Department of Chemistry at Georgia State. "So it has a proactive mechanism built into the virus particle. Once the virus particle finds that the environment has changed, it will itself release the material. It doesn't need the help of the cell membrane. It has to find a sweet spot to release the genetic material, and that sweet spot happens to have a low pH." The researchers used nano-infrared spectroscopy, a microscopic imaging system, to observe how influenza virus particles change when their environment changes. During his work at Georgia State, Dr. Yohannes Abate, now at the University of Georgia, adapted the imaging technology to have a new, unique function that allowed them to study virus particles in more detail. "We can actually look at one particular virus particle," Luo said. "Before when people took images, you could not select which one you looked at. You had to look at many of them and everything happened at different stages. Now, we can continuously monitor one virus particle from the beginning to the end to see what changes are going on. We could see step-by-step how the virus particles release genetic materials in the absence of the cell." The researchers also studied chemical compounds and found one that binds to influenza virus and blocks changes in the viral structure. "The compound stabilized the virus particle," Luo said. "The virus won't release the genetic material. If it won't release, then it cannot infect the cell. It's a mechanism to stop virus infection. If we could make it work in humans, it could be a good drug to stop the infection of enveloped viruses." Source: https://news.gsu.edu/2018/08/21/researchers-identify-structural-changes-that-occur-in-enveloped-viruses-before-invading-host-study-finds/?utm_source=press-release&utm_medium=media&utm_campaign=viruses Public confidence in the NHS is currently high, but with privacy awareness increasing significantly, theres a risk that incidents could expose weaknesses in sovereignty, efficiency and data security UKCloud Health, the easy to adopt, easy to use and easy to leave assured cloud services company, and the Corsham Institute, a charity dedicated to research and learning to help people adapt and thrive in a digital world, today announced the findings from the latest Corsham Institute research report: The Adoption of Public Cloud Services in the NHS: trust, security and public opinion. Based on exclusive polling from ComRes, the research tested levels of public understanding of patient data storage options within the NHS and the publics confidence or otherwise in the security of that data. In addition to the public polling conducted by ComRes, the report also features expert testimony from interviews conducted by Corsham Institute with a range of health and care professionals and experts, including input from UKCloud Health. The survey found: High levels of confidence in trust that the NHS is storing patient data securely: 70% of British adults say they are confident that the patient data the NHS holds on them is stored securely, while 25% say they are not confident. Low levels of understanding as to how patient data is currently stored in the NHS, with half of respondents thinking that patient data is stored on a national NHS computer server and only 28% thinking that it is stored on a cloud. People are twice as likely to be comfortable storing their information on clouds managed by British companies (49%) than on clouds managed by global companies (23%). A desire for more information on data storage in the NHS, with 88% of adults saying its important to know where and how their patient data is stored and 80% saying it is important to know whether patient data is hosted by companies whose headquarters are outside of the UK. Patients have a limited understanding of how the NHS stores or processes data. Indeed, the public and healthcare professionals rightly focus more on patient experience and outcomes, commented Louisa Simons, COO of the Corsham Institute. Cloud computing has the potential to enhance collaboration, increase efficiency and improve security across the NHS. However, progress in migrating workloads to the cloud varies dramatically between different trusts and other bodies within the NHS. Many organizations are still reliant on the kind of fragmented and dated infrastructure that was impacted by the Wannacry attack and are also reliant on out-dated and inefficient technologies such as fax machines which are surprisingly still in widespread use across the NHS. Simons continued: There is a risk that a significant incident, either another attack like Wannacry, or a significant data breach, as recently occurred in Singapore, could shatter confidence in the way that the NHS stores and processes data. Lack of confidence in the NHS to store patient data securely could limit patients willingness to share their data for research, which is essential to help improve outcomes. The introduction of GDPR and the publicity resulting from the Cambridge Analytica/Facebook scandal have already increased privacy awareness and shaken public trust in data security more widely. The research shows that there is little public appetite for NHS data to be kept outside of the UK or held on clouds managed by global companies, concerns that will likely be exposed and exacerbated in the aftermath of any further significant incidents." Even before the Wannacry attack, a previous ComRes poll sponsored by UKCloud Health in early 2017 found that the British public were concerned about the protection of their personally identifiable data, and that 65 percent also stated that they were concerned about whether their health records, such as medical history or social care records, are adequately protected by companies and public services. Capturing the undoubted advantages of cloud does not mean that NHS data needs to ever move outside of the UK or be held on clouds managed by global companies, added Nicky Stewart, Commercial Director at UKCloud Health and one of the expert witnesses interviewed for the report. Government-grade, secure facilities with connectivity to NHS networks like N3 and HSCN exist within the Crown Campus. Use of such secure, UK-sovereign facilities would not only help minimize the risk of further incidents, but would also eliminate the risk of public backlash over moving data outside of the UK or holding it on clouds managed by global companies, in the event of any such incident. Crown Campus is a secure government-grade hosting environment specifically for public sector framework service providers. It enables collaboration between public sector organizations and the community of service providers that support them, including UKCloud Health, the main cloud provider within the Crown Campus. UKClouds many government and NHS customers benefit not only from the enhanced efficiency and security provided by its secure, UK-sovereign cloud services, but also from being hosted in close proximity to many other key data sets within the Crown Campus. For example, Genomics England, the largest single health data set in the UK, is hosted by UKCloud Health along with a number of key hospital trusts. UKCloud Health also hosts a growing ecosystem of health-oriented service providers. Being in close proximity to each other, allows for secure, low-latency connectivity and increased scope for collaboration not only between Trusts, but also with key health solution providers like Docman, Egton and Mayden, all hosted on UKCloud Healths multi-cloud infrastructure. UKCloud Health also provides a range of multi-cloud options for optimal workload placement, providing a path for healthcare organizations wanting to the modernizing legacy IT that was vulnerable to the Wannacry attack. There is no one-size-fits-all cloud approach though, and Trusts need a secure, compliant, and cost-appropriate solution that meet the demands of their organization and provides a best fit for each workload. For Trusts with an array of legacy and cloud-native applications, a multi-cloud approach provides the most comprehensive and effective solution and with UKCloud Health it can be provided from totally UK-sovereign facilities that are directly connected to both N3 and HSCN. The Corsham Institute report accompanying the research findings included expert testimony and opinion from a range of professionals and organizations, including UKCloud Health. It looked in detail at recent NHS data handling stories and the current policy and data governance landscape, including the impact of the Cambridge Analytica/Facebook scandal on public trust in data security more widely. The reports authors drew out a number of important themes from the research and interviews, including: The importance of emphasizing the benefits from the adoption of public cloud in the NHS, including: lower costs (freeing up more money for frontline care); greater safety and security of the data; and the opportunity for better care and innovation. The need to address some significant challenges for the NHS, including: low levels of digital literacy and technical skills; barriers to maximizing the potential of cloud computing, including financial impacts if there are long-term contractual tie-ins to big cloud providers; and the risks from the gulf between the low levels of public understanding of the use of cloud computing, particularly when provided by major global tech companies, and the potential impact should a data security breach occur that is linked to a cloud provider. Taking the polling and the research together, the reports authors concluded that that there should be better engagement with the public to make them aware of the use and benefits of cloud computing in the NHS, and to build their understanding and trust in a way that pre-empts risk, rather than waiting to respond to a security breach or other data handling controversy. They also flagged the considerations and trade-offs to be made between choosing a UK-based or global public cloud provider, particularly in relation to data protection and procurement. Uniqsis announce the appointment of Sentinel Process Systems Inc. (Hatboro, PA) as their exclusive US partner and distributor in Flow Chemistry. This move follows several years of business growth in the region. The appointment enables Uniqsis to now offer US customers top tier sales, support and service from a respected company with more than 60 years experience in the field of chemical synthesis and systems integration. From August 2018, the Sentinel team of specialists will offer fast, informed and accurate response on all matters relating to the Uniqsis range of Flow Chemistry products. The complete range of Uniqsis flow chemistry systems and accessories will on display at the ACS meeting in Boston, MA from August 19th to 23rd on the Sentinel Process Systems, Inc. Booth 1432. Sentinel Process Systems, Inc. has an excellent reputation in building and supplying process systems and equipment for Kilolabs and Pilot plant and has extensive knowledge of chemical synthesis. Throughout the US, Sentinel maintain a team of specialists with expertise in scale-up challenges, and experience working in these environments. In 2018 tourists paid to visit Lee County beaches that were littered with dead fish and endangered sea turtles and whale sharks, all killed by a marine red tide bloom. Tragic and horrific are the words most commonly used to describe the graphic images captured and shown around the world by 24-hour news and cable services. Adding insult to injury, all of this was accompanied by unbreathable air that drove paying guests and locals off the beaches and into the safety of their hotel rooms. Up and down the Gulf Coast, warning signs were posted and beaches closed. Some brave tourists remained and tolerated the stench. Others though, packed their bags and left taking their unspent vacation money and bad memories with them. Tourists and locals are asking: Why does this environmental crisis occur and get worse every year? Most seem to agree that Lake Okeechobees aging infrastructure is inadequate and unable to hold more water, as well as permit an adequate flow of fresh water southward to the moisture starved Everglades. The solutions, of course, are in those pesky details the how and when? Standing in the way of common sense solutions are historical decisions that ignored the dangers associated with agricultural and residential runoff, as well as harmful Lake Okeechobee water-release practices that benefited agriculture at the expense of tourists. Although agricultural interests in Southwest Florida are important and provide important jobs, they pale in financial significance when compared to tourist revenues generated in Lee County alone! Yet as presently structured, current Lake Okeechobee water levels and release schedules have been politicized and benefit agricultural interests while harming wildlife and tourist interests. Clearly, political Lake Okeechobee win/loss propositions are not acceptable or financially viable. Continuation of current political practices risk the yearly interests of over 3 million Lee County tourists who spend $3,000,000,000 (yes, thats billion with a B) and pay over $37,000,000 in bed taxes, not to mention several million dollars in bridge tolls. Indeed, one in five adults are employed in tourist related work. Clearly tourists are the underappreciated financial drivers of Lee County and the Southwest Florida economy. For example, my family visits Sanibel (Island Inn) three to four times a year, plus our annual family reunion. Our annual tourist expenditures (we pay for the kids and grandkids) are $50,000 to $60,000, not including airfare. Over any 10-year period, our financial contribution to the Southwest Florida economy is more than $500,000. I have been visiting Sanibel and South Florida since 1957 and have never seen red tide this bad. Southwest Floridas sunshine, pristine waters and natural wildlife are standard inducements for tourists like me to come and spend money. But Southwest Floridas reputation has been severely damaged by the 2018 toxic water crisis and it will take years to recover. Many tourists, after having their 2018 water-based vacation ruined, will never return and never spend money in Southwest Florida! A question for elected officials and their staffs: How are cataclysmic oil spills different from Okeechobee effluent spills, whatever the cause? The short answer: Oil spills are not tolerated by elected officials and the public. Unlike Okeechobee effluents, offending oil companies contain and then stop the spill, direct a multi-million-dollar eco-system clean-up and then make financial restitution to their victims (Think Deepwater Horizon). Like an oil spill event, Southwest Florida business losses will be significant and funds for anticipated expansion and/or improvements will be scrutinized, if not canceled, in the absence of immediate and reasonable implementation of red tide solutions. Like an oil spill event, tourists all over Southwest Florida are voting with their feet, their dollars and leaving Florida. Rooms are unrented and store isles deserted because tourists refused to breathe the dead marine life stench and witness unacceptable environmental disasters. Like an oil spill event, next years tourists will vote with their feet and select non-Southwest Florida destinations if poor water quality returns and river waters are the consistency of guacamole. Like an oil spill event, property values along Southwest Floridas polluted waterways will decrease. Unlike an oil spill, the state of Florida can do something about preventing nutrient pollution at its source. Finally, Southwest Florida needs immediate and common-sense solutions, not more: action-free meetings, diversionary mitigation studies, empty promises, political posturing, repeated emergency declarations and indeterminable delays. Yes, it is a very complicated and complex problem, but if this years water disaster tells us anything, it is that Southwest Florida does not have the luxury of more time to solve an ongoing environmental and toxic water crisis. Failure to act now will result in declining wildlife populations, a declining number of tourists and, finally, declining taxes and a persistent loss of vital tourist revenues. Tourist axiom: Bad reputations and experiences are difficult and expensive to mitigate. Joe Orndorff Cincinnati, Ohio Getting tested for deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, can disrupt a patient's whole day. Typically, one of the first methods a clinician uses to diagnose the condition is an ultrasound in order to see the blood vessels in a patient's legs and assess blood flow. From check in to check out, the procedure can take several hours. For rural patients, who often drive long distances to reach medical practices where the necessary equipment and personnel are available, the process is even more onerous. Albeir Mousa, a professor of vascular surgery at West Virginia University, has used an innovative, faster method for ruling out DVT in patients before they have an ultrasound. He and his research team found that measuring the level of a specific protein-;called D-dimer-;in a patient's blood may predict whether a time-intensive ultrasound is warranted. The "Annals of Vascular Surgery" has published the team's results. "Usually waiting for a venous ultrasound would be a matter of three, four, five hours. With the D-dimer test, it's a few minutes and you're done," said Mousa, who teaches at the WVU Health Sciences Charleston Campus. Deep vein thrombosis arises when a blood clot forms in a major vein, typically in the leg. As a result, a patient's leg swells up, reddens, becomes painful and feels warm to the touch. If the clot travels to the patient's lung, it can kill lung tissue. If it doesn't travel, it can still cause chronic abnormalities in the leg's blood circulation. D-dimer is a marker for the trace elements left in the blood stream as the body works to degrade blood clots. Checking for an elevated D-dimer level is a good first-line assessment for blood clots. Mousa's first round of research involved reviewing the medical records of 360 patients who, over the course of one month, visited an emergency room with complaints of leg swelling and pain. All of the patients whose D-dimer levels were elevated went on to be diagnosed with DVT, but none of patients with typical levels did. On the other hand, just 14 percent of the patients who underwent ultrasound imaging-;a long and relatively pricey procedure-;tested positive for DVT. Mousa's second, larger round of testing (which involved 1,670 patients) produced similar results. And potentially 762 immediate ultrasounds could have been eliminated by using the blood test. Because it costs about $1,557 less than ultrasound imaging does, the blood test has the potential to save the hospital system more than $1 million per year, Mousa concluded. "It's a very simple sample of blood, which is sent to the lab. And usually in 15 or 20 minutes, you have significant information that can help you take good care of the patients," he said. "And you can send patients home quicker, with less demand on the hospital staff and the institution, yet increase patient satisfaction." Fluidically linked Blood-Brain Barrier and Brain Organ Chips offer new method for studying the effects of drugs and disease on the brain and its blood vessels By Lindsay Brownell The human brain, with its 100 billion neurons that control every thought, word, and action, is the most complex and delicate organ in the body. Because it needs extra protection from toxins and other harmful substances, the blood vessels that supply the brain with oxygen and nutrients are highly selective about which molecules can cross from the blood into the brain and vice versa. These blood vessels and their unique network of supporting pericyte and astrocyte cells comprise the blood-brain barrier (BBB). One Brain Chip (top) containing neurons and astrocytes is connected via microfluidic channels to two blood-brain barrier (BBB) chips containing endothelial cells and their supporting astrocytes and pericytes. The researchers were able to trace the flow of molecules from the vasculature across the BBB and into the brain, and found that substances produced by the endothelial cells help maintain neuronal function. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University Figuring out exactly how the cells of the BBB and the brain influence each other has been a major challenge in neuroscience. Now, researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have created a just right model of the BBB-brain interface using microfluidically linked Organ Chips that allow an unprecedented look into how the brains vasculature influences and regulates its metabolic function. The research is reported in Nature Biotechnology. Most of todays research on Organ Chips is focused on trying to increase the complexity of cell types on each chip, but we realized that the brain is already so complex that we couldnt analyze it on one chip, so we did the opposite and divided one organ onto multiple chips, said first author Ben Maoz, Ph.D., a former Technology Development Fellow at the Wyss Institute who is currently an Assistant Professor at Tel Aviv University, Israel. Joining Maoz as co-first authors of the paper are former Wyss Institute colleagues Anna Herland, Ph.D., who is now an Associate Professor at the Royal Institute of Technology and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden; and Edward FitzGerald, Ph.D., currently an Industrial Marie Skodowska-Curie Fellow at Beactica AB and Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. The BBB-Brain Chip system consists of three chips: one influx BBB Chip, a Brain Chip, and a second efflux BBB Chip, all connected with microfluidic channels to allow the exchange of chemicals and other substances between them. The BBB Chip has one channel lined with endothelial blood vessel cells separated by a porous membrane from a parallel channel containing supportive pericytes and astrocytes in cerebrospinal fluid. The Brain Chip has similar parallel channels that are separated by a semipermeable membrane, one of which contains human brain neurons and their supporting astrocytes to mimic brain tissue. The three chips channels are connected together in series, creating a fully linked system in which substances can diffuse from the first BBB chips vascular channel into its cerebrospinal channel, enter the Brain Chips neuronal cell compartment, flow back into the cerebrospinal channel, and ultimately diffuse out into the second BBB Chips vascular channel, as happens in vivo. The team cultured human cells in the linked BBB-Brain Chips and exposed them to methamphetamine, which is known to disrupt the junctions between the cells of the BBB in vivo and cause it to leak. When meth was flowed through the blood vessel channel of the BBB Chip, it compromised the junctions of the BBBs vascular endothelial cells and allowed the passage of molecules that normally wouldnt be able to cross the BBB into the Brain Chip. This experiment confirmed that the model worked, and established that it could be used in research to better understand drugs effects on the human brain and develop treatments. The scientists also discovered that the proteins expressed by the cells on linked BBB and Brain Chips were different from those expressed by cells on unlinked chips. For example, cells in all of the linked chips expressed higher levels of metabolism-associated proteins and lower levels of proteins involved in proliferation and migration than cells in unlinked chips, suggesting that the BBB and the brain do in fact help each other maintain proper function. Blood vessels are frequently thought to just be a barrier or a transporter of chemicals. But when we looked at the linked BBB-Brain Chips, we noticed that there seemed to be some crosstalk between the endothelial cells and the neurons, explained Herland. We also know from studies of long-term meth abusers that this drug affects the brains metabolism, so we started to dig deeper to see if we could characterize the metabolic link between the BBB and the brain. That scientific digging revealed that the chemicals secreted by the cells on the uncoupled BBB Chip were largely related to neuron maintenance and protection, demonstrating that the molecules produced by the BBB provide chemical cues to neurons. The researchers also added radioactive carbon-labeled glucose, pyruvate, or lactate as an energy supply to decoupled Brain Chips, and found that the production of both glutamine and the neurotransmitter GABA was lower in unlinked Brain Chips than in Brain Chips linked to the BBB. Intriguingly, this finding demonstrated that products of vascular endothelial cell metabolism become substrates for the production of neurotransmitters by neurons, suggesting that the health of our blood vessels could have a direct impact on mind function. The big breakthrough here is that we have teased out communication networks between cells in a way that never could have been done with traditional brain research techniques. In vivo studies simply do not offer the granularity to determine how complex these metabolic networks function in heterogeneous cell populations within living tissues, said corresponding author Kit Parker, Ph.D., a Core Faculty member of the Wyss Institute and the Tarr Family Professor of Bioengineering and Applied Physics at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). We are seeing here an unanticipated level of complexity that raises the bar in terms of what it will mean to successfully map the brain's connectome. Whats really incredible is that we were able to do a highly multiplexed, massively parallel metabolomic analysis of many different chemicals produced by different cell types, all on these tiny chips, said co-corresponding author and Wyss Founding Director Donald Ingber, M.D., Ph.D., who is also the Judah Folkman Professor of Vascular Biology at HMS and the Vascular Biology Program at Boston Childrens Hospital, as well as Professor of Bioengineering at SEAS. Were excited to push the limits of how complicated and sophisticated Organ Chips can be, and potentially use this decoupling approach to analyze how vascular endothelial cells contribute to the specialized functions of other organs as well. This week we are getting back to fishing reports, good or bad. Yes, red tide is still affecting many areas, but there are also unaffected waters and anglers bending a rod. Offshore, in Gulf waters, anglers bottom fishing found a bite beginning around 40 to 50 feet deep, and it got better as you went deeper. A mix of lane and mangrove snapper, plus mostly undersized grouper, were caught in depths 60 feet and less. From 80 to 100 feet, the snapper were bigger and a few grouper to 30 inches were boated. Deeper water out to 140 feet turned up bigger grouper, plus snapper and porgy. Best baits were squid or sardines either on a knocker rig or a heavy jig. Dead fish were reported floating from just off the beaches out to 5 or 10 miles. Many anglers are reporting an unusual number of sharks along the eastern side of Pine Island Sound. Blacktip, spinners, hammerheads, lemons and bulls, running in size from 2 to 5 feet were concentrated in 2 to 6-foot depths. Cut mullet or ladyfish, either fished under a float or on bottom, were the best bet to hook-up. Anglers targeting tarpon found success in Charlotte Harbor from the point of Cape Haze to the Peace River Bridge. They could often be sighted rolling on the surface on calm mornings. Live ladyfish and mullet, plus DOA Bait Busters and spoons were the top baits. Also, in Charlotte Harbor, fishing along bar edges near Bokeelia resulted in a mix of undersized trout, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, lady and bluefish. Similar catches were also reported from the Bokeelia Fishing Pier. Oversized redfish were hooked in Matlacha Pass and off the eastern shore of Charlotte Harbor near Two-Pines. Cut bait, including mullet and ladyfish, worked well along mangrove points on the morning incoming tides, and the late afternoon gave anglers low water opportunities to chase tailing reds with flies or lures. Snook and snapper were also hooked along the islands on the higher water. Pompano, with a few permit mixed in, were caught just of the channel edges in north Matlacha Pass and off the north side of Bokeelia. The best action came on the falling water while fishing shrimp under a bobber or bouncing various brands of pompano-style jigs. While much of the area is still under the spell of bad water, there are fishy areas and hopefully we will see more moving forward. Its been great the past couple weeks to see all the communities and concerned citizens unite to fight for change. Many anglers and guides have adopted to catch-and-release only for inshore game fish moving forward. At least until a stock assessment can be made. There are a lot of little things each of us can do moving forward to help offset the damage. It may be releasing a fish, holding off on the fertilizer or not blowing yard clippings into the canal or waterway. I know when you look at the big picture these seem minor, but it is a step in the right direction and a direction we need to move towards. If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at: Gulf Coast Guide Service, 239-283-7960 or visit http://www.fishpineisland.com>www.fishpineisland.com or email gcl2fish@live.com. Have a safe week and good fishin. As a native of Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his entire life fishing and learning the waters surrounding Pine Island and as a professional fishing guide for the past 18 years. 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 GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Rio de Janeiro : Two soldiers and five civilians have been killed in a military raid here in Brazil. Around 4,200 soldiers, supported by 70 policemen with the aid of armoured vehicles and helicopters carried out the searches in the congested neighbourhoods called favelas.According to the Joint Command of the military seven were killed in the operation in three favelas in the north of Rio (Alemao, Penha and La Mare), home to more than 500,000 people.The operation is part of President Michel Temer's military intervention ordered in February to deal with security and violence that plagues the Rio de Janeiro State, Efe news reported.On August 17 and 19 the military carried out an anti-narcotics operation in the favela of Alemao.Violence in Rio is endemic and claimed 6,731 lives in 2017. Beijing : Apple has reportedly removed 25,000 gambling apps from its App Store in China that flouted the local Internet policies. In a statement given to The Wall Street Journal on Monday, the Cupertino-based iPhone maker said "gambling apps are illegal and not allowed on the App Store in China". "We have already removed many apps and developers for trying to distribute illegal gambling apps on our App Store, and we are vigilant in our efforts to find these and stop them from being on the App Store," Apple added. The company, which recently touched the $1-trillion mark, reacted after China's state broadcaster CCTV, accused the tech giant of not doing enough to screen out gambling and other illegal apps. " "Apple established its own rules for allowing apps on to its store but did not respect them itself, resulting in a proliferation of fake lottery apps and gambling apps," the Financial Times reported, quoting a CCTV statement. Apple last year removed apps for virtual private network (VPN) services in China, used to circumvent Beijing's censorship tools as well as hundreds of other apps, including Skype. Amid heightened trade tensions between the US and China, tech giant Apple in July joined hands with its suppliers to launch a $300 million clean energy fund in China. The "China Clean Energy Fund" will invest in and develop clean-energy projects totalling more than 1 gigawatt of renewable energy in China, the equivalent of powering nearly 1 million homes, Apple said in a statement. Apple in 2017 announced it would invest nearly $500 million in China to build two new R&D centres in Shanghai and Suzhou. In September 2016, Apple opened its first China R&D centre in Beijing's Zhongguancun Science Park, often referred to as "China's Silicon Valley". Canberra : The Australian government is considering waiving debts of students who unknowingly took on loans, authorities said on Monday. The federal Student Loans Ombudsman has received more than 5,000 complaints from former students of private colleges about substandard education or being ripped off, reports Xinhua news agency. The complaints were linked to Vocational Educational Training (VET) FEE-HELP, a controversial scheme that was scrapped by the government early 2017. Under the programme, students who took out a loan to study were granted almost unregulated access to government subsidies -- incentivzing colleges to enrol as many students as possible. A majority of complainants to the Student Loans Ombudsman said they were unaware that they would incur a debt when they signed up for a private college course. Gerard Brody, chief executive of the Consumer Action Law Centre, welcomed any initiative that would help students who had been conned into taking out the loans. VET FEE-HELP has been replaced by VET Student Loans which caps loans based on the cost of the course. The total amount of the debts that would be wiped under the government proposal is unknown but local media reported that the Commonwealth Actuary believed over A$1 billion ($730 million) in loans would never be repaid. It seems as if every time you visit a store or have a conversation with one of your service providers these days you get an email survey that asks you to rate the service provided. I shopped at a CVS store recently and when I got home I found an email from CVS asking me to fill out a brief survey that probed into the service I got while in their store. I recently made a car rental reservation with Hertz and spoke to one of their phone representatives. I had barely put the phone down when I got an email asking me about the service I just received. I now get them from physician offices, restaurants, investment advisors, airlines, acne removal services, cable TV providers and pretty much everyone I use to make sure my life runs in an orderly fashion. I had a phone conversation with my friend Ron recently and sure enough I got an email survey asking me to rank the quality of his friendship. It began: Ron thanks you for being his friend and wishes to follow up on the phone conversation you recently had with him. Your candid input will help determine if Ron is capable of being friends with other people in addition to you. Please rate the following statements about Ron with number 10 being very likely and number 1 being very unlikely. If you had it to do over again would you be friends with Ron? Based on your friendship with Ron is it likely or unlikely that you would introduce him to your other friends? Is Ron a trusting, caring friend? Write in the space below all that you like about Ron. Please do not use dirty words. Is Ron the kind of friend who would take a bullet for you? Would Ron offer you one of his kidneys if your life depended on it? How likely is Ron to pick up a dinner check when the two of you dine? How likely is Ron to be an FBI informant? Is Ron a worrisome thing wholl lead you to sing the blues in the night? How likely is Ron to leave crumbs on your dining room table? How likely is Ron to belch in public? Is Ron the kind of person who would collude with the Russians? How willing are you to accept Rons personal grooming habits? How likely is Ron to speak well of you? Would you buy a used car from Ron? How likely is Ron to borrow money from you and not repay it? Does Ron display courage under fire? Is Ron a friend who can be trusted with your innermost secrets? Is Ron more of a fair-weather friend than a true friend? Is Ron playing you along to get something out of you? Would Ron forsake you if the going gets tough? Would Ron share a mirage with you if the two of you were stranded in a desert? Please return this survey before you contemplate ending your friendship with Ron so that we can better determine how Ron can be an even better friend to you before he begins his prison sentence for collusion with the New York Yankees. Manama : Bahrain authorities on Tuesday announced they were suspending issuance of entry visas for Qataris. "The decision wasn't taken because of Qatari nationals who share brotherly ties with Bahrainis, but as a result of irresponsible acts of Qatari authorities that don't consider the rights of neighbouring countries or the principles of the international law," the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The Ministry said Qatari students in Bahrain were excluded along with those with valid visas. The Arab Quartet consisting of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt severed all ties with Doha last year for "supporting terror groups". The Quartet issued a list of 13 demands presented to Doha through Kuwait to resolve the crisis that is still not addressed. The demands included closing a Turkish military base in Qatar and shutting the Al Jazeera pan-Arab television network. New Delhi : A series of 102 indigenous artworks by Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, with the oldest dating back to the 1800s, are being exhibited at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) here till Sunday, and reflect undercurrents of anti-colonial resistance. The artworks -- running into canvasses, cloth and ink works, sculpture, and wood bark paintings -- had started pouring in decades after 1788, the year of British entry into Australian lands, and continue even today, as the aftermath of a colonial history still impacts indigenous Australians. A window into the history of the people, these historic and contemporary artworks allow a glimpse into their creative traditions influenced by invasion. "Art was a mechanism (for Aborigines) to place these phenomena within a broader cultural context. Many rock art paintings from different regions of Australia have incorporated horses, rifles, British tall ships, etc," exhibition curator Franchesca Cubillo told IANS in an email interview. Indigenous artist Tommy McRae's ink-on-paper work "Meeting the White Man" (1890) shows a white man walking towards a group of singing and dancing tribespeople, as they hold a 'corroborees' -- an Aboriginal ceremony involving dance and music -- and look at the intruder apprehensively. Works like these are a unique visual record of contact between two cultures, as seen through an Aboriginal vantage point. Many works reveal an unjust colonial past -- the invasion and denial of Aboriginal sovereignty, displacement from their homeland, and the devastatingly changed political landscape. "Aboriginal people have also utilised their art as political (and provocative) statements about ownership of their land/country, about the artists status and place," Cubillo added. A photograph titled "Broken Heart" in a photographic series -- "Portrait of a Distant Land" -- by Ricky Maynard, is a melancholic self-portrait of the artist standing on the shore of an island to which his people were exiled, as he cranes his neck to gaze at his out-of-sight homeland. To this extent, the exhibition bears stories of personal loss and trauma. A contemporary digital print called "Austracism" (2003) is a clever and satirical take on the prevailing racism against Aboriginal people, the roots of which were laid during the colonial rule. "I'm not racist but...I don't know why Aboriginal people can't look after their houses properly and I'm not racist but...Aboriginal people weren't doing anything with land before we came here and I'm not racist but....they never even wore any clothes before we came...and I'm not racist but..." The list goes on. The work puts together tens of statements from popular culture to convey racist commentary existing against Aboriginal people today. "The British did not want to acknowledge the Aboriginal people's sovereignty and sophisticated society that existed within Australia at the time of the invasion in 1788," Cubillo said. What about art created by colonialists? Cubillo says the colonial representation of aboriginal people differed from how they represented themselves and wanted to be represented. "The colonial representation was eurocentric and therefore biased. Aboriginal people were both perceived and portrayed as 'uncivilised aimlessly wandering nomads', sometimes happy and playful, often content to have their corroborees," she explained. However, Aboriginal artists countered this perception of barbarity through their art. Vintage ashtrays with Aboriginal faces or torsos caricatured on them -- which required stubbing cigarettes on the faces or torsos -- are offensive objects which have been used brilliantly by artist Tony Albert to surface the discrimination faced by Aborigines. The 2008 work is titled "ASH on me". The exhibition explores themes of identity, politics, racism, ethnicity and people's connection with their land, and is open for public viewing till Sunday. (Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in) New Delhi : Expressing sympathies to the government and people of India over the death and destruction in Kerala floods, the Maldives has announced a donation of $50,000 as a "token contribution in solidarity", the Maldives Embassy here said on Monday. "The government of Maldives conveys profound sympathies to the government and the people of India, in particular to those directly affected by the tragedy," the Embassy quoted a statement from Maldives President Abdulla Yameen's office as saying in a statement. "India is our closest neighbour," Maldives Ambassador to India Ahmed Mohamed said in the embassy statement. "Any natural disaster or calamity that strikes our neighbour has an emotional impact on Maldives. "This donation is a small gesture to a neighbour and friend who has always stood by Maldives in its hour of need." Ties between India and the Maldives have been strained since President Yameen imposed Emergency in February after the Supreme Court ordered the release and retrial of former President Mohamed Nasheed, a pro-India leader, and other prisoners. Rabat : Moroccan King Mohammed VI has pardoned 160 people convicted in connection with the protests that rocked the Rif region in northern Morocco in late 2016, the media reported. Citing sources at the Moroccan Justice Ministry, Le360.ma news site on Tuesday mentioned that the pardoning of these protesters came on the occasion of Eid. The ministry said in an official statement earlier that the king had pardoned 889 inmates on the occasion of Eid, but did not specify their background, Xinhua news agency reported. The list of the freed people did not include any of the leaders of the protests, who were sentenced to up to 20 years in prison in June. In late June, a Moroccan court sentenced Nasser Zefzafi, figurehead of the protests, along with three other leaders, to 20-year imprisonment. Another 49 people were sentenced to 15-year jail term, along with fines, by the Casablanca Court. The sentences given to the Rif protesters sparked outrage in Morocco, and many rallies and sit-ins were staged to call for the release of the jailed activists. The protests broke out in October 2016, when fish vendor Mouhcine Fikri was crushed to death after climbing into a rubbish lorry to retrieve his swordfish confiscated by police. Islamabad : Pakistan's new Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday said that there was a need of "continued and uninterrupted" dialogue with India, which was the only way forward for the two neighbours to resolve outstanding issues. Qureshi, the ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) Vice Chairman, was sworn-in earlier in the day along with 15 other members from the newly-elected Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's 21-strong cabinet, Dawn news. In his maiden speech as Foreign Minister, Qureshi said: "I want to tell the Indian Foreign Minister that we are not just neighbours; we are atomic powers. We have a lot of common resources. "Us coming to the table and talking peace is our only option. We need to stop the adventurism and come together. We know the issues are tough and will not be solved overnight, but we have to engage," he said. "We cannot turn our cheek. Yes we have outstanding issues. Kashmir is a reality; it is an issue that both our nations acknowledge... We need a continued and uninterrupted dialogue. This is our only way forward," the minister added. Quereshi said the two countries may have a different approach and line of thinking, but he wants to "see a change" in how we behave. "India and Pakistan have to move forward keeping realities before them," he asserted, adding that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a letter to Khan, in which he has indicated the beginning of talks between the two countries. Qureshi, emphasising the importance of fostering better relations with neighbouring countries, said: "I will try to bridge the trust deficit between Pakistan and other regional countries," the Dawn report said. He also said that Pakistan's interest lies at the very centre of foreign policy. "Wherever we need to fix our foreign policy we will fix it," the Minister said. Qureshi also announced his plans of a visit to Kabul, saying: "The two countries share a future and geography, and we have to work together and begin our long journey." When questioned about the party's stance on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Minister said that PTI "supports CPEC". Qureshi had previously served as Foreign Minister during between 2008-13 under then President Asif Zardari and former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. New Delhi : A group of Indian and international partners on Tuesday announced the formation of a coalition that aims to catalyse a mass entrepreneurship movement in India with the aim of creating 10 million new entrepreneurs and 50 million new jobs by 2030. The coalition, called Global Alliance Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME), has received initial funding commitment of Rs 100 crore over three years from several Indian and global donors, a statement from GAME said. The announcement was made at a day-long workshop here organised by The Rockefeller Foundation. Endorsement and support for the alliance has come from many organisations. "My ministry fully welcomes and supports this initiative and hopes to benefit by these ideas," K.P. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said in a statement. "Helping more Indian families rise out of poverty remains a challenge we're committed to tackling; creating thousands of new companies and millions of new jobs is key to that. This alliance can make that goal a reality," said Christine Heenan, Vice President for Policy, Partnerships and Communications, The Rockefeller Foundation. Announcing the formal launch of the initiative, Ravi Venkatesan, former Chairman of Bank of Baroda and Microsoft India and Founder of GAME said, "With GAME, we aim to create a focused autonomous organisation, bringing together a consortium of public, private and civil society organisations." Washington : The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions on several individuals and entities over their involvement with Russia and North Korea. In an announcement on Tuesday, the Treasury targeted two entities and two Russian individuals "in order to counter attempts to evade US sanctions", reports Xinhua news agency. They were accused of providing assistance for a sanctioned Russian entity. "The Treasury Department is disrupting Russian efforts to circumvent our sanctions," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests of the designated persons subject to US jurisdiction are blocked and Americans are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. In another separate announcement, the Treasury targeted two entities and six vessels for violating the UN and US sanctions on North Korea. They were accused of involvement in ship-to-ship transfer of refined petroleum products with North -flagged vessels, an activity prohibited by the UN Security Council. "Consequences for violating these sanctions will remain in place" until the final and fully verified denuclearization of North Korea is achieved, said Mnuchin. The new moves are the latest among a series of President Donald Trump's administration's actions against Russia's alleged "threatening" activities against the US. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Dear Newsie Readers, Newsie has now permanently ceased it's services as of Friday 20th December 2019. Newsie has been an owner-funded operation since day one. Coming up to three years old, while we still firmly believe Newsie has a place in the New Zealand media landscape, the cost in both time and money has become too burdensome for the owners to continue alongside other ventures. With the current government looking to restructure public broadcasting, and seemingly supporting NZME buying a ring-fenced Stuff, the time seems right to call it a day. Should it happen, the combination of NZME and Stuff will ensure New Zealands national media will die a death by a thousand opinion-based articles. Newsie has always tried to stick to balanced news, to inform readers of the facts of a situation, amid being largely ignored by government. Hopefully, one day someone else will take up the challenge to fight the good fight. The good news, however, is that there were no job losses as a result of Newsie closing. Thanks to careful structuring, everyone involved in Newsie will retain their current positions. We hope you all have a happy Christmas and new year. Stay safe, and stay out of the news. The team at Newsie Apple licks the boots of communist China, pulls 25,000 apps the communists dont like Apple is facing scrutiny for acquiescing to the demands of communist China, removing some 25,000 apps from their app store. The software company has been targeted by the Chinese state government in the past for having illegal apps in their store, and has been accused of not doing enough to stop banned content from circulating on iMessage. Apple currently offers 1.8 million apps on the Chinese marketplace, and has been heavily scrutinized by the Chinese government for years. China is known for their band of internet censors and their extreme efforts to clean up the internet by way of suppression and they have rolled out some of the most severe and pervasive censorship efforts in the world. Apple pulls illegal apps in China According to a report from BBC, Apple has not officially confirmed that 25,000 apps were pulled from the app store in China but the company did state gambling apps are illegal and not allowed on the App Store in China. In their statement, Apple said further, We have already removed many apps and developers for trying to distribute illegal gambling apps on our App Store, and we are vigilant in our efforts to find these and stop them from being on the App Store. The decision to remove the apps comes after criticisms from state broadcasters at CCTV, who accused the software firm of not taking enough action against banned material. CCTV is also behind the initial reports that Apple had undergone a large-scale removal of illegal apps that sold fake lottery tickets and offered gambling services. But it isnt just gambling apps that China has forced Apple to remove. The Chinese government has forced the tech company to remove hundreds of virtual personal networks, or VPNs, which allow users to send emails and share data securely, as well as access websites that are banned by China. As sources note, China has demanded Apple make a host of concessions in order to continue doing business there. And as a nation that makes up nearly one-fifth of Apples revenue, and also produces components for their products, the software giant definitely wants to stay in the good graces of the Chinese government. Internet censorship around the globe Chinese authorities have been struggling to maintain control of the internet and various platforms, and have been calling for stricter regulation of apps like Apples iMessage for years. In 2014, Chinas Ministry of Information and Information Technology announced theyd be rolling out new regulations for iMessage to prevent spam messages. Now the government is calling for even tighter controls, to prevent the proliferation of prohibited content. And as recent reports show, China is not planning to slow down on internet censorship any time soon. Recently implemented rules require online news sites to be monitored by government-approved editorial staff; workers need special reporting credentials from the government and more. Authorities have been cracking down on online forums, chat group administrators, VPNs, and have imposed a litany of other limitations on internet users of all shapes and sizes. China is not the only nation with a censorship problem: Here in the United States, weve seen a dramatic increase in internet censorship and thought suppression, at the behest of the increasingly radical left-wing. The censorship of Alex Jones and other conservatives here in the Land of the Free is deeply troubling. Are we going the same way as China? For the latest updates and more coverage of stories about the control of information, check out Censored.news. Sources for this article include: BBC.com ARSTechnica.com WALLINGFORD Edible Arrangements is relocating its headquarters to the Atlanta area by the end of this year, company officials said Tuesday. The company will retain a small presence in Wallingford, with about 20 people working there. But what isnt immediately clear in the announcement by Mike Rotondo, the companys new chief executive officer, is how many of the 130 Connecticut headquarters employees will lose their jobs as a result of the decision or if any employees will be offered relocation packages. Alicia Thompson, a company spokeswoman, said a small percentage of the companys current headquarters staff will be offered jobs in Georgia. She said company officials havent yet determined how many of the remaining employees will be laid off. The indication is that there will be some layoffs as a result of the move: Company officials say they will issue a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice. The WARN Act is a federal law requiring employers of 100 or more full-time workers to give 60 days advance notice of a plant closing or mass layoff, which is defined as 50 or more people. We are excited to make Atlanta the brands home base as we build a best in class Support Center for our franchise owners, said Rotondo said in a statement. Edibles Wallingford office is an important part of the brands history and heritage, and we will always have a presence in the community. At the same time, the global marketplace is changing at a rapid pace and Atlanta is an attractive location to base much of the team needed to support the companys next phase of growth. More Business Wallingford-based Edible Arrangements names new chief executive officer Rotondo became chief executive of the company on July 10 as Edible Arrangements founder and former chief executive Tariq Farid shifted his focus to expanding subsidiaries that service the core business. Edible Arrangements specializes in franchised locations that sell fresh-cut fruit arrangements. Edible opened an Atlanta office as a second headquarters in March 2018 because of that citys access to major transportation hubs and other resources for services that were previously handled out of Wallingford. When Rotondos hiring was announced, Farid said there were not plans to relocate the headquarters. Catherine Smith, the commissioner of Connecticuts Department of Economic and Community Development, said in a statement that any time a company announces a headquarter relocation out of state it is disappointing news. But we have had many more wins than losses in this area, Smith said in a statement. We have successfully recruited more than 90 companiesincluding several FORTUNE 500 companiesto the state and continue to see great interest from corporations looking to expand or relocate here. Todays news, while unfortunate, does not hinder the positive momentum we are seeing on several economic development fronts. Donald Klepper-Smith, chief economist and director of research for New Haven-based DataCore Partners, said Edible Arrangements move is being driven by a variety of factors. What we have here are pronounced and profound demographic shifts for one thing, Klepper-Smith said. Census projections through 2030 show significant migration to the Southeast and West. On average, a net total of 428 people per week move out of Connecticut, he said. Connecticut has the fifth highest cost in the United States for companies doing business, he said. And a third and equally important factor is likely Rotondos already having a presence in Atlanta, according to Klepper-Smith. Where a CEO has business contacts is just another piece of the puzzle when it comes to where you locate a company, he said. Edible Arrangements current Atlanta office office is in the Lakeside Commons buildings in Sandy Springs, a suburb located north of the city. The space will serve as the base of operations for the companys franchise operations, but company officials were not immediately available to sat whether that will be the companys new headquarters. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com DANBURY A firefighter pulled a small bunny out of storm drain Wednesday afternoon, officials said. Lt. Doug Zaniewski and the crew of Engine 23 responded to Stadley Rough Elementary School at 25 Karen Road to meet with a staff member who said they saw a baby bunny, that took a dive into a storm drain. (Firefighter) Hines dove right in and was able to bring the little guy to safety, officials said. The bunny was evaluated for any possible injuries and was safely released back into the wild. This is the departments second animal rescue this month, officials said. Earlier this month, the department rescued a family of ducks from a storm drain. HARTFORD With 41 hours until Salma Sikandar was scheduled to fly to Bangladesh, nine advocates escalated their efforts to call attention to her deportation by engaging in a hunger strike until her plane leaves the U.S. Thursday morning. About 100 people Tuesday rallied from 2 to 4 p.m. outside the office that hands out GPS ankle bracelets and the Immigration Court building, before erecting tents along the edge of the sidewalk on Main Street where police only asked that they not block pedestrians or access to the federal court building. They will remain there until 9 a.m. Thursday when Sikandars flight leaves for Bangladesh, unless she gets an emergency stay to remain here and her case is reopened. The crowd chanted, Salma Stays. Abolish ICE, until a lineup of speakers stepped forward with Sikander, her husband, Anwar Mahmud, and their son, Samir Mahmud, in the front row of protesters outside the courthouse, which also houses Immigration and Custom Enforcement offices. There is a lot of pain among our families, Jesus Morales Sanchez, one of the leaders of Unidad Latina en Accion and an organizer of the rally, said of the place where undocumented immigrants come to learn how much more time they have in the U.S. The uncertainty is real. That uncertainty does not allow our members to live with dignity. How can you plan a life? How can you raise a family not knowing if you are going to continue here for six months? How can you make long-term plans to survive? Morales asked. Sikandar came to the U.S. in 1999 and overstayed her visa. She had been allowed to stay here as she filed multiple appeals until this June when ICE told her to buy a one-way ticket to Bangladesh. She filed for asylum starting in 2011 to take care of her son, who had serious asthma. She also argued the danger she faces in Banglasdesh as a westernized woman. Her last appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals for an emergency cancellation of removal and to reopen her case is pending. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, earlier Tuesday at a news conference in New Haven City Hall said officials at the BIA told her it would issue a ruling before Thursday. Sikandar is also part of her husbands immigration case that is due to be heard next summer. The family hopes she can exhaust all appeals before she is forced to leave. I have asked ICE officials for the strongest discretion and consideration in this matter, DeLauro said. Forcing her to leave is counterproductive. Whats more it is cruel, DeLauro said. It is unconscionable. Much like New Haven, this country would be unrecognizable without the contributions of immigrants, she said. Common sense and humanity has to come into play, DeLauro said of reforms to the immigration system. Nelson Pinos, an undocumented immigrant who took sanctuary in First and Summerfield United Methodist Church in New Haven, where he has been since Nov. 30, 2017, is joining those who are fasting in solidarity, Morales said. He understands the pain of family separation firsthand, Morales said of the three children and a wife he can no longer support while in sanctuary. Anwar Mahmud, who suggested the idea of a hunger strike, was among those remaining outside the courthouse, while their son, Samir Mahmud, 17, will stay with his mother. Each of you is my family, Anwar Mahmud told the crowd. I am not alone anymore. ... Im going to fight for this. Salma is a very wonderful woman. She is a very wonderful mother, he said Mahmud said they were excited that their son would be attending Quinnipiac University on Aug. 27, answering their dream of sending him to college, an opportunity they never had. But he said ICEs order to his wife took away our happiness. They took our freedom. I am proud to say I am Salmas husband. ... I dont ask anything too much. I just ask that my wife be with me. She is my strength. She is my everything. She is my life, he told officials earlier in New Haven, leaving them in tears. Samir Mahmud was embraced by his parents as he addressed the news conference in New Haven. My parents arent criminals. ... My parents dont even have a speeding ticket or a parking ticket, he said. They have been model parents. ... Seeing my mom struggle like this has been a tough time. She shouldnt have to go through this. I should be the one giving her the headaches. Not the government, not immigration, he said. In Hartford, his father said President Trump promised to deport people who have criminal backgrounds. Do you think we look like criminals? he asked the crowd. Do you think we are a threat to the country or the city? They shouted no. You guys dont know what a family means, Mahmud said as he turned and faced the ICE offices. What holy book separates families? Not a single holy book separates families. Families should stay together. Even God cant separate us, he said. Steve Jungkeit, senior minister of the Old Lyme Congregational Church, also spoke. A family from New Britain has taken sanctuary for the past 157 days in his church. It has been a painful journey for them and a journey of growth for our community as we realized what so many individuals are going through right now. Our hearts are with you. I want you to know that to be a person of faith is to stand out here right now and say this is not who we are. This is not what we believe in. ... I want to say to ICE, come pray with us sometime. We affirm your humanity, but I want you to affirm the humanity of those around you, Jungkeit said. He said the job they are doing is dehumanizing. Come out and be separate, he asked. Michael Lawlor, Gov. Dannel P. Malloys criminal justice liaison, read a statement from the governor, facing the security cameras on the federal building as he spoke. Salmas case is yet another example of the cruelty of this administrations deportation policies which literally aim to tear families and communities apart, he read. The governor said the reality is that there is no good reason to immediately force Salma out of the county and potentially put her in danger. Mayor Luke Bronin of Hartford reiterated that this deportation doesnt make anyone safer or the community stronger. To take a family that has done nothing but contribute to their community, educate their child, raise him so that he can be the first in the family to go to college, to love one another and love those around him. It is madness to tear that family apart, Bronin said. Mayor Toni Harp, earlier Tuesday, said she was proud to be the mayor of a city that shares my values and a profound desire to keep families intact in the face of federal immigration enforcement officials. She said she joins with those who want common sense, dignity and compassion in federal immigration law. mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com; 203-641-2577 The state Medical Examining Board disciplined three doctors Tuesday, including a Norwich doctor fined $7,500 for failing to keep his prescription pad secure. The board also reprimanded the doctor, John Paggioli, who specializes in pain management. In addition to not providing adequate security of his prescription pad, Paggioli had pre-signed a blank prescription for a patient and held controlled substances in his office for various patients, according to a consent order to which he agreed. Though he denied any wrongdoing, Paggioli chose not to contest the allegations, the order said. He absolutely learned from this, the doctors lawyer, Hilary Fisher Nelson of Hartford, told the board. He has implemented a system that is safe. The discipline grew out of a 2016 investigation by the Drug Control Division of the state Department of Consumer Protection that began when a pharmacist reported a possible forged prescription in Paggiolis name, records show. He has since passed three unannounced state inspections, records show. In 2016, the medical board had fined Paggioli $4,000 for failing to secure his prescription pads, leading to several fraudulent prescriptions being taken to local pharmacies. On Tuesday, the board also fined a Stamford doctor $7,500 for coming to work in 2017 impaired by alcohol or opiates ingested to alleviate post-surgical pain, state records show. The Stamford Hospital doctor, Kim Zeh, who also was reprimanded, came impaired to work at an urgent care center , a consent order she signed said. Zeh was sent home and saw no patients that day, the order said. She has undergone a chemical dependency evaluation that was negative and that found she was safe to practice medicine, the order said. Zeh did not admit wrongdoing but chose not to contest the allegations, the order said. The board also reprimanded Dr. Stephen Harris, an internal medicine doctor from Cheshire, for discarding patient files in a dumpster when closing his medical practice in Waterbury in January, state records show. Tipped off by an anonymous call, officials from the state Department of Public Works went to the office that day and were able to retrieve the records. Harris, who did not contest the allegation, also will have his license suspended for six months, the order said. He was ordered to take courses in ethics and patient confidentiality during the probation. Also Tuesday, the board rejected a consent order that would have imposed a $25,000 fine against a Weston psychiatrist who let his secretary sign prescriptions for controlled substances for herself and for patients he had not examined. The psychiatrist, Dr. Harry Brown, also would have been reprimanded and had his license placed on probation for two years under the order. Brown has surrendered his state registration to prescribe controlled substances. Board members said the proposed discipline was not stringent enough. From 2014 to 2017, Brown prescribed opioids without documenting an exam or diagnosis for various patients, the order said. Brown also failed to take required medical education courses from 2013 to 2016 and lied about the courses on his license renewal application, the order said. If the order had been approved, it would have been the fourth time Brown had been disciplined by the medical board, including for practicing medicine for four years without malpractice insurance and breach of patient confidentiality, state records show. He has a bad track record, board member Dr. Robert A. Green said. This is a recidivist. The case now returns to the state Department of Public Health, which is expected to file charges against Brown and hold a hearing on the allegations. This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team (c-hit.org). Since the year 2000, the array of microphones for detecting nuclear bomb detonation has detected 26 nuclear-sized explosions in the Earths atmosphere which have been caused by asteroid impacts. Those impacts have ranged from 1 kiloton to 600 kilotons. Danica was elected President of B612 Foundation in 2017 and leads the organizations global efforts to protect Earth from the potential asteroid impacts. Danica presented at SU Global Summit 2018. Nextbigfuture interviewed her about B612 Asteroids. B612 Foundation is dedicated to planetary defense against asteroids and other near-Earth object (NEO) impacts. The once a century asteroid event was the Tunguska event in 1908. The explosion over the sparsely populated Eastern Siberian Taiga flattened 2,000 square kilometers (770 square miles) of forest. It was a 3-5 megaton explosion. Large Synoptic Survey Telescope starts in 2019 The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) is a wide-field survey reflecting telescope with an 8.4-meter primary mirror, currently under construction, that will photograph the entire available sky every few nights. It will begin operating in 2019. It can detect asteroids from 100 meters or larger. In the first 60 days of operation the LSST telescope should detect about 50,000 new near earth asteroids. Currently we have detected 18,000 out of 3 million near earth asteroids. Atlas telescope The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS; Observatory codes T05 and T08) is an astronomical survey and robotic, early-warning system for detecting smaller near-Earth objects a few weeks to days before they impact Earth. Funded by NASA, and developed and operated by the University of Hawaiis Institute for Astronomy, the systems current two 0.5-meter telescopes are located at Haleakala (ATLAS-HKO) and Mauna Loa (ATLAS-MLO) observatories, on two of the Hawaiian Islands and 160 km apart. Each of the two telescope surveys one-quarter of the whole observable sky four times per clear night, for a four-fold coverage of the observable sky every two clear nights. ATLAS began observations in 2015. Its two-telescope version is fully operational since 2017, and the project is seeking funding for two additional telescopes in the Southern hemisphere. Neocam The Near-Earth Object Camera (NEOCam) is a proposed space-based infrared telescope designed to survey the Solar System for potentially hazardous asteroids. NEOCam would survey from the SunEarth L1 Lagrange point, allowing it to look close to the Sun and see objects inside Earths orbit. NEOCam would be the successor of the NEOWISE mission; the principal investigator is NEOWISEs principal investigator, Amy Mainzer of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In 2016, the NEOCam team proposed to launch in 2021 and find two-thirds of missing objects in the larger-than-140-meters category within four years. Synthetic Tracking of Asteroids On 10 May, 2018, B612 announced a partnership with York Space Systems, a Denver-based maker of standard 85-kilogram satellites, to investigate building a fleet of small asteroid hunters. B612 has developed a new technique to do the same thing as a $450 million Sentinal space telescope at a far lower cost with small space telescopes. Ed Lu, B612s co-founder, expects the first telescope to cost about $10 million and believes a full constellation would be a factor of many, many cheaper than Sentinel. Synthetic tracking takes up to 100 snapshots in a single second. A dim asteroid wont appear in any particular image, but by arranging and stacking the photos in thousands of combinations, the system can get lucky and preferentially brighten an unknown fast-moving object. We would need to launch space telescopes with the latest GPUs and FPGA chips to do the calculations. There is lag getting the best computer chips rated for space flight. We need to accelerate getting better computing into space to improve space imaging and analysis. Finding Very Small Near-Earth Asteroids using Synthetic Tracking (2013) Synthetic Tracking of asteroids is an approach that would significantly increases the sensitivity for finding and tracking small and fast near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). This approach relies on a combined use of a new generation of high-speed cameras which allow short, high frame-rate exposures of moving objects, effectively freezing their motion, and a computationally enhanced implementation of the shift-and-add data processing technique that helps to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) for detection of NEAs. The SNR of a single short exposure of a dim NEA is insufficient to detect it in one frame, but by computationally searching for an appropriate velocity vector, shifting successive frames relative to each other and then co-adding the shifted frames in post-processing, we synthetically create a long-exposure image as if the telescope were tracking the object. This approach, which we call synthetic tracking, enhances the familiar shift-and-add technique with the ability to do a wide blind search, detect, and track dim and fast-moving NEAs in near real time. We discuss also how synthetic tracking improves the astrometry of fast-moving NEAs. We apply this technique to observations of two known asteroids conducted on the Palomar 200-inch telescope and demonstrate improved SNR and 10-fold improvement of astrometric precision over the traditional long exposure approach. In the past 5 years, about 150 NEAs with absolute magnitudes H=28 (~10 m in size) or fainter have been discovered. With an upgraded version of our camera and a field of view of (28 arcmin)^2 on the Palomar 200-inch telescope, synthetic tracking could allow detecting up to 180 such objects per night, including very small NEAs with sizes down to 7 meters. Asteroid Day B612 is a founding partner to Asteroid Day. Rusty and I, along with filmmaker Grig Richters and astrophysicist/rockstar Brian May, decided to make this idea into a reality in 2014. And this year, we really saw what is possible: * A 48-hour live broadcast with contributions from space agencies across the globe (Thanks ESA, NASA and JAXA!) * Asteroid and astronomy events on 6 continents (cmon Antarctica!) * Media across the globe writing about asteroids (check out this CNN piece and this New York Times article) * And asteroids trending across social media For blood transfusions to be safe, the donor and patient blood types must match. Now researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified a new, more powerful group of enzymes that can turn any type of blood into the universally usable type Oexpanding the pool of potential blood donors and making blood matching safer and easier. Blood type is determined by the presence of antigens on the surface of red blood cells; type A blood has the A antigen, B has the B antigen, AB blood has both antigens and O blood has none, said lead researcher Stephen Withers, a professor of chemistry at UBC. Antigens can trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the body, so transfusion patients should receive either their own blood type, or type O to avoid a reaction. Thats why O blood is so important. Removing antigens from blood effectively transforms it into type O. Withers and his team previously developed enzymes that were capable of doing so, but this latest study identifies a more powerful group of enzymes found in the human gut. Researchers have been studying the use of enzymes to modify blood as far back as 1982, said Withers. However, these new enzymes can do the job 30 times better. The researchers sampled DNA from millions of microorganisms found in environmental samplesa technique known as metagenomicsto find an environment in which the desired enzymes might be found. They eventually focused on the mucosal lining of the human gut, which contains sugars that are similar in structure to blood antigens. By honing in on the bacteria feeding on those sugars, we isolated the enzymes the bacteria use to pluck off the sugar molecules, added Withers. We then produced quantities of those enzymes through cloning and found that they were capable of performing a similar action on blood antigens. Withers and his colleaguesUBC microbiologist Steven Hallam and pathologist Jay Kizhakkedathu of the Centre for Blood Research at UBCare applying for a patent on the new enzymes and are hoping to test them on a larger scale in the future, in preparation for clinical testing. Expanding global blood supply is critical in light of growing populations and the frequency of natural disasters, said Withers, pointing out that both the U.S. Red Cross and Canadian Blood Services have recently made emergency appeals for blood donations. Our hope is that one day we can eventually render any type of donated blood, tissues or organs, safe for use by anyone regardless of their native blood type. The study, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, will be presented today at the American Chemical Societys annual meeting in Boston. Greenwich billionaire Ray Dalio is teasing a new book that he says will offer insights into how his Westport-based hedge fund Bridgewater Associates navigated the financial crisis of 2008. Titled A Template for Understanding Big Debt Crises, Dalio plans to release the book on Sept. 10, days prior to the 10-year anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, offering it as a free PDF, a $50 print edition to be sold via Amazon or in eBook format for $15. Dalios previous tome Principles: Life & Work topped Amazons and the New York Times list of bestselling books, with information on his newest book online at Principles.com. Bridgewater Associates is the worlds largest hedge fund with $163 billion in assets under management as of this year, with Dalio ranked by Forbes as Connecticuts richest resident with wealth of $15.9 billion. As an investor, my perspective is different from that of most economists and policymakers because I bet on economic changes via the markets that reflect them, which forces me to focus on the relative values and flows that drive the movements of capital which in turn drive these cycles, Dalio stated in a Wednesday post on his LinkedIn page. Ive found there is nothing like the pain of being wrong or the pleasure of being right as a global macro investor to provide the practical lessons about economics unavailable in textbooks. In addition to the 2008 crisis, Dalio examines the Great Depression and the prior economic collapse of Germany in the years after World War I, and posits a template that can be applied to dozens of other historical debt crises. The new book is one of multiple extracurricular pursuits of late for Dalio, with the billionaire launching the OceanX initiative to explore the deeps, in collaboration with partners including James Cameron, the BBC, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts and other groups. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman DERBY Two employees from the Hawkins Corner Store were arrested and charged after allegedly selling drugs out of the store, police said Wednesday. William McKnight, 47, of Derby, was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession with intent to sell crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine within a school zone, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana and possession of marijuana within a school zone. Keisha Neswmith, 37, of Derby, was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession with intent to sell crack cocaine, possession of crack cocain within a school zone, possession of heroin, possession with intent to sell heroin, possession of heroin within a school zone, failure to keep narcotics in original container and possession of Oxycodone. Several concerned residents and confidential sources told Derby police narcotics were being sold inside the corner store at 78 Hawkins St. after the department sought out information in an effort to control blight and improve quality of life, police said. After an investigation for several months, Derby police personnel along with the DEA New Haven district officer and an Orange police officer with her K9 Trent, executed a search warrant at the store on Monday. Upon the execution of the warrant, narcotics were located on store employee Keisha Nesmith and in a back storage room in proximity of employee William McKnight, police said. According to police, investigators seized 0.6 grams of heroin, 3.8 grams of crack cocaine, 13 grams of marijuana, controlled prescription pills, packaging materials and prescription narcotics. Police said McKnight and Nesmith were identified, as subjects in the distribution (of) narcotics from the property. McKnight was released on a promise to appear and Nesmith was held on a $25,000 bond. Both are expected in court on Aug. 30. With the start of school just around the corner, the American Red Cross has some tips for making any students trip back to the classroom a safe one. First off, the Red Cross recommends making sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 9-1-1. Also, teach children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they dont know. Here are a few more pointers from the Red Cross SCHOOL BUS SAFETY If children ride a bus to school, they should plan to get to their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive. Board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has instructed you to get on. Only board your bus, never an alternate one. Always stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus. Cross the street at the corner, obeying traffic signals and staying in the crosswalk. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars. GETTING TO SCHOOL BY CAR, BIKE, ON FOOT If children ride in a car to get to school, they should always wear a seat belt. Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8 to 12 and over 4 feet, 9 inches tall), and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old. If a teenager is going to drive to school, parents should mandate that they use seat belts. Drivers should not use their cell phone to text or make calls, and should avoid eating or drinking while driving. Some students ride their bike to school. They should always wear a helmet and ride on the right in the same direction as the traffic is going. When children are walking to school, they should only cross the street at an intersection, and use a route along which the school has placed crossing guards. Parents should walk young children to school, along with children taking new routes or attending new schools, at least for the first week to ensure they know how to get there safely. Arrange for the kids to walk to school with a friend or classmate. DRIVERS, SLOW DOWN! Drivers should be aware that children are out walking or biking to school and slow down, especially in residential areas and school zones. Motorists should know what the yellow and red bus signals mean. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers in both directions must stop their vehicles and wait until the lights go off, the stop sign is back in place and the bus is moving before they can start driving again. PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES AND TAKE A FIRST AID CLASS Know what the emergency plan is at your childs school in case a disaster or an unforeseen event occurs. Develop a family emergency plan so everyone will know who to contact and where to go if something happens while children are at school and parents are at work. Details are available at redcross.org/prepare. The Red Cross First Aid App provides instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies whether it be before, during or after school. Download the app for free by searching for American Red Cross in your app store or at redcross.org/apps. Learn and practice First Aid and CPR/AED skills by taking a course (redcross.org/takeaclass) so you can help save a life. Courtesy of MCR WEST HAVEN MCR, one of the largest hotel owner-operators in the U.S., has acquired the 98-room Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in West Haven, according to an MCR press release. The Hampton Inn & Suites, 510 Saw Mill Road, offers a useful resource for students and their families since it is only a 10-minute drive from Yale University, according to the release. The hotel is also close to Southern Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac University and the University of New Haven, all of which will begin the fall semester within the next week. And, a Metro North station is just a 15-minute walk away, the release said. NEW HAVEN After passionate public testimony last week delayed a vote on laying off about three-dozen educators, community advocates were less lucky Tuesday when, during a special Board of Education meeting, 24 educators got the ax in a unanimous vote. Most of the educators laid off were school counselors and library media specialists. School board President Darnell Goldson said the positions that were spared happened mostly through attrition, as a number of retirements and resignations came through before the start of the school year. Darrell Hill, the districts part-time CFO, said the projected deficit as of July 2018 which he warned is a moving target because of a yearly audit stands at about $8.4 million. Initially, that figure was projected to be $20 million before the school board made decisions to close a high school located in North Haven, consolidate the three alternative schools and end several leases. Given the fiscal situation that we are in, with constraints on the state budget and city budget, as a result of that we are facing some fiscal constraints as well as a district and we have to make some really difficult decisions in order to mitigatge our budget, said Superintendent of Schools Carol Birks. We believe in and value the people who work within our organization, but we have to make some difficult decisions. Birks said there had been 14 administrative position reductions and a reduction of 63 teacher vacancies. She said teachers union officials had been helpful partners in helping to identify certifications, so people could be transfered instead of laid off. We have the best and brightest here in New Haven and wanted to retain that talent, she said. At least weeks meeting, New Haven Federation of Teachers President Dave Cicarella asked the school board to take time to reconsider. Cicarella told the Register that he had conversations with school board officials every day of the week since last Monday other than Sunday. Following those discussions, he said, there would be no layoffs of any English, social studies or business teachers. Mayor Toni Harp lamented the layoff vote, but said it was important that we act. Last week, Birks warned that contract negotiations must be completed and teachers must be placed in classrooms before the start of school on Aug. 30. After the unanimous vote, which happened only about 20 minutes into a meeting with no public session, attendees in the nearly full cafeteria at Celentano School audibly groaned, but little else, as they immediately headed for the exit. Colette Urbano, a school counselor at Celentano, said she was worried about the impact on the kids after seeing the cuts to counselors. Theres nobody else in the building who can fill the void of a school counselor, she said. Sometimes, she said, she leaves after the night janitors, and I still cant meet the needs of all our students. Im sad about it, and I know the board members as well as the superintendent have to deal with a $20 million deficit, but I wish there were an alternative way, said Florence Caldwell, a retired school employee and permanent fixture at school board meetings. Members of the NHPS Advocates, a group of volunteers who state a commitment to district transparency and accountability, said they were upset with the vote. Last Monday, the group encouraged the school board to consider saving funds by cutting from centralized, supervisory departments that dont work in schools and relocating the functions to school-based staff. Im floored they didnt even really talk about it, said parent Jill Kelly. [The special meeting] was a delay tactic. Kelly said she was impressed with the community turnout, which happened on short notice and without any of the usual robocalls from the district before the meeting. Goldson said he was unaware there was no robocall, but the special meeting was announced during last weeks meeting. He said that, although the special meeting initially had been scheduled for Monday, it was delayed until Tuesday because discussions with union officials were so productive. He said conversations with the administrators union were ongoing. When pressed for more details, Goldson would not say whether there would be more cuts. There will be savings, he said. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com In our everyday life, there are laws that tell Americans, no smoking, no trespassing, no littering, no entry without a pass. A well-established law is no illegal entry into America, unlawful entry could lead to arrest. Although children should be with their parents, one must question why 90 percent of children in custody have been snuck in by smugglers. Doesnt one wonder where are the parents? Pictures portrayed by the media show children in cages and behind fences were actually taken in 2014 under the Obama administration. No Democrats or Hollywood snowflakes seemed to care then. President Trump is enforcing established laws already in effect to secure our borders while liberals scream for open borders and to abolish ICE. ICE is our front line on the war on drugs, weapons smuggling and child sex trafficking. Liberals dont want police to enforce law and order. The new democratic socialists, Alexandria Cortez and terrible actress Cynthia Nixon both call ICE a terrorist organization, but call MS-13 human beings. Cortez wants everyone, including illegals to have free housing, college, medical and a government job, all at the taxpayers expense. They call this basic human rights, it is not a right to enter this country illegally and then be rewarded. When an American is arrested for law breaking they do not take their children, they are separated. Will America be able to take in 100 million Central Americans due to their countrys problems? What will this do to our own economy, schools and healthcare system? Hollywood doesnt care, they have armed security and walls. You cant even go on their private beaches without being thrown out. Our president is putting Americans first, everyone else needs to come here legally. Liberals need to stop resisting and enjoy the greatest country in the world Make America Great Again. Vincent Cirillo He says he would've won, yet Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet is giving up his legal fight against an effort to recall him from office. Laforet initially challenged the recall in a 12-page letter from his attorney to Township Clerk Kathrine Coviello, who certified that the required number of signatures 4,170 -- which Laforet also disputed -- had been obtained by the Committee to Recall Mayor Laforet. But Laforet, who had to foot his own legal bills for the recall objection, said this week that he doesn't want the town to have to spend more money on a legal battle over the recall. He will simply let voters decide in November if he should finish his term, which ends in 2020. And he used the occasion to again throw shade at the Township Council and those seeking to oust him. "Such [a] legal challenge would result in yet another legal bill being paid by the Mahwah taxpayers on top of the nearly third of a million dollars in Mahwah taxpayers' dollars already spent by the Township Council to legally backtrack and defend their civil rights infractions that were condemned by the highest law enforcement official in the state of New Jersey," Laforet said in a statement. "Therefore, I have decided not to file a lawsuit, but instead will take my case to the people," the statement continues. "I intend to run a campaign based on truth, and I intend to expose those who would dupe people into signing a recall petition which was fraudulently gathered. I have faith in my friends and neighbors and the good people of this community to do the right thing at the polls." The recall chairperson, Melanie Sue, said "the recall campaign is the one that was run on the truth" and that the committee is "pleased" Laforet won't challenge it in court. "Fortunately for Mahwah, the mayor seems to have gotten good advice by his attorneys and will spare himself the embarrassment of losing in court," she said. Sue said Laforet didn't substantiate his objections to the recall and that she believes the clerk was "diligent" in her work. "Proof of this is that many of our signatures weren't counted for simple reasons like change of address," she said. "Although both new and old addresses are Mahwah, the clerk didn't count them because the address had not been updated on the resident's voter registration." Still, the committee provided more than the required number of signatures, Sue said. Feuds between Laforet and the township council have been a hallmark of his tenure landing the township in the news and courtrooms. But the acrimony reached its peak in 2015 when Laforet suspended Department of Public Works Director Ed Sinclair, who ran against Laforet for mayor, after allegedly receiving an anonymous letter about Sinclair having child pornography on his work computer. An investigation by police found adult pornography had been accessed by someone other than Sinclair on the device. Laforet wanted to punish Sinclair for poor oversight of the department but the council reinstated the director. Sinclair died a few months later from what a wrongful death lawsuit says was health problems brought on by the false allegations. More recently, the council and mayor have pointed fingers over an eruv ban and a parks ordinance that forbid out of state residents from using Mahwah parks -- both of which resulted in a lawsuit being filed by the Attorney General's office. Laforet said, again, Tuesday he has no plans to resign. Laforet also in his 289-word statement about the recall touted his record while mayor for the past 7 years -- two AAA bond ratings, property taxes that are among the lowest in Bergen County, being recognized as one of the safest communities in the state and attracting corporations that bring jobs and revenue to the town. Council President Rob Hermansen also took to Facebook to dispute Laforet's "version of the facts." "The Mayor will use money and propaganda to get his distorted facts to the people," Hermansen said. "He is going to blame everyone but himself." Hermansen said in a phone interview that the things the mayor is taking credit for have nothing to do with his time in office. And he also accused Laforet of withholding information from the council -- such as Police Chief James Batelli's concerns about the parks ordinance. "The reason why we are where we are in this town is when you withhold pertanent information ... because of disagreemtns in personal relationships, you're not taking your job seriously," Hermansen said. Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The two remaining men sought in the ambush shooting of two police detectives in Camden were taken into custody Tuesday, authorities said. Ammar Hall, 26, and Alexander DeJesus, 19, were arrested in Philadelphia's Kensington section without incident, according to Chief Scott Thomson, of the Camden County Police Department. DeJesus dyed his hair blonde to avoid capture, Thomson told reporters at a news conference. "But that didn't seem to work out too well for him," the chief said. Members of the U.S. Marshals Service arrested the pair about an hour apart in different locations, according to officials. Hall was found on a street corner while authorities captured DeJesus at a house. Hall, of Camden, DeJesus, of Philadelphia, and Juan M. Figueroa, 20, of Camden, were charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses in the Aug. 7 attack on the Camden County police detectives. "The Philadelphia-Camden region is significantly safer with these criminals in custody. It was inspiring to see the community and law enforcement come together on these arrests," Thomson said in a statement on Twitter. Authorities apprehended Figueroa Saturday in Gloucester City after a plea for help from the public to find the accused attackers and manhunt involving state, local and federal law enforcement officials. The plainclothes officers, a man and a woman, were stopped at a red light near Broadway and Mount Vernon when the shooters emerged from a nearby vehicle and opened fire, according to police. The assailants fired more than a dozen rounds at the detectives in the undercover vehicle. One detective was able to return fire during the attack, Thomson said after the shooting. Police previously said a motive for the shooting was unclear. Both detectives were working in plainclothes as part of an anti-violence effort in the city and not actively responding to a crime. "Maybe [the attackers] did know they were police officers and that's the reason why they did it. Maybe they thought they were somebody else. We'll find that out as the investigation unfolds," Thomson, the police chief, previously said. Chief Thomson: Alexander DeJesus and Ammar Hall, the remaining two suspects who ambushed and attempted to murder our police detectives, are now in custody. They were just arrested in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. .... pic.twitter.com/kF824aDOw7 Camden County Police (@CamdenCountyPD) August 21, 2018 Both wounded officers were released from the hospital last week. "Physically they are doing better, but I'm sure as you can image they still have a very long road to go," the chief said. "Tonight's arrest does help a bit in that process." Police did not release the names of the officers, citing their undercover assignments. Hall and DeJesus were being held by Philadelphia police ahead of extradition to Camden County. "Make no mistake about it, they will be brought to Jersey and they will face justice on this side of the river," the chief added. Proud of the many levels of law enforcement partners who came together to identify and apprehend the 2 remaining fugitives in the Aug. 7 shooting of our @CamdenCountyPD officers. Freeholder Bill Moen (@BillMoen) August 21, 2018 Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- Surveillance by Jersey City police led to the seizure of nearly 600 bags of suspected heroin and the arrest of four people last week, officials said. On Aug. 15, police were watching as Dona McMillan, 25, of Summit Avenue, entered a residence on the 400 block of Martin Luther King Drive and later emerged with a package. When he was pulled over, about 500 bags of suspected heroin were found in the vehicle, according to a criminal complaint. Officers then executed a search warrant at the residence, leading to the seizure 93 bags of suspected heroin with the logo "Kick Ass," marijuana and drug paraphernalia including glassine folds, vials, digital scales and numerous electric grinders, plastic storage bags, packaging labels and face masks, the complaint states. Two men -- Anthony Beckwith, 30, of Harrison Avenue, and Rodgerick E. Garrett, 37, of Bayview Avenue -- were arrested as a result of the search. The resident of the home, Simone Richburg, was also arrested, the complaint states, although additional information on her was not immediately available Tuesday. McMillan, Beckwith, Garrett and Richburg face numerous drug charges and other offenses, officials said. All four made their first appearances on the charges on Friday in Criminal Justice Reform Court in Jersey City via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny. At the hearing, the state moved to detain McMillan, Beckwith and Garrett through the course of their prosecutions. Detention hearings are scheduled for Wednesday before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mark Nelson in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. Richburg was ordered released on her own recognizance. JERSEY CITY A Paterson man charged with slamming his motorcycle into Union City police officers investigating a fatal crash in 2017 pleaded guilty to aggravated assault Tuesday and will face a probationary sentence. Richard Suazo, 27, would have faced up to five years in prison if convicted at trial in connection to the Oct. 4, 2017 incident at Palisade Avenue and 31st Street. Sean Lemus, a 16-year-old Union City High School student, was pronounced dead 15 minutes after his bicycle collided a Union City garbage truck at 7:30 p.m. Officials said at the time that Suazo and another motorcyclist blasted down the closed street while officers were still conducting the accident investigation. At that time, police said Suazo crashed into the garbage truck and struck four officers. The second motorcycle rider, Aryan Acosta-Reinoso, 25, also of Paterson, pleaded guilty Tuesday to eluding police. He admitted that he fled police after being ordered to stop at the scene. He too would have faced five years if convicted at trial. Although he was originally charged with four counts of aggravated assault, Suazo's plea deal was for one count. In court Tuesday, he confessed that as he approached the scene he lost control of his motorcycle and slid into one of the officers, injuring him. He admitted that he was driving in a manner that recklessly caused significant bodily injuries to the officer. In addition to a sentence of probation, Suazo will have to pay about $775 to the officer in restitution for damage to his equipment and uniform when sentenced on Oct. 19 by Hudson County Superior Court Judge John Young. Acosta-Reynoso will also face a probationary sentence on Oct. 19, as well as a loss of his driver's license for a period of six month to two years. After the crash, Suazo was taken to Christ Hospital in Jersey City where he was treated and cleared for incarceration. Three officers were treated at local hospitals and the fourth was treated at the scene, officials said at the time. The driver of the garbage truck was not charged. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Lynne Seborowski handled the cases against Suazo and Acosta-Reinoso. She told Young that officers involved in the incident had been consulted and they found the plea deals acceptable. The prosecutor said one or more of the officers may speak at the sentencings, which will take place in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. WEEHAWKEN -- "Hey, I'm here!" Jason Caballero shouted, trapped on his second floor as the flood waters rose inside his home at an alarming rate. "But I'll be staying here!" "Do you have access to your roof?" he recalls the firefighters yelling back, as he felt his stomach drop. "Yeah, I have access to my roof," Caballero said. But he wasn't going anywhere. It has been almost six years since that day Superstorm Sandy struck in late October 2012, sending the Hudson River over its western banks and rushing into the low-lying Shades neighborhood of Weehawken. Caballero hasn't called Chestnut Street "home" ever since. Where there was once a two-family home now sits an empty lot. Caballero, who bought the home in 2009, wonders how so much time has passed, upset at some of his own decisions and frustrated by bureaucratic red tape on the town's end. The 38-year-old says he's the last homeowner in the neighborhood to rebuild after the storm that ravaged the East Coast, damaging 200,000 homes and leaving entire cities without power for days. Caballero and the town butted heads for three years -- the homeowner said he wanted to elevate the home while the town demanded he rebuild -- but they finally came to an agreement this summer. As Caballero puts it, "I gave in." "I spent a better part of my 30s as a refugee of Hurricane Sandy," Caballero, a train conductor for NJ Transit, told The Jersey Journal. He noted that he has rented an apartment from his parents in Jersey City since the storm. A few months after the storm, Caballero applied to an aid program for affected homeowners, but he says he spent more than a year on a waiting list. In 2015, finally Caballero was told he'd receive assistance with his house. But the municipal Building Department denied Caballero's request to renovate the home -- officials blamed the condition of the home prior to the storm, according to Weehawken Zoning Board attorney Jim Burke -- and told him they would only approve plans for him to demolish the structure and rebuild. "Every setback is six months lost," he said. He argued with town officials, but they were not changing their position, so he relented and agreed to build a new home. Adding insult to injury during the process, Caballero says, were town officials arguing that he didn't live in the home when Sandy struck. "I have maintained throughout this process that I'm a victim of the hurricane," Caballero said. "I don't understand how they concluded otherwise. I also don't understand what difference it makes." After the demolition came new hurdles. Caballero says it took five months to get a hearing with the town to present his plans and get approvals for the two-family home. Weehawken insisted he build a one-family home, but he refused, saying the original property was zoned as a two-family. So the town voted down his application and they ended up in court, he said. "I appealed to Hudson County court on that, which was a bad decision," Caballero said. "I was still thinking the aftermath of Sandy, I was still thinking I have to get back to my home and, if I had been thinking more rationally, I would've realized there's no way I want to be in court for years." So earlier this summer he gave in to the town's request and agreed to build a one-family home. The next hearing with the planning board is Sept. 11. "Justice is never fast enough for the plaintiff," Burke told The Jersey Journal. "But his counsel is very good, and the town has done what it could to move this along." Now, almost six years at his Jersey City address, Caballero just wants to go home and he says his neighbors feel the same way. "They're sympathetic, but their first reaction tends to be ... curiosity and incredulity," he said. "'What is going on with you?' And then I tell them, and they don't know what to make of it." Just a few houses up the block, Robin Murphy, 65, expressed how sad she was that Caballero hasn't been able to return to the neighborhood as quickly as everyone else. "I was displaced for six months," Murphy said. "For him, it's almost been six years." Alexandria Boy Scout Troop 112 recently hosted Itumeleng "Tumi" Phele, a 22-year-old Boy Scout Leader from Potchefstroom, South Africa, during his stay in the U.S. working as a camp counselor at Camp Keowa in Narrowsburg, New York. "Many of our Scouts became friends with Tumi during Boy Scout Camp earlier this summer," said Scoutmaster Matthew Brown. "He is very inspirational because of his background and a great role model. We thought he would enjoy visiting New Jersey and Philadelphia and getting together with the Scouts before he has to return to South Africa. Our Scouts also have enjoyed being around Tumi and learning about his life in South Africa." Tumi was selected to represent the South African Scout Association at Camp Keowa. He has been involved in Scouting since 2008 and has earned the Wood Badge, an advanced, national leadership course open only to Scouting volunteers and professionals. Today, he runs the 2nd Ikageng Troop in the North West Province of South Africa. "I taught most of the Troop 112 Scouts about hiking, wilderness survival, geocaching and orienting, and they kept on coming to me even after the classes were complete just to sit and learn about my country," said Tumi. "We had a great time just being together and we stayed in touch after camp was over. I was excited to have the opportunity to come and visit for a few days. Several of the Alexandria Scouts and I have promised to stay in touch because we have become friends and want to continue to learn from one another." Tumi solicited community donations and sponsorships to cover nearly $2,500 in expenses for his summer in the U.S. He is a student at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, where he studies Entrepreneurship and Leadership. "We attend the university throughout the year in South Africa so I had to get special permission to travel to the U.S.," said Tumi. "There is significant unemployment and lack of work experience among South African youth that graduate from both high school and university. I am trying to start small businesses and empower South Africans to make a living for their families while obtaining employment experience. It has been a dream of mine to come to the U.S. and start a business where African youth can come to the U.S. and work. I would like to speak with Americans about this opportunity, so one of my goals this summer was to broaden my network. Hopefully I will be back next year." EDITOR'S NOTE: Interested in the marijuana business industry? NJ Cannabis Insider is a new premium intelligence briefing that features exclusive weekly content geared toward entrepreneurs, lawyers and realtors. View a sample issue. New Jersey appears closer than ever to legalizing recreational marijuana. The state's top lawmaker recently said a vote could come as early as next month. But what does Gov. Phil Murphy, the man who's made this a key vow, say about that? Murphy said during his television show Tuesday night that he hopes state leaders can have legal pot wrapped up by the end of the year. "I would hope that's this year's business, if folks are looking for a specific timeframe," the Democrat said on "Ask the Governor" on News 12. "I'd like to think it's something we get done this year." New Jersey's highest-ranking lawmaker, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, agrees. Sweeney, D-Gloucester, told reporters earlier this month he believes the Democrat-controlled state Legislature could vote on a bill legalizing weed by September. And he said this week he believes he'll "have the votes" to pass it. Still, Sweeney stressed he hasn't done an official head count yet, and lawmakers actually have to introduce a bill first. "Until we have a bill to show everybody -- you have to have something to show people," Sweeney told NJ Advance Media. "We'll get it passed. We'll get the votes to get it passed. We've just got to present the bill first." Murphy campaigned on legalizing marijuana, both as a way to improve social justice in New Jersey and to bring the state new tax revenue. After taking office in January, he called on the Legislature to pass a bill by the end of the year. But legal pot has drawn backlash from many lawmakers, both Democratic and Republican. There have also been squabbles about what the legislation will look like and how it would be tied to expanding the state's medical marijuana program. That has led to uncertainty over whether New Jersey will meet Murphy's Jan. 1 deadline. For any bill to become law, both houses of the Legislature would need to pass it and then Murphy would need to sign it. Murphy said Tuesday that any bill would likely allow only people 21 and older to use recreational pot. NJ Advance Media staff writer Susan K. Livio contributed to this report. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. EDITOR'S NOTE: Interested in the marijuana business industry? NJ Cannabis Insider is a new premium intelligence briefing that features exclusive weekly content geared toward entrepreneurs, lawyers and Realtors. View a sample issue. Ask people in New Jersey if they want legal weed and nearly two-thirds of them say, "Sure, why not?" Ask if they want it to be sold in their town and they say, "Sorry, what?" A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday found that while some 62 percent of New Jersey residents are in favor of legalizing marijuana, only 50 percent are OK with it being sold in their communities, while 45 percent said they didn't want it in their towns. The poll also found that only 28 percent of Republicans supported legal marijuana being sold in their communities, compared to 66 percent of Democrats. For legalization in general, the survey found that 78 percent of Democrats supported legal weed in New Jersey, compared to 41 percent of Republicans. These findings come as towns across the state continue to ban marijuana sales, with the list of municipalities that have opposed legal weed now numbering more than 30. The poll suggests that even people who generally support legal weed are more hesitant when it gets closer to home. "With the number of towns saying they were going to ban marijuana, we asked that question," said Mary Snow, a Quinnipiac analyst. "We wanted to see if people's attitudes changed. "It's kind of that notion, I support legalization but not in my town." So far, only four towns in New Jersey have officially said they would welcome weed sales. Those are Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Jersey City and Trenton. A spokeswoman for Gov. Phil Murphy said that despite some towns banning marijuana, the governor "believes legalization is the right decision for New Jersey." "Gov. Murphy and the Legislature are working closely together to proceed with legalized adult-use marijuana in a safe way that makes the state fairer, prioritizes that safety of New Jersey residents, and respects local communities," said Alyana Alfaro, the governor's spokeswoman. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, the leading marijuana opposition group in the country, said the poll shows that marijuana support isn't as high when people think about the potential impact of weed. "We know that most people who say they favor legalization really favor simply not putting people in prison for pot," Sabet said. "That's very different than selling and advertising highly potent edibles, candies and concentrates." State lawmakers are set to resume the marijuana debate in the coming weeks. Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, has said he expects to hold a vote in September and that he believes he has the votes to legalize marijuana. But the two bills lawmakers will consider -- one for a medical marijuana expansion and one for recreational marijuana -- have not been finalized, according to state Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex. Marijuana opposition group Responsible Approaches to Marijuana, the local affiliate of SAM, has been meeting with local officials in an attempt to dissuade them from supporting legalization. Peter Brown, a Linden councilman, was leading his town's efforts to consider marijuana, but was swayed against legalization and now works with RAMP. The Linden City Council met Wednesday to discuss potentially banning marijuana but voted to table to measure indefinitely. "We open up those shops here, we will have increased drug traffic here," via the NJT train lines running to and from New York, Brown said at Wednesday's meeting. "Currently we do not get any help from NJ Transit or the State Police in regards to the drug activity at the train station." Several other towns have considered marijuana bans, but also decided to wait and see what legislation looks like before making a decision. It's likely that more towns will be added to the list of those opposed to legal weed if lawmakers pass a bill. Many of the towns that have banned marijuana sales are led by Republicans, and the Quinnipiac poll found that Republicans are more likely to oppose marijuana being sold in their towns. Quinnipiac conducted this poll between Aug. 15 and 20, and spoke to 908 New Jersey voters either on a cellphone or landline. NJ Advance Media staff writer Susan K. Livio contributed to this report. Are you interested in the N.J. cannabis industry? Subscribe here for exclusive insider information from NJ Cannabis Insider. Payton Guion may be reached at PGuion@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaytonGuion. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The fire that devastated a Trenton tattoo shop Tuesday morning has been labeled suspicious, the Trenton Police Department said Wednesday morning. Police have not announced any suspects or motive in the fire that destroyed Kiss of Ink, a shop that has been on Hamilton Avenue for 22 years. The investigation into the blaze - reported at about 4:47 a.m. - is still active, Trenton police spokesman Capt. Stephen Varn said. Chris Matisa, the shop's owner, fears the fire was the work of a "disgruntled former employee" who had allegedly sent threatening messages to other workers at the shop. Matisa said the shop has given police surveillance footage from Kiss of Ink's neighboring business, Cruz Deli & Grocery, and says it shows a male walking past the building several times, and eventually, dropping a lighter and running away. Aftermath of fire at Tattoo Shop in Trenton 6 Gallery: Aftermath of fire at Tattoo Shop in Trenton "The guy who did it should know it's only a matter of time before (the police) come looking for him," Matisa said Wednesday afternoon. In the midst of the investigation, Matisa is eager to reopen Kiss of Ink as soon as he can. "If I had it my way, I'd be back open in 48 hours," he said. The shop has associated locations in New Jersey - in Flemington, Cinnaminson and Hamilton - as well as shops in Virginia. Matisa said he's already replacing equipment and talking to real estate agents about potential new spaces in the city, and that he's thankful he has a chance to rebuild his business and keep it in Trenton. "Think of the people this could have happened to who could've lost more than an empty building," he said. "I lost memories and a rental space, but I'm glad we didn't lose anybody." "We're on a rocky road, but we can do it. We'll overcome." Gianluca D'Elia may be reached at gdelia@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @gianluca_delia. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The former chief financial officer of an autism non-profit was indicted by a grand jury on allegations of theft of approximately $115,000, according to the New Jersey's Attorney General's Office. Peter Pflug, 55, of Freehold, is facing second-degree charges of theft by unlawful taking and misapplication of entrusted property and property of government, according to Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal. Pflug allegedly used funds from New Horizons in Autism to buy new vehicles, landscaping and fencing for his home, dining room and bedroom furniture, a fish tank and made other repairs to the interior and exterior of his home. New Horizons, based in Freehold, receives most of its funding through a contract with the state's Division of Developmental Disabilities. The organizations hosts programs for individuals diagnosed with autism and operates group homes. Pflug's allegedly indicated that many of the purchases made between June 2015 and February 2018 were for the group homes, but the items were taken to his own home, officials said. Investigators found the purchased items in April after searching Pflug's home. If convicted on the second-degree charges, he faces five to 10 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $150,000. Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ladytiamoyo. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Authorities say a Spirit Airlines flight from New Jersey to South Florida made an emergency landing at Jacksonville International Airport due to a hydraulic issue. Jacksonville airport spokesman Michael Steward tells First Coast News that no one was injured when Spirit Airlines Flight 521 landed on Wednesday morning. The plane was carrying 225 people from Newark, New Jersey, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Stewart says passengers will be placed on another flight to Fort Lauderdale and that operations are running normally at the Jacksonville airport. No additional details were available. Rep. Leonard Lance is allowing a super PAC to lie about his opponent as he defends his 7th District seat, and someone should alert him that it's best to rise above the stink bombs mass-produced by greasy political gasbags. This is the campaign's silly season, but that doesn't excuse Lance from allowing his own good name to be soiled by an allegation that Tom Malinowski - a candidate who has dedicated his career to human rights and public service - is "so out of touch, he lobbied for terrorist rights," as suggested in a deceitful ad produced by a PAC affiliated with Paul Ryan. The ad assails Malinowski's support for Guantanamo detainees to receive due process by citing his 2006 lobbying disclosure report with Human Rights Watch, where he was Washington director for 12 years and spearheaded the bipartisan effort to ban torture. No doubt, Lance's noxious messengers at the Congressional Leadership Fund are counting on viewers to clutch their pearls at the mention of "terrorists' rights." But Malinowski's efforts to give detainees access to federal courts is something that even the most prominent Republicans agree to. Start with the Supreme Court decisions in the 2004 Hamdi and 2006 Hamdan Cases, which affirmed the right of habeas corpus for suspected terrorists brought to Guantanamo, giving them the basic ability to challenge their detention before federal courts. The only issue Congress and the courts have debated since then is the quality of that access. So with due process for detainees largely settled, fast forward a few years: Who voted for the Military Commissions Act of 2009, which actually provided higher due process standards for terror suspects? Leonard Lance, of course. And if, perchance, the ad is referring to Malinowski's historic effort to ban torture by our government - which was supported by 90 senators and 308 House members, including Ryan - does this mean CLF candidates support such tactics being used in times of war, even against our troops? Either way, it matters little whether Lance agrees with CLF's nuanced policy analysis. What matters is that he is tacitly arousing public fear with a lie. His campaign would only say that "the ad was produced by CLF and we are prohibited by law from any involvement or collaboration," and we're supposed to ignore how Lance HQ tweeted out the same distortion anyway. Lance regards himself an independent thinker, and it's true that he broke with his party by voting against the Affordable Care Act repeal and the Trump tax plan that passed anyway. Despite that, he is a party-over-principle partisan who voted with President Trump 88 percent of the time during this session. And given the realities of this race - where polls and fundraising are trending sharply toward his opponent - he is hearing bloodhounds in the distance, which makes it more tempting to take $2.1 million from Ryan and his fiction writers. But the congressman should denounce this ad, and he should do it publicly. People will respect him more for it, and 76 days before the election, it cannot hurt: Lance has gone from an 11-point winner in 2016 to a pick-'em wager in the 2018 midterms, poised to get dragged beneath a blue wave by a very formidable opponent, and everybody knows it. As Lance has said, more than once, "I have an incredibly sophisticated well-educated district." Sophisticated enough, at least, to make the connection between the salesman and the product. And voters in the 7th aren't likely to buy a Trump-backed candidate tethered to a lie. "Tom @Malinowski can attempt to spin his 20-year career as a D.C. insider and lobbyist supporting far-left policies and terrorists rights all he wants, but the truth is Malinowski lobbied in support of terrorists at Guantanamo Bay. https://t.co/fWSaxM2y1R Lance for Congress Press (@TeamLancePress) August 18, 2018 Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. By Jennifer Rubin You can say this for President Donald Trump: When the raids on his attorney Michael Cohen's house, hotel and office occurred, he knew it was trouble, as his slew of tweets at the time showed. About four months after Cohen saw FBI agents cart out boxes of documents, he surrendered to the FBI and entered a plea deal in federal court to a total of eight counts, five for tax evasion, one for a false statement to a bank and two related to campaign-finance charges. Most important, the plea states that Cohen, in committing the campaign-finance violations acted at the behest of the "candidate." There is only one candidate. The president of the United States has now been implicated in a federal crime by his longtime lawyer. Take that in. The details of those and Cohen's obligations, if any, to cooperate will unfold. Today he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump? Lanny Davis (@LannyDavis) August 21, 2018 Trump was right to be panicked back in April, and since then we've all learned of more damaging facts that Cohen may substantiate. Cohen is at the intersection of at least three possibly disastrous legal stories. First, Cohen allegedly was involved in the payment of hush money to silence multiple women, including Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, with whom Trump allegedly had extra-marital affairs. The political fallout will depend on how many women and the circumstances of those payments. The criminal liability here concerns violation of campaign-finance rules as part of a deliberate attempt to conceal large amounts of money from voters. Blaming Cohen exclusively will be hard for Trump to pull off, given the tape we already have heard. If there is other evidence documenting Trump's involvement, his legal problem worsens. Second, Cohen has been Trump's "fixer" and dealmaker for years. He was at the center of the failed Trump Tower project in Russia and likely would have been privy to other Russia-related transactions, if any, over years. Trump has insisted the special counsel not go into his personal finances. The chances that special counsel Robert Mueller III and his team are doing just that and will continue digging with Cohen as a guide has gone up dramatically. Third, Cohen may have plenty of other information relating to Trump campaign contacts with Russia and to Trump's own efforts to conceal them and disable the investigation. Goodness knows what recordings, documents and firsthand recollections he may have. What, for example, does he know about the Trump Tower meeting in June 2016? What, if anything, does he know about contacts that members of the Trump team had with Russia during the campaign and/or the transition? Given that the White House counsel Donald McGahn, who is not Trump's personal lawyer, has spent 30 hours or more with the special counsel, it is not as if Cohen would be the only witness to possible impropriety. Cohen and McGahn may bolster one another's accounts. Michael Cohen and Don McGahn will wrestles for the "John Dean of this president" moniker Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) August 21, 2018 Cohen matters because he may have critical information relating to all three of these evolving stories. Moreover, he cannot be written off as someone peripherally related to Trump. He cannot be written off as a coffee boy or as someone who went in and out of Trump's orbit in a matter of weeks. In short, Cohen's plea is a crushing blow because he is the first cooperating witness that could implicate Trump directly in all three matters -- the women and campaign money, Trump's business dealings, and the Trump campaign's Russia connections. Buckle up. Trump now goes from the frying pan into the fire. Jennifer Rubin writes the Right Turn blog for The Washington Post, offering reported opinion from a center-right perspective. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin is "insistent" New Jersey's next budget won't include any tax hikes. Instead, the top Assembly lawmaker aligned himself closely with state Senate President Stephen Sweeney in what's likely to be the Democrat-controlled state Legislature's next big battle with Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy over reforms of pensions and benefits for public workers. Coughlin, in a statement to NJ Advance Media, said he looks forward to reviewing a plan Sweeney recently unveiled that, among other things, recommends changes to state-worker pension and health care plans, and merging school districts. "As always the Assembly will take a thorough and thoughtful approach to analyzing the report but I am insistent that next year's budget not include new tax hikes, which makes it clear that we have to rein in spending," said Coughlin, D-Middlesex. It's Coughlin's first take on Sweeney's proposal since he unveiled the plan earlier this month. "I urge the governor to focus on that and on achieving significant cost savings in the areas of pensions and benefits through negotiations with public sector unions," Coughlin said. Sweeney, D-Gloucester, had convened a panel of experts to give recommendations on how to stem the state's rising property taxes and rein in its public worker pension system. Their final report was released Aug. 9 and it includes some huge changes for New Jersey, including cutting government employee health care and pension benefits. Murphy's reaction to the measures has been lukewarm -- at best. "He continues to believe that protecting tax breaks for the wealthy and special interests while asking the middle class to shoulder more and more of the burden is the wrong approach to getting our fiscal house in order," a Murphy spokeswoman, Alyana Alfaro, said in a statement in response to Coughlin's remarks. "The Governor's guiding principle is always whether a proposal strengthens New Jersey's middle class and working families - and that's the test he'll use in evaluating any proposal that reaches his desk," she said. Sweeney's office didn't immediately responded to a request for comment. Murphy signed his first state budget in July after he wrangled with the Legislature for weeks over whether it should include a bump in the sales tax and a millionaires tax. Lawmakers successfully blocked Murphy's plan to raise the sales tax from 6.625 percent to 7 percent. But they agreed to an income tax hike for people who earn more than $5 million a year. The budget included more than $1 billion new in taxes. But Coughlin said Wednesday he won't go along with any additional tax hikes when it comes time for Murphy to sign his next budget in about 10 months. But cuts to state worker pensions and health care plans could be a bitter pill for Murphy to swallow. The governor signaled last week he still favored tax hikes to any cuts. "Whether we agree ultimately with their conclusions or not, you know, we're reviewing this sort of case by case because there's a lot in there," Murphy said at a public event when asked about Sweeney's proposal. "I want to go through and give more of a thoughtful answer," he added. "The guideline for me though, the sort of guiding philosophy, is the middle-class, the working-class families have been ravaged, ignored, hollowed out in the past -- until we got here. And the very wealthiest among us, the biggest among us doing just fine." Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook. WASHINGTON -- New Jersey could have a tight Senate race this fall. A Quinnipiac University Poll released Wednesday put U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez ahead by just six points over former Celgene Corp. executive Bob Hugin, 43 percent to 37 percent, among registered voters. In March, a Quinnipiac poll had Menendez leading by 17 points, 49 percent to 32 percent. "As Sen. Robert Menendez sees his once-dominant lead whittled down to single digits, New Jersey voters are sending a clear message," said Mary Snow, polling analyst for the Quinnipiac poll. "They are troubled by the ethics cloud hanging over him." That's the second straight poll that showed a tight contest between the two nominees. A Fairleigh Dickinson University survey released in May gave Menendez a 28 percent to 24 percent advantage, with almost half the electorate, 46 percent, saying they were undecided. "The more New Jerseyans hear about disgraced Senator Bob Menendez's corruption, the less they believe he should remain in the United States Senate," said Bob Salera, a spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "Bob Menendez is a crook, and his desperate attempts to avoid talking about his bribery allegations are not working." Hugin, who has already put $15.5 million of his own money into the race, spent $6.3 million on ads through June 30, many of them attacking Menendez on ethics. "He's running scared and he should be," Hugin campaign spokeswoman Megan Piwowar said. "New Jersey voters are sick and tired of Menendez and his numbers are tanking, while momentum for business leader and Marine Corps veteran Bob Hugin continues to grow." Menendez campaign spokesman Steve Sandberg said the fact that the senator remained in the lead despite Hugin's attack ads "goes to show you just how resilient and strong the support is for Bob Menendez." Voters overwhelmingly said they believed Menendez was involved in serious wrongdoing, 49 percent to 16 percent. Close to half, 47 percent, disapproved of his performance in office, with a 40 percent approval rating. "While voters prefer Senator Menendez over Republican Bob Hugin in deep-blue New Jersey, they give the incumbent negative approval and favorability ratings," Snow said. One-quarter of state voters said ethics in government would be their most important issue in picking a Senate candidate. Menendez was indicted in April 2015 on federal corruption charges. After his first trial ended in a mistrial, a judge acquitted him of several charges and prosecutors declined to retry him on the rest. The Senate Ethics Committee then "severely admonished" him in April for accepting gifts from a friend and campaign donor, Dr. Salomon Melgen, while intervening with federal agencies on his behalf. Menendez has sought to turn the ethics issue back on Hugin. Celgene under Hugin paid $280 million to settle charges that it pushed drugs for uses not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and that it submitted false claims to Medicare. The company spent more money than ever before as it lobbied against legislation that could speed up a generic alternative to its Revlimid cancer drug. And Hugin tried to block women from joining the Princeton University eating club he was president of. Menendez, D-N.J., who announced his first campaign commercial on Tuesday, launched a second ad on Wednesday, attacking Hugin for raising the price of Revlimid in the U.S. while lowering it in Russia. "Once more and more New Jerseyans get to know the real Bob Hugin -- the guy who got rich ripping off cancer patients and defrauding Medicare, the guy who's spent millions supporting Donald Trump and right-wing candidates and causes, and is now trying to buy a Senate seat -- voters will reject him," Sandberg said. The poll highlighted other issues that could hurt Hugin, who contributed $238,600 to help elect Donald Trump in 2016. Sixty-three percent disapproved of Trump's performance in office, while just 33 percent approved. The midterm elections are seen as a referendum on Trump, and antipathy to the president is boosting Democrats' chances in New Jersey House races. In addition, while voters named ethics their most important issue, second was taxes with 21 percent and third was health care with 19 percent. Menendez fought against the tax legislation enacted by Trump and congressional Republicans that targeted New Jersey and capped the federal deduction for state and local taxes. He also opposed GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and leave as many as 32 million additional Americans without insurance. Though state Democrats dumped U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli over his own ethics problems in 2002, Democratic Chairman John Currie didn't express concern regarding the latest poll. On Wednesday, Quinnipiac University published a poll regarding the U.S. Senate race. Democratic Party Chair John Currie issued the following statement: "Bob Hugin just hit his high water mark in this election," Currie said. "He's no closer to winning than any other recent Republican Senate candidate." In contrast to Menendez, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., had a 56 percent job approval rating, with 31 disapproving. The poll of 908 registered voters in New Jersey was conducted Aug. 15 to 20 and had a margin of error of 4.6 percentage points. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. MIAMI -- The Yankees' update Wednesday afternoon on closer Aroldis Chapman was expected: The All-Star left-hander is headed to the 10-day disabled list with left knee tendinitis. The announcement came after Chapman underwent an MRI and visited a doctor on Wednesday in Miami. Chapman was replaced on the Yankees' 25-man roster by rookie right-hander Chance Adams, who is coming up from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre to be a reliever and possibly start a game in Saturday's day-night doubleheader in Baltimore. Chapman frequently pitched through constant aches and pain since mid-May, but he was hurting enough early into his outing Tuesday night at Marlins Park that he asked to be removed after throwing just six pitches in a 2-1 Yankees victory over the Miami Marlins. The Yankees gave no timeframe how long Chapman will be out, but the hope is that doesn't need much more than 10 days to be feeling better. "I'm confident that he's going to play a major factor for us down the stretch and hopefully in the postseason," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I don't think this is something that we'll be able to manage hopefully." Chapman has been told by doctors that he probably won't get past this issue until getting significant rest in the offseason. The Yankees will have a better idea of how long Chapman will be sidelined after he visits a team doctor Thursday in New York. "Obviously taking Aroldis Chapman out of your bullpen, that's a blow," Boone said. "But we feel like we're equipped to handle it and we have the guys who are certainly capable of getting big outs in high-leverage spots and to close out a game." Without Chapman, the Yankees will call upon setup relievers Dellin Betances, Zach Britton and David Robertson to be fill-in closers. "It'll probably be a little bit of everyone," Boone said. "Obviously, we have capable guys down there with Britton, Dellin and Robby. Those three guys in some shape or form, depending on who we're playing and depending on who we've used and matchups ... we'll kind of mix and match." Robertson was unavailable to pitch in Tuesday night's game due to shoulder soreness and hasn't been in a game since last Friday, but he was feeling better by Wednesday. "We'll try to stay away from (using) him (another day), but he's adamant that he's in a much better place today," Boone said. Chapman becomes the fifth key Yankees pitcher to hit the DL, joining right fielder Aaron Judge, catcher Gary Sanchez, shortstop Didi Gregorius and left-hander CC Sabathia. Sabathia will return on Friday to start that night in Baltimore. On Tuesday night, the Yanks turned to Chapman to close out the Marlins after pulling ahead in the top of the 12th on a sacrifice fly by Miguel Andujar, but he couldn't even make it through two batters trying to pick up his 32nd save in 34 chances. Chapman felt more pain than usual warming in the Yankees bullpen, then it continued while he walked leadoff hitter Isaac Galloway on five pitches in the bottom of the 12th. He threw one more pitch - a 97-mph fastball to Rafeal Ortega that was way high and way outside - before signaling to his dugout with an arm motion that something was wrong. For the time being, Chapman's spot in the bullpen is being held by Adams, a Triple-A starter who probably will be used in a long relief role. Adams, 24, had a decent major league debut starting in Boston on Aug. 4 when he allowed three runs over five innings in a loss against the Red Sox. Adams is 3-5 with a 4.98 ERA in 23 Triple-A starts this season. Since being optioned back to the RailRiders, he had a bad start on Aug. 11 at Durham (3.1 IP, 7 runs) and a mediocre one on Aug. 16 against Norwich (5.1 IP, 3 runs). "Obviously, he's a guy that's stretched out," Boone said. "He can protect us and give us length (as a long reliever)." Right-hander Sonny Gray, recently demoted from the rotation to middle relief, appears on the verge of being picked over Adams to start a game Saturday in Baltimore. Gray is 9-8 with a high 5.34 ERA this season in 25 games, 21 as a starter, but he's 3-1 with a 4.79 ERA in four starts against the Orioles. "Sonny's a possibility (for Saturday)," Boone said. "We'll just kind of see what today brings and what our needs are. Obviously with the off day (Thursday), we'll firm up our plans for the weekend in Baltimore." Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The Times-Picayune is marking the tricentennial of New Orleans with its ongoing 300 for 300 project, running through 2018 and highlighting 300 people who have made New Orleans New Orleans, featuring original artwork commissioned by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune with Where Y'Art gallery. Today: real estate broker and philanthropist Bob Merrick. The icon: Bob Merrick. The legacy: Bob Merrick is a real estate man -- and a good one, too, building Latter & Blum Inc. Realtors into the largest real estate business in the Gulf South and one of the largest in the country. If that was all he did, it would have been enough to leave a lasting legacy on New Orleans. But amid it all, he also found time to be one of the most high-profile civic activists and most generous philanthropists of his generation. In 2014, he became the first Louisiana member of the United Way's "Million Dollar Club," in recognition of a $1 million gift he made to the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, the largest single donation from an individual in the organization's history. In so doing, he's taken the longtime real estate refrain -- "location, location, location" -- and added an affirming new verse: "donation, donation, donation." The artist: Saegan Swanson. The quote: "Bob Merrick is a true real estate visionary and one of our region's great humanitarians." -- UNO President Peter Fos, in announcing the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Merrick in 2014 Explore more of Swanson's work online at WhereYart.net and in person at the Where Y'Art gallery, 1901 Royal St. Robert W. Merrick was born in 1944 in New Orleans. Source: The Times-Picayune archives; Gambit; staff research More on 300 for 300: According to a story on the Daily Advertiser website, 19 out of 20 speakers at a recent Lafayette city council meeting supported an upcoming public library program in which drag queens would read stories to young children. The plan, which some feel will foster future acceptance of alternative lifestyles, became a focal point of some criticism when it was announced on Saturday (Aug. 18). According to the story, Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux is considering cancelling the Oct. 6 event at the public location and possibly moving it elsewhere. "I will also be asking the library's board of control to conduct a thorough review of its programming and approval process for taxpayer-funded events," Robideaux stated. The library has posted a statement of its own on its website that defends the decision to present the cross-dressing readers. "The Drag Queen Story Time will share stories of individuality, openness and acceptance with families seeking an opportunity to show their children that every person is unique and should be treated with equal respect," the statement reads. One library patron, quoted by the newspaper suggested that those who do not approve, should simply not attend. "The library is an innovative, progressive beacon here in Lafayette," Lafayette resident and mother Melanie Brevis said during the city council meeting. "It's job is not to make everyone comfortable with every single program. If you don't like it, don't go, or just pretend it's not happening." Drag Queens reading to kids is an international phenomenon. In a story on the AL.com website, reporter John Sharp explained that "nowadays, the events are taking place in Australia and Japan, and inside libraries within 40 states." Drag Queen Story Time debuted at the Hubbell Public Library in New Orleans last summer. "We are these kind of magical unicorn versions of people that show kids that they could be anything that they want to be ... (and) dress up like whatever you want," said reader Kimberly Clark, a beauty blogger and shopping critic. 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. Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies were searching for a robber -- possibly stained with red dye -- after a holdup at a Metairie bank on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 21). A man entered the Capital One bank branch at 3050 Severn Ave. just after 2 p.m. and demanded money from a teller, authorities said. It's unclear whether he was armed. The man put the money in a bag, but, unbeknownst to him, there was a red dye pack among the cash. The man left the bank with the money and the pack exploded while he was on the sidewalk next to the Five Guys hamburger restaurant at 20th Street and Severn Avenue. The man fled. But the red-dyed currency could be seen blowing about the sidewalk next to the restaurant as deputies cordoned off the area. Several deputies were seen entering J.C.Penney department store across the street from the bank at Lakeside Shopping Center, where the suspect may have fled. Inside the store, deputies and other law enforcement officials could be seen calmly walking the store's floors. Customers didn't seem to notice and continued shopping. 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 Sheriff's Office eventually left the mall. It did not appear that anyone was in custody. No other information was available. Stay with NOLA.com for more on this story. Watch NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune reporter Michelle Hunter give a video update from the scene, originally recorded on Facebook Live. Stay with NOLA.com for more on this developing story. New Orleans' Criminal District Court judges are appealing a federal judge's ruling earlier this month that bars them from presiding over hearings to collect fines and fees that go toward a fund to pay for daily courthouse operations. The 11 criminal court judges and Magistrate Judge Harry Cantrell on Tuesday (Aug. 21) filed a notice of their intent to appeal U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance's Aug. 3 ruling to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Six plaintiffs who said they were unconstitutionally jailed for owing court debts filed the lawsuit in September 2015. They accused the judges of running a "debtor's prison," and said they were arrested solely because they couldn't afford to pay court fines. Vance said in her ruling the criminal court judges had a conflict of interest because they rely on fines and fees for court funding. A large portion of fines and fees collected from defendants goes directly to the Judicial Expense Fund which helps pay for courthouse operations, including staff and supplies. "Because of the judges' institutional conflict of interest, the judges fail to provide a neutral forum for determination of criminal defendants' ability to pay," Vance wrote. Vance also granted the plaintiffs "class action" status, so her ruling applied to all Criminal District Court defendants who owe or who will incur court debts, and whose debts are at least partly owed to the Judicial Expense Fund. Alec Karakatsanis, executive director of the Civil Rights Corps, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs, said, "the illegal practices of the OPCDC judges are devastating the lives of thousands of people every day in New Orleans." "No human being should be jailed solely because she cannot make a payment, and the judges who decide whether to jail someone should not be collecting those payments into their Judicial Expense Fund," he said. "We're confident that every court to review these issues will continue to agree that the judges are violating longstanding constitutional precedent." Over the objection of some veteran New Orleans police officers and representatives from police labor groups, the New Orleans Civil Service Commission ruled Tuesday (Aug. 21) that NOPD's superintendent can continue to handpick the department's middle managers. Among the concerns of those who opposed the 16 unclassified commander positions, was NOPD Lt. Keith Joseph's contention that the process for hiring commanders was unfair. Asked by New Orleans Civil Service Commissioner Clifton Moore if he thought he had an equal opportunity for the higher-paying commander job, Joseph answered, "No, sir." "It was handpicked, what he wanted," Joseph said, referring to the commander hiring decisions made by NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison, who sat a few feet away from him at the next table during Tuesday's (Aug. 21) Civil Service Commission meeting. "Nothing to do with your job and your qualifications," Joseph added. Harrison argued having the flexibility to appoint and remove employees to the commander positions gives him the discretion he needs to steer NOPD in the right direction. Keeping commanders unclassified means Harrison can promote a "bright talent" within the department who has "the capacity and will" to be innovative and is dedicated to reforming the department, he said. It also means he can remove someone from a commander position who may have performed well on a civil service exam and lacks any violations that merit a demotion, but who simply "doesn't do as well as somebody else would." Eight of the 16 commanders run NOPD's eight police districts, which are separated according to geographic locations, and the remaining eight oversee different aspects of the department. The commander position was created as a temporary "special assignment" in 2011 under then Superintendent Ronal Serpas. The commission approved the 16 permanent unclassified positions last year. Classified employees, who comprise 97.5 percent of the department's employees, have the right to appeal any reprimands, demotions or terminations. Civil service rules required the position be audited to determine if it should remain unclassified. An audit of the commander position by the civil service staff found the job does not meet the qualifications for an unclassified position. The commission's ruling, made Tuesday on a 4-1 vote, went against the recommendation its own staff's report. Tania Tetlow, a civil service commissioner who voted in favor of keeping the positions unclassified, noted that the old management structure proved problematic. Appointing middle managers, typically with the rank of captain, through the civil service vetting process that generally favors career longevity produced leadership that made it "very hard to turn the ship," she said. "We have suffered horrific consequences, and the stakes are not low," Tetlow said, referring to civil rights abuses and a culture of corruption at NOPD prior to the 2013 federal consent decree. Harrison also referred to the consequences of the former leadership structure, implying that reverting back to classified captains running districts was not worth the risk to "land us back" to where NOPD was before the consent decree, when he said the agency was "the worst in American history." 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 Louie Dabdoub, who retired as a captain from NOPD in 2005 and currently volunteers as commander of the reserve unit, testified that expanding use of unclassified mangers at NOPD would degrade the civil service protections that were put in place to remove politics from policing. Civil service promotions produce managers who are not "influenced by political decisions," he said, because they are protected from arbitrary, punitive demotions. Dabdoub said he believed in Harrison and trusted his judgment, but asked the commission not to make their decision "based on (Harrison's) face, because he won't be here forever." When a new chief comes along he said, having a set of middle managers with institutional knowledge whose jobs won't change with the new administration could help "manage the continuity of the department," and prevent the "waste of time, energy and effort" of repeating failed policies. Harrison argued the department's success under the commander system -- including becoming a national model for modern policing, making steady progress on the 2013 consent decree and recent reductions in nonfatal shootings and homicides - show the unclassified middle management system works. NOPD Capt. Mike Glasser, the president of the Police Association of New Orleans, countered that NOPD has "not been successful" since the commander system was put in place in 2011, citing increased police response times and an overall uptick in shootings and homicides over the last seven and a half years. Tetlow, though, pointed out that a manpower shortage is a large contributing factor to those setbacks. Glasser also argued captains under the classified system could perform all the duties commanders currently do, and the superintendent has authority to remove them -- he just chooses not to exercise it. He also argued the Louisiana constitution does not support making the commander positions unclassified. The flexibility granted to the superintendent to handpick managers is not worth the "trade-off" of degrading NOPD's organizational structure of NOPD, which was previously grounded in civil service, merit-based promotions, Moore said. "Where do we stop?" he posed, suggesting NOPD might next ask the commission to relieve lieutenants of their civil service protections. Moore was the single commissioner who voted against the motion to keep the unclassified positions. Harrison said wants the discretion that CEOs in "corporate America" enjoy to hold his direct subordinates more accountable, pointing out, "I'm held accountable for it in real time." Having classified middle managers mean demoting or firing someone could take "months or years," he said. Commissioner Michelle Craig, who also voted against the staff's recommendation and in favor of keeping the unclassified positions, concluded that commission must "be innovative," adding, "We need to move our city forward." A man accused of beating another man to death for stealing his wallet was denied a request to have his $150,000 bond lowered at a hearing in magistrate court Wednesday (Aug. 23). An attorney for Simon Morris argued his client, who has been in the Orleans Justice Center since his Aug. 10 arrest on a manslaughter charge, said Morris was the victim of a crime, which led to a physical altercation. Morris is charged in the death of Kerwin Duncan, a man police have said approached Morris at a gas station on South Claiborne Avenue the morning of Aug. 10 and asked for $1. Duncan then snatched Morris' wallet from his back pocket and ran across the street, according to police. Morris followed him, police said, then punched and kicked Duncan for five minutes or more before a witness pulled him away. Magistrate Commissioner Robert Blackburn told Morris' attorney, David Gremillion, he needed to address the "five minutes or more" allegation in the police report. One of the elements considered when setting a bond is whether a defendant is a danger to the public, Blackburn said. "I don't believe he is a danger to the public," Gremillion said. The witnesses who spoke to police didn't know why a fight had broken out, Gremillion said, adding the defense has an additional witness to counter the police witness statements. That person wasn't available Wednesday. 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 Assistant District Attorney Abigail McDonald said Morris is a potential flight risk and argued the incident he's currently in jail for "shows he has a propensity toward violence." She also cited Morris' previous arrests and convictions in Florida as reasons he should be kept in jail. Court records show Morris has a misdemeanor trespassing conviction in Hillsborough County, Fla. in 2014, and a misdemeanor marijuana possession conviction in Volusia County, Fla. in 2013. He also was arrested on a domestic violence charge in 2007, but court records show that case was not prosecuted. Gremillion said Morris' domestic violence arrest was connected to an argument he had with his father and "had nothing to do with beating up a female." Gremillion also said Duncan had several arrests on his record, including convictions for theft and purse snatching. "I'll assume he's a bad apple," Blackburn said. "I can understand chasing ... but nobody has explained to me ... five minutes?" McDonald said her office has 60 days since the date of Morris' arrest to decide whether to move forward with a manslaughter case. As a Terrytown elementary school faces backlash for its enforcement of a hair policy that led an 11-year-old's family to pull her from school, the leader of local Catholic schools says everyone wants to see the girl back in class. Video footage of the middle school girl in tears at the private Christ the King School in Terrytown has gained national attention after administrators said her braided hair extensions violated school policy. The video spread rapidly on social media and has been covered by national news outlets, putting the school in a harsh spotlight as critics say black children have historically experienced more school discipline over their hairstyles. Catholic schools superintendent RaeNell Billiot Houston said the girl's family has agreed to meet with her Thursday (Aug. 23) to discuss a resolution. "This is a great reminder to solicit feedback from our stakeholders with regards to changes in policy," Houston said. Montrelle Fennidy confirmed to NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune Tuesday that her daughter Faith was the girl in the video. The video was initially posted by Faith's brother Steven Fennidy, and shows Faith dressed in her school uniform with her braided hair styled in a shoulder-length ponytail. The video rapidly went viral, shared by celebrities including rap superstar T.I. who has 8.8 million followers on Instagram. Tokyo Vanity from VH1's "Love and Hip Hop Atlanta," who has 1.6 million followers on Instagram, also shared the video, identifying Faith as her niece. Private Catholic schools have a reputation for strict rules when it comes to dress codes. The student handbook for the predominantly black, all-male St. Augustine High School, for instance, prohibits afros, twists, dreadlocks, "or other exotic or faddish haircuts." St. Augustine students with a prohibited hairstyle are sent home with an unexcused absence, or the school could charge the family $5 to cut the child's hair for them, according to page 47 of St. Augustine's handbook. However, people increasingly are using social media to speak against these policies, which they say discriminate against minority students. A former University of Holy Cross nursing student told WDSU in May she felt forced to leave the school because school officials gave her a hard time over her natural hair. Last week, a 6-year-old boy in Florida was turned away from his Christian school because he had dreadlocks. The video of his father's interaction with the school also went viral. The Fennidy family did not respond to calls for more information Tuesday afternoon. The family's lawyer, Inem O'Boyle, told The New York Times on Tuesday that school officials this month told Faith on the first day of school her hairstyle didn't align with school policy. O'Boyle told The Times that Faith's family spent a "considerable amount of money" changing her hair, but officials said it still didn't comply with school rules. O'Boyle also told The Times school officials told Faith to "not come back." However, her family still pays tuition and intends to continue her education at that school, O'Boyle said. She declined to comment about a potential lawsuit regarding the incident. O'Boyle didn't immediately respond to comment requests from NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune Wednesday morning. Page 18 of Christ the King's handbook for the 2018-19 school year states the following for "boys and girls: only the student's natural hair is permitted. Extensions, wigs, hair pieces of any kind are not allowed." Handbooks from the previous years didn't include this rule. The school's website states its first day of school was Aug. 9. School hair regulations previously have been addressed in the courtroom in some locations: In El Paso, Texas, in 1972, a 16-year-old boy filed a federal lawsuit against his public school district after officials said he wouldn't be allowed to register for his junior year until he obeyed the rules regarding hair length. After a four-day trial, the court ruled the school could not refuse to enroll the student, Chelsey Karr. Even so, federal courts are divided on whether a school can constitutionally punish students for wearing long hair or dying hair an unusual color. Therefore, students' rights regarding hair can depend on where they live. The Anti-Defamation League, South Central Region and the Urban League of Louisiana issued a joint statement late Tuesday calling Christ the King's policy "racially insensitive." The groups called for the school to revise the policy, withdraw current disciplinary action issued under it and apologize to affected students. They also urged the school to implement "reasonable grooming standards that foster learning while respecting diversity, as well as institute cultural competence and anti-discrimination training for all staff." 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 "While we understand that many private and public schools have dress and grooming policies intended to foster learning and health, this policy discriminates against Black girls by forbidding hair extensions and requiring only 'natural hair,'" the statement said. No one answered calls to the school's phone number or principal Dawn Swear on Tuesday. Houston said in a statement on Tuesday the student wasn't suspended or expelled, and that the family withdrew Faith from school. Christ the King serves students in grades Pre-K through 7th grade. Houston, the archdiocese's first black superintendent, said Christ the King is one of the most diverse schools in the archdiocese. Although Houston said none of the school's faculty members are black this year, the school had black faculty members in the past. Houston said Tuesday the rule wasn't intended to discriminate. The hair policy also accommodates children with special circumstances such as medical conditions or different religions, she said. Some male students shaved around the sides of their heads and kept enough hair in the middle for it to be "flopping" around, Houston said. Some of the girls with long braids would "swing their hair around, hitting other kids" in the process. She said the policy was changed this year in an effort to have a stricter conformity regarding uniforms and hairstyles. The school system provided documentation Tuesday from July 19 and Aug. 6 that was sent to parents by email to notify them about the policy changes. Houston said every parent at the school signed a handbook to indicate they understood the changes. Faith came to school last week and was given a letter to notify her mother that her hair was "out of compliance with the new policy," Houston said. The mother called and told the principal she would have a hair stylist change the child's hair. The child continued to go to school with her extensions last week until she came in on Monday, when the principal told the mother by phone the student's hair extensions are still not allowed, Houston said. "She cut it and made it shorter and they styled it differently, but it was still out of compliance because she didn't remove the fake hair," Houston said. That was when the daughter's brother released the video on social media that has since gone viral. Houston said she wants to work with the family and the school leadership to reach a resolution to have the child return to school. She stressed there are no issues or problems with the family or the child, and that the student was allowed to wear the extensions in the two years prior to the policy. Houston said there needs to be changes in how school policies are implemented so families can give feedback before changes occur in the future. "We're in the process of reviewing all hair policies to provide clarity and yet remain sensitive," Houston said. "This is a lesson not just for Christ the King, but for all of our schools to think about why we do what we do," Houston said. . . . . . . . Wilborn P. Nobles III is an education reporter based in New Orleans. He can be reached at wnobles@nola.com or on Twitter at @WilNobles. Gov. John Bel Edwards plans to propose a pay raise for Louisiana teachers. The move comes as teacher pay in the state continues to fall thousands of dollars short of the national average. A spokeswoman for the governor's office confirmed Monday that Edwards will ask lawmakers to increase the states's per pupil funding by 2.75 percent under the state's Minimum Foundation Program, or MFP, in order to fund raises for the 2019-20 school year. Louisiana's Education Department uses the MFP formula to assign funding to school districts based on enrollment. Shauna Sanford, the state's communications director, said half of the proposed MFP increase would be dedicated to fund pay increases for teachers and school employees. The governor is also seeking additional funding to enhance the increase, she said. "Gov. Edwards is a long-time supporter of teachers and is committed to doing what he can to not only elevate the status of the teaching profession, but to help raise their pay as well, which he believes they deserve," Sanford said. Salary data provided by the Southern Regional Education Board shows the governor's proposed pay raise would be the second pay raise for Louisiana teachers within the last decade. The data tracks teacher pay from 1989 to 2016. The average Louisiana teacher's pay peaked at $51,381 during the 2012-13 school year, but has since fallen. It was down to $49,745 during the 2015-16 school year. That same year, the average annual pay for teachers in the South was $50,955. The national average was $58,363. The interactive chart below compares the average Louisiana teacher's salary to the average salary teachers received in 15 other southern states from 2003 to 2016. Click the graph and scroll to the right to view pay comparisons from the 2012-13 school year through the 2015-16 school year. Louisiana teachers earn roughly $1,700 less than the average among states tracked by the Southern Regional Education Board. Sanford said that gap is expected to increase in the future. 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 State Education Superintendent John White is also calling for lawmakers to act on teacher pay, telling WRKF's Jim Engster on August 16 that a pay increase for teachers "has to happen now." "The funding formula for K-12 education has increased, but it hasn't increased at a rate necessary to keep up with our competitors and we are in a serious state of risking losing the competition for teaching talent," White said. Meanwhile, educators statewide are mulling ways to call attention to teacher shortages and pay raises. An online survey taken by 3,832 teachers from 73 school districts in Louisiana this spring found 61 percent of teachers would support a statewide walkout or a strike to force lawmakers to approve pay increases, according to the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. The Orleans Parish School Board in June voted to increase the base salaries of its teachers and staff by 5 percent for the 2019 fiscal year starting Oct. 1, 2018. However, the city's public school system mostly consists of charter schools operated by non-governmental groups that manage their own school expenses. The OPSB's pay increase is limited to its exceptional children's staff, central office personnel, and the school-based positions at its two direct-run schools. Kate Walsh, president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, said last October many teachers in New Orleans struggle in trying to save money to buy a home or pay down monthly housing expenses, such as mortgage payments and utilities. That said, local teaching salaries are typically enough to afford rent for a single-bedroom apartment. Walsh noted the city's decentralized school system may be in a better position to find and implement solutions for closing the teacher pay gap. . . . . . . . Wilborn P. Nobles III is an education reporter based in New Orleans. He can be reached at wnobles@nola.com or on Twitter at @WilNobles. In Belgium, fishermen have saddled up their horses to trawl for shrimp since around the year 1500. But warming temperatures could bring the United Nations-recognized tradition to an end, Reuters reports. Belgium's horseback shrimpers say climate change is causing an influx of jellyfish and other species that crowd out near-shore shrimp. "Ships can catch a lot more shrimps than me but I prefer fishing with my horse, because he's my best friend," fisherman Xavier Vanbillemont told Reuters. Read Reuters' full report and watch a video about Belgium's horseback shrimpers. The ability of the Mississippi River to build land when it's diverted from its banks will be the focus of a Coastal Connections event jointly sponsored by the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Mississippi River Delta Coalition. The event, to be held in Buras on Sept. 12, will include small group discussions with CPRA officials and coastal experts, a boat tour, a wrap-up presentation and dinner. This will be the 22nd community meeting in the Coastal Connection series, which is designed to promote a dialog on the state's plans to build the proposed Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton sediment diversions to rebuild wetlands on both sides of the river. The Mid-Barataria diversion, the first one scheduled to begin construction in 2020, once federal permits are approved, is planned for construction near the West Bank community of Ironton, just downriver from the Alliance Refinery. State officials and scientists supporting the state's coastal Master Plan program contend that the two projects will rebuild and sustain thousands of acres of wetlands. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "We'll have experts in science and engineering on hand to answer your questions, and you'll be able to get on a boat and see for yourself how the river water isn't destroying the marsh," said Brad Barth, CPRA Mid-Basin Sediment Diversion program manager, in a news release announcing the event. "In fact, the fresh water and sediment are nourishing and rebuilding our wetlands." Both diversions have been opposed by Plaquemines Parish President Amos Cormier and by the parish council, which has passed ordinances prohibiting the granting of local permits for its construction. Plaquemines officials disagree with state officials over the diversions' ability to rebuild wetlands and say they will disrupt commercial and recreational fisheries that are the mainstay of the parish's economy. The event begins with a 4:30 p.m. open house at charter boat captain Ryan Lambert's Cajun Fishing Adventures headquarters, 35427 LA Highway 23 in Buras. Presentations will begin at 4:45 p.m., followed by boat tours at 5:30 p.m. A closing presentation and dinner will begin at 7 p.m. Attendees must preregister by Sept. 6 online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ccburas, or by calling 985-448-4485. The Valley of Silent Men Second-Line Parade takes place Sunday, Aug. 26 at 3 p.m., starting and ending at Tapps II, 2800 S. Rocheblave St. The 33-year-old social aid and pleasure club parade marks the start of the traditional second-line season. Several similar parades will occur through June 2019. According to information on the WWOZ website, second-line fans can follow the circuitous four-hour procession through Central City. From Tapps II, head left to nearby Toledano Street For ongoing second-line information visit the WWOZ website. 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. State health officials are urging the public to take precautions from mosquitoes after confirming two deaths and a total of 53 human cases in Louisiana linked to West Nile Virus. The Department of Health said Wednesday (Aug. 22) that the state is seeing the highest number of cases of the virus in the U.S. so far this year. Health officials said that nine of these cases showed no symptoms, 13 people developed West Nile Fever (a milder viral infection where people experience flu-like symptoms) and 31 developed neuroinvasive disease. This is the most severe type of illness associated with the virus, infecting the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to death, paralysis and brain damage. Last year there were 21 West Nile virus cases reported by this time in Louisiana, according to the DOH. Health officials are urging the public to protect themselves from mosquitos by applying repellent containing DEET on exposed skin and clothing. Parents however should make sure not to apply repellent containing more than 30 percent DEET on children. Repellents are also not recommended for infants younger than two months. The public can also help mitigate the problem by eliminating standing water around their property. This includes disposing of any container that has accumulated water on the property, cleaning roof gutters routinely, aerating ornamental pools or stocking them with fish, as well as cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools that are not being used. Maria Clark writes about immigration, health, doctors, patients and health care in Louisiana for NOLA.com | The Times Picayune and NOLA Mundo. Reach her at mclark@nola.com or 504.258.5306. Or follow her on Twitter at @MariaPClark1 . The sting of receiving a traffic ticket on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway will remain the same, but the process of writing and processing citations may soon become more efficient on the 24-mile span. The Causeway Commission on Wednesday (Aug. 22) voted to seek proposals from firms that could supply hardware and software needed to implement an electronic ticketing system. Officers would still issue the tickets, but instead of using an old-fashioned ticket book, they would swipe an offending motorist's driver's license on a device to obtain their information and then punch in the appropriate information about the offense. The device would spit out a paper ticket for the motorist and send the information electronically to Causeway office staff and perhaps even to the courts, bridge General Manager Carlton Dufrechou said. "The real advantage to us would be not only the time-savings in the field, but our records folks often have problems deciphering the rapid writing of our officers and have to go back to the officers to clarify. This would all be electronic." The laborious process of data entry would be eliminated under such a system, which could lead to staff reductions, Dufrechou said. Staffers currently have to manually enter data for the 1,100 or so citations written monthly on and near the bridge. Those tickets have to be physically delivered to courts in Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes. Dufrechou said he was not yet sure how much an e-ticket system would cost, versus the potential efficiencies and cost savings. He said Causeway Police Chief Nick Congemi last year suggested that an e-ticket system be explored. Bridge officials said they have received assistance from St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Warren Montgomery's office in looking into the new system. E-ticket systems are already being used by New Orleans Police, the Gretna Police Department and some Louisiana State Police troops, Dufrechou said. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said Tuesday (Aug. 21) it has begun an investigation involving a Hammond Police Department employee. In a news release, the Sheriff's Office said it launched the investigation at the request of the police department. The release did not indicate the nature of the investigation. "The investigation began today, August 21, 2018, and is currently on-going," it said. "Updates surrounding the investigation will be released as information becomes available." Hammond Police Chief James Stewart could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon. A Tickfaw man faces an attempted murder charge after he allegedly riddled a car with bullets from an AK-47 rifle earlier this month, wounding the driver twice. Andre Coleman, 50, was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish jail after his recent arrest, the Sheriff's Office reported Wednesday (Aug. 22). Deputies on the night of Aug. 11 responded to a call about a disturbance in Tickfaw in which Coleman, wearing some sort of ballistic protection, was threatening to shoot someone with an AK-47, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release. The victim fled in a vehicle and Coleman gave chase in his own car, authorities said. The man was driving on Louisiana 442, trying to enter Interstate 55, when Coleman opened fire, wounding the victim twice in the back and hitting the vehicle about 13 times, according to the Sheriff's Office. The man fled his vehicle and escaped into a wooded area. He later tried to drive himself to a hospital, but the pain was too great, authorities said. The victim dialed 911 from his vehicle and was later found by deputies and taken to a hospital where he underwent surgery. Deputies arrested Coleman at his home on Aug. 14 and booked him with attempted second- degree murder. The news release did not reveal the nature of the dispute. No one really expected New Orleans to have a shot at landing Amazon.com's massive new second headquarters and the 50,000 well-paying permanent jobs and $5 billion in investment it would create. Who needs the headache of all those new people moving in, driving up rent and home prices and clogging the streets with more traffic? And you know they'll be bringing bicycles, electric scooters and trendy coffee shops. But how would we feel if the most sought-after economic development project of the millennium landed in ... Atlanta? Most of the experts handicapping the Amazon HQ2 sweepstakes have put the Georgia metropolis in the second tier of contenders in a group behind Dallas and Austin, Texas. But the city's chances became all the buzz this week when Atlanta's mayor began talking about plans for a colossal development in the city's downtown, according to reports by The Associated Press. Atlanta city council members were given a few more details Tuesday (Aug. 21) about the potential impact of developing an underused site known as "The Gulch" that could meet Amazon's search criteria. "We are talking about thousands of jobs, potentially, that would come into this area and also the elephant in the room is that very big company that is looking at the city as a place to relocate their headquarters," Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms said at Tuesday's city council meeting. Planning documents made public earlier this year revealed that Atlanta's project could include 18 buildings with 9.3 million square feet of office space, the AP report said. Amazon has said it needs up to 8 million square feet of office space for its second headquarters outside Seattle. Amazon has narrowed its list of potential locations to 20 finalists, including Atlanta. The company has said it expects to declare the winner by the end of the year. In all, 238 cities and regions originally joined the competition, many using promises of tax breaks and other considerations to land the e-commerce giant. The company listed four main criteria for the new location: Metropolitan areas with more than 1 million people. The other finalists are Boston; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Denver; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Miami; Montgomery County, Maryland; Nashville, Tennessee; Newark, New Jersey; New York City; northern Virginia; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Raleigh, North Carolina; Washington, D.C., and Toronto, the only site outside of the United States. Mayor Lance-Bottoms seemed to think that "The Gulch," which includes parking lots, abandoned buildings, weedy lots and railroad tracks surrounded by Mercedes-Benz Stadium, CNN Center and government towers, could be a difference-maker for Atlanta. "This is yet another opportunity to transform an area that quite frankly has been an eyesore in our city for generations," she said. "And I think if we miss this opportunity, it will be an opportunity that will be missed for many, many years to come." Would it be something like, oh, I don't know, holding a 28-3 lead with six minutes left in the third quarter of the Super Bowl and then losing? But, that could never happen. Right? Tim Morris is an opinions columnist at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. He can be reached at tmorris@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter @tmorris504. In case you missed it, Sen. John N. Kennedy of Louisiana appeared on CNN Monday and said something folksy. Referring to the former CIA Director John Brennan whose refusal to genuflect before President Donald Trump has caused the president to strip him of his security clearance, Kennedy said, "I think Mr. Brennan's objectivity, and for me his credibility, is broken. It is more broken than the Ten Commandments." Later in the same interview, Kennedy repeated himself. "I don't see how any fair-minded person would go to Mr. Brennan now and ask him for his, quote, institutional wisdom, and put any value on it. He can't be. He is not objective. I will say it again, his objectivity and his credibility is broken. It is more broken than the Ten Commandments." I guess when you've told a joke as good as that one, you can't resist telling it again. Kennedy telling and then repeating an unimaginative joke isn't, by itself, worthy of commentary. We know who he his or, at least, we know who he pretends to be: Mr. Matlock Goes to Washington. So long as he's in the public eye, he's going to try to look and sound countrier than corn pone. What's troubling is that in attacking Brennan, Kennedy implied that criticizing the president of the United States could, at least in certain places, lead to that critic's detention. "If Mr. Brennan repeated in an airport some of the things he said on TV," Kennedy said, "he would either be in handcuffs or in a straitjacket." Poppy Harlow, CNN's anchor, asked Kennedy, "Like what comments do you think would get him arrested in an airport specifically?" Harlow pointed out that Brennan had said Trump's meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, was tantamount to treason. Brennan had called Trump's assertion that there was no collusion between Russia and his 2016 campaign "hogwash." What, Harlow wanted to know, did Brennan say that crossed the line? I've already given you Kennedy's answer: "I think Mr. Brennan's objectivity and for me his credibility is broken. It is more broken than the Ten Commandments." Ah, so you've got nothing? Kennedy immediately tried to clean it up a bit. "Now there's no reason that he can't continue in a free country to say what he is saying, but if Mr. Brennan has decided to become a politician, you know, politics is not bean bag. If you want to run with the big dogs, you can't hide on the porch." I understand your confusion, reader. Kennedy said Brennan's been saying things that could get him handcuffed or committed. Then, when pressed for specifics, he says Brennan is free to say whatever he wants to say. From there it's a short trip to bean bags and big dogs on porches. What an embarrassing performance. How sad it is for a senator of the United States of America, and our own senator at that, to suggest that bashing Trump is on par with making a terroristic threat, which is what gets a person handcuffed at an airport. If Brennan had said something that alarming, Kennedy would have been able to say what he said. But, of course, he hasn't, which left Kennedy grasping for a witticism. Trump and Kennedy have both talked about Brennan's security clearance as if it's something that benefits him and not the United States of America. Former intelligence officers, such as Brennan, aren't allowed to keep their clearances because they might have a desire to dig around in files. They're allowed to keep their clearances in case current officials want to consult with them and pick their brains about current threats. But to hear Kennedy tell it, because Brennan has shown himself to be "a politician," he can't have anything of value to say to today's CIA. That's a ridiculous assertion. Having a negative opinion about Trump -- I can't imagine Kennedy getting this worked up if Brennan had expressed positive opinions -- does not have anything to do with Brennan's expertise. Brennan didn't do anything that warranted Trump yanking his security clearance, and Trump only yanked it because he's petty and thin skinned. Interestingly, the conversation between Kennedy and CNN's Harlow began with a discussion of what Russia might have to do to earn sanctions relief. Kennedy was appropriately skeptical and said he wouldn't support lifting sanctions. "Not until I saw a change in behavior by Mr. Putin. Mr. Putin is Russian. And Russia is Mr. Putin... The political philosophy is whatever Mr. Putin said and says...." Isn't that what's happening to the Republican Party? Isn't it true that its political philosophy has become and is becoming whatever Trump says? Things are so bad that a U.S. senator is equating criticism of the president with criminal behavior. He's criticizing the tyrant that is Putin even as he's condoning and defending tyrannical behavior from the president. Kennedy says Brennan's credibility is broken. After that interview, does he think his is intact? Jarvis DeBerry is deputy opinions editor for NOLA.COM | The Times-Picayune. He can be reached at jdeberry@nola.com or at twitter.com/jarvisdeberry. Congress first OK'd the Morganza to the Gulf hurricane protection system in 2000. But the Army Corps of Engineers failed to complete a report on construction that was part of the agreement. Seven years later, Congress authorized the levee system again. But the price had ballooned from $888 million to more than $10 billion because of new standards post-Katrina. Then the $10.3 billion project got authorization a third time by Congress in 2014. But after 18 years, there is still no federal money for the work. This is maddening. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority voted Aug. 15 to ask Congress to give the project "new start" designation and get federal money flowing. Everyone else is already pitching in. Voters in Terrebonne Parish have voted twice to tax themselves to get the work started on the Morganza to the Gulf levee system, which will stretch 98 miles from Golden Meadow to Gibson. The Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District has put $200 million toward construction and got $200 million in matching money from the state. With another $380 million coming from BP oil spill fines and other parish investments in interior levees and a pumping station, state and local investment is impressive. The project, which includes a series of locks, levees and other storm protection systems, will shield 200,000 people in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. The BP money will be used to build the Houma Navigation Canal Lock, which will help keep salt water out of the canal and increase the effectiveness of fresh water being funneled from the Atchafalaya River Basin to the Terrebonne Marshes. "We'll be in excess of $800 million and still zero appropriations from the United States Congress for a federal project protecting over 200,000 people," said Reginald Dupre, executive director of the Terrebonne levee district. The state and local investment is more than a show of good faith. The total spent is already approaching the original cost estimate. About 45 percent of the Morganza project has earthen levees currently built to 10 feet and floodwalls, surge gates and lock structures built to 18 feet. Congress should have provided money for the federal share of the work long ago. Leaving flood protection unfinished could lead to disaster. The corps had been working on some parts of the greater New Orleans flood protection system since Hurricane Betsy struck in 1965 but had yet to finish 40 years later when Katrina hit in 2005. The parts that had been completed weren't built to the standards they should have been or had eroded. Even a low-level storm can do serious damage. Hurricane Isaac wasn't nearly as powerful as Katrina, but the Category 1 storm's surge did extensive damage from Braithwaite to LaPlace in 2012. Isaac's surge was as high as 14 feet at Braithwaite and swamped hundreds of homes outside the federal flood protection system built after Hurricane Katrina. Five people died, including a man and woman in Braithwaite who drowned in their home. They thought they were safe because the storm's winds were only about 80 mph. This year, Congress appropriated $760 million for the West Shore Hurricane Protection Project to protect St. John, St. Charles and St. James parishes. The state is also getting $343 million to finish the Comite River diversion, which was authorized by Congress in 1983. The Louisiana congressional delegation and state officials fought for those appropriations after massive flooding in and around Baton Rouge two years ago. The Comite diversion had been waiting for funding even longer than the Morganza to the Gulf project. Finally, that work can be finished. Now, Congress needs to give Terrebonne and Lafourche residents the protection they need, too. 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 COSTA MESA, Calif. -- New Orleans Saints linebacker Manti Te'o said his father is safe in California, but he's worried about the rest of his family in Hawaii. With Hurricane Lane heading toward Hawaii this week, Te'o said his mother, four sisters and brother are bracing for the storm. "Definitely a lot of prayers going out to my family and all the families there in Hawaii to be safe, be extra cautious and hopefully everything turns out OK," Te'o said Wednesday after the Saints held joint practices with the Los Angeles Chargers. Saints center Max Unger, defensive lineman Mitchell Loewen and linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha are also from Hawaii, though they did not speak to the media on Wednesday. Te'o said his family is on the island of Oahu, which was under a hurricane watch as of Wednesday afternoon. The storm is expected to do more damage on the Big Island (Hawaii) and Maui, which are under a hurricane warning. Saints news in your inbox If you're a Saints fan you won't want to miss this newsletter. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Still, Te'o said he spoke to his mother on Tuesday, and she went to Costco to load up on supplies in the event the Category 4 hurricane makes landfall. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain to the archipelago starting late Wednesday or early Thursday. "There's no worse feeling than (when) you're away from things, and there's nothing you can do," Te'o said. Te'o's father is in the San Diego area on a business trip, and he said his mother was planning on flying to Los Angeles for the Saints' preseason game against the Chargers on Saturday night, though it's unclear if she'll make it now. "It's difficult for us to be here and our family to be there," Te'o said. Eight people were hospitalized Monday evening (Aug. 20) after a disturbance involving juveniles in Lafitte developed into a group car chase, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. Authorities on Tuesday did not release information about the extent of the victims' injuries or their ages. The sheriff's office received a 911 call at 5:31 p.m. reporting a disturbance involving 10 juveniles on Perrin Street, according to Lt. Jason Rivarde, spokesman for the department. The caller reported that the juveniles had just punched a man, he said. Deputies were dispatched, but before they could get to the scene, they were redirected to a crash involving a car and a truck in the 5100 block of Jean Lafitte Boulevard. Authorities found eight injured victims who were passengers in the two vehicles, which had wrecked in a ditch along the roadway, Rivarde said. "Deputies determined that, from the disturbance on Perrin with the two opposing groups, one group jumps into a car and the other jumps into a truck and they gave chase," Rivarde said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The vehicles crashed into one another on Jean Lafitte Boulevard and both ended in the ditch, according to Rivarde. The incident is still under investigation, but authorities said they suspect the dispute started at school. It's not yet clear what, if any, criminal or traffic charges the participants could face. A female sheriff's office deputy was also injured in a crash while responding to the scene. Her wreck did not involve any of the vehicles from the disturbance/chase, Rivarde said. No other information was available. Stay with NOLA.com for more on this story. You could easily be confused by the sheer number and variety of the criminal charges that Michael D. Cohen, President Trumps onetime fixer and personal lawyer, pleaded guilty to on Tuesday in Federal District Court in Manhattan. After all, the combative Mr. Cohen, a former vice president at the Trump Organization, was accused of violating laws that involved his taxi business, his financial dealings with at least three banks and it was the headline allegation his secretive efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election. He admitted joining forces with the nations best-known supermarket tabloid to buy the silence of at least two women who claimed they had affairs with Mr. Trump. Making matters more arcane, some of these purported crimes overlapped, the government said. Mr. Cohen, for instance, was said to have used a fraudulently obtained home-equity loan to pay off one of the women, a pornographic film star, Stephanie Clifford, better known as Stormy Daniels. The charging documents describe a universe of shady dealings and unsavory characters. None of the revelations seem helpful to Mr. Trump. The 95-year-old man in the red brick house at 33-18 89th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens, was known for keeping his yard spick-and-span, even tidying up rubbish on his neighbors stoops. Most days, he was quick with a smile and a good morning, in his thick Polish accent. He would sit on the steps behind his home during block parties, watching the festivities from his perch. Neighbors at first had little inkling that Jakiw Palij was anything other than another immigrant living out his life in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the world. Except, every so often, someone would lob a brick through his window. On Monday night, he was deported to Germany, the coda to a 14-year fight to remove Mr. Palij, a former volunteer Nazi guard who is believed to have presided over the death camp Trawniki. Over the years, Mr. Palijs hidden past became an open secret in Jackson Heights. Residents had grown accustomed to regular protests by Jewish and other groups outside the two-story house, ever since investigators combing through Nazi records identified him in 1993. In 2003, a federal judge stripped Mr. Palij of his American citizenship after finding he had lied on his naturalization forms by claiming he was laboring on his familys farm in Poland and in a German factory during the war. He was ordered deported in 2004. But the United States could not find a country willing to take him. So Mr. Palij remained a New Yorker during an international game of keep-away between Poland, Ukraine and Germany. (He was born in a part of Poland that is now part of Ukraine.) Its not uncommon for a 12-year-old girl to have an imaginary friend, but even so, young Addisons confidant is a little out of the ordinary: Rasputin, the Russian pseudo-monk who became the last czars eminence grise before being assassinated in 1916. As far-fetched as this premise sounds, it makes surreal sense in Red Emma and the Mad Monk, an eccentric, scrappy new musical by Alexis Roblan and Teresa Lotz that is part of the Tanks second annual Lady Fest. The show, which Ms. Roblan created with the director Katie Lindsay, is an astute representation of a searching tweens inner world. After all, for a digital native like Addison (the nonbinary performer Maybe Burke), people, ideas and events coexist freely in a melding of life and internet. The set by Diggle, in which the girls bedroom seamlessly incorporates the outside of her house, reflects the porous border between private and public, real and imaginary. Typically, Addison discovered her bestie via a YouTube documentary. You were so wild and free, she sings of what drew her to Rasputin (the charismatic Drita Kabashi). Confident and hot and weird and mystical and brave/You made me want to be myself, even if you didnt bathe. An 11-year-old black student at a private Roman Catholic school near New Orleans was asked to leave class on Monday because administrators said her braided hair extensions violated school rules, according to a lawyer for the girls family. A viral video showed the sixth grader, Faith Fennidy, crying as she packed up her belongings and left Christ the King Parish School in Terrytown, La. The video, which prompted outrage online on Tuesday, followed closely behind a similar episode in Florida last week in which a black 6-year-old was sent home on his first day of school because he had dreadlocks. Black children have historically faced punishment by school officials over their hairstyles, including twin sisters in Boston who were forced to serve detention last year for wearing their hair in braids. In the most recent case, the Fennidy family lawyer, Inem OBoyle, said school officials this month told Faith on the first day of school that her hairstyle did not align with school policy. After Faith changed her hair, spending a considerable amount of money in the process, officials told her again on Monday that her hair did not comply with school rules, Ms. OBoyle said. But recruits who are American citizens are generally not screened nearly as intensively as Mavni recruits are. And when an immigrant recruit spots mistakes in a security report, there is no official channel for correcting them. I didnt even recognize what I was reading, said Suraj Adhikari, a recruit from Nepal who is serving in the Army Reserves and recently obtained the results of his counterintelligence assessment. It labeled him a potential risk. Mr. Adhikari, the son of a sanitation worker and a schoolteacher, came to the United States on a student visa to study for a masters degree in agricultural science. He is now working on a second degree in data analytics. He enlisted in the Army in 2016, attracted by the promise of American citizenship, and drills regularly with his reserve unit in Omaha, where he is a supply chain specialist. It makes me very proud, he said. His counterintelligence report said he was a security risk because the Nepali government had paid for his undergraduate education and may have influence over him. But he said he had paid his own way through college. Its completely baseless, he said. I cant even understand where they got that information. The Mavni program, short for Military Accessions Vital to National Interest, was created during the George W. Bush administration. More than 10,000 troops have enlisted through the program, almost all of them in the Army. In 2016, the Defense Department began requiring all Mavni recruits, even those in nonsensitive jobs like supply clerks and fuel pumpers, to go through the lengthy interviews and background checks typically required only for troops needing top-secret clearance. Now, Mavni troops are often more thoroughly investigated than the security staff who vet them. The more intense scrutiny quickly led to a backlog of thousands of recruits awaiting clearance. Facing a lawsuit over the backlog in 2017, the Defense Department contracted to have newly trained interviewers rush through counterintelligence evaluations, according to Margaret D. Stock, a retired Army Reserve lieutenant colonel who helped create the Mavni program. She is now an immigration lawyer who represents a number of the programs recruits. They were under the gun to get it done quickly, Ms. Stock said of the interviewers. The management was shoddy, the training was poor. They made a lot of mistakes that have ruined peoples lives. In the security video, Ms. Tibbetts is seen running near Boundary and Middle Streets, and a dark-colored Chevy Malibu also appears, driving back and forth numerous times, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed Tuesday. Mr. Rivera was questioned by law enforcement officers on Monday, and he admitted to pursuing a woman running in the area with his car, according to the affidavit. He told the authorities that he parked his car, got out and ran behind and beside her. Mr. Rivera said she then grabbed her phone and said, Im gonna call the police, and he panicked, the affidavit said. [Read our feature examining the myth of crime in immigrant communities.] He told the authorities that he blocked his memory of what happened next, which he said happens when he gets upset, but recalled that he came to an intersection in his car and turned back around to an entrance of a cornfield, according to the affidavit. Mr. Rivera said that he noticed there was an ear piece from a pair of headphones in his lap, and that is when he realized he had put the woman in the trunk of his car, according to the affidavit. He told the authorities that he then took her out of the trunk, noticing she had blood on the side of her head, before he put her over his shoulder and left her about 20 meters into the cornfield. He described placing corn leaves on her and leaving her face up, the affidavit said. He later led the authorities to the body. Based on the clothing found, and a tentative identification by the medical examiner, the authorities believe the body is that of Ms. Tibbetts. He tells us that he had seen her before, Mr. Rahn said, but declined to elaborate on whether Mr. Rivera and Ms. Tibbetts knew each other. On Tuesday, two major developments unfolded involving people close to President Trump. Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trumps former fixer, pleaded guilty to breaking campaign finance laws and other charges, admitting that he arranged payments to two women at the direction of Mr. Trump to secure the womens silence about affairs they said they had had with him. Minutes later, Mr. Trumps former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was convicted in his financial fraud trial in Virginia. The special counsel had argued that Mr. Manafort hid millions of dollars in foreign accounts to evade taxes and lied to banks to obtain millions of dollars in loans. [Heres a guide to our coverage of the blockbuster news] So what happens now? Well help you sort out what the big day in court means for Mr. Cohen, Mr. Manafort and Mr. Trump. Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer, went from this: Ill do anything to protect Mr. Trump. They say Im Mr. Trumps pit bull. Ive stood by him, shoulder to shoulder. To this: Shock waves after President Trumps former attorney Michael Cohen ... Michael Cohen, pleading guilty and implicating the president ... ... possibly the worst day in Donald Trumps presidency thus far. So why did one of Trumps most trusted advisers flip? Cohen was known for being Trumps fixer and biggest defender. If theres an issue that relates to Mr. Trump that is of concern to him, its of course of concern to me. And I will use my legal skills within which to protect Mr. Trump to the best of my ability. In April, the F.B.I. raided Cohens office after he became a target in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation. Trump was quick to come to Cohens defense. But once the investigation zeroed in on Cohen, the lawyer began to change his tune. My wife, my daughter and my son have my first loyalty and always will. I put family and country first. In July, Cohen released audio from a conversation with Donald Trump that he secretly recorded two months before the 2016 election. The two appear to be discussing payments to a former Playboy model who said she had an affair with Trump. [Cohen and Trump speaking] Heres when things between Trump and Cohen began to publicly fall apart. I expected something like this from Cohen, hes been lying all week. I mean, for two hes been lying for years. Theres nobody that I know that knows him that hasnt warned me that if his back is up against the wall, he will lie like crazy, because hes lied all his life. On Aug. 21, Cohen pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign finance laws and said President Trump directed him to make payments to two women during the 2016 campaign to avoid a potential sex scandal. Cohens lawyer suggested he knew more. Mr. Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows. Trump tried to play down the momentous admission via Twitter. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) State prosecutors tried to stop the court from allowing the temporary release of Maguindanao massacre suspect Zaldy Ampatuan, the Justice Department said Wednesday. "The prosecution vigorously opposed Zaldy Ampatuan's motion for furlough to attend his daughter's wedding, but the court granted the motion for humanitarian reasons," Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a text message. "The prosecution put in all possible arguments to oppose the furlough such as the risk of flight, security issues, legal restraints upon a person facing a criminal prosecution, etc.," he added. The statement was made as the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) demanded a "full account and credible explanation" on how Ampatuan was allowed to leave jail for his daughter's wedding despite his "heinous" crime. Ampatuan, former governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, is one of the main suspects in the 2009 massacre that left 58 people dead, including 32 media workers, some civilians, and some members of the Mangudadatu family - a rival political family of the Ampatuans. The attack has been recorded by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders as "the biggest bloodbath of journalists in media's history." The Quezon City Regional Trial Court allowed Ampatuan to attend his daughter's wedding at a five-star luxury hotel in Manila from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said. The BJMP said Ampatuan returned to his cell before 7 p.m. at the Quezon City Jail Annex inside Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. "It is a momentous family occasion which must be attended by the couple's loved-ones, especially the accused-movant, who will bring his eldest daughter to the altar," Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Branch 221 said in her August 17 decision. In a handwritten letter to the court, Ampatuan said Islamic tradition dictates that parents must be present during the wedding of their eldest child. He assured the court he had no plans of doing anything against the law while out of detention. "Tinitiyak kong walang masamang mangyayari habang ako ay nasa labas ng selda. hindi pi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa at lagi kong iniisip na lalabas ang katotohanan," he said. But the NUJP slammed the court's decision in favor of Ampatuan. "While we may understand a parent's desire to be present at such an important milestone in the life of a child, we stress that the crime of which Mr. Ampatuan is accused is of such a heinous nature that the shock and outrage it stirred around the world forced then President Gloria Arroyo to move against the powerful clan that was among her staunchest allies," the NUJP said in its statement. Zaldy Ampatuan's father, the late Andal Ampatuan, Sr., and his brother Andal Ampatuan Jr., are among his co-accused in the bloody Maguindanao Massacre on November 23, 2009. It was also known as the Ampatuan massacre after the town where the corpses of the victims were found, shallowly buried. The massacre prompted former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to declare a state of martial law in Maguindanao from December 4 to 13, 2009. On March 18, 2017, another suspect, Akmad "Tato" Ampatuan was also allowed to attend his daughter's wedding in Taguig City. Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, whose wife and sisters were among those killed in the massacre, expressed sadness over the court's decision but stressed he respects it. "Malungkot ako e dahil nakakalabas sila Pero irerespeto ko pa rin yung desisyon ng korte. Short time lang naman yan (I am sad because they can go out of jail. But I respect the decision of the court. Their release is for a short time only)," he said. Only 116 of the 197 original suspects facing multiple murder charges have been arrested. Of this number, 107 remain on trial while five were dismissed. Andal Ampatuan, Sr. died in 2015 due to complications from liver cancer. "We are still praying to God Allah that someday, somehow, the court will decide on our side," Mangudadatu said. CNN Philippines' Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report. ALEXANDRIA, Va. A jury on Tuesday convicted Paul Manafort, President Trumps former campaign chairman, on eight counts of tax and financial fraud. No sentencing date has been set yet. Heres a look at the immediate implications of the verdict for Mr. Manafort and the special counsels investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 presidential race. It strengthens the legitimacy of the special counsels investigation. Before and during the trial, President Trump, his allies and Mr. Manaforts defense lawyers have attacked the inquiry as a witch hunt. Escalating his attacks this week, Mr. Trump described the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, as disgraced and discredited and his team as thugs. Mr. Manaforts conviction on multiple counts in United States District Court in Alexandria, Va., deprives Mr. Trump and his supporters of new ammunition against Mr. Mueller. It could make it harder for them to win any new converts to the idea that the investigation is without merit and needs to wind down. The four other Americans charged during Mr. Muellers inquiry all pleaded guilty; only Mr. Manafort forced the prosecutors to prove their case before a jury. They didnt get everything they asked for, but its certainly substantial enough to vindicate their persistent efforts, Carl W. Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, said of Mr. Muellers team. WASHINGTON In two courtrooms 200 miles apart on Tuesday, President Trumps almost daily attempts to dismiss the criminal investigations that have engulfed his White House all but collapsed. Mr. Trump has long mocked the investigations as rigged witch hunts, pursued by Democrats and abetted by a dishonest news media. But even the presidents staunchest defenders acknowledged privately that the legal setbacks he suffered within minutes of each other could open fissures among Republicans on Capitol Hill and expose Mr. Trump to the possibility of impeachment. In Manhattan, Michael D. Cohen, the presidents former lawyer, admitted in court that Mr. Trump directed him to break campaign finance laws by paying off two women who said they had sexual relationships with Mr. Trump. And in Alexandria, Va., a jury found Mr. Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, guilty of eight counts of tax and bank fraud the most significant victory yet for the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III. A president who has labored under the cloud of investigations from almost the moment he took office, Mr. Trump now faces an increasingly grim legal and political landscape. Mr. Mueller is methodically investigating whether Mr. Trump and members of his campaign conspired with a foreign power to win the election and whether the president tried to obstruct the investigation from the White House. And the president is months away from congressional elections that could hobble the second half of his presidency. Mr. Barrasso, who is seeking his third term in the Senate, has managed to find a way to coexist in Mr. Trumps Republican Party, even though his political style and approach to governing could not be more different from the presidents. Mr. Barrasso, a nose-to-the-grindstone tactical politician with medical training from Georgetown and Yale, is deeply involved in his partys efforts to shape a legislative agenda as chair of the Senates Republican Policy Committee. He was never as outwardly critical of Mr. Trump as some of his Senate colleagues were, either during the 2016 election or after the president took office. He has occasionally broken with Mr. Trump, for example by calling on him to release his tax returns and opposing, albeit gently, the administrations plan to separate immigrant children from their parents. Representative Liz Cheney, the states lone House member and a Republican, was also renominated on Tuesday. In the other contest unfolding on Tuesday, in Alaska, voters were picking candidates to challenge Gov. Bill Walker, an independent who has disappointed members of both major parties as the state grapples with slow economic growth and rising violent crime. The Democratic primary was uncontested, with only Mark Begich, a former United States senator, running. On the Republican side, Mike Dunleavy, a former state senator, won the partys nomination for governor. In public transit stations from London to New York you often hear the sound of gentle classical music some Mozart perhaps, maybe some Bach. Its piped in as an easy way to calm angry passengers, and discourage teenagers from hanging around. But now, Deutsche Bahn Germanys national train operator has come up with a different, slightly more confrontational approach. This autumn, it will try piping atonal music into a Berlin railway station, a spokesman confirmed Wednesday in an emailed statement. It is an attempt to make the station less comfortable for drug users. In explaining the move, an official told the publication Deutsche Welle that few people find such music beautiful, and that many perceive it as something to run away from. Deutsche Bahn was unable to give any further details of the trial program, which was first reported in Berlins Tagesspiegel newspaper. It had yet to decide what pieces of music to use. It will not play the music on platforms and risk annoying passengers waiting for trains, the spokesman said. Season 1, Episode 7: The Queen One of Stephen Kings best-known 1970s short stories is Sometimes They Come Back, which spawned a 1991 TV movie and two straight-to-video sequels. The storys title alone is so evocative, so creepy so Stephen King. Much of what the author has written in the past 40-odd years could carry that same name. From Pet Sematary to It to The Dark Half, if theres one idea King keeps returning to, its that nothing stays buried forever. The outstanding seventh episode of this Castle Rock season offers a particularly jazzy variation on that theme. In The Queen, we see the world through the eyes of Ruth Deaver, who recently told her grandson Wendell that she no longer experiences time in a straight line, moving in one direction. Sometimes, for example, she wakes up to find her dead dog Puck in her bed, having just deposited a squirrels remains on her pillow. And sometimes she walks into her kitchen and sees her late husband Matthew a man she never really wanted to talk to again. Because Ruth cant distinguish between memory and reality any more, for her, the dead are no longer staying dead. The Queen picks up roughly where last weeks episode left off: The Kid has just escaped a mental institution and returned to the Deaver homestead, where hes vaguely threatening Ruth. The previous episode ended with Alan Pangborn walking into a house that had been completely trashed. This week fills in some of what happened in the interim, between the moment when the Kid found Ruth kneeling on the floor surrounded by spilled medication, and Alans arrival. Trying to pin down exactly where in the timeline this episode begins and ends isnt easy. The Queen is a thrilling experiment in nonlinear narrative, slipping as casually between the past and present as Ruth does. Its designed to make the audience feel as mixed-up as she does not about whats happening, but when. In the United States, the French director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade is known entirely as a maker of investigative documentaries about American deaths. He won a best-documentary Oscar in 2001 for Murder on a Sunday Morning and his series The Staircase, originally shown on French television in 2004, has in retrospect made him a godfather of the American true-crime-series boom. In his French TV career, though, he has mixed in the occasional nondocumentary project. He was, for instance, one of the directors of the French remake of Broadchurch, called Malaterra, which, sadly, does not appear to be available for streaming in America. (The curious can order the DVD set from France.) Subscribers to the boutique Euro-streaming service Walter Presents, however, can see a more personal slice of Mr. De Lestrades work: Three Times Manon, an affecting mini-series that won several European awards for best TV drama in 2014, and its 2017 sequel, Manon 5 Years On, which had its premiere on the service on Thursday. The two three-episode series are snapshots in the life of the title character, an emotionally frazzled young woman with a hair-trigger temper played by Alba Gaia Bellugi. (She played the daughter of Mathieu Kassovitzs burned-out spy in the French series The Bureau.) Three Times presents her as a 15-year-old whos been sent to a reform school after viciously attacking her mother; 5 Years On picks up her life at 20, still struggling for control but holding down a job and juggling a boyfriend and a girlfriend. SMALL ANIMALS Parenthood in the Age of Fear By Kim Brooks 242 pp. Flatiron Books. $26.99. In March of 2011, Kim Brooks intentionally left her 4-year-old son, Felix, alone in a car. For some readers, this sentence will provoke outrage. Others will read the opening pages of Brookss book Small Animals, which recount that experience in a parking lot in Virginia, with a rising sense of dread, even though its clear early on that Felix was unharmed. Parents whove allowed their kids to play outside without checking on them every few minutes, let them walk alone to the store or permitted them any of the countless small freedoms that used to be part of an ordinary American childhood, will sense whats coming: the police. Every year, Brooks writes, about 37 American children die in hot cars. Its a harrowing death, often due to oversight babies left napping and forgotten, parents interrupted from their usual routines. But on the day that Brooks left her son, it was cool enough for jackets, the windows were open and the car was locked and alarmed. Brooks was rushing to catch a flight with her two young kids; she let Felix stay in the car playing on his iPad while she ran into Target on an errand. She was gone for a few minutes, and in that time Felix was observed by a bystander, who recorded a video of him alone in the back seat and gave it to the authorities. What, exactly, was the crime? Or, more precisely, what kind of danger was little Felix in? Small Animals interrogates how we weigh risk as parents, how we judge one anothers parenting and what the costs might be not just to parents, but to children, too of a culture of constant surveillance. Brookss book attempts to understand what is so scary about leaving a child alone in a car, when the act of driving that child in that same car is, she contends, far riskier. As she puts it, a childs chances of being abducted and murdered are way less than one in a million. She interviews a cognitive scientist, a sociologist and an occupational therapist, along with other mothers whove faced arrest for infractions similar to hers and makes the case that our fears are based on little more than superstition. Why are American parents so fearful? Is leaving a child in a car considered riskier than driving him because the boogeyman you cant see is scarier than dangers you face every day? Is it possible, as Lenore Skenazy, an activist who runs a website called Free-Range Kids, suggests to Brooks, that we are more interested in policing mothers than in protecting children that our idea of a good parent is someone who watches and manages and meddles and observes ceaselessly, even when the outcome this yields is no safer? Its time for Filipinos to move on. Imee Marcos, the eldest daughter of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, used an appearance with President Rodrigo Duterte, a Marcos admirer, to tell her people to get over her fathers misdeeds. The millennials have moved on and I think people at my age should also move on as well, the 62-year-old said. The remark came on the 35th anniversary of the assassination of Benigno S. Aquino Jr., which fueled the protests that ended Marcoss brutal 20-year rule, during which thousands of people were killed and tortured. The Marcos family was accused of stealing roughly $10 billion in government treasure to enrich itself. It is so easy to say that we should all move on, said one of Aquinos nephews, Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino, but for those who suffered during martial law, it would not be so easy. I would like to have a nicer lifestyle but dont know how I can afford it, she said. A Chinese consumption downgrade could be felt around the world. Chinese spenders have been a key driver of their countrys economic growth in recent years. China, in turn, has played a major role in global growth. Chinese consumers help global companies like Apple, General Motors, Volkswagen and many others. A consumption downgrade could also embolden Mr. Trump in his trade fight with China, as he gambles that Beijing cant take much more economic damage. On paper, the Chinese economy looks strong. Look closer, and the cracks begin to show. Retail sales this year have grown at their slowest pace in more than a decade. Wages in the private sector are growing at their slowest pace since the global financial crisis. The stock market has fallen by one-fifth. Last week, JD.com, a Chinese e-commerce company, reported disappointing quarterly results. JD.coms focus is providing Chinas growing middle class with quality products. Investors are watching closely to see whether the Alibaba Group, Chinas biggest online retailer, will report weak results as well on Thursday. Long-term factors are driving down spending among young people in particular. The cost of education is going up. Housing in rich cities like Beijing has become unaffordable for many. Housing is so expensive that Wang Jiazhi moved out of his own home. A 34-year-old semiconductor engineer in the southern city of Shenzhen, he bought a one-bedroom apartment in 2016. In addition to a mortgage of more than $700 a month, he needs to pay his relatives back for the money he borrowed for the down payment. So he rents his apartment and shares a four-bedroom apartment with nine other men. This way, Mr. Wang who makes about $2,000 a month after taxes saves $160 a month. Like many Chinese men, Mr. Wang believes he needs an apartment in order to find a wife. But he is under so much pressure with his mortgage and debt, and with supporting his aging parents in the countryside, that he has had to postpone his plan for marriage. His prospects werent good anyway: To save money, he has stopped dating. I work long hours every day, he said. It makes me feel occupied. So the consumption downgrade is in. Even as Chinas stock market has sputtered, shares in companies that make affordable staples like erguotou, a cheap hard liquor, and pickled vegetables have bucked the trend. Buying part of Sabic, a giant in its own right, could make Saudi Aramco a more valuable company while the petrochemical industry is growing around the world. That, in turn, could help the oil company draw even more interest in a public offering. Sabic, which earned a net profit of nearly $5 billion in 2017, produced more than 70 million tons of petrochemicals and five million tons of steel last year, according to Middle East Petroleum and Economic Publications, which tracks the industry. Saudi Aramco has been trying to move into the sector, which it believes could provide a hedge against an eventual decline in demand for oil as a fuel. This month, Saudi Aramcos board approved $14 billion in petrochemical projects and project expansions, including a large refinery in Texas and a joint venture with the French giant Total in Saudi Arabia. The two companies have grown closer recently, including by starting plans for a joint chemicals plant in 2025. And Sabic would give Saudi Aramco invaluable expertise in the petrochemicals sector. Saudi Aramco has been quite deliberate in adding refineries, terminals and, more recently, chemical plants, said Osmar Abib, a managing director at Credit Suisse who has been closely following the proposed public offering. It is all with the key objectives of securing more access to markets and enhancing overall returns. Saudi Aramcos buying a stake in Sabic would have another benefit for the Saudi government. A deal would still fill the coffers of the countrys sovereign wealth fund with billions of dollars, allowing it to make some of the Vision 2030 investments it had planned to fund with a public offering. The plan to delay the I.P.O. was reported earlier by Reuters. But skeptics of a Sabic transaction worry that Saudi Aramco would be taking on a financial burden by paying tens of billions of dollars for a stake in the chemical company. And adding on a big petrochemical business might reduce the overall profitability of Aramco, which is believed to enjoy among the worlds lowest costs for extracting the oil it produces. LONDON The picture was just like many of the other Facebook posts criticizing Britains decision to leave the European Union: a fake commemorative stamp showing a person preparing to shoot himself in the foot. But on Tuesday, Facebook revealed that the unremarkable post was anything but. It originated from an Iranian-backed group aimed at Britain, in what the company said was the first known instance of a foreign influence campaign aimed at people outside the United States. Facebook has spent the past two years trying to block foreign propaganda in the United States. But its disclosure of hundreds of fake accounts and pages, including the one tied to the Iranian-backed group, revealed that the foreign manipulation of elections through Facebook extends across the globe. Tactics used by Russia-linked groups ahead of the 2016 presidential election are being applied in Britain, the Middle East and Latin America. Europe, where Facebook has more users than in the United States, is particularly worried. The companys announcement exacerbated concerns that the region will be a regular target of foreign propaganda efforts including ahead of next years European Parliament elections, which will help set the policy direction in Brussels for the next five years. Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter. Air pollution is shaving months and in some cases more than a year off your life expectancy, depending on where you live, according to a study published Wednesday. Worldwide, outdoor air pollution reduces the average life expectancy at birth by one year. The effect is much more pronounced in some countries: It cuts the average Egyptians life span by 1.9 years and the average Indians by 1.5 years. In Russia, its around nine months. For the United States, its less, currently reducing the life expectancy of an American born today by a little more than four months on average. Those findings come as the Trump administration is proposing a loosening of pollution controls from coal-fired power plants. Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter. WASHINGTON Americas ailing coal industry was buoyed on Tuesday when the Environmental Protection Agency unveiled a proposal to relax pollution regulations on coal-fired power plants. President Trump traveled to West Virginia to tout the planned measure, telling supporters, Were putting our great coal miners back to work. Yet the reality on the ground for the nations coal industry remains bleak. Even the Trump administrations own numbers suggest that its latest proposal wont reverse the sharp decline of coal power, which has been crushed by competition from cheaper natural gas and renewable energy over the past decade. More than 200 coal plants have shut down since 2010, and another 40 plants have announced they will close in the years ahead, with virtually no new coal plants being built today. At best, if finalized, the E.P.A.s newest rollback could help a small number of those endangered coal plants stave off retirement for a bit longer, albeit at the expense of increased air pollution. But even in that scenario, the agencys own analysis showed, coal power would still decline by 20 percent between now and 2030 and coal mining would drop by one-third. A new study offers a glint of hope to people in a desperate situation: Patients with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, that has spread to the brain. A combination of two drugs that activate the immune system shrank brain tumors in many melanoma patients and prolonged life in a study of 94 people at 28 medical centers in the United States. The drugs were ipilimumab (brand name Yervoy) and nivolumab (Opdivo), and they belong to a class called checkpoint inhibitors. Melanoma is more likely than most cancers to spread to the brain, and once it gets there, fewer than 20 percent of patients survive one year with traditional treatments, according to Dr. Hussein A. Tawbi, the first author of the study and an associate professor of melanoma medical oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. But in the study, 82 percent were still alive after a year. This is great news, Dr. Tawbi said. We can help a lot more melanoma patients, and hopefully well be able to help a lot more patients in general with these results. In one village on the Arctic coast, a woman showed me a shaman grave mound that seemed to be opening by itself. She told me people kept covering it so as not to let out the bad luck. I suspected the earth underneath had gone soft because the permafrost was melting. In a way, either explanation was the same: a bad omen in the shape of new cracks in the soil. There are the off-kilter caribou migrations, the river fish spawning at the wrong time, the once predictable tides of ice that carry bearded seal to Alaska Native hunters that never appeared. More than once in the last few years, very old people in Arctic villages have told me that the sky has changed, that the stars are in a different place. What do you do with that? Im a freelancer, so I get messages from editors sometimes, asking for stories about climate refugees or starving polar bears that they read about somewhere else. What I see, by and large, isnt so dramatic. Climate change is often a factor, not a direct cause. The shape of the narrative, though, is always the same: sad or mysterious. You can write only so many stories like that. And its hard to know if anyone cares. What would they do if they did? Sometimes the stray accounts I hear do germinate into articles, like my story this week on the dwindling catch in the Copper River, 250 miles east of Anchorage, where for the first time in memory many of the salmon didnt return from the sea. Early this summer, my cousins husband and my uncle went to the Copper for red salmon. My uncle has been getting our fish there since 1969. But this year nobody got any. Soon biologists closed the river to fishing so enough red salmon could make it upriver to spawn. On a first try, I made the surnoli wrong, too liquid, too thin, shaping them in the pan with the back of a ladle so they were unevenly thin and thick. My reference point was the wrong kind of pancake. So I called my father and studied some photos and tried again. They should be fat in the middle and full of holes, he told me. And they should taste simply of coconut and rice, with only a hint of sourness. I cooked surnoli on the day I was meant to leave town to visit him and the rest of my family in Los Angeles, pre-buttering a couple of good-looking piles in my Brooklyn kitchen and carefully loading them in my backpack. I thought Id share them with my father and surprise him, but also ask him, with his firsthand memories of surnoli, for a few more answers. Were these like the ones he remembered? Were they fermented far enough, or maybe a little too much? Were the ones made with Eno an acceptable substitute? And if they were so easy to make, which they were, why had he never made them for me? But Id skipped breakfast, and rushed out the door hungry, and within the first hour of my flight, all the pancakes Id made for him were gone. Thats all right, he said when I told him later and he finished laughing at me. We can make them together at Christmas. A conservative Republican president, Ronald Reagan, selected Kennedy. Yet the distance between his appointment and Kavanaughs reveals how far the conservative movement has traveled in law and in politics. Unlike Kennedy, Kavanaugh was preapproved by the Federalist Society, founded in 1982 to strengthen the conservative movements presence in law schools and the judiciary. The organization has groomed prospective judges and nurtured theories like originalism, which supply a method of constitutional interpretation that has led conservative judges largely to positions they ideologically favor. Last year, the Federalist Society helped Trump triumph with two parts of his base, evangelicals and big business, by contributing to a list of judges presented to him that included Neil Gorsuch, whom the president picked for Antonin Scalias empty seat and who began fulfilling the bases hopes over the course of his first term. While Kennedy supplied the fifth vote for many conservative victories, he also participated in some of its big steps to the left, specifically in embracing marriage equality and reducing the scope of the death penalty. On abortion, he was a moderating force when conservative colleagues moved to gut Roe v. Wade. And by influencing the reasoning of conservative opinions he joined, Kennedy kept doors open that his colleagues would have closed. Though Kennedy ruled in June against Latino and African-American voters who challenged redistricting plans for congressional and state elections in Texas as a violation of the Voting Rights Act, he did not say that the laws protections for minority voters should never apply to drawing electoral maps, the position taken by Gorsuch and Justice Clarence Thomas. Since the 1930s, justices who served as swing voters or drifted ideologically have made it possible to think about the court in nonpartisan terms. Kavanaughs confirmation will probably break this long tradition. He represents the fulfillment of the dearest political wish for two generations of the conservative movement. Kavanaugh is a D.C. insider who has taken conservative positions as an appellate judge, and he has been a member of the Federalist Society since 1988, participating, for example, by hosting a dinner for admitted Yale law students in April. Barring a late-breaking surprise, the fifth and decisive brick of a conservative Supreme Court wall is about to be put into place. In the controversial cases that shape the publics perception of the court, we can expect to see a full-blown partisan divide, with the conservative bloc, all Republican appointees, facing off against four liberal-moderates chosen by Democratic presidents. Assuming Kavanaugh votes as his record suggests, the court will move to the right on several important fronts, even as the countrys demographics predict a shift of the electorate to the left, with more young voters and voters of color. Several priorities of the conservative legal movement already conflict with public opinion. The movements biggest target is Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that identified access to abortion as a constitutional right, Yet a poll in July by NBC News and The Wall Street Journal showed an all-time high in public support for the decision, with 71 percent saying that Roe should not be overturned. The conservative wing of the court has also focused on upholding voting restrictions, gerrymanders and purges of the registration rolls. In the 2010 Citizens United decision, the same justices opened the door to a massive amount of spending to influence elections. Polls show, however, that more than 70 percent of Americans dont like extreme partisan gerrymandering and want to overturn Citizens United. The conservative justices have also tipped the balance of power toward corporations and away from employees and consumers. In a series of decisions beginning in 2011, they made it harder for consumers and employees to sue companies collectively (by upholding the fine print in contracts that forces disputes into private, case-by-case arbitration, in the face of state and federal laws that would otherwise make such contractual provisions unenforceable). This is an unpopular development, too. In a 2015 national survey, Pew found that in a dispute with a bank, an overwhelming number of people 95 percent want the right to bring the dispute to a judge or a jury and 89 percent want the right to participate in a collective (or class-action) lawsuit. Finally, if the court continues down a path to deregulation by second-guessing rather than deferring to the decisions of federal agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency, it will be at odds with polls showing that about 60 percent of Americans would like to see environmental regulations preserved or strengthened and think they are worth the cost. If you watch, as I recently did, the 1973 film Papillon back to back with the remake, you get a double dose of prisoner abuse and appealing actors pantomiming a range of human misery. Blood is spilled, bodies are ravaged. Both movies are sober, high-minded stories about the terrible things that men do to other men in the name of country and righteousness. Mostly, these are chronicles of extreme male suffering, torments so ghastly they turn otherwise ordinary men into quasi-religious martyrs. To what end? The most obvious reason is that the first film is based on a best seller, and the second is, well, based on the first. Each draws from a disputed memoir by Henri Charriere, a French criminal who was sentenced to life for a murder he said he didnt commit. In 1933, he was shipped to French Guiana, a speck on the Atlantic coast of South America. The French claimed it in the 17th century, using it as a slave port and later a penal colony. Its most notorious section was a former leper settlement called Devils Island, which is where the wrongly accused spy Alfred Dreyfus was imprisoned. Try as it might, sadness still cant get the best of The Rest I Make Up, a lyrical and lovingly made documentary about the playwright Maria Irene Fornes, which recalls her career and follows her over several bittersweet years as Alzheimers steals her memories. Born in 1930, Ms. Fornes came to the United States from Cuba as a teenager and made her way to New York. Self-taught, she went on to write dozens of avant-garde plays (one of them a Pulitzer Prize finalist) that garnered plenty of productions and awards. Her friends included Susan Sontag, who was, for a time, her lover. Then the tariffs hit. So everything collapsed, he said. Mr. Robbins said he is losing more than $50,000 a month on milk production: It costs him $16.50 to produce 100 pounds of milk, but the price he got in July for three million pounds of milk was $14.78 per 100 pounds. He also expects a significantly lower profit on his soybeans. As countries have levied retaliatory tariffs in response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, American goods have become more difficult to sell in foreign markets, said Jennifer Ifft, an agricultural economist at Cornell University. Canada and Mexico are the biggest markets for the American dairy industry and both countries have raised tariffs on dairy products. Most soybeans are exported to China, which imposed a 25 percent tariff on the commodity that took effect in July. In most cases, a good share of growth in these markets has been through exports markets, Ms. Ifft said. Its just a very low margin environment right now, which is sort of normal for agriculture, she added. But when there are these repeated shocks, thats when it gets hard for people. The Trump administration has tried to cushion the impact on farmers by announcing plans to extend up to $12 billion in aid to those hurt by the tariffs. The Department of Agriculture is expected to provide details of the plan, which would provide payments to support prices of commodities like soybeans, cotton and corn, as early as Friday. But New York farmers are skeptical of the aid package. Its offering a Band-Aid to buy some votes, said Craig Yunker, who owns CY Farms in Elba, N.Y. I think its thrown out there to try to mollify the farm belt ahead of the midterms. The steep losses have placed such an enormous strain that some farmers believe it has played a role in a rash of suicides on dairy farms in the state. This wasnt how Joe Budden planned on becoming famous. In fact, he didnt plan much of anything. Now hes on the charts, but not for his music. Instead, as of Thursday, Joe Budden has the No. 1 podcast on the iTunes music podcast chart five slots ahead of the NPR standard-bearer All Songs Considered. The Joe Budden Podcast With Rory and Mal is produced at a friends house in Queens. Mr. Budden had a brief taste of mainstream success as a rapper with a Top 40 hit in 2003 before his career stalled. Now he has become a kind of volatile elder statesman of hip-hop, holding forth on his podcast, social media and YouTube before an audience of millions. His soliloquies and tirades, whether a careful examination of a rap diss or a nuanced defense of XXXTentacion, the controversial young rapper who was murdered in June, lend him a credibility he never quite had as an artist. Mr. Budden is now banking on a new partnership with Spotify to expand on his success. Starting this fall, his podcast will stream exclusively on that platform. (He plans on still uploading videos of the show on YouTube.) The goal, according to Courtney Holt, head of studios and video at Spotify, is to develop out not just this show, but other shows in the future. When asked why he thought Spotify was the best home for his show, Mr. Budden said simply, They werent afraid of me. On its own, the Tax Departments inquiry may provide political ammunition for Mr. Cuomo more than it presents a legal peril to Mr. Trump. Even if the department found evidence of criminal behavior, it would need to refer the matter to a law enforcement agency, such as the attorney generals office or a district attorney, for prosecution. In June, the state attorney general sued the Trump Foundation in civil court, accusing the charity of violating campaign finance laws, self-dealing and illegally coordinating with Mr. Trumps presidential campaign. The suit said the foundation was co-opted by the campaign during the 2016 race. Campaign staff not only directed foundation fund-raisers but also controlled who received grants, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit sought to dissolve the foundation, recover $2.8 million in restitution and temporarily bar President Trump and three of his children from serving in leadership positions in New York nonprofits. Administration officials would not say when the Tax Departments investigation began, but it became public a month after the attorney generals lawsuit. Beyond the civil charges, the attorney generals office has not announced a criminal investigation into the foundation, saying only that it would seek a criminal referral from a state agency at the appropriate time. But because the offices review of the Trump Foundation is still active, the office is coordinating with the Tax Departments inquiry, according to an official familiar with the investigation, who also requested anonymity because the investigation is active. The Manhattan district attorneys office is also looking into possible impropriety by the Trump Foundation, according to someone familiar with the matter. Mr. Trump established the Donald J. Trump Foundation in 1987, when he was a New York City real estate developer, with the stated mission of collecting and maintaining money exclusively for charitable, religious, scientific, literary or educational purposes, either directly or by donating to other organizations. It had about $1 million in assets in 2016, according to its last I.R.S. filing. Mr. Trump was the foundations president until he stepped down after taking office in January 2017. In October 2016, the New York attorney generals office ordered the foundation to cease soliciting donations in the state, after Mr. Trump admitted he had used the foundations money to contribute to political causes. After the election, Mr. Trump announced he would dissolve the foundation to avoid an appearance of a conflict of interest, but the attorney general did not approve the proposal, saying the office needed to finish its investigation. Near the back of JJ Hat Center, Van Huynh wrapped his hands around a mold of cream-colored felt and tipped it into pillows of steam. Mr. Huynh, the stores in-house hatter, spends most of his days crammed between wooden blocks and weathered chain stitch machines, making, reshaping and repairing hats. Im helping people paint a visual image of themselves, said Mr. Huynh, 36, while standing in front of an actual painting of himself in an orange fedora. If you have kids, youre going to want a dad hat, something crushable. Your kids might throw up on it the dog could eat it. For over a century, JJ Hat Center, at 310 Fifth Avenue and 32nd Street, has helped collectors and headwear neophytes alike with adding a little flourish to their personal styles. A typical scene in the old-fashioned-looking shop, with its glimmering chandeliers and yellowing posters of drivers in Borsalinos, has customers peering into the mirrors and occasionally grinning as they pull down the brims of homburgs or Open Road cowboy hats. Since 1851, obituaries in The New York Times have been dominated by white men. With Overlooked, were adding the stories of remarkable people whose deaths went unreported in The Times. By age 32, Doria Shafik had earned a doctorate in philosophy from the Sorbonne, competed in the Miss Egypt contest, published essays and poetry in Arabic and French, founded an Egyptian feminist organization and took on the editorship of two feminist magazines. But it was what she did on Feb. 19, 1951, that had the biggest impact on Egyptian history. She convened a crowd of 1,500 women at a lecture hall at the American University of Cairo for what she billed a feminist congress. But that was a just ruse to fool the police. Shafik had other plans. Our meeting today is not a congress but a parliament, she said. A true one! That of women. Moments later, she led her army of women as they stormed through the marble gates and onto the floor of Egypts all-male parliament the parliament of the other half of the nation, she called it that day. Trumps longtime fixer acknowledged in court on Tuesday that he violated campaign finance laws by paying hush money to two women in coordination with and at the direction of a candidate for federal office. That means Trump. That means that, as a candidate, Trump is credibly alleged to have purposefully conspired with Cohen to commit criminal acts. That means the duo did so for purposes of influencing [an] election for Federal office, which is the legal definition of a campaign contribution. It also means that, as president, Trump allegedly sought to conceal the arrangement by failing to note in his 2017 financial disclosure forms his reimbursements to Cohen. The president most likely continues to lie to the American people about the nature and purpose of those payments. The Trumpian rebuttal to these charges is that Cohen is a sleazy lawyer and proven liar. And that the most prominent attempt to prosecute a political figure for violating campaign-finance laws involving former Democratic senator and 2004 vice-presidential candidate John Edwards failed in court. And that campaign-finance violations dont rise to the level of impeachable offenses, anyway. But if Cohens lies as Trumps lawyer are one thing, lying under oath to a federal judge is quite another. Cohens sentencing isnt until December, when hes expected to be sent to prison for up to five years. If hes being untruthful, that leaves plenty of time for any deceits to come to light. Ask yourself: Does he look like a guy eager to have his sentence doubled? As for the Edwards standard, the case failed because prosecutors could not prove that the former North Carolina senator received campaign donations from benefactors to influence an election, rather than simply cover up an embarrassing affair. In Trumps case, there is little doubt about the purpose of the payment to Stormy Daniels: To prevent disclosure of their alleged liaison, less than a month before the election and barely two weeks after the Access Hollywood tape came to light. On Tuesday, Michael Cohen, President Trumps former consigliere and a man who had a talent for ostentatious indifference, walked into federal court and pleaded guilty to eight felonies. Remember during the election when he was confronted on CNN with dismal polls suggesting his candidate was losing, and he scoffed, Says who? That time his bravado was warranted. But his appearance before a judge was a remarkable reversal of fortune for the man who styled himself Mr. Trumps attack dog and fixer, a man quick with a threat of a libel suit or a promise to destroy journalists who vexed him or his boss. Mr. Cohen was forced to abase himself before a roomful of reporters, admitting to a wide range of serious wrongdoing, including tax evasion and bank fraud while also directly implicating the president of the United States in federal campaign finance violations. This preposterous age of manic news cycles Mr. Cohens admission came on the same day that Paul Manafort, the presidents former campaign chairman, was convicted of eight counts of tax and bank fraud weekly bombshells and improbable politics has left us deadened to amazing developments. So let me repeat it for emphasis and for history: The presidents personal lawyer pleaded guilty to a federal crime and testified under oath that the president told him to do it. In the most explosive admissions, Mr. Cohen pleaded guilty to committing two federal campaign finance violations on behalf of and, according to Mr. Cohen, testifying under oath, in coordination with and at the direction of President Trump. The charging document describes a scheme to pay off Karen McDougal, the former Playboy model, and the pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels to buy their silence about their claims of affairs with Mr. Trump. Mr. Cohen admitted to arranging for American Media, Inc. publisher of The National Enquirer to pay Ms. McDougal $150,000 to keep her story quiet to protect the Trump campaign, thus causing a prohibited corporate campaign contribution. High-tech surveillance tools like these are commonplace among police departments in large cities. Many departments guard this information closely, claiming that its disclosure would help criminals and jeopardize investigations. But large numbers of innocent people are also subject to law enforcements digital trawling. For example, in 2016 Georgetown Law Center found that the faces of about half of all American adults appear in searchable police databases that use facial recognition technology, making great masses of people trackable without their knowledge or consent. The Memphis police didnt rely solely on cutting-edge technology to monitor protesters, though. They also appear to have used a fake Facebook profile named Bob Smith to cozy up to activists and access private posts. They sent uniformed and plainclothes officers to observe protests, noting the participants and taking photographs. They tracked private events, including a Black Owned Food Truck Sunday gathering. The department regularly circulated briefings containing information theyd gleaned about protesters throughout the department and to other government agencies. On several occasions, the department sent the briefings to people at some of the regions top employers: FedEx, AutoZone, and St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. As I read the courts ruling, paged through the pleadings and exhibits, and scanned the news coverage, I couldnt shake the sense of disbelief that the city was retreading the same old ground, surveilling activists. 2016: A Year of Social Unrest Reminiscent of the late 1960s and early 1970s, reads a slide in an internal police department presentation on its investigation of protesters. But it isnt just the unrest that hearkens to those times its also law enforcements reaction. I thought about all the times Dad and I went back and forth about the ethics of his undercover work befriending activists and posing as a member of their group. How I wrestled with his explanations and my own reactions, trying to remain nonjudgmental, always questioning whether or not I was making excuses for him. Memphis historic sanitation strike had just begun when Dad began working for the unit in February 1968. He was just a couple of months out of the police academy and one of the departments few black officers. The higher-ups who assigned him to infiltrate the Invaders told him the group might pose a danger to the public, might be planning crimes. Memphis had never seen a collection of people like them before, with their militant rhetoric and Black Power swagger. President Trump may not be up for re-election until 2020, but since May 31, the Trump Make America Great Again Committee his re-election campaign has spent $629,500 on advertising on Google platforms alone, making it the top spender on political ads on Google platforms. Thats nearly $200,000 more than the No. 2 spender, One Nation, a right-wing organization focused on influencing Senate elections. This information comes from Google, which just increased transparency into political ad spending on its platforms. Anyone skilled in marketing knows the precision, targeting and cost-effectiveness of online strategies to reach buyers, influencers and, in this case, voters. When I was the chief marketing officer of Salesforce a few years ago, the industry standard was to allocate 25 percent to 30 percent of marketing budget to digital channels, and that allocation has increased since then across all industries. Last year, for the first time, global ad spending on digital channels eclipsed traditional TV spending. By 2020, digital is expected to account for over 50 percent of all ad spending. And then there are the Democrats: The average nonpresidential Democratic campaign spends only 10 percent to 15 percent of its budget on digital channels while pouring 60 percent to 70 percent of its budget into television ads and direct mail. That is shocking, especially because people now spend an average of 5.9 hours online every single day, with 3.3 of those hours on mobile devices. So why are Democratic campaigns ignoring such obvious opportunities to engage with voters? Im honestly not sure; perhaps old habits are hard to break. But outdated models arent going to win in this digital world. Unlike the Democrats, Republican candidates and right-wing organizations are prioritizing the right channels. What does it take to keep the faith when your church is roiled by a child sexual abuse scandal that goes back decades and involves several layers of leadership? Pope Francis released a letter to the worlds 1.2 billion Catholics on Monday in which he condemned the sexual abuse crisis gripping the modern church, saying we showed no care for the little ones; we abandoned them. The letter follows the release of a grand jury report in Pennsylvania showing that Catholic leaders in that state covered up the abuse of at least 1,000 children by more than 300 priests over the course of 70 years. Hundreds of our readers who said they are Catholic or were raised in the church have responded to the news this week in comments on our stories. Some have chastised those who continue to attend church, accusing them of complicity in the crimes of their leaders. Others have said that the scandal makes them want to remain Catholic in order to help shore up the institution from within. Here is an edited and condensed selection of those comments. We want to hear from other readers who are Catholic. Tell us how you are grappling with the news of the report. Pride in Church Tradition I am a lifelong Catholic who has many fundamental disagreements with the Church particularly in the following areas: the overall role of women, contraception, abortion, and those god awful princes of the church, the oh so entitled priests, bishops, cardinals, etc., that do populate the Catholic Church in numbers that are far too great for comfort. There is almost certainly ice water on the surface of the moon, hiding in the cold, dark places near the north and south poles, a new study shows. Scientists had already thought there was water up there, but now we have some of the most definitive proof to date. It appears that this ice very muddy ice, mixed with a lot of lunar dust exists inside craters where direct sunlight does not reach it. But we still do not know how deep it goes, or how exactly it got there. The authors of the study, published on Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, say the findings are exciting because they call for further exploration of our rocky satellite. The ice could even be a resource for human visitors perhaps to be used for drinking water, or even to make rocket fuel. You cant even tell if theyre human or animal, Dr. Paabo said in an interview. He and his colleagues extracted collagen from the bones and compared the protein to that of living species. Only one fragment had collagen that resembled our own. That fragment came from an arm or leg bone its impossible to say which. The bone is thick, which means that it belonged to someone at least 13 years old. Viviane Slon, then a graduate student at the institute, led a search for DNA in the fragment. She began by hunting for a special set of genes found in the fuel-generating factories of the cell, called mitochondria. Mitochondria carry a set of genes distinct from those of the cells nucleus; these genes, unlike those in the nucleus, are inherited solely from the mother. In 2016, Dr. Slon and her colleagues reported that they had gotten mitochondrial DNA from the mysterious bone fragment, and that it closely matched genetic material from Neanderthals. The researchers called that individual Denisova 11, and they began searching the bone for nuclear DNA. Fragment by fragment, they began reconstructing the entire genome. Strangely, only some of the fragments of nuclear DNA matched Neanderthal genes. There was just as much Denisovan DNA in the bone. Orso and Bosco are Boston terriers, a breed of dogs that generally weigh no more than 25 pounds. But Orso and Bosco, whose owner is Alessandro Michele, the bearded, oracular savant of a creative director at Gucci, may as well be juggernauts. Their likenesses are stitched into Gucci garments along with a menagerie of bees, ghosts and gnomic sentiments about blindness and love and Gucci garments, according to a report issued this week by the RealReal, the online luxury consignment giant, is selling, selling, selling. The RealReal is based in San Francisco, with bricks-and-mortar shops in New York and Los Angeles. It has authenticators and experts who accept consignments of luxury items (fashion, accessories, jewelry, home goods and art) and then offer them on its well-stocked website and in its stores. The company authenticates consignments, sets prices and handles photography and shipping; consignors receive a percentage of the sale. The RealReal has moved millions of products, it says, so it has sizable data on what customers are searching and shopping for. Its top brands are not what you would call attainable for large swaths of the shopping population (even at secondhand discounts), but in the hush-hush world of luxury goods, tracking changes in search and spending habits is as reliable an indicator as any of the quicksilver fluctuations of heat and buzz. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into the incident, one of the officials said. This attempt is further proof that there are constant threats as we head into midterm elections, and we must remain vigilant in order to prevent future attacks, said Bob Lord, chief security officer for the Democratic National Committee. He called the voter file the partys most sensitive information. The combination of this attack on the committee, continued influence operations by Russia and others using social media, and efforts to breach think tanks underscores that the cyber age has changed elections forever. So many systems are vulnerable to manipulation, from the voter-registration systems in the 50 states to the inner workings of the parties, that the opportunities for foreign and domestic manipulation are many. The focus has gone from using the cyber realm to steal secrets to using it to impose national power, Rob Joyce, the White House cybersecurity coordinator until the position was eliminated a few months ago, said this month at Defcon, an annual convention that focuses on hacking and defenses against it. Ahead of the midterms, political groups and government organizations have been on high alert for new hacks and foreign meddling. Microsoft said this week that it had detected that hackers tied to Russian intelligence targeted the Senate and conservative think tanks in the United States, also by creating fake websites. And after Facebook last month identified a political influence campaign aimed at potentially disrupting the midterms, the company said this week that it had uncovered other disinformation efforts targeting people around the world. If Google wants to be judged like any other global company, thats fine, said Ben Wizner, director of the Speech, Privacy and Technology Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. They should just say so that their principal obligation is to their shareholders and their bottom line. But that has not been the rhetoric coming out of Google, and I think its fair to judge them by the standards they have set for themselves. In a statement, a Google spokesman said that we dont comment on speculation about future plans. But the companys leaders have disputed the idea that returning to China would be a moral reversal. At last weeks staff meeting, Mr. Pichai suggested that returning to China would be in accord with the vision the company had in 2006, when it first agreed to censor results to accommodate Beijing. At the time, the company said in a blog post that filtering our search results clearly compromises our mission but added, Failing to offer Google search at all to a fifth of the worlds population, however, does so far more severely. Mr. Pichai underlined this argument that providing some access to the outside world is better than none by citing his experience growing up in India. My dad worked for a U.K. company, and they went through whether they should be in India or should they pull out, he told Googles staff, according to a transcript obtained by The New York Times. And they stayed, and that made a difference for my dad. And in all likelihood, I wouldnt be here today if it werent for that. There are other factors behind Googles potential reversal. The internet has changed a great deal since 2010, and the companys executives have increasingly come to see their decision to leave China as rash, naive and ultimately counterproductive. Googles decision was set in motion by a Chinese hack into its services that was meant to uncover dissidents and spies. The attack shocked and angered Googles founders. In interviews, Mr. Brin, who was born in the Soviet Union, compared the Chinese government to the totalitarian forces that had shaped his youth. He and other executives suggested that taking a stand in China might set a kind of red line for repressive regimes elsewhere. A 3-year-old boy and his 1-year-old brother survived for several sweltering days in an Arkansas ravine after a car crash that killed their mother, the authorities said this week. The children were found on Monday after the 3-year-old found the strength to climb out of the sunroof of the car, which was upside down and on its side, said Nathan Greeley, a detective with the Ouachita County Sheriffs Office. He said the authorities were not sure when the crash occurred but believed it may have been Friday. The body of the mother lay a few feet away and the boy went over to try to wake her, his grandfather, James Holliman, told the local NBC affiliate, KARK. Hot, hungry, exhausted and scratched all over, the boy wandered onto Highway 24 near Camden, Ark., about 85 miles from Little Rock. He was found by a driver around 7:30 a.m. on Monday and was quickly taken to the Ouachita County Sheriffs Office. Good morning. (Want to get California Today by email? Heres the sign-up.) A good deal of thought went into the top-two nonpartisan primary system that was approved by California voters in 2010. It passed with the support of some high-profile politicians (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and no shortage of academics. The idea was that an open primary in June with the top two finishers regardless of party facing off in November would take the partisanship out of elections. But if history has shown anything, its that it is difficult to predict how so-called electoral reforms might play out. That is especially true if the unexpected happens. So it was that on Tuesday, Representative Duncan Hunter, a Republican seeking re-election in Southern California, was indicted along with his wife on charges of misusing $250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses. In a year when Democrats are making an all-out assault on Republican-held congressional seats in California, Mr. Hunter was viewed as one of the longer-shot targets unless he was indicted (it was known that he was under investigation). His opponent is Ammar Campa-Najjar, 28, who worked in Barack Obamas White House and is making his first bid for major office. Less than two days after protesters at the University of North Carolina toppled a statue of a Confederate soldier, the states historical commission rejected a request to remove three Confederate monuments from the grounds of the State Capitol in Raleigh. Instead, the commission voted 10-1 on Wednesday to add information providing more context about slavery and the civil rights movement to the displays. The commission also urged the addition of a monument honoring the contributions of African-Americans to the state. Gov. Roy Cooper asked last fall that the three monuments be moved to a Civil War battlefield about 45 miles away to ensure their preservation. His request came after the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., and the upending of a Confederate statue at a courthouse in Durham, N.C. The commissioners said Wednesday that they believed they were hamstrung by a 2015 state law that prohibits the removal of memorials on public property except under rare circumstances, such as preserving a historical marker from destruction, or for major construction projects. Jimmy Bennett, the actor who has claimed that he was sexually abused as a teenager by the Italian actress and director Asia Argento and who sought a cash settlement from her, issued his first public statement about the matter on Wednesday. He said he was too afraid and ashamed to speak up after the incident happened, and when The New York Times approached him in recent days with questions about the case. I tried to seek justice in a way that made sense to me at the time because I was not ready to deal with the ramifications of my story becoming public, he said in a statement provided to The Times. At the time I believed there was still a stigma to being in the situation as a male in our society. I didnt think that people would understand the event that took place from the eyes of a teenage boy. The Times reported Sunday that in November, a month after Ms. Argento emerged as a leading figure in the #MeToo movement with her account of sexual assault at the hands of the movie producer Harvey Weinstein, Mr. Bennett sent her a notice of his intent to sue. The document, sent to The Times through encrypted email by an unidentified party, described a May 2013 sexual encounter in a hotel room in Marina del Rey, Calif., when Mr. Bennett was 17 and Ms. Argento was 37. The age of consent in California is 18. With the exception of redactions to protect the privacy of one individual discussed in the report an individual who is not Judge Brett Kavanaugh and subject to the ordinary review process of the National Archives, the government does not object to the reports unsealing, the Justice Departments filing said. The report, from a special master appointed by a federal judge, has been the subject of extraordinary secrecy. American Oversight, a liberal watchdog group, asked for its release last week, saying that Judge Kavanaughs potential involvement in misconduct is a matter of great public importance and current national debate. Only four copies were prepared, and until recently their whereabouts was unknown. In a court filing on Tuesday, lawyers for American Oversight said the National Archives had recently located a copy. The report was prepared by a special master appointed in 1998 by Judge Norma Holloway Johnson of the Federal District Court in Washington in response to complaints from lawyers for Mr. Clinton and others that Mr. Starrs team had violated the law by disclosing information protected by grand jury secrecy rules. Judge Johnson, who died in 2011, said at the time that there was reason to think Mr. Starrs team had violated the law by providing information to journalists for many news reports, including some in The New York Times. WASHINGTON The trial of Paul Manafort was not about election conspiracy or presidential obstruction of justice. Michael D. Cohen pleaded guilty to crimes that had nothing to do with Russias campaign to sabotage the 2016 presidential race. Yet the deepening legal peril for both men could have significant implications for the current investigation by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III. The cases of both men are, at the moment, tangential to the central questions of Mr. Muellers inquiry: whether President Trump and his associates conspired with Russias election interference, and whether the president tried to obstruct the Justice Departments investigation into the matter. But neither Mr. Manafort nor Mr. Cohen is believed to be cooperating with the special counsel situations that could change now that they face years in prison. Whether either man has anything of value to offer Mr. Muellers investigators is another question, and experts pointed out that the legal proceedings have dealt significant damage to the credibility of both. The team for Mr. Cohen, the presidents former lawyer, at least, has signaled a willingness to provide information to the special counsel in exchange for some kind of leniency. Some Democrats from pro-Trump states said they had no immediate plans to highlight the matter of the president authorizing an undisclosed payoff to a pornographic film actress with whom he had an affair. If asked, I absolutely will talk about it, said Senator Jon Tester of Montana, adding that it is not currently a front and center campaign issue. I think people are still trying to sort through it. Given the health of the economy and relative stability abroad, Mr. Trumps approval ratings are already significantly lower than what virtually any other president would be enjoying at this moment of his administration. And if there is one predictable element of this otherwise unpredictable presidency, it is that some new story will detonate in the days or weeks ahead, pushing the last eruption off the home page and television chyron. Indeed, Republicans are wishing that the Manafort and Cohen felonies only wind up being this weeks version of the Omarosa tapes the latest ephemeral drama to captivate the capital but barely faze voters. But party officials are apprehensive about what more Mr. Cohen may reveal on his way to a likely prison sentence. Even more worrisome to Republicans is what damage Mr. Trump may do to himself. If the president is seen as thwarting Mr. Muellers investigation, either by terminating the special counsel or pardoning allies who are implicated, it would create a far more serious upheaval and force Republican lawmakers into a confrontation they have long avoided. Of course you can imagine the president doing things that would be counterproductive, said Senator Bill Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana, before adding with evident hope in his voice, but you also could imagine the president saying something but never acting on it, just venting. Within a few whirlwind minutes on Tuesday, major developments were revealed in the cases of two associates of President Trump. Michael D. Cohen pleaded guilty to breaking campaign finance laws, saying he committed them at the direction of Mr. Trump, and Paul Manafort was convicted on multiple counts of fraud. Confused or overwhelmed by the developments? Heres a look at what happened. Or, you can listen to Wednesday's episode of The Daily on the meaning of Tuesdays revelations. Mr. Cohens guilty plea On Tuesday, Mr. Cohen, President Trumps former lawyer and fixer, pleaded guilty to breaking campaign finance laws, and admitted to arranging payments to two women at Mr. Trumps behest to secure their silence about affairs they said they had with him. Mr. Cohen said the payments were made for the principal purpose of influencing the election. PHNOM PENH, Cambodia Cambodias imprisoned opposition leader was denied bail by the Supreme Court on Wednesday, disappointing supporters who had hoped he might be freed now that the countrys widely criticized elections are over. Kem Sokha, leader of the outlawed Cambodia National Rescue Party, has been held without trial for nearly a year, accused of treason. He is in solitary confinement in a remote prison near the Vietnamese border. Several Cambodian activists and journalists have been released from prison in recent days, which led some supporters to hope that Mr. Kem Sokha would be next. Many saw the releases as an attempt by the government to burnish its reputation after the July 29 national election, in which the party of the authoritarian prime minister, Hun Sen, won all 125 seats in Parliament. During the lead-up to the election, Mr. Hun Sen presided over a crackdown on dissenting voices and independent media. Mr. Kem Sokha was arrested on Sept. 4, accused of conspiring with the United States to bring down the Cambodian government. As evidence, prosecutors submitted an old video in which he described getting advice from Americans on building a political movement. The video reflected the escalating anger in China over the tariffs of as much as 25 percent imposed on tens of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods, including steel, aluminum and a variety of technology products. They sense his increasing domestic weakness and see a chance to pile pressure on, said Kerry Brown, a professor of Chinese politics at Kings College London. Still, Mr. Brown added that the criticism would probably be muted to avoid provoking a backlash in the United States. And it indeed appeared that Chinas propaganda officials had second thoughts. Mr. Trump has described the tariffs as necessary to reduce the United States trade deficit with China. But his efforts have rattled Chinese officials and prompted a series of retaliatory actions from Beijing, which fears slowing economic growth. Chinese news outlets, which are tightly controlled by the ruling Communist Party, often criticize the United States in general terms. But in recent months, commentators have shown a greater willingness to invoke Mr. Trumps name directly, accusing him of making misleading statements and resorting to childish tactics. HONG KONG For generations, Hong Kongs prestigious international schools exclusively educated the children of wealthy Western expatriates. Today, placement in those schools is increasingly competitive and enrollment fees can exceed $1 million, making them some of the most expensive private schools in the world. Recent changes to the citys demography prompted by Chinese politics and global markets have driven up tuitions and resulted in a dramatic shift in the complexion of the citys schools: An increasing number of ethnic Chinese students are now enrolled in international schools, and many more white students are occupying desks in Cantonese-language public schools. Private schools here are bloody expensive you know, and we have twins, said James Runciman, a Briton, shop owner and father of two 6-year-olds who are set to begin second grade in September. We just cant afford to send our kids to these schools, he said of the private international schools, which replicate the curriculums of Western countries, including the United States, Britain, Canada and France. As students return to school next month, there will be more white students in public schools than at any time in the citys history, a telling indicator of how Hong Kong is both shaking off its colonial past and losing its draw as a magnet for the Wests wealthiest workers. MANILA The eldest daughter of the former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos has advised Filipinos to move on and forget about the past, drawing angry rebukes Wednesday in a country that suffered under two decades of her fathers brutal regime. The daughter, Imee Marcos, 62, and the rest of the Marcos family have been enjoying a revival of sorts under the presidency of President Rodrigo Duterte, a self-professed fan of Ferdinand Marcos and his strongman ways. On Tuesday, the 35th anniversary of the assassination of Benigno S. Aquino Jr., whose killing fueled the protests that toppled Marcos, his daughter used an appearance with Mr. Duterte to tell Filipinos to move beyond her fathers misdeeds. The millennials have moved on, and I think people at my age should also move on as well, Ms. Marcos said, as quoted by local newspapers. SEOUL, South Korea South Korea said on Wednesday that it would press ahead with its plan to open a diplomatic liaison office in North Korea this year, dismissing concerns that it was too quickly making overtures to the North Koreans, who have yet to begin dismantling their nuclear weapons program. When South Koreas president, Moon Jae-in, held his first summit meeting with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, on April 27, they agreed to establish a joint liaison office a potential first step toward building formal diplomatic missions in the North Korean border town of Kaesong. In a speech last Wednesday, Mr. Moon said the opening of the office was imminent. In a few days, he said, an era in which the two Koreas communicate with each other around the clock will commence. But the conservative political opposition and the conservative news media in the South have since raised fears that Mr. Moons government is creating a rift with Washington by advancing inter-Korean relations when North Korea has taken no clear steps toward denuclearization. They also questioned whether fuel oil and electricity, which the South plans to supply the office, would violate United Nations sanctions. Afghanistans Taliban insurgents confirmed on Wednesday that they would send emissaries next month to peace talks in Russia, a diplomatic twist in repeated efforts to settle the 17-year-old war. The Talibans acceptance of an invitation by Russia to the Sept. 4 talks planned in Moscow was a reversal for the group, and came after the government of Afghanistan and its main supporter, the United States, declined invitations to attend. In a message to The New York Times bureau in Kabul, the Taliban said through a spokesman that the chief of their political office in Qatar would lead a delegation to the Moscow talks. How such talks would proceed without all parties present is unclear. But the outreach by Russia has threatened to disrupt diplomacy undertaken by Afghan and American officials. DOETINCHEM, the Netherlands Were lost, said Truus Ooms, 81, to her friend Annie Arendsen, 83, as they rode a city bus together. As the driver, you should really know where we are, Ms. Arendsen told Rudi ten Brink, 63, who sat at the wheel of the bus. But she was joking. The three are dementia patients at a care facility in the eastern Netherlands. Their bus ride a route on the flat, tree-lined country roads of the Dutch countryside was a simulation that plays out several times a day on three video screens. The Italian authorities have repeatedly warned visitors: Fountains arent for wading. Theres a law on the books, promising fines for offenders. But amid one of the hottest summers in Europe, the rules didnt stop two men from pulling a tourist stunt in a famous fountain in Rome this week, and causing a public outcry. The two men decided to hop into the fountain to pose for photos in their underwear beneath the Altar of the Motherland, which also holds the tomb of the unknown soldier. There, at a monument celebrating the unification and liberation of Italy, and commemorating its more than 500,000 dead in World War I, one decided to drop his underwear. The cellphone footage, shared widely on social media, enraged Italian officials, who called it an insult. Romes police who posted pictures of the episode on Monday, describing it as an outrage to the unknown soldier are hunting for the culprits, described as English speakers. The leader of the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, resurfaced on Wednesday in the first audio recording of him to be released in nearly a year, one in which he called on followers to attack Westerners with knives, guns, cars and bombs. Based on events cited in the recording, it appears to have been made within the past few weeks, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks the groups propaganda online and provided a translation. If deemed authentic, the speech should serve to quell rumors of Mr. Baghdadis death. Counterterrorism officials in the United States and Europe have long said that they believed Mr. Baghdadi was still alive, though repeated online rumors suggested he had died, including in a Russian airstrike. In the nearly one-hour speech, Mr. Baghdadi sought to shift attention away from the groups battlefield losses and his shrinking caliphate. In Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State has lost all but 2 percent of the territory once held, an area the size of Britain. Saudi Arabia, which has one of the highest execution rates in the world, is taking the rare step of seeking the death penalty for a 29-year-old female activist accused of encouraging demonstrations for greater rights for the Shiite Muslim minority, the advocacy group Human Rights Watch said. The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has presented himself abroad as a reformer who is working to loosen some of the kingdoms strict moral codes and to liberalize its economy. But an inconsistent approach to human rights and the rule of law has undermined his efforts. Most executions in Saudi Arabia are by beheading, a method used to kill 48 people over a four-month period this year. Saudi Arabia has executed many women, and Shiite activists convicted of terrorism or political crimes have been sentenced to death as well. But calls for capital punishment for a woman in a case of nonviolent political crime are highly unusual. Tuesday marked the beginning of Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia and many other countries. The holiday is Islams most revered observance, celebrated by 1.5 billion Muslims across the globe. We want to hear from our Muslim readers who are beginning their festivities. Tell us what the holiday means to you and show us how youre celebrating. Some submissions may be selected for publication. Photo: Contributed Perhaps no one was more surprised than the police themselves when an alleged drunk driver tried to park in the Kamloops detachment parking lot. Cpl. Jodi Shelkie said the out-of-town visitor received a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and had his vehicle impounded after making the blunder. Shelkie said just after midnight on Aug. 18, a police officer saw a male was having difficulty trying to park a Ford F350 pickup truck behind the police station. When questioned by the officer as to why he drove into a secure parking lot with visible signs saying it was closed to the public, the driver said he had no idea had pulled into a police station, said Shelkie. Since the driver had an over-powering odour of liquor coming from his breath and showed other signs of impairment, the officer used a road-side screening device to determine his level of impairment. It showed that the driver was, in fact, impaired. The driver, who is from Northern British Columbia, stated that he was just looking for a place to park so he could make a phone call. Kamloops RCMP remind motorists that it is never safe to drink and drive on roads, highways or in police parking lots, said Shelkie. Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and his Mityana municipality counterpart Francis Zzake are still in pain but out of danger, deputy speaker of parliament Jacob Oulanyah said. Oulanyah today morning visited Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine at Makindye military barracks and Zaake at Rubaga hospital. Oulanyah told journalists that Bobi, was 'uniquely in humorous mood' but said that the legislator feels a lot of pain in the back. He noted that although Kyagulanyi is still in a lot of pain, he is out of danger. "He was able to come and sit with me on the table..and we talked, we joked, we were laughing but he is in a lot of pain. But besides that there is no other complication that Bobi Wine. And should there be any, we would be the first to knowHon Bobi Wine is in uniquely humorous position." said Oulanyah. Deputy speaker Jacob Oulanyah addressing journalists about the state of the MPs Bobi Wine and Francis Zaake Following Oulanyah's visit, the army released an 8-second unclear video showing Bobi Wine dressed in red attire smiling. Bobi's arrest and alleged torture sparked off almost daily protests all over the country and global condemnation from within East Africa, Africa, Europe and America. Oulanyah condemned the torture of the MPs and the level of violence in the country which he said is worrying. "This situation should not have happened. Never should it ever happened. It is really sad, Hon Abiriga was brutally murdered and the campaigns to replace him in parliament has caused people this level of stress. It should not have happened, it was not necessary but it happened. What lessons do we draw from this?" Both Bobi and Zaake were arrested together with several MPs and over 30 civilians for alleged treason when they alledgedly stoned President Yoweri Museveni's motorcade. The president's security stormed Hotel Pacific in Arua town where they roughed up the legislators. Bobi's driver, Yasin Kawuma was shot dead in the fracas at the hotel. No suspect has been apprehended in connection to the shooting. Past flare-ups in election violence between the ruling NRM and the opposition supporters have often been at the scale of skirmishes, ending quickly without major incidents. But this time in Arua, it was different. The casualty list was quite long. The death of Yasin Kawuma, a driver of Kyaddondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine shot by security operatives, has become a lightning rod for protests against state-inspired violence against unarmed civilians. Thirty two people including three MPs; Paul Mwiru (Jinja East), Gerald Karuhanga (Ntungamo) and Kassiano Wadri (Arua) were charged with treason and remanded by Francis Dawa Matunga, the Gulu chief magistrate. Bobi Wine and Francis Zaake were beaten to pulp and are still hospitalised. Both the NRM and opposition continue to accuse each other of starting the violence. Disputes over elections and violence are sadly becoming a troubling fixture of our messy politics. They are also increasingly beginning to split our homes, communities, ruin friendships and invade the workplace. The countrys leaders must stop this insidious culture of election violence, which is killing many innocent Ugandans. Violence must be condemned. Perpetrators, whether NRM, security forces or from the opposition, should be held to account for their actions without fear or favour. Police and prosecutors must investigate electoral crimes in an independent and impartial manner and ensure respect for the rule of law. When President Museveni points an accusing finger at the opposition and delivers a firm defence of his security forces retaliatory actions in Arua, without calling for an all-out investigation into the fatal shooting and the violence, he is not offering a solution. He is compounding the problem. Violence erodes the integrity of the electoral process. Government should treat seriously those incidents that deny voters their constitutional right to expression and association. In Arua only 16,000 voted out of 46,000 registered voters, meaning the majority, 66 percent, stayed away. Were they probably scared by the pre-election violence? In past elections, according to a December 4, 2009 Human Rights Watch report, courts in Uganda have heard electoral petitions lodged by aggrieved candidates. During trials, judges have ruled that candidates, supporters, and government forces committed violent crimes, voter intimidation, and bribery. In some instances, election results were nullified, but there was very rarely subsequent criminal prosecution of suspects, the report says. This is a failure of governmental responsibility which has to be remedied. Government should and must ensure that, in the run-up to any vote, during the vote itself, and afterwards, the fundamental human rights of Ugandans are protected. I have argued here before that Ugandas current political system is essentially broken. But it is actually far more than just a broken system our politics are tottering on the brink of disintegration. I like to maintain a positive view of what is dear to me. I love Uganda, it is my only home. Like many compatriots, I am proud of my Ugandan identity and wish the very best for my country. I believe I have a role to play, at least as a responsible citizen. The Uganda I want is the one I have to participate in its remaking. So, writing this column every week gets to a point of sounding ad nauseam and repetitive. You also run the risk of sounding unnecessarily alarmist and unreasonably pessimistic. But as the great Antonio Gramsci noted, it is pessimism of the intellect and optimism of the will. And Shaka Ssali at the Voice of America never tires to remind us to always keep the African hopes alive. Indeed the vast majority of African peoples are incredibly hopeful and patient, sometimes it is precisely their hope and patience that is the breeding ground for abuse and misrule. In recent years there has been a lot of talk of a rising Africa, an Africa that has finally turned the corner, both economically and politically. After decades, in fact centuries, of presenting Africa as a dark and savage continent, and in need of civilisation, the western media and academia have come around to granting the continent some measure of positive portrayal that is devoid of much of the old broad stroke prejudices. They highlight the skyscrapers lining African cities, the expanding middleclass, the sprawling real-estate market, the modest economic growth rates and most importantly the stability in many countries that long suffered bloody wars and conflict Angola, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, etc. Yes, Uganda has featured consistently on the list of countries that define a rising Africa. But Uganda is steadily sliding into a mess and a tragedy. First, the countrys economic performance stands on shaky ground. With mounting young unemployment and the ever deteriorating state of social services, ours is an economy that could well tank anytime. Second, and most important is the politics. Political stability is a key requisite for economic activity and productivity. Nothing is truer than the fact that without basic social order and political stability, commerce and trade cant take place, industrial production cannot be fully realised and services cannot be adequately provided. Ugandan politics has been gradually dipping as the system in place has become more decayed and dysfunctional. We have a president whose public statements sound more delusional than real. He increasingly sounds far removed from the realities of the day and the facts at issue. He is not unique in that sense. Ethiopias last monarch, the Emperor Haile Selassie, was for long a much-loved ruler who pursued ambitions modernising programs for his country. The he went down the road of absolute autocracy and indifference. In the end, His Imperial Majesty, the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Juda, Halie Selassie I, Elect of God, was stunningly unaware of the smouldering fire that consumed him in the 1974 revolution he was humiliatingly bundled into a Volkswagen and died ignominiously the following year. Haile Selassie had been in power for close to half a century and became fully consumed by the presumed permanency of his rule. If anyone thought the reign of permanent rulers was something of the distant past, well, today in Africa we have individuals who believe they hold the right to rule forever Equatorial Guineas Theodore Obiang (ruling an oil-rich but impoverished small nation since 1979), Cameroons Paul Biya (in power since 1982), and the Ugandan strongman who has dug in since 1986 and believes state house is his secure permanent home. Last year, Jose dos Santos in Angola found an exit having been in power, like Obiang, since 1979. And Robert Mugabe recently got kicked out, literally, having ruled Zimbabwe since 1980. The common thread here is that the longer rulers stay in power, at any rate past 25 years, the more likely they develop the delusional right to die in power. Clinging to power may well have been something many Ugandans would care less about if it didnt have immediate grave implications and unimaginable long-term dire ramifications. Ugandas ruler today is so vulnerable and insecure that he easily panders to misinformation if it rhymes with the urgency to secure his rule. Hangers-on and schemers are at work cooking intelligence from which they easily cash in. There are sycophants of all stripes, now so numerous on social media, on the airwaves, in parliament and the palace in Entebbe, all busy spinning for Mzee. Meanwhile, looting the country continues unabated. State institutions and public bodies are being driven down the drain of individual profiteering and malfeasance. In all this, there is the definitive question of what kind of power struggle is likely to ensure any moment given an aging autocrat whose grip is tenuous. It is the tragedy of our times. moses.khisa@gmail.com The author is an assistant professor of political science at North Carolina State University. Photo: Contributed The life-blood of local business has been stolen and RCMP are asking the public for help tracking down the thieves. Sometime overnight Sunday, a large quantity of diesel fuel and oil was stolen from a Cherryville business, located at 748 East Highway 6. RCMP says roughly 6680 litres of diesel fuel were taken from an outdoor tank along with numerous 20-litre buckets of motor oil from a storage shed. "The value lost for this company is approximately $6,000 worth of fuel and oil, which can cause disruptions to their business and livelihood," says Const. Kelly Brett. "It would appear that a large vehicle or two, possibly pulling a trailer was used to effectively remove the fuel from the tank." Anyone with any information in regards to this theft is asked to contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP (Lumby Detachment) at 250-547-2151. Or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leaving a tip online at www.nokscrimestoppers.com. You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward. Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has stated that both poverty and disability must be given the highest possible priority in the forthcoming budget deliberations. Speaking today from the constituency, the she stated that, "growing gaps in income; an inadequate standard of living and limited opportunities are pushing many people deeper into poverty." Deputy Nolan was responding to pre-budget submissions to Government from a number of support agencies including the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) and the Rehab Group. Deputy Nolan stressed that, the evidence is stark and there is no doubt that the number of people living in consistent poverty and the number of newly impoverished, is increasing." "Incomes have dropped; the number of people qualifying for social housing has increased dramatically even though the criteria hasnt changed; tens of thousands of lone parents are living in consistent poverty and countless families cannot afford to heat their homes in the Winter." "If this Government doesnt prioritise the issue of poverty in the short-term it will be complicit creating a legacy of destitution for many families which will last for decades," Carol continued. The Offaly TD was referencing the SVP document Bridging the Gap which charts a fall of 15% in income for the lowest income households and an increase of 25% in the number of working households qualifying for social housing. The document also shows that approximately 50,000 of Irelands 280,000 Lone Parent households have been living in consistent poverty and the number of people who cannot afford adequate heating has increased by 145%. Irelands poor have borne the brunt of almost a decade of austerity, continued Deputy Nolan, and those with a disability have even greater suffer additional distress." "At a time when the jobless rate of 5% is the lowest since 2007, this Government is failing to create opportunities for the most impoverished and disabled to access job opportunities, training and education." "The education outcomes for disadvantaged families are most worrying with school children performing poorly in literacy and numeracy and very few progressing to third level. Deputy Nolan concluded: Budget 2019 must place the highest priority on the poorest and weakest in our society and Government must make its best effort to lift them out of the poverty and destitution." "This will require additional support packages for those with a disability and investment in social housing. I will be taking every opportunity to advocate for these changes over the coming months." Almost a quarter of pubs in Offaly have closed since 2005 according to figures based on an analysis of the liquor licence figures published by Revenue and compiled by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI). In 2005, there were 164 pubs in Offaly but by 2017, that number had plummeted by 23% to just 127. The decline in the number of pubs has been seen in both urban and rural areas in the county. According to the DIGI, Offaly hospitality and drinks businesses enable 2,158 jobs and generate 26 million in revenue for the local tourism economy. There were 1,477 less pubs in Ireland last year than in 2005, representing a 17.1% drop in businesses across the country, according to the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) today. Nationally there were 7,140 pubs in 2017 a decline from 8,617 in 2005. Rural counties saw the most significant drop in pubs, which serve as a major source of employment regionally. In 2005, there were 7,831 pubs in Ireland outside of Dublin. In 2017, that number dropped by 18.7% to 6,367. Cork, which has the largest number of pubs, saw the most significant decline in the country. In 2017, Cork had 915 pubs a 25% decrease from 1,221 in 2005. Wicklow, Meath and Dublin saw the smallest decline in publicans licences. Wicklow pubs dropped from 158 to 157 while Meath was down three pubs from 210 to 207. In 2017, there were 773 pubs registered in Dublin city and county down only 1.7% from 786 in 2005. However, the number of Dublin pubs in 2017 is 4.3% higher than in 2012 the lowest year for the number of pubs in Dublin. In contrast to publicans licences, off licences saw an increase of 11.8% since 2005. 3,331 premises registered an off licence in 2017, compared to 2,966 in 2005. Licences for wine-only bars and restaurants were also up 3.1% since 2005. In total, there were 866 fewer liquor licences registered in Ireland in 2017 than in 2005 a decrease of 5.6%. DIGI is the representative group for the wider drinks and hospitality industry in Ireland whose membership spans manufacturers, distributors and the retail sectors, including Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland; Licenced Vintners Association; Vintners Federation of Ireland; Restaurants Association of Ireland; Irish Hotels Federation and the National Off-Licence Association. 90,000 jobs across the country are dependent on the drinks industry alone. The industry purchases over 1.1bn of Irish produce annually, exports goods worth over 1.25bn, and provides over 2.3bn worth of excise and VAT income to the state. According to the DIGI report - Irelands Hospitality and Drinks Sector and Your Constituency - authored by DCU economist Anthony Foley and published last year, Laois hospitality and drinks businesses enable 2,536 jobs and generate 34 million in revenue for local tourism economy. Commenting on the findings, Padraig Cribben, Chief Executive Officer, Vintners Federation of Ireland and member of DIGI said, The number of pubs are down 17.1% in the period from 2005 to 2017 which is a worrying statistic. These pubs are small businesses, mainly in rural Ireland, that provide significant employment and continue to create jobs in local communities. However, the sharp decline in the number of pubs is worrying and is further evidence of the need to monitor the industry and ensure the necessary supports are in place to reverse this trend. While the Government committed to assist small rural businesses recover during the recession, business owners in the drinks industry were challenged by two increases in alcohol excise tax in Budget 2012 and Budget 2013. Our punitive alcohol excise tax the second highest in the EU slows the growth of these businesses and impacts their day-to-day operations and bottom line. DIGI is calling on the Government to reduce Irelands high rate of excise tax. A reduction in alcohol excise tax will encourage the growth of our drinks and hospitality sector, return money to Irish consumers and make Ireland more competitive internationally. As you know, Pope Francis is visiting Ireland this weekend as part of the World Meeting of Families 2018, and people from Offaly are expected to be among the hundreds of thousands who travel to see the Pope in person during his short visit here. Will you be there? Then share the atmosphere from this once in a generation experience by sending your photos from the journey up, the day itself or even a snap of the man himself if you manage it on the day! We will publish a selection of your photos on www.offalyexpress.ie. Email your photos to news@offalyexpress.ie or share them with us via Facebook or Twitter. What is the Popes itinerary? Pope Francis will be in Ireland for just 36 hours in total but he has a packed schedule during his time here. He will arrive in Dublin Airport on Saturday, August 25, and will go first to Aras an Uachtarain where he will meet with President Michael D Higgins at 11.30am. The Pope will then travel to Dublin Castle where he will deliver a speech. That afternoon he will visit St Marys Cathedral before going on a private visit to Day Centre for Homeless Families of the Capuchin Fathers. On Saturday evening, he will attend the World Meeting of the Families event in Croke Park. On Sunday morning he will visit Knock Shrine in the morning to say the Angelus on the square in front of the famous shrine. Afterwards he will travel back to Dublin and will arrive at the Phoenix Park for Holy Mass at 3pm. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) The country's police chief admitted there were human rights violations incurred by police during anti-drug operations, adding that over 600 have been charged for these. "There were violations. Our policemen, we charged around more than 600 on our own. More than 600 besides the more than 300 charged with the Commission on Human Rights," Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde told CNN Philippines' The Source on Wednesday. Government data show more than 4,000 'drug personalities' have been killed in anti-drug operations, while over 23,000 homicide cases linked to drugs are still being investigated. The PNP chief allayed fears of abuse of police power. He said they are monitoring around 1,700 police personnel in their counter-intelligence watch list who are suspected of illegal activities. "That's from extortion, kidnapping, mga kotong," he said. The PNP's Counter-Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF) is in charge of validating the information in the list. But should the suspicion be strong despite insufficient evidence, Albayalde says the policemen in question are transferred to another assignment. "They probably would stop; it's because they will be removed from their sphere of influence," he said. Albayalde claimed the PNP found it hard to gather substantial evidence against these cops. The PNP relaunched "Tokhang" in January 2018. It had first implemented the campaign from July 2016 to October 2017, before it was suspended amid alleged extrajudicial killings. Some critics have also pointed out that the PNP's drug war is a war on the poor, but Albayalde shrugged these allegations off. He said the amount of drugs seized should already explain their case. "The amount of recovery of illegal drugs is already 25 billion. So if you see that if we're not concentrating on big time, probably you could not even recover an amount of 5 billion, if you focus on street pushers," he explained. Albayalde said they are currently monitoring around 9,900 high-value targets all over the Philippines in their renewed drug watch list. But he also qualified what a "high-value target" meant. "In a barangay, probably siya ang [he is the] source. Something like that or probably meron siyang [he has a] network. Not that street pusher that you usually see," he said. Tamie Williams Smoke continues to linger in the Okanagan, leaving many to wonder when it will dissipate including local business owners who count on tourist dollars. While smoke blocked out the sun most days and forced the cancellation of a headlining band, the fifth iteration of the Ponderosa Music Festival rocked Rock Creek this past weekend. The small festival has called the Rock Creek Fairgrounds home since 2013, throwing a party for hundreds of people every year since, save for 2015 when a nearby wildfire forced a last-minute cancellation. This year saw We Are The City, who are originally from West Kelowna but now call Vancouver home, headline Friday night, followed by Montreal's Blue Hawaii who played late into the evening. For those who managed to wipe the sleep out of their eyes Saturday morning, a unique acoustic set was held amongst the Ponderosa Pines before music began on the main stages, featuring members of Brasstronaut, Little Destroyer and Elk the Moose. The intimate show was hosted by Sofar Sounds, an organization that's hosted similar small shows in more than 400 cities around the world. Saturday continued with a full day of music, including Kelowna-natives Yukon Blonde, followed by a performance-of-the-weekend candidate by Little Destroyer. Canadian hip-hop veteran k-os headlined the night, followed by Vancouver-based DJ duo The Funk Hunters closing out the evening. While Suuns, hailing from Montreal, was scheduled to headline Sunday night, heavy smoke caused delays with the band's flight, and they were forced to cancel their set. Jesse Roper from Victoria, who was also delayed due to smoke, moved into the headlining spot with an electrifying performance that was heavy on the guitar solos and charm. The future of the festival still remains in limbo, after festival organizers Kris Hargrave and Kia Zahrabi told attendees a few weeks prior to the event they'd had serious issues selling enough tickets this year to make it financially sustainable. Many artists throughout the weekend thanked the pair for putting on the unique, grassroots festival throughout the years, and urged the crowd to continue to support local live music. It's unclear at this time if the festival will return in 2019. Photo: BC Wildfire Service Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his newly shuffled cabinet gathered Tuesday for a retreat on Vancouver Island, under smoke-filled skies amid a provincewide wildfire emergency. Ministers are to discuss plans for the fall sitting of Parliament, including proposals to beef up measures aimed at protecting Canadian elections from foreign interference. But Trudeau's first order of business was to meet with Premier John Horgan, who had toured one of the hardest hit areas in the northern part of the province earlier in the day with federal Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan. "I want to start by saying, obviously, our thoughts are with all the first responders, the firefighters and the residents who are struggling through the wildfires that are raging across the province," Trudeau said. Trudeau is planning to take time out from the cabinet retreat Thursday morning to personally meet with firefighters and evacuees in Prince George. "As a born and raised Vancouver Islander, I was racking my brain trying to think of the last time a federal cabinet would have come to hold a meeting here, and I can't remember it ever happening," Horgan said. "So, it's a delight to have the prime minister and his team here." Horgan also praised the federal government's response to the wildfires. Seeing different levels of government working together on the crisis, "I think gives comfort to the public that federal, provincial, municipal, Indigenous leaders all coming together, speaking with one voice about the courage of our first responders and the tragedy that's hitting families and people throughout British Columbia." He noted that this is the second consecutive summer that B.C. has declared a state of emergency, an unprecedented situation that "speaks to the challenges of climate change, which again are values that we share" with the federal government. Trudeau said he and Horgan would also discuss how their two governments are working together on infrastructure projects, housing and protecting salmon, "something that is iconic and essential to B.C.'s culture and to B.C.'s economy." Neither he nor Horgan mentioned the one big issue on which their governments vehemently disagree the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project to carry Alberta bitumen to tidewater in Burnaby. The Trudeau government has decided to purchase the pipeline from Kinder Morgan, which backed out last spring, citing continued uncertainty that the project would ever go ahead given the B.C. government's determination to use every avenue possible to stop it. The issue could still come up Wednesday, when Horgan is to attend part of the cabinet retreat. Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould, meanwhile, confirmed that cabinet will consider proposals to strengthen Bill C-76, omnibus legislation governing election rules that was introduced last spring. In particular, she said the government is contemplating ways to ensure foreign money is not involved in trying to influence how Canadians vote. "We have to look very carefully at C-76," Gould said. UGC releases academic calendar for 2021-22 session, admission to be completed by Sep 30 Ban sale of junk food on campuses, UGC directs varsities, colleges India pti-PTI New Delhi, Aug 22: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all varsities and higher education institutions to ban sale of junk food on their campuses. "Banning junk food in colleges will set new standards for healthy food, making the students live better, learn better and reduce obesity levels. This will prevent lifestyle diseases which have a direct link with excessive weight," the UGC said in a communication to the universities. The circular was issued after a directive from the HRD ministry, asking the UGC to ban the sale of junk food on premises of higher education institutions. "You are requested to ensure strict adherence to the advisory. Create awareness among the younger generation who are vulnerable," it added. A similar move was made earlier by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) which had directed all affiliated schools to take junk food off their canteen menu. At the time, schools were also asked to inspect lunch boxes of students, create awareness about nutritious food and regularly monitor students' health. The circular was released following a report by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on consumption of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) and promotion of healthy snacks in schools. PTI 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 Blame game begins in Kerala, Congress says state govt solely responsible' for floods India oi-Vikas By Vikas Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 22: Political blame game has begun in flood-hit Kerala with Congress on Wednesday (August 22) saying that the Pirayi Vijayan-led government is "solely responsible" for the devastation as the sluice gates of all 34 dams were opened without giving proper information. Training its guns on the Left-led state government, leader of opposition in Kerala assembly Ramesh Chennithala demanded a judicial probe into the circumstances that led to opening of shutters of 40-odd dams at a time in the state. "They opened gates of all 34 dams without giving proper information to people.This is a man-made disaster not a natural calamity, that is why the Opposition is asking for a judicial inquiry. State government is solely responsible for this," Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala told news agency ANI. [Donations towards Kerala floods to get tax benefits] BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai also blamed the Pinarayi Vijayan government for the deluge and said there was "lack of foresight" on part of the state. However, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) chairman KP Sreedharan Nair denied the allegations, saying there was no lapse on part of the board which owns the dams and that they were opened only after enough alerts were issued. [PIL on Kerala floods in the Supreme Court demands rehabilitation under its supervision] There is no point in blaming the board for opening the dams as most of the rivers were overflowing due to heavy rains, he said. [NASA video estimates monsoon rains behind Kerala floods] Terming the charges as "baseless," dam safety chairman C N Ramachandran Nair said, "Everyone knows water was rising in the reservoirs and rivers were in spate. Now the allegations are being levelled only for the sake of blaming somebody". OneIndia News with PTI inputs For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, August 22, 2018, 21:25 [IST] Wreath laying ceremony of Constable Fayaz Ahmed Shah Constable A wreath laying ceremony was held at District Police Lines Kulgam to pay homage to the police personnel Fayaz Ahmad Shah son of Abdul Rehman Shah resident of Zazripora, Kulgam who was martyred by terrorists in Kulgam this morning J&K BJP pay tribute to BJP worker Shabir Ahmad Bhat Members of Jammu and Kashmir BJP pay tribute to BJP worker Shabir Ahmad Bhat, who was shot dead by terrorists at his home in Pulwama's Rakh-e-litter. Terrorists around mid-night barged into the residence of a BJP activist Shabir Ahmad Bhat (26) in Pulwama's Rakh-e-Litter area and abducted him. His bullet-riddled body was recovered this morning. Shabir was the constituency president of the BJP. He is the third BJP activist to be killed by terrorists in Kashmir. Bhat was under the protection of police and had come home in Pulwama to celebrate Eid. Stone pelting reported The celebrations of Eid-Al-Adha was marred by violence in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar city when stone-pelters came out on the streets and waved flags of Pakistan and dreaded terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). In a bid to disrupt peace, the demonstrators chanted slogans and clashed with police personnel on duty in Srinagar's Eidgah area, soon after Eid prayers. They also pelted stones on security personnel, who were trying to disperse them. It is targeted killing: MEA condemns terrorist attack on civilians in Srinagar Delimitation will happen, J&K statehood to be restored: Amit Shah in Srinagar Farooq Abdullah shown shoes, heckled for paying tribute to Vajpayee during Eid prayers India oi-Vikas By Vikas Srinagar, Aug 22: A few youths present at Eid prayers at a shrine in Srinagar reportedly took offence to former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah paying tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on August 16, and started shouting slogans against the NC patron. Some even showed shoes to Abdullah and booed him out of the prayer congregation. According to reports, as soon as Abdullah started praying, a dozen or so youths began raising slogans, asking Abdullah to leave the shrine. [Eid celebrations marred by violence in Anantnag, ISIS flags raised in Srinagar] According to some reports, the Kashmiri youth present at the shrine were miffed with Abdullah for chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Jai Hind' at another event. The protesting group started shouting slogans of 'Azaadi'. "The country has to change. I come here with a message of peace and harmony," Abdullah told Zee News. "There are people who will oppose the peace. But we have to keep on trying. For how long will the people of my state suffer? The entire country is progressing. We need to progress too," added Abdullah. Mein darne wala nahi hun. Agar yeh samajhte hai ki ise azadi aayegi toh mein inko kehna chahta hun ki pehle begaari,beemari aur bhookmari se azadi pao: Farooq Abdullah on protests against him during Eid prayers for raising'Bharat Mata ki Jai' slogans during Vajpayee's prayer meet pic.twitter.com/F0dCBoDJ80 ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018 Some reports say that shoes were also hurled at Abdullah. Amit Shah spends night at CRPF camp in Pulwama; says will see a peaceful J&K 'in our lifetime' J-K cops detain 6 over derogatory video after Pakistan's victory against India in T20 match Balkanisation of India: Lt. Gen would look to further bolster Operation Tupac in Kashmir Terrorist who was going to kill shopkeeper in J&K gunned down J&K: Clashes break out between youth, police in Anantnag after Eid Prayers India oi-Madhuri Srinagar, Aug 22: Massive clashes broke out between youth, police at Janglatmandi in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir after Eid Prayers on Wednesday. The violence erupted when stone pelters started attacking security forces, according to reports. So far, there has been no reports of casualty. People were seen waving national flag of Pakistan and flag of ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) in Srinagar. The Muslim festival of Bakrid or Eid-al Adha celebration is observed across the country today. On Monday, firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir took place as Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire with India, police said. The incident occurred in the Kamalkote area, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Baramulla, Imtiyaz Hussain said. Shopian encounter: Here is why Army is initiating action against its men J&K: SPO shot dead by militants in Shopian while coming out to offer Namaz India oi-Madhuri Srinagar, Aug 22: A special police official (SPO) was shot dead by suspected militants after he came out of Eid prayers in a Kulgam village, police said. The deceased has been identified as Fayaz Ahmad Shah, son of Mohammad Ramzan Shah, the resident of Zangalpora who was coming out of Eidgah in Augam village when suspected militants shot him dead. Reports said that the cop was coming out from a local mosque after Eid prayers and was on way to home when the gunmen fired upon him at Awgam village. Shah, who was earlier working as a Special Police Officer (SPO) was recently promoted as constable. He had come home on leave few days back from Manigam where he was undergoing training. A police officer confirmed the incident and said that the constable was immediately shifted to nearby hospital where he succumbed to injuries. So far, no militant outfit has staked the claim for the Eid day killing. Kerala Floods: Centre's financial assistance 'disappointing', says Oommen Chandy India oi-Deepika By Deepika Kochi, Aug 22: With the central government declining to accept the offer of Rs 700 crore made by UAE for relief and rehabilitation works in Kerala, Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the assistance announced by the Central government is not enough. "Unfortunately I am sorry to say that the financial assistance announced by Government of India is quite disappointing as far as the magnitude of the crisis is concerned. We are expecting reasonable monetary help to wipe the tears of our poor people and to bring them back to normal life," wrote Chandy. "By declaring it a national disaster, it will be easy to get assistance and funds as the funds by Centre are not sufficient," he said. Kerala: It has been a policy since Dec 2004 to refuse foreign aid during disasters He also requested to the prime minister to accept the Rs 700 crore relief by United Arab Emirates (UAE). Chandy also said the floods in Kerala should be declared a national calamity. "Now reports are being spread that Government of India denied permission to accept this great monetary help. This decision is quite disappointing to the people of Kerala." The United Arab Emirates had offered financial assistance of Rs 700 crore for flood relief operations in Kerala, but the government is unlikely to accept it. The government said that it had taken a considered decision to only rely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation. 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". Photo: NWS Honolulu UPDATE 8:44 p.m. Hawaii residents rushed to grocery stores Tuesday to stock up on bottled water, ramen and toilet paper as they faced the threat of heavy rain, flash flooding and high surf from a powerful and erratic hurricane expected to churn close to the islands or directly over them. The National Weather Service issued a hurricane watch for Hawaii, Maui and other smaller islands, meaning tropical storm-force winds, excessive rain and large swells could arrive starting Wednesday. It's possible Oahu and Kauai may later be included in an advisory for the hurricane packing potential maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. Hurricane Lane "is forecast to move dangerously close to the main Hawaiian islands as a hurricane later this week, potentially bringing damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding from heavy rainfall," the weather service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center warned as it got closer to the state. The storm had been moving west but is expected to turn northwest toward the state Wednesday. There's some uncertainty to Lane's path whether it moves north or south, meteorologist Gavin Shigesato said. "It is much too early to confidently determine which, if any, of the main Hawaiian islands will be directly impacted by Lane," the weather service said. But the hurricane centre said the storm will move very close to or over the islands from Thursday through Saturday. Even if the centre of Lane doesn't make landfall, the islands could be walloped with rain and wind. Maui County and Big Island schools will be closed starting Wednesday, the state Department of Education said. All after-school activities statewide are cancelled for the rest of the week. The east side of the Big Island has taken the brunt from previous storms and is still reeling after lava from an erupting volcano wiped out entire neighbourhoods. But early indications showed that the south end of the island up to the western side would be taking the brunt of the storm. "At this time, it looks like maybe Puna will be spared," county Managing Director Wil Okabe said of the beleaguered, rural district. "But you never know." Officials were urging residents across the islands to prepare. - The Canadian Press Canadians are being advised to avoid non-essential travel to Hawaii as Hurricane Lane nears the islands. The federal government issued the advisory Tuesday. The hurricane is expected to pass Hawaii Thursday and Friday, bringing heavy rain and violent winds. There is also a risk of flash flooding and landslides. The government is advising those with travel plans to Hawaii County, Maui County, and the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe to postpone. with files from CTV Vancouver Kerala Floods: Youth sends SOS message to take selfie with helicopter India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Kochi, Aug 22: An Indian Air Force helicopter pilot engaged in rescue operations in Kerala was in for a shock when he got a false SOS call from a youth. The pilot's video of narrating the incident is doing rounds in social media. The pilot said, "A youth removes his red shirt and waves at the Helicopter for help and with great difficulty, they descend and when they get close he pulls his mobile out for clicking a Selfie and asks the team to go." Kerala: It has been a policy since Dec 2004 to refuse foreign aid during disasters #KeralaFloods A youth removes his red shirt and waves at the Helicopter for help and with great difficult they descend and when they get close he pulls his mobile out for clicking a Selfie and asks the team to go. pic.twitter.com/B7naFNyLkd Suresh N (@surnell) August 20, 2018 The youth's mischievous behaviour has evoked strong reactions in social media platforms. Some of them want legal action against the youth. Kerala floods: India unlikely to accept foreign donations Also, Kerala Government has instructed Police to take strict measures against such cyber offenders. The Chief Minister's office has warned that anyone who is trying to disrupt it will face serious consequences. The government has spotted some fraudulent messages/posters with altered CMDRF account numbers as well. 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: It has been a policy since Dec 2004 to refuse foreign aid during disasters India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 22: The United Arab Emirates had offered financial assistance of Rs 700 crore for flood relief operations in Kerala, but the government is unlikely to accept it. The government says that it had taken a considered decision to only rely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation. However not accepting foreign aid is part of the Disaster Aid Policy that has been in place since December 2004. This policy has been followed since the tsunami hit India in December 2004. Also Read | Kerala floods: India unlikely to accept foreign donations Back then, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who was the Prime Minister had said that India could manage on its own. He further said that if the need arose, then India would think of accepting financial aid from foreign countries. This has been the policy since then. Prior to this India had accepted foreign aid on various occasions. The instances when India accepted foreign aid was during the Latur Earthquake of 1993, Uttarkashi earthquake of 1991, Bengal Cyclone of 2002, Gujarat earthquake of 2001 and Bihar floods of July 2004. Post 2004, India has refused aid for the Uttarakhand floods of 2013, the Kashmir earthquake of 2005 and also the Kashmir floods of 2014. Aid during this time was offered by countries such as US, Japan and Russia, but India had refused it. The reason why India went ahead with this policy was to maintain uniformity. It would be difficult to refuse aid from one country, while accepting it from another. These could lead to diplomatic issues. Further India feels it is very much capable of handling such situations on its own. Also Read | Kerala floods: Why the road to recovery will be a very long one The United Arab had offered around Rs 700 crore as financial assistance for flood relief operation in Kerala. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, called up Prime Minister Modi and made the offer for assistance, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in Thiruvananthapuram. Around three million Indians live and work in the UAE out of which 80% are from Kerala. The government of Maldives has also decided to donate $50,000 (Rs 35 lakh) for flood affected people in Kerala. It is understood that the UN is also offering some assistance for Kerala. The floods in Kerala have claimed nearly 231 lives and rendered around Rs 24 lakh homeless. As per an estimate, the total loss runs into nearly Rs 20,000 crore. Several states have offered assistance, while the Centre has given financial aid of Rs 600 crore. Vijay Diwas: Rajnath Singh lauds Indian Army, says their sacrifice is source of inspiration to Indians Narendra Dabholkar killing: CBI recovers country-made pistol India oi-PTI New Delhi/Mumbai, Aug 21: The CBI recovered a country-made pistol in Aurangabad in Maharashtra on Tuesday, similar to the one used in the killing of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in 2013, and filed a complaint with the police against three people, officials said. A khukri, three live rounds and a 7.65-bore pistol were recovered on the basis of leads given by Sachin Prakasrao Andure, who was arrested recently by the Central Bureau of Investigation, they said. The agency filed a complaint with the Aurangabad police against three people for allegedly possessing the country-made pistol, an illegal weapon, they said. The agency will send the pistol for ballistic examination to ascertain whether it was used in the killing of Dabholkar, they said. The recovery was made following searches at houses of two friends and a relative of Andure, they said. Late in the night, the Aurangabad city police arrested the three men in a case for illegal possession of weapons under the Arms Act, a local police official told PTI. Andure, a resident of Aurangabad, was arrested on August 18. He is believed to be one of the shooters who fired on Dabholkar in Pune on August 20, 2013 in broad daylight, the officials said. The shot killed Dabholkar who had been running a campaign against superstition. The arrest was made on a tip-off from the Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad after it had arrested three people in connection with a separate case of arms recovery. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, August 22, 2018, 12:35 [IST] PM Modi, Shah hand over Vajpayee's ashes to party state heads for immersion in 100 rivers India oi-Deepika By Deepika New Delhi, Aug 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday handed over urns carrying the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes to presidents of all states and union territories. BJP president Amit Shah handed over 36 urns with Vajpayee's ashes to party leaders at a function held at the party's old office at 11 Ashoka Road in New Delhi. Vajpayee's foster daughter Namita Bhattacharya, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj along with other party leaders and workers were present during the occasion. The BJP had earlier decided to immerse Vajpayee's ashes in 18 rivers across Uttar Pradesh. However, the ruling party later said that the late statesman's ashes will be sent to every state to be immersed in 100 rivers across the country. The BJP has decided to take out 'asthi kalash yatras' in all districts and immerse the ashes in rivers across the country. The yatra was being organised as party workers and people in the country wanted to pay tribute to the late prime minister, who died last week after prolonged illness at the age of 93, party leaders said. Processions will start from state capitals and will pass through all blocks, they said. PM to visit Gujarat on August 23 for collective e-Gruhpravesh of one lakh houses India oi-Vinod By Vinod New Delhi, Aug 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his home state Gujarat on August 23, 2018 to address a public meeting in Jujwa village in the Valsad district. The Prime Minister will witness a collective e-Gruhpravesh of beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin) - a flagship scheme of the NDA government which envisions 'Housing for All.' Over a lakh houses have been completed in Gujarat that the PM will facilitate e- Gruhpravesh. All the beneficiaries of these houses will celebrate collective Gruh-Pravesh across 26 districts. At Valsad, beneficiaries from five districts of South Gujarat - Valsad, Navsari, Tapi, Surat and Dangs -- will join the programme. For the remaining districts, collective Gruh-Pravesh will be celebrated at the block level. Beneficiaries in these districts will be suitably connected through a video link to the main event in Valsad. A total of more than 2 lakh people are expected to be connected with the event. Not a penny spent on PM's fitness challenge video At the same event, the Prime Minister will distribute certificates and employment letters etc to select beneficiaries under various development schemes, including Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Gramodaya Yojana and National Rural Livelihood Mission. He will distribute appointment letters and mini-ATMs to women bank correspondents. He will also address the gathering. Kerala: PM reviews flood situation, announces Rs 500 crore At Junagadh, the Prime Minister will inaugurate several development projects. These include a Government Civil Hospital at Junagadh; 13 projects of Junagadh Municipal Corporation; and a milk processing plant at Khokharda. He will also address the gathering. The Prime Minister will deliver the Convocation Address of the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, at Gandhinagar. He will attend a meeting of the Somnath Trust in Gandhinagar. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, August 22, 2018, 17:18 [IST] Kovind begins 2-day visit to Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir today, to celebrate Dussehra with jawans in Drass President Kovind, PM Modi greet country on Eid al-Adha India oi-Deepika By Deepika New Delhi, Aug 22: President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted the country on Eid-al-Adha. Greeting the people of the country, the president through his Twitter said, "Eid Mubarak to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers & sisters in India and abroad. On this special day of Eid-ul-Zuha, we celebrate the sacred spirit of sacrifice. Let us resolve to work together for unity and fraternity in our shared society." Eid Mubarak to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers & sisters in India and abroad. On this special day of Eid-ul-Zuha, we celebrate the sacred spirit of sacrifice. Let us resolve to work together for unity and fraternity in our shared society #PresidentKovind President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 22, 2018 Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings to the nation on Eid al-Adha. "Best wishes on Id-ul-Zuha. May this day deepen the spirit of compassion and brotherhood in our society," Prime Minister Modi wrote on his Twitter. Best wishes on Id-ul-Zuha. May this day deepen the spirit of compassion and brotherhood in our society. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 22, 2018 Others, too, including Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is currently in Germany, Suresh Prabhu, Omar Abdullah, and Arun Jaitley greeted the people on occasion of Eid. Eid Mubarak to each and every one of you! May this Eid bring you great joy, peace and happiness. #EidMubarak Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 22, 2018 Eid mubarak to all of you. Have a blessed Eid. I hope we can temper our celebrations by sharing some of our good fortune with those less fortunate than us & with those to whom life hasnt been as kind. Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 22, 2018 Warm Eid-ul-Zuha greetings. May this festival bring joy and harmony in the world. pic.twitter.com/x79ROYiTSU Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 22, 2018 The 'Festival of Sacrifice' or Eid al-Adha is the second of the two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year, the other being Eid al-Fitr. The festival marks the final day of Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha is one of the greatest celebrations of Islam. Muslims across the world take to the streets and gather at a place of worship, promoting brotherhood among different groups of society. People greet each other "Eid Mubarak" and exchange gifts and sweets. The don is depressed, brother in charge and not all is well in Dawood paradise India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 22: There is more than what meets the eye in the arrest of Jabir Moti, the chief financial manager of Dawood Ibrahim. This arrest made in London only goes on to show the increasing rift in the D-syndicate, which had begun with a succession battle between Dawood brother Anees Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel. While Dawood was heavily reliant on Jabir, over the past year or so, there was a falling out. In the battle of succession, Moti had sided with Shakeel, which had not gone down too well with Dawood and his brother Anees. Succession battle: In 2017, reports had suggested that Shakeel had broken away from the D-gang. There are also reports that Shakeel may have been killed by the ISI at the behest of Anees Ibrahim, who has complete control over the international dealings of Dawood Ibrahim. UK court denies bail to Dawood aide Jabir Motiwala Dawood had attempted to broker peace between Shakeel and Anees, but the truce was short-lived. As part of the truce, Shakeel was to handle the India business, while Anees was handed over the international affairs. An Intelligence Bureau official tells OneIndia that the news of the rift within the D-gang is confirmed. All is not well in D paradise and the news regarding the death of Shakeel over this rift too is almost certain, the officer added. While to the outside world, it appears as though Dawood is still in charge, the reality is that it is Anees who calls the shots these days. He has over the years even managed to earn the trust of the ISI and through which he could have orchestrated the hit on Shakeel, officials also say. Meanwhile the don himself is said to be depressed. The loss of Shakeel, the rift within the gang and his turning choosing to become a Maulana have all left the don extremely down and depressed. Sources say that the information relating to Jabir could have also been leaked by Anees. India had him on the radar, but the specifics about his location could have been the doing of Anees, agencies also believe. 3 Palatial bunglows in Karachi, UK confirms Dawood aka Mucchad lives in Pakistan There were fissures within the gang for some time now and Shakeel had very often complained about the interference by Dawood's brother Anees. However, Dawood who tried to broker peace always ended up siding with his brother. The big break-up: The news of the break up was picked up by the IB which listened to the conversations between Shakeel and one operative in Mumbai. Shakeel sounded upset about the recent developments and indicated that he wanted to move on. He also told the operative that he would be shifting to a different area and was getting out of the don's house. Officials who are in know of the Dawood files say that there has been a succession battle on for some time within the D-syndicate. While Dawood wants his brother Anees to head operations, many in the gang want Shakeel to take over the reigns. There have been complaints by the gang members about Anees' high handedness. On the other hand, they find Shakeel to be a better person to deal with. Another Dawood property auctioned off, this time for Rs 3.51 crore Around 5 years back a similar problem had cropped up. At that time Dawood had indicated that Shakeel would handle the India operations. Anees, on the other hand, was told to handle the international operations. The system was in place for some time, but with Dawood's failing health the row erupted again. Shakeel often complained that despite the territory being marked clearly, Anees had started interfering in the Indian operations. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, August 22, 2018, 16:12 [IST] 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 This is how rain-ravaged Kerala celebrated Bakrid India pti-PTI Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 22: Bakrid was today observed in a subdued manner in Kerala, which is slowly recovering from the rain fury that has claimed 231 lives since August 8. Hundreds of faithful thronged the mosques across the state in large numbers to mark the festival of sacrifice. Special prayers were held at mosques for those who have lost their lives in the rains and floods and those who continue to suffer. But, the number of special eidgahs was comparatively low at many places in the wake of water yet to recede in the low-lying areas and the ongoing rescue-and-relief operations. At many mosques, volunteers were seen collecting donations for the flood-hit people from the devotees. Giving out the festival messages, religious scholars and clerics urged the faithful to contribute generously to rebuild the lives of the flood-hit people. Moulavi V P Suhaib, Imam of the Palamyam Juma Masjid here, urged the people to extend all possible help to those affected. "A large number of people are suffering due to the floods, help them, extend all possible support to them," he said, while leading the eidgah at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium here. The Imam also urged the faithful to donate the money they had kept aside for the celebrations to the affected people. Latheef, hailing from Kollam district, said it was a low-key Bakrid this year. "We had a special prayer at the mosque for the departed souls. We were urged by the cleric to offer ourselves to help those suffering due to the floods," he said. Maiza, a non-resident Keralite woman, who came here from the Gulf to celebrate Bakrid, said her family had decided not to buy new clothes or prepare any special delicacies to mark the festival. "It used to be a colourful occasion. But this time, we have decided to keep it a low-key affair to express our solidarity with the people in distress," the homemaker said. PTI Prashant Kishor in viral video: With or without Modi, BJP will be centre of Indian polity for decades Those living in India, including Muslims since birth need not worry about NRC: Roopa Ganguly India pti-PTI Kolkata, Aug 22: Muslims living in West Bengal since childhood don't need to worry about the NRC, BJP MP Roopa Ganguly today said, while urging a section of political parties not to politicise every issue "for the sake of national interest". Ganguly's statement comes against the backdrop of a war of words between the TMC and the BJP over the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. "Pakistan was formed after the Partition on the basis that it becomes a Muslim country. Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) was mainly for Muslims. West Bengal was made part of India as it was for Hindus, who had come from (the then) East Pakistan because they were driven out from there," Ganguly said on the sidelines of a programme here. "Those who are living in India since their childhood, including Muslims, do not need to worry about the NRC," she said. "The Muslims who are living in Bengal since their childhood (for many decades) need not to worry about the NRC. There are certain things which should not be politicised for the sake of national interest," Ganguly said. The TMC has accused the BJP of being "anti-Bengali" and said it tried to divide the people on religious lines. The BJP in its turn had accused the TMC government of turning the state into a safe haven for Bangladeshi infiltrators for the sake of vote bank politics. PTI Photo: Contributed Montreal's city council unanimously adopted a motion on Monday calling for the federal government to ban the possession of handguns and so-called assault weapons across the country except for members of security forces and other authorities mandated to posses firearms. The resolution follows a similar motion passed by Toronto city council in July after a gunman opened fire on the city's Greektown district, killing two people and injuring 13 others. Read more Yamuna, Farmers and Financial Budgets India oi-Oneindia Staff By Chetan Saini In the month of July, India's national and local electronic media shifted its camera focus to the Yamuna which recorded rise in water level after the release of excess water from Hathanikund Barrage in the state of Haryana. News reporters and their cameramen were giving live updates from Delhi's Lohapul (the oldest bridge constructed in British India) and even projecting estimate damage to public and private properties from flood. Print media could not fall behind in this race of covering flood; published photographs of farmers and labourers evacuated from flood plains on the front pages of their newspapers. With the fall in water level, media cameras have moved away and the river goes into its former condition of carrying the burden of Delhi's drain and waste. The river lives in dead condition throughout the year except in July and August when the heavy rains in hills of India forced the government agencies to release excess water from dams. Besides, Yamuna does find place in newspapers and news portals when the government announces a plan or when the apex court admonishes government agencies for its pitiable condition. Enter from Palla village in the north and exist from Badarpur in the south, the Yamuna stretches in nearly 41 Km in Delhi. This long stretch is shown on the city's map as blue and green patch where different varieties of plants and trees are grown. The river is an important source of water in the national capital. Geological studies have identified the river and its adjacent areas as ground water recharge. It has also been providing livelihood for thousands of farmer families who have been engaged in agricultural activities since independence and even before it. Farmers grow fresh fruits and vegetables. There is intrinsic relationship between the river and farmers who keep the embankments clean and green. This article is an attempt to highlight Delhi government's negligence towards Yamuna and thousands of families living in its catchment area. It also studies allocation of funds in the last three financial budgets for revival of the river and resettlement plans for thousands of families. Budget Allocation for Yamuna, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development In the last three financial years budgets, Delhi government has made substantial allocation to rural development, agriculture services and environment. In the annual plan 2016-17, the government earmarked 190 crore for rural development while 7 crore were given to agriculture and allied services. In 2017-18, the government clubbed urban and rural villages development allocation and proposed an outlay of 600 crore. Although the government ensured the planned development of all sectors by providing them with necessary funds, it did not propose a separate allocation for Yamuna, its farmers and settlers. Barring some projects taken up by civic agencies, the government failed to address issues related to the river. In none of the last three financial years' budgets, Delhi government addressed the issue of farmers resettlement. In the year 2016-17, the government did not allocate any specific amount either for cleaning of the river or resettlement of farmers. However, 'Yamuna Arti' project worth600 crore was started in the month of October. In the next year budget speech, some plans were announced to make the Yamuna pollution free by setting up new sewage treatment plants (STPs) on drains falling into the river. To have a clear picture of government plans, proposals, initiatives and programs for Yamuna and people associated with it, given below are the major highlights of the last three budgets with specific reference to Yamuna river - 1) In the Budget 2015-16 , the budget speech included a project costing around 3,656 to treat sewage outflow in Najafgarh and supplementary drains that fall into the river. The project was aimed to rejuvenate Yamuna. It was reiterated to expedite the project for laying of interceptor sewage system along Najafgarh, Supplementary and Shahdara drains 2) In the Budget 2017-18, the government tabled its plan World Class Ecological Riverfront in 5 km upstream Wazirabad. 3) The government proposed, in the Budget 2018-19, construction of Kalindi Bypass between Faridabad and DND flyover along Yamuna. New proposal for development of city forest in Bela Farm. Allocation of Funds in the Last Three Budgets and Projects Financial Year Total Budget Allocation for Yamuna in Budget Proposed Projects on Yamuna in Budget Projects Started 2016-17 Rs. 46600 crore Not specified No proposed projects Rs. 200 crore Yamuna riverfront 'Yamuna Arti (October 2016) 2017-18 Rs. 48000 crore Not specified Interceptor Sewers and beautification of Yamuna World Class Ecological River Front of 5km at upstream of Wazirabad None 2018-19 Rs. 53000 crore Not specified Construction of Kalindi between DND flyover and Faridabad along Yamuna New Forests to be developed at various places in Delhi, including Bela Farm ----- Impact of Judicial Orders on Yamuna Farmers On the one hand the farmers face the brunt of government's negligence and on the other hand, judicial intervention further worsened their condition. In 2015, National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and other crops on the floodplains of Yamuna on the ground that they contain high toxic elements that could lead to diseases like cancer. Some newspaper reports reveal that the contribution of agricultural activities to the dismal state of Yamuna is minimal when compared against unplanned urbanization and discharge of untreated sewages. Earlier governments have violated environmental rules by permitting the construction of Akshardam Temple and Commonwealth Games village. Under such circumstances, the farmers seek comprehensive resettlement policy from the government and alternative source of income. (Chetan is an Assistant Professor with the Department of English, Bharati College. He was born and continues to live in an agrarian family in Bela Estate.) Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of OneIndia and OneIndia does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, August 22, 2018, 11:54 [IST] Rahul has lunch at roadside eatery in Goa, rides pillion on two-wheeler taxi for few kms Indian men do not view women as equal, says Rahul Gandhi in Germany International oi-Vikas By Vikas Hamburg, Aug 22: Congress president Rahul Gandhi spoke on a range of issues during his address at Bucerius Summer School in Hamburg, Germany, on Wednesday. The Congress president blamed the mindset of Indian men for the rising crime against women in the country. Rahul is in Hamburg as part of a four-day tour of the United Kingdom and Germany. Rahul said the levels of violence in India is increasing and women are becoming soft targets. "There is a huge amount of violence against women in India. India needs to change the way the Indian men view Indian women. Men have to start viewing women as an equal and with respect. I am sorry to say that men do not," he said. The Congress president further lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not acknowledging the job problem in India. He said that the work done by the Modi-led government is only benefiting the big corporates and not the poor. "The Dalits, minorities, tribals are now not allowed to gain from the Govt. All the money that used to go into schemes for the poor are now going to a few large corporates," he said. When asked about him hugging Modi in Parliament, Rahul said the Prime Minister was taken when he showed affection. Rahul further said that responding to hate with hate was foolish. [PM Modi was taken aback when I showed affection: Rahul Gandhi in Germany] "Basic idea is that if someone hates you, it is something that they are doing, responding to it with hate is foolish, it won't solve any problem. You are in full control of how you react," Rahul said in Hamburg when asked about him hugging PM Modi in Parliament. Last month, immediately after completing his speech in Lok Sabha during debate on the no-confidence motion, Rahul Gandhi walked across the Well of the House and gave a warm hug to Prime Minister Modi. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, August 23, 2018, 0:17 [IST] PM Modi was taken aback when I showed affection: Rahul Gandhi in Germany International oi-Vikas By Vikas Hamburg, Aug 22: Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who is in Hamburg, Germany, on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was taken when he showed affection. Rahul further said that responding to hate with hate was foolish. "Basic idea is that if someone hates you, it is something that they are doing, responding to it with hate is foolish, it won't solve any problem. You are in full control of how you react," Rahul said in Hamburg when asked about him hugging PM Modi in Parliament. Last month, immediately after completing his speech in Lok Sabha during debate on the no-confidence motion, Rahul Gandhi walked across the Well of the House and gave a warm hug to Prime Minister Modi. "Non-violence in India is a founding philosophy of our nationhood&essence of being an Indian. PM was making hateful remarks at me,I showed affection,he was taken aback. Even some of them (my Party members) didn't like it and I disagreed with them," he said. "Both my father and grandmother were killed, I have suffered violence. There is only one way forward and that is forgiveness," he added. Addressing a gathering at the Kampnagel Theater, Bucerius Summer School in Hamburg, Germany, Rahul said, there is a big job problem in India but the prime minister refuses to see it. Attacking the Modi govt on demonetisation he said, "They imposed demonetisation and destroyed the cash flow in the economy which left thousands of people unemployed." Why military coup in Myanmar is more consequential for india & free open secure Indo-Pacific Our views not reflected in draft: India abstains from voting on UNGA resolution on Myanmar UN calls for urgent action as Myanmar may spiral into a catastrophe Speed of Rohingyas return is up to Bangladesh says Suu Kyi International oi-Madhuri Singapore, Aug 22: Aung San Suu Kyi said it was up to Bangladesh to decide how quickly Rohingya refugees would return to Myanmar, appearing to blame Dhaka for the delay. More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Buddhist-majority Myanmar to Bangladesh after a brutal military crackdown on the stateless minority almost a year ago. The two countries last November signed a deal to repatriate them but it has stalled. Many fear returning to a place where villages were burned to the ground and where they say security forces murdered, tortured and raped members of their communities. Also Read | US diplomat quits Suu Kyi panel on Rohingya crisis Bangladesh insists the Rohingya are on its soil temporarily but has not forced them back. In rare public remarks on the crisis, civilian leader Suu Kyi said in a speech in Singapore that Myanmar has been ready to receive Rohingya returnees since January 23 as agreed in the memorandum of understanding. "It's very difficult for us to put a time frame on it by ourselves unilaterally because we have to work with Bangladesh in order to do that," she told an audience in a lecture organised by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and entitled "Myanmar's Democratic Transition: Challenges and Way Forward". "Bangladesh would also have to decide how quickly they want the process to be completed," Suu Kyi added. Since the repatriation was signed the two countries have wrangled over details, including the way refugees are described on ID cards in Bangladesh. Also Read | UN chief urges Myanmar's Suu Kyi to allow return of Rohingyas Rohingya living in the crowded camps over the border in Cox's Bazar insist on safety guarantees and citizenship rights before returning to Rakhine state in western Myanmar, where the United Nations says conditions are not ready for their return. The US and UN have described the military's campaign as ethnic cleansing and there is scepticism over whether Myanmar seriously intends to allow mass returns. The crackdown against the Rohingya was sparked on August 25 last year when insurgents attacked police posts. Calls have mounted for Myanmar's military to be held responsible for the campaign, in which thousands are estimated to have died, and the US has sanctioned two army brigades and several commanders who oversaw the expulsion. But Myanmar says it was simply defending itself and bristles at international calls for justice, arguing that the world does not understand the problem. Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate once under house arrest by the junta that ruled for decades, has seen her global reputation crumble since coming to power for failing to speak up for the Rohingya. "We who are living through the transition in Myanmar view it differently from those who observe it from the outside and who will remain untouched from its outcome," she said, appearing relaxed and jocular. She also blamed Rohingya insurgents and avoided criticism of the military. "The danger of terrorist activities which was the initial cause of events leading to the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine remains real and present today," she said. "Unless these security challenges are addressed, the risk of communal violence would remain." The Rohingya are seen as outsiders in Myanmar but consider Rakhine their homeland. They were stripped of their citizenship decades ago and subject to periodic purges while denied access to healthcare and freedom of movement. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, August 22, 2018, 8:44 [IST] Indian firm likely to begin production of coronavirus vaccine in next two weeks You S**T coloured Paki: Indian racially abused in Canada International oi-Madhuri Toronto, Aug 22: An Indian in Canada has been allegedly racially abused over a parking dispute by a white woman who yelled "go back to your country" and called him a "Paki", according to a media report. Rahul Kumar, who moved from India to Canada seven years ago, was also called a "loser" with "s**t-coloured skin", CTV news reported. Kumar filmed the encounter outside his home on his cellphone last week. In the video, a woman yells at Kumar over a parking dispute. "You can film all you want Paki. Yes Paki, that's you with the s**t-coloured skin," the report said, citing the video The woman who made the comments called CTV Edmonton after the report aired and criticised the coverage, saying that she is "not a racist." Asked whether the parking disagreement justifies the racist language used, she said, "It doesn't matter if it justifies it or not; it happened and that's where I took it." She is unapologetic. "I have no problem with what happened," she was quoted as saying by the report. At one point in the video, the woman mixes up two countries where she thinks Kumar is from before she mocks his accent. "East Indian Paki," she shouts at him. "Go back to your country, man," she adds. Towards the end of the video, she can be seen driving off, but not before she spits on Kumar's car and calls him a "loser." Kumar says he was stunned by the woman's comments. "I've never experienced anything like that. Kumar said he was concerned because the woman's profanity-laden rant was within earshot of children. "It is very disturbing," he said. Last month, an Indian-origin couple was harassed in Canada by a white man who yelled that "go back to your country" and threatened to 'kill' their children. Cruise drugs party organisers took nod from Centre, not Maha govt, says Nawab Malik 4 dead, 14 injured in fire accident in Mumbai's Crystal Tower Mumbai oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Mumbai, Aug 22: Four people were killed and 14 others injured in level-III fire that broke out at Crystal tower in Mumbai's Elphinstone area on Wednesday. The fire broke out on 12th floor of the tower. People trapped inside the tower are being rescued using a crane. The injured have been admitted to KEM Hospital. "Total 16 were brought to the hospital, of which 2 were brought dead; 1 is a senior citizen lady and other is a male, condition of others stable," news agency ANI quoted KEM Hospital Dean as saying. Fire Dept official told ANI, "Area around the lift of the 12th floor was the worst affected. Fire in the electrical wiring kept in the duct area had caused smoke and heat on the entire floor, because of which people on upper floors were trapped." "Complaint to be lodged on charges of criminal offence against the responsible society official. Building declared unsafe," he said. On August 13, a level II fire had broken out at a godown in the Parel area and 12 fire tenders were rushed to douse it. Also Read | Delhi: Fire breaks out at Ashoka hotel in Chanakyapuri For More Mumbai News, Click Here HC warns AAP govt of strict action if no scheme to regulate cabs by November end New Delhi pti-PTI New Delhi, Aug 22: The Delhi High Court has warned the AAP government of strict action if it does not finalise its policy to regulate taxis running in the national capital by the end of November this year. The warning by the high court came after the Delhi government said its policy -- the City Taxi Scheme 2017 -- was under consideration and would take more time to finalise. The Delhi government had in September last year sought four weeks' time to place the regulations before the court, and on July 31 this year, it sought two months more to carry out the exercise. Dissatisfied by the government's stand, a division bench of the high court in its order of July 31 directed that the New City Taxi Policy and the Licensing and Regulation of App-based Aggregators Rules, 2017 be placed before the court by November 26, the next date of hearing. "If action not taken by then we will be constrained to take strict action," the court said. It was hearing a PIL initiated by it on September 14 last year after taking cognisance of a September 12, 2017 incident in which a driver of a black-yellow taxi allegedly offered a lift to a woman and then sexually assaulted her. The court had taken note of a report in an English daily in this regard. Referring to the incident, the court had said, "It points out that enforcement agencies, Delhi Police and traffic police are unable to check gross violation of law by taxi drivers in Delhi, resulting in serious crimes including sexual violence against passengers." The news report had said the 30-year-old taxi driver was arrested for allegedly raping the 23-year-old woman at a park near Red Fort on September 12, 2017. The woman had alleged that the driver raped her after telling her that he would drop her at a bus stand from where she could go to Ludhiana. The court, quoting the report, had noted that the practice of operating shared taxis was common around railway stations. The taxi in question did not have a GPS-based fare meter, which has been made mandatory by the transport department but has faced stiff resistance from autorickshaw and taxi unions. For more New Delhi news Click Here PTI Photo: The Canadian Press Police stands in front of a senior home in Ahlen, Germany, where Jakiw Palij, a former Nazi concentration camp guard, arrived earlier Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Palij, the last Nazi war crimes suspect facing deportation from the U.S. was taken from his home and spirited early Tuesday morning to Germany, the White House said. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) A 95-year-old former Nazi concentration camp guard who lived quietly in New York City for decades was carried out of his home on a stretcher by federal agents and flown to Germany early Tuesday in what could prove to be the last U.S. deportation of a World War II-era war-crimes suspect. Jakiw Palij's expulsion, at President Donald Trump's urging, came 25 years after investigators first accused Palij of lying about his wartime past to get into the U.S. But it was largely symbolic because officials in Germany have repeatedly said there is insufficient evidence to prosecute him. Trump "made it very clear" he wanted Palij out of the country, and a new German government that took office in March brought "new energy" to expediting the matter, U.S. Ambassador Richard Grenell said. "He's gone. He's back in Germany," Trump said at a campaign rally in West Virginia Tuesday night as he celebrated his role in the deportation. Eli Rosenbaum, the former head of the U.S. office investigating accused Nazi war criminals, said Palij's removal "is a landmark victory in the U.S. government's decades-long quest to achieve a measure of justice and accountability on behalf of the victims of Nazi inhumanity." Palij lived quietly in the U.S. for years, as a draftsman and then as a retiree, until nearly three decades ago when investigators found his name on an old Nazi roster and a fellow former guard spilled the secret that he was "living somewhere in America." Palij, an ethnic Ukrainian born in a part of Poland that is now Ukraine, said on his 1957 naturalization petition that he had Ukrainian citizenship. When their investigators showed up at his door in 1993, he said: "I would never have received my visa if I told the truth. Everyone lied." A judge stripped Palij's U.S. citizenship in 2003 for "participation in acts against Jewish civilians" while he was an armed guard at the Trawniki camp in Nazi-occupied Poland and he was ordered deported a year later. But because Germany, Poland, Ukraine and other countries refused to take him, he continued living in limbo in the two-story, red brick home in Queens he shared with his late wife, Maria. His continued presence there outraged the Jewish community, attracting frequent protests over the years that featured such chants as, "Your neighbour is a Nazi!" According to the Justice Department, Palij served at Trawniki in 1943, the same year 6,000 prisoners in the camps and tens of thousands of other prisoners held in occupied Poland were rounded up and slaughtered. Palij has acknowledged serving in Trawniki but denied any involvement in war crimes. Last September, all 29 members of New York's congressional delegation signed a letter urging the State Department to follow through on his deportation. "Good riddance to this war criminal," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat. The deportation came after weeks of diplomatic negotiations. Grenell told reporters there were "difficult conversations" because Palij is not a German citizen and was stateless after losing his U.S. citizenship. But "the moral obligation" of taking in "someone who served in the name of the German government was accepted," he said. Video footage from ABC News showed federal immigration agents carrying Palij out of his home Monday on a stretcher. Palij, with a fluffy white beard and a brown, newsboy-style cap atop his head, was wrapped in a sheet as the agents carried him down a brick stairway in front of his home and into a waiting ambulance. He ignored a reporter who shouted, "Are you a Nazi?" and "Do you have any regrets?" Palij was flown on a specially chartered air ambulance from Teterboro, New Jersey, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and arrived in Dusseldorf, Germany, at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Palij's lawyer, Ivars Berzins, declined to comment. The local German government in Warendorf county, near Muenster, said Palij would be taken to a care facility in the town of Ahlen. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said "there is no line under historical responsibility," but added in a comment to the German daily Bild that doing justice to the memory of Nazi atrocities "means standing by our moral obligation to the victims and the subsequent generations." Jens Rommel, head of the German federal prosecutors' office that investigates Nazi war crimes, said Tuesday that the deportation doesn't change the likelihood that Palij will be prosecuted for war crimes. "A new investigation would only come into question if something changed in the legal evaluation or actual new evidence became known," he said. However, Efraim Zuroff, the head Nazi-hunter at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said he hoped prosecutors would revisit the case now that Palij is in Germany. "Trawniki was a camp where people were trained to round up and murder the Jews in Poland, so there's certainly a basis for some sort of prosecution," he said in a telephone interview from Jerusalem. Photo: The Canadian Press President Donald Trump takes the stage at a rally in support of the Senate candidacy of West Virginia's Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, W.Va. President Donald Trump's former personal attorney has pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and implicated Trump in a campaign coverup to buy the silence of women who said they had sexual relationships with him. Michael Cohen's admission has thrown Trump's presidency into crisis and raises questions about Trump's own legal jeopardy. Cohen's plea in federal court in New York on Tuesday came at nearly the same moment that Trump's onetime campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, was convicted by a jury in Virginia of financial crimes. Manafort faces separate charges in September in the District of Columbia that include acting as a foreign agent. The back-to-back blows resulted from the work of special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russia's attempts to sway voters in the 2016 election, including hacking Democrats' emails, and whether the Trump campaign may have co-operated. Trump has repeatedly denounced the probe as a "witch hunt." Cohen's lawyer, Lanny Davis, said Wednesday that Cohen has information "that would be of interest" to the special counsel. Davis said Cohen is not looking for a presidential pardon. "My observation is that the topics relating to hacking and the crime of hacking ... that there are subjects that Michael Cohen could address that would be of interest to the special counsel," Davis said in a series of television interviews. Trump soon weighed in on Twitter, taking a shot at Cohen: "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!" New Jersey Online Gambling Revenue Hits Another Record in July Published August 21, 2018 by Elana K New Jersey online gambling revenue hit a new record this July, with most of its revenue coming from online casino games, not poker. July marks the 17th consecutive month in which the states online gambling revenue totaled more $20 million. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has released Julys gaming numbers, and the surprise is that there was no summer slump; in fact, New Jersey raked in $25.9 million, $5.3 million more than the industry earned in July 2017, and $300 thousand more than the states previous record, set in March 2018. The only non-surprise is that New Jerseys strong numbers came from its online gambling industry, not online poker. Online casino revenue rose nearly 30%, reaching a bit more than $24 million, whereas online poker decreased by 8% and brought in approximately $1.85 million. Still, even online pokers slow pace cant seem to stop the New Jersey online gambling machine. Casino Winners The Golden Nugget hit its own record-high this July, earning over $9.3 million just from its online casinos and surpassing its previous record of $8.65 million, set in March 2018. Borgata came in a far second with a total revenue of nearly $5 million, including online casinos and poker. Resorts Digital Gaming came in third with nearly $4 million in revenue from its online casino and poker games. Caesars came in fourth with a bit under $3.8 million, but its poker industry did surprisingly well, bringing in over $700 thousand. Caesars poker rooms are currently the only ones sharing player pools with Delaware and Nevada, which explains the casinos high poker intake. The Tropicana came in fifth place with $3.35 million New Jerseys on a Roll July marks the 17th consecutive month in which the states online gambling revenue totaled more $20 million. New Jerseys success comes at an ideal time; Pennsylvania online gambling is getting underway while numerous other states are looking toward legalization as a much-needed solution to their budget woes. As New Jersey continues to succeed month after month, other states can point to it as a model for their own burgeoning industries. Photo: Harold Schock The federal government continues to meet in Nanaimo today. The B.C. wildfire situation has made it onto the national agenda. The Government of Canada released a statement today saying they stand with the people of British Columbia and will make every effort to support Canadians who are dealing with devastating effects of wildfires in our province. The Prime Minister also indicated more support is coming. In addition to support already provided by the Canadian Armed Forces, Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has announced the creation of a new ad hoc Cabinet committee to coordinate federal efforts to help the many communities affected by the wildfires raging through British Columbia. The Ad Hoc Cabinet Committee on the 2018 BC Wildfires will meet as required to consider and coordinate federal contributions and to support recovery and rebuilding efforts. The Committee will complement the on-the-ground efforts coordinated by the Government Operations Centre, and will work in partnership with Indigenous leaders to make sure affected Indigenous communities have the support they need. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the wildfires in British Columbia, and our government is determined to support British Columbians in the wake of this devastation. With this new committee, we will work to address the urgent and long-term impacts of the wildfires, and will collaborate closely with Premier Horgan and local authorities to support recovery and rebuilding efforts. I would especially like to thank first responders and all of those who are working hard and putting their lives at risk to help people affected by the wildfires. The Prime Minister says British Columbians can count on the full support of the Government of Canada as we deal with the devastation caused by these wildfires and work to rebuild our communities. Photo: Contributed Police say a female is dead and a male has been airlifted to hospital after an explosion at a house in Kitchener, Ont., this morning. Waterloo regional police tweeted that the explosion happened on a residential street at 9 a.m. Investigators say gas, water and power will be shut off for a "lengthy amount" of time in the area. Photos police tweeted from the scene show heavy smoke along a tree-lined street. Deputy Fire Chief Rob Martin tweeted that three homes were affected by what appeared to be a house explosion. He says it's too early to determine a cause. Photo: The Canadian Press A satirical battle of hot air is gathering steam in Spokane, Wash. A Facebook event calling on Spokanites to put fans on their roofs and blow wildfire smoke to B.C. is being taken seriously by some. The tongue in cheek event is scheduled for Friday at noon. To get rid of this smoke, we have to work together as a community, the events description reads. After much deliberation and mathematical calculation, we have figured that it is absolutely possible for us to blow this smoke away with high-powered fans. Organizer Caleb Moon says he and some friends came up with the idea while they were hunkered down indoors, away from the smoke. It was just a silly idea, so we decided to make this whole Facebook event for our friends not thinking that it would actually take off and people would believe it, he told CTV. He posted the event Sunday evening, and as of Wednesday morning it had more than 1,500 people saying they would take part. Team work makes the dream work. Lets do this, Spokanites. Lets send this smoke right back to those Canucks!" the page says. But, Canadians plan to fight back with their own Facebook event titled Blow Spokane smoke back to Spokane" in Grand Forks. with files from CTV Vancouver Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to go after Cebu policemen and personnel of the regional Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) who are "drug addicts." "'Yang Talisay (City), p****** Talisay na yan hinay-hinay. Pulis ninyo diri sa Cebu, puro adik. Halos tanan, hasta inyong mga opisyal, hasta inyong mga PDEA," he said in a speech in Cebu City Tuesday. [Translation: That Talisay. Your policemen in Cebu are addicts. Almost everyone, even your officials, even your PDEA men.] Duterte said he has intelligence reports of the drug menace in Cebu, and urged local government officials to fight this menace. He singled out Daanbantayan Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot, an official in his so-called narcolist a claim which the Cebu town mayor has repeatedly denied. "Ikaw, Loot, kasayang ang pagka-PMA-er mo. Gastos ng tao tapos keep on denying. Ilang beses ka na in-ambush? Matatag ka talaga. P*** i** mong Loot ka, huwag mo akong takutin, takutin na military, military, leche ka," he added. [Translation: Loot, your PMA background is a waste. People spend on you, and you keep on denying. How many times have you been ambushed? You're strong. ***** you Loot, don't threaten me that you're part of the military.] In an interview on CNN Philippines, Philippine National Police Chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde confirmed the President's statement. "And we have information also that it was during that time or before the Duterte administration, most of the Cebu cops really were engaged in extortion and illegal drugs," Albayalde told CNN Philippines' The Source. Albayalde added that some Cebu police were reportedly engaged in a practice called "orbiting." "They go from house to house, kung sino ang nakita nila na ito ay nagtutulak, instead of them being arrested, hinihingan na lang ng pera on a weekly basis," he said. [Translation: They go from house to house. Whoever they see is using drugs, instead of them being arrested, they extort money from them on a weekly basis.] However, the country's top cop said this culture prompted the replacement of the police personnel in the region, and that the situation is better now. "Naging kultura sa kanila 'yun," he said. "Kaya napalit lahat 'yun. Kasi we changed the commanders." [Translation: It became a culture for the cops. That's why it has been replaced, because we changed the commanders.] PDEA Spokesman Derrick Carreon said Gen. Aaron Aquino ordered to change their agency's officials in Region VII amid the drug-related controversies. "This is part of the preventive process and definitely, an investigation is being undertaken or conducted right now," he told CNN Philippines Tuesday. Carreon added they are also conducting lifestyle checks on PDEA personnel. Loot, a retired police general, was previously named by President Rodrigo Duterte as a drug protector. He was also among those implicated by self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa during his testimony at the Senate. The Cebu town mayor survived an ambush by gunmen at the Maya Port on May 13. Photo: CRD The Cariboo Regional District has issued an evacuation order for six properties in the Whitton Lake area. Residents will be evacuated by helicopter due to danger from nearby forest fires. Evacuees should register at the ESS Reception Centre at 640 Carson Drive in Williams Lake. The CRD has also issued an evacuation order for one property in the Gotchen Lake area. RCMP will be expediting the evacuation, the regional district says. Those evacuees should register at the ESS Reception Centre at 726 Alpine Ave. in 100 Mile House. Evacuees must leave the area immediately. They should also follow these tips: Photo: The Canadian Press Jeffrey Paul Delisle leaves court in Halifax on Oct. 10, 2012. A former Canadian naval intelligence officer convicted of spying for Russia has been granted day parole and could be living in a halfway house this fall, the Parole Board of Canada said Wednesday. Former junior navy officer Jeffrey Delisle was given day parole on Tuesday following a three-hour hearing at Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick. He had been sentenced in 2013 to 20 years in prison. Delisle started selling Western military secrets to Russia in 2007, but wasn't caught until 2011 when the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation tipped off the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. He pleaded guilty to regularly passing classified western intelligence to Russia in exchange for cash. The judge presiding over the case said at the time that he would serve 18 years and five months because of time served. A parole board spokeswoman said two board members presided over Tuesday's hearing, determining that he was not likely to reoffend. "All decisions are based on risk so if the parole board members feel that an offender can be released and not be a threat to society and won't reoffend while on parole, then they do grant parole," she said. The parole is for a period of up to six months and takes effect in September, but that it may begin later depending on bed availability at the unnamed facility. The spokeswoman, who didn't want her name used, said Delisle has to live at the halfway house and is under direct supervision by a parole officer. He will have to report back to the halfway house every night, she said. Provincial court Judge Patrick Curran said at sentencing that Delisle "coldly and rationally" offered his services to Russia, who valued his work. Curran also ordered Delisle to pay a fine of nearly $111,817 the amount he collected from his Russian bosses. Delisle, who was 41 when he was sentenced, was arrested in January 2012 and became the first person to be charged under the Security of Information Act. That law was passed following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. In an agreed statement of facts, Delisle admitted that his treachery began when he walked into the Russian embassy in Ottawa in July 2007 and offered his services for money. He was going through a period of emotional turmoil; his marriage had broken up and he was going through financial difficulties. For years, he funnelled classified information to the Russians for monthly payments of about $3,000. The naval threat assessment analyst used floppy discs and memory sticks to smuggle information out of Halifax's HMCS Trinity, the military all-source intelligence centre on the East Coast. He then took the information home and copied it into an email address that he shared with his Russian agent so he never had to send the email. But he came under suspicion after returning in September 2011 from a trip to Brazil, where he met a Russian agent named Victor who told him that he would become a "pigeon" or liaison for all Russian agents in Canada. Authorities intercepted two messages in January 2012 that Delisle tried to pass on to the Russians, and he was arrested soon afterwards. The case raised serious security questions, including whether shared intelligence from Canada's allies notably the United States had fallen into Russian hands. In 2014, Moscow's outgoing envoy to Ottawa, Georgiy Mamedov, told The Canadian Press that they learned nothing of value from Delisle. Photo: The Canadian Press Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland speaks to media at Liberal cabinet retreat in Nanaimo on Wednesday. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says she's "very encouraged" by signals from Washington that the United States and Mexico are close to figuring out their bilateral issues within the three-country North American Free Trade Agreement. But even with the prospect of progress, it remained unclear Wednesday precisely when Canada might be invited back to the bargaining table, let alone when or even if the three continental neighbours might wrap up the renegotiation effort that began more than a year ago. Freeland said she has been in close contact with her U.S. and Mexican counterparts throughout their two-way NAFTA talks, which are now in their fifth week. The issue of rules of origin on autos has been central to the summertime U.S.-Mexico discussions, she added. "We are very encouraged by what we're hearing from our NAFTA partners," Freeland said in Nanaimo, B.C., where she's taking part in a Liberal government cabinet retreat. "What we've agreed with the U.S. and Mexico is, once the work on those bilateral issues is done, then Canada is looking forward to joining the negotiation and a swift conclusion of the NAFTA negotiations." There's optimism that U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo could conclude their face-to-face negotiations as early as this week and open the door for Canada to re-enter the talks. A report by Politico, based on information from unidentified sources, said the White House is expected to announce a "handshake" deal between the U.S. and Mexico on Thursday. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the announcement, the report said. In Washington, Guajardo said Wednesday that he hoped to have a solution in "the next couple of hours, or couple of days." However, on the possibility of a handshake deal, Guajardo said it would have to involve all three countries. "What we're doing here is trying to get and solve the issues that are most important between the U.S. and Mexico that will lead to a trilateral meeting with Canada," he said. "I think the handshake happens when everybody's done." Some observers believe the Trump administration has sidelined Ottawa from the NAFTA negotiations. The federal government, a few have warned, could find itself forced into deciding whether to accept a less-appetizing deal hashed out between the U.S. and Mexico. But Canadian officials, as well as officials from the U.S. and Mexico, have insisted the two-way NAFTA talks are necessary before the three-party negotiations can restart. "NAFTA is a trilateral agreement, but inside that agreement there are a lot of issues that are chiefly bilateral and that is what they're focused on," Freeland said. The rules of origin on cars is an issue that concerns all three countries and one where detail matters, she added. "And Canada will very much have a voice in the finalization of all of this." Last week, Trump suggested that Canada had deliberately been frozen out of the NAFTA talks. "We're not negotiating with Canada right now," the president said during a televised cabinet meeting. "Their tariffs are too high, their barriers are too strong, so we're not even talking to them right now. But we'll see how that works out. It will only work out to our favour." Photo: Contributed Members of the LGBTQ2S+ community in Chilliwack now have safe havens if they feel threatened. The RCMP, with the support of the business community, is introducing the Safe Place Program throughout the city. Originating in Seattle, the Safe Place program was set up in Vancouver two years ago. Cpl. Mike Rail said businesses, schools or other institutions participating in the program are identified by a rainbow-coloured badge displayed on a door or window of their locations. To register, participants are asked to sign an agreement they will provide a safe place for anyone of the LGBTQ2S+ community, then post the rainbow decal. Everyone should feel safe, said Rail. Promoting acceptance and inclusion while ensuring the safety of community is a priority of the Chilliwack RCMP. To include your business or association in the Safe Place program contact Const. Isabelle Christensen at 604-393-3000. Trimming Market Size, Share, Trend, Technology, Application and Key Players (Robert Bosch, Fiskars, Husqvarna, STIHL, Blount International et al.) | Forecast Period 20182025 Trimming Market https://www.orianresearch.com/request-sample/609061 https://www.orianresearch.com/enquiry-before-buying/609061 https://www.orianresearch.com/checkout/609061 www.orianresearch.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/13281002/ Trimming Market 2018 Global Industry research report gives you basic details of variety in product types, industry size, share, trends, growth, drivers, applications, manufacturers and geographical regions. The report is on Trimming Market consumption ratio, production capacity, revenue, and different driving factors.Get Sample Copy of this Report atThe Global Trimming market 2018 research provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Global Trimming market analysis is provided for the international markets including development trends,competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status. Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.Complete report on Global Trimming Industry 2018 Market Research Report is spread across 148 pages and provides exclusive vital statistics, data, information, trends and competitive landscape details in this niche sector. Inquire more or share questions if any on this report @Analysis of Trimming Key Manufacturers: Robert Bosch, Fiskars, Husqvarna, STIHL, Blount International, Emak, GreenWorks Tools, MTD, Remington, Stanley Black and Decker, Jarraff Industries, DOLL Fahrzeugbau GmbH et al.Key segments covered in this report:Geography segment, end use/application segment and competitor segment. The key countries in each region are taken into consideration as well, such as United States, China, Japan, India, Korea, ASEAN, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, CIS, and Brazil etc. For end use/application segment, this report focuses on the status and outlook for key applications. End users also can be listed.With tables and figures helping analyze worldwide Global Trimming market, this research 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.For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Trimming as well as some small players. The information for each competitor includes: Company Profile Main Business Information SWOT Analysis Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin Market ShareMajor chapters covered in Trimming Market Research are:Chapter 1 Executive SummaryChapter 2 Abbreviation and AcronymsChapter 3 PrefaceChapter 4 Market LandscapeChapter 5 Market Trend AnalysisChapter 6 Industry Chain AnalysisChapter 7 Latest Market DynamicsChapter 8 Trading AnalysisChapter 9 Historical and Current Trimming Market in North America (2013-2018)Chapter 10 Historical and Current Trimming Market in South America (2013-2018)Chapter 11 Historical and Current Trimming Market in Asia & Pacific (2013-2018)Chapter 12 Historical and Current Trimming Market in Europe (2013-2018)Chapter 13 Historical and Current Trimming Market in MEA (2013-2018)Chapter 14 Summary for Global Trimming Market (2013-2018)Chapter 15 Global Trimming Market Forecast (2019-2023)Chapter 16 Company ProfilePurchase Direct CopyFew Points from List of Tables and Figures:Table Abbreviation and Acronyms ListTable Research Scope of Trimming reportTable Primary Sources of Trimming reportTable Secondary Sources of Trimming reportTable Major Assumptions of Trimming reportTable Trimming ClassificationTable Trimming Applications ListTable Drivers of Trimming MarketTable Restraints of Trimming MarketTable Opportunities of Trimming MarketTable Threats of Trimming MarketTable Key Raw Material of Trimming and Its SuppliersTable Key Technologies of TrimmingTable Cost Structure of TrimmingTable Market Channel of TrimmingTable Trimming Application and Key End Users ListTable Latest News of Trimming industryTable Recently Merger and Acquisition List of Trimming industryTable Recently Planned/Future Project List of Trimming industryContinuedAbout 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 worlds 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.comWebsite:Follow Us on LinkedIn: Systemic Antibiotic Sulfonamide Combination Pharmaceuticals Market 2023 Growth Analysis By Manufacturers, Regions, Type And Application, Forecast Analysis Transparency Market Research https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/systemic-antibiotic-sulfonamide-combination-pharmaceuticals-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=12284 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=12284 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Systemic Antibiotic-Sulfonamide Combination Pharmaceuticals MarketSulfonamides are a group of drugs that are derived from sulfanilamide, a sulfur containing compound. Sulfonamides are the most commonly used antibiotics around the world and have been in clinical use since 1968. Sulfonamides, also known as anti-metabolites and sulfa drugs act by inhibiting the folic acid synthesis pathway in a bacterial cell. These antibiotics are considered as selective targeted option since human do not synthesize folic acid, but a bacterial cell requires it for the synthesis of adenine and thiamine derivatives of its nucleic acid.These drugs are bacteriostatic in nature and are often utilized in the systemic treatment of acute, uncomplicated urinary tract infections and respiratory upper tract infections. With a broad spectrum of activity, these drugs are also utilized to treat various other bacterial infections like enteritis, chronic bronchitis in adults, otitis media in children and travelers diarrhea. The leading drugs in this segment are sulfamethoxazole, sulfisomidine, sulfadiazine, sulfaisodimidine, sulfacetamide, sulfisoxazole, sulfasalazine, sulfadoxine and dichlorphenamide. One of the combination drugs available in this class is the sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim combination which becomes bactericidal in action in contrast with the other sulfa drugs. Some of the key brands available in this class are Dapsone (diamino-diphenylsulfone) and Sepmax (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) from GlaxoSmithKline plc; Blephamide(prednisolone and sulfacetamide) from Allergan, Inc. and Vasocidin (prednisolone and sulfacetamide) from Novartis AG.Report Overview @Global Systemic Antibiotic-Sulfonamide Combination Pharmaceuticals Market: Drivers and RestraintsMajor growth drivers for the systemic antibiotic-sulfonamide combination market will include availability of large number of generics at affordable prices in emerging markets and increasing prevalence of various infectious diseases such as urinary tract and upper respiratory tract infections. These drivers are likely to push the volume sales of drugs of this class. Worldwide rise in elderly population is also expected to play a key role in driving the market growth as elderly populations is at high risk of developing various infections requiring systemic antibiotic-sulfonamide combination drugs for cure.Global Systemic Antibiotic-Sulfonamide Combination Pharmaceuticals Market: Geographical DynamicsGeographically, the market for systemic antibiotic-sulfonamide combination pharmaceuticals has been segmented into four major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). In North America and Europe, the market is characterized by market maturity and increasing penetration by generic manufacturers. Stringent regulatory guidelines pose a significant challenge before the growth of this market to some extent in these regions. However, the market may experience a significant growth on the introduction of new products during coming years.Request Brochure @Asia-Pacific represents the most potential market for this segment and is expected to record the highest growth rate during the upcoming years. Some major factors expected to drive the systemic antibiotic-sulfonamide combination market growth in the region include, presence of large number of generic manufacturers in major Asian countries (especially in India and China), growing incidences of infectious diseases and emerging economies leading to increased purchasing power of the people belonging to this region. In addition, the region being a home for more than half of the world population is also likely to represent a large pool of patients with various infectious diseases that would consequently increase the uptake of sulfonamide class of drugs.Request for TOC @Global Systemic Antibiotic-Sulfonamide Combination Pharmaceuticals Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the major players engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of systemic antibiotic-sulfonamide combination drugs are GlaxoSmithKline plc, Allergan, Inc., Pfizer Ltd., Sanofi, Novartis AG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Bayer AG, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Co., Inc. and AstraZeneca plc. These players compete with each other in order to get competitive advantages over each others. In developing nations like India, China, Mexico and Brazil, they face intense competition from local manufactures that offer systemic antibiotic-sulfonamide combination drugs at relatively low prices.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact Us90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Electronic Health Records Market to 2022| Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Amazon.com, Analogic Corp, athenahealth Inc and Beckman Coulter Inc https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1657223 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-markets-and-technologies-for-electronic-health-records-report.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/global-markets-and-technologies-for-electronic-health-records-report.html https://marketinfo247.wordpress.com/ Albany, NY, 22nd August : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Global Markets and Technologies for Electronic Health Records" globally.The report will segment the technology for electronic health records and IT suppliers by hardware, software and services by application, including:- Administration.- Computerized health records.- Billing automation.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @- Decision support tools.- Document and image management (RIS/PACS).- e-Prescriptions.Use segments will also be addressed, including healthcare providers, private and public payers and consumers.Report Includes:- 29 data tables- An overview of the global markets and technologies for electronic health records- Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2016 and 2017, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2022- Identification of segments with high growth potential and their future applications- Explanation of major drivers and regional dynamics of the market and current trends within the industry- Detailed profiles of major vendors in the market, including Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Amazon.com, Analogic Corp., athenahealth Inc. and Beckman Coulter Inc.View Complete TOC with tables & Figures @Table of ContentsChapter 1 IntroductionStudy Goals and ObjectivesReasons for Doing This StudyScope of ReportInformation SourcesMethodologyGeographic BreakdownAnalyst's CredentialsRelated BCC Research ReportsChapter 2 Summary and HighlightsChapter 3 Market and Technology BackgroundElectronic Health Records DefinedHistory of U.S. Regulatory MeasuresMeaningful Use Incentive Drives InvestmentEHR Challenges and OpportunitiesClinical OntologiesEHR Cloud Trade-OffsProtecting Patient InformationCloud-enabled Electronic Health Records: Advantages and DisadvantagesChapter 4 Market Breakdown by Technology TypeElectronic Healthcare TechnologiesHardwareSoftwareServicesNetwork ProvidersSecurity TechnologiesBrowse Report @Chapter 5 Market Breakdown by End UserHealthcare End-Use SegmentsHealthcare ProvidersResearchMoz 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.Mr. Nachiket Ghumare,ResearchMoz,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States,Tel: +1-518-621-2074,USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948,Email: sales@researchmoz.us,Follow me on : Current Trends and Future Growth of Global Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol Market Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol https://www.progressivemarkets.com/industry-research/methyl-isobutyl-carbinol-market?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=Niranjan https://www.progressivemarkets.com/request-sample/methyl-isobutyl-carbinol-market?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=Niranjan The global methyl isobutyl carbinol market is anticipated to garner $420.76 million in 2019, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period 2014-2019 according to Progressive Markets report titled, Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol Market Size, Trend, Share, Opportunity Analysis & Forecast, 2009-2019.Access Full Summary:Methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), also known as 4-Methyl-2-pentanol, is an organic chemical compound, and a derivative of acetone. MIBC is a colorless, stable liquid with a pungent alcohol odor. It is principally used as a blowing agent in mineral flotation. It is an excellent foaming reagent, which is used for both non-ferrous metal oxide ores as well as fine-grained sulfide ores. It is partially soluble in water but is miscible with most organic solvents. It has a good solvent power for dissolving oils, gums, natural resins, waxes, and cellulose. It is used as a latent solvent within a solvent blend to alter performance characteristics such as drying/curing and viscosity/flow. It is used as a precursor to various plasticizers as a solvent in organic amalgamation and production of brake fluid. The application areas of MIBC include surface coatings, adhesives, thinners, printing inks, cosmetics, toiletries, and cleaners. It is also used in pharmaceutical applications for the extraction of vitamins & minerals, as wetting agents in lithographic printing, and as chemical intermediates.The methyl isobutyl carbinol market is anticipated to expand with the improvement of research and development, the cost reduction, and increase in its application. Methyl isobutyl carbinol is a preferred frother of choice for the mining of ores, such as copper, molybdenum sulfide, and coal. Thus, the growth in the mining industry is expected to further drive the demand for methyl isobutyl carbinol. Rapid growth in mining activities in Latin America and Africa is anticipated to provide lucrative opportunities to the manufacturers of methyl isobutyl carbinol. However, significant technological barriers in the production of high-quality methyl isobutyl carbinol and stringent government regulations are expected to hamper the market growth.Access sample Report:Based on application, the market is segmented into the blowing agent, plasticizer, and organic intermediates. Methyl isobutyl carbinol as a blowing agent is the primary application that accounted for the highest market share in 2014. Moreover, the market is analyzed across various regions which include North America, Europe, Japan, China, and Others. In 2014, Europe accounted for the highest consumption of methyl isobutyl carbinol.The key players operating in the market include Celanese Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell Plc., DowDuPont Inc., Arkema Group, Solvay SA, Monument Chemical Inc., Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Nippon Refine Co. Ltd., Weifang Yi Hua Chemical Co., Ltd., and Hubei Jusheng Technology Co., Ltd.The company makes use of primary corporate research and secondary inputs from trusted sources to build its own reference base. It maintains consistency in quality as it keeps itself updated with changes in market dynamics and gauging its net effect on global business trends.Reach UsMr. Shriram Dighe4th Floor, Unit 12, Marisoft III,West Wing, Marigold IT Park,Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411014,India: +91 20 66346040Toll Free: + 1-888-906-9222help@progressivemarkets.com Global Smart-connected Wallets Market Insights, Forecast to 2025 Global Smart-connected Wallets Market Insights, Forecast to 2025 http://www.qyresearchglobal.com/goods-1791837.html www.qyresearchglobal.com This report studies the global market size of Smart-connected Wallets in key regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America and Middle East & Africa, focuses on the consumption of Smart-connected Wallets in these regions.This research report categorizes the global Smart-connected Wallets market by players/brands, region, type and application. This report also studies the global market status, competition landscape, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.A smart-connected wallet, like any other wallet, is a personal accessory, which is used to carry personal belongings such as cash, transactional cards, transit cards, photographs, gift cards, and many other things. However, in the event of loss of these wallets, their location can be tracked down by users with the help of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity. These wallets are compatible with smartphones and other wireless technology-enabled digital devices, including tablets and personal digital assistants (PDAs).Owing to the high smartphone adoption and high Internet penetration, Wi-Fi enabled smart connected wallets are increasingly preferred by the consumers to connect to the Internet and other devices through Wi-Fi using mobile applications. Developed countries such as North America and Europe are the primary consumers contributing to the growth of the smart wallet market in this segment.North America is witnessing a growing number of start-ups that offer innovative smart-connected wallets through online and offline distribution channels. The increasing purchasing power, the growing disposable income, and the high Internet penetration and smartphone adoption, will contribute to the growth of the smart wallet market in North America.The various contributors involved in the value chain of Smart-connected Wallets include manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, intermediaries, and customers. The key manufacturers in the Smart-connected Wallets includeEkster WalletsVoltermanRevolWalli WearablesNXT-ID IncWoolet CoMarket Size Split by TypeWi-FiBluetoothMarket Size Split by ApplicationOffline ChannelOnline ChannelThe study objectives of this report are:To study and analyze the global Smart-connected Wallets 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 Smart-connected Wallets 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 Smart-connected Wallets 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 Smart-connected Wallets with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.To project the value and volume of Smart-connected Wallets 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.Request Sample Report and TOC@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.QY Research Achievements:Year of Experience: 11 YearsConsulting Projects: 500+ successfully conducted so farGlobal Reports: 5000 Reports Every YearsResellers Partners for Our Reports: 150 + Across GlobeGlobal Clients: 34000+Contact USQY Research, INC.Tina17890 Castleton, Suite 218,City of industry, CA 91748USA: +1 626 295 2442Email: sales@qyrsearchglobal.comWeb:For other region, contact number given below+86 108 294 5717 Beijing+852 3062 8839 HKQY 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 2901 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market Worldwide Trend 2018 Major Key Players DFE Pharma, Meggle, Armor Pharma, ALPAVIT and More Outlet Till 2033 Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4816 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/4816 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/4816 Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market Worldwide Major Trend Present a Market Research Future. Analysis Extensive Things Size, Share, Future Market Growth and also Segmentations & Sub Segmentations.Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market - Key PlayersBASF SE, Merck KGaA, Kerry Inc. DFE Pharma, Meggle, Armor Pharma, ALPAVIT, and others are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the pharmaceutical grade lactose market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis.Get Premium Sample Report @Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market - OverviewThe pharmaceutical grade lactose market is growing mainly due to efficient compatibility of lactose with active ingredients. According to a recent study report published by the Market Research Future, the pharmaceutical grade lactose market is booming and expected to gain prominence over the forecast period. The market is forecast to demonstrate a spectacular growth by 2023, surpassing its previous growth records in terms of value with a striking CAGR during the anticipated period (2017 2023).Pharmaceutical grade lactose is a specialized grade of lactose that meets the rigid pharmaceutical expectations. It is produced by concentrating whey or permeate to over-saturate the lactose, which is then further refined, dried, and milled properly. Pharmaceutical grade lactose is manufactured in different specialty and customized range to use in various oral solid dosage forms (OSDFs) such as tablets, capsules, sachets, dry powder inhalers and others.Rising approval from government bodies to use pharmaceutical grade lactose as an excipient is the primary driver for pharmaceutical grade lactose market. Due to broad availability and cost effectiveness, lactose is getting great acceptance across the world. According 2017 updated inactive ingredient database by FDA, lactose is approved to use as an excipient for different dosage forms.Other push factors such as, compatibility with active ingredients and other excipients, and increasing demand for dry powder inhalers (DPI) products are also fuelling the growth of the market. With the increasing advancement, the usage of dry powder inhalers is also expanding for the delivery of different drugs. Using DPI technique an effective plasma concentration of levonorgestrel drug can be exceeded over a period of 16-60 hours in comparison to the oral delivery. According to FDA, lactose along with glucose and mannitol can be used as carriers in DPIs.Despite these drivers, lactose-induced problems, stringent government regulations, and lack of compatibility with amine based drugs are expected to hinder the growth of the market. Although lactose has been widely accepted for inhalation products but it is not compatible with proteins. According to a study published in the Revista Mexicana de Ciencias (Mexican Journal of Sciences) in 2015, lactose has propensity to react with primary and secondary amine drugs through Maillard reaction to produce colored products.Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market - SegmentationThe pharmaceutical grade lactose market is segmented on the basis of type, and application.On the basis of type, the market is segmented into crystalline monohydrate lactose, inhalation lactose, granulated lactose, spray dried lactose, and others. Crystalline monohydrate lactose is further segmented into -Lactose monohydrate, and -Lactose (anhydrous lactose). Sub-segmentation of -Lactose monohydrate includes milled, and sieved. Inhalation lactose is further segmented into sieved, and milled.On the basis of application, the market is classified into tablets manufacturing, capsule manufacturing, and others. Tablets manufacturing is further classified into direct compression, wet granulation, and dry granulation. Capsule manufacturing is further classified into capsules, sachets, and others.Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market - Competitive AnalysisDue to rising research and development expenditure various existing and new marketers are continuously coming up with more advanced products. The global pharmaceutical grade lactose market is currently dominated by very few players.Kerry Inc. is one among them, by holding a strong position globally. It has a global presence, however more than 60% of its share come from European region. This shows strong grip on the European market, however, only 40% of the share comes from the rest of the world, which includes countries like India, China, etc. The strategic alliance of Foremost Farms, Sheffield Bio-Science, and Kerry Group is expected to promote the pharmaceutical grade lactose products. The lactose is sold internationally under the Fast Flo trademarks and foremost trademarks. Acquiring Lactose (India) Limited, was also a part of strategy.BASF SE is another renowned player in the pharmaceutical grade lactose market. The companys stronghold is largely attributed to its innovative and sustainable products. The company provides customized products to make drug formation processes more efficient. Pharmaceutical grade lactose products are covered under Nutrition & Health segment of the company. In 2016, the Nutrition & Health was having revenue of USD 2251.39 million.DFE Pharma is well-known for its broad range of lactose offerings in the pharmaceutical industry. Its position among the key pharmaceutical grade lactose manufacturers is due to its global footprint through distributors and agents. In October, 2014, the company opened a new sales office in Shanghai, China to effectively meet the escalating demand for excipients products in China. In April 2014, the company has also opened a new sales office in Sao Paulo, Brazil to strengthen its position in South and Central American countries.Ask Questions to Expert @Over the past years, Merck KGaA has also transformed from a supplier of pharmaceutical and chemicals into a global science & technology company with the acquisition of various companies such as Sigma Aldrich in the year 2015. The company has portfolio in three business sectors, Life Science, Healthcare, and Performance materials.Major Table of Content:1 Report Prologue2 Market Introduction3 Research Methodology4 Market Dynamics5 Market Factor Analysis6 Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market, by Type7 Global Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market, by Application8 Global Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market, by Region9 Company Landscape10 Company Profiles11 MRFR Conclusion12 Appendix13 List of Tables14 List of FiguresGet Prime Discount @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 Urology Devices Market 2018-2027 Innovative Change with Key Vendors - Boston Scientific, Olympus, Coloplast, Cook Medical, C.R. Bard, Endo Health Solutions Inc. etc. Urology Devices Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1120 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1120 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1120 Global Urology Devices Market - Regional AnalysisNorth America is the largest market in the urology devices market with increasing cases of dialysis, and other lifestyle diseases. According to the Urologic Diseases in America (UDA) project, the U.S. population spends approximately $11 billion annually on the treatment and management of urological diseases.Get sample report @Europe is the second largest market and is expected to catch up quickly with North American market in the coming years. The factors such as rising awareness about urology devices, increasing investments in hospital managements, healthcare facilities, medical infrastructure to support the acute as well as chronic urological disease conditions. Increasing government support in R&D and business opportunity generation has greatly impacted the market with emerging nations coming forward capitalizing the opportunities and boosting the growth of the urology device market. Apart from that, the European Association of Urology has undertaken efforts to increase the awareness in Europe about urological diseases among the population achieved through the promotion of prostate cancer screening and initiatives such as Urology Week.Asia Pacific region is a growing market attributed to rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases and government initiatives in establishing innovative technologies and demand for sophisticated medical services. Developing healthcare infrastructure and increasing investment in research and development in countries like India and China are pushing the growth of urology devices market in this region.Middle East & Africa currently contribute least in the global market. However, the scenario is changing and with rising awareness among people and developing healthcare services, these regions are projected to generate good revenues to benefit the global urology devices market.Global Urology Devices Market Key PlayersThe key players that are involved in Global Urology Devices market are American Medical Systems (U.S.), Boston Scientific (U.K.), Olympus (U.S.), Coloplast (Denmark), and Cook Medical (U.S.) C.R. Bard (U.S.), Endo Health Solutions Inc. (U.S) and many others.Get Discount on report @Global Urology Devices Market SegmentsThe Global Urology Devices Market is categorized on the basis of types, applications, technology, end users and region. The market is segmented on the basis of types: dialysis equipment, urinary stone treatment devices, endoscopy devices, benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment devices, urinary incontinence & pelvic organ prolapsed devices, and others.Dialysis equipment is further segmented into peritoneal dialysis, haemodialysis, and others. Urinary stone treatment devices are further segmented into ureteral stents, lithotripsy, and others. Urinary incontinence & pelvic organ prolapsed devices are further segmented into sacral neuromodulator, urethral inserts & pessaries, vaginal meshes & slings, and others. Benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment devices are further segmented into prostatic stents, catheter ablation, and others.On the basis of technology, the market is segmented into minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, and others. On the basis of applications, the market is segmented into benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, urinary stones, urinary incontinence and others. On the basis of end users, the market is categorized into hospitals, ambulatory services and others.Global Urology Devices Market Competitive LandscapeThe Global Urology Devices Market is experiencing extreme competition due to major companies are focusing on the development of the new and advances devices to overcome the disadvantages of the available devices. Some of the leading players have adopted various strategies such as acquisitions and strategic alliances for the growth of the market.KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Germany, founded in 1945, a medical company, produces and distributes medical instruments and devices across the world. The company is the leading market player and is one of the leading manufacturers in the field of industrial endoscopy. C-VIEW, IMAGE1 S, and AUTOCON III 400 are some of the major products of the company.Olympus Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is a manufacturer of optics and reprography products. In 2015, the company launched five new urology products: GLIDEWIRE, ShockPulse- SE, UltraTrack Hybrid Guidewire, UroPass Access Sheath full portfolio, and 200 Series Laser FiberTo Know More Enquire @Global Urology Devices Market HighlightsUrinary tract is the one of the vital system of the body. Urological diseases includes, kidney diseases, prostate problems, urinary tract infections, bladder control problems, and others. Different types of urological devices are present in the market and continuous development is being carried out to develop innovative and better instruments for the treatments. The global urology devices market is driven by rapid development in the medical devices, launch of new devices, and rising prevalence of urological diseases. Furthermore, increasing occurrence of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases & obesity, rising geriatric population, and high healthcare expenditure have fueled the market growth. However, poor reimbursement policies, is the major obstacle in the growth of market.According to a recent study published by the Market Research Future analysts, the global Urology Devices Market is growing at an exponential growth rate; mainly due to rising cases of urological diseases, increasing demand for advance healthcare devices, increasing rate of prostate and bladder cancers, diagnosis of patients with kidney diseases. All these factor are contributing to the growth of the market.Major Table of ContentChapter 1. Report PrologueChapter 2. Market Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope of the Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 LimitationsChapter 3. Research Methodology3.1 Introduction3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size EstimationChapter 4. Market DynamicsContinued.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 FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com Waterproofing Coating Markets Expected to Gain Popularity Worldwide : SIKA, PAREX, BASF, RPM, Keshun QYResearchReports https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1879846&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-waterproofing-coating-market-professional-survey-report-2018.htm https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-waterproofing-coating-market-professional-survey-report-2018.htm/toc http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Waterproofing Coating Market Professional Survey Report 2018" to its huge collection of research reports.This report studies the global Waterproofing Coating market status and forecast, categorizes the global Waterproofing Coating market size (value & volume) by manufacturers, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top manufacturers in North America, Europe, Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia and other regions (Central & South America, and Middle East & Africa).Waterproofing is the process of making an object or structure waterproof or water-resistant so that it remains relatively unaffected by water or resisting the ingress of water under specified conditions. Such items may be used in wet environments or underwater to specified depths. Water resistant and waterproof often refer to penetration of water in its liquid state and possibly under pressure, whereas damp proof refers to resistance to humidity or dampness. Permeation of water vapor through a material or structure is reported as a moisture vapor transmission rate. The hulls of boats and ships were once waterproofed by applying tar or pitch. Modern items may be waterproofed by applying water-repellent coatings or by sealing seams with gaskets or o-rings. Waterproofing is used in reference to building structures (such as basements, decks, or wet areas), watercraft, canvas, clothing (raincoats or waders), electronic devices and paper packaging (such as cartons for liquids).Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @The Asia-Pacific will occupy for more Waterproofing Coating market share in following years, especially in China, also fast-growing India and Southeast Asia regions. North America, especially the United States, will still play an important role which cannot be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of Waterproofing Coating market.The global Waterproofing Coating market is valued at xx million US$ in 2017 and will reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx% during 2018-2025.The major manufacturers covered in this reportSherwin-williamsSIKAPAREXBASFRPMKeshunPolycoat Products3MGuangdong Yu NengOriental YuhongBerger PaintsHenkelMapeiCarpolyAkzoNobelGeographically, this report studies the top producers and consumers, focuses on product capacity, production, value, consumption, market share and growth opportunity in these key regions, coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanIndiaSoutheast AsiaOther regions (Central & South America, Middle East & Africa)Obtain Report Details @We can also provide the customized separate regional or country-level reports, for the following regions:North AmericaUnited StatesCanadaMexicoAsia-PacificChinaIndiaJapanSouth KoreaAustraliaIndonesiaSingaporeRest of Asia-PacificEuropeGermanyFranceUKItalySpainRussiaRest of EuropeCentral & South AmericaBrazilArgentinaRest of South AmericaMiddle East & AfricaSaudi ArabiaTurkeyRest of Middle East & AfricaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoAcrylicsPolyurethaneOthersView TOC (table of content) of the Report:By Application, the market can be split intoRoofingWallOthersThe study objectives of this report are:To analyze and study the global Waterproofing Coating capacity, production, value, consumption, status (2013-2017) and forecast (2018-2025);Focuses on the key Waterproofing Coating manufacturers, to study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in future.Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis.To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region.To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the market.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 Waterproofing Coating are as follows:History Year: 2013-2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.Key StakeholdersWaterproofing Coating ManufacturersWaterproofing Coating Distributors/Traders/WholesalersWaterproofing Coating Subcomponent ManufacturersIndustry AssociationDownstream VendorsAbout Us:QYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us:1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web: Animal Parasiticide Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015-2025 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-595 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-595 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Increasing number of animal welfare programs and government initiatives are driving the market for the global animal parasiticide market. The animal parasiticide, also called, Veterinary parasiticide, are products that kill parasiticide infesting upon pets, livestock, and other animals. All these parasiticide has their own general features that determines their suitability for the control of parasites on animals. People being increasingly being aware about the zoonotic diseases and adoption of pet animals largely by the developed and developing nations have made a way for the global animal parasiticide market.The government has also contributed towards the animal welfare activities that has resulted in the hefty demand for parasiticides which has improved the health of livestock tremendously across the globe and also elevated the global animal parasiticide marketRequest Sample Report @The market is growing due to the increasing demand for animal health products and the animal owners look out for low cost generics.Animal Parasiticide Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe increasing importance of animal health care accompanied by governmental protocols is driving the global animal parasiticide market. The Increased number of animal livestock in the emerging markets, developments in the parasiticide products, upcoming new offerings by the leading players, execution of welfare acts in the developed and developing regions, worldwide increment in the number of adoptions of animals like dogs and cats are some of the growth drivers for the global animal parasiticide market.Along with the increasing awareness, the increasing rate of GDP in the regions like Asia-Pacific and Latin America and thereby increasing per capita spending on the animal health care products are also responsible for growth of the market.Apart from significant growth factors there exits some restraints to the market including high cost R&D activities, strict regulations for approval for animal parasiticides and restricting the use of parasiticide in some animals (specifically the food producers) in some regions. The increasing number of species of parasites in are also contributing to the restrains that are preventing the market from growing.Animal Parasiticide Market: SegmentationBy product the global animal parasiticide market is segmented as Endoparasiticides (Additives, Injectable, Drenches, Tablets/Pills, Others), Ectoparasiticides (Collars, and Endectocides. The global animal parasiticide market is also segmented by the animal type which are as Companion Animal (Cat, Dogs, Horses, and Others) and Food Producing Animals (Cattle, Poultry, Sheep and Others).Animal Parasiticide Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global animal parasiticide market is expected to register a favourable growth for the forecast period, 2015?2025. European market is the expected to hold the major share into the market. The increment in the number of pet animals and increased awareness among the people regarding the animal health. North America is expected to follow Europe however the developed markets like US and Canada are reaching saturation which tends to grow the market at a comparatively lower rate. The Asia-Pacific is projected to endure its control in terms of growth in global animal parasiticide market. The market is predominately affected by the increasing trend towards pet adoption. In terms of growth Latin American regions also represent a higher growth opportunity. APAC and Latin America is in the higher growth expectations due to the increasing GDP rate and per capita expenditure on the animal health.Request to View TOC @Animal Parasiticide Market: Key PlayersThe key market competitors in global animal parasiticide market are Zoetis, Inc, Bayer AG, Novartis AG, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Co., Inc., Ceva Sante Animlae, Boehringer Ingelheim, Virbac SA, and Vetoquinol.ABOUT US:Future 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:Future Market InsightsU.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWeb: Vaccines shine a spotlight over target infections A vaccine is a biological formation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that features a disease-causing microorganism and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the micro-organism, its toxins, or one of its surface proteins. They create immunity against a disease. The traditional vaccine consists of agents that resemble the disease-causing organism. When these agents enter the human body they stimulate the immune system to recognize these agents as foreign and destroy them. It also makes the immune system remember these foreign agents so that they can recognize and destroy the real live virulent germs. A vaccine can be administered into the body through injections, by mouth or by aerosol. Immunization refers to making someone immune against infections or diseases. Immunization is not only caused by vaccines but there are also some diseases that cause immunization after an individual encounters and recovers from that disease.2nd World Vaccines and Immunology Congress to be held on October 15-16, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan which includes prompt keynote presentations, Oral talks, Poster presentations, and Exhibitions.We are delighted to welcome all the interested and enthusiastic participants across the globe to its prestigious International Vaccines Congress conference which is going to be held during October 15-16, 2018 at Tokyo, Japan highlighting the theme Explore the Intriguing Ideas in the Arena of Vaccines.. 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All members of the Vaccines Congress 2018 organizing committee look forward to meeting you in Tokyo, Japan.85 Great Portland St, Marylebone, London W1W 7LT, UK Contact Center Outsourcing Market Recent Developments with Business & Financial Overviews 2023- IBM, HP, Sitel, Teleperformance, Xerox Corporation, CGS Inc, HGS, Datamark Contact Center Outsourcing http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012190616/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012190616/discount Contact Center Outsourcing 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 Content Security Gateway 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.Contact Center Outsourcing Market, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Others; it also covers the landscape of the Contract Logistics market in the APAC region and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Top Manufacturer Detail-IBM, HP, Sitel, Teleperformance, Xerox Corporation, CGS Inc, HGS, Datamark, Inc, Infinit Contact, Five9, VADS, AloricaInvensis, TranscosmosRequest Sample Copy is Available:This report describes the development of the industry by upstream & downstream, industry overall and development, key companies, as well as type segment & market application and so on, and makes a scientific prediction for the development industry prospects on the basis of analysis, finally, analyzes opportunities for investment in the industry at the end of the report.Table of Contents1 Industry Overview1.1 Contract Life-cycle Management Software Industry1.1.1 Overview1.1.2 Development of Contract Life-cycle Management Software1.2 Market Segment1.2.1 Upstream1.2.2 Downstream1.3 Cost Analysis2 Industry Environment2.1 Policy2.2 Economics2.3 Sociology2.4 Technology3 Contact Center Outsourcing Market by Type3.1 By Type3.1.1 Email Support3.1.2 Chat Support3.1.3 Voice Over IP (VoIP)3.1.4 Website Support3.1.5 Others3.2 Market Size3.3 Market Forecast5 Market Competition5.1 Company Competition5.2 Regional Market by Company6 Market Demand6.1 Demand Situation6.1.1 Demand in Small Enterprises6.1.2 Demand in Large Enterprises6.2 Regional Demand Comparison6.3 Demand Forecast8 Marketing & Price8.1 Price and Margin8.1.1 Price Trends8.1.2 Factors of Price Change8.1.3 Manufacturers Gross Margin Analysis8.2 Marketing Channel9 Research ConclusionPlace Direct Purchase order For Complete report @About us:ReportsWeb 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.Contact us:Phone : +1-646-491-9876E-Mail : sales@reportsweb.com Precise Study on Cambodia Telecoms, Media and Broadband Highlights Growth Scenario and Major Developments for Future https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1869228 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/cambodia-telecoms-mobile-and-broadband-statistics-and-analyses-report.html https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1869228 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ The latest analysis on the phenomenally expanding market of Cambodia telecoms, mobile as well as broadband has been recently included in the broad portfolio of Market Research Hub (MRH). It is titled as Cambodia - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses, and provides a professional overview of the sector, which is presently the focus of active market experts. Accordingly, it also offers resourceful data about the telecom sectors progress, in terms of infrastructure and the special mention about the various types of networks, operators, alongside profitable information about the forecast for the years 2018-2023.Request For Sample Report:-The buyer gains detailed knowledge about the telecommunications infrastructure of Cambodia. Further, the report data provide a range of key metrics for the country's telecoms market. Considering the current market overview, the study finds that Cambodias mobile broadband has grown abruptly over the past five years from a small base driven by a mature mobile market. Over the next five years, strong growth is predicted until the end of 2023 but at a declining rate. In the region, the mobile broadband market will be driven by gradually faster speeds offered by the mobile operators as they further roll out their 4G networks and ultimately launch 5G networks.In the succeeding sections, the research throws light on prime chapters such as regulatory environment, fixed network operators, telecommunications infrastructure, fixed-line broadband market and major mobile operators. As per the findings, the study reveals that Cambodias efforts to expand and upgrade its telecom infrastructure are bearing fruit. There were between eight and ten mobile operators vigorously competing with each other in a market segment and that was growing at a rapid rate. A process of rationalization followed, reducing the number of operators to only six. Over the next five years to 2023 the market will move back to positive growth but at a relatively slow rate.Browse Full Report with TOC:-The study also looks at the fixed broadband market and finds that fixed broadband penetration is predicted to grow very strongly and to reach over 2% by 2023 from this very small base. At present, Fixed network operators in the market include Telecom Cambodia, Kingtel (Emaxx), Viettel and Digi.Some of the key developments in the Cambodia telecom, mobile and broadband sector include-MPTC launched a free Wi-Fi service for visitors and residents of Phnom Penh.Smart Axiata launched an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network capable of supporting extreme speeds of 600Mbps.Cambodia aims to launch its first communications satellite into orbit in 2021.Mobile broadband has seen very strong growth over the past five years.Later, the study also includes analysis of digital media and the digital economy which includes, broadcasting, cable TV, social media and satellite TV; and e-Education.Enquire about this Report:-About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports of different sector like Telecommunications market research and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of industry reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at: Global Immune Check Point Inhibitors Market 2018 - AstraZeneca plc, Merck Co, Pfizer, Inc, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Global Immune Check Point Inhibitors Market http://bit.ly/2w6caOJ http://bit.ly/2nYorjF www.eminentmarket.com Global Immune Check Point Inhibitors Market 2018 - AstraZeneca plc, Merck Co, Pfizer, Inc, F. Hoffmann-La Roche LtdEminent Market, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the Immune Check Point Inhibitors Market across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of Immune Check Point Inhibitors Market from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries.Check point inhibitors are molecules that use the cosmic potential of the immune response system of the body, and its limitless influences to attack the cancer cells present inside the body, as well as avoids relapse of cancer cells. In case any relapse occurs in the body, it can easily be recognized and eliminated by the use of immune memory cells, leaving a healthy tissue.Factors such as rise in incidences of cancer and high rate of associated mortality, increased healthcare expenditures, growth in government initiatives to alleviate cancer, and rise in public awareness boost the growth of immune checkpoint inhibitors market.In 2017, the global Immune Check Point Inhibitors market size was xx million US$ and it is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of xx% between 2018 and 2025.The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global PP Pipe industry, and estimates the future trend of Immune Check Point Inhibitors on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares Immune Check Point Inhibitors performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:The market research report explores the Immune Check Point Inhibitors Market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of Immune Check Point Inhibitors Market. The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the Immune Check Point Inhibitors Market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Immune Check Point Inhibitors. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Immune Check Point Inhibitors Market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportBristol-Myers Squibb CompanyAstraZeneca plcMerck CoPfizer, IncF. Hoffmann-La Roche LtdIncyte CorporationNewLink Genetics CorporationCelldex Therapeutics, IncGlaxoSmithKline plcSeattle Genetics, Inc.The competitive landscape of the global market for Immune Check Point Inhibitors is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Immune Check Point Inhibitors Markets production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Immune Check Point Inhibitors Market globally.Inquire Before Buying @The Global Immune Check Point Inhibitors Market 2018 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Immune Check Point Inhibitors production volume, data pertaining to demand and Immune Check Point Inhibitors supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Immune Check Point Inhibitors along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for Immune Check Point Inhibitors across the world.About UsEminent Market offers elevating market research globally. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Eminent Market provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezS no. 72/1/A/6, Floor No. 1,Harikrishna Building, Samarth Nagar,New Sanghvi, Pune-411027 India.Phone: +91-8149441100Email id - sales@eminentmarket.comWebsite - Global Hypertension Drug Market 2018 - Lupin Limited, Novartis AG, Daiichi - Sankyo, Pfizer Inc Global Hypertension Drug Market https://goo.gl/3vv9Ct https://goo.gl/Y4J5n8 www.eminentmarket.com Eminent Market, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the Hypertension Drug Market across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of Hypertension Drug Market from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries.Hypertension or high blood pressure is the condition when blood pressure increases to the unhealthy level. Hypertension is very harmful and it can lead to stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney diseases. The main purpose of anti-hypertension drug is to lower and control high blood pressure to protect organs like brain, heart, kidneys.Change in lifestyle and elevated stress levels have increased the prevalence of hypertension globally, thereby increasing the demand for hypertension drugs.The global Hypertension Drug 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.The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global PP Pipe industry, and estimates the future trend of Hypertension Drug on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares Hypertension Drug performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:The market research report explores the Hypertension Drug Market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of Hypertension Drug Market. The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the Hypertension Drug Market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Hypertension Drug. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Hypertension Drug Market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportLupin LimitedNovartis AGDaiichi - SankyoPfizer IncRanbaxy Laboratories LimitedSanofi S.AAstraZeneca PlcJohnson Johnson LtdBoehringer IngelheimMerck Co.The competitive landscape of the global market for Hypertension Drug is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Hypertension Drug Markets production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Hypertension Drug Market globally.Inquire Before Buying @The Global Hypertension Drug Market 2018 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Hypertension Drug production volume, data pertaining to demand and Hypertension Drug supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Hypertension Drug along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for Hypertension Drug across the world.About UsEminent Market offers elevating market research globally. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Eminent Market provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezS no. 72/1/A/6, Floor No. 1,Harikrishna Building, Samarth Nagar,New Sanghvi, Pune-411027 India.Phone: +91-8149441100Email id - sales@eminentmarket.comWebsite - Activated Bleaching Earth Market 2018 - Opportunity, Driving Trends and deep study. https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3349680-activated-bleaching-earth-market-research-report-forecast-to-2023 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3349680-activated-bleaching-earth-market-research-report-forecast-to-2023 www.linkedin.com/company/4828928 https://twitter.com/WiseGuyReports https://www.facebook.com/Wiseguyreports-1009007869213183/?fref=ts Report DescriptionThis report analyzes the global activated bleaching earth market by application (edible oils, mineral oils & lubricants, and others); it also studies the top manufacturers in the market.GET SAMPLE REPORT @The major players in global activated bleaching earth market include: Clariant (Switzerland) Taiko Group of Companies (Malaysia) BASF SE(Germany) Ashapura Perfoclay Limited (APL) (India) Musim Mas Holdings (Singapore) The W group (Malaysia) Oil-Dri Corporation of America (U.S.A) 20 Microns Nano Minerals Limited (India) AMC (UK) Limited (the U.K.)The market revenue and share have been analyzed with respect to the following regions and countries:AmericasNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeWestern EuropeGermanyU.K.ItalyAsiaPacificAsiaChinaIndiaMalaysiaIndonesiaRest of Asia-PacificMiddle East & AfricaSaudi ArabiaQatarNorth AfricaGCCRest of Middle East & AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilArgentinaUruguayRest of Latin AmericaOn the basis of application, the global activated bleaching earth market has been categorized into the following segments: Edible Oils Mineral Oils & Lubricants OthersResearch MethodologyAnalysis is conducted by industry experts who offer insight into industry structure, market segmentation, technology assessment, competitive landscape (CL), and market penetration, as well as on emerging trends. Besides primary interviews (~80%) and secondary research (~20%), their analysis is based on years of professional expertise in their respective industries. Our analysts also predict where the market will be headed in the next five to 10 years, by analyzing historical trends and current market positions. Furthermore, the varying trends of segments and categories in different regions are estimated based on primary and secondary research.Both the top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the market and to estimate the size of various other dependent sub-markets. The key players in the market were identified through secondary research, and their market contributions in the respective regions were determined through primary and secondary research. This entire process included the study of the annual and financial reports of the top market players and extensive interviews for key insights with industry leaders such as CEOs, VPs, directors, and marketing executives. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources. All the possible parameters that affect the market covered in this research study have been accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to arrive at the final quantitative and qualitative data.Table of Content: Key Points1 Executive Summary2 Scope Of The Report3 Market Research Methodology4 Market Landscape5 Industry Overview Of Global Activated Bleaching Earth Market6 Market Trends7. Global Activated Bleaching Earth Market By ApplicationContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. We also provide COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) business sector reports as custom exploration agreeing your needs.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Global Unified Communication Market with 16.9 % CAGR is expected to reach USD 173.30 billion by 2025 | Keyplayer's(Computer Sciences Corporation, BT Group, 8x8, Inc., West Corporation) Unified Communication Market https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/103270 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/103270/single https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/103270 Global Unified Communication Market Report provides important information related to the overall market and price forecast from 2017-2025. In this bit, the experts have offered essential figures which relates to the forecast analysis for the major regionsGlobal Unified Communication Market Overview:As per the projections of the Market Analyst, The Global Unified Communication market was valued at USD 42.51 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach USD 173.30 billion by 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) more than 16.9. % over the forecast.Request Report Sample@Growth of the Global Unified Communication Market include Growing trends towards mobility ,Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) , growing need for operational efficiency and cost savings. significantly contributing to market growth include availability of low-cost handsets, decreased voice calling rates, and emergence of new messaging apps.Need to consolidate all business communication modes such as messaging, email, and telephone into a single cohesive system is providing an impetus to industry growth. use of soaring number of devices and applications along with demand for high-volume messaging, call sharing, video, and meeting capabilities have significantly contributed to industry advancement. Also Rise in penetration of mobile Internet is expected to trigger the adoption of UC services.Regionally, North America is expected to hold the largest market share and dominate the UCaaS market .The main drivers responsible for the growth of UCaaS services in North America are the stable economy, technological advancements, and unified communication infrastructure demands. Whereas, owing to the countries such as China, Japan, and India, Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit higher growth rate / CAGRTelephony is expected to hold the largest market share owing to its compatibility with automated transmissions of voice, fax, or other information. The increasing demand of VoIP and IP telephony in BFSI, telecom & IT, logistic & transportation, and travel & hospitality industries acts as a major driving factor for the growth of telephony in the UCaaS market.Purchase this premium research report with 80 Pages and No. of Table of contents, List of table atMarket players of Unified Communication Market:1 Computer Sciences Corporation2 BT Group3 8x8, Inc.4 West Corporation5 Microsoft6 Voss Solutions7 Verizon Communications, Inc8 Star2star Communications9 Polycom, Inc10 Cisco Systems Inc.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.The Unified Communication market is segmented into:Unified Communication market by Component:1 Telephony2 Unified Messaging3 Conferencing4 Collaboration Platforms and ApplicationUnified Communication market By Organization Size:1 Small2 Medium3 LargeUnified Communication market by Industry:1 Banking, Financial Service and Insurance2 Telecom & IT3 Consumer Goods and Retail4 Healthcare5 Public Sector and Utilities6 Logistics and Transportation7 Travel and HospitalityUnified Communication market By Regions:1 North America Country (United States, Canada)2 Asia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)3 Europe Country (Germany, UK)4 Rest of the WorldGrab Your Report at an Impressive Discount @Key Questions Answered in this Report:1 What will the market size be in 2025?2 What are the key factors driving the Unified Communication Market?3 What are the challenges to market growth?4 Who are the key players in the Unified Communication Market?5 What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?TABLE OF CONTENTS1 Unified Communication Market Definition and Scope2 Research Methodology3 Executive Summary4 Unified Communication Market by component5 Unified Communication Market, by Organization Size6 Unified Communication Market, by Industry7 Unified Communication Market, by Regional Analysis8 Competitive IntelligenceAbout usBusinessindustryReports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Media ContactBusiness Industry ReportsPune Indiasales@businessindustryreports.com+19376349940 Medical X-ray Market to Witness Huge Growth by 2024 | Leading Key Players: Siemens Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Canon, Philips Healthcare Medical X-ray Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2294 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2294 The Medical X-ray Market size is set to exceed USD 15 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc.Rising prevalence of chronic diseases, favorable reimbursement scenario in developed nations, growing number of diagnostic imaging procedures and increased funding on research and development activities by the government will serve as major driving factors for the medical x-ray market growth over the forecast period.Technological advancement in medical imaging, particularly in computed tomography (CT), has led to the rapid growth in performance of x-ray examinations. Demand for imaging procedure is high among females as compared to males. Owing to increasing number of breast cancer. However, high risk associated with exposure to radiation among patients and high installation cost of medical imaging modalities may restrain industry growth.Request for a sample of this research report @Line scan detectors market should contribute for significant growth over the forecast timeframe, owing to factors such as ideal for in-line x-ray photography and enables high resolution capture for x-ray. It provides imaging function within a single scan which will further drive industry growth.Direct radiography should witness lucrative growth over the forecast period. The growth is attributed due to availability of mobile digital x-ray systems. It is used in various application such as chest imaging, dental, mammography, and orthopaedic. Moreover, increased demand for portable systems from geriatric population will drive medical x-ray market growth.Dental application contributed for substantial revenue share in 2016. Rising prevalence of dental diseases such as, gingival disease, periodontitis, dental plaque and caries should drive industry growth. Dental x-rays are obtained with techniques such as intraoral and extraoral imaging. Technological advancement in imaging devices to detect these diseases should increase demand for the products in the coming years.Hospitals should witness significant growth rate over the forecast period. Most of the procedures performed in hospitals with mobile C-arm x-ray equipment, that require flat panel technology. Hospitals can afford expensive equipment as they have budget allocated. Such factors will drive business growth.Browse key industry insights spread across 200 pages with 199 market data tables & 16 figures & charts from the report, Medical X-ray Market Size By Product (Flat Panel Detectors, Line Scan Detectors, Computed Radiography Detectors, Charge Coupled Device Detectors [CCD]), By Technology (Computed Radiography [CR], Direct Radiography [DR], Others), By Portability (Fixed Systems, Portable Systems), ByMake an inquiry for purchasing this report @Application (Dental, Veterinary, Mammography, Chest, Cardiovascular, Orthopaedics, Others), By End-use (Diagnostic Centers, Hospitals, Others) Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, Italy, France, Spain, China, India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, UAE), Technology Development, Competitive Landscape & Forecast, 2017 2024 in detail along with the table of contents.U.S. medical x-ray market will grow at significant rate over the forecast timeframe. Increasing healthcare expenditure, advancement in detector based techniques, presence of well-established reimbursement for imaging procedure and rising demand for digital x-ray systems should drive industry growth.Growing geriatric population, increasing focus on research and development activities to advance medical technologies by German government will propel industry growth in Germany. Furthermore, rising need for sophisticated healthcare, homecare services and recent health reforms for accident or illness will propel business growth.Brazil medical x-ray market size should witness lucrative growth over the forecast period. Increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the country coupled with growing adoption of diagnostic imaging procedure should fuel industry growth. According to Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, in 2015 CVD mortality accounted for nearly 28% of deaths in Brazil.Some of the companies operating in medical x-ray market includes Siemens Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Canon, Philips Healthcare, Hitachi Medical and Shimadzu. Industry players are focusing on new product launch, investment in R&D activities, mergers and acquisition to gain revenue share.Global Market Insights Inc. is a global market research and management consulting company catering to leading corporations, non-profit organizations, universities and government institutions. Our main goal is to assist and partner organizations to make lasting strategic improvements and realize growth targets. Our industry research reports are designed to provide granular quantitative information, combined with key industry insights, aimed at assisting sustainable organizational development.Global Market Insights, Inc.4 North Main StreetSelbyville, Delaware 19975 USAPhone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email:sales@gminsights.com Global Silica Analyzer Market 2018 Top Companies are Hach, ABB, SPX Corporation, Waltron Bull & Roberts, LLC , Dr. Thiedig GmbH & Co KG, ECD, Shanghai Boqu Instrument Co.,Ltd, Omicron Sensing Pvt Ltd Global Silica Analyzer Market -Industry Trends and Forecast to 2025 https://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-silica-analyzer-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-silica-analyzer-market Data Bridge Market Research brings to you this report on the Global Silica Analyzer Market Report is a compilation with figures as recent as 2018 and forecasts up to 2025 that helps you track the unprecedented growth seen in Industry giving you an edge to not just compete but to outmatch the competition. The report provides key statistics on the market status of Global Silica Analyzer Market manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals.The Global Silica Analyzer Market is expected to reach USD 141.3 billion by 2025 from USD 101.4 billion in 2017 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% in 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.Download PDF Sample Copy of Report@Global Silica Analyzer Market By Market Type (Equipment, Consumables), Industry(Semiconductor, Power Generation(Utility Grade Power Generation, Captive, Independent Power Producers ,Others)), , Geographical Segments (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East And Africa) -Industry Trends and Forecast to 2025The renowned players in global Silica Analyzer market are:-Hach,ABB,SPX Corporation ,Waltron Bull & Roberts, LLC ,Thiedig GmbH & Co KG,ECD,SHANGHAI BOQU INSTRUMENT CO.,LTD.,KNTeC Corporation,Omicron Sensing Pvt Ltd.,Nikkiso Co., Ltd.METTLER TOLEDO.,Swan Analytische Instrumente AG,Endress+Hauser Management AG Hach,Waltron Group,Electro-Chemicak Devices,Shanghaibouq Instrument,Thiedig, DKK TOA and many more.To Avail 10% Discount On This Report Mail Us on :-sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.comMarket Drivers and Restraints:Increasing demand in the field of generating thermal efficiency of power plants.Silica analyzer is also used in the boiler for steam generation in power plants.Rising demand for electricity in various regions.Consumables are dominating the silica analyzer market.Distortion due to high cost of establishment.Market Segmentation:The market is based on market type, industry and geographical segments.Based on market type, the market is segmented into equipment and consumables.Based on industry, the market is segmented into semiconductor and power generation (utility grade power generation, captive, independent power producers) and others (pharmaceuticals, water and wastewater treatment, and food & beverages).Based on geography, the 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.Competitive Analysis:The global silica analyzer market is 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 in order to sustain in long run. The report includes market shares of silica analyzer market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America.To Inquire before Buy 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: +1-888-387-2818Email: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com Consumer Drones 2018 Global Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 15.92% and Forecast to 2021 Consumer Drones Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/895611-global-consumer-drones-market-2017-2021 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/895611-global-consumer-drones-market-2017-2021 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Consumer Drones 2018 Global Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 15.92% and Forecast to 2021.Description:-The analysts forecast the global consumer drones market to grow at a CAGR of 15.92% during the period 2017-2021.UAVs, commonly referred as drones, are flights without a human pilot aboard. These flights are controlled either autonomously, by an onboard computer, or by remote control from the ground or another vehicle. UAVs range from large to small size. Large-sized UAVs are used for tactical missions that are powered by the internal combustion engine, and electric motors drive small electric-powered UAVs.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 consumer drones market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of consumer drones.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEAThe report, Global Consumer Drones Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors 3D Robotics DJI EHang Parrot YuneecOther prominent vendors Airdog GoPro Guangdong Cheerson Hobby Technology Hobbico Horizon Hobby Shenzhen Hubsan Technology Guangdong Syma Model Aircraft Industrial Walkera ZEROTECHMarket driver Developments in sensor market For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Regulatory hurdles For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Improvement in distribution channels For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2021 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 summaryPART 02: Scope of the report Market overview Top-vendor offeringsPART 03: Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 04: Introduction Key market highlights HighlightsPART 05: An overview of pathophysiology and key disease applications Pathophysiology Diabetes VTEPART 06: Market landscape Market overview Five forces analysisPART 07: Key clinical trialsPART 08: Market segmentation by technology Static compression therapy Dynamic compression therapyPART 09: Market segmentation by product type Compression pumps Compression bandages Compression stockings Compression tapesPART 10: Geographical segmentation Compression therapy market in Americas Compression therapy market in EMEA Compression therapy market in APACPART 11: Market drivers Increasing surgical procedures Growing adoption of sequential compression device systems Presence of large patient pool with venous disorders and diabetes Increasing sports- and road accident-related injuriesContinuedFor 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. Geocomposite Market to Register an Impressive CAGR of 11.5% During 2018 2025 | Top Worldwide Key Players - GSE Environmental, Skaps, ABG, Hans Geo Components, Maccaferri S.P.A., Terrem Geosynthetics, Huesker Synthetics GmbH Geocomposite Market https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/106779 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/106779/single https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/106779 Global Geocomposite Market 2018-2025 report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability. The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.Global Geocomposite Market Overview:The report spread across 80 pages is an overview of the Global Geocomposite Market 2018-2025. The Global Geocomposite Market is projected to grow at a healthy growth rate from 2018 to 2025 according to new research. The study focuses on market trends, leading players, supply chain trends, technological innovations, key developments, and future strategies.Available Exclusive Sample Copy of this Report @Global Geocomposite Market to reach more than USD 840 Million by 2025.Global Geocomposite Market valued approximately USD 320 Million in 2016 is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than 11.5% over the forecast period 2017-2025.Rising construction activities such as cleaning projects initiated by various governments around the world are the major growth driving factors in the market. Moreover, road and rail developments in various developing countries such as India are also likely to fuel the demand over the forecast period 2018-2025. and Geocomposite are the type of planar sheets which are made of composite materials containing at least one layer of geosynthetic products such as geotextile, geogrid, geonet, geomembrane, etc. these are used as liners in drainage facilities, for erosion control, road constructions and in several other applications.Regional analysis of Global Geocomposite 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 2018-2025.Purchase this report online with 80 Pages, List of Tables & Figures and in-depth Table of Contents on Global Geocomposite Market 2018-2025 @Major Key Players:1 GSE Environmental2 Skaps Industries3 ABG LTD4 Hans Geo Components5 Tencate Geosynthetics6 Maccaferri S.P.A.7 Terrem Geosynthetics8 Huesker Synthetics GmbH9 Edifloor S.P.A.10 Climax Synthetics Pvt. Ltd and More...............Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers:1 North America2 Europe3 Asia Pacific4 Latin America5 Rest of the WorldGrab Your Report at an Impressive Discount @This study answers to the below key questions:1 What will the market size be in 2025 and what will the growth rate be?2 What are the key market trends?3 What are the challenges to market growth?4 Who are the key players in this market?5 What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?In the end, this report covers data and information on capacity and production overview, production, market share analysis, sales overview, supply, sales, and shortage, import, export and consumption as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin of Geocomposite Market.Major Points in Table of Contents:Global Geocomposite Market Report 20181 Global Geocomposite Market Definition and Scope2 Research Methodology3 Executive Summary4 Global Geocomposite Market Dynamics5 Global Geocomposite Market, By Primary Function6 Global Geocomposite Market, By Type7 Global Geocomposite Market, By Application8 Global Geocomposite Market, by Regional Analysis9 Competitive IntelligenceAbout usBusinessindustryReports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Media ContactBusiness Industry ReportsPune Indiasales@businessindustryreports.com+19376349940 Global Military Communications Market Foreseen to Expand at a CAGR of 9.9%, Attaining a Value in Excess of US$ 68 Bn Through 2028 Market Research Report Search Engine https://www.mrrse.com/sample/16927 https://www.mrrse.com/military-communications-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/16927 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 Military Communications Market: Technological Advancements & Propelling Demand for C4ISR Systems to Drive Growth in Developing Markets: Global Industry Analysis (2013 2017) and Opportunity Assessment (2018 2028) which encloses important data about the production, consumption, revenue and market share, merged with information related to the market scope and product overview.Request Sample Report @Military communications constitute a vital part of the security, economic, and scientific capabilities of several countries, worldwide. Regional governments are increasingly focusing on advanced communications technologies for enhanced operational efficiency for improved security and digital communication capabilities. With growing use of smart devices and sensors in the defense sector, the market for military communications is likely to encounter with abundant revenue generation opportunities in near future. Expanding military investments are expected to uplift the global military communications market. In addition, demand for military communication systems is also constantly on the rise in disaster relief centers, to deliver quick response.Growth of semiconductor industry due to downscaling of chemical and material costs, is expected to pose a cascading impact on the military communications market. The governments of several countries are taking numerous initiatives to facilitate the manufacturing of military communication systems and solutions, which is another strong factor that will support the growth of military communications market. Extended and rapid economic growth in Asia and increasing sophisticated military technology are transforming the global defense landscape. Rapid developments in defense infrastructure in various countries of the region are creating huge demand for military-technical capabilities.Revenue Slump to Deter North Americas Military Communications Market GrowthThe critical need for communication equipment for protecting information and the urgency of maintaining consistent communication between the military forces are the core dynamics fueling the growth of the military communications market in North America. Connected technology and robust network environment will continue to fuel the market for military communications in North American region, through 2028. On the flipside, Western Europe, in terms of growth rate, will possibly outgrow North Americas market, which is primarily attributed to strong presence of a majority of key players in European region.Browse Full Report with TOC @Strong Growth Opportunities Await Developing Asian Economies in Military Communications MarketThrough the next decade, North America is anticipated to lose its market value share, owing to highly progressing regions such as China, South East Asia and others of APAC, and Japan. The development of space infrastructure in emerging economies is presumed to create lucrative growth opportunities for several military communication solution providers. Growth in the defense infrastructure and satellite communication in ASEAN countries and prominently in India, has been creating immense scope for the growth of military communications market. Multiple government initiatives towards the technological development of military communications will also support the growth of the market during the next few years. Growing need for upgraded communication systems, aerial surveillance vehicles, and battle space management systems is creating rapid demand for C4ISR (Control, Command, Communication, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems in the region.Excellent penetration of IoT in military operations is significantly impacting military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. Moreover, the exponential growth of the IoT industry is producing more powerful and energy-efficient military communication equipment. Technological advancements in miniaturization, low power computing, radio frequency identification, and M2M communication are a few other significant factors expected to potentially push the prospects of the global military communications market over 2018-2028. During this projection period, the global market for military communications is foreseen to expand at a CAGR of 9.9%, attaining a value in excess of US$ 68 Bn through 2028.For More Information to Enquiry About Report You Can Click On @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: Global All-season Tire Market 2018 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023 All-season Tire Market, All-season Tire Industry, All-season Tire Market Latest Update's https://www.marketresearchnest.com/report/enquirybuy/407389 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/Global-All-season-Tire-Market-2018-by-Manufacturers-Regions-Type-and-Application-Forecast-to-2023.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/report/purchase/407389 Auto tire is a ring-shaped vehicle component that covers the wheel's rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance. Auto tire provide traction between the vehicle and the road while providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock. All-season Tire is the tire which can be used in a full year. An all-season tire offers a balance of capabilities, providing acceptable performance in wet and dry conditions, as well as traction in snow.The All-season Tire 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.For Inquiry of sample copy here @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the All-season Tire 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.As international economic situation is complicated, in the next few years there will be many uncertainties although. Due to the government' policy and the high production of All-season Tire etc. in the international market, the current demand for All-season Tire product is relatively high in the mature market, such as Japan and US, but the demand in China is relatively higher due to the downstream demand.In 2014, the global production of the All-season Tire reaches over 251847 (K Units); the growth margin is around 4% during the last five years.All-season Tire is mainly produced by Michelin, Continental, Goodyear in Europe, and these companies occupied about 59.10% market share in 2014.Japan, US, China are major consumption regions in All-season Tire production market.The worldwide market for All-season Tire 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.Browse more In-depth information with TOC here @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Michelin Continental Goodyear BridgeStone Pirelli Hankook Nokian Tyres Nizhnekamskshina JSC Cordian Cooper Tires Yokohama PetlasMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers North 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, covers Bias Tire Radial TireMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into Passenger Car Commercial VehicleFor Purchase a sample Copy here @About 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 Terryville, CT - Rockwell Automation and Advanced Micro Controls Inc. (AMCI) have released their first PartnerNetwork Solutions brochure. Over twenty years ago, AMCI was one of the first companies to partner with Rockwell Automation through the Pyramid Solutions Program, now called the Encompass Program. Rockwell Automation designed a new brochure that would recognize this 25 year relationship between AMCI and Rockwell Automation. The brochure includes a brief Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA -- Engage PEO, a professional employer organization providing HR outsourcing solutions to small and mid-sized businesses across the U.S., announced that for the third consecutive year, the company was named one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. on Inc. Magazine's 37th Annual Inc. 5000 list. Of the tens of thousands of companies that have applied to the Inc. 5000, a fraction has made the A weekly collection of new hires, transitions, promotions and award winners in Oregon and southwest Washington: MOVES/HIRES: Banfield Pet Hospital has hired Ludek Janousek as the practice's new chief financial officer. Janousek will oversee the company's strategic financial planning, governance, payroll, accounting, tax and treasury. After an extensive tenure at Mars, Janousek joined Wrigley as regional finance director in 2008 and then Mars Petcare four years ago. Madeline Muller, a civil designer, has joined Froelich Engineers. The Portland native holds a BS in civil engineering from the University of Portland where she received the Presidential Scholarship. Her most recent position was with Contech Engineered Solutions. Riverview Bancorp, Inc., has announced the hiring of Bryan Dent to the commercial lending team. Dent is an alumnus of the University of Oregon, Western Banking School, and Pacific Coast Banking School. Dent has also been named one of Vancouver Business Journal's "Accomplished and Under 40" recipients. The Pacific Northwest Ski Association has announced that Claudia Yamamoto of Quincy WA has been selected the new executive director. Yamamoto will succeed Paul Mahre who served for the last 10 years. Holland & Knight partner Allison Martin Rhodes was named president of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers at the organization's annual meeting earlier in August. The association is the premier national organization for ethics lawyers. Clark County has named Emily Zwetzig to direct the budget office. Zwetzig currently serves as the interim budget director. She joined the county in 2014 and has worked in the budget office as a senior budget, policy analyst since February 2017. Prior to that, she served as the department finance manager at District Court, Corrections and as a business manager at Clackamas County. Ned Hayes has been hired as general manager of SureID, a Tigard company that provides fingerprint services programs. Hayes has experience in mobile software and cloud services. He was a strategic manager within Intel's Software and Services division and also co-founded the Seattle-based identity startup TeleTrust. Alan R. Sams has been named the Reub Long Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University. Sams helped expand the agricultural programs at both Texas A&M and Clemson universities. He will serve as director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station at OSU. He succeeds Dan Arp, who is retiring after six years as dean. Sams will begin in this new position late in October. Mitchell Wine Group, a Portland-based wine distributor, welcomes two new team members to their management team. Merritt Olson has been named the director of sales and Brianna O'Gorman take the position of brand manager. Merritt brings 17 year's worth of experience in wine. O'Gorman formerly spent 12 years working for a wine/spirits/craft beer distributor in Chicago. Kyle Phillips has joined Airblaster Global, a Portland sportswear brand, as the brand's new sales director. Phillips offers nearly two decades of experience in sales. David Roethe has joined Banner Bank as a business banker serving the greater Portland area. AWARDS: PeaceHealth has been ranked third in the Portland Business Journal's list of "Healthiest Employers of Oregon" for organizations with 5,000 or more employees (click the award link for a complete list). This is the second year in a row PeaceHealth has been honored for encouraging the health and wellness of its employees, and its highest ranking so far. The designation uses an online assessment to measure employee participation, health outcomes and leadership commitment, among other measures. Have a new hire, promotion or business award to share? Email us at business@oregonian.com, and put Attention: Business Movers in the subject line. After scandal chased a Republican from small-town Oregon out of his job at the head of Oregon's largest business association, the organization has gone in the opposite direction and replaced him with a prominent Portland Democrat. Oregon Business & Industry named Sandra McDonough its new chief executive Tuesday, just three weeks after she retired from a 14-year career running Portland's chamber of commerce. McDonough, 64, said she always intended to continue working, at least part time, and was intrigued by the notion of running another business organization with major impact. The state's business community is increasingly fractured along political and ideological lines. But McDonough said OBI's membership is united around finding a solution to the Oregon's fiscal crisis and creating a stable environment for economic growth. "Everybody really believes we need a strong, statewide business organization and they were uniformly committed to making that happen," McDonough said Tuesday. She starts her job October 8, a month ahead of hotly contested statewide elections. She inherits an organization trying to find its way after last year's troubled merger of two disparate organizations. OBI then struggled to bring together the left-leaning membership of the Oregon Business Association with the old-line companies that comprised Associated Oregon Industries. Last year's merger brought together 1,700 businesses and created a new organization with an annual budget around $2.2 million. But it hasn't been an easy marriage. Longtime staffers quit or were forced out by OBI's first CEO, former Republican lawmaker Mark Johnson from Hood River. The newly created organization was slow to fill top policy jobs and its political action committee had less than $200,000 last spring, far below what other Oregon trade groups had marshalled for their own priorities. OBI fired Johnson in April immediately after The Oregonian/OregonLive reported he had made racially charged comments about a former legislative colleague. Veteran Oregon lobbyist Ginny Lang took over as interim CEO. With McDonough, OBI gets a proven administrator with a statewide reputation and strong personal relationships with Oregon's largest business community, in the Portland area. OBI insiders said privately Tuesday they considered it a remarkably good hire for an organization that had struggled since its inception. They warned, though, that a Portland Democrat even a business-friendly one will be a tough sell downstate. Before taking over the Portland Business Alliance, McDonough had been a reporter at The Oregonian and The Seattle Times and had held management roles at energy companies PacifiCorp and California-based PG&E. In those roles, and in her job running the PBA, McDonough said she built ties to companies and business organizations around the state. She said that's what OBI valued in choosing its next leader. "What they were really looking for, and what I think I bring, is the ability to create relationships," McDonough said. As CEO, McDonough said she will support her members' priorities including its goal to prevent a Democratic supermajority in the Legislature with unfettered power to raise taxes. "The board believes we need a balanced voice in Salem," she said. "I'm supportive of that." -- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 A Reynolds school district principal and avid runner died after he apparently collapsed during a routine jog near his home in the Woodland, Washington area, authorities said Wednesday. Search and rescue crews found Enrique "Henry" Ramirez, 51, about 9 a.m., almost 24 hours after friends and family reported him missing, the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office said. The crews located Ramirez about a mile from the paved portion of Fredrickson Road, his body behind the stump of a tree, authorities said. "There weren't any obvious injuries," Sheriff Mark Nelson said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. "At this point, there's nothing for us to believe there was anything to have occurred that was not natural." The county's medical examiner will determine the cause of death, Nelson said. A longtime educator, Ramirez was the incoming middle school principal at the Multnomah Learning Academy in Fairview, a charter school, the Reynolds School District said in a statement. He previously served as principal at Salish Ponds Elementary and assistant principal at HB Lee Middle School, the district said. "Our thoughts are with Henry's family during this difficult time," the school district said. Friends and family said Ramirez frequently went on jogs near his home, also on Fredrickson Road and about 7 miles east of Woodland, authorities said. Ramirez was reported missing Tuesday after he failed to show up for an appointment that morning, the sheriff's office said. He left behind his wallet and cell phone at home, authorities said. Search teams looked for the man on foot, by car and with the use of aerial drones, the sheriff's office said. "This is just one of those strange things that happen occasionally," Nelson said. "It's tragic." -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh skavanaugh@oregonian.com 503-294-7632 II @shanedkavanaugh The state confirmed that a second person has contracted measles in August. The second Portland resident to have measles was in close contact with someone who stayed in the Portland area between July 30 and Aug. 6. The second person was diagnosed on Sunday -- nine days after the first person was diagnosed. This is the second outbreak in Multnomah County this summer. While most people in the Portland area are vaccinate against measles, it is one of the most contagious common diseases and people can lose immunity over time. The Oregon Health Authority has notified people of possible exposure, according to a statement. People at most risk are unvaccinated and were in two Portland locations: between 9:15 and 10:45 p.m. Friday at the Portland International Airport; and between 8 and 11 a.m. Saturday at Marco's Cafe and Espresso Bar, 7910 SW 35th Ave. Health officials expect any newly-infected people to show symptoms over the next two weeks, the Health Authority said in a news release. Symptoms include coughing, fever, runny nose and a rash that typically appears first on the head and spreads to the rest of the body. The virus can lead to ear and lung infections, diarrhea and possibly brain swelling if it isn't treated. If you think you are infected, call a doctor or emergency room first before visiting to avoid exposing people in the waiting room to the virus. Questions about the virus can be referred to local county health departments. Multnomah County (503-988-3406) Clackamas County (503-655-8411) Washington County (503-846-3594) Clark County (360-397-8182) -- Molly Harbarger mharbarger@oregonian.com 503-294-5923 @MollyHarbarger By E.J. DIONNE JR. WASHINGTON -- Can he survive? This became the central issue in American politics late Tuesday afternoon. It's also the only subject President Trump cares about. With Michael Cohen implicating his former client in a potential felony, the president's strategy of diversion and evasion collapsed. Compounding his troubles was the nearly simultaneous conviction on eight charges of Paul Manafort, his former campaign manager. Trump will continue to bask in the faithful's chants of "Lock her up," as he did at a West Virginia rally Tuesday night, but Hillary Clinton is no longer his adversary. His enemies now are the facts and the truth. They cannot be jailed and have no personal shortcomings to exploit. Trump and his defenders are reduced to arguing that truth doesn't exist. There has been a habit since Election Night of 2016 to assume that revelations that would destroy any other politician will never touch Trump. The fealty of his base became a journalistic totem. The manifest corruption of his associates and his administration won modest notice as Trump jammed the system with incendiary public comments and frightening tales of immigrants as "vicious predators and violent criminals," his formulation on Tuesday. Trump's speech was a catalogue of antipathies and a gauge of his fight-back plan: He will make his survival synonymous with the aspirations of voters who despise liberals, fear cultural change and see Trump as their last-ditch defender in a hostile world. "The Democrat Party is held hostage by the so-called resistance: left-wing haters and angry mobs," he declared. "They're trying to tear down our institutions, disrespect our flag, demean our law enforcement, denigrate our history and disparage our great country -- and we're not going to let it happen." Through the sheer force of his malevolence, Trump hopes to bait his foes into engaging on matters far more favorable to him than a discussion of the payoffs he ordered to women who said they had affairs with him, in violation of campaign finance laws (not to mention the morals and sensibilities of many who are the president's most loyal champions). Yet Trump's usual approach will be difficult to execute now. He's aimed most of his fire at Robert Mueller's inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election. This effort took a major hit with the success of Mueller's team in convicting Manafort. But Cohen's plea inflicted damage of a higher order because it tied Trump to a crime. This was not a bank shot. It was a direct hit. The limp and tone-deaf response to Cohen from Trump and his lieutenants suggested they are floundering. "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer," Trump tweeted at 8:44 a.m. on Wednesday, "I would strongly suggest that you don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!" Weak stand-up humor belied the seriousness of what Trump is accused of and the threat he faces. He dug the hole even deeper with another tweet 37 minutes later. He channeled the ethics of a Mob boss, praising Manafort for refusing to "break" and being "brave," and trashing Cohen for taking a different path. Those seeking to hold Trump accountable will need to combine relentlessness with discipline. Democratic candidates are coming to see an attack on corruption as the theme that will unite their party, appeal to less partisan voters -- including at least some in Trump's 2016 "drain the swamp" constituency -- and highlight the broad range of misdeeds by the president, his advisors, and his administration. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts was the latest Democrat to put forward an anti-corruption program with an announcement Tuesday that was well-timed in light of the news. The timidity of congressional Republicans in responding to the twin blows to Trump's integrity will strengthen the Democrats' case. The argument for impeaching Trump suddenly became very strong, but this does not mean that turning 2018 into an impeachment election is prudent. Most voters see impeachment as a last resort, and it is not a battle cry that will play well in every state or congressional district. The adage that one should not interfere with an enemy who is destroying himself certainly applies here. Insisting on accountability and letting the ongoing probes go forward unobstructed by a lawless president are, for now, enough. As the peril to Trump grows, the danger that he will behave ever more recklessly increases. Might Republicans in Congress and at least some members of his administration try to contain him? It is a measure of our dysfunction that there is little reason to be confident that they will. E.J. Dionne's email address is ejdionne@washpost.com. Twitter: EJDionne. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group A single mother fatally shot her severely disabled 7-year-old son and then attempted suicide after years spent caring for her child, authorities and family friends in Oregon said Wednesday. A relative found Tashina Aleine Jordan, 28, unconscious Monday at the Bend home she shared with her son and mother. Authorities found the boy, named Mason, and pronounced him dead. Notes at the scene indicated Jordan was the shooter, police spokesman Lt. Clint Burleigh told KTVZ-TV. Jordan remained hospitalized Wednesday and clinging to life after taking a combination of pills, said Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel. The woman was the primary caretaker of her son, who suffered brain bleeds as an infant and lapsed into a coma before reawakening. He was unable to feed, bathe or dress himself and used a wheelchair, said Dianna Hansen, a close family friend. Mason's father left after his diagnosis and Jordan lived with her mother to make ends meet, said Hansen, the executive director of the Central Oregon Disability Support Network. Jordan was on the network's board of directors and volunteered as much as she could to help other families with disabled children, Hansen said. She also homeschooled Mason after deciding that public elementary school wasn't right for him and came up with elaborate lesson plans tailored to his abilities, she said. "She was just an amazing, amazing mother who dedicated her whole life to him. Everything that she could possibly do for him, she did," Hansen said. Mason had cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus and required multiple surgeries, including two or three so far this year, but always seemed happy, Hansen said. His mother showed no signs of depression or of feeling overwhelmed, she added. "None of us saw it coming at all. It's a total shock. It's not something that's uncommon for caregivers to talk about and try to work through and share that they've had thoughts of that, but generally by the time they're talking about it . then they're less likely to do it," said Hansen, who also has a disabled child. "There was no talk or sign to any of us that were her friends." KTVZ-TV interviewed Jordan when her son was 4, after viewers raised $4,000 to buy the child a specialized bicycle that he could operate himself. "I told the doctors to keep going, and shortly after that Mason came out of his coma and was able to have his heart surgery," she told the station in 2016. "I was told that he was never going to walk or do anything, and here we are now." A GoFundMe page to assist the boy's grandmother with funeral and related expenses has been set up by the Central Oregon Disability Support Network. -- The Associated Press SPOKANE A Washington state lawmaker lashed out at the media at a gun rights rally by calling journalists "dirty, godless, hateful people." The Spokesman-Review reports that Republican Rep. Matt Shea of Spokane made the comments Saturday at what was initially a protest against a gun control ballot measure tightening sales. The ballot measure was tossed by a judge days before over technicalities and is now in limbo with an appeal of that decision ahead of the November election. Gun advocates gathered Saturday at Franklin Park to rally. Shea addressed the crowd, defending gun rights and free speech while also slamming the media. Shea is also on the Washington Legislature's public records task force, a group set to meet next month and includes representatives of the media to discuss the state's disclosure laws in the wake of a lawsuit by a coalition of news groups, led by The Associated Press. -- The Associated Press Updated at 5:57 p.m. Five migrants all twenty-something men from East India made their first public appearance Wednesday after nearly three months at an Oregon prison put them in the center of a political firestorm. They voiced gratitude to be out of federal detention during a news conference in downtown Portland. "In the beginning I had no hope," said Karandeep Singh, 24. "Now it's like a dream. I'm so happy. Thank you all of the people who have helped us." The asylum seekers had been strangers when they were shipped to the Federal Correctional Institution in Sheridan in late May. At more than 50, the East Indians represented the single-largest bloc of the 124 migrants being housed at the prison. The others hailed from Nepal, Armenia, Brazil, Mexico and parts of Central America. Many of the East Indians are practicing Sikhs, a designation they claim subjects them to religious and political persecution in their native land. It also presented problems inside Sheridan, where they were prevented from following some basic Sikh practices. "I don't blame the prison officials," Karandeep Singh said. "They probably didn't know how Sikhs pray." This globe-spanning collection of humanity had one thing in common -- they were ready to risk everything to get to the United States. Most had been apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border before being moved to the Yamhill County facility. Those early days had been bleak, the migrants said. There were housed three-to-a-cell, sharing a common toilet, and restricted to their quarters 22 hours a day. "We were seriously depressed," said Lovpreet Singh, 22, through an interpreter. "We couldn't get out of our cells at all, let alone use the phone to call our families. Even the prison officials didn't know who we were. How were our families supposed to help us when they don't know where we are?" A handful of detainees couldn't take it and volunteered to be deported. But the remaining 120 or so were determined to stick it out. They got some high-level assistance: The American Civil Liberties Union and the Innovation Law Lab, a Portland legal nonprofit specializing in immigration cases, put in countless volunteer hours preparing the detainees' first asylum hearings. After touring the Sheridan facility, the local federal Public Defender filed habeus corpus petitions on behalf of the detainees, claiming the prison conditions were unconstitutional. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, and most of the rest of state's congressional delegation toured Sheridan in mid-June and were appalled at the conditions. "This is a shameful hour in U.S. history," said U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer at the time. "I don't care what your stance on immigration is, no one should favor ripping children out of their parents' arms..." Under President Donald Trump's zero-tolerance policy, the U.S. prosecuted anyone trying to enter the country illegally, including asylum seekers. Families were split up, with the adults being shipped to jails and children placed in the custody the Office of Refugee Resettlement. None of the five immigrants at Wednesday's news conference had been traveling with family. Attorney General Jeff Sessions implemented the policy in May, arguing that drastic measures were needed to stem the enormous surge of migrants fleeing their countries. Merkley played a pivotal role in bringing public attention to the controversy. He traveled to Texas and tried, sometimes unsuccessfully, to get inside sprawling new federal detention centers. After weeks of intense media attention, The New York Times described the effort as Merkley's "breakout moment at the border." Merkley said Wednesday it was gratifying to hear that some of the Sheridan inmates are getting out. He remembers how bewildered and dispirited the detainees were when he toured the prison. "It was Kafka-esque," he said. "These young men had been snatched at the border, shipped to a prison far away. They didn't know what was happening, they didn't know where they were, sometimes they were locked up with people who didn't speak their language." Under intense pressure, Trump rescinded his family separation policy on June 20, though it remains unclear what that meant for the estimated 2,300 children who'd already been split up from their parents. Merkley said at least 550 children remain in limbo. In some cases, the parents were deported and can't be located. "It's a real mess," he said. Later in June, immigration advocates scored a victory when U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon ordered the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to allow the 121 migrants being held at Sheridan to meet with attorneys. The immigration debate sparked protests across the country, including at the Sheridan gates and Southwest Portland, where demonstrators blockaded the ICE headquarters for weeks. On Monday, President Donald Trump slammed Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's decision to ask police to not to intervene in the standoff. "Last month, the mayor of Portland, Oregon shamefully ordered local police to stand down, leaving federal law enforcement officers to face an angry mob of violent people," Trump said in a speech honoring border police. For the Sheridan detainees, a turning point came in August, when federal immigration officials determined at least 79 of them had legitimate asylum claims. They were judged to have a "credible fear" of violence or reprisals if returned to their home country. That determination allowed the migrants to ask a federal immigration judge to release them on bond while their immigration case is pending. Those bond payments ranged in these cases from $1,500 to $25,000. The first of the Sheridan prisoners got released on Monday and lawyers expect more to be released this week and next. All five of the Sheridan detainees at Wednesday's news conference intend to move in with family members who live outside the Portland area. They will pursue their immigration cases there. The credible fear determination does not mean the immigrants are sure to become legal residents of the U.S. They still must persuade an immigration judge they deserve asylum. But the ruling does get them off the expedited removal list. Additionally, those with credible fear designations who can prove they're not flight risks and do not pose a danger to the community may be paroled from detention. -- Jeff Manning Kenton Women's Village, the first-of-its-kind transitional housing for homeless women, will have to find a new home soon. The 14-person community will soon be moved to make way for a long-planned low-income housing development. Transition Projects, which operates many public shelters, received the funding needed to break ground on a complex comprising 36 studio and 36 one-bedroom apartments that would rent from $300 to $700 a month. So now city and county officials are scouting for a new location particularly one that might have infrastructure such as water, sewer and electricity built in. Kenton Women's Village was envisioned as a new way to house women who might not thrive in traditional shelter, either because they had experienced domestic violence, sexual assault or other trauma. The Joint Office of Homeless Services, which is funded by the city of Portland and Multnomah County, worked with the Kenton Neighborhood Association and residents to win approval for the first year of the pilot project in 2015. Since it opened, the Joint Office reports, 14 of the 24 women who stayed there have moved into permanent housing. The residents of the micro-homes which tend to have enough room to sleep and store a few belongings only will move with the village. If a new site is not ready by the time Transition Projects breaks ground in February, then the women will be placed in housing or put up in motels or shelters until Kenton Women's Village can be re-established. Neighborhood residents signaled their support of the village during a vote in 2015. There will be no vote this time around, according to Joint Office spokesman Denis Theriault. "Wherever it lands, that close relationship with neighbors would remain important, but we don't do approval votes for any of our other established programs," Theriault said. Officials are already looking at a triangular patch of unused city land with a water main that makes it difficult to develop. Though the site is not suitable for a large building, Theriault said, it might be an option for the sleeping pod structures the village residents live in. Theriault said there also is a possibility the village would move outside the Kenton neighborhood. Kenton Neighborhood Association Chairman Tyler Roppe said that he and other residents are cautiously optimistic about the village finding a permanent home there. He said he has some concerns about how to improve the experience for the women who live there and the neighbors, but he is supportive of the idea. He also would like officials to ensure neighbors can have input about oversight and accountability for any issues in the village. "It's obviously special project and I think a lot of people would like to see that success continue," Roppe said. -- Molly Harbarger mharbarger@oregonian.com 503-294-5923 @MollyHarbarger Correction appended. The city of Portland is preparing to make a wholesale change to how it ranks and pays non-union employees, after a lengthy study found much to improve about city human resources management. Portland's current system for managing non-union employees is an outdated and jumbled mess of hundreds of different job classifications, some of which are exceedingly broad and some exceedingly narrow, and none of which are backed up by data, Bureau of Human Resources officials testified to the mayor and City Council on Tuesday. The system in place today is "not equitable, not balanced, not defensible," said Elisabeth Nunes, the city's manager of classification and compensation. Nunes, along with Serilda Summers-McGee, the director of the HR bureau, its staff and labor consultants have spent years devising a plan to redefine the labor classifications and align pay scales. They are now ready to have their plan go before the Council for a vote, set for September 5. Bureau directors who attended Tuesday's meeting expressed exasperation at the way the city classifies and pays its non-union employees, who are generally managers or high-level line staff. Michael Stuhr, administrator of the Water Bureau, offered the mayor and council what he called "a plea" to do anything they can to improve city hiring. "My hiring is strangled," Stuhr said, describing a troublesome scenario in which he has been unable to recruit senior-level engineers to work on the multimillion-dollar tap water infrastructure projects the bureau has planned. "This has been a difficult and arduous process," Stuhr said, noting that he believes the city is "in a good place" with the HR bureau's proposal to adjust employee classifications. Other bureau directors, such as Rebecca Esau of the Bureau of Development Services and Tracy Reeve, the city attorney, said hiring under the current system has been difficult for them, too. Esau said her bureau desperately needs to hire experienced engineers but has been unable because the city cannot effectively compete with salary and benefits packages offered in the private sector. "We need them and we need them yesterday," Esau said of the top-level engineers. Mayor Ted Wheeler brought the council into a closed "executive session" Tuesday to discuss litigation that may arise from its decision making, according to a state law Wheeler cited. What is discussed at the executive session is confidential. However, the agenda for the meeting indicated the purpose of the closed session was for Reeve and a senior deputy to outline "legal issues and risks" arising from whether employees are exempt from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which establishes the minimum wage and overtime pay standards. City expenditures will increase by several million dollars if the Council adopts the new human resources plan, economics and budget officials testified Tuesday, but it's unclear by exactly how much and over what timeframe because pay decisions are case-by-case. -- Gordon R. Friedman Have a tip about Portland City Hall? Contact Gordon: Gfriedman@Oregonian.com; 503-221-8209 Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the title of Elisabeth Nunes. She is the city's classification and compensation manager, not the chief human resources officer. A California man who sold counterfeit airbag covers on eBay pleaded guilty Tuesday in Portland and faces up to 10 years in prison in a scam that a federal investigator said "could mean the difference between life and death." Pavel Ryzhenkov, 32, of Sacramento, California, sold the covers between December 2015 and September 2017 after buying them from manufacturers in China, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release. He would advertise them with trademarks of carmakers, including Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Mercury, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen, prosecutors said. Ryzhenkov pleaded guilty to a federal count of trafficking in counterfeit goods. In addition to a prison sentence, he also could be fined up to $2 million. His sentencing was set for Dec. 12 before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon. Counterfeit airbag covers can shatter when they go off, scattering shrapnel inside a car, federal officials said. "Counterfeit products pose real safety risks. In this case, counterfeit airbag covers could mean the difference between life and death," said Brad Bench, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Seattle. Bench's regional office oversees Homeland Security Investigations in Portland, which investigated the case. "No one wants to be behind the wheel when an airbag doesn't function properly," Bench said in a statement. Federal officials said people who have had airbags or airbag covers serviced by a repair shop that isn't part of a new car dealership or who bought an airbag or airbag cover online should contact their carmaker for an inspection and have a replacement installed if necessary. More information: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website at www.nhtsa.gov. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive UPDATE Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018: Steven Tubbs received a sentence of eight years and four months in prison for a 2010 rape prosecuted with evidence from a sexual assault kit that wasn't tested until years after the attack. "I know now that I am not alone, and no victim should ever feel alone," the woman who was attacked said in a statement released Wednesday. She urged other women to come forward. Kendra Bonetti, the victim advocate on the case, also noted that Oregon law "protects us and our right to consent to sexual activity." "No one should ever be subjected to unwanted physical or sexual contact. We are incredibly proud of the victim in this case," Bonetti said. "She showed great courage and strength when she took the witness stand during trial and relived this horrific event in her life." Here's the victim's full statement: "From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the victim advocates who have stood next to me this entire time. Words cannot express my gratitude to the (Sexual Assault Kit Initiative) work groups across the country who are fighting daily for survivors of sexual assault. We are here today because of the dedicated work of the Portland Police Bureau's Rose Project, Portland Police Detective Jason Christensen and Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Amity Girt. I must also thank Judge Rees for listening to my story and returning this just verdict. I know now that I am not alone, and no victim should ever feel alone. "Every sexual assault survivor should know, there are people who care about you. It's not right to let your attacker silence you. Perpetrators should be scared. They should face, and fear, the consequences of their actions. Talk with someone you trust -- a victim advocate, a close family member, or a friend and know that it's okay to ask for help. It's okay to be strong. Your truth deserves to be heard, and it will be heard." *** Story published Friday, Aug. 17, 2018: 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 Speculation and rumors have swirled for months that President Donald Trump will use his pardon power to extricate himself from any imminent legal trouble that might arise during his time in office. But Lanny Davis, the lead lawyer for Michael Cohen, is insisting that Trump's former "fixer" doesn't want a pardon and will not accept one. Cohen pleaded guilty this week to tax evasion and campaign-finance violations, implicating Trump in the latter. "I know that Mr. Cohen would never accept a pardon from a man he considers to be both corrupt and a dangerous person in the Oval Office," Davis told NPR on Wednesday. "And he has flatly authorized me to say under no circumstances would he accept a pardon from Mr. Trump." Cohen's unexpected guilty plea in New York on Tuesday came on the same day that a jury in Virginia found former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort guilty of tax fraud, bank fraud and failure to report foreign bank accounts. Trump called the Manafort convictions "a disgrace." The charges against Manafort were not directly linked to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian state operatives. Cohen's guilty plea, however, does appear to stray into the special counsel's remit. And Davis says that Cohen is willing to talk to Mueller. "Michael Cohen knows information that would be of interest to the special counsel regarding both knowledge about a conspiracy to corrupt American democracy by the Russians and the failure to report that knowledge to the FBI," Davis told MSNBC on Wednesday. President Trump has used his pardon power in what appears to be an effort to please his political base and, say some pundits, to send a message to those who might testify against him in the various investigations and legal proceedings involving his business, his 2016 campaign and his conduct in office. Trump has already wiped the legal slate clean for former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, conservative author Dinesh D'Souza and others. Davis, a former special counsel for President Bill Clinton, says "Mr. Cohen is not interested in being dirtied by a pardon" from Trump. Cohen once famously said he would "take a bullet" for Donald Trump. -- Douglas Perry Don't make plans to build a biodome over your backyard just yet -- relief from Portland's smoky August is coming. "We're actually going to see improvement here within the next 24 to 48 hours," Colby Neuman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Portland, said over the phone Tuesday. According to Neuman, the smoke and haze will start shifting out of the Portland area Thursday and Friday. Then, he said, "there's a decent shot that we're going to actually get some rain this weekend, especially late in the weekend." First, though, we have to get through Wednesday. Tuesday saw Portland tie its record for most days in a year 90 degrees or warmer -- 29 -- and Wednesday is likely to be hot and hazy and the 30th day at 90 degrees or above. Thursday, though, the temperature will begin to drop below 80 degrees. Sunday, Neuman said, highs could be as low as 70 degrees, what he called, "more of a taste of fall." Still, don't put away your shorts and bring out your fuzzy sweater collection right away. More hot spells and smoky days could happen before Portland officially hits fall. "Usually," Neuman said, "we have one or two warm, dry east wind events in September." "The good news," he added, "is that the odds of it being as bad as we're experiencing right now go down." Longer nights and cooler temperatures will help firefighters battling wildfires, and that should keep the smoky days a little less smoky. Portlanders who remember the apocalyptic final days of summer 2017 might be wondering if these conditions are the new normal, if outdoor activities in August and September will become a thing of the past. "The thing to note with these last few years," he continued, "these have been some of the warmest and driest summers that the Pacific Northwest has recorded in the last 75 to 100 years." "This is pretty out there," he said, adding, "at some point, we should revert back to what has happened in the past." -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052 lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker Follow @lizzzyacker I'm about to drop a statement that will most likely alienate many of my regular readers: I've never been a big fan of sushi. Maru Sushi of Midland, however, recently changed all that for me. If you have been looking to see me write about a certain food and as of yet it has not been in my literary spotlight light, it is probably because of one of two different reasons, I either haven't found it yet or I don't care for it. At the risk of turning away my loyal and faithful readership, I am not the biggest seafood fan, and that is one of the reasons it has been omitted in my travels. I'm not saying I won't ever sample that type of food in my articles, but it may take me a while to work up to them. Sorry folks, we like what we like. But I am working on trying new things all the time, thus the reason for my latest restaurant choice. Now let's talk about my recent meal at Maru Sushi in Midland, located at 715 E. Main Street, Suite 120 in Midland. I've had sushi very few times in my life and I can actually remember every single time. I had a lovely bento box in preparation before I traveled to Japan and China for three weeks in college over 10 years ago (yes, I did go to college), I had it a couple of times when I was over on the trip, and then once at a party years later. It's never been something I've craved, and to be honest with you I probably had a few examples that were not the best of their specimen. But recently I traveled to a place that I've been asked to cover many, many times since I've started this columns journey, Maru Sushi. Seriously, many people have reached out to me and asked when I was going to do a column on Maru Sushi. Well I finally did it, and I was blown away. I can see why people crave this now over the regular hunger-inducing items like burgers and fries or pizza. Those things are great and all, but it's always nice to be able to broaden your culinary horizons a bit. I know I'm as usual late to the party, but I think it's safe to say sushi is something that I could now crave. Friends along for the ride suggested I try something a bit more mainstream, so we started with starters, which were edamame with sriracha salt and chicken gyoza. The edamame was a wonderful way to start off the meal, and the sriracha salt added a nice twinge of heat to keep my growling belly satiated while my meal was being prepped. Edamame is soybeans that are boiled and treated with sea salt or other seasonings, and if my table mates didn't tell me to squeeze out the beans I would have eaten the entire pods, which is not how things are done apparently. My dining faux pas aside, the edamame was wonderful. Now if you are wondering what chicken gyoza is, imagine the best dumplings you have ever had and then forget all about them. These dumplings were a new level of yum, and although the accompanying Maru sauce was delicious, these wonderful little creations did just fine on their own without them. Next time I'm there, I think a double order of the chicken gyoza is the sensible way to go. My main entree was the Spicy Tuna roll, complete with scallion and cucumber, with shaved ginger and wasabi neatly garnishing the plate. I still know how to use chopsticks, and doing so helped me slow down and enjoy, rather that quickly ingest, this wonderful meal. The roll was delicious, and as with everything else in my meal ingredients were fresh and quality. We all know I am a baby when it comes to heat in my food, but wasabi is a different kind of flavor boost, something you feel more in your sinuses than on your lips. The ginger did a nice job of taming everything down to make you ready for the next bite. All of the food was delicious, and what added to that experience was the presentation. You all know it is very easy to impress me, but the food that arrived at my table was simply beautiful. Whoever crafted this fare knew what they were doing, and I was once again faced with a meal that seemed too pretty to eat. The optics and flavors combined to make a bit of dinner theater for someone like me not used to this type of food, and I would hate to have such delicacies so often that I might miss the aesthetics while I mindlessly ate. Now this is the part where someone way more knowledgeable about this type of food will point out if I labeled something wrong in the course of this article. I still don't know the difference between sushi and sashimi, but my choices at Maru Sushi worked so well for me that I am excited to try all kinds of other items from their menu. Whatever the proper terminology doesn't matter to me as much as taste, so cut me some slack. My meal experience had it all: great, quality ingredients mixed with equally quality flavors, great portion sizes coupled with very fair pricing, and a very cool dining environment. The interior of the place looks hip, if that is even a word people use anymore, but you get what I mean. We all go out to eat for the food, but if the place you are sitting in happens to be visually pleasing and comfortable, I think that just adds to the overall dining experience. Maru Sushi is comfortable and yet minimalistic, and to me that adds to the experience. Clutter in a restaurant does not always mean cozy. If you haven't tried Maru Sushi yet, shame on you, and shame on me for waiting so long. But you better be ready to try some new things, because I know will. I think that what dining out should be all about. See you at the table. Matthew Woods writes about his favorite lunch finds. His column, Out to Lunch, will appear here on a regular basis. You can write him at seeyouatthetable@gmail.com Fire departments across the country have been supporting people with muscular dystrophy by raising funds for research and support for more than 50 years. This trend extends to Midland, and members of the Midland Fire Department Local 1315 will be "filling the boot" to raise money for the Greater Michigan Muscular Dystrophy Association at the Thursday night Great Lakes Loons game. Firefighters will be collecting donations in their firefighting boots at 7 p.m. outside Dow Diamond Thursday at both entrances. "Every dollar counts; every dollar will be used toward research and sending kids to camp," said Cindy Clark, executive director of Greater Michigan Muscular Dystrophy Association. The Muscular Dystrophy Association's mission is to free individuals from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength and independence. Funds raised through the Fill the Boot event will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association's efforts in researching life-enhancing programs like state-of-the-art support groups and care centers. The organization also helps send children with muscular dystrophy to a week-long camp where they get to experience activities like swimming, horse back riding and rock climbing that usually would be nearly impossible for them to participate in. "The kids are able to be among their peers and be with other kids affected in the same or similar way," Clark said. "They are able to do things they are not able to do in their everyday lives." The Greater Michigan Muscular Dystrophy Association serves 65 counties in Michigan. This summer the organization sent 76 campers with muscular dystrophy to the week-long camp, and about 15 were from the Tri-City region, Clark said. Money from the fundraising event also will go toward research to finding cures and treatments for the 43 different types of muscular diseases. In the last two years, there are five drugs that were created to treat muscular diseases that are now in clinical trials, Clark said. Mid Michigan College and Alma College recently entered an agreement to provide students with a path to success. The partnership allows students who may not meet academic standards for admission to Alma, to live on campus and participate in student activities while taking courses for the first year at Mid Michigan. This allows students to improve their academic skill sets in the supportive atmosphere Mid provides, and still be part of the Alma College campus community before transitioning to Alma full-time in their second year. "This is a terrific partnership that provides opportunities for conditionally admitted students to engage with all aspects of the Alma College community while taking courses at Mid," said Jeff Abernathy, president of Alma College. The program kicks off this fall with a small cohort of students, and growth is expected to take place as teams at both schools coordinate their efforts. A similar partnership is in place between Mid and Central Michigan University, and currently has 57 students participating in the program's second year. "For more than 50 years, Mid has been involved in providing access to education, and this is yet another innovative partnership. Mid specializes in getting students started, and we're excited to help students transition to success at Alma," said Christine Hammond, president at Mid Michigan College. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an 81m (US$93m) loan agreement with Copenhagen Airport, Denmark, to help finance a state-of-the-art passenger and hand baggage security screening concept. In addition, the airports capacity will be increased by the addition of wide-body aircraft stands and a range of other associated airside infrastructure. ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> Alexander Stubb, vice-president, EIB, said, The EIB is pleased to continue its relationship with one of the core network airports of the European Unions TEN-T framework. As a frequent user myself, Im happy that the bank is supporting Copenhagen Airport with its expansion plan to accommodate up to 40 million passengers a real milestone. Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Copenhagen Airports, the airport operator, said, The expansion of Copenhagen Airport will provide more capacity, better connectivity for business and pleasure travel and, not least, many new jobs. We are happy that the European Union and the EIB are investing in airport capacity, supporting our major expansion projects that will enable Copenhagen Airport to serve 40 million passengers annually. According to statistics compiled by the FBI, there were 71 instances of murder or nonnegligent manslaughter in the state of Iowa in 2016. That represented a very slight drop from 73 in 2015, and while those numbers were a bit higher than average, they were within the range of normal for the state. Simple math tells us that this translates to almost exactly one murder every five days. For obvious logistical reasons, a national media outlet like The New York Times or The Washington Post could not be expected to cover each of these murders, or, in fact, any of them, unless said murder involved a national figure or was notable in some other way (ie, the work of a serial killer). There is tragedy in every killing, but the sad reality is that ordinary murder is common enough not to resonate on a national level. So why is the murder of Mollie Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa college student whose body was found Tuesday morning approximately one month after she went missing, being covered by the New York Times, Washington Post, and any number of mainstream national media outlets? The context-free answer is that Tibbetts was likely abducted and murdered by an undocumented immigrantMexican-born Cristhian Bahena Rivera. The actual answer is that Tibbetts was murdered by an undocumented immigrant, and her story has been pushed with breathless fervor by the right wing in Americaup to and including President Trump himselfwith the aim of promoting an anti-immigrant agenda and, in this special case, detracting attention from the very bad news surrounding the administration. For a small taste of the zealous push to make Tibbetts national news, heres a snapshot from the Donald Trump Reddit on Tuesday night, at a moment when most political discussion was dominated by stories of Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort: Four of the top seven posts on the Trump subreddit right now are attempts to demonize immigrants based on a murder in Iowa. If you needed more proof that Trump's mob will respond to any news by doubling down on fascismwell, you shouldn't have needed more proof. pic.twitter.com/JAAdDEDHCI Shane Ryan (@ShaneRyanHere) August 22, 2018 That same night, at a rally in West Virginia, Trump was quick to invoke Tibbetts' name: Trump uses Mollie Tibbetts to smear undocumented immigrants as murderers. They in fact commit crimes at rates no higher than any other group. pic.twitter.com/fSeIpMmNMV Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 21, 2018 You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly from Mexico, and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman, Trump said. It should've never happened. Illegally in our country. We've had a huge impact, but the laws are so bad, the immigration laws are such a disgrace. The sane response to these tactics, and the swiftest rebuttal, is to invoke simple statistics: In the state of Texas, which is the only place where crime statistics are kept for undocumented immigrants, the rate of all crimeand for murder specificallyis far lower than that of the general population. Across America, statistics reflecting incarceration rates by immigration status suggest that Texas is no anomalyundocumented immigrants are about half as likely to go to jail as legal citizens. In other words, Republicans and conservatives attempting to promote harsher immigration laws and fomenting anti-immigrant sentiment should not be relying on crimethe fact is, we'd get more bang for our buck deporting homegrown Americans. But of course, human beings aren't statistical creatures, and the anti-immigration crowd have determined that the best way to stir animus against immigrants is to highlight anomalous cases where white peopleespecially young womenhave been killed by undocumented Hispanic men. It does not indicate any kind of broader pattern, and in fact we have seen that the opposite is true, but it does resonate with a certain kind of person, and it's far more likely to provoke the reactionary, tribalist anger they covet. This tactic is not abnormal, of course. Demonizing a specific racial group has a long and storied history on planet Earth, and has been a key tactic for fascist movements the world over. What's disheartening is how easily the American right has commandeered the narrative and essentially forced national media outlets like the Times and Post to cover these stories in a straight news fashionwithout highlighting or sometimes even mentioning the reason they're covering the storyand thereby amplifying the right's racial agenda. On Twitter, Tom Scocca cut to the heart of the issue while analyzing the Times piece: This embarrassing piece of race-baiting packaged as straight news is a case study in how incompetent the New York Times is at navigating the current media environment pic.twitter.com/PUkECrUdN7 Tom Scocca (@tomscocca) August 22, 2018 The Times is only writing about a random murder in Iowa because it was a cable-news missing-white-woman sensation that became a talking point for white nationalists, including the president. Tom Scocca (@tomscocca) August 22, 2018 The result is something that pretends to be a straight crime story, in which the New York Times' own freestanding editorial judgment has led it to flag the immigration status of the suspect in the first paragraph. Tom Scocca (@tomscocca) August 22, 2018 The actual lead of the story, the reason it is in the Times, is tucked in a subordinate clause at the end of the fourth paragraph: this crime has been incorporated into the president's ongoing attack on Mexicans. Tom Scocca (@tomscocca) August 22, 2018 But the Times can't bring itself to discuss how its news agenda is driven by the president and cable news yanking its chain. So instead it justgoes where the chain yanks it, and acts as if it went there of its own free will and independent news judgment. Tom Scocca (@tomscocca) August 22, 2018 That says it allthe right sets the agenda, the mainstream outlets do their bidding, and because they don't want to admit to themselves that they're being strung along, they bury the why of the story. In fact, the why should leadin bold font. If you subscribe to the argument that the Tibbetts murder became national news when Trump mentioned it, then the reason it's national news needs to be highlighted in the headline. It's not difficult, as one Twitter user demonstrated: Change in Headline pic.twitter.com/HOoQXY12UO Editing TheGrayLady (@nyt_diff) August 22, 2018 Without context, it becomes difficult for readers to discern the influence behind the story, and easy for them to surmise (incorrectly) that there is a trend of undocumented immigrants murdering American citizens. This is exacerbated by the guise of objectivity, which is meant to prevent journalists from taking sides, but which leads here to an uncritical, just-slightly-subdued parroting of the anti-immigrant agenda. Nowhere does the Times mention the actual statistics, but they do quote Trump complaining about immigration laws. In this way, the right has turned the paper, along with many others, into an effective signal boosterthe mainstream media serves as advocate and hype man, delivering an extremist message with almost total credulity to a far larger audience than the extremists could ever muster on their own. In this episode of the Full Nerd, Gordon Mah Ung, Brad Chacos, Alaina Yee, and Adam Patrick Murray nerd out over Nvidias new GeForce RTX! After what feels like an eon, Nvidia finally releases its new GeForce RTX, which promises the Holy Grail of gaming graphics: real-time ray tracing. The new card brings some controversy, though, as many are concerned the new world of ray tracing will sacrifice performance in existing rasterized games. Brad breaks the details live from Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, and also details the coolest PCs on the show floor. You can witness it all in the video embedded above. You can also watch The Full Nerd episode 64 on YouTube (toss us a follow while youre there) or listen to it on Soundcloud if you prefer the audio alone. Speaking of audio, you can subscribe to the Full Nerd in iTunes (please leave a review if you enjoy the show). Were also on Stitcher, Google Play, or you can point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader to: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:226190044/sounds.rss Have a PC- or gaming-related question? Email thefullnerd@pcworld.com and well try to answer it in the next episode. Be sure to follow PCWorld on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch to watch future episodes live and pick our brains in real time! david_howey.jpg David Howey with Baron, who was donated to the U.S. Air Force at Lackland Air Base in Texas and was later assigned to the Army Scout Dog program at Ft. Benning, Georgia. (Provided) This is the sixth in a series of veterans reflections, part of the 100 Years of Heroes package that will run through Veterans Day. The source for this story is David Howey of Etters, York County. I was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania. I am 70 years old and have lived in Etters just about 20 years. I moved here to be the Drug Interdiction Unit Coordinator for the Department of Corrections, which included upgrading the Canine Unit. I was drafted into the Army on Oct. 14, 1968, and served until October 1970, with a tour in Vietnam '69-70, which included the Cambodia incursion. Baron was donated to the U.S. Air Force at Lackland Air Base in Texas and was later assigned to the Army Scout Dog program at Ft. Benning, Georgia, which was kind of unique as he belonged to an Air Force Major stationed in Alabama when donated. We were first united together to go through on-leash training, which lasted 12 weeks, but Baron was a super dog and we were selected to go for 8 more weeks for Off-leash. That was great for me as we got to stay together and go to Vietnam as a team. On all our patrols in Vietnam and Cambodia, as a team Baron never lost a man to enemy ambush or booby traps. We worked mostly with the infamous Wolfhound Infantry Unit, with the 25th Infantry Division, but were also attached out to work with other divisions that needed Off-leash experienced Canine teams, working on River Boats, helicopters and armored personnel carriers. We arrived in Vietnam in December '69 and I worked him until October of '70 when I was sent back to the States. One of the hardest things that I had to do was leave him in Vietnam after he protected me for all that time. I always felt guilty for taking him over and leaving him there, but found out later on that he continued to serve faithfully and was one of the few members of the Canine unt that made it back to the United States and finished out working for the Air Force at Lackland Air Base in Texas. Editor's note: If you are a Pa. veteran or know of one who has a story to tell, contact Paul Vigna at 717-255-8404 or send an email to pvigna@pennlive.com. While we are looking for veterans of all wars, we would like to increase the number of stories we have on veterans who fought in the Vietnam War and the wars that followed. Others that have run The keynote speaker at the upcoming 34th Annual Chamber Dinner will be pulling double duty that night. Alex Trebek, host of popular TV quiz show "Jeopardy," will be the keynote speaker at the Oct. 1 fundraiser event, which is hosted by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. But Trebek will also moderate the first debate between Governor Tom Wolf and his Republican challenger, Scott Wagner, at the same event. And before you ask: no, the two candidates for governor will not be phrasing their responses in the form of a question. The debate will run 45 minutes, and is planned to touch on issues such as fiscal policies, job creation and regulatory oversight. For more information, including ticket info, visit the website for the Pennsylvania's Business Leaders & Lawmakers 34th Annual Chamber Dinner. Wyoming The only candidate with experience in elected office beat five challengers Tuesday to claim the Republican nomination for Wyoming governor, a win that goes a long way toward winning top office in this deep-red state. Meanwhile, experience also won out as U.S. Sen. John Barrasso fended off a well-funded challenger in his GOP primary. In the race for governor, State Treasurer Mark Gordon beat wealthy political donor Foster Friess by a comfortable margin despite Friess' national name recognition and last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump. Gordon also beat rancher-attorney Harriet Hageman and dot-com businessman Sam Galeotos in a race uncharacteristically full of political newcomers for Wyoming. "It was the kind of hard-fought battle people in Wyoming would expect," Gordon said. Friess said Gordon would make a "good governor" and said he would continue to advocate for issues including financial transparency in Wyoming government. Gordon faces attorney and former state Rep. Mary Throne, of Cheyenne, in the general election. Throne beat three little-known candidates to secure the Democratic nomination. Outgoing Republican Gov. Matt Mead is term-limited after serving two full terms. Wyoming's party-registration statistics alone give Gordon a huge advantage over Throne, but Wyoming not long ago had a Democratic governor, Dave Freudenthal, who served two terms before Mead. "Traditionally in Wyoming we focus on the person and not the party when it comes to electing governors. We like our governors to be independent and thoughtful," Throne said. Gordon called Throne "a formidable force" and said he's not taking the race for granted. Barrasso beat five opponents, including investor and Stanford University lecturer Dave Dodson of Jackson Hole. Dodson put $1 million of his own money toward a campaign that questioned Barrasso's ties to corporate interests and Washington political insiders. Barrasso spent much of Tuesday attending to business in Washington, D.C., and after thunderstorms delayed his flights, he landed in Casper well after polls closed. "I've always been in Wyoming for primary day but we canceled the August recess. We're working on (nominee Brett) Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court. We're working on lots of things," Barrasso said. As for beating Dodson, Barrasso said he works every day thinking about how to make life better for Wyoming residents and "I think that the voters saw that." A political newcomer, Dodson hinted he might continue advocating for term limits, reducing the influence of money in politics and other issues he focused on in his campaign. "I will not in any way stop this fight because I knew that these problems existed, but now they have faces, and they have names, and I care about them," Dodson said. Barrasso faces Wilson businessman Gary Trauner in the general election. Trauner ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Incumbent Liz Cheney won the Republican nomination for Wyoming's lone seat in the U.S. House. Cheney beat two other Republicans, Blake Stanley of Cheyenne and Rod Miller of Buford. Stanley and Miller both characterized themselves as blue-collar conservatives and ran low-key campaigns. Cheney will run against Laramie businessman Greg Hunter, who beat attorney Travis Helm for the Democratic nomination for U.S. House. --By Mead Gruver, Associated Press Alaska Former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy was leading in early returns Tuesday in the Republican primary race for governor in Alaska. He was topping a crowded field that included former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell and possibly setting up what is expected to be a hard-fought battle for the office this fall. Dunleavy in January left the state Senate after five years to focus on his campaign. While a senator, he clashed with GOP leaders over cuts to the annual check Alaskans receive from the state's oil-wealth fund and over what he saw as insufficient cuts to the state budget. If he prevails, Dunleavy would advance to November's general election, where he would face former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat, and Gov. Bill Walker, running as an independent. Walker opted to bypass the primaries and instead gather signatures to appear on the November ballot. Begich was unopposed in Tuesday's primary. Begich said he plans to outwork his opponents and continue to travel the state to share his message with Alaskans. "It's clear to me when you look at, in three-way race, a majority of Alaskans are looking for a change. The majority is not with the current governor. The majority of Alaskans are looking for something different," he said. In the Democratic U.S. House primary, independent Alyse Galvin advanced to challenge GOP incumbent Rep. Don Young, 85, who has served in the House for 45 years and easily won his primary. The Alaska Democratic party changed its rules to let independents run in its primaries if they want the party's backing. Party primaries determine who runs as a ticket in November. Candidates who bypass the primaries and instead gather signatures to appear on the general election ballot -- as Walker opted to do -- have a say in their running mates. Walker flirted with running in the Democratic primary but decided not to when it appeared that Begich would run. Walker wanted to run with Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, a Democrat. Walker changed his party affiliation from Republican to undeclared in 2014 in forming a so-called unity ticket with Mallott, which was backed by Democrats. The next governor will face big issues, including crime and the economy, and decisions on the annual check that Alaskans receive from the state's oil-wealth fund, the Alaska Permanent Fund. Dunleavy and Treadwell had positioned themselves as conservatives critical of a 2016 criminal justice overhaul and the state's approach to budgeting. Both supported the formula in state law for calculating the oil-wealth check, which has been ignored, first by the governor and then by legislators, for the past three years amid a budget deficit. In east Anchorage, Bill Cody voted for Treadwell, whom he said made the most sense to him. Cody voted for Walker four years ago but didn't like the governor's handling of the Permanent Fund dividend. "I don't think he listened to the people at all," Cody said, adding he hopes it hurts Walker at the polls. "I didn't even consider voting for him this time." Cody's wife, Holly Cody, also is an undeclared voter, but she voted on the Democratic ballot. In the U.S. House race, she supported Shein. She said she met Shein and he left a good impression. "He's a family man," she said. But she's not holding out hope that anyone will defeat Young. "Don Young's been around forever. I think he's got a lot of support in Alaska." The primaries also include a contested GOP race for lieutenant governor and state legislative races. Of the candidates in the Democratic U.S. House race, Galvin, an education advocate, and Dimitri Shein, a Russian immigrant who became involved in politics after President Donald Trump's election, most actively campaigned. Young faced a primary challenge from Thomas "John" Nelson and Jed Whittaker, who had limited resources and little name recognition. --By Becky Bohrer, Associated Press On Aug. 21, 1992, after Randy Weaver failed to appear in court on charge that he sold illegal sawed-off shotguns, an 11-day standoff started at his home on Ruby Ridge near Naples, Idaho. On the second day of that standoff, Weaver's wife, Vicki, was killed by FBI sharpshooter Lon Horiuchi. From history.com: "In the second day of a standoff at Randy Weaver's remote northern Idaho cabin, FBI sharpshooter Lon Horiuchi wounds Randy Weaver, Kevin Harris, and kills Weaver's wife, Vicki." Weaver was to face charges that he sold two illegal sawed-off shotguns to an Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms informant. "On August 21, 1992, after a period of surveillance, U.S. marshals came upon Harris; Weaver; Weaver's 14-year-old son, Sammy; and the family dog, Striker, on a road near the Weaver property. A marshal shot and killed the dog, prompting Sammy to fire at the marshal. In the ensuing gun battle, Sammy and U.S. Marshal Michael Degan were shot and killed. A tense standoff ensued, and on August 22 the FBI joined the marshals besieging Ruby Ridge. Later that day, Harris, Weaver, and his daughter, Sarah, left the cabin, allegedly for the purpose of preparing Sammy's body for burial. FBI sharpshooter Lon Horiuchi, waiting 200 yards away, opened fire, allegedly because he thought Harris was armed and intending to fire on a helicopter in the vicinity. Horiuchi wounded Weaver, and the group ran to the shed where Sammy's body was lying. When they attempted to escape back into the cabin, Horiuchi fired again, wounding Harris as he dove through the door and killing Vicki Weaver, who was holding the door open with one hand and cradling her infant daughter with the other. Horiuchi claimed he didn't know that Vicki Weaver was standing behind the door. Harris, Weaver, and Weaver's three daughters surrendered nine days later." Weaver and Harris were acquitted of Michael Degan's murder in 1993. In 1994 they filed federal civil rights cases against the FBI and U.S. marshals. The government settled the case for $3.1 million. In 1997, Lon Horiuchi was charged with involuntary manslaughter but the charge was dismissed in 1998. The ruling was appealed in 2001 but a new prosecutor declined to pursue the charge. From history.com: "The controversial standoff spawned a nationwide debate on the use of force by federal law enforcement agencies, and a U.S. Senate panel accused the federal agencies involved of 'substantial failures' in their handling of the Ruby Ridge operation. Of particular controversy was an FBI 'rule of engagement' implemented at the beginning of the Ruby Ridge siege that stated 'any armed adult male observed in the vicinity of the Weaver cabin could and should be killed.' Many condemned this policy as unconstitutional. Rumors that the FBI had engaged in a cover-up regarding the Ruby Ridge operation were verified when E. Michael Kahoe, former chief of the FBI's violent crimes section, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in 1996. Kahoe, who had destroyed an official bureau critique of the standoff, was sentenced to 18 months in prison." Catholic Church officials in Pittsburgh are removing the name of a former and now embattled bishop from a prominent high school. The board of directors at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School along with education officials from the diocese on Wednesday announced that the school's name will be changed to North Catholic High School. The decision was made at the behest of Wuerl, a former Pittsburgh Diocese bishop and now the Archbishop of Washington. Wuerl served as bishop for 18 years before becoming the archbishop of Washington in 2006. In the wake of the blistering Pennsylvania grand jury report into clergy sex abuse statewide, Wuerl has faced and has had to answer to tough scrutiny regarding his failure to protect children from predatory priests during his time in Pittsburgh. The nearly 1,400-page report of the 40th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury mentions Wuerl more than 200 times and, at times, portrays him as a bishop who was more interested in protecting the interests of the church and not the welfare of children. This past weekend, Wuerl canceled his appearance as a keynote speaker at the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, Ireland, which is being attended by Pope Francis. As a cardinal, Wuerl is among the most senior-ranking members of the Catholic clergy. Cardinals elect popes. His upcoming book has been canceled by the publisher, The Washington Post reported. Two days after the release of the grand jury report, Wuerl wrote to the officials in the Pittsburgh Diocese requesting the removal of his name from the school. He wrote: "In light of the circumstances today and lest we in any way detract from the purpose of Catholic education....I respectfully ask you to remove my name from it. In this way, there should be no distraction from the great success of the school and, most importantly, the reason for the school - the students." The school board recommended the approval of his request the following day. The grand jury report, released last week by Attorney General Josh Shapiro, names 68 priests from the Diocese of Pittsburgh as having been credibly accused of child sex crimes. That was the largest number of accused priests among the six dioceses investigated. In addition, 22 priests and members of religious orders from the Pittsburgh area were named. On Monday the name of Cardinal Wuerl at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School was vandalized. The school is located in Cranberry Township. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) The report shows that in 1989, Wuerl sent a letter to the Vatican regarding priests who had been accused of sexual abuse. He wrote that parishioners had a right to know whether priests accused of crimes had been reassigned to their parish and noted that pedophilia is "incurable." Despite Wuerl's summary and acknowledgment of the seriousness of the problem, however, diocesan records revealed that Wuerl granted a predatory priest's request to be reassigned again in 1991. Bishop David Zubik, the current head of the Pittsburgh Diocese, said his concern remains "first, foremost and always for the students, that nothing overshadows their Catholic education." Zubik also expressed gratitude to the school's board of directors for acknowledging Wuerl's contributions. "The school was named in honor of Cardinal Wuerl in recognition of his efforts to preserve and expand Catholic education opportunities for the children of Pittsburgh - regardless of religion and regardless of need." Zubik noted that Wuerl, as bishop, had raised tens of millions of dollars for tuition aid. In the wake of the grand jury report, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has fielded about 50 new allegations of abuse over the past week, The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette reported Wednesday. Diocese spokesman Rev. Nicholas S. Vaskov said the claims appear to be new and came "from people who had not previously contacted us." The allegations were delivered through an abuse hotline established by the church and via email, he said. "All of the allegations are from prior to 1990 and go back as far as the 1940s," Father Vaskov said in a statement. "We are taking all of them seriously and following our regular process for responding to them." On Monday vandals damaged the name post at the school, covering Wuerl's name with red paint. The high school is located in Cranberry Township. In a show of support for what could be thousands of victims of clergy sex abuse in Pennsylvania, a handful of local churches are planning to hold a prayer vigil as a show of solidarity. The prayer vigil - scheduled for Friday - will be made up of church teams from eight local churches and will be held at Baughman United Methodist Church in New Cumberland. "We will not let another day go by without standing together in support so that our community can heal," said organizer Angela Cook. "We will pray for the abuse victims, for our Catholic priests who have lived a life of dignity, for the parishioners who are feeling alone and isolated, and for Christianity as a whole." Members from various denominations are expected to participate, including the Rev. Michael McFadden of Saint Theresa Catholic Church; family members of a victim who testified before the grand jury; New Cumberland Mayor Doug Morrow and state Rep. Sheryl Delozier. State Attorney General Josh Shapiro last week released the findings of an 18-month-long investigation into clergy sex abuse across six dioceses in Pennsylvania. The report found that more than 1,000 victims had been sexually molested as children at the hands of more than 301 members of the clergy. Most of the victims were boys, but girls also were counted among the victims. Bishops, monsignors and other senior church officials for decades knew about the abusive priests, but routinely covered it up to avoid scandal, criminal charges against priests, and monetary damages to the dioceses. Details about the prayer vigil: Where: Baughman United Methodist Church, 228 Bridge Street, New Cumberland When: Friday, August 24, 2018 7-8 p.m. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) Xiamen Airline has agreed to shoulder the costs of extracting the airplane that had skidded off the Ninoy Aquino International Airline (NAIA) runway last week. The incident, which happened on the evening of August 16, has left the premier airport's main runway unusable until the plane was removed Saturday night. The NAIA and the airline industry are still struggling to normalize operations after dozens of flights had to be cancelled, rescheduled or rerouted, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. In a statement Wednesday night, Xiamen Airlines announced that it will shoulder the costs for "aircraft handling and runway recovering" caused by one of its planes. It added that it will still have to confirm the actual costs with the Manila airport authorities. It reiterated its apologies and said that it will continue to provide support and free meals to passengers at the NAIA. The airline said that it will cooperate with the ongoing joint investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Civil Aviation Administration of China. A Palmyra man smoked marijuana on the way to a Middletown boat launch or while on the water before crashing into the Dock Street Dam the night of May 7, killing his fiancee and 3-year-old daughter, according to court records. The levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, that were in Cody Binkley's system showed he had ingested the drug within one hour of the crash in the Susquehanna River, according to the records released Wednesday morning when Binkley appeared in court for his arraignment. Binkley, 26, appeared with his parents and grandmother but declined to comment. His attorney, Michael Palermo Jr. also declined to comment other than to say the deaths were a "tragedy. He's still suffering." In court, Palermo noted that Binkley attends grief counseling four days a week, including a session with his fiancee's family. Binkley said he has not been able to live at the Palmyra home he shared with Mary Bredbenner and their daughter Madelyn because of the memories, so he resides with his grandmother. Binkley told the judge he is still on leave from his job at the Red Robin restaurant in Hershey. When the judge read through the 16 criminal charges filed against Binkley in the deaths, Binkley looked downward most of the time and shook his head at times. He was released on a $50,000 unsecured bail, meaning he did not have to post any cash but he would have to pay $50,000 if he doesn't show up for court. The court records revealed several new details about the double-fatality in Harrisburg. On the way to the Middletown boat launch, a tire on the boat trailer blew out, but Binkley continued driving on a wheel rim. His daughter was wearing a life jacket that was not properly fitted or secured, leading investigators to conclude she "fell out of the lifejacket immediately upon entering the water." After the double-fatality, Binkley checked himself out of a hospital against medical advice and went to his grandmother's house to sleep."I was concerned that Binkley had gone home to sleep, while his daughter was still missing on the river," police wrote in the court records. Binkley later denied driving directly into the low-head dam, and said he was pulled in by the hydraulic boil, but video surveillance proved otherwise, according to prosecutors. A video camera positioned on a building on South Front Street facing the water recorded his boat traveling parallel to the dam as the out flow pushed his boat away. The boat paused six seconds and instead of turning around, turned left directly toward the dam and approached it at a high rate of speed, leaving an extended wake behind the boat, according to the records. Binkley was taking methadone to help him kick a heroin habit, according to court records, but mixing that with marijuana could have a harmful effect on motor-skills, problem-solving and making sound judgments to prevent a life-threatening incident. "Because of the combination and levels of controlled substances in Binkley's system," the court records said, "he ignored instinctive, natural, and manmade warnings of the hazard in his path of operation; and did not realize the Dock Street Dam was in front of him." "The totality of the circumstances and evidence collected during this investigation of prove that Mary Bredbenner and Madelyn Binkley were killed as a direct result of Cody Binkley's drug usage, negligent and reckless behavior, and violations of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Code and the Pennsylvania Crimes Code." Two hours after the accident, while his blood was being drawn, Binkley reportedly told a waterways conservation officer: "I killed them all. I killed my whole family," according to court records. Prosecutors on Tuesday filed four felonies, including involuntary manslaughter and homicide by watercraft while under the influence against Binkley. Binkley had owned his 15-foot flat-bottomed Jon boat for about two months and he had put it in the Susquehanna River two times the week before the fatal accident, according to prosecutors. Yet Binkley told investigators that he had boating experience and was "better than 90 percent of the boaters out there, but I'm not the best." Binkley put his boat in the water at sunset and had planned to camp overnight on an island immediately above City Island that he had identified through the Susquehanna River Trail Association website. But while selecting a camp site, court records said, he did not take note of the warnings posted there about the Dock Street Dam. On their trip, Binkley and his fiancee did not wear life jackets, he told police. When Binkley drove his boat under the Interstate 83 bridge, he saw "something" in the water in front of his boat and encountered some fast water. He denied seeing any hazard or warning signs, which are posted high on the bridge and not illuminated at night. He said he stood in his boat, attempting to identify the conditions of the water in front of him. "You know something is there," he said. "You can see a silhouette." Binkley said he believed he was in "some sort of rapids," and he did not realize there was a dam until he hit it. The impact of the crash threw the occupants of the boat and many of their belongings above the dam, but they soon came back over the dam and the boat went under water. Binkley "maintained contact with Mary during the initial moments of the incident but lost sight of Madelyn," according to court records. He told police he was able to break free of the hydraulic boil and he called out to Mary to "swim for it." He believed all three of them were drifting downstream, but when he pulled himself out of the water near the PennDOT building, there was no sign of them. He flagged down a passerby for help. After the fatal crash, the inside of Binkley's Chevrolet Blazer reeked of burnt marijuana, while marijuana leaves, stems and pieces were littered through the vehicle, according to court records. The tire on the boat trailer was "shredded" and the trailer was resting on a wheel rim. Bredbenner's body was found in the 64-degree water about 90 minutes after the crash near the Turnpike bridge amid a "debris field" including a single pink toddler sneaker, pink and green toddler swim aid with a tag that noted "not a life saving device," and child's pink backpack filled with My Little Pony toys and Barbie dolls. Police also found a plastic sandwich bag containing one-eighth to one-fourth of an ounce of marijuana, which Binkley said they intended to smoke while camping. Madelyn's body was recovered three days later, on May 10. She was missing pants and shoes but wearing black socks and a black hooded sweatshirt. Police noted in the court records that they could not reach Binkley by phone after the discovery of his daughter's body. On May 12, officials recovered two life jackets from the boil line of the Dock Street Dam, including a child's life jacket that was believed to have been worn by Madelyn. "There were no stresses or tears to the stitching of the life jacket, nor damage to the clasps that would have been present if the lifejacket was properly worn and subsequently torn from the child by the hydraulic boil," court records said. "The crotch strap was clasped, but was not cinched tightly, and was is believed to have been improperly worn on the outside thigh of Madeline, rather than between the legs as intended. "The left shoulder of the lifejacket was twisted around itself, and it is believed that Madeline fell out of the lifejacket immediately upon entering the water." Autopsies later confirmed Bredbenner and Madelyn Binkley died from fresh water drowning. Bredbenner had the presence of marijuana and methadone in her system. Cody Binkley's drug test results showed: positive findings of 11-Hydroxy Delta-9 THC of 1.8 +/- 0.4 ng/mL; Delta-9 Carboxy THC of 40 +/-7 ng/mL; and Delta-9 THC of 7.7 +/-1.5 ng/mL. Blood results also showed the presence of Methadone at 45 +/-9 ng/mL; Bupropion at 24 +/-5 ng/mL; Hydroxybupropion at 480 +/-100 ng/mL; and a positive result for caffeine. The court records did not offer any further interpretation of the drug test results, but officers noted that the amounts showed he had ingested the marijuana within three hours of the test and within one hour of the crash. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo scheduled a news conference at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday to discuss the case. HARRISBURG --Cody Binkley lost his longtime girlfriend and only child in a boating accident May 7 at the Dock Street Dam in Harrisburg, but prosecutors said they could not overlook what they believe were negligent decisions by Binkley that lead to their deaths. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo on Wednesday explained the reasons behind the 16 criminal charges he filed against Binkley in connection with the deaths of Mary Bredbenner, 25, and Madelyn Binkley, 3. They drowned after their boat crashed into the Dock Street Dam. Binkley was able to swim to shore. Chardo explained that the criminal case is based on negligence to support charges of involuntary manslaughter, not malice, which is the standard used for a murder case The factors Chardo considered when filing the charges included: Taking a small child on the river late in the evening Taking his family on this outing while under the influence of marijuana Failing to properly secure a life jacket on his child Boating without extensive knowledge of the river Another factor that greatly impacted Chardo, he said, was the fact that immediately after the crash, Binkley checked himself out of the hospital against medical advice and went home to sleep. Binkley did not participate in the search for his loved ones, Chardo said. "While many of the brave men and women of the police and emergency services battled to find his girlfriend and child, and did so for many, many hours and the day after, he went home and went to sleep," Chardo said at a news conference with a line of first responders standing behind him. "Well that really, really struck me that he did that. The men and women behind me cared more about finding his child than he did, it seemed, by his conduct...and that impacted the decision and made it somewhat easier." Chardo also pointed out that the website Binkley used to locate a campsite for the fateful trip had a warning about the Dock Street Dam. Before the website will even show the campground map, a person must click on a tab that says, in part: "Caution...Low head dams exist near the trail head and at Harrisburg. These hazards can be lethal. All boaters need to be aware of their locations and the dangers they present." While lab tests showed the presence of marijuana in Binkley's system, court records did not explain how prosecutors could prove that Binkley was impaired by those levels. Chardo, however, said his office retained experts who helped them make that determination and he expects to use those experts at trial. Prosecutors also showed a timeline of events May 7 that showed Binkley launched his boat at 8 p.m. The sun set at 8:09 p.m. 9:20 p.m.: crash occurred 9:59 p.m.: 911 call received about accident 11:33 p.m.: Mary Bredbenner's body located 12:15 a.m.: Binkley's blood drawn. He reportedly said "I killed my whole family," but bodies had not yet been recovered. 12:25 a.m.: Capsized boat removed from boil line 12:50 a.m.: Bredbenner's body removed from water with family dog, Macy May 8-10 search for Madelyn continues 8:10 p.m. May 10: Madelyn's body recovered. The deaths could have been avoided, Chardo said. "The public interested is served by bringing these charges," he said. "This could have been avoided...A combination of poor decision-making led to this tragedy." Chardo played a video of the fatal crash, captured by a camera mounted on a nearby building, and said Binkley "inexplicably turned" toward the dam and "rammed right into it" after driving parallel to the dam for about six seconds, when he could have seen or heard the dam. Binkley originally told investigators he was pulled into the dam's boil line, but the video "belies that assertion," Chardo said, and shows the boat speeding toward the dam, leaving a wake. Binkley did not take a boating-safety course and he was not required to under Pennsylvania's current law, which only applies to Jetskis and boats with motors of 25 horsepower or greater. The charges against Binkley are: *Homicide by Watercraft While Operating Under the Influence (2 Counts) *Involuntary Manslaughter (2 Counts) *Endangering the Welfare of Children *Homicide by Watercraft (2 Counts) *Operating a Watercraft Under the Influence (3 Counts) *Reckless & Negligent Operation of a Watercraft *Possession of a Controlled Substance *Possession of Drug Paraphernalia *Additional Boating Violations (3 summary violations) Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Colonel Corey L. Britcher provided safety tips for other boaters to try to avoid similar accidents. YORK - P. H. Glatfelter Co. announced Wednesday it is selling its specialty papers business that traces back to the company's founding, including the plant in Spring Grove, York County that employs about 750 persons. The Specialty Papers unit, which makes papers for uses ranging from postage stamps to greeting cards to drinking cups, is being sold to Lindsay Goldberg, a New York-based private equity firm. The sale price for the division, which employs about 1,720 people nationwide, was reported at $360 million, and the deal is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. Through Thursday morning, Lindsay Goldberg has not commented publicly on what attracted it to Glatfelter's paper-making operations, or its future plans for the company. But Glatfelter's Vice President for Human Resources, Eileen Beck, told PennLive by email that she could "confirm Lindsay Goldberg has no plans to close the mills... "As we noted in our press release, we believe the sale to Lindsay Goldberg creates an excellent opportunity for the business and its employees who have remained steadfast in their dedication to Glatfelter and our customers." Lindsay Goldberg's Web site does feature a letter from firm founders Alan Goldberg and Robert Lindsay lthat lays out their general philosophy as one that tries to strengthen struggling companies. "Our goal is to be the best partner possible for... businesses who want a long-term investor behind them to fulfill a strategy of business growth while working with people they respect and enjoy. "We are not short-term holders of companies for a quick profit," the letter states. The sale comes as Glatfelter, which was born near Spring Grove in 1864 and is now headquartered in York, seeks to shift its focus to different lines of businesses to "maximize shareholder value." In a quarterly earnings report this winter, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante C. Parrini noted the company's board would be studying a potential sale of the papers unit. According to company filings, operating profits from the papers unit had fallen in five of the last six years, and sales have been on a four-year decline since hitting $903 million in 2014. Paper sales for the fiscal year closing June 30 were recorded at $783 million, according to the firm's reports. Glatfelter is the 20th largest employer in York County, according to the York Economic Alliance, though that rank will drop dramatically in the future as the company's footprint here is reduced to its corporate headquarters. Glatfelter's Spring Grove plant produces engineered products such as inkjet papers, postage stamps, pressure-sensitive labels, greeting and playing cards, venue tickets and apparel tags, candy cups and drinking cups, direct mail and first-class envelopes, specialty papers for art drawing pads, and trade book and print-on-demand papers for book publishing. Its other paper-making plants are located in Chillicothe and Fremont, Ohio. WILLIAMSPORT - The method Penn State uses to adjudicate sexual misconduct complaints raises constitutional concerns, a judge says. But, U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann on Tuesday stopped short of ruling the accused and the complainant should be permitted to appear before a Title IX decision panel. He made his analysis in an opinion supporting his decision dismissing three Penn State officials named in a complaint by a male student who was suspended for two semesters and has not re-enrolled. A Title IX panel found credible the allegation of a female student who claimed her sexual encounter with the male identified as John Doe of Hicksville, New York, was nonconsensual. Doe's suit challenges the university's model for investigating sexual misconduct complaints because it did not permit him to appear before the panel on Dec. 17, 2015, to give his version of the incident and challenge her credibility. There were only two witnesses to the incident and no other documentary evidence of the sexual encounter itself, Brann wrote. "In this court's view, the investigative model's virtual embargo on the panel's ability to assess that credibility raises constitutional concerns," he said. The university utilizes an investigator to gather facts from the parties who have the opportunity to provide a written statement, the names of witnesses and other information. The investigator's draft report is submitted to the parties who have the opportunity to make a response, which Doe did, before the final version is submitted to a Title IX panel for adjudication purposes. The university contends Doe received multiple opportunities to present his version of what happened in his dorm room on Aug. 9, 2014. Penn State has accused Doe of trying to equate the disciplinary process with the rights of a citizen in a criminal case. In denying the university's motion to dismiss Doe's due process claim, Brann wrote the testimony in the investigator's packet appears paraphrased and there is no indication how it was edited. While it appears the investigator directed some questions from the accused to the complainant during interviews, it is unclear whether any of his questions were unasked or unanswered, the judge wrote. "On top of that," Brann said, there do not appear to be any guidelines in PSU's Code of Conduct and student conduct procedure guiding the investigator in his task or use of discretion. "PSU's educational mission is, of course, frustrated if it allows dangerous students to remain on is campus," he wrote. "Its mission is equally stymied, however, if PSU ejects innocent students who would otherwise benefit from, and contribute to, its academic environment." Despite his analysis of disciplinary process, Brann said Doe's right to personally appear before the panel and question Roe was not "clearly established," so he granted Penn State's motion to remove the individuals from the case. But, Penn State remains a defendant and has 20 days in which to respond to Doe's claims. The individuals removed and the positions they held when the suit was filed in January include: Spencer Peters, investigator Danny Shaha, senior director of the Office of Student Conduct Karen Feldbaum, associate director of the Office of Student Conduct Doe seeks the elimination of all records of his disciplinary proceeding because he claims they could affect his reputation and jeopardize his future livelihood. He was suspended from Penn State from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2016, and is eligible to re-enroll if he chooses. Issues that Doe raises are similar to those in a suit by a pre-med student from California who claims Penn State's disciplinary process in sexual misconduct cases is tainted by anti-male bias. In that case Brann issued a preliminary injunction in August 2017 that prevented Penn State from imposing sanctions against the student that included a suspension and a ban from the accelerated pre-med program affiliated with Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. Last September the university notified the student of the panel's findings and sanctions were vacated and he would be retried. Penn State later abandoned those plans. Penn State is seeking dismissal of that suit also, claiming the process that led to a finding that the pre-med violated the code of conduct was "appropriate, reasonable and lawful." An Ephrata man who was wandering around during heavy rain was hit by a car and died Tuesday, Ephrata Police said. Carlos A. Paredes-Pena, 24, was hit by a minivan around 8:44 p.m. Tuesday, while walking on Route 222, Ephrata Police said. The driver of the minivan, Po Hser, 37, of Lilitz, saw a man later identified as Paredes-Pena walking in the right lane of travel, tried to avoid hitting him, but was unable to, police said. When police arrived, Paredes-Pena was dead. Police said there was a heavy downpour making conditions of low visibility at the time. Before that, three other calls came into police that they believe were related, police reported: At 8:06 p.m., police were dispatched to the 100 block of Ridge Avenue. for a Silver Nissan Rogue that hit a curb, which disabled the car. When police arrived at 8:10 p.m., the vehicle was unoccupied and the driver was not there. At 8:20 p.m., police were dispatched to the the 400 block of Ridge Avenue for a hispanic male in his 20s, knocking on a door. The caller told police the man was shirtless with blood on his back. Police arrived but were unable to find the man. At 8:41 p.m., police began receiving calls that a man, not wearing a shirt, was walking in the middle of the southbound lane of Route 222 near mile marker 41. He was reported to be behaving in a bizarre manner. It was shortly after that police received the call about a man being hit by a southbound vehicle, police said. The southbound lanes of Rt. 222 were closed for approximately three and a half hours while police investigated. Ephrata Police were assisted by East Cocalico Police, Ephrata Ambulance, Pioneer Fire and Fire Police, and the Lancaster County Coroner's Office. Police are still investigating the incidents, and looking into why Paredes-Pena was walking on the highway behaving bizarrely. Anyone who witnessed the incidents are asked to contact Officer Fox at 717-738-9200 ext. 264. An interim Middletown police chief was named hours after George Mouchette, the borough's police chief, was suspended and charged with attempted rape. At the end of an otherwise uneventful Middletown Borough Council meeting Tuesday night, Mayor James Curry announced that Sgt. Dennis Morris has been appointed the interim chief. George Mouchette, as seen in a mugshot provided by the Dauphin County Judicial Center, after his arrest on Aug. 21, 2018 Earlier in the meeting, Curry re-read the statement he read live on Facebook earlier in the day Tuesday, discussing the arrest of Mouchette. Mouchette was charged with aggravated indecent assault, attempted rape and unlawful restraint Tuesday, accused of assaulting a woman in his office, while in uniform. In the statement, Curry said the suspension without pay came as mandated in the Confidence in Law Enforcement Act. He said the borough will move quickly to "attempt to resolve Chief Mouchette's employment status." No details were given regarding Morris' appointment to interim chief. Morris had been fired by the borough in 2014 and reinstated almost two years later by council after an arbitrator's ruling in his favor. There was no police update given to the council during the meeting although it was on the agenda. The council also voted to start the process of replacing an officer that retired. No members of the public addressed the news regarding the chief during the time for public comment. Mouchette is free on bond for his $25,000 bail. He has been the town's police chief for a little more than a year, making $96,000 a year when he was hired. A retired New York City detective, Mouchette was first brought on in an interim basis in January 2017. The Roman Catholic pastor of a southwestern Pennsylvania parish has been removed from ministry after the local diocese received what it calls a credible allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor. Wednesday's revelation by the Greensburg Diocese comes amid growing fallout from a state grand jury report that accused a succession of church leaders of covering up abuse by 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania since the 1940s. The Greensburg Diocese says the allegation against Monsignor Michael Matusak dates back almost 20 years. He's at least the third Catholic clergy member in Pennsylvania to be under investigation independently of the grand jury report. The diocese says it relayed the allegation to state child welfare authorities and the county prosecutor. The diocese says it's the only allegation it ever received against Matusak. MIDDLETOWN - The arrest of Middletown's police chief Tuesday on a charge of attempted rape was the talk of the town Wednesday, but most said it's a setback the borough will be able to take in stride. George Mouchette. "It came as a shock to everybody in Middletown," said 80-year-old Tom Richards as he ate a late breakfast at the popular Kuppy's Diner. But he doesn't think it will have much of an affect on their town. Or on their lives. "It shouldn't have any impact on the town," Richards said. "Middletown went through a lot over the years." If anything, it will just mean another police chief. Another in a long line of recent turnovers. "They're calling it a revolving door," said resident Cathy Deitz. She doesn't know Chief George Mouchette and has had few interactions with the police in her 30 years in Middletown, but when she does see officers, "they're wonderful. They're extremely professional," she said. Mouchette was placed on leave without pay when charges of aggravated indecent assault, attempted rape and unlawful restraint were filed against him Tuesday. Middletown Mayor James Curry made the announcement on the borough's Facebook page. Curry could not be reached for comment Wednesday. According to charging documents filed by the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office, Mouchette was in uniform in his office when he met with a woman for business purposes Aug. 13. That's when the woman told authorities that Mouchette grabbed her by the arm, forced her up on his desk, pulled her dress up and digitally penetrated her, according to charging documents. The woman repeatedly told him "no" and "stop" as he tried to have intercourse with her, documents state. It was not until after she agreed to meet with him outside of the department that he stopped, according to charging documents. Mouchette has posted bail. "I'm sorry, I can't make any comment," he said when reached at his Hummelstown home Wednesday. While the chiefs in Middletown seem to change frequently, residents say they still feel safe and have confidence in the department itself. At Tuesday night's borough council meeting, officials appointed Sgt. Dennis Morris as the latest interim chief. No details were given regarding Morris' appointment, but Morris had been fired by the borough in 2014 and reinstated almost two years later by council after an arbitrator's ruling in his favor. Today, life seemed to be normal in the quiet town. At Kuppy's Diner, between bites of bacon and eggs, most residents shared similar opinions. They said they didn't know the chief - a retired New York City police detective who served for a time as interim chief before being given the top job last year -- and it's awful if what he's accused of is true. "They brought him from New York City. I figured he was going to be a good chief, but apparently he didn't turn out very well," Richards said. "I guess we'll have to let it play out to see what it's all about." And taking a walk around town on a sunny morning, Deitz said it was shocking news. "I think it's very unfortunate, however, the few interactions we've had with the police force here in Middletown have all been very satisfactory," she said. "I trust that will continue, no matter who is in charge." When her dog was attacked by another dog, the officers she dealt with were wonderful and professional, she said. Taryn Stouffer, who moved to Middletown six months ago, said he still feels safe in his new town. "Just because one person does something wrong, not everyone in the police force is doing something wrong," he said. According to Middletown's website, the department has 11 full-time officers and four part-time patrol officers. But it has seen a revolving door of chiefs and interim chiefs. Morris is the seventh acting, interim or permanent police chief to serve in the borough since February 2012, when Keith Reismiller resigned after 15 years, the Press and Journal of Middletown has reported. Mouchette replaced permanent chief, John Bey, who resigned in December 2016. He served for just over two years in the position. Borough Council President Damon Suglia said at the time of Mouchette's hiring that borough officials were tired of the revolving door of police chiefs, according to the Press and Journal. Suglia and the mayor could not be reached for comment Wednesday about whether they plan to begin a search for a new chief. A mother who admitted stabbing her grown son in the chest during an argument on Christmas Eve has lost a bid to overturn her 4- to 10-year prison term. The loss came when a state Superior Court panel denied Rachel Fallat's appeal of her conviction for aggravated assault. Fallat claimed on appeal that her lawyer misled her into pleading guilty in Columbia County Court to the aggravated assault count for the Dec. 24. 2014 stabbing at her Berwick home. Her son suffered a collapsed lung and other injuries but survived. Fallat, now 48, originally faced a more serious charges including attempted murder. As Senior Judge John L. Musmanno noted in the Superior Court's opinion, Fallat initially told police her son had injured himself with a broken plate. On appeal to the state judges, Fallat claimed her lawyer was ineffective for not providing her with all the information the prosecution had on the case, and for not telling her that her son wasn't willing to testify against her. Fallat insisted her attorney should have secured a psychological evaluation to prove she suffers from battered woman syndrome and should have pursued a self-defense claim. Those supposed shortcomings caused her to enter an unknowing and involuntary guilty plea, she argued. Musmanno noted Fallat told the county judge at her guilty plea hearing that she was satisfied with her lawyer's aid. When asked why she stabbed her son, Fallat replied, "I was wrong in my actions and lost (my) temper," Musmanno wrote. As for the self-defense claim, Musmanno cited the defense attorney's observation that Fallat gave three conflicting statements about the stabbing. The lawyer said a battered woman defense was unlikely to succeed since it wasn't a spousal abuse case. Musmanno concluded Fallat knew what she was doing when she pleaded guilty and wasn't coerced into doing so. Court records show that at the time of the stabbing Fallat was on probation after pleading guilty in 2013 to charges of making terroristic threats, resisting arrest and public drunkenness. Update: Sean Williams' attorney responds to the DA's decision. A Lancaster police officer who used a Taser on a man sitting on a sidewalk won't face criminal charges, but a review of the incident by the county district attorney found the department's policies were "critically flawed." Video of the June 28 arrest went viral when it was posted to Facebook. Police were called to the area of South Prince and West Mifflin streets that day for a report of a combative person, and found Sean Williams, 27. When police told Williams to sit down, he initially refused to do so. Police warned him several times that they would use a Taser on him. Williams eventually complied and sat, but an instruction to "cross them" led him to shift his legs, which prompted Officer Philip Bernot to use his Taser. Lancaster Police said the instruction was to have his legs straight out, crossed at the ankle, and Williams was not complying. The DA's office said that given the law and internal policies in place at the time, Bernot's actions were within the scope of these policies. Therefore, the district attorney concluded Bernot did not commit a crime. Specifically, the review found Bernot did not intend to commit a crime when he used his Taser. However, there were issues found during the investigation, according to a statement from the DA's office. "We discovered what we feel are critical shortcomings in department policy as it existed at the time of the Taser incident," the statement reads. "I have articulated my concerns and those shortcomings in detailed memorandum which was sent this week to Lancaster city officials and the police department. I also provided the memorandum an assessment of police interaction with Mr. Williams," District Attorney Craig Stedman said in the statement. "Additionally, I have verbalized my concerns to members of the police department during ongoing conversations." The DA's office said it would not be releasing the memorandum to the public because the memo discusses details of the department's internal operation procedures and policies. The office left it to the discretion of the city and its police department as to whether to make the memorandum public. The social media post providing the statement said the district attorney's office found policies that were "critically flawed" and they hope this is a "stepping stone toward improved community-police relationships rather than a re-examination of the incident. Join us in that effort." The DA's office said it would not hold a news conference or provide additional interviews on the matter. In July, the Lancaster Police Department said Bernot would not be disciplined for the incident, which outraged activist groups. The President Donald Trump administration recently loosened rules on short-term health insurance plans, prompting Pennsylvania's insurance commissioner to warn consumers about the pitfalls of such plans. Here's what you need to know about the debate: Q: What happened? A: Under President Obama, short-term health insurance plans had a maximum term of three months and were intended to be a last resort to fill a gap, such as when someone is between jobs. The rule changes enacted by Trump's administration means insurers now can sell short-term policies that last up to 12 months, and renew them for up to 36 months. Q: Why did he do it? A: Trump said it will result in plans that are more affordable. To make that possible, the short-term plans aren't required to provide the 10 essential benefits required by the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The essential benefits include things such as preventive care, maternity care, coverage of prescription drugs, and drug and alcohol treatment. Also, the short-term plans can reject people with pre-existing conditions, such as a medical history that includes a heart attack. That wasn't allowed with ACA-approved plans. Beyond that, insurers can place lifetime limits on what the coverage will pay for, which also was not allowed with ACA-approved plans. Q: What's the concern? A: The main worry is that people will be lured by low premiums and find out too late they don't have the coverage they thought they were getting. This could prevent them from getting the medial care they need, or leave them with big medical bills. Jessica Altman, Pennsylvania's insurance commissioner, sounded an alarm on Tuesday. She said short term-plans are sometimes marketed deceptively, with the buyer being led to believe the coverage is comprehensive. Buyers find out too late their medical need isn't covered, leaving them with crippling medical bills. "Purchasing one of these plans is taking a gamble on your health and on your financial well-being," Altman said. Altman said she expects such plans will be marketed more heavily as a result of Trump's endorsement of them. "I'm very concerned these deceptive marketing practices will increase," she said. Q: Are we likely to see more marketing of the short-term plans? A: Yes. In addition to the three-month limit, the plans had another big factor working against them: Since they didn't meet ACA standards for coverage, they didn't count toward the individual mandate. Someone with such a plan could be fined for failing to meet the mandate that every one have coverage. However, the Republican tax overhaul eliminated the individual mandate beginning in 2019. So as of next year, there's no penalty for not having coverage -- or having a short-term plan that doesn't meet Obamacare standards. Q: So what should a person shopping for health insurance do? A: The first thing is to understand that short-term plans that don't meet ACA standards won't be sold on the ACA electronic marketplace, or exchange. The short-term plans typically will be sold by individual brokers. Plans sold on the exchange will continue to have the protections such as coverage for the 10 essential benefits and no lifetime caps. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has also published a brochure to help people understand the differences between the two types of coverage and ask the right questions. Q: What else is worth knowing about the short-term plans and the debate surrounding them? A: Supporters of the short-term plans concede they're not suited for everyone. Trump administration officials have said they might be good for someone who needs temporary coverage, such as someone who is between jobs. The critics fear insurers will use them to appeal to young, healthy people who are less likely to need medical care. That will put those healthier people in a "parallel" health insurance market where their premiums don't offset the costs of sicker people. This will drive up costs for sicker people and anyone who, because of a medical condition, can't qualify for the cheaper coverage, or can't renew because they got sick. A co-owner of Camp Hill-based Keystone Biofuels Inc. has reached a tentative deal with federal prosecutors to plead guilty to a $4.15 million fraud. Race Miner's plea agreement won't be final unless accepted by U.S. Middle District Judge John E. Jones III. If approved the agreement would resolve one half of a federal prosecution that began last year. Miner's business partner, Ben Wootton of Enola, continues to fight federal charges lodged against him. Investigators claim Wootton and Miner, a Colorado resident, scammed the government by producing biodiesel at their Shiremanstown and Camp Hill facilities that didn't meet federal standards for that type of fuel, which contains animal fats and vegetable oils. The pair also are charged with doctoring fuel samples, falsifying production and sales records and obtaining unwarranted "renewable fuels" tax breaks from the IRS. The crimes occurred between January 2009 and January 2012, prosecutors contend. Miner's tentative plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office calls for him to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge that carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors would agree to make no recommendation regarding what sentence Miner should receive. Miner would be required to make $4.15 million in restitution to the IRS. He would have to resign from any firms or associations involved in the biofuels industry. Congratulations to the intrepid Nancy Eshelman for calling out the pathological liar we currently call president. She is definitely on par with the Woodwards and Bernsteins and many other contemporaries who had and have the courage and bravery to call out another pseudologist and protect democracy at any cost. With blatant falsehoods the likes of which have been rarely seen in history, the occupant in the White House has systematically tried to demolish the pillars of democracy which are the free press, an informed and bipartisan opposition and an independent judiciary, either directly or through his network of sycophants. The damage he has caused to the very brand of this great and mighty nation will be felt for years to come. As Shakespeare himself quoted what a tangled web we weave when we start to deceive. One only hopes that whatever the outcome of the next elections and political affiliation aside, we elect people with integrity who have respect for the truth no matter the price, without which we will continue to be a functioning anarchy. JUDE D'SOUZA, Swatara Twp. By Jeffrey Lord Where to begin? How about with John Edwards? You remember John Edwards? The Democratic Senator from North Carolina, the 2004 vice-presidential nominee on then-Senator John Kerry's ticket, and finally a presidential candidate a second time himself in the 2008 Democratic primaries, losing to then Sen. Barack Obama. Jeffrey Lord (PennLive file) In 2011, Edwards was indicted on multiple counts of violating campaign finance laws. Why? It seems that in the run-up to his 2008 campaign Edwards had had an affair which, in turn, produced a pregnant mistress. Wealthy campaign donors stepped to the plate and used $1 million to cover-up the affair. This, went the charge, was a deliberate violation of campaign finance law. The result? A jury found Edwards innocent on one count, with a mistrial declared on the rest. The government gave up and declined to try him a second time. The Edwards story comes to mind as the news arrives that President Donald Trump's one-time lawyer, Michael Cohen is in the headlines for saying candidate Trump knew of payoffs to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Cohen, in trouble up to his neck for his own personal dealings that have nothing to do with Trump, also says that he arranged payments for the women - $130,000 for Daniels, $150,000 for McDougal - to keep them quiet during the campaign. And that Trump knew. Cohen's lawyer, ex-Bill Clinton attorney Lanny Davis, says his client has information that will be of interest to Special Counsel Robert Mueller. So the charge is exactly the charge that failed with Edwards: a violation of campaign finance laws to buy silence. Cohen, already described by the government as a repeated liar, is being accused of lying by the president. Suffice to say, when the government accuses a target of lying, it doesn't make a strong case for the government when they turn around and suddenly insist the target is a truth-teller. Not to mention that Mueller, whose task was to prove Trump collusion with Russia in 2016 has thus far struck out, with zero evidence of Trump-Russian collusion. (And no, Don Jr's.taking a meeting with a Russian who says she has information on Hillary Clinton is not collusion - its plain, old fashioned opposition research. Notably, there was no dirt.) There is one other problem here for the government. The 2008 Obama campaign was fined $375,000 by the Federal Election Commission - for campaign reporting violations, which is to say breaking campaign finance laws. It was one of the largest fines ever levied. Mysteriously, the Obama Justice Department, run by the self-described Obama "wingman" Attorney General Eric Holder, declined to prosecute the president or his campaign. All of which says this: Unless there will be an admission that we have a two-tiered justice system, with one standard for Edwards and Obama and a different standard for Trump? Then the president - in a classic "he-said, he-said" - situation with Cohen, doesn't have a serious legal problem here. What the president does have is a political problem. And in the political world, now as always, reality counts. That reality for Trump means that his enemies are going to prove for the umpteenth time that they hate Trump. Due to a thorough-going case of Trump Derangement Syndrome, they will foam and foam about impeachment. All of which will energize Trump supporters, who see the President as a one-man army doing battle with the swampiest warriors in the Washington Swamp. Meanwhile, in the real world, the economy hums along and unemployment is down. You'll recall that in 1998, with the economy similarly roaring, Republicans who campaigned for Bill Clinton's impeachment over a sex scandal were soundly defeated. They became the first out-of-the White House party since 1934 to fail to gain seats in the mid-term congressional elections. Clinton's supporters lectured that Clinton's problems were "only about sex" - and the American people agreed. Twenty years later, one suspects that Trump must be privately salivating over a campaign by Democrats that focuses on impeaching him for a sex scandal that he denies - while the economy roars along. Even if Democrats win the House -- which is certainly possible -- what happens if they move on impeachment? It takes two-thirds of the Senate to convict, and that two-thirds vote will be impossible to come by. Yet it would provide months of national theater for Democrats to showcase their Trump obsession - becoming the perfect Trump foil and doing nothing but helping Trump's re-election prospects. There is a line from the Clint Eastwood movie Sudden Impact that Ronald Reagan once used when Democrats were threatening to raise taxes. Said the Gipper: "Go ahead, make my day." One suspects that whether he says it or not, President Trump is looking out at Robert Mueller and his various screeching opponents thinking just that. PennLive Opinion contributor Jeffrey Lord, of East Pennsboro Township, is a conservative author and commentator and a former political analyst for CNN. His work appears frequently on PennLive Opinion. Did Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner just invite his employees to form a union? He surely didn't mean to, but his remarks at a campaign appearance in Erie on Monday night were certainly provocative. And they reveal a lot about the York businessman and how he thinks -- possibly more than the tax returns he refuses to make public, which were the topic of his comment. "If I disclose those tax returns," he said, "union representatives get a hold of my tax returns, go around to my employees' homes at night and say, 'Hey Mrs. Jones, how much does your husband make?' She goes, 'Well he makes this.' 'Well this guy makes a lot more.'" The remarks , reported by The Associated Press Tuesday, were caught on video by the Democratic Party. So first, Wagner himself apparently believes that the income gap between him and his employees could be perceived as unfair, enough at any rate to prompt his workers to seek more by successfully unionizing. And second, what century is he living in? The idea of pesky union reps coming around at night to bother the little woman while she's sitting home alone and vulnerable is odd, to say the least. It's more likely Mrs. Jones is also exhausted from a day at her job and that the representative would be recruiting both the Joneses to sign a union card. And we think each can make an independent decision on where their interests lie. Wagner's fear of unions is palpable, and he seems to believe his workers would be happy with their situation unless professional unionizers come along to stir the pot. But isn't treating workers well -- and letting them know it -- the best way to keep unions out of the workplace? We've urged Wagner before to release his tax return. His opponent, Gov. Tom Wolf, sought an extension on his 2017 tax return but has pledged to release the first two pages of the document and open the rest of it to inspection by reporters after it is filed. The Democrat did something similar during his first campaign for governor in 2014, when he beat then-Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, who also released a tax return. Why do we think the issue is important? It's not because we think it's wrong to be wealthy -- it's part of the American Dream that any citizen can raise themselves up through initiative and hard work. But when you have candidates such as both Wagner and Wolf who claim their business acumen is a primary qualification for the job of leading the commonwealth, a tax return can offer some proof to back up their claims. How a person runs a business and manages money can point to how well they'll govern. It would be more reassuring to see that the man running Penn Waste Inc., a $75 million business, has a huge income than to see that he's barely taking home more than a mid-level executive -- unless it's by choice. If Donald Trump would let voters see his tax return, he would end once and for all the speculation that his businesses have not been as successful as he claims. Voters also need to know whether an elected official's financial interests pose a potential conflict with their public obligations. In his required "statement of financial interest" filed with the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, Wagner has reported more than 30 sources of income, most prominently as the president of Penn Waste. His statement also hints at holdings in hotels, freight hauling, property and a diesel engine dealership, as well as dozens of debts. And we're expected to take his word there's nothing there we need to be concerned about. And voters want reassurance that taxes are being paid as they should be, not that a dozen different tax dodges have been employed to keep the tax bill down. It's not wealth that enrages voters, it's cheating. We can understand how a private citizen used to keeping the details of his life close to the vest would be reluctant to disclose information that others don't have to, but public service requires a certain amount of sacrifice in that regard. No one is forced to run for office. Wagner chooses to put himself out there for public scrutiny. He should bow to past practice and release his tax returns so voters can put together a more complete picture of the man, his business interests and his skills. A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Pennsylvania's system of funding public schools is now able to move forward to trial. Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson on Tuesday issued a ruling, denying the last of the preliminary objections made by legislative leaders that claimed the implementation of a school funding formula in 2016, two years after the lawsuit was filed, rendered the case moot. In his ruling, Simpson stated at this juncture, "there are sufficient legal and factual issues that remain in dispute, such that this court cannot find petitioners' constitutional claims moot." No trial date has been scheduled. Bringing the case against state government officials are six families and six school districts, along with some statewide associations. In their lawsuit, they allege the Legislature is not living up to its constitutional responsibility of providing a "thorough and efficient" education system, resulting in underfunding and gross disparities in funding allocations that penalize students in poorer school districts. In court filings, they argued that the disparity between the wealthiest and poorest school districts has widened by $720 per child, from $3,058 to $3,778 since the new funding formula was put in place. That is because that new formula applies only to the new dollars invested in basic education since the formula's adoption. The House Democratic Caucus figures the formula applies to just 8.8 percent - or $539 million - of the $6 billion put into basic education funding in the 2018-19 budget. "We are pleased that the court has denied respondents' baseless attempt to dismiss our lawsuit," said Maura McInerney, legal director for the Philadelphia-based Education Law Center. "As the court recognized, our challenge to the inadequacy and inequity of Pennsylvania's broken school funding system will persist. We look forward to presenting our case at trial." The families, school districts and statewide associations are asking the court to direct the General Assembly to adopt a fair and adequate funding system and fund it, which could result in a need for increasing the funding for basic education by several billion dollars. Neal Lesher, a policy director to House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny County, said the court ruling on the motion wasn't totally unexpected. Nevertheless, he pointed out that the Legislature has increased overall funding for schools by over $2 billion since 2015, when the new funding formula became law. "This year, funding is at a historic high of $12.3 billion," Lesher said. "New funding is being distributed through a revised funding formula that was enacted by the legislature in 2015. That formula ensures wealthier districts get less state money than those in need. Crafting a budget, including education funding, is constitutionally a legislative matter that we take very seriously. We continue to believe that this matter does not belong in the courts." An attempt to get a comment from the chief counsel to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, late Tuesday afternoon was unsuccessful. Philadelphia-based Public Interest Law Center staff attorney Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg said the funding system as it exists today deprives students of the resources they need. "We are talking about basics: not enough teachers, out-of-date books, and buildings that crumble around the children inside of them. That was the reality when we filed the case, and it continues today," he said. Gov. Tom Wolf is among the respondents named in the case; however, he opposed the mootness challenge and urged the court to allow the case to move to trial swiftly. This is the second time the case has rested in the hands of the Commonwealth Court. The first time, that court threw out the case, saying jurisdiction over school funding is a legislative matter. The petitioners appealed that ruling to the state Supreme Court, which in a divided decision last fall, ruled there are judicially manageable standards for court to review school funding issues. It remanded the case back to Commonwealth Court for a full trial. Petoskey XC teams earn first dual regional titles since 2003 CHIPPEWA HILLS The Petoskey girls cross country team made a name for themselves a year ago by capturing the Division 2 state crown. Year after year, Boris Tetzlaff enjoys his rough terrain at home near Vienna even more. Lifted up by a lovely restored 50 cc Puch moped, which puts a big smile on the face of the former Austrian downhill champ. To escape the erupted trails, Boris travels to Kalnica/Slovakia to smash some berms on the smoothed out and well-designed tracks.Dial your lines to get the flow.Precision is key to ride those sections fast.The close Bikepark Kalnica provides high-quality tracks with one of the flowiest jump lines in Europe. Due to the warm winters and low altitude, riding until new years eve is no rarity! The great variety of short tracks keeps riding sharp.The Slovakian shapers really know how to build berm to berm jumps. 533 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trumps former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty in New York on Tuesday to campaign finance violations and other charges, saying he made payments to influence the 2016 election at the direction of a candidate for federal office. The guilty pleas came in the same hour that a federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, convicted former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort of eight charges of tax and bank fraud and failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. Cohen, 51, appearing in federal court in Manhattan, pleaded guilty to one count of willfully causing an unlawful corporate campaign contribution and one count of making an excessive campaign contribution. Cohen, one of Trumps closest associates for more than a decade, said he arranged to make payments for (the) principal purpose of influencing (the) election at the direction of a candidate for federal office. He did not give the candidates name. Porn star Stormy Daniels has said Cohen paid her $130,000 shortly before the November 2016 election to keep quiet about a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump. In addition, Cohen recorded a conversation with Trump two months before the election in which they discussed buying the rights to a story by former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who said she had an affair with Trump, lawyer Rudy Giuliani said last month. Under U.S. election law, campaign contributions, defined as things of value given to a campaign in order to influence an election, must be disclosed. A payment intended to silence allegations of an affair just before an election could constitute a campaign contribution, some experts have said. Cohen, who once said he would take a bullet for Trump, agreed to a plea bargain with federal prosecutors earlier Tuesday. He also pleaded guilty to five counts of tax fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution. The plea deal includes a possible sentence of up to five years and three months in prison, Judge William Pauley III said during the hearing. Pauley scheduled sentencing for Dec. 12 and set bail at $500,000. Manafort convictions resulted from U.S. Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible coordination with Trumps Republican campaign. The probe also led to a referral from Mueller about Cohen to federal prosecutors in New York, who began their own probe of the attorney. Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion with Russia or having sex with Daniels or McDougal, and has called the Mueller investigation a witch hunt. Russia has denied meddling in the election. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded Moscow interfered. Cohen, who worked as Trumps personal attorney at the Trump Organization, continued to advise the president after the election. But their relationship had frayed in recent months. In court on Tuesday, Cohens voice cracked as he answered questions from Pauley. Asked a standard question about whether he had consumed any alcohol or drugs before making his guilty plea, Cohen said he had had only a glass of 12-year-old Glenlivet, single-malt scotch with dinner the night before. Cohen agreed to the plea deal to save millions of dollars, protect his family and limit his exposure, Politico said, quoting an unnamed source. The investigation of Cohen included a raid in April by FBI agents, who seized documents and files from his office, home and hotel room. The New York Times had reported on Sunday that federal prosecutors were focused on more than $20 million in loans obtained by Cohen from taxi businesses owned by him and his family. Muellers investigation, which began in May 2017, has resulted in the indictment of more than 30 people and five guilty pleas. The April FBI raids provoked an immediate reaction from Trump, who asked a judge to block prosecutors from reviewing the materials they had seized, citing attorney-client privilege. The effort was unsuccessful. A number of Cohens financial dealings since Trumps January 2017 inauguration have become public. Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG has said it had paid Cohen nearly $1.2 million in a consulting deal; U.S. telecommunications company AT&T Inc said it made payments of $600,000; and South Koreas Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd said it hired him for $150,000. Critics have said the payments may have been attempts to buy influence with the president. Cohen also received $500,000 from Columbus Nova LLC, a New York company linked to Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg. The firm has said the transaction had nothing to do with Vekselberg. (Reporting by Brendan Pierson and Jonathan Stempel; Writing by Jonathan Oatis; Editing by Susan Thomas and; James Dalgleish) 4.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) sat down with President Trumps Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh on Tuesday but remains convinced he is a threat to equal justice under the law as well as concerned by the way Republicans are trying to skip the entire vetting process on their nominee. Today, I sat down with Judge Kavanaugh to ask him a number of pointed questions about this nomination process and about his record, the Democratic Senator said in a statement sent to PoliticusUSA. After that meeting, I remain convinced that he is a threat to the promise inscribed above the Supreme Court, Equal Justice Under Law, and disturbed by the hasty and incomplete process of this nomination. The decision to rush through this process without providing the Senateor the American peoplesufficient time or information to fully consider this nomination is unacceptable, She continued, citing the fact that Senate Republicans blocked the release of millions of documents from Judge Kavanaughs career. Furthermore, nothing in my meeting with Judge Kavanaugh changes my read of his recordhe is well outside the mainstream and threatens hard won rights and protections for all Americans. Judge Kavanaugh has expressed his hostility to Roe v. Wade and his statements make clear he is a threat to the ACA. He has routinely sided with special interests and big corporations against civil rights, workers rights, and environmental protections. And with a President who regularly disregards the rule of law, it is especially troubling that Judge Kavanaugh has repeatedly suggested that presidents should be above the law. Harris will continue to object to Kavanaughs nomination based on her meeting with him. This flies in the face of Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), who somehow managed to pretend today that while Kavanaugh is against Roe V Wade and was nominated precisely because of this and the often accompanying special favors for the most wealthy among us (one functions as a mask for the other), he wont be a threat to a womans right to choose. We talked about whether he considered Roe to be settled law, Collins told reporters Tuesday. He said he agreed with what (Supreme Court Chief) Justice (John) Roberts said at his nomination hearing, in which he said that it was settled law. Of course, Kavanaugh is a threat to a womans right to choose. Even if he doesnt act on his belief that Roe V Wade is not right, he will undermine it by helping Republicans undermine Obamacare/ACA. And thats when hes not helping/conspiring to Keep Out of Jail the Criminal Enterprise that is the Trump administration. No, this man is not fit for the highest court in the land, and Senator Harris is having none of the baloney Republicans are trying to pass off as actual vetting when they are allowing his own deputy to hand pick the documents you get to see. 1.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard During an interview on The Rachel Maddow Show, Michael Cohens attorney, Lanny Davis, said that Cohen has information that Special Counsel Robert Mueller should be very interested in hearing. Video: During an interview on The Rachel Maddow Show, Michael Cohens attorney, Lanny Davis, said that Cohen has information that Special Counsel Robert Mueller should be very interested in hearing. https://t.co/VQrFME3xgY pic.twitter.com/bs0nfVfATd PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) August 22, 2018 Davis said, Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell special counsel all that he knows. Not just about the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election. the Trump Tower meeting was all about. But also, knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr. Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on. We know that he publicly cheered it on. Did he also have private information? Rachel Maddow followed up, I want to underscore what you referenced, that Mr. Cohen has information about the president and his advance knowledge of the crime of hacking during the campaign. And youre saying that Mr. Cohen, whether or not he has spoken to the special counsels office, he would be happy to discuss that with the special counsel, separate and apart from everything that happened today in the Southern District of New York? Davis answered, I hate to be overly legalistic with you, but Im not going to confirm what knowledge Michael has. I will confirm that Mr. Mueller, who I greatly respect, will have a lot of interest in what Michael has to say. And by the way, on just the crime of directing somebody to commit a crime, as you pointed out in your opening. It was a crime for president trump to direct Michael Cohen to the crime of a campaign finance donation that exceeded the legal limitations. Michael Cohen knows a lot more, and he is going to tell Robert Mueller Lanny Davis wasnt making empty threats. Michael Cohen has entered a plea of guilty. There is nothing left for him to gain by threatening Trump. From all appearances, it looks like Cohen feels used and burned by Trump, and he is now going to tell the world what he knows about the president. Donald Trump is very scared for a reason. Cohens knowledge goes beyond the Trump Tower meeting. He probably does know if Trump was conspiring with Russians over the hacked DNC and Hillary Clinton campaign emails. Michael Cohen is about to show Trump the same amount of loyalty that the president showed him, and big winners are going to be Robert Mueller, the American people, and US democracy. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 846 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard WASHINGTON (Reuters) U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter, a Republican from California, was indicted on charges that he and his wife used campaign funds to pay for personal expenses and filed false campaign finance reports, federal officials said on Tuesday. Hunter, who was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, has been accused of conspiracy, wire fraud, falsification of records and other charges, said Adam Braverman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California. Braverman, in a prepared statement, said a federal grand jury indicted the lawmaker and his wife for misusing more than $250,000 in campaign funds to pay for family vacations, groceries, video games, meals and other personal expenses. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Tom Brown) 1.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Michael Cohen is lucky, because as he faces the biggest legal challenge of his life and takes on the President of the United States there is someone available to help him who has been through very similar experiences: John Dean. Dean of course was the White House counsel during the administration of Richard Nixon and during the Watergate affair. And it was Dean who eventually turned on Nixon and helped put him in such legal jeopardy that he was forced to resign from the presidency. On Sunday President Trump tweeted, after the news came out that White House Counsel Don McGahn had cooperated with Muellers team, that McGahn wasnt a John Dean type RAT because he wasnt testifying behind the back of the White House. The failing @nytimes wrote a Fake piece today implying that because White House Councel Don McGahn was giving hours of testimony to the Special Councel, he must be a John Dean type RAT. But I allowed him and all others to testify I didnt have to. I have nothing to hide The failing @nytimes wrote a Fake piece today implying that because White House Councel Don McGahn was giving hours of testimony to the Special Councel, he must be a John Dean type RAT. But I allowed him and all others to testify I didnt have to. I have nothing to hide Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2018 Cohen, Trumps former personal lawyer, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to tax evasion, campaign finance violations and making false financial statements. He also made statements under oath about his actions during the Trump campaign, which implicated President Trump in his crimes. Dean gave an interview yesterday that revealed how he views current events and the role that Cohen may play in bringing down the president. John Dean, former White House counsel for Richard Nixon: I think weve established today that we have a criminal president, and that is historic John Dean, former White House counsel for Richard Nixon: I think weve established today that we have a criminal president, and that is historic https://t.co/3bM6GNRnLS Bloomberg Politics (@bpolitics) August 22, 2018 Concerning Cohens plea deal Dean said: He has pretty much identified the President as a criminal. He said he did it at his behest. If Trump werent President, he probably would be named as a co-conspirator and indicted. Its conspiracy. Watergate was a conspiracy. This is a campaign conspiracy. Concerning the Manafort trial verdict he said: Its not surprising. Its clear that jury went carefully through the case. I wouldnt be surprised if they were somewhat affected by the speed with which the judge forced the prosecution to put [the trial] on, [which] made some of it confusing to them, but they seemed to get the big issues. They got the bank fraud, understood that. Its an opening shot by the Special Counsel. It really sets up the situation that Manafort was in. When asked how he felt when Trump called him a rat for his role in Watergate Dean said: That just didnt surprise me at all. Every day, he throws invective at somebody. I was trying to be the honest guy and stop all this nonsense of spinning and lying and twisting history. I was more distressed or annoyed by him calling the true public servants who have taken salary cuts to go to work for Bob Mueller thugs. Thats just so uncalled for. These are men who are committed to the rule of law, who are doing the honorable thing. Its just disappointing coming out of the President of the United States. Hes just denigrating the office every day hes there. John Dean is the kind of American hero who keeps America strong by protecting the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. The events that transpired yesterday will restore faith in the legal process for many Americans, as they see that justice will indeed prevail. 1.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard There are two big unanswered questions concerning yesterdays Michael Cohen plea deal: Is Cohen a cooperating witness who has flipped on Trump and will be working with prosecutors to bring down the president? Since Trump has not been indicted as a co-conspirator, when might that change and when might the president actually be indicted? It appears that the answer to #1 is yes which leaves as the real mystery the second question. Most of the mainstream media commentators who are talking about this right now seem to be of the opinion that Trump will not be indicted either by Mueller or by the team of Justice Department prosecutors in the Southern District of New York (where Cohen pleaded guilty). And they may be right, because there is very little precedent to go on concerning presidential indictments, and Justice Department guidelines seem to prohibit it. At the very least, we know that the president would fight a federal indictment because weve been told that by his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. But now a new theory concerning presidential indictments has come up, thanks to Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. NY state and local prosecutors can go after Trump for crimes, thanks to Michael Cohens guilty plea. Will they? My @DCReportMedia piece explains the law and the opportunity to do justice. NY state and local prosecutors can go after Trump for crimes, thanks to Michael Cohen's guilty plea. Will they? My @DCReportMedia piece explains the law and the opportunity to do justice. https://t.co/LnhUpPFwHp David Cay Johnston (@DavidCayJ) August 22, 2018 According to Johnston, Michael Cohens guilty plea opens the door to state criminal charges for Trump, his company, and his kids. He wrote that Michael Cohens guilty plea: exposes the president to criminal prosecution in New York State, an angle the mainstream news organizations have all missed. State prosecution is a critical concern because Trump has the constitutional authority to pardon Cohen, or commute his sentence, for federal crimes. Trump claims he can pardon himself and continue in office. Trump has claimed the power to fire Robert Mueller, the special prosecutor, or hobble his inquiry, and authority to take over the investigation and even run it himself. But Trump has no power to stop any state-level criminal investigation or pardon anyone convicted of state crimes. Justice Department guidelines prohibit indicting a sitting president, though he could be prosecuted after leaving office. No such restriction applies to New York and other state prosecutors, however, who are limited only by their willingness to act in the public interest. In his plea deal Cohen testified that he committed crimes in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office which everyone knows means Donald Trump. So Cohen has testified that he worked with the president to commit at least two serious criminal felonies. As Jeffrey Tobin, the legal analyst said on CNN.Donald Trump was a co-conspirator or an aider and abettor of this crime. Congressional Republicans have been protecting Trump but Cohens confession opens the door wide for New York state prosecutions by Cyrus A. Vance Jr., the Manhattan district attorney, and Barbara Underwood, the acting state attorney general. They are Democrats but so far have been reluctant to investigate Trump, for unknown reasons. According to Johnston, Vance and Underwood have taken oaths to that require them to treat all equally before the law and neither to make political decisions nor cower before a high office holder. But will they uphold their oaths or ignore the opporunity that is before them? Johnston says that a state investigation would begin with New York State Penal Code Article 20 which provides that when one person engaged in conduct which constitutes an offense, as Cohen admitted that he did, another person is criminally liable for such conduct if he solicits, requests, commands, importunes or intentionally aids such a person to engage in such conduct. The state laws in question are very clear, and it is very clear that both Cohen and Trump violated them. The hush money payments have been admitted, and thus violations of numerous state laws have also been admitted. Culpability lies with Cohen, Trump, Trumps organizations and others involved, including his family. According to Johnston: Cohens confession to tax crimes and to the hush money payments could, with additional investigation, provide a powerful wedge to investigate the Trump Organization, Trump and Cohen under New York State racketeering law. At a bare minimum, Cohens allocution to his crimes provides Vance and Underwood with a solid reason to open criminal investigations. The question for Empire State voters is whether they will demand that these officials do their duty. New York officials could make history by indicting a sitting president. Hopefully they will do that because our country is at risk and steps need to be taken immediately to minimize that risk which arises from the lawlessness of the Trump presidency. 552 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Trump has now been implicated in multiple felonies, which is why MSNBCs Ali Velshi gave a quick crash course on the impeachment process. Video: Velshi said: First of all, the House of Representatives draws up articles of impeachment. Think of the House as the prosecutor, the document details any, high crimes and misdemeanors that the president is believed to be guilty of. Only the House can bring charges against a president but any individual congressperson can start this process. Next, the House votes. At least two-thirds of the chamber have to approve the impeachment. 288 votes as its currently instituted since there are four vacancies in the House right now. This is a high bar making many impeachment proceedings a bipartisan effort, neither party can do it on their own. Once the House approves the articles of impeachment the matter goes to the Senate. The Senate tries the case and votes acting as defense, judge and jury. The threshold is two-thirds. Even half the chamber voting to impeach would still acquit the president. Two-thirds of the Senate, 67 as it stands right now are needed to vote guilty for impeachment. If they do, the president is removed from office, the vice president would then take his place. We have never gotten to this step before with the Senate acquitting Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Richard Nixon resigned before impeachment proceedings could begin. Had he not done that, he would have been impeached. Impeachment is looming on the horizon Impeachment is no longer a fever dream of some on the left. The President Of The United States has been implicated in felonies. In the short-term, Republicans in Congress can be expected to ignore this. Democrats may also not talk impeachment, because the Mueller investigation has not concluded, and the Special Counsel has not issued his report, but impeachment is the great unspoken in the current of American political discourse. If Democrats take back at least the House, impeachment will be on the table depending on the findings of the Mueller report. Keep this guide handy, because if the blue wave sweeps Democrats into power, and Robert Mueller provides the evidence, America could be heading for presidential impeachment. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 4.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Trump blew a fuse over the Michael Cohen guilty plea and claimed that Obama had an even bigger campaign finance violation. Trump tweeted: Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018 Trump is insisting that he is being treated unfairly because Obama had a big campaign finance violation too, but the difference is that the Obama campaign wasnt directed by the candidate to break the law in an effort to win an election. The 2012 Obama campaign was fined $375,000 for missing a 48-hour deadline for reporting contributions. As Politico reported in 2013, The major sticking point for the FEC appeared to be a series of missing 48-hour notices for nearly 1,300 contributions totaling more than $1.8 million an issue that lawyers familiar with the commissions work say the FEC takes seriously. The notices must be filed on contributions of $1,000 or more that are received within the 20-day window of Election Day. The Obama campaign didnt do anything illegal, like engage in a conspiracy to hide over the limit contributions to help their candidate win. The Obama campaign violated a reporting rule. They didnt commit a felony. Trump is falsely equating his felonies with Michael Cohen to Obama There is no comparison between the two situations. Trump thinks that he should be able to commit felonies and escape with a fine. What Donald Trump and Michael Cohen did was highly illegal. Trump directed Cohen to pay hush money to women that he had affairs with just before the 2016 election, and they used illegal methods to conceal the payments so that they would not be reported as campaign contributions. Trump is going back to that old Fox News/GOP trick of blaming Obama, but that gimmick has long expired. Trump directed Cohen to protect him from his wife and hide damaging information before the election. Eventually, Trump will pay for these crimes and no amount of Obama blame will help him escape justice. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 444 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard When hes not busy attacking Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton or Bob Mueller, Donald Trump loves to attack undocumented immigrants. He knows that whenever he talks about the immigration problem he scores political points with his base of supporters. He loves to talk about immigration whenever given the opportunity, and the recent murder of an Iowa college student gave him that chance, and he took full advantage of it. While firing up his partisan crowd in West Virginia last night Trump mentioned 20 year-old Mollie Tibbetts who was murdered three days ago in Iowa. The alleged killer is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in very sadly from Mexico, and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful, young woman, Trump said at his evening rally in West Virginia. Bragging about he is cracking down on violent illegal immigrants, Trump said Tibbetts death shouldve never happened. Weve had a huge impact, but the immigration laws are so bad, he told the crowd of his supporter. Then he added that a vote for any Democrat in November is a vote to eliminate immigration enforcement and allow violent criminals to be all over our communities. Trumps extreme comments were made just a few hours after Iowa authorities identified Christian Bahena Rivera, 24, as the primary suspect in the murder of Tibbetts, whose body was discovered earlier Tuesday. Tibbetts murder was also highly touted by Laura Ingraham and others on Fox News as an example of why the U.S. must have an immigration crackdown. Her murder is being used by Republicans to justify building a wall and for sending back more immigrants, even those who are here legally. OUTRAGE! Illegal Immigrant Charged With Murder Of Iowa College Student Mollie Tibbetts OUTRAGE! Illegal Immigrant Charged With Murder Of Iowa College Student Mollie Tibbetts https://t.co/2sig2L3dQV via @dailycaller Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) August 21, 2018 Sadly, the hypocrisy of the Republican Party has once again gone on display in the Mollie Tibbetts case. While Republicans are demonizing Democrats over open borders it turns out that a REPUBLICAN was the employer of the illegal immigrant who murdered Mollie. Riveras employer where had worked for four years with no legal problems was a farming corporation owned by one of Iowas most prominent Republicans. The company, Yarrabee Farms, is owned by Craig Lang who was: President of the Iowa Farm Bureau, Chair of the State Board of Regents, and Republican candidate for Secretary of Agriculture. In Iowa, those are VERY high profile positions. So why doesnt Fox News talk about the fact that a rich REPUBLICAN employed the illegal immigrant as a farm worker? The reason is that many, many Republican business owners want cheap labor, and they do not want to crack down on immigration in this country. This means that as Donald Trump and the GOP score political points and win elections by promising to crack down on immigrants, nothing ever happens because most big-money GOP donors want the cheap labor that illegal immigration gives them. This makes their businesses much more profitable. We know that GOP candidates will keep talking about Mollie Tibbetts as a way to scare voters into supporting their immigration crackdown and voting for Republicans. Its a sad thing for the memory of this lovely young lady to be used for such cynical political purposes, however. We know that Republicans will sink to any depth to win elections, even when their campaign positions are filled with lies and hypocrisy. And the Mollie Tibbetts case is just one more example. On August 21,the Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported that Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists that generally speaking Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump did not discuss the question of Ukraine and softening sanctions on Russia during their meeting in Helsinki in July. According to Peskov, the Kremlin is still awaiting concrete offers on cooperation in resolving the situation in Ukraine. However, the day after the meeting between the two presidents in Helsinki, Putin himself told the Russian state-owned TV First Channel that the two had discussed the topics of Ukraine and sanctions. Newsweek magazine quoted the Russian president as saying about the meeting with Trump: We talked about Ukraine. There are some new ideas on how to resolve the crisis in the southeast of the country. We agreed to work it out at the highest level. In my opinion, this is a positive element of the movement forward. Perhaps, although I say this tentatively. The two statements Putins in July and Peskovs more recent one contradict one another. It is impossible to determine which of the two is false and which is true, because the details of the discussion between Trump and Putin have never been released. Therefore, the Polygraph.info verdict is "unclear." Yet, Peskovs claim that Russia is still awaiting concrete proposals on what to do to soften U.S. sanctions is inaccurate, because the U.S. has made that position quite clear on a number of occasions, during both the Obama and Trump administrations. The U.S. State Department has published a number of the executive orders on sanctions since 2014, when they were first imposed in response to Russias annexation of the Crimean peninsula. Several of the executive orders themselves contain the words: Blocking property of certain persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine. In March, the State Department said that sanctions on Russia would remain until the Crimean peninsula was returned to Ukraine. In July, the White House also repeated this condition and said that the U.S. would not recognize Russias annexation of that territory. Context: Another Russian Claim, Ongoing and New Sanctions On the same day that Peskov made his claims about the meeting between Putin and Trump, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also talked to TASS. During his interview Lavrov claimed that U.S. sanctions against Russia werent really about Ukraine or Crimea but rather to deter Moscow. While Mr. Lavrov is entitled to his opinion, on the same day in Washington, DC, a U.S. Treasury undersecretary repeated that U.S. sanctions are guided by a clear understanding of the threat Russia poses to the U.S. and its allies. Sigal Mandelker, Treasury undersecretary listed the reasons for the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking: Russias occupation of Crimea; ongoing aggression against Ukraine; enabling massacres in Syria; use of chemical weapons to assassinate a former spy in Britain; malicious cyber attacks; human rights violations at home and ties to organized crime groups. Also on August 21, the U.S. Treasury slapped sanctions on two Russian shipping firms for ship-to-ship transfers of oil to North Korean vessels.The new sanctions against Primorye Maritome Logistics Co, Ltd and Gudzon Shipping Co. LLC involve six vessels. Additionally, the U.S. targets new Russian actors for attempting to circumvent earlier sanctions. Two companies, Vela Marine Ltd of St. Petersburg and Lacno S.R.O., based in Slovakia, face sanctions as do two Russian individuals: Marina Igorevna Tsareva and Anton Aleksandrovich Nagibin. The companies and individuals are accused of helping another company, Divetechnoservices, in buying underwater equipment for Russias FSB intelligence agency. Carnival Cruise Line's Sunshine is docked at the State Ports Authority's cruise terminal at Union Pier. The authority wants to build a more modern terminal for cruise ships at a warehouse just north of the current site. Environmental and historic preservation groups are opposing the plan. Staff/File You are the owner of this article. Mary Katherine, who also goes by MK, covers health care for The Post and Courier. She is also pursuing a master's degree in data science. She grew up in upstate New York and enjoys playing cards, kayaking and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Michael Majchrowicz is a reporter covering crime and public safety. He previously wrote about courts for the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton, Massachusetts. A Hoosier native, he graduated from Indiana University with a degree in journalism. 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. This fall at East Light Academy, a Mandarin language immersion school, teachers in pre-kindergarten through first grade will speak only Mandarin to their students for most of the day. "It's like dropping somebody in the water, and they have to do something to survive," said Principal Przemyslaw Murczkiewicz. While Mandarin Chinese is the most commonly spoken language on earth, Mandarin language programs are a rarity in South Carolina: East Light Academy is the first public school of its kind in the Charleston area. The school opened Monday serving about 150 students in a converted medical supply warehouse off Clements Ferry Road in Berkeley County. It may be the first of its kind, but it likely won't be the last. Demand for Mandarin language instruction is on the rise, as highlighted in a 2016 report by the International Association of Language Centres. The report surveyed agents for study-abroad language programs and showed rising demand for German and Mandarin educational opportunities worldwide, prompted in part by the centrality of Germany and China in the global economy. The report's authors also noted a change in students' motivation: "The purpose of learning a foreign language abroad is moving away from personal reasons (fun, desire to learn the language, travel component), towards career reasons (current or future studies, employment prospects)." A handful of private and public schools in South Carolina's metropolitan areas have begun offering Mandarin language instruction. The private Christian school Charleston Bilingual Academy, for example, offers bilingual programs for young children in Spanish and Mandarin. East Light Academy, modeled after West Columbia's East Point Academy, started this year serving students in 4-year-old pre-kindergarten (4K) through second grade and plans to add a grade every year up to eighth grade. Because the school is a member of the S.C. Public Charter School District, it accepts students from any South Carolina county, but parents must provide transportation. Giselle Koubenec drives about an hour each way from St. Stephen so her daughter Zoe can attend 4K at East Light. After meeting the teachers and reviewing the curriculum, she thinks the drive is well worth it. "I've been picky about schools here because South Carolina doesn't rank high in education," Koubenec said. She said her husband already had taught Zoe a few Mandarin phrases after returning from business trips to Taiwan, but she did not know until recently that her daughter could learn the language in a public school. "We didn't even think it was a possibility," she said. East Light is a public school and does not charge tuition for the upper grades, but parents of 4K students must pay a yearly fee of $5,500. School co-founder Hong Lee said this is because the state does not fund full-day 4K programs for charter schools. The sink-or-swim approach to language learning permeates most subjects at East Light. In a kindergarten classroom Monday, teacher Tina Bo wore a lanyard around her neck with flashcards showing images of basic instructions: Sit cross-legged, listen, et cetera. She'll speak to the students in Mandarin, and they'll pick up her meaning without her translating. "I mainly just use the pictures to show them, and also gestures, and the kids can say, oh, it means 'Clean up!'" Bo said. Teachers lead morning exercises in Mandarin, the music teacher introduces basic musical concepts in Mandarin, and math will be taught in the Chinese style multiplication first, then addition and subtraction. Most of the students do not come from Chinese-American families, but the theory is that students can learn the language like native speakers if they are immersed at an early age. "They will not only speak the language, but they will feel the language," Murczkiewicz said. That means using idioms properly and gaining appreciation for the culture, he said. Murczkiewicz knows something about sink-or-swim language learning. He arrived in the U.S. in 1997 at age 29 speaking fluent Polish but no English. He worked for a while at a Catholic school where many of the students and teachers spoke Spanish or Italian, and he learned to adapt. "In the beginning it's annoying, and then you understand it's part of the reality," he said. Will he pick up Mandarin now that he's leading a Mandarin school? "I will try," he said. The opening of a public Mandarin-language school could be a business boon for the Charleston area, according to Michael Graney, vice president of global business development for the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. Not only are Mandarin language skills a resume-booster for students going into international business, but Graney said the state also can use the school as a recruiting tool to lure international investment and business. "Having a school where Chinese employees would feel comfortable sending their children from our perspective, thats the biggest advantage," Graney said. A Spartanburg funeral home has surrendered its operating license rather than face a state disciplinary proceeding over the discovery of a body left to rot in a locked storage room for three years. First Family Funeral Home agreed this month to immediately and permanently relinquish its license to offer funeral services in South Carolina. The consent agreement between the home and the state Board of Funeral Service was signed by Lawrence Meadows, a First Family co-owner who faces a separate criminal charge in connection with the grisly discovery. The home came under scrutiny after Mary Alice Pitt Moores badly decomposed body was found in February, three years after she was supposed to have been cremated. After the 63-year-old woman died in March 2015, her body was stowed in an unrefrigerated room, draped in blankets and surrounded by air fresheners to mask the smell, the county coroner has said. The home's consent agreement with the state mentions none of those facts, nor does it detail other complaints that customers filed against the business. Lesia Kudelka, a spokeswoman for the funeral board, said state confidentiality laws preclude the board from discussing details of the case, including how many complaints were filed against First Family. State Sen. Scott Talley, attorney for First Family Funeral Home, did not return a phone message and an email seeking comment Tuesday. Attorney Christian Spradley, who represents Moore's family in a lawsuit against First Family, said he's not sure how much good the agreement does the public anyway, given that the two men at the heart of the case Meadows and co-owner Roderick Cummings weren't licensed to be working as funeral directors to begin with. Cummings never held a funeral director's license, and Meadows lost his in 2015 for forging a name on a dead persons life insurance paperwork to get access to the funds, according to state records. "They took away his license before, but that didn't stop this from happening," Spradley said. "I fully expected them to do away with (First Family's) license too, but I don't think that protects anyone from these guys." The pair, both 40-year-old pastors, were arrested last month by State Law Enforcement Division agents and charged with destruction, desecration or removal of human remains. Arrest affidavits from SLED allege the pair left the body to rot after Moores family failed to pay the funeral bill in full. The arrests came just days after The Post and Courier highlighted Moores story in Grave Misdeeds,a special report in June that questioned the states system for monitoring the nearly 500 funeral homes and crematories that operate in South Carolina. The article detailed how unscrupulous undertakers continue operating in a system largely governed by funeral industry insiders that is rife with delays, secrecy and potential conflicts. Spradley said the article and his research into Moore's case have convinced him that stronger safeguards are needed. Currently, for example, those caught working as funeral directors without a license face little more than light fines. That's not sufficient, he said. "They've got to have some criminal penalties for operating without a license that actually have some teeth to them," he said. Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations. Jamie Lovegrove is a political reporter covering the South Carolina Statehouse, congressional delegation and campaigns. He previously covered Texas politics in Washington for The Dallas Morning News and in Austin for the Texas Tribune. When I first began writing articles as a teen columnist almost a year ago, I tried very hard to make them humorous. If I succeeded or not, you were the judge of that. Those ideas ran out quickly, and in the middle of the gruesome Minnesota winter on a snow day, I hit a roadblock. With the help of Jeff Pieters, I wrote one of my favorite pieces ever, the article about my brother. And from there I never looked back. My year of writing as a teen columnist is reflective of my life, or at least my journey through high school. In my first few articles, much like my freshman year of high school, I was pretending to be someone I was not. I was trying very hard to come across as someone that I thought others would like. Once I put my passion into words with the story about my brother, I witnessed a network of support and solidarity that helped me feel secure and worthy, much like my second year of high school. My next columns, about gender stereotypes and maniacal parents of athletes, are issues I have felt strongly about for a time now, but like my junior year of high school, I felt comfortable enough to express them. And now, my senior year of high school starts in a few days. At this point in both my writing and my life, I know what I stand for and I am not afraid to shout it from the rooftops or the Life section of the newspaper. Through this year of growth, I have determined who and what is important to me. As my days living at home with my family before college next year become numbered, I have come to appreciate them more. My extracurricular activities have transformed from those deemed most prestigious on an application to those that I am most passionate about. All of this was possible through writing. Too often, we hold ideas and stories inside ourselves. Through writing, I was able to open up, sharing my personality to complete strangers and share those stories. And to see that these complete strangers can relate to my personal stories provides me with immense hope for my future and confidence within myself. After this last column, I will continue to stand for issues that I believe in. I will continue to tell my story and seek those with similar experiences. I will continue to advocate for those without a voice. Even though this year of writing has come to an end, this is just the start of my lifelong role as an advocate. The hardest part of being a teen columnist was choosing which topic that I felt most strongly about and turning it into words. Through my writing I found out that I have felt passionately about social issues my entire life. But just now, I am finding my voice. Thank you for listening to my voice. Thank you for following my journey to adulthood as I grow, learn, and form my own opinions. Thank you for your kind words and support. This opportunity has provided me with a figurative springboard into the rest of my life. I have gone through awkwardness, disappointment, success, and failure; I will continue to cycle through these emotions for the rest of my life. But the difference between a year ago and now is this: I know the importance of the written word and the impact that writing and newspapers has on society. Now that I know how to share my ideas and experiences through writing, that continuous cycle of emotions is much easier to endure. I wish the best of luck to the next batch of teen columnists; I hope they experience the same personal growth that I did and that they have the privilege of the most dedicated and fantastic readers listening to their voices. Some years ago, a lawyer was kicked to death by a moose in the parking lot of the federal courthouse in Anchorage, Alaska. Thats how the story goes, anyway. Local lawyers said, thats a really bad day in court. President Trump didnt have that bad a day in court today, but it wasnt great. I was on the radio, hosting the Laura Ingraham show, when breaking news came across the wire: the Paul Manafort jury had gone to the judge with a question, saying they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on any count. The judge did what judges always do. He told them to keep trying. I was exultant, thinking that a hung jury would deal a serious blow to the Mueller Switch Project. Alas, it was not to be. The jury continued deliberating and, as Paul noted a little while ago, convicted Manafort on eight counts of what essentially amounted to tax evasion. As Paul said, the Manafort charges had nothing to do with Donald Trump, nothing to do with the 2016 election, and nothing to do with Russian participation in the 2016 election. So Bob Mueller could only have brought the case in order to put pressure on Manafort to come up with some dirt on Muellers target, President Trump. As far as we know, Manafort has to dirt to give. Meanwhile, and almost simultaneously, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to a series of offenses. Mostly, the counts relate to tax evasion. The only politically significant counts, as I understand it, relate to Cohens role in paying off Stephanie Clifford (Stormy Daniels) to keep quiet about her sexual encounter with Trump. It is not illegal to pay someone to remain silent. The theory here is that the money paid to Clifford was an illegal campaign contribution. Since Cohen says he made the payment to Clifford at Trumps direction, Mueller is trying to ensnare Trump in that crime. To my knowledge, there is no legal authority on whether paying a woman to keep her mouth shut constitutes a campaign contribution. It strikes me as a foolish interpretation of the law, and forcing Cohen to plead guilty to the crime of paying off Ms. Clifford doesnt transform it into a crime. None of this would be happening, of course, but for Bob Muellers effort to drive President Trump from office on behalf of his de facto client, the Democratic Party. In a nauseating bit of hypocrisy, Deputy U.S. attorney Robert Khuzami said today that The essence of what this case is about is justice, and that is an equal playing field for all persons in the eyes of the law. Equal justice has nothing to do with this prosecution. Michael Cohen was targeted solely because he was Trumps personal lawyer, and enforcement of campaign finance law is anything but equal. Just ask Dinesh DSouza. As we and others have said many times, what is going on in the courts is mostly theaterunless, of course, you are Paul Manafort or Michael Cohen. President Trump cant be indicted, so legal niceties are not very material. The Mueller Switch Project has three objectives: 1) furnish House Democrats (assuming they take the majority in November) with ammunition to impeach the President; 2) help the Democrats to win the midterm elections; and 3) make President Trumps re-election less likely in 2020. Todays legal developments unquestionably represent a step forward for the Democrats on all three fronts. But in principle, there is no reason why they should change the landscape. Manaforts conviction has nothing to do with Trump. And no matter how Mueller may try to dress it up with talk about campaign financewhich voters dont care about, anywaythe Cohen plea simply confirms what we already knewthat Trump tried to keep Stephanie Clifford quiet. That may be a big deal to Melania, I cant speak for her. But I doubt that it is a big deal to a significant number of voters, and I doubt that tomorrows headlines will move the needle on the midterm election. So, yeah, President Trump had a bad day in court. But it could have been worse. He could have been kicked to death by a moose. Last week, Sen. Tom Cotton wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal opposing the lenient sentencing legislation now under serious consideration by Congress. I summarized Sen. Cottons article here. John Malcolm and Brett Tolman of the Heritage Foundation have responded to Cotton. They deny that the legislation is soft on crime. Malcolm is a respected conservative legal analyst. Im not familiar with Tolman, but Im confident he is too. However, their arguments come up short. There are two main elements to the leniency legislation: (1) significant reductions in mandatory minimums for federal drug felonies and (2) significant time reductions in sentences for felons who participate in various rehabilitation programs. Lets consider in turn the arguments of Malcolm/Tolman on these features. Sen. Cottons main argument against reducing mandatory minimum sentences is that tough mandatory minimum sentences have been instrumental in reducing crime. Malcolm and Tolman concede the point: We agree that increased incarceration, especially of violent offenders, has contributed to an overall drop in crime since the 1980s, but criminologists debate just how much. At the high end, William Spelman of the University of Texas estimates that increased incarceration might account for as much as 35 percent of the violent crime decline. Assuming that is so, other factors, including improved policing techniques, must account for at least 65 percent of that phenomenon. Fine. Other factors undoubtedly have contributed significantly to the reduction in crime that followed legislation establishing tough mandatory minimums. But if the tough mandatory minimums brought about 35 percent of the reduction or even just 25 percent thats an enormous number of crimes prevented. It translates into many hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of violent crimes prevented during the past 30 years. Why depart from such a successful system? Malcolm/Tolman cite the cost of incarceration, an insubstantial portion of the federal budget, as Sen. Cotton pointed out. There is little in the federal budget, however, that should take priority over preventing violence against American citizens. As Sen. Cotton says: 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. Malcolm/Tolman downplay the extent to which the leniency legislation will reduce criminal sentences: Senators are currently debating the possibility of reducing the mandatory minimum penalties for second-time drug offenders from 20 years to 15 years, and for third-time drug offenders from life in prison without the possibility of parole to 25 years. Does anyone really think that minimum penalties of 15 and 25 years are not serious? But the combined impact of the leniency legislations sentencing reductions and back door reductions in time for participating in rehabilitation programs (discussed below) is major. Based on an analysis I saw not long ago, drug felons sentenced to what currently is a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence (reserved for repeat offenders trafficking in the largest amounts) could be back in the community in as little as 7 years, 10 months (as opposed to 16 years, 1 month under current law). Drug felons sentenced to a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence (reserved for repeat offenders trafficking in significant amounts and first-time convicts trafficking the largest amounts) could be back in the community in as little as 5 years (as opposed to 7 years, 4 months under current law). And drug felons sentenced to a 5-year mandatory minimum (reserved for first-time offenders trafficking in significant amounts) could be back in as little as 2 years, 2 months (as opposed to 3 years under current law). Less than eight years in prison for repeat offenders trafficking in the largest amount of drugs is soft on crime by any fair reckoning. And even a five year reduction of a 20 year sentence is too much, given the extremely high rates of recidivism in this population. A great many prisoners can be expected to commit multiple crimes in that five year period of freedom. Now lets turn to the reduced sentences for felons who participate in rehabilitation programs. Malcolm/Tolman back such reductions as a modest incentive for inmates to participate in such programs. The incentive may not be all that modest. In any event, if the programs are truly effective, felons serious about rehabilitating themselves already have plenty of incentive to participate the fact (if true) that the programs will significantly boost their chances of functioning in society without committing crimes. Any prisoner who doesnt think thats incentive enough, but instead needs the promise of early release, is highly unlikely to benefit from the program (other than by getting out jail early). Malcolm/Tolman also significantly overstate the value of the programs they tout in reducing recidivism. I discussed this issue in detail here and here. Malcolm/Tolman mislead when they claim that only low-risk inmates will get out of jail early. The recidivism rates show that there arent many low-risk inmates in federal prisons. The only inmates who, as a class, might be low-risk are the ones who dont need promises of reduced time as an incentive to participate in rehabilitation programs. Finding someone who will say a prisoner is low-risk isnt the same thing as being low-risk. Finally, Malcolm/Tolman oversell home confinement. For serious offenders, home confinement is a joke. Thomas Ascik, a career prosecutor in North Carolina, notes that ABC documented 50 cases nationwide of murders committed by prisoners who were supposed to be confined to home with ankle bracelets. Malcolm/Tolman promise close federal supervision of prisoners released to their homes. Im sure such promises were made in many, if not all, of the cases of those 50 confined murderers too. No conservative should trust that the federal government will effectively supervise and monitor the beneficiaries of this jailbreak legislation. And skepticism is all the more in order if, as Daniel Horowitz says, the bill does not put the necessary resources into home confinement because proponents want the talking point of saving money a talking point peddled by Malcolm/Tolman. Its easy for the leading proponents of leniency legislation to downplay the prevention of hundreds of thousands of violent crime and to oversell rehabilitation programs, home confinement, etc. Kim Kardashian, Ivanka and Jared, Sen. Chuck Grassley, and the Koch Brothers and other fat cats who fund the Heritage Foundations arent going to be victims of the crimes committed by the beneficiaries of the jailbreak they advocate. But many thousands of Americans will be. And a disproportionate number of them will be law-abiding African-Americans. The jury in the Paul Manafort has found him guilty on eight of the 18 counts brought against him by Robert Muellers team. It couldnt reach a verdict on the other 10. Judge T.S. Ellis declared a mistrial on these charges. The jury found Manafort guilty on tax and bank fraud charges. Experts told the Washington Post that Manafort might well be looking at more than decade in prison based on the jurys verdict and the sentencing guidelines. President Trump said he feel[s] very badly for Paul Manafort, but emphasized that the verdict has nothing to do with Russian interference in the election. Hes right. Some conservatives, such as Sean Hannity, are complaining that Manafort wouldnt have been in the dock but for his role as Trumps campaign manager. Thats correct too, I think. In any event, Robert Mueller wouldnt have brought criminal charges against Manafort. But this doesnt make Manafort a victim, in my view. Tax and fraud are serious offenses. If Manafort committed them, he deserves to be tried. Did Manafort commit these offenses? I didnt pay enough attention to the trial to have an opinion. But the jury seems to have considered the evidence carefully. Nor was it a hanging jury, as its unwillingness to convict on a majority of the counts shows. One can sympathize with Paul Manafort, as President Trump does, without seeing him as the victim of an injustice. Our old friend Sen. Tom Cotton joined our old friend Hugh Hewitt on Hughs radio program to discuss the leniency-for-criminals legislation that has been picking up steam in the Senate. Tom forcefully stated the case against passing such legislation, especially in the midst of the opioid epidemic. Hugh and Tom discussed a recent tragic episode of which I was unaware. In New Haven, Connecticut, in one park, 70 people overdosed on synthetic marijuana laced with fentanyl. The man who dealt that drug had four prior offenses and was out of jail on parole, according to Cotton. Talk about our under-incarceration problem! As Hugh said, its beyond comprehension that Congress is seriously contemplating shorter sentences for drug felons in this environment. Why is it? Why has leniency legislation that failed two years ago returned in an even more lenient incarnation now, our opioid epidemic notwithstanding? I dont know, but I suspect the extra impetus is coming from the White House where the liberal, brand-conscious couple of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are pushing leniency for drug felons. UPDATE: I have just learned that the Senate wont take up leniency-for-criminals legislation before the midterm elections. Sen. Cotton once again has been instrumental in averting this folly. Politico explains: Though advocates in the White House and outside groups are pressing for last-minute action, the proposal splits Republicans. And with a packed schedule of spending bills and nominations, Republicans have no desire to enter an intraparty feud before the election. (Emphasis added) After the mid-terms and next year, the pressure for leniency legislation will mount. It might become irresistible unless President Trump strongly signals that there will be no jailbreak on his watch. PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-22 22:11:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 391 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Emerald Bay Energy Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Calgary, Alberta (FSCWire) - Emerald Bay Energy Inc. (TSX Venture:EBY). has issued a press release with the following headline:Emerald Bay Energy Acquires 50 Acre Poenitz Lease for HugoCellR PartnershipTo 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 Emerald Bay Energy 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/Emerald Bay Energy Inc.Source: Emerald Bay Energy Inc. (TSX Venture: EBY, OTC Bulletin Board: EMBYF)Date: August 22, 2018Time: 4:11 PM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Emerald Bay Energy 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.) 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: Frontline Ltd. via Globenewswire Please find enclosed the presentation of Frontline Ltd.'s second quarter 2018 results to be held on the webcast / conference call 22 August, 2018 at 15:00 CET. 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PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-22 09:33:31 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 1023 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 WPS Office Maintains Strong Growth; New Technologies Empower Cloud Services to Achieve Breakthrough PerformanceHONG KONG, Aug 21, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Kingsoft Corporation Limited ("Kingsoft" or the "Company"; HKEx stock code: 03888), a leading Chinese software and Internet service company, has announced its unaudited 2018 interim results and its second quarter results for the period ended 30 June 2018.For the first half of 2018, the revenue of Kingsoft increased 4% year-over-year to RMB2,609.5 million. Revenue from the online games, cloud services and office software and services and others represented 47%, 34% and 19%, respectively, of the Company's total revenue for the first half of 2018.For the second quarter of 2018, the Company's revenue increased 5% year-on-year and 6% quarter-on-quarter to RMB1,345.8 million. Revenue from the online games, cloud services and office software and services and others represented 43%, 35% and 22%, respectively, of the Company's total revenue for the second quarter of 2018. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2018 decreased 16% year-on-year and increased 9% quarter-on-quarter to RMB671.3 million.Mr. Jun LEI, Chairman of Kingsoft, commented, "We maintained a steady operation during this quarter and achieved our established goals. We launched YSYY, our new 3D costume-changing mobile game in June, which boosted our reputation and topped the free game ranking in the Apple Store on the day of its release. Kingsoft Cloud delivered a steady growth and all businesses performed well on track to meet our strategic targets. WPS Office continued its strong momentum with the global monthly active user (MAU) of WPS family reaching 300 million, and recently it also released several new products, including WPS Office 2019 and WPS Office for Mac." Mr. Tao ZOU, Chief Executive Officer of Kingsoft, added, "Our revenue was RMB1,345.8 million in the second quarter, up 5% year-on-year and 6% quarter-on-quarter. The revenue of the first half of 2018 was RMB2,609.5 million, up 4% year-on-year. In the second quarter, revenues from cloud services and office software and services and others maintained steady growth, up 54% and 68% year-on-year, respectively. After rapid development in the past few years, China's online game market (including the mobile game market) appeared to experience a relatively sluggish growth in 2018. With the increasingly intensive competition in the mobile game market, we decided to push back the release date of our new mobile game, JX Online III mobile game, to align with our strategic deployment plan of our key gaming products. JX Online III mobile game is currently expected to be released in early 2019."BUSINESS REVIEWOnline GamesRevenue from the online games business for the first half of 2018 was RMB1,214.3 million and the revenue for the second quarter of 2018 was RMB581.9 million. China's games market experienced a slowdown in the first half of 2018, which further aggravated the short-term pressure on the growth of the online games market.During the quarter, JX Online I mobile game, which launched in May 2016, continued to enhance the quality of the game and its contents, and contributed steady monthly gross billing with outstanding performance and great vitality. This quarter's new mobile game YSYY also received recognition from a wide range of players and ranked No.1 on the free games chart in the Apple Store on the day of its release. It reflected the Company's endeavor to develop in the game segment and its commitment in achieving more breakthroughs to adapt to the rapid changes in the game market. The Company's first animation, Dream Tower, premiered online on June 1, and it has been viewed more than40 million times up to now, which boosted its potential to be developed into another core IP. The theme song for the new animation JX Online III: Chivalrous Shen Jianxin made its debut on Bilibili.com and was highly rated by fans of JX Online III. This helped to sustain the flagship game's popularity among users ahead of the upcoming 9th anniversary celebration. The JX World II mobile game was released on iOS on July 4, and ranked No.1 on the most frequently searched list and No.2 on the chart of free games in the Apple Store on the day of its release. The Company also plans to launch a series of new game products in the coming quarters, including the new expansion pack for JX Online III PC game, JX Online II mobile game, Chinese Paladin: Sword and Fairy 4, etc.Cloud ServicesFor the first half of 2018, the revenue of cloud services increased 55% year-on-year to RMB887.7 million. Revenue in the second quarter increased 54% year-on-year and 12% quarter-on-quarter to RMB468.7 million. The increase was mainly driven by robust customer usage from mobile video and internet sectors, reflecting Kingsoft Cloud further strengthening its leading position in specific segments.Kingsoft Cloud maintained a stable growth in the second quarter, and each business segment was in line with the strategic planning of Kingsoft. Integrating three new technologies, AI, edge computing, and blockchain, Kingsoft Cloud further worked on smart cities and made breakthroughs in areas of government cloud, healthcare cloud, finance cloud, industrial manufacturing cloud and IoT. As one of the first contractors of the Beijing government cloud project, one of the largest government cloud projects in China, Kingsoft Cloud has served 42 municipal committees, offices and bureaus in Beijing. It also reached a strategic cooperation agreement with Rizhao city to build a smart city. Kingsoft Cloud launched CloudHIS, China's first cloud-based medical and healthcare information system, and applied it in more than a dozen provinces and cities. Driven by new technologies, Kingsoft Cloud continued to strengthen its leading position in Internet business segment, including video cloud and game cloud and successfully made breakthroughs in technology upgrading. Looking ahead, Kingsoft Cloud will further improve product quality and expand its serving scope. It will also seek opportunities in overseas markets, and continue to lead the industry to help it grow.Office Software and Services and OthersFor the first half of 2018, the revenue from office software and services and others increased 67% year-over-year to RMB507.6 million. Revenue in the second quarter increased 68% year-on-year and 39% quarter-on-quarter to RMB295.2 million. The strong year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter growth was due to the rapid growth from value-added services of WPS Office personal edition and increased sales of WPS Office to enterprises, as a result of increased user engagement driven by consistent products upgrades. Fact.MR PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-22 15:48:17 Press Information Fact.MR Suite 9884 27 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Abhishek Budholiya Marketing Manager +353-1-6111-593 email https://www.factmr.com/ # 736 Words Suite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandMarketing Manager+353-1-6111-593 Regulations apropos of organic feed, which ensure utilization of purest methods of production, have led to lack of commercially available & permitted organic feed ingredients. Established stakeholders in the organic feed market are aiming to improve relationship between the requirements of the livestock sector and the organic feed market, while complying with organic farming regulations and address sustainability challenges. A recent study of Fact.MR envisages that organic feed market to record an impressive 7.6% volume CAGR between the period of forecast, 2018 and 2028.Supremacy of North America in the organic feed market is poised to prevail, in terms of revenues, with majority of the regions market expected to remain consolidated in the U.S. Recent rise in dependency of the U.S. organic feed market, which has put operations at risk and cut down incentive of producers, has led the regional organic feed producers to spur domestic production for creating healthier soil and greater returns for farmers.Request For Sample Report- https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=1552 Although North America reigns supreme in the organic feed market, growth in Europe is foreseen to be comparatively faster through 2028. Government support to farmers transitioning from conventional to organic feed production is a key growth determinant for the organic feed market in Europe. Huge ambitions shared by the EU appertaining to future agriculture strategy to prioritize environment protection as the primary agenda is another growth influencer for the organic feed market in Europe.Ruminants segment comprise a revenue share of more than 30% of the global organic feed market by livestock and are predicted to remain the key opportunity throughout the duration of the forecast period. With the increasing demand for organic feed products, there has been a persistent increase in the price of the feed. The high prices of organic feed is a barrier for consumers. To address this concern, global organic feed manufacturers are working towards reducing the existing price difference between organic and inorganic feed. Moreover, as demand for organic feed products increases, product innovations and economies of scale would result in reducing the cost of production, further driving consumption of organic feed products.The APEJ region is estimated to account for more than 16% market share in the global organic feed market in 2017 and this share is expected to grow by a massive rate of 550 BPS, causing the APEJ market to grab 22.5% market share by the end of 2028. This highly populous continent is spearheaded by the rapid economic growth in China, India, and Australia and New Zealand and customers in these countries will continue to demand the maximum organic food products such as meat and dairy. A volume of more than 10,976,311 tons and a value of over US$ 8,069.4 Bn in 2028 makes APEJ the behemoth in the global organic feed market.To know the Insights of Organic Feed Market, Visit- https://www.factmr.com/report/1552/organic-feed-market Among the distribution channels of the organic feed market business to business channel have relatively more share than the other sales channels which is likely to grow with moderate growth rate during the forecast period, however business to consumer channel shows lucrative growth rate during the forecast period in organic feed market by the end of 2028. Fact.MR has profiled some of the most prominent companies active in the global organic feed market such as Cargill Incorporated, Land OLakes Inc, SunOpta Inc, ForFarmers NV, Scratch and Peek Feeds, Feedex Companies LLC, Kreamer Feed, LLC, Aus Organic Feed, and Green Mountain Feeds. The key market players in organic feed market are focusing on backward integration for business development and expansion of their existing production capabilities.The organic feed market has grown consistently at a CAGR of 7.1% and the organic food market has been expanding at a greater pace. The Government is optimistic about organic feed products and are boosting the market competitiveness through various schemes. However, there is need to have an organic policy and organic cell to monitor organic feed and to take necessary steps to dampen the use of conventional feed.To Buy this Report- https://www.factmr.com/checkout/1552/S About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Ufuoma McDermotts journey into Nollywood began when she held movie buffs spellbound with her delivery in Zeb Ejiros 2004 movie, The President Must Not Die. Today, she is an A-List Nollywood actress. The former beauty queen is returning to the cinema this September with a new comedy flick, titled What Just Happened. She tells PREMIUM TIMES more about the project and her career in this interview. Excerpt: PT: You hinted earlier that it took you three years to shoot your new movie. Why did it take that long? Ufuoma: The idea of perfection for this movie was my husbands. We had spent so much money shooting the movie and when it was ready it wasnt what we wanted. I wanted to release it but my husband wasnt in support. I said okay lets just throw it online and make it into DVD. He said unless you want to keep it under your bed. This film is not leaving this house. To be honest with you it took a toll on me. I was heavily pregnant when we started shooting in 2015. We shot in and out of Los Angeles. PT: Whats the plot of the movie? Ufuoma: The story is about a disgruntled professor who goes in search of a man. She takes up her brothers offer for the position of a visiting lecturer at the University of Ibadan. So, what should have been a one-hour journey from Lagos to Ibadan ends up being a disaster. Partly, (this was) as a result of her high-handedness and selfishness. The entire movie is a testimony, which is being recounted in church. PT: Is this your first shot at comedy? Ufuoma: Well Christmas is coming is a comedy but it was a romantic comedy. It wasnt an entirely comedy film as this. So probably yes, this is my first. PT: Did you write the screenplay? Ufuoma: I will have to thank Bovi for his contributions especially for all the humour and comedy he injected into the script. Then I did the final rewrite for the script alongside another writer called Victor. I guess we have a great fantastic script. Bovi didnt feature in the movie but he did a lot of treatments for the story. PT: Can you give a run down of the cast? Ufuoma: I played the lead, Professor Ogborgbor, alongside Afeez Oyetoro who everyone knows as Saka. Jude Orhora played Leke; Segun Arinze played Efe the brother to the professor; Toyin Aihmaku played the Usher; MC Abbey played the pastor; Funnybone played the choir master. Thats already like a recipe for disaster. Nollywood actress, Ufuoma McDermott. PT: You have a pretty interesting cast Ufuoma: I intentionally assembled an unusual cast; you dont get to see the kind of cast in typical Nollywood films. For instance, nobody can dispute the fact that Segun Arinze is a damn good actor. I say to people that as much as I want people to laugh, I want people to leave the cinema after seeing my film, feeling satisfied. Its not enough for you to just laugh. I want to be taken for a serious filmmaker. I want to be able to refer to my films many years from now with no regrets whatsoever. PT: What was it like shooting a comedy? Ufuoma: I tend to respect a lot of comedy actors so much because its so difficult to make people laugh. Its difficult to make light of your life. Everything about us is serious now. I have never really played a comedic character. So yes it was a new challenge for my co actors and I on set. They were so hilarious that it was difficult keeping a straight face on set. When we were shooting the church scenes, my goodness, we laughed so hard in fact at a point even MC Abbey asked us to regroup and shoot another day. PT: How will you assess your growth as an actor? Ufuoma: Before all an actor was only required to come on set with his or her skill set. Right now, it is a little different and I think maybe social media is to blame because right now people dont just want to see you as an actor, they also want a peep into your life. They want to see you beyond the character you play but thats not going to be entirely possible because I am married to a very private man. I think for now, my experience, as an actor is my ability to balance my private life and my career whether as an actor, director or scriptwriter. That includes the ability to strike a balance without going against your own principles and not losing focus of what you want from your life or your career. Today there is this segregation of who is the cinema actor, who is the DVD actor, who is the television actor, really I just want to be an actor alone. Youve got to learn how to balance all of that. Its very difficult but you just have to do this. PT: Do you have a favourite actor/actress? Ufuoma: I can arguably say Bimbo Akintola is the greatest actress this country has ever produced. PT: How important is it for an actor to have a background on stage before shooting a feature film? Ufuoma: I will be honest with you, mine was the reverse. I did film first before I went to stage and I have Bimbo Akintola to thank for that. Stage is a lot of work. Its not a flash in the pan. Unlike film, stage is not Take 1, 2 and Take 7. Stage is Take 1 and 1 alone. With stage, you have a lot of rehearsals as against when you are shooting a movie. With stage, you also need to get the whole script into your head and you also need to know your line fast. You also need to know when to improvise because if your co actor loses his or her own line , your improvisation skills will come in handy. You also need to know how to inculcate his or her own lines into yours so that he or she can recollect. It is a lot of work; I will be honest with you. With stage, you have contributions to make and if you feel there is something that will make a film better then you should be able to contribute. Nollywood actress, Ufuoma McDermott. When you have a background on stage, it keeps you very sharp and alert as an actor. Getting my lines into my head is no longer a challenge as I am one of those actors that will give you your lines in your scripts word for word. This has nothing to do with the fact that I cant improvise but because acting on stage has made me realise that when a writer writes in a certain way, it is because they are trying to play on words. The U.S. Department of Defence has declared that China is certainly an adversary of the United States, highlighting Chinas military developments and also addressing the arch adversary government approach to competition. Pentagon, in a report to Congress, which detailed Chinas growing military, economic power, examined the trends in Chinese military development. It, however, added that China is not an enemy. Congress mandated the report entitled: Military and Security Developments Involving the Peoples Republic of China. Pentagon said: Chinas economic development is fueling extraordinary changes in relationships it maintains around the world. On the face of it, Chinas One Belt, One Road initiative sounds benign it looks to build infrastructure for developing countries and Chinese neighbours. Chinese leaders have funded serious projects as far away as Africa under the initiative. They have built roads in Pakistan and made major inroads in Malaysia. China has a major stake in Sri Lanka. Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Laos and Djibouti also are involved. The Chinese government seeks to overturn the established international order that has kept the peace in the region since World War II and allowed Asian countries to develop. But One Belt, One Road money and projects come with strings. The one road leads to China, and nations are susceptible to Chinese influence on many levels political, military, and especially, economic. Pentagon said China in 2017 used its economic clout in South Korea as a bludgeon to get Seoul to not allow the United States to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system in the country as a counterweight to North Koreas nuclear missile programme. The Chinese government informally lowered the boom on South Korea economically to influence the THAAD decision, it said. According to the Pentagon, South Korean cars and other exports were embargoed. It also said that about a quarter of all goods South Korea exports go to China, adding that this had an immediate effect on the economy. In addition, tourism suffered as nearly half of all entries to South Korea were from China, and South Korean retail stores in China were crippled, the report said. The South Korean government decided to allow the THAAD to deploy, but Chinas economic muscle movement had to be noted in other global capitals, it said. (NAN) Almost everything that makes life bearable cannot be found in Koola and Famia, communities in Modakeke, Ile Ife, Osun State, where residents say they live like second-class citizens. Residents of Koola and Famia say they are systematically discriminated against in the state as basic amenities such as potable water, electricity, good roads, schools and healthcare facilities are alien to the communities. On August 5, when PREMIUM TIMES ventured into the communities to investigate the claims, this reporter was first confronted with an embarrassing sight of a decrepit road leading to the communities. Seyi Olonode, a motorcycle rider who took our reporter from Our Lady High School, Modakeke, has not forgotten the day he had a terrible accident as he tried to avoid a pothole that was located along the road early this year. The potholes have been here for years and I was getting used to it, but around February, it had become deeper and larger. I lost control of the okada when I hit it, he said. I was left badly injured with another passenger, a woman, carrying her three years old baby. During heavy rains, the surface of the road is easily damaged by heavy cargo trucks. Residents try to repair but the road is damaged after few months. The road is always in a very bad shape and we find it very difficult to move around. It is appalling that residents who ply the road daily have accepted the rough ride on bikes as their fate as it has remained the same for years. The communities here; Koola and Famia had suffered neglect for years. Even cars that patronise here change their brake pads and oil almost all the time due to the bad roads. I have been living in this area for the past five years and the road had been the same; as a matter of fact, it is even getting worse. The government should listen to our cry and do the needful to make the place conducive for us, he lamented. Community Primary School Signpost serving the villages Dilapidated School When this reporter got to the only available (collapsed) school in the two communities on August 6, a section of the building had fallen off with debris yet to be packed away, roofs blown-off, ceilings off and surrounded by tall grasses. This is the only available school for our children. You can see by yourself that even animals are not supposed to be kept here let alone children acquiring knowledge. It is pathetic that the kids of those living here have got no other place than to attend the prison tagged school by government, Tunde Ajayi, a resident who took our reporter to the school, said. One of the classrooms at the Community School, Koola with broken chairs and tables This environment is not conducive for learning because the kids can easily be exposed to dangerous animals. Even snakes can crawl into the class without the knowledge of anyone. PREMIUM TIMES observed that the only three classrooms available for the pupils have only four desks and surrounded by broken chairs. The windows have no lock as the wood used for the construction had been destroyed by termites leaving rainwater to splash inside the classrooms. Whenever it rains, it is easy for the pupils to jump in and out whenever there is no teacher to monitor them. The school has no toilets, no running water and no playground. One of the class rooms at the school Most times when it rains, you see parents rushing to the school to get their wards because the classrooms will be flooded. The fact that the school is unfenced has also exposed some of the students to danger as many of them leave their classrooms to cross the road without consent of their teachers. You can see we indeed need more chairs and thorough renovation in this school. Government keeps coming with promises but are yet to fulfill any. I grew up here and nothing has changed. Sometimes we pick the kids as early as 12 noon considering the atmosphere of the day. You cant trust the environment when it rains, Mr Ajayi said. Abandoned PHC A primary healthcare centre serving the two communities could as well not have been there because it serves no purpose. Its staff stopped coming to work due to inability of government to pay them. With her beans tray in her hand, Mama Baale narrated how the health workers protested and left the hospital on the complaint that government neglected them. The entrance of the PHC underlock for months and now surrounding with cobwebs. The only saviour we have is herbs when our children fall sick and since the hospital staff have left, births are delivered at home by midwives and sometimes old women are called in the community to help take care of that, she said. Even when they were still coming to the PHC, they dont come on a regular basis. Sometimes, they are not on duty and sometimes they complain that drugs are not available. And since we have elderly people in the village, we enter the bush, look for approximate leaves and use them for herbs. The outer part of Koola and Famia Communities PHC surrounded with tall grasses God has so far been wonderful too. There are people capable of child delivery too. The only time we face challenges is when things want to go out of hand. The PHC is not functional. Iya Agbebi helped me with the delivery of my child. After delivery, we give them token. Weve been abandoned long time ago, a woman sitting beside Mama Baale said, declining to state her name. PREMIUM TIMES visit to the PHC shows reason why the villagers would rather love to take herbs to heal their illness and use midwives for child deliveries. The health centre was locked, with cobwebs dotting the building indicating that it has been under lock for long. No toilet, no water tank or electricity at the facility. The centre is also surrounded by tall grasses. Exasperated Community Leader When PREMIUM TIMES got to the head of the two communities, Mathew Ojo, he told our correspondent that he was not ready to talk saying he suspected it was a political motive towards the upcoming September 22 governorship election in the state. However, when our correspondent explained that he came for a special assignment not related to politics, the elderly man narrated the ordeal of the two communities. I hope you are not one of those people that come when election is close. We see them once in four years and after asking us all we wanted, they disappear and come back again the next four years. That was why my brother asked that we should not speak earlier. Weve always been told right from my childhood time till I became the Baale (chief) of these communities that the government is coming to attend to us. For so many years, these communities have been in darkness. Only few houses are with generators and it pains to see people rushing to those few places to charge (their phones). We are treated like second-class citizens. Look at that school, it fell off some years back. It was residents at the communities that donated money to raise some part because there is need for our kids to be in school. Several letters have been written to the state government about our plight but we only see them during election period. Sometimes, we wonder if we are not part of Osun State let alone being part of Nigeria, he said while pointing to the dilapidated school to PREMIUM TIMES Mr Ojo said the both communities have over 500 residents but share only one borehole. Mama Baale, the wife of head of the communities and her neighbor narrating their ordeal about the abandoned PHC As I speak to you, the borehole we are using was constructed by donation of N100, N200 and every penny of the villagers in the two communities. We know it is not enough but it has reduced the stress of water. Only that when people are urgently in need of water, they resolve to stream. We lack all basic amenities that make life easy for people. Beside the school, you can see the hospital. It has been under lock for months due to the excuse of staff that the government is not paying them and that they even use some of their money to cater for ill residents. While it is sad that we do not have any place to treat ourselves, we cannot force the staff to stay because we dont have the money to pay them. How was the experience you had when you try to locate this place?, he then asks PREMIUM TIMES. The road itself is another story of journey of no return. For us, we have counted ourselves out of Osun State because we donate all our basic amenities ourselves. As old as I am, when it rains, I join people to fix the road and we claim to have government. Which government?, Mr Ojo says. You Cant Please Everyone- Osun Govt. When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES about the plight of these residents, the Osun State Commissioner of Information, Adelani Baderinwa, said it is practically impossible for humans to get all they desire. I am aware that there is nobody in Nigeria today who is not aware that we are giving the best to education. We are putting best structures and trying to meet up with the requirement of one primary healthcare centre per ward. It is practically impossible for you to do everything because your resources are limited. You have to pay salaries, you have go run government and do other things weve been doing. Mathew Ojo, the head of the communities with his friend, Baba Kekere narrating how government has abandoned the communities The commissioner argued that the Rauf Aregbesola adminstration, which has governed the state for over eight years, should not be blamed for the decay. We renovated all 15 state primary healthcare centres in each of the ward and we can only work on resources available to us, he said. For schools, we plan to take care of all the students population that we have. We plan to have 120 elementary schools, 50 middle schools and 20 high schools. As we speak, we built 35 elementary schools, 26 middle schools and 11 night schools. It is not because that is the desire but that is what our income can cater for. Mostly, it is a function of available funds. Mr Adelani did not however, address the issue of the bad roads, electricity and inadequate water supply raised by the residents. When PREMIUM TIMES pressed further, Mr Adelani insisted humans do not get everything they desire. We are not giving excuse. It is the reality. It could not have been an excuse. You dont get all you desire at a time even as human being. The police in Akwa Ibom state said there was no attack on the country home of a senator, Godswill Akpabio, as claimed by the senators aide. Mr Akpabios media aide, Anietie Ekong, said earlier that some unknown gunmen stormed the senators home in Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim, Akwa Ibom state, around 7.30 p.m on Tuesday, and were shooting sporadically in front of the gate before they were repelled by police officers and other security personnel attached to the senator. The senator was holding a political meeting in his home when the incident happened, Mr Ekong told PREMIUM TIMES. That information is false, the police spokesperson in the state, Odiko MacDon, told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday morning. There was an attempted robbery at a filling station close to Senator Akpabios house. The filling station is 200 metres away from the senators house. Nobody attacked the country home of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Mr MacDon, a deputy superintendent of police, said. The divisional police officer (DPO) in Essien Udim corroborated Mr MacDons position that the shooting was at a filling station, and not the senators house. There were some policemen on the ground at the filling station, so when the armed robbers started shooting, the policemen there fired back, and the robbers ran away, the DPO told PREMIUM TIMES. The DPO said when he learnt of the shooting, he visited the area that night, in the company of the police area commander. He said he and his officers stopped by the senators house that night, and the gate was locked. We stayed around there till late into the night before we left, he said. When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the senators media aide, Mr Ekong, for his comment on the police position on the matter, he said: What we know is that there were sporadic gunshots outside the gate of the senators house. Mr Akpabio, the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. President Donald Trump lashed out at Michael Cohen on Wednesday, warning people to desist from entering into business ties with the lawyer. Mr Cohen, who has rendered legal services to Mr Trump for over 12 years, pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight federal crimes. Amongst them the allegations that he made hush payments to Stormy Daniels, an American pornstar whose affairs with the president has made regular headlines in recent months. If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you dont retain the services of Michael Cohen!, Mr Trump said in a tweet at 1:44 p.m. (Nigerian time.) The tweet marks a rapid shift in mood for Mr Trump, who had long denied paying prostitutes from campaign finance while expecting Mr Cohen to keep the deal entirely secret from prosecutors. Mr Cohen, however, flipped against the president in the courtroom on Tuesday, admitting that Mr Trump, while a presidential candidate, directed him to pay the hush funds for which he was later reimbursed. American prosecutors said Mr Cohen paid $130,000 to Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. The lawyer also helped secure a $150,000 payment through the National Enquirer tabloid to former Playboy playmate Karen McDougal, who claimed to have had a relationship with Mr Trump some years ago. Prosecutors found the payments were illegal because they were made by a corporation and also exceeded the maximum permissible donation to a federal candidate. Mr Cohen was found guilty on other offences bordering on tax evasion, manipulation of bank charges and concealing his income. Court filings said Mr Cohen engaged in a scheme to evade income taxes by failing to report more than $4 million in income between 2012 and 2016. Prosecutors said he failed to pay $1.3 million in federal taxes. The hidden income came from several sources, but neither Mr Cohens account nor the Internal Revenue Service knew of it. Several other similar payments, running into million of dollars, were also said to have been received by Mr Cohen without proper knowledge of tax authorities and other regulators. Mr Cohens offences could see him spend 65 years behind bars. But Fox News reported on Tuesday that he might be getting only three to five years for entering into a deal with prosecutors. Mr Cohens guilty plea came minutes after a jury found Paul Manafort, a former strong ally of Mr Trump who once served as his campaign chairman during the 2016 elections, guilty of bank fraud and tax fraud. Mr Manafort was found guilty by a jury in Virginia, following weeks of prosecution by a team that included Uzodinma Asonye, an American lawyer of Nigerian descent. He was said to have worked with foreign agents, including Ukrainians and Russians, to earn illegal payments. The conviction of Mr Manafort was the first victory for the special counsel Robert Mueller, who was tapped by the United States Department of Justice to lead the inquiry into possible collusion between Mr Trumps campaign and some Russians during the 2016 elections. Mr Trump, who has long held that there was no collusion, was quick to react to Mr Manaforts conviction yesterday, saying it had nothing to do with the Russian probe. Still, the president expressed his sadness. I feel very sad about that. It doesnt involve me, but I still feel it is a very sad thing that happened. It has nothing to do with Russian collusion, Mr Trump told reporters when he arrived for a rally in Virginia Tuesday. This started as Russian collusion. This has absolutely nothing to do. This is a witch hunt that is a disgrace. It has nothing to do with what they started out looking for Russians involved in the campaign. Although the immediate consequences of the convictions of his two allies were not immediately certain, some commentators are speculating that it could be the beginning of Mr Trumps ouster from power. Critics are already calling for Mr Trumps impeachment if he failed to resign in the wake of the convictions, especially as many more are still being expected. Already there are reports that Mr Cohens lawyer recently hinted that strong evidence exists that links Mr Trump to federal crimes and it would form the basis for further negotiations with prosecutors. Mr Trump is likely to be interviewed by Mr Mueller, but the modalities are still being worked out between the special counsels office and the presidents legal team. Republican lawyers are reluctant to join the calls for Mr Trumps removal from office after the two crucial convictions Tuesday. Bayelsa Journalist, Jones Abiri, standing trial for alleged involvement in militancy, returned to the warm embrace of his wife, children and colleagues on Tuesday in Yenagoa. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Abiri, who was received at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, expressed his optimism of getting justice. Mr. Abiri was arrested by the State Security Service (SSS) since July 2016 and detained for over two years without trial. He was, however, arraigned before a Magistrates Court this month and subsequently, granted bail. Speaking at a reception to welcome him to Yenagoa, two years after his ordeal, Mr. Abiri said contrary to the views held by the SSS, he was ready to face trial and prove his innocence. Mr. Abiri, a law student before his incarceration, applauded the civil rights community, media and public-spirited individuals, who fought for his release from SSS custody. He expressed gratitude to the Bayelsa State Council of the NUJ for the warm reception accorded him and the support given by the union during his incarceration. In a goodwill message, a Niger Delta Rights activist, Annkio Briggs, noted that it took the intervention of Amnesty International to draw public attention to the abuse of Mr. Abiris human rights. I only became aware of the ungodly and evil breach of Abiris fundamental and professional rights after Amnesty International raised the matter. I am proud of you and I am so happy that you are back home to your family, people and region. From here on, you will never walk alone, Ms. Briggs said. John Angese, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of the NUJ, noted that Mr. Abiri was a member of the NUJ and discredited earlier reports that he was not on the NUJ register. Let me state that Jones Abiri is one of us here in Bayelsa. We cannot deny him because of the allegations levelled against him. Our position has always been that he should be presented in court. Now that the matter is in court, the judiciary should be allowed to determine if he is guilty or not. We appeal to our colleagues to be cautious in reportage of this reception and avoid comments that will jeopardise the trial, Mr. Angese said. In her vote of thanks, Mr. Abiris sister, Philomena Kenere, said their family was delighted to have the journalist re-uniting with them. She expressed appreciation to everyone, who supported the family during Mr. Abiris absence. (NAN) The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, will meet on Monday to decide on the next line of action as it ended the two weeks warning strike by its members. Southwest coordinator of the union, Ade Adejumo, disclosed this to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview on Wednesday. The strike disrupted the 2017/18 second semester examination of the institution as the teachers continued to protest against non-payment of workers salaries and decayed infrastructure at the university co-owned by Oyo and Osun states. On Friday, the teachers held a protest march in Osogbo, the capital of Osun from Freedom Park to the state government secretariat. Students also appealed to the federal government and the Chancellor of the university, Bola Tinubu, to intervene in the crisis. On Wednesday, Mr. Adejumo said the warning strike has ended and the union will meet on Monday to decide on the next line of action. The warning strike has ended today and it is our tradition. When we announced the strike, we did that by congress. Today is public holiday. So, the congress will be held on Monday to formally declare the warning strike action closed and the review situation. Then, we will take further decision on the way to go, he said. The owner state governments have failed to speak on the current phase of the crisis in the institution. Several calls and text messages by Premium Times to the special adviser to Osun State Governor on Higher Education, Grace Akinola, did not receive a response. Also, Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Adeniyi Olowofela, refused to comment when contacted. A popular Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat, has been released from the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), where he was detained for weeks. Mr Hamzat, who owns Agidigbo radio station in Ibadan, was detained at the SSS office in Ibadan on August 1. He was later transferred to the Abuja office of the agency. Individuals and groups, like the Association of Nigerian Comrades (ANC), have clamoured for the release of the broadcaster whose arrest was seen as unlawful and an infringement on press freedom. Narrating how he was arrested, the general manager of Agidigbo radio station, Ismail Idowu, said the SSS officers visited the radio station on July 31, demanding to see Mr Hamzat. The manager, along with three others who are interns at the broadcast office, were arrested and broadcast equipment at the office were taken by the officers afterwards. For the whole day we searched for Hamzat and we could not find him. We got to the orphanage home, owned by him. He was not there as well, he said. It was on the following day that he came around to the DSS office. We were released while they arrested him. Up till now, Ive not set my eyes on him after that. The last thing I heard was that the case has been transferred to Abuja. When asked for the reason behind the arrest, the manager explained that the security operatives did not disclose why he was arrested to anyone and that they only wanted to interrogate him. Weve been running our programmes and exposing the atrocities committed by the state government until the time he was arrested. However, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Hamzat was arrested over the receipt of a petition against one of the radio programmes he runs on social media, by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. The wife of the broadcaster, Motunrayo Hamzat, confirmed the release of her husband but PREMIUM TIMES noted that Mr Hamzat had gone in to hiding after his release. He has been released since Thursday. But currently, hes not around. It was unclear why Mr. Hamzat had gone into hiding. Meanwhile, Mr. Hamzat lawyer, Adekunle Raji, made it known that his client was arrested over allegations of airing an inciting broadcast in one of his radio programmes, which was circulated online. I was there in Ibadan where he was initially detained. They (at the DSS office) claimed that a petition by NBC necessitated the arrest. They also said his programmes were much of speculations. Weve been working on his release before we discovered that he has been transferred to Abuja. At Abuja, the new DSS boss granted him an unconditional bail, even before I applied for his bail. They (at Abuja) also claimed that they got the same petition against Mr Hamzat, he said. When asked of the whereabouts of Mr Hamzat, the barrister stated that his client might have decided to lie low after the incident. He also claimed he has been released but doesnt know his whereabouts. The Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, and staff members, remembered former Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday, describing him as a leader who put people at the centre of the UN work. During a wreath-laying ceremony in New York, Mr Guterres led staff members in paying respects to Mr Annan, whom they described as the embodiment of the intergovernmental organisation that worked to improve the lives of men and women worldwide. Kofi Annan died on Saturday at the age of 80 in Switzerland. Mr Annan, a mild-mannered diplomat from Ghana, rose through the UN system to become its seventh leader in January 1997, serving two consecutive five-year terms till December 2006. Kofi Annans years in office were an exciting time. He put forward new ideas. He brought new people into the United Nations family. He spoke passionately about our mission and role. He created a renewed sense of possibility both inside and outside our organisation about what the UN could do and be for the worlds people. His most defining features were his humanity and solidarity with those in need. He put people at the centre of the work of the United Nations, and was able to turn compassion into action across the UN system, Guterres said. He listed some of the actions Annan took to include uniting world leaders to agree global targets on poverty and child mortality linchpins of the landmark Millennium Development Goals. The former UN chief also joined with civil society and the healthcare injury to save lives from HIV and AIDS. As his successor noted, Annan also did not shy away from addressing challenging issues. Annan faced up to the grave errors made by the United Nations in the 1990s in its response to the Rwanda genocide and the Srebrenica killings by shining a light inside the UN. The reports he commissioned aimed to make sure such terrible mistakes are never repeated, and set the international community on a new course in its response to mass atrocities, Mr Guterres said. Mr Guterres stated that the passing of his predecessor was a personal loss for many who worked in the UN system. While the UN flag outside headquarters was flown at half-mast for three days following the announcement of Annans death, staff members have been filling a book of condolences with expressions of sympathy to his wife, Nane, and family. Many UN personnel also have been sharing their memories of a man who they described as wise yet humble, courteous and charming.(NAN) The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has condemned the demolition of the structure housing the Fresh FM in Ibadan by the Oyo State Government. The Director-General of NBC, Ishaq Midibbo-Kawu, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin, said the demolition was a worrisome development and did not speak well of the state government. The structure, Music House, reportedly valued at N800 million and which had been in operation for 10 years, was demolished in the early hours of Sunday. The property is owned by a popular musician, Yinka Ayefele. Mr Modibo-Kawu said: The development is worrisome because for all it is worth, the broadcast outfits are playing a big role in reducing unemployment, especially in this situation where many young Nigerians are idle. They also play social, informational, educational and entertaining roles in the society. Such development does not speak well of the government and has a negative effect on the nation, especially at a point when more broadcasting outfits are influencing the social space in the country. In this case particularly, there are so many issues that can be weaved up negatively by people. We hope that as we move forward, we will be able to find a solution to the situation, Mr Modibbo-Kawu said. The director-general said when the NBC got hint of the demolition, he made some contacts with some people in the state. Mr Modibbo-Kawu said he could, however, not stop it. The NBC boss promised to set up a meeting with the state government on finding a way forward on the issue. He recalled a similar experience in Nasarawa State about a year ago when the property housing Breeze 99.9 FM was demolished. What we did was to meet our licensee to find out what the issues were because he was prepared to go to court. We also met with the state commissioner for information and the governor. The issue also was that the building violated the usage of urban space. We were able to reach an agreement that the government should give the broadcaster a new plot of land and assist him to go back to building a new station. However, just last week, I got a letter that the side of the government in the agreement had not been fulfilled, he said. Mr Modibbo-Kawu also clarified the recent media report that his commission banned some songs, saying Nigerians must understand the statutory mandate of the NBC. It is important to let Nigerians understand that NBC does not ban any song. I read on social media platforms all the time that NBC banned a song; the commission never bans any song. What NBC does all the time is to remind our licensees that there are certain categorisation of music that are important in broadcasting. If a song is categorised, Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) because of the lyrics of the song, then, we will remind the broadcasters that they cannot be broadcast. This is what it is misinterpreted in the social media that we banned the song, he said The director general also refuted the allegation that NBC was carrying out a Jihad on Nigerian songs based on a petition by a faith-based human rights organisation, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). He stressed that the NBC did not carry out any Jihad, but only responded to a song on a radio station because it had lyrics that were NTBB. Mrs Modibbo-Kawu gave an assurance that the Federal Government, through the NBC, would not infringe on artistic liberty or licence. He, however, reminded artistes and broadcast organisations of their responsibilities to Nigerians and the youths, in particular. Last week, I issued a press release to urge Nigerian artistes to have different versions of their songs. They should do a version that can be used for public broadcast space and another version for club usage which can carry all kinds of lyrics that they want. If they want their songs to be broadcast on radio and television in Nigeria, these songs must conform to rules and must be songs that young people can listen to, he said. He disclosed that the commission was planning a national dialogue with Nigeria leading artistes on the need to avoid vulgar lyrics and hate speeches in their songs. The truth of the matter is that 75 per cent of our population is under the age of 35 while 63 per cent is under the age of 25, so we have a younger population. If you go on Youtube, Olamide song, Wo has over 10 million hits. That tells you the kind of influence these young artistes have on all our children in the country. They should help to orientate the young people on the right values. If their songs celebrate sex, violence, the use of drugs, alcohol and fraud, then they are not helping in the moulding of young people We believe that the young generation who listen to them can be guided through the use of their artistic works to play functional social purposes in the society, he said. He said the dialogue would focus on the need for the artistes to use their music to propagate positive messages about development. (NAN) The national body of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has dissociated itself from threatening comments by its state coordinator for Benue. In an interview with Punch, the coordinator of the association in Benue State, Garus Gololo, had warned the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, to resign or be forced to do so. It is on this note that we are saying that Saraki ought not to be in office again as Senate President, more so, Saraki has failed to coordinate and organise the National Assembly to offer quality legislation that Nigerians need, he was quoted as saying. Nigerians are in dire need of people that have the interest of the masses. Miyetti Allah is looking for a leader that would preside over the affairs of the Senate with ultimate respect for the executive and the judiciary, not someone like Senator Saraki that would always scheme to outdo the Presidency. We are now tired of Sarakis style of leadership at the National Assembly. Therefore, we are now warning him to honourably resign his position as president of the Senate or we will force him out, Gololo said, refusing, however, to explain how the association would remove the Senate president, Punch quoted him as saying. Reacting, however, the national body of the association said Mr Gololo only spoke for himself. In a statement signed by its secretary, Othman Ngelzarma, on Wednesday, the association said Mr Gololos comments do not reflect the position of the association. Mr Mgelzarma also confirmed the associations position to PREMIUM TIMES on phone Wednesday morning. The statement reads, The attention of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has been drawn to an interview granted by one Garus Gololo in Makurdi to Punch Newspaper titled Resign or we will force you out. Miyetti Allah to Saraki. This statement is unfortunate. I will categorically state that Garos Gololo spoke in his personal capacity and has no mandate to speak on behalf of the association. Miyetti Allah is a non partisan association with no interest in the political terrain and we couldnt meddle into the affairs of political actors thereby compounding our already obvious challenges. I therefore urge all and sundry to disregard this statement. This statement is not from MACBAN and should be disregarded in its entirety. The group said it would sanction Mr Gololo for making such statement. We take exception on this statement and Garos Gololo is entirely on his own and will be sanctioned accordingly. We cannot afford to add up to the many challenges we are confronted with. Im therefore appealing to the general public to disregard this statement as it is coming from someone who doesnt have the mandate of the association to speak on its behalf. Thank You and God bless you all. Meanwhile, Mr Sarakis media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu told PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday morning he and his principal would not react to the threat. We dont wat to react to all those. Im sure that appropriately the PDP will respond, he said. Mr Gololos voice is the latest in the camp of those calling for the resignation of Mr Saraki as Senate President. Since his defection from the ruling APC to PDP last month, Mr Saraki has faced calls from the party to relinquish his position. He has however vowed not to leave the position. In a press conference he addressed two weeks ago, Mr Saraki vowed he would only vacate his seat if two-third of the Senate who elected him decides he quits. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday mocked the Presidency over its claim that President Muhammadu Buhari walked 800-metre as evidence of his fitness to run in 2019. Mr Abubakar, who is eyeing the presidential ticket of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said he would work to create jobs for Nigerians and not build illusion. The former vice-president was apparently responding to a claim by the Presidency that Mr Buhari walked 800 metre from Eid praying ground in Daura on Tuesday. Earlier the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, had last week said that Mr Buhari was too old to rule the country beyond 2019. But the News Agency of Nigeria reported that after the Eid prayers, Mr Buhari shunned protocol and opted to trek some 800 metres, acknowledging cheers from Nigerians who lined up on his home route to catch a glimpse of him. Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, had said that Mr Buhari demonstrated his fitness to run for a second term by covering that distance on foot. I think the President has done one thing today that the issue is not how old one is but how fit he is; how healthy he is. Now that the president has proven his fitness and well-being, to continue in office is a settled matter, he said in a statement emailed to PREMIUM TIMES. Reacting in a message posted on his verified Facebook page Wednesday afternoon, Mr Abubakar lampooned the presidency, saying the claim was pedestrian. I regularly jog more than a mile and exercise, but it will be pedestrian of me to ask Nigerians to vote for me because of that, he posted. I want my party the PDP, and Nigerians, to vote for me because I WORK not because I WALK. I will work to create jobs. I wont walk to create an illusion. Mr Abubakar contested the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, with Mr Buhari ahead of the 2015 elections. The former vice-president however lost the ticket to the retired army general, who would go ahead to defeat then incumbent Goodluck Jonathan at the polls. Interestingly, the presidential aide, Mr Shehu, whose statement is being faulted here by Mr Abubakar, was a media aide for more than a decade to the former vice president. It was Mr Abubakar who nominated him to serve in the present government after he (Mr Abubakar) lost the APC presidential ticket to Mr Buhari. Mr Abubakar recently returned to the PDP to pursue his presidential ambition, but Mr Shehu has stayed on with President Buhari. Mr Abubakar served as Nigerias vice president between 1999 and 2007, when Olusegun Obasanjo was president. Few weeks ago, Mr Obasanjo told PREMIUM TIMES God would not forgive him if he supported Mr Abubakars presidential ambition. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has given President Muhammadu Buhari a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN). The ultimatum follows a threat by the Benue State coordinator of the group, Garius Gololo. Mr Gololo had on Tuesday warned the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to resign or be forced to do so. It is on this note that we are saying that Saraki ought not to be in office again as Senate President, more so, Saraki has failed to coordinate and organise the National Assembly to offer quality legislation that Nigerians need he was quoted by the Punch as saying. Nigerians are in dire need of people that have the interest of the masses. Miyetti Allah is looking for a leader that would preside over the affairs of the Senate with ultimate respect for the executive and the judiciary, not someone like Senator Saraki that would always scheme to outdo the Presidency. We are now tired of Sarakis style of leadership at the National Assembly. Therefore, we are now warning him to honourably resign his position as president of the Senate or we will force him out, Gololo said, refusing, however, to explain how the association would remove the Senate president, he said. Reacting to the comments on Wednesday, PDP in a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleged a synergy between APC and MACBAN. If anything, this unguarded statement by Miyetti Allah has exposed the synergy between the ruling party and some troublesome elements, who are being used to stoke division and create violent crisis that had resulted into daily bloodlettings in various parts of the country. It is now abundantly clear to Nigerians that those fomenting crisis, including the bloody clashes in Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Nassarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Edo, Borno, Yobe, Enugu, Kogi, Adamawa and other states in our country, have political backers, who now want to channel them to achieve their unpatriotic quest to subvert our constitution and forcefully take over the National Assembly. Describing MACBAN as the fourth arm of President Buharis administration, the PDP demanded the arrest and immediate trial of leaders of the group. Before now, to majority of Nigerians, the Miyetti Allah has always represented the military wing of the APC and the Buhari Presidency. It is incontrovertible that they have now become the fourth arm of government that can determine when and how to forcefully remove the number three citizen, the President of the Senate. It is common knowledge that Mr. President has come under heavy public criticisms on how his body language has condoned the unguarded utterances and actions of these characters. However, in the light of these treasonable and inciting utterances by Miyetti Allah, we demand that President Muhammadu Buhari, should within the next 24 hours, order the arrest and commence immediate trial of the leadership of this group, otherwise Nigerians will henceforth hold him directly responsible for the utterances and actions of the Miyetti Allah. In a statement Wednesday morning, MACBAN national chapter dissociated itself from comments by Mr Gololo while promising appropriate sanctions for his statement. The PDP aligned itself with this position while calling on Nigerians to condemn the comments. Finally, the PDP is aware that Miyetti Allah does not represent the views and interests of the vast majority of cattle breeders or even any ethnic group in the country. We therefore urge all good spirited Nigerians to rise in condemnation of the actions and utterances of these misguided elements, who are being used to attempt a constitutional breach that portends grave danger to national cohesion and our hard earned democracy, the statement reads further. The Personal Assistant on Political Matters to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Olalekan Alabi, has filed an application before a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, seeking to commence committal proceedings against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, for contempt of court. Mr Alabi approached the court through his counsel, Adebayo Adelodun, to effect the service of Form 49, which is a notice of committal to prison on the IGP for disobeying court order directing his release from police custody. The service of Form 49 on the IGP means that he will be summoned by the court to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for having disobeyed the order of court to release Alabi. Mr Alabi has been in police custody in Abuja since May 30, following his arrest over his alleged link with Offa banks robbery suspects. However, on August 1, the Kwara State High Court granted him an interim bail after declaring that his continued detention by the police was illegal and unjustifiable. While granting him an interim bail in the sum of N20 million with two reliable sureties in like sum, Justice A.I. Yusuf held that the police had failed to justify why they have kept the governors aide in detention for over two months. But in flagrant disobedience of the court order, the police have refused to release Mr Alabi from their custody despite perfecting his bail conditions. This development necessitated the court to on August 14 issue Form 48 to the IGP, which is an initiation of contempt proceeding. It states that 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 IGP has, however, failed to respond to the notice, prompting Alabi to approach the court to serve him Form 49. Senate President Bukola Saraki on Wednesday boasted that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win the 2019 presidential elections. Mr Saraki said this in Ilorin at a meeting with PDP members who came from the 16 local government areas of the state. He also expressed his confidence that his new party would emerge victorious in all the local government areas of Kwara State. Mr Saraki said that the victory of PDP at both federal and state levels would be beneficial to all the members in the state. The Senate President said that the future of PDP was now brighter than it used to be. If we emerge victorious at the federal level, all of us will be the beneficiaries. In the state, with your support we will win the state for PDP. All of you here are the key players in Kwara politics. With unity of purpose, no party can contest with you. We are here to unite all of us under the party we belong to today. I am assuring all members that there will be equity, internal democracy and justice. It is not going to be winners take all. As far as I am concerned, everybody here today belong to our political structure. There is nothing like old or new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We have all become one PDP. I want all of us to be united for the progress and development of Kwara State. As par the politics of the state, nobody can wrest the power from us I if we are united. By the grace of God we will emerge victorious both at the federal and state levels. We will ensure that we work as one party because we have always worked together before. We will see that all the wards and local governments popular candidates emerge based on their popularity and acceptability, Saraki said. He assured PDP members that there would be no anointed candidates in all the elective positions. I dont have any anointed candidate at all levels. I dont have candidates for the state Assembly, National Assembly. It is the person you want in your constituency that I will okay. Dont allow anybody to deceive you that I have endorsed any candidate, he said. The Senate President implored party leaders and elders not to drop his name to impose unpopular candidates. All of us will collectively choose who becomes the next governor. We will ensure that there is no faction, but one PDP. We will ensure that meetings in the local government areas take place in one venue. And we will all work together for the interest of the party, he said. Saraki appealed to all party members to start work for the party to emerge victorious next year. I am sure many more will come back and join us because those that left left under the wrong assumption that it will be different from what it used to be. They were misled that those coming are out to move them away. Nobody is moving you away because this place belongs to you too. Let us go back and start work closely together and by the grace of God we will all be victorious, the Senate President said. (NAN) Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun and Simon Lalong of Plateau and a former governor of Abia, Uzor Orji Kalu on Wednesday paid Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governors and Mr. Kalu met with the president separately behind closed-doors at the presidents private residence. Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Governor Amosun said he was in Daura to greet the President in the spirit of the Sallah celebration. He said: It is just part of what we should do during celebration like this to come and just say `hello to our leader. People are waiting for me back home, they have been with me since day before yesterday, throughout yesterday, early this morning and I had to sneak out to come and just say `hello to Mr President. The governor, who described Ogun state as almost a one party state, reassured that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would record impressive electoral results in 2019 general elections, in spite of the reported cases of defections by politicians in the state. Governor Lalong, who also spoke on his visit to Daura, said he used the opportunity to share the Sallah festivities with President Buhari and the Daura Emirate Council. This is my first time of spending Sallah (holiday) in Daura and so I used the opportunity to do Sallah with Mr President in Daura and also to enjoy some good meats. I also used the opportunity to do Sallah with the Emir of Daura because the Emir is like a father to me, he said. The governor enjoined all Nigerians to come together and promote the virtues of unity and peaceful co-existence, and to always avoid acts capable creating socio-political unrest in the country. He expressed satisfaction with the current security architecture put in place in the state. Former Governor Orji Kalu, who also spoke to newsmen after the closed door meeting with the President, called on Nigerians to continue to support the Buhari administration to enable it deliver on all its promises to the citizens. Mr. Kanu, who was turbaned as Danbaiwan Hausa by the Emir of Daura, Farouk Umar, lauded President Buhari for implementing programmes and policies aimed at transforming the nations economy for the good of all citizens. NAN also reports that President Buhari met behind closed door with all his family members from within and outside the state at his residence in Daura on Wednesday. (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it does not allow voters to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) by proxy. Osaretin Imahiyereobo, INECs Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Plateau State, disclosed this in Jos on Wednesday while briefing PREMIUM TIMES on the ongoing voters registration exercise in the state. Mr Imahiyereobo said PVCs are only issued to those whose photographs and details appear on the cards. This is even as he revealed that majority of PVCs produced for voters in the state are yet to be collected. He said the commission between April and December 2017 received 123,868 PVCs with less than half collected by owners. Out of the 123, 868 received from the commissions headquarters, only 35,874 were collected as at Monday. According to him, part of reasons for low collection of the cards was because the commission does not allow collection by proxy. You know we dont allow collection of PVCs by proxy. There is a column you have to thumbprint before issuing the card and you cant ask someone to do that on behalf another. People usually ask for others PVCs and we dont give them because one does not collect on behalf of another. If we had been giving people others PVCs , all the remaining ones would have been collected. So, it is a transparent process. Collection is an ongoing process. We have from now to January. People still have chance to collect theirs, he added. We have been running educative programme on Peace FM and KT FM on the need for people to collect their PVCs before 2019 general election. The commission has been working on that accordingly. He, however, said that for those who registered between January and now and those who have lost their cards or moved to other locations, their PVCs would be ready by October. Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has urged communities in the state to expose criminals dislodged by the ongoing military operations in neighbouring Zamfara State. Mr Masari made the call on Wednesday when the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir, paid him the traditional Sallah Homage. You know the army and the Nigerian Air Force have launched an operation against bandits in Zamfara State. Some of the bandits have started relocating to communities around Rugu Forest in Katsina State. They are the rustlers and kidnappers terrorising people in the society. Expose them and their hideouts because they are of no importance other than causing trouble. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had in July approved the establishment of Operation Whirl Stroke II in Zamfara, Kaduna states following the continued killing of innocent citizens by armed bandits. The governor also urged people who had not registered in the ongoing Voter Registration to do so. You should ensure that you register, obtain your PVC and come and vote during the 2019 general elections. He also advised the people not to allow their children to be used by politicians to cause trouble during the 2019 general elections. Earlier, the emir urged the people to imbibe the habit of environmental cleanliness in order to reduce disease outbreak in the state. Mr Kabir also expressed dissatisfaction over the high incidence of drug abuse among youths and women. He, therefore, urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts at checking the menace. NAN correspondent reports that a heavy rainfall disrupted the event. (NAN) Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has paid glowing tributes to his late mother, Goldcoast Dickson, whom he described as an integral part of his journey in life. Governor Dickson, in his brief remarks on Monday night during a service organised by the state government at the Governors Lodge in Yenagoa to commiserate with him, said his mum popularly known as Mama Gogo was more than just a mother. My mother has been an integral part of my journey. She was not just my mother. She was my elder sister. She was my rock, my counselor, my guardian angel. And because of her subtle style, people might not know the level of her influence. He explained that his mother complained of pain in the leg in January, which was later diagnosed at the Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre to be cancer. He thanked the state for the outpouring of grief and called for prayers for the family, especially during this period. Governor Dickson in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, equally expressed appreciation and gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Nigerian leaders who called to commiserate with him and his family. Let me on behalf of my family and government of Bayelsa State express our deep appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, who took time off his vacation in the United Kingdom to personally call to condole with me and offer prayers for my mother and family. Similarly, I thank the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who also called me to commiserate with us in our moment of grief. My profound appreciation also goes to all former Heads of State and Presidents of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Dr Goodluck Jonathan for personally calling and writing formal condolence letters to condole with us. I was humbled by the outpour of concern and love shown to me by my colleagues and brother Governors who spared precious time out of their busy schedules to commiserate with my family and I. I am also grateful to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for identifying with us in our most trying period. I specially thank the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara, the Deputy Senate President, Professor Ike Ekweremadu, the entire leadership of the National Assembly and indeed all federal lawmakers and former leadership of the National Assembly for commiserating with us. The entire leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and particularly the National Working Committee (NWC) ably led by Prince Uche Secondus mourned with us, for which we are immensely appreciative. I equally appreciate the concern, prayers and support of many former governors, deputy governors, friends and political associates who continue to stand by us in this trying period. I want to sincerely thank the leadership of other political parties for setting aside partisan affiliations and interest to identify with us in our hour of grief. I cannot forget in a hurry the outpour of condolences and support of all presidential aspirants of our great party who stood by the Dickson family. In the light of this, let me thank the following aspirants: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Kaduna State and Caretaker Committee Chairman of PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, former Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and former Minister of Special Duties, Barr. Saminu Turaki. I am not oblivious of the support, care and prayers of the government and people of Bayelsa State, monarchs and senior citizens of the Ijaw nation for the Dickson family. To this end, let me thank the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), the Rt. Honourable Speaker, Konbowei Benson and entire members of the House of Assembly, the State Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri and the entire judicial arm of government, members of the state executive arm, government functionaries, the state bureaucracy, leaders and elders of Bayelsa State, the Bayelsa State Elders Caucus led by Chief Francis Duokpola, Bayelsa State National Assembly Caucus led by Senator Foster Ogola, foremost Ijaw leader, Pa Edwin Clark and the leadership of PANDEF, the Ieadership of the Ijaw National Congress INC and the Ijaw Youth Congress (INC). I cannot end the appreciation without thanking captains of industry, corporate Nigeria, civil society, the media, the Nigeria Bar Association, churches and faith-based organisations for their support and prayers. Our appreciation also goes to the medical practitioners who did their best in the circumstance to give support, care and treatment to our mother before her passing. We thank the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, Texas in the United States of America for treating and taking good care of Mama. We also appreciate the management and staff of the Bayelsa State Diagnostic Centre, Yenagoa where Mama Gogo was first diagnosed of cancer and for giving care to her before she was referred abroad for further treatment and management. Mrs Gold Coast Dickson died on August 8, 2018 at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, Texas, in the United States of America. The Emir of Daura, Umar Faruq, has conferred the traditional title of Danbaiwan-Hausa on the former governor of Abia, Uzor Orji Kalu in recognition of his efforts towards the development of Abia and Nigeria at large. Mr. Faruq stated this on Wednesday in his palace in Daura, when he conferred the title on the former governor. The monarch, who described Mr. Kalu as peace promoter, noted that the title has made him the representative of the Hausa in the entire Ibo land in the country. We appreciate your contributions to the business sector in Nigeria and your efforts in peace building for the good of community. We also appreciate the love you have for our son. I urge you to continue your campaigns for President Muhammadu Buhari, he said. The Emir said that throughout Hausaland, it is only the Daura Emirate that can confer that title to anybody, which means a Gifted son of Hausa Kingdom. Responding, Mr. Kalu commended the Emir for the title, and assured the monarch that he would continue to do more for the development and unity of the country. In his goodwill message at the occasion, the Minister for Communications, Adebayo Shittu, described Mr. Kalu as a bridge-builder, who has consistently endeared himself into the hearts of the people and supporters of Mr President. For somebody, who has taken such initiatives, I think he deserved supports and collaborations. What has happened today will encourage him to do more toward Nigerias unity and integration, he said. Mr. Kalu after the turban proceeded to the residence of President Muhammadu Buhari where he held a closed-door meeting with the President. (NAN) (CNN) US President Donald Trump said another summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would "most likely" happen but offered no details on timing or venue in an interview with Reuters Monday. In the interview Trump pointed to an absence of missile or nuclear tests from Pyongyang as a measure of the success he's had in dealing with the reclusive regime, which last year was threatening the US mainland with nuclear strikes. "I stopped (North Korea's) nuclear testing. I stopped (North Korea's) missile testing. Japan is thrilled. What's going to happen? Who knows? We're going to see," Trump said. When the two leaders met in Singapore in June, Trump praised the young autocrat, saying Kim had "to be a rough guy," but that he's "smart, loves his people, he loves his country. He wants a lot of good things and that's why he's doing this." Stalled negotiations Senior diplomatic sources have told CNN that North Korea has rejected repeated proposals from the White House on denuclearization. The United States has made, and continues to make, "specific proposals for starting and proceeding to the end point of fully verified denuclearization," including a timeline, these sources say. North Korea has rejected all of these proposals, considering them "gangster-like," one of the sources said. Trump was asked in Monday's interview if North Korea had done anything beyond dismantling a test site to show it was in the process of denuclearizing. "I do believe they have," he told Reuters, but did not provide further details. Inter-Korean summit coming in September South Korea welcomed Trump's comments about a prospective second summit between the US President and Kim Jong Un. A spokesman for the Blue House, the South Korean presidential palace, said a possible second summit was a sign of Trump and Kim's "will for denuclearization and peace on the Korean peninsula." "As we've been seeing the US-NK relations advance quickly, we hope [it] comes to fruition," Kim Eui-keum told reporters on Tuesday. The leaders of the two Koreas are scheduled to meet in September for their third summit this year. Spokesman Kim said the relationship between the US and North Korea and the inter-Korean relationship should work together to move the region beyond crisis. "It should be a virtuous cycle where the development of NK-US relations promotes the development of inter-Korean relations, and the development of inter-Korean relations leads to the development of NK-US relations," he said. At the same time, the spokesman said Washington's relationship with Pyongyang would always progress at a slower rate. "The two countries that have had hostile relations for about 70 years normalized relations on June 12," he said. "The progress of restoring relations cannot go in a straight line and also not at the same speed." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Trump: There'll 'most likely' be another summit with Kim" Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Tuesday reacted to the outrage that greeted the demolition of musician Yinka Ayefeles Music House in Ibadan on Sunday. The governor alleged that Mr Ayefeles conduct contravenes the law of the state. A video clip published by BBC News Yoruba, the stations indigenous language outfit, said Mr Ajimobi spoke shortly after the Eid prayer on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. In the clip, the governor also dismissed points raised by sympathisers that Mr Ayefele was physically challenged, adding that his status should give him no immunity against the law. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Music House building of Mr Ayefele was demolished on Sunday. The building houses Mr Ayefeles Fresh FM. The demolition was condemned by the Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Union of Journalists and many other Nigerians. But on Tuesday, Mr Ajimobi alleged that Mr Ayefele didnt obey the law of the state. Speaking in Yoruba, he said, Just like the house they said we demolished, that man didnt obey the law, now. People are now saying because hes physically challenged; so if one is physically challenged, then he should break the law? They said he employed people, are armed robbers not employers of labour too? Should we now say because armed robbers employ people, they should continue to rob and terrorise others? The governor however promised to pity the musician, adding that the law nevertheless must be obeyed. And we told them that, that road er, well, we shall pity them. But we have to obey the law, he said. Earlier on Monday, the Oyo State Government took two contrasting positions on the demolition exercise. While the government at a press conference insisted due process was followed in the partial demolition of the building, its counsel told an Ibadan high court the government knew nothing about the demolition. The development came after the government suffered widespread condemnation following the demolition of the building. The Oyo State Government and Mr Ayefele have been locked in a war of words over the location of the building in recent weeks. Police operatives on Wednesday shot and killed a suspected member of an armed robbery gang operating along Sagamu-Benin Expressway. The Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi who confirmed this to journalists said, the gang had blocked the express road in an attempt to rob a luxury bus belonging to the Young Shall Grow Motors. Men of Ogun State Police Command have on the early hour of Wednesday 22nd August shot dead an armed robbery suspect along Shagamu/Benin Express road, the police spokesman told journalists. He said the police were alerted by a distress call made to the Ogbere Divisional Headquarters. He said the Divisional Police Officer, John Okon, led his officials to the scene where they engaged the bandits in gun duel which lasted for about 30 minutes. While the operation was going on, a distress call was made to the police at Ogbere divisional headquarters consequence upon which the DPO SP John Okon led his anti-robbery men to the scene where they engaged the bandits in gun duel which lasted for about 30 minutes. At the end of the encounter, one of the suspects was shot dead while others escaped into the nearby bush. The armed robbery suspect that was shot dead Mr Oyeyemi said the police recovered from the deceased robber a locally made long barrel gun, a toy pistol and charms, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has ordered a manhunt for the other gang members. A former Chief of Staff to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Adeolu Akande, has appealed to him to restore the virtue of compassion into his government. Mr. Akande made the appeal to the governor in a statement he issued in Ibadan on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Akande, a professor of Political Science at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo, was chief of staff to Mr. Ajimobi during his first term in office. Mr. Akande said recent actions of the government suggest that some elements in the Ajimobi-led administration had forgotten that the administration emerged in 2011 with a promise to protect the welfare of the people. Many recent actions of the government are at variance with its disposition at inception in 2011. This suggests that some forces who are not privy to the pledge of Ajimobi to the people have made ascendancy in the government to the detriment of what the government stood for at inception, he said He said no administration without the element of compassion would go down in history as successful. Mr. Akande said the primary responsibility of any government was to protect lives and property, adding that the sacredness of private property comes after preservation of life in terms of importance. A government has a duty to make all necessary measures to protect the property of private citizens just as it has a duty to protect their lives, he stated. He said the furore generated by the demolition of the property of Yinka Ayefele, a popular musician, must have demonstrated to the government by now that it was an unpopular decision. Government is about the people and not the anger and emotions of the people in government. The Yoruba captures this truism when they say a ruler rules with wisdom and not with stubbornness. The Ayefele saga has once again brought to the fore the need for the governor to rethink his government and review its personnel and focus as he embarks on his homestretch so that history can be kind to him, he said. Mr. Akande said he was pained that the lofty ideals that endeared the governor to the people in the early years had been abandoned and replaced with practices that could wipe out such achievements. It is more painful that many of the personnel who encourage controversial government decisions and actions claim innocence in private conversations and never identified themselves with those decisions, even in public, he said. Mr. Akande urged the governor to rethink his posture on the demolition of the building belonging to Ayefele and make amendments that would restore public confidence in his person and administration. Ayefele means many things to many people. His rise to grace in spite of a major life challenge makes him a model for a good percentage of our people. As a musician, he has been the purveyor of joy and happiness to many of us because of his melodious and philosophical music. As a philanthropist, he is a great shield for hundreds of thousands of people. As the promoter of Fresh FM, he is a trustee of public trust as the station has become the Voice of the Voiceless, he said. He recalled how the governor directed all government agencies to protect Ayefeles building from demolition in 2012 during the dualisation of the Challenge-Toll Gate road in spite of persuasion from some forces to demolish it. Mr. Akande pleaded that Mr. Ajimobi should exhibit this same compassion in taking measures that would protect Mr. Ayefeles private investment in the state and restore public admiration for him. Government should open discussion with Ayefele and find an amicable resolution of the dispute. Ayefele needs to be protected because he is a valuable icon of our society, he said. He advised Mr. Ajimobi to extend the same sense of compassion to the handling of the subsisting issues at LAUTECH and the closure of tertiary institutions occasioned by the reduction in subvention to the institutions. I make this appeal because the governor is on the homestretch of his administration and there will not be such auspicious opportunity for him to etch his name on the positive side of history. Those who encourage the governor to embrace hard-line positions in his last months in government are not his friends and do not mean well for him and Oyo State, Mr. Akande, a governorship aspirant, said. (NAN) For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME. Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire. Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever. Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation. View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union. Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history. Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words. BBT-877 demonstrated the best-in-class potential at the preclinical experiments in comparison with competing compounds US IND will be submitted by year end SEONGNAM, South Korea and SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridge Biotherapeutics Inc., a clinical stage biotech company headquartered in Seongnam, South Korea, presented the results of the preclinical study on 'BBT-877', an investigational drug candidate for IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) treatment, at the IPF Summit 2018 held in San Francisco, California. BBT-877 was discovered by LegoChem Biosciences, publicly traded Korean biotech and licensed to Bridge Biotherapeutics for the worldwide exclusive right for further development. BBT-877 targets Autotaxin (ATX), which has emerged as a promising target for various diseases such as fibrosis and cancers. GLPG1690, an ATX inhibitor being developed by Galapagos has been approved to proceed to phase 3 clinical trial bypassing phase 2b study in the U.S. after showing promising results of phase 2a performed with 23 IPF patients. Bridge Biotherapeutics presented the results of BBT-877 preclinical study at the poster session of the IPF Summit 2018, which demonstrated strong efficacy in the bleomycin-induced mouse model. The study indicates that BBT-877 has effectively reduced lung fibrosis as presented by reduction of Ashcroft scores and the deposition of collagen (staining), compared to the other drugs. The data implies a high potential of BBT-877 to be the 'best-in-class' drug for IPF treatments. Bridge Biotherapeutics now plans to submit a US IND of BBT-877 by the end of this year. "It is a great opportunity for Bridge Biotherapeutics to present the outstanding preclinical study results on BBT-877 at the IPF Summit 2018. Bridge Biotherapeutics aims to develop BBT-877 as the best-in-class drug for IPF as fast as possible to bring this investigational compound to patients as new treatment option," said James Lee, CEO of Bridge Biotherapeutics. Bridge Biotherapeutics is developing BBT-401, the first anti-Pellino-1 compound in Phase I in US for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and aims to initiate the international multi-site FIP (first-in-patient) study by year end. BBT-401 was discovered by SKKU (Sungkyunkwan University) and KRICT (Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology) and was licensed the exclusive worldwide right to Bridge Biotherapeutics in 2015. For more information 1. Bridge Biotherapeutics, Inc. Bridge Biotherapeutics is a virtually-operated, venture-backed clinical stage Korean biotech engaged in the development of novel therapeutics in the therapeutic areas of high unmet needs such as ulcerative colitis, fibrotic diseases and cancers. It currently licenses novel NCE (New Chemical Entities) or NME (New Molecule Entities) mainly from Korean academics or biotech/pharmas to develop them globally. The company has raised $30m from Korean local VCs from the inception. 2. Autotaxin Autotaxin (ATX) is a protein of approximately 900 amino acids discovered in the early 1990s, and an enzyme important for generating the lipid signaling molecule, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Autotaxin has lysophospholipase D activity that converts lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) into LPA. LPA, the bioactive lipid catalyzed by Autotaxin, engages in signaling via LPA receptors and the LPA signaling results in cell proliferation, migration, secretion of cytokine and chemokine and reduction of cell apoptosis. Pathologically, Autotaxin has been found to be engaged in inflammation and fibrosis and it emerges as one of attractive drug targets. 3. IPF, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, irreversible and fatal lung disease. A number of investigational drugs are being developed while only two therapeutics, pirfenidone and nintedanib, were approved by US FDA. 4. IPF Summit 2018 2nd Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Summit organized by Hanson Wade was held from August 20th through the 22nd, 2018 at The Marker San Francisco, San Francisco, California. With the incredible breakthrough success of drugs now in our arsenal for slowing IPF disease progression, the increasing importance of identifying genetic mechanisms, closing the translational gap between preclinical and clinical results, and developing candidates to reverse fibrosis have opened up further challenges within IPF drug development. (http://ipf-summit.com/) Contact: Bridge Biotherapeutics, Inc. Director, Jong-Jin Lim ([email protected]) Manager, Joengbin Ahn ([email protected]) SOURCE Bridge Biotherapeutics, Inc. SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- City Wide, the nation's premier management company in the building maintenance industry, announced the San Antonio office has new ownership with seasoned business professional Stuart Moyer. Moyer, who joined City Wide's home office in 2010, spent nearly eight years with the organization, developing a strong understanding of the industry. In his most recent role as the franchise's Senior Director of Sales, Moyer led the development team's efforts to grow the brand nationally. With his expertise in sales and management, Moyer joins the San Antonio team as president to further reinforce the company's business operations and strengthen new and existing client relationships. "It's been a dream to grow my own business," said Moyer. "After years of being on the inside and working with those who do it best on the outside, I felt confident it was time to make the leap. What's guided me is being an effective listener and anticipating my clients' needs. I know how important that is and plan to carry it forward. I can already visualize how this move will positively affect my team and the San Antonio community." With the leadership change, the team is also relocating to a new space at 401 Isom Rd. (Suite 280) in San Antonio. At 2,360 square ft., the larger office aims to refresh the vibe and dynamic of the maintenance industry. Staying true to City Wide's business model, the company is continuing to ease the selection and building management processes by utilizing a single point of contact for all services. This ensures a simplified approach for each client, while also maximizing the effectiveness of services. For more information about City Wide Maintenance of San Antonio, visit www.gocitywide.com/sanantonio/ or call (210) 308-5600. About City Wide Founded in 1961, City Wide has become synonymous with building maintenance in its home Kansas City market and the more than 50 U.S. regions where it has grown through franchising since 2001. A single-source solution for all building maintenance services, City Wide contracts with independent contractors to give clients access to dozens of interior and exterior services. City Wide simplifies the maintenance matters that mean most to building owners, operators, and management companies, easing the time, stress, and resources typically required to oversee an entire facility. SOURCE City Wide Related Links http://www.gocitywide.com ARVADA, Colo., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Disaster Services, a nationally recognized and award-winning franchise brand that provides restoration services to commercial and residential properties, announced today that it has signed 11 franchise licenses in less than three months under its new ownership, more than doubling the budding system's U.S. presence. The recent signed agreements have been made exclusively with Chem-Dry franchisees; Delta Disaster Services was acquired in the spring of 2018 by HRI Holdings, Inc. (HRI), the parent company to the Chem-Dry Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning and N-Hance Wood Refinishing franchise businesses. "The interest in the Delta Disaster Services franchise model from the Chem-Dry network has been and continues to be exceptionally strong," said Mike Mastous, founder and president of Delta Disaster Services. "We recently launched an aggressive growth strategy to become a dominant force in the restoration industry, and to see this level of demand and momentum so early is exciting especially from such a qualified and experienced group. I'm eager to continue expanding our reach through the existing Chem-Dry franchisee network, as well as with other entrepreneurs looking to enter the $60 billion-plus restoration category with our strong and unique franchise model." Currently, Delta Disaster Services has operations in sixteen markets, including its corporately run territory in Denver. Franchise units operate in Northern, Southern and Western Colorado, as well as Salt Lake City, Northern Los Angeles and in the Gulf Coast areas of Northwest Florida, Southern Mississippi and Alabama. The new franchise agreements include multiple licenses in Texas, Utah and California and will increase the brand's presence to 25 markets. The earliest openings are scheduled for late August 2018 in College Station, Texas, followed by Dallas in September. For more information about the Delta Disaster Services franchise opportunity, visit www.delta-us.com or call (844) 726-0638. About Delta Disaster Services Delta Disaster Services is a nationally recognized, award-winning franchise brand in the 60-billion-dollar restoration industry, providing restoration services to commercial and residential properties for water, fire, and environmental damage, including reconstruction. For more information about Delta Disaster Services, please visit https://trydelta.com. To learn about available franchise opportunities, visit www.delta-us.com or call (844) 726-0638. CONTACT: Gautier Lemyze-Young All Points Public Relations (847) 897-7462 [email protected] SOURCE Delta Disaster Services Related Links http://www.delta-us.com DUBLIN, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Cognitive Assessment Market 2025 - Global Analysis and Forecasts Components, Applications and End-users" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global cognitive assessment market by component is dominated by software market revenue in 2017, and however the trend is going to change during the forecast period and it will lose some of its share to service market. The service market has highest growth rate during the forecast period. Service revenues are anticipated to grow at an exponential rate over the years reflecting prominent companies adopting positive strategic steps to diversify their product offering. Service segment include both the traditional project and study management services and also the increasing amount of consultancy and modified development work being undertaken for customers for recruit and wearable projects. Clinical trials and corporate training & recruitment sector are driving the market by volume and size of trials. Also, rapid growth in the aging population worldwide and growing penetration of cognitive assessment in academic sector are thereby driving the adoption globally. The cognitive assessment market is further flourishing due to introduction of gamification and digitalization of technology. Advancements in technology such as synchronization of assessment with wearable device is expected to create new opportunities for the cognitive assessment services market during the forecasted period. In our study, we have segmented the cognitive assessment market by component, application, and end-user. The cognitive assessment market on the basis of component has been segmented into software and service. Also, these cognitive assessment tools find applications in a diverse end-user verticals for diverse purposes. Majorly, these tools are being used for clinical trials purposes to evaluate and treat the patients suffering from Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. However, during the coming years, education, recruitment & training activities have also been anticipated to cash in on the potentials of the usage of these tools. Hence, the cognitive assessment market on the basis of applications has been segmented into scientific research, clinical trials, academic assessments, corporate training & recruitment, and others. Also, the cognitive assessment market has been segmented on the basis of end-users into healthcare, enterprise, education, sports, government, defense, and others. Geographically, Europe is a highly diverse region consisting of more than 70 countries in it. While Europe boasts of a highly advanced healthcare sector, and the education sector, these sectors contribute to the high demands for cognitive assessment tools in the region. Also, a highly advanced IT hub augurs in a good stead for increased usage of cognitive assessment tools. Over a period of years, the deployments of cognitive software in the various end-user sectors in Europe would saturate and hence, the market for services of these cognitive assessment tools would gain attraction. The demand of extensive training session for an individual to overcome their weakness and advancement in technology is further increasing the growth of these cognitive assessment services in the forecast period. Major cognitive assessment service providers are based in North America, mainly US. However, the market is penetrating at high growth rate in other region as well including APAC and European countries. Key Industry Dynamics Key Market Drivers Rapidly Aging Global Population Growing Interest of Industries In Various Sectors Towards Cognitive Assessment Cognitive Assessment As a Special Tool In Corporate Hiring As Well As Improving Productivity of Employees Key Market Restraints Less Awareness Among Organizations About Cognitive Assessment Benefits Government Restrictions In Some Region Key Market Opportunities Advancements In Technology Increasing Awareness Among Masses For the Cognitive Assessments Future Trends Gamification In Cognitive Assessment Shifting From Pen & Paper Based Assessment To Digital Assessment Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Key Takeaways 3. Market Landscape 4. Cognitive Assessment Market - Key Industry Dynamics 5. Cognitive Assessment - Global Market Analysis 6. Cognitive Assessment Market Revenue and Forecasts To 2025 - Components 7. Cognitive Assessment Market Revenue and Forecasts To 2025 - Application 8. Cognitive Assessment Market Revenue and Forecasts To 2025 - End-User 9. Cognitive Assessment Market - Geographical Analysis 10. Industry Landscape 11. Competitive Landscape 12. Key Company Profiles Cambridge Cognition Ltd. Groupe SBT Ortelio Ltd. Thomas International Ltd. Prophase, LLC Cogstate Ltd. ERT Clinical Cognifit Neurocog Trials, Inc. Pearson Education For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/jx27nx/global_cognitive?w=5 Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, Aug 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Medical Pendant Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Fixed, Fixed Retractable, Single Arm Movable, Double & Multiarm Movable, Accessories), By Application (Hospitals, Clinics), And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global medical pendant market size is anticipated to reach USD 159.01 million by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period Availability of technologically advanced devices and favorable government initiatives are some of the key trends contributing to market growth. Medical pendants are used by healthcare professionals for positioning various medical devices and other necessary objects while performing procedures or surgeries. Globally, healthcare professionals are acknowledging their benefits and increasing adopting them in surgery, endoscopy, anesthesia, ICU procedures, and other healthcare specialties such as obstetrics and gynecology. Technological developments, such as button-press enabled medical pendants, facilitate system's arm movement as required. Devices with various ultraflexible configurations & multifaceted designs are commercially available and focused on fulfilling requirements of healthcare specialties. They are gaining traction worldwide. This is estimated to propel the market. Presence of favorable government initiatives, such as the initiative by the Indian government pertaining to indigenous manufacture of medical equipment, is anticipated to provide an upthrust to the market. The government of Jordan expanded its e-health initiative system to public hospitals and beyond. This, coupled with rising medical tourism, is likely to boost the demand for these devices in the country during the forecast period. The International Trade Administration stated that medical tourism generates more than USD 1.2 billion revenue annually in Jordan. In 2014, around 250,000 patients traveled to Jordan for treatment and this number is expected to reach 300,000 by 2018. Further key findings from the study suggest: The fixed segment represented a considerable share in the market in 2016 owing to higher usage of these devices in various healthcare specialties such as surgeries, anesthesia, endoscopy, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) procedures The ICU segment is projected to dominate the market over the forecast period. Increasing global burden of critical illness coupled with rising number of patient admissions into ICUs is resulting in growth in the number of intensive care units, thereby supplementing the growth of the segment North America is poised to be the leading revenue comtributor in the market during the forecast period due to local presence of key players and growing geriatric population, coupled with increasing prevalence of chronic diseases Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market Snapshot Chapter 2 Research Methodology 2.1 Information Procurement 2.2 Information or Data Analysis 2.3 Market Formulation & Validation 2.4 Region-wise Market Calculation 2.4.1 Region-wise market: Base estimates 2.4.2 Global market: CAGR calculation 2.4.3 Region-based segment share calculation 2.5 List of Secondary Sources Chapter 3 Market Variables, Trends & Scope 3.1 Market Segmentation & Scope 3.1.1 Market driver analysis 3.1.1.1 Growing demand for medical pendants 3.1.1.2 A surge in the number of healthcare professionals, clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare centers 3.1.1.3 Technological developments in the medical pendants 3.1.1.4 Presence of favorable government initiatives 3.1.2 Market restraint analysis 3.1.2.1 High cost of medical pendant systems 3.2 Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping 3.3 Medical Pendant - SWOT Analysis, by Factor (Political & Legal, Economic, and Technological) 3.3.1 Market SWOT analysis, by factor (political & legal, economic, and technological) 3.4 Industry Analysis - Porter's Chapter 4 Product Estimates & Trend Analysis 4.1 Medical Pendant Market: Product Movement Analysis 4.2 Fixed 4.2.1 Fixed market, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million) 4.3 Fixed Retractable 4.4 Single Arm Movable 4.5 Double and Multiarm Movable 4.6 Accessories Chapter 5 Application Estimates & Trend Analysis 5.1 Medical Pendant Market: Application Movement Analysis 5.2 Hospitals 5.2.1 Hospitals market, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million) 5.2.2 Operating Theatre (OT) & Recovery Room (RR) 5.2.3 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) 5.2.4 Emergency Room (ER) 5.2.5 Ward 5.3 Clinics 5.4 Others Chapter 6 Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis, by Product and Application Chapter 7 Competitive Landscape Elektra Hellas S.A . . Starkstrom Brandon Medical Co Ltd Skytron LLC Ondal Medical Systems GmbH Surgiris BeaconMeds MEDIMAXKOREA Tedisel Medical Megasan Medikal For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/kr5vrb/global_medical?w=5 Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, Aug. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Termite Bait Systems Market by Termite Type (Subterranean, Dampwood, Drywood), Station Type (In-Ground, Above-Ground), Application (Commercial & Industrial, Residential, Agriculture & Livestock Farms), and Region - Global Forecast to 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The termite bait systems market is estimated to be USD 260.8 million in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 342.5 million by 2023, at a CAGR of 5.60% The environmental benefits associated with termite bait systems are a major factor contributing to the growth of this market, globally. Due to the growing housing market and increasing prevalence of termite population due to the poor building practices, the market for termite bait systems is projected to grow in the coming years. The termite bait systems market is a relatively small sector in the termite control industry; however, the market has been growing at a significant rate due to the increasing need for effective termite management with less toxic methods in different sectors such as commercial and residential, in developed countries. Subterranean termites occur in greater numbers in warm countries in the southern hemisphere. They infest homes from the ground level; it is easier to prevent subterranean termite infestations than drywood termite infestations. The most common control measures for subterranean termite infestations include placing bait stations around the house. Therefore, with respect to termite type, subterranean termites are estimated to dominate the termite bait systems market in 2018. This is due to the strong demand for these products & services in the North American and Asia Pacific regions. The termite bait systems market, in terms of station type, is estimated to be dominated by in-ground bait stations in 2018. The main function of the in-ground station type is to monitor termite activities below the ground level of and around homes and apartments. Since subterranean termite species are predominantly found below the ground, consumers give high preference to in-ground termite bait stations. The convenience in the use of these products is a major reason supporting the acceptance of in-ground bait stations among consumers. In this report, on the basis of application, the market has been segmented into commercial & industrial, residential, agriculture & livestock farms, and others that include forestry, storage, and transport facilities. The commercial & industrial segment is estimated to account for the largest share in 2018. This dominance can be attributed to the need to avoid heavy infrastructure losses from termite damage in the commercial & industrial sector. Termite Bait Systems Market North America accounted for the largest share in 2017; followed by Asia Pacific, owing to the growing adoption of termite bait systems in countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, and China. Subterranean termites are widespread in North America and responsible for 90% of the management and damage costs in the US. In addition, the use of termite bait systems is high in the residential sector due to the presence of a large number of wooden houses, consumer awareness, and the strong presence & consumer reach of service providers in this region. Thus, the North American region dominated the termite bait systems market in 2017. Factors driving the growth of the termite bait systems market are its environment-friendly nature, convenient application process, and changing climatic conditions that fuel the prevalence of termite attacks. The major factors restraining the growth of the termite bait systems market are the high initial investment, renewal costs for contract maintenance, and lack of awareness. However, the market has strong prospects in the coming years, such as high consumer preference for innovative and sustainable products, and growing market opportunities in urban residential areas. Key Topics Covered: 1 Introduction 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Premium Insights 4.1 Attractive Opportunities in the Termite Bait Systems Market 4.2 Market For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type & Region, 2018 4.3 Asia Pacific Termite Bait Systems Market, By Application & Country, 2017 4.4 Market For Termite Bait Systems, Top 10 Countries 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Market Dynamics 5.2.1 Drivers 5.2.1.1 Environmentally Safe and Convenient Application Process 5.2.1.2 Changing Climatic Conditions Increase the Need to Avert Termite Invasion 5.2.2 Restraints 5.2.2.1 High Initial Investment and Contract Maintenance 5.2.2.2 Lack of Awareness & Low Adoption Rate 5.2.3 Opportunities 5.2.3.1 Higher Preference of Innovative and Sustainable Products Among Customers 5.2.3.2 Growing Market Opportunities in Urban Residential Areas 5.2.3.3 Growing Market Consolidation Activities Would Improve Customer Reach and Service Quality 5.2.4 Challenges 5.2.4.1 Effects are Relatively Slow as Compared to Liquid Chemical Barriers 5.3 Regulatory Framework 5.3.1 Introduction 5.3.2 Us 5.3.3 Canada 5.3.4 European Union 5.3.5 UK 5.3.6 Australia 6 Termite Bait Systems Market, By Termite Type 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Subterranean Termites 6.3 Dampwood Termites 6.4 Drywood Termites 6.5 Other Termite Types 7 Termite Bait Systems Market, By Station Type 7.1 Introduction 7.2 In-Ground 7.3 Above-Ground 8 Termite Bait Systems Market, By Application 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Commercial & Industrial 8.3 Residential 8.4 Agriculture & Livestock Farms 8.5 Other Applications 9 Termite Bait Systems Market, By Region 9.1 Introduction 9.2 North America 9.2.1 US 9.2.2 Canada 9.2.3 Mexico 9.3 Asia Pacific 9.3.1 Australia 9.3.2 China 9.3.3 Japan 9.3.4 Rest of Asia Pacific 9.4 South America 9.4.1 Brazil 9.4.2 Argentina 9.4.3 Rest of South America 9.5 Europe 9.5.1 France 9.5.2 Italy 9.5.3 Spain 9.5.4 Rest of Europe 9.6 Rest of the World (RoW) 9.6.1 South Africa 9.6.2 Egypt 9.6.3 Others in RoW 10 Competitive Landscape 10.1 Overview 10.2 Company Rankings 10.2.1 Termiticide (Bait) Manufacturers 10.2.2 Termite Control Service Providers 10.3 Competitive Scenario 10.3.1 New Product Launches 10.3.2 Expansions 10.3.3 Mergers & Acquisitions 10.3.4 Agreements, Collaborations, and Joint Ventures 11 Company Profiles 11.1 Termite Bait Manufacturers 11.1.1 Dowdupont 11.1.2 BASF 11.1.3 Bayer AG 11.1.4 Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. 11.1.5 Syngenta 11.1.6 Spectrum Brands, Inc. 11.1.7 Ensystex 11.1.8 Pct International 11.2 Termite Control Service Providers 11.2.1 Rentokil Initial Plc 11.2.2 Rollins, Inc. 11.2.3 The Terminix International Company LP 11.2.4 Arrow Exterminators, Inc. 12 Appendix List of Tables Table 1 USD Exchange Rate, 2013-2017 Table 2 Price Comparison Between Termite Bait and Liquid Termiticide, 2017 Table 3 Termite Bait Systems Market Size, By Termite Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 4 Market Size For Subterranean Termite Bait Systems, By Region, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 5 Market Size For Dampwood Termite Bait Systems, By Region, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 6 Market Size For Drywood Termite Bait Systems, By Region, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 7 Termite Bait Systems Market Size for Other Termite Types, By Region, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 8 Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 9 Market Size For In-Ground Termite Bait Systems, By Region, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 10 Market Size For Above-Ground Termite Bait Systems, By Region, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 11 Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 12 Termite Bait Systems Market Size for Commercial & Industrial Applications, By Region, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 13 Termite Bait Systems Market Size for Residential Applications, By Region, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 14 Termite Bait Systems Market Size for Agriculture & Livestock Farm Applications, By Region, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 15 Termite Bait Systems Market Size for Other Applications, By Region, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 16 Termite Bait Systems Market Size, By Region, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 17 North America: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Country, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 18 North America: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 19 North America: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Termite Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 20 North America: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 21 US: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 22 US: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 23 Canada: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 24 Canada: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 25 Mexico: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 26 Mexico: Termite Bait Systems Market Size, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 27 Asia Pacific: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Country, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 28 Asia Pacific: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 29 Asia Pacific: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Termite Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 30 Asia Pacific: Termite Control Market Size, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 31 Australia: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 32 Australia: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 33 China: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 34 China: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 35 Japan: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 36 Japan: Termite Bait Systems Market Size, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 37 Rest of Asia Pacific: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 38 Rest of Asia Pacific: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 39 South America: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Country, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 40 South America: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 41 South America: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Termite Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 42 South America: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 43 Brazil: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 44 Brazil: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 45 Argentina: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 46 Argentina: Termite Bait Systems Market Size, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 47 Rest of South America: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 48 Rest of South America: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 49 Europe: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Country, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 50 Europe: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 51 Europe: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Termite Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 52 Europe: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 53 France: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 54 France: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 55 Italy: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 56 Italy: Termite Bait Systems Market Size, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 57 Spain: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 58 Spain: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 59 Rest of Europe: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 60 Rest of Europe: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 61 RoW: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Country, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 62 RoW: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 63 RoW: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Termite Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 64 RoW: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 65 South Africa: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 66 South Africa: Termite Bait Systems Market Size, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 67 Egypt: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 68 Egypt: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 69 Others in RoW: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 70 Others in RoW: Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Application, 2016-2023 (USD Million) Table 71 Company Rankings for Termiticide (Bait) Manufacturers Table 72 Company Rankings for Termite Control Service Providers Table 73 New Product Launches, 2014-2017 Table 74 Expansions, 2013-2018 Table 75 Mergers & Acquisitions, 2015-2018 Table 76 Agreements, Collaborations, and Joint Ventures, 2014-2017 List of Figures Figure 1 Termite Bait Systems Market Segmentation Figure 2 Regional Segmentation Figure 3 Termite Bait Systems: Research Design Figure 4 Breakdown of Primary Interviews: By Company Type, Designation, and Region Figure 5 Market Size Estimation Methodology: Top-Down Approach Figure 6 Market Size Estimation Methodology: Bottom-Up Approach Figure 7 Data Triangulation Methodology Figure 8 Market For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2018 vs. 2023 Figure 9 Termite Bait Systems Market, By Application, 2018 vs. 2023 Figure 10 Market For Termite Bait Systems, By Termite Type, 2018 vs. 2023 Figure 11 Termite Bait Systems Market: Regional Snapshot Figure 12 Rise in Annual Global Temperatures are Expected to Accelerate Termite Proliferation Figure 13 Strong Demand Witnessed for In-Ground Termite Bait Systems in North America, 2018 Figure 14 Asia Pacific: Commercial & Industrial Segment Witnessed High Demand in 2017 Figure 15 US and Australia: Important Markets for Termite Bait Systems, 2017 Figure 16 Termite Bait Systems Market: Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Challenges Figure 17 Rise in Global Temperature Influences Termite Proliferation Figure 18 Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Termite Type, 2018 vs. 2023 (USD Million) Figure 19 Market Size For Termite Bait Systems, By Station Type, 2018 vs. 2023 (USD Million) Figure 20 Termite Bait Systems Market Size, By Application, 2018 vs. 2023 (USD Million) Figure 21 Brazil is Projected to Be the Fastest-Growing Market, 2018-2023 Figure 22 North America: Market Snapshot Figure 24 Key Developments By Leading Players in the Market For Termite Bait Systems, 2013-2018 Figure 25 Dowdupont: Company Snapshot Figure 26 Dowdupont: SWOT Analysis Figure 27 BASF: Company Snapshot Figure 28 BASF: SWOT Analysis Figure 29 Bayer AG: Company Snapshot Figure 30 Bayer AG: SWOT Analysis Figure 31 Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.: Company Snapshot Figure 32 Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.: SWOT Analysis Figure 33 Syngenta: Company Snapshot Figure 34 Syngenta: SWOT Analysis Figure 35 Spectrum Brands, Inc.: Company Snapshot Figure 36 Rentokil Initial Plc.: Company Snapshot Figure 37 Rentokil Initial Plc.: SWOT Analysis Figure 38 Rollins, Inc.: Company Snapshot Figure 39 The Terminix International Company LP: Company Snapshot Companies Mentioned Dowdupont BASF Bayer AG Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. Syngenta Spectrum Brands, Inc. Ensystex Pct International Rentokil Initial Plc Rollins, Inc. The Terminix International Company LP Arrow Exterminators, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ccvtpc/global_ermite?w=5 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com BROOKLYN, N.Y., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The numbers speak for themselves: On August 31, two leading cybersecurity educational and financial institutions will take steps to widen that pipeline. The NYU Tandon School of Engineering will award an initial round of scholarships, funded by Bridgewater Associates, a global leader in institutional portfolio management and the largest hedge fund in the world, to students from under-represented minority groups enrolled in its groundbreaking Cyber Fellows online master's degree program. The presentation by Bridgewater will take place during a welcome event for the inaugural cohort of 109 New York Cyber Fellows enrolled in NYU Tandon's unique, affordable online cyber security master's degree program developed with New York City Cyber Command (NYC3) and supported by elite businesses. The Cyber Fellows mission to address the acute shortage of highly trained technical security professionals will be advanced by the Bridgewater Scholarships, which are accompanied by Bridgewater's commitment to ensure that the scholarship students spend time with experts in the field and to provide additional professional opportunities. Forty percent of the first cohort of Cyber Fellows identify as members of underrepresented groups, including women, but diversity remains a major challenge and opportunity. "We will welcome our partners the first Cyber Fellows, industry advisors, and New York City in this unique initiative to quickly scale up the number of technical experts capable of protecting our personal lives, critical infrastructure, and national security," said Professor Nasir Memon, associate dean for online learning. "The technology behind online learning creates an opportunity like never before to quickly educate highly skilled computer scientists, and the support from Bridgewater Associates will open opportunities to groups that are often excluded." "The Bridgewater Scholarship represents a meaningful alliance between Bridgewater Associates and the NYU Tandon School of Engineering with the shared goal of advancing the knowledge and careers of underrepresented minority students in cybersecurity," said Bridgewater Chief Security Officer Richard Falkenrath. "We are delighted to be involved in this significant program and to present the scholarship to this year's winners. " "The under-participation by large segments of our society represents a loss of opportunity for individuals, a loss of talent in the workforce, and a loss of creativity in shaping the future of cybersecurity," said International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals President Aric K. Perminter. "Not only is it a basic equity issue, but it threatens our global economic viability as a nation. The Bridgewater Scholarship underscores the importance of our mission to provide innovative, effective and timely solutions to the cybersecurity demands of employers." Five Bridgewater Scholarships will be awarded to the initial cohort, with 25 more slated for the 2019 academic year. They will halve the tuition paid for the Cyber Fellows program already one of the most affordable master's degree programs in the field, thanks to scholarships of 75 percent from New York University. With the combined scholarships from NYU and Bridgewater, this year's Bridgewater Scholarship winners will pay only $7,500 in tuition for the entire master's degree program. In addition to affordability, the New York Cyber Fellows program seeks to rapidly expand the talent pool through a number of unique elements: Advisors from leading businesses and NYC3 help shape the curriculum and engage students in real-world problems to ensure that graduates emerge with the skills most needed by industry and government. Cyber Fellows get exclusive access to speakers, events, and mentorships provided by business partners and NYC3, the agency that leads the City of New York's cyber defense efforts. The advising institutions will also offer internship and employment opportunities, and capstone projects will link student research projects to these institutions. cyber defense efforts. The advising institutions will also offer internship and employment opportunities, and capstone projects will link student research projects to these institutions. NYC3 will offer Cyber Fellows access to the NYC3 Cyber Range a virtual laboratory with realistic simulation for hands-on training and development. Cyber Fellows get year-round access to Capture the Flag hacking challenges originally developed by professionals and students for the world's largest student-led cybersecurity competition, NYU Tandon's CSAW (Cyber Security Awareness Worldwide). A free five-year subscription will allow graduates to audit the newest versions of the online courses they took as Cyber Fellows important because coursework typically updates every semester, as new threats emerge. The current Cyber Fellows program is structured as a part-time curriculum to accommodate working professionals, but a full-time, two-year program will be added in fall 2019. For those without a background in computer science, NYU Tandon offers the Bridge to Tandon to qualified Cyber Fellows applicants. It provides the foundation they need to apply to a rigorous master's degree program in cybersecurity within 26 weeks and for $1,500. To learn more about the Cyber Fellows, visit http://engineering.nyu.edu/academics/online/masters/cybersecurity/fellowship. About the New York University Tandon School of Engineering The NYU Tandon School of Engineering dates to 1854, the founding date for both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute (widely known as Brooklyn Poly). A January 2014 merger created a comprehensive school of education and research in engineering and applied sciences, rooted in a tradition of invention and entrepreneurship and dedicated to furthering technology in service to society. In addition to its main location in Brooklyn, NYU Tandon collaborates with other schools within NYU, one of the country's foremost private research universities, and is closely connected to engineering programs at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai. It operates Future Labs focused on start-up businesses in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn and an award-winning online graduate program. For more information, visit http://engineering.nyu.edu. About Bridgewater Associates Bridgewater Associates is a global leader in institutional portfolio management with more than $160 billion in assets under management. Named fifth most important private company in the U.S. by Fortune, the firm has made more money for clients than any other hedge fund since inception in 1975, according to LCH Investments. Bridgewater is known for being an industry-leading innovator, having been the first firm to manage currency overlay strategies, the first global inflation bond manager, one of the first managers to separate alpha from beta and offer products based on each, and was the first to advise the U.S. government on the creation of Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. Located in Westport, CT., Bridgewater manages portfolios for a wide array of institutional clients globally, including public and corporate pension funds, foreign governments and central banks, university endowments and charitable foundations. Facebook: www.facebook.com/nyutandon Twitter: @NYUTandon SOURCE NYU Tandon School of Engineering Related Links https://engineering.nyu.edu/ DALLAS, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In Capital One Auto Finance Inc. v. Department of Revenue,1 the Oregon Supreme Court upheld the Tax Court decision that determined that two out-of-state affiliate banks were subject to corporate income tax in the state for years 2006 through 2008. Capital One Auto Finance Inc. ("Capital One"), a Texas corporation, filed a consolidated Oregon corporate excise tax return in a group that included two affiliated banks, Capital One Bank and Capital One FSB ("the banks"), both located in Virginia. Neither bank had any property, office, or employees in Oregon nor did either apply for the authority to do business in the state. The banks' activities of offering credit card products and consumer loans were all conducted from their offices outside of Oregon. Having no physical presence in the state, Capital One concluded that the entities were not subject to the corporate excise tax or the corporate income tax. Consequently, the income earned by the banks from the sale of consumer finance products was not included in the calculation of the sales apportionment factor to determine the percentage of income subject to tax in the state. The Department of Revenue ("the Department") asserted that the banks derived income from the state through finance charges, late fees, and over-the-limit fees charged to residents in the amount of $150 million per year. The taxpayer contended that the banks did not have any "income from sources derived from within this state" because they lacked physical presence. In addition, the taxpayer maintained that the Department could not raise the issue of corporate income tax for the first time in Tax Court. The decision of the Oregon Supreme Court affirmed the Tax Court on both issues. Oregon statutes state in part: "Income from sources within this state includes income from tangible and intangible property located or having a situs in this state and income from any activities carried on in this state, regardless of whether carried on in intrastate, interstate or foreign commerce . . . ."2 Only the source of the income needs to be located within the state, not the taxpayer, according to the Court's interpretation of the statute. On the matter of the second issue, the Court maintained that the Department timely raised the corporate tax issue, citing the following statute: "In an appeal to the Oregon Tax Court from an assessment made under ORS 305.265, the tax court has jurisdiction to determine the correct amount of deficiency, even if the amount so determined is greater or less than the amount of the assessment determined by the Department of Revenue, and even if determined upon grounds other or different from those asserted by the department, provided that claim for such additional tax on other or different grounds is asserted by the department before or at the hearing or any rehearing of the case before the tax court . . . ."3 (Emphasis added.) The conclusion of the Court was that the corporate income tax issue constituted "other or different from those asserted by the department" and that the department had timely raised it "before or at the hearing . . . of the case before the tax court." This decision is quite timely in light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair.4 While the tax years at issue were well before the Wayfair decision was rendered and the case was presented and argued on May 7, 2018, the decision echoes fears of the tax community, resulting from Wayfair, that states are reaching far outside their borders for tax revenue. In fact, a similarly situated taxpayer, Wells Fargo, announced on July 13, 2018, that it had incurred a $481,000,000 expense in the second quarter for expected income tax expenses related to the Wayfair decision. Perhaps Wells Fargo has prognosticative powers, predicting the outcome in this Oregon case. 1 SC S64803. 2 ORS 318.020(2). 3 ORS 305.575. 4 138 S. Ct. 2080 (2018). About Ryan Ryan, an award-winning global tax services and software provider, is the largest Firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes. With global headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides an integrated suite of federal, state, local, and international tax services on a multi-jurisdictional basis, including tax recovery, consulting, advocacy, compliance, and technology services. Ryan is a six-time recipient of the International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) for its commitment to world-class client service. Empowered by the dynamic myRyan work environment, which is widely recognized as the most innovative in the tax services industry, Ryan's multi-disciplinary team of more than 2,200 professionals and associates serves over 14,000 clients in more than 50 countries, including many of the world's most prominent Global 5000 companies. More information about Ryan can be found at ryan.com. "Ryan" and "Firm" refer to the global organizational network and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ryan International, each of which is a separate legal entity. TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACTS: Mark Nachbar Principal Ryan 630.515.0477 [email protected] Mary Bernard Director Ryan 401.272.3363 [email protected] SOURCE Ryan Related Links http://www.ryan.com SEATTLE, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Outreach, the leading sales engagement platform, today announced a new and vastly enhanced Outreach Voice suite, the market-leading voice suite for sales teams. The new Outreach Voice suite introduces four key features that provide a simple, reliable and powerful solution to help salespeople close more deals. This includes text messaging, four conversation intelligence integrations, a simplified pricing structure and back-to-back sequencing that allows sellers to schedule a sequence of touchpoints, one after the other, to increase connect rates. Sales voice solutions typically focus on power dialing automated dialing systems that prioritize a high volume of calls over quality. For the modern sales team, having a voice solution is necessary and critical. However, relying only on cold calling results in a dismal 9 percent connection rate. In order to target the other 91 percent, sales reps need a suite of tools to ensure they're connecting in a meaningful way. Outreach is focused on providing a holistic solution that emphasizes relationship building and results. "We've learned it takes more than just a single cold call to connect with prospects and customers -- we see much higher connect rates when calls are coordinated with other touch points," said Manny Medina, CEO and co-founder of Outreach. "That's why we're taking a more holistic approach with our voice suite by incorporating more capabilities that help you connect with your customer in a meaningful way." The new Outreach Voice suite introduces: Text messaging. With nine out of 10 buyers preferring texts over emails and phone calls, Outreach Voice now provides text messaging capabilities, resulting in stronger relationships and higher response rates. With nine out of 10 buyers preferring texts over emails and phone calls, Outreach Voice now provides text messaging capabilities, resulting in stronger relationships and higher response rates. Conversation intelligence integrations. Outreach will now provide seamless integration with conversation intelligence solutions, including Chorus, Gong, ExecVision and Avoma. These services provide salespeople with meaningful insights to make their next call a win. Outreach will now provide seamless integration with conversation intelligence solutions, including Chorus, Gong, ExecVision and Avoma. These services provide salespeople with meaningful insights to make their next call a win. Simplified pricing structure. There will now be simplified pricing for voice usage, providing customers with predictable and transparent billing with no hidden terms or conditions. There will now be simplified pricing for voice usage, providing customers with predictable and transparent billing with no hidden terms or conditions. Back-to-back sequence steps. Users will now be able to structure sequences to immediately follow up a call with another touchpoint, like email or a text, to increase connect rates. Almost all of the new Outreach Voice suite features are available starting today including texting, back-to-back sequencing and the Chorus integration, with other partnerships available later this year. To learn more about Outreach Voice, click here. Current customers can also contact their Customer Success Manager or email [email protected] for availability and pricing. To see all features available on the Outreach platform, click here. About Outreach Outreach, the leading Sales Engagement Platform, accelerates growth by optimizing every interaction throughout the customer lifecycle. The platform manages all customer interactions across email, voice and social, and leverages machine learning to guide reps to take the right actions. Thousands of customers, including Cloudera, Glassdoor, Pandora, and Zillow, rely on Outreach to drive predictable and measurable growth, increase efficiency and effectiveness of customer-facing teams, and improve visibility into sales activity and performance. Outreach is a privately held company based in Seattle, Washington. To learn more, please visit www.outreach.io. PR Contact: Barokas PR for Outreach Sydney Stanfill [email protected] 206-264-8220 SOURCE Outreach Related Links http://www.outreach.io SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Law firm Scali Rasmussen definitively established that General Motors not only should not have terminated Folsom Chevrolet's franchise but that it violated California law in doing so. The New Motor Vehicle Board's decision was effective August 13, 2018. "The decision puts General Motors and all manufacturers on notice that termination cannot be based on flawed sales performance metrics such as the Retail Sales Index, commonly known as 'RSI,' and similar sales efficiency metrics," explained Scali Rasmussen Partner Halbert "Bert" Rasmussen, who along with Senior Associate Jade Jurdi led the legal team's victory. "This decision is a phenomenal victory for all California dealers and will have ripple effects across the country. For example, this outcome provides not only a shield as used in this case, but potentially a sword for recovery of damages caused by GM's application of the faulty metric," said Scali Rasmussen Founder and Managing Partner, Christian Scali, who himself routinely represents auto dealers before the New Motor Vehicle Board and in courts across the country in complex franchise cases against auto manufacturers and others. While previous cases in other states, most notably one involving Beck Chevrolet in New York, have come out in favor of dealers facing termination over RSI and other metrics that fail to account for market nuances, Folsom Chevrolet, Inc., vs. General Motors, LLC (Case Number PR-2483-16, decided Aug. 13, 2018) is the first California case to so clearly call the use of such metrics a violation of California's vehicle code. Following a two-week merits hearing and subsequent hearing before the public members of the New Motor Vehicle Board of the State of California, the Board accepted Scali Rasmussen's argument that General Motors' use of the RSI sales performance standard violated the state's vehicle code. Administrative Law Judge Evelyn M. Matteucci and the board determined that General Motors' reliance on RSI was a violation because it fails to account for a number of market circumstances, including brand preference, geography, and demographics. The board also found that General Motors failed to meet its burden of establishing good cause for termination, because, among other things, it failed to submit sufficient evidence as to the business transacted by Folsom Chevrolet relative to the business available to it. Scali Rasmussen's attorneys are thought leaders in the automotive industry, often called upon to provide their opinions on new and trending issues on auto distribution and franchise, F&I, employment and advertising issues. The firm also drafted the CNCDA's 2015 and 2017 Advertising Law Manuals, providing auto dealers with practical guidance on advertising practices. For more information, visit Scali Rasmussen. SOURCE Scali Rasmussen Related Links http://scalilaw.com E&P Company Chooses Quorum Based on User Experience of myQuorum Platform HOUSTON, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Quorum Software, the leader in digital transformation for the oil and gas industry and the market leader for land management, recently announced Three Span Oil & Gas, a small, independent oil and gas exploration and production company out of Midland, Texas, as the latest company to implement myQuorum Land On Demand. The company values the user experience of the myQuorum platform and Quorum's commitment to obligation management. "myQuorum Land On Demand was created with growing companies like Three Span Oil & Gas in mind," said Soroosh Seyhoon, Quorum Vice President. "Quorum is providing reliability to companies through our on demand offering of the industry's leading land software." "In terms of software, the user interface is very user friendly," said EJ Baldridge, Three Span Oil & Gas Land Manager. "It is also comprehensive as it allows us to add in and track all miscellaneous obligations, drilling requirements, and depth severances. A lot of other software programs are not able to track the area of mutual interest and JOAs (joint operating agreements), but Quorum allows me to define this and track it all in one program." In addition to an intuitive user experience, Three Span Oil & Gas was also impressed with myQuorum Land On Demand's obligation management, an ability the company's previous software did not have. "I like to think that I can renegotiate a lease if I miss an extension or payment, but it isn't always the case," said EJ Baldridge. "Other oil and gas companies can take your lease if you miss an extension payment, but myQuorum Land On Demand has the functionality to ensure that we never miss a deadline moving forward." Three Span Oil & Gas looks forward to building its relationship with Quorum Software and continuing to receive incomparable customer service. "Aside from the product, you guys made us feel important and didn't treat us like we were just another customer," said EJ Baldridge. About myQuorum Land On Demand myQuorum Land On Demand combines Quorum's proven and industry-leading land management software with the accessibility, affordability and speed of cloud technology. Over the last 20 years, Quorum has implemented land solutions for more than a hundred oil and gas companies ranging from small independents to supermajors including eight of the 10 largest operators in the United States. The new myQuorum Land On Demand package includes software, services and support priced to maximize value for small and medium-sized operators short on time and resources, while providing scalability to meet business growth. For more information on myQuorum Land On Demand, visit our product page and webinar on the Quorum website. About Quorum Software Quorum offers an industry-leading portfolio of finance, operations and accounting software that empowers energy companies of all sizes to conquer their most complex business challenges. From the field to the back office, defying complexity is coded in our DNA and our software. This unmatched experience is why Quorum is the choice of eight of the largest public energy companies worldwide, 75 percent of LNG exporters throughout North America and 80 percent of all natural gas processed in the United States. Designed for digital transformation, the myQuorum software platform delivers open standards, mobile-first design and cloud technologies to empower innovation at the speed of thought. At Quorum, we're helping visionary leaders transform their business, and the energy industry, for a digital world. For more information, visit www.quorumsoftware.com. About Three Span Oil & Gas Three Span Oil & Gas, Inc. is a small, independent E&P company based out of Midland, TX. Since being incorporated in April 1998, it has expanded its operations into 11 counties (Cochran, Crane, Dawson, Gaines, Garza, Hockley, Howard, Kent, Lynn, Mitchell & Scurry) and currently exceeds 2000 bbl in daily production. Three Span prides itself on its principled business model and mode of conservation growth, a business ethos which has served it well throughout the boom-bust cycle of the oil & gas business. Its employees embody this pedagogy in their dealing with land & mineral owners, service companies and other operators. Three Span is a forward-thinking company, and as such, it is always searching for the next play or wildcat opportunity in west Texas and the South Plains, as well as investors who buy into this vision. For media inquiries in the U.S., contact Edelman Houston at 713-377-6438, [email protected]. For media inquiries in Canada, contact Edelman Calgary at 403-471-1284, [email protected]. SOURCE Quorum Related Links http://www.quorumsoftware.com ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hurricane Lane may become the third hurricane ever recorded to make landfall in Hawaii. As residents scramble to prepare, tourists are researching their options to cancel an upcoming trip or cut their vacation short. Travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, says it is now too late to purchase a travel insurance policy for the unexpected storm. Travel insurance policies are designed to cover unforeseen events. Once an event occurs, it can no longer be covered by policies purchased after that date. In terms of a hurricane, the time it originally "occurs" is the date it is named. Hurricane Lane was named on August 15th. Any travel insurance policies purchased on or after August 15th will not cover any events related to Hurricane Lane. Squaremouth recommends travelers with upcoming trips to Hawaii contact their airlines and accommodations instead of buying a travel insurance policy now. "Travelers still have options, unfortunately travel insurance isn't one of them," says Squaremouth representative Megan Moncrief. "We're seeing a lot of airlines offering waivers and refunds. At this point, purchasing a travel insurance policy isn't worth the cost if the purpose is to cancel a trip to Hawaii." On the other hand, travelers who did purchase a travel insurance policy may be covered to come home early or cancel their trip entirely, and receive a full refund of their unused expenses. Hurricanes are generally covered events under Trip Cancellation-style policies, however when that coverage becomes available ranges between policies. The most generous policies cover a cancellation as early as when a hurricane warning is issued at the destination. Currently, parts of the Hawaiian Islands are already under a hurricane warning. However, most travel insurance policies require a flight delay or cancellation, your accommodations to be uninhabitable, or an evacuation issued at the location, before cancellation coverage becomes available. Squaremouth's Hurricane Lane Travel Insurance Information Center explains travel insurance coverage for this event, and will be updated as events unfold. ABOUT SQUAREMOUTH Squaremouth compares travel insurance policies from every major travel insurance provider in the United States. Using Squaremouth's comparison engine and third-party customer reviews, travelers can research and compare travel insurance policies side-by-side. More information can be found at www.squaremouth.com Available Topic Expert: Megan Moncrief [email protected] SOURCE Squaremouth Related Links http://www.squaremouth.com SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- [24]7.ai, a global leader in intent-driven customer engagement solutions, announced the addition of advanced conversational capabilities to its AI-powered virtual agent [24]7 AIVA. With this announcement [24]7 AIVA is now the first virtual agent to possess emotional intelligence, the ability to detect user emotion during interactions, acknowledge it and respond empathetically. This new capability is part of the [24]7.ai Summer 2018 Release that furthers the company's vision of humans and chatbots working side-by-side as the live agent can now be aware of the customer emotion and handle the interaction accordingly. [24]7 AIVA, which handles more than a million interactions monthly for top Fortune 500 companies, will further leverage AI to interpret complex layers of human speech and the different possible meanings of phrases to detect emotions. This enables a new level of self-service because the bot can not only detect positive or negative emotion, but also analyze the strength of those emotions and react accordingly before handing over to a human agent as needed. According to Opus Research, enterprises will spend a projected $5.5 billion by 2021 on licenses and professional services that support Intelligent Assistants. "The market has become crowded, and the ability to respond based on recognizing an individual's emotional state is a key differentiator," said Dan Miller, Lead Analyst at Opus Research "We believe that reacting to sentiment and collaborating with human agents will result in faster resolution, increased satisfaction, reduced effort, and stronger customer engagement. This should be a top consideration for Fortune 500 companies." "Human interactions are complex, but through artificial intelligence we can now handle more complex issues the way a human would," said Scott Horn, chief marketing officer for [24]7.ai. "Using advanced AI techniques to detect emotion, [24]7 AIVA can not only understand how customers feel, but also take logical actions the way your best human agents would. This frees up agents, while ensuring that customers feel heard, resulting in a better overall experience." The Summer 2018 Release also includes the following enhancements: Easier Conversational Model Design In an industry first, [24]7 AIVA features an improved modeling workbench that exposes the AI behind the solution to end users offering them self-serve options. The new graphical user interface enables non-data scientists and business analysts to easily build and test conversation models. The technical capabilities also incorporate machine learning to proactively suggest improvements to intent models, meaning a better understanding of what the consumer is trying to do. These intent models can be implemented quickly to anticipate and improve the customer experience and Net Promoter Score (NPS). New Visualization Capabilities [24]7 Customer Journey Analytics now features new visualization capabilities that enable analysts to view dominant customer behavioral paths more interactively, making it easier to connect the dots between data and insights. The Single Customer Journey Viewer provides a consolidated view of customer engagement, including interactions across channels and transactions across systems, for improved customer service and complaint resolution. In addition, with the unstructured data player, analysts can get to the root cause of a customer event quicker by listening to calls and reading chat transcripts from within the workspace. For more information about the Summer 2018 Release, please this visit https://www.247.ai/summer-release-2018 About [24]7.ai [24]7.ai is redefining the way companies interact with consumers. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to understand consumer intent, the company's technology helps companies create a personalized, predictive and effortless customer experience across all channels. The world's largest and most recognizable brands are using intent-driven engagement from [24]7.ai to assist several hundred million visitors annually, through more than 1.5 billion conversations, most of which are automated. The result is an order of magnitude improvement in digital adoption, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth. For more information, visit: http://www.247.ai. [24]7 and [24]7.ai are trademarks of [24]7.ai, Inc. All other brands, products or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Contact Oindrila Hazra Manager, PR and Analyst Relations [email protected] SOURCE [24]7.ai Related Links https://www.247.ai WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the American Federation of Government Employees announced its endorsement of Jared Golden of Maine for the U.S. House of Representatives for Maine's 2nd Congressional District. The nation's largest federal employee union, the American Federation of Government Employees, has endorsed Jared Golden of Maine for the U.S. House of Representatives for Maines 2nd Congressional District. "As both a Marine veteran and Assistant Majority Leader in the Maine House of Representatives Jared Golden knows what it means to serve, and he's exactly the leader Mainers need in Washington," said AFGE District 2 National Vice President Vincent Castellano. "That's why we're excited to announce our support of Jared in his run for the U.S. House of Representatives this November." "During his time in office in Maine, Jared has made it clear he supports and fights for working people and rights at work," said Castellano. "And we know he'll stand by those values in Congress by fighting privatization efforts, supporting the VA, and voting to protect public servants and their due process rights." More than 15,000 federal workers live in Maine including 12,000 in the 2nd Congressional District supporting the military, caring for veterans, ensuring the safety of the flying public, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time. AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing 700,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. District 2 has more than 25,000 dues-paying members in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 700,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees Related Links http://www.afge.org CAIRO, Aug. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Treon (TXO), provider of the world's first "Utilities Token" that securely and seamlessly enables consumers around the world, including the unbanked, to easily manage and pay for their telecom, energy, and water usage, recently delivered a keynote presentation at Bloconomic: Blockchain Economic Summit in Kuala Lumpur, before an audience of technical and financial leaders and related press. The keynote was presented by Khaled Khorshid, Co-Founder | Technology and Hesham El Metainy Co-Founder | Strategy & Commercial for Treon and described their goal of realizing the true value of blockchain technology where it is most needed - in emerging economies throughout the world and in making utilities payments easy and secure even for the world's 1.7 billion unbanked mobile users. "Investors and blockchain experts are looking for evidence of where blockchain will change the world, but they often skip over the people that need this groundbreaking, decentralized, security of transactions the most," Khorshid said. "In societies where high-speed internet access is already the standard, currencies are stable, and secure transactions are readily made online, blockchain can bring improvements, but it is not truly revolutionary to what is available to users. In emerging economies, blockchain startups like Treon truly can change and improve lives." "The Unbanked population of global Utilities customers has gone largely unrecognized up till now. They have been left to wait in line at local utilities offices to make payments in hard currency. Conditions are often uncomfortable or unsafe and the process can easily consume 20 hours of a customer's month, just paying for the basics," El Metainy said. "Treon has a solution, letting these and all utilities customers make payments with Treon Tokens, securely from their own home in a matter of minutes. What seems commonplace in some countries will be a life-changing shift in paradigm throughout parts of Africa and Asia and throughout the world." Treon will enable consumers to settle their utility bills through one consolidated dashboard using Treon's TXO tokens. The opportunity to partner with Javvy and leverage their wallet capabilities along with Treon's dashboard would be a great value-add for Treon customers. For the world's utilities customers, Treon will eradicate the need to make costly trips to utility companies, waste time waiting in long lines, and run the risks associated with unstable local currency. The Treon Token is a definite solution for the unbanked that constitutes a considerable percentage of 76% of the total number of mobile users globally. From now on, they will join the rest of society and have access to the same digital system to pay their utility bills. For utilities companies, Treon will make it easier to make payments and share resources, ultimately reducing costs for the companies and for users. Treon has compliance built into its blockchain smart transactional system and its policies are compliant with Sharia Law. The Treon ICO has garnered attention throughout the crypto and traditional financial worlds. Both private and institutional investors have expressed their growing interest in this much needed secure and easy method of utility management and payment. A complete discussion is available in their Whitepaper here. For more information, please visit: https://www.treon.io/ About Treon Treon (TXO) is an Ethereum blockchain-based utility token and for paying utility bills using a robust technology in a completely decentralized and secure fashion. Treon is a token based mobile dashboard and wallet solution for utility bill payments, specially designed for the billions of customers using public utilities to settle their bills using blockchain smart contract technology. Treon offers a new form of private, instant, verified and reliable transaction. Contact: Justin Roberti, [email protected], +1-610-203-2631 SOURCE Treon Related Links https://www.treon.io/ Sixt has now officially opened its newest location at San Francisco's Union Square. Today marks Sixt USA's 7th opening this year alone, as well as its third location in the Bay area and second in downtown San Francisco. "As the ground floor for some of today's most innovative businesses, the Bay Area is truly a special place. We try and capture that same spirit of innovation at Sixt, which has led to our strong growth and reputation for excellent service in the U.S. market," said Daniel Florence, COO of Sixt North America. "San Francisco is a gathering place of some of today's brightest thinkers, and with frequent travel to and from the city, expanding our presence is a great way for us to continue to meet rising demand. Of course, the city is not all that Northern California has to offer: With beautiful national parks and travel opportunities just outside the Bay Area, there are countless opportunities for drivers to enjoy having a premium vehicle and our world-class customer service at their back." In 2018 alone, Sixt has moved into an upgraded facility at the Tampa International Airport, expanded its location at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and opened new locations at New York City's Battery Park, Fort Myers International Airport, San Antonio International Airport, and the Denver International Airport. Last year, Sixt unveiled a newly-expanded offering at its flagship space in the Miami International Airport and at its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport location, launched a new location at the San Diego International Airport, and moved into its new North American corporate headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The company has grown to over 1,000 employees, and serves more than fifty-four rental locations located in California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Washington, Texas, Connecticut, New Jersey, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, and Massachusetts. Sixt was voted #1 Car Rental Brand for Millennials in the 2018 Trazee Awards. About Sixt: Sixt SE has its registered headquarters in Pullach near Munich and is a leading international provider of high-quality mobility services for business and corporate customers as well as private travelers. With representations in over 100 countries worldwide Sixt is continually expanding its presence. The Company's strengths the high proportion of premium cars in the vehicle fleet, its employees' consistent service orientation and a good price-performance ratio. Taken together these strengths have given Company an excellent market position. Sixt was founded in 1912 and maintains alliances with renowned brands in the hotel industry, well-known airlines and numerous prominent service providers in the tourism sector. The Sixt Group generates revenues of EUR 2.6 billion (2017). http://about.sixt.com/ SOURCE Sixt Rent-a-Car Related Links http://about.sixt.com ATLANTA, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective immediately, Atlanta Housing (AH) has retooled its neighborhood site and vicinity standards, a decision that will make room for more units on its Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP). Previous inspection standards, which considered 20 neighboring properties five each to the left, right, front and back resulted in failed inspections by more than 100 properties since 2015. The updated standards, however, focus on properties in the subject property's adjacent area, defined as "the lots that touch the subject property, which would most commonly be the lots to the left, right and rear of the subject property." While some Atlanta neighborhoods that are in the early stages of revitalization still suffer from pockets of blight, AH does not wish to exclude from its programs homes that, aside from their neighboring properties, are otherwise acceptable. Additionally, the agency sees the participant benefit in encouraging investment in promising areas that offer robust public transportation and proximity to jobs, education and training. "We identified the need for key modifications and made changes accordingly," says Brandon Riddick-Seals, interim president and CEO of Atlanta Housing. "Our goal is to add more units to the affordable housing market and to create and revitalize communities that offer a better way of life to our residents. Standards are necessary, and our inspections team ensures that all AH residents are housed in quality living environments. But our participants and landlords spoke, and we listened to what they had to say," Riddick-Seals adds. "These changes make it easier for property owners to do business with Atlanta Housing while continuing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our residents." A recent evaluation by AH inspectors indicates that 84 percent of homes that failed inspection under the previous standard would pass using the new site and vicinity standard. About Atlanta Housing The Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia (AH), is the largest housing authority in Georgia and one of the largest in the nation. AH provides and facilitates affordable housing resources for more than 23,000 low-income households comprised of approximately 50,000 people. These affordable housing resources include AH-owned residential communities, AH-sponsored mixed-income, mixed-finance residential communities, tenant-based vouchers, project-based rental assistance, supportive housing arrangements and homeownership opportunities. AH's programs are funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Visit Atlanta Housing at http://www.atlantahousing.org or follow on Twitter at @housingatlanta. SOURCE Atlanta Housing Related Links http://www.atlantahousing.org DALLAS, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of Baylor Scott & White Health being recognized as the Most Awarded Healthcare System in Texas by U.S. News & World Report, Chief Executive Officer Jim Hinton has been named once again by Modern Healthcare to its annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare. At No. 30, Jim is the only leader of a Texas-based healthcare provider to be included on the list this year. The reasons cited by the publication include Baylor Scott & White's efforts to reduce costs, standardize processes and drive innovation, which led to $32 million in savings for total joint and cardiovascular services. "We are extremely proud of this recognition of Jim's extraordinary leadership in this time of great change in the industry," said Ross McKnight, chairman of the Baylor Scott & White Holdings Board. "In the past year, Jim has led the development of a new strategy for the system focused on delivering higher value, more affordable healthcare with a better experience. His inclusion on this list is fitting as he is driving change from which millions of Texans will benefit." A recognized leader with more than two decades of CEO experience, Hinton has led Baylor Scott & White since 2017. Prior to his time in Texas, he was CEO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, a private, not-for-profit healthcare system in New Mexico the largest in the state. Hinton is also recognized nationally for his exceptional leadership in the community. He served on the Board of Trustees of the American Hospital Association from 2011 through 2015. In 2014, he was the chair of the organization that represents nearly 5,000 hospitals, healthcare systems, networks and other providers of care through advocacy and public policy. He holds a master's degree in healthcare administration from Arizona State University and a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of New Mexico. The complete ranking is a main feature in this week's issue (August 20) of Modern Healthcare magazine, and a feature article and profiles of the winners are available at ModernHealthcare.com/100MostInfluential. In its seventeenth year, the recognition program acknowledges and honors individuals who are deemed by their peers and the senior editors of Modern Healthcare to be the most influential individuals in the industry, in terms of leadership and impact. About Baylor Scott & White Health As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White Health promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. An integrated care delivery network, the system includes the Scott and White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute and Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance. Through 48 hospitals and more than 1,000 access points including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care, throughout Texas, and via virtual touchpoints. If its service area were a state, it would be the eighth largest, providing care to a population larger than that of the state of Georgia. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing, Baylor Scott & White is proud to honor its century-long legacy through its commitment to improving accessibility, affordability and the customer experience for all. For more information, visit BSWHealth.com. SOURCE Baylor Scott & White Health Related Links http://BSWHealth.com TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- aroma espresso bar will be giving away 7,000 free gelato pops on Aug. 23, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. at nearly all locations to celebrate summer with everyone. No purchase necessary. "I scream, you scream, we all scream for" ... naturally flavoured gelato pops. Beat the heat with this frozen hand-held treat, available in Pistachio or Wildberries & Cream. Made in Canada with no artificial colours or flavours, it's the perfect pop when on-the-go this summer. The two flavours, Pistachio and Wildberries & Cream, are each only 110/130 calories, respectively. Need a sweet treat after work? Why not grab a free gelato pop? Planning on grabbing a salad for dinner anyways? Grab a free gelato pop, too. All locations (except for Billy Bishop and 3791 Bathurst Street) will be giving away free premium gelato pops to the first 150 customers lining up at 4:30 p.m. What better way to end a busy day than to grab a free, refreshing gelato pop at aroma espresso bar? aroma espresso bar Canada has expanded to nearly 50 cafes across the Greater Toronto Area and Southern and Western Ontario since 2007. Its nutritious Mediterranean-inspired menu features made-to-order salads and gourmet sandwiches prepared with fresh ingredients, bread and pastries baked fresh in-store throughout the day and a wide range of premium signature hot and cold beverages carefully prepared by expertly trained baristas. With a vibrant atmosphere, stellar service and professional catering, aroma espresso bar is beloved by its loyal clientele and an active member of the communities it serves. For more information, please visit aroma.ca or aroma.ca/store-locations/ to find the closest location. Press Contact: Name: Stephanie Ho Email: [email protected] SOURCE aroma espresso bar Related Links http://aroma.ca Under this agreement, Bethany, a global nonprofit committed to bringing and keeping families together, will focus its efforts on two parallel programs: providing foster care type services to protect unaccompanied minors living in the camps; and psycho-social support to women and children affected by trauma. Both programs will run in tandem with the UNHCR's humanitarian efforts, which are focused on providing precious resources that meet basic human needs such as food, water and shelter. "Currently, there are approximately 40,000 unaccompanied minors in the camps in Gambella," said Kristi Gleason, vice president of global programs for Bethany Global. "Bethany has a long history of stepping in to areas of need to provide quality services for families and children. When the UNHCR reached out to us because of our expertise, including 10 years of family-based care in Ethiopia and 40 years of global and refugee experience, we knew we had to step in and offer mental health services to those who have experienced so much trauma." To develop the program, Bethany experts visited refugee camps in Ethiopia with the UNHCR in June of 2017 and, upon return, proposed working with two of the seven camps in Gambella to address gaps in service identified during the visit: Support for foster care workers and intensive case management Many of the unaccompanied minors in the camps were taken in as informal foster children by South Sudanese families but are often not treated the same as biological children, potentially creating a situation of abuse or neglect. Bethany will use its proven model of foster case management, already implemented in Ethiopia , to train and support case workers to assist them in better assessing and supporting both the children and their foster parents. Many of the unaccompanied minors in the camps were taken in as informal foster children by South Sudanese families but are often not treated the same as biological children, potentially creating a situation of abuse or neglect. Bethany will use its proven model of foster case management, already implemented in , to train and support case workers to assist them in better assessing and supporting both the children and their foster parents. Psycho-social support When fleeing persecution in search of safety, refugees experience extreme trauma and while they may be physically secure within the confines of refugee camps, oftentimes mental struggles persist long after arrival. Bethany social workers will support foster parents and families who have been through traumatic events to help guide children through symptoms and behaviors associated with experiencing trauma. The curriculum utilized is the same as that which is based on decades long experience working with refugee families resettled in the U.S., with modifications made for use in the camp setting. Services will target the complex trauma of displacement, family separation, grief and loss, and victims of violence. "Due to tight budgets within the refugee camps, mental health services are rare and all resources are dedicated to ensuring the survival of families and children," said Gleason. "Our history of working with refugee resettlement in the U.S. has given us the knowledge and resources to be able to aid these individuals in crisis and we are eager to get to work." While the initiative only started recently, its impact has been immediate. As a result, Bethany is working with UNHCR in Bogota on a similar working agreement in Colombia to serve Venezuelan children coming into Colombia. For more information, visit https://www.bethany.org/global. About Bethany Christian Services Bethany Christian Services was founded in 1944 and is providing services in 36 states and 15 countries. In 2017, Bethany served nearly 46,000 expectant parents, children and families worldwide. Bethany's mission is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ by protecting children, empowering youth, and strengthening families through quality social services. For more information, call 1-800-BETHANY or visit bethany.org. SOURCE Bethany Christian Services Related Links https://www.bethany.org/global WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Press Club, the world's leading professional organization for journalists, has chosen Bianca Fortis as the winner of its 2018 Shirley and Dennis Feldman Fellowship. The award is for a student pursuing graduate studies in journalism and is a one-time scholarship of $5,000. Fortis is a 2010 graduate of the University of Central Florida and has since worked as a freelance journalist and as a community news reporter. She will use the scholarship to attend the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism at Columbia University. "Bianca's tenacity and ability to get her story was impressive," said Andrea Snyder Edney, President of the National Press Club. "We look forward to seeing important work from Bianca in the years to come." Fortis is "the kind of journalist we need right now, someone who is able to engage with both rural and urban America from a global perspective," said Brian Mittge, her former editor at The Chronicle, a 10,000 circulation newspaper in Centralia, Washington. During her time at the paper, Fortis won Society of Professional Journalism awards and never hesitated to jump into complicated subjects, Mittge notes, including being one of the few reporters in the region that gained access to the Chehalis Reservation, whose residents are not usually open to non-tribal reporters. The scholarship judges were also impressed with Fortis' freelance work. Fortis - who is of Puerto Rican descent - along with photojournalist Elaine Cromie, used crowdsourcing to fund a trip to Puerto Rico in October 2017, to produce stories about the community struggling in the aftermath of the hurricane for publications like the Detroit Free Press and Vice. Contacts: Jen Judson, 303-917-6950 Joann Booze, 202-662-7532 SOURCE National Press Club Second quarter revenue increased 28.5% year-over-year Revenue from transaction services increased 50.2% year-over-year BEIJING, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Bitauto Holdings Limited ("Bitauto" or the "Company") (NYSE: BITA), a leading provider of internet content & marketing services, and transaction services for China's fast-growing automotive industry, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018[1] . Bitauto Second Quarter 2018 Highlights Revenue in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB2.56 billion ( US$387.5 million ), a 28.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. in the second quarter of 2018 was ( ), a 28.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. Gross profit in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB1.62 billion ( US$245.3 million ), a 17.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. in the second quarter of 2018 was ( ), a 17.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. Income from operations in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB107.0 million ( US$16.2 million ), compared to RMB12.8 million ( US$1.9 million ) in the corresponding period in 2017. in the second quarter of 2018 was ( ), compared to ( ) in the corresponding period in 2017. Non-GAAP income from operations in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB429.1 million ( US$64.8 million ), a 45.8% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. in the second quarter of 2018 was ( ), a 45.8% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. Net income in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB27.4 million ( US$4.1 million ), compared to a net loss of RMB63.3 million ( US$9.6 million ) in the corresponding period in 2017. in the second quarter of 2018 was ( ), compared to a net loss of ( ) in the corresponding period in 2017. Non-GAAP net income in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB353.7 million ( US$53.5 million ), a 53.4% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. in the second quarter of 2018 was ( ), a 53.4% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. Basic and diluted net loss per ADS in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB0.02 (US$0.00) and RMB0.05 (US$0.01) , respectively. in the second quarter of 2018 was and , respectively. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB3.50 (US$0.53) and RMB3.22 (US$0.49) , respectively. Mr. Andy Zhang, chief executive officer of Bitauto, said, "We were pleased to deliver a set of healthy results across our business lines in the second quarter of 2018, with total revenue growing 28.5% year-over-year to RMB2.56 billion. In particular, our transaction services revenue expanded rapidly with 50.2% year-over-year growth to RMB1.27 billion. We also maintained solid momentum in our advertising and subscription business, with 15.9% revenue growth year-over-year to RMB1.07 billion, driven by our ongoing revamping initiatives." "In our advertising business, we deepened our collaboration with key opinion leaders to develop customized content and services for automakers, creating win-win-win connections between automakers, self-media and Bitauto. In our subscription business, we continued to optimize our business mix by converting more subscribers to our premium service package. We also expanded our subscription membership base by providing tailored services to China's vast number of unauthorized auto dealers. In our transaction services business, Yixin posted resilient results amid industry weakness, facilitating approximately 103,000 financed automobile transactions, a 19% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. In August, Yixin entered into strategic collaborations with WeBank for loan facilitation services. With five loan facilitation service partners in place, we expect to further expand Yixin's third-party loan facilitation services, which features strong scalability and an attractive margin profile. In the second quarter, 19% of total financed automobile transactions were through third-party loan facilitation services, up from 8% in the previous quarter." "Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on our three core business strategies. First, we will further develop synergies between Bitauto, Yixin and other Bitauto family companies to build up more diversified offerings for consumers and our business partners. Second, we will continue to enhance the content and services that we provide to our user community to cover the entire automobile purchase and ownership cycle. This will allow us to increase user stickiness and engagement, and develop more comprehensive customer profiles. Third, we will continue to leverage our big data capabilities and support from our strategic shareholders to enable more user touchpoints and data crossover throughout the Bitauto ecosystem. Building on our market leading position, we are confident that we will achieve our goal of becoming China's top online auto media and transaction services platform." Mr. Ming Xu, chief financial officer of Bitauto said, "We achieved steady topline growth from our media services in the second quarter, thanks mainly to higher ASPs as a result of rising spending by OEM advertisers, higher price points for subscription packages and a greater contribution from sales of premium membership packages. In addition, we made solid progress in improving our profitability through various measures to optimize our cost structure, including marketing expenses. As Yixin further expands its revenue contribution from its third party loan business, we also expect to see margin improvement in our transaction services business in the second half of 2018." Adoption of New Revenue Guidance ASC 606 In May 2014, the FASB issued a new revenue guidance ASC Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." Bitauto has completed its assessment and noted the most significant impact is the change from presentation of value-added tax ("VAT") on a gross basis to a net basis. Bitauto adopted the new revenue guidance starting from January 1, 2018 by applying the modified retrospective approach. Therefore, operating results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not restated and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company's historic accounting method under Topic 605. To provide investors with a meaningful year-over-year comparison, Bitauto has provided a reconciliation table for the impact of adopting this new revenue guidance for the second quarter of 2018 and the corresponding period in 2017. Other than in the Company's consolidated statements of operations, the operating results are discussed and analyzed under the new revenue guidance, including those for the comparative period in 2017. For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Under ASC 605 VAT adjustments Under ASC 606 RMB RMB RMB (in thousands) Revenue 2,752,253 (187,937) 2,564,316 - Advertising and subscription business 1,147,736 (79,942) 1,067,794 - Transaction services business 1,365,100 (93,164) 1,271,936 - Digital marketing solutions business 239,417 (14,831) 224,586 Cost of revenue (1,112,337) 170,871 (941,466) Gross profit 1,639,916 (17,066) 1,622,850 Income from operations 107,042 - 107,042 Net income 27,386 - 27,386 For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Under ASC 605 VAT adjustments Under ASC 606 RMB RMB RMB (in thousands) Revenue 2,170,632 (174,839) 1,995,793 - Advertising and subscription business 1,006,678 (85,165) 921,513 - Transaction services business 922,580 (76,011) 846,569 - Digital marketing solutions business 241,374 (13,663) 227,711 Cost of revenue (772,659) 156,200 (616,459) Gross profit 1,397,973 (18,639) 1,379,334 Income from operations 12,766 - 12,766 Net loss (63,270) - (63,270) Bitauto Second Quarter 2018 Results Bitauto reported revenue of RMB2.56 billion (US$387.5 million) for the second quarter of 2018, representing a 28.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. The increase in revenue was attributable to the growth of the Company's transaction services business and advertising and subscription business. Revenue from the advertising and subscription business for the second quarter of 2018 was RMB1.07 billion ( US$161.4 million ), representing a 15.9% increase from RMB921.5 million ( US$139.3 million ) in the corresponding period in 2017. for the second quarter of 2018 was ( ), representing a 15.9% increase from ( ) in the corresponding period in 2017. Revenue from the transaction services business for the second quarter of 2018 was RMB1.27 billion ( US$192.2 million ), representing a 50.2% increase from RMB846.6 million ( US$127.9 million ) in the corresponding period in 2017, primarily driven by the fast growth of transaction volume. for the second quarter of 2018 was ( ), representing a 50.2% increase from ( ) in the corresponding period in 2017, primarily driven by the fast growth of transaction volume. Revenue from the digital marketing solutions business for the second quarter of 2018 was RMB224.6 million ( US$33.9 million ), compared to RMB227.7 million ( US$34.4 million ) in the corresponding period in 2017. Cost of revenue for the second quarter of 2018 was RMB941.5 million (US$142.3 million), representing a year-over-year increase of 52.7% from the corresponding period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to increased funding costs related to the growth of transaction services. Cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue in the second quarter of 2018 was 36.7%, compared to 30.9% in the corresponding period in 2017. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2018 was RMB1.62 billion (US$245.3 million), representing a 17.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. Selling and administrative expenses were RMB1.40 billion (US$211.3 million) for the second quarter of 2018, representing a 10.8% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. This increase was primarily attributable to the increases in share-based compensation, provision for credit losses of finance receivables, salaries and benefits, and offset by the decrease in marketing expenses. Product development expenses were RMB162.7 million (US$24.6 million) for the second quarter of 2018, representing a 25.8% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits. Share-based compensation, which was allocated to related operating expense line items, was RMB151.6 million (US$22.9 million) in the second quarter of 2018, compared to RMB71.0 million (US$10.7 million) in the corresponding period in 2017. The increase was mainly due to options granted by Yixin Group Limited ("Yixin") (SEHK: 2858) to its employees in the third quarter of 2017. Income from operations in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB107.0 million (US$16.2 million), compared to an income from operations of RMB12.8 million (US$1.9 million) in the corresponding period in 2017. Non-GAAP income from operations in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB429.1 million (US$64.8 million), a 45.8% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. Income tax expense in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB73.9 million (US$11.2 million), compared to an income tax expense of RMB103.1 million (US$15.6 million) in the corresponding period in 2017. This decrease was mainly due to the impact of preferential tax rate applicable to some of the Company's subsidiaries in China. Net income in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB27.4 million (US$4.1 million), compared to a net loss of RMB63.3 million (US$9.6 million) in the corresponding period in 2017. Net income attributable to Bitauto in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB2.7 million (US$0.4 million). Basic and diluted net loss per ADS, each representing one ordinary share, in the second quarter of 2018 amounted to RMB0.02 (US$0.00) and RMB0.05 (US$0.01), respectively, taking into consideration of the accretion to redeemable noncontrolling interests amounting to RMB7.0 million (US$1.1 million). Non-GAAP net income in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB353.7 million (US$53.5 million), a 53.4% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Bitauto in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB257.3 million (US$38.9 million). Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS in the second quarter of 2018 amounted to RMB3.50 (US$0.53) and RMB3.22 (US$0.49), respectively, taking into consideration of the accretion to redeemable noncontrolling interests amounting to RMB7.0 million (US$1.1 million). As of June 30, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of RMB7.90 billion (US$1.19 billion). Cash used in operating activities, cash used in investing activities, and cash provided by financing activities in the second quarter of 2018 were RMB239.8 million (US$36.2 million), RMB2.56 billion (US$386.6 million), and RMB319.4 million (US$48.3 million), respectively. The number of employees totaled 7,889 as of June 30, 2018, including employees of entities in which Bitauto has acquired and holds controlling interests. This represented a 9.38% year-over-year decrease, primarily due to decreased headcount in the Company's fast-growing transaction services business, following Yixin's strategically de-emphasizing used automobile transaction facilitation services. As of June 30, 2018, the Company had a total of 72,739,966 ordinary shares. Non-GAAP basic and diluted per ADS figures for the second quarter of 2018 were calculated using a weighted average of 71,785,937 and 78,333,221 ADSs, respectively. Each ADS represents one ordinary share of the Company. Yixin Second Quarter 2018 Highlights In the second quarter of 2018, Bitauto's controlled subsidiary Yixin, the primary operator of the Company's transaction services business, facilitated approximately 103,000 financed automobile transactions, representing approximately 19% year-over-year growth, and approximately RMB8.4 billion aggregate in auto financing, through its loan facilitation services and self-operated financing services. In particular, Yixin's third-party loan facilitation transactions continued to gain momentum, contributing approximately 19% of the financed automobile transaction volume in the second quarter, up from 8% in the previous quarter. In the second quarter of 2018, Yixin facilitated over 19,000 financed automobile transactions, a year-over-year increase of over 90 times, and over RMB1.3 billion in auto financing, through its loan facilitation services for its partner banks. In the second quarter of 2018, under U.S. GAAP, Yixin's total revenues reached RMB1.34 billion (US$201.8 million); gross profit reached RMB651.5 million (US$98.5 million); net income was RMB25.2 million (US$3.8 million) and Non-GAAP net income was RMB149.5 million (US$22.6 million). Yixin's Non-GAAP net income is calculated by net income excluding share-based compensation of RMB81.6 million (US$12.3 million), amortization of intangible assets resulting from asset and business acquisitions of RMB43.1 million (US$6.5 million), and offset by tax effect of RMB0.4 million (US$0.1 million). In the second quarter of 2018, Yixin entered into certain transactions with other subsidiaries of Bitauto, which have been eliminated upon Bitauto's consolidation of Yixin. The revenue Yixin recorded for the services provided to those subsidiaries of Bitauto amounted to RMB51.2 million (US$7.7 million). As of June 30, 2018, Yixin had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of RMB4.25 billion (US$642.2 million), total finance receivables of RMB35.75 billion (US$5.40 billion), and total borrowings, including bank borrowings and asset-backed securitization debt, of RMB29.03 billion (US$4.39 billion). As of June 30, 2018, Yixin's 31-90 days past due ratio, 91-180 days past due ratio, and 180+ days past due ratio were 0.43%, 0.58%, 0.48%, respectively; 90+ days past due ratio, and 30+ days past due ratio were 1.05% and 1.48%, respectively. Under U.S. GAAP, Yixin's provision for credit losses of finance receivables in the second quarter of 2018 was RMB128.1 million (US$19.4 million). The balance of provision for credit losses of finance receivables was RMB276.4 million (US$41.8 million) as of June 30, 2018. As Bitauto's controlled subsidiary listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Yixin announced its consolidated financial statements under IFRS for the first half of 2018. In order to help investors to understand the difference between IFRS and U.S. GAAP for Yixin's operation results, a reconciliation was prepared and presented at the end of this earnings release. Third Quarter 2018 Outlook Bitauto currently expects to generate revenue in the range of RMB2.66 billion (US$402.0 million) to RMB2.71 billion (US$409.5 million) in the third quarter of 2018, representing a 22.9% to 25.2% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. This forecast reflects revenues net of VAT under the new revenue guidance ASC Topic 606, which has been adopted by Bitauto starting from January 1, 2018. If presented on gross basis, as consistent with in year 2017, forecasted revenues would be between RMB2.87 billion (US$433.7 million) to RMB2.92 billion (US$441.3 million) in the third quarter of 2018, representing a 22.4% to 24.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. This forecast takes into consideration of seasonality factors in Bitauto's business, and excludes any impact of foreign currency fluctuation. It reflects management's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change. Conference Call Information Bitauto's management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:15 AM on August 22, 2018 U.S. Eastern Time (8:15 PM on August 22, 2018 Beijing/Hong Kong time). Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows: US: +1-845-675-0437 or +1-866-519-4004 Hong Kong: +852-3018-6771 or 800-906-601 China: 800-8190-121 or 400-6208-038 International: +65-6713-5090 Conference ID: 9888137 A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following number until August 30, 2018: US: +1-855-452-5696 or +1-646-254-3697 International: +61-2-8199-0299 Conference ID: 9888137 Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at http://ir.bitauto.com. [1] This announcement contains translations of certain amounts in Renminbi into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB6.6171 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate as of June 29, 2018 in The City of New York for cable transfers of Renminbi as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. About Bitauto Holdings Limited Bitauto Holdings Limited (NYSE: BITA) is a leading provider of internet content & marketing services, and transaction services for China's fast-growing automotive industry. Bitauto's business consists of three segments: advertising and subscription business, transaction services business and digital marketing solutions business. Bitauto's advertising and subscription business provides a variety of advertising services to automakers through the bitauto.com website and corresponding mobile apps. The website and mobile apps provide consumers with up-to-date automobile pricing and promotional information, specifications, reviews and consumer feedback. Bitauto also provides transaction-focused online advertisements and promotional services to its business partners via Yixin's online platform for automakers, automobile dealers, auto finance partners and insurance companies. Bitauto offers subscription services via its SaaS platform, which provides web-based and mobile-based integrated digital marketing solutions to automobile dealers in China. The SaaS platform enables automobile dealer subscribers to create their own online showrooms, list pricing and promotional information, provide automobile dealer contact information, place advertisements and manage customer relationships to help them reach a broad set of purchase-minded customers and effectively market their automobiles to consumers online. Bitauto's transaction services business is primarily conducted by its controlled subsidiary, Yixin Group Limited (SEHK: 2858), a leading online automobile retail transaction platform in China, which provides transaction platform services as well as self-operated financing services. Bitauto's digital marketing solutions business provides automakers with one-stop digital marketing solutions, including website creation and maintenance, online public relations, online marketing campaigns, advertising agent services, big data applications and digital image creation. For more information, please visit ir.bitauto.com. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook of the Company and the quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Bitauto's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Bitauto may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Bitauto's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: our goals and strategies; our future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the automobile industry and the internet marketing industry in China; our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our services and service delivery model; our expectations regarding enhancing our brand recognition; our expectations regarding keeping and strengthening our relationships with major customers, partner websites and media vendors; relevant government policies and regulations relating to our businesses, automobile purchases and ownership in China; our ability to attract and retain quality employees; our ability to stay abreast of market trends and technological advances; competition in our industry in China and internationally; general economic and business conditions in China; and our ability to effectively protect our intellectual property rights and not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Bitauto's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Bitauto does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Bitauto undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement Bitauto's consolidated financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Bitauto uses Non-GAAP income from operations, Non-GAAP net income and Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS as Non-GAAP financial measures, and uses Yixin's Non-GAAP income from operations and Yixin's Non-GAAP net income as Non-GAAP financial measures to supplement the disclosure of financial performance of Yixin. Non-GAAP income from operations is defined as income/(loss) from operations excluding (i) share-based compensation; (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from asset and business acquisitions; and (iii) professional expenses incurred for the initial public offering of Yixin and the issuance of preferred shares. Non-GAAP net income is defined as net income/(loss) excluding (i) share-based compensation; (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from asset and business acquisitions; (iii) professional expenses incurred for the initial public offering of Yixin and the issuance of preferred shares; (iv) share of amortization of equity investments' intangible assets not on their books; (v) investment income associated with non-cash investment matters; (vi) fair value adjustment of contingent considerations; (vii) amortization of the BCF discount on the convertible notes; and (viii) tax effect of Non-GAAP line items. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS is defined as Non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent company divided by basic and diluted weighted average number of ADS. Yixin's Non-GAAP income from operations is defined as income/(loss) from operations excluding (i) share-based compensation; and (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from asset and business acquisitions. Yixin's Non-GAAP net income is defined as net income/(loss) excluding (i) share-based compensation; (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from asset and business acquisitions; and (iii) tax effect of Non-GAAP line items. These Non-GAAP financial measures provide Bitauto's management with the ability to assess its operating results by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the performance of its business such as non-cash and non-recurring items. Bitauto believes these Non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors by understanding supplemental information used by management in its assessment of operating results. The use of Non-GAAP financial measures has certain limitations. These Non-GAAP measures exclude certain items that have been and will continue to be incurred in the future and are not reflected in the presentation of the Non-GAAP financial measures. These Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to U.S. GAAP results. In addition, these Non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures utilized by other companies since such other companies may not calculate such measures in the same manner as Bitauto or Yixin does. Reconciliation of these Non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure is set forth at the end of this release. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: China Suki Li Bitauto Holdings Limited Phone: +86-10-6849-2145 [email protected] Clarisse Pan Foote Group Phone: +86-10-8429-9544 [email protected] SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 * June 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 RMB RMB RMB (in thousands, except for share and per share data) Revenue 2,170,632 2,564,316 4,735,461 Cost of revenue (772,659) (941,466) (1,762,852) Gross profit 1,397,973 1,622,850 2,972,609 Selling and administrative expenses (1,262,490) (1,398,450) (2,908,683) Product development expenses (129,260) (162,670) (323,105) Other gains, net 6,543 45,312 52,894 Income/(Loss) from operations 12,766 107,042 (206,285) Interest income 23,253 20,902 50,446 Interest expense (19,293) (12,717) (24,829) Share of results of equity investees (15,305) (14,391) (25,248) Investment income 38,400 421 6,421 Profit/(Loss) before tax 39,821 101,257 (199,495) Income tax expense (103,091) (73,871) (61,403) Net (loss)/income (63,270) 27,386 (260,898) Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 7,096 17,702 (109,936) Accretion to redeemable noncontrolling interests 91,865 6,995 13,913 Net (loss)/income attributable to Bitauto Holdings Limited (162,231) 2,689 (164,875) Non-GAAP financial data Non-GAAP net income 230,578 353,718 390,777 Non-GAAP net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 10,747 89,407 52,326 Accretion to redeemable noncontrolling interests 91,865 6,995 13,913 Non-GAAP net income attributable to Bitauto Holdings Limited 127,966 257,316 324,538 Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP results For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 RMB RMB RMB Income/(Loss) from operations 12,766 107,042 (206,285) Share-based compensation 70,979 151,590 301,731 Amortization of intangible assets resulting from asset and business acquisitions 168,839 170,472 341,621 Professional expenses incurred for the initial public offering of Yixin and the issuance of preferred shares 41,638 - - Non-GAAP income from operations 294,222 429,104 437,067 Net (loss)/income (63,270) 27,386 (260,898) Share-based compensation 70,979 151,590 301,731 Amortization of intangible assets resulting from asset and business acquisitions 168,839 170,472 341,621 Professional expenses incurred for the initial public offering of Yixin and the issuance of preferred shares 41,638 - - Share of amortization of equity investments' intangible assets not on their books 27 - - Investment income associated with non-cash investment matters (1,453) - - Fair value adjustment of contingent considerations 5,220 - - Amortization of the BCF discount on the convertible notes 8,598 7,164 14,280 Tax effect of Non-GAAP line items - (2,894) (5,957) Non-GAAP net income 230,578 353,718 390,777 Non-GAAP net income per ADS Basic 1.80 3.50 4.38 Diluted 1.66 3.22 4.06 *The operating results for the second quarter of 2017 are not restated and are presented on a gross basis under Topic 605, while those for the second quarter of 2018 are presented on a net basis under Topic 606. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018 RMB RMB (in thousands) Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 9,555,027 5,503,130 Restricted cash 811,596 1,043,491 Accounts receivable, net 2,854,410 3,103,474 Uncollateralized finance receivables - current portion, net 2,963,926 4,466,939 Collateralized finance receivables - current portion, net 10,289,972 12,358,819 Other current assets 1,642,438 2,561,966 28,117,369 29,037,819 Non-current assets Restricted cash 672,736 1,356,403 Investments in equity investees 1,184,196 1,514,826 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,296,196 1,014,912 Intangible assets, net 1,726,321 1,334,595 Uncollateralized finance receivables - non-current portion, net 4,181,627 6,389,203 Collateralized finance receivables - non-current portion, net 12,356,080 12,413,887 Other non-current assets 1,981,207 2,416,258 23,398,363 26,440,084 Total assets 51,515,732 55,477,903 Liabilities Current liabilities Short term borrowing 11,243,614 10,861,621 Asset-backed securitization debt 6,165,429 8,784,529 Accounts payable 2,176,627 2,200,793 Other current liabilities 3,113,569 3,081,200 22,699,239 24,928,143 Non-current liabilities Long term borrowings 5,074,273 5,217,607 Asset-backed securitization debt 2,611,821 4,351,409 Other non-current liabilities 892,728 884,565 8,578,822 10,453,581 Total liabilities 31,278,061 35,381,724 Redeemable noncontrolling interests 301,953 345,866 Total equity 19,935,718 19,750,313 Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity 51,515,732 55,477,903 Yixin Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands) For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 RMB RMB RMB IFRS Reconcilation US GAAP Revenue 2,563,560 - 2,563,560 Cost of revenue (1,313,307) - (1,313,307) Gross profit 1,250,253 - 1,250,253 Selling and administrative expenses (1,297,095) (46,864) (1,343,959) Product development expenses (141,367) - (141,367) Other gains, net 24,711 (2,585) 22,126 Loss from operations (163,498) (49,449) (212,947) Interest income 17,179 - 17,179 Interest expense (1,665) - (1,665) Share of results of equity investees 111 - 111 Loss before tax (147,873) (49,449) (197,322) Income tax (expense)/benefit (11,611) 12,683 1,072 Net loss (159,484) (36,766) (196,250) Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP results For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 RMB RMB RMB IFRS Reconcilation US GAAP Loss from operations (163,498) (49,449) (212,947) Fair value gains on financial assets* (2,585) 2,585 - Share-based compensation 191,399 - 191,399 Amortization of intangible assets resulting from asset and business acquisitions 94,279 (1,282) 92,997 Non-GAAP income from operations 119,595 (48,146) 71,449 Net loss (159,484) (36,766) (196,250) Fair value gains on financial assets* (2,585) 2,585 - Share-based compensation 191,399 - 191,399 Amortization of intangible assets resulting from asset and business acquisitions 94,279 (1,282) 92,997 Tax effect of non-GAAP line items (282) (646) (928) Non-GAAP net income 123,327 (36,109) 87,218 * This item is only reconciled under IFRS as the financial assets are not measured by fair value through profit or loss under U.S. GAAP. SOURCE Bitauto Holdings Limited Related Links http://ir.bitauto.com BAAR, Switzerland, August 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackstone Resources AG (SWX: BLS)(STU: 4BR)(FRA: 4BR)(BEB: 4BR) has launched a global trading business. It has signed a memorandum of understanding and co-operation agreement, with a Swiss-Colombian mining company that is based in Colombia and has all the necessary licences to export a large multitude of mineral resources. The company also has substantial mining and operational rights across various Colombian provinces. The agreement was signed owing to the complementary activities and goals of both companies. Both firms see great potential in agreeing to work together in developing certain mining assets and developing a commodity trading business outside Colombia. Colombia is an important commodity-rich country and a major exporter of metals, which includes battery materials. Greater access to this market is extremely important for Blackstone Resources. We are excited about this recent development and the shareholder value it could potentialy deliver. Highlights This partnership agreement will further strengthen Blackstone Resources' trading division led by Chief Trading Officer Mr A. Viscuso Trading activity from this partnership will come from the joint metal operations of both companies, plus our partner's country-wide network of third-party partners within Colombia . . We estimate in the near future that our monthly trading volume from this partnership will rise to USD 29 million or more with an expected netback of at least USD 300,000 per month. The Board of Directors Blackstone Resources is a Swiss Holding Company, with its legal domicile in Baar, Kanton Zug and is concentrating on the battery metals market as primary metals. In addition, it sets up, develops and manages refineries used for gold and battery metals. There are few companies quite like Blackstone Resources in Europe. It offers direct exposure to the battery metal revolution that is being driven by the demand of electric vehicles that need vast quantities of these metals. These include cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, graphite and lithium. Disclaimer This media release is for information purposes only. It constitutes neither a prospectus within the meaning of article 652a and / or 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations nor a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. This media release constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to securities of Blackstone Resources AG ("Securities"). This media release is not intended for distribution in the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan. The Securities have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act)", as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to US persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) unless the securities are registered under the Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. This media release does not constitute an offer of securities to the public within the meaning of Directive 2003/71/EC of the European Union ("Prospectus Directive") of the Securities in any member state of the European Economic Area ("EEA"). Any offers of the Securities to persons in the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of the Securities. This press release is being distributed only to, and is directed only at persons (i) outside the United Kingdom, or (ii) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within article 19(5) of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 ("Order"), as amended, or (iii) who are high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated, falling within article 49(2)(a)-(d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person must not act or rely on this communication or any of its contents. This release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in this press release. The forward-looking statements are based on the current views and assumptions of Blackstone Resources AG. For more information please visit http://www.blackstoneresources.ch SOURCE Blackstone Resources AG DALLAS, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital Senior Living Corporation (the "Company") (NYSE: CSU), one of the nation's largest operators of senior housing communities, today announced that Lawrence A. Cohen will retire as Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2019. The Capital Senior Living Board of Directors will work alongside Mr. Cohen and the leadership team to ensure a smooth transition. The Board has initiated a search to identify an external candidate to serve as CEO and has engaged Heidrick & Struggles, a leading executive search firm, to assist with that process. "After 21 years at Capital Senior Living, and 19 years as CEO, I have decided to retire from the Company," said Lawrence A. Cohen, Chief Executive Officer of Capital Senior Living. "It has been an honor to lead the Company and our dedicated team of employees, and I am proud of all we have achieved together. This is a dynamic time in our industry, and we have significant work ahead to drive occupancy growth, stabilize our rates and continue to execute on our operational improvement initiatives. The strength of our team, reputation for providing quality senior housing services and differentiated strategy focused on owned real estate give me a high degree of confidence in Capital Senior Living's long-term prospects." "On behalf of our entire Board, I want to thank Larry for his countless contributions to the Company over the course of his distinguished career," said Michael W. Reid, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Under his leadership, Capital Senior Living has solidified its position as a nationwide leader in senior housing, expanding from a portfolio of 36 communities serving approximately 6,000 residents in 1999 to 129 communities serving 16,500 residents today. The Board is committed to conducting a thorough search to identify the right candidate who will bring to Capital Senior Living strategic vision and a strong track record of operational and financial execution. We look forward to Larry's continued leadership as we conduct this search process." About Capital Senior Living Capital Senior Living Corporation is one of the nation's largest operators of residential communities for senior adults. The Company's operating strategy is to provide value to residents by providing quality senior housing services at reasonable prices. The Company's communities emphasize a continuum of care, which integrates independent living, assisted living, and memory care services, to provide residents the opportunity to age in place. The Company operates 129 senior housing communities in geographically concentrated regions with an aggregate capacity of approximately 16,500 residents. Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, the Company's ability to find suitable acquisition properties at favorable terms, financing, refinancing, community sales, licensing, business conditions, risks of downturns in economic conditions generally, satisfaction of closing conditions such as those pertaining to licensure, availability of insurance at commercially reasonable rates, and changes in accounting principles and interpretations among others, and other risks and factors identified from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For information about Capital Senior Living, visit www.capitalsenior.com. Contact Carey P. Hendrickson, Chief Financial Officer, at 972-770-5600 for more information. SOURCE Capital Senior Living Corporation Related Links http://www.capitalsenior.com MIAMI, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CarHopper, the Miami-based booking platform for exclusive luxury and exotic car rentals announces its partnership with JetSmarter, the world's largest private aviation community. An innovative online booking platform, CarHopper streamlines access to elite automobile rentals, with offerings that include models from Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini, and McLaren. Through the strategic partnership, JetSmarter members will have access to CarHopper's curated inventory of the most unique vehicles in the world from within the JetSmarter app. JetSmarter Members will be able to book CarHopper vehicles right in the JetSmarter App. The partnership between the two companies is a natural fit given both brands' alignment in their mission to combine an elevated experience in luxury travel with ease of use and cost efficiency. CarHopper will be the sole luxury and exotic car rental provider for the JetSmarter community, and will be available for booking via a unique API. Members can also book rentals through JetSmarter's 24/7 Concierge service. "This partnership reaffirms our commitment to transform the luxury travel business model with a trusted marketplace of luxury cars that seamlessly connects quality suppliers with JetSmarter clients," says Bora Hamamcioglu, Founder & CEO of CarHopper. As market leaders in their respective industries, JetSmarter and CarHopper both use cutting-edge technology to make private aviation and luxury and exotic car rentals accessible to their community through a mobile marketplace. Just as they book seats and private flights in the JetSmarter app, JetSmarter clients can now book luxury and exotic rental vehicles by accessing the CarHopper booking portal in the Member Benefits section of their JetSmarter Profile. JetSmarter members can quickly and easily search for a vehicle by desired date and destination, and CarHopper instantly provides luxury and exotic vehicle options. Members are then able to select their desired vehicle and confirm the reservation in mere seconds. "It makes perfect sense for us to partner with CarHopper. Like JetSmarter, they are an innovative brand based in South Florida, and share a vision to transform luxury travel with intuitive technology," said Kyle Madan, Senior Vice President of Finance and Strategic Development of JetSmarter. "Joining forces allows us to further expand our elite travel services to our passengers as we continue to streamline the process of luxury travel, making it as it should be: easy and exciting." The service will be available in all of JetSmarter and CarHopper's coinciding markets across the United States. CarHopper is available in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Hamptons (NY), and New York City. Bookings can be made in the Member Benefits section of the JetSmarter app, available for iOS and Android. For more information, visit jetsmarter.com and carhopper.co. About CarHopper CarHopper is the first online booking platform for luxury and exotic car rentals. Available in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, and the New York area, CarHopper's IOS and Android apps, and website give users access to the most desired cars in the world. From BMWs to Bentleys, CarHopper allows users to book luxury cars in less than 60 seconds. By providing a streamlined way of booking unique cars in top destinations, CarHopper is centralizing the luxury car rental experience. About JetSmarter JetSmarter is a global community of fliers that prefer an elevated travel experience. We offer an innovative alternative to the dated and overpriced services offered in private aviation today by challenging the commercial aviation industry through competitive pricing and an unparalleled flight experience. Using a sharing economy model, JetSmarter gives users the unlimited ability to create flights on-demand or book individual seats on flights created by fellow fliers all while saving thousands compared to traditional private travel. JetSmarter does not own or operate any aircraft. All flights are performed by FAA-licensed and DOT-registered air carriers. For more information, visit jetsmarter.com Contact: Bora Hamamcioglu 305-424-1680 [email protected] SOURCE CarHopper Related Links https://carhopper.co HOUSTON, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- TakeAClass is excited to announce our upcoming filming in Houston, TX on October 18, 2018 for the Public Television show: ON DEMAND hosted by Rob Lowe. On average the ON DEMAND segments air 45-60 times per quarter, so roughly 60 million households will see this segment. It is 100% guaranteed to air! What we are looking for? We are looking for three (3) small businesses, organizations, instructors/teachers who feel they make a difference in the Houston community by providing classes to adults or kids. It can be any type of class. Entry Requirements: 1) Must have at least two (2) classes listed on TakeAClass. Class Vendors can sign up at: www.takeaclass.com 2) Must have been in business or teaching for a least one (1) year. 3) Must plan to have a class scheduled on Oct. 18 that we can film. 4) Must send an email with the subject line: "ENTER ME" and tell us why you (and your students) deserve to be featured on the show. What makes your classes unique? Email: [email protected] TakeAClass will select three entrants to be featured on the show. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2018. About ON DEMAND HOSTED by ROB LOWE ON DEMAND is a preeminent provider of educational content for Public Television audiences. An award-winning program highlighting new stories and innovative concepts through groundbreaking short-form and long-form documentary presentation. The program, anchored by a veteran production team with decades of industry experience, effectively communicates critical stories to a diverse audience. On Demand is hosted by the inimitable Rob Lowe. To learn more, https://www.ondemandptv.com/ Photo Credit:ondemandwithroblowe.org About TakeAClass TakeAClass is a national online resource supporting academic, recreational, and professional class searches for the busy mom, challenged student, motivated professional, or passionate learner. TakeAClass connects the educator and the student by providing a platform for small businesses, organizations, and instructors/teachers to earn more income by providing a platform for them to promote their classes with stunning profiles, photos, class descriptions and schedules. We seek to revolutionize educational options for adults and kids by providing access to local and online classes to anyone in the world. To learn more, visit www.takeaclass.com Media Contact: Amy Olivieri [email protected] 713-298-6597 SOURCE TakeAClass Related Links https://www.takeaclass.com HONG KONG, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cedrus Investments issued a company update report on Uni-Bio Science Group Limited ("Uni-Bio Science" or "the Group") (stock code: 0690) on 21 August 2018. In view of the Group's successful marketing strategies and partnerships as well as strong pipeline, Cedrus believes Uni-Bio Science represents a prudent investment choice with high growth potential for long-term investors. Cedrus reiterated its overweight rating on Uni-Bio Science with a June 2019 price target of HKD0.28, representing a potential upside of approximately 183% versus closing price of HKD0.099 on 20 August 2018. Against the backdrop of pricing pressure industry-wide, Uni-Bio Science took a series of strategic actions in 2017 to mitigate the adverse impact. First, it enhanced its sales and marketing functionality by refining the sales and marketing team and expanding the salesforce to comply with the latest regulations and strengthen its competitive edges in the market, laying solid foundation for future growth. Regarding the company's product portfolio, its marketed products (GeneTime, GeneSoft and Pinup) have been posting positive revenue growth over the last four years. With broader reimbursement scope, wider applications, optimized marketing structure and expanded tendering coverage, overall sales volume of GeneTime (15 ml) enjoyed an 11.6% YoY growth last year. In addition, the Group successfully launched the potentially best-in-class oral anti-diabetic (OAD), drug Bokangtai (Mitiglinide tablets), which was included in China's 2017 National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) and shipped to over 100 hospitals in Fujian province during that year and won tenders in nine provinces. Second, Uni-Bio Science continued to invest heavily in R&D and develop innovative and proprietary products according to the market dynamics. The Uni-PTH for osteoporosis is expected to be launched as early as 1H 2019, while the phase III clinical study on Uni-E4 (liquid formulation), positioned as a major second-line treatment option for type-2 diabetes, is planned for 1H 2019. Most importantly, Uni-Bio Science forged different forms of partnership with reputable players in the industry like a strategic alliance with HeungKong Group. During 2017, Uni-Bio Science completed two subscription agreements for gross proceeds of approximately HK$144 million, including a HK$120 million investment by HeungKong Great Health Fund I. The collaboration with HeungKong Group allows Uni-Bio Science to leverage on HeungKong Group's financial resources (receiving an investment of HK$120 million), investment banking expertise, and medical network in China to broaden Uni-Bio Science's scope of business and strengthen its competitive advantages as a whole. The alliance already produced positive results in 2017, only a few months following its existence. HeungKong Group has helped Uni-Bio Science's products successful listed in hospital chains in Tianjin and healthcare centers in Guangdong province. Meanwhile, the partnerships Uni-Bio Science have formed with CR Zizhu (on the distribution of GeneSoft in China) and Beijing Baiao Pharmaceutical (on the development of Acarbose under the multi-drug co-development agreement signed with Beijing Sun-Novo) have borne fruit. For the former, Uni-Bio Science's number of ophthalmology hospital coverage doubled at year-end 2017 relative to that at the beginning of the same year. For the latter, Uni-Bio Science is expected to file an Abbreviated New Drug Application for Acarbose in 1H 2019. Over the last 12 months, Uni-Bio Science achieved important milestones on sales and marketing as well as R&D. Cedrus believes that a more efficient and dedicated sales and marketing team combined with a unique product portfolio with pipeline assets not only broadening the therapeutic markets addressed but also enhancing its market position in existing market allows Uni-Bio Science to maximize business opportunities and minimize the impact from ever-changing market conditions and regulations. Therefore, Cedrus maintained its Overweight rating on Uni-Bio Science. About Uni-Bio Science Group Limited Uni-Bio Science Group Limited, a leading integrated biopharmaceutical company, is principally engaged in the research and development, manufacture and distribution of pharmaceutical products. The research and development center located in Dongguan, PRC is fully equipped with a complete system for the development of genetically-engineered products with a pilot plant test base which is in line with CFDA requirements. The Group also has two GMP manufacturing bases in Beijing and Shenzhen. The Group is focused on the development of novel treatments and innovative drugs addressing the therapeutic areas of diabetes, ophthalmology and dermatology. Uni-Bio Science Group Limited was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on November 12, 2001. Stock code: 0690. This press release is issued by DLK Advisory Limited for and on behalf of Uni-Bio Science Group Limited and its dedicated WeChat ID is UniBio-IR. For further information, please contact: DLK Advisory Michelle Shi ([email protected]) Linda Liang ([email protected]) Cathy Wu ([email protected]) Tel: +852 2857 7101 Fax: +852 2857 7103 SOURCE Uni-Bio Science Group Limited Alan Turing who broke the Enigma codes in World War II gave us the test for when a computer becomes intelligent The Imitation Game. Setup a computer to pretend it is a human. Ask it questions for 10 minutes. If you can't tell it's a computer then it is, for all intents and purposes, a human. Since we think humans are intelligent the computer must be too. But what does it take to make a computer do this? So far, it's proven hard to make an AI pass the Turing test. The acid test is the annual Loebner Prize which offers a $100,000 prize to the first program to fool a bank of questioners into believing it is human. The prize has been running for 12 years but so far progress has been slow. Cen is taking a novel approach to the problem add humans back into the loop. The big problem for AIs is they tend to be fragile, making childish errors when they come across new information outside their training set. In the Loebner test these errors give the AI away, when they occur in real systems the AI fails, sometimes with disastrous results. Cen tries to detect these situations and switch the question over to a human fast enough to intervene and answer the question correctly. The answers get folded back into the AI knowledgebase and the AI learns. In the limit the system should be able to pass the Turing test, which is not surprising given the system can switch all questions to a human in which case you are talking to a human. In this age of tokens, the solution would not be complete without a blockchain element and Cen uses tokenisation to log and track the answers and reward 'Minders' the humans who intervene in real time. They get ERC-721 tokens for their knowledge and the chance to earn tokens in the future when their knowledge is used. Cen is at alpha stage at present and all the pieces are not yet complete but you can start to help program it. If you just want to test the system, ask it questions and if you like the answer type a '+' sign and if you don't type a '-' sign. If you want to be a Minder sign up on Github and start inputting your knowledge. At the moment the interfaces are suitable for programmers but Cen is working on an interface that will make inputting knowledge possible for anyone. Cen.ai Website Telegram test link (everyone sees everything) Web Chat link (each chat is private between you and Cen) SOURCE Cen Inc. Related Links https://www.cen.ai HAWESVILLE, Ky., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Century Aluminum, America's largest primary aluminum producer, today announced the ceremonial restart of its smelter in Hawesville, Kentucky, that will return the facility to full capacity, create nearly 300 new American jobs by early next year and result in the investment of more than $150 million in the local economy. Today's ceremony marked the return to full production of the first of three production lines to be restarted at the smelter, which has already hired more than 125 new employees since the announcement of the Section 232 tariffs in March 2018. "We're thrilled to be joined by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross as we strengthen our economic footprint in Hawesville and bring back hundreds of jobs to Western Kentucky," said Michael Bless, CEO of Century Aluminum. "The Trump administration's trade policies have provided much needed relief to America's primary aluminum workers leveling the playing field and ensuring that the U.S. primary aluminum industry maintains its competitiveness on the world stage. Today's restart will allow us to return to 100 percent capacity in the months ahead while upgrading our smelting technology to ensure we remain competitive long into the future. We want to publicly thank President Donald Trump and Secretary Ross for their leadership on this issue." "I'm pleased to celebrate Century Aluminum's reopening of the first of three pot lines that will in turn support America's manufacturing independence and enhance our national security," said Wilbur Ross, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. "The aluminum sector has weathered the hardships caused by unfair foreign trade practices. For too long, the government ignored repeated warnings of the impact on the U.S. aluminum sector and its ability to support our armed forces. President Trump's initiatives are addressing the very problems previous leadership failed to confront with the urgency that these threats presented. This administration remains steadfast in our Made in the U.S.A. commitment." "We are grateful for the investment made by Century Aluminum in one of Kentucky's signature industries," said Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin. "Century's products coming out of Hawesville and Sebree are in demand in Kentucky, across the United States, and around the world. There is no better place in America to produce high-quality aluminum, and we're delighted to see the Century facility operating at full capacity and bringing hundreds of jobs back to the local community." A major driver of local economic growth, Century Aluminum will invest nearly $150 million in the facility to upgrade smelting technology, train existing employees to use new equipment, and add specialty positions, including welders, mechanics and engineers. For the past three years, the Hawesville smelter has operated at just 40 percent capacity. With today's restart, the facility will return to full production and add nearly 300 jobs by early next year. Century's Hawesville smelter produces aluminum that supplies the defense and aerospace industries, with a majority of Hawesville's production lines configured to produce military-grade aluminum, making the smelter the largest producer of military-grade aluminum in North America. Hawesville was one of the many smelters forced to curtail operations in late 2015 as global aluminum overcapacity devastated the U.S. primary aluminum industry, threatening American national security and leading to the loss of thousands of American primary aluminum jobs. About Century Aluminum Century Aluminum Company is the largest primary aluminum producer in the United States, with three operating aluminum smelters in Kentucky and South Carolina. For more information: www.centuryaluminum.com. Cautionary Statement This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements about future events and are based on our current expectations. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "believe," "expect," "hope," "target," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "seek," "estimate," "potential," "project," "scheduled," "forecast" or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," "might," or "may." Our forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect to: the future impact of the Section 232 tariffs to Century or the aluminum industry in general; the future operation of our smelters, including plans to restart curtailed production and any costs, benefits or actions associated therewith; future investment in the Hawesville restart and our other operations, including future investments in new technology or other production improvements; our ability to hire and retain qualified employees; future global and local financial and economic conditions; our assessment of the aluminum market and aluminum prices (including premiums); our ability to procure alumina, carbon products and other raw materials and our assessment of pricing and costs and other terms relating thereto; the future financial and operating performance of Century, its subsidiaries and its projects; future earnings, operating results and liquidity; our future business objectives, strategies and initiatives. Where we express an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, our forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by those forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results and events to differ from those described in such forward-looking statements can be found in the risk factors and forward-looking statements cautionary language contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we have attempted to identify those material factors that could cause actual results or events to differ from those described in such forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause results or events to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. SOURCE Century Aluminum Related Links http://www.centuryaluminum.com CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- College Consensus (http://www.collegeconsensus.com), a unique new college ranking website, has published their ranking of the Best Colleges in Illinois 2018 at http://www.collegeconsensus.com/ranking/best-colleges-il/ To identify the Best Colleges in Illinois for 2018, College Consensus combined the latest results from the most respected college ranking systems with thousands of real student reviews to produce a unique consensus score for each school. According to College Consensus founder Jeremy Alder, "Similar to what Rotten Tomatoes does for movies, College Consensus gathers the publisher rankings and student reviews from around the web and distills the results into simple, easy to understand scores so students can quickly and easily compare schools. It is the ranking of all rankings, so to speak." Learn more about the College Consensus rankings methodology at http://www.collegeconsensus.com/about/. College Consensus identified the best-ranked colleges in the Prairie State: University of Chicago - Chicago, IL Northwestern University - Evanston, IL Wheaton College - Wheaton, IL University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Champaign, IL Knox College - Galesburg, IL Bradley University - Peoria, IL University of St. Francis - Joliet, IL Dominican University - River Forest, IL Trinity Christian College - Palos Heights, IL Illinois Wesleyan University - Bloomington, IL Lake Forest College - Lake Forest, IL University of Illinois at Springfield - Springfield, IL Augustana College - Rock Island, IL (tie) Lewis University - Romeoville, IL (tie) Eastern Illinois University - Charleston, IL (tie) Eureka College - Eureka, IL (tie) Judson University - Elgin, IL Olivet Nazarene University - Bourbonnais, IL Elmhurst College - Elmhurst, IL (tie) Millikin University - Decatur, IL (tie) North Central College - Naperville, IL DePaul University - Chicago, IL Quincy University - Quincy, IL Loyola University Chicago - Chicago, IL The Land of Lincoln was one of the United States' first frontiers, part of the legendary Northwest Territory that was once the farthest reaches of the US. The pioneer spirit has never really left Illinois either; first easterners came across the Appalachians, then German and Scandinavian immigrants, then freed African-Americans escaping injustice in the south. Through it all, Illinois has grown an economy that encompasses banking and finance, agriculture and food processing, high-tech manufacturing and innovative entrepreneurial start-ups, and the higher education system necessary to prepare a massive workforce for all of it. As Managing Editor Carrie Sealey-Morris explains, Illinois "illustrates the concept of the American melting pot, forged over the last 200 years into a diverse, culturally complex vision of the past and future." Illinois' higher education system does the same, "bringing together people from across Illinois, the US, and the world to earn their credentials, expand their minds, and build a society for the future." With one of the nation's biggest cities (Chicago) and a large population, Illinois has built up their education to a high level: students have "a wealth of opportunity, and the support they need - whether traditional-aged young people, or working adults and career-changing professionals - to make their own mark on Illinois history." That includes major public research universities, one of the world's foremost private research universities (the University of Chicago), institutions that "have graduated many of the state's leaders, from government and business to the arts," alongside smaller institutions that "have built reputations on student support, service, and commitment to the good of Illinois' citizens." College Consensus is a new approach to college rankings. We combine the latest results from the most respected college ranking systems with thousands of real student review scores from around the web to produce an aggregate College Consensus rating for each school. Carrie Sealey-Morris Managing Editor, College Consensus [email protected] (512) 710-9901 http://www.collegeconsensus.com/ https://www.facebook.com/collegeconsensus/ SOURCE College Consensus Related Links http://www.collegeconsensus.com ROCKVILLE, Maryland, August 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Demand for dental restorative supplies is likely to be on an upswing as several industry-specific and macroeconomic factors continue to influence the dental space. Technological advancements have not left any domain untouched with manufacturers of dental restorative supplies focusing on new innovations in their product lines, says Fact.MR report. Manufacturers of dental restorative supplies are focusing on developing and using advanced material in a bid to enhance the customer satisfaction quotient, achieving sustenance in the competitive dental restorative supplies marketplace. Fact.MR envisages that the demand for dental restorative supplies is projected to expand at a steady CAGR of 4.1% in terms of value during the period of assessment, 2018-2028. Sales of dental restorative supplies during the said period are likely to surpass US$ 6,000 Mn by end of 2028, says the report. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/713666/FactMR_Logo.jpg ) Sales of dental restorative supplies are likely to remain influenced with increasing investments in the dental space. This aspect is further fuelled with growing edentulous population that prefers unanchored dentures and dental cosmetic procedures. In addition, the rising oral disease burden globally is anticipated to impact the growth of the dental restorative supplies market. World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that oral disease treatments are the fourth most expensive resulting in high economic burden among low and middle class population. Request For Sample Report- https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=1588 Distributors of dental restorative supplies are playing a major role in enhancing the visibility of dental restorative supplies across regional markets, reveals Fact.MR report. They are focused on enhancing the customer-manufacturer relationship to obtain tangible benefits and are providing information on price adjustments and changing trends. The report says that the dental restorative supplies are driven toward customers largely by distributors as most of the composite material manufacturers are small scale players. Sales of dental restorative supplies are expected to remain concentrated in the developed counties of Europe region, particularly the EU-4. Fact.MR foresees that the demand for dental restorative supplies in Europe region is largely influenced with growing cases of dental diseases, which is expected to translate into sales crossing US$ 1,800 Mn in Europe by 2028 end. The market for dental restorative supplies in Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region is expected to be optimistic and manufacturers of dental restorative supplies can expect significant momentum in the emerging countries of China and India during the assessment period. Closely following the suit, developed countries in North America, particularly the United States, are likely to showcase notable demand for dental restorative supplies on the back of increasing occurrences of root canal in the region. To Get more Information on Dental Restorative Supplies Market, Visit - https://www.factmr.com/report/1588/dental-restorative-supplies-market Composite dental restorative supplies are estimated to witness significant demand and adoption during the period of forecast. Sales of composite dental restorative supplies are estimated to touch US$ 2,200 Mn owing to their high durability and availability in different shades suiting the aesthetic requirements of the customer. However, their post-operative sensitivity is expected to confine their scope of application in some cases. On the contrary, impression material is gaining high traction owing to rising demand for indirect restoration procedures, says the report. Demand for dental restorative supplies in dental clinics is projected to expand at a relatively robust rate throughout the period of assessment as compared to hospitals. Hospitals lack wards needed for dental restoration, which is limiting use of dental restorative supplies in the hospital sector. Future prospects of the dental restorative supplies market are expected to be bullish on account of changing customer approach toward dental aesthetics and treatment of dental caries coupled with increasing number of dental procedures worldwide. Moreover, environmental concerns associated with use of mercury in dental restorative supplies has led to the development of ceramic material and glass ionomers that deliver higher customer satisfaction in turn facilitating momentum to the adoption of dental restorative supplies. To Buy Dental Restorative Supplies Market Report, Visit- https://www.factmr.com/checkout/1588/S About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Contact Us Rohit Bhisey Fact.MR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.factmr.com/ Read Industry News at - https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ SOURCE Fact.MR SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP alerts investors in Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima (NYSE: LOMA) of the firm's investigation of possible disclosure violations related to Loma Negra's initial public offering ("IPO"). If you purchased Loma Negra American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") in or after the Company's November 2017 IPO and suffered losses contact Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP. For more information visit: https://www.hbsslaw.com/cases/LOMA or contact Reed Kathrein, who is leading the firm's investigation, by calling 510-725-3000 or emailing [email protected]. During early November 2017, Loma Negra closed its IPO and, together with its controlling and selling shareholder, issued over 53 million ADSs at $19.00 each. On May 23, 2018, several Argentinian-based media sources began reporting that Argentina's National Commission of Competition Defense ("CNDC") was investigating that country's cement companies (of which Loma Negra was the largest) for price-fixing. Based on this news and on certain previous negative analyst reports, the price of Loma Negra ADSs fell to $12.99, or over 31% below the IPO price. "We're focused on investors' losses and IPO statements that, if untrue or incomplete, could have misled Loma Negra investors," said Hagens Berman partner Reed Kathrein. Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Loma Negra should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 510-725-3000 or email [email protected]. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a national investor-rights law firm headquartered in Seattle, Washington with 80+ attorneys in 10 offices across the country. The Firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw. Contact: Reed Kathrein, 510-725-3000 SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP Related Links https://www.hbsslaw.com On October 2830 in Orlando, FL , the world's best and brightest leaders in the field of healthcare, benefits, insurance, self-funding and wellness will gather together once again, this time at HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION. Speakers and participants will discuss the rapidly shifting landscape of the 21st-century health industry, and the challenges it faces moving into the future. HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION is about creating solutions. They are dedicating their considerable medical and wellness expertise to fixing a 'rigged' healthcare system seriously in need of repair and direction. Disrupting the downward spiraling trend currently fueling dysfunction within the health and wellness industry, is the motivating factor behind their aggressive rebranding. "Over the last ten years we have showcased and brought together the most innovative self-funded employers, brokers, consultants, health insurers, and healthcare providers to grow our industries. Now, we are going to harness their creativity and passion to disrupt it," said Jonathan Edelheit, Co-founder and Chairman of HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION and Global Healthcare Resources. Given the present state of turmoil inundating all facets of the medical and wellness industries, HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION is well poised to lead the charge against an increasingly inefficient health and wellness system, paving the way for comprehensive improvement in what has become a global health emergency. The three-day, action-packed, educational event and convention in Orlando, FL, includes a wide-ranging array of subjects and topics including Self-Funding, Benefits, Corporate Wellness, Healthcare Reform, Medical Travel, Wellness Tourism, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Specialty and Biological Drugs, Healthcare Technology, Genomics and Personalized Medicine. Industry leading brands will convene at HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION in Orlando representing some of the largest "change agents" in their respective fields. Pioneering new technology, science, engagement, utilization, investment, and distribution methodologies will be on full display, along with expert discussion on specific topics. Employer brands that will be in attendance include PepsiCo, General Electric, SAP, American Airlines, Hewlett-Packard, Marsh & McLennan and Square, Lockton, Marsh & McLennan, Mercer Labs, Geo Blue, and Generali. Arthur J. Gallagher will also share innovative strategies about the future of healthcare, insurance, and benefits in this dynamic environment. International Buyers will take the stage at the Public Private Partnership (P3) Summit. Medical travel sessions, including government and private sector representatives from Russia, Ukraine, UAE, Kuwait, Africa, Kazakhstan, Cayman Islands, Cigna Global, Aetna International, and AXA will provide in-depth information about their specific health and wellness programs. HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION has assembled an impressive array of sessions, spanning the gamut of medical and wellness related issues. Some notable highlights include: Keynote presentation from Julian Treasure 5X TED Speaker 5X TED Speaker Market Disrupt A pitch event for investment and pilots featuring investors, employers, brokers, insurers, and hospitals Genomics Summit Sponsored by the Business Group on Genomics and launching the Engage Genomics Initiative Well-Being 100 Awards Recognizing Employers, Brokers and Consultants Innovation 100 Awards Recognizing the most disruptive and innovative companies in the industry Newly added summits will cover: Registration is now open for HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION. Media interested in covering the conference can complete a press pass application. Attendees or others interested in HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION can join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. About HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION is the evolution of two industry leading conferences, The Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress and the World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress. The evolved conference is the premier showcase and catalyst for Self-Funded Employers, Health Insurance Companies, Hospitals, Brokers, Consultants, TPA's, Pharma, and Innovative Solution and Technology companies. Through a global series of conferences, thought leadership roundtables, pitch investment events, pilot programs, and leading market intelligence, HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION drives the innovation and collaboration necessary to transform the business of health. HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION is organized by Global Healthcare Resources. Over the last ten years, Global Healthcare Resources has become one of the largest influencers in the medical and wellness industry. Through dedicated commitment, it has helped private companies and public entities across the globe adopt effective, efficient health and wellness systems in Self-Funded Employer Healthcare, Benefits, Corporate Wellness and Well-Being, and Medical Tourism. Global Healthcare Resources has touched over 2.6+ million leaders and over 1.26+ million members in its LinkedIn groups. CONTACT: Brandon Fertig Director of Marketing Technology Global Healthcare Resources 561.544.7123 ext. 814 [email protected] SOURCE Global Healthcare Resources CALGARY, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Horizon North Logistics Inc. ("Horizon North" or the "Corporation") (TSX HNL.TO) announces two new executive appointments. President, Industrial Services Mark Becker joins Horizon North as President, Industrial Services. Mark will be responsible for providing strategic leadership to Horizon North's Industrial Services business. Mark comes to Horizon North from Husky Energy Inc., where he advised on Canadian Atlantic offshore oil and gas development. Prior to Husky, Mark held executive leadership positions at Suncor Energy Inc. including operations, major projects, and corporate strategy. Most recently at Suncor, Mark was accountable for the safe and successful delivery of the Fort Hills oil sands project. Mark started his career with The Dow Chemical Company across a broad range of developmental roles. Mark holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. He is a certified board member (ICD.D) and professional engineer registered with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta ("APEGA"). "We have reached a critical inflection point in our Industrial Services business," said Rod Graham, President and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon North. "Our customers continually evolve and are among the most sophisticated in the country. Adding Mark and his unique talents will allow us to continue to grow with, and better serve, our customer base." President, Modular Solutions Joseph Kiss has been promoted to President, Modular Solutions. Since joining the Corporation in 2016, Joseph has continued to lead strategic and technical shifts across Horizon North's Modular Solutions business line. In his new role, Joseph will be focused on further growth into new geographic markets and diversity of product applications. Joseph holds a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Calgary. Joseph is a professional engineer registered with APEGA and has extensive executive experience in modular product development, project management, operations, business development, and corporate management. "The addition of these two leadership positions will allow Horizon North to continue being a provider of choice in the markets in which we compete," said Rod Graham. "I am confident that Mark and Joseph will provide strong leadership for our organization, while focusing on an exceptional experience for our diverse set of customers." About Horizon North Horizon North is a publicly listed corporation (TSX: HNL.TO) providing a full range of industrial, commercial, and residential products and services. Our Industrial Services division supplies workforce accommodations, camp management services, access solutions, maintenance and utilities. Our Modular Construction division integrates modern design concepts and technology with state of the art, off-site manufacturing processes; producing high quality building solutions for commercial and residential offerings including offices, hotels, and retail buildings, as well as distinctive single detached dwellings and multi-family residential structures. As a result of our diverse product and service offerings, Horizon North is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of our customers in numerous sectors, anywhere in Canada. Corporate Information Additional information related to Horizon North, including the Corporation's annual information form, press releases, financial statements and MD&A are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com Forward-looking Statements This news release contains certain statements or disclosures relating to Horizon North that are based on the expectations of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Horizon North which may constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. All such statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that Horizon North anticipates or expects may, or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the word ''will'' and similar expressions. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the following: the roles and responsibilities of Mark Becker and Joseph Kiss (the "Executives"); the benefits to the Corporation of the Executives' employment by the Corporation. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Horizon North including, without limitation: that Horizon North will continue to conduct its operations in a manner consistent with past operations; the general continuance of current or, where applicable, assumed industry conditions; availability of debt and/or equity sources to fund Horizon North's capital and operating requirements as needed; and certain cost assumptions. Horizon North believes the material factors, expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements including, without limitation: general economic, market and business conditions; the Executives may not perform in the manner anticipated or at all; increased costs and expenses; reliance on industry partners; and certain other risks detailed from time to time in Horizon North's public disclosure documents including, without limitation, those risks identified in this news release, and in Horizon North's annual information form, copies of which are available on Horizon North's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Corporation undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Horizon North Logistics Inc. Related Links www.horizonnorth.ca "In order to understand why no one has been able to develop good tool ligands or drug molecules for FZDs and to tackle the mystery of FZD signaling, we solved the intact transmembrane domain structure of Frizzled4 receptor (FZD4) at 2.4 angstrom resolution," said Fei Xu, Assistant Professor at iHuman Institute and the School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, and corresponding author of the study. Surprising to the authors was the observation that the traditional orthosteric ligand binding site is very narrow making it hard for small molecules to enter or bind. "These findings improve our understanding of the FZD ligand and signaling, and show that ligand design for this pocket may require special considerations that could be inspired by this crystal structure," said Fei Xu. "To generate a more stable human FZD4 protein amenable for structure determination in the absence of a ligand (apo state), the team spent four years and screened hundreds of constructs, optimized purification procedures, and tried thousands of possible crystallization methods," said Shifan Yang, postdoctoral fellow at iHuman Institute, and first author of the paper. "It turns out to be extremely challenging to obtain diffraction-quality crystals, likely due to the lack of a tool ligand to lock the flexible region in the protein." With further optimization of protein engineering, purification, and crystallization conditions, the team finally solved the structure of FZD4 in the apo state, which is the first structure of the Frizzled family GPCRs and the first apo structure of a ligand-regulated GPCR. "For close personal reasons, I chose FZD4 four years ago when I started my postdoctoral career. It is an amazing protein, as it is not only a target for eye blindness given its critical role in retinal angiogenesis, but also a unique representative for us to understand other FZDs which are emerging cancer drug targets," said Shifan Yang. "The orthosteric ligand binding pocket is very unique in FZD4 and other FZDs," said Yiran Wu, Research Assistant Professor at iHuman Institute, and second author of this paper. "It is not only narrow, but also highly hydrophilic making traditional GPCR ligands difficult to bind tightly." In addition to the discovery of a vacant pocket, this work also reveals an unusual packing in transmembrane helix VII and the short helix8, providing new insight into a potential activation mechanism of this family of receptors. "Such a remarkable structure provides a more accurate template to redirect the efforts on Frizzled drug discovery", said Raymond Stevens, Director of iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University. Other key co-authors of this paper are: Shaowei Dong, Yuxiang Chen, Yu Guo, Suwen Zhao, Bingjie Zhang, Wenqing Shui, and Mengchen Pu from ShanghaiTech University; Ting-Hai Xu, Parker W. de Waal, Yuanzheng He, Zachary J DeBruine, Eric Xu, and Karsten Melcher from the Van Andel Research Institute; and Gye Won Han, Petr Popov, and Vsevolod Katritch from the University of Southern California. Financial support for this work comes, in part, from the Shanghai Municipal Government, ShanghaiTech University, and an NSF of China grant. Link to the full text: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0447-x SOURCE The iHuman Institute of ShanghaiTech University RALEIGH , North Carolina, August 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in consulting, technology and next-generation services, today inaugurated its Technology and Innovation Hub in Raleigh. In addition, Infosys announced that it has hired more than 4,700 Americans since Spring 2017, including nearly 500 in North Carolina, as part of the company's campaign to hire 10,000 American and accelerate the pace of innovation for American industry. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg ) The North Carolina Hub, located at 7751 Brier Creek Parkway in Raleigh, will help Infosys work more closely with clients in the region to develop cross-functional solutions to pressing business challenges in such areas as machine learning, artificial intelligence, user experience and advanced digital technologies, including big data and cloud. The Hub will also train, upskill and reskill Infosys and client employees in the technologies required to help American businesses accelerate their digital transformations. "The inauguration of our Raleigh Technology and Innovation Hub empowers our North Carolina employees by providing them with pioneering technology training that will help American industries revitalize their core businesses," said Infosys CEO, Salil Parekh. "Supported by academic institutions in North Carolina and around the country, the Hub allows us to co-locate, co-innovate and co-create alongside our clients and build on our passion for creating the next generation of top U.S. technology talent through world-class education and training. We are delighted to establish our presence here in North Carolina, which is already home to a highly skilled technology workforce and strong higher education ecosystem and thank Governor Roy Cooper for his support." "I am pleased to join Infosys today at the grand opening of their Raleigh Technology and Innovation Hub," Governor Roy Cooper said. "Just over a year ago, Infosys committed to creating 2,000 high-skill, high-wage jobs in the Tar Heel State. The company is making strong progress towards that hiring target and, perhaps even more importantly, Infosys' commitment to workforce development is helping to create new expertise in North Carolina and prepare our workforce for the jobs of the future." "Today's Hub inauguration represents another major step forward for Infosys in North Carolina. Our continued investment here enhances our ability to serve businesses in the state, including those in financial services, life sciences, clean technology and advanced manufacturing sectors," said Ravi Kumar, President, Infosys. "We have formed strong partnerships with the state's economic development team, which has supported our efforts to build this Hub and recruit and train the workforce of the future. Our partnerships with institutions of higher education have already helped to create a pipeline of talent for us from top universities and community colleges." "We are grateful for Infosys' commitment to the North Carolina Community College System as part of their expansion in Raleigh. Infosys' history of and commitment to lifelong education for their employees is complimentary to Wake Tech's efforts in workforce training in North Carolina," said Wake Tech President, Dr. Stephen Scott. "By partnering with Infosys, Wake Tech is better able to provide a path to a career in technology and allow the state to maintain a competitive and a thriving job market." Infosys' partnerships with North Carolina academic institutions such as the North Carolina Community College System, North Carolina State University and others will provide recent graduates and experienced professionals with exposure to the latest training, research and career mentorship. Infosys' academic partners will augment the company's dedicated learning facilities within the Hub, which will deliver continuous learning across the employee lifecycle. Infosys' commitment to education also extends to the company's charitable foundation, Infosys Foundation USA. In North Carolina, the Foundation has provided multiple grants for classroom technology and computer science training to teachers and schools. To date, these grants have reached 3,938 students, 102 teachers and 94 schools across the state. For more information, please visit: https://www.infosys.com/american-innovation/Pages/nc.aspx About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in 45 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over three decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. Visit http://www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this press release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. In addition, please note that any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company unless it is required by law. SOURCE Infosys BOSTON, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The five John Hancock closed-end funds listed below declared their monthly distributions today as follows: Declaration Date: August 22, 2018 Ex Date: September 13, 2018 Record Date: September 14, 2018 Payment Date: September 28, 2018 Ticker Fund Name Distribution Per Share Change From Previous Distribution Market Price as of 8/21/2018 Annualized Current Distribution Rate at Market HPI Preferred Income Fund $0.1400 - $22.16 7.58% HPF Preferred Income Fund II $0.1400 - $21.40 7.85% HPS Preferred Income Fund III $0.1222 - $18.66 7.86% PDT Premium Dividend Fund $0.0975 - $16.18 7.23% HTD Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund $0.1380 - $23.75 6.97% John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Premium Dividend Fund (the "Fund") declared its monthly distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "PDT Plan"). Under the PDT Plan, the Fund makes monthly distributions of an amount equal to $0.0975 per share. This amount will be paid monthly until further notice. Distributions under the PDT Plan may consist of net investment income, net realized long-term capital gains, net realized short-term capital gains and, to the extent necessary, return of capital. The Fund may also make additional distributions (i) for purposes of not incurring federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gain of the Fund, if any, not included in such regular distributions and (ii) for purposes of not incurring federal excise tax on ordinary income and capital gain net income, if any, not included in such regular monthly distributions. The Board may amend the terms of the PDT Plan or terminate the PDT Plan at any time. John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (the "Fund") declared its monthly distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "HTD Plan"). Under the HTD Plan, the Fund makes monthly distributions of an amount equal to $0.1380 per share. This amount will be paid monthly until further notice. Distributions under the HTD Plan may consist of net investment income, net realized long-term capital gains, net realized short-term capital gains and, to the extent necessary, return of capital. The Fund may also make additional distributions (i) for purposes of not incurring federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gain of the Fund, if any, not included in such regular distributions and (ii) for purposes of not incurring federal excise tax on ordinary income and capital gain net income, if any, not included in such regular monthly distributions. The Board may amend the terms of the HTD Plan or terminate the HTD Plan at any time. A portion of a Fund's current distribution may include sources other than net investment income, including a return of capital. Investors should understand that a return of capital is not a distribution from income or gains of a Fund. As required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, a notice with the estimated components of the distribution will be sent to shareholders at the time of payment if it does not consist solely of net investment income. Such notice will also be posted to the Funds' website at www.jhinvestments.com . The notice should not be used to prepare tax returns as the estimates indicated in the notice may differ from the ultimate federal income tax characterization of distributions. After the end of each calendar year, investors will be sent a Form 1099-DIV informing them how to report distributions received during that year for federal income tax purposes. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. About John Hancock Investments John Hancock Investments provides asset management services to individuals and institutions through a unique manager-of-managers approach. A wealth management business of John Hancock Financial, we managed more than $154 billion in assets as of June 30, 2018 across mutual funds, college savings plans, and retirement plans. About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife Financial, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were over C$1.1 trillion (US$850 billion) as of March 31, 2018. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com. The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com. SOURCE John Hancock Investments LA JOLLA, Calif., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The FDA has given a thumbs-up to a revolutionary new treatment for patients suffering with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The treatment is a novel version of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive method of stimulating selective brain areas by targeting them with a pulsating magnetic field. One in 40 adults and one in 100 children in the U.S. suffer from OCD and many of them do not get adequate relief from the medications and behavioral therapy which is currently the mainstay of treatment. "This is an important development for the millions of people who suffer from OCD," declared David Feifel, MD, PhD, professor emeritus at University of California, San Diego and director of Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute in La Jolla, California, a center that specializes in using advanced treatments for various neuropsychiatric disorders. The breakthrough OCD treatment is made possible by an advanced TMS helmet, called "H7" developed by Brainsway Inc., an Israeli company that invented "Deep TMS," a technology that can stimulate deeper areas of the brain than other currently available TMS systems. "The H7 helmet corrects the abnormal firing occurring in certain neural circuits in the brains' of people with OCD, explained Dr. Feifel who is a leading TMS provider and sits on a committee of prominent brain scientists advising Brainsway. Dr. Feifel was one of a handful of international researchers involved in a recent multi-site clinical trial whose findings led to the FDA approval. The researchers studied 100 people suffering from OCD despite having been treated with medication and they found that daily treatment with the H7 helmet for 6 weeks produced about twice the degree of reduction in OCD symptoms than a "sham" or placebo helmet that looked and sounded identical. Dr. Feifel believes the FDA decision has implications beyond OCD. "This is an important milestone for the emerging field of TMS because it is the first FDA clearance of a TMS-based treatment for an indication other than depression and thus confirms that deep TMS has applications far beyond just depression." Feifel predicts that there will be a deep TMS treatment option for most psychiatric and neurological disorders in the near future and his team at Kadima are currently investigating TMS for several other potential conditions including PTSD and addiction. "This is an exciting time to be a physician treating brain disorders and I am proud to have been involved in the development of this new treatment for OCD." Kadima is one of a very few institutions in the world to have the H7 helmet which, until the FDA's announcement, could only be used for approved research. "We can now begin to actually treat people with the H7 helmet," said Dr. Feifel, though he cautioned that the treatment is not yet covered by any insurance company. In addition to providing deep TMS, Kadima specializes in using ketamine, an anesthetic drug that has been shown to effectively treat depression, anxiety and PTSD. Dr. Feifel was the first doctor to treat depression with ketamine infusions while he was a tenured professor at UC San Diego and has continued to innovate the use of that drug at Kadima. About Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute The mission of Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute is to help people with neuropsychiatric conditions who have not benefited from conventional treatments by developing and utilizing cutting edge brain treatments. For more information go to www.kadimanp.com Media Contact [email protected] (858) 412-4130 SOURCE Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute Related Links http://www.kadimanp.com ATLANTA and LONDON, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Demonstrating its significant investment in data and technologies to support new connected car services globally, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, leading provider of data, analytics and technology, has secured its 6th telematics and connected car-related patenti. The patentsii cover technologies developed by the business to ingest, analyze, normalize, store and distribute connected car data and now cover 60% of the world's vehicle productioniii. The LexisNexis Connected Car team uses this innovation to help insurers and motor manufacturers offer products that encourage safer driving and enable drivers to be rated for insurance based on true driving behavior. Paul Stacy, R&D Director and Director of Automotive Development, EMEA, at LexisNexis Risk Solutions and recipient of the newest patent said: "While this latest patent focuses on identifying the severity of collisions using connected car data from any number of data sources, all of our patents reinforce technology leadership and understanding of connected car data. We're building on a 30-year history as a trusted custodian of consumer data, providing valuable reassurance for insurers and auto manufacturers as we enter a world in which vehicle, consumer and behavioral data will all come into play. "As technology has evolved, we have pushed our capabilities further to help: reduce costs, enhance data accuracy, and enable drivers to benefit from their driving data. "This is key for the future of mobility - drivers have the opportunity to benefit from their driving data and to shop around for insurance using their driving score. Our data, advanced analytics and ecosystem, including the LexisNexis Telematics Exchange, are helping automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and insurance providers join forces to deliver a positive consumer experience as usage based insurance (UBI) becomes a mass market offering as part of the connected car." Covering the US, UK, Europe and China, the newest patent award is the latest addition to the LexisNexis Risk Solutions growing connected car patent portfolio which includes more than eleven granted and pending patent applications for the US as well as India and Brazil. Ends About LexisNexis Risk Solutions LexisNexis Risk Solutions harnesses the power of data and advanced analytics to provide insights that help businesses and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. We provide data and technology solutions for a wide range of industries including insurance, financial services, healthcare and government. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX Group (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. RELX is a FTSE 100 company and is based in London. For more information, please visit www.risk.lexisnexis.com, and www.relx.com. Media Contacts: Mollie Holman Brodeur Partners for LexisNexis Risk Solutions Insurance +1.646.746.5611 [email protected] Regina Haas Global Director, Media and Analyst Relations Insurance LexisNexis Risk Solutions O: +1.678.694.3569 M: +1.678.896.1463 [email protected] i US Patent No. 090878080 Euro Patent No. 0870878008 ii The LexisNexis Risk Solutions patent portfolio covers a related spectrum of features including: Vehicle and user operational data monitoring through proprietary on-board technology in communication with users' smartphones connecting consumer devices with the vehicle HUD unit Driver identification analytics that identifies drivers using telematics data this is used in the LexisNexis Risk Solutions Driver Signature technology and the aggregation of driver behaviour scores to evaluate driver safety. Modules for monitoring vehicle usage and vehicle sensor data Selective filtering of telematics data for sending to remote servers to conserve bandwidth Real-time vehicle operation feedback to improve safety and to help improve driving habits iii OICA - International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions Related Links http://www.risk.lexisnexis.com SAN FRANCISCO, August 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The global light gauge steel framing market size is expected to reach USD 43.65 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 4.7% over the forecast period. This growth is ascribed to development of advanced materials with capabilities that offer safety as well as strong structural support. Light gauge steel framing provides ease of installation and reduce cumulative project completion period owing to its pre-fabricated structures. This factor is anticipated to further drive market growth considerably over the next few years. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg ) Key factor expected to drive the market is the need to lower production costs involved in building construction. This need is projected to result in development of refined materials and manufacturing processes, ultimately boosting adoption of light gauge steel frames across the globe. The commercial segment is expected to witness significant rise in demand over the forecast period, owing to improved strength of frame material that makes it suitable in the construction of buildings with more than three floors. Browse full research report with TOC on "Light Gauge Steel Framing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By End Use (Commercial, Residential, Industrial), By Type (Skeleton, Wall Bearing, Long Span), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025" at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/light-gauge-steel-framing-market Further Key Findings From the Report Suggest: Skeleton steel framing is expected to witness around 5% CAGR over the forecast period owing to benefits offered by these structures. However, in 2016, wall bearing framing structures captured the highest market revenue share Several government initiatives for infrastructure development have led to an increase in construction of commercial properties across the globe, which has subsequently contributed to market growth Residential was the dominant end-use segment in 2016 and is expected to witness a CAGR of more than 4% owing to rising adoption driven by the need to reduce project completion time Asia Pacific dominated the market in 2016 owing to increasing construction of new commercial and industrial buildings, particularly in Southeast Asian countries dominated the market in 2016 owing to increasing construction of new commercial and industrial buildings, particularly in Southeast Asian countries Key players such as FRAMECAD, Emirates Building Systems LLC, Genesis Manazil Steel Framing, and QSI Interiors Ltd dominated the market in 2016 owing to emphasis on expanding their market presence through mergers and acquisitions. Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Electric Water Heaters Market - The global electric water heaters market is anticipated to witness growth owing to increasing number of residential housing projects worldwide. Aerial Work Platform (AWP) Truck Market - The aerial work platform truck market size was estimated at over USD 2 billion in 2014. Vacuum Insulation Panel Market - The global Vacuum Insulation Panel Market exceeded USD 6.0 billion in 2015. The growth in this industry is likely due to significant growth in the infrastructure industry. Refrigerated Air Dryer Market - The Refrigerated Air Dryer Market is estimated to reach USD 1.59 billion by 2022. Grand View Research has segmented the global light gauge steel framing market on the basis of type, end use, and region: Light Gauge Steel Framing Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) Skeleton Wall Bearing Long Span Light Gauge Steel Framing End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) Commercial Residential Industrial Light Gauge Steel Framing Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe U.K. Germany France Asia Pacific China India Japan Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East & Africa Explore the BI enabled intuitive market research database, The Grand Library, by Grand View Research, Inc. About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: +1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin's board of directors has approved the appointment of Michele Evans, 53, as executive vice president of the Aeronautics business area, succeeding Orlando Carvalho, who intends to retire later this year. Evans' appointment is effective Oct. 1, 2018. "I want to thank Orlando for his impressive contributions during his nearly 40 years with the company," said Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin chairman, president and CEO. "During his outstanding career Orlando has led some of our most important lines of business and programs, helping to grow our company and our leadership position in the industry." "Michele has led critical elements of our business, building an impressive record of leadership and strong customer relationships around the globe," Hewson said. "Her appointment demonstrates the importance of our talent development and succession planning." Evans has more than 30 years of experience, and currently serves as deputy executive vice president for the Aeronautics business area. She is responsible for all Aeronautics programs, including F-35, F-22, F-16, C-130 and Advanced Development Programs. Prior to that, she served as vice president and general manager for Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors in Lockheed Martin's Rotary and Mission Systems business area. In this role, she oversaw the strategy and execution of the Littoral Combat Ship program, Aegis Combat Systems and sea-based missile defense, as well as a host of other systems. The programs she led in this role supported all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and more than 40 countries. She also was vice president of Modernization and Sustainment, where she was responsible for the A-10 weapons system, and avionics programs on the C-130 and F-35. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. This year the company received three Edison Awards for ground-breaking innovations in autonomy, satellite technology and directed energy. For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com . SOURCE Lockheed Martin Related Links http://www.lockheedmartin.com FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lubell Rosen Managing Partners Mark Rosen, Esq. and Steven L. Lubell, Esq. are pleased to announce that Lorna E. Brown-Burton, Esq. has joined the firm as a partner. Brown-Burton, a Coral Springs resident, will be based in the firm's Fort Lauderdale office. Amber L. Ruocco, Esq., an associate practicing in the Workers' Compensation division, is also joining the firm's Fort Lauderdale office. Ruocco resides in Fort Lauderdale. Lubell Rosen Law Firm Welcomes Amber L. Ruocco, Esq., as an associate in Fort Lauderdale Office Lubell Rosen Law Firm Welcomes Lorna E. Brown-Burton, Esq. as a Partner in Fort Lauderdale Office Brown-Burton's primary area of practice is workers' compensation defense, having represented employers, self-insureds and carriers for 30 years. She also has experience in the area of labor and employment and social security disability. She is currently a member of the Workers' Compensation Section of The Florida Bar, and is a 17th Circuit Board of Governors representative for The Florida Bar. In addition, she is a past adjunct professor at Broward College in the paralegal degree program. Brown-Burton was recognized for her achievements in Florida Trend magazine as a Florida Elite in the area of Workers' Compensation in 2018. In addition, she was recognized by Legacy Magazine as one of "50 Most Powerful and Influential Leaders of 2016," "Who's Who in Black South Florida" in 2007 and 2009, and has earned many more accolades. She earned a bachelor of science in business administration and marketing from University of Florida in Gainesville. Brown-Burton received her J.D. from the now Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "With three decades of legal experience, extensive recognition in the legal field, involvement in the Workers' Compensation Section of The Florida Bar, and teaching experience in the legal field, Lorna is a very valued and important addition to our team," said Rosen. "We look forward to her providing our clients with the exceptional service for which she is renowned." "I am very pleased to work with the nationally-renowned firm, Lubell Rosen," said Brown-Burton. "With 30 years of experience in workers' compensation defense, I am happy to bring my knowledge and expertise to Lubell Rosen's clients." Brown-Burton is working with Amber L. Ruocco, Esq., an associate practicing in the Workers' Compensation division. Ruocco received her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. She is currently a member of the Broward County Bar Association as well as the Young Lawyers Division. To contact Brown-Burton, email [email protected] or call (954) 880-9500. To contact Ruocco, email [email protected] or call (954) 880-9500. About Lubell Rosen Lubell Rosen is a law firm dedicated to providing full service representation as well as defending and protecting entrepreneurs and business owners, as well as small, medium and large businesses in industries ranging from construction to telecommunications. Lubell Rosen also represents physicians, health care professionals and businesses in the health care industry. The firm has been named a U.S. Top Ranked Law Firm by FORTUNE Money Magazine. Only the finest attorneys are invited to join the practice. Lubell Rosen's headquarters are located at 200 S. Andrews Ave., Suite 900, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. To reach Lubell Rosen's headquarters, call 954-880-9500. The firm also has offices in Coral Gables, Florida and Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.lubellrosen.com. Contacts: Duree Ross / Duree & Company, Inc. 954-723-9350 T [email protected] Ana Maria Colmenares / Duree & Company, Inc. 954-723-9350 T [email protected] SOURCE Lubell Rosen Related Links http://www.lubellrosen.com CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A third lawsuit was filed today against Fresh Express Incorporated, the produce supplier for McDonald's, of behalf of Diane Beuhler, who developed a Cyclospora infection after consuming a McDonald's Southwest salad. Ms. Beuhler is represented by Marler Clark, the Nation's Food Safety Law Firm, and Wandro and Associates, a respected local Iowa firm. Ms. Beuhler purchased a McDonald's Southwest salad from the location at 1709 LaPort Rd., Waterloo, Iowa. On July 1, 2018, she began experiencing symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. After 11 days, Ms. Beuhler's symptoms became so severe that she sought medical attention at Covenant Medical Center. She was admitted to the hospital for overnight monitoring and was discharged the next day. Ms. Beuhler continued experiencing symptoms and sought medical attention again on July 18 and 19. On July 21, the Black Hawk County Health Department informed Ms. Beuhler of her likely connection to the McDonald's Cyclospora outbreak. "Being infected with the Cyclospora parasite can take months to combat with power antibiotics that have their own set of complications," said Marler Clark managing partner, Bill Marler. According to a press release from Fresh Express, While the company notes Central America has been the origin of vegetables linked to many Cyclospora outbreaks in the past, this is the first time "a possibility exists that a potential source of contamination could be fresh produce grown and harvested in the US." On July 13, the CDC announced an investigation into a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections. To date, there are 476 confirmed cases across 15 states. 21 people have been hospitalized. The FDA has linked the outbreak to packaged romaine lettuce and carrot mix distributed to McDonald's by Fresh Express. Most cases have been reported in Illinois with 246 and Iowa comes in second with 98. On July 26, 2018, the FDA completed analysis of an unused package of romaine lettuce and carrot mix distributed to McDonald's by the Fresh Express processor in Streamwood, IL. The analysis confirmed the presence of Cyclospora in that mix. Cyclospora is a parasite composed of one cell, too small to be seen without a microscope. The first Cyclospora outbreak in North America occurred in 1990 in contaminated water. Recently, Cyclospora outbreaks have been associated with imported fresh fruit and vegetables. For more information on Cyclospora, visit Food Poison Journal. Marler Clark, The Nation's Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation's leading law firm representing victims of Cyclospora outbreaks. The Cyclospora attorneys Marler Clark have represented Cyclospora victims and victims of other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $650 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our Cyclospora lawyers have litigated Cyclospora cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a number of food products and restaurants. SOURCE Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm Related Links http://www.marlerclark.com SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Massage Heights, a leader of professional, affordable and convenient therapeutic massage and facial services, announced today that it has signed a franchise agreement with Tammy and Michael Busch to develop a new Retreat in the Alamo Ranch neighborhood of San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio natives, the Busches were members of Massage Heights for more than five years before deciding to become franchisees. Tammy worked as a registered nurse for eight years, prior to joining the brand. Her husband, Michael has an extensive background in sales within the IT industry, and currently is a sales manager for an IT company in San Antonio. This is the husband-and-wife team's first franchise together. "Michael and I love everything that Massage Heights stands for, and the company culture made us want to go into business for ourselves," said Tammy Busch. "As a registered nurse, I know the incredible medical benefits that massage therapy can have. I feel that the deep compassion that I've developed for others throughout my career, coupled with my husband's sales and technology background, will be invaluable as we set on this new venture together." The brand has continued to identify Texas as a key state for its development, with this newest signing coming on the heels of the franchise agreement inked in San Marcos earlier this year. This year to date, the company has opened three Retreats throughout Texas and currently has nearly 60 Retreats throughout the state in target markets like Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston. Massage Heights has development plans for up to 10 new openings for 2018. "Tammy and Michael's decision to become Massage Heights franchisees after being members with us for years is a testament to our company's mission and what we strive to do every single day to elevate the lives of the people we touch," said Tim Hicks, senior vice president of franchise operations and development for Massage Heights. "We're glad to have them join the Massage Heights family and are excited to see how they grow their business using their experiences as members." Massage Heights reported over $100 million in revenue and the opening of 14 Retreats nationwide in 2017. This year, the brand is aggressively recruiting single- and multi-unit franchisees to help the brand grow to 200 Retreats nationwide by the end of 2020. Prospective franchisees should have $175,000 in liquid assets and minimum $400,000 net worth per location, as well as experience in sales or retail management and managing hourly wage employees. As part of its growth strategy, Massage Heights is targeting franchise development in Nashville, Chicago, St. Louis, South Florida, and Las Vegas. For more information about franchise opportunities with Massage Heights, visit http://www.massageheightsfranchise.com/ or call 888-810-3940. About Massage Heights Massage Heights is a family-owned, membership-based therapeutic services franchise company that provides Members and Guests convenient, professional, affordable resort-quality massage and facial services that help people achieve a balanced and healthy lifestyle, in an upscale Retreat environment. Regular massage and skin therapy services help people look and feel their best from the inside out by aiding in the reduction of stress, pain management and increased relaxation, all resulting in the ability to tackle daily life with a higher level of vitality and positivity, truly elevating the everyday. MEDIA CONTACT: Fish Consulting Caitlin Willard [email protected] 954-893-9150 SOURCE Massage Heights Related Links http://www.massageheights.com WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The top 80 marketing, design, development, and IT companies in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands were announced by B2B research, ratings, and reviews company Clutch. Clutch Analysts vetted all companies announced today by interviewing each company's clients to evaluate work quality and client feedback. Market presence and services offered also contribute to the companies' rankings. Top B2B companies in Belgium in 2018 Top B2B companies in France in 2018 Companies around the world use Clutch to manage their online reputation, market their services, and attract more qualified leads. Top B2B Companies in Belgium ALYS Atelier Design Base Design BBDO Caviar Cegeka Collibra COMPAREX Design is Dead Duval Guillaume Fujitsu Belgium Hume Brophy Idweaver Imagine-IT Networks KangaCoders Ketchum LiveArea, The PFS Agency Marco Mustapic Mia Mono Mountainview Agency ProduWeb Tapptic Yools Top B2B Companies in France Adecco Altima Amaris Appsfire Azur Mobile Brainsonic Emakina Indigoextra Ltd KEXINO Left Productions Mental Works MOBITIC CONSULTING Mozoo PocketWhale Predica Reservoir Dev Revevol Siclo SID LEE Supporthero Sylpheo Tooap UKAD Ultranoir Valtech (formerly Nonlinear Digital) Worldwide101 Top B2B Companies in The Netherlands 180LA 72andSunny Bitfury Blast Radius Bridge Global BusyMachines Chetu, Inc. Crystalloids Eastsource First Line Software G-Workplace GKV Heuvel Marketing Internet Overal B.V. InToSoft Iris Kesselskramer Level Level - WordPress agency Rotterdam Lookout MediaMonks Merge Nodes Online Department Randstad SaM Solutions Software Business Partners Symphony Solutions TAVO tech The7bits Yameo Your Majesty "The companies featured in today's report demonstrated a thoughtful understanding of their industry and craft," Clutch Business Analyst Aaron Morales said. "They distinguished themselves from the competition due to their outstanding work, according to their clients." Clutch's research on business service providers in Western Europe is ongoing, and Clutch welcomes companies to apply to get listed in next year's report. The results are a snapshot of Clutch's Leaders Matrices on August 16, 2018. Rankings may change daily and currently many not be reflected on Clutch's website. See the full research at https://clutch.co. About Clutch A B2B research, ratings, and reviews firm in the heart of Washington, D.C., Clutch connects small and medium businesses with the best-fit agencies, software, or consultants they need to tackle business challenges together and with confidence. Clutch's methodology compares business service providers and software in a specific market based on verified client reviews, services offered, work quality, and market presences. Contact Sara Philibotte 202-609-9922 [email protected] SOURCE Clutch Related Links https://clutch.co HAMPTON, Va., Aug. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA is partnering with U.S. companies and small businesses to develop technologies that have the potential to significantly benefit the economy and future NASA missions. Recent announcements of selections for the agency's Tipping Point solicitation and Phase II of NASA's competitive Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program include several proposals with NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. NASA selected 10 Tipping Point proposals totaling approximately $44 million and Langley is a partner on one $3 million proposal. The agency also selected 20 research and technology proposals -- valued at $15 million -- from 19 American small businesses for STTR Phase II and Langley will manage three of the selected proposals totaling $2.25 million. "Building partnerships is important," said Kim Cannon, technology transition lead at Langley. "It allows NASA to do the fundamental work that we're good at and it allows industry to leverage that work and build their success." Langley will collaborate with Blue Origin on their Tipping Point proposal to advance sensor suites that would enable landing anywhere on the lunar surface. NASA's Johnson Space Center and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are the other partners. This project will mature critical technologies that enable precision and soft landing on the Moon. The project team will integrate Langley's navigation doppler lidar technology, Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN), and altimetry sensors and conduct flight tests prior to lunar mission implementation. Testing will be performed at approximately 100 km altitude on board the Blue Origin New Shepard vertical takeoff vertical landing (VTVL) suborbital vehicle. The resulting sensor suite will enable precision landing anywhere on the lunar surface. The Tipping Point solicitation targeted three Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) strategic focus areas: Expand Utilization of Space, Enable Efficient and Safe Transportation Into and Through Space, and Increase Access to Planetary Surfaces. A technology is considered at a "tipping point" if investment in a ground or flight demonstration will result in significantly maturing the technology and improving the company's ability to bring it to market. Through firm-fixed-price contracts, STMD will make milestone payments that cover as much as $10 million per award, over a performance period of up to 36 months. Each industry partner is required to contribute a minimum of 25 percent of total cost for each project. The selected STTR proposals cover a variety of research and development needs, including: Development of an optic fiber-based hybrid spectroscope, Laser & Plasma Technologies, LLC, based in Hampton, Virginia , with the University of Virginia , with the Design and Process Development of Thin-Ply Composites, Composites Automation, LLC, based in Delaware with the University of Delaware with the Integrated Computational Material Engineering Technologies for Additive Manufacturing, QuesTek Innovations LLC, based in Illinois with the University of Pittsburgh "NASA is a forward-looking agency that is on the cutting edge and that's exciting to us," said Mool Gupta, Laser & Plasma Technologies LLC chairman and technical advisor. "We also want to find solutions to the problems out there that are not easily solved. This is a great partnership that allows us to leverage resources to help meet our goals and NASA's mission goals" STTR supports NASA's future missions in the areas of aeronautics, science, human exploration and operations, and space technology and benefits the U.S. economy by encouraging small businesses and research institutions to develop innovative ideas that meet the specific research and development needs of the federal government. The program is intended to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector, increase the commercial application of research results, encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged persons and women-owned small businesses, and foster technology transfer through cooperative research and development between small businesses and research institutions. Proposals were selected according to their technical merit and feasibility, in addition to the experience, qualifications and facilities of the submitting organization. Additional criteria included effectiveness of the work plan and commercial potential. Only small businesses awarded Phase I contracts are eligible to submit a proposal for a Phase II funding agreement. Phase II is focused on the development, demonstration and delivery of the innovation. Phase II projects are chosen as a result of competitive evaluations and based on selection criteria provided in the Solicitation. Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000. The STTR program is sponsored by STMD and managed at NASA's Ames Research Center. STMD is responsible for developing the cross-cutting, pioneering, new technologies and capabilities needed by the agency to achieve its current and future missions. For more information about the Tipping Point selections, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-new-partnerships-to-develop-space-exploration-technologies For a complete list of the 2017 STTR selections, visit: https:/sbir.nasa.gov/prg_selection/node/60150 For more information about NASA's investment in space technology, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov WINCHESTER, Va., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A new longitudinal study, just released in the journal Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, illustrates one behavioral healthcare facility's ability to dramatically reduce physical restraint and completely eliminate seclusion by shifting to an approach of comfort versus control. The article, "Evaluation of a Program Model for Minimizing Restraint and Seclusion," follows the sharp decline of the use of restraint and seclusion from 2004 2016 at Grafton Integrated Health Network, a Virginia-based facility that serves at-risk and high-risk clients (both children and adults) with intellectual, developmental, and psychiatric disabilities. The study evaluated all of Grafton's organizational operations, which included more than 750 employees and 3,244 clients in 2016. In the year before the program began (2003), there were 6,646 incidents of restraint and seclusion. "We knew there had to be a better way," said Kim Sanders, co-author of the study and Executive Vice President of Grafton. "Not only were these techniques harmful to both our clients and our staff, they simply didn't work. In fact, consistent with the data, we saw that using restraint and seclusion was just reinforcing and maintaining aggression and violence. We decided to create a new model for addressing challenging behavior which was grounded in respect for all involved." A comfort versus control mindset was introduced as part of a trauma-informed approach. This method minimizes the chance for everyday operations to traumatize or re-traumatize clients during service delivery. The Grafton philosophy taught response blocking, promoted an understanding of behavioral intent and client needs, and encouraged the development of creative solutions as meaningful alternatives to restraint and seclusion. This cultural shift asked employees to reassure clients, ask questions instead of making assumptions, be flexible, let go of the need to have the "upper hand," and treat others with kindness and compassion. The results were dramatic: A 99% decrease in restraint frequency A 100% reduction seclusion (from 253 cases in 2003 to 0 in 2015 and 2016) A 97% decrease in staff injury from a restraint A 64% decrease in client-induced staff injury An increase in client goal mastery 133% from 2003 to 2016 A savings of over $16 million in lost time expenses, turnover costs, and workers' compensation policy costs "This model of care not only has an impact on restraint and seclusion incident rates but has created a profound culture shift across the entire organization," said James Stewart, Grafton's Chief Executive Officer. "Our approach is rooted in the belief that the use of physical restraints is not only unnecessary, but also unproductive and that all intervention educational and behavioral should be built on an approach of comfort versus control." Now, through its Ukeru Systems division, Grafton has trained more than 100 other organizations on the conceptual and technical elements of the program. Ukeru provides support and capacity building to caregivers, teachers, parents and others, helping them to implement the model in their own environment. "Our system shows that you can eliminate the use of restraint and seclusion without compromising safety, as long as caregivers are properly trained," said Sanders, who is also the President of Ukeru. "Ultimately, it is about receiving, engaging, sensing, feeling and responding to what someone is trying to communicate to us through their actions while maintaining the safety of all those involved." Media Contact: Juliet Glassroth 301-416-4675 SOURCE Grafton Integrated Health Network Related Links https://www.grafton.org NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ContentWriters' latest study details how to incorporate storytelling into a dynamic marketing strategy that yields huge returns on investment. The white paper is the latest in a series of releases from ContentWriters that leverages their position as experts in the field of content marketing in order to educate marketers and business owners. New White Paper Details How Storytelling through Content Marketing Positively Impacts Marketing ROI "The human desire for a great story has been around for ages," said Francesco Montesanto, Director of Marketing, ContentWriters. "Whether in print or digital, people have and always will crave great stories." Companies understand that content marketing is the most authentic form of advertising and that consumers react more favorably to content than any other type of marketing. In fact, according to SmartInsights, 20% of businesses feel that content marketing is the single most effective marketing activity that will make the largest commercial impact, which was the highest ranking in the study, surpassing big data and AI. The reason why businesses are increasingly focusing on content marketing is because it is a major catalyst for inbound leads. Content marketing actually offers the user something in returnwhether it's a blog post or an instructional videofor actively engaging with a business. The white paper goes into great detail as to how a company can incorporate storytelling into their marketing efforts through effective copy, product descriptions, email nurture campaigns, as well as highlighting a comprehensive roadmap. The white paper can be downloaded for free here. ContentWriters specializes in providing high-quality content for all major industries. By pairing expert writers with industry-specific clients, ContentWriters ensures that clients' needs are exceeded every time. The company produces all forms of content, including blog posts, email newsletters, social media posts, press releases, product descriptions, website content, and white papers. For more information about the services that ContentWriters.com provides, please visit www.contentwriters.com. Press Contact Information Francesco Montesanto ContentWriters 135 W 29th St New York, NY 10001 800-891-0553 [email protected] SOURCE ContentWriters Related Links https://contentwriters.com/ OPKIX will launch its highly anticipated flagship product, the OPKIX ONE, which offers this generation a user-friendly, compact hardware and innovative software solution to capturing, editing and sharing high quality video. Combining proprietary form, function and technology with lifestyle and social media, the OPKIX ONE speaks to multiple verticals and has ascended to prominence fueled by the enthusiasm of early adopters including award-winning actors, actresses, musicians, athletes, entrepreneurs and more. OPKIX has built an arsenal of unparalleled support from a community of seasoned investors, athletes and celebrities. Among Series B investors are: Ash Avildsen, Founder and CEO of Sumerian Records and Films; 2X Olympic Gold Medalist Dorian van Rijsselberghe, Stunt Rider Robbie Maddison and World Surf League Tour Surfer Joel Parkinson. "It's truly humbling to see the enthusiasm and support that OPKIX has garnered pre-launch by a roster of talented individuals committed not only to helping the brand scale, but also to creating incredible content with our hardware and software," OPKIX Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer C. Lawrence Greaves said. "What started out as a fascinating idea amongst friends has quietly become a phenomenon in which we can all take massive pride. We've been empowered by the support and wisdom of our investors and can't wait to share this vision with the world." The OPKIX ONE launches Fall 2018 retailing at $350. The camera measures in at 14.2mm x 14.2mm x 36mm, boasts 12 minutes of record time per camera and up to 70 minutes of capture with the whole camera and egg system. The OPKIX ONE is rated IP-67 (water & dust resistant), the resolution is 1080x1080 @30fps, and the camera's premium build is comprised of aerospace aluminum, gold, and sapphire glass. About OPKIX Born in Southern California, OPKIX are the makers of the OPKIX ONE, a compact wearable smart camera with companion studio editing and sharing app. A global consumer lifestyle brand creating consumer camera products in the wearable, optics, accessories and mobile camera space, OPKIX challenges the conventional methods in which people capture and share videos and content. For more information and updates please visit www.opkix.com and @OPKIX. Media contacts: [email protected] SOURCE OPKIX Related Links http://www.opkix.com CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Madonna University's College of Nursing and Health, one of Orbis Education's academic partners, welcomed its inaugural cohort of students to the University's new Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in Southfield, Michigan on August 21, 2018. The school added the program to address the growing nursing shortage by providing quality nursing education to more students in a short amount of time. "Madonna has a strong academic reputation and had the foresight to find a method to educate more students so they can begin careers in a field that is in such high demand in Michigan," explained Steve Hodownes, chief executive officer of Orbis Education. "We are proud to be their partner and congratulate them on the start of their first ABSN cohort." The program allows qualified students to transfer their college credit or non-nursing degrees to earn an ABSN in as few as 16 months through a combination of online coursework and onsite lab experience at Madonna's new 13,834-square-foot learning center. Students also gain hands-on experience through clinical placements at healthcare facilities throughout the Detroit Metropolitan area. The learning center is located at 25925 Telegraph Road in Southfield. It was developed, equipped and funded by Orbis Education and includes state-of-the-art nursing labs that replicate the clinical setting with 10 beds, anatomically-correct task trainers, full-body patient simulators and contemporary hospital equipment. The site also includes a study area, student lounge, restaurant within the complex and convenient parking adjacent to the building. Madonna's ABSN program has three starts per year and is currently accepting applications for January and May of 2019. About Madonna University Liberal arts education, career preparation and service-learning have been the hallmarks of a Madonna University education for 80 years. In addition to the beautiful main campus, conveniently located at I-96 and Levan Road in Livonia, Madonna offers academic programs in Gaylord, Macomb, and online in China, Haiti and the United Arab Emirates. Michigan's most affordable, independent, Catholic, liberal arts university, Madonna offers more than 100 undergraduate and 35 graduate programs in the colleges of arts and humanities, natural and social sciences, education, and nursing and health, as well as the School of Business. About Orbis Education Orbis Education Services, LLC develops, markets and manages healthcare education solutions that result in outstanding student outcomes and help alleviate workforce shortages for hospitals and healthcare systems. Founded in 2003, the Carmel, Indiana-based company forms strategic partnerships with academic institutions and healthcare systems to enable the delivery of high-quality, clinically intensive nursing, occupational therapy and other healthcare education programs. The company provides course development, site management, program marketing and enrollment, and student support. For more information, visit www.orbiseducation.com. SOURCE Orbis Education Services, LLC Related Links http://orbiseducation.com NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Outten & Golden is proud to announce that 17 of its attorneys have been named to the inaugural Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers list. Lawdragon also once again recognized three Outten & Golden attorneys Wayne N. Outten, Adam T. Klein, and Wendi S. Lazar on its 2018 Lawdragon 500 Leading Attorneys in America list. Included on the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers list are: Rachel Bien Katherine Blostein Molly Brooks Lori L. Deem Cara E. Greene Adam T. Klein Wendi S. Lazar David Lopez Tammy Marzigliano Ossai Miazad Laurence S. Moy Wayne N. Outten Kathleen Peratis Peter Romer-Friedman Jahan C. Sagafi Darnley D. Stewart Justin M. Swartz In announcing the list, Lawdragon stated the following about its research process: "We've researched this guide for the past two years as we published our directory to the lawyers who represent employers. The plaintiff employment firms are led by Outten & Golden, which claims 17 slots on this year's inaugural guide thanks in part to a nationwide expansion over the past few years." "The 500 were chosen in our research-driven, journalistic process that vets the views of peers and competitors, and recognized those who are winning big for workers just 10 or so years into practice, alongside an esteemed lawyer or two who've been fighting the battle for more than 50 years." In response to Lawdragon's announcement, Managing Partner Wayne N. Outten singled out his colleagues for their "pursuit of excellence" in serving the firm's clients. "I am very pleased that Lawdragon has recognized so many of our lawyers for the excellent work they do each and every day." Outten & Golden LLP focuses on advising and representing individuals in employment, partnership, and related workplace matters both domestically and internationally. The firm counsels individuals on employment and severance agreements; handles complex compensation and benefits issues (including bonuses, commissions, and stock/ option agreements); and advises professionals (including doctors and lawyers) on contractual issues. It also represents employees with a wide variety of claims, including discrimination and harassment based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, disability, national origin, religion, and age, as well as retaliation, whistleblower, and contract claims. The firm handles class actions involving a wide range of employment issues, including economic exploitation, gender- and race-based discrimination, wage-and-hour violations, violations of the WARN Act, and other systemic workers' rights issues. Outten & Golden has nine practice groups: Executives & Professionals, Financial Services, Sexual Harassment & Sex Discrimination, Family Responsibilities & Disabilities Discrimination, Lesbian Gay Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Workplace Rights, Discrimination & Retaliation, Whistleblower Retaliation, Class & Collective Actions, and WARN Act. Outten & Golden has offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. For media inquiries, contact Managing Partner Wayne N. Outten at (212) 245-1000. outtengolden.com SOURCE Outten & Golden LLP Related Links http://outtengolden.com "The EPIQ CVx brings together advanced image quality, quantification and intelligence specifically for the cardiologist," said Roberto Lang, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director, Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging Laboratory at the University of Chicago Medicine. "I was impressed with the TrueVue feature, which elevates 3D ultrasound imaging to a totally new level and could impact diagnostic ability of echocardiography in different clinical scenarios, like better understanding of the anatomy of mitral valves." "As pressures on healthcare systems around the world continue to increase, cardiologists have more patients to examine in less time. By using advanced 3D organ modeling, image slicing, and proven quantification, anatomical intelligence is helping make ultrasound exams easier to perform and more reproducible," said David Handler, General Manager Cardiac Ultrasound at Philips. "With the EPIQ CVx and its cardiology-centric design, clinicians can perform fast exams with enhanced diagnostic information. The EPIQ CVxi is our third-generation integrated ultrasound-angiography cath lab solution for real-time, workflow-optimized image guidance and advanced quantification for structural heart procedures." Designed for cardiology Debuting at ESC 2018, the EPIQ CVx places cardiologists at the forefront of innovation. It includes higher processing power, exceptional image clarity and sharpness, improved exam efficiencies and more robust and reproducible quantification, enabled by anatomical intelligence. The EPIQ CVx includes TrueVue, giving clinicians the ability to see photorealistic renderings of the heart, which improves cardiac anatomy analysis by offering detailed tissue and depth perception imaging through a new virtual light source. The system provides cardiologists with high image quality through the latest generation OLED monitor, offering a more dynamic, wider viewing angle for side-by-side image comparison. By combining the new OLED monitor with TrueVue, clinicians can have the confidence to provide exceptional care for all patients, including pediatric patients, whose small hearts can be challenging to image. The system offers a variety of new features including Dynamic Heart Model. Building on Philips HeartModelA.I., it uses anatomical intelligence to automatically quantify left ventricle function to produce a multi-beat analysis for adult patients. Dynamic Heart Model has been shown to reduce the amount of time to generate a 3D Ejection Fraction, an important measurement in determining how well the heart is pumping out blood, by 83% 2. It also delivers a high level of robustness and reproducibility, even for patients with an arrhythmia. The systems also includes the new S9-2 PureWave Transducer, which simplifies pediatric cardiac exams by displaying high levels of detail and contrast resolution through the single-crystal technology. It also provides tissue information at greater depths and enhances pediatric capability for coronary artery visualization. The EPIQ CVx includes a cardiology-specific user interface that simplifies the exam experience through a user-configurable touch-screen interface, allowing clinicians to personalize their controls and improve workflow for their cardiology exams. Philips also reaffirms its dedication to privacy and security by providing strong security capabilities and protocols. Image Guided Therapy for structural heart repairs: combining live ultrasound and X-ray Specifically designed for use in the cath lab, the EPIQ CVxi with EchoNavigator is Philips' third-generation interventional solution to streamline communication between the interventional cardiologist and the echocardiographer during complex interventional exams, improving patient care and enhancing workflow. Combining live ultrasound and X-ray information into one intuitive view, EchoNavigator helps interventional cardiologists oversee procedures along with the location of key anatomical structures. In addition, MultiVue provides more flexibility when using 3D during diagnostic or interventional procedures as the clinician can see multiple and flexible views at once. Philips will showcase the EPIQ CVx and CVxi at the 2018 European Society of Cardiology at Stand #H200, Hall A3 at the Messe in Munich, Germany. For more information about Philips' presence at ESC 2018, visit www.philips.com/esc, and follow @PhilipsLiveFrom for #ESCCongress updates. 1 Results obtained during user demonstrations performed in December 2017 with the EPIQ CVx and the iE33 systems. The research was designed and supervised by Use-Lab GmbH, an independent and objective engineering consultancy and user interface design company. The tests involved 42 clinicians from 17 countries. The various types of cardiac customer segments represented were adult diagnostics and interventional, adult diagnostics, and pediatric diagnostics and interventional. 2 Prado A, Narang A, Volpato V, Kumari N, Prater D, Addetia K, Patel AR, Mor-Avi V, Lang RM: Automated dynamic measurement of left heart chamber volumes for quantification of ejection and filling parameters. JASE 31(6):B111; 2018 For further information, please contact: Mark Groves Philips Group Press Office Tel: +31 631 639 916 Email: [email protected] Sarah Haeger Philips Ultrasound Tel: +1 206-920-8726 Email: [email protected] About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2017 sales of EUR 17.8 billion and employs approximately 75,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at http://www.philips.com/newscenter. SOURCE Royal Philips Related Links http://www.philips.com TOKYO and LOS ANGELES, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is pleased to announce that York Faulkner, former Partner at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP, has joined the firm's Tokyo office. York's practice focuses on intellectual property litigation across a variety of industries with a focus on representing brand companies in "Hatch-Waxman" pharmaceutical patent infringement cases. York's litigation experience includes matters filed in federal and state courts as well as the International Trade Commission, involving a wide range of industries. York has more than 25 years of experience handling high-stakes litigation, trying cases to verdict in numerous jury and bench trials. York began his career as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, conducting grand jury investigations and obtaining convictions at trial. York has a global practice. He has lived and worked predominantly in Japan since 1984. He speaks and reads Japanese. York frequently lectures to Japanese audiences on legal and economic issues affecting Japanese companies and their global businesses. York has extensive experience in litigation involving Japanese parties and routinely works in collaboration with local Japanese bengoshi and benrishi to reduce the burden of U.S. litigation on Japanese clients. He has managed complex global litigation requiring coordination of litigation strategy worldwide. Managing Partner, John B. Quinn said: "We have been looking to add the right person to the Tokyo office for a while now. We are very excited to have York join us." Ryan Goldstein, Managing Partner of the firm's Tokyo office added: "Our Tokyo office works with Japanese clients on a wide range of matters, from intellectual property lawsuits to arbitration to government investigationsall in Japanese. York's practice fits perfectly with what we are doing in Japan and we are looking forward to expanding what we do." York Faulkner commented: "Japanese companies are investing heavily in the United States and Europe, and no firm is better equipped than Quinn Emanuel to help those companies overcome the numerous legal challenges they face abroad. I am thrilled by the opportunity to join the firm's Tokyo Office and to work with the firm's talented teams of trial lawyers." York received his J.D. from J. Reuben Clark School of Law at Brigham Young University, magna cum laude, and he earned his B.S. in Economics from Brigham Young University, cum laude. Quinn Emanuel is a 780+ lawyer business litigation firmthe largest in the world devoted solely to business litigation and arbitration with 22 global office locations. Firm lawyers have tried over 2,600 cases, winning 88% of them. When representing defendants, Quinn Emanuel's trial experience gets better settlements or defense verdicts. When representing plaintiffs, Quinn Emanuel lawyers have won over $60 billion in judgments and settlements. Quinn Emanuel has also obtained five 9-figure jury verdicts, thirty-four 9-figure settlements, and fifteen 10-figure settlements. FTI Consulting named Quinn Emanuel the biggest litigation firm in the world. The American Lawyer named Quinn Emanuel the top IP litigation firm in the U.S. and the firm as one of the top six commercial litigation firms in the country. Four times in the last 5 years, we were voted as one of the four "most feared" firms by General Counsels at Fortune 500 companies the lawyers they "least like to see" on the other side. The UK legal periodical, The Lawyer named us "International Firm of the Year." Law360 selected us as Antitrust, Appellate, Banking, Class Action, Insurance, Product Liability, IP, White Collar, and Trials "Practice Groups of the Year." Managing IP twice recognized us as having the "Best ITC Litigation Practice" and honored us with the "Patent Contentious West" award. Legal Business has named us "US Law Firm of the Year" three times, and our German offices have been named both IP Litigation and Patent Litigation Firm of the Year by JUVE, Germany's most prestigious legal publication. Global Investigations Review, a leading legal periodical covering global white collar investigations, named us the "Most Impressive Investigations Practice of the Year." Global Arbitration Review named us the 11th best arbitration practice in the world. Further information is available at www.quinnemanuel.com. SOURCE Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Valimail, the world's only provider of fully automated email authentication, announced the results of its quarterly research on the state of email fraud. The Valimail Q2 2018 Email Fraud Landscape shows that fake email continues to be a serious problem, with an estimated 6.4 billion fake emails sent worldwide every day. That total includes only exact-domain sender spoofing, in which senders put a fake email address in the From: field of their messages. This is one of the most difficult to detect and damaging types of fake emails. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation recently reported that business email compromise (BEC) costs have reached $12 billion over the past several years. Valimail's study underscores the scope of the fake email problem. Far from being merely a "social engineering" issue, fake email is a direct result of technical issues with the way email is implemented: It lacks a built-in authentication mechanism, making it all too easy to spoof senders. However, the fake email crisis is also amenable to a technical solution, starting with the email authentication standards DMARC, SPF, and DKIM. "Valimail's research shows that fake email continues to be a major problem worldwide," said Alexander Garcia-Tobar, CEO and co-founder of Valimail. He added: "There are encouraging signs of progress in the fight against fake email, starting with the U.S. federal government, where we've seen an unprecedented deployment of anti-impersonation technologies, thanks to a mandate by the Department of Homeland Security. There's still a long way to go, but the DHS example shows that stopping email impersonation is both critical to our highest institutions and achievable." For the purposes of this report, Valimail used proprietary data from its analysis of billions of email message authentication requests, plus an analysis of more than 3 million publicly accessible DMARC and SPF records. Now in its third consecutive quarter, Valimail's research able to show how the fight against fake email is progressing worldwide, in a variety of industry categories. Notably, the U.S. federal government leads all other sectors in DMARC usage and DMARC enforcement, thanks to an October 2017 mandate from the Department of Homeland Security. Over 70 percent of federal domains have DMARC records and 43 percent are configured in a way that protects agencies from impersonation. Other findings from the report: The United States continues to lead the world as a source of fake email continues to lead the world as a source of fake email The rate of DMARC implementation continues to grow in every industry DMARC enforcement remains a major challenge, with a failure rate of 75-80 percent in every industry The rate of SPF usage continues to grow in every industry, despite a high rate of implementation problems To view Valimail's full Email Fraud Landscape report visit https://www.valimail.com/resources/report/email-fraud-landscape-q2-2018/. About Valimail Valimail is the trusted leader in automated email authentication, with a comprehensive platform for anti-impersonation, brand protection, and anti-fraud defense. Valimail's patented, standards-compliant technology provides an unrivaled, fully automated solution for DMARC enforcement to stop phishing attacks, improve deliverability, provide comprehensive visibility of legitimate as well as unauthorized email senders, and protect organizations' reputations. Valimail authenticates billions of messages a month for some of the world's biggest companies, in finance, government, transportation, health care, manufacturing, media, technology, and more. Valimail is based in San Francisco. For more information visit www.valimail.com. Media Contact Dylan Tweney, Head of Communications, Valimail [email protected], (415) 423-0192 SOURCE Valimail Related Links http://www.valimail.com/ "Kelly brings substantial experience working with and advising C-suite executives across the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industries," said Constantine Alexandrakis, leader of Russell Reynolds Associates' Americas Region. "Kelly's unique cross-functional experience enables her to strategically guide clients on the leadership needed to transform and grow in this competitive environment. She will be an immediate asset to clients in a highly regulated and volatile industry that requires executives with the agility and flexibility to adapt quickly to the evolving pharma landscape." Prior to joining Russell Reynolds Associates, Lewis spent six years at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, where she held roles in business development, investor relations and corporate innovation. Earlier, Lewis worked at Cubist Pharmaceuticals in investor relations and business analytics and in business development for pharmaceutical and medical companies in both Massachusetts and London. She began her career in consulting at The Boston Consulting Group. Lewis holds a BS in biomedical engineering, with honors, from Yale University, and an MPhil in epidemiology from the University of Cambridge. About Russell Reynolds Associates Russell Reynolds Associates is a global search and leadership advisory firm. Our 425+ consultants in 46 offices work with public, private and nonprofit organizations across all industries and regions. We help our clients build teams of transformational leaders who can meet today's challenges and anticipate the digital, economic and political trends that are reshaping the global business environment. From helping boards with their structure, culture and effectiveness to identifying, assessing and defining the best leadership for organizations our teams bring their decades of expertise to help clients solve their most complex leadership issues. www.russellreynolds.com Contact: Vijaya Singh Russell Reynolds Associates 212-351-1987 [email protected] SOURCE Russell Reynolds Associates Related Links http://www.russellreynolds.com "Since our founding more than 150 years ago, Union Bank has been committed to responsible banking, and strong risk management is an important part of that commitment," said Schuchardt. "That's why we are very pleased to welcome Ryan LaChapelle to the Union Bank. His extensive banking, risk management and leadership experience make him an important addition to our team." Prior to joining the bank, LaChapelle served as Associate Director for global consulting firm Protiviti's financial services risk and compliance advisory practice. Prior to that he served as Senior Financial Services Industry Consultant for Team G Capital, a boutique financial services consulting firm. LaChapelle previously held account management positions in institutional and consumer lending for financial institutions including Bank of America, MortgageIT (a subsidiary of Deutsche Bank) and GMAC Bank. "Union Bank has built one of the best reputations in the financial services industry because of its focused risk management practices," said LaChapelle. "I'm excited to work with Mike and be a part of a team that's committed to doing the right thing for our clients, our community and our company." LaChapelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He holds a certificate in operational risk management from the Risk Management Association, of which he is a member. He is also a member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists. About MUFG Union Bank, N.A. As of June 30, 2018, MUFG Union Bank, N.A. operated 355 branches, comprised primarily of retail banking branches in the West Coast states, along with commercial branches in Texas, Illinois, New York and Georgia, as well as 22 PurePoint Financial Centers. We provide a wide spectrum of corporate, commercial and retail banking and wealth management solutions to meet the needs of customers. We also offer an extensive portfolio of value-added solutions for customers, including investment banking, personal and corporate trust, global custody, transaction banking, capital markets, and other services. With assets of $123.8 billion, as of June 30, 2018, MUFG Union Bank has strong capital reserves, credit ratings and capital ratios relative to peer banks. MUFG Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE: MUFG), one of the world's largest financial organizations with total assets of approximately 299.1 trillion (JPY) or $2.7 trillion (USD), as of June 30, 2018. The corporate headquarters (principal executive office) for MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation, which is the financial holding company, and MUFG Union Bank, is in New York City. The main banking office of MUFG Union Bank is in San Francisco, California. 1 Exchange rate of 1 USD=110.5 (JPY) as of June 29, 2018 SOURCE MUFG Union Bank, N.A. Related Links http://www.unionbank.com SODERTALJE, Sweden, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Scania has begun the challenging process of reducing its backlog of truck and industrial and marine engine orders. The backlog was built up after a delivery and order stop caused by a lengthy strike at one of Scania's main casting suppliers. "This is probably the worst disruption that has hit our company in many decades when it comes to supply disturbances," says Alexander Vlaskamp, Senior Vice President, Head of Scania Trucks. "I really would like to thank our customers for the great patience and understanding they have been showing during this dire situation. We at Scania are now doing everything in our power to reinstate a normal situation and deliver V8 trucks and engines worldwide as soon as possible." Scania has now secured a small but steady initial supply of the engine blocks that are the foundation of the V8s built in Sodertalje, Sweden. Production disturbances of this magnitude create all kinds of logistical challenges though, and it will take some time for Scania to deal with the backlog. "There will still be uncertainties for some weeks before we have the whole picture and can ramp up our production," confirms Vlaskamp. "But we are starting now, and will increase gradually with the aim of confirming a correct delivery schedule during the next few months for existing orders. We will successively open up for new orders. This whole situation came at a time when we were extremely busy producing new V8 units and I can only say how sorry we are that this had to happen to Scania's loyal customers." The V8 engines for Scania's new truck generation, and for its industrial and marine applications, are produced in Sodertalje. The truck engine range consists of four different versions, with power outputs ranging from 520 hp up 730 hp, and to more than 1,150 hp for marine engines. Scania's first 350 hp V8 engine was launched in 1969, and the legendary engine will turn 50 years old next year. For more information, please contact: Orjan Aslund, Head of Product Affairs, Scania Trucks, telephone +46 70 289 83 78; email: [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/scania/r/scania-restarts-production-and-sales-of-v8s,c2598369 The following files are available for download: http://mb.cision.com/Main/209/2598369/895625.pdf N18021EN Scania restarts production and sales of V8s http://news.cision.com/scania/i/n18021,c2471036 N18021 SOURCE Scania Ranked as the number one influencer for Machine Learning and AI by Onalytica, Mike Tamir currently serves as Head of Data Science at Uber Advanced Technologies Group, the ride sharing company's autonomous vehicle division. Mike is also a Data Science professor at the University of California, Berkeley and a former lecturer at Columbia University. He has led and advised several Data Science teams at large multinational organizations and Silicon Valley startups, including InterTrust, a joint venture between Sony and Phillips, Udacity, Takt and Galvanize. Mike holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh where he focused on Modeling Applications in General Relativity and Quantum Statistical Mechanics. "At zesty.ai we are on a mission to accelerate the digital transformation of the trillion-dollar property insurance industry," said Attila Toth, Founder & CEO of zesty.ai. "Mike has a proven track record of successfully applying AI to transform large industries, such as, transportation, retail and financial services. We are fortunate to work with Mike and bring his experience to our insurance partners!" "I'm honored to join zesty.ai," stated Mike Tamir. "We are at a unique point in time when the combination of advances in machine learning, cloud computing and ubiquitous access to data allows insurance companies to tailor their service offering to an individual customer while more accurately assessing risk." About zesty.ai Zesty.ai (http://zesty.ai) leverages Artificial Intelligence to change the way the trillion-dollar global property insurance industry has been assessing risk for decades. We use the latest advancements in computer vision and deep learning on 115+Bn data points on residential and commercial properties to extract key building features to accurately model the potential impact of non-catastrophic and catastrophic loss events. Leading insurance carriers and reinsurers have partnered with zesty.ai to underwrite risk more accurately, provide their customers a smoother purchasing experience and manage inspections more cost-effectively. For more information, watch our 100-second video. CONTACT: [email protected], 650-999-9900 SOURCE zesty.ai Related Links https://zesty.ai/ Five standout benefits make the FDX unique from any other sets of six-point sockets: Small but mighty: in an improved design that grips fasteners further off the corners, the FDX offers up to 25 percent more strength than Flank Drive sockets. Rounded corner, no problem: with its angled contour, the socket wall grips damaged fasteners more closely for 50 percent more turning power. Upgraded shape: an optimally chamfered lip on both the hex and drive ends of the socket allows for a better grip and more turning power, especially for shallow-headed fasteners and fasteners with limited top clearance. Efficiently engineered: FDX sockets feature grooved, grippable outer walls, a unique design feature that makes them easier to remove. Easily identified: easier identification and improved readability are both achieved through large, distinctive markings on the socket exterior. Find out more about the new Flank Drive Xtra socket system, as well as other tools and products, by contacting your participating Snap-on franchisee or other representative, visiting www.snapon.com or calling toll-free 877-SNAPON-4 (877-762-7664). About Snap-on Tools Snap-on Tools is a subsidiary of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as for customers in industries, including aviation and aerospace, agriculture, construction, government and military, mining, natural resources, power generation and technical education. Snap-on Tools is one of the largest non-food franchise companies in the world, selling its products and services through franchisee, company-direct, distributor and internet channels. Snap-on Incorporated, which was founded in 1920, is a $3.7 billion, S&P 500 company located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with operations throughout the world. For additional information, visit www.snapon.com. SOURCE Snap-on Related Links https://www.snapon.com MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Traffic growth of 6.4 percent is by far the strongest since the Company began reporting traffic in 2008. Comparable sales increased 6.5 percent, the best comp at Target in 13 years. Comparable store sales grew 4.9 percent. Comparable digital sales grew 41 percent, on top of 32 percent growth a year ago. GAAP EPS from continuing operations were $1.49 , up 22.7 percent from last year. Adjusted EPS 1 were $1.47 , up 19.8 percent from last year. For the back half of 2018, the Company has raised its outlook for both comparable sales and EPS. The midpoint of Target's third quarter EPS guidance range of $1.00 to $1.20 represents growth of more than 20 percent compared with last year. For additional media materials, please visit: https://corporate.target.com/article/2018/08/q2-2018-earnings Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today announced its second quarter 2018 financial performance, including comparable sales growth of 6.5 percent and traffic growth of 6.4 percent. The Company reported GAAP earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations of $1.49 in second quarter 2018, up 22.7 percent from $1.21 in second quarter 2017. Second quarter Adjusted EPS were $1.47, up 19.8 percent from $1.22 in second quarter 2017. The attached tables provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures. All earnings per share figures refer to diluted EPS. 1 Adjusted EPS, a non-GAAP financial measure, excludes the impact of certain discretely managed items. See the tables of this release for additional information about the items that have been excluded from Adjusted EPS. "We are extremely pleased with Target's second quarter results, which demonstrate our guests' excitement for the enhanced and differentiated shopping experience we're building. For the second consecutive quarter, traffic growth is better than we've seen in well over 10 years, driving 6.5 percent comp growth - Target's best in 13 years." said Brian Cornell, chairman and chief executive officer of Target Corporation. "We laid out a clear strategy at the beginning of 2017, and throughout this year we've been accelerating the pace of execution. We're on track to deliver a strong back half and we've updated our full year guidance to reflect the strength of our business and the consumer economy. As we look ahead to 2019, we expect to achieve scale across the full slate of our initiatives - creating efficiencies and cost-savings, further strengthening our guest experience and positioning Target to continue gaining market share." Third Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Guidance For both the third quarter and second half of 2018, Target expects comparable sales growth in line with the 4.8 percent comparable sales growth the company delivered in the first half of 2018. For the third quarter, the Company expects both GAAP EPS from continuing operations and Adjusted EPS of $1.00 to $1.20, compared with GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $0.87 and Adjusted EPS of $0.90 in third quarter 2017. For full-year 2018, Target now expects GAAP EPS from continuing operations and Adjusted EPS of $5.30 to $5.50, compared with the prior range of $5.15 to $5.45. Full year GAAP EPS will reflect the discrete items already reported through second quarter 2018. Operating Results Total revenue of $17.8 billion increased 6.9 percent from $16.6 billion last year, reflecting sales growth of 7.0 percent and growth in other revenue of 0.2 percent. Second quarter sales growth reflected comparable sales growth of 6.5 percent combined with the contribution from non-mature stores. Comparable digital channel sales grew 41 percent and contributed 1.5 percentage points of comparable sales growth. Operating income was $1,133 million in second quarter 2018, up 3.6 percent from $1,093 million in 2017. Second quarter operating income margin rate was 6.4 percent, compared with 6.6 percent in 2017. Second quarter gross margin rate was 30.3 percent, compared with 30.4 percent in 2017, reflecting pressure from digital fulfillment costs, partially offset by the benefit of merchandising strategies including cost savings initiatives and efforts to improve pricing and promotions. Second quarter SG&A expense rate was 21.7 percent in 2018, compared with 21.6 percent in 2017, reflecting small year-over-year changes in broad expense categories. Within compensation expense, the impact of higher wages was offset by lower bonus expense compared with second quarter 2017. Interest Expense and Taxes from Continuing Operations The Company's second quarter 2018 net interest expense was $115 million, down 12.2 percent from $131 million last year, reflecting debt retirement and refinancing activity conducted in 2017. Second quarter 2018 effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 21.8 percent, compared with 31.4 percent last year, primarily due to the impact of recently-enacted federal tax reform legislation (the Tax Act). Capital Deployment In second quarter 2018 the Company made capital investments of $1,029 million in property and equipment, and returned $761 million to shareholders, including: Dividends of $330 million , compared with $331 million in second quarter 2017, reflecting a decline in share count offset by an increase in the dividend per share. , compared with in second quarter 2017, reflecting a decline in share count offset by an increase in the dividend per share. Share repurchases totaling $431 million that retired 5.8 million shares of common stock at an average price of $74.31 . As of the end of the second quarter, the Company had approximately $2.3 billion of remaining capacity under its current $5 billion share repurchase program, reflecting second quarter purchases and an accelerated share repurchase transaction which will settle in the third quarter. For the trailing twelve months through second quarter 2018, after-tax return on invested capital (ROIC) was 16.0 percent, compared with 13.5 percent for the twelve months through second quarter 2017. Excluding the discrete impacts of the Tax Act, ROIC was 14.2 percent for the trailing twelve months ended August 4, 2018. See the tables of this release for additional information about the Company's ROIC calculation. Conference Call Details Target will webcast its second quarter earnings conference call at 7:00 a.m. CDT today. Investors and the media are invited to listen to the call at investors.target.com (hover over "company" then click on "events & presentations" in the "investors" column). A telephone replay of the call will be available beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. CDT today through the end of business on August 24, 2018. The replay number is 800-216-6079. Miscellaneous Statements in this release regarding third quarter, second half and full-year 2018 earnings per share and comparable sales guidance and the expected 2019 impact of our initiatives are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially. The most important risks and uncertainties are described in Item 1A of the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Feb. 3, 2018. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement. About Target Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at more than 1,800 stores and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit to communities, which today equals millions of dollars a week. For the latest store count or for more information, visit Target.com/Pressroom. For a behind-the-scenes look at Target, visit Target.com/abullseyeview or follow @TargetNews on Twitter. TARGET CORPORATION Consolidated Statements of Operations Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (millions, except per share data) (unaudited) August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) Change August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) Change Sales $ 17,552 $ 16,410 7.0 % $ 34,108 $ 32,405 5.3 % Other revenue 224 224 0.2 450 452 (0.5) Total revenue 17,776 16,634 6.9 34,558 32,857 5.2 Cost of sales 12,239 11,419 7.2 23,865 22,618 5.5 Selling, general and administrative expenses 3,865 3,601 7.4 7,410 6,953 6.6 Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales) 539 521 3.3 1,109 1,038 6.9 Operating income 1,133 1,093 3.6 2,174 2,248 (3.3) Net interest expense 115 131 (12.2) 237 272 (12.8) Net other (income) / expense (4) (15) (69.4) (12) (30) (60.4) Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes 1,022 977 4.6 1,949 2,006 (2.9) Provision for income taxes 223 307 (27.2) 433 661 (34.6) Net earnings from continuing operations 799 670 19.2 1,516 1,345 12.8 Discontinued operations, net of tax 1 1 4 Net earnings $ 799 $ 671 19.1 % $ 1,517 $ 1,349 12.5 % Basic earnings per share Continuing operations $ 1.50 $ 1.22 23.2 % $ 2.84 $ 2.44 16.2 % Discontinued operations 0.01 Net earnings per share $ 1.50 $ 1.22 23.0 % $ 2.84 $ 2.45 15.9 % Diluted earnings per share Continuing operations $ 1.49 $ 1.21 22.7 % $ 2.81 $ 2.43 15.9 % Discontinued operations 0.01 Net earnings per share $ 1.49 $ 1.22 22.6 % $ 2.82 $ 2.44 15.6 % Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic 531.7 549.3 (3.2) % 534.3 550.8 (3.0) % Dilutive impact of share-based awards 4.6 2.6 4.3 2.8 Diluted 536.3 551.9 (2.8) % 538.6 553.6 (2.7) % Antidilutive shares 5.2 3.6 Dividends declared per share $ 0.64 $ 0.62 3.2 % $ 1.26 $ 1.22 3.3 % Note: Per share amounts may not foot due to rounding. (a) Beginning with the first quarter 2018, we adopted the new accounting standards for revenue recognition, leases, and pensions. We are presenting prior period results on a basis consistent with the new standards and conformed to the current period presentation. We provided additional information about the impact of the new accounting standards on previously reported financial information in a Form 8-K filed on May 11, 2018. TARGET CORPORATION Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (millions) (unaudited) August 4, 2018 February 3, 2018 As Adjusted (a) July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,180 $ 2,643 $ 2,291 Inventory 9,112 8,597 8,192 Other current assets 1,211 1,300 1,114 Total current assets 11,503 12,540 11,597 Property and equipment Land 6,074 6,095 6,089 Buildings and improvements 28,629 28,131 27,616 Fixtures and equipment 5,356 5,623 5,361 Computer hardware and software 2,575 2,645 2,518 Construction-in-progress 685 440 423 Accumulated depreciation (18,147) (18,398) (17,603) Property and equipment, net 25,172 24,536 24,404 Operating lease assets 1,976 1,884 1,857 Other noncurrent assets 1,345 1,343 809 Total assets $ 39,996 $ 40,303 $ 38,667 Liabilities and shareholders' investment Accounts payable $ 9,116 $ 8,677 $ 7,584 Accrued and other current liabilities 3,878 4,094 3,627 Current portion of long-term debt and other borrowings 1,044 281 1,365 Total current liabilities 14,038 13,052 12,576 Long-term debt and other borrowings 10,108 11,117 10,706 Noncurrent operating lease liabilities 2,028 1,924 1,897 Deferred income taxes 828 693 757 Other noncurrent liabilities 1,827 1,866 1,676 Total noncurrent liabilities 14,791 15,600 15,036 Shareholders' investment Common stock 44 45 46 Additional paid-in capital 5,788 5,858 5,707 Retained earnings 6,058 6,495 5,918 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (723) (747) (616) Total shareholders' investment 11,167 11,651 11,055 Total liabilities and shareholders' investment $ 39,996 $ 40,303 $ 38,667 Common Stock Authorized 6,000,000,000 shares, $0.0833 par value; 526,112,846, 541,681,670 and 546,183,291 shares issued and outstanding at August 4, 2018, February 3, 2018 and July 29, 2017, respectively. Preferred Stock Authorized 5,000,000 shares, $0.01 par value; no shares were issued or outstanding during any period presented. (a) Additional information is provided on page 6. TARGET CORPORATION Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Six Months Ended (millions) (unaudited) August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) Operating activities Net earnings $ 1,517 $ 1,349 Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax 1 4 Net earnings from continuing operations 1,516 1,345 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operations Depreciation and amortization 1,234 1,166 Share-based compensation expense 71 43 Deferred income taxes 129 (90) Noncash losses / (gains) and other, net 99 94 Changes in operating accounts Inventory (515) 52 Other assets 1 71 Accounts payable 342 332 Accrued and other liabilities (154) (144) Cash provided by operating activitiescontinuing operations 2,723 2,869 Cash provided by operating activitiesdiscontinued operations 1 57 Cash provided by operations 2,724 2,926 Investing activities Expenditures for property and equipment (1,856) (1,203) Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 15 22 Other investments 3 (80) Cash required for investing activities (1,838) (1,261) Financing activities Reductions of long-term debt (255) (617) Dividends paid (665) (663) Repurchase of stock (954) (615) Accelerated share repurchase pending final settlement (525) Stock option exercises 50 9 Cash required for financing activities (2,349) (1,886) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,463) (221) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 2,643 2,512 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1,180 $ 2,291 (a) Additional information is provided on page 6. TARGET CORPORATION Operating Results Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Rate Analysis (unaudited) August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) Gross margin rate (b) 30.3 % 30.4 % 30.0 % 30.2 % SG&A expense rate (c) 21.7 21.6 21.4 21.2 Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales) expense rate (c) 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.2 Operating income margin rate (c) 6.4 6.6 6.3 6.8 (a) Additional information is provided on page 6. (b) Calculated as gross margin (sales less cost of sales) divided by sales. (c) Calculated as the applicable amount divided by total revenue. Other revenue includes $167 million and $333 million of profit-sharing income under our credit card program agreement for the three and six months ended August 4, 2018, respectively, and $172 million and $342 million for the three and six months ended July 29, 2017, respectively. Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Comparable Sales (unaudited) August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 Comparable sales change 6.5 % 1.3 % 4.8 % % Drivers of change in comparable sales Number of transactions 6.4 2.1 5.0 0.6 Average transaction amount 0.1 (0.7) (0.3) (0.7) Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding. Contribution to Comparable Sales Change (unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 Stores channel comparable sales change 4.9 % 0.2 % 3.4 % (1.0) % Digital channel contribution to comparable sales change 1.5 1.1 1.3 0.9 Total comparable sales change 6.5 % 1.3 % 4.8 % % Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding. Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Sales by Channel (unaudited) August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) Stores 94.4 % 95.8 % 94.6 % 95.8 % Digital 5.6 4.2 5.4 4.2 Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % Three Months Ended Six Months Ended REDcard Penetration (unaudited) August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 Target Debit Card 13.0 % 13.2 % 13.2 % 13.4 % Target Credit Cards 10.9 11.6 10.8 11.3 Total REDcard Penetration 23.9 % 24.8 % 24.0 % 24.7 % Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding. In Q1 2018, we refined our calculation of REDcard penetration. The prior period amount has been updated to conform with the current period methodology, resulting in an increase of 0.2 percentage points to the Total REDcard Penetration for both the three and six months ended July 29, 2017. Number of Stores and Retail Square Feet (unaudited) Number of Stores Retail Square Feet (a) August 4, 2018 February 3, 2018 July 29, 2017 August 4, 2018 February 3, 2018 July 29, 2017 170,000 or more sq. ft. 274 274 276 48,952 48,966 49,328 50,000 to 169,999 sq. ft. 1,502 1,500 1,506 189,258 189,030 189,796 49,999 or less sq. ft. 59 48 34 1,644 1,359 958 Total 1,835 1,822 1,816 239,854 239,355 240,082 (a) In thousands, reflects total square feet less office, distribution center, and vacant space. TARGET CORPORATION Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures To provide additional transparency, we have disclosed non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (Adjusted EPS). This metric excludes certain items presented below. We believe this information is useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of our continuing operations. This measure is not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). The most comparable GAAP measure is diluted earnings per share from continuing operations. Adjusted EPS should not be considered in isolation or as a substitution for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Other companies may calculate Adjusted EPS differently, limiting the usefulness of the measure for comparisons with other companies. Three Months Ended August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) (millions, except per share data) (unaudited) Pretax Net of Tax Per Share Amounts Pretax Net of Tax Per Share Amounts Change GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 1.49 $ 1.21 22.7 % Adjustments Income tax matters (b) $ $ (12) $ (0.02) $ $ 5 $ 0.01 Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 1.47 $ 1.22 19.8 % Six Months Ended August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) (millions, except per share data) (unaudited) Pretax Net of Tax Per Share Amounts Pretax Net of Tax Per Share Amounts Change GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 2.81 $ 2.43 15.9 % Adjustments Income tax matters (b) $ $ (18) $ (0.03) $ $ (2) $ Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 2.78 $ 2.43 14.7 % Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding. (a) Additional information is provided on page 6. Lease standard adoption resulted in a $0.01 reduction in GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for both the three and six months ended July 29, 2017, and Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the three months ended July 29, 2017, and less than $0.01 in Adjusted EPS for the six months ended July 29, 2017. (b) Represents income from income tax matters not related to current period operations. Earnings from continuing operations before interest expense and income taxes (EBIT) and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) are non-GAAP financial measures which we believe provide meaningful information about our operational efficiency compared to our competitors by excluding the impact of differences in tax jurisdictions and structures, debt levels, and for EBITDA, capital investment. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, GAAP. The most comparable GAAP measure is net earnings from continuing operations. EBIT and EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitution for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Other companies may calculate EBIT and EBITDA differently, limiting the usefulness of the measure for comparisons with other companies. EBIT and EBITDA Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (millions) (unaudited) August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) Change August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (a) Change Net earnings from continuing operations $ 799 $ 670 19.2 % $ 1,516 $ 1,345 12.8 % + Provision for income taxes 223 307 (27.2) 433 661 (34.6) + Net interest expense 115 131 (12.2) 237 272 (12.8) EBIT (a) $ 1,137 $ 1,108 2.7 % $ 2,186 $ 2,278 (4.1) % + Total depreciation and amortization (b) 603 585 3.0 1,234 1,166 5.8 EBITDA (a) $ 1,740 $ 1,693 2.8 % $ 3,420 $ 3,444 (0.7) % (a) Additional information is provided on page 6. Adoption of the new accounting standards resulted in a $6 million and $14 million decrease in EBIT for the three and six months ended July 29, 2017, respectively, with no impact on EBITDA. (b) Represents total depreciation and amortization, including amounts classified within Depreciation and Amortization and within Cost of Sales on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We have also disclosed after-tax return on invested capital from continuing operations (ROIC), which is a ratio based on GAAP information. We believe this metric is useful in assessing the effectiveness of our capital allocation over time. Other companies may calculate ROIC differently, limiting the usefulness of the measure for comparisons with other companies. After-Tax Return on Invested Capital Numerator Trailing Twelve Months (dollars in millions) (unaudited) August 4, 2018 (a) July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (b) Operating income $ 4,150 $ 4,601 + Net other income / (expense) 41 80 EBIT 4,191 4,681 + Operating lease interest (c) 81 76 - Income taxes (d) 589 (e) 1,564 Net operating profit after taxes $ 3,683 $ 3,193 Denominator (dollars in millions) (unaudited) August 4, 2018 July 29, 2017 As Adjusted (b) July 30, 2016 As Adjusted (b) Current portion of long-term debt and other borrowings $ 1,044 $ 1,365 $ 653 + Noncurrent portion of long-term debt 10,108 10,706 11,894 + Shareholders' equity 11,167 11,055 11,538 + Operating lease liabilities (f) 2,183 2,032 1,894 - Cash and cash equivalents 1,180 2,291 1,480 - Net assets of discontinued operations (g) 10 80 Invested capital $ 23,322 $ 22,857 $ 24,419 Average invested capital (h) $ 23,090 $ 23,639 After-tax return on invested capital (i) 16.0 % (e) 13.5 % After-tax return on invested capital excluding discrete impacts of Tax Act 14.2 % (e) (a) Consisted of 53 weeks. (b) Additional information is provided on page 6. (c) Represents the add-back to operating income driven by the hypothetical interest expense we would incur if the property under our operating leases were owned or accounted for as finance leases. Calculated using the discount rate for each lease and recorded as a component of rent expense within SG&A. Operating lease interest is added back to Operating Income in the ROIC calculation to control for differences in capital structure between us and our competitors. (d) Calculated using the effective tax rates for continuing operations, which were 13.8 percent and 32.9 percent for the trailing twelve months ended August 4, 2018, and July 29, 2017, respectively. For the twelve months ended August 4, 2018, and July 29, 2017, includes tax effect of $578 million and $1,539 million, respectively, related to EBIT, and $11 million and $25 million, respectively, related to operating lease interest. (e) The effective tax rate for the trailing twelve months ended August 4, 2018, includes discrete tax benefits of $343 million related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act), and the impact of the new lower U.S. corporate income tax rate. (f) Total short-term and long-term operating lease liabilities included within Accrued and Other Current Liabilities and Noncurrent Operating Lease Liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. (g) Included in Other Assets and Liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. (h) Average based on the invested capital at the end of the current period and the invested capital at the end of the comparable prior period. (i) Adoption of the new lease standard reduced ROIC by approximately 0.5 percentage points for all periods presented. SOURCE Target Corporation Related Links http://www.target.com Founded by Peter Diamandis and Ray Kurzweil in 2008, SU is named for Kurzweil's theory of "technological singularity," which suggests nanotechnology and biotechnology (artificial intelligence, robotics and digital biology) will reshape the fabric of society, including human life, intelligence and the global economy. One of the most thought-provoking discussions from the 108 speakers was "The Future of Entrepreneurship: Living in Exponential Creativity," which was presented by Mark Donohue, venture capitalist, teacher, author and founder and CEO of LifeGuides https://lifeguides.com and Barbara Marx Hubbard, a space program pioneer, social and scientific theorist and author of Conscious Evolution. Donohue and Marx Hubbard presented how we are currently experiencing the greatest "tipping point" crisis in human history. We have the opportunity for creators, leaders, entrepreneurs and visionaries within the exponential technologies to support and build solutions to our biggest crises on the planet. This is a new era in which "evolutionary entrepreneurs" co-create and modify life solutions alongside naturally occurring development. Donohue and Marx Hubbard posed a series of important questions to their audience that consisted of key leaders from companies like Google, Microsoft, General Electric, Goldman Sachs, Intel and Coca-Cola: What is the meaning of this new power? What future do you choose? For what purpose did nature build you? Are you choosing evolution by choice, or by chance? About Mark Donohue and Barbara Marx Hubbard Mark Donohue's mission is to alleviate suffering for over 1 billion people within the next 15 years by utilizing modern technologies. Mark is the founder and CEO of LifeGuides https://lifeguides.com, a venture providing online, person-to-person support via phone or text for life challenges such as caring for a loved one with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, grief, loss and chronic illness. Within two years, LifeGuides has gained $2M in funding and is well on its way to securing series A financing. The company plans to grow to include services for over 30 different Life Challenges. This will include expansion into corporate benefits. Barbara Marx Hubbard is a leading futurist, social architect and voice for the potential of conscious evolution, which looks at the interplay between evolution and society's new powers to impact evolution itself. Along with Donohue, who co-edited her book Conscious Evolution, some of her closest collaborators and partners include: Jonas Salk, Abraham Maslow, Buckminster Fuller, Dr. Hazel Henderson and Dr. Thomas Paine (Administrator of NASA). She is a co-founder and board member of the World Future Society, launched Project Harvest Moon for NASA, developed a process for "social synergy" called SYNCON, nominated for Vice President of the United States, co-founded the Foundation for Conscious Evolution (FCE) and is the author of 10 books. Today, the two visionaries have reunited to provide a new vision for leadershipevolutionary entrepreneurship. The topic of their discussion at the SU Global Summit and title of their latest book together, Living in Exponential Creativity: The Future of Entrepreneurship, combines recurring evolutionary principles with the insightful visions of many leading entrepreneurs. SOURCE LifeGuides Related Links https://lifeguides.com/ ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of Illinois residents will get an up-close look at the world's fastest growing source of energy on September 22 when over 100 solar homes and businesses across the state open their doors to the public for the Illinois Solar Tour. The Solar Tour, hosted by the Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA), is a FREE open house event that allows the public to view real-life examples of nearby businesses and residents who have decided to cut their utility bills by going solar. The self-guided tour is expected to give thousands of people across Illinois a first-hand experience with renewable energy. This tour creates an opportunity for participants to gain valuable insight on the costs, processes, as well as the economic and environmental benefits of going solar. Illinois is on the verge of a solar energy boom thanks to the implementation of new legislation, making the tour a great way to learn about how to take advantage of the opportunities this affords. Over 100 Illinois Solar Tour host sites will be open on Saturday, September 22nd from 10am to 3pm. The tour is free and open to the public. Please visit the Tour's website to find sites to explore near you at www.illinoissolartour.org. Participating Towns and Cities in the Tour include but are not limited to: Alhambra, Arlington Heights, Athens, Aurora, Batavia, Bloomington, Blue Island, Brookfield, Buffalo Grove, Bull Valley, Champaign, City of Chicago, Collinsville, Concord, Crystal Lake, Dekalb, Delavan, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Earlville, East Peoria, Elburn, Elgin, Elmhurst, Evanston, Fithian, Frankfort, Germantown Hills, Glen Carbon, Glencoe ,Glenview, Goreville, Grayslake, Greenville, Harvard, Highland Park, La Grange, Lagrange Park, Lake in the Hills, Libertyville, Long Grove, Mahomet, McHenry, Metamora, Minooka, Mitchell, Morris, Murphysboro, Naperville, Oak Park, Olney, Palatine, Peoria, Prairie Grove, Prospect Heights, Rockford, Schaumburg, South Holland, Springfield, Sullivan, Troy, Urbana, Warrenville, Washington, Waterloo, Waukegan, Williamsville, Winnetka, Woodridge, Woodstock About the Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) Established in 1975, The Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) is a non-profit organization that promotes the widespread application of renewable energy through education and advocacy. As the Illinois chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, ISEA is the local resource for classes, events, renewable energy-related policy developments, local news, and access to local renewable energy vendors. www.illinoissolar.org Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Illinois Solar Energy Association Related Links https://www.illinoissolar.org Credit: Frank MaddocksIf you've ever dreamed of hanging out in Las Vegas with System of a Down, now's your chance. The band has launched a contest through the fundraising site Omaze, and the winner will score VIP tickets to SoaD's show in Sin City on October 19. The next day, you'll also to get meet up with drummer John Dolmayan at his Torpedo Comics comic book store, and have lunch with Dolmayan and frontman Serj Tankian. To enter, System is asking you to donate to the Armenian charity Bari Mama, which works to "prevent child abandonment due to disability or health issues." The more money you donate, the more times you'll be entered in the contest. For more info, visit Omaze.com. The Las Vegas date will be the final stop on System of a Down's upcoming fall U.S. tour, which begins October 13 in San Bernardino, California. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. MADISON, Ala., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tyonek Global Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Tyonek Services Group, Inc. (TSG) and Tyonek Native Corporation (TNC), has been awarded a contract by the Air Force Space Command to continue to provide formal cyber operations training, course development, and essential capabilities for the 39th Information Operations Squadron (39 IOS). The 39 IOS is the U.S. Air Force's premier information operations and cyber operations training unit, providing Cyber Weapon Systems Initial Qualification Training (IQT) for Air Force Space Command, Air Forces Cyber and US Cyber Command. "We are excited to continue our partnership with the Air Force Space Command in support of their cyber initiatives," said Doug Baker, Vice President, TSG. "Preparing our warfighters for the challenges of combatting cyber threats is one of Tyonek's core strengths and we are proud of the work we are doing in support of the Air Force mission." As the Prime Contractor for this $9.8 Million contract award, Tyonek and its subcontractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, will employ 71 employees and will provide instructors, course developers, student mission training systems administrators, network system administrators, and hardware/infrastructure maintenance services. Tyonek employees, augmenting the current Government staff, will train approximately 1200 students per year at Hurlburt Field, Florida and Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), Texas. About Tyonek Native Corporation Tyonek Native Corporation (TNC) is the parent company to a variety of subsidiary businesses in industries including ISO 9000 Certified defense manufacturing and engineering, aircraft maintenance, information technology services, land and resource development, and construction. The company owns and manages over 200,000 acres of land, primarily on the West side of Cook Inlet in South Central Alaska. An Alaska Native Corporation formed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA), the company is governed by a board of nine directors and a management team who are accountable to a community of more than 900 shareholders. The corporation's headquarters is in Anchorage, Alaska, with offices in Madison, Alabama, and subsidiary facilities located throughout the continental United States. For more information, visit www.tyonek.com. SOURCE Tyonek Native Corporation Related Links http://www.tyonek.com NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ubimo, a SaaS location intelligence company, today announced that it has been honored with the "Best Location Based Marketing Platform" award by the independent MarTech Breakthrough organization. Ubimo's Polaris platform was recognized for going "well beyond" traditional technologies with unique capabilities that "empower marketers." Ubimo Wins Best Location Based Marketing Platform in 2018 MarTech Breakthrough Awards Program. Ubimo, a SaaS location intelligence company, turns mobile location data, representing how people move in the physical world, into actionable insights. Ubimos solution works across a variety of industries to offer clients an in-depth understanding of who their best-performing audiences are, where to best reach them, and how to make a meaningful connection. "Five years ago, we founded Ubimo to harness the potential of using location signals at scale to understand consumer behavior," said Ran Ben-Yair, Ubimo CEO and co-founder. "With our Polaris platform you can now look at actual behavior and movement patterns in the real world beyond the boundaries of one store or another. In fact, there are no more boundaries to truly understanding your customers' journey." The MarTech Breakthrough Awards honor excellence and recognize the innovation that goes into creating successful companies, technologies and products in the global marketing technology industry. This year's awards program attracted more than 2,000 nominations from over 12 countries, in a range of marketing, sales and advertising technology related categories. "Ubimo's leading location intelligence platform goes well beyond traditional location-based marketing activities and technologies, standing as a true 'breakthrough' marketing technology," said James Johnson, Managing Director at MarTech Breakthrough. "With its simple, yet powerful, tools to empower marketers to aggregate, analyze, and activate on location data, MarTech Breakthrough is thrilled to recognize Ubimo's Polaris platform as our Best Location Based Marketing Platform award winner." Ubimo's solution works across a variety of industries such as retail, shopper marketing, out-of-home, publishers and programmatic to offer clients an in-depth understanding of who their best-performing audiences are, where to best reach them, and how to make a meaningful connection. When brands are able to target not only places, but specific experiences, then customer journeys become precise, effective and successful. With proprietary technology and artificial intelligence methodologies, Ubimo turns mobile location data, representing how people move in the physical world, into actionable insights. Ubimo's customers include enterprise brands and partners such as Clear Channel Outdoor, Advantage Media Solutions, Aptus Health (through its Tomorrow Networks division), Liquidus Marketing, and more. About Ubimo Ubimo is the leading location intelligence technology company empowering organizations to aggregate, analyze, and activate geospatial information. Polaris, Ubimo's Location Intelligence Platform, collects data on over 60 million daily active users and 12 million venues to provide actionable intelligence and audience insights to data-driven enterprises. With Ubimo you go beyond analytics and generate actionable predictive intelligence at scale. For more information and to schedule a demo, please visit www.ubimo.com About MarTech Breakthrough Part of the Tech Breakthrough Awards organization, the MarTech Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in marketing, ad and sales technology companies, products and people. The MarTech Breakthrough Awards provide a platform for public recognition around the achievements of breakthrough marketing technology companies and products in categories including marketing automation, AdTech, SalesTech, marketing analytics, CRM, content and social marketing, website, SEM, mobile marketing and more. For more information, visit http://martechbreakthrough.com/ SOURCE Ubimo Related Links https://www.ubimo.com CLEVELAND, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- US demand for crude petroleum is forecast to see marginal annual declines through 2022, according to Crude Petroleum: United States, a report recently released by Freedonia Focus Reports. This drop will result from lower expected levels of gasoline demand, which represents the leading domestic market for crude petroleum. Faster declines will be constrained by expected production gains in the jet fuel industry. More information about the report is available at https://www.freedoniafocusreports.com/Crude-Petroleum-United-States-FF45019/ Nonetheless, rising exports, caused by global economic growth (especially in China and India) and accompanying demand for petroleum products, will ensure US crude petroleum production grows, even as domestic demand shrinks. Advances will primarily reflect increasing output of crude oil and NGPLs as a consequence of rising production from shale (particularly shale gas, which often contains high levels of NGPLs), along with increasing offshore oil production. These and other key insights are featured in Crude Petroleum: United States. This report forecasts to 2022 US crude petroleum demand and production in barrels (where 1 barrel is equivalent to 42 gallons). Total demand is segmented by type as follows: non-biofuels biofuels Total production is segmented by type in terms of: crude oil and lease condensates natural gas plant liquids biofuels other liquids such as drip gases; liquid hydrocarbons produced from gilsonite, oil sands, oil shale, and tar sands; and non-hydrocarbons produced with oil, such as sulfur and various metals Crude petroleum prices in nominal US dollars per barrel are also forecast to 2022 for Brent and West Texas Intermediate. To illustrate historical trends, total demand, total production, the various segments, prices, and trade are provided in annual series from 2007 to 2017. About Freedonia Focus Reports Each month, The Freedonia Group a division of MarketResearch.com publishes over 20 new or updated Freedonia Focus Reports, providing fresh, unbiased analysis on a wide variety of markets and industries. Published in 20-30 pages, Focus Report coverage ranges from raw materials to finished manufactured goods and related services such as freight and construction. Additional Energy & Resources reports can be purchased at Freedonia Focus Reports or MarketResearch.com. Analysis is intended to guide the busy reader through pertinent topics in rapid succession, including: total historical market size and industry output segmentation by products and markets identification of market drivers, constraints, and key indicators segment-by-segment outlook in five-year forecasts a survey of the supply base suggested resources for further study Press Contact: Corinne Gangloff +1 440.684.9600 [email protected] SOURCE The Freedonia Group Related Links https://www.freedoniafocusreports.com/ NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- WeissLaw LLP is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the Board of Directors of Zoe's Kitchen, Inc. ("ZOES" or the "Company") (NYSE: ZOES) in connection with the proposed acquisition of the Company by CAVA Group, Inc. ("CAVA"). Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, shareholders will receive $12.75 in cash for each ZOES share they own. WeissLaw is investigating whether ZOES's Board acted to maximize shareholder value prior to entering into the agreement. Notably, several analysts have expressed unfavorable views about the transaction. The deal, which would take the Company private, is seen as "a lowball offer," especially when considering that ZOES shares are still trading at all-time lows. According to one analyst, the bid which places a market value of approximately $250 million on ZOES's shares and an enterprise value of $300 million on the Company as a whole is uninspiring when also factoring in the Company's $350 million target revenue for the year. Moreover, the $12.75 per-share bid comes just four short years after the Company's IPO, during which time ZOES shares were priced at $15.00 per share, or $2.25 above CAVA's per-share offer. Finally, another analyst points to the deal's "hefty $17 million termination fee" as an indicator of CAVA's eagerness to "close the deal before the market wakes up." Given these facts, WeissLaw is investigating whether ZOES's Board acted in the best interests of ZOES's public shareholders to maximize shareholder value prior to entering into the agreement. If you own ZOES shares and would like more information about your rights or our investigation, or if you have information to share with us, please contact Joshua Rubin by telephone at (888) 593-4771 or by email at [email protected]. WeissLaw LLP has litigated hundreds of stockholder class and derivative actions for violations of corporate and fiduciary duties. We have recovered over a billion dollars for defrauded clients and obtained important corporate governance relief in many of these cases. If you have information or would like legal advice concerning possible corporate wrongdoing (including insider trading, waste of corporate assets, accounting fraud, or materially misleading information), consumer fraud (including false advertising, defective products, or other deceptive business practices), or anti-trust violations, please email us at [email protected] or fill out the form on our website, http://www.weisslawllp.com/zoes-kitchen-inc/ SOURCE WeissLaw LLP Related Links http://weisslawllp.com - New Contracts in the Republic of Montenegro, Western Sahara, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Expanding Company's Global Reach XUZHOU, China, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- After recent contract wins, XCMG, the world-leading construction machinery manufacturer, is now exporting to the Republic of Montenegro, Western Sahara, Saint Kitts and Nevis, expanding the brand's global sales and service network to a total of 182 countries and regions. "These latest deals underscore the value proposition that XCMG offers machinery to customers around the world," said Jiansen Liu, Assistant President of XCMG and General Manager of XCMG Import and Export Co. "As we continue to expand, we are constantly upgrading our technology and service capabilities to meet the needs of high-demanding projects by sticking to our 'Advanced and Endurable' standard. More and more top-quality XCMG machinery products are making significant contributions to infrastructure projects worldwide." Some of the equipment in the new deals includes: XCMG's XTR260 cantilever-type tunneling machine is working on the Republic of Montenegro's north-south highway project, along with truck cranes, road rollers and land levelers. north-south highway project, along with truck cranes, road rollers and land levelers. The company has sold an excavator, load digger and truck crane in Saint Kitts and Nevis . . In Western Sahara , XCMG is focusing on the spare parts products that will support regional operations. Of note, the XTR260 has played a pivotal role boring the Pajkov Vir tunnel portion of the Montenegro highway project. Its excellent performance during its six tunneling tasks is recognized as key to the project's success in connecting the country to central Europe's road network, which will provide a key boost to the country's economic development. As a leader of China's construction machinery industry, XCMG has accelerated its global outreach in recent years, establishing four research and development centers, 13 manufacturing bases and KD factories overseas. The company now has 300 overseas dealers, 40 offices and 40 large-scale spare parts centers. "The growth of XCMG's exports shows the potential of Chinese construction machinery brands, and it's our responsibility and mission to become stronger with our technologies, products and services," Liu said. About XCMG XCMG is a multinational heavy machinery manufacturing company with a history of 74 years. It currently ranks sixth in the world's construction machinery industry. The company exports to more than 182 countries and regions around the world. Please visit: www.xcmg.com, or XCMG pages on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram. SOURCE XCMG THE SHOP YOHJI YAMAMOTO incorporates many features and functions that enhance customers' online-shopping experience. Models are used for the pictures of the goods sold on the webstore to help customers better understand the products. In addition, there is an individual page for each brand and a lookbook feature to demonstrate to the customers each brand's concept. After the launch, the company plans to release an app in the early September. The company also plans to launch the Chinese language webstore later in the same month. THE SHOP YOHJI YAMAMOTO | www.theshopyohjiyamamoto.com S'YTE - is named after reading backward "et Y's", which means "with Y's" in French. Launched in September 2011, S'YTE is a web-only brand with the positioning as an entry brand to Yohji Yamamoto. Ground Y - proposes a new fashion concept - genderless and ageless style - through synchronizing different aspects of Yohji Yamamoto. Suitable and thus widely supported from all genders and ages, Ground Y provides a variety of its popular goods. Y's - Functional and dignified everyday wear--within a unique category established by itself, the collection is shaped by universal values and unique pattern-making. It presents high-quality ready-to-wear clothing through which the atelier team expresses the brand's identity. YOHJI YAMAMOTO PRODUCE - managed by Yohji Yamamoto's atelier team, reproduces the archived smash hit products of Yohji Yamamoto, and is positioned as the entry brand to Yohji Yamamoto pour Homme. Yohji Yamamoto + NOIR - expresses Yohji Yamamoto's worldview through casual wear. Themed around black, it pays great attention to the volume and balance of fabric, and conveys trend-free classic, elegant, and refined gorgeous value of Yohji Yamamoto. Web-Only products will be available. discord Yohji Yamamoto - launched in 2014, it provides a new sense of value through luxury accessories created by Yohji Yamamoto. The word "discord" reflects the aesthetics of incompleteness and asymmetry that are the philosophy of the designer. LIMI feu - emphasizes the ambience, volume, and comfortableness by removing excess, and purposely leaves the blank space for one's personality to blend in. Detaching herself from the normalized trend, the designer Limi Yamamoto put in her ongoing feels and wills in the straight and clean straight-line silhouette, while combining it with the original voluminous drape that surrounds the body. Press Contact: YOHJI YAMAMOTO INC. PR and Communications E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Yohji Yamamoto Inc. Related Links http://www.theshopyohjiyamamoto.com Rabat, Aug 22 : Moroccan King Mohammed VI has pardoned 160 people convicted in connection with the protests that rocked the Rif region in northern Morocco in late 2016, the media reported. Citing sources at the Moroccan Justice Ministry, Le360.ma news site on Tuesday mentioned that the pardoning of these protesters came on the occasion of Eid. The ministry said in an official statement earlier that the king had pardoned 889 inmates on the occasion of Eid, but did not specify their background, Xinhua news agency reported. The list of the freed people did not include any of the leaders of the protests, who were sentenced to up to 20 years in prison in June. In late June, a Moroccan court sentenced Nasser Zefzafi, figurehead of the protests, along with three other leaders, to 20-year imprisonment. Another 49 people were sentenced to 15-year jail term, along with fines, by the Casablanca Court. The sentences given to the Rif protesters sparked outrage in Morocco, and many rallies and sit-ins were staged to call for the release of the jailed activists. The protests broke out in October 2016, when fish vendor Mouhcine Fikri was crushed to death after climbing into a rubbish lorry to retrieve his swordfish confiscated by police. Srinagar, Aug 22 : A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activist was abducted and killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said on Wednesday. "Shabir Ahmad Bhat was abducted yesterday (Tuesday). His bullet riddled body was found earlier this morning," the police said. According to sources, Bhat was also provided with armed guards for protection. New Delhi, Aug 22 : President Ramnath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted the citizens of India on the occasion of Eid-ul-Zuha, a major Muslim festival. "Eid Mubarak to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad. On this special day of Eid-ul-Zuha, we celebrate the sacred spirit of sacrifice. Let us resolve to work together for unity and fraternity in our shared society," Kovind tweeted. Extending his wishes on the festival, Modi said: "May this day deepen the spirit of compassion and brotherhood in our society." Eid-ul-Zuha or Bakrid called the "Festival of Sacrifice", is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year. Congress President Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter to greet people on the festival. "Eid Mubarak to each and every one of you! May this Eid bring you great joy, peace and happiness." Seoul, Aug 22 : Hundreds of South and North Koreans on Wednesday bid a tearful farewell following their first temporary reunion after decades of separation due to the 1950-53 Korean War. Eighty nine elderly South Koreans crossed the heavily fortified border into the North to join the family reunions held for three days which concluded on Wednesday, reports Yonhap News Agency. They met 185 people from North Korea found alive in the impoverished country on six occasions, which gave them a combined 12 hours of face time. They held their last farewell meeting on Wednesday and ate lunch before leaving for the South in buses. The reunions marked the first of their kind since October 2015. They were a follow-up on an agreement between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reached in an April summit to address growing humanitarian issues arising from war-torn family separations. A second round of family reunions is also scheduled from Friday through Sunday. A total of 83 North Korean people will reunite with their families living in the North. More than 300 South Koreans will travel to Mount Kumgang for that event. There are about 57,000 South Koreans wishing to reunite with their family members who might be living in the North. Before this week's reunions, the two Koreas had held 20 rounds of such events since their first inter-Korean summit in 2000. New Delhi, Aug 22 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday condoled the death of senior leader and former Union Minister Gurudas Kamat, saying his demise was a massive blow to the party. "The sudden passing away of senior leader Gurudas Kamatji, is a massive blow to the Congress family. Gurudasji helped build the Congress party in Mumbai and was greatly respected and admired by all. My condolences to his family in their time of grief. May his soul rest in peace," Gandhi, who is in Germany, said in a tweet. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also expressed grief over the death of the former union minister. "Shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the sudden demise of Senior Congress Leader Gurudas Kamatji. No words are enough to describe the sense of loss. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and followers. I pray for the departed soul," Surjewala said in a tweet. Kamat died in a private hospital here following a massive heart attack. He was 63. Bengaluru, Aug 22 : Leading digital payment provider Paytm collected Rs 30 crore from its 12 lakh users in a week for relief work to flood-hit victims in Kerala, the company said on Wednesday. "We have received Rs 30 crore from across the country till Tuesday, a week after seeking contributions on August 15," Paytm promoter One 97 Communications said in a statement here. As donations to the relief fund are 100 per cent exempt from tax, people can contribute to the "Kerala CM's Distress Relief Fund" through its app or website. Contributions to the relief fund can be made through Paytm app or website for helping the flood victims. The company or the government will not levy donors fee or transaction charge on their contributions or donations made on its platform. "Amounts up to Rs 1 crore are contributed through the digital platform," added the statement. Washington, Aug 22 : In a setback to Donald Trump, his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and ex-lawyer Michael Cohen have been convicted of fraud, with the latter implicating the US President over campaign finance violations. Within the space of an hour on Tuesday, Manafort was convicted of eight counts of bank and tax fraud by a jury in Alexandria, Virginia. However, Judge T.S. Ellis declared a mistrial over the 10 other charges Manafort faced, with the jurors unable to come to a decision. Meanwhile, in New York, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight felony counts of his own, including campaign finance violations ahead of the 2016 presidential election as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors. Cohen, one of Trump's closest associates for more than a decade, said he arranged to make payments "for (the) principal purpose of influencing the election" at the direction of a "candidate" for federal office. He did not give the candidate's name although he was working for Trump at the time. The 51-year-old told the judge in the Manhattan courtroom that he was aware of what he was doing before pleading guilty to the charges, admitting that the "candidate" had directed him to arrange payments to two women during the 2016 campaign to keep them from speaking publicly about their affairs with him, CNN reported. Cohen admitted to paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016 and also to conspiring with a media company, perceived as the publisher of The National Enquirer, to silence another woman, former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Both Daniels and McDougal allege that Trump engaged in extramarital sexual relationships with them. The White House has denied the claims. Amid the parallel dramas in federal courthouses, the President was at first silent as he travelled to a campaign rally in West Virginia. But then he broke his silence after Air Force One landed. "Paul Manafort is a good man," Trump told reporters after reaching West Virginia for a campaign rally. "I feel very badly for Paul Manafort." While pointedly refusing to comment on Cohen, the President stressed that Manafort's conviction "doesn't involve me" and called it "a very sad thing is happening". Trump also emphasized that Manafort's legal woes had "nothing to do with Russian collusion, absolutely nothing". He then segued into familiar criticisms of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe, calling it a "witch hunt and a disgrace". The counts against Cohen included tax fraud, false statements to a bank and campaign finance violations tied to his work for Trump. On the other hand, Manafort was found guilty of five counts of felony tax fraud, one count of failing to report a foreign bank account, and two counts of bank fraud. Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis said that his client had been acting not on his own, but at Trump's behest. "If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?" he asked. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said of the Cohen plea: "There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Cohen." Manafort's conviction brought the number of former Trump advisers who have pleaded to or been found guilty of crimes in the Mueller investigation to four. The other three were -- former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, George Papadopoulos -- who advised Trump on foreign policy -- and aide Richard Gates. Kathmandu, Aug 22 : The Nepal government has introduced a new law where anyone found guilty of polluting will be jailed for five years, an official from the Department of Environment said on Wednesday. As per the new Criminal Code that came into force on August 17, anyone found guilty of producing mechanical noise, extreme heat and wastage without the consent of authorised government officials will be jailed for five years or fined 50,000 Nepali rupees ($450) or both. "The criminal code has provisioned that stringent action can be taken against those who are found involved in polluting the environment. Introducing the new law to control the pollution is indeed a positive aspect," Safala Shrestha, a Department spokesperson, told Xinhua news agency. "Introducing laws are not enough, the implementation part is more challenging and for this it needs good coordination among the government agencies," she said. The government's move has come amid rising concerns from multiple sectors including environmentalists regarding pollution in the Himalayan country. Islamabad, Aug 22 : Eid-ul-Zuha, the festival of sacrifice, was celebrated with traditional and religious fervour across Pakistan on Wednesday. Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated the nation and urged his countrymen to remember the sacrifices made for the protection, reconstruction and development of Pakistan, Dawn online reported. Khan also urged people "not to forget those who are deprived in this hour of happiness". President Mamnoon Hussain said today's sacrifice commemorates the obedience and unparalleled examples set by the great prophets of Islam. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also conveyed Eid wishes to the nation through the Inter-Services Public Relations, saying: "May Allah Almighty bless our motherland (with) peace and prosperity." The day dawned with special Eid prayers in mosques, Eidgahs and open places in all cities, towns and villages across the country. After prayers, the faithful slaughtered their sacrificial animals to mark the end of the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca and in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's readiness to sacrifice his son Ismail on God's command. Strict security measures were in place in major cities like Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar. Beijing, Aug 22 : China on Wednesday said it was willing to play a "constructive" role in improving ties between India and Pakistan and hailed the outreach by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his new Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan to improve bilateral relations. However, Beijing did not specify what it meant by "constructive" role. "We welcome the positive remarks made by the Indian and Pakistani leaders on improving the bilateral relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said. "As a common neighbour to Pakistan and India, China firmly supports the two sides to enhance dialogue and increase mutual trust and properly handle and solve their difference. And we hope that they can jointly stay committed to the regional peace and development. China is willing to play a constructive role in this aspect," Lu added. Asked what he meant by China playing a "constructive" role, he said: "I just said we are glad to see the positive remarks by India and Pakistan on improving their bilateral relations and all the efforts that are conducive to the improvement of their relations and peace as well as stability in the region. We welcome that and we will play constructive role in this respect." Questioned further if by "constructive role" he meant mediation, Lu said: "I cannot give a pre-judgment or in what aspect, what area, what we will do." Modi wrote a letter to Imran Khan on his election as Pakistan's Prime Minister stating the need to build "good neighbourly relations" and pursue "meaningful and constructive engagement" for the benefit of the region. Modi also emphasised the need to make the Indian subcontinent "free of terror and violence". In an apparent response to Modi's letter, Khan tweeted: "To move forward Pakistan and India must dialogue and resolve their conflicts including Kashmir." Earlier, Khan had said that if India took one step, Pakistan would take two steps. Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained since the terrorist attacks at an Indian Army base in 2016. China has publicly maintained neutrality over the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, but its state media has often suggested that Beijing can play a role between the arch rivals. In June, Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui suggested a China-India-Pakistan trilateral meet. The idea was junked by New Delhi. New Delhi, Aug 22 : India has refused to accept overseas donations for flood relief in Kerala, Thailand's Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi has said. "Informally informed with regret that the Government of India is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you, the people of Bharat," Chutintorn tweeted on Tuesday. The United Arab Emirates, home to hundreds of thousands of Keralites, had earlier offered Rs 700 crore as flood relief for Kerala. The Maldives and Qatar also reportedly offered donations for the flood-ravaged state. Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 22 : The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday urged Malayalam superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal to help ease the suffering of the hundreds of thousands in relief camps in Kerala following the devastating floods. IMA Kerala Secretary N. Zulphi said people were physically and emotionally down after being hit by the worst flooding in the state in nearly a century. "These two icons have always been hugely liked and respected by Keralites. At this time of huge loss, we request both of them to join hands with us to work with the victims to restore normalcy," said Zulphi. The IMA has launched massive operations at the more than 3,000 relief camps. The death toll since the monsoon rains began on May 29 has been estimated at around 370. New Delhi, Aug 22 : Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader from Maharashtra Gurudas Kamat died here on Wednesday following a massive heart attack. He was 63. According to a close family friend, Kamat suddenly complained of severe chest pain while having his morning tea at his home here. He called out his driver who rushed him to the Primus Hospital in Chanakyapuri where he is said to have died within minutes. Kamat is survived by wife Maharookh and son Sunil. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar, among other leaders, condoled his death. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited the central Delhi-located hospital where he passed away and placed a wreath on Kamat's body. Respected across party lines, late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had picked Kamat as part of the four-member official delegation to the United Nations in 2003, along with former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. In 2010, Kamat was nominated to represent former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the UN International Conference on Federalism in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Kamat, the youthful and secular face of the party and a five-time Lok Sabha member from Mumbai, served as Union Minister of State for Home in 2009 but abruptly resigned in 2011, citing "personal reasons" after his appointment as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Drinking Water and Sanitation. He also served as Union Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology. Kamat had resigned from the Congress in 2016 over his reported unhappiness with the functioning of the local party unit in Mumbai but later withdrew his resignation as the leadership persuaded him against it. He quit all posts last year, though he remained a staunch Congressman till the end. Considered an able organiser and a good orator, Kamat was President of Mumbai Congress from 2003-2008. He was president of the party's student wing NSUI (1976-80), Indian Youth Congress chief (198-88) and later served the party as a general secretary. In his last tweet hours before the end, Kamat had extended his greetings on Eid-ul-Azha. On Tuesday, he had greeted party leader Ahmed Patel on his birthday and congratulated him on being appointed party treasurer again. Rahul Gandhi, who is in Germany, said that Kamat's death is a massive blow to the party. "The sudden passing away of senior leader Gurudas Kamatji is a massive blow to the Congress family. Gurudasji helped build the Congress in Mumbai and was greatly respected and admired by all. My condolences to his family," he tweeted. Manmohan Singh said: "I am shocked and saddened to learn about the sudden and untimely demise of Gurudas Kamat. My deepest condolences to all members of his family. I pray to God for the departed soul." Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Kamat's son Sunil, expressing his condolences. "I am extremely saddened to learn about the demise of your beloved father... He was a dedicated public servant and a mass leader of Maharashtra. He will be missed by the country and Congress party in Maharashtra," Kharge said. NCP chief Sharad Pawar said he is "saddened" as he has "lost a leader who knew the pulse of Mumbaikars and would always voice their concern in Parliament". Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan said he "lost a great colleague". State Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant said: "A very dynamic and renowned face of the Congress and a great leader Gurudas Kamat is no more." Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Mumbai North-East Kirit Somaiya expressed shock over his political rival's demise. "We have lost a gentleman politician, an MP always active for the betterment of Mumbai though we contested Lok Sabha elections against each other," Somaiya tweeted. Schmidt found that two-thirds of the data Google collected from a smartphone during a 24-hour mock "day in the life" period was through passive means, meaning it was not volunteered by a person. He also said he found evidence that Google has the capability to link anonymized data with information from people's Google accounts while they are signed out from their Google accounts or using a private browsing mode - called "incognito mode" - on Google's Chrome browser. The study also claims Google can link anonymized data collected by advertising cookies to people's Google accounts. Google makes the bulk of its money from advertising, which accounted for 86 percent of its revenue in its second-quarter earnings report. Male, Aug 22 : The health of former President of the Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, lodged in a high-security prison since the beginning of the year, has deteriorated and he needs to be urgently transferred to a hospital, his lawyer said on Wednesday. Gayoom, who ruled the island nation with an iron hand between 1978 and 2008, is suffering from a condition known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, which causes dizziness. His lawyer Hussain Shameem told Efe news that the authorities refused to listen to Gayoom's doctors and were not allowing him to be taken to a hospital. "We have not been provided with any updates today. We found out yesterday that he was in a serious condition. We have submitted the matter to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives now," Shameem said. Gayoom's close aide Abdul Aleem said that the former President's condition was not stable and they have been concerned ever since a lawyer's visit was cancelled abruptly on Tuesday. "We haven't had any updates from prison authorities since yesterday morning so we do not know his condition now. All we've been told is that he is still not in stable condition and is strictly forbidden from moving," Aleem said. Prison authorities refused to comment on Gayoom's condition. In July, he was sentenced to one year and seven months in prison for refusing to hand over his mobile phone for a police investigation in connection with a Supreme Court ruling that ordered the release of political prisoners. Gayoom was also charged for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government of his half-brother President Abdulla Yameen. He faces a jail term of up to 20 years if convicted. New Delhi, Aug 22 : The festival of Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated with great joy in the national capital with Muslims offering prayers in large numbers at the Shahi Eidgah and other major mosques of the city. Despite hot and humid weather, the devout turned up in their best at Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid, Sunheri Masjid and dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin among others. The community members quickly returned to their homes to make arrangements for the sacrifice of animals, an essential part of Eid-ul-Zuha. "Eid-ul-Zuha is celebrated to commemorate the great sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim, who was asked to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail. Allah accepted his gesture and sent an animal from the heavens to be sacrificed," Mufti Mohammed Mukarram Ahmed, Imam of Shahi Masjid Fatehpuri, told IANS. "The sacrifice of animals is the 'sunnat' (tradition) which is 'wajib' (mandatory) for each Muslim who can afford to sacrifice an animal," he explained. "A believer is encouraged to donate at least one-third of the sacrifice to the poor and needy, another one-third to his relatives and friends and keep the rest for himself. But one can also keep the entire portion for his family," the Mufti said. Soon after the prayers were over early in the morning, people were seen buying fodder for their animals kept for sacrifice. "It is a very hectic day. We have to look for the right person who would enable us to sacrifice the animal. It is important that we get it done early so that we can distribute the meat to the poor and our neighbours and friends in time," said Akbar Ali Abbasi, a resident of Ballimaran in Old Delhi. The festival is celebrated for three days beginning 10th of Zil Hajj, the last month of the Islamic calendar. One can sacrifice animals before the sunset of the 12th of Zil Hajj. It comes a day after the Hajj is performed. Neither the initial confusion about the exact date of the festival that arose due to non-sighting of the moon (Islamic months and festivals are based on lunar calendar) in and around Delhi thanks to cloudy sky, nor the high prices of goats could dampen the festival spirit. "This year too animals were a bit costly. But the spirit of 'qurbani' (sacrifice) is supreme. The cost does not matter," said Mohd Faisal, a resident of Turkman Gate who bought half a dozen goats for sacrifice. Many Muslim organisations have appealed to the people offering sacrifice to be particular about hygiene in their neighbourhood and be sensitive towards the feelings of fellow citizens of other communities who do not consume meat. The sanitary department of the municipal bodies made special arrangements to ensure cleanliness in the city. 15th Finance Commission Chairman N.K. Singh addresses at an interactive session organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata on July 16, 2018. Image Source: IANS : Kolkata: 15th Finance Commission Chairman N.K. Singh addresses at an interactive session organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata on July 16, 2018. (Photo: IANS/PIB). Image Source: IANS New Delhi, Aug 22 : Finance Commission Chairman N.K. Singh has said that the changed economic scenario following the abolition of the Planning Commission has altered the traditional system of resource allocation and the distinction between "Plan and Non-Plan funds". Singh was speaking at the Finance Commission's second consultation meeting with economists in Pune on August 21. According to a Finance Ministry statement issued on Wednesday, the meeting was attended by 16 eminent economists and domain experts including Vijay Kelkar. Singh said that Finance Commission will hold further consultations with economists and domain experts over the coming months. "The Chairman summing the discussion felt that continued engagement with domain experts over the coming months will help commission in firming up the approach before reaching tentative conclusions both on the vertical and horizontal devolution of revenue...," the statement said. This was second such meet with economists. The first meet was held in New Delhi in May which deliberated upon various issues related to its TOR (Terms of Reference). New Delhi, Aug 22 : The BJP on Wednesday described Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as an autocrat who cannot digest any vocal difference, in the party's reaction to AAP leader Ashish Khetan's resignation from the party. "Be it Ashish Khetan's quitting or Ashutosh's leaving AAP or desertion of AAP by most of its founder-members, it all clearly establishes that Kejriwal is a 'tughlaqi' autocrat who cannot digest any vocal difference," said Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari. He said Kejriwal is one-time wonder whose 'charisma' is fast losing its sheen within and outside his own party. "It now appears that by the time of next assembly elections in 2020, AAP will vanish from the political horizon," the BJP MP from northeast Delhi said. Tiwari said that to fulfil his political ambitions, the AAP convenor brought together a rabble of politically ambitious activists who had no political ideology. "And with the passage of time this gathering converted into a wrestling arena. Slowly and steadily, most of the members in this wrestling arena called AAP have recognized the true face of Kejriwal," Tiwari said. "This arena has started crumbling; and soon his party will be a part of history," Tiwari added. Khetan announced his resignation from the party on Facebook, a week after another leader, Ashutosh, took a similar decision. Kolkata, Aug 22 : The CBI has written to the West Bengal police chief wanting to question four senior IPS officers in the state, including Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, in connection with the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam, an agency official said on Wednesday. The letter sent to state's Director General of Police Virendra by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) mentions city police chief Rajiv Kumar, Additional Commissioner Vinit Goel, IG (Rail) Tamal Bose and former state CID chief Pallav Kanti Ghosh for questioning. All three of them were members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the ponzy scam before the CBI took over the case. "CBI is probing the case under the direction of the Supreme Court. The agency has already questioned many people directly or indirectly associated with the case. "It is possible that the slueths might need to talk to these officers for certain clarifications required to take the investigation forward as they were part of the initial investigating team," the CBI official said. Jaipur, Aug 22 : The ashes of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee were brought to Jaipur from Delhi on Wednesday. BJP state president Madan Lal Saini and state minister Arun Chaturvedi flew from Delhi with the ashes and reached Jaipur where they were received by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, national vice-president Om Mathur among other prominent leaders. The ashes were kept in three urns and were carried in a 'rath' to the BJP state headquarters. All across the way, flower petals were showered on the ashes. At the party headquarters too, several office-bearers, workers and people from all sections offered flowers to the urns containg the ashes. IANS arc/prs Chandigarh, Aug 22 : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday sought intervention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in seeking access from the Pakistan government for devotees to visit the historic Gurdwara Sahib in Kartapur on the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev. In a letter to the Union Minister, the Chief Minister has urged Sushma Swaraj to take up the matter with her counterpart for having the corridor from the international border to Kartarpur opened for the duration of the celebrations. "This will allow the faithful to pay their respects at the Gurdwara Sahib in Kartarpur," said Amarinder Singh, pointing out that Kartarpur is located across the river Ravi around 4 km from the border near Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district. The Chief Minister noted that the 550th Birth anniversary of the first Guru is being observed in November 2019. He pointed out one of the historical demands of the Sikh community has been to have access to the revered Gurdwara Sahib in Kartarpur. "The state government has been requesting the Centre time and again for taking up the matter with the government of Pakistan for a corridor from the international border to Kartarpur," he added. Kolkata, Aug 22 : The Muslim festival of sacrifice -- Eid-ul-Azha -- was celebrated with religious fervour and joy across West Bengal on Wednesday. Since morning, people attired in traditional clothes gathered at mosques and also some other locations in the city as well as in districts where Eid congregations have been held for decades. The biggest turnout was seen on the arterial Indira Gandhi Sarani (Red Road) in the state capital Kolkata, where thousands of members of the community offered prayers. There was another big congregation outside the Nakhoda mosque in the city's Chitpur area for the special Namaaz. Similar prayer sessions were held in other mosques as well. After the prayers were over, people hugged and greeted each other in traditional style. Those from other communities also extended wishes to their Muslim friends. To commemorating the sacrifice by Abraham, goats and sheep were sacrificed on the day. The sacrificed meat was then split into three parts, of which people making sacrifices kept a part for themselves and distributed the rest among relatives and the poor. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished people on the occasion. "On the occasion of Eid-ul-Zoha, let us commit ourselves to the spirit of sharing and brotherhood. My best wishes to all," she said in a tweet. Also known as Bakrid or Eid-e-Qurban, it is the second major festival of Muslims. Heavy security arrangements were made across the city to prevent any breach of peace. Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court has directed the state government to ensure that there is no slaughter of animals in any open public place. In fact, Trinamool Lok Sabha member Idris Ali recently had advised people to desist from posting pictures of animal sacrifice on the occasion in the social media, so that the sentiments of no community are hurt. New Delhi, Aug 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on Thursday to witness a collective "e-Gruhpravesh" of one lakh beneficiaries who have got houses under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin). Modi will also inaugurate several projects -- a government civil hospital, 13 projects of Junagadh Municipal Corporation and a milk processing plant at Khokharda in Junagadh city. He will deliver a convocation address of the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar and attend a Somnath Trust meeting before returning to Delhi. The Prime Minister will witness the "e-Gruhpravesh" event at a large public meeting in Valsad district's Jujwa village. "More than one lakh houses have been completed in Gujarat. Beneficiaries of these houses will celebrate collective Gruhpravesh across 26 districts," said a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. At Valsad, beneficiaries from five districts of south Gujarat -- Valsad, Navsari, Tapi, Surat and Dangs -- will gather. In the remaining districts, a collective Gruh-Pravesh will be celebrated at the block level. Beneficiaries will be connected through video link to the main event in Valsad. The Prime Minister will distribute certificates and employment letters to select beneficiaries under various development schemes like Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Gramodaya Yojana and National Rural Livelihood Mission. Moscow, Aug 22 : Top defence officials from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia on Wednesday held talks on enhancing military cooperation between the two countries. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE's Minister of State for Defence Affairs, met Colonel General Alexander Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, in Moscow. They discussed ways of developing bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in defence and military sector. The two sides also reviewed a number of regional and international issues of common concern. Critics of McDonalds are unlikely to hail the companys announcement as a solution to what they consider to be the substandard wages offered by McDonalds and its franchisees. Earlier this year, as they have before, Fight for $15 activists protested outside McDonalds headquarters, demanding better pay and working conditions. On Monday, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders took to Twitter to criticize the Golden Arches. Riyadh, Aug 22 : Saudi prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for five human rights activists, including a female rights defender, rights groups have said. Israa al-Ghomgham, a Shia activist arrested with her husband in 2015, will be tried in the country's terrorism tribunal even though charges she faces are only related to peaceful activism, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday. Al-Ghomgahm had joined and documented mass protests that began in 2011, calling for an end to the systematic discrimination that Saudi Shia citizens face in the majority-Sunni country. "Any execution is appalling, but seeking the death penalty for activists like Israa al-Ghomgham, who are not even accused of violent behaviour, is monstrous," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. The Public Prosecution, which reports directly to the King, accused the detained activists of several charges that do not resemble recognizable crimes, including participating in protests in the Qatif region, incitement to protest, chanting slogans hostile to the regime, attempting to inflame public opinion, filming protests and publishing on social media and providing moral support to rioters. Saudi activists told Human Rights Watch that the Public Prosecution's demand makes Al-Ghomgham the first female activist to possibly face the death penalty for her human rights-related work, which sets a dangerous precedent for other women activists currently behind bars. The trial is scheduled to start on October 28. At least 13 human rights defenders and women's rights activists have been arrested since mid-May. Some have been released, but others remain detained without charge. Ghomgham and her husband have been held at Dammam's al-Mabahith prison since 2015. The European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights and ALQST, a London-based Saudi human rights group, have called on the authorities to drop the charges against Ghomgham. The Saudi government has so far not commented on Ghomgham's trial. Bhubaneswar, Aug 22 : The ashes of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee reached Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The ashes will be immersed in major rivers across Odisha, including the Bay of Bengal at Puri. Odisha BJP President Basant Panda arrived in Bhubaneswar with the urn this evening after receiving it from Union Minister Sushma Swaraj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday. The urn carrying ashes was brought to the state BJP office in a grand procession from the city airport. BJP vice-president Sameer Mohanty said the urn will be kept at the party office for the people to pay their tributes. He said ashes will be taken to Puri in a procession from Bhubaneswar and it will be dissolved in the sea in Puri on Thursday. The BJP has also planed an all-party meeting on Aug 24 in Bhubaneswar in memory of the great leader. Shimla, Aug 22 : A prayer meeting was held at the historic Ridge here on Wednesday to pay tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who died in New Delhi on August 16. Urns containing Vajpayee's ashes were brought here from the national capital and were received by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and his cabinet colleagues. Thousands of people had gathered for the prayer. Governor Acharya Devvrat, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, former Chief Ministers Shanta Kumar, Virbhadra Singh and Prem Kumar Dhumal, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rajiv Bindal were among those present. Paying tributes, the Governor said that Vajpayee was a universally loved politician and a great personality who, over the decades, had emerged as a statesman. Chief Minister Thakur called Vajpayee a visionary leader, who was above party politics. His demise was indeed a great loss to the nation in general and Himachal Pradesh in particular. He said Vajpayee has a special place in his heart for the people of the state and the state would always miss his love and benevolence. Vajpayee always considered this state as his second home and has a house at Prini in Kullu district. Whenever he got time from his busy schedule, he visited Manali and wrote some unforgettable poems there, the Chief Minister said. The idea to construct the Rohtang tunnel connecting the landlocked Lahaul valley with rest of the world was conceived by Vajpayee in 1998 and the project was announced by him on June 3, 2000, he added. Thakur said that this project was nearing completion and would be the biggest gift of Vajpayee to the state. Remembering Vajpayee's contributions, Union Health Minister Nadda said, he made India a nuclear power despite pressure from the international community. Bharatiya Janata Party leader and two-time Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that Vajpayee as a Prime Minister was always considerate towards the developmental needs of the state. Congress leader and six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said Vajpayee was always eager to help the needy, without discrimination. Aizawl, Aug 22 : The Congress-led Mizoram government will contribute Rs 2 crore for the relief work in the flood-wrecked state of Kerala, an official said on Wednesday. "In view of the devastating flood in Kerala, the Mizoram government would donate Rs 2 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister's Relief Fund," Mizoram Chief Minister's media advisor L.R. Sailo told IANS. He said Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla in a letter to his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan expressed solidarity with the people of Kerala and also informed that all the 34 Congress legislators have announced to contribute Rs 1 lakh each for the relief of the flood victims. Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 22 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday pressed the Modi government to accept the $100 million aid offered by the UAE for flood relief as the numbers sheltered in over 3,000 camps in the state rose to 1.2 million. Vijayan's comments came as Congress leaders too, in a rare show of political unanimity, urged the central government not to reject the Rs 700 crore offered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), home to hundreds of thousands of Keralites. There were no rains for a second day in Kerala. Thousands returned to their flood-hit homes to clean up and start life anew. But many more were simply dazed on seeing what remained of their homes. A labourer, Rocky, committed suicide after seeing his flood-battered house near Eranakulam, police said. He is survived by his wife and two children. It was the third such suicide since the waters began to recede after the century's worst flooding in Kerala. Health Minister K.K. Shailaja said people were distressed and announced counselling sessions at relief camps. Vijayan said that over 1.2 million people were still in 3,314 relief camps across the state after having all or most of their possessions. "Today there was none to be rescued. It shows that our first phase of operations - rescue - has been successful," he said. Vijayan said that according to the National Disaster Policy of 2016, funds from foreign governments can be accepted. "As soon as this (UAE) aid was announced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that this was an indeed welcome gesture. "Now with media reports, if need be, we will speak to the Prime Minister," he said. India has refused to accept overseas donations for flood relief in Kerala, Thailand's Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi said. Vijayan said the UAE "cannot be considered any other nation". "Indians, especially Keralites, have contributed immensely in their nation building," he said. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan had telephoned Modi and made the offer of assistance, the Chief Minister had said earlier. Two former Congress Chief Ministers, A.K. Antony and Oommen Chandy, urged the Modi government to rewrite rules so that financial support from abroad could be accepted. The central government's offer of help to Kerala was "disappointing", Chandy added. Even as the number of people in the relief camps has gone up, people were seen returning to their homes in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Pathanamthitta, parts of Thrissur and Ernakulam. A large number of volunteers was seen engaging in cleaning up operations of houses that had been submerged in water for days. Earlier, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala told the media that the flood tragedy was caused by lack of coordination between the Power Minister, the Water Resource Ministers and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). "This monsoon, Kerala received 41.44 per cent more rains and all the (sluice gates of the) dams were opened without proper analysis or impact studies... People were totally unaware that the dams were being opened," he said. "This is nothing but a man-made disaster." Vijayan hit back, saying this was not the time for fault-finding. In any case, he accused Chennithala of speaking without knowing the facts. "What one should realise is that from August 14 to 17, in Idukki alone 811 mm of rain was received, which is more than double of what it normally gets. "It was just not the dam waters but rain water added to the flooding... In some areas where floods occurred there are no dams." Dam Safety Authority Chairman Justice (retd) C.N. Ramachandran Nair added: "Things are being exaggerated and I do not believe all the allegations that have been raised are true." New Delhi, Aug 22 : Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has declared its screening committee to finalise the four candidates, who will contest the central panel posts in the impending Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) polls. The student groups shared the names on Wednesday to finalise the names of the contestants, a list which is likely to be issued in the first week of September. The six-member team comprises Ankit Dedha and Karishma Thakur (both general secretary), Anushesh Sharma and Abhishek Choudhary (both secretary in-charge, Delhi state), Yogesh Sharma (coordinator training), and Akshay Lakra (president, Delhi state). The group, which holds the posts of president and vice president in the union, will issue its manifesto in two days. Like any election in the country, candidates running for top posts in the university elections are known for strong campaigning in the run-up to the polls, mainly through paper posters, flyers, and spraying paints to write names of candidates on campus walls and on pavements. A similar style campaigning last year landed candidates from NSUI and its rival party RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in High court, which reprimanded them for littering the campus and ordered them to clean it up along with other places vandalised by spray paint. Lakra, however, insisted that NSUI did not indulge in the any paper campaign last year nor is it going to do any such this time, abiding by the Lyngdoh Committee guideline laid down for campus elections. "We have already started campaigning and we are not using any paper material. We are following the High court instructions and will abide by the Lyngdoh Committee guideline... It is our own city, why would we dirty it for 10-day election?" Lakra told IANS. The university has already announced its poll panel to oversee the exercise. The dates for polling and declaration of results are yet to be announced, but these may be out in the second week of September, as happened last year. In last year's DUSU polls, NSUI's Rocky Tuseed and Kunal Sehrawat won the posts of President and Vice President, while Mahamedhaa Nagar and Uma Shankar of ABVP secured the posts of Secretary and Joint Secretary. (Vishal Narayan can be contacted at vishal.n@ians.in) New York, Aug 22 : Authorities have arrested a man who had worked at a store in the city's suburb of East Orange and charged him with the murder of Tarlok Singh, the Sikh who owned the shop, according to the local prosecutor's office. The Essex County prosecutor's office announced the arrest of Roberto Ubiera, 55, on Tuesday. Singh, 55, was found dead with stab wounds on Friday morning inside his store, Park Deli and Grocery, in the New Jersey town. NJ Advance Media quoted officials as saying that Ubeiro had done odd jobs at the store. Ubiera is in custody and is to be produced in court on Thursday. The killing of Singh was the third attack on Sikhs in three weeks in the US that sent shockwaves through the community. Only two them have been solved so far. Ubeiro is a Latino. A teen arrested in the August 6 attack on Sahib Singh Natt in Manteca, California, is Tyrone McAllister, 18, the African American son of a police chief, Darryl McAllister of Union City. In both cases they have not been charged with hate crime. In the third incident, Surjit Singh Malhi, 50, was attacked by two unidentified men when he was putting up a campaign sign on his pickup truck for Republican Congressman Jeff Denham in Keyes, about 50 km from Manteca, media reports said. Malhi said they shouted, "Go back to your country," beat him and spray-painted his truck with a white nationalist symbol and wrote "go back to ur country" on it, according to KCRA TV. Officials are investigating this incident as a hate crime. Customers who spoke to the WABC TV soon after the killing of Tarlok Singh, whose first name was initially spelled as "Terloka", described him as "extremely generous". One of them, Anthony Pointdexter, said he was a "great guy, never bother nobody". He added: "He works 7 to 7 every day. One of the hardest (working) people I've ever met." The TV said that Singh's wife and children live in India. New Delhi, Aug 22 : India on Wednesday politely declined financial aid from other countries to flood-devastated Kerala where 370 people have died so far. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), home to around 2.8 million expatriate Indians, most of whom hail from Kerala, has offered Rs 700-crore aid. "The government of India deeply appreciates offers from several countries to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts after the tragic floods," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in response to queries. "In line with the existing policy, the government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts," Kumar said. "Contributions to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund from NRIs, PIOs and international entities such as foundations would, however, be welcome." Various political leaders from Kerala have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow foreign aid. Sources earlier in the day told IANS that because of a decision taken by then UPA-I government after the 2004 tsunami, the Centre will not be accepting foreign financial aid. The UPA-II government too reiterated New Delhi's position after the 2013 cloudburst in Uttarakhand in which over 5,700 people died. The sources here referred to the government's statement then that said that "as a general policy in case of rescue and relief operations we have followed the practice that we have adequate ability to respond to emergency requirements". The statement said that for a variety of reasons, India has not in the past too, unless there are specific circumstances, been able to accept offers of assistance for rescue and relief. "Beyond the rescue and relief phase there are other phases," the ministry had stated. "These are rehabilitation, reconstruction, and so on. If reconstruction and other measures are provided for those elements, we will examine how they fit into the broader plan in terms of rehabilitation and reconstruction in the region and take a call at that stage rather than say that this was for all times," the ministry had said in the aftermath of the Uttarakhand cloudburst. Apart from the UAE, Qatar has offered Rs 36 crore and the Maldives $50,000 as financial aid to Kerala. Meanwhile, Thailand's Ambassador to New Delhi tweeted about India not accepting overseas donations for flood relief in Kerala. "Informally informed with regret that the government of India is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you, the people of Bharat," Chutintorn Gongsakdi said. Kolkata, Aug 22 : West Bengal ruling party Trinamool Congress on Wednesday formed a committee comprising city intellectuals to counter the rise of Bharatiya Janata Party in the state and campaign against its policies at the Centre. The committee headed by West Bengal Minister of State for Information and Culture Indranil Sen was formed following a meeting between the party and a group of intellectuals at the Trinamool Congress headquarters. Writer Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri, painter Subhaprasanna and actor Chiranjeet Chakraborty are also in the committee that would campaign across Bengal against the alleged communalism spread by the saffron outfit. The intellectuals will also raise their voice against a number of steps taken by the Central government including the National Register of Citizens in Assam. "There is a situation of intolerance in the country under the current regime. Incidents of violence are taking place at regular intervals. It is the duty of the civil society and the intellectuals to hit the streets against such practises," Subhaprasanna said after the meeting. New Delhi, Aug 22 : Congress on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scared as Rafale deal was a "monumental scam" of his government and noted that it was not scared of legal notices being sent out by his "crony friends", when it came to the issue of corruption and was even ready to go to jail. Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil while talking to mediapersons said: "I received a notice (from ADAG). I had sent a preliminary reply to them pertaining to the notice. whatever we speak, we say it on the basis of facts." "We do it as a responsible political party. When something is said on the basis of facts, it never so happened that an industrialist had sent a notice to a political party. But, since Rafale is a monumental scam of Modiji, this is the grandmother of all scams, so they are very scared," he added. Gohil also said: "So, in haste, they are sending us legal notices through his friends. We have put everything in public domain based on facts." "We have put in public domain what has already been discussed in Parliament in presence of the Defence Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman)," said the congress leader. ADAG Chairman Anil Ambani has written to Congress President Rahul Gandhi saying that the party has been "misinformed, misdirected and misled" by malicious vested interests and corporate rivals on the offsets related to the Rafale fighter jet deal. Gohil further said: "We are not going to get scared by such legal notices when we are fighting against corruption in public interest. Modiji can keep sending such legal notices in order to frighten us. He can enjoy doing it. But, nobody is going to get scared." "In our fight against corruption, there is law, courts..and if in this fight we have to go to jail, we are not worried about it," he added. Gohil further explained that the notice was sent by ADAG's legal firm. "It was sent on the behest of Anil Ambani. I have replied to the notice. They had framed three issues. I have documents on all the three issues. These are all available in public domain. I have all the evidence." "The notice stated they incurred a loss of Rs 5000 crore because of my statement. Modiji can incur such a big loss," he said scarcastically. "In the second notice, it stated that I should not say something for which I could be dragged into civil or criminal matter," he said. Gohil also said: "I want to assure all the industrialists that those who do honest business, we are with them. But wherever, there will be loot of the country through dishonest means, we will definitely raise our voice with all the facts. "Modiji is scared because of corruption. If he tries to scare us, then our Congress President Rahul Gandhi has given a message to the country "Daro Mat". We are not going to get sacred," he added. Previously, Salesforce was in advanced talks to lease space in the 53-story tower under construction at 110 N. Wacker Drive, where GGPs former low-rise headquarters was razed. That option appears to be off the table because Bank of America claimed naming rights when it signed the first lease in the building. New Delhi, Aug 22 : Kerala government can seek assistance of the United Nations to rebuild the flood-ravaged state, if needed, through organising an 'international reconstruction conference', Thiruvananthapuram MP and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor said on Wednesday. Based on his conversations with several UN aid agencies officials in Geneva during August 20-21, Tharoor asked the state to examine whether it requires the situation in Kerala to be assessed by the various agencies of the United Nations. "Depending on whether the quantum of long term reconstruction assistance from the central government is adequate, the state government could give thought to holding an international reconstruction conference to 'Rebuild Kerala better' in partnership with the UN system so that significant international assistance in reconstruction can be facilitated," Tharoor said in a statement issued at the end of his visit. Since most rescue work is complete in the state, it could request two million WHO stock of anti-cholera vaccines to minimise the risk of grave water-borne diseases, he suggested, as offered by the agency during his visit. Meeting the officials of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), World Health Organisation (WHO), and International Red Cross, in informal capacity, Tharoor explored ways through which situation in Kerala can be alleviated. WHO, according to the statement, is ready to offer Kerala diagnostic kits to test water, water filters and monitoring non-communicable disease patients on medication. So far, 357 individuals have lost their lives and lakhs have been displaced in the worst floods to hit Kerala since 1924. In the statement, the Congress leader stressed that he had visited these officials in his personal capacity and at personal expenses out of a "moral responsibility" as a Keralite. Mumbai, Aug 23 : Jet Airways on Wednesday said that its Board will consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 on August 27. According to a BSE filing, the "Audit Committee and the Board of Directors" will, inter-alia, take up the matter in relation to the cost reduction initiatives and turnaround plan. The airlines management had earlier sought time and deferred the consideration of unaudited financial results for the first quarter of the current financial year 2018-19. On August 9, the company in a BSE filing said: "...Board of Directors of the Company, at its meeting held today (Thursday), deferred the matter of consideration of the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended 30 June, 2018." "It may be noted that the Audit Committee did not recommend the said financial results to the Board for its approval, pending closure of certain matters," it added. Recently, the airline said that it is regular in all its payment obligations to bank and statutory dues including PF obligations. It had pointed out that no differences of opinion existed between the company and its statutory auditors and that the airline has been working on various cost and revenue initiatives to mitigate the significant increase in fuel rates and depreciation in rupee. GUEST OBSERVATION Australia is, apparently, in the midst of a population crisis just this month, we passed the milestone of 25 million people. The nature of the crisis depends on the day and who you ask. Size and growth have become an increasing public preoccupation, particularly as immigration has held firm over the last 12 years as the major contributor to population growth. Australias workforce is shrinking due to population ageing. This puts more pressure on young people to contribute enough personal income tax to fund the Australia weve become accustomed to. Immigration is one way to ensure Australia has the labour force it needs to offset the financial challenges of an ageing population. But the population and population growth is unequal across Australia. The Turnbull government has signalled it will introduce a population policy (of sorts) by the end of the year. This will reportedly focus on settlement of immigrants in regions outside major cities. The problem is that many people are conflicted about whether the population should continue to grow at all. A population policy offers a way for the country to be prepared and respond to the current and future needs of Australians. So, what would a good population policy look like? Well-being, not control The difficulties of the breadth of population-related matters in policy can be overcome, or at least minimised, by having a minister or agency with oversight over the progress of the population framework. The framework, which would include measurable indicators, would report and monitor success towards population-related well-being. This could provide an opportunity for the public to be involved and remain informed. Population policies are usually focused on the components of population change: births, deaths and migration. Many people hold the mis-perception population policies are about control, and this isnt surprising given the restrictive population policies in China. But contemporary population policies, for countries like Australia, are less about controlling numbers and more about ensuring population well-being. The core tenet of a population policy for Australia should be about the populations quality of life, now and into the future. Health and education are central to quality of life. Babies born today or in the future should receive sufficient government investment to have a good start at life, particularly with respect to health and education. This means adequate housing and welfare support for families and children, quality equitable education and accessible and affordable health-care. Gender inequality both at home and in the workplace are important elements to the population policy puzzle. Childcare and family support payments are crucial to population well-being, particularly among working parents. A contemporary population policy for Australia should also include considerations of the use of land for agriculture, mining, water consumption and sources, and the degradation of natural parklands. Mandated environmental behaviours are overdue, and crucial to food and climate security. Not the size that matters Focus on population growth rates and size belies the nuances of the population context. Its not size or growth that matters, but the characteristics and distribution of the population. Strategies that seek to attract and retain populations outside the city limits will take the pressure off cities with the highest growth such as Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. And these strategies shouldnt just consider immigrants are beneficiaries of settlement incentives Australian locals could participate in such a scheme. Essential services, such as schools and hospitals, are based around populations. That is, hospitals are built where there is already enough demand. Yet adequate infrastructure must already be present for viable communities in regional areas to attract people to move there. A settlement strategy could also incorporate investigations and investments in the way Australian towns and associated infrastructure can best support communities. This can include such things as employment opportunities, appropriate housing, transport and telecommunications. Nhill, a town in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, embarked on a strategic resettlement program for a group of Karen refugees from Myanmar in 2010. A report by Deloitte Access Economics showed an estimated increase of more than A$40 million in Gross Regional Product over five years as a result of this strategy. This serves as a good example for how community and industry can work together to attract people to help bolster local business. A policy is long overdue Population ageing means we need to take action now to guarantee Australias future social and demographic sustainability. Australia is long overdue for a sensible strategy for the future. Australia doesnt need an immigration plebiscite (or even consensus) or another population inquiry to advance a population policy. We need evidence based decision-making which will ensure sustainability and quality of life into the future. Public consultation and government-commissioned quality research to inform the future needs of the migration program will ensure the parameters of population policy are right for Australia. A population policy for Australia should provide a blueprint for the future; a framework for what the nation aspires to be, and achievable goals to get there. Liz Allen, Demographer, ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, Australian National University This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Fractional property investment platform BrickX have bought their first regional property in Central Victoria. They've spent $401,000 on a two bedroom home in Soldiers Hill, a small suburb of Ballarat. BrickX suggest regional Victoria has been popular with first home buyers, families and investors who have been priced out of the Melbourne market in the last 12 months. "Ballarat is particularly attractive due to its quieter lifestyle, picturesque town centre and proximity to Melbourne," BrickX advised. The last two bedroom home to sell on the street fetched $295,000, while another two bedroom home on the street sold for $275,000 late last year. There's been over eight percent annual historic region growth over the last two decades. The 418 sqm block of land sold for $200,000 in 2010 before the home was built. BrickX are offering Bricks at $33 per Brick, their cheapest offering across their 16 properties. The buyers agent Cate Bakos recently suggested recent capital growth run over the last four years had adversely impacted the median rental yield figures. "The rising rents have not kept up with the rising house prices; and this is not unusual," adding state-based stamp duty concessions for first home buyers had played a part in the growth trajectory of Victoria's more affordable regional centers. She noted Soldiers Hill was the favoured suburb for most Melburnian investors "who aspire to a Fitzroy styled suburb with turn of the century buildings, brick terraces and wide, tree-lined streets and the beautiful city center within short walking distance." Soldiers Hill has enjoyed a reported 8.2% average annual capital growth of late and the popularity of postcode 3350 continues to attract newcomers to the area. The underlying growth prospects for Ballarat as a city relates to job growth, increased employer options, new government contracts and easier commutes to Melbourne, Bakos suggests. Rail upgrades that have enabled faster train travel, increased services and the continued introduction of government de-centralised services have enabled Ballarat to become a stand-out option for first home buyers, upgraders, downsizers and local buyers. It's the second Brickx purchase this year after the innovative platform spent $639,000 on a one bedroom apartment in Darlinghurst. BrickX went on a buying spree last year, securing six properties. They started with a $1.3 million Surry Hills townhouse, before buying an $885,000 Potts Point one bedder and $1.11 million two bedroom apartment in Manly. They then bought their second Melbourne property, a $1.19 million, three bedroom house in Brunswick. A $1.83 million Balmain East home followed, before Brickx ventured in to Adelaide for the first time, securing a two bedroom St Peters home for $825,100. When entering the Adelaide market, CEO Anthony Millet said he wanted to offer investors diversity and an alternative to the Sydney and Melbourne property markets. Lendlease has officially reported a slowdown in its Australian residential sales. Slowing sales in projects were highlighted by its Collins Wharf 1 project which sits at 89% sold. The Melbourne project was at 87% sold a year earlier. It is marketed as one of the citys most esteemed addresses, designed by architects Bates Smart. Located within the Victoria Harbour Precinct on Melbournes Bourke and Collins Streets, No.1 Collins Wharf is being marketed as poised to set a new benchmark in waterfront living. It offers apartments on just a 5% deposits. Group chief executive Steve McCann conceded "most markets are past their peak" when he presented the latest annual report which triggered a 2% drop in its share price yesterday. Mr McCann said there was a tightening of credit due to higher debt costs, and regulatory impacts, partly from the banking royal commission, which had seen inquiries drop off recently. We are not calling a massive correction, but we do see a bit of a slowdown, he told The Australian. Luxury unit markets offshore had also been soft a for a while, he added. Lendlease's local apartment completions nearly halved. Completions in the year to June fell to 1314 from 2533 a year earlier. Apartment projects were completed in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and London. Presold lots in its big residential communities slowed to 3,231 lots in financial 2018 from 3,896 in the previous period. Land lot completions across the Australian master planned communities portfolio sat at 3,912. Key projects included Springfield Lakes in Queensland and Jordan Springs in New South Wales. And its settlement failures increased. Earlier this year it advised Brisbane was the most challenging inner-city apartment market in the country. "Inevitably there will be a rise in defaults in this market over the short term," the developer pointed out. "We are working through our relatively small exposure at our RNA projects in Brisbane, including identifying potential alternate buyers, or holding the residual units for a period and renting them out." It has just 15 active projects, with its focus overseas. Major property developer Lend Lease is hedging against an Australian slowdown by expanding developments offshore. In announcing a 4.5% rise in full-year profit to $793 million, Lendlease pointed to its full pipeline of projects in Europe, the US and Asia as driving medium term growth. About 60% of Lendlease's $72 billion development pipeline is offshore. The communities pipeline consists of an estimated 52,333 lots across four continents. The backlog of apartments for sale has grown from 22,000 last year to 26,000. The listed developer advised it was bracing for rising defaults in Brisbane's oversupplied apartment market. Its chairman of the board, David Crawford departs following the 2018 Annual General Meeting, having served as chairman since 2003. Michael Ullmer is his successor. InCycle Wins Again! We are delighted to have been recognized two years in a row. This is a testament to our extraordinary team and the value we bring to our customers. InCycle Software (InCycle) announced it has been named finalist in the 2018 Microsoft DevOps Partner of the Year Award. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners last week at InSpire, Microsofts annual partner conference. This industry recognition demonstrates excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology. This marks the second year in a row that InCycle is recognized by Microsoft and the third time since 2014. We are delighted to have been recognized two years in a row. This is a testament to our extraordinary team and the value we bring to our customers. Martin Rajotte President, InCycle Awards were presented in several categories, with winners chosen from a set of more than 2,600 entrants from 115 countries worldwide. InCycle was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services in DevOps Partner of the Year. The DevOps Partner of the Year Award recognizes a partner who excels at delivering modern software through the connected use of Microsofts developer tools and platforms. Partners must demonstrate a substantial impact on a customers business through their effort to design or support the creation of innovative apps based on Azure. About InCycle InCycle believes there is a better way to do software. Today, that includes the cloud. Our most successful customers are seeking to increase innovation and competitiveness by modernizing applications, infrastructure and processes. Our A team provides hands-on professional services to accelerate cloud adoption by using a proven framework, proprietary technologies and modernization accelerators. Unlike most consulting firms that have generic infrastructure approach to cloud migrations, InCycle recommends an application focused strategy. This allows customers to finance initiatives based on value and opportunity as opposed to merely supporting better (or different) infrastructure. Our customers to realize more value --- faster. More information can be found at http://www.incyclesoftware.com/. To learn more about us and our services, visit us at http://www.incyclesoftware.com/. Three Brothers Bakery during Hurricane Harvey, August 2017 We applied for this award to highlight the difficulties small businesses experience after disasters and to use our story when we speak to lawmakers about changes that would help small businesses recover, says Janice Jucker, co-owner of Three Brothers Bakery. Earlier this year, Three Brothers Bakery received the Small Business Associations 2018 Phoenix Award for Outstanding Small Business Disaster Recovery, following Hurricane Harvey. The bakery suffered nearly $1 million in losses at its original store location on South Braeswood Boulevard in Southwest Houston. The main store and production facility were inundated with four-and-a-half feet of water as Hurricane Harvey dumped more than 50 inches of rain on Houston within four days. The bakerys resilience, previous experience from five other disasters and almost $1 million in small business disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration allowed the bakery to re-open less than three weeks following the storm. Bakery co-owner Janice Jucker credits their bakery staff, flood insurance, the SBA and their previous disaster recovery experience as the catalyst to recuperating quickly in the wake of a disaster. Since 1998, the U.S. Small Business Administration has presented Phoenix Awards to business owners, public officials and volunteers who displayed selflessness, ingenuity and tenacity in the aftermath of a disaster, while contributing to the rebuilding of their communities. We cannot thank the SBA enough for the tools they provide us to grow and now to remain open, said Janice Jucker, co-owner of Three Brothers Bakery. We applied for this award to highlight the difficulties small businesses experience after disasters and to use our story when we speak to lawmakers about changes that would help small businesses recover, said Jucker. Since 2001, the bakery has endured four floods, a hurricane and a fire. To stay prepared and ready for any imminent natural disaster threat, Janice Jucker advises other small business owners to have a plan in place. As a small business owner, its essential to have every kind of hazard insurance you can have with the lowest deductible, because cash will be essential following a disaster, said Jucker. After disaster hits, the most important thing you can do is find your employees and make sure theyre accounted for and their needs are met, which includes making sure they are paid on schedule. You can put everything else on a credit card, but you cannot put your payroll on a charge card, so having cash is imperative. Jucker also advises business owners to have financial statements in order, as they are needed to quickly settle business interruption claims or to obtain a loan. She also recommends businesses develop a relationship with a local restoration company well in advance of any disasters. For more information regarding Three Brothers Bakery, Harvey recovery progress and business continuity plans please contact Amy Verbout at 713-225-0880 or amy(at)integrateagency(dot)com. About Three Brothers Bakery The traditions of Three Brothers Bakery began in Chrzanow, Poland circa 1825, and were preserved despite the familys concentration camp imprisonment during the Holocaust. Their miraculous liberation, and subsequent move to Houston, brought Eastern European scratch baking traditions to 4036 S. Braeswood Blvd, 12393 Kingsride Lane, and 4606 Washington Ave where the owners are now proud to call themselves memory makers who just happen to be bakers. Perfecting the process for almost 200 years, each day the fifth generation bakers produce mostly dairy-free breads and pastries, cookies, a full line of specialty dessert cakes and pies, as well as custom birthday, special occasion, wedding and grooms cakes using only the highest quality ingredients. The Three Brothers Bakery pecan pie was named the best mail order pecan pie America has to offer by Country Living magazine in 2016, bakery owner, Bobby Jucker competed in the popular Food Network Challenge and has been seen on Food Networks Outrageous Food. Three Brothers won Best Mail-Order Pies 2012 from Bon Appetit, as well as Modern Bakings 2013 Retail Bakery of the Year and was part of The Knots 2010-2013 Best of Weddings and Hall of Fame picks. In 2013, the bakery wont the Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year by the Houston division of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Most recently, Three Brothers Bakery was named one of Americas 20 Best Bakeries by The Daily Meal in 2016 and in 2018, the bakerys Pumpecapple Pie Cake was featured on BuzzFeeds Worth It web series. Brothers Bakery is a certified Woman-Owned Business through the Womens Business Enterprise National Council, and a State of Texas Historically Underutilized Business. In 2018, Three Brothers Bakery received the SBA Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery. Follow Three Brothers Bakery on Facebook and Twitter for Houston area news, information and events. Accel at College Station Transitional Care & Rehabilitation Accel at College Station's agreement with United Healthcare for Medicare and Commercial Life coverage delivers flexibility and choice for patient insurance options. The Agreement Delivers Medicare and Commercial Life Coverage for Accel at College Station, a StoneGate Senior Living Facility Serving Brazos County Families Accel at College Station, a StoneGate Senior Living facility, announces it has secured an agreement for Medicare and Commercial Life coverage with United Healthcare, effective September 1, 2018. This newest agreement is a separate offering from the current contract with United Healthcare for Medicaid managed care. It provides an expanded opportunity for Accel at College Station to serve the transitional, rehabilitative, long-term and respite care needs of the community. Serving the patients, residents and the families within the Accel at College Station community with excellence is our priority and our promise, says Kimberly McFall, administrator, Accel at College Station. The additional agreement with United Healthcare for Medicare and Commercial Life coverage means expanded options, flexibility and choice in insurance options for our patients. About Accel at College Station Accel at College Stations 116-bed facility serves as both an in-patient transitional care center and outpatient center. The new facility, which opened its doors in November 2017, provides transitional postacute care services, including physical, occupational and speech therapy rehabilitation services. Accel at College Station practices a lifetime wellness philosophy, with services committed to delivering comprehensive intellectual, spiritual, mental and social wellness for its patients. The facility also focuses on such high-priority care practices as wound care, bariatric treatment, stroke and cardiopulmonary recovery, orthopedic care and infectious disease treatment. For more information, visit: https://accelcollegestation.com. About StoneGate Senior Living StoneGate Senior Living is an award-winning, full-spectrum senior care and housing company with 44 properties across Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. Recently ranked as the nations 31st largest transitional and long-term care company by Provider magazine, StoneGate is a fully-integrated, post-acute health care company with service-lines and business units that offer transitional care, long-term care, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, wellness, pharmacy, care navigation and post-acute analytical services. Learn more at http://www.stonegatesl.com/. We are grateful to the National Institutes of Health for giving us the opportunity to address this challenging clinical need." - Christopher Cooney, PhD, Akonni Director of Engineering Akonni Biosystems, a molecular diagnostics (MDx) company that develops, manufactures, and intends to market advanced MDx systems, today announced receipt of a $3 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Last year Akonni received a 2017 North American New Product Innovation Award from Frost and Sullivan, which highlighted the potential of its unique, cost-effective diagnostic platform, TruDiagnosis. This grant in particular will help Akonni accelerate the commercialization of its proprietary TruArray test for Tuberculosis and simultaneous drug susceptibility testing (DST) on its TruDx 3000 sample-to-answer diagnostic platform. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Tuberculosis (TB) continues to cause significant mortality and morbidity throughout the world, recently surpassing HIV as the single largest killer of all infectious diseases. Of all diseases, TB represents one of, if not the greatest, health disparities between socioeconomic classes. Further compounding this health disparity is the prevalence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) cases. Each year there are approximately 500,000 new cases of MDR-TB, 10% of which have XDR-TB. Current diagnostic methodologies, available primarily to affluent healthcare communities, utilize microbial cultures, which require sophisticated laboratories and weeks before a result can be determined. In addition, difficulties for lower socioeconomic persons to commute and/or follow up with their physicians can result in a lack of appropriate treatment, potentially leading to further drug resistance. Akonnis recent strategic partnership with one of the leading molecular diagnostic companies in China, Righton Inc., will use their established sales distribution network to address the estimated 1 million new cases of tuberculosis each year in China. A low cost, point-of-care solution for guiding the treatment of drug resistant TB is desperately needed in low- and middle-income countries where few options for rapid diagnosis exist. A robust, portable device that can not only detect, but also characterize specific drug resistance profiles directly from a patient sample has the potential to transform drug resistant TB treatment globally, and is critical for achieving the World Health Organizations goal of a world free of TB, said Timothy Rodwell, MD, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor in the Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine at University of California, San Diego. The Akonni TB test on the TruDx 3000 includes an automated method of extracting DNA from sputum and a proprietary Lab-on-a-Film TM diagnostic consumable, which consists of hundreds of molecular sensors printed on a conventional plastic film. This film replaces costly microarray glass, and the simple, yet elegant microfluidic design eliminates the need for expensive, complex pumps, valves or special coatings. The promise of this assembly strategy is that manufacturing throughout can increase from one part per minute using standard robotics to one part per second using the newspaper printing production method commonly known as reel-to-reel manufacturing. We are grateful to the National Institutes of Health for giving us the opportunity to address this challenging clinical need, said Christopher Cooney, PhD, Principal Investigator on this project and Director of Engineering for Akonni. About Akonni Biosystems Akonni Biosystems was founded in 2003 and has been issued 21 US and 37 International patents primarily covering sample preparation, microfluidic devices, bioinstrumentation, and integrated systems. Product development has been supported by a series of government grants and contracts from NIH, CDC, DOE, DOD, NIJ, and NSF. The company significantly advanced the original technology by improving the systems capabilities from sample preparation to test result. Commercial products in Akonnis near-term pipeline include rapid sample preparation technologies for nucleic acid extraction and multiplex panel assays for detecting clinically relevant genotypes for pharmacogenomics, human chronic diseases, and genotypes for infectious diseases such as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), upper respiratory infections, viral encephalitis, and hospital-acquired infections (MRSA). Based on its recent analysis of microarray-based applications in the molecular diagnostics (MDx) market, Frost & Sullivan recognized Akonni Biosystems with the prestigious 2017 North American New Product Innovation Award. We are confident that August Spark's expertise at the intersection of media and technology, along with their strong history working with brands, makes them our ideal partner. BVAccel, one of the largest and fastest growing Shopify Plus agencies, announced today that it has taken a majority investment from August Spark, a New York-based family office. August Spark founders, Michael Cassidy and Stephen Wall, will join BVAccels Board of Directors as part of the transaction. BVAccel, which launched in 2013, boasts a successful track-record of scaling innovative brands, such as MVMT Watches, RedBull, Rebecca Minkoff, Tommy John, Chubbies, UNTUCKit, and Boll & Branch. As one of the pioneer Shopify Plus agency partners, BVAccel has designed, developed, and optimized many cutting-edge digital storefronts. Customers also leverage BVAccels marketing services due to their unique understanding of the customer journey and ability to drive decision-making through data. This combination of eCommerce, design, and marketing expertise creates a unique offering for high-growth, high-volume brands looking to serve consumers across multiple channels and devices. BVAccel has been recognized as a member of the Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies list and has also been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in San Diego by San Diego Business Journal. Prior to August Spark, Michael Cassidy was the founding CEO of Undertone, a leading advertising technology company that was successfully acquired by marketing software firm Perion in 2015. August Spark was created to address the gap in investor expertise in the marketing and business services space, largely due to the proliferation of technology and the imperative for digital-first offerings. As a family office, August Spark takes a long-term, founder-friendly approach to its investment timeline versus the typical five to seven-year horizon of most private equity and venture capital firms. BVAccel is uniquely positioned to help the next generation of retailers and brands build technology, promote their products, and expand into physical retail and beyond, said Michael Cassidy, Founder and Partner of August Spark. The company is only beginning to scratch the surface of its potential. August Spark took the time to learn our business and build a relationship with our team, said Kyle Widrick, Co-Founder of BVAccel. We are confident that their expertise at the intersection of media and technology, along with their strong history working with brands, makes them our ideal partner. With the new capital, BVAccel plans to increase headcount in key areas, including sales, marketing, and service lines, and will also invest in employee development and training. Additionally, the investment will allow BVAccel to greatly accelerate its product roadmap and build new capabilities to support global customers, including Amazon, offline sales support, and more. About BVAccel: Brand Value Accelerator (BVAccel) is a design, development, and marketing agency that equips merchants with strategies driven by the relentless pursuit of profit and loyalty. As one of the pioneer Shopify Plus agency partners, BVAccel has helped scale hundreds of digital brands. Headquartered in San Diego, CA with additional offices in Columbus, OH, Los Angeles, CA, and New York, NY, the BVAccel team consists of more than 125 eCommerce strategists, designers, developers, data scientists, marketers, and more. About August Spark: August Spark is a NY-based family office focused on investments in marketing, technology, and business services. The firm focuses on profitable companies where it can leverage its expertise in sales and marketing, setting and executing against growth strategy initiatives, building and supporting a great company culture, and digital transformations. We are pleased to be included again on this list of the nations most successful private companies, said C2 Education CEO Peter Waller. C2 Education (C2) the nations premier network of subject tutoring, SAT, ACT and PSAT test prep and college admissions counseling centers announced that the company was named one of the Top 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the country by Inc. magazine for the seventh time. The list represents the fastest growing entrepreneurial companies in the nation. We are pleased to be included again on this list of the nations most successful private companies, said C2 Education CEO Peter Waller. With college admissions more competitive than ever, we have been able to expand our footprint and offerings to help more and more students get into their dream colleges. If your company is on the Inc. 5000, its unparalleled recognition of your years of hard work and sacrifice, said 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. Nationally, C2 has a proven track record of helping students gain acceptance into the countrys top colleges. To date in 2018, C2 students have reported acceptance to over 4,400 colleges with more than $30 million in scholarship offers. This includes 2,500 acceptances to the Top 100 National Universities, per U.S. News & World Reports Best College Rankings, with over $15 million in scholarship offers. About C2 Education C2 Education (http://www.C2education.com) was founded in 1997 by David Kim and Jim Narangajavana, two Harvard students offering private tutoring programs from their dorm room. Now one of the nations leading Tutoring, Test Prep, and College Admissions Counseling organizations, the company has grown to over 180 centers nationwide serving 12,000 students and their families each week. C2 utilizes a unique approach that combines individualized instruction, customized proprietary curriculum and dedicated education experts to create a personalized experience that enables students to master their specific tests and subjects. C2 Education is headquartered in Johns Creek, Georgia. Follow the company on Facebook at facebook.com/c2educate and Twitter at twitter.com/C2education. Media Contact: Kenny Fried Email: kfried(at)aboutbwf(dot)com Phone: 202-468-8200 ClickDimensions, the leading marketing automation platform for Microsoft Dynamics 365 users around the globe, announced today that the companys CEO, Mike Dickerson, has been named one of the Top 50 SaaS CEOs of 2018 by The SaaS Report, ranking 33 on the annual list. The CEOs on this years list were selected based on detailed reviews received by each nominees employees and industry colleagues. CEOs were assessed across several key areas including integrity, intelligence, energy, company culture and company growth, among others. This year, The SaaS Report received nominations on behalf of nearly 400 CEOs. Dickerson joined ClickDimensions in 2016 as CEO to help build on its legacy of success and lead the company from a startup to next-level growth. He has made tremendous strides in his tenure, helping the company scale to serve more than 3,600 customers in 61 countries and charting a vision to support more than 600 active partners as they develop new revenue streams from marketing services. These changes and others brought about an impressive 36 percent increase in revenue from 2016 to 2017. I am completely humbled to be recognized alongside such prominent and respected CEOs, said Dickerson. The real honor belongs to the dedicated people and the long-time partners that have built the best team, the best culture and the best technology in the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem. Dickerson came to ClickDimensions from PGi, a global provider of web conferencing software and collaboration technology, where he served as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. In that role, he developed partnerships with some of the biggest players in the technology industry, including Microsoft. Prior to that, he started PGis Global Collaboration Services division, growing it from $86 million to $240 million in revenue and serving as a trusted advisor to some of the most recognized brands around the globe. Dickerson is also known for his entrepreneurial passion, having founded two startups that have since been sold and working for a venture capital firm that helped technology companies flourish. About ClickDimensions ClickDimensions was founded in 2010 to help Microsoft Dynamics users worldwide bridge the gap between sales and marketing for bigger business wins. The ClickDimensions marketing automation solution brings together essential marketing tools like email marketing, campaign automation, web intelligence, surveys, web forms and landing pages, social marketing and more to help organizations attract more leads, close more sales and more effectively engage customers all from directly within Microsoft Dynamics 365. For more information, visit http://www.clickdimensions.com, follow @ClickDimensions on Twitter or email press@clickdimensions.com. Im honored and humbled to be recognized alongside so many exceptional CEOs of industry-leading SaaS businesses Conversica, the leader in conversational AI for business, today announced that its Chief Executive Officer Alex Terry has been recognized as one of the Top 50 SaaS CEOs of 2018 by The SaaS Report (TSR). SaaS CEOs were selected for the Top 50 based on detailed reviews TSR received from employees and industry colleagues. TSR received nearly 5,000 nominations on behalf of hundreds of CEOs, who were assessed across a number of key areas including integrity, intelligence, energy, company culture, and company growth, among other areas. Im honored and humbled to be recognized alongside so many exceptional CEOs of industry-leading SaaS businesses, said Terry. Conversica is creating the new category of conversational AI for business, and its obviously a team effort to achieve our level of success. While my name is on the list, its the contribution of every employee on our team that made that recognition possible. Terry has over 20 years of leadership experience in high-growth SaaS and artificial intelligence and machine learning companies. Prior to leading Conversica, Terry was CEO at Become, Inc., an award-winning shopping analytics platform using AI and machine learning to provide marketing services to tens of thousands of merchants in North America, Europe and Asia. Terry previously held executive roles with Zoomerang and AOL/Time Warner. A technology and business model innovator, Terry holds multiple patents for his work in internet services, integrated communications, and interactive billing systems. Terry is a frequent guest speaker at industry conferences and has been published and featured in Forbes, VentureBeat, Inc. Magazine, The Economist, and the Wall Street Journal. Since joining Conversica in 2015, Terry has increased annual recurring revenue by over 300 percent and grown the customer base to over 1,200 companies, adding happy customers in a variety of industries, including technology, financial services, education, sports, hospitality, and automotive. He has also overseen the release of award-winning AI Assistants for sales, marketing and customer success, along with new AI capabilities including deep learning and support for multiple communication channels, languages and geographies. About Conversica Conversica is the leader in conversational AI for business and the only provider of AI-driven lead engagement software for marketing and sales organizations. The flagship Conversica AI Sales Assistant helps companies find and secure customers more quickly and efficiently by automatically contacting, engaging, qualifying and following up with leads via natural, two-way conversations. Used by more than 1,000 companies worldwide, Conversicas sales assistants are built on a proven and patented AI platform integrating natural language processing (NLP), natural language generation (NLG), and machine learning (ML) capabilities and engage prospects over multiple communication channels and in multiple languages. Recognized by Gartner as a Cool Vendor, Conversica is a portfolio company of Providence Equity, Kennet Partners and Toba Capital and is headquartered in Foster City, Calif. To learn more, visit conversica.com and follow the company on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Our DMZ tours are very much in demand, says company spokesperson Chuck Shin. Our tour guides are extremely knowledgeable, and provide interesting stories about the war between North and South Korea and the history of the DMZ. Youll see several different venues inside the DMZ and youll get a good understanding of the situation there. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Chuck Shin stresses that because the DMZ is a live military action zone, its important to be guided by the professionals from Cosmojin: We ensure that your visit will be memorable and a lot of fun, but most importantly, we also ensure your safety. The DMZ was created in 1953 as a result of the Korean War, a devastating conflict resulting in the loss of three million lives. A strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula, the DMZ serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. Due to continued hostility, large numbers of troops are still stationed along both sides of the line, each side guarding against potential aggression from the other side. There have been various incidents in and around the DMZ over the years, with military and civilian casualties on both sides. Cosmojins DMZ tour includes stops at the 3rd Tunnel of Aggression, a secret tunnel built by North Korea in the 1970s and discovered by South Korea in 1978. At the time of its discovery, the United Nations estimated the North could move 30,000 men per hour through the tunnel and invade the South with a surprise attack. Also included is a visit to the Dora Observatory, where visitors can look across the DMZ and actually see North Korean residents, Dorasan Railway Station which has been restored in the hopes of an eventual Korean reunification, the War History Pavilion, and a great deal more. Apart from its DMZ tours, Cosmojin offers a variety of other tours and services for visitors to Korea, including tickets for shows and events, shuttle bus tickets, guided tours, walking tours and private tours. The company caters to tourists as well as businesses. About the Company Headquartered in Seoul, Korea, and founded in 2001, Cosmojin Tour Inc. has long been established as a premier travel agency in Korea. Offering a variety of tours that allow visitors to explore Korea in different ways, Cosmojin is proud of its powerful team of expert tour guides as well as the professionalism in hospitality, event management, domestic travel, and airline ticketing. For more information, visit the website at http://eng.cosmojin.com/en Cruise Planners earned three top awards at Carnival Corporation's Worlds Leading Cruise Lines Excellence Awards gala The combination of investing in martech tools and programs along with our commitment to agent training is what makes Cruise Planners agents stand out from all other travel agencies. The results show in our travel agents increased sales year over year. Michelle Fee, Cruise Planners CEO & founder Last week, Cruise Planners won three top awards at the Worlds Leading Cruise Lines Excellence Awards gala hosted by Carnival Corporations largest brands Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. Cruise Planners was the only home-based travel company honored, sweeping the contest winning awards from all three cruise lines. Cruise Planners travel agents continue to increase sales and service clients in ways that consistently prove the value of using a travel agent. At Cruise Planners, we combine our high-touch, and laser-targeted marketing approach with the industrys best technology, said Michelle Fee, CEO and founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. The combination of investing in martech tools and programs along with our commitment to agent training is what makes Cruise Planners agents stand out from all other travel agencies. The results show in our travel agents increased sales year over year. Adolfo Perez, senior vice president of sales and trade marketing for Carnival Cruise Line said: "Cruise Planners is consistently one of Carnival Cruise Line's strongest partners, always demonstrating exceptional dedication, hard work and loyalty toward our brand. Congratulations to Michelle, Vicky and the entire Cruise Planners team for winning Carnival's 2018 Franchise Agency Network Excellence Award." Cruise Planners works tirelessly with Carnival Corporations brand teams to support its nationwide network of travel agents through the companys innovative martech campaigns. Cruise Planners doesnt just provide marketing support for agents, they create multi-touch marketing initiatives including everything from direct mail to email campaigns to social media content backed by data intelligence. All of this has been a game changer in the home-based travel industry, making Cruise Planners agents even more successful. The success of Cruise Planners travel agents is a top priority and Carnival Corporations three sister brands do a great job of working closely with our Home Office Team educating our travel agents about the value proposition of each brand. Over the years, Carnival Corporation has reprioritized travel agents, which is evident in our increased sales across the board. About Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative: Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is the nations largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry. Cruise Planners operates a network of more than 1,800 franchise owners who independently book vacation and travel experiences for their clients. Headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla. since 1994, Cruise Planners supports its network of franchise owners with innovative marketing, booking and technology tools, professional development and training with the industrys top executives. Cruise Planners and has been named the No.1 travel franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 15 consecutive years and was recently featured in Entrepreneur as one of the top 30 franchise innovators in technology. Consistently named as one of the Top Women-Owned Businesses by the South Florida Business Journal, Cruise Planners is on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, has been ranked as the #1 travel franchise by Franchise Business Review for 6 years and is recognized as one of the Top Workplaces by the Sun Sentinel. Cruise Planners has achieved top producer status with every major cruise line including Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Viking Cruises, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, as well as many land vendors such as Travel Impressions and Sandals and Beaches Resorts. As an American Express Travel Representative, Cruise Planners maintains a reputation for quality and offers exclusive American Express Travel benefits such as Pay with Points. Cruise Planners has earned the American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award since 2004, as well as numerous marketing, technology, franchise and philanthropy awards including an International Franchise Association FranTech award for innovation, Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly and Travvy Awards from travAlliance media. Cruise Planners celebrates diversity and supports are troops as one of the Top 50 franchises for Veterans according to GI magazine, the Top Franchise Brand for Veterans according to Franchise Business Review, one of the Top 25 franchises for African-Americans by Black Enterprise magazine and a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. Visit our website, http://www.cruiseplanners.com, for more information or to view the complete list of awards and honors. Stay in Touch: Media can stay up-to-date with Cruise Planners by visiting our media room or Socially Yours page for social media updates and handles. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should locate a travel advisor near them. For those interested in becoming a franchise owner, please visit the Cruise Planners franchise website. Media Contact: Caitlin Gardner, Director of Public Relations Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative CGardner(at)cruiseplanners.com 954-344-8060 Offering an agnostic perspective, Dr. John Sjostedt unravels the content of Jesus true gospel in his new book titled God in Us: Visions of Other Futures (published by Balboa Press AU). To purchase and know more about the book, readers may visit https://www.amazon.com/God-Us-Visions-Other-Futures/dp/1504313437. This spirituality book offers a collection of writings that addresses an array of topics the creation, modifying and moderating free will, parallels between Christianity and Paganism, attaining enlightenment and the presence of evil to name a few. The book speaks of spiritual beings called the Elohim in the Hebrew language or Angels in English, who were created by the Lord God to help him create the universe. An Elohim named Jesus and a group of friends re-created and subdued the Earth and stocked it with life including human life: males and females who were created in the image of the gods, the Elohim. As an agnostic, Sjostedt argues that God is an unprovable hypothesis. He cannot prove he exists, but others cannot prove he does not. However, the author found that, the beauty of the world attests to the hand of God. When asked what he wants readers to take away from the book, Sjostedt states, The understanding as Jesus said: You and I are gods. God in Us: Visions of Other Futures By Dr. John Sjostedt Softcover | 5 x 8in | 168 pages | ISBN 9781504313438 E-Book | 168 pages | ISBN 9781504313421 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Dr. John Sjostedt was born in Adamstown a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales. He graduated from military college, was an army officer and qualified as a Vietnamese linguist. After resigning his commission, he attended theological college in Pasadena, California, and later traveled around the world, becoming a sannyasin, a swami and a spiritual seeker. Sjostedt earned a bachelors degree from the University of Newcastle and a doctorate in psychology. He works in private practice as a counseling psychologist, psychotherapist, drug and alcohol counselor and hypnotherapist. As organizations continue to expand their use of hybrid and cloud-based Microsoft applications, there are legitimate compliance concerns when managing users from around the globe. As the shift to SaaS applications continues to expand, organizations in regulated industries must be able to prove they meet a variety of information security standards. Microsoft-based hybrid and cloud environments require that features and users are regularly added or changed, making them a source of compliance concern. Today, Cygna Labs announced its initial offering, Cygna Auditor, to provide unprecedented insight into ever-changing hybrid infrastructures. Highly performant even in the most complex environments, Cygna Auditor is a simple-to-use, comprehensive, integrated solution that monitors and protects data in Microsoft hybrid-infrastructures, regardless of environment size. Out-of-the-box compliance reporting protects customer and corporate data Cygna Auditor is easy to install and requires no agents, thereby minimizing complexity while keeping the attack surface on monitored servers to a minimum. It supports compliance auditing requirements in Microsoft-based cloud environments for PCI, GDPR, GLBA, ISO 27001, FISMA and SOX. Lowers overhead and empowers IT with unique insight into hybrid-cloud Microsoft environments Provides IT with the ability to easily monitor user access and activities and receive alerts through a single dashboard. Cygna Auditor ensures that organizations have access to complete reporting for Microsoft cloud-based products including Azure Active Directory, Exchange Online, Sharepoint Online, Skype Online and OneDrive for Buisness, as well as on-premise Active Directory and File Server deployments. Christian Ehrenthal, CEO of Cygna Labs and Managing Director at Blackbird Ventures, said: As organizations continue to expand their use of hybrid and cloud-based Microsoft applications, there are legitimate compliance concerns when managing users from around the globe. Cygna Auditor not only provides visibility into these environments, its alerting and reporting capabilities help enterprise IT groups stay one step ahead of threats to meet new regulatory compliance requirements, such as GDPR and do so with little or no impact on the end-user. Join Cygna Labs from September 24-28 at Microsoft Ignite in Orlando, FL, Booth #438 About Cygna Labs Cygna Labs is a leading provider of next-generation SaaS Operations Management software, empowering IT to identify, remediate and apply management and security policies in SaaS-powered environments. Highly performant, scalable and seamless in execution, Cygna Labs provides our global clients with the ability to automatically enforce policies across connected SaaS applications and gain unparalleled visibility into their data. For more information, please visit http://www.cygnalabs.com. Matt McGaffee, Managing Partner of the Iron Auction Group (IAG), today announced the opening of the Iron Auction Group, a new company committed to the resale of construction, mining and agricultural equipment as well as commercial trucks and trailers. Like his partners, Ross McMillan, Jr. and Mike Finley, Matt is a respected and seasoned industry veteran committed to exceeding the expectations of those interested in the auction and sale of heavy equipment. There is a glaring need for the services our company offers, especially from West Virginia to Florida and east to Ohio. We will be taking advantage of all the new technologies to create big results for our customers, McGaffee explained. We promise to quickly become an established leader of asset disposals of construction equipment, on-road trucks and trailers and agriculture equipment. The Iron Auction Group will also work with government agencies and financial institutions looking to divest themselves of equipment and other desirable assets. Between the three principals, they boast almost 60 years of experience and $130M in auction sales. McMillan, Jr. also referenced McGaffee himself. Matt is regarded as of the countrys most gifted and dynamic equipment auction professionals. McGaffees partners are also highly vested in the construction industry, owning their own equipment dealership. They are committed to ensuring that the Iron Auction Group treat their diverse pool of customers with the same level of integrity and attention to detail. People, companies and agencies choose to auction off heavy equipment for a wide array of reasons. Its our job to provide sellers with a more global reach and a world-class sales and marketing platform while exceeding the expectations of all parties involved, Finley added. IAG is also committed to helping customers effectively divest themselves of unwanted equipment in other ways. IAG already has major auctions scheduled for later this year in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic markets. The company is headquartered in Charleston, SC. http://www.ironauctiongroup.com. First Choice Loan Services Comedy Showcase for Barkann Foundation The work that the foundation does, especially for families of Veterans and First Responders, is so extraordinary, and were very excited to help them continue to provide relief and support for families when they need it most. New Jersey-based residential mortgage lender First Choice Loan Services Inc., a Berkshire Bank Company announces its Southampton location will be hosting a Comedy Showcase on Friday, September 28 at the Rose Bank Winery in Newton, Pennsylvania. The event will benefit The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation. The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation was created to help heal the hearts of families across the Delaware Valley whose hearts have been broken by the sudden illness or sudden loss of life of a loved one. Whether it be the sudden death or illness of a parent, the long-term illness of a child, or the loss of a home or property due to fire, flood or disaster, the foundation strives to help families bridge the gap until they can seek long-term stability to lessen the financial burdens due to these, or other, life altering disasters. The Comedy Showcase will feature comedy sets performed by Bill Chiang, Chris Coccia, and Vince Valentine. Tickets are priced at $55 and include an open bar package as well as heavy appetizers by ONeills Catering. The program is designed to provide laughter and levity while at the same time supporting families in times of grief and need. The funds raised from the Comedy Showcase will be distributed to a specific portion of The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation called Hearts for Heroes which helps families of Veterans and First Responders who suffer a loss. Executive Director of The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation Mike Barnes is excited by the support from First Choice Loan Services. At The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation, we know how deeply it hurts when a loved one is lost. We also are aware of the many details and demands that time can bring, not only emotionally but financially and logistically. Thats why we work diligently to be a resource for families facing the unimaginable, said Barnes. When we receive such tremendous support from companies like First Choice Loan Services, were thrilled. Its wonderful to see this organization be so active in its community and truly be devoted to bettering the lives of those who live here. First Choice Loan Services Southampton Branch Managers Linda Leever, James Mayo, and Todd Owens are glad to help support the charitys purpose. With the work we do in the mortgage industry, were fortunate to work with families at one of the happiest times of their lives, when they are purchasing a new home. We are lucky to be a part of a good event. We also know that stories continue beyond the closing of the home and eventually bring a loss, which is why we are so honored to partner with The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation for this Comedy Showcase, said Leever. The work that the foundation does, especially for families of Veterans and First Responders, is so extraordinary, and were very excited to help them continue to provide relief and support for families when they need it most. Tickets for the event can be purchased by visiting The Barkann Foundation website at https://thebarkannfoundation.org/ Information for sponsorship opportunities for the Comedy Showcase can be received by contacting Linda Leever at Linda.Leever(at)fcloans.com About First Choice Loan Services Inc. First Choice Loan Services Inc., a Berkshire Bank Company is headquartered in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Founded in 2009, the company is licensed to originate and close residential mortgage loans nationwide, excluding Arkansas and New York. With 33 locations across 12 states and over 500 employees, First Choice Loan Services Inc. offers FHA and VA programs, Jumbo loans, fixed and adjustable rate loans, and refinancing and renovation programs. First Choice Loan Services Inc. is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #210764. Licensed by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. AZ BK# 0918586. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. Products and services not offered in state of New York. To learn more about First Choice, visit https://fcloans.com/. About Berkshire Bank Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank, America's Most Exciting Bank. The Company, recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and distinctive culture, has $11.6 billion in assets and 113 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey and Pennsylvania providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts Most Charitable Companies in 2017 by the Boston Business Journal. To learn more, visit http://www.berkshirebank.com, call 800-773-5601 or follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. # # # Even as the industry continues to evolve towards more complex technological pipes for running in-app ads, the strength and scale of available advertiser demand remains critical. SDK network-focused demand such as ours can bring significant increases in revenue for developers using AdMob. Leading mobile monetization and marketing company ironSource today announced the availability of their network in Googles AdMob mediation platform. Publishers and developers using AdMob for mobile ad mediation can now benefit from access to ironSources global marketplace of premium performance and brand demand, driving up revenue coming from ad monetization in-app. Were excited to expand our partnership with AdMob and bring our advertiser marketplace to developers in the AdMob ecosystem. Even as the industry continues to evolve towards more complex technological pipes for running in-app ads, the strength and scale of available advertiser demand remains critical, said Tal Shoham, COO Developer Solutions at ironSource. SDK network-focused demand such as ours can bring significant increases in revenue for developers using AdMob, and we look forward to bringing them that added value. ironSource offers one of the industrys largest in-app ad networks, supporting a comprehensive range of ad units including rewarded, video, native and display ads. The companys lightweight SDK is integrated on tens of thousands of the world's top apps, and serves over 1B ad impressions per day in leading games such as Snake vs. Blocks, Adventure Capitalist, Homescapes, Piano Tiles 2 and Rolling Sky. Developers using ironSources network benefit from a large global marketplace of high-quality demand from both performance and brand advertisers looking for premium in-app traffic. "We strongly believe in the power diversified demand sources have in unlocking higher revenues for developers today, continued Shoham. In our fast-moving industry, networks are constantly updating their ad and demand offerings. The best way for a developer to ensure they are maximizing revenue is to work with as many networks as possible. Developers using AdMob who would like to activate the ironSource network can click the following links to access the relevant integration docs for Android, iOS and Unity. Developers looking to integrate the ironSource ad network can do so here. About ironSource ironSource, the leading in-app video advertising platform, makes free-to-play and free-to-use possible for over 1.5B people around the world. We build technologies that help app developers take their apps to the next level, including the industrys largest in-app video network. Since only 2% of users pay to play, we provide tools to engage the other 98%. Thats why over 80K apps use our technologies to grow their app businesses, and why were working with leading companies like Kongregate, Big Fish Games, Zynga and Playrix. We care about good creative and making ads as enjoyable as your games, and our designers sit next to our performance team, making sure data informs every creative decision. Founded in 2010, were a truly global company, with a strong local presence in Tel Aviv, London, New York, San Francisco, Beijing, Bangalore, Seoul and Tokyo. Read more at http://www.ironsrc.com. Jacqueline McDonald, who nurtured a longtime passion and urge to write even before her incredible discovery of her family history, has completed her new book A Daughters Secret: a remarkable true story of a woman uncovering her long-hidden lineage. Author McDonald writes about the lightbulb moment: When my husband ran around the house all happy about his results, being funny talking with a Nigerian accent, I was happy for him and sad that he could never get the names of the people that actually lived in Nigeria. After a few months of hearing Victor talk about his fourth cousin Vivian, I would just nod my head thinking I sure am glad hes communicating with so many others. We had a birthday party down in Brooklyn, New York, for my mother-in-law, and Victor was telling his sisters about the percentage of their bloodlines and his sister Joyce start doing an African dancemight I add that she did so well and I smiled and well . . . That is when the light went on. For some reason, right away I was curious to hear more about my people. Funny how one persons actions can trigger anothers so unexpectedly. Published by New York City-based Page Publishing, Jacqueline McDonalds new book is a vivid true story for anyone who has always been fascinated with ancestry and the surprising roots of origin. Ultimately it is a coming to terms with the full picture of ones identity. Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase A Daughters Secret at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional New York based full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex and time-consuming issues, and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. K. Peters, a BA in history and Spanish degree holder from Colorado State University and currently studying in North Dakota for her JD, has completed her new book Strangers: a potent tale that depicts compassion and willfulness amid the tribulations of fire, blood, animosity, and bigotry. Author Peters writes an intriguing and engaging story that shows how foreigners, migrants, and colonies are treated with such disdain and discomfort: Erik thought hard about what theyd seen in Edinburgh as they rode back. No slaves had been out in the street except those on the auction block. And the citizens had seemed so sanguine about the auction. How could they be? Couldnt they see that those darker-skinned creatures were human too? Or did they just choose not to see it because of the economic profit? That must be it, Erik thought. Humanity often chose to ignore the darker parts of its existence, solely to justify an economic efficiency. But to sell girls so young! And what had Kate meant when she asked if they knew what Atholl did to girls like that? It couldnt be as bad as what he thought. No, that was solely for those who couldnt survive otherwise, or those too base to recognize the immorality of their actions. Published by New York City-based Page Publishing, K. Peters timeless tale follows the life of a woman named Ashlynn Seymour as, along with her friends, she tries to set free a group of slaves in Scotland brought by a prominent, irked duke. Readers who wish to experience this defining work can purchase Strangers at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional New York based full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex and time-consuming issues, and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. Its all based on people I see on the bus on my way to work. You have this routine of getting up early, getting in the bath, going to work every day, Silva said in a phone interview. At some point, you see the same people on the same bus at the same time. I was having a really weird year and going through several issues and troubles. Then, I just sort of wondered, I see this person daily do they have of the same struggles? When I see them, theyre sitting on their phones, but I don't see if they get to work and like it or not, or if they go back home and face big issues. George C. Jalil, MIAMI Chairman of the Board Miami existing condos have now had positive year-over-year gains in five of the last seven months, said MIAMI Chairman of the Board George C. Jalil, a Miami Realtor. Miami-Dade County existing condominium sales increased year-over-year for the fifth time in the last seven months as median prices rose for all properties in July 2018, according to a new report by the MIAMI Association of REALTORS (MIAMI) and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system. Miami existing condo transactions rose 8.2 percent year-over-year in July 2018, from 1,132 to 1,225. Single-family home sales decreased 1.2 percent, from 1,117 to 1,104. Total sales increased 3.6 percent year-over-year, from 2,249 to 2,329. Miami existing condos have now had positive year-over-year gains in five of the last seven months, said MIAMI Chairman of the Board George C. Jalil, a Miami Realtor. Entry-level and mid-priced buyers are fueling much of the sales growth. $150,000 to $400,000 priced condos posted 17.6 percent more sales last month than in July 2017. Sales Dollar Volume Jumps 11.3 Percent to $1.07 Billion Total sales volume increased to $1.07 billion from $961.1 million in July 2017. Existing condo sales volume increased from $416.2 million to $457.7 million (an increase of 10 percent). Single-family home total dollar volume rose 12.4 percent, from $544.9 million to $612.5 million. Lack of access to mortgage loans continues to inhibit further growth of the existing condominium market. Of the 9,307 condominium buildings in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, only 12 are approved for Federal Housing Administration loans, down from 29 last year, according to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and FHA. More than 6.5 Consecutive Years of Price Appreciation in Miami Miami-Dade County single-family home prices increased 10.3 percent in July 2018, increasing from $335,000 to $369,000. Miami single-family home prices have risen for 80 consecutive months, a streak of more than 6.5 years. Existing condo prices rose 8.0 percent, from $225,000 to $243,000 in July. Condo prices have increased in 83 of the last 86 months. Low mortgage rates make purchasing a home more affordable. According to Freddie Mac, the average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 4.53 percent in July from 4.57 percent in June. The average commitment rate for all of 2017 was 3.99 percent. Miami Distressed Sales Continue to Drop, Reflecting Healthy Market Only 5.8 percent of all closed residential sales in Miami were distressed last month, including REO (bank-owned properties) and short sales, compared to 10.9 percent in July 2017. In 2009, distressed sales comprised 70 percent of Miami sales. Total Miami distressed sales declined 45.3 percent year-over-year, from 245 in July 2017 to 134 last month. Short sales and REOs accounted for 1.3 and 4.5 percent, respectively, of total Miami sales in July 2018. Short sale transactions dropped 50.9 percent year-over-year while REOs fell 43.5 percent. Nationally, distressed sales accounted for 3 percent of sales (lowest since NAR began tracking in October 2008), down from 5 percent a year ago. Miami Real Estate Selling Close to List Price The median number of days between listing and contract dates for Miami single-family home sales was 45 days, a 9.8 percent increase from 41 days last year. The median number of days between the listing date and closing date for single-family properties was 91 days, a 1.1 percent decrease from 92 days. The median time to contract for condos was 76 days, a 5.6 percent increase from 72 days last year. The median number of days between listing date and closing date decreased 1.7 percent to 117 days. The median percent of original list price received for single-family homes was 95.4 percent. The median percent of original list price received for existing condominiums was 93.8 percent. National and State Statistics Nationally, total existing-home sales decreased 0.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.34 million in July from 5.38 million in June. With last months decline, sales are now 1.5 percent below a year ago and have fallen on an annual basis for five straight months. Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 25,488 last month, up 3.8 percent compared to July 2017, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide closed condo sales totaled 10,032 last month, up 8.5 percent compared to a year ago. The national median existing-home price for all housing types in July was $269,600, up 4.5 percent from July 2017 ($258,100). Julys price increase marks the 77th straight month of year-over-year gains. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was $255,000, up 6.3 percent from the previous year, according to Florida Realtors. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in July was $180,000, up 5.3 percent over the year-ago figure. Miamis Cash Buyers Represent almost Double the National Figure Miami cash transactions comprised 35.8 percent of July 2018 total closed sales, compared to 39.9 percent last year. Miami cash transactions are almost double the national figure (20 percent). Miamis high percentage of cash sales reflects South Floridas ability to attract a diverse number of international home buyers, who tend to purchase properties in all cash. Miami has a higher percent of cash sales for condos due to lack of financing approvals for buildings. Condominiums comprise a large portion of Miamis cash purchases as 48.2 percent of condo closings were made in cash in July compared to 21.9 percent of single-family home sales. Balanced Market for Single-Family Homes, Buyers Market for Condos Inventory of single-family homes increased 2.1 percent in July from 6,187 active listings last year to 6,318 last month. Condominium inventory increased 0.7 percent to 15,181 from 15,077 listings during the same period in 2017. The increase in inventory is for properties above $300,000 for condos and for properties above $600,000 for single family homes. Monthly supply of inventory for single-family homes increased 10.9 percent to 6.1 months, which indicates a balanced market. Existing condominiums have a 13.8-month supply, which indicates a buyers market. A balanced market between buyers and sellers offers between six and nine months supply of inventory. Total active listings at the end of July increased 1.1 percent year-over-year, from 21,264 to 21,499. Active listings remain about 60 percent below 2008 levels when sales bottomed. New listings of Miami single-family homes increased 2.0 percent to 1,772 from 1,808. New listings of condominiums decreased 7.9 percent, from 2,328 to 2,145. Nationally, total housing inventory at the end of July decreased 0.5 percent to 1.92 million existing homes available for sale (unchanged from a year ago). Unsold inventory is at a 4.3-month supply at the current sales pace (also unchanged from a year ago). To access July 2018 Miami-Dade Statistical Reports, visit http://www.SFMarketIntel.com Note: Statistics in this news release may vary depending on reporting dates. MIAMI reports exact statistics directly from its MLS system. About the MIAMI Association of REALTORS The MIAMI Association of REALTORS was chartered by the National Association of Realtors in 1920 and is celebrating 98 years of service to Realtors, the buying and selling public, and the communities in South Florida. Comprised of six organizations, the Residential Association, the Realtors Commercial Alliance, the Broward Council, the Jupiter Tequesta Hobe Sound (JTHS-MIAMI) Council, the Young Professionals Network (YPN) Council and the award-winning International Council, it represents more than 46,000 real estate professionals in all aspects of real estate sales, marketing, and brokerage. It is the largest local Realtor association in the U.S. and has official partnerships with 178 international organizations worldwide. MIAMIs official website is http://www.MiamiRealtors.com. The expansions to our Phoenix datacenter mark an important next step in the growth of our US footprint, said Mark Mahle, CEO of NetActuate. We are now ready to meet growing demands for cloud, colocation, and network services in this strategic market. In order to serve growing demand for cloud and network services, NetActuate has completed a series of upgrades in their Phoenix, Arizona datacenter. In recent years, Phoenix has grown to become a strategic datacenter location, as both a lower-cost alternative to Northern California and Los Angeles, and a popular disaster recovery location for nearby West Coast businesses. The expansions to our Phoenix datacenter mark an important next step in the growth of our US footprint, said Mark Mahle, CEO of NetActuate. We are now ready to meet growing demands for cloud, colocation, and network services in this strategic market. NetActuates Phoenix location is operated by PhoenixNAP, and features redundant electrical power and cooling, high security standards, and multiple network connectivity options, including AWS Direct Connect. This location sits at the intersection of the two largest fiber rings in Phoenix, and provides customers with direct access to the Phoenix Internet Exchange (Phoenix-IX). For those high data security needs, this facility is SOC Type 2 audited and HIPAA ready. NetActuates 247 NOC and local technicians are available to provide robust remote hands and expert support capabilities. NetActuate offers clients in Phoenix access to their global network of 31 additional locations and 2,500 peers. Startups and growing businesses can quickly and easily deploy cloud and bare metal resources from all of NetActuate's strategic locations. For growing businesses that require 100% uptime and low latency performance, NetActuate specializes in providing the best global BGP anycast in the industry, available from their Phoenix and 31 additional domestic and global locations. You can learn more about their anycast technology at netactuate.com/anycast. To learn more about NetActuates Phoenix location, please schedule a call with a solution specialist by calling 1-800-419-COLO (2656) or by visiting netactuate.com. --- About NetActuate NetActuate is a client-focused provider of colocation, cloud, IaaS, connectivity, anycast, and managed services. Over 2,100 clients trust NetActuate to ensure their critical applications are available, high-performing, and secure 24/7. NetActuate maximizes their clients IT investment by providing flexible, reliable solutions that balance cost, scalability and security. Founded and led by engineers, we constantly innovate to make sure our clients are ready to deliver in tomorrows marketplace today. Learn more today at 1-877-467-COLO or at netactuate.com. Mayor Mayor Philip J. Guenther, his niece Megan Baldwin, and Baldwin's pet duck Lucy proudly stand for photo after receiving award. The NJCCC awarded its annual Vision Award to Mayor Philip J. Guenther for over two decades of innovative programs, championing environmental education in town and as superintendent of the Atlantic County Vocational School District. Guenther, mayor since 1992, considers it a great honor to receive recognition for his environmental advocacy. But, he is also proud to be upstaged by his 14-year-old niece, Megan Baldwin and her pet mallard Lucy. They earned NJCCCs 2018 Excellence in Education Award. Megan is a wonderful and committed young lady, said Guenther, who is not seeking re-election after 26 years as mayor. Megan raised Lucy from a hatchling and brings her pet duck to environmental fairs, local farmers markets and beach cleanups. Megan wants to educate youngsters and their parents about the importance of keeping waterways and beaches free from trash and other harmful contaminants. Megan Baldwin found a fun, creative way to engage her community and to spread New Jersey Clean Communities message, said NJCCC Executive Director Sandy Huber. Her uncle, Mayor Guenther, has for many years, been a tireless advocate for the environment in his town and beyond. At City Hall, Mayor Guenther has sponsored beach and bay litter cleanups and created awards to inspire volunteerism. As superintendent, he ensures that vo-tech students participate in NJCCCs annual student exchanges. Its important to get students involved, Guenther said. These exchanges allow our students to interact with others from across New Jersey and gives them a broad view of our states environmental issues. As for Megan, she says she came up with an entire presentation about the life cycle of ducks, the local environment and the harm that trash and pollution can have on both. A recent Brigantine North Middle School graduate, Megan plans to continue her activism at Holy Spirit High School this fall. Megan and her duck have become local celebrities, said Joe Campitelli, the citys Clean Communities chairman. We host four large annual cleanups, and participate in other events. People repeatedly ask: Will the duck be there? Its a great way to spread our message. People want their childrens pictures taken with Lucy. Meanwhile, Megan explains why its important to keep our waterways and beaches free of pollutants, like plastics, lawn fertilizer and other household chemicals, Campitelli said. Megan, who hopes to become a marine biologist, credits her uncle and parents for her activism and her concern for the environment. Her father, Bill, is the citys senior fire official. Her mother, Maureen, teaches math, science and technology at Brigantine Elementary School. Digital Writer gives us the best of both worlds, because it is a tool that was clearly designed with journalists and editors in mind, and it will also be closely integrated with our Newscycle Content system. - Sren Braad Steen, Head of Digital Business Development at Nordjyske Medier. Nordjyske, a news media group serving the North Jutland region of Denmark, signed a contract with NEWSCYCLE Solutions (Newscycle) for Infomakers Digital Universe, which includes an omnichannel authoring tool, dashboard for planning and a central repository of all the content. The contract marks the first deal since Infomakers acquisition by Newscycle and furthers Nordjyskes mission to become more flexible in the digital media space. Digital Writer is a content management application focused on making it easy for journalists to create media-rich news stories that can be published on any digital or print channel. Digital Writer together with the products Dashboard and Open Content will enable the journalists to work in a pure digital content creation environment, said Jonas Bringle, Newscycles EMEA Managing Director. Digital Writer provides Nordjyske a strong, web-based authoring tool with a simple and intuitive user interface. Reporters have greater ability to enrich articles with social media enhancements, metadata, images, video and links. Digital Writer also has tight integration with the current Newscycle Content solution, ensuring smooth content sharing between online and print departments. Nordjyske is an existing Newscycle customer, and the contract for Digital Writer lets it preserve its investment in Newscycle technology while extending the platform. In todays world, busy newsrooms like ours must focus on creating content in a completely channel neutral manner, and we were looking for the best tools to help our journalists produce this content as easily and efficiently as possible, said Sren Braad Steen, Head of Digital Business Development at Nordjyske Medier. Digital Writer gives us the best of both worlds, because it is a tool that was clearly designed with journalists and editors in mind, and it will also be closely integrated with our Newscycle Content system. Infomakers Digital Writer is an increasingly popular choice among newsrooms across Scandinavia. Open Content is a content repository and search engine for all digital assets, and Dashboard is a browser-based tool for planning and managing newsroom workflows. The entire Infomaker platform is built using an open and extensible architecture, hosted in the Amazon Cloud for optimal speed and reliability. Digital Writer is a product of Infomaker, which Newscycle acquired in July 2018. Newscycle sought to increase its reach in the worldwide market, while Infomaker was excited about the possibilities of joining a larger global company. In addition, Newscycle recognized the agile processes and forward-thinking approach that Infomaker brings to the organization. The contract signing, so soon after the acquisition, has validated the aspirations of Newscycle and Infomaker. Teams from Infomaker and Newscycle continue to collaborate on ways to combine software and strategies to create additional value for news media companies worldwide. To learn more about Newscycles latest acquisition or schedule a demo of the Infomaker platform, please contact info@newscycle.com. About Newscycle: NEWSCYCLE Solutions is the leading provider of software and services powering the global media industry. Our content management, advertising management, subscription management and mobile solutions help companies drive profitability and accelerate digital business models. With headquarters in Bloomington, MN and regional offices throughout the world, Newscycle Solutions is a trusted partner serving over 2,500 news media, broadcast, magazine, financial services and corporate clients in 45 countries. OEConnection LLC (OEC), a leading technology employer in Northeast Ohio, is proud to be recognized by ERC as one of Northeast Ohios 99 best places to work for the 15th consecutive year. NorthCoast 99 is an annual recognition program that honors 99 Northeast Ohio top workplaces that excel in talent attraction and retention, allow challenging and meaningful work, provide competitive compensation and strong organizational support. Developed in 1999 by ERC, the program consists of an application that evaluates organizational practices in numerous categories, and an award celebration for the top 99 workplaces. To be recognized among the top workplaces in Northeast Ohio is a true honor, said Amy French, OEC Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Administration. But to be honored for 15 consecutive years makes this award even more special to us. Our employees are a testament to the great workplace culture OEC has developed since the companys inception in 2000. We take great pride in being a top workplace, and make it a priority to continually evaluate and update our company programs and practices with a goal of earning this distinction for many years to come." Congratulations to all NorthCoast 99 Award recipients. About OEC OEConnection (OEC) is the leading automotive technology provider for OEM distribution networks, enabling automakers and dealerships around the world to deliver parts and service information quickly and accurately into the hands of repairers in collision, fleet, mechanical and retail segments, as well as their own service lanes, through a suite of parts cataloging, supply chain, pricing, ecommerce, service and business intelligence solutions. OEC serves nearly 50 international auto brands and fleet companies, and more than 150,000 dealership and repair customers worldwide. OEC is headquartered in the greater Cleveland area at 4205 Highlander Parkway, Richfield, Ohio, USA, 44286. Additional information is available at http://www.oeconnection.com or by emailing Kathy Jambor at Kathy.Jambor@OEConnection.com. CONTACT: Kathy Jambor 888-776-5792, x1649 27 Polo Club The home that once sat at 27 Polo Club had been remodeled and added onto throughout the years, but in such a way that the site was yielding very little green space. The house was just too fragmented and it was clear that the site deserved something better. It is often said that the best opportunities are not always the most obvious. Denver native Blake OShaughnessy, broker associate at Kentwood City Properties, recently announced that framing for an upscale, luxury home in the Polo Club has begun. The home that once sat at 27 Polo Club had been remodeled and added onto throughout the years, but in such a way that the site was yielding very little green space. The house was just too fragmented and it was clear that the site deserved something better, said OShaughnessy. To make something truly unique, OShaughnessy reached out to his friend and previous business partner, John Mattingly at Chalet, whose primary business is designing site-specific homes for end-user clients. Mattinglys day-to-day experience with clients, designing homes of a similar size and scale, proved to be a nice a mix for OShaughnessys ideas for this Polo Club residence. On a curvilinear lot, Mattingly found a way to organize a new residence that responded to the benefits of the tree-laden corner site, creating a park-like setting for OShaughnessys vision of a Belgian country house. Belgian Country Houses have a modern edge to them for their lack of fussy ornamentation, noted Mattingly. Working together, OShaughnessy and Mattingly designed a house in a series of volumes with clean, stark lines in an Old-World Masonry Composition. The home will be complete with all the modern luxuries homebuyers have come to expect, while lending itself to the warmth and tradition of a century year old home. Interested buyers still have an opportunity to fully customize the interior finishes and have all the benefits of a personalized custom home whose construction is already well under way in the highly desirable Polo Club neighborhood. About Blake OShaughnessy, Kentwood City Properties Blake OShaughnessy specializes in luxury properties. He works with everyone from relocators and young couples to empty-nesters looking to downsize. For more information, please call 303-883-5064, or visit http://www.kentwoodcity.com. Kentwood City Properties is located at 1660 17th Street Suite, 100, Denver, CO 80202. About the NALA The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361. A Record Setting CIPP Project Over a Major Waterway US Pipelining, LLC., an emerging leader in Cured-In-Place-Pipe lining solutions (CIPP), announces the completion of a major waterway project. The recent project at Plains All American Pipelines Yorktown Terminal in Yorktown Virginia is believed to be the longest single-shot, one-piece cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) liner ever installed. The CIPP liner was installed utilizing air inversion into a 12-inch diameter concrete lined steel sump line located on a pier and extending nearly a half mile over the York River. It is our understanding that this is the longest air-inverted, one-piece CIPP liner that has ever gone in a pipe, and the longest ever to breach a waterway, said Jeremy Bowman, field project manager for U.S. Pipelining, LLC, the projects lead contractor. Air was used for the liner inversion and steam was the method of cure, said Bowman. Water inversion was not an option as the process water presented an issue given the pipes location above an active waterway. This was one for the record books. Access for construction was created by removing spool sections from the host pipe where the pipe system meets the shoreline. Additional spool sections were removed at the far end of the pipe which extended out 2,500 feet over the York River. The construction and cure of the CIPP would take nearly 24 hours. The CIPP liner was manufactured to meet project specifications by Manufactured Technologies Corp (MTC) of Chesterfield, MO. The custom-made liner was the longest Manufactured Technologies had ever produced. The resin impregnation (wet-out) was performed at the MTC facility in Olyphant, PA. This was an extremely technical project, states Mark Wetzel, Senior Director of MTC. Installing a liner of this length requires in-depth planning and technical experience. The conditions have to be perfect, the obstacles mitigated. Hats off to US Pipelining. Based in Langhorne, PA, U.S. Pipelining, LLC is a leading U.S. provider of pipe lining services, including large diameter projects for storm sewer, sanitary sewer, pressure pipe, under-slab lining, and vertical pipe lining. Since entering the pipe rehabilitation industry 25 years ago, US Pipelining has gained recognition for their ability to offer highly specialized rehabilitation solutions to a vast array of clients including global fortune 500 companies, high-rise residential and commercial buildings and government agencies. Manufactured Technologies Corporation, Chesterfield, MO, specializes in the manufacture of high-quality CIPP liners available for wet or dry delivery. They can accommodate water or air inversion and handle the demands of steam curing for optimal installation and long-term performance. About Cured-In-Place technology: Cured-In-Place Pipe technology (CIPP) is one of several No-Dig trenchless rehabilitation methods used to noninvasively repair existing pipelines. CIPP is a jointless, seamless, pipe-within-a-pipe with the capability to structurally rehabilitate pipes ranging in diameter from 4"120". With a design life of 50 years CIPP is one of the most widely used rehabilitation methods and has application in water, sewer, gas, and chemical pipelines. I think we need to err on the side of caution and make the decision that any possibility is too great, said Jackie Kardesh, director of marketing and operations for Kids & Co., which operates centers in Chicago, Schaumburg and Geneva. The chain sent a letter home to parents last week stating that Kids & Co. would replace Cheerios with Chex Mix in all nine of its Chicago locations and another in Boston. Dr. Sergio Varela of SGFertility Chile It has been an incredible journey and seeing the first babies from SGFertility Chile is a happy and exciting landmark for us. Today, SGFertility Chile is celebrating a significant milestone with its first seven babies born since the practice opened its doors almost one year ago. This landmark is particularly significant as SGFertility Chile incorporates SGFs integrated care model that addresses the medical, physical, financial, and psychological aspects of infertility, as well as offers best-in-class laboratory and clinical protocols. The practices unique financial and guarantee programs help make treatment more affordable, and are available exclusively to SGFertility Chile patients. It has been an incredible journey and seeing the first babies from SGFertility Chile is a happy and exciting landmark for us, says Chile physician Dr. Sergio Varela. Excellence, patient focus, integrity, compassion, and commitment all of SGFs core values allowed our team to reach in the short term results that have surpassed our initial expectations, adds Varela. The warm comments of our patients and their generosity in sharing pictures of their children is the reflection of these values. I am proud to be part of the SGF team, comments Varela. We are very grateful to the Chile team for the professionalism, the human quality, and above all, to Dr. Pardo who always supported us and helped us to continue until the end. She was fundamental in bringing our baby Costanza to us today, says former SGFertility Chile patient. For more than 2 decades, Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) has provided comprehensive and specialized fertility care to more patients each year than any other center in the United States. The practice, which has 32 locations across 5 states and the District of Columbia, extended its reach internationally to Santiago, Chile in September 2017. This was the practices first fertility and IVF center located outside of the United States. We are thrilled to be working with some of Chiles finest reproductive endocrinologists and embryologists, who are all pioneers and innovative leaders in their field. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their continued success in helping even more people build their families, says SGF Chief Executive Officer, Mark Segal. To schedule a new patient consultation with an SGFertility Chile physician, please call +56 23263 8900 or complete this brief online form. About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 50,000 babies born and counting. With 32 locations throughout MD, PA, VA, D.C., GA, and FL, we offer patients individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including treatment guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com. Stewart Cellars today unveiled their new NOMAD Wine Collection and Experience. The Beckstoffer Heritage Vineyards are some of the most unparalleled Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in California, if not the world, said Blair Guthrie, Winemaker at Stewart Cellars. A new luxurious limited release wine line-up and experience is now available in the Napa Valley. Stewart Cellars today unveiled their new NOMAD Wine Collection and Experience. This is the inaugural release of the NOMAD Cabernet Sauvignons from each of the 6 Beckstoffer Heritage Vineyards. The Stewart family started the project with Andy Beckstoffers Las Piedras Vineyard in 2005, and on September 1, 2018, the full collection of six NOMAD wines will be released for the first time. The NOMAD experience starts with a private tasting in the NOMAD Heritage Library where guests taste through library vintages of Stewart NOMAD Cabernet Sauvignon. On the second day, guests depart on an early morning tour of any or all six Beckstoffer Heritage Vineyards in a luxury SUV and a member of the Stewart Family, will give an in-depth preview on the terroir, farming techniques, and unique attributes of each vineyard. Upon returning to the tasting hall, guests will enjoy lunch by Southside on the NOMAD patio, followed by a tasting of Stewart Cellars NOMAD collection wines, each from an individual Heritage vineyard. The Beckstoffer Heritage Vineyards are some of the most unparalleled Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in California, if not the world, said Blair Guthrie, Winemaker at Stewart Cellars. This wine release and one-of-a-kind experience is truly a journey through these prestigious vineyards and an understanding of the terroir and details that goes into producing these single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. The NOMAD Collection Series Details On September 1st, Stewart Cellars launches their first ever single-vineyard collection using the following Andy Beckstoffers famed heritage vineyards. Each bottle of the 2016 NOMAD is priced at $175. To Kalon Vineyard - The most famous of the Beckstoffer Vineyards in Oakville. Andy Beckstoffer acquired the vineyard in 1993 and replanted in 1994 to multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Dr. Crane Vineyard - Located west of Highway 29 in St. Helena, Andy Beckstoffer replanted 25 acres in 1998 to multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Las Piedras Vineyard - In 1983, Beckstoffer Vineyards purchased the 25-acres and replanted it with two clones of Cabernet Sauvignon. This vineyard is located on the foot of Spring Mountain in St. Helena and produces mineral driven Sauvignon Blanc. It is also known as little pebbles. Missouri Hopper Vineyard - Located in Oakville, Beckstoffer purchased the 45-acre vineyard in 1996. The vineyard was replanted in 1997 with 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot. Georges III Vineyard - Situated in the Rutherford Bench, George III Vineyard was purchased by Andy Beckstoffer in 1988 and replanted in 1990 with new Cabernet Sauvignon clones. Bourn Vineyard - Andy Beckstoffer purchased the 13.5 acres in 2010. He replanted the vineyard with old growth Petit Syrah and various clones of Cabernet Sauvignon. This vineyard is located south of St. Helena on the west side of Highway 29. The NOMAD Experience is available throughout the year with advanced booking. Guests can book the experience by calling Stewart Cellars directly at (707) 238-4298. The experience costs $5,000 for two individuals. The full deposit is required to book and will be applied to any NOMAD 2016 purchase. About Stewart Cellars Founded in 2000, Stewart Cellars is the collaborative project of founder Michael Stewart, his son James Stewart, daughter Caroline Stewart Guthrie, and son-in-law Blair Guthrie. Together, the family oversees all aspects of the winerys operations: James, an artist who left behind a burgeoning career in television and music for hands-on work in sales, marketing and distribution; Caroline, who leads the day to day operations along with each wines development; and Blair, the winemaker who works closely alongside acclaimed consulting winemaker Paul Hobbs to capture the singular site signatures of Stewarts premier vineyard sources. Stewart Cellars produces eight wines including their flagship NOMAD Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Napa Valley Merlot, Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley Rose, Napa Valley Tartan Red Blend and a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Their new tasting room is located at 6752 Washington Street, Yountville, CA. For more information, please visit stewartcellars.com, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, @StewartCellars. The TEKLYNX Americas team. Were honored to be named a Best Place to Work for an impressive third time. Its a measure of success as we work to provide a supportive, collaborative work environment in which our employees thrive. Doug Niemeyer, TEKLYNX GM TEKLYNX International, the worlds leading barcode and RFID labeling software developer and solutions provider, today announced TEKLYNX Americas has earned a coveted spot on the Milwaukee Business Journals 2018 Best Places to Work list. Based on the results of confidential, company-wide employee surveys, TEKLYNX is among a select group of Southeastern Wisconsin companies recognized for creating stimulating work environments that make employees want to stay. Approximately 125 firms were nominated for this years awards and employees at the nominated companies scored their respective workplaces in core areas including personal engagement, communication and resources, teamwork, retention, alignment with goals, trust with co-workers and senior leaders, manager effectiveness and job satisfaction. Were honored to be named a Best Place to Work for an impressive third time, states TEKLYNX General Manager Doug Niemeyer. Its a measure of success as we work to provide a supportive, collaborative work environment in which our employees thrive. Niemeyer credits the companys culture with generating noteworthy business growth and retention rates as employees choose to stay at TEKLYNX year after year. An employee recognition program, a comprehensive development and training program and workplace celebrations are among some of the perks TEKLYNX employees enjoy. To learn more about TEKLYNX including employment opportunities at its new Glendale headquarters located in the offices at Bayshore Town Center, visit teklynx.com. About TEKLYNX International TEKLYNX International is the worlds leading barcode and RFID labeling software developer and solutions provider. An industry innovator for over 30 years, TEKLYNX helps companies operate smoothly and efficiently by implementing labeling solutions that streamline operations while staying ahead of industry-specific compliance and emerging regulations. TEKLYNX is world-renowned for its customer service; offering flexible purchase options, unparalleled service and support, and a comprehensive product offering that grows with companies over time. With operations in the United States, Europe, Japan, Latin America, China and Singapore, more than 750,000 companies in over 120 countries look to TEKLYNX integrated software solutions for their standard of success. Learn more by visiting teklynx.com, LinkedIn, Twitter @Teklynx, and Facebook.com/TEKLYNXInternational or call 888-629-4444. The 12th-annual Global Wellness Summit will be held at Technogym Village, Cesena, Italy from October 6-8, 2018. The Future Laboratory, with its international team of analysts, is one of the most provocative and prescient trends forecasters, helping the worlds top brandswhether in beauty, wellness or travelreally visualize the macro- and micro-trends that are likely to shake up their businesses. The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the $3.7 trillion global wellness economy, today announced that researchers Jessica Smith and Rhiannon McGregor from LS:N Global, the trends intelligence platform of the The Future Laboratory, will keynote at the conference taking place October 6-8 at Technogym Village in Cesena, Italy. The Future Laboratory, with offices in London, Melbourne and New York, is one of the worlds leading strategic forecasting firms, identifying the disruptive trends that will shape the future of consumer behavior and the lifestyle industrieswith a focus on the beauty, wellness, fashion, food/drink, luxury, travel/hospitality and youth markets. Smith (Creative Researcher) and McGregor (Foresight Writer) will share the firms new research on the biggest trends on the horizon for the massive $1 trillion global beauty market. While the attention has been on all-natural or clean beauty, a competing trend is on the rise. As beauty technologies become far more popular, social media, artificial intelligence and algorithms are shaping a new ideal of flawlessness. This macro-trend, Algorithmic Beauty, means that beauty is no longer simply in the eye of the beholder, but in the eye of a machine learning algorithm insteadwith beauty standards shifting from subjective to objective ideals. Smith and McGregor will analyze the diverse aspects and opportunities within the Algorithmic Beauty trend: from how facial recognition technology will change the face of beauty to the rise of artificial-intelligence-driven devices that can assess our faces and create a personalized feedback loop between products and a persons skin to how the next generation of non-invasive procedures will be rooted in nanotechnology to a simultaneous backlash against objective beauty mounting in some corners. The Future Laboratory, with its international team of analysts, is one of the most provocative and prescient trends forecasters, helping the worlds top brandswhether in beauty, wellness or travelreally visualize the macro- and micro-trends that are likely to shake up their businesses, said Susie Ellis, GWS chairman and CEO. Were excited that Jessica and Rhiannon will share their new insights on the high-tech future of beauty with our delegates and build on the fast-evolving conversation about beauty and wellness that is always a cornerstone of the Summit. Were thrilled to be presenting new research from our Beauty Futures Report at the Summit this year, noted Smith and McGregor. The beauty space is moving fast and furiously, and every player in itwhether skincare brands or spasneeds to understand how beauty, technology and medicine are about to converge in completely unprecedented ways. More about the speakers Jessica Smith is Creative Researcher at LS:N Global, the editorial platform of The Future Laboratory, which she joined in 2014 after completing a Masters degree in Trend Forecasting at the Polimoda Institute of Design and Marketing in Florence. Since working at LS:N Global she has become the editorial expert across the health, wellbeing and beauty sectors and has spoken at events such as Balance Festival in London and last years Global Wellness Summit. Formerly, she was a Marketing Executive at Telegraph Events working on health and fitness consumer shows such as the Be:Fit, The Ski and Snowboard Show and The London Bike Show. At The Future Laboratory, she has worked on projects for clients such as Nike, lululemon, Nikon, Royal Salute and QIC, written for Frame Magazine and been featured as an expert in The Sunday Times, The Independent, Drapers, BW Confidential, Elle, Stylist and Conde Nast Traveller. Rhiannon McGregor is Foresight Writer at LS:N Global, specializing in trends and consumer insight across the sites lifestyle sectors, with particular expertise in health and wellness, youth culture, travel and the rapidly growing fintech sector. Since starting at The Future Laboratory in 2016, she has worked on projects with brands including Vans, NatWest, Unum and QIC; as well as being interviewed as an expert for the Guardian and Grazia Online. Rhiannon has a Bachelor of Arts from Leeds University, spending her Erasmus year studying at the Polytecnico di Torino. After interning at Pelham Communications Art Agency she completed a Masters degree in Magazine Journalism at City University and has written for publications like Disegno, Wallpaper*, Jocks & Nerds and Aesthetica. The Global Wellness Summit is the worlds most prestigious conference on the business of wellness and always a sold-out event. To apply to attend, click here. About the Global Wellness Summit: The Global Wellness Summit is an invitation-only international gathering that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the $3.7 trillion global wellness economy. Held in a different location each year, Summits have taken place in the U.S., Switzerland, Turkey, Bali, India, Morocco, Mexico and Austria. The 12th-annual Summit will be held at Technogym Village, Cesena, Italy from October 6-8, 2018. According to...co-founder and CEO Chris Stone, We are truly honored to be recognized by Event Marketer as one of the best in our industry and look forward to being a resource to organizations that turn to the Fab 50 list for guidance." Each year, print and digital publication Event Marketer searches for 50 outstanding exhibit builders in the event industry to include on its esteemed Fab 50 list. The company says it developed the roster to help identify and highlight the capabilities and differences between and among the best fabricators in the industry. Event Marketer launched the Fab 50 six years ago, and this is the second year The Trade Group has been included on the list. According to The Trade Groups co-founder and CEO Chris Stone, The Trade Group operates in a very competitive and creative industry that continues to grow year after year. We are truly honored to be recognized by Event Marketer as one of the best in our industry and look forward to being a resource to organizations that turn to the Fab 50 list for guidance. To be considered for the Fab 50, entrants go through a rigorous application and judging process. And in the ever-evolving world of trade shows, live events and branded experiences, Event Marketer looks beyond exhibit construction capabilities. They recognize that fabricators today work as strategic partners, helping to integrate technology and digital into builds that amplify experiences, up the engagement factor and deliver on marketing objectives. Among the accomplishments that prompted The Trade Groups inclusion on the Fab 50 roster is the companys esteemed list of clients, such as Facebook Gaming, Google Nest, Nissan Automotive, Southwest Airlines and Twitch. As noted in The Trade Group's Event Marketer Fab 50 bio, event marketers may want to consider The Trade Group due to its expertise in exhibit builds of all sizes, live streaming, esports and gaming tournaments and award-winning activations for brands such as Texas Instruments, Vent-a-Hood and Blizzard, as well as its 90 percent retention rate among esports and gaming clients. Event Marketer also recognized The Trade Groups plans for growth, noting its new, Grapevine, Texas headquarters slated for construction in 2018. Says Stone, We are always focused on being the best partner possible for our clients. With the new facility, we are doubling the size of our current space, which will allow us to house all operations under one roof, and most important, serve growing client needs more quickly and effectively. To learn more about trade show, live event and experiential products and services available through The Trade Group, please call 800-343-2005 or visit http://www.tradegroup.com. About The Trade Group The Trade Group is an award winning, full-service event marketing and creative design firm, specializing in trade shows, esports events and activations, corporate events, brand activations, retail merchandising, commercial graphics and experiential solutions. Since 1986, their team of live event, design and engineering experts has helped thousands of clients amplify their brands and successfully navigate a wide range of events and experiences. Clients rely on The Trade Group for: event ideation, creation and production; esports expertise; exhibit design and fabrication; graphic design and production; strategic marketing solutions; technology integration and more. PENETRON ADMIX-treated restaurant under the deep blue sea: This aerial view of the Adriatic coastline shows the Frapa Marina in Rogoznica, Croatia, home of the underwater Dragons Cave Restaurant. Even after 16 years, the crystalline technology still keeps the structure waterproof and fully protected from chloride penetration from the seawater. Its an integral part of the concrete. The Dragons Cave is a remarkable underwater restaurant on the Adriatic Sea. First constructed in 2002 with Penetron crystalline technology and still waterproof the restaurant underwent a cosmetic renovation July 2018. First completed in 2002, the Dragons Cave Restaurant (Zmajeva Spilja) at the Frapa Marina in Rogoznica, Croatia, remains absolutely unique for Croatia. The underwater restaurant & bar, a highlight of the Marina, transformed an ancient cave into an unforgettable dining experience. When you sit at a table, under the waves of the Adriatic Sea, the windows give you amazing views of the sea floor, with countless fish many of them tasty features of the menu swimming by, notes Theodor Mentzikofakis, General Director of Penetron Hellas. The Dragons Cave was first conceived and developed by Predrag Bilbija, a well-known Croatian engineer, who has realized numerous marina projects throughout the region. He remains, to this day, one of his countrys most famous bridge designers. Pre-Cast with PENETRON ADMIX During this most recent renovation of Dragons Cave, the concrete elements were precast on-site using custom forms in a special process. The concrete was treated with PENETRON ADMIX to permanently waterproof the resulting precast elements that were then installed as the restaurants walls and floor. The active ingredients in PENETRON ADMIX react with moisture in fresh concrete to generate a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout the pores and capillary tracts. This permanently seals microcracks, pores and capillaries against the penetration of water, in particular, from chloride ions in seawater. The enhanced impermeability of the precast concrete elements has protected the restaurants structure from deterioration, even under the constant hydrostatic pressure of the underwater site. Long-Term Durability The recent renovations carried out at the restaurant revealed durable and intact concrete structures, adds Theodor Mentzikofakis. Even after 16 years, the crystalline technology still keeps the structure waterproof and fully protected from chloride penetration from the seawater. Its an integral part of the concrete. Beyond the Dragons Cave Restaurant, Penetron Hellas also collaborated with Mr. Bilbija in 2015 on a project to expand the Marina Frapa Resort in Rogoznica. PENETRON ADMIX was specified for the precast concrete elements, which were produced by Mucic & Co, in nearby Ploce. These elements were used to extend the marina piers. The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives and distribution channels. For more information on Penetron waterproofing solutions, please visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com, or contact the Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700. Teaching instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility toward our students, something that informs every aspect of my role. Im committed to engagement with all of our constituencies and to making positive changes at the law school while staying true to our core mission and values. The University of San Francisco (USF) has named Professor Susan Freiwald as Interim Dean of the School of Law, succeeding former Dean John Trasvina. Freiwald joined the USF School of Law faculty in 1997, and as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 2017-18 she launched the Academic and Bar Exam Success Program at USF and worked to revamp the core curriculum. Susan brings a breadth of experience, both in academe and outside, that I believe will serve her well in her new role, said USF Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Donald E. Heller. She has been instrumental in the schools curricular reforms that we instituted last fall. I have had many faculty, staff, and alumni of the school thank me for appointing Susan to the position, so I know she will have strong support. Freiwalds expertise and teaching focus lies in internet law, information privacy law, criminal procedure, and contracts. She publishes and presents widely on the intersection of communications technology and law, focusing on online surveillance and the Fourth Amendment. A former software developer, Freiwald has authored and coauthored amicus briefs in major cases involving electronic surveillance laws, and her scholarly work has been cited in numerous state and federal court decisions. Im deeply honored to take on the role of Interim Dean of USFs School of Law, said Freiwald. Teaching instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility toward our students, something that informs every aspect of my role. Im committed to engagement with all of our constituencies and to making positive changes at that the law school while staying true to our core mission and values. As a faculty member, Freiwald received the School of Law Distinguished Professor Award and served as chair of the schools Honor, Strategic Planning, Budget, Status, Appointments, and Emergency Preparedness committees. In addition, she has served on a host of university committees, including the University Accreditation Committee and as the faculty representative on the USF Board of Trustees Development Committee from 20062014. Freiwald has been recognized for her leadership in securing landmark privacy legislation passed in California in 2015, and serves on several advisory boards in the fields of privacy and cybersecurity. She regularly assists the Electronic Frontier Foundation with electronic surveillance litigation efforts and has served on the board of the Northern California American Civil Liberties Union. Freiwald is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College where she majored in economics and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her JD from Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, where she served as Books and Commentaries co-chair of the Harvard Law Review. She started her academic career as a faculty member at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Freiwald assumed the position of interim dean on July 1, 2018. Her term runs through August 2020. About the School of Law Founded in 1912, the University of San Francisco School of Law has a tradition of educating effective lawyers who graduate with the professional skills and theoretical foundation necessary to succeed in the legal profession. The USF School of Law offers a rigorous education with a global perspective in a diverse, supportive community. Our graduates are skilled, ethical professionals prepared for any legal career from intellectual property law to litigation and more with a commitment to social justice as their enduring foundation. The USF School of Law offers full- and part-time Juris Doctor programs that empower students to develop their analytical abilities, master legal writing and research skills, acquire a firm foundation of basic law, explore an array of specialties, and refine their professional legal skills in practical settings. The law school also offers Master of Laws (LLM) programs in Taxation, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, and International Transactions and Comparative Law (for foreign lawyers), and a Master of Legal Studies in Taxation (MLST) for non-lawyers. The USF School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. About the University of San Francisco The University of San Francisco is located in the heart of one of the worlds most innovative and diverse cities and is home to a vibrant academic community of students and faculty who achieve excellence in their fields. Its diverse student body enjoys direct access to faculty, small classes, and outstanding opportunities in the city itself. USF is San Franciscos first university, and its Jesuit Catholic mission helps ignite a students passion for social justice and a desire to Change the World From Here. For more information, visit usfca.edu. For something like this to happen to me, theres something really wrong, said Widen, 48, who agreed to let her 8-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son get the Maltese puppy last year as long as everyone took turns walking her. Widen, who asked that her daughters name not be used, said the girls walk around the block most of which Widen says she can see out her windows is the only time her home-schooled daughter is unsupervised. The funny thing is Im a joke with my friends because my kids are around me all the time. MLCC Shortage, Chip 1 Exchange as an authorized distributor can help. Walsin Technology Corporation and Chip One Exchange USA, Inc. have reached an agreement that allows Chip One to distribute Walsin and Kamaya products throughout the North and South America. The companys product lineup includes multiple-layer ceramic chip (MLCC) capacitors/arrays, chip-resistors/arrays & networks, RF components, disc capacitors, varistors, and chip fuses. Specialty characteristics such as Ultra High-Q, low ESR, AEC-Q200 certified, anti-sulfuration and ultra-small packages allow design engineers maximum flexibility in meeting their customers demands. Per Damon Pouya, Chief Operating Officer, Kamaya and Walsin are trusted names in the industry. Partnering with them comes at a perfect time. The explosion of smart devices is placing a large demand on component suppliers. Even todays most sophisticated integrated circuits rely on passive components such as those produced by Walsin to function. This agreement allows us to design in and then strategically stock the items most critical to our customers. Established in 2001 in Frankfurt, Germany and launching its U.S. operations in 2007, Chip One Exchange is a franchised distributor of electronic components for aerospace, telecommunications, medical, automotive, industrial, defense, mobile computing and consumer applications. In addition to component sales, Chip One offers design services, BOM analysis, inventory and lifecycle management. William Godsey 18, left, and Bradley Miller, associate director of WPIs Robotics Resource Center, examine the lionfish harvesting robot built by Godsey and his project team. Undergraduate students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) are building an autonomous underwater robot that could help reduce the threat posed by an invasive species of fish that, unchecked by natural predators, threatens the well-being of coral reefs and other marine ecosystems in Coastal U.S. and Caribbean waters, including commercially and recreationally important native fish the region depends on. In a multi-year effort launched last fall, WPI student teams are developing a robot designed to autonomously hunt for and harvest lionfish. The projects goal is to reduce the impact of the invasive species on marine ecosystems from the Caribbean up to the coasts of Florida and Georgia. Since the fish is a pricey delicacy, the robot also could provide a new source of income for local fishermen. The first student project team, completing its MQP (Major Qualifying Project), worked this past academic year to develop several systems that will enable the submersible robot to distinguish lionfish from other species and spear them. The robot could offer fishermen, who normally scuba dive to spear their catch, a more efficient and safe way to harvest the fish, which have poisonous spines that are painful to touch. A graduation requirement for every WPI student, MQPs are team-based design or research projects that give students professional-level experience. The 2017-18 project team consisted of William Godsey, Brandon Kelly, Joseph Lombardi, Nikolay Uvarov, and Andrey Yuzvik, all members of the Class of 2018 who majored in robotics engineering. The faculty advisors were Kenneth Stafford, teaching professor and director of the universitys Robotics Resource Center; Bradley Miller, associate director of the Robotics Resource Center; and Craig Putnam, senior instructor in computer science and associate director of WPIs Robotics Engineering Program. There are economic and environmental benefits to this, and the fish are delicious, said Kelly, who focused on the robots computer vision system. Ive seen the massive devastation caused by these fish and it really made me want to work on this project. We felt like we could create some change in the world. Lionfish, a colorful aquarium fish native to the South Pacific and Indian oceans, have become a serious problem in the Caribbean and western Atlantic. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) calls them the poster child for invasive species. With no predators outside of their native waters, the population is expanding at an astonishing rate, putting additional stress on coral reefs already struggling from the effects of climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Lionfish also are disrupting native fish populations that are commercially, recreationally, and ecologically important to the region. According to the Ocean Support Foundation, the fish, which have stomachs that can expand up to 30 times its normal volume as they eat, can reduce juvenile fish populations on a reef by nearly 90 percent in as little as five weeks. Lionfish have been found with more 50 species of juvenile fish in their stomachs. Harvesting the fish could be an economic boon to the region, since they can fetch up to $20 per pound, making them not only a food source for fishermen but a solid source of income, as well. There are commercial robots that could be used to harvest lionfish, but they must be directed by an operator connected to the robot by a tether, which could damage fragile reefs. The WPI robot would be untethered and would hunt for fish on its own, without human direction. Once it recognizes a lionfish, it would change course to intercept it and spear it. The buoyant spear tip would detach and float the fish to the surface to be collected. A fisherman could use multiple robots to maximize his catch. The goal is to be able to toss the robot over the side of a boat and have it go down to the reef, plot out a course, and begin its search, said Putnam. It needs to set up a search pattern and fly along the reef, and not run into it, while looking for the lionfish. The idea is that the robots could be part of the environmental solution. The past years MQP team members used machine learning, advanced computer vision libraries, neural network software, and computer vision models to develop the robots computer vision system, which is the key to distinguishing lionfish from the other fish and aquatic species in the area. They showed the system thousands of images of lionfish of different colors, taken from different angles and in different lighting conditions, to train it to recognize a lionfish with greater than 95 percent accuracy. The students also showed the system pictures of what it absolutely must not aim atnamely divers! Putnam said. The team also developed the spearing and buoyancy compensation systems. The robot has a revolving carousel, not unlike the cylinder of a revolver, that holds eight detachable spear tips. A motorized mechanism connects to a metal shaft that thrusts the spear tips into the fish. As the shaft retracts, leaving the boutant spear tip embedded in the fish, the carousel turns to move the next spear tip into position. As the spear tips are used, the robot loses buoyancy. To compensate, the researchers built a watertight, air-filled chamber that enlarges slightly after each spearing to displace more water and equalize the robots bouyancy. The team also designed a water-tight chamber to protect the robots motherboard and electronics from the salt water, which is highly corrosive. In many ways, this was the hardest part of the project, said Godsey, who worked on the systems buoyancy and electronics chambers, along with its shooting mechanism. Just because something is waterproof doesnt mean it will work in salt water, which is an incredibly corrosive substance. The robot is being designed to attach to a commercially available, autonomous submersible robot. During the 2018-19 academic year, a second MQP team will focus on the robots global navigation system, which will enable it to autonomously establish and navigate a three-dimensional search grid as it seeks lionfish. This is a real-world problem and the students attacked it, Stafford said. WPIs responsibility is to develop students with the confidence and competence to take on global problems. We are giving them the tools to attack these problems. About Worcester Polytechnic Institute WPI, a global leader in project-based learning, is a distinctive, top-tier technological university founded in 1865 on the principle that students learn most effectively by applying the theory learned in the classroom to the practice of solving real-world problems. Recognized by the National Academy of Engineering with the 2016 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education, WPIs pioneering project-based curriculum engages undergraduates in solving important scientific, technological, and societal problems throughout their education and at more than 45 project centers around the world. WPI offers more than 50 bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs across 14 academic departments in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts. Its faculty and students pursue groundbreaking research to meet ongoing challenges in health and biotechnology; robotics and the internet of things; advanced materials and manufacturing; cyber, data, and security systems; learning science; and more. http://www.wpi.edu Contact: Andy Baron Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, Massachusetts 508-831-5916, ajbaron@wpi.edu 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. Southwest Airlines is having a " target="_blank"California Super Sale" for tickets to fly within the Golden State for as low as $39 one-way. But these cheap tickets come with some restrictions: Southwest's super-savings deal expires at the end of the day on Wednesday, August 22 at 11:59 p.m and those $39 fares are only available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays within the promotion calendar. Domestic travel booked under the plan is valid from September 11, 2018 through February 13, 2019. Using the slogan, "Don't Wait, Golden State," Southwest Airlines' flight page features $39 one-way fares connecting travelers to cities all over California. The deal includes flights that depart from Southwest terminals in Los Angeles, San Diego, Burbank, Orange County/Santa Ana, Long Beach, Ontario/LA, Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. The $39 one-way fare does not include government taxes and fees. Flight deals under this promotion were first made available to the public on Tuesday, August 21. While the $39 flights are offered on Tuesday and Wednesdays within the valid travel days, a search through the Southwest Airlines website found most other one-way fares during the week and weekend of the promotion were between $61 and $109. Exciting as these fares are, there are some additional restrictions. Travelers can only be flying within California and a 21-day advance purchase is required. LONDON The European Union wants to adopt a strict approach to supervision of the City of London post-Brexit, a senior Brussels official has said. Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commission's most senior official for financial services, said that any future relationship between the City and the EU's financial sector will have to include high levels of monitoring to ensure that the UK is complying with new rules. "We see that there is a need to strengthen systemic monitoring of continued compliance," Dombrovskis said, according to a story from the Financial Times. "So this is one area where we will come with a more systematic approach." The UK and EU are holding talks to agree on a future relationship when it comes to financial services. Brexit will effectively nullify the current system of passporting. Passporting rules allow EU finance companies to sell their services across the 28-member bloc with a local license, rather than getting a license to operate in each member country where it does business. Its use is tied to membership of the European Single Market. Britain is leaving the Single Market as part of Brexit and will no longer be able to do business using these rules once it has left the EU. A new relationship must, therefore, be forged. Britain is currently proposing a system of so-called "advanced equivalence." Under the equivalence framework, the EU acknowledges that the legal, regulatory, and supervisory regime of a non-EU country is as good as its own and allows that state access to the financial services sector within the bloc. Countries like Singapore and the USA use a similar system to trade financial services with the EU. The UK government has consistently maintained that it will seek to improve on existing requirements for equivalence of rules between the EU and outside countries. The EU was initially sceptical of these plans claiming it did not allow the bloc complete autonomy but has softened in recent weeks. However, Dombrovskis' comments suggest there is still a long way to go. He said that the EU will not allow the UK to enter into a system of "super equivalence", whereby all areas of financial services are immediately covered. The new relationship between the City and the rest of the EU will be analysed "sector by sector and legislation by legislation," Dombrovskis said. He made clear that discussions on implementing equivalence are at an "early stage." "We are, if you want, at a relatively early stage, because the UK white paper is actually the first time the UK clearly acknowledges that it is willing to build on this system of enhanced equivalence," he said. Lanny Davis, Michael Cohen's attorney, says his client has information "that should be of interest" to special counsel Robert Mueller, following his plea deal with federal prosecutors on Tuesday. Cohen pleaded guilty to five counts of tax evasion, one count of bank fraud, one count of making an unlawful corporate contribution, and one count of making an illegal campaign finance contribution. Cohen claimed that his campaign finance violations, related to a $130,000 payment made to the porn star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence were made "at the direction of the candidate" with "the purpose of influencing the election." Davis confirmed that candidate was Trump. "Mr. Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel, and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows," Davis said during an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. In a later interview on CNN, Davis suggested Cohen's tenure in Trump's inner circle made him privy to details that have yet to be revealed to Mueller and the broader Russia probe. "Michael Cohen, being a lawyer for Donald Trump for many, many years, knows almost everything about Mr. Trump," Davis said. Cohen's plea deal with prosecutors does not so far include a cooperation agreement. Legal experts say that could be for one of two reasons: either Cohen chose not to cooperate, or prosecutors do not feel that he has enough information to offer them in exchange for a further reduction in sentence. The longtime former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Cramer said Tuesday that if Cohen chose not to cooperate, it may be because he is still holding out for a pardon from Trump. "If Cohen flips on Trump, that pardon flies out the window," Cramer said. But Davis's comments to Maddow suggest his client may still be angling for a better plea deal by making it clear he has information of value to Mueller. Cohen is currently a subject of interest in several threads of the Russia investigation, including the Trump Organization's push to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, the creation of a Russia-friendly "peace plan" during the early days of Trump's presidency, and his potential involvement in an unconfirmed trip to Prague during the summer of 2016 to meet with Kremlin-linked officials. Last month, it also emerged that Cohen If Cohen gives Mueller information of value, the special counsel could then push for a reduction in his sentence. Two massive legal developments Tuesday relating to President Donald Trump and his 2016 campaign threw Washington into a frenzy. On Tuesday afternoon, Trump's former longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to eight counts related to tax evasion, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations. Critically, he said he had made illegal campaign and corporate contributions "at the direction of" a 2016 presidential candidate and with the "purpose of influencing the election." That candidate is widely understood to be Trump. Cohen's plea deal as of Tuesday does not include a cooperation agreement, and legal experts say that may be because prosecutors feel he does not have enough to offer them. However, they say that Cohen will likely continue trying to get a better deal by cooperating with any federal investigation whether it's with the Manhattan US attorney's office, which was investigating him, or with another criminal investigation, like the Russia probe. Elsewhere on Tuesday, a jury in Virginia convicted former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort of eight counts related to tax fraud, bank fraud, and failure to report foreign bank accounts. Andrew Wright, a former associate in the White House counsel's office under President Barack Obama, didn't mince words when reacting to the events. "This is, bar none, the worst day of the Trump presidency," he said. Hard to call it a witch hunt now Trump and his allies in Congress and the right-wing media frequently deride the Russia probe as a politically motivated fishing expedition. While Trump has long attacked the investigation, his rhetoric heated up significantly this week, when he targeted the special counsel Robert Mueller himself in his most direct attack yet. Following the Manafort verdict on Tuesday, Trump said, "It doesn't involve me, but it's a very sad thing that happened. This has nothing to with Russian collusion." Trump added: "This started as Russian collusion. This has absolutely nothing to do this is a witch hunt." Mueller is tasked with investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 election. As part of that mandate, he is also looking into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow, whether Trump sought to obstruct justice in the investigation, and any other matters that may arise out of the investigation. Jens David Ohlin, a vice dean at Cornell Law School and an expert on criminal law, called the Manafort verdict "a big win for Mueller's team" that "certainly adds legitimacy to the Mueller investigation." "Prosecutors found evidence of significant wrongdoing and a jury agreed with them," he said. "Hard to call it a witch hunt now." Patrick Cotter, a longtime former federal prosecutor who has worked with members of Mueller's team, pointed out that the Russia probe and cases related to it "have resulted in over a half dozen persons being convicted of federal felonies." "Everyone Mueller has targeted has pleaded guilty or been found guilty," he said. "There has not been one single 'not guilty.'" Cotter added that Manafort's conviction also bolsters the special counsel's investigation by showing witnesses who may face criminal exposure "that failure to tell the truth and cooperate will lead to their being successfully prosecuted and sent to jail. This will mean more witnesses and more evidence for Mueller." Mitchell Epner, a former federal prosecutor in the US attorney's office for the District of New Jersey, echoed that view and said "each conviction and guilty plea cuts another limb out from under [Trump's] continual cries of 'witch hunt.'" He also pointed out that Mueller's continued progress will likely make it more difficult for Trump to garner congressional support to end the Russia investigation. Manafort may choose to appeal his verdict. However, the former federal prosecutor Harry Sandick, Jr. said that the judge's tough approach toward prosecutors and the jury's inability to reach a verdict on 10 out of the 18 counts against Manafort will likely make it difficult for the defense to prove his trial was unfair. The biggest question for Manafort going forward: to flip or not to flip? "Unlike other defendants and this is where politics come into it Manafort is uniquely positioned to know things about other facets of the Mueller probe that have to do with the Trump campaign, and that's why he's valuable," said Jeffrey Cramer, a former federal prosecutor in Chicago. "Would he talk about things other than what he's convicted for, about the president or anything else he knows?" Cohens guilty plea lands within striking distance of the White House Meanwhile, Cohen's guilty plea, though not connected to the Russia investigation, hits closer to home for Trump than any other development so far. In particular, his statement Tuesday about violating campaign finance laws at Trump's direction opens the president up to significant liability, experts said. Trump could face scrutiny "on some combination of solicitation, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy," Wright said. Current Department of Justice (DOJ) policy states that a sitting president cannot be indicted. Legal scholars said that while Mueller or other federal prosecutors will likely not charge Trump because of that, he may be listed in court documents related to Cohen as an un-indicted co-conspirator. Crucially, Epner noted that Trump would not be shielded from criminal prosecution once he leaves office. Trump's lead defense lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said Tuesday that "there is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen. It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time." But the former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti pointed out that if Cohen's statements today were contradicted by other evidence prosecutors have, or if they did not believe Cohen, prosecutors would not have accepted the plea. Cohen's guilty plea means he would be available as a witness in any potential prosecution of Trump during or after his presidency. He could also implicate others in criminal wrongdoing, who may in turn have evidence against Trump and testify to that in order to protect themselves. "Either way, Cohen poses a serious threat to the president in a criminal law sense," Cotter said. Wright agreed. It was, in his words, never anything more than that, not with him at any rate, and in the hierarchy of violations, it wouldnt rank at the top. He says he doesnt feel damaged by it, though it gives him insight into those who have been hurt. The Father of the late Ebony, Nana Opoku Kwarteng has been in the media accusing Bullet of cheating him. Bullet has also came out to debunk allegation and resign as the late Ebonys manager and further stated that he will reveal some deep secrets soon. Speaking in an interview on TV3, Captain Planet called on Nana Opoku Kwarteng and Bullet to settle their differences. Bullet and Ebony's dad Nana Opoku Kwarteng should sit up and resolve this issue amicably because of the legacy that ebony left behind that they are trying to protect. That legacy cannot be protected without Bullet, Captain Planet said. He knows everything about Ebony, he has all the requirements, so Bullet can decide to be part or not be part and it wont affect him, but he will still get that glory as the first manager that managed a female artiste to win Artist of the Year, he added. The Ghana News Agency reported that Edward Affuls plea was not taken and he is expected to re-appear in Court on Tuesday August 28, 2018 for further hearing of the case. Narrating the incident to the court, Detective Inspector John Asare Bediako told the court that the victim, together with some colleagues were at the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital on a three- week clinical affiliation programme which ended on Saturday, August 18, 2018. He said the victim was assigned to the Foster Ward of the hospital where Afful worked. The suspect and the victim became friends as a result of boss and subordinate relationship, to the extent that he sometimes invited the victim to his bungalow to assess and help her with her presentations. However, on Sunday August 5, 2018, Edward Afful overstepped when he invited the victim to his bungalow again where she reportedly downloaded a movie he had recommended to her. The suspect apparently lost control over his libido as he jumped on the victim, tore her panties and forcibly had sex with her, leaving her severely bruised. Inspector John Asare Bediako said the victim reported the incident to the Elmina Police Station the next day, and the case was referred to the DOVVSU office in Cape Coast, leading to the arrest of the suspect. The former Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor is also seeking a court order to restrain the Central Bank from taking over the assets and liabilities of uniBank. UniBank, together with four other indigenous banks Soverign, BEIGE, Construction and Royal Banks have been merged to form the Consolidated Bank of Ghana Limited. The Central Bank explained that the merger became necessary after some of the banks fell below the indigenous bank's Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and others breached regulations. However, Dr. Duffour believes the licence purportedly granted the Consolidated Bank "was not granted in accordance with Act 930 and is null and void." He is, therefore, seeking an injunction from the High Court to restrain the Bank of Ghana from expropriating uniBank by its purported vesting of 'good assets and liabilities' of uniBank in Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited and the revocation of the licence of uniBank." In a statement, Dr. Duffour wants the High Court to declare the Central Banks revocation of uniBanks operating license as "being in breach of Articles 23 and 296 of the1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana." He observed that even though Dr Omane Boamah is brilliant, he is a born stammerer which does not make him the best option for the position he was appointed to. READ ALSO: Aayalolo lands a shuttle service deal at KIA He added that such an appointment made by Mr Mahama at the time was one of such unpopular decisions that cost the party. It is not the chief that speaks, it is a linguistand so when you are a leader, you must have a good linguist. When Prof was in power, Haruna Iddrisu was our linguist in charge of communications right. When my brother John came to power he substituted him for Dr Omane who is a natural stammerer he added. You know he is a very intelligent boy, smart but when he is speaking he wastes time in coming out. Ghanaians dont have that much patience. They are always looking at those that are rattling. Even though you may have a good message you will not succeed in marketing that good because somebody from the other side rattling so we came down. READ ALSO: Kwabena Duffour sues BoG over revocation of uniBank license However, Mr Bagbin promised that he will do better if he is elected as flagbearer of NDC and subsequently president of Ghana. He said that his background as a student of governance and leadership, will not allow him make some of these mistakes. The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) has announced a closure of parts of the Motorway Interchange to facilitate construction works. Joseph Yeboah, Project Coordinator at Highways Authority said other alternative routes have been made available to motorists to manage the traffic situation. In interview on Accra-based Citi FM, he said "The alternative routes are routes that will help you bypass the Tema Motorway Roundabout. So for example, if you are heading towards Aflao you dont need to come to the roundabout. What you need to do is to look out for the alternative routes and the signs that we have placed." "To lessen the burden of being in traffic or inconveniencing motorists we have provided all these alternative routes around the roundabout so that motorists can get to their destinations in good time." READ MORE: Gas tanker crashes on Tema motorway The Ministry of Roads and Highways, acting through the Ghana Highway Authority, has received a Japanese grant for the construction of the first phase of the interchange. The grant was facilitated by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Traffic congestion at the roundabout has been a major concern for motorists and residents of Tema and its environs which has negatively affected productivity in the industrial city. Ms. Nkole Kangombe, 47 was convicted by His Lordship Justice Cee Baiden upon her own plea and subsequently sentenced to a fine of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($ 7,500), (GH 90,000) cedi equivalent penalty unit in default of 15 years if not paid for trafficking of Ephedrine without express permission from the appropriate office. Operatives of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) arrested Ms. Nkole on Sunday 28 April 2018 at the KIA where she was going through departure formalities to board Ethiopian Airline flight NO. ET 819 to Ethiopia enroute Maputo-Mozambique. READ MORE: Cocaine dealer Nayele Ametefe released from jail Ms. Kangombe was apprehended during a normal routine profiling exercise on passengers by NACOB at the departure lounge. A preliminary search carried out on her hand luggage revealed nothing incriminating and she was later escorted to the luggage section where she identified a brown Samsonite bag as hers. Follow up checks in her presence uncovered a whitish substance wrapped with four mini blankets and two towels. A field test on the exhibit proved positive for narcotic substance. READ ALSO: NACOB impounded 44kg of cocaine in 2017 Further analytical test at the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) proved the substance as Ephedrine, a pharmaceutical raw material that is used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, an illicit drug with a weight value of 25kg. Mr. Bagbin has openly declared his intention of contesting in the NDCs flabeareship race ahead of the 2020 elections. The Nadoli Kaleo MP has also been a strong critic of John Mahama, having countlessly accused the former president of being responsible for the partys loss in the last elections. Recently Mr. Bagbin is quoted as referring to Mahama as a reckless driver who drove the nation into an accident during his time as president. He is also on record to have said that Mahama used funds meant for the grassroots to enrich his boys who acquired mansions and V8 vehicles within four years. His comments have, however, not gone down well with some persons in the NDC, with the partys National Organiser hinting that he could be dragged before the disciplinary committee. Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Joy FM, Kofi Adams said the party would take the appropriate steps against Alban Bagbin in due time. You just gave indication of...partys disciplinary processes and they would be invoked at the appropriate time he stated. The former Gender and Social Protection minister announced on Tuesday that she was no longer interested in continuing with her political career. Mrs. Djaba was one of the Ministers who were affected by President Akufo-Addos first reshuffle after being replaced by Hajia Alima Mahama. However, she also confirmed that she has turned down the Presidents appointment of her as Ghanas new Ambassador to Italy. Mrs. Djaba explained that she was not ready to be moved away from her family and that she was bowing out of politics to take care of her ex-husband who has had stroke for the past six years. The former Gender minister has, however, received the backing of MP Kennedy Agyapong, who believes it is understandable to take a rest from politics. READ ALSO: Former Ashanti Regional Minister dies According to the Assin Central MP, Ghanaians must not be afraid to quit their positions. Mahama with some stalwarts of the party visited Rawlings to inform him of his intentions to contest as the party's presidential candidate for the 2020 polls. The meeting, Pulse.com.gh gathered was also used to explain convincingly and justify why Mahama is the best man to lead the party in the 2020 elections. According to the party, they received the invitation very late and could not attend the meeting today, Wednesday, August 22, 2018. "We had a message informing us of the impending meeting around 12:00 pm, which is not appropriate," a source said. The newly reconstituted leadership of the Commission is meeting the various parties to hold discussions in relation to the Electoral Calendar. A copy of a letter signed by Jean Mensa read: "On behalf of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, I am pleased to invite you to Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Wednesday 22nd August 2018. The time is 1:00 pm. The venue is the IPAC room of the Electoral Commission. "As you may be aware, the Commission will carry out a referendum this year as part of the government proposal to create six new regions. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the 2018 limited Registration Exercise and the Referendum. According to him, Otiko Djaba rejecting her appointment to serve as Ghana's ambassador to Italy exposes a deep crisis inside Nana Addo's government. The former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection who was thrown out of office in the President's first reshuffle has said she's calling it quits from active politics to enable her to enjoy her family life. "At 56 years, I want to relax and enjoy my family and life and, therefore, I am not ready to take up the appointment as Ambassador to Italy," she said in a report by state-owned Daily Graphic. Otiko explained that she was hanging her political boots to take care of her sick ex-husband. "I am the one who has been taking care of him since he got sick and I cannot abandon him now," she noted. But ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs committee of Parliament, Okudzeto Ablakwa said "all is not well within the Akufo-Addo government". In a Facebook post, he wrote "Learning of Otiko Djabas rather abrupt and curious retirement from politics. "While wishing her well in her future endeavours, it does appear that contrary to what they would want us believe, all is not well within the Akufo-Addo Government. This fact is further buttressed by the recent astonishing claims from the Health Minister that some enemies within want him sacked. As pundits will most likely conclude; these internal rifts will potentially have far reaching governance consequences for our country. "That said, and while acknowledging that the former Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister deserves some privacy at this juncture, a critical concern ought to be Ghanas relations with Italy. I do hope this avoidable quagmire will be delicately managed if not late in the day so as not to convey an impression albeit negatively that we are toying with our long standing strategic relations with the Italians. No receiving country is flattered to discover that an envoy so appointed is unwilling to say the least, and that the appointing authority apparently did little or no homework before announcing such an appointment to the world. He will meet the leaders of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia together during his visit, which will last until Sunday, according to an Israeli official. Netanyahu is constantly seeking sympathetic ears within the EU, particularly among countries that can serve as a counterweight to the criticism Israel often receives from western European nations over its occupation of Palestinian territory. He has also been eager to convince European countries to exert more pressure on Iran after the United States pulled out of the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers and reimposed sanctions, as he had advocated. European countries have sought to rescue the deal, saying it is working as intended in keeping Iran, Israel's main enemy, from obtaining nuclear weapons for now. Separately from the Baltics, Netanyahu has found common cause among eastern and central European countries with nationalist leaders, notably the so-called Visegrad Group of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. During a visit to Hungary last year, he denounced "absolutely crazy" EU demands of Israel, such as those related to Israel's occupation of the West Bank, in closed-door remarks picked up by a microphone and overheard by journalists. The visit to Lithuania is also likely to include trade discussions. Lithuania has been a customer of Israel's key defence industry and has spoken of expanding its cyber-security sector, a particular speciality of Israeli firms. Nine EU member states, including Lithuania, recently announced their intention to create "rapid reaction teams" to respond to possible cyber threats, as part of a new EU defence pact. Many Israelis have origins in Lithuania and Netanyahu will visit with members of the Jewish community as well as attend a ceremony in memory of the 141,000 Jewish victims of the Holocaust there. Lithuania's 2.9 million population today includes some 3,000 Jews. However, that is set to change with Mrs. Trump revealing that she will be travelling to Africa later this year. In a statement, she said she is excited about the idea of visiting the continent and is looking forward to learning African cultures and history. She, however, refused to disclose which country in particular she will be visiting and the exact time of her visit. This will be my first time travelling to Africa and I am excited to educate myself on the issues facing children throughout the continent, while also learning about its rich culture and history, Mrs Trump said. The US First Lady is expected to focus on humanitarian work and development programmes being done in many of the countries. The suspension of the students came over forty days after the university management was informed that two students were being forced to join a cult group against their will. However, after a thorough investigation, 12 students of the University were apprehended and handed over to the Osun State police command for further investigation. Confirming the students' suspension, the Public Relation Officer of the university, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju in a statement signed by the University Registrar, Mrs Magaret Omosule said the students breached their Matriculation Oath, Code of Conduct and other pertinent University regulations. The students are: ONYEKWUSI Praise Chinemerem, Matriculation number ASE / 2014/218, OJO Abiodun Olamide, Matriculation number MCB /2012 /149, UDE John, Matriculation number ASE /2015 /362, OLADOYE Tobi Olakunmi, Matriculation number EGL /2014/ 383, AYEYI Damilola Ayomide, Matriculation number EGL /2016 /075, DAVIS Jesulayomi Olakunle, Matriculation number EGL / 2014 /207. The statement reads: "After the investigation of the suspected students by the Nigeria Police, the University, today, 20th of August, received a detailed report of the Police findings where it was confirmed that six of the University students had admitted their membership of proscribed groups, thus breaching their Matriculation Oath, Code of Conduct and other pertinent University regulations. "In view of the University zero tolerance for cultism, and in accordance with the relevant statutes, the following students have been suspended pending the outcome of investigations by the appropriate authority. ''Management hereby uses this medium to assure the University Community and all other stakeholders, most especially the students populace that adequate measures have been put in place to secure lives and property and ensure a peaceful environment for all residents on the University estate. According to Billboard, the music streaming service commenced business in Uganda on August 22, 2018. The report also states that the Ugandan launch was done in partnership with telecoms company MTN. Free trial Tidal will also be offering MTNs over 150 million subscribers in Uganda a 30-day free trial when they sign up on its platform. Billboard also reports that the music streaming service will give users the opportunity to subscribe for one, three, seven, and 30-days. Musical inspiration Speaking on the latest development, Tidals COO, Lior Tibon said Africa has been an inspiration for music all over the world. Africa is a continent that has long been an inspiration for music heard around the world and Tidal is excited to highlight the vibrant musicians on our platform. "Tidal is also thrilled to bring a new wave of digital music to Uganda as part of this collaboration, Tibon added. Wonderful day in Africa Also, Damian Marley described the launch as a wonderful development for Africa. He said I remember hearing stories about my fathers records being destroyed once they got to Africa. "They didnt want the people to hear the message in the music. What a beautiful day it is now when Africa will not only have access to my familys music but to all music that exists. MTN Ugandas chief marketing officer Olivier Prentout alsosaidAt MTN we believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life. "This partnership with TIDAL further demonstrates our strategic vision to lead the delivery of a bold, new digital world to our customers by making music more available on their smartphones." Tidal to host concert in Uganda According to Billboard, "Tidal will also host local music on its service in addition to its already-vast catalog, and will host a Collaboration Conference on Sept. 27 to help bring in local artists to learn about the streaming service and how they can work on projects together moving forward. The following day, Tidal and MTN will also host a concert featuring Kranium, DJ Spinall, Beenie Gunter and local DJs in Kampala." Duncan Mighty is the flavour of the Nigerian Music industry presently and it is no surprise that everyone seeks a bit of his magic. His technical proficiency on hooks is truly stunning. The way he chants his native language is attimes enchanting and his vocals deliver a gripping piece of musical bliss on a given day. From the moment he blessed Wizkid with a feature on Fake Love, which became an instant hit, Duncan Mighty has been on the list of 'must-work-with-to-get-a-hit' by every artist seeking a guaranteed mainstream record. But this is not peculiar to him as it often happens to every 'newly discovered hit-maker' or any artist who has the ability to deliver the right hook or verse in turning an otherwise average record into an anthem. When 2face Idibia emerged on the scene, everyone wanted a piece of him, it was no different for Ruggedman after he stirred the hostile waters with Ehen, a verse from him was the holy grail that rappers sought, the likes of Wizkid and Olamide have also passed through this route and internationally, names like Rihanna, Akon, TPain were most prominent during the time of their come-up. But as great as putting out more music sound, less can actually be more especially for an artist like Duncan Mighty, who is not exactly a newbie. For long, his legacy powered by his talent has also been fuelled by this myth around his music with the conservative stance that he chose, remaining in his Port Harcourt region at a time when every artist jumped on the next bus to Lagos. It is understandable when artists try to cash in as much as possible on their '15minutes of fame', but there is a greater risk of early burnout as against a sustained period of influence. From May, when he enjoyed a 'rebirth' of a sort with the release of Fake Love, Duncan Mighty has featured on over 15 released songs in the last three months. An average of 4 songs every month, one song per week and while he has scored some hits along the way, evidently there have been misses as well. The past few features especially are becoming far too predictable, less intimate and not as refreshing as the chants were. The majority of his features are tied around the same topic, ''Love'', so his lyrics are also becoming repetitive and you find him even bringing back lines from his old songs like he did on Lova Lova with Tiwa Savage, with the lyrics, ''If I break your heart, it's like oil spillage'', originally used in the song 'Killing me softly' released on his last studio album, The Certificate. Outside the fact that he delivered a stellar verse on Fake Love, one thing that also worked in the favour of the Wene Mighty was that listeners had become tired of the saturated and now monotonous 'Shaku Shaku' vibe, and the world hadn't heard from him in quite some time, so his sound was a breathe of fresh air allowing his fans enough time to fully soak up his melody. There was also the feeling of nostalgia that music lovers who listened to him when he released his debut album, Koliwater in 2008 could associate with. But 15 features down the line and there is no evolving, little experimenting and everything is starting to sound the same, and heading for the stale door faster than the last trend did. The attraction of the now is blinding the brilliance of his creativity, and preventing him from taking time to rebooth and deliver more special offerings. So yeah, we understand that the newly found attraction is good and acknowledge his work ethic, but it will be interesting to see him take a few steps back, be more selective with the collaborations he jumps on and judging by how he has consistently delivered a new project every two years, maybe power that energy into releasing another defining body of work before the end of the year. On patrol at a local childrens hospital, she hears the baby crying and comforts her. This act has earned her a promotion at her place of work. According to the Hindustan Times, Ayala was able to tell that the infant was in need of food from the sounds it made. How she went viral While sitting on a chair showcasing her mother instincts, Marcos Heredia, a colleague of the policewoman took a picture of her and posted it on Facebook. The post has been shared 112,000 times on the social media platform. I want to make public this great gesture of love that you had today with that little baby," reads Heredia's comment accompanying the picture. She reportedly took permission from the healthcare center before making to breastfeed the neglected baby. Of course, those 'rules' are antiquated, a relic, a leftover when people felt they had the right to police women's bodies especially bodies that did not fit into socially accepted norms. Luckily, we have some excellent curvy girl role models, fearless women like model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham who have done away with the rule book and encourage others to do the same. At the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue Fashion Fund Awards, Graham opted for a white midi-length dress by Victor Glemaud. The next day, she wore a white two-piece crop top and pencil skirt from Australian brand Meshki. When asked aout her bold colour choice, the popular plus-size model was defiant and said, Why cant a curvy girl wear white? I was always told I cant. Ive been told that a lot, and its in the rule book for curvy girls. Well, it seems that we are doing away with antiquated ideas of what curvy girl can and can't wear and as long as we follow some style rules, everyone can look and feel great in whatever they like. If you're a curvy girl and you want to step put of your comfort zone by hopping on the white trend then here's your guide on how to nail the look. 3 Tips to Remember FitWhen wearing white the fit will make or break your incredible ook. Of course you can opt for the white loose look and not have to worry about that. However, if youre feeling up for the challenge and you like a more glamorous and show-stopping look, make sure whatever you wear fits like a glove. Also, to avoid any unsightly lumps and bumps, shapewear goes a long way when wearing white or any light colur. Make sure you invest in a solid pair. FabricEven though the weather tends to be hot, try and pick a heavier fabric. Thin white fabrics will magnify problem areas (even when wearing shapewear). Cheap white fabric will show everything including your underwear and trust us, you don't want that. ConfidenceWhite is a colour where theres no running and hiding. You have to make sure to add a good dose of confidence when pulling off the look. You have just as much right to wear white and slay like the next girl. Embrace it all! How select and style your little white dress Choose The Right Under Garments- A white dress can be a bit intimidating, especially as a plus size woman. The truth is that lighter colours do make things look bigger and can be less forgiving than dark colors. White is notorious for putting a magnifying glass on every crease and crevice on the body, but that doesnt mean that curvy women have to skip out on the little white dress trend. If the idea of revealing these beautiful flaws makes you feel uncomfortable, simply slip on some shape wear underneath. Pick The Right Silhouette for your shape Since the white dress is a hot item right now, there are many options to pick from. Hourglass Shape- Rectangle (Banana) Shape- Inverted Triangle- Oval (Apple) Shape- Triangle (Pear) Shape- Layer Your Look- To give your look dimension, layer white with different textures and prints. In this hot weather, opt for a lighter option such as a military vest or fitted denim jacket. Pop Some Colour- Dont be afraid to add a colourful splash of colour to your outfit. You can add in colour with layering pieces, printed shoes, and even accessories such a bright coloured handbag. Mrs Buhari, who had a stop-over at the clinic to commemorate her Sallah celebration with the patients also visited the Post operation and General ward. In another development, the wife of the President also donated undisclosed amount of money to 200 grassroots women in Daura to enable them set up their businesses. Mrs Buhari, who made the symbolic presentation of the cash on Wednesday, said the gesture was aimed at empowering grassroots women to be self-reliant. The wife of the President who inaugurated Daura office for grassroots women initiatives also donated groundnuts grinding machines to the women. She said that the centre would be used as an avenue to reach the women in the grassroots where they would be economically self-reliant. Mrs Buhari explained that President Muhammadu Buhari is focus in the fight against corruption even if it involved his family relations who used their position to abuse public trust. While urging women to be ambassadors of peace, Mrs Buhari also called on relevant stakeholders to be proactive in the task of nation building. Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed their gratitude to Mrs Buhari for providing succour in their lives. One of the beneficiary, Mrs Fatima Idris, while thanking the wife of the President, said as a grassroots woman she do not need millions to excel in her business. Around 9:13 p.m. in the West Sides South Austin neighborhood, a 52-year-old man was shot in the left hip and groin in the 5200 block of West Iowa Street during a robbery attempt. The man was walking in the street when he was approached by someone who pulled a gun and said he was bring robbed, police said. The man didnt give anything to the gunman, who then shot him, police said. An ambulance took the man to Stroger Hospital, where he was in good condition. Despite an existing court injunction the government demolished a section of Ayefele's Radio House on Challenge Toll Gate Road, Ibadan, in the early hours of Sunday, August 19, 2018. The move has been widely criticised by many Nigerians who have alleged that the demolition was the result of a political witch-hunt against Ayefele and his Fresh FM radio station which has been said to be fiercely critical of the government. In response to the storm the demolition has gathered, Governor Ajimobi said it was simply a matter of preventing someone from breaking the law. In a short video clip published by BBC Yoruba, the governor spoke on the subject after the Eid prayer in Ibadan on Tuesday, August 21. According to the governor, Ayefele's physical disability does not give him licence to break the law. He, however, promised to 'pity' despite the entire episode. He said, "Regarding the house they said we demolished, that man (Ayefele) did not obey the law. "They said because he's physically-challenged, so because because he's physically-challenged, he can break the law? They said he employed people, but don't armed robbers employ people? Should we allow them (armed robbers) to continue to rob? "And we told them the road...but he's spoken and we'll pity him, but we have to obey the law." Ajimobi previously confessed to political witch-hunt Allegations that the demolition is politically-motivated is fueled most especially by a 2016 incident when Ajimobi visited Ayefele's Fresh FM, housed in the demolished building, and revealed that certain people had told him during his first term to demolish the building because Ayefele did not support him. The governor had said in a radio broadcast, "When we contested the first and won, a lot (of people) told us to demolish the radio station because your programmes and broadcasts are against my government. Your boss, Yinka Ayefele, was also using songs to insult us. "I didn't see any reason why I should demolish the studio. If Ayefele is not for us today, he (will) support us later in future. Ayefele is beside me now and I pray the business will keep flourishing." He had also praised the station as the best in Oyo State "without any equivocation". Oyo Government criticised over demolition Despite the public outcry over the demolition, the Oyo State government has maintained that due process was followed with no ill-intent attached. Ajimobi's Special Adviser on Physical Planning and Development Control, Waheed Gbadamosi, said it was established during a visit to the building that it encroached into the sight distance of the Y junction along Lagelu Estate, stressing that a canteen, toilets, store and powerhouse, which were not in the plan submitted, were attached to the wall fence. He also disclosed that a mast erected on site as well as a staircase were not included in the plan submitted, noting that the basement of the plan which was meant for a car park had also been converted. Gbadamosi further disclosed that a letter was sent to the Music House on June 29, 2018, to submit a fresh building plan application that will reflect the existing structures on site and regularise the anomalies, alleging that the organisation deliberately ignored the letter until the demolition notices were sent on August 13, 2018. He stated that there was no court order restraining the government from carrying out the demolition after the organisation was duly informed through several correspondences. Despite the government's position, Ayefele insists that the demolition was politically-motivated to spite him. He said, "There is no defence for this vindictive and politically motivated destruction of a thriving business in a city that needs economic and job opportunities for its citizens. "In the approved plan of the music house, we requested an approval for a business complex with proposed two studios and the plan was approved. The building is more than 10 years. Are they now saying that a radio license which costs several million to obtain is not a business venture?" Akande made the appeal to the governor in a statement he issued in Ibadan on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akande, a Political Science lecturer at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo, was Chief of Staff to Ajimobi during his first term in office. Akande said recent actions of the government suggest that some elements in the Ajimobi-led administration had forgotten that the administration emerged in 2011 with a promise to protect the welfare of the people. Many recent actions of the government are at variance with its disposition at inception in 2011. This suggests that some forces who are not privy to the pledge of Ajimobi to the people have made ascendancy in the government to the detriment of what the government stood for at inception, he said He said no administration without the element of compassion would go down in history as successful. Akande said that the primary responsibility of any government was to protect lives and property, adding that the sacredness of private property comes after preservation of life in terms of importance. A government has a duty to make all necessary measures to protect the property of private citizens just as it has a duty to protect their lives, he stated. He said that the furore generated by the demolition of the property of Yinka Ayefele, a popular musician, must have demonstrated to the government by now that it was an unpopular decision. Government is about the people and not the anger and emotions of the people in government. The Yoruba captures this truism when they say a ruler rules with wisdom and not with stubbornness. The Ayefele saga has once again brought to the fore the need for the governor to rethink his government and review its personnel and focus as he embarks on his homestretch so that history can be kind to him, he said. Akande said he was pained that the lofty ideals that endeared the governor to the people in the early years had been abandoned and replaced with practices that could wipe out such achievements. It is more painful that many of the personnel who encourage controversial government decisions and actions claim innocence in private conversations and never identified themselves with those decisions, even in public, he said. Akande urged the governor to rethink his posture on the demolition of the building belonging to Ayefele and make amendments that would restore public confidence in his person and administration. Ayefele means many things to many people. His rise to grace in spite of a major life challenge makes him a model for a good percentage of our people. As a musician, he has been the purveyor of joy and happiness to many of us because of his melodious and philosophical music. As a philanthropist, he is a great shield for hundreds of thousands of people. As the promoter of Fresh FM, he is a trustee of public trust as the station has become the Voice of the Voiceless, he said. He recalled how the governor directed all government agencies to protect Ayefeles building from demolition in 2012 during the dualisation of the Challenge-Toll Gate road in spite of persuasion from some forces to demolish it. Akande pleaded that Ajimobi should exhibit this same compassion in taking measures that would protect Ayefeles private investment in the state and restore public admiration for him. Government should open discussion with Ayefele and find an amicable resolution of the dispute. Ayefele needs to be protected because he is a valuable icon of our society, he said. He advised Ajimobi to extend the same sense of compassion to the handling of the subsisting issues at LAUTECH and the closure of tertiary institutions occasioned by the reduction in subvention to the institutions. I make this appeal because the governor is on the homestretch of his administration and there will not be such auspicious opportunity for him to etch his name on the positive side of history. On Wednesday, August 22, 2018, the chairman of the Benue state chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Garus Gololo called on Saraki to resign or the group will kick him out. According to Punch, Gololo also told the Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom that he has been rejected by his people. VIPs The Benue government in its reaction, said that the cattle rearers group have now become influential in President Buharis government. According to Daily Post, Governor Ortoms spokesman, Tever Akase also wondered why Gololo has not been arrested. Akase said It is becoming clear by the day that Miyetti Allah groups have not only assumed the position of the ruling party but are also influential to decisions of governance in this country. What constitutional right does the group have to spew invectives on the person and office of the Senate President without being arrested? Are security agencies sending a signal to Nigerians that Miyetti Allah groups are above the law and therefore untouchable? This is not the first time that Miyetti Allah associations have made inflammatory statements. The other time, the groups held press conferences and threatened to unleash terror on Benue people. They made real their threats and came out to claim responsibility for the killing of over 500 innocent Benue people between January and this month. They followed their gory act with threats of more bloodshed in Benue till the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law is suspended. The Benue State Government wrote several petitions alerting the countrys security chiefs. Yet, nothing was done and to this day, no Miyetti Allah leader has been invited by security agencies for interrogation. Cow Republic The Governors spokesman also said The boldness and authoritative tone with which leaders of Miyetti Allah associations speak on affairs of the nation leave us wondering if the speculation is true, that they plan to turn Nigeria to a Cow Republic. Miyetti Allah and the All Progressives Congress, APC now sound like one association with similar objectives. Nigerians should compare the tone of APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole when he threatened that the party would force Senator Saraki out of office if he failed to resign and the latest threat by Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association to forcefully evict Senator Saraki from office. The words are similar, the motive the same and the agenda also one." Who is supporting Miyetti Allah? Akase also called on Nigerians to resist attempts by the group to allegedly turn Nigeria into a country where cows are more valuable than human lives. What is the source of Miyetti Allah groups authority to make statements injurious to the very soul of this country that no one seems to be calling them to order? Who is behind the Miyetti Allah groups, and what is the persons mission? We urge Nigerians to reject this attempt to turn the country into a republic where the life of a cow has greater value than that of a human being. This level of impunity is not healthy for the nation. For democracy to be successful, it must be anchored on the rule of law, he added. Gov Ortom will not bow Akase also said that the Benue state Governor will not bow to any form of intimidation. On Miyetti Allahs attacks against Governor Ortom in the same media report, we are no longer surprised as the groups have never hidden their obsession with the Governors name. No day passes without the said groups coming out with one publication or the other against the Governor. ALSO READ:Miyetti Allah denies issuing Saraki threats The sad news for them is that Governor Ortom wont bow to intimidation and harassment from them or any other person. The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law which they hate so much has come to stay and anyone who intends to breed livestock in Benue should be prepared to ranch the animals. The Consul-General of Brazil in Lagos, Amb. Flavio Bonzanini, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that his government was willing to increase its visas to Nigerians. We have the interest to foster the relations between our two countries. We have a very significant importance in Nigeria as the largest country in Africa and the most important economy on the continent. At the moment, we think that the issuance of visas to Nigerians will increase naturally, as our relations get better. There will be a natural way to increase visa issuance to Nigerians as more commercial and people-to-people relations increase between Nigeria and Brazil, he said. Bonzanini, who said that the number of visas issued to Nigerians was gradually increasing, however, added that Nigerians had over the years received a low number of visas to Brazil. He also said that it was imperative for Nigerians to understand the requirements and processes for applying for visas to Brazil, for business, study, tourism and other purposes. The consul-general said that his government had instructed the Consulate to always examine and investigate every visa applicants family and personal conditions, as provided in their information and documents. Nowadays, it is important to know that every country tries to examine each and every person who wants to visit their countries. We have instructions from our government to examine, for instance, what Nigerians seeking visas to Brazil will be doing, where they will stay and whether they have sufficient means to travel to Brazil. We are very careful in handling visa applicants who fulfil the necessary items and need to receive visas to Brazil. We also know how expensive it is to live or visit Brazil, he said. The minister said this during a media briefing in Oro, Kwara State on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. "Once again, we have good news that the Federal Government's proactive steps have stopped the killings dramatically. The war against insecurity, we're winning," the minister said. Mohammed's comments come on the back of criticism against the government for failing to curb insecurity in the country with violence claiming thousands of lives across the country in 2018 alone. Buhari kicking corruption in Nigeria - Lai Mohammed also commended President Buhari's administration for kicking corruption "under the table". According to him, the federal government has recovered millions and billions in looted funds and from tax evaders. He said, "The fight against corruption has been unrelenting, without fear or favour. The administration has driven corruption under the table. Nigerians no longer celebrate the corrupt. Looters no longer sleep at night, as the long arm of the law closes in on them. "This administration has embarked on institutional reforms to curb corruption. The diligent implementation of the treasury single account (TSA) has plugged the loopholes being exploited to steal public funds." Buhari's government implementing projects everywhere The minister also maintained that the current administration has been fair to all regions of the country by implementing infrastructural projects that will benefit the Nigerian people. He said, "There is no one part of Nigeria today where road projects, power projects, water projects, agricultural projects are not going on and the whole country today has been turned into one mighty worksite and this is what we believe a government should do. Gololo accused Saraki of working to undermine the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government. But, Othman Ngelzarma, secretary of the group, in a statement on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, said Gololo spoke in his personal capacity adding that his opinion does not represent the view of Myetti Allah. The attention of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has been drawn to an interview granted by one Garus Gololo in Makurdi to Punch Newspaper titled Resign or we will force you out. Miyetti Allah to Saraki. This statement is unfortunate, the statement read. I will categorically state that Garos Gololo spoke in his personal capacity and has no mandate to speak on behalf of the association. Miyetti Allah is a non-partisan association with no interest in the political terrain and we couldnt meddle into the affairs of political actors thereby compounding our already obvious challenges. I therefore urge all and sundry to disregard this statement. This statement is not from MACBAN and should be disregarded in its entirety. We take exception on this statement and Garos Gololo is entirely on his own and will be sanctioned accordingly. We cannot afford to add up to the many challenges we are confronted with. Im therefore appealing to the general public to disregard this statement as it is coming from someone who doesnt have the mandate of the association to speak on its behalf. Thank You and God bless you all. An excerpt of Gololos statement reads: It is on this note that we are saying that Saraki ought not to be in office again as senate president, more so, Saraki has failed to coordinate and organize the national assembly to offer quality legislation that Nigerians need. Nigerians are in dire need of people that have the interest of the masses. Miyetti Allah is looking for a leader that will preside over the affairs of the senate with ultimate respect for the executive and the judiciary, not someone like Senator Saraki that would always scheme to outdo the presidency. We are now tired of Sarakis style of leadership at the national assembly. Therefore we are now warning him to honourably resign his position as president of the senate or we will force him out. PDP reacts The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a statement calling for the arrest of the groups leaders for threatening Saraki. PDPs spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan also described MACBAN as agents of President Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The APC has consistently insisted that the Senate President must go,following his defection to the PDP recently. Gololos comment on Wednesday, has caused quite a ripple on social media, with some Nigerians wondering if the group now officially speaks for the ruling APC. Here are some Twitter reactions below: Are they APC spokesmen? Terror group 4th arms of Government Miyetti Allah is PMBs and APCs enforcers He (Buhari) was away, we scored against DSS Boss Killer herdsmen The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) scribe, Othman Ngelzarma has however said that Gololo expressed his personal views and not that of the group. This was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday. The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Oyerinde, popularly known as Fele, died at Zenith Medical Kidney Hospital, Abuja, on Tuesday afternoon. NAN reports that Oyerinde, until his death, was also the South West Chairman of NURTW. The governor said he received the news of Oyerindes death with a heavy heart and utter disbelief. Ajimobi also described the death of the NURTW chairman as a huge loss to the family, the state and the South West Zone. He said that he was particularly pained because he had lost a dependable ally and purveyor of peace. The governor said that he was proud of Oyerindes emergence as the South West NURTW Chairman. Ajimobi stated that his emergence was in recognition of his sterling leadership ability and propagation of peace as well as orderliness among the drivers. I am greatly saddened by the passing away of Fele. It is very unfortunate and disheartening. He has over time proved to be a dependable ally in our administrations quest to restore peace to the land. That the motor parks across the state are rancour and violence-free today can be partly attributed to his yeoman efforts to whip errant and rapacious drivers into line. He commands respect among the drivers for his sterling leadership qualities. His death is indeed a big loss, not only to his family but also to the NURTW nationwide and the entire people of Ibadanland. May the Almighty grant the family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this great loss. I urge members to respect the new directive of the unions national leadership which appointed his deputy, Alhaji Abideen Olajide, as acting chairman, he said. The governor urged them to respect the decision and go about their lawful activities without rancour. I enjoin the good people of Oyo State to be vigilant around the motor parks and report any act capable of breaching the public peace without delay. May Allah repose the gentle soul of the deceased and grant him the highest place in Jannah, he said. Ajimobi sued for calm and admonished the NURTW leadership in the state to eschew violence and leadership tussle at this time, stressing that members must maintain sobriety in honour of the deceased. NAN recalls that the news of Oyerindes death was broken by the National President of NURTW, Alhaji Najeem Yasin. Yasin, who spoke from Saudi Arabia, confirmed that Oyerinde died at the Zenith Medical Kidney Hospital in Abuja on Tuesday. He said: With a heavy heart, I announce the death of one of the leaders of this union, who was the Oyo State chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, popularly known as Fele. Oyerinde, who is also the South West Chairman of the Union, died this afternoon at Zenith Medical Kidney Hospital, Abuja. I am talking to you from Saudi Arabia. I am in Minna, Saudi Arabia, when he died and was the first person the hospital informed about his death, he said. Yasin said the corpse of the late Oyo NURTW boss was already in transit to his Elebu, Ibadan residence, where he would be buried between 9 and 10 am on Wednesday. He prayed that God forgives his sins and grant the family the fortitude to bear the sudden loss. The NURTW president also approved the appointment of his deputy as the acting chairman, urging members to cooperate with him. Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, had described Buharis walk from the Eid prayer ground to his Daura residence as proof that the President is fit to run for Nigerias top job in 2019. But, in a statement on Tuesday, August 22, 2018, Frank said Buharis 800 meter walk in Daura does not put food on the tables of hungry Nigerians. The former APC spokesman cautioned the Presidency against using propaganda on Nigerians concerning the health status of President Buhari, adding that "the President's 800 meters walk is not an achievement to the country. Comrade advised President Buhari and other presidential aspirants to take up a walking contest at the National Stadium in Abuja where all Nigerians will see them and not only in Daura. Were there Surveyors measuring the distance covered during the presidential walk? Frank asked. "I strongly believe that propaganda will not walk on Nigerians in 2019 elections but the reality on ground. How does ordinary walk around become an issue? It is shameful in this time and age for the presidency to expect us to roll out drums because our president walked 800 unverified metres. "As at the time smaller countries like Rwanda and others are celebrating one technological breakthrough or the other, Nigerian seat of power want us to be celebrating 800 metres walk by the president. I wonder how does this put food on the table?" Franked quipped. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and others in President Buhari's age group have covered more than 1.2 metres and never made noise about it. Has the president's trek solved the infrastructure deficiency, troubled economy, security threats against Nigerians and other issues confronting the nation under the APC government? Frank quipped. The man was stopped at a red light in the 1200 block of the Midway Plaisance when someone from another vehicle fired in the mans SUV, hitting him in the head, shoulder, arm and thigh around 12:05 a.m. He was pronounced dead at University of Chicago Medical Center. Mr Adebola Shabi, the Special Adviser on Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the two loading stations are located at Odaleke and Agunlejika areas of the state. It is an integral part of the waste management treatment infrastructure chain. Shabi said the recently created stations has increased the number of functional loading stations in the state to five. According to him, TLS will hasten the turn-around time for waste collectors, thereby ensuring a cleaner Lagos. The government has reopened the landfill at Abule-Egba to enhance waste management. So in the last two weeks, we have opened two loading stations and a landfill, and we are still looking for sites to open for more landfills in Igando and Isheri-Olofin areas. We are working to ensure that the environment is clean. If these five TLS are working efficiently, there will be no waste on the streets, Shabi said. Waste management, he said, was usually a population growth challenge, particularly with the tonnes of waste generated daily in Lagos State. The special adviser disclosed that Lagos with a population of about 24 million, generates over 20,000 tonnes of waste on a daily basis. In the past, only Epe and Ewu Elepe landfills are functioning, and the distance from Lagos metropolis down to these landfills is far. When you talk about waste management law, you do not have to travel far because of the environmental and health impacts. By the time you allow trucks to travel far, leachate (liquid) from the waste drips on the roads which affect the asphalt and damage the roads. Saraki said this in a statement issued on Monday, August 20, 2018, in response to Tinubus allegations against him. The APC National Leader had earlier issued a press release saying that the Senate President left the ruling party because he wanted an automatic ticket. The Senate President described Tinubus statement as false. He said It is a surprise to me that Asiwaju Tinubu is still peddling the falsehood about the fact that my defection is about automatic ticket and sharing of resources. Members of the public will recall that when the issue of my decision to quit APC came to the fore and many APC leaders were holding meetings with me, a newspaper owned by the same Tinubu published a false report about the promise of automatic tickets, oil blocks and other benefits. "I immediately rebutted their claims and categorically stated that I never discussed any such personal and pecuniary benefits with anybody. My challenge that anybody who has contrary facts should come forward with them still remains open. It should be known that Democracy is a system that allows people to freely make their choices. It is my choice that I have decided to join others to present a viable alternative platform for Nigerians in the coming elections. Tinubu and leaders of the APC had better respect this decision or lawfully deal with it. As for me, Allah gives power to whom He wishes. Human beings can only aspire and strive to fulfil their aspirations. While speaking at a funeral mass in Enugu State over the weekend, the lawmaker, who recently dumped the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC, likened the ruling party's plans for Akwa Ibom in the 2019 general elections to Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939. He said, "Recently, I had an occasion in Akwa Ibom State and this is what happened: I went just to make a floor declaration; others do it in the social media, others just sit in their offices, some do it by text messages that they have changed platform, what we call party. But in my own, I just decided to do it in an uncommon way because they call me uncommon transformer. "It was watched in 59 countries and somebody asked what happened there, and I said just how it happened in Poland. When did they ask Hitler's minister for information about the war in Poland, and he said Warsaw saw war and war saw Warsaw. "I will say that in the Ikot-Ekpene arena, when I stepped out, this is my first function after that, Warsaw saw war and war saw Warsaw. We can't talk politics in the church but in 2019 Warsaw shall see war and war shall see Warsaw. The return will be victory. May God grant us all victory." Hitler and his Nazi regime were responsible for the killing of an estimated 19.3 million civilians and prisoners of war. Akpabio's reason for defection The former Akwa Ibom State governor announced his defection to hundreds of supporters at a rally held in his honour in Ikot-Ekpene on August 8, 2018. He noted that his defection was prompted by his desire to help Nigeria because the country is at war and at a time of national emergency. He said, "Why APC? You need to know that I'm a nationalist. In troubled times like this, when a country is at war, all hands must be on deck to service the federation. This is a difficult moment for Nigeria. "In a period of election or in a period of national emergency, everybody should put hands together to support the government to bring peace to people. I will like to be a conspirator who joins hands to conspire to bring food to the table of Nigerians." Akpabio attracts public condemnation for Hitler comments Akpabio's invasion comments have led to pubilc outbursts by Nigerians who have taken to social media to condemn his violent rhetoric which many interpreted as a declaration of war. After Eid prayers on Tuesday, the president trekked 800 metres from the Eid-praying ground in Daura to his private residence, amid cheers from supporters that lined the street. The president's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the trek proves that the president is healthy enough to seek re-election, contrary to what his opponents have been saying. He said, "I think the president has done one thing today - that the issue is not how old one is but how fit he is; how healthy he is. Now that the president has proven his fitness and well-being to continue in office is a settled matter. "I think that if people want to campaign against him they should do so on issues that are of significance to Nigerians. The President is fit, he is healthy; he is good to go for second term." In reaction to the Buhari's trek, Atiku took to his Twitter account on Wednesday, August 22, to disclose that he regularly jogs more than a mile but that it should not be the yardstick to determine a candidate's suitability to be president. He posted, "I regularly jog more than a mile & exercise, but it will be pedestrian of me to ask Nigerians to vote for me because of that. I want my party - the PDP, and Nigerians, to vote for me because I WORK not because I WALK. I will work to create jobs. I won't walk to create an illusion." Clark made the call in a telephone interview with a political correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He was reacting to the suspension of Saturdays by-election in Rivers State by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) owing to widespread violence. The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Obo Effanga, who announced the suspension, said that INEC also stopped the election owing to high cases of ballot snatching and attacks on its officials. NAN reports that the election was meant to fill the Port Harcourt Constituency 3 state assembly seat left by Mr Victor Ihunwo, now the Chairman, Port Harcourt Local Government. Clark, while condemning the violence, said the the situation was a recurring feature of elections in the country. He said there was a compelling need for government to come hard on electoral offenders, as they were a dent on the countrys democracy. You see, what happened in Rivers has been going on in many places; and people perpetrate violence in elections and we have it over and over because there are no sanctions. That is why Uwais report suggested that there should be special courts so that anybody who misbehaves during elections is arrested and dealt with. We are yet to have that. But I learnt there is a bill on that at the National Assembly, and I believe once this bill is passed into law, it would reduce cases of violence in elections. I mean when you send people to 10 years imprisonment for perpetrating violence in elections, they will not repeat it again and others will learn. Severe punishment for offenders. That is what I believe will end the cycle of election violence in the country, he said. Clark said the heavy security deployed during elections would have been needless if people obeyed electoral laws. The elder statesman said the high security vote for the 2019 elections by INEC could be better used for infrastructure, if violence was not part of elections. The victim, who was aged around 17 or 18, had fled domestic violence at the hands of both her father and brother and sought refuge in a shelter when her brother found her and confronted her on her way to school. The motive came from a "wrongheaded sense of honour that is not in line with the values of central European society", judge Stefan Apostol was quoted by Austrian news agency APA as saying. The man, who came to Vienna in 2013, is appealing the sentence. "I want to ask for forgiveness. I committed a crime," the perpetrator, who was not named, was quoted as saying in court Wednesday, adding that he did it "because of the culture". A recent report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) examined hundreds of cases in which women were murdered, including many in which the killings were carried out in the name of so-called "honour". During a 7-hour period early that Sunday, Aug. 5, 41 people were shot, the Tribune reported. Six of the shootings that weekend injured four or more people in a single attack. Their ages spanned from 11 to 62 years old, and most were shot on the South and West sides, according to Tribune data. Shooters targeted large groups outdoors, including a block party and a post-funeral gathering. As the interviews continued, the detectives urged Ward to tell the truth. He owed it to himself, Hadiyas family and his family, they said, warning him he would not be able to lie his way out of the predicament. Fairy tales wont fly, they told him. 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, Emanuel said last week. I dont think the message should be sent that in some way disturbing their livelihood is a way you secure and strengthen the entire city of Chicago. I dont think its the same as mine at all. Im not sitting here throwing mud at somebody youre not even running against, as Bruce Rauner continually does. Im talking about leadership and stepping forward and making sure we chart a different path, Lightfoot said. Obviously, I believe that Rahm Emanuels leadership has failed. Obviously, I believe we need change. I wouldnt be standing here if I didnt, but Im not going to engage in rolling around in the mud and the mudslinging that Bruce Rauner seems to relish as part of his campaign. Show some leadership. Show some vision. "We need less drama. We need less hyperbole. We need less shouting. And we need more of an ability to work with other people on the other side of the aisle," Roskam said. "And my experience is that if you're sitting down in a smaller group, even if somebody is disagreeing with you, you can actually have a discussion." Pritzker led Rauner 58 percent to 21 percent among Cook County and Chicago voters while the Republican governor had a narrow 40 percent to 34 percent advantage in what has been the traditionally GOP leaning collar counties, the poll showed. Among Downstate voters, both men split voters in northern sections of the state while Pritzker had a 10 percentage point advantage in central and southern Illinois which is a critical area of support for Rauner. Jose embodies what is best about Chicagos bravest, and what is best in our city, Emanuel said. Knowing Jose as well as I do, Im sure hes going to miss seeing his Fire Department family every day, and hell certainly miss that more than my phone calls. President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One as he arrives Aug. 21, 2018, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. (Alex Brandon / AP) Michael Cohen, former lawyer to President Donald Trump, exits the federal courthouse Aug. 21, 2018, in New York. (Yana Paskova / Getty Images) It's not just the president who got pulled into Cohen's convictions. Legal filings from the case revealed that executives at the Trump Organization OK'd $420,000 in reimbursements to Cohen to pay of these women, then tried to hide the true nature of those payments by describing them as legal fees and retainers. Prosecutors say Cohen even got a $60,000 bonus for his work trying to keep these women quiet during the election. That could be legally problematic if a court viewed this as this yet another unreported in-kind contribution to Trump's campaign, this time by a corporation and well above the limit. Narendra Modi will be on a day's visit tomorrow to Gujarat Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a day's visit tomorrow to Gujarat where he will attend four functions, including convocation of the Gujarat Forensic Science University, officials said. At a public meeting in Jujwa village near Valsad town, he will witness the collective e-griha-pravesh (online housewarming) of beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (gramin), a flagship scheme of the Centre which envisions housing for all, an official release said. Convocation of the Gujarat Forensic Science University Advertisement More than one lakh houses have been completed in Gujarat under the scheme, it said. From the same venue, he would perform the groundbreaking ceremony of a water supply project meant for the tribal population in Dharampur and Kaprada talukas. After the event in Valsad, the PM would go to Junagadh town in Saurashtra to inaugurate various projects, including a newly-built hospital of the Gujarat Medical and Education Research Society and two fisheries colleges at Veraval town in the Gir Somnath district, another official said. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana The PM would also address a public meeting at the Police Training College ground near Junagadh. Later, Modi will preside over the convocation ceremony of the Gujarat Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar. Before leaving for Delhi, he will also attend a meeting of the Somnath temple trust, of which he is one of the trustees. BJP president Amit Shah, who is also a trustee of the temple, is expected to be present in the meeting. Former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel is the president of the temple's trust. The prime minister was earlier supposed to be in his home state on July 20, but his visit was postponed due to heavy rains in several parts of the state, especially in south Gujarat. Comptroller and Auditor Generals (CAG) report Comptroller and Auditor Generals (CAG) report no. 12 presented in the Lok Sabha highlighted the frauds and corruption currently happening in Punjab, especially the misuse of the post-matric scholarship where the names of the Scheduled Castes students are being fraudulently used by Private Institutes and management to provide admission to private non-scheduled castes students. Paramjit Singh Kainth, President of the National Scheduled Castes Alliance blamed the state government for the misuse of the scheme meant for the benefit of the poor students but instead is being utilized by the private institutes with political patronage for their own greedy motives. He said, According to the recent report of the CAG presented in the Lok Sabha reveals that along with Punjab, 5 more States have been home to corruption in the Post matric Scholarship (PMS) scheme, putting the future of poor students in jeopardy. Out of the 6.29 lakh scholarships granted in Punjab, names of 3275 students were misused to gain the amount for the PMS scheme twice by the private institutes. Private institutes even charged registration fees, education fees, college fund etc on the Scheduled Castes students and still gained hefty amounts in their names under the PMS scheme, not providing any relief in return to those poor students. Advertisement CAG in his report revealed that between April 2012 and March 2017, private institutes in 6 districts of Punjab were monitored and it was found that an amount of Rs. 15.63 crore was misused by those institutes. Kainth said Management of these institutes has political patronage with Bureaucracy working for them. Officials of the education department have failed miserably to control these private institutes and the state government has been inefficient in controlling the corruption going on in the scheme. It has been provided within the scheme that Scheduled Castes students will be provided with the relief amount deposited in their accounts but between the years 2012-2016, there has been a huge delay in the students getting any type of relief from the state government. Astonishingly the government in the year 2016-17 till November 2017 has not granted relief amount to almost 3.21 lakh of students. Kainth further lamented on the dismal condition of the State government saying This anti-poor government does not even has the record of the students who have been granted the scholarship checking whether they completed their studies or have had to leave due to economic or any othe hardship. There is record of the amount granted in relief under the names of those students who have left their education in between. According to the report, between the year 2012 till 2017 there has been an increase in the number of students enrolling in education institutes but there is no mechanism in place to record the number o students who have benefitted from the scheme. There has been a steady increase in students from 1.47 lakh in 2012-13, 2.18 lakh in 2013-14, 2.70 lakh in 2014-15, 3.06 lakh in 2015-16, 3.21 lakh in 2016-17. Kainth said It is surprising that the students enrolling for the scheme are increasing day by day but the state government has no database in place to record those who have been granted relief. There is no stipulated time for the granting of relief to these poor students, hence the private education institutes utilize this loophole to misuse the funds provided in the PMS scheme. Advertisement According to the rules of the PMS scheme, every year in June, applications for the scholarship are asked and after which from the governments coffers amount is generated for the dispensation of the relief amount under the scheme. Completely ignoring the rules, Applications of SC students were asked by the government in the month of November in 2012, in the month of July in 2013, 26th June in 2014, 29 th December in 2015 and 4 th January in 2017. In 2012-17, the State government had presented a budget of Rs 1403.14 crore under the PMS scheme to the Union government. An amount of Rs 1031.06 crore was generated by the Union government and Rs 372.08 core was left out of the central contribution. In the same time (2012-17), the Central government released Rs 306.71 crore for the scheme but the State government of Punjab only provided Rs. 273.48 crore to the education institutes, giving no clarification for the remaining amount of Rs. 33.23 crore. Kainth further told, In 6 districts of Punjab, out of 49 educational institutes 3684 students from total 57986 students did not complete their educational course during the years 2012-17. Even after these students left their studies, the institutes still gathered Rs. 14.31 crore from the State government under these students names citing tuition fees, maintenance fees etc. In the report, in years 2013-17, 29 institutes were audited and out of which 24 institutes had gathered Rs. 10.14 crore from the government under the name of 39,213 scheduled castes students, citing fees and charges of various kinds. Kainth demanded that this matter has highlighted the inefficiencies of the state government and the corruption and frauds plaguing the success of the post-matric scholarship scheme should be inquired into by the CBI and the culprits behind such fraud should be dealt harsh punishments. He said The state government should be ashamed of its inability to tackle corruption right under its nose. The CAG report of 2018 presented in the Lok Sabha has outright brought out the fact that the State government is hardly concerned with the future of poor students and especially keen on helping the big private institutes and their management. Political leaders owning private institutes should be investigated as soon as possible and a proper investigation should be initiated at the earliest. Harsimrat Kaur Badal Union Minister for Food Processing Industries met with food processing industry leaders late evening yesterday to plan a strategy for assistance to be provided to people of Kerala. The meeting was attended by representatives from companies like ITC, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Hindustan Unilever, Dabur, MTR, Nestle, Britannia, Marico among others. The Minister said It is time to work as a cohesive unit and make a coordinated effort to help the people of Kerala, instead of separate entities making individual efforts. Smt Badal said that her Ministry was in regular contact with the State Government and district officials to gather their requirements. Chief Minister of Kerala Pinari Vijayan Advertisement Smt Badal spoke with Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinari Vijayan to express her concern on the calamity and assured the State Government of all assistance from Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The Minister sought Shri Vijayans inputs on what assistance was immediately required, to which the Chief Minister informed that lakhs of infants in Relief Camps were in requirement of baby food. The requirement was conveyed to food processing companies by the Union Minister. The meeting was in pursuance of an appeal by Smt Badal on 19th August, 2018 to food processing companies across India to contribute generously to the Kerala relief operations. Consequently, the companies have pledged full support to the endeavour by Ministry of Food Processing Industries to reach out to the affected population. Yet his White House signaled no clear strategy for managing the fallout. At a White House briefing, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders insisted at least seven times that Trump had done nothing wrong and was not the subject of criminal charges. She referred substantive questions to the president's personal counsel Rudy Giuliani, who was at a golf course in Scotland. Outside allies of the White House said they had received little guidance on how to respond to the events in their appearances on cable news. And it was not clear the West Wing was assembling any kind of coordinated response. "My hope is that Republicans don't retreat into a corner. This is a moment where the future of the presidency is at stake. This isn't about politics or point-scoring, so I'll take my time to come to a conclusion. But I hope Republicans will also be willing to look at the facts and come to a non-political conclusion that's best for the country." Who is his apparent lodestar for cyberwarfare? Not his all-purpose son-in-law Jared Kushner, though Kushner does possess the rare talent of knowing how to search Amazon. No, Trump's real gizmo guru is his school-age son, whose interwebs wizardry led Trump to determine that no computer is safe. Trump said this in response to a press question about cybersecurity policy, adding that sensitive information must always instead be sent by courier like in the old days. What they were trained to do was enslave and murder innocent civilians, mostly Jews. The Nazis had begun in earnest their ghastly project of rounding up Europe's Jews, stealing all their possessions, exploiting them as slaves and eventually killing them. But Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS, worried that much of this work might have a demoralizing effect on his elite troops, so he staffed slave labor camps and policed ghettos with Hiwis such as Palij and the notorious John "Ivan the Terrible" Demjanjuk. Judges tell us theyre hearing a fraction of the cases theyd normally handle because it takes too long for filings to get on their dockets. Scanning of items once handled by staffers in individual courtrooms must now be done by the much slower employees in the clerks office. Sometimes the paperwork from one court date hasnt made its way into the system by the time the next court date rolls around. Sometimes its rejected without explanation. What sticks in the craw is the unseemly edge to Trumps personality: his vicious Twitter attacks of political foes, his angry rants to campaign crowds and the 2005 recording of his ugly talk about assaulting women. Now there is Cohens salacious tale, acknowledged in his guilty plea, that he violated campaign laws by paying money to two women to keep stories of alleged affairs with Trump out of the news before the 2016 election. The two women were identified in news reports as adult film actress Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. That seems like more than enough for one afternoon, but Cohens team wasnt done. His attorney, Lanny Davis, went on MSNBC and said Cohen is willing to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller, who is overseeing the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election: I can tell you that Mr. Cohen has knowledge on certain subjects that should be of interest to the special counsel and is more than happy to tell the special counsel all that he knows. Not just about the obvious possibility of a conspiracy to collude and corrupt the American democracy system in the 2016 election but also knowledge about the computer crime of hacking and whether or not Mr. Trump knew ahead of time about that crime and even cheered it on. 3. Do the same laws that affect all citizens of the United States actually affect our president? Or is a president, in practice, above the law? There are 49 Muslim-majority countries in this world and four of them are on the travel ban list. Does that sound like somebody wants to halt Muslim immigration? Actually, the question becomes why is it that out of seven countries worldwide that are either incapable or unwilling to adhere to minimal security requirements, five of them have a majority Muslim population (the other two being Venezuela and North Korea)? A: Yes, they do. In high school, there are always going to be different groups, and students spend most of their time with their closest friends. But they all show overwhelming support and respect for each other. I think they understand that another students home might not look or feel exactly the same as their home. But people are people, and everyone deserves the same opportunity and respect, and every good thing in life. These students are really, really good to each other. PHOTOS Devastating disasters to strike the US While some places in the United States are less at-risk than others, every state is prone to some type of natural disaster. Whether it's hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, forest fires, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes or heat waves, each state in the union has dealt with a devastating natural phenomenon in the last century or so. These storms and catastrophes loom large in the memories of people who lived through them. But which weather event had the biggest impact? Between loss of life, property damage and historical impact, here are disasters that have made a major impact in each state. (Kaitlin Miller, The Active Times) Gonzalez said she heard the men talk about where they were from, their occupations and more. She said she had no concerns about their conduct at the club on Aug. 1, 2016. Around 6:30 p.m., she noticed Soto, 51 of Aurora, stand up and walk toward the entrance. She said she never heard any threats while she was at the bar. To me it is incredible, Burns said. Not that I am surprised how graceful and extraordinarily eloquent you both are, but it's hard for me to fathom at your ages that you would perform such a duty and then just cruise home. A homeowner told police that on Saturday at around 5:30 p.m. he noticed that Buttitta was standing in his yard as though he was inspecting his garage, according to the release. 1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war. 2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. 3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength. 4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. 5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites. 6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. 7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N. 8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N. 9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress. 10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N. 11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.) 12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party. 13. Do away with all loyalty oaths. 14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. 15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. 16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights. 17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks. 18. Gain control of all student newspapers. 19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack. 20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions. 21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures. 22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms." 23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art." 24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press. 25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." 27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch." 28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state." 29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. 30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man." 31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. 32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. 33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus. 34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities. 35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI. 36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions. 37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. 38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand. 39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals. 40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. 41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. 42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems. 43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. 44. Internationalize the Panama Canal. 45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike. First and foremost, he apologized to the victims who suffer in the most horrible way, emotionally and spiritually by someone representing Jesus Christ. And he also apologized to those sitting in front of him the faithful who have obviously not abandoned ship in the wake of these ongoing scandals but nevertheless, he noted, I know you suffer, as well. You are embarrassed. You dont know what to say when your friends make jokes and ask why do you still go to the Catholic Church. From the beginning, Halik said the village staff advised Petes Fresh Market officials, who own the property and are developing it, to start the roadwork and permitting process at the same time they started work on the center itself, because it can take over a year to get permits. My employer is deducting from my check for health insurance but not providing it. I'm not the only employee this happened to. Once I found out I was not enrolled in any health insurance, I cancelled. They've been deducting from my check for seven months. They are supposed to pay me the money back that they took out of my check but now they're giving me the runaround. What can I do? Indeed, during a recent visit my Polish friend, a chef himself, told her the golabki, or stuffed cabbage rolls, reminded him of Grandmas. He and my Polish husband savored the European plate, one of the most popular entrees. And while I only discovered my love of Polish food upon marrying into a Polish family, I, too, cant wait to return to Highlander House, perhaps to try to homemade pierogi filled with organic Michigan blueberries. Something pushed the defendant over the edge, said Cook County Assistant States Attorney Enrique Abraham during his closing arguments Monday at the circuit courthouse in Bridgeview. I cant tell you exactly how he beat her to death. He beat Gina Presley to death. Tinley Park has paid more than $2 million in legal bills for lawsuits related to The Reserve, and in the settlements it admits to no liability or wrongdoing, but is resolving the cases at this point to avoid the uncertainty of the outcome of litigation and appeal as well as to avoid further outlays of time and money, according to a document spelling out settlement terms. Opponents of the project, many of whom live near the site, said the project would be too dense. Those who want to see it built said giving people who work in the community a place they can afford to live is the right thing to do. Scheller acknowledged there have been problems, with the company receiving 170 calls or comments from residents since work began. Of those, 129 were related to when and where work will occur, she said, and another 30 were about restoration work needed tor lawns to be returned to how they appeared before digging started, she said. He mentioned the Collegeview area near York High School, but said the initial focus would continue to be on southwest Elmhurst around the Saylor/Swain/Vallette area. For the latter, Killian said city consultant Christopher B. Burke Engineering is discussing regulatory and other issues to move stormwater out of the area and to Salt Creek. The aim, Killian said, is to take it to the river and increase pumping out of the area. Its one thing to be inside the doors to minister to people, its another thing to go outside the doors of our church to minister, Henderson said. Were just grateful to be able to do that. Reese Eggener, a third grader, said she was a little nervous for the first day of school, but she was mainly excited to see her friends again. This year, Eggener said she is excited to learn more about science. A: The best part was that there was always something going on, someone to do something with. The worst part was it was sometimes very chaotic. The letter said that Hoeller was getting anxiety from trying to work with the Circuit Clerk's Office, and that it was getting to the point at which someone might act out in a similar manner as the mass shootings in Parkland, Orlando and Las Vegas, Weinstein said earlier this year. In his lawsuit, Gonzalez argued that his civil rights were violated when Waukegan police officers used an unduly suggestive and unreliable identification method, where the victim of the sexual assault was driven to where Gonzalez had been pulled over and handcuffed, and asked to identify whether he was one of the men who raped her. Countries & Areas Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe "Ms. Bennett was a remarkably loyal supervisor, loyal both to her employees, subordinates and to the district that employed her," Stone said. "Her mistake of judgment was being too kind to others who were abusing the privilege of working for such a kind supervisor. No one is saying Ms. Bennett took things; they're saying she turned a blind eye when others took things." A: We got involved with The Torch Run and Spring Games back in the 1990s, and in more recent years with Dunkin Donuts Cop on a Rooftop and the Culvers event. Many of the fundraisers are already set up by Special Olympics Illinois, so we act as the local contacts. Lake Zurich High School also hosts the Special Olympic Games every spring, and we walk or run with the Olympians and help out. After basic training and his advanced schools, Pollari said he flew to England where he undertook five missions in five months as part of the Carpetbaggers in the 492nd bomb group starting in 1944. He did not know he would be part of the OSS until he got to Europe. XC didnt speak English and said she had not even one person she could turn to for help. XC first worked at Laws spa in Hobart. When she was moved to Duneland Spa, her luggage, which contained her passport and a return ticket to Taiwan, remained in Hobart, prosecutors said. Spinar said there is a lot of natural beauty in the AOC and that is why so much effort is being spent there. He said plans call for habitat management actions to be completed by 2020, all actions by 2022 and prepare for delisting of the AOC after that. As explored in the exhibit, which not only captures the people but also animals and landscapes of todays Australia, theres also a nod to the past. Many of Austens photography travels to Australia were in the 1980s and display cases showcase his correspondence assignment letters during the decade from his editors at National Geographic, as well as his camera equipment and personal effects such as sunscreen and various sundries. Between Nov. 7, 2015, and March 9, 2016, Raciti possessed more than 600 visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his computer, according to the release. Raciti was charged in January 2018 and pleaded guilty to the charge, the release states. Your time as a Valpo scholar will offer manifold opportunities for you to pursue truth, to discover and develop your passions, your vocation, and your gifts, he said. Those opportunities will come your way not only in your formal classes, but through your interactions with your classmates and with faculty and staff across the university. The issue wasnt one of judging art as good or bad, but whether private entities should put art on public property, as well as whether art unsafely impedes sidewalk traffic or blocks drivers and pedestrians sight lines, council members said last month. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Jordan Taylor, the Rouses Market employee whose kind gesture toward an autistic teen went viral last month, was given a new car on Tuesday the latest response in an outpouring of support for the young man whose life has changed drastically after one simple act of kindness. Taylor, 20, spent about 30 minutes during his shift one day allowing Jack Ryan Edwards to help him stock orange juice after Edwards, 17, expressed interest while walking through the grocery store with his dad. A video of their interaction at the Rouses on Drusilla Lane quickly garnered thousands of responses on social media and made national news headlines as a result. +3 Surprise! Baton Rouge grocery clerk gone viral receives promise of new car, help with school Jordan Taylors small kindness to an autistic teen, captured on a video that went viral, continues to pay dividends for the 20-year-old Baton Edwards' father recorded the video and had a short conversation with Taylor in which the young man said he hoped to go back to school someday and become a teacher. Can't see video below? Click here. A few weeks ago a crowdfunding account created by Edwards' sister had raised more than $100,000 toward Taylor's college tuition. And the Rouses offered Edwards a job helping stock shelves part time. Fund for Baton Rouge Rouses employee whose kind act touched hearts surpasses $100,000 A crowdfunding campaign for the Baton Rouge Rouses employee whose act of kindness to an autistic teen went viral has raised more than $100,000. Then on Tuesday, Neighbors Federal Credit Union in Baton Rouge announced the company had given Taylor a new car. 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 Can't see video below? Click here. "We are so proud of Jordan for pursuing his dream of becoming a math teacher by enrolling at Grambling State University," Neighbors President and CEO Steve Webb said, according to a press release from the credit union. "We are elated that Neighbors is able to provide a car for Jordan to visit his family while he is away at college." Webb handed over the keys to Jordan's mother Tuesday afternoon. "On behalf of Jordan I just want to thank everyone for making this possible," Teresa Taylor said. "What Jordan did, it wasn't for form or fashion. That was just him being Jordan. As a family, we greatly appreciate this." 'Just beautiful': This Rouses employee's kind gesture to autistic Baton Rouge teen goes viral Sid Edwards was only expecting to pick up a few items Sunday at Rouses Market on Drusilla Lane. Instead, he got what he calls a miracle. U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, also attended the presentation. "If anybody deserves credit here, it's (Jordan's) mother," Graves said. "What we've seen over the recent years is the people that are getting attention are the ones that are divisive. And here, what's happening is the good deeds are being recognized." Drax Biomas wood pellets are unloaded at the company's facility at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge for shipment to the United Kingdom. Some of the pellets are produced at a plant near Bastrop that is being required by the state to install pollution control equipment following complaints from an environmental group. State Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, presented a bill to the Senate that would allow Louisiana students to wear bulletproof backpacks. U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., had some harsh words this week for those in the Democratic Party calling for the abolition of the U.S. Immigrat Four years ago, the East Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce (not to be confused with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber) suggested the $8.8 million Ter Containers are loaded at the Port of New Orleans' Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal. Increasing the lower Mississippi River's depth would accommodate bigger container ships, along with big-bulk shippers of products like petroleum and grain, iron, gasoline and coal. In the Legislature this spring, we heard about lunch shaming, the practice in some public schools of denying hot meals to kids whose parents havent paid their lunch bills. Around the internet, theres been lots of talk of hair shaming, the practice in some private schools of sending kids home if their hair doesnt comply with rules, and of how these rules seem to target what most people with a pulse would recognize as common African-American hairstyles. One viral video showed an adorable, 6-year-old boy being turned away from his first day of school at a small Florida Christian academy due to his not-even-shoulder-length dreadlocks. Can't see video below? Click here. 'Deeply troubled': Groups rush to defend New Orleans-area girl whose hair violates school policy Video of a young black girl walking dejectedly out of a New Orleans area Catholic school in tears after being told her hair extensions violate Another came from closer to home, where 6th-grader Faith Fennidy was sent home from Christ the King Middle School in Terrytown because she wore hair extensions, specifically braids that were neatly pulled back. A video of the incident prompted widespread outrage, including local outposts of the Anti-Defamation League and Urban League. ADL and the Urban League are deeply troubled by the policy in question as well as the manner in which the school is disciplining students of color under this policy, the statement said. The policy shows racial insensitivity and bias by the administration to students and their families. Faiths brother Steven took to Facebook to explain his sisters choice. Extensions make the hair easier to maintain. It allows my sister to have access to the swimming pool without having to get her hair Re-done every night, he wrote. How sad that he even felt like he had to justify it. These are kids we're talking about, who are just trying to go to school and live their lives. Besides, the video makes clear that there was nothing distracting or disrespectful in Faiths appearance. The only distraction and disrespect here came from the adults at the school. Quite the lesson. Bruce Arians knew what he and his Tampa Bay Bucs were getting into this weekend when the NFL released the 2021 schedule in May and assigned the Bucs to play in New Orleans on Halloween. Read the full story BIG EASY PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP: Jill Siemssen, of U.S. World Meds, will speak about medical advances in the treatment of Parkinson's at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27, at the Esplanade I room of the Conference Center at East Jefferson General Hospital, 4200 Houma Blvd., Metairie. Contact Bonnie Huddleston at bonhudd4417@gmail.com or bigeasyfleurdelis.org. MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING: Learn how to help someone with a mental health or substance abuse problem at NAMI's training from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, at Lakeview Christian Center, 5885 Fleur de Lis Drive, New Orleans. CEUs are available for social workers. Registration is $10. Write education@namineworleans.org or call (504) 896-2345. LOSS OF A SPOUSE GRIEFSHARE: Christian Fellowship Church, 5049 Ehret Road, Marrero, will host a two-hour seminar at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, for widows and widowers. It consists of a video presentation and group discussion. The accompanying workbook is $5. For information and to register, call (504) 347-4875. DIVORCE RECOVERY PROGRAM: Celebration Church will begin DivorceCare, a 14-week divorce recovery program, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 2001 Airline Drive, Metairie, for anyone separated or divorced. It is a Christian-based program to help overcome issues and promote healing. Registration is $17.50 for the workbook. Child care is available. For information, contact Chris Russo at (504) 831-9673 or cruss46@bellsouth.net or online at www.divorcecare.org/groups/96397. HELP WITH PRESCRIPTION COSTS: The New Orleans Council on Aging offers prescription assistance through its Aging and Disability Resource Center/Senior Rx helpline. The assistance is available to seniors, adults with disabilities and their families. Email mhorton@nocoa.org or call (888) 922-8522 or (504) 827-7843. Have ready a Medicare number or insurance information, effective date for Medicare parts A or B, or Social Security number, along with a list of medicines. People with no insurance also may call. HEALING AFTER TRAUMA SERIES: Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) and the Women's Center for Healing and Transformation will hold healing series Sept. 19-24 in New Orleans and Abita Springs. Led by psychotherapist Mike Lew, the workshops will target healing for survivors as well as training programs for counselors and social workers. New Orleans locations will be at STAR, 123 N. Genois St., and in Abita Springs at the Women's Center, 71667 Leveson St. Call (504) 407-0711 or visit star.ngo to register online. The judges of New Orleans' main criminal court will appeal a pair of federal court decisions that threaten to wreck their budgets by blocking them from imposing fines and fees on poor defendants. The 12 judges of Orleans Parish Criminal District Court plus Magistrate Judge Harry Cantrell on Tuesday filed notices that they will appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Their notice signals the start of what could be a lengthy and potentially expensive appellate process. The state judges hope the federal appeals court will reject the linked decisions from U.S. District Judges Sarah Vance and Eldon Fallon earlier this month in the two "debtors' prison" lawsuits against the Orleans Parish court system. Vance said the Criminal District Court judges could no longer order convicted defendants to fork over the fines and fees that pay for the court's clerks and office supplies unless the defendants have a "neutral forum" to plead poverty upon conviction. Days later, Fallon said that Cantrell, like the other judges, has a "substantial" conflict of interest when he sets bails that include a fee to help finance court operations. Federal judge: Orleans criminal court can't jail anyone for failing to pay fines or fees without 'neutral' hearing Everyone who owes fines and fees from criminal convictions in Orleans Parish must have the chance to plead poverty in a "neutral forum" before The state judges had remained silent since the federal decisions were handed down at the start of August. If upheld, the sweeping federal rulings could slice the court's discretionary budget by more than 50 percent. Out of $4.5 million in revenue last year for the court's general fund, known as the judicial expense fund, $2.3 million came from charges like bail fees and court costs. That fund does not cover the judges' salaries, which are paid by the state. Some of the court's costs also are paid by the city. The New Orleans judges could face an uphill battle in federal court, if a recent ruling from the 5th Circuit Court is any indication. A three-judge panel in February upheld a ruling against the bail system in Harris County, Texas. The judges found that Harris County's set bail schedule did not allow defendants leeway to plead poverty or cite the facts of their cases. 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 Harris County's decision to fight the lawsuit in federal district court and then appeal a judgment there was expensive. In June, two years after a civil rights lawsuit was filed, the Texas county had spent more than $6.1 million on legal fees, according to the Houston Chronicle. In New Orleans, unlike in Houston, there is no set bail schedule. Yet Fallon found that Cantrell gave short shrift to considering whether individual defendants could actually make bail, and whether alternative release conditions like a recognizance bond which is free would suffice to ensure their appearance at court in the future, which is the purpose of bail. The federal judges in Louisiana also went beyond their counterparts in Texas in deciding that the local court's magistrate and trial judges had a financial conflict of interest, given the large portion of their budgets derived from fees. Criminal District Court Chief Judge Keva Landrum-Johnson declined to comment Tuesday on the judges' decision to appeal. Cantrell, who is the father-in-law of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Alec Karakatsanis, executive director of the Civil Rights Corps, a nonprofit law firm involved in bringing both lawsuits, said he was "confident that every court to review these issues will continue to agree that the judges are violating long-standing constitutional precedent." An attorney for the MacArthur Justice Center in New Orleans, which helped bring the lawsuit against Cantrell, said the appeal would harm poor defendants and taxpayers. "We are disappointed that the judges would choose to appeal ... rather than simply providing the bare-minimum procedures necessary to hold people in jail before trial," said MacArthur lawyer Eric Foley. "Because the Legislature has long shirked its duty to adequately fund the courts, the costs of this continued litigation will likely fall to the city, which means the taxpayers of Orleans Parish." Dewayne Sylvesters attempt to protect a man killed during a three-way shootout last year in the St. Roch neighborhood backfired. As a felon, Sylvester, now 33, was legally barred from possessing the pistol that he fired during the melee in a failed bid to defend the victim. So, after pleading guilty to the gun-possession charge, he was sentenced last month to 10 years in prison the mandatory minimum punishment for that crime at the time of the shootout. The man who actually killed the victim got off with a much lighter punishment: Ronald Davis, 32, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on July 13, was sentenced to the time he had already spent in jail awaiting the conclusion of the case, and was freed. Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro said in a statement Tuesday that his office was satisfied with Davis' pleading guilty to a crime carrying a maximum of 40 years in prison and that sentencing had been up to the discretion of Judge Tracey Flemings-Davillier. "This is what she deemed appropriate," Cannizzaro's statement said of the time-served sentence. The defendants court-appointed attorneys didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. According to authorities, Davis and Raymond Williams, 45, got into an argument on May 2, 2017, at the Fame Food Mart in the 1800 block of Almonaster Avenue because Williams refused to sell Davis marijuana and may have owed Davis $10. Williams eventually pulled a gun out from his waistband, prompting Davis to do the same. The two men traded gunshots. Davis hit Williams in the stomach multiple times, fatally wounding him. One of the bullets Williams meant for Davis instead hit and injured a third man. 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 At one point during the shootout, which occurred both in and out of the store, Williams ran across Almonaster. Sylvester stepped forward with his own gun and began shooting at Davis, said authorities, citing security video and witness statements. Sylvester missed. Both he and Davis fled the scene. Davis was arrested several days later during a traffic stop in Lafayette. Sylvester was arrested after a grand jury handed up an indictment in July 2017 charging both him and Davis in the shootout. On July 20, Sylvester pleaded guilty as charged to obstruction of justice and illegally possessing a gun following a prior felony conviction. The illegal gun possession count carried between five and 20 years in prison. Davis faced charges of obstruction and second-degree murder, which brings mandatory life imprisonment upon conviction. He pleaded guilty to the obstruction count as well as to a reduced charge of manslaughter, which has no mandatory minimum punishment. Louisiana law defines manslaughter as a killing immediately following a provocation that would ordinarily cause someone to lose their composure. Flemings-Davillier sentenced Davis to one year in prison with credit for time already served, which allowed his release because he had been in jail for 13 months at that point. Gas pipeline company APA has seen an 11 per cent jump in profits as Hong Kong-based utility firm CKI continues its $13 billion takeover of the company. APAs net profit rose 11.8 per cent to $265 million. Mick McCormack has led APA from a tiny business to a virtual pipeline monopoly. Credit:Peter Braig The group saw a nominal increase in actual revenues, which rose 2.6 per cent to $2.4 billion. APA chief executive Mick McCormack said the result marked the 18th straight year of "continued financial improvement." He also said it was the 18th year of consistent dividend payouts to shareholders. Singtel Optus will cut 440 employees from its workforce in the next two months as the telecommunications company turns to digitisation and automation in an increasingly competitive mobile environment putting pressure on revenues. The telco's staff were told on Wednesday morning, in an email and meetings, about the changes to the workforce which were blasted as a disgrace by the union. The overall impact on the business' headcount is so far unclear as some additional roles are expected to be created. Optus has told staff it will be cutting another 440 people from the telco's ranks. An Optus spokesman told Fairfax Media the telecommunications company had made the cuts as part of turning the business into a "mobile-led, digital service provider". "As we continue to evolve the way we work, do business and fund future investments we are removing duplication, improving our operating efficiency and embracing next-generation technologies, like digitisation and automation to achieve this goal," he said. There was a pleasant surprise for me in the post the other day. The bi-annual statement detailing how my pension investments are doing showed another hefty gain, as it has done pretty consistently for some years now and as would be the case for more or less everyone who has their pension pot invested substantially in equities. Stock markets have on the whole been doing well for nearly 10 years now, remarkably so when it comes to the US, which is about to enter the record books with the longest bull run in history. As ever, the question is for how much longer can it last? I don't want to dwell unduly on the extended duration of the current economic expansion, suffice it to say that it is already exceptional by historic standards. The law of averages alone suggests that it must soon draw to a close, as likely as not ended by Federal Reserve tightening, to the growing frustration of Donald Trump, who told a Republican fundraiser in the Hamptons at the weekend that he thought he had appointed an advocate of cheap money when he made Jay Powell the Fed chairman, but instead finds an independently minded policymaker of apparently hawkish tendency. Like president Recep Erdogan in Turkey, Trump expects a compliant central bank. As it is, it seems ever more probable that Fed tightening is going to shift the global economy into an at best still growing, but fast slowing, disposition. Yet there are at least four other factors, somewhat divorced from the usual ups and downs of the macro-economy, which are also flashing amber, if not outright red - buyback activity, valuation, computer-driven trading, and the related issue of artificial intelligence, or machine learning. Experts say cyber crime targeting small businesses is hitting new levels of sophistication, and with victims struggling to recoup losses, insurers are stepping in. "I don't think I've ever seen an example of anyone getting their money back [from scams]," says co-founder of cyber security insurance startup Edmund, Christopher Lynam. Co-founder of cyber security insurance firm Edmund, Christopher Lynam. Lynam and his co-founder Richard Smith started their insurance platform to offer coverage for companies left out of pocket by hackers. "I'd say around 14 per cent of businesses actually buy cyber insurance, and for SMBs it would be 10 per cent, tops," Lynam says. Nick Fairfax's family has been in Australia for almost 200 years. Adeebah Shamoon's has been here for two. They are from vastly different worlds, but they have one thing in common; both care deeply about their children's education. When Mrs Shamoon fled here from Iraq, she was terrified. But the local school, Smithfield, had such a strong support program for refugee parents that she, and her children, have flourished. Schools Plus pioneer donor Nick Fairfax meets Iraqi refugee Adeebah Shamoon at Smithfield Public School. Credit:Wolter Peeters The program was so successful other schools wanted to replicate it. But they needed money, and that's where Mr Fairfax could help. Education is one of the key themes of the charitable foundation founded by his family. The Jibb Foundation became a pioneer donor for Schools Plus, an organisation set up in 2015 as a result of the first Gonski report into school funding, to facilitate tax-deductable donations to schools across Australia. SLENDER MAN M, 23 minutes Slender Man is both smart and dumb. Mainly the latter as a work of horror, mainly the former in the way it points to the new wellsprings of horror. That is to say, it came from the internet, it's about the internet, and it's for the generation that can't put down their mobile phones. Wren (Joey King) is terrorized by Slender Man while researching "paranormal" activity. Credit:Dana Starbard As if to prove the point, a teenager who came in late and sat next to me at a public screening scoffed, chortled and texted throughout, while commenting to her friend on how lame the movie was. She's right: it is lame, but it's about girls like her becoming victims of technology. Ironic, no? Four hip teenage girls have a sleepover in their small town in Massachusetts. They drink vodka, watch porn and joke about what the cute boys are doing. One of them (Jaz Sinclair) says the boys are summoning the Slender Man from the internet. He comes to steal children if you watch a certain video. Those who see him, even if they do not disappear, will go insane. Cool, they all say: let's summon him. A week later, Katie (Annalise Basso), unhappiest of the four, disappears. Hallie (Julia Goldani Telles) and feisty Wren (Joey King) try to bring her back. The Innocents begins like a lot of coming-of-age adventures for the screen: telegenic young teenage couple June (Sorcha Groundsell) and Harry (Percelle Ascott), in the greatest dramatic tradition, fall in love and run away to find their romantic utopia. In this dark and challenging Netflix drama, however, a third party is thrust, somewhat literally, into their relationship in the form of the older, ragged-looking Steinar (Johannes Haukur Johannesson), a man who seems to physically inhabit June's body. Sorcha Groundsell and Percelle Ascott in the dark and challenging Netflix drama The Innocents. Credit:Aimee Spinks / Netflix As June and Harry struggle to understand what is happening to her, and who Steinar is, they come into contact with Guy Pearce's Halvorson, the archetypical supernatural drama doctor-type, who is deconstructing events and trying to make sense of them. For its swapped-body trickery, it could be the Tom Hanks comedy Big or even a film from Pearce's own filmography, Dating the Enemy, except that The Innocents is suffused with the visual and tonal characteristics of the Scandi noir genre: the light is flat, the colours are washed out, the world is weary and darkening. London, apparently (surprisingly?), is the divorce capital of the world at least, that's how screenwriter Abi Morgan heard a female lawyer describe London and it stuck with her. Combining this idea with her self-professed "fascination for other people's marriages", Morgan was inspired to use the world of the city's high-end divorce circuit as a backdrop for a drama exploring marriage, family and the legacy of divorce. The Split is not a legal drama though, even though the ins and outs of several divorce proceedings are explored throughout the six episodes (these are the kinds of divorces that make the papers, not your average couple next door; the settlement offer seems to start at 10 million) and the series follows one, that of multimillionaire couple Goldie and Davey McKenzie (Meera Syal and Stephen Tompkinson) to the (extremely) bitter end, adding some drama outside of the Defoe family, who are at the drama's centre. Nicola Walker stars as Hannah Defoe, a lawyer with a complicated life, in The Split. Credit:Mark Johnson Morgan, best known for The Iron Lady and most recently River, heads a female-led creative team it's directed by Jessica Hobbs (Broadchurch) and produced by Lucy Dyke (Black Mirror, Ripper Street) and features a talented female ensemble, led by the versatile Nicola Walker (Spooks, River), as Hannah Defoe. The oldest of three sisters, Hannah is a divorce lawyer who, after being refused a promotion by her boss who happens to be her mother, Ruth (Deborah Findlay) leaves the family practice to work at a high-flying corporate rival firm (with astonishing views over the London skyline). Her younger sister Nina (Annabel Scholey), the family's "party girl", also works at the family firm, while Rose (Fiona Button), the youngest, is the only non-lawyer in the family; she's working as a nanny and about to be married to a man nobody possibly not even Rose herself is entirely fond of. Health insurer Medibank says it wants to "become a broader health company", revealing it has embedded registered nurses in its customer support teams to ramp up its delivery of health advice to members in a move that has concerned doctor groups. In an interview with Fairfax Media, Medibank's chief customer officer, David Koczkar, said it was aiming to triple the annual number of "meaningful", health-related interactions with members to 1.5 million in 2020. Medibank nurse Jonna Marisse Nayan (left) and consultant Janine Dunn at a Medibank customer support centre. Credit:Medibank Asked whether Medibank was making moves to access My Health Record the national digital record system dogged with privacy and security concerns Mr Koczkar didn't issue any denials, saying "there's a long way to go and we will watch and see what happens". "As part of our move from just being a health insurer to being a broader health company ... we're focusing on integrating health expertise across our customer experience frontline on the phone, online and in stores," he said. "Put simply, I don't believe LGBTI allies or LGBTIs should be granting exclusives to publications in such countries," he continued. "For the record, I'm not trying to trash her. I just want to know if she considers consenting to this cover a mistake. If she doesn't, I respect her right to that opinion." The column, published Friday by the entertainment editor of Gay Star News, questioned the 20-year-old actress and model's role in LGBT advocacy (she is attracted to both men and women) after appearing on a magazine cover in a country where same-sex marriage is illegal. "i didn't know, i am sorry," Jackson tweeted Sunday. "i was grateful for the opportunity, but i'll delete the post now. i don't want to be hypocritical or hurt anyone, and my support for my fellow LGBTQ+ community comes first before my love for fashion and gratitude for this opportunity. again, i'm sorry." "i would like to add though that someone that is openly apart of the community being on the cover in a country against the community, should be celebrated," she added. "isn't that a step forward"? Paris Jackson attending a photo call before a Dior show in May this year. Credit:Abaca Jackson's manager Tom Hamilton responded to Tabberer with a lengthy statement: "Yes, Paris Jackson, a member of our community, is on the cover of a fashion magazine in a non-LGBT friendly country. This is called progress. This is breaking boundaries." "It's heartwarming to know Singapore's LGBT youth can see Paris Jackson's face on a local magazine cover and relate to it... Lets (sic) commend our LGBT brothers and sisters out there fighting for equality, not tear them down. Shame on you for not supporting a 20-year old using her platform to make a difference. Seems the LGBT community doesn't need enemies with 'friends' like you.' " The outrage over plastic bags is typical of how customers behave. Credit:Peter Rae You're standing in the middle of a queue at your local supermarket, you're in a rush, and you watch on in annoyance as the cashier slides products across the scanner. Every slow ding makes you clutch your trolley so tight that you can feel the handle digging into your fingers. Then, just when you're hoping for the line to get a bit shorter, the cashier starts up a conversation with the patron at the front. So you decide, your body twitching with fury, that you'll let that employee have it. Maybe you'll tell them how ridiculous it is that you had to wait a gut-wrenching five minutes. You have places to go, things to do. After all, you could have been staring at a row of $200 pots at Myer and taking a break from locking eyes with cooking equipment so you can block the aisles with your trolley. You yell out a few expletives and then you're on your merry way. This happens far too often, and it's the service workers who suffer the brunt of it for days afterwards. The recent furore over plastic bags has led the public to believe abuse of supermarket workers is an anomaly. For more than four years his job has helped him settle into his new home in Australia, but cleaner Namgay Namgay isn't sure how he'll pay his daughter's school fees in two months. He learnt he'll lose his job cleaning one of the federal government's buildings in Canberra after it changed contractors in July. Nine cleaners from a group of 24 will go and others are expected to have their wages cut by $4 an hour, or 16 per cent, to the award rate as a new business takes over the contract for Department of Jobs and Small Business buildings around the national capital's Civic precinct. Namgay Namgay won't have work from October after a new contractor took over cleaning services at government buildings. Credit:Karleen Minney "They have bills to pay. The stress they are going through is unimaginable," Mr Namgay said. Mr Dutton, give us your grand vision for Australia Here we go again. On Radio 3AW, Peter Dutton said he could "beat Bill Shorten". Well, hooray. I am so glad he has his eyes on what is important. That is the sort of alpha-male crap that would be best kept inside the Liberal Party. Nothing about, "I'd be the better prime minister because I have a breathtaking vision for the future of Australia, and here it is". Calling for a royal commission into "energy" is not a policy; it is a hint that he has no idea but, gee, isn't the status quo cosy? The paucity of imagination in the conservative side of the Liberal Party is mind-boggling, but totally in keeping with the definition of that C word. Barry Miller, Kyneton The unbearable torment of another election Please do not wish an early election upon us "In national interest, let the people vote" (Editorial, 22/8). Given our Parliament's propensity to replace prime ministers mid-term, an early election will only bring forward the next attempt to dump a prime minister, in turn triggering another call for another early election, providing yet another opportunity for parliamentary disdain for the electorate and its choice of prime minister. Graham Devries, Camberwell Electorate's frustration with petty power games The current political system is unworkable. Major parties, largely funded by donations from groups with vested interests, will act for their donors, not the betterment of the country. Introducing a system of government that has the maturity to debate the issues and act to improve the lives of all Australians must be our priority. While these politicians are playing out their little power games, the average citizens pulls out their hair out as they see no visionary leadership for our country. Brendan Douglas, Alphington THE FORUM Look to NZ for priorities New Zealand politicians have decided the remuneration they receive is fair and reasonable, and have said "thanks, but no thanks" to a pay rise (World, 22/8). Meanwhile, in Australia, we are facing the possibility of Peter Dutton a man seemingly of little conscience, empathy or integrity being installed as our leader. New Zealand, here I come. Heather Ebb, Tecoma Unfit to be our leader The fact that there are elected members of parliament who are willing to fall in behind a person who has used racist slurs to further his political ends is appalling. This man used men, women and children as hostages to avoid our international responsibilities to asylum seekers. When confronted by children sickening or dying because of his rigid bureaucratic rules and deadlines, he refused to act. He oversaw many avoidable deaths in the detention camps by refusing to provide appropriate medical treatment, with neglect, obfuscation and deliberate delays. This man is not fit to be our prime minister. Never, Peter Dutton. Ellen O'Gallagher, Castlemaine Why didn't Dutton act? Peter Dutton says he would "love" to get all the refugees off Nauru and Manus Island (The Age, 22/8). Give us a break. He had that power when he was a minister. Does he really think we are so dim as to believe him now? Ken Rivett, Ferntree Gully A dangerous smile So Peter Dutton is going to smile (The Age, 22/8). Will he be like Lewis Carroll's crocodile? "How cheerfully he seems to grin, How neatly spreads his claws, And welcomes little fishes in, With gently smiling jaws!" Penelope Buckley, Kew East Let the court decide There are claims that Peter Dutton could be forced out of Parliament for breaching the constitution by having a family trust that benefits from government payments (The Age, 21/8). Malcolm Turnbull, you have an obligation to the Australian people to put Mr Dutton's eligibility to the test in the High Court. Tim Patton, Camberwell The wrong 'vulnerability' Catherine McGregor says Tony Abbott is "a vulnerable, passionate human being" (Comment, 22/8). I agree. But his passions, such as contempt for climate science, and clinging to power, are of no use to this country. His vulnerability is a manifestation of pride and an insecure masculinity. He has nothing to contribute to public life. Lorender Freeman, Castlemaine The invisible voters Catherine McGregor rightly suggests that "Coalition harmony depends on a conservative leader accommodating the moderates". However, "accommodating" should be replaced with "tolerating", given conservatives appear unwilling to share academic, cultural or linguistic space with moderates. John Howard, for example, paid little more than lip service to Menzies' small "l" liberals, preferring to court big "C" conservatives while barely tolerating input from those on his left. When conservative commentators speak of their base, they ignore the large swathe of Liberal voters who espouse small "l" liberal values and ideas. Ostensibly, they have become invisible: they are neither conservative nor liberal and are, effectively, in a no man's land. They are compelled to go further right (Hansonism) or left (Labor). If McGregor's statement is true, then the Coalition has an existential crisis as it attempts to define itself as what it is rather than what it is not. Donna Wyatt, Wyndham Vale A time for strong action Malcolm Turnbull should have gone the Full Monty and resigned as prime mister and moved to the backbench. This strategy would have stirred the conservatives and centre-right Liberals to have a serious look at themselves and come up with a new, workable government instead of the polarised mess we have suffered in the last few months. Roger Leslie, Pakenham Very flexible principles Malcolm Turnbull garnered a good deal of credibility by standing his ground and losing a leadership spill to Tony Abbott in 2009. On the flip side, a year earlier, with the Coalition lagging in the polls, a backbencher asked him why he did not try to negotiate a bipartisan approach to refugees. He allegedly replied, "It's all we've got". When does pragmatism become unethical appeasement? The government recently handed $444million to a small, non-government organisation with big business connections to help protect the Great Barrier Reef. There was no tender process. Perhaps Abbott et al considered a more qualified entity like the CSIRO to be too green? Peter Dutton as prime minister is a scary prospect. Yet, there are those who still paint Mr Turnbull as a political pragmatist, compromising his principles for the sake of the party. What principles are those exactly? Nelson Mathews, Coburg Excruciating memories Mr J.J. Forster, the dentist who practised at 11 Swanston Street from 1898 to the 1930s, may have advertised that he could remove teeth "truthfully without pain" (The Age, 22/8). However, I doubt the truthfulness of his claim. My great aunt, Marjorie Heyward (nee Bath), was born in 1899. She was a patient of one of the Swanson Street dentists in the 1920s. She had peritonitis for which the prescribed remedy was extraction of all her teeth. She often recounted the agony of sitting in the dentist's chair with cold draughts all around as her, the wind whistling in the empty sockets. Elizabeth Osborne, North Hobart Curse of the pokies Well said, Danny Neumann (Letters, 22/8). Governments of all persuasions should hang their collective heads in shame at their grubby, cloying support of, and dependence on, pokies. They are a blight on our society. John Gerrard, Haddon A sustainable approach I could not agree more with Ross Gittins "Farmer help is misguided" (Comment, 22/8). As temperatures rise and government ministers fall, surely a portion of that $1.8billion of taxpayers' money could be channelled into pro-active action on climate change. Even if one does not "believe" in human-caused environmental change, surely one can see the economic logic of transitioning to more sustainable farming. On the positive side, with all that sunshine, maybe the farmers could transition into running solar farms; there would not be such a need to get up early when you are "harvesting" the sun. Tim Berenyi, Howes Creek No to non-viable farmers Thank you, Ross Gittins. The federal government needs to show leadership and make the tough decision to pay out non-viable farmers. Why should taxpayers prop up farmers in drought-prone, unproductive regions? What other business gets the special treatment of low-interest loans when there is a drought? Scientists tell us that with climate change, the weather will become more unpredictable and there will be less rain, higher temperatures and severe weather extremes. Pay the farmers to walk away where their farms are no longer viable. Rather than prop up unproductive, small farms, concentrate on the farmers who are better managers and who prepare for the next drought. Denise Hassett, Mount Martha Value in my hemp bags For nearly 10years I have been using the same hemp bags from Woollies without issue. Why aren't they on offer now? A real alternative to plastic bags shows commitment to solving the problem, and staff and customers can be proud of supporting it. Rhonda Pelletier, Grovedale The other road victims The proposal to lower speed limits (The Age, 22/8) would save the lives of animals, as well as people. Every year many thousands of kangaroos, wombats, possums and birds are killed or injured by cars. Most of these collisions occur on country roads or in the outer suburbs. Slowing down will reduce collisions and insurance claims. Dawn and dusk on country roads are very dangerous times for animals and for you. If you hit an animal, stop where it is safe to do so and call Wildlife Victoria or another wildlife rescue organisation. These animals deserve better than to be left to die a slow and painful death. Megan Davidson, Wildlife Victoria, Abbotsford Dubious online 'facts' Professor Michael Archer offers a Utopian vision of a modern world, one less prone to "gullibility" because people can check claims on technologies such as the internet "Almighty change in faith v science" (The Age, 23/8). I prefer the alternative vision of a modern world in which gullible and naive people are increasingly willing to accept questionable "facts" on the internet rather than the knowledge of trained professionals in established fields of study. Justin Shaw, Ringwood East Their dispute, our money I agree with Loucille McGinley about Victoria's buses (Letters, 22/8). These private companies are subsidised with millions of taxpayers' dollars, yet have no requirement to meet noise, safety or pollution standards. The state government needs to ensure these operators provide clean and non-polluting services. Also, in order to avoid embarrassment, it should stop using taxpayers' money to prop up private operators who have internal wage disputes with their drivers. Michael Blee, Brighton Drivers' right to fair pay Your front-page headline, "Labor splashes millions to end bus dispute" (The Age, 20/8), should have read "Bus drivers get a reasonable pay rise at last". Is this the start of The Age moving to the right? Jack Inglis, Forest Hill AND ANOTHER THING Leadership No one can complain Australia isn't democratic; everyone gets a turn at being prime minister. David Lyall, Mount Eliza The rats are deserting the sinking ship for another even less seaworthy. Jean Andrews, Cheltenham Beware a smiling Dutton. He's probably about to tell a racist joke. Vaughan McAlley, Ringwood East The only time I saw Dutton smile was when he joked about the Pacific Islands being flooded. Vivien Wertkin, St Kilda Should Dutton become PM, I'll put my name down for the next flight to Mars. Valerio Rech, Sassafras This country is not the arena for a toxic avenger's therapy. Marguerite Birt, Mont Albert North "Who is the PM?"could be tricky to answer on the citizenship test. Shwu Fun Lam, Wheelers Hill Have the Liberals learnt nothing from Labor's mistakes? Catherine Gerardson, Watsonia Abbott, Shorten and Costello are laughing. I'm disgusted. Ross Barker, Lakes Entrance Appeasement didn't work in 1938. Ask Chamberlain. It isn't working in 2018. Ask Turnbull. Merv Keehn, South Melbourne "Always keep a hold of Nurse, For fear of finding something worse". (Belloc, then as now). Janet Gaden, Daylesford Turnbull: man of straw yesterday, man of straw today. Expect more of the same. Kim van den Berghe, Tolmie Dutton wants to "keep Shorten from being PM". What a manifesto for a would-be leader. Anne Riddell, Mount Martha Turnbull: dead man walking. Dutton: dead man walking. Donald Hirst, Prahran East A police station in the Hunter Valley has been forced to evacuate as a precaution after a man entered carrying a hand grenade. The man walked into the police station holding the weapon about 3pm on Wednesday afternoon, prompting the evacuation. All vehicles and pedestrians were urged to avoid the area around the Cessnock Police Station, as police waited for Australian Defence Force personnel to attend and safely remove the device. The grenade was recovered safely around 5.30pm and the station has since reopened. An after-school punch-up in the car park of an oval in Sydney's south on Monday left a boy knocked out cold on the concrete with serious facial injuries. Sickening video footage has emerged of the fight, showing just how much more serious the incident could have been if the victim, apparently unconscious, had hit the back of his skull on the pavement instead of landing on his face. Police said in a statement that officers attended the scene at Tonkin Oval, Cronulla, about 3.15pm on Monday "after hearing screaming", and were told the injured 16-year-old had been in a fight with a 15-year-old boy. A spokesman for NSW Ambulance confirmed they had treated a teenage boy who, in his words, had been "king hit" in the car park of the oval, leaving him with left-side facial injuries. Doctors are being urged to check young tradies for signs of silicosis, a life-threatening lung disease caused by inhaled silica particles, as lawyers field calls from tradies concerned about the condition. Shine Lawyers, which is campaigning to ban workplace practices that can cause silicosis, has warned the disease could be Australia's next mesothelioma crisis, citing similar slow-burning cases of illness amongst tradies who worked with asbestos until it was banned in the 1980s. Anthony White, a 36 year old Gold Coast stonemason, thought he had pneumonia, which turned out to be silicosis. Credit:Shine Lawyers/Supplied Shine Lawyers' dust disease expert Roger Singh said young tradies in their 30s and 40s are reporting cases of silicosis, a progressive and irreversible disease triggered by dust from artificial or engineered stone, which holds 95 per cent more silica than natural stone. Mr Singh said the company had met with Queensland and New South Wales state governments to discuss banning the process of dry stone-cutting, and were planning to meet with the ACT and Victorian governments in coming weeks. Queensland Police have arrested and charged another man over the alleged "hoon cartel" on the Gold Coast. A 21-year-old man was arrested at a Reedy Creek Road business in Burleigh Waters on Tuesday afternoon following an investigation into an alleged traffic incident at Mudgeeraba on January 1. A screenshot from a video posted to Facebook by the so-called Mexican Hoon Cartel before their page was deleted. Credit:Facebook - Mexican Hoon Cartel The man was charged with one count each of improper use of emergency call service, unlawful stalking, wilfully making unnecessary noise or smoke and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. Police have been investigating a "hoon cartel" alleged to have been causing havoc on Gold Coast roads in recent months. Call it the Shrinking Tower of Ormond. First, it was 13 floors. Then it was ten. And now, local and vocal critics of the controversial tower are ramping up calls for it to be just eight storeys tall. The tower is being planned for Ormond station. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui A high-rise building set to be built on top of Ormond train station was stopped in Parliament late last year, when the Coalition blocked approvals for the 13-storey tower in the low-rise suburban area. The Coalition's move to block a planning project in Parliament was unusual, and was slammed by property industry and planning experts at the time, who warned that it risked increasing red tape. A woman was punched in the face and threatened with a machete during a violent home invasion in Melbourne's west. The victim arrived home at 8.20pm on Friday night and parked her car in the garage when the four young offenders, described by police as African in appearance, followed her inside. The youths then ransacked her home, located on Habitat Court in Tarneit, before producing a machete and punching the 34-year-old woman in the face. They then threatened her and demanded she hand over her vehicle. The Eagles have been supportive of their former premiership player. Former West Coast Eagle Ben Cousins is back in court, charged with drug possession, making threats and breaking a violence restraining order after he was picked up from a home east of Perth by police overnight. Cousins, 40, will face Armadale Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning, after he was taken into custody by police in the suburb of Canning Vale on Tuesday evening. Police originally arrested Cousins in relation to another matter, and it will be alleged officers found 13 grams of methylamphetamine on him during a search. He allegedly became aggressive at certain points, and police say he broke into the house on two separate occasions when the victim wasnt home. He is alleged to have threatened her again on one of these occasions, and said "the only way for me to see the kids is to have you knocked off. You have one week to rectify this". He is also alleged to have told police "the only way those kids won't grow up hooked on gear is if I teach them about this stuff". The incidents culminated on August 21, when his ex-partner made a statement to police and Cousins was arrested. Police say they took Cousins into custody for questioning, and during a strip search it was discovered he had hidden methylamphetamine in his body. Cousins allegedly asked officers for permission to remove the drugs, but instead tried to conceal them further. As a result a forensic procedure warrant was issued and he was taken to Kelmscott Hospital. Before the warrant could be executed Cousins removed the methylamphetamine, which police found to weigh 13.24 grams. During a reading of the charges, Cousins interjected several times and questioned dates of the alleged offences. Four days ago? A burglary charge? Is this a vendetta? I dont understand whats going on, he said. Cousins indicated his intention to apply for bail with the police prosecutor opposing the move. "He is a third-striker," the prosecutor said. "The court can't put anything in place that will stop Mr Cousins from reoffending." Against the advice of his lawyer Michael Tudori, Cousins offered an impassioned plea to the magistrate. Thanks for the opportunity to speak, he said. I take the situation very seriously. I have been to jail before for charges of a similar nature, and Ive gone away and Ive come back a different person. I have been very late in maturing, and Ive realised that. In the last six months I have had very little contact with my children. I still havent gone back to my old ways ... I tried to go through the appropriate channels [to see them] but its not easy. "Im very conscious of the statistics to do with reoffending, but what Im worried about more is the promises that Ive made my children, and not having a relationship with them built on trust. I need you to understand I am making an effort. I am in the process of starting a job. When the magistrate asked where Cousins intended to work, he replied at the casino, in the kitchen. I was rung about that yesterday, actually, he said. Cousins began to break down, and his voice cracked as he continued. I am the victim in this. I am no danger to her or those children. A strength of my character is that I dont act out in violence ... I have been the subject of ridicule and embarrassment and I dont act out, he said. I have a stronger sense of community than Ive ever had. This has balanced out now. Im intact. Im a bit different, but Im intact. I worry about not being in my childrens lives. Every day I close my eyes when the sun goes down and I spew that its another day I dont get to be back with them. People say theres so many reasons I shouldnt be in their lives, but there are so many reasons I should be. I beg you. Im getting tired of everything ... I do more right than I do wrong ... I am the safest, best option for those children. Im in a position where Im not supposed to be speaking to them. Its an indictment on this country and the legal system. Someone like me should show there is hope and belief things will work out, not be the opposite. The magistrate refused his bail application on the basis of Cousins' "poor history", and Cousins could be heard yelling and crying as he was taken from the court room by security. ACT Labor backbenchers have spoken out about the government's "radical" proposed changes to P-plater laws, one likening the changes to a "police state", but fell short of supporting an opposition motion to rule out the most controversial elements. Under Road Safety Minister Shane Rattenbury's proposed changes to P-plate laws, first year drivers would be banned from driving between midnight and 5am, and from having more than one passenger younger than 24. ACT Labor backbenchers spoke out against changes to P-plate laws. Credit:Jamesbowyer Under the graduated system, learners would have to log at least 100 supervised hours behind the wheel before getting their P-plates. There could be exemptions to the curfew rules for P-platers who are required to drive to work, or in the case of emergencies. When Malcolm Turnbull laid siege to the sitting Liberal MP Peter King in a bruising pre-selection battle for Wentworth in 2004, the republican frontman received votes from an unlikely group: pro-monarchy women. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at a press conference at Parliament House on Wednesday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Conservative Liberal preselectors concluded that, despite his obvious progressive leanings, Mr Turnbull was better than the incumbent. Key to that early victory was Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, an avowed monarchist, leading figure in the NSW Liberal Party' right faction, and until 24 hours ago, a member of the Prime Minister's executive. Just as the Banking and Financial Services Royal Commission under Justice Kenneth Hayne has destroyed the reputation of the big financial institutions by revealing a culture of "get away with what you can" and a mentality of ripping off customers to boost profits, so Morrison made clear that the same applied to energy companies where dud deals and opaque pricing was the norm. The ethics of the retail market and not clean energy bore the brunt of his criticism. First it was the big banks and insurance companies. Now it is the big energy companies. Self-interested. Cant be trusted. Willing to gouge customers and clients. Willing to flout regulatory commitments. At Turnbulls behest the Treasurer Scott Morrison, waving a big stick, has painted a dire picture of the values and morals driving big business as he tried to convince Australians that the governments new first priority was to drive down electricity prices. The rhetoric sounds like what might be expected from Labor or the Greens, or perhaps some wilder members of the Nationals, but not from the so-called party of capital, the Liberal Party. Corporate Australia is the big loser from the Liberal leadership uncertainty because of the collateral damage to its reputation. To shore up his position Malcolm Turnbull has not just abandoned his emissions target but rounded on business in an unprecedented way. The Turnbull government has demonstrated, after initially defending the big four banks and opposing the calls for a Royal Commission, that they now see corporate Australia not as its natural allies in the search for the public interest but as profit-seekers who must be corralled and then bludgeoned into submission to achieve a fair result. The government has thrown big business overboard. Whether or not all of this is just for short-term public display remains to be seen. After all the social, political and economic links remain strong between leading Coalition members and the business community. They are natural allies to the extent of being like family. Many of them talk the same merchant banker talk about the economy that Tony Abbott has recently condemned as pompous gobbledegook. There is also the huge inconsistency that the Turnbull government's signature approach to corporate tax cuts, dropped for the biggest companies yesterday but not resiled from in theory, presupposes that what is good for business is good for Australia. The guiding idea of trickle-down economics is that the proposed tax cuts will inevitably result in more jobs and higher wages as part of economic growth. In other words, that the average Australian will benefit. While not necessarily relying on business good-will but on the abstract theory of the capitalist system the idea is at odds with this new critical picture of what drives the big banks and energy companies which is now being painted so vividly by the government. Another lesson from the leadership instability relates to the exercise of leverage in politics. Whether it be voters or MPs small numbers can make a difference if they are driven by intense single-mindedness. Just as voters who are willing to swap parties on an issue can be effective so can small numbers of MPs who are willing to cross the floor. In the context of an evenly balanced House of Representatives, the threat to cross the floor by those few conservative Coalition MPS who objected to the emissions component of the National Energy Guarantee forced Turnbull to back down. In the absence of bipartisanship between the government and the opposition the outcome was far more conservative than the centre of gravity of the Parliament as a whole. Labor and the Greens, which wanted a higher target for a cut in emissions in accord with the Paris Agreement, lost out to the minority of the Coalition which wanted no emissions target at all. Banks, in the citys south-west, is the most marginal Liberal-held seat in metropolitan Sydney. The Herald on Wednesday spoke to some of its voters about their views of the leadership challenge. Blake Ryan, 18, said hed vote for Mr Dutton. "Same as Turnbull, I dont like him, I dont know that much about him," he said. "[But] Turnbull needs to get out. He's not helping out the farmers as much as he should. [He should be] using the money elsewhere, instead of refugees and stuff. [He should] put more money towards our own people first." Clockwise from top left: Voters Blake Ryan, Margaret Panton, Barry Sullivan and Louise Yung. Credit:Louise Kennerley Evelyn Maka, 69, said Mr Dutton looked like "a thug", but said both he and Mr Turnbull were "losers". Sources denied Senator Cormann, one of the party's leading conservatives and a friend of Mr Dutton, had withdrawn support from Mr Turnbull but the Finance Minister would not comment. Treasurer Scott Morrison has also kept his support for Mr Turnbull and those loyal to the Prime Minister insisted their numbers remained solid. One of the Prime Minister's allies argued that Mr Dutton would need 43 out of 84 party room members on the written document to justify a meeting on Thursday. "If they've got the same numbers they had the other day there's no point re-running the process," he said. Former home affairs minister Peter Dutton on the backbench in question time on Wednesday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Another argued that few on the Prime Minister's side had seen the petition and nobody should assume a meeting would be held on Thursday based on frenzied reporting in the media about the document's existence. Illustration: Matt Golding In a move to heighten pressure on Mr Turnbull, assistant minister James McGrath insisted on resigning after the Prime Minister had declined to accept his initial resignation on Tuesday. Other frontbenchers continued to back the Prime Minister, with Social Services Minister Dan Tehan saying: I will not vote against a sitting PM. One of Mr Turnbull's supporters, Queensland MP Jane Prentice, dismissed the petition as she left Parliament House on Thursday night, saying she had heard the document only had nine signatures and there was no need for another ballot. "I think people should stop thinking about themselves and think about the people of Australia," an angry Ms Prentice said. The moves came hours after five ministers who voted for Mr Dutton declared their loyalty to Mr Turnbull in Parliament, highlighting the rapid shifts within the party room and the bad blood on both sides of the vote. Loading The group consisted of Health Minister Greg Hunt, Trade Minister Steve Ciobo, Human Services Michael Keenan, Law Enforcement Minister Angus Taylor and Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge. One MP argued those five could not justify signing the petition to call for a second ballot after they had answered questions in Parliament about their support for the Prime Minister. Those calling for a new ballot said the matter had to be resolved on Thursday. If he does not go now this will go on, and on and on, one of Mr Duttons supporters said of Mr Turnbull. The moves came as Mr Dutton faced growing questions over his eligibility to sit in Parliament because of his pecuniary interest in childcare centres that receive money from the Commonwealth. In a move that could fuel those doubts, Attorney-General Christian Porter declared he would seek advice from the Commonwealths top legal advisor, Stephen Donaghue QC, on whether Mr Dutton had a case to answer on his eligibility. Given that today the subject of a members eligibility was raised in Question Time and in media reports, I determined to seek advice from the Solicitor-General on the issues raised, Mr Porter said in a statement issued just as word spread of the petition. Labor demanded answers in Parliament on whether Mr Dutton has fallen foul of section 44 of the constitution because of his pecuniary interest in childcare companies that received $5.6 million from the Commonwealth. Mr Turnbull insisted Mr Dutton had legal advice to assure him there was no issue but the Prime Minister conceded he had not seen the advice. Attorney-General Christian Porter went to Mr Dutton on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the facts surrounding the ownership of the childcare centres, delaying any decision on whether to get the formal legal advice. Mr Dutton left no doubt he was working the phones to build his numbers and made it clear he would move when he had a majority. You don't go into a ballot believing youre going to lose, and if I believe that a majority of colleagues support me, then I would consider my position, he said in a radio interview on Wednesday morning. Mr Turnbull insisted the vote on Tuesday should settle the matter. The iron laws of arithmetic confirmed my leadership of the Liberal Party, he said. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is under pressure. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Former prime minister Tony Abbott said the next leadership vote was needed as soon as possible while former international development minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells said the governments direction had to be reset quickly. The most important thing for the Liberal Party into the future is to reclaim our base and therefore the sooner issues are dealt with the better, Senator Fierravanti-Wells told Fairfax Media. By the end of 2013, four former members of the cabinet or ministers were arrested and put on trial for treason, the vice-president fled Juba to his support-base strongholds. Within days he had gathered a large force and formed an armed opposition. The war was now in full force and soon it engulfed nearly the whole country. The biggest tragedy, however, fell on the people of South Sudan. So many are dead that no one knows the true numbers. It is estimated that more than 300,000 people have been killed. Of those who managed to flee the violence, 3.5 million are displaced within the country and over 1.5 million are now refugees in neighbouring countries of Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. Rebel soldiers patrol and protect civilians from the Nuer ethnic group, as they walk through floods to reach a makeshift camp for the displaced in South Sudan last year. Credit:AP The fighting also led to famine, leaving 6 million people at risk of starvation. It is a catastrophe. Yet even with hundreds of thousands dead, millions displaced and two peace agreements, the war is ongoing with no foreseeable end in sight. I cannot help but compare the stark differences watching the Liberal Party spill dominating this week's news - which I slept through. Of course there are many differences between South Sudan, a country ravaged by war for decades, and Australia. Some of the more than 30,000 Nuer civilians sheltering in a United Nations base in South Sudan in 2016 for fear of targeted killings by government forces. Credit:AP However, I cant take for granted what a wonderful thing it is to live in a country like this. That even at such a politically significant moment as this, we can afford to ignore it, laugh at it, go to work, go home to our families and loved ones that night and sleep in a bed without the fear of being woken by gunfire. Dutton might become the next Australian prime minister and there is no doubt he is a man who generates as much passion from those who support him as he does from those who oppose him. Personally, his comments about African communities have been deeply hurtful and divisive. The effect of his comments will be long lasting and hamper our trajectory of integration as Australians of African descent. So it is fair to say we have our differences. Strangely, even that is a great reminder of the country we live in. A reminder that these differences can play out in a way that allows us all to come out in the end, at least relatively, able to continue our lives with some stability, and even some meaning and dignity. I am reminded that even having been critical of some of Duttons remarks and policies, I have no fear that my family will become a target of government wrath or that I will be arrested should he assume power - something which has happened to too many people I know in South Sudan. These people include the human rights lawyer Dong Samuel Luak, who was kidnapped in Kenya around February last year. No one has heard from him since. There is also Peter Biar Ajak, a PhD student at the University of Cambridge and peace activist, who was picked up at the airport in July this year by security forces. He remains detained and is yet to face court on the grounds that his activism amounted to a call for regime change. Sharing or even threatening to share compromising images of another person in Queensland could soon see perpetrators jailed for up to three years. Attorney-general Yvette D'Ath has introduced legislation into the Queensland Parliament, saying so-called "revenge porn" would soon have "serious consequences". Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath speaks in Parliament on Wednesday. Credit:AAP She said the practice often amounted to domestic violence which disproportionately affected women and girls. "The distribution of intimate images without consent as a form of abuse goes beyond the breakdown of relationships," Ms D'Ath said on Wednesday. Victorian Liberals say it is too late to change their state election strategy to react to the meltdown of the federal party and a potential new prime minister. With just three months before Victoria votes, there is no time to change the party's pitch to voters or try to contain the dysfunction gripping the federal Parliamentary party, State Liberal figures told The Age on Wednesday. One MP described the furore surrounding Peter Dutton's challenge to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as a "tsunami" hitting the party, conceding the Victorian branch was powerless to influence events. Malcolm Turnbull and Matthew Guy at a CFA rally in 2016 Credit:Daniel Pockett The Age understands that much of the Liberals' state strategy, which focuses heavily on attacking Labor over its electoral rorts before the 2014 poll, is already locked in and cannot be changed. Burmese Leader Aung San Suu Kyi Says Terrorism a Threat to Wider Region SINGAPOREBurmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday defended her governments actions in Rakhine state, where about 700,000 Rohingya fled from a brutal counterinsurgency campaign to neighboring Bangladesh. She said terrorism, not social discrimination or inequality, triggered the crisis. Suu Kyi made the comments in a lecture in Singapore in which she reviewed her two years in power. We who are living through the transition in Myanmar [also known as Burma] view it differently than those who observe it from the outside and who will remain untouched by its outcome, she said, in an apparent response to criticism of how her government has handled the plight of the Rohingya. Critics accuse Burmas army of carrying out ethnic cleaning, or even genocide, against the Rohingya minority of both Muslims and Hindus. Suu Kyis civilian government says it carried out justifiable counterinsurgency operations in response to attacks on security forces by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), which emerged during the past two years as an Islamic terrorist group funded from Saudi Arabia. In a measure of the national sensitivity of the subject, Suu Kyi appeared not to refer to the Rohingya by name in her speech. The Rohingya, who have lived in Burma for centuries, were citizens until 1982, when legislation by the military junta removed citizenship, rendering them stateless and subject to forced labor and arbitrary confiscation of their property. But the term is rejected by many Buddhists in Burma who do not consider the group a native minority and charge it entered illegally from Bangladesh. Suu Kyi, who holds the positions of state counselor and foreign minister, said terrorism was the cause of the crisis in Rakhine and remains a threat. The danger of terrorist activities which was the initial cause of events leading to the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine remains real and present today, she said. Unless this security challenge is addressed, the risk of intercommunal violence will remain. It is a threat that could have grave consequences, not just for Myanmar but also for other countries in our region and beyond. Democratic Transition in Myanmar: Challenges and the Way Forward Democratic Transition in Myanmar: Challenges and the Way ForwardSource : https://www.facebook.com/ChannelNewsAsia/videos/1038749412957818/ Posted by Myanmar State Counsellor Office on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 The armys crackdown followed attacks last August on security outposts by the secretive ARSA, also known as Harakah al-Yaqin or the faith movement, which said it was acting on behalf of oppressed Rohingya Muslims. On Aug. 25, insurgents of the Muslim Rohingya minority attacked Burmese police at 30 of their security posts across Rakhine state under the banner of the ARSA. The horrific attacks unleashed a horrific response from the military and forced about 420,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. The Swedish journalist and author Bertil Lintner, who has been writing about Burma and Asia for nearly four decades, wrote later in the Asia Times: The simultaneous attacks on August 25 required meticulous planning. In the months before as many as 50 people, Muslims as well as Buddhists suspected of serving as government informants, had their throats slit or were hacked to death in order to deprive the Myanmar military of intelligence in the area. Videos released by Islamist groups in Indonesia show groups of young men undergoing military training in preparation for a jihad in Rakhine state. Massive demonstrations in support of the Rohingya have been held throughout Bangladesh, where the influx of refugees has quickly become a domestic political issue pitting the ruling Awami League against a fundamentalist-backed opposition. Almost a year later, Amnesty International reported that shortly after the coordinated attacks on security posts, masked ARSA fighters killed as many as 99 Hindus near a remote village named Kha Maung Seik. A 22-year-old witness and survivor of the ARSA massacre, Bina Bala, told the NGO, [The men] held knives and long iron rods. They tied our hands behind our backs and blindfolded us. I asked what they were doing. One of them replied, You and Rakhine are the same, you have a different religion, you cant live here. He spoke the [Rohingya] language. They asked what belongings we had, then they beat us. Eventually I gave them my gold and money. Speaking of the Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh, Suu Kyi said it was difficult to say when they will be able to return to Rakhine state because her nation needs the cooperation of Bangladesh. She said Burma has mapped out general sites for the resettlement of returning Rohingya, but the timing of the repatriation also depends on Bangladesh. Burmas government has signed several agreements on preparing for the return of the Rohingya, but U.N. agencies have accused it of dragging its feet, and human rights groups are concerned that the safety of returning Rohingya cannot be assured. In its counterinsurgency campaign, the army beat and killed civilians, and organized rapes and the burning of thousands of homes belonging to Rohingya, according to evidence and survivor and witness accounts compiled by human rights organizations. Suu Kyis speech was part of a series of annual lectures by global leaders organized by the Institute of Southeast Asia Studies. David Kilgour, lawyer and former Canadian Secretary of State, contributed to this report. SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 27: Joseph James DeAngelo, the suspected "Golden State Killer", appears in court for his arraignment on April 27, 2018 in Sacramento, California. DeAngelo, a 72-year-old former police officer, is believed to be the East Area Rapist who killed at least 12 people, raped over 45 women and burglarized hundreds of homes throughout California in the 1970s and 1980s. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) California Prosecutors Team Up in Golden State Killer Case LOS ANGELESA former policeman accused of a string of murders, rapes, and home invasions attributed to a serial predator dubbed the Golden State Killer will stand trial in Sacramento in an unprecedented consolidation of cases from six counties, prosecutors said on Aug. 21. A single, amended criminal complaint was filed in Sacramento County Superior Court charging Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, with 13 counts of murder and 13 counts of kidnapping, with special circumstance allegations making him eligible for capital punishment. Prosecutors said a decision on whether to seek the death penalty would be made at some point in the future. DeAngelo was arrested in April, capping more than 40 years of investigation that authorities said was solved by DNA evidence. The breakthrough came about two months after the case gained renewed attention in the bestselling book, Ill Be Gone in the Dark. Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert called it probably the most notorious case of serial rapes and killings in California history The defendant, who was an officer in two small-town police departments during the 1970s, is set to be arraigned on the new complaint on Aug. 23. He has yet to enter a plea to the 26 felony counts he faces. For now, the focus will be on preparing evidence as swiftly as possible, though given the complexity of allegations spanning 11 yearsfrom 1975 to 1986and multiple jurisdictions, this will not be a case that goes to trial really quickly, Schubert told reporters. She and her counterparts from Santa Barbara, Contra Costa, Tulare, Ventura, and Orange counties said they chose to pursue the prosecution in Sacramento because of its proximity to the bulk of the casework and its wealth of investigative resources. This case changed our community, Schubert said of the wave of violent home invasions that she recalled terrorized residents in and around the state capital when she was growing up there. Orange County D.A. Tony Rackauckas called the collaboration of six county prosecutors in bringing such a case to trial in one jurisdiction unprecedented in California, and the most efficient way of proceeding. DeAngelo was initially charged with eight counts of murder in Sacramento, Ventura, and Orange counties. Four more murder counts were added in Santa Barbara in May, and he was charged with a 13th slaying in Tulare County last week. Rackauckas said he did not anticipate any additional murder charges but did not rule out that possibility either. By Steve Gorman Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-CA) speaks at the launch of the Isla Bella, the first container ship to be powered by liquid natural gas, during a nighttime ceremony at General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, California April 18, 2015. (Earnie Grafton/Reuters) Charges Against California Congressman Purely Political, Spokesman Says Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) believes the campaign finance charges filed against him on Aug. 21 are purely politically motivated, according to his spokesman. Federal officials indicted Hunter on charges that he and his wife used hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds to pay for vacations, video games, and other personal expenses and filed false campaign finance reports. Adam Braverman, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, said Hunter has been accused of conspiracy, wire fraud, falsification of records, and other charges. Braverman said in a statement that a federal grand jury indicted the lawmaker and his wife on charges that they misused more than $250,000 in campaign funds to pay for family vacations, groceries, video games, meals and other personal expenses. Hunters attorney, Gregory Vega, pointed out in an Aug. 6 letter to U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein that the investigation into his client appears to be politically motivated. Vega said in the letter that Hunter, 41, was an early congressional supporter of Donald Trump for president while two members of the prosecution team had attended a private fundraiser for Hillary Clinton, Trumps Democratic opponent in the 2016 presidential race. Vega charged that the political leanings of the two prosecutors is a conflict of interest. The attorney said that the prosecutors themselves were rushing to bring the case because of artificial pressure from above. The overt political leanings of two individuals intimately involved in the investigation, combined with, among other things, the Southern Districts sudden, inexplicable rush to indict my client before the general election without affording him sufficient due process, create an actual and/or apparent conflict that cannot be ignored, Vega wrote. Another early backer of Trump, Republican Representative Chris Collins of New York, ended his bid for re-election earlier this month after he was charged with participating in an insider trading scheme. Hunter was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan called the charges against Hunter deeply serious and said that Hunter would be removed from his committee assignments pending resolution of the charges. Hunter, a former Marine officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Education and Workforce Committee. He represents a district that covers parts of San Diego County. Reuters contributed to this report. Chris Wattss Friends Regret Defending Him A friend of Chris Watts described him as a family man that would do anything for his daughters. Kris Landon knew the Watts family for about four years. His entire persona was as a family man, talking about his wife and his girls, Landon told People. I believed until the other day that his entire life was those girls, and that he would die for them. Watts was charged with three counts of first-degree murder with deliberation, two counts of first-degree murder of a child under the age of 12 by someone who is in a position of trust over them, one first-degree count of unlawful termination of pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a deceased body, People reported. I love this man! Hes my ROCK! Posted by Shanann Watts on Saturday, May 5, 2018 Watts was arrested on Aug. 15, two days after his wife and daughters were reported missing. A day later, the bodies of his wife and two daughters were found on the property of an oil and gas company that formerly employed Watts. Hes just a very warm, personable person, Landon told People. He never seemed like someone with anything to hide, because he is so good at looking you in the eye and talking to you. Hes very gifted with words, like he knew what to say to make you like him and warm up to him. Watts spoke to the media before he was arrested and told them he just wanted his wife and daughters to come back home. He claimed to not know where they were and not know how they left the house, in an interview conducted by 9 News. This busy mom told her friend NO 100 times before saying yes. 27 months later look at her now. Health Challenges I Posted by Carmel Ladao Stetler on Friday, April 13, 2018 Watts eventually confessed to killing his wife, saying he killed her at their home, in the town of Frederick, Colorado, north of Denver. He said he did it after he saw her strangling his daughter while the other daughter lay blue in the face nearby. He says he saw the killing via a baby monitor video, Time reported. Watts said his wife killed the children after he told her he wanted a separation. He said he broke into a rage when he saw the images of his wife strangling their daughter. After Watts took their bodies to an oil field, the girls lay submerged in crude oil for four days while the mothers body lay in a shallow grave, according to documents obtained by Time. Days before his arrest, friends of Watts let him sleep over and defended him against rising suspicions of his involvement, a decision they now regret. Thats something Ill never forget, that we, we allowed this guy in our house, Watts friend Nick Thayer told KUSA. I mean, had we had any inclination that we thought he was involved at all, no way would I have let him in my house with my wife and kid. Wattss wife Shanann was 15-weeks pregnant at the time of her alleged murder. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by People, Watts was allegedly having an affair with a co-worker. Watts was in court on Aug. 21. His father-in-law was in tears and his brother-in-law glared at him. Watts did not enter a plea, Time reported. Watts is scheduled for another court date on Nov. 16. District Attorney Michael Rourke said it was too early to talk about the death penalty. From NTD.tv Corporate Tax Cuts Dropped as Australian PM Clings on to Leadership Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has abandoned tax cuts for larger businesses after the policy failed to pass parliament. The plan to have the corporate tax rate dropped from 30 percent to 25 percent for businesses with an annual turnover of more than $50 million was defeated in the Senate on Aug. 22. The prime minister said the government would instead consider accelerating tax cuts for small- to medium-sized companies. We are going to review our enterprise tax plan, in so far as it applies to small and medium businesses and focus on how we can provide enhanced support, or perhaps an acceleration of the tax cuts for the small and medium businesses, Turnbull said at a press conference on Aug. 22. Currently, tax rates for businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million will be progressively lowered to 25 percent by 2026-27. Turnbull also revealed the energy supplement for pensioners would not be abolished as previously planned. The payment, amounting to $14.10 per fortnight for singles and $10.60 per fortnight for a married couple, was designed to assist with household energy costs after the now-defunct carbon tax was introduced by the Labor government. It is absolutely clear to us that, with the issue of energy prices being so prominent, we will not move to repeal the energy supplement, he said. Unequivocal Support Turnbull also told reporters he had unequivocal assurances of continuing loyalty and support from cabinet ministers, rejecting their resignations after they had supported former Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to lead the Liberal party. The prime minister narrowly staved off a leadership challenge from the former Queensland police office after calling a snap leadership spill on Aug. 11. Turnbull won 48 votes to 35. Dutton has since resigned from the ministry and now sits on the backbench. According to The Australian, eight cabinet members offered to resign in the wake of the spill, including Minister for Health Greg Hunt, Minister for Trade Steven Ciobo, and Minister for Human Services Michael Keenan. These were not accepted by Turnbull. Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells resigned as minister for international development and the Pacific, in an open letter accusing the prime minister of eroding the voice of the partys conservative members and moving too far to the left. Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells resignation letter: "Our conservative base strongly feel that their voice has been eroded." #auspol pic.twitter.com/fTKXQViIBx Political Alert (@political_alert) August 21, 2018 A number of the ministers who backed Dutton, including Hunt and Ciobo, affirmed their support of the prime minister in parliamentary question time on Aug. 22. Dutton Starts Campaigning The former home affairs minister confirmed he was canvassing colleagues for another bid at the party leadership. You dont go into a ballot believing youre going to lose and if I believe that a majority of colleagues support me, then I would consider my position, he told 3AW radio station on Aug. 22. Of course I am [working the phones]. Im speaking to colleagues. Im not going to beat around the bush with that. Dutton also outlined his policy platform, which included removing the GST from electricity bills and a royal commission into energy and fuel companies. I think one thing that we could do straight away in this next billing cycle is take the GST off electricity bills for families, Dutton told Triple M Melbourne. It would be an automatic reduction of 10 per cent for electricity bills and people would feel an impact straight away. Treasurer Scott Morrison, however, said the policy would cost about $7.5 billion over four years and the Commonwealth would have to reimburse the amount to the states. That would be an absolute budget blower, Morrison told reporters in Canberra. You can make all sorts of promises about how much money you are going to spend but at the end of the day you have got to account for it. The ABC reports that Dutton is only a handful of votes shy of the 42 required to topple Turnbull, and a second leadership challenged is expected in the coming days or weeks. From NTD.tv Plastination, used for the cadavers in the Real Bodies exhibition, is the process of using liquid silicone rubber to prevent the natural body process of decaying. The cadaver above is from a previous exhibition called 'The Human Body' in Kiev, Ukraine and is a file photo. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images) Critic of Human Cadaver Exhibition Aims to Pioneer Tests on Plastinated Tissue Doctor wants to establish proof of concept for extraction of DNA from plastinated specimens amid concerns over source of bodies LONDONExhibitions of plastinated human cadavers have been dogged for years by claims that the bodies could be prisoners of conscience from China. Unconvinced by denials from the touring exhibitions, critics have periodically floated the idea of DNA testing, but so far, the science has remained theoretical. Now, however, a doctor in the UK is pushing for the first extraction of DNA from plastinated tissuesto pioneer the science for investigating future exhibitions. Consultant neurologist Dr. David Nicholl is one of several prominent medical figures and human-rights campaigners calling for an investigation into the Real Bodies exhibition at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham because of concerns about the source of the bodies. That exhibition features 20 cadavers and more than 200 organssourced from Chinathat have been preserved in a life-like state by replacing bodily fluids with synthetic materials that harden, and is billed as an educational experience with multi-layered narratives by organizers Imagine Exhibitions. The day after the exhibition ended on Aug. 21, Nicholl announced that he was calling for the donation of specimens to establish a proof-of-concept that DNA could be extracted. It seems a completely bonkers world that we can trace a steak [to a single cow], but we cant trace a corpse in the NEC, he told reporters. I think it will provide closure to many Chinese people with missing relatives. Banned in Some Countries In an open letter sent to the British government, more than 30 medical professionals, lawmakers, and activists called for the Real Bodies exhibition in Birmingham to be closed and investigated, alleging that the bodies have no documentation to confirm their origin. The company behind the exhibition, along with the NEC, denied any wrongdoing, and rejected the allegations. Other rival exhibitions have also been touring the world. Plastinated body exhibitions have been banned in Israel, France, Hawaii, and some cities in the United States. The Czech Republic changed its laws on July 7, 2017, to require proof of consent from the deceased before such exhibitions are allowed to enter the country. Nicholl emphasized that the Real Bodies exhibition didnt break any UK laws, but took advantage of a loophole in legislation on imported tissue. The UKs Human Tissue Act (2004) says that removing, storing, or using human tissue without appropriate consent is an offense, but because the Real Bodies specimens have been imported from overseas, the Act does not apply. While DNA testing is straightforward and low-cost, Nicholl said that extraction of the DNA from plastinated tissue is the tricky part that needs to be established. Initially skeptical, Nicholl said he had contacted a number of genetics experts who told him they believe its possible to extract the DNA from plastinated tissue. Looking for Bones or Teeth Nicholl believes it would be a first. Ive been in contact with the editor of the Journal of Plastination, and they said that as far as they know it hasnt been done. Nicholl said it could be a Masters research project and might take a year or two. It means next time one of these exhibitions comes to town, we can say to the coroner, Weve published this, we can show that you can do it. Why dont you ask for DNA samples to identify who these people are?' With the exhibitions unlikely to hand over samples for testing, Nicholl is hoping a teaching hospital in the UK, where plastinated specimens are used, will offer a sample of bone or teeth. Nicholl said that the Human Tissue Authority had told him there wasnt a problem in using such specimens. DNA Testing of 17 Million Uyghur Muslims China expert and investigative journalist Ethan Gutmann believes DNA sampling could explode open the issue of organ harvesting from prisoners of consciencea subject that Gutmann has campaigned on for over a decade. China is right now pursuing a policy of trying to test the DNA of living Chinese people, Gutmann said. Theyve already tested 17 million Uyghur Muslims and they can narrow it down to within third-degree relatives, so its becoming possible to get a match. Gutmann has spent the last 10 years researching organ harvesting from prisoners in Chinapredominantly from Falun Gong practitioners. Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline that draws on the Chinese tradition of slow-moving meditation exercises, combined with an emphasis on development of moral character. According to Gutmanns research, the epicenter of the persecution of Falun Gong was Liaoning province, and, notably, the city of Dalian. The NEC in Birmingham said that the specimens were all unclaimed bodies donated by the relevant authorities to medical universities in China. The NEC said the specimens were donated legally, were never prisoners of any kind, showed no signs of trauma or injury, were free of infectious disease, and died of natural causes. However, Tom Zaller, chief executive of Imagine Exhibitions, said in April that there was no documentation to prove the bodies identities or whether they had consented to donating their bodies after death. Jordan's Queen Rania shaking hands with Rohingya Muslim refugees during her visit to the Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia on Oct. 23, 2017. (Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/Getty Images) Cultures Clash in Europe Over Muslims Refusing to Shake Hands With Members of the Opposite Sex STOCKHOLMThe simple act of a handshake has become controversial because of growing Muslim populations in several European countries. In the past week, the issue has made headlines in Switzerland, France, Sweden, and Denmark. What some may see as a trivial matter has become a flashpoint, similar to that of religious dress codes or prayer calls. Some Muslims argue that Islam doesnt permit physical contact between people of the opposite sex outside of ones immediate family, and wont shake hands with members of the opposite sex, usually opting instead for a bow, with the hand placed on the chest. However, shaking hands is a deeply rooted custom in many European countries and elsewhere, not only as a form of greeting, but also as a way of symbolically sealing deals, which can make the refusal to do so offensive. Sometimes, refusing to shake hands can have dramatic consequences with regard to court cases, political careers, and even denied citizenships. In Switzerland, a Muslim couple was recently denied citizenship, partially on the grounds that they wouldnt shake hands with members of the opposite sex, AFP reported on Aug. 17. Three days later, a French court upheld a decision to deny a passport to a Muslim who refused to shake hands during the actual citizenship ceremony. In Denmark, three major political parties demanded that shaking hands with an official should be included in the already mandatory citizenship ceremony, Nyheder TV2 reported on Aug. 19. Necessary to Legislate Martin Henriksen, spokesperson for the Danish Peoples Party, one of the parties behind that demand, told Nyheder TV2 that shaking hands is a Danish custom, and many people take offense when an outstretched hand goes ignored. Im sure some people feel that its harsh to legislate, but its just that not all people understand this, so its necessary to send that signal by legislating, he said. Meanwhile, in Sweden, a court recently ruled in favor of Farah Alhajeh, a Muslim woman whose interview with a prospective employer was cut short when she refused to shake hands with the interviewer. Alhajeh, whose case was taken on by the Swedish Equality Ombudsman, was awarded $4,500 in damages in a case that may set an important precedent. I hope this gives hope to other Muslims going through the same thing [] and makes them feel that justice is possible in the end, Alhajeh told Swedish Television. Some commentators argue, however, that this development wont be beneficial for Muslims in the long run. Not Doing Them Any Favors [Shaking hands] is a central norm in Swedish culture, author and conservative blogger Rebecca Weidemo Uvell wrote. Teaching immigrants that its fine to ignore this is not doing them any favors. They will tick off an untold number of Swedes over the course of their lives and make it more difficult for themselves to make Swedish friends, get a job, and get treated with respect, she wrote. The consequences of ignoring this norm was felt by Swedish politician Yasri Khan in 2016. Khan was nominated to the central party board of the Green Party, but chose to leave his political posts after facing harsh criticism and negative news coverage for refusing to shake hands with a female reporter. For the Green Party, which promotes feminism, seeing Khan treating males and females differently was the dealbreaker. The refusal to shake hands has sometimes been framed in terms of accepting local customs, and sometimes more in terms of gender equality. Those who argue their right to refuse to shake hands have both appealed to religious freedom and the issue of intimacy. Swedish author and Middle East expert Eli Gondor argues that this issue is reflective of the clash between two culturesSunni Muslims from the Middle East and Christian Europeanswho are used to being the majority culture and not having to adapt to others. Commenting on the ongoing handshake cases taken on by the Equality Ombudsman, Gondor wrote in Fokus magazine in 2016 that it may seem like a tangential issue. But decisions determine to what extent minorities succeed in their ambition to adapt the norms of the majority community in their favor. Each decision reinforces or shapes the identities of the involved parties, and the way they relate to each other. El Salvador Cites Country Growth for Diplomatic Switch to China from Taiwan El Salvadors move to end diplomatic relations with Taiwan and switched alliances to China was prompted by economic considerations, a presidential spokesperson said on Aug. 21. The Latin American country announced in a nationally televised speech its decision to break ties with Taiwan on Aug. 20 and instead established relation with Chinas ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The decision has prompted an outcry from Taiwan and the United States. In response, Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said it would not engage in money competition with the CCP. He accused the Latin American nation of continuously asking for massive funding support for a port development since last year, which Taiwan deemed an unsuitable project after its assessment. It was unclear if the CCP had offered any specific aid or economic incentive to El Salvador. In a recent interview on Aug. 21, presidential spokesman Roberto Lorenzana denied the allegations saying the decision to switch alliance to the CCP was due to economic advantages of being able to trade with China. He said investment and developing the economy were key goals behind the decision. Fundamentally, its an interest in betting on the growth of our country with one of the worlds most booming economies, he said. El Salvador cant turn its back on international reality. During the initial announcement, El Salvadors president, Salvador Sanchez Ceren, said the decision to become closer to the communist regime was made after careful study. He added that he was convinced this is a step in the right direction as it corresponds to the principles of international law of international relations and the inevitable trends of our time. However, President Tsai Ing-wen blamed pressure from the CCP for El Salvadors decision at a news conference on Aug. 21, saying that it was another example of how the Chinese regime has tried to exert pressure over Taiwan to reduce the island nations international recognition. We will turn to countries with similar values to fight together against Chinas increasingly out-of-control international behavior, Tsai said. U.S. Response The Aug. 20 move has left Taiwan with only 17 allies. El Salvador was the third Latin American country in the past two years to break ties with the island nation. Panama ditched Taiwan for China in 2017, and Burkina Faso and the Dominican Republic followed early this year. Taiwan is a full-fledged democracy with its own constitution, elected officials, and military; Beijing considers the island nation a renegade province that one day will be united with the mainland, by military force if necessary. The Chinese regime has strategically established alliances with nations that have had diplomatic ties with Taiwanby giving large sums in loans and investmentsas a way to pressure them into recognizing only one China. The U.S. ambassador in El Salvador, Jean Manes, said in a tweet on Aug. 21 that El Salvadors decision was worrisome for many reasons. She added that the decision would certainly impact our relationship with the government. The United States keeps unofficial relations with Taiwan, a source of tension with the CCP. EE.UU esta analizando la decision de #ElSalvador. Es preocupante por muchas razones, entre las que se incluye romper una relacion de mas de 80 anos con #Taiwan. Sin duda, esto impactara nuestra relacion con el gobierno. Seguimos apoyando al pueblo salvadoreno. Jean Manes (@USAmbSV) August 21, 2018 Following the announcement, Florida Senator Marco Rubio said in a tweet there would be real consequences if El Salvador broke ties with Taiwan. They think we are going to react the same way we did to Panama & DominicanRepublic. They are very wrong, he tweeted. In a later tweet, he wrote that he has joined with Colorado Senator Cory Gardner to draft an amendment to end foreign aid to El Salvador in response to the Aug. 20 decision. I have joined @SenCoryGardner in an amendment to end foreign aid to El Salvador after their leftist government decided to abandon Taiwan in favor of China. I also spoke to @realdonaldtrump about cutting off their aid just a few minutes ago, he wrote. I have joined @SenCoryGardner in an amendment to end foreign aid to #ElSalvador after their leftist government decided to abandon #Taiwan in favor of #China. I also spoke to @realdonaldtrump about cutting off their aid just a few minutes ago. Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 21, 2018 El Salvador has made the wrong decision regarding Taiwan, and it will negatively influence US relations with El Salvador. The US govt must stand up to Chinas campaign to bully Taiwan with every tool we have. https://t.co/CfnJBKEck9 Cory Gardner (@SenCoryGardner) August 21, 2018 Reuters and Epoch Times staff member Frank Fang contributed to this report. From NTD.tv Watch Next: Business is War Elon Musk: Teslas Single Point of Failure Businesses need more than visionaries to be successful Elon Musks meltdown in the pages of The New York Times is a reminder that enterprises need both vision and operating smarts to be successful. It was obvious years ago that Musk needed help to build a new car company. Yet, somehow, the members of the board of directors did nothing as the Tesla CEO and co-founder led this extraordinary endeavor. In my book Ford Men: From Inspiration to Enterprise, I noted that Henry Ford had the vision, but it was his partner James Couzens who actually turned the idea into a successful business. So bad was Fords reputation for tinkering and racing that he wasnt even an officer of Ford Motor Co. when it was founded. Thanks to Couzens, Henry Fords idea exploded in less than a decade into one of the great American fortunes, a transformational wealth built on manufacturing. The business was wildly successful and repaid its investors and more in the first year. Thanks to another Ford employee, engineer Charles Sorensen, the company invented the assembly line, which enabled it to meet the astronomical demand for cars a century ago. Musk is no Henry Ford, but Tesla is the latest case in point to the lesson that solitary leaders often fail. No matter how brilliant or inspired, most of us need the moderation and help of business partners, directors, and investors to make an enterprise succeed and endure. Having Horace Dodge on the board of directors, for example, certainly didnt hurt the companys prospects. The Dodge brothers actually built the early Ford cars as kits until the company had its own factory. When Couzens resigned as general manager of Ford in 1915, the company remained under the control of Henry Ford and would suffer for three decades from his distracted, idiosyncratic mismanagement. The fact that the company didnt fail prior to World War II is a miracle. How difficult was Henry Ford? Think Steve Jobs squared. Good Managers Are Essential Of course, personalities and vision are essential to any enterprise, but it cant be dependent upon just one person if it is to endure. Over the years, there were many managers and bankers who kept Ford afloat. But for the singular efforts of James Couzens, though, the company almost surely would have been Henry Fords third business failure. Henry Ford II saved the Ford company from bankruptcy after WWII, but he had a deep bench of managers and financial minds behind him and the Ford family. Yet, fate plays a strange role in business. Ponder how different the auto industry would be today if Horace and his brother John Dodge hadnt both died of the Spanish Flu in 1920. Dodge might be the No. 1 U.S. automaker, followed by General Motors. Ford might have already disappeared from view under the erratic leadership of Henry Ford. The Fords are celebrities but not magicians. You need a dose of techno-buzz to achieve that. Had Bill Ford announced in 2003 a project to build all-electric Ford cars, he might have caused a bit of a stir. However, Bill Ford never would have escaped the financial straitjacket of the existing auto business. Technology demigod Musk, on the other hand, was able to launch a new car company based upon the dubious promise of future profits from battery power. Musk is Teslas single point of failure. The dependence upon Musk to maintain the nosebleed valuation of Tesla seems a key reason why the companys timid board hasnt tolerated any competition in the C-Suite. Tech Hype and Valuations Despite the tech-sector pretensions, the impact of Tesla and Musk on the auto industry is enormous. Consider the fact that Volvo Cars expects to go public at a $30 billion valuationmore than 16 times the $1.8 billion Ford received from the sale of the business in 2010. The Volvo IPO owes as much to the hype surrounding Tesla as it does to the credit-market machinations of global central banks. Does a business that made a half-million cars last year, with a single-digit profit margin, really deserve a $30 billion valuation? Only if you really believe that Tesla is worth $50 billion or more with a fraction of that output. If Tesla crashes, then the Volvo IPO very likely is toast, as well. Just as Tesla thrived due to the vision and passion of Musk, the companys prospects and equity-market valuation would suffer greatly in his absence. Tesla without Musk is just another unprofitable car maker, albeit one that promises to accelerate the worlds transition to sustainable energy. Really? Teslas Dilemma Musk and his investors are stuck on the horns of a very nasty dilemma. In order to make Tesla a functioning car manufacturer, CEO Musk must bring in some operators before he burns out or worse. However, to do so means destroying the techno-hype that has fueled Teslas forward equity valuation, enabling Musk to burn through billions in debt and equity capital, based on a promise of green transportation. Anybody familiar with making lithium batteries knows that this technology is anything but green or sustainable. Musks most recent outburst about Tesla going private illustrates that the reputation of a successful inventor may not necessarily translate into business acumen. Visionaries such as Musk and GM founder William Durant are showmen. They are great at building new businesses, so long as they are spending someone elses money. Ultimately, the iron law of profit-and-loss destroyed the lofty dreams of Durant, forcing GM into the arms of JPMorgan and the DuPont zaibatsu twice prior to WWII. I suspect the same fate awaits Tesla and its credulous shareholders. As Ive said before, bondholders are the true owners of Tesla. Investors rightly love Musk because he is more than a mere speculator like Durant. Musk imagined big ideas and turned many of them into reality, a proud achievement that he shares with another great American inventor, Thomas Edison. It was Edison, never forget, who loved the idea of electric vehicles. Yet, when Henry Ford left Edisons employ in 1900 to build cars, he chose to use gasoline instead of electricity. After creating and selling what would become General Electric Co., Edisons business fortunes declined. Merely being brilliant and having a vision of the future wasnt enough. Fords immensely powerful mind generated its own inspirations based on observing the industrial activity that was welling up from the ground in and around the Detroit region in 1900. He took counsel with peers like Edison, Dodge, and Harvey Firestone. Musk belongs to this same exclusive category of visionary inventors inspired by change. But Ford, Edison, and Musk all stand as examples of why being a visionary isnt sufficient to be successful in building and operating a business. As noted earlier, Musk has defined a market for electric cars and created a brand, but the better part of valor may be to declare success and sell his creation to a larger global manufacturer. Henry Ford called Edison the worlds greatest inventor and the worlds worst businessman, a telling assessment that a series of failed commercial ventures ended up confirming. Edison himself said that having an idea isnt enough. The Bottom Line John Kenneth Galbraith summarized the basic truth when he wrote in Atlantic Monthly more than a half-century ago: Although Ford conceived of the Model T, Couzens made the Ford Motor Company. Musk now faces this very same challenge of how to turn inspiration into an enduring and profitable commercial enterprise. Leaving aside the particular operational concerns of building an electric car, Musk and Tesla face a more basic problem. In the century and more since Henry Ford, James Couzens, and Horace Dodge began to build cars, the automobile has become a very relevant but entirely undifferentiated commodity good. There are basically three types of cars: small, mid-sized, and full-sized. Most are now styled outwardly as SUVs, but designed to maximize efficiency and minimize price. The companies that manufacture these vehicles all barely make money. The fact that batteries power Tesla vehicles is interesting, but there is nothing transformational about the company, despite all the hype about green transportation and sustainability. Yes, electric motors and batteries are far more efficient today than they were a century ago, but strides in internal combustion engines are impressive, as well. Compared with the explosive event of the first Ford Model T, when Americans learned 110 years ago that they could get a gasoline-powered car instead of a horse, todays innovations in transportation are incremental. Electricity, gasoline engines, radios, and semiconductors are all past-century inventions, while todays innovations are largely derivative. Seen in this harsh light, is Tesla really worth $50 billion? Is Volvo Cars worth $30 billion? We shall see. Christopher Whalen is the chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and the author of Ford Men. This article was first published by the Institutional Risk Analyst. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Women with their babies as they sit on a bench along a street in Beijing on September 6, 2012. (Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images) Faced With Population Crisis, China Proposes New Measures to Push Families Into Having More Children Throughout the past three decades, Chinas family planning policies have sought to control population growth. The one-child policy, in particular, has wrecked many families lives, forcing millions of pregnant women, by some estimates, to receive abortions or else pay heavy fines for having more than one child. The states family planning offices decide how many children a family can have based on their circumstances, such as whether they live in rural areas, where more labor is needed to support a family, or in the city, where most couples can only support one child. But decades later, the effects of the one-child policy has so skewed the Chinese populations demographics that the regime has now reversed course. Recently, the state has been testing the waters by having some media report on proposals to push couples into having more children. On Aug. 14, Xinhua Daily, a state-run newspaper in Jiangsu Province, published an article titled To Raise Fertility: A New Task for Chinas Demographic Development in the New Era, in which it raised the prospect of establishing a national birth fund. The birth fund would require all working Chinese citizens under the age of 40, regardless of gender, to transfer a certain portion of their salary to this fundmeant to alleviate the costs of childbirthevery year. When families give birth to a second child (or more children, if the state allows), they can apply to withdraw money from the fund. But for couples who dont give birth to a second kid, money could only be withdrawn at the time of their retirement. Two days later, Hu Jiye, a professor at Chinas prestigious University of Political Science and Law in Beijing, voiced his support for the birth fund proposal in a media interview. He also suggested that the government impose extra taxes on DINK (double income, no kid) families in order to discourage citizens from not having children. Both proposals immediately led to widespread criticism and debates among the public. Many netizens complained about the regimes various schemes to collect money from the people, while exerting control over citizens bodies and family sizes. Some reflected that the states current attitudes are such a sharp reversal from the violent enforcement of the one-child policy in the pastduring which the state compelled women to abort their children even during late stages of pregnancy. You are fined for giving birth to children, and you are required to pay if you dont, I dont know how to do this multiple-choice question, said a popular comment online, referring to the regimes contradictory policies. Aging Population Chinas population is quickly aging. As of the end of 2017, the number of people aged 60 and over reached 241 million, representing 17.3 percent of the total population, according to census data released by Chinas National Bureau of Statistics. That elderly population is expected to balloon to 487 million by 2050, or 34.9 percent of the projected total population, according to Wu Yuzhao, deputy director of the China National Committee on Aging. However, China lacks the financial resources needed to support the elderly. Many provinces are in great debt and have been unable to issue all pension payments, burdening the central government to pay any shortfall. Meanwhile, a dwindling workforce caused by low birthratesa result of the longstanding one-child policyhurts the country in sectors requiring manpower as well as economic growth in general. A dwindling workforce and growing aging population also add additional burdens to the countrys social security system as fewer working-age citizens can pay for the welfare benefits of the current aging population. Government Planning Backfires Fearing an imminent demographic crisis, the regime decided to abolish its one-child policy in 2016, allowing all couples to have two children. But rising living costs, from rent to infant formula, as well as factors such as costly education and pressure pregnant women face at the workplace, have made raising a second child in China easier said than done. Many young couples are declining to have a second child while given the offer, and some do not want to have any at all. The lift of the one child ban thus did not have much long-term success, with births in China dropping from 17.86 million in 2016 to 17.23 million in 2017, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission. While the government continued to issue policies encouraging fertility, including subsidies for families with more children and longer maternity and fraternity leaves, the statistics show little sign of improvement. During the first half of 2018, the number of newborns in China dropped by 15 to 20 percent compared to a year earlier, implying that even fewer births are expected to take place in 2018 than 2017, according to the official newspaper of Jiangsu province, Xinhua Daily. The number of marriages also slid by 7 percent in 2017, marking it the fourth consecutive year of decline since 2014. Punishment Ever Present While the central government is firing all cylinders to attempt a baby boom, the lasting effect of the one child policy era is still present in some areas. While many provinces have introduced measures encouraging couples to have more children, the nations system of fines for families who gave birth to more than their permitted number of childrenfirst established in the 1980sis still effective and was recently brought up a notch in some regions. Zhecheng County in Henan Province, in central China, for example, launched a new round of campaign on July 5, 2018, to levy social maintenance fees from families with more than the permitted number of two children. The one-time fees are standardized to be three times the couples gross income in the year prior to the childs birth. On Aug. 6, the planned birth committee in Fujian Province in the southeast of China, published a notice announcing that a neighborhood of Fuzhou City has been amping up enforcement of planned birth rules. Individuals who fail to pay owed fees after two reminders will be placed on a blacklist for personal social credit. Chinas social credit system is being rolled out as another form of social control. All citizens will be assigned a score based on their levels of trustworthiness. Individuals who commit infractions in daily life will be penalized with travel bans, as well as limitations on shopping purchases, loan applications, and where ones children can enroll in school. Final Moments of Mollie Tibbetts Revealed by Illegal Immigrant Accused of Killing Her The final moments before the death of missing college student Mollie Tibbetts were revealed by an illegal immigrant accused of murdering her, investigators said. Family members and investigators knew Tibbetts, 20, had been jogging on July 18 before she disappeared but data from her computer led them to believe she had returned to the home of her boyfriend, where shed been dogsitting while he was away on a work trip, before she vanished. Read More Mollie Tibbettss Father Returning to California After Searching for Missing Daughter However, alleged killer Cristhian Bahena Rivera said that he spotted Tibbetts while she was jogging and that she was soon dead. Investigators said in a probable cause statement obtained by the Des Moines Register that video footage showed a dark-colored Chevy Malibu approach Tibbetts as she ran near the area of Boundary and Middle Streets near Brooklyn, Iowa. Her Last Words Rivera admitted to investigators that he was driving the vehicle and that he stopped driving and exited the car. He began running behind her, then alongside her, which scared Tibbetts. She told Rivera Im gonna call the police and grabbed her phone. Rivera said he then panicked and got mad and that he then blocked his memory which is what he does when he gets very upset, investigators stated. He doesnt remember anything after that until he came to an intersection [back in his car], investigators stated. Read More Illegal Immigrant Charged With Mollie Tibbetts Murder Worked at Iowa Farm for Years Rivera told them he made a u-turn and drove to an entrance to a cornfield and drove into a driveway. He then noticed there was an earpiece from headphones in his lap and realized that he had killed Tibbetts when he blacked out and had placed her body in the trunk. Rivera then dragged Tibbetts on foot from his vehicle to a secluded location in the cornfield and covered her body in some corn leaves, leaving her there face up. Rivera later led investigators to the location of the body, on Aug. 21. Trump Speaks President Donald Trump spoke about the suspected murder by the illegal immigrant during a rally in West Virginia later on Aug. 21. You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly, from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman, Trump told the crowd in Charleston, reported the Associated Press. Apple, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Shouldve never happened. Illegally in our country. Weve had a huge impact, but the laws are so bad. The immigration laws are such a disgrace, were getting them changed, but we have to get more Republicans. We have to get em. Iowas two U.S. senators described Tibbetts death as a tragedy that could have been prevented, and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement that residents in her state were heartbroken and angry. We are angry that a broken immigration system allowed a predator like this to live in our community, and we will do all we can to bring justice to Mollies killer, Reynolds said. From NTD.tv Former East German Communists Training, Guiding Democratic Socialists of America The United States largest Marxist organization, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), is being trainedand guidedby an extremely well-funded network of former East German communists. Many of these German communists were documented informants for the notorious former East German intelligence service: the Stasi. At over 49,000 membersand growing fastDSA has exploded from an obscure political sect only two years ago to a major force in the increasingly radical American left. DSA is on the verge of electing members Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Congress and is behind dozens of other DSA members and fellow travelers to lesser offices. Just one stark example is the success of state House candidates Sara Innamorato, Summer Lee, Elizabeth Fiedler, and Kristin Seale in the Democratic primaries in Pennsylvania in May. They are all DSA members. DSA takes pains to portray itself as open, democratic, and completely opposed to the totalitarian socialism of the former Eastern Bloc. DSA claims to be all about Sweden and Norway; not about Bulgaria, Cuba or the former Soviet Union. The reality is completely different. DSA is willingly working with dedicated foreign communists to change America forever. East German Communists When the Berlin Wall fell on Nov. 9, 1989, the Moscow-aligned Socialist Unity Party (SED) held unchallenged power in the German Democratic RepublicEast Germany. In my own country New Zealand, our pro-Soviet Communists called themselves the Socialist Unity Party to emulate their German idols. Communists from all over the world regarded East Germany, much more so than the Soviet Union, as the model socialist state. President Erich Honecker with his secret police, barbed wire, and machine guns was regarded as the exemplary communist leader. Within days of the wall falling SED gave up its monopoly on power, and West German political parties quickly opened shop in the East. Soon, the SED lost 95 percent of its members. In a few months, only the hardest of the hardcore and a handful of younger reform communists remained. The SED quickly changed its name to the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS). Old style communism was gone. It would seem that German citizens had nothing to fear from this new party of democratic socialism. In 2007, the PDS further distanced itself from its communist past by merging with the Western-based Electoral Alternative for Labour and Social Justice (WASG) to form Die Linke (translates to The Left). Most Germans remained extremely skeptical of Die Linke, and rightfully so. Surveillance The now-unified Federal Republic of Germany operates a system of Verfassungsschutz (Protection of the Constitution) at both federal and state levels. The 2007 annual German intelligence gazette cites as evidence of extremism Die Linke leader Lothar Biskys June 2007 statement that democratic socialism remains the partys goal: We also still discuss the change of property and power relations. We question the system. In addition, the report cites openly extremist groupings within the party, including the Communist Platform and several Trotskyist groups known to operate under the Die Linke banner. In January 2012, it became public that more than one-third of the partys parliamentarians were under intelligence service surveillance. The files on Vice President Petra Pau of the lower house of parliament (the Bundestag) were reported to be 600 pages thick. According to a 2008 report cited in Der Spiegel: According to the study, about one in 20 members of the former East German Communist party, the SED, was a secret police informant. Over the regimes 51-year history the number of civilian spies added up to about 620,000, including 12,000 West Germans who worked for the Communist dictatorship. For most Stasi informers the prime motivation, the study found, was a belief in the Communist states political ideology. As it was only the most committed communists who remained in the SED after 1989, its possible that many more than 5 percent of current Die Linke members had worked for the Stasi. Brie Brothers Several major Die Linke leaders have been exposed as Stasi informers, including the Brie brothers, Andre and Michael. Sons of lifelong communist true-believer and East German Ambassador to China and North Korea Horst Brie, the brothers both voluntarily offered to work for the secret police, against their fellow citizens. At age 19, Andre Brie began informing in 1969 for the Stasi in Potsdam under the code name Peter Scholz. He received the Medal of Merit in bronze for his work. Andre Brie spied on friends, girlfriends, and work colleagues. In 1986, he demanded an increase in revolutionary vigilance at his workplace, the Institute for International Relations. Andres younger brother Michael began studying philosophy in Leningrad in 1974 and continued in 1976 at Humboldt University in East Berlin. In 1977, the 23-year-old student signed a written statement agreeing to work for the Stasi. Michael Bries job was mainly to spy on foreign students studying at his university. In 1990, Michael Brie was investigated by Humboldt University for his communist-era espionage. According to a subsequent report, From 1977 to November 1989, he [Michael Brie] was an informal member of the Domestic Security Division and, judging from what the Tribunal had heard, he was mainly involved in recruiting foreign students for socialist intelligence services. Michael Brie was a spy recruiter, a solicitor of treason. In 1991, he was fired by Humboldt University for his actions. Andre Brie also suffered for his spying, or rather for keeping it secret. On Oct. 25, 1991, Brie was forced to resign as chairman of the Berlin PDS when his past Stasi collaboration was exposed, but the episode was only a minor setback in the young communists career. Committees of Correspondence In 1994, Andre Brie was in Chicago representing the PDS at the founding of a new American communist organization, the Committees of Correspondence (CoC). Modeled largely on the successful Brazilian Workers Party, CoC was designed to adapt communism to the post-Soviet era. It consisted mainly of former Pro-Soviet Communist Party USA members, former Maoists, Trotskyists, and some DSA activists. According to Chicago DSAs New Ground of September 1994: Over 500 delegates and observers (including 140 from Chicago) attended the founding convention of the Committees of Correspondence (CoC) held here in Chicago in July. Speakers included Charles Nqukula, General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, Dulce Maria Pereira, a senatorial candidate of the Workers Party of Brazil, Angela Davis of CoC, Andre Brie of the Party of Democratic Socialism of Germany. Guests during the Convention included Cook County Commissioner Danny Davis, Chicago Aldermen Helen Shiller and Rick Munoz, a representative of the Green Left Weekly of Australia and a representative of the Cuban Interest Section. Thats rightthe Danny Davis, the one who now serves as a congressman for Illinois and who served on the House Homeland Security Committee. He was a card-carrying member of DSA. CoC never lived up to expectations. It was supposed to become a mass party, to eventually overtake the Democratic Party. Todays communists are looking to DSA to fulfill CoCs failed promise. Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Today, Andre Brie, Die Linke, sits on the European Parliaments Committee on Foreign Affairs. He also serves on the Steering Committee of the GermanRussian Petersburg Dialogue, which promotes friendly relations between Germany and Vladimir Putins Russia. In 1990, Andre Brie had helped establish a foundation: the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung (RLS), a wholly controlled affiliate of Die Linke. Named after the famed German revolutionary leader, the RLS has been committed to the analysis of social processes and developments worldwide. Its international activities aim to provide civic education by means of academic analyses, public programs, and projects conducted together with partner institutions, it states. The RLS is not a small operation. It has offices all over Germany. In 2015, the foundation received a staggering 47 million Euro (approximately $54 million) courtesy of the German taxpayer. The chairman of the budget committee in the lower house of the German Parliament, Gesine Lotzsch, a Die Linke leader, had to defend this generosity to a curious German press. According to German News site Internetz Zeitung, Lotzsch responded: [T]he coalition agreement has highlighted the importance of political foundations. This is followed by deeds. The author added: Lotzsch was for a long time the deputy chairman of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, which is close to her party. This is a striking example of crony communism. Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung funds 17 foreign offices sited on every continent. They include outposts in Beijing and Moscow and on New York Citys Madison Avenue. Andre Bries younger brother Michael has also served on various program commissions of the PDS/Die Linke and today is a researcher at the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung in Berlin. His work focuses on the theory and history of socialism and communism. Influential Progressives and Leftists A conference Mapping Socialist Strategies was convened from Aug. 1 to 4 in Briarcliff Manor, New York, by the New York office of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung. It brought together 100 influential progressives and leftists from across the United States, Canada, and Europe for an un-conference on socialist strategies. Plenary No. 4 was entitled overcoming fragmentation and rebuilding the Left. It states: Michael Brie and Sarah Leonard discuss building left alliances and new trends on the left. How can the left rediscover and strengthen relationships amongst natural allies in the fight to defend the public sphere and defeat encroaching neoliberalism? Panelist Sarah Leonard was an editor at DSA-linked publication Dissent magazine and a DSA member. Did Leonard have any inkling that her co-panelist once spied on young foreigners like her? Does she understand that Michael Brie once sought to recruit ego-driven young idealists to spy on their own countrymen for a totalitarian dictatorship? Most of DSAs top leadership were present at the conference, including DSA National Director Maria Svart, DSA Vice Chair Joseph Schwartz, DSA-linked publication Jacobin editor Bhaskar Sunkara, Jacobin magazine national organizer Neal Meyer, former Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) leader Betsy Avila and the legendary Frances Fox Piven of the Cloward-Piven strategy, which sought to overwhelm the system in America by flooding welfare to deliberately bankrupt states. Two DSA members Ethan Earle and Heidi Chua Schwa from the RLS-NY office also attended, as did several German-born staff. Also present were Communist Party USA leaders Libero Della Pina and Judith LeBlanc. LeBlanc was a prominent organizer of the protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline. Other Dakota Access Pipeline organizers included Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza and several other affiliates of the Maoist-leaning Freedom Road Socialist Organization, including labor official Bill Fletcher, Jr. environmental activist Bill Gallegos, and San Francisco Chinese Progressive Association Executive Director Alex Tom. Leftist media personality and host Laura Flanders was at the conference, along with Anne Mitchell and Pat Fry from the Committees of Correspondence, plus International Socialist Organization member Jonah Birch. International guests included the head of Die Linkes Strategy Department Christina Kaindl, Harald Wolf of Die Linkes Executive Board, and Koray Yilmaz-Gunay, adviser for migration at the RLS Berlin. Others included Dutch Socialist Party Secretary Hans van Heijningen, Swedish Left Party press secretary Petter Nilsson, Portuguese Left Bloc member Catarina Principe, far left Greek party SYRIZAs European Policy Secretariat member Ioannis Bournous, and Deputy Director of the RLS Center for International Dialogue and Cooperation Karin Gabbert. These enemies foreign and domestic plotted and strategized against the U.S. Constitution for four days. All presumably paid for by RLS, courtesy of the German taxpayer. Seminars, Training Sessions, Conferences The RLS-NY office has hosted multiple seminars and training sessions for DSA members and their allies. In 2017, RLS-NY funded a training session for 45 Black DSA members, the AFROSOC, DSAs black caucus: AFROSOC advocates for and builds power with DSAs Black/POC membership and their communities. We pursue this work to help build a multiracial working-class base, the only viable strategy for securing a socialist future. Generously funded by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, the caucus hosted its first training in NYC for 45 DSA members nationwide in 2017. Members of DSAs national training team led modules focused on socialist organizing, leadership development and campaign strategy. On May 21, 2018, RLS-NY organized a conference on Marxist Historical Materialism in Montreal, Canada. Attendees included Michael Brie (RLS Berlin), Maria Starzmann (RLSNY), Ethan Young (DSA member and People for Bernie co-founder), and Lorenz Gosta Beutin, a Die Linke member of Parliament. In 2016, RLS sponsored the Young Democratic Socialists national conference. Speakers from Jacobin magazine, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, and College Students for Bernie, as well as the We Need Bernie Committee of the DSA, addressed a packed room many informative workshops, plenaries, and even casual conversations addressed the true impact of the Sanders campaign and how we should use it as a means to a greater end, by building the DSA and building the next socialist movement. From June 24 to 25, 2017, RLS-NY co-hosted a Democratic Socialism 101 workshop in collaboration with DSA. More than 30 leaders from across the United States came to New Yorktogether with 12 trainersto participate in this train the trainer weekend, hosted at the RLS-NY office. Topics we covered included: an introduction to training & community agreements; creating socialist communities and cultures at the base; social movements and fights for racial justice and socialist feminism; network mapping and coalition building; and identifying and developing leaders. RLS-NY also sponsors regular DSA seminars and webinars with titles such as Democracy, radical, liberal, socialist, Climate change and just transition, and The far right in Government. From May 2 to 6, 2018 in Berlin, the Rosa-Luxemburg Stiftung organized an international congress on Karl Marxs 200th birthday. Panelists included Die Linke leader Katja Kipping; Zhang Shuangli of Fudan University, China;. British Marxist filmmaker Paul Mason and co-organizer of recent anti-Trump protests in London; Italian communist leader Luciana Castellina; and Vishwas Satgar, a former leader of the South African Communist Party. American participants honoring Marx in the country of his birth included academics Michael Hardt (Duke University), Gayatri Spivak (Columbia University), Arlie Hochschild (UC Berkeley and wife of DSA member and professor at the Graduate School of Journalism Adam Hochschild), Tithi Bhattacharya (director of global studies at Purdue University and a member of the International Socialist Organization), and Sarah Leonard (senior editor with the DSA-aligned The Nation and DSA member). German communists are spending foreign money to influence American politics. They are training and directing DSA and other Marxist organizations against the interests of the American people. Former Stasi collaborators are guiding the largest socialist-communist organization on the American left. DSA is being influenced and supported by lifelong supporters of one the most tyrannical regimes in modern history. Where is the Federal Bureau of Investigation? Why are they not investigating this blatant foreign subversion? FILE PHOTO: Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp speaks with visitors to the state capitol about the "SEC primary" involving a group of southern states voting next month in Atlanta, Georgia February 24, 2016. REUTERS/Letitia Stein/File Photo Georgia Candidates Decry Plan to Close Voting Sites in Mostly Black County WASHINGTONA plan to close most polling places in a predominantly black Georgia county ahead of Novembers elections is drawing opposition from the states gubernatorial candidates and voting rights activists, who deem it blatant voter suppression. The two-member local elections board is expected to vote on Aug. 24 on a proposal to shutter seven of nine polling sites in rural Randolph County, located in southwest Georgia, where roughly 60 percent of the 7,800 residents are black. The board members have said the voting sites violate federal disabilities law because they are not wheelchair accessible. Both Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee who is seeking to become the first female African-American governor in U.S. history, and Republican candidate Brian Kemp, who is white and serves as Georgias secretary of state, urged county officials to drop the plan. Although state law gives localities broad authority in setting precinct boundaries and polling locations, we strongly urged local officials to abandon this effort and focus on preparing for a secure, accessible, and fair election for voters this November, Kemp said in a statement. Todd Black, the countys elections director, did not respond on Aug. 20 to calls or an email seeking comment. Black is white and the other board member is African-American, according to Sean Young, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, who attended the boards meeting on Aug. 16 when the closure proposal was discussed. Voting rights could become a flashpoint in the governors race, as Abrams seeks to turn out more African-American voters in the states rural areas, particularly in a series of counties known as the Black Belt mostly south of Atlanta. In the past, she has criticized Kemp as an architect of voter suppression tactics, an accusation he has denied. Every Georgian in every county deserves to have their voice represented at the voting booth and in our government, said Abrams, a former Democratic House minority leader in Georgias legislature and founder of the New Georgia Project, a voting rights group. Kemp has accused that group of voter fraud, which it denied. The Washington-based Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law on Aug. 19 sent a letter to the Randolph County elections board threatening to sue if the closures go ahead. We are deeply troubled by this proposal which would impair the ability of African-Americans, particularly in low-income areas, to reach the polls, Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers Committee, said in a telephone interview on Aug. 20. Clarke said some of the proposed closures are in areas with little or no public transportation, leaving voters miles from voting sites with no realistic way of reaching them. By Tim Reid This picture taken on July 1, 2016 shows the headquarters of Monte Dei Paschi di Siena bank on in Siena, in the Italian region of Tuscany. Italy's number-three bank, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, took a hammering on the stock market on July 4, 2016 as the European Central Bank told it to slash its large bad-debt burden. Investors, many of them shaken by Britain's vote to leave the European Union, are fretting over the fragile balance sheets of debt-laden Italian banks. / AFP / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) Investors Pile Into Italian Bonds After Moodys Reprieve LONDONItalian government bonds rallied on Aug. 21 after Moodys extended the deadline for its review of the countrys rating, providing some relief for investors who expected a downgrade imminently. Moodys, which last month placed Italys Baa2 rating on a review for a downgrade, said it was pushing back its decision to gain greater clarity on (Italys) fiscal path and reform agenda. The Moodys review is part of the reason why we have a good performance from Italy, said Natixist bond strategist Jean-Christophe Machado. It also helps that risk appetite has come back this week. He warned, though, that Italys budget, set to be decided in October, could affect the countrys rating if the anti-establishment government announces high spending measures that put it on a collision course with European Union rules. That said, the postponement also gives investors more time to take advantage of the extra yield Italy is offering, said ING strategist Martin Van Vliet. Accordingly, Italys 10-year government bond yield dropped eight basis points to 2.96 percent, dipping below 3 percent for the first time since Aug. 10. It is also down 16 bps so far this week, its biggest two-day fall in two months. The closely watched Italy/Germany bond yield spread, meanwhile, is 12 bps tighter on the day at 263 bps. The improvement in risk sentiment referred to by Machado of Natixis has mostly come as expectations grew for better trade relations between the United States and China, with officials from the two countries set to meet this week for talks. European stock markets rose for a second day in a row and other southern European debt also gained, with Portuguese and Spanish 10-year yields 3 to 5 bps lower. Accordingly, safe-haven euro zone government bond yields rose on the day. Germanys 10-year government bond yield, the benchmark for the region, was up 2.5 bps at 0.33 percent. This may be also because of an upcoming auction of 10-year German debt due on Aug. 22. On Aug. 21, the euro zones largest economy sold over 3 billion euros ($3.43 billion) of two-year Schatz debt. By Abhinav Ramnarayan Judge Gives No Jail Time to Imran Awan, Attorney Claims He Was Building Womens Shelter A federal judge declined to give jail time to former Democratic IT aide Imran Awan on Aug. 21, saying he has suffered enough at the hands of politicians at the highest levels of government. In addition, the Department of Justice said it did not find any evidence that supported criminal charges. Awan choked back tears, saying, We want to thank the prosecution, the FBI, and the Capitol Police, while his lawyer submitted a letter referring to President Donald Trump, Sen. Chuck Grassley, and other Republicans as deranged, pathetic, and without a shred of decency. Judge Tanya Chutkan gave Awan three months of supervised release. Awans attorney had hoped to avoid the supervision, indicating Awan wanted to return to Pakistan. By ending this today, you will allow Hina [Alvi, Imran Awans wife] to build her family wherever she chooses and allow Imran to visit his fathers grave and secure his legacy, the attorney said. The lawyer, former Hillary Clinton aide Chris Gowen, said Awan was motivated by love for his father, who was dying in Virginia when Awan flew to Pakistan. Awan, he said, was in a panic to get money to urgently build a charity hospital, described in court as a womens shelter. He described the urgent moves as securing his fathers legacy. The story is at odds with a 2009 Pakistani newspaper article, police reports, and lawsuits in Pakistan, as well as interviews. Those allege Awan tried to cut others out of a fraud-plagued real estate deal and secure a massive inheritance in the form of a major real estate complex, known as a colony. A dozen farmers accused Awan and his father of stealing their land and subdividing it to build the development. The 2009 article said that Awan used political muscle stemming from his job in Congress to attempt to frame his alleged victims. Later, Faisalabad Agricultural University faculty apparently paid for some of those plots, but said that they, too, were ripped off. Zafar Iqbal, a university professor and president of the faculty association, told The Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) that Awan and his father refused to turn over the deeds, and that in January 2017, Imran cautioned them that he has got powerful political connections. In addition to two separate groups of victims, the Awans had two partners in this land dealRashid Minhas and Shabbir Ahmedboth of whom were allegedly cut out of the partnership. Minhas said that when he went out of town, they seized his share of the proceeds. Ahmeds widow, Bushra Bibi, said in the 2009 article that, immediately after a car crash killed both Ahmed and the Awans mother, Awan threatened her with dire consequences to force her to give up her share, and framed her brother-in-law. A support letter submitted by a former aide to Rep. Robert Wexler seemed to contradict the widows own statements, claiming Imran would send money every month to the widow and children of the driver to help take care of them. Click on the timeline to enlarge. Awans stepmother, Samina Gilani, said in Virginia civil court that he held her in captivity and wiretapped her home in order to force her to give him power of attorney over her dying husband, which would give Awan access to the land as an inheritance. Awans sister submitted a letter saying he wanted to build a school for orphans, a mosque for the village to pray in, and a maternity clinic, and Awan tearfully asked the judge to let me walk out of this courtroom to be with my family. Gowen didnt note that Awans wife and co-defendant, fellow former Democratic aide Hina Alvi, filed a lawsuit against him in Pakistan in September 2017, alleging that he threatened [her] of dire consequences, he also threatened to harm the lives of family of [Alvi]. The charges against Alvi were dismissed as part of Awans plea deal. That blowup stemmed in part from Alvis anger that Awan was simultaneously married to a second woman in Virginia, Sumaira Siddique. Police records show Siddique called the police on Awan multiple times in 2016 and that she was found bloodied on one occasion. She called again in July 2016 and said she was being kept like a slave. She fled to Pakistan days later, where gunmen shot out the windows of her home, the DCNF previously reported. Numerous relatives told the DCNF that Alvi is Awans first cousin and that he brought her to the United States immediately after he received citizenship and then married her in Virginia, giving her citizenship as well. Gowen said Democrats did not want to fire Awan even though the Democratic-appointed inspector general found that he made unauthorized access to House computers. The employers had no interest in letting them go and were forced to let them go because of a politicized investigation, Gowen said, appearing to blame Phil Kiko, the Republican chief administrative officer of the House who wrote a letter calling for their ban. Multiple former Democratic chiefs of staff, including those of Rep. Ted Deutch and Rep. Gregory Meeks, wrote letters of support for Awan, and one even said he would still entrust data to him, even though the Capitol Police said in a July 3, 2018, statement that they found hed committed numerous violations of House IT internal controls. Imran and his family were banned from the House computer network in February 2017 after the Houses top law enforcement officer wrote that Awan is an ongoing and serious risk to the House of Representatives, possibly threatening the integrity of our information systems, and that a server containing evidence had gone missing. The inspector general said server logs showed unauthorized access and procurement records were falsified. The Department of Justice said it could substantiate only the bank fraud charge, despite investigators findings and other apparent violations in public recordssuch as the hiding of LLCs, one of which took $100,000 from an Iraqi government ministeron House ethics disclosure forms. Though media outlets reported prosecutors as having debunked conspiracy theories, the DOJ never explained the discrepancy between their legal conclusion and the evidence at hand, including falsified invoices. A worker prepares the flags of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Medellin, Colombia in this file photo. (RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images) Latin Americas Version of the EU Is Useless Nicaragua, Venezuela make US taxpayers fund human-rights embarrassments The pen may be mightier than the sword, but a pen doesnt do much good in a knife fight. Likewise, plentiful words and posturing from the Organization of American States (OAS) have brought nothing to Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, as they suffer under brutal, authoritarian regimes. Democracy, human rights, security, and development are the touted pillars of the OAS, the oldest and most prominent regional organization in the Western Hemisphere. Whether OAS administrators believe their own words or not, the proof is in the pudding. Evidence has piled up since the founding in 1948, and it points to the fact that the OAS is little more than a lavish platform for government bureaucrats to pontificate. Keep in mind that of the $80 million OAS budget, $50 million comes from U.S. taxpayers, more than 60 percent of the total, and the United States even gave $17 million extra in 2017. The OAS claims 35 nations as members, but the progressives there charge nations based on capacity to pay, in line with the Marxist dictum, From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. Still, 14 nations are delinquent, and Venezuela hasnt paid her dues in many years. Money Down the Drain Not only does the lopsided OAS fail to halt human-rights and democracy crises in this part of the world, it has a penchant for exacerbating them. The Sandinistas of Nicaragua and Chavistas of Venezuelasocialist gangs that rule failed statesare acute examples. In the case of Nicaragua, more than 400 people have died in recent months at the hands of the regimes crackdown on dissent. The actual number is north of that, but documentation is difficult amid the chaos. Locals are hardly waiting around to be additional victims, and they are flooding into Costa Rica. While the OAS has called for elections and denounced the murders from the Sandinistas, it needs to take a look in the mirror. The OAS was the very organization that aided now-President Daniel Ortega and the Sandinistas in their communist revolution that overthrew Anastasio Somoza in 1979. This takeover, aided by ideologically driven foreigners, particularly the Cubans, condemned Nicaragua to decades of central planning and the economic hinterlands of Latin America. The people now have had enough, but the regimes control of the economy is so great that there is precious little organized opposition. The OAS has a working group on the crisis, but it will come to nothing. Despite Nicaragua being an OAS member, Ortega already has rejected the working groups access to the Central American nation. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has documented that his Health Ministry is firing workers who dare to help those injured in protests. No Teeth This points to the OASs Achilles heel. According to the OAS charter, it has no power to either impose economic sanctions or initiate a military confrontation. In other words, the OAS is mostly talk, and if a nations rulers dont want to play ball, there is little the OAS can doaside from suspending that nations membership in the organization. The suspension process leads us to Venezuela, perhaps the most notorious and diabolical crisis in the region. The rise of 21st-century socialism under Hugo Chavez and now Nicolas Maduro has been a train wreck and led to an exodus, the magnitude of which the Americas have not seen since the Cuban revolution under Fidel Castro. In 2016, the OAS promoted a national dialogue with the deranged Chavistas. Maduro and his criminal lackeys enjoyed the opportunity to stall the opposition and pretended to care about democracy. Afterwards, the crisis only worsened and emigration rose. You might be surprised to know that Venezuela is still an OAS member. Calls from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence for Venezuelas expulsion have thus far failed to garner the necessary two-thirds of members, with a slight majority of 19 nations favoring the move in June. Not without irony, Maduro had already initiated Venezuelas voluntary departure in 2017, which is set to take effect in 2019. If the OAS finally gets around to ejecting Venezuela, the move will have no effect and might even be seen as a badge of honor by the Chavistas, who decry the OAS as a tool of the American empire. Suspension, as the OASs most meaningful punishment available, is a litmus test of the organizations scruples. It has utilized this only twice, against Cuba in 1962 and Honduras in 2009, for two years. In 2009, OAS members offered a place for communist Cuba to return, not that the Castros had reformed their murderous ways. Regardless, Raul showed little interest, and Cuba remains a listed but pending member, almost a decade later. Fragmentation Here, There, Everywhere For those of us who pay attention to regional organizations in the Americas such as the OAS, their proliferation is enough to make one go cross-eyed. These ineffectual organizations include Mercosur, CELAC, and UNASUR, among others. The Pacific Alliance of Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru is one of the few that has had at least some success in promoting free trade and economic development. One of the chief, underlying problems is that Latin America is plagued by militant socialists, and authoritarianism is their modus operandi. They will be reluctant, to say the least, when asked to promote transparency, open elections, and free speech and association. Thats just not in their wheelhouse. Thus, any vote to impose punishment on egregious offenders, such as Venezuela and Nicaragua, is set to fail. Chavez used Venezuelas oil wealth to buy off votes in the OAS and insulate himself from condemnation, turning the organization on its head. If the socialists dont get their way, they throw a tantrum and start a new organization, which is precisely how UNASUR, based in Ecuador, came about. Even if the OAS could be restructured to have greater enforcement capacity, the benefits of that remain doubtful. The socialist tendency has infected the OAS so much that even its purported successes give reason to pause. For example, a recent claim of success was in facilitating the peace deal with the FARC Marxist terrorists of Colombia. The deals proponents seem to forget that Colombians rejected it in an explicit referendum in 2016, since the deal offered amnesty and even guaranteed positions of power to the worst criminals. Similarly, the OAS supervised the 2017 presidential election in Ecuador and described it as transparent and correct. The OAS even appointed the president of Ecuadors electoral council to the OAS team of observers for other nations. A mountain of evidence shows there was tampering with the electionincluding military interferencewon by Lenin Moreno of the PAIS Alliance party, a socialist ally of Venezuela. A recent documentary, Propagandia, has compiled the many glaring problems that stole the election from Guillermo Lasso, who narrowly finished second on the CREO ticket. Cuban intellectual Carlos Montaner and the Inter-American Institute for Democracy, a U.S.-based nonprofit, also held a conference in Miami last year, titled Electoral Fraud in Ecuador. That begs the question: Why is the United States funding this charade, and not only funding, it but bankrolling the majority of the money when there are more than 30 other members? The time has come for the OAS to disband and leave Washington. As the Trump administration has alluded regarding trade, these multilateral organizations become havens for inefficiency, and the United States would be better off seeking bilateral deals and confronting rogue nations directly. Fergus Hodgson is the founder and executive editor of Latin American intelligence publication Antigua Report. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Praxair Chief Executive Officer Steve Angel (R) poses with Linde Chief Executive Officer Aldo Belloni before a news conference in Munich, Germany on June 2, 2017. (Reuters/Michaela Rehle) Linde-Praxair Try to Save $83 Billion Merger After Antitrust Blow MUNICHIndustrial gases giants Linde and Praxair are in talks to try to salvage their $83 billion merger after U.S. competition regulators demanded they sell assets that generate more than $4.3 billion in sales. Linde said on Aug. 22 the divestments were expected to reach a level that would allow either party to abandon the deal, although the German company added that talks continued with both Praxair and regulators. Analysts said they still expected the deal to go ahead, though they cautioned the asset sales could make the deal less attractive and/or make synergy targets harder to achieve. Linde and U.S.-based Praxair agreed an all-share merger in principle in December 2016, aiming to create a global leader in gas distribution ahead of Frances Air Liquide , which had also bulked up with the takeover of rival Airgas. The companies agreed that if antitrust regulators demanded the disposal of businesses with more than 3.7 billion euros ($4.3 billion) in sales, or 1.1 billion euros in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), either party could withdraw without penalty. Linde said on Aug. 22 it expected the revenue threshold for divestment commitments to be exceeded, but didnt say by how much and did not mention the EBITDA hurdle. It had previously warned this was very likely to happen. Linde and Praxair remain in constructive dialogue with each other and the regulators on how to satisfy their requirements, Linde said. Earlier this month, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asked for more assets to be sold than previously anticipated and also said it wanted prospective buyers of these assets to meet certain other requirements. Bids for major U.S. firms have had mixed fortunes recently. U.S. President Donald Trump in March blocked Singapore-based microchip maker Broadcoms $117 billion takeover proposal for Qualcomm on national security grounds. The $63 billion takeover of seeds maker Monsanto by Germanys Bayer, meanwhile, went through after 7.6 billion euros worth of disposals. Huge Blow A source familiar with Lindes thinking said both companies were doing everything they could to see the deal through, but they could not lose track of the targeted $1.2 billion in annual synergies without perhaps putting shareholders support at risk. Commerzbank analyst Michael Schaefer said he expected Linde and Praxair to seek to address the FTCs demands. The fact that they remain in constructive talks signals to us that there is still readiness on both sides to stay the course, he said. Linde shares were down 1.3 percent at 0915 GMT, paring initial losses of 2.3 percent. The German group last month lined up a consortium of gases firm Messer and investor CVC as a buyer of North and South American assets to allay antitrust concerns, while Praxairs European gases business will be sold to Japanese rival Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp. The source said U.S. regulators had some qualms about the proposed buyer of the former block of assets, which Linde has been trying to address. While the European Commission gave its go-ahead this week, regulators in the United States, China, India, Brazil, South Korea, Argentina and Chile have yet to decide. Arne Rautenberg, a fund manager at Frankfurt-based Union Investment, this week said he expected the deal to be salvaged, but added Linde might have to shed its high-margin on-site business in the United States, an operator of gas production facilities near petrochemical and steel plants, which would be a huge blow. The regulatory challenge is a setback for Linde Chairman Wolfgang Reitzle, who has been a driving force for the deal and had to reshuffle management following the departure of the companys chief executive and finance chief. The companies face an Oct. 24 deadline to complete the deal under German financial market rules. The time pressure would put Linde and Praxair in a weak position when negotiating a price with prospective buyers of the assets, analysts have said. By Alexander Hubner and Jorn Poltz Malaysian Financier Wanted in 1MDB Probe Says He Will Not Surrender KUALA LUMPURA Malaysian financier wanted for his role in the multi-billion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB has said he does not expect to get a fair hearing anywhere and will not present himself to any country where his guilt has been predetermined. Low Taek Jho has been identified by investigators in Malaysia and the United States as a key figure in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case. Authorities in Malaysia and the United States are investigating how billions of dollars went missing from 1MDB. The U.S. Department of Justice says over $4.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund, with some of the money used to buy a private jet, a superyacht, Picasso paintings, jewelry and real estate. Malaysian authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Low, whose whereabouts are unknown. The financier, whose Malaysian passport has been revoked, has denied any wrongdoing. A spokesman for Low, through his attorneys, said he believes there is no jurisdiction where he can get a fair hearing in this matter. Low will not submit to any jurisdiction where guilt has been predetermined by politics and self-interest overrules legal process, he said via email on Aug. 17. Low was responding to a Wall Street Journal story on Aug. 17 that cited unnamed Malaysian officials saying they believed Low was being harbored in mainland China. It also said a request to extradite Low would be high on the agenda of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad during a five-day trip to China which began on Aug. 17. Reuters could not verify the Journal story. A spokesman for the prime ministers office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chinas foreign ministry, asked whether Low was in the country, said it had no grasp of the situation. Last month, Malaysian police said they believed Low had left Macau for an unknown destination, evading arrest in Hong Kong. Malaysia has applied for an Interpol red notice to seek assistance from the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, India, Myanmar, China and Hong Kong to detain Low. By A. Ananthalakshmi A pump jack operates at a well site leased by Devon Energy Production Company near Guthrie, Oklahoma on Sept. 15, 2015. (Reuters/Nick Oxford) Oil Rises Above $74 on Report of U.S. Inventory Drop, Iran Sanctions LONDONOil hit a two-week high above $74 a barrel on Wednesday as an industry report showing a sharp drop in U.S. crude inventories and U.S. sanctions on OPEC producer Iran pointed to tighter supplies. The American Petroleum Institute reported U.S. crude stocks fell last week by 5.2 million barrels, more than three times the decline analysts expected. The governments official figures are due at 1430 GMT. The API inventory data published after the close of trading yesterday are lending buoyancy to prices, Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch said. Thus the official inventory data this afternoon are also likely to show a more marked inventory reduction. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose $1.38 to $74.01 a barrel by 1319 GMT and reached $74.19, the highest since Aug. 8. U.S. crude gained $1.28 to $67.12. Drops in Oil The prospect of a drop in oil exports from Iran, the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, in response to new U.S. sanctions was also supporting the market. European oil companies have started to cut back on Iranian purchases, although Chinese buyers are shifting their cargoes to Iranian-owned vessels to keep supplies flowing. The Iran issue continues to occupy traders minds, said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader. OPEC has started to boost supplies following a deal with Russia and other allies in June, although producers have been cautious so far. Saudi Arabia told OPEC it cut supply in July, rather than increasing output as expected. Signs of tighter supply countered concern about slowing oil demand stemming partly from the trade dispute between the United States and China, the worlds two largest economies. U.S. and Chinese officials were set to resume talks on Wednesday, but president Trump said he expected there will be no real progress. By Alex Lawler Opposition Mounts to San Franciscos Plans to Open Nations First Drug Injection Center SAN FRANCISCOThe California state Senate passed a measure on Aug. 21 that would authorize San Francisco to open a facility for injecting illegal drugsthe first of its kind in the nation. The push for establishing a so-called safe injection facility or supervised injection facility (SIF) has been underway for more than a year. The state Assembly endorsed the bill in June 2017. While backers of the measure portray it as an urgent public-health measure, a coalition is working to stop the initiative. The bills sponsor, Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman, said in a statement, We are in the midst of an epidemic, and this bill will grant us another tool to fight itto provide better access to services like treatment and counseling, to better protect public health and safety, and to save lives. Meanwhile, the city is pushing ahead with its plans but is doing so gingerly in the face of opposition. A mock injection site will be open to the public on Aug. 28 to 31. Virtual Legalization Meanwhile, a coalition of five organizations, together with the California Narcotic Officers Association (CNOA), held a joint press conference in San Francisco on Aug. 17 to urge the Department of Justice and local citizens to stop the SIF. The coalition consists of four California-based and one Vancouver-based organization: Americans Against Legalization of Marijuana, California for Liberty, Christian Social Concern Association (Vancouver), the International Faith Based Coalition, and Organization for Justice and Equality. The coalition said in a press release that the opening of the injection center would amount to the virtual legalization of all illegal drugs. The CNOA stated there is no pathway to treatment at an injection center, and there are no efforts to ensure that people leaving the center are not impaired and wont harm themselves or others. Both press releases noted that with the opening of an SIF, law enforcement officers will be hampered from prosecuting anybody carrying illegal drugs on streets in the city, since the approval of the SIF requires leniency on drug crimes; and there may be tremendous liability issues for the local government if a drug addict dies or is injured due to overdoses in an SIF. Overdoses Backers of SIFs say that staff at the facilities can treat those who overdose, saving lives. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution in April 2017 stating that SIS (Safe Injection Sites) reduce overdose deaths for entire neighborhoods around the sites, and there has never been a recorded overdose death in any of the nearly 100 sites around the world. Rev. Wayne Lo from Vancouvers Christian Social Concern Association responded to this claim by quoting data from the British Columbia health department. According to Lo, the story isnt the deaths inside the facility, but the increase in deaths outside it. In 2003, when the injection site first started operation in Vancouver, the total number of overdose deaths was 28. Four years later, in 2007, the total overdose deaths became 46. In 2015, the figure became 134. In 2016, the figure was 215. In 2017, the figure was over 410, Lo said. The injection site was a total failure. Within six blocks in the vicinity of the injection site, a lot of violence happens daily. Used needles can easily be seen around the back alleys. Drug dealers can be seen [at] work within the vicinity. Human urine is everywhere. There is a school within five blocks of the injection site. The students there have to be very careful not to trip on the abandoned needles. After a similar SIF was proposed in Vermont, the U.S. Department of Justice released a statement in December 2017 pointing out that such sites are illegal: It is a crime, not only to use illicit narcotics, but to manage and maintain sites on which such drugs are used and distributed. Thus, exposure to criminal charges would arise for users and SIF workers and overseers. The properties that host SIFs would also be subject to federal forfeiture. Public Pressure Under public pressure, San Franciscos plans have changed a few times. The San Francisco Health Commission approved the opening of SIFs on Feb. 6. A study showed that the city had an estimated 22,000 intravenous drug users, and there were 100 injection overdose deaths in 2017. The Health Commissions approval of opening SIFs was based on the suggestions from the citys Safe Injection Service Task Force. The current mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, was then the county supervisor who led and supported the efforts by of the Task Force. The city originally planned to have three to five SIFs, with the first two to open in July. Now, the city is so far only planning to open a mock site at the end of August. The coalition opposing San Franciscos SIF might take encouragement from the track record of other cities. Seattle was poised to launch an SIF in November 2017, but failed to do so. Philadelphia approved SIFs in January, but isnt ready to open one. The bill passed by the California Senate will now go back to the Assembly. If approvedin June 2017, it passed by only two votesthen it will go to Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature. The Epoch Times contacted the San Francisco mayors office about the legal status and the safety concerns regarding the planned SIF in the city, but received no response. Police Helicopter Crashes During Takeoff, Injuring One Person (Warning: Video footage may be disturbing for some viewers) A helicopter in Arkansas was captured on surveillance camera crashing, injuring one person. The incident took place at a police training center off Ironton Cut Off Road in Little Rock, KATV reported. William Bill Denio, the pilot who is a retired police officer, was seriously injured in the accident, police said. According to KAIT8, he suffered a head injury and is in stable condition in a Little Rock hospital as of Aug. 21. The video shows the helicopter taking off from a small platform and wobbling in the air for a few seconds before tipping on its side. The rotors then hit the ground and broke apart. Read More Pilot Dies in Helicopter Crash on NSW South Coast A man in the video can be seen taking cover behind a door. He can be seen telling the pilot to cut the engine before the aircraft crashes. The man who was signaling at the helicopter pilot then rushes over to help the pilot inside. The Little Rock Police Department said that Denio was testing new equipment in the helicopter when a straight-line wind knocked it off the platform, according to KAIT8. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said they will not investigate, according to local outlet 5 News Online, because the helicopter wasnt airborne at the time of the accident. Helicopter Safety The FAA, in a 2017 report, said that helicopter accidents in the United States decreased by a marginal amount in 2016. The overall accident rate fell to 3.19 accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2016 compared with 3.67 accidents in 2015. The fatal accident rate fell slightly to 0.51 accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2016 compared with a 0.52 rate in 2015. However, the rate is down from 0.65 in 2014 and 1.02 in 2013, says the FAA. In raw numbers, there were 106 helicopter accidents in 2016, including 17 fatal accidents. That is a 12 percent decrease compared to the previous year and a 27 percent decrease compared to 2013. In 2013, an aviation expert in New York City said that helicopter tours are risky. Apple, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Youre paying money to go on a flight where you really dont know whether the pilot, if he is confronted or if she is confronted with something dangerous, whether that person is going to have the training, experience, and background to do the right thing and save your life, Justin Green told Pix11 after helicopter tour pilot Michael Campbell successfully carried out a hard landing on the Hudson River in July 2013. According to Texas law firm Slack Davis Sanger, which includes aviation lawyers, Unlike airplanes, helicopters do not require a runway for landing, so they are able to land almost anywhere; this is one reason why they are often used in high-risk military or medical rescue missions. Helicopters also fly at much lower altitudes than most other aircraft, which brings hazards like the sudden, unexpected appearance of buildings, landforms or other aircraft into play. But overall, the firm notes, the overall rate of helicopter crashes, however, is only slightly higher than that of airplane crashes, and the fatality rate is actually slightly lower for helicopters. Students and protesters surround plinth where the toppled statue of a Confederate soldier nicknamed Silent Sam once stood, on the University of North Carolina campus after a demonstration for its removal in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S. August 20, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake Police Seek Protesters Who Toppled Confederate Statue in North Carolina CHAPEL HILL, N.C.University of North Carolina police on Aug. 20 were reviewing video to find the protesters who toppled a statue of Confederate soldier on campus, part of a recent movement to dismantle U.S. Civil War symbols that critics say glorify the Souths legacy of slavery. About 300 demonstrators gathered on Monday evening for a protest and march at the base of Silent Sam, a memorial erected in 1913 to soldiers of the pro-slavery Confederacy killed during the Civil War. Protesters pulled the statue down with rope, cheering as it lay face down in the mud, its head and back covered in dirt. The university systems board chair, Harry Smith, and president, Margaret Spellings, denounced the toppling of the statue in a joint statement. The actions last evening were unacceptable, dangerous, and incomprehensible, they said. We are a nation of laws and mob rule and the intentional destruction of public property will not be tolerated. Last year UNC students threatened to sue the school, alleging that the university violated federal anti-discrimination laws by allowing the statue to remain on campus. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said in a statement he shared protesters frustration over statues but condemned the violent destruction of public property. Campus police arrested at least one person at the protest for wearing a mask and resisting arrest, according to Audrey Smith, a university spokeswoman. The efforts by civil rights groups and others to do away with Confederate monuments such as Silent Sam gained momentum three years ago after avowed white supremacist Dylann Roof murdered nine black people at a church in Charleston, South Carolina. The shooting rampage ultimately led to the removal of a Confederate flag from the statehouse in Columbia. Since then, more than 110 symbols of the Confederacy have been removed across the nation with more than 1,700 still standing, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights group. Many of the monuments were erected in the early 20th century, decades after the Civil Wars end in 1865. A statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee was vandalized and later removed by school officials last year at neighboring Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Many Americans see such statues as symbols of racism and glorification of the southern states defense of slavery. Others view them as important symbols of American history. The head of the United Daughters of the Confederacy said on Aug. 20 the group denounced hate groups and asked people to leave Confederate monuments alone. We are grieved that certain hate groups have taken the Confederate flag and other symbols as their own, the groups president, Patricia Bryson, said in a statement. By Jonathan Drake Priest Accused of Indecent Assault, Sending Nude Photos to 17-Year-Old A Roman Catholic priest from Pennsylvania has been accused of inappropriately touching a 17-year-old girl and sending her nude photos through social media, according to authorities on Aug. 21. Father Kevin Lonergan, 30, has been charged with one count of corruption of minors and one count of indecent assault for alleged inappropriate sexual contact with the girl in June while serving as a priest, Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin said during a press conference. He has also been accused of contacting her via Snapchata social media application where users can share photos and videosand sending her nude images of himself over the period of December 2017 to January 2018. [Kevin Lonergan] has been charged with one count of corruption of minors and one count of indecent assault. Indecent assault is a misdemeanor of the second degree; corruption is a felony of the third degree, Martin said. The Diocese of Allentown said in a statement that in early June, Lonergan was immediately removed from his assignment as an assistant pastor at Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown. He has since been suspended from all priestly ministry pending the investigation. The diocese also said they were asked to delay their public announcement about Lonergans removal by the district attorney as it might interfere with the investigation. The Diocese cooperated fully with the law enforcement investigation, the statement said. From District Attorney Martin on actions of @BishopSchlert pic.twitter.com/SgBkMcbREZ Diocese of Allentown (@AllentownDioces) August 21, 2018 Lonergan first met the victim at St. Francis of Assisi Church, which is also in Allentown. He obtained her phone number from other members of the church, reported Fox 29. He has been released on a $50,000 bail. If convicted he faces a maximum of 7 years in jail for the felony charge and 2 years for the misdemeanor charge. Predator Priests Revealed in Alarming Report The Aug. 21 announcement comes at a time when the state is grappling over a disturbing report accusing more than 300 clergymen across Pennsylvania of sexual abuse (pdf). The nearly 900-page state grand jury report was released on Aug. 14 and detailed the widespread and decades-long sexual abuse by clergy, as well as the systemic coverup efforts of church officials. Lonergan is not among the 301 clergymen listed in the alarming report, according to the Diocese of Allentown. The 30-year-old was accused after the investigation for the report was completed. Attorney General Josh Shapiros office led the investigation into the complaints after arguing the report should be made public during a heated legal battle. The findings cover abuse by the clergy dating back as far as 70 years in six of eight Pennsylvania dioceses. The report identified more than 1,000 child victims, the majority of whom were boys, however it indicated that the real number of children whose records were lost or who were too afraid to come forward is in the thousands. In response, the Vatican expressed shame and sorrow over the reports findings. 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, Vatican spokesperson Greg Burke said in a statement. Epoch Times Bowen Xiao contributed to this report. From NTD.tv Michael Cohen (C), longtime personal lawyer and confidante for President Donald Trump, exits the United States District Court Southern District of New York, April 16, 2018 in New York City, after a hearing regarding the FBIs raid on Cohens home, office, and hotel room (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Prosecutors Overreach in Their Case Against Michael Cohen Commentary On Aug. 21, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen accepted a plea agreement offered to him by the Southern District of New York (SDNY) prosecutors office. Cohen will be sentenced on Dec. 12 and the plea agreement let him avoid the maximum sentence he was facing of 65 years in prison. According to The New York Times: The government calculated the sentencing guidelines at from 51 to 63 months and the defense put it at 46 to 57 months. A final guidelines determination will be made by the Probation Department, but the ultimate sentence will be determined by Judge Pauley. Cohen pleaded guilty to a raft of charges to get a reduced sentence for tax and bank fraud. He was facing 65 years altogether, and the evidence showed he did commit most of the crimes for which he was charged. However, the one charge that is getting the most media play is the one he wouldnt have been convicted of. Thats the eighth count, in which the SDNY makes the novel claim that Cohens payment to Stephanie Clifford, also known as porn star Stormy Daniels, was a contribution to the Trump election campaign and it was over the legal limit. The plea agreement states: Count Eight of the Information charges the defendant with making an excessive campaign contribution, on or about October 27, 2016. Count Eight carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years; a maximum term of supervised release of 3 years; a maximum fine of $250,000, twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the offense, or twice the gross pecuniary loss to persons other than the defendant resulting from the offense, and a $100 mandatory special assessment. Well, how do the prosecutors handling Cohens case know that payment of hush money to Clifford was a campaign contribution? Simple: because they say it is, so that must make it so, and thats good enough for them. Its also good enough for the media, which spent all day running with the story and waving it like a bloody shirt because supposedly it at last ties Donald Trump to some kind of illegal activity related to his presidential campaign. In Cohens statement in court, the prosecutors even had him state that he and his client made a $130,000 payment to influence the election. Whats being overlooked, perhaps deliberately, by Democrats and their mainstream media allies, is that the prosecutors didnt actually have to prove this bogus charge in the courtroom. Cohen had already given up the ghost. He knew the prosecutors had him cold on the bank and tax fraud crimes, so he was going to accept whatever plea deal they offered him, no matter how it read, in exchange for a reduced sentence. Im seeing a lot of media coverage where its expected that the next step will be charges filed against President Trump for directing Cohen to make this payment to Clifford because it was a federal law or campaign finance violation. Heres why that wont happen: Trump would fight this every single step of the way. The prosecutors would have to prove in a courtroom the payment was a campaign contribution. Just claiming it was wouldnt get them anywhere. One former FEC chairman, Bradley Smith, has already publicly gone on the record with Mark Levin and stated this isnt a campaign finance violation no matter how badly some people want it to be. Smith even wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal back on April 10 making this very point, after an audio tape of Cohen and Trump discussing such payments was made public. Even supposing that with some slick lawyering the prosecuting team managed to turn the payment into a campaign contribution, the result would be the Trump campaign paying a fine. Cohen is going to jail for tax and bank fraud, not this ridiculous count that the prosecutors got him to cop to in order to get a reduced sentence. It was already known months ago that Cohen had used his own money to make this $130,000 payment to Clifford, and that he then sent a bill to Trump who reimbursed him. Wealthy people paying off gold diggers to go away happens all the time. Cohen never worked for the Trump campaign, never had access to Trump campaign accounts, and didnt use any money donated to the Trump campaign to make this payment. Maybe the prosecutors in New York think they can wave a magic wand and instantly transform that payment into a campaign contribution, but they have yet to try to make that case in a courtroom. So the prosecutors may believe it was a campaign contribution, and they can even force Michael Cohen to say in court this payment was a campaign finance violation so he can get the reduced sentence they promised him. That doesnt make it so, and I believe subsequent events will demonstrate this. What most of this media firestorm boils down to is that the SDNY office decided to use a plea agreement as a venue for some very dishonest politicized grandstanding. Brian Cates is a political pundit and writer based in southern Texas and the author of Nobody Asked For My Opinion But Here It Is Anyway! He can be reached on Twitter at @drawandstrike FILE PHOTO - A general view of the aftermath from the Holy fire, in McVicker Canyon, California, U.S., August 11, 2018 in this still image from social media obtained on August 12, 2018. CARLA HARPER/via REUTERS Study Cites Longer Dry Spells as Fueling US Wildfires PINEDALE, Wyo.Less rain and longer droughts are the major cause behind larger and more intense wildfires in the U.S. West, not higher temperatures and early snowmelt as previously thought, according to research released on Aug. 20. The findings by the U.S. Forest Service and the University of Montana could help scientists better predict the severity of fire seasons, said the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study comes as tens of thousands of firefighters battle more than 100 blazes that have charred more than 1.9 million acres (770,000 hectares) in the Western United States. California is marking one of the most destructive fire seasons on record. The researchers compared snowmelt timing and warming summer temperatures to fluctuations in the amount and distribution of summer rains on lands scorched by wildfires and determined that the latter were drivers. Lack of summer rain and the extended duration of droughts foster warmer, drier air during fire seasons, leading to more surface heating, which, in turn, sucks moisture from trees, shrubs, and vegetation, the study found. This new information can help us better monitor changing conditions before the fire season to ensure that areas are prepared for increased wildfire potential, Matt Jolly, USDA Forest Service research ecologist and co-author of the study, said in a statement. Further, it may improve our ability to predict fire season severity. The research also comes amid heated public debate ignited by high-ranking officials within the Trump administration about the cause of Californias wildfires, which have killed at least 11 people, destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. The administration has alternately rejected or downplayed the role of climate change in the worsening wildfire picture. After recently visiting some of Californias major fire zones, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke blamed gross mismanagement of forests because of timber harvest restrictions that he said were supported by environmental terrorist groups. Authorities in California have reported an increase in large, explosive and swiftly spreading wildfires over a longer, virtually year-round fire season. Fire officials say that trend has been fueled by several years of drought-stricken vegetation and stoked by frequent and persistent bouts of erratic winds and triple-digit temperatures, in keeping with scientists forecasts of changing climate conditions. Ninety-five percent of wildfires are human-caused, from campfires left unattended to careless smoking, to sparks from vehicles and improperly maintained power lines, fire managers say. By Laura Zuckerman A honor guard holds a Taiwan flag before the arrival of Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen at the Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, on Jan. 12, 2017. (Jose Cabezas/Reuters) Taiwan Says China Out of Control as It Loses El Salvador as Ally to Beijing TAIPEI/BEIJINGTaiwan is vowing to fight Chinas increasingly out of control behavior after Taipei lost another ally to Beijing, when El Salvador became the third country this year to switch allegiances to China. Taiwan now has formal relations with only 17 countries worldwide, with most of them in Central America and the Pacific. President Tsai Ing-wen, speaking in Taipei on Aug. 21, said Taiwan wouldnt bow to pressure. He described El Salvadors decision as further evidence of Chinas efforts to squeeze the island, which have included regular Chinese bomber patrols around Taiwan. We will turn to countries with similar values to fight together against Chinas increasingly out-of-control international behavior, Tsai said. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told reporters earlier that Taipei wasnt willing to engage in money competition with its giant neighbor. He said El Salvador had been continuously asking for massive funding support since last year toward a port development, but Taiwan was unable to assist with the unsuitable project after assessment. Pressure from China would only make Taiwan more determined to continue our path of democracy and freedom, Wu said. Taiwan is a full-fledged democracy with its own constitution, elected officials, and military; Beijing considers the island nation a renegade province that one day will be united with the mainland, by military force if necessary. The Chinese regime has strategically established alliances with nations that have had diplomatic ties with Taiwanby giving large sums in loans and investmentsas a way to pressure them into recognizing only one China. El Salvadors president, Salvador Sanchez Ceren, announced in a nationally televised speech that his government had broken off diplomatic relations with Taiwan and instead established ties with China. The news comes as Tsai wrapped up a high-profile trip to Taiwan allies Paraguay and Belize, including stops in the U.S. cities of Los Angeles and Houston. El Salvador is the fifth country Taiwan will lose as a diplomatic ally since Tsai came to office in 2016, following Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, and Panama. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said the decision by El Salvador was a terrific mistake in a Twitter post. He added that the switch in diplomatic recognition will cause real harm to the relationship with the U.S.,while the U.S. ambassador in El Salvador, Jean Manes, wrote in a Twitter post that the United States was analyzing El Salvadors worrisome decision to break ties with Taiwan. Without a doubt, this will impact our relationship with the (Salvadoran) government. We continue supporting the Salvadoran people, Manes wrote, without elaborating. Amanda Mansour, spokesperson for the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwansaid Chinas moves to lure away Taiwans allies is harmful to regional stability, according to Taiwans Central News Agency (CNA). The United States urges China to abstain from coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people of Taiwan, she said. Ahead of next months summit between China and African leaders in Beijing, China has amped up the pressure on Taiwans last ally on the continent, eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, to come to Chinas side, diplomatic sources said. By Jessica Macy Yu, Lee Yimou, Philip Wen, Ben Blanchard, & Nelson Renteria. Epoch Times staff member Frank Fang contributed to this report. Many Unanswered Questions Remain About the DNC Server Hacking News Analysis Its generally understood that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) was first hacked in April of 2016. This is not entirely accurate. Russias cyberattack on the DNC began only weeks after Trump announced his candidacy for president of the United States in June 2015. We know this through a combination of prior reporting and some new details provided in the DNCs lawsuit against Russia and the Trump campaign. In July 2015, Russian Intelligence gained access to Democratic National Committee networks and maintained that access until at least June 2016, the DNC complaint reads. Analysis by private cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike Services, along with the Intelligence Communitys Grizzly STEPPE report, concluded that the DNCs computer systems had been hacked by two independent entitiesCozy Bear and Fancy Bearalso known as Advanced Persistent Threat 29 (APT 29) and Advanced Persistent Threat 28 (APT 28), respectively. Forensic analysis found evidence that Cozy Bear had infiltrated and remained present in the DNCs network since at least July 27, 2015. The DNC was notified multiple times by the FBI regarding the Cozy Bear intrusion. The first set of warnings came in September 2015 when FBI agent Adrian Hawkins called the DNC regarding their computer network. He was transferred to Yared Tamene at the DNC Help Desk. Hawkins told Tamene that Russian hackers known as The Dukes had compromised at least one DNC computer. Tamene reportedly scanned the system networks but found nothing. Hawkins called back repeatedly over the next several weeks, but the calls were never returned. Tamene later noted he was unsure if it was really the FBI making contact; I had no way of differentiating the call I just received from a prank call. Tamene did write a memo detailing his contact with Hawkins and specifically noted the Special Agent told me to look for a specific type of malware dubbed Dukes by the U.S. intelligence community and in cybersecurity circles. The DNC claimed the FBI never attempted to reach anyone beyond or above the DNC Help Desk. The FBI disputed the DNCs account, telling CNN it made repeated attempts to alert more senior DNC staff, including sharing information on how to identify breaches in their systems. Hawkins continued to call the DNC Help Desk in October 2015, but didnt visit in person. Email was not considered an option, out of concerns that hackers would be alerted to the FBIs suspicions. The second round of warnings, somewhat more urgent this time, came in November 2015. This time, the message from Hawkins was more ominous. A DNC computer was calling home, where home meant Russia. A DNC computer was now transmitting information back to Russia. A memo from Tamene noted, SA Hawkins added that the F.B.I. thinks that this calling home behavior could be the result of a state-sponsored attack. DNC executives again claimed they were never contacted by the FBI. However, The New York Times reported that Tamene and his IT team had met in person with the FBI at least twice by March 2016. It turns out there was one final warning attempt made by the FBI. Email phishing attacks began in March 2016including the famous hack of John Podesta. Late that same month, the FBI visited the Clinton campaign headquarters in Brooklyn where they were received warily, given the agencys investigation into the candidates use of a private email server while secretary of state. Despite the ongoing warnings and new phishing attempts, the DNC waited until the middle of April 2016 to install a robust set of monitoring tools. It was through the use of this new monitoring system that on April 28, 2016, the DNC first detected the infiltration by Fancy Bear, which, according to Crowdstrike, is connected with the GRU, Russias foreign military intelligence agency. The DNC lawsuit provides a definitive date for the actual start of the Fancy Bear hackApril 18, 2016: On April 18, 2016, Russia launched a second phase of its cyberattack on DNC servers located in Virginia and Washington DC. This attack was executed by GRU agents, the DNC complaint reads. Immediately following the April 28, 2016, detection, DNC CEO Amy Dacey called Michael Sussmann, a DNC lawyer and partner with Perkins Coie. After speaking with Dacey, Sussmann contacted Shawn Henry, CSO and president of CrowdStrike. It strikes as mildly odd that the DNCs first call would be to outside legal counsel. Dacey would later resign as CEO of the DNC on Aug. 2, 2016. Despite DNC characterizations that the FBI failed to provide proper notification, it appears the FBI was persistent in attempts to warn the DNC regarding their ongoing vulnerability. But DNC resistance to FBI overtures didnt end with the FBIs final set of warnings in March. FBI attempts to investigate the April 2016 DNC server breach were surprisingly rebuffed. Former FBI Director James Comey stated during testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee that the FBI made multiple requests at different levels, but wasnt granted access to the DNC servers. Instead, the FBI was forced to rely on data provided by CrowdStrike. Responding to inquiries, Eric Walker, the DNCs deputy communications director, told BuzzFeed News that the FBI never requested access to the DNCs computer servers. But a senior law enforcement official strongly disputed the DNCs version of events in a statement to CNN: The FBI repeatedly stressed to DNC officials the necessity of obtaining direct access to servers and data, only to be rebuffed until well after the initial compromise had been mitigated. This left the FBI no choice but to rely upon a third party for information. These actions caused significant delays and inhibited the FBI from addressing the intrusion earlier. Surprisingly, the DNC waited until June 10, 2016, to notify staff members of the intrusion. DNC Chief Operating Officer Lindsey Reynolds informed about 100 staff members of the hacks at an all-hands meeting. Laptops were to be shut off and no disclosure of the announcement was allowed. Ironically, the DNC never notified their sister organization, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, of the hacks. Two days after the staff disclosure, on June 12, 2016, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange promised to release more Clinton emails. On June 14, 2016, two days after Assanges disclosure, the DNC went public, saying their servers had been hacked. The story behind the DNC servers has always had glaring unanswered questions. Why ignore the multiple warnings from the FBI? Why refuse the FBI access to the servers? Why the significant delay in notifying DNC staff of the threat? Why the complete failure to ever notify the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee of the hacks? None of it seems to make senseor to be a logical response by the DNC. The March 2016 phishing efforts were fairly simplistic in naturethe phishing attempts werent noticeably different than the types found in most junk-mail folders. And Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, whose organization published the emails from the DNC, has repeatedly said that Russia wasnt his source. The DNC lawsuit, while providing us with the April 18, 2016, initiation date of the second Russian hack, is surprisingly short on material detail. Information on events during 2015 are vague at best and no mention is made of the FBIs repeated warning attempts. The lawsuit completely ignores the phishing attempts made in March 2016 that led to the actual hacking in April 2016. Which brings us back to a question thats never been adequately explained. Why did the DNC refuse the FBI physical access to their servers. The consistency of the FBIs repeated warnings lend credence to their stated position that they repeatedly requested direct access to the DNC servers. Comey testified under oath to this same position. No explanation has been given that adequately explains why the DNC was so protective of its servers. Their attempted denials of the FBIs formally stated position appear stranger still. The DNC lawsuit states that their systems were hacked by Russians on April 18, 2016, following Russian phishing attempts in March 2016. Around the same time, a number of significant coinciding events took place. Which could, or could not, have been related to each other. On March 9, 2016, one day before the first phishing attempts were reportedly made on the Clinton Campaign, then-NSA Director Admiral Mike Rogers became aware of potential problems when he discovered the FBI was using independent contractors who were allowed improper access to surveillance data. A declassified Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) document released in April 2017 showed that the FBI had provided private contractors access to raw Section 702 surveillance data. This access wasnt controlled or monitored. These private contractors have never been disclosed by the government. Their access was not limited to raw information for which the FBI sought assistance and access continued even after they had completed work in response to an FBI request, wrote the FISC in its report. On the same day as Rogerss discovery, FBI agent Peter Strzok, who was the lead agent on both the Clinton email investigation and the counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign, sent a text referencing a HUGE f-up. FBI agents would visit the Clinton campaign later that same month. On April 18, 2016, Rogers shut down the FBIs outside contractor access to the FISA search system. On that same day, the DNC was officially hacked by Russia, according to their lawsuit. 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 President Donald Trump comes onstage at a Make America Great Again rally in Charleston, W. Va., on Aug. 21, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Trump, Coal Miners Celebrate Resurgence in West Virginia CHARLESTON, W.Va.For West Virginians, its all about energy, and they brought a lot of it to the Make America Great Again rally in Charleston on Aug. 21. The state is the second-largest coal producer (after Wyoming) in the country, and President Donald Trump is credited for the resurgence that is underway in the industry. Prime seats were reserved for a group of miners at the rally, and Trump spoke directly to them on several occasions. We are putting our great coal miners back to work, Trump said to roaring applause. We love clean, beautiful West Virginia coal. We love it. You know, its indestructible stuff. In times of war, in times of conflict, you can blow up those windmills, they fall down real quick. You can blow up those pipelines and youre not going to fix them too fast. You can do a lot of things to those solar panels, but you know what you cant hurt? Coal. You can do whatever you want to coal. Back in Business T.J. Blevins, 41, said he was almost forced to close the doors on his company during the Obama era. He owns American Mine Services, which supplies mining companies with equipment such as augers and drill bits. His father founded the company about three decades ago; now, T.J. runs it. The eight years of the Obama administration nearly shut the doors, Blevins said. We are one of the very few successful businesses in our area, and we just about closed the doors. Blevinss company operates in Man, West Virginia, which has a population of 683, according to the Census Bureau in 2016. In 2008, he had 16 full-time employees. By the end of Obamas presidency, he was down to four. As soon as they elected Trump, we started getting calls. They knew they were going back to work, Blevins said. And it was almost immediately when he took over in January, we took back off. And were back up to 13 employees now. Blevins said the steel mills, coal mines, and deep mines are all seeing a resurgence. Were back to booming again, I mean were knocking down, he said. He attributes the new boom to Trump lifting Environment Protection Agency (EPA) restrictions. I live about 35 feet from a railroad track, Ive lived here all my life. When Obama took over, I thought thered never be another train come through there, thats how bad it was, Blevins said. Now, theres at least 30 trains a month coming up and down. It went from one to two to every bit of 30. Its a good swing. Blevins is optimistic about the future as long as we dont get another Democrat against coal as president. He said he does some business in a strip mine that is guaranteed work for the next 30-some years. A company near his house has two deep mines and is preparing to open a third early next year. Its rollin, its back like it was, he said. Clean Energy Plan Trump brought Patrick Morrisey, Senate hopeful and current West Virginia attorney general, up to share the stage with him. Morrisey will face incumbent Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in the November midterm election. According to an aggregation of polls, Real Clear Politics puts Manchin up by seven points over Morrisey as of Aug. 16. However, Trumps endorsements have lifted other candidates from behind recently and may give Morrisey the boost he needs. Joe has got to go, said Morrisey. Donald Trump and I are fighting every day for our coal miners and the hard-working men and women of our state. Hes trying to get the man off your back and Im working every day to help him do it. Earlier in the day, the administration rolled out its Affordable Clean Energy plan, which would replace the Obama administrations Clean Power Plan. The new plan scraps restrictions aimed at eliminating coal as an energy source and moves regulatory power to the states. Coal was responsible for 30.1 percent of the electricity generated in the United States in 2017, according to the Energy Information Administration. Natural gas was responsible for 31.7 percent, having surpassed coal in 2016 as the lead source of the nations electricity generation for the first time. [The plan] will help our coal-fired power plants and save consumersyou, me, everybodybillions and billions of dollars, Trump said. The Obama-era plan could have resulted in double-digit electricity price increases in 40 states, according to a study by the National Economic Research Associates cited by the White House. This election is bigger than any one race, said Trump. Its about whether we want to continue the amazing progress weve made for Americaor whether we want to surrender that progress to the forces of extremism and obstruction. Let the Free Markets Run Scott Matheny, 49, lives in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and works as an electrician in the aluminum industry. Our sales are strong, especially with the tariffs, he said, adding that the tariffs Trump applied to steel and aluminum imports are good for us. Youve got to level the playing field, Matheny said. He said deregulation is also making a big impact on local business. They are able to hire more; you dont have so many penalties and paperwork. Let the free markets run. Washington Dont Run Without Us Sharon Gum, 76, has lived in the same house her whole life. She said she supports Trump because he can take care of business. And we need someone with a forward look that can see the future, she said. Because most people before himwell, they can speak, but they cant do policy, they cant do business. Gums late husband used to work at one of the large plants that pushed gas to Washington and Virginia. It comes from here. Washington dont run without us, she said. I knew that, because when the terrorist attack came, the people came to take care of the gas plants. She said her community went way down during the Obama era when the coal industry tanked, but she has noticed more people have jobs and more jobs are available since Trump took office. Obama, he wanted to get rid of all that, he even wanted to get rid of natural gas, he wanted to get rid of everything. I dont know what he thought we was going to live on, she added. FERC Problem Attorney Bridget Furbee is an expert on energy law, especially gas exploration and production, for Steptoe & Johnson. She said West Virginia has been on an economic upswing since Trump took office. There is a bit of a resurgence with the coal industry, and certainly weve had a huge uptick in the natural gas exploration development and midstream operations, Furbee said. Policy changes and deregulation have been a huge step forward for the economy, she said. Trumps appointees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) have been helpful, Furbee said. Three of the four current FERC commissioners joined between August and November 2017. The commission regulates the transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil between states; the development of liquefied natural-gas terminals and interstate natural-gas pipelines; and the licensing of hydropower projects. However, the five-member commission currently only has four members. Right now, thats a problem, because were at a point where we dont have a quorum again. So, he needs to get that fixed ASAP, Furbee said. A Dramatic Difference Dan Cooley, who attended the rally with his wife and three sons, said he has absolutely noticed an uptick in the local economy post-Trump. Coal mainly. Coal, oil, and gas are all taking a boom. Theyre all on the way up right now, he said. [Its] a dramatic difference. Cooley works in the forestry industry, which he said remains steady no matter whats going on. He said Trump is standing up for what real Americans represent. We love America, we love God, and [Trumps] standing up for the real America, he said. Hes trying to fight all the fake news and the unpatriotic Americans that are in Hollywood. [They] need to go to another country if they dont like it here because this is the best country on the face of the Earth. Kathrine Brown, 24, said the gas pipelines are helping the economy but she supports Trump because he believes in everything I believe in. Brown is a medical assistant at Central Regional Jail and sees a lot of issues with opioids and especially methamphetamines. He has no filter. He just says how it is. And he doesnt care, she said of Trump. That is what he believes, and thats what he believes. He wont switch sides for nobody. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier (R) and Britain's Brexit secretary Dominic Raab said that Brexit negotiations would now proceed continuously," at a joint press conference in Brussels on Aug. 21, 2018. (John Thys/AFP/Getty Images) UK and EU Promise Continuous Talks to Crack Brexit Deadlock LONDONThe UK and the EU have agreed to hold continuous Brexit talks after a recent meeting between lead negotiators in Brussels failed to deliver a breakthrough. Negotiations on the divorce deal resumed after a summer break on Aug. 21, with both sides signaling increased urgency to wrap up loose ends and avoid Britain crashing out of the EU with no deal. The negotiations are now entering the final stage, said Michel Barnier, the lead negotiator for the EU side. We have agreed that the EU and the UK will negotiate continuously from now on. Britains Brexit secretary Dominic Raab said, We need to step up the intensity of the negotiations as we enter the final phase and we have agreed to meet regularly to resolve those outstanding issues. Despite some progress on post-Brexit security and defense arrangements between Britain and the EU, the problems of the Irish border and trade ties remained unresolved. Raab conceded that there are still gaps, but followed it up with a hopeful note that if both sides adopt realistic expectations, he is confident we can reach the agreement in October. Barnier was somewhat more cautious, saying that a deal could be struck certainly not later than the beginning of November. Senior UK and EU officials gathered on Wednesday to continue talks, while Raab and Barnier plan to meet next week to assess progress. Emergency Summit Likely Brussels diplomats said that EU leaders will likely have to hold an emergency summit in November to give enough time to wrap up what is expected to be a lengthy ratification process before Britain becomes the first country ever to leave the EU in March 2019. There is definitely going to be a real push for October and well probably not be able to quite get there. So, while it has not formally been confirmed as yet, an extra summit in November looks most likely, said a senior EU diplomat. Some diplomats warned the process could even slip into December, leaving little time for the legislative process to conclude before the Brexit deadline. The Oct. 18-19 summit of all EU leaders has long been cast as the make-or-break moment for a Brexit deal, leaving enough time for the elaborate ratification process by EU member states and the European Parliament. Key Sticking Points But persistent disagreements, mostly over how to avoid border checks between the Irish Republic and the British province of Northern Ireland, have now cast that into doubt. London has fumed at a Brussels-proposed emergency plan under which Northern Ireland would effectively remain largely run by EU trade rules after Brexit, unless better ideas emerge. Last week Latvian foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics put the chances of a final Brexit deal at 50-50. British businesses have warned that leaving without a deal could cause mayhem for trade and travel, bringing higher food prices, logjams around UK ports, and disruption to everything from aviation to medical supplies. The unity of the remaining 27 EU states in facing off with Britain has also started to show signs of wavering as the risk of a damaging no-deal Brexit rises. Polands EU minister Konrad Szymanski told his peers in July the bloc may soon be forced to choose between Ireland and having any deal with Britain. This marked a departure from the EUs mantra of standing by Ireland, where both sides fear a return to border checks could revive decades of sectarian violence. Britain is due to release this week a set of papers on the potential effects of a no-deal Brexit. The flags of Canada, Mexico and the U.S. are seen on a lectern before a joint news conference on the closing of the seventh round of NAFTA talks in Mexico City, Mexico, March 5, 2018. (Edgard Garrido/Reuters) US and Mexico Postpone NAFTA Talks Until Aug. 22 U.S. and Mexican officials put off until Aug. 22 talks aiming for a breakthrough in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), although one member of the incoming Mexican government met U.S. officials on Aug. 21. Ministerial talks had been expected on Aug. 21, but Mexicos top trade official, Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo, would not meet with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Washington until Aug. 22, the Mexican ministry said. Instead, Jesus Seade, designated chief negotiator of Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obradorwho is due to take power in Decembermet Lighthizer. Seade said as he entered the talks that the teams were making good progress and coming to the end of their discussions. U.S. and Mexican officials have indicated they will push for a deal on reworking rules for the automotive sector that could open the door for Canada to return to negotiations as soon as this week. Since restarting last month, talks have focused on ironing out differences between Mexico and the United States which cut to the heart of President Donald Trumps gripe with NAFTA: that it has hollowed out U.S. manufacturing to Mexicos benefit. Trump has threatened to withdraw from NAFTA if it is not reworked to his satisfaction, hoping to claw back jobs and reduce the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico. Talks to rework the 24-year-old accord that underpins the bulk of foreign trade in North America have ground on for more than a year, and stalled ahead of the July 1 Mexican election as negotiators failed to make a decisive breakthrough. Trumps son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner also attended the talks with Seade on Aug. 21. Kushner has been a regular participant in the NAFTA discussions. Seade, a former deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization, has referred to Lighthizer as a friend he has known for years, and said that the two have a very good relationship. Leaving Lighthizers offices, Seade said there was no special reason for his meeting and that he was supporting the governments negotiation. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen takes part in an interview with AFP at the Presidential Office in Taipei, on June 25, 2018. (Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images) US Is Reviewing Relationship With El Salvador After It Broke Ties with Taiwan WASHINGTONThe United States is deeply disappointed by El Salvadors decision to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China and is reviewing its relationship with San Salvador as a result, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department said on Aug. 21. El Salvador on Aug. 20 became the third Latin American country in the past two years to switch allegiances from Taipei to Beijing and said attracting investment and developing the economy were key goals behind the decision. Although we recognize the sovereign right of every country to determine its diplomatic relations, we are deeply disappointed by this decision, said a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, who did not want to be identified by name. We are reviewing our relationship with El Salvador following this decision, he said. The official did not elaborate. The U.S. ambassador in El Salvador, Jean Manes, posted on Twitter earlier that the United States was analyzing the worrisome decision and that it would impact relations between the two countries. She also did not elaborate. U.S. relations with El Salvador have been strained over President Donald Trumps threats to cut aid from countries that do nothing to stop MS-13 gang members from crossing illegally into the United States. Manes said at an event on Aug. 21 that Salvadorans should demand transparency about how their government resolved to swap diplomatic partners. I think you should know, exactly, all the details of the negotiation, she said. Taiwan is a full-fledged democracy with its own constitution, elected officials, and military; Beijing considers the island nation a renegade province that one day will be united with the mainland, by military force if necessary. The United States, which is currently locked in a major trade dispute with China, its main strategic rival in Asia, also has formal diplomatic relations with Beijing, rather than Taipei. However, it is required by law to assist Taiwan with self-defense and is the islands primary source of weapons. The State Department official said Chinas efforts to unilaterally alter the status quo with Taiwan were harmful and would undermine the framework that has enabled peace, stability, and development for decades. The United States urges China to abstain from coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan, he said. Taiwan was a democratic success story, a reliable partner, and a force for good in the world, the official said. The United States will continue to support Taiwan as it seeks to expand its already significant contributions to addressing global challenges, and as Taiwan resists efforts to constrain its appropriate participation on the world stage, he said. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Aug. 20 that the island would not bow to pressure after making a high-profile trip to Latin America last week that included stops in the United States. In March, Trump signed legislation that encourages more high-level diplomatic exchanges between Taiwan and the United States. While Tsai was not invited to the United States for an official visit last week, she met with U.S. senators, attended banquets with overseas Taiwanese, and spoke of the need for strong ties with Washington. By David Brunnstrom. The flags of Canada, Mexico, and the United States on a lectern before a joint news conference on the closing of the seventh round of NAFTA talks in Mexico City, Mexico, March 5, 2018. (REUTERS/Edgard Garrido/File Photo) US, Mexico Push for NAFTA Autos Deal, Eye Canadas Return WASHINGTONU.S. and Mexican trade ministers were set to resume talks over the North American Free Trade Agreement in Washington on Aug. 21 in a final push for a deal on autos that would open the door for Canada to return to negotiations this week. If Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer can resolve remaining bilateral issues, the plan is to try to incorporate Canada into the discussions, possibly as early as Aug. 23, said a Mexican source close to the talks. Though NAFTA is a trilateral trade deal, there are issues that are really bilateral issues between Mexico and the United States, said the source. In rules of origin for autos, Mexico clearly had to look for flexibilities because Canada was relatively comfortable with the original (U.S.) proposal. In the meantime, Canada has remained sidelined from the talks. We are making progress in the chapters that will modernize our agreement, and Mexico will continue working constructively on all fronts, Mexicos chief NAFTA negotiator Kenneth Smith said on Twitter on Aug. 21. The United States and Mexico are close to a deal to increase North American automotive content thresholds, with substantial requirements for content produced in high-wage areas, namely the United States and Canada, said the source. The deal is expected to lift the requirement for North American content in regionally made vehicles to at least 70 percent from the current 62.5 percent. It will also likely require that some 40 percent of the value come from high-wage locations paying at least $16 an hour, meaning the United States and Canada. Mexican and U.S. negotiators were also close to agreeing on a 5-year phase-in period for implementing the changes in the auto industry, the source said. Still, foreign-brand automakers with U.S. plants oppose the move to raise the amount of local content in North American-made vehicles and could throw a monkey wrench in negotiators plans to secure a bilateral deal this week. The carmakers, including Toyota Motor Corp., Volkswagen AG, and Hyundai Motor Co., sent a letter to top trade-focused members of U.S. Congress expressing their concern. The letter could spark resistance to a revamped NAFTA from lawmakers in southern states, where foreign manufacturers have built auto plants. U.S. President Donald Trump, who launched the renegotiation of the 1994 pact a year ago, has said he wants the reworked deal to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States, particularly in autos and auto parts. Other key unresolved issues include the dispute settlement mechanism and a U.S. demand for a sunset clause that forces a renegotiation every five years, which critics argue would make long-term investment decisions more difficult. Guajardo last month expressed hope that there could be a preliminary NAFTA deal by the end of August, but he has since appeared to pull back from that position. By David Lawder & Sharay Angulo Chickens are seen at a poultry farm outside Klerksdorp in the North West province, South Africa on Aug. 15, 2018. (Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko) US Poultry Industry to Urge Retaliation If South Africa Ends Quota JOHANNESBURGThe United States poultry industry will press its government to retaliate if South Africa suspends a quota that excludes some U.S. imports from an anti-dumping tariff, the head of a poultry trade group said. The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) has filed a lawsuit seeking to force the government to suspend the quota in response to the Trump administrations decision to impose tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from South Africa. We will certainly be encouraging our government to take appropriate action, James Sumner, president of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, told Reuters late on Tuesday. The looming row could put at risk duty-free access to the U.S. market for nearly $2 billion worth of South African exports, government officials and trade experts say. South Africa levies a tariff on bone-in poultry that it says is exported by major world producers, including the United States, at prices below the cost of production. The U.S. poultry industry believes the anti-dumping tariff is illegal. Quota Threatened with losing its benefits under AGOA the United States flagship trade legislation for Africa South Africa agreed to a quota in 2015 allowing some 65,000 tonnes of meat from U.S. producers to be imported tariff-free each year. AGOA grants qualifying countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of goods. More than $1.8 billion in South African exports to the United States were covered by AGOA last year. However, South Africas poultry association is arguing that tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum imports imposed by Washington earlier this year violate the quota agreement by curtailing AGOA benefits. We hope that the U.S. and South Africa will amicably resolve and differences they have over the (steel and aluminum) tariffs but it should not interfere with agreements already reached on poultry trade, Sumner said. By Joe Bavie What Makes a Good Friend? Ethics and loyalty don't conflict if we follow Aristotle's advice Good friendships are worth celebrating. But for many of us, tensions can appear from time to time between being a good friend and doing the right thing. When faced with, for example, a situation where its tempting to lie to cover for a friend, it can seem as though friendship and morality are on a collision course. I am an ethicist who works on issues involving friendship, so this tension is of great interest to me. It can be tempting to say that bad people are likely to treat their friends badly: For example, they could lie, cheat, or steal from their friends. But it seems logically possible for a person to be bad to some people but good to others. So are there more fundamental reasons to think being a good person is necessary for a good friendship? Problems for Friendship and Morality Lets begin by looking at cases where morality and the demands of friendship are in conflict. Friendship seems to require that we be open to our friends ways of seeing things, even when they differ from our own. It also seems to require that we be concerned for our friends well-being. Its not just that we desire good things for them. We also want to be involved in providing some of those goods. This is one thing that distinguishes the care of friends from that of mere well-wishers. But we also need to remain open to our friends beliefs about what is good for them: Blithely acting on what we think is best for our friends, when the friend disagrees, seems paternalistic. In some circumstances, like hiding a friends keys when hes been drinking, a little paternalism might be permitted. But it seems poor when its a general feature of a friendship. Some theorists argue that it is this openness to friends perspectives that introduces moral danger. For example, friendship with a person who has different values can gradually change your own, including for the worse. This is especially true when the relationship makes you inclined to take their point of view seriously. Other scholars argue that it is the combination of the desire to help friends with this openness to their point of view that poses the biggest problem. In making this argument, scholars Dean Cocking and Jeanette Kennett quote a line from Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice, in which the protagonist Elizabeth Bennett tells the cold and inflexible Mr. Darcy that a regard for the requester would often make one yield readily to a request, without waiting for arguments to reason one into it. In other words, if your friend asks you to tell the boss shes sick, not hungover, you should do it, just because she asked. Aristotle on Virtue in Friendship In order to respond to these concerns, it is helpful to review what Aristotle says about friendship and being a good person. For Aristotle, there are three main kinds of friendships. One, friendships of utilityas, for example, between friendly co-workers. Two, friendships of pleasurefor example, between members of a trivia team. And, three, friendships among those who find each other good and valuable for their own sakes. This last one he calls friendships of virtue, the best and fullest form of friendship. It seems reasonably clear, then, why valuing someone for their virtues is characteristic of good friendship. Unlike the other forms of friendship, it involves valuing friends for themselves, not just for what they can do for you. Furthermore, it involves thinking their character and values have worth. Some might worry that this sets the standard too high: Requiring that good friends be perfectly good would make good friendship impossibly rare. But Aristotelian scholar John Cooper argues that we can just take this to mean that the quality of a friendship varies with the quality of the friends character. Mediocre people will tend to have mediocre friendships, while better people will have better friendships, all else being equal. What Is Virtue? This might all seem hopelessly subjective if we leave good person undefined, or think it is relative to a persons individual values. But Aristotle also offers an objective account of what it takes to be a good person. A good person, he says, is someone who possesses the virtues. Virtues, like courage, justice, and moderation, are individual qualities of character that help us live good human lives, alone and together. Aristotle argues that just as sharpness is a quality that helps a good knife perform its function well, we function better as human beings when we can protect what we value, work well with others, and enjoy pleasures in moderation. He defines bad qualities, or vices, as those qualities that make it harder to live a good life. For example, cowards have trouble protecting what matters, gluttons dont know when to stop consuming, and unjust people exhibit what he calls graspingness, grabbing for more than their share. So, they have trouble working well with others, which can be a major impediment for a social species. Lastly, and crucially, he says that we build up these qualities, both good and bad, through repeated practice: We become good by repeatedly doing good, and bad by the reverse. Connecting Virtue and Friendship How, then, can this help us understand the relationship between being a good person and being a good friend? I have already said that friendship involves both openness to friends perspectives and helping them out. Assuming Aristotle is right about the relationship between good character and ability to live well, it is not good to enable a friend who acts badly, because doing so will make it harder for that friend to live a good life. But friendship is also not served by riding roughshod over the friends beliefs about what he or she needs, even if those beliefs are mistaken. So the only people we can consistently do well by as friends are those who have reasonably good character. We can, of course, change our own values and reactions to better match our friends. Much of this can happen unconsciously, and some such change might even be healthy. But when this change is for the worse (for example, becoming cowardly or unjust), we seem to be harmed by the association. If time spent with my lazy friend tends to make me less motivated when it comes to my own life, I arguably am worse off. This can make such friends bad to us, even if unintentionally. Really good friendship, it turns out, isnt even possible unless both friends are reasonably good. The apparent tension between friendship and morality turns out to be just an illusion that results from failing to think carefully and clearly about the relationship between openness to our friends perspectives and our interest in helping our friends. As Aristotle put it, The friendship of bad men turns out an evil thing (for because of their instability they unite in bad pursuits, and besides they become evil by becoming like each other), while the friendship of good men is good, being augmented by their companionship; and they are thought to become better too by their activities and by improving each other; for from each other they take the mould of the characteristics they approve. Alexis Elder is an assistant professor of philosophy at the University of MinnesotaDuluth. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Why This Republican Congressional Candidate Is for Amnesty Californian 30th district Congressional candidate Mark Reed recently visited Epoch Media Group and shared his opinions on illegal immigrants and education reform. As the descendant of immigrants from Guadalaraja, Mexico, Reed wants U.S. Congress to support President Trumps immigration policies and proposals. Secure the Border and Grant Amnesty to Those Qualified He states that people hold many misconceptions about illegal immigrants, and Congress is also not addressing the main issues. 60% of the illegal immigrants here are visa overstays. Its not Mexicans, Guadalajarans, not Nigaraguans. Its not people from Central America. Its just visa overstays. They (Congress) cant even correct that. Congress will not do what they are supposed to do, he said. As a businessman, hes spent quite some time studying statistics, and he says he found some interesting facts about illegal immigrants. For example, $90 billion a year is spent on illegal immigrants for welfare and social services, while $3 million a day is spent to incarcerate illegal immigrants. During the year 2005, four to ten million illegal immigrants crossed the U.S. southern border and millions of pounds of drugs also came in from the south. Illegal immigrants dont contribute into the economy as much as they try to make you believe. If you look at the welfare program, subsidized housing, you look at the incarceration rate. Nationwide in every county or state prison facility, one-third of the inmates are illegal, he said. Reed wants to secure the border wall and expel illegal immigrants who are criminals. He believes its not reasonable that the U.S. spend trillion of dollars securing other countries borders around the world, yet maintain a relatively open border at home. He also suggests setting up more U.S. embassies in Latin America and receive asylum applications there, so that sex traffickers cant abuse the system by bringing young girls to the U.S., applying for asylum with them, and forcing them to make money at the same time. On the other hand, he supports President Trumps idea of granting amnesty to illegal immigrants who do not break any laws other than coming and staying in the U.S. illegally, given that they did not use any welfare. As a matter of fact, he mentioned that Ronald Reagan attempted to do the same thing back in the 80s. He gave amnesty to illegal immigrants in the country, and the condition was the border wall needed to be built. However, Congress didnt allocate enough money at that time. Almost Half of People on Welfare are in California Reed indicates that California has both the most millionaires in the U.S., but at the same time, one-fifth of its people live under the poverty level. We have 10% of the population of America in the state of California. We have 48% of the welfare recipients. Yet he says some progressive Democrats want universal health care, which could triple the California budget, and that means taxpayers will need to pay triple the tax. They take it from you. They give it to this person, so that the people that are being taken from finally said, Ive had enough. They go to another state. They leave the state. You are watching 1,700 business in California leave every year. Control Education Funding and Get Youth on Track Reed believes that people tend to feel good when they work and take care of themselves, and the government should allocate appropriate education funding and equip people with the skills they need. We need to make changes on the federal level of how we fund what education, he said. I think the Fed and funding are destroying our colleges because we are teaching a bunch of things that America doesnt need. And we are going into over a trillion dollars in college debt. And these kids are not going to pay it back because they can never earn a living off what they just learned. For instance, when San Francisco refurbished the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinese wielders were hired, because there werent enough American wielders. Reed suggested that we give ninth graders aptitude and IQ test, help them realize their talents, and put them in three different tracks: academia, trade or military. In addition, he thinks teachers, not administrators, should have more input in education reform. He says we need to change our curriculum to identify students and group them by their abilities so that quick learners wont be slowed down, feel bored, and demonstrate disruptive behaviors like he used to do in school. He said after realizing his IQ was 158 when he was already an adult, he finally understood why he misbehaved all the way until high school. Not only students, he thinks prisoners and other people around the world need to learn basic skills to maintain a living, and they will feel better when they can support themselves. Send them out to work. Have them clean out the freeways. We have four, five million trees that are dead throughout of California thats why its burning down to the ground. Take all the prisoners out there. Teach them how to chop trees now. Take the woods, sell it. Do something productive with what we were doing, he said. Reed is also against heavy taxes and for an open and free market. He also wants to cut both the California government and Department of Education in half to save costs. If he is elected in November, he said he would like to join the Foreign Affairs Committee, House Finance Committee, and Military Committee in Congress. At first blush, the growth of the food delivery industry would seem like the best thing that ever happened to restaurants. The problem is, that would assume that every meal being delivered to a home or business is piping hot out of the oven and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Fact is such businesses, or delivery platforms, can be inconsistent, based on the level of professionalism exhibited by their employees and their own business objectives. However, restaurants need them in order to grow their own business, or in some cases simply to maintain market share. The prepared food delivery industry is in a period similar to where ecommerce was in the mid-2000s. Technology was rapidly increasing shopper convenience, and brands were (or should have been) scrambling to figure it out. In addition to other things, that period led to the demise of numerous brands, the creation of a whole new ecommerce world of brands, and the continuing decline of sales in shopping malls. With restaurant delivery, this is happening more rapidly, since we have experience now with such a transition. So, how can restaurants capitalize on the benefits associated with increased revenues, while minimizing the risk to their all-important brand? And how about the platforms, which need satisfied restaurant partners to grow their own businesses? Neither a local restaurant nor a national chain can survive paying 30 percent per order to a delivery firm. For a restaurant getting into delivery, these are the top four items to focus on: Related: Food Delivery Guy Goes Beyond, Getting Rid of a Spider for a Panicked Customer 1. Research the options Larger cities have the options of GrubHub, Doordash, Uber Eats and Postmates, while Amazon Restaurants also continues to grab market share. The differences between them are not overt, but options include delivery fees, network size, customer service, and whether theyll provide any training or hardware like a kiosk or tablet to take orders. For more rural cities, options are more limited, but a few Google searches will show you the way. For example, when launching delivery in rural Midwest cities, I found the MyTown2Go network to be a decent partner. Related: Here's a 6-Figure Service Business You Can Start for Under $100 2. Negotiate properly Restaurants cant pay 30 percent. It just doesnt work. To combat this, they should make sure delivery partners know they have other options, and a solid goal would be to work them down 18- 23%. This still hurts the bottom line, but if the delivery partner exposes the restaurant to a new audience, and if they have the right menu items in place, it can be worth it. Pro Tip: What I mean by exposes the restaurant to a new audience is the restaurant should consider this in the broader scope. There are immediate sales to this new audience but restaurants should also consider the brand awareness theyre getting in terms of exposure to a new audience. Related: 8 Ways Customer Service Affects Your Business's Bottom Line 3. Craft a delivery menu. Lets assume the restaurant chose the right partner, and has negotiated to an 18-23% fee structure. Now they need to craft a delivery-only menu only seen by people ordering through the delivery partner that makes sense in terms of profit margins, and in terms of delivery execution (travel, presentation, freshness, etc.). This may involve slight changes or additions to the kitchen and prep processes, but if done well, its worth it. Pro Tip: Increase prices on this new delivery menu by 10 percent to cover the margins lost to the delivery tech partners. Related: Is Food Delivery The New Success Mantra For Franchisors? 4. Track results Its easy to see an increase in top-line delivery revenue, but that alone doesnt mean the initiative is successful. Restaurants must keep an eye on monthly delivery sales as they relate to profit margins in general. I recommend having tactics in place to track first time customers as well. In addition to those things, restaurants need to closely manage online reviews and feedback. People dont often leave reviews directly on restaurants review sites when they order delivery, so be sure to tap into any and all feedback through the delivery platforms themselves it is imperative to know how customers feel about new offerings and delivered food. Related: Tracking These 6 Metrics Could Boost Your Sales Restaurants arent the only ones that benefit from these partnerships. So, too, do the delivery platforms, especially those like GrubHub, Uber Eats, Doordash and Postmates, which control more than 90 percent of the U.S. delivery market. With a projected annual growth rate for the industry of 10-12 percent through 2022, it is tempting for these companies to primarily focus efforts on building sales teams. If they really want to live in harmony with restaurants, they should find ways to drop fees under 30 percent, although I realize that model may not work. Here are a few things that will work in the short and long term, things I believe will ensure everybody wins. Menu and packaging consulting. After analyzing years of deliveries, complaints and order volume, the successful tech platforms should be able to offer menu and packaging consultation as part of the client onboarding process. Deep-pocketed Uber Eats claims to have done this recently in Chicago, where it found people were searching for suddenly popular Hawaiian poke but not finding many options. They reportedly reached out to neighborhood sushi spots, which would already have some of the same ingredients, and asked them to try making the dish for the app. Once an onboarding specialist has familiarized themselves with a new clients menu, he or she should help the restaurant focus on three areas: Help build the menus. They should help restaurants select the items to be included on the delivery menu based on functionality and demand. Sure, this guidance will be based in part on historical platform sales. But more importantly, this should be based on expertise with the delivery process customer experience. Restaurants can apply their common sense to determine which dishes transport best, and what tweaks might make a dish arrive in better condidtion. Related: Just Order a Pizza If America's Crumbling Infrastructure Worries You -- Domino's Is on It Provide pricing guidance. Delivery partners know theyre cutting into margins, so combat that by ensuring the restaurants are selling in-demand items and subtly marking up prices accordingly, all driven by the plethora of data theyre collecting. Delivery logistical best practices. Restaurants that are new to delivery need training on packaging to ensure their food travels well. For example, IHOP recently patented new packaging made specifically to help their pancakes travel. I have talked to IHOP operators about this, and its not a perfect solve. That said, we know there will be potholes in this evolution (pun intended), and we know drivers will get caught in traffic on occasion help them plan for this as best they can. Tracking, auditing and customer service. A big part of running a restaurant is fielding complaints, learning from them and doing better in the future. Tech delivery partners should provide the tools to help restaurants avoid issues, the ability to hear the complaints, and also be able to sufficiently address them and recover the guest for the future. To end that, here are some additional ideas. Tracking: A few platforms do provide real-time tracking, at least in their sales pitch to restaurants. We cant, however, expect a restaurant operator in the middle of a busy lunch to manage this. This is something tech platforms are currently working on, which will be extremely important if they want to get it right. Customer service: There is no silver bullet here yet, either. A server or manager in a restaurant learns what to do to make it right through experience. Can tech platforms figure that out on their behalf? Should they? Amazon Restaurants has an interesting value proposition here by having their army of customer service reps available to field complaints. This is still pretty generic in nature, though. It will take more time and more of a consultative relationship, but its worth the effort to get it right. While the ideal relationship between all parties may still be in the oven, there is every reason to believe that with a little help, what emerges here is something we can all enjoy. Related: Restaurants and Delivery Platforms Actually Can Prosper Happily Ever After Malaysia's Berjaya Food Strengthens Its Foothold in India Buying Out a Partner? New Small Business Administration Lending Rules Can Help. Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Robert Glazer didnt set out to build a 100 percent remote workforce. But in 2007, while forming his company, Acceleration Partners, he realized two things: One, fierce competition in hubs like New York and San Francisco had driven the salaries of even less-desirable candidates through the roof; and two, there was untapped talent in Accelerations niche field of affiliate marketing across the country. Related: How to Keep Your Remote Workforce From Growing Distant So Glazer began figuring out how to run a company flexible enough to hire workers who could work remotely. Back then, this was a rarity. Telecommuting was a concession you might make to individual workers, not a corporate strategy. There were few established protocols for making it work as well as, if not better than, a centralized workplace. So Glazer had to figure them out as he went along. Ten years in, Acceleration has grown an average of 30 percent a year, while piling up accolades for its workplace culture from the likes of Glassdoor, AdAge, Forbes and The Boston Globe. Glazer sees his companys flexible work policy not as a handicap that it has overcome but a key driver of its success. These days remote work has entered the business mainstream, with about 43 percent of the U.S. workforce occasionally doing their jobs from outside the confines of a corporate office. While some large employers like IBM, Bank of America, Aetna and Yahoo made headlines in recent years for ending or scaling back their telecommuting programs, the number of remote-first startups has surged. Acceleration Partners is one of more than 170 fully remote companies with 20 or more employees in the U.S. today, up from 26 in 2014, according to FlexJobs, an online platform specializing in remote and flexible employment. So, what can entrepreneurs learn from the companies that have made remote work work? In Glazers case, it starts with hiring. I think theres a misperception that anyone can work remotely, he says, but weve figured out how to screen from the 200 to the one who can. Acceleration looks for specific attributes in a new hire: Has the person worked remotely before? Is she a voracious learner? Is she an independent decision-maker? Typically, Acceleration likes to see candidates who gravitate to telecommuting to enable their lifes other passions, like travel, triathlons or parenting -- rather than those looking for a more relaxed pace of life. This makes for a more fulfilling life for his employee, and a more energized member of his company. Related: 17 Things You Need to Know About Remote Work Still, structure is a necessity. While geography and business hours at Acceleration are flexible, the company ensures results by keeping performance goals rigid. Managers track output and customer satisfaction rather than hours. An accountability chart lists each employees top five responsibilities, and each quarter, every employee sets personal performance goals based on the companys quarterly targets. Progress is reviewed when the three months are up. The companys financials are also open-book, so anyone can see how anyone else measures up in terms of the bottom line. The strategy has also allowed Acceleration to close the gender gap by tapping into a pool of talented, driven women looking to balance careers with family. Women make up 80 percent of Accelerations workforce, with about an equal proportion holding management roles. Acceleration Partners isnt the only startup to have achieved enviable productivity and growth through a distributed workforce. Toptal, which runs a network of elite freelance software developers and designers, has grown to more than 500 global full-time employees since it was founded in 2010. It chose the structure to reach the best talent available. In the San Francisco Bay Area at the time, between trying to get top-quality engineers and renting office space, youd burn through your seed money in a couple of months, says Rajeev Jeyakumar, Toptals VP of business talent. Rather than relax its standards, Toptal decided to mine less-competitive markets. Jeyakumar says that getting the right digital tools in place to enable remote collaboration has been critical to Toptals success. Its nothing exotic: The company uses Slack for informal communications, Google Drive for collaborative projects, Zoom for videoconference calls and an online platform called Wrike for project management. Onboarding new employees always involves making sure they have their tools set up properly and know how to use them. There are also behavioral and cultural norms around remote work that everyone has to adhere to, Jeyakumar says. For instance, Toptal has a naming convention for Slack groups to keep things organized, and theres a rule that video must be turned on during conference calls so that team members can see each others faces. Ive worked remotely in previous jobs and felt like a second-class employee, Jeyakumar says. Theres a lot of stuff you miss out on, because not everyone is thinking about remote colleagues. He says that the organization recognizes that some in-person contact is critical for relationship building, which is why the money Toptal saves on office space is funneled into team retreats -- including a recent one to Mexico. With the right systems in place, remote companies have proven themselves capable of maturing successfully into large, complex organizations. Automattic, the parent company of the website platform WordPress.com, is a kind of senior citizen in the remote workspace, having operated a distributed workforce since 2005. The company has grown to more than 700 employees in 62 countries. As at Toptal, Automattic leans on digital collaboration tools -- teams use a series of internal blogs to communicate, as well as Slack, Trello and Mural -- and the whole company gathers annually for a weeklong meetup. Automattic has also learned that it can be hard to predict who will work well in a remote culture. So every new hire starts on a trial system, during which candidates work on contract for a few weeks. All that being said, does a company need to have remote work in its DNA to be truly successful with telecommuting? Bradford Bell, associate professor of HR studies and director of industrial and labor relations executive education at Cornell University, doesnt think so. While recent research shows that having a higher percentage of employees in a team working remotely does lead to better overall outcomes with telecommuting, there are two things that any company can do to improve the chances of getting the most out of distributed workers. Related: How Can You Better Engage Your Remote Workers? 6 Ways. Companies that are really successful with remote work are very thoughtful about who should be remote working -- how good a fit are they personally, what jobs are a good fit and lots of analysis, Bell says. That means putting a formal process in place to evaluate requests to work out of the office, and setting up parameters when it comes to things like where the work will happen and how collaboration takes place. Another huge determinant of success or failure: leadership buy-in. Bell says that having leaders and managers who believe its possible to be productive outside an office -- and who do some of their work outside themselves -- can make a big difference in the organizations ability to incorporate remote work. Many, Bell says, agree to the setup to try to retain a valuable employee but believe deep down that working at home means not working at all. Thats not a recipe for success. A belief that the employee cant contribute in the same way will be a self-fulfilling prophecy, says Bell. Related: The Tricks and Secrets to Mastering a Remote Workforce How to Manage People in Different Time Zones Everything You Need to Know About Landing a Remote Job Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Shanghai recently launched a new online platform to facilitate the business registration of foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) in the city. Launched on June 30, 2018, the platform makes it easier for foreign investors to report their business information to the Administration of Industry and Commerce (AIC) if their projects do not qualify under special administrative measures for foreign investment. If the AIC approves the registration, the information will automatically be transferred to other relevant departments, including the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), to complete relevant filing procedures. In the event an FIEs business registration information needs changing, the filing information should be updated in MOFCOMs Foreign Investment Integrated Management Application System. To be noted, the entire business registration process cannot be completed online. Applicants still need to provide certain paper documents in-person, such as the original copies of relevant certificates. In addition to business registration, the one-stop system also covers chop carving filings, tax relevant issues such as fapiao applications, reservations to open bank accounts, and some social insurance registration matters. The new online platform can be accessed here. The online business registration platform is Shanghais response to Chinas national One Window, One Form reform. Following a decision made by the State Council on May 16, 2018, regional governments were required to establish a one stop shop by June 30, 2018 where FIEs could submit a single form to a single office to complete business registration. Previously, FIEs in many regions had to visit various government offices and oftentimes fill out multiple forms containing redundant information to register their businesses. The One Window, One Form policy is part of Chinas wider business reform agenda, which seeks to improve the countrys business environment and streamline bureaucratic red tape. Other reforms include a massive overhaul of government institutions to reduce bureaucratic overlap, as well as smaller reforms like eliminating approvals for tax incentives. You are here: Arts The Iranian capital Tehran will host an event in which several Finnish films will be displayed, semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Tuesday. Nine films will be screened during the Finland film evening in Tehran on Sep. 5, Iranian Youth Cinema Society announced on Tuesday, according to Mehr. The event will be held in cooperation between Iranian Youth Cinema Society and the Finland's embassy in Tehran in Cinema Museum of Iran located in northern Tehran. The event will be open to public free of charge. You are here: Arts The first Arts Summit of Southern Africa focusing on human creativity kicked off on Monday. With the theme of "Human Creativity is a vital Economic, Social and Cultural Resource," the event displayed the artwork of various artists ranging from writers, poets, painters and sculptors. Twelve of the 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states are attending the three-day event. The summit gives African countries a chance to discuss regional integration and give priority to the creative industries in national development policies. It also aims to address the challenges facing creative industries within the region, according to the organizer, the National Arts Council of Namibia. The SADC is an inter-governmental organization established in 1992 and committed to promoting regional socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as poverty eradication. Mexican marching band Panteras has been a big hit at this year's carnival celebrations here, the city's biggest annual festival. With their white uniforms, phosphorescent hats, and lively beat, the young musicians, from the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz's Bachelors College (Cobaev), have won over the audience, and underscored the friendly ties between Mexico and Cuba. "I think our historical ties are stronger. There is tremendous affection for Mexicans, we can feel it," the band's director, Jorge Alberto Morales, told Xinhua. Trained in the violin and trombone, Maestro Morales, as band members respectfully call him, is moved when he recalls the cries of "Viva Mexico!" heard from carnival revelers each time they play. The band debuted in style at the opening ceremony of the carnival on Friday along Havana's famed Malecon, or seaside promenade, where 18 dance troupes and 14 floats paraded by. Panteras came with 100 musicians, though the band has 250 members. Veracruz has 14 marching bands formed by students from 56 public schools, where they receive music classes as an elective subject to complement their high school studies. Students who choose to study music receive two hours of classes each week. Traditional Mexican music, as well as mambo, danzon and boleros, make up the repertoire of the band. "We are delighted to be in this fraternal country that has invited us," said Amanda de Leon, who traveled to Cuba to accompany her granddaughter, a clarinet player. Dressed in a colorful typical Mexican costume, she is part of a small group of women that march at the head of the band with a large banner highlighting the ties between the two countries. This is the first time the band has performed in Cuba, and it introduced itself by holding a surprise performance at the central corner of 23rd and L streets, one of the busiest intersections in the capital, from where it marched five blocks to the Malecon. Many joined the improvised street party and accompanied the group on its way to the seafront. "It's a beautiful presentation, especially because they know how to interpret our songs very well," said Alina Valdes, a septuagenarian Afro-Cuban woman accompanying her granddaughter, who watched the band with glee. A Puerto Rican family visiting Cuba, Aristides David and his wife Aixa Castillo, and their teenage son, said they were staying at the same hotel as the band, but confessed they had no idea the musicians were so talented. On another corner, carnival goer Desiderio Cabrera subtly bopped his head to the rhythm of the band. What does he think of the musicians? They're "a spectacular group," he said. Hassan Ragab, director of the Confucius Institute at the Suez Canal University in Egypt, has hailed the Chinese language institute for enhancing mutual understanding, cooperation between the Chinese and Egyptian people. Egyptian students are eager to learn about the Chinese language and culture as they see China as the model for developing countries, Ragab said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua. Ragab, who received the PhD in Chinese literature in China in 1995, has just returned from a two-week summer camp in China, in which 20 Egyptian students learned about Chinese cooking, writing and literature, in addition to having sightseeing tours there. More than 1,500 Egyptian students are now studying in Chinese universities, while some 600 others joined the Confucius Institute in 2017, he noted. In 2018, more than 300 students applied for the Chinese Department in the Language Faculty of the Suez Canal University, which planned to enroll only 30 students, Ragab said. There are two Confucius Institutes in Egypt, one in the Suez Canal University and another in Cairo University, with several other branches in other provinces. The Confucius Institute in the Suez Canal University has also opened classes in the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Corporation Zone, the British University and the Helwan University, with more classes to be opened soon in three other universities. The institute in the Suez Canal University attracts not only students who want to learn the Chinese language, but also students from different scientific fields across Egypt, Ragab told Xinhua. Over the past three years, the institute started to receive students from faculties such as engineering, medicine, science, antiquities and law by opening more Chinese classes, Ragab said. The Chinese government always offers scholarships to help Egyptian students, he said, noting that Egypt ranks the third in the number of scholarships offered by China. But the Confucius Institute is not only about language, Ragab said, adding that many Chinese companies in Egypt turn to it for hiring Chinese-speaking employees. In 2017, the Confucius Institute held the Chinese Companies Recruitment Day to help its students find jobs. As a result, almost 200 Egyptian students were hired. There are around 20 Chinese companies in the Suez Canal Economics Zone in Ain Sokhna district in Ismailia province, where TEDA is located, Ragab said. These companies have created a lot of job opportunities for Egyptians, and those who speaking Chinese obviously have advantages over others in securing a job. Ragab also lauded the Chinese policy in the Middle East, which is based on promoting harmony and peace and seeking common development and prosperity. As its friends increase day by day, China will "win the hearts and the minds of the Arab people," Ragab added.